Our first street sign perched high above Winston-Salem Streets.
We arrived in Winston-Salem to unrivaled fanfare. During the opening ceremonies, Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines bestowed upon us the honor of having a street named in our honor. A StoryCorps first! We each discussed wanting to bring home a sign after our stay, but that was before we actually saw the signs… They are enormous! Needless to say, our comfort level in a city so warm and hospitable is a considerably high. Our first participants included H’Tuyet (Snow) Rahian, a member of the Montagnard community in North Carolina. The term Motagnard means “mountain people” in French and refers to the indigenous people of the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Greensboro, North Carolina, is now home to the largest community of Montagnards in the world outside of Vietnam. Additionally, we had the pleasure to record Jimmy Ballew, a piano tuner who has been a pillar of the Winston-Salem community for decades. Couple these great interviews with the fact that our opening event was catered by the wonderful people at Mellow Mushroom Pizza and you have a formula for success.
I think we’re going to love it here.
Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines declares the street naming.
Participant Jimmy Ballew is a well-known face in the Winston-Salem community.
Facilitator Alex Kelly poses with StoryCorps Participant H’Tuyet (Snow) Rahian, of the Greensboro Montagnard community.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
SO cool.
March 8th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
StoryCorps Blvd looks icy! I hope you all are attending the Pancake Jamboree advertised behind Mayor Joines.
March 9th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I LOVE Mellow Mushroom. mmm. Are those icicles on the sign?
March 10th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I think I still want a sign!
March 12th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I’ve been to that Mellow Mushroom! Yum.
And yes, the people in Winston-Salem are wonderful…southern hospitality all the way. Can’t wait to hear their stories.