MPR captures the sounds a Minnesota Christmas. Some stories have song; some have shopping; some have snow…but all have some form of the holiday spirit.
January 14, 1994 - In this segment of Voices from the Heartland, Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on recycling Christmas trees. This essay was later collected in Sutter’s book "Cold Comfort: Life at the Top of the Map."
November 24, 1994 - Minnesota author Susan Carol Hauser reads short essay on her family’s ritual Thanksgiving drive to see the Christmas lights in downtown Minneapolis.
December 16, 1994 - In this segment of Voices from the Heartland, Minnesota author Susan Carol Hauser reads her Christmas essay “Finest Gifts,” a loving reflection of Christmas past with family.
December 23, 1994 - A Midday Christmas music special with studio guest Rick Shefchik of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Shefchik presents a selection of the newest songs and performers, new versions of old favorites, and the Christmas classics.
December 23, 1995 - Duluth author Michael Fedo reads his short story “Christmas Chaos.” The title is not an exaggeration.
December 14, 1996 - MPR’s Greta Cunningham interviews author Lee Smith about using Christmas letters as an idea for creating a novel…with recipes, of course.
December 24, 1996 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews local singer/songwriter Stuart Davis on his unique holiday show "Break from the Relatives."
December 25, 1996 - Minnesota author Ann Daly Goodwin commentary on the holiday surprise of cookies and joy of togetherness.
December 5, 1997 - Midday presents a special Voices of Minnesota, with Minnesota writer Bill Holm reading from his book Faces of Christmas Past, a collection of essays and reminiscences about Christmas in Iceland and Minnesota.
December 19, 1997 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on Penumbra's Black Nativity. Every family has their holiday traditions, but few are as complex as one Minneapolis family, whose season revolves around the Penumbra Theatre's annual production.