Sunday, August 26, 2012

Weather Vanes Story Resources Part 7

This is a really fantastic weather vane that adorns the top of the carousel building in Pullen Park Raleigh North Carolina. http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/content/PRecRecreation/Articles/PullenPark.html

This park not only has a carousel, but a mini train, boat rides, and amusements as well as impeccably maintained playgrounds. The Raleigh Community Arts Center, boast performance and class space for the arts and this park had two wonderful outdoor performance areas!
 
The east wind rabbit reminds me of these storytelling resources:
Thornton W. Burgess nature stories here a downloadable one of wind:
 
Rabbit wasn't just atop the building he was the ride of dreams inside
 
 
Here is a resource for Brer Rabbit
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/brer-rabbit/
 
and for Peter Rabbit Lovers:
 
This just makes me think of a chocolate rabbit!
Connecticut makes some mighty fine chocolate versions nearby at:
 
 
Billy Goat on the Weather vane  is different!  The  westerly wind goat was inside as well
 
Here it is stories right from goat owners to get you started in creating a character
 
 
From storyteller Diane ed Las Casas a goat story

Monday, August 20, 2012

Vermont of Yesteryear is Waiting For You

It was a time to enjoy a slower pace, my annual trip to Vermont. The many iconic images of Vermont were revival for the senses, Granite,  the Sugar Maple, the Morgan horse, Green Mountains and country stores. It is here on roads that wander between mountain and valley that I recharged my battery over a work weekend that felt just a bit like vacation.

     How could I not feel recharged when announcing at the Lippitt Country Show an exhibition of Morgan Horses all carrying the bloodlines of Vermont's own Justin Morgan.

                                                                www.lippittclub.net

    These classic Morgan horses showed off their versatility and style on the Tunbridge Fairgrounds to an appreciative audience. It was a little like watching history, the horses, carriages, drivers and riders hearkening back to a day when Vermont's roads were clogged by such images.The Morgan Horse is known as the "Pride and Product of America" this was a breed developed right here, to suit the needs of a fledgling America.

   A whinny echoed back from the mountains and could have been the voice of the ancestors approval. Children were laughing and playing, some galloped by mounted on broomstick horses, others showed a skill beyond their years as they entered the ring on their beloved Lippitt Morgan horses. The older generations reminisced about long gone but not forgotten stallions, mares and breed aficionados. Families rallied to  act as pit crew and keep competitors in the ring with  all the correct accoutrement's of the discipline.  It was as it should be, Morgan horses with families and friends in spirited competition and appreciation.
This is a place where old friends meet once more and new friends are made. Visitors to the show came from all over the Northeast, but hats off to those who travelled in for the show from California, Virginia and Washington state!   Here Storybook Salute Vermont keeps an eye on the judge as she undergoes inspection in a mare class. I watched with rapt attention as this mare is one I delivered into the world from her mother's womb.

This is a place of timeless images and future dreams. Randallane Exclamation with driver Dave Godding of Woodbine Farm in Winchester, CT.  trots along, is this 2012 or 1812,  only the light poles and aluminum gate in the background can give away the era.  Dreaming of  creating this image for oneself and shopping the bloodlines for future foals Morgan horse lovers peruse the stallion class to find a match for a mare, invest in the dream and slip into a time warp as welcome as Vermont can make it.

   The Lippitt Club is reaching out to new and old friends of the Lippitt Morgan on their facebook page come over and visit and ": https://www.facebook.com/mobileprotection#!/LippittClubMorganHorse

Here is a previous blog with background of my love of Lippitt Morgans.
http://www.carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2011/08/1-author-3-horses-thoroughbredslippitt.html



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Lil Joe, A Mustang HorseAdventure

              A100 Day Extreme Mustang Makeover is underway and Lil Joe a Utah Wild Mustang is the star.Trainer Geoff Goodson has been working with Joe to help him become a trusted equestrian partner.

Want to learn more about the trainers and the competition with these Mustang Horses check their home:
http://www.mustangheritagefoundation.org/emm.php
      It all began when Geoff picked up Lil Joe in Tenn. and brought him home to CT. to begin his serious training for the competition in Clemson, SC on Oct 19-21. What did Lil Joe know at the start of 100 days? Essentially nothing, he is a 3 year old Wild Mustang from the Utah wild Mustang herd. His youth was spent in the wind and weather now with steady groceries and work he is beginning to shine like star!




      Lil Joe has been out and about.He has travelled to remote trail ride locations, gone swimming on a  hot day, and does ring work with trail obstacles in the workout.

      Lil Joe needs your help too. He has to have some experience with other horses, a show atmosphere and, travelling to an event and home again. You can meet Lil Joe in New York. Rose Wal Farm is hosting a Ground School Clinic at their facility  Sept. 20,30, 2012
RoseWal Farm ~
414 Bull Hill Road
Gilboa, NY 12076

       (607) 588-6340       Fax: (607) 588-6341


       This clinic will be led by Geoff Goodson trainer and help you move ahead with your training project.  If you need help with  the key components of Ground Work this is a clinic for you with the bonus of meeting Lil Joe before his big day at Clemson, SC.

A second opportunity to see Lil Joe before his Clemson debut is at:
Rouned Stone Farm: Don't forget to mark the date of October 6th when Carla Cataldi, Round Stone Farm will graciously host Little Joe and Geoff as they perform their compulsory work and Freestyle in preparation for the Extreme Mustang Makeover in SC. 

Phone
+1 (860) 267-094
Here is the facebook address for up to date info:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Roundstone-Farm-LLC/169194046424247#!/roundstone.farm

Follow Geoff Goodson Horsemanship 
 @GeoffGoodson on Twitter

Geoff on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/mobileprotection#!/doublegfarrier

previous blogs about Extreme Mustang Makeover:

http://carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2012/06/wild-horses-couldnt-keep-me-away.html

http://carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2012/06/utah-wild-mustang-in-connecticut.html

http://carolynstearnsstoryteller.blogspot.com/2012/07/american-mustang-horse-from-bottom-up.html

Saturday, August 4, 2012

5 Items to Pack for Storytelling with Children

I'm off to a storytelling gig with children.Time to pack my big canvas tote bag. I always prepare a program and some bonus or extra materials. You never know, extra kids, need to shift focus due to unforeseen event, I'm ready. My favorite reason to be flexible, "kids say the darnedest things" thanks Art Linkletter for the focus on kids comments. I sometimes follow that lead for a very personal performance.

This is a little like the game of Grandmother's Trunk!
 http://lanesrepct.blogspot.com/2011/03/do-you-remember-game-grandmothers-trunk.html

5 Items:

1.)  Felt in shapes for a felt board recap of the story, my felt board is a science fair cardboard tri-fold, I used spray adhesive to stick a sheet of felt over cardboard for a base.


2.) Magazines: I'll pack old magazine and kids scissors to cut and paste a story timeline  mural

3.) My Harmonica: It doesn't matter what small instrument I bring, music and magic are one in the same when inserted in  a story program.

4.) A puppet: Sometimes they just want to hear it from another source;when a child says " it's just a puppet" I say; " sshh! he/she doesn't know that!" I love to seem them nod with understanding!

5.) origami paper: those little squares are like imagination, they can be anything! You-Tube is a great place to learn to fold.

These are just 5 items for a storytellers bag. Teachers, camp counselors, children's medical staff, people in the ministry all can use these simple items to  catch children's imagination and turn it on.There could be so many other items in the bag, just leave your suggestions in the comments box for everyone to use when they work with children.

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