Category: StoryCorps

StoryCorps Unalaska Hoping for Akutan

In the hopes of making it to Akutan next week for some StoryCorps sessions, I have changed my header to the mode of transportation that will be ours for the trip.  Everyone who flies around the Aleutians knows the Grumman Goose.  It is the plane to take when runways are in short supply. 

The photo is courtesy of Alaska Airlines pilot Burke Mees, who spent more than a few years piloting the Goose for Peninsula Airways.  Burke continues to maintain his ties with Unalaska as he still comes out to do check rides with the other Goose pilots.  And he comes to Unalaska for vacations!

My husband, Caleb, is an airframe and powerplant mechanic, and he had a love-hate relationship with the Goose.   I like the Grumman Goose so much that we  got married in it.  It was April 5, 1997.  Hopefully flying on April 6, 2009 will bring the same good luck for Kristine and I and StoryCorps! 

In the terminal with our kids.
In the terminal with our kids.
Pilot Burke Mees telling me that we can do a fast quick ceremony at 2 PM, or he can do the Akutan run first, then we can take our time getting married!
Pilot Burke Mees telling me that we can have a fast quick ceremony at 2 PM, or he can do the Akutan run first, then we can take our time getting married!
We are all on board - except Laresa.
We are all on board - except Laresa.

Laresa had never flown in the goose before.  She got on, and she got off!

Getting ready.
Getting ready.
Magistrate Kate Nixon had to pretty much yell the vows.
Magistrate Kate Nixon had to pretty much yell the vows.

Yes, the engines are extremely loud.  It felt pretty funny shouting, “I do!!!!!!”

Alena, Scott, Burke, Caleb, Sharon, Hope, and Mike.
Alena, Scott, Burke, Caleb, Sharon, Hope, and Mike.

Freezing our butt’s off on the tarmac for the after shot.  We then adjourned to the aerology building – now the WWII Museum – for our reception. 

Kristine and I are going to have so much fun!  April, hope you are ready for your 40 minute conversation!  Only audio, no video.  A couple of snapshots for posterity.  See you soon.

StoryCorps Unalaska Update

 StoryCorps Unalaska is quickly approaching the point of no return.  April 30th will be our last recording day.  This evening  Kristine and I recorded our 72nd Unalaska story.  Woo hoo!!!  We are getting so close to our goal of 105 stories.  We have booked slots up and actually only have about 25 slots available for booking. 

Kristine and I have gone all philosophical during breaks while waiting for folks who have forgotten their appointments  (isn’t that a nice way of putting it?).   We have decided that although we have always appreciated the people in Unalaska, we have been priviledged to get to see factions to their personalities that sometimes are not visible as they present themselves to the public.   We are so in awe of this opportunity.

That being said….we are having a HOOT of a time.  Team Unalaska is dedicated to hard work, but we are the team that just has to have fun. 

Kristine and I have both interviewed priests.  Sorry, StoryCorps NY, this is as close as we could get.  Lots of grey space between us. 

Sharon and Rev. Dr. Michael Oleksa.
Sharon and Rev. Dr. Michael Oleksa.
Kristine and Father Nelson Marilag.
Kristine and Father Nelson Marilag.
We have facilitated for mothers and daughters.
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And fathers and daughters.
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And mothers and sons.
w & son
And a husband and wife, or two.
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k and joe
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A couple of sisters.
a & l
s & w
A veteran of three wars.

US Army, Retired Samuel R. Svarny

And best of friends.
T & S
We have our standard issue box of tissue for those tender moments.
Waaah
Things can start out quite seriously.
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And sometimes just take on a life of their own.
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mel and alena
Kristine has gotten quite the reputation around town.  We joke that we will have to put an ad on channel 8 and in the Dutch Harbor Fisherman letting people know that after April 30 it will be safe to approach Kristine again. 
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She has, unfairly, I might add,  been called a stalker and has been accused of ambushing people.  We are tricksters of the best sort.  And in all this nudging, and cajoling, we have not had one person who did not enjoy the experience.   And I’ll tell you something…she is the best partner in the world!
New York thinks that Kristine’s and my blurry pictures are because Unalaska people are just so full of energy that they can’t stand still.  We let them think that, but secretly, Kristine and I have both vowed to stand still ourselves when shooting pics!
So, let me invite you all, once again, to give Kristine a call at 359-8016 to schedule your conversation before StoryCorps wraps up the Alaska Initiative.  Ya won’t regret it.  And Akutan….here we come!
Tell your story.   Pass it on.  Remember, for Alaskans, its free.

tell your story. pass it on.

Kristine setting up for the StoryCorps Kick-off.
Kristine setting up for the StoryCorps Kick-off.

Since 2003, more than 35,000 everday people have shared life stories with family and friends in StoryCorps booths across the nation.  With a generous donation from an anonymous source, the Alaska Initiative has  made it possible for you to participate in one of the largest oral history projects undertaken.  The generous donor chose Unalaska, Dillingham, Nome, and Barrow to host facilitators.  Fairbanks and Juneau will also be documented by the facilitators from the 4 towns.

Meet your Unalaska facilitators.

Kristine King and Sharon Svarny-Livingston.
Kristine King and Sharon Svarny-Livingston.

This is a throwdown to all Unalaska bloggers and blog followers to pick up that phone and call Kristine at 359-8016 to schedule an appointment for your story.  The Real Unalaska has already conversed with her sister.  And word on the street is that she is bringing her cousin in on Saturday!

What happens at StoryCorps,  you ask?  alena-paperworklaresa-paperworkYou come in with a friend or family member.  You fill out paperwork so that we can create a great database for your story.  You have a 40 minute conversation with your partner about whatever you want to talk about.  We record.

Sharon checks the mics before recording Sam & Caleb.
Sharon checks the mics before recording Sam & Caleb.

We ask you to sign a release so your story can be archived at the Library of Congress, the University of Alaska, and also locally, both at KUCB, and either the Library or the Museum;  the release also allows NPR, APRN, and KUCB to edit the recordings for short stories to air.  We take your picture to archive with the CD.  We present you with a professional recording of your story.  It takes about an hour.zoya-and-sharon

Alena and Laresa talked about their art and growing up in Unalaska.  Sam talked to his son-in-law, Caleb, about being a veteran of 3 wars.  And although Zoya was totally tricked into coming in for a conversation with me, she had a great time and is very glad to have participated because she has something tangible to give to her children that tells them, perhaps, some things about her that they haven’t talked about.

tell your story.  pass it on.  it’s free!