First Local StoryCorps story on KAXE

Tune in this Monday morning at 6:50 for the first locally produced StoryCorps segment. You'll hear an excerpt of the conversation that Rick and Kathleen Blake of Grand Rapids had in the StoryCorps airstream trailer. They took their 40 minutes to remember their son Michael, who passed away when he was 8 from leukemia.

Kathleen tells the wonderful story of how telling her "Micahel the Elephant" story helped Michael get through his treatments.

It's the Fall Fundraiser at KAXE - the Northern Observer. What better way to support local media like KAXE that gives you real stories that matter. If you pledge your support at $10/month - $120/year - you can get "Listening is An Act of Love" - the first StoryCorps book as an EXTRA thank-you gift. Pledge online or call 218-326-1234/800-662-5799 to pledge your support.

And stay tuned to 91.7KAXE for more local StoryCorps stories. You'll hear the people in your community telling the stories that mean the most to them.
-Heidi

Mary the Kayak Lady and her mother Goldy

As we get ready for StoryCorps coming to town next week, Mary the Kayak Lady and her mother Goldy stopped by to do a little recording of their own. Goldy is leaving town before the booth gets to town, so we tried a KAXE version of StoryCorps.

Mary and Goldy came in and we sat together for 40 minutes while Mary asked her mom some questions. Britta Arendt from the Grand Rapids Herald review was there, and we all enjoyed hearing the feisty Goldy tell her stories of conquering her bucket list.

Goldy is 86 and determine to try new things. Here's just a few things that Goldy has done in the last few years:

jump out of a plane
ride bucking bronco
drive a race car
ride a jetski
ride in a helicopter

I knew that I would enjoy this pre-StoryCorps session, but I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did! There was something utterly inspiring about sitting across the console from a 4'5" 86 year old woman that not only wasn't afraid to try new things, but LOOKED for them. You could see the pride in Mary's eyes and the surprise in her face at some of the things her mother said.

Hope you can be a part of the StoryCorps project, here in Grand Rapids, Minnesota August 29th-September 20th. Call us for more information! 218-326-1234

A Bra's Tale on StoryCorps

StoryCorps is the largest oral history project that travels across the United States recording everyday Americans interviewing each other.

KAXE has been chosen as a StoryCorps story and YOU will have the opportunity to record your own history. At StoryCorps, they believe that everybody’s story matters. Every life counts. By reaching out to record our history, hopes, and common humanity— we can help illuminate the true character of this nation. StoryCorps will be in Grand Rapids at the end of August thru September of this year!

One of the latest stories that was heard on NPR's Morning Edition was from 94 year old Betty Jenkins. Betty tells the story of how her mother worried about her lack of womanly curves and potential boyfriends so she took matters into her own hands. Hear her story here.

Did you hear last week's StoryCorps segment?

Most of the StoryCorps segments we hear on NPR's Morning Edition are touching and move me close to tears. Last week's was a whole different can of worms - it cracked me up! Ramon's story was recorded at the StoryCorps Mobile Booth in San Diego. He talks about how all the Mexican-American students at his school had their names "americanized" by their teachers. Ramon became Raymond.

The teachers DIDN'T change one kid's name though. Listen to it here.

And don't forget that the StoryCorps mobile booth is coming to Grand Rapids to include US in the largest oral history project in the United States. They will be here August 25th - September 20th. Stay tuned for how you can sign up to talk with someone you care about!

Tune in Friday mornings for segments of StoryCorps - or check the website for archives and blogs about the project.

A video about StoryCorps

Here's an ABC news story where StoryCorps founder Dave Isay was spotlighted. Our StoryCorps project starts this week with a community meeting on Thursday May 29th at 6pm. Let us know if you'd like to be a part of it! Don't forget the StoryCorps airstream will be here at the end of August - you'll have the opportunity to have a conversation with someone you care about.

StoryCorps - Mom and Son - Why Are You Still Not Married?

Did you get a chance to hear last week's StoryCorps on NPR's Morning Edition on KAXE?

10-year-old Rahsheed McKenstry interviewed his mother Rhonetta in Memphis, Tennessee. Rahsheed and his brother are being raised by their mother and he had some questions to pose to her.

"OK, so why are you not still married?"
"Because my ex-husband was horrible," she said.
"Was he violent toward you?"
"Yes."
"Was he violent toward anybody else?"
"You and your brother, which is why I won't let him see you."

Listen to their conversation here.

The StoryCorps Airstream is coming to Northern Minnesota at the end of August through September. This means you will have the chance to sit down with someone you care about and ask them questions. Contact us if you are interested in setting up an interview or want to volunteer with this project.

Other things you can do:

Listen Friday mornings to NPR's Morning Edition on 91.7 KAXE

Read the StoryCorps book "Listening Is An Act of Love - A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project"

Have your bookclub read "Listening Is An Act of Love - A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project"

Subscribe to the StoryCorps podcast

Check out the StoryCorps website - http://www.storycorps.net/

Read the StoryCorps blog

Come to a Listening Party at KAXE studios - stay tuned for details

StoryCorps coming up!

You may have already heard but KAXE has been chosen as a StoryCorps station....we couldn't be more thrilled!

What exactly IS StoryCorps?

Since 2003, almost 30,000 everyday people have shared life stories with family and friends in our StoryBooths. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the Library of Congress. Millions listen to our broadcasts on public radio and the web. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind.

We hope you'll not only record a conversation with someone who matters to you, but volunteer to be a part of this great project. We need ideas on places we can bring the StoryCorps airstream across the listening area - people to help staff the booth - and folks interested in helping to get the word out, etc. Stay tuned for more information on October's StoryCorps project.

You can hear StoryCorps every Friday morning on NPR's Morning Edition between 5:15 and 5:30 and again at 7:10. You can also hear StoryCorps on upcoming episodes of Realgoodwords.