• Alumni
  • Parents
  • News
  • Event Calendar
  • Library
  • Business Office
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Quick Links
Austin College Logo

Sherman, Texas

Visit

Apply

Scholarships

Get Info

MENU
  • About
    • Fast Facts about Austin College
      • Mission
      • History
      • Kangaroo Mascot
      • Austin College Page Plaid
    • Major Grant Projects
    • Office of the President
      • About President O’Day
      • Contact the President
      • Essays & Speeches
      • Past Presidents
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
      • Action Timeline | 2016 to the Present
    • Administration
    • Board of Trustees
      • Trustee Profiles
    • Institutional Marketing & Communications
      • Media Kit
      • IMC Professional Internship Program
    • News & Events
      • College News
      • College Calendar
      • Signature Events
        • Adams Observatory Star Parties
        • Lessons & Carols
        • MLK Day Celebration 2023
        • Posey Leadership Award
        • TEDxAustinCollege
      • ‘Roos in the News
      • Media Kit
      • Campus Photo Gallery
      • Confronting Racial Violence and Resistance Convening
    • Campus & Visitor Information
      • North Texas Area
  • Admission & Aid
    • Scholarships and Financial Aid
      • Scholarships for New Students
      • Scholarships for Current Students
      • Applying for Aid
      • Work Study
      • Loans
      • Federal Verification of FAFSA Data
      • Forms & Documents
      • Policies
      • Tuition & Payments
      • VA Education Benefits
      • Financial Aid Staff
      • Net Price Calculator
      • Financial Aid FAQ’s
      • Financial Wellness
    • Apply Now
      • Freshmen Students
      • International Students
      • Transfer Students
      • Application Dates & Deadlines
    • International Students
      • Requirements
      • Scholarships & Financial Assistance
      • Admitted International Students
    • Transfer Students
      • How to Apply
      • Transfer Scholarships
      • Transfer Student Orientation
    • Visit Campus
    • Meet Your Counselor
    • Why Choose Austin College?
      • College Planning for 11th Grade Students
      • Making the Most of Summer
    • Austin College en Español
      • Solicitud
      • Apoyo Financiero
    • Admitted Students
      • Discover Austin College
      • Key Contacts on Campus
      • New Student Information
        • Links of Interest
        • Language Placement Exams
    • Austin College Advantage
    • The Word on AC
    • The Finish in Four Guarantee
    • After AC
    • Refer A Student
  • Academics
    • Majors, Minors & Programs
      • Social Justice and Community Engagement Program
    • Applied Learning
    • Centers & Programs
      • Center for Career & Professional Development
        • Handshake
        • Career Exploration
        • Internships
        • Job/Internship Search
        • Employer Services
        • Graduate/Professional School
        • Graduate Outcomes
        • Online Resources
        • Career Center Events
        • Career Alumni Connections
        • Contact Us
      • Center for Community & Regional Development
      • Center for Environmental Studies
      • Center for Southwestern & Mexican Studies
      • Faculty Development
        • Sabbatical Series
        • Thursday Lunch Topics
        • Reading Groups
        • Johnson Center Activities
        • Additional Resources
      • First-Year Experience
        • Mission Statement
        • First-Year Seminar
        • Peer Mentors
        • First-Year Information (FYI)
      • Office of International Programs
        • International Education Week 2021
        • Global Living Learning Community (GLLC)
        • Support Services for International Students
      • Posey Leadership Institute
      • Student Research
        • ENSURE Program
        • Sciences Summer Research Program
        • Student Research Dissemination Awards
        • ACUMEN
        • Responsible Conduct of Research
        • Student Scholars Conference
        • Scarbrough Summer Research
      • Writing Center
    • Faculty
    • Center for Student Success and Access Services
      • Student Success
        • First-Generation Students
      • Access Services
      • Tutoring Services
        • Resources and Links
        • Review Sessions & Workshops
        • Meet Our Tutors
        • Become a Peer Tutor
    • Fellowships & Scholarships
      • Honors Convocation
        • Homer P. Rainey Award
      • Departmental Honors Program
        • Honors Program Nomination Procedures
        • Honors Program Requirements
        • Honors Thesis Formatting
      • Phi Beta Kappa
        • Membership Archive
        • Membership Criteria
      • Fulbright Grants
      • Peace Corps Prep Program
        • How to Apply
        • PCPP Benefits
        • PCPP Curriculum
        • PCPP Campus Committee
        • Peace Corps Alumni
    • Academic Affairs
    • Registrar’s Office
    • Grad School Opportunities
      • Physician Assistant (PA) Program
      • Health Science Programs
        • Texas Tech Early Decision Program
        • Health Professions Advising Guides
        • Health Sciences Scholarships
        • FAQ’s About Health Sciences
        • Health Sciences Advising
        • Resources
      • Law
      • Engineering Pathways
      • Ministry
      • TTU Grad Program
      • Gateways to Grad School
        • Partner Programs
        • Partner Universities
        • Texas Tech Health Sciences Programs
    • Graduate Teacher Program
      • About the ATP
      • Teaching/Course Certification Requirements
      • ATP Advising Forms & Documents
      • ATP Advisors
      • Noyce STEM Program
        • Noyce STEM Summer Internships
        • Noyce STEM Scholarships
      • Field Supervisor’s Forms & Documents
      • Thinking Camps
    • January and May Term 2024
      • Travel Jan Term | Liability Release
      • January Term 2023 Expo
      • Travel Jan Term | Medical Release and Info
      • Travel JanTerm Scholarships
        • Travel JanTerm 2024 Scholarship Application
      • January Term Photo Galleries
    • Military and Veteran Services
      • Veterans OnwardTM*
    • Summer Term
  • Campus Life
    • Academic Skills Center
    • Campus Police & Safety
      • Campus Emergencies
      • Severe Weather
      • Rules & Regulations
      • Crime Prevention
      • Campus Police Staff
    • Campus Services
      • Campus Bookstore
      • Dining Services
      • Post Office
      • Information Technology
    • Career Center
    • Counseling Services
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Scope of Care
      • Counseling Center
      • Signs & Symptoms
      • Web Resources
      • Contact Us
      • Texoma Resources
      • Student Wellness
        • By Choice Students
        • Greek Organizations
        • FAQs About MSB
    • Health Services and Treatment
      • Austin College Community Health
        • COVID-19 Fall 2022 Protocols
        • COVID-19 Dashboard
        • Information for Visitors
      • Clinic Hours & Health Services
      • Immunizations
      • Health Forms
      • Student Insurance
      • After Hours Assistance
    • Religious Life
      • Presbyterian Traditions
      • AColyte
      • Worship & Bible Study
      • Many Spiritual Traditions
      • ACtivators
      • Religious Life Staff
    • Residence Life on Campus
      • Room Selection
      • Living on Campus 2022-2023
      • First-Year Experience
      • Student Staff
      • Important Dates for Residence Life
    • Student Emergency Resources
    • Student Life
      • Campus Activities
      • Clubs & Organizations
        • ACtivators
        • Esports
        • Recreational Sports
      • Documents & Links
      • Greek Life
        • Potential Members
        • Greek Life Events
        • Greek Life Forms
        • Greek Sponsors
        • Greek Council
        • Order of Omega
      • Student Life Staff
      • Student Life Publications
      • Student Publication
        • AC Observer Job Descriptions
      • Transportation Opportunities
    • Service Station
      • Board Profiles
      • Great Day of Service
      • JanServe
      • First We Serve
      • Aramark Appreciation
      • Alternative Spring Break
      • Austin College Tutoring (ACT)
      • Tostan
      • Thrift Store Drive
      • RooBound
      • Servant of the Year
    • Student Assembly
      • Student Assembly Representatives
      • Student Development Fund
      • Resolution Database
    • Title IX Office
      • Mandatory Student Training
      • Reporting
      • Policy Definitions
      • Grievance Procedures
      • Texas Compliance
      • Title IX Staff Training
    • Student Awards
    • Student Photo Gallery
  • Athletics
    • acroos.com
    • Legends
    • Athletics “A” Association
    • Support Athletics
  • Giving
    • Make a Gift
    • Annual Giving
    • Estate Planning
      • Oscar & Anna Laura Page Meditation Garden
    • Donor Resources
    • Contact Us
Info For...
  • Alumni
  • Parents
  • News
  • Event Calendar
  • Library
  • Business Office
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Quick Links
Home » Alumni » Events » Golden ‘Roos » Telling Our Stories

Telling Our Stories

Telling Our StoriesFamily Food Tales and RecipesRecording Coronavirus Memories
By Dr. Jerry Lincecum and Dr. Peggy Redshaw

Family Food Tales and Recipes is Volume 12 in the publications of this popular Austin College program, which provides support and training for individuals who want to write personal stories and family histories. The project began offering monthly classes and annual contests for elderwriters in 1990, and is now in its third decade.

Co-directors of the project are two Austin College faculty, Dr. Jerry Lincecum, Professor Emeritus of English, and Dr. Peggy Redshaw, Professor Emerita of Biology.

     

  • The first book, entitled Grayson County Reminiscences 1846-1996, was published in February 1996, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Grayson County.
  • Texas Family Secrets, published in 1997, was the second book.
  • Appearing in 1999 was the third book, entitled Texas Millennium Book: The Way Things Used to Be.
  • More Texas Family Secrets (2003) included an appendix on “How to Write Your Life Story.”
  • The fifth book, Remembering School Days, has stories by 48 authors plus an index to Grayson County Common Schools of the early 20th Century.
  • Volume 6, entitled First-Born, Middle Child, Caboose: Stories about Birth Order and Family Relationships includes stories by 47 authors.
  • Volume 7, entitled Contemplating Cancer: Stories of Life, Love, Laughter, and Loss (2008) includes stories by 56 authors.
  • Memories of the 20th Century, the eighth volume, is a collection of stories by Eleanor Monroe, one of the founding members of TOS and a 20-year participant in the classes.
  • The Clock and The Storyteller: Memoirs of Shirley Clark (2009), the ninth volume, is a selection from the writings of another founding member and 20-year participant in TOS classes.
  • Twenty Years of Telling Our Stories is Volume 10 in the publications of this popular Austin College program.
  • Collected and New Stories of Miss Ima and Mr. Bill was published in 2011.
  • In 2012, Family Food Tales and Recipes was published and contained over 40 stories.
  • Memories of Wartime Wanderings: What I did in World War II, the memoir of Dr. Ann Van Wynen Thomas, was published in 2013.
  • The latest book, How to Write Your Life Story, was published in 2014.

Copies of the last thirteen books may be purchased from Big Barn Books, 1603 Moreland Dr., Sherman, TX 75090-2351. Telephone: 903.893.6041.

Funding for “Telling Our Stories” has been provided by Austin College, Sherman Council on the Arts and Humanities, the Summerlee Foundation, and private individuals.

  Miss Ima and Mr. Bill Memories of Wartime Wanderings How to Write Your Life Story

Why Telling Our Stories?

The First 150 YearsOne reason for writing autobiographies and family history is to pass on personal experiences and feelings to one’s children, grandchildren, and other family members. A common sentiment expressed often in the TOS groups is the undeniable fact that the circumstances of everyday life have changed so much during the last hundred years that our grandchildren will not believe the “primitive” conditions of their ancestors’ early lives. Just think about explaining such details as drawing water from a well, canning and preserving fruits and vegetables, taking a bath in a #3 washtub, doing laundry in a black pot with lye soap, or sewing on a treadle machine. Reading a personal account written by one of your ancestors is far more persuasive than listening to a history lecture or reading a textbook chapter about societal changes.

Another motivation for Elderwriters is to review one’s life in order to better understand certain aspects. Although laughter and humor are the mainstays of TOS groups, many of our writers have also revisited painful or even tragic experiences and attested to the therapeutic value of doing so. Carrying out a life review by writing stories has enabled many elders to appreciate who they are and how they reached the point they have come to.

The key to success in TOS is that instead of struggling alone, participants discover the pleasure of listening to other’s stories about their life experiences, read aloud by mostly untrained, struggling writers. What all of them need, and TOS supplies, is, first of all, reassurance that they can write readable, interesting prose (despite what some stuffy English teacher might have said decades earlier). Second, they need specific assignments with deadlines, and third, we all want sympathetic listeners who know the subject matter and will offer constructive feedback (often as simple as a knowing smile or nod).

Just as important as the number of stories written are the friendships and other forms of emotional support that have developed within the groups. As one long-time member commented, “Through listening to the stories I have read to this group, some of you know more about me than my own children do.” Group members are genuinely happy to see one another at the monthly meetings and always inquire about those who are ill or absent for other reasons.

What it boils down to is, TOS is habit-forming in the best sense: you enjoy hearing others’ stories, and want to present your own. Accordingly, every month you make the effort required to write or at least start a story. We also discovered the “domino effect” of one person’s story reminding others of similar experiences (long forgotten), and the role of positive “peer pressure” (not wanting to disappoint the group by failing to bring a story to read). It would be hard to overestimate the power of the group-process in motivating participants not only to write but also to do their best. Writers learn from peers more effectively than from professors too.

Contact Information

Leader: Dr. Jerry Lincecum
Professor Emeritus of English, Austin College
Telephone: 903.893.6041

GET IN TOUCH

903.813.2000
Austin College
900 N. Grand Ave.
Sherman, TX 75090

Contact Us

GET SOCIAL

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

GET LINKED

  • Human Resources
  • Campus Offices
  • Faculty/Staff Directory
  • Outlook Email
  • Title IX Office
  • Campus Conduct Hotline
  • Health Services

GET CONNECTED

Subscribe

Connect to AC

Request Information

Copyright © 2021 - All rights reserved | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Consumer Information | Site by thrive-logo