STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY ALEXANDRA KUNTZ

Just call her Madame Blavatsky.

One of the greatest delights of JoEllen Collins’ life has been working with children as an English teacher.

While working at the Sun Valley Community School as assistant to the director of the elementary school, she would darken her office every Halloween, put up black paper on the window to the hall and play Madame Blavatsky.

Helena Blavatsky, in case you’ve never encountered her, was a real person—a Russian occultist, philosopher and author who founded the Theosophical Society in 1875 and was one of Yeats’ advisors and friends.

The schoolchildren may not have been impressed with Madame Blavatsky’s pedigree. But they loved  rubbing Collins’ crystal ball while she read their palm, predicting happy and positive occurrences in their present and future.

Since, Collins has occasionally dug out her crystal ball to repeat her fortune telling for friends’ children’s birthdays. She’s also sat outside her door in the freezing cold on Halloween night, offering fortunes to trick-or-treaters.

“Even with icy fingers I had a great time,” she said.

In recent months, Collins has decided that her life needs children in it more regularly than the occasional visits she gets with her grandchildren. So, Madame Blavatsky is hanging out her shingle as Bibi’s Good Fortunes to perform at children’s parties. And not just at Halloween.

“I am a ham and storyteller so doing this gig at children’s parties is a natural for me,” she said. “So far, my friends and acquaintances have been enthusiastic. And I am happy that I have followed this instinct at this time of my life. I’ve always gotten joy from being around eager, loving and delightful children, and Mother always told me to leave the world a little better place for my having been there.’

JoEllen Collins finds her fortune in interacting with young people. PHOTO: Alexandria Kuntz

Want to know more? Call Collins at 208-720-4160 or email joellencollins1@gmail.com.