Spellbinders Storytellers of Mesa County
Ignite Imaginations
Build Literacy Skills
Strengthen Communities
About Us
Stories, rooted in the beginning of time, quench the human brain’s hunger for meaning. Our volunteers are passionate about sharing stories with children in our local elementary schools and we welcome your interest in our group.
We have shared stories with audiences in Mesa County since 2002, and our well coordinated efforts have brought stories to thousands of kids each year! Aligned with the national Spellbinders organization, our local Licensee Group recognizes the mutual benefits of storytelling, for tellers as well as listeners. Our national organization provides us with an abundance of resources and a sustainable business model.
Newcomers enjoy training, mentoring and ideas galore. And to stay inspired, Spellbinders of Mesa County meet monthly for skill builders, inspiration, fellowship, and fun. Perhaps you are interested in being a part of our group? If so, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Ruthmary Allison; allisonruthmary@gmail.com for more information.
Upcoming Trainings
August 20, 21, 22, 27, 29 (9 am – 12 pm)
or
September 9, 11, 16, 18 (9 am – 1 pm)
We are welcoming new members! If you are interested, please contact Ruthmary Allison at 970-243-7303 or via email at allisonruthmary@gmail.com.
Training content is standardized; however, other training requirements may differ from local group to local group.
Spellbinders of Mesa County (Grand Junction) meets monthly throughout the school year, August through May.
When: 3rd Thursday of the Month
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: American Red Cross Annex (in back), 506 Gunnison Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501
Where: Please contact for up to date meeting information.
We would love to have you join us for our monthly meeting and meet our Spellbinders® Community! If this is your first visit, please email Ruthmary Allison allisonruthmary@gmail.com to let us know that you are coming.
Contact Us
Spellbinders of Mesa County (Grand Junction) is an affiliated Licensee of the 501 3(c) Non-profit Spellbinders®. We serve the communities of Mesa County.
Please contact Ruthmary Allison for more information about Mesa County Spellbinders via email or by phone:
Contact Email: allisonruthmary@gmail.com
Contact Phone Number: (970) 243-7303
Monthly Meeting Location: Our meeting location varies, so please contact us for the current meeting location.
Red Cross Annex (in back), 506 Gunnison Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Meet Our Board of Directors
Board of directors 2025-2026
Ruthmary Allison, Chair
Meet Our Trainers
Ruthmary Allison
My school brought in four professional storytellers to present a school wide storytelling program when I taught first grade in the ‘70’s. The children loved it and so did I. I thought, “I could do that when I grow up”… Thirty years later I had the opportunity to take the Spellbinder training, and sure enough I could and can. It has been such fun to stay connected with kids, teachers and other storytellers locally and nationally. Being a trainer has given me an opportunity to aid in keeping the art of oral storytelling alive and giving others the joy of being part of Spellbinders “a feel good volunteer experience” and an opportunity to be a Life Long Learner.
Laurie Kollasch
I raised my girls in Palisade, where my husband and I still live on our little farm that we share with an assortment of critters. An enthusiastic and active Spellbinder, I have been telling stories in classrooms all over our valley since 2002. I have also enjoyed serving my chapter as a working member of our board of directors, and, for many years, as a trainer. A big fan of enrichment, I love attending conferences and workshops, then sharing what I have learned with fellow storytellers. I believe in offering a professional, high quality training program that introduces folks to the joy of storytelling, and sets each one up for success in the classroom as a first class example of our what a Spellbinder should be.
Barb Egan
At the time of
her retirement, Barb had served educational institutions for over forty years. She started as a classroom teacher in the public school system and expanded her skills as a program coordinator, trainer and executive director in agencies that serve youth. She subsequently served in senior leadership positions in independent schools for more than 35 years.
Barb has also been a regional and national trainer, leadership coach and consultant on management, training, strategic planning, school change, human resource management, team-based management, accounting for independent schools, and leadership development. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees for The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and has served as an accreditation chair.
Barb joined Spellbinders in 2023 after relocating to Mesa County, Colorado. She is currently an active storyteller, and a board member and Treasurer for Spellbinders of Mesa County.
Anne Saunders
Anne Saunders grew up in Grand Junction and attended School District 51 Schools graduating from Central High School. She left the area to attend college and graduate school and vowed she would never come back to live in Western Colorado. The lesson here is “Never say never.” She worked in Corporate America for many years until she returned to Grand Junction to assist aging parents in 2000. It was then that she learned about Spellbinders from a friend, went through training, and became a story teller in 2006. “It’s the most fun I have all month,” she has commented often.
Anne credits her love of story to her mother who not only read to her and her brother, but often told them stories of her own childhood. She feels stories bring us together in our shared humanity.
Our Impact
Each year Spellbinders of Mesa County Storytelling Volunteers take the time to ignite imaginations, build literacy skills, and strengthen our communities. For the school year of 2023-2024, our Licensee had: