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Our Future: Abbeville, Our Home!
Southern Cultural Center Calendar Tom DiLorenzo, 12 October Fundraiser for the League Building, Abbeville
12 October: 7:00 pm. Tom DiLorenzo will be the after dinner speaker at
the Village Grill, 110 Trinity Street, for a League Building
fundraiser. He will speak on the reception of his book with humorous
anecdotes. Dr Jim Kibler promises an entertaining evening. The event
features a prime rib or fine seafood meal of your choice.
RSVP The League Building, 107 North Main Street,
Abbeville, SC 29620. 864.366.2395,
LeagueBuilding@SCLoS.org. Nearing the completion of one year of contributions to The League Building and Southern Cultural Centre in historic Abbeville, SC, we thought you might like to see how the various states are faring in donations. The following list gives the number of paid contributions (exclusive of nine pledges not kept) ranked by state. The statistics are through 4 March 2002.
South Carolina - 112
These amount to 222 paid cash
contributors. Of these, half (3/6) came from South Carolina. About 1/6
came from Georgia; and about one third (2/6) came from the other
states combined.
League Building and Southern Cultural Centre Update February 2002
"Busy" is the word around your League
Building. We have had three fine cultural events in the last several
weeks. Most recently, Mrs Margaret Bowie of Abbeville entertained and
informed us with an impromptu "In the Shadow of the Steeple,"
reminiscence, thus recounting To top off the event, a still unidentified mystery guest came from the storage closet from behind our speaker at a dramatic time. We are still puzzled over that one. Maybe his fuzzy, glowing shape will appear on the video recording. My personal guess for the visitor's identity is Andrew Pickens, the 18th century South Carolinian who was being invoked by Mrs Bowie at that moment. He laid out the town, and Mrs Bowie was saying she felt his presence. Stranger things have happened already at our building - so I wouldnt be at all surprised.
Saturday 23
February, Mark Winchell had a very engaging question and answer
session on Donald Davidson, the Southern nationalist poet and
contributor to I'll Take My Stand. Special guests were Dr Clyde
Wilson and his graduate students; Scott Trask, former Missouri League
State Chairman; Randy Ivey, USC Union; Dr David Aiken of Charleston;
poet Tom Pickett of Athens, Georgia; Mrs Winchell and son Jonathan;
Scott Goldsmith and son Samuel; William Cawthon of Eufaula Alabama;
Carl Mixon from Augusta; several local citizens; and others. That same
afternoon, Gary Walker of Virginia, who had been on the local Our two-day event several weeks ago was the festive dinner honouring Mike Grissom and his new book. Mike gave a good speech after his dinner Friday night and visited us at the building for book signings Friday and Saturday. A highlight for him was touring the Burt Mansion with Mrs Bowie, and, by his special request, kissing the Secession Rock - now quite a must tradition begun this past August.
Apparently, folks
all the way to Oklahoma have already heard of it. This was his first
request upon showing up at the store. Quite a few Abbevillians
attended the supper and had fellowship with us after the Interestingly, since we began these events with Gray Banks and Tom Pickett back in October, and Gordon Thornton in November, topping the year with David Aiken in December, each event has had a larger attendance than the preceding. That is very encouraging and makes it all the more essential that we start thinking seriously about opening up the second floor - in order to be able to accommodate the growing crowds. Folks will also be glad to know that we plan a new bathroom, so that we dont have to continue to trek to the Chamber of Commerce. Your store has just received new shipments of Southern items. These include copies of “Uncle Remus” in colour, the uncut, unsubtitled “Song Of The South” (banned by Disney), “Gone With The Wind” and Margaret Mitchell items, all titles by Michael Grissom, Rob Thornton, and the Kennedy Brothers. We have an original watercolour by Don Troiani (of a soldier in butternut), handpainted ceramic chess sets, carvings of SC mountain figures(done by League member Mr McClure) , ceramics, ceramic gamecocks by Scott Goldsmith, paintings by Goldsmith, Edgefield pottery by S Ferrell, Cherokee baskets from Walhalla, books by League authors, Southern colouring books, homemade fig preserves, Dead Yankee hot sauce, secession sauce, Johnny Reb honey and items, rare Southern books (including Southern Literature, Southern History, and War for Southern independence titles), Southern note cards, and prints, cotton boll wreaths and other cotton boll items; Southern antiques, and more. Come and visit. Robert is now taking credit cards. Come and sit a spell, and say hello. Some are calling it their clubhouse and replacement for the Country Club. We encourage that. Our handsome new red Palmetto sign now hangs in front of the store. Come and see us just off the Historic Abbeville Square at The Sign Of The Red Palmetto. The League Building, LeagueBuilding@SCLoS.org, 864.459.2395
Your League Building in Abbeville is now open six days a week from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. One recent happening is the relocation of a second expatriate Southern family to Abbeville as a result of our Building there. The couple close on their Victorian home in January. Other League members have said they are considering a move to the town. The Building’s first floor is now fully utilised and we are already somewhat cramped for space. Our sales of Southern items began on a limited basis in late September. Now in December the ground floor is three quarters full of stock. Currently we have what is likely the largest collection anywhere of Southern books, new, used, and rare. There include Southern history, biography, literature, and children’s books. Book sales have been very encouraging. Visitors have declared the League Building store “unique” – “no other store like it anywhere.” The mix of Southern antiques, original art, handmade soaps, canned specialty items, pecan products, Southern flags, pins and stickers, Confederate coins, license plates, Southern cassettes and CDs, videos (like the popular best selling Song of the South), Edgefield pottery, Cherokee baskets and split oak baskets, make for a pleasant visit. Sales of South Carolina and Sovereignty Flags have been particularly brisk. The new Gray Ghosts of Heaven CD arrived in December. It is superb and is especially dear to us because the music was inspired by The League Building project itself. Its title song was played at the Donour’s Party in July. Mr Lloyd’s music, accompanied by artist Bob Graham’s paintings, create an artistic unit that does us all proud. This CD, production paid for by Mr Lloyd himself, is a must purchase. In our store, there are items priced to suit every pocketbook. We have a Don Troiani original ($1,500) to prints as low as $4.00. There is a popular dollar book section. The League Building also has historic displays. They teach as well as provide interest. Currently exhibited is a display on SC writer, W G Simms. We are particularly please by the reception of our newly founded Secession Press’s three titles, all published since September. The most recent is Gordon Thorton’s after dinner speech of 2 November, available on at our store. The new Southern Note Card series is proving popular. The Southern Cultural Centre component has not been neglected in this flurry of activity. Our initial program (in October) was offered by Mr Graham Banks, who read from his new book of poems, and composed a dedication poem for the occasion. He was followed by Mr Tom Pickett of Athens, Georgia, who read Southern poems from his collection The Offering. All who attended declared the event one of the most enjoyable in their memories. Our second event was the hosting of Mr Gordon Thornton of Hamburg, Arkansas, for a book signing 2-3 November. His speech the previous night provided a packed house. The League Building was crowded to capacity on 3 November, the day of the SC League conference at the nearby Abbeville Civic Center. Our third cultural event as a reading from Simm’s Golden Christmas by Dr David Aiken of Charleston, in December. All three events have had good coverage, with radio spots, flyers, and posters. They represent a modest beginning; but these activities are essential to the expressed mission set out for the Building at the project’s inception. The Southern Cultural Centre Calendar for 2002 is being assembled. There will be other inclusions, so please watch for additional postings. It is still not too late to become an Honour Scoll donour for a 501(c)(3) gift of $1,000. Any donation in any amount will be appreciated. We still need your help in fitting out The Building properly as a showplace for the League. Make checks to The League Building and mail to Jim Kibler, 211 Peters Creek Road, Whitmire, South Carolina 29178.
Even before opening officially, we are signing up new members for the League. One member hails from Oconee County. Another from Laurens. One is from Florida. Many tourists and locals come by each day to say hello and take a look. They promise to return when we are open for business. Perhaps even more exciting is that two Southern families from the Southern diaspora in the North, encouraged by the success of the League Building and the Southernness of the town, are relocating back South here in Abbeville to raise their families. One has purchased a large farm outside Abbeville. They closed last week and came by the building to share the good news. We were properly cheered by the news. We at the Building are delighted and look forward to having these good Southerners with us close beside. They were the largest money donors to the League Building and Southern Cultural Centre and have been long time supporters of the League. Great news indeed! Some names I must mention as having given us sweat help this summer: Terry Frady, Mr and Mrs Griffin, John Salley, Scott Goldsmith, Dr David Aiken, Keith and Don Todd, Randy Jamison, Nick Bull, Curt Collier, good ole Mac McCoy, and others I'm sure, too, who helped when I wasnt present to note it. Robert Hayes has worked from dawn to dark daily since July. It must be noted that he has not received a penny for this labour. It has been done out of a devotion rare indeed. (And he doesn't complain much!) Incidentally, he could still use help. We now have a consignment receipt form for those wishing to sell quality Southern items through the store. We are interested in your Southern books, antiques, memorabilia, collectables, etc. The shelves are now being stocked with Southern used, rare, and new books, Southern art, Confederate throws, lecture and music tapes and CDs and videos from Apologia Shoppe. Visit us for your Christmas gifts. We have Gift Certificates on Confederate money, so that Confederate currency will still be in circulation. These will make excellent Christmas gifts for the person who has everything. (Easy to wrap too). Keep this embryo calendar of events: 2001 Calendar of Events 13 October - Abbeville Antiques Fair (on the Square). We will have an antiques table and League flyers at this event on the Square. The Building will be open and featuring our antiques. As a gesture of good will, the community organisers are not charging us. 20 October, 11 am, Gray Banks will read, and sign his new book of poems JESSE JAMES SPOKE TO WOLVES. Copies will be for sale at the building. 20 October, 2 pm, Tom Pickett reading from a selection of new poems. 2 November - Gordon Thornton from Arkansas (author of THE SOUTHERN NATION) will be in the store to sign his book. Probably around 3 oclock. A supper with his after dinner speech will follow. Contact Scott Goldsmith for the details now being firmed up. At 8 that evening after supper, he will be back in the store, to meet the public and sign books. I will give a Confederate walking tour of Abbeville out of the building at around 4:30 that afternoon. Admission charged for banquet and walking tour and proceeds will aid the Building. All else is free and open to the public. Good idea to get local motel, hotel bookings for Friday night now. 3 November - During the South Carolina League Conference at the Abbeville Civic Centre, only a few blocks away, the building will have its grand opening for League members. Dont miss this. Authors David Aiken, Gordon Thornton, Jim Kibler, and others will be in the building autographing their books (in time for Christmas). Walking tours of Abbeville will be planned for morning and afternoon. 23-24 November - OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING . We chose the date closest to 22 November when the Secession Mass Meeting was held in Abbeville in 1860. 22 Nov this year is Thanksgiving Day. At the opening we will celebrate the founding of the building's SECESSION PRESS. The first title and a series of Southern broadsides are now in production. See these today at the celebration. 8 December - Dr David Aiken will read and sign from his edition of W. G. Simms's THE GOLDEN CHRISTMAS. Time will be 10 am til 4 pm, with reading at 11. Copies available for purchase at the store. In December, see our old-fashioned cedar Christmas tree, decorated like the people of Upcountry South Carolina did it in the days before plastic and cheap Chinese slave-made ornaments and lights. Authors are already being lined up for January through the Spring of 2002. Very exciting news to follow. Catch the excitement! More fun than football! LEAGUE MEMBERS---this is your home away from home. Come and share the hospitality for which the South is legendary. From our experience in Abbeville thus far, we can say that no more Southern or hospitable place exists than this real community. At this point, we feel we have chosen our site well.
The
League Building,
LeagueBuilding@SCLoS.org,
864.459.2395
Check out the Abbeville update - 07/02/2001
Pledge Form League
Building Update: 17 July 2001 In the meantime, we need donations for restoration. Please remember us, if you are able. The quality of restoration, and the displays presented therein will depend upon you. You may wish to note what your donations are for: (1) final payment on the building, (2) restoration, (3) exhibits, lectures, and displays (4) furniture, (5) courtyard construction and furnishing, and (6) the creation of an endowment for the upkeep of the building. All donations of $1,000 or more will place your name or honouree upon an “Honour Scroll” in the building. Donations are tax deductible under 501(c)(3) status. We also need sweat equity volunteers to help do some of the work of cleaning, fixing and painting. If you can, please contact Robert Hayes to volunteer. Again, our heartfelt thanks to all those loyal men and women who work hard for their money but have been generous in making this project possible. We on the committees will not let you down. Please join us. Send donations made out to the South Carolina League Building “for the Abbeville League Building” and mailed to the Building Coordinator, Dr Jim Kibler, 211 Peters Creek Road, Whitmire, SC 29178. The SCLoS is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your donations are tax deductible. And look for us at the donours reception 28 July, 3 pm, then again in September at the sign of the Palmetto! Our donours listed below zoomed us over the top with donations in the past two weeks. We now have $56,073 in donations from kind, spirited folks who share our vision. Those indicated with a "Ø" will be inscribed on the Honour Roll. League
Building Update: 11 July 2001 In the meantime, we need donations for restoration. Please remember us, if you are able. The quality of restoration, and the displays presented therein will depend upon you. You may wish to note what your donations are for: (1) final payment on the building, (2) restoration, (3) exhibits, lectures, and displays (4) furniture, (5) courtyard construction and furnishing, and (6) the creation of an endowment for the upkeep of the building. All donations of $1,000 or more will place your name or honoree upon an “Honour Scroll” in the building. Donations are tax deductible under 501(c)(3) status. We also need sweat equity volunteers to help do some of the work of cleaning, fixing and painting. If you can, please contact Robert Hayes to volunteer. Again, our heartfelt thanks to all those loyal men and women who work hard for their money but have been generous in making this project possible. We on the committees will not let you down. It has been an act of faith on the parts of so many. In this light, I always recall the verse in Proverbs: “When there is no vision, a people perish.” This has been a rather bold undertaking, but the bigger vision behind it is much greater than bricks and mortar. Bricks and mortar now, however, with your continued help, will begin to put tangible foundations under that vision of the League’s expressed goal of cultural renewal and of promoting “the cultural, social, economic, and political well-being and independence of the Southern people.” It is hoped that other states will follow our lead and example. Please join us. Send donations made out to the South Carolina League Building “for the Abbeville League Building” and mailed to the Building Coordinator, Dr Jim Kibler, 211 Peters Creek Road, Whitmire, SC 29178. The SCLoS is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your donations are tax deductible. And look for us at the donours reception 28 July, then again in September at the sign of the Palmetto! Robert Hayes is now putting together a work schedule starting in mid-July, LeagueBuilding@sclos.org. Jim Kibler, 803.276.4337. Mac McCoy volunteer committee, 864.638.0683, csamac@sclos.org. Fill out the SCLoS Pledge Form today! SCLoS Pledge FormPlease pledge immediately. Please make good your pledge by 14 July in order for us to gather the funds in time for the closing. You may fill out the form below or mail the information to Dr Jim Kibler, 211 Peters Creek Rd, Whitmire, South Carolina 29178 CSA. Send donations made out to the South Carolina League Building “for League Building donation” and mailed to the Building Coordinator, Dr Jim Kibler, 211 Peters Creek Road, Whitmire, SC 29178. The SCLoS is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Your donations are tax deductible. An out of state donour
has placed a $1,000 challenge to everyone to donate a $1,000 to the SC
League Building. This matching donation is for new donours and/or for
a present donour who increases their donation to $1,000. |