Article Contributed on: 4/3/2007 10:25:25 AM
Elm Farm Ollie, a.k.a. the Sky Queen, was back in town last weekend. In 1930,
Elm Farm Ollie found her fifteen minutes of fame, and it has lasted over 75 years! She was the first cow milked while flying in an airplane. Her milk was parachuted out to fans below, including Charles Lindbergh!
This is the second year that two professional storytellers,
Sunny Marie Hackman and
Cheri Seeton, have celebrated
Elm Farm Ollie Day by hosting the
"Ollie, Ollie Oxen Free" Story Slam at the Lakewood Heritage Center in their historic schoolhouse. Ten storytellers from all corners of the state competed for $100 and other fabulous prizes to the delight of the capacity crowd. Each storyteller told a 5-7 minute story resulting in a wonderful combination of folk tale, traditional tale, tall tale and personal story.
Susan Marie Frontczak, professional storyteller and coach, said: "This event captures very good aspects of celebration of all and recognition of the best. I continue to be impressed. The story slam stretches the boundaries of storytelling and cross-fertilizes storytelling with the community."
This year,
Ken Nichols, the 2006 first place winner from Louisville, gave the title to
Pete Martin of Lakewood for his humorous and original story, "Fowl Ball." What a delightful selection for the weekend before the Rockies' opening day! Second place went to
Helen Trencher of Denver for her story, "The Gecko Cannot Sleep." Helen
wowed the crowd with her character voices. Third place went to Elsa Wolff of Littleton for Abi-Yo-Yo, playing her ukulele as she told in character as a traveling minstrel.
Judges for the event were
Jeremiah Ryan, the store Team Leader from Whole Foods Market/Belmar, a generous sponsor of the event,
Margaret Snodgrass, popular and award- winning Weight Watchers instructor, Lakewood, and Councilman
Ed Peterson from Ward 3.
Councilman Ed Peterson felt right at home as he bantered with the audience about finding himself at the judges' table between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea -- Weight Watchers and Whole Foods Market.
Our milkmaids,
Bobbi Gallenstein and
Jenna Albrecht, served the crowd Tuti Fruti Cuties, non-dairy ice cream bars from Whole Foods Market, giving Elm Farm Ollie the night off to enjoy herself. She hopes to see everyone again next year!