Wisconsin Life

Retired Maj. Jo Ann Schedler’s family was fighting in wars long before the U.S. military existed. This is one reason the nurse joined the Army Reserve later in life and eventually co-founded the Mohican Veterans group. Schedler lives in Gresham and shared her service experience with her husband, Jon, as part of StoryCorps’ Military Voices Initiative, which is made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Broomball is a lot like ice hockey, except players wear shoes and use a ball instead of a puck. The game originated in Canada in the early 20th century and eventually made its way to La Crosse where bar-sponsored teams play weekly during the winter. WPR’s Maureen McCollum took to the ice in a rink along the Mississippi River on one of the coldest nights of the year.

This story is airing as part of “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary. Host Maureen McCollum chose to share this story because it showcases the resilience of Wisconsinites in the winter. It’s also one of the few stories to feature her friends, who she misses very much during the pandemic.

In Madison, Carlotta Calmese bakes one of her family’s traditional desserts for Thanksgiving — peach cobbler. Wisconsin Life producer Cynthia Woodland brought us her story. This month marks “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary. As part of the celebration, Woodland wanted to reflect on this story, which is one of her favorites.

One of the most popular questions we’ve received from listeners through the WHYsconsin project relates to our neighbors in Michigan. Many of you have wondered, “What’s the deal with the Upper Pennisula? Why is it a part of Michigan and not Wisconsin?” We sent WPR’s Laura Pavin to the UP during the 2019 football season to find out more.

This story is airing as part of “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary on WPR. Team WHYsconsin chose to share this story as part of the celebration because Pavin was able to explore one of the project’s most popular questions. Plus, they love the joy and curiosity that she brings to the story.

One of the most popular questions we’ve received from listeners through the WHYsconsin project relates to our neighbors in Michigan. Many of you have wondered, “What’s the deal with the Upper Pennisula? Why is it a part of Michigan and not Wisconsin?” We sent WPR’s Laura Pavin to the UP during the 2019 football season to find out more.

This story is airing as part of “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary on WPR. Team WHYsconsin chose to share this story as part of the celebration because Pavin was able to explore one of the project’s most popular questions. Plus, they love the joy and curiosity that she brings to the story.

Winter can take its toll on your mind. The walls close in. The sky is grey and the snow piles up. Every morning you bundle up, scrape the windshield, crank the heat, and trudge to work. Then the call comes, “Hey Steve, wanna play poker Saturday night? Give me a call if you can make it.” WPR’s Steve Gotcher takes us to a night of backyard poker inside a tent.

This story is airing as part of “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary. Producer Steve Gotcher chose to share this story as part of the celebration because he’s proud of the production. Plus, the time with his friends puts a smile on his face.

An early spring day in 2012, two young women — chef and forager Dani Lind and producer Erika Janik — met to gather wild watercress in the Driftless Area. The creek is swollen with snow melt. You can hear water gurgling, songbirds overhead, the sound of scissors snipping fresh greens. A timeless ritual, and a moment in time. Meet chef and forager Dani Lind and producer Erika Janik.

This month marks “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary. As part of the celebration, “Wisconsin Life” co-founder Anne Strainchamps wanted to reflect on this story, which is one of her favorites.

Bonnie began volunteering as a literacy tutor after seeing a notice in the newspaper. She was soon paired up with Ruth, who is working toward her GED. The two have been working together at the Oshkosh Public Library to read and discuss books.

This story is airing as part of “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary. Former host and executive producer Erika Janik chose this story as part of the celebration. She’s proud of the story, which was part of the “Literacy In Wisconsin” series, and was honored to talk with people who opened up about adult literacy.

Our lakes are worlds unto themselves, but when one becomes covered with a roof of ice nearly two feet thick, it takes on an isolation and beauty that few are brave enough to ever see firsthand. WPR’s Aubrey Ralph followed a group of local divers with Diversions Scuba as they went ice diving off Picnic Point on Madison’s Lake Mendota.

This month marks “Wisconsin Life’s” 10th anniversary. As part of the celebration, Ralph wanted to reflect on this story, which is one of their favorites due to the complexity of the recording and the rich sounds captured.

“Wisconsin” Life became a regular segment on Wisconsin Public Radio ten years ago this month. To celebrate, we’re revisiting some of our producers’ favorite stories.

The first anniversary story comes from Todd Witter, co-founder of “Wisconsin Life” and current Assistant Program Director at Oregon Public Broadcasting. He wanted to share a pair of short stories he created on two quintessential Wisconsin activities: deer hunting with Michael Perry and Friday night fish fry at Maricque’s in Green Bay.