Minnesotans know that with the coming of bitter cold, something else is knocking on the door. The holiday season is a time of tales, readings, song, and reflection. Get your fill of lutefisk; hear the church bells rung the old fashioned way; feel the melancholy of the farm; envision a man stuck in bookstore chimney; and learn the history of fruitcake. These are the varied stories, distinctly of this land we call home, that await your senses.
November 28, 1985 - MPR’s Bill Catlin reports on the many dishes and preparations of a traditional Thanksgiving event on the Eidem Farm in Brooklyn Park.
November 24, 1989 - MPR’s Chris Tetlin takes a walking audio tour of the Hmong New Year celebration held at St. Paul’s Civic Center.
December 7, 1990 - MPR’s Beth Friend reports on new, weird Christmas program performed by the Warland Singers at the Ordway in St. Paul. Friend interviews Dale Warland and composer Herb Pilhofer.
December 21, 1990 - MPR’s Jon Gordon talks with local Christmas tree sellers on the merits of their product. The debate of artificial over real ensues.
December 26, 1990 - MPR’s Kate Smith reports on a Kwanzaa production at the Minneapolis YWCA. Local performance artist Nothando Zulu describes the principles of celebration during event.
December 24, 1991 - Part 2 of Midday After One - "Stories of the Season," where notable community members and Minnesota Public Radio staff read their favorite holiday tales. Lou Bellamy, of the Penumbra Theatre, reads "The Terrible Twos" by Ishmael Reed. MPR’s Greta Cunningham reads "A Brooklyn Christmas" by Betty Smith Gene Harrington, St. Paul resident, reads "A Cup of Christmas Tea" by Minnesota author Tom Hegg.
November 27, 1992 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the annual Hmong New Year’s celebration held in St. Paul. Roberts interviews participants and describes some of the customs on display.
December 19, 1992 - Thorunn Bjarnadottir shares her fondest Christmas memory from Minnesota. Back in 1989, Bjarnadottir and her friend Remy, both foreign students, hunted the cold northern landscape for a Christmas tree.
December 19, 1992 - Minnesota author Lawrence Sutin reflects on the winter solstice, and on humanity in the darkest days of year.
December 24, 1992 - Duluth writer Michael Fedo shares his family memory of holiday slideshow presentations, and how it became a powerful time-marker.