- Linda Kuntz
- Jan 31, 2020
- 1 min read
River and Prairie Storyweavers held their 27th annual Chicken Festival in Paola, Kansas on January 24-26, 2020. Thirty-one storytellers from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma attended. Weather canceled the Friday performances in the schools and library and also caused a number of people to be unable to attend this year. RAPS was able to send tellers to the Paola Senior Center and two nursing homes on Friday since they were open. We stayed at the Paola Inn and Suites and held the festival in the Paola Community Center. Carol Kariotis emceed the community storytelling concert featuring Christine Henderson, Rich White, Gary Kuntz and Joyce Slater.
Overall, 19 tellers told 49 stories with 4 musical sessions by four vocal/ instrument performers. Thank you to all who attended, told stories, provided music, generously donated to the auction and bought auction items. You made this Chicken Festival something to crow about. We will return to Paola, Kansas on January 15-17, 2021. (So says Linda Kuntz. Thanks, Linda!)
- Kathy Schottel
- Jan 31, 2020
- 2 min read
Our featured member of Mo-Tell this month is Kathy Schottel. Kathy comes to us as a Librarian-Musician- Storyteller. Her love of books and libraries led her to her work in the St. Louis City Public Library system. There she encountered her wonderful mentor, Irene Eveland. Kathy credits Irene with “twisting her arm into becoming a storyteller.” Her hobby is her music and her guitar, and if anyone of you have heard her captivate audiences, you are very fortunate. The audiences of young listeners in the libraries would often ask Kathy, “Do you have kids?” Immediately she would answer, “Why would I, when I’ve got 3,000 of you guys?” In fact, she told and sang and played to about 3,000 kids a month. Whew!
Interest in Storytelling
Irene also told Kathy that she should join all the storytelling organizations, and Kathy remembers the wonderful Cuivre River and Lake of the Ozarks workshop weekends and all the FUN! She just recently rejoined Mo-Tell. When asked why, she replied, “Sue Hinkel twisted my arm and said I needed to join and give her $25 membership fee.” (Seems to be a theme of arm- twisting here).
What tellers?
Tellers who influenced her in addition to Irene are Lynn Ford, Marilyn Hill, and Ron Adams.
Other stuff you ought to know:
Kathy really loves music. She has directed and acted on stage in everything frommusicals to dramas; even been known to tap dance. Her favorite movie is “Coco,” the Disney movie. She loves the generations all getting together and telling and singing and remembering. If she lived anywhere else besides St. Louis, she would pick Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is looking forward to discovering Poland and her Polish heritage in a future trip to Europe.Kathy is a great friend to the St. Louis Storytelling Festival and all the kids, both youngand old, that she inspires and entertains!
- Joyce Slater
- Jan 31, 2020
- 1 min read
March is the in-between month. It can’t decide if it is Winter or if it is Spring. It rocks back and forth and keeps us on our toes. It is a month of anticipation.
I am anticipating all the storytelling happening in March. There are storytelling festivals all over the Region – Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri, just to name a few. If you want to listen to stories just check the calendar. There may even be opportunities for telling.
Next month, look for the announcement for storytelling in the Missouri State Parks. I will be sending out a notice to all storytellers in the region. If you want to throw your hat in the ring for the upcoming season (Fall 2020/Spring 2021), respond to the call for tellers with all the information required. Our mission in MO-TELL, is to spread storytelling all over the state.
What is your mission for storytelling? We want to hear from you.
“Things worth telling - take time”
― Nicholas Denmon