After thirty-four years, Sara W. McDaris retired as storyteller for the Huntsville-Madison County, Alabama Public Library System. In that capacity, she produced and hosted Grunches and Grins, shown on Alabama Public Television for nineteen years. She initiated the storytelling group, The Spellbinders, which offered seasonal performances of stories for the public. She was on the initial staff of WLRH Public Radio. She is a contributor to its Writers Corner and has often been selected as narrator for The Huntsville Master Chorale, The Huntsville Community Chorus, and The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Her latest book, Tell Me What Happened (published in August of 2021) is rich with opportunities to discover beauty and magic in diversity.
As a member of The Sanctuary Artists, she has written a series of children’s environmental books. Her book, Hyacinths, contains theme programming, using story, music, poetry and fine art. This guide allows presenters to shape stimulating programs for every age. Since Hyacinths, Sara has written several more stories, including six installments for her Trudie series. Several of her books are available for Amazon Kindle.
Sara's symphony appearances have included telling the fairy tales, on which music has been based, to the symphony audiences just before the concerts. The HSO Board commissioned her libretto, the musical story Amanda Miranda’s Amazing Birthday, to be orchestrated. Sara narrated the orchestra’s performances of the piece. The addition of Dr. Emma Diemer’s musical score to her The Creation of God is a late life fulfillment to a long desired wish. It received the 2012 National Award for the best composition by a woman composer.
While reading is her favorite pastime, Sara earns her ice cream by gardening. Given the opportunity, she transformed a neglected forest into a park, with gardens, bamboo stands, moss beds and ornamental trees.
Sara continues to write and to contribute stories through WLRH - Sundial Writers Corner.
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