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On this episode of Our American Stories, Cecil Wax grew up in rural Iowa in the 1920s, when a simple errand could turn into an adventure. When his family runs out of vinegar during harvest season, young Cecil and his brother are sent on horseback to the local general store. What follows is a childhood journey filled with small dangers, hard lessons, and a moment that stayed with him for the rest of his life.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Cecil Wax grew up in rural Iowa in the 1920s, when a simple errand could turn into an adventure. When his family runs out of vinegar during harvest season, young Cecil and his brother are sent on horseback to the local general store. What follows is a childhood journey filled with small dangers, hard lessons, and a moment that stayed with him for the rest of his life.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Rattlesnakes and Vinegar: A Boyhood Journey to the General Store

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/56ad0903-67fb-45b1-a0da-b3e7016f3e1e/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before Portland became a destination, one businessman helped shape its future through hospitality, civic pride, and vision. Alex Adler, better known as Alex the Historian, shares the story of a logger named Simon Benson, the immigrant entrepreneur behind the iconic Benson Hotel, and explains how his investments helped put Portland on the national map.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, long before Portland became a destination, one businessman helped shape its future through hospitality, civic pride, and vision. Alex Adler, better known as <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fc%2FAlextheHistorian&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C5794db9a9d7844c251cc08de643949e8%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639058394394060047%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=LD2fiH8p2TmH%2FkKn0pSwsEpD8M%2BzoDxIJghIZNf5Pe4%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Alex the Historian</a>, shares the story of a logger named Simon Benson, the immigrant entrepreneur behind the iconic Benson Hotel, and explains how his investments helped put Portland on the national map.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How One Man and His Hotel Put Portland on the Map

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/789a7d31-9e48-458d-85fd-b3e7016f3e1f/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, horse jumping was nothing new. So locals decided to see whether a mule could do better. What began as a friendly dare among coon hunters grew into an annual mule-jumping competition that blends skill, stubbornness, and small-town pride. Locals, longtime competitors, and families who helped shape the tradition share how this unlikely sport took root and why it has endured.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, horse jumping was nothing new. So locals decided to see whether a mule could do better. What began as a friendly dare among coon hunters grew into an annual mule-jumping competition that blends skill, stubbornness, and small-town pride. Locals, longtime competitors, and families who helped shape the tradition share how this unlikely sport took root and why it has endured.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

When Horses Got Boring, Pea Ridge Started Jumping Mules

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1aeb17cb-e8ff-46fd-969f-b3e7016f3e1d/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg was once called “the next Jerry Seinfeld,” but his comedy was unmistakably his own. A master of the one-liner in the tradition of Henny Youngman, Hedberg built a following with surreal observations and a laid-back delivery that felt effortless. Few knew that behind the calm presence was a deep fear of performing on stage. Our own Greg Hengler shares the story of Mitch Hedberg’s life, comedy, and the legacy of a performer who changed stand-up by keeping it simple.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, stand-up comedian Mitch Hedberg was once called &ldquo;the next Jerry Seinfeld,&rdquo; but his comedy was unmistakably his own. A master of the one-liner in the tradition of Henny Youngman, Hedberg built a following with surreal observations and a laid-back delivery that felt effortless. Few knew that behind the calm presence was a deep fear of performing on stage. Our own Greg Hengler shares the story of Mitch Hedberg&rsquo;s life, comedy, and the legacy of a performer who changed stand-up by keeping it simple.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Mitch Hedberg: The Comic Once Called “The Next Jerry Seinfeld”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1fb908f4-34c9-4b23-baf4-b3e7016f3e1d/transcript

Rattlesnakes and Vinegar: A Boyhood Journey to the General Store

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