StoryCorps: Jim Santella and Mary Lou WiltbergerBuffalo, NY(2009-07-29)WBFO concludes its year-long series of stories that were recorded in the summer of 2008 when the StoryCorps booth visited Buffalo. We end with one of our own, the legendary Jim Santella. Jim was a pioneer progressive radio host in the early 1970s and is now a member of the Buffalo Broadcasting Hall of Fame. His career has come full circle. Jim began as a student broadcaster on WBFO in the 1960s. And now he's been back for more than a decade as the host of the Blues.
StoryCorps: Gayle and Yanava HawkinsBuffalo, NY(2009-07-15)WBFO presents a a StoryCorps conversation recorded in Buffalo in the summer of 2008. We've featured conversations between sisters that show their strong bond. Gayle Lyons Hawkins can't talk to her sister, Gwen, who died in 1990. But Gayle came to StoryCorps with her 14-year-old daughter Yanava to pay tribute to Gwen.
StoryCorps: The High School Graduation SpeechBuffalo, NY(2009-06-24)WBFO presents a a StoryCorps conversation recorded in Buffalo in the summer of 2008. Dozens of graduation ceremonies will take place this weekend. And each ceremony will feature a student speech, usually by the class valedictorian. For Meghan Groth, delivering that speech was a terrifying experience.
StoryCorps: Eben and Kate SchwartzBuffalo, NY(2009-06-10)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo in the summer of 2008. Many of our StoryCorps conversations feature an elderly family member recalling life during the Great Depression or World War II. Today, we turn the tables. We hear from a young couple who are just embarking on their lives together. Their history has yet to be written.
WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo in the summer of 2008. The Rickli family spans three generations -- grandfather Al, his son and daughter-in-law Richard and Elizabeth and grandson Stephen crammed into the small StoryCorps booth to talk about Al's life growing up in New York City.
StoryCorps: Ray Goodrum and Deborah PorterBuffalo, NY(2009-05-27)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo in the summer of 2008. Longtime WBFO listeners may remember the name Ray Goodrum. He once hosted a Blues program here. But Ray was known for a TV program he produced from 1988 through 1993 called Ray's Scrapbook. He talked about the show with his friend Deborah Porter at StoryCorps.
StoryCorps: Jack DonnellyBuffalo, NY(2009-05-20)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo in the summer of 2008. Seventy-four-year-old Jack Donnelly is pure South Buffalo. He counted the late Jimmy Griffin as a friend. Donnelly remembers not even leaving his neighborhood until he was nearly an adult. It had everything a kid would want or need -- a movie theatre, soda bars and delicatessens. And it had the Babcock Street Boy's Club, where Jack Donnelly says he learned to box.
StoryCorps: Morris, Terry and Rachel BeermanBuffalo, NY(2009-05-06)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. We present three generations of the Beerman family -- grandfather Morris, who is 93, father Terry and daughter Rachel. They talk about the importance of family and the support they give each other.
StoryCorps: Horace Mann and Sharon CramerBuffalo, NY(2009-04-22)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. Horace Mann is a retired professor who specialized in the field of special education. Following his graduation from Brooklyn College in 1943, he enlisted in the Air Force as a cadet. Horace was invited to StoryCorps by his good friend and colleague, Sharon Cramer, to talk more about his World War II experiences.
StoryCorps: William and Glendora CooperBuffalo, NY(2009-04-15)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. William Yancy Cooper says he was "blackmailed" into becoming an artist. He says his mother and grandmother allowed him to pursue his interest in art as a youngster as long as he didn't complain about being home schooled. William came to StoryCorps with his wife Glendora.
StoryCorps: Saul Elkin and Greg NataleBuffalo, NY(2009-03-25)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo. Saul Elkin is a veteran of the Buffalo theatre scene. He's the retired chair of the University at Buffalo Theater Department and founder and artistic director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park. Elkin also founded Jewish Repertory Theatre. Local theatre director and actor Greg Natale describes Elkin as his mentor.
StoryCorps: Milton Schoch and Abigail UngerBuffalo, NY(2009-03-18)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. In his prime, Milton Schoch says he performed in more than 100 musicals. He loved to sing, so much so that Abigail Unger, a musical therapist with Hospice, invited Milton to join her at StoryCorps. She even brought her guitar so they could sing.
StoryCorps: Lisa and Lauren SamarBuffalo, NY(2009-03-11)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. Lauren Samar lost her hearing when she was two years old from meningitis. Later, she was fitted with a cochlear implant and is now a freshman at City Honors High School. Lauren enjoys reading and dance. She was invited by her mother Lisa Samar to share her thoughts on being a teenager who happens to be deaf.
StoryCorps: Joseph and Eric SpinaBuffalo, NY(2009-03-04)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. There's much talk these days about whether the current economic recession will evolve into an actual depression, the likes of which we have not seen since the 1930s. Joseph Spina grew up in that depression on Buffalo's West Side. He joined his adult son Eric at StoryCorps to talk more about that.
StoryCorps: Joan and Kim Marie McKernanBuffalo, NY(2009-02-25)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. Joan McKernan grew up in England during World War Two. In this conversation with her step daughter, Kim Marie McKernan, Joan remembers what it was like when German bombs came reining down on her childhood home.
StoryCorps: Buffalo's BubblemanBuffalo, NY(2009-02-11)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. Chuck Incorvaia and Dan Gailey are fixtures of Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood.
StoryCorps: Remembering Jimmy LyonsBuffalo, NY(2009-02-04)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer. Jimmy Lyons was a pioneer black broadcaster in Buffalo in the 1950s and '60s. His program was famously called the Lyons Den.
StoryCorps: Sue and Mickey TannehillBuffalo, NY(2009-01-28)WBFO presents another story that was recorded at StoryCorps in Buffalo last summer.
Wednesday marks the 32nd anniversary of the Blizzard of '77. Sue Tannehill and her mother Mickey went to the StoryCorps booth on a hot August afternoon to talk about their memories of January 28, 1977.
