Living Last Supper

In March, for the fifth time, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church presented the Living Last Supper during Holy Week. Our cast and crew have been together for at least the last two bi-annual performances. Some of us have participated since the first. The production was enhanced this year by violin and cello accompaniment from Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian, her sister Jacquie Taylor, and her daughters. Our generous audiences donated over $1,200 for the Oliver Gospel Mission, an organization that helps feed and shelter our community’s homeless. Wayne Fields accepted the collected funds from Pastor Metze, Reggie Hall, Arthur Suggs, and me.

Arthur Suggs, PGB, Wayne Fields, Pastor Metze, Reggie Hall

Pat Conroy

Pat Conroy

In The Prince of Tides, Pat Conroy wrote: “My wound is geography. It also is my anchorage, my port of call.” Pat found his “home” in Beaufort, SC, now his final resting place and the location of a literary festival in his memory. So many of his fictional works depict his lowcountry experience and offer personal glimpses of his family (The Great Santini), his education (The Lords of Discipline), and his work (The Water is Wide). He passed away on March 4^th, perhaps leaving a message to keep “marching forth” and striving. His words and honesty remain a continuing influence.

Writing at the Beach

I felt very fortunate that Rebecca Bridges asked me to address two writing groups at the Waccamaw Neck Branch Library near Myrtle Beach. I drove from Columbia, allowing the GPS on my smart phone to direct me through Lake City, on a route I had never traveled before. The pristine library provided an excellent space for the group, which included practitioners of fiction, nonfiction, and memoir, to consider how plotting strategies could be used in each of those disciplines. In the evening, I visited with good friends, Chester and Gini Abee. A wonderful trip. The beach is magnificent in March!