SPRINGFIELD — When she performs “Rooted in Love: The Life and Martyrdom of Sister Dorothy Stang” in St. Raphael Church’s Hoban Hall at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Susan Murray will be in a hall where Stang walked among people with whom she talked.
Tickets for the reader’s theater event (she consults a script) are available by calling 323-7523. Suggested donation is $10.
Stang’s shooting death Feb. 15, 2005, in the Amazon attracted wide press coverage and inspired the award-winning documentary “They Killed Sister Dorothy.”
Parishioners of St. Raphael Church, and now St. Raphael/St. Joseph, began supporting Stang in the 1980s, when St. Raphael became a sister parish to St. Lucy’s parish of Anapu, Brazil.
Murray, the sister of comedian and actor Bill Murray, steeped herself in Stang’s 73-year life for the project, reading, watching documentaries, visiting family members and co-workers and listening to tapes of Stang’s voice.
“I was told that if they didn’t hear ‘yippee’ or ‘pow’ or ‘yikes,’ ” it wouldn’t seem like Stang, Murray said.
She relied on Sisters from Stang’s order to chose the wig, glasses and other accessories.
With the help of a retired Northwestern University theater professor, Murray trimmed four hours of material to about 90 minutes, tapping into some of the enduring themes of Stang’s life, including a childhood love of gardening that grew into a love for the Amazon.
“What is distressing,” Murray said, are reports from Anapu: “The Sisters are still right there with the people and they say forest is melting away.”
Murray hopes that keeping Stang’s spirit alive will inspire those who walked and talked with her to continue her work.

SPRINGFIELD — When she performs “Rooted in Love: The Life and Martyrdom of Sister Dorothy Stang” in St. Raphael Church’s Hoban Hall at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Susan Murray will be in a hall where Stang walked among people with whom she talked.
Tickets for the reader’s theater event (she consults a script) are available by calling 323-7523. Suggested donation is $10.
Stang’s shooting death Feb. 15, 2005, in the Amazon attracted wide press coverage and inspired the award-winning documentary “They Killed Sister Dorothy.”
Parishioners of St. Raphael Church, and now St. Raphael/St. Joseph, began supporting Stang in the 1980s, when St. Raphael became a sister parish to St. Lucy’s parish of Anapu, Brazil.
Murray, the sister of comedian and actor Bill Murray, steeped herself in Stang’s 73-year life for the project, reading, watching documentaries, visiting family members and co-workers and listening to tapes of Stang’s voice.
“I was told that if they didn’t hear ‘yippee’ or ‘pow’ or ‘yikes,’ ” it wouldn’t seem like Stang, Murray said.
She relied on Sisters from Stang’s order to chose the wig, glasses and other accessories.
With the help of a retired Northwestern University theater professor, Murray trimmed four hours of material to about 90 minutes, tapping into some of the enduring themes of Stang’s life, including a childhood love of gardening that grew into a love for the Amazon.
“What is distressing,” Murray said, are reports from Anapu: “The Sisters are still right there with the people and they say forest is melting away.”
Murray hopes that keeping Stang’s spirit alive will inspire those who walked and talked with her to continue her work.

Actor Bill Erwin has died at his home in Studio City, Calif., his son said. He was 96.

The Texas native was born William Lindsey Erwin. He is best known for his work in the movie "Somewhere in Time," as well as for his guest appearances on "Seinfeld," "Growing Pains," "Gunsmoke," "Highway to Heaven," "Perry Mason," "The Golden Girls," "Twilight Zone," "Zane Grey Theater" and "Who's the Boss?"

His son, Mike, told the Los Angeles Times the elder Erwin died Wednesday of age-related causes.

Actor Bill Erwin has died at his home in Studio City, Calif., his son said. He was 96.

The Texas native was born William Lindsey Erwin. He is best known for his work in the movie "Somewhere in Time," as well as for his guest appearances on "Seinfeld," "Growing Pains," "Gunsmoke," "Highway to Heaven," "Perry Mason," "The Golden Girls," "Twilight Zone," "Zane Grey Theater" and "Who's the Boss?"

His son, Mike, told the Los Angeles Times the elder Erwin died Wednesday of age-related causes.

ESPN gave Bill Simmons a shot at calling a real, live NBA game and the Sports Guy didn't disappoint. Standing-in as the third announcer during Friday night's Miami Heat road game against the Golden State Warriors, Simmons seemed at ease, but took plenty of subtle digs while discussing various topics throughout the broadcast.

The biggest shots fired moment? Simmons aimed his cannons at none other than LeBron James, with a backhanded stab at his own employer, ESPN.

While discussing the recent story centering on certain Heat players expressing discontent with coach Erik Spolstera, Simmons suggested the story, reported by ESPN's Chris Broussard, was planted by LeBron James' camp. The story triggered a firestorm of reaction and created speculation the Heat could be on the verge of removing Spoelstra as the head coach. Miami has righted the ship since, winning its last seven consecutive games.



Simmons said what was on everyone's mind in reference to the reported feud between LeBron and Spoelstra. Looking at the story from afar, it seemed the public opinion about its origins fall in-line with the theory Simmons floated. Simmons appeal for many has been his everyman characteristic that relates well to most sports fans. In this case, he simply said what was on the publics mind, using his podium on a national broadcast to, more or less, call out LeBron's camp.

Overall, outside of his high-pitched voice that was unappealing in large quantities, Simmons handled himself well. He was witty and honest, as expected, without taking-over the broadcast. Though he can be polarizing, the one-time experiment seemed to be a success for those that stayed-up to watch the West Coast game. Taking a shot at ESPN and the inner-circle of the NBA's biggest superstar was just the icing on the cake.

ESPN gave Bill Simmons a shot at calling a real, live NBA game and the Sports Guy didn't disappoint. Standing-in as the third announcer during Friday night's Miami Heat road game against the Golden State Warriors, Simmons seemed at ease, but took plenty of subtle digs while discussing various topics throughout the broadcast.

The biggest shots fired moment? Simmons aimed his cannons at none other than LeBron James, with a backhanded stab at his own employer, ESPN.

While discussing the recent story centering on certain Heat players expressing discontent with coach Erik Spolstera, Simmons suggested the story, reported by ESPN's Chris Broussard, was planted by LeBron James' camp. The story triggered a firestorm of reaction and created speculation the Heat could be on the verge of removing Spoelstra as the head coach. Miami has righted the ship since, winning its last seven consecutive games.



Simmons said what was on everyone's mind in reference to the reported feud between LeBron and Spoelstra. Looking at the story from afar, it seemed the public opinion about its origins fall in-line with the theory Simmons floated. Simmons appeal for many has been his everyman characteristic that relates well to most sports fans. In this case, he simply said what was on the publics mind, using his podium on a national broadcast to, more or less, call out LeBron's camp.

Overall, outside of his high-pitched voice that was unappealing in large quantities, Simmons handled himself well. He was witty and honest, as expected, without taking-over the broadcast. Though he can be polarizing, the one-time experiment seemed to be a success for those that stayed-up to watch the West Coast game. Taking a shot at ESPN and the inner-circle of the NBA's biggest superstar was just the icing on the cake.

At first, they had Jerry Buss, now they have Bill Russell. Los Angeles Lakers can’t wait to have a three-time championship and would march in Boston to their most victorious NBA win.

Lakers prevailed with the score 83-79, despite the 13 points behind Boston Celtics at the beginning of the third quarter. Somehow, they found their appropriate mix of effort and direction of the most critical point of the season.

In the final minutes of the season, the Lakers finally found their balance, playing with passion, but patience, and put the Celtics on their heels, their graves.

Kobe Bryant was frenetic at the start, though the Lakers have their rock as usual, which brought the crowd chanting “Ko-Be!” on the game with all his team mates scattered all over Staples Center. Bryant has been plowed for the resumption following and press two free throws for a 66-64 Lakers advance. Then he whistled a 17-foot right side – go to one of his plans for pets, the rider drifting to the right of the right elbow close to a lead of 68-64.

Bryant was alongside his teammates Ray Allen during the game, and in the end, Lakers became victorious.

At first, they had Jerry Buss, now they have Bill Russell. Los Angeles Lakers can’t wait to have a three-time championship and would march in Boston to their most victorious NBA win.

Lakers prevailed with the score 83-79, despite the 13 points behind Boston Celtics at the beginning of the third quarter. Somehow, they found their appropriate mix of effort and direction of the most critical point of the season.

In the final minutes of the season, the Lakers finally found their balance, playing with passion, but patience, and put the Celtics on their heels, their graves.

Kobe Bryant was frenetic at the start, though the Lakers have their rock as usual, which brought the crowd chanting “Ko-Be!” on the game with all his team mates scattered all over Staples Center. Bryant has been plowed for the resumption following and press two free throws for a 66-64 Lakers advance. Then he whistled a 17-foot right side – go to one of his plans for pets, the rider drifting to the right of the right elbow close to a lead of 68-64.

Bryant was alongside his teammates Ray Allen during the game, and in the end, Lakers became victorious.