As I was walking to the Acoustic Coffeehouse, located on 415 W. Walnut Street, it was really starting to feel like autumn.
There was a beautiful sunset and only a slight hint of cold in the air. After getting myself some beer, I went next door and settled at a table.
There were not many people around at first, but they were treated to a performance from Dr. Joseph Sobol on a cittern, which is a traditional stringed instrument.
When it was finally time to get started, Sobol gave a brief introduction, expressing thanks to the managers of the coffeehouse for providing a venue for the performing ambassadors for ETSU.
Many other performers have also shared their gratitude for the unique cultural center that this coffee and beer café has become.
With the sun disappearing out the broad front window, Sobol began his performance of Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Not Taken,” conjuring up memories of hiking through woods covered with dying leaves.
He then introduced Marjorie Shafer, who told a wonderful story about her grandmother’s participation in World War II.
It was an excellent mix of optimism, sadness and feminine empowerment, all seen through the eyes of a little girl. Her story began to outline the autumn theme not just as a season but as the final stage of a long life well spent.
Next up was David Claunch. He didn’t really need to, but Claunch casually mentioned that he was a clown.
Looking at the man on the stage in plain clothes, I knew he didn’t mean it in the same sense that I usually hear the term.
He might have even been trying to downplay his hair, but it was a dead giveaway. He told a story of a travelling carnival man with a trained pig.
Also, illustrative jokes were included to help us get to know the character he was talking about.
His story was lighthearted, and along with Shafer’s tale, began to outline typical Americana culture.
Our culture is not very old, but what we lack in generations, we make up for in multiculturalism. The next stories reminded me that Americans share a unique history because of our roots in other countries.
Valerie Menard researched stories from her ancestral Belgium, and gave an excellent performance of a traditional story. While some details of the story would be quite hard for modern Americans to identify with, the themes came through strong.
Menard recounted a story of a young girl who had an unusual but sincere friendship with a giant. He was a slave and wrongly condemned to death.
Everyone knew he was innocent, but were too principled to give him amnesty until his young friend launched a desperate plan to save him.
It was a touching story, applicable to anyone who has ever tried to stand up to opposition for a good cause.
Many of us can remember stories similar to Delanna Reed’s, because of the cheerful character running into supernatural forces in the spooky woods.
Her performance included a spirited imitation of her antagonist.
After her turn, I was quite pleased to hear that the ETSU storytelling program will have a performance of scary stories on Oct. 30.
Sobol wrapped the show up with a W.B Yeats poem and how it reminds him of his aging but animated father.
The entire evening was very pleasant and entertaining. No matter why you are here in eastern Tennessee, take advantage of the unique storytelling culture here and take in one of the upcoming performances.
I am excited about the scary stories and a Nov. 18 celebration of storytelling, both to be performed at the Acoustic Coffeehouse.

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