Telling the stories of Renton

Renton is reclaiming it's historical roots and passing the stories onto the children of our community. Today at Hazelwood Elementary, storyteller Roger Fernandes helped the the third, fourth and fifth grade students who are studying a "story path" in school about Native American Indians indigenous to the area, to glimpse the life of the Coast Salish Indians through interactive story and drum.

Roger Fernandes, who is a member of the Klallum tribe, is well versed in the legend and lore of the first people of this land we call Renton. These were not the tribes of totem poles and masks, which are to be found miles north of here, but the peoples of the Duwammish. Roger was part of program sponsored by the Renton History Museum, 4Culture, Sam's Club and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe to help school children understand the local native culture. Fourth grade teacher Lynn Maybee shared that last year when trying to help the children fulfill the CBS (classroom based assessment) curriculum and answer the question of "How did the environment effect the lifestyle, tradition and beliefs of the Native Indians?", there were obvious gaps in the school materials. This year, through the introduction of this new program, a greater depth of understanding and appreciation of the subject had been achieved.

Stories impart not only the feel of a people, but share morals and messages. Roger is a master of the art.

There is always more than one way to teach - and getting your audience on their feet helps engage them at all levels.

If you are a teacher or interested parent, please feel free to call the museum and see if this program could be applicable to your kid's school. The Renton History Museum is a little, local gem that never gets the full attention it deserves, as far as I am concerned. Letting kids get involved with culture leaves its helpful mark on their young psyches for years to come.

Valentine's Day Party for museum volunteers

If you are looking for a great outlet for your volunteer time, the Renton History Museum is a great place to donate. Greeters, docents and other positions are available. It is both a great opportunity to share what you know and to become a part of a huge local learning curve - all at the same time. They really treat you well.


Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057
425.255.2330

Holiday Stories - come listen and remember

Ballads and tales of the great Hans Christian Andersen will be told by Alan Hirsch tomorrow at 11 am at a free program at the Renton History Museum. Allan told the story of toys to a rapt audience last year - so this is not the same program as before, so make sure to come hear him perform such classics as The Tinder Box, Five Peas in a Pod, The Wild Swans and more.


Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057

Come hear a story...

Harvest Moon is a weaver of both tales and baskets. These two loves of hers become intertwined as she regales audiences with traditional Coastal Salish lore and transports her listeners into "Basket World." This shared wisdom comes from years of harvesting great skills and having heard Harvest Moon last year, The Picaroon can attest to her storytelling (and the baskets were amazing as well).

Come listen to be both educated and entertained at the Renton History Museum for this free speaker event tomorrow, Tuesday November 10th at 5:00pm. This is event is for high school through adult.

Renton History Museum
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA 98057

When did you last hear a good Ghost Story?

Today is the day that the thin boundary between the living and those that have passed over can be crossed. The day we call Halloween in Celtic tradition was a far more frightening day to the average Joe and Harriet of old. Come join storyteller Naomi Baltuk and her apprentice daughter, Bea, to hearing haunting scary tales.

Witches and ghosts and general horrific mayhem - not for the weak or faint of heart! (but FREE!) Come in costume - if you dare!

Renton History Museum

TODAY at 11 am
235 Mill Ave. South
Renton, WA

Storytime and squirrels

Storytime at the Renton Public Library is on - and Mira Schlegel is proudly sporting her storytime badge today. Ms. Lynar reported on this library happening over at her blog right here, and I just was loving the synchronicity of the squirrel theme over here at The Picaroon. Today's stories centered around this furry creature, much to all the kids delight and of course, to mine.

This squirrel visited my window ledge (the window that was open and without a screen, mind you) just this week. The ceramic squirrel was a gift because of the antics I got up to this past March with yet another squirrel.....

as seen here. Fall and it's attendant silliness is most certainly here folks. Make way for the bluster which is Autumn.

A Toy Story

What would Christmas be without toys? Even adults need to have some special toys every now and again. Alan Hirsch,storyteller,researcher and collector of toys, gave a hands on presentation about the history of toys today at the Renton Historical Museum, the last of the programs, alas, until the new year. If you thought this was for just the kids, you were dead wrong. Many of the items that Alan showed had a past of up to 2,ooo years and some began as tools or weapons and then somehow evolved into harmless playthings that most of us would recognize today. I mean, did you know that before a man named Duncan introduced the "Yo Yo" to the American market in the 20's, it was called a "bandaleros" in Greece, and used to stealthily bonk the head of a passing enemy while you sat overhead,hidden, in a tree?

Everyone who came was touched by the beautiful creativity and simplicity of a time when we had to make our own "cartoons" (the toys that animatedly move when you move a stick or twirl a ball), or could play an innocent trick (the exploding outhouse that uses a mouse trap) or just marvel at human ingenuity (Jacob's Ladder that little Meera is playing with in the picture above). My mother whispered to me several times that she recognized many of the toys as ones she had played with back in the late 30's, when she was young. The joy of toys spans generations.For just that hour, we were all satisfied with such handmade entertainment and wondered were such toys could be found yet again.

Roger Fernandes-Storyteller Extraordinaire

On November 11, the "guru" of the Coast Salish Culture came to speak of the power and history of story and myth to a crowd of avid listeners this past Nov.11 at the Renton Historical Museum. Roger is a consultant for the museum, as well as at the Burke Museum and currently has artwork displayed downtown at the Seattle Art Museum where are a Salish exhibit is being featured.

For me, this was my third lucky charms time to hear Roger speak - and the stories just get better each time, as does his expressive way of helping to explain the role of both story and it's teller in society." A myth is a big story that answers big questions - like, "Where do people come from?", Roger explained before relating a version of the creation myth as told in many similar forms by nearby local tribes like the Snoqualmie (whose name means people of the moon) or the Duwammish (the people of the inside).

If you ever have the chance to go hear him - just do, and ask him about, oh Starbaby, or better yet, the story about why dogs check out other dogs butts - that's a good one!

(PS-last chance for stories at the museum-Sat.,Dec.13th at 11 am The Real Toy Story with Allan Hirsch-always draws a crowd!)

Harvest Moon

There IS a theme here - I know you see it - you catch on fast, you Picaroons. Harvest Moon, an Ambassador of Coast Salish Culture, enthralled us all with her infectious smile and captivating storytelling today at the Renton Historical Museum. After 22 years of perfecting her craft, this member of the Quinault tribe shared personal stories (her brother's childhood name was "poopsie") and tribal legends (the "Why It Rains So Much Here" is popular with travelers to the Rain Forest who complain when it's too wet for them). Wearing a beautiful, handwoven storyteller's hat and shaking her talking stick for effect, Harvest Moon imparted knowledge of local tribal lore and made us all laugh more than a few times.

Harvest Moon was named after the time of year she was born and the lunar cycle. She reminded us that while cedar bark is very important for the intricate weaving she does, and is represented in red on the button blankets worn (also representing salmon, another vital for tribal life),but that cedar is actually,well, rather nasty tasting, so that is Not what is used for smoking salmon or for cooking vessels. She also taught us some vital jargon - nikki tikki tum tum - means "may I have something to eat?" and is best accompanied by a rubbing and patting of the stomach area. Who doesn't need to know that, I ask you?

Harvest Moon is currently working on a CD,yet to be released, entitled"Wisdom Weaving Songs and Legends. She is currently in the LongHouse at the Historical Museum in Tacoma until the end of November on Thursdays and Fridays, 10-12:30 and on one Saturday, November 22. The Renton Historical Museum, through the auspices of the Humanities Inquiring Minds Program, hopes to have Harvest Moon back soon. Don't miss her - the family will ALL enjoy.