Vanishing Postcards

Vanishing Postcards

By Evan SternSociety & CulturePersonal Journals
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Vanishing Postcards episodes

  • 8. Postcards from Brownsville and San Antonio - "A Tale of Two Tacos"
    More than being delicious, food can bring people together, heal the body and soul, and is intertwined with generations of history and tradition. Today, we’re gonna dig into some of this by getting a taste of South Texas. We’ll start at its end point in Brownsville, then visit its gateway in San Antonio. Along the way, we’ll see what a good meal can tell you about a place, but best of all, hear from the folks doing the cooking. You could say this is a tale of two cities, but it’s really a tale of two tacos. 
    Vera's Backyard Bar-B-Que 
    Los Barrios Restaurants
    32 min
  • 7. Postcard from The Rio Grande Valley - "Community and Conjunto"
    Born of the blending of cultures in South Texas, the music of conjunto tells a uniquely American story. In this episode, we'll take a trip to its birthplace in San Benito, where we'll tour the Texas Conjunto Music Hall of Fame and learn of its origins from the Avila family whose patriarch, Rey, dedicated his life to preserving this art form's history. We'll also head over to nearby McAllen where we'll catch a performance from accordion prodigy Rodney Rodriguez at La Lomita Park, the venue built by famed performer and elder statesman, Pepe Maldonado.
    32 min
  • 6. Postcard from The Hill Country - "Picking Peaches in Fredericksburg"
    While Texas summers are famously brutal, they are not without their pleasures. Towards that matter, few joys are as delicious as peach season. In this episode, we'll take a trip to The Hill Country at the peak of the harvest to sample the bounty and get to know the extraordinary families who have farmed these crops for generations. 
    Gold Orchards-
    https://www.facebook.com/goldorchardsinc
    Vogel Orchards-
    https://vogelorchard.wixsite.com/vogelorchard
    Jenschke Orchards-
    https://bestfredericksburgpeaches.com/
    This episode's piano selections were performed by Kathleen Landis
    30 min
  • 5. Postcards from Museums - "Conspiracies, Curiosities, and Coffins!"
    Museums are important. They're places where we can explore our heritage, and learn about culture, history and ideas in environments that foster conversations. Say the word, and palaces of civilization like The Met, Prado or Louvre often come to mind. In this episode, however, we'll criss cross the state of Texas to visit a few you've probably never heard of. Sites featured include The Billy The Kid Museum in Hico, The Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemarata in Austin, and Houston's Museum of Funeral History. 
    www.billythekidmuseum.org
    www.mnae.org
    www.nmfh.org
    26 min
  • 4. Postcard from East Austin - “Bygones and Barbecue”

    In a fast-changing city, no neighborhood has undergone a greater transformation than Austin's East Side. Historically African-American, and once neglected, today espresso bars have replaced convenience stores and boutique hotels tower over long vacant lots. But what is left of what had been, and what do those who grew up here feel about all of this? In this episode, we'll take a trip to the other side of I-35 to ask questions like these. Along the way we'll hear some raw, unfiltered answers, get a history lesson at The Carver Museum, and revisit a few memories. We'll also see what's cooking at Sam's BBQ, and chat with owner Brian Mays who, acting on principle, said no to a five-million-dollar buyout in order to keep his pit running. 

    UPDATE- Please note that a source used for this episode misidentified Ben Wash as the original builder of the property at 900 E. 11th Street. It was, in fact, initially built in 1964, and housed a number of establishments prior to the opening of Ben’s Long Branch. We apologize for this error. Nevertheless, Mr. Wash remains the building's longest serving tenant.

    29 min
  • Bonus - The Poetry of Hoot Gibson

    While this series has introduced us to countless extraordinary individuals, in terms of personality, few have proven as expansive as cowboy renaissance man James E. "Hoot" Gibson with whom we shared a beer at Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar. Considering this, it only felt right to give him some extra time to shine, and are honored to share this special bonus episode in which you'll hear a bit more of his life story, but best of all, some poetry. 

    To read some excerpts from Hoot’s journals, and the account of his Canadian odyssey, consider ordering a copy of “Riders on the Storm: The True Story of the Eye Reckon Freedom Ride” by contacting its author, Mary Allyce at- [email protected]

    (Photo credit Marshall Clayton)

    18 min
  • 3. Postcard from Bandera - “Downstairs at The Silver Dollar”
    In Germany they have biergartens, and in Mexico they have cantinas, but Texas has honky-tonks. What is a honky-tonk? In simple terms, most will tell you it's just a beer bar with live music, and a little sawdust on the floor. In talking with the bartenders, musicians and locals at Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar, however, it's clear this place, now the oldest continuously operating honky-tonk in Texas, means a great deal more. We'll hear some music, a few tall tales, and discover along the way that while Bandera may have been built around a courthouse square, this basement venue is its true heart and soul.
    26 min
  • 2. Postcard from Seaton - "Sundays at Sefcik Hall"
    Seaton, TX hasn’t had a post office since 1907, and as of last count, its
    population hovered somewhere around 40. Situated on a lonely stretch of
    highway, about ten miles east of Temple, it’s not on most maps and is easy to
    miss. Yet, on Sundays, this town comes alive when couples gather, as they have
    for nearly 100 years, to dance at Tom Sefcik Hall. We’ll spend an evening getting
    to know the family that’s kept this place running for generations, share both
    laughs and tears with a few regulars, and learn about how spaces like these
    shaped Texas culture as we know it. We’ll even get a little lesson in Czech!
    27 min
  • 1. Postcard from West Austin - "Drinking at The Dry Creek"
    A beer at Austin's Dry Creek Cafe will only cost you $3. What’s more, at the time of our visit their
    bartender, Angel, was only the third to work there since 1953. We’ll swap
    stories with her over a cold one, learn about the cedar choppers who
    once drank here from author Ken Roberts, and hear Bobby Earl Smith
    perform the murderous love ballad this salty joint inspired. We’ll also talk
    about the infamous Sarah, who was named in her obituary “the meanest
    bartender in Austin,” and explore the nearly seven decades of history this
    hidden dive, now surrounded by mansions, has borne witness to.
    29 min
  • Introducing: Vanishing Postcards

    From the shores of Galveston to the dance halls of The Rio Grande Valley, join host Evan Stern on a journey deep into the heart of Texas where we'll hear stories from people in places that don't often make the pages of glossy travel brochures.  Alternately touching and humorous, "Vanishing Postcards" is an enriching listening experience, perfect for when you need a breather, but don't have the time or luxury of hitting the open road. Stay tuned and subscribe!

    2 min

About Vanishing Postcards

From the publisher's feed

Vanishing Postcards is a documentary travelogue that invites listeners on a road trip exploring the hidden dives, traditions, and frequently threatened histories discovered by exiting the interstates.…