"Show and Tell" Storytelling Series with Meg Pier

On Wednesday, April 16, at
7:00 pm, Abbot Public Library will launch a monthly “Show & Tell”
storytelling gathering, where all are invited to share with others the meaning
of a treasured personal possession. This program anticipates Personal History
Awareness Month, celebrated in May, and will be hosted by local writer and
personal historian Meg Pier. Pier is the proprietor of Life Lessons &
Memories and specializes in helping individuals and organizations record their
stories for posterity.

What should you bring to the
April 16th gathering? A photo, an object, an article of clothing, a letter –
ephemera or memorabilia from your life that may touch the lives of others.

“We humans are hard-wired to
share stories about the things we find meaningful in life, as evidenced by the
popularity of programs like “The Antiques Road Show” and “The Moth,” Pier says.
“All of us have at least one special item that we treasure because it reminds
us of a person, a place, or a moment in time that we hold dear. One of the most
joyful things humans can experience is connecting with others through honoring
important memories – and often, a bit of memorabilia is a catalyst for those connections.”

Each participant at the
session will spend five minutes sharing the story of his or her special object.
Along with photos and letters, personal objects could include food, paintings,
jewelry, collectibles, and crafts. (Presentations on items that are for sale
will be excluded; this is a storytelling event only!) There is no requirement
to present an object; attendees may simply come to enjoy others’ stories.

“History permeates all
aspects of life here in Marblehead,” says Patti Rogers, Director of the Abbot
Library. “While the town’s treasured historic buildings and monuments are
reminders of Marblehead’s significant role in the nation's history, it is the
stories of individual Marbleheaders that often are most engaging and bring this
history alive. The Library is delighted to offer these monthly “show and tell”
storytelling gatherings, as an opportunity to extend the town’s rich tradition
of personal history.”

Meg Pier is proprietor of
Life Lessons & Memories (www.lifelessonsandmemories.com)
and an award-winning professional with a progressive 20+ year career in
writing, editing, interviewing, public relations, and brand building. She is a
member of the Association of Personal Historians and has diverse credentials
that include personal history, corporate PR expertise in the financial
industry, and bylines in newspapers, magazines and blogs. She is the publisher
and editor of www.ViewfromthePier.com,
a travel website focused on cultural traditions and spiritual practices.