Published by The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. OCTOBER 2019 • FREE 2 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com OCTOBER 2019 — FIFTYPLUS among the most interesting. It was billed as key of C major has no sharps or flats, while a “refresher” session in what is known as the key of C-sharp major is nothing but Music, in theory “music theory.” sharps. When I was in grade school, the year From early morning lectures to evening All through my 12 years of piano les- The insight that really took my breath nearly always began with writing the same performances, from breakfast to dinner to sons as a kid, my teacher included theory away, however, was the one about “relative report: “What I did last sum- nightcaps at the hotel down lessons. I never really understood what minors.” (The term has nothing to do with mer.” It was usually a simple the block (unlike camp), we was theoretical about it: either it’s music how much older some campers were than recital of the fun activities spent the long days sharing or it isn’t, right? others, though we ranged in age from our (and boring ones) we expe- interesting times and making But music theory, it turns out, does early 30s to mid-90s.) rienced with our friends and new friends. have some interesting elements. The lec- Rather, the relative minor is the minor family. This was also my first expe- ture reminded us about key signatures key that shares the same key signature as I don’t remember ever rience participating in a “mas- (what sharps or flats apply to a scale to being asked to draw lessons ter class,” where I played a make it a particular key). For example, the See MUSIC, page 23 from the experiences, or even piece I love rather badly (a to think seriously about them. case of nerves, I like to think), But it was grade school, and and got a kind critique from Calling all Kroger shoppers the point I suppose was to give FROM THE the teacher. He said some- us an assignment to improve PUBLISHER thing along the lines of, “What Have you ever picked up a copy of local sites, including all Super Wawas, our writing. By Stuart P. Rosenthal good would it do for me to be Fifty Plus from a Richmond area selected Walgreens and CVS pharma- Well, this past summer, I teaching here if you played Kroger store? cies, and area libraries, senior/recre- went to sleepaway camp for everything perfectly?” For many years, racks for free pub- ation/community centers, retirement the first time. Granted, it was for less than One day, I was playing a jazz number by lications like ours have been located in communities, doctors’ offices, churches a week and it was “piano camp” for adults. the late Billy Taylor in front of some new the outer vestibule or towards the front and synagogues and other places where But I can’t help feeling an urge to write friends in the jazz workshop room when of many Kroger stores in the area. people live and shop. about it now. in walked our teacher, Larry Willis, a well Unfortunately, Kroger’s corporate If you know of a new location where The program at the Peabody School of known jazz pianist and former keyboardist leadership recently decided to discon- at least 50 copies of Fifty Plus would Music in Baltimore brought together am- for Blood, Sweat & Tears. “Go on,” he tinue having free publications in all likely be picked up over the course of ateur pianists from the East Coast and said, as I froze mid-chord. their stores. That means this month a month, please contact us at (804) Midwest to learn from Peabody faculty He went on to give me some basic but will be your last opportunity to pick up 673-5203 (or email info@fiftyplusrich- and award-winning performers in both important pointers about playing jazz. a copy of Fifty Plus from a free publica- mond.com) and let us know the name classical and jazz repertoire. Most important: “Keep the beat going tion rack in any Kroger. of the location, its address, and the I was never more than a day camper as a throughout.” I am sorry to report that he To address the needs of our read- name/telephone number of a person kid. But I now understand much better passed away at the end of September — a ers, we are adding a number of addi- with authority to grant permission to what a bonding experience it can be to great loss to the world of jazz. tional free distribution sites for Fifty distribute there. spend a week living with a group of like- One lecture at piano camp that I ex- Plus, including more than 20 Food We are sorry for the inconvenience minded people. pected to be a snooze turned out to be Lions. caused by Kroger’s change in policy, In addition, free copies will continue and thank you for continuing to read to be available at more than 400 other Fifty Plus. Letters to the editor a publication of The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter Editorial Mission: Fifty Plus is dedicated to providing readers with accurate addressed in Fifty Plus as well as on political and social issues of the day. information, professional guidance, and useful resources. Our publication is intended to both reflect and enhance fifty-plus lifestyles, and to encourage Mail your Letter to the Editor to Fifty Plus, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD reader dialogue and input. 20915, or email to [email protected]. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Fifty Plus is published monthly and distributed free of charge. The advertising deadline is the 20th of each month for the upcoming issue. The entire contents Dear Editor: We owned a week at Massanutten through of Fifty Plus are ©2019, The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. No portion may be re- The State Council of Higher Education for the consortium RCI. When we tired of vaca- produced in whole or in part by any means without the express written consent Virginia has received quite a few calls re- tioning in this way, we simply worked it out of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed by writers and columnists garding the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver to mail our deed to Massanutten. program that was mentioned in the August Anne Sutton do not necessarily represent those of Fifty Plus or its staff. edition of Fifty Plus. Midlothian, Va. Please be aware that the income limit in- Dear Editor: creased a few years ago from $15,000, as the Publisher/Editor — Stuart Rosenthal As a regular reader of Fifty Plus, I am article stated, to $23,850. Therefore, older flattered that my opinion carries weight. President/Associate Publisher — Judith K. Rosenthal adults who make less than $23,850 annually But sadly, I am not able to offer my advice Vice President, Operations — Gordon Hasenei are eligible for this tuition waiver program. concerning the new [online video] service Vice President, Sales and Marketing — Alan Spiegel Tierney Jackson Talk Back Time [announced in your Sep- Managing Editor — Margaret Foster State Council of Higher Education tember issue]. for Virginia At age 98, I am very Old School and quite Art Director — Kyle Gregory [Editor: We apologize for having printed at sea with today’s wonderful technology. Director of Operations — Roger King outdated information. Thank you for bring- Fortunately, I can still say what I think of the ing this to our attention.] many other gripping topics in Fifty Plus. Fifty Plus Richmond • P.O. Box 2227 • Silver Spring, MD 20915 Dear Editor: And I hope to be able to do so many more PH: 804-673-5203 • [email protected] In response to the article in your Sep- times. Thank you for your great publication. tember issue on getting rid of a timeshare, Frances Nunnally © Copyright 2019 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. I had no trouble at all getting rid of ours. Richmond FIFTYPLUS — OCTOBER 2019 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com 3 Feature Story Women finally get their own monument By Glenda C. Booth nize women, the Virginia Capitol Founda- WOMEN’S MONUMENT VIRGINIA COURTESY OF PHOTO Clementina Rind, mother of five, proba- tion’s Executive Director, Colleen Mes- bly never heard of “breaking the glass ceil- sick, pointed out. ing,” “women’s liberation” or feminism, but “In the U.S., most statues and memori- in 1774 she became the Virginia colony’s als of women are fictional characters, public printer, elected by the Virginia Gen- naked women or the mother of Jesus,” eral Assembly on a two-to-one vote. Messick said, citing a 2017 New York Rind, who had taken over the Virginia Times article. The Statue of Liberty figure Gazette newspaper after her husband died, is allegorical, as is the woman on the Vir- never missed putting out an issue. And she ginia seal with one exposed breast. didn’t blink when she caused a ruckus by In 2010, at the request of several publishing A Summary View of the Rights women, Senator Walter Stosch of Henrico of British America, Thomas Jefferson’s introduced a resolution in the state legis- grievances against the excesses of the lature calling for a Virginia women’s mon- British parliament and King George III. ument and creating a commission to Rind is one of 12 Virginia women, most make it happen. After the legislature ap- of them little known, to be honored by a proved the resolution, Governor Bob Mc- new monument opening this month in Donnell issued a proclamation directing Richmond’s Capitol Square.