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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

A blizzard is on its way. “The morning of November 11, 1940 brought with it unseasonably high temperatures. By early afternoon, temperatures had warmed into the lower to middle 60s °F (18 °C) over most of the affected region. However, as the day wore on conditions quickly deteriorated. Temperatures dropped sharply, winds picked up and rain, followed by sleet and then snow, began to fall. An intense low pressure system had tracked from the southern plains northeastward into western Wisconsin, pulling Gulf of Mexico moisture up from the south and pulling down a cold arctic air mass from the north.
The result was a raging blizzard that would last into the next day. Snowfalls of up to 27 inches (69 cm), winds of 50 to 80 mph (80–130 km/h), 20-foot (6.1 m) snow drifts, and 50-degree Fahrenheit (28 °C) temperature drops were common over parts of the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In Minnesota, 27 inches (69 cm) of snow fell at Collegeville, and the Twin Cities recorded 16 inches (41 cm). Record low pressures were recorded in La Crosse, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota.[3] Transportation and communications were crippled, which made finding the dead and injured more difficult. The Armistice Day Blizzard ranks #2 in Minnesota’s list of the top five weather events of the 20th century.” Source: Wikipedia

This week the APHC show is making the drive west from Philadelphia to Denver, Colorado for a live broadcast from the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, with special guests Trey Anastasio, The Staves, and Tig Notaro.
Chris Thile unveils the latest Song of the Week with help from the band (vocalist Aoife O’Donovan, Rich Dworsky on keys, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and drummer Ted Poor) The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will entertain you plus there will be a rundown of last week’s notable musician birthdays. Join the gang on the radio Saturday at 5pm Central.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle” PHILO (20BC-50AD)

Category : General

Comments Off on November 18, 2016

Today is Veterans Day. Building a monument to honor our veterans requires dedication, commitment and a team to get the job done. It takes an artist willing to spend the time researching, designing and creating the paintings. It takes a committed group of individuals to share the dream and raise the money. And most importantly, it takes donors like yourself to make it come true!

The Veterans Art Monument was commissioned by the Minnesota State Veterans Memorial Association and consists of five 8’ X 10’ oil paintings; each paying tribute to the men and women of the five branches of the U.S. Military: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The three finished paintings (Army, Navy and Coast Guard) are installed in the Committal Hall at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. The Marine Corps painting is in progress and the Air Force painting will complete the monument. The paintings tell the story of each branch of service, commemorating the sacrifices of all who have served. Besides being a memorial to our nation’s military men and women, the paintings are educational tools which will help citizens and future generations to understand the vital role that the U.S. Military plays in maintaining our freedom and democracy.
Millions of men and women have served. Many were wounded in battle. Many died to keep us free. The least that we can do is to remember them. You can help by going to www.vetsart.org and donating any amount to help finish this unique monument. https://youtu.be/gcOEvxkesZw

The APHC show this week is the first road trip of the season. It is a timely visit to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, P-A. A live broadcast from The Academy of Music with Jason Isbell, a fine songwriter with a jeweler’s eye for detail; Angélique Kidjo’s astonishing vocals bring energy and life to village traditions and African pride; the Dover Quartet, a talented, highly-acclaimed string quartet — all graduates of the Curtis Academy of Music in Philadelphia — will perform selections by fellow Curtis alum Samuel Barber; and America’s Favorite Poet, Billy Collins, adds his wisdom and wit and perhaps a few poems from his collection The Rain in Portugal. Plus: a new Song of the Week by host Chris Thile and a hand-picked band (singer Lydia Rogers of The Secret Sisters, pianist Richard Dworsky, Stuart Duncan on fiddle, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Greg Garrison on bass, and drummer Roy Wooten). But wait, there’s more! The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman, lend their voices, characters, and sound effects to a magnificent fall evening along the Delaware River. Join Chris and the gang for a restorative two-hour break right here on the radio at 5pm Central Time tomorrow

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy

Category : General

Comments Off on November 11, 2016

I am going to take tomorrow off. The forecast is for sunny and 63 degrees. Hard to believe that 25 years ago we were still driving on snow packed roads in the Twin Cities metro area due to the 29 inches of snow that fell on Halloween. I was in between jobs and trying to get to job interviews was impossible. The townhouse that we were living did not have great plow service and of course no one was ready for snow yet anyway.

Also, in 1991, the Twins won game 7 of the World Series in the Metro Dome. The Atlanta Braves pitcher had intentionally walked both Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek to get to Gene Larkin who was nursing an injured knee, but had one hit in three pinch hit at bats in Games 3–5. On the first pitch he saw, Larkin drove a single into deep left-center over the drawn-in outfield, scoring Dan Gladden with the series-winning run and giving the Twins their second world championship since moving to Minnesota.

Last night I went to bed when the grounds crew started rolling out the tarp because of the rain. I woke up to find out that the Chicago Cubs had won the game 8 to 7. I should have hung in there.

Chris Thile and the APHC show is taking a Saturday off to gear up for their first tour show of the season, November 12 in Philadelphia, They will be taking a look back to a show Chris Thile guest-hosted back in January at Saint Paul’s Fitzgerald Theater. Ben Folds performs “Yes Man” and “Army” (with Chris helping out on mandolin); Brandi Carlile sings “Things I Regret” and “The Eye”; and Ed Helms shares a story about a pesky cricket and he also joins the Royal Academy of Radio Actors for a few scripts. Plus: Chris premieres “The Mississippi is Frozen,” and he teams up with his fellow Punch Brothers for “Sleek White Baby” and “Magnet,” Chris also sings “Footprints in the Snow” with Sarah Jarosz. It’s all brought to you by the most trustworthy sponsors, Powdermilk Biscuits and the Catchup Advisory board. You can find it on your local public radio station. Tune in.

The final Downtown Art Crawl is Friday from 5 until 9. It should be a great night for strolling, dining, drinking and buying great art in downtown St. Cloud. I hope that you can make it.

Yesterday we celebrated the life of Bobby Vee and so in tribute to a kind and talented fellow I submit: “ If when your life is over, you can smile at where you have been, you’ve accomplished all that matters in the end.” Robert Thomas Velline

Category : General

Comments Off on November 3, 2016