/ Modified oct 24, 2024 8:06 p.m.

"Gaudy Sorrow" is author Barbara Seyda's memoir of love and loss.

Also on Arizona Spotlight: Find out how the Assistance League of Tucson has been helping people in need for 65 years; and cold blooded critters (and those who love them) gather for the 22nd Tucson Reptile & Amphibian Show.

gaudy sorrow 617 2 VIEW LARGER Barbara Seyda's book "Gaudy Sorrow" explores grief and survival after devastating loss.
Book jacket art by Valerie Galloway

Arizona Spotlight

October 24, 2024

NPR
(Download MP3)

Featured on the October 24, 2024 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:

  • Learn about a local non-profit organization that has been helping residents in Southern Arizona since the late 1950s. Tony Paniagua speaks with a volunteer from the Assistance League of Tucson about the group’s history and mission. You’ll also hear from the community agency Compass Affordable Housing, who benefits from the League. You can learn more about the Assistance League of Tucson here.

Assistance league hero 1 Carolyn R. Gorst, Community Engagement Director at Compass Affordable Housing, and Monique Van Sickle- who volunteers in marketing and communications at the Assistance League of Tucson - joined us in the azpm radio studios.
Sophia Hammer / AZPM

assistance league hero 3 The Assistance League of Tucson's thrift shop is located at 1307 N Alvernon Way near Speedway Boulevard.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Assistance league hero 2 Monique Van Sickle has a full-time job, but she enjoys being one of the many volunteers at the Assistance League of Tucson. In this photo, she's in the popular thrift store, where funds are raised for the community.
Tony Paniagua / AZPM

Tucson reptile show hero 2 A handler with Southern Arizona Reptile Rescue & Education shows attendees a bearded dragon on Oct. 5 at the Tucson Reptile & Amphibian Show. The nonprofit aims to rescue, relocate, rehabilitate and educate about reptiles.
Noor Haghighi

Tucson reptile show 1 hero The Tucson Herpetological Society tells visitors about the gopher snake in hand on Oct. 5 at the Tucson Reptile & Amphibian Show. The group is committed to conserving local amphibian and reptile wildlife.
Noor Haghighi

Tucson reptile show hero 4 A child admires a freshwater crocodile from Australia at the Tucson Reptile & Amphibian Show. All sorts of snakes, lizards, frogs and aquatic reptiles were on display at the event.
Noor Haghighi

  • And, Barbara Seyda is a Tucson-based journalist, author, poet and playwright. Her newest book “Gaudy Sorrow” is a heartfelt examination of grief and survival. After 20 years together, Seyda lost her friend and lover during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following his passing, she wrote the 216 letters that comprise the book, trying to navigate what it means to live with a broken heart.
Barbara seyda 617 1 VIEW LARGER Barbara Seyda is a queer playwright, journalist and poet living in Tucson and is the author of "Gaudy Sorrow."
A.T. Willett

Barbara Seyda antigone hero Barbara Seyda holds her newest book, "Gaudy Sorrow" outside of Antigone Bookstore in Tucson. The book is available to purchase at Antigone Bookstore.
photo by Mike Sterner

Web page by Sophia Hammer.

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