DGT Multimedia Productions

13/08/2024

https://www.pbs.org/video/from-novel-to-movie-the-yearling-in-florida-vukhuo/

Documentary providing a unique look back at the classic novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

10/02/2024

The Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, The Yearling by the late Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, inspired this poem/song and media project by native Marion County Florida artist Kathlyne Walkup Sheppard. In the video produced by Donna Green-Townsend, Jessie Townsend Armstrong is the vocalist accompanied by composer Sheppard on piano.

Ora's Deep Lament honors Kathlyne Walkup Sheppard's great-grandmother. Nancy Lenora Sewell buried five children who died from typhus in 1904. Sheppard wants to remember her great grandmother's faith, love and compassion to care for others.

In The Yearling novel by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the character, Ora Baxter, experienced the loss of several children during Florida's early history in the Florida Scrub.

Video locations included the Silver River, Juniper and Silver Glen Springs, the Ocklawaha River, The MKR Historic State Park and the following cemeteries: Long, Gore and the Fred Tompkins Cemeteries in Marion and Alachua Counties.

ORA’S DEEP LAMENT

© Kathlyne Walkup Sheppard
23 June, 2022

She laid her babes ‘neath sandy soil
Among the pines so tall.
Their hands she folded o’er each breast
Their eyelids she did close.
A muslin shroud enfolded each
Within the coffin crude,
The wild Scrub flow’rs so sweet and dear
Twas Ora's twined bouquet.

One by one she buried them
As seasons came and went.
The little ones they did not live
And one, he took no breath.
Frail sickly children they was born
To th’ Savior she did plead,
As angels hovered over them
She sang this woeful song.

Chorus
And oft she went and there did trod
The path that sorrow made.
Among the ferns she took her pause
And prayed for ease of heart.
She did recall each tiny soul
And spake each bornin’ name;
The wild-flow-ers she laid them down,
She laid them gently down…

There was no choir nor epithet,
No life they could exalt.
There only was one comfort known
In this vast wilderness.
As eagles soared high in the sky
Above the cabin crude,
The black crow called his mournin’ cry
While the lonely Whippoorwill sang.

And each dark night a doe comes near
And searches for her fawn;
And from the Glen to Pat’s Island
‘Neath blackjack, pine and oak,
Two mothers guard their sleepin’ babes
So young, so sweet, so still…
Creation groans while swells the song
Of Ora’s deep lament.

Chorus
And oft she went and there did trod
The path that sorrow made.
Among the ferns she took her pause
And prayed for ease of heart.
She did recall each tiny soul
And spake each bornin’ name;
The wildflowers she laid them down,
She laid them gently down.

The Pulitzer-Prize winning novel, The Yearling by the late Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, inspired this poem/song and media project by native Marion County Florid...

19/08/2023

Documentary Update: If you wanted to watch our documentary: "From Novel to Movie: The Yearling in Florida" but missed viewing it on WUFT-TV or your cable or satellite didn't carry WUFT-TV or your PBS station in your part of the state already aired it, I've got some good news.... click here

https://www.pbs.org/video/from-novel-to-movie-the-yearling-in-florida-vukhuo/

If it doesn't come up right away type the word Yearling in the search box.

Here are more ways to watch the documentary: If you have the PBS app on your TV you can view it from ANY PBS location by searching for Yearling.

You can go to PBS.org and use the search button and type in Yearling and you should be able to view it.

If you have the WUFT-TV passport you can also see it there.

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful comments about this program. It's been a labor of love and quite a journey. I am so thankful that Kathlyne M. Walkup Sheppard trusted me with helping to share these memories of making the Yearling movie with the world.

11/10/2022

The Oct 31st deadline is very near! If you have an original Florida song send it in to the Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest. Top three win a cash prize and will perform their winning song at the March, 2023 Will McLean Festival. See the Rules and Entry form at https://willmclean.com/music-festival/song-contest. Please share!

21/12/2020

Though the annual open house at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings farm couldn't be held because of the Covid 19 virus, we bring to you a virtual tour of the MKR home decorated for the Christmas holidays. The photography was by Marthlynne Allen. The music was by George Tortorelli and Lisa Lynne (MedicineWind.com). The video was inspired by Marthalynne's grandmother who attended Christmas gatherings at the MKR Home. Many more were involved in the production of this endeavor. Be sure and watch the credits at the end of the video. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/Fnpp-IMg1pc

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' "Cross Creek Christmas" A candle light tour of Christmas at her home and farm in Cross Creek Florida, A gift to the friends and nei...

21/12/2020

Ron Haase is Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida where he taught design and historic preservation. He is a specialist in the area of Florida vernacular architecture. Ron is also the author of the book, "Classic Cracker: Florida's Wood-Frame Vernacular Architecture."

In this video he pays a visit to the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park and shares his personal inspiration from Rawlings writings. He tours MKR's barn and home with Park Manager Scott Spaulding and shares his knowledge of "Classic Cracker Architecture." https://youtu.be/LFc0VZSOak8

Ron Haase is Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida where he taught design and historic preservation. He is a specialist in the area of Florida vern...

10/08/2020

In celebration of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ birthday the Friends of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Farm is happy to provide this virtual online video experience. https://youtu.be/t5H4CjM5-SI
"Life and Times in Cross Creek: Memories and Reflections" was produced by Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist Donna Green-Townsend, a long-time resident of Cross Creek, Florida. The documentary introduces us to the friends and neighbors of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Yearling," Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The video includes historic photos, audio and video of many of the characters Rawlings wrote about in her book, "Cross Creek.”
Cross Creek, nestled between Orange and Lochloosa Lakes in North Central Florida, has long been a fishing community. In the documentary you will hear from the families who catfished for a living, including the Townsend family, who Marjorie wrote about in Chapter 4 entitled, “The Pound Party.” You’ll meet Marjorie’s grove man, “Snow Slater” and hear from relatives of the late Berney Bass who also worked for Marjorie. The documentary includes audio from J. T. Glisson, the late author and artist from Evinston, as well as the late actor "Rip Torn," just to name a few.
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
Music included in the documentary was performed by :
Paul Garfinkel, Jim Hurst, Mike Jurgensen, Danny O'Keefe, Mark Smith, George Tortorelli and Lisa Lynne.
DVDs of the video will be 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

"Life and Times in Cross Creek: Memories and Reflections" was produced by Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist Donna Green-Townsend, a long-time residen...

03/11/2019

A wonderful turnout for the first in a series of Writer's Talks at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek.

First in a series of literary talks at the MKR home and farm

11/09/2019

Norman Studios Presents The Flying Ace at the Cade Museum
https://youtu.be/cPhPwqQadrs
From June 14 through August 18, 2019, the Norman Studios presented an exhibit entitled, Norman Studios Presents The Flying Ace, at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention in Gainesville, Florida. The exhibition was the result of an exciting collaboration envisioned by Phoebe Cade Miles of the Cade Museum and Barbara Wingo of Norman Studios. The exhibition highlighted the early days of silent films in Jacksonville, Florida, and in addition to The Flying Ace, the only Norman Studios film existing in its entirety, featured vintage movie posters and other vintage items. The exhibit dovetailed with the Cade’s museum-wide themes of aviation and optics, film & photography.
The Norman Studios complex was founded in 1916 as Eagle Film City during Jacksonville’s tenure as the "Winter Film Capital of the World” and was purchased by Richard E. Norman in the 1920s. Norman Studios was among the nation’s first to produce “race films” showing African-American characters in positive, non-stereotypical roles. Norman’s five-building complex, now a National Historic Landmark, survives in Jacksonville’s Old Arlington neighborhood.
Exhibit Curator Barbara Wingo walked through the exhibit with David and Nancy Norman. David is a grandson of Richard Norman whose portrayals of African Americans in his motion pictures, such as The Green-Eyed Monster, The Bull-dogger and The Flying Ace, challenged the racist stereotypes and mimicry of the time.
The mission of the Norman Studios Silent Film Museum, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization, is to preserve, present and promote the history of silent motion pictures in Northeast Florida and the history of race films through the reunification and restoration of the Norman Studios complex as a museum, education, film and community center. Learn more at normanstudios.org.

From June 14 through August 18, 2019, the Norman Studios presented an exhibit entitled, Norman Studios Presents The Flying Ace, at the Cade Museum for Creati...

11/09/2019

Meet the Inventor- David Norman reflects on his grandfather, silent film producer Richard E. Norman
https://youtu.be/HH5-o_heD3k
From June 14 through August 18, 2019, the Norman Studios presented an exhibit entitled, Norman Studios Presents The Flying Ace, at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention in Gainesville, Florida. The exhibition highlighted the early days of silent films in Jacksonville, Florida, and in addition to The Flying Ace (1926) , the only Norman Studios film existing in its entirety, featured vintage movie posters and other vintage items. The exhibit dovetailed with the Cade’s museum-wide themes of aviation and optics, film & photography.
The exhibit was the result of an exciting collaboration envisioned by Phoebe Cade Miles of the Cade Museum and Barbara Wingo of Norman Studios. As Barbara Wingo, Norman Studios Board Member and Curator of the Exhibit, remarked: "The Norman Studios exhibit highlights the early motion picture industry in Jacksonville and Richard Norman’s career as a producer in the silent era. The Cade Museum is a particularly appropriate venue for this exhibit because Norman’s work epitomized creativity and invention as well as entrepreneurship, just as did the work of Dr. Robert Cade, the namesake for the museum.” In addition to producing, directing and writing “race films,” motion pictures that portrayed African Americans in non-stereotypical and aspirational ways, Norman was an inventor. Early in his career he developed “Passi-Cola,” and at the close of the silent era he invented the Camera-Phone to facilitate synchronization of film and sound.
On August 11 David Norman, a grandson of Richard Norman, participated in a “Meet the Inventor” conversation at the Cade Museum to explain his grandfather’s Camera-Phone. He also discussed his living at the Norman Studios property as a youngster, his grandfather’s legacy and his hopes for the future of the Studios.
About Norman Studios: Founded in 1916 as Eagle Film City and purchased by Richard E. Norman in the 1920's, Norman Studios was among the nation’s first to produce “race films” with African-American characters in positive, non—stereotypical roles. Norman's five-building complex, now a National Historic Landmark, survives in Jacksonville’s Old Arlington neighborhood. The mission of Norman Studios Silent Films Museum, Inc, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is to preserve, present and promote the history of silent motion pictures in Northeast Florida and the history of race films through the reunification and restoration of the Norman Studios complex as a museum, education, film and community center. Learn more at normanstudios.org.

From June 14 through August 18, 2019, the Norman Studios presented an exhibit entitled, Norman Studios Presents The Flying Ace, at the Cade Museum for Creati...

22/08/2019

Many of the Cross Creek, Florida friends Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote about in her book "Cross Creek" are buried in the Antioch Cemetery near Island Grove, FL just east of Cross Creek. James M. Stephens has written what he thinks many of those friends would say about themselves and their relationship with the late Pulitzer-Prize-winning author.

Click on the You Tube video link below to go along with Jim as he gives a walking tour in the Antioch Cemetery. The tour was sponsored by the Friends of the MKR Farm.
Note: When Jim makes reference to someone "coming here in..." he is referring to when the various folks ended up buried in the Antioch Cemetery.

While there are several of MKR's friends buried in the Antioch Cemetery, there are several (such as Dorsey, Floyd and Preston Townsend, Ella Mae Slater and Snow Slater) who are buried in the Townsend Cemetery near Grove Park, FL. As of this writing it is not widely known where Marsh Turner or Mr. Martin are buried. https://youtu.be/7WbQr-5-S5A

Many of the Cross Creek, Florida friends Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote about in her book "Cross Creek" are buried in the Antioch Cemetery near Island Grove,...

14/06/2019

One of my favorite videos of Jessie (Townsend) Armstrong and Lee Townsend performing at the Blueberry Festival in Island Grove. Here's Kentucky Borderline...The tune was originally recorded by bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent. Performing with Jessie (vocals) and Lee (banjo) are David McBrady (bass) and Andy Garfield (lead guitar). https://youtu.be/H9IxWM4hHuk

Jessie (Townsend) Armstrong, Lee Townsend (banjo), David McBrady (bass) and Andy Garfield (guitar) performed at the 2018 Blueberry Festival in Island Grove, ...

14/06/2019

Just a little fun post about what people can do to make their mailboxes fun! https://youtu.be/EZwgMblrtec

In the quaint, coastal community of Dunedin, FL we found a fun, artistic way to display mailboxes. We discovered these while visiting Harriett Meyer's old ho...

15/03/2019

A magical night with Sam Pacetti and Chris Henry at the Will McLean Festival March 8, 2019. https://youtu.be/9nDowRhApBU

Sam Pacetti and Chris Henry brought the house down on Friday, March 8, 2019 at the Will McLean Festival.

02/02/2019

Meet the 2019 winner and 2nd and 3rd place finishers of the Will McLean Best New FL Song Contest. https://donnagreentownsend.com/2019-winner-and-finishers-of-the-will-mclean-best-new-fl-song-contest/ #.XFYGcaROnYU

Winner of the 2019 Will McLean Song Contest Bob Patterson Bob Patterson’s winning song “Silver Springs” Bob Patterson from St. Augustine is the 2019…

02/02/2019

A labor of love helping Elaine Carson Spencer share the story of her father’s artistic ties to the late Pulitzer Prize- winning author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. https://donnagreentownsend.com/elaine-carson-spencer-reflecting-on-the-artistic-ties-between-mkr-and-her-parents-robert-e-and-estelle-carson/ #.XFYEIKROnYU

Elaine Carson Spencer proudly holds a portrait of her father Robert E. Carson (Contact: [email protected]) Robert E. Carson was a professor of Humanities at the University of Florida fr…

21/06/2018

Following the tour of the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home, Carol Fiddia Laxton shared additional memories of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author with an audience under MKR's barn on the farm in Cross Creek. https://youtu.be/jI4IsV6chR4

On March 3, 2018 Carol Fiddia Laxton shared her memories of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Her talk was sponsored by the F...

21/06/2018

Carol Fiddia Laxton last toured Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings home in Cross Creek when she was 18. When MKR first moved to Cross Creek she lived with the Fiddia family to learn about the ways of the Cracker folks living in the scrub. She used what she learned in her books South Moon Under and The Yearling. On March 3, 2018 Carol shared some of her memories of Rawlings as she walked through the historic home of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author. https://youtu.be/YsdR0jCqWTQ

On March 3, 2018 Carol Fiddia Laxton toured the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Home in Cross Creek, FL. She had last visited the home when she was 18 years old man...

04/06/2018

I had an incredible week capturing these fine-feathered friends in pictures and video this year. I love Sandhill Cranes. https://youtu.be/jaseEnL7SrY

For an entire week in February of 2018 I set out to record Sandhill Cranes in the community where I live before they set out for their annual migration back ...

04/02/2018

The Will McLean Music Festival is only a few weeks away. Take a listen to a never been released 2016 interview with Margaret Longhill who was instrumental in starting the annual gathering. Find out just why she felt it is important to keep Will McLean's legacy alive and encourage other songwriters to "save Florida through music. http://donnagreentownsend.com/a-conversation-with-margaret-longhill-about-will-mclean/ #.WneCsa6nGJA

23/01/2018

The results are in for the 2018 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest. Meet the 1st place winner, Kathryn Belle Long, and 2nd and third place finishers John R. Butler and Jeff Trippe. All three will be performing at the upcoming Will McLean Festival March 9 - 11, 2018 at the Sertoma Youth Ranch near Brooksville. For more info go to www.willmclean.com

24/10/2017

In 1997 famous Florida fiddler Vassar Clements and a variety of musicians and singers gathered in a mobile recording studio at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs and recorded Florida's state song, "Old Folks At Home" by Stephen Foster. The recording engineer in the mobile studio was Jim Bickerstaff. Florida Hall of Fame winner, Frank Thomas, is featured and leads the chorus.
Here is that incredible audio with archival video added of the Suwannee River showing short video clips and pictures taken of the river and performances on the Ann Thomas River Gazebo Stage in White Springs.

In 1997 fiddler Vassar Clements and a variety of musicians and singers gathered in a mobile recording studio at the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs an...

23/10/2017

Musicians, singers and dancers gathered at the Thomas Center in Gainesville, FL for the Hotel Thomas Porch Party on Saturday, September 16th, 2017. It was a part of the year-long 75th anniversary celebration of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings publications, "Cross Creek," and "Cross Creek Cookery." The family-friendly event treated guests to traditional music and dance—and some unconventional entertainment. Guests enjoyed music by Sam & Eden, as well as musical guests (and descendants of Cross Creek characters) Jessie & Lee Townsend, Andy Garfield and young performers from We the People Theatre, dancing, percussive dance demonstrations, crankie theatre, and an old-time music jam. And there were plenty of homemade pie by the Pie Gals.

Musicians, singers and dancers gathered at the Thomas Center in Gainesville, FL for the Hotel Thomas Porch Party on Saturday, September 16th, 2017. It was a ...

07/08/2017

Great day celebrating Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' 121st birthday in Cross Creek on Saturday. It's all a part of the 75th celebration of MKR's publications, "Cross Creek," and "Cross Creek Cookery." To learn more about upcoming events go online to marjoriekinnanrawlings.org Here is a short video I made of highlights from Saturday's fish fry.. https://youtu.be/HLWX2GH-9wA

Highlights of the fish fry held at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek on August 5, 2017. The event was sponsored by Friends of t...

20/07/2017

Had a blast adding video to one of my favorite songs by the late Ann Thomas, "A Lost Tourist's Letter Home." A special thanks to my lost tourist, Harriett Meyer. Thanks to Red Henry, Chris Henry, and David McBrady for adding their talents along with my son Lee Townsend and Jessie Townsend. All the various scenes just fell in place day by day....the cows, the turtles etc. Hope you have as much fun watching it as we had making it. https://youtu.be/xXWid2EgIhg

Written by the late Ann Thomas of Florida, "Lost Tourist's Letter Home" is a tongue-in-cheek song about a tourist who got off in the Florida scrub by mistake...

18/12/2016

What a wonderful gift to the community.... Here's a little video I put together with a little Christmas music added in for fun to show highights of this FREE walk-thru Christmas light display by Charlie and Sally Cade in Orange Springs. More than 450 yard figures dazzle thousands of children and adult visitors alike. Charlie Cade encourages them all to sign his guest book. The light display is free to the public through New Year's Day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It's located at 23373 NE 112th Ct, Orange Springs, FL 32182, a few miles north of Fort McCoy.

For the past 18 years the Cades have offered a free spectacular Christmas lights display near Fort McCoy, FL. It's only offered during the Christmas season. ...

25/10/2016

Glide down the Wakulla River in Florida while listening to Jessie and Lee Townsend performing a song written by the late Will McLean about the Florida Limpkin or the "Crying Bird." Joining Jessie (vocals) and Lee (banjo) are Chris (mandolin) and Red Henry (fiddle), David McBrady (bass) and Elisabeth Williamson (harmony vocals). Crying Bird is just one of the 12 songs on Jessie and Lee's new CD, "Tribute."

One of the most beautiful songs written by the late Father of Florida Folk, Will McLean, is his song, "Crying Bird." The song captures the plight of the Limp...

04/10/2016

So excited to share this video of my daughter Jessie Townsend and son Lee Townsend performing the beautiful song by the late Jim Ballew, "When I Die" with added video of the Withlacoochee River. Joining Jessie and Lee in this studio recording are the incredible musicians Red Henry on fiddle, Chris Henry on mandolin and David McBrady on bass. It's just one of the many songs by Florida singer songwriters on their soon to be released CD called "Tribute." https://youtu.be/Zs436LSRs1A

One of the most beautiful songs written by the late Jim Ballew is his song, "When I Die." In this video Jessie (vocal) and Lee Townsend (guitar) are joined b...

16/06/2016

A reflective video I made several months ago when water levels in North Central Florida lakes were very low. Though conditions have slightly improved, there are many proposed as well as current business practices putting tremendous pressure on the state's freshwater resources. The businesses include proposed developments like Plum Creek, sandmine operations, phosphate mining, the Jacksonville Electric Authority, cattle operations in Marion and Putnam Counties as well as water irrigation for the booming blueberry farms among many other activities. One of the most hard hit areas is the lake region around Keystone Heights.

Singer songwriter Elisabeth Williamson from Keystone Heights captured her feelings about the water dilemma in her song, "Land of Flowers" which poignantly compares her memories about the childhood lake of her younger years to today's dismal view of the area she calls home. I loved the song so much I decided to put video with it. In the opening shots I tried to convey what it must have been like on the lakes when Lis was a child. Then I inserted pictures of how many of the area lakes looked during the most recent dry spell. Please feel free to share.
https://youtu.be/DgcB0smSq7c

Elisabeth Williamson was so distraught about the water level in Gatorbone Lake in the Keystone Heights area of Florida that she wrote a song about it. Many N...

06/02/2016

Meet and listen to the winner and 2nd and 3rd place finishers of the 2016 Will McLean Best New Florida Song Contest. Click on the link below and please share: http://donnagreentownsend.com/the-winner-and-finishers-of-the-2016-will-mclean-best-new-florida-song-contest-named/ #.VrVK8fkrKUk