Gleaning Facebook: City Clock Garden

Me

Ken Gossett & I took John Paul Schulz up on his FaceBook invitation and walked up to the City Clock to attend the dedication of the new garden John designed there. We took the opportunity to apply our silly faces to a big replica of Debby Brown’s folk art interpretation of our iconic City Clock.

Ken

The new garden at the City Clock honors long-time Rome volunteer Anne Culpepper. 

 

Here she shows off a beautiful platter these children and their teacher presented as part of the ceremony.

More from the City Clock garden dedication…
A limited edition Christmas ornament was created for this ceremony. Ken & I each purchased one.

More from the City Clock garden dedication… This one of a kind cloth was created especially for Anne Culpepper. The design creates a crown atop the clock for the universally recognized Queen of the Clocktower.

Gleaning Facebook: Debby Brown

Debby Brown is very special to me.

She more than any other person I know has promoted the art of storytelling in our area during the last few years. And it was at her instigation that my own storytelling has moved outside my school building during the last several years. But for the "Big Fibber Contest" she nudged me to join I would not likely have gotten into the tall tales that have brought me such joy (and I HOPE some enjoyment to our audiences as well!).

And when she drug me to her Celtic/Cherokee Festival I had to go find some Scottish stories, and now "Donald the Seal Catcher" and "Assipattle" are two of my favorites -- I'm seriously considering purchasing a kilt!

For her Old Ways festival I got to resurrect "Sody Saleratus" which I hadn't told in ages but have had several opportunities to tell since. And I learned a Cherokee tale ("Possum's Nekkid Tale") for another of her Chieftains events.

It was at her events that I reconnected with fellow tellers like Christy Davis (my former elementary student and another storytelling promoter!) and Gary Greene, whose songs blow me away, and Bob Harris, Mary Elena Kirk, and Barbara Reeves -- and several new storytelling acquaintances as well.

And I loved Debby's stories! Her version of "My Pet Catfish" is the best ever. I retold it to my fourth-graders the day after hearing her tell it -- to their delight and mine.

We all feel her sudden loss deeply. She will always remain a part of this community though. Her two wonderful kids (Mollie and Quentin), her artwork, her stories, and the storytelling, interest in local history, community theatre that she boosted, and, I hope and believe, some of the events she started, will continue. When we observe those things we will remember the wonderful diminutive artistic photophobic interested-and-interesting ball-of-fire named Debby Brown.

I hope lots of folks will come for Debby's Midsummer Night's Dream at the Historic Desoto Theater on Friday evening at seven. There is no admission charge. There will be music, storytelling, and a little drama. Some wonderful examples of Debby Brown's art will be sold in a live auction AND you can bid, in a "silent auction," for some great items donated by Debby's many friends for this fundraising event.

Entertainment (I'm told there may be some surprises as well!)

• Celtic Medley (Janet and Sam Baltzer and friends)

• Stories by the Seven Hills Tellers

• Gary Greene, songwriter and storyteller

• Mary Rose Ortwein ("Ruby"!!)

• The cast of Rome Little Theatre's production of The Three Little Pigs and the Trial of the Big Bad Wolf

• Me (Terrell Shaw) singing (with accompaniment by James Willis)

... and more!

Well, I want all my friends to know of this opportunity. I hope lots of you will come. I hope many of you will also help spread the word. And please forgive me if I've gone a little overboard.

This event is a joint effort of many people from the Historic Desoto Theater Foundation, Rome Little Theater, the Seven Hills Tellers, and Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau. Thank you to everyone involved (especially Debby's friend and mine, Mary Elena Rivera Kirk ) for everything done to put this entertaining evening together. What a great way to remember our dear friend, Debby Brown.

Gleaning Facebook: For Debby Brown

I will perform "If I Were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof. James Willis, Rome's premier musical theater keyboard artist will supply my accompaniment.

 

Debby Brown was a member of The Seven Hills Tellers, a group of storytellers who are known throughout Northwest Georgia and beyond. This group will remember Debby with some stories to open the program after Celtic Medley plays. Mary Elena Kirk, Jane Cunningham, Bob Harris, and Barbara Reeves.

Gleaning Facebook: City Clock Jar

We have had this for a long time. It is the painted wooden top to a scented candle in a jar. To me it looks like Debby Brown's clocktower paintings. Does anyone know for sure?

Mollie Jarrell

Its not.But it is similar.

Christie Hufstedler Boyd
There is another lady in town that does similar paintings. Debby's always featured the top of the tower leaning out. It was sort of like her trademark.

Terrell Shaw
Thanks.The top of the clocktower in Debby's paintings remind me of a crown, as does this one. I was kinda hoping it was Debby's. I'll just have to bid on one of Debby's next week, I guess. 

 

Gleaning Facebook: Debby Brown's Art

From Mary Elena Rivera Kirk's Facebook:

All proceeds from tomorrow, Saturday's production of RLT's Shakespeare in Holywood will be donated to Debby.

There will be a silent auction with 4 of her original works of art. Come bid on your favorite!

This amazing chair is one of the 4 items to be auctioned! Don't miss out on this opportunity to own a Debby Brown original! 

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Tomorrow, Saturday, RLT's production of Shakespeare in Hollywood will celebrate Debby Brown. All ticket proceeds will be donated to help cover the expenses incurred during her hospitalization and funeral.

Four of her works of art will

be up for auction. Don't miss the opportunity to own Debby original. Come place your bid!!!

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Gleaning Facebook: Debby Brown

Please keep our good friend Debby Brown (and Quentin & Mollie) in your prayers. Debby has been in ICU at Floyd since Saturday.

Comments

Diana Smithson
what is wrong with her..please let me know.

Terrell Shaw
There has not been a complete diagnosis, as far as I know. She lost consciousness on the way to the hospital on Saturday. She is still unconscious (or was still when Sheila and I visited last night). I would be afraid of getting something wrong if I were to go into more detail. Needless to say she is gravely ill and we are praying that some of what her friends and family are saying is getting through and that she will somehow manage to regain consciousness, and eventually, health.

Diana Smithson
thank you Terrell...I am so worried about this sweet lady,,,have been for a long time..she seemed so alone in her troubles..but I know she wasn't..how could she be when she is loved by so many. If only the many could get together in person and raise funds for her and her family..Just a thought.

John Countryman
Will do!

Rita Lawler
Sorry. Will pray. Please keep us updated. Remember so many wonderful times with all of them at RLT

Leigha Young Burnham
Wow. Thanks for posting. I taught both of her children. Keep us informed!

Patricia Canada
how is she doing is she still in a coma

Alice Jeffries Keel

Please keep us posted! 

Gleaning Facebook: From Debby Brown

Thanks to Debby Brown for this little memory she shared on Facebook:

I remember when your printing business did the cover of the 93-94 Rome Little Theater program. It was one of the very best ever done! There is Monica Cook, Mary Doster, Terrell ( the Wizard himself!) his sweet little girl Brannon, the photographer Frank's wife, Victoria Logue and out front Ricky Webb. Ricky and Jason did Big River and were the best Huck and Tom ever! And Ricky gave Quentin the part of the Doctor when he was only 14 years old in "Arsenic and Old Lace." Which he got some flak for because of Quentin's age, but he and Don Rusaw made quite the pair for evil killers, haha! Good memories.. and thank you Terrell for being in so many of our most special RLT ones! Just thinking.. the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.. the evil Pirate under Captain Hook and the Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof... just to name a very few! you are great at whatever you decide to be or do.

 Comments

Debetells Sumtales
It was.. ricky was in it!

Beckie Gurley
Terrell Shaw what year did you play the wizard? My two brothers were flying monkeys. I think it was 1992.

Terrell Shaw
May 1993, I think, Becky. This program was from the following year.
You may remember, Debbie, that we lost one of the leads from Into the Woods in an auto crash. A horrible time for the theater.

Debetells Sumtales
ohh.. I had forgotten that Terrell!

Beckie Gurley
I remember that. My mom knew her. I was living in Carrollton attending college. It was only a few years after my dad died. I remember wizard of oz being a huge show. I watched it several times. My mom helped with costumes.

Debetells Sumtales

I remember your mom and your brothers. Your mom was very sweet. 

Gleaning Facebook: Old Ways at Chieftains

From Debetells Sumtales (Debby Brown):
Come to Chieftains tomorrow! Saturday, 10 to 5. See how it used to be done! Lots of old skills and things to buy! Basket weaving, spinning weaving, carving, so much more! Storytellers, Terrell Shaw, Christie Davis, Gary Greene! Musicians Phil Helton, Lynn Baines, Gary Greene! Stuff for kids! Free sample of old time cake! Lots of fun! Come on! Regular admission! Hey if it rains.. we ain't worried.. we are INSIDE !!!!

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I'll be telling tales at Old Ways Demo Day at Chieftains Museum on Saturday. The event goes from 10 till 4 with storytelling in the museum at 11 and 2:30. Christy Davis will also spin some yarns, and maybe Debby Brown will chime in. I'll be falling back on old standbys, since this is "Old Ways" day. Y'all come and bring the younguns with you.

Christy Davis
I've always loved yarn...

Terrell Shaw
You've also always been a smart aleck.

Terrell Shaw
Sarah I sure am curious about the funkiness.

Gleaning Facebook: Cave Screams Follow-up

 I had a great time telling stories for Cave Screams in Cave Spring this weekend. I was very pleased to get some positive feedback, especially this from my storytelling friend Debby Brown.

Had great fun at Cave Screams. It was weird being in the audience instead of telling.. but you were great as usual! I enjoyed your story bunches! - Debetells Sumtales (Debby Brown)

Thanks Debbie. I told four different stories. I had told the three I had practiced to my first three groups, then I saw you and thought, I need to tell a realistic story that involves a "real" ghost, and decided I'd tell "Courting One Last Time. Glad you liked it.  - Me (Terrell Shaw)

Haha.. Yes it was great ~ a good variation on the old "going to the graveyard and not being able to get away." And yes, it was realistic and believable!  - Debby again

 

 

Gleaning Facebook: Cabin Tales

Don't miss "Cabin Tales" in Cave Spring

This Sunday at 3 p.m.

Storytellers: Gary Greene, Debby Brown, Bob Harris, Terrell Shaw plus Another storyteller, Cave Springer, teacher, and my former wonderful student, Christy Davis! Yay! There will also be one child teller from Cave Spring Elementary. I'm gonna tell a story I call "The Burglar and his Gourmet Granddaddy". Br'er Rabbit has a supporting role and I'm even gonna include a little bit of TRUTH in it!