THE CENTENNIAL (your event here): Everything is coming up centennial. Not that we don't think it's a good idea to take advantage of whatever comes along, but it's somewhat interesting that familiar activities and events are suddenly "centennial" events this year - just because they're happening in 1996.
For instance in Orem: the Summerfest has become the "Centennial Summerfest," and the storytelling festival is "The Centennial Timpanogos Storytelling Festival." Even the dog show is "The Centennial Wild West National Dog Show."We're wondering what's next. Should we become "Centennial Loose Change" for the year? How about renaming Academy Square to "Centennial Perennial?" Merrill Cook can be a candidate by the same name.
Star trekking: The scuttlebutt we got was that Oprah Winfrey was sighted at a Circle K store in the American Fork area, picking up snacks on her way in from the airport. Rumor has it that the daytime talk show host bought a $5 million home in Alpine.
We didn't have a major problem with that rumor. It would be nice to add another star to the cluster in Utah County, but shopping at a convenience store?
While we were contemplating this, we got another tip. Oprah reportedly wasn't buying property in Alpine after all but had stopped at Circle K with Stephen Covey on her way to a lecture.
We think Elvis was probably with them at the time.
Leading questions: Rep. Enid Greene Waldholtz is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion for women at Utah Valley State College later this month.
The topic: "Issues of Leadership: Professional and Personal Questions."
Bumper sticker o' the year: Utah - 100 years of statehood, 50 years of progress.