On Valentine’s Day 2020, Peter Fodera’s heart broke. He nearly died. Peter sat down with his daughter who knows a thing or two about death.
Portraits
Extraordinary stories from ordinary places.
Centenarians in Lockdown
Winner of the 2020 Third Coast Festival Award! Joe Newman is 107 years old. He recorded himself and his fiancé, Anita Sampson on her 100th birthday.
The Final Frontline
Fourth generation funeral directors reflect on their experience of the coronavirus pandemic and prepare for a second wave.
Quarantined in the Pizzeria
COVID-19 has forced many families to improvise childcare. For some, it’s been like a four month long ‘bring your child to work’ day.
Lockdown in Lockup
Moe Monsuri shares his experience of the pandemic from behind bars at Sing Sing prison. Part of our new series Hunker Down Diaries.
Home is Where You Park Your Mini Van
As the pandemic hit, Naida Lavon found herself without a home and without a job. Part of our Hunker Down Diaries series.
Love at First Quarantine
Gali and Joshua made the surprising decision to quarantine together, after their very first date. Part of our series Hunker Down Diaries.
Love from Six Feet Apart
Part of our series Hunker Down Diaries. Wendy is an ER Doctor. Her husband is immunocompromised. During the pandemic, they are living together… six feet apart.
The Last Man on the Mountain
In the 1990s, Arch Coal began mining Pigeonroost Hollow. Now Jimmy Weekley is the last person left there.
A Man and His Cello
Bernard Greenhouse was a founding member of the acclaimed Beaux Arts Trio. At 92, he continues to perform and teach. And his cello, a 300-year-old Stradivarius, has been his constant companion.
Pasquale Spensieri, Grinder
Pasquale Spensieri spends his days driving around Brooklyn looking for dull blades.
Cali Rivera, Cowbell Maker
Forty-five years ago, Cali Rivera started out with a dream to make the perfect cowbell.
Charlie Zimmerman, Watertower Builder
Charlie works for Rosenwach Tanks, building wooden water tanks.
Frank Schubert, Lighthouse Keeper
Frank Schubert is the last civilian lighthouse keeper in the United States.
Selma Koch, Bra Saleswoman
94-year old Selma Koch runs the Town Shop, one of New York’s last old-style bra fitting shops.
Walter Backerman, Seltzer Man
Once there were thousands of seltzer men in New York City. Today, Walter Backerman is one of the last.
The Rubber Room
The true story of little-known rooms in the New York City Board of Education building. Teachers are told to report there instead of their classrooms. No reason is usually given.
Lady Writes the Blues
You may not know her name, but Rose Marie McCoy was one of the most prolific songwriters of the 1950s and 1960s.
Civil War Widows
Seven decades ago, Daisy Anderson and Alberta Martin were brand new brides. And their husbands served on opposite sides of the Civil War.
