[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#55ccaa” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,0,0,0.29) 0%|rgba(255,255,255,0) 100%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,0,0,0.5)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(0,0,0,0.75)” background_enable_image=”off” custom_padding=”2vw||2vw||true|false” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{%22#57cc99%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”5138c454-be54-4233-bd3b-f8e6a8747976″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”73121f80-a3ef-4484-8763-c3f18e3c56d2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=” McWhorter Clock Award” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”ddeb8c09-9078-4424-bc15-2efb6572e28e” title_font=”Open Sans||||||||” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”72px” title_line_height=”1.15em” width=”220%” custom_margin=”|-475px||||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” title_font_size_tablet=”40px” title_font_size_phone=”24px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/compaab.com\/story\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WVSG-Logo-26.png” title_text=”WVSG Logo 26″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” width=”50%” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”top” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_spread=”8px” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” border_color_all=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Open Sans||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Open Sans||||||||” custom_margin=”|40px||40px|false|true” custom_padding=”|||0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Affectionately known as “The Clock”<\/strong>, the West Virginia Storytelling Guild gives an award each year honoring a member of the Guild. This honor began in the year 2000 and is named for Bob McWhorter.\u00a0 Bob was passionate about storytelling and envisioned an annual storytelling festival in West Virginia.\u00a0 To honor Bob\u2019s vision, the West Virginia Storytelling Guild created the Bob McWhorter Achievement Award. It is given annually to a member of the Guild that serves the storytelling community.\u00a0 The award is in the form of a clock and is presented each year to a deserving member at a regional or state-wide event.\u00a0 In general, the award is given to someone who is a visionary, a leader and exemplifies the spirit of service.<\/p>\n Recipients include:<\/strong><\/p>\n 2024\u00a0 <\/strong>June Riffle <\/strong>for her long-standing commitment to the guild as treasurer, and more than 20 years as the guild\u2019s tandem telling duo known as Mountain Echoes. She continues to tell as a solo performer.<\/p>\n 2023<\/strong>\u00a0 David O\u2019Dell<\/strong> for his faithful service to storytelling through the Oral Traditions tent at the West Virginia Folk Festival for many years and his dedication to youth storytelling.<\/p>\n 2022\u00a0 Katie\u00a0and\u00a0Otto\u00a0Ross<\/strong> for their untiring work on behalf of the Guild. They are a team, both in their work for the guild as vice president and treasurer and for their ongoing efforts to tell stories locally and regionally.<\/p>\n 2021\u00a0 Fred Powers<\/strong>\u00a0for his work to promote the coal stories through his oral and written contributions.<\/p>\n 2020\u00a0 Bill Hairston<\/strong>, as a charter member of the guild, he has faithfully supported guild activities, developed his own fine storytelling work, and served as the guild\u2019s ambassador for years at meetings, conferences and festivals.<\/p>\n 2018<\/strong> \u00a0Dr.<\/strong> Fran Kirk<\/strong>: Fairmont State University professor, founder and director of the Mountain State Storytelling Institute, interim director of the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center.<\/p>\n 2017 <\/strong>\u00a0Rich Knoblich<\/strong>: long-time driving force behind creation and organization of McWhorter Clock Award, founder and co-director of storytelling events in Pricketts Fort and Grand Vue Park, and decorated West Virginia Liars\u2019 Contest competitor.<\/p>\n 2016<\/strong> \u00a0Judi Tarowsky:\u00a0<\/strong>co-creator of the West Virginia Storytelling Guild Festivals at Pricketts Fort and Grand Vue Park, creator of numerous events in the Greater Wheeling area, and fine teller of tales.<\/p>\n \u00a02015\u00a0<\/strong> Adam Booth:\u00a0<\/strong>teller of a variety of styles of story, founder of the Speak Story Series, and educator of Appalachian tales and folklore<\/p>\n 2014 <\/strong>\u00a0Susanna “Granny Sue” Holstein: <\/strong>tireless promoter of storytelling in West Virginia who is a\u00a0<\/strong>teller, blogger, and fine singer of many traditional ballads<\/p>\n 2010 <\/strong>\u00a0Jason Burns:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0In addition to a storytelling performer, Jason has served as Guild Webmaster and founder of West Virginia’s Spectral Heritage Project.<\/a><\/p>\n