Wisconsin Life

We recently received a question from a listener. John Hanson from Madison wrote to us saying: “Camp Randall has more than football history! Could WHYsconsin research more of the Native American, Civil War and namesake history of the stadium?” Of course we can, John! Tim Peterson from WPR’s “Central Time” went digging for the answers about Camp Randall’s history.

“Wisconsin Life” podcast fans, you are in for a treat. Hear the full conversation with Charlie Berens and Adam Greuel as they talk about their debut album, “Unthawed.” They talk about the genesis of their friendship and breakdown a few songs. Plus, find out where the name “Unthawed” comes from, learn the joys of Craigslist Missed Connections and discover who wanted to sound like Bob Dylan.

Two proud Wisconsinites have joined forces to create an album celebrating all things Wisco. Comedian Charlie Berens, of Manitowoc Minute fame, and musician Adam Greuel, with the bluegrass darlings Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, have released “Unthawed.” The album blends both of their strengths: Berens’ classic comedy and Greuel’s musical chops. It’s is a love letter to Wisconsin and its people, packed with funny Wisco-isms and serious moments about overcoming division.

The Mequon Nature Preserve north of Milwaukee is home to Wisconsin’s first conservation dog, Tilia. WPR’s Mary Kate McCoy recently traveled there to learn how they’re harnessing Tilia’s powerful sense of smell to reach their conservation goals of weeding our invasive species and protecting endangered ones.

For many Wisconsinites, deer hunting is more than just a seasonal hobby. It’s an opportunity to slow things down for a bit and take some time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Ron Weber shares a story about how every fall, a humble dwelling in the Wisconsin Northwoods is transformed from a cabin to deer camp.

Moving away from Wisconsin can be an exciting adventure for some people. For others, it can be a tough and lonely journey. Writer and Wisconsin native June Melby reflects on the time she moved out west and how a vintage FFA jacket helped her feel a little less homesick.

When the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, millions of young men across the country lined up to enlist and serve in what they believed would be the “war to end all wars.” One of those men was 21 year-old J. Vincent Hood of Racine, WI. He was assigned to the 121st Field Artillery Regiment of the 32nd Division, a group composed of National Guard soldiers from Wisconsin and Michigan. They set sail for Europe in March 1918.

About 80 years later, Hood’s great-grandson, Mark Sullivan, interviewed him about World War I for a class project. Sullivan was in sixth grade at the time and recently discovered the cassette tape that captured that interview. He shares the story of his “Bompa” on this Veterans Day.

As record wildfires scorched millions of acres of land in the western United States in 2020, it prompted a question about wildfire season in the Badger State. A listener asked WPR’s WHYsconsin: Why doesn’t Wisconsin see the same large, intense wildfires as those out West?

How do you create a scary radio story during an already eerie time? Between the pandemic, social unrest, and the looming election, reality is unsettling enough for many people. Wisconsin Life’s Senior Spooky Correspondent Aubrey Ralph struggled with producing their annual horror story, yet brings us this tale.

Everyone likes a good ghost story, especially around this time of year. Dorothy Malone of Milwaukee shared a childhood encounter with the supernatural at Ex Fabula’s StorySlam ‘Identity’ event held in March 2020. She talks about seeing ghosts as a little girl and how it shaped her interactions and gifts later in life.