Reel Tributes is honored to be included among the Top 7 Personal History Blogs of 2012, as recnogized by noted personal historian and writer Dan Curtis. According to Dan, the Reel Tributes’ blog excelled by demonstrating:

• Frequent, consistent, and reliable posting.
• Personable and clear writing.
• Short scannable articles.
• Uncluttered pages.
• Use of graphics, photographs, and video.
• Intriguing and descriptive headlines.
• Useful content.

The Reel Tributes team is flattered by the recognition and will continue to provide valuable advice on personal history in 2013!

To learn more about the recognition, and Dan Curtis, visit http://dancurtis.ca/2012/12/12/the-top-personal-history-blogs-of-2012/

At the beginning of a project, we will give the client a printed copy of this Mission Statement. That way they know what to expect from us throughout our relationship.

Take a look at the document below, and let us know what you think! We’ll be evaluating it on a regular basis to make sure it still reflects the beliefs and culture of the company.

On behalf of Reel Tributes, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the contest sponsors, we would like to congratulate Carol Amos for winning the inaugural Your Favorite Memory contest. Her story, “The Dining Room”, was an emotional and beautifully-written tribute to her mother’s sense of fashion. Carol’s prize is a customized documentary film, produced by Reel Tributes, to celebrate her mother’s life.

Read Carol’s winning story below:

One of my earliest memories is participating in a fashion show with my mother at the YMCA when I was four or five years old. My mother made us matching poodle style dresses out of a white, blue, and black fabric with a poodle design. We were the hit of the fashion show.

My mother was an expert seamstress but mainly self-taught. She made all of our clothes and also my brother’s Easter suits with matching coats. She transformed our dining room into a sewing room and we spent countless hours together as she taught me to sew at an early age. She taught me the importance of perfection. Even if a mistake was not visible, my mother would say, “I will know that it is there.” So I learned how to remove stitches and took pride in wearing my well-made garment. My mother taught me about fabric, color, fashion, and how to modify a pattern to suit my own taste. I made some of the widest bell-bottom pants in high school. I continue to use my sewing skills today.

I learned to sew in the dining room but more importantly I learned life lessons. Some of the lessons were direct conversations with my mother about God, faith, achievement, honesty, time management, setting goals, and how to be a lady. My mother modeled some of the lessons as I watched her stop sewing to listen or give counsel to a friend on the telephone or to bake a cake for a bereaved friend. Other lessons such as commitment, service to others, and how to treat people, I overhead as she spoke on the telephone to friends. All of these lessons helped transform me as I developed from a girl into a woman.

When my mother began to lose her memory seven years ago, we moved her to an assisted living facility. Her sewing machine was placed in a prominent place in her suite but we soon realized that my mother lost her ability to sew. The sewing machine became just another piece of furniture. Now my mother resides in an Alzheimers facility and the sewing machine resides in my basement, both a reminder of what used to be.

After battling Alzheimers disease for over eight years, my mother still has a keen fashion sense. She sometimes compliments patients in the doctor’s office about their clothes, shoes, or purses. When my mother receives compliments about her outfit, she sometimes responds, “I made this outfit not long ago.” I smile because I know that I recently purchased her clothes and her statement confirms that she truly enjoys the outfit. On one occasion, my mother complimented me by saying, “I like your new suit.” I was shocked because it was a new suit. Glimpses of the mother I used to know are pleasant surprises and give me strength for the remainder of this Alzheimers journey.

Most people don’t know there’s an association for personal historians. Not only does such an organization exist; it’s actually a thriving group.  And this weekend, the members of the Association of Personal Historians (APH) will convene in sunny Las Vegas, Nevada for their 17th annual conference.

As a personal historian, I can honestly say I love my job. I’ve seen first-hand the power of a personal legacy.  By preserving memories for future generations, we provide insight into the nuts and bolts of a life.  The stories teach future generations what worked, or what didn’t quite work, in our lives. They help us record what makes us tick, what our greatest passions are, and how we want the world to remember us. In addition, personal history preservation connects the generations.  My ancestors’ stories connect me to the past, just as I hope my stories build a bridge to generations yet to come.

Every year, when I’m surrounded by my colleagues at the conference, I am reminded of why I am so passionate about this job. And it brings a smile to my face to see hundreds of colleagues from around the world who share my passion for storytelling and personal history.

I encourage you to visit www.personalhistorians.org to learn more about the APH and the wonderful world of personal historians.

Update 10/23/11:

As a recent attendee of the 17^th Annual Conference of the Association of Personal Historians, I think I am correct in saying that what happened at the recent APH Conference will not be staying in Vegas.

We had five wonderful days to listen to top-notch keynote speakers and knowledgeable workshop leaders.  These were rich opportunities for the 180 plus who were present. At the conference, the APH also introduced their new logo and updated website.  It is a valuable resource for everything relating to preserving personal history.

I will be using the knowledge I gained and the extensive networking opportunities with other personal historians to be even better at what I do – namely, helping individuals to effectively tell their life stories.

Save a life, tell your story!

Photo source: http://www.metroscap.com

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If you’re in the DC area, join us as Reel Tributes founder David Adelman presents the company to a group of business leaders. The breakfast event kicks off the Wharton Club of DC Entrepreneurship Forum, and will be held at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, August 23rd at the offices of Bernstein Global Wealth Management (800 Connecticut Ave NW).

More information about the presentation, and the Forum, can be found at http://www.whartondc.com/article.html?aid=2279.

We look forward to meeting you there!