... Return to Normalcy - but what exactly is normal?

The final day of the annual National Storytelling Network conference found the troupe restless and ready to hit the road. Interpreter Libby worked the last concert, and while several attended, others of us felt the confinement of the van coming, choosing to stay in the lobby, which was fun.

Waiting down in the lobby for our fellow troupe members was an experience not to be forgotten. Whether we knew the storytellers attending the conference or not, it was as though we were of one family and strangers no more. Some we had seen in conference sessions during the week, but never got to meet, so this was our chance. And yes, the sound heated up as we greeted, bade farewell and more.

And speaking of the lobby: As some are aware, storytellers cultivate their vocal folds into powerful amplifiers. This storyteller, working downstairs at the public computer found out for herself the trouble we can cause. There I was, typing away, minding my own business when it began - a conflagration of sound coming from who knew where. Nearby, patrons eating or having drinks expressed concern, and that's when I overheard a staff member say, "I'm so sorry sir. I promise it's not usually loud like this. You see there's a storytelling ..." After hearing the same explanation to different patrons several times, I realized we storytellers must practice some wisdom when using our most powerful instruments - our voices.

During most of the trip, I had experienced unusual sensitivity to sound, later diagnosed as an ear infection, so this got my attention. Are we really that loud and disruptive? My answer is "no, not usually," but we can be when we're together. In a world where people are talking less and less, we may stand out more in our exuberance for what we do.

 Joined by our fellow troupe members at the concert's conclusion, those of us on the floor had done a full day's work already, and were ready for the road. Still, there was some reluctance as we knew that no matter what we did, it could never be replicated in exactly the same way. That particular combination of personalities, talents and events had rubbed together, worked and played just long enough to create something special - a treasured memory.

 Tellabration is a time-honored tradition in the oral tradition storytelling world, and one at which storytellers gather to tell stories as close to the Thursday before Thanksgiving as possible; ours is November 20 at the Jonesborough Visitors Center.  That night we'll honor our sponsors by telling our favorite stories from the journey, sharing video footage of our performances at different venues, and recap highlights from the trip. www.storytellersguild.org.

The Uptown Arts Bar - Kansas City

All through this journal, we've described the cooperation found in our storytelling community here in Jonesborough, our sponsors, and especially the Town of Jonesborough. From the very beginning, the National Storytelling Network office was supportive of our road trip efforts, sharing vital contact information that enabled us to book the venues and meet with fellow guild members in four states. What we accomplished still seems almost mythic to those of us who went, and our sense of being a performance troupe continues.

Arriving in Kansas City, we thought the Uptown Arts Bar would be our last gig of the trip. Our new NSN interim director, Robert Buenavitas helped us secure this gig, we were all excited about. Located downtown in the middle of tiny shops and restaurants, the place had an aura that was enchanting from the moment we walked in. The bar is out front, but is divided from the stage hall in the back by an improbable stairway. A charming touch of whimsy, at first I thought it led to nowhere, but not so - there were necessary rooms at the top of those steps, and woe to anyone who couldn't navigate them...

The River and Prairie Storytelling Guild's Steve Otto and others came to hear us and to tell, as we advertised the concert as an olio, but first, they wanted to hear the Jonesborough Kansas City Road trip Troupe tell. It was great fun to tell stories in that black space, as all one could see were the faces nearby. Further back the hall was filled with a wonderfully diverse group of listeners, and later, we discovered the concert was broadcast into the bar as well. The photo below was taken at the Uptown Arts Bar in Kansas City, MO.

Troupe members are decked out in our matching blue vests.

Kansas City - we made it!

Troupe members stagger down the hall to our rooms on arrival at the hotel in Kansas City. All any of us could think of was good food and a good night of rest. Fortunately we got both, as Monday night we were off. The hotel, in the middle of downtown Kansas City, was still relatively quiet when we got there, with a few storytellers coming in for early meetings.

The next morning, Delanna, David, Libby and I took off for the VA. After some minor confusion we were told to go up to the 9th floor where every door was locked. There, we waited for the music therapist who secured a room for us, and then we waited there until a group of men came in. Tense, with downcast eyes and clinched fists, it was obvious they were not happy to be there, but then stories have a way of changing all that.

I started off with My Cousin Phil (with his permission, of course,) - a parady on the old bear chases man theme, in which he accidentally sets off a bear down on the St. Marks River in North Florida, and runs for safety. While the heart of the story is  quite serious - my beloved cousin was in Viet Nam and came home to a different world, it is funny, and that warmed them up. Each story seemed to touch them in a different way and we rejoiced as barriers dropped and they began to actively listen.

Our friend the therapist was shocked, as she had told us early on not to expect much from those men. "Their attention span may last 45-minutes," she told us, "and then they'll want to leave." But that's not what happened - they relaxed into the stories and when the time was up and Libby had not told, asked her to tell. They sat for well over an hour without a single complaint, and when they left, it was with smiles, jokes and handshakes. You can't beat storytelling for mood-changing miracles!

Before we left, the therapist told us she had another group meeting in a different location on Thursday...would we care to tell for that one, too? Yes!

St. Louis - Our Reputation Precedes Us!

     Leaving Evansville, Indiana, we traveled the long road to St. Louis, Missouri, completely impressed by the magnificent arch which seems to define that great city.  Even though we knew that our chair, Sherril Miller’s father was a master welder who worked on the structure during construction, Jeff Stratton, who is height-averse, regaled us with his story about being stuck at the top. Oh, the horrors of being deliciously afraid are so much fun. . .

     Starving after our light lunch, and in need of rest and sustenance, we decided to eat dinner prior to our evening concert. As several of the troupe have specific dietary needs that had flown to the wind that day, we voted for Asian cuisine. Located downtown, nice, quiet, and cozy, the restaurant allowed the group some real downtime, a commodity we had come to appreciate.

     Making her choices and opting for a special order of sesame chicken, Libby, our mountain teller, caught the eye of Buddy, our server, and it went from there. We played, laughed, and enjoyed their banter as we ate as fine a meal as one could ask for in a big new town. Leaving, two women, who occupied a table near us approached saying, “Are you the storytellers from Jonesborough?” As it turns out, they were storytellers, and they, too, had stopped for dinner prior to attending our concert at the Crown Center for Senior Living, spied us and came by to chat. I must say the recognition so far from home felt good.

    Arriving at the Center, Libby and Delanna set up their cameras for videotaping, as we all assessed the crowd and settled into performance mode. While we had long since discovered that special condition stayed “on” for most of the trip, the really interesting thing was that we all felt it as one entity; we really were a troupe with our egos parked at the curb. It was a powerful feeling to be so attuned to our fellow storytellers, and one we’ll all savor for a long time to come.

      David Claunch secured the gig for us, through the auspices of Bobby Norfolk. Bobby was with us last year in Jonesborough in his role as Teller in Residence, and conducted a workshop at the International Storytelling Center which most of us attended. At that time, he told us about his work leading storytelling and history tours in the St. Louis Arch, all of which had come back to us when we saw it in person. He and his talented wife, storyteller, educator and author Sherry, welcomed us warmly to their state, as did all the other storytellers and guests present including our new friends from the restaurant, one of whom was named Rose.

     After, we talked to members of the guilds for nearly an hour, as it seems almost everyone is interested in how the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild works. Linda Poland interviewed a woman for her WWII story collection project, and I exchanged ideas with the artistic director at one of the big museums in St. Louis. When we finally left for our hotel, we were an exhausted but happy group, having again fulfilled our mission of planting story-seeds along our path to the national conference in Kansas City, MO.

Sacred Storytelling - Unity comes in all Flavors

After a good night's sleep, the troupe again hit the road but as our church gig was nearby, we had only a short way to go this time. Again, it seemed miraculous that seven people - that perfect number in so many ways, could manage to sleep, shower and get out the door on time, but we did. Of course, David Claunch and Jeff Stratton, our time monitors, had made sure we were up and getting ready, but we really didn't need the help. Our work on the road was fun, and with each day came new experiences to savor.


Sherril Miller, a licensed Unity minister, chair of the Kansas City Road Trip effort, put us in touch with the Evansville Unity Church Pastor, Glenda Wilson, who made us welcome from the beginning.

Arriving at the small, very clean building, we entered to such a welcome that immediately we knew the day was going to be a success. We were introduced to everyone who came in, but with our matching blue vests, it was pretty obvious who we were to them; there was no question but that they were glad we were there.

Pastor Glenda was a surprise. With short graying hair, absolutely no makeup and casual clothing, I had taken her to be a member of the congregation, but no, this woman was their leader, and such a leader she turned out to be. The entire group - and the church was full, was as accepting as she, and the sense of unity strong. The service was simple and exquisite, with beautiful music played on a baby grand piano.

Our storytellers entered into the essence of the day with their stories blending seamlessly into the tapestry of worship. Teller Libby Tipton, asked for a Bible to use with her story as she had left hers behind. The pastor shared her own - one that her parents had given her when she graduated from seminary.

At the end, teller Linda Poland asked pastor Glenda for a blessing, which she gladly bestowed on each of us with the support of her people. Such a blessed day it was, and on we'll never forget, in Evansville, Indiana.

Telling for a Full House in Evansville, IN

     After lunch with staff at the Nazareth Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Louisville, Kentucky, we boarded the van headed for Evansville, Indiana. This was our second day on the road and we were on our way to our fourth venue, a house concert sponsored by the the local Evansville storytelling guild.

After driving all afternoon, one of the first things we noticed on arrival in Evansville was how pretty and clean it was. That may not be the case everywhere you might look, but from our vantage point, it held true. Approaching our destination we were thrilled to see signs reading "Storytelling," with arrows pointing to our destination, but things got even better...

Approaching the wide, curving drive of our hosts, we were met by a young couple who showed us where we needed to go and helped us with parking. Debarking at the house, we were met by storyteller and educator Mary Jo Huff, our contact in Indiana.

After greeting us with hugs like old friends, which by that time we were, she led
she led us to the porch which was decorated with a large version of the invitation they had created, and tons of flowers. You might say we felt like royalty by this time, and that is exactly how we were treated all that evening.

Our hosts had emptied both the living room and dining room to accommodate the over seventy guests who attended. The house was a perfect spot for us as those two rooms flanked the foyer and led straight into a delightful den where we told with Mary Jo and another guild member, Tammy, to an enthusiastic crowd.

A break took us to the back porch where a sumptuous feast of chocolate - cookies, brownies... awaited us. Leaving, our emcee, Mike, presented us with small boxes of exquisite chocolate turtles...

We left for our hotel knowing we were doing something beyond breaking new ground for storytellers with our trip; we were performing as a troupe and were exceeding what we had ever done before. Heady, it was with a more-ish taste to it, and one lavished with more than a hint of chocolate!

Storytelling at Nazareth Nursing & Rehabilitation in Louisville, KY

     Saturday morning found the Kansas City road trip troupe wide awake and eager to take to the road for more storytelling. Arriving in Louisville, Kentucky, we were awestruck by the good-looking structure which houses the rehabilitation center, nursing facilities and an Alzheimer's Unit. Run by the Sisters of Charity, it is also the place many Catholic priests and nuns live out their final days loved and appreciated by an excellent staff. The care given the place is a good indication of that given to its residents in my opinion, and this one was first-rate.

     On seeing it, I soon realized the honor we had been given: supporting member, Mattie Mullins secured this venue for us, and apparently not just anybody performs there. Just the night before, someone familiar with the facility asked, "how did you get booked in there?" I just told her a friend of a friend snagged it for us, which was true... At any rate, we were happy to be there, and treated like royalty from Kathy at the front desk, to our host, Sarah Coode.

     We held two simultaneous concerts - one for the general population, the other for those with Alzheimer's. A good friend of Mattie's from years back, a Mr. Tipton who lives in the area, came for the main concert, while David, Libby and I went to the Alzheimer's unit. Lucky, the golden retriever who watches over the ladies, had been visiting with a family and missed our arrival. He sauntered in not long after we did and quickly detected the presence of strangers amongst his charges. Libby and I easily passed muster, but David, the lone male, had to make friends rather quickly or give up and leave it to us. Fortunately, he's a lovable character and it took him little time to convince the canine guardian that all was well. While not all the women were nuns, all were called "sister," and it delighted us to take them back in time with stories that sparked special memories of the past. Such a beautiful time it was.

After a sumptuous lunch of chicken salad sandwiches, chips and dessert, the strong need for a quick siesta set in, but that's also when the reality of the vigours of staying in performance mode became most clear: stories were at the tip of my tongue and I would have been happy to continue performing to anyone I could find to tell to, but it was not to be. Next: the Evansville, IN House Concert.

Next Kansas City road trip concert: former Walmart, now Harmony Christian Church

Georgetown, Ky is a pretty town, and we pulled into the Harmony Christian Church parking oohing and aahing at everything we'd seen. We were, however, totally unprepared for the enormity of what this congregation has accomplished with an unwanted big-box-store space.

Instead of knocking the plain, concrete block building down, church members utilized what was there - good location, solid bones and plenty of space. With everything from a coffee bar in the huge foyer, to a school to car garage bays kept to service cars in the back, this multi-purpose building has been converted with utility and grace in mind.

Did I mention the kitchen? Our host and emcee for the concert, storyteller Don "Buck" Creacy, met us at the doors, ushered us into the spacious galley kitchen and served up incredible pulled pork, baked beans, broccoli slaw and his own handmade yeast rolls for supper. Our pizza from earlier in the day long gone from hours of driving, we were famished, and went to work with serious intent on this feast. How we were able to perform an hour later is still in question, but we did, and with pleasure.

A nice crowd of eager listeners attended that night, including storyteller Mary Hamilton, and her husband Charles. Some who were there had never been to a storytelling concert and came out of curiosity; they left eager to hear more as our story-seeds began to take root, and grow in their hearts and minds. This intended result was a part of what inspired several of us to plan this journey, as the notion of planting story-seeds along our path through four states was a significant part of the mission.

Speaking of inspiration: while we raised funds for the trip, and performed "free," we asked each venue to provide a meal for the seven of us.  While not everyone went as far as Buck and his church did, all did what they could, including taking up love offerings on our behalf. As a result, we got to know the people for whom we performed, and made fast friends everywhere we went, listening to their stories as we shared the blessing of a shared meal.

Highlights from our trip journal - Corbin, KY

As mentioned in last weeks' post, Corbin, KY was the ideal lift-off for our storytelling journey. Empty with the exception of a barebones staff and those directing the summer school program; spruced up for the beginning of school, floors shiny with new wax, walls freshly painted, and with sage slogans decorating the walls, the small school welcomed us with arms opened wide. Those clean walls and floors echoed when we first entered, as summer's students were still on a field trip when our energy expanded into their library.

In my experience, school libraries are almost always special places. Not only are their shelves filled with ideas and information; the surroundings nurture the mind, allowing imagination to take flight. At Corbin Elementary, the library fulfilled its promise to the letter with delightful and cooperative staff as eager to hear our stories as their students.

An interior gazebo proved to be our performance arena as we played and warmed up while awaiting our audience. By the time they arrived, we were stoked and ready, already nurtured by our environs. Our listeners immediately engaged, they sat as close as they dared to the gazebo, something most storytellers welcome. While distance isn't necessarily the enemy for those using voice as their primary communication tool, being up close and personal is highly valued by most of us.

At first, the teachers were nervous as their students grew actively engaged and interactive with what we were doing, but as things progressed, they,  too, merged into the experience with the children, which is always magical for us.

One of our guild troop members, Delanna Reed, PhD from East Tennessee State's storytelling program ascended the platform and before she could speak, the children begged her to sit down. It's a bit unusual for the audience to be demanding like that, but in this case the reason became obvious the moment she entered their space - they wanted to be close to her, see her eyes, and become a part of what she was doing. I can assure you she has never told that story to a more engaged and attentive audience!(Delanna is seated in the middle of the front row.)

And so it was throughout the entire performance as the stories wove their magic, and the storytellers allowed it to happen. Storytellers serve as conduits for what our stories wish to share with listeners, and it takes a certain amount of finesse and skill to be willing to allow this mystical experience to occur. When it does, both listeners and tellers enter into what is called a "liminal" space during the telling. It's almost a spiritual thing, and one reason really good storytellers select their stories with the greatest care.

Taking to the road from Corbin, we were all aware of the honor they had paid us. Yes, we knew our reputation as a premier performance guild preceded us, and yes, we knew the work we had just done was as good as we could make it, but what they gave us was their complete attention and a sweet portion of our hearts. Such a treasure.

Storytelling Journey across mid-America

The much-touted Kansas City Here We Come Road Trip is an accomplished fact, and we’re home after traveling over 2,000 miles to Kansas City, MO and back.      Unfortunately, I was unable to transmit reports during the trip, but this remarkable success story unfolds now and in the following weeks as I reprise the most unusual trip ever undertaken by a storytelling guild.

 Imagine seven disparate people, whose main tie was initially storytelling performance, melding into a cohesive performance troupe. For ten days, we traveled and ate together, sharing motel rooms and personal space, all with one goal – planting story seeds along the path. Breaking new ground in the world of storytelling, we are the first guild in America to undertake such a mammoth journey. Ask any one of us and you’ll find that after the initial discomfort of being so close, our differences became less important as dedication to our goals grew more dear.

 We left Jonesborough, Tennessee’s oldest town, after a raucous send-off by our fellow storytelling friends, sponsors and the local newspaper, the Herald & Tribune. Driving away in a comfortable van loaned to us by the Ford dealer in Erwin, Tennessee, we were in high spirits, eagerly anticipating what lay ahead.

 Beginning at Corbin Elementary School in eastern KY, with each performance came revelation, joy, and confirmation for the journey, as response to our gift of story grew. Met by  enthusiastic staff as eager to hear our stories as their summer school students, we regaled them with tales of wonder and woe, success in the face of certain failure, and the knowledge that dreams can come true.  It was the perfect gig from which to begin our storytelling travels, and we headed towards Georgetown, Kentucky, stoked by their obvious enthusiasm.

 As the week goes on, I will add to this journal, providing anecdotes for those of you who faithfully followed our preparations prior to departure and those who have just now found us.

Saundra Kelley - The Road to Story's Journey

Use of the voice is one of Saundra's favorite things about the oral tradition. Some years ago, engaged in commercial voice-over work, she sought to erase her lyrical Southern accent, but not now. Her voice is compelling, radiating a mesmerizing aura of enchantment. Sharing stories from her extensive repertoire, she tells original Southern Gothic and ghost stories, tales from ancient literature, myths and personal narrative.

Reverence and appreciation for mother earth are a part of every piece she tells or writes. She is the author of three books with more in the hopper, and can be found at www.saundrakelley.com

Jeff Stratton - traveling talk show

Storyteller and humorist Jeff Stratton was practically born in a suitcase, and his tales testify to a broad life experience. His family were government employees, stationed overseas, and while English was a part of his accumulated language collection, it was liberally mixed with a rich blend of the places he had lived. Thus, when the family returned to America to live, he and his brother found it necessary to relearn what should have been their native language just to survive.

As a result of this and Jeff's varied life-experiences, those who hear him find an intriguing lifepath engaged by very few. He's an ex-cop, former teacher, railroad man, world traveler and he's telling tonight at the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild weekly concert at the International Storytelling Center beginning at 7pm.

This is your chance to let me prove what I'm saying about this natural-born showman is the gospel truth... see you there.

Fundraiser Concert at Willow Tree Coffee House and Music Room in Johnson City

		Left to Right: Linda Poland, Libby Tipton, David Claunch, Saundra Kelley, Delanna Reed, Jeff Stratton. Not pictured is Judy Butterfly Farlow   Members of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild in Concert KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME   Friday, July 17, 7 PM Hosted by Willow Tree Coffee House & Music Room  216 E Main St, Johnson City, TN Suggested Donation $10

 

Delanna Reed - professor and storyteller

Delanna Reed, PhD, a professor in the Masters in Storytelling program at East Tennessee State University, is a long-time performing member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild. A native of Texas, she tells not only stories with a western flavor, such as one of our favorites, Silver Heels, but also personal narrative and folk tales. Delanna is a member of the guild's performance troupe heading out to Kansas City July 24th, and will also perform at our fundraising concert July 17 at the Willow Tree Coffee House and Music Room in downtown Johnson City. Located on Main Street, Willow Tree is fast-becoming the go-to place for good food, music, and now, storytelling. A suggested donation of $10 is requested for an evening of entertainment that begins promptly at 7pm.

Taking Jonesborough, TN on the road, planting story-seeds along the way

The Merry Band of Jonesborough Storytellers taking our  town on the road, July 24 - August 2, 015.

1.  

From the upper left, David Claunch, Linda Poland and Libby Tipton. From the lower left, Saundra Kelley, Delanna Reed and Jeff Stratton. Judy Butterfly Farlow and Sherril Miller and her husband Bob are out of town.

So now you can see us: six of the eight storytellers going on tour to Kansas City July 24 - August 2. In truth, we were a merry band of cut-ups yesterday as we posed for photographer Jo Anne Jones, in our new storytelling vests. We were in front of the railroad tracks at the Mill Spring Gazebo on Spring Street, temperatures were soaring, and none of us could quite figure out why the good professor - who looked cool as a cucumber, didn't have her vest on . . .   Actually, we hoped one of the famous Jonesborough storytelling trains would come through while we were there, but it wasn't to be.  

Our next fundraising event is scheduled for July 17th, $5 donation at the door.

1. 1. Tellers: Libby Tipton, Delanna Reed, Linda Poland, Jeff Stratton, 
   2. Sherril Miller with Saundra Kelley as MC.
   3. 
      

1. The Willow Tree Coffeehouse & Music Room

   Directions
2. 4.45 Google reviews
3. Coffee Shop
6. Address: 216 E Main St, Johnson City, TN 37604
7.  .

He's funny, he's smart, he's an astute judge of human character?

Yes, he's all those  things and more, and his name is David Claunch. He's been telling stories ever since the choosy bug bit him at the International Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough in '03, but he's also a great clown and balloon twister, too. Not long after, he left his job as a construction engineer, entered the masters in storytelling program and ETSU, and then began clowning. One thing is certain - our lives have never been dull since David entered them. He's also a good man to have at your side in time of need.

Imagine David in Bhutan with his red hair, bottle of bubbles and red clown noses to pass around to a bunch of monks and you'll get some idea of his eclectic approach. His story about making them smile is worth a fortune cookie with good news inside.

Here, we see him with fellow road trip member, Libby SheltonTipton, who is also our sign language interpreter, going over the route we'll take to Kansas City. The countdown is on, departure is 8am, July 24!

KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME!

Libby Tipton – Mountain Interpreter

www.storytellersguild.org

      Libby Tipton, a performing member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, is a part of the JSG KANSAS CITY HERE WE COME storytelling troupe.  Nationally certified since 1987 through the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, she’ll perform as an oral tradition storyteller, and as a professional sign language interpreter. To see her interpret is to see an artist at work, as she deftly translates stories into language for the deaf using her hands.

     Growing up in the family conclave in Flag Pond, TN, she learned to hunt from her deaf father, to shoot straight and true, and to love the land. From her strong mother, who is also deaf, and an advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing, she learned to uphold the rights of those in need. She also had a granny straight out of a fairy tale, one filled with the wisdom of these ancient mountains.

     If you love the sweet twang of mountain talk, particularly Appalachian, then you’ll surely appreciate Libby Tipton. Born to parents who just happened to be deaf, Libby’s talents as an interpreter for the hearing impaired developed early – but storytelling, now that was in her genes from the beginning.

     We will perform in four states in ten venues on our road trip July 24 – 28, after which we will attend the National Storytelling Network’s annual conference in Kansas City, MO. The venue schedule will go up next week, so you can put us on your calendar if we’re coming your direction. 

         Keep watch on this blog, follow us on Facebook, and check out our crowdfunding site:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/jsg-kansas-city-road-trip-transmedia-storytelling

  

You must see this - https://youtu.be/2ph0w2LBzn0

I'm wrapping up a long, lazy Sunday afternoon with my weekly blog about the Kansas City Road Trip. Having just finished whip-stitching three of the reversible blue vests we'll wear during concerts, it seemed appropriate to share with you about what we've been up to this week. We had two old-fashioned sewing bees to cut, assemble and sew the vests under the direction of storyteller Judy Butterfly Farlow, and then divided them up for the final stitching.

While some of us sewed, two of the guild's most loquacious storytellers, Jeff Stratton and Linda Poland,worked on a video to post on YouTube. They had recently hit the streets to hawk our rummage sale, doing such a fine job with it we decided they were the right ones to do our Kansas City Here We Come infomercial. With Delanna Reed, PhD (who is also one of our tellers,) behind the camera, the team produced an excellent piece that tells who we are, and what we are doing. Check it out here - https://youtu.be/2ph0w2LBzn0

They first practiced down at the Jonesborough United Methodist Church, doing it in storytelling style - knowing the topic very well, but going for a nice, spontaneous result. The next day the team went out to Jeff's home, sat on the front porch and filmed something to be proud of, almost off the cuff!

Speaking of proud, the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild is extremely pleased with the combined group efforts of those planning to go on this trip, and those who are working hard to see that we get there. Follow us as we progress towards our goal, help us raise money, and see us plant story-seeds from here to Kansas City, Missouri. At this point, we are booked for 10 gigs in four states beginning in Corbin, KY with the summer school kids July 24, and ending just prior to the beginning of the National Storytelling Network's annual conference in Kansas City. There, we'll have a house concert/story slam with their guild and anybody else who happens to drop by. Does this sound like fun or not? I think it does and I can't wait to don my blue vest, attach my treasured JSG name tag and go forth in story.

Kansas City Road Trip Storytelling Team

The rummage sale has come and gone - very successfully, I might add, now we are onto our next tier of fundraising - seeking sponsors for this storytelling adventure into mid-America. Those who donate $100 or more are invited to place their magnetic sign on the vans we'll drive to Kansas City and back, and will be on all of our printed materials. Below is a cut & paste version of our brochure designed by Jo Anne Jones.

                       Kansas City Road Trip Storytelling Team

David Claunch: Born in Somerset, Kentucky, and an engineer in a former life, now an algebra teacher at Daniel Boone High School, David Claunch is an accomplished storyteller, clown and balloon sculptor. He works throughout the southeast combining art forms into Balloon Story Theatre. He twists the stories and balloons into magical experience of fantasy beloved by all.

Judy “Butterfly” Farlow: Judy “Butterfly” Farlow’s earthy rural grandparents, a multitude of “different” or “possibly strange” cousins, aunts, uncles and friends are the inspiration for many of her “Down Home” stories. Inspiring stories about strong women, shivery scary tales filled with the unexpected, and laughter are her trademarks. An accomplished children’s entertainer she may don a costume and include a touch of magic to the delight of her younger audiences. She is a masterful performer with an endless and diverse stock of stories for all ages.

Saundra Kelley: Saundra Kelley’s compelling voice radiates a mesmerizing aura of enchantment.  Sharing stories from her extensive repertoire, she tells original southern Gothic and ghost stories, personal narrative, legends, folklore, and myths.  Reverence and appreciation of mother earth are a part of every piece she tells or writes. She is the author of three books and one CD.

Sherril Miller: Sherril Miller is an innovative and creative storyteller who learned the art from cowgirls and coal miners in her family.  She has a treasure trove of colorful stories from the families of her Arizona mother and her West Virginia dad.  Her Aunt Mary stories are a favorite of many of her followers.  She enjoys telling stories of women she admires, such as St. Brigid of Ireland.  She tells thought provoking tales of diversity and stories about her own growing up time on the south side of Chicago.

Linda Poland: Linda Poland, Jonesborough's Resident Storyteller is like an ambassador sharing the stories of her historic town and region throughout the states and beyond. She was one of the first in the country to use the art of storytelling in developing award winning tourism programs.  Directing oral history projects ignited her passion for gathering and telling World War II stories.  Linda is a founding member of the Jonesborough Storyteller's Guild and is known for enchanting audiences with her adaptations of folk tales and original tales about Ireland.

Delanna Reed : Dr. Delanna Reed delights audiences with her folktales, fairy tales and ghost stories from Appalachia, Texas and around the world.  This native Texan teaches in the Storytelling Master’s Program at ETSU.  She also tells humorous stories and stories of strong women.  Her favorite stories touch upon the sacred, explore relationships and expand our understanding of humanity. She has told stories for children and adults at festivals, conferences, schools and historic sites.

Jeff Stratton -Jeff Stratton migrated to the U.S. in the mid-60s with his family after spending his growing up time in Mexico, Germany and Greece.  He experienced huge cultural differences which still astonish and confuse him. As a result of those experiences, he believes that truth is best told through fiction, and welcomes every opportunity to prove his theory. Most of his stories are original ones which have evolved from personal observation and life’s experiences including his work in law enforcement and as a teacher.  A newer story about the history of the railroad offers a glimpse of his possibilities in that arena.

Libby Tipton - An Appalachian storyteller from Flag Pond, Tennessee, Libby Tipton is a professional sign language interpreter. Utilizing sign, gesture, and voice, she shares her cultural roots through personal stories about her colorful deaf Appalachian family. Telling folktales, fairytales, stories of healing, historical stories, and singing the old ballads in her mountain twang, she brings the southern Appalachian Mountains to life like no other. 

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