P U B L I C   S C H O O L

PRESENTATIONS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS that have been directed to AMERICAN PATHWAYS in the past:

QUESTION:  What aspect of your art form lends itself to in-school programming?

·        The “Storytelling” art form conforms to fit many different areas of the standard school curriculum in teaching history and conflict resolution.

·        Many of the props used in the presentations allow students to experience touching or holding a variety of animal furs, tools used by our ancestors, Oregon Trail artifacts, etc.

·        Authentic tools such as stone axes, spears, tomahawks, etc. will be part of the props in storytelling.  However, due to concern for the children's safety, they will be for viewing only (not touching). 

·        A huge elk skull with horns attached is a central focal point and is part of a back-drop display with an array of flags from different times in history.  The horns hold the many different props that are incorporated into the Art of Storytelling experience.

QUESTION:  What do you hope to gain from working with young audiences?

·        Personal feeling of accomplishment.  I have worked with youth for the majority of my adult life.  I love the interaction and the excitement they share while experiencing new avenues in life.

·        Personal fulfillment.  As I draw closer to retirement age in the years ahead I look forward to continuing by sharing what has become a passion in my life through . . . The wonderful Art of storytelling.

·        Enlightenment.  I love history and feel it is important to portray it as accurately as absolutely possible through the characters used in the Storytelling experience.  To enlighten others is to be enlightened.

QUESTION:  As you have experience teaching your art form to children, can you describe some of the challenges and rewards.

·        Challenge:  Keeping the children focused to the ultimate goal we are seeking to achieve in each session.  I work best with children from third or fourth grade on up through High School.

·        Challenges with keeping children focused and on track may come when the scheduled time together is just prior to lunch, recess, or even just prior to the end of the school day.

Russ and Cher present: AMERICAN PATHWAYS and portray historical characters through classic storytelling.  They  bring colorful characters to Special Gatherings, Schools, Dinner Theater, Community Outreach, Camps, and Youth Programming.  Whether dressed as one of our ancestors or in the clothing of today, they bring a special message from the past with a motivational message woven into the stories that speak to the youth of today.

FOR SCHEDULING AND INFORMATION:  Call 541-936-2797 or 541-926-8722 

Email: ampathways@comcast.net

These three stories represent a small portion from our portfolio of story telling presentations.  American Pathways often presents to Christian audiences and in private schools.  HOWEVER, when presenting in a public school setting We ARE WELL AWARE OF THE LAWS REQUIREING THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.  These three presentations are often presented and have been well received in the public school setting. 

THERE AIN’T NO FREE LUNCH (THE PIG STORY)  An old man in a creaky old wagon arrives in a dusty little town in the Ozark Mountains of 1932.  He announces that he has come to catch a herd of legendary wild pigs (them thar pigs) that have avoided capture for the past 20 years by living in a huge dense area of swampland.  You will find yourself grinning as an old man’s wisdom conquers the snooty rudeness of a small back-hills community. Pigs in the thicket . . . money for the taking . . . big mouth sonny boy . . . quiet but wise . . .  older than dirt . . . laughter at an old man . . . hunters ain’t hunters if they can’t hunt . . . pig track soup . . . a one board fence . . . take your sweet time . . . pork chops go good with apple sauce . . . ain’t nuthin  free. This wonderful story will awaken a clear understanding in each student as to the importance of CONFLICT RESOLUTION between friends and classmates.  A reminder that their education is free to them but they should not think it is cheap or take it for granted.  Many have paid the price so they would not have to worry about it.  (25 Minutes) THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE (THE PONCA INDIAN NATION) Many American Indian tribes displayed their bravery by attempting to get close enough to an enemy to touch them and still escape with their life.  They called it “counting coup (coo)” Tall Fox, of the Ponca Nation has earned the reputation for being the bravest of the brave as he has counted coup on the fiercest of their enemies.  This message will entertain and educate the students in early Native American culture and stir them into recognizing that they may be subtly counting coup in their own lives by experimenting with drugs, alcohol, etc.  The story is thought provoking, and uncomfortably close to the way many people live. Becoming a man . . .a hand full of feathers . . . pulling a grizzly bear’s hair . . . the pride of the nations . . . red clay and old leaves . . . a white stallion . . . Yap! Yap! Yap! . . . hot searing pain . . .today’s hero tomorrow’s fool. A message filled with raw courage and the pitfalls of pride.  The audience will be left with an opportunity to think about some areas in their own lives.  They will be given the opportunity to ask questions, handle animal furs, and discuss many of the storytelling props. (45 minutes) THE DELTA COUNTY JUNE BUG (CONFRONTING FEAR)  One of the most popular (hilariously funny) messages in our portfolio of Illustrated stories.   It is 1953 and a young boy finds himself riding all-alone on his bicycle down a deserted country road at 1:00 in the morning.   It is dark, the wind is blowing, there are noises that cannot be explained, and an invisible enemy called fear takes control.  Fear is a very real enemy to all of us.  We all have stories from our youth when groundless fear dominated our thinking.  As adults our fears change but the enemy in the form of fear in our lives does not.    Poor kid . . .  Billy had a job . . .Drive in movies . . .one eyed one horned flying purple people eater . . . June bugs . . .  hats on tight . . . 80 miles per hour . . . Hercules Star 6000 . . . old man Buckland . . . Ice cream bar in the ditch . . . Scarey  movie . . . howling dog . . . bats. . . crash, skid, flip, clatter . . . holes? . . . watch out for old Mike. The audience will howl with laughter as this (true story) from my childhood brings them to a sobering and victorious view of how fear of the unknown may creep into our lives if we allow it to happen.  Students will realize that they can find peace in their lives (Conflict Resolution) even in the middle of each new situation that may arise.  (45 minutes)

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<> Display Text Display Teaser   Edit This Text: public school dialog Options  |    THERE AIN’T NO FREE LUNCH (THE PIG STORY)  An old man in a creaky old wagon arrives in a dusty little town in the Ozark Mountains of 1932.  He announces that he has come to catch a herd of legendary wild pigs (them thar pigs) that have avoided capture for the past 20 years by living in a huge dense area of swampland.  You will find yourself grinning as an old man’s wisdom conquers the snooty rudeness of a small back-hills community. Pigs in the thicket . . . money for the taking . . . big mouth sonny boy . . . quiet but wise . . .  older than dirt . . . laughter at an old man . . . hunters ain’t hunters if they can’t hunt . . . pig track soup . . . a one board fence . . . take your sweet time . . . pork chops go good with apple sauce . . . ain’t nuthin  free. This wonderful story will awaken a clear understanding in each student as to the importance of CONFLICT RESOLUTION between friends and classmates.  A reminder that their education is free to them but they should not think it is cheap or take it for granted.  Many have paid the price so they would not have to worry about it.  (25 Minutes) THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE (THE PONCA INDIAN NATION) Many American Indian tribes displayed their bravery by attempting to get close enough to an enemy to touch them and still escape with their life.  They called it “counting coup (coo)” Tall Fox, of the Ponca Nation has earned the reputation for being the bravest of the brave as he has counted coup on the fiercest of their enemies.  This message will entertain and educate the students in early Native American culture and stir them into recognizing that they may be subtly counting coup in their own lives by experimenting with drugs, alcohol, etc.  The story is thought provoking, and uncomfortably close to the way many people live. Becoming a man . . .a hand full of feathers . . . pulling a grizzly bear’s hair . . . the pride of the nations . . . red clay and old leaves . . . a white stallion . . . Yap! Yap! Yap! . . . hot searing pain . . .today’s hero tomorrow’s fool. A message filled with raw courage and the pitfalls of pride.  The audience will be left with an opportunity to think about some areas in their own lives.  They will be given the opportunity to ask questions, handle animal furs, and discuss many of the storytelling props. (45 minutes) THE DELTA COUNTY JUNE BUG (CONFRONTING FEAR)  One of the most popular (hilariously funny) messages in our portfolio of Illustrated stories.   It is 1953 and a young boy finds himself riding all-alone on his bicycle down a deserted country road at 1:00 in the morning.   It is dark, the wind is blowing, there are noises that cannot be explained, and an invisible enemy called fear takes control.  Fear is a very real enemy to all of us.  We all have stories from our youth when groundless fear dominated our thinking.  As adults our fears change but the enemy in the form of fear in our lives does not.    Poor kid . . .  Billy had a job . . .Drive in movies . . .one eyed one horned flying purple people eater . . . June bugs . . .  hats on tight . . . 80 miles per hour . . . Hercules Star 6000 . . . old man Buckland . . . Ice cream bar in the ditch . . . Scarey  movie . . . howling dog . . . bats. . . crash, skid, flip, clatter . . . holes? . . . watch out for old Mike. The audience will howl with laughter as this (true story) from my childhood brings them to a sobering and victorious view of how fear of the unknown may creep into our lives if we allow it to happen.  Students will realize that they can find peace in their lives (Conflict Resolution) even in the middle of each new situation that may arise.  (45 minutes)

Russ presenting in standard Storyteller fashion.  

Russ and Cher present: AMERICAN PATHWAYS and portray historical characters through classic storytelling.  They  bring colorful characters to Special Gatherings, Schools, Dinner Theater, Community Outreach, Camps, and Youth Programming.  Whether dressed as one of our ancestors or in the clothing of today, they bring a special message from the past with a motivational message woven into the stories that speak to the youth of today.

FOR SCHEDULING AND INFORMATION:  Call 541-936-2797 or 541-926-8722 

Email: ampathways@comcast.net

AMERICAN PATHWAYS

Welcome to THE MUSIC, DRAMA, AND CLASSIC STORYTELLING OF AMERICAN PATHWAYS.  A program for children that adults enjoy as well.  Russ founded AMERICAN PATHWAYS in 1985.  He quickly gained national recognition as a dramatist and storyteller with captivating talent and program originality.  Russ and Cher have a commitment to education, a love for history, and a dedication to sharing wisdom through storytelling that will help our children in areas of MAKING WISE CHOICES, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, and CONFLICT RESOLUTION in their daily lives.  

Russ  published “The Art of Storytelling, “ has copy written 20 (fictional stories),  has presented on radio and television on many occasions and was chosen by the Oregon Speakers Association to represent them at the National Speakers Association convention in 1998.   

Along with Cher's amazing singing talent, His storytelling and drama presentations  bring colorful characters to life through period clothing and  authentically reproduced props that enhance the storytelling experience.  Whether the character is an old pig hunter, a colorful mountain man, a dirty (but funny) derelict, a wonderful country doctor, or even a crusty old buffalo hunter, his exciting portfolio featuring 18 different characters and a multitude of stories will bring the stage to life.  Whether presenting in costume or simply as “THE STORYTELLER” in a cowboy hat sitting on a stool in the middle of the platform, your audience will be wonderfully entertained and enlightened as they are drawn to a trip back in history.  There is age-old wisdom woven into the fiber of each presentation that will allow the students to evaluate their own lives in the areas of conflict resolution, the drug culture, and addressing personal struggles they face on a daily basis.

Russ and Cher have performed before corporate audiences, colleges,  schools, dinner theater,  Christian church services, retreats, youth groups, conventions, family reunions, and even around an occasional campfire.  

The stories are captivating.  Audiences are subtly drawn into the simplicity of inner strength during times of trial in the lives of the many characters in the portfolio of dramatic storytelling presentations offered.  While addressing the trials and victories in the lives of those  in the stories, they may be led to recognize potential changes needed in their own lives as well.

CHARACTER: "Reuben Tredwell" Mountain Man.