December 5, 1996
The Blue Banner
Page 5
101
Review
Asheville participants join Tellabration 96! event
Bob Buchanan
Staff Writer
On Nov. 24, the Tellabration 96! event was
held at The Folk Art Center. Tellabration is
the celebration of oral tradition, with events
held around the world.
In telling these stories, people rely on their
memory in words and not so much on the
written word. Everyone has stories to tell, and
with each version, they become a little more
personal, and sometimes more fanatical.
“It’s a terrible death, to be talked to death,”
said a man in a white suit, resembling Mark
Twain. For all intentional purposes, he is Mark
Twain for the evening. The rest of the time,
people call him Marvin Cole.
Cole, who lives in Candler, dresses up as
Twain and recites stories about Twain. He was
the first storyteller in Tellabration 96! This is
the first time Asheville has participated in
Tellabration, but judging by the large audience
at The Folk Art Center, it won’t be the last.
Margie Meares took the audience back
through time with a picture of her mother
when she was she was still a young woman who
had yet to start a family.
The picture was discovered shortly after her
mother died and her family was going through
her things. She was diving into a lake or pool,
said Meares, and she looked so graceful. Who
was the woman in the picture, Meares won
dered aloud.
Years later, Meares suffered a minor mishap
in a boating accident. She was a novice at
sailing and was trying to keep the boat from
tipping over from a wind gust. The boat threw
her through the air, and the last thing she
thought before she hit the water was that her
mother looked much more graceful hitting the
water than she did.
Next it was time for the emotional roller
coaster story as John Sasek took the stage. The
story he told was by another storyteller, but he
admitted he liked the story because it “had
some meat to it.”
The story was called “The Soul of the Dog.
The dog, a Malamute, was a good dog, Sasek
said, it even cared for a kitten who had lost its
mother, getting up anytime, day or night,
whenever it would meow pitifully, to comfort
it.
The owner and the dog were very close. They
had spent a lot of time together. However,
there comes a time when the owner must
decide if the dog’s suffering is greater than the
satisfaction, said Sasek.
The owner knew it was time to put the
dog to sleep, and took it to the vet. Everything
had been prepared for the injection. The injec
tion itself had been doubled, Malamutes were
vigorous dogs. The injection was given and
the veterinarian said it would only take a few
seconds.
Amazingly, after a minute, the dog was still
alive, looking nervous. Finally, the owner un
derstood. “I release you, the owner said, you
can go.” With that, said Sasek, the dog died.
Sasek also tells stories at the green door on
Carolina Lane and can be heard on local radio
stations.
To lighten the mood, Sandra Gudger was the
next person to take the stage. She told a story
of her uncle who, despite expert planning, was
never able to get things to work out as planned.
The only elements you need to know about
this story are a stubborn stump, a stick of
dynamite, and the first picture window in that
area of town. Sound like someone in your
family? If not, maybe it’s you to whom she was
referring. Gudger was awarded a plaque for
her work in the establishment of the Asheville
Storytelling Circle. She also has a degree in
physics from UNC-Greensboro.
Lena Jean Ray and Becky Stone brought a
musical aspect to the show with a little guitar
playing and ballads. Ray, an award-winning
ballad singer and native of North Carolina,
told the story of a bitter young woman named
Barbara Allen, whereas Stone sang about Papa
being on the roof and not coming down for
anything.
The final storyteller was Glenda Ledbetter. If
her name rings a few bells, then you might
have seen her at Pack Library in the past where
she was the “story lady.” I.edbetter has also
been on WLOS-TV with her stories as well.
She spun a tale that was a cross between Rip
Van Winkle meeting a Mountain Dew com
mercial.
A young woman who lived with her grand
mother after the death of her parents was
given three magical objects by her grand
mother on the eve of her death. With each of
these objects was a magic chant to use each
time she wanted to use them. The audience
learned the chants as well.
When she encountered a young man riding
through town on a mountain bike, she used
the magic in them to bring him to her, to bring
true love under her roof. And, of course, they
lived happily ever after. Is that cliche or what?
The Klezmatics will perform on
Dec. 7 at the Diana Wortham The
atre, Pack Place.
Quiz yourself on
your credit habits
(CPS)-To avoid the pitfalls of financial re
sponsibility, take a good hard look at your
credit card habits. Select the response that
comes closest to your situation:
1. What portion of your credit card bills do
you pay each month?
a. The entire balance.
b. A good portion of the amount owed.
c. Only the minimum payment.
2. When do you tend to pay your credit card
bills?
a. When received.
b. As close to the due date as possible.
c. Skip some payments.
3. How much of the credit line on your credit
cards do you owe?
a. None, I pay my entire balance each
month.
b. Less than one-half.
c. I have charged to the maximum.
4. Do you know your credit card debt?
a. Yes.
b. Rough estimate.
c. Afraid to add it up.
If you answered “C” to any of the above
questions, you could be in financial difficulty.
Re-examine your priorities, budget, and credit
obligations. For assistance in budgeting or
working out your debt problems, call 1-800-
388-2227 for a budget and credit counseling
agency in your area affiliated with the Na
tional Foundation for Consumer Credit.
m
academic notices
Last day of classes • 12/6
Reception for December Graduates, 4 p.m.,OCC (ext. 6512)
• 12/8
Final exams • 12/9 - 12/13
exhibits
Jon Dawes Sculpture Exhibit, reception 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., OH *12/6
Liberty Becker Raku Exhibit, reception 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., 2nd floor, OH • 12/6
Photography Exhibit - UNCA students' photographs, 12-4 p.m.. Gallery f/32
32 Biltmore Ave. • 12/7 -1/13
Children's Art Works - rotating exhibit, RL
;(ir Vdiir
december
5
thru
december
12
UNCA
FYI is a service of
the Student
Activities
and Student
Affairs offices.
FYI is published each Thursday.
Deadline to submit information
is Friday at noon, for the following
week's publication. Final deadline:
Dec. 6 for the Dec. 1 2 issue. Send
o copy with basic information to the
Blue Banner, c/o Ad Manager
CH 208 A.
athletics (ext. 6459)
Track and Field - Clemson Indoor • 12/7
career/job opportunities
Justice Center Assistants needed for check- in desk, weight/
fitness room, equipment room - Informational meeting, 5 p.m.,
JC (ext. 6909) • 12/5
Square D Company is looking for college students for 16 hours
per week starting January 1997 - Apply at Career Ctr., WHC
lower level • by 12/11 (ext. 6515)
concerts/live entertainment
Student Guitar Ensemble, 8 p.m., LH Aud. *12/5
"42nd Street" (1/7), Broadway Show tickets, $18, 10 a.m.
- 4 p.m., HC 27
"Klezmatics,"$7.50, 8:15 p.m., Diana Wortham Theatre
(sponsored by Jewish Studies Ctr.) (ext. 6669) • 12/7
Holiday Concert, 4 p.m., Thomas Wolfe Aud. (ext. 6432) *12/8
Bookstore Holiday Party and Sale, 4-9 p.m., HC (ext. 6426)
• 12/5
Charlotte Hornets tickets- Dec./Jan. games, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., HC
Spanish Table, 12 - 1:15 p.m.. Private Dining Room, DH
(ext. 6274) • 12/6
Ceramics ^le, OH 143 (ext. 6559), 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.* 12/6
9 a.m. - noon • 12/7
Highsmith Center open all night • 12/8 - 12/12
Used Book Coop - Buy and Sell, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m./4 - 6:30 p.m.,
HC 18 (sponsored by by SGA and NCSL) • 12/9 - 12/12
Used Book Buy, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., HC Bookstore • 12/9 - 12/13
Exam Breakfast, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m., DH • 12/9
Residence Halls close at 9 a.m. • 12/14
Klezmatics Music Workshop. 2 p.m.. Pack Place Forum, $5
(ext. 6411) • 12/7
Movie tickets ■ $3. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., HC 27 (ext. 6584)
Mediation Workshop, 9:30a.m. - 4:30 p.m.. Laurel Forum, KH,
Free (R.S.V.P by 1 /25) (253-5120) • 1 /25 97
Escort Service for students from any area on campus; call Public
Safety or use yellow box at Vance Hall - 251 - 6710
films
"A Muppet Christmas Carol," 7 p.m., HC Lounge (ext. 6675) * 12/6
homecoming '97 - feb. 3 -9
• Parade! Organizations interested in participating call ext. 6588
• Watch for schedule in January for weeklong events
lectures
• "Other Doctorates and Allied Health Careers" by Charlotte Artis, Noon,
HC 37 (ext. 6513) • 12/5
• "Japan Reinvested" by David L. Swain, 7:30 p.m., OCC, free for students
(ext. 6140) • 12/9
• Reading by Visiting Prof. Tom Hubbard of Fife, Scotland, 7 p.m., Urthona
Gallery, 91 Patton Ave. • 12/11
organizations - special programs
"Mittens, Hats, Socks For Kids" - hang them on the Christmas Tree in HC
(sponsored by ODK) • thru 12/13
"Graduate Options" by Dr. Melissa Himelein, 5-6 p.m., (sponsored by
Psi Chi)(ext. 6834) • 12/5
"Before Exam Jam" - music/free food (sponsored by ISA, AASA,
Pi Lambda Phi, 9: 30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m., HC Lounge • 12/6
outdoor activities/recreation
Equipment Rental available in Outdoor Education Office, HC (ext.6001)
Cycling Club: Mountain Bike Rides; 3:30 p.m.. Quad • every Thursday
theatre
Pisgah Players "The Ghost of All Saints," 8 p.m., LH Aud. (ext. 6411)
• 12/6-12/7 4 p.m., 12/8
Forum Theaters ■ Free at Carol Belk Theatre
" Playing with Fire," 7 p.m. *12/6
"Finding the Sun," 7 p.m. *12/6
"Closet Madness," 2 p.m. • 12/7
"April Snow," 2 p.m. • 12/7
"Sand Mountain Matchmaking," 8 p.m. • 12/7
"Hidden in this Picture," 8 p.m. • 12/7
"Sandy and Shelley Go to the Desert," 2 p.m. • 12/8
(Refreshments 30 minutes prior to performance and discussion
with cast/director afterwards)