Kitchen Table gatherers from left: Tina Falasco, Andy Hall, Ben Wetherill, Terry Guen, Iris Ramirez, Tim Straub and Marie Sutherland

Six folks gathered around The Kitchen Table to share a story on The Lakeside Theater’s stage on July 6. The evening’s theme was “How did I get here?” and the sixty audience members absorbed the entertaining answers.

The storytellers attended multiple workshops for the purpose of crafting their stories. These workshops entailed feedback and practice and getting to know one another better. Stories need to show more than to tell. Imagery is key. Listeners must be drawn into a story and have a stake in its outcome. The aim is to land the finish and leave the listener with a lump in their throat and the hairs standing on their neck. This evening’s roster succeeded at doing just that.

Iris Ramirez billed herself as a chef who cooks “recipes for disaster” (also the name of her podcast), sharing a story about her first semester in college.

Andy Hall relayed the event that has left her with PTSD and why she chooses to no longer drive at night. There is a happy ending, but not for the moose.

Ben Wetherill recounted his experiences gaining the tools necessary for getting from Point A to Point G and how he uses Jesus as his GPS.

Tina Marie Falasco approached the theme in a more metaphysical manner. Even given enough emotional breadcrumbs marking the path taken, we still may struggle finding our way back to the present.

Terry Guen returned to her ancestors to remind herself of how she is who she is. We don’t know we’re in a story until the story is being told.

And Marie Sutherland, in her third visit to The Kitchen Table, unraveled how she eventually came to call Rangeley home after first visiting the State Park at the age of 10. Don’t underestimate the tug of a young girl’s dream and the love you find when you’re awake.

To view this and every other performance go to https://www.youtube.com/@tstraubster and search The Kitchen Table.

The next Kitchen Table is scheduled for August 17, with a set of new storytellers slated to tell their tales. Please contact Timmy Straub if you have any interest in sharing a story. Email him at tstraubster@gmail.com and he’ll promptly get back to you a week later. Otherwise, every story needs a listener so come on by and sit with us at the table.