Stories of outdoor adventures to be shared
The outdoors can be a source of adventure for some, and of danger and risk for others.
And the USA TODAY Network’s Storytellers Project will bring to living rooms across America five true, firstperson stories about the outdoors as part of its virtual season, which has been drawing hundreds of thousands of views to shows streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
David Cicotello of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is among the storytellers. He will share a tragic and harrowing personal story about a hiking trip in Utah with his brother. Cicotello’s older brother, who he idolized as a child, died and Cicotello nearly lost his own life while waiting to be rescued for six days.
As America wraps up its third month of #StayatHome, the Storytellers Project will present its fifth “LIVE, In Your House” virtual storytelling show at 5 p.m. on May 28 as part of the USA TODAY Network’s work to help Americans feel connected, comforted and united during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The series launched April 2 livestreaming on Storytellers Project’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, with tens of thousands of people from across the country watching and listening.
Julia King Kohn, 27, of Phoenix, will be sharing a light-hearted story about her love for dogs and obsession with the Iditarod that at age 19 took her miles away from home to Quebec, Canada.
“This is a story about an Arizona kid who grows up wanting to be a dog musher in Alaska. So it is a story about having dreams, but it is also about plans not going as you think they will and how that is OK,” Kohn said.
Barry Karcher, who almost died in the Arctic as a contestant on the History Channel’s sixth season of “Alone,” will tell his story along with his wife, Constance.
Viewers can tune in to Storytellers Project’s YouTube (https://bit.ly/StorytellersProjectYT) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/USATODAYStorytellersProject) to watch and comment live.
Megan Finnerty, Storytellers Project founder and director, also will tell a story about dark skies and the Grand Canyon.
Kaila White, a breaking news editor at The Arizona Republic, will emcee the show.