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Philippi Public Library to host ‘Caroling’ event

PHILIPPI — At 6:30 p.m. today, the Philippi Public Library will host a very special Christmas program, “Here We Come A-Caroling!” performed and presented by West Virginia storyteller Susanna Holstein and West Virginia musician J. David O’Dell.

The library hours will be extended for this event. Light refreshments will be provided.

Holstein has previously performed “West Virginia Ghost Stories,” “Appalachian Jack” (Jack and the Bean Stalk) stories and other stories at the Summer Reading programs at the Philippi Public Library.

“I have always loved carols,” said Holstein, whose mother was a war bride, marrying Holstein’s father in England during World War II. “Mom brought many of her English customs and folklore with her to America, especially the Christmas ones. We grew up with plum puddings and fruitcakes, fresh greenery in the house and a mistletoe ball. We also grew up with carols. Mom would play them from the beginning of December until Twelfth Night, and we often sang them as a family. Sometimes we went caroling in our neighborhood.”

The love of Christmas songs followed Holstein to West Virginia, and one day in the course of conversation, she and a friend, Jeff Seager, discovered they had a common interest in the background of the songs. That conversation led to the development of a program of carols and the stories behind.

“I’ve presented this program in churches, libraries, private homes and state parks,” Holstein noted. “Each year I find more songs that have intriguing stories behind them, and more stories to share. Many of the songs and stories have Appalachian connections. Some are versions of old songs from the British Isles, others were written right here in the mountains.”

For researching and presenting the Appalachian carols, Holstein was named a 2015 West Virginia History Hero.

The program is now performed by Holstein and J. David O’Dell, who is a Professor of Chemistry with the Science and Mathematics Department at Glenville State College. O’Dell is well known in West Virginia as a dulcimer, guitar and banjo player. He has won awards at Vandalia and other contests for his skill and plays regularly around the state with other notable old-time musicians. For the past several years, he has been the guiding force behind the West Virginia Folk Festival in Glenville, which is the state’s longest-running folk festival.

Most audiences know Holstein as storyteller “Granny Sue.” In addition to performing and presenting at the Philippi Public Library in the past, she has presented stories, folklore and ballads in West Virginia and other states for over 20 years, and has written a column for the monthly “Two-Lane Livin'” for the past eight years.

One of a family of thirteen children, storytelling has always been part of her life and family reunions feature a “family storytime,” where family members tell stories and jokes and sing together. Holstein has lived in Jackson County for forty years.

This presentation at the library is free and open to the public.

Registration is required as seating is limited. To register or for more information, call the Philippi Library at 304-457-3495 or contact us on our Facebook or Instagram.

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