Article Contributed on: 4/6/2006 4:03:05 PM
Story by Sunny Marie Hackman and Cheri Seeton
Community response to the first "Ollie, Ollie, Oxen Free"
Story Slam, held at the Lakewood Heritage Center, was overwhelming.
The event was created and directed by professional storytellers
Cheri Seeton, of Golden, and
Sunny Marie Hackman, of Lakewood, and held in
honor of
Elm Farm Ollie, the first cow milked while flying
on an airplane.
The audience was treated to a smorgasbord of stories.
Refreshments were provided by the new Whole Foods Market and served
by our milkmaids,
Bobbi Gallenstein, of Golden, and
Megan Burns, of Golden. The 10 featured tellers
were powerful, polished presenters.
Patty O'Higgins, of Boulder, the first storyteller
of the evening, expressed this sentiment: "Everyone who attended or
participated in this event will always remember this experience. It
was good for the Universe." One audience member remarked, "This is
the best storytelling event I have ever attended!"
Three community judges --
Allison Trembly, Store Marketing Director at the
new Whole Foods Market,
Jan McConnell-Adams, representing the Lakewood
Heritage Center, and
Jeff Pies, senior pastor of Lakewood Christian
Fellowship -- selected the winners.
Ken Nichols , of Loveland, won first place for
his story
The Voice in the Golden Cage, which he bought in 1976 at
the bus station in Denver for a sandwich and a cup of coffee.
Second place went to
Lev Ropes , of Golden, for
Martha the Ant and the Grasshopper, an adapted Aesop's
Fable. Lev also won the People's Choice Award.
Kay Byler's original personal tale entitled
An Oklahoma Love Story won third place. When Kay was
asked, "Is it true?" she responded, "Of course, it's true, but it
didn't necessarily happen!"
First prize was $100 in cash; second prize was admission to
the Rocky Mountain Storytellers' Conference to be held April 28 and
29; third prize was a five-week storytelling class with
professional storyteller
Susan Marie Frontczak.
Hackman and Seeton said, "In the future, we want to add young
voices (18 and under) to the program. On behalf of Elm Farm Ollie,
we hope to see you all next year."