Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Labels:
North Carolina Storyteller,
Storyteller Sylvia Payne,
sylvia payne,
Sylvia Payne Blog,
Sylvia Payne Treasures in Old Letters,
Treasures in Old Letters
Sylvia Payne, a North Carolina Storyteller, comes from a diverse background of Scots Irish, English, and German ancestry. She grew up in the North Carolina foothills listening to family stories told by her mother. A graduate of High Point University and a former children’s librarian, her repertoire includes world folktales, stories of history, legends and family stories. With more than 30 years’ experience, her animated style, and her stories captivate and transport the listener into an imaginary world. In addition, she conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and college and university students.
She serves on the North Carolina Storytelling Guild Board and is editor of the Guild’s bi-annual publication, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. Sylvia has studied with such storytelling masters as Donald Davis, David Holt, Tim Lowry, Connie Regan-Blake and Donna Marie Todd.
Treasures in Old Letters
I will never forget the
time my sister found a box of Mother's old letters. They were in a slightly worn box tucked under a stack of old
quilt scraps. Inside, cloaked beneath a
sheet of embossed tissue paper, were letters dating back to the early
'30's. Some were addressed to my mother
before she married, others came after.
My Mother
I pulled out a fat
envelope postmarked June 30, 1932.
There were twenty handwritten pages from her classmate and good friend,
Belle. School was out for the
summer. The letter began May 30th and
wasn't finished until a full month had passed.
It's obvious this young lady had a very busy summer. She wrote, "I've been hoeing cotton all
day today and I'm so tired I can hardly wiggle. My back hurts so bad... but we do have fun hoeing cotton. I'd rather be hoeing than to be at the
house."
Belle's labor continued
with no wrap-up of her letter. "I
have been hoeing this evening and almost got snake bit. It sure did scare me but I killed it... it
was a great big snake. A
copperhead. I guess it would have
killed me if it would have bit me."
The next portion of her
letter reflected sadness and disappointment.
She said she was unable to attend school that fall. Because of that she feared her countless
hopes and dreams would be lost.
Nonetheless, deep within she didn't give up entirely. Deep within her soul, she clung to a strand
of hope. She also spoke of missing the
camaraderie of her classmates.
The letter reflected a
laborious way of life in contrast to jobs for the average young woman of
today. Times were tough back then
during the Great Depression (1929-30)
Often farmers were the
ones who survived in the south. They
lived off the land. At least they could
grow small crops to sell with enough food set aside to last the family though
the winter. It usually held them until
early spring crops came in.
In a later paragraph,
Belle's mood became positive. She
expressed her thanks and appreciation to my mother for being her close trusted
friend. She was confident that my
mother would always guard their teenage secrets.
My Mother and siblings
I wonder about Belle's
outcome in life. I do recall my mother
speaking of her. Knowing the
determination and resilience my ancestors had during hard times I believe Belle
never gave up. I think she clung to
hope and faith, just as my mother's family did. That's all these unwavering families had. They passed their attribute on to the next
generation. The world has changed
drastically since then. I hope and pray
this courage and buoyancy is reaching our young generation.
Sylvia Payne, a North Carolina Storyteller, comes from a diverse background of Scots Irish, English, and German ancestry. She grew up in the North Carolina foothills listening to family stories told by her mother. A graduate of High Point University and a former children’s librarian, her repertoire includes world folktales, stories of history, legends and family stories. With more than 30 years’ experience, her animated style, and her stories captivate and transport the listener into an imaginary world. In addition, she conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and college and university students.
She serves on the North Carolina Storytelling Guild Board and is editor of the Guild’s bi-annual publication, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. Sylvia has studied with such storytelling masters as Donald Davis, David Holt, Tim Lowry, Connie Regan-Blake and Donna Marie Todd.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Brunch With Jeannie McPhail, Storyteller/ Author
It was a relaxing, enjoyable morning when author/ storyteller, Jeannie McPhail and I met for brunch. We chose one of our favorite restaurants that prepares delicious blueberry muffins and those yummy lips smacking pancakes. We had worked on meeting since back last year and finally it happened. I would have sat for hours, but both of us had other commitments later that day.
Jeannie shared her exciting news that she recently published a new book. I was thrilled when she presented me with a copy for enjoyment and possible review in the NC Storytelling Guild newsletter, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. We have published earlier reviews of two or her book publications. Go to Jeannie's website: www.jamcphail.com
I plan to write a review for this new publication, Trinity Tales of Tresia, later this year. This title is part 1 of a trilogy from Rowe Publishing.
Following is a review I wrote of one of her earlier publication:
I Will Not Fear: a
Chosen Life By J.A. McPhail
Rowe Publishing; Price
$12.95,
plus shipping and handling
I
Will Not Fear: a Chosen Life is a
beautiful story of inspiration and faith.
It gave me a striking glimpse into the life of a loving and caring
family, whose love grew even deeper when the daughter was diagnosed with
lymphoma. I held a warm spot in my
heart as I read about their love for life and for one another, their Christian
faith and how their chosen paths touched countless people around them. Stacie’s mother, Jeanne McPhail, tells the
story.
In
June 1976 Stacie Jeanne McPhail came into this world. The newborn’s first cry brought forth an immediate applause from
hospital delivery room staff. Applause
continued to follow her throughout the rest of her life.
As
the only child of Jeanne Ann and Dennis McPhail, nurture, love, faith and
companionship was never lacking in Stacie’s life. A doting family, neighbors, friends, church members, the
community and people from the music world surrounded her.
Singing
became one of Stacie’s great loves, with Southern gospel music her
favorite. Her father, Dennis, taught
music in high school and often sang in choirs and concerts. A favorite family activity was to travel by
tour bus with concert groups her dad was a part of.
Stacie
received a music scholarship to attend college and after graduation she
accepted a teaching job and moved from her home in Kansas to North
Carolina. Later her parents moved to
the old ‘North State’ to be closer to her.
In 2003 the McPhails (Dennis, Jeanne and Stacie) formed their own
Southern Gospel trio, The Macs.
Stacie continued to teach, but spent weekends on the road and on
stage.
During
her busy summer of 2011, she noticed a lump on her neck. The family was packing for a camping trip
when the doctor called with the results.
Stacie “handled it with such grace,” according to her mother. “We spent the next three days camping.”
The
family met one of the biggest challenges “ever faced in our lives. We still believed God had a plan.” There were many trips to Duke Medical Center
for treatments and Stacie’s parents accompanied her. She wanted them by her side.
Hospital
nurses were amazed as they observed the family spend hours together in
conversation, reading aloud from the Bible, listening to CD’s and listening to
gospel and other faith fulfilling music.
After eight months PET results reported no lymphoma, but that was short
lived. It soon reappeared.
Near
the end of the book Jeanne writes, “We realize that because Stacie was single
and we had our own family singing ministry, we had more time with her in 36
years than a lot of parents have in a lifetime.”
Through
positive faith Stacie and her parents acquired their strength from God. He was their staying power. They “did not fear.”
After
I finished this captivating life story, tossed with laughter, sadness, and
lighter moments, I clearly see Jeanne’s story of Stacie’s life as an
unrestrained beacon of faith that will touch all who read it.
Reviewed by Sylvia Payne - http://www.storytraditions.com
Sylvia Payne, a North Carolina Storyteller, comes from a diverse background of Scots Irish, English, and German ancestry. She grew up in the North Carolina foothills listening to family stories told by her mother. A graduate of High Point University and a former children’s librarian, her repertoire includes world folktales, stories of history, legends and family stories. With more than 30 years’ experience, her animated style, and her stories captivate and transport the listener into an imaginary world. In addition, she conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and college and university students.
She serves on the North Carolina Storytelling Guild Board and is editor of the Guild’s bi-annual publication, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. Sylvia has studied with such storytelling masters as Donald Davis, David Holt, Tim Lowry, Connie Regan-Blake and Donna Marie Todd.
Monday, November 18, 2013
In Our Backyard
From my dining room window on a recent Saturday
morning, I watched titmice, chickadees and cardinals flitting back
and forth between our two bird feeders in the backyard. Suddenly a
titmouse flew toward the window, landing on a lower limb of our
Japanese maple tree just a few yards away. He was holding a seed in
his beak. He glanced swiftly this way and that, searching for the
perfect spot to break open his treasure.
Before he could complete his task, my attention
was drawn to a second titmouse that landed in the very top of the
tree. He too, was carrying a seed. “Oh what a perfect photo,” I
thought. But I didn’t dare move. We were exactly eye level with
only a window and six feet of distance separating us. I guess he
wasn’t comfortable with me watching, though I stood still. He
swiftly made a dive and was swallowed up by the tree leaves and
branches.
Photo: Titmouse holding sunflower seed. Taken a couple years ago.
I
was about to turn away when a movement caught my eye. Sitting where
the second titmouse had been, sat a striking handsome bird. My brain
was working fast; too fast to recall specific thoughts. It was
searching through my memory bank. “What bird is this?” I didn’t
recognize it.
My
mind quickly reviewed similar birds I’d found in my North Carolina
bird book. This handsome fella had a trim black beak. Just above
the beak and across the top of his head was a brownish to dark gray
color. A similar color covered his back and the top side of his
wings. Beneath the throat and down the breast was a bright white
that blended into a gorgeous soft pastel yellow. Maybe it’s just
the way the light hit him. What I saw through the window was
beautiful to my eyes. From a distance I wouldn’t have noticed.
Perhaps the reflections of light was ideal on such a gray, overcast
day.
Suddenly I had it. “Yes! That’s it.” I
grabbed my book and quickly flipped through the richly colored
photos. The bird had vanished from the tree now, but there it was in
the book. There on the page sat an eastern phoebe. Very similar to
the one I had just seen.
Next,
I ran a quick google search and there it was again; a lovely eastern
phoebe was identified in many photographs, several taken by National
Geographic photographers. According to one resource, this bird
displays a soft yellow breast during the fall of the year.
Cold
weather is just around the corner. This is one of many reasons I
love our Japanese maple tree just beyond my dining room window. I
can enjoy nature from the warmth of home if I pay close attention.
Sylvia Payne, a North Carolina Storyteller, comes from a diverse background of Scots Irish, English, and German ancestry. She grew up in the North Carolina foothills listening to family stories told by her mother. A graduate of High Point University and a former children’s librarian, her repertoire includes world folktales, stories of history, legends and family stories. With more than 30 years’ experience, her animated style, and her stories captivate and transport the listener into an imaginary world. In addition, she conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and college and university students.
She serves on the North Carolina Storytelling Guild Board and is editor of the Guild’s bi-annual publication, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. Sylvia has studied with such storytelling masters as Donald Davis, David Holt, Tim Lowry, Connie Regan-Blake and Donna Marie Todd.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Brevard Festival 2013
My
husband and I spent a recent weekend in the North Carolina Mountains,
at Brevard. We were there for the Brevard
Storytelling Festival and
were a part of the volunteer team. Angela Lloyd and Bobby
Norfolk were the featured tellers. Our three regional tellers were
Alan Hoal, Dorothy Kirk and Donna Marie Todd who represented the NC
Storytelling Guild. NC storyteller Gwenda LedBetter served as
MC. What a grand festival!
Angela, left Bobby, above
The
Transylvania County Library hosted the festival and served as
co-sponsor. For the seventh year, the NC Storytelling Guild teamed
up to co-sponsor with them. It’s a joy for our organization to
work with their Friends of the Library and library staff.
There
was an eclectic mixture of stories from the five storytellers. I
traveled back into history with comic, Bobby Norfolk and visited
mystical places as Angela Lloyd wove her whimsical
stories.
Donna Marie Todd held me in stitches as I learned ‘how not’ to
prepare food in a concession stand during a high school football
game. I identified with Dorothy Kirk as she told how she discovered
her true voice. Closing out the final session, Alan Hoal carried me
back to my teen movie-going days with his hilarious and sometimes
frightening experience at a triple feature horror movie.
Donna Marie, above Dorothy, above
We
are like family and rarely see one another, other than at
storytelling gatherings. As is the usual custom, Guild members and
storytellers spent the weekend at a local hotel. This was an
opportunity to have a “reunion of sorts,” to visit, have fun,
strengthen our friendships, and to catch up and learn from one
another.
After
many goodbye’s Sunday morning, my husband and I spent time with two
good friends. We had lunch near the hotel, followed by a leisurely
walk around town on a beautiful sunny day. Colorful leaves twirled
past as we wandered from shop to shop. By late afternoon a cool wind
set our teeth to chattering which sent us in search of hot coffee and
dessert. This tasty treat turned out to be our dinner, filled with
laughter and fellowship. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
Alan, above Donna Marie, Sylvia and Lona, above
Hope
to see you next year at the Brevard Festival.
Labels:
Brevard NC,
Brevard Storytelling Festival,
NC Storytelling Guild,
Transylvania County Friends of the Library,
Transylvania County Library
Sylvia Payne, a North Carolina Storyteller, comes from a diverse background of Scots Irish, English, and German ancestry. She grew up in the North Carolina foothills listening to family stories told by her mother. A graduate of High Point University and a former children’s librarian, her repertoire includes world folktales, stories of history, legends and family stories. With more than 30 years’ experience, her animated style, and her stories captivate and transport the listener into an imaginary world. In addition, she conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and college and university students.
She serves on the North Carolina Storytelling Guild Board and is editor of the Guild’s bi-annual publication, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. Sylvia has studied with such storytelling masters as Donald Davis, David Holt, Tim Lowry, Connie Regan-Blake and Donna Marie Todd.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Oldest Town in Tennessee
I
recently took a two-day "girl's" trip to Jonesborough Tennessee. The weather couldn't have been more perfect.
Temperatures were in the mid 80's accompanied by a lovely breeze.
It’s
funny. I’ve made many treks to this
little historical town over the years.
Most trips take place during the National Storytelling Festival when the
town is filled with hundreds of people, including well-known storytelling
professionals who are invited to be featured tellers during the festival. Many additional storytellers (and
listeners) learn from the masters and enjoy a delightful three-day weekend
filled with stories.
This
trip was different. It was a friend’s
first visit to this lovely historical town.
We planned to enjoy a storyteller-in-residence concert and take in some
of the essence of historical Jonesborough.
It’s
easy to become engrossed in the town’s history minus several thousand people
gathered for a storytelling festival. I
didn’t need to worry about rushing off to one of many storytelling tents around
town, afraid I would miss out on a good story or favorite storyteller. Instead I concentrated solely on
appreciating a few of Jonesborough’s own stories and significant architecture
preserved from the past.
We took
in the 'storyteller-in-residence' concert with Liz Weir, a great storyteller
from Ireland. She was delightful, as I
knew she would be. It wasn’t her first
trip here. I enjoyed her a few years
ago when she was featured during the National Storytelling Festival.
We
enjoyed a free music concert (held each Friday evening) on the square,
in front of the old courthouse. It was
amazing the number of people who turned out to hear the music of Blue Mother
Tupelo. I can only imagine the
crowds this concert must draw before summer vacation ends.
Thanks
to the kind ladies at the Visitor’s Center, we took a self-guided walking tour
of historical buildings in the main part of town, followed by a personalized
tour led by local storyteller, Jules, as she told us local stories from the
past.
I look forward to returning next year. I yearn to absorb another weekend of small town culture and history.
I look forward to returning next year. I yearn to absorb another weekend of small town culture and history.
Labels:
historical town,
history,
Jonesborough,
stories,
TN
Sylvia Payne, a North Carolina Storyteller, comes from a diverse background of Scots Irish, English, and German ancestry. She grew up in the North Carolina foothills listening to family stories told by her mother. A graduate of High Point University and a former children’s librarian, her repertoire includes world folktales, stories of history, legends and family stories. With more than 30 years’ experience, her animated style, and her stories captivate and transport the listener into an imaginary world. In addition, she conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and college and university students.
She serves on the North Carolina Storytelling Guild Board and is editor of the Guild’s bi-annual publication, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. Sylvia has studied with such storytelling masters as Donald Davis, David Holt, Tim Lowry, Connie Regan-Blake and Donna Marie Todd.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
What Happened to Summer?
Summer just began or so I thought.
There have been so many places to go and things to do. It seems only yesterday my husband and I
packed our car and headed off to Ocracoke Island. A place we love to visit.
It’s so relaxing.We thoroughly enjoyed the Ocrafolk Music and Storytelling Festival, where one of our favorite storytellers, Donald Davis (right photo), held a captive audience.
We walked along the clean uncrowded beach, hiked Hammock Hills
and Springer’s Point
nature trails, walked down the
little ‘back in time" dirt streets (left photo),
visited shops and many other fun activities.
visited shops and many other fun activities.
After returning
home, we had just begun to catch
up when it was time to head to the NC
Mountains
for Storytellers Wild Week at the Wildacres
Retreat
Center in Little Switzerland, NC
It was an uplifting week, crammed full of
storytelling and learning sessions led by Michael
Reno Harrell.
(Michael, above photo)
There was great fun, camaraderie, learning and laughter with my special storytelling friends.
It's one of my favorite summer get-a-ways.
Most of us couldn’t resist staying up ‘til midnight or later, sharing our deepest thoughts, ideas and stories with one another. Despite the fact that rain poured from the sky during the entire week.
I was beginning to think the entire mountain had developed into a gigantic waterfall!
The Wild Group (left photo)
Tip: click on individual photos and you can enlarge them for viewing.
With just four days back at home to regroup, wash
clothes and repack, we were off again, driving to
Minnesota. My husband’s cousins invited us to join them
for a memorial service for their parents, followed by a wonderful reunion. He hadn’t seen his cousins in 40 years! (above photo: family gathering)
As you might imagine, since the past 40 years
the family has multiplied many times over.
It was a warm and joyous reunion for him and even for me, though it was
my first time to meet them. I felt as
if I knew a few of them from stories my husband has shared over the years.
During the family gathering many stories were
shared - fond memories of old friends, relatives, neighbors, grandparents,
aunts and uncles, getting into trouble, grandparents’ favorite grandchildren
and the old neighborhood that had mostly disappeared. Ah, the good ‘ole days.
Younger cousins and siblings shared stories as
well. And there was lots of quality
time with the children from ages 15 down to toddlers and the cute 9-month-old
baby. There were 30 of us in all,
spread out in three lovely cottages side by side.
Some us visited nearby Two Harbors Lighthouse
and Gooseberry Falls.
There was time to relax on the deck,
watching the fog roll in and out over Lake Superior (left photo above), listening to the foghorns
echo into the night, enjoying campfires by the lake, eating yummy smores, listening
to the water lapping against the rocks, admiring the glistening moon beaming
across the water and
(right photo: Split Rock Lighthouse)
By the way, I returned home filled with love and
story ideas.
(left photo: It's so hard to say "Goodbye")
Sylvia Payne, a North Carolina Storyteller, comes from a diverse background of Scots Irish, English, and German ancestry. She grew up in the North Carolina foothills listening to family stories told by her mother. A graduate of High Point University and a former children’s librarian, her repertoire includes world folktales, stories of history, legends and family stories. With more than 30 years’ experience, her animated style, and her stories captivate and transport the listener into an imaginary world. In addition, she conducts workshops for parents, teachers, and college and university students.
She serves on the North Carolina Storytelling Guild Board and is editor of the Guild’s bi-annual publication, Journal of Tar Heel Tellers. Sylvia has studied with such storytelling masters as Donald Davis, David Holt, Tim Lowry, Connie Regan-Blake and Donna Marie Todd.