March 25, 2008 - When Minnesota author Jon Hassler died last week at 74, colleagues of his remarked on the impact of his work, both as a writer and a teacher. Midday remembers Hassler in his own words, as we rebroadcast an interview he did with MPR in 1999. We also talk with two of Hassler's longtime friends. Guests: Bill Holm: Fellow Minnesota literary figure and author of "Windows of Brimnes: An American In Iceland." Nick Hayes: Friend and colleague of Jon Hassler, and professor at St. John's University.
March 20, 2008 - Famed Minnesota novelist Jon Hassler died early this morning. Hassler was 74 and had suffered from Parkinson disease. He had a string of novels to his name, many of them examining the intricacies of life in small Minnesota towns.
March 20, 2008 - Reknowned Minnesota author Jon Hassler died this morning. Hassler wrote about small town Minnesota life in novels such as "Staggerford," "Rookery Blues" and "The Dean's List." In 1999 Hassler told Minnesota Public Radio that he got his first real training as a novelist while working as a boy at his father's grocery store in Plainview.
July 6, 1999 - A group of artists, educators and book sellers is trying to save the boyhood home of one of Minnesota's best-known living authors. They are hoping to raise between 150 to 200-thousand dollars to move, rennovate and re-open the home of Jon Hassler. The author of "Staggerford," "A Green Journey" and many other novels is usually associated with central Minnesota because he taught at St. John's University for many years. But Hassler grew up in Plainview, a small agricultural town in southeastern Minnesota not far from the Mississippi River. His home was going to be deomolished to make way for a medical clinic, but fans of the author have managed to move it to a temporary site, while they raise money for the rennovation. A major benefit is planned for tomorrow evening. Executive Director of the Rural America Arts Partnership Ken Flies, says Hassler's house is in fairly good shape.
May 31, 1999 - The May edition of our "Voices of Minnesota" series, featuring novelist Jon Hassler, Regents Professor at St. John's University and Ian Barbour, the Carleton College professor who recently won the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion.
March 5, 1999 - Novelist Jon Hassler is best known for his fictional tales of ordinary people who experience extraordinary things. Hassler brings those same elements and even a few familiar characters to his latest literary pursuit, a darkly comedic play set in the small Midwestern town of Staggerford, the same town he wrote about in his very first novel.
September 2, 1997 - As students and teachers head back to class today, one of the state's best-known teachers will be staying home. Jon Hassler, the author of novels like "The Dean's List" and "Staggerford", has retired after 42 years teaching high school and college.
February 2, 1996 -
July 31, 1995 -
July 29, 1995 - Call-in with author Jon Hassler, who will talk about his work, writing in general, and small town life.