What a Week for Storytelling!

Wow! Last week followed by this past weekend was filled with interesting storytelling adventure. April 21st was the day I had set aside to review my plans for a program I was scheduled to present in Jamestown, NC the following evening. Instead,I spent most of the morning away from home. I received a call from the Hickory Daily Record wanting to have an interview with me on this day. They were planning to write an article about a local storytelling festival in my area and wanted to interview one of the storytellers. Guess I got lucky, so of course, I said, "Yes."

It was, after all, fun talking about my "love of storytelling." We talked for over an hour. The article hasn't yet appeared and who knows what will actually end up in the newspaper. I was a bit nervous because the gracious reporter also wanted to video a short story. It's somewhat difficult for me to tell a story without having an audience in front of me, as the audience pulls on my adrenalin and helps to activate my animation.

The following evening I made my trip over to Jamestown and had a great time sharing my program; We Have Stories to Tell: Family and Personal Stories. I always look forward to hearing audience members talk about their stories; or the fact that they never realized that they were sharing stories as they interact with family, friends or co-workers. This sort of information always surfaces as my program comes to the discussion session. And often, little tidbits of wisdom and stories are shared after our discussion is "officially" over.

This past weekend (April 26-27th) was especially exciting. I spent the weekend at the Storytelling Festival of Carolina in Laurinburg, NC. This festival is in its second year and was well attended. Excitement was everywhere. Many folks came from out of town. I ran into friends from other parts of the state and even from South Carolina and Virginia. I had the occasion to serve as an Emcee. What an honor to introduce nationally traveled performers as well as regional tellers. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect audience! Even a falling tree and a downpour of hard rain couldn't have put a "damper" on the excitement of the listeners and participants!

Remember that each of us is filled with a treasure trunk of stories.

Signs of Spring

Signs of springtime are everywhere as I look outside. It’s very refreshing to see reviving fields, lawns and pastures. Even forests are alive with Bradford pear trees covered in white blossoms. The other day as I drove down the road, it appeared as though snow had selectively fallen on the pear trees alone. I found it quite breathtaking!

I am being inspired with new and fresh ideas to include in my storytelling repertoire. Last week new letters and fliers were mailed to promote my storytelling offerings. Just yesterday an idea for a new song came to mind as I reviewed plans for this year’s Summer Reading Programs. As you can see ideas are sprouting forth just like springtime.

You may go to the main page of my website, scroll down the “yellow text boxes” (left hand side of screen), and click on FREE CONSULTATION to contact me for booking your program. Once you include all pertinent information, you must go to the bottom of the page. Click on the gray “send” box in order for your message to reach me.

Start of a New Year - 2008

I begin a brand new year with much excitement, wondering what new things it will bring. I look back over the past year and cherish many fresh experiences, some through my storytelling travels and some of them personal. No matter what we do or where we go, there is always a later time to reflect upon them and discover many rich stories. Maybe you are saying, “But I’m not a storyteller.” Whether you are aware of it or not, each one of us is a storyteller. Maybe it isn't in the sense of ‘standing on a stage’ telling stories to a crowd, but we do share stories about our own experiences every day, whether it is with a family member, a co-worker, a committee member or a close friend.

In 2007 I traveled across North Carolina and into South Carolina telling stories. Several times I also traveled up and down the east coast from Atlantic City, New Jersey to Tampa, Florida. The year was filled with many interesting experiences that are too numerous to mention. I will, however, mention two of my most exciting storytelling opportunities.

I was invited to be an after-dinner speaker at The Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute in August at Chapel Hill, NC and I was asked to present my We Have Stories to Tell program for the Friends of the Library at the Ashe County Public Library, West Jefferson, NC in September. It was a privilege to be invited by these two organizations to share some of my stories. As it so often happens, I think I gained more from the experience than they did. The more energy I expend in my work the more blessings I seem to receive.

I offer programs for a wide variety of ages, groups and organizations. Take a look at my website at Storytraditions.com. I can adapt my programs to fit your individual need. Schedule your booking now before my calendar fills up.

North Carolina Storytelling Guild’s 9th Annual Storytelling Festival

Wow, wow, wow! These are my immediate words to describe the North Carolina Storytelling Guild’s annual storytelling festival held in downtown Brevard, NC on Saturday November 3^rd, at the lovely new Transylvania County Public Library. What could be better than a beautiful mountain setting with the surrounding community coming out to support storytelling? When I arrived home the following day I was still floating with excitement.

Being our best festival yet, I wonder, “How can it get any better?” Our featured North Carolina storytellers, Bill Friedman, Dianne Hackworth, Charlotte Hamlin, Janet Harllee, Terry Rollins and Wayne and Jane Sims were well polished in story and in stage presence. And of course Bill Harley, the library’s guest teller, set the tone for the entire day. Bill, otherwise known as “The Garrison Keillor for kids”, received a standing ovation at his last stage appearance on Saturday night, which prompted him to do an encore.

Stories and music carried the audience from laughter, to amazement, to intrigue, to the very poignant moments. Even with a nearly filled auditorium on Saturday evening, I witnessed the silence of the audience during those more serious and breathtaking moments.

If you have never attended a storytelling festival you don’t know what you are missing. Storytelling is for all ages, from the very young to the “young at heart”. The majority of listeners at this festival were adults who seemed to soak up every single minute of it! Check out our North Carolina Storytelling Guild website to learn more - http://www.ncstoryguild.org/

On the Road to Eastern NC

I am reflecting on my travels just over a week ago to Clinton, NC, which is located in Sampson County. I spoke at the Sampson County Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 21^st where the county’s namesake, Colonel John Sampson, was posthumously inducted. Historian, Joel Rose nominated Sampson for this award and spoke of some of his achievements. This event took place at the Sampson County Exposition center. http://www.sampsonexpocenter.com/

It was exciting to participate in the celebration of this bit of history in eastern North Carolina. As a storyteller I am constantly reminded of the importance of history around us. Our local history is a part of our lives and helps explain how we arrived in our present day status. We, as individuals, must also remember our own family history in order to appreciate and wonder of “how and why” we are where we are today. There is so much that we tend take for granted.

It is so refreshing when I visit communities such as this where folks are so friendly and so genuine. My husband and I stayed in a lovely bed and breakfast there which was delightful. While there we visited the Sampson County History Museum in downtown Clinton. We were impressed with the interesting history that has been collected and on display within the various quaint buildings on the premises. Visit their website - http://www.sampsonhmc.com/

I kindly thank the Sampson County Board of Commissioners and the North Carolina Humanities Speakers’ Bureau for making this visit possible for me. Please contact me if you are looking to book a speaker/storyteller. If you are a non-profit organization you may contact the NC Humanities Speakers’ Bureau to obtain a grant for a speaker.
- http://www.nchumanities.org/speaker/speaker_intro.html

Memories and the Big Apple

I stood at Ground Zero in the heat of the day, yet a chill caused me to shiver, I saw Miss Liberty, I walked around Time Square, I gazed at strange people along the streets, and I attended a Broadway play. These are only a few flashbacks as I remember my trip last week.

I drove to New Jersey to be with relatives upon the death of my aunt Margaret. It was a sad time. Yet it was so memorable as I reflected with family on happier times. I was reminded of my childhood, my aunt’s youthfulness, family reunions, country cooking and fun times.

Unfortunately Alzheimer’s had snatched the enjoyment of life away from her these last few years. Well cared for, she seemed unaware of life around her. Then God sent his angels to take her soul to a perfect life on the “other side”.

My cousin and her husband convinced us “southern cousins” to stay with them an extra day so that they could take us to NYC. We endured their threat of hiding our car keys if we did not stay – by staying. And away we went to the big city. What a thrill! It had been more than 25 years since I was in NYC. I enjoyed every moment of it, including the Broadway play – The Drowsy Chaperon.

Last week’s visit to pay tribute to my Aunt Margaret shall always be a memorable experience. It was filled with pleasant memories and quality time with special cousins.

Our lives are filled with memories and memories are our stories.

Storytelling Festivals - Sure Sign of Springtime

The first day of spring has finally arrived! I had already noticed many signs that spring was on the way - flower blossoms popping their heads above ground, Bradford pears in snowy blossom, yellow forsythia bushes glowing in the sunlight, and birds merrily singing as they busied themselves in search for food and nesting spots.

Storytelling festivals also blossom in the springtime. April 24^th brings Storytelling Festival 2007 to H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library in Henderson, NC. I look forward to participating in this fun festival as a regional storyteller. Children’s librarian, Claire Basney, is organizing this festival.

On May 16^th, I am excited to be one of six regional tellers at NC StoryFest 2007 in Greensboro, NC. I am also looking forward to telling stories with my storytelling friends and comrades at both of these festivals. I’m currently in the process of booking other storytelling programs in addition to festivals. If you’re interested in booking a program go to my Free Consultation page on my website and get in touch with me. Or click on the E-Mail envelope found on the lower left-hand side (in the green panel) of any of my web pages.