TODAY'S ISSUE
Mediterranian trip with Mom one to cherish for years
By Lynne DeWilde
Special to GwinnettForum.com

SUWANEE, Jan. 17, 2006 -- After more than 20 years of living hundreds of miles away from one another, my mom and I moved in together and shared less than 200 square feet of living space for 10 days this past October. No need to feel badly for us, as we were on a cruise ship visiting ports in France, Italy, and Spain. It was a trip filled with sights, experiences, impressions, and memories that we'll cherish for many years to come.

DeWilde and her mother in Rome

Actually, a European trip was something that we originally planned four years ago. But in the immediate days following 9/11, we decided to postpone our trip to Germany where we were to visit with one of my mother's friends living there. Still, as one who's always ready to pack her bags to visit someplace new, I longed to travel to Europe. My husband, who has seen much of the world courtesy of the U.S. Navy, didn't share my fervor, nor did my 11-year-old son, who can't understand why someone would wish to travel anywhere other than a beach or an amusement park.

Finally, during a visit home to Virginia last summer, my mom, and I decided that the time was right to try another trip. She wanted to travel to Italy, where she had lived (in Naples) for a couple of years during her youth, and had no interest in Paris, which I longed to visit. As a compromise, we looked into cruises, which would allow us to see more of Europe. I didn't make it to Paris, but I was enthralled by the charm (and open market) of Aix-en-Provence, the area of the Cote d'Azur, and the walled town of St. Paul. And that was just our first two ports!

A cruise truly is a fabulous way to sample new places and cultures. After arriving in Barcelona, our port of departure, and waiting for our luggage to catch up with us, we boarded the ship for our 10-day cruise. (Note: I would recommend arriving at least a day in advance.)

In Tuscany

As one who likes to go-go-go, I loved the Celebrity Century's itinerary, which started off with four consecutive ports of a call, followed by one sea day, three more ports of call, and then one last day at sea before returning to Barcelona. I worried some whether the excursions would be too much for my mom, 64, who prefers a more relaxed pace. But thanks to the hip replacement surgery that she had almost four years ago, her water aerobics classes, and ibuprofen, she managed the not-insignificant walking distances, often along cobblestoned, narrow roads, with only the occasional grimace. It's safe to say that we were equally exhausted from our frequent forays into various European cultures.

We loved that, without packing and unpacking, we could visit Mediterranean French towns, the gorgeous hills of Tuscany, the magnificent ancient structures in Rome, and the Iberian islands off the coast of Spain and return each evening to a sumptuous meal. My mother particularly loved the ritual of dressing for dinner and being served by the ship's attentive staff. And, when we weren't ashore, the ship provided ample down-time opportunities to suit our diverse interests. I could take on the elliptical machine in the ship's gym or take my chances in the casino, while mom shopped or sat on deck with a cup of tea and her book.

This trip nurtured our appreciation for other places and cultures, our desire to know more deeply many of the places we visited, and our enjoyment of travel as well as our appreciation, tolerance, and love for one another. After living separate, very different lives for so many years, it was a joy to share this special time with my mom.

We're already talking about doing it again sometime soon!

ELLIOTT BRACK
Morehouse audience at King Concert was short-changed
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

JAN. 17, 2006 -- Those attending this year's King Concert of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Morehouse College may have been disappointed, when comparing this year's concert to those in the past. Some may feel they were short-changed.

In its 14th year, the concert, which was taking place on the campus of Morehouse College, is a collaborative effort by a partnership between The Martin Luther King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, National Public Radio, Morehouse College, Spelman College and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Recorded Thursday night of last week at the college, the concert was aired nationally on Martin Luther King Day (Monday) on National Public Radio throughout the nation.

But this year's concert at the King Auditorium at Morehouse was far from the impressive presentation it once was.

There were major ingredients missing in the auditorium: there was no explanation of how the program was chosen, and what it represented; there was no celebratory observance from the podium explaining the setting, its importance and the King heritage; no buy-in and words from the podium by high-level sponsoring officials,. The one exception was a welcoming by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's president, Allison Vulgamore. As a result of the lack of guidance, there was not as much buy-in on the part of the audience, which was only about two-thirds full. In previous year there has been such an overwhelming response to the celebratory concert that two nights have been scheduled for the Morehouse production.

As a result, those in the audience, instead of being welcomed by some person at the start of the night's observance, only had the musical welcome of Fanfare for the Common Man, the 1942 Aaron Copland piece. It was somewhat stark.

Afterward, Ms. Vulgamore made a short talk to the audience. Ms. Vulgamore did the obligatory thanking of sponsors, but did little to tie the audience to the 14 years of heritage and celebration of the life of Dr. King. As the night progressed, no one else came to the microphone to tell the audience what was going on. And there were key elements taking place, since three composers of works being presented by the Orchestra were in the audience.

After conclusion of pieces by these composers, Robert Spano, the conductor, sought out the composers, brought them on stage….but never told the audience they were the composers of those particular pieces. (They wereJennifer Higdon, T.J. Anderson and Uzee Brown Jr. ) It seemed odd, having these luminaries come on stage, but not telling the audience who they were. We suspect many figured out who they were, but we also suspect many did not figure out what those three persons were doing on stage.

Now we'll tell you what happened. Funding got cut for the performance. And instead of interviewing the participants, such as the composers, on stage for the audience to hear, as in the previous years, this was changed.

If you heard the NPR program on the concert on Monday, you didn't hear interviews with these persons, as it was done before. Instead, all the audience got was one segment with Conductor Spano. Of course, the audience present for the concert at Morehouse did not get to hear this, unless they happened to hear it on the radio on Monday.

It all goes back to funding. Monies have been cut from the King Concert budget. It's far less costly to do interviews in the studio than on stage. The King Concert has suffered from budgetary restraints for years, but this has grown worse in recent years. And so those present in the Morehouse audience last week saw the results of financial cuts….and were somewhat short-changed from the caliber of concert that that had come to appreciate in years past!

Even with these shortcomings by the presenters, the music was superb!

If you want to hear the King Concert, go to the NPR archive. Go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5158704 for the complete presentation.

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UPCOMING
Women's Legacy nominees to be announced Wednesday

The Women's Legacy of United Way in Gwinnett County will hold a special luncheon on Wednesday, January 18, at 11:30 a.m. at the 1818 Club in Duluth. The luncheon will feature three significant components: the announcement of the 2006 Legacy Award Nominees, a presentation by guest speaker Dr. Jennifer Whitaker, and the collection of "shoebox" personal care packages for the homeless.

Tickets are $20 per person, and reservations are requested. To reserve your place, call 678-417-6434 or email phart@unitedwaygwinnett.org.

Dr. Jennifer Whitaker is the Executive Coach and Founder of the Institute for Performance Excellence. Dr. Whitaker works with many businesses and individuals in leadership development and performance issues, helping to clarify the appropriate vision and charting a course of action to attain it.

After her talk, nominees will be announced for the 2006 Women's Legacy Awards. These Awards are given to women who have demonstrated their commitment to volunteerism and non-profit issues in the areas of Time, Treasure, Talent, and throughout their careers. Women's Legacy was created in 1999 to mobilize women to become powerful philanthropists through leadership, fundraising, and advocacy.

This year fourteen women have been nominated. Four winners, one in each of the categories of Time, Treasure, Talent and Legacy, will be announced at a Gala fundraising event on March 10, 2006.

Duluth State of the City talk set Jan. 31 at new building

Duluth Mayor Shirley Fanning-Lasseter will give her "State of the City" address on Tuesday, January 31 at the new Public Safety Facility, 3276 Buford Highway in Duluth. The event is at 11:30 a.m. and is presented in cooperation with the Duluth Civitan Club. Guided tour of the new facility will begin at 11:30 a.m., with lunch catered by Kurt's Restaurant at noon. Tours will also follow lunch. Admission is $20 at the door, with a rate of $180 for table of 10. Contact Terry Crouch at ltcrouc@attglobal.net or 678/242-0520 no later than January 24th for reservations.

Aurora Theatre myster-thriller opens Jan. 19

A new play opens January 19 at the Aurora Theatre in Duluth, as it presents Wait Until Dark, by Fredrick Knott. The play is performed Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m., with additional performances Saturday and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

For reservations, call 770 476 7926, or go to the web site at www.auroratheatre.com.

The play will be directed by Freddy Ashley. The play deals with an unsuspecting blind woman who encounters a group of thugs who are up to no good. This masterful mystery-thriller culminates in a scene that will make your heart race.

In the Aurora Theatre production the popular Kate Donadio and Brik Berkes take on the roles made famous by Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin in the 1967 Award-winning film.

Aurora Theatre, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation and is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association, Duluth Merchants Association and the Atlanta Coalition of Performing Arts.

RECOMMENDATION
An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky

If you want a story that will leave you with a greater appreciation for the life you have, read The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky by Farah Ahmedi. It is a powerfully inspiring story of bravery, courage and the will to survive. The face of this woman and the story of her life's journey will be forever carried in my heart. When I have a bad day, I think of Farah and know I have no room to complain. This book will make all readers, especially Americans, count their blessings each and every day!

-- Paige Havens

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

GEORGIA TIDBIT
Raftsmen played key role in early south Georgia history

Timber raftsmen played a major role in the economy of Georgia during the great building boom that followed the Civil War.

Timber raft

Their colorful story has eluded historians, but it survives in the folklore and oral traditions of southern Georgia. Between 1870 and 1930, raftsmen supplied several timber mills in coastal Georgia with the raw material for ships, bridges, railroads, and buildings. In the 1880s, huge schooners carried 100 million board feet of lumber from the port of Darien to destinations in America and Europe.

The earliest raftsmen were farmers of the river valleys of the Altamaha River and its tributaries, the Oconee, Ocmulgee, and Ohoopee. After harvesting field crops in the fall, they selected and felled their tallest longleaf pine trees. Several months later, the cured (dry) timbers were ready for "squaring up" with a broad ax. When the rivers rose in winter and spring, men gathered the timbers into rafts. Two sturdy logs formed a V at the front of the raft, allowing the craft to bounce off the many sharp turns of the serpentine river. Known as a "sharp chute," the raft was a rectangular mass of floating logs that weighed about 360,000 pounds. The average raft was about the length of a basketball court, although somewhat narrower.

Oars or "sweeps" 45-50 feet in length rested on "benches" at both ends of the raft. These served as both paddles and rudders, which rafthands pulled and pushed constantly with great effort. Their task was to keep the raft in the mainstream and away from snags and sandbars. The river's current propelled the raft downstream. At minimum, three people worked on the raft: a pilot, an assistant pilot, and a roustabout, who also served as cook.

A raft that began its journey at Lumber City on the Ocmulgee River floated for 12 days before arriving in Darien.

After selling the raft to timber merchants, raftsmen began the long walk home. In six or seven days, raftsmen arrived at their backwoods homes with treats for their families and themselves.

Immigrants from the British Isles settled much of southern Georgia and were among the earliest raftsmen. African Americans, however, also engaged in this work and contributed to rafting folklore; such work songs as "Pay Me My Money Down" are still popular in coastal Georgia. Folklore from the Altamaha River valley suggests that raftsmen of both races enjoyed both the responsibilities and the rewards of their rugged routine.

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

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Reflections on recent appointments out of Washington

"They have appointed. We are disappointed."

--- The Rev. Raphael G. Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church, on recent Republican appointments, at King Day Celebration, Monday in Atlanta, via Channel 5, WAGA-TV.

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

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