NEW EVENT - OPEN TO ALL

RIGHT HERE IN STEPHEN FOSTER PARK for four (4) Thursday evenings in February and one (1) in March, I'll be teaching a class in Poetic Technique called WRITE FROM THE HEART in which we'll explore ways of getting what we feel into words and onto the page. The class promises to be pure pleasure. For further information, email me at sac4196@earthlink.net or call the sponsor, Stephen Foster Park, at 386 397 1920. The class is limited to five poets.

Perhaps I should say I've taught creative writing, poetry, and fiction techniques in POETERY-IN-THE-SCHOOLS, at The University of Central Florida, The Art Center at Maitland, etc.

Personally, I'm looking forward to writing poetry myself; haven't given it much time lately.

scauthen
sac4196@earthlink.net
386 397 1284

SUPPORTING THE WORK OF NFCDS, INC.

If you like what we're doing and want to help us and/or if you're just eager for the next book to come out, please let us know of your support with a contribution. Your totally tax-deductible contributions should go to NFCDS, INC. at 15295 SE 100 Way, White Springs, FL 32096.

Many thanks to the person who wrote by email to say "Where do I send the money?" I'd overlooked that.

Some might think that at this particular economic juncture in American life it's bold to be making books. We don't think so; we think books that deliver a sense of place, tell stories, and memorialize our beginnings are just what's needed at this moment.

Here's the lineup:


AN ANTHOLOGY OF ALACHUA VOICES: Guy Miles, Arthur Spencer, James Abbott, Sudye Cauthen, Ralph Cellon, Sr., etc.
ALL THE PRETTY CATTLE
LYNCH HAMMOCK
THE DAY THEY CAME FOR MISS TWILLA

Thanks for your interest and support.

sudyecauthen
www.sudyecauthen.com
386 397 1284
cauthen4196@earthlink.net

2009: January, February, March

In January, Master of Ceremonies Will Irby and Gussie Lee's Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church Mass Choir will join me for an appearance at Gainesville's Oak Hammock. Will will talk, Gussie's choir will sing, and I will read from SOUTHERN COMFORTS. We are all looking forward to being there at the invitation of Nikki Taylor who contributed so much to the Alachua Portrait Forums of 1983.

In February I'll visit Janet Moses & Co. in Madison, FL, for a Valentine's Day Tea at which I'll read my own poetry and, if Janet will let me, suggest a few from other poets I think crucial when we go to write about love.

In March there are two events: On March 6 Columbia County's Downtown Library will host a reading from the Bronze Medal Winner, SOUTHERN COMFORTS, and on March 8 Alachua County's High Springs Library will host another at which I have sworn that, in addition to dedicating a copy of SOUTHERN COMFORTS in honor of my great and unforgettable mentor, Elbridge G. Cann of the High Springs Herald I'll either bring copies of the new book with me or, if it hasn't yet arrived, read from it; we're now in the process of getting it off to a printer.

For the book's suggested titles, cast of characters, and an excerpt from its Prologue, go to JOIN US by simply clicking on the JOIN US tab at www.sudyecauthen.com; I'd love to have your comments at the JOIN US blog site or write to me by email at cauthen4196@earthlink.net or call 386 397 1284. Many thanks to those of you who've participated in getting the new book out. If anyone would like to weigh in on the its suggested titles, there's a window of time in which to do that. JOIN US is at http://eventsupdatesnorthfloridacenter.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for meeting up here.

scauthen
www.sudyecauthen.com
cauthen4196@earthlink.net


WRITE FROM THE HEART

Starting just before Valentine's I'm leading a class called WRITE FROM THE HEART, a five-session course in the tricks of the poetry trade which begins, I believe, on 3 February; for details and/or to sign up, call 386-397-1920. This course is for those who love words and people, for those who want to put their heart's truths down on paper, and for poets in hiding. Come on out! I expect to have a good time and so will you; write me with any questions.

scauthen
www.sudyecauthen.com
cauthen4196@earthlink.net

JUST A REMINDER WHAT WE'RE ABOUT

JOIN US IN DOCUMENTING NORTH FLORIDA

"Tell me the landscape in which you live, and I will tell you who you are," says Jose Ortega y Gasset.

Our North Florida Center for Documentary Studies, Inc., aims to record in writing and photographs the cultural strengths and beauty of our people and the landscape in which they live.

Thank you for your interest and support. Please check back for updates. We are planning ferociously.

scauthen
www.sudyecauthen.com

25 OCTOBER 2008 - STEPHEN FOSTER STATE FOLKLIFE CENTER

SEE HERE WHAT'S MEANT BY "ILLUMINATION OF THE COMMONPLACE."This photo comes from my neighbor Robert Baxter who has a good camera and an excellent eye; here, rain on the leaves of the mimosa, Albizia julibrissin.

Here in White Springs, on 25 October 2008, our state park will celebrate its Second Annual Healing Arts Festival at which I've been invited to speak. See details at

http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster/Events.cfm

and join us if you can. The First Annual Healing Arts Festival drew 300 people. When you see what's offered, you'll know why.

For my part, I'm working on something tentatively titled, "The Idea of Sacred Space at White Springs." Where this might go I'm not yet certain (which is what makes the work interesting), but this is a topic I explore from time to time and now am tailoring to this particular audience.

Would love to see you there - Saturday, 25 October 2008, just a few days after I go to Valdosta State University on Tuesday, 21 October. In the meantime, look for me at my blog, “MORE SOUTHERN COMFORTS: Off Road in North Florida.” (sudyecauthen.blogspot.com)

FIRST DONOR - NFCDS, INC.

We don't yet have our fundraising plan in place but this week The North Florida Center for Documentary Studies, Inc. received its first contribution and, along with her check, our contributor sent a note that read "This is not a final check. I intend to be a supporter."

This unsolicited contribution and the words accompanying it are both encouragement and inspiration to NFCDS's officers, Florence Van Arnam, Frank Cellon, and me. More soon on the fundraising; I think we can make it fun. Many thanks to you, First Donor; we appreciate the confidence you have placed in us.

scauthen
www.sudyecauthen.com
cauthen4196@earthlink.net

THE INTENT OF THIS BLOG:

The North Florida Center for Documentary Studies, Inc., its officers and friends are presently studying options for fundraising that will cover the work of the Center and get the next book out as soon as possible. Please visit HERE for further information. If you have suggestions regarding fundraising or would like to contribute, please write to us at cauthen4196@earthlink.net

Thank you for your interest in our efforts to document and celebrate North Florida's people and their relationships to the land.

(In the meantime, here's a moth sent this morning by my friend Jen Fone of Jacksonville, FL.)

sudyecauthen
www.sudyecauthen.com