Ahoy, story lovers! Captain Kenny Mears welcomes you aboard the Story Ark for a journey into the ever-evolving world of folklore. This episode features the enchanting voice of Lora Schmidt, a seasoned storyteller with over 30 years of experience, as she shares her delightful British rendition of the classic tale, "Mollie Whuppie."

Join us as Lora weaves a spellbinding tale of a clever young girl named Mollie Whuppie who, along with her sisters, is abandoned in the woods. Their journey leads them to the home of a formidable giant and his equally imposing wife. Listen in to discover how Mollie's bravery and quick wit help her outsmart the giant not once, but three times, ultimately leading to a surprising reward from the king himself.

Lora shares her own inspiring journey into storytelling, sparked by a memorable experience at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. Learn about her passion for old folk and fairy tales and her fascination with the universal nature of these stories, each told with its own cultural flavor.

Tune in for a captivating episode filled with suspense, cleverness, and the enduring magic of storytelling.

Contact Lora via email at storyweave@earthlink.net

Check out Lora's profile with Now Playing Utah at https://nowplayingutah.com/artist/lora-schmidt/

Subscribe to The Story Ark for more unforgettable tales, and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for updates and bonus content.

The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more information, be sure to check out our website: https://foodforthoughtaudio.com/

On this special Memorial Day episode of The Story Ark, Captain Kenny Mears invites listeners on a poignant voyage into family history and wartime sacrifice. Guest storyteller Wayne Kartchner shares the remarkable and heartbreaking story of his Uncle Yelmer, a young Navy tail gunner during World War II.

At just 17, Yelmer and his brother Irvin joined the Navy following the attack on Pearl Harbor. While Irvin served as a cook on a battleship, Yelmer was assigned to patrol the West Coast in a PV-1 bomber. During a top-secret training mission in December 1943, Yelmer’s plane crashed in the remote forests of Vancouver Island. Stranded in the Canadian winter, Yelmer and his surviving crewmates fought for survival. Wayne recounts how Yelmer’s courage and compassion shone through as he cared for his fellow airmen, ultimately watching each succumb to the elements before he set out alone in a final act of hope and duty.

Though the wreckage was eventually found, Yelmer’s fate remains a mystery—his body was never recovered. Wayne’s moving tribute honors not only his uncle’s sacrifice but also the enduring bonds of family and memory.

Join us as we reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day through a story of heroism, loss, and the search for closure. Listen, remember, and honor with The Story Ark.

For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

Subscribe to The Story Ark for more unforgettable tales, and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for updates and bonus content.

The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more information, be sure to check out our website: https://foodforthoughtaudio.com/

Step aboard the Story Ark for a special episode hosted by Kenny Mears, where we spotlight the heartfelt storytelling of Wayne Kartchner. This episode features two moving pieces from Wayne: a poignant poem, "Davis County Jail," and a touching family story, "My Best Buy."

In "Davis County Jail," Wayne offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of those seeking solace and redemption within the chapel of a county jail. Through vivid imagery and empathetic storytelling, listeners meet a cast of characters-each searching for hope, safety, and connection in unlikely circumstances. The poem captures moments of vulnerability, resilience, and the unexpected comfort found behind concrete walls.

The episode then shifts to a deeply personal tale about Wayne's father, Oren Kartchner, and the only piece he ever wrote: a loving tribute to his wife, Bertha, framed as "My Best Buy." Oren’s words celebrate decades of partnership, devotion, and the enduring power of love, culminating in a memory that lingers long after his passing.

Join us for this unique voyage into stories of hardship, gratitude, and the ties that bind us.

Tune in for an episode that reminds us of the strength found in community, the grace of second chances, and the lasting impact of a single act of love.

A special thanks to Wayne Kartchner of the Utah Storytelling Guild. For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

Subscribe to The Story Ark for more unforgettable tales, and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for updates and bonus content.