The Apple Seed

Kevin Kling is an accomplished playwright, actor, and storyteller. He was brought in by the Timpanogos Storytelling Institute as the opening event for the Orem city Summerfest 2017 so while he was in the area we sat down with him to feature some of his work and and be gifted with some great conversation. The live recordings featured in this episode originated from the 2017 Orem Summerfest Kickoff event. You can find recorded versions of all of those stories, along with more information on Kevin Kling and his other projects by visiting: www.kevinkling.com. Stories and segments in this episode include:

Tickled Pink (00:56)

Softball \[Live] (3:57)

Interview Segment (11:07)

Teddy Rhodes (31:21)

Demo Derby \[Live] (38:38)

Interview Segment (43:20)

The Lake \[Live] (51:14)

When opposites attract, unlikely relationships are formed despite differences. Whether it’s love between a beauty and a beast or a friendship between a large carnivore and a little herbivore, there’s common ground to be found that can allow opposites to meet in the middle. Stories and songs in this episode include:

Everyone's a Little Bit Different by Bill Harley (4:58)

A tune reminding us that our differences are something to celebrate. Learn more about Bill Harley, winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, by visiting: www.billharley.com

Sleeping Beastly by Willy Claflin (9:21)

Seemingly dissonant personalities may not be as incompatible as you may think, although one of them is elegant and graceful, and the other is messy and well, savage. In this tale recounted by Maynard Moose, you’ll find that a refined lady and a gnarly beast may not be so different after all. Maynard Moose and Willy Claflin have been traveling and working together since 1977, and you can learn more about them both by visiting: www.willyclaflin.com

Once in a Blue Moon by Dolores Hydock (22:00)

Sometimes when contrasting parties are drawn to each other their differences eventually drive them to live in different parts of the sky – like with the sun and the moon. But even when a separation has been established something always draws those opposites back together again every now and then. Learn more about Dolores Hydock, who has 10 CD's of original work, by visiting: www.storypower.org

One Path to World Peace by Kate Dudding (28:57)

Kate Dudding shows us how people with vastly different backgrounds can connect to each other by sharing their stories. Learn more about Kate Dudding, who won a Parents' Choice Approved Award for her first solo CD entitled Lighting the Way Home: Stories of Lighthouses and Their Keepers, in 2007 by visiting her website: www.katedudding.com

The Trombone Queen and the Gingerbread King by Charlotte Blake Alston (33:39)

In this story, two people in a relationship want the other person to be good at very specific things. But when the other person in the relationship demonstrates a complete ineptitude for the thing he or she is supposed to be good at what does that leave them to do? Compromise. Learn more about Charlotte Blake Alston, who plays the traditional 21 stringed instrument of Western Africa called the kora, along with several other traditional instruments, by visiting: www.charlotteblakealston.com

Two Bears by Laura Simms (42:12)

A story about an unlikely relationship between a warrior a polar bear. Learn more about Laura Simms and her collection of animal tales called Four-Legged Tales, by visiting: www.laurasimms.com

The Lion and the Mouse by Heather Forest (47:08)

A musical telling of the classic fable wherein the king of the jungle comes to acknowledge and appreciate the tiny scampering mouse. Learn more about Heather Forest, who is an author in addition to being a storyteller and a folk musician, by visiting: www.heatherforest.com

A round-up of stories, songs, and interviews pulled from episodes that aired during the week of June 11 through June 17. Weekly highlights featured in today's round-up include segments from:

Homecoming - This was an episode dedicated to the feeling of returning to a place you love as well as a place you are loved. We really enjoyed Something in There by Dolores Hydock, as did our colleague Abbie Vance, who is an associate producer of Highway 89.

Splash - There's something magical about water and the way it can impact our lives. This episode covered the flow of the largest freshwater seaway in the world, plenty of mermaid lore, and a few songs that seemed to mimic water's natural melody. In this roundup we feature our Assistant Producer, Kassie Schreiber, talking about her inspiration for the episode along with a story by Liz Weir entitled The Mermaid's Gift.

Stories in St. Louis - We had a chance to visit one of the grand old American storytelling festivals in and around St. Louis, Missouri. We wanted to satiate your storytelling appetite a bit with an hour of festival stories featuring the work of some of the tellers at the 38th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival. Donna Washington shared her story Samurai Over My Head and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

44th Annual National Storytelling Festival - We also wanted to highlight some tellers that were featured at the 2016 National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, including a piece by cowboy poet Joe Herrington and a song by Jerron Paxton called Tryin' To Make One Hundred.

We had a chance to visit one of the grand old American storytelling festivals in and around St. Louis, Missouri. We wanted to satiate your storytelling appetite a bit with an hour of festival stories featuring the work of the some of the tellers at the 38th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival. Stories in this episode include:

Jack and the Cat Girl by Tim Lowry (1:19)

A Jack tale wherein Jack saves a Cat Girl from a wicked witch. Named the 2014 "Artist of the Year" by Azalea Magazine, you can learn more about Tim Lowry by checking out www.storytellertimlowry.com

Never Kick a Slipper at the Moon by Angela Lloyd (15:51)

The story is written by Carl Sandburg and is about what not to do in Ruttabaga country. David Holt accompanied this telling on the spoons. Angela Lloyd recieved a Parents Choice Honors Award for her CD "Sandburg Out Loud". Discover more about Angela Lloyd and her work by looking at www.angelalloyd.com

Samurai Over My Head by Donna Washington (21:28)

A personal story from Donna Washington's time as a military brat living in South Korea and how her father summoned ancient samurai to keep them safe during a black out. An award winning author as well as an award winning storyteller, you can learn more about Donna Washington by visiting www.dlwstoryteller.com

Suki by Leeny Del Seamonds (32:15)

A Japanese folktale where an old couple saves a crane which later repays them for their kindness. Gideon Freudmann played the cello for this piece. Leeny Del Seamonds is the 2015 winner of the National Storytelling Network Oracle Circle of Excellence Award and you can discover more about her and her numerous awards at leenydelseamonds.com

Three Strong Women by Bobby Norfolk (45:38)

A professional wrestler finds out what he's really made of when he meets a family of exceptionally strong women. Originating from Northern St. Louis, Bobby Norfolk is a three-time Emmy Award winner and you can find out more about him and his work by checking out www.bobbynorfolk.com

There's something magical about water and the way it can impact our lives. This episode covers the flow of the largest freshwater seaway in the world, plenty of mermaid lore, and a few songs that seem to mimic water's natural melody. Hope you enjoy splashing around in the following stories and songs!

The Mermaid's Gift by Liz Weir (1:14)

Two sisters are bestowed a gift by a mermaid. One sister manages to multiply her gift while the more selfish one manages to lose it. Liz Weir discovered her passion for storytelling when she was working as the Children's Librarian in the city of Belfast. You can learn more about her by visiting www.lizweir.org

The Ballad of the Night Charley Tended Weir by Doug Elliott (6:58)

Charley has an epic night on the sea where he encounters mermaids, sea monsters, and an incredible treasure. This story was written by Ruth Moore and performed by Doug Elliott, who is also an herbalist and a basketmaker in addition to being a storyteller. You can find more from Doug Elliott by visiting dougelliott.com

Goldenheart by Jenni Cargill-Strong (13:47)

A king with a golden heart, never wants to feel sad so he hides his heart in a box and throws the key out to sea, where a mermaid discovers it. Jenni Cargill-Strong is the Principal of The Story Tree Company which you can learn more about on Jenni's website www.storytree.com.au

Dead Man's Float by Regi Carpenter (19:04)

Regi Carpenter reminisces about the ebb and flow of the St. Lawrence River and how its current shaped her life in every season. Learn more about Regi Carpenter, who's been featured on The Moth, TEDx, and Mass Mouth, by visiting regicarpenter.com

Swimming to the Other Side by Bill Harley (31:20)

A song that reminds us that no matter how we move in life, whether it be with or against the current, we're all trying to get through life’s ups and downs. Learn more about the Storytelling World Award recipient, Bill Harley, by visiting www.billharley.com

Dip Into the Water by Susan Reed (36:01)

A song that captures the lighthearted nature of water fun that usually occurs in the summer. Learn more about the award-winning folk musician, storyteller, and contemporary violinist, Susan Reed by visiting www.susanreed.com

Something in the Water \[Live] by Bil Lepp (38:40)

In this tale of a prank at boys camp ends with quite a splash. Bil Lepp has received the Parents' Choice Silver and Gold Award along with many other accolades which you can learn about at www.leppstorytelling.com

There’s nothing like that feeling of coming home and being reunited with the things you love. On this episode of The Apple Seed, we’re bringing you stories of homecomings, stories in which families are reunited, memories are rekindled, where problems are solved, and hurts are ameliorated, just by returning home, wherever that may be. Stories and songs in this episode include:

Forest Enchants King, Brother Frees King, Return by Jeff Gere (2:08)

This story is a piece of Jeff Gere's "Two Brothers: A rockin' musical storytellin'", where twin brothers come back to a kingdom after facing a witch who turns everyone into stone. Accompanied on the piano by Les Adam and the "eclectric" guitar by Vince Esquire. Learn more about Jeff Gere, the Hawaii based artist, by visiting jeffgere.com

Accentuate the Positive by Bob Reiser (12:28)

Bob's uncle comes home at the end of World War II. Bob Reiser has been the Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center and you can find out more about him by visiting www.bobtales.com

Texas (Home Again) by Allison Downey ft. John Austin (22:55)

A song about the landscape of Allison Downey's home, the Lone Star state. Allison Downey is a storyteller, writer, educator, and singer-songwriter and you can discover more of her work at allisondowney.com

Something in There by Dolores Hydock (27:00)

Home is more than a house, it's where the heart is and this story captures the love that one finds upon returning home for the holidays. Dolores Hydock has had many jobs, including a Cajun dance teacher and a blues DJ, and you can learn more about them and her storytelling work by visiting www.storypower.org

Prodigal Father by John McCutcheon (43:14)

A song that takes a different spin on the classic Prodigal Son tale. John McCutcheon is a folk singer and songwriter who has been nominated for 6 Grammy awards. Find more of his work at www.folkmusic.com

Prodigal Son by Kirk Waller (47:12)

That story from the book of Luke in the Bible in which a son, having spent his inherited fortune on riotous living, comes back home hoping to find a place as a servant in his father’s house, and instead finds the open arms of a father ready to celebrate his homecoming. Kirk Waller won the J.J. Reneaux Emerging Grant in 2010 and you can learn more about his other accomplishments by visiting www.kirkwaller.com

Whether nestled in reality or fantasy this episode contains stories that will pull the rug out from underneath you, leaving you on your back, your head, or rolling around the floor the outcome is so abrupt and unxpected. Stories in this episode include:

Emma May Met Her Match One Day by Nathalie Vachon (1:57)

Emma May changes her routine and gets to witness a magnificient parade, although not everyone else around her sees the same thing. Learn more about Nathalie Vachon, who often paints works of art to accompany her stories, by visiting www.nathalievachon.com

How Beetle Got Her Colors by Glenda Bonin (12:08)

A Brazilian take on the Tortoise and the Hare. Glenda Bonin has five CDs worth of recorded stories and you can learn more about them and Glenda by visiting www.storyworksgroup.com

Pat Divers by Len Cabral (19:58)

Pat Divers is a fixer who finds himself in a pickle when some frightening figures find him hiding in a barn. Learn more about Len Cabral, who was awarded the Circle of Excellence Oracle Award in 2001 by the National Storytelling Network, by visiting www.lencabral.com

On a Dark and Stormy Night by Mitch Weiss & Martha Hamilton (29:46)

Every time a storm rolls in a ghoulish lady with bright red lips and bright red fingernails appears at the window. Do you dare to find out what she does with those red lips and red fingernails? Mitch Weiss and his wife, Martha Hamilton, are a storytelling duo who've produced albums together and are known as Beauty and the Beast Storytellers - although they won't say who's who. Learn more about them by visiting beautyandthebeaststorytellers.com

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Syd Lieberman (34:53)

A confederate sympathizer is about to meet his doom at the end of the Civil War when something occurs before his hanging...During his lifetime Syd won the Chicago Gold Apple Award for his work as a high school English teacher. Learn more about the late Syd Lieberman by visiting www.sydlieberman.com

Sledding Punchbowl by Makia Malo (44:55)

An epic sledding adventure that surpasses reality. Makia Malo was diagnosed with Hansen's disease at a young age and wrote a book entitled My Name is Makia: A Memoir of Kalaupapa that touches on that experience. You can find the book on Amazon.

The Mexican Pet by David Holt & Bill Mooney (54:09)

Treating animals with kindness is important. Knowing what kind of animal it is your interacting with is just as important, if not more so. Learn more about David Holt by visiting www.davidholt.com

It’s often said that boys are made up of “slugs and snails and puppy dog tails” and that girls are made up of “sugar and spice and everything nice”. If those make-ups hold true in any sense, today’s stories show us how some girls have a splash of something else in their recipe as well. Toughness. An underlying current of grit that inspires them to face hard things once, four times, or months on end. And whether that hard moment means overcoming personal embarrassment or facing a giant several times, the girls in this episode demonstrate amazing perseverance and all around character, reminding us that “when the going gets tough the tough get going”. Stories included in this episode:

Tennis Camp (1:49)

Growing up Lani lived for baseball. However, on her 13th birthday she gets a tennis racket, and all of her baseball gear taken away because baseball is “unlady-like”. She gets sent to tennis camp where on the first night she has an unfortunate braces entanglement during a slow dance. Her response after the initial wave of embarrassment shows she’s not going to give up so easily. Find out more about Lani Peterson, who often leads workshops on public speaking, by checking out her website, lanipeterson.com

Molly and the Giant (14:20)

A take on the classic Molly Whuppie tale, where Molly faces a giant several times to benefit those she loves. Barbara G. Schutzgruber has received the Parents' Choice Gold Award, and you can find more of her award winning work at her website weavestory.com

The King's Ring (41:46)

After wandering for months looking for work, a starving girl finds the King’s favorite ring. The doorkeeper and the gatekeeper each ask for half of her reward, so she asks for something she doesn’t mind splitting between the two. Stephanie has studied literature and been a teacher before making storytelling her career. Learn more about Stephanie Beneteau by visiting www.stephaniebeneteau.com

There are some things we recognize on a deeper level, even an instinctual level. Whether they come from vying over the same girl or simply after drawing a line in the sand we know a rival when we see one. And though in the heat of the moment we can name all the reasons why we're justified in having this arch enemy, when we really get to know them our false perceptions can dissipate leaving us with a sense of amelioration. Stories, poems, and songs included in this episode:

High School Nemesis (1:12)

Rick had an experience with a high school enemy that taught him what it really means to be a man. Learn more about Rick Huddle by visiting www.rickhuddle.com

The Rivals (6:05)

Mitch Capel recites a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar about the classic fight over a girl. Mitch Capel, who is also known as Gran'daddy Junebug, is an expert in Paul Laurence Dunbar's work and has memorized over 70% of his work. Learn more about Mitch Capel by visiting www.gjbug.com

The Shallows of the Ford (12:05)

A poem about two cowboys who used to be friends but now stand on opposite sides of the law. Jerry Brooks lives in Sevier, Utah and you can learn more about her by visiting www.cowboypoetry.com/brooksie.htm

Western Civilization (16:43)

When Dolores Hydock and her friend encounter a teacher of Western Civilization, Mrs. Thomas, who manages to one-up everyone around her. What Dolores discovers though, is that sometimes rivals deserve the titles they proclaim. Dolores Hydock has served as the Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center and you can find out more about her by visiting www.storypower.org

Mom and the Radio (42:50)

A story and a song about potentially one of the most fought over commodities - the car radio. Bill Harley has won the Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award and you can discover more about him and his work by visiting www.billharley.com

A Field of Two Brothers (51:21)

Two brothers who once shared a field, get into an argument that causes them to stop speaking to each other and build an arbitrary dividing wall. However, their love for each other eventually overcomes that silly dispute. Learn more about Joel Ben Izzy, who often draws on his Jewish heritage when storytelling, by visiting www.storypage.com

It's been said that you can't always control what happens to you but you can control how you respond to it and in this episode characters decide to react with vengeance. Tales of wronged lovers and mistreated individuals in general, there are stories from Judith Heineman, David Holt and Bill Mooney, Michael Reno Harrell, Andy Offutt Irwin, and Richard and Judy Dockery Young. Stories and songs in this episode are:

The Juniper Tree (1:45)

An evil stepmother plots to get rid of her husband's son so that she can inherit all his money. After she carries out her plan the boy returns as a bird and reveals the truth through his song. A Brothers' Grimm tale told by Judith Heineman with musical accompaniment by Dan Marcotte. Learn more about Judith Heineman, who co-chaired the 2003 National Storytelling Conference, by visiting www.storytelling.org/heineman

The Motorcycle Gang (17:18)

A motorcycle gang bully a truckdriver at a diner. The truckdriver responds with an "eye for an eye" kind of reaction. David Holt and Bill Mooney have an album of stories together and you can learn more about them on David's website www.davidholt.com

Texas Woman (19:30)

A song about a Texas woman with a broken heart who's out to break the jaw of her former man. Learn more about the Americana musician and storyteller, Michael Reno Harrell by visiting www.michaelreno.com

Fancy (23:16)

Performed by David Holt, Henry develops an obsessive attitude towards his wife and decides to confine her so that he doesn't have to share her. That doesn't work so he decides to poison her afterwhich Fancy finds some retribution.

The Outrageous Phone Bill (33:25)

When a man tells his wife to leave the house, she leaves a little goodbye gift. Told by David Holt and accompanied by Bill Mooney, this story is from their compilation CD "Spiders in the Hairdo: Modern Urban Legends".

Generational Revenge (35:45)

Sometimes the revenge we seek backfires in unexpected ways. Recipient of the 2013 Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network, you can learn more about Andy Offutt Irwin by visiting andyirwin.com

Ghost of Vengeance (47:36)

A story from Japan about a samurai who gets rid of his wife so that he can chase after another pretty maiden. His wife, though dead, does not let him off the hook. Learn more about Richard and Judy Dockery Young, the nationally published couple, by visiting www.yawp.com