| Baharuddin Aritonang: 'Writing is all about discipline'
Baharuddin Aritonang, 54, went to the Baitul Hasib mosque to the rear of the State Audit Body (BPK) office building after finishing his routine work one afternoon. He talked with five people -- all staff members at the audit body. They talked about chairs, food and the audience. They did not discuss auditing. They were preparing a venue for a book launch. Titled Orang Batak Berpuasa (The Fasting Batak), the book will be Aritonang's fourth since 2002. "Although the title is about fasting, it raises a variety of issues such as corruption and social harmony. I'll launch it before the fasting month (scheduled to start Sept. 13," Aritonang said. Orang Batak Berpuasa will be his fourth book after Orang Batak Naik Haji (Batak Goes on the Haj), Ketawa Ngakak di Senayan (Humor in the Legislature) and Dari Uang Rakyat Sampai Pasien Politik (a collection of short essays).
Gourmet buffet combines with comedy theater
Smoked gouda gratin, lobster-encrusted grouper, and veal with cranberry and Frangelica sauce are signature items on the dinner buffet at the new Pineville Dinner Theater. They're creations by executive chef Cliff Ottinger, who says he enjoys elevating the buffet-style dinner format. "Never rubber chicken or soggy vegetables," he says with a hearty laugh. The new venue off Park Road combines dinner with live comedy shows performed by local actors. It opened in late July and is already selling out shows. Ottinger says he hopes to eventually catch the actual show. The kitchen staff works throughout the evening, moving on to desserts after the dinner service. Then they crank out late-night appetizers served in the Cameo's lounge, where many guests congregate after the shows.
Circle puts its money where its heart is
Charity, as the saying goes, begins at home.The King's Daughters and Sons Circle No. 2 lives by that saying. On Wednesday evening, the organization distributed nearly $193,000 to various individuals and organizations in the Greenville community, and one in Cleveland.During a program at the Greenville Higher Education Center, the circle presented grants totaling $192,730.04. Representatives said each award goes toward the betterment of Greenville and the Delta.Among the larger awards: $12,000 to Delta Resource (Good Samaritan Clinic) to expand operating hours; $11,000 to the Delta Symphony Association for education outreach; $11,500 to the Greenville Arts Council for materials to display art items and equipment to expand art program; $10,000 to GHEC for literacy education; $12,000 to St. Vincent de Paul for food and toiletries for low-income clients; $14,000 to the Greenville Cypress Preserve Trust for material to construct an observation deck for an outdoor classroom; $10,000 to Greater Greenville Habitat for Humanity for construction materials for two houses; and $10,000 to the Washington County Day School Association for a music laboratory for elementary students.
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