Gamble Rogers’ Memorial

If one did not look too closely at the text of the proceedings of The Flagler County Commission’s misguided attempt to discredit Florida’s renowned troubadour and storyteller, one might surmise we had found ourselves entangled in the narrative of one of Gamble Rogers’ sardonic, humorous tall tales.

This actual political intrigue could have been set in Gamble’s own fictional Oklawaha County, with the bumbling Oklawaha County Commission foolishly and callously dishonoring a local hero and national treasure by endeavoring to remove said hero’s name from a fictional recreation area through comic and misguided skullduggery. But, it is now The Flagler Beach County Commission actually scheming and maneuvering to remove Rogers’ name from The Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach. A name (in reality) bestowed fondly, legally and deservedly by The Florida Legislature to our beloved Gamble Rogers, not only for his heroic attempt to save a drowning man back on October 10, 1991, and not only for sadly perishing in the process.

The Florida Legislature, by so honoring Gamble Rogers, was also recognizing and crediting the State’s esteemed native son for the artistic excellence of his body of work, his creativity, his singular skill at musically infused storytelling, and Gamble’s unique brand of endearing Southern humor. (Think Faulkner with a guitar). The notoriety his characters, stories and performances brought to Rogers, the credit and recognition his work brought to the folk music genre and his fellow Floridians is immeasurable. Gamble Rogers’ characters and stories infused with Southern charm have made their way into the hearts of audiences throughout the South, and north of the Mason-Dixon Line as well.

The Flagler County Commissioner’s publicly stated reason to strip Gamble of his well-deserved honor seems to be for “branding” or re-branding the Recreation Area to improve commerce.

Yes, “Flagler Beach” does evoke a certain dynamic appeal, like Atlantic City, Jellystone Park, Disneyland or Cape Kennedy. The facts: commerce is doing just fine with the areas camping facilities booked a year in advance. And many folks continuing to seek the beach as a popular destination, as it became James Gamble Rogers, IV and wife Nancy Lee Rogers’ favorite beach locale. A closer look reveals it is The Flagler County Commission, the officials themselves who dropped the ball; failing to elaborate on and promote Gamble’s considerable notoriety and talents – for the very purposes they want to drop or change the name.

No performing artist was more beloved on the folk music scene, and no individual more respected and admired for his singular brilliance in presenting a unique and virtuosic mix of music and storytelling. Gamble Rogers was a hero in life, as he became one in death. He was a master at delivering to audiences around the country and around the world his humorous monologues and endearing Southern characters and tales uniquely conceived and quintessentially Floridian and Southern in nature. Gamble belongs to all of us, and the name: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach should always remind us of not only a place on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, but a place Gamble created as an artist, on countless stages, and of that place in our hearts where no government can ever evict him.

For more details on the park renaming, there are two excellent articles online, both at FlaglerLive.com. A September 3rd piece reporting the commission’s action and a follow-up opinion piece by Pierre Tristam.

Postscript – a personal note:

Roger and Gamble (photo by David Gahr)

In August, 1991, just a few weeks before he passed away, Gamble Rogers and I were having breakfast at the George Washington Lodge. This was before driving to our scheduled humor workshop at The 30th Philadelphia Folk Festival. We were discussing my ailing father, Gamble consoling me, “All you can do is your best while you are here,” he offered in a gentle, calming and considered voice. The turmoil and angst of my situation had me frazzled, but I focused on his words, and on his example. I now had purpose, and a reason to resolve that, while things were tough, I could still do right by my Dad. I would, and I could, and was actually fortunate by the opportunity to do so. Gamble reminded me that – I still had the gift of having my father to speak with, to help, and to love.

Just then, photographer David Gahr stopped at the table, excitedly saying he had a great idea for a photo. A few minutes later, Gamble and I were kneeling on either side of the front highway’s double yellow line, traffic rushing by us in either direction. “This is going to be a great one!” Dave encouraged, instructing us to remain still as he kept shooting and shooting. “I don’t mind telling you Roger, I am more than a little bit nervous,” Gamble confided as trucks and cars sped by. “Don’t worry,” Dave assured us, “I’m watching both of you.” “He’s watching US?” Gamble whispered, “Who’s watching HIM?” Of course, those very vehicles were whizzing by Gahr while his only “focus” was through his SLR camera. A few weeks later, Gamble was gone. David raved about the print, and when he sent a couple of signed copies to me, my eyes fell on the ominous image of a car seemingly pointed at Gamble. Gamble Rogers did his best while he was here, as did David Gahr. Bless them both. Lesson learned.