Menu
School stories to be featured at annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Everyone past the age of five has gone to school. So everyone has a story -- funny, sad or inspirational -- about their experiences as a student.
'course, the tables can be turned, and teachers have tales to tell about students.
Everyone -- student and teacher -- is invited to share their favorite school-day stories at a "Readin', 'Ritin' and 'Rithmetic" story-telling session during the 14th annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival, Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12, in McCook, Nebraska.
The host of school-day tales will be Al Cuellar, a graduate of McCook Senior High and a retired teacher. This will be Al's first experience as a Buffalo Commons' host, he said, and he plans to tell a few tales of his own to loosen up the crowd and encourage them to share their stories.
One story goes like this: "I was teaching at the junior high," Al said, "and between classes in the hallways, I told a student, 'No running in the halls, little girl.' Well, she told me she wasn't a 'little girl.' So, I said, 'No running in the halls, big girl.' Indignant, she told me she wasn't a 'big girl' either. 'Well, what are you?,' I asked her. She informed me, 'I am a woman'," Al chuckled. "She caught me off-guard. She was a seventh grader."
Al said he has more stories, but not enough to fill an hour, so he wants everyone to open up and tells their own stories. "Everyone has a story about school -- and usually not just one," Al laughed.
Al retired in 1998 after teaching American history at McCook Junior High for 22 years. During his 38-year teaching career, he also taught in Culbertson and in Elm Creek, and at country schools south of Trenton and south of McCook. "I've taught all grades, and a lot of subjects," Al said.
The Readin', 'Ritin' and 'Rithmetic story-telling session is scheduled on Saturday of the two-day Buffalo Commons event, and begins at 9 a.m., at the Museum of the High Plains at 416 Norris, in downtown McCook.
The Buffalo Commons' schedule is:
FRIDAY, JUNE 11
McCook Community College
Weeth theatre
9 a.m.-noon -- "An Indian Look at America," workshop with Tim Tingle.
1-4 p.m. -- "Circling around the Song," workshop with Anne and Pete Sibley.
Historic Fox Theatre
7:30 p.m. -- Story and song cabaret with emcee Jay Austin.
Bieroc Cafe
10 p.m. -- Ghost stories with host Craig Larsen, "open mic."
SATURDAY, JUNE 12
High Plains Museum
9 a.m. -- "Readin', 'Ritin' and 'Rithmetic," school stories..
10 a.m. "Wisdom for the Heart and Funny Bone," with poet Don Welch and humorist Craig Larson..
11 a.m., "Rhythm of your Heart Beat," with Anne and Pete Sibley..
Memorial United Methodist Church
10 a.m. -- "Heart, South and Spirit," with Tim Tingle.
Bieroc Cafe
12:30 p.m. -- "Treasures of the Heart," hometown stories, hosts Walt Sehnert and Mary Ellen Goodenberger.
Norris House
1:35 p.m. -- "Final Journey to Home," hosted by George and Ellie Norris recreators Clark and Dawna Bates, tours at 1:35 p.m., 1:55 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
Norris Park
1:30 p.m. -- Kids' Fest, stories and crafts.
2:30 p.m. -- "Stories for the Young and Youth at Heart," with Choctaw story-weaver Tim Tingle.
3 p.m. -- "No Place Music in the Bandshell," with emcee and musician Jason VanPelt.
Historic Fox Theatre
7:30 p.m. -- Grand Finale, "Tales to Make You Tingle," with Jay Austin, Tim Tingle and the Sibleys.