G-town Radio looks to tell the stories of Germantown on National Day of Listening

Online radio station G-town Radio is inviting locals to share their memories of Germantown with a loved one as part of the National Day of Listening on Friday.

Outreach Director Tom Casetta says he’s looking for stories that capture the unique experience of living in the neighborhood.

“We’re not looking for answers of what about Germantown or that part of Philadelphia that you like. It’s more a story of you growing up, Thanksgiving dinner, playing ball in the street. It could be good, bad and ugly. I mean, hopefully they’re good stories,” he said.

The event is a collaboration between the station and local photographer Tieshka Smith. Storytellers can have their portraits taken by the artist for her documentary project of the neighborhood.

Photographing Germantown for the past three years, Smith has uncovered dedicated locals such as a man who goes by Howard.

“He was part of a crew years ago who was contracted to do cleaning along the business corridor. And when that came to an end, he decided to continue cleaning on his own. So a lot of times you can find him along Germantown Ave. or Chelten Ave. with a broom and a trash bag and he picks up trash. He has this love of Germantown that went so far as to do this cleaning thing on his own,” said Smith.

Smith says many of the residents she has encountered have lived there for so long they take the people who make up the neighborhood for granted.

“You have all these people who we may not pay attention to and we don’t really think about but they’re doing great things. Howard is one reason why I do this work, to highlight the invisible in Germantown,” she said.

The event will take place at G-town Radio’s studio, 24 Maplewood Mall, on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.