Episode 0094 - “Frank & Friends of Literacy”

Frank Murphy is joined by Teresa Brittain, executive director of Friends of Literacy. Frank will emcee the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 24, 2023. The event is a fundraiser for Friends of Literacy. Buy tickets to the awards gala at https://www.etwriters.org/awards-gala.html 

Teresa also makes glass beads and teaches bead-making classes each Fall at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. 

The Writers Hall of Fame ceremony used to be a luncheon. Some of the adults who learned to read at Friends of Literacy would read their essays aloud. There is now a separate event to honor the students. The Writers Hall of Fame gala is now an evening event with readings and performances by past inductees. 

This year’s gala will feature music performances by Scott Miller and R. B. Morris and readings by writers Alan Gratz, Linda Parsons, and Michael Knight. This year’s inductees are Catherine Landis, Betsy Pickle, Donna Doyle, Steve Wildsmith, Todd Steed, Charlie Daniel, ​Robert Cumming, and ​Ashlee Latimer. The posthumous inductees are the Everly Brothers, Brandon Gibson, Duncan Mansfield, Vic Weals, and L.E. White. 

This episode is sponsored by BoneZones.com (don’t forget the S). Buy books and other merchandise autographed by Body Farm founder Dr. Bill Bass at https://bonezones.com/ including the new long-sleeve Body Farm t-shirt. 

Frank compliments Teresa for the well-written script at the Writers Hall of Fame gala. He says that anyone could read the script but he’s really there to smooth over any unexpected hiccups. 

Frank recalls a time he was told to “stick to the script” at a teen talent show but he had to ignore the instructions and improvise when something went wrong. 

Friends of Literacy has expanded its mission to serve children as well as adults. They provide tutoring in reading, provide books to children, and teach parents to become reading coaches for their kids. There are many children who don’t know how to hold or use a book. 

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