Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : November 19, 2007

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov
Contact: Brennon O’Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent ( 304) 265-6144 brennonosullivan@wvdnr.gov

Storyteller Bil Lepp Goes About “Punching the Lard” December 1 at Tygart Lake State Park

Bil Lepp, five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest , has a whole new set of stories. His recent compilation of a mostly humorous and mostly true (he claims) autobiographical look at his life called “Punching the Lard” will debut December 1 at Tygart Lake State Park.

A Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival, The Smithsonian Folk Life Festival and the International Storytelling Center, Bil is the author of three books of tales, four audio collections, and several stories published in national magazines. This performance is part of a dinner theatre package.

Lepp, a 15-year veteran of story telling, has been described as providing “awe inspiring cathedrals of flapdoodle and bull” by Duke Divinity Magazine. According to Brennon O’Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent at Tygart, the stories in this show will bring a smile to the face of even the most ill-humored person. O’Sullivan says “Lepp is an exceptional storyteller and entertainer and past performances have resulted in creating side stitches in the most physically fit and premature laugh lines in the youngest of attendees.”

Tygart Lake State Park and Lodge is located near the shoreline of Tygart Lake near Grafton, WV. A 20-room lodge, cabins, and fishing are the hallmarks for this park. A full-service restaurant at the lodge serves up some “fine vittles” for this Saturday performance, according to O’Sullivan. Reservations are required.

For more information about the December 1 dinner theater at Tygart Lake or other events at West Virginia State Parks, go online to www.wvstateparks.com or call 800 CALL WVA and ask for Tygart Lake.

**DNR**