Recording of oral histories to go along with Chautauqua events

The Cape Girardeau Storyfest committee plans to use Cape Girardeau's first Chautauqua event in decades to generate interest in created local oral histories.

During the week of Chautauqua, the committee will team with KRCU public radio to tape the oral histories of about 30 local residents. Tapings will go on from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the Osage Community Centre using people selected by the committee.

"We're starting to collect what is essentially a library of oral histories about Cape Girardeau to educate people about the importance of storytelling and oral history," said Marsha Toll, chair of the Storyfest committee.

Toll said the Chautauqua event's format creates a great opportunity for oral history.

Chautauqua is a traveling festival sponsored by the Missouri Humanities Council in which performers impersonate famous historical figures. This year's personalities include George Washington Carver, Theodore Roosevelt, Mary Elizabeth Lease, Fred Harvey and John James Audubon.

The weeklong event kicks off at 6 p.m. Monday with a tent raising on the grounds of the Osage Community Centre. Other events will take place throughout the day Monday through Friday, with the main event each night at 7 p.m. in the tent.

Oral histories recorded by KRCU during the week will likely run in July.

Dr. Frank Nickell, a member of the local Chautauqua organizing committee, said the emphasis on collecting local oral histories is a great complement to the Chautauqua activities.

"I think the oral history that can be captured in this fashion will save stories that will otherwise be lost," Nickell said.

Toll said the Storyfest committee selected a variety of people. While it may seem that oral history could apply to only the elderly, Toll said people from their 20s into old age were selected for the tapings.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

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Schedule of events

June 19

8 a.m. -- Doug Mishler as Theodore Roosevelt at Cup 'N' Cork

6 p.m. -- Community tent raising at the Osage Community Centre

June 20

10 a.m. -- Paxton Williams as George Washington Carver at St. James AME Church

2 p.m. -- Richard Johnson as John James Audubon at the Cape Girardeau Public Library

2 p.m. -- Glenna J. Wallace as Mary Elizabeth Lease at Chateau Girardeau

7 p.m. -- Mishler as Roosevelt with entertainment by the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band at the Osage Community Centre

June 21

7 a.m. -- Misheler as Roosevelt at Denny's Diner

2 p.m. -- William Worley as Fred Harvey at the Cape Girardeau Public Library

7 p.m. -- Johnson as Audubon with entertainment by Dennis Stroughmatt at the Osage Center

June 22

8 a.m. -- Worley as Harvey at Grace Cafe

10 a.m. -- Johnson as Audubon at the Red House Interpretive Center

noon -- Mishler as Roosevelt at the Show Me Center

noon -- Williams as Carver at the Family Resource Center

7 p.m. -- Glenna J. Wallace as Mary Elizabeth Lease with entertainment by Shade Tree Folk Company at the Osage Center

June 23

10 a.m. -- Williams as Carver at the Holiday Inn Convention Center

10 a.m. -- Wallace as Lease at the Cape River Heritage Museum

7 p.m. -- Worley as Harvey with entertainment by The Jerry Ford Dixieland Band at the Osage Center

June 24

7 p.m. -- Williams as Carver with entertainment by Vintage Strings at the Osage Center