Hatrack Happenings

2011-08-29T12:35:00.000-07:00

You know what?

THE HATRACK STORYTELLERS ARE CELEBRATING THEIR

45TH ANNIVERSARY!

Hard to believe, isn't it?

SOOOOOOO......

Put on a happy face!

Put on a silly hat.

It's party time!

We are kicking off the year with a Celebration Banquet on Thursday, October 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc.

All Storytellers, past and present, their families, and all former Hatrack Kids are invited.

Mark your calendars and tell your friends.

You bring a dish to pass; beverages and utensils will be provided.

After our feast (let's face it...pot lucks are the best), you will be entertained by a special group of storytellers presenting ADULT stories (now, don't go there...this is a family event, you know!)

Make reservations by contacting Diane Hansen at 920-682-3194 or dwick@charter.net.

Hope to see YOU there!

March 19th, 2011 Program...Dr. Seuss

2011-03-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

Join the Hatrack Storytellers in wishing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one of our favorite writers...

Dr. Seuss

Saturday, March 19

11:00

Lester Public Library, Two Rivers

Dr. Seuss fans of all ages are welcome (no charge!) to hear:

Gertrude McFuzz

How Gerald McGrew Caught the Filla-Ma-Zok

What Was I Scared Of?

Horton Hatched the Egg

Readers: Lisa Heili, Rena Lippert, Howard McMahon, Dean Wiegert

Director: Mary Drohman

Hats designed by Mary Mellberg.

See you soon!

November 13 Program

2010-11-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Hats On for Christmas

Saturday, November 13, 4:00

Best Western, Manitowoc

Readers

Damon Cattani

Chuck Allger

Chris Kouba

Karen Gustafson

Rena Lippert

Director: Mary Cattani

Stories include "The Perfect Christmas", "The Thank-You Tree", and "Presents".

Come celebrate Lakeshore CAP's Tannenbaum Festival with festive holiday readings.

Be sure to bookmark this site and stop back often for the latest Hatrack Storytellers news.

2010-10-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Join us for stories and fun...

Tuesday, Oct 6

Kiel Public Library...6:00

Readers : Chuck Allger, Bev Denor, Diane Hanson, and Rick Oswald.

GERTRUDE MCFUZZ by Dr. Suess,

PIERRE by Maurice Sendak,

A GIRAFFE AND A HALF by Shel Silverstein

GOODNIGHT ANDREW, GOODNIGHT CRAIG by Marjorie Sharmat

Plus.....a rollicking audience participation story!

2010-07-15T21:12:00.001-07:00

Well, never let it be said that Hatrack doesn't respond to a challenge! A week ago today (Thursday), I received a call from the Navy/Marine Corps Center in Green Bay; they are planning a deployment on Saturday, July 17. Could Hatrack come to entertaine about 53 youngsters, ages 1-19, so the parents can concentratate on instructions? Well, 9 days notice for that age range seemed impossible at first thought. But then I realized how many talented people read, at no charge, and often with short notice, for Hatrack, so I said sure; we'd be there.

After one marathon rehearsal of two programs.......one for the younger kids and one for the older.........these 6 talented readers will be going to Green Bay this Saturday: Chuck Allger, Damon Ryan Cattani, Mary Cattani, Bob Franke, Pam Ford, and Susie Miller, with me tagging along to keep things running. This program is sponsored by the Red Cross, and we are so pleased to be able to do something for our troops.

Sally Semmes

2010-06-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

P.S. I hadn't remembered that I'd already talked about the Riverview School program the last time I blogged. Please pardon the superfluidity!

2010-06-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

WOW! Do I have a lot of catching up to do! My computer and I haven't gotten along very well these past few weeks, but now we've arrived at a temporary truce (how long depends on the user).

Much has happened since last we spoke. On April 28, 4 of our women presented a pre-school program for kids and their parents at Riverview School in Manitowoc (WI). Our mouths kept opening wider as we watched this huge stream of people wandering into the gymnasium and sitting on the floor! Our guesstimate is about 250 bodies filled the gym. The program went exceedingly well, even though one of our readers had bronchitis. Some of the stories presented were LILY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE by Kevin Henkes and MORTIMER! by Robert Munsch. What was amazing was watching the audience! The kids reactions and expressions were mirrored exactly by the parents they were sitting with! I guess storytelling isn't just for kids any more!

On May 15, Jim Miller directed a program using 5 different readers at the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers (WI). Our volunteer readers list is certainly growing. As usual, the program went very well. We'll look forward to both Jim and his wife Suzie directing again next year.

The next day, Sunday, April 16, our group entertained for a mother-daughter banquet at Grace Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. 4 different readers, plus 1 from yesterday, read for this group.
It is constantly exhilarating to sit on the sidelines and watch the audiences' faces and reactions. This is what makes our dedication to this activity so worthwhile. When we did NOSES ARE FOR ROSES by Phoebe Wilson Hoss, it was fascinating to watch various parts of the kids' bodies move in conjunction with the words. I guess that's why we have so many volunteers; everybody has so much fun doing this, they want to do it again.........or want to sign up.

Well, our programs at the Two Rivers Library are on hiatus for June and July, but we'll be back on August 21 at 11:00 a.m. for a CIRCUS DAYS! program. Then our regular 3rd Saturday morning at the library will continue until next June.

I may check in with additional news during that time, but just in case, have a wonderful summer!

Happy Reading! Sally Semmes

THE HATRACK STORYTELLERS, INC. is a legally licensed trademark (TM).
It is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible

2010-05-02T19:39:00.000-07:00

2010-05-02T19:23:00.000-07:00

HI! or I should say WOW!

Our pre-school program last Thursday night at Riverview School for pre-schoolers and parents elicited this response from all of us: " WOW" The audience just kept piling into the gymnasium and filled the whole gym! And they were the best audience! Wonderful facial reactions from both parents and kids!. We got started late because the people just kept piling in. Our thanks to Linda, Val, Lynn, and Pam for doing such a great job.

This is a quiet week for us, with rehearsals beginning at the end of the week for the next two programs: Jim Miller's program at the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers, and a mother-daughter banquet directed by me for the Grace Lutheran Church' the next day.

I really apologize to our large group of readers. Every now and then, someone will ask me, "Why haven't you called me to read?" It's not because we don't need you; it's because we use only about 4 or 5 readers per program, and with the number of readers we have, it takes a long time to fit everyone in. Please be patient. You aren't forgotten and will eventually be called again!

Happy Mother's Day to all of us gals!

\

Sally Semmes

2010-04-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

HI!

Well, this week we are booked at Riverview School in Manitowoc, WI to do a program for ages 4-6, plus parents with siblings in tow. We always look forward to doing programs for this age because these particular kids are so honest in their reactions. We have a wealth of material for this group and we hope we've chosen stories that they will like. It's a real challenge to sift through all the good books and pick the right stories. But some selections by Kevin Henkes, Russel Hoban, and Robert Munsch hopefully will do the trick!

The readers this Thursday are Pamela Ford, Linda Gratz, Valerie Kriewald, and Lynn Neuser. We laugh so much in rehearsals and we hope this frivolity will transfer to our performance!

It is going to be MAY this week! Life just goes too fast!

Jim Miller's program at the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers is our next upcoming public event. More about that later.

Hope you're having a happy day!

Sally Semmes

2010-04-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

2010-04-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

April 18, 2010

Well, we just had the best Birthday Party program yesterday! The most delightful group of kids, with parents, came and celebrated our first year of programs back at the Lester Public Library in Two Rivers, WI.

The stories we interpreted included BEAR'S SURPRISE PARTY, by Joan Bowden; THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS, by Thomas McGrath; MOIRA'S BIRTHDAY, by Robert Munsch; SOMEONE, by John Ciardi; and A BIRTHDAY IS A MAGIC DAY, by Dean Walley. The readers who made these stories come alive need special thanks: DAMON CATTANI, DIANE HANSEN (who also directed), PHIL KINZEL, CLARAN LAVIOLETTE, and MARY MELLBERG.

And extra thanks go to TERRI EHLE and her staff for providing delicious cupcakes and colorful balloons to make our party special! Without their support, we wouldn't be able to share the joy of reading with kids! Hopefully, I'll have some pictures of this program to post on this blog.

Next month, our program will be directed by Jim Miller. Keep tuned in for further updates.

Wishing you a marvelous spring........YEAH.......the blossoms are finally poking their heads out here in northeastern Wisconsin!

Sally Semmes

2010-04-06T16:24:00.000-07:00

HI!

That's how we begin every program of The Hatrack Storytellers (TM), now of Manitowoc County. We are excited to see every one of you at each program.

You don't know about Hatrack? Well, we've been in existence since 1967 and have traveled all over Wisconsin and as far away as London, England! Four or more readers share a story aloud for various ages, sometimes wearing goofy hats if the story calls for it. We do our best to provide a positive experience to each person who attends.

THIS MONTH:

SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 11:00 A.M.

Lester Public Library, T.R.

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY PROGRAM!

Our readers this month will be:
Damon Ryan Cattani
Diane Hansen
Mary Mellberg
and new readers: Phil Kinzel
Claran LaViolette

Program directed by Diane Hansen and Sally Semmes

The library and Hatrack have planned plenty of surprises for those who attend.

Now who doesn't enjoy going to a birthday party? And you're not supposed to bring presents!
How's that for a deal!

Hope to see you on the 17th

Sally Semmes, President

2010-02-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

Hatrack Storytellers will celebrate its 44th birthday this March.

Feb. 20th program

2010-02-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

Come hear the Hatrack Storytellers!

Saturday, February 20th, 11:00 A.M.

Joseph Mann Public Library in Two Rivers

Theme: Funny Families!

Andrew and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

Pierre by Maurice Sendak
Good Night Andrew, Good Night Craig by Judith Viorst
Selected poems by Shel Silverstein

Readers: Maddie Hansen, Rick Oswald, Kathy Palmer

Director: Bev Denor

Hatrack Storytellers founder and coordinator: Sally Semmes