Trek Through Time

In this "Extra Exploration", Kosmo finishes off his conversation with Dr. Mahr by learning about a pair of photos, digging into the iconic Orchestra-Band softball rivalry, and tackling the relationship between the "big three" St. Olaf musical institutions.

Continuing the deep-dive into the St. Olaf Band's history, Kosmo, Susan, and Jeff look over a scrapbook from Susan's time in the Band, discuss the significance of a variety of pictures from History Center archives, and debate the most controversial topic of all: the Oxford Comma.

As promised, Kosmo Esplan returns to complete his tour through the eras of the St. Olaf Band . . . this time accompanied by the firsthand experience of Dr. Timothy Mahr, the Band's former conductor who led multitudes of students across the years to musical glory, including several international tours and a performance at Carnegie Hall. Kosmo (non-musical expert) and Dr. Mahr (musical expert) dig deeper into the latter's journey from student to maestro, favorite memories, and the Band's guiding principle since 1891.

On the first half of this two-part May exploration of Manitou Heights' oldest musical institution, Kosmo Esplan brings in the big guns to cover 127 years of St. Olaf Band history: Northfield history icons Susan Hvistendahl and Jeff Sauve, authors of the 2019 biography "Milestones & Memoirs of the St. Olaf Band: 1891-2018". All three Band fans take an aerial perspective of the origin, impact, and reputation of the richly chronicled organization, and Kosmo gets the scoop on what it was like to write a 600-page tome opus detailing that story.

(Video available exclusively on Spotify.) Resuming the conversation on the "power of the puppet", Kosmo treats Doug and Mary Kay to some artifacts from the History Center archives that relate to Doug's multi-decade career in guidance counseling; and the trio are joined by the ever-welcome puppet celebrity pair of DUSO the Dolphin and Jayhawk.

To celebrate the latest Northfield History Center exhibit, Kosmo invites former elementary school guidance counselor Doug Peterson and his wife Mary Kay into the Time Machine as they retrace Doug's career in using a beloved puppet ensemble to communicate valuable life lessons to students. From utilizing DUSO the Dolphin to gripping the classroom's attention, the trio discover how impactful Doug's work has been on the town and local history.

(Video available exclusively on Spotify.) In this installment of "Extra Explorations", Kosmo and Coach Ryan continue their conversation on local college basketball, diving even deeper thanks to a firsthand look at historical images; plus, they're graced by the presence of the one and only 112-year-old Goat symbolic of the immortal Carleton-St. Olaf rivalry.

In Part 2 of the intercollegiate basketball investigation, Kosmo Esplan digs into the Carletonian perspective with assistance and insight from Ryan Kershaw, head coach of the Knights, who recently finished up another impressive postseason run. The two fellas (*one* of whom is a sports expert) dig into the extremely early arrival of the pastime on-campus, the ingrained facets of Carleton tradition, and Ryan's vital experience of learning first-hand how to coach college athletics.

(Video available exclusively on Spotify.) Continuing their conversation on Ole basketball, this time in video format, Kosmo and Coach Koz examine an NCAA basketball, go over some of the coach's top career games, and delve into how St. Olaf's celebrated basketball team can rise to the challenge again next year.

On this March Madness installment, sports amateur Kosmo Esplan sits down with Daniel "Coach Koz" Kosmoski, coach of the St. Olaf Oles basketball team for 31 years and counting. The two Kozzes talk through the game's long history on Manitou Heights, including the legend of the annually awarded Carl-Ole Goat, and highlights from Kosmoski's illustrious basketball career, all while Kosmo seeks to apply his newfound sports lingo knowledge. All-in-all, it's a "slam dunk" show!