Ignite Imaginations
Build Literacy Skills
Strengthen Communities
About Us
Stories, rooted in the beginning of time, quench the human brain’s hunger for meaning. Spellbinders of Mesa County, volunteers who are passionate for sharing stories with children in our local elementary schools and other community venues, welcome your interest in our group.
We have shared stories with audiences in Mesa County since 2002, and our well coordinated efforts serve approximately 35,000 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 larryalli@gmail.com for more information.
Upcoming Trainings
Please contact for upcoming training sessions.
We are still welcoming new members! If you are interested, please contact Ruthmary Allison at 970-243-7303 or via email at larryalli@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: 2nd Thursday of the Month
Time: 9:15 to 11:15 a.m.
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 larryalli@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: larryalli@gmail.com
Contact Phone Number: (970) 243-7303
Monthly Meeting Location: Our meeting location varies, so please contact us for the current meeting location.
1425 N 5th St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Meet Our Steering Committee
Current 2022-2023 Steering Committee Members:
Laurie Kollasch
Ruthmary Allison
Cheryl Olson
Cathy Funderburk
2019-2020 Leadership
Lynch Linda Committee Chair
Peterson Sharyl Assistant Chair
Bishop Linda Treasurer
Hart April Secretary & School Dist. 51 Liaison
Olson Cheryl Storyteller Coordinator & Training Liaison
Palmer Mary Lou Workshop Coordinator
Funderburk Cathy Newsletter Liaison
Fotopoulos Kate National Spellbinders Liaison
Hoey Debbie Rotary Liaison
Yerbic Gail Community Liaison & PR Marketing
Brown Thomas P/R & Recruiting
Meet Our Trainers
Ann Saunders
Anne Saunders’ love of story was fostered by her mother, who not only read stories to her and her brother, but also told her stories, especially personal stories. Anne grew up in Grand Junction but left for college and an eventual career in Corporate America, where one of her many positions was as a Corporate Trainer. She returned to Grand Junction in 2000 to assist her aging parents. She learned of Spellbinders in 2007 from a friend. Anne feels Spellbinders is one of those volunteer positions where the teller gets much more from being with the children than the children get from her stories. “The kids get so excited when you hit the threshold of the classroom, once they know who you are. It’s the only time in my life I am treated like a rock star.”
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.
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.
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 2022-2023, our Licensee had: