RALEIGH – Historian David Cecelski will discuss the search for Abraham Galloway in the State Archives, Bland Simpson will explore North Carolina’s sound country and inner islands, and books about unruly women will take top prizes at the North Carolina Book Awards. The presentations will be part of the Nov. 13-14 joint meeting of the Literary and Historical Society and the Federation of North Carolina Historical Societies at Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens in New Bern. Visit www.history.gov/affiliates/lit-hist/awards.htm.
Cecelski, originally from Craven County, is researching Abraham Galloway, a colorful run-away slave/Union informant during the Civil War, for an upcoming book. Bland Simpson, originally from Elizabeth City, is an expert on the sounds and waterways of the coastal North Carolina. Each will share some of his acquired wisdom on the subject. Simpson presents on Saturday afternoon; Cecelski on Saturday night. Simpson is also recipient of the 2009 R. Hunt Parker Memorial Award for Literary achievement, and teaches creative writing at UNC-Chapel Hill. (Also see the North Carolina Award and www.celebratenc.gov. Cecelski is recipient of the last Mayflower Cup Award, presented in 2002.
Registration for the two day program is $55, and includes a Friday evening reception, Saturday programs and dinner, and a two day pass to Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens www.tryonpalace.org. The Saturday workshop fee is $10; Saturday afternoon only is free. Registration is required by Nov. 10. Call (919) 807-7280 to register and for information www.ncculture.com.
The Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction will be presented to Ron Rash, of Cullowhee, author of “Serena,” a book about a couple hoping to build a fortune from the lumber industry in western North Carolina during the Depression. When Serena, the new bride, arrives to the mountains she discovers her husband has an illegitimate child. She eventually plots to murder the child, and anyone who gets in the way of her quest to build a logging empire.
The Roanoke-Chowan Award for Poetry will be presented to Pat Riviere-Seel, of Asheville, author of “The Serial Killer’s Daughter,” told from the point of view of Velma Barfield’s daughter. Barfield was executed in November 1984 for the poisoning death of her fiancé, and confessed to murdering three others, including her mother.
Redemption for the women’s tales may come from the Ragan Old North State Award for Nonfiction, which goes to Anna R. Hayes, of Chapel Hill, for “Without Precedent: The Life of Susie Marshall Sharp.” The exploration of the life of the first woman justice on North Carolina’s Supreme Court, and also first elected to be chief justice of a state supreme court in America, reveals conflicts and contradictions in the supposedly quintessential spinster’s affairs.
The adventures in “Wild Things,” by Clay Carmichael, of Chapel Hill, win the American Association of University Women Award for Juvenile Literature. It shares the story of 11-year-old Zoe, who is adopted by her sculptor uncle after her mother commits suicide. His zany artistic creations, a lively feral cat and other creatures make for a fresh and rewarding tale.
For the first time, the Hardee-Rives Award for Dramatic Arts will be presented. Endowed by retired East Carolina University Professor Ralph Hardee Rives, it recognizes achievement in the dramatic arts. Bo Thorp and the Cape Fear Regional Theater are recipients. The Tryon Palace Commission is recipient of the Christopher Crittenden Award for preservation of North Carolina history, and is only the third organization to win this award www.history.ncdcr.gov/affililates/lit-hist/awards/crittenden.htm.
Recipients of Student Awards for publications are:
High School:
First Place – The Pegasus, Myers Park High School, Charlotte; Susan Shuping, advisor
Second Place – Stone Soup, Enloe High School, Raleigh; Priscilla Chappell, advisor
Third Place – Wanderlust, Carolina Day School, Asheville; Craig Jolly, advisor
Honorable Mention – Spectrum, Arendell Parrot Academy, Kinston; Terah Archie, advisor
Middle School:
First Place – Soli Deo Gloria, Christ Covenant School, Winterville; Lisa Stroud, advisor
Second Place – Mosaic, Ligon GT Middle School, Raleigh; Lisa Covington, advisor
Third Place – Illusions, Martin Middle School, Raleigh; Chris Iadicicco, advisor
The N.C. Office of Archives and History within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, administers the N.C. Book Awards. For additional information call (919) 807-7380. DCR is the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture. Now podcasting 24/7 with information about the Department of Cultural Resources, all available at www.ncculture.com.