O.O.P.S! Is Known For Its Events!

On May 1, 2 and 3, 2009 we will be holding our twenty-third Annual Spring Conference in Mount Vernon, Ohio. It promises to be better than ever - entertaining, enlightening, loaded with creativity and how-tos and, most of all, FUN!

Entertainment will include stories presented by many of the finest storytellers in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, California and Michigan. Enlightenment will be rampant in six different workshops. Creativity and how-tos will be shared by all. Note that all the buildings and spaces being used are handicapped accessible!

Socializing will include lots of food, entertainment, interactive games for getting to know each other, a get acquainted reception, story swaps and much, much more.

Bil is the author of three books of tales, four audio collections, and he has had stories published in several national magazines. Duke Divinity Magazine called Bil’s stories, "Awe inspiring cathedrals of flapdoddle and bull."

Bil has been telling tales for over fifteen years. He tells original tall-tales written by himself and his brother. Bil has been a regular at the West Virginia Liars Contest since 1990.

"Bil Lepp, a young teller from Half Dollar [sic], W.Va., had the stage presence of a stand-up comedian. He told a hilarious forty-minute monologue about growing up and getting into trouble with his best friend. Lepp's

stories begin appearing biographical, but continue becoming more outrageous until they're hysterically unbelievable." -The Post, Athens, OH- Sean Rogers

"The audience could barely stop laughing long enough to catch the next twist in the tale..." -Journal Sentinel, WI- Andrew Milman

CALL for Workshop Proposals for O.O.P.S! 2009 Conference

The Board is now soliciting workshop proposals. If you would like to present a workshop, please send a one-page outline by October 26, 2008 to the 2009 Conference Chair, Donna Wilson. Her address is 412 S. 4th Avenue, Middleport, OH 45760. Feel free to append supporting material, such as brochures or resumes. Presenters receive free Conference Registration, an honorarium and invaluable statewide exposure.

Proposals will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Quality of workshop based on description
• Credentials and reputation of presenter
• Ability of the workshop to complement the offerings of the featured teller
• Contrast to workshops of recent years
• Topics requested in previous years' evaluations (some recent suggestions included environmental stories, improvisation, creating participation stories, and the business aspects of being a storyteller)
• Geographic balance

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