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This week there was delivery of new furniture to the newly remodeled Alcuin Library on campus. The library is one of the architectural marvels designed by Bauhaus trained architect, Marcel Breuer, in the 1950s. The library was built in 1964. I approached the truck driver and told him that I had been in the office furniture industry for 22 years and I wondered what brand of furniture they were delivering? “Knoll” was his answer. My heart skipped a beat. Marcel Breuer would have been very pleased that St. John’s University was staying true to his original design. One of his more famous chair designs was inspired by bicycle handle bars.

Jimmy Dorr and I opened the KNOLL showroom in International Market Square in May of 1986. Our firm was Office Environmental Systems of Minnesota, one of many that KNOLL had created to represent their line of furniture across the country. KNOLL supplied 80% of the capital and Jimmy and I raised 20%. The KNOLL line was represented by two large established office furniture dealers, however they were also Steelcase dealers. Architect Dan Fox offered to help us with the design of the showroom which was being built out on the fourth floor. I still remember our luncheon meeting in the atrium of IMS and the sketch that Dan did on a napkin. Both Jimmy’s family members and three of my brothers were involved in the build out. My close personal friend, Ron Shodeen, was the electrician. The showroom won an AIA interior design award and was featured on the cover of the Architecture Minnesota magazine in November of 1986. I am so sad that I have misplaced my copy of the magazine.

The APHC show this week is back at the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as the temperature fluctuates between the low-double-digits and above-freezing balminess. It’s a live broadcast with special guests Lucius, Brad Mehldau, and comedian Tom Papa. Plus: Rich Dworsky and the band (Gaby Moreno, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor) are tuning up for another crop of musician birthdays and a hot-off-the-press new composition from the host. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman, round out the program with a few scripts and sponsor messages. Grab yourself a Powdermilk Biscuit or two — heavens, they’re tasty and expeditious! — Join Chris Thile and the gang down at the public radio end of the dial, or watch live (Saturday, 5pm – 7pm Central Time) at prairiehome.org.

“He struck us as being not only an outstanding architect, but a simple, straightforward, sincere and rather humble person.” Abbot Baldwin, commenting on the selection of Marcel Breuer as master planner.

Category : General

Comments Off on February 10, 2017

Part 3 of “How I stayed sober for 40 years” involves spending 10 minutes every morning in “readings”. This is one that I include in my session.

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.

Whatever works for you is great. A small glass of “POM” first thing every morning helps too.

The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, with special guests Amos Lee, Jenny Lewis, and comedian Nate Bargatze. Plus: banjoist extraordinaire
(and the host’s fellow Punch Brother) Noam Pikelny joins Chris for a few tunes, a brand new Song of the Week. There will be more music from Rich Dworsky and singer Aoife O’Donovan, Chris Eldridge
on guitar, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor on drums. There will be comedy and drama from the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman.
Join the gang for a restorative two-hour break on the radio, Saturday at 5pm Central Time. And on Sunday from 11am until 1pm on the 31 MPR News stations.

“A man is happy so long as he chooses to be happy and nothing can stop him.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Category : General

Comments Off on February 3, 2017

Aunt Maggie passed this week. She and her husband Bill Heisick both grew up in Bozeman, Montana. Bill served in the Pacific during World War II. When he came home he and his mother traveled to LA to visit some friends. One day a fellow named Ivan popped in to see his friend Tommy who happened to be playing bridge with Bill and his mother Mary. Ivan asked who owned the car outside with the Montana license plates. Uncle Bill spoke up. Ivan told Bill that his girlfriend, Maggie Caven, lived in Bozeman and Bill should greet her for him.

When Bill got back to Bozeman he phoned Maggie and asked her to go to a movie. Maggie mistook Bill for his brother Bob who was a couple of years older than she was and had attended the same high school. She accepted the date and she was very disappointed when she found out that Bob had been killed in the war and she was quite sure that Bill, who was a couple of years younger than she, was not her kind of fellow. Bill was very handsome and Maggie was sure that like most handsome men, he would prove to be full of himself. She tried to call it off, but Bill was persistent and they were married in Tucson, Arizona in April 12, 1949. They were a very happy couple. They lived in Van Nuys, CA and retired to a small ranch outside of Bozeman in 1984. Bill died in 2008. I am not sure what happened to Ivan, but he shared too much with the wrong fellow at the wrong time.

This week the APHC show is a rebroadcast of the October 15 season opener from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Jack White sings “Carolina Drama” and welcomes Margo Price for “I’m Lonely But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” Lake Street Dive performs “Mistakes” and Prince’s “When You Were Mine,” and comedian Maeve Higgins shares a few thoughts on city life, dating, and parents. Plus: Chris Thile debuts “Get it Out on the Radio” and celebrates a few musician birthdays with the band (Sarah Jarosz, Rich Dworsky, Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas, Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor). The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman, perform the “Meditation App” script and a review of this year’s shaving creams from Bertrand Falstaff Heine. Tune in at 5pm Saturday CST.
“Grab a chance and you won’t be sorry for a might have been.” Arthur Ransome

Category : General

Comments Off on January 27, 2017

On Sunday we celebrate the 50th 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.” The first concert aired was a pre-recorded concert by the Cleveland Orchestra. What began as Minnesota Education Radio became Minnesota Public Radio on January 1, 1975.

This is a version of 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 because of his “bright mind” – literally. SJU graduate Marty Mahowald shares the story of Bill Kling’s selection as the station’s leader as 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 10pm when the faculty residents would flip a switch that turned off all power on each floor of the residence halls. However, one evening, during walk around campus , Fr. Gunther noticed a light illuminating from a single room in Benet Hall.

The next day, Fr. Gunther used a master key to enter the room and found a system rigged 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, “Fr. Gunther said that they knew that starting a new campus radio station would present 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 Minnesota Public Radio until 2010 and created one of the greatest public radio station networks in the country. “ Ellen Newkirk, CSB, Class of 2013.

The APHC show this week is a live broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California with special guests Ryan Adams, Kacey Musgraves, composer Justin Hurwitz, and comedian Kevin Nealon. There will be a new Song of the Week from Chris Thile and the band (pianist Rich Dworsky, singer Aoife O’Donovan, Mike Elizondo on bass, guitarist Julian Lage, drummer Ted Poor, and Gabe Witcher on fiddle) will perform for your entertainment. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will perform a few skits and another crop of musician birthdays will be celebrated with song.
Join the gang on the public radio end of the dial this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

“I remember hiring a pretty good classical music announcer by the name of Garrison Keillor.” Bill Kling

Category : General

Comments Off on January 20, 2017

Today is Friday the 13th. The Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, NC, reported that an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business on this day. “It’s been estimated that $800 to $900 million is lost in business on this day..” source John Roach.
According to Wikipedia, the actual origin of the superstition appears to be a tale in Norse mythology. Friday is named for Frigga, the free-spirited goddess of love and fertility. When Norse and Germanic tribes converted to Christianity, Frigga was banished in shame to a mountaintop and labeled a witch. It was believed that every Friday, the spiteful goddess convened a meeting with eleven other witches, plus the devil – a gathering of thirteen – and plotted ill turns of fate for the coming week. For many centuries in Scandinavia, Friday was known as “Witches’ Sabbath.” source: Charles Panati, Panati’s Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things.

The APHC show this week is convening in Chicago, Illinois for a live broadcast from the Symphony Center Chicago with special guests sure to put the acoustically stunning hall to good use, Andrew Bird, Laura Marling, and comedian Beth Stelling. Plus: button accordion and concertina player John Williams joins the gang to showcase Chicago’s Irish musical roots; host Chris Thile is gearing up for another Song of the Week with the band (music director Rich Dworsky on keys, singer and multi-instrumentalist Sarah Jarosz, guitarist Chris Eldridge , Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor on drums); and there will be scripts and scenes straight from the shores of Lake Michigan with the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and Fred Newman. Flip the dial to your local public radio station and join in for two hours of music and comedy on Saturday evening at 5pm CST.
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” Albert Einstein

Category : General

Comments Off on January 13, 2017

The old Pontiac on-board display showed minus 22 degrees this morning. No time to be out and about. I took the attached photo with my iPhone 6 last summer. My niece has a place on Lake Amelia near Glenwood and we were able to spend a week there in July. I had a 34 x 22 enlargement made at Thomas Repro in St. Cloud and it is on the wall above my desk here in Wimmer Hall. Something to look forward to while I struggle to stay warm.

Part 2 of “How I stayed sober for 40 years” involves repeating the following affirmations based on the book, “The Four Agreements” written by don Miguel Ruiz. Twice a day works best for me.

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.

This week the APHC show will hit the road and return to live broadcasts with a visit to the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington with special guests The Shins, Regina Spektor, and comedian Hari Kondabolu. Plus: Chris Thile will perform his first Song of the Week of 2017 with a little help from the band (music director and pianist Rich Dworsky, Sarah Jarosz on vocals and octave mandolin, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor on drums). The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will assist with a fresh crop of musical birthdays. Tune in on the public radio end of the dial and join them Saturday evening at 5pm CST!

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

Category : General

Comments Off on January 6, 2017

In 1976 I gave up Old Grand Dad 80 proof for Lent. I gutted it out and in April of 1977 I went on a retreat to the Cenacle Retreat House in Wayzata, Minnesota. Sister Ten-Tie Saniel presented “Effective Living” a seminar based on John Boyle’s “Omega Seminar”. I learned the following affirmations. Affirmations are stating future goals in the present tense. It made a big difference in my life.

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) You can add up to 5 more goal specific affirmations.

This week the APHC show will bid 2016 adieu with a few highlights from the new season thus far, a few from the past three-hundred and sixty five, and a few from even farther back in the vault. There will be music from Paul Simon, Jack White, Angelique Kidjo, Ben Folds, Brandi Carlile, Trey Anastasio, Marcus Mumford, Gillian Welch, Nickel Creek, and Punch Brothers, and comedy from Aparna Nancherla. Plus: a look back to Chris Thile’s first appearance on the show in 1996, when he joined Garrison along with Michael Cleveland for a young artists show; even more tunes from friends Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan; Prep those resolutions, dust off the noisemakers, and join the gang on the radio this Saturday evening to ring in the new year.

“The real messages of hope in our generation are not those to be bounced from the moon, but those to be reflected from one human heart to another.” Kenneth S. Wills

Category : General

Comments Off on December 29, 2016

One of the disadvantages of being the oldest boy in a family raised by a single mom, is that no one was around to teach me how to hunt and fish. Besides, I was too busy with my life of crime. First the “gas cap gang”. We stole most of the gas caps in Upsala, just because. Of course we got caught and Justice Bernard Lunder sentenced us to 6 months of going to the church of our choice. When Bernard was staying in a nursing home in Sauk Rapids, I would visit him and remind him that it was unconstitutional to sentence someone to attend church. He would respond that he knew that, but we needed to be punished and the village of Upsala did not have a jail anyway.

Later I was the youngest member of the `Black Knights Car Club’ in Upsala. We met at an old chicken coop behind the house that Ma rented from Tena Johnson. `Punk’ Maus donated a 36 Chevy Coupe to the club, but we had no tools so some of us did a little shop lifting. We had some good intentions. I remember paying old man Miller, the printer, to print some cards that the members were to hand out to stranded motorists that we had aided. He made me pay the bill up front. That did not end well either. We got busted and most of the gang got six months of probation.

This week the APHC with Chris Thile is back in New York City to wrap up the live broadcasts for the year with another show from The Town Hall. Special guests include Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers, Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, and Marina Franklin. Plus: a hot-off-the-presses Song of the Week and a few musician birthday highlights from Chris Thile and the band:
(singer Aoife O’Donovan, Richard Dworsky on keys, drummer Matt Chamberlain, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, and bassist Tim Lefebvre) There will be a selection or two for the holidays plus scripts and scenes performed by the Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman. Tune in on your local public radio station or on your smart phone or watch live (Saturday, 5pm – 7pm Central Time) at prairiehome.org!

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” John Wooden

Category : General

Comments Off on December 9, 2016

Our trip to Arizona was not without its challenges. The flight was supposed to leave from the St. Cloud airport at 7pm on Thanksgiving Day. We got a text message from Allegiant delaying the take off until 9pm. Thanks to Steve Jobs we got the message early enough to avoid a wasted trip to the airport. The nap after a wonderful meal at Erik and Jena’s home in Wadena was a benefit. By the way, Anna, age 12, fixed the meal. She even used a special glaze for the turkey that she found on the website of one of her favorite celebrity chefs. We met at the airport early and then at 9pm they delayed the take off to 10:15pm. At 10 they told us to retrieve our checked bags and come back at 11 the next morning. I still like not having to go to the MSP airport and also not having to land at the giant Phoenix International. The flight home on Sunday was another not so great story. Some other time.

This week the APHC show is heading to their home-away-from-home in New York City, the historic Town Hall on West 43rd Street, for a live broadcast with special guests Marcus Mumford, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Trevor Noah. Plus: a new Song of the Week from host, Chris Thile, and the band (singer Gaby Moreno, pianist and music director Rich Dworsky, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor on drums) The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will entertain you with a few skits. Also, you will have another chance to hear your song request performed live on the radio. It’s all brought to you, as usual, by Powdermilk Biscuits — tune in on your local public radio station or watch live (Saturday, 5pm – 7pm Central Time) at prairiehome.org!

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” Franklin Roosevelt

Category : General

Comments Off on December 2, 2016

I am forwarding a note from John Birge, Classical MPR’s morning drive host:

“With classical music and stories for Thanksgiving, tune in for a new edition of Giving Thanks: A Celebration of Fall, Food, & Gratitude. This year’s special guest is chef Jacques Pépin, who’s been cooking on public television for 20 years, including his series with Julia Child. Jacques Pépin’s message is as timely as today’s headlines:
“Thanksgiving is the greatest example of what a great dinner should be: a meal that welcomes people of all religious, political or ethnic persuasions. The table is the great equalizer, and everyone around that table gets along with one another and enjoys life with family and strangers alike.”
Pépin joins me to talk turkey, to remember his most memorable Thanksgiving, and to share his secret recipe for gratitude. This year Giving Thanks also delves into the deeper meaning of bread with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and finds gratitude in Our Town from Thornton Wilder. And of course, Charles Laughton’s Chartres Cathedral story, a Thanksgiving tradition for the past 18 years. Giving Thanks airs Wednesday at 7 p.m., and again on Thanksgiving morning at 10 — or any time, on-demand, on our website.

I don’t have any news about the APHC show yet, so you will have to check the website www.prairiehome.org on Friday. Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels. We are heading to Chandler Arizona for Charlie’s 7th birthday party.

Category : General

Comments Off on November 23, 2016