Beauty comes in many forms. It can be as simple as a stunning work of art. But it can also be found in the faces of those who have conquered the challenges of addiction and substance abuse.
This week's column celebrates both forms.
Prodigals' Step Up celebration
Jessie Fountain, Michael Shipley and Kelly Summerlin talked with Mayor Allen Joines about their plans at the Step Up celebration at Prodigals Community on Nov. 7, and friends and family members relished the significance of the conversation.
Prodigals Community is a 12- to 15-month residential recovery program for male addicts and alcoholics who have a history of chronic relapse. For many participants, it is the only boundary between homelessness and a productive life.
"When I first got here, they told me that this was the last house on the block," Fountain said. "I was a real hard-core alcoholic, but I made myself stay, and it saved my life. Prodigals was the greatest gift I've ever been given."
"What's different about Prodigals is that the program is a spiritual program," Shipley said. "It teaches you to be humble. It shows you how to get in touch with something greater and bigger than you are — a higher power. Then you always have someone to go to when things aren't great."
Summerlin was celebrating his completion of the Prodigals program as well as another major milestone.
"On Nov. 7 a year ago, I woke up in the woods, covered in frost, and I called 911 and told them I was thinking about killing myself," Summerlin said. "I'd been in five different prisons and in and out of jail, and I'd gone through eight different rehab programs. Prodigals gave me the time to take a look at myself and to find faith in God. I thought I'd be dead by now but, today, I'm celebrating my one-year anniversary of being sober."
Sally Dudley Harper, executive director of Prodigals Community, said it is an ongoing challenge to make people understand that substance abuse is a long-term, chronic disease.
"The importance of government investment in prevention, treatment and research is difficult to overstate," Harper said. "Individuals who reach the age of 21 without smoking, abusing alcohol or using other drugs are far less likely to ever do so.
"The savings from cutting off substance problems before abuse or addiction sets in far outweigh the price of effective prevention programming."
Light in the Shadowlands
One gallery in the Salem College Fine Arts Center was transformed into an African landscape on Nov. 18 during a reception for photographer Brooks Potteiger.
For the "Light in the Shadowlands" show, Potteiger displayed stunning images from his mission travels to Africa and Haiti in an effort to raise money for future awareness opportunities.
"I tried to highlight many of the beautiful aspects of Africa that go hidden," Potteiger said. "I was fortunate enough to stay with the Maasai for three days, and I learned so much while I was there.
"In America, we often have no concept of how to make ourselves happy, and we try to fill the void by acquiring. These people live humbly and happily, and they live their faith. My time with them changed me in a profound way."
Martha Lowry was the first to suggest to Potteiger that he host a show of his work.
"The first time I saw Brooks' photography, I was so moved by his work that I sent him an email and we started corresponding," Lowry said. "I think what he is able to show with his photography is incredible."
"I had seen his work at a show in February and wanted to see it again," said Jay Sinclair, a Triad photographer. "I love his eye. I love his heart."
Piedmont Craftsmen Fair preview
Benton Convention Center was a shopping mecca on Nov. 18 when invited guests attended the preview party for the 2011 Piedmont Craftsmen Fair.
Jazz, wine and delectable tidbits were the accompaniments to an evening of one-of-a-kind offerings that included jewelry, fabric and metal creations.
"I escaped the business world 10 years ago," said David Wertz, surrounded by several colorful metal horses. "I spent 18 months in Asia, and that's where I started making horses."
Douglas Durkee traveled from Kentucky to exhibit at the fair. His Infinity art furnishings attracted a steady crowd.
"Steve Jobs actually bought one of my pieces," Durkee said. "I've been doing this for 30 years, and I tell people that it's my gift — I have a love of light and shadow and how they are interpreted with one another."
Festival of Trees
Glittering Christmas trees were the star attraction Nov. 18 at the 2011 Festival of Trees benefiting Brenner Children's Hospital.
As guests walked among the forest of ornaments, tinsel and sparkling lights in the Dixie Classic Fair Education Building, volunteers Lisa Bodine and Kate Andrukonis talked about the event.
"We're in the PA (physician assistant) school through Baptist," Bodine said. "We volunteered because we wanted to help raise money for Brenner."
Beth Holland, Ashley Pearce and Meredith Masten juggled packages, as did Lauren Dunn and Cindy Kluttz.
A silent auction included dozens of ornaments signed by celebrities, and gingerbread houses created by agents at Prudential Carolinas Realty were also for sale.
"The Christmas trees are decorated by companies and families," Andrukonis said. "The people here tonight can buy the smaller trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses."
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