“I was so moved by the incredible variety of topics of the stories and by the courage and polish of the storytellers,” writes Margie Whalen, one of three judges of EAC Stories We Tell Festival’s finale, a StorySlam in which 12 competitors shared their tales.
“We heard about a wide gamut of experiences, a testament to the rich tapestry of our lives as humans. It was remarkable.”
“Some stories were about Eastport and many stories reflected experiences away,” noted emcee Joan Lowden. “I’ve attended Moth storytelling events in the past, and the emcee usually kicks off the program so I decided to do the same. It was not easy! We all have stories but to hone and edit down to 5 minutes and practice and deliver from memory is no mean feat. My respect to all participants!”
Whalen recounts, “There were stories about dealing with danger (Sarah Murphy); learning to walk on hot coals (Dru Meloche); growing up poor and finding a way through with the help of others (Brian Giles); the complications of a search for love (Charles Dundee); the connections between Michelangelo and a dinosaur egg in Louisiana (Chick Moore); coping with wild ‘Uncle Winkie’ intent on catching a flight in pre-TSA days (Jude Kempe); the challenges of training operatives in mountaineering in the Middle East (Jared Smith); the hilarities of “burning rubber art” on the streets of a small town (Carrie Cobb); and finding a true home in Eastport (Heidi Reidell).”
“Lane Willey won first place for her moving story about confronting racism against her son; Amy Ray won second place for her hilarious tale of mistaken-dead-cat-identity when her children were small; Sam LaRusse won third place for her entertaining story about a mother-daughter adventure.”
“Emcee Joan’s story was about how she found everything she needed at the Eastport IGA: from Mexican food to a radio gig to love.”
“Keeping their stories within the strict 5-minute time limit proved challenging for 8 of the 12 storytellers,” concludes Whalen, “which made them ineligible for prizes, but the night remained a success, both for the storytellers and for the audience, who listened attentively with appreciation, empathy, and laughter.”
“I hope this event continues and grows,” enthused Lowden. “Our vibrant community has so many stories to tell!”
Organizers wish to thank event volunteers including judges Nancy Tintle, Margie Whalen and Kevin Raye; photographer Manuela Brice; and light/sound tech, Jude Kempe. EAC's Stories We Tell Festival, which provided 5 months of programming, including storytelling performances, workshops and outreach to local schools, was presented in collaboration with Sipayik Museum and The Quoddy Tides.
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