DENNIS BOYER

Dennis believes in the power of stories. He is a lifelong collector of lore and personal narrative, starting in teacher Edwin Fox's one-room school classes in Hereford Township (Pennsylvania) and continuing with the native elders of the sub-arctic and Central America. Once called the "folktale man" by Wisconsin Trails Magazine, he treats our collective legends like endangered species in an evolving habitat. He believes that much of our wisdom is embedded in the oral traditions of common people.

Descendant of a long line of farmers, miners, loggers, and veterans from the French and Indian Wars to the conflicts of the 20th century, he is drawn to stories of strength, spirit, and justice. A Vietnam veteran, he has devoted over thirty years to the movements for peace, workers' rights, and environmental protection.

Dennis has written the following books (click to see Amazon.com listing):
Driftless Spirits --Ghosts of Southwest Wisconsin
Giants in the land -- Legends and Folktales of Wisconsin
Northern Frights -- A Supernatural Ecology of the Wisconsin Headwaters
Great Wisconsin Taverns
Prairie Whistles -- Tales of Midwest Railroading
Gone Missing -- A Supernatural Tour of the Great lakes
Snow on the Rails -- Short Stories of Heartland Railroading.
He also co-edited with Justin Isherwood, A Place to Which We Belong, an anthology of land use essays.

His other works include articles and essays on local history, ethnic heritage, outdoors activity, and spirituality. He is a frequent presenter and speaker at paranormal conferences, historical societies, community organizations, association conventions, and on public radio. He is active in community organizations and green advocacy groups.

When he is not traveling the Spirit Path, he lives with his family on a farm in Iowa County, Wisconsin. He can be reached .