September 20, 2016
Wendell Berry’s environmental victories spark inspiration
W
By Dink NeSmith
endell Berry does more than look. His
Impressive.
blue eyes see, really see. In a quick
The dessert spread included pies, cakes, cookies and
glance, the wordsmithing farmer can
pudding, but the real icing on the day was an afternoon
pierce bureaucratic and corporate shields of nonsensical
with Wendell and Tanya in their two-story farmhouse
and self-serving rhetoric. If I’ve ever met a man who
latched to the side of a grassy slope. In 1965, when
knows why God put him on earth, it was last Sunday.
Wendell was teaching at the University of Kentucky, the
Wendell Berry has spent most of his 82 years writing,
couple bought the place as a summer retreat. But after a
speaking and advocating for responsible stewardship of
few fixer-upper rounds, they elected to live there yearthe globe’s natural resources.
round. Walking up the driveway, I spotted two solar
That’s why the Rev. Felix Haynes, after learning of
panels in the backyard. I thought: “He practices what he
Coastal Georgia’s toxic coal-ash crisis, said, “ You have
preaches.”
to meet Wendell Berry.” Over the summer, Felix and I
Once inside, I noticed every room had a wall with
corresponded with Wendell and his wife, Tanya, to set
shelves of books from floor to ceiling. I put another
up a Sept. 18 visit
gold star by his name. As
to their picturesque
Tanya escorted Felix and
farm overlooking the
me to the kitchen and
Kentucky River.
sitting area, she explained
Felix got to know
Wendell was “up the
the Berrys 49 years
creek,” literally. He’d be
ago when he served
back soon. Sure enough,
as their pastor at
the back door creaked,
Port Royal Baptist
and inside stepped the
Church. Port Royal,
environmental legend and
population 64, sits just
author of 40-plus books.
north of the state’s
After unlacing and
famed bluegrass region
slipping off his boots,
where horses dream of
Wendell Berry shook our
the Kentucky Derby,
hands. Dressed in khakis
behind black-board
and a blue oxford-cloth
fences on postcardshirt beneath a pair of wide
Wendell Berry’s farm overlooks the Kentucky River. He
worthy farms. As we
camouflaged suspenders,
has spent most of his 82 years writing, speaking and
rolled through the
he had the look of a man
advocating for the globe’s natural resources.
countryside, I could see
of the land. His handshake
Norman Rockwell scenes mile after mile.
grip said, “I can still split my own firewood.” And it is
We arrived an hour before the morning worship
obvious this genteel great-grandfather still has the starch
service. Felix wanted to walk through the church’s
in his spine to stand up against pollution-minded bullies.
200-year-old cemetery. He stopped every few feet to
For the next few hours, we visited at a round oak
read aloud the names on granite and marble monuments, table—swapping stories and laughing. While Wendell
explaining how the dots of one family connected to the
knows the power of words, he employs the power of
dots of other families. Wendell’s roots run deep into
listening, too. He’s been following our coal-ash plight.
that region’s soil, as evidenced by numerous weathered
His laser-like questions showed he’d been where we are
stones with “Berry” inscriptions.
countless times and won.
Port Royal Baptist Church rolled out the red carpet
As Felix and I drove back—521 miles—Sunday
for its former pastor and his traveling companion.
night, we tried to distill what we had just experienced—
Following the worship hour, we were led down the stairs courtesy of Wendell and Tanya Berry. I want to tell you
to a home-cooking feast and fellowship with people
more about it, and I will. Soon.
who really wanted to know: “How are you doing?” I had [email protected]
young children reach for my hand, smile and say, “Peace.” (For more commentaries visit www.dinknesmith.com)
The Port Royal cemetery is filled with relatives of author/poet/
environmentalist Wendell Berry. One of the more notable
family monuments includes a statue of his great-grandfather,
John J. Berry, 1827-1916.
Jesup First Baptist Church’s former pastor, the Rev. Dr. Felix
Haynes, left, got his ministerial start in Kentucky at Port
Royal Baptist Church. That’s where he met Wendell and
Tanya Berry. Joining in the photo is the family dog, Maggie.
When I walked into the Berrys’ home, I immediately noticed that every
room had floor-to-the-ceiling shelves loaded with books. A member of
the Kentucky’s Writers Hall of Fame, Wendell Berry has authored more
than 40 books.
Sunday, Sept. 18, was a trip down memory lane for
the Rev. Dr. Felix Haynes as he visited Port Royal
Baptist Church, which has a 200-year history.
During the morning service, he spoke of his time
there between 1967 and 1969.