Recoded live on December 13th, 2022 on WRHC-LP radio. Episode #52 of Stories From Graceland Pond with Host Gregg Fraley.   Holidays are grand, and this season always brings a mix of emotions to the table. That's what makes for interesting stories.   Hear Marijo O'Connell (starts at 4:30) she tells a story about the tree that was Way Too Big,   Mark Maguire talks about his crazy process for hand-making Xmas cards (starts at 32:52).   Doug Stevenson waxes on the role Christmas movies have inspired us, (starts at 1:03:40)   and Joanna Trotter recounts a story about how God could be that bum on the corner begging for a quarter (at 1:35:30)   All interspersed with great Christmas music. Musical interludes by: Brenda Lee, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Thompson, Marcia Ball, Run-DMC, The Pogues, John Prine and John Mellencamp.

Recorded on February 16, 2021 Theme: Brushes With Greatness Special Guest: Fred Rubin Fred Rubin opens the show with a story about a mega-celebrity -- Muhammad Ali, whom he met while working in Hollywood as a sitcom writer. It's a diamond story, so good.

Joanna Trotter talks about meeting a certain comedian who did some strange things while in her presence. Tune in at 40 minutes in.

Marijo O'Connell has a great story about a minor celebrity, who she calls Church Sarah, and the report relates to the hypocrisy of the Catholic church. Tune in at 1:14.

Doug Stevenson talks about his brush with Mickey Mantle and his mother's commitment to creating a big moment. Tune in at 1:35.

Mark Maguire relates how he gave Stephen Stills and Toni Price cab rides and then rode a bus with The Reverend Jesse Jackson. Gregg Fraley contributes his own brief brush with Jesse. Tune in at 1:50.

This show was recorded on Tuesday February 2, 2021 at WRHC-LP, Radio Harbor Country   This is Episode #3   Theme: LOVE.     Stories for our LOVE SHOW from our cast of Storytellers: * Marijo O'Connell, has a story about young love, maybe even tragic young love. * Mark Maguire will muse on Venus and Mars, Cupid and Psyche, and that old bastard, St. Valentine. * Doug Stevenson, talking about how "Love Stinks" * Joanna Trotter, is going to talk about sex, but as always it won't be JUST about sex.   * Musical clips from: Chet Baker, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, Everything But the Girl, and the J. Geils Band.

This is the very first episode of Stories From Graceland Pond. Episode #1's theme is "New Beginnings."  It aired on WRHC on January 5, 2021. 

It introduces the cast that does written stories for the next two years.

This pilot show features Marijo O'Connell telling a story about "Living By The Clock," which reflects on her teaching profession and how vaccines impacted her work.

Mark Maguire tells a story and expounds on remarkable words he collects.  

Joanna Trotter joins the show and tells a story about how stories written about events of the past, and her memoirs all indicate a "new beginning." It's a personal story about the death of her mother at age 10, and how she dealt with that ending. And the remarkable new beginning that came after. 

Doug Stevenson closes this show with a story about change, transformation, and "giving into the currents of change." "New Beginnings, where do I begin?"

Recorded live on WRHC-LP on April 26, 2022   Theme: Music That Makes Me Cry   Special Guest: Jill Howe   Four Stories and associated Songs -- about how music can make you cry, laugh, inspire you, or just stir up something emotionally.   What are those songs for you?   Hear our Special Guest Jill Howe (Producer of Story Sessions in Chicago) open the show and talk about an Alanis Morissette tune that made a difference, followed by Marijo O'Connell, then Mark Maguire, and Joanna Trotter closes the show. These are some very emotional, but entertaining and authentic stories from our guest and cast members.    Music by: Jill Howe, Loggins and Messina, Tony Rice, Tuck and Patti, Eva Cassidy, Bill Withers, Donny Hathaway, Jeff Buckley, Martin Hayes, Brian Boru, Alanis Morissette and Jose Feliciano.

Most Unforgettable Character Stories Edition #38 of Stories from Graceland Pond.   This program was recorded live on May 24th, 2022.   Four Stories and associated Songs -- about one of those wacky people we meet along our journey. You may recall that Readers Digest often had this theme as a regular feature, and those were marvelous examples of storytelling. Our Cast at Stories From Graceland Pond has some yarns to spin about crazy, cool, unique, and wonderful people they've met. Parents, teachers, mentors on the job, and more.    Order: Doug Stevenson, Joanna Trotter, Marjo O'Connell, and Mark Maguire.   Music by: Frank Sinatra, Steve Miller Band, Jimmy Dean, Ella Fitzgerald, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Lennon Sisters,

Tuesday March 1, 2022 at 9:30 EST, Edition #32 of Stories From Graceland Pond. LIVE March 1, Replayed March 8th.   Theme: The Fear Thing   Stories of various Fears, "The Fear Thing" is our content for this program.   Four fabulous, interesting, surprising, shocking, funny, and sad stories. By our cast, in this order: Doug Stevenson, Marijo O'Connell, Mark Maguire, and Joanna Trotter.   Music by Christina Aquilera, Tom Jones, The Youngbloods, Lucinda Williams, The Doobie Brothers, Mellencamp, and Demi Lovato.   For the Live webstream: https://tinyurl.com/y3k6n7ds You can also find us on Tune In Radio. OR, Radio Garden: http://radio.garden/listen/wrhc-106-7/jrtzlXSq

Edition #31 of Stories From Graceland Pond.    Theme: Love, Actually   True stories of love, romance, things gone wrong and more on this episode. Guest storyteller Rick DeHerder sends in a story of love lost, then we hear from Marijo O'Connell (first kisses), Mark Maguire (thoughts on the movie "Love Actually,  Joanna Trotter (unexpected traumas and a lifelong love) and close with Doug Stevenson (remarking on temporary insanity, you know, love).   Music Interludes by: The Beatles, The Monkees, Paul Simon, and Jennifer Nettles.

Theme: Vacation   In this episode the cast recalls memorable vacations. Crazy things happen, and big changes are often pre-saged or directly caused by vacations we take.  Romance, scary events, surprises, car breakdowns, gifted ticket to Europe, special guest Ralph Kerle pops in at the end for a chat about Vacations and all things down under.    Marijo O'Connell leads off, followed by Joanna Trotter, then Mark Maguire. Doug Stevenson, and Ralph Kerle closes the show.   Music between stories features: Bob Marley, Roger Miller, The Go-Go's, Chuck Berry, Alison Krauss, Ray Charles, Dion, and More.

Edition #41 of Stories from Graceland Pond. Airled live on July 5, 2022 on WRHC-LP, Three Oaks, MI.   Theme: Humiliation and Embarrassment Stories. Things happen. Sometimes it's an accident, and other times we bring it upon ourselves, but we all have a story about being totally embarrassed or humiliated. These are stories about embarassment, baseball skills (or lack of them), violent assault, and profound regrets, in other words, hilarious!   Joanna Trotter leads off, followed by Marijo O'Connell, Mark Maguire and Doug Stevenson.   Music interludes by: John Prine, Sugarland, Englebert Humperdink, Foo Fighters, and more.