In Memory, Bob Slater

Bob was kind and gentle and shy, frugal but generous, loving and loyal. Everyone liked Bob. He was just a very sweet, smart and understanding man. He loved his children, Andrea and Kyle and his grandsons, Alex, Gabriel and Michael and of course, his wife, Joyce.

When he first saw Joyce at work, he confided to his best friend that he would one day marry her. And he did but it took a while.

He loved his MU tigers, though he would watch just about any football, basketball or baseball game. Handball was his sport until he had to have a few joints replaced.

He read everything from Mad Magazine to archeology to mysteries to his favorite German newspaper (He was fluent in German). He loved history and the funny papers.

Bob always had pets. He rescued dogs and cats, and he claimed the owls in the yard as his own. He had a particular fondness for Beagles.

He will be greatly missed because he was greatly loved.

In Memory, Angela Lloyd

It is with profound gratitude and sorrow that we share the passing of Angela Lloyd, a whimsical and beloved storyteller from California, whose magic touched countless lives. Known for her delightful blend of storytelling, washboard playing, and singing, Angela enchanted audiences of all ages, especially children, with her creativity and infectious joy.

As a dedicated member of the National Storytelling Network, Angela played a vital role in fostering community and promoting the art of storytelling. She served for many years on the Oracle Awards committee and recently chaired the Youth, Educators, and Storytellers special interest group, fostering a love for storytelling in future generations.

Angela’s artistry earned her a cherished place on stages across the nation. She was a featured performer at the 25th National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, where her vibrant spirit lit up the stage. She also emceed the festival with grace and humor and was a resident teller for Storytelling Live, spreading joy and connection through her craft.

Angela’s life was a testament to the power of storytelling to connect, heal, and uplift. Her laughter, talent, and passion will live on in the tapestry of stories she shared and the lives she touched.

-Delanna Reed, NSN Chair

A Note from the President

Hello my friends, Happy New Year! 2025

I am looking forward to a brand-new year of peace and hope and the creation of new stories. First on my storytelling agenda was the RAPS first meeting of the year on January 2.

Second is the River and Prairie Chicken Festival. Put it on your calendar – January 10-12 in Clinton, MO. The chicken festival has been drawing storytellers to smaller towns in Missouri and Kansas for over 30 years. It is a time to relax, reconnect with old friends, make new friends and be a part of the storytelling world both as a listener and a storyteller. You will have such a wonderful time with music and stories, a crazy auction and lots of fellowship. Check out the agenda in the newsletter.

Third on my agenda is the MO-TELL Annual Meeting. For more news about MO-TELL, I hope you will attend the upcoming annual meeting. Every year we have an annual meeting in January because our fiscal year ends January 31st . The meeting offers an opportunity for the MO-TELL board to let you know what we have done during the year, and it gives you a chance to express yourselves about what we have done and what you would like us to do.

Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 7 pm. Check the registration on the flyer included in the newsletter.

I am so grateful to all of you who offered thoughts and prayers this year for my husband, Bob, who was in memory care with hospice. Bob passed away on December 7. We all felt the power of your thoughts and prayers. Thank you so very much.

We remember our loved ones by their stories. Keep telling your stories.

Joyce Slater

President, MO-TELL

“Sometimes reality is too complex. Stories give it form.”

― Jean Luc Godard