Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Amy's Extraordinary Alabama: Ghost Stories

By Amy

I think the gift of story telling is a dying art. A few years ago our local arts council brought story teller Kathryn Tucker Windham to our city for one of the presentations. She was amazing.

Windham was born in 1918 and is best known for her book 13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey. While most might know her from her stories about ghosts and her very own ghost Jeffrey, she is a multi-talented southern lady. She has written books on Alabama life as well as recipe books. Not only is she an author she worked as a journalist for many years in various parts of the state. She was one of the first female daily reporters in Alabama. Her photography has also been shown in traveling exhibitions around the state. Along with all those accomplishments her stories and commentaries have been heard on Alabama Public Radio as well as National Public Radio.

Below you can see a video from YouTube of Ms. Windham talking about the Alabama ghost stories she has collected over the years.





You can also listen other videos of her here.

I'm not sure if Ms. Windham is still traveling and doing performances like the one I saw a few years back, but if you ever have the chance to see her you should. She's definitely a wonderful part of Alabama.

4 comments:

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Ms. Windham is an idol if mine. I would follow that woman, as some would follow the grateful dead. She has a gift for story telling that anyone can appreciate. Personally I find myself hanging onto her everyword.

30th Annual Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival - Selma — October 9& 10

Hear ghost stories and more from master storyteller Kathryn Tucker Windham at the Alabama Tale Tellin’ Festival. Windham has published more than 20 books and has delighted audiences for years with her ghost stories and folk remedies. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. For more information call 1.800.457.3562 or taletellin@yahoo.com, http://www.taletellin.selmaalabama.com/.


as well as

Southern Ghosts and Southern Gardens

An Evening with Kathryn Tucker Windham and Dolores Hydock

Tuesday, October 20

6-8 p.m.

$15

Close your eyes and imagine sitting on the porch with cool shadows creeping over the garden, resting after a long, hot summer. Fireflies are long gone, signaling the end of summer — instead replaced with the smell of fallen leaves and campfire-smoke. For many in Alabama, autumn conjures up memories of ghost tales, pumpkin-carving and old-fashioned story-telling shared around a crackling fire. Join us at dusk on the front porch with storytellers Kathryn Tucker Windham and Dolores Hydock for an evening guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a chill down your spine.



I'll be at both with my listening ears on......LOVE LOVE LOVE KTW!

Jennie said...

I love Kathryn Tucker Windham.

I remember checking out all of her ghost story books from the school library as a child!

Not only is Ms. Windham a fabulous story-teller, she has a very interesting life story of her own!

Robin said...

I love Ms. Windham! I remember as a child pouring over every single page of each book. I could not wait to see what new book would come next.

Thank you so much for bringing back this wonderful memory for me!! I think I will head to the bookstore this weekend and let my kids begin the journey for themselves.

Robin :o)
http://alabamaslackermama.blogspot.com/

largehearted boy said...

Kathryn Tucker Windham is a national treasure. I have seen her speak on numerous occasions, and she always fascinates the young , old, and everyone in between with her storytelling. Plus, she is a very talented photographer.

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