As will happen at most parties, people were standing around in conversational groups.  It was 8:00 pm on November 18 and the occasion was a welcoming reception for the new manager of the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center in Round Hill, VA.  There were about forty people in attendance, most of whom had some connection with theater.  All wore their obligatory name badges.  Tables were set with fruits and pastries.  It was a natural.

I had printed out copies of the Proclamation, inserting in its proper  place, “from Rotterdam to Round Hill,” and had strategically distributed  the copies at the beginning of the evening.  I explained the history of Tellabration. Now, as the hour approached, one person in each of the groups read the Proclamation:  “In joy and anticipation...Let the stories begin!” 

And they did!

In my group I heard personal tales (one from Rumania,)  tall tales about lion hunting, and a Christmas legend about tabby cats.  From what I could see of the other groups they were eagerly engaged, laughing and applauding after each teller finished a story.  

It could not have been better had we planned it months in advance.

Laura J. Bobrow, Storyteller

Schenectady, NY. Presented by the Story Circle of the Capital District on November 12, 2006, at 4:00 pm at the Whisperdome, 1221 Wendell Ave.

On Sunday, Nov. 12, over 170 people thoroughly enjoyed Tellabration, based on the sustained round of applause at the end ­ at least three curtain calls worth of applause :-)

The program was called Wit and Wisdom at the Whisperdome. (The Whisperdome is the circular sanctuary of the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady, NY.)

As a listener said: "Thanks for a great celebration of tales!" There were old tales with new voices, there were new stories and "older" voices, there were meetings and weddings and people clever and not so clever; and through it all was a search for "Wisdom", "Truth" and light-hearted "Wit".

Emcee Mary Fellows wove the evening together with artful grace and provocative quotes.

There were many "teaching moments", and laughter and shared joy; and good food and cider and great fellowship! As it should be!

The stories and tellers:

Patrick Riley …………………............................…..... Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi
A Nasrudin Folk Tale Reset in Ireland

The Wisest Man in the
World……...................................…...…......... Micki Groper
A Folk Tale From Israel about King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba

Learning From the Animals……...........................………. Nancy Marie Payne
A Personal Story of a Bluffing Bee Keeper

Sweet Orr Overalls and
…………………......................................………. Sandy Schuman The Grand Prize Slogan
A Personal/Historic Story -- how a living wage became a standard during labor negotiations

The Wise Man of Babbia ………………………...... Judith Lott
A Folk Tale from Ethiopia

15 Minute Intermission for Refreshments

Hit the Hole …………………..…….... Frances Combs Berger
A Personal Story of Living in Tornado Alley in Oklahoma

Clever Rachel …………..……………...….…….. Kent Busman
A Folk Tale from Central Europe, often called Clever Manka -- it's great having a guy tell a strong woman story, sprinkling in advice for the men in the audience

A Mixed Marriage ...………………….…...…....… Joe Doolittle
A Robert Fulghum Story

B’shert ….…………..………..………..…. Frank-Lee Speaking
A Personal Story of How a Couple Met By Chance

A Witness to the Truth ………..……………...... Kate Dudding
An Historic Story of the Holocaust

Over 20 people volunteered at Tellabration in addition to the tellers: Carol Connolly as house manager, plus ticket takers and door guardians, ushers, and refreshment people. Tellabration wouldn't have happened without them.

We made over $700 (from ticket sales and ads in the program) which will be used to underwrite other storytelling programs in area libraries and museums. From past Tellabrations, we've underwritten over 70 storytelling events.

Kate Dudding and Joe Doolittle, Co-producers
Story Circle of the Capital District

http://www.timesunion.com/communities/storycircle/

Tellabration in Salina, KS.

Now, that's what it's all about!

Dianna Waite

What a treat reading about everyone's Tellabration successes!

How great to add this report to the mix:

The Tampa Bay (Florida) Storytellers Guild presented its sixth program at the Pinellas Park Public Library (our eleventh overall), with 11 Guild members, a teller in American Sign Language, and TWO youth tellers from Pinellas County Schools.

We had MORE than 130 people in our audience (the two guys who tried counting finally just told us "at least 130" as the room continued to fill), we wowed ‘em till the very end, and every one of our tellers was the topic of some conversation or other during intermission and as people left the library (all of it good!).

People were STANDING to listen to our stories after we ran out of chair space, so our tellers as well as our audience had a wonderful and wonder-filled time.

Original stories, traditional favorites, contemporary stories, and skillful adaptations entertained our audience through our nearly three-hour program.

We had door prizes to give away, and the Storytelling Troll (acquired in Jonesborough to help support the NSN Grant Program) was the darling of the give-aways, working his magic once again, this time as the main event to raise even more money to support storytelling, this time on the local level.

Our tellers delighted in the personalized certificates we presented, along with Jackie Baldwin's INCREDIBLE calendars and notepads as gifts for their participation, and Emily Harris gave an extra push to Kevin Cordi's Story Box project.

Our Deaf audience is growing, too, as word is spreading that ASL interpreters are standard throughout, and TWO state-wide Deaf e-lists are carrying our press releases, now.

Coordinating the event held a special charm this year, as the Guild surprised me with a wonderful gift box!

Our tellers:
Billie Noakes--Guild Member
Tucker DeGregory--3rd grader, Ridgecrest Elementary
Susan O’Neil--Guild Member-- FIRST TIMER!
Penny Taub--Guild Member--FIRST TIMER
Tristan Brockwell--5th grader, Ridgecrest Elementary
Emily Harris--Guild Member
Lorien Mattiacci--Guild Member
Kim Rivers--Guild Member
Karen Arndt--ASL teller
Gene Belote--Guild Member--FIRST TIMER!
Sula Donnolo--Guild Member
Drew Willard--Guild Member--FIRST TIMER!
Maureen Belote--Guild Member
Tamara Green--Guild Member

Bettylou Rosen was our emcee. Linda Aldridge handled our drawings. Local entrepreneur Barry Moses built the frame of our backdrop for us last year, and it is going to serve us well for years to come. And local artist Boo Ehrsam not only designed our set--she painted SIX big, beautiful renderings of stortyellers at work that told OUR story!

The media gave us more press than we've ever had (the St. Petersburg Times did a feature on our monthly Story Swap and gave us a special box on Tellabration in late October, then followed up with five more special notices during the 13 days before Tellabration! The Northwest Neighborhood News ran our press release on their front page.) and the City of Pinellas Park ran announcements about Tellabration for a MONTH on its local TV channel and on Community Reader Boards on TWO clock towers on heavily traveled roadways.

Were we blessed this year, or what?

Sorry for going on and on, but the adrenalin is still doing its thing ...

Can't wait till T!2007!
Billie Noakes 11/19/06

Barrington, IL. Presented by the Fox Valley Stortytellers' Guild on November 18, 2006, at 7:30 pm at 121B Barrington Commons.

Tellabration report from the Fox Valley Storytellers' Guild --

What a great night it was! Tellabration 2006 was awesome. The BAAC (Barrington (IL) Area Arts Council gallery) setting was warm and welcoming; the stories were fabulous and funny and thoughtful; the music was a true delight -- just right to go before, between, during and after the stories; the bond between tellers and listeners was forged; the wine flowed along with the stories and conversations. We made art and it was good.

I always tell my storytelling club kids, "When one of us looks good, we all look good." Well, last night Fox Valley looked real good.

Tellers included Debi Gajewski, Lainie Levin, Vicki Elberfeld, Greg Leifel, Jim and Karen of the Double Deckers, Donna Dettman, and Sue Black; Geary Smith performed his original poetry along with harmonica.

As Vicki pointed out, we didn't quite follow Elizabeth Ellis' suggestion for Ha Ha, Ah Ha, Aahh, and Amen during our program. We pretty much started out Ha Ha and stayed there, with the exception of Geary's poetry and Donna's perfect story for the end of the first set. But with the addition of the music, that made up for some of the other elements. It all fit together perfectly.

Musicians included Geary Smith playing blues harmonica (he's got a CD out if you want a treat) along with his friends Thomas and Chris (their last names are not in my memory bank right now). The music they chose was perfect for the setting and the crowd. I'd share the stage with them again any time. Lainie and Donna and I gave the musicians a heads-up on the content of our stories so that they were able to add some background music during our stories. The music added another layer to the meaning of the words and the mood of the story. It turned out to be a fun improv event -- tellers and listeners enjoyed it.

We had a good crowd -- the Bistro was full. We had some new listeners and some old ones too. Greg's advertising in the Barrington magazine and the local papers worked. Many, many thanks to Greg Leifel for offering to host the event at the Story Bistro. He's a selfless supporter of the arts and I am honored to call him a friend.

Happy Thanksgiving to my U.S. friends!
Sue Black 11/19/06

Collinsville,  IL. Presented by The Riverwind Storytellers on November 18, 2006, at 7:00 pm at the Collinsville Public Library.

This year the Riverwind Storyteller held Tellabration 2006 at a new venue - the Blum House. It is an old Victorian house next to and belonging to the Collinsville Library. I truly felt like I had stepped back in time. The huge white house had a wrap-around front porch. Inside the foyer was a crystal chandelier with lighted sconces on every wall. It gave the rooms an elegant, old-fashioned feel. The large windows reflected the muted lighting giving the rooms even more atmosphere. At times, I felt like Mark Twain himself was going to make an appearance and ask to tell a story.

Forty chairs were set up in the front parlor. In another room - probably, at one time, the dining room, the Collinsville Library provided the luscious food - cheesecake, vege platter, cookies and coffee. A table in another side room held the attendance prizes.

At first we were concerned that no one was coming. Then, one by one, couple by couple they filtered in. We had a donation basket ($86.00 for the local food pantry) at the door and slips for attendance prizes (and our mailing list). It was wonderful to see the variety of people the event attracted - St. Louis, Collinsville, past attendees, young (in their 20's) and (ahem) my age. Close to 40 in attendance!

Ron Adams, our president, read the proclamation, and we were off. I emceed the event segueing from one teller to the next with shortstorytelling quotes from Storytell's Patti Christensen list that I found on Sean's site. (don't you just love Storytell and Sean!). Here are the storytellers and the stories they shared:

Warren Wyman warmed up the crowd with short, anecdotal stories with either a punch line that made us laugh or a poignancy that made us think.

Marion Nichols - (The Snowflake Lady for the City Museum) told a true story about hearing and following the sound of the loons early one foggy fall morning. She witnessed "the loon dance". It wasn't until 30 years later that a National Geographic special verified that indeed she did see this miracle of nature. Mary Lu Bretsch told Jane Yolen's "The Hundredth Dove." This hauntingly beautiful, image-rich story reminded us that "servos"..."I serve" can have its consequences.

Marilyn Kinsella launched her new story "SS Admiral, I Salute You." The audience was mostly of just the right age for this story. One young man came up to tell me that his grandmother, who recently passed away worked on the ship for about 20 years and she had a boat-load of memories about the "Mistress of the Mississippi."

Ron Adams told "My Father's Hands" – a wonderful reminder of the gifts our fathers pass on. In this story his father cannot read, and it held him back in so many ways, and yet it never kept him from becoming an expert in his own endeavors.

We took a short break and hungrily attcked the refreshments. We received so many compliments I can't even begin. Only one guest left – and she excused herself due to a prior commitment. There was even one "young" man who expressed interest in storytelling and possibly coming to our meetings!! Ya-hoo!!

The second half:

Mary Lu told a Native American myth about a great challenge between bear and frog to decide the length of day and night.

Warren told an old favorite, traditional story about two bowls of water – one that held sorrow and the other laughter.

The young man that could tell the difference was married to the king's daughter.

Marilyn told another Jane Yolen favorite – Once a Good Man. (Besides, Larry was in the audience and that's his favorite.)

Ron finished with a myth from Babylonia –Why the Mulberry Tree Bears Red Berries. Yet another reminder to build bridges not walls!

I blew out the candle and thanked everyone. Tellabration sparkled, not only with the lights but with the stories that filled that house.

Once a beautiful old home lay vacant on the streets of the village. The last person to live in that house had no family. She put in her will that whoever could fill the house would inherit the Victorian Lady. For years the house remained empty for no one knew how to fill it. Then one day, the library decided to try to fill the house. So, they added chandeliers and sconces to fill the house with light. They brought in food and the house was filled with the delicious aroma of coffee and cookies. They brought in storytellers who filled the house to the rafters with stories and songs full laughter and tears.

That house – The Blum House - exists today on Main Street in Collinsville, Illinois. It stands next door to the new landowners – The Collinsville Memorial Library. The Victorian Lady once again brought back to life.

Marilyn Kinsella Taleypo
the Storyteller Storyteller, Puppeteer, Workshop Leader, Writer Northlands Board - IL Rep; NSN State Liaison for Illinois; St. Louis
Storytelling Under the Arch Committee Telling Publications:
Quarterly - Taleypo Tidbits, and I'll. Tell; Monthly Riverwind
Newsletter Free! Sign-up by emailing.
Website: http://www.marilynkinsella.org
Marilyn Kinsella 11/19/06

Per Papa's instructions, written before I could forget any of this wonderful event.
Tellabration was wonderful! How could it not be . . . .

Mary Garrett’s reflections 11/18/06

November 18, 2006 3-5 p.m.
Union Ave. Christian Church
733 North Union Blvd. at Enright, one block north of Delmar

Papa Wright told me that he thought there were 54 people in attendance, and he’s someone I believe -- I also believe him when he says Jackie Wright worked really hard putting the event together. I know she is incredibly organized and designs a nice program, too.

Dianne Bank (with two n’s) M.C.’d the event in a warm, relaxed and welcoming way.

Shaaron Peters (with two a’s -- the second one holding her mother’s extra love and joy at having a daughter) told the story of her name, and offsprings’ names, accompanied by “You are my sunshine” on her autoharp.

I followed with “Sherazade” (Sheherazade?) another name with “spelling issues.” It was wonderful to tell it in such a lovely setting! I softened (or hid?) “killed” to “permanently disposed of” in deference to two little ones in the audience, and nodded toward them at the mention of “and they had children, and he learned to love them too.” I know we bill it as an adult event, but I watched those children, and they were THERE for the stories, and I think it’s never too early to send the message that stories, talk, rather than force, can resolve conflict. Papa said he liked my use of the the finger cymbals, and a music judgment from Papa is priceless. (BTW, Moriah just had a birthday, and I gave her Papa and Jackie’s new coloring book, which she loved!!)

Carol Watkin’s followed with a mischievously punny “Chicken Little” story -- Carol should definitely come to the Chicken Festival with that one!! I can’t do justice to her street wise barnyard characters. You’ll just have to wait for a chance to “hear it with (your) own ears, see it with (your) own eyes” but hopefully not feel it with your “own poor little head.”

Daniel Romano shared a “Pookah” story (talking magical creature like “Harvey”) -- that granted music and sense to a piper (“Pay the piper”) -- who had been sentenced by the priest to climbing a mountain as penance . . .I liked that detail! and Dan’s impish delivery (if “tall, dark and handsome” can also be impish).

Loretta Washington told of family love and devotion expressed through fireworks in celebration of the birth of Christ. It was lovely, and perfect for our church setting, but I confess that I cringed at the thought of a little child holding a lit Roman candle.

Kathy Schottel began with a song. It was fun to sing along on the chorus . . .and the children seemed to like that part the best. Her story of Death and/or the Devil (I got a little confused) was fun . . .and not letting God be the godfather has to rank at the top of bad decisions . .. . I guess the only extra thing I would have wished for would perhaps to have ended with another of Kathy’s songs. . .

Afterward, we were discussing the elements of a program as listed on Elizabeth Ellis’s wonderful bag (one of which was auctioned off). I think we had them all, though perhaps not in order. “HaHa” was there in Shaaron’s story of her misspelled name (even on the cup she drank her water from). Loretta’s was definitely an Amen story. “Aah” story? Sherazade? “Aha”?? outwitting death by turning the bed? We definitely had the diversity, and quality, for a great afternoon of stories.

We then enjoyed a wonderful auction, buying each other’s stuff and providing MO-TELL funds to do more outreach telling next year. I brought home cd’s, straw hats for Ren. Faire, some baubles for the nieces for Christmas . . . and nice memories of stories with friends.

If I’d had a bit more energy, I’d have gone on to Illinois for Riverwinds’ Tellabration this evening, but I just ran out of steam. Maybe Marilyn will report.

Mary Garrett 11/18/06

We had a wonderful evening in the library of a local private school. Tellers from our guild- Storytellers of New Mexico, in the first half of the evening, followed by a very heartful story-swap...the first such experience for a number of guests. About 40 people in attendence for the 'concert' and 25 for the swap. It's been great to hear about all the events.

Bob Kanegis

11/20/06

Our "Storyteller.net @ Borders" monthly gig became a Tellabration(tm) last night! I am inviting you to come enjoy the whole night with us virtually in our audio formats.

The whole write up and all the links are here:
http://www.storyteller.net/news/2006/11/464/

In our Amphitheater, it's posted with pictures and each of eight segments available individually. Pictures and Windows Media at:
http://www.storyteller.net/amphitheater/35

If you like mp3 style-

Part One:
http://www.storytellerpodcast.com/podcast_november2006_one.mp3

Part Two:
http://www.storytellerpodcast.com/podcast_november2006_two.mp3

Itunes: (When they catch up)
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=128917838&s=143441

Blog Style:
http://wheresmyquarter.blogspot.com/

No charge, of course. Enjoy!
Kind regards,
Sean Buvala 11/19/06

This week Grand Prairie Storytellers and Listeners told stories as part of a grant from the Grand Prairie (TX) Arts Council. For the second year, this grand Arts Group hired our tellers as representatives of the oldest art form, to tell stories in some of their local elementary schools. We are so grateful that this group of forward-looking men and women believe in embracing and sponsoring all art forms. Their executive director, Libby Clawson, is always quick to encourage us and help with promotions for this and an annual Black History Library event we have in Febr uary.

Our Grand Prairie Storytellers and Listeners performed 16 programs this week, in 8 Grand Prairie Elementary schools, giving over 2600 children the

Tellabration spirit!

They laughed as I told them of Paw-Paw Pinkerton and his dream, but by the end of the six programs that I did, they were wanting to know more about where they could go to hear more stories....yeeeeehaaaaaw!! Most of our guild members have full-time jobs as teachers or librarians, and we took vacation days to be able to fulfill this commitment to story.
We believe in birthing story in Texas - even out on the Grand Prairie!!

Our guild also contributed their time to tell stories at a Tellabration Celebration at my county library in Cockrell Hill, Texas. I cannot tell you how joyful and proud I was to look around the crowd and see the laughing, story-satiated faces of my patrons. Most of these guild members are also members/volunteers of Tejas Storytelling Association, which sponsors their annual Festival usually the last weekend in March in Denton, Texas. Can you tell that I am "bustin' my buttons proud" to be a Texan and belong to Grand Prairie Storytellers and Listeners?!! Happy Thanksgiving, ya'll!! and a big purple cowboy hat wave with a Yeeeeeehaaaaw!!

Luv and Stories,
Mel

Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful, so interesting and varied. These are just some of the comments by the audience after this year's Tellebration.

It was seamless, 8 tellers did a remarkable job. Mark Myers, Adele Browne, Emily Bailey,Lynn Ford, Larry Staats,Kevin Cordi, Greg and Natalie WIttmann and a High School Senior Chris Webb. MC Jim Flanagan was even, smooth and kept it simple. The tellers were the show and they sparkled.

THANK YOU for all the support without whom Tellebration could not be completed:

Bev Comer, Jim Flanagan, Emil McViegh,Joyce Geary,Julie McGhee, Frank McGarvey, Sally Crandall, Steve and Cathy Jo Smith, Mark Myers, Wendy Gleich, Murray Comer, Lyn and Bruce Ford, Kroger, Melannie Pratt, Eileen Flanagan and photographers Mark Williams and John Clear.

The stories were varied,poignant. The applause was loud and long. Over 100 people heard the tellers. The senior from The Cleveland High School of the Arts, Chris Webb was excellent and so young.

The date was chosen because of the competition of the Ohio State - MIchigan football game. It proved to be a good move.

Sierra Vista is in southeast Arizona almost on the Mexican Border--A community of just over 55,000 and is close approx 30 miles from the historic and much older but smaller communities of Tombstone (Wyatt Earp and OK Corral) and Bisbee an old copper mining town.

I mentioned this at the Tucson Tellers of Tales meeting and four storytellers offered to drive the sixty or so miles down here to participate---Sheila Pattison, Anne Lee, Ray Hyde, and Glenda Bonin joined me.

For most of the audience it was a first storytelling event---most of those who I talked to had heard about it through the newspaper. I saw it three times in the newspaper over the past two weeks--Once very prominantly displayed in the magazine section spread across the top of the page.

There was a great spirit and fun feeling to the event and the Friends served huge wonderful cookies and coffee after.

I came off with four leads for a storytelling group here. Now I need to get busy on that.

Karl

Once again, Glenn Morrow charmed us in his role as emcee-elegante, and all of the storytellers shared their tales with an most receptive and enthusiastic audience. The program was delightfully diverse, with stories that were poems, family stories, and folk tales.

This year, the Worcester Tellabration!™ is donating $350.00 to the Wetzel Diagnostic Center in Worcester. Victor Ortiz, from the Wetzel Center told the audience a touching story about the use of imagination with one of the children at the center. The money will purchase books for children, aged 7 - 11, who have been placed at the center by the courts or by hospitals. Most of the children at the center stay over the allotted month, and many are placed in foster homes.