Story Crossroads: The Newsletter (Vol. 1, Issue 5)

Published: Tue, 11/03/15

     
Story Crossroads: The Newsletter
I have a story.  You have a story.  We all have stories.

October 2015
Volume 1, Issue 5
What to Expect
Know the traditions for each newsletter.
Steve Evans picture

Some traditions include:
*  Latest News of Story Crossroads
*  Cap's Off to You! (people profiles who use story)
*  Story Video (created or loved by us)
*  Story
*  Story Game (inspired by different cultures)

About Story Crossroads
What is Story Crossroads?
Steve Evans picture
Story Crossroads is a free grassroots event that features 50 professional story artists as well as over 80 community members telling for the main stage event.  Youth, community, and seniors will be taught through free storytelling residencies at libraries, schools, and other venues by certified story-teachers in preparation for this celebration.  Bilingual and cultural performers combine arts to bring the stories forward for the audience.  Enjoy stories told with ancient technique while simultaneously enjoying newfangled approaches to these traditions.  The 1st Story Crossroads launches April 15-16, 2016 at the Viridian Event Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Then, with an invitation extended across all borders, World Story Crossroads launches 2022.  

Latest News
Congrats to the Master Story Facilitators in Clive's Course
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Some comments on Clive's course:

I feel very fortunate to have been taught/tutored by Clive Romney.  Wow!
        ~David Bullock, Storyteller

I loved getting to spend time with Clive.  He is such a generous artist that I was just thankful to enjoy his shared light.  I also enjoyed the other participants--they are amazing.
        ~Kathleen Lund, Storyteller & Writer

I thought it was very enjoyable, entertaining, and informational.  I loved listening to stories by instructor and other class members.
        ~Cherie Bitter, Librarian
Congrats to the Master Story Facilitators in Steffani's Course
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Some comments on Steffani's course:

I used to consider myself a writer but have been stuck for many, many years.  I love how fun and accessible this workshop made story creation again.
        ~Meghan Hunt, Librarian & Writer

I was impressed by the preparation given to the class.  Materials we used were fun, effective and accomplished the goal of the class--to help us become Story Facilitators.  The most important of the lessons was that there are no negatives--the 100% positiveness in [Steffani's] training was the greatest help for me as a future facilitator.
        ~Jim Luter, Storyteller & Retired Speech Instructor

It was a life-changing class.  I came into this "story facilitator course" to improve my storytelling and came out with a creed that will make me a better man.  I am glad I didn't miss it.
        ~John Adams, Storyteller & Theatre Arts Instructor and Director


Clive Romney and Steffani Raff--Experts
Thank  You to Clive Romney and Steffani Raff!

We had 10 graduates from Clive Romney's 16-hour course and 10 graduates from Steffani Raff's 16-hour course during the September and October sessions.  Most of the graduates expressed interest in teaching future 8-hour or longer storytelling residencies.  All graduates wanted to develop their skills on and individual basis.  Half of the graduates were librarians while many were professional storytellers or writers.  By the end of the time together, we sensed a bond among the participants and the trainers.  


Welcome to Team Story Crossroads

We are pleased to announce that our new Fundraising and Grants Chair is Nikki Lovell and our new Volunteer Chair is Bev Campbell.  We are also happy to have Billie Jones as the Toastmasters Liaison and Emcee Coordinator (Volunteer Committee) as well as Jim Luter as our Community Services Liaison (Fundraising and Grants Committee).

Nikki Lovell has years upon years of United Way experience of writing and receiving grants.  She has helped other groups and individuals receive the funding needed such as the Christmas Village or the Peery Egyptian Theater in Ogden.  

Bev Campbell has coordinated volunteers for the Utah State Fair as well as for literacy events.  She knows how to gather and motivate people.

Billie Jones is a Storyteller and Toastmaster.  She is coordinating the 12 Toastmaster emcees for our April festival event as well as working with the Toastmasters to be part of our 8-hour free storytelling residencies and general volunteering at the festival itself.

Jim Luter taught Speech for over 38 years and has recently discovered the Storytelling world.  He is working with community service and groups so that we have even more financial support.

We send a huge thank you to these new people on Team Story Crossroads as well as all of the other people on the Board who have helped from the beginning.


Free Resources including Lesson Plan Templates and Helps 

We have free printables on the Story Crossroads website.  You can find them on different pages depending on the topic.  For example, under the header "Community" and subheader "Youth" you can find a 20-page crash course/coloring book as well as an 8-page listing of storytelling games.  Under the header "Teaching Story" and then the subheading of "Find Lesson Plans & Approved Books for Teaching Story," discover many lesson plan helps to create your own.  You can even see our judging ballot used for selecting storytellers under the header "Get Involved" and then "Be a Story Artist for April Festival."  Feel free to explore these resources and so much more.

Cap's Off to You
Celebrating your way of using story

Featuring:  Lisa Whatcott

Flute Player & Instructor, Mother & Sister from UT​

Julie Barnson's website

Lisa Whatcott brings about a world of hope and possibilities as she plays her flute.  The music she plays always spins a story.  Some stories are accompanied by verbal narrative.  Other stories from the music must be created in the mind of audience.  When I first met Lisa, I was inspired by her poise and presence that in and of itself told the story of a woman who walks out into life with boldness. 

So enjoy the past, present, and future influences of storytelling in Lisa’s life...
 
Story Video of the Month
Clive Romney tells a little about his grandpa and then invites us to consider the stories that our grandparents have inside them.  This video piece combines performance with an interview alongside Jim Luter.

This video was created by Etched in Stone Productions headed by Sterling Elliott and assisted by Alex Aguila and Westin Cross.
If you or someone you know has a story video that you want us to see, then let us know about it and email us a link to it.  Who knows?  Perhaps we will be inspired to invite you to one of our Story Crossroads event?   Remember that our launch is April 15-16, 2016 at the Viridian Event Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 
Story

Koobar the Drought-Maker
Koobar the Drought-Maker, from Australian Aboriginals
 
Koobar lost his parents and he was ill-treated and neglected by his relatives. The relatives fed Koobar the smallest of scraps from the leaves of gum trees. The sun beat down on the land and Koobar thirsted. Especially during this time the relatives hid the water buckets.

One day the relatives forgot to hide the water buckets. After the relatives left to gather food Koobar rushed to the buckets and quenched his thirst. Fearing that the water would be taken from him, Koobar took the buckets, grasped a sapling, and chanted a song to urge the tree to grow. The relatives returned thirsty and tired. They found the buckets in the tree and demanded the water. Koobar refused. They attempted to retrieve the water. They failed. Two medicine men succeeded and beat Koobar. The beaten body of Koobar changed into a koala.

The people stood aghast as the koala-boy Koobar climbed the tree and ate the leaves, no longer needing water. From then on, the law of the land was if a koala was killed, the bones cannot be broken until after the meat is cooked. Otherwise, a drought comes and only koalas survive.
 
Artwork by Joanna Huffaker
Customs and Traditions of Note with the Aboriginals:
*  "We are all visitors to this time, this place.  We are just passing through.  Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love...and then we return home."--Aboriginal proverb
*  Avoid speaking names of the dead or showing pictures of those who have died
*  Resist talking with your mother-in-law directly
*  Brothers and sisters can play together until the brother has initiation
*  Men help with tracking and hunting while women have skills within the bush and use digging sticks

Story Game of the Month

Mystery Sign-Solver game image
Koobar's Story Drought
Inspired by "Koobar the Drought-Maker" and geared for Ages 8+

One person represents Koobar, the Drought-Maker while one or more people are convincing Koobar to give rain. The people pretend to be thirsty. Each person creates a story one at a time. If a person tells a story and Koobar wants a change in the story, Koobar shakes his head. When a change is made that Koobar likes, he nods his head and the story continues. For example, “Once there was a boy who wanted to find some frogs…” Koobar shakes his head no. “…who wanted to learn how to fly…” Koobar shakes his head no. “who wanted to explore the cave he was told never to enter…” Koobar nods his head yes. “So the boy gathered a flashlight and…” The story continues. When a story is told and completed to Koobar’s satisfaction, then everyone celebrates by drinking some water that “rained” as a result.

 
Most pictures are taken by Steve Evans, our official photographer.  He is a photojournalist that travels the world.  He generously granted Story Crossroads permission to use his pictures.  You can find all of his images here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/babasteve/
Utah Storytelling Guild
Until we tell again,

Story Crossroads


(801) 870-5799

PO Box 274
West Jordan, UT  84084