STORIES FROM CHILDHOOD: FROM AN ACORN

Childhood is a precious time. Most of us have fond memories of those years. However, children in the foster care system often don't have such carefree and wonderful times to remember. Children First, Inc. helps give these children more stable and nurturing environments. In support of this effort, community members have banded together to offer a summer fundraising series called, "Stories From Childhood: From an Acorn." The event gives participants a chance to learn more about their own community and to help children in need at the same time.

The series runs from July 14 through August 25, Sundays at 3 p.m., at Piedmont College in Athens. Each week's event will feature one of seven iconic figures in and around Athens who will tell about the challenges, happy times, and cultural happenings that marked his or her childhood.

The line-up includes REM's attorney, Bertis Downs; Reverend A. R. Killian, one of the first two black policemen in Athens; Claude
Williams, called the "Ted Turner of Athens"; Dr. Gordhan Patel, who grew up on a banana plantation in Mozambique and later became a scientist and vice president for research at UGA; Barbara Thurmond Archibald, former director of the Athens Tutorial Program and part of the prominent Thurmond family who lived on a farm that is now the site of the Sandy Creek Nature Center; Doc Eldridge, the former mayor of Athens who now heads the Athens Chamber of Commerce; and the beloved writer and theologian Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor who teaches at the
Demorest campus of Piedmont College.

Each speaker will be interviewed by another notable Athenian in a lively conversation. For example, Flagpole editor Pete McCommons will interview Doc Eldridge in the kick-off event on July 14th, and Clarke County district school board member Vernon Payne will interview Bertis Downs on August 18th. 

July 14: Former mayor Doc Eldridge with Pete McCommons
July 21: Reverend A. R. Killian with his biographer, Earnest Thompson
July 28: Claude Williams with Madeline Van Dyck
August 4: Barbara Thurmond Archibald with Judge Lawton Stephens
August 11: Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor with Dr. Barb Benson
August 18: Bertis Downs with Vernon Payne
August 25: Dr. Gordhan Patel with Dr. Jinx Patel

A favorite snack or dessert that speakers remember fondly from their childhood will be served with iced tea after the discussion. These snacks evoke memories for the speakers and may for attendees as well.

The series takes place at 3 PM on Sundays in the historic Meeting Hall (formerly the sanctuary of Prince Avenue Baptist Church) at Piedmont College's Athens campus at 595 Prince Avenue. The suggested donation is $10; all donations are tax deductible. Children may attend free.

For more information about the series contact:
Pat Priest (patricia.priest@yahoo.com);
or CASA Volunteer Coordinator Susie Weller (susie@athensoconeecasa.org).