Around and About: Benefit celebrates legacy of John G. Neihardt
BRANSON MO NEWS:
The legacy of Nebraska poet laureate John G. Neihardt was celebrated Nov. 12 at the Laureate’s Feast.The benefit for the John G. Neihardt Foundation honored Tim Anderson with the foundation’s Word Sender Award.Anderson, author of “Lonesome Dreamer: The Life of John G. Neihardt,” taught journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and worked at newspapers around the country, including The World-Herald.
He said his 20-year effort on the Neihardt biography led him to several realizations, the first of which was the power of curiosity as a motivating force.“The more I learned about Neihardt, the more I wanted to know,” Anderson said in remarks to the banquet’s 107 guests.“I became obsessed with reading everything he ever wrote. His books, of course, were the easy part. But I also read all of his journalism, his book reviews and essays. Then all of his letters, at least all that I could put my hands on. It was thoroughly enjoyable. I felt like I was putting together a large, living jigsaw puzzle. With every new piece, I gained understanding of this writer, this poet, this man.”Anderson said his second realization was that curiosity, once satisfied, must give way to telling others what you’ve learned.By the end of the writing process, Anderson said, he came to a third and more personal realization: that many people had influenced his life for the better — much like in Neihardt’s experience.Live and silent auctions and a gourmet dinner also were part of the event at Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for the Culinary Arts, which raised $19,000 for the Neihardt Foundation. Proceeds will support the John G. Neihardt Historic Site in Bancroft, Nebraska.Jon Cerny was honorary chairman. Event chairman was Walt Duda.Christmas CaravanPhilanthropic programs of the Assistance League of …
Author:
Powered by WPeMatico
All Things Branson Sponsor:All Things Branson Sponsor: