Welcome aboard the Story Ark! This week, Captain Kenny Mears navigates the currents of influence and impression. We all encounter people who leave their mark, for better or worse, and today's storyteller, Jeff Driggs, shares a humorous and insightful true story about a particularly memorable sixth-grade teacher, Mrs. Morris.

Join Jeff, President of the Utah Storytelling Guild, as he recounts the perplexing and sometimes exasperating methods of Mrs. Morris, a first-year teacher with "crazy ideas" about student accountability. From allowing students to choose their own seats and decorate their desks (leading to the invention of "Robinson Brockmire Jr.") to her baffling approach to classroom management, Mrs. Morris certainly left an impression.

You'll hear about Jeff's youthful alter ego, "Chauncey Dudley III," his entrepreneurial "Problem Solvers Incorporated" venture, and a very bold letter he wrote to "improve" Mrs. Morris's teaching. This isn't just a funny anecdote; it's a look back at how unconventional teaching can shape a young mind and how even perceived "terrible" teachers can leave a lasting, positive impact.

Visit the Utah Storytelling Guild at www.utahstorytellingguild.website

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What teachers left a lasting impression on your life? Share your stories with us!

Ahoy, story lovers! Captain Kenny Mears welcomes you aboard the Story Ark for a journey into the ever-evolving world of folklore. This episode features the enchanting voice of Lora Schmidt, a seasoned storyteller with over 30 years of experience, as she shares her delightful British rendition of the classic tale, "Mollie Whuppie."

Join us as Lora weaves a spellbinding tale of a clever young girl named Mollie Whuppie who, along with her sisters, is abandoned in the woods. Their journey leads them to the home of a formidable giant and his equally imposing wife. Listen in to discover how Mollie's bravery and quick wit help her outsmart the giant not once, but three times, ultimately leading to a surprising reward from the king himself.

Lora shares her own inspiring journey into storytelling, sparked by a memorable experience at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. Learn about her passion for old folk and fairy tales and her fascination with the universal nature of these stories, each told with its own cultural flavor.

Tune in for a captivating episode filled with suspense, cleverness, and the enduring magic of storytelling.

Contact Lora via email at storyweave@earthlink.net

Check out Lora's profile with Now Playing Utah at https://nowplayingutah.com/artist/lora-schmidt/

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The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more information, be sure to check out our website: https://foodforthoughtaudio.com/

On this special Memorial Day episode of The Story Ark, Captain Kenny Mears invites listeners on a poignant voyage into family history and wartime sacrifice. Guest storyteller Wayne Kartchner shares the remarkable and heartbreaking story of his Uncle Yelmer, a young Navy tail gunner during World War II.

At just 17, Yelmer and his brother Irvin joined the Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor. While Irvin served as a cook on a battleship, Yelmer was assigned to patrol the West Coast in a PV-1 bomber. During a top-secret training mission in December 1943, Yelmer’s plane crashed in the remote forests of Vancouver Island. Stranded in the Canadian winter, Yelmer and his surviving crewmates fought for survival. Wayne recounts how Yelmer’s courage and compassion shone through as he cared for his fellow airmen, ultimately watching each succumb to the elements before he set out alone in a final act of hope and duty.

Though the wreckage was eventually found, Yelmer’s fate remains a mystery—his body was never recovered. Wayne’s moving tribute honors not only his uncle’s sacrifice but also the enduring bonds of family and memory.

Join us as we reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day through a story of heroism, loss, and the search for closure. Listen, remember, and honor with The Story Ark.

For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

Subscribe to The Story Ark for more unforgettable tales, and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for updates and bonus content.

The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more information, be sure to check out our website: https://foodforthoughtaudio.com/