“…tell the old story for our modern times. Find the Beginning.” -Homer- The Odyssey

January 12, 2019

 

Geraldine Brooks

“…tell the old story for our modern times. Find the Beginning.”

-Homer- The Odyssey

The 37^th annual Key West Literary Seminar got in to full swing as the weekend began, beginning with a full day of readings, discussions and presentations at the historic San Carlos Institute on Friday. The amazing line-up of authors would begin to delve deeply into the topic of archetype and adaptation and how classic old stories and tales can be re-imagined, added to, or simply continued based upon each writer’s take on classic stories.

Rowan Ricardo Phillips 

Meg Cabot and Marli

Freya, Margaret Atwood and Jenni

It is really enjoyable to have been on the committee that helped select the authors. Led by my friend Nan Klingener and assisted by program committee members Arlo Haskell, Hilary Parmentier, Meg Cabot and Michael Nelson, we came up with a selection of writers whose work seemed to fit the theme. Re-imagining of classic tales from Homer to Shakespeare, from the King Arthur legends to “The Wizard of Oz” are all part of a long literary history of being inspired by or perhaps even stealing from the classic archetypes and tales of the past.

Geraldine Brooks

 

Madeline Miller

Katrin, Freya, Rowan and Jenni

 

Each reading, panel discussion or conversation would examine the theme a bit more in depth and it
became a wonderful, thoughtful and intelligent investigation in to what it turns out was one of our most focused topics in recent memory. What was coming from the stage this year was truly amazing and inspiring and the lucky audience, myself and Kathy included were treated to one of the better seminars ever.

Summer Program students 

Mark

Of course for me the parallel track as to the content of the seminar, is the organization and execution of the logistics of running such a large and diverse event with so many moving pieces. My immediate concern is the crew of volunteers who show up to work each year. I do not know why I worry, every year they astound me with their enthusiasm, friendliness and excellent work ethic. Many have been showing up year after year and they set about their responsibilities with very little input or oversight from me and it is always such a joy. Plus they are about the nicest group of people you could ever hope to encounter.

Kathy and Mags

The staff should also be singled out for the incredibly smooth operation that they run each year. This year was the most organized and efficient seminar that I have ever had the pleasure of being associated with and that is in large measure due to Executive Director, Arlo Haskell and the incredible staff and crew he has assembled. They were truly flawless this year and it allowed me to be able to sit in and watch more of the seminar than I have since the years when I was an attendee.

Arlo

Judith

I must say that one of the best perks about being on the board of the seminar is the opportunity to be able to hang out and mingle with the writers at both the public and private events associated with the seminar. For many years one off the highlights was the annual party that the iconic “Mr. Key West”, David Wolkowsky threw for the seminar at his downtown apartment on the roof of the old Kress building that houses Margaritaville.

Sadly David passed away recently at 99 years of age and the legendary parties that he hosted have come to an end. As much as I will miss the party itself, I will miss David even more. He remained as sharp and interesting a person as I have had the privilege to meet during my time in Key West and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to call him a friend. Recently we attended the estate sale where his incredible collection of art and other treasures were sold. My only purchase was one of the iconic hats that he always wore to remember my friend.

The good news is that the party that David hosted was generously revived by the lovely Cecelia Joyce and Seward Johnson at their incredible home just next to the Southernmost Point. Truly the Southernmost, Southernmost House in Key West, their remarkable waterfront home was the host location for a truly magical Key West evening where Key West’s literary community mingled with this years invited writers under a beautiful starry perfect Key West night.

Cecelia Joyce Johnson, Joyce Carol Oates and Margaret Atwood

Doug and Kathy

Being downtown on Duval Street during the seminar has also meant that for the past few years, the Wounded Warrior Ride has passed directly in front of the seminar each year. This remarkable ride, during which combat wounded soldiers ride their bicycles the length of the Florida Keys over the weekend, passing down Duval Street on their way to the culmination of the ride with ceremonies at Bayview Park.

 

I know the wounded warrior non-profit has been under some scrutiny for their financial management, but that cannot and should not diminish the celebration of these remarkable and brave veterans, many who are overcoming significant injuries including the loss of limbs, yet still manage to be able to ride over 100 miles on their bicycles. Thankfully the crowds and signs that lined their route were out in full force as the community (including many seminar participants) was there to show their love, support, admiration and appreciation of these amazing soldiers.

 

It is truly one of the most incredible and inspiring things that I get to witness each year and it inspires me to donate to an organization that helps assist our military veterans and service members. The organization that I support is called Task Force Dagger and specializes in assisting members of the Special Forces, but there are any number of worthy groups and I hope you seek one out to help.

Mark

Kathy with her aunt and uncle, Judy and Phil 

https://www.taskforcedagger.org/