Wisconsin Life

Picture this: you're sitting on a blanket on the Capitol Lawn in Madison. It's a warm summer evening, and you're listening to beautiful classical music.  You're feeling very fancy, sipping wine and eating cheese. But at the end of the concert, when you start to pack up your blanket, a song with a very different

Many of us are grateful for everything our mothers taught us. For Jana Rose Schleis, she's thankful that her mom — Betty Schleis of Two Creeks, Wisconsin — taught her how to be beautiful. == I learned how to be a woman from my mom. What I mean is, I learned how to express my

Wisconsin isn't typically thought of as being at the heart of country music, but did you know that half of one of country's greatest songwriting duos is from Milwaukee? As Justin Barney tells us, Felice and Boudleaux Bryant are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and co-wrote “Rocky Top,” the state song of

Drummer Viola Smith was a musical trailblazer and innovator. Known as "the fastest girl drummer in the world," her career lasted almost 100 years. Author Dean Robbins took a trip to her hometown in Fond du Lac County to tell us more about this legend. He's also written a children's picture book about the musician,

Corn has been growing for thousands of years across North America, and tribes have been making corn soup for generations. Each tribe has their own method and strain of corn for cooking this traditional dish. Sarah Gordon Altiman, or Niigaanosekwe in Ojibwe, is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She also has ties to the Fond du Lac Band in Minnesota, and she's making a Potawatomi-style corn soup handed down from her husband Vern's family.

Prior to 1972 girls didn't always have the opportunity to play sports at school. But the passage of Title IX changed that. It paved the way for Manitowoc's Roncalli High School girls basketball team to become the sport's first state champions in 1975. Two former teammates talked with one another about that experience as part

(Editor's note: This is the script for the "Wisconsin Life" animation "WPR Reports: Uprooted, Erne's story" from PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio.) In the summer of 1980, Ernesto Rodriquez stood on the shores of the Port of Mariel. He was about to board a fishing boat with 80 other people and leave the only

Every holiday season has its twinkles of drama. For journalist Dan Simmons, his unforgettable moment involves losing the family Christmas tree. He shares his fiasco with us, just before the holidays.

Every holiday season has its twinkles of drama. For journalist Dan Simmons, his unforgettable moment involves losing the family Christmas tree. He shares his fiasco with us, just before the holidays.

It can be a scramble to find that perfect holiday gift for a loved one. Luckily, the staff at a western Wisconsin middle school have made it easy — and affordable — for students to buy gifts for their friends and family. Author and teacher Ken Szymanski of Eau Claire tells us about this beloved tradition at his school.

One of life’s complicated situations is dealing with the ‘what ifs.’ For writer Keith Uhlig of Wausau, a ‘what if’ lingering in the back of his mind involved his career. So when he was able to pivot professionally, he tells us he finally gave truck driving a shot.

For centuries, Ho-Chunk people have created small lodges called ciiporoke for sleeping, cooking and gathering as a community. Now, a Ho-Chunk builder is helping Wisconsin students construct their own structure. WPR’s Richelle Wilson watched this unfold at Wingra School, a private school for kindergarten through 8th grade on Madison’s west side.

As hunters flock to the woods for gun deer season, their days will be steeped in tradition and contemplation. For writer and forester Ron Weber of Weyerhaueser, this time has always been about more than the hunt. It’s about appreciating the world and memories swirling around him.

Eight railroad depots still serve passengers in Wisconsin for Amtrak trains that travel across the southern half of the state. But once, there were a few hundred  rail stations here. While many of those buildings are gone, reporter Chuck Quirmbach tells “Wisconsin Life” others remain … with new uses.

When the SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior in 1975, 29 people lost their lives. To this day, it’s considered the largest shipwreck on the Great Lakes. WPR’s Bridgit Bowden brings us this story about a children’s book about the Fitzgerald, and the author who wrote it: “Ellie’s Pursuit of the Mighty Fitz” by Mckenzie Lee Williams.

In the early 1960s, New York City’s “Queen of the Beatniks” was a young woman from Chippewa Falls. Judy Henske wowed audiences for decades with her deep, soulful voice … sadly passing away in 2022 at age 85. Writer Patti See looks back on Henske’s talent and western Wisconsin’s influence on the singer.

When you’re driving through Wisconsin, you might pass the time by trying to spot out-of-state license plates or unusual billboards. Some Wisconsinites, however, are on the lookout for wild veggies, specifically, asparagus. But why is asparagus so prominent along the roadsides in Wisconsin, and how did it get there? WPR’s Sarah Lehr digs into the answer as part of WPR’s WHYsconsin project.

Fifty years after it first terrified — and amused — audiences, “The Giant Spider Invasion” is crawling back onto the screen. The cult classic about extraterrestrial, blood thirty spiders was filmed in the Gleason, Wisconsin area and is beloved by campy horror fans. It even got the Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment. Now, “The Giant Spider Invasion” is being reimagined for its 50th anniversary, with new scenes filmed in northern Wisconsin and a theater release around Halloween. Dan Davies is a Wisconsin native himself who has been cast as the lead actor in the new footage. He talked with WPR’s Shereen Siewert about the film.

Forestry offers a unique glimpse into the natural beauty and evolving landscape of Wisconsin. Writer Ron Weber of Weyerhaueser — a forester himself — reflects on the tracks we leave in the woods, and what that can teach us about wildlife restoration and the legacy of conservation work.

The Madison Methodical Meanderers has a goal. The members want to walk every street in Madison. WPR’s Alyssa Allemand recently took a stroll with the group on the city’s east side near the Yahara River.

It was fifty years ago that the city of Saigon was captured by the North Vietnamese, marking the end of the Vietnam War. Just days before, 12-year-old Tan Pham escaped the city, along with his parents and three siblings. Pham shared the story of his family’s extraordinary journey to La Crosse with WPR’s Ezra Wall.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin offers hundreds of field trips each year that bring members face-to-face with some of the state’s natural wonders. WPR’s Beatrice Lawrence went along on a recent trip to Nelson Dewey State Park along the Mississippi River to witness a swarm of 3,000 bats put on a show as they returned to their homes at dawn.

People working through addictions or tough times in their life often turn to things that bring comfort and support. Some turn to religion or a recovery coin or books. For writer Stacy Parish of Appleton, she held onto something much more organic.

One of the pure joys of spending time with young children is hearing the wild, hilarious and beautiful things that come out of their mouths. Milwaukee journalist Tom Kertscher is feeling gratitude that many years ago, he put his reporter skills to work capturing some of the things his daughter, Hailey, said as a child. Hailey joins her dad for this essay, recounting some of her cute, clever and poignant moments.

If you’re in recovery from addiction, finding a sober community that’s a good fit for your new lifestyle can be a struggle. Especially if you also happen to be a person of color living in Wisconsin. Producer Morgan D. Stewart searches for a sense of belonging within the affinity groups of Recovery Dharma.

As children grow up, parents find new ways to stay connected with them. Or maybe it’s the same as it ever was? Writer Jill Sisson Quinn explores this while enjoying time with her son in the great outdoors.

It’s not unusual to find fresh vegetables or handmade goods at farmers’ markets across Wisconsin. But at one small farm in Tomahawk, the sales approach is different. Tranquil Acres Farm invites visitors to pick what they need and pay what they can afford, no questions asked. Heather and Bill Smith are a retired couple who bought the property during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in search of solitude. What began as a quiet retreat quickly turned into something much bigger: a mission to make healthy food accessible to everyone. Heather Smith talked with WPR’s Shereen Siewert.

Andrew Patrie is like most parents. The Eau Claire author loves his child. He strives to support her, help her succeed and help her stay safe. But accomplishing these goals can be … awkward. Parenthood often means entering unchartered territory. Patrie explores this in his book “Clumsy Love: A Father’s Journey Parenting His Transgender Daughter.” He reads us an excerpt from that memoir.

As summer comes to an end, tourists begin to leave Wisconsin’s northwoods. Every year on Labor Day, people line Highway 51 and wave to the tourists as they head home. As WPR’s Bridgit Bowden tells us, these “wave parties” are a way of saying “thanks for coming,” but also, “thanks for leaving.”

Do you have a random toilet in your basement? Perhaps it’s at the foot of the stairs or you’ve zhuzhed it up. WPR recently received a question about these porcelain wonders from an audience member through our WHYsconsin project. She asked, “Why do so many older homes in Wisconsin have an exposed toilet sitting in the unfinished basement? What's the story behind the ‘Midwestern toilet?'”

It has been more than two decades since Debra Gillispie of Milwaukee lost her son, Kirk Patrick Bickham, Jr. One night in 2003, a gunman killed him and two others outside a Milwaukee bar. Gillispie has since joined and started local advocacy efforts to change gun laws and share violence survivors’ stories. WPR’s Jonah Beleckis tells us how months ago, she traveled to the Fox Lake Correctional Institution to meet Jaki Marion, the man who killed her son.

Five years ago, a group of friends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, saw potential in an old parking lot under a freeway. WPR’s Anya van Wagtendonk has the story of the National DIY skatepark – a do-it-yourself project that started out as a secret – and has become part of the fabric of the city.

Irish music sessions regularly pop up in pubs and restaurants across Wisconsin. These are generally informal gatherings, where tin whistlers, fiddlers and accordionists play traditional Irish tunes. Writer Nancy Jorgensen of Waukesha tells us more about her growing love of these sessions in this “Wisconsin Life” essay.

Meditation practices have been shown to reduce stress, relieve hypertension and even contribute to weight loss. Can the practice also help people in recovery bring more balance to their lives? Producer Morgan D. Stewart caught up with devoted meditators in Madison to find out more.

For more than 60 years, the Sheboygan Asylum housed hundreds of patients living with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse disorders. The facility closed its doors in 2002. But for the past six years, the Fox Valley Ghost Hunters have been offering tours of its abandoned halls. WPR's Danielle Kaeding tagged along.

When radio producer Alexandra Salmon first saw Sedella Yancey rap at a summer night concert in Madison, she was mesmerized by the musician’s  stage presence and her talent at such a young age. The 10-year-old was performing the classic Digable Planets’ song “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That)” with the group The Black Poet’s Society. Wanting to better understand her blossoming creative journey, Salmon met with Yancey to talk about what it's like to be a young artist.

When radio producer Alexandra Salmon first saw Sedella Yancey rap at a summer night concert in Madison in 2023, she was mesmerized by the musician's stage presence and her talent at such a young age. She was performing the classic Digable Planets' song "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" with the Adem Tesfaye Band. Yancey

Sheboygan brands itself as Wisconsin’s “Malibu of the Midwest” for its popular freshwater surfing scene on Lake Michigan. Surfing is a year-round sport in the community. And WPR’s Joe Schulz decided to try it himself.

Not long ago, dating apps were heralded as a fresh and modern way to meet that special someone. But they come with unique challenges and are now pushing their users to seek alternatives. WPR’s Anna Marie Yanny recently attended an artsy singles mixer in Madison, and asked people why they were motivated to look for that special someone in person.

Frog Bay Tribal National Park has hiking trails, shoreline and wetlands. The nearly 200-acre park on Lake Superior is a great place to go for a run or to look out on the Apostle Islands. For members of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the land also holds a special meaning. WPR’s Trevor Hook brings us this story on the park’s history and its significance.

Have you ever picked up a hobby because a friend or relative was really into it? Did you try to see they’re truly onto something? Writer Yia Lor of Eau Claire did this with geocaching, an outdoor activity her late sister, Jer Lor, loved to do with her kids.

Have you ever picked up a hobby because a friend or relative was really into it? Did you try to see if they're truly onto something? Writer Yia Lor of Eau Claire did this with geocaching, an outdoor activity her late sister, Jer Lor, loved to do with her kids. == My sister, Jer, was

Orioles, pelicans and snowy owls are a few of the hundreds of species that birdwatchers are on the lookout for in Wisconsin this year. Many will travel the state and roam their neighborhoods crossing birds off their life lists — people like Dexter Patterson, co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin. WPR’s Bridgit Bowden has more the group as part of our Wisconsin Road Trip series.

When’s the last time you stopped to look at your spare change? For writer Ron Weber, one ordinary find leads him on an unexpected American odyssey.

When's the last time you stopped to look at your spare change? For writer Ron Weber, one ordinary find leads him on an unexpected American odyssey.

For some people in Wisconsin, baseball is a summer staple. And for Kenosha Kingfish fans, there’s a baton twirling usher who is an icon at the team’s Northwoods League games. WPR’s Evan Casey has more from the ballpark as part of our Wisconsin Road Trip series.

As a teenager, Marty “Meatman” Sosnowski of Green Bay, Wisconsin never felt like he fit in. He stopped trying to by not going to school. At the time, he didn’t feel like school was right for him. Years later, he realized the importance of getting an education, no matter what he was interested in. He talked about this with his sister, Lynne Williamson, during a StoryCorps Mobile Tour stop in Green Bay on Aug. 18, 2023.

"The reason I went to college is because I had picked up a camera and started taking pictures of rock 'n' roll bands. I wanted to work in the music industry and I did it," said Marty Sosnowski.

Writer Jill Sisson Quinn and her son had a summer routine. They would go to their local lake for a chilly, early morning swim almost every day. But last summer, they tried somewhere new. The experience opened Quinn’s eyes to the joys of both new and old loves.

The auto repair industry is dominated by men. But on Madison’s northside, Dutch’s Auto Service veers from that reality. As Christina Lieffring tells us, the women-owned auto repair shop may be unique but it faces universal struggles in a changing industry.

The auto repair industry is dominated by men. But on Madison's northside, Dutch's Auto Service veers from that reality. Learn how the women-owned auto repair shop may be unique but it faces universal struggles in a changing industry.