Filmmaker Paul Bonesteel headlines ECO fundraiser

(HENDERSONVILLE, NC, July, 2014) – Local filmmaker Paul Bonesteel will speak and show his documentary film “The Mystery of George Masa” on Monday, July 28, as a fundraiser for the Environmental and Conservation Organization (ECO).  The showing will be in the McIntosh Room of the Blue Ridge Conference Hall, 180 West Campus Drive, at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock.  At 6 p.m., a preview reception will feature refreshments catered by The Purple Onion restaurant in Saluda, wine, beer provided by Highland Brewing, a talk by Bonesteel, and reserved seating for the film showing.  Cost for the reception is $40 per person.  At 7 p.m., the film will be shown with an introduction by Bonesteel.  Cost for attending the film only is $15 per person. Reservations must be received by July 23.  Your check made out to ECO with “Bonesteel event” in the memo line, will be your reservation. Include a note with the number in your party, indicating for the reception or film only, and your contact information.  Seating is limited. Mail checks to ECO, 611 N. Church Street, Suite 101, Hendersonville, NC  28792 by July 23.

    “The Mystery of George Masa” is the story of Masahar Iizuka, aka George Masa, an enigmatic Japanese artist who in the 1920s contributed to the preservation of the Great Smoky Mountains and the creation of the Appalachian Trail with his photography and passion for nature. This heavily researched film was originally released in 2003 on PBS and broadcast again in 2009, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

One critic said, “A mysterious and fascinating story about a passionate artist and hisadopted homeland. It will resonate in you for years.”

Bonesteel was born and raised in Hendersonville.  His mother, Georgia, was widely known for her popular show “Quilting With Georgia Bonesteel,” which ran for several years on UNC-TV. The family owned Bonesteel Hardware in Hendersonville.  Paul has become a respected documentary filmmaker in his own right.  He produced “The Day Carl Sandburg Died,” a documentary film about Carl Sandburg, who lived and died in Flat Rock. That film has also shown on PBS. His company, Bonesteel Films, is located in downtown Asheville.

“Paul’s passion for capturing in film the Appalachian heritage of nature and history is reflected in this extraordinary documentary,” said Mary Jo Padgett, ECO’s Executive Director. “When I was first introduced to Mr. Masa through this film, I knew I had learned about an important page of local history.  What events led to the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site in our own backyard?  This well-done film tells us much we didn’t know.”

 ECO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization started in 1987 and located in Hendersonville.  ECO’s mission is to help citizens preserve the natural heritage of Western North Carolina and to be an effective voice for the environment.

For more information visit the ECO website at www.eco-wnc.org or phone 828-692-0385.