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
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
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