Telltale signs

Storytelling for the family in Cleveland tonight

Elizabeth Rose, a professional storyteller with 18 years’ experience, will entertain during tonight’s Ocoee Story Fest in Cleveland, Tenn.

The family event, which begins at 7 p. m. in the Museum Center at Five Points, is sponsored by the Cleveland Storytelling Guild.

Rose, who is principal of Cherokee Middle School in Kingston, Tenn., was introduced to storytelling by her family while growing up in Etowah.

“I’m the first self- proclaimed professional in the family, but my grandmother and my dad are both great storytellers,” she said in a telephone interview.

She said she’ll share her experiences of how she became a storyteller in her program tonight.

“I am going to be telling a story within a story. Each story is a progres- sion of the kinds of stories I have told during my career as a storyteller. All these start with stories I heard that drew me to storytelling in elementary school.

“As I got older, I got into Appalachian and mountain ballads,” she said.

Rose said her performance will include two 45- minute acts divided by intermission. During the second act, she’ll share personal stories of being an educator.

“It will be a lot of fun, great family entertainment,” she said.

Ocoee Story Fest began in conjunction with the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. Its name reflects the recognition Cleveland received when the Ocoee River was selected as the whitewater venue for those summer games.