December 12, 1997 - A Hennepin County judge denied a request from a Hmong woman who wanted to peform a traditional ceremony in the courtroom. Ilean Her, executive director of the Council on Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, talks about traditional acts in Hmong culture. Her says these ceremonies can take different forms, but often include drinking a ceremonial beverage.
December 13, 1997 - From "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" to Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" books help us get into the holiday spirit. The Minnesota team of Tom Hegg and Warren Hanson have found success in this corner of the book market. The two are collaborators on "A Cup of Christmas Tea" and "PEEF: The Christmas Bear". Warren Hanson is releasing a new book this holiday season. "The Next Place" deals with a topic not usually associated with the holiday season--death. "The Next Place" is an inspirational story about what Hanson hopes lies ahead for us after we die.
December 13, 1997 - The torturous hugs from elderly relatives, sitting at the kids table for dinner--and time packed into cars for long, stuffy trips to visit family, these elements are part of everyone's holiday memories. They're also fodder for Kevin Kling's play "Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log". Delving into childhood memories is the hallmark of a Kevin Kling play.
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.
December 30, 1997 - MPR’s Lauara McCallum presents the documentary “Losing Lincoln Drive: Grand Forks After The Flood,” which shares the stories of three families and what has happened since the sirens blew.
December 31, 1997 - A Midday rebroadcast of historian Stephen Ambrose's visit to MPR in 1997. Ambrose is the author of the best-selling books Citizen Soldiers, about D-Day until the end of World War II in Europe; and Undaunted Courage, about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
January 2, 1998 - Midday presents the January edition of MPR’s Voices of Minnesota series, featuring interviews with three outgoing Minneapolis City Council members, who have nearly 70 years of experience between them: Alice Rainville, Walt Dziedzic, and Dennis Schulstad.
January 9, 1998 - Author Ron Handberg talks about his latest book, Malice Intended.
January 11, 1998 - Master Storyteller Jim Stowell has been telling the stories of Minnesota for the past 30 years. The Great American History Theatre in St. Paul is celebrating Stowell's long career by hosting a JIM FEST.
January 14, 1998 - MPR’s Leif Enger reports on cold weather tourism on the Gun Flint Trail, and the debates of what exactly that should be. Report includes various interviews and commentary.