Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Author's Note 7
I Dreamers
Street-Corner Astronomer Herman Heyn 11
Bridgetender Barbara Abelhauser 17
Forensic Artist Sharon Long 22
NBA Referee Marat Kogut 27
Aeromedical Field Tester Alton Yates 31
Astronaut Ronald McNair 36
Library Assistant Storm Reyes 40
Scientist Dorothy Warburton 43
Dentist Thomas McGarvey 48
II Generations
Firefighters Dekalb Walcott Jr. Dekalb Walcott III 55
Funeral Directors Don Mackenzie Byles 60
Mechanical Engineer Anne Lucietto 64
Tool and Die Maker Phil Kerner 67
Bricklayer Barbara Moore 72
Engineer and Entrepreneur Noramay Cadena 77
Sculptor Olga Ayala 81
Physicians Larry Laura Michaelis 85
Farmer Johnny Bradley 89
Actor Ricardo Pitts-Wiley 93
Oil Rig Driller Red Lain 97
III Healers
Oncology Nurse Dana Viviano 107
Hospice Chaplain Issan Koyama 111
9/11 First Responders John Vigiano Jr. Joe Vigiano 117
Ironworkers Kerry Davis Ken Hopper 121
Sanitation Workers Angelo Bruno Eddie Nieves 125
Veterans Crisis Hotline Workers Rich Barham Nelson Peck 129
Emergency Medical Technician Rowan Allen 134
ICU Nurse Michelle Alore 138
Ob-Gyn Austin Chen 142
Grocer Burnell Cotlon 148
Assistant Federal Public Defender Vito de la Cruz 153
Policewoman Pat Hays 157
Ink Removal Specialist Dawn Maestas 163
FMF Corpsman Barbara Butler 166
English Teacher Ayodeji Ogunniyi 169
IV Philosophers
Science Teacher Al Siedlecki 177
Artist and Educator Sol Aramendi 182
Beekeeper Ted Dennard 186
Bar Owner Rose Brudno 190
Salmon Slicer Leonard Berk 195
Beer Vendor Clarence Haskett 198
Entertainer Coach Operator Arnie Knapp 204
Subway Conductor Paquita Williams 209
Congressman Jim Clyburn 213
Employment Counselor Darlene Lewis 216
Waitress and Blues Singer Miranda Louise 221
V Groundbreakers
Video Game Inventor Jerry Lawson 227
County Clerk Clela Rorex 232
Pastor Eric D. Williams 237
Chef and Restaurateur Laura Martinez 240
Ford Assembly Plant Supervisor Dorothy Glinton 246
NASCAR Driver Wendell Scott 251
Building Contractor Lyle Link 255
Acknowledgments 259
Favorite StoryCorps Questions 261
Continue the Conversation 263