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Papa
Joe ~ Travel
Notes
From: Papa Joe
To: Storytell
Subject: Tour Notes #18
Date: Monday, August 18, 1997 9:17 AM
August 11th - 13th Mount Desert Island
I've said it before, this is one of the most magical places in the whole world.
After the show in Northeast Harbor, Josh, Tasha, and I walked along the shore
of Seawall. Seabirds and seals play in the ocean. Crabs and sea urchins bob in
the shallows, trying to avoid being eaten by the gulls. The Northern end of
Seawall is full of people. As one walks South, there are less and less until we are
all alone with the sun, wind, sea, and stones. You can find a polished stone of
any color here. I've added a new purple stone to my collection in the Vardo.
The rose hips are almost ripe. Most of the flavor has gathered, but the sweetness
is lacking still. Josh never knew they were edible. There are so many things I've
yet to teach him and so little time left to do it. He's fifteen and learning on his
own. Maybe next year, I can hire him as my co-driver for some of the tours.
There are so many more moments for learning out here on the road. Jackson
arranged for us to go to the repertory theater this evening for a murder mystery.
Another first for Josh.
Tuesday, we climb Beech Mountain. We can see most of the island from up
here. And all of the little islands off the South coast. It's a nice climb and a great
place for a picnic lunch, under the fire tower. A group of children gather round
to pet Tasha. She's quiet after the climb and lets me tell the children a short tale.
Later, we swim at Echo Lake. One of the Park Rangers asks for a story. There
is no getting away from being a teller. :)
Wednesday morning, I work on the NY/NJ tour in September. Jackson let me
set up my office in his studio. In return, Josh and I worked the door and
refreshment tables for his show in Bar Harbor. I couldn't help warming up his
audience as they waited in the hall for the doors to open. He had a full house and
we all enjoyed the show.
On Thursday morning, we headed for Milbridge, ME. As we drove over the
bridge, Josh said he could still feel the Island. I smiled. Like father, like son.
Jackson had called ahead to the director of the Migrant Worker's Children's
Activities. I didn't know there was an organization for those kids. They were
bused in from the blueberry field camps to see the show in town. I was so glad
to have them in the audience. Poor kids, moving from place to place, living in
cabins and campers. Never knowing where they will be going to school next
month or who they will have for friends. I tried to give the staff some Clap
Books, but they insisted on paying for them. Nice folks. lol
Friday was a day of no shows. So we set up camp at my favorite library in
Maine: Hampden Public. After spending the morning doing calls, catching up on
reading Storytell, and enjoying a long hot shower (yes, they have a shower at the
library), I read another of Howard Pyle's story books, "Salt and Pepper" ("The
Wonder Clock" was the one I got to start reading at Mount Clement, MI and
finished at Northeast Harbor, ME). It's so rare to find one of Pyle's collections.
Seems he is mostly known for his Robin Hood and King Arthur. I hope Dover
Books will do a reprint one of these days. It would be a shame to lose that
literature. I learned he did many of his own illustrations. I have to say the line art
in "The Wonder Clock" is excellent. It's well worth the search just to see those.
---
After Note: Seems Dover did a reprint of "The Wonder Clock". Guess I'll have
to get it now.
---
Saturday. Some days it seems as if we can't leave the site after a show. Josh and
I spent two hours discussing education and developmental theory with our host
(she's has invited me close their Summer Reading program three years running
now. So I was also trying to get her to try out some of the other tellers.) and her
daughter who is a special ed teacher. We need more tellers in this area. Jackson
and I can not handle it alone. There were a couple of other tellers, but they seem
to move off South and West. If any of you want to try Northern Maine, I'll be
happy to get you some good contacts. Just ask.
When we finally got away, we headed South to Old Orchard Beach. This is the
real reason I come to Maine every August. Maine Special Olympics holds a
fund raiser each year on the beach. It is a wild and crazy crowd. They come to
enjoy the sun, we entertain them and get them to part with a little of their money
for a good cause. The special Olympians make a great contribution to the
audience. My show is on Sunday. {note: click here for picture}
Sunday. The last day of the Summer Tour. I'm not glad it's over. I have to wait
five weeks for the NY/NJ tour to start. It's not that I don't like my home, but I
do love touring. That is as long as I remember not to over do the scheduling. lol
I'm writing from my desk in Oak-n-Ivy Cottage. It was a hot day at the beach. I
could feel the sun sucking up the energies of the audience. Next year, we'll be
tenting them as well as the stage. I don't use the stage anyway. Hot is a good
thing for a Beach Fund Raiser. There were great crowds who gave lots of
money to the cause. Looked like we got over $10,000 for Maine's Special
Olympians. I wonder how many of the State Committees are using storytelling in
their fund raisers? You don't get any money for these shows, but the cause is
good and so is the experience.
Well, folks. Thanks for sharing the tour with me. It felt like you were all there
with me this year. Oh ya! Some of you were. lol Well wishes to you all and I'll
be seeing you all on Storytell. :)
Pax & Amicitia,
Papa Joe
Oak-n-Ivy Cottage Again, Turtle Island
Papa
Joe ~ Travel
Notes
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