Story Crossroads: The Newsletter Volume 11, Issue 10
Welcome to a short, more direct weekly newsletter * Week 1: Story of the Month - links with membership * Week 2: Upcoming
Events * Week 3: Cap's Off to You! - people/organization profiles * Week 4: Past & Future News
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Story Camp & What Made It Great
From August 6–8, 2025, Cherie Davis and Ginger Parkinson led youth in exploring the art of storytelling during Story Camp at the Glendale Library. Some participants had told stories before, while others were crafting and sharing one for the very first time—without notes. The group’s encouragement for one another was inspiring, especially when nerves set in. One youth who joined on the second day felt unprepared to tell a full story during the
Showcase but presented their Story Board and explained their choice, earning heartfelt applause. A parent later expressed gratitude for the chance their child had to shine, a moment that captured the spirit of Story Camp: celebrating each voice and cheering each other on.
241 Story
Fortune Tellings at Utah Renaissance Faire
At the Utah Renaissance Faire, our Story Crossroads booth is always buzzing with story fortune tellings—usually topping at
least 200 over the two-day event. But on August 22–23, 2025, we set a new record with 241 story fortunes told! One enthusiastic youth especially kept returning, eager to spin impromptu tales with people of all ages. Each visitor left with a “magical item” (a sticker), which we warned might be cursed—or perhaps chaotic good—depending on their daring. To begin their fortune, participants sent their creative energy into the crystal ball before drawing cards that revealed characters, places,
challenges, and items, sparking stories as unique as those who told them.
Pictured above: Brother Blue, Ella Jenkins, Adella Adella
the Storyteller (Adella Gautier), Jim Luter, Syd Lieberman, Melva Gifford, Jackie Torrence, Nothando Zulu, Angela Lloyd, Ashley Bryan Story Artists Memorial on NSN Website |
Story Crossroads is honored to be featured on the National Storytelling Network homepage for our Story Artists Memorial—a living digital garden dedicated to storytellers who have passed on. This memorial uplifts voices from every generation, whether they graced national stages or were cherished in local communities, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire. With 144 storytellers already listed and more tributes added each month, it serves as both remembrance and invitation: anyone
can share a name, memory, photo, or story to honor a teller’s life. We are grateful to NSN for spotlighting this work, which connects generations by honoring the shoulders we stand on while encouraging new voices to rise. Look for our full article in the September NSN newsletter, and explore or submit a storyteller at the Story Artists
Memorial.
While many past issues are available for The Story Beast
e-pub, we will have the next one out on September 15, 2025! Submissions are open for Frosted Glass until November 15, 2025. Send us your stories, articles, or artwork—theme-related or not! Have a tale about "surviving your art" through mishaps or strange encounters? Or a story tied to Frosted Glass? We’d love to see it! Though separate from Story Crossroads, The Story Beast is a free, worldwide publication. Learn more at storybeast.org.
We already shared about Story Camp (August 6-8) and the Utah Renaissance Faire (August 22-23) above. Here are some more reflections of what
happened in August (or close to). On July 31, Karla Huntsman's house concert brought Drusilla Dorris Hendricks’
remarkable story to life in a moving one-woman performance filled with grit, humor, and perseverance. Guests left inspired by Drusilla’s resilience and encouraged to face their own challenges with renewed strength. On August 29, Wayne Kartchner and Jeff Driggs delighted the audience by trading tales (and names) that ranged from lighthearted personal stories filled with humor to a heartfelt tribute honoring an
uncle through history and family lore. Even a mischievous demon appeared to offer advice and instruction—making the evening a lively mix of laughter, memory, and surprise. See the stream of this concert and other past concerts at http://storycrossroads.org/HouseConcerts. On August 2, David J. Schmidt’s workshop on collecting hometown ghost stories captivated participants with his depth of exploration and practical insights. One
attendee, inspired by his presentation, plans to share what she learned with the St. Vrain Valley Storytellers in Colorado and even hopes to bring a local ghost story into elementary school classrooms. This workshop as well as other past workshops are still available to purchase at http://storycrossroads.org/AllThingsStory.
As for future events, we have several coming up. We have virtual workshops with Simon Brooks teaching (September 1), then Paige Funk
(October 11), and then Csenge Zalka (November 1). Details are being finalized for the 95th house concert.
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Enjoy this hint of the next virtual workshop taught by Simon Brooks called "An Average Guy on an Unusual Path: A workshop journey on being a fulltime storyteller." See more videos at our YouTube Channel.
If you or someone you know has a story video that you want us to see, then let us know by emailing info@storycrossroads.org.
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Story Crossroads - 501(c)(3) - To foster creative and compassionate communities through the art of storytelling.
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