Kutztown Alumni e-Newsletter : October 2004

Did you know that the Kutztown Farmers Market is haunted? Have you heard about the Dryville Haunted House or the ghosts of the Topton Hunters? If not you may need to brush up on your Pennsylvania Dutch supernatural folklore. Dennis Boyer, a 1974 graduate of Kutztown State College may be able to help. He has written a new book titled Once Upon a Hex, which takes on the ghost stories of southeast and south central Pennsylvania. In this collection of narrative folktales Boyer tries his best to remain in the background and just let the storytellers tell their story. He uses the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect throughout his stories including footnote translations when necessary. Believing ghost stories provide a format for the unexplained, Boyer says he is inspired to write about the supernatural because he considers it to be the oldest American form of folklore.

Boyer comes from a long line of storytellers. His maternal grandmother planted the original storytelling seed in him by taking him to see his great aunt in the Frederick Mennonite Home in the 1950's. His great aunt told the story of her father taking her to see the funeral train of President Lincoln. When the young Boyer expressed his amazement at this she seemed perplexed, then offered that when she was a girl her great grandmother told her of seeing the Pennsylvania militia marching President Washington home after the Revolutionary War. That's when Boyer realized how strongly connected he is to the history of the land going back to the colonial days.

Boyer actually became more interested in the culture and folktales of the Pennsylvania Dutch after leaving Berks County. A quote from his introduction sums up his feelings. "Travel has a way of broadening one's perspective about one's native area. Distance from home contains the paradox of both clear sight and insight." Originally from Hereford Township, Boyer now resides in the south west Wisconsin hills. He was drawn to the area because it reminds him of Berks County. Although his passion, writing hasn't always been his main vocation. In fact, Boyer didn't begin to publish until his 40's. He has used his political science degree in his work with the railroad and with labor unions representing game wardens, highway workers, etc. It was in this capacity that he rediscovered his interest in folktales. He explains that he would arrange to meet clients after their work day in area taverns to discuss their cases. When he'd arrive early he was fascinated to hear the old timers spinning yarns and found himself arriving earlier just to listen.

Boyer notes two key people from Kutztown State College who acted as mentors to him while he was a student. Professors Albert Dixon and Roger Whitcomb, both of the political science department gave him a broader view of the political science discipline and the world. He believes their encouragement to dabble in history, geography, and writing led to his varied interests and current success.