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On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1846, a group of pioneers set out for California with dreams of a better life. Known as the Donner Party, they fell behind on the trail, took a disastrous shortcut, and became trapped in the Sierra Nevada as winter storms closed in. With supplies gone and snow piling up, survival came at a great cost.

Here’s their remarkable and tragic story.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1846, a group of pioneers set out for California with dreams of a better life. Known as the Donner Party, they fell behind on the trail, took a disastrous shortcut, and became trapped in the Sierra Nevada as winter storms closed in. With supplies gone and snow piling up, survival came at a great cost. Here&rsquo;s their remarkable and tragic story.
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.

The True Story of the Donner Party’s Struggle for Survival

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/64bf2416-77f6-44cd-9662-b4dd014c6eb2/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dick Erickson was a young Marine helicopter pilot flying over Vietnam when everything went quiet. His radio was dead, his instruments were failing, and the jungle below offered no clear place to land. Alone in the cockpit, he began to pray. What happened next stayed with him for life. In that silence, he felt a calm that didn’t come from training or instinct.

Dick joins us to tell his remarkable story.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Dick Erickson was a young Marine helicopter pilot flying over Vietnam when everything went quiet. His radio was dead, his instruments were failing, and the jungle below offered no clear place to land. Alone in the cockpit, he began to pray. What happened next stayed with him for life. In that silence, he felt a calm that didn&rsquo;t come from training or instinct. Dick joins us to tell his remarkable story.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Pilot Who Found God in the Sky Over Vietnam

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ec179484-58fd-4787-9b40-b4dd014c6eaf/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, before haunted houses filled October nights, Halloween in America was a mess. In the early twentieth century, it was less about candy and costumes and more about broken fences, stolen gates, and angry neighbors. Communities were desperate for order, and their answer came from an unexpected place. Schools, churches, and civic clubs began creating haunted attractions: small events meant to channel mischief into something creative.

Author Lisa Morton, whose Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween remains a definitive account, traces how those first haunted houses grew into the elaborate haunted attractions we know today.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, before haunted houses filled October nights, Halloween in America was a mess. In the early twentieth century, it was less about candy and costumes and more about broken fences, stolen gates, and angry neighbors. Communities were desperate for order, and their answer came from an unexpected place. Schools, churches, and civic clubs began creating haunted attractions: small events meant to channel mischief into something creative. Author Lisa Morton, whose <a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTrick-Treat-Halloween-Lisa-Morton%2Fdp%2F1780231873&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7Ce0ecde7426664c4913f008df24ba2edf%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639270054236131169%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=vDovXaKHmhatyF5xxdYQ7aQyrzE89Wk0TjVEk%2F87jII%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween</a> remains a definitive account, traces how those first haunted houses grew into the elaborate haunted attractions we know today.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

How Haunted Houses Became a Halloween Tradition

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/686ad3b5-4212-45e0-951a-b4dd014c6eb2/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, Frankie Avalon became a household name before he turned twenty. With hits like “Venus” and “Why,” he dominated the Billboard charts during the golden age of American pop. But while many teen idols faded, Avalon evolved. He starred alongside Annette Funicello in a string of beach party films that captured the imagination of a generation. Decades later, he returned to the spotlight in Grease, performing “Beauty School Dropout” as Teen Angel, a moment that introduced him to millions of new fans.

Frankie Avalon reflects on his music career and how he kept performing from the 1950s through today.

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

On this episode of Our American Stories, Frankie Avalon became a household name before he turned twenty. With hits like &ldquo;Venus&rdquo; and &ldquo;Why,&rdquo; he dominated the Billboard charts during the golden age of American pop. But while many teen idols faded, Avalon evolved. He starred alongside Annette Funicello in a string of beach party films that captured the imagination of a generation. Decades later, he returned to the spotlight in Grease, performing &ldquo;Beauty School Dropout&rdquo; as Teen Angel, a moment that introduced him to millions of new fans. Frankie Avalon reflects on his music career and how he kept performing from the 1950s through today.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Frankie Avalon Talks Grease, Billboard Hits, and His Legacy in Hollywood

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8759a13a-2c83-4f95-98e1-b4dd014c6eb3/transcript

The True Story of the Donner Party’s Struggle for Survival

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