I have been racking my brain to remember the stories that have moved me the most over the years that I've been an MPR listener, and two gems came to mind:

1. The SantaLand Diaries (I think that's what they were called) about the gentleman who worked as an elf at Macy's. I literally had to pull over to the side of the road I was laughing so hard. Kevin Kling's story about lightning striking members of his family also ranks high in the funny category. I was sitting in my car at the parking lot of my son's day care listening to that story and laughing hysterically...one of the other parents tapped on my window to ask me if everything was all right.

2. The most eloquent, touching, and moving piece I have ever heard in my life was Bob Edwards' eulogy to Red Butler. The first time I ever heard Bob and Red on Friday mornings, I couldn't believe that NPR was devoting time to talk about sports...but I quickly learned how special and unique and sweet this duo was. Red always touched me as a warm, intelligent, and honest man. I loved his historical perspective. And his rapport with Bob was wonderful. I looked forward to hearing him every Friday. When he died, it was like a part of my regular routine was just missing. And Bob's praises of Red summed up exactly how I felt. It was so poignant and thoughtful, so personal, that I started to cry right there in the car. And I cried all the way to work. The NPR/MPR radio personalities become such a part of your everyday life that they begin to feel like someone you know...which is why the loss of Red Butler was felt so strongly by many of your listeners.

Happy 30th Birthday...and a hope for another 30 years!

Sincerely,

Kim Pearson, St. Louis Park

My wife and I first met at a KSJN fundraiser. That was 18 years ago!

Dennis Scherber

Dear MPR,

I think I was a listener within a week or so of the day you began broadcasting. So we have spent 30 years together, and often I've listened 10 or 16 hours at a time.

My earliest memories were of the difficult of finding your signal in the morning. Garrison used to pause so long between sentences that unless he happened to be playing music as I tuned in, quite often the signal you were sending out was a very pure form of silence. Garrison's humor was darker in those days. Jack's Auto Repair was a frightening, Big Brother sort of place, and the figure of Raoul the Warm Car Driver was pretty spooky, too.

I was very confused the first time I heard Garrison talking to Jim Ed Poole during a morning show broadcast (they were in the chicken barn of the State Fair). The banter was so clever and smooth I knew at once there was no Jim Ed Poole. He was just a voice of Garrison, just as Ma Linger is a voice of Steve Cannon. Then one day Jim Ed and Garrison spoke at the same time, proving me wrong. I think I understand now. Jim Ed Poole exists, and he is a clever fellow with sound effects. There is no "Dale Connoly." He is a voice of engineer Tom Keith.

Keep up the good work.

Steve Grooms

I spent two years ('60-'62) at St John's University as a monk from a small monastery in Oklahoma. I knew Coleman Berry slightly. After leaving the monastery I returned with my family to Minnesota in 1978. I spent March, April, May, and June living in a friend's A-frame in Marine on St Croix, commuting to St. Paul, listening to Garrison Kellior's Morning Show. That was my real orientation to life in Minnesota.

Supsequently, I lived in Dallas, Houston, Tucson, and Los Angeles. I have traveled to all 50 states on business or pleasure and only listen to Public Radio. NPR has been my Music 101. I finally returned to Minnesota in 1991 and at age 57, got a second Master's from the UofM.

Minnesota Public Radio has become my measure of quality. We are blessed with two public stations and another non-commercial station. MPR is a central part of my life. I am very grateful.

Very best wishes!

Patrick Higgins

All of you continuing the beginnings of the 30-years-ago seed for Minnesota Public Radio:

Congratulations and Thanks! I was delighted to hear you broadcast the voice of Fr. Colman Barry the other day, because what I wanted to reminisce about is related to him. One day, maybe in the mid-70s when he and I were driving into the campus at Saint John's Abbey/University, Fr. Colman had MPR playing in the car. His comment to me was: "That's one good thing I did!"

I agree wholeheartedly. I recall having an office in the Graduate School on the St. John's campus in the 70s. Off and on, whoever was doing the over-night programs would stop in at my office and chat with me. I always enjoyed that contact too. MPR has always been real persons to me producing wonderful programming. Many thanks!

S. Mary Anthony Wagner, O.S.B.,
Saint Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph, Minnesota.

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