GaryOsberg.com

I miss being on campus.  The last I heard we will be working from home until after Labor Day.

Over the twenty years that I have been working for MPR, I have met a number of very interesting folks.  One of my favorite was Brother Willie.  Years ago I met an old man who was shuffling home to Wimmer Hall from the shop area.  His coveralls were covered with dust.  I asked him what his name was and what he did on campus.  He replied, “My name is Brother Willie, don’t you know about the table and chairs that I make for children?”   To make a long story short, I ended up ordering a table and chair set for my granddaughter Kaylin Marie.  When I picked the table and chairs, up I noticed a small wagon filled with blocks.  They were made from scrap oak found in the Saint John’s woodshop.  I eventually ordered 10 wagon and block sets. 

Brother Willie once managed the Abbey dairy herd and also he was the self appointed night watchman. George Maurer wrote a song, The Brother Willie Shuffle and the pub in Sexton Hall  is named after Brother Willie. 

Live from Here this week is a rebroadcast.  You can listen on your radio, smartphone or computer.  You can learn more at www.livefromhere.org

 “..to build!  That is the noblest of all the arts.”   Longfellow