By Paul Lawson, AHF director of development and public relations

Singer Ricky Nelson was slightly before my time but not by much. Gee, he would be 71 if he were alive today. He died tragically in a New Year’s Eve airplane crash headed to a concert in Texas. I vividly remember Ricky closing most of the old Ozzie and Harriet shows with one of his hit songs. Screaming teenage girls, of course, were included in the sound track. Looking back, I think ole Oz helped his youngest son out by using the TV series to promote Ricky’s music. Record sales shot up the next day. Mucho presto! The music video was born 25 years prior to MTV.

One of Ricky Nelson’s most popular songs, “Travelin’ Man,” fits nicely with an exciting new AHF project—“Journey Stories,” premiering in Alabama this summer. The song was written in about 20 minutes by little known writer, Jerry Fuller. His first choice was to offer it to Sam Cooke, but Sam turned it down. Ricky’s bass player, Joe Osborne, had been in the next room of the record company and heard it. He asked Cooke’s manager if he could hear it again, and the man said: “Here, you can have it.” It was one of Ricky’s biggest hits and stayed on the Billboard music charts for more than four months, including two weeks at number one.

I invite you to put “Travelin’ Man” in the CD player and listen as you journey to one of the six cultural institutions hosting “Journey Stories.” In Alabama, the six communities hosting the exhibition starting on June 25 at the Bankhead House and Heritage Center in Jasper are: Alexander City, Arab, Eufaula, Jasper, Marion and Mobile. Don’t miss out on a winner, like Sam Cooke did!

For all of the specifics on the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibition “Journey Stories,” including dates and locations, visit ahf.net/journeystories.

Good news from Uncle Sam. The IRA Charitable Rollover has been reinstated through 2011 as part of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. As a matter of fact, contributions for the 2010 tax year can be made retroactively through January 2011. Given the short time remaining before January 31, 2011, the time to act is now.

The IRA Rollover was first enacted in 2006 as part of the Pension Protection Act. The provision allows individuals aged 70½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to nonprofits like the Alabama Humanities Foundation without having to count the distribution as taxable income.

The reinstatement of the IRA charitable rollover is due to the hard work of members of Congress who recognize the importance of providing opportunities for Americans to give back to their communities. As of now, the provision is good for 2011 only.

You are invited to phone the Alabama Humanities Foundation at (205) 558-3992 if you have any questions.

Most folks admire roses. Thorns and all.

I love to hear “Remember the Rose Bowl, we’ll win then”…tears to my eyes, sweet music to my ears.

“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, 1594.

History reveals that Native Americans used to give their children the name they had earned. Thus, a young girl might become Laughing Water, Sunshine or Timid One. A young boy might be named Running Feet, Wise Owl or Hawkeye.

As Christmas approaches, suppose we still followed that custom in 2010? Some would be Generous Heart, Helping Hand, Faithful Teacher and Lively Stone. But unfortunately, others of us would be Evil Tongue, Shirker, Unreliable and Stingy Giver.

We are fortunate that AHF has a family of donors with the same name: Engaged. Thanks to these valued and interested Alabamians, AHF can provide services and offer programs that widely increase awareness of our mission.

Psychologists tell us that one of the deepest urges in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. So, to make those whose lives touch yours really happy, tell them often and how much you appreciate them and the things they do.

But wouldn’t you know that a strange mystery has popped up in all of this nostalgia swapping. I bet Rod Serling and “The Twilight Zone” would jump on this story. It involves the little-known Moore Elementary School which, since 1926, has sat peacefully on Avenue G in Ensley between 14th and 15th Streets. Don’t look in the phone book; it is not there. I thought I knew all of the schools that fed Ensley High School, but not this one. I was certain it did not exist.

Out of curiosity and in hopes of finding the school, I took a late Sunday afternoon drive to the area once known as Little Italy. It is about three blocks directly north of Tuxedo Junction and its historic marker. As I came across the neatly kept grounds, I immediately noticed the big 1926 carved into the header above the front door. I didn’t get out of the car but I did pause for a moment. I was curious. What sounds have echoed throughout the ivy halls of Moore Elementary, as some say the school has sat idle since the mid 1950s? Who taught here? What happened to all of the students? Who got an education at Moore? Why wasn’t it torn down?

Just following Halloween, I try to imagine what goblins have roamed the halls of Moore Elementary since the doors closed and the school was forgotten.

Did I hear a locker slam ?

(For a picture of Moore Elementary School as it stands today, click here.)

Last summer’s SUPER institute on World War II was a huge success. I don’t know what the evaluations revealed, but I sure liked it. Led by scholar Alan Brown from the University of West Alabama, the three-day institute had a full enrollment of teachers fascinated by an in-depth study of “the last good war.” I snuck in for a couple of sessions and found myself reminiscing about many things ranging from family members who fought in the war to my early childhood days.

Among my favorite childhood memories was watching Mr. Green Jeans and Captain Kangaroo. Grandfather Clock, Dancing Bear and Mr. Moose also were popular co-stars in the pre-Sesame Street television show. It was the longest running children’s television show of that time ending in 1984. Most of us would remember the group, The Statler Brothers, and their hit record back in 1966 with the unforgettable lyrics “smoking cigarettes and watching Captain Kangaroo….”

Captain Kangaroo passed away in 2004 at age 76. Life in the Treasure House was over for all of us kids, both young and old.

The Captain’s death touched people of all walks of life, including Hollywood’s Lee Marvin, who would be considered by many as quite the opposite of Captain Kangaroo. Personally, I was never a big fan of Lee Marvin, although I did like his role as the mean leader, Major Reisman, in the war movie “The Dirty Dozen.”

Lee Marvin wasn’t your typical Hollywood actor who only did war bond commercials. He actually fought in World War II and was a genuine war hero. He won the Navy Cross in the initial landing at Iwo Jima when he was severely wounded.

Mr. Marvin was proud of the Navy Cross but he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. Sergeant Bob, which he called “the bravest man I ever knew,” received the Cross on the same day. During very heavy fire Sergeant Bob actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get off the beach. Bullets flying by and mortar rounds landing everywhere put Sergeant Bob in harm’s way, but he stood his ground as the main target of gunfire so his men could get to safety.

Following the intense battle in which both were wounded, Lee Marvin and Sergeant Bob became lifelong friends. The Sergeant’s full name was Bob Keeshan. You, and I, and the rest of the world would come to know him as Captain Kangaroo.

Exactly 40 years ago in the city of Montgomery and at a spot named Patterson Field a hard fought, nail-biting baseball game took place. It was on a late May night as the Ensley High School Yellow Jackets squared off against Montgomery’s mighty Robert E. Lee Generals.

About midway through the game a bony and forgettable Yellow Jacket pitcher toed the rubber and tossed his best pitch to hometown slugger and Lee star, Paul Spivey. The massive whip and crack of the bat from Spivey was deafening and the crowd was wooed as the ball sailed deep into the Montgomery night, over the fence and out of sight. Much to the dismay of the poet, Mighty Casey did not strike out and on this night there was no sadness in Mudville. It was long and gone.

Now slide with me into base 40 years later once again in Montgomery on yet another May night. This time the site is the big field named Wynfield Estates. The occasion is the 50th anniversary celebration of the publication of Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. This time the home team is the Alabama Humanities Foundation. The starting lineup of wonderful food and drink, live music, a highly competitive art auction and more than 250 guests were all at home plate, the beautiful home of the late Winton and Carolyn Blount.

The participation of many sponsors, guests, artists and constituents from around the state teamed to generate significant funds to advance the mission of AHF. Proceeds will be targeted to reach all Alabamians, through AHF’s many public programs and initiatives, including those for teachers, students and the public alike. You can read the box score and about all of the details at ahf.net/mockingbird.

Yes, Matilda, 40 years later there remains no sadness in Mudville, as another homerun was hit by AHF. (And perhaps there are more innings to play.)

Written by: Paul L.

For whatever reason, this particular birthday got me to thinking. When we were all a bit younger, birthdays were always a time of looking ahead. Ah! next year I will be 16! or I can’t wait until I am 21! Not so now. We enjoy looking back. And, believe it or not, America is getting older with me. Every 20 seconds another person reaches 65.

No one really wants to get old, and yet most people want to live a long time. My mother often told me the longest period of her life was the 10 years between the time she was 39 and 40. Of course, I had just turned a teenager ,which probably made that year overly long.

But there is a good side to turning a year older. We have many examples of people reaching new heights in that period commonly called “old age” Tintoretto, the Italian artist, painted “Paradise” when he was 72. Thomas Edison conducted pioneering studies on the production of synthetic rubber at the age of 83. At 78, Benjamin Franklin went to France in his country’s service and wrote his biography at 80.

Here in Alabama, the wonderful novel To Kill a Mockingbird has a golden birthday this year. The Alabama Humanities Foundation has several events planned in recognition of Harper Lee’s treasure. Take a look to see how you can be a part of this birthday celebration.

Written by: Paul L.

The affirmative vote by our grants committee to fund this project caused me to reflect about the national pastime with a different look. Baseball is loaded with many things associated with the humanities. The story telling is legendary. Names like Dizzy, Yogi, Country, Duke, Say Hey, Scooter, Jolton Joe, Red, Lefty, Smoky, Moose, Catfish, The Hat and Cool Papa help make the stories larger than life. I could go on and on with other names like Pee Wee, The Lip and Charlie Hustle. Of course, there’s Frank “Pig” House from Bessemer, who was recently enshrined in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

And about history… The ultimate headliner, of course, would include Branch Rickey and the signing in 1948 of a second baseman by the Brooklyn Dodgers of a guy named Jackie Robinson. The breaking of the color barrier in the Major Leagues not only changed baseball, but an entire nation.

The tradition of baseball is unmatched. The old ballparks are sacred with some gone like the Polo Grounds in New York, Ebbets Field in Brooklyn and Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. Some still live on like the nation’s oldest, Rickwood Field in Birmingham. It is a timeless game in so many ways.

Alabama has been blessed more than any state with baseball legends. Names like Aaron and Mays, Sewell, Walker are immortal. And calling the games was the greatest of all time, Bessemer’s Mel Allen.

When you have a moment, click on the Encyclopedia of Alabama baseball players of Alabama gallery and look at all the great stories on baseball in our state.

Written by: Paul L.

Many donors are surprised to find that using highly appreciated but low-earning property to fund an income-producing charitable gift provides a wonderful combination of personal and philanthropic benefits.

The most versatile is the charitable remainder trust (CRT). The donor places cash or property in a qualified CRT and the governing trust agreement. In Bud’s case, he would like the trustee to either be the Alabama Humanities Foundation (AHF) or his long-time financial institution. The beneficiaries are the person(s) who will receive income from the CRT and AHF, who will receive the trust’s principal at its termination. In most situations, the donor is also the income recipient.

Because the trust is irrevocable, assuring an eventual gift to AHF, the donor receives a current income tax deduction. The resulting tax savings reduce the net cost of funding the trust, which increases the effective rate of return.

A further financial benefit of a CRT is freedom from capital gains taxation in two ways. First, if funded with capital gain property, there is no tax payable on the past appreciation. Second, any capital gains subsequently realized from investing and selling is added to the trust assets, with no tax payable. Individuals should check with their accountant, attorney or other tax advisors.

Sounds complicated, but it is not.

When CRT terminates at the death of the last income recipient, or upon expiration of a fixed term of years, there are two other benefits: no estate settlement costs are attributable to trust assets passing outside of probate and the remainder values are not subject to federal estate tax.

The most popular trust agreements are CRATS and CRUTS. We will save the exact details on those for another day.

If you would like to know the nuts and bolts about CRATS and CRUTS, phone me at the AHF office (205) 558-3992, or e-mail me at plawson@ahf.net.

Written by: Paul L.

By the way, time is running out for you to visit the AHF Museum on Main Street exhibition: “New Harmonies.” It will be in Alabama through the end of 2009 with final stops in Troy and Tuskegee before the new year.

There is an Alabama component to “New Harmonies” that prompted me to think about all of the great song writers and performers from Alabama. Truly stars fell and continue to fall on Alabama.

In recent history, Alabama has had three consecutive top two finishes in the number-one hit television program “American Idol.” And of those three, two won the contest.

But thinking back into yesterday, can any state match the names of Eddie Kendrick of Union Springs and the Temptations, Erskine Hawkins of Tuxedo Junction fame, Dothan’s Bobby Goldsboro, Montgomery’s Nat King Cole, Lionel Ritchie from Tuskegee, Hackleburg’s Sonny James, Mobile’s Jimmy Buffett, Sheffield’s Arthur Alexander and the country band of Alabama from Fort Payne.

Also, don’t forget Leighton’s Percy Sledge, Tuscaloosa’s Dinah Washington and Toni Tenille from Montgomery. Maybe you can help me remember more. Be sure to write in and let us know your thoughts.

To read more about your favorite Alabama musicians, visit the Encyclopedia of Alabama.

Written by: Paul L.