Storytelling Cabaret Dinner to be held at Old South Church

3 mins read

What goes together better than good food and a good story?


Learnin’ Vernon Cox, Maine Humorist, will appear as one of the five featured storytellers at the Benefit Storytelling Cabaret Dinner to be held at Old South Church, Saturday, May 8th. (Photo courtesy of M.O.O.S.E)

A five course dinner and an evening full of stories at Old South Church on Saturday, May 8th, the day before Mother’s Day (hint, hint).

Tickets are $25 per person. Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets may be purchased in Farmington at DDG Booksellers and Sugarwood Gallery on Broadway, Good Times Unlimited on Rt 2 & 27, Old South Church office on Main Street, or before and after Sunday morning worship in the Church vestry/assembly room.

Appetizers will be served at 5:30 pm followed by a “Story Teaser” presented by the evening’s Emcee, Phyllis Blackstone. Other meal courses will include Calzolaio’s Italian Vegetable Soup, salad with house dressing, Chicken Marbella served with rice pilaf and seasoned carrots, and ice cream puff with chocolate sauce for dessert. Beverages will include coffe, tea, and lemonade.

The dinner courses will be served between stories told by four members of the Maine Storytelling Guild, M.O.O.S.E., Lynn Cullen, Vernon Cox, Debb Freedman, and Bill Hinderer. Piano stylings played by accomplished musician, Jackie Ranco, will add a delicious sprinkling of musical interludes with each dinner course in addition to the evening’s wonderful storytelling. 


Emcee, Phyllis Blackstone is an Associate Professor of Education at UMF. She has used storytelling throughout her 40 year career as an educator. She has presented numerous workshops and programs.

Lynn Cullen is a storyteller, playwright, and artist from Yarmouth, Maine. In addition to storytelling performances, she produces Seanachie Nights, stories from the Celtic/British tradition, held the third monday of each month at Bull Feenye’s Pub in Portland, Maine.

Vernon Cox, also known as “Learnin’ Vernon” is a Maine humorist who has entertained a variety of audiences with his alter-ego, Willy Phinedit (Will E Find-it).

Debb Freedman is a Hupa from Portland, someone who creates fairy tales based on personal stories. She produced and presented the Folk Tales for Life Project in June 2009.

Bill Hinderer, a resident of Peaks Island, is a father, husband, professional cook, and veteran. His own stories take the listener from the coast of Maine to the battlefield of Vietnam and back.

Jackie Ranco, a member of Old South Congregational Church, has been a musician most of her life. She sings in the choir, community chorus and leads the church handbell choir.

The proceeds will benefit Farmington’s Old South First Congregational Church, UCC, outreach, community service and youth programs. For further information contact the Church office at 778-0424 or a member of the Fundraising Committee: Debbie Davis-Robinson, Barb Fortier, Linda Fournier, Sueli Gaewski, Wendy Huish, Brenda Scribner or Anne Wehrman.

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