Find out about the upcoming Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival from one of its leaders

Sue Byrne will be the speaker at the Wednesday, May 22, meeting of Altrusa International of Oak Ridge to get members excited to attend the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival in Oak Ridge, June 7-8. '

The storytelling festival brings top tier professional storytellers from the national circuit to Oak Ridge for a weekend of unforgettable stories at the Historic Grove Theater, according to a news release.

One of the featured tellers, Charlotte Blake Alston, will tell a compelling World War II story of the first all-female, all Black U.S. battalion stationed in Europe. What those brave women accomplished resulted in a Congressional Medal of Honor.

"Its a barn burner of a story that will resonate with Oak Ridgers," Byrne said, and it will only be told once - at the performance at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7.

"These storytellers are the best of the best, and we've never been more excited about the lineup that we have this year," Byrne said.

Tickets to shows can be purchased at flatwatertales.com or at Calamity's Coffee in Jackson Square.

The Wednesday Altrusa meeting, to be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 215 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge, begins with a lunch buffet at 11:45 a.m., followed by a short business meeting at noon and then the program.

The lunch cost is $17.50, which must be paid by check or cash. Visitors with a reservation are welcome to attend. Members can attend with a reservation for “seat only” for a $5 charge. Reservations may be made by sending an email to: altrusareservations@gmail.com by noon Monday, May 20.

Altrusa International is a service organization comprised of community members focusing on leadership, partnership, and service with an emphasis on literacy and education