January 16th, 2015 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
“Happiness is, a warm puppy”. Charles Schulz. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. The Constitution of the United States of America.
In the February 27, 2006 issue of The New Yorker there was an article on pursuing happiness. It turns out that by nature we have been hardwired to emphasize the negative. Survival depended on being wary. The curious and unwary could be eaten by bears or tigers. “Call no man happy until he is dead” was a Greek saying. According to positive psychologists, once we are out of poverty, the most important determinant of happiness is our “set point”, our natural level of happiness, that is largely inherited.
Of course we have no control over our set point. Those of you who have more than one child know that they do seem to be wired differently. Same parents, same conditions and so different. However, we can control our attitude. “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen made quite the impact on me. We also can decide if and how much volunteer work we will do.
Ready for the secret to happiness? Here it is: Happiness is equal to your set point S, plus your life conditions C, plus a bit of volunteer work, V. “H = S + C + V”. If you want a copy of the article, let me know.
The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Special guests include bluegrass siblings The Gibson Brothers, songwriter Joe Newberry and vocalist Heather Masse. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Sue Scott , Tim Russell and Fred Newman will join with the band to entertain us with skits and music.
Garrison himself will bring us the latest News from Lake Wobegon.
“Happiness is harder to put into words. It’s also harder to source, much more mysterious than anger or sorrow, which come to me promptly, whenever I summon them, and remain long after I’ve begged them to leave.” David Sedaris
January 9th, 2015 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
My sons fishing show is a hit. I am looking forward to episode number 2 tomorrow at 11 am on Fox Sports North. A retired advertising executive remarked “real people made to look like real people” and “the sound clarity was extraordinary for outdoor work”.
You can find it on YouTube. “Fishing the Midwest with Bob Jensen”
The APHC show this week is live from the Nourse Theater in San Francisco. Special guests include the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, sibling harmonizers the “T Sisters” and poet Joseph Stroud. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Tim Russell, Sue Scott and Fred Newman with join the band to entertain you with song and skits. Garrison will bring us the latest News From Lake Wobegon. Enjoy the show.
“In the best institutions, promises are kept no matter what the cost in agony and overtime.” David Ogilvy
January 2nd, 2015 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
I consider myself in recovery. I quit drinking ‘Old Grand Dad’ in 1976. I am a “recovering entrepreneur”. I couldn’t work for the man, I had to be the man. Lastly, I am also a “recovering jerk”.
It is the last one that is the hardest to deal with. I have been known to grow very impatient with lines. Lottery ticket sales drive me nuts. I love the self serve gas pumps with swipe card capability. To help me deal with these defects of character, I have adopted a morning reading ritual. This one I stole from Dear Abby. It is usually published in the local newspaper every New Years Day.
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.
The APHC show this week is a rebroadcast of a show from January 2012 at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul. Joshua Bell plays Chopin’s “Nocturne in C-sharp minor” and Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele sing “Rip it Up”. The News From Lake Wobegon topic is warm weather which puts those that suffer from “Pump Handle Phobia” at ease.
Tomorrow at 11 am “Fishing the Midwest with Bob Jensen” will be broadcast on Fox Sports North. This year’s 13 episodes are the creation of my son Erik through his production company, Whiskey Creek Media. Check the website fishingthemidwest.com for the listing of broadcasts in your area.
December 19th, 2014 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
Six days until Christmas. I have all of my shopping done and now I simply have to pace myself on the cookies and candy.
Children love Christmas, as well they should. As with most families, some years, Christmas gifts were easy to come by and some years the budget would not allow for much. The Christmas of 1956 was a memorable one for me. My mother had to make a change due to Dad’s inability to handle alcohol. We were living in an apartment in Little Falls. That Christmas, Santa brought us six big Tonka Toy 18 wheel trucks. There was a cattle truck, an oil tanker, a freight truck and three more. This was a perfect gift for a family with five boys. For many years I had the impression that they were from some sort of social agency that served the poor. It turned out that the “Santa” was Dewey Johnson, a classmate of my mother from the Upsala High School class of ’37. Dewey’s friend was one of the founders of Tonka Toys. Dewey had already passed on before I learned the “rest of the story”, so I never did have a chance to thank him.
Perhaps you know of a family that has come upon hard times and they could use a “Secret Santa”.
Here is the link to getting the 24 foot Christmas tree into The Great Hall: http://bit.ly/7H3YDf
The APHC show this week is live from The Fitzgerald Theater on Exchange Street in Saint Paul. Special guests include the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers with violinist Sara Pajunen, and vocalists Heather Masse and Lynn Peterson. Plus the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Tim Russell, Sue Scott and Fred Newman. Garrison will bring us the latest News from Lake Wobegon. Enjoy the show.
“Life is what we make it. Always has been, always will be.” Grandma Moses
December 12th, 2014 by Gary Osberg
Good frosty morning from Collegeville,
Today is bell ringing day at Coborn’s on Cooper. Stop by between 2 pm and 4 pm and bring cash. This is the season of way too many choices on entertainment. Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of introducing “The Celtic Tenors” at The Paramount. Three young men from Ireland who have been touring together for many years. I wonder who came up with the idea of three tenors singing together? The sound is unique and I for one was impressed. I purchased their Christmas CD and I am enjoying it both at home and in the car.
Wednesday was the annual St. Joseph Chamber Christmas party at the Gorecki Center at College of Saint Benedict. I sat with the folks from The Closet 2 Closet, a thrift shop in downtown St. Joe. Most of us won a door prize and in fact, I won the grand prize, a Kuerig coffee maker. A very handy item indeed.
Later on this afternoon heralds the first St. Joseph Winterwalk event. At 5 pm you’ll find glowing luminaries lighting Minnesota Street and College Avenue. There will be a tree lighting on the patio of Bello Cucina at 6 pm with a visit from Santa at 6:30. Several shops are offering cider and cookies and staying open for this event. Come to St. Joseph and you can choose from either The Local Blend or Bello Cucina. At Bello Cucina you can make reservations. 320-363-4534.
The George Maurer Christmas show is next Monday evening at The Paramount Theatre. This is a must attend for me and I hope to see you there. Paramountarts.org
The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from The Fitzgerald Theatre in downtown St. Paul. Special guests include roadhouse R&B partiers the Marcia Ball Band, soprano Maria Jette and cellist Sally Dorer. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors along with the December Boys Band will join Garrison who will bring you the latest news from Lake Wobegon. Enjoy the show. The weather will be great for standing in line for the rush tickets. Consider it.
“Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen
December 5th, 2014 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
If you have not tried the direct flight from St. Cloud to Mesa, Arizona, I highly recommend that you do. Free parking, short lines, little stress, large planes all add up to a much less stressful trip. Bursch Travel arranged everything and with the smart phone app your boarding pass is just a swipe. The take off was delayed, but the pilot made up the time in-flight. The weather in Arizona was beautiful and the city of Chandler has many city parks that provided lots of places for us to visit with five year old Charlie. I am looking forward to another trip in April which will allow us to take in Sedona as well. Next we hope to take a trip to Chicago on an United flight. “You can get anywhere from the St. Cloud Regional Airport.”
The APHC show this week is the final show from New York this season. Special guests include Greenwich Village poet Edward Field, pianist and writer Jeremy Denk and singer Karan Casey. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors will team up with Garrison to bring us the skits that we come to love. I love Duane’s mother. Enjoy the show.
Next Tuesday the Celtic Tenors will be at The Paramount Theater in downtown St. Cloud. I will be working the table in the evening. Be sure to stop by and register for the door prizes. See you there. Paramountarts.org
“What we do upon some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the result of previous years of self-discipline.”
H.P. Liddon
November 21st, 2014 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
It could be worse, Grandma Anne could have gone to Buffalo, New York instead of St. Paul. It is hard to imagine 70 inches of snow in one week. I was mistaken, the Anderson brothers were not Norwegian bachelor farmers, they were Swedish bachelor farmers. Their father was a spinning wheel maker in Sweden. My sister has one of his creations in her house in Granite Falls. I would like to know the details of how two Swedish boys found two Norwegian sisters and what they must have said in the letters that prompted the sisters to make the voyage to America. Those letters may be in an attic somewhere.
The Stearns History Museum has a story in the “Crossings” magazine about letters written by Rosine Dietz to her son Christian. He left Germany when he was 16. He sailed on the SS Friesland from Antwerp on May 27, 1899, arriving in New York on June 6th. This year the St. Cloud Sons of Norway Trollheim Lodge will bring a touch of Scandinavia to the annual Kringle Fest at the Stearns History Museum on Sunday December 7th starting at 1 PM. Details are online at stearns-museum.org.
The APHC show this week is live from The Town Hall on West 43rd Street in Manhattan with vintage-pop singer Kat Edmonson, bandleader Vince Giordano, pianist and clarinetist Butch Thompson and actress Kate Beahen plus the latest News From Lake Wobegon. Enjoy the show.
Barby and I are traveling to Chandler, Arizona for Thanksgiving Dinner and to celebrate Charlie’s fifth birthday the day after. There will not be a note next week.
“Enthusiasm is the key not only to the achievement of great things but to the accomplishment of anything that is worthwhile.” Samuel Goldwyn
November 21st, 2014 by Gary Osberg
Good chilly morning from Collegeville,
The onboard temp showed 2 degrees as I drove by the frozen lake this morning. Yuk!!! APMG/MPR does have public radio stations in both Florida and California. But, my children and grandchildren are here in Minnesota. All of this because my mother’s grandmother Anne Oien bought the story that Fredrick Anderson, a farmer near Cushing, Minnesota, told her in a letter that he wrote to her in Folldal, Norway. Anne and her sister took a steamer to New York City and then they boarded a train which took them to Chicago. There they transferred to a north bound train which arrived in Minneapolis. The Anderson brothers, a couple of Norwegian bachelor farmers, met them at the train station and before they could get back on the train to head south, they whisked them off to a justice of the peace. Oh, that they would have boarded the wrong train in Chicago and landed in Kentucky instead. I could have been a racing horse trainer or a bourbon whiskey taster.
The APHC show this week is at the other end of Minnesota. The show will be performed at the Mayo Civic Center Taylor Arena in Rochester. Special guests include the spirited bluegrass quintet Steep Canyon Rangers, Rochester’s own Choral Arts Ensemble, pianist Jane Belau and the APHC staff blues singer Hilary Thavis. (named after Father Hilary who offices next to me on the third floor of Wimmer Hall.) Plus, the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Sue Scott, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will join Garrison in a variety of skits. The newly named November Boys Orchestra will fill the bill. The News From Lake Wobegon will weave stories of life in a small town near Upsala.
“I have never seen a man who could do real work except under the stimulus of encouragement and enthusiasm and the approval of the people for whom he is working.” Charles M. Schwab
November 6th, 2014 by Gary Osberg
Good afternoon from Collegeville,
I have a special mission for tomorrow, so this is going out early. The Upsala-Swanville football team, the “USA Patriots”, are still in the playoffs. They will face Braham on Saturday in Brainerd. Should they win, the next playoff game will be in St. Cloud at the SCSU football field on Saturday the 15th. The championship game will be at the TCF Stadium where the Gophers and The Vikings play. The cold weather is going to keep me close to the radio.
The APHC show this week is a live show from the DECC in Duluth. Special guests include The California Honeydrops plus North Shore songstress Sarah Krueger, singer Lynn Peterson, the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Tim Russell, Sue Scott and Fred Newman. Musical director Richard Dworsky will lead The November Boys Orchestra. The latest News from Lake Wobegon will bring us up to date on the Mist County town.
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” Lao Tzu
October 31st, 2014 by Gary Osberg
Happy Halloween! It is cool, clear and frosty here in central Minnesota this morning. I doubt if I will have many goblins coming to Millstream Village, but maybe I should put out a bowl with some of those tiny candy bars anyway. This is the note from Writer’s Almanac by Garrison Keillor:
“Today is All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween. The modern holiday comes from an age-old tradition honoring the supernatural blending of the world of the living and the world of the dead. Halloween is based on a Celtic holiday called Samhain. The festival marked the start of winter and the last stage of the harvest, the slaughtering of animals. It was believed that the dark of winter allowed the spirits of the dead to transgress the borders of death and haunt the living.
Eventually, Christian holidays developed at around the same time. During the Middle Ages, November 1 became known as All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day. The holiday honored all of the Christian saints and martyrs. Medieval religion taught that dead saints regularly interceded in the affairs of the living. On All Saints’ Day, churches held masses for the dead and put bones of the saints on display. The night before this celebration of the holy dead became known as All Hallows’ Eve. People baked soul cakes, which they would set outside their house for the poor. They also lit bonfires and set out lanterns carved out of turnips to keep the ghosts of the dead away. “
The Upsala Swanville football team is playing in the Fargo Dome at 3 pm today. They will be playing Royalton in the playoffs. Go USA Patriots!!
The APHC show this week will be a live broadcast from the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis. Special guests include the Scottish music institution Battlefield Band and hot jazz preservationist Vince Giordano. This will be the first Joke Show in many years. If you have a great joke, go to prairiehome.org and submit it for consideration.
“Man alone, of all the creatures on earth, can change his own pattern. Man alone is architect of his destiny. The greatest revolution in our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” William James
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