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Today in 1983, Terry Wooten opened his stone circle

Alan Newton
/
NewtonPhotography.us

For more than 30 years, Stone Circle has been a gathering place for poets, storytellers and musicians around the campfire on Saturday nights. Terry Wooten says the event, held at his home north of Elk Rapids, was inspired by his parents.

“My mother was a gifted musician—she could play any instrument by ear," Wooten remembers. "They used to have parties. I just liked that atmosphere.”

So Terry ringed a fire pit with 88 boulders. He says he wanted to create a space with a "sense of awe." He says too often people perform at restaurants and bars, and nobody listens.

“The musician will be playing his or her heart out and a lot of people aren’t interested,” he says. “But here, the words are the focus.”

The 33rd season of Stone Circle Gatherings begins Saturday, June 27.

Peter Payette is the Executive Director of Interlochen Public Radio.