Hope & Heart & Home On The Range

In Part 1 of Program #6, we probe two simple questions: If Carnegie Libraries are so much a part of public library history in the United States, why was Williston's original library called the James Memorial? And who was Andrew Carnegie, and why do so many libraries bear his name?

Part 2 tells us about Carl's Saturday morning visit with Ole & Lena. In the kitchen he discovers the glories of cinnamon toast, and in the garage he discovers the neatest tool ever. He also discovers the needs of Ole's next door neighbor. Ole discovers a talented artist in a most unexpected place.

Part 3 questions some of the claims of the Black Lives Matter movement, and notes how accusations of police racism have an unintended negative impact on the black community.

Part 1 of Episode 5 discusses an important fact: George Washington's and Thomas Jefferson's birthdays changed between the day they were born and the day they died. The birthdays we remember weren't the birthdays their mothers remember. Why is that? The change in the date of their birth reaches back into history, and has something to do with Julius Caesar and with...the Pope!

In Part 2, we meet the ladies in Lena's book club: June, Evelyn, Lavinia, Mary Christine, and Gladys. We'll find out what book they're reading this month, and observe Gladys' simple show of humility. We'll also hear about Gladys' (kinda, sorta) unwelcome visitors.

Part 3 addresses the inferences about American slavery made by Colin Kaepernick in his July 4 tweet, and note the fact that while the slavery may be a black and white evil, this history of slavery is much more than a Blacks and Whites issue.

Part 1 of Episode 4 surveys the lives of Thomas Jefferson and William Clark prior to the expedition. We actually note an earlier attempt by Jefferson and friends arrange an expedition between the Mississippi and the Pacific while he was living in France, as U.S. Minister (Ambassador) to France.

Part 2 takes a look at what happened to Meriwether Lewis after the Expedition, then follows the history of Clark's son and grandson, both named after Meriwether Lewis. That history of that namesake leads to an institution and an event that is part of modern America today.

In Part 3, Lena gets called to a hastily assembled choir practice, so Ole delivers the books from Lena's sister in St. Paul to the library. In the process, he befriends the librarian's grandson, and makes a new friend.

In Episode 3, Part 1, we explore the possible life-saving impact of some rattlesnake rattles on the Lewis & Clark expedition, directly involving Sacajawea and her son, Jean Baptist (more commonly known as "Pompey"). We also note disagreement about the meaning of her name, its pronunciation, and certain aspects of her life and death.

Part 2 looks at Lena's visit to the Cathedral in St. Paul, and the surprising effect it had on her. We meet Li Na, Lena's Chinese house guest, and share Li Na's discovery of something in Lena's basement, and its impact on Lena and on the friendship they share.

In Part 3, we continue our examination of the NFL Protest, and note Colin Kaepernick's selective use of facts regarding slavery, which avoids some hard truths about slavery in American, Ghana, and Africa.

Part 1 of Episode 2 looks at the recent discovery that the Magnetic North Pole, which has always drifted slowly, is now picking up speed. We also look at some interesting facts about the geographic North and South Poles.

In Part 2, we hear about Lena's blizzard-delayed train trip from Minnesota, during which she meets Pedro and Ming Hua and their wives, who are on their way to Williston because of ticket agent errors. Those errors prompt Lena to become an English tutor, and leads to temporary houseguests and lifelong friends.

Part 3 continues an examination of the NFL protest, noting that it engages in a particular error: "The Westboro Playbook."

In Part 1 of Episode 1, we meet North Dakota's patron saints, Ole & Lena, and hear about Ole's sad visit to the doctor. We review some of the joys of living in North Dakota, including the Missouri River, Amtrak, and Lutefisk.

Part 2 introduces Delilah, a milk cow, then looks at the deeply personal pain of those who suffer from TMITI ("This Movie Is Too Intense") Syndrome.

Part 3 takes a critical look at two aspects of the NFL protest: 1) The False Free Speech Issue, and 2) The Take and Make--"I'm Taking What's Yours and Making It Mine"--Error.