Editor's Note

                     

The smell of roasted turkey, baked pumpkin pie and burning leaves can mean only one thing - it's time for Tellabration! All over Illinois various guilds are taking part in this world-wide storytelling event. Be sure to check your local listings (later in this newsletter) for a time and place close to you.

I attended my first "away" Northlands Board meeting. We met in a summer cottage in Michigan along the lake. The fall leaves were at their prime and we were treated to a night of crashing waves. Greg Weiss was on board (pun intended) to whip up a delicious salmon dinner. His apple crisp was so popular we had it again for breakfast!! And we worked! Be sure to read about some of the highlights below.

I also attended the Illinois Arts Council's Showcase in Tinley Park in early November. What a treat to see many of our fine I'll. tellers on ArtsTour or Artist-in Residency. Hopefully, our I'll. tellers will secure jobs with the help of IAC.

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           Northlands Storytelling Network

Highlights of the Northlands Board meeting at Saugatuck, MI

November, 2005

 The board met and discussed the following:

*The Northlands Treasury looks hale and healthy. We had a profit from the year before. There was much rejoicing!

*Conference - It was decided to promote the idea that anyone can bring items to sell at the resource room - not just presenters. It was also decided to increase the percentage of the resource take to 25% to help defray the costs.

*Concerts - Deadline for story submissions is January 15, 2006 via audible audiotape or CD.

  FYI - Concert Review Committee will has 9 positions: 3 emcees, 3 Board members (Concert Chair plus 2 others), and 3 selected from volunteering general membership. March 1, 2006 Story Submitters receive notice accepting or rejecting along with request for Program Bio and Photo if accepted.  Fast turnaround of bio & photo required.

*Fee for Youth Workshop: After discussion - Fee is $10 for children 10-17 years and free for accompanying adults. 

* New Voices - Change of name from “Apprentice” to “New Voices” arose from the young adults themselves.  Ages included are 18-29 and are differentiated from Youth Tellers who are 12-17.  There will be maximum of 4 New Voices Scholarships for 2006 conference depending on real cost of scholarship to Northlands. Scholarship funds raised by Auction.

*Grants: Two grant applications were submitted.

1.  River Action, Iowa: submitted by member Bev Heinz, IA.  Request subsidy for storytelling portion of Iowa/Illinois joint project commemorating Missisissipi River and railroads.

2.  Hurricane Katrina Kids Relief Tour: submitted by Reid Miller, WI.  Request subsidy of storytelling tour by Reid Miller of shelters for persons displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Each grant was awarded $250.00.

*Policy A new policy was instated to facilitate getting medical attention for minors (unattended) who may be attending the conference. A form was developed to give to parents or guardians in case of emergencies.

The next board meeting is January 13-15 in Iowa. If you have anything you'd like presented to the board, please email me at markinsella19@hotmail.com

Be sure to mark your calendars now for the 2006 Northland Conference - April 28-29.

To learn more about Northlands and to become a member go to Membership.

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The National Storytelling Network is teeming with ideas and opportunities. Here is the current National Storytelling Bulletin

I received the following note from Chara at the NSN office. Please note that time is of the essence! This is too good to pass up - especially for new members...read on:

We are currently working on our Directory of storytellers, which is an offer only available until November 30^th.  It is also an offer only available to members of NSN.  In the past anyone who wanted to purchase a listing was able to do so. 

We have decided to make a special offer as an incentive to new members.  When non-members purchase a deluxe listing, $50 will automatically go toward a new membership.  That means that they will receive the bi-monthly magazine and all other benefits of being a member, as well as the opportunity to advertise their services on a directory that is searched nationwide. 

With over 3,000,000 hits a month the NSN Directory is an affordable and effective way to put your information in front of people looking for storytellers in your area and across the nation.  This is a really great offer new members! 

***If you are not a member, then now is the time. Just click on MEMBERSHIP.

And it's not too late to be thinking about the summer NSN Conference in Pittsburgh. Here's some info:: http://www.storynet.org/2006NSNConferenceBillboard.htm

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               St. Franics of Assisi said,

""He who works with his hands is a laborer. 

He who works with his hands

and his head is a craftsman. 

He who works with his hands, his head, 

and his heart is an artist."  

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                        Useful Info

I'll. Teller, Leanne Johnson sent us this note:

I'm wondering if you want to include this information in the next I'LL Tell newsletter, that the official IRS mileage rate jumped to 48.5 cents per mile, effective September 1st.  The information is from my accountant husband.

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I'll. Tell.- Summer, 2005

Early Fall, 2005

HOME

        National Storytelling Festival

It was great to see so many I'll. Tellers at the National Festival. Many of us were passing ships in a sea of faces, but every now and again, we shared the same story space and were transported to places well beyond the confines of the tents.

For more info Click on National Storytelling Festival 

      Guilds Around Illinois 

Storytelling is alive and well in Illinois. This space will be for announcements from the IL guilds about special storytelling projects, events, deadlines, workshops, etc. Please send me those announcements that concern your guild and that benefit  storytellers from around the state.   Just click on Illinois Storytelling Guilds to find guild-info in your neck of the woods.  Please contact me to update your guild's information.   

Announcements:

From the Riverwind Storytellers of the Metro-St. Louis Area:

Riverwind is proud to announce that Dianne de Las Casas will be conducting her marketing workshop for the Riverwind Whirlwind Weekend - March 3-5 at the Lewis and Clark Museum in Godfrey.-

            Illinois Storytelling, Inc

          

Please forward info on storytelling events, Tellabrations and Katrina Relief Story Events to storybiz@earthlink.net

Karen Wollscheid will list them on the Illinois Storytelling, Inc calendar. I'll link the calendar information to I'll. Tell. See below.              

              Storytelling Events

         

               The StoryBistro
November 12, December 10,  January 14
at the Barrington Area Arts Council Gallery
121-B Barrington Commons Ct., Barrington
Doors open at 7pm  Stories at 7:30pm
$20 Donation per concert  (847-382-5626 )
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Nov. 12: Suzie Garfield, Greg Leifel,  Lainie Levin, Geary Smith
Dec. 10: Sue Black, Donna Dettman,  Linda Gorham
Jan. 14: To be announced

For more info Illinois Storytelling, Inc calendar.
 

     
          Tellabration Sites Abound:

Nov. 19th

             Illinois Youth Storytelling

          Re-cap from last newsletter

                           

Brian Fox Ellis was appointed Illinois State rep for the National Youth Storytelling Showcase. He needs our help. Time has already passed for this year, but read Brian' letter at  Read Brian's Letter to see if you can help next year.

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           In and About Illinois

                    

Our deepest sympathy to Leanne Johnson on the loss of her beloved father

And to Lynne Beetner whose home was completely destroyed by fire.

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                  I'll. Tell Gifters

If you are looking for a unique gift to give to your storytelling friends or sponsors, take a look at

 

http://www.story-lovers.com/calendars2006.html

                  

Story-lovers also has a page to post your business card and your website. Check it out!