True stories of everyday people

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Belinda Fong

An Unexpected Thanksgiving. Belinda, a recent immigrant from Australia, tells how overcoming an early hearing loss increased her love of music and her appreciation of other kinds of people.

Michael Lee Hall

HIS STORY: One day Michael Hall walked to his local vintage store to buy a jean jacket and while there he found a woman who would say “I do!”. He explains. Heather Irene Hall tells her story about meeting Michael during her Life Stories Project interview.

Don Steffy

May 4, 1970, Kent State University in Ohio: Having passed up a chance to attend The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Don Steffy switched to Bowling Green State University for a draft exempt status. In this excerpt of Don’s life story he tells about...

Dennis Paul Strickland

Beth, the babysitter, is nice but she does not know what four-year-old Paul wants for lunch when he asks for “Foffy.” So begins the quest for food and understanding.

Barbara M Stilwell

Barbara could not see the baton well enough to catch a high throw. She was a reluctant third grader amidst Junior High School girls in a baton twirling group. Her solution to the problem was very smart.

Ansuyah Naiken

Ansuyah voted for the first time in her life in 1994. She describes the excitement and euphoria of the first democratic election held in South Africa and the rise to power of the African National Congress.

Paul Francis Smith

Paul Smith grew up in a Navy family. In the 1960’s when he was a teenager they moved from Athens, Georgia to Monterey, California. Paul talks about the challenge of fitting in and learning to be true to himself.