The Black Hills Storytellers

The Black Hills Storytellers was formed in 1989. Initial storytellers included Liz Twomey, Mary Margaret Forrette, Jerry Johnson, Francis McFarlane, Diana Fox, Nancy Eldridge, Anne Bodman, Susan Hade, Bonnie McNeil, Diana Fox, Jan Ernst, Carol Mapa and Laveta Bark. Early performances included a January 1989 performance at the Rapid City Public Library. Other performers who have left our ranks include Joyce Jefferson, Melissa Nelson, Frances Makepeace and Bobbie Heltibridle.

 

Wilma Behm

My family of origin and the extended family of Uncles and Aunts all enjoyed repeating stories. Family gatherings always included the phrase “Do you remember the time when…” Sometimes a request was made for a certain family story, for example, the story of the Runaway Pickup; or the story of the time Mom upset the tractor. As a child, I enjoyed listening to these repeated stories.

 My stories are often based on some degree of true happenings, and contain humor. While I prefer an adult audience, I enjoy sharing stories with a historical basis to middle school and high school age youth.

In addition to annual Storytelling concert at the Custer Library, I have shared stories at Hill City Senior Center, the Hill City Friends of the Library, The Hot Springs Library, and for children and adults at a Summer Camp near Custer.

Anne Bodman

Anne takes her listeners on journeys of imagination filled with laughter, adventure, and exploration into the mysteries of our lives.  She tells stories from life, literature, and world folklore for ages 6 and up, with a special fondness for teens and adults.
 

Her repertory includes stories from world folklore, Greek and Norse mythology (including tales from the Odyssey), the medieval romance of Tristan and Iseult, short stories of Hawthorne, Katherine Mansfield, Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Bradbury, and original compositions from her life and imagination.
 

Says Anne: “I like the creative effort of putting different stories together, and I like bringing in stories from various cultures.  I have given workshops, mainly for adults that offer practice in the telling of a personal story, folktale or sacred story.”
 

Before starting storytelling in 1982, Anne worked in anthropology, teaching, human rights, and youth employment counseling.  Now semi-retired, she performs occasionally solo and with the group and pursues creative writing.  She lives with her husband and dogs in Sturgis, SD.
 

Nancy Eldridge

“Everybody has a story” and I love to share my repertoire whether the audience is in kindergarten or high school in a learning, camping, entertaining environment or adults at a community gathering or Christian retreat. 

I use a variety of genres to teach, inspire and/or entertain. I arrive sometimes in costume, sometimes with puppets, sometimes with props and sometimes just as me to share stories written by talented authors or written on the pages of my own life that have inspired me with wonder and laughter. 

My goal is to be respectful of the time you are sharing with me and to awaken the stories within you that need to be told. My favorite venues are libraries, schools and churches. If you have a topic, I have a story or know someone who does.

Sharon Henry, retired librarian, loves interactive stories with lots of audience participation. She loves to see the smiles and excitement in the eyes of children and adults as they help her build narratives that reach to the skies or down to the underworld.

This is probably due to her Irish heritage and her years of growing up in Hawaii with multigenerational "talking story" around driftwood fires on the beach.

She especially likes telling stories about the little people and their frenemies and she does quite a respectable Irish brogue.
 

Bonnie McNeil

Bonnie transports listeners with the power and beauty of her stories. Many of her favorites are from the folk tales of Scotland and Ireland.  Trained in the theatre, she has performed in tandem with her daughter Heather.

She is considered one of the founders of the Black Hills Storytellers.  

In 2001 she moved to Oregon to be closer to her daughter and grand child.  We miss her presence greatly.
 

Liz Twomey

Liz is now a Black Hills Storyteller emeritus.  She moved to Denver Colorado nine years ago after having been with the Black Hills Storytellers since they began - but she can’t let go.  Once or twice a year she plans a trip to the Hills to coincide with a storytelling event for the pleasure of sharing story with her friends.   Liz enjoys telling and listening to anyone who enjoys story, but especially adults and young adults.  Her storytelling has taken a new turn recently, with a project in the works that combines the power of story with her passion for conflict resolution work.

Liz works primarily as a dentist, with a master’s degree in conflict resolution and another in environmental policy and management.  Her schooling at the University of Denver is what lured her away from the Hills. 

With her two children grown and with the scheduling freedom that her work as a “roustabout” dentist allows, Liz hopes to be visiting the Hills more often and, of course, telling and hearing more stories.

Liz’s personal email is bessietwomey@yahoo.com.   

The Black Hills Storyteller’s web site is managed by the guy shown here. Although he means well he often can be found clowning around instead of doing his appointed task. Proving the axiom...good help is hard to find.