2006年VOA标准英语-Volunteers Restore 100-Year-Old Carousel i

By Greg Flakus
Houston
25 April 2006

Ryland Edwards, 5, rides a carousel¹ built in 1906 in New Orleans City Park
Photo taken May 21, 2005  
  
Eight months after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans still faces an enormous challenge in restoring houses, businesses and city landmarks³. Government funds back much of the work, but private companies and citizen volunteers are also playing a role.

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Restoring New Orleans is a process that often proceeds in small steps and part of what needs to be restored is the spirit of a wounded city. That is why Hampton hotels, through the company's "Save A Landmark²" program, has donated $20,000 to support citizen efforts to restore the wooden carousel in City Park.

Lissette Hernandez (l) and Gabe Finkenstein paint and smooth gold leafing on a horse at the Carousel Gardens at City Park in New Orleans  
  
The carousel, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, was partly submerged in floodwaters last August and some of the wooden figures on the lower part were damaged. An expert in restoration of such material is now working with volunteers to reclaim⁴ the 54 painted wooden animals, half of which are fixed⁵ to the rotating platform and half of which are flyers, which go up and down on a pole as the carousel turns.

Among those overseeing the project is Beau Bassich, 80, the Executive Director of the City Park Improvement Association. Speaking to VOA by telephone from New Orleans, he explained the attraction this old amusement has for young and old alike.

"We had one of our band leaders say, 'Let the little kids use it during the daytime and let the big kids use it at nighttime,' which we do. We have dinners out here sometimes that people will put on for 400 people around in the carousel itself," he said.

Kathie Jacobs sands a railing at Carousel Gardens at City Park in New Orleans  
  
Bassich says the carousel became an immediate⁶ attraction for New Orleans families as soon as it went into operation in 1906. He says generations of people have come to enjoy it since then and he hopes many more will after it is fully⁷ restored.

Also on hand at the park in New Orleans is popular culture historian and author of eight books on American landmarks Chris Epting. He says the restoration of this New Orleans landmark can have a powerful effect on the general effort to revitalize the city.

"So many people have come by and said, 'God, I was on that carousel when I was a kid, my kids were on it, my grandkids.' This place has meant so much to so many for so long that I think if you can get it going here, hopefully, it resonates," he noted⁸.

This restoration project is also an example of how corporations are contributing to the city's recovery. When Mardi Gras organizers, for the first time ever, sought corporate⁹ sponsors for their parades and events in February, only one company, the Glad Bags company, came forward. But city officials say that was partly a result of a late start in seeking corporate help.

Hampton Hotels' Marketing¹⁰ Vice¹¹ President Judy Christa-Cathey says she believes many more private companies will follow her company's lead in helping¹² New Orleans get back on its feet.

"I think a lot of companies will start coming, identifying areas that resonate with their corporate mission, if they can help," she said.  "We have seen that in the past when Hampton has restored landmarks. We have actually seen other companies come forward and contribute additional efforts for other area landmarks. We have seen that type of synergism occur."

City officials say corporations have given significant support to projects to aid people displaced by Katrina and to carry on with the Jazz and Heritage Festival, which starts this weekend, and other events that draw people to the city and help with its economic recovery.

1 carousel   

n.旋转式行李输送带

参考例句：

• Riding on a carousel makes you feel dizzy.乘旋转木马使你头晕。
• We looked like a bunch of awkward kids riding a slow-moving carousel.我们看起来就像一群骑在旋转木马上的笨拙的孩子。

2 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

3 landmarks   

n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址）

参考例句：

• The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句

4 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

5 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

6 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

7 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

10 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

11 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

12 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。