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Library patrons hear, tell tall tales

Main Street Library hosts storyteller, contest

A hexed rocking chair, 50-foot tall blood-sucking reptile, and a mysterious wedding dress. These were just a few of the subjects of tall tales that were shared on Saturday, April 25, at Main Street Library.

Audience members react to the stories of Bobby Norfolk on April 25 at Main Street Library. Sharon Rogers, center, came with her mother, Edna Palmer, right, and her aunt, Linda Shoun, left. Rogers later took first place in the Tell Us Your Tall Tales story

A hexed rocking chair, 50-foot tall blood-sucking reptile, and a mysterious wedding dress. These were just a few of the subjects of tall tales that were shared on Saturday, April 25, at Main Street Library.

The Library hosted “Tell Us Your Tall Tales,” a free program featuring performances by the Emmy-award winning storyteller Bobby Norfolk, as well as Library patrons. It was part of the Newport News Public Library System’s storytelling series, “What’s Your Story? Share It at Your Library!” that continues through June.

Norfolk presented tall tales for children in the morning session. Then in the afternoon, he described how he went from a National Park Ranger at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis who did stand-up comedy and drama on the side to a full-time storyteller in 1987. In addition to being a nationally recognized storyteller, Norfolk is a recording artist, TV show host and author.

“Storytelling is a composite of all of those other art forms,” he said in response to an audience member’s question. “It is an ancient art made new.”

Norfolk brought to life a range of energetic characters and creatures, complete with plenty of gestures, sound effects and movements, to draw the audience into his fantastic world of stories.

 “Wicked John and the Devil,” Norfolk’s adaptation of the tale from Richard Chase’s “Grandfather Tales,” featured a man meaner than the devil. When he died at age 180, John was turned away from both heaven and hell. Given a hot coal and told to start his own hell, Norfolk told the audience that John forever wanders the Great Dismal Swamp.

He then stomped across the stage to become a dinosaur-like creature for the story of the origins of mosquitoes. Norfolk described how American Indian warriors trapped and burned the creature in a pit. But when they stirred the ashes to make sure it was dead, a swarm of smaller versions flew out and attacked the men, as they do to this day.

“I loved Bobby – I could hear him for hours,” said audience member and Williamsburg resident Sharon Rogers, who later took first place with her own tall tale in the storytelling contest. Her tale of the dangers of love earned her a digital voice recorder and Norfolk’s book, “Moral of the Story.” Barbara Drucker Smith’s tale of the “Mystery of the Wedding Dress” took second place, and Mike Ream placed third with his tale of a king’s ring with a wise inscription. The second and third place winners received CD recordings of storytellers.

The storytelling series continues with the following free programs:

Remembering the Code Talkers of WWII

Before World War II, the Navajo people shared stories in a language that had never been written down and was virtually unknown to outsiders. It became a "secret weapon" in preventing the Japanese from intercepting and decoding American radio messages during the War. In Sara Hunter’s book, “The Unbreakable Code,” an elderly Navajo man tells his grandson the story of how he and other Navajo men left their canyon home to perform this crucial mission for the U.S. government. Hunter will discuss her book and reflections on the Navajo people based on her interviews. Local artist Edward Condra will unveil his paintings of the Code Talkers that were commissioned by the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Arline Cordova Page will demonstrate American Indian cooking and provide samples. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, May 16, at Main Street Library. No registration is required.

Storytelling Practice with Dylan Pritchett

Participants from Library storytelling programs can practice telling their stories and get coaching from professional storyteller Dylan Pritchett, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 4, at Main Street Library. This workshop is recommended for anyone who plans to perform a story at the June 6 Share Your Story: Open Mic and Oral Histories program. Sponsored by the Newport News Public Library System’s Herbert H. Neisser Fund. Registration is required, and begins May 3 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

Share your Story: Open Mic and Oral Histories

The “What’s Your Story? Share It at Your Library” series concludes with the opportunity for everyone to share their stories. Anyone who has participated in Library storytelling programs is encouraged to perform their story for the Library community by reserving 10-minute “open mic” sessions, 3-5 p.m., Saturday, June 6, at Main Street Library. Professional storyteller Dylan Pritchett will be available for last-minute coaching of participants, if needed. Those who would like to share their story more privately may also reserve sessions to have their oral histories recorded for their own use as well as for the library’s collections. Other opportunities for story sharing will be provided. Sponsored by the Newport News Public Library System’s Herbert H. Neisser Fund. Registration is required, and begins May 3 online at www.nngov.com/library/custom/onlinereg or by calling Main Street Library at 757-591-4858.

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