WJFF - Trailer Talk

In remembering the 60th anniversary of the vastly significant March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that happened in August of 1963, Sabrina focuses on the artists forging and dreaming a way forward to a more equitable reality. This legendary March signaled the intersection of movements to demand civil and economic rights for African Americans. As the struggle continues, Sabrina celebrates the artists who use their strategies to create work, in this case, iconic songs and a collective vision to advance freedom and unity through Clinton's Funk concept of "One Nation". In this Trailer Talk episode, Sabrina shares the music and history of George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. 

I am equally enraged and distraught about the murder of Lauri Carleton last Friday so I felt it was important to honor her by sharing this Trailer Talk episode again with Jay Blotcher about the history of the Pride Flag. Lauri was shot to death by an LGBTQ-hating extremist. One of her friends, Tim Bagley shared this on social media: "Lauri Carleton, was shot and killed for having a rainbow flag outside her store in Lake Arrowhead, California. In the past when her Pride flag was removed or vandalized, she’d just put up another one. This time she confronted him and she was shot multiple times and killed. All the hateful rhetoric against the LGBTQ community has a price. Lauri was an amazing person and a constant LGBTQ ally. My love goes out to Lauri’s wonderful husband, Bort, and their children, and all of Lauri’s friends. This loss is heartbreaking. Thank you to all the allies who support the LGBTQ community. Keep fighting hate and fear with your love. May you rest in peace Lauri." Yes. Thank you Lauri. 

History was made at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. What did that 3-day festival of "Peace, Love & Music" teach us? As we celebrate the 54th Anniversary of Woodstock from August 15-17, let's remember that moment of possibility and incredible music, along with the Summer of Soul: the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival that celebrated Black history and culture, the Anti-War movement, Women's Liberation, Gay liberation, and LGBT rights in the United States and the approaching Earth Day heralding a wider consciousness of environmental issues among other watershed movements for social justice during that era. Sabrina reaches into the cupboards of the "talking trailer" to share conversations she had on the site of the festival at Bethel Woods in Sullivan County, NY to revisit Woodstock's impact and reflect on what's needed at this moment to build on its legacy. 

Sabrina is joined by author and photographer Marisa Scheinfeld to discuss the legendary Borscht Belt born in the Sullivan County, NY Catskills. They talk about this significant era in American history that emerged from the political and cultural moment and ended due to another. Marisa is the creator of the exciting Borscht Belt Historical Marker project that is naming and marking this important period. Sabrina and Marisa discuss why what remains of the Borscht Belt is vital to highlight. She states that her work is motivated by an interest in the landscape and its embedded histories, both apparent and hidden. Her first book was Borscht Belt: Revisiting the Remains of America's Jewish Vacationland with another coming soon.

Two more historic markers are being dedicated this month, please visit maytheborschtbewithyou.org to discover more.  

What's not to like about pie? It's summer time and the bounty of our region is peaking bringing people together at our Farmers Markets. Sabrina has done a series of Trailer Talks at these markets, including picnic conversations celebrating our farmers and the importance of access to local produce and clean water. Sabrina continues to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Trailer Talk and is reaching into the cupboards to share this early episode with the voices of our neighbors talking about their relationship to pie. She also speaks with writer and farm market manager, Pascale Le Draoulec about her book American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America's Back Roads to discover the history of this dessert and some of our obsession with it. 

Sabrina's Trailer Talk is celebrating its 20th Anniversary by sharing the first Trailer Talk from July 2003 in Roxbury, NY. Sabrina was helped by her friends and community to experiment with the talking trailer at the Junkyard Cabaret hosted by legendary performers Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver who are a vital part of Sabrina's performance history in NYC. Lawn chairs were placed outside the trailer and a speaker was balanced on a table outside as the Beeline travel trailer and Sabrina began this project about dialogue and the importance of conversation to connect people to each other. Here's to Trailer Talk's 20th! 

What's in a flag? The Rainbow Pride flag is celebrating its 45th Anniversary this year. It is known globally to represent "empowerment, sanctuary, and defiance" as shared by Sabrina's guest, Jay Blotcher. 

Jay edited the memoir of Gilbert Baker who created the Pride flag and wrote about it in "Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color". Jay, a progressive Queer Rights activist talks about the moment we are in politically and the liberatory power of the Rainbow flag created to express unity and love. 

Trailer Talk Show Page: https://wjffradio.org/trailertalk/

In celebration of today's Summer Solstice, which marks the longest day of the year, Sabrina engages in a conversation with naturalist Nathaniel Whitmore. They sit together at the kitchen table to discuss the diverse flora surrounding us, with a particular focus on fungi, as Nathaniel shares his profound expertise on mushrooms. Let's raise a toast to freedom and the vibrant summer season!

This week's episodes capture the current situation and events. On June 24th, the Dobbs Anniversary takes place, marking a decision that overturned Roe v Wade. This decision has led to restricted access to abortion and reproductive services nationwide. Sabrina, in light of this, shares her experience of last year's protest in downtown Monticello, NY. During the protest, community members expressed their dissatisfaction, their strong determination to resist, and emphasized the crucial importance of maintaining bodily autonomy.