Last Sunday, I went up to Dahlonega, Georgia to be the "guest speaker" for the Unitarian Church there. Since I am a little dangerous on the road now, I got Carl Iobst to go with me. I couldn't have asked for a better reception and I was introduced by Mildred Greer, a lady that I had not seen in 50 years. We used to teach at Cartersville, Georgia and she introduced me to the poetry of Byron Herbert Reece, which was a major influence on my understanding of my own culture. I guess the experience was a bit surreal...a 75 year-old storyteller in Dahlonega (where I used to teach elderhostels) speaking in a Unitarian Church because we shared a love for a Georgia poet. I had been talking to the program director, Sarah Jones for several months by email, and by the time I arrived a goodly number of the congregation had seen my DVDs of "Nance Dude" and "Prince of Dark Corners." Carl took a lot of photographs and we took the long drive back by Blood Mountain and my favorite mountain store. I hope to go back sometime.
You deserve every accolade you received.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Winter Song. How is your health? Do you think you will ever get to WNC? I would love th sit and talk for a while.
ReplyDeleteHowdy Gary,
ReplyDeleteNext time you venture into Georgia let me know and I'll try my best to attend. Mildred Grear, now there's a name from the past. An activist when being an activist wasn't cool. Took Journalism under her at dear old CHS. Didn't know that she was still numbered among the living. Hope to catch one of the Liars Bench evenings sometime soon.
Best wishes to my favorite teacher,
Don
Hi Gary! My health is pretty good now except I'm battling a coldat present. My cancer is in remission and live life to the fullest in between scans for a few years. When I'm expecting to be in your area someday, I'llbe sure to let you know. I'd love to sit and chat and just generally shoot the breeze with you. Keep having the time of your life as you seem to be doing!
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