Anamchara

"...anyone without a soul friend is like a body without a head." - Brigid of Kildare

I have been privileged in my seventy-five years to have some true "anamchara" -- soul friends. Kindred sprits are so vital to a well-lived life. Sheila is my best friend. She has seen me at my best and at my worst and still she loves me.

Today it struck me as I fellowshipped at Mike Burton's Anamchara Gallery in Cedartwon, that I was among kindred spirits. My pictures are not great but I post them here so that I can revisit this day more easily.

Mike bought this storefront in downtown Cedartown and, with his usual reckless abandon, set about transforming it into a recording studio, film studio, musical venue, art exhibit space. He wants his music-loving boys, Miles and Cody, to have a performance space. He wanted his artist friends, John Johnston, Grover Hogan, and others -- as well as himself -- to have studio and exhibit opportunities. He wanted his folk music enthiusiasts, like me and Richard Ware, to have a place for "hootenannies". He envisions it as a spot for storytelling, recording, and videoing. So he just plunged in and did it. Will it work out financially? It's a long shot probably, but how I admire this fearless grab-life-by-the-horns "anamchara" of mine.

I was about to snap a picture of this ceramic sculpture by John Johnston when the artist wheeled a big trash can behind it!

Michael J. Burton has been my friend since the 1960s. Some of the drawings on the wall and the bronze scultures in the foreground date back a few decades. I have always admired Mike's drawings and his scultures. We have one in our living room.

I remember Kieth Drew (on the left) as Mike's young preacher friend from several decades ago when he was pastor at Cave Spring United Methodist Church. Stve Craw has been our friend since 1975, and was our business partner when we were publishers together of Broadside weekly newspaper in the seventies.

Miles (left) and Cody Burton (only his hat shows above the music stand) are Mike's sons. They have developed into pretty good musicians!

Grover Hogan (left) is Mike's cousin and mentor. His exquisite prints line one wall of the exhibit. Lucy Hale has also been a friend and kindred spirit in progressive political endeavors over a couple of decades. 

Mike (right) and Stephen Hale solving the problems of the world together.

The ceramics on this table were by a younger artist whose name escapes me right now and whom I had not met before.

Sheila (right) and Laurie Craw exploring the art. Laurie is a wonderful painter and potter herself.

Gleaning Facebook: I Want To Walk You Home

 A fun ASL song from Michael J. Burton's Facebook page today...

I started directing Deaf signing groups in 1971. We performed for churches all over and civic clubs. Later we performed at Six Flags over Georgia and Schools in Chattanooga and Savannah. Our biggest performances were for the Southeastern College Presidents conference in Atlanta and Southern Bell Board in Atlanta. Trying to organize a grand finale in Rome - Jesus Christ Super Star. A long shot but you never know.

- Michael J. Burton

 

Gleaning Facebook: The Persuader

Another Facebook post from Mike Burton that I need to preserve here on my blog. When Sheila and I bought our little log cabin in Chubbtown this six-foot iron bar was in the cabin. When the dug well went dry just a few days after we bought the place Mike and I used shovels and picks, but mainly this "Persuader" to try to dig out more of a pit at the bottom to collect the trickle of an aquifer feeding the well. We were not very successful, and eventually hired Abernathy Well-drillers to drill a new well. And soon Mike found a need for the "Persuader" and borrowed it. That was about 1972. He has always said he'll return it just as soon as he's through using it. I'm sure he will. If I outlast him I expect the boys to bring it to me at the funeral. 

Once Miles has hit a massive underground stone it’s Cody who takes his weight lifting body to pulverize it. He is using one of favorite gifts. A six foot long piece of heavy steel pointed on one end. Uhh gift is not exactly right. Terrell Shaw loaned it to me fifty years ago. I told him I’d return it when I’m done. Now I can barely lift it but guess what there’s miles and Cody to continue the tradition. Depending on the use it’s called. A chunking bar. Wrecking bar or digging bar. Notice Cody had the same physique I did at 17.

Facebook Comments

Andrea Burns That looks like something Steve would have used For whatever fit his fancy

Michael J. Burton Andrea Burns agreed

Calvin Hughes Jr Great job

Ronnie Grindle

Larry Madden When your kids get "stoned" it's best to have adult supervision...

Michael J. Burton Larry Madden but I had to show them how to hit the stone. Laid me up for two days 

Larry Madden Michael J. Burton yeah I empathize with you! I have a 6ft digging bar that I retired several years ago for that very reason. A friend of mine does chain link fence work and I told him he can have it!

John T House Michael J. Burton 

Teresa Lee Michael J. Burton hope you are better now.

Michael J. Burton Larry Madden I need to put it in my will

Michael J. Burton Teresa Lee can’t stop working. What’s wrong with me doc

Teresa Lee Michael J. Burton you have always been a worker.

Michael J. Burton Teresa Lee 

Teresa Lee Michael J. Burton I should have also mentioned your creativity.

Michael J. Burton Teresa Lee 

Terrell Shaw I think you owe me about 50 gallons of Booger Hollow honey. 

Seems like we once called that tool a persuader.

Michael J. Burton Terrell Shaw honey gone so maybe substitute black berry

Michael J. Burton Terrell Shaw yes it did persuade walls to move and floors to elevate but my nine pound sledge hammer did most of the true persuasion 

Benje Estes Unfortunately I don't have any boys like yours so I have been depending on tractor powered auger and backhoe.

Michael J. Burton Benje Estes what a wuss. Just kidding 

I just borrowed a tractor and will be using auger tomorrow

Benje Estes Michael J. Burton The older I get the more wuss I get.

Gleaning Facebook: Burnita Burton

 Burnita Burton was a wonderful woman, my friend (strange to say) and one of my heroes. I still miss her. I count two of her sons as among the closest friends of my lifetime. Few days pass without moment of sadness at the memory of losing Cleve in 2010.

One of the interesting things about reaching, oh, 40 or 50, is realizing that a few of your parents' friends and some of your friends' parents have become peers or even friends themselves. That is true of several from my parents' generation in our church - Jeanne Holt, James Sanders, Mary Craven, Dot and Bobby Storey, Joe Tarpley, Bob Candler, and several others.

One of my high school friends was Connie Love. Connie was my close friend Ron Kennedy's girlfriend our senior year. One night we "rolled" Connie's yard (why would you "roll" your girlfriend's yard, Ron?) and I was terrified her Mama & Daddy would catch us. Years later Connie's "Mama," Jean Love, became one of my closest co-workers and teacher-friends.

But I can think of no member of my parents generation who became a closer friend than Burnita Burton. She was a school board member during my first few years as a Floyd County teacher. She was a leader in my church from my fifteenth year till her death. She was a leader in AARP, the retired Federal employees association (as a spouse of "revenooer" Joe), etc. I jokingly called her my "manager". She'd call and ask me to do a singing program for one of the many groups she was part of, even dropping by our house to pick me up and driving me to the event. She was just a very interesting and dedicated and practical person.

By the way, does anyone still use that form: Mrs. attached to a husband's name? It's been a long time since I've seen it. Sheila has been listed as "Mrs. Terrell Shaw" a couple of times over the last 46 years and it's always been a shock to see it. Why should Sheila bear my name with nothing of her own name a part of it? Weird.

Michael J. Burton is busy writing his auto-biography a chapter at a time each spurred by a photo pulled from some pasteboard box, bureau drawer, or dusty album. What a hoot! I am enjoying every word of it, partly because our lives have touched so frequently since I first caught sight of the big sign he painted that stood on the grounds of Trinity Methodist Church when Daddy became its pastor in February of 1962. Is there a picture of that sign, Mike? So far most of Mike's pictures have elicited stories from my own life!

Here's his post today:

 

Burnita was a mild mannered woman who never held a paying job after she became married, but was full of vim, vigor, and vitality when it came to volunteer activities. She did everything in a Methodist Church that a lay person could do - Methodist women president, lay speaker, conference representative, Board of Trustees and at various times on all the different Church committees from Pastoral Relations to Finance - which meant she was always on the Church Council. Usually when the Church opened it’s doors she was there.

Her other love was the PTA (Parent Teacher Association). She served in every capacity of that organization including being President of several local schools associations; District President and I think North Georgia President. I followed in this strong affiliation with an organization that did what it said. Parents and teachers met once a month to discuss students, the school and how the students could be best benefited educationally. I saw first hand how this worked when my children started going to Cave Spring and I became President. The cooperation and mutual support fostered by the interaction of teachers and parents (and students) was astounding.

When I started teaching Art in Cave Spring K - 12, Pepperell K - 12, Coosa K- 12. Armuchee K-12, ES Brown K -6 and Krannert K - 3 the county graciously awarded me $400.00 to buy art materials for my students. How many students? Cave Spring 500; Coosa 1000; Pepperell 1000; Armuchee 800; ES Brown 200 and Krannert 200. Let’s say approximately 3,000 students every two weeks meant I had a little over $.10 per student per year. (Side note - Bill Amos taught at Model K -12 and Ellen Brazelton taught at Alto Park K -8 and Garden Lakes K -8)

PTA was my salvation. I spoke at every one of the PTAs associated with my schools and raised another $700 - $800 dollars which helped immensely. Unfortunately, I was present when the John Birch Society destroyed the PTA in this area. They would somehow select a nominating committee that would then present officer candidates who when elected would immediately tear up the PTA charter. A travesty that reverberates to this day. They would then establish “booster clubs” who supported athletics and education was an after thought. No real by laws or rules just a bunch of folks raising money. I hope to get on this soap box again.

Against this backdrop, my mother decided to run for the Floyd County school board. She was the first woman to ever be elected to public office in Floyd County and because of her genial personality was loved by most folks and respected by the other Board members. That is not to say it was not a hard fought campaign. She would go to all the mills at shift change - maybe 6:00 AM at Celanese and Pepperell, the mill in Shannon and Kraft and Plant Hammond. She would speak at all kinds of clubs and church groups. A much better campaigner than me. Every where she went there were hecklers who thought women should be barefoot and pregnant and in the kitchen (Some of them Birchers). Well ….they had not reckoned with Joe Burton. He would quietly go over and tap them on the shoulder and ask if they wanted to step outside for a private discussion. Wisely, none of them took advantage of this opportunity. My Mama and Daddy were an awesome team.

In this photo You can see where I did my part painting campaign posters on plywood which we would put on saw horses in the backs of pick up trucks and park around the county. Behind me, you can see my first home - a 10 foot by 52 foot single wide trailer (520 Square feet of living space for a family of 5.) Notice too the lack of vegetation since the place had been strip mined. It was second hand and I think my Daddy and I paid something like $5,000 for it (He Co-signed the note). That trailer was a home full of joy and excitement for the next 12 years. Since I was young, healthy and full of vigor also (like my mother) it just made everything a pleasure and a challenge. Times they were a changing.

Gleaning Facebook: Cherokee Cabin Rebuild

Michael J. Burton, you are an amazing guy! Wow. It is a wonder to have the cabin reconstructed to this level so quickly. Congratulations!

Michael Burton and Steve Craw and other Cave Springers are resurrecting this cabin from the early 1800s. It was hidden for many years under siding right there on the Cave Spring square.

From Mike's Facebook:

Ceiling joists in place and rafters bring cut

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From Billy Abernathy's Facebook:

Gleaning Facebook: Hewing Logs!

From Michael Burton's Facebook:

SteveCraw has been the chairman of the cabin committee for some time. He has been dedicated to the reconstruction of the building and quite eloquent in his invoking the heritage of native Americans and African Americans as well as the early settlers. He has contributed more hours than anyone to the most physically demanding work. Go Steve hew some logs with that adze. 

 

Gleaning Facebook: Santa's My Buddy

If you need an "in" with that jolly old elf, I'm the guy to see.

I've known Kris Kringle well since 1962!

I've played poker with him.

I've camped out with St. Nick after a couple of our wonderful hootenannies --- ol' Father Christmas loves those hoots!.

I've chased his cows for him when he was out-of-town.

I've crawled under his house to help him with plumbing.

I have worked on Santa's roof and he has worked on mine.

I have cut Christmas trees with him and played chess with the old coot and hoed tomatoes and sung folk songs with him.

I've made movies with Santa, Baby!

During the off-season he always visits my house on the Fourth of July to see the fireworks and chow down on the world's greatest barbecue.

We have gotten bloody picking blackberries together.

I have celebrated births and marriages (and, sadly, also mourned) with the guy.

I've even worked as an elf in his shop for a while doing computer stuff.

I was there when he married the young and lovely Mrs. Claus.

His five children (Did you know Santa has five kids?) and his grandchildren are like nieces and nephews to me.

So, for a price, I'll do my best to influence him for my Facebook friends.

Whadya need?

Comments

Victoria Stanz Abernathy Hey! Mikey!

Ernest McDaniel Great photo!! You should frame it and hang it on your wall at home.

Laura A. Washington I love you back, too!!!!
Gola Burton Thank you Terrell Shaw for your kind words about Santa and the ones you did not share because we would not want to besmirch the image of The Jolly Ole Elf
Laurie Craw So this is why you grew that beard! You gonna shave after Christmas?

Judy Manning Hope I'm not too late Terrell. Would you please tell Santa that all I want for Christmas is for everyone to be loved, no one hungry, cold or lonely and for it to spread like rings from drops of rain on the water. I guess what I'm asking for is Peace and Understanding world wide.

Gleaning Facebook: Mike Burton, Big Fibber

Remember Michael J. Burton's tale about the squirrel and the nut at last year's Big Fibbers? Or the story of The Beast Of Booger Hollow when he told for Story Night At Schroeders? Well, get ready for the 2015 Big Fibbers Storytelling Festival. Will Mike take the Whopper Hat this year? He'll be right there in the middle of it again with another great tale. Don't miss it!

Laurie Craw
Mike is always telling stories, and I believe every word.

Ginger Whiteis
Where is the event being held?

Terrell Shaw
Berry College, March 19, 20, & 21.

Gleaning Facebook: Scouts

Check out the front page of today's RNT to see the Burton boys showing off their archaeological finds. They've been investigating the grounds of the famous Cave Spring Cabin.

Miles & Cody (Michael J. Burton's boys) , Joseph Smyth (Gola Burton's boy), All three (Steve Craw's scouts).

"Cave Spring Boy Scouts Troop 20 members Miles Burton (from left), Cody Burton and Joseph Smith look over some artifacts before a presentation to the Cave Spring Historical Society Monday night. (Doug Walker / Rome News-Tribune)"

Comments:

Michael J. Burton Those handsome burton boys! Just like their daddy.

Betty Smith Franklin Love that gaze....

Julie Hatfield Burton Rocks my boys!!! They're the best!!

Dinah Moss Estes Congrats!

Paula Frances Ardito Oh wow!!!! Thats something! High five to the boys! Id be so prroouudddd 

Lynne Crothers Williams Great to see them involved, been following the cabin project on FB.

Michael J. Burton They are workers...willing to dig out in the hot sun, so glad to see them get a little recognition.

Kathy Baker Way to go, find more.