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 A
LITTLE ABOUT ME:
In Shirley's
words, "I have had a wonderful and fulfilling life."
She
is a retired registered Medical Technologist and spent most
of her working career in hospitals or research laboratories.
But she has always found time to give back to her community
as a volunteer and to follow her passions
As
an active member of the PTA she chaired many committees; as
one who cared, she entertained children at a mental hospital
with music and games; as a member of her church she became
a youth group leader; and as a volunteer in scouting she held
numerous positions and received many awards including The
District Award of Merit (in two different districts), and
The Silver Beaver Award (the highest award a volunteer can
receive.)
It
was by helping Cub Scouts earn their "Whittle and Chip
Card" that she became interested in carving and whittling.
To read about her recent show click here.
Ever
since her high school days she has been singing in church
or local choral groups; sometimes as a chorister, and occasionally
as a soloist. Playing her guitar and singing folk songs have
always been a source of pleasure for her and perhaps to others
too.
Growing
wild flowers and herbs give her a chance to "play in
the dirt," a diversion she welcomes.
She
has had the opportunity to travel with her husband of over
40 years in their private plane, throughout the United States,
including Alaska. And she, her husband and their son lived
aboard a 45-foot wooden sailboat for more than two years as
they cruised the Bahamas chain.
Her
varied experiences and love of life are reflected in her storytelling.
A
LITTLE ABOUT FORGET-ME-NOT:
Hello, my name is Forget-me-not. I guess you could call
me Shirley's mascot. I go with her every time she tells stories.
She found me in a drug store. I was so glad to finally have
a home. It was so crowded there with all those other animals.
I came with
a beautiful purple bag and when Shirley put "jewels"
on it and called it her magic bag, it was even more beautiful.
The she made special bags for me which often matched her vests.
Being a girl, I really enjoy being costume coordinated.
It took me
a while to figure out why Shirley always took me with her,
but after I listened to her I finally began to understand.
You see, when she first started telling stories, she made
a decision not to ask for a fee telling stories to non profit
groups in her home county - Flagler County, FL. But she did
ask that the groups give her stuffed animals which she could
then donate to some of her favorite charities. That's where
I came in. I go along to remind people "Not to Forget"
the stuffed animals.
I must be doing
a good job. Over the past five years we have collected over
500 stuffed animal which have been given to the sheriff's
department, the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) Giving
Store, Catholic Charities and Begin Again, a grief group for
children.
When I'm in
the schools with Shirley, she introduces me to the students
and challenges them to look for me
when they see her telling stories in the community.
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SHIRLEY DUNWOODY,
VISUAL
ARTIST
Since Shirley Dunwoody left the Mennonite community
in Sugar Creek, Ohio, where she grew up, her life has been
an adventure of travels and stories. She majored in science
and minored in philosophy and music at Mount Union College
in Ohio. She trained as a medical technician and worked in
medical research. She has also worked at a paramed agency
and taught in a community college.
Shirley and
her husband Bill met on a blind date and they together have
enjoyed unique adventures for forty-two years. Several are
that they traveled around the world in a private plane and
they lived on a sailboat for two years as they and their son
Bill sailed the Bahamas.
The Dunwoody's
moved to Palm Coast in 1995 an they have made their own excitement
here. When helping with the Boy Scouts of America, Shirley
was encouraged to begin her storytelling career, the activity
for which she is most recognized in Palm Coast. She started
telling stories to local groups, for community events, and
in elementary school classes.
Shirley is
the committee chair of the Character Attributions for Responsible
Students Group. She says, "The biggest thing I do is
the character education programs at the schools." She
recently presented a workshop on her work at the University
of Florida. She is an active member of two local storyteller
groups so you have - or will - see her around the city.
Shirley began
whittling while working with Cub Scouts. She has taken a course
in whittling with the Adult School of Flagler County - but
not until after she had already created several pieces. Her
work is done without and preconceived ideas about the end
results. She finds interesting pieces of driftwood, removes
rotted and odd parts, and sees what's there to find in the
wood. She finds shapes and a form emerges form that. She says,
"Something just tarts happening!" Part of the fun
for her is in finishing the woods, mostly creating smooth
textures. Her mountings are interesting rocks and stones she
has found.
Shirley also
does some traditional carving, as the birds, pig, and ball
in a box she has displayed today.
Shirley is
a member of the Coral Arts Society performing today and its
resident storyteller. The concert series is honored to have
Shirley Dunwoody display her "Stix 'N Stones" in
the narthex of the church for  this
concert and your enjoyment.
~ Jennett
Beck
LINKS
TO SHIRLEYS ON-LINE STORY SAMPLES
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