The Next Big Thing

Ed Werler

Thanks

Show #548

Friday, October 21, 2005

A retired park ranger remembers falling in love with his second wife, in an award-winning radio documentary by Bente Birkeland. A reporter draws us into the complicated relations among Côte d’Ivoirians living in West Philadelphia. We draw on the expertise of reference librarians and record sellers. Also, comedy from Jonathan Katz and company, and something approaching a roundtable – among singers, writers, philosophers and people on the street – about prayer.

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She Blinked

From a sidewalk in Brooklyn, words with and about a living mannequin. Produced by Matt Lieber.

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Information Society

Ten researchers at the New York Public Library reference desk in midtown Manhattan respond to queries by phone or email. And they don’t depend upon Google to get answers. Dean Olsher stands by as they do triage with one particularly challenging question. Produced by Jamie York.

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Hard to Say

In his early thirties, Ed Werler took a job on the fire tower at Daicey Mountain in Maine. He lived there with his wife, Mary Jane, ultimately becoming a ranger for the state park system. They had a son and daughter together. Then, after fifty years of marriage, his wife died. And that’s when Act Two began. This is his story, as told to radio producer Bente Birkeland. Birkeland won “Best New Artist” for this piece at the 2004 Third Coast International Audio Festival.

» More information about the Third Coast Festival

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Heard in a Record Store

album A trip to some of New York City’s best record stores to find out what the folks who work there are listening to. Produced by Amanda Aronczyk. The playlist goes like this:
» Casa Latina: Sonora Ponceña’s "Back to the Road"
» A Classical Record: Kan Ishii’s ballet suite, "Marimo"
» Karaoke Champ: "Toxic" (the karaoke version) off the CD "Panorama's Top Hits Monthly - April 2004"
» Other Music: Arthur Russell’s "Calling Out of Context"
» Pars Foods: Morteza’s "Colorful World"
» Jazz Record Center: Mike DiRubbo Quintet's "Human Spirit"

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This Side of the Ivory Coast

Many immigrants from the Ivory Coast have made their home in West Philadelphia. Writer and political analyst Siddhartha Mitter offers this portrait of a new immigrant community. Produced by Michael Kavanagh and Emily Botein.

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Inspired: Journeys into the Creative Mind

The creative process never ceases to amaze... or does it? Comedian Jonathan Katz - along with Tom Leopold, Tom Snyder and Julianne Bond - brings you this latest installment from their series of mockumentaries documenting that process. This week, a peek into the world of a books-on-tape production house. Produced by Tom Snyder.

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Singers and Writers

Roches Earlier this year, an eclectic group of musicians and writers joined forces for a performance titled, "I Could Write a Book: A Love Affair Between Words and Music." Here, some highlights, featuring novelist Mary Gordon and singer/songwriters Suzzy and Maggie Roche, who raise their voices in offbeat prayer. Recorded March 12, 2004, at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theater at Symphony Space

» Symphony Space website

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Prayer

If a stranger approaches you on the street and asks you if you pray, chances are, that person has an agenda for your soul. Yet, as Dean Olsher discovers when he tries asking the question, people are remarkably forthcoming with their answers. Here are some responses from the streets of Queens, NY, as well as an argument against prayer, from bioethicist Peter Singer. Produced by Jamie York and Julie Subrin.