WXPR We Live Up Here

Birchbark canoes take a long time to make, but master artist Wayne Valliere from the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa tells us that the process is an important one, and can serve as a metaphor for the value of teamwork. Mackenzie Martin continues our We Live Up Here series with the story.

When someone lives to be a hundred years old, everyone asks them for the secrets to their longevity. Trees, on the other hand, live to be hundreds and hundreds of years old. How do they survive? Mackenzie Martin recently headed to an old-growth forest with naturalist John Bates to learn more.

Arts and crafts style furniture ⁠— first produced in the early 1900s ⁠— is considered by many to be the hallmark of American design and artisanship. Original pieces can go for millions of dollars at auction and furniture made in that style today can be sold for tens of thousands of dollars. Today WXPR contributor Jim Skibo continues our We Live Up Here series with the story of a man in Antigo who has mastered the style at a unique time in his life.

If you’re a fisherman in the Northwoods, you’re well aware of the decline in walleye populations over the last few years. Why is this happening, though? And is there a way to reverse the trend?

There are several Masonic Lodges of Freemasons here in the Northwoods, but the network has always had an air of mystery. Recently we received a Curious North question asking us to investigate the history of local Masonic Temples, which led us to wonder… what is the role of a Masonic Temple in a community? Mackenzie Martin headed to the Rhinelander Masonic Temple and the former Wausau Masonic Temple to find out. Famous Masonic Temples are often an impressive sight to behold, featuring large white

We’re continuing our series on the historical influence of mining in the Upper Peninsula today, specifically in the Ironwood area, with the story of the Ironwood Carnegie Library. ( Listen to Part One about how neighborhoods in the Upper Peninsula got their names here. ) There are Carnegie libraries all over the country, including in Merrill and Rhinelander. While Andrew Carnegie did a lot of good for libraries though, he was a controversial figure. Larry Lapachin continues our We Live Up Here

We're spending today and tomorrow looking at some aspects of the historical influence of mining in the Upper Peninsula, specifically in the Ironwood area. Today we'll be answering a listener question. Tomorrow, we'll be remembering Andrew Carnegie and his influence in Ironwood ahead of the 100th anniversary of his death. ( Listen to Part Two about the significance of Andrew Carnegie in the Ironwood area here. ) The question we're answering today was submitted during our Curious North road trip

This story was originally broadcasted on NPR's Morning Edition. Since the 1960’s, a bright white light has appeared outside a tiny town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Some people think it’s a paranormal occurrence, but researchers have another theory. Mackenzie Martin has the story. On a clear night just outside of Paulding, Michigan, 12 cars are lining up on both sides of a dead-end road under a dark sky full of stars. They’re here to see the Paulding Light, an intensely bright white light that

In a region where towns are as small and scattered as the Northwoods, it can sometimes be hard to find people who share your same interests. The Rhinelander Photography Club though has been connecting local photographers since 2013. WXPR’s Hannah Reese continues our We Live Up Here series with the story. On a Saturday in mid-March, Nicolet College hosted their closing gala exhibit featuring the work of the Rhinelander Photography Club. Many members and their families attended to celebrate the

A unique art exhibit has been the focus at ArtStart Rhinelander since May. Layers by artist Phillip Faulkner is on display through Saturday, August 10th. The exhibit combines appropriated imagery with original work and the artist behind it says he's open to any and all interpretations you might have of it. Mackenzie Martin has this report from the opening reception in June. The current exhibit at ArtStart Rhinelander through August 10th is called Layers and features 60+ works on display, ranging