Herald & Lantern 26 October '83

39

County

by Kathleen Duffy

Library

I spent last weekend at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tenn. That’s right, a whole weekend of stories — most of them for adults and older youngsters. I heard ghost tales, tall tales, humorous stories, French stories, Australian ballads and the famous Jack tales. It was & weekend of wonder. I laughed until I ached, my eyes watered over a particularly sad story, but mostly I was delighted. I heard one of the gentlemen from whom many of the famous Jack tales were collected. He sat back, reminisced a bit

Halloween Parade Set WILDWOOD - The chamber of commerce, in cooperation with the Recreation Department, will be sponsoring a Halloween parfide, fun fair, and trip through Dracula’s Castle Friday. Parade participants will assemble at the Recreation Center 6 p.m.. The parade direction up Pacific Ave., to Glenwood Ave. Those wishing to participate in the parade or sponsor a booth in the fun fair should register before Friday, Oct. 28, Recreation Department, 243 E. Rio Grande Ave. Call 522-5837 and talk to Kell Anderson for information. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. A fun fair and block party will be held on the Boardwalk at Cedar Ave. Dracula’s Castle will be offering tours for those who dare to venture within!

Trick or Treat Schedule Told While most of the municipalities in Cape May County are officially planning to greet trick-or-treaters Monday night, the traditional Halloween times vary for door-to-door visits. Two towns are celebrating the holiday over the weekend. The following list shows the days and times Hallo: ween will be observed in each community: Avalon — Monday, 6-9 p.m. Cape May — Monday, 6-8 p.m. Cape May Point — Monday, early evening. Dennis Township — Monday, 6-9 p.m. Lower Township — Monday, 6-8 p.m. Middle Township — Monday, 6-9 p.m. North Wildwood — Monday, 4-6 p.m. Ocean City — Friday, 6-9 p.m. Sea Isle City — Monday, early evening Stone Harbor — Monday, early evening Upper Township — Monday, 6-9 p.m. West Cape May - Monday, 6-8 p.m. West Wildwood - Mon day, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Woodbine — Saturday, 3-6 p.m. Wildwood — Monday, 6:304:30 p.m. Wildwood Crest — Monday, 5-7 p.m.

about growin’ up in the mountains and told one of Jack's huntin' stories. It was all about how Jack managed to shoot a deer, a bear, a rabbit, 12 turkeys, eight ducks, 30 pounds of fish and a honey tree with just TWO bullets ^ now that’s what I call huntin'! I HEARD K beautiful story about Old Man Hawkins, who made and won three bets with death and put off his leaving until spHng time. I heard ghost stories in a cemetery in the dark of night that made my ‘ blood run cold! I learned that stories are , for everyone. The audience alone demonstrated that — old mountain men in their overalls, men in threepiece .suits, left over hippies, artsy looking people, grandparents, kids of all ages, sizes and colors, middle-aged couples, teenagers, preppies, cowboys urban and real, fishermen — Easterners, Westerners, Southerners and them Yankees, were all present and accounted for in Jonesboro. Stories are Art, Entertainmen. Theatre and Education, they are condensed capsules of wisdom and joy — an underlying meaning that tells about human nature. In bygone days, storytellers were an essential part of society, as they preserved the traditions and history of a group by passing on their tales from generation to generation. Bill Cosby is a storytell in some ways. Will Rogers was a nationally renowned and loved storjteller; so was Mark Twain, although he told his stories in writing. The National Association for the Preservation and perpetuation of Storytelling (NAPPS) which sponsors the National Storytelling Festival every October in Jonesboro, estimates there are only 200 storytellers in the United States. STORYTELLING is an art, a form of entertainment that knows no age barrier as it draws on a sense of wonder, as all art does. It is a way of revealing a little bit of human nature, for stories, even if they are silly and funny, can contain a subtle message about life and living. They can talk about pride; they can talk about prejudice. They can talk about good versus evil. They can reveal truth. My job allows me to visit the classroom occasionally or perform a story hour at the main library, but preschool and lower elementary school children are a ready and appreciative audience. What I will confess is the feeling of elation that overcomes me when, after approaching a fifth or sixth grade class who thinks they are too old or too “Cool” for a story, I end with them . spellbound. I urge you all to give it a . try. Tell a story' to your kids, grandkids, coworkers, family members. Tell them at the table, on the job, at a party. Tell funny stories, ones you remember from your past, - ittugs that have happened to you or your relatives, ' friends that have story material in them or even a story you have read. Help preserve a tradition; it will enrich your life.

Gargoyles, griffins and fiends with fanged faces, gape-mouthed and bat-wipged all crouched in dark placed, seemed poised just to pounce on those innocents who jf tether the brink S of the cresting curfew

Craggy stone smiles seem to curdle and die when the lamplighter’s lanw stirs the shadows nearby. The church spires shiver as the bells knoll curfew - and the creatures creep forth from their knurled gothic mew.

Or so it would seem in the prismy panes of the light or the mind that the ’lighter maintains, Icicles leak down his unbuttressed spine as he steadies his ladder to light curfew time

From spires to steps through crannies and niches THEY sneer in the glass in reflected twitches. From portals and lintels the ghouls grope and reel stalking the ’lighter to gnaw on his heel.

He glaces askance as he’s triniming the light: he isn’t quite sure if it’s THEM or his bright. But - IT rattles his ladder — his footing falls short and he lands on his pride with his chin on the courU

He’s alw-ays to say (though he’s never quite right) that the gargoyles and griffins ,■ had followed his flight. But — you can church-wait and wager when the curfew tolls sure — that'the ’lighter’s been past on an earlier tour.

e.j. duffy

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SECTION Nov. 2,1983

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