 September 26, 2007
The importance of community is a hot topic of conversation these days—and one that often comes up in our StoryBooths.
For many of us, participation in groups and organizations, (like the one featured below), has shaped our definitions of community and shaped our lives. And so naturally we talk about what has it meant to be a part of the local softball team, a regular poker night, the neighborhood babysitting co-op, or an online support group.
I may be a son and a brother—but I am also a tennis player, a New Yorker, a StoryCorps Alum, an amateur bluegrass musician, and a regular at my weekly neighborhood potlucks.
Who are you?
Matt
StoryCorps Alumni Coordinator
 Roller Skating and So Much More!
Recently Released Audio Clips ...
New Alumni
Listeners Talk Back!
 Starting this past summer the most remarkable group of roller skaters—yes, roller skaters—began showing up at our Grand Central Terminal StoryBooth and then at MobileBooths in Cleveland, Indianapolis, Chicago, and even Oakland.
Through a partnership with Our Family Skate we have already recorded 44 interviews with members of this historic association! All types of skaters have come to talk about what the sport means to them and to describe the thriving, intergenerational culture of style skating, which takes its inspiration from soul music and break dancing. (Read more about this partnership on the MobileBooth blog).
This recent comment on SkateGroove, a news and community website for skaters, is a testament to how much this organization (and recording its history) has meant to its individual members.
Doing this StoryCorps recording with my uncle, I found out that I am a third generation rollerskater and that my grandfather was instrumental in getting blacks a night of their own to skate at an all white rink in Hamilton, Ohio, back in 1940…For all you skaters that want so hard to be recognized for what you do on, in, or around skate world here’s your chance to make history and go down in history!
If you belong to an organization, club, or group that has made a difference in your life, get in touch with us about recording your history! (Tasha Klusmann, President of Our Family Skate, has set a great example for how to get your members involved and participating in StoryCorps.)
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The following interviews from Alumni across the country were broadcast during the last month.
 "He was tough on the outside—big, big, soft guy on the inside." Bob Carberry (L) and John Cullen (R) remember their fellow firefighter, Lieutenant Steven Bates, who died on September 11, 2001. Listen ... |
 "I really miss so much about New Orleans..." Antoinette Franklin (R) and her niece, Iriel Franklin, talk about relocating to Houston after Hurricane Katrina. Listen ... |
top ^  David Letterman's mom was the star attraction at the opening session of StoryCorps at the Indiana History Center in Downtown Indianapolis. She was the first area resident to be interviewed for StoryCorps during the MobileBooth's stop in Indianapolis this August.
Ms. Mengering, who was interviewed by her granddaughter Bryn, said "It's just wonderful that this is being recorded. I wish I had this opportunity with my mother."
Listen to her story at the WFYI website!
top ^  Everyday we receive emails from listeners across the country who have either heard your stories broadcast on NPR or downloaded them from our website. Whenever we receive these emails we share them with the Alumni whose story inspired the listener.
Last month we featured a conversation between Ky-Antre Compton and his mentor Stuart Chittenden.
Here's what some of our listeners shared with us, Ky-Antre, and Stuart after hearing this story.
Listener
When I heard young Mr. Compton ask his Big Brother about his beliefs in god, I initially braced myself for another testimony about his strong faith and how it helps him through his daily trials.
What I heard Mr. Chittenden answer, however, was entirely unexpected, and quite refreshing. And Mr. Compton's response was equally uplifting. This was a truly refreshing conversation to hear on the radio by an atheist of 25 years.
Thank you, StoryCorps, for recording these two amazing people engaging in such enlightened conversation. And thank you, Mr. Compton and Mr. Chittenden, for your open-minded views. I'm glad you have found each other and have such a wonderful relationship. Best regards to both of you. Listener
Please pass along to Ky-Antre Compton and Stewart Chittenden that I just loved listening to their story.
Ky-Antre is so mature and insighful for his 11 years, yet so funny as well. Stewart sounds like a wonderful role model as Ky-Antre really notices Stewart's actions; respectful and polite among many others I'm sure.
It touched me to hear about their relationship and what each has gained from the other. I hope they do remain, as in Ky-Antre's words, brothers forever.
Listening in Rhode Island...
If you want to share your reaction to a fellow Alum's story, email me and I'll pass it on!
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AT&T is a proud national sponsor of StoryCorps. Additional major funding is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. StoryCorps is also made possible by generous support from the Annenberg Foundation, Ford Foundation, Kaplen Foundation, Open Society Institute, the Annenberg Foundation, and Joe and Carol Reich. StoryCorps is created in partnership with NPR and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. top ^ | |
Make Room on Your Bookshelves
It's true—the first ever StoryCorps book, Listening Is an Act of Love, is scheduled to go on sale this November.  The book will be available wherever books are sold starting November 8th or you can preorder your copy today from our website! (When you use this link to make your purchase StoryCorps receives a portion of the sale).
Don't miss your chance to meet StoryCorps founder, Dave Isay! In November, Dave will be touring the country, signing books and playing some of his favorite StoryCorps clips. Stay tuned for the announcement of upcoming book tour dates.
New StoryBooth Opens!
Our newest StoryBooth has just opened its doors at the Nashville Public Library. Due to the great success of our Milwaukee StoryBooth, we decided to expand our temporary StoryBooth program and will be recording stories in Nashville for the next year. Make a reservation today to tell your story!
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MobileBooth
Sept 27–Oct 20, 2007
Ft. Worth, TX Sept 27–Nov 2, 2007
Louisville, KY
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Griot
Sept 27–Oct 6, 2007
Vicksburg/Holly Springs, MS Oct 11–Oct 27, 2007
Jackson/Clarksdale, MS
| If you are planning on visiting Milwaukee, or now Nashville you can schedule an interview at one of our StoryBooths anytime. |
What's On Your Mind?
As we all know, a conversation takes two (or more!) So, let us know what you're thinking, what you'd like to hear about, or if you have a StoryCorps experience to share. Like family, we rely on StoryCorps Alumni to tell us what we're doing right, what we're doing wrong, and how you might want to get involved.
StoryCorps Alumni Coordinator
646-723-7020 x77
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