Properly planted and girded by embellished half-truths, rumors race across a community faster than the truth on roller skates. When a rumor-starting pro like my Uncle Mort sets ’em up, they move still faster, swelling and swirling with tornadic force.
Take Mort’s 100th birthday extravaganza on July 4 in the thicket as Exhibit A. It was at the core of community conversations for at least two months — just as he’d planned. He “set the table” for the magical event — his way.
Would there be aerial fly-overs? Would Elvis show up? Did guests really need to bring pockets full of silver dollars? Would the lights for TV cameras light up the skies?
