The holiday season is upon us again, and whatever celebrations you have at this time of year, remember that storytelling is part of every culture!  Share family tales, religious stories, traditional tales or whatever makes you feel warm and friendly with others.  In Victorian times, it was the tradition to tell ghost stories at this time of year.  Why not?  Sharing with those you love is always appropriate and especially during a season that tends to focus on loving and giving.  So give of yourself to others and make some good connections to lighten the dark days of winter.

   Well, the haunting season has passed and it was great fun telling the ghost stories of Ogden, Utah the entire month of October.  One of our more haunted buildings was quite active...I guess the ghosts like to "show off" for their guests this season.  Haunted Salt Lake City, a new book that I recently co-authored, is in stores.  Read 13 stories about some of the haunted buildings in our state's capital. All four authors were involved with book signings this past month and we enjoyed meeting with people and sharing ghostly discussions.
   Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that is a family time that is made so much more meaningful with story.  My grandchildren are fascinated with stories of their grandparents, their parents when they were younger, and even ancestors they have never met.  It's important for children to have roots, so tell the stories that make them laugh, cry and think.  Have a happy holiday season!

This past weekend was an amazing storytelling feast as I attended the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Lehi, Utah.  I heard tales that were funny, poignant, serious and spooky and they raised every emotion by the end!  Stories do that:  they take us out of our everyday lives and transport us to places we have never seen, places that don't even exist and put us in historical events we have not experienced.  It makes me excited to try to expand my own story repertoire and share the stories that are important to me.  Stories are powerful.  Share yours with others.

I can't believe that summer is winding down so quickly!  Where has the time gone?  As school schedules start taking over and events get planned, be sure to include storytellers in your activities.  Stories are the best way to learn literature, history and many other subjects.  Plan ahead for using stories in classes and other presentations.  If you are in the Utah area, check out the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival September 6-8, 2018.  National and international tellers will be on-stage sharing some of their best tales.  Enjoy this beautiful time of year.

We are now in the depths of summer and what a wonderful time of year that is!  I enjoy the freedom from the strict schedules many of us have to keep up with the rest of the year and the feeling of "more time" that it sometimes gives me.  But don't just lounge away the summer.....spend some moments making great memories and turn those memories into stories!  Look for storytelling festivals in your area, or events that sponsor storytelling.  If you are planning a carnival or celebration, hire a professional storyteller and make the event even more memorable.  And remember, ice cream and lemonade always make the season better!

Keep the stories rolling!  Summer and a break from school has arrived and what better way to spend it than with family?  And while you are at the beach, on the road trip or visiting relatives, be sure to share those favorite (or lesser known) family tales.  It's the best way to keep kids entertained and away from the constant stream of technology.  You might actually have conversations together!  If your summer plans include festivals and parties, make sure that storytelling (professional or otherwise) is included.  Children who are exposed to story become more excited about reading, and summer is a super time to get the books out.  Visit your local library and stock up with books, lemonade and your favorite people.  It's a great way to make memories.

If you live in the United States, do you know anything about your culture and history?  We have so many stories from the plethora of immigrant cultures, but we also have stories that are uniquely "American".  Discover your country and claim your heritage!  I have been researching stories of the "American Experience" the past few years and it is an amazing journey.  Find out where your ancestors are from and what they have to offer and then keep digging until you find the roots of American story.  There was a recent storytelling festival in Fillmore, UT that focused on stories from that region and helped those in central Utah feel more connected to their area.  Ask a storyteller or family member to help you do the same!

The Weber State Storytelling Festival was this past week and I was able to tell stories in Ogden's Egyptian Theater--that is always a pleasure!  There is so much ambiance in that location and yes, it also has resident ghosts!  I enjoy asking the people who work backstage about Allison, a girl ghost who died in an accident while the theater was being built and whose antics seem to touch anyone who works there for any length of time.  The theater also boasts a great stage and twinkling lights like stars in the ceiling for an all round fantastic experience.  The artist in me was fully fed.

What a wonderful storytelling festival we had in Clearfield, Utah last Saturday!  It was exciting to see tellers, old and new, perform and feel the audience reactions.  Intertwined within the stories were music, juggling, and puppets.  We heard true tales, tall tales, flights of fancy and "should be true" tales.  There was poetry and laughter, silliness and some more serious reflection.  Storytelling has it all!  Now to the end of February (26-28) when the Weber State University Storytelling Festival (in Ogden, Utah) will be in full swing.  Three days filled with national, regional and local performers and it's all free.  Come and see what storytelling is really all about.

With the holiday season winding down, it's time to start thinking about....Stories!  Yes, winter is the perfect time to cuddle up to some good tales.  Earlier societies used the winter to pass along family tales, folk tales or stories that taught the children family and cultural values.  Get out of the electronics and spend some effort to let your children know about their roots.  Hire a storyteller for an event and find out the beauty and excitement of telling tales.  Any effort you put into this will be well worth it!  Clearfield, UT will hold a storytelling festival on January 27 at 7:00 at the Community Arts Center building 140 East Center in Clearfield, UT.  You could come and hear professional and community tellers share their favorite stories.  It's a free event and will warm up your winter evening!