The Bay Storytellers (Panama City/Bay County) experienced difficult times after Hurricane Michael. One of our most prolific and magical members died during the storm and another the following year. We had little on the calendar. I was on the verge of disbanding altogether when my friend Bryan came up with an idea. Of sorts.He was […]

Make plans now to attend the 39th annual Florida Storytelling Festival in Mt Dora, Fl. on Jan. 26-29. Tellers and listeners from throughout the state will gather for the four-day event at the historic Lakeside Inn on Lake Dora. Featured this year are five gifted and diverse tellers: # Folk artist/historian Andy Hedges from Lubbock,

Several members of the Florida Storytelling Association will take part in a Zoom fund-raiser for Florida Poodle Rescue on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. The online event, “Dogs Have Tales,” also includes a story from the late Jim Gregory who passed away in July.  Jim, a long-time member of FSA, had pre-recorded his story

We have lost another storyteller with the passing of James Gregory Jr. on July 31. He was 82 and resided in North Carolina. He was a long-time friend and member of the Florida Storytelling Association, dating back to the early days of the Florida Story Camp which evolved into the annual Florida Storytelling Festival. In

James Peter Glaser, a past recipient of the Florida Storytelling Association’s “Ambassador” award, passed away on June 14 at HCA Florida Capitol Hospital.  He was 75. Each year, the Ambassador of Storytelling Award is presented by the Florida Storytelling Association to an individual who promotes and shares enthusiasm for storytelling, encouraging both tellers and listeners. 

Carolyn Gray Abdalla (Rusty) will be remembered by her welcoming smile, genuine interest in people and beautiful spirit.  She was a longtime member of the Florida Storytelling Association and was frequently found on the Front Porch at the annual Festival.  She also made several appearances on the main stage as part of the Member Showcase. 

Kip Barkley liked to hear and tell stories. He was especially fond of humorous stories and once posted that he sees the world as if he just stepped off a flying saucer that landed in the nearest parking lot. Kip, who passed away on July 11 at age 78, will be remembered for his kindness,

-by Katie Green – www.katiegreenstories.com I have loved fairy tales ever since I can remember. These stories talked about things that were important. Maybe that’s what I’m a storyteller today. I spent most of my childhood summers with my grandparents in Meadowview, Virginia. The women snapped peas and broke beans on the front porch, and

Janel Behm, of the Tamiami Tale Tellers Guild, and Walt Belcher, with The Storytellers of Old Tampa Bay, traveled to Woodruff, S.C., in April to participate in the state’s Stone Soup Festival. Janel was one of the featured tellers. Walt was one of the “new voices,” and he also competed in a Liar’s Contest. Janel,

After a two-year hiatus, storytelling returns to the Windsor Rose Tea Room in Mt. Dora beginning Tuesday, June 14. Florida Storytelling Association member Cheryl Floyd, of Deland, will share her stories at 1 p.m. that day. Cheryl taps into her Louisiana roots to share personal tales, folktales and stories of transformation with audiences of all