TODAY'S ISSUE
Long-awaited "On Eagles' Wings" to be shown on TV Thursday
By Michele Wright
President, Atlanta Chapter of Choristers Guild
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's Note: Thursday night, August 11, at 8 p.m. on WGTV, Channel 8, On Eagle's Wing will be presented. This show, originally planned to have its world premier at the Gwinnett Arena, had financial difficulties, and the premier, financed by private investors and the Northern Irish government, was switched to Belfast. Here is how Atlanta singers came to be involved in it. See their performance taped in Belfast last year on Thursday. -eeb)

AUG. 9, 2005 -- Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would sing in an international world premiere. It was a journey like no other and one I'll always cherish.

Wright

The journey began a year earlier when my phone at the Cathedral of Christ King rang with a request that I find out about a new musical production titled On Eagle's Wing. With my curiosity piqued, I agreed to meet with representatives from Northern Ireland to find out more about this spectacular show. It promised to tell the story of the Scots-Irish immigration from the Scottish Lowlands to Ireland to America and to trace the Scots Irish legacy in America over the past 500 years.

Expecting to walk into a room filled with other musical directors, imagine my surprise when I was the only one there. Seated around the table were John Anderson, the brilliant composer, Ian Kennedy, CEO, and Liz Lavery and John Nicholson, co-producers.

Why me? They sought me out because I was president-elect of the Atlanta Chapter of Choristers Guild, part of a national ecumenical organization of choir directors that "enables leaders to nurture the spiritual and musical growth of children and youth." As the meeting progressed, I discovered they wanted to enlist my help to spread the word to choirs, since there were plans under way to have a 500 voice choir in the world premiere.

As I struggled to digest how this, a striking, silver-haired, gentleman entered the room and headed in my direction. Extending his hand out in a warm greeting, he introduced himself as Lord Laird of Artigarvan and told me how happy he was that I had agreed to come on board. Even though I had yet to make that decision, the heartfelt dedication and excitement to make John Anderson's dream a reality was very contagious.

My husband and I arrived in Belfast on May 24, 2004. The performance was set for May 28 and 29. We were immediately impressed with how friendly the people were and how beautiful the city was. When I walked into the Odyssey Arena and saw the monstrous stage surrounded by 6,000 audience seats, the enormity of all of this coming together was very apparent.

The success of the show was important to everyone. It was a teamwork effort across the boards from composer, the stars, Peter Cory and Alyth McCormick to the choirs and the production staff and crew. That included 19 volunteers from Atlanta to Belfast! We hoped the show would take on a life of its own.

Altogether, there were more than 300 voices stacked around the stage. We met with the On-Stage Choir which was comprised of the 19 member American Choir and a special group of 45 singers from Northern Ireland. Being in the choir required physical endurance, since we had to climb several flights of stairs to reach our stage positions not once but many times in the performance. But it was more than worth the effort. Playing to capacity crowds both nights was phenomenal. It was very exciting to have people from home in the audience for the world premiere.

Walking out on the stage as a member of the choir and singing the music and lyrics which touch hearts is virtually beyond words. Electricity was in the air; the stage pulsated with energy; the thunderous applause and response from the audience was amazing. We were thrilled from not just one or two but three standing ovations!

The eagle didn't just fly it SOARED! And now On Eagle's Wing is airing on PBS stations across America during the months of August and September. Don't miss the chance to watch it so you, too "can fly where the eagles fly."

ELLIOTT BRACK
Insights for today found when reading Grant's Memories
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

AUG. 9, 2005 -- Scholars say that the Memories of General U.S. Grant are among the best of the presidential remembrances. But if you want to tackle the Grant Memories, prepare for 700 pages, all about primarily the Mexican War and the Civil War. He died shortly after finishing his memories, which do not include his view while president.

Yet what Grant says, and the way he conducts himself, makes a reader respect the man. He virtually changed the course of the Civil War as he turned the Union forces around with his constant pushing and charging to battle.

Perhaps the best way to catch a glimpse of his character is through what he wrote. Among his words we remember best are these.

At West Point: "I never succeeded in getting squarely at either end of my class, in any one study, during the four years. I came near it in French, artillery, infantry and cavalry tactics, and conduct."

On the Mexican War: "To this day (I) regard the war, which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic following the bad example of European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory."

For anti-war views, Grant says: "Experience proves that the man who obstructs a war in which his nations is engaged, no matter whether right or wrong, occupies no enviable place in life or history. Better for him, individually, to advocate 'war, pestilence and famine' than to act as obstructionist to a war already begun."

On slavery: "As time passes, people, even of the South, will begin to wonder how it was possible that their ancestors ever fought for or justified institutions which acknowledged the right of property in man."

Secret Societies: "But all secret, oath-bound political parties are dangerous to any nation, no matter how pure or how patriotic the motive and principles which first bring them together. No political party can or ought to exist when one of its cornerstones is opposition to freedom of thought and to the right to worship God 'according to the dictate of one's conscience' or according to the creed of any religious denomination whatsoever."

Early service commanding troops: in a Civil War battle anticipated to be at Florida, Mo., which never took place, as his opponent disappeared:: "I never forgot that he had as much reason to fear my forces as I had his. The lesson was valuable."

After Grant's victory at Vicksburg, (which he says; "The fate of the Confederacy was sealed when Vicksburg fell."): "I saw our men taking bread from their haversacks and giving it to the enemy they had so recently been engaged in starving out. It was accepted with avidity and with thanks."

Grant's first meeting with Andrew Johnson, then military governor of Tennessee, in Nashville: "He delivered a speech of welcome. His composure showed that it was by no means his maiden effort. It was long and I was in torture while he was delivering it, fearing something would be expected of me in response. I was relieved, however, the people assembled having apparently heard enough."

His view of Federal General George Meade: "It is men who wait to be selected, and not those who seek, from whom we may always expect the most efficient service."

On Confederate General Johnston's tactics in Georgia: "I think that Johnston's tactics were right. Anything that could have prolonged the war a year beyond the time that it did finally close, would probably have exhausted the North to such an extent that they might have abandoned the contest and agreed to a separation;."

Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forest: "About the ablest cavalry general in the South."

On the death of Abraham Lincoln: "He would have proven the best friend the South could have had, and saved much of the wrangling and bitterness of feeling brought out by reconstruction under a president." (Andrew Johnson.)

Grant's Memories: it's good reading!

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

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FEEDBACK
8/9: Catches editor in fit of whining about spending in Congress

Editor, the Forum:

Your recent commentary (GWINNETT GETS HIGHWAY FUNDS, BUT COMES UP SHORT-CHANGED, August 5) is a classic example of why politicians continue to pack "pork" into critical legislation in spite of the outcry from the voters.

Initially you publicized Rep. David Scott for his efforts in getting $20 million for Gwinnett. Then when you realized other parts of the state received a per capita larger share, you complained about our representation in Congress.

Never once did I see mentioned that this bill also contains:

• Horse riding facilities in Virginia ($600,000).
• A snowmobile trail in Vermont ($5.9 million).
  
• Parking for New York's Harlem Hospital ($8 million).
  
• A bicycle and pedestrian trail in Tennessee ($532,000).
  
• A daycare center and park-and-ride facility in Illinois ($1.25 million).
  
• Dust control mitigation for rural Arkansas ($3 million).
  
• The National Packard Museum in Ohio ($2.75 million).
  
• A historical trolley project in Washington ($200,000).
  
• And the Granddaddy of them all, $223 million for a mile-long bridge linking an island with 50 residents to the town of Ketchikan, Alaska on the mainland.

Our elected officials know us all too well. We will praise our own if they bring us money. We will criticize our own if we don't get our fair share. We will denounce all the others for wasting our tax dollars.

Isn't politics grand?

-- Patrick Malone, Snellville

(Dear Patrick: Yep, I was whining too much. Your comments are mostly justified. However, I take exception: those people in Alaska need that bridge.-eeb)

8/9: Wants trains back as one part of congestion solution

Editor, the Forum:

I had the misfortune recently of driving through Atlanta, via I-75, on the way to Acworth to pick up three granddaughters. Two live in Savannah and one in Ringgold, while my son lives in Acworth.

Before we got to Acworth, we saw a wreck in the southbound lanes near Barrett Parkway, at 10:30 a.m.. Traffic was still backed up when we left to get on the interstate at 1:30 p.m. Maybe another wreck, or some of the residual from the earlier wreck?

The northbound lanes of I-75 were bumper to bumper, and this went on for several miles before we noticed a lessening of the congestion. Another wreck? Road construction? I don't know.

I try to drive the speed limit on the interstates, maybe "fudge" a little bit by five mph, but get passed regularly on I-75 by discourteous drivers and NASCAR wannabes in a hurry to die! Lane swapping, passing on the right (slow lane) and bumper riding are some of the dangerous habits I observed.

Traveling at 75 mph, your car is going at 110 feet per second! Simple math tells me that in three seconds, one has traveled the length of a football field, if you can relate to that!

I realize this discourse isn't going to change anybody's mind, but would like to make a suggestion; bring back the "Nancy Hanks" railway system, which you remember ran from Savannah to Atlanta each day.

Mass transit is the way to go. Railroads and trains have a lot of appeal. This won't solve the traffic congestion on the interstates, but it would keep a lot of people (like me) off them!

I will listen out for some of your readers' feedback on this, as I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

-- David Earl Tyre, Jesup

(Dear David: Here is some immediate feedback. Atlanta traffic is bad; we know who live here. But recently I was on I-95, down your way, and was disheartened that traffic on that part of the system seems just as bad as ours up here. Your suggestion to alternates to automobiles is not the entire answer, but could be a part of it, we agree. -eeb)

UPCOMING
Williams addresses Button Gwinnett Society on Wednesday

Do you know there is a Button Gwinnett Society?

The Button Gwinnett Society meets quarterly at the 1818 Club at 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway for fellowship and interesting speakers. The Aug. 10, 2005 meeting will feature Philip Lee Williams of Athens.

Here is what Mr. Williams had to say about his talk: "Let's call my talk "Life at the Margins"--I want to talk about people who don't fit easily into the standard social mold, with special emphasis on Southerners who were against the South's position in the Civil War--the topic of my novel, A Distant Flame."

Mr. Williams is a former journalist, and quite the prolific author. A new edition of his first book, The Heart of a Distant Forest, will be coming out from the University of Georgia Press in September. His new book of nature essays, In The Morning, will come out from Mercer University Press in the fall of 2006--his 12th book.

Meetings begin at 6 P.M. and are concluded at 7:30. Those interested are welcome. Call 770-840-1003 for additional information.

RESTAURANT REVIEW
Pond View, Waycross

Most GwinnettForum readers won't routinely travel to Waycross for dinner. But should you be in this deep South Georgia town, you're in for a treat for dining at Pond View. It's a restaurant and Inn (four B&B-type rooms), and is located in downtown Waycross. The night there we enjoyed the rainbow trout, while another diner had shrimp. A speciality is catfish fillet with a cream pecan sauce, and crab cakes. There's much on the menu besides seafood, of course. For dessert, some people die for their bread pudding with rum butterscotch sauce. Your dining room has 18 foot ceilings. It's at 311 Pendleton St. And you can phone ahead, toll free, at 866/582-5149. --eeb

• An invitation: What Web sites or books have you enjoyed? Send us your best recent read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
  
  

GEORGIA TIDBIT
Short bios of groundbreaking women in Georgia

Georgia has produced several groundbreaking women over its long history. Mary Musgrove, as interpreter for James E. Oglethorpe and Yamacraw Indian chief Tomochichi, was instrumental in the peaceful founding of the Georgia colony. Rebecca Latimer Felton was the first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate. And modern-day humanitarian heroines like Rosalynn Carter continue the tradition of "firsts" among Georgia women of distinction in their public service to both state and nation. These women each serve as role models for women today and tomorrow, whether in sports, politics, or education.

Among the women featured in the Encyclopedia are Martha Berry, Alice Coachman, Grace Towns Hamilton, Mary Musgrove, Rosalynn Carter, Rebecca Latimer Felton, Helen Douglas Mankin and Susan King Taylor. More.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  
  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Four-year-old daughter has quite an understanding

"Mommy it's kinda like what Miss Barbara says 'You get what you get and you don't pitch a fit."

-- Four year old Mary Ashley Williamson, via proud mother Patti Williamson of Duluth.

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

MORE: Contact Gwinnett Forum at: elliott@gwinnettforum.com

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