Storytelling has always been a means of crossing
barriers of time and place. It provides a medium for not only entertainment, but also sharing wisdom, joys, and sorrows beyond
our own life experiences.
The Mountain Echoes are dedicated to keeping the
tradition of storytelling alive in the hills and hollows of West Virginia and beyond. They enjoy the opportunity to share
storytelling with a group.
The Mountain Echoes consists of JoAnn Dadisman
and June Riffle, both natives of Preston County, West Virginia. They both have undergraduate degrees in education and experience
in the classroom K-12. Their graduate work includes Masters degrees in Reading and English. June holds a minor in Folklore
from Fairmont State University as well.
The Mountain Echoes can bring enrichment to schools,
libraries, civic groups, parties and festivals. Their stories bring both classics and folktales to life, interpret history,
enhance cultural awareness, reinforce reading skills, and offer creative writing opportunities. At libraries, they can be
enrichment activities for reading programs and reading incentives. The Mountain Echoes can be key-note speakers at your next
civic event, or the entertainment. They can tell many types of stories including folktales, ghost stories, jack tales, yarns,
and mountain lore. Audience participation can be increased with a story, such as one of local history or legends.
The workshops they teach can be designed for your
specific needs, but some of the most popular types are Developing Family Stories, Storytelling Across the Curriculum,
Why Tell A Tale?, Reviving Classic Tales for Students, and Let's Tell Scary Stories.
June currently lives in Fairmont, WV, where she
raises bees and tends a garden. JoAnn still resides on her family land in Preston County and teaches English courses
with Appalachian emphasis at West Virginia University.
Contact
the Mountain Echoes:
JoAnn Dadisman June
Riffle
(304) 864-0879
Route 6, Box 161-B
Route 1, Box 69-A Fairmont,
WV 26554
