My Aunt Noel recently wrote a short book The Pearl Street Flood, about my Grandpa, Charlie Erpenbeck.

It is a story of survival, courage, community and love.

My Grandpa died before I was born and my Dad has told me stories over the years of his father and his shoe store in downtown Cincinnati. I have always been mesmerized by these stories.

My Aunt’s book is both history and fiction and is a wonderful tale of life in Cincinnati in the 1930s especially in response to a natural disaster. It is a reminder of the tremendous value of our stories.

I was able to learn so much about my Grandpa, my father, my aunts and uncles, and my hometown.  I was so thankful that Aunt Noel took the time to write and share this great story. It has inspired me to write more of my stories and of the people I meet.

What’s a story you can tell about your community?