The first video collection containing the lifelong memories of longtime Wilkes County residents will soon be available for public preview today, April 26, at the New South Productions board meeting at the Mary Willis Library beginning at 5:15 p.m.

"You'll be able to get a sense of what New South is producing," said Stephanie Macchia, President of New South Productions, "And we hope you'll make a tax-deductible donation"

Any size donation is encouraged, she said. "We have so many of our citizens to film over the coming months and years, this project is definitely long-term." Macchia said. "We intend to take the revenue from the sales of the first installment and apply them directly to the next round of interviews and production." she said.

To execute a project that will yield a multi-volume collection of DVD interviews to be continued for any length of time, New South is placing a focus on fund-raising now. "We have a couple of fundraising projects in the works now," Macchia said. "They're being designed to be fun and innovative, and we can't wait!"

The first installment of the collection will soon be made available for sale to the general public, Macchia said, "It features a wealth of forgotten memories of our great city and county. I'm very pleased to be this far along in the project so soon. We have only just begun but with the interviews going so well and covering such a broad range of topics, we are months ahead of schedule in releasing our first collection of narratives."

New South has plans to develop a full-length documentary on the Piedmont region of Georgia with a focus on Wilkes County and Washington in the next year.