Penny has been a Spellbinder since the organization was getting up and running. She was recruited by Verne Smith, a member of the Sunshine Rotary Club, with a bonus FREE breakfast if she completed her training. She was in the second group of trainees and has been an enthusiastic, contributing member ever since. You may recognize Penny by her stylish caps and the impish twinkle in her eye. She also speaks with a wee bit of an Irish brogue which is delightfully lyrical.

Penny grew up in rural Ireland surrounded by ponies, puppies and piglets. The children in the area were afforded incredible freedom; riding their tricycles to each other's home without the need for adult supervision; walking to kindergarten as a group, no buses, no parents, just a bunch of happy little kids. Penny recalls her kindergarten teacher as, an incredible lady who she wished to emulate. She actually inspired her future choice to be an elementary teacher.

Penny completed her training to be a teacher in Dublin during the 60's. She recalls listening to the Clancy Brothers who played on the back of a flatbed truck at a time when they were unknowns. A couple of years later they were playing in Carnegie Hall.

Penny went on to teach kindergarten and first grade in the following places: Cornwall, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Monticello, Utah. For the next 20 years she ran her own preschool playgroup from her home. In addition to these accomplishments she worked for Colorado Ski Country and taught swimming for 18 years.

Penny has traveled the world. She has visited Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand and many European countries. Her favorites are New Zealand and Greece. She even lived in Saudi Arabia and found it to be a fascinating experience.

She Tells to kindergarten classes through 2nd grade. One of her favorite experiences is entering a classroom and hearing "She's here!" It makes her feel like Royalty! Receiving unexpected hugs and seeing kids in the supermarket or elsewhere in town also delights her. Favorite story choices include: "The Little Red Hen," for kindergartners and "The Quiltmaker" and "Looking for Dracula" for first and second graders.  

Another memorable experience was the day a little boy asked, "How do you do that?" Penny began to explain that she checked books out from the library and took them home to read and with that revelation the little boy interrupted, "Oh, you have to read?" "It also feels very good when you happen to overhear a Principal tell a substitute teacher what a wonderful asset Spellbinder storytellers are to the school." That's a bit like a cherry on top of the cake.

Penny's words of wisdom: "Don't be afraid to make a fool of yourself. Use weird voices; really get into your characters. Turn your stories into theatrical performances and the kids will love it. The more you do it, the easier it becomes."

Our lovely December  workshop gathering was such fun and topped off by hearing from 3 storytellers.
 
Thanks to Bruce Sauer who shared with us the always delightful poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas! This time, however, the recital was interspersed with surprising details revealing the TRUE CONFESSIONS of one Evan Aloisius Mouse (late of the Society of Legendary Mice.)  

It seems that Evan A. had alternative and factual information regarding St. Nick's demeanor  and the general circumstances that Christmas Eve. This particular mouse was no BLATHERSKIPE! In the interest of fair and balanced reporting, he was most insistent that his perspective be shared regarding the veritable origin and content of Clement Clarke Moore's beloved Christmas poem. Thanks for the fun you brought us!

Bruce is happy to be carrying on the tradition of Storytelling. He tells stories to 5th grades at Chipeta and Appleton and enjoys watching the faces of the kids as they listen and connect with the stories he tells.
 
We had stories from two new Spellbinders who had just told their stories at the Rotary Club meeting that morning.  We all remember being maybe a bit nervous at  the thought of telling our stories to our peers, so special thanks to everyone who gets up to share their stories with us at every workshop! And thanks to all the listeners,too!
 
Pam Hurd told the story: Manka the Clever from Tales to Tickle your Funny Bone by Norma Livo and Pat Mendoza. This is the story of a  bright young woman from a small village who is known for her wit and wisdom. She falls in love and marries the town Magistrate. and often (against his wishes) solves his cases for him.  

Manka has a talent for outwitting everyone and, in the end, even the Magistrate when he grants her one final wish before sending her back home to live with her family. Thank you for sharing this story with us Pam! We would like to hear you tell your original story: Switch Witch sometime!  

Pam particularly likes telling participation and funny stories.She suggests to just" be yourself "allows a person to find their special storytelling talent. Pam is telling to 3rd graders at Chipeta this year

Barbara Mack is enjoying  telling stories to first graders at Tope Elementary, and feels rewarded by their eager listening.   She  shared with us a lively , fun  Christmas  story about how Santa solved his problem delivering presents in Grand Junction..ooh "That's Bad!"   

Thank you Barbara,  "That's Good!" It is just so much fun to feel like a kid again, lighthearted,  to participate in calling out such phrases  or  singing, reciting poems and share our stories. We are reminded, as Barbara says, that we are carrying on the Legacy of Oral Tradition.   

A participation story for Christmas time from Barbara Mack
 
Instruct the audience to say  "THAT"s GOOD" or "THAT'S BAD" after each statement. Teller can hold up right hand for "that's good!' and left hand for "that's bad!" for cues.
 
 
It was Christmas Eve and Santa was ready to deliver  presents to all the good little boys and girls
"That's Good!"
 
No, that's bad
All the reindeer were sick with the flu and could not pull the sleigh   "That's BAD!"
 
No, that's Good!
Santa had a rocket engine that he could fire up on the back of the sleigh  "That's Good!"
 
No, that's Bad
The rocket ran out of fuel          

"That's Bad!
 
No that's good
Because all the presents had been delivered             

"That's Good!"
 
No that's Bad
All the presents were delivered EXCEPT to Grand Junction           "That's Bad!"
 
No, That's Good,
Because all the Spellbinders met Santa and helped him deliver all the Christmas presents!
"That's Good!"
 
Yes! That's Good!"
It was a very Merry Christmas!"  

• recruitment, maintenance and succession planning
• effective chapter meetings
• increase sharing among chapters
• understanding the history and development of each chapter