The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, Cherokee County Historical Museum, Leadership Cherokee and the Cherokee County Public Library held a very special event on Saturday as part of Alabama’s Bicentennial Celebration.
Stories of Alabama focused on a 15 local and statewide authors sharing information on their books, we spoke to Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Theresa Hulgan.
Museum Director Kathy Marko said that this event also served as a joint fundraiser for the Chamber of Commerce and the Museum with the Library also contributing to cause.
Keynote speakers included: Glen Wills, the author of “Forgotten Alabama” and Darryl Patton, author of “Mountain Medicine: the Herbalist Tommy Bass”. The first 200 to the event received an Alabama Bicentennial Coin.
AUTHOR BIO’S for Celebrating Stories of Alabama
Wanda Green –capture Alabama in photography and words. She became a tourist in her own state in August of 2018 when she began traveling with her husband using the Alabama Bicentennial Passport as a guide. Currently, they have made stops in 55 Alabama Counties and will complete their tour by December of 2019. Wanda has published articles in the “Anniston Gadsden Christian Family Magazine”. Wanda is an award winning photographer placing in several local competitions. Her work has been exhibited in museums such as Gadsden, Museum of Art, Heritage Hall and Comer Museum and Art Center. Wanda placed in the Outdoor Alabama Photograph Competition; her work along with the other winners represented the state in a traveling exhibit in 2017. Wanda is a native of Etowah County and resides with her husband in Hokes Bluff.
Michael Green –Michael and Wanda travel the state together visiting historical sites, points of interests, and new and old destinations. Michael is a freelance videographer, photographer and writer. He enjoys reviewing travel destinations on Google, Trip Advisor and working on his travel blog. Douglas Scott Wright –was born in Rome but calls Cedar Bluff his home. After graduating from Cedar Bluff High school Scott attended and graduated from University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Scott is the managing editor of The Post and the Cherokee County Herald both weekly news publications in Cherokee County, Alabama. Scott is the author of “A History of Weiss Lake” (2008), and “Fire on the Mountain”: The undefeated 1985 Sand Rock Wildcats” (2010). Scott is the 2010 winner of the Cherokee County Historical Society’s Eugene Mann Award for achievements in documenting the county’s history. He ha salso awarded the 2019 Baker-Dean Media Award for his contributions to journalism in Cherokee County.
Daryl Patton –has been hunting, gathering and working with medicinal plants for the past thirty-five years on Lookout Mountain n the Southern Appalachians. Darryl brings many years of experience to the field of alternative medicine, Known for his easy going approach towards teaching the identification and uses of medicinal plants, Darryl has been called a walking encyclopedia of herbal folklore. For 13years, Darryl was privileged to spend thousands of hours studying under the late A.L. “Tommie” Bass, one of the last of the old mountain herb doctors. Known internationally among herbalist as well as the common folk living near Lookout Mountain, Alabama, Tommie Bass used his God-Given ability and vast knowledge of medical herbs to help thousands of people from all walks of like. Darryl’s mission is to pass the “old way” of using medicinal plants to his students and others wanting to continue the tradition of gathering wild plants as food and healing.
Tommy Moon –was born and raised in Centre, Alabama. He graduated from CCHS in 1971 then attended Gadsden State Community College. Since 2005, Tommy is co-author of the”Cotton Picking Warriors”and actively promoting the book along with the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame. Research for the book took over five years and enabled him to travel to various parts of the state interviewing and documenting the 90 years of CCHS football history. Tommy is currently retired living on the Gulf Coast.
Randall D. McCord –Randall played football at CCHS and traveled extensively attending several schools ending up at Jacksonville State for a BA degree. Randall was a coach and teacher (1966) in Centre.Randall is co-author of the “Cotton Picking Centre Warriors”, His Tales of Trade Wind, Beaches and Blue Waters is due out in September. He is currently researching a history about Lindale Cotton Mills.Randall and his wife Joyce are enjoying semi-retirement in Silver Creek.
Glenn Wills –grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. He graduated from Butler and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Glenn made his way into TV news in several capacities using his photography skills. He finally ended up as a satellite truck engineer for eight years. This experience started the wheels turning on the vanishing remnants of Alabama’s past. Glenn saw that these rusting and collapsing reminders of the past would one day be gone and felt it important to document them the best way he knew how via pictures. Glenn logged close to a quarter million miles. Since 2012, Glenn has now driven to all 37 Alabama counties numerous times. He has logged around 50k miles and has taken over 40k photographs. Glenn now has three books about his journey. The First Book Forgotten Alabama is in its second printing. The follow up was More Forgotten Alabama. IN July 2019, to celebrate Alabama’s Bicentennial, Glenn released his largest and most comprehensive volume yet, 200 Years of forgotten Alabama. Glenn presently resides in Alabaster and plans to continue his journey for as long as it takes. Cabot Barden –award winning author/songwriter/performer, is a native of Sylacauga, Alabama. Cabot’s 13 published novels include subjects that range from his experiences in the music industry to tales of historic fiction, stories related to his Irish Immigrate ancestors, Native Americans and more. Cabot is the past three term President of the Central Alabama Writers’ Guild. Many of his books have won awards and have received thrums up reviews from the likes of The New York Times Book Review. A play written and based on Cabot’s novel, I Will War No More, was recognized and endorsed by the Alabama Bicentennial Committee.
David Hartline –Author and motivational speaker; bestselling author of three books rated 5-star by AAFES. His 4thbook release date is August 14, 2019 entitled “The Real Tarzan” is about a local sports legend Arthur P. “Tarzan” White. David served in the military for 23 years retiring as a Lt Col. David received a degree in education and served as a college instructor. He resides in the Taff community and is the 4thgeneration to live on his farm. He is married to Patricia Hollister Hartline and they have four children.
Marie McCluskey –has devoted much of her life to caring for others while trying to live by the Golden Rule. As an Author she is fulfilling their spiritual needs through inspirational, uplifting books such as “Off the Chain”, and “ Angels Among us”. Marie grew on an80 acre farm with its many challenges.
Bob French –Fort Payne Author Bob French has been writing more than 65 years. To date, he has 12 books edited with four published. His published works are: The LAWyer, Beaten, Battered and Damned, The Drano Murder Trial, Call Me Herman, and An Adventure with John. Bob is a practicing Attorney in Fort Payne, Alabama.
Gary Hardin –Gary is a native of Alabama, has pastured churches in Alabama, Kentucky and Michigan. For nine year Gary served as a Bible study curriculum, magazine, and book editor at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, TN. Gary writes a monthly column for the Post Paper, and blogs at hope discovered.com . He has authored four books: “He Is All I Need: the 23rdPsalm for Today; “Every Day Can Be A Great Day”, Convincing Promises from Psalm 34; Wow Words From God: What I Want God to Say about me with a 30 day guide. Gary holds a BS degree from Jacksonville State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Gary currently serves as part-time associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Centre, Alabama.
