Gone With the Wind

I feel like summer has 'gone with the wind' since we're nine days into fall already.

On Tuesday [the 28th] my hubby and I made our way to Independence Village in nearby Plymouth, MI, where I did a program on the 1939 epic movie, Gone With the Wind. 45 seniors attended the tea and program held in the facility's dining room.

There was even a couple of gentlemen in attendance.

The program started at 2:00, and we arrived a little early so I could set up my display table.  I ordered GWTW fabric printed for its 70th Anniversary [in 2009] from an Etsy vendor.  For an added visual, I sewed it to fabric on the front of the table cover.  

The Director picked the subject knowing the residents would all be familiar with the book and film, and because it was a favorite book of hers in school.  We opened with a fun, easy quiz.  The winner received an adult coloring book of Old South Costumes [which were worn in the film] and a box of colored pencils.  Everyone else received a package of peanuts since peanuts and pecans are Georgia's #1 crop.  

Michigan has a Gone With the Wind expert who lives in the area.  Her name is Kathleen Marcaccio and she travels the state and beyond giving talks about the book, its author, the movie and cast members.  Presently only one credited cast member is still living, but she's met several of them over the 25 years that she's been speaking.  I've heard her speak twice and she's amazing.  I should have been intimidated to invite her to my presentation since her level of expertise on the subject is far beyond mine, but she's a very nice, down-to-earth lady, and it was a pleasure to have her there.  Unbeknownst to her, one of the residents is an long-time family friend who recently moved to Independence Village, so they got to catch up a bit.  Her attending was meant to be.

~ Kathleen and Me ~

In today's world, words must be chosen carefully so no one gets offended. I began my presentation with a brief disclaimer stating for better or worse, history is history and we can't erase it.  During time periods when things weren't as they should have been, we have the opportunity and responsibility to learn from the past to ensure things are right today. The graphic below sums up my sentiments very well.

I chose to focus on the life of Margaret Mitchell [the author of the book], the cast and people they portrayed [of course, Scarlett was center stage], David O. Selznick [the film's producer], and the costumes.  It was fascinating how costume designer, Walter Plunkett, used the  'psychology of colors' to create his exquisite outfits for Scarlett to reflect her state of mind and emotions throughout the film.  There was little time left to talk about the architecture and food during that time period, but I did point out four staircases [two very grand ones] that were used in several movie scenes.

Peach scones were served at the beginning of the tea, followed by a cup of tomato bisque soup, with pimento cheese tea sandwiches and deviled eggs as the savories.  Dessert was pecan bread pudding.  There were other menu items too, but since they ate while I spoke I didn't see everything.  A good time was had by all.

Yesterday, I drove downriver to have lunch with some girlfriends I went to high school with. We had a lot of fun catching up and solving all the problems of the world! ;-)  Next month they will all come to my house for lunch.

Yesterday was also my youngest son Jeremy's 42nd birthday as well as granddaughter Isabella's 16th birthday.  Daughter-in-law, Samantha, couldn't have given Jeremy a better birthday present than a beautiful daughter born on his birthday!  We will celebrate with them the beginning of next week.  Below are the cute yard signs Samantha surprised them with yesterday morning.  They live on a corner, so the L-shape worked perfect for visibility.