This month's Profile welcomes a brand new Spellbinder, Lora Davis.  Lora, we are truly pleased that you have chosen to dedicate your time and energy to this wonderful group of storytellers.  I'm sure this experience will not disappoint you.

Lora heard about Spellbinders via word of mouth over a year ago but just recently found time in her busy life to take the training and join the group...WELCOME WELCOME!!

Lora grew up in the small mountain town of Idledale, Colorado.  She spent much of her childhood running around the mountains west of Denver mostly alone exploring the magic of nature.  These solo forays into nature provided a sense of freedom and confidence which served her well as an adult.

Lora experienced many different work worlds which speaks to her open fearless spirit and flexibility.  She worked in computer engineering, had a Craft Business which produced and distributed spinning rainbows made of wood and glass to hang in the light of a window.  She has worked as an apple picker and cleaned houses.  She considers herself 'a jack of all trades.'

This new Spellbinder has traveled many, many places around the world and spent a year in the Peace Corp in Armenia.  She has explored Central America, Mexico, some of the Soviet States linking to other countries in the Adriatic.  In addition she has been to Thailand, Finland, Switzerland and Estonia.  She prefers to travel alone and meet the people of each country in their home and work world.  Not having a lot of money she has mostly stayed in private homes.  People have been friendly, kind and anxious to know more about Americans.  Lora loves to hear about other cultures and listen to their personal family stories as a path to connecting with others heart to heart.

In the area of interests and hobbies, she enjoys hiking, camping, snowshoeing, knitting and sewing.  She is also interested in the oil and gas development on the Western Slope.

When asked to say what was compelling about Spellbinders that attracted her to join our group she expressed the following words of wisdom.  "Telling stories is an opportunity for personal growth and a chance to develop more skills. It is really important to stimulate our imaginations and children's imaginations.  The cross generational connection is crucial."   

Lora has volunteered for years in the Foster Grandparent Program and knows the value of these connections from her personal experience. "Stories can transport children to a different world and a different perspective which can be very inspiring and sometimes gives them hope. Through story children can learn about different cultures, beliefs, wisdom and other people's personal history.  It can impact a child's understanding of other possibilities and ways of solving problems. Whenever, you get a chance...DANCE!"

Can't wait to get to know this new Spellbinder better!  What a new pearl just joined our Spellbinder necklace.