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.