AADL Talks To | Ann Arbor District Library

In this episode, AADL Talks To Jody Kohn, who worked for Borders in various roles, including merchandising, PR, Publicity, and Promotions, and director of communications for international stores. She witnessed many changes over the course of her career, and discusses the history of Borders as a brick and mortar from its origins in 1971 through the 1990s and later years.

In this episode AADL Talks To Wei and Lisa Bee, owners of Sweetwaters. Recently celebrating 30 years, the couple tell us about the origins of the business, what has changed over the years, and how they incorporate elements of their cultural heritage into their menu and marketing decisions. They also reflect on how the store has weathered recent changes like COVID-19 and street renovations.

In this episode, AADL Talks To Marcel Shobey, joined by his mother, Ruth Natalie Kellogg. Marcel shares memories of growing up on Ashley Street on the Old West Side and he and his mother discuss some of the changes they've seen in Ann Arbor over the years. They also take a deep dive into the music career of the Shobey Brothers -- Marcel's father, Armando Shobey, and uncle, Norman Shobey. The Shobe...

In this episode AADL Talks to Steve Vangelatos, owner (since 1980) of Ann Arbor’s long-running and beloved Angelo’s restaurant, which was opened by his father, Angelo Vangelatos, in 1956 and closed in December 2023 after 67 years in business. Steve shares stories about the restaurant's origins, growing up and working with his father and mother in the family business, some of his favorite memories,...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Milton 'Skip' Taube. Skip came to Ann Arbor in 1965 and quickly became involved in radical politics as a student at the University of Michigan. He was involved with the SDS and the White Panther Party, doing both community organizing and participating in “adventurism”. Skip recalls the people and events from his time in Ann Arbor and discusses the political and cultu...

In this episode AADL Talks to Pat Oleszko, visual and performance artist and Queen of the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Pat came to the University to study art in the late 1960s just as the program was experiencing a countercultural renaissance. She talks with us about her journey as an artist, from the vibrant experimental and collaborative arts community that welcomed her, to the institutions and eve...

In this episode AADL talks to Michael Weber, grandson of Weber's founder Herman Weber, and current Vice President of hotel operations. Michael recounts the history of the business, his grandmother's contributions, and the changes Weber's made in order to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, AADL talks to Ken Weber. Ken is the son of Weber's restaurant and hotel founder Herman Weber. Ken tells us about the business' humble beginnings, Weber's connection to Metzger's, and the continual innovations that have allowed it to remain as a family business for 87 years.

In this episode, AADL Talks To Jeff Mortimer. Jeff began his writing and editorial career in New York before moving to Detroit for a brief period. Soon after, he came to the Ann Arbor News as a sports writer, where he worked for 13 years. Then, he worked as arts and entertainment editor for an additional 4 years. Jeff shares many memories from his time at the News, and talks about his lifelong int...

In this episode, AADL Talks to "Too Slim" Fred LaBour. Fred is a member of Riders in the Sky, an American Country and Western music and comedy quartet that has performed together since 1977. From '67 to '71, Fred was an undergraduate at the University of Michigan where he covered sports and wrote music reviews for The Michigan Daily. Fred discusses the campus culture that shaped his career and he...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Jim Forrester. Jim came to the University of Michigan as a student in 1966 and he has lived in Ann Arbor ever since, retiring after running a successful printing business for 30 years. As a student, Jim wrote for the Michigan Daily, participated in anti-war protests, and was involved with both the Students for a Democratic Society and Ann Arbor's Human Rights Party....

In this episode, AADL Talks with Elmo Morales, owner of Elmo’s T-shirts, currently at 17 Nickels Arcade and previously at a long-time storefront on Main Street. Elmo came to the University of Michigan in 1964 on a track scholarship and has lived here ever since. He recalls his time at U-M; his 30-year career as a physical education instructor with the Ann Arbor Public Schools; how he helped start...

In this episode, AADL Talks to Sara Billman. Sara is Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the University Musical Society (UMS). She talks with us about how she got started at UMS and how her work has evolved as programming and marketing strategies have changed over the years. Sara remembers some of the stand-out performances she's helped bring to Ann Arbor stages and the people and ev...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Maren and Jeff Jackson, the owners of Seva. In 2023, the vegetarian restaurant celebrated its 50th anniversary. It was first opened in 1973 at 314 East Liberty Street by Steve Bellock, and purchased by Maren and Jeff Jackson in 1997. Maren and Jeff talk about Seva’s early history, from its beginning as a vegetarian restaurant amidst other countercultural businesses a...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Ken Burns. Ken is a documentary filmmaker known for his critically acclaimed films exploring all facets of American culture. Ken reflects on growing up and coming of age in Ann Arbor during the 1960s, and how this period of intense political and cultural activity mixed with family tragedy charted his journey. He takes us down the streets we remember -- past restauran...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Francis Blouin. Francis joined the University of Michigan’s Bentley Historical Library in 1974 and was director for over 30 years. Francis shares his memories of working at the Bentley, some of the special acquisitions and projects he oversaw during his tenure, and he discusses the many transitions he witnessed in the archives field. Francis is Professor Emeritus in...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Robin and Jamie Agnew, owners of Aunt Agatha’s, their specialty mystery bookstore. The business began in Ann Arbor in 1992, and operated as a brick and mortar for 26 years before moving online in August 2018. Robin and Jamie talk about their experiences working in the store, their favorite memories here in town, and discuss some of the changes in the mystery book gen...

In this episode, AADL talks to Marc and Jeff Taras, brothers and founders of PJ’s Used Records. Marc and Jeff tell us about the origin of the store, how they've managed to maintain a close relationship despite being in business together, and the customers who meant so much to them. For 37 years the store survived the rise and fall in popularity of genres and formats, including witnessing the foret...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Earl Jackson. Earl talks about his time growing up in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, from his early years to his work at Borders Books and Music where he worked as a framer to the evolution of his career in the visual arts. He also discusses some of the organizations and people who inspired and mentored him, and reflects on the changes in themes and style in his work.

Peter is a professional photographer who started as a street photographer in New York and went on to work for national magazines and newspapers shortly after moving to Ann Arbor in 1969. Peter reminisces about some of his memorable photography assignments; the restaurants and music venues he misses; the friends and colleagues who helped him; and his time working in Ann Arbor -- at Mark's Coffeehou...

Grace Shackman is an author, educator, and former Washtenaw County Commissioner. But she's probably best known as a local historian and a long-time contributor to the Ann Arbor Observer, where she has dug into many fascinating topics of local and regional history. Grace tells us about how she became involved in politics, her research process, and how her interests spurred her beyond her shy nature...

Bill Ayers is a retired Distinguished Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. During his time in Ann Arbor during the 1960s, he served as director of Ann Arbor's experimental Children's Community School; Education Secretary for the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS); and co-founder of the militant Weather Underground organization, which originated in Ann Arbor in 1969...

Jay Platt is the owner of Ann Arbor's iconic West Side Book Shop located at 113 W. Liberty Street in the historic Haarer Building. Jay shares his journey learning the antiquarian book trade, from his early days working for several Ann Arbor and regional booksellers, including David Kozubei of David's Books, to the rare finds, losses, and lessons learned over his nearly 50 years in business. Jay al...

In this episode, AADL Talks To Sharon McRill. Back in the 1990s, Sharon spent several years with Borders. There she served as a new media liaison when DVDs and games on CD were new technologies, interviewed celebrities, and helped build the first Border’s website. After the first round of Border’s layoffs left her wondering what to do next, she decided to start her own business helping people clea...

In this episode, Steve Bergman talks about founding Schoolkids’ Records in Ann Arbor. Steve tells us about the origins of his passion for music, visits from artists, and the eventual record label that helped capture Ann Arbor’s local talent.