Waterfall Arts presents Fireside Chats, an enthusiastic experiment meant to ignite conversations, boost empathy, and offer a platform for shared stories to help all of us set new intentions for our collective future. The event will take place monthly on our front lawn for anyone to gather around warm fire pits for a night of storytelling.

Why a storytelling series? Stories have the potential to break down barriers, sharpen our radical listening skills, empower community, and make us feel part of something larger than ourselves.

Who is participating? These monthly chats will include a visit from another local non-profit organization to share about their experience serving our community, and to provide us with a theme for the evening. Community partnerships provide us with a platform for collaboration and an interdependence that is necessary as Waldo County–and the rest of the state–continue to deal with the repercussions of the pandemic.

Stephanie Holman, professional storyteller and children’s librarian from the Belfast Free Library, will be the first guest in the series, helping kick off an evening of stories.

What should I do if I want to come? For those interested in joining the conversation, consider these themes: public library experiences, favorite books, literary moments, and meeting a favorite author. Just show up on December 16 and bring your personal stories and help Waterfall Arts give our community a warm lift by sharing more of ourselves with each other.