The Art of Storytelling: Grandma Goes Shopping

With the explosion of hi-tech entertainment choices, full of action, color, and ever higher levels of sound, you might think that the traditional art of storytelling is now just a part of history. But Story Circle at Proctors in Schenectady, New York, one of the first resident storytelling companies at a US performing arts center, is bringing its performances to a wider audience by creating a YouTube channel where its stories can be heard by anyone, not just those who happen to be in Schenectady.

Storytelling groups and festivals are popping up all over the country, with stories usually relating to life in the immediate area. Jewish stories are not in the majority, but some of the stories have a distinct Jewish flavor. Story Circle at Proctors does have a few stories that bring back memories of Jewish life in the early 20th century and one of the story tellers is working on creating original stories that are a fusion of life in the Adirondack mountains and life in the Jewish shtetl of Chelm.

Today we're sharing a story by Frank Wind, who recently moved to the Capital District of New York (Albany, Schenectady, and Troy.) Frank retired from a major oil company after 21 years of telling stories to management. He now enjoys writing and telling solo and tandem stories to audiences of all ages. 

The story, Grandma Goes Shopping, is a warm recollection of how his grandmother, newly arrived from the old country, managed to use her limited English to bargain with Kaplan's Kosher Meats, the Four Star Bakery,and "Tiffany's," the produce stand that got its name from what they charged for their fruits and vegetables.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)