TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Storyteller Has Way With Words

ADVERTISEMENT

By DIANE LOEBEL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 24, 2007

WHO: Kathy Myers
CLAIM TO FAME: Storyteller extraordinaire

ACCOLADES: "Kathy entertained at our holiday luncheon and did a fabulous job. She kept everyone's attention," said Betty Black, president of the New Port Richey Garden Club.

"You can picture it happening when she's telling the story," said Carol Fields, president of the Beacon Woods East Woman's Club.

SOME BACKGROUND: Growing up, Myers thought all families spent a good deal of time giving voice to various characters in a story to make the tale come alive. That's what her mother did for her.

The Long Island native and her husband, Peter, moved to this area four years ago from Atlanta. She managed an insurance company before retiring. Her husband was a technical illustrator and now stays busy working on the newsletter and making fliers and posters for New Port Richey Eagles Suncoast Aerie 3153.

He's the aerie president and she's secretary of the auxiliary. This past week, the group threw a holiday party for residents of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O' Lakes, and she took along puppets to entertain.

Myers, who has two children and four grandchildren, knits and crochets hats to send to her mother in New York, who adds them to hats she's made for people in veterans' hospitals and nursing homes. Myers also likes to paint in her spare time.

TELLING STORIES: Myers so far has entertained for several local groups and at nursing homes and schools.

"Kathy read three Christmas stories at our Christmas potluck," Black said. "In a room full of women you could hear a pin drop while she was storytelling."

In addition to that debut at the garden club luncheon, Myers has done several programs for the Beacon Woods East Woman's Club.

"She is our most requested come-back person," Fields said. "If she's talking about a field of trees, you can see that field of trees."

Myers has appeared at the club several times over the past few years and is planning a Mother's Day program next year.

At the schools, she arrives in regular attire and then transforms herself into a clown before the children's eyes to try to dispel any fears they might have of clowns. After her part of the program she turns some of the youngsters into clowns.

Sometimes she brings puppets and lets students hold them to add to the story she's telling. She also does face painting, which she says both children and adults enjoy.

Myers has stories and programs tailored for occasions throughout the year and has a load of them for the winter holiday season.

WHAT'S NEXT: Myers would like to share her talent with more schools and organizations in the community. For information, call her at (727) 863-8300.

HER PARTING QUOTE: "I enjoy storytelling so much. It's something I like to share and hope it brings happiness to those I share it with. It's especially nice at this time of year when I can reach those less fortunate than me. It makes me thankful for what I have."

Want to suggest an Everyday Hero? Call Diane Loebel, (727) 815-1081, write her at The Tampa Tribune, 6214 U.S. 19 New Port Richey, FL 34652, or e-mail at dloebel@tampatrib

.com

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT