Route 51

Born in 1848, Wisconsin, our nation’s 30 th star, has a fascinating history that includes stories and connections the average Wisconsinite might not be aware of. Today on Route 51 we’ll take a dive into such topics as Hollywood’s Golden Age, hops and wheat, human digestion and the Civil War with Brett Barker. Barker has taught at the Wausau campus since 2002 and is the author of “Exploring Civil War Wisconsin: A Survival Guide for Researchers.” His classes in Wisconsin history and civil war history have been among the most popular of students of all ages.

"Route 51" welcomes guest host Shereen Siewert, Duff Damos of NRG Media and musician and producer Mitch Viegut to discuss the multi-generational appeal of Classic Rock and its continuing influence on our culture today. Because classic rock’s audience continues to evolve, and classic rock has become one of the most successful formats introduced in the past 25 years.

Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Route 51” welcomes CREATE Portage County executive director Greg Wright and board president Bill Schierl to discuss creative placemaking and the economic impact of creative economies in Central Wisconsin. In 2016, CREATE Portage County launched its efforts to lead community development through arts advocacy and creative placemaking. The organization supports public arts and culture experiences, including free live music through the Levitt Amp Series, to improve quality of life and attract new residents to Central Wisconsin. CREATE Portage County also supports a local creative economy through the IDEA Center, which is devoted to fostering creative industry. In 2019, the organization is exploring possible renovations to turn Stevens Point’s historic Fox Theater into a hub for creative enterprise and a new home for the IDEA Center.

“Route 51” rebroadcasts Glen Moberg’s 2016 interview with two survivors of America’s World War Two Japanese incarceration camps, in honor of survivor and Japanese American baseball star Howard Kenso Zenimura, who passed away December 13, 2018.

"Route 51" welcomes the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra’s executive director Mara Prausa and conductors Dr. Patrick Miles and Dr. Andres Moran for a behind-the-scenes look at the symphony and its 70 th anniversary season.

Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Route 51” uncovers the folklore, history and cultural significance of one of Wisconsin’s most famous and terrifying legendary creatures, the horrible Hodag. Guest host Rob Mentzer of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, Rhinelander historian Kerry Bloedorn and reporter Keith Uhlig explore the origins of Hodag mythology and the life and times of Eugene Shepard, whose Hodag hoax brought the city of Rhinelander the attention it needed to survive changes in the timber industry. They will also discuss the continued significance of Rhinelander’s mythological mascot on Wisconsin Northwoods culture. Featured Music "Shep and the Hodag" by Shawn McBurnie and the Slight Exaggerations: https://shawnmcburnie.bandcamp.com/ "The Hodag Song" by Rob "Lefty La-Roo" Letvinchuck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ4r03p5_Jg "Hodag" by Meat Raffle Road: https://soundcloud.com/meat-raffle-road/06-hodag

Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Route 51” broadcasts an immigration discussion hosted by Dean Kallenbach from WPR’s “The West Side.” Kallenbach will discuss Wisconsin’s growing population of documented and undocumented migrant workers with guests Dave Gorak of the Midwest Coalition to Reduce Immigration and Mireya Sigala of El Centro de Conexión de Chippewa Valley. In Sept., Immigration and Customs Enforcement came through Wisconsin, arresting eighty-three migrant workers in a four-day operation. The conversation will include a closer look at the impact of the arrests on local agriculture, as many Wisconsin migrants are employed in food production.

Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Route 51” focuses on the impact Habitat for Humanity has on families, volunteers and communities in north central Wisconsin.

“Route 51” features a conversation about UW-Stevens Point’s recently unveiled Point Forward proposal, a plan for a new kind of regional university. In response to expectations of students and parents and to meet the needs of north central Wisconsin, the proposal weaves liberal arts education through career-focused programs. It also reorganizes UW-Stevens Point’s four existing colleges into three interdisciplinary schools. Chancellor Bernie Patterson and Provost Greg Summers join host Rick Reyer to discuss the proposal and its implications for the university as a whole and the region it serves. Patterson has led UW-Stevens Point since 2010, guiding the strategic plan and vision of the university while strengthening ties with local and regional communities. Previously he was the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Oklahoma City University, a dean at Georgia College and State University and a faculty member at Valdosta State University. He holds a bachelor's degree from Missouri Western State University, a Ph.D. and Master of Arts in criminology from State University of New York at Albany and an Educational Specialist degree and a Master of Science from the University of Central Missouri. Summers, the provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, joined UW-Stevens Point as a faculty member in the Department of History and International Studies in 2001. His research and teaching interests are in U.S. environmental history, the history of technology and consumerism. He is author of the book “Consuming Nature: Environmentalism in the Fox River Valley, 1850-1950” (University Press of Kansas, 2006). He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and physics from the University of Akron, a master’s degree in history from the University of California-Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. in history from UW-Madison.

The Thanksgiving edition of “Route 51” will feature recordings from live, in-studio performances from the past few years. Highlights will include “Route 51” host Glen Moberg sharing music and conversation with local artists Horseshoes and Hand Grenades (pictured), Jerry Schmitt, Art Stevenson and Randy Sabien. Enjoy a selection of bluegrass, folk, jazz and the unique regional music that enlivens the Central Wisconsin Community.