Jeff and Marcy Paulson warm up before performing at Audubon Acres' Little Owl Festival. Both are special guests for the first installment of Collegedale's Fireside Chat Storytelling Series set for Jan. 4.The city of Collegedale's Parks and Recreation Department is kicking off its three-part Fireside Chat Storytelling Series Jan. 4. The series will bring entertainment and storytelling for all ages to Founders Hall at The Commons the first Friday of the month from January through March, from 7-8:30 p.m. each night.
Along with Collegedale's recently launched Encore Kids Drama Club, the Fireside Chat series is intended to lead up to the Tomorrow Foundation-sponsored event the city is hosting at The Commons March 20 on World Storytelling Day, when local storyteller Richard Garey will share a glimpse into the creative mind of Mark Twain.
"It's part of the performing arts element we're trying to introduce this year," said Traci Bennett-Hobek, who became director of the Parks and Recreation Department in November 2017.
Previously under the umbrella of the city's Public Works Department, the Parks and Recreation Department had no programming prior to 2018, said Bennett-Hobek, who's expanding programming for 2019 with a goal of increasing awareness of the arts of performing, oration and storytelling.
"It's good family entertainment, and who doesn't love a good story?" she said.
The series's first installment features Mike Gray, host of "The River City Sessions" radio show on NPR, along with special guests Jeffrey and Marcy Paulson, who will lead the audience on a musical and storytelling adventure titled "Appalachian Winter."
Local students will share personal poems and stories for February's program, which is directed toward youth, said Bennett-Hobek. Young authors Heather Marsh and Kassedy Whitener will speak about their journey to publication, and Ooltewah grade-school student Boston McClarty, author of "Heroes Are Made," will talk about his book series which benefits babies in Erlanger's neonatal intensive care unit where he was once a patient. Also, Cash Daniels, a local 9-year-old who promotes conservation efforts, will educate attendees on how to reduce pollution in our waterways.
In March, retired National Park Service ranger and "Bear in the Backseat" author Kim DeLozier will entertain attendees with stories from his days as a ranger in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Founders Hall is at 4950 Swinyar Drive. For more information, call 468-1971 or email thobek@collegedaletn.gov.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com