September 7th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
In the spring of 1964, Bill Kling graduated St. John’s University. Bill had worked at the college student radio station, KSJU. Father Coleman Barry approached Bill and asked him to travel east to Boston University to get a masters degree in communication and upon his return they launched KSJR 90.1 as Minnesota Education Radio on January 22, 1967. In 1974, MER became Minnesota Public Radio.
In the spring of 1964, Garrison Keillor graduated the University of Minnesota. Garrison had worked at the university’s student radio station. In 1969 Garrison moved to Freeport and began working at KSJR doing the Morning Show. In March of 1974, Garrison spent a week in Nashville writing a piece about the Grand Ole Opry for The New Yorker. It made him think of starting up a similar radio show in Minnesota. In a room at the Sam Davis Hotel in Nashville, Garrison made a list of musicians that he thought would fit the bill. On July 6, 1974 the first performance of A Prairie Home Companion was presented at the Janet Wallace Auditorium on the campus of Macalester College in St. Paul. Today A Prairie Home Companion is carried on over 600 public radio stations and worldwide on the internet.
This week both Bill Kling and Garrison came to the third floor of Wimmer Hall for the purpose of filming a conversation between the two of them. It was great to witness them stroll around the studio and comment about the way that they remembered the beginning of what has become a network of 43 public radio stations serving all of Minnesota and parts of neighboring states. I will let you know when the final product is available for viewing.
The APHC show this week is the last of the compilation shows before the start of the new season at The Fitzgerald Theater. It is a choir show with the University of Minnesota Concert Choir and not one but three male choirs: Cantus, Chanticleer and the Fostbraeaur Male Choir from Iceland. Bill Holm recites his Choir Story, Phillip Brunelle appears in an episode of Guy Noir, tenor Raul Melo sings “Nessun Dorma” with VocalEssence and the St. Olaf Choir has the “Choral Blues”. Enjoy the show.
“Some people listen with the intent to reply, some people listen with the intent to understand.” a paraphrase of a quote from Steven Covey
August 31st, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
At 4:01 PM yesterday, I began my 69th year. I celebrated my birthday by going to Jordie’s Trail Side Café in Bowlus for a free meal. Jordie cooked a great cheeseburger and I got a dish of Schwan’s chocolate ice cream instead of French fries. The city has built a replica of the train station across the street. It is a great place to have a party and Jordie will cater there. When the Lake Wobegon trail gets to Morrison County the named is changed to the Soo Line Trail. If you like walking or biking, you may want to drive to Holdingford and take the short trip on the trail to Bowlus. Tonight Barby and I are going to Russell’s on The Lake in Big Lake for walleye.
At 7:36 PM tonight a blue moon rises. According to Wikipedia, a blue moon can refer to either the third full moon in a season with four full moons, or the second full moon in a month. The term “blue moon” comes from folklore. A “blue moon” is also used colloquially to mean “a rare event”, reflected in the phrase “once in a blue moon”.
The APHC show this week is a mix of shows form Durango, Greeley, Loveland and Colorado Springs, Colorado with Robin and Linda Williams singing “Cool Water”, plus an episode of The Lives of the Cowboys in which Dusty and Lefty are mistaken for yuppies. The Durango Children’s Chorale will sing an ode to the women of Durango and The Hot Club of Cowtown plus The Haunted Windchimes sing “The Ballad of Human Progress”. In the news from Lake Wobegon, Bruno, The Fishing Dog, tears through Irene Bunsen’s tomato patch with devastating results. Enjoy the show.
If you are heading west on Interstate 94, stop at The Lake Wobegon Trail Gallery in Freeport. Award-winning photographer, Jack Ludwig Evens occupies the second floor of the big red barn with the brand new white metal roof. Easy exit, easy re-entry. On the web at www.ludwigphotographicart.com
“You are a unique creation of nature and there is something that can be expressed only by you and that can be experienced by others only through you.” Anonymous
August 24th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
I finally made it up to the Osberg/Hamilton log cabin on Blue Lake near Aitkin. The perennial garden project had not been tended to since November. I purchased a book on perennials since the plot has only eastern exposure and of course anything that I plant has to be deer resistant. There is a short list of plants that are zone 3 hearty, deer resistant and able to thrive without full sun. The master gardener on campus suggested Russian Sage. This project may be a long time in the doing.
Sunday, August 26th at 11:30 a.m. the Mayor of Holdingford will host a dedication for its new art installation along the Lake Wobegon Trail one block west of City Hall. This marks the end of a two year long project overseen by the Holdingford In Partnership Committee (H.I.P.). Keith Raivo, Brooklyn Park Minnesota is the featured artist. He was selected by ballot collected from the community based on his conceptual design which specialized in sculpted metal.
This project was funded in part by the following Agencies: The Initiative Foundation, Forecast Public Art with support from the Central Minnesota Arts Board with funds provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature. The site location was donated by the Holdingford Mill and the metal was donated by Polar Tank Company.
The APHC show this week is an homage to the book with a show for readers, including Ruth Harrison ‘s encounter with Stephen King. Nick Lowe singing “When I Write the Book”, a new version of “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Owl and the Pussycat” set to music. Maria Jette sings “Juliet’s Waltz”. The Russian Chamber Chorus of New York and the Hopeful Gospel Quartet sing the music of Tennyson. Enjoy the show.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” Albert Schweitzer
August 17th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
For most of the 70’s and 80’s I was fortunate to have a lake place on Cedar Lake west of Upsala. The closest cabin was a small log cabin that was fashioned after a Swedish homestead. The owner was a local boy who was a pioneer in research on essential fatty acids and nutrition, Ralph Holman. Dr. Holman passed away this week at age 94. “His pioneering research on omega-3 fatty acids continues to have important influence on our knowledge of good diet and nutrition.” says President of Bethel University, Jay Barnes. Burial will be in the Covenant Church cemetery in Upsala on Tuesday.
Thank you to all that have helped with the harvesting of tomatoes and cucumbers in my garden in St. Joe. Tonight is another Art Crawl in downtown St. Cloud and it is carried over to Saturday also. See you there.
The APHC show this week is a combination of shows done from the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Special guests include the St. Olaf Choir, The St. Olaf Orchestra, Heather Masse and Phillip Brunelle. Garrison tells the story of Clarence Bunsen and his friend Cliff and how they met at St. Olaf.
“Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.” Khalil Gibran
August 10th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
Today would have to be a “10” weather wise. It is awesome when these days fall on a Friday and it looks like it will go into the weekend.
My son and his wife are throwing their 3rd annual “thank you that no one was killed in the tornado block party” tomorrow. Last weekend he and his buddies won first prize for their “wings” at the rib and wings fest in Wadena. The latest report is that there will be 58 pounds of savory pork and 40 pounds of brisket along with the “award winning wings”. If you are in the neighborhood of fifth and Irving in Wadena late in the afternoon tomorrow, stop on by.
PLEASE come to the garden north of the parking lot behind Millstream Shops and Lofts and pick some cherry or grape tomatoes. I broke out in a rash on my chest so I am afraid to eat more tomatoes. The big tomatoes belong to another loft resident but there are some great Mexican orange flowers that you are welcome to take also.
The APHC show this week is a baseball memorabilia show with Sam Bush singing a song for the great Ozzie Smith, “Casey at the Bat” and Lefty drives cows out into right field. Other guests are Dave Frishberg with a song called “The Catbird Seat” and Pat Donohue with “Opening Day”. Garrison tells the story of the day that Babe Ruth came to Lake Wobegon. Enjoy the show.
“There is no great fun, satisfaction or joy derived from doing something that’s easy. Failure is never fatal, but failure to change might be.” John Wooden, basketball coach. 88 game winning streak
August 3rd, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
There must have been quite the party at LaPlayette last night. The “walk of shame” count in the parking lot this morning was 4. The music wasn’t too loud, at least it did not wake me. Maybe they were watching the Olympics.
In April of 1999, George Maurer did a tribute to Duke Ellington at The Paramount Theater. I have been a big fan ever since. We never miss his Christmas special at The Paramount in downtown St. Cloud.
George is a Johnnie and he has been composing music since 1988. George’s latest musical and theatrical composition has been 10 years in the making. He has set the works of German poet Rainer Maria Rilke to music. He and some of his friends will be performing “Autumn Song” at the Tennessee Williams Theater Festival September
20th – 23rd in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
There is a Kickstarter campaign to help raise the funds for the expense of the trip. Please consider supporting one of central Minnesota’s real gems in this effort. Here is the link:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/868070034/autumn-song?ref=email www.georgemaurer.com
The APHC show this week is a sour mash of shows from Kentucky and Tennessee. Special guests include Sam Bush, Patty Loveless, The Memphis Horns and Alvin Youngblood Hart. Writer Bobbie Ann Mason talks about the importance of radio. Enjoy the show.
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives” William James
July 27th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
Once more, the cucumbers are overflowing the garden. This year I planted White Russians. I purchased the seeds from Comstock, Ferre & Company in Wethersfield, Connecticut. They are easier to spot amongst the green. They seem to be just as tasty. When Barby and I visited the 200 year old seed store in June, we also purchased some basil and lavender. I have told Chef Chuck of Bello Cucina that they are his for the picking. I noticed that one bunch of basil was being offered on a store counter for over $3 a bunch. If you want to pick some cucumbers or grape tomatoes, give me a call.
I came across a book that I highly recommend. “The Four Agreements” authored by Don Miguel Ruiz. It is one of the “100 Must Read Business Books”. It is an easy read and if you are interested in having a copy of “The Four Agreements affirmations”, just ask and I will send you a pdf. www.100mustreads.com
The APHC show this week is another mix of shows from the fall of 2011 run at The Fitzgerald Theater. Special guests include John Lithgow, Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, Gillian Welch, Joe Ely and “Duo Storyhill”. In Lake Wobegon, Pastor Liz faces a dilemma regarding profanity in her sermon. Enjoy the show. Remember, we are still re-broadcasting twice on Sunday, from 11 am to 1 pm and from 6 pm until 8.
There are three new Member Card Discount partners in central Minnesota. Cherry Street Books in Alexandria, Meeting Grounds Coffee in downtown St. Cloud and Charlie’s Café in Freeport. Show them your MPR Member Card and get a discount.
“Your poetic sign mate said it best: ‘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.
July 20th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
We did get some rain this week so the garden is doing well. I dug one hill of potatoes and the bounty was great. I ate my first baked Yukon Gold. I use the recipe that Dad gave me, boil the potato for 10 minutes and then wrap in aluminum foil and bake for one hour at 400 degrees, turning the potato at 30 minutes. Try it sometime.
Collegeville Companies broke ground this week for Millstream Village across from the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph. I am going to purchase one of the four “cottages” in Millstream Village. The address will be “some number” Colman Court in honor of Sister Colman O’Connell. She was at the ground breaking also. There will be a six pack of Lost Trout Brown Ale in my frig in case you stop by.
Another Millstream Villager does have a home for sale on Kramer Lake the you may want to take a look at it, . www.29321kraemerlakerd.com .
The APHC show this week is the first of the summer compilations series, with a program devoted to the family vacation. Special guests include Joe Ely singing “The Highway is My Home”, Gillian Welch. David Rawlings, The Wailin’ Jennys and Studs Terkel plus Al Franken. Enjoy the show
“What every child wants to know is: ‘Do your eyes light up when I enter the room? Did you hear me and did what I say mean anything to you?’ That’s what they are looking for. That’s what everybody is looking for.” Toni Morrison
July 13th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
The 27th annual Hagstrom/Osberg golf tournament was held at the Little Falls Country Club last Saturday. After a week of hot humid weather, we were blessed with a beautiful day. When we started the tournament in the mid 80’s, my cousin Kevin was a 3 handicap golfer so our team managed to win quite a few times in a row and for that reason we named our team Ming, after the Chinese Dynasty that ruled from 1368 until 1644. Now, youth is ruling. Ming did manage to place second after The Outlaws, a team made up of my son and his wife and her parents. They managed to come in with a score of 3 under for 9 holes even with four children under the age of 8 tagging along. Quite the feat.
I am pleased to announce the addition of a new sponsor on The Current. The Third Street Brewhouse, a part of Cold Spring Brewing, has three new craft beers and a wonderful facility in Cold Spring to promote the three brands, Lost Trout Brown Ale, Bitter Neighbor Black IPA and Rise To The Top Cream Ale. Ask for them at your local provider of fine beers. Details online at www.thirdstreetbrewhouse.com “It’s All About The Beer”
The APHC show this week is live from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Special guests include Martin Sheen, Sara Watkins, Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele and soprano Ellie Dehn.
Erica Rhodes is joining the Royal Academy of Radio Actors. Enjoy the show.
“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered.” G.K. Chesterson
July 7th, 2012 by Gary Osberg
Good morning from Collegeville,
When I started working here on the third floor of Wimmer Hall in 1999, Ron Lyschik was serving on our local Regional Dev Advisory Council. He owned the Black & White Café in downtown Little Falls and it was there that I first heard George Maurer, Jeff Engholm and Muggsy performing jazz. It was an open forum and I will never forget the night that a young man sat in the audience with his horn case at his side, patiently waiting to be invited up. Finally, it happened, and he blew us away with his sax.
Now Ron owns Zoomski’s Midtown Café on Broadway and Fifth Street SE in Little Falls and he is back on the air as a sponsor on KNSR 88.9 news. Be sure to stop in for a cup of coffee, latte, breakfast or lunch and say hello to Ron for me.
The APHC show this week is live from the renowned Interlochen Center for The Arts. Special guests include globetrotting vocalist Molly Dean, student musicians; trumpeter Theo Van Dyck and soprano Sage DeAgro-Ruopp and the students and faculty of the Interlochen Arts Camp String Octet. Enjoy the show.
“Time heals all wounds, some just take a little longer.”
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