Alabama's Front Porches: A Blog About Alabama's Black Belt

Nov 2009 ASRT Ghost Paddle

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:49:59 -0600

FruitCake: Monroeville, Alabama Festival Friday November 13

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:34:30 -0600

2nd Annual Fruitcake Festival
Friday, November 13, 2009
Monroeville, Alabama, Old Courthouse Museum
Truman Capote's holiday classic "A Christmas Memory" is set just blocks from our Courthouse Square. But since those gentle days of Buddy and Sook, our once grand fruitcake has become the butt of holiday jokes. Please join the noble citizens of Monroeville as we return the fruitcake to its rightful place as Queen of the Christmas Dessert Table. "It's fruitcake weather!" is our battle cry!

Monroeville, Ala., will hold its second annual Fruitcake Festival, Friday, Nov. 13, at the Old Courthouse Museum on the town square. The allday event is a celebration of Truman Capote and the holiday dessert immortalized in his enduring holiday classic, "A Christmas Memory." The festival includes fruitcake sales and auctions, recipe exchanges, Capote-related Christmas gifts and homemade kites similar to the ones Sook and Truman make in the story. The event is sponsored by the Monroe County Heritage Museum's Endowment Fund.

Master storyteller Dolores Hydock ends the festive day by bringing Capote's nostalgic Christmas classic to life in the courtroom at 7 p.m. Tickets for the reading are $25 and include a holiday reception with fruitcake, of course!

Capote's tender tale of family, friendship and fruitcakes is set in Monroeville -- just a few blocks from the Courthouse where Capote spent his childhood with his eldery cousins, the Faulks. The short story is one of Capote's most popular works and is built around an annual ritual he shared with Sook Faulk of gathering ingredients and making 30 fruitcakes as Christmas presents for people who struck their fancy ranging from the bus driver who waved on his way to Mobile each day to President Franklin Roosevelt.

The story begins on a chilly autumn morning with Sook standing at the window to utter the famous line, "It's fruitcake weather!" In the 1930s, when "A Christmas Memory" is set, fruitcakes were a cherished holiday tradition. Today, however, the often maligned fruitcake is more likely the punch line of holiday jokes.

Kathryn Tucker Windham on Alabama's Ghost Trail Part 1

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:41:14 -0600

A View From the Porch

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:32:06 -0600

Book Signing at Black Belt Treasures

Fri, 15 May 2009 09:52:10 -0600

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

RURAL HERITAGE DAY & PEPPER JELLY FESTIVAL APRIL 25, 2009 THOMASTON, AL

Wed, 13 May 2009 08:43:03 -0600

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.

Actor who portrayed Scout in 'Mockingbird' visits Monroeville

Mon, 04 May 2009 11:56:03 -0600

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 New "Off the Porch" entry from Judy and Don Self

Fri, 01 May 2009 07:14:24 -0600

. . . 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">>>

Freedom Quilting Bee Author at Black Belt Treasures

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:42:56 -0600

Black Belt Treasures and the Alabama Humanities Foundation will host Nancy Callahan, author of THE FREEDOM QUILTING BEE on May 7, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Nancy will give a presentation on how the Freedom Quilting Bee was organized, the manner in which it sparked a national renaissance of the use of quilted décor in the United States, the original artistic aspects of the quilts, and the way the Bee changed the lives of the women who were part of its genesis. The Freedom Quilting Bee, organized in the 1960s, closed its doors some years ago and has recently reopened in their newly renovated building where members are once again at work creating their art. Current director, Mrs. Rennie Miller, is a charter member of the original Freedom Quilting Bee.

In the second half Mrs. Miller will demonstrate quilting and discuss the evolution of the Freedom Quilting Bee.

Box lunches will be available for $8.00. Please phone us to reserve a lunch at (334) 682-9878.

"An Evening with the Stars"- To Kill A Mockingbird Tickets Still Available

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:20:57 -0600

Tickets for To Kill A Mockingbird, the timeless classic performed by the all-volunteer cast, The Mockingbird Players, set in fictional Maycomb, are presently on sale in Monroeville through the Monroe County Heritage Museum, (251) 575-7433. All performances take place on Monroeville's Historic Courthouse Square, and in the Old Courthouse Courtroom (1903). Act I is set on the west courthouse lawn, with sets including the Atticus Finch Home, the Boo Radley House, and the homes of Mrs. Maudie, the narrator, and the eccentric Mrs. Dubose.

Tickets for 2009, the 19th year for this classic, are still available for the special performance, "An Evening with the Stars" on May 16th. The performance will begin promptly at 7 p.m., followed by an exclusive reception with the cast on the Historic Courthouse Square.

Tickets for this special performance are $75. All proceeds benefit the Monroe County Heritage Museum. For play tickets, please contact the Monroe County Heritage Museum at 251/575-7433.

For more information contact: Dora Bullard at (251) 575-7433.

Alabama Folk Pottery: lecture and demonstrations

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:04:59 -0600

Date:	Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Time:	5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location:	Black Belt Treasures
Street:	209 Claiborne Street
City/Town:	Camden, AL

Black Belt Treasures and The Alabama Humanities Foundation invite you to attend the first of three programs designed to examine the history and evolution of artistic practices and their contribution to the human experience. Three programs offered in April and June will provide opportunities to hear and experience scholarship on topics of local and universal interest.

This first session features Alabama Folk Pottery author Joey Brackner who will lecture and lead a discussion on the history of folk pottery, identifying specific areas of traditional pottery in Black Belt Alabama.

Brackner's lecture will be followed by pottery demonstrations by Allen Ham and Sam Williams.

Allen Ham is a fifth generation potter and descendant of the Le Coste family (potters who arrived in Alabama in the early 1800s and have passed traditional pottery techniques through the family). He will demonstrate the traditional form of pottery.

Sam Williams, a well known and prolific potter in Black Belt Alabama, is a contemporary potter who is using the art form in new and innovative ways. The two demonstrations will illustrate the evolution of pottery as an art form.

Joey Brackner's book, Alabama Folk Pottery , as well as pottery by Allen Ham and Sam Williams is available for purchase at Black Belt Treasures.

Scenes and Stories of Monroeville: "To Kill a Mockingbird" Seminar

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:42:28 -0600

MONROEVILLE- Year after year, people from all over the Southeast have come to spend a morning in the Old Courthouse as the citizens of Monroeville share their life stories to help teachers and readers of "To Kill a Mockingbird" understand the connections between Harper Lee's hometown of Monroeville and the fictional Maycomb of her novel.

In "Part 1: Growing up with Harper Lee," her classmates share stories and photos of what Monroeville was like in the 1930s and how closely the fictional setting of Maycomb resembles Monroeville.

In "Part 2: Race Relations in the 1930s," a panel of Monroeville's African-American citizens discuss race relations from the 1930s, to the present. They recall the inspiring stories of great Monroe County citizens who had the courage to stand against all odds to bring equal rights, quality education and voter rights to all citizens. No admission charged. For more information, please contact the Monroe County Heritage Museums at (251) 575-7433.

Location: Old Courthouse Museum
Date: July 15, 2009
Time: 9:00-noon
Admission: Free- Space is limited.
For more information or to register, contact: Monroe County Heritage Museums (251) 575-7433 or email mchm@frontiernet.net

Southwest Alabama Tourism and Film Office

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:10:24 -0600

We are pleased to announce that the Alabama Film Incentives Bill was signed into law on Tuesday March 24, 2009 by Governor Bob Riley. This action now places Alabama in a competitive position to attract film and television projects to our region. Governor Bob Riley moved the Alabama Film Office to the Department of Tourism, under Lee Sentell on January 1, 2009. To exploit our regions opportunities, we are expanding our scope of services to include film development and will now be called the Southwest Alabama Tourism and Film Office.

Southern Literary Trail treks through Monroeville

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:02:52 -0600

Monroeville- March 28
Southern Literary Trail treks through Monroeville
Old Courthouse Museum, Downtown Square
(215) 575-7433. www.tokillamockingbird.com.
$15 -includes old-fashioned "Maycomb County Picnic" on the beautiful Old Courthouse lawn.
Registration 9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.-11:30a.m. Panelists present "Growing up with Harper Lee"- classmates share stories and photos of 1930's Monroeville and discuss what it was like growing up with Harper Lee and Truman Capote.
12:30-2:00, second panel: "Against All Odds-Moments of Courage"- African American citizens discuss race relations in the 1930's and in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Both panels to be held in the famous Courtroom.
Advance registration recommended. For more information, contact Kevin Mannix at (251) 575-7433.

Rikard's Mill Reopening

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:30:27 -0600

BEATRICE- The annual reopening of one of Alabama's Registered Historical Sites, Rikard's Mill, located just north of Beatrice, Alabama, will be held on April 11, 2009 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Old friends of the mill and visiting guests will have the opportunity to spend the day nestled in the piney woods along the banks of the picturesque Flat Creek. Families and friends will enjoy live music all day, the gristmill turning out fresh grits and cornmeal, mule and wagon rides, arts and crafts - and so much more. Clark's Barbecue and Monroe Sausage will be available for lunch.

About the Mill:
First built in 1845, the mill has served residents of North Monroe County ever since. Rikard's Mill is a Monroe County Property listed on the Alabama Register of Historical Sites and operated by the Monroe County Heritage Museums.

Location: Rikard's Mill, Beatrice, Alabama
Date: April 11, 2009
Time: 9:00-4:00
Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors, $5 children
Contact: Dora Bullard, Monroe County Heritage Museums, 251.575.7433