Apalachicola River presentation at the 2009 CDC Health Conference

On October 26 and 27th Elam Stoltzfus traveled to Atlanta (up river) to the Center of Disease Control (CDC) 2009 National Environmental Health Conference.   The CDC invited Elam to bring a collection of images and a film to introduce the researchers and scientists to an opportunity to think about using art and images to convey their material with new media.  The purpose was to view the media as a story-telling opportunity to reach their clients or audience.

On Monday in the Grandball room of the Sheraton featured a collection of Clyde Butcher's black and white photos representing the Apalachicola River.   Elam had a series of images of the Apalachicola and Chipola River.  This was an important reminder to everyone about water and health issues and how we are all connected by water.   It worked out well as people walked by the art work to do a meet and greet.  Many people has questions about art, the rivers, the area and support of the programs.

One of the interesting connections was with Jonathan Yoder, Esther's (wife of Elam) nephew that is employed by the CDC in Atlanta.  Jon's connection to the Apalachicola River and Chipola River was his playground as a young boy growing up in the panhandle of Florida.  Its here that he learned to appreciate the great outdoors, water ski, fish and camp along the waterways.   Jon also had traveled with Elam to the deep swamp around Florida as a young teenager.

Later on Tuesday evening the two films of Big River and the Apalachicola River: American Treasure were the featured event for the evening session followed by a Q&A.  In attendance representing the Big River documentary were the film makers that included Aaron Woolf, Ian Cheney, and Curt Ellis, they had produced the well-known King Corn documentary film several years ago.  Big River is a follow up about what happened with the water that is drained off their one acre of corn in Iowa.  Great documentary, must see. Check out www.kingcorn.net. Its about the food process in America.   After the presentation of the two films, the film makers had a panel discussion about the films.  Questions included issues about water, food, film techniques and good questions.  The panel host was Donna Garland.  Hopefully everyone left with a new appreciation about our land and water.   How we are all connected with the waterways around the world.   New ideas on how to use art and images to educate people.