County News
GAZETTE NEWSPAPERS • WEEK OF WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013 • 11B
Bluegrass artist John Lilly joins photo journalist Feather at the Ashtabula Arts Center’s February art opening The Ashtabula Arts Center Gallery is proud to present the February exhibit entitled “These are the Stories I Tell: Portraits from Goldenseal” by Kingsville artist and writer Carl Feather. The environmental portraits are drawn from the more than 90 stories by Feather that were published in Goldenseal Magazine, a quarterly publication of the West Virginia Department of Culture and History. Feather has been a freelance writer for the magazine since the mid1980s. In addition to having dozens of full-length features published in Goldenseal, he has, since 2004, author a quarterly column, Backroads, in which he seeks out a writes about the hidden gems among the hills and valleys of the Mountain State. “My most satisfying work as a writer and photographer has been for Goldenseal,” said Feather, whose parents are West Virginia natives. “I truly feel at home in these mountains, and the residents of the state are literally family to me. The best memories of my life are of the ‘Goldenseal trips’ I make several times a year in search of stories and new adventures.” His search has taken Feather into every corner of the state, but his favorite haunts are Pocahontas, Preston and Tucker counties. The exhibit will include images from the December 2012 issue of Goldenseal, in which Feather presents the story of The Traveler’s Repose, a Pocahontas County landmark that Ambrose Bierce wrote about in one of his short stories and is lovingly preserved by the granddaughter of its founding family. “If there is one common thread among the people of West Virginia, it is their intense pride in heritage, a sense of belonging to the land and its human history. My exhibit will introduce viewers to both the landscape and the people PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARL FEATHER
I have had the honor to write about during the past 25 years. From a former prison warden whose job it was to help build the state’s first electric chair, and then throw the switch on it, to humble merchants and artisans, the exhibit gives voice and faces to the people of West Virginia,” Feather said. Feather is a reporter and photographer and owner of Feather Cottage Media, a producer of multimedia. His “Journey Into Autumn,” a video production of his autumnal travels in search of Goldenseal material, is among the DVD releases he has produced. The exhibit will run from February 6 through March 4. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free. The gallery is also open before theater performances and during intermission. There will be an art opening reception on February 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visitors can view the exhibit and talk with Feather while enjoying light refreshments. As a special added attraction for the evening, musician John Lilly will be appearing at the Arts Center from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. A West Virginia native, John Lilly’s original, traditional, and classic country music hits home and rings true. From hidden masterpieces by Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Louvin Brothers to ancient folk ballads and creative original songs, John Lilly presents music of unusual depth and sincerity. A free-will offering will be held. More information about Goldenseal Magazine, copies of which will be available at the artist’s reception, is at www.wvculture.org/goldenseal. Feather’s blog and website is at www.thefeathercottage.com. John Lilly’s website can be seen at www.johnlillymusic.com. The Ashtabula Arts Center is funded in part by the Ohio Arts Council.
Local libraries arrange visit of national author Les Roberts BY STEFANIE WESSELL Gazette Newspapers
During his visit, Roberts will give hourly talks about his Milan Jacovich mysterJEFFERSON - Libraries ies. His books are based in in Ashtabula County are Cleveland and environs and making possible the visit of always feature mention of national author Les Roberts. many many familiar places Roberts recently visited around town. The event will feature the Henderson Memorial Public Library to meet with library latest mystery: Whiskey Isdirectors from throughout land (2012), Andover Public the county and discuss his Library Director Susan Hill upcoming visit to the area said. Tours of the distillery will organized by them. Born and raised in Chi- be available as well. Red cago, Illinois, Roberts is the Eagle Distillery is located on author of 16 mystery novels Doty Road, just down the featuring Cleveland detec- way from South River Wintive Milan Jacovich, as well ery (also owned by Gene Sigel) and Chalet Debonne. as 11 other books. There will be appetizers Ashtabula County libraries are planning an all- and a cash bar, but admisLes Roberts shakes hands with Ed Worso, county Book Club extrava- sion and parking will be free, Hill said. director of Henderson Memorial Public ganza for April 21, 2013. The past president of It will take place at Red Library in Jef ferson, as plans are solidified for the Libraries’ Book Club Eagle Distillery on Sunday, both the Private Eye Writers of America and the Murder Mystery extravaganza April 21. April 21, from 2-5 p.m.
American Crime Writer’s League, Roberts came to mystery writing after a 24year career in Hollywood. He was the first producer and head writer of the Hollywood Squares and wrote for The Andy Griffith Show, The Jackie Gleason Show, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., among others. He has been a professional actor, a singer, a jazz musician, a teacher, and a film critic. In 2003, he received the Sherwood Anderson Literary Award. A native of Chicago, he now lives in Northeast Ohio. More information about Roberts can be found at his website at http:// lesroberts.com. Stefanie Wessell, senior editor for Gazette NewspaSUBMITTED PHOTOS pers, may be reached at Les Roberts is pictured with Kathy Pape, swessell@gazettenews.com. director of Conneaut Public Library.