Your History Your Story

At age fifteen, Amanda began drinking alcohol, which started her on a destructive path toward addiction, homelessness and dangerous relationships that lasted many years and led to her arrest and conviction for the part she played in an armed robbery.

Amanda was sent to prison for her crime and it was there, behind bars, that she found hope, which ultimately changed the course of her life. Hear her inspirational story and how she now counsels women and men to turn away from the harmful path she had taken earlier in her life.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Amanda Rector

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are iconic symbols of freedom in American history. Imagine if your company was the one selected to do major construction and restoration projects at these landmarks?

In this episode, “Carrying the Torch of History”, we will be speaking with Doug Phelps, owner of Phelps Construction Group. It was Doug and his team who were awarded these challenging and exciting projects. 

Doug tells of the many experiences his team had during these projects, such as, the construction of The Statue of Liberty Museum, which included moving the original torch from the base of the statue to the new museum, the building of “The Peopling of America Center” on Ellis Island and the significant delays caused by Hurricane Sandy. 

Doug explains how all of their work had to proceed under the watchful eyes of archeologists to ensure that all historic treasures were properly preserved and documented.  

Although Doug’s ancestors came to this country prior to the construction of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, he will share how these projects had a major impact on him and his appreciation of the liberties he has as an American.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Doug Phelps

In this Mother’s Day episode, "Celebrating a Few Special Moms", we will be speaking with several guests who will be telling us stories about their moms.  

Our guests today are:  

Ron Koustas from New Jersey,  in honor of his mom, Mary. 

Wendy VanderHart from Massachusetts, in memory of her mom, Barbara. 

Gustavo Lanata from Budapest, Hungary, in honor of his mom, Nellie. 

Brothers, Anthony & Neil Lentine from New Jersey & Florida (respectively), in memory of their mom, Anna. 

And lastly, our grandson, Hudson Piwowarski from New Jersey, in honor of his mom, Jennifer.  

We hope this episode will inspire you to think of your moms this coming week and on behalf of Your History Your Story, we want to wish all moms a happy and healthy Mother’s Day! 

Intro / Outro Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Mark Teshkoyan, who passed away at the age of 60 in January of 2021, was a high school wood shop teacher and coach from Caldwell, New Jersey, whose career spanned almost four decades. At age twenty seven, he was diagnosed with severe kidney disease, which eventually led to dialysis treatments three times a week for thirty years.

Refusing to let his disease defeat him, he lived life to the fullest with humor & selflessness and always gave encouragement to his students, athletes, friends and family.

In this episode, “Always an Encouraging Word: Mark’s Story”, we are joined by Mark’s brother, Mike, who is also a teacher and coach. Together, they were an extremely successful coaching duo. Mike will be sharing stories about his brother’s life and the positive impact he had on all who knew him.

Photo: Courtesy of Mike Teshkoyan

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

In this episode, we will be speaking with Anita Martin-Harvey, author of the historical novel, "A Woman Apart, Murder and Mayhem in Plymouth Colony". Anita's novel is based on the life of her ancestor, Ellinor Billington, who traveled with her family from England to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620.

While researching her ancestor's story, Anita discovered that Elinor's life was filled with heartache and loss, particularly as a member of the struggling Plymouth Colony. However,  Anita also found, that despite the hardships she experienced, Ellinor's courage and determination was evident throughout her life!

Anita will describe how she first learned of her famous ancestor and how her desire to learn more, turned into a passion to tell Ellinor's story!

Photo: Courtesy of Author, Anita Martin-Harvey

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Grover Cleveland, whose full name was Stephen Grover Cleveland, was the only President of the United States to serve two non-consecutive terms in office and the only president born in the State of New Jersey. In this episode, "My Grandfather, President Grover Cleveland", Grover's grandson, George Cleveland, will share stories about his grandfather, including highlights of his presidency, his love of hunting and fishing and his strong belief in fulfilling his responsibilities. George will tell how his grandfather, years prior to his presidency, took on the terrible task of executing two men while serving as Sheriff of Erie County New York, because he did not believe in delegating a job that he would not do himself. George will also include stories about his grandmother, Frances Folsom Cleveland, who, at the age of twenty one, became the youngest 1st Lady of the United States. 

Photo: By permission: NJDEP. Photographer, Bruce White

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

In this episode, "You Will Become What You Think About", we will be speaking with accomplished movie and Broadway producer, radio host, and pioneer of cable television through satellite technology, Al Parinello. 

Al, who is an entrepreneur, is also the owner of the historic Surflight Theater located in Long Beach Island at the Jersey shore. He will share stories of his humble early years in Hoboken, NJ and his path to success that was filled with hard work and challenges. Al will also tell about the friends and mentors who helped him achieve the dreams he had since he was a child.

Al will include a story about his close friendship with comedian, Andy Kaufman, who was famous for his role as Latka Gravas on the hit television show Taxi, which aired in the late 1970's through the early 1980's.

Photo: courtesy of Al Parinello

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

In today's episode, "Bright Skies and Warm Memories", we will be speaking with John Elliott, forecaster and reporter for WCBS TV in New York. John is a multi-Emmy winning reporter, whose career spans over 28 years. The son of a cabinetmaker, John was born in Michigan and is one of eight children. We'll hear his memories of life growing up in a large family and how that influenced him to enter the field of communications and broadcasting. John, who has covered many significant events during his career, will also share stories about those experiences which include presidential campaign trails, dust storms in the west, hurricanes in the south and Superstorm Sandy in the NY area.