To view the storytellers and their stories, simply click on the picture of the teller that you would like to hear. The link will take you to YouTube where you can view/listen to the story. These stories will be available on this page from November 21 to December 31, so you can visit and revisit as often as you wish.

I think I have fixed the volume issues that some of the videos have had. If you watched beforeaanndd in the sound, I they I I think I have fixed the volume issues that some of the videos have had. If you watched before and were disappointed in the sound, I believe they should be okay now. Please look again at the various storytellers and their stories.

We ask that you do not copy the videos. If you wish to share the videos with anyone, please direct them to this site. If you really want a copy of the video, please contact the teller personally, and ask permission to copy it.

Dorothy we are trying something new to see if this will wor and make it look nicer on the web page Dorothy Bockerman retired from teaching middle school after 35 years in the Bellevue Public Schools.  She tells family stories, personal stories, ethnic stories, silly stories, and jokes.  She has helped for any years with the “In Our Own Voices” Nebraska StoryArts summer storytelling camp for kids.  Dorothy and Molly Strong created SCOP (Yes, it is actually a word!) that meets at the Bellevue Public Library. This is a group created to give school age children the chance to learn about and participate in storytelling. She is the current president of OOPS-NE.

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Even before becoming a storyteller, Diane Cox believed in the magic and power of words and of story – to paint pictures for the mind to savor. She recently retired after 45 years of teaching; half of them as a school librarian in the Omaha Public School. Her students knew her as “Mrs. Cox in Purple Socks” (or whatever outlandish socks she could find to wear). A native of Nebraska, Diane has been telling stories as long as she can remember. She particularly enjoys helping new storytellers develop their skills. She has participated in a variety of festivals, and is a long-time member of OOPS-NE, RAPS (River And Prairie Storyweavers), and NSN (the National Storytelling Network). She is also the Nebraska State Liaison for NSN and the National Youth Storytelling Showcase (NYSS)

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Do r o t h y w e a re try ing so me thing new to see if this will wor andmakeit look niceronth web Sixteen year old Alex Horton began storytelling in Nebraska when he attended the “In Our Own Voices” Storytelling Camp five years ago.  This camp is put on annually by Nebraska StoryArts. h h He has been telling stories ever since; at the camp, as a guest teller at the Nebraska’s Moonshell Festival, and at previous Tellabrations sponsored by OOPS-NE.  He and his twin brother Adam attend Bellevue West High School.

Alex’s first story is an audio recording of an adventure during a family camping trip. T 

 Alex

Jeff Koneck is a retired school librarian for the Omaha Public Schools, where he taught taught middle and high school, elementary and special education students. After teaching in the grade level classroom, he became a school librarian (over 30 years ago). He’s well known in the Omaha area as Father Christmas and Święty Mikołaj (Schven’-ta Me’-ko-li) (Polish Father Christmas) in the winter and other characters during the remainder of the year.  He is greatly involved in his heritage, being a member of the Croatian Society, and the Polish Home.  A collector of collections, he celebrates National Hobby Month all year long. He is a long-time member of OOPS-NE. 

Jeff

Do r o t h y w e a re try ing so me thing new to see if this will wor andmakeit look niceronth web web Mary Mollner has been sharing stories since she was a little girl.  She is currently the Children’s and Young Adult Librarian at the W. Dale Clark Library (the main branch of the Omaha Public Library System). Before this, she spent 18 years as a recreation therapist in Omaha area alternative schools, or as her daughter said, “My mom teaches people how to play.”    Mary proudly says, “I am a mom and grandmother. My jobs only reflect what I love stories & playing.” A long-time member of OOPS-NE, she is the one we turn to when we have technical difficulties.

Mary had a little lamb. Little lamb. Little lamb. Mary had a little lamb whose fleece was white as snow. And

Pat Smith blames her grandkids for getting her started storytelling—they wanted more than “Goldilocks” or “The Three Little Pigs.”  She joined OOPS-NE to learn, and she developed into a polished and professional storyteller; a favorite of many OOPS-NE members. She is especially fond of historical yarns, fairytale spoofs, and other humorous stories.  Some of the latter she got from her dog Cinders.   Pre-Covid, she told stories regularly, and encouraged others to tell their stories at the retirement center where she and her husband live. 

Pat is sharing two stories. Be sure to click her second video for the extra treat of ASL signing with her story. 

Pat is sharing two stories. Be to click her second video for the extra treat of ASL signing with her story. 

Melina and Natalie Thompson are sisters from Bellevue, Nebraska. They started telling stories in the fall of 2018 when they joined the SCOP storytelling group at the Bellevue Public Library. They, along with their younger brother, host a daily YouTube show called “The Senior Moment” as an outreach to those who are currently isolated due to the pandemic. Melina is in eighth grade and enjoys playing tennis, quilting, baking and volunteering at the library. Natalie is a sixth grader and spends her time crocheting, being outside, and making sure her family gets their daily laughs.