BUCKET LIST UPDATE - No. 872: Drink a root beer float

I scratched another item off my bucket list on Sunday when I enjoyed a root beer float for the first time ever.

Obviously, this wasn’t one of those Climb Mount Everest-type bucket list items, but it was a fun and enjoyable experience nonetheless. I added this item to my bucket list several months ago after reading a list of unusual foods. I knew that I’d had a “Coke float” before, but I couldn’t honestly say that I’d ever eaten a root beer float.

I knew that a root beer float was pretty easy to make, and I wanted to make one on my own if possible. I did a little research on Wikipedia and YouTube and learned that all you really need is vanilla ice cream, root beer, a glass and either a spoon or straw. On Sunday morning at the Super Wal-Mart in Monroeville, my daughter and I rounded up a half-gallon of homemade vanilla Blue Bell Ice Cream and a two-liter bottle of A&W Root Beer, and we were all set. Total cost was less than $8.

As it turned out, not only had I never had a root beer float, but my wife and kids had never one either. We remedied that on Sunday and before the day was over, we’d consumed all the ice cream and root beer. In other words, we thought they were mighty tasty.

To make a root beer float, I used an ice cream scoop to add three scoops of ice cream to a regular, dinner-size glass. Next, I slowly poured in the root beer. It fizzed a lot, so I let the bubbles die down before adding more. After putting everything away, I used a spoon to eat my root beer float, but I can see where a nice, long straw would have been helpful in the end to get everything out of the bottom of the glass. Armed with just a spoon, I did my best not to waste any of it.

While researching root beer floats, I learned that they’re also known as a “black cow” or “brown cow.” Also, I read that the exact origins of the root beer float are shrouded in mystery. Many believe that the first root beer float was served in August 1893 in Cripple Creek, Colo., where Cripple Creek Cow Mountain Mining Co. owner Frank J. Wisner began mixing ice cream and root beer as a drink for local children.

This project also got me to wondering about what other types of floats you could make by mixing other beverages with ice cream. A little research told me that instead of root beer you can also use grape soda, strawberry soda, ginger ale, lemon-lime soda and other beverages. Of course, I couldn’t help but wonder what a Guinness Extra Stout float would taste like. Turns out, this is called a "Shakin' Jesse," and yes, I do plan to try that out some time soon.

In the end, I enjoyed scratching another item off my bucket list. How many of you have ever had a root beer float? What did you think about it? Can you recommend any other unusual foods? Let us know in the comments section below.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Dec. 31, 2012

SIX YEARS AGO
JAN. 4, 2007

“Friends and business acquaintances of Gerald Borden stopped by South Alabama Gas last Thursday afternoon to bid Borden good wishes on his retirement as the general manager of the company. Borden will remain with SAG on a consulting basis for the next year to help new manager, Mark Burgess, assume his new duties.”

“Tears and laughter filled the conference room at Schneider National Trucking Dec. 14 as former employees and current employees said goodbye to each other as the company officially closed the Evergreen terminal. Among those present for the reception was Walter Poole, who started Poole Truck Line, which later became Schneider National.”

“Total rainfall for the month of December was 4.33 inches. Total rainfall for 2006 was 43.27 inches.”

“The City of Evergreen more than doubled their base sewer rates and almost doubled their base water rates Tuesday night. The Evergreen City Council voted unanimously to raise the base sewer rate in the city from $5 per month to $12 per month and the base water charge from $7.50 for the first 3,000 gallons to $13.80. The overall base rate increase to city customers will be $13.30 per month.”

“U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) will join the residents of Conecuh County for a county visit on Fri., Jan. 5, 2007 at 2 p.m. The county visit, which is open to the public, will take place at the Evergreen Public Library, located at 201 Park St. in Evergreen.”

21 YEARS AGO
JAN. 2, 1992

“Emergency crews move quickly to extract an injured man from the wreckage of a vehicle struck by a freight train in downtown Evergreen last Friday. The injured man, George Jacob, was flown by Lifeflight to a Montgomery hospital where he was listed in critical condition suffering from head and internal injuries.”

“Weatherman Harry Ellis reports .19 of an inch of rain on Dec. 23, .67 on Dec. 27 and .37 on Dec. 28.”

“Murder suspect now in jail; Second still in USA hospital: One man accused of the murder of a retired elementary school teacher in Conecuh County has been placed in the Conecuh County Jail, while a second man remains in a Mobile hospital.
“According to officers, Wayne Travis was transferred to the county detention facility last week after being released from University of South Alabama Medical Center in Mobile. Travis and Steven Wayne Hall had been in the hospital since Dec. 15, after both were injured in a shoot out with area law enforcement authorities in Monroe County.
“Travis was under heavy guard as he was taken out of a deputy’s vehicle and placed on an elevator in the rear of the Conecuh County Courthouse. Travis was aided by crutches, still suffering from the effects of a shotgun blast to the knee.
“Travis was booked for Mrs. Clarene Haskew’s murder and placed in a cell. Earlier, bond had been denied by District Judge Sue Bell Cobb.”

36 YEARS AGO
JAN. 6, 1977

“The year just ended was a ‘dry’ one when compared with 1975. According to Earl Windham, total rainfall for 1976 was ‘only’ 56.29 inches. That’s just a little over half as much as the approximately 111 inches recorded in 1975.
“The 1976 total was close to the normal rainfall for this area, but considerably less than has been recorded each year for the past several years.
“Windham reports .08 of an inch of rain on Dec. 30 and .80 on Jan. 2.”

“The Evergreen City Council’s first meeting of 1977, Tuesday night, was a lengthy one, but no action was taken.
“City Clerk Miller T. Sellers said that the meeting lasted about four hours and was consumed by discussion among the councilmen of a number of matters, but no official action was taken. Some of the matters discussed are expected to be brought up at future meetings.”

“Legal advertising begins this week on a local bill that would permit The Union Bank of Repton to establish a branch office in Evergreen. State law requires that a local bill be advertised four weeks before it is introduced in the state legislature.
“Proposal of the branch bank was brought up late last year. At that time, it received the endorsement of the Evergreen City Council, but drew strong opposition from the officers, directors and stockholders of The Conecuh County Bank.”

51 YEARS AGO
JAN. 4, 1962

“One man has been arrested in Mobile and is under a $1,500 bond in connection with the Christmas night shooting of a Bowman Truck on Highway 31 at the old ‘S’ curve north of Evergreen.
“Bowman has reported a series of shootings into the company trucks throughout the Southeast in recent months. The company is reported to have been involved in a labor-management dispute.”

“Governor Patterson and Highway Director Engelhardt have entered into a contract with Conecuh County for the construction of grading and drainage of 4.692 miles of road from Castleberry northwest to a point on the road connecting the Castleberry-Evergreen highway with the Lenox-Belleville road.”

“Murrice G. Miniard, airman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Noble O. Miniard of Repton spent the Christmas holiday at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, while serving aboard the attack aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea.”

“A total of 400 Alabama registrants will be summoned to the induction station here during January to fill Alabama’s Selective Service quota, according to State Director Walter M. Thompson Jr.”

“Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. for John C. Holman, 77, who died Sunday.
“Mr. Holman was widely known and highly respected throughout this area. The father of a large family, Mr. Holman instilled in his children from infancy love of God and country and six of his children served their country during World War II.”

66 YEARS AGO
JAN. 2, 1947

“Dr. R.L. Yeargan, formerly of Harriman, Tenn., will open offices in the Newton Building, between Morgan’s and Davis Shoe Store about Feb. 1. The building, a part of the store formerly occupied by Morgan, is now being done over to fit it to his needs and should be completed in time for opening about Feb. 1. He will engage in general practice.”

“Isaac (Pap) Thompson, storekeeper up near the stand pipe, lost his leg in a freak explosion about 11 o’clock Monday night. Thompson had living quarters in the rear of the store building and it is thought he had gone into his room to go to bed at the time the accident occurred. He was using a heater which had an old water jacket in it, but which was not connected to the water system. The heater exploded and a fragment of it entirely severed Thompson’s leg. It is reported that only a few days ago, he had a plumber plug the connection to the water jacket. The explosion was a heavy one which shook other homes in that vicinity.
“The fire department was called out to extinguish the blaze which was started in the building by the explosion. Thompson was carried to Century Hospital as soon as possible and reports from there Tuesday indicated he was recovering.”

“Effective Jan. 1, W.L. Lisenby assumed the duties as manager of Elmore’s, succeeding C.J. Boothe. Mr. Boothe left Tuesday for Russellville, Ala. to become manager of the Elmore store there. Mr. Lisenby comes here from Amory, Miss.”

Daily Weather Observations for Mon., Dec. 31, 2012

Temp: 34.2 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.0 inches

Humidity: 75 percent (Normal)

Conditions: Partly cloudy; moon visible up in the west; security lights still on in the distance; birds audible, woodpecker audible; standing water in the yard; light frost on grass and on vehicles.

Wind: 0.0 mph (No wind)

Barometric Pressure: 29.88 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.0 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 4.8 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 68.95 inches

NOTES: Today is the 365th day of 2012 and the 11th day of Winter. This is last day of the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

Nonfiction 'Hobbit' book makes best-sellers list this week

Today is Sunday, so that means that it’s time for my weekly breakdown of this week’s Publishers Weekly Best-Seller List. According to the list, there is only one new book at the top of the four major best-sellers lists this week.

"Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks replaced “Kill Alex Cross" by James Patterson as the top book on the mass market paperback best-sellers list.

"The Racketeer" by John Grisham remained the No. 1 book on the hardcover fiction best-sellers list for the second week in a row.

"Killing Kennedy" by Bill O'Reilly remained the top book on the hardcover nonfiction best-sellers list for the sixth week in a row.

"Proof of Heaven" by Eben Alexander remained the No. 1 book on the trade paperbacks best-sellers list for the fourth week in a row.

There was only one book on this week’s hardcover fiction best-sellers list that wasn’t on that list last week - "Winter of the World" by Ken Follett, which was No. 15 on the list.

There was only one book on this week’s hardcover nonfiction best-sellers list that wasn’t on the list last week - "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which was No. 14 on the list.

There were five books on this week’s mass market paperbacks best-sellers list that weren’t on the list last week. They (and their place on the list) included "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks (1), "Big Sky River" by Linda Lael Miller (2), "10th Anniversary" by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro (3), "Montana" by Debbie Macomber (8) and "The Litigators" by John Grisham (13).

There were two books on this week’s trade paperbacks best-sellers list that weren’t on the list last week. They included "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky (11) and "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks (13).

As a reminder, I’m posting these lists each Sunday because they, as a whole, represent a great, contemporary recommended reading list. These lists are initially released each week on Thursday, and if you’re interested in reading them then, visit Publishers Weekly’s Web site at www.publishersweekly.com. Below you’ll find all four of this week’s best-seller lists.

HARDCOVER FICTION
1. "The Racketeer" by John Grisham
2. "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn
3. "Threat Vector" by Tom Clancy
4. "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K. Rowling
5. "Merry Christmas, Alex Cross" by James Patterson
6. "Notorious Nineteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel" by Janet Evanovich
7. "The Forgotten" by David Baldacci
8. "The Time Keeper" by Mitch Albom
9. "Cross Roads" by Wm. Paul Young
10. "The Last Man: A Novel" by Vince Flynn
11. "The Black Box" by Michael Connelly
12. "Agenda 21" by Glenn Beck and Harriet Parke
13. "Flight Behavior" by Barbara Kingsolver
14. "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by Ayana Mathis
15. "Winter of the World" by Ken Follett

HARDCOVER NONFICTION
1. "Killing Kennedy" by Bill O'Reilly
2. "Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power" by Jon Meachum
3. "Guinness World Records 2013" by Guinness World Records
4. "Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust" by Ina Garten
5. "No Easy Day" by Mark Owen
6. "America Again" by Stephen Colbert
7. "Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
8. "The Signal and the Noise" by Nate Silver
9. "I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak" by Joel Osteen
10. "Ripley's Believe It of Not!" by Geoff Tibballs
11. "The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook" by Deb Perelman
12. "Waging Heavy Peace" by Neil Young
13. "Fifty Shades of Chicken" by F.L. Fowler
14. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
15. "Bruce" by Peter Ames Carlin

MASS MARKET PAPERBACKS
1. "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks
2. "Big Sky River" by Linda Lael Miller
3. "10th Anniversary" by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
4. "Kill Alex Cross" by James Patterson
5. "Locked On" by Tom Clancy
6. "Jack Reacher: One Shot: A Novel" by Lee Child
7. "Wicked Business: A Lizzy and Diesel Novel" by Janet Evanovich
8. "Montana" by Debbie Macomber
9. "Unnatural Acts" by Stuart Woods
10. "V Is for Vengeance" by Sue Grafton
11. "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett
12. "Unspoken" by Lisa Jackson
13. "The Litigators" by John Grisham
14. "The Sins of the Father" by Jeffrey Archer
15. "Hotel Vendome" by Danielle Steel

TRADE PAPERBACKS
1. "Proof of Heaven" by Eben Alexander
2. "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James
3. "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin
4. "Fifty Shades Darker" by E.L. James
5. "Fifty Shades Freed" by E.L. James
6. "How to Tell If Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You" by The Oatmeal/Matthew Inman
7. "The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again" by J.R.R. Tolkien
8. "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
9. "Private London" by James Patterson
10. "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain
11. "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
12. "World Almanac and Book of Facks 2013" by World Almanac
13. "Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks
14. "To Heaven and Back" by Mary C. Neal
15. "The Chew" by Peter Kaminsky

In the end, let me know if you’ve had a chance to read any of these books. What did you think about them? Which would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below.

Daily Weather Observations for Sun., Dec. 30, 2012

Temp: 27.5 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.0 inches

Humidity: 81 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Mostly clear with trace clouds in the east; moon visible up in the west; security lights still on in the distance; birds and dogs audible; standing water in the yard with thin layer of ice on top; light frost on grass and on vehicles.

Wind: 0.6 mph out of the North-Northwest.

Barometric Pressure: 29.97 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 2.2 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 4.8 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 68.95 inches

NOTES: Today is the 364th day of 2012 and the tenth day of Winter. There is one day left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

'Haunted Tuscaloosa' ranks among state's best books on the supernatural

I finished reading an awesome new book the other day called “Haunted Tuscaloosa” by David Higdon and Brett J. Talley. Published in August by The History Press, this 96-page book is jam packed with the haunted histories of dozens of old homes, hospitals, landmarks, cemeteries, theatres and university buildings in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

For those of you unfamiliar with Tuscaloosa, it’s a city of just under 100,000 located on the banks of the Black Warrior River in West Central Alabama. Incorporated in December 1819, this former Alabama state capital is arguably best known as the home of the University of Alabama. Nicknamed the “Druid City” and “The City of Champions,” the Tuscaloosa area was inhabited by Indians as far back as 12,000 years ago. To say that Tuscaloosa has a long and unique history would be an understatement.

“Haunted Tuscaloosa” is divided into two parts. The first section discusses haunted sites in the City of Tuscaloosa and just outside of the city. The second section of the book discusses haunted locations on the University of Alabama’s 1,970-acre campus. Sites discussed in the first part include the Bama Theatre, the Battle-Friedman House, Bryce Hospital, the Drish Mansion, Greenwood Cemetery, the Jemison-Van de Graaff Mansion, Maxwell’s Crossing, the Murphy-Collins House, the Old Tavern, the Jemison Center (Old Bryce Insane Asylum) and the Shirley House. Sites on UA’s campus discussed in the second section of the book include the Allen Bales Theatre, the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, the Gorgas House, the Kilgore House, the Little Round House, Smith Hall, the Quad, the University Club and Woods Quad.

I found this book to be especially interesting and highly informative. I lived in Tuscaloosa for several years and became intimately familiar with the city and university campus as a student and as a late night “lock up cadet” with UA’s Department of Public Safety. Despite all that, this book told me a lot about Tuscaloosa and the university that I didn’t know.

Not only was this book well researched, but it was also well written and very entertaining, which comes as no surprise given the qualifications of the authors. Higdon, an Iraq war veteran, is the founder and lead investigator of the Tuscaloosa Paranormal Research Group. Talley, an attorney with degrees from Alabama and Harvard Law School, is the author of “That Which Should Not Be,” which was a Bram Stoker Award nominee in the category of Superior Achievement in a First Novel. Their combined talents on “Haunted Tuscaloosa” have left readers with a book that they’ll want to read again and again.

When it comes to books about supernatural happenings and haunted locations in the state of Alabama, I’d rank “Haunted Tuscaloosa” among the best. Others that I would recommend include “Of Foxfire and Phantom Soldiers” by George Singleton, “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery” by Kathryn Tucker Windham, “Ghosts and Goosebumps: Ghost Stories, Tall Tales and Superstitions from Alabama” by Jack Solomon and Olivia Solomon and “Forgotten Tales of Alabama” by Kelly Kazek.

In the end, how many of you have read “Haunted Tuscaloosa”? What did you think about it? Do you know of any other good books about Alabama’s supernatural history that you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments section below.

What was YOUR favorite book of 2012?

By my count, I managed to read 57 books during the past year.

While that may seem like a lot (or not very many to some voracious readers), it was only five books over of my annual goal of 52 books, that is, one book a week.

You’ll find a complete list below of the books that I finished this year, and I have to admit that it was hard for me to pick out my favorite book, or shall I say, books of the year. I’d alphabetically rank my Top 10 as follows:

1. 1912 by Chris Turney
2. The Art of Manliness by Brett and Kate McKay
3. The Barefoot Bandit by Bob Friel
4. Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag by Creek Stewart
5. The Complete History of Evergreen, Alabama by Pat Poole
6. Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon by Mark Hodder
7. Forgotten Tales of Alabama by Kelly Kazek
8. From Nymph to Mobile and Beyond by Fred Richardson Jr.
9. Haunted Tuscaloosa by David Higdon and Brett J. Talley
10. The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen

Without further ado, here’s the list of books that I read during the past year. Which of these books have you had the chance to read? Which did you like or dislike and why? What was your favorite book from the past year, regardless if it’s on the list below or not? Let us know in the comments section below.

1. 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
2. 101 Secrets of the Freemasons by Barbara Karg and John K. Young
3. 1912 by Chris Turney
4. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
5. Annapurna by Maurice Herzog
6. The Art of Manliness by Brett and Kate McKay
7. The Barefoot Bandit by Bob Friel
8. The Bermuda Triangle Mystery-Solved by Lawrence David Kusche
9. Breach of Faith: The Fall of Richard Nixon by T.H. White
10. A Bridge to Light by Rex R. Hutchens

11. Build the Perfect Bug Out Bag by Creek Stewart
12. Chasing Rocky by J.P. Flaim
13. A Christmas Carol, The Chimes and The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens
14. The Complete History of Evergreen, Alabama by Pat Poole
15. A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
16. Congo by Michael Crichton
17. Crescent Dawn by Clive Cussler
18. Essential Doctor Strange, Vol. 1
19. Expedition to the Mountains of the Moon by Mark Hodder
20. Flight of the Old Dog by Dale Brown

21. Forgotten Tales of Alabama by Kelly Kazek
22. From Nymph to Mobile and Beyond by Fred Richardson Jr.
23. Golden Buddha by Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo
24. The Great Lakes Triangle by Jay Gourley
25. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
26. Haunted Tuscaloosa by David Higdon and Brett J. Talley
27. Hellboy: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola and John Byrne
28. Hellboy, Vol. 2: Wake the Devil by Mike Mignola
29. Hellboy, Vo. 3: The Chained Coffin & Others by Mike Mignola
30. Hellboy, Vol. 4: The Right Hand of Doom by Mike Mignola

31. Hellboy, Vol. 5: Conqueror Worm by Mike Mignola
32. Hellboy, Vol. 6: Strange Places by Mike Mignola
33. The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne
34. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
35. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
36. Jack Knife by Virginia Baker
37. The Journals of Lewis and Clark, edited by Frank Bergon
38. Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
39. Kull: Exile of Atlantis by Robert E. Howard
40. Manvotionals by Brett and Kate McKay

41. The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen
42. Medusa by Clive Cussler
43. Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
44. Mud, Sweat and Tears by Bear Grylls
45. Night by Elie Wiesel
46. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
47. The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman Jr.
48. Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence
49. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkein
50. Spygate: The Untold Story by Bryan O’Leary

51. Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
52. UFOs in Wartime by Mack Maloney
53. Welding for Dummies by Steven R. Farnsworth
54. White Death by Clive Cussler and Paul Kemprecos
55. Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
56. Writer Without a Cause by Cam Baker
57. The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs

Daily Weather Observations for Sat., Dec. 29, 2012

Temp: 41.4 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.6 inches

Humidity: 80 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Overcast; security light still on in the yard; standing water in the yard; spider in the rain gauge.

Wind: 11.8 mph out of the West-Northwest.

Barometric Pressure: 29.61 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 2.2 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 4.8 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 68.95 inches

NOTES: Today is the 363rd day of 2012 and the ninth day of Winter. There are two days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

What do YOU think was the greatest song of all time?

Yesterday, I ran across a great “best of” list called Rolling Stone Magazine’s “Top 500 Songs of All Time.” Originally published in the Dec. 9, 2004 issue of Rolling Stone, the list probably contains many of your personal favorites.

Bob Dylan’s 1965 song “Like a Rolling Stone” was No. 1 on the list and a number of his other songs can be found elsewhere on the list. There were also more than a few Nirvana, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and Beatles’ songs on the list. Ol’ Hank Williams of Georgiana even made the list in a couple of places. For more information about this list, visit http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407.

Without further ado, here’s the complete list:

1 – “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan (1965)
2 – “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones (1965)
3 – “Imagine” by John Lennon (1971)
4 – “What's Going On” by Marvin Gaye (1971)
5 – “Respect” by Aretha Franklin (1967)

6 – “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys (1966)
7 – “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry (1958)
8 – “Hey Jude” by The Beatles (1968)
9 – “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana (1991)
10 – “What'd I Say” by Ray Charles (1959)

11 – “My Generation” by The Who (1965)
12 – “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke (1964)
13 – “Yesterday” by The Beatles (1965)
14 – “Blowin' in the Wind” by Bob Dylan (1963)
15 – “London Calling” by The Clash (1980)

16 – “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles (1963)
17 – “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix (1967)
18 – “Maybellene” by Chuck Berry (1955)
19 – “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley (1956)
20 – “Let It Be” by The Beatles (1970)

21 – “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen (1975)
22 – “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes (1963)
23 – “In My Life” by The Beatles (1965)
24 – “People Get Ready” by The Impressions (1965)
25 – “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys (1966)

26 – “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles (1967)
27 – “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos (1970)
28 – “(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding (1968)
29 – “Help!” by The Beatles (1965)
30 – “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash (1956)

31 – “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin (1971)
32 – “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stones (1968)
33 – “River Deep, Mountain High” by Tina Turner (1966)
34 – “You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling” by The Righteous Brothers (1964)
35 – “Light My Fire” by The Doors (1967)

36 – “One” by U2 (1991)
37 – “No Woman, No Cry” by Bob Marley (1975)
38 – “Gimme Shelter” by The Rolling Stones (1969)
39 – “That'll Be the Day” by Buddy Holly (1957)
40 – “Dancin' in the Streets” by Martha and the Vandellas (1964)

41 – “The Weight” by The Band (1968)
42 – “Waterloo Sunset” by The Kinks (1968)
43 – “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard (1956)
44 – “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles (1960)
45 – “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley (1956)

46 – “Heroes” by David Bowie (1977)
47 – “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
48 – “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix (1968)
49 – “Hotel California” by The Eagles (1976)
50 – “The Tracks of My Tears” by Smokey Robinson (1965)

51 – “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash (1982)
52 – “When Doves Cry” by Prince (1984)
53 – “Anarchy in the U.K.” by The Sex Pistols (1977)
54 – “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge (1966)
55 – “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen (1963)

56 – “Long Tall Sally” by Little Richard (1956)
57 – “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum (1967)
58 – “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson (1983)
59 – “The Times They Are A-Changin'” by Bob Dylan (1964)
60 – “Let's Stay Together” by Al Green (1971)

61 – “Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On” by Jerry Lee Lewis (1957)
62 – “Bo Diddley” by Bo Diddley (1955)
63 – “For What It's Worth” by Buffalo Springfield (1967)
64 – “She Loves You” by The Beatles (1963)
65 – “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream (1968)

66 – “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley (1980)
67 – “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley (1957)
68 – “Tangled Up in Blue” by Bob Dylan (1975)
69 – “Crying” by Roy Orbison (1961)
70 – “Walk On By” by Dionne Warwick (1964)

71 – “California Girls” by The Beach Boys (1965)
72 – “Papa's Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown (1966)
73 – “Summertime Blues” by Eddie Cochran (1958)
74 – “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder (1972)
75 – “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin (1969)

76 – “Strawberry Fields Forever” by The Beatles (1967)
77 – “Mystery Train” by Elvis Presley (1955)
78 – “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown (1965)
79 – “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds (1965)
80 – “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye (1968)

81 – “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino (1956)
82 – “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks (1964)
83 – “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” by The Beatles (1965)
84 – “Every Breath You Take” by The Police (1983)
85 – “Crazy” by Patsy Cline (1961)

86 – “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen (1975)
87 – “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash (1963)
88 – “My Girl” by The Temptations (1965)
89 – “California Dreamin'” by The Mamas & The Papas (1965)
90 – “In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins (1956)

91 – “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley (1969)
92 – “Blitzkrieg Bop” by The Ramones (1976)
93 – “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For” by U2 (1987)
94 – “Good Golly, Miss Molly” by Little Richard (1958)
95 – “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins (1956)

96 – “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis (1957)
97 – “Roll Over Beethoven” by Chuck Berry (1956)
98 – “Love and Happiness” by Al Green (1972)
99 – “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
100 – “You Can't Always Get What You Want” by The Rolling Stones (1969)

101 – “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” by Jimi Hendrix (1968)
102 – “Be-Bop-A-Lula” by Gene Vincent (1956)
103 – “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer (1979)
104 – “Living for the City” by Stevie Wonder (1973)
105 – “The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel (1969)

106 – “Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan (1965)
107 – “Not Fade Away” by Buddy Holly (1957)
108 – “Little Red Corvette” by Prince (1983)
109 – “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison (1967)
110 – “I've Been Loving You Too Long” by Otis Redding (1965)

111 – “I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams (1949)
112 – “That's All Right” by Elvis Presley (1954)
113 – “Up on the Roof” by The Drifters (1962)
114 – “Da Doo Ron Ron” by The Crystals (1963)
115 – “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke (1957)

116 – “Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones (1969)
117 – “Take Me to the River” by Al Green (1974)
118 – “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” by The Isley Brothers (1959)
119 – “Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac (1977)
120 – “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5 (1969)

121 – “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King (1961)
122 – “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals (1964)
123 – “It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World” by James Brown (1966)
124 – “Jumpin' Jack Flash” by The Rolling Stones (1968)
125 – “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles (1960)

126 – “Shake, Rattle & Roll” by Big Joe Turner (1954)
127 – “Changes” by David Bowie (1971)
128 – “Rock And Roll Music” by Chuck Berry (1957)
129 – “Born To Be Wild” by Steppenwolf (1968)
130 – “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart (1971)

131 – “With or Without You” by U2 (1987)
132 – “Who Do You Love?” by Bo Diddley (1957)
133 – “Won't Get Fooled Again” by The Who (1971)
134 – “In the Midnight Hour” by Wilson Pickett (1965)
135 – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles (1968)

136 – “Your Song” by Elton John (1970)
137 – “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles (1966)
138 – “Family Affair” by Sly & the Family Stone (1971)
139 – “I Saw Her Standing There” by The Beatles (1964)
140 – “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin (1975)

141 – “All I Have to Do Is Dream” by The Everly Brothers (1958)
142 – “Please, Please, Please” by James Brown (1956)
143 – “Purple Rain” by Prince (1984)
144 – “I Wanna Be Sedated” by The Ramones (1978)
145 – “Everyday People” by Sly & the Family Stone (1968)

146 – “Rock Lobster” by The B-52's (1979)
147 – “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop (1977)
148 – “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin (1971)
149 – “Cathy's Clown” by The Everly Brothers (1960)
150 – “Eight Miles High” by The Byrds (1966)

151 – “Earth Angel” by The Penguins (1954)
152 – “Foxey Lady” by Jimi Hendrix (1965)
153 – “A Hard Day's Night” by The Beatles (1964)
154 – “Rave On” by Buddy Holly (1958)
155 – “Proud Mary” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

156 – “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel (1965)
157 – “I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos (1959)
158 – “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & the Comets (1954)
159 – “I'm Waiting for the Man” by The Velvet Underground (1967)
160 – “Bring the Noise” by Public Enemy (1988)

161 – “I Can't Stop Loving You” by Ray Charles (1962)
162 – “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O'Connor (1990)
163 – “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen (1975)
164 – “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash (1956)
165 – “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman (1988)

166 – “Lose Yourself” by Eminem (2002)
167 – “Let's Get It On” by Marvin Gaye (1973)
168 – “Papa Was a Rollin' Stone” by The Temptations (1972)
169 – “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. (1991)
170 – “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell (1969)

171 – “Dancing Queen” by Abba (1976)
172 – “Dream On” by Aerosmith (1973)
173 – “God Save the Queen” by The Sex Pistols (1977)
174 – “Paint It, Black” by The Rolling Stones (1966)
175 – “I Fought The Law” by Bobby Fuller Four (1966)

176 – “Don't Worry Baby” by The Beach Boys (1964)
177 – “Free Fallin'” by Tom Petty (1989)
178 – “September Gurls” by Big Star (1974)
179 – “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division (1980)
180 – “Hey Ya!” by Outkast 2003

181 – “Green Onions” by Booker T. and the MG's (1962)
182 – “Save the Last Dance for Me” by The Drifters (1960)
183 – “The Thrill Is Gone” by B.B. King (1969)
184 – “Please Please Me” by The Beatles (1964)
185 – “Desolation Row” by Bob Dylan (1965)

186 – “I Never Loved a Man” by Aretha Franklin (1967)
187 – “Back in Black” by AC/DC (1980)
188 – “Who'll Stop the Rain” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)
189 – “Stayin' Alive” by The Bee Gees (1977)
190 – “Knocking on Heaven's Door” by Bob Dylan (1973)

191 – “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)
192 – “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell (1968)
193 – “There Goes My Baby” by The Drifters (1959)
194 – “Peggy Sue” by Buddy Holly (1957)
195 – “Maybe” by The Chantels (1957)

196 – “Sweet Child O' Mine” by Guns N' Roses (1987)
197 – “Don't Be Cruel” by Elvis Presley (1956)
198 – “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix (1966)
199 – “Flash Light” by Parliament (1977)
200 – “Loser” by Beck (1993)

201 – “Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order (1986)
202 – “Come Together” by The Beatles (1969)
203 – “Positively 4th Street” by Bob Dylan (1965)
204 – “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding (1966)
205 – “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers (1972)

206 – “Reach Out, I'll Be There” by The Four Tops (1966)
207 – “Bye Bye Love” by The Everly Brothers (1957)
208 – “Gloria” by Them (1965)
209 – “In My Room” by The Beach Boys (1963)
210 – “96 Tears” by ? & the Mysterians (1966)

211 – “Caroline, No” by The Beach Boys (1966)
212 – “1999” by Prince (1982)
213 – “Your Cheatin' Heart” by Hank Williams (1953)
214 – “Rockin' in the Free World” by Neil Young (1989)
215 – “Sh-Boom” by The Chords (1954)

216 – “Do You Believe in Magic” by The Lovin' Spoonful (1965)
217 – “Jolene” by Dolly Parton (1974)
218 – “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker (1962)
219 – “Spoonful” by Howlin' Wolf (1960)
220 – “Walk Away Renee” by The Left Banke (1966)

221 – “Walk on the Wild Side” by Lou Reed (1972)
222 – “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison (1964)
223 – “Dance to the Music” by Sly & the Family Stone (1968)
224 – “Good Times” by Chic (1979)
225 – “Hoochie Coochie Man” by Muddy Waters (1954)

226 – “Moondance” by Van Morrison (1970)
227 – “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor (1970)
228 – “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash (1982)
229 – “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters (1955)
230 – “Just Like a Woman” by Bob Dylan (1966)

231 – “Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye (1982)
232 – “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison (1960)
233 – “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” by The Animals (1965)
234 – “I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better” by The Byrds (1965)
235 – “I Got a Woman” by Ray Charles (1954)

236 – “Everyday” by Buddy Holly (1957)
237 – “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa (1982)
238 – “I Fall to Pieces” by Patsy Cline (1961)
239 – “The Wanderer” by Dion (1961)
240 – “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield (1968)

241 – “Stand!” by Sly & the Family Stone (1969)
242 – “Rocket Man” by Elton John (1972)
243 – “Love Shack” by The B-52's (1989)
244 – “Gimme Some Lovin'” by The Spencer Davis Group (1966)
245 – “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” by The Band (1969)

246 – “Higher and Higher” by Jackie Wilson (1967)
247 – “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly & the Family Stone (1969)
248 – “Rappers Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang (1979)
249 – “Chain of Fools” by Aretha Franklin (1967)
250 – “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath (1970)

251 – “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin (1959)
252 – “Money Honey” by The Drifters (1953)
253 – “All the Young Dudes” by Mott the Hoople (1972)
254 – “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC (1979)
255 – “Heart of Glass” by Blondie (1978)

256 – “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead (1997)
257 – “Wild Thing” by The Troggs (1966)
258 – “I Can See for Miles” by The Who (1967)
259 – “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley (1994)
260 – “Oh, What a Night” by The Dells (1969)

261 – “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder (1973)
262 – “Ooo Baby Baby” by Smokey Robinson (1965)
263 – “He's a Rebel” by The Crystals (1962)
264 – “Sail Away” by Randy Newman (1972)
265 – “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & the Drells (1968)

266 – “Walking in the Rain” by The Ronettes (1964)
267 – “Personality Crisis” by New York Dolls (1973)
268 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2 (1983)
269 – “Roadrunner” by The Modern Lovers (1976)
270 – “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones (1980)

271 – “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys (1966)
272 – “Sweet Little Sixteen” by Chuck Berry (1958)
273 – “Something” by The Beatles (1969)
274 – “Somebody to Love” Jefferson Airplane (1967)
275 – “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen (1984)

276 – “I'll Take You There” by The Staple Singers (1972)
277 – “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie (1972)
278 – “Pictures of You” by The Cure (1989)
279 – “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups (1964)
280 – “Ain't No Sunshine” by Bill Withers (1971)

281 – “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder (1972)
282 – “Help Me” by Joni Mitchell (1974)
283 – “Call Me” by Blondie (1980)
284 – “Peace, Love and Understanding” by Elvis Costello (1979)
285 – “Smoke Stack Lightning” by Howlin' Wolf (1956)

286 – “Summer Babe” by Pavement (1992)
287 – “Walk This Way” by Run-D.M.C. (1986)
288 – “Money (That's What I Want)” by Barrett Strong (1960)
289 – “Can't Buy Me Love” by The Beatles (1964)
290 – “Stan” by Eminem (2000)

291 – “She's Not There” by The Zombies (1964)
292 – “Train in Vain” by The Clash (1979)
293 – “Tired of Being Alone” by Al Green (1971)
294 – “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin (1971)
295 – “Street Fighting Man” by The Rolling Stones (1968)

296 – “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley (1975)
297 – “Heart of Gold” by Neil Young (1972)
298 – “One Way or Another” by Blondie (1978)
299 – “Sign O' the Times” by Prince (1987)
300 – “Like a Prayer” by Madonna (1989)

301 – “Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?” by Rod Stewart (1978)
302 – “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” by Willie Nelson (1975)
303 – “Ruby Tuesday” by The Rolling Stones (1967)
304 – “With a Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles (1967)
305 – “Say It Loud -- I'm Black and I'm Proud” by James Brown (1968)

306 – “That's Entertainment” by The Jam (1980)
307 – “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers (1956)
308 – “Lonely Teardrops” by Jackie Wilson (1958)
309 – “What's Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner (1984)
310 – “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath (1971)

311 – “Wake Up Little Susie” by The Everly Brothers (1957)
312 – “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison (1963)
313 – “I Put a Spell on You” by Screamin' Jay Hawkins (1956)
314 – “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd (1979)
315 – “Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood” by The Animals (1965)

316 – “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd (1975)
317 – “Many Rivers to Cross” by Jimmy Cliff (1969)
318 – “Alison” by Elvis Costello (1977)
319 – “School's Out” by Alice Cooper (1972)
320 – “Heartbreaker” by Led Zeppelin (1969)

321 – “Cortez the Killer” by Neil Young (1975)
322 – “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy (1989)
323 – “Dancing Barefoot” by Patti Smith (1979)
324 – “Baby Love” by Diana Ross (1964)
325 – “Good Lovin'” by The Rascals (1966)

326 – “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown (1970)
327 – “For Your Precious Love” by Jerry Butler (1958)
328 – “The End” by The Doors (1967)
329 – “That's The Way of the World” by Earth, Wind & Fire (1975)
330 – “We Will Rock You” by Queen (1977)

331 – “I Can't Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt (1991)
332 – “Subterranean Homesick Blues” by Bob Dylan (1965)
333 – “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum (1970)
334 – “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones (1971)
335 – “Sweet Jane” by The Velvet Underground (1970)

336 – “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith (1976)
337 – “Beat It” by Michael Jackson (1982)
338 – “Maybe I'm Amazed” by Paul McCartney (1970)
339 – “You Keep Me Hangin' On” by Diana Ross (1966)
340 – “Baba O'Riley” by The Who (1971)

341 – “The Harder They Come” by Jimmy Cliff (1975)
342 – “Runaround Sue” by Dion (1961)
343 – “Jim Dandy” by Lavern Baker (1956)
344 – “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin (1968)
345 – “La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens (1958)

346 – “California Love” by Tupac Shakur (1996)
347 – “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John (1973)
348 – “That Lady (Part 1 and 2)” by The Isley Brothers (1973)
349 – “Spanish Harlem” by Ben E. King (1960)
350 – “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva (1962)

351 – “The Great Pretender” by The Platters (1955)
352 – “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley (1957)
353 – “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton (1992)
354 – “Watching the Detectives” by Elvis Costello (1977)
355 – “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

356 – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics (1983)
357 – “Little Wing” by Jimi Hendrix (1968)
358 – “Nowhere to Run” by Martha and the Vandellas (1965)
359 – “Got My Mojo Working” by Muddy Waters (1957)
360 – “Killing Me Softly With His Song” by Roberta Flack (1973)

361 – “Complete Control” by The Clash (1979)
362 – “All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles (1967)
363 – “The Letter” by The Box Tops (1967)
364 – “Highway 61 Revisited” by Bob Dylan (1965)
365 – “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers (1965)

366 – “How Deep is Your Love” by The Bee Gees (1977)
367 – “White Room” by Cream (1968)
368 – “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode (1989)
369 – “I'm a Man” by Bo Diddley (1955)
370 – “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix (1967)

371 – “I Can't Explain” by The Who (1965)
372 – “Marquee Moon” by Television (1977)
373 – “Wonderful World” by Sam Cooke (1960)
374 – “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” by Chuck Berry (1956)
375 – “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2” by Pink Floyd (1979)

376 – “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead (1995)
377 – “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles (1961)
378 – “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2 (1984)
379 – “Radio Free Europe” by R.E.M. (1983)
380 – “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John (1973)

381 – “Tell It Like It Is” by Aaron Neville (1966)
382 – “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve (1997)
383 – “Whipping Post” by The Allman Brothers Band (1969)
384 – “Ticket to Ride” by The Beatles (1965)
385 – “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (1970)

386 – “I Know You Got Soul” by Eric B and Rakim (1987)
387 – “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John (1971)
388 – “Roxanne” by The Police (1979)
389 – “Just My Imagination” by The Temptations (1971)
390 – “Baby I Need Your Loving” by The Four Tops (1964)

391 – “Band of Gold” by Freda Payne (1970)
392 – “O-o-h Child” by The Five Stairsteps (1970)
393 – “Summer in the City” by The Lovin' Spoonful (1966)
394 – “Can't Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley (1961)
395 – “Remember (Walkin' in The Sand)” by The Shangri-Las (1964)

396 – “Thirteen” by Big Star (1972)
397 – “(Don't Fear) the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult (1976)
398 – “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)
399 – “Enter Sandman” by Metallica (1991)
400 – “Kicks” by Paul Revere & the Raiders (1966)

401 – “Tonight's the Night” by The Shirelles (1960)
402 – “Thank You” by Sly & the Family Stone (1970)
403 – “C'mon Everybody” by Eddie Cochran (1958)
404 – “Visions of Johanna” by Bob Dylan (1966)
405 – “We've Only Just Begun” by The Carpenters (1970)

406 – “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly (1996)
407 – “In Bloom” by Nirvana (1991)
408 – “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith (1975)
409 – “Crossroads” by Cream (1968)
410 – “Monkey Gone to Heaven” by Pixies (1989)

411 – “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer (1977)
412 – “Ode to Billie Joe” by Bobbie Gentry (1967)
413 – “The Girl Can't Help It” by Little Richard (1957)
414 – “Young Blood” by The Coasters (1957)
415 – “I Can't Help Myself” by The Four Tops (1965)

416 – “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley (1984)
417 – “Fuck tha Police” by N.W.A. (1989)
418 – “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (1969)
419 – “Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang” by Dr. Dre (1993)
420 – “It's Your Thing” by The Isley Brothers (1969)

421 – “Piano Man” by Billy Joel (1973)
422 – “Lola” by The Kinks (1970)
423 – “Blue Suede Shoes” by Elvis Presley (1956)
424 – “Tumbling Dice” by The Rolling Stones (1972)
425 – “William, It Was Really Nothing” by The Smiths (1984)

426 – “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple (1973)
427 – “New Year's Day” by U2 (1983)
428 – “Devil With a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly” by Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels (1966)
429 – “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” by Solomon Burke (1964)
430 – “White Man in Hammersmith Palais” by The Clash (1979)

431 – “Ain't It a Shame” by Fats Domino (1955)
432 – “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight (1973)
433 – “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin (1969)
434 – “Mustang Sally” by Wilson Pickett (1966)
435 – “Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones (1978)

436 – “Alone Again Or” by Love (1968)
437 – “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley (1956)
438 – “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by The Stooges (1969)
439 – “Pink Houses” by John Mellencamp (1983)
440 – “Push It” by Salt-n-Pepa (1987)

441 – “Come Go With Me” by The Del-Vikings (1957)
442 – “Keep a Knockin'” by Little Richard (1957)
443 – “I Shot the Sheriff” by Bob Marley (1973)
444 – “I Got You Babe” by Sonny and Cher (1965)
445 – “Come As You Are” by Nirvana (1991)

446 – “Pressure Drop” by Toots and the Maytals (1973)
447 – “Leader of the Pack” by The Shangri-Las (1964)
448 – “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground (1967)
449 – “Penny Lane” by The Beatles (1967)
450 – “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” by Glen Campbell (1967)

451 – “The Twist” by Chubby Checker (1960)
452 – “Cupid” by Sam Cooke (1961)
453 – “Paradise City” by Guns N' Roses (1987)
454 – “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison (1970)
455 – “All Apologies” by Nirvana (1993)

456 – “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price (1958)
457 – “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” by The Ramones (1977)
458 – “Soul Man” by Sam and Dave (1967)
459 – “Rollin' Stone” by Muddy Waters (1948)
460 – “One Fine Day” by The Chiffons (1963)

461 – “Kiss” by Prince (1986)
462 – “Respect Yourself” by The Staple Singers (1971)
463 – “Rain” by The Beatles (1966)
464 – “Standing in the Shadows of Love” by The Four Tops (1966)
465 – “Surrender” by Cheap Trick (1978)

466 – “Runaway” by Del Shannon (1961)
467 – “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns N' Roses (1987)
468 – “Search and Destroy” by The Stooges (1973)
469 – “It's Too Late” by Carole King (1970)
470 – “Free Man in Paris” by Joni Mitchell (1974)

471 – “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson (1980)
472 – “Where Did Our Love Go” by Diana Ross (1964)
473 – “Do Right Woman -- Do Right Man” by Aretha Franklin (1967)
474 – “One Nation Under a Groove -- Part 1” by Funkadelic (1978)
475 – “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys (1994)

476 – “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner (1984)
477 – “Super Freak” by Rick James (1981)
478 – “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane (1967)
479 – “Lady Marmalade” by Labelle (1975)
480 – “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison (1970)

481 – “Young Americans” by David Bowie (1975)
482 – “I'm Eighteen” by Alice Cooper (1971)
483 – “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure (1987)
484 – “I Love Rock 'N Roll” by Joan Jett (1982)
485 – “Graceland” by Paul Simon (1986)

486 – “How Soon Is Now?” by The Smiths (1985)
487 – “Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters (1964)
488 – “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac (1975)
489 – “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor (1978)
490 – “Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones (1971)

491 – “You Don't Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield (1966)
492 – “Running On Empty” by Jackson Browne (1977)
493 – “Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals (1963)
494 – “Desperado” by The Eagles (1973)
495 – “Shop Around” by Smokey Robinson (1960)

496 – “Miss You” by The Rolling Stones (1978)
497 – “Buddy Holly” by Weezer (1994)
498 – “Rainy Night in Georgia” by Brook Benton (1970)
499 – “The Boys are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy (1976)
500 – “More Than a Feeling” by Boston (1976)

In the end, which of the songs mentioned above is your favorite? Which of the others do you like or dislike? What songs do you think should have been on the list, but didn’t make the cut? Let us know in the comments section below.

Daily Weather Observations for Fri., Dec. 28, 2012

Temp: 36.3 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.0 inches

Humidity: 81 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Mostly cloudy; security light still on in the yard; standing water in the yard.

Wind: 1.7 mph out of the Southeast.

Barometric Pressure: 29.56 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 1.6 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 4.2 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 68.35 inches

NOTES: Today is the 362nd day of 2012 and the eighth day of Winter. There are three days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

The year 1913 was an important year in American, world history

This week’s paper marks the final edition of The Courant for the year 2012, and next week’s paper will be the first edition of the year 2013. Much has taken place in Conecuh County and in the rest of the world during the preceding year, and I’m sure that we’ll be able to say the same this time next year.

Next week, in this space, as I do on the first Thursday of every month, I’ll offer up my monthly review of all the interesting things that were happening in Conecuh County a century ago, way back in January 1913.

The year 1913 was an interesting year in history, and you might be surprised by some of the things that occurred during that year a century ago.

On Feb. 3, 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, which authorized the federal government to impose and collect income taxes.

Five days later, on Feb. 8, Russian pilot N. de Sackoff became the first pilot to be shot down in combat. His biplane was hit by ground fire after a bombing run he made on Fort Bezhani on the Aegean island of Levkas. He went down, but managed to repair his plane and fly back to his base.

On March 4, Woodrow Wilson, pictured above, succeeded William Howard Taft as the 28th President of the United States. Nine days later, on March 13, Pancho Villa returned to Mexico from the U.S. during the Mexican Revolution. Also on that day, Igor Sikorsky became the first person to pilot a four-engine aircraft. Two days later, the U.S. Army formed its first official aviation squadron, the 1st Aero Squadron, to scout for Mexican incursions across the border.

On April 8, the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed, which resulted in the direct election of U.S. Senators. Also that month, New Jersey engineer Gideon Sundback patented the all-purpose zipper. On July 10, the highest temperature ever recorded in the world – 134 degrees F – occurred in Death Valley, Calif.

On Aug. 13, Harry Brearley invented stainless steel. On Sept. 9, Russian Army pilot Pyotr Nesterov became the first person to ever loop an airplane. He was flying over Kiev, Russia at the time.

On Oct. 10, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson triggered the explosion of the Gamboa Dike, which ended the construction of the Panama Canal. On Oct. 16, the first oil-fired battleship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, launched in Portsmouth, England. On Oct. 31, the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across the U.S., was dedicated.

In November of that year, the first air-to-air combat in history took place over Mexico when aircraft exchanged pistol shots during the Mexican Revolution. As best as can be determined, they scored no hits. The Great Lakes Storm of 1913 occurred between Nov. 7 and Nov. 11 that year, claiming 19 ships and over 250 lives.

On Dec. 1, the Ford Motor Co. introduced the first moving assembly line, sparking the era of mass production. On Dec. 23, Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act, which created the central banking system of the U.S. under the Federal Reserve System. Camel cigarettes also debuted that month as the first ever packaged cigarettes.

Individuals born in 1913 incuded future U.S. Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Gerald Ford, civil rights activist Rosa Parks, comedian Red Skelton, American labor leader Jimmy Hoffa, French writer Albert Camus, track star Jesse Owens, pro football coach Vince Lombardi, and college football coaches Woody Hayes and Paul “Bear” Bryant. Famous American banker J.P. Morgan died on March 31, 1913.

Famous books that first hit the shelves in 1913 included “O Pioneers!” by Willa Cather and “Sons and Lovers” by D.H. Lawrence. Hollywood’s first feature film, “The Squaw Man,” was also made in 1913.

In the world of sports, Auburn, Harvard and the University of Chicago shared the college football national championship. The Philadelphia Athletics beat the New York Giants, four games to one, in the 1913 World Series. Also that year, the Brooklyn Dodgers moved into their new stadium, Ebbets Field.

As you can see, 1913 was an eventful year in American and world history. Who’s to say was 2013 will bring, but I’m sure that it will likely be as eventful as that remarkable year a century ago.

College football bowl predictions for the coming week

This coming week will be a great one for college football fans in the reading audience as there are 20 bowl games on tap to be played between tomorrow (Friday) and Thurs., Jan. 3.

Some of these games will be very predictable while others could be very close. For what it’s worth, here are my predictions on how those games will turn out. (The network carrying each game is noted in parentheses.)

Look for Louisiana-Monroe to beat Ohio in the Independence Bowl, which will kick off tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Shreveport, La. (ESPN)

Expect Virginia Tech to defeat Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl, which will start tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in Orlando, Fla. (ESPN)

I figure Texas Tech will best Minnesota in the Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl, which will begin tomorrow at 8 p.m. in Houston. (ESPN)

I predict Air Force will outgun Rice in the Armed Forces Bowl, which will kick off Saturday at 10:45 a.m. in Fort Worth, Texas. (ESPN)

Look for West Virginia to down Syracuse in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, which will start at 2:15 p.m. in New York’s Yankee Stadium. (ESPN)

Expect Arizona State to beat Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, which will begin Saturday at 3 p.m. in San Francisco. (ESPN2)

I figure Oregon State will best Texas in the Alamo Bowl, which will kick off Saturday at 5:45 p.m. in San Antonio. (ESPN)

I predict TCU will down Michigan State in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, which will start Saturday at 9:15 p.m. in Tempe, Ariz. (ESPN)

Look for Vanderbilt to beat North Carolina State in the Music City Bowl, which will begin Monday at 11 a.m. in Nashville, Tenn. (ESPN)

Expect USC to defeat Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl, which will kick off Monday at 1 p.m. in El Paso, Texas. (CBS)

I figure Iowa State will best Tulsa in the Liberty Bowl, which will begin Monday at 2:30 p.m. in Memphis, Tenn. (ESPN)

I predict LSU will blast Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, which will start Monday at 6:30 p.m. in Atlanta. (ESPN)

Look for Mississippi State to whip Northwestern in the Gator Bowl, which will start Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Jacksonville, Fla. (ESPN2)

Expect Oklahoma State to defeat Purdue in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, which will begin Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Dallas. (ESPNU)

I figure South Carolina will maul Michigan in the Outback Bowl, which will kick off Tuesday at noon in Tampa, Fla. (ESPN)

I predict Georgia will beat Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl, which will start Tuesday at noon in Orlando. (ABC)

Look for Stanford to best Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl, which will begin Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Pasadena, Calif. (ESPN)

I will be surprised if Florida State doesn’t beat Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl, which will kick off at 7:30 p.m. in Miami. (ESPN)

Look for Florida to edge by Louisville in the Sugar Bowl, which will start next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in New Orleans. (ESPN)

Last, but not least, I expect Oregon to down Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl, which will begin next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Glendale, Ariz. (ESPN)

The Evergreen Courant's Sports Flashback for Dec. 27, 2012

23 YEARS AGO
DEC. 28, 1989

“Two local players earn Marion Institute letters: Two players from Evergreen who were members of the Marion Military Institute football team in the 1989 season earned varsity letters. The players are William Simpson and Timothy Stallworth.”

From “The Colyum” by Bob Bozeman – “This weekend and Monday will also wind up my favorite season of the year, college football season. Auburn and Alabama are both in major bowl games this Jan. 1. Auburn will take on Big Ten power Ohio State in the Hall of Fame Bowl in Tampa with the kickoff set for noon on NBC TV (Channels 10 and 12). Alabama will return to the Sugar Bowl for the first time in a decade and take on No. 2 Miami, considered the nation’s best by many, with kickoff at 7:30 Monday night on ABC Channels 3 and 8 on our cable.
“Auburn and Alabama tied with Tennessee for the SEC title with conference records of 6-1 and share the 1989 championship. Auburn’s only loss was to Tennessee. Alabama beat the Vols, but got pasted by Auburn, 30-20, in the season finale to finish 10-1. The War Eagles took a 9-3 record (the other loss was to powerful Florida State) to Tampa.
“Local fans can take special interest in the Auburn-Ohio State game as a local star, Bob Meeks, will be starting for the Tigers. Bob was an outstanding lineman at Evergreen High School and saw lots of playing time last year at offensive tackle as a freshman. He was the starting right tackle for Auburn in this his sophomore season.
“Bob wears No. 70 and is a fine blocker. He doesn’t get the attention he deserves because he plays along side the highly publicized right guard, No. 67 Ed King, also a sophomore out of Phenix City. In the Auburn games I’ve watched on TV I thought Bob’s performances equal to the play of King. Offensive linemen are the unknowns of football as their names are seldom called and they get little publicity.
“Anyway, Bob Meeks is a fine player and a fine young man who brings credit to his family, his high school and his hometown. Here’s hoping you have a great game against the Buckeyes, Bob, and know that your hometown fans are pulling for you 100 percent.
“Incidentally, if I’m not mistaken, Bob is the first player from Evergreen to play on TV since Keith Pugh was a standout wide receiver on national championship teams at Alabama.”

38 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1974

From “The Colyum” by Bob Bozeman – “Through an oversight this writer failed to offer his congratulations last week to three fine Sparta Academy Warrior football players. The three, Sam Skipper, Bruce Hutcheson and Walker Scott, were named to the 20-member All District III Football Team of the Alabama Private School Athletic Association.
“This is quite an honor for the three players, their teammates, coaches and the school. In addition, Walker Scott was also the top rusher of the Class B Schools in the state and was second only to Ryles of Class A Hooper Academy among all private schools.
“Congratulations, Sam, Bruce and Walker on well-deserved recognition.”

Daily Weather Observations for Thurs., Dec. 27, 2012

Temp: 32.4 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.0 inches

Humidity: 82 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Overcast; security lights still on in the distance; birds audible.

Wind: 1.7 mph out of the North.

Barometric Pressure: 29.69 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 1.6 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 4.2 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 68.35 inches

NOTES: Today is the 361st day of 2012 and the seventh day of Winter. There are four days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

This week's movie picks are 'Les Miserables' and 'The Words'

It’s Wednesday, so today I give you my weekly list of movies that will open in theatres this week as well as a list of movies that will be released this week on DVD.

I hope this will serve as a useful guide as to what’s going on this week if you happen to be near a movie theatre or if you’re looking for something to drop into your NetFlix queue.

Movies that are scheduled to hit theatres this week include:

Django Unchained (Action, Western, R): Directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.

Les Miserables (Drama, Musical, PG-13): Directed by Tom Hooper and starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Barks and Amanda Seyfried.

LUV (Drama, R): Directed by Sheldon Candis and starring Common, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Charles S. Dutton and Danny Glover.

Parental Guidance (Comedy, PG): Directed by Andy Fickman and starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott and Bailee Madison.

Promised Land (Drama, R): Directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, Frances McDormand, John Krasinski, Rosemarie DeWitt and Hal Holbrook.

West of Memphis (Documentary, R): Directed by Amy Berg and starring Damien Echols, Lorri Davis, Jason Baldwin, Jess Misskelley Jr. and Pam Hicks.

New DVD releases for the week of Dec. 25 include:

Something Better Somewhere Else (Comedy, Romance, R): Directed by Ron Lazzeretti and starring John G. Connolly, Molly Glynn, Molly Kunz, David Pasquesi and Christian Stolte.

The Well-Diggers Daughter (Drama, Romance, Not Rated): Directed by Daniel Auteuil and starring Daniel Auteuil, Kad Merad, Sabine Azema, Jean-Pierre Darroussin and Nicolas Duvauchelle.

The Words (Drama, Romance, PG-13): Directed by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal and starring Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Olivia Wilde, Jeremy Irons and Dennis Quaid.

If I could only watch one movie at the theatre this week, it would be “Les Miserables,” and if I had to pick just one DVD to rent this week, it would be “The Words.”

In the end, let me know if you get a chance to watch any of the new movies in theatres this week or if you’ve already seen any of the movies that have just been released on DVD. What did you think about them? Which would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below.

Daily Weather Observations for Wed., Dec. 26, 2012

Temp: 38.7 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 1.5 inches

Humidity: 69 percent (Normal)

Conditions: Mostly Cloudy with some very dark clouds; security light still on in the yard; standing water in some places from yesterday's rain.

Wind: 5.8 mph out of the West-Southwest.

Barometric Pressure: 29.36 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 1.6 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 4.2 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 68.35 inches

NOTES: Today is the 360th day of 2012 and the sixth day of Winter. There are five days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

Daily Weather Observations for Tues., Dec. 25, 2012

Temp: 60.6 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.1 inches

Humidity: 84 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Mostly Cloudy with light misting rain; heavy fog, visiblity less than 1/4-mile; security light still on in the yard; birds audible and visible.

Wind: 0.0 mph (No wind)

Barometric Pressure: 29.37 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.1 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 2.7 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 66.85 inches

NOTES: Today is the 359th day of 2012 and the fifth day of Winter. There are six days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

BUCKET LIST UPDATE - 'Kolchak' and the Mayan Apocalypse

I scratched two more items off my bucket list during the past week when I finally finished watching all the old episodes of “Kolchak: The Night Stalker” and “survived” the Mayan Apocalypse. For more details about each of these items, read on.

BUCKET LIST ITEM No. 528: Watch every episode of “Kolchak: The Night Stalker”

About 10 years ago, I started writing an on-again, off-again series of short stories about a fictitious newspaper reporter named Eli McMorn. McMorn is the nightshift reporter at The Claiborne Herald newspaper, which is located in a much larger, fictionalized version of Claiborne, Ala. McMorn covers all types of stories for the paper, but he always seems to get mixed up in things with a supernatural bent.

Not long after I started writing these stories and posting them on my old, now-defunct Web site, a Monroeville police officer mentioned to me one day in passing that he thought my stories were cool. We talked for a few minutes about the McMorn character, and the officer made the remark that “he’s basically Kolchak.” At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about, and he enlightened me. Like they say, there are no new ideas under the sun.

As it turns out, Carl Kolchak was a fictional Chicago journalist on a 1970s TV series called “Kolchak: The Night Stalker.” Kolchak worked for the Independent News Service (INS), and he almost always ended up investigating mysterious crimes with supernatural aspects. More often than not, police would suspect Kolchak of being involved in these crimes, and he’s frequently arrested for trespassing and other crimes. Also, any evidence he digs up in the course of his investigations is either destroyed or disappears by the end of each episode, leaving him as the only person to know the full truth about what has occurred.

Actor Darren McGavin, who many of you will remember as Ralphie’s grumpy dad from 1983’s “A Christmas Story”, played Kolchak. You know, he’s the dad who receives a lamp in the shape of a woman’s leg as “a major award” and goes on a cussing rampage when his neighbor’s dogs devour the family’s Christmas turkey. While researching this article, I was saddened to learn that McGavin passed away in 2006 at the age of 83. He was pretty awesome as Kolchak.

“Kolchak: The Night Stalker” was only broadcast for one season, 1974-75, and was shown on ABC. In all, the series lasted 20 episodes, which were broadcast between Sept. 13, 1974 and March 28, 1975. Each episode involved something out of the ordinary, including Jack the Ripper, zombies, UFOs, vampires, werewolves, doppelgangers, Satanic and Aztec cults, androids, witches, a headless motorcycle rider, a lizardman, a succubus, prehistoric primates, a haunted suit of armor and creatures from Native American, Greek, Creole and Jewish folklore.

One cool thing about this TV series is that it’s now available through NetFlix. You can have the complete series sent to your home through the mail or you can watch it online. I got the DVDs through the mail and over the course of several weeks watched the complete series from the comfort of my living room.

Despite the fact that I’ve watched the entire TV series, there are still a few Kolchak-related things I’d like to do. I’ve yet to watch the two made-for-TV Kolchak movies, 1971’s “The Night Stalker” and 1973’s “The Night Strangler.” They’re currently unavailable through NetFlix.

Those movies and all things Kolchak were originally based on a novel by Jeff Rice called “The Kolchak Papers,” which I’d love to read. The book was originally published by Pocket Books, but it was re-released in 2007 by Moonstone. I’ve just got to get my hands on a copy of it.

Also, in the Fall of 2005, ABC aired a modernized remake of the original Kolchak series in a show called “Night Stalker.” It only ran for six weeks and starred Stuart Townsend as Kolchak. That show was set in Las Vegas. I’m currently rewatching that series through NetFlix, and it’s pretty good.

In the end, I really enjoyed watching the old “Kolchak” TV series. As a reporter, it was fun to watch Kolchak investigate the supernatural. The show was also very funny in parts, and more than once I found myself laughing at Kolchak’s antics. If you’ve never watched this old TV show, I highly recommend it, especially if you’re in the newspaper business.

BUCKET LIST ITEM No. 752: Survive the Mayan Apocalypse

I added this item to my bucket list several months ago as a joke. The build up to the “Mayan Apocalypse” really started several years ago and it really ramped up over the past few months as we drew closer to Dec. 21, 2012, the date that the Mayans supposedly predicted that an apocalyptic calamity would befall mankind.

Depending on what you read, the world would fall victim to a rouge planet that was on a collision course with earth or some sort of devastating planetary alignment that was going to either reverse the planet’s rotation or reverse the earth’s magnetic poles.

I thought this was hogwash all along for a number of reasons. First, the Bible says in Matthew 24:36 that “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Also, the build-up to the “Mayan Apocalypse” reminded me too much of the build-up to “Y2K,” which was a laugh. Thirdly, no offense, but if the Mayans were so good at making predictions, why didn’t they see the Spanish coming?

In their defense, I should note that there are many experts who say that the Mayans never predicted that an apocalyptic event would occur on Dec. 21, 2012. They say that the date merely marked the end of a major cycle of the Mayan calendar and would have been cause for a big celebration by the Mayans.

In the end, I enjoyed scratching two more items off my bucket list. How many of you remember the old “Kolchak” TV show? What did you think about it? What are your thoughts on the Mayan Apocalypse? Let us know in the comments section below.

The Evergreen Courant's News Flashback for Dec. 24, 2012

23 YEARS AGO
DEC. 28, 1989

“Folks who had been wishing for some ‘real Christmas weather’ in recent years certainly got their wishes answered in abundance last week. The mercury plunged into the teens Thursday with a low of 17 and was in the single digits Friday at 7 and Saturday and Sunday at 6 degrees. Even though it started ‘warming’ up Monday, this downtown fountain was still completely frozen at noon Tuesday.”

“The weather during the past week went from cold to downright frigid as Harry Ellis reported three one digit lows and another in the teens. One a couple of warmer days, he recorded two showers, .37 of an inch on Dec. 18 and .71 on Dec. 19.”

“John Raines, son of Ed and Liz Raines, was recently presented a certificate from Alma Martin Post 50 of The American Legion in recognition of his achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouts, The Eagle Scout Badge. The American Legion works closely in support of the Boy Scout program. Taking part in the presentation were Mayor Lee F. Smith, Howard Fore, a past post commander, John and Post Commander Bill Durant.”

“Mr. and Mrs. John Sirmon’s residence on Ted Bates Road won first place in the Spirit of Christmas residential category of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Decoration Contest. John and Mary also won Most Elegant.”

38 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1974

“Officer Johnny Blackmon of the Evergreen Police Department achieved the highest achievement award of the 13th Class to graduate from the Police Academy at Faulkner State Junior College in Bay Minette. The award was presented at graduation exercises on Nov. 27.
“Blackmon had an average 95.3 out of a possible 100 to lead his class in scholastics. He also scored 91 out of a possible 100 on the pistol range.
“Blackmon was commended by Van Davis, chief instructor at the Academy, for his achievements. Davis is a native of Evergreen.”

“Eric Pugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Pugh of Evergreen, will graduate Jan. 4 from Naval Prototype Training Unit, Idaho Fall, Idaho. He will have completed over a year of nuclear reactor theory and operation training.
“The training plant is located at the National Reactor Testing Station of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in central Idaho.”

“R.G. (Bob) Kendall Jr., executive director of the Alabama Railroads Association, was guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Evergreen Kiwanis Club last week. Kendal presented a program on the dangers of railroad grade crossings, including a very graphic film with Jim Cowart at the projector.”

“Willie H. Tucker, Area Conservationist for the Soil Conservation Service in Grove Hill, is retiring Dec. 31 after 39 years of service.”

68 YEARS AGO
DEC. 28, 1944

“Disastrous Fire Sunday Night Inflicts Great Property Damage: Ten Business Concerns Burned Out In City’s Wrost Fire: What was perhaps the most disastrous fire in the history of this city occurred Sunday night, Dec. 24, inflicting a property damage in the business section which has been variously estimated at from $150,000 to $200,000. The first is thought to have originated from defective wiring in or near the rear of Dees food Store or the Radio Sound Service Co. and soon spread to the Hotel Evergreen on the second floor, as well as to stores and business places downstairs. The fire alarm was turned in about 7:30.”

“The Western Union Telegraph Co., is temporarily located at the Lone Star Service Station since the fire Sunday night.”

“A former chipper in a shipyard, Private First Class John Griffin of Evergreen, Ala., is now chipping off Japs in the Philippine Islands.
“Private Griffin, son of Mrs. Bertha Griffin, Box 296, Evergreen, is a gunner in mortar platoon of the First Cavalry Division now fighting in Leyte. He helped knock out a Jap emplacement on a ridge that repulsed four attacks by an assault troop of the division.”

“Marine Private First Class William Anderson Thames, son of Mr. and Mrs. P.C. Thames of Brooklyn, Ala., has returned to the states following long overseas service.
“Pfc. Thames served 34 months in the South Pacific and took part in the Guadalcanal campaign, and Guam. “

83 YEARS AGO
DEC. 26, 1929

“Work is to be started on a handsome $25,000 telephone building in Evergreen about Jan. 15, according to a statement given this paper by M.V. Bower, local manager of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Co. The building is to be located on Rural Street, just west of Ellis Filling Station. A dwelling house is on the lot now, but the tenants of the house have been notified to move in order that the building may be razed.”

“This Section Visited By Extreme Cold: This section of the country has just experienced the coldest weather it has had in a number of years. Saturday night snow and sleet fell in larger quantities than in 25 years some say. Citizens on arising Sunday morning observed the trees, wire fences, telephone and electric light wires bending and swaying under a tremendous load of ice which had fallen during the night. Such trees as pines, cedars and some others, suffered considerable damage from broken limbs caused by the excessive load of ice.”

“There were 238 head of hogs sold in the sale held here last Tuesday by the Conecuh Livestock Association according to information furnished this paper by P.R. Pettis, county agent who conducted the sale.”

“The beginning of the New Year will bring about a number of business changes of interest here, among which will be the removal of the jewelry store of J.H. Dey from its present location to the new Jones-Deming building on Rural Street, next door to the Evergreen Motor Car Co.”

Daily Weather Observations for Mon., Dec. 24, 2012

Temp: 60.1 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.0 inches

Humidity: 85 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Mostly Cloudy with light rain; security lights still on in the distance; birds audible.

Wind: 3.1 mph out of the South.

Barometric Pressure: 29.43 inHg.

Week to Date Rainfall: 0.0 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 2.6 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 66.75 inches

NOTES: Today is the 358th day of 2012 and the fourth day of Winter. There are seven days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

New John Grisham novel takes top spot on best-sellers list

Today is Sunday, so that means that it’s time for my weekly breakdown of this week’s Publishers Weekly Best-Seller List. According to the list, there is only one new book at the top of the four major best-sellers lists this week.

"The Racketeer" by John Grisham replaced "Threat Vector" by Tom Clancy as the No. 1 book on the hardcover fiction best-sellers list.

"Killing Kennedy" by Bill O'Reilly remained the top book on the hardcover nonfiction best-sellers list for the fifth week in a row.

“Kill Alex Cross" by James Patterson remained the top book on the mass market paperback best-sellers list for the fourth straight week.

"Proof of Heaven" by Eben Alexander remained the No. 1 book on the trade paperbacks best-sellers list for the third week in a row.

There are two books on this week’s hardcover fiction best-sellers list that weren’t on that list last week. They include "Two Graves" by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child (8) and "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by Ayana Mathis (14).

There are two books on this week’s hardcover nonfiction best-sellers list that weren’t on the list last week. They include "Fifty Shades of Chicken" by F.L. Fowler (8) and "Ripley's Believe It of Not!" by Geoff Tibballs (13).

There was only one book on this week’s mass market paperbacks best-sellers list that wasn’t on the list last week - "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett, which was No. 12 on the list.

There was only one book on this week’s trade paperbacks best-sellers list that weren’t on the list last week - "The Chew" by Peter Kaminsky, which was No. 15 on the list.

As a reminder, I’m posting these lists each Sunday because they, as a whole, represent a great, contemporary recommended reading list. These lists are initially released each week on Thursday, and if you’re interested in reading them then, visit Publishers Weekly’s Web site at www.publishersweekly.com. Below you’ll find all four of this week’s best-seller lists.

HARDCOVER FICTION
1. "The Racketeer" by John Grisham
2. "Threat Vector" by Tom Clancy
3. "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn
4. "Notorious Nineteen: A Stephanie Plum Novel" by Janet Evanovich
5. "Merry Christmas, Alex Cross" by James Patterson
6. "The Forgotten" by David Baldacci
7. "The Casual Vacancy" by J.K. Rowling
8. "Two Graves" by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
9. "The Last Man: A Novel" by Vince Flynn
10. "The Black Box" by Michael Connelly
11. "Agenda 21" by Glenn Beck and Harriet Parke
12. "The Time Keeper" by Mitch Albom
13. "Flight Behavior" by Barbara Kingsolver
14. "The Twelve Tribes of Hattie" by Ayana Mathis
15. "Cross Roads" by Wm. Paul Young

HARDCOVER NONFICTION
1. "Killing Kennedy" by Bill O'Reilly
2. "Barefoot Contessa Foolproof: Recipes You Can Trust" by Ina Garten
3. "Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power" by Jon Meachum
4. "Guinness World Records 2013" by Guinness World Records
5. "America Again" by Stephen Colbert
6. "No Easy Day" by Mark Owen
7. "Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
8. "Fifty Shades of Chicken" by F.L. Fowler
9. "The Signal and the Noise" by Nate Silver
10. "I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak" by Joel Osteen
11. "The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook" by Deb Perelman
12. "Waging Heavy Peace" by Neil Young
13. "Ripley's Believe It of Not!" by Geoff Tibballs
14. "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die" by Willie Nelson
15. "Bruce" by Peter Ames Carlin

MASS MARKET PAPERBACKS
1. Kill Alex Cross" by James Patterson
2. "Locked On" by Janet Evanovich
3. "Wicked Business: A Lizzy and Diesel Novel" by Janet Evanovich
4. "Jack Reacher: One Shot: A Novel" by Lee Child
5. "Unnatural Acts" by Stuart Woods
6. "Glad Tidings" by Debbie Macomber
7. "Unspoken" by Lisa Jackson
8. "The First Prophet" by Kay Hooper
9. "V Is for Vengeance" by Sue Grafton
10. "The Sins of the Father" by Jeffrey Archer
11. "Hotel Vendome" by Danielle Steel
12. "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett
13. "Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbor" by Ann Rule
14. "1225 Christmas Tree Lane" by Debbie Macomber
15. "Running Wild: The Men from Battle Ridge" by Linda Howard

TRADE PAPERBACKS
1. "Proof of Heaven" by Eben Alexander
2. "Fifty Shades of Grey" by E.L. James
3. "Private London" by James Patterson
4. "Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin
5. "Fifty Shades Freed" by E.L. James
6. "Fifty Shades Darker" by E.L. James
7. "How to Tell If Your Cat is Plotting to Kill You" by The Oatmeal/Matthew Inman
8. "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
9. "The Hobbit: Or There and Back Again" by J.R.R. Tolkien
10. "The Perfect Hope" by Nora Roberts
11. "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain
12. "World Almanac and Book of Facks 2013" by World Almanac
13. "Reflected in You" by Sylvia Day
14. "To Heaven and Back" by Mary C. Neal
15. "The Chew" by Peter Kaminsky

In the end, let me know if you’ve had a chance to read any of these books. What did you think about them? Which would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below.

Daily Weather Observations for Sun., Dec. 23, 2012

Temp: 35.2 degrees F

Rainfall (past 24 hours): 0.0 inches

Humidity: 81 percent (Humid)

Conditions: Mostly Cloudy with unusual red color; security lights still on in the distance; birds audible; standing water in the yard; some light frost on the ground.

Wind: 0.0 mph.

Barometric Pressure: Not measured.

Week to Date Rainfall: 1.95 inches

Month to Date Rainfall: 2.6 inches

Year to Date Rainfall: 66.75 inches

NOTES: Today is the 357th day of 2012 and the third day of Winter. There are eight days left in the year.

Readings taken at 0700 hrs Central Standard Time (1300 GMT) daily, just west of the Monroe-Conecuh County line, near Excel, Alabama, USA, in the vicinity of Lat 31.42834°N Lon 87.30131°W. Elevation: 400 feet above sea level. CoCoRaHS Station No. AL-MN-4, Station Name: Excel 2.5 ESE

Is 'The Oregon Trail' one of the greatest adventure books of all time?

Earlier today, I finished reading “The Oregon Trail” by Francis Parkman Jr.

When I was a kid, I had an Illustrated Classic Edition of this famous book, but as best that I can remember, I never read it. Even if I had, that book, pictured at right, wasn’t the real thing, just a condensed version of the tale that was adapted by Norman Weiser.

My interest in the complete edition of this book was rekindled in May 2004 when National Geographic Adventure Magazine released its “100 Best Adventure Books” list and ranked “The Oregon Trail” at No. 31, right between “The Perfect Storm” by Sebastian Junger (No. 30) and “Through the Dark Continent” by Henry M. Stanley (No. 32).

Fast forward to about a year ago when I ran across a $3 copy of the book at Macomb Mall in Monroeville. I snatched it up, put it in the rotation and finally got around to reading it last week. I now understand why the book is considered a classic.

The complete title of the book is “The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life.” First published in book form in 1849, the book describes a two-month-long frontier hunting trip that Parkman, then 23, took in 1846 to what would eventually become the states of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming. Parkman, a Boston native who would go on to teach at Harvard, touches on a number of topics in the book, including hunting (especially buffalo), the western migration of settlers to California and Oregon, Mormonism, fur-trapping, the U.S. military, animal life and the lifestyles of early Native Americans.

I read somewhere that Parkman’s book got a major shot in the arm after its initial publication when it was favorably reviewed by Herman Melville, the author of “Moby Dick.” I wasn’t surprised to read this though, because to me “Moby Dick” and “The Oregon Trail” are somewhat similar. Those of you who have read “Moby Dick” will remember its detailed descriptions of whaling operations and whales in general. “The Oregon Trail” is very similar in its descriptions of buffalo hunting and American buffalos, which roamed the American West in massive herds in the 1840s.

“The Oregon Trail” also reminded me of another awesome American West adventure book that was also listed on National Geographic’s “100 Best Adventure Books” list, “The Journals of Lewis and Clark” by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. That book chronicles the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806 and covers a number of subjects that are also in “The Oregon Trail.” It was especially interesting to see how much the Native Americans had changed, according to “The Oregon Trail,” after more than four decades of contact with European settlers.

Before I close this thing out, just a note about the edition of the book that I bought at Macomb Mall in Monroeville. It’s an old, hardback edition of the book with a blue cloth cover that was published by Caxton House of New York. Oddly, the book doesn’t have a publication date, and I’ve had some trouble finding out exactly when it was published. As best that I can determine, it was published in the early 1950s.

I really enjoyed reading “The Oregon Trail.” It was a very cool book about the Old West that’s more than deserving of its ranking among the best adventure books of all time. If you’re interested in the “Wild West,” early American history, buffalo hunting and Native American heritage, you’ll enjoy this book.

How many of you have read this book? What did you think about it? Let us know in the comments section below.