Board of Directors
Barbara O. Smith, President
Bob Vinyard, Vice President
Mary Jane Mataxas, Secretary
William V. Bennett, Treasurer
William W. Mataxas, Membership & Webmaster
Francis X. Hayes, Education
Christopher Scott, Programs
Colleen Cunningham, Publicity
Jim Holt, Shakespeare Competition |
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Welcome to Savannah - A little History
Beyond the Historic District
This year, we will venture further inland, and farther away from Savannah’s beginnings on the Savannah River. We will explore the next period of Savannah’s history and the colorful and ornate buildings reminescent of San Francisco's "Painted Ladies." This will bring us to the Victorian Era and the places south of Gaston Street and maybe into the “Streetcar Suburbs” and beyond in future years. There is much to explore and much to discover in this beautiful city.
*****The Park and its Monuments*****
Once we leave the official Historic District and the Squares behind, Savannah takes on a different, more open appearance. We still have grand homes and a grid of streets running north and south, but we also have schools, and hospitals. Architecture takes on a more colorful, ornate and sometimes-eclectic appearance, and the desire for open spaces produced Forsyth Park.
Part of the park is a wonderfully landscaped garden area with a gorgeous cast iron fountain made in New York in 1858. This fountain has a twin in Peru with “Lady Liberty” atop. The Indian Princess that should be atop the fountain in Cuzco, Peru instead graces Savannah’s fountain.
Beyond the landscaped area, the park still maintains Savannah’s reverence for military heroes. On the north, is a memorial to the Marines. The most obvious of the monuments is the Confederate monument that dominates the wide-open parade ground of the Savannah Militia.
Guarding the park from the top of the Canadian Sandstone monument is a confederate soldier, Archibald McLeish, looking to the North. The monument, crafted in Nova Scotia, purportedly was to be shipped to Savannah without ever touching Northern soil.
North and south of the monument’s base are busts of General Lafayette McLaws and Brig. General Francis S.Bartow. Bartow was killed at the first battle of Bull Run.
At the extreme south end of Forsyth Park is a bronze soldier commemorating Georgians who died in the Spanish –American War. Whitaker Street and Drayton Street bound Forsyth Park on the East West respectively.
Along both of those streets, the modern architects let their imaginations play with in creating the beautiful Victorian Homes of the area.
Bull Street, which is blocked by Forsyth Park between Gaston Street and Park Avenue, continues south between Churches of virtually all denominations and leads through the Streetcar Suburbs to the first Gated automobile communities. These will areas of interesting exploration for future years.
| ANOTHER GOOD YEAR 2006-2007
(A review of the Events)
*** FLASH ***
The English Speaking Union's Savannah Branch held its annual Shakespeare Monologue Competition this Saturday FEBRUARY 17, 2007 at Saint Andrew's School. This year's competition involved seven high schools from the local area including Groves, Jenkins South Effingham, Saint Vincent's Saint Andrew's, Savannah Country day School and the Savannah Arts Academy.
Five judges selected Kelsey Chandler, a senior at Saint Vincent's as the contest winner. Ms. Chandler performed Helena's Monologue from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and recited sonnet number 116.
Ms. Chandler will compete in New York in the national competition in April and is eligible to win the grand prize package which includes four weeks of study in England at Oxford in the Midsummer Theater Conservatory Program. This competition will be repeated next year sponsored by the English Speaking Union and hosted at Saint Andrew's School.
The year 2006–2007 began with a bit of a sad note in that our President of last year, Manfred Thoms was forced to return to London for medical care necessitated by an unexpected, extended illness. The board regretfully had to make the decisions to elect a new president for the coming year. Barbara O. Smith will lead us through what we hope to be a successful Shakespeare Competition. This will be a first in many years. We wish Manfred complete and speedy recovery. Additionally, our long-time Hospitality Chairwoman requested to be relieved of her duties in order to attend to her family obligations. A new Hospitality chair needed to be found and Colleen Cunningham agreed to handle this task for us. Because of the unexpected changes, the year began with the President’s reception being postponed to a later date.
September 17 Meeting---------
Christopher Scott, our Programs Chair, once again came through with what promises to be an educational, exciting, high quality and entertaining agenda for this year. The first program of the year was “See You After The Duration”, presented by Michael Henderson, the Author of a book by the same title.
Mr. Henderson presented a lively, often-poignant story about his and his brother’s adventure as well as the adventures of more than 7500 British children during their evacuation to the United States and Canada.
Mr. Henderson presented the realities of this event in a delightful mix of storytelling and reading of excerpts from his book. He told of the sad parting of parents, siblings, and friends as well as the apprehensions of the American and Canadian families that offered support for the evacuees in view of the unknown length of the Duration. Neither the parents nor the children knew if they would meet again. Similarly, the hosts did not know when and if the responsibilities to their charges would end. The lecture also pointed out the waffling of the governments as they were forced to decide between loyalty to their Homeland and safety of their greatest assets, their children. No one wanted to give the impression to the Germans that they feared losing the war, but at the same time, they wanted to begin again if the worst were to happen.
We thank Michael Henderson for coming to us to let us know about a part of WWII of which many Americans were very unaware, but in which some our members took part.
October 4 President’s Reception---------
Finally, arrangements for the President's receptions were completed and Dr. Frank Rizza again allowed us to meet at his wonderful home.
Barbara O. Smith, as our new President welcomed old and new members and guests alike under a beautiful blue sky. The Branch's ladies brought many of their favorite snacks and cookies and Mr. Boston, the bartender, made sure that everyone remmained refreshed.
Barbara officially took over the leadership of the Savannah Branch by announcing that she would make every effort to make the Shakespeare Competition become a reality in 2006-07. We all look forward to the coming year and hope that Manfred Thoms will soon join us again in good health.
October 22nd Meeting----------
Mr. Charles Brown, local antique dealer and appraiser spoke to the ESU members about English and American silver its identification, and the care that is required to maintain its value. He brought numerous examples of true English silver and “Coin” silver and the silver produced in America. Many of our members brought pieces of their own silver for his evaluation. Unfortunately Mr. Brown was unable to attend to all questions that pertained to this noble metal because the time constraints for the meeting venue. Everyone went away satisfied that English or British, the silver in their possession was in often in its sentimental value.
November 12th Meeting----------
Unfortunately, the scheduled speaker for today’s meeting was unable to travel to Savannah from England, therefore Christopher Scott, and our Program Chair had to pinch-hit for him.
He rose to the challenge and presented an interesting program detailing some illustrated extracts from his forthcoming book with the catchy title “No, Your Grace” about the “Stately Home” business.
December 3rd Meeting----------
Once again, the Gremlins that sometimes invade Historic Savannah made change to the program mandatory. Because of the preparations for return to Iraq, the Communications Chief for the 3rd Infantry division, who was to speak to us, was forced to cancel his talk with us. We all recognize that his time spent in making these preparations must supersede our plans.
December 16th Meeting----------
The long awaited Christmas Party at Alvin Neely’s home was once again a total success because the ladies of the Savannah Branch put their culinary skills to the test again. As usual, the food that was prepared by them, mixed with the spirit of the season made for a festive evening.
January 24th Meeting----------
This was the occasion of our Branch’s Annual Dinner. It was a meal fit for a king. Little was lacking. The First City Club was the venue for the Buffet. the menu featured fare that was worthy of a 5star restaurant. After delicious desserts,
John McLeod, a native of Toronto with a Ph.D. in Indian history from the University of Toronto presented a program titled “The Jewel in The Crown” (The British in India, and their Legacy). Mr. McLeod is an internationally recognized specialist in the history of the princely States of India. He gave us an in depth account of the British influence in India on its way from being a British trading Center to its independence.
March 11th Meeting-----------
This month’s speaker was Dr. Angus Hawkins who is the Director of International Programs at Oxford University. Dr. Hawkins presented a captivating picture of the politics during the Blair Administration. He led us on a journey of the changes in the Labour Party over the last ten years,and he left us with a thought to ponder. In which direction will Great Britain go when Prime Minister Tony Blair steps aside in May as discussed and what this will mean for politics in the United States?
April 22nd Meeting----------
It is unfortunate for all of our members that the scheduled meeting for April 22 had to be cancelled. Because of a series of mishaps and miscues, the speaker for the May meeting also had to cancel. The bright side of this cancellation is that our speaker who had to cancel for April will in all likelihood have completely recovered from the injuries that prevented her from demonstrating the Piano Forte and Harpsichord.
May 20th meeting----------
Our own Anne Acker was the speaker and performer for our meeting this month. To see Anne, one would hardly expect to see her moving pianos and other heavy musical instruments about, but that was exactly what she does for a living. Anne brought a Piano Forte and a Harpsichord to the meeting with her.
After our president Barbara O. Smith introduced her, Anne answered a few interesting questions about the instruments that she brought with her. These were beautiful pieces of woodworking craft that were either built or restored by Anne at her shop. Anne then began the meeting with what everyone present agreed was a stunningly beautiful demonstration of each instruments capability. It was actually more than that. It was a wonderful concert presented for our pleasure. Everyone sat spellbound while listening and watching Anne’s nimble fingers dance across the keyboards of the two instruments as she performed music by famed composers of the time. For a short time we could get the feeling of being back in the 18th century listening to a typical performance of the time. No one would have believed that just a month before, she had to postpone this performance due to a severely injured hand.
Anne, thanks a million for a wonderful meeting.
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