The Boomers: Reflecting, Sharing, Learning
Film Premier: Athens Revisited
Monday, 14 January 2013 14:30
An original film, Athens Revisited, written and co-directed by long time Athenian Terrell Austin with co-director Tim Dowse is up next for The Boomers Community Snapshot. The film is modeled after the PBS series "Finding Your Roots," and the premier is free and open to the public on Friday, January 18, 7:00 p.m. at Lyndon House Arts Center, 293 Hoyt St.
Allen Rowell plays Dr. Edward Ware, the first Mayor of Athens, and Mitch Maxey plays Edward S. Lyndon, a Civil War doctor who turned to other pursuits when the war ended. Clay Crowder plays John Clinton, the interviewer.
The Ware family occupied the house on Hoyt St. during the mid 1800's and Dr. Lyndon was the second owner during the late 1800's. The film coordinates with the current exhibition Discovering History: Decorative Arts and Genealogy from the Ware and Lyndon Family Era.
Wild Food will cater this special occasion.
DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THIS PROGRAM WILL NOT BE OFFERED LIVE ONLINE. THE ARCHIVE WILL BE AVAILABLE EARLY NEXT WEEK AND CAN BE SEEN FROM THIS WEBSITE.
The event is sponsored by a national leadership grant awarded to the Lyndon House Arts Center and the Athens Regional Library by the U. S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. The film will be archived on the project's website. The program is free and open to the public.
Jim Wood Didn't Know He'd Saved a Life until Facebook Reunion
Friday, 28 December 2012 15:44
Jim Wood joined the Marines at age 17, and at the end of his "hitch" he served in Vietnam with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion.
He told the story of the first day his team climbed up a steep hill through the serrated monkey grass. Because he was the "new kid" he ended up carrying a 75 lb. load of supplies. Jim became worn out with his heavy load, and the post monsoon heat and humidity. His patrol leader, Joe, had the men take the road, which was an easier path but a more dangerous option. An hour later, Joe stepped into a booby trap receiving severe burns. Jim, who was carrying the first aid kit, put out the fire and tended to Joe's severe wounds.
"I always thought I had in some way caused the injury by not being acclimated, that I was the reason the patrol took to the trail," Jim told Mary Kay Mitchell during the interview. A few years ago, when Joe and Jim became reunited on Facebook, he found that Joe credits him for saving his life. Turns out the whole patrol was worn out by the heat and mud.
CLICK HERE to listen to Jim's story.
A 1967 Christmas Memory in Vietnam
Friday, 21 December 2012 12:02
Ric Wetherbee served in Vietnam the year of 1967 literately in the trenches. "It was like a year-long camping trip," but grueling, he said. Off camera he described how during the Monsoon season he tied his head to a tree to keep it elevated when sleeping so he wouldn't drown. The movie Platoon, he said, was much like his experience.
Having left the country to first serve in Germany in 1965, he was shocked to return in 1968 to people calling him "baby killer." He had no idea about how public sentiment had soured.
Ric recalled Christmas that year and how suddenly the constant background noise of gunfire stopped at midnight. It was so quiet people actually woke up from the silence. In the distant valley he could hear children singing. Of course the reprieve lasted only a day and the Tet Offensive began shortly afterwards.
CLICK HERE to listen to this interesting interview with Mary Kay Mitchell.
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