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CE 063 287

Not by Myself...Creating Communities of New Writersin the South.Literacy South, Durham, NC.92

51p.; For a related document, see CE 063 288.Literacy South, Snow Bldg., Room 202, 331 West MainStreet, Durham, NC 27701 ($2).Creative Works (Literature,Drama,Fine Arts) (030)

MF01/PC03 Plus Postage.Adult Basic Education; Adult Literacy; CreativeWriting; *Descriptive Writing; English Instruction;*Literacy Education; Reading Skills; *Student WritingModels; Writing (Composition); *Writing Instruction;Writing Skills

This magazine contains literary pieces/writings by 31new writers in the southeastern United States. The works span a broadrange of topics: remembering tines past, reflections on specialpeople, social concerns, family life, and work. Authors' comments orautobiographical notes and photographs accompany the pieces. Titlesinclude the following: "A Serious Accident," "My Early Memories,""Work," "How Things Were When I Was Small," "People," "Life," "A LifeTime Dream," "My Trip," "A Story about My Dad," "Little Grandson,""Bluffing Your Way through Life," "Sunday Morning Breakfast," "Summerin the Country," "Mg Grandfather," "The Story of Sandy Brooks,""Mama," "Loving You," "Dinner at Church," "In the Late 30's and Early40's," "Hog Hunting," "Listen," "Aunt Emma," "A Beautiful Woman,""Hard Times," "My People," "Hope," "Making Mud Pies," "Big Sister,""My Goals," "Grandmother," "Memories of 1964," "Time Line," "TheGarden," "Memorable Moments," and "What Is Stress?" "How To UseStudent Writing in the Classroom" (Jereann King) follows the piecesand offers suggestions for the literacy class, office waiting rooms,libraries, and other community settings. Biographical notes of thoseliteracy students who participated on the advisory editorial boardare appended. (YLB)

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U S. DEPARTMENT Or EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Rematch and improvement

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This document has been reproduced asfOCIIIVOO from dm person or organizationOriginating it

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Literacy South believes that people have the right to read. write and express

themselves, and to learn in ways that show respect for diversity and honor

wisdom, history and culture...Mission statement of Literacy South

May 12, 1990

Literacy South provides training, research, evaluation, technical assistance andadvocacy for participatory literacy programs in the Southeast. Literacy Southreceives support from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, the William andFlora Hewlett Foundation, UPS Foundation, the Mary Reynolds BabcockFoundation, the Hearst Foundation, Apple Computer Corporation, andindividual contributors. Literacy South is a member of North CarolinaCommunity Shares.

Copyright © 1992

FRONT COVER PHOTO OF ARCELL MAGEE BY HERB WELCH

hot by frnOe I e

"Well, I like being here

working with others;

I know Bin not

by myself.

"I like this. She said don't feel ashamed.

I can relate to this."

"In this piece I think the writer shouldtell more specific things. It is too general."

contents

Arch Sparks 2Paul Overcash 4Willie Haney 5Tutti Felsher 6Jeff Edwards 7

Charlie Mixon 8John Montgomery 9

Wanda Leatherwood 10Joyce Anderson 11

Velma Bass 12Anza Shaw Langley 15

Gwen Cash 16Ida Alston 17

Walter McDonald 18Henry Boyd 20

Richard Wilson 21Eckerd Kenion 22Annie Taborn 23

Ben Burton 24Macie Bare 25

Arcell Magee 26Sheila Dufrene 28

Hazel Rose 29Anonymous 30

Robyoby III 31Sally Smith 32

Darlene Parish 34Patricia Steele 35

Donnie Hawley 36Veronica Burt 37Jasper Bullock 38

How to Use Student Writing 41The Student Advisory Board 42

7-^

I like this it is a stoiy aboutsomeone who is very smart butthey're not educated."

7 think this needs a new title."

"This is just a little writing,but it brings out a

whole lot of meaning.

And so it went as literacy students helped each other and the LiteracySouth staff create a new magazine, Not By Myself.

This is Literacy South's first effort in publishing the work of new writersin the southeastern United States. From the beginning, we wanted toinvolve students in helping us create this publication, so we invited tenstudents from programs with which we were working in North Carolina tobe a student advisory board for this issue. These students met three times todiscuss what being an editor means, how to choose pieces for the magazine,what makes a piece of writing interesting and to make suggestions for a title.Students also commented on typefaces and size of letters.

Students took a lot of leadership in this process. They described theprocess to other students in their programs and encouraged them to submitpieces. Because we had so many pieces submitted, we could not go over allof them at our meetings so vie mailed packets to students who worked onthem in their literacy programs and brought back their opinions to us. Weare very excited about the ways in which students kept this process

connected to their own literacy programs.The students' advice was important as we worked on the magazine. We

are very grateful to Archie Alston, Juanita Branch, Richard Brown, DavidCase, Theresa Harmer, Lavonne Myrick, Thomas Rice, Alberta Roseman,Joseph Umstead, and Curtis Yellock for their time, insights, and caring forus, each other, and students in their programs.

As one student said, "I've never published a magazine before!" Well,Literacy South hasn't either, but we had a wonderful time and we hope allwho read this will too!

0

Arch SparksArch Sparks retiredfrom Ohio toHenderson, NC in1986 after 38 yearswith Union Carbide.He spends his leisuretime traveling andvisiting his family. Heis doing research onhis ancestors'participation in theCivil War.

A Serious AccidentThe time was about 8:15 am, February 8th, 1981. We had just

shut #23 furnace down for repair. You should know that it is a hugeelectrical furnace that produces alloy metals. The product is used in themaking of steel.

There were about ten people assigned to work in different areas onthe furnace. My buddy and I were to do a job on the very top floor.

We went up to check the job and see what tools we would need.While on the way down to get the tools, we passed several crews already

at work. One crew on the third floor was using a high-pressure air hose.I was walking in front of my buddy. Just as I got to the top of the

stairwell, the hose came apart! The end with the pressure on it started toflop around. Before I could get out of the way it struck me in the side!

The force knocked me down on the stairwell to the second floor. Iwas in a daze, and came close to passing .)ut. They took me to thedispensary, where the doctor examined me. He then sent me to thehospital for x-rays. There were no broken bones, so they thought I wasonly badly bruised, and sent me home.

P-12 4

That night I went to bed around 10:00 o'clock. The next morningElaine got up about 7:00 o'clock. About fifteen minutes later I got up. Idid not feel well and had to lie down again. Then I did pass out, andthey called the ambulance. At the hospital they discovered that I had a

ruptured spleen.After five hours on the operating table, three days in intensive care

and five more days in a regular ward I went home.Before the doctor released me, he told me I was a very lucky man,

that had I been twenty minutes later arriving at the hospital there wouldhave been litde hope for me.

I am thankfid for the medical and personal help I received.

My Early Memories

As a boy growing up on a farm, I remember the good thingsabout growing up on a farm, the closeness of our family and all the

things we did together.My parents raised thirteen children. We worked together, we

played together, and we watched over and protected each other. It was ahard life but a good life. I can remember working all day in the fields,then going to the house and doing chores. Then after dinner we wouldplay gimes until our parents called us in for bed.

3 3

Paul Overcash

I was born in China Grove. When I was 161 startworking at Cannon. It was good money. I was agood worker but too dumb to learn how to read orwrite. I never go to school regi ilnr but I moved up atCannon. Now I supervise on my shift. I can read thenumbers to count picks and measure cloth. Now Ican learn to read stories and books.

Work

Idon't like work

but it's something I have to do to make a livingI have to

tell people their mistakeswalksquatcount pickscheck inches of yard per clothlook at cloth for defects

I go from loom to loom to do thatI get mad whenthings don't go rightthe boss don't seem like he's listening to meI wish that people would understand that I had a job to do too.

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Willie Haney

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I liked working at the tomatoplant separating ripe tomatoesfrom green ones. I like tocrochet and embroider andI like to go to learn to read.

How Things Were When I Was Small

Iliked helping my mother in the garden. We canned corn andbeans. What I liked to do the most was helping mother fill cans.

135

Tutti FeltherTutti is the mother of two children. She is singleand enjoys cooking and writing poetry. Her mostfavorite people to talk to are older people. She likesto listen to them talk about old times.

People

Ilove old people. Most of them are very appreciative of the timeyou spend with them. They have so many true life stories that makeyou feel that you were there doing what they say they did. Old peoplemake me think that when I get old and lonely, I would like to have atleast one person who cares, maybe if it is just a few minutes to share withme.

Life

Life is passing through.We are given the gift of life.

It might be long, medium or a short life.Thats something we never know.

We should live one day at a time.Do things in a day, for tomorrow is not a certain day.We're just passing through this life.We should hope that this tunnel will have at the endeternal light.

6

Je Edwards

Jeff Edwards enjoysworking with wood.building tables, but hisbig interests are footballand basketbalL Jeffbegan writing during thesummer of 1991. He hasre-enrolled in the publicschool system and nowhe intends to graduate.

A Life Time Dream

One time there was a boy. His name was Jake. When he was akid he liked to play football. When he got in the 7th grade his dreamwas to play football. And his dream came true. He played football he

got out of school.When he got out of school he went to college on a football

scholarship. When he went through college, Jake played football sogood. All of the top football teams liked Jake. They would like to havehim on their team.

Jake said to all the teams, "When I was a kid, I always wanted to playfootball. That was my life time dream. People said dreams can't cometrue. But they can."

7 I

Charlie Mixon

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1Charlie was recently marriedand now works with hisfather-in-law as a heavyequipment operator on alogging operation. He lives inthe Dana area of HendersonCounty. NC.

My Trip

Iam going to the beach this summer. I haven't seen the ocean inmy life. I am going this August with a friend. He is in the Army. He issupposed to get out soon and come and see me. We are going to have aparty for him when he gets out. I am going to take my vacation whenhe gets home. I am going to be happy to see the sea. I have seen it onT.V. and it looks big. I hope I will get to fish while I am there. I amgoing to have fun.

A Story About My Dad

My dad wasn't too big. But somehow he always kept the familytogether somehow He worked very hard to support the family.

He had ioor children and most ofus didn't finish school. My dadcouldn't read v.:rite. But all of my family can write and read but meand my dad. I am trying to read and write so I don't have to be like mydad. He died about three years ago. I felt sorry that my dad neverlearned to read and write. I am only twenty years old and I have mywhole life ahead of me.

8

John MontgomeryJohn Montgomery has livedall his life in HendersonCounty, NC. His big interestis reading the Bible. He andhis grandson spend manyhappy hours together. Mr.Montgomery is a successfulgardener who keeps hisf and neighbors wellsupplied with vegetables.

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Little Grandson

"No more diapers!" Lee-lee was telling this to Po-po and Mamo."He's a big boy now He's in training pants. He will be three in August."

He got one of those little old riding Jeeps run by a battery. Heenjoys riding his little Jeep.

He gets a pencil and tries to write. He can drive my riding mower,but his feet ain't long enough to get to the pedals to shut off the switch to

stop.He's a smart little boy to catch on so quickly.One time I got one of those garden tillers and he gets between me

and the tiller and helps me till the garden.

9

Wanda Leatherwood

1

I am a student on theLiteracy Council Boardand they make me feelgood about myself andimportant. Sometimespeople with more educationmake me feel like nothingand make me feel like I'mnot worth much. I likebowling and sports andcrafts. My tutor tells methat I do good work andthis means a lot to me.

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Bluffing Your Way Through Life

When I was fifteen my father had a stroke. I quit school and wentto work in a laundry. I changed jobs when I could find a job makingmore money. All this time I was bluffing my way through jobs. BecauseI couldn't hardly read or spell.

I put my application in at Champion papers. I told them I needed ajob. My father worked here and now he has had a stroke and I need agood job so I can by some food and fuel. So they gave me a test. But Ijust bluffed my way through it. This was a big break for me. I got thejob. I went to work in the finishing room. The first job I worked wason the sorting line and from job to job until I could do every job in thefinishing room. I would take my order sheet and find my labels thatmatch the order. Very few people didn't know that I couldn't read orspell good.

Champion laid offa lot of people eight years after I had went towork. So I got laid off with about three hundred more women.

I have worked many more jobs in my life. Very few people didn'tknow that I couldn't read or spell good.

So if you can't read or spell good. Take my advice go back to schooland learn. Don't try to bluffyour way. It's better that way. You willenjoy life much better. ti

10

Joyce Anderson

I enjoy reading, writing and learning.Recycle and Read is very important to thosewho need it, Everyone should have thechance to benefit from a program like this.

Sunday Morning Breakfast

Wen I was a child I can remember my mom preparing ourSunday morning breakfast. We would wake up to the smell of fryingchicken and coffee brewing on the stove. The old house would be warmand comfortable. Mom with her hair rolled up and her quilted robe onand her made up face. Standing at the stove turning the chicken over.Singing her church song, "Go Tell It On The Mountain." Her voicesounded so sweet and clear.

11 i3

Velma Bass

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I enjoy being in the Recycle andRead Program because it helpsme to advance. It helps now onthe job at Duke University MedicalCenter and at home.

1'7

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Summer in the Country

My brother and I went to the country to spend the summer with

my grandparents when school was out. My brother and I were playinghop scotch in the yard one evening. I told my brother I'm tired ofplaying the game. Let's go and get us some watermelon out of grandad'sgarden. Grandad sold watermelon to people in the community. Mygrandad always thumped the watermelon to make sure it was right topick and sell. My brother and I went barefooted in the grassy gardenlooking for the right melon. We didn't have a knife to cut the melon.My brother got a stick and we thumped and cracked open ten melons.The melon smelled like honeysuckle. My brother and I sat in the gardenand ate, our stomachs full until my grandma missed us and camelooking for us. She found us all washed in watermelon juice sitting inthe garden. That was my last day I went in my grandad's garden messingaround in his melon patch.

! 3

13

Velma Bass

My Grandfather

As I got older I thought that a person who had a good educationcould go a longer way in life than a person who had no education at all.But I think of my grandfather who was not an educated person. Thelittle education that he did receive was through my grandmother. Shetaught him how to read and write his name and tell time. I rememberlistening to him playing the piano without reading a note. But he wasgood at memorizing the music by ear. He built his own house withoutsomeone giving him instruction on what to do. His English was brokenwith slang and he slurred when he spoke which made it hard for me tounderstand as a child. For instance, he would call a cracker a cookie, acookie a cake. And he would be corrected many times when doing that.He would always be a patient person during the times his English wascorrected. That's one of the things I admire about him. He never didget impatient when he couldn't get something outhe would work on ituntil he got it out. He alwayS\told me to stay in school and get theeducation that he could never get. But my own definition of educationis when you feel good about yourself and knowing what you want to do.And you take the challenge in life in going to school and putting yourbest effort into it to excel and do well. And believe you can do it well.

j14

Anza Shaw Langley

The Recycle and ReadProgram really helped me.It has enabled me to takesome college courses as aparticipant in ajob-trainingprogram here at the medicalcenter. I want to go into thecomputer program field.

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The Story of Sandy Brooks

This is about this man I know his name is Sandy Brooks. He neverwent to school, but he's so bright and smart. He can't read, but he canwrite his name and he's very good in math. He can lay bricks, buildhouses, furniture and a whole lot of other things. He got his skills fromwatching others. He's self employed. He's a brick mason and a carpenter.To me I think he is quite gifted.

15 2,)

Gwen Cash

Mama

The trees are blossoming

The flowers are coming upThe kids are playing in the yardThe bus is coming up the streetThe door is opening,here comes my mothershe looks very tired

her movements look likeshe's in slow motion.

I run to give my mother some help.I ask her how was her day`good" shesh eplies

It is o.k. baby.Once we go to the houseShe would put down her purse,

wash up andgo to the kitchen to prepare dinnerfor my sisters and brotherI would tell my motherI'll clean up you go rest.

She says, thank you baby.

She goes to sit down

in the rocking chairand she fell to sleep.

I am a Food and Nutrition Department supervisor atDuke University Medical Center. I have been workingwith the Recycle and Read Program since it began inJanuary of 1990. I have a nineteen-year-old daughterwho is attending North Carolina Central University ineducation.

216

Ida Alston

Until recently, Ida Alston worked in EnvironmentalServices at Duke University Medical Center. Sheenjoys writing poetry, discovering it as a wonderfulway to release her energy.

Loving You

How can you stand there and tell me it's over.

Loving you has been a joyous thing.Loving you through the winter and spring.What else can I hope for and what else can it bring.

I've loved you in every way, what more can I say.

Let's just keep on Loving one another.Then we won't have to look any further.

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17

Walter McDonald

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Walter McDonald is an employee of NelloTeer Company's Durham Quarry. He isenrolled in a workplace literacy programconducted by the Durham CountyLiteracy Council at the quarry.

18

Dinner at Church

Years ago, back in my younger days, my parents were members of a

big Church. The Church's name was Pleasant Grove Baptist. TheChurch was one mile south of St. Paul's N.C. on Route One.

One Sunday, back in the mid 60's, my parents got ready as well as all

of us, my sisters, me, and my brothers. We got ready and went to Sundayschool and Church Service, and dinner at Church.

At the time we did not have a dinner shelter. We had several longbenches under the trees at the Church. All the people were serving thefood from the benches to themselves. They had any kind of food youwanted. All the people formed a line beside the serving benches, and the

servers gave the people any kind of plate they wanted. The people walkedover to the next bench to eat. After all had eaten, they all took Service

back in Church for the rest of the day.

19

Henry BoydI was born in Cary, N.C.on May 11. 1928. I had 11brothers and sisters. Myfather was afarmer. I movedto Burlington in 1949 andstarted drilling water wells.Before that I was a cook atProcher's Restaurant in Cary.In 1973 I moved toPennsylvania and worked ina steel milL In 1987 I cameback to Burlington andstarted working at BurlingtonIndustries, where I ampresently employed.I am married. have twodaughters, one step-daughterand five grandchildren.

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In the Late 30's and Early 40's

The time was hard for people to get by. To make a livingsometime people could not find work. But there was always someonewho would give you some food to help out till you could find somework. It did not mean money all the time. Sometime you would haveto work in the field to pick beans or pull corn or to pick up potatoes.

In the early forties we did not have a good job. We were farmers atthe time. My father lost the farm and then he got sick. Mother and Ihad to do the best we could. But by the help of God we were able tomake it. Then I got a job as a dishwasher and potato peeler and went towork for five dollars a week. I was so glad I did not know really how togo about it. But the man was so nice to show me what to do.

After a while he said he was going to teach me to cook for him andthat really made me feel good. He did and I enjoyed doing it. It was thebest thing that I ever did in my young days.

20

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My name is Rick Wilson and I am thirty yearsold. The best thing that ever happened to mewas my wife, Connie Wilson. The second bestthing was making a decision to go back toschool I am presently attending STAR AdultEducation Center to improve my writing skills.I remember the first and last time I went hoghunting because it was the most adventurousand exciting thing I have ever done.

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Hog HuntingIwas at the age of 14 years old I remember exactly how old I

was. We proceeded to go to Bendale, Mississippi. So, we went to ourhunting location, parked the truck, and got our hog dogs. They're pitbull hog dogs. So we walked, I'd say, close to 3 miles. So we turned thedogs loose and they barked, and ran, and barked, and ran and thenfinally we heard a sow screaming and we ran towards the sound. Whenwe came up on the sow I know that she had hooked one dog, becauseit was hurt. You know hogs have tusks on them. We shot and killedher and cut a small tree to tote her back to the truck in. We got ourdogs and loaded up the truck she weighed close to 400 pounds. Wetook her back to the house, hung her, and cleaned her. It was the mostexciting adventure hunting in my life.

21

Eckerd Kenion

Listen

My grandson listen to meThe wooden slave ship came to the African shoreThey bought us to a new landHome, we never see anymore

Chained and bound under the gunNo place to hide and no where to runWe worked from sun-up to sun downGrandson, listen to me

Then Abe said, "You are free."

Free to be what you want to beThe people in the South rebelledTurning the country into a fiery hell

Grandson, listen to meKennedy, King and Malcolm X cameThey did not play the waiting gameWe marched prayed and sangThen things began to change

So grandson, keep the dream aliveNot only from nine to fiveWhen you succeed in your climbDo not leave your brother and sister behind.

22

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The most excitingthing about Recycleand Read is that ithas taught me how toexpress myself.I like to read andwrite.

Annie TabornI am a Diet Technician forthe Food and NutritionServices at Duke HospitaLI have been employed forfive years and love thework I do. I am alsoenrolled in the Recycleand Read Program. Thisis a rewarding experience.

Aunt Emma

The person I admired the most in my life as a role model is my Aunt

Emma. She did not finish high school in order to help out on the farmand help her parents with the younger set of brothers and sisters. Out of9 children she was the oldest. She was married at the age of 19 and had 4

children. She worked and put 3 of her children through college. Theytaught her to read and write and do the things she really likes. Forinstance, she loves outdoor work. They taught her how to measure herflower bed. They also taught her how to budget her money, go to thegrocery store and read prices and labels. This way, she didn't have to ask.

She helped build an extra room on her house for her nursery school.After her children were grown, she began keeping children in her

home. That is another thing I admire about her. She loves children.Now retired, she is still going strong at the age of 87.

2.323

Ben Burton

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I am now a clinicalassistant in theSurgical OncologyClinic at DukeUniversity MedicalCenter: Soon I will beenrolled in school tobecome a registerednurse. I hope I will besuccessful in reachingmy goals in life.

A Beautiful Woman

The person I admire the most, despite her not being well"educated," is my mother. She was good in cooking. She could makedifferent dishes that were easy for her but hard for us without a recipe. Ilistened to her as she explained that when she was growing up hermother showed her how to make cakes, pies, etc. To me that's commonsense. But she was best at being patient. When arguments or fightingarose, she would be very calm about it. She told us how she developedbeing patient. When her brothers and sisters started to argue and fighther mother would always be calm. Now I can see that having to raisetwelve children indeed you would need to be patient. She was a modelfor all of her children by being so patient. Even though she neverlearned how to read and write she strived to be the best mother shecould be. Now I realize that this is a real challenge and effort as I try tobe more patient with my own children.

24

Macie Bare

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My name is Macie Bare.I live in Burlington, N.C.I am a tenner frameoperator for BurlingtonIndustries. My goal forthis class is to learn alittle better.

Hard Times

Wworked as sharecroppers for very little money and long hours.Lived in a poor house. Go hungry and cold. Wear hand me down and alot of people make fun of us and treat you like a dog and no one reallycare whether you live or die. Work in a mill make fair wages. But thegovernment and other things take more from your check than you getand still not enough to go around. And you can still be hungry andcold, nowhere to live.

25 3

Arcell Magee

Now that I am grown. I realize how much mymother and father went through to raise a large

family. My mother was blind. but she cooked.cleaned and took care of all of us from the timewe were born. I love my folks and I know thatwhat I learned as a child has helped me to loveand understand people better today

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My People

Iam from a large family. My Father was born in Tylertown,Mississippi, on August 15, 1907. He was reared on a farm. At the age of

twenty he was married to Miss Wilkie Lee. To that union were born 17children. We were a very happy family. We learn to work together andto help others. We would go to church on Sunday. After a days work we

would gather around the fireplace and sing. My father would read Biblestories. Everyone had their chores or homework. We had pigs, cows,horses, chickens, ginnie, duck and turkey. We farm 300 vres, weplowed it with mule and horses.

27

Sheila Dufrene

HopeAs I look at the world around me,It seems it has no hope.Especially for the ones

Who have reached the end of their rope.

They search for anything to help them cope.Most people turn to using dope.Just looking for a little hope.

It makes me sad to see it this way.

In a world so hopeless and gray.

But what I'm really trying to say.

I think we should all kneel down and pray.

Because Jesus is the way,

To have Hope in this world today.

I am the proud mother of a beautiful daughter named Tasha.She is my pride and joy. I am a student at STAR AdultEducation Center in Biloxi. MS. I hope to attend college verysoon. I wrote "Hope" because it was one of my writingassignments. When I was asked to write it. I thought aboutwhat hope meant to me. I also thought about how hopeless itall seems. I think the only hope we have is prayer.

3j28

Hazel RoseI was born inWaynesville, N.C.and attendedCentral ElementarySchool. I want tolearn how to readand to get my G.E.D.I hope to become atutor My hobbiesare painting andembroidery.

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Making Mud Pies

Ilive in Waynesville. My brother and I made mud pies.We used to get leaves and mud and pretend we owned a bakery.We made all kinds of shapes out of the mud. We put berries on top

of them for decoration. We had lots of customers to come to our bakery.We got real dirty, but it was fun.

3'29

Anonymous

Big Sister

My name is Rose. I was the baby of the family. I had two fullsisters and three half sisters and a half brother. I was about seven yearsyounger than the sister next to me.

One of my half sisters named Jean always took care of me. A lot ofpeople thought that she was my mother. She carried me around on herhip and played with me.

When I was six years old my mother told me that I could sleep withJean the next summer, but that spring she got married. I was so hurt thatI didn't even talk to the man she was going to marry. Because he wastaking someone that I really loved away from me.

After Jean got married, Joe her husband made her stay at home allthe time. She had to work so hard. Cutting wood and taking care of thecows, and doing all the hard work. I guess because he wasn't good to herI never did care for him too much. She had to eat applesauce forbreakfast and milk and bread for supper.

Joe didn't even give her money to buy clothes and shoes.One day when they were at our house, Joe went to the outside toilet.

He was so afraid of snakes. I put a play snake on the door knob. Whenhe went back, he put his hand on the knob and it scared him. I wassitting on the fence watching him. I laughed and laughed. He was somad at me. Jean lived with him about forty years. After he died, Jeanwas like a bird let out of a cage.

She started eating candy and crackers and meats that she had nevergot to eat.

Jean started getting fat. She lived five years after he died. We spentmore time together than we had in the last forty years she was married toJoe.

Jean really enjoyed the last five years that she lived.

30 35

Victor Roby III

Victor Roby III was born in 1963 and he attendedclasses at Literacy Volunteers of Biloxi, MS. He waspreparing for the G.E.D. test but he has since moved on.

My Goals

My goal is to learn how to read and write so that I can get a betterjob. I want to get my G.E.D. where I can learn to use computers. Iwant to get a better job with better pay so that I can buy my kids thelittle things that they want and not have to worry about the monthlybills. I want to get off of foodstamps and support my family by myself. Iwould like to make more money so I can fix my house up nice.

31 3 1,3

Sally Smith

32

2

The most exciting thing that I'velearned is how to expressmyself through poetry. It givesme a feeling of greatsatisfaction to write.

4

Grandmother

Ahard working woman with a whole lot of pride.Her education she couldn't hideAlways speak when spoken toShe knew exactly what to do.

She was short and stout and she always like to wander aboutA walk in the woods and name the trees.Then she would tell us about the leaves.

A church going lady with a lot of soulShe would give each of us something of hers to hold.She would laugh, she would cryShe would smile and she would sigh.

She's passed away, now she's gone

But she left her memories to carry on.We love you grandmother and always willBecause she had so much love to give.

33 3

Darlene Parish

Iremember back in '64 on a bright andsunny Sunday afternoon after church, my parentsaunt and uncle decided to takepictures of us kids.I was only nine years old then, but I remember being excitedand very anxious.

The dress I wore was my favorite dress.

Striped with pleats and a big bow in theback. My hair had ribbons and bows to match.My siblings were younger and not excited at all. They wantedto run and play. My older brother even cried. He wanted food.(always hungry)

As I look at the picture today, 27 years

later, I see how happy and well taken care ofwe were. Five children all looking very secure and content.We were blessed.

I have really enjoyed theunique way I have learnedto express myself, especiallythrough writing.

Memories of 1964

343 S

Patricia Steele

I owe thanks to my job. If I wasn't working here at themedical center, I couldn't be in the Recycle and ReadProgrcun. The program is helping me to achieve my goalsto finish school. and go to college.

Time Line

Children are not like they used to be,There was a time when people could sitoutside at night and enjoy watching abeautiful moon or starry sky.You could even hear the neighbors sometimestwo or three houses from you singing, laughing,and talking to one another.Some would have Bible study until late evening.That's the time people loved and cared about oneanother.

Now on a starry night someone is being robbed or killedand instead of neighbors singing, someone's screamingin the night for help.You go on the poich at night for a breath of freshair and the only air you get is the smell of reefer.

35 41/4)

Donnie Hawley

The GardenIt is a hard job to keep itgreen and cleanYou plant the seedand you waitand waituntil it comes upAnd you cultivate itthen you pick itand you eat itfreeze it or can it

I give some away

and sell some tooThe hardest vegetable togrow is okra

The easiest to growis green beans

S

I have been at Duke forfive years in the Food andNutrition Departmentin catering services. I amthe truck driven I transfer

food from South Hospitalto the Searle Center wherethey have specialfunctions. The Recycleand Read program hashelped me a lot.

36 BEST COPY AVAILABLE

Veronica Burt

Memorable Moments

One of my most memorable moments that I can remember ismy mother making homemade oatmeal cookies. We used to gatheraround the table just to watch her make them. And the house smelled ofthose cookies baking in the oven. On one particular afternoon thecookies were finished baking and theywere cooling on top of the stove.Me, being the oldest, convinced my two brothers at that time that wecould eat all those cookies up before my mother got up from her nap. Iwas six years old when I got that beating for "being a leader of the pack."

374,

Jasper Bullock

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My name is Jasper Bullock. I was born in VanceCounty in 1937 and went to school in Vance County toNutbush Number One School. I went to the eighthgrade and dropped out of school. Later I went to NewJersey to work and got ajob at Western ElectricCompany for thirty-one years. Then I retired. Now I amgoing back to school to get my G.E.D. I thank God forVance Granville Community College in Warrenton, N.C.

38

a.

at is Stress?

Ithink stress is part of man's thinking.We all talk about stress.

Stress comes when you are overloaded in mind, and lacking ofknowledge and do not understand many things about life.How to overcome stresswe must talk about the thingthat is troubling us.I try to understand life better to release my stress.

3/

How to Use StudentWriting in the Classroomby Jereann ng

When I think about my own reading interest and enjoyment, I'm usuallyinterested in reading pieces written by authors who have had experiencessimilar to my own and write about topics to which I can relate. I believe

these criteria hold true for most readers and are especially true for new adultreaders.

Not By Myself is a magazine of writers' works that span a broad range oftopics: Remembering times past, reflections on special people, socialconcerns, family life and work.

The discussions that these pieces will generate in the context of theliteracy class can provide teachers and students with opportunities forfurther writing and reading because new topics and questions will surelyemerge.

In the literacy class, teachers can distribute copies of the magazine and

ask students to find and read a piece that is of interest to them. Somestudents may want to read their selection aloud. Some students may wantto have a piece read to them. When students finish reading their piece, askthem to talk about why they selected that particular piece. Why did theywant to read it? Was it the length of the piece, the name or the photographof the author, the title?

After this discussion, students can engage in a writing activity thatresponds to a piece in the magazine or the discussion questions. It may behelpful to start students off with a stem sentence like:

I like the story about stress because .. .

The stem sentence connects students directly to their thoughts andfeelings about the topic and students won't be confronted with a blanksheet of paper. Some students may want to dictate their stories. Aftergetting the stories written, those students who are willing can share theirwriting.

Reading and listening to the students' writings may raise another set ofquestions and issues for discussion and even more writing.

Another idea for using the magazine is to have students read thebiographical notes of those who participated on the advisory editorial boardand think about how these literacy stal.,2= fcit being editors. Is thissomething they feel that they can do and would like to try? Would theylike to have their own writings published?

Not By Myself can be used outside the literacy class as well. Like anymagazine, it can be displayed in office waiting rooms, in libraries, and othercommunity settings. Its content will be of interest to readers on all readinglevels.

41 4 5

The Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board met for

three Saturdays in fall 1991 to help the

Literacy South staff choose pieces for the

magazine. They came from literacy

programs in Waynesville, Burlington,

Hendersonville, Kannapolis, and Wilson,

North Carolina. The members wanted

to share a little of their background and

experience with readers of Not By Myself.

My name is Archie Alston. I wasraised on a farm. There are fourpeople in my family: My nephew,my mother and father, and me. Mynephew seems to be a normal 10-year old, even though he lost hismother when he was two.

I have good parents. They havenever let me down and they havealways tried to help me.

I like working on publishing themagazine because I have learned ajob that I can do even if I have a badfoot. It is a job that uses reading andspelling skills. I like learning newthings, but I know I have to keepworking on my spelling and readingskills to be able to have moreopportunity in life.

I hope the magazine will be asuccess.

Archie Alston

My family is a very good familyand I love them and I always will.We like to do things together and welike to visit and make friends. Wealso go to church.

Working on the magazine makesme feel very good. I am learningmore and I hope it will makesomeone very happy when they readit.

Juanita Branch

Back home is South Carolinawhere I was born to a family of tenchildren; seven boys and three girls.I grew up on my Daddy's two horsefarm. My first job away from homewas cutting a right of way for apower line. I worked there for twoweeks. I came back home and stayedfor a few weeks. Then I moved to asmall townKannapolis, NC.

I got a job working at a laundry.Then I was called into the army.When I got out of the army, Iworked in a laundry and a cafe.

I went to work in Cannon Millsin 1947. I worked in Cannon Millsfor 39 years. I also worked at ajewelry store. I retired from CannonMills as a supervisor.

I enjoy work with Piedmont PeaceProject. I think PPP do great work,it have long arms. Just to name a

42 4 G

few of the things it do is registerpeople to vote, get people CO the poll,going in areas where people needhelp: Jobless, homeless, in areaswhere there is low standard of living.I am a deacon in the church and thesuperintendent of the Sunday SchoolDepartment. Oh, my hobby isfishing. I go fish every chance I get.

It was great working with thegroup on the magazine.

Richard Brown

My name is David Case. I am 23years old. I live in Hendersonville,NC. I work at Long John Silvers. Ibus tables. I also work at Conveyor.I am a janitor there. I have enjoyedworking on this magazine. It hasbeen fun. I would like to do it again.

David Case

Many of you have shared with memy hopes and fears, my joys andsorrows, any victories and defeats as Iwrote about events in my life. Doingthis as class work has been as acleansing and renewing to me. It hasbeen like a miracle for now withfaith, I look toward the future withhope, and sharing experiences ofothers through writings, I havebecome more sensitive of andconcerned about people around me.This makes my life richer, fuller, andmore enjoyable for I know everyonehas some sort of "cross to bear."

I cannot end this writing withoutgiving thanks to my family; mymother, sister, my two sons, andsome other real good friends whostood by me when I felt my futurewas very bleak. Now as Iaclaiowic:Ige God as my Director, Ican look forward to a future withmuch hope and a great deal of faith.

Theresa E. Hanner

My name is Lavonne Myrick. Iwas born in Wilson, NC on GreeneSt., May 20, 1938. My mother hadten girls and four boys. My motherraised me until 1 was eight years old,and after my father died, mymother's oldest sister came to get meto live with her and my uncle on afarm.

1.6

Participants at the first student advisory group meeting held in Durham,NC. Pictured from left to right in back: Alberta Roseman, Laura Starkey,Nance King, Lavonne Myrick, Curtis Yellock, Theresa Hanner, JosephUmstead, Richard Krawiec, Mildred Best, Archie Alston. In front: RichardBrown, Jereann King, Page McCullough, Juanita Branch, Vicki Stewart,David Case and Thomas Rice.

While I was growing up, I went toa three-room school that had a pot-bellied stove. In the summertime, wecropped tobacco and picked cotton.At home, we did not have electricityand we had outside bathrooms. Wehad a heater and it had proms allaround it. My sister would get it redhot, then she would put thesmoothing iron around it so shecould iron our clothes.

I was married to James Myrick,but he is now deceased. I have threechildren, two girls and one boy. Ialso have five grandchildren, threegirls and two boys.

I am enrolled in a literacy class inWilson. I am going to this class tohelp me to pass a test to get mycosmetology license and with theteacher's help, I know I will pass itthis time. I was told that we were togo to Durham and talk about amagazine we were to publish. I metlots of people and new happy facesand I already enjoyed them and theyserved us a very nice lunch. I got alot out of each session and it helpedme to know that I'm someone specialand have confidence in myself.

Lavonne Myrick

My name is Thomas Rice. I live

in the big town of Canton, N.C. Iam 19 years old. I work construc-

tion, laying pipe for now. But Iwould like a better job. I go toschool two nights a week. I attendan ABE class hoping to get my GED,so I can go to bigger and betterthings. I enjoyed going to Durhamand working on the magazine.

Thomas Rice

I am 75 years old. God hasblessed me with very good health anda mind to do. I love people and overthe years I have been involved inmany Church and communityorganizations plus a full time job. I

have never been without a job ofsome kind.

I worked at a poultry for 20 yearsand six of those years I was supervisorof the picker room department andeveryone called me mama.

I have been a registrar for over 15years. After I joined PPP I really gotin high gear, with their help. PPP isa wonderful organization to helpcommunities and state to be a betterplace to live. If it had not been forthem, I would not have theopportunity to help put thismagazine together, and meet so manywonderful people.

Thanks for everything and mysupportive family.

Alberta Roseman

I was born in Nash County on afarm near Red Oak as asharecropper's son. When I becamesix years old, I started to go to schooland we had to walk three miles. Iwas next to the oldest of 19chileren-9 girls and 10 boys. Wemoved from Red Oak to Nashville,NC and that's when I quit school.The teacher put a problem on theboard. I got the right answer, butdid not work it the way she want it.

I worked on a farm until I was 20years old. Then I worked injunkyard, making $37.50 a week.Then I started building fire enginesand after 20 years I started my ownrepair shop business called Joe'sEnterprises. I can fix almostanything. I found out how bad Ineeded an education to sign papersand fill out forms and even write myown checks.

I really want to be a part of thismagazine. It make me feel that I amreally somebody and doingsomething worthwhile and it helpothers that's struggling to try to learnto read and write and speakcorrectly.

Joseph Umstead

For me, there were someespecially good and bad times forme. And from this magazine whichyou are about to read.

I hope it share the warm andconfidence to you, as it has to me ofsome of the most courageous andexciting story of all times.

For me I would like tocompliment each and every one ofthem for a fine job well done. Andfor sharing the love to others as wellas themselves. Remember we all areGod's children, and may this be asjoyful to you as it has been to me,and I would like to say thank you allfor a job well done.

Curtis Yellock

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Acknowledgements We are grateful for the support and hours of assistance contributed by Mildred

Best, Loretta Evans, Egon Frickey, George Friday, Cathy Higgins, Nance King, Nan

Loyer, Jearlean Osborne, Robert Shreefter, Mary Siedow, Laura Starkey, Vickie

Stewart, G'Anne Sullivan, and Waleria Wysolovski. These literacy teachers are listed

below with their programs, which nurtured both the members of the studentadvisory board and the pieces of writing presented in this issue of Not By Myself.

Blue Ridge Literacy Council

P.O. Box 1728

Hendersonville, NC 28739

704/696-3811Waleria Wysolovski

G'Anne Sullivan

Burlington Industries ContinuingEducation ClassProvided by Alamance Community College

Contact: Floyd Hinshaw1519 North Mebane StreetBurlington, NC 27217919/229-9711

Durham County Literacy CouncilP.O.Box 904

Durham, NC 27702

919/687-7753Mary Siedow

Haywood County Literacy CouncilP. 0. Box 36Waynesville, NC 28786

704/452-1695Nan LoyerNance King

Recycle and Read

Hospital Services Division

Duke University Medical Center

P.O. Box 3713

Durham, NC 27710919/684-5279Robert Shreefter

STAR Adult Education Center595 Division Street

Biloxi, MS 39530

601/435-7323Jearlean Osborne

Warren County CampusVance Granville Community CollegeP.O. Box 207

Warrenton, NC 27589

919/257-1900Jereann King

Wilson Community ImprovementAssociation

118 South Goldsboro Street

Wilson, NC 27893

919/243-4855Mildred Best

Piedmont Peace Project406 Jackson Park Road

Kannapolis, NC 28081704/938-5090George Friday

Laura Starkey

Thanks also to Richard Krawiec for assisting our Student Advison, Board. to Lee Weinstein

of Voices magazine for inspiration and advice and to Sally Gregory for proofreading.

4344

Thanks toOur Supporters

Literacy SouthBoard of Directors

Literacy South Staff

Funding for the Student Publishing Project is provided by the Z. Smith ReynoldsFoundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Literacy South is alsosupported by grants from the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, the Hearst Foundation,the UPS Foundation, and Apple Computer Corporation. Literacy South is a member ofNorth Carolina Community Shares.

We thank the following donors for their generous support of our work:

Teresa SweeneyArlington, VA

Robert HumphreysRaleigh, NC

Libby KnotGreenville, NC

Sally Boyd

Pirtsboro, NC

Ed JonesChantilly, VA

Merrie and Gary ClarkSpartanburg, SC

Miles and Kathy LaneSeattle, WA

Charles StevensOlympia, WA

Richard PeppersPortland, OR

Dabney HopkinsDurham, NC

Virginia PagetDayton, OH

Waleria WysolovskiHendersonville, NC

Stacey HamerSan Francisco, CA

Dale CampbellAustin, DC

Sydell WoodingChicago, IL

Sondra WashingtonBainbridge, GA

Caroline WhiteheadRaleigh, NC

Vijaya HoganChair

Betty MoselyVice-Chair

Richard WardSecretary

Nan LoyerTreasurer

Hanna Fingeret, PhD.Executive Director

Jonathan EstesAssociate Director

of Publications

Jim McCulloughGreensboro, NC

John OttDurham, NC

Joan BrameOceanbluff, MA

Greg MalhoitRaleigh, NC

G'Anne SullivanHendersonville, NC

Susan ImelColumbus, OH

Jim and Sue BernsteinChapel Hill, NC

Benita SomerfieldNew York, NY

Jean LoweCarharpin, VA

Dr. Cosmos GeorgeWarrenton, NC

Mary HurleyMound, MN

Valeria Lee

Winston-Salem, NC

Lanier and Fred BlumAtlanta, GA

Blanche and Ted PindusNew York, NY

Peter A. EastonTallahassee, FI.

Mark and Adele ThomasWelland, Ontario

Nancy R. LindbloomAthens, GA

Ellanor Graves

Robert Massey, Jr.

Lennox McLendon

Jearlean Osborne

Nathaniel B. White, Jr.

Alexander and Eleanor BergerGreat Neck, NY

Steve Hoffius and Susan DunnCharleston, SC

Janet and Jerry SchoendorfChapel Hill, NC

Wickie and Woody WillardSpartanburg, SC

Literacy Council of Jefferson CountyJefferson, KY

Literacy Volunteers of Pitt CountyGreenville, NC

Haywood County Literacy CouncilWaynesville, NC

Nan LoyerWaynesville, NC

Joe and Brenda McCulloughHonea Path, SC

Claudia King and Lindsey TweedDurham, NC

Marion and Edward RudnickBoca Raton, FL

The Blue Ridge Literacy CouncilHendersonville, NC

Jane DeweyLancaster, PA

Paul FendtJohnson City, TN

Eudelle BrownRaleigh, NC

Western Carolinians forCriminal JusticeAsheville. NC

Jereann KingDirector of Programs

Page McCulloughDirector of PlanningCoordinator, Student Publishing Project

45 4

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331 West Main StreetDurham, North Carolina 27701

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