It’s been three year since Hunter’s passing. Woody Creek has lost more loved ones since then. But with every death comes a strong sense of community spirit that pulls us together, as always.
Of course the gossip continues, the family fighting goes on as it has since the cattle-ranching days, and the planes fly over our airspace with increasing arrogance. But here we are, celebrating two of our best, Hunter S. Thompson and Tom Benton. It always bothered Hunter that he was unable to put Jilly on the cover of the Aspen Wall poster, so as a tribute to both of their spirits, and with a toast to beauty, here is Jilly. Lynn Buron outlines the fascinating history of the beloved Wall poster, which, believe it or not, did not follow a traditional publishing schedule!
This issue also pays tribute to Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray. Why? Because, as I read it for the first time last semester, it got me thinking about time, age, and pleasure as interesting cornerstones for the human condition. I couldn’t help but think of Hunter and his constant quest to capture moments in history and put them down on paper, just as Oscar Wilde and, well, as his fictional artist Basil Hall ward did. Just as Dorian Gray never aged, neither did Jilly. Happily, I doubt the cover photo on the issue you are holding will suffer the same fate Hallward’s printing of Dorian Gray did, turning old and wrinkled and betraying all the decadence of a twisted life while its subject remained young and beautiful thus seemingly innocent.
So, with great pleasure, here is your fifth issue. Tom Wolfe discusses Hunter, George Stranahan discusses beauty, Ralph Steadman discusses art, Rob Pew discusses Biff and other cats, and Jonathan Bastian discusses growing up in Woody Creek and traveling through Tibet and India, while Andrew Travers writes about discovering the wild side of Woody Creek. The New World Order section features our lovely neighbor Janet Schoberlein and is introduced by none other than Gaylord Guenin. The Woody Creek Caucus report is as feisty as ever, and finally, in case you need it, I am proud to present your Impeach Cobbler recipe by the famous Cache Cache chef Chris Lanter.
When I started going back to school my priorities had to change, which is why you haven’t received an issue for a long time. But I didn’t forget about you. The good news is that I found the time to get back to the matter at hand between semesters, and so the Woody Creeker is back in business. Enjoy!
Your friend in Woody Creek,
Anita Thompson
