From Groundhog Day to Chinese New Year, to Presidents' Day and Valentine's Day, February presents many opportunities to tell stories.  Take the doldrums out of a cold winter evening by telling a tale to your family, or listen to a professional teller spin a yarn.  I have just finished with my storytelling festival in Clearfield, Utah, where an eager audience listened attentively to tellers young and old, novice and professional, share their stories.  The end of this month the Weber State University Storytelling Festival will provide three days of entertainment to families and school groups in Ogden and Layton, Utah, with outreach concerts to senior centers, schools, day care centers and other venues.  Local and national professional tellers will share a myriad of styles of telling.  If you find yourself in northern Utah from February 23rd to 25th, check it out at www.weber.edu/storytelling/ .  Events are free.

Happy New Year to one and all!  Let's make this the year of story.  Learn some of the stories and traditions in your part of the world--folktales are everywhere and teach interesting things about our cultures.  Learn stories about your ancestors and the struggles and triumphs in their lives.  Learn about your parents and grandparents and how the world was different when they were younger.  Share these stories in  your family circles; invited a storyteller to share the cultural and folktales of your particular region (or tales throughout the world to broaden your perspective).  Revel in the joy of story!  Stories are how much of our culture has been transmitted through the years; they are also the means by which many truths have been taught and reinforced.  Happy 2015:  Year of Story!

December is here, giving a chance to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and other winter celebrations according to your culture.  Many of our winter celebrations focus on lights, candles, or something to illuminate the darkness that envelopes many of us at this time of year.  All of these celebrations give us the chance to tell stories and enjoy the warmth that brings.  Children's eyes light up when the storytelling starts, as do adults....they are just more subtle about it.  Try hiring a storyteller for your next party or occasion.  It's a different type of entertainment that is enjoyed by all.  And don't forget to share your family and personal tales at this time of year--it's a great way to make family memories!

  November brings cooler days and more chances to get together with family and tell stories and experiences to each other.  This is what brings families together and gives kids roots.  They need to know where they come from and what makes their family special and unique.  Don't forget to share your childhood memories with your children....that makes a big impact in their lives and helps them through the "rough spots" we all have.  Children love to hear about their grandparents and what life was like when they were younger.  It gives them a window to the world that is changing so rapidly.  If you are planning a holiday gathering, why not include storytelling as part of the entertainment?  Whether you hire a professional teller or keep it informal with family and friends, it's a great way to build community.

So....what are you doing during this spooky time of year?  Are you in the mood for a good ghost story?  Maybe you want to hear something that will give you chills, or maybe just something with a bit of seasonal appeal?  This is the season for storytelling!  Carnivals, fairs, Halloween celebrations, and family gatherings are all perfect places to hire a storyteller, or try your hand at telling yourself.  I will be telling again with Ogden Ghost Tours and walking down a street with century-old buildings sharing many paranormal experiences.  If you live close to Ogden, Utah, visit us some Friday or Saturday and learn some local history along with your ghosts.  (www.storytours.com) If you don't find yourself in northern Utah, look around your own area.  Many cities and haunted locations run ghost tours this time of year-- just don't forget to bring your camera.  Some ghosts are not shy and like to "show off" on film.

School has started and fall is in the air (at least in northern Utah) with thoughts of colored leaves, crisp apples, cool nights and of course, stories.  Back-to-school carnivals and other such events are great places for storytelling, as are literacy nights and family get-togethers.  Tell your children what it was like when you went to school, what you did for fun, what your family was like....anything to get them interested in telling (and listening) to story.  What a great way to encourage reading at the beginning of this school year!  Think of hiring a professional teller to add some interest to your fall event.  I told stories at a family event in a shopping area last night and some adults came up and talked with me afterward.  They were thrilled to hear the stories, so don't think stories and storytelling are just for children.  Everyone loves a good story.

August is here already.  Where did the time go?   My storytelling class just finished last week with a showcase performance for families and friends of my young tellers and it was great to see them "shine" on stage.  Stage fright happened for some, but they persevered and pushed through it, which is a great skill for other times in their lives.  School is just around the corner, so make sure to include telling stories with your family as you plan those last camping trips, picnics, and other outdoor activities. With school starting, consider hiring a professional teller for your back-to-school carnival or activity!  You'll be glad you did. 

Happy Birthday, America!  This month is the time for parades, fireworks, picnics and stories!!  When you gather with your family and are waiting for the parade or fireworks show to start...try storytelling to pass the time.  Kids love stories (and so do adults, whether they know it or not).  I have been teaching a youth storytelling class this summer and am working with some exceptional kids who have such vivid imaginations and creativity.  It's been a pleasure to hear them create and tell stories.  Make sure your children have the same opportunities:  they may surprise you.  And for your next reunion or city festival--include storytelling.  Hire a professional and you'll be amazed at how entertaining stories can be.

Summer is officially here and school is out!  Now it's time to get serious about storytelling.  Think family reunions, camping trips, ghost stories around the campfire, summer festivals in the park, picnics with grandparents...all perfect occasions for telling stories and hiring storytellers.  If kids are involved in reading programs this summer (and who doesn't want to sit in the shade, drink lemonade, and read?), encourage them to pick out an occasional book of folktales, myths or legends. Have them become acquainted with world cultures and tales of our own country through story.  Education was never more fun!

Storytelling is in the air this month.  Preparing for summer performances and activities is always an exciting time!  What will you do with your family once school is out?  Make sure it includes stories of family days gone by.  Also, consider hiring a storyteller for your summer event.  Several outdoor venues have already booked me for their entertainment:  don't miss out on the incredible opportunity to hear stories in the outdoors!  Nature and storytelling seem to go together.  Happy May!

This is such a beautiful time of year...flowers are making their appearance, the weather is warmer (some of the time, anyway) and people are starting to make plans for summer activities.  As you start thinking about what to do with your family this summer, consider storytelling as part of your plan.  Share family stories with your children and grandchildren:  they need to know who they are and about their connections.  I teach music at an elementary school and when I use songs from other countries, kids are always excited to tell me where their ancestry is from and how they are related to some of these cultures.  If you are in charge of a big event, consider hiring a professional storyteller as entertainment.  You will be amazed at how stories bridge age groups and create community.  Happy Spring!

It's March and spring is just around the corner!  This is the time of year when I get SO excited about the flowers and the trees in bloom, and I get SO excited about storytelling.  In the Ogden, UT area we just finished with the Weber State Storytelling Festival and what an event that was!  Four national tellers and the chance for the local professionals to shine.  I was able to tell in a set of "French stories" (with music) and some personal tales at a senior center for a very appreciative audience.  When I perform and see the interested looks on the faces of those listening, and hear their conversations afterwards, I know why I love to tell, and hear, stories.  Stories can truly change lives and help us to live better, be more human, and connect more with those around us.  So...join me in the excitement of spring and storytelling.  I'm always available to help you discover the magic of story!

It's February...what is it that you love?  I love God, my family, hot chocolate, reading and of course, storytelling!  This is great time to curl up with a good story, whether you are listening to it, reading it, telling it or going to a professional storytelling event.  Consider hiring a storyteller for your next activity: adults and children alike are mesmerized by a good storyteller.  The Clearfield, UT Storytelling Festival was the last Saturday in January and turned out to be a great success.  The audiences were entertained by 11 excellent tellers and some were amazed by the humor and beauty of the stories.  Don't be the last one to "discover" this great art.  Find a storytelling event and/or a storyteller in your area now...you'll be glad you did.

Happy New Year to everyone!  This is the time to celebrate new beginnings, new goals, new looks and new ideas.  Why not make storytelling one of your priorities during 2014?  Tell stories with your family, friends and associates.  Share your personal culture and beliefs through storytelling....we have just finished a celebration of One who was the greatest teacher through storytelling of all time.  It really works: they will remember what you tell through story better than what you tell in another medium.  Consider hiring a professional storyteller at least once this year for a party or other event, or just to learn (and see firsthand) the power of story. Attend a storytelling event or festival in your community.  Make this a great 2014!

December is here and with it Christmas and other winter holidays.  As the days get shorter and the nights get colder (at least where I live), it's great to have the warmth and light of stories to help us through the darkness.  Stories are what make us human; stories are what connect us to others; stories and their telling are what unite families.  As you participate in whatever celebrations are in your traditions this time of year, be sure to gather family around and tell the stories that make you who you are.  Help your children feel a part of their unique heritage.  And...if you have a special celebration planned, hire a professional storyteller as entertainment.  Your party will be the one others will talk about for months--long after the decorations have been put away.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

November is the month for being thankful, and I am thankful for family and for the stories that keep us connected as a culture and as families.  What would it be like to sit around the Thanksgiving dinner table and  not have stories to share?  Stories make us human; they give us roots; they give us wings; they give us hope through the bad times.  Take some time as the holiday season approaches to think about YOUR family stories, bring them out and dust them off, and be ready to share with those you love.  Consider storytelling at your next holiday party...you might even hire a professional teller as a different type of entertainment.  Be grateful for the stories that connect us.

Well, the haunting season is officially here!  It's time to tell ghost stories and sit around feeling the light chill in the air.... Was that the autumn wind or a specter passing by?  Everyone loves a good spooky story, so share yours.  You might even hire a professional teller to get your blood really racing!  There are many opportunities to hear (and tell) these stories at this season, so start today.  You could even pick up a book of scary stories and read them late at night, if you dare.  Enjoy the feeling of the autumn and the chill of the story.

School days have started again, the air is getting (a little) cooler and we are headed toward Fall.  Now that the kids are back in school, it's time to think about reading and literacy and perhaps harvest celebrations and carnivals.  All of these activities could readily include storytelling!  Stories are a great way to promote reading, and as the days are getting shorter and people are starting to spend a bit more time indoors, storytelling is a good way to make that time valuable.  Why not hire a professional teller for your next harvest event or back-to-school carnival?  You'll be glad you did.

Well, summer is winding down and those busy days of school will soon be here.  As we all head for the mountains or the beach or the park to have our last "summer fling", don't forget to load up on cold drinks, ice cream, hot dogs and STORIES.  Yes, stories will make the event something truly memorable.  You know you have them, share them with your family and friends and anyone who will listen!  It's always appropriate to share stories around the campfire, in the car, or while hiking.  Consider inviting a professional storyteller along when you are planning that reunion or community celebration.  Everything goes better with a story.  Happy August!

Summertime is storytime

Happy Fourth of July (also Independence Day for those of you in the USA)!  I just finished a performance of "freedom stories" at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City, UT and it was interesting to me how many tales from around the world are essentially about freedom.  We all want to be able to find our own way in life, and it's important to transmit that longing and culture to our children.  Tell stories about your youth, your values and your traditions.  Make new traditions by listening to professional tellers and their performances and enjoying the stories that make us human.  Whether around the campfire, at the family reunion, at your summer barbecue or just around the dinner table, tell stories!  And when you plan that special summer event, invite a storyteller to add something different and amazing!