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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 the 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, 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, named “Bear”. We formed two teams and since I don’t own a gun, 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 examples of other hunting and fishing experiences go to www.theoutdoorreport.com

The APHC show this week is back at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota for one more hometown broadcast before the gang heads off on the road for visits to Pasadena, San Diego, New York, and beyond. Composer, singer, arranger, and pianist Randy Newman will sing songs full of wit, warmth, and well-honed satire; Margo Price brings her crackling band up from Nashville to turn the Fitz into a honky tonk for an evening; and Alice Wetterlund, originally of Minnesota and now making her home out in California, joins Chris for a bit of comedy. Plus: the third Song of the Week this season from host Chris Thile; Tom Papa is back with an update from Out in America; music from public radio’s finest variety show ensemble (singer Madison Cunningham, pianist and music director Rich Dworsky, drummer Matt Chamberlain, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas on fiddle, and bassist Paul Kowert); leaves crunching, overhead geese, apple-cheeked conversation, and more autumn hallmarks from the Royal Academy of Radio Actors (Serena Brook , Tim Russell, and Fred Newman); a fresh selection of musician birthdays; and a song request straight from you, the listeners. It’s almost more entertainment than can comfortably fit into two hours, but they will dot their very best — tune in on your local public radio station or watch live (5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Central Time) at prairiehome.org!
“Remember, it’s not about having time, it is about making time”. Erik Jon Osberg

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Comments Off on October 20, 2017

Tomorrow is homecoming in Upsala. In my day it was the Upsala `Cardinals’, but some time ago Upsala football merged with Swanville and now it is the USA (Upsala Swanville Area) `Patriots’.
Some of my favorite memories of football games are those played in the mud. I was an overweight freshman on the Upsala Cardinal team in 1957. Freshmen wore the old uniforms and helmets and we did not win any fashion awards. John Atkinson, a senior running back, ran with his knees pumping up and down high and hard. He still managed to make yardage. In practice, I would simply bounce off of his knees. The memory of the pain is still with me. That was the year when no other team even scored on the Upsala Cardinals football team. Clarissa got to our three yard line, but our defense held.

A couple of years ago, the entire 1957 Upsala football team was inducted into the Upsala Sports Hall of Fame. I was one of nine of the twenty-nine original members of the 1957 Upsala Cardinal football team who showed up for our induction into the Sports Hall of Fame. One of the guys, Dave Chuba, came all the way from Ohio. Our quarterback, Bob Soltis, was named All-State that year. It was the second year that inductees were chosen. Bob’s brother Ralph was chosen the previous year and another brother John was a junior on the 1957 football team. John accepted an individual award for his brother Bob. There were lots of Soltis boys and they all played football. No one lifted weights in those days, they just threw bales of hay all summer. Us “village kids” had a tough time keeping up.

The APHC show this week is back at their home base at the Fitzgerald Theater for the second live broadcast of the season. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band joins Chris for classic sounds from the other end of the Mississippi River, there will be guitar rock from Margaret Glaspy, and author George Saunders will share selections from his novel Lincoln in the Bardo with a little help from the acting performers. Plus: Chris Thile is working away on a brand-new Song of the Week, the band members (singer Rachael Price, pianist and music director Rich Dworsky, drummer Matt Chamberlain, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Sean Watkins on guitar) are warming up their various musical implements, our Royal Academy of Radio Actors (Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman) is running lines backstage, and — we hope — you’re thinking up suggestions for the Instant Song Request segment. And if that weren’t enough, there will be another round of musician birthdays. Can it top last week’s epic edition? Tune in Saturday on your local public radio station or watch live — 5pm to 7pm Central Time — at prairiehome.org to find out!

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal which is worthwhile.” Vince Lombardi.

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Comments Off on October 12, 2017

I live on a street named after a nun. I live on Colman Court in Mill Stream Village in St. Joseph. Sister Colman O’Connell died last Saturday at the Saint Benedict Monastery in St. Joseph. She was 90 years old. Sister Colman was a very special person. She always greeted you with a smile. One of my favorite times together was our attendance at the annual Boy Scout fund raiser at the home of Dan and Mabel Coborn. Sister Colman was a “Bennie”, graduating in 1950. She was an “English Major” and taught English for many years. She also taught theater and dance. She served as the President of CSB from 1986 to 1996. After she retired from the College of St. Benedict, she continued in her capacity as “Chief Fund Raiser”. In 2005, at age 78, she became Senior Development Officer for Institutional Advancement at CSB. I am sure that Sister Colman raised millions of dollars for CSB in her lifetime.

She was a first class lady, always dressed to the nines. Her favorite libation was Jameson in a tall glass with only one or two small ice cubes. She enjoyed life to the fullest and she will be greatly missed by the entire community. There will be a gathering at Sacred Heart Chapel tonight at 7 and a burial service Saturday at 10am, also in Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Benedict’s Monastery.

The A Prairie Home Companion show this week is a live broadcast from the Palace Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Kentucky-by-way-of Nashville vocal powerhouse and guitar hero Chris Stapleton will help start things off with a potent blend of country, rock’n’roll, bluegrass, and soul; Memphis singer-songwriter Julien Baker stops by with songs of introspection and redemption, and comic Laurie Kilmartin will join the gang with incisive humor sharpened as a writer (and frequent guest) on late-night television. Plus: the very first Song of the Week of the season from our host Chris Thile and our ever-talented band — vocalist Emily King, pianist and music director Rich Dworsky, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas on fiddle, Paul Kowert on bass, and drummer Ted Poor — a few musician birthdays for the early days of October, and your chance to influence live radio with the Powdermilk Instant Song Request. All that, and scripts, characters, and unencumbered zaniness from our Royal Academy of Radio Actors (Serena Brook, Tim Russell , and sound effects man Fred Newman) and it’ll be a veritable feast for the ears on your local public radio station. If you’re so inclined, you can also watch live (5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Central Time) at prairiehome.org, and if you’re in the Twin Cities, join the gang in downtown Saint Paul for a block party celebrating Minnesota Public Radio’s 50th anniversary.

“She had nothing against developing..development, change, ripening, were life.” Mary A. Arnim (1866-1941)

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Comments Off on October 6, 2017

Sunday I drove up to Breezy Point Resort for our annual retreat. The weather co-operated and the food was great. One of the cabins that is available is the 11 bedroom Fawcett House. It was Breezy Point Resort’s founder Captain Billy’s personal residence. My mother, Bernice Larson was a nanny for the grandchildren of Captain Billy Fawcett in the 1930s. She had a bedroom in the Fawcett House and spent the winters in Los Angeles with Captain Billy’s son Gordon Fawcett, his wife Vivian and their two children, Gordon Jr. and Dennis.

Wilford Fawcett, better known as Captain Billy, was a 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 original lodge was destroyed in a fire in June of 1959. Of course he rebuilt the lodge and the “Fawcett House” still stands. With 11 bedrooms it is perfect for large family reunions. It was recently renovated. For details on rates and golf packages, go to www.breezypointresort.com

This week’s APHC show is the final (finally) rebroadcast before the new season starts on October 7! (Tune in for a live broadcast from Saint Paul!) Jack White visits the Fitzgerald Theater to play “City Lights” and brings out singer Margo Price for a duet on “I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet)” — Lake Street Dive performs “Call Off Your Dogs” and pays tribute to Prince with “When You Were Mine,” and comic Maeve Higgins talks dating and life in New York City. Plus: Chris Thile’s inaugural Song of the Week, “Get it Out on the Radio,” Sarah Jarosz and the band play Harley Allen’s “High Sierra,” and a word from the Meditation App from Fritz Electronics. Tune in on your radio or your smart device and we’ll see you back again next weekend for a brand new live broadcast!

“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.

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Comments Off on September 29, 2017

Willie has done it again. My 8 eight year old grandson, William Harley Osberg, loves to fish. In 2015 he made a list of 10 fish species that he wanted to catch. He pulled it off, he even landed a Muskie. He needed a little help from his dad for that one. (picture attached). In 2016 he added Salmon to the list and that was the only one that he did not get into the boat. Because of Facebook, he even had an offer from a Lake Michigan guide to go out for free. Erik was busy doing the TV show for Fox Sports North, so that opportunity got away. No list this year, but his dad is now working for Otter Tail County as an ambassador, so this is the result. Willie’s personal best Sturgeon, caught in Otter Tail County. Enjoy “Find your own inner Otter”

The APHC show this week is a rebroadcast of the second May 2017 show from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Jim James performs “Here in Spirit” and “Wonderful (The Way I Feel),” Aimee Mann stops by with Jonathan Coulton for “Goose Snow Cone” and “Patient Zero,” and Hari Kondabolu talks history and mom jokes. Plus: Chris Thile leads the band on “Feedback Loop,” Jerry Douglas and Chris Eldridge combine their arrangements of “Things in Life” for a sizzling first-hour finale, and they showcase a little radio drama as A Mother Orders By Mail. Enjoy the show on your radio or your smart device.

“If outrageous imagination is the wine of madness, then come fill my cup.” Sheldon Kopp

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Comments Off on September 22, 2017

On this date in 1973, I attended an auction on the north side of Cedar Lake west of Upsala. Agnes Olson was selling her house and moving to Cambridge. Gust and Agnes had lived there for many years. They were both teachers in Cambridge and I don’t think they had any children. Things had just started to go well with my office furniture career and one of my clients who worked for Red Owl was very encouraging since he owned a cabin on a lake in northern Minnesota. My banker was also encouraging. He knew that my saving account was not very hefty, but he suggested that I go and see what happened. I did not even have the $3,000 cashier’s check with me, so I had to speak to the local banker prior to the start of the auction to get his ok. I promised that if I was the high bidder, I would go to town and get the check from my mother-in-law. He thought about it really hard, but finally agreed. I am sure that the fact that my dad and he were great friends, and had both worked for the Upsala Farmers State Bank before the war, had an impact. Thank you Roland.

My wife Marcia, my coach, had told me “when it your turn to bid, do not hesitate, simply nod your head.” The Styrofoam cup of coffee that I held was shaking so bad, I probably could not have said anything anyway. The auctioneer milked $50,500 out of the only other contender, and when he turned his attention back to me, I did as instructed, a simple nod of my head. Lee Bolstad stormed away and was quoted as saying “Rats, that kid will never quit.” Needless to say, that day changed my life. One never knows what a day will bring. By the way, when I came back with the check, Agnes handed me the keys. No need to wait until closing in those days.

This week’s show is a rebroadcast of the May 13 show at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Josh Ritter sings “Oh Lord (Part Three)” and “Girl in the War”; Jon Batiste plays “What a Wonderful World” and does a little piano-mandolin improvising with host, Chris Thile; and Emma Willmann joins Chris to discuss Maine, roommates, and New York City. Plus: Pekka Kuusisto and Eric Jacobsen play Bach’s Fifth Goldberg Variation; Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan join Chris and the band on “Julia”; and a message from our newest affiliate, WPET.

“The years teach much which the days never know.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Comments Off on September 15, 2017

September 8, 2017

Good morning from Collegeville,

The note this week was written by my son Erik and was posted on his website, www.theoutdoorreport.com ,a few years ago.

“In our family, Labor Day weekend means a trip to Uncle Brian’s cabin. It’s our way of saying goodbye to summer and to enjoy one last weekend dedicated to feeling Minnesota. What I mean by that is a celebration of why we live here, sky blue waters, great food, fantastic fishing and family fun. This year, the weekend began with temperatures in the mid 80’s which lead to perfect swimming weather. Eventually the temperatures dropped far enough to make fishing the favorite activity. “The Cabin” is a gorgeous log cabin nestled in the woods on a small environmental lake near Aitkin, MN. It’s a great place to get away from it all, and the warm orange glow inside the cabin has a way of refreshing your soul.

This little lake doesn’t have much in the way of BIG fish, but it does have a healthy trout population. We’ve never really tried to fish for trout over Labor Day weekend, however, this year my son Willie asked if we could give it a shot. Uncle Brian took us out in his 14 foot boat powered by an electric motor. We trolled the deep water with small crankbaits and “cow bell” rigs with crawler harnesses. Sometimes keeping it simple makes for a more enjoyable day on the water. No electronics, no big boat, no big motors. Just three guys trolling around hoping to feel the heavy strike on the end of the line. Low and behold, it worked. We managed to catch 3 nice eater sized trout that made the annual Labor Day feast even more memorable. (Picture attached.)

Keep in mind, just because Labor Day has come and gone, and it feels like summer is over, that doesn’t mean we are going to stop “feeling Minnesota”. Fall brings some of the best fishing of the year & hunting is going to be in full swing soon. As always, remember:

“it’s not about having time, it’s about making time!” Erik Jon Osberg

The APHC show this week is a rebroadcast: a return to the February 18 show at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Avett Brothers sing “No Hard Feelings” and “True Sadness,” Jesca Hoop performs “The Lost Sky” and “Songs of Old,” and Jen Kirkman joins Chris with a few stories from her childhood. Plus: Chris Thile unveils the Song of the Week, “Thanks for Listening,” and leads the band on “Attaboy”; Julian Lage plays his tune “The Ramble”; and we check in with the members of the Autocorrect Playhouse and meet the winner of the International Nordic Beatbox and Ice Fishing Rodeo. Tune in on your radio or you smart phone.

Category : General

Comments Off on September 8, 2017

This week’s contribution is from my cousin Lynn. Her experience merits sharing.

Finding Totality – Written by Lynn Hagstrom Haldy

This past June, I gave my husband, Rusty, a Celestron set containing a booklet and four pairs of eclipse viewing glasses. The booklet extolled the wonder and magic in store for America when the sun and moon danced together for hundreds of miles creating a view of totality not seen across so much of our country in many long years. We were hooked and committed to chasing down totality so when August 21 rolled around we’d be positioned to view the glory of it all.

On August 17 we packed up the RV and our dog, Scout, and headed West. We’d determined that the western edge of Nebraska had one of the better outlooks for clear skies, and it also provided decent roads heading both east and west if the need to move quickly arose. We spent Friday night in Nebraska at a campground near the town of Valentine, known for great night sky viewing with little interference from man made lights. Gazing up at that clear night sky was our first taste of the magic – the Milky Way spilled like a river across the star strewn sky heading toward the infinity of deep space. Saturday night found us camped in the tiny town of Hay Springs on the northwestern edge of Nebraska just 46 miles north of totality. However, on Sunday the forecast stated that Nebraska could experience 45% cloud cover on Monday, whereas Wyoming was predicted to have clear skies. We hit the road west, and Sunday night found us camped at the Pony Soldier RV Park in Lingle, Wyoming with 2 minutes and 14 seconds of totality heading our way.

When we awoke that Monday morning the sky was a beautiful blue with nary a cloud in sight – jubilation! We set out the lawn chairs, got our glasses and a puny camera in place and when the moon begin to bite into the sun at 10:24, we were gazing skyward with our eyes protected. Around 11:46 totality began. The morning had been breezy, but at that moment a calm descended as the sky became dusky and the air cooled while the crickets began to sing even as the birds were hushed. A pink light enfolded us with 360 degrees of sunset and when we removed our glasses to look with delight at the sun, words don’t do justice to the emotions we felt. A beautiful light pulsed around the circle of the sun, and I remember laughing out loud in amazement. The final glory is when the moon begins its retreat and the “diamond ring” of totality appears. The sun at that moment looks exactly like a ring with a most glorious diamond flashing out; and even as we were gasping in awe, the flare of light got larger and then….whoosh the light expands more and one must look away. The definition of the word totality is, “the whole of something, fullness, completeness”. Thinking back on my experience of the eclipse, maybe that explains how I could feel both tiny and immense even as I felt laughter and tears all mixed together. For those few moments I was reminded of how precious is this journey of ours riding on our little blue planet as it circles the life giving sun. Eclipse 2024 here we come!

“At the moment of commitment, the Universe conspires to assist you.” Goethe

This week APHC show is a rebroadcast of a show recorded in February from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Lucius perform “My Heart Got Caught on Your Sleeve” and “Dusty Trails,” Brad Mehldau joins Chris Thile for “Scarlet Town” and a little piano and mandolin improvisation, and comic Tom Papa shares a few thoughts on life as an adult. Plus: Gaby Moreno sings “O, Me,” Chris Eldridge leads John Hartford’s “Living in the Mississippi Valley,” and a visit to the Angle Township in Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods County. Enjoy the show.
Have a safe Labor Day weekend.

Category : General

Comments Off on September 1, 2017

Usually it is hot in August. But not this year. I should have worn a sweater this morning. On really hot days, we used to have to bicycle west of Upsala 3 miles to get to Cedar Lake. To this day, the American Legion owns a beautiful park on the east side of the lake. You can purchase a day pass or a season pass to gain access to one of the nicest swimming beaches in the state. There are also camping sites for rent, but I am sure there is a long waiting list.

There used to be an old store without any signage located west of the park. At one time it was called Cedar Lake Pavilion. The store was owned and run by Emie Hippe. Emie was a real character and for many years she served us with ice cream, candy and pop. The PayDay candy bar was a favorite of mine. Strangely, you could not buy a Coke there and I always wondered why. One day my brother Craig and I went in to have a drink and I finally had the nerve to ask her, “Emie, why don’t you serve Coca Cola?” She slammed her hand on the bar and said “The dirty rascals, my husband Ben used to travel quite a ways with the empty bottles and bring back the full ones. Then during the war, they asked us to simply hold on to the empties and they would pick them up later.” So what happened Emie? “The dirty rascals, they changed their mind and would not pick them up.” “What did you do with them Emie, they would be worth a lot of money?” “You will never find them!” she proclaimed, “We buried them under two ton of rock!” For over 50 years no Coke products were sold from this store, all because someone broke a promise. I am sure that the route driver tried a few times when he would see the Pepsi truck out front, but she never let Coca Cola back on the shelf.

This week APHC show is a rebroadcast of the February show from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Amos Lee sings “Wait Up for Me” and “Tricksters, Hucksters, and Scamps,” Jenny Lewis performs “The Voyager” and “Just One of the Guys,” and Nate Bargatze talks time travel. Plus: Chris Thile debuts “Falsetto, Noam Pikelny joins Chris on banjo for a few songs, Bertrand Falstaff Heine samples the songs of the trucking industry, and there will be a visit from the actors of the Autocorrect Playhouse. Enjoy the show on your radio or your smart phone.

“In the best institutions, promises are kept no matter what the cost in agony and overtime.” David Ogilvy

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Comments Off on August 25, 2017

Good morning from Collegeville,

What can I say about this week. For now, take a 90 second break, watch this video and later on spend some time with your loved ones. The title of the video is “The Cabin”.

The APHC show this week is a rebroadcast: a return to January and the show from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. Ryan Adams sings “Doomsday” and “I Love You But I Don’t Know What to Say,” Kacey Musgraves performs “Family” and “Merry Go Round,” La La Land composer Justin Hurwitz leads “Another Day of Sun” and “City of Stars,” and Kevin Nealon shares a few stories about life in Los Angeles. Plus the gang will help induct Mr. Fred Newman into the Foley Hall of Fame, take a radio tour of the Los Angeles area, and learn about bassist Mike Elizondo’s songwriting process. Tune in on your radio or on your smart phone!

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Comments Off on August 18, 2017