Navigating The World With Stories slated for Sept. 10

Posted

Photo courtesy Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation
The upcoming Navigating The World With Stories fundraiser will benefit the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation’s campaign to expand and renovate the library.

By Cindi Galabota | Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation

The Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation invites the community to Navigating The World With Stories, a fundraiser for our Mountains of Opportunity campaign to expand and renovate your Ruby Sisson Library. Mark your calendars for Sept. 10 at the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association clubhouse. Doors open at 6 p.m.

During the event, professional storyteller Kathy Santopietro will take us on an oral storytelling journey around the world. Participants will be introduced to diverse cultures and will learn about different kinds of stories set in various time periods. We are honored to have Pagosa’s very own Sally Neel entertain participants between the tales with familiar and global tunes. 

Neel has been playing piano since she was 5 years old, but found her calling when she switched to organ in high school. She took her first organist job at age 16 and has played for churches ever since. In 1986, Neel served as the organ accompanist for the Dallas Symphony Chorus and traveled to Austria and Germany to celebrate Bach’s bicentennial birthday, where she played at St. Thomas Kirche in Leipzig, Germany, where Bach himself was organist. In Pagosa, Neel was the organist and choir director for St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and the music director for Curtains Up Pagosa. She retired in 2020. Today, Neel is a member of NightSong, a trio of musicians who have played together for 12 years.

Navigating The World With Stories will take place on Sept. 10. Doors open at 6 p.m. with a cash bar and entertainment. Stories will begin at 7 p.m. Light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will follow. 

This event is for ages 16 and older. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased online at https://pagosalibrary.org/library-foundation/navigating-the-world-with-stories/ with a credit card. You may also purchase tickets at the library using cash or check. Tickets at the door on the night of the event will be $45.

Though this event is for adults, Ms. Josie has planned two separate, free storytelling programs at the Ruby Sisson Library, running concurrently, on Sept. 10 from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Santopietro will offer a program for older kids, grades four and older, while Ms. Josie will run a program for younger children. Enjoy these programs with your children, then enjoy the evening storytelling event, starting at 6 p.m.

Proceeds from the evening event will support our Mountains of Opportunity campaign to expand and renovate your Ruby Sisson Library. To learn more, please contact Cindi Galabota at (970) 264-2209 or cindi@pagosalibrary.org. We hope to see you on Sept. 10.