The Ceremony
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Keith and Donna Barton take their seats and discuss last-minute details.
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Bills Pitts listens as Bob Sanders opens the ceremony and welcomes guests.
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A candle burns for Matilda as Keith and Donna Barton listen to Bob Sanders.
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Jacque Meyer from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society is guest speaker.
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Keith and Donna Barton listen as Jacque Meyer reflects on Matilda's life.
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Patricia Young smiles with Keith and Donna Barton at a remark by Jacque Meyer.
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Bob Sanders listens as Jacque Meyer delivers her closing comments.
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Guests listen as Bob Sanders reads a Commendation from Governor Bob Riley.
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Keith Barton, Jacque Meyer, and Bob Sanders wait as Donna Barton leaves lectern.
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Jacque Meyer listens as Keith Barton expresses thanks for the Commendation.
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Bill Pitts listens as Keith Barton reads a card sent by some of Matilda's fans.
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Bill Pitts retrieves his notes as he is being introduced by Bob Sanders.
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Bill Pitts speaks about magicians and their love for their animals.
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Keith and Donna Barton listen as Bill Pitts explains the Broken Perch Ceremony.
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Ruth Pitts holds a dove and smiles as she listens to Bill Pitts, her husband.
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Bill Pitts reads the rites for the Broken Perch Ceremony.
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Bill Pitts displays the perch, which is painted to resemble a magician's wand.
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Bill Pitts prepares to break the perch.
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Bill Pitts breaks the perch.
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Bill Pitts holds the broken halves of the perch.
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As Donna Barton holds the broken perch, she and Keith Barton mourn their loss.
Before The Ceremony
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Bill and Ruth Pitts' doves are in attendance.
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Rick Ruhl prepares to shoot footage of the ceremony.
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A FOX-6 cameraman shoots footage.
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A WVTM-13 cameraman prepares to shoot footage.
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Patricia Young, Jacque Meyer, and Donna Barton prepare for the ceremony.
After The Ceremony
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Ruth Pitts holds a dove, which is being lovingly stroked by an admirer.
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Donna Barton and Jacque Meyer share a hug.
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Patricia Young and Jacque Meyer join Keith and Donna Barton for a photo.
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Patricia Young is comforted by Larry Moore and Donna Barton.
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Teresa McCay joins Keith and Donna Barton for a photo.
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Bob and Lucy Sanders contributed greatly to the success of the ceremony.
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A salesman from Dancing Spring Magic discusses the ceremony with Keith Barton.
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Keith Barton is interviewed by a reporter and cameraman for The Tuscaloosa News.
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Chris Wilson returns to assist with sales at the Pannell's Pharmacy booth.
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Keith and Donna Barton pose by a larger-than-life photo of Matilda.
Memorabilia Table
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Matilda's Olivia Bearden Award is behind a sign requesting guests' signatures.
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James Adamson signs the book.
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Patricia Young signs the book.
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Mary Doty signs the book.
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A guest inspects Matilda's letter and certificate from Guinness World Records.
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A WVTM-13 cameraman pans across Matilda's numerous awards and memorabilia.