The Women Behind the Magic | Joy Magazine - MailTribune.com

"The Women Behind The Magic." Medford Mail Tribune, June 2009.

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!

2009 Queen Darla Foley

The Annual Queen's Picnic and Queen's Coronation was held today at Holmes Park. Because the newly selected Queen could not be present at the picnic. Queen Darla was crowned a week earlier at the home of the 2008 Queen, Judy Gambee

Candid shots of Queen Darla as she visited Her Royal Subjects

OUR DRAGONS ARE READY TO ROLL!

**......ROSABELLE IS READY! AND SO IS PEBBLES!. . . . . ................... PARADE DATES ANNOUNCED FOR OUR DRAGONS TO APPEAR!

The two most favorite dragons in all of the Rogue Valley will be making appearances BEFORE the Children's Festival dates. ~~~~ SATURDAY, JUNE 13th JACKSONVILLE, OREGON'S 150TH YEAR CELEBRATION & PARADE 10:00 AM~~~~~~~ SATURDAY, JUNE 27th ROGUE RIVER, OREGON'S ROOSTER CROW PARADE 10:00 AM~~~~~~~ SATURDAY, JULY 4th 4th OF JULY PARADES: CENTRAL POINT AT 8:30 AM & EAGLE POINT AT 10:00 AM. Come and greet the dragons as they come out of their year long hibernation! They'll be so happy to see old friends and especially happy to greet new friends!

GETTING THE WORD OUT . . .

What a fun day we had yesterday! Leanne Wood who is doing the publicity promotion for the 2009 Children's Festival arranged to have eight past and present Children's Festival Directors, Queens, or Storytelling Guild Presidents meet with her and John Darling of the Mail Tribune. They were: Diane Newland, Verdell Coleman, Pat Blair, Judy Gambee, Annie Michels, Mary Patridge, Marjorie Overland, and Susie Wright. Leanne suggested that Mr. Darling interview the group in order to get enough historical and present flavor of the Children's Festival, The Storytelling Guild and why we do what we do.

John Darling took pages and pages of notes, asked questions which prompted responses and turned on the memory machine. It was so exciting to me to hear those responses and to know that over the past 43 years the "reason why" each person has become involved is the same! FOR THE CHILDREN was the answer no matter what year an individual was involved. His article will be in the Mail Tribune's JUNE ISSUE of JOY MAGAZINE! Watch for it!

2009 CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: POWERED BY YOUR IMAGINATION! JULY 12, 13, AND 14TH.

Children's Festival Co-Director's Annie Michels and Mary Patridge held the Annual Kickoff Brunch for the 2009 Children's Festival . It was held today, Thursday, February 19, 2009 at the Medford Library in the large Community Conference room.

The theme for 2009: POWERED BY YOUR IMAGINATION, CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

The dates for the 2009 event are: JULY 12, 13, AND 14TH. So mark your calendars now!

Reports from Co-Directors, Annie Michels and Mary Patridge are that every Major Chair position is filled. The charge to these individuals was to: "Create! Build! Invent! Entertain! and to pump up your imagination and let your minds run wild at the 2009 Children's Festival." Now each of those Chairpersons is in the midst of recruitment of activities and booth chairpersons. If you would be willing to give some time to make this Festival " the best one ever!"

Please contact Annie at 772-0726 or Mary at 858-9099.

Another successful year!

Annie Michels and Mary Patridge,

Co Directors of 2009 Children's Festival

Congratulations to Annie Michels and Mary Patridge for the wonderful job they did as Directors for the 2008 Children's Festival! Amazing how much can be accomplished when you work hard and smile a lot! These two wonderful women spent endless hours planning together either on the telephone or at one house or another making sure that everything was covered! They recruited a terrific set of Major Chairpersons who backed them up all the way! 2008 Major Chairs were: Andora Hammonds, Lona Dillard (Arts & Crafts); Ilma McKern, Patt Colwell (Book Booth); Mary Beth Rudisile (Decorations); Teresa Stempenhaus (Donations); Judy Gambee, Lauren Bambee, Susie Prulhiere (Dragon Deli); Steve Braden, Eric Dillard (Dragons); Cindy Braden, Maggie Carrico (Festivities); Sarah Lee, Kathy Hayek, MaryBeth Buonassissi (Gatehouse); Jason Williams (Grounds); Kristen Couch, Kelly Witters (Hospitality); Leslie Klecan (Mother Goose Land); Karin Dailey (Printing); Suzanne Yaru, Patricia Merry (Properties); Helen Olshausen (Publicity); Maggie Donovan (Purchasing); Lynn Kellogg (Queen's Court); Anne Billeter (Science); Patti Diehl, Jill Waldron (Social Events); Catherine Goslin, Christina Oden ( Stage); Marilyn Gradwell (T-Shirts); Leanne Wood (Treasurer); and Regula Pepi, Marcia Simon - AAUW Co-Chairpersons. Now on to 2009! Annie Michels and Mary Patridge (now seasoned veterans) have been working for several months already with great results! As of today (1/26/09) Annie reports that they have filled every Major Chair slot and we are still 3 weeks away from the 2009 Children's Festival Kickoff Brunch when the theme for the festival will be announced. What WILL this dynamic duo have Fred doing this year?

2008 Queen Judy Gambee dubs a new Princess

Girls and boys of all ages lined up at the entrance to Queen's Court to be made a Princess or a Knight of the Queen's Royal Court.

VIEW FROM THE LOST PARENT'S TREE 2008

The "Hospitality Crew" seen above are Pat Blair's grandchildren. They came to bring us snacks and cool drinks often during the Sunday Night Session. These girls loved their job and came back for each session!~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sunday , July 20th the Children's Festival opened at 5:30 PM. Many, many children and their parents were standing in long lines waiting for the ticket booth gates to open. Such excitement and anticipation was shown by children that had visited the Children's Festival in previous years. They were obviously anxious to be the first ones in line for a special activity that caught their attention at an earlier festival. The "newbys", too, were excited and anticipating something but had no idea what fun they would experience in the three hours they would be on the hill in Jacksonville!~~~~~~~~~ As we, Linda Higgins, Karen Dailey and Pat Blair, stationed ourselves in preparation for the opening of the festival we knew that being a "guardian" at the Lost Parent's Tree is one of responsibility but it is packed with enjoyment and also with the pleasure of seeing children and their parents enjoying the fun! Lately it has become the tradition of the past Children's Festival Queens and Directors to volunteer for this popular assignment.~~~~~~~~~ Rarely do you hear children fussing or parents scolding their child. It is an unusual occasion when suddenly a child or a parent becomes lost. When that happens, however, the "guardians" at the lost parent's tree swing into action. A lost child becomes the paramount issue for the entire festival grounds! The child's name, age, full description down to the color of their shoes is determined. Who the child is with, what other children were with that child, etc. We notify on our "walkie-talkie" the main information booth who alerts the gatekeepers and informs someone at the main stage who immediately announces the child's name and parent's name. Usually the parent/child remains at the Lost Parent's station until the problem is resolved. Once the child/parent is found it is announced and the parent/child now reunited return to the fun with a closer view of each other! Sunday Evening we only had one child who needed to be located by a lost grandmother.~~~~~~~ As for the rest of the time spent at the Lost Parents station . . . well, you might say it is like spending time with old friends at a family reunion! People drop by just to say hello and recall "the good old days" they have spent at Children's Festival.~~~~~ Strategically placed right in the center of the grounds in front of Britt Pavilion helps too! We are entertained by the continuous performances that fill the stage from 5:30 to 8:30 PM with music, dance- ( ballet, jazz,) karate, acrobatics, blue grass music, etc., performed by CHILDREN! Last but not least, the DANCE PARTY ... all children are invited to dance on stage for the last thirty minutes. The kids love it!~~~~~

SIGHTINGS OF OUR DRAGONS!

ROSABELLE & PEBBLES WERE LAST SIGHTED IN ROGUE RIVER AT THE ROGUE RIVER ROOSTER CROW PARADE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 28TH! DID YOU SEE THEM? The two dragons are rarely seen in the Rogue Valley. They only appear on special occasions and are always attracted where large groups of children may appear such as parades or a festival for children. Dragon Master, Steve Braden makes certain that these two hungry dragons are always clean and using their best manners on such occasions!

Rosabelle and Pebbles are scheduled to appear in July at: Central Point 4th of July Parade 8:30 AM, Friday, July 4th 2008 Eagle Point 4th of July Parade 10:30 AM, Friday, July 4th 2008

And

AT THE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL*

Sunday, July 20th from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Britt Park in Jacksonville, Oregon

Monday, July 21 from 9:00 to 12:00 and also Monday from 5:30 to 8:30 PM Tuesday, July 22nd from 9:00 to 12:00 PM.

*No other appearances are schedule for 2008 as the dragons will once again return to their hibernation state.

ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!

2008 Queen Judy Gambee!

Queen Judy Gambee was crowned, Thursday, June 12th at a picnic held in her honor at Holmes Park in Medford. The picnic is an annual tradition and precedes the Children's Festival by one month. Children's Festival begins on July 20th and will end on July 22nd. 2007 Queen, Lynn Kellogg, crowned her replacement.

Nine of the 38 Past Queens attended the ceremony: Pat Blair, 1976 and 1996; Janice Cox, 2005; Karin Dailey, 2001; Bonnie Harvey, 1988; Linda Higgins, 2004; Ilma McKern, 1987; Diane Newland, 1985; Peggy Tomlins, 1990 and Suzanne Yaru, 2006.

HERE WE GO . . CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL 2008!

'WHAT'S ALL THE BUZZ ABOUT?"

Co-Directors Annie Michels and Mary Patridge are to be congratulated! They have every Major Chair position filled! Now join your friends and volunteer at Children's Festival this Summer!

Workers in all areas of the Children's Festival are needed. Be sure to let Annie and Mary know where you wish to contribute your volunteer time! (amichels@charter.net or mary@patridge.com.)

HISTORY OF THE STORYMOBILE AND THE PIED PIPER THEATER

  The Object: To reach out to children in our Community

This energetic program was developed by

The Storytelling and guided by Guild President, Verdell Coleman and Children's Librarian, Myra Getchell.

First we used our automobiles and finally a Traveling Wagon Theater! 

In 1969 in endeavors by the Storytelling Guild to "bring stories and reading readiness to children" we began an Ed by  and highly effective storytime project. At that time there were no kindergarten classes in our public schools and we were aware of the need to develop a literacy campaign for pre-school aged children.

 This is how we proceeded: We sectioned off the City of Medford, Oregon into 16 neighborhood locations for storytimes to "happen" each Monday Morning for a period of eight weeks April and May, 1969.   Eight storytellers were selected each week. The storytime locations were negotiated with homeowners in each of those neighborhoods. The host neighbor would hang a STORYMOBILE BANNER in the trees . Children would gather on the lawn in anticipation of the arrival of the storylady. The storylady would drive up the street in her own car, ringing a bell, stop at the appointed place, hop out with her picturebooks, flannelboards, puppets, etc. She presented a 20 to 30 minute program. The storylady also brought along quality paperback picturebooks to loan to the children until she came back the following week with more stories and more books. These picturebooks were purchased by the Storytelling Guild and were just like the hard back copies that could be borrowed from the public library.  These books were loaned on an honor system and most were returned.

 

The Storytelling Guild members continued this Storymobile program until the public schools began including Kindergarten in their curriculum in about 1973. When that happened, we saw a great drop off of attendance in our neighborhood Storymobile stops. A survey was conducted that told us that younger children were not being sent up the street to the neighbor's yard for storytimes but rather kept at home. Disappointed but undaunted members of the Guild determined to reach the younger children in another way by creating a traveling wagon theater that would attract parents with younger children to a story program. 

In 1974, with the aid of grant funding in the amount of $5000. from Boise Cascade, a traveling wagon theater which we named "The Pied Piper Theater" was designed by Pat Blair and constructed by the Mann Corporation. The Pied Piper Theater was constructed much like a travel trailer but had unique features. The wheels were set back further in order to accommodate a fold-down stage door. This fold down became a stage platform which allowed performances to be presented from the stage. The platform was raised and lowered using crank-wenches. Stage drapes and lighting were installed as well as backdrops and spotlights. The public address system operated on both AC and DC power. The open stage area could be converted to a large puppet stage. We drafted an acting troupe of "Pied Piper Players" from the membership of the  Medford Storytelling Guild to present stories adapted from children's folktales such as, Who's In Rabbit's House, The Gunniwulf, The Bremen Town Musicians, Snow White and Rose Red, etc . Actors in this troupe also performed puppet plays. The Pied Piper Theater appeared every summer at THE CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL where thousands of children were introduced to puppet plays and stage performances for the first time. 

Not only did the troupe perform at The Children's Festival, the wagon theater traveled throughout Medford and Jackson County, Oregon. Sites were: The Medford Center, Jackson County Fair, Medford City Parks, and library locations in Medford, Ashland, Applegate, Butte Falls, Central Point, Eagle Point, Gold Hill, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Prospect, Rogue River, Ruch, Shady Cove, Talent and White City where we promoted Summer Reading programs. 

Pied Piper Players were: Pat Blair, Margery Boyer, Gail Caperna, Alice Grimes, Janet Hannaford, Sharon Knight, Ilma McKern, Mickey McNee, and Marian Vincent Barker. 

Later, when the Storytelling Guild no longer wished to operate the theater, it was refurbished with funds from a Library Services and Construction Act grant administered by Jackson County Library. The stage platform door was converted to two panel doors that opened to reveal the puppet theater. It was operated at that time by Francine Conner-Coash as a Jackson County Library program, "Taking It On The Road". 

 The Pied Piper Theater was retired after fourteen years of service and four years of sitting in White City storage. It was sold as surplus material by Jackson County. (The last sighting of the Pied Piper trailer was in Shady Cove, Oregon where it had been converted into a Lion's Club See's Candy sales trailer in about 1997.). STILL PROVIDING SWEET MEMORIES!

THE DRAGONS

FRED THE LITTER CRITTER (1973 to 1990) l(click on photos for larger view)

The original "Fred The Litter Critter", designed by Pat Blair was constructed of paper mache and was created by students of Dick Walsh at Medford College of Art in 1973. "Fred" was later covered with fiberglass using memorial funds from the Scharaga Family. His "keepers" were Jim and Nordith Scharaga. Jim was the "voice of Fred" until his sons, Isaac and Noah, took over. They continued with Fred until he was destroyed in a warehouse fire. FRED was a friend to all children who visited him and was used every summer for 17 years. He was named in a "Dragon Naming Contest" held by The Storytelling Guild. Jim, Bill and Patty Moore (parents, Tam and Ann Moore) submitted the winning entry.

Bertha Big Gulp, a garbage-eating whale, was created several years later to be used in Mothergoose Land. Bertha was also named by children in a name the whale contest. Cherie Hilts and Susie Wright were Co-Directors and spearheaded the construction of Bertha in about 1979 or 1980. (A digital photo from your file would replace this sketch! Please email it to patblai@gmail.com.)

NOTE: Our garbage-eating mascots, "Fred The Litter Critter" and "Bertha Big Gulp" perished in a warehouse fire after the 1990 Children's FESTIVAL. 

 It was traumatic for all of us but fortunately we were able to replace both of them with insurance funds. Additional funding help came from the Medford Rogue Rotary .

Carolyn Barrett, Cindy Hoffbuhr and Emily Mostue, Children's Festival Co-Co-Co Directors at that time, were instrumental in seeing that the new improved dragons were constructed.

OUR NEW DRAGONS, CREATED IN 1991

Rosabelle: was sculpted by Talent artist Claire Barr-Wilson.

Pebbles: was constructed by Eagle Point artist, Jim Quinby.

"Pebbles", our smaller dragon hangs out on the Upper Hill just below the concession stand.  Pebbles also travels to parades on the 4th of July and alternates locations with Rosabelle. . This is of Pebbles before the "redo" which was done in 2005.

Photo

 

LULU: was constructed by Claire Barr-Wilson.

This is LuLu our newest dragon .. Just a baby but has an appetite for recycled items only!          

The "new dragons" were ready and introduced for "THE YEAR OF THE DRAGONS", 1991. Since they only appear for a few days each summer they stay relatively "well-preserved" as dragons do! Children always tug on their tongues to persuade each dragon to open wide and eventually there needs to be some minor corrective surgery done to replace the ragged tongue! It is amazing, though, that there doesn't seem to be a problem with a digestive track now and then! These critters eat paper cups, programs, popcorn bags, snow cone papers, and even leaves and who knows what else! Miss Manners is trying to teach them not to talk with their mouths full and not to gulp down their food!

"Rosabelle" is our garbage-eating dragon. She is 10 feet tall, and 19 feet long! She eats, talks, and manages to enchant everyone. She also takes the Queen and children on a ride through the small towns of Central Point, Eagle Point and Ashland during alternating 4th of July parades. 

Rosabelle now sits on a site located in Mother Goose Land on the lower portion of Britt Park.

Two of Pat Blair's grandchildren riding on Rosabelle in the Eagle Point Parade.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FROM HERE TO THE STORYTELLING GUILD WEBSITE: http://www.storytellingguild.org/

(Click on photos for larger view)

YOU CAN VIEW IT ALL! http://www.storytellingguild.org/

The Storytelling Guild has connected Fred (The Litter Critter) And Friends blog to their website! It is now possible to move from their website to this site with one click of the mouse! If you'd like to know what great programs The Storytelling Guild provides for the Medford Community just take a look at the guild's website at http://www.storytellingguild.org/ . Finding the "one click" connection to this blog site is simple.

Just click ABOUT on the top bar where it lists:

PROGRAMS - CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL - ABOUT- CONTACT .

A description of The Children's Festival and other Storytelling Guild programs are provided. In the third paragraph you will find the "click here". Doing just that will bring you to this blog site!

In December, 2003.

The Storytelling Guild received a Community Service Award from the Jackson County Commissioners. Immediately following the award presentation, the Library Foundation and the Jackson County Library hosted a reception for past and present Storytelling Guild members in the Medford Library Children's Department. "To provide quality programs that encourage a love of reading for the children of Jackson County" is how Janice Cox, 2003 Storytelling Guild President, recently described the Guild's goal. They accomplish this through numerous special programs,including: weekly Storytimes in the Medford Library, Dial-a-Story, Bookwalk (a narrated fashion show of scenes from current children's books to third graders in 14 schools), F.R.E.D. (a reading incentive program for third graders at selected schools in Jackson County), Pass the Book (the gathering and donation of new and gently used children's books to various agencies in Jackson County which place the books in the hands of children who otherwise might not have access to any books), Read to Your Bunny (a nationwide booksharing program that reaches out to parents of young children to encourage them to read to their babies, early and often), Storyteller Education, financial support for SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) and Reading Rainbow, and the fantastic, stupendous Children's Festival, which has happened 3 magical days in July for 42 years!

VIEW THE ENTIRE BLOG NOW TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE FESTIVAL

Past Guild Presidents, Diane Newland and Marjorie Overland view the stage performances.

Happy painted faces. Happy painter!

A BIG thank you goes to Karin Dailey, Past President of the Storytelling Guild, Children's Festival Director, Queen, and Official Historian for the new photos and candid shots that are now seen at the bottom of these blog pages. If you have other photographs to contribute to The History of Children's Festival you may send them in a .JPG format to the Administrator, Pat Blair at patblai@gmail.com. Please don't put it off! The quicker you send them the better! It would be great to have new photos coming in all the time.

AND... DON'T FORGET TO TAKE DIGITAL PHOTOS AT THIS YEAR'S CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL, JULY 20, 21, AND 22ND!

A SALUTE TO ILMA MC KERN

                                 Ilma McKern as Mother Goose

A SALUTE TO ILMA MCKERN

In 1968 Ilma first came to The Children's Festival as a clown. It was 1969 when Ilma McKern began her long term involvement with the Storytelling Guild and Children's Festival. Ilma was recruited by Jeannette Paulson to serve on Pat Blair's Decorations Committe for that festival. Our first assignment was to "build a castle" to be used as the storytelling backdrop in Mother Goose Land. That year we also built two castle towers for the main entrance. The "committee" consisted of two people...Ilma and Pat Blair . . . plus our children, all of whom were very small (Sharon, Marcia, Leigh, Kevin and Bruce) . . . and our husbands,-- Bill McKern and Gary Blair, when we could convince them to help us! Ilma worked tirelessly in many roles at Children's Festival. She took a crash course in Sandcasting in order to chair the sandcasting booth (that job lasted for only seven years.) Her two sons, Kevin and Bruce were her assistant sandcasters. She co-chaired the Library Book Booth with Alice Grimes for the following ten years. When we initiated The Pied Piper Theatre (a travelling puppet and performance stage) Ilma became one of the eight Pied Piper Players who performed at the Children's Festival and around the valley to promote reading at school and public park locations in Jackson County . Ilma, a retired elementary school teacher, was already an accomplished storyteller and jumped right in to storytimes at the library when her family moved to Medford! She has remained active for all of these years (1968 to 2016). Ilma is a sought after storylady and is most often remembered as "Mother Goose" and also as "Mrs. Claus". Ilma was given The Spirit Award for Children's Festival, (a ceramic dragon cup especially designed for this honor) in about 1984. TALK ABOUT SPIRIT! She was honored as Children's Festival Queen in 1987 and is still remembered fondly by all those who visited her Royal Court. (Most of whom would be in their twenties now!).  She stills appears at Children's Festival as Mother Goose.

What a treasure for The Storytelling Guild, The Children's Festival and FOR THE CHILDREN of our Rogue Valley!

OUR FESTIVAL DIRECTORS - 1967 - 2011

1967, 1968, 1969, 1970,1971, 1972,1973: Jeannette Paulson

Jeannette with Lois Cousineau

).

 

1974 & 1975: Pat Blair & Marjorie Boyer (1975 only, no photo). Note:

Pat Blair has acted as Advisor for Festival Directors from 1976 to present dare (2016

1976 & 1977: Marsha McHugh

 

1978 & 1979, 1980: Cherie Hilts & Susie Wright

 

  

1981: Judy Ahmann & Shirley Huycke(no photo)

 

 

1982: Bette Haberlach & Jill Schroeder (no photo)

1983 & 1984: Marjorie Overland &  Bunny Karchmer Brady

 

  1985 & 1986: Tudy Schiveley & Barbara Brazier (no photo

 

  1987 & 1988: Peggy Tomlins & Becky Versteeg

 

1989, 1990 & 1991: Carolyn Barrett, Cindy Hoffbuhr , & Emily Mostue

 

1992 & 1993: Andrea Mobley & Cathy Theen

)

 

  1994 & 1995: Mary Strahm & Bonnie Howe (no photo)

 

  1996 & 1997: Linda Higgins, Bonnie Hall & Rhonda Loomer (1996 only, no photo)

 

  1998 & 1999: Lynn Kellogg & Karin Dailey

 

2000 & 2001: Drama Foley & Janice Cox

2002 & 2003:  Suzanne Yaru & Lori  Dunlap

2004 & 2005: Judy Gambee, Cameron McCandless & Marilyn Gradwell

2006 & 2007: Jill Waldron, Patti Deihl & Christina Oden

2008 and 2009 : Annie Michels & Mary Patridge

2010 & 2011:  Anne Billeter, Teresa Stumpenhaus, & Cindy Braden 

2012 & 2013. Laura Horton &  Maggie Donovan

2014 & 2015:  Lona Dillard & Lara Knackstedt

2016:  Holly Roberts & Teresa Stumpenhaus  

A salute all the Past and Present Directors of The Children's Festival. It is easy to see that these women have been totally dedicated to the major leadership role and the rewarding task of providing something of quality FOR THE CHILDREN of our Rogue Valley!