November 16th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
Next week we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States. “In Canada they celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. It is also observed in Liberia, Puerto Rico and on Norfolk Island. In the US, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is commonly traced to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. Pilgrims and Puritans who began emigrating from England in the 1620s and 1630s carried the tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to New England. In the 19th century the final Thursday in November was the customary date, due to the effort of Sarah Josepha Hale, who wrote letters to politicians for 40 years. President Lincoln proclaimed the date to be the final Thursday in November . On December 26, 1941 President Franklin Roosevelt changed it to the fourth Thursday, which is not always the last Thursday.”
Source: Wikipedia
Enjoy the day with your family and friends and I hope that you get plenty of pumpkin pie. Minnesota Street Market sells “pie pumpkins” which are different from Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins. Barby and I made a pie from a pumpkin last weekend and it was wonderful. Be sure to add real whipped cream.
The APHC show this week is a live performance from the Wortham Theater Center in Houston, Texas. Special guests include Texas Renaissance man Joe Ely, 21st Century troubadours Johnnyswim and vocalist Christine DiGiallonardo. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors and The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band will also entertain.
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man”. George Bernard Shaw
November 9th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
One of Barby’s daughters lives in the country so they are able to have chickens. They clean up all of the leftovers and there are fresh eggs every day. When we were on a camping trip this summer we sat around the fire and tried to think of all of the sayings that are tied to “chickens”. Here is the list that we came up with:
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Scratching out a living. Scarce as hen’s teeth.
Nest Egg. Dumb Cluck. A chicken in every pot. Which came first the chicken or the egg.
I am sure that there are many more, but it has been a long week, with late nights.
The APHC show this week is broadcast live from the Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Special guests include Grammy Award winning baritone Nathan Gunn, author and public radio quizmaster, Peter Sagal and sultry Southern chanteuse Lera Lynn. Trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso and clarinetist Kim Cusack will join The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band. Enjoy the show.
Tonight is the Farewell Tour of the Tokyo String Quartet at The Paramount Theater in downtown St. Cloud. I will be there working the table. I have two free tickets for the first two folks that reply to this email or call me on my cell phone 320-293-6771.
“Don’t let the noise of others opinions drown out your inner voice” Steve Jobs
November 2nd, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
In January of 1971 I went to my city council meeting in Coon Rapids to complain about snowmobiles running up and down the streets in my neighborhood. I came to the conclusion that I could do better than those who were representing us. I told my neighbors that I had the five dollar filing fee, but that was it. They would have to raise the rest. My next door neighbor was a co-chair along with a local doctor, Dr. Moriarity who helped mostly with his contacts in the community. I was 28 years old.
The incumbent was going for his third three year term of office. He was a vice president with a large insurance firm and what seemed to cost him the election was his published legal size brochure that listed all of his many qualifications on one side and my very short list of qualification on the opposite side. The voting public thought that was just not “Minnesota Nice.” When he came to my door on election night to congratulate me, I stood in the doorway hiding my bottle of beer behind my back. I am not sure why I was embarrassed. It was fun to participate in the process and I never even considered running for re-election. It is hard work.
This may say it all. Original video belongs to “Elizabeth Evans” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjrthOPLAKM
The APHC show this week is a re-broadcast of a show from The Fitzgerald Theater last October. John Lithgow revisits his lesser-known roles in the Lives of The Cowboys. Acoustic duo Storyhill perform “Blazing” and Nashville virtuoso Steve Wariner sings “Chet’s Guitar”.. Peter Ostroushko and Butch Thompson sit in with The Shoe Band. Enjoy the show.
“Always vote for a principle, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost.” John Quincy Adams.
October 26th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
Wednesday night is Halloween, the night before All Hallows Day. According to Wikipedia, though the origin of the word Halloween is Christian, the holiday is commonly thought to have pagan roots. Historian Nicholas Rogers, exploring the origins of Halloween, notes that while “some folklorists have detected its origins in the Roman feast of Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds, or in the festival of the dead called Parentalia, it is more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain”, which comes from the Old Irish for “summers end”. Samhain was the first and most important of the four quarter days in the medieval Gaelic calendar.
Samhain was seen as a time when the ‘door’ to the Otherworld opened enough for the souls of the dead, and other beings such as fairies, to come into our world. Guising – children going from door to door for food or coins is a traditional Halloween custom and is recorded in Scotland at Halloween in 1895. The practice of Guising at Halloween in North America is first recorded in 1911, where a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario reported children “guising” around the neighborhood. I am not sure that there are any outhouses left to tip in central Minnesota.
The APHC show this week is a live broadcast of a performance from the Elliot Hall of Music at Purdue University. Special guests include the tough-as-nails string band Old Crow Medicine Show and the University’s ambassadors of song, the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors will welcome sound effects man Fred Newman back to the show.
This is the last week end for walleye and ‘Be Bop A Ree Bop Rhubarb Pie’ at Fisher’s Club on Middle Spunk Lake in Avon. Reservations at 356-7372. www.fishersclub.com
“Do not wait: the time will never be ‘just right.’ Start where you stand, and work whatever tools you may have at your command and better tools will be found as you go along.” Napoleon Hill, born on this day in 1883. author of “Think and Grow Rich”
October 26th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good afternoon from Collegeville,
MEA weekend is a special time of the year. Many a father/son(daughter) combo head for the woods or ponds to bring home the “bacon” in form of grouse or duck. Larry, a friend of mine who died way too young, knew that I had never taken up hunting, but he wanted my son and myself to experience a weekend of grouse hunting up north at “the shack”. He invited our friend Ron and his son Matt, who was my son’s best friend, to join him and his son Danny. So there were three dads and three sons along with a black lab, “Bear”. We formed two teams and I was the “bird dog” on the dads team. Bear went with the boys.
The first day we brought back 17 grouse and Larry fixed a meal of grouse with wild rice and mushroom soup in the giant iron skillet that hung from a nail in “the shack”. It was one of the most memorable feasts of my life. I trust that you are doing something special with your family this weekend. If you want to see a very special example of the family hunting experience go to www.theoutdoorreport.com/report/tor-19-family-tradition
The APHC show this weekend is live from The Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul. The show will feature the 2012 Prairie Home Duet Singing Contest. Six duos will compete for your vote (including responses from the live audience in the venue and on the internet), the grand prize and the coveted Silver Water Tower trophy. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Sue Scott, Tim Russell and Steve Kramer will entertain you. Dan Newton sits in on accordion with The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band. Enjoy the show.
“Do all you can, with what you have, in the time that you have, in the place where you are”. Okasi Johnson, 13 old aids patient in South Africa.
October 12th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good frosty morning from Collegeville,
It was 25 degrees on the auto temp display this morning. So much for the flowers. Warm “apple betty” with heavy whipping cream would taste pretty good this morning.
Mill Stream Village is progressing nicely. The streets, sidewalks and trees are in as well as the sprinkler system. My cottage should be coming out of the ground soon. My future neighbors do have a home on Kraemer Lake that they would like to sell. For more information, simply click on this web link. http://www.29321kraemerlakerd.com
If you would like to have a brochure on Mill Stream Village, let me know what your mailing address is and I will send you one. I would like to throw a block party next summer.
One of my cousins is into genealogy and she searched the 1940 census records in LA and found out that my mother was the nanny for the grandchildren of Capt. Billy. She took care of Gordon Jr. age 3 and Dennis age 1. Both of them were born in California. My mother’s sister, “Auntie”, watched over the same children after Ma got married in 1941. Love that internet.
The APHC show this week is live from The Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul. Special guests include French pop girl group Chic Gamine and vocalist Holly Jones. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, including the new sound effects guy Steve Kramer will entertain as well.
“In the best institutions, promises are kept no matter what the cost in agony and overtime.” David Ogilvy
October 5th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
Sunday I drove up to Breezy Point Resort for our annual retreat. The weather co-operated and the food was great. I wish I knew how my mother came to be a nanny for the children of Captain Billy Fawcett, the millionaire publisher from Robbinsdale, Minnesota. His most famous publication was the Capt. Billy’s Whiz Bang magazine.
The book “Humor Magazines and Comic Periodicals” noted that “Few periodicals reflect the post-WW I cultural change in American life as well as Capt. Billy’s Whiz Bang.
For much of the 1920’s Capt Billy’s was the most prominent comic magazine in America.”
Captain Billy purchased Breezy Point in Pelican Township, from Fred LaPage in 1920 and soon the main lodge was built along with his personal residence. The lodge was destroyed in a fire in June of 1959, but the “Fawcett House” still stands and with 11 bedrooms it is perfect for large family reunions. My mother took care of Capt Billy’s children during the late 30’s. Capt Billy passed away on February 7, 1940 just short of his 60th birthday. For details on rates and golf packages, go to www.breezypointresort.com
The APHC show this week is live from The Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul. Special guests include legendary Swedish jazz orchestra Kustbandet, the three girl choir Mountain Man, fiddle champion Catie Jo Pidel and singer Molly Dean. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors with new guy Steve Kramer will join in.
“Is there nicotine stains on his index finger? A dime novel hidden in the corncrib? Is he starting to memorize jokes from Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang?” Professor Hill in The Music Man.
September 28th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
Fall is in full swing in central Minnesota. This is perhaps the Saint John’s arboretum’s most celebrated season, with vivid oranges and reds framing the crisp, blue lakes.
This fall, as visitors travel to Saint John’s they will likely notice another stunning addition to the arboretum. Artist Patrick Dougherty, along with students, staff, faculty and alums who volunteered their time, constructed an impressive sculpture of sustainably harvested saplings from the arboretum entitled “Stickwork.” The fantastical house-like structure proudly stands at the arboretum’s entrance, inviting visitors to take a look inside before enjoying the rest of the natural area. Inspiration for the design came from the famous Stella Maris chapel located across Lake Sagatagan. The structure includes five whimsical chapels all leaning together and surrounding an inner courtyard.
“We wanted things to look a little off-kilter,” Dougherty said. “We didn’t want them to look pristine, because nature is not quite pristine.”
St. John’s “Stickwork” sculpture joins over 230 similar projects created by Dougherty across the world. His work has also been featured at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen in 2010.
This week’s APHC show is live from the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Garrison Keillor will be joined by special guests singer/songwriter John Fullbright and vocalist Holly Jones. Tune in to enjoy the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, The Guy’s All-Star Shoe Band, and the news from Lake Wobegon.
The Paramount Theater in downtown St. Cloud is celebrating the opening of their season with a gala tomorrow night. The Fabulous Armadillos will perform “Staying Alive”. So dig out that white polyester suit and come on down. Tickets are still available at 259-LINE.
“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” –William Cullen Bryant
PS. This week’s note was written by Ellen Newkirk, MPR Intern.
September 21st, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
This weekend there are at least three Oktoberfest Celebrations that I know of, Duluth, Northeast Minneapolis and the Renaissance Festival. Munich, Germany’s Oktoberfest is the biggest. Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig organized a series of horse races to celebrate his marriage to Princess Therese.
Craft beer is a huge industry and they even have their own magazine, “The Growler, A Beer Dabbler Publication”. More at www.growlermag.com
Before bottled beer became common, if you wanted beer outside the saloon, it was usually carried home in a pail. The term “Growler’ may have come from the sound that the pail, with lid, made as it was being carried. Others say that it came from the constant conflict, “growling”, between the bartender and the customer over what was defined as a full pail. Often children were employed by parents and others to “Rush the Growler”. The Granite City Food & Brewery in St. Cloud has a “growler” program.
Third Street Brewhouse in Cold Spring, a local brewer of craft beers, has added a special autumn ale, Jack’d Up, brewed with pumpkin spices and available on tap at saloons and restaurants. You may want to take a tour of the brewery and do some tasting. Go to www.thirdstreetbrewhouse.com or call them at 320-685-3690.
The APHC show this week is live from The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. Special guests include mixologists of soul, folk and jazz, Lake Street Dive, blues bombshell Hilary Thavis and vocalist Molly Dean. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors are joined by sound effects man Steve Kramer. Butch Thompson will be sitting in with The Guys All-Star Shoe Band. Enjoy the show.
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” Will Rogers
September 14th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good sunny morning from Collegeville,
39 years ago tomorrow I attended an auction on the Olson farm located on the north shore of Cedar Lake west of Upsala. I ended up be the high bidder on an old farm house on the lake.. Needless to say it had a profound effect on my life. We were able to enjoy “going to the lake” for many years. I still love the sound of a slamming screen door. If you ever get the chance to own a cabin, go for it. “Closing the Cabin” is today’s poem from Garrison Keillor’s “Writers Almanac”. Enjoy
The APHC show this week is the season opener from The Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul followed by the annual Street Dance & Meatloaf Supper. The weather should be perfect. Even if you can’t get a ticket to the show, you should go for the dance, because in the past Garrison has come out at 7 PM to entertain folks who have come just for the Street Dance. The meatloaf is pretty good too. This week’s guests include masters of the honky tonk arts, The Derailers, singing sisters Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele and vocalist Holly Jones. Enjoy the show.
Closing the Cabin by Thom Tammaro
In the yawn of dusk,
We drift home in Minnesota autumn,
Reciting the litany once more:
Dock in; boathouse latched;
Rugs rolled; plugs pulled;
Windows hinged; floors swept;
Pilots out; pipes drained;
Faucets opened; doors locked;
Hummingbird feeder taken down;
Key hanging in its secret place.
In the flicker of lights near the city’s edge
We talk easily, gather within
All that the summer has given:
A great fish, slender and shiny,
Diving for bottom; loons calling
In the still afternoon;
Stars swirling above the rooftops.
Near home, vees of geese circle,
Circle in the shadows above us.
Later that night, we pause
On the stairs — winterward —
Unlock that other season
Where little puffs of winter dust
Rise when we open the door.
“Closing the Cabin” by Thom Tammaro, from Closing the Cabin. © Stellar Press, 1989. Reprinted with permission
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