Flurry of Talks in March!

This photo and short article appeared in today's Summerville Journal Scene. Many thanks to Louise Guy for inviting me to speak at The Village at Summerville Presbyterian Community. I really enjoyed the large attentive audience of residents and staff. Mrs. Guy has deep ties to Magnolia Cemetery, going all the way to its opening in 1850. A number of her Johnson ancestors are interred there, as is her late husband.

Mrs. Guy really surprised me with this beautiful display she and a staff member prepared to publicize my talk on March 12. She was kind enough to let me have the fine piece of work, which I have already used as a backdrop to me books at a presentation a few days later!

Wonderful Magnolia Cemetery Display!

March 12 was a busy day for me. After my Village at Summerville appearance I headed to Seabrook Island where I spoke to some 130 folks at an event sponsored by the Seabrook Island Natural History Group. Marsha Bird and her husband Ben treated me to dinner at the lovely Seabrook golf course club house. Wow, what a great view of the golf course and ocean from that restaurant! 

Marsha and Ben told me a great story about a photography book by Charles J. Moore that is all about the Great Egret rookery in their Seabrook backyard! I plan to accept their invitation to see all this firsthand! Thank you Birds and thanks to all the people who came to my talk. That's the biggest audience I've ever had! 

With Marsha Bird at Seabrook's Lake House on March 12

A few days later I had the privilege of talking about Magnolia Cemetery and my book to the Charleston chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society. It was neat for me to not only meet fellow history and research enthusiasts but also to be in the Masonic Lodge in West Ashley where they meet. 

I saw the large painting of late 19th century Masonic leader Peter Coburn. A local descendant of his who saw Mr. Coburn's artistic headstone and write up in my book (page 153) had told me about this painting in a Masonic Lodge locally. I didn't know it was at the Masonic Lodge where I speaking March 15 until I walked in and saw it in the lobby!

I'm looking forward to giving more presentations in the months ahead! Contact me if you're interested in me speaking to your group. Thank you!