Wisconsin Life

In 1980, there was a mass exodus of Cubans who left their homes for the United States as part of the Mariel Boatlift. It was a rare opportunity for people to leave the island, as President Fidel Castro opened his borders and allowed people to be reunited with family, find new opportunities and even leave prison.

Of the 125,000 Cuban people who left, almost 15,000 of them were sent to Fort McCoy in Sparta, Wisconsin.

In this podcast, Cubans who remained in Wisconsin and became family to one another share untold stories about their early lives, moving to the U.S. and what life has been like in Wisconsin. Hosted by Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Life” host Maureen McCollum and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse professor Omar Granados, the eight-episode podcast will debut on October 12, 2022.

Retired Legal Chief Lorrie McNeal Saylor of Kenosha knew before she graduated high school that she wanted to see the world. She was ready for something different, for new experiences outside of her childhood home in Alabama. So, she joined the United States Navy, travelled the globe and made lifelong friends from many cultures along the way. Saylor’s daughter, Erika Saylor, interviewed her about her experiences as part of StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative, which is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

As people enter the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin, they’re transported from a relatively flat region to a sudden maze of rolling hills. Roads wind up the sides of bluffs and then back down to the valleys below. Its beauty is without question. But where does the name Driftless come from? WHYsconsin went to find the answer.

Imagine donating one of your organs to a complete stranger. Missy Makinia of Ladysmith did after hearing a little girl in her town needed one. Her amazing story comes to us from our friends at “To The Best Of Our Knowledge” from WPR and PRX.

Comedian Charlie Hill grew up in Oneida, Wisconsin watching his favorite comics get laughs on late night TV. He eventually ended up as a 30-year regular at The Comedy Store, launched a career in acting, and performed comedy on many of the biggest TV talk shows, including “The Tonight Show.” WPR’s “BETA” recently featured comedy historian Kliph Nesteroff, who talked about Hill’s path to becoming an unsung hero of comedy and a symbol of hope for many Indigenous people.

Hurricane Fiona has devastated Puerto Rico. Its destruction came almost exactly five years after another terrible natural disaster, Hurricane Maria. After the 2017 storm, Puerto Ricans living stateside watched the disaster from afar, many felt powerless. Poet Karl Michael Iglesias wanted to help in a way only he could. So, the Milwaukee native and Brooklyn resident channeled his thoughts into a debut poetry collection, “Catch A Glow.”

Author Eric Dregni has been a keen observer of roadside attractions for years. He recently wrote the book “The Impossible Road Trip” that chronicles the most famous stops across the United States. And, believe it or not, Wisconsin is home to some of the quirkiest. From La Crosse to the Dells and Hayward, Dregni takes you on a tour of the best roadside attractions across the state.

Have you ever wondered what the biggest animal in Wisconsin is? If so, you’re a lot like Alstan Van Overmeer of Mineral Point. When he was in 4th grade, he asked WPR’s WHYsconsin project to find the answer for him. So, WPR’s Colleen Leahy went to track down the state’s biggest animals.

Sometimes, an ordinary experience surprises us — turning the mundane into something extraordinary. Writer Crystal Chan felt this on a walk she took in her neighborhood with a friend, reminding them of the power of being present and enjoying the moment.

Another summer is fading away and try as we might to keep it here, fall and winter are just ahead. Writer Amy Jo Barker reflects on summer delights and tells us how we might be able to preserve a little of it, even on the coldest nights.