This week I produced an unusual audio slideshow about memorial dolls.   

It features Jennifer Stocks-Dearborn, a Jefforsonville sculptor who makes realistic clay babies for people whose infants have died. Her own daughter died of SIDS in 2000.

Leon Thompson wrote a story about her for this week’s paper, but I thought we could do more with the images of the dolls. Stocks-Dearborn refers to them as “creepy, naked babies,” and they are indeed creepy. And also beautiful. And sad.

I drove to Stocks-Dearborn’s house on Monday and recorded an interview with her, which I edited and mixed with the song “Precious Time” from The Cush. Talking with her was a moving experience. I hope that’s clear from the slideshow.

Don, our creative director, has created a new template for the slideshows, which makes them look more professional.

I think this project illustrates the value of this particular medium. Some people suggested that we shoot video of Stocks-Dearborn, but I think the still images, paired with the audio, are more poignant.

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Seven Days’ deputy publisher and co-owner Cathy Resmer is a writer, editor and advocate for local journalism. She works in the paper’s Burlington office and lives vicariously through the reporters while raising money to pay them. Cathy started at...