We are so excited to announce that our film “Trail Magic, the Grandma Gatewood Story” was named the "Best Local Documentary" on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the Chagrin Falls Film Festival. We thank everyone on the Festival Staff and the Awards panel and especially our sponsors, The Buckeye Trail Association and Watterson and Associates. The screening was viewed by about 160 people who stayed for a Q & A afterward. The awards ceremony for all of the festival participants took place that evening.

Produced by Bette Lou Higgins (right) of Eden Valley and directed by Peter Huston (center) of FilmAffects, and written by Kelly Boyer Sagert (left), the story of Emma Gatewood’s solo thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail in 1955 at the age of 67 (after raising 11 children and surviving domestic abuse) still resonates people from all walks of life. The film captures Emma’s challenging life that led to her historic journey on the A.T. Her hike and the subsequent publicity spurred interest in trail hiking across America. According to Peter Huston, Emma’s story propelled boomers in the late 60’s and 70s to get out in nature and many chose to attempt the Appalachian Trail.

You can purchase a DVD of the documentary or storytelling program or contact us to arrange a presentation of these or any of our programs. Be sure to check our calendar often to find out if TRAIL MAGIC is playing near you.

Read the article about the event in the "Rural Urban" from October 10, 2019