True stories of everyday people
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Andrew Dale Hamaker
In an excerpt of his story about the life lessons learned from his father, Andrew tells about how his parents encouraged their children to learn to play music. One Christmas evening they found a clever way to channel Andrew’s passion for playing the snare drum.
Phyllis Jo Adair-Ward
Phyllis Adair-Ward tells the story of discovering two truths: discrimination at Riverside Park and the loving acceptance of her life-long friend, Mr. Quiggles. (A written version of this story appears in her book, “Wind-chimes and Promises.”)
Sherril Lyn Adkins
In the Summer of 1966 Sherril Adkins got a job as a waitress at Catfish King in Birmingham, Alabama. Having grown up on integrated military bases she had not yet experienced the racism of ordinary white folks of the South. When the restaurant would not serve an...
Carol Ann Brown
Sally Jane Perkins
Reflecting on her path to professional storytelling, Sally Perkins tells of preparing to tell a flannel graph story at church, before she knew how to read, at the age of five! She has been telling stories in public ever since.
Don Dale Drennen
In excerpts of his interview, Don Drennen tells about Michael, his partner of 22 years whose life was cut tragically short by Multiple Sclerosis in January 2014. Their relationship was full of love, dedication and compassion for each other and the communities they...
Martha Annexton Karatz
After graduating from Northwestern with a teaching degree and working in England for a while Martha Karatz moved to Paris. There she landed a luxurious job as a private teacher for a wealthy family in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. But how long could this last…?
Louise Elizabeth Goggans
Betty Shaw
This excerpt of Betty Shaw’s life story focuses on the examples set by her parents, how she became a trail blazing manager, entrepreneur and active community volunteer.