| The first “Richard Wright
Ramble,” a docent-led exploration of sites associated with Richard
Wright and the Wright family, is being organized by Charles Wright
of Natchez, a cousin who is family historian. The exploration includes
Natchez-area home places, churches, schools, cemeteries and locations
featured in Wright’s novels. In addition to programs are films,
documentaries, a dramatic version of Native Son by the Natchez Little
Theatre, meals featuring Wright’s favorite foods, writing workshops,
and exhibits.
The conference is highlighted with the Richard Wright Literary
Excellence Award, which is being presented to three outstanding writers
with southern roots. The awards ceremony, taking place at 5:30 p.m.,
Feb. 23, honors Lerone Bennett, Jr., Chicago, Ill., editor of Ebony and
author of Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America 1619-1966,
Great Moments in Black History and more than a dozen other books; Brooks
Haxton, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., an accomplished poet and
author of Uproar: Antiphonies to Psalms and many other volumes of poetry.
The Horton Foote Award for Special Achievement in Screenwriting, named
in honor of the Pulitzer Prize-winning screenwriter, will be presented
to another Pulitzer Prize-winner, Alfred Uhry, a Georgia native now of
New York, N.Y. Uhry is a noted playwright, lyricist and screenwriter of
Driving Miss Daisy, The Robber Bridegroom, Mystic Pizza, and Rich in Love.
Driving Miss Daisy will be screened following the awards ceremony, with a
discussion session led by Uhry and Dixon McDowell, professor of film at
the University of Southern Mississippi.
Elderhostel has introduced over 4 million people to an extraordinary
range of program topics in locations in across the U.S. and worldwide,
including International & North America —worldwide educational journeys;
Snapshots—three to four day adventures; Days of Discovery — one-day discovery
programs in metro areas across the U.S.; Adventures Afloat — explorations of
the world shipboard; and much more. For more information about Elderhostel
and its programs, please contact www.elderhostel.org. For more information
about the specifics of the Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration, please
visit www.colin.edu/nlcc/.
More About Elderhostel
Elderhostel, founded in 1975, is the world’s largest not-for-profit
educational travel organization for older adults. Approximately 160,000
people enroll in Elderhostel’s 8,000 programs annually. Elderhostel provides
exceptional learning adventures throughout the United States and Canada
and in more than 90 countries around the world. Expert instructors and
experienced group leaders create extraordinary experiences by sharing
stimulating information, leading fascinating field trips and providing
meaningful cultural excursions. In 2004, Elderhostel launched Road Scholar
to meet the needs of a new generation of independent educational travelers.
For more information, please visit
www.elderhostel.org or
www.roadscholar.org.
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