Since I have prepared to open Jacki Kellum Studios, some magical things have happened;

You see, Jacki Kellum Studios is directly across the street from Casey Jones Museum, Today, the Director of the Museum called and booked me for a Casey Jones Story Hour for 48 kids coming from a neighboring town. We’ll Sing and Dance and “Spin Flax Golden Tales.” I cannot wait!

The entire scenario is like a scene from the movie A Field Dreams: “Build It, they will come.” Immediately after I moved to Water Valley, I did some projects with the railroad museum:

Early Railroad History in Mississippi – When Water Valley Was a Hub

The Hole in the Wall Bookshop and Children’s Book Nook Opening in Water Valley, MS-An Early History of 26 South Main, the Opera House, the Trusty Hotel, and the Train Depot

The museum director and I had made vague plans to do some story hours together. When my perfect studio and gallery space landed only a stone’s throw away from Casey Jones, I could not help but marvel at the serendipity of things. And then it happened. Before I had formally opened my studio’s doors, the first booking dropped into place. Here’s hoping that Casey Jones and I can team up for more of these events,

Books for Casey Jones Story Hour:

Grant Thompson, the Casey Jones Museum director, has acquired an old gramophone and an original 1810 gramophone recording of the song Casey Jones:

More Music for Casey Jones Story Hour:

I have purchased a large quantity of instruments for story hours, a nd I have purchased enough egg shakers for each child to hold one while we sing and dance to “Shake Your Sillies Out.”

But I have several other sets of instruments for story hours. I have discovered that the secret to a good story hour is to mix up the pace with several types of activities.

Immediately before I tell and/or read the story, we settle with songs like
“Rock A Bye Your Bear,”