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Bob Dotson
Recently Posted American Stories
Today’s Lesson from Ms Ruby: “I’ll try.”
On an island off the coast of South Carolina sits an old school with a wooden floor, smoothed by a century of sliding feet. You’ll hear reading, writing and ‘rithmetic, but this story is about another “R.” Remembering Mrs. Ruby, Ruby Forsyth
Rush hour on Memory lane. Ruby Forsythe was 85 the last time I saw her. She’d been teaching 66 years, living above her classroom on Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Her students called her Ms. Ruby. She had 72 of them that day in this one-room school at Holy Cross-Faith Memorial Church.
In her early years, Ms. Ruby was the only teacher African-American kids had on Pawleys Island. “I was mother, father, counselor, everything,” Miss Ruby said. “You got to start with little things that are not in the book.” Half a century before Yoda, she told her students never to say, “I can’t.” Always say, “I’ll Try.” Some walked miles to get to her class. Many went on to college and made major contributions to our country. Miss Ruby summed up her philosophy of teaching: “Sow the best seed into whatever soil you have.”
“I Will Find You.”
Bill Eisenhuth watched his psychiatric patients come and go. He decided to follow them into the streets. His office became the steam vents and alleys where his patients lived.
Wannabe Movie Pirate
Wannabe Movie Pirate
To all of us who grew up watching pirate movies, this place is kind of special. Blackbeard had a home just off of Main Street. There were more parrots and eye patches on these wharves than on the movie backlot. In 1981 they came back. Russ Morphew ran the only school for pirates this side of Hollywood.
“These are remarkable and poignant stories that need to be told.”
KEN BURNS
“Those of us who know and work with Bob Dotson stand in awe of his gifts as a writer. Like the work so many viewers have come to love on NBC, this collection of stories captivates and inspires.”
- SAVANNAH GUTHRIE
“Throughout his remarkable career Bob Dotson has searched for the real essence of America – not by interviewing the so-called famous but by seeking out those unnoticed people we pass by every day. Dotson is a national treasure for caring enough to listen.”
- MEREDITH VIERA
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