Greenfield Farm of the Future discussed at the 29th Faulkner Literary Competition Luncheon

 

On Friday September 25, which was William Faulkner’s 129th Birthday, New Albany celebrated the occasion, along with presenting a program to honor this year’s winners of the William Faulkner Literary Competition, now in it’s 29th year. The Competition is a major part of New Albany’s annual Faulkner Fest

After a luncheon provided by Tallahatchie Gourmet, Union County Heritage Museum director Jill Smith welcomed the visitors, thanked program supporters and sponsors. and shared information about this year‘s competition. (Timestamp 3:10) This year the competition had 347 entries from 43 states and 13 countries. The Competition winners are determined by knowledgeable judges whose identities are secret.

The first item on the program featured New Albany’s 4 th and 5 th grade EXCEL poetry winners, who received their awards and read their poems. (Timestamp 6:00.)

Jill Smith announced William Faulkner Literary competition winners. The categories were: Student short story, Adult short, poetry, Plays, Novel. (Timestamp 13:40). Only two winners were present to accept their awards. Most of the winners were from distant places, and the distance and the cost of travel prohibited many from being present. Smith thanked the unnamed judges for their contributions and the Swain family, formerly of New Albany, for their generous support of the Swain Family Lecture Series. (timestamp 22:00).

Featured speakers John T. Edge and Jim Gulley, who have been instrumental in the 13 million dollar Greenfield Farm Writer’s Residency project now coming to life In Mississippi, were introduced. (timestamp 23:00) Greenfield Farm, formerly owned by William Faulkner, will be the site of the Residency.

Gully spoke about the extensive research he has done for the project.( (beginning about timestamp 25:00).  The comments included a history of Greenfield, William Faulkner’s former mule farm, its inhabitants, financial difficulties, its influence on Faulkner’s writings, etc Other interesting topics included Faulkner’s conflicts with the University of Mississippi (and the eventual costs to the university), Faulkner’s ill-fated Postmaster job at Ole Miss, First National Bank’s connections with Greenfield’s history and ultimate fate.

Edge (timestamp 1:07:00) presented the plans, ideas and timeline for the 13 million dollar project that will offer writers paid residencies, as well as providing writers accomodations for “day-trip” use. Bulldozers are to arrive to begin the project in October.

The lecture ended with a brief question and answer period, and was followed with a garden club hosted tour of the Faulkner Garden at Union County Heritage Museum.

COMPETITION WINNERS

Short Story:

Student:  Sarah House Shannon MS, Poppa’s Photograph

Adult:

Honorable Mention: Samuel Hassler, Muncie, IN, The First Day of Feeling Free

Third: Jennifer Jenkins, Lancaster PA, Number One Daughter

Second: Bud Jennings, Salem MA,  Fledglings

First: Mayuri Chandra, Montclair NJ,    Queen Rice

Poetry:

Honorable Mention: Howard Brown, Lookout Mountain, TN  He Was Only a Dog

HonorableMention: Joseph Kent, Etta MS, The Lord Still Requires a Sacrifice

Third: Kendra Andrus, Nashville TN  You Know

Second: Lois Jones, South Pasedana CA,  The Alchemy of Hope

First: Daniel Carrera, Monroe, LA,  Spy in the Parlor

One Act Play:

Third:  Mary Johnson, Knoxville TN,  Painting with Scissors

Second:   Clarence Holmes, Katie TX,  Bridge in the Distance

First:  Sam Gravitte:  New York NYDune Boys

Novel: J.P. Michaels, San Jose CA,  Glory Days

New Albany Elementary School EXCEL Poetry

Fourth Grade:

First:  Louisa Smith

Second:  Georgia Claire Stroup 

Third: Corinne Spencer

Fifth Grade:

First:  Sylvia Jane Bryan

Second:  Rylee Garrett

Third:  Alexandra Coats