Category Archives: museums

3 Reasons to Attend Connecticut Storytelling Festival

Only three reasons? It is hard for me to choose three reasons to attend the Connecticut Storytelling Festival, but here I go.

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http://www.connstorycenter.org/festival.htm

1.) 2016 Festival Headliner Tim Lowry; is funny, interesting, educational, and a general character, a historical speaker bringing history to life! http://www.storytellertimlowry.com/

Well that is a mouthful, but you will see Tim is hard to explain in a couple words. He will offer performances and a workshop. I plan to be front and center for both! I’ve seen Tim here at Connecticut Storytelling Festival, quite a few years ago. Then I saw him perform at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, all I can say is WOW! http://www.storytellingcenter.net/festival/

2.) Workshops, did I mention workshops? There will be many to choose from, choosing is the hard part! I learn something at every one I take. I meet the most interesting people in the workshops. Often I am stretched to think in new ways, to look at age old topics in a new light, to further develop a skill. Workshops, something for everyone!

3.) Community, It is hard to describe but there is a community feeling as the sea of people follow the tides out of one performance and into the next workshop. The buzz in the air of excited conversations is electric. One table will hold a cluster of educators there to learn how storytelling impacts literacy. Another table a couple of storytellers sit close catching up on performance and family news between events. In the hall old and new friends slowly meander the tables of vendors wares offered. Music seeps from one room and draws late comers to the door and into the seats at the back of the room. People sway and sing along, or are swept away in the mood of the music and story, they look to one another, those they shared the magical journey with.

I have to stop now, I said three reasons, but there are so many more! Check out the website, but really, you just have to come to understand. Registration is open on the website. http://connstorycenter.org/festivalRegistration.htm

Would you like to be my guest? Do you want to come to the festival and enjoy performances, workshops,  socialize, visit the vendors and silent auction? Would a weekend to learn more skills to use as a museum docent help you? Are you a classroom teacher wanting to use story in education? If you have never been to the Connecticut Storytelling Festival held at Conn College in New London, CT.  this is your chance. In the comments area tell me why you want to go. I will be choosing one person to visit the Connecticut Storytelling Festival as my guest. It might be you! You might become a part of the community, take a workshop, enjoy the performances and soak up all that Storytelling has to offer. I will make my decision on March 1, 2016, register today I can always refund your fee.

Ancestors at Sea

Did your ancestors work  the sea? What immigrant ship did your ancestors arrive on?  Tell family stories with accuracy to detail, with a visit to a nautical museum or website. Here are some places to begin your voyage of discovery, the family stories from the sea. The whale boat above, is an image from Mystic Seaport,… Continue Reading

Ties to a Shipyard Story

Allen, that is a family name, my Paternal Grandmother was Pauline Allen Marshall. She was from Port Greville, Nova Scotia Canada.  Here she is as a young woman in Rye New Hampshire.   She came to the United States as a young teen to work in the Amoskeag Mills in Manchester, NH. Allen is an… Continue Reading

The Birth of an Audio CD

The Birth of an Audio CD

         How many hours, how many emails, how many years? Yes, years from start of the CD  idea to CD in hand.  In order to make the best CD, I needed to be ready, and so did the material. This is a storytelling CD, but the same could be said for music, you have to… Continue Reading

5 Unusual Gifts

5 Unusual Gifts

I don’t want to give what everyone else is giving, but where do we find the unusual gift?In our imaginations!5th place in my list of unusual gifts to give:  A tire and a rope for hours of fun! ( rocker not included; some assembly required!) 4th Place The Wheelbarrow Fill this gift with fertilizer, trowel,… Continue Reading