Come Sit a Spell

Visitors to Andalusia are certainly aware that our gift shop carries more books by and about Flannery O'Connor than just about any place on earth. What is less well known is that we also sell high quality art photography of the farm, a sample of which is shown at the right. This aptly named picture of our front porch, Come Sit a Spell, was taken by Milledgeville photographer, Maryllis Wolfgang. The framed and signed print sells for $200. For those with smaller budgets, we have notecards with the same picture in the gift shop for $3.00 each. As a good friend of the Foundation, Mrs. Wolfgang donates a portion of the proceeds from every picture she sells at Andalusia to us. If you are interested in learning more about Maryllis and her art, please visit her website http://www.crazywcreations.com/ We think that you'll agree that her photos have a quality that captures the spirit of Andalusia. Finally, on a different topic, please note that the final lecture in February will take place this Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Milledgeville, not at Andalusia. The lecture by composer Clyde Tipton starts at 4:30 and will feature musical excerpts from his mass for Flannery O'Connor. Refreshments will follow in the church's social hall. Please join us for this unique performance.

- Mark

A Sneak Peek

Just when we were on track to have the coldest winter in Georgia's history, we were thrown a bit of a curve this week. Sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s have brought us a much welcomed preview of spring. As I turned into the driveway this morning I noticed yellow daffodils blooming along the bank of the front pasture. Elsewhere on the farm, white narcissus are popping up. If you're contemplating a trip to Andalusia, this week-end would be a perfect time to visit. Not only is the fabulous weather going to continue, but on Sunday at 3:00 p.m., Lain Shakespeare, executive director of the Wren's Nest in Atlanta, will give a talk about the on-going restoration work and innovative programming happening at the home of Joel Chandler Harris. We hope to see you then.

- Mark

Happy Birthday FOCA!

The cold, dreary winter continues, but here at Andalusia we have a lot to celebrate. This coming Monday marks the tenth anniversary of the incorporation of the Flannery O'Connor-Andalusia Foundation. Because much restoration work needed to be done on the main house, the property was not open to the public until 2003 when we began offering tours on a limited basis. The following year, we established regular visiting hours, and since that time, have welcomed 24,334 visitors to the O'Connor family home. With your continuing patronage we hope to keep this place going for many years to come.
- Mark

Great Grant!

On a week that has been mostly cold, wet, and dreary, we got a little of sunshine this past Monday when we were notified by the National Park Service that we are the recipients of a Saving America's Treasures grant to help us rescue and restore the Hill House. The $120,000 is by far the largest grant ever awarded The Flannery O'Connor-Andalusia Foundation in its ten year history. This major funding will go far in helping us preserve an important part of Andalusia's history. Speaking of sunshine, the week-end is supposed to be clear and nice. If you're in the area, come on out Sunday afternoon from 3-5 as we kick-off our February Lecture Series with a talk by O'Connnor scholar, Bruce Gentry, and Bill Reeves with the University of Georgia Printing Dept., who will discuss the just-released book, The Cartoons of Flannery O'Connor at Georgia College. If you join us for this event, I promise you will be home in plenty of time for another important kick-off.

- Mark