AROUND THE KAMPFIRE (TIPS ON LIVIN’ OUTSIDE)

STORY TELLING
When I was growing up and doing a lot of camping with Boy Scout Troop 155  (I practically lived in the woods). My buddies and I enjoyed evening campfires and telling stories, telling jokes, and even reading stories of interest by the campfire light. Some of our favorite stories came from the works of Edgar Allen Poe, Jack London, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Later on when I grew up I found that story telling was actually an art practiced back when our country was young and there wasn’t much to do in the form of entertainment.
Sometimes at Old Trappers’ Rendezvous, Pow Wows, and other festivals like Johnny Appleseed Festival, the Forks of The Wabash Festival, and The Feast of The Hunters’ Moon, you will hear people telling stories and believe me, it’s a real art to be learned and I enjoy hearing a good old time story (even ghost stories) as much as the next person.
I received this bulletin the other day from the good folks at the Salamonie Reservoir Nature center. It seems they are having a Story Telling Workshop and have invited all you readers to attend. They said that the workshop is filling up quickly so you’d better sign up as early as possible. This is what they had to say:
“Whether you hope to captivate your family and friends or wow a much larger audience, attending a storytelling workshop offered by the Upper Wabash Interpretive Service can help boost your ability to spin a yarn.”
“The storytelling workshop is January 29, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Salamonie Interpretive Center, near Wabash.”
“Storyteller Doyne Carson will instruct us in the basics of telling a story and captivating an audience. The event begins with Ms. Carson demonstrating storytelling tools such as pacing, pitch and pause and even using story maps.”
“A light lunch is included. The Workshop fee is $15 per person.”
Michael Mycroft, State of Indiana Resource Management Coordinator, IDNR, and past Interpretive Naturalist, stated, “I once performed Native American flute on a public radio station. I’m not much for storytelling, but Doyne performed before I went on and it was literally mesmerizing. She’s simply amazing!”
In the afternoon, participants have the option of presenting a short sample of their own storytelling to gain some helpful tips.
Advance registration required; call Marvin McNew, Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, (260) 468-2127.

SEE YOU THERE!