A Celebration For The Tell Me About It Oral History Project

“Tell Me About It,” an oral history project at the Stephentown Memorial Library, is now complete. There will be a public celebration on Sunday, October 23, from 3 to 5 pm at the Library. Participants in the project will be presented with copies of the book of their combined stories, entitled “Stephentown Stories.” The Books were created on Shutterfly and a copy of the book will also be added to the Library collection and gifted to the Stephentown Historical Society. Library Director Laurenne Teachout will present the books and welcome participants and their families. The public is invited to come and celebrate the richness of our local seniors’ experiences. Refreshments will be served. The building is handicapped accessible.
The “Tell Me About It” Oral History Project focused on eight local seniors selected to tell their stories. They worked with local youth and the professional storytelling duo Frank-Lee Speaking to bring their tales alive in the form of podcasts and printed books to be shared with the community. The seniors who participated are Audrey Foody, Arthur Koepp, Isabel Krebs, Margaret Lehmuth, Sylvia Leibensperger, Franklin Mooney, Jr., Frank Valentine Negron and Paul Sykes. After the seniors were interviewed by the professionals and helped to craft their stories, the teen participants recorded the stories and asked questions. The teens later learned to edit the recordings for production of podcasts and to create a book layout. This project was made possible through a generous Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) service improvement grant, provided through the Upper Hudson Library System.
Frank-Lee Speaking are Dee Ellen Lee and Frank Wind. They have worked with senior citizens and for mental health organizations and have been applauded for their ability to educate and captivate their audience. They perform storytelling concerts and storytelling work-shops for children, family audiences and adults and are members of National Storytelling Network and the Story Circle of the Capital District.
Please join the Friends of the Stephentown Library and the SML Board of Trustees at this important community celebration.