Category Archives: historical storytelling

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.

50 Objects 50 Stories, Connecticut Historical Society

  Connecticut Historical Society had a great idea! They have a new exhibit that highlights 50 varied objects from Connecticut, along with the story of the object. The objects themselves are a varied lot, they range from a Space Suit to a Revolutionary period diary of State Hero Nathan Hale and on to a Pepe’s… Continue Reading

5 Ways to Preserve Family Stories

The teen sat on the park bench, hungry, tired, jobless, a boy of New Haven, Connecticut. He wondered what the world would hold for him. He sat staring into space, after awhile his focus landed on a beautiful girl across the street, near the corner of Church and Chapel Streets. She was made of wood! It was… Continue Reading

What Does Your Family Sound Like?

Every family has a certain playlist. That constant background music or noise that is seldom acknowledged. When I was a teen I babysat for a family, it was a no TV house, the constant background there was classical music piped softly to every room. It was a serene household, but I always had to fight… 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

Archaeology and Family Stories

  It was as if I entered a portal to time and crossed over to the American Revolution. Was this a table in the offices of Archaeological and Historical Services, Inc or my great, great, great, great- Grandmothers kitchen table?     http://www.ahs-inc.biz/mainpage.html   While researching a family story online I found an archaeological report… Continue Reading

The Patriot Gave Everything – Focus on Family Stories

Are you aware of the thousands who died for the cause of America, not in battles of our Revolution, but as prisoners of war held by the British under the most horrific of conditions. Their story is mostly forgotten, their lives given to the new nation undervalued by history, unserved by classroom text. The stories of… Continue Reading

Local Haunts and Creepy Costumes

Local Haunts and Creepy Costumes

It is almost here the creepiest day of the year.  After the costumed kiddies retreat to bed with  bellies full of candy. After the teens on the prowl have settled to tell of all the bravado they showed that night. Late when only the brave dare visit the streets then do the spirits of past… Continue Reading

Secret 6 of Boston Supply Guns to Raid

Secret 6 of Boston Supply Guns to Raid

Guns in cases labeled Bibles or Books      That was how guns were shipped from Boston to Kansas in support of the abolitionist movement before the Civil War began.  Six men of the greater Boston area bankrolled the movement to make Kansas a free state ( slave free)  and to provide leader John Brown with… Continue Reading

Sleighing to Sharing the Fire

Sleighing to Sharing the Fire

The  weather seems to think we need to break the record for all time low temps in the Northeast! That just means we need to have more people SHARING THE FIRE!  March 18-20, 2011 at the Crowne Plaza Warwick, Rhode Island storytellers from around the Northeast will gather and share in warm stories, warm hearts,… Continue Reading

Metro – T riders take stage to tell their MBTA tales

Metro – T riders take stage to tell their MBTA tales

In Boston this past slam was all about who rides the T ! It happens daily as thousands and thousands board and recede like the tide to the other world. So unremarkable that oblivion might better be the name. Then every now and again a ride becomes so noteworthy it becomes a story. Read the… Continue Reading

Christmas Spirits

Christmas Spirits

Getting ready for the Holidays? Plan an evening of pure entertainment with Carolyn Stearns Storyteller performing my original epic piece “Christmas Spirits”. Marlborough Tavern http://www.themarlboroughtavern.com/ will host a telling on Saturday December 18, 2010 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 for the performance but call and get your dinner reservations in and come enjoy the… Continue Reading

Historical Stories

Historical Stories

I am working my way through a blitz of storytelling shows and it is so much fun to move from venue to venue. I have been reaching so many people in the last couple weeks with stories and have met some awesome people. I have to remember that even when I am doing multiple shows… Continue Reading