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About Kathy Hunter
Kathy Hunter loves to entertain. Following a long writing career in Alaska, enlivened by an interest in music and community theater, she has combined all her talents in storytelling. After retiring to Wallowa County in Eastern Oregon, she found an active supporter in the writers' nonprofit organization Fishtrap (www.Fishtrap.org ). Kathy produces Fishtrap Storytime, a weekly show on radio KWVR in Enterprise, and her stories have been aired on public radio from Spokane to Honolulu.
Kathy's tales are original stories or reinterpreted folktales that often feature music. She sings, and employs a variety of musical instruments that include autoharp, dulcimer, penny whistle and ukulele. In Northeastern Oregon a delighted audience listens to this family storyteller on the air, and sees her perform at schools, summer camps, retirement homes, arts festivals, libraries, and Fishtrap events. Kathy has produced two CDs with her characteristic stick-in-your-head songs. The CDs Why the Skunk Stinks, and Other Nature Stories for Children, and Rowf! Songs and Tales from Many Cultures are available locally, or from the author.
Kathy is a member of the National Storytelling Network, is listed by the Oregon Library Association in their Performer's Showcase and represented by the Eastern Oregon Regional Arts Council.
Listeners' Comments
"Thanks so much for helping to make our Dr, Seuss Day such a success. You were terrific! I'll never look at the Green Eggs and Ham Book in the same way." "I must admit I was mesmerized." "You are a wonderful storyteller." "Your CD is wonderful. I really liked all the different voices you can do, the vocabulary you chose, the incremental endearments, the repeated elements and the stories you selected. The extra voices on one story help to supply variety. I can see why kids would like it. I especially liked the ouzel story because I have a soft spot in my heart for ouzels." "All of us at Wallowa Elementary really enjoyed your African presentation at our Book 25 Club get-together. You had the kids hooked, Kathy, with your story. We appreciate your time and expertise and we look forward to having you come to our school again in the future." "Thanks so much for your time and talent in storytelling at camp this year. We really appreciate your leading a workshop. It was terrific, and a great experience for the kids! I hope you'll join us again next year." "Thanks for a great performance." "Thank you so much for sharing your storytelling talent with our group. The crowd and noise were far greater than expected but you seemed to have the audience on stage captivated. The storytelling greatly enhanced our success!"
"The happiness you spread is through your children's stories. You're great! The children love listening to you and so do I. You are The Wallowa Valley story lady." "After Emma heard Kathy's stories at school she came home and told them to me verbatim. She played the characters and sang the songs, for days. I've never seen her taken by a story like that!" "My friend loaned me her fancy van to take a bunch of kids to the pool. I turned on the key, the seat began to heat up, the CD player came on and all the kids started singing along. It was my Mom's CD!"
"Storytelling artistry, mesmerizing presentations. She has command of an innovative style along with consummate storytelling skill. .. Incredible spirit, humor, wisdom and grace.. Articulate, nurturing, life-affirming—an exceptionally talented artist and educator." "Dear Storyteller,
—Marcie Sheehy, Librarian, Wallowa Elementary, Wallowa, OR
—Lauren Bienkowski, Northhampton, MA. Children's Crisis Counselor
—Rebecca Cohen, Newport Librarian, Newport, OR.
—Ann Chandonnet, Juneau, AK. Poet, Journalist, Mother
—The Wallowa Elementary Staff, Wallowa OR
—Jeni Greenshields, Director, Joseph Summer Camp, Joseph, OR
—Minnie Tucker, La Grande Parks & Rec. LaGrande, OR
—Anne & Angie, Building Healthy Families, Enterprise, OR
—Iva Lindsay, Lostine Vacation Bible School, Lostine, OR
—Carolyn Lochert-Musician, Mom, Lostine, OR
—Mindy Hunter, Fairbanks, AK. Teacher, daughter, Mom
—Merna Hecht, Storyteller, Arts Educator, Literacy Consultant WA, School Districts
Thank you for telling us the storys. I lickde the billegot won it wus gat. (I liked the billy goat one; it was great)
"
—Frum Tiffany Wallowa, OR