Photos by Meg Fullwood, Amy Hinojosa, Sylvia Komatsu, Kristi Kerr Leonard, and Amy Martin. See many more photos at Flickr; links at end.
What a fantastic night! Almost 300 people attended the KERA and Ned Fritz Legacy’s screening of KERA’s 2009 documentary, Living With The Trinity, on April 6, 2023 at Angelika Dallas to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Trinity barge canal defeat. The energy at the networking social was astounding. Many people had not seen each other in years, some since the last throes of the Trinity tollroad debate or the documentary production. But the passion for the Trinity was as alive as ever.
The Angelika Dallascafe was full of energy and optimism.
Congratulations on last night—what a great effort by everyone involved! So many bright stars, and uplifting to see so many friends and supporters there last night. I’m hopeful you will consider it a good lift for the work you’re doing with Ned Fritz. ~ Bud Melton
Friends and colleagues were happy to gather in the Angelika Dallas cafe.
Then we all headed upstairs for the meet-and-greet. Everyone was delighted to see that Genie Fritz at 98 years young had made it. She was such a popular photo opportunity! So was the giant backdrop of the Trinity provided by Trinity Coalition, whose table focused on the Trinity River Paddling Trail was busy. Ned Fritz Legacy and all the Trinity info tables generated much interest, especially Terry the taxidermied bobcat. It seems like we need to do that whole scene on a larger scale as a Trinity symposium.
Thank you so much for including Texas Native Cats at last night’s wonderful event! We had some folks stop by as they were on their way to see the film and learn about our incredible river. That film was such an eye-opener! Thank goodness for Ned Fritz and Alan Steelman and others who stood their ground. I cannot imagine what a canal would look like in place of the Trinity ~ Monica Morrison, founder, Texas Native Cats
Lobby tables with Trinity River-related information were popular.
The highlight of the evening was the film itself. But before the viewing, we honored the heroes who saved the Trinity:
Amy Martin evokes Ned and welcomes special guests.
Alan Steelman, the sole North Texas politician to oppose the canal and whose election to the 5th district helped end it, was featured in the documentary and underwrote the evening.
Jim Bush, the college student who started the anti-canal campaign at Navarro College in Corsicana and it spread.
Bill Oliver, Ned’s favorite troubadour, wrote songs about the Trinity to inspire the troops.
Genie Fritz, who advised, edited and typed up all Ned’s missives and articles, and was featured in the documentary, attended with her daughter Eileen Fritz McKee and grandson Michael McKee.
Lee Cullum and Bob Ray Sanders of KERA’s Newsroom, featured in the documentary, were essential in creating an honest debate over the canal.
Over 290 attended the event!
We saluted the Living with the Trinity filmmakers who made sure this incredible struggle would be preserved for posterity:
Rob Tranchin, writer, producer, and director whose brainchild and passion the film was.
Ginny Martin, photographer, videographer, and editor.
Sylvia Komatsu, executive producer, who ensured the film was made in the best way possible.
Kristi Kerr Leonard thanks the evening’s co-sponsor, KERA, and underwriter, Alan Steelman, and others, then introduces Bob Ray Sanders.
Wonderful to hear the glorious voice of Bob Ray Sanders again.
Before the film began, Bob Ray Sanders recited Ned Fritz’s epic poem, “The Great Trinity.”
It was a luxury to see this magnificent documentary on a big screen! So finely crafted! But if you had to miss this incredible evening, it will air on KERA on April 19 at 7 pm. Or you can screen it anytime at the KERA website.
The event turned out to be really great, well attended and informational. Bravo and well done! I learned so much. ~ Rachel Lawson, Greenspace Dallas
The evening concluded with a panel discussion on the future of the Trinity, moderated by KERA newsman Ed Timms. Significant dialogue between a diverse array of approaches to the Trinity:
Everyone at Ned Fritz Legacy, especially event co-producers Amy Martin and Kristi Kerr Leonard, salute our partner in this incredible evening, KERA, in particular Sylvia Komatsu and Amy Hinojosa. This evening was an important first step in creating a broad base of stakeholders in the Trinity in the spirit of the man who did the most to save the Trinity: Ned Fritz.
Kristi Kerr Leonard with Amy Hinojosa from KERA.
It was truly a pleasure to learn so much about Ned Fritz and his family and all the amazing things they have done to make sure Texas’ beautiful, diverse ecosystems were preserved and protected. We are honored to be part of this amazing group of stakeholders for the Trinity River. ~ Shannon Porter, Executive Director, River Legacy Foundation
