Madison Messenger - July 12th, 2020

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PAGE 4 - MADISON MESSENGER - July 12, 2020 www.madisonmessengernews.com editorial Playfully stupid spoof full of music, big laughs It is estimated that more than 600 million people tune into the Eurovision Song Contest each year and yet this international event barely makes a blip on this side of the pond. You could make an argument that the lack of interest is due to the lack of North Americans in this primarily European singing competition, but viral clips show this is something Americans would probably like to see. It has acts that showcase pop music, rap music, country music, heavy metal music, and folkloric music. If that is not enough of a lure, each singer and band brings their own flair, and sometimes actual flares, to the mix. It is a smorgasbord of entertainment and opportunities to be entertained, and yet it passes by like a one-hit wonder on the billboard which, coincidentally, most of the winners turn out to be. In the past couple years, people in the States have paid more attention to this competition, but this was the year it was supposed to blow up due to the prevalence of interest in international bands. To coincide with the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest, Netflix was set to release a spoof, with Will Ferrell starring and writing. But then COVID-19 happened, putting a halt to those plans and the singing competition itself, the first since its founding in 1956. Letters to the Editor Policy The Madison Messenger welcomes letters to the editor. Letters can be of any topic, as long as they are not libelous or slanderous. Letters that do not have a signature, address and telephone number, or that are signed with a pseudonym, will be rejected. Only the author’s name and town of residence will be printed with the letter. Telephone numbers will not be published. The Madison Messenger reserves the right to edit or refuse publication of any letter for any reason. Direct any questions regarding the submission of letters to Kristy Zurbrick, editor, at (740) 852- 0809. Send letters to: 78 S. Main St., London OH 43140, email them to madison@columbusmessenger.com, or fax them to (740) 852- 0814. madison Messenger Published every Sunday Distribution: 14,600 Philip F. Daubel ................................................................Publisher Jim Durban ............................................................Office Manager Grant Zerkle ...................................................Advertising Manager Kristy Zurbrick ........................................................Madison Editor Becky Barker..........................................................Office Assistant Brittany Zerkle .....................................................Graphic Designer 78 S. Main St., London, Ohio 43140 (740) 852-0809 • madison@columbusmessenger.com www.madisonmessengernews.com Newspaper Subscription Rates The subscription rate for those living outside the circulation area is $78 per year. Columbus Messenger Co. reserves the right to edit, reject or cancel any advertisement or editorial copy at any time. The company is not responsible for checking accuracy of items submitted for publication. Errors in advertising copy must be called to the attention of the company after first insertion and prior to a second insertion of the same advertising copy. Romance is in the air E F I W Q L O X Y T M G S O U V I B L E S S I N G Z E E D F O B O B S T N E S E R P L E L L H O N E Y M O O N B O D X O M O O R G T E G G U N L D U W P U G N I T R I L F U E U T E D B W M H D N O I T P E C E R D A M O R E I P T Y T I N U S N O I T O V E D I H I G Y Q M the reel deal by Dedra Cordle C L N L E G A I R R A M O U A G N I D D E W X R P L L J O E H U S B A N D S M E S A J B R V J T G E N G A G E D I R B D R M E W B U H S E S S I K H V Rather than push the movie back to 2021 when, hopefully, live events can be held actual audiences, the streaming service decided to release it as scheduled to fill the void. I don’t think it filled the Eurovision loss, but it did bring some amount of joy through its sheer stupidity. Make no mistake, “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” is stupid, but it’s the kind of stupid that burrows deep enough into you to make you forgive it. Ferrell, whose outlandish mannerisms are more muted here, plays Lars Erickssong, a middle-aged man who still carries his childhood dream of being a music star. Since watching ABBA perform on the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, he has made it his mission to compete and win, even though he lacks vocal talent. Even with this minor inconvenience, he makes it his life goal to get there, mainly to rub it in the face of his disapproving father, Erick Erickssong (Pierce Brosnan). Lars throws caution to the wind and submits his latest effort, “Double Trouble,” to the Icelandic Song Contest (ISC), with the encouragement of his Fire Saga bandmate, childhood friend and potential love interest, Sigrit (Rachel McAdams). Due to a random selection by the ISC committee, Fire Saga is chosen to participate in the showcase that determines which act makes it to Eurovision. This announcement does not please Lars’s father as he feels his son will make a laughing stock of him and the nation. During the televised performance, Lars does just that. With that pitiful performance comes the realization that he will never attain his dream. But then, due to a random accident that results in the deaths of their competition, Fire Saga is selected to perform at Eurovision by default. This announcement, too, does not please Lars’s father as he feels his son will make a laughing stock of him and the nation on the international stage. The moment the duo steps foot in Scotland to prepare for the contest is the moment the film finds its stride. It introduces us to interesting side characters, like snarky announcer Graham Norton (playing himself) and Alexander Lemtov (Dan Stevens), a Russian smolderer who is the favorite to win with his song, “Lion of Love.” It also introduces us to so many throwaway, backhanded comments and compliments. It’s one of those films you could find new things to laugh about with each viewing. But the real humor (and later, heart) comes with the performances and interactions of Fire Saga’s members as they try to navigate this new landscape and their feelings for each other. Some moments will have you puzzled, others rooting for and against the pair, and some will have you crying with laughter. Many are on the fence with this movie due to exhaustion for its male star, but as I said earlier, Ferrell is much more toned down for this role. It could be because his character is mellower, but he allows room for his female co-star and the secondary characters to develop and shine, as well. And they do. Though humor and taste are always subjective, I found real enjoyment in watching “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.” It is a playfully stupid film filled with good and bad music, big and small laughs, terribly cheesy graphics and a real love for this wonderful and wonderfully weird competition. I’m not sure if it will get more people interested in the actual competition, but if you’re looking for a good time at the (home) theater, this might be the movie to see. R N R U H C A N D L E S W O V Grade: B- Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer and columnist. Messenger Word Search AMORE BETROTHAL BLESSING BRIDE BOUQUET CANDLES CHAMPAGNE COMMITMENT CUDDLES DEVOTION DREAMS ELOPE ENGAGED FLIRTING FLOWERS GROOM Solution on page 16 Created by Sue Bender HONEYMOON HUSBAND HUGS JOY KISSES LOVE MARRIAGE MINISTER NUPTIALS PRESENTS RECEPTION TUXEDO UNITY VOWS WEDDING WIFE
www.madisonmessengernews.com No troubles with fireworks By Kristy Zurbrick Madison Editor Village and city leaders in West Jefferson and London were hoping for the best when they decided to go forward with fireworks displays. By all accounts, they got it. “The fireworks were fantastic. We didn’t have any trouble. It’s not what we expected,” said Ray Martin, West Jefferson mayor. In cooperation with the West Jefferson July 4th Streetfest Committee and Jefferson Township trustees, the village moved the launch site for the fireworks to Converse Park, shut down all parks, and asked village residents to watch the display from their homes. The goal was to discourage mass gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The fireworks took place on Saturday, July 4. “It worked out great,” Martin said. West Jefferson Police Chief Christopher Floyd reported that all of his officers worked multiple shifts to cover the event. They encountered no problems with people congregating and drove through neighborhoods passing out candy. “With the help of those officers and the street department, we were able to block off the village parks, and the school blocked off the school property,” Floyd said. “The display was intended for residents of West Jefferson. It went much smoother than anticipated, and that is because of the help and cooperation of our citizens.” Floyd said the biggest problem his department encountered over the Independence Day weekend was residents setting off their own fireworks illegally. “We had constant calls for that. No charges of any kind were filed. Most people were cooperative when we asked them to stop,” he said. London officials had nothing but good to report about their set-up, as well. The fireworks were launched on Friday, July 3 from the London High School grounds, as usual, but with social distancing required between parked cars and traffic patterns in place for those who opted to watch the display at the school. “Everybody seemed to adhere to the recommendations, and it was a great night,” said Patrick Closser, London mayor. “People came out to the schools and kind of parked around town to see the fireworks, then they went on their way.” He noted that with everything going on with the pandemic, city officials were happy to provide something to the citizens that brought a little normalcy to the summer. London Police Chief Glenn Nicol said his department patrolled the school grounds and observed that everyone complied pretty well with social distancing guidelines. “We had extra units out for patrol and response, and we didn’t really run into any problems,” he said. Messenger photo by Jeff Pfeil West Jefferson launched their fireworks from a new location–Converse Park–on July 4. The centralized site was selected to provide most residents with a view of the display from their homes. STRATEGY REALTY INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED 614-981-0709 James Peart, Agent 187 W High Street London, OH 43140 Bus. 740-852-5557 www.jamiepeartinsurance.com P040201 05/05 July 12, 2020 - MADISON MESSENGER - Page 5 Pleasant Township trustees halt meetings Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pleasant Township trustees will not meet on the third Monday of the month until further notice. For details, call (740) 869-3755. Car insurance with PERSONAL SERVICE. No extra charge. At State Farm ® you get a competitive rate and an agent dedicated to helping you get the coverage that’s right for you and the discounts you deserve. Nobody takes care of you like State Farm. Contact me. I’ll prove it. LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE. ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company • State Farm Indemnity Company Bloomington, IL • statefarm.com ® Each Home Instead Senior Care ® franchise office is independently owned and operated © Home Instead, Inc. Lung Cancer? Asbestos exposure in industrial, construction, manufacturing jobs, or the military may be the cause. Family in the home were also exposed. Call 1-866-795-3684 or email cancer@breakinginjurynews.com. $30 billion is set aside for asbestos victims with cancer. Valuable settlement monies may not require filing a lawsuit.
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Madison Messenger - July 12th, 2020

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