GaryOsberg.com

Are you ready to party?   Tomorrow at 10 am the gates open at “Otter Tail County on Ice”.  The world’s largest tail gate party.  As an ambassador for Otter Tail County, my son Erik will be there directing traffic.  On Wednesday he was on Otter Tail Lake driving stakes into the ice for the tents that will house the food and drink.  He spotted a couple of fishermen and he stopped on his four wheeler to tell them about the big event that was to start on Saturday.   They told him that was the reason they were there.  Huge Johnny Holm fans, arriving four days early to the party.  For all the details, go to Otter Tail Lakes Country on Facebook.  The schedule of events is attached.

Live from Here this week is a rebroadcast of the season opener from the Palace Theatre in Saint Paul. Recent Grammy winner Chris Stapleton join Chris to sing “Broken Halos” and “Without Your Love,” Julien Baker performs “Appointments” and “Hurt Less,” and Laurie Kilmartin shared a few thoughts on motherhood. Plus: Chris Thile’s “Prescription“; Emily King sings “Good Friend”; Bertrand Falstaff Heine bumps into his rival, James; and from the Brooklyn-Based yuppies who brought you “Breathy Acoustic Covers of Pop Songs” comes “Breathy Acoustic Covers of Party Songs.” Tune in on your radio or your mobile device. The show will be back again, live, on February 24th with a broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater.

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world”.  from “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Comments Off on February 2, 2018

Monday was the fifty first birthday of Minnesota Public Radio. On January 20, 1967 at 3:37 PM, St. John’s University received a telegram from Ben F Waple, the Secretary of the Federal Communications Commission. The telegram authorized KSJR-FM to transmit “effective radiated power of 37 kilowatts” on the 90.1 frequency. It took the engineers a couple of days to get programming on the air. The first words uttered on MPR’s airwaves by Dan Rieder, was “Heed my words, Earth People. You have 10 minutes to live.” We began as Minnesota Educational Radio and in 1974 the name was changed to Minnesota Public Radio. The telegram was chosen as one of the “10 objects that define the St. Cloud area” by a panel of judges in February of 2012.

Today, Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR) operates a 46-station radio network serving virtually all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. Reaching over one million listeners each week, Minnesota Public Radio produces programming for radio, Internet and face-to-face audiences, and is home to the largest and most experienced radio newsroom in the Upper Midwest. Programs produced by Minnesota Public Radio’s parent company, American Public Media™, reach nearly 20 million listeners on more than 1,000 public radio stations nationwide each week. A complete list of stations, programs and additional services can be found at www.mpr.org

The Live from Here show this week is a live broadcast from Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Texas. Special guests include Shovel & Rope, Snarky Puppy and comedian Pete Holmes. Chris will do the musicians birthdays and the acting company Serena Brooks, Tim Russell and Fred Newman will entertain with skits you are sure to enjoy. Tune in Saturday at 5pm cst.

On a local note, the Chamber Music Society of St. Cloud is presenting the Grammy winning Chestnut Brass Company Saturday night at 7:30 at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown St. Cloud.

“Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” from The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

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Comments Off on January 25, 2018

My dad died thirteen years ago. We held a memorial service for him at Gethsemane Church in Upsala. Dad had prepared many funeral plans over the years, due in part to his decision to donate his body to the University of Minnesota Medical School. Also, in 1969 his doctors had told him that he had cancer and would probably only live another five years. He lived 36 years after the removal of his voice box. The soloist at the service asked if dad was a Elvis Presley fan, since all of the songs that he choose were on an Elvis album, Evening Prayer, He Touched Me, Amazing Grace and The Lord’s Prayer.

I was at home the Monday evening after the service when the phone rang. I answered it with a somewhat weary voice and the woman on the other end said: “We are looking for the family of Gary Osberg”. Expecting a sales pitch, I responded: “This is Gary!”. There was a long pause and I heard laughter in the background. I thought to myself, ‘I am not in the mood for this’. The lady came back on with: “This is the strangest phone call I have ever made. We have a floral arrangement for the funeral of Gary Osberg”. “IT WAS MY DAD THAT DIED! Where are you calling from?” The floral shop was in a city not even close to Upsala. She told me that she had checked with all of the funeral homes and churches in her area and had no luck. The flowers arrived on Wednesday and they were beautiful.

The show this week is a live broadcast from the beautiful Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, right on the edge of the Vieux Carre. Joining Chris is the great John Prine, who got his start writing songs while holding down a postal route in Illinois. Over his nearly 50-year career, he’s turned his incisive observations of American life into many of our most treasured songs. There will also be music from electric duo Sylvan Esso, comedy from Rory Scovel, and — after a triumphant appearance at the Fitzgerald Theater back in October — friends in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will stop by for a song or two. Chris Thile’s Song of the Month series continues, with duet partner Gaby Moreno, Rich Dworsky on keys, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Alan Hampton on bass, drummer Ted Poor, and Gabe Witcher on fiddle. After a week spent looking for sun, will Tom Papa find it at the southern end of the Mississippi? Find out when he checks in from Out In America. Musician birthdays of course plus scripts and sound effects with the acting company, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman. Tune in and laissez les bons temps rouler!

“I walked for miles at night along the beach, searching endlessly for someone wonderful who would step out of the darkness and change my life. It never crossed my mind that the person would be me.” Anna Quindlen

Category : General

Comments Off on January 19, 2018

Many years ago my Dad went to work as a dishwasher at Little Sisters of the Poor in St. Paul. His boss was a woman named Maxine. They became real good friends and her family referred to him as Grandpa Bill. Maxine and Dad never lived together, but they ended up living in the same high rise apartment building next to St. Paul Ramsey Hospital on University Avenue. When Maxine died, I attended the funeral and Dad surprised me by asking me to sing “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Amazing Grace” during the service. There was no piano, so I had to sing “a Capella”. It was ok.

One of the pieces of furniture that Dad brought with him when he moved in with me was a corner unit with glass shelves and a glass door that had belonged to Maxine. Her family had given it to him. After Dad passed, I had to clean out his room. One of the items in the cabinet was a small green egg with silver decorations and a seam abound the middle. I was curious to see what treasure was inside, but when I pried it open, expecting to find a doll, what came out were ashes! “OH MY GOD! IT WAS MAXINE”. I spilled a little in my haste to put it back together and quickly put it back in the curio.

The show this week is a live broadcast from the Keller Auditorium in Portland, Oregon. Special guests include Tune-Yards bringing a road case full of energy and musical influences, pointed lyrics, and songs from a new record out later this month. Folksinger Willie Watson will stop by, along with ‘a Capella’ gospel masters The Fairfield Four, who made an appearance on Willie’s latest album. Inseparable comedians, The Lucas Brothers, Keith and Kenny, share tales of a few outlandish sibling adventures. Singer Madison Cunningham is back with the band (Rich Dworsky tickling the ivories, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Mike Elizondo, Brittany Haas on fiddle, and drummer Ted Poor) for Chris Thile’s Song of the Week and a full slate of music. There will be scripts — funny ones — from the merry band of actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman; a report from Out In America by correspondent Tom Papa; and public radio’s first and only Instant Song Request line. It’s two hours of live radio you won’t want to miss. Tune in on your radio or smart phone.

“If pleasure exists, and we can only enjoy it in life, the life is happiness.” Casanova

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Comments Off on January 12, 2018

Dad passed away on January 2nd 13 years ago. Dad had a tough life. He didn’t decide to quit drinking brandy until he was 63 years old. His “bottom” was seeing the straight line on the machine next to his hospital bed at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital on December 13, 1983. In many ways that was the beginning of his second life. He was rarely there for me as a father when I was young, but he tried very hard to make up for it as a Grandfather.

I learned a lot from Dad. He taught me the importance of journaling. He taught me his way of baking a potato. (Boil it for ten minutes, poke it with a fork, wrap it in aluminum foil and bake it for one hour at 400 degrees.) He lost his voice box to cancer in 1969 and the doctors told him he had five years to live. He made it 35 years. He did seminars for the fifth and sixth graders at Upsala school, pointing out the evils of smoking and drinking to excess. Perhaps he convinced some kids to not start. Speaking without a voice box was not easy, but you could hear a pin drop in that room. It is never too late to change.

The “Live from Here” show this week is a brand-new show from the Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, California. Chris will welcome pioneering musician and songwriter David Crosby; virtuosic harmony trio I’m With Her, made up of our friends Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan; and comedian Jenny Zigrino, fresh off her new Comedy Central Half Hour. Singer Gaby Moreno will accompany Chris Thile The First-Call Radio Players — Rich Dworsky on keys, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Alan Hampton, and drummer Ted Poor – will join in on the Song of the Week, and more. Plus: a new “Out. In. America.” segment from Tom Papa; scripts from Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman; and a batch of early-January musicians’ birthdays. Make your way down to the public radio end of the dial and join the gang this Saturday evening.

“It is not so important what happens to us, but how we respond to it.” William E. Osberg 1919-2005

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Comments Off on January 5, 2018

About five years ago my son introduced me to the author don Miquel Ruiz. It has become one of the most important books in my library. I now read four pages every morning from “The Four Agreements”.
Since I do better when I tell myself what to do than when someone else tells me what to do, I wrote “The Four Affirmations” based on The Four Agreements. I do not mean to imply that you do not do these now, I simply want to share what works for me. I did get permission from the publisher to use these.

1. 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.
2. 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 opinions and actions of others, I won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. 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.
4. 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.
From the book The Four Agreements copyright 1997, Miguel Angel Ruiz, M.D. Reprinted by permission of Amber-Allen Publishing, Inc, San Rafael, California www.amberallen.com All rights reserved.

If you would like to have a copy of “Gary’s Koping Kit”, just ask. I would like to use the postal service, so I will need your mailing address. Happy New Year, may 2018 be the best year ever for you and your family.

Live from Here with Chris Thile this week is a look back on a few highlights from the past year while the gang tunes up for the first live broadcast of 2018 on January 6th. This week is a jam-packed mix, with music from Chris Stapleton, Rachael Price and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Fiona Apple, Randy Newman, Bon Iver, Hilary Hahn, Nickel Creek, Regina Spektor, and more, along with visits from comics Nick Offerman, Alice Wetterlund, and Tom Papa. Plus: a reading from George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo with the resident acting company, a look at First Drafts of Famous Songs, a little Bach from Punch Brothers and Music, and an edition of the game show Don’t Talk. All that and even more, as we wrap up 2017. Tune in on your local public radio station.

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.” Anatole France (1844-1924)

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Comments Off on December 29, 2017

I trust that all is well in your village and in your cottage. One year ago yesterday I had emergency surgery to repair a hernia. I spent Christmas 2016 home alone watching “Home Alone”. During 2017, I had no health issues except a bit of the flu. In February, I will be having carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist. The left one was repaired in 2013 and it seems to be holding up. May 2018 be without any health issues for you.

I have attached “Christmas Angel 2017”. The artist is my granddaughter Christen Fouquette. Her older sister Kaylin Marie created the very first Christmas Angel in 2002 when she was seven years old. Christen drew her first angel when she was five years old. This is Christen’s eighth Angel. May you have a very Happy Holiday season with your family and friends.

This week, the “Live from Here with Chris Thile” show is a rebroadcast from December 2016 at The Town Hall in New York City. Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers play “Pretty Little One” and “Santa Fe”; Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer join Chris for a few Bach pieces, including the third movement the Sonata No. 3 For Viola Da Gamba And Harpsichord. Comic Marina Franklin offers observations on single life in NYC. Plus: a Song of the Week for the season, “Douglas Fir”; Aoife O’Donovan with “Glowing Heart,” and even more music with the band; a look back at some classic holiday records; and a reading of the annual Christmas letter from the Pritchards of upstate New York. Tune in on your local public radio station!

“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

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Comments Off on December 22, 2017

Ten days until Christmas. I have all of my shopping done and now I simply have to pace myself on the cookies and candy.
Children love Christmas, as well they should. As with most families, some years, Christmas gifts were easy to come by and some years the budget would not allow for much. The Christmas of 1956 was a memorable one for me. My mother had to move from our home in St. Louis Park due to Dad’s inability to handle alcohol. Her mother, Grandma Ramlo, drove her 1952 Chevy from Upsala to St. Louis Park, put Dad in the back seat and drove him to the VA Hospital in south Minneapolis. She told them, “He is a veteran, he is a drunk and he is now your problem, not mine”.

She took us all back to Upsala to live above Ramlo Grocery in Upsala. I am not sure what the reason was for our ending up living in an apartment in Little Falls in December. It had something to do with getting financial aid.

That Christmas, Santa brought us six big Tonka Toy 18 wheel trucks. There was a cattle truck, an oil tanker, a freight truck and three more. This was a perfect gift for a family with five boys. I am not sure what my sister Kathie got that year. For many years I had the impression that they were from some sort of social agency that served the poor. It turned out that “Santa” was Dewey Johnson, a classmate of my mother’s from the Upsala High School class of ’37. Dewey’s friend was one of the founders of Tonka Toys. Dewey had already passed on before I learned the “rest of the story”, so I never did have a chance to thank him. Perhaps you know of a family that has come upon hard times and they could use a “Secret Santa”.

Tomorrow I have a good chance to win a $24,000 Ice Castle. The Bowlus Fire Department is selling a limited number of raffle tickets. The drawing is at 3pm.
My grandson, Walleye Willie has already scored on a lake in Otter Tail County. Here is the link to the video. https://youtu.be/47l-yDEtQiU

The George Maurer Jazz Group will be performing their annual Christmas Show at The Paramount Theatre on Monday night at 7:30. I hope to see you there. www.paramountarts.org

“Remember, it is not about having time. It’s about making time.” Erik Osberg

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Comments Off on December 15, 2017

Christmas Eve is only two weeks from Sunday. I think that I have it covered, but I still have a couple of gifts to buy. I used to wait until Christmas Eve, but I have improved in that regard. I trust that your plans are all coming together.

In 1958 I was the youngest member of the Black Knights Car Club in Upsala, Minnesota. One of the older members borrowed his dad’s 1950 Ford and we ended up in a drag race with another member. I was riding shotgun. The Ford slid off of the gravel road into the left side ditch and hit a bridge. I can still remember the horn blaring, the rear tires spinning and the sound of the windshield breaking. I had put my arm up to protect my face and the force of the impact broke my wrist. I was a sophomore at Upsala High and that fall I had to stand on the sidelines instead of playing football. The sling that held the cast that surrounded my broken wrist did provide a perfect place to hide the “tools” that I shoplifted later on. The car club had plans to drop a V8 engine into the 1936 Chevy Coupe that the club had acquired from our leader, Duane, (AKA “Punk”). We needed tools. The old Chevy was stored in a garage that was behind the house that my mother rented on Borgstrom Street in Upsala. When the Morrison County Sheriff showed up at our front door with a search warrant, Ma fainted dead away. They were going to charge her with “fencing” since we had hidden some stolen goods in the barn next to the garage. The club house for the Black Knights was an old chicken coop next to the barn that we had cleaned out. The garage was still there in 2010, surrounded by trees growing out from the foundation. It has since been torn down.

The entire gang was brought to trial in the Morrison County court house and we each received a sentence of six months probation. “Punk” was held in the county jail for almost two months without bail. Our school superintendent was named as our probation officer. Two of the gang went to the boys reform school in Red Wing, but they both went on to lead productive lives. One was a successful franchise salesman and the other is a lay minister in the Twin Cities metro area.

The St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra will performing both its St. Cloud Holiday Fantasy concert and its Children’s Fantasy concert on Saturday. The St. John’s Boys Choir will perform at both the 10am children’s program and the main event at 3pm. All of the symphony orchestra concerts are performed in Ritsche Auditorium at St. Cloud State University. Tickets are available at www.stcloudsymphony.com or at the door.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mohandas Ghandi

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Comments Off on December 7, 2017

It has been a tough week here on the third floor of Wimmer Hall. For the latest on Garrison Keillor simply go to www.mprnews.org I am not sure what the subject line of this Friday note will become, but as of this morning www.prairiehome.org is still working. I am sure that Chris Thile will continue to entertain every Saturday. I for one have come to look forward to the new talent that Chris has been bringing to the show.
Amos Lee for one. I have been watching the YouTube video of Amos performing “A Change is Gonna Come” a lot since Wednesday. If you would like the link, just ask.

This week APHC is back live with the first of three December broadcasts from The Town Hall in New York, New York. Spoon joins Chris with sonically adventurous rock’n’roll from their new album Hot Thoughts; Cécile McLorin Salvant is on hand, fresh off her third Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album; and comedian Carmen Lynch stops by with incisive observations from the darker side of life. Plus: a brand-new Song of the Week and a fresh crop of musician birthdays from host Chris Thile and the band — singer Sarah Jarosz, pianist and music director Richard Dworsky, Mike Elizondo on bass, guitarist Julian Lage, drummer Ted Poor, and Gabe Witcher on fiddle; high camp and low humor from our acting company, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman; and an Instant Song Request from you, the listeners. Tune in on your local public radio station, or watch live (Saturday, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Central Time) at prairiehome.org!

“Life has its pain and evil, but like a good novel, there is infinite joy in seeing the World, the most interesting stories, unfold, even though one misses the end. W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963)

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Comments Off on December 1, 2017