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Welcome to the our review of this year's summer fling. We have here compiled a library of 112 or so pictures of that fabulous event, and have interspersed explanations, bits of wisdom and additional information. This year's fling was, for most students, one long line of planned activities with all sorts of unplanned activities stuffed in at the cracks. Despite the fact that at certain moments some participants were feeling rather uncomfortable, this fling was a whole lot of fun for everyone involved.

The Fling started with a tour of the Hinrichs property, accompanied of a list of "to dos" and "not to dos." It was during this tour that the memorable first introduction of "Spanky" the portable bathroom occurred. After this, the names of the students were made known to all. This was done by forcing every student to not only give his or her own name, but to give the names of every person who had given their name before him. This made it easy for some, such as me. I had to say: "Magnus, Bennett, Tim, Tim, Francis, Daniel, Afton, Daniel, Tim." However, those that were at the other end of the line had to spout out at least four times as many names. However, the exercise served its purpose, and everyone had at at least a vague idea of everyone's name, including the new students. Communication between students never ceased throughout the fling.

As this was the first activity in the fling, it was still quite easy to stay completely concentrated. All were able to follow and enjoy this age old story, many for the first time.

'Students listening' - 'Backs of the Shepherd and the Messenger' - 'Backs of Creon and the Chorus'

After lunch, two actors from the Old Globe educational department dropped by to help us understand the intricacies of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. They explained who all the characters in the play were, and had us help them to act out the first act of the play. Here, Tim Cook starred as Malvolio, who, for those uneducated in Shakespeare, is the guy who wears yellow cross-gartered stockings in Twelfth Night. Everyone enjoyed this hour.

Mr. Hinrichs had wanted to set up a full scale formal debate at the fling to show everyone how it was done. However, there was not enough experience floating around within ETS yet, so Josh Bell devised a simplified version which included everyone. We all broke up into groups of five or more and formed little discussion bevies around the perifery of the immediate area of the barn. Later we came and set up mini debates between the different groups. The topic we debated on was that of Theseus' ship. Theseus owned the boat that sailed to the country where the Labyrinth was. When he got back, his boat was placed in a museum, but after time, pieces started to rot away and were replaced as they rotted.
The exact topic we debated was:
Was the boat the original boat that he sailed even after some pieces were replaced?

What percent of the boards had to be replaced before it was not his original ship?

Some groups argued that the ship was the original ship however much of it you replaced. They were, I believe, wrong. Others argued that if more than 50% of the ship was replaced it would not be the same ship. These groups were wrong too. The winning position, in my opinion, was that of those who argued that if any of the ship was replaced, it would not be the same ship. This debate was a great hit with just about all of the students. Most felt that they could live through this again without injury.

'A bevy of students' - 'Chasing a rival from the discussion grounds' - 'A group stating their position'

Mr. Hinrichs very kindly provided a stash of uncleaned Roman coins for the students. He showed us all how to clean of the dirt and rust using a lemon-salt solution, soap water, WD-40 and lots of scrubbing. He started a conquiz with a prize of a silver coin for the person who got their coin the cleanest. However, when Saturday's awards ceremony came up, these prize coins were not to be found. Except for that, this Great Books Archeology course was a great success.

This year's dance practice included the introduction of the Irish jigs by a couple who joined us for that purpose. A lot of people enjoyed these two hours of collisions and toe squishing.

We started Thursday a little tired but still attentive. The first activity was listening and watching Francis Schaeffer talk about the Roman era and the Middle ages. We learned once again that man in not infallible, that he needs God, and how important it is to look at history in order to avoid making stupid mistakes that have been made over and over by people who didn't look back at history. Afterwards, Mr. Hinrichs asked us question about what we had seen in order to make sure we had paid attention and had actually learned something and understood it. I think we passed the quiz.

This period began by many students including me going down to play football. Just before ten, the McDonalds' crash occured. Upon this, we assembled in the barn to pray. No one, it turned out, was seriously hurt. However the reading of the Meno was pushed off until later than planned, and Mr. Hinrichs was not able to help read the part of Socrates as previously planned.

Thanks to the great job done by David and Chris, the Meno was read through in a surprisingly short time. The reading was accompanied for a while by a demonstration of Tim's artistic skills. Once that was over, there was a general relapse in the attentiveness of the students assembled. However, on a positive note, no one went to sleep this year.

David Martina: Socrates 1 -Read through the paragraph that begins with "In order that I might make another simile about you. For I know that all pretty young gentlemen like to have pretty similes made about them-- as well they may-- but I shall not return the compliment"

Chris Haines: Socrates 2 Read from the ending of Mr. H's lines through the paragraph that begins with the lines: "Then, as we are agreed that a man should enquire about that which he does not know, shall you and I make an effort to enquire together into the nature of virtue?"

David Martina: Socrates 3 - Read from where David stops off to the end.
Amanda Lorenz: Meno
Tim Hurley: Anytus
Wade Hurley: Meno's Slave Boy

Lunches were times of grouping up into bevies for a while to eat and talk until it was time to do something else or until you felt like playing football, soccer or frisbee. The virtue we found in sports consisted in the fact that it was fun. As far as I know, there were only two casualties of this spontaneous activity. The first occured when Jonathan Martina and Arash, a member of the opposing team, simultaneously tried to kick the soccer ball and Jonathan came away with a sprained ankle. The second casualty was Tim Cook who ran full speed into a wood pile while chasing a frisbee. He caught the frisbee, but didn't feel up to running about as much the next day.

Here we spent two sportless hours doing all sorts of new things. Actually a lot of the students were in the Midsummer Night's Dream play and had to go with Mrs. Hinrichs to practice that. The rest of us spent time cleaning coins, building Roman arches out of a block set and attempting to make a Greek trireme out of Mr. Hinrich's legos.

'Building blocks' - 'The Arch de Escondido (under construction)' - 'The Arch de Escondido'

'Theseus and Hyppolita' - 'Theseus and Hyppolita with other nobles' - 'The Actors of Athens'

The Shakespeare play was enjoyed very much by all who attended. Malvolio of the yellow, cross-gartered stockings was once again a favorite among the ETS crowd.

Friday

8-9:30 a.m. - "How Should We Then Live" video series parts 2&3

We learned now about 'the Renaissance' and 'the Reformation,' and about the ideas behind them. I still remember some of the general ideas that Schaeffer thought important. Most students were, if I remember correctly, paying attention, and, during the discussion afterwards, were able to remember the facts conveyed.

This was a fun activity which everyone who was there enjoyed but in which I did not take part. I went and played soccer with the other students who did not want to play softball. However, I did spend one inning at the softball field taking pictures and I hope I got a fair representation of what happened. As far as I know, all of the batters in the following pictures got at least a base hit. Of course, I do not have pictures of all the many people who did so.

'People trying to catch a fly ball or a ground ball' - 'Colin hits a ball' - 'Another ball out there'

Good food was received with great rejoicing. Lunch was followed by extensive exercise to stave off weight gain.

These two hours were filled with interesting discussion led by Mr. and Mrs. Hinrichs. An example of this was the lengthy comparison of Pyramus and Thisbe with Romeo and Juliet. Here's a picture of us, or rather, of everyone beside me, since you won't get to see me that easily.

The fact that everyone enjoyed the ball is demonstrated by the many (21) pictures I took, and by the fact that the refreshments disappeared quickly. I don't think I met anyone who wasn't having any fun at all. The barn was packed, due to the large concentration of dancers in a confined space, and the lawn outside was used for dancing several times.

'More dancers dancing' - 'Dancing outside' - 'The Barn is packed and overflowing'

Actually, Mr. Hinrichs did something else before the dancing began. This was the reading of the "A note to the young gentlemen on ball etiquette." For the enjoyment of all, it is reproduced here.

My dear young gentlemen,

This ball might be the first for many of you, so you are in need of a little instruction on the rudiments of ball etiquette. A ball promises great delight and enjoyment; however, you must know how to conduct yourself properly to enjoy its pleasures.

First, this is a ball, not a dance. At a dance, many boys simply act without any direction or discretion. This simply will not do at our ball. At all times you must act with complete hospitality towards and respect for the young ladies. At no time are your actions to be controlled by male egotism, passion or cowardice. We will be doing partner dancing at the ball which means there will be some physical contact. In order to make sure that you control yourself with all proper courtesy and decorum, please follow these guidelines. When you wish to dance with a young lady, approach her and say, "May I have this dance with you?" If she accepts, offer her your arm, look for an available space on the dance floor and escort her to it. Once the dance is complete, thank her for dancing with you, offer her your arm again and lead her back to where she was originally seated. If you do not act in a polite manner when you ask her to dance (for example, if you approached and said, "Hey, let’s dance") you will simply be told, "No". If you are polite to her and yet she does not desire dance, she will smile and say, "No, thank you." or "No, thank you for asking."

A ball is not a place where one comes to find some romantic dream. Therefor, do not wait the entire evening trying to get up the courage to ask a girl for whom you have taken a particular fancy. This is an error that shows both a lamentable fixation on your own passions as well as simple cowardice. One comes to a ball to dance. It is your responsibility to make sure that the young ladies who would like to dance have an opportunity to do so. If you see someone who has not yet had an opportunity to dance, make sure she is given that opportunity. If you find you are turned down, do not sulk, simply smile, walk away and ask someone else.

Your gracious attitude towards the ladies should not stop once you leave the dance floor. Whether it be around the punch bowl, going through doors, or simply chatting between dances, you will be expected to show them all proper deference. Phrases like, "Excuse me", "Please, you first", "Thank you", "You are kind to say so." should be ready on your lips.

You can expect the finest behavior from your female peers in ETS; however, they may be a bit nervous themselves and resort to that irksome habit of huddling in little female bevies around the peripheries of the dance floor. If this were a perfect world you would not need to face such obstacles, however, manly courage is not daunted but strengthened by such trials. Remember- it is not the woman’s place to ask you to dance. It is your responsibility to overcome your boyish timidity, take the part of a man and show a hospitable initiation towards the young ladies. Politely requesting a girl to dance will say volumes about your character. Also remember, just because a girl looks down at the ground when you approach to ask her to dance, this does not necessarily mean that she does not wish to dance. Often young women are quite shy and find it very difficult to look at a young man directly. If a young woman has come to a ball, it is a fair assumption that she would like to dance.

I do not mean to give you these guidelines to restrict the natural delight that one can take in such events, yet, as with the rest of life, it is within structure that we find the blessings freedom provides.

Mr. Hinrichs

a.k.a Mr. Manners

"It may be possible to do without dancing entirely. Instances have been known of young people passing many, many months successively, without being at any ball of any discription, and no material injury accrue to either body or mind;--but when a beginning is made--when the felicities of rapid motion have once been, though slightly, felt--it must be a very heavy set that does not ask for more."--Jane Austin, Emma

'Some or most of the young ladies' - 'The Spartan Stick Dance' - 'The Hinrichs''

Two facts poignantly illustrate the fact that students were tired by now. First, fewer people showed up to listen to Schaeffer this time, since they were sleeping in. Secondly, I could not remember the topics we went over just now. I had to look them up in the book. For the rest of you who had also forgotten, the topics were 'the Enlightenment' and 'the Rise of Modern Science.'

This period was designed to inform everyone of the 'rest of the story,' by which I mean Acts I-IV of Midsummer Night's Dream. Students had been working hard to put together the fifth act of this Shakespearean play, and this reader's theater allowed all the students to understand the plot leading up to those scenes. Mr. Hinrichs had each student who had a part in the fifth act do his own reading. Therefore, the following list is applicable to the performance of Act V, below, as well as to this reader's theater.

Theseus, Duke of Athens: Kit Topper
Lysander, in love with Hermia: Ivan Heitman
Demetrius, in love with Hermia: Francis Pedraza
Philostrate, master of revels to Theseus: Amanda Helland
Peter Quince, a carpenter, Prologue in the play: Jeremy Gauger
Snug, a joiner, Lion in the play: Tim Futoran

Nick Bottom, a weaver, Pyramus in the play: Tim Hurley
Francis Flute, a bellows mender, Thisby in the play: Matthew Ball
Tom Snout, a tinker, Wall in the play: Aimee Gibson
Robin Starveling, a tailor, Moonshine in the play: Carissa Gibson
Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons: Melodie McDonald
Hermia, daughter to Egeus, in love with Lysander: Elizabeth Meihaus
Helena, in love with Demetrius: Brianna Hurley
Oberon, King of the Fairies: David Martina
Titania, Queen of the Fairies: Kaitlyn Landgraf
Puck, or Robin Goodfellow: Christy Giannestris
Egeus, Father of Hermia: Daniel Newheiser

During this fling, Mr. Hinrichs worked hard to get us students to learn to sing Latin madrigals together. He failed. Actually, we managed to learn enough that we could sing halfway through the nine stanzas before breaking down completely. Here are three pictures of us basses (and maybe the tenors too) through part of the song.

For many hard weeks, sixteen hardworking students had been working hard to put this play together. Together with the hard work of Mrs. Hinrichs, they were able to put it together. They made hardly any mistakes. The crowd that assembled to watch them did not find it hard to follow the story, and loved the play. After the performance, everybody clapped hard to congratulate the actors, and the director, on the stunning performance.

'Theseus reads the list of entertainments' - 'Lion introduced' - 'The nobles watch the play'

'Pyramus and Thisby at the wall' - 'Enter, the Lion' - 'The Lion with Thisby's cloak'

'Thisby weeps for Pyramus' - 'The Bergomas dance' - 'The Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies'

Shortly after the Shakespeare performance had ended, everyone assembled in the barn to watch and listen to some other forms of ETS talent. This is the official list of the official performances with the names of the official performers.

“Doggy’s Flirt” by Hans P. Keuning………Twyla, Peter, and Dieter Elhardt, recorders

“Solace” by Scott Joplin……………………………..Matthew Ball, piano

“Sonatina” Op. 39, No. 1 by Frank Lynes……………..David Martina, piano

“Be Thou My Vision” and “Amazing Grace”…………Hayley Calvillo, harp

“Cotton- Eyed Joe”……………………………….. Daniel Newheiser, fiddle; Tim Hurley, guitar

“Tarantella” by William Henry Squire…………….. …Peter Elhardt, cello; Noah Elhardt, piano

“Basso: A-minor, Universal Gypsy Tune”…………….Philip Calvillo, violin; Colin McDonald, violin

However, this was not the end of the performances. First, Daniel Newheiser, Ivan Heitman and Amanda Meyncke, with support, performed

a scene from Monty Pithon's Holy Grail. Everyone enjoyed this immensly, but I didn't get any pictures of it. After the applause had ended, Tim Cook walked forward to read the following revision of "a letter to the young gentlemen": My dear young "Gentlemen"... This event may be the first for many of you, so you are in need of a little instruction in the rudiments of the etiquette. This event promises great amounts of sweat and maimed feet. However, you must first know how to conduct yourselves improperly to fully appreciate its delightful aura. First, this is NOT a ball ...this is a hoedown. At a ball, many boys act with direction and discretion.... this simply will NOT do at our hoedown. At no times should you act with hospitality towards the young ladies...At all times your actions should be controlled by male egotism, passion, and cowardice. We will be doing partner dancing at the hoedown, which means that there will be MUCH physical contact, especially considering the massive number of people in the confined dance facility. In order to make sure that you act with inelegance and self-importance please follow these guidelines. When you wish to dance with a young lady, stumble toward her, bowling over all in your path of flight. Then, while lying in a crumpled mass on the floor smiling up at her with your cookie-stained teeth, holler in a loud earth shaking voice, "Whassssssaauuuup! Yo, lets dance... NOW!" When she accepts (for who can decline a man wearing yellow, cross-gartered stockings), grab her arm and push people out of y'alls way into a dance spot. Once the atrociously, abysmally, horrifically performed dance is complete, dispose of her as quickly as possible and seek out your next victim. Even if you do not act in a polite manner when commanding her to dance, she has little choice in the matter, for it is a barbaric decree, not a gentlemanly request. If however, by some rare chance, she is to reply "NO..!" then she will be labeled a nonconforming, anarchist against a radical egotistic society, and will be without a dance partner for the remainder of the evening. A hoedown is not a place where one comes to find some romantic dream....but it could be! Therefore, do not wait the ENTIRE evening trying to get up the courage to ask a girl for whom you have taken a particular fancy. Just wait half the evening, after drinking four mountain dews go ahead, and ask her whomever the poor girl might be. This is a lack of bravery that cannot be overcome. One comes to a hoedown to dance and for other possible "endeavors" they might have in mind. It is NOT your responsibility to make sure that the young ladies who would like to dance have an opportunity to do so, only your responsibility to embarrass them with your dancing skills, or lack there of. If you see someone who has not yet had an opportunity to dance, make sure she is given that opportunity of being embarrassed and having her toes squished. If you find you are turned down, do not sulk, simply smile, and show off your yellow cross-gartered stockings. .... This way she will not be able to refuse you. Your caffeine-induced attitude should not falter after leaving the dance floor. Whether it be knocking over punch bowls, falling through doors, or simply chatting between dances. You will be expected to show them the great level of maturity you have come to know over the years you have spent with ETS. Phrases like, "MOVE IT!".... "Yeah I AM great aren't I!?".... "I'm bigger than you, out of my way!" and "If I HAVE to" should be ready on your lips. You can expect the finest behavior from your female peers in ETS; however, they may be a bit nervous themselves and resort to that irksome habit of huddling in the little female bevies around the peripheries of the dance floor. If they try this defensive tactic, try a little offense of your own. In order to break up their protective sphere, simply bow, then begin a burping chorus along with other strange guttural noises. If this were a perfect world, you would not need to face such obstacles, however manly courage is not daunted, but strengthened by such trials. Remember- it is not the woman's place to ask you to dance. Obviously, you have long since overcome your boyish timidity, take the part of the man you are and show a "hospitable" initiative towards the young ladies. Requesting a girl to dance, will deprive OTHER gentleman the fine hand of the young lady that you are taking all for yourself. Also, remember that when a girl looks down at the ground when you approach her most likely means that she has a slight romantic interest in another gentleman on the dance floor. If a girl comes to the hoedown, it is a fair assumption that she came for the refreshments. I have given you these guidelines to magnify the natural delight that one can take in such events. I'd like to leave you with this inspiring quote from Jane Austen. "...any savage can dance..." In postlude I would like to vocalize the truth that surely most, if not all of this material was meant for a purely comical nature and all of the men of the world would be well off to stray as far from these ideas as possible. In addition, the male multitude neither believes or trusts these principles and would not even DREAM of treating a lady with such a lack of respect and utter rudeness. As all the men seek nothing but to please the ladies of the crowd as the men hold them in the highest esteem possible. Credits: Reading- Tim Cook Main Writing- Tim Cook Side Poetry- Tim Cook Original Concept- Bennett McDonald Official Tangello Supplier- Bennet Mc Donald Main Reading Support- Bennet McDonald Other Main Reading Support- Tim Hurley Additional Writing and moral support- Bennett McDonald, Colin McDonald, Tim Hurley, David Martina, Tim Futoran and Magnus Elhardt This reading was followed by applause... ...and by Jeremy Gauger's song: "The Boxer" After more applause, singing, speeches (and more applause), The fling "officially" ended, and there followed much mourning of the parting ahead. Then, most everyone went home.