Human Interest

Some of life's greatest lessons are learned at the University of Grit. And for guest commentator Michael Wells, his first instructors were the two people closest to him.

There's one human principle that's often encouraged; when you have the advantage, take it.

We close our summer job series with a story from listener Jeff Sands of Dorset, Vt. His most memorable summer job happened 16 years ago, when he was hitchhiking through Alaska. Needing money to get back home, he worked the games at a carnival in Fairbanks for nine days. We also hear a round-up of the summer jobs that made the All Things Considered staff the people they are today.

We close our summer job series with a story from listener Jeff Sands of Dorset, Vt. His most memorable summer job happened 16 years ago, when he was hitchhiking through Alaska. Needing money to get back home, he worked the games at a carnival in Fairbanks for nine days. We also hear a round-up of the summer jobs that made the All Things Considered staff the people they are today.

We hear the penultimate collection of summer job stories today, as our series winds down. NPR's Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read from listeners' letters about their most memorable summer jobs, and then we hear from listener Ed Film, who talks about the important lesson he learned from two clowns. Ed spent one summer dressed as a life-sized toy soldier for FAO Schwarz.

We hear the penultimate collection of summer job stories today, as our series winds down. NPR's Melissa Block and Robert Siegel read from listeners' letters about their most memorable summer jobs, and then we hear from listener Ed Film, who talks about the important lesson he learned from two clowns. Ed spent one summer dressed as a life-sized toy soldier for FAO Schwarz.

Five years ago, just after Hurricane Katrina hit, Scott Simon traveled to Bay St. Louis, Miss., where the eye of the storm came ashore. The town was devastated. He now returns to find out what's happened to the people and the place he profiled at the time.

Five years ago, just after Hurricane Katrina hit, Scott Simon traveled to Bay St. Louis, Miss., where the eye of the storm came ashore. The town was devastated. He now returns to find out what's happened to the people and the place he profiled at the time.

NPR's Robert Siegel and Melissa Block hear two summer job stories this week, both about serving food in polyester uniforms. First, Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks talks about scooping ice cream in Dallas when she was a teenager. Then, listener Leslie DeLucia, of Urbana, Ill., takes us back to 1974 and the experience of being a 16-year-old worker at Kentucky Fried Chicken.

NPR's Robert Siegel and Melissa Block hear two summer job stories this week, both about serving food in polyester uniforms. First, Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks talks about scooping ice cream in Dallas when she was a teenager. Then, listener Leslie DeLucia, of Urbana, Ill., takes us back to 1974 and the experience of being a 16-year-old worker at Kentucky Fried Chicken.