In recent months, Julie Holmberg has delighted those of us who regularly attend Sunday services at UU Saratoga with short skits featuring Marigold, the spirited and inquisitive seven-year-old girl she brings to life through a puppet she had custom-made by a supplier on Etsy. As an example, Rev. Joe’s conversation with Marigold at our Christmas Eve service was especially engaging.
Now, with the support of an expanding creative team and a little help from AI, Julie is preparing her troupe for its first performance before a wider public. This debut will take place Saturday, January 18 in “Puppets and Song.” Performers will include singer Dan Berggren, Rev. Joe will accompany songs with his guitar, and The Division Street Singers led by teacher, Melissa Ferrie-Healy.
Dan has a big following of kids and parents in the Folk Club Kids, an entertaining and educational Zoom show for preschool kids that Dan co-hosts at Caffe Lena. He’ll be inviting those families to join us, so the turnout could be substantial.
In a skit we’ll meet Marigold, voiced by Julie, and Azul, a new friend brought to life by Bill Boehmke. The skit will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, point out opportunities for kids and their families to participate in the National Day of Service, and encourage kids to engage in these opportunities to help others. The dialog for this skit was generated by humans with help from various AI tools.
Julie’s journey with puppetry spans decades. As a teacher in New Hartford, New York, she used puppets to engage her students in meaningful lessons. Later, she joined a puppet ministry at a Methodist church, where she developed her skills in creating scripts and bringing characters to life.
The reintroduction of Civility Ice Cream by Stewart’s Shops last year was the spark Holmberg needed to act on her vision. Developed and marketed to inspire kindness and respect, Civility ice cream is playfully described by Stewart’s marketing people as “sweet and creamy with hints of salty caramel” and “absolutely no nuts.”
“We see this as an opportunity to ask everyone to take a moment to enjoy the sweeter things in life,” said Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake in the relaunch. “We hope it’s a reminder that we may think differently, but we still can respect each other and maybe even share an extra scoop or a smile.”
This synergy between Stewart’s message and her own aspirations resonated for Julie. She applied for a grant through Stewart’s Holiday Match Program and received $200, which became the seed money for Civility Puppets. With support from her husband Art and fellow UU Saratoga members John and Sue Fisher, she purchased four vibrant Muppet-like puppets from Etsy, setting the stage for a new chapter in her life’s work.
Julie aims to extend the troupe’s reach to schools, community centers, and other venues, using puppetry to share messages of kindness, empathy, and understanding. Her goal is to create an inclusive and collaborative environment where people of all ages can contribute their talents to shape stories and characters that uplift and inspire.