By Nancy Green
The Star Herald
KOSCIUSKO —
Dr. Stanley Hartness, longtime Kosciusko physician now living in Jackson, was the speaker for Thursday night’s 77th annual meeting of the Kosciusko-Attala Development Corporation held in the J.B. Hayes facility on the campus of the former Magnolia Bible College.
Kosciusko folk artist L.V. Hull was the subject of his address citing her unique form of art and the prominence she gained through her talent. On a giant screen, L.V. was pictured at her home showing the art which filled her home and the grounds at her residence on Allen Street in Kosciusko.
"It seems eerily strange when L. V.'s imagination, her creativity and her spirit were suddenly still four and a half years ago," said Hartness. "(Her) house was slowly deteriorating around literally hundreds of one of a kind pieces by the artist of Kosciusko, Mississippi 39090."
Hartness told of his involvement with LV. “friends” who worked following her death to clear her house cataloguing 500 pieces of her work which have been placed in storage. He made mention of the attention she brought to Kosciusko through the many visitors, often in tour buses, which came to her house. Throughout his speaking of L.V., Hartness showed some of his favorite pieces of her work taken from his private collection. He interspersed his talk with philosophical sayings which L.V. often expressed in her art. Hartness emphasized the importance of keeping her legacy alive and expressed a desire to see a museum established in Kosciusko to preserve her art.
"Over 500 pieces of L.V's unmistakable art, which have been safely stored in the basement of city hall thanks to Mayor Jimmy Cockroft, these pieces will be carefully catalogued thanks to a grant from Delta State University." A variety of L.V.’s art was displayed on a table in with comments also given by Chairman Denny Terrell. Zea told of plans of implementing MET (medical, energy, timber) citing the availability of each in Attala County. Through Montfort Jones Memorial Hospital, the availability of natural gas, electricity and the vast supply of timber in the county he told of the econmic impact that could be felt through MET. Chairman Denny Terrell handed the gavel to John Dawson to close the 77th session. Other officers serving in 2013 are Gary Rigby, vice chairman, and Jonathan Powers, secretary. Serving on the board of directors are: Paul Powers, Hugh Potts Jr., Denny Terrell, Claude Gunter, Freddie George, David Hudson, Hollis Cheek, Stephen Cheek, Jimmy Cockroft, ex-offcio and Kary Ellington, ex-officio. As the meeting began, incoming chairman John Dawson introduced guests and elected officials. Prior to the meal provided by Wanda’s Catering, Rev. John Ballard gave the invocation.
Golden Shovel awards were made at the KADC’s annual meeting Thursday night. Selected for their areas of involvement were (from left) Jonathan Powers, golf tournament committee; Jeannie Weaver, Natchez Trace Festival and Moomba; Picolar Johnson, Tour ’d Attala Bike Ride; Patti Edwards, ongoing work with the soccer program.
