Jack Hoschouer: “Bike designs and destinations”

Jack Hoschouer spent some time biking overseas during his Army days – and many miles in the saddle over the decades. Jack shares tales of biking 120 miles to Stonehenge to watch the equinox sunrise . . . on his birthday; the finesse of crossing international borders by bike; exploring the world at a slower pace; choosing – or building – the right type of bike for different kinds of rides. Plus: What it takes to run the Northfield Rotary Club’s DJJD Bike Tour . . . for 21 years.

Kendall is the owner of the iconic Ole Store. She talks with us about balancing old and new in a Northfield landmark . . . anchored by the Ole Roll; tracing Ole Store history through relationships there; the Ole Store as a multigenerational space; and the importance of making everyone welcome. Plus: the difference between an Ole Roll and a cinnamon roll. And lots (and lots!) of delicious descriptions of food. Yum!

Parker Sneary: “Town & Gown”

Parker Sneary is a sophomore at St. Olaf who grew up in Northfield. He talks with us about Northfield’s welcoming vibe and sense of community throughout his childhood; mixing up St. Olaf and Carleton while growing up; studying nursing . . . and beyond; his travels with St. Olaf Orchestra, and how meeting new people widens our sense of the world. Plus: Eating whale at a 7-Eleven in Norway.

Gwen and John Daniels moved from Northfield to the Theodore Wirth neighborhood in Minneapolis . . . and brought their skis. We talk about cross-country vs. downhill, adaptive skiing, skiing the streets of Northfield at night . . . and the invention of the NorSari. Plus: chihuahua skijoring.

Originally aired 2024

Our guest this month is artist and naturalist Margit Johnson, who tells the story behind the mural in Northfield's post office, shares the importance of place across Minnesota and the world, describes traveling the country one library at a time, and talks about a gap year in Sweden 50 years ago. Plus, a short conversation in Swedish and Norwegian.

This week's guest is accountant and actor Ann Etter, who talks with us about how she fell in love with doing taxes, small businesses and nonprofits as the backbone of community, her passion for theater starting at age 10 and on to the Northfield Arts Guild stage and into the audience for Broadway shows, and the connection between Tennessee and Tennyson. Plus: a jabberwocky duet.

This week's guests are Craig and Linda Wasner, known across Northfield for music, and for their fun and festive barn that hosts weddings, concerts and social gatherings, including Wazaroo. They reminisce with us about “Over & Back” way back when, and talk about balancing music and farming; the connections between Northfield and Nashville; and how their barn became a wedding venue and gathering space. Plus: Linda hits Andrew up for autoharp lessons.

Our guests today are Betsy Allister and Andrew Ehermann to talk about roots, food, and community. Betsy and Andrew are the farmers of Spring Wind Farm, a CSA on the north edge of Northfield. They share stories about planning and planting, the connection between humans and land, their favorite veggies, and what it’s like to nourish people and nourish community at the same time. Plus, the zen of tractors.