Augusta Seeing Happy
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterArticle Photos
Fact Box
"It's like a family reunion."
Judie Smith
Cajun Cooking Instructor
The monthlong Augusta Heritage Festival kicked-off Monday with Cajun/Creole and Guitar Week. But classes focusing on art, crafts, dance and other forms of culture aren't the only reason people from all over the United States and other countries attend the festival year after year. Students and instructors say they come back each year because of the people.
Laughter among old friends and the smell of Cajun cooking lingered from the kitchen at Halliehurst Wednesday morning. Students in the class prepared enough shrimp etouffee, rice and catfish to feed 200 for Fais Do-Do that night.
Cajun cooking instructor Jackie Miller has made her way from Iota, La., to the Augusta Heritage Festival for 21 years because of the people, atmosphere and to promote the culture, she explained. Miller is famous for her cooking and promoting the Cajun lifestyle, assistant Cajun cooking instructor, Judie Smith said.
Smith believes Cajun/Creole Week is a perfect fit for Augusta and the Appalachian area. Stereotypes are associated with both cultures, but both are experiencing a resurgence of their deep-rooted culture and heritage, Smith explained.
Several people in the class come back each year because of their love for the Cajun/Creole culture, Smith said as she joked that instructors are awarding advanced degrees in Cajun cooking to some in the class.
"It's like a family reunion," Smith said.
Tinsmithing and tin painting aren't necessarily found in bayou country, but rather a craftsmanship originated in New England. The art is part of Augusta's craft and folklore classes.
Instructors Jeff and Debbie Leister share their historical knowledge of what is referred to as "the poor man's silverware" with their students. Class participants are using 19th century tools to craft cups, lampshades and "canjos." Most of the tin items are replicas of authentic early-1800s tinware, Jeff Leister explained.
Jeff Leister has instructed the tinsmithing class for five years; and last year his wife, Debbie, joined him to teach the painting part of the class.
People don't need to be artistic to do well in the class, she explained. Tin painting is more of a folk art, which requires no formal education, she said.
"What they learn to do surprizes them," she said.
Learning skills from days gone by is better than a cruise, according to Pennsylvania resident Reva Miller. She is enrolled in the tinsmithing class and created a "canjo," which is basically a banjo with one string and a can.
