PSBBF Newsletter

The Board of the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation has just released its newsletter with a message to Friends of PSBBF that reads, in part:

We are excited about activities and accomplishments of the past two years, and for the amazing opportunities at the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace that await us in the future.  The attached newsletter details those accomplishments and opportunities.

As you will see, the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation Board of Directors has begun a renewed commitment to the Birthplace and we would like for you to be included in our transformation.  Our new individual membership levels have something for everyone.  To become a member or to support the Foundation, simply fill out the membership/donation form and return it with your dues and/or donation.

Horses, Scythes, Tomatoes, and Ice Cream. Sunday at the Pearl Buck Birthplace.

Sam Arbogast and his Suffolk Draft Horses

The Historic Garden Tour at the Birthplace today took a hands-on turn as participants were invited to take a turn at turning up a row in the field using the plough horses and cut down some cover crops using a scythe before sitting down for homemade ice cream.  

It turned out to be a perfect day for the event, in spite of a rainy morning that had us thinking we might have to postpone or even cancel the event again.  Fortunately it cleared and because the rain hadn't been as hard and concentrated as it had last Sunday morning, the ground was fine for ploughing.   

Today's Event Postponed One Week

PLEASE NOTE: Today's events at the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace have been postponed due to wet ground and grass. Join us next week, August 26, at the same time!

Check out events at the Pretty Penny for an alternative event today!

Capacity Crowd for West Virginia Sesquicentennial Lecture

I knew we would have a good crowd for Kenneth Bailey's "Scratch 'em and Sue 'Em" lecture on Friday evening when I began receiving calls at the office asking if we were taking reservations.

Sure enough the Sydenstricker House was filled to capacity as Dr. Bailey, Professor of History, author, and one of the leading experts on the legal fall out of the Civil War in West Virginia, spoke about issues such as voting rights, property claims, and even the value of confederate money.

Gathering Blueberries for Treats to Serve at Workshop & Reading

Blueberries, Photo by Tina Brown

Yesterday my niece, Tina Brown went blueberry picking at White Oak Farm in Renick, WV to help Ginger Must, Laura Miller, and Acting Executive Director Sue Groves, gather fresh off the branch blueberries for the treats that will be served at tonight's events with blueberry farmer and prize-winning author Jim Minick.  At 6:00 Minick will don his farmer's cap for a Workshop on Growing Blueberries, and at 7:00 pm he'll read from The Blueberry Years: A Memoir of Farm and Family.  

Between the four of them they picked 7 1/2 plastic grocery bags full of blueberries, Tina said.  "They were heavy.  We picked about 100 lbs," Tina joked.  The treats will prove an excellent compliment to evening.  

Final Round

The Final Round is well underway.

The Finalists

What's On the Menu in Collaboration Class Today?

Marlinton Middle School in Arabic, Maghribi Calligraphy

There was a bit of a party atmosphere in the 8th grade classroom of Language Arts teacher Mrs. Jonese today as we held our final gathering for the Beyond Pen Pals Collaboration Project. Joining us for the event were Sue Groves, Acting Executive Director from the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and Jolie Lewis, Vice-President of the Birthplace Foundation Board, who joined us virtually in a Google Hangout.  The students enjoyed egg rolls and fried rice from China Palace in Lewisburg, while drinking Moroccan mint tea and good old fashioned sweet iced tea from right here at home.

Pearl S. Buck International Comes to the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace

On Sunday representatives of Pearl S. Buck International in Bucks County, Pennsylvania came to Pocahontas County to visit the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and to see the performance of Welcome Home at at the Opera House in Marlinton.  Here are just a few pictures.  Watch this blog for more about the day.

From front to back, Interim Executive Director Sue Groves and Former Executive Director Timothy VanReenen greet guests from Pearl S. Buck International, including CEO Janet Mintzer, in the black coat.

The delegation from PSBI included dignitaries, staff and volunteers.

What Happens When Great Writers Get Together

Scene from Welcome Home

There’s something fascinating about famous writers spending time together.

Recently I’ve been reading Ernest Hemingway’s memoir, A Moveable Feast. I don’t know how accurate his reminisces are, but I’m enjoying them. I am enthralled to have a glimpse into Hemingway’s Paris in the 1920s, into a circle of writers and friends that included Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald and James Joyce.

This may seem silly, but my reaction is a little like the way I feel when I find a People Magazine in a doctor’s office. But where People gets me thinking about beauty and style, writers hanging out with writers gets me thinking about art and ideas and the way writers can change the world, and the ways they challenge and inspire each other.

This kind of intersection of great minds—and of big hearts—is at the center of a play that will be performed at the Opera House this Sunday afternoon. The play is Welcome Home, written by Courtney Smith, a playwright from Greenbrier County. It explores the friendship between Pearl S. Buck, Oscar Hammerstein II and James A. Michener.

Writers Pay Tribute to Pearl S. Buck

HILLSBORO, W.Va.--Some of West Virginia's most well-known writers are expected to gather in Hillsboro June 25-27 to celebrate the life of Pearl S. Buck and offer workshops on writing.

. . .

Ruth Taylor, chairwoman of the workshop, said "West Virginia was Pearl's birthplace and many of her books, even those she wrote while in China, make mention of places in Pocahontas County. Her writings and humanitarian spirit still have a profound effect on authors and storytellers all over the world."

To read the full story go to: http://www.dailymail.com/Entertainment/200906110612

Daffodil Party, May 9

The party at Mackey Park in Maxwelton, WV will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until 4:00 PM.

By Marc Ryckaert, Wikimedia

Mackey Park is across from the Clifton Presbyterian Church in Maxwelton, WV.

Pick your own Daffodils at $1.00 per bloom, proceeds to help fund the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Foundation. Light refreshments are planned and efforts are being made to have live music.

Come out and join us for this beautiful day of flowers, friends and fun music. For more info about the Daffodil Party contact Davis Musser at 304-497-2833.