*12/23/16 Special Holiday Program

This coming Friday, the final Friday Rotary meeting of 2016, a program in tribute to the holiday season will be presented. Christmas StoryTeller, Russ Burleigh, will be joined by Kathy Grammer as they sing, talk and play piano in a program they’re calling “The Bells of Christmas.” 

Russ has been storytelling for the past 25 years. He got his start when he wrote and recorded stories about Christmas carols and traditions for the radio. That led to his developing Christmas StoryCards which are greeting cards that contain the history and origin of whatever subject was depicted on the front of the card. His cards have been sold at the Smithsonian Museum Shops and Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, at L. L. Bean, Toronto’s largest department store, Bronner’s Christmas World in Michigan and many other stores around the country. For several years, while running his printing business, he used to ship between 10,000 and 15,000 custom-designed StoryCards to a radio station in Massachusetts. 

StoryTelling began as a result of the success of the cards. Russ does these “gigs” every December from four to eight times, visiting various Rotary Clubs in the district, Kiwanis clubs, churches, retirement homes, etc. 

Friday's message is concerned with providing details about the history and origin of Christmas music that contains “bells.” You will hear about “Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” and several more, including a few surprises, not to mention a number of invitations to the members to join in on the singing.

You will definitely enjoy this program and come away feeling an extra helping of the Christmas spirit!