Welcome to Voices in the Glen

Voices in the Glen is a non-profit organization for lovers of storytelling primarily in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia that seeks to promote the art of storytelling and the enjoyment of stories. Voices works to increase the opportunities for Maryland, Virginia and Washington storytellers to develop, practice, and perform.

Our website features the most comprehensive calendar of storytelling events throughout the metropolitan D. C. area, links to outside storytelling groups and resources, information on membership in our group and contacting us, and information on each of our performing tellers.

Our guild grieves for the loss of our dear friend Ralph Chatham on May 18. Ralph and his wife Margaret helped create Voices In The Glen, were indefatigable in their support of local tellers, served on our Board time and time again, and hosted many of our meetings.

Their love for each other and their pleasure in each other and in life was a joy to watch, and they told great tandem tales together that showcased their talents and their joy in each other's personalities.

Ralph made us laugh too many times to count and we all remember the slant of his hat and the twinkle in his eye as yet another Jack Tale was performed. It is a true measure of the man that with all his talent, he listened intently to others telling and demonstrated his encouragement and support for all who take up this art. Usually in the front row, whittling away at one of his dinosaur whistles, it was such a pleasure and confidence builder to look down from the stage and see Ralph enjoying every word. But his help did not stop there. That same listening ability enabled him to help many of us in his frequent role as story coach.

That help was recognized nationally when Ralph earned the 2003 ORACLE Award for Leadership and Service in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Ralph was a storyteller’s teller and we will miss hearing his tales. And he managed to achieve in his life and through those stories to create an indelible, unique character from his vest to his collection of walking sticks – you knew when Ralph had entered the room.

Margaret, your loss is our loss.