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Papa
Joe ~ Travel
Notes
From: Papa Joe
To: Storytell
Subject: Tour Notes # 14
Date: Thursday, July 24, 1997 7:20 PM
Week of July 13, 1997 Southeastern Michigan
The festivals are over and my real work begins. Judy Schmidt
<FransDotir@aol.com> of Storytell has invited me to set up
my base at her cottage on Pleasant Lake in West Bloomfield,
Michigan. It really is pleasant and reminds me much of home.
There's a nice place for Tasha and I to go swimming which is
really appreciated considering how muggy it has become. Judy's
husband, Manfred is a landscaper and his gardens are beautiful.
Sues would really love to be here.
Monday evening I got to share a show with Judy at Ann Arbor
Public Library. It's a gorgeous library. If it wasn't for the
books I might have thought it was an Art Museum. Judy is a lovely
teller. Her style is quiet and moving. She's rather like a gem,
showing a different facet with each turn. She only did one story
though. I'll have to twist her arm and get her to tell another
before I head South. I'd really like to hear her tell, "The
Teacher's Underwear". <Hint Hint> As it had been so
hot, I offered a cold story. lol Jack Frost! After the show some
of the children came out to the parking lot and met Tasha Tripod.
She plays a big role in the story and is just as endearing in
real life.
Tuesday was an office day. I spent most of the day on the phone
and doing scheduling. I don't get way from that even on tour.
Using Judy's cottage to work in was a big help. Many times I work
out of a phone booth.
I did nine daycare shows between Wednesday and Friday in five of
Detroit's Northern Suburbs. Thursday night, I also did a workshop
for the daycare teachers. LoiS and an Ann Arbor storyteller,
Marjorie Shaefer attended. I really enjoy having other tellers at
my workshops. It's so hard to explain style differences.
Sometimes folks think that what they see is what they should do.
With other tellers, folks can see there are as many styles as
there are people. I hope they walk away understanding that they
need to develop their own. There is never enough time to do
justice to storytelling in a workshop setting.
The director of the daycare center asked how to inspire more of
her teachers to put they hearts into the reading and telling of
stories. We discussed Role Modeling and the positive use of peer
pressure. I'll have to remember that and her comments after the
workshop was over. She said, "I think I learned that I can't
be the only role model. From now on I'll try to bring a
storyteller to the center every month." YES! One more
community leader converted to the power of storytelling. She knew
it was important for the children, but she learned it was just as
important for the teachers.
A big THANKS to LoiS for coming. See you next week at Mount
Clemens Public Library. Now you will be speaking for the library
that day, won't you? ;)
Saturday, back at Pleasant Lake, I spent the morning cleaning and
doing repairs on the Vardo. I even got to sit and enjoy Storytell
with my morning coffee. Yes I still read every post, but I need
to limit my on-line time as it cost me 10 cents a minute out
here. I do a quick down load and get off. Helps me understand how
you folks might feel, who always pay by the minute for your
connection. It is so nice to see what you folks are up to even if
I don't have much time to join in the threads.
Things need more time when I'm on the road. Everything does. So I
try to remember to dole out the minutes as carefully as possible.
Much of my free time goes to face to face chats with the folk
from the area. The rest into absorbing the fauna and flora. There
are beautiful things everywhere.
It's time for bed. So marvelous to fall asleep listening in the
breeze blowing through the leaves of the trees planted by Judy's
Grandparents. Well Wishes to you all.
Pax & Amicitia,
Papa Joe
In the Vardo, Pleasant Lake, Bloomfield, MI, USA
Papa
Joe ~ Travel
Notes
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