Mooo-ving experience

The Valparaiso University students in the courses I teach never fail each semester to list the same television shows that rank as their favorites. And at the top of the list is cable's popular and educational series on The Discovery Channel, "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe." The series profiles unsung laborers who make their living in the most unthinkable, yet vital, jobs. On Monday, April 28th's installment, host Mike Rowe is featured at our own Fair Oaks Farms, the Midwest's largest agritourism destination as well as maker of quality dairy products that sprawls across Jasper and Newton counties.

While at Fair Oaks, cameras followed Rowe during the pretaped segment, learning how to milk a cow and how to clean her udders. Next, he was treated to the "inside" process on how to inseminate a cow. Lastly, the cameras chronicled Rowe helping deliver baby calves.

Rowe and the production crew visited Fair Oaks Farms in late February and filmed for four days. He assumed the duties of a number of the workers, from the good stuff, like making his own ice cream, to creating a special segment he describes as "Mike Rowe's Magnificent Manure Montage."

"Fair Oaks Farms is excited to be featured on the program," said Julie Basich, Fair Oaks general manager.

"We are proud of our operation and feel fortunate to have Mike Rowe share some of the things we do here with the public."

Fair Oaks Farms is located off I-65 exit 220 on Ind. 14 and open seven days a week for tours. For more information, www.fofarms.com or (877) 536-1194.

A good point

I received the following letter this week, following my Thursday column about Shirley Jones being the featured guest of honor at the 37th Annual May Wine Brunch May 7 sponsored by the Women's Association of the NWI Symphony Society, known to most as WANISS.

"Dear Phil:

In your offBeat column in today's Times, you report that Shirley Jones will be appearing with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra. That is all well and true. But you missed something. The wonderful Ms. Jones will also have the support of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus (NISC)!

I don't mean to be churlish but, as a member of the NISC, I feel somewhat slighted by this oversight. True -- you are hardly the only journalist to lump the chorus with the orchestra, treating them as one in the same organization. But the topic of entertainment and social events is your bailiwick, so I was surprised at the omission. Here's the difference between the orchestra and chorus.

The NISO is a professional, union orchestra. They are paid to perform and they do so magnificently!

The NISC, on the other hand, consists solely of talented volunteers from across northern Indiana and northeast Illinois -- with members from beyond South Bend through the southern suburbs of Chicago. But, despite our volunteer status, we also perform very well! (Did you catch our Villa-Lobos' "Chorus No. 10" at Chesterton High School in February?)

The chorus works very hard to provide a well-rehearsed complement to the symphony orchestra in its three or four choral-related concerts each season. (We rehearse nearly every week from September through May.) We also present a "stand-alone" "Sing-Along Messiah" each November with support from a few select members of the orchestra.

Given the above, I certainly think you could append to "The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra" the two words "and Chorus" when appropriate. I think we deserve at least that meager recognition."

Clement A. Lessner III

Bass I, NISC

Thank you for taking the time to add this important addition to my column Clement. I fear that since my press-release details were solely focused more on the brunch event, I neglected to share all the wonderful added details for the May 8 concert. But please know the NISC is appreciated. I have known and written about the NISC Director Nancy Menk for 15 years, ever since I attended my first Christmas Madrigal Dinner at St. Mary's College at Notre Dame, where she also shares her musical duties. We are looking forward to a great event both May 7 and 8.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

celebBirthdays

Actor Hugh O'Brian is 83. Actress Elinor Donahue ("Father Knows Best") is 71. Actor Tim Curry is 62. Singer Mark "Flo" Volman of The Turtles is 61. Actor Tony Plana ("Ugly Betty") is 54. Hip-hop mogul Suge Knight is 43. Country singer Bekka Bramlett of Bekka and Billy and actress Ashley Judd are 40. Actor James Franco ("Spider-Man" films, "Freaks and Geeks") is 30. Actress Kate Hudson is 29. Actor Hayden Christensen ("Star Wars Episodes II and III") and actress Catalina Sandino Moreno ("Maria Full of Grace") are 27.