Published Monday, Aug. 8, 1999 Last year, the commission decided to put together an oral history program encompassing 20th century memories of Trumbull County residents.
"We're looking for important significant memories from people within the county," said Heather McNally, director of the bicentennial commission. "We don't want them to leave the planet without sharing their experiences."
The commission is looking for people willing to relate their memories and people to do research and interviews.
Ms. McNally said interview subjects do not necessarily have to be elderly. Anyone with significant memories of any part of the past century can be interviewed.
Interviewers get to know their subjects prior to the interview to put subjects at ease, then record their memories on tape.
To participate in the project, an interviewer must attend oral history classes, which are held once a month at the Beth Israel Center in Warren. Project participants gather to share their experiences, give advice and offer moral support to other members of the group.
"The recorders have to do a little research. That's what the classes are for. They learn how to direct a person to get a good, clear story," Ms. McNally said. "They do a little research to make themselves good reporters."
Steve Oravecz, Cortland, coordinator of the oral history project, said the monthly classes started in April. The project participants went through a training session with a Youngstown State University history professor, which they review every month. Some of the participants have already recorded a few histories, which they play for their fellow group members.
"We serve as a support group for each other. We review everyone's work," Oravecz said.
Brookfield's unofficial historian, Joseph Tarkanick, participates in the program as both an interviewer and a subject. He has done four interviews so far, including a tape of himself telling stories of Brookfield in the early 20th century. He found another subject by chance when he visited the Hartford post office one day.
He said he got involved in the program through Brookfield's bicentennial two years ago.
Some of the participants choose to focus on specific areas of history, such as the Great Depression or African-American experiences in the early 1900s.
"We're doing different things that interest us," Oravecz said.
The bicentennial commission has a deal with YSU to transcribe the tapes. The tapes and the transcripts will be available at both the YSU library and the Warren-Trumbull County public library.
Oravecz said he is unsure where the oral history project will lead. If it is successful, the bicentennial commission may make a book of the transcripts. He said hopes to present six to 12 tapes to YSU.
