March 31st, 2017 by Gary Osberg
This is a reprint of the very first posting of my Friday notes on the website www.garyosberg.com March 28, 2008.
“It is a bright sunny day in Collegeville today. It is still cool, but with no wind and the sun higher in the sky, it is starting to feel like spring. We took a mini-vacation and visited some friends in Sioux Falls this week. It turns out that the economy is doing quite well in South Dakota. Housing is not in the dumps in Sioux Falls and the same is said to be true of Rapid City. Steve and I tagged along on a short shopping trip in downtown Sioux Falls. It was fun to drop in on some of my underwriters. I was able to find a hard copy of “How To Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, for only seven dollars at The Book Shop on Phillips Avenue. A “heck-of-a-deal”.
“When I started in sales, I was terrible at it. I was trying to sell automated drafting service to various department heads at Control Data. I had worked at Control Data before we launched Norwood Engineering and it seemed logical to call on my previous co-workers. I managed to alienate every one of them. Butch Herter, a co-worker at Norwood, suggested that I might be well served if I read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dales Carnegie. It made a huge difference.”
The APHC show this week is a return to January and the first broadcast of 2017, at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington. The Shins play “Name for You” and “The Fear” and Regina Spektor sings “The Trapper and the Furrier” and “Samson.” Plus: Chris Thile starts things off with “’17 (Modern Friendship)” and the band members share a few of their resolutions for the new year. We’ll also visit the renowned Cup & Clam with Bertrand Falstaff Heine, and it’s all brought to you by sponsors Beebopareebop Rhubarb Pie and Memory Foam Mattresses. Tune in!
Brother Bill and I are flying to Arizona on Sunday, so there will not be a Friday note next week. Have a great week.
“To live is to think and act, and to think and act is to change.” James Allen
March 24th, 2017 by Gary Osberg
I did see a robin the other day. No earth worms crawling on the sidewalk yet, but we are hoping that spring will arrive soon. “in a little while” was one of Jimmy Dorr’s sayings and sometimes that is the best that we can do.
This year Minnesota Public Radio is celebrating 50 years of broadcasting on what started as Minnesota Education Radio with the broadcast of a pre-recorded concert by the Cleveland Orchestra on KSJR 90.1. That day was January 22, 1967. On April 25th we will celebrate “MPR Day” all day here on the campus of St. John’s University. We will start at 6am with a broadcast of Morning Edition with host Cathy Wurzer, live from Brother Willie’s Pub in Sexton Commons. Allison Young will be live from the same pub from 10am until 1pm and The Current will be there from 3pm until 6pm. That evening Garrison Keillor’s Gratitude Tour will be at Escher Auditorium on the campus of the College of St. Benedict. Details on all of the yearlong events is online at www.mpr50.org
This week the APHC show is a look back to early December and a show at The Town Hall in New York City. Marcus Mumford sings “Kansas City” and “When I Get My Hands on You,” Corrine Bailey Rae performs “Put Your Records On” and “Like a Star,” and Trevor Noah will chat with Chris Thile and share a few stories from his book Born a Crime. Plus: Chris Thile’s Song of the Week, “Thank You, New York”; the continuing adventures of Mando Man; Gaby Moreno sits in with the band for “Cucurrucucú Paloma”; and Bertrand Falstaff Heine interviews a band of “San Francisc-ish” musicians.
“Hope is the source of strength. We can depend on our arms and hands, but we can’t do anything without hope.” Starhawk (Miriam Simos)
March 17th, 2017 by Gary Osberg
“Today is St. Patrick’s Day, the annual feast day celebrating a patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick was born around the year 385, in a village in Wales. When he was 16, a group of Irish pirates raided his village and took many of the young men back to Ireland to work as slaves. Patrick worked for six years as a herdsman in the Irish countryside. In his sixth year, he escaped and made his way back to Wales. But, according to his autobiography, soon after he got back home he heard a voice telling him to go back to Ireland and convert the Irish to Christianity. That’s eventually what he did, but first he went to France to visit monasteries and study religious texts. After 12 years in France, he went back to Ireland, where he founded monasteries, schools, and churches and converted much of the island to Christianity.” Source `Writers Almanac’ by Garrison Keillor
This week, the APHC show is a look back to the November broadcast from the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver, Colorado. Trey Anastasio joins Chris for “Back on the Train” and “Miss You,” The Staves harmonize on “Blood I Bled” and “Sadness Don’t Own Me,” and Tig Notaro shares a few stories about life as a comedian. Plus: Chris Thile’s Song of the Week, “The Elephant in the Room”; a chat with our favorite astronauts on their way to Mars; a message from Beebopareebop Rhubarb Pie; and a late November crop of musician birthdays.
“Ring of Kerry”, with the St. Paul Irish Dancers, is performing today at 1:30 and tonight at 7:30 at The Paramount Theatre. Tickets are available at www.paramountarts.org
“The greatest achievements were at first and for some time dreams.” James Allen
March 10th, 2017 by Gary Osberg
I don’t get to many of the Friday morning Chamber Connections, but the CMBA Home Show is one that I never miss. The president of the CMBA this year is Matt Cecko who works with one of our sponsors, Dale Gruber’s Home Check Plus. They have been a local sponsor of A Prairie Home Companion for many years. There are two huge displays, one of which is a patio with all of the best in stone from another one of our sponsors, Borgert Products. If you have never been to a Chamber Connection you won’t know that they take the time for everyone to introduce themselves and end with a tag line or slogan. Tom Albers with Borgert Products has the best, “Stones With Style”. The Home Show opens at noon today.
The APHC show this week is a rebroadcast of the November 12 show at The Academy of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jason Isbell sings “Something More Than Free” and “Cover Me Up,” Angélique Kidjo gets everyone dancing with “Afirika” and “Orisha,” The Dover Quartet plays Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and Billy Collins reads his poems “On Rhyme” and “Only Child.” Plus: Chris Thile and the band present the Song of the Week, “I Made This for You,” and take on “Blackbird” for our Powdermilk Biscuits Instant Song Request; a message from the new dating app “Hinder”; and our staff critic Bertrand Falstaff Heine (remember, that’s pronounced “hiney”) reviews Philly’s famous cheesesteaks. Tune in on your radio or online.
“The bitterness of poor workmanship remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” Longfellow
March 3rd, 2017 by Gary Osberg
Today is Walleye Willie’s 8th birthday. He is a hoot. He sleeps with a “fish pillow”. Every year he creates a “bucket list” of 10 fish species that he intends to catch. In 2016 the only one that he did not catch was “Salmon”. Because of the world wide web and the website that his dad posts on, www.theoutdoorreport.com , a charter boat captain from Lake Michigan offered to take Willie out, but we were not able to fit it into the schedule. Maybe this year.
Brother Bill and I are taking a flight from the St. Cloud airport to Mesa, Arizona. www.burschtravel.com We are on a mission. Bill has a house in Sun City West that he would like to sell.
Check out the listing: Click to view listing(s)
We plan on spending the week and I am going to visit Sedona for sure. Bill has a Mazda convertible that he will have to drive back to Minnesota unless he can find someone in Arizona that needs it.
The APHC show this week is a rewind to last October 29 and a broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Esperanza Spalding performs “Judas” and “Good Lava,” Dawes joins Chris for “Roll with the Punches” and “We’re All Gonna Die,” Aparna Nancherla shares a few thoughts on fruit as a dessert and life in New York City. Plus Chris Thile will perform the spooky “The Dark Half of the Year,” and Gaby Moreno sings “La Malagueña,” a visit to Deplorable Manor. There will be a message from the Catchup Advisory Board.
“Life is accepting what is and working from that” Gloria Naylor
February 24th, 2017 by Gary Osberg
The snow has missed us again. I recall winters in Upsala that were amazing. Maybe it was because I was a child, but the snow piles seemed huge. In fact, I have seen pictures of the area around Grandma Ramlo’s grocery store that are proof positive. In Upsala there was a “Dead Man’s Corner”. It was the first 90 degree turn as you drove north out of town. Many cars ended up in that ditch. I doubt if they even refer to the corner that way anymore.
Entertainment in Upsala was a “do-it-yourself” project. After a big snow storm, we would take to the Burtrum Hills in our cars and blaze paths through the snow drifts. I recall us boys tying a hood from a DeSota to the bumper, getting into the hood and riding the surf in the ditches. It is a wonder that none of us were killed. Now, my son takes the time to bring his children with him ice fishing. Walleye Willie caught his personal best through the ice on one Sunday and he speared his first Northern the next Sunday. Proof positive is attached.
The APHC show this week is a look back to the October 22 broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats perform “Wasting Time” and “Out on the Weekend,” Anäis Mitchell sings “Why We Build the Wall” and “Clyde Waters,” and John Hodgman shared a few thoughts on beards and septic systems. Plus there will be Chris Thile’s Song of the Week, “Dates”. The Royal Academy of Radio Actors will share a few new Grandparent names and Bertrand Falstaff Heine will review this season’s snow tires. Plus, there will be a rollicking medley of Swedish fiddle tunes. Tune in Saturday at 5 CST or Sunday at 11 am on the MPR News network.
I will be working the table at Escher Auditorium at The College of Saint Benedict tomorrow night. The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble will take the stage at 7:30. I hope to see you there. Tickets at www.csbsju.edu/wow
“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” Henry David Thoreau
February 17th, 2017 by Gary Osberg
I celebrated my seventh birthday in Vienna, Austria. I was an army brat. Dad served in the navy during the war and later he joined the army. In 1950 he was a Sergeant in the 5th Army stationed in Vienna. As “dependents” we were housed in an apartment building that was quite nice. There were two marble faced fireplaces and a baby grand piano along with a crystal chandelier in the dining room. I ran with a group of other army brats and I was the oldest in the group.
One day in February we were hanging out in front of the large estate on the corner next to our apartment. One of the kids stuck his hand in the fence opening and a dog took his mitten. I bravely offered to go through the gate and recover the mitten. I still remember starting my walk across the large yard toward the two “Boxers”. They greeted me by jumping up and knocking me to the ground. They proceeded to chew on my arms and legs until an Austrian man who we referred to as the “fireman”, (he took care of the furnace in our apartment building) came in and pulled the dogs off of me. I walked home nearly naked and my mother fainted when she opened the door. I spent about 6 weeks in the army hospital. It took me a while to get over my fear of dogs. The occupant of the estate was a Colonel in the U.S. Army and they gave me a new winter coat.
This week the APHC show is live from the famed Fitzgerald Theater, in sunny Saint Paul, Minnesota. Prepare to be blown away by the new host Chris Thile and guests The Avett Brothers, Jesca Hoop, and comedian Jen Kirkman. Plus: there will be the Song of the Week from Chris and the band (singers Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan, pianist and music director Richard Dworsky, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, bassist Alan Hampton, guitarist Julian Lage, and Ted Poor on drums). The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will entertain with a variety of skits. Do send in your suggestions for the Powdermilk Biscuit Instant Song Request. It’s two hours of public radio you won’t want to miss — tune in on your local station or watch live (Saturday, 5pm-7pm CST) at prairiehome.org!
“You must learn day by day, year by year, to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about – the more you have left when anything negative happens.” Ethel Barrymore
February 10th, 2017 by Gary Osberg
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.
February 3rd, 2017 by Gary Osberg
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
January 27th, 2017 by Gary Osberg
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
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