Winter Issue

The Winter 2008 issue is out and we hope you will enjoy the journey. The cover photo is taken by Lesa Cummings from her trip with her husband, David, to Antarctica.

The Winter issue includes:

ARTS
Angels in Art by Richard Donohoe
Alabama Angels in Art BY Dr. Karen Henricks
Angel Food Cake by Josephine Ayers
Handel's Messiah by Mike Stedham
First Emperor & King Tut by Mary Eloise Leake

TRAVEL
Steamboat round the bend by Dr. Harvey H. Jackson
The Queen Mary2 by Ed Fowler
Mid Size Cruise Ships by Mary Eloise Leake
Small Ships by Josephine Ayers

TRENDS
Exercise for Travelers by Ann Angell

DESTINATIONS
Ave Maria Grotto by Sherry Kughn
Antarctica by David Cummings

CUISINE
Panola Church BBQ by Bob Davis
Unexpected Food: Stemley Stir Fry by Loyd McIntosh

SPIRITS
Holiday Cocktails by Pat Kettles

LIBRARY
1968-2008: Journey to a world remade by H. Brandt Ayers
Mark Childress by Sherry Kughn

Rick Bragg to speak on Dec. 4 in Atlanta

Contrary to popular belief, I'm not Rick Bragg's scheduler or fashion consultant, but I do like to let readers know when he is in the area. On Thursday, Dec. 4 Rick will speak at the MAGS luncheon.

Time:
11:30am - 12:00pm - Registration and Networking
12:00pm - 1:30pm - Lunch and Guest Speaker

Location:
Villa Christina
Address:
4400 Summit Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30319

Register Now: Click Here!

MAGS December Holiday Luncheon: Guest speaker, Rick Bragg.
Rick is the author of two best-selling books, Ava's Man and All Over but the Shoutin', and recently released his latest, The Prince of Frogtown. In 1996, Rick won the Pulitzer for his stories published in The New York Times.

Cost:
Pre-Registered Members - $30; Members Door - $35
Pre-Registered Non-Members - $40; Non-Members Door - $45

Rick Bragg book signing in Anniston, Ala.

Rick Bragg will speak and sign books at the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County at 6:30 p.m. on Mon., Oct. 20.

Bragg worked at The Jacksonville News and attended Jacksonville State University during the 1970s and rose to become a well-known journalist at The New York Times and at other newspapers. He holds a Pulitzer Prize for journalism. He is the author of All Over But the Shoutin'; Ava's Man; I'm a Soldier, too; and numerous magazine articles.

His recent book, which is about his father, is The Prince of Frogtown.Books will be available for sale at the library. The library is at 108 E. 10th St. in Anniston.

The event is free. Refreshments will be served.

Works by Cal Breed

Cal Breed, featured in the Spring 2007 issue of Longleaf Style, is on exhibit at the Kennedy-Douglass Center in Florence, until Sept. 18, 2008.

Works by Cal Breed
This Fort Payne artist creates beautiful blown glass pieces. All of his designs pay close attention to proportion, color, purity and form. He opened his studio, Orbix Hot Glass, five years ago and his work is now in galleries, museums and collections across the country. His work was accepted in the 2005 Smithsonian Craft Show in Washington, D.C. www.orbixhotglass.com

Fred Crane, 90, spoke first line in ‘Gone With the Wind’

It almost goes without saying that Gone with the Wind is a Southern staple, both in book and film. The Atlanta Journal Constitution has reported that Fred Crane died from complications of diabetes on August 21, 2008. Fred Crane, 90, spoke first line in ‘Gone With the Wind’

If you would like more information on Fred Crane and an interesting story behind this signed photograph, read more at Richard Potters blog.

Rick Bragg Book Signing

I have great news for folks in Northeast Alabama!
Rick Bragg is coming home to Calhoun County for a book reading and signing for Prince of Frogtown at the Anniston Public Library on Monday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Behind the Pages: Chasing Bigfoot

When our Longleaf team selected the stories for the fall 2008 issue of Longleaf Style, Bigfoot was not on the list. As a matter of fact, my story Chasing Bigfoot was a last minute addition.

While searching online for something in Talladega, Alabama, I saw a mention about a Bigfoot sighting. I had to know more, so I began an online search for the Southern Bigfoot.

The more I read about some of the researchers, the more I was intrigued. So, at a Longleaf Style editorial meeting I mentioned that I would like to write something about Bigfoot. Of course the room went silent. "Sure, go ahead and write about Bigfoot," they said. Perhaps because I'm known to joke around, they started to laugh. They were joking. I was serious.

So, that is the Behind the Pages reason I came to write about Bigfoot.

I know more than I ever imagined about the Southern folklore, the sightings, the hoaxes, the people in the Bigfoot community and the differences in the Yeti and Bigfoot. It is seriously something I never thought I would have so much knowledge about.

I've been asked a lot about some of the people in the story and I can tell you that they were the nicest people and I didn't have one ounce of reservation about their mental status. They believe in Bigfoot and I didn't want to write a story that made fun of them...this is very easy and the normal route writers tend to take.

In regard to the "Bigfoot Press Conference", of the people I talked to, most of which didn't make the story but helped me in research, most don't have much stock in Tom Biscardi and the claim from the Georgia guys on finding a Bigfoot body. (Update: Yes, in fact it was a hoax. Read the latest at the AJC: Bigfoot tricksters blame promoter.)

Also, the documentary Southern Fried Bigfoot is very well done. You can find out more information about it at www.southernfriedbigfoot.com

Fall 2008

I promised you that the fall issue of Longleaf Style would be a little edgy and I hope you are not disappointed. The issue is in stores now and features:

Surroundings
The Dead Town of Pelham Range by Nick Cenegy
Cemetery Man, History set in stone. David Norton and the preservation of Landers-McGinnis cemetary by Brett Bucker


Longleaf Library
Book excerpt: Calico Ghosts by Renee Morrison
Midnight at Faulkner's Grave by Hardy Jackson

Cuisine & Spirits
Lucy Buffett by Sherry Kughn
Brine of the Times by Laura Tutor
White Oak Vineyard by Pat Kettles

Arts
The Rural Studio by John Fleming
Howard Finster by Karen Henricks
Cinema Rebirth: Talladega's Ritz, Gadsden's Pitman and McClellan's Monteith by Jennifer Bacchus

Personalities
Albert Von Oldenberg by Sherry Kughn
Chasing Bigfoot by Theresa Shadrix

Destinations
Gun Smoke & Quail Feathers by Lloyd McIntosh

Trends
Dead Sea Products by Roni Proter

Plus BeScene, Strange Alabama book recommendations, Fall Events and the Last Leaf photo.

Bob and Byron Motley Book Signing

You read about Bob Motley in the Summer issue of Longleaf Style and now you have a chance to meet him!

Bob and Byron Motley will be at the Anniston library to read from "Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants and Stars" and sign books that will be available for purchase.

Saturday, July 19
10am - 12noon
Ayers Room, Anniston Library

Bob Motley is the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball Leagues. While a combat Marine in World War II, Motley found his life's passion, umpiring. In addition to his time in the Negro Leagues, he umpired in the Pacific Coast League and the College World Series, and also officiated semi-pro and college basketball and football games. Motley currently serves on the board of directors for the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and is a Royal Lancer with the Kansas City Royals. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri, with his wife of 55 years, Pearline.

Fall 2008 Issue

I'm already receiving phone calls and emails asking when the next issue of Longleaf Style will mail out. We are wrapping up the fall issue and it will mail out the first week in August. This issue is, once again, full of interesting stories that we do hope you will enjoy. Check back for details on the content.

Also, I would like to officially invite readers to send us feedback on Longleaf Style. Email to tshadrix@longleafstyle. If your letter is selected for print in a future issue, you will be notified in advance.

Summer 2008

The summer 2008 issue of Longleaf Style is out! Along with BeScene and the calendar, this issue features:

The Prince of Frogtown, book excerpt and a Q&A with Rick Bragg by Sherry Kughn
Picturing McClellan by Dan Whisenhunt
McClellan: In her words by Karen Harvey
Herb your Enthusiasm by Laura Tutor
Ruling over Greatness: Bob Motley, the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball League by Theresa Shadrix
Living Legends of the Negro Baseball League by Crystal Jarvis
Chilean Wine by Pat Kettles
The Blind Boys of Alabama by Nick Cenegy
Magical Daniel Wallace by Sherry Kughn
The Original Woodstock Run by Michael Gordon

To subscribe, please call 256-235-9253 or 866-814-9253.
You may purchase it at:
ANNISTON
Anniston Library
Anniston Museum
K-Mart
Tysons Frame
Walgreens
Wine Cellar

GADSDEN
Little Faces Doll Shop

OXFORD
Books-A-Million
Good Book Christian

Longleaf Style wins Gold and Silver GAMMA Award

ANNISTON, AL, May 9, 2008 — Longleaf Style magazine and Consolidated Publishing, Co. received two awards at the 19th annual GAMMA Awards banquet, May 6, 2007, presented by the Magazine Association of the Southeast (MAGS).

In recognition of work in 2007, Longleaf Style won a Gold Medal in the Best Essay category and a Silver medal for Single Best Cover.

• The Best Essay, You Have to Go Home Again by H. Brandt Ayers, a memoir about Willie Morris, was in the Summer 2007 issue. The GAMMA judge said, “In a short amount of space, H. Brandt Ayers is able to relate not only the life and work of a great editor and writer-Willie Morris-but he also evokes a place, a region (the American South), and the friendship he shared with Willie. One of the hallmarks of a great essay is its ability to convey so much information and mood in a limited number of words. Even if a reader were to know nothing about Willie Morris beforehand, he or she would come away understanding and admiring this person.”

• The Best Single Cover, a pink Gerbera photograph taken by David Walters of Avalon Studio in Anniston, Ala., was the Spring 2007 cover.

The Magazine Association of the Southeast is one of the largest magazine organizations in the U.S., with more that 100 titles among its membership. The GAMMA Awards recognizes editorial and design excellence in magazine publishing.

Longleaf Style is published four times annually by Consolidated Publishing and is distributed in Northeast Alabama. Longleaf Style began publication with the Summer 2006 issue. The full-color magazine covers a wide range of topics related to life in Alabama and the South. Profiles and features in 2007 included Kathryn Tucker Windham, Cal Breed, Hal Holbrook, Alabama folk art, and the first original short story by Pulitzer Prizewinning author, Rick Bragg.

Longleaf Style editor-in-chief, Josephine Ayers, said, “There we were among the leading magazines of the Southeast region and we could see that our sales effort, design, and editorial content stands up well to our peers. Winning these awards is not only an honor but also an incentive to be even more creative and successful with future issues.”

MAGS

Josephine Ayers, Jennifer Williams, Patrick Stokesberry and I are at the MAGS conference in Atlanta. Tomorrow will be a full day of workshops. There are editorial, management, sales and design sessions and each one addresses a variety of elements of magazines. Longleaf Style is two-years-old this summer and we really want to continue producing a magazine people are reading, and talking about. I'll post information about the workshops I attend later this week.

I'm not sure if this is showing my age, but I am actually also looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker at the conference, Steven Slon, who is the editor of AARP magazine. While I am still some years away from membership in AARP, the magazine seems to have revolutionized itself and is somewhat trendy. Plus, they must be doing something right if they have over four million readers ages 18-48 and 32 million over 50.

The MAGS banquet is tomorrow night and we will find out what GAMMA award Longleaf Style won...we are hoping for anything other than "Best Typo".

Rick Bragg Book Signings

I mentioned in a previous blog that Rick Bragg will have a book signing for The Prince of Frogtown at Books-A-Million in Oxford, AL on May 7 at 7: p.m.

Then, I received an email from Ellen Ward at FoxTale Book Shoppe in Woodstock, GA he will have a book signing on Wednesday, May 28th at 7pm. FoxTale Book Shoppe is located at 105 E. Main St., #138, Woodstock, GA 30188
770/516-9989, www.foxtalebookshoppe.com

So, if you can't make it on May 7 in Oxford, then you can try to attend the one on May 28th in Woodstock. Either way, be sure to have your Summer issue of Longleaf Style in hand for him to sign too!

Click HERE for Rick Bragg's book signing schedule.

Longleaf Moments

Let it be known that I am glad the Summer deadline is past and I feel alive once again! Yes, the Summer 2008 issue of Longleaf Style has gone to the printer!

I know I say this with every issue, but we are so excited about the Summer issue! It will feature stories on the Negro Baseball League and Bob Motley, the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball League. Also, profiles on author Daniel Wallace and Jimmy Carter, the only original member of The Blind Boys of Alabama, plus Chilean Wine and Growing Herbs.

We also have an excerpt from Rick Bragg's new book, The Prince ofFrogtown and a Q&A with Rick about the book. Seriously, this is another fabulous story from Rick. Mark your calendar because he will be at the Books-A-Million in Oxford on May 7 at 7 p.m. for a book signing for The Prince of Frogtown.

The Summer issue will mail out on May 6 and be available in stores that week. Speaking of stores, I'd like to welcome GoodBook Christian Store in Oxford as another location you can purchase Longleaf Style. I love going to GoodBook because Tim Skinner knows my taste in books and always has great recommendations for me...sad to say that it is a a rare find in bookstores today!

Oh, and we were notified last week that we won a GAMMA award from The Magazine Association of the Southeast or MAGS for 2007. We won't find out until the MAGS conference, May 6, but we are thrilled!

Our team has already started working on the Fall issue and it will be a bit on the edgy side. Stay tuned for more...

Deadlines

From Merriam-Webster
Main Entry: deadline
Pronunciation: \-ˌlīn\
Function: noun
Date: 1864
1: a line drawn within or around a prison that a prisoner passes at the risk of being shot2 a: a date or time before which something must be done b: the time after which copy is not accepted for a particular issue of a publication

It is not by accident the two definitions of deadlines are centered around prisoners and publications. Deadlines not only help me in the prevention of low blood pressure, but they keep me humble and honest.

This week is the final deadline for Longleaf Style magazine, of which I am the managing editor. I can make no more excuses about being held captive to a deadline since it is going to print on Friday. My hair seems thinner, words seem to blurry and I may have a slight panic attack on Thursday for fear of missing something. But, it will be worth it all when the Summer 2008 issue is mailed out in May.

I've heard nothing but fabulous comments about the Spring 2008 issue and I think you will be just as excited with the Summer. Our cover story is on the Negro Baseball League and centers around an untold story in our neck of the woods. The personality feature is about the only living umpire from the Negro Baseball League, who was born and raised in Alabama. His life is amazing and I have learned more about baseball than I ever imagined...and I am married to a sports broadcaster!

The Negro Baseball League is quite popular today, some might say "politically correct", but it has not always been that way. Even the Major League pays homage to the players, who were not allowed to play for them. Now, that is ironic! I didn't plan on writing the cover story but I have poured so much time, research and energy into it. So, I do hope readers will love it as much as I have writing it.

OK, so I must go...I'm on a deadline.

Kathryn Tucker Windham in Jacksonville

The JSU Continuing Education Department presents Kathryn Tucker Windham-The Ghost Lady Presents: The Art of Storytelling Workshop, this Sat., April 12, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the JSU McClellan Campus Auditorium. The cost is $20. For more information, call 256-782-5918

Ms. Windham was the personality feature in the Summer 2007 issue of Longleaf Style and everyone involved with the story simply fell in love with her. You need to attend this workshop and learn from a pro about the art of story telling!

That's Sew Gee's Bend

If you read about "That's Sew Gee's Bend" in the spring 2008 issue of Longleaf Style, you can see the quilters in person at the Noble Street Festival in Anniston on May 2. I received this from That's Sew Gee's Bend:

Sister quilters and entreprenuers from Gee's Bend, Alabama, Tinnie Dell and Minnie Mae Pettway will bring their collection of quilts, pot holders, wall art and other items from their company, That's SEW Gee's Bend, Incorporated to Anniston for the opening night of the Noble Street Festival on May 2nd from 6-10 pm.

Along with their daughter/niece and son-in-law Claudia and Frederick Charley who helped shape the company, they have been extremely busy since being incorporated in June of last year. They have been featured in newspapers (business section of the Montgomery Advertiser, The Anniston Star and Cleburne News) and magazines (Longleaf Style, spring edition 08'). They have also been displayed in regional museums, galleries and private shows such as the Mason Murer (Atlanta), Chris McNair Art Gallery and Museum (Birmingham), The Colonial Cottage in Heflin and recently the YWCA's "Arts of Passion" fundraiser for the programs for the women and children of the YWCA. They are also slated for shows in Gadsden and Sylacuaga, Alabama later this year. The sisters private collection line is called "Tinnie Pieces with Minnie Designs"

This "family owned for community unity" company, headquartered in Pell City, Alabama, is a business that wants to be more than the quilts that has made this town famous. That's SEW Gee's Bend also wants to enhance the town's sense of pride with future development and to bring jobs to the community through showing the history and "tastes" of Gee's Bend. The company is also preparing in the near future to represent any of the local quilters (not affiliated with the collective) who wants to have their quilt represented on their website (www.geesbend.net ) For any additional information call DeLon Charley at 205-473-1516 or Claudia Charley at 205-994-1979

That's SEW Gee's Bend is a separate entity and business and is not affiliated with the collective of quilters of Gee's Bend which is represented by Tinwood Alliance out of Atlanta, Georgia.

2006 Summer issue

I've posted a few articles from the Summer 2006 issue. Check them out!

The Essential Harry Case

Stone of Heaven: The Jade Exhibit at Berman Museum

Why Longleaf? Behind the magazine's name

The Magic of Fannie Flagg

If there is one thing about writing and editing, it is one should always be prepared.

Many folks in and around Anniston know Sherry Kughn from her previous article in Longleaf Style, her years working at The Anniston Star and her series of books on encouragement for Christian mothers. But, I learned Sherry is always up for a challenge.

Sherry expected to interview Alabama native Fannie Flagg, who lives in California, but had not scheduled a time with her publicist. One day, while shopping, Sherry's cell phone rang and it was Fannie Flagg! Sherry had to scramble around to find paper and didn't have any of her notes or questions. Graciously, Fannie not only called her back five minutes later, but read some questions Sherry emailed previously, then answered them! Sherry said Fannie was simply wonderful.

Look for more about Fannie Flagg, including where her new novel will be set, in the Spring 2008 issue of Longleaf Style.

Spring 2008 Issue

The Spring issue of Longleaf Style is available now! We are so excited about the Unique Alabama issue and I know many of you are anxious to receive it.

The cover is the old kitchen at Faunsdale Plantation, taken by Douglas Stewart.

This issue features various things that are unique to Alabama.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail by Ed Fowler
Gee's Bend Quilts by Brett Buckner
NASCAR Wine by Pat Kettles
The Magic of Fannie Flagg by Sherry Kughn
The Sound of Muscle Shoals by Shawn Ryan
Coosa River Fishing by Hardy Jackson
The Mary G. Harden Cultural Center by Mary Eloise Leake
The Art of Competition by Mary Eloise Leake
Purifying the Language: The literary quality of Justice Hugo Black's opinions by H. Brandt Ayers
Their Mother's House: the Faunsdale Plantation by John Fleming
Cathedral Caverns by Lisa Davis
Authentic Alabama, Unique Chanin by Theresa Shadrix

You may purchase Longleaf Style magazine at:
Anniston Museums
Books-a-Million in Oxford
K-Mart in Anniston
Nyles & Nolen Boutique
Walgreens in Anniston
Wal-Mart in Oxford
Wine Cellar in Anniston
Etowah Chamber of Commerce