This summer, Saint Matthew’s, Westerville, has been inviting everyone between ages 18 and 180 to unplug from digital media and connect to the human experience through the art of storytelling. Working with the Storytellers of Central Ohio, they welcome professionals, a novices, and a seekers to come and spend an evening with great spoken stories and discover the dance between teller and listener.  Saint Matthew’s has asked Java Central to partner with them and host the events.

The July session, which will take place on July 16th from 7-9 PM, will feature experienced storytellers sharing their art with all gathered, and a time following for Q&A and discussion with the storytellers. They will explore together the storytelling inside each of us and the way of the storyteller. Like a good story, this monthly offering will grow with those who join in – and don’t forget the great Java Central hospitality!

July’s story tellers are:

Melanie Pratt (the Seanachie) has been telling stories since the mid-1980’s. She loves tales from the Celtic nations, as this is part of her heritage, but also tells seasonal tales, Appalachian tales, Native American and First Nation stories, and stories that tickle her fancy. She has taught basic storytelling to two different lawyer associations and worked with Lifeline of Ohio (organ donation) on storytelling basics. She is a member of the Storytellers of Central Ohio.

Larry Staats is a member of the Storytellers of Central Ohio. He was born in West Virginia where storytelling is genetic!! After retiring from law practice, he began entertaining himself and hopefully others, by telling stories about growing up in Sandyville, WVa, playing various old time instruments and dancing old time percussive dance.

Julie O’Keefe McGhee has been a story listener and teller all her life. However, after teaching for many years, she began telling stories professionally as Julie McGhee and sometimes as Idnat (ee-naught), the herb woman. She has been fortunate to tell to young and old in a variety of venues including the Dublin Irish Festival and Columbus Story Adventures, She does historical reenactments as Ellen Ewing Sherman, Idnat a 10th century herb woman, or Julia, a 19th century domestic servant. Julie is a member of the Storytellers of Central Ohio.

Frank McGarvey tells a great ghost story perhaps because his father shared a real life ghost experience with Frank when he was a youngster. He also tells Irish tales and folktales as well as encouraging reading. He has told stories all over Ohio including at the Thurber House, Wittenberg University, the Mazza Museum, COSI, Dublin Irish Festival, Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival to mention a few. Frank is a member of the Storytellers of Central Ohio.

Joyce Geary is an eclectic storyteller sharing a wide variety of stories for ages 3-93 wherever and whenever someone will listen. She tells stories of history, especially from Ohio and often portrays historical characters. She is a member of the Storytellers of Central Ohio.

Cathy Jo Smith tells great folktales and Irish stories and has written a book, The Adventures of Seamus McSeamus, an Irish Rover. She has performed at Irish festivals in Kansas City, Michigan, Chicago, Pennsylvania and Dublin, Ohio, as well as at the Southern Ohio Storytelling Festival, Fireside Tales and the Columbus Arts Festival, She is a member of the Storytellers of Central Ohio.