Greetings, friends!
We hope this little message finds you counting down the hours until it’s time to attend a glorious celebration to ring in 2013. You probably noticed we’ve been quiet this month, so we wanted to check in and let you know what’s happening with Bly as we enter a new year. Ready? OK, prepare yourself … December was a big month in many ways.
Before we get started with Bly news, we have a tiny related announcement:
Like the song says, our vagabond shoes were longing to stray right through the heart of it, New York, New York.
It was only a matter of hours after leaving Southbury’s sleepy backyards before we saw pinpoints of light hovering high over the horizon. New York City.
This video introduces you to some of the dreamers we talked to in that most bustling of cities, including the president and publisher of USA Today, the CEO of Verizon, some quality NYC reporters and other new friends. Stay tuned for some major stories coming soon about New York.
I want to be a part of it, New York, New York from The Bly Project on Vimeo.
Music in this video is Floss Suffers From Gamma Radiation (Blue Ducks) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Last week, Stephen Barton shared his story from the Aurora shooting. He was shot in the face and neck, survived, and almost immediately became a sought-after source for news outlets across the country. Most of these stories, of course, focused on the shooting. But there is another story, or rather set of stories, that hasn’t been told yet. These are the tales from the cross-country bicycle trip that landed him in Aurora.
So, while you’re mashing those potatoes and basting that bird, please enjoy our podcast in which Stephen, in his own voice, shares his stories from the road.
Produced by Pete Wayner with sound by Kevin Kennedy.
Music: Vess L. Ossman “Medley Little Bit of Everything”
Editor’s note: Pete and I met Stephen Barton in the fall of 2011 at Syracuse University. He was a liberal arts senior and involved in everything from Habitat for Humanity to Jerk Magazine. He graciously agreed to star in one of my short films. He also seemed to know everyone on the gigantic campus, so it was no surprise when he was chosen to represent the 2012 undergraduate class.
Steve was one of the earliest supporters of Bly and planned to contribute to the blog during his cross-country bike trip this summer. He just happens to have a good eye for photos, so I was living vicariously through his Instagram feed while he was on the road.
I remember seeing his photo the day of “The Dark Knight Rises” premiere – thinking how fun it was that they found time for a midnight showing. As Pete and I settled into our own seats in a theater far from Steve that night, we had no idea what was happening in Aurora.
Southbury, Connecticut.
Home of the (at least, locally) famous Denmo’s Snack and Dairy Bar, the Southbury Training School, and the Southbury Apple Festival. This historic little town sits 80 miles or so north of New York City, and while it may not be as sprawling, majestic, and well-known as it’s neighbor to the south, we found plenty of reasons to love it.
With an assist from local friend and impromptu guide Stephen Barton, we spoke with the town’s amiable residents and listened to their dreams in the sunny afternoon warmth of a New England autumn.
