This column is the tenth in a series devoted to promoting cultural tourism in coastal Georgia. It was published in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper in Kingsland, GA, scheduled for publication on Nov. 2, 2005.
It is beginning to look as if there is a common theme here in Camden County. Within reports from economists, tourism authorities and researchers from Georgia Tech are confirmations of the economic value of developing tourism in Georgia communities. The evidence is overwhelming that, in this era of mobility and information, interest in historically based entertainment and culturally interesting events is growing. Those reports also indicated that such opportunities are profitable for communities that make the sufficient personal and institutional commitment to create them.
In a previous column, I made the point that, beyond the economic and global reasons for a community to support an event such as Crooked Rivers, there are also other, more personal reasons, to do so. I wrote about some of the interesting things that happen when people commit to a project such as Crooked Rivers’: Sisters Three. One point I made was that in an endeavor like this one, you make new acquaintances and unlikely friends. Recently, that truth was made clear to me in a unique manner.
Last Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Eagle Scout ceremony for Michael Merrill. I met Mike in the spring of 2005 while he was working on the high school production of “The King and I.” Actually, I got to know Mike while he showed me how to tie knots so that the rope ladder on the set looked realistic. As we sat on the floor manipulating rope and twine, Mike shared some neat things about his life: his scouting, his travels, his love of family and his fondness for my wife’s speech class. One thing I forgot to mention – Mike is also a rather large guy and an offensive tackle on Camden County’s championship football team. This giant young man is a great student and someone I admire. As he stood in a shelter at Crooked Rivers State Park, simply and lovingly thanking his family, neighbors, teachers and friends for their support of his accomplishments, I realized that Mike was living proof of my contention that commitment to positive community projects offers us all a chance to discover new facets, new people and new value in our lives. Right there, on the banks of Crooked River, Mike and I both found new stories.
According to the lyrics to a popular anthem from the Frank Wildhorn musical “Jekyll and Hyde,” “This is the moment, this is the time.” This is the time for us to take important steps to make our local opus a reality. It’s time for us to satisfy our curiosity about Crooked Rivers’: Sisters Three. What is Crooked Rivers about? How will this project work? If I get involved, what will I have to do or what will I get to do? And, just as important, if I decide not to be in Crooked Rivers, how can I support those that will make up the cast and supporting crew? What story can I find in the Crooked Rivers saga?
The answers to these questions and many more can be found by visiting Director Jerry Stropnicky and Crooked Rivers volunteers during their “participation gatherings” at Lisa Allen’s Dance Works studio on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and again on Sunday, November 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. Dance Works is located at 10880 Colerain Road in St. Marys. Jerry says that he wants to see people of all shapes, sizes, shades and ages. He wants to talk to anyone that wants to read, act, sing, dance, build sets, help with costumes, install lighting or be a stagehand. Most of all, Jerry says he needs people that want to learn about life and history along the Crooked Rivers, where around every bend is a story.
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