Joe Watts: May 2009 Archives
I Just Make People Up: Ramblings with Clark Walker
A new book by Foster Dickson
Saturday, May 16
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Black Belt Treasures
Based on a series of interviews with Walker in 2004, the book uses Walker's life and art as a prism to look at creativity, relationships, the ways of seeing, the nature of community, and the meaning of everything. These talks are complemented by almost fifty pages of full-color images covering fifty years of Walker's paintings.
". . . Foster Dickson's narrative biography of Clark Walker is a triumph of the as-told-to style of writing." -- Julia Oliver, Alabama Writers Forum.
"Reading Foster Dickson's book about renowned artist Clark Walker is like eavesdropping in the shadows as the two Montgomery men carry on a lively conversation with each other...His descriptive words capture Walker's modest demeanor, dry wit, and free-spirited lifestyle." -- Martha Rouse Gates, the Montgomery Advertiser.
More information is available at www.blackbelttreasures.com.
209 Claiborne Street ● Camden, AL 36726 ● (334) 682-9878
A new book by Foster Dickson
Saturday, May 16
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Black Belt Treasures
Based on a series of interviews with Walker in 2004, the book uses Walker's life and art as a prism to look at creativity, relationships, the ways of seeing, the nature of community, and the meaning of everything. These talks are complemented by almost fifty pages of full-color images covering fifty years of Walker's paintings.
". . . Foster Dickson's narrative biography of Clark Walker is a triumph of the as-told-to style of writing." -- Julia Oliver, Alabama Writers Forum.
"Reading Foster Dickson's book about renowned artist Clark Walker is like eavesdropping in the shadows as the two Montgomery men carry on a lively conversation with each other...His descriptive words capture Walker's modest demeanor, dry wit, and free-spirited lifestyle." -- Martha Rouse Gates, the Montgomery Advertiser.
More information is available at www.blackbelttreasures.com.
209 Claiborne Street ● Camden, AL 36726 ● (334) 682-9878
Weeks of preparation went into the planning of the BBAC's participation in the Rural Heritage Day and Pepper Jelly Festival April 25, 2009.
From the very beginning, the Festival Committee embraced our planning committee and worked harmoniously with us throughout the planning process. It was a cooperative effort with assistance from the Town of Thomaston, the City of Linden, the City of Thomasville, the Marengo County Commission and Marengo County Rescue Squad and the Linden National Guard Armory.
The weather was perfect! Our red and white BBAC Tent was the focal point of the festival and we had a number of people come by the tent and look at the storyboards, get t-shirts, balloons, bottled water and view the BBAC video.
We all wore the festival T-shirts were designed by Madden and Associates in Selma. Laurie Stewart was in charge of that project and she did a fantastic job. Bottled water was purchased from Gee's Bend Water in Camden. Storyboards were positioned outside and inside the tent with information about various BBAC projects.
Sponsors included the following:
Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Council
Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel
Alabama Child Caring Foundation
Alabama Small Business Consortium
Commissioner Fred Armstead, Marengo County - Sears - Flat Screen TV
Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP - Sponsored the BBAC Tent and bottled water
Black Belt Community Foundation - Gee's Bend Quilters
Black Belt Treasures - Kristen Law, Pottery demonstration
ADECA - Storyboards, Programs, Invitations, Nametags, Press Releases and support staff.
Colonial Pipeline Company
City of Demopolis
Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood
University Center for Economic Development
New Era Cap Company - sponsored Charlie Lucas, artist
Promotion of the festival included television, radio and newspaper, as well as email. Margaret and Cindy appeared on WSFA Live April 22nd. I did a promo interview with WVAS 90.7 in Montgomery, as well as an APT spot. A press release was prepared by ADECA and sent to all newspaper outlets in the state, including those in the Black Belt and Cindy Neilson got the local radio station, WINL 98.5, to promote the festival as well. All Project Managers were encouraged to send out email ads/invitations for the festival and a notice was sent several times to all ADECA employees making them aware of the day's activities. Approximately 300 invitations were mailed from ADECA to Probate Judges, Mayors, County Commissions, Superintendents of Education, and other elected officials in the Black Belt. Senator Sanders and Margaret did a great job talking about the Black Belt Action Commission on stage.
Entertainment was nonstop, from the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the festival to Billie Jean Young's one woman show. Kathryn Tucker Windham held the crowd spellbound for about 45 minutes and the Gee's Bend Quilters entertained the crowd much to their delight. Special treats included the Lowndes County Drama Group and the Voices of Camden. We appreciate these talented young people participating. Not only was the entertainment great, the food was just as good. The fire department cooked some delicious ribs and you would not believe the home made ice cream prepared by a local couple. I asked the gentlemen how many freezers of ice cream he had made and he told me by the end of the day he will have made 29! It was delicious!
Even after the festival, we continued to get attention! All of you should have gotten the press release about the farmer in Pulaski, Tennessee. He found balloons in his field that happened to get away when we were packing up for the day. He saw the ad for the festival and called the Thomaston Police Department to find out abut the festival and promised to be there next year! That's what you call publicity!
ALL IN ALL, it was a very successful day and I think a lot more people now know about the good things being accomplished by the BBAC.
From the very beginning, the Festival Committee embraced our planning committee and worked harmoniously with us throughout the planning process. It was a cooperative effort with assistance from the Town of Thomaston, the City of Linden, the City of Thomasville, the Marengo County Commission and Marengo County Rescue Squad and the Linden National Guard Armory.
The weather was perfect! Our red and white BBAC Tent was the focal point of the festival and we had a number of people come by the tent and look at the storyboards, get t-shirts, balloons, bottled water and view the BBAC video.
We all wore the festival T-shirts were designed by Madden and Associates in Selma. Laurie Stewart was in charge of that project and she did a fantastic job. Bottled water was purchased from Gee's Bend Water in Camden. Storyboards were positioned outside and inside the tent with information about various BBAC projects.
Sponsors included the following:
Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Council
Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel
Alabama Child Caring Foundation
Alabama Small Business Consortium
Commissioner Fred Armstead, Marengo County - Sears - Flat Screen TV
Bradley Arant Rose & White LLP - Sponsored the BBAC Tent and bottled water
Black Belt Community Foundation - Gee's Bend Quilters
Black Belt Treasures - Kristen Law, Pottery demonstration
ADECA - Storyboards, Programs, Invitations, Nametags, Press Releases and support staff.
Colonial Pipeline Company
City of Demopolis
Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood
University Center for Economic Development
New Era Cap Company - sponsored Charlie Lucas, artist
Promotion of the festival included television, radio and newspaper, as well as email. Margaret and Cindy appeared on WSFA Live April 22nd. I did a promo interview with WVAS 90.7 in Montgomery, as well as an APT spot. A press release was prepared by ADECA and sent to all newspaper outlets in the state, including those in the Black Belt and Cindy Neilson got the local radio station, WINL 98.5, to promote the festival as well. All Project Managers were encouraged to send out email ads/invitations for the festival and a notice was sent several times to all ADECA employees making them aware of the day's activities. Approximately 300 invitations were mailed from ADECA to Probate Judges, Mayors, County Commissions, Superintendents of Education, and other elected officials in the Black Belt. Senator Sanders and Margaret did a great job talking about the Black Belt Action Commission on stage.
Entertainment was nonstop, from the Star Spangled Banner at the beginning of the festival to Billie Jean Young's one woman show. Kathryn Tucker Windham held the crowd spellbound for about 45 minutes and the Gee's Bend Quilters entertained the crowd much to their delight. Special treats included the Lowndes County Drama Group and the Voices of Camden. We appreciate these talented young people participating. Not only was the entertainment great, the food was just as good. The fire department cooked some delicious ribs and you would not believe the home made ice cream prepared by a local couple. I asked the gentlemen how many freezers of ice cream he had made and he told me by the end of the day he will have made 29! It was delicious!
Even after the festival, we continued to get attention! All of you should have gotten the press release about the farmer in Pulaski, Tennessee. He found balloons in his field that happened to get away when we were packing up for the day. He saw the ad for the festival and called the Thomaston Police Department to find out abut the festival and promised to be there next year! That's what you call publicity!
ALL IN ALL, it was a very successful day and I think a lot more people now know about the good things being accomplished by the BBAC.
Continue reading RURAL HERITAGE DAY & PEPPER JELLY FESTIVAL APRIL 25, 2009 THOMASTON, AL.
MONROEVILLE- Mary Badham, known internationally as the child actor who played Scout in the film adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird," will be in Monroeville, Alabama for the annual event, "A Day in Maycomb," which will be held on May 16. Teachers, students and the general public are invited to the Old Monroe County Courthouse Museum on Monroeville's historic downtown square for a day of immersion into the historical surroundings associated with the novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird." Guests will have the opportunity for a self-guided tour to see the exhibits in the Old Courthouse Museum: "Harper Lee- In Her Own Words"; "Truman Capote- A Childhood in Monroeville"; Probate Judge Millsap's Office; The 1930's Law Office; and the original Courtroom maintained to its 1930's appearance. A self- guided walking tour is available after the courthouse experience that allows the visitor to see several points of interest including the Atticus Finch monument, the building which housed the office of A. C. Lee (Harper Lee's father) and the nearby sites where Harper Lee and Truman Capote's childhood homes were located.
"A Day in Maycomb," features a special presentation, from 1:00-3:00, by Mary Badham, now a professional speaker on "To Kill A Mockingbird."
"I love coming to Monroeville every year for the last performance of the play," says Badham, "The Mockingbird Players are like family to me, and visiting Monroeville is like coming home."
Badham will engage the audience with her stories and personal experiences in Hollywood, race relations, and her life before, during and after "To Kill a Mockingbird." Space is limited and reservations must be made in advance, by May 8. For reservations, call the Museum at (251) 575-7433.
Location: Old Courthouse Museum
Date and Time: May 16, 1:00-3:00
Cost: $10.00 per person
"A Day in Maycomb," features a special presentation, from 1:00-3:00, by Mary Badham, now a professional speaker on "To Kill A Mockingbird."
"I love coming to Monroeville every year for the last performance of the play," says Badham, "The Mockingbird Players are like family to me, and visiting Monroeville is like coming home."
Badham will engage the audience with her stories and personal experiences in Hollywood, race relations, and her life before, during and after "To Kill a Mockingbird." Space is limited and reservations must be made in advance, by May 8. For reservations, call the Museum at (251) 575-7433.
Location: Old Courthouse Museum
Date and Time: May 16, 1:00-3:00
Cost: $10.00 per person
. . . not birding.
There are some days when you get up and just aren't in the mood for birding. But then, while the tea is brewing, you take a quick peek out the kitchen window to see who might be hanging around your feeders. After all, it's the middle of spring migration and you might just pick up a new species for the yard list! continue reading "Off the Porch">>>
There are some days when you get up and just aren't in the mood for birding. But then, while the tea is brewing, you take a quick peek out the kitchen window to see who might be hanging around your feeders. After all, it's the middle of spring migration and you might just pick up a new species for the yard list! continue reading "Off the Porch">>>
