Text of a lecture delivered to the Sphex Club in Lynchburg. Big Red, presented by Marc A. Schewel, offers a critical analysis of America's reliance on cheap oil and the consequent proliferation of sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Schewel critiques zoning regulations, low gas prices, and the lack of stringent fuel economy standards, which have collectively fostered a car-dependent culture and an SUV boom. He discusses the negative impacts of SUVs on fuel consumption, road safety, and the environment, and narrates personal experiences to underline the dangers and inefficiency of SUV ownership. The paper suggests that a shift in consumer behavior and policy reform are essential for addressing these issues. Schewel's second paper, "October Surprise," delves into the personal journey of the author's lifelong fascination with baseball, highlighted by a detailed recounting of the 1960 World Series. The narrative seamlessly weaves the author's initial detachment from sports, a transformative summer camp experience, and the culminating thrill of witnessing the Pittsburgh Pirates' historic victory. It's an exploration of baseball's intricate statistics, historical moments, and the unique connection between the sport and its fans, culminating in a father-son bonding experience at the World Series. The author reflects on the game's nuances, the impact of television on its spectatorship, and the personal significance of baseball memorabilia.
In his presentation entitled “Two Lynchburg Lawyers and the “Virginia-West Virginia Debt Case,” Judge Norman K. Moon discusses the long, contentious court cases that finally led to the Supreme Court’s determination that West Virginia owed and was obligated to pay Virginia's pre-civil war public debt of over $12 million dollars. In addition, Moon discusses the lives, relationship and actions of two prominent Lynchburg attorneys who successfully represented Virginia in this historic case.
