Mr. Benson's 132nd birthday party was celebrated at the Ambermere Arms, Riseholme last week. This year's celebration drew Benson enthusiasts from around the globe. The theme of the party was "Psychic Emanations." Tents set on the village green housed fortune tellers and prognosticators. A unique and popular attraction was a tent devoted to pets, past and present. See related coverage below.

Guests at the Benson Birthday Bash held on the village green were amazed and delighted by the arrival of Prince Frederik and the Queen Mother of Denmark on Friday. This brief "flying visit" was arranged by their good friend, Lord Tony Limpsfield. While not appearing in Riseholme in their official capacity, Prince Frederik and Queen Ingrid spent several hours mingling graciously among the guests, making a special appearance in the tea tent, where they indulged in a sumptuous tea. Queen Ingrid particularly admired the tea service.

A sensational and riveting lecture, "Channeling with Chapeaux," devoted to hats and their psychic energies was conducted at the Ambermere Arms, Riseholme, on 23 July 1999. The capable speaker was the gracious and engaging Mrs. Titus W. Trout of Fisherman's Cottage, Tilling, who, on the occasion of the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the prolific and popular British novelist and biographer, E.F. Benson (1867-1940), delivered an exhilarating spellbinding discourse.

Mrs. Trout, in her remarks, questioned the scoffing of exports directed at her theory that a hat can be infused with psychic energy. She attempted to bolster her belief by offering an amazing comparison: if psychic energy can reside in a stone or in glass, then why should it not also reside in silk or wool or cotton, which consist of natural fibers, just as a rock consists of natural minerals, and, thus be conductive of psychic energy. The gathered assembly sat in a hypnotic silence.

The speaker then displayed a series of chapeaux that were worn at seances by ladies and gentlemen unaccustomed to psychic phenomena. These "Chapeaux of Known Psychic Potency," the able Mrs. Trout explained, "exhibited high levels of Psychic Energy." Mrs. Trout's collection of psychic chapeaux include the following, lack of space precluding discussion of certain of them:

First displayed was a classic pith helmet, worn by a gentlemen at a seance in Kensington, who was able to channel for the Zulu chieftain, Umslopogaas, whose agitated spirit turned violent. Another example put forth was a chapeau, of a far eastern design, worn by our fine lecturer herself during a seance at her summer home in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Mrs. Trout confides that she fell into a spell and was overtaken by the lonesome spirit of Pahd Pahng, a Thai pasta chef, who droned on and on, to the dismay of the other guests, and who was reluctant to break the psychic connection, resulting in the forceful removal of the unusual chapeau from our speaker's head.

Also on the agenda, we were shown a fine example of a splendid Scottish Glengarry (plaid, not diced) cap! Mrs. Trout alluded to a possible royal paranormal visitation, borne on the Ether, from Bonny Prince Charlie himself. Finally, and space limitations permit the inclusion of but one additional example, there was produced for the speaker's admiring audience the "ubiquitous" top hat, which Mrs. Trout urges is an excellent beginner's channeling hat, the right paranormal fashion choice bound to bring in a well-mannered gentleman spirit.

The assembly was then invited by this most accommodating of lecturers to try on some of the chapeaux, or to look askance at them to perhaps catch a glimmer of their auras. Mrs. Trout warned, however, that once a hat has exhibited high levels of psychic energy, it is not to be worn except at seances, because of the danger of being called upon to channel for an impatient spirit at an inopportune time. The lecturer spoke from personal experience which led to unfortunate consequences.

The conclusion of the lecture was met with an enthusiastic response from Mrs. Trout's astute audience, one gentleman from which, who had donned the classic pith helmet, presented our speaker with her favourite martini cocktail.


The Pride of Poona and Lord Tony (dressed for the
spirit of the occasion) at Mrs. Trout's lecture.

Signor Antonio Vivaldi Rossini Cortese's new opera "Akhenaton and Nefertiti nel Giardino Segreto" opened recently in the lovely town of Riseholme, creating quite a sensation, and leaving lovers of modern opera speechless and spell-bound.

Sr. Cortese describes the work as a "lively, esoteric musical". Indeed, it is both lively and esoteric; combining elements of ancient Egyptian History, modern dance, the underworld and psychic arts, melding musical styles ranging from Monteverdi to madrigals to mariachi band!

Though still early in its run, this reporter feels "Akhenaton and Nefertiti..." will prove at least as popular as Cortese's last huge success, "Lucrezia". The show opens in the lavish setting of the secret garden of King Akhenaton and his Queen Nefertiti. After a lament over the loss of the glory days of Egypt, Queen Nefertiti soothes Akhenaton's melancholy with an aria, and we are then treated to the moving duet "Together Forever! Never to Part", a tribute to the pair's love for one another.

In what is certainly the work's most senational number, beloved Diva Olga Bracely makes her appearance in act II as Queen Hatshepsut, who appears in Akhenaton's dream. Hatshepsut nearly brings down the house with her famous aria "Dancing Queen" which is accompanied by a fabulous dance sequence, featuring a host of nubile Nubian slaves. As a side note, Cortese admits in his program notes to having written the part of Hatshepsut specifically for Miss Bracely, whom he considers his eternal Dancing Queen. As the reader is, no doubt, aware, the theme of the Dancing Queen has been popular throughout history, dating almost certainly back to ancient Egypt, if not earlier. It continues to be a popular theme today, though it is unlikely anyone will soon better Cortese's treatment of said classic theme.

The magic continues in act III as Cortese masterfully melds melodies reminiscent of Verdi's Aida, a reprise of Dancing Queen and madrigals with mariachi accompaniment, and continues throughout the work. I highly recommend you run, not walk, to the box office for tickets and experience the magic yourself.

Notable faces at the gala opening celebration included Mrs. Titus W. Trout of America (who gave a provocative lecture earlier in the day on "Channeling with Chapeaus", a discourse on headgear and untapped windows to the supernatural), Lady Ambermere's Pug- author of famous limericks, haikus and short stories (as well as the occasional dissertation); Lord Tony Limpsfield and guests, musical instrument maker Herr Blumenfelt, who earlier in the day unveiled a new line of harpsichords, the Pride of Poona- fresh from her yoga class (with a lovely blue budgerigar perched on her shoulder), Miss Serena Lomond (a popular author of fiction), Miss Susan Leg (society hostess- well known for her exclusive "fork luncheons") and the Contessa di Faraglioni.

Extraordinary Demonstrations of Psychic Abilities

Riseholme was treated to an amazing display of psychical prowess and unusual phenomena at the E.F. Benson birthday celebration. On hand at the festivites were Madame Patience, Tarot Card Reader Extraordinaire; the Contessa di Faraglione, talented interpreter of the I Ching; and Madame Serena Lomond, gifted palmist and reader of spiritual auras. Celebrants were astonished at the accuracy and insight these extraordinary psychics displayed in their readings. In addition, participants in the first-ever Benson "Cyber Séance" reported unusual sensations and eerie manifestations while concentrating on Mr.Benson's image. Clearly, the Spirit Guides were out in full force in honor of the occasion!

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A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Please recyle! The Hastings Chronicle, folded into a cornet, makes an excellent container for your fish and chips.