The Shadow
CLIFTON?FORGE? — On Friday, January 10, the “What’s Your Story?” project will host a potluck dinner and story sharing session in the Thomas P. Dean/Racey and Dean Underground at the Historic Masonic Theatre in Clifton Forge.
Dinner will begin at 6 p.m, with storytelling getting under way at 6:45 p.m. and lasting until 8 p.m.
“Stories shared build connection and community,” said WYS? project director Joan Vannorsdall. “What’s Your Story? events and books connect Alleghany Highlands residents through story, building relationship. Everybody loves a good story — and sharing it over good food makes it even better.”
The group’s September storytelling potluck was well-attended.
“All the stories were memorable, and I think we left that night knowing one another a little better. It was great to watch people sit down around a table and get acquainted over food, and then share their stories,” Vannorsdall said.
The January topic is “A Winter’s Tale — Stories of Ice and Snow.”
“There’s something about winter that brings out the storyteller in all of us. Remember the happy news that school’s closed for snow? Or the blizzard that closed down your town? Come share the story,” Vannorsdall said. “Or, if you’d rather share a story from another part of your life, tell it. We’ll listen.”
The WYS? project has completed four books to date, focusing on the Historic Masonic Theatre, the C&O Railway and Hospital, Green Pastures and Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. The books are available at the Historic Masonic Theatre, the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, the Clifton Forge Antique Mall, Livy’s Closet, and the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
The books will be sold at each storytelling event.
The Jan. 10 event is free of charge.
“Just bring a covered dish and a good story,” Vannorsdall said.
