Wisconsin Life

Taking notice and being thankful for the family and community we have around us often occurs when we’re facing our most difficult circumstances. Jan Larson brings us an essay about gratitude, and the lessons learned on her journey to recovery from cancer.

Little Chute is known for its Dutch heritage. A lesser known fact about the northeastern village is that it was once home to a semi-pro football team, the Little Chute Flying Dutchmen. Little Chute resident Gene Janssen wrote to WHYsconsin about the Flying Dutchmen. He remembered the team from his youth and hoped to learn more about its history. WPR’s Jenny Peek produced this story.

Many of us grow up questioning our parents’ methods and traditions, only to find ourselves embracing them later in life. That was definitely the case for writer Yia Lor. She tells us about her skepticism and love of her mother’s tea.

What are some of your early rock ‘n’ roll  memories? For Stoughton’s Bill Amundson, his hit REALLY close to home — when Stoughton’s very own “One Hit Wonders,” The Fendermen, rehearsed in a garage down the street from his home. WPR’s Brad Kolberg produced this story.

Anyone who uses social media presents a somewhat edited version of themselves. They’re selective about what they post, use photo filters, or create cartoon-like stylized avatars as their profile image. WPR’s Emily Ralph, a trans woman, used her Bitmoji avatar in her coming out process – slowly making changes in the digital realm before they became Emily’s physical reality. Over time, Emily began to wonder what the experience was like for her Bitmoji, on the other side of the digital divide. This story comes from the perspective of that Bitmoji.

Last year, when the Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA title in 50 years, Jerome Hunt, a Milwaukee hip-hop artist who goes by the stage name Romey, was courtside. As a lifelong Bucks fan, the moment was not just a thrill, but the inspiration to his hit song “Fear the Deer.”

When we are at work, we all have a number of roles — we can take on other jobs, wear many hats. Albert Watson is a Detention Officer at the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center, where he also hosts a cooking club. Here, he tells the story of the day he saved a life by taking a bit of his own advice. He shared it at a storytelling event and on the podcast, Inside Stories. WPR’s Brad Kolberg produced this story.

There is a lot of hype surrounding the cream puff. And then there is a lot of love for the kringle. Marisa Wojcik wasn’t sure what all the fuss was about when she tried a cream puff for the first time. So, she reached out to WHYsconsin and asked, “Why do cream puffs get all the attention, when the kringle is the official state pastry of Wisconsin?” WPR’s Tim Peterson brings you the story. This story was inspired by an audience question as part of the WHYsconsin project. Submit your question at wpr.org/WHYsconsin and we might answer it.

Wisconsin is THE badger state. It’s on the flag. It’s the mascot of the state’s biggest university. And back in 1957, lawmakers put the badger into state law as Wisconsin’s official animal. But why? WPR’s John K. Wilson reports. This story was inspired by an audience question as part of the WHYsconsin project. Submit your question at wpr.org/WHYsconsin and we might answer it.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students have been helping turn food waste into nutrient-rich soil. A new program called Panther Pails brings food scraps to the composting operations at the Sandburg Gardens Hoop House. UW-Milwaukee student Jessica Gatzow reports.