Storytellers of Barberville

Backintyme presents storytelling and music from the 19th century.  Frank plays the banjo in the classical style of the time and Mary Lee “rattles the bones.” History will come alive as you hear stories from the pages of history.  Enjoy the popular songs, gospel tunes or gentle love ballads of the nineteenth century.  You might know some of them!  We hope you will sing along with us!

Walt Belcher, after 35 years as a reporter/columnist for The Tampa Tribune, Walt Belcher is telling stories instead of covering them for a newspaper.  He hosts a monthly story swap in Safety Harbor and is on the board of directors of The Florida Storyteller Association, and The Suncoast Storytellers, Inc.  He has told at the annual Florida Storytelling Festival for the past five years.

Joanna Demarest has been a professional storyteller for over 20 years performing across the US.  She has been the Resident Storyteller at Barberville since 2019 bringing the sensational stories of Lucretia Byrd Underhill’s life on the Florida frontier to the patrons of the museum.

Charlie Cracker is a songwriter, musician, artist, storyteller and cook Charlie Cracker is a fifth generation Floridian. He shares his unique blend of Cracker wisdom through his music, art, storytelling and various historical demonstrations 

​Glenda Ellis is known as the Tales of Crooked Creek Storyteller.  She is a retired educator who has found great joy and passion in writing and sharing stories for listeners of all ages …. young or old!

Peter Giachetti believes well told stories have changed the world and continue to do so.  He pushes the envelope using a unique selection of literary stories with a twist from personal experience.  Telling his stories in the first person, they often end with an unexpected surprise.

Fred Fenwick was born in Queens, NY many, many years ago, spent some time in the Marine Corps band and landed in Kissimmee 60 years ago.  Recently, he discovered that his ability to tell long involved jokes could be put to use through storytelling.  He has honed a number of personal narratives and delights audiences with trips through his life.

Chris Kastle is an award-winning storyteller, poet and musician offering insight into a lifetime of adventure.  She will be a featured teller at the Florida Storytelling Festival January 25-28, 2024 in Mt. Dora.

Louise O'Leary is a storyteller, writer, and narrator and she has been telling stories in schools, libraries, at art festivals and museums for almost 15 years.

Janeane Reagan is a retired clinical psychologist and college instructor.  She has written several books, both fiction and nonfiction as well as short stories.  She started developing her storytelling skills after she retired using some of her short stories and reworking popular folk tales, giving them a more contemporary twist.

Carol Longo, Storytelling was part of Carol’s work as a children’s librarian at a public library on Long Island, NY.  Upon ‘retiring’ from the library to raise her two children she began telling stories in schools, libraries, senior centers, and family gatherings.  Forty years and over 60 stories later she is happy to begin a second storytelling career in Florida.

Winston Moore is an Oklahoma native whose travels have taken him far.  Though he has many personal stories to share, he specializes in the recitation of poetry, especially that of Robert Service.  He is a long-standing member of both the Ocali Storytelling Guild in Ocala and the Sandcastle Storytellers of DeLand.

Tellem Tall weaves erratically through the minds of a 7th-grade science teacher, a lost pirate, a kid growing up in 1960s Florida, a handyman MacGyver-ing his way through life's mechanical puzzles, and even a 19th century camp cook.  

Look out, folks, this is as true as it gets.

Bill Brennan Psychotherapist, Trauma Specialist and Certified Addiction Professional, has experienced the healing power of storytelling personally and professionally for 36 years.  A Florida resident for 32 years, originally from New York City, Bill enjoys exploring the inner and the outer world with his imagination and his Black Labrador Retriever.

Backintyme  presents storytelling and music from the 19th century.  Frank plays the banjo in the classical style of the time and Mary Lee “rattles the bones.” History will come alive as you hear stories from the pages of history.  Enjoy the popular songs, gospel tunes or gentle love ballads of the nineteenth century.  You might know some of them!  We hope you will sing along with us!