The In-Laws (1979)

Directed by Authur Hiller (Outrageous Fortune, Plaza Suite, Teachers), this critically-acclaimed comedy from 1979 stars Peter Falk as CIA agent Vince Ricardo, who involves his future in-law Sheldon Kornpett (Alan Arkin) in a plot to expose a counterfeit scheme devised by a South American dictator.

In one comical scene in the film, a hysterical Alan Arkin exclaims, "The ocean? It's over the ocean to Scranton, Pennsylvania?"

The In-Laws was remade in 2003 with Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks.

To place a hold on the DVD of 1979's The In-Laws, click here.

Much thanks to WILK's Sue Henry for the info.

MULTI GRAMMY WINNER JOHN LEGEND HAS A LOCAL CONNECTION

Did you know that John Legend, who won three Grammy Awards this week, has a connection to Scranton?

From 1995 to 2004, Mr. Legend held a nine-year tenure as choir director, pianist and head of the music department at Bethel AME Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania (716 North Washington Ave).

He left his position in 2004 to work on his major label debut solo album Get Lifted, which has sold over one million copies.

On Wednesday, February 8th, 2006, Legend won the Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Male Performance.

Excellent job, John!

Thanks to Judi for the info.

UPDATE: Scranton Times/Tribune Josh McAuliffe wrote an article about John Legend that includes interviews with his former choir members and others who knew him when he was at Bethel AME Church in Scranton. The article appears in today's (Friday, February 10th, 2006, pages A1 and A5) issue of the Scranton Times/Tribune. Read the full-text of the article by clicking here.

MICHAEL FINE FROM LAKE ARIEL NOMINATED FOR GRAMMY AWARD

Wednesday night, you can bet that all of us at Albright Memorial Library will be cheering for Lake Ariel resident Michael Fine, who is nominated for the Grammy Award for Classical Producer of the Year. The 48th Annual Grammy Awards will be handed out live on Wednesday night (February 8th) at 8 PM and will air LIVE on CBS (locally on WYOU).

Michael and his wife Tammy own Fine Sound Productions in Lake Ariel, PA; Fine Sound Productions offers recording production services, consulting and career counseling.

Mr. Fine, who was also the recipient of the 1992 Grammy Award for Classical Producer of the Year (he was also nominated in 1990), has produced artists such as Cecilia Bartoli and Andrea Bocelli. Several albums he has produced have also won Grammys and other numerous awards.

The Scranton Times-Tribune has published an article about Mr. Fine titled Grandpa Behind Grammy in Tuesday's issue. Click here to read the full text of "Grandpa Behind Grammy."


The Reference Department congratulates Michael Fine on his Grammy nomination for Classical Producer of the Year and wishes him the best of luck at Wednesday night’s Grammy Awards.

An extra special thanks to Mr. Michael Fine for allowing me to use his photo in our blog.

LOCAL AUTHOR SUSAN CAMPBELL BARTOLETTI WINS PRESTIGIOUS NEWBERY HONOR BOOK AWARD

UPDATED 7/26/07

Susan Campbell Bartoletti of Moscow has won the prestigious Newbery Honor Book award from the American Library Association for her book Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow.


Hitler Youth tells the story of a generation of German young people - one group of youths devote all their energy to the Hitler Youth and the propaganda that gave Hitler his power, and the other group of youths resists the Nazi movement.


Ms. Bartoletti is also the author of the critically-acclaimed A Coal Miner's Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska, 1896; Kids on Strike! and Growing Up in Coal Country.


The Reference Department congratulates Ms. Bartoletti for this amazing recognition and honor.

Much thanks to Susan Campbell Bartoletti for
permitting me to use her photo in our blog.

http://www.scbartoletti.com/

UPDATED 7/26/07 Susan was profiled in this week's Electric City discussing the upcoming Gathering Symposium and her upcoming book. To read the article, click here.