Clark Adams Memorial Will Celebrate His Life
Sign up now to attend the Alabama Freethought Association’s relaxing “Glorious July 4th” celebration at Lake Hypatia, Ala., taking place on the 3-day weekend of June 30-July 2. The Foundation chapter’s annual event, attracting freethinkers from around the country, takes place in the Foundation’s southern Freethought Hall, and air-conditioned Willa Mae Whatley auditorium.
Early registrations and food orders need to be received by June 20. Meals take place in the pretty Lakeside Pavilion, ingeniously self-cooled with water and affording a beautiful vista of Lake Hypatia.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. in shady Fearn Park, with a welcome and program of speakers beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 30. The program will continue all weekend, and conclude on Monday, July 2 at 3 p.m.
Monday, which begins with a 10 a.m. brunch, has been reserved for a celebration of the life of Clark Adams, a Nevada freethought activist and FFRF Life Member originally from Alabama, who worked closely with Pat Cleveland in planning annual July 4th events and typically emceed the proceedings. Friends and family will be in attendance when Clark’s ashes, per his wish, will be spread in Lake Hypatia.
Speakers on Saturday and Sunday include:
* Ed Buckner, of the Atlanta Freethought Association and an FFRF Life Member, speaking on “Atheists, We Hardly Know Ye.”
* John Henderson, M.D., author, “Fear Faith Fact Fantasy.”
* FFRF co-presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor. Annie Laurie will talk on “FFRF vs. the Faith-based Initiative,” and Dan will give a presentation, “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” with a concert at the piano, debuting some new, irreverent songs.
* Bob Collins, presenting a workshop
* Eric Pepke, and other speakers to be announced
Pat Cleveland will welcome participants, and Ed Buckner and Dan Barker will co-emcee. A freethought trivia quiz, in honor of Clark Adams, has been added to the program, and will be run by Ed.
Recreational events include a poetry reading led by Alice Cleveland, an 8 a.m. “Meet at Flagpole” hike led by Michelle Michaels, an optional tour of historic Talledega, the annual “atheists vs. agnostics” softball game, and time to laze on the lake and piney woods.
Attractions include the Atheists in Foxholes monument.
Showers and restrooms are available for participants and campers. The Cleveland family graciously opens its pretty campgrounds, abutting a national forest and a lake, for primitive camping or RVs, upon advance reservation. Nearby motels are available in Oxford or Talledega.
The 4 catered meals cost $10 each per adult; $5 each per student or per child under 12.
Registration is $35 per FFRF member; $40 nonmember; $5 FFRF student; $10 nonmember student. For a registration form, see the inside back wrap of your May Freethought Today or the back page of “Private Line” newsletter, which was mailed in May.
Lake Hypatia has only a few rules, and they include: “No Preaching, No Praying, No Walking on Water.”
Please mail your completed registration form and check payable to AFA to be received no later than June 20, 2007 (if you are ordering meal and wish to avoid the $10 late registration fee at the door) to:
Alabama Freethought Association
PO Box 571
Talledega AL 35161
(256)362-8729
fax(256)761-1105
You may also register using a credit card by phoning the Freedom From Religion Foundation at 608-256-8900 between 9-5 CDT weekdays. Credit cards will not be accepted at the actual event or for late registration.
Y’all come!
