February 26th, 2016 by Gary Osberg
My weather app says 55 degrees tomorrow. Wonderful! Next Tuesday is Super Tuesday. Minnesota is included and so we should consider attending our caucus. In 1968, I was living in Coon Rapids, Minnesota and commuting to Roseville to work at Norwood Engineering. I was 25 years old and the morning drive guys on WCCO, Boone and Erickson, challenged their listeners to find out where the political parties were to caucus that evening. I ended up going to Mississippi School. After the caucus leader, Ralph Brakstad, had read off the slate of folks that the “leadership” had selected to represent us at the City Convention, I rose from my seat to nominate myself. Ralph scratched the last name on the list and replaced it with mine.
In the winter of 1970 I attended a Coon Rapids City Council meeting to complain about the snowmobiles running up and down the street that we lived on. I was very disappointed in the way I was treated, so I told my new found activist neighbors and friends that I had the $5 for the filing fee, and if they could help me raise the funds, we would take on “the machine”. It worked. We won the election in the fall of 1971. The next year my buddy Gene, who had helped me to get elected, ran for Council at Large and he won that election. By 1974, the entire council had been replaced with younger, more representative council members. The system can work, but it starts with getting involved. I encourage you to try it. Don’t let the jerks rule.
The APHC show this week is the final live broadcast of the winter run at the Fitzgerald Theater. It also is the last time that Garrison will host the show at the Fitz. Special guests include blues maestro Taj Mahal and the duo of Robin and Linda Williams. One of my favorites, Peter Ostroushko, will team up with Dean Magraw on string instruments. Tenor, Vern Sutton, who was on the stage for the very first broadcast July 6, 1974, will sing some old favorites. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors will join Rich Dworsky and the house band. Garrison will bring us up to date on the latest News from Lake Wobegon. Enjoy the show.
“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy
February 19th, 2016 by Gary Osberg
Rain in February. They say that the sun will shine this afternoon and the temperature will hit 46 degrees. I love it.
Ok, this is the last in the series of “how to start each day” meditations that I introduced with my first Friday note this year. I promise. This one was adapted by Pauline Phillips from the original credo
of Al-Anon.
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 another midwinter broadcast from The Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul. Special guests include The Revelers from Louisiana. They will provide a crash course on Cajun, country, blues and zydeco all at once. Rhythm masters, Buckets and Tap Shoes, are heading over from Minneapolis. The designated duet participant will be Lynn Peterson. The usual cast from the Royal Academy of Actors will join music director Rich Dworsky and the Exchange Street Band in a variety of skits. Garrison will bring us up to date on The News from Lake Wobegon. Enjoy the show on the radio or watch a live video stream on your computer or smart phone at prairiehome.org. (Last time I spelled it wrong)
“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be”. Thomas a Kempis (But keep trying self-improvement anyway)
February 12th, 2016 by Gary Osberg
The forecast is for minus 15 degrees tomorrow morning. I hope that this is the last of the real cold weather. I need to get a seed catalog.
The dedication of the Coast Guard painting last Saturday was very impressive. Our north woods reporter, John Enger, did a story on MPR on Friday and that started the ball rolling. The AP picked the story up from our website, www.mpr.org and they called the American Legion in Little Falls where we had gathered after the dedication service. They talked to the artist Charles Kapsner and the story was picked up by a number of newspapers on Sunday. Homeland Security also got wind of the story. The Coast Guard is in the Homeland Security department.
Jim McAlister a local video photographer created this video and posted it on YouTube. Please consider taking a few minutes to watch this and share it on your Facebook page. Our goal is to have many folks pitch in and help to fund the Marine Corp painting and the Air Force painting. You can help by going to the website: www.vetsart.org and finding the donate page. https://youtu.be/LTbj52fRh2Y
The APHC show this week is hosted by The Old Scout with a live broadcast from The Fitzgerald Theater on Exchange Street in Saint Paul. Special guests include high-octane bluegrass performer Della Mae and local heroes The Cactus Blossoms. Heather Masse and Christine DiGiallonardo will sing a few songs with Garrison. The usual cast of characters will entertain us with a number of skits, some of which might touch on the race to the White House. We have missed the News from Lake Wobegon and I am looking forward to getting up to date.
“If a man does his best, what else is there?” George S. Patton
February 5th, 2016 by Gary Osberg
Ira Glass has been working in public radio since he was 19 years old, almost 40 years. From November 1990 until September 1995 he co-hosted a weekly Chicago Public Radio show called “The Wild Room”. In 1995, the MacArthur Foundation approached Torey Malatia, general manager of Chicago Public Radio with an offer of $150,000 to produce a show featuring local Chicago writers and performance artists. Malatia chose Ira Glass as the host. Since then Ira has hosted and produced “This American Life” from WBEZ. It went national in June of 1996 and today it is distributed by Public Radio Exchange. “This American Life” reaches more than 1.7 million listeners on more than 500 radio stations every week. Source: Wikipedia (I send them money every year)
On April 23rd, Ira Glass is coming to Escher Auditorium on the campus of College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph. The show is titled “Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass”. You can join Ira as he discusses how he and his team are reinventing radio, as well as what he thinks make a compelling story. Tickets are available at the box office or at www.csbsju.edu/wow I hope to see you there.
The APHC show this week is another live broadcast from The Fitzgerald Theatre in downtown St. Paul. Once again, Chris Thile will stand in for Garrison. I listened last weekend and I thought the show was very well done. The music was great. Of course I missed the “News from Lake Wobegon” but Duane’s mother was still with us. This week none other than one of the world’s most respected musician, Paul Simon will head the bill. Other guests include composer Andrew Bird, comedian Maria Bamford from Duluth and the Punch Brothers are back along with banjo player Sarah Jarosz. You can watch it live on the internet at prairehome.org or listen on your radio or smart phone.
The dedication of the Coast Guard painting by Little Falls artist Charles Kapsner is tomorrow at 2 PM at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. The featured speaker is Dr. Earl Potter, President of St. Cloud State University. There will be a public reception at the Little Falls American Legion afterwards. I hope to see you there.
“Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story” Jimmy Dorr
January 29th, 2016 by Gary Osberg
Dad served in the Pacific during World War II. Like a lot of veterans, he did not talk about it very much. After he died I found a notebook that he had written in, beginning with,
“I have a closet full of regrets”. It was an unusual collection of thoughts, ending with a reference to December 13, 1983, the day that he finally decided to quit drinking. On that final page he also noted, “I am no big believer that battle fatigue was the cause of my drinking, but there were the 2 ½ months at Okinawa that I do not care to talk about. It was so unreal, like bad television”. The battle of Okinawa proved to be the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War. A total of 219,000 persons lost their lives in that one battle. 12,000 of our troops died and 36,000 were wounded.
On Tuesday, a coffee shop buddy and I donated a framed print of the U.S. Navy painting that is hanging in the Committal Hall at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. We donated it to the American Legion Post 328 in St. Joseph. My buddy Phil’s father served on the destroyer USS Converse in the Pacific during the war and my dad served on the USS Vammen, a destroyer escort. The limited edition print is presented in honor of Norman P. Ringstrom and William E. Osberg and all other Navy Veterans.
Consider this a formal invitation to the installation and ceremony for the Coast Guard painting (painting 3 of 5) which will be unveiled and permanently displayed along with the Army and Navy paintings in the Committal Hall at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery on Saturday, February 6th at 2 p.m. (7 miles north of Little Falls on Minnesota Highway 115, adjacent to Camp Ripley). The artist Charles Gilbert Kapsner will be there to share the story of all that is depicted in the painting.
The dedication is open to the public and will be followed by a 3 p.m. reception at the American Legion in Little Falls. Details on the project are at www.vetsart.org
The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from The Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul. The guest host Chris Thile will be filling in for Garrison. It’s a show chock full of writing talent, from pop songsmith and pianist Ben Folds, folk-rock troubadour Brandi Carlile, plus comedian and actor Ed Helms. Sarah Jarosz sings a little bluegrass and plays her impressive array of stringed instruments. The host and his fellow Punch Brothers provide string quintet fireworks. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors will bring us up to date on the goings on in Iowa and New Hampshire. Enjoy the show.
“Only our individual faith in freedom can keep us free”. General Dwight Eisenhower
January 22nd, 2016 by Gary Osberg
Today we celebrate the 49th 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.”
This is 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 (which would later become MPR) because of his “bright mind” – literally. SJU graduate Marty Mahowald shares the story of Bill Kling’s selection as the station’s leader 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 10 pm when the faculty residents would flip a switch that turned off all power on each floor of the residence halls. However, one evening Fr. Gunther took a walk around campus after he and several other monks were struggling to come up with someone to start the radio station, when he noticed a light illuminating a single room in Benet Hall.
The next day, Fr. Gunther used a master key to enter the room and found a system rigged by the student 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, “He (Fr. Gunther) said that they knew that as a fledgling business that it would have 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 MPR until 2010 and created one of the greatest public radio stations in the country. “ Ellen Newkirk, CSB, Class of 2013.
The APHC show this week is another live show from California. This time the gang is in San Diego at the Civic Theatre. The future host of the show, Chris Thile will join Garrison to start learning the ropes. Special guests include folk musician Gillian Welch and Heather Masse. The usual cast of characters will entertain us with a variety of skits, some of which are sure to touch on the 2016 race to the White House. The News from Lake Wobegon will wrap things up. Enjoy the show.
“A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame; a little less than his share of credit.” Arnold H. Glassgow.
January 15th, 2016 by Gary Osberg
The ice fishing fans are going to love this weekend. The forecast is for minus 26 degrees on Saturday night in Wadena. Soon they will be able to drive their trucks out on the ice.
For me, the next most important self-talk is the “Four Agreements Affirmations” taken from the book “The Four Agreements” written by don Miquel Ruiz. Sometimes it is best to say these many times each day.
I will be impeccable with my word. I will speak with integrity. I will say only what I mean and avoid using the word to speak against myself or to gossip about others. I will use the power of my word in the direction of truth and love.
I will not take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of me. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When I am immune to the (negative) opinions and actions of others, I won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
I will not make assumptions. I will find the courage to ask questions and to express what I really want. I will communicate with others as clearly as I can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With this one agreement, I can completely transform my life.
I will always do my best. My best is going to change from moment to moment. It will be different when I am healthy as opposed to when I am sick. Under any circumstance, I will simply do my best and as a result, I will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from the Golden State. The gang will be at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco. Special guests include the acoustic sister trio Joseph from Oregon and soprano Ellie Dehn. Plus Heather Masse will join Garrison for a song or two. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors are back in force with their full arsenal of character impressions. The News From Lake Wobegon may include some ice fishing stories. Enjoy the show.
“Think like a person of action and act like a person of thought.” Henri Bergson
January 8th, 2016 by Gary Osberg
In April of 1977, I attended a seminar based on The Omega Seminar by John Boyle. The take away was the importance of self-talk and affirmations.
Affirmations are “stating a future goal in the present tense”.
The six basic affirmations are as follows:
1. I am loved; therefore I like myself, unconditionally as I was created. (Repeat five times)
2. I never devalue myself with destructive self-criticism. (Envision yourself doing something that you are very proud of)
3. I see love in others and have warm regard for all persons at all times. (Envision yourself doing something nice for somebody else)
4. I am easily able to relax and with every affirmation I become physically and mentally healthier. (Envision yourself doing something relaxing)
5. I am completely self-determined, inner directed by the spirit of love and allow others the same privilege. (Repeat five times)
6. I accept total responsibility for the consequences of my actions and reactions. (Repeat five times)
It is suggested that you may add up to four more affirmations that are goal specific. Try it as you strive to make changes in 2016.
The APHC show this week is a re-broadcast of a couple of shows aired in 2012 and 2015. Brad Paisley will sing “This is Country Music” and take part in a Guy Noir skit. The Minnesota based vocal group Cantus will perform “There’s a Meetin Here”. Garrison will sing “The Ballad of Peanut Butter”. Enjoy the show. The show will start its live run at the Fitzgerald Theatre January 30th.
“We make first our habits, and then our habits make us.” John Dryden
December 18th, 2015 by Gary Osberg
Seven 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. I am not sure what my sister Kathie got that year. For many years I had the impression that they were from some sort of social agency that served the poor. It turned out that “Santa” was Dewey Johnson, a classmate of my mother’s 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”.
The APHC show this week is live from The Fitzgerald Theater on Exchange Street in downtown St. Paul. Special guests include Maria Jette and Lynn Peterson who will join the host on a few Christmas Carols. Adam Granger will stop by with his guitar to sing a song or two. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Sue Scott, Tim Russell and Fred Newman will be on hand to spread some good cheer. The News From Lake Wobegon is bound to focus on the way the small town in central Minnesota celebrates the holiday spirit.
I have attached the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Great Hall. It is hard to watch on a desktop since I shot it with my iPhone in the vertical position. Much better on a smart phone or tablet. Stay warm and enjoy all the many opportunities to be entertained. I will be working a table at The Paramount Theater on Sunday at 3pm. Cantus will be presenting the Voices of Christmas. Tonight Harper’s Chord is at the Great River Arts Center in Little Falls and the St. John’s Boys Choir is at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown St. Cloud. Enjoy.
“May the Force Be With You” Star Wars
December 11th, 2015 by Gary Osberg
Beginning in July 2016, a brand new TV Series comes to Fox Sports North and Fox Sports Wisconsin. “The Outdoor Report”, hosted by my son, Erik Osberg, will air Saturday mornings at 8:30. This fishing and hunting show will be different. Stories from the great outdoors with a family orientation. The stories will be about others, not about a fishing pro. “Real people made to look real.”
This has been years in the making. Erik launched “The Outdoor Report” website 2011. If you go to YouTube and search by “The Outdoor Report” you will get an idea of what is to come. I am looking forward to seeing “Walleye Willie” once in a while. www.theoutdoorreport.com
The APHC show this week is the final live broadcast of the holiday run at The Town Hall in New York City. Special guests include Keb’ Mo’ with his modern take on the blues and the DiGiallonardo Sisters will hop on a D Train to bring their sibling harmonies over from Brooklyn. Heather Masse is back to sing heartrending romantic ballads with Garrison. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Tim Russell, Sue Scott and Fred Newman will join Rich Dworsky and The December Boys band. The News From Lake Wobegon will bring us up to date on the search for a new pastor for The Lake Wobegon Lutheran Church. Enjoy the show.
“We all find time to do what we really want to do”. William Feather “It is not about having time, it’s about making time.” Erik Osberg
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