Judge Sweeney opened his presentation on the use of cameras in the courtroom: “The purpose of this paper is to try to present an unbiased evaluation of the program by someone who was there and has first-hand knowledge of the experiment as conducted in Bedford County.” Sweeney reviews the reactions of all relevant groups. Judges and the Virginia Supreme Court opposed the presence of cameras. But in 1992 Virginia’s General Assembly permanently approved the use of cameras.
John D. Capron's lecture to the SPHEX Club on February 3, 1961, detailed the evolution of manufacturing in Lynchburg, Virginia, over one and a half centuries. Starting from basic survival-driven crafts by early settlers using simple technologies, the industry evolved significantly, driven by geographical advantages and restrictive colonial policies. Over the centuries, varied manufacturing entities emerged, reflecting the adaptability and changing economic strategies of the community, despite challenges posed by external control and local cultural tendencies.
Robert Chambliss Light's presentation explores the history and unique characteristics of Siena, Italy. The talk highlighted Siena's division into 17 Contradas, the famous Palio horse race, the city's historical figures like St. Catherine of Siena, and compared Siena's community aspects to those of Lynchburg, considering how similar unity and identity could be achieved in Lynchburg.
Joan Foster's presentation, "A Culture of Care… Walking in Another’s Shoes," focused on Lynchburg's response to intergenerational poverty over the last decade. It highlighted the city's efforts, including the Poverty to Progress initiative and the merging with Bridges to Progress, forming task forces to tackle poverty-related barriers. The talk also covered grassroots initiatives addressing various aspects of poverty and concluded with the positive outcomes of these community-driven efforts, though acknowledging the challenges ahead.
Robert Wimer focused on the death of Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson and on the day that his body traveled through Lynchburg on its way to his final resting place in Lexington. Wimer described what was going on in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties as Jackson's casket passed through the city on May 13, 1863. He concludes with a discussion of the packet boat Marshall and his hope that Lynchburg will preserve it as perfectly as possible.
Dr. Elson's lecture explores the characteristics and challenges of four American generations: the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. He highlights the unique aspects of the Silent Generation, known as the "Lucky Few," and discusses retirement challenges facing Boomers and subsequent generations. Elson concludes with practical advice, emphasizing the importance of planning. Dr. Elson did not submit the text of his paper, only a summary.
The presentation by Charles F. Zimmer on January 2, 1992, at the SPHEX Club, titled "A Few Skills Needed to Work with Adolescents," covers the challenges and complexities of dealing with adolescents, particularly in the context of a drug crisis at Virginia Episcopal School (VES). Zimmer details a specific incident involving cocaine and alcohol, explaining the sequence of events, the school's response, interactions with law enforcement, and the aftermath. He uses this case to underscore the broader issue of drug use among youth, incorporating statistics and historical context to highlight the prevalence and dangers of substance abuse. Zimmer advocates for education, discipline, patience, and a strong community approach to address these issues, concluding humorously on the skills needed to work effectively with adolescents.
Robert Wimer discussed the fascinating Virginian from Nelson County, Thomas Fortune Ryan (1851-1928). Ryan “proved to be one of the shrewdest builders of wealth Wall Street had ever seen. At his death at the age of 77, Ryan was the richest native southerner and a man of spectacular generosity.” However, his manipulation of the corporations that he swept into his empire aroused a storm of criticism. Wimer discusses several topics related to Ryan including his nearby Oak Ridge estate.
Theodore J. Craddock's paper, "A Hot Time in a Cold Place," delivered to the Sphex Club, examines the Korean War, detailing its origins, key figures, and outcomes. Craddock explores the strategic mistakes and political maneuvers that defined the conflict, emphasizing the war's unresolved nature and its impact on U.S. foreign policy and military strategy. The paper also reflects on the war's legacy, particularly the contrast between North and South Korea, and critiques the underestimation of Chinese involvement by U.S. leadership.
Thomas Ledford offers a history of the railroad companies that ran through or influenced Lynchburg, and Lynchburg’s early efforts to take advantage of railroads despite the strong opposition by canal advocates. Lynchburg influenced the Civil War because of their railroad strengths, but experienced the devastation of the railroads by the war’s end. Changes in the railroads after the Civil War included the move of the railroad center to Roanoke, the 1891 financial panic, and the coming of Amtrak.
James R. Caskie's paper explores the Kohler Company's labor relations history, emphasizing its fair labor practices and innovative community-building efforts by its founder, John Michael Kohler, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It details the prolonged conflict and strike with the UAW, highlighting the subsequent violent acts and legal struggles, and criticizes the National Labor Relations Board's controversial decisions. Caskie utilizes Sylvester Petro's comprehensive analysis to critique the NLRB's handling of the case, suggesting political motivations and systemic bias against the company.
This academic paper offers a detailed narrative of Linker's personal experience climbing the Matterhorn. It encompasses the planning, execution, and reflections on the ascent, providing insights into the challenges and risks involved in mountain climbing. The paper is organized chronologically, starting from the anticipation and preparation, the climb itself, and concluding with post-climb reflections. The key points include the importance of physical preparation, the unpredictability of mountain weather, the significance of having a skilled guide, and the personal fulfillment derived from achieving such a feat. The narrative emphasizes the climber's interaction with nature, the technical aspects of mountaineering, and the emotional journey of overcoming physical and psychological barriers.
This paper by Joan S. Jones, presented on October 18, 1990, at the SPHEX Club, delves into the evolution of education from elementary through higher education, focusing on the shift towards more dynamic and student-centered learning approaches. It discusses the transition from traditional teaching methods to those that cater to the developmental stages of children, as outlined by educational theories such as those of Piaget. The paper also touches on the implications of these educational shifts for teacher training, curriculum development, and the fostering of a more cooperative and interactive learning environment. Emphasis is placed on the need for educational reform to accommodate diverse learning styles and to prepare students effectively for future challenges.
The paper, presented by George W. Dawson at the Sphex Club, delves into the life of Robert Frost, emphasizing the profound impact of three key women on his life and poetic works. It explores Frost's formative years, his struggles with education and financial stability, his complex family dynamics, and his tenure at prestigious institutions despite no formal degree. The narrative reveals Frost as a man marked by fame yet driven by personal insecurities and a quest for public validation, ultimately questioning whether Frost was truly "A Man for Our Times."
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of life and speculative insurance from the 18th century to modern financial instruments like Credit Default Swaps (CDS) and Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs). Kevin Smith delves into the historical context of insurance legislation, highlighting the transition from gambling-like speculative insurance to laws requiring insurable interest, and connects these concepts to contemporary financial crises, particularly the role of CDSs and CDOs in the 2008 financial meltdown. He advocates for stronger regulation, concluding that while recent measures have mitigated risks, significant challenges remain.
The paper "A Neglected Factor in History" by Maurice Moore (April 1925) examines how climate and its changes have historically influenced the rise and fall of civilizations. Moore argues that despite technological advances, civilizations, like Egypt and Greece, flourished under favorable climatic conditions, which eventually shifted, leading to their decline. He discusses the impact of climate on agriculture, disease prevalence, and overall societal energy, suggesting that climatic conditions directly correlate with a civilization's vitality and progress. Through extensive examples across various continents and eras, Moore highlights the overlooked yet critical role of climate in shaping human history. The paper is organized into a comprehensive overview of civilizations' achievements, followed by detailed analyses of climatic effects on societal development and decay, concluding with a call to recognize climate as a pivotal historical factor.
The genesis of the City Manager form of government in Lynchburg upon its centennial, including comments for and against by prominent citizens in advance of the successful 1919 referendum.
The paper discusses the history of newspapers in Lynchburg, Virginia, focusing on their role in local and national politics and their racial attitudes from the 19th century to the 1960s. It details the evolution of various newspapers, key figures like Carter Glass, and their influence on racial segregation and civil rights. Notable incidents, personalities, and the transition of attitudes through different eras are highlighted.
