Kearby, Mike 2011-09-29
Mike Kearby discusses the importance of reading, writing and education and his life growing up in Mineral Wells
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Mike Kearby
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: September 29, 2011
Location: Lometa, Texas
Interviewer: Robert Weaver
Length: 01:34:30
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Background, Born and raised in Mineral Wells, How family ended up in Mineral Wells, Father’s work in the rodeo; opened 281 Club, Lessons learned from parents’ example, Teaching, Parents’ example carried out, Philosophy in the classroom, Taught English in Mahaya, TX, Graduated college in ’73, Moved to Mahaya in ’73, Emphasis in reading: foundation of learning, Associating comfort with reading, Teacher’s purpose in education, Evolution in the classroom, Standardized testing, Preparing students for college, The Novella Project, How it came about, Professional writing directed at kids, Collaborative novels, Began in ’06, Working with Linda Jacobs, Passion for Reading/Writing, 5 years old spending time with grandparents, Loved grandmother’s stories, Father always read the newspaper, Mother read the Bible and Reader’s Digest, Family, Parents: Don and Peggy, Older brother: Gary, Sister: Pam, Younger brother: Pat, Grandparents: Vera (Rosebud) and Grady, Mother’s parents from Kansas City, Speaking Czech, Housing—extended family living together, Smell of the meat packing plants, High School Years, Played football and ran track, Coaches’ influence, Book: The Road to a Hanging, Worked for Sam Wattley; survivor of the Burma Road, ’67-’68 furniture store, Story about working with Hilliard, Segregation experience, Vietnam War, Fear of getting drafted, Generation’s views on war, North Texas State University’s reaction to war, Political science class at Midwestern, College Towns, Denton, TX: small town college community, College job at all night gas station, Getting married, After College, Taught school, Coached football, Summer jobs: sprinkler systems, Ed Hunter in California: Toro Irrigation Co., Turned into Hunter Industries, Worked 10 years for Hunter Industries, Started own company: Virtual Rain, Sold company in ’05 to write, Patents, Reading sparking imagination, Description of patents, Retirement, How he came to live in Lometa, Grandchildren’s influence, Horseback riding, Movie theatre story, Favorite pastimes, Brazos River, Childhood memories
Tape 1, Side 2:
Childhood stories, Mosquito foggers, Polio vaccine, Camping in the backyard, UNT, Major: Physical Education, Minor: English, Creative Process, Daydreaming, Motivation to continue, Novels, Messages conveyed, Treatment of people, Children’s books, Illustrator, Other Thoughts, Fifties and Sixties importance, Today’s view on reading
Tape 2, Side 1:
Mineral Wells Community, The Hexagon House, The Convention Center, 3 Movie Theatres, Safeway Grocery Store, Welcome Mountain, Beauty of a small town
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript: No transcript available
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