"Jackie has opened some doors for me in the San Francisco Bay Area storytelling scene. She was the one who encouraged me to run for a seat on the Board of Directors of SAAC. Because of my collaboration with her on the Teller-To-Teller seminars, I've met and become friends with many professional and non-professional tellers that I might not normally make contact with."
Tim Mautz, California
"I have used Jackie's website several times to research stories--either to find stories for a particular program, or to find more information about a story I want to tell. Her website has saved me a lot of time. It is the first place I think of looking when searching for stories or story ideas.
It is not just storytellers who benefit from her site. I have passed on the site information to some teachers who were also very grateful.
So, Jackie--you'll probably see this--THANK YOU so much for all your work maintaining this site!"
Judith Wynhausen
"I have also benefited from the Teller to Teller Seminars and have enjoyed meeting Bay Area Storytellers. I am impressed by Jackie. Her sunny smile and positive attitude are an inspiration to me. When physical problems limited her storytelling, she opened a window and then another window--not only for herself but for others! Her generosity in adding the Katrina link is appreciated. Sandy Pomerantz's family and friends will forever be grateful that she provided a place for memories and tributes to be collected and kept. Without her, these stories and memories would gradually have been submerged in the STORYTELL files--a piece here and a bit there--thereby drifting out of our reach. Jackie has become "The Keeper of Memories," the "Keeper of Lists", the "Keeper of Stories!" She has given much. I am glad to hear that her contributions to storytelling will be recognized!"
Rose the story lady, California
"We all know that Jackie has donated an incredible amount of time to make all of our lives easier. Not only does she compile and post the threads of stories the Storytell membership offers, but she is in many ways, the historian of our cyber community. A recent example is the compilation of condolences and memories shared during the loss of Sandy Pomerantz. Not only did she place our thoughts on her website, she printed and bound three books for Barry, Sandy's husband, and her family to comfort them during a most difficult time in their lives.
Jackie's work knows no borders. During the tsunami devastation she compiled story collections and bones of tales to assist tellers in their ongoing fundraising events. Recently, once again, when Katrina hit our shores, she didn't hesitate to do the same for those affected in the USA. I also know from personal experience, when another teller is in crisis, she is the first one at the keyboard or on the phone with comforting words of support and concern.
While Jackie's talents contribute much to our online storytelling community, her efforts are far reaching, universal; she is the tiny pebble that ripples out when dropped into the water. She is the rarest of individuals, a person who sees a need and without any thought to personal gain or praise, steps forward to fill it."
Karen Chace, Massachusetts
"Jackie's efforts on behalf of the Storytell community have been nothing short of amazing. But her site has an even more far-reaching influence. I can't tell you the number of times I have googled a particular kind of story and found that Story-Lovers comes up in the first two or three references. I can only imagine the feeling searchers have when they come upon these resources for the first time. It must be like digging in your garden and finding a treasure chest! Bravo, Jackie!"
Judy Schmidt
"I've benefited from Jackie's website several times when I was looking for stories or versions of stories. She categorizes Storytell's community's vast knowledge and stories. Jackie is very helpful to remind us all what is there in case we forget or are querying the topic again on Storytell.
Her joy in story and in supporting storytellers is so obvious, welcome and appreciated. Most recently I appreciated her collecting, publishing and sending our thoughts to Sandy's husband and family.
Jackie also very kindly shares information with other tellers. Some time ago she shared her experience with me on self-publishing.
Jackie helps the storytellers on Storytell connect with each other and helps us to share our resources with others."
Mary K. Clark
"Jackie is a treasure chest of stories and resources for all of us. I appreciate all that she makes available for our storytelling community. As one who kept far too many files, she's made it possible for me to delete a post or two. It's as if she came in to clean and organize my closets and filing cabinets - in a cyber space way, of course. :-} And what she provides is a wonderful presentation of storytelling to those who search for stories - for all those story lovers. Thanks to Jackie."
Ina Valeria Doyle
"Too often I let Storytell email sit "until there's more time." I'm so glad I saw this. For years we've discussed the need for indexing this list. We still could use it & I'd love to know that Texas Woman's University's Library Science program was in a position to consider it. Until that time, Jackie has become the index to something that we desperately need -- and others besides our list use it, too -- when searching for stories. In addition she has taken some major topics & posted them. The willingness to help our storytelling community has been mentioned regarding Sandy Pomerantz (I keep wanting to send a message & hope it's not too late) & the recent assistance to create Hurricane Relief benefits. This is so typical of Jackie. She will send something to somebody on the chance it may help. Her site also lists any of us caring to be listed & it's FREE! ! ! If any awards are to be given, she deserves it. Someday I hope I'll even get a chance to meet her."
Lois Sprengnether Keel
"Jackie's website and "bones" books are wonderful resources for finding new tales to develop and tell. Her cards and calendars are beautiful additions to my life, and wonderful gifts for others. Most important, though, is the support of her friendship, encouraging and applauding as we make our way through the challenges and opportunities of life."
Mary Garrett
"Soul of generosity is a start on describing Jackie, but she's so much more. She is creative, responsive, clever, and visionary. We're lucky that storytelling reached out to her years ago and pulled her into this international circle. When people in my storytelling in the workplace workshops ask me for a story, I always turn to Jackie's site. When a story thread comes over the list that sparks my interest, my first thought is, "Jackie will archive these story suggestions." And it's no surprise to me that it's Jackie who dreamed up the Teller to Teller gathering.
In my annals of storytelling heroines, Jackie is a shining star."
Cathryn Wellner, Canada
I am so glad that Jackie is going to be recognized in your magazine. She deserves it and so much more. She is one of those jewels that grace the human race - the type of person who is not only generous, and hardworking, but one who remembers little, bright, things about each person.
"Jackie has helped design my business cards, and because she knows my love of foxes - has found little gems to sneak into my order. She has rushed her Bare Bones books to me when I was getting ready for a storytelling class. And that is but a fourth of what I owe her. I can only hope that my students have gone to visit her site, and discovered the wealth there.
And above all her efforts for the Storytell list, and for the whole of the storytelling community, are well beyond price.
She is truly beyond price."
Cathy Mosley
"Jackie's contribution to storyteller's is almost too good and too much to be believed. Thank you Jackie."
Ann Wilson-Behnke
"Jackie Baldwin is nothing short of extraordinary! Her service to storytellers through her SOS archive of stories and information is phenomenal. Jackie is a champion of and for tellers, and her generosity, graciousness, and selflessness are evident in everything she does. When I am talking with new tellers I always mention Storytell and Story-Lovers in the same breath. Jackie rocks!"
Carol Connolly, New York
"Wow! You all have hit the many nails on the many heads about all the things that Jackie has done for us.
There is one other thing that totally amazed me about the level of person-to-person attention she gives. Once I said on storytell how much I liked the Russian folktale artist/illustrator Ivan Bilibin. Within a few days, Jackie had found a source for some of his lovely images and added them to her site, then SHE sent ME a thank-you note! (Of course, I sent her one back!)
Also, just a few weeks ago she had prepared some Bilibin stuff and had mounted an additional image, and let me know that there was a new image up there.
Now, I have sent her some small amount of business, but not enough to justify (in any business sense of the word) what I would call "outreach!" She doesn't just storehouse our stuff for us, she weaves and casts that interconnected web that gets us into the treasury and back out again with our prize!"
Mary Grace Ketner, Texas
"...and my own private thanks to you, Jackie. You are a gift to this community. I'm glad everyone is speaking up to tell you that!"
Sue Black
"It is hard to describe Jackie's special gifts and giving. Her attention to detail and enthusiasm for everything she puts together are breath taking. Others have described her as a treasure, a gem - but she is truly one in a million. What would we ever do without her and her generosity?"
Chris King, Ohio
"Jackie's website impact on me? Simple. When researching a theme,
FIRST
I Jackie....
THEN
I Google....
She's priceless..."
Leanne Johnson, Illinois
"And, has anyone mentioned Jackie's "gifts." She sent packets of her materials at one time to those who requested it - free of charge! I used them as Tellabration prizes. This year I found myself short on money and apologized for not being able to buy her calendars. Guess what I found in my mailbox! Yes, Jackie is a generous soul. Oh, by the way, my finances are back on track so, the check is in the mail. I just want you to know that that's just the type of gal she is."
Marilyn
Kinsella, Illinois
"So...I could add more to sing Jackie's praises but I think it's already been said so beautifully."
Lainie Levin
"I don't know what more I can add to all the accolades bestowed upon Jackie Baldwin thus far. All I will add is I think she is one of storytelling's treasures. So often I am at her Storylovers site. Any honor given to Jackie would be wonderful and well deserved."
Beverly Comer, Ohio
"Whenever I meet a storyteller who is unfamiliar with Jackie's extraordinary site and services I think to myself, "Just where has this person been? Are tellers still so out of the loop? They'll thank me for the tip." It is Jackie, however, who really deserves all the thanks. She has set the standard. Her dedication, generosity and skill are unmatched. Her services are appreciated far beyond our storytell community. On behalf of myself and the many tellers I have turned on to her, I am happy to have this opportunity to express our deep gratitude. Thank you."
John Callahan
"Jackie, your work is amazing! I don't get to search your site often enough, but when I do, I AM always amazed at the wealth of resources and at your dedication to all of us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your wonderful work. You are a treasure! And the collections of stories you've published are also great additions to my library."
Muriel Horowitz
"I hesitated to add a "me too" to all the wonderful thoughts that have been shared by so many folks about Jackie and her Story-Lovers website. I had a good friend say at a meeting I was at recently that about 30% of the posts are things to be read and the other 70% is "me too". I had to laugh... what can one expect from storytellers! We all want to tell our story.
One of the most important things about this list is the generous spirit of those who participate. So many folks respond to the slightest call for help, for prayers, for an obtuse story reference. One of the wonderful things about Jackie and her magical website is the generous spirit she displays each time there is a need, request or that obtuse story reference.
Jackie is a keeper of things mentioned and remembered. She takes out thoughts and ideas, references and helps, dusts them well and places them on a shelf on that magical site. She organizes our threads into looms of cloth to be used by each of us later for a dozen different projects.
She lays the table with a feast of resources and asks little more than our willingness to let her say to all who would step in, "comee and dine.
The warm pictures of her cards and calendars always make me think of her. They are from another time when things went slower, when folks were more willing to listen, to help, to care. I often smile when I see the pictures and think, "I should let her know how cool this is".
So, dear cousins, I lift my mason jar, (filled with some clear liquid that I hesitate to talk about for fear of being caught by those of the legal persuasion,) take off my hat, tip it in Jackie's direction and sip. To Jackie, generous of spirit and embodiment of all that is good about this list."
Stephen Hollen
"It's great to see people acknowledge the use of the Internet in storytelling. There are a small number of us who have been laboring like crazy to produce quality sites and services to the storytelling community. Certainly, Jackie's site qualifies for that. Despite the size and scope of our site at www.storyteller.net, Jackie's place is still the first place I go to when I need "bones" for a story. We all carve out a niche or two and the story-starters portion is a great service. It's good, too, that Jackie can support her work through the sales of her artwork, calendars, etc. It's always a challenge to blend being altruistic with the need to not go broke doing it. The amount of work that it takes to maintain a site is huge.
Congrats to Jackie. It's great to see a fellow web-head be recognized by our peers."
Sean Buvala
"You are indeed a storytelling Wonder Woman, as so many others have testified here recently. I don't know how
you keep up--"
Donna Ingham
"Each
time I see your work, the amazement is like the first. Do you know how
when you come home your dog is so excited to see you, and you leave
for 10 minutes and come back and he's just as excited? That's me."
Ed Koczur, Massaschusetts
"I
am delighted with the first-class paper quality and bright clear printing
on the Story-Lovers stationery. Plus, it is so easy to customize an
order. The imaginative products are great fun to use!"
Ruth Stotter, Storyteller, California (former
Director, Dominican College Storytelling program)
"The Story-Lovers images are lovely! The Frog Prince never fails
to attract attention and get a laugh from the people I send him to.
I get lots of interesting feedback."
Wendy Welch, Storyteller, Scotland
"Story-Lovers is full of products that reflect the joy of life.
Everything is whimsical and wonderful. The stationery never fails to
bring a smile as I write on it, and I love the charming and colorful
cards. They bring out the child that is in all of us and take me back
to that wonderful time when the world was full of magic and mystery."
E. Piambino, New York
"What a wonderful discovery! Upon opening my package, a beautiful,
forgotten, and, to some, unknown place in time is revisited. Every imaginary
character is recreated with passion and love of an era so long ago.
Thank you so much for revitalizing such a treasured past."
F.
Imming, Missouri
"Thank goodness for Story-Lovers! You are creative, responsive
and so ready to try any idea I might have! I have wonderful stationery,
notepads, etc., and I know if I get a new idea, you'll be ready to work
on it with me. High quality and beautiful work! Also very prompt! Thank
you."
Joan Sutton, Storyteller, California
"Story-Lovers offers a vast array of cards, stationery and other
printed materials that are a delight to the eye and a pleasusre to own
or present as a gift. You have a flair for discovering the most wonderful
old prints and giving them new life. All I can say is do more, more,
more!"
Sandi Jackson, Pennslvania
Story-Lovers
P.O. Box 446
Sonoma, CA 95476
PHONE:
707-996-1996
E-MAIL:
e-mail: bubbul@vom.com
