Saturday, January 8, 2011

The Agnes Flood Anniversary Project

The 40th Anniversary of The Agnes Flood is approaching. I am supporting The Agnes Flood Anniversary Project. They have a FaceBook Page. I think it is a worthy and very important project. It carves a very distinct link between Photography and Storytelling, and not just in the obvious Journalistic sense.

Please check out the page on FaceBook at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/agnes72

The Agnes Flood of 1972 remains one of the worst Natural Disasters to have ever struck the United States, and was described in 1972 was THE WORST NATURAL DISASTER to have ever struck the U.S. Wilkes-Barre, PA is my Hometown and Kingston [just across the Susquehanna River] is where I was living at the time. Kingston was my Father's hometown. Kingston and Wilkes-Barre bore the brunt of this tragedy. But the outstanding Community Spirit and the way in which the people of The Wyoming Valley handled this devastation is what earned them it's name of "The Valley with a Heart".

My Arts Page

I have set up a special 'Arts Page' on FaceBook. I'm not a techie, but I am trying...LOL!
Here is the link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Daria-Marie-Walsh-Narrative-and-Visual-Art/123120704392231

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Newspaper Article


December 1, 2010

Storytellers are real-life helpers of community
Service organizations benefit from two people who can spin a good tale.
SARA POKORNY spokorny@timesleader.com


A Wilkes-Barre native and her English-born husband are using words, as well as their Thanksgiving holiday, to lift the spirits of local people.



click image to enlargeStoryteller Daria Walsh and writer Paul Tubb are doing more than entertaining. They are also doing good for the community.

DON CAREY/THE TIMES LEADER

Select images available for purchase in the
Times Leader Photo StoreDaria M. Walsh and Paul H. Tubb are in the area visiting relatives, on vacation from their home in Ireland. The couple, deeply involved in the arts, are using their time to bring their creativity to some local organizations and help raise money and awareness.

Walsh, 42 and a photographer, has delved into the art of traditional Irish storytelling this past year. She performs with an Irish group called Milk and Cookies Stories.

On Sunday, Walsh used her storytelling talents to raise money for the St. Vincent DePaul Kitchen in Wilkes-Barre. She based her show on the concept “A Story for my Supper,” which draws inspiration from the Irish poets, bards and storytellers who often bartered with locals for supper and shelter in exchange for a storytelling session.

Later this week, Walsh will tell stories to women at Ruth’s Place, in Wilkes-Barre, as well as speak to a group of artists with Down syndrome, Verve Vertu, at Arts YOUniverse.

Walsh enjoys the conversational style of Irish storytelling, as well as the tradition and creativity that come along with it.

“I incorporate a lot of the mythology and folklore into my stories,” she said, “but what I’m working with right now are all originals of mine.”

Tubb, 37, also has a way with words, but his are of the written variety. An IT contractor, he began writing silly children’s poems and limericks in 2004, shortly after Walsh suffered a miscarriage.

“I think it was a therapeutic thing for me to do in such a rough time,” he said.

Tubb’s therapy has sprung into a children’s book full of nonsense poems and limericks. The subjects range from soccer (or football, as it’s called in England) to a library plagued by rain and a Scottish man with English teeth.

Tubb will perform poems from the book, titled “Please Do Not Encourage This Nonsense By Purchasing This Book,” at the Barnes & Noble in the Arena Hub Plaza tonight and Saturday. The book is not only written by Tubb, but also self-published and self-illustrated.

Tubb has always loved rhymes and feels he was most inspired by humorous literature throughout his life.

“I’ve always loved making people laugh,” he said, “and I always find it enjoyable to read to children.” The combination of the two is what has driven him to not only write for children, but also to help organizations dedicated to them.

He likes to send a message to kids through all the silliness.

“It’s about importance of just being yourself, just being who you are,” he said. “If you are a little offbeat, be a little offbeat, it’s okay.”

The couple met while Walsh was on a working holiday as a photographer in 2002. Tubb was best friends with one of her housemates, and the two instantly clicked. Walsh decided to move to Ireland with Tubb, and they were married in 2004.

In addition to the many charities they contribute to, they have taken part in Children’s Book Festival Ireland, an event that runs in conjunction with all of the libraries across Ireland.
http://www.timesleader.com/news/Storytellers_are_real-life_helpers_of_community_12-01-2010.html?searchterm=daria+walsh
WELCOME!
Welcome to my Blog, Aurora Rua. I am so happy you dropped by to visit today. This is my first blog and I hope to make my postings a fairly regular event. Do drop by again and visit!