Clarence John "Taffy" Abel (May 28, 1900 – August 1, 1964) was a prominent American ice hockey player, renowned for his exceptional skills and significant contributions to the sport. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Abel, a Native American Ojibwe, achieved remarkable success as a professional player in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers and Chicago Black Hawks between 1926 and 1934. Notably, he made history as the first Native American to compete and win a medal in the Winter Olympics, earning a silver medal in ice hockey at the 1924 Winter Olympics and serving as the U.S. flagbearer.Abel's illustrious career saw him play a pivotal role in two Stanley Cup championship teams and become the first United States–born Native American player to attain NHL regular status with the New York Rangers. Following his retirement, he returned to Sault Ste. Marie, where he coached ice hockey and operated a tourist resort named "Taffy’s Lodge." His enduring legacy is honored through the Taffy Abel Arena, the home rink for the Lake Superior State University hockey program. Inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame nine years after his passing, Abel's remarkable achievements continue to inspire and resonate within the realm of professional ice hockey.

Taffy Thomas, MBE, is a renowned storyteller based in Grasmere in the English Lake District. In 2009, he was appointed as the UK's first Laureate for Storytelling, with esteemed patrons including Brian Patten, Michael Rosen, and others. Thomas' journey into storytelling began as a form of speech therapy following a stroke at the age of 36. Since then, he has become a leading figure in traditional storytelling, amassing a repertoire of over 300 tales and "elaborate lies" sourced from oral tradition and folklore. His contributions to the art of storytelling and charity were recognized with an MBE in the 2001 New Year Honours List. Thomas has also showcased his talents internationally, participating in events such as the American National Storytelling Festival and the Bergen Arts Festival in Norway. Currently serving as the artistic director of Tales in Trust, the Northern Centre for Storytelling, and a patron of the Society for Storytelling, Thomas continues to inspire and captivate audiences with his compelling narratives.