This one-act play about Grandma Gatewood by Kelly Boyer Sagert was first presented by
Eden Valley Enterprises and TrueNorth Cultural Arts

The " Trail Magic Festival" took place August 22 - 25, 2013. Our thanks to all who participated. The hikes and poetry workshop and reading were great fun and the two performances of "Trail Magic" were presented to virtually sold-out houses! (Read some audience comments about "Trail Magic")

Eden Valley wants to thank Anne McEvoy (Emma Gatewood), Kathie Dice (Emily Watson/Narrator), Rick Fortney (Director), Kelly Boyer Sagert (author), Natalie McCarthy (Social Worker/Discussion Leader) and the entire staff of TrueNorth and the Lorain County Metro Parks for all their hard work in presenting this Festival.

We also want to thank all who participated in the various events throughout the weekend.

A summary of the activities of the Festival appear below.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2013 ~ Emma wrote poetry throughout her life. As a fitting tribute, we opened festivities with a Nature Poetry Workshop led by writer Kelly Boyer Sagert (author of the new first-person character program about Emma Gatewood premiering Saturday, August 25) and poet T.M. Göttl.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2013 ~ Activities included aFamily Hike with Senior Naturalist Amy Potonic and public reading of the poems from the participants of Thursday's workshop

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 ~ There was a Senior Physical Fitness Hike in the morning and the play had its Premier presentation of the play, TRAIL MAGIC*, that evening followed by a discussion on Mental Health & Self-Esteem (including domestic abuse), led by Natalie McCarthy, MSW, LSW. An encore presentation of TRAIL MAGIC closed the night.

Anne McEvoy (L) portrays Emma Gatewood Kathie Dice (R) is the Narrator in TRAIL MAGIC by Kelly Boyer Sagert

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2013 ~The festival concluded with a hike led by Buckeye Trail Association member Byron Guy on the Lorain County portion of the Buckeye Trail at Findley State Park.

The weekend also included an exhibit about The Buckeye Trail and a Quilt Show by the Lorain County Piecemakers to honor Emma's quilting activities.

This festival was funded in part by generous grants from the Women's Fund of the Community Foundation Lorain County, Ohio History Fund, the Puffin Foundation of Teaneck, New Jersey and the Gallia County Charitable Foundation. It is part of a larger project to tell Emma's story with FilmAffects and WGTE/PBS.

Additional assistance and support for this weekend's events have been provided by Earth Fare, Kiedrowski's Bakery, Cheryl McConnell, Tracy Rue, and Sue Schillig.

*This play was later retitled "Emma Gatewood: Are You Out Of Your Bloomin' Mind?! (An Appalachian Tale)"

We are deeply grateful to ALL our supporters!

Join us on our trail to help tell Emma's story more completely with a PBS documentary with a tax-deductible donation!

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