FreelanceBeth

The world of news reporting has lost an icon. Globally, Elliott Brack may not have been readily recognized, but to Georgians, he was among the last of the great newspapermen (and women!)

News of his death reached me as I was still in my classroom working this week. While he lived 90 strong years, it was still a shock. You see, way back when I began my fledgling little local paper, The Grayson Gazette, Elliott was among my early sources of support and encouragement. He kindly pointed to some errors I had made, but cheered on the fact that I had taken a dive straight in. When I told him that my Journalism 101 professor had informed me I would never write for publication, Elliott laughed and assured me the world was full of opinion and it is up to us as to whether we take them as gospel truths or find our own way. I always appreciated his quiet support and strong example as a researcher, reporter, and writer. His influence at The Gwinnett Forum will be missed.

The End of an Era

Sometimes, over the span of a teaching career, you get an opportunity to spend an inordinate quantity of quality time with students. This has been the case for three students who have been a part of my language arts class curriculum embedded with Film and Digital Arts. All three students are “pathway completers” who finished four years of Film and Digital Arts along with Dramatic Writing/Theater.

This brings us to the chaos of the couch – or futon. Gifted to our class by a retiring teacher, the futon has been moved from classroom to classroom each year with the every relocation of our program. It has seen lots of relaxing, laughter, snacks (ew), and brainstorming. For four years the couch served these seniors well.

In the last class, on the last day, with a celebratory playlist, the couch met its demise. It literally cracked in half! There was a short ceremony followed by a funeral dirge to the dumpster. It was a fitting end for the futon as these seniors prepare to walk across the graduation stage and onto the world stage. I have no doubt that the memories and bonds they forged on the futon will stick with them for the remainder of their days. They have been good times. Someone, pass me a tissue.

Memories can pop up out of nowhere. This morning’s annual Grayson Day parade sent a wave of memories flooding in on the sounds of the Marching Band. For years, we sent our kids up the street to step in line with their friends. One kept the beat on percussion and the other provided the brass power that all good parade tunes require.

The article pictured above was printed about the annual event by my fledgling little paper in the year 2000. Simpler times for sure. Busy though.

Enjoy this little bit of history in Grayson, GA and keep an eye out for more to come.

#FreelanceBeth

Today, our words are courtesy of my dad (Dado to the kids). The original post can be found HERE.

Comets – Rams – Eagles – US Navy – and now, Longhorns!

It was a beautiful and sunny southern autumnal day in Buford, GA for the 2024 GA Marching Band Classic – Buford Edition. You could say we had seen this movie before. The marching band, the hot sun, high school, my parents sitting in the stands for at least the thousandth time. First, they watched my brother and me as we marched with the MIghty Comets of South Gwinnett back in the 1980’s. Then, it was the two eldest grandsons who began their marching band careers at Grayson High School in the mid-twentyteens – just a few miles from mom’s alma mater. The eldest moved on to GA Southern and competed internationally with drum corps. The second eldest marched into the Navy and played his own Pass-in-Review (graduation). One has to wonder what is in store for their cousin who is marching with the Lanier Longhorns Bands, but that will have to wait. In standing with family tradition, the freshman has scored another role – basketball. And for the grandparents from Indiana, basketball is among the OG family traditions – this proud aunt is gonna need some new swag so she can be mad lit and not skibidi Ohio!

The first fella pictured wearing an AWESOME DINOS ROCK shirt, clutching a BIG TRUCKS book, and dreaming of rock stardom is the 2024 recipient of a magic toy drum. The middle photo is my son at about the same age with the look of absolute joy on his face with the same drum a “few” years ago. The last photo is of that same son, Drew, as a professional drummer in a variety of projects. One of his bands, @florencecardigan hails from The University of Georgia in Athens, GA. They have played throughout the southeast and will be featured at AthFest 2024! Another one of Drew’s other projects is The While – also out of Athens – as much outstanding music is… And, it all started with a toy drum. There is much more to come from my drummer son – including some solo creativity and multi-genre collaborations. With that kind of magic packed into one toy drum, one has to wonder what is in store for the little fella wearing yellow. I hope he finds a love of learning music and with that love and a magic toy drum – the beat goes on. To hear more from Florence Cardigan, check them out on Spotify!