(DVDs of the video are available for purchase to benefit “The Friends of the MKR Farm” which supports the MKR Historic State Park in Cross Creek. Scroll down for ordering information)
Life & Times in Cross Creek: Memories and Reflections is a very personal endeavor for me. I first presented a program on the topic at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm in December of 2019. I have continued to add pictures and video ever since. It tells the story of many of my friends and neighbors in Cross Creek, some who have personal memories of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Yearling,” Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
The program features very unique historic video, audio and photos of many of the characters Marjorie wrote about in her book, “Cross Creek,” including “Snow Slater” and Berney Bass who both took care of her orange grove. Berney also took Marjorie fishing and gator hunting through the years. You’ll hear from the late author and artist from Evinston, J. T. Glisson, and the late actor “Rip Torn” who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in the Hollywood production of “Cross Creek.” You’ll also meet the Townsend family that Marjorie wrote about in Chapter 4 of “Cross Creek” entitled, “The Pound Party.” The Townsends were also one of the many families who were part of the catfishing heydays in Cross Creek, another special segment of the video.
Here’s an outline of the various segments in the documentary: Segment 1: Friends & Neighbors of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings- runs 10:37 Segment 2: Visiting “Snow” & Ella Mae Slater- runs 5:41 Segment 3: Catfishing Days in Cross Creek- runs: 23:13 Segment 4: The Movie Business Comes to Cross Creek- runs 4:26 Segment 5: Memories of Marjorie- runs: 8:35 Segment 6: Reflections & Credits- runs: 5:10
Isle of View and The Light and the Longing by George Tortorelli and Lisa Lynne- MedicineWind.com
This video premiered on August 8th to celebrate Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ birthday.
DVD cover of the video “Life & Times in Cross Creek”
DVDs of the video are available to purchase for $15.00 plus $4.00 for postage and handling. All proceeds will benefit projects on the farm. Please make your check payable to Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm., and mail to PO Box 337, Micanopy, FL 32667-0337.
Flutist George Tortorelli performing with harpist Lisa Lynne
Flutist George Tortorelli and harpist Lisa Lynne can often be found at Gainesville’s Downtown Arts Festival each November. You can also often find them performing at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs on Memorial Weekend…that is when they’re not touring across the country with their New Age Music. For many years George Tortorelli played music in a rock ‘n roll band. These days he prefers the soothing sound of his homemade flutes from his bamboo forest around his Gainesville home. Along with music partner Lisa Lynne, they’ve had a number of CDs top the New Age charts. He talked with Donna Green-Townsend about the switch in his musical taste.
Christmas CD cover
Tortorelli talking about one of their latest projects, a Christmas CD performed on ancient acoustic instruments:
