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“Today is St. Patrick’s Day, the annual feast day celebrating a patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was born around the year 385, in a village in Wales. When he was 16, a group of Irish pirates raided his village and took many of the young men back to Ireland to work as slaves. Patrick worked for six years as a herdsman in the Irish countryside. In his sixth year, he escaped and made his way back to Wales. But, according to his autobiography, soon after he got back home he heard a voice telling him to go back to Ireland and convert the Irish to Christianity. That’s eventually what he did, but first he went to France to visit monasteries and study religious texts. After 12 years in France, he went back to Ireland, where he founded monasteries, schools, and churches and converted much of the island to Christianity.” Source `Writers Almanac’ by Garrison Keillor
This week, the APHC show is a look back to the November broadcast from the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, Colorado. Trey Anastasio joins Chris for “Back on the Train” and “Miss You,” The Staves harmonize on “Blood I Bled” and “Sadness Don’t Own Me,” and Tig Notaro shares a few stories about life as a comedian. Plus: Chris Thile’s Song of the Week, “The Elephant in the Room”; a chat with our favorite astronauts on their way to Mars; a message from Beebopareebop Rhubarb Pie; and a late November crop of musician birthdays.

“Ring of Kerry”, with the St. Paul Irish Dancers, is performing today at 1:30 and tonight at 7:30 at The Paramount Theatre. Tickets are available at www.paramountarts.org

“The greatest achievements were at first and for some time dreams.” James Allen

Category : General

Comments Off on March 17, 2017

I don’t get to many of the Friday morning Chamber Connections, but the CMBA Home Show is one that I never miss. The president of the CMBA this year is Matt Cecko who works with one of our sponsors, Dale Gruber’s Home Check Plus. They have been a local sponsor of A Prairie Home Companion for many years. There are two huge displays, one of which is a patio with all of the best in stone from another one of our sponsors, Borgert Products. If you have never been to a Chamber Connection you won’t know that they take the time for everyone to introduce themselves and end with a tag line or slogan. Tom Albers with Borgert Products has the best, “Stones With Style”. The Home Show opens at noon today.

The APHC show this week is a rebroadcast of the November 12 show at The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jason Isbell sings “Something More Than Free” and “Cover Me Up,” Angélique Kidjo gets everyone dancing with “Afirika” and “Orisha,” The Dover Quartet plays Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and Billy Collins reads his poems “On Rhyme” and “Only Child.” Plus: Chris Thile and the band present the Song of the Week, “I Made This for You,” and take on “Blackbird” for our Powdermilk Biscuits Instant Song Request; a message from the new dating app “Hinder”; and our staff critic Bertrand Falstaff Heine (remember, that’s pronounced “hiney”) reviews Philly’s famous cheesesteaks. Tune in on your radio or online.
“The bitterness of poor workmanship remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” Longfellow

Category : General

Comments Off on March 10, 2017

Today is Walleye Willie’s 8th birthday. He is a hoot. He sleeps with a “fish pillow”. Every year he creates a “bucket list” of 10 fish species that he intends to catch. In 2016 the only one that he did not catch was “Salmon”. Because of the world wide web and the website that his dad posts on, www.theoutdoorreport.com , a charter boat captain from Lake Michigan offered to take Willie out, but we were not able to fit it into the schedule. Maybe this year.

Brother Bill and I are taking a flight from the St. Cloud airport to Mesa, Arizona. www.burschtravel.com We are on a mission. Bill has a house in Sun City West that he would like to sell.
Check out the listing: Click to view listing(s)

We plan on spending the week and I am going to visit Sedona for sure. Bill has a Mazda convertible that he will have to drive back to Minnesota unless he can find someone in Arizona that needs it.

The APHC show this week is a rewind to last October 29 and a broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Esperanza Spalding performs “Judas” and “Good Lava,” Dawes joins Chris for “Roll with the Punches” and “We’re All Gonna Die,” Aparna Nancherla shares a few thoughts on fruit as a dessert and life in New York City. Plus Chris Thile will perform the spooky “The Dark Half of the Year,” and Gaby Moreno sings “La Malagueña,” a visit to Deplorable Manor. There will be a message from the Catchup Advisory Board.

“Life is accepting what is and working from that” Gloria Naylor

Category : General

Comments Off on March 3, 2017

The snow has missed us again. I recall winters in Upsala that were amazing. Maybe it was because I was a child, but the snow piles seemed huge. In fact, I have seen pictures of the area around Grandma Ramlo’s grocery store that are proof positive. In Upsala there was a “Dead Man’s Corner”. It was the first 90 degree turn as you drove north out of town. Many cars ended up in that ditch. I doubt if they even refer to the corner that way anymore.

Entertainment in Upsala was a “do-it-yourself” project. After a big snow storm, we would take to the Burtrum Hills in our cars and blaze paths through the snow drifts. I recall us boys tying a hood from a DeSota to the bumper, getting into the hood and riding the surf in the ditches. It is a wonder that none of us were killed. Now, my son takes the time to bring his children with him ice fishing. Walleye Willie caught his personal best through the ice on one Sunday and he speared his first Northern the next Sunday. Proof positive is attached.

The APHC show this week is a look back to the October 22 broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats perform “Wasting Time” and “Out on the Weekend,” Anäis Mitchell sings “Why We Build the Wall” and “Clyde Waters,” and John Hodgman shared a few thoughts on beards and septic systems. Plus there will be Chris Thile’s Song of the Week, “Dates”. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors will share a few new Grandparent names and Bertrand Falstaff Heine will review this season’s snow tires. Plus, there will be a rollicking medley of Swedish fiddle tunes. Tune in Saturday at 5 CST or Sunday at 11 am on the MPR News network.

I will be working the table at Escher Auditorium at The College of Saint Benedict tomorrow night. The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble will take the stage at 7:30. I hope to see you there. Tickets at www.csbsju.edu/wow

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau

Category : General

Comments Off on February 24, 2017

I celebrated my seventh birthday in Vienna, Austria. I was an army brat. Dad served in the navy during the war and later he joined the army. In 1950 he was a Sergeant in the 5th Army stationed in Vienna. As “dependents” we were housed in an apartment building that was quite nice. There were two marble faced fireplaces and a baby grand piano along with a crystal chandelier in the dining room. I ran with a group of other army brats and I was the oldest in the group.

One day in February we were hanging out in front of the large estate on the corner next to our apartment. One of the kids stuck his hand in the fence opening and a dog took his mitten. I bravely offered to go through the gate and recover the mitten. I still remember starting my walk across the large yard toward the two “Boxers”. They greeted me by jumping up and knocking me to the ground. They proceeded to chew on my arms and legs until an Austrian man who we referred to as the “fireman”, (he took care of the furnace in our apartment building) came in and pulled the dogs off of me. I walked home nearly naked and my mother fainted when she opened the door. I spent about 6 weeks in the army hospital. It took me a while to get over my fear of dogs. The occupant of the estate was a Colonel in the U.S. Army and they gave me a new winter coat.

This week the APHC show is live from the famed Fitzgerald Theater, in sunny Saint Paul, Minnesota. Prepare to be blown away by the new host Chris Thile and guests The Avett Brothers, Jesca Hoop, and comedian Jen Kirkman. Plus: there will be the Song of the Week from Chris and the band (singers Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan, pianist and music director Richard Dworsky, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, bassist Alan Hampton, guitarist Julian Lage, and Ted Poor on drums). The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will entertain with a variety of skits. Do send in your suggestions for the Powdermilk Biscuit Instant Song Request. It’s two hours of public radio you won’t want to miss — tune in on your local station or watch live (Saturday, 5pm-7pm CST) at prairiehome.org!

“You must learn day by day, year by year, to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about – the more you have left when anything negative happens.” Ethel Barrymore

Category : General

Comments Off on February 17, 2017

This week there was delivery of new furniture to the newly remodeled Alcuin Library on campus. The library is one of the architectural marvels designed by Bauhaus trained architect, Marcel Breuer, in the 1950s. The library was built in 1964. I approached the truck driver and told him that I had been in the office furniture industry for 22 years and I wondered what brand of furniture they were delivering? “Knoll” was his answer. My heart skipped a beat. Marcel Breuer would have been very pleased that St. John’s University was staying true to his original design. One of his more famous chair designs was inspired by bicycle handle bars.

Jimmy Dorr and I opened the KNOLL showroom in International Market Square in May of 1986. Our firm was Office Environmental Systems of Minnesota, one of many that KNOLL had created to represent their line of furniture across the country. KNOLL supplied 80% of the capital and Jimmy and I raised 20%. The KNOLL line was represented by two large established office furniture dealers, however they were also Steelcase dealers. Architect Dan Fox offered to help us with the design of the showroom which was being built out on the fourth floor. I still remember our luncheon meeting in the atrium of IMS and the sketch that Dan did on a napkin. Both Jimmy’s family members and three of my brothers were involved in the build out. My close personal friend, Ron Shodeen, was the electrician. The showroom won an AIA interior design award and was featured on the cover of the Architecture Minnesota magazine in November of 1986. I am so sad that I have misplaced my copy of the magazine.

The APHC show this week is back at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the temperature fluctuates between the low-double-digits and above-freezing balminess. It’s a live broadcast with special guests Lucius, Brad Mehldau, and comedian Tom Papa. Plus: Rich Dworsky and the band (Gaby Moreno, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor) are tuning up for another crop of musician birthdays and a hot-off-the-press new composition from the host. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, round out the program with a few scripts and sponsor messages. Grab yourself a Powdermilk Biscuit or two — heavens, they’re tasty and expeditious! — Join Chris Thile and the gang down at the public radio end of the dial, or watch live (Saturday, 5pm – 7pm Central Time) at prairiehome.org.

“He struck us as being not only an outstanding architect, but a simple, straightforward, sincere and rather humble person.” Abbot Baldwin, commenting on the selection of Marcel Breuer as master planner.

Category : General

Comments Off on February 10, 2017

Part 3 of “How I stayed sober for 40 years” involves spending 10 minutes every morning in “readings”. This is one that I include in my session.

JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once.
I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things I can correct, and accept those I cannot.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I’ll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly,
and not interrupt when someone else is talking.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I’m a smoker, I’ll quit. If I am over-weight, I will eat healthfully, if only just for today. And not only that, I will
get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it’s only around the block.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.

Whatever works for you is great. A small glass of “POM” first thing every morning helps too.

The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, with special guests Amos Lee, Jenny Lewis, and comedian Nate Bargatze. Plus: banjoist extraordinaire
(and the host’s fellow Punch Brother) Noam Pikelny joins Chris for a few tunes, a brand new Song of the Week. There will be more music from Rich Dworsky and singer Aoife O’Donovan, Chris Eldridge
on guitar, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor on drums. There will be comedy and drama from the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman.
Join the gang for a restorative two-hour break on the radio, Saturday at 5pm Central Time. And on Sunday from 11am until 1pm on the 31 MPR News stations.

“A man is happy so long as he chooses to be happy and nothing can stop him.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Category : General

Comments Off on February 3, 2017

Aunt Maggie passed this week. She and her husband Bill Heisick both grew up in Bozeman, Montana. Bill served in the Pacific during World War II. When he came home he and his mother traveled to LA to visit some friends. One day a fellow named Ivan popped in to see his friend Tommy who happened to be playing bridge with Bill and his mother Mary. Ivan asked who owned the car outside with the Montana license plates. Uncle Bill spoke up. Ivan told Bill that his girlfriend, Maggie Caven, lived in Bozeman and Bill should greet her for him.

When Bill got back to Bozeman he phoned Maggie and asked her to go to a movie. Maggie mistook Bill for his brother Bob who was a couple of years older than she was and had attended the same high school. She accepted the date and she was very disappointed when she found out that Bob had been killed in the war and she was quite sure that Bill, who was a couple of years younger than she, was not her kind of fellow. Bill was very handsome and Maggie was sure that like most handsome men, he would prove to be full of himself. She tried to call it off, but Bill was persistent and they were married in Tucson, Arizona in April 12, 1949. They were a very happy couple. They lived in Van Nuys, CA and retired to a small ranch outside of Bozeman in 1984. Bill died in 2008. I am not sure what happened to Ivan, but he shared too much with the wrong fellow at the wrong time.

This week the APHC show is a rebroadcast of the October 15 season opener from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Jack White sings “Carolina Drama” and welcomes Margo Price for “I’m Lonely But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” Lake Street Dive performs “Mistakes” and Prince’s “When You Were Mine,” and comedian Maeve Higgins shares a few thoughts on city life, dating, and parents. Plus: Chris Thile debuts “Get it Out on the Radio” and celebrates a few musician birthdays with the band (Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor). The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman, perform the “Meditation App” script and a review of this year’s shaving creams from Bertrand Falstaff Heine. Tune in at 5pm Saturday CST.
“Grab a chance and you won’t be sorry for a might have been.” Arthur Ransome

Category : General

Comments Off on January 27, 2017

On Sunday we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first broadcast on KSJR 90.1 from here on the third floor of Wimmer Hall. The first words uttered by engineer Dan Rieder were, “Heed my words, Earth People. You have 10 minutes to live.” The first concert aired was a pre-recorded concert by the Cleveland Orchestra. What began as Minnesota Education Radio became Minnesota Public Radio on January 1, 1975.

This is a version of the story of how Bill Kling was selected to lead the creation of what has become the largest network of public radio stations in the United States. It was written by our first intern, Ellen Newkirk.

“The Saint John’s University monks chose Bill Kling to help start their public radio station, Minnesota Education Radio because of his “bright mind” – literally. SJU graduate Marty Mahowald shares the story of Bill Kling’s selection as the station’s leader as told by his professor at Saint John’s in the 1970s, Fr. Gunther Rolfson. According to Fr. Gunther, in the 1960s, Saint John’s had a mandatory lights-out policy at 10pm when the faculty residents would flip a switch that turned off all power on each floor of the residence halls. However, one evening, during walk around campus , Fr. Gunther noticed a light illuminating from a single room in Benet Hall.

The next day, Fr. Gunther used a master key to enter the room and found a system rigged to keep the power on after the switch was flipped each night. The room belonged to Bill Kling. Eventually, the monks decided Kling’s innovative and determined spirit was just what they needed for their new endeavor. According to Mahowald, “Fr. Gunther said that they knew that starting a new campus radio station would present struggles, budget challenges and many other issues to deal with and it would take someone with a lot of moxy to lead it through to success.” It turned out to be a very successful decision; Kling served as president of Minnesota Public Radio until 2010 and created one of the greatest public radio station networks in the country. “ Ellen Newkirk, CSB, Class of 2013.

The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California with special guests Ryan Adams, Kacey Musgraves, composer Justin Hurwitz, and comedian Kevin Nealon. There will be a new Song of the Week from Chris Thile and the band (pianist Rich Dworsky, singer Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo on bass, guitarist Julian Lage, drummer Ted Poor, and Gabe Witcher on fiddle) will perform for your entertainment. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will perform a few skits and another crop of musician birthdays will be celebrated with song.
Join the gang on the public radio end of the dial this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

“I remember hiring a pretty good classical music announcer by the name of Garrison Keillor.” Bill Kling

Category : General

Comments Off on January 20, 2017

Today is Friday the 13th. The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, NC, reported that an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business on this day. “It’s been estimated that $800 to $900 million is lost in business on this day..” source John Roach.
According to Wikipedia, the actual origin of the superstition appears to be a tale in Norse mythology. Friday is named for Frigga, the free-spirited goddess of love and fertility. When Norse and Germanic tribes converted to Christianity, Frigga was banished in shame to a mountaintop and labeled a witch. It was believed that every Friday, the spiteful goddess convened a meeting with eleven other witches, plus the devil – a gathering of thirteen – and plotted ill turns of fate for the coming week. For many centuries in Scandinavia, Friday was known as “Witches’ Sabbath.” source: Charles Panati, Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things.

The APHC show this week is convening in Chicago, Illinois for a live broadcast from the Symphony Center Chicago with special guests sure to put the acoustically stunning hall to good use, Andrew Bird, Laura Marling, and comedian Beth Stelling. Plus: button accordion and concertina player John Williams joins the gang to showcase Chicago’s Irish musical roots; host Chris Thile is gearing up for another Song of the Week with the band (music director Rich Dworsky on keys, singer and multi-instrumentalist Sarah Jarosz, guitarist Chris Eldridge , Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor on drums); and there will be scripts and scenes straight from the shores of Lake Michigan with the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman. Flip the dial to your local public radio station and join in for two hours of music and comedy on Saturday evening at 5pm CST.
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” Albert Einstein

Category : General

Comments Off on January 13, 2017