Sir Winston's finest hour

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill celebrated his 123rd birthday on Sunday, November 30, in a quiet English countryside. An official celebration in his honor was held Monday, December 1, in Reed's Vollum College Center. Other engagements prevented Mr. Churchill's presence in Portland for the event, and Reed professor and living legend Edward B. Segel graciously stepped in. With the Queen never far from their hearts and Union Jacks fluttering, the eight members of Segel's course on Britain in the twentieth century gathered to toast Churchill's health, listen to some of his famous speeches, and hear Segel's reminiscences of the Great Man. Churchill masks, (plastic) cigars, bow ties, and appropriate hats set the scene. The highlight of the event was Segel's impassioned and deeply moving Churchill impressions, especially a large section of his famous "Finest Hour" speech. The ever academic and comedic Segel was rumored to have received a "hip, hip."




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