Michiana_Chronicles

Thanks so much, Norm! I really appreciate your comments. I

Thanks so much, Norm! I really appreciate your comments. I love that song, too -- not Emmy Lou, but Jess Klein, from the "Voices on the Verge - Live in Philadelphia" CD. The song is "Little White Dove." Enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vBjfdm9Pxs

April, Loved your story today on WVPE. I've wanted to co

April, Loved your story today on WVPE. I've wanted to contact you in the past to say thanks for some interesting and moving stories, and today decided it had to be done. I'm also curious as to the song you used at the end of todays piece. Not sure if it was Emmy Lou or not....Norm

Dear Ken-

Dear Ken- Thank you for the wonderfully touching essay regarding CC. I forwarded to our team. As one of the parents said about the essay, you make it feel like you are floating above one of the meets. I plan on printing that off with a picture of our runners. It really outlines the dedication and work these athletes do. Areta (Marian CC Mom) Areta, thanks for your note and for the supportive words about the CC essay. It was a real pleasure to write that one--it is easy to celebrate what all those amazing young people are doing out there. I admire them quite a bit. --Ken

Joe- really enjoyed The Home Frontier...we continue to pare

Joe- really enjoyed The Home Frontier...we continue to pare down our debris and I got a smile out of it this morning. THANK YOU! Heather Novak

Heather,

Heather, I would like to forward your essay on parenthood (Nov. 5, 2010) to my daughter, Megan. Would you please send me a copy? (gretch226@aol.com) Thanks. Gretchen Nulty Gretchen, you can find the text on the mchron.net/ee/radio website listed by date or author. Thanks for listening--Ken

Dear Elizabeth - just heard your piece using your FB posts t

Dear Elizabeth - just heard your piece using your FB posts to chronicle a death. How astonishingly beautiful - thank you for your willingness to share your love for Scott, and your pain. We are all learning from you. Kathy

Hey. We are students from Saint Joe High School and we are d

Hey. We are students from Saint Joe High School and we are doing an English project. We are very interested in the work you do and we're wondering if you could answer some of our questions. Our goal is to take the work of Shirley Jackson, author of many short stories and novels, and transform some of it into a radio drama. We were wondering if getting something on the air costs money and what this would entail. Also any other advice would be appreciated. Thanks! Students from Saint Joe. Hi -- it sounds like an interesting project. The easiest thing to do is make a streaming audio for listening on the web, but even then you have the problem of whether or not Ms. Jackson's work is still in copyright. You might avoid that problem by choosing an earlier work with some of the same appeal -- I wonder if you've read "The Revolt of Mother"? This is a powerful short story with nice room for acting. There was a PBS video version a few years ago. Best wishes with your project. Ken Smith

APRIL! I just made John endure "Free to Be You and Me" afte

APRIL! I just made John endure "Free to Be You and Me" after I checked it out from the library...funny to see it noted in your Dickey story....I listened to it a lot as a tot...now it is just hilarious to me!!! -Heather N

Jeanette! I got a kick out of your narrative this morning s

Jeanette! I got a kick out of your narrative this morning since I had special knowledge of it. You have such a great way with words. Have a great week! Heather N

To Jeff Nixa--I just read your Chronicle "Hunting Rhinoceros

To Jeff Nixa--I just read your Chronicle "Hunting Rhinoceros in Intensive Care" and I have to say how deeply touched I was to read it. I am a nursing student at IUSB, and I was inspired by your therapeutic communication, your intent on being a listener for this man, and how you got to the root of his fear--not being able to work. As a future nurse, I will remember this story you shared with us, and continue to be inspired by your compassion and ability to inspire this man to finally call his wife---WOW. Great writing detail. I'd love to share this with my nursing class, if allowed? Thank you, Aleah Wilburn aleahmaria@comcast.net

Ken - Jim Trelease author of The Read Aloud Handbook gives t

Ken - Jim Trelease author of The Read Aloud Handbook gives this suggestion for those parents that would like to keep reading to their children. Let your children do the dishes while you read to them. Enjoyed this mornings piece on reading - Thanks from the Children's Room @SJCPL Hi, SJCPL folks -- thanks for the tip and for all the years we've enjoyed the Children's Room at the downtown library. --Ken

I was delighted to discover the Michiana Chronicles while do

I was delighted to discover the Michiana Chronicles while doing a web check for our own writers' center. It is amazing to me how many writers there are in Michiana and how isolated we all are. I would like to request your permission to link to your site on our webpage. While I don't intend this to be an ad or self-promotion, I'd like to invite you to contact me regarding our center. We can always use good instructors, and at the very least, I'd like to build a "home" of sorts for area writers. Our webaddress is www.michianawriterscenter.pbwiki.com. Thanks and good luck with your continuing series! ~Kathy Higgs-Coulthard michianawriterscenter@gmail.com

Dear Ken and April,

Dear Ken and April, I've been hearing about your essays here from the Grandparents for a while. I finally got a change to surf by. Or rather, I finally remembered that I'd been dying to read them at a time when I wasn't on some vitally important web mission like changing my facebook status. ;) hehe. I've only made it through a few so far but I'm really enjoying myself! See you all around the holidays! All the best, Hayley Smith

Dear Ken, (9/26/08)

Dear Ken, (9/26/08) I have listened to WVPE's Michiana Chronicles for several years and have often been moved by the words of the writers, but have never written. Until hearing you read your piece this morning about the loss of your family dog, I thought that I had no more tears for our beloved Max who died Sept. 11, 2008. Max suddenly stopped eating and we had to make the difficult decision to end Max's suffering (he had a fast growing tumor(s) on his liver). Max left foot prints on the floors of our home and in the unseen places in our hearts. He had been a part of our lives for only 8 years, but he left a lasting impression. Through Max's death, we are also able to help our grandson (2 years old) begin to understand the cycle of life and death. He and his parents helped us bury Max, wrapped up in Max's favorite yellow blanket. He saw us all cry and saw us smile as we said good bye to Max. Ian knows it is fine to talk about Max, that Max died and Ian will never play with Max again. Still brings tears to my eyes at unexpected moments, such as this morning listening to your piece. I held Max as the vet eased him out of his misery and my husband held me. We all deal with grief and loss in very different ways. It was good to hear that your family also had individual ways to deal with the loss. Thanks for the piece!! Ruth Stoltzfus

Hi Great Writers!

Hi Great Writers! Love the book. Miss you guys. Where's the podcast? Lotsa Love :) Kelly Burns kellyburns2005@gmail.com

April! Today's chronicle on winter was PERFECT. Your word

April! Today's chronicle on winter was PERFECT. Your word selection was EDIBLE....I re-read it online. (Only the second time I liked one THAT much....) I could feel the words in my mouth....THAT is great writing for radio. I shared it with my colleagues & friends, as we are all feeling drained from the dark winter. Thanks to your gift, I am now refreshed--and smiling at the thought of our own splashy seed catalog languishing on our kitchen counter unread. Warmly, Heather Novak PS: My hubby John Novak works at IUSB with you....we are both fans & proud owners of the book.

Dear Jeff, 1/4/08

Dear Jeff, 1/4/08 You told your story, "A Hospital Epiphany", so eloquently, I had to share it with my mom and sisters. Whenever I feel cross with one of them, these grandmothers will stay in my mind. They'll help me remember that my temporary harsh feelings are unimportant. Thank you for this, Jeff. Kim, kimandgay59@gmail.com

Just wanted to wish everyone from the Chronicles a very Merr

Just wanted to wish everyone from the Chronicles a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a joyous New Year! I look forward to reading these essays every week! :) Respectfully, Aleah Wilburn

Jeff, I was appalled to hear the stories in your vacant hous

Jeff, I was appalled to hear the stories in your vacant housing commentary Nov. 16th. I guess it is naive to be surprised by such attitudes, but I would have thought there was a realtors code of ethics to prevent such behavior. I live not far from Cottage Grove myself, so was glad to be made aware of this situation. Thanks for the insightful commentary. Susan Searight South Bend

Jeff, I heard your essay about vacant houses on Fri., 11-16

Jeff, I heard your essay about vacant houses on Fri., 11-16 and couldn't agree with you more. It's sad to see that houses that could provide comfortable housing (with some improvements necessary) if people were given the opportunity to purchase them. Former South Bend landlord. Taxes made it unprofitable (to say the least!)

Excluding the book club pieces and any lost ones, the Octobe

Excluding the book club pieces and any lost ones, the October 26, 2007 Chronicle is the 290th. June 6, 2008 is # 320 if you don't count book club and any lost ones.

I love today's (8/31/07) Michiana Chronicals!! Everything I

I love today's (8/31/07) Michiana Chronicals!! Everything I have ever wanted to say about the new plates, but didn't have a medium to vent! Amen! Now excuse me I have to go buy flag stickers and ribbons to express my car's patriotism!! Tim Eash

This is in regards to Joe Chaney's essay -Friday, February

This is in regards to Joe Chaney's essay -Friday, February 11, 2005 Reading the Names-Mr. Chaney, you have got me completely without words tonight...it's nearly after 1 in the AM, and I have been an avid reader now for a while of the Chronicles, and my first connection with these is due to Dr. April Lidinsky, but tonight, I just happened to be doing a google search for my grandmother...the FIRST thing that pops up is her name in one of the stories on the Chronicles site, so of course, I click on it...as I am reading your essay, I see that yes, indeed, my grandmother's name is mentioned...instantly, I am with chills, and without words, because of the realization that things in this life are more connected than we may realize...well sir, I am here to tell you that I am one of those 7 grandchildren who was present at the time of my grandmother's death....I wish I could meet you to tell you in person of how completely touched I am that I came across this and that this may seem like a coincidence, but my God, I'm at the point of tears here reading this tonight....I'm speechless!! Respectfully, Aleah Wilburn

April,

April, I just listened to your most recent essay. You expressed interest in the story of a family who moved to Virginia for 1 year to live on a farm. If you're interested in a family who moved to michiana and raise much of their own food please visit www.geekfarmlife.com. For the last 1.5 years my wife and I have been podcasting our on going story of raising our own food and trying to live a more sustainable life. We make our own cheese, milk our own goats, etc. We've been at it for almost 4 years now so perhaps we have a longer term view that might be interesting. -Andrew

Hi Michiana Chronicles folks:

Hi Michiana Chronicles folks: Congratulations on The Murrow Awards! I only wish the Chronicles pieces could be Podcast so I could hear them here in Columbus. Tim Eby/WOSU (WVPE "Alum")

CONGRATULATIONS!! Edward R. Murrow Award Winner!! Amazingg!

CONGRATULATIONS!! Edward R. Murrow Award Winner!! Amazingg!! "Writing WVPE-FM, Elkhart, IN Michiana Chronicles" <3Aleah

Carrying the Sun....WOW...what a powerful ending!! : ) That'

Carrying the Sun....WOW...what a powerful ending!! : ) That's truly heart-warming!! Thank you Dr. Lidinsky!! :) Aleah*

Dr. Lidinsky & Others,

Dr. Lidinsky & Others, I'm using this color since no one has used it yet and hopefully to allow it to stand out because Dr. Lidinsky definitely deserves much appreciation and respect, and I'm here to be her PR person! Hehe. Anyways, I read her essay on the friendship and love and the deepness behind it. I was particularly touched by reading it. I value my friends tremendously. Reading the book her daughter spoke of, relating the "so's" as intensifiers is beyond wonderful...Sometimes I am without words to explain how much my friends mean to me and it's hard to express the degree and amount of love I have for each and everyone of them. Although, not a day goes by that I am not reminded of how blessed I am by having them in my life and my love for them will always be unconditional and real. Thank you Dr. Lidinsky for reminding us all of the deep love we should have for our friends...and in closing, Dr. Lidinsky, I just want you to realize that you are teaching me so much more beyond the classroom..I genuinely appreciate your presence in the classroom; your passion and energy is contagious and your compassion for others and sensitive spirit is one in which I wish many other professors possessed. I think of you more often than you realize and you deserve all of the respect and appreciation in the world and more. Respectfully and with much appreciation and love, Aleah W. : )

Jeff - I tuned into Mich.Chronicles part way through your "D

Jeff - I tuned into Mich.Chronicles part way through your "Daddy Dinner Dance" piece today but was crying so hard by the end that I nearly had to stop my car. When I got home, I looked up the piece and had my husband read it too. It's beautiful -- Thank you for a special moment today. Faith and Dan (parents of a 5 yr.old princess)

Jeff my friend, that was a wonderful chaplain's Valentine Da

Jeff my friend, that was a wonderful chaplain's Valentine Day story you shared! You represented so well the challenges and oddities we often encounter in our profession! Clair Hochstetler, Chaplain of Goshen General Hospital

Bill -- thanks for the kind words and for reading and listen

Bill -- thanks for the kind words and for reading and listening to the Chronicles. Your note made me reread that piece and recover the memory of the kids dancing away in the gym. -- Ken

Dear Ken, I just finished reading The Tipping Points of the

Dear Ken, I just finished reading The Tipping Points of the Day for about the sixth time since you first presented it. When ever I find myself having one of those kinds of days, I go back and reread it and it puts things in perspective. I have always enjoyed your excellent contibutions to this series. You are a talented writer! Best wishes Bill P.

April,

April, I've never been much a fan of "Michiana Chronicles" in the past. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't due to a lack of effort on the part of the contributor's, but the topics/issues raised never really caught my interest. I also think that with experience each of you improves. Your recent piece "The Witching Hour" has set a new level of exellence. It seemed to have the quality of a nationally producted piece on NPR. Between the sound effects, the way you tied all those "witchy" issues together, and your witty, concise and truthful comments on paganism/wiccan believes (and how they are so muttled up in all the present day holiday rituals) made me want to applaud. Oh yeah, ending with Alphaba made me want to go out and purchase my "Wicked" tickets immediately. Wanna go? Congratulations on a terrific jog. Nathan Randall Baroda, MI

Dear April,

Dear April, I'm finally reading from the list of essays, (from Foundations ref. in my recent missive) beginning with yours and Ken's of course. I just finished June's "Everyday Olympians" which reminded me to appreciate those I notice doing great things. George and I worked at the Lydick Lions booth at the Fair this week. Those volunteers, working in 90 degree heat to make money for various great causes deserve medals too! Sincerely, Paula

Louise Collins, did you study philosophy at Balliol College,

Louise Collins, did you study philosophy at Balliol College, Oxford? Kant remember. Skierpage

Dear Joe, I am the guy that your colleague married at the Q

Dear Joe, I am the guy that your colleague married at the Quaker wedding. Your thoughtful discription of Friends Meetings was well considered and deeply touching. Thank you for sharing your experience with our broader community. Your neighbor, Brad L.

Hmm.. Isn't this fun.

Hmm.. Isn't this fun. April, loved your Art/Performance piece this morning. Many thanks! Julie

April,

April, Thank you for sharing your essay, Grace. It particularly touched me at this time. Best to you in the new year! Lois

April - "Grace" was excellent! Very sensitive and so visual!

April - "Grace" was excellent! Very sensitive and so visual! You're right about the pap - people try to make the best of it - and that's OK - but we shouldn't diminish the stuff that makes us who we are - happiness, joy, sorrow, pain, life.... Please, Lord, teach us to laugh again; but God, don't ever let us forget that we cried. Regards, - wonderful work... David M

April, very thought provoking essay on Katrina, well done,

April, very thought provoking essay on Katrina, well done, ken crane

9/2 -- Lawnmower Races 187

9/2 -- Lawnmower Races 187 Labor Day Weekend 188 Where the Floods Carry Us 189 The Artist%u2019s Clock 190 Optimism and Graffiti 191 My Lawn, My Nightmare 192 Humming Along with the Masters 193 Mind Games 194 A Confession 195 Modern Sex Education 196 9/25 -- Talking to the Government 197 Blood Bank -- 214 Post the 2004 year in review piece

If you'd like to leave a note for David, Louise, Jonathan, A

If you'd like to leave a note for David, Louise, Jonathan, April, Joe, Jeanette, Jeff, Heather, or Ken, please do -- we'd be happy to hear from you. Three easy steps: 1. To create a new note, click on the little yellow box on the far left. 2. To start composing, double-click on the new note itself. 3. When you're done composing, be sure to save by clicking the Save icon next to that same little yellow box. Thanks for getting in touch.