Chronicling Somerset Beach

Chronicling Somerset Beach _ The Social Column

Creation and Recording

For pretty much anything I work on for my coursework, I hope I can relate the assignment to my research project on Somerset Beach. For this project, I chose to discuss an observation about past social columns. I have been able to discover a lot of information about people in my work. I think a whole study could be done on the language used in 19th-century news stories.

Oh my goodness, was this process tedious! Writing the script was the easy part.

Initially, I recorded on my iPhone. For the final submission, I used Soundtrap on my laptop. I recorded the room sound as required by the assignment, and it really helps the edits disappear. I recorded the paperboy sound myself. The typewriter sound and the newspaper page-turning sound are credited below. I had to edit the time down significantly, as the first pass was 2:30. I edited out some sections of the script, which are crossed out in the transcript below. It was a challenge getting it to 2:00.

I’m excited to have this podcast created. I have wanted to do this for my project for some time. I will embed this on my project website and update as I am able.

Social Column Sources

Click to read a blog about the social pages

Click to read a page about gossip columns

Sound Credits

Pixabay Typewriter Sound Page

Paper Flutter .wav by mickdow — Newspaper Flutter Sound Credit Freesound — License: Creative Commons 0

Transcript

ON TODAY’S EPISODE OF CHRONICLING SOMERSET BEACH, I TALK ABOUT THE

SOCIAL COLUMN

TYPEWRITER

NEWSPAPER BOY

DC TRICKERS, WHO HAS BEEN QUITE SICK, IS IMPROVING.

MISS MARY WELCH RETURNED LAST SUNDAY TO WASHINGTON, WHERE SHE IS

ATTENDING SCHOOL

MISSES AUDREY AND DELLA MOTHERSAHEAD HAVE RETURNED TO BALTIMORE AFTER

SPENDING TWO WEEKS WITH THEIR PARENTS NEAR EDGEHILL.

~~NOTES FROM KING GEORGE~~

~~JANUARY 22, 1910~~

MICHAEL, THE LITTLE SON OF MR GORDON SHELTON, WHO SERIOUSLY INJURED HIS

EYE, WAS TAKEN TO WASHINGTON TO HOSPITAL.

MR C GALLAHAN IS HAVING LUMBER SAWN TO BUILD A HOUSE NEAR HERE

MR G L GRIGSBY SPENT SUNDAY IN FREDERICKSBURG

~~FEB 26 1908~~

MR AND MRS ALFRED WILLIAMS ARE ILL AT THEIR HOME NEAR PASSAPATANZY

MR AND MRS G W SHELTON AND SON MICHAEL VISITED FREDERICKSBURG TUESDAY ON

BUSINESS

SMALLPOX AND MUMPS ARE PREVALENT IN KING GEORGE

PAUSE

I THINK YOU GET THE IDEA

THE SOCIAL COLUMN WAS THE LATE 18^TH AND EARLY 19^TH CENTURY SOCIAL MEDIA

TUCKED IN BETWEEN THE ADS AND STEAMBOAT SCHEDULES,

DAILY LIFE WAS DOCUMENTED; A HISTORICAL RECORD WAS CREATED.

IT WAS PUBLIC, AND NOTHING GOT DELETED.

NEWSPAPER SOUND

TO A READER OF THE TIME PERIOD, IT WAS JUST FRIENDS KEEPING UP WITH FRIENDS.

TO SOMEONE LIKE ME RESEARCHING A LOST, FORGOTTEN COMMUNITY IN KING

GEORGE, IT HAS BECOME A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF MY RESEARCH. I CAN SEE WHO

KNEW WHO, WHO VISITED THIS WEEK AND WHY, WHERE PEOPLE TRAVELED, WHEN

THEY RETURNED

TYPEWRITER SOUND

ROOM SOUND SILENCE

AND I’VE REALIZED SOMETHING: WE DON’T HAVE THAT ANYMORE. WHO STILL READS A

NEWSPAPER? ~~THE FREE LANCE STAR STILL EXISTS, BUT ONLINE.~~

SOCIAL MEDIA IS PRIVATE, NOT PUBLIC.

TODAY PEOPLE CHANGE PLATFORMS, CHANGE USERNAMES, DELETE ACCOUNTS, AND

THE TRACES ARE GONE. WE SHARE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OURSELVES THAN

EVER, BUT THE CONNECTIONS WILL NOT BE VISIBLE TO SOMEONE 100 YEARS FROM

NOW ~~THE RICHNESS FOUND IN THE HISTORICAL RECORD WILL BE A THING OF THE PAST.~~

SOUND – NEWSPAPER BOY

October 18, 2026

Final Project Recording

A single woman stands with a pen and notepad, looking down, with a faded background of people sitting behind her.

Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay

Making My Project

Making my audio project seemed intimidating when I read what I had to do, but once I started working on it, I realized it was simple and super fun. I did, however, have to re-record my audio after my halfway checkpoint because once I began putting everything together, I realized I wouldn’t reach the two-minute mark. So I re-recorded as well as added some other sound effects I thought would help to bring my podcast to life.

Equipment Used

For this project, I started on my laptop where I wrote my script and did a rough draft of how long I wanted to spend on each section. I then switched over to my iPhone, where I recorded my audio as well as my background sounds. I later sent these to myself via email so I could download and access them from my computer. Once I had the recordings on my laptop, I used SoundTrap to begin editing and putting my recordings together.

Attributes

My project is based on the chaotic environment a server deals with in their day-to-day at work, so for my intro, I chose some spooky music by BombinSound from Pixabay. I also read some articles for my project to see if other servers felt the same as I did, or even some things that inhibit servers’ performance or even the restaurant business in general. I read this article called The Secret Life of a Waitress by Esme Gordon-Craig, who writes about some of the things that waitresses have to deal with on a daily basis, and I found myself connecting to the struggles that she talks about in her article. I also read an article called 8 Things Restaurant Servers Wish You’d Stop Doing by Neala Broderick. While reading this article I found it to be funny becuase I relate to it so much and it really is accurate to things I wish my tables would stop doing,

Project Break Down

After completing my project, my timing changed a little. I have my intro music at 15 seconds. My main section is at 64 seconds, my background at 25 seconds, and finally my conclusion at 16 seconds.

Transcript

Welcome back to Emma’s Chaotic Shift Recap.

Main Section

Today was definitely not your average shift but it did however start with the usual work. I got my side work done which if you don’t know consists of rolling silver, making sides, and cleaning (squeaking sounds). After standing around waiting for it to be my turn to sit, an hour had passed and I finally got my first table and luckily they were very nice (which I love when my first table sets a positive tone for the day) but I did end up dropping their drinks…. Right in front of them (womp womp sound). My shift continued the same and consisted of some tables who think you’re a robot and others who will talk your ear off. I pushed through though and did the usual getting drinks, putting in orders (Printing sound), and cleaning up after other people’s children (booing) . Finally it’s 10:30 and the restaurant is closed and cleaned. This is where the real fun can begin rolling every piece of silverware used and a much needed gossip session about that day’s drama including me dropping the drinks (breaking glass).

Conclusion

But besides this being my 1st chaotic shift of many to come this week, you all know that I hope you all had a better and more peaceful day than I did, and I’ll be back tomorrow with another chaotic shift breakdown.

Conclusion

Looking at an audio assignment can be overwhelming at first and seem challenging, but I chose to take it one step at a time and found it to be relatively easy. Overall, I found this project to be very interesting and enjoyable. I had fun creating and editing my podcast.

October 18, 2026

Audio Project: Post-Production

Process

After transferring all the recordings from my iPhone, where I originally recorded them, to my laptop, I got to work in Soundtrap, editing the podcast together. I put in all my recordings and used the quiet room noise I collected to ease transitions. I also added a recording of Jameson Atkins playing guitar that I had not originally intended for the podcast, but it fit as ambient noise. As with the intro and outro, he agreed that the music would be licensed under the same CC BY 4.0 as the rest of my work on this site.

Screenshot of my SoundTrap studio making the podcast — Screenshot by Riley Evans

Final Product

Transcript

Intro music played by Jameson

Hello all today’s discussion will focus on the influences on Billy Strings’ music that serve to set it apart from traditional bluegrass

Thanks to his dynamic approach to the typically very traditional genre of bluegrass music, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist Billy Strings has grown a cult following as well as mainstream status

His presence in the bluegrass scene has been backed by new fans and spirit, re-energizing the sphere

Strings learned guitar from his dad, who brought the bluegrass. He grew up steeped in the same traditional bluegrass that his music is mostly based on. The influence of traditional bluegrass guitarist Doc Watson is quite noticeable in his technique, but is also frequently acknowledged by Strings as a major inspiration.

Ambient guitar

When he was a teen, Strings brought his talent to the stage, playing with a heavy metal band. In an interview for the Bluegrass Situation, Strings said that he never learned how to perform like a bluegrass musician, citing his metal experience as the origin of his distinctive flair; Strings “can’t just stand there and play.”

In my opinion, live performance is where Billy’s light shines most purely. His shows are bursting with energy and possess an animation not often seen in the conventional world of bluegrass.

Today, Strings listens to a wide variety of genres including Memphis trap and heavy metal.

His music taste is extremely diverse, a quality that bleeds into his work, creating a distinct style that draws fans in flocks.

This podcast was written and produced by Riley Evans, with music by Jameson Atkins

Thank you for tuning in to this exploration of Billy String’s musical influence

Outro music played by Jameson

Sources

Local Spins article about the development of Billy Strings’ music

Live Music Daily article about Billy Strings bringing bluegrass to a wider audience

The Bluegrass Situation Interview with Billy Strings about his musical influences

October 18, 2026

Audio Project (Final Product)

Image by Anna Sulencka from pixabay.com

Introduction

For my podcast, I talked about tea. To be specific, I talked about the science behind tea. It is a 2-minute educational podcast that briefly discusses the origins and the making of tea. My podcast is titled, “The Science Behind the Perfect Cup of Tea”.

Pre-Production

Researching

To start out, I had to do my research on tea. I searched for what I specifically wanted to talk about which was where tea came from and the process of its creation. I found a lot of useful information from theses two websites:

The science of the perfect cup of tea The science of tea

In those websites they discussed that tea came from a plant from Asia called camellia sinensis. It goes into depth on the process of its making. First it is harvested, then laid out to dry, and rolled to release enzymes and stimulate oxidation. This is all done to affect the color, strength, and taste of the tea. They also gave guides on how to boil tea so it can be of best quality.

Outline

After gathering all the information I needed, I started to write my script. While writing it, I kept in consideration of where I wanted to insert sounds and add music for my intro and outro. Since I needed it to be 2 minutes long, I kept editing it to match the time limit. I even recorded myself speaking and waited 10 seconds twice, imagining the intro and outro playing. I made sure to insert when I wanted to insert the sounds that I would record.

Here is my transcript:

Me: Hello, everyone. I am Mariam and in this podcast we will be discussing the science behind a perfect cup of tea.

*Music plays (10 seconds)*

Me: All tea, whether it’s black, green, white, oolong, or Pu-erh, comes from Camellia sinensis. Camellia sinensis is a sub-tropical plant that is native to Asia. Fun fact: mint and chamomile tea are not actual teas because they do not come from camellia sinensis. Now, how is tea made? First, after the leaves are harvested, they are laid out to dry then rolled.

*rolling leaves sound*

Me: This is so the leaves can release enzymes and stimulate oxidation. Things like the color, strengths, and taste of the tea are all determined by how long the leaves are exposed to oxygen. Did you know that the water quality and the temperature used to boil the tea affects the quality of the tea? It is best to use softer water because it creates a cleaner taste. The temperature should be adjusted depending on the type of tea. Lighter teas such as white and green tea should be boiled at a lower temperature, while stronger teas such as black tea should be boiled at a higher temperature.

*boiling sounds*

Me: Getting the temperature right isn’t just about taste; it ensures you maximize the beneficial antioxidants and polyphenols in every cup.

*sound of water poured into a cup*

*ends with song (10 seconds)*

Production

Recording

I used my phone to record my voice and the sounds. Before I recorded my voice, I wanted to decide on the vibe that I wanted to go for. This was important because the vibe of the podcast would be determined by things like the tone of my voice and the type of music that I picked. Since tea usually makes you calm, I decided on a calm-like theme. So I spoke softly and quietly. For the sounds, I recorded them using objects and tools near by my house or in my house. The first thing I recorded was a water pouring sound. I did that by pouring a full cup of water into another cup. The second sound I recorded was a bubbling water sound. That was created by blowing into a cup of water with a straw. It is supposed to imitate water boiling. The last sound I recorded was rolling a leaf. I went outside and picked up a crunchy leaf because during the process of making tea, a dried leaf is rolled.

Post-Production

Editing

The editing platform I used was Soundtrap. In the website, I first imported my recordings, then inserted the sounds I created where I wanted to. I made sure to adjust the volumes so that the sounds don’t overtake my voice. After doing that, I tackled my intro and outro. First, I had to find a song that can fit the vibe of my podcast and that was royalty-free. The song that I picked was Silent Descent by Eugenio Minnini and the website I got it from was:

mixkit.co

To insert the song in the recording, I first split the voice recording after I introduced myself and the podcast name and then split the song after 10 seconds to insert in between the two split voice recordings. I then used the fade feature at the end of the song so it sounded smoother when it transitioned back to my speaking voice. The final thing I did was duplicate the 10 second song audio and put it at the end for an outro.

Final Product

At the end I ended up with this:

October 17, 2026

My Final Podcast Product

Image of an open, black-colored photo album with taped photos inside and various flowers, doodles, and stickers scattered about. The photos inside consist of a smiling blonde woman, a close-up of a blue eye, two women sitting and laughing, a close-up of pink roses, and two hands holding each other. — Image by Squaredone from Pixabay

Listen to my short-form podcast about “Scrapbooking and Collages: The Art of Creative Hobbies On A Budget” below!

Official Podcast Transcript

Click the drop-down arrow to access my podcast transcript

0:00 seconds [Up-beat guitar music plays]

00:13 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Welcome to Craftingly Creative! Today’s episode explores scrapbooking and collages, a method of creative expression that won’t break the bank!

00:24 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Nowadays, basic items like food or clothing come with a painful price tag. However, you can still enjoy arts and crafts without blowing your budget. Hobbies like scrapbooking and collaging allow for creative expression without needing much money to create art.

00:36 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] I believe creativity should not get lost in a sea of bills. However, our hobbies shouldn’t financially burden us, but be an outlet to enjoy life and express yourself.

00:47 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] According to Fiorito, Geiger, and Routledge, scrapbooking is the art of creating personalized albums to preserve memories and special moments. They suggest scrapbooking can boost one’s mental health, raise nostalgia, social connections, and promote meaning, making it perfect for combating stress without worrying about the expense.

1:02 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] The MoMA defines collaging as “the technique and the resulting work of art in which fragments of paper and other materials are…affixed to a supporting surface”. Like scrapbooking, collaging is mentally beneficial. Seregina and Brockerhoff highlighted its benefits in heightening a sense of community, reflecting on emotional complexities, and a better understanding of self and personal experiences.

1:21 seconds [paper flipping noises]

1:26 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Scrapbooking and collaging are affordable, too. Jennifer Wilson, host of the Scrapbook Your Way podcast, suggests printing your supplies, and I suggest using free or reduced printing services at your local library, too. Additionally, use the items you might discard in your scrapbooking. Bottle caps, old paper scraps, ticket stubs, etc. are unique objects for art, and are all around you at no extra cost.

1:45 seconds [scissor cutting noises]

1:49 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Lindsey McGinnis advises collecting and using the pages of old, forgotten books, magazines, brochures, and maps for your collage. Artful Haven suggests using 3D objects into your collages. Leaves or sticks, old buttons, fabric scraps, and dried flower petals are low-cost and add dimension to your art.

2:07 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Also, antique and thrift stores are great for materials like old newspapers, postcards, and other items at low prices. And don’t feel restricted to working on fancy paper or photo albums. You can use old journals, lined paper, old records, cardboard, or your own wall.

2:19 seconds [paper flipping noises]

2:25 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Overall, scrapbooking and collaging is beneficial to one’s mental health, especially if done economically. When using the materials around you, these two hobbies are low cost with wonderful returns.

2:35 seconds [speaker: Arianna Salvador] Until next time, this was Arianna Salvador with Craftingly Creative!

[Up-beat guitar music plays]

Equipment I Used For Recording My Project

The recording equipment I utilized for my podcast was simple and accessible. I recorded all of my podcast, ambient room noise, and various sound affects on my Voice Memo app in my Iphone. I also recorded all the aforementioned audio in my closet, as my massive quantity of clothes helped absorb sound (I think).

The Software I Used To Edit My Podcast

Like my recording process and equipment choices, the software I employed for the editing process was nothing advanced. I downloaded my Iphone audio to my computer, which I then put into the website SoundTrap. I then used SoundTrap to finalize, polish, and add additional audio to my podcast script.

Credit, Attributions, And Links To Resources

Audio editing by SoundTrap

Intro and Outro music by APALONBeats by Pixabay

A special thanks to the researchers and fellow crafters whose research provided information for my podcast

“Collage | MoMA.” The Museum of Modern Art, https://www.moma.org/collection/terms/collage. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

FioRito, Taylor A., et al. “Creative Nostalgia: Social and Psychological Benefits of Scrapbooking.” Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, vol. 38, no. 2, Apr. 2021, pp. 98–103. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/07421656.2020.1748986.

Ivana. “A Beginner’s Guide to Collaging With Tips & Ideas.” Artful Haven, 10 Dec. 2024, https://artfulhaven.com/beginners-guide-to-collaging/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

McGinnis, Lindsey. “Stick With It: Time-Saving Collage Hacks for Busy Art Teachers.” The Art of Education, 19 May 2025, https://theartofeducation.edu/2025/05/may-stick-with-it-time-saving-collage-hacks-for-busy-art-teachers/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Seregina, U., & Bröckerhoff, A. (2022). Collaging Covid Holidays: Using Collage as a Communal Method for Reflection and Research. Art-Based Research in the Context of a Global Pandemic (pp. 64-79). Routledge. https://doi-org.umw.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9781003170518-5

Wilson, Jennifer. “SYW308 – 12 Clever Ideas for Budget-Friendly Scrapbooking – Simple Scrapper.” Simple Scrapper, 17 Sept. 2025, https://www.simplescrapper.com/syw308/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

October 16, 2026

My Recording Process

My Thoughts

My chosen topic is basic skincare. I think that most people don’t fully cover their basics when it comes to their skincare. Skincare is not only important to look good, but a to maintain skin health.

Outline

Recording will be done at my house on my personal microphone. I don’t think there are any specific sounds I plan to include other than intro and outro music.

0-15

Introduction music

Topic introduction

15-35

Importance of skincare

35-55

Step one- Cleansers

55-75

Step two- Moisturizers

75-100

Step three- Sunscreen

100-120

After the basics

Signing off

Script

This audio is designed to leave you understanding the basics of an everyday skincare routine.

Skincare is not just a luxurious thing only the frivolous do, but a necessary routine to take care of part of your body. It improves skin appearance while also reduces damage and signs of aging.

Cleansers are the first step of any skincare routine. They are designed to remove impurities and extra oil from the skin, as well as laying a clean foundation for the products to come.

After cleansing your skin might feel a little dry. Moisturizers contain emollients that help lock in moisture. If your skin is on the oilier side, try a water-based moisturizer. Since they’re water-based, they help moisturize without overflowing oily skin with even more oil. If your skin is on the dryer side, a traditional thicker cream may be better for you.

Last in every routine should be a sunscreen. Sunscreen is not only for days at the beach, but should be used daily to avoid cumulative damage from the sun. It’s important to find a daily sunscreen that feels comfortable to ensure you’ll follow through with wearing it daily.

Once you have the three basics of a basic skincare routine, you can expand to including additional steps, such as, toners, serums, essences, and ampoules. I hope you took something useful away from the audio. Stay glowy!

Equipment

I am using my MAONO DGM20S USB microphone, SteelSeries Sonar for my equalizer, and Windows Sound Recorder.

Sources for Script

My favorite skincare Youtube channel, Beauty Within!

As well as my personal knowledge.

Audio Folder

OneDrive audio project folder

October 16, 2026

Audio Project

mexican american girl wearing traditional clothing and dancing. — Photo by picsbyjameslee on Pixabay

Audio about Mexican American culture.

Process

The equipment used to make the audio of the narration was a smartphone and wired earbuds microphone. The software I used to edit is called Soundtrap. This platform made it easy to put together tracks. I used a copyright free intro and outro tracks along with a nature track. The two audios you hear before talking about food was made in my kitchen. I recorded the audio of turning my gas stove on and then created another track of sizzling to create a connection between kitchen sounds with my narration of food.

Attributions/Credits

Copyright Free Audios

Intro: Con Carne (7 sec edit) by Grumpynora on Pixabay

Outro: Emotional Guitar Loop V13 by IdoBerg on Pixabay

Nature/Birds: Birds chirping by freesound_community on Pixabay

Online Resources

National Museum of the American Latino | Home

Mexican American Identity — Indigenous Mexico

Transcript of Audio

Intro Music

“Mexican American culture is a vibrant blend of heritage, history, and everyday life. Today, I’m sharing how traditions, food, and community shape Mexican American identity across the United States.”

“Mexican American culture has roots in Indigenous traditions, Spanish influence, and generations of adaptation in the U.S. This blend creates a unique cultural identity that continues to evolve.”

Kitchen Ambience

“Food is one of the strongest cultural connections. Dishes like tamales, pozole, and arroz con leche aren’t just recipes — they’re memories passed down through families.”

“Traditions also play a major role. Día de los Muertos honors ancestors with altars, marigolds, and offerings. Quinceañeras celebrate the transition into adulthood, mixing Catholic customs with modern style.”

Nature/Birds Ambience

“Community spaces — local markets, festivals, and family gatherings — help preserve language, music, and shared identity. These places keep culture alive across generations.”

“Today, Mexican Americans make up more than 60 percent of the U.S. Latino population. Many navigate life between cultures, speaking Spanglish, celebrating both Mexican and American holidays, and shaping art, politics, and education.”

Outro Music

October 16, 2026

Spreading the word about Post Crossing

photos and mail with writing on it — Greg Montani from Pixabay

Podcasting

Here, you will see that I am literally telling everyone about Post Crossing, as it is the topic of my audio project. This short recording encompasses my actual experience with the program, so think of it like an elevator pitch, but the elevator keeps moving for two full minutes.