As Falconer replied, "The Museum of the Alphabet is located on the JAARS campus near Waxhaw, N.C. A 4,900-square-foot multimedia exhibition, the museum vibrantly tells the story of alphabet makers from ancient history to modern times. Photographs and paintings, sculpture and weavings, quiz boxes and models help the visitor grasp and appreciate the vast amount of information available."
Falconer notes that "JAARS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to speeding up Bible translation. (Its name is an acronym for "Jungle Aviation and Radio Service" -- core activities when founded in 1948.) They provide technical support, involving over 1,000 languages to Wycliffe Bible Translators and related organizations."
The Museum of the Alphabet "was originated by missionary and historian William Cameron Townsend 'to help the world come to a genuine appreciation of the gift of writing systems. Most people ... never think about the tools for reading and writing. They have no concern about what life would be like without an alphabet. And they have no idea that thousands of people groups around the world still have no way to read and write their own spoken language.' His goal was to emphasize stories, not artifacts. Townsend also co-founded the Summer Institute of Linguistics to alleviate the problems of communities without alphabets."
A pair of tickets to the Lumina Theaters is on the way to Falconer.
Now it's time to reveal next week's Challenge. Here's how it works. Every week we'll pose a trivia question that has something to do with our community or North Carolina. The question might be about something that happened 20 years ago or someone who made the news just yesterday.
If you think you know the answer, send e-mail to chquiz@aol.com, or mail it on a postcard to Chapel Hill Challenge, The Chapel Hill Herald, 2828 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705. You also can send us a fax at (919) 419-6889. Make sure you include your name, address and phone number. Answers must be received by Thursday of the same week. Employees of the Durham Herald Co. are not eligible for the Challenge.
Each week there will be a drawing from all the correct answers. The winner will receive a pair of movie passes donated by the Lumina Theater in Southern Village. (Note: Passes may not be valid for certain shows.)
Ready to give it a try? Then practice your "all aboard" shout while pondering the following: "Just off the old N.C. 10 highway is the small community of University. How did it get its name?"
Good luck!
