Some of you may remember a post in these pages about my lifelong friend David Sheffield, one of the most successful screenwriters in America. If not, give a click for a more detailed introduction.
David and I share a history dating back to the late 60's. Oh so sadly, that sharing continues. Below is an e-mail from David and his beautiful wife Cynthia, also a brilliant poet, playwright and screenwriter; she too hails from Mississippi.
Dear Friends and Family:
The day before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the entire Sheffield Family was gathered in Biloxi for a family reunion and to honor brother Buddy who was named Biloxian of the Year. As the storm approached we all scrambled for high ground, and, we are very relieved to say, all the Sheffields escaped unharmed. Brother Richard's house in Ocean Springs was totally gutted. Neil [David's other brother] and Kay lost everything too.
We also lost Skipjack, the 48-foot Biloxi lugger that has been our family boat and like a second home to us for the past 14 years. She was up on Bill Holland's boat yard on the Back Bay of Biloxi being replanked. Swept away by a ferocious storm surge, Skipjack was completely destroyed. Nothing remains but fond memories and photographs.
We are in the process of putting together a web site to commemorate Skipjack. In the meantime, please find attached a picture of her in happier days, anchored near Big Woman Key, west of Key West.
We'd like to thank everyone for their calls and concern. Please give generously to the Red Cross if you haven't already. There are so many who have lost so much more.
Best,
David Sheffield and Cynthia Walker
Fond memories and photographs indeed; there is one particular series of photos that have fortunately remained relatively unseen: about a half-dozen members of the Hollywood "Mississippi Mafia" (officially known in L.A. as the Cavaliers) dropping our drawers at exactly the right moment, "mooning" the media boat from the Skipjack during the triumphal pass of lead boats in one of Biloxi's most prestigious yachting regattas.
