In Oklahoma’s small towns or in neighborhood urban areas, diners fill up Sunday morning with what waitresses commonly call “coffee-drinkers,” men who come in to chat about the crops, the horses, politics, the weather, and – in season – the high school football team. No matter which town or which café they end up in, the morning will be guaranteed to be filled with stories.
Mayes County Storytellers
Green Country’s local storytelling group the Mayes County Storytellers, whose members mainly come from Locust Grove, Chouteau, Pryor, and Salina, has been sharing the love of story for over 4 years. They have hosted Tellabrations in November for the last 3 years – at the Locust Grove Community Building and at Ruby’s Readery.
Tellabration is an international storytelling event for adults. Storytelling groups all over the world hold a night of storytelling in order to celebrate stories, tellers, and listeners. Groups usually schedule their Tellabration on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year the MCS Tellabration will be on Nov. 20 in Locust Grove.
Territory Tellers
The Mayes County Storytellers are members of Oklahoma’s state storytelling Neworganization, the Territory Tellers. At the June Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival, MCS presented a circle concert and participated in other events at the festival. Participation in this event will continue each year.
The Territory Tellers has regular board meetings at different locations across the state. All members are invited to attend the meetings. On September 18, 2010, MCS will host the board meeting in Locust Grove. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in storytelling to join TT and meet many of its members who come from all over the state.
Of storytelling, MCS member Roxann Grissom says, it "rescues me from whatever it is that is missing from my day - entertainment, the human connection, contentment. We all need the story - to either be in one or to tell one."
People interested in joining Mayes County Storytellers can view their website for more information. The next MCS meeting will take place at the Pryor Arvest Bank meeting room on August 31, from 5-6:30 p.m.
They are such a constant presence that it is easy to take them for granted. Stories. People tell stories all day long – even if they are alone. Humans are story makers and story listeners. In Oklahoma’s Green Country, the art of oral storytelling is alive and growing.
Comments
Great article. Thanks for reminding me of how vitals stories are to our daily lives.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!