RSS Feed One of the Nation's Most Honored Weekly Newspapers |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Arts in Emanuel
While I cannot claim a close personal acquaintance with Marie, I do feel that we have been friends. But then I can't imagine that anyone who knew her could not help but be her friend. I first met her when I became the Keep Emanuel Beautiful Director (at that time, the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Clean Community Commission). The Recycling Center was just becoming operational; and I was very impressed that a volunteer organization (the Recycling Advisory Board) had been able to accomplish so very much. As I worked with Marie, I came to understand how things can happen around her. Following Earth Day 1990, Emanuel County school students asked why we don't recycle here. The response was "why don't we recycle" and so began the drive to establish our recycling center. A small group was formed including Marie, BOE Nutrition and Food Services Director Linda Sconyers, Environmental Health Inspector Dewayne Tanner, and others. I am not sure of all of the names as this began before my time. (Vickie Rogers was one I think but she may have been involved through the Clean Community Commission.) Anyway, much of the actual work done at the newly opened facility required hands-on effort such as sorting materials, often done by RAB members. Imagine if you will, Marie with her knitting overseeing the detainees that would occasionally work there. "Trash talking" was how she referred to our Recycling Advisory Board meetings. You knew that even though there would be hard work, you could always count on Marie to add humor to the effort. Picture a Relay for Life and Marie bundled up because of the inclement weather, and laughing. Relay and the knowledge that we can do things that may seem impossible will be a part of her legacy to us. About now you may be thinking that this is supposed to be a column about Art. That is after all the heading. Well, Marie's brother is named Art. Perhaps you will not be amused by my feeble attempt at humor, but I am sure that Marie would laugh. She loved to laugh and have others join in. Perhaps the laughter is the greatest gift that she has left us. Remembering her, we can smile because of the things that she said and did. Her very presence would light up the room. I have also learned that Marie was an organ donor. So even as she was leaving us, she bequeathed Life and Hope to others. And I am thankful--thankful that I had the opportunity to know and work with Marie. Joan Dunn is an artist, member of the Emanuel Arts Council Board of Directors and President of the Emanuel Artists Guild. She is interested in learning about creative arts efforts throughout the area. Contact her at joan-of-art@nctv.com.
|
for larger version       Ads have a Patent Pending. Click Here for More Information |
||||||||||||||||
