Reece Farm and Heritage Center.
The design team of Deem Loureiro, Inc. has completed a plan for the utilization of each stall and open space of the main barn, as well as for the various outbuildings (the corn crib, smokehouse, chicken coop, and spring house). These exhibits include such stations as “Tilling, Planting, Cultivating & Harvesting,” “Feeding the Family,” “Beasts of Burden,” and “Wonders of the Woodland.” Soon bids will be sought for the actual setup of the proposed exhibits. Within the year we expect to have the agricultural exhibits ready for public viewing, including visitation by children and youth in the local school systems.
Georgia Literary Festival.
This year the festival will be held in the City Park of Blue Ridge, September 29-30. The 2007 Honoree of the Festival is none other than Georgia’s Appalachian Poet/Novelist, Byron Herbert Reece. Festival features include regional music, storytelling, appearances by national, regional, and local writers (including our own Bettie Sellers, Helen Lewis, and Philip Lee Williams), lectures on Reece and Appalachian life, film/video presentations, crafts, booksellers, food and other vendors. For more information, please visit www.georgialiteraryfestival.org.
Reece in the Schools.
Carol Knight and Justin Shook did a special presentation on Reece at the Georgia Council of English Teachers Conference at Jekyll Island earlier this year. The committee, chaired by Carol, has posted on the Society website a number of lesson plans that can be used for kindergarten, fourth grade, middle school, and high school. Alan Denmon of Union County High School has prepared a brochure of a driving tour that includes sites pertinent to Reece’s life, such as the Reece farm, Young Harris College, the Reece family gravesite in Old Union Cemetery, and Old Salem Church. An initial arts and literary contest for school children of all ages, on themes related to Reece, has been completed and prizes awarded.
Annual meeting on June 9th.
Some 70 people gathered on the Young Harris College campus for the fourth annual meeting. Cathy Cox, president of the College, welcomed the group. Various reports were heard, new directors elected, and special guests acknowledged. A stirring keynote address was given by Georgia author (and Reece Society Advisory Council member) Philip Lee Williams on the subject, “Remembering a Man I Never Met.” A delicious meal and informal fellowship were enjoyed by all in the Young Harris College dining hall.
Membership update.
We currently have 196 active members, i.e., persons who have paid their dues for the June 1, 2007 through May 31, 2008 membership year. These include some 80 lifetime members, as well as five honorary members.
Dates to remember.
Put the dates of the Literary Festival on your calendar: September 28th and 29th in Blue Ridge. The fall Board of Directors meeting will be held on Saturday, November 17th, and the spring directors meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 22nd. Next year’s annual meeting is on Saturday, May 31st.