Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Nov. 8, 2007, edition 1 / Page 7
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'I’hursday. Xo\ eml)er 8, 2007 {ThcBlue Banner} Lifestyles Page 7 Dog Park Audiences engaged by storytellers, not television CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 the dogs, bringing homework or books to read. Maia Ball does this sometimes when she brings her boyfriend's dog, seven-month-old boxer-pitbull mix Baloo to the dog park because she thinks conversa tions can get awkward. "The conversations seem forced and strictly about dogs,” Ball said. "So there is only so long before topics run out and there are awk ward silences. 1 don’t really go there for me. though. I go for Baloo to have fun.” Ball said she and her boyfriend. Ben Cox, senior literature student, usually go to the disc golf course in Richmond Hill and bring Baloo along. “He is supposed to be on a leash, but we generally don’t have him on one.” Ball said. "It’s a different idea, not centered around dogs at all, but it is convenient to have him run around while we’re getting exercise as well.” The dog park can be rather limit ing, but there are other activities around the Asheville area dogs can enjoy with their owners as long as they comply with leash laws. Dogs run about, getting the mucli- needed exercise they might not get when their owners are busy. By Jennifer Saylor St : W : ' - Blackboard came to town and Barbie lost her head as profession al storytellers converged in Brevard for the North Carolina Storytelling Guild’s ninth annual Fall Storytelling Festival. "People need a break from their computers, their Game Boys, their iPods and iPhones to sit back and allow their own imaginations to take over.” said festival storyteller Terry Rollins. "Storytelling allows the listener to create the images and to have an active, not a pas sive, role.” Rollins told a tale of Blackbeard, the 18th century pirate who lived in the same coastal town as Rollins, Bath, N.C. Listeners of all ages gathered in the amphitheater of the Transylvania County Library for a festival of storytelling workshops, a young people's storytelling showcase, an afternoon session of kids’ tales and an evening story telling concert for older children and adults. This year’s featured performer was Grammy-winning storyteller and singer Bill Harley of Seekonk, Mass., who is also an occasional contributor to National Public- Radio’s “All Things Considered.” The festival was not Harley’s first visit to Western North Carolina. The storyteller has friends in the Asheville area and sent his son to camp in Brevard. Harley performed stories and songs about surviving school, get ting into trouble and trying to get along. Harley said there’s a trick to dar ing to call yourself a "family per former,” someone who can not only get a gang of 5-year-olds Above and right, Ilaniiab Kov^ka tells her story, “Hilda the Heifer.” Mead Krowka tells his story, “ I'he Monkey and the Crocodile,” during the youth session. singing along but can also keep 12-year-olds amused and parents entertained. "Material that works on a num ber of different levels is impor tant,” he said. “Some repetition and music for the younger ones, goofy stuff and sibling rivalry for the older kids, and a sense of irony and exasperation for the adults all should be wrapped up in a per formance for families. I intend on entertaining everyone, not just the younger kids.” As well as entcr- t a i n i n g families with stories about public humilia tion. food and bossy older sisters, the festival preserved mountain heritage, featuring six tellers with Appalachian heritage of song and story. Dianne Hackworth, former pres ident of the North Carolina Storytelling Guild, said she thinks storytelling is in the genes of the Appalachian people. “So many of the Appalachian folks’ ancestors came from England, Scotland. Ireland and Germany, where storytelling has always been a pastime,” she said. “This tradition continued here, with stories being passed down from generation to generation.” Appalachian people kept story telling alive longer because in the past they stayed relatively free from the TV and radio entertain ment that distracted less isolated regions, according to Hackworth. "I find southerners to be very open and friendly and to enjoy a good yarn or joke,” said Charlotte Hamlin, a Greensboro actor, singer and humorist who appeared at the festival. “Those arc essen tial ingredients for good story ’iKmi.S ttv I’l-NNII 1.1 tTlOKHiK.M'HV HdUOK tellers.” In a world of Netflix and high speed Internet, the festival’s per formers still sec a role tor stories and the people wlu) tell them. Hackworth said her role is helii ing listeners diseover what’s real ly itnportant in life. "In this modern world of tech nological wonders, people hutiger for the intimacy storytellitig pro vides.” she said. Rollins saiil he believes the role of the storyteller is more impor tant than ever. "As North Carolina evolves and changes in the 21st century, it is important I'or me as a storyteller to preserve as mueh of the history and heritage of my state as I ean.” he said. "By doing so 1 hope to remind native eiti/.ens to take pride in N.C'. and to help new res idents learn a little about the rich ness of the land to which they have moved.” A good storyteller just needs to put himself in someone else’s shoes, I larley said. "'I'hat's numero uno,” he said. "F'unny counts, too.” University Terrace III Condominiums Walk to Class New Student Housing (2 Bedroom - 2 Both & 3 Bedroom- 3 Bath) Ready For Occupancy June 2008 Only 14 Units Available Adjacent To UNCA Campus Pre-construction prices for first three 2-bedroom and first 3-bedroom units reserved. Special Financing Available For More Information Visit: www.uncacondos.com The World is Calling For 50 years, Student Conservation Association members have been protecting our parks and restoring our environment as rangers, researchers, educators and more. SCA provides expense-paid conservation internships in over 50 different disciplines throughout the country, allowing you to practice conservation outside the classroom. Answer it. Reserve Yours Now! Beverly -Hanks & ASSOCIATES Call Jean Baker 828-776-0231 jeanbaker@beverly-hanks.com Presented by AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS f I-
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