A walking stick is a device used by many people to help keep their balance while walking. Others use them as an accessory. Walking sticks come in many shapes and sizes, and can be sought by collectors. Some kinds of walking stick may be used by people with disabilities as a crutch or cane. The walking stick has also historically been known to be used as a defensive or offensive weapon, and may conceal a knife or sword as in a swordstick. The "tippling cane" contained a flask usually to hold a small amount of liquor. The Quarterstaff and the Shillelagh are also walking sticks.
A quarterstaff was a traditional European walking stick/weapon used from the middle age to the Early Modern period. It was usually a
shaft of hardwood from long. It was used the same as a walking stick but also as a weapon. It was later called a "short staff" as it became shorter. The term is best known from the legends of Robin Hood. In many versions of the story, he fights variously a monk, Little John or others with a quarterstaff. In most versions Robin Hood loses and ends up in the stream.
From about 1550 until 1930, walking sticks were a fashion accessory. They were not much used for walking but were more worn. A proper lady or gentleman would never be without their walking stick or cane. Many were elegant canes with highly decorated handles. Sometime during the 17th century, the decorated walking stick replaced the sword carried by aristocrats as a status symbol.
Walking sticks, sometimes called a hiking stick or trekking pole, are used by hikers. They are used for support when going uphill or downhill. A good walking stick or pole helps hikers keep their balance while crossing streams or rocks. Modern hiking poles are made of aluminum (or composite materials). They can telescope to fit tall or short hikers. Many have shock absorbers to ease back, shoulder and knee strain.
A shillelagh is a wooden walking stick and club or cudgel, typically a thick knotty stick with a large knob at the top. Many are made from oak or willow. Some are made from the blackthorn bush. In the British Army, blackthorn sticks are carried by commissioned officers of the Royal Irish Regiment. The Shillelagh is associated with Ireland and Irish folklore.
The walking stick is a weapon in martial arts. Both stick training and "shinai" (sword) training use the walking stick. Some are light but shinai-weight and heavier are more common. It can be less lethal than a sword but is deadly against a knife or similar weapons. With practice a walking stick user can deliver a "kote-man" or double-strike. Once to the wrist (holding the knife) followed instantly by a second blow to the assailant's head. The walking stick has the added advantage it does not look like a weapon. It looks fairly harmless.
A sword cane was a long thin steel blade encased in a sheath. The sheath was the cane or, in the case of a swordstick, a walking stick. Andrew Jackson carried a sword-cane and was known to have used it. In many modern jurisdictions the ownership, carrying, manufacturing or trading in sword canes is restricted by law. In some places they are considered a concealed weapon.
A collector of walking sticks is termed a rabologist.
Chakri
Chakradhar Gilla (known as Chakri) (15 June 1974 – 15 December 2014) was an Indian music composer and singer. He works for Tollywood movies. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Telugu for the movie "Satyam" (2003). His song named "O Maguva Nee Sneham Kosam" from his movie "Satyam" was thought to be his best known work. Chakri was born in Mahabubabad, Telangana.
Chakri died from a heart attack in Hyderabad, Telangana, aged 40.
John McVie
John Graham "Mac" McVie (born 26 November 1945) is a British bass guitarist. He is best known as a member of rock groups John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and Fleetwood Mac. He joined Fleetwood Mac shortly after its formation by guitarist Peter Green in 1967. He replaced bassist Bob Brunning.
In 1968, he married blues pianist and singer Christine Perfect, who became a member of Fleetwood Mac two years later. John and Christine McVie divorced, however, in 1977.
On 27 October 2013, Fleetwood Mac announced on their Facebook Page that McVie had been diagnosed with cancer and would be undergoing treatment. He has continued to play with the band during their 2014 On With The Show tour following an improvement in his condition.
Louis Alphonse Koyagialo
Louis Alphonse Daniel Koyagialo Ngbase te Gerengbo (23 March 1947 – 14 December 2014) was a Congolese politician. He was Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito. He was responsible for the Ministry of Postal Services, Telephones, and Telecommunications . He became Acting Prime Minister on 6 March 2012 after Prime Minister Muzito resigned.
Saint Lucy
Saint Lucy (283–304) was born in Syracuse, Italy. Lucy’s mother tried to arrange a marriage for her. Lucy did not want to marry. Her mother agreed, but the rejected bridegroom was not happy. He betrayed Lucy to the governor as a Christian. Lucy was killed. She died at age 21.
Saint Emiliana
Saint Emiliana was a Christian saint. She was born in Rome. Her feast day is January 5. She was a mystic person (a spiritual and faithful person).
Emiliana and her sister Tharsilla were aunts of Pope Gregory I. Their uncle was Pope Felix III. They treated their house like a convent. They were spiritual and committed to God. They wanted to help the world. Tharsilla died on December 24. A few days after Tharsilla died, she appeared to Emiliana. Emiliana died on January 5.
Louis, Prince of Condé (1668–1710)
Louis de Bourbon, or Louis III, Prince of Condé (10 November 1668 - 4 March 1710) was a Prince of the blood at the French court of Louis XIV. Styled as the Duke of Bourbon from birth, he succeeded his father as Prince of Condé in 1709. He was commonly called "Monsieur le Duc". However, he was known by the lesser ducal title. He was prince for less than a year. As a member of the reigning House of Bourbon, he was a "prince du sang". He was governor of Burgundy from 1709–1710. He was forced to marry an illegitimate daughter of Louis XIV.
Raquel Castro
Raquel Castro (born November 17, 1994) is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She played Gertie in "Jersey Girl" in 2004. She played Destiny in "Little Fugitive".
Castro was born in Long Island, New York.
Nick Cravat
Nicholas Cuccia (January 11, 1912 – January 29, 1994), known as Nick Cravat, was an American actor and stuntman. He co-starred with Burt Lancaster in nine movies. He played a mute character in movies such as "Davy Crockett" and "King of the Wild Frontier". He did not have speaking roles because he could not hide his thick Brooklyn accent.
Cravat was born in New York City. On January 29, 1994 he died of lung cancer in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.
Dennis Morgan
Dennis Morgan (December 30, 1909 – September 7, 1994) was an American actor and singer. He played Jefferson in "Christmas in Connecticut". He played Paul Hudson in "The Desert Song".
Morgan was born Stanley Morner in Prentice, Wisconsin, on December 30, 1909. He died in Fresno, California of respiratory failure on September 7, 1994.
Francisco Ibáñez Talavera
Francisco Ibáñez Talavera (born 15 March 1936), Spanish comic book artist and writer. He was born in Barcelona, Spain. He is the creator of several comic book series. The most famous series he created is "Mortadelo y Filemón".
Ibáñez worked in a bank while publishing his first drawings before dedicating himself fully to his craft in 1957. A year later, "Mortadelo y Filemón" appeared for the first time in the publication "Pulgarcito". After that Ibáñez created several other characters. Since 1988, he has drawn six new "Mortadelo y Filemón" albums a year. Many of them concern common issues of the day.