Daylight in the Swamp!
Wisconsin Forest Tales author and storyteller Julia Pferdehirt presents "Jack Tales" - true stories and tall tales of lumberjacks, logging, and Wisconsin's forests to school, community and library groups.
These stories, drawn from original sources, reflect the unique culture, grueling work, and high adventure of the lumberjack's life. Learn about stove lids and livestock. Sinkers and river rats. Clearcutting and loggers' marks. Hear the true stories of a young man's first season in the forest and a veteran lumberjack's tangle with a greedy innkeeper.
Is it true that a river rat could toss a bar of soap into the Wisconsin River and ride the bubbles to the other side? How did Black Hat Henria's nose turn the color of a jay bird? Why was Sunday washing day? Join Julia Pferdehirt at the liar's- or rather, the "Deacon's Bench"- to hear tall tales that may, or may not be absolutely true!
Julia Pferdehirt's amusing, touching, true stories from history are the next best thing to having a real lumberjack in your classroom. She also presents hands-on, Six Traits-based writing and storytelling workshops and customized programs designed in collaboration with teachers and grade-level teams.
In addition to Wisconsin Forest Tales, Julia Pferdehirt is author of They Came to Wisconsin (Wisconsin Historical Society Press) and Freedom Train North: Stories of the Underground Railroad in Wisconsin (Living History Press). Since 1996 she has presented historical storytelling programs in hundreds of Wisconsin schools and libraries.
Pferdehirt can be contacted at 608-836-7426 or by email at [email protected].
Written requests for information or to arrange programs may be sent to: Julia Pferdehirt, 7426 Elmwood Avenue, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562.