Delco resident writes book reimagining ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ 39 years from now
RADNOR » In celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Frank Capra’s holiday film, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Delaware County artist and writer George H. Rothacker has penned “It’s a Wonderful Life — 2060.” The futuristic novel set in the year 2060 features illustrated chapter heads, and blends robotic technology with the classic holiday film to reinvigorate the legacy of Jimmy Stewart, the museum dedicated to his career, and the town of Indiana, Pa., where the actor was raised.
The novel also poses many questions about human beings 40 years from now and their value and purpose in a world that changes so quickly.
“Time is running much too fast, even today, for most people to keep current with technology,” says Rothacker. “Many of the occupations people now have will disappear as skills are replaced by artificial intelligence and robotics. Many careers will become shorter and humans will need to find alternative ways to occupy their time and gain a sense of purpose in a world transformed by virtual reality and computerized automation.”
In Rothacker’s book, “It‘s a Wonderful Life — 2060,” Juniper Blakely, a fact checker for Artificial Intelligence, dreams of building the world’s most complex model train layout. Along the road to realizing his dream, he veers off course, and finds satisfaction in recreating the fictional town of Bedford Falls, the setting of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” He seeks help in his task from a a friend who heads a robotics firm, the Indiana community, and a dwindling population of model railroad enthusiasts in towns across western Pennsylvania who have the skills necessary to duplicate the film in tactile form as well as complete a portion of the model prior to the 2060 holiday season.
“It’s a Wonderful Life — 2060” is a story about how humans might deal with the world of tomorrow, and how tenacity, moral courage, hard work, and dedication to duty are universal guideposts that can lead every generation to a sense of purpose, dignity and fulfillment.
Rothacker’s new novel ishis fifth book and his fourth into the genre of speculative fiction. As a filmmaker, painter and designer Rothacker also shares a long history with the Jimmy Stewart Museum, In 2002, he was introduced to the Museum through Media resident David Wren, a fan of Stewart films and a historian who recently published a book on Ardrossan, the setting of the Stewart film, “The Philadelphia Story.”
Rothacker’s first project, completed in time for the 2002 holiday season, was the painting “First Snowfall,” a canvas and print edition featuring “It’s a Wonderful Life” on the marquee of the Indiana Theater. Over the years, his collaboration with the Museum has produced, among other things, a biographic documentary of Stewart: “Always Remember — Be Nice to People,” and a series of 12 paintings of “The Movies and Music of Hollywood,” that included “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a signed print offered exclusively from the Museum this season.
Author-signed copies of “It’s a Wonderful Life — 2060” are available from “Museum Store“on the Stewart Museum website jimmy. org, and will be delivered prior to the holiday season if ordered before the end of
November. The book is also available from Amazon, in a Kindle edition, and from other major book retailers.
For more information on Rothacker, his art, and to preview the first chapter in his new book, visithttps://www. iawl-2060.com.
Custom car and truck show comes to Gatsby’s
The Tenth Annual Delco Cruisers Custom Car and Truck Show, sponsored by Delco News Network and the Lansdowne Aldan Alumni Association’s Toys For Tots Drive, will be held, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, at Gatsby’s, 4936 Pennell Road, Aston. Proceeds will benefit Operation First Response.
The event will include music by DJ Steve Kurtz, prizes, giveaways, drink specials, and more. The Lansdowne Aldan Alumni Association will conduct a Toys for Tots drive, collecting new toys for children in need. In previous years, the show took place at Bogart’s in Springfield, but has now relocated. For more information, call 610-494-4500.
National anti-bullying expert and bestselling author speaks at U of Penn
Nationally recognized antibullying and school violence prevention expert, Dr. Claudio Cerullo, of Aston, will discuss the ever-growing public health issue of bullying that is affecting both students and adults at school and at work, as a special guest speaker at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Friday, Nov. 5.
The American Society of Pediatricians has just declared a State of Emergency for children and adolescents’ mental health crisis this year which is a forty-five percent increase in suicides and mental health emergency treatment nationwide.
Cerullo’s new book, Inside the Mind of a Bully: From Victim to Advocate, explores the many aspects of how bullying affects such issues as school shootings, racial and ethnic profiling, academic achievement, along with mental health related issues. The book also looks at Cerullo’s childhood as a bullied victim and how his trauma shaped the man he is today.
Graduate students will understand the preventative and intervention methods that could help in protecting children and adults, whether in school, on the playing fields or in the workplace.
The impact of bullying continues to be felt throughout society and shows no prejudice. Understanding the impacts of such an emotional experience allows the human mind to feel the pain of each and every victim. Cerullo, established teachantibullying.org,a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2011 to serve children and families who have been or are being affected by bullying. For more information on the book, visit http://www.lulu. com/inside-the-mind-of-abully/. For more information on Cerullo, visit http://www. drclaudiocerullo.com.
Darlington Arts Center offers night of art and music
Delaware County residents and visitors can enjoy the region’s reemergence of the arts with a double-header of entertainment on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Darlington Arts Center, 977 Shavertown Road, Garnet Valley. The fun starts at 6:30 p.m. with a free opening night reception and exhibition of work from established and emerging visual artists representing the nonprofit art consortium ART 504 Creative Collective.
Guests can meet Philadelphia-area artists and connect with fellow art enthusiasts at the inspiring opening reception while enjoying a specially curated exhibition featuring pieces in a variety of media and styles. The exhibition runs throughout November and all pieces displayed will be available for purchase. RSVP for the free reception is requested via email to programs@darlingtonarts.org.
At 8 p.m., things heat up with thereturn of the Coffee House Concert featuring popular area indie-folk-bluegrass duo Who? What? When? Why? & Werewolves?, also called 6W. Enjoy an evening of music, storytelling and selfdeprecating humor with 6W members Matt Orlando and Andrew Fullerton. Coffee, tea and dessert are included in the ticket price ($20/$40 for a four-pack/$10 for members), and guests may bring snacks or their favorite beverage.
The concert takes place in the Ann Anthony Community Space. New this year is an option to view the concert online for $10 athttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/193756199007.
Pre-show begins at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information and details, call 610-358-3632.