June Buggin’ offers tall tales

Published 10:50 pm Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge is a mecca for folk life presentations and its annual June Buggin’ storytelling concerts are as unpredictable and magical as the flight of a June bug.

Those who come to the summer story shows are treated to a mixed bag of smiles, sighs and salty tears. “Footprint on the Sky: Memories of a Chandler Mountain Spring,” will be no exception.

Bonnets, bow-tie quilts, poke salad, tomato stakes, the recipe for Scripture Cake and an old-fashioned cure for the hiccups will be part of the funny and touching portrait of an Alabama mountain community that award-winning storyteller Dolores Hydock will paint at the annual June Buggin’ Ladies Luncheon on June 21.

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Hydock, a Pennsylvania native, will present the story of how the mountain people of North Alabama made their way so deeply into her heart that she couldn’t cut the heartstrings to go home.

“We are excited to bring Dolores Hydock to the We Piddle Around Theater,” said Annette Bryan, a member of the storytelling committee. “She is a perfect choice for our ladies’ luncheon. She brings the spirit and voices of the Alabama mountain people to life.”

“Footprint on the Sky” is the story of strong women, Southern hospitality and the generous spirit of a close-knit community – a community that welcomed a young “Yankee” woman, first, with curiosity and then with open arms, Bryan said.

Hydock’s work has been featured at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn., and other major festival and concerts throughout the country.

Her eight CDs of original stories have all received awards for excellence in storytelling.

Hydock is originally from Reading, Penn., home of the Reading Railroad and Luden’s Cough Drops, but has lived in Birmingham since 1974.

June Buggin’ with Dolores Hydock will be at 11:30 Thursday, June 21 at the We Piddle Around Theater in downtown Brundidge.

Tickets for “Footprint on the Sky” are $15 and include pre-show music, a luncheon and the storytelling concert. For tickets call (334) 735-3125.