West Virginia storyteller Suzi “Mama” Whaples returned to the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge Thursday and, as billed, her performance was as “magical and unpredictable as the flight of a June bug.”

The Brundidge Historical Society hosts the annual June Buggin’ event and it is kind of like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get but whatever is it, it satisfies.

Whaples brought a mixed bag of stories, some were rib ticklin’, slice of life stories while others were straight from the heart of her Appalachian culture.

“She was insightful. She was funny and I loved the Appalachian poem that she closed with,” said Teresa Williamson. “It was a beautiful way to close a wonderfully entertaining show. It was my first time at the We Piddle Around Theater. I’d heard a lot about it and I will be back. Soon I hope.”

Rosa Tillery is no stranger to the We Piddle Around Theater or the June Buggin’ event.

“I enjoy June Buggin’ every time,” she said. “Suzi Whaples is good storyteller. She’s funny and we all like to laugh. June Buggin’ is a fun outing. The music was great. The storyteller was great and so was the food. It was just a fun way to enjoy time with friends.”

Jane Gamble gave June Buggin’ four stars – one for the music, one for the stories, one for the food and one for the atmosphere.

Pat Robinette said there’s no better way for a bunch of “girls” to get out and have a lot of laughs than to go June Buggin’ at the We Piddle Around Theater.

Whaples was a featured storyteller at the 2012 Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival and said she fell in love with the We Piddle Around Theater.

“Step inside the theater and you’re back in time,” she said. “It’s like family here. Good folks, good conversation, good time. It’s like being at home.”

Whaples said storytelling takes listeners away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

“For a while, you can forget your worries and go back to a slower, gentler time,” she said. “Stories take you to a peaceful place where the world seems right and you get the feeling that everything is going to be okay. That’s the magic of stories.”

Johnny Steed, BHS president, said storytellers like Whaples have the ability to bring laughter into the world, lift spirits and, for at least a little while, make life “the way we wish it could always be.”

“We thank Suzi “Mama” Whaples for bringing light and laughter into our lives and we hope she’ll come Piddlin’ or June buggin’ around again soon,” he said.

The next storytelling event at the We Piddle Around Theater will be the Chili Country Christmas featuring Donald Davis, the Dean of Storytelling, Dec. 5 and 6.