Two thirds of the way through a 90-day book tour surrounding the release of his new novel, Perfume River, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Florida State University professor Robert Olen Butler stopped by the Ringling College of Art and Design last night to share readings from the work and discuss his exploratory approach to the craft with the gathered community. In Butler’s 22nd fictional novel, the legacy of the Vietnam War serves as the backdrop for an examination of the power and fragility of family as one North Florida household struggles with old divisions. Before taking the stage, the 71-year-old author took a moment with SRQ to talk voice, the compost heap and trying to make sense out of the chaos.

This is not the first time you’ve explored the Vietnam War in your work, including A Good Scent From A Strange Mountain, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Was there something else you wanted to say with Perfume River? Butler: For me, the act of writing a work of literary fiction is more an act of exploration than it is of expression. I don’t know what it is I’m trying to say until I say it and the only saying of it is embedded in this object that you are not meant to understand in an abstract, thematic or theoretical way. That’s not how you’re meant to encounter a work of literary art. You’re meant to thrum, like a string vibrating on an instrument.

My aesthetic philosophy about the process of creating literature is that I don’t have anything that I know that I want to say and then write a book to say it. That is, in fact, the antithesis of what the artist does. Art does not come from the mind. It does not come from the rational, analytical faculties. Art comes from the place where you dream—from your unconscious. We are creating an object like a painting on the wall, like a symphony, like a ballet—it’s an object of the senses, a different way of knowing.

Then the impetus to write comes from this need to understand? For the artist, we are responding, as all artists do, to our moment-to-moment life of a body on the planet and therefore the life of the emotions. And if you are of the body and those abstracting ideas and theories—religions and political beliefs and so forth—if they let you down at all your impression of life is that all is chaos. The artist, however, believes that there’s meaning and order behind that chaos but does not know what it is until she creates this narrative object which embodies that vision.

You’ve met acclaim writing from myriad voices crossing gender and ethnic lines. How do you capture such a voice authentically? There has to be a certain deep and intensive direct experience with the other. The things that seem to divide us are less important than the things that in fact we hold in common. We all intuitively understand that artists have not only the capacity, but even the right and even the obligation to leap across differences that I think are even more profound than gender or race or ethnicity. The things that, in this day and age, particularly seem to divide us are crucial but they do yield to sensitive and inspired artistic imagination. They must, or we’re all lost and no one can communicate with each other.

Keep an eye out through upcoming issues of SRQ magazine for the full interview. 

Pictured: Robert Olen Butler. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

A welcome arch of blue, white and black balloons hangs above gate B14 at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) as debarking passengers herald the arrival of Elite Airways and the first nonstop flight from Portland, ME to SRQ. The seventh carrier to partner with the airport, Elite brings twice-weekly nonstop flights from SRQ to Portland and, according to Elite Airways President John Pearsall, plans for expansion.

Flying out on Thursdays and Sundays, Elite jets can shuttle up to 70 passengers per flight, with seats arranged in a two by two formation to eliminate the discomfort of middle seats. And in a world of growing fees, Elite offers no penalty for changing tickets and passengers can check one bag free of charge. “The word ‘free’ is not something you hear a lot these days when traveling by air,” says SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo by way of commendation. “Elite Airways is an established carrier with an impeccable safety record and a reputation for quality and service. We’re excited about both the new service and the growth possibilities the presence of Elite provides for our community.”

Pearsall echoes the sentiment, recognizing economic growth in Sarasota that he describes as “phenomenal” and is seeing that reflected already in heavy sales for the newly announced service from Portland to SRQ. “For us, to bring [Elite] to Sarasota is a tremendous coup,” he says, dubbing the flights the “first step in a long and prosperous partnership.” With plans to connect new destinations to SRQ in the near future, “We absolutely see that growing here in Sarasota is the way to go,” says Pearsall.

Also pet-friendly, some travelers are already seeing the benefit of the new service. For Tim and Jennifer Smale having a nonstop flight from Portland to SRQ was a relief, especially when travelling with their cat Mia, who’s not the biggest fan of air travel. “Having a direct flight made all the difference,” says Tim. “This is perfect.” It’s the Smales first time wintering in Sarasota, but they can see it becoming a regular thing.

Elite Airways flights connecting Portland and SRQ are currently scheduled through April, with spring and summer schedules to be released by late December. 

Pictured: Elite Airways' inaugural flight from Portland, ME to SRQ arrives. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

With just a week until the most anticipated dinner of the year, The Table Creekside shares the recipe for their turkey roulade. A blend of nutty flavors from chanterelle mushrooms, egg white, garlic, truffle oil and dark turkey meat get stuffed in the turkey breast for a filling and satisfying bite. Thyme and rosemary are rubbed on both the inside and outside of the turkey breast to create a savory smell that will fill the air in your home kitchen.

Ingredients: 2 lbs. chanterelle mushrooms; 4 oz. onion, chopped; 2 tsp. garlic, chopped; 2 tsp. sage; 3 lbs. dark meat turkey; 6 egg whites; 1 lb. fresh roasted chestnuts; 2 Tbsp. truffle oil; ½ tsp. thyme; ½ tsp. rosemary; ¼ cup olive oil; zest of 2 lemons; salt and pepper to taste.

Take a boneless turkey breast (skin on) butterfly and pound evenly until flat. Chop thyme and rosemary and add 1 tsp. of sea salt. Mix well. Rub inside and outside of turkey breast and place in a sealed container in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Lightly sautee chanterelle, onion and garlic with truffle oil.

In a food processor, place dark meat of turkey, sauteed chanterelle mix and egg white and puree until a soft blended consistency. Chop chestnuts and sage. Add lemon zest, then fold into mixture.

Open turkey breast and place mixture in the middle. While rolling turkey breasts, tuck in ends. Be sure skin covers entirely. Tie with butcher twine and bake in oven at 300 degrees for 50 minutes. Serves 8–10 people.  

The Table Creekside, 5365 South Tamiami Trl., 941-921-9465.

Juicy, tender and the best kind of greasy: if a burger came into mind, you’re spot on. Meaty, flavorful and unlike your typical burger, BurgerFi grabs attention with its CEO Burger. A double decker consisting of wagyu (a Japanese beef cattle breed) and brisket blend, the well-done burger includes a dollop of home-made candied bacon tomato jam placed in between the two patties to add a sweet kick. A layer of truffle aioli coats the inside of the branded bun, coming together with melted aged Swiss for an added gooey, cheesy delight. If you’re craving more, indulge in their hand-cut fries topped with Parmesan, herbs and garlic aioli.  

BurgerFi, 257 North Cattlemen Rd., #90, 941-800-1800.

Point Lumineux, a contemporary holistic wellness center, opened recently in Sarasota near Tamiami Trail. Dr. Sera Balderston, founder, is a doctor of oriental medicine and a graduate of the East West College of Natural Medicine. Dr. James Michael Smith, a former emergency room physician, is the center’s medical director. The clinical team also includes a board-certified nurse practitioner, two licensed massage therapists, a sound healing therapist, two licensed estheticians and a spiritual intuitive. Services include functional medicine, sound healing, massage therapy and more. Point Lumineux also provides a wide range of supplements to reduce pain and inflammation along with dietary and nutrition counseling.  

Point Lumineux

Ocean Technology Research Program Manager at Mote Marine Laboratory, Dr. Jordon Beckler, was awarded an early-career research fellowship from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to study how the presence of iron may affect harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Gulf of Mexico. The two-year, $76,000 grant will allow Beckler to continue his research on ocean chemistry, to better understand HAB formation and behavior, explore the potential for iron in the environment to indirectly fuel HABs and to unravel how iron may affect ecosystem dynamics, economics and human health.  

Mote Marine Laboratory

The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) announced that CEO Kathy Roberts would be retiring at the end of 2017 after a career of more than 40 years with realtor associations in Kansas and Florida, 12 of them at RASM. Roberts joined the Sarasota Association of Realtors in 2006 after previously serving as CEO in Topeka, KS for 17 years and Wichita, KS for 10 years. RASM has engaged Jerry Matthews, strategic consultant, to assist the transition team in the national search for a successor to manage the 6,000-member organization.  

Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee

The Francis was full of inspiring people and compelling discussions yesterday at SRQ MEDIA’s SB2: GOOD COAST A Good Place To Work, Live, Play and Give symposium. Keynote speaker, Stacy Carlson of the Florida Philanthropic Network and panelists Bob Rosinsky of Goodwill Manasota, Brian Mariash of Mariash Lowther Wealth Management, Teri Hansen of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Veronica Brady of Gulf Coast Community Foundation dove into the business and quality of life opportunities on the West Coast of Florida created by the strong giving voice of our philanthropic region. Thank you to our keynote speaker, panelists, series sponsors CS&L, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport and the Resort at Longboat Key Club, event sponsor Mariash Lowther Wealth Management and all who attended yesterday’s motivating event.

Visit clicksrq.com for event photos.  

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