StoryTown Radio Show: Salute to Veterans

StoryTown Radio Show will celebrate stories of local veterans in a special “Salute to Veterans” production on Monday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at the McKinney Center, located 103 Franklin Avenue.

This annual production brings to life the experiences that veterans have shared with StoryTown during one-on-one interviews and during the McKinney Center’s “Listening Days” which happen throughout the year.

“This year’s show includes more Vietnam-era stories, which some of our older veterans are now sharing,” says the show’s writer, Jules Corriere.

“When I first started doing the radio show a little over a decade ago, we were telling mostly World War II era stories, with some of our veterans sharing their experiences for the first time in many years. Our Vietnam era veterans were still reluctant. But now, many of them are ready. I’m so very honored to share these important stories,” Corriere continues.

The writer later explained that these episodes are close to her heart. “My father passed away from lung cancer before he turned seventy. He shared a couple of his stories, but not many. While the country now treats our veterans with compassion and respect, he sadly didn’t get to experience this kind of gratitude. For me, this show is personal. It’s my way of saying, ‘Thank You’ to every single person, like my dad, who might never have heard those words about their service.”

Joining Corriere and the cast this month will be the Jonesborough Novelty Band, who will lead the audience in two sing-along segments in the show. Words to their (mostly) patriotic tunes will be printed in the show’s program, so everyone can sing-along with the band and the cast, much like they do for the annual Christmas production.

Corriere also shared her excitement of including sketches and scenes from members of the McKinney Center’s Writing Group, adding that several members of the group have been studying the format of writing for radio, and consistently producing material for the monthly productions.

Some of the writers who have been sharing scenes that have been produced over the past year include Elizabeth Hunter, Ryan Budds, Catherine Yael-Serota, Anni Zimmerman, and Laurie Herlich. Some of their work will be featured in the July production.

For tickets, visit Jonesborough.com/tickets or call the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423-753-1010.

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About the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington: The mission of the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington is to provide a comprehensive program through Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts which teaches various art skills to all participants through a quality program of instruction open to all segments of Jonesborough’s population. In addition, a primary mission of the Center is to enhance minority participation in the planning and implementation in all activities in Jonesborough while specifically celebrating the contribution of the African-American community in the growth and development of the Town. The activities of the McKinney Center are designed to enhance the quality of life of all Jonesborough residents.

About the Town of Jonesborough: A unique 18th century town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Jonesborough’s natural beauty, charming architecture, and storytelling heritage have attracted visitors worldwide. Stay a day, a week or forever, and create your own stories in beautiful Historic Jonesborough. Visit www.jonesborough.com for more information.