A fond farewell and memorial for Jim Shearon

I have never experienced the wide array of emotions as I did last night at Ashford Manor Bed and Breakast. The occasion was a white party at Watkinsville landmark to honor the life and times of Jim Shearon, a genius who made everyone around him and those who got to know him much better people. His festive memorial was as unusual as Jim was, who was fondly recalled by his brother Dave as "the blind interior decorator." Among the many places in Watkinsville evolved by Jim and continuing on are Maison Bleu restaurant and Sweet ReTreat in Town Center. It was an amazing display of slides showing the infamous "ass-less" pants he designed for Prince, the many stage and theatrical designs for shows on and off Broadway, the costumes, the clothes, the interiors and so much more. Many people I had not seen in quite some time turned out for the celebration where Mozart and Shakespeare were performed, where burlesque and burning Chinese lamps ascended to the sky in an amazing tribute. Sometime you could not discern whether the person next to you was laughing or crying or both. I have put many photos on my facebook page and will put some more up here later. But suffice to say I am indeed a better person for having known Jim Shearon and thank him for all the influence he made in the tiny town of Watkinsville and many miles beyond our small city's limits, not the least of which were New York, Chicago and Minneapolis. I came to know the gentlemen of Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast as they had moved from the Midwest to resurrect this jewel and make it the best kept secret of Georgia, kind of like our own Chastain Park. I have sweated and cursed, bled and swam, screamed and applauded at many events in Ashford Manor. I had my son's baby shower nearly a decade ago and that was just the start of an amazing relationship with these wonderful people. Louise Shearon brought an amazing family to this planet and Jim is in a better place now. Dave and Mario Castro (and his family) are to be commended for such a fantasic gathering last night.

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