• THE BEST OF THE GILDED AGE COUNTDOWN #29 - THE ROMANCE OF JEDEDIAH
    Oct 26 2025

    To celebrate Jon Hagadorn's 10 years of storytelling, we are doing a countdown of the most beloved stories. This week, #29, The Romance of Jedediah, by Lucy Maude Montgomery, one of our favorite authors here at 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age.

    Next up in our "Best of the Gilded Age" countdown is Lucy Maude Montgomery’s charming tale, “The Romance of Jedediah,” which first aired on December 8th, 2024. We find that romance often "cares not for appearances and apparently delights in contradictions". Our hero, Jedediah Crane, is certainly a contradiction: despite a name that doesn't "savour of romance", a plump figure clothed in loud checks and a bright pink necktie, and his current profession driving a clinking, bright red pedlar’s wagon, he is internally "bubbling over with romance". After fifteen years of absence, having left Amberley to seek his fortune, he returns a poor, tin-peddling failure, determined to look upon the Adams homestead again. He finds his former love, Mattie Adams, plumper and rosier, but still possessed of a remarkable placidity. While Jedediah revels in the "deliciously romantic" situation of reuniting with the woman he has loved all his life, the pair must contend with the watchful, angular figure of Mattie's sister, Selena Ford, who monitors their every move from her strategically positioned house on the hill. Join us to find out if the romantic "sitootion" of this old love rekindled can survive the judgment of Amberley society and the persistent interference of a spiteful sister.

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    Credits:

    • Narration by Jon Hagadorn
    • Remastered by Gizelle Erickson
    • Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn

    Used in The Romance of Jedediah

    • Thanks to freesound_community, horse with old cart Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
    • Thanks to Background Music For Videos, Romantic Love Wedding Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay

    Countdown Theme:

    • Thank you: Background Music For Videos Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay
    • Thank you: Freesound Community
    • Liftoff sound effect Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
    • Thank you: Sonix FX Sounds Rocket Launch effect, Sound Effect by SonixFXSounds from Pixabay

    1001 Stories from the Gilded Age theme:

    • Thanks to Luis_Humanoide “Victorian Violin Waltz” Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay
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    32 mins
  • THE BEST OF THE GILDED AGE [THE VILLAGE SINGER]
    Oct 12 2025

    The Best of the Gilded Age is a countdown episode series of the most beloved stories to celebrate 10 years of storytelling with Jon Hagadorn.

    We begin with The Village Singer by Mary Wilkins-Freeman, #30 in our top episodes list. This episode first aired on September 29th, 2024 and has had over 1,120 listens in the past year!

    "A Village Singer" tells the story of Candace Whitcomb, a forty-year veteran soprano in her New England village church who is replaced by the younger Alma Way. Upset by her dismissal and realizing she was tricked into attending her own "retirement" party where she received a photograph album with the note of her replacement, Candace retaliates by singing loudly on her home organ to disrupt Sunday service.

    Every episode contains a little trivia about Jon Hagadorn as well!

    Please leave a review and rate this episode. We also encourage you to follow us on social media:

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    Credits:

    Production by Gizelle Erickson

    Narration by Jon Hagadorn

    Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn

    Music and Effects used:

    • Thank you: Background Music For Videos Music by Maksym Malko from Pixabay
    • Thank you: Freesound Community Liftoff sound effect Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
    • Thank you: Sonix FX Sounds Rocket Launch effect, Sound Effect by SonixFXSounds from Pixabay

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    39 mins
  • ANNE OF THE ISLAND [ANNOUNCEMENT]
    Oct 1 2025

    Did you know that Jon recently produced his 1001st episode? To celebrate his 10 years, we are going into the vaults and bringing back the best of the best episodes, complete with a fresh feel and commentary provided by your host, Gizelle Erickson.

    To the fans of Anne - have no fear! We will be continuing to produce episodes for you, and will resume her story after our countdown is complete! You will want to subscribe to this podcast so you will know the moment a new episode releases.

    In the meantime, we invite you to join us on our social media platforms where we are building a community you will want to be a part of!

    Instagram: 1001stories_from_the_gildedage

    Facebook: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age Podcast

    Reddit: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age

    LinkedIn: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age

    Credits

    Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson

    Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn

    Music:

    • Thanks to Luis_Humanoide “Victorian Violin Waltz” Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay
    • Thanks to Music_For_Videos "Romance" Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

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    2 mins
  • ANNE OF THE ISLAND (CHAP 14) THE SUMMONS
    Sep 21 2025

    Join us for Chapter XIV, “The Summons,” from L.M. Montgomery’s beloved novel, Anne of the Island. As the summer’s splendor wanes and the world is full of hazes, Anne dedicates her evenings to her friend Ruby Gillis, who is growing paler and struggling with what Anne perceives as an invisible foe. Anne senses that Ruby needs help—craves it—and she wants to give it to her and can’t. In a pivotal, moonlit vigil, the conversation shifts from light chatter to a harrowing confession as Ruby admits she is afraid to die, not because she fears heaven itself, but because it won’t be what she has been used to.

    This profound discussion forces Anne to wrestle with her own ideas about the great mysteries of life and eternity, realizing that her life must take on a deeper purpose. Tune in to discover how this event, which Anne realizes will change her forever, culminates in a final summons that might not be disregarded or evaded in Avonlea.

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    Instagram: 1001stories_from_the_gildedage

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    Credits

    Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson

    Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn

    Music:

    • Thanks to Luis_Humanoide “Victorian Violin Waltz” Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay
    • Thanks to Music_For_Videos "Romance" Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay
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    21 mins
  • ANNE OF THE ISLAND (Chapter 13) THE WAY OF THE TRANSGRESSORS
    Sep 17 2025

    In Chapter 13, “The Way of Transgressors,” from L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of the Island, we dive into a vividly rendered account of childhood mischief and the dawning pangs of conscience. Young Davy Keith, left under Mrs. Lynde’s vigilant eye, embarks on a meticulously planned rebellion. This day of transgression, however, soon leads him down a path where a "mis'rubul" conscience becomes his harshest, most inescapable judge. L.M. Montgomery, celebrated for her profound ability to capture the authentic voice and intricate internal world of children, brilliantly portrays Davy’s tumultuous journey from reckless abandon to the heavy burden of guilt, illuminating how even the smallest acts of defiance can cast a long shadow over a young heart and highlighting her genius for depicting complex emotional landscapes through her characters.

    Follow us on Social Media for extra content!

    Instagram: 1001stories_from_the_gildedage

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    Reddit: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age

    LinkedIn: 1001 Stories from the Gilded Age

    Credits

    Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson

    Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn

    Music:

    • Thanks to Luis_Humanoide “Victorian Violin Waltz” Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay
    • Thanks to Music_For_Videos "Romance" Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

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    24 mins
  • ANNE OF THE ISLAND (CHAP 12) AVERIL'S ATONEMENT
    Sep 14 2025

    In Chapter XII, “Averil’s Atonement,” from L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of the Island, we delve into Anne Shirley’s creative world as she embarks on her first serious attempt at fiction writing. Listeners will join Anne as she grapples with finding the perfect plot for her heroine, Averil, and dedicates hours to choosing names for all her characters, including her hero, Perceval Dalrymple. Anne even enlists Diana's help in naming a minor character, eventually settling on "Robert Ray" after rejecting a more aristocratic suggestion that wasn't quite suitable for a chore boy. Anne's literary ambitions are fueled by a pursuit of fame over profit, as she contemplates whether to craft a romantic, unhappy ending or cater to perceived editorial preferences for happier resolutions. We'll explore Anne's challenges as her characters sometimes take on a life of their own, doing and saying things she never intended, highlighting the humorous and often frustrating journey of an aspiring author.

    Show credits
    Narration and Production: Gizelle Erickson

    Executive Producer: Jon Hagadorn

    Music & Effects:

    Thanks to Luis_Humanoide “Victorian Violin Waltz” Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay

    Thanks to Music_For_Videos "Romance" Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

    Country Morning Late September by rasunter255 (Freesound) from Pixabay

    Enjoy all our shows at www.bestof1001stories.com'

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    18 mins
  • ANNE OF THE ISLAND (CHAP 11) THE ROUND OF LIFE
    Sep 10 2025

    In this episode, we delve into Lucy Maude Montgomery's beloved Anne of the Island, specifically Chapter XI, “The Round of Life”. Anne Shirley returns to Avonlea, her academic achievements at Redmond College marked by the Thorburn Scholarship, only to face the sobering realities of life's constant changes. She confronts the fragility of existence through the heartbreaking news of a dear friend's battle with "galloping consumption," a term for a particularly aggressive form of tuberculosis that progressed rapidly and often led to death within months. This somber turning point in Anne’s story is made all the more poignant by a fact about the author: Lucy Maud Montgomery herself tragically lost her own mother to tuberculosis when she was just 21 months old, mirroring the disease that now threatens one of Anne’s cherished school-chums.

    Credits:
    Narrated and Produced by Gizelle Erickson

    Executive Producer: Jon Hagadorn

    Music and Sound Effects:

    Thanks to Luis_Humanoide “Victorian Violin Waltz” Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay

    Thanks to Music_For_Videos "Romance" Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

    Sound effect “country-morning-late-september-23870” by Artistrasunter255 (Freesound) from Pixabay

    Now you can sign up for our newsletter at www.bestof1001stories.com- great back stories on all our podcasts and "whats coming"

    Sign

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    21 mins
  • ANNE OF THE ISLAND (CHAP 10) PATTY'S PLACE
    Sep 7 2025

    Welcome fellow story companions! In this episode of Anne of the Island, we delve into "Chapter X - Patty’s Place". This chapter sees Anne and Priscilla embark on their exciting quest for a shared home for the next year with Stella Maynard, leading them to the charming, yet eccentric, Patty’s Place. You'll meet the formidable "grim and ancient" Miss Patty Spofford and her niece Miss Maria, who are preparing for an unexpected European adventure. Discover the fascinating trivia of the twin guardian deities of Patty's Place: two large, white china dogs with round green spots, named Gog and Magog, which are over a hundred years old and were brought from London by Miss Patty's brother Aaron fifty years prior. We find that Miss Patty has some unique leasing conditions, prioritizing a tenant's genuine "love" for her home over mere financial gain. This plays in Anne’s favor, ultimately securing the house for Anne and her friends, once they promise to adhere to the non-negotiable rule that the house must retain its beloved name, "Patty’s Place.”

    Credits and Links

    Narration and Production: Gizelle Erickson

    Executive Producer: Jon Hagadorn


    Anne of Green Gables Museum: https://www.worldofanneshirley.com/2007/07/the-anne-of-green-gables-museum.html


    Music & Effects:

    Thanks to Luis_Humanoide “Victorian Violin Waltz” Music by Luis Humanoide from Pixabay

    Thanks to Music_For_Videos "Romance" Music by Anastasia Chubarova from Pixabay

    Thanks to freesound_community, Sound Effects by freesound_community from Pixabay

    "028122_Clock-grandfather-ticks & striking once"

    "Fireplace-Jim"

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    21 mins