Sunday, April 11

9:45 a.m. – Sally Crandall, Building a National Park storytelling program
Sally will be in residence at Homestaed National Monument (HNM) in Nebraska for two weeks, beginning next Sunday. Many national parks provide an opportunity for an artist to reside in the park. Facilities vary widely, from a cabin requiring a one or more mile “pack-in” hike to a room at a lodge. In turn, the park requires something from the artist within a year of the stay. (Go to nps.gov to explore the possibilities.)
Sally will be staying at the Homestead National Monument for two weeks. During that time, she will appear at their 12th annual storytelling festival. Her goal is to create a replicable story-related product that can be used within their park. Homestead would like to have lessons specific to their location. Settlement in the area was based on the Homestead act of 1862 during which 10% of the U.S. land area was claimed and settled. Homesteaders had to be a head of household, at least 21 years old. Homesteaders included former slaves and single women. Many were newly arrived immigrants. They were allowed five years to “prove” the land, (building a dwelling and creating an income-producing farm.) HNM staff aim at serving the curriculum needs for 4-6 grades. Sally prompted discussion with the questions: “How do I approach the area, and how do I leave behind something others can do?”
Discussion followed.
• Nancy Donoval researched and provided stories of pioneer women in a previous project.
• Other topics could be prairie animals and plants, disasters such as grasshoppers and fires. Sally, having previous experience with the disaster story of the Dayton flood of 1913, might be able to find a serious natural disaster to research and write about.
• Resa suggested that the settlers might not be able to fully understand (see) what was already there on the prairie, which to them looked like a vast nothingness.
• Sally referred to one of Sherry Norfolk’s books which included ideas for a scavenger hunt including sounds, textures, smells and other sensory prompts.
• Suggestion by ? – cooperative efforts with local historical societies, museums
• Harold suggested the possibility of transportation: Prairie Schooners, the “ships” of the great plains
• Joyce referred to the wants and needs of the homesteaders. They didn’t need a road. Instead, the later settlers followed items that were discarded by earlier travelers. Strict limits were set by those guiding the westward parties, Explore what people hid in their luggage: dolls, a toy top, a poetry book). Things thrown out included a grandfather clock, a large bureau.
• Eric proposed a class full of historical characters and scenarios. Kathryn suggested that some of the characters need not be human, but could be animals.
• Sally will be taking stories of here experiences of the ocean, the NYC area, and building on those to amplify the contrasts and similarities to life on the prairie, (i.e., “a waving ocean of grass” and seasickness which occurred on the prairie as well as the ocean.)
• Resa proposed using technology and artifacts: Google Earth maps, audio and video, artifact related to specific spots.
• Fran related that Lyn Moroney did a writer’s residency in the Colorado Mountains. The director of parks in Oklahoma worked with Territory Tellers to develop stories about the Waushetau and Black Kettle battlegrounds where Custer’s troops massacred Native women and children. Tellers there tried to interview Native folks. In another residency at a park based on springs, sound-makers used interactively by students reproduced sounds found in nature. A park ranger used those soundmakers as part of a food chain program.
• Sally said that the ideal would be to create a program where there is an introductory “talk”, then students would break up into groups and “explore,” coming up with stories based on what they have found. Resa remarked on the possibility of using “guided inquiry,” such as Kevin presented, having participants find things and attach questions that lead to discussion.
• Sally noted that there is an in-residence Education Director at the park who will be able to guide her to some degree, assuring that her work product will be utilized by HNM.

11:20 a.m. – Talking Stick Circle (as time allows)
We were given time to comment on the weekend, as a “talking stick” was passed around the circle. Remarks were universally positive, with a majority feeling that they were taking away a feeling of stimulation, motivation, and useful tools to improve their programs.

12:15 -- Short Ending Ceremony
The artistic central focal point built by participants on the first day was disassembled. Each participant removed the stone they had brought from home and the objects added to the assemblage were put back where they had been found. We wished each other well and disbanded for lunch or to head home.

Lunch
Such an abundance of food had been provided during the pot-luck and by the restaurants that many of us stayed and enjoyed another friendly meal at the Wolf household before heading home.

Note: Thanks go to Kathryn who cleaned and vacuumed the floor of the yurt after our many comings and goings had inadvertently brought in dust and dirt. We hope we left it in good condition and will be invited back.

Yellow Springs News Runs Front Page Article...

If you have not had a chance take the time to read this wonderful plug for this coming Saturday's performance!

Yellow Springs, Ohio The one and only Yellow Springs News on April 8th, 2010

Has a great picture - except I clearly should smile more!

Report on the Food

Potluck Planned for Friday Night at 6:30 PM - you can bring a traditional cooked meal if you live close by - here is a list of items that are good for far away folks or folks with busy lives...

Make cookies or brownies a few days before or buy cookies...
Drop by Tom's market on your way through Yellow Springs and Buy two bags of washed salad greens (in the back of the store) - bring a nice bowl from home.
Bring a gallon of apple cider or apple juice -
Buy a large container of humus and a bag of corn chips to go with it - bring a nice bowl from home.
Do Not Buy - Soda, Wine or Beer - thanks.

Saturday Morning - Breakfast on your own...

Saturday Lunch Provided by Current Cuisine 8 Veggie Sandwiches and Ha Ha Pizza with three large pies.

Saturday Dinner provided by the Sunrise Cafe (Pot of Chili) and the Underdog Cafe (Two loaves multigrain Bread.)

Sunday Morning Breakfast and Lunch are not provided.

Updated Schedule as of April 2nd

Friday the 9th of April

1:00 PM - Tree Walk with George Beri the Land Manager of the Glen.

3:30 PM - Flower Walk in the North Glen.

6:30 PM Pot Luck on the Vale Commons.

Registered Attendees are invited to meet the Vale community Members.

8:00 PM – Hanging Around the Vale Commons Camp Fire telling stories.

Saturday the 10th of April

8:30 Am – Half hour opening ceremony.

9:00 AM – Acceptance of schedule.

9:15 AM - Hat Story

9:20 AM - Lisa Homes - Performance of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

10:00 AM - Eric Wolf Report on Living Theater Education.

10:30 AM - Break

10:45 AM - Hat Story

10:50 AM - Fran Stallings - A Discussion on healing ecology through storytelling

Noon - Lunch Sponsored - with a walk to the Garden.

1:25 PM - Hat Story

1:30 PM - Kevin Cordi - Ensemble Storytelling

2:30 PM -  Break.

2:45 PM - Hat Story

2:50 PM - Janelle Reardon, Jonatha & Harold Wright (Water) and Joyce Geary - 

We break in to 3 separate groups for an hour to create themed programs from scratch then each team has 20 minutes to present a portion and concepts or their program.

5:00 PM - Dinner Break in town or maybe pizza together. 

(Still Looking for a Sponsor.  How about you?)

7 PM Tecumseh Land Trust Fund Raiser.

10 PM Another Fire in front of Brother Wolf's house for the dedicated.

Sunday the 11th of April

9:30 AM - Two Hat Stories

9:45 AM - Sally Crandall - Building a National Park Storytelling Program.

10:30 AM - Hat Story

10:35 AM - Talking Stick Circle - (As time Allows)

11:45 AM Short Ending Ceremony.

This is a draft schedule and may change without notice...

Dr Kevin D. Cordi, with a PHD in Storytelling, joins in...

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

In this pressing age where the needs of the environment is overshadowed by celebrity, as a storyteller I need to be aware of how I can use narratives to keep people aware of the value and urgency of protecting our land, air, and sea. I also want to learn from the many talented and educated storytellers that have done so much in this field. I have much to learn and an eager to listen.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

I need to fill my resources and awareness of how narrative addresses environmental awareness and concerns. I believe story is strong advocacy and I want to learn and continue to be an advocate for social causes.  

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

"What if..." Using Process Drama, "Ensemble Storytelling" (Cordi, 2007) and narrative to explore the imaginative possibilities of taking care of the environment Drawing on my recent doctoral work in proces drama and what I refer to as "Ensemble Storytelling," we will engage in a fictional world together using narrative and other tools (Vygotsky, 1978) to see the "What if" worlds that could be created when we are able to actively represent environmental change . This will be achieve by achieving by creating a "living-through" (Heathcote, 1990) experience using our collective imaginations as we walk, talk, contest problems in a fictional world with an environmental concerns.. It is my hope that using our narrative imaginations in the fictional world will help us address real soultions and dialogue for the current world. This highly interactive story world will hopefully help us change our own.

Sally Crandall - Columbus Historical Storyteller

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?   

An eco -tellers retreat will allow opportunities for sharing ideas and stories on this topic.  Everyone should come away the richer.

2) What is your intention for the retreat? 

I may have the opportunity to be the artist-in-residence at Homestead National Park in Ne. for a two weeks in late April.  My job, if I am accepted, will be to work with staff and kids to create some kind of storytelling that can continue after I leave.  I'm hoping to get some ideas from the conference.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

 If I had an hour, I would like to brainstorm interactive environmental storytelling ideas for my upcoming project

Draft Schedule - Jan 1st

Friday the 9th of April

Day - Secrets of the Glen.

Evening – Hanging Around the Camp Fire in the Vale telling stories

Saturday the 10th of April

8:30 Am – Half hour opening ceremony.

9:00 AM – Acceptance of schedule

9:30 AM - Lisa Homes - Performance of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

10:45 AM - Fran Stallings - A Discussion on healing ecology through storytelling

Lunch Sponsored

1:30 PM - Eric Wolf Report on Living Theater Education

2:00 PM - Jonatha & Harold Wright Report and Discussion on stories and there use in Water Education.

2:45 PM - Janelle Reardon We create three themed programs from scratch.

3:30 PM - Break.

3:45 PM - Talking Stick Circle - (1 round)

Dinner Break in town or maybe pizza together. (Still Looking for a Sponsor.)

7 PM Tecumseh Land Trust Fund Raiser.

10 PM Another Fire in front of my house.

Sunday the 11th of April

9:30 AM - Mylinda Butterworth Books as Tools Eco-Fiction books

10:00 AM - Jenn Romaniszak Leads a discussion on the responsibility of storytellers.

11:30 AM Short Ending Ceremony.

This is a draft schedule and may change without notice...