October 18, 1997 - A young boy's fear and admiration for Wolves is the subject of Minnesota author Mary Casanova's new book "Wolf Shadows". Casanova's home is near the Minnesota/Canadian border. Her surroundings often provide the inspiration for her young adult books. Her intimate knowledge of the north woods and her frequent sightings of wolves helped to spark the idea for "Wolf Shadows". Mary Casanova is not afraid to take on controversial subjects in her writing. "Wolf Shadows" explores animal rights and man's complex relationship with wolves.
October 20, 1997 - As part of Minnesota Public Radio's "Minnesota Family Strength Project," Midday features a discussion about the role of extended family with guest Miriam Reibold, past president of the Minnesota Senior Federation. Program also includes listeners call-in with questions.
October 21, 1997 - Midday discusses new federal guidelines affecting immigrants with guests Jennifer Prestholdt, director of Refugee and Immigrant Program at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights; and Loan Huynh, legal and advocacy director at Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights.
October 22, 1997 - They're still a rare sight in most of the state, but timber wolves are making a comeback in Minnesota. Held strictly to northeastern forests a few decades ago, wolves are now spreading west and south…toward St. Cloud, Grand Forks, and Elk River. Mainstreet Radio's Leif Enger reports on biologists using satellite technology to forecast where wolves will show up next.
October 24, 1997 - On the 50th anniversary of the opening week of the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings on Communism in America, Midday looks at the time period often known as "The McCarthy Era."
October 25, 1997 - The skies turn darker earlier this weekend as we return to standard time. That means bedtime is going to be darker. "Getting Used to the Dark" is a new book of poetry by St. Paul children's author Susan Marie Swanson. Her book is aimed at helping children brave the darkness and those bumps in the night.
October 29, 1997 - Midday features a discussion with candidates for mayor of Minneapolis…current Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton; and her challenger, former Minneapolis council member Barbara Carlson. Topics include crime, city investment, education, and local economy. Belton and Carlson also answer listener call-in questions.
October 31, 1997 - With a mandolin revival underway in the music world, MPR’s Dan Olson profiles the University of Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra.
November 2, 1997 - Female vocal ensemble Anonymous 4 bring the music of Hildegard of Bingen to Saint Paul Sunday. Anonymous 4 perform the festal chants Hildegard composed to honor Ursula, a fifth-century saint who, along with the 11,000 women she inspired, chose martyrdom over forced pagan marriage.
November 2, 1997 - Minneapolis, Taos, and Europe and are among the locations captured in Natalie Goldberg's new book "Living Color: A Writer Paints Her World". The book contains more than 60 full color paintings and explores Goldberg's symbiotic relationship between painting and writing. Goldberg says she began painting at 26--when she used a cheap children's water-color set and crayons to make her art. But she credits bad teeth and frequent trips to the dentist office as the beginning of her artistic spark.