The Gayest Generation Ep. 14 - Laughing Womyn Ashonosheni

Mon, 04/01/2024 - 9:29am

Welcome to The Gayest Generation, where we hear LGBTQ older adults speak for themselves. Every episode, we sit down with a different member of the LGBTQ community who laid the foundation for the freedoms we have today. Their stories make noise where there is silence and that silence has lived for far too long. 

In this episode, we speak with Laughing Womyn Ashonosheni. We discuss queer spirituality, how to mend broken relationships, and the act of naming oneself.

AADL is excited to announce that you can listen to this episode, or any episode of The Gayest Generation, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube!

AADL Talks To: Jay Platt

Sat, 03/30/2024 - 1:09pm

Jay Platt is the owner of Ann Arbor's iconic West Side Book Shop located at 113 W. Liberty Street in the historic Haarer Building. Jay shares his journey learning the antiquarian book trade, from his early days working for several Ann Arbor and regional booksellers, including David Kozubei of David's Books, to the rare finds, losses, and lessons learned over his nearly 50 years in business. Jay also touches on the history of the Haarer Building and his participation in other classic Ann Arbor institutions and events, from the Psychedelic Rangers and Ann Arbor’s Medieval Play Festival to the Antiquarian Book Fair.

Historical photos and articles about Jay Platt 

Historical advertisements and articles about West Side Book Shop 

AADL Talks To: Sharon McRill

Fri, 03/29/2024 - 12:55pm

In this episode, AADL Talks To Sharon McRill. Back in the 1990s, Sharon spent several years with Borders. There she served as a new media liaison when DVDs and games on CD were new technologies, interviewed celebrities, and helped build the first Border’s website. After the first round of Border’s layoffs left her wondering what to do next, she decided to start her own business helping people clean and organize, move, and more. Sharon talks about the evolution of the Betty Brigade from its early years to the thriving business it is today.    

For more information about Borders, see our digital collections. 

What Scares Us - Episode 18: Jaws

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 3:36pm

Join us for a deep DIVE (get it?) into Jaws, the 1975 bonafide classic from director Steven Spielberg. In this episode: We talk about What About Bob, question whether or not Richard Dreyfuss is considered a sex symbol, and reminisce about the now-closed "Jaws: The Ride" at Universal Studios in Florida.

If you like what you heard today and want to let us know you can email us at WhatScaresUs@aadl.org. 

And for more episodes check out https://aadl.org/whatscaresus.

Lesson #1: When You Do What The Child Loves, The Child Will Love To Be With You

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 12:37pm

In Lesson #1: “When you do what the child loves, the child with autism will love to be with you.” Dr. Rick interviews Jeff and Heather about their daughter Kate and what it takes to get started with a  successful intervention program.  They share their struggles with grief and getting Kate’s diagnosis of autism, about trying out different therapies until they found what worked, and how intensive early intervention and playfulness (doing what the child loves) helped Kate to improve in her ability to form relationships and develop a sense of belonging with her friends and classmates. Dr. Rick introduces the key methods that help all children on the spectrum connect with others and grow developmentally.

Show Notes

AADL Talks To: Steve Bergman

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 10:21am

In this episode, Steve Bergman talks about founding Schoolkids’ Records in Ann Arbor. Steve tells us about the origins of his passion for music, visits from artists, and the eventual record label that helped capture Ann Arbor’s local talent. 

Find more about Schoolkids’ Records in our archival collections.

Mentioned in this episode: “Local price war hits albums costs” from the September 25, 1976 edition of the Michigan Daily.

The Gayest Generation Ep. 13 - Thomas McCauley

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 3:53pm

Welcome to The Gayest Generation, where we hear LGBTQ older adults speak for themselves. Every episode, we sit down with a different member of the LGBTQ community who laid the foundation for the freedoms we have today.

In this episode, we speak with Thomas McCauley. We discuss his surviving conversion therapy, gay kismet, and the journey to self-love.

AADL Talks To: Susan Wineberg

Sun, 03/24/2024 - 1:32pm

Susan is a local history institution in Ann Arbor. She’s been president of the Washtenaw County Historical Society, served on the Historic District Commission, and worked with several groups on prominent local history projects and exhibits. She's accumulated a vast collection of local history, including a slide collection documenting local buildings; and she co-authored the book on Historical Buildings in Ann Arbor. Susan talks with us about how she happened upon her love of local history and local architecture in particular. She shares several stories detailing the politics involved in historic preservation efforts and the many friends and colleagues she worked with over the years.

Historical articles and photos about Susan Wineberg

Susan Wineberg Collection

AADL Talks To: John Metzger

Sat, 03/23/2024 - 12:46pm

In this episode, AADL Talks To John Metzger, third-generation owner of Metzger's Restaurant at 305 N Zeeb Rd. John walks us through the history of his family's restaurant, from its origin 90 years ago on Washington Street in Ann Arbor, and discusses what's changed - and what's remained the same - over the years as the business passed from his grandfather to his father to John. He also shares his memories of growing up in the restaurant; his efforts, along with his sister Heidi, to reopen at a new location on the west side of town after closing the downtown location; and he talks about the employees and customers that have kept the business a thriving enterprise for nearly a century.

Read historical articles about Metzger's.

Browse our Metzger Family Collection featuring many of the historical photos that line the walls of Metzger's Restaurant.

AADL Talks To: Margaret Parker

Thu, 03/21/2024 - 8:13pm

In this episode, AADL Talks to Margaret Parker. Margaret has been working as an artist for seven decades. She talks about her parents’ influence on her desire to become an artist and the evolution of her artistic development, from working in different mediums to confronting social justice issues in her work. Margaret talks about her time with the Michigan chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art and her commitment to bring public to Ann Arbor through her work on the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission.

For more information, see our digital collections related to Margaret Parker, or visit the artist's website.