Date/Time: Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 12:05 P.M. Place: Alabama Power Auditorium, Alabama Department of Archives and History Topic: “Fishing For Gold: The Story of Alabama’s Catfish Industry” Speaker: Karni R. Perez

Few people are aware of Alabama’s important role in the history of the nation’s catfish industry, and it’s an interesting story that’s worth telling. Join us on Thursday, July 19, at 12 noon for the next ArchiTreats: Food for Thought program at the Alabama Department of Archives and History when Karni R. Perez will share highlights from her book Fishing For Gold: The Story of Alabama’s Catfish Industry.

Photo courtesy Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industry

The industry in Alabama developed very differently than in Mississippi or other states and bears the hallmarks of its unique origins. Ms. Perez will show the birth and development of the catfish industry in Alabama and the role Alabamians played in the development of the catfish industry in general. Joining Ms. Perez during the presentation are Check Stephens and Richard True, two Alabama pioneers in America’s billion-dollar commercial catfish industry. Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the program.

Karni R. Perez

Ms. Perez is an independent researcher who moved to Auburn from California with her family in 1988. She holds an M.S. in Sociology and a graduate Interdisciplinary Minor in Environmental Studies from Auburn and a B.A. in foreign language and biology from universities in California. Currently she coordinates and conducts education programs for school groups and summer camps for elementary-age children in Auburn

This presentation is one in a series of monthly third-Thursday free lectures at the Alabama Archives, 624 Washington Avenue, Montgomery. Bring a sack lunch; coffee and tea will be provided by the Friends of the Alabama Archives.

For more information call (334) 353-4712.