The Next Big Thing

Marathon, 21st Olympiad in Montreal

Imperfect Score

Show #446

Friday, July 16, 2004

We chronicle strivings for perfection – at the Montreal Olympics, at an annual Potato Blossom Festival, and on stage where an opera singer’s efforts to sing are thwarted by a highly erratic composition. Also this week, the return of Erin McKean, word pusher, along with guest author Simon Winchester. And reflections on Frank Sinatra by Irish writer Nuala O’Faolain.

Listen to the whole show

Olympic Hopeful

As Athens struggles to complete its preparations in time for the Summer Olympic Games, Next Big Thing’s Amanda Aronczyk looks to another city that ran into similar difficulties. Montreal’s 1976 Summer Olympics were marred by financial disaster, behind-schedule construction projects, and boycott. And still, the Games went on.

» View a slideshow from Montreal’s 1976 Olympics

Note: audio is not available for this segment.

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Potato Queen

Edythe Fern Melrose, Lady of Charm This week, the people of Aroostook County, Maine, celebrate the 57th annual Potato Blossom Festival. In their honor, and in honor of a fine radio hostess from the 1940s, we present Potato Blossom Queens past and present. Produced by Jamie York.

» More information on the Potato Blossom Festival

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On the Farm

A trip to a farm in Hopkinton, New Hampshire, with Lili Olsen as our guide. Note: Lili’s three years old. Produced by Jason Rayles.

Photo right: Lili, Collage by Leah Giberson

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Goats' End

Last November, New Yorkers Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway set off on a nationwide goat tour – visiting goats on farms, in suburban areas, and along hiking trails. They’re back now, ready to set up their own goat farm. But before they do, they’ve decided to make one more trip – to the Bronx. Dean Olsher joins them. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk.

You can listen to our previous goat visits with Karl and Margaret in our show archives:
» January 30 2004
» March 05 2004

» View a slideshow of the Year of the Goat
» Year of the Goat website

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Ole Blue Eyes for the Lassies

Back in the 1950s, Frank Sinatra epitomized the idea of sophistication for teenagers in rural Ireland – at least according to writer Nuala O’Faolain, who remembers with what devotion she and her Catholic schoolgirl friends used to listen to his music. Produced by Jill Krauss.

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Word Lobby

In her self-appointed role as lexicographical activist, Oxford American Dictionary editor Erin McKean is determined to rescue forgotten or undiscovered words that run the risk of becoming obsolete. Her strategy? To foist those words upon respected writers. Her latest victim? Author Simon Winchester. Produced by Julie Subrin.

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Just Sing

Composer Nicholas Brooke is consumed by the way our personal relationship to music has changed over the past century, with the advent of the phonograph and other recording technologies. So consumed, in fact, that he’s written a chamber opera on the theme. Host Dean Olsher stops by a rehearsal of Brooke’s "Tone Test," which premieres at the Lincoln Center Festival next week. Dina Emerson is on stage – singing one of the opera’s most challenging pieces. Produced by Julie Subrin.

» More information on "Tone Test," at Lincoln Center
» Information on Nicholas Brooke

Click on picture for a larger image. Tone test picture courtesy of Edison National Historic Site