I went to Eldon’s 40th Turkey Fest with a microphone and a sentence I wasn’t quite sure how to say.
“Hi, I’m Tony. I’m a local storyteller.”
That sounds fine until you’re standing in front of a stranger, trying to explain what you mean by trading stories. A few people gave me a look. A few said no, and that was all right. Then somebody would stop, remember something, and the festival around us would fall away for a minute.
My dad was there. He cooked turkey legs at the first Turkey Fest and could still point to the place where they set up. I ran into Ray, who coached me in soccer. I saw friends I wish I’d remembered to photograph. And when I started thinking I might chicken out, my family kept me going.
Somewhere between the parade and those conversations, I remembered why I’m drawn to stories about a place. People carry its history around with them. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
In the Along the Way video above, I take you through the festival and tell you the story I brought home. It’s a little over two minutes.
Next week in Coffman’s Landing
Were you ever the new kid? Mitchell Haywood is new to the school, and Dudley Floyd is the only familiar face he has there. The week opens in a dodgeball game, then takes us back to see how Mitchell got to that moment. On Friday, we return to the gym.
Monday — Haywood: For the first time, the kids in the gym call Mitchell by his name.
Tuesday — The New Kid: An unfamiliar bus and school, with Dudley showing Mitchell where to go.
Wednesday — Everybody Knows Everybody: Mitchell begins to learn the stories people carry through Coffman’s Landing.
Thursday — Almost One of Us: He knows the routines now. That isn’t quite the same as feeling he belongs.
Friday — Come On, Haywood: The story returns to the gym and the mistake Mitchell has to face.
The public episodes arrive one each weekday. Paid readers can hear the entire five-part story now, in order.
If you’d like to hear Mitchell’s whole week tonight, become a paid member of The Coffman Chronicle. You’ll get all five episodes together now and a new week of stories ahead of the weekday release. Your membership helps me keep writing and recording them.
If you were at Turkey Fest, or have a memory of one from years ago, hit reply and tell me. I’d love to hear your story.
Stay free,
Tony
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