Jonathan's Annual Events
The Magical Tour in Tales of Elf Lands
October 3, 2009, at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, in Cross River, Westchester County, NY.
All of nature is full of invisible people ... some of these are ugly or grotesque, some wicked or foolish, many Beautiful beyond any one we have ever seen, and the beautiful are not far away when we are walking in pleasant quiet places.
History of the Elf Walk
My career as a professional storyteller began in 1981 with faery folk; the elves, pixies, sprites, brownies & trolls, the Good Neighbors of Ward Pound Ridge. The nature museum curator, then Nick Shoumatoff surprised me with the program. His “Pound Ridge Wood-elves, a real organization adorned the trails with fairy huts, and leprechaun lairs and little people wigwams. The local paper could not imagine a man leading children on a elf walk, and called me "Ms." in their article. Still, the children came, followed me into the colorful woods to drink in true faery lore, and perchance spy one of the fantastic folk.
Over the years with help from "Annelf"(her official name tag moniker as given to her by NYC commissioner Henry Stern), and her wizardly husband John Rosett, the program grew. Sometimes, when The New York Times picks up on it, there are hundreds. Local notables like actors Tim Robbins, Jill Claibourne and Christopher Reeve all brought their children on this fairy tour. Twenty-eight Elfwalks later, young adults now share with me their tale of finding the fairy folk at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation!
How the Magic Happens
The wood elves still arrive early creating houses, flowered gates a and even a troll bridge, all of natural things. At 2pm, in the garb guaranteed to draw the Fairy folk, the adventure begins. Tales are told of various elfin ones. Hey-Hey men appear under foot with three legs, the extra one to trip you. "Turn up your sleeves to help keep on your feet" Take with you acorns and apples to leave at the homes of any Fair Folk we find. Then, with a grand Heigh Ho, off we go!
Tales abound of fairies stealing kisses and kids. There’s a "Troll Bridge" with a toll of one belly button! A lump on a log turns out to be a Dusk-Troll "turned" by the Sun. We often encounter a Leprechaun Lair, and sense sprites coloring leaves in the air. The finale in the Pine Grove enchants most. Children report what adults only vaguely feel – fleet fairies flying by! Annelf often whisks into trees. The Zo-faerie goes from beautiful to poison ivy patch! Grumbling Dwarves like little boys with beards are spied marching off. Everyone goes home after an hour and a half never again feeling there is no magic in the woods!
If you have read this far, please ask about bringing an Elf Walk to your favorite woodland place!