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.
Cynthia H Goodyear
Cynthia Goodyear talks about how WWII impacted her childhood and how the nation’s sense of war since has changed.
Diane Lee Richards
Diane grew up admiring her Aunt Helen who, with her husband Don, ran a flight school. It took years to find out that Helen had flown bombers and pursuit planes back during WWII. Diane reflects on the life of her remarkable and yet modest Aunt.
James Edward Lindgren
James Lindgren tells about how branches of the family in Sweden and the U.S.A. were separated by a falling out between a grandfather and his brother. Years later, after researching family history, the grandchildren reunited in peaceful correspondence and travel.
Donna Rae Kenninger
Donna Kenninger, a retired nurse, tells about being a volunteer storyteller at Riley Hospital for Children, the power of story and how electronics are a curious new distraction for pediatric patients.
Carol Bussell
Born in New York, Carol Bussell is a professor at IUPUI who uses stories in her teaching. She came to her Life Stories intervew with family artifacts, journals, diaries, photos, and most importantly books!
Frank Basile
Frank Basile talks about going to Santa Fe where he was able to thank a former teacher of fifty years ago, face to face, for encouraging him to overcome the fear of public speaking.
Tasha Boyd-Jones, William Boyd & James Reginald
Tasha Boyd Jones grew up with two fathers, her biological father William Boyd (in photo on the right) and her step-father Reginald Jones (in photo on the left) in her life. In an excerpt of their group interview, they talk about the communication and understanding...
Letha &Tisha Pletcher
Letha Pletcher tells her granddaughter Tisha about living near the railroad in Pierceton, Indiana during the 1930’s; playing in grain elevators, air that smelled of peppermint, and feeding the hungry.