Joseph A. Citro

References

After Joe's lecture "Terror in Town!" presented at the Vermont History Center in Barre:

Joe Citro spoke to a full house at the Vermont History Center on a chilly October evening. His talk on the "Terror in Town: The Strangest Tales Form Vermont's Local Histories" had a little something for everyone-those seeking spooky tales, those hoping for interesting historical information, and those just hoping for good entertainment. The crowd was a great mix of "regulars," along with many people who had never visited us before. I would definitely invite him again.

Amy Cunningham, Director of Education
Vermont Historical Society

From Montpelier's Kellogg-Hubbard Library after an evening of Hallowe'en scare stories:

Thanks again for a fabulous presentation. You return engagement at Kellogg-Hubbard was as successful as the first - we may have to make this an annual event! My only regret is that we don't have an even larger room, as we did have to turn a few folks away. People were excited about this event beforehand; the staff reported to me that they fielded more inquiries about it than for any other event this fall.

The crowd was clearly in your thrall. (You looked GREAT with only that tiny light in front of you, by the way - and it threw huge, dark shadows against the wall behind you.) I rarely see an audience so rapt and still. Your manner is so engaging and your stories are so well-written and told. People really respond to you and your topic. I especially loved how you handled the discussion/Q&A afterwards. You were so sweet with the younger kids, and so knowledgeable about topics (like Emily's Bridge) that audience members brought up. Your ad-libbing was funny, incisive, and most entertaining. I hope you were lying when you said you'd never again tell the story about the Chester Inn, because it's so suspenseful, funny, and self-revealing - a great story. Then again, I have the sense you have a LOT of great stories, just waiting in the wings. Have a great Halloween!

Best,

Ellen Miles, Program Coordinator
Kellogg-Hubbard Library

After working with Middle School kids on Vermont folklore:

Joseph Citro's in-depth knowledge of Vermont's strange folktales and unsolved mysteries has a special appeal to middle school students. As a master storyteller with an ability to engage students in the investigative process, Mr. Citro's exciting presentation captivates and leaves his audience asking for more. His visit is a real delight for students and faculty alike.

Carole Renca, Librarian
Edmunds Middle School
Burlington, Vermont

From the Marlboro Vermont Historical Society following Joe's "Spiritualism in Vermont" slide lecture:

Joe - Your 19th century Vermont spiritualism lecture January 29, 2004 was alternately scary and informative. It was research-based, thorough, and thoughtful. In the question-and-answer session, you revealed your wide knowledge of many aspects of the subject, and you handled everyone's questions efficiently and politely. Religion, science, hypnotism, and mysticism merged. I never knew the source of the term "mesmerizing!" We could have heard a pin drop as you told us about the 1848 Fox family event in Hydesville, near Rochester, and about Mr. Splitfoot's activities. Your persona and bearing during the Q&A were especially good. You're a great guy, and it was our pleasure to meet you!

Alan O. Dann
President, Marlboro Historical Society

From Champlain College after Joe's "Spiritualism in Vermont" slide lecture:

Joe Citro personifies the nineteenth century conception of the didactic: he's a dedicated researcher and scholar; he has a genuine gift and generosity with his presentation; his enthusiasm for writing transfers and settles into your very bones; and as some of my students say, "The man is a cat."

In the past four years, Joe has presented his work at Champlain College four times. He has visited our classrooms; he has packed our lecture halls; he has met individually with a number of our best young writers; and he has met with our faculty to discuss writing, history, and research. He has given us hours and hours of his time, and we have become the richer as a result.

Aside from his dedication to writing, research, and history, there is something else that you must know about this man: he has a real incantatory spirit. When he spoke at the college last Halloween, I felt as if time had taken an about-face, or maybe for that hour the clock was ticking backwards. Even though his presentation on Vermont Spiritualism included the snazzy, Bill Gates' conceived PowerPoint, I felt as if the year could have been 1880. I felt as if all of us had made our way there by horse and cutter, driving for hours through a new autumn snowfall to listen to a traveling lecturer who takes everyone to the edge of the chair.

If I have my way, Joe will return to our college every year because I want my students and the members of our community to meet a gentleman, a scholar, a writer, and a historian who has fallen in love life-someone who writes it down in black and white, and then gives it away. This is why I urge you to give this man your complete consideration. I guarantee that he will amaze you; he already has amazed me.

Sincerely,

J.C. Ellefson
Associate Professor of English
Champlain College

	References After Joe's lecture "Terror in Town!" presented at the Vermont History Center in Barre: Joe Citro spoke to a full house at the Vermont History Center on a chilly October evening. His talk on the "Terror in Town: The Strangest Tales Form Vermont's Local Histories" had a little something for everyone-those seeking spooky tales, those hoping for interesting historical information, and those just hoping for good entertainment. The crowd was a great mix of "regulars," along with many people who had never visited us before. I would definitely invite him again. Amy Cunningham, Director of Education Vermont Historical Society From Montpelier's Kellogg-Hubbard Library after an evening of Hallowe'en scare stories: Thanks again for a fabulous presentation. You return engagement at Kellogg-Hubbard was as successful as the first - we may have to make this an annual event! My only regret is that we don't have an even larger room, as we did have to turn a few folks away. People were excited about this event beforehand; the staff reported to me that they fielded more inquiries about it than for any other event this fall. The crowd was clearly in your thrall. (You looked GREAT with only that tiny light in front of you, by the way - and it threw huge, dark shadows against the wall behind you.) I rarely see an audience so rapt and still. Your manner is so engaging and your stories are so well-written and told. People really respond to you and your topic. I especially loved how you handled the discussion/Q&A afterwards. You were so sweet with the younger kids, and so knowledgeable about topics (like Emily's Bridge) that audience members brought up. Your ad-libbing was funny, incisive, and most entertaining. I hope you were lying when you said you'd never again tell the story about the Chester Inn, because it's so suspenseful, funny, and self-revealing - a great story. Then again, I have the sense you have a LOT of great stories, just waiting in the wings. Have a great Halloween! Best, Ellen Miles, Program Coordinator Kellogg-Hubbard Library After working with Middle School kids on Vermont folklore: Joseph Citro's in-depth knowledge of Vermont's strange folktales and unsolved mysteries has a special appeal to middle school students. As a master storyteller with an ability to engage students in the investigative process, Mr. Citro's exciting presentation captivates and leaves his audience asking for more. His visit is a real delight for students and faculty alike. Carole Renca, Librarian Edmunds Middle School Burlington, Vermont From the Marlboro Vermont Historical Society following Joe's "Spiritualism in Vermont" slide lecture: Joe - Your 19th century Vermont spiritualism lecture January 29, 2004 was alternately scary and informative. It was research-based, thorough, and thoughtful. In the question-and-answer session, you revealed your wide knowledge of many aspects of the subject, and you handled everyone's questions efficiently and politely. Religion, science, hypnotism, and mysticism merged. I never knew the source of the term "mesmerizing!" We could have heard a pin drop as you told us about the 1848 Fox family event in Hydesville, near Rochester, and about Mr. Splitfoot's activities. Your persona and bearing during the Q&A were especially good. You're a great guy, and it was our pleasure to meet you! Alan O. Dann President, Marlboro Historical Society From Champlain College after Joe's "Spiritualism in Vermont" slide lecture: Joe Citro personifies the nineteenth century conception of the didactic: he's a dedicated researcher and scholar; he has a genuine gift and generosity with his presentation; his enthusiasm for writing transfers and settles into your very bones; and as some of my students say, "The man is a cat." In the past four years, Joe has presented his work at Champlain College four times. He has visited our classrooms; he has packed our lecture halls; he has met individually with a number of our best young writers; and he has met with our faculty to discuss writing, history, and research. He has given us hours and hours of his time, and we have become the richer as a result. Aside from his dedication to writing, research, and history, there is something else that you must know about this man: he has a real incantatory spirit. When he spoke at the college last Halloween, I felt as if time had taken an about-face, or maybe for that hour the clock was ticking backwards. Even though his presentation on Vermont Spiritualism included the snazzy, Bill Gates' conceived PowerPoint, I felt as if the year could have been 1880. I felt as if all of us had made our way there by horse and cutter, driving for hours through a new autumn snowfall to listen to a traveling lecturer who takes everyone to the edge of the chair. If I have my way, Joe will return to our college every year because I want my students and the members of our community to meet a gentleman, a scholar, a writer, and a historian who has fallen in love life-someone who writes it down in black and white, and then gives it away. This is why I urge you to give this man your complete consideration. I guarantee that he will amaze you; he already has amazed me. Sincerely, J.C. Ellefson Associate Professor of English Champlain College