Podcasts about international falls

Neil hails from International Falls, MN and comes from a hockey playing family. Listen in as he takes us through his path to Harvard and the NHL. After his playing career ended, Neil studied to become a lawyer, NHLPA Player Agent and Neuro Muscular Therapist. Neil tells great stories and has an awesome sense of humor! Chippewa SteelIf you're looking for a great night of hockey, a Steel game is the place to be. Riverside Bike and SkateEau Claire's hockey headquarters which is the oldest hockey store in the state of Wisconsin. Rolly's Coach ClubMarket & JohnsonAdding Value to Everything We DoWilliams Diamond CenterWilliams Diamond Center is a fun and friendly place to find your next sparkling signature pieceKelly Heating and ElectricProudly making you comfortable since 1997!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.@TheBOSPodwww.thebreakoutsessions.com

The Five Count recently had a chance to speak with musicians Cassie & Maggie MacDonald. Cassie & Maggie are a sibling folk duo from Nova Scotia, Canada. They are Canadian Folk Music Award winners and Juno Award nominees. Their new album Gold & Coal is available now! See them in Minnesota on April 28 in Rochester, May 1 in International Falls, May 2 in New Port and May 3 in St. Paul! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv2lqFbcPQc&pp=ygURY2Fzc2llIGFuZCBtYWdnaWU%3D

Possible indicator of life on a distant planet; mass shooting at Florida State; fake moderate Democrats; Mike Lindell pleads being broke; Roblox; DFL candidate Denise Slipy joins the show; UHG takes a big hit in the stock market; International Falls city council meetings; no consequences for real crimes.

Minnesota's only national park turned 50 years old Tuesday. Voyageurs National Park was created on April 8, 1975. The park preserves about 220,000 acres of lakes, islands and forest along the Canadian border near International Falls. While the park is being celebrated all this year, it's creation was not without controversy. Barbara West served as park superintendent from 1995 to 2005. She spoke to reporter Dan Kraker about some of the issues she dealt with in her role and what she loves about Voyageurs. 

Early Monday morning nearly 200 athletes embarked from International Falls on the Arrowhead Ultra 135, one of the most grueling winter endurance races in the world. Racers bike, run and ski the equivalent of more than five marathons on a snow covered trail across northern Minnesota, carrying survival gear with them.Among the racers is Michael Koppy, 74, from the Duluth area, who's vying to become the oldest person ever to finish the Arrowhead on foot.MPR News correspondent Dan Kraker recently caught up with Koppy, who started running ultras about 25 years ago, when he turned 50.

Recorded before a live audience at the John Faith Little Theater, International Falls, Minnestoa on Oct 24th, 2024.

A story of family unity and lots of water--In Episode 112 of the WTIP Boundary Waters Podcast, wilderness traveler Peter Halverson shares the tale of his family's June 2024 Boundary Waters trip to Lac la Croix, which coincided with an unusually strong storm that dropped three to eight inches of rain over NE Minnesota. On June 18th, the storm washed out roads from International Falls to the North Shore of Lake Superior, and many locations experienced flash flooding and high water conditions--including in the BWCAW. Even after the rain stopped, the water continued to rise. With thanks to Peter for sharing this epic tale of adventure with WTIP. Photo courtesy of Peter Halverson.

Minnesota's current "Mr. Football" Maxwell Woods, formerly of Chanhassen now with South Dakota State joins Randy. Also, International Falls "tackle machine" Kane Thompson and Prescott, Wisconsin head coach Jordan Hansen are guests on Shaver Prep Football Podcast.   Sponsored by TruStone Financial, Your Neighborhood Credit Union. It's true. (https://trustonefinancial.org), Aquarius Home Services (https://aquariushomeservices.com), & Culver's (https://www.culvers.com)

Recorded before a live audience at the Salty Jester, International Falls, Minnesota on May 31, 2024.

Join us in the studio with Tyler Sadek, Go MN! Project Manager, and Amanda Jensen-Stahl, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Minnesota General, as we explore the transformative efforts of Minnesota's DIF Grant Go MN! This episode delves into innovative strategies designed to transition individuals with disabilities from subminimum wage to competitive, integrated employment.   Listen Here   Full Transcript:   {Music}   Amanda: Give them the tools and resources to look at other ways to support employment instead of that 14 (C) certificate.   Tyler: So much great work to be done supporting with individuals with disabilities across the country, and we really need people to help implement those innovative ideas so that we can serve these folks even better. This type of work is extremely important, and if you have a good team, I would dare even call this kind of work fun.   Amanda: Having that support is just so appreciated because there is a lot of pieces to this. And when you know, hey, I can call up Brandi and Iowa and just kind of say, hey, how are you guys dealing with this? That has just been really fantastic as well.   Intro Voice: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management, Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host Carol Pankow.   Carol: Well welcome to the Manager Minute. Joining me in the studio today is Tyler Sadek Go Minnesota project manager. And Amanda Jensen-Stahl, director of strategic initiatives with Minnesota General. So Tyler how goes it in Minnesota?   Tyler: Things are going well. I think spring might finally be here, so I'm pretty happy about that.   Carol: Yeah, I'm with you on that. I think we had spring, uh, in February and now we're now we're having winter. It's like what? What is happening?   Tyler: We're gonna give it another shot with spring.   Carol: I know it, it's hysterical. And, Amanda, it's always good to see you. How are you doing?   Amanda: I am good, it's so good to see you, too, Carol.   Carol: Well, we've been delving into the RSA Disability Innovation Fund grants, and this series is focused on the SWTCIE grants, or sub minimum wage to competitive integrated employment. And the purpose of this round of grants is to increase the opportunity for SWTCIE program participants, which includes students and youth with disabilities seeking subminimum wage employment and potential VR program applicants or VR eligible individuals with disabilities who are employed or contemplating employment at sub minimum wage to obtain competitive integrated employment, also known as CIE. Holy smokes, that's a  lot. And I love nothing more than talking with my Minnesota general peeps. You guys always have so much going on. And so for full disclosure for our listeners, before I retired from the state of Minnesota, I was the Assistant commissioner of the Workforce Services, part of the agency. I had the privilege of hiring your director, Dee Torgerson, into her position. And I think the world of Dee and the whole team there. So let's dig in. I'm excited about what you're doing. So, Tyler, I know you had your six month anniversary. Tell our listeners a little bit about yourself and how you came to VR.   Tyler: Yeah, so I was working as a restaurant manager, actually, and I volunteered for an organization called Life Track. I'm doing resume reviews, mock interviews, things like that. And then eventually a position opened up in business engagement, and I got hired. And in that role, I was supporting their employment program for people with disabilities as well as their other employment programs. Eventually, from that role, I moved into providing direct services to individuals with disabilities as a placement person, which I really loved. Eventually, another opportunity opened up at an organization called Resource, and I was hired on to help lead a direct appropriation grant for a few years. So I continued to do that, and then eventually I transitioned into an HR position, actually at a construction company called Parsons Electric, where I was responsible for community outreach, including working with VRS and other community organizations, as well as managing a few employee programs at the company. So in that role at Parsons Electric, I got connected to the State Rehabilitation Council, where I served as a representative of business, industry and labor and then eventually served as the chair of that council for a few years. So that was eventually led me to learning about Go MN a little bit. I saw the position opened up, I decided to apply and here I am. It's been quite the journey to this role, but I feel like it's a good culmination of my experience working with employers, doing placement, managing programs and leading others.   Carol: That is so cool. Our listeners always like to hear where people come from. It's like no one's journey in is ever clearly straight. It's a long and winding road and you're a fellow placement person. I used to do placement way back in the day. I have like fondness in my heart for that. So that. Oh, very cool. Amanda, how about you? You know, I've known you, but I didn't know about your journey into VR.   Amanda: Yes. So I went to school to become an English teacher. And then when I got out of college, I had a hard time finding a job. And so I got a job working with a CRP in Saint Paul. Shout out to Goodwill Easter Seals. And I fell in love with the work. I started doing job placement, job coaching and moved into a manager role where I was overseeing our placement team, our extended employment grant. We started an IPS program, so it was just an awesome, awesome experience. And then in 2015, a position became available at VRS for an extended employment specialist. And I thought, hey, I'm going to jump at this opportunity to use my experience on the CRP side and bring it over to VRS and the state of Minnesota. And from there, I've had a lot of great opportunities. You mentioned WIOA, I came in at the kind of ground level of when that was all starting, and got to build our process for career counseling, information and referral. I started working with our interagency partnerships with DHS, our Medicaid agency, and our special education agency, and then moved into overseeing business engagement, interagency partnerships, and now director of strategic initiatives. So it's been such a journey and just really incredible. And I'm grateful for all of those experiences because I think they all, you know, thinking about this dif grant and going, man, it is all serving us very well. This is kind of a culmination of much of that work.   Carol: That is super cool. I didn't know that about your background. Either. And you've done a ton at Minnesota. I always think whenever your name is tied to something, it's going to be stellar. It's going to be terrific. I do, I think the world of you. So, Amanda, can you give us a little snapshot of Minnesota general? Like how many staff do you have in the agency and how many customers do you guys serve? Yes.   Amanda: So we have 429 staff across the entire state, 23 field offices. And when we look at our last program year, so the last full program year of 22, we served about 12,919 individuals. We had over 5000 applications. And I'm really excited about our employment outcome rate is up over the last two years. So we're kind of building back from the pandemic, as I'm sure many folks are doing, and we're seeing the numbers of folks applying for our services go up, as well as those employment outcomes going up. So really happy that we're back to those pre-pandemic levels of people we're serving, which is just great news.   Carol: That is excellent to hear. I know folks really struggled. The pandemic just like crashed our customers. A lot of them, they were afraid to come out. I mean, they didn't want to be exposed to Covid and all of that. And it really decimated what the VR program was looking like. But we're seeing such a good rebound. You guys have also been rebounding in your numbers of staff too, with your staff vacancy rate. So I know does put a lot of initiatives into place. So you're much you know, I think you're at 20 some percent and I know it's much lower than that.   Amanda: Yes, absolutely. Dee and others have done some really great work with our HR department and really being creative and innovative in how we're recruiting staff, retaining staff, looking at all those ways to support staff with onboarding training. And we're really starting to see that dial shift where our vacancy rate is pretty low again. And we're back to kind of that pre-pandemic level. So we're really grateful for all those efforts. And just, you know, really, I know it's something that everyone struggles with, but just really thinking about, okay, how do we make this work and how do we make the state of Minnesota and VR's a really great place to work?   Carol: Excellent. I love to hear that. Now, I know Minnesota, you know, kind of shifting to our diff. You know, Minnesota still has a fair number of people who work at or are paid sub minimum wages. So tell us a little bit about the project and what you're hoping to accomplish. And Tyler I'm going to kick that to you first.   Tyler: Sure. So this is a disability innovation fund. So we are trying to develop innovative ways to serve people with disabilities in the state. So for this project, we're working with the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, or ICI Boston, to pilot what's called progressive employment. So it's a dual customer model, meaning it's meant to serve both employers and job seekers. And it really is meant for people with limited or no work experience in competitive, integrated employment. So what's different about it is it's really meant to help people explore work, doing things like tours, job shadows, work experience, learning more about what work means for them, what their skills are, what their interests are. And this project is also focused in the growing high demand transportation industry in Minnesota. So the hope is to help those that are either working in Subminimum wage or considering working in Subminimum wage, explore opportunities in that transportation industry, and potentially find competitive, integrated employment that's a fit for them and for the employer. The idea is really that everybody is ready for something, and we just need to meet people where they're at, provide the support needed for them to be successful in the community.   Carol: I love that. Can you talk a little bit more about the transportation industry, like a little more specificity around that? What does that look like? Yeah, so.   Tyler: The transportation industry is huge and it does include transportation and material handling. So we are considering this pretty broadly. But it really I think most people think about, you know, mechanics or drivers, but it's all those positions that support that work as well. So it could be working in an office. It could be working with technology, working with your hands, working with people. But we do think of transportation as very broad. And what's nice about that is for the folks that we're serving, there is a good chance with how broad this industry is that they can find that opportunity that they're looking for. So that was the emphasis in transportation. I know we'll mention Duluth later being a big transportation hub as well.   Carol: Yeah, that makes sense, I get that. Amanda, did you have anything you wanted to add to that?   Amanda: Yeah, I'll just add a little bit more about just subminimum wage in Minnesota. And Minnesota has historically had a very large number of individuals who have been working in subminimum wage employment. And, you know, when we wrote this grant two years ago now, even in the last two years, things have shifted and changed in ways that are so incredible. And I'm so excited about when we wrote it, we were looking at the numbers and looking at things, and it just has changed so much. So the first year back when we started doing the career counseling information referral process, we had almost 12,000 individuals that we saw that first year for this last year that we have data, we're down to about 4500. So that is a huge, huge change. And then when we look at our pilot location, we are down to like less than 100 people in the pilot location, perhaps even less than 50. And part of that is we're seeing providers just move away from that 14 (C) certificate, even though it's technically still allowable in the state and at the federal level. But I think providers are just saying, you know what, we want to move away from this. And this work really dovetails nicely with lots of other transformation initiatives that have been happening in the state over the last few years to help support providers, give them the tools and resources to look at other ways to support employment instead of that 14 (C) certificate. Lots more to do, of course, but it's just been really exciting to see this work that is just happening right before our eyes. And I think for this grant, we've had to certainly adjust and kind of keep up with those changes as well.   Carol: That makes my heart happy because I remember back in the day, more like 14,000 way back when. And I used to actually work at the Department of Human Services, where we did licensing and rate setting and all the different things for the various providers who were day training programs that did use, a lot of them use the 14 (C) certificates. It was kind of the way of life in Minnesota. So that is such a huge move. I had no idea about the numbers. Now that makes my heart really happy. Excellent. Good on you. This is great, you guys. So for our listeners to Minnesota is really a geographically diverse state. I think for some people they think about us. People be like, do you guys have, you know, plumbing and flush toilets? I've had people ask me that. I'm like, seriously, we are not out in the middle of the boondocks, but we do have areas of the state that really are super rural. And from top to bottom, this state, it is hours. It is a long way. If we're going to go from here to International Falls and such. Now, we do have our urban areas and our extremely remote locations, and you guys are taking a really great approach with this project, focusing on northeast Minnesota and spreading out across the state. So how did you guys come to settle on starting up in the Duluth area, and how are those partnerships developed?   Amanda: Great question. One of the requirements when we were applying for the grant is you had to pick a industry, and there were a couple different options. And as Tyler mentioned, we decided on the transportation industry. And the reason we did that is because when we looked at where were people already getting jobs at VRS across the state and transportation and material moving was number one over the last few years. So we thought, okay, people are already getting a lot of jobs in that industry. And so we decided that makes sense. Let's do that. And then looking at Duluth, because it really, for those of you who don't know, Duluth is right on Lake Superior. And it is a transportation material moving hub. You see those kind of ships and barges coming in and trains, and there's just there's a lot happening in the Duluth area, but it's also small enough that it felt manageable for us, that we could really leverage some of the amazing partnerships that we already have established in the Duluth area. The Duluth team is amazing because part of this work is really relying on our field team. So that manager and those staff that are in that office know that area. They also have previous experience working on a large federal grant from a few years back. We had the SGA grant, the SGA project, and then just those partnerships of not only employers and transportation partners, but our providers, our employment service providers, our relationship with our county, the waiver case managers, and then our centers for Independent living. And really knowing that, okay, we've got something great happening in Duluth and all the pieces were there. And so that's why we decided we're going to start in Duluth. We're going to get this off the ground, and then we can bring that to other parts of the state and really leverage that team to then help mentor as we then go to other parts of the state. And they are also amazing and willing to be flexible, knowing that this is a demonstration model. We're trying some new things. We want to be innovative. And so while we've tried to kind of lay the groundwork, we know that we're going to make changes and adjustments as we go. And they are right there game to do that along with us.   Carol: That makes so much sense now. Why, you know, talking about the transportation history. And then why you picked Duluth? Because Duluth sits on the harbor. It's a lovely location. Like there's major shipping traffic in and out. I hadn't thought about all of that. When you think about the transportation industry, first thing I always come to mind, like semi-trucks, you know, it's the truckers and there you go. But when, as Tyler described it, you know, we're talking so much more broadly. There's a lots of different elements that are all around the transportation industry. That's pretty cool. So I know a lot of our DIF grantees have had struggles and challenges during year one of the grant because, you know, you get notified maybe four days before it's the beginning of the federal fiscal year. And it's like, go and spend all that money right away. And so everybody's been talking about the challenges, and I wanted to find out what kind of challenges you all faced year one and how you have dealt with them and overcome those. And Amanda, I think I'll kick it to you first.   Amanda: Thank you. I did mention this, but it really has had a huge impact on how we've thought about this. But the changes in 14 (C) providers and Subminimum wage work, looking at our pilot location, many of the providers have already in the time we applied and in the time we're planning to get this up and running, have already moved away from it. And so that has been a challenge for us to kind of think about, how do we think about those folks who have historically earned subminimum wages, who might be doing other types of work, but it's still not necessarily integrated? And thinking about kind of that definition of contemplating and working with our RSA liaison to kind of work through that to say, hey, we've got a lot of changes in the landscape of this target population and working really closely with liaison to help, you know, maybe kind of adjust how we maybe thought about the population when we wrote the grant and then really thinking about how this project overlaps with much of the existing work that we've done in Minnesota. I mentioned earlier working with our Medicaid agency and our special education agency, and really thinking about how we serve individuals who are receiving a Medicaid waiver and how we're leveraging those relationships with schools and serving youth with the most significant disabilities. And we've spent a lot of work in how we partner with county case managers, our schools and transition programs. And so being very mindful about how progressive employment and this project fits in with that work, and not duplicating or stepping on toes and then thinking about sustainability. So how we can kind of fit the progressive employment in with much of that work that's happening. So that's a few changes around Subminimum wages. I'll pass it over to Tyler to talk about some of the other challenges we faced.   Tyler: Yeah, I would only really highlight two. One I think a lot of people can relate to is hiring is a challenge. It takes time to find the right people to work through that process. I do think we really have found some great people. I'll talk more about that in a second here. But that was a challenge. It takes time. It's hard to do this work when you don't have the people hired, but then the other one and it relates to this. A lot of these things just take time. As Amanda mentioned, this is a big project. So bringing those partners together, getting contracts in place, just all that groundwork that has to be laid. It just takes time. It's a challenge in the sense we know this work has to be done, but as long as we're patient, as long as we work through the process, as long as we stay determined, we've been able to work through those things, and we are getting very close to being able to get this off the ground.   Carol: I love that, you know, you both talked about groundwork, and I think, Amanda, that groundwork with, you know, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education, and I know that started years ago, where we were having those monthly meetings, the three organizations and DEED, you know, we're all talking together way back in the day. I was still part of that. And I loved that because we had to really learn to speak each other's language, to start, and then really look at how we could blend and braid and work together. So we weren't duplicating, supplanting all those words, you know, and making sure. So the stage was really set. That is true. And that will help with this whole effort. I think that's great. And even all the groundwork, Tyler, that you guys have laid in the agency with working with HR and all those different processes that have gotten so much better over time, helps for you to onboard and get the people in. So it seems like the stars all aligned and everything is coming together for you guys, I love that. So Tyler, what are some initial wins that you guys have been seeing?   Tyler: Yeah, so building on that theme of groundwork, there's again, a lot that goes into it when I look back at the past. So I know you mentioned my six month anniversary. I think I met about eight months now. Just the things we've been able to accomplish. So there's systems that are necessary to support this work. Customizing Workforce One has taken some time, but I think we've got a good system in place. We're going to be piloting a system called Salesforce. I'm sure many people are familiar with that, but that'll help us with our employer engagement, coordinating and organizing some of those efforts. I mentioned working with ICI Boston that has been bringing them in and working closely with them has definitely been a win. As well as the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota. They're going to be supporting this project as well. So we've just started to meet with them, bringing them into it. And then we also work with Mathematica as part of this project. So just all that groundwork, bringing in all these partners, getting everybody on the same page, I would definitely identify that as one of the biggest wins. And then I just mentioned this, but and maybe I'm a little biased, but I do think we've hired some amazing people on this project. I'm really excited for the work to begin, for them to really, you know, flex their muscles and use their skills. And then just overall, not just the folks that we've hired, all those partners that I mentioned, I think we just have a great team for the project. Everyone is very talented. We have some great team cohesion. Everybody works very hard, so we're all ready to do some good work for the people that we serve.   Carol: Yeah, you have a great foundation. Those groups that you all mentioned, Mathematica, and you've got ICI, and you've got also the UMass Boston people we're well aware of all those folks and consider them our colleagues. They're great. You guys were smart and kind of pulling the trifecta together to help support the project. So I know you're always looking forward and Duluth is the start. So Amanda, what's your next focus area going to be?   Amanda: We are focused on getting that pilot off the ground. And because of those changes of where Subminimum wage is at in Minnesota, we're really taking a look at in our proposal, we had identified some areas and we're rethinking that and really looking at where do we still have those higher numbers of people earning subminimum wage and looking at targeting those locations. So we have a higher number in kind of central Minnesota as well as southeastern Minnesota. And so looking at kind of the lay of the land there with those 14 (C) providers, that might still be providing that, because we want to make sure that we can leverage this grant to do the most work and do the most good, if you will. And so looking at shifting from where we initially thought we had thought we'd do Metro in southwest Minnesota, but now we're rethinking that and looking at, okay, where are our high numbers of subminimum wage workers? And let's go there.   Carol: So are you thinking then would that be down, like in the Rochester area, sort of as kind of the if you're thinking about the state, I'm trying to think I'm like east West. That was not always my best suit.   Amanda: Yeah. So down in southeast it would be like Rochester and Winona, that area.   Carol: Okay.   Amanda: And then central is kind of Saint Cloudish area. Saint Cloud Willmar, yeah.   Carol: Great. So what have you guys had for some takeaways that you've gained from the project so far. And Tyler I'm going to kick it to you first.   Tyler: First I would say my primary takeaway and I'm still new but a lot goes into this work. There are so many people involved. There are so many processes to follow and they can be very complicated sometimes. So I know I mentioned this before, it just takes time. It takes patience, it takes working together. Determination that has been my prime takeaway is just this is a big project. We just have to kind of, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. But as long as we are focused on really doing our best to serve the people that we want to serve, and we're keeping them at the center of all this work, then I have no doubt when all is said and done, we will be successful. We'll have achieved the mission of this grant. I just have to, for myself, even, just be patient. Take it a day at a time.   Carol: How about you, Amanda?   Amanda: I would say it takes a team. It's a big grant. It's a big project. And so I think that foundation that we've been laying with our internal VRS teams, shout out to the Duluth team and then our partners at ICI Boston and ICI Minnesota, we haven't mentioned it yet, but we have for business outreach, the Transportation Center of Excellence in Minnesota. We have someone there who has been helping us think about outreach to business and kind of tapping into what's happening from an education standpoint and working with them. And then I also want to note, CSAVR has been doing a community of practice with the SWTCIE grant holders. So the states have been coming together on a monthly basis to just talk about how this is working and sharing with each other and learning with each other, and that has been really helpful. And then there's been some other like RSA and Mathematica have also held some meetings. So I think just it's helpful when you're doing something like this and you're kind of in the weeds, it's nice to hear from other people, like you're not alone. Other people might be struggling or having successes, and just having that support is just so appreciated because there is a lot of pieces to this. And, when you know, hey, I can call up Brandi and Iowa and just kind of say, hey, how are you guys dealing with this? That has just been really fantastic as well.   Carol: Well, and speaking of Brandi and Iowa, we just recorded with her last month. And their SWTCIE Grant, which is fun. I had not heard that CSVAR was doing this COP. I love that that is great because I know there's a lot that goes into the DIF just organizationally and administratively because it's a different type of grant, a discretionary grant from the feds. There's different reporting requirements. And so sometimes states are not used to all of that. Like there's a high level of involvement from RSA. And so you've got a lot going on and people are kind of overwhelmed. It's different. And so having that support group is awesome I love that. Well, I know too, that we have different listeners who are on the fence. And we're anticipating another round of DIF grants coming again with the large amount of monies that were relinquished in Re allotment. And so sometimes people, you know, they reach out and they're like, well, like, should we do it or not? And do you all have some advice for them if they're contemplating doing a DIF? Tyler, what would you tell folks about this?   Tyler: I could understand looking at these grants, seeing them as intimidating. But I think to Amanda's point, if you do choose to apply, know that you are not doing it alone. We have definitely leaned on other states who are doing similar work, and it both helps support our work as well as remind us that we are really in this together. So I think that makes a huge difference if you do decide to apply. But really, if you are contemplating applying for a DIF grant, I say go for it. There is so much great work to be done supporting with individuals with disabilities across the country, and we really need people to help implement those innovative ideas so that we can serve these folks even better. So this type of work is extremely important, and if you have a good team, I would dare even call this kind of work fun.   Carol: Hahaha. That is awesome! Well, I could see the fun on both of your faces because you're smiling. Our listeners can't see that, but you're both smiling from ear to ear. And I can tell the passion and you're very excited about what you're doing. I know you're building your website right now, so you may not have that available, but if others wanted to connect with you, what would your email addresses be?   Tyler: Once we get that website up, we'll let you know in case we can incorporate that somehow. But I can be reached at Tyler.Sadek@State.MN.US and I'll spell that really quick, T y l e r dot s a d e k at state dot MN dot US.   Carol: Excellent. And Amanda, how about you?   Amanda: Okay, here's my email. Amanda. A m a n d a dot Jensen, J e n s e n, -Stahl, S t a h l, at State dot MN dot US. Amanda.Jensen-Stahl@State.MN.US   Carol: Excellent. Thank you both. You both have been terrific. I'm really looking forward to connecting with you all again. A little bit down the road, you know, as you get more time under your belt and we see how it's going. But this sounds amazing and really I wish you the best of luck. Thanks for joining me today.   Tyler: Thank you Carol.   Amanda: Thank you Carol.   {Music} Outro Voice: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time, brought to you by the VR TAC for Quality Management. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening!  

Recorded before a live audience at the Salty Jester, International Falls, Minnesota, April 18, 2024

The Scream in the Shack was written & directed by Jeffrey Adams.  It starred Aela Mackintosh as Carol, Scotta Turner as Petra, Jim Yount as Bob, Dalton Johnson as Ron and Justin Kapla as Dept Oats.  Sound design by Jeffrey Adams.  Sound engineering by Cnara Erwin.  This program was recorded on April 18, 2024 at the Salty Jester in International Falls in front of a live audience.  For more information on the Icebox Radio Theater, visit Icebox Radio dot O R G.

Recorded before a live audience at The Salty Jester, International Falls, Minnesota.

Recorded before a live audience at the Salty Jester, International Falls, Minnesota.

Nick Lesch's story is a riveting account of resilience and redemption. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, he faced poverty and an absent father. At five years old, he survived a near-fatal three-story fall, an event that ignited his faith. After being adopted by a Seventh-day Adventist family, his life took a turn, but adolescence still posed challenges with family struggles and identity crises. A move from International Falls to New Mexico and a troubled relationship with his father led him into a difficult phase, but a transformative summer program steered him toward a more positive path.As Nick matured, he battled personal vices but found deeper meaning in his faith. Evangelism and a stronger connection to the gospel helped him overcome his struggles. By the end of the episode, you'll hear how God's grace turned his life from darkness to light, and how he's now dedicated to sharing this hope with others, especially his own family. Join us to witness the remarkable power of transformation and the resilience of the God's spirit.10:46 - Family Struggles and School Transitions18:52 - Growing Up and Finding Faith25:12 - Life's Ups and Downs35:32 - Overcoming Struggles Through Faith40:38 - Family Conflict and Spiritual Awakening44:26 - Journey to Finding God's Love55:18 - Impact of the Gospel Transformation1:03:16 - Growing in the Gospel

If you've been tuning in through this past winter, you have likely heard of my big scary adventure coming up next winter - what will be my first fat bike winter ultra at the Arrowhead 135 - a 135-mile adventure through the remote wilderness of northern Minnesota in late January - it starts in International Falls and is known for it's bitter cold temperatures and deep snow - and while it's not always cold and snowy, as in this past edition (tune in to our conversation with Cate Coward in episode 114!) - but I will say - you'd better be prepared for both! One of the reasons this race is scary for me, is that I'm no fat biker - I don't yet own one, nor have I really spent any time on one - and though it's spring and every week is getting warmer and warmer as we head into summer - it's high time I start thinking about what I'm going to ride next winter! So I dialed up my mentor, Steve McGuire - and who better to talk fat bikes? Steve is not only a veteran of many winter ultras including the Arrowhead 135, Actif Epica, Tuscobia 160 and the Iditarod Trail Invitational - not only all of that - but he also leads the Design, build ride program at the University of Iowa - a cool class for both engineering and art students to who do just that - design, build then ride their own hand crafted steed. So Steve's not only been riding fat bikes for years and years - but has also been playing with the design - so if you're interested at all in your own winter fat biking, bike design or... well... Iowa Women's Basketball - then I hope you enjoy this conversation with Steve McGuire! Connect with Steve at https://art.uiowa.edu/people/steve-mcguireWe would love it if you would consider supporting Bike Talk with Dave by rating, reviewing and sharing on your favorite podcast platform. We'd invite you to support the show financially at www.buymeacoffee.com or on Venmo @David-Mable. You'll receive a Bike Talk with Dave sticker! Bikeiowa.com is the online host of Bike Talk with Dave. Get your event listed on the extensive ride and race calendar for free! Create an account and add and edit your event to reach thousands of cyclists. Register for the core4 today! New distances in 24 include a 20, 40, 60 or 100-mile option. Register at www.core4.bikeFollow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!And if you need any digital media work: photography, videography and editing, podcast production and editing, look no further than Mable Media. Connect at www.mablemedia.net to help grow your brand and connect with your audience!

Bob Mason spent 18 years as the goaltending coach for the Minnesota Wild but his hockey journey goes far deeper.   International Falls thru Duluth and into the NHL which includes the Easter Epic.   Great puck talk here.

Bob Mason spent 18 years as the goaltending coach for the Minnesota Wild but his hockey journey goes far deeper.   International Falls thru Duluth and into the NHL which includes the Easter Epic.   Great puck talk here.

“Lance Manley & the Case of the Long Lost Love” was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams. It starred Caleb Silvers as Lance, Aela Mackintosh as Nora, and Justin Kapla as Lawrence Barrymore, PHD. Jeffrey Adams was your announcer and played Sgt Jones. Diane Adams was Effie. Sound design by Jeffrey Adams. This program was recorded on March 1, 2024 at the Salty Jester in International Falls in front of a live audience. For more information on the Icebox Radio Theater, visit Icebox Radio dot O R G.

Race Results are listed from the Duluth Winter Trailrunning Series (Hartley Park 10k, Frozen 4 Hour/5k, and Series results), the Freeze Yer Gizzard 5k/10k and Arrowhead 135, both in International Falls. The only upcoming race we could find was on March 16, 2024 with the Saint Fennessy 4K. Trails are in bad shape and should ... Read more

Dave Amundsen took the post in International Falls to protect our US border and also to enjoy his time away as an angler! Sponsored by: Kinetico (https://www.kineticoMN.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (https://horseandhunt.com/) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/) Star Bank (https://www.star.bank/) & Lakes Gas (https://www.lakesgas.com/)

Dave Amundsen took the post in International Falls to protect our US border and also to enjoy his time away as an angler! Sponsored by: Kinetico (https://www.kineticoMN.com/) Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (https://horseandhunt.com/) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/) Star Bank (https://www.star.bank/) & Lakes Gas (https://www.lakesgas.com/)

“Heroes Don Cha' Know” was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams. It starred Adams and Justin Kapla. Sound effects engineered by Diane Adams.This program was recorded on January 19, 2024 at the Salty Jester in International Falls in front of a live audience. Support the Icebox Radio Theater at Iceboxradio.org/join-us

Duluth, Saint Cloud, Hibbing and International Falls each broke records this morning for warmest overnight low temperature. The Twin Cities tied a record with a low of 35 degrees. That mild weather isn't going anywhere, anytime soon.That story and more in today's evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

“Lance Manley & the Case of the Bogus Bestseller” was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams. It starred Caleb Silvers as Lance, Scotta Turner as Nora, James Yount as Dr Peabody, and Charis Boyer as Lilith. Jeffrey Adams was your announcer and Diane Adams was Effie as well as the sound effects engineer. Sound design by Jeffrey Adams. This program was recorded on November 19, 2023 at the Salty Jester in International Falls in front of a live audience. Partial funding for the Icebox Radio Theater provided by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. For more information on the Icebox Radio Theater, visit Icebox Radio dot O R G.

As part of my prep to start - and hopefully finish- the Arrowhead 135, a 135-mile winter fat bike ultra starting in International Falls, Minnesota in January, I wanted to talk to the director of the event: Ken Krueger. In this episode he talks about what it takes to prepare for and complete what has been described as one of the 50 hardest races in the world. For more information on this race and begin YOUR journey to northern Minnesota you can open the Pandora's box of winter ultra fat biking (as well as skiing and running!) at www.arrowheadultra.com. We hope to see you there in 2025! Consider supporting Bike Talk with Dave by rating, reviewing and sharing on your favorite podcast platform. We'd invite you to support the show financially at www.buymeacoffee.com or on Venmo @David-Mable. You'll receive a Bike Talk with Dave sticker! Bikeiowa.com is the online host of Bike Talk with Dave. Get your event listed on the extensive ride and race calendar for free! Create an account and add and edit your event to reach thousands of cyclists. Register for the core4 before Oct. 2 and get a 24% discount, and leave no surface untouched. New distances in 24 include a 20, 40, 60 or 100-mile option. Register at www.core4.bike Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel! And remember, if you act fast, you can order your own Bike Talk with Dave stocking cap by sending a DM to Dave on instagram or facebook!

As a cyclist I've competed in many disciplines, from road racing and criteriums to mountain bikes, gravel and cyclocross. Even a little track racing! But there's one discipline I've never done: A Winter Fat Bike Ultra. So, with the mentorship of Steve McGuire, a winter fatbike veteran (Alaska, Iceland, Wisconsin, Minnesota and more), I'm embarking on a journey to the 2025 Arrowhead 135. That is a mid-winter fat bike race through the remote northwoods forests from International Falls to Tower Minnesota along the Arrowhead trail. In this episode Steve and I introduce the project and then begin with one of the topics to help me prepare: Proper clothing. While I've raced in some of the coldest and worst conditions around, I've always had a warm house, car or hotel waiting for me at the end of my ride. The Arrowhead can take as long as 60 hours over two nights and temperatures can reach more than forty degrees below zero. Wind, snow and even rain can make conditions even more challenging. So tune in today and join Dave as he explores with Steve McGuire how to conquer what is considered one of the 50 hardest races on earth! Check out the Arrowhead 135 at https://arrowheadultra.com/. And tune in to episode no. 105 for a conversation with Arrowhead Race Director Ken Krueger. Check out the previous episodes with Steve McGuire as he talks about his rides in Alaska and Iceland as well as the Design, Build Ride program he leads at the University of Iowa in Episodes 53 and 54! Consider supporting Bike Talk with Dave by rating, reviewing and sharing on your favorite podcast platform. We'd invite you to support the show financially at www.buymeacoffee.com or on Venmo @David-Mable. You'll receive a Bike Talk with Dave sticker! Bikeiowa.com is the online host of Bike Talk with Dave. Get your event listed on the extensive ride and race calendar for free! Create an account and add and edit your event to reach thousands of cyclists. Register for the core4 before Oct. 2 and get a 24% discount, and leave no surface untouched. New distances in 24 include a 20, 40, 60 or 100-mile option. Register at www.core4.bike Follow Bike Talk with Dave on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/biketalkwithdave/ and Facebook so you don't miss any of the fun, and you can now find every episode on your computer at www.biketalk.bike. And now available on YouTube on the Bike Talk with Dave YouTube channel!

This has been ‘A Tree Falls in the Forest' recorded before a live audience on September 30, 2023 at the Salty Jester in International Falls, Minnesota. Our cast included Scotta Turner as Cheri, Caleb Silvers as David, Jeffrey Adams as Jim, Dalton Johnson as Bob, and Mitchell Erickson as Pete. Script written and directed by Jeffrey Adams. Sound effects by Diane Adams. Partial funding made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. For more information, visit Icebox Radio.org.

This has been ‘A Tree Falls in the Forest' recorded before a live audience on September 30, 2023 at the Salty Jester in International Falls, Minnesota. Our cast included Scotta Turner as Cheri, Caleb Silvers as David, Jeffrey Adams as Jim, Dalton Johnson as Bob, and Mitchell Erickson as Pete. Script written and directed by Jeffrey Adams. Sound effects by Diane Adams. Partial funding made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. For more information, visit Icebox Radio.org.

This has been ‘The Scoop Sisters: Flood of Riches' from the Icebox Radio Theater. It starred Victoria Olson as Jasmine, Karen Shickell as Mel, Aela Mackintosh as Dana, and Hireth Boyer as Pete. The script was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams. The recording was made before a live audience at Backus Community Center, International Falls, on August 16th, 2023. This program copyright 2023 by the Icebox Radio Theater which is solely responsible for its content. Partial funding made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. For more information, visit Icebox Radio.org.

This has been ‘The Scoop Sisters: Flood of Riches' from the Icebox Radio Theater. It starred Victoria Olson as Jasmine, Karen Shickell as Mel, Aela Mackintosh as Dana, and Hireth Boyer as Pete. The script was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams. The recording was made before a live audience at Backus Community Center, International Falls, on August 16th, 2023. This program copyright 2023 by the Icebox Radio Theater which is solely responsible for its content. Partial funding made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. For more information, visit Icebox Radio.org.

There's another air quality alert that parts of Minnesota is dealing with Tuesday. Heavy ground level smoke from Canadian wildfires is drifting across Northern Minnesota. The air quality alert includes cities like Brainerd, Alexandria, Hinckley, Ortonville, Moorhead, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Duluth, Roseau, and Chisago, Isanti, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, and Morrison counties. The alert lasts until Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday is the 41st day with bad air quality in Minnesota this year. Most of the alerts have been due to wildfires raging across Canada. And unfortunately we are currently in peak wildfire season. David Brown is an Air Quality Meteorologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and he joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about his work.

This episode is jam packed! I sit down with Harvey Lewis, just days after his finish at Badwater 135. And his Badwater run across Death Valley was less than 2 weeks after his 375 miles that he ran at Dead Cow Gully backyard ultra in Australia. We also talk about his documentary that just game out: Like Harvey Like Son, where he attempted the fastest known time, FKT, to run the entirety of the Appalachian Trail. I also found out that he ran the Arrowhead 135, which is a race across the frozen landscape of International Falls, Minnesota where temps have dipped to -45°F during the race. Harvey has also ran in the last two runnings of the Barkley Marathons, which is an invite-only 100-ish mile orienteering race at Frozen Head State Park that has only been completed 21 times by 17 runners. Again, so much to get to and I hope you enjoy this episode. I feel like there is a lot more to uncover with Harvey and more stories to share, but we try to uncover more of his adventures and the worst weather he has had to endure. Harvey partners with RoadiD, Newton, Tailwind, 2XU, and All Day Running. Follow Harvey on social media by looking up Harvey Lewis Ultrarunner on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok⁠. You can find the documentary "Like Harvey, Like Son" on Amazon Prime Video. Also, if you are interested in checking out his travel running company, check out Run Quest Travel.

This has been, Blood Orange - an original tale of terror from the Frozen Frights podcast, a presentation of the Icebox Radio Theater. Our play was performed live, over the air originating from Studio-908 in International Falls, Minnesota on February 10, 2023. It starred Aela Mackintosh as Grace, Justin Kapla as the Boss, Grace Flesland as Claire, and Doug Skrief as Dr Gabe.The script was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams who also played the Winter Warlock in this episode. This program from the Icebox Radio Theater is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.This program copyright 2023 by the Icebox Radio Theater all rights reserved. For more information, visit Icebox Radio dot O R G

This has been, Blood Orange - an original tale of terror from the Frozen Frights podcast, a presentation of the Icebox Radio Theater. Our play was performed live, over the air originating from Studio-908 in International Falls, Minnesota on February 10, 2023. It starred Aela Mackintosh as Grace, Justin Kapla as the Boss, Grace Flesland as Claire, and Doug Skrief as Dr Gabe.The script was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams who also played the Winter Warlock in this episode. This program from the Icebox Radio Theater is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.This program copyright 2023 by the Icebox Radio Theater all rights reserved. For more information, visit Icebox Radio dot O R G

This has been, Blood Orange - an original tale of terror from the Frozen Frights podcast, a presentation of the Icebox Radio Theater. Our play was performed live, over the air originating from Studio-908 in International Falls, Minnesota on February 10, 2023. It starred Aela Mackintosh as Grace, Justin Kapla as the Boss, Grace Flesland as Claire, and Doug Skrief as Dr Gabe.The script was written and directed by Jeffrey Adams who also played the Winter Warlock in this episode. This program from the Icebox Radio Theater is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.This program copyright 2023 by the Icebox Radio Theater all rights reserved. For more information, visit Icebox Radio dot O R G

Updated: March 20, 4:14 p.m. | Posted: Feb. 27, 4 a.m. Persia Erdrich's son had just turned 2 years old when he spoke his first sentence in Ojibwe. The pair were visiting the Minnesota Zoo as part of a group of babies, toddlers, parents and elders in a program to teach Ojibwe to young children and their parents. Erdrich, whose Ojibwe name is Netaa-niimid, said it happened when her son Patrick Linehan, whose Ojibwe name is Ogimaagaabaw, pointed at a bear in an enclosure.“Makwa nibaa,” he said. The bear is sleeping.This was possible for Erdrich's son because they attend a language nest in Cloquet, Minn., on the Fond du Lac Reservation called Gookonaanig Endaawaad, or “Grandma's House.” The program started in 2020, and now seven families learn Ojibwe traditions and language from elders who speak it as their first language.Grandma's House is not like a drop-off daycare or an immersion school where only the children learn. Through a grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation and support from other funders, parents get paid to learn alongside and speak with their children in Ojibwe five hours a day, four days a week.Don Jones, whose Ojibwe name is Niigaanibines, is one of the elders who teaches at Grandma's House. He said the language nest got its name because “a lot of young Anishinaabe people always went to Grandma's house for food, company, legends, and stories.” The word Anishinaabe refers to the Indigenous people of this area of the U.S. and Canada, and Ojibwe is a specific subgroup, so some use the terms interchangeably.Jones has been learning and speaking Ojibwe since he was born. It is unlikely that any adults who speak Ojibwe as their first language remain in the Fond du Lac Reservation, but it is not definitively known. All of the elders sharing their teachings at Grandma's House travel to Cloquet from places like Ontario, Manitoba, and Wisconsin. For instance, Jones travels from Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, which is on the Canadian side of the border from International Falls, Minn.“Even in our community on the Canadian side, I grew up in that kind of environment. I appreciate the love and kindness from grandmothers and what they provide: love and caring and sharing. So, that was the whole idea about recreating that kind of concept here.”The beginning of language revitalizationGrandma's House wouldn't have been possible a little more than a generation ago. In the late 1800s, the U.S. government created a policy that banned speaking or teaching in any language other than English in schools. This was standard practice in Native American boarding schools. For generations, Native children were taken from their families, banned from speaking their native language or engaging in traditional religious practices, and often abused if they didn't comply. Hundreds of Native children died in these schools. Counts vary, but there were at least a dozen of these boarding schools in Minnesota. “It wasn't until the passing of the Native American Languages Act in 1990 that we saw a federal policy that allowed the use of Native American languages in the classroom,” said Deidre Whiteman, director of research and education for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, which is based in Minneapolis.“When Indigenous communities lose their languages, they also lose thousands of years of stories and traditions,” Whiteman stated. “Everything we know about ourselves as Native peoples is found in our languages — our songs, our stories, and our ceremonies. Our connection to our lands is rooted in languages. It's what makes us who we are.”A study led by The Australian National University and published in 2021 found that, worldwide, “The loss of language diversity results from a complex network of factors, particularly those associated with colonization, globalization, and social and economic change.”Ojibwe is endangered and there were only an estimated 678 first-language Ojibwe speakers in Minnesota in 2009, according to the University of Minnesota.The “language nest” model of language revitalization began in New Zealand, where a movement to revive the Maori language began in the 1970s. In the 1980s, the government there began funding language nests, or Te Kōhanga Reo, which brought elders together with children and their parents. The program flourished there. By 1991, a year after the U.S. lifted the ban on learning Native languages, New Zealand had “630 kōhanga reo operating, with a total enrollment of 10,451 children and about 4,000 staff”, according to an essay from Maori scholars Tania Rei and Carra Hamon. Language nest models now exist worldwide, but only a few exist in the United States. Commonly cited reasons include a lack of fluent speakers, financial challenges, and loss of language diversity.Likely the oldest equivalent to a language nest in the U.S. is 'Aha Pūnana Leo, meaning “nest of voices,” in Hawaii.There also is a history of language revitalization programs including language nests in Minnesota. Eni-gikendaasoyang, or the Enweyang Ojibwe Language Nest, was a preschool lab classroom that taught Native and non-native children common core subjects in Ojibwe at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. The school ran from 2009 to 2014.Minnesota is also part of several Native ancestral homelands, such as Lakota and Dakota people. In South Dakota they have a Lakota Language & Education Initiative, and in North Dakota the Lakȟól'iyapi Wahóȟpi Lakota Language Immersion Nest. And last fall in 2022, the University of Minnesota began a Dakota language nest program.Other language nests are still forming across the U.S. today: Saad K'idilyé Diné Language Nest (SKDLN) opened in August in New Mexico. How Grandma's House came to beThe seed that bloomed into Grandma's House started more than a dozen years ago. A small group, most who met in the University of Minnesota's Ojibwe Language Program including Erdrich, developed an idea for an immersive program where adults could learn from Ojibwe elders. The group worked with the Fond du Lac Tribal College to create Ojibwemotaadidaa, an Ojibwe Immersion academy for adults. It was there that discussions began about making an Ojibwe language nest for the adults at the academy who were planning or starting to have children, including Erdrich. “I was actually living in Wisconsin but I moved back here because I wanted him to learn how to speak Ojibwe,” she said about her son. Many minds went into the creation of Grandma's House. Families from Leech Lake, Bad River, and even Ontario attended these adult language camps where part of the brainstorming of Grandma's House took place. When Grandma's House was developing, the group did a pipe ceremony. Jones said they requested “guidance from the Spirits, for the program to be looked after and funded, and to provide spiritual guidance in the way this unfolds in the future.” Putting his faith in that ceremony, Jones stated Grandma's House would “come about the way it should come about.”“It was prophesized that a new generation would come in and bring back what was lost. And I really feel like the people in the language revitalization movement are that generation,” said Nicole Kneeland, who is the grant manager for Grandma's House and helped secure the grant that financially supports parents in the program. Her Ojibwe name is Gaagigegiizhigookwe. See inside Grandma's House Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation got involved because it is “committed to increasing access to early childhood care and education in a way that advances racial and health equity. The efforts of Fond Du Lac Tribal College and their creation of Grandma's House is a great example of that intersection,” stated Bukata Hayes, chair of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation board.Due to distance, some families who helped develop Grandma's House can't attend. From elders to parents to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, to the newest and youngest first-language Ojibwe speakers at Grandma's House, the program's foundation is still growing. Erdrich and several others involved in the founding now have children in Grandma's House."Learning Ojibwe in college and pursuing learning the language and teaching the language, I hadn't really thought about babies speaking it as their first language,” Erdrich said. “It seemed like this impossible thing because of how much work it would be, how hard it would be to have a whole community and other babies to be speaking Ojibwe, but it's happening! And it's amazing because it's the peer language here so the kids are speaking Ojibwe to each other,” she said. ‘Language is healing'Even though it falls under the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Grandma's House is not like other college language programs. Learning a Native language in an academic setting is beneficial for language revitalization, but academic learning does not usually include learning the traditions, heritage or spirit within a Native community.A regular day at Grandma's House begins with a snack and casual interaction while the kids, parents, and elder or elders arrive. Then, depending on the season, they head outside for activities. In winter the group will snowshoe along trails or set rabbit snares; other times they will tap trees for syrup and sugar. A lot of the work is in noticing and identifying when things are changing in nature and telling the kids about it. For example, now is the season when rabbits are pregnant, so parents and elders teach the kids not to kill animals that carry young. After, everyone heads back inside to eat lunch. Sometimes they teach the little ones to process and eat wild rice, or eat what's harvested from their garden.Language diversity provides different ways of thinking and listening. Jones described that when he hears stories in Anishinaabe, “the words are very beautiful.” He said he can see a picture developing as other elders talk, as opposed to when he hears something in English and has to listen carefully to see what's being said. He said his teaching style at Grandma's House relies more “on the legends, the stories, and what my grandparents and my parents taught me to speak the language.”Grandma's House is set to expand soon. It recently got notice of funding to start an extended program this fall for children ages 3-5 to learn Ojibwe, taught by Erdrich, according to Kneeland.“We're working with the Fond du Lac Tribe to find a licensed space. Families that are currently in the program will shift their children into that program which will open up more family spots in our Grandma's House,” shared Kneeland. It will continue Ojibwe language learning when children leave the language nest.“There will be applications soon, but we're still working on it right now. This summer will be a big application period for us because we're going to go through two programs: Grandma's House and the new preschool classroom,” she said. Waking up a sleeping language Although it's common to refer to a language no longer commonly spoken as a “dead language,” some people in the language revitalization movement instead refer to them as “asleep.” The idea is that sleeping languages can be awakened through family and community efforts. Waking up Native languages can also bring intergenerational healing.“There's a tremendous amount of healing in everything that we do around Grandma's House. Once they get to a certain age, they can pass on that knowledge later on if they're in their 30s and 40s. Then they can share what we passed on to them so it continues, it lives on,” Jones said. “We all need each other to heal,” Whiteman said. “Our elders are our knowledge keepers and carry the memories of our ancestors. In our communities, elders are revered. When the youth are able to hear stories from elders, they are able to make that connection to who they are.”Native people learning their language is not only changing families but healing them. “Language is healing. When you speak your language, you have your Anishinaabe name, and your clan, and can introduce yourself and where you're from. So we always tell people that the spirit is always listening to us, not just the Great Spirit, but everything has spirit — the trees, the plants, all these are healing,” Jones said.Whiteman explained that some elders are “hesitant to re-learn their Native languages because of shame and guilt. Many struggle with their identities and feel robbed of that connection to their cultures that they felt they should have had. There were also many families who converted to Christianity and assimilated to survive.”However, the elders and families at Grandma's House are motivated to “break the cycle,” Kneeland said. “We do have situations where elders are hesitant to do this work due to the effects of being at boarding schools. It can be a really lonely trail doing this. We have to build that community and support each other, and now the language line is back in families. We have seven families that will have the language back since the last speaker two to three generations ago. This is changing families,” Kneeland said. Jones appreciates the lightness that can come with speaking and learning Ojibwe. “The spiritual language has a lot of humor. There's a lot of humor in our language, stories, directions, and mostly, what we call ‘Gizhewaadiziwin,' which is love and kindness, that's ingrained in the language,” Jones said. Erdrich is “fluent enough to keep a conversation but waiting to know enough to tell a good joke in Ojibwe.”“I can't believe it's happening: my little boy is speaking Ojibwe as his first language. The last person to speak it was my great-grandfather. It's a full circle of healing,” Erdrich said. Her son is now beginning to dream in Ojibwe. He recently shared with her a dream about a small bird flying high. It was eating, resting, and sleeping. “It was just this powerful moment because he was talking about his dream in Ojibwe and usually, in my experience, I only hear people speak about their dreams in Ojibwe when we are at ceremonies or there is some special important, maybe sacred, occasion. But, for him, he was speaking because that's the language he has.” Video of Persia ErdrichCorrection (Feb. 28, 2023): An earlier version of this story misstated the age of students at Eni-gikendaasoyang. Also, photo captions in an earlier version of this story misstated which language appears on a toy and the age of a child.

As the Director of Art and Art History at the University of Iowa, wove his passion for long, challenging, cold bike rides together with the U of I curriculum. The result was a now world renown bike building set of classes known as Bike I and Bike II. Teaching a bike building class also allows him the opportunity to build bikes of his own design for his use in his favorite type of bike races: Winter Ultra-Endurance Bikepacking events. His travels have taken him from the frozen rivers and mountains of the Iditarod Trail, to the sub-zero Canadian Bordertown of International Falls, Minnesota on the Arrowhead 135. He's also ridden from Fairbanks, Alaska to his home in Iowa City, and most recently a north-south crossing of the remote Icelandic interior. This episode was recorded in January of 2023. In our extra episode, No. 54, we had a 2019 discussion about the University of Iowa's Bike Fabrication and Design program. Read more about it here. Register for the Driftless 100 today! 100, 60 & 30-mile options of beautiful Northeast Iowa gravel. August 29 in Elkader. Thank YOU for tuning in to Bike Talk with Dave! Please rate, review and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform - and of course, please share it with your friends! And If you'd like to support the show financially, you can look for Bike Talk with Dave at BuyMeACoffee.com or hit me on Venmo at @David-Mable If you do I'll send you with a Bike Talk with Dave sticker! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dmable122QI'd encourage you to try a bag of Chain and Spoke Coffee. I'm enjoying the Gravel Grind this month - bold and smooth - it's available by ordering at chainandspoke.com! Winter is the time for your team to order your summer kits. Call Bike Rags Apparel for a quote and let them help you design and outfit your team! www.bikeragsapparel.com Thanks to www.BIKEIOWA.com for being the online host of Bike Talk with Dave - BikeIowa.com is your one stop shop with an incredible event calendar, as well as news, information and trails in Iowa and around the midwest! New events are added every week - if you're an event director, make sure and upload your information as soon as you can to bikeiowa.com and get your event in the calendar!

Stuff and things from deep in the bowels of International Falls, Minnesota. It's all the wit that's fit to print.

Stuff and things from deep in the bowels of International Falls, Minnesota. It's all the wit that's fit to print.

Laurel Beager, editor of the Rainy Lake Gazette in International Falls, has been following the story about how the town is trying to find solutions for working class families who are struggling to afford food. She talks with Cathy Wurzer about the situation.

Lance Manley is back, and this time it's serious. When a bank bag turns up in the library's book drop, it's up to Lance to figure out what to do with a million bucks…the bank doesn't want back!! Recorded August 3rd, 2022 in front of a live audience at the Pete Peterson band shell in Smokey Bear Park, International Falls, Minnesota. The cast included Caleb Silvers as Manley, Aela Mackintosh as Nora Diamond, Diane Adams was Effie Perine, and Justin Kapla as Leonard Spivey. Script, Direction by Jeffrey Adams. Sound effects by Evie Conat. Music by Kevin MacLeod for the following songs: Fast Talkin Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ I knew a guy Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Night on the Docks Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Cool Vibes Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Dances & Dames Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ This program copyright 2022 by the Icebox Radio Theater which is solely responsible for its content. Partial funding made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Puppeteer Karly Bergmann was a fellow in the previous PuppetLab cohort, and she is excited that the series is back after a pandemic hiatus for its 10th year. Four residency artists have spent the past six months developing and workshopping new, experimental works with puppets, which will air as two distinct shows this weekend and next. Titled, The PuppetLab Festival of New Work at Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis, Dominique Herskind and Mary Plaster will perform this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Amoke Kubat and Liping Vong perform August 19-21. Both shows run about 60 minutes. Masks are required in the theater. Photo by Bruce Silcox Artist Dominique Herskind in costume for the Puppet Lab. Brian Parmeter has been a fan of Prudence Johnson's singing career for decades. He's looking forward to seeing her and a number of other performers he recognizes from “Prairie Home Companion” at the Backus Community Center in International Falls on Friday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. The free concert is entitled “An Evening of Stories, Songs & Laughs” and it features storyteller Kevin Kling along with musicians Dan Chouinard and Randy Sabien, as well as special guest Anishinaabe comedian Pebaamibines. Visitors can also check out a show of paintings and photography, “Natural Wonders II,” at the Backus Center through Aug. 12. There is an artists' reception for both performers and artists at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Matt Wehling of Northfield is an artisan violin bowmaker and musician, and next weekend he's ready to head to the Cannon River Clay Tour in and around Northfield. Wehling remembers last year's event as “a wonderful weekend to be out,” adding that he invariably runs into people he knows and pottery he likes. This year, 21 potters are displaying their creations at four different locations in the Northfield area Aug. 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can find a map of the locations here.

The Money Fit Show Season 2: Episode #25 Diversifying Income and Skills, Alvin Cowan of Simpatico Media Inc Alvin Cowan is a veteran actor, writer, and producer from Austin, Texas, who has worked with legends like Clint Eastwood, James Caan, Bradley Cooper, and Bruce Willis. Alvin has a passion for sports, and his football prowess led him to become a record-setting quarterback at Yale, where he was inducted onto the All-Era Team. He then briefly played professional football with both the NFL and AFL. After his athletic career, he moved to LA, where he landed a breakout recurring role in ABC’s “Back In The Game” followed quickly by a supporting role in Clint Eastwood’s “American Sniper.” He recently appeared on Season 2 of HBO’s critically-acclaimed series, “Westworld,” and had a recurring role in the Emmy-nominated show, “This Is Us.” He will next be seen in the highly-anticipated indie, “International Falls,” alongside Rachael Harris and Rob Huebel and guest-starring in the final season of the AMC hit, “Better Call Saul.” The unplanned move from football to the acting and entertainment industry Working in Eastern Europe working on country-oriented infomercials, gaining experience on the production side of media Avoiding the idea of creating an exit plan from football created a singular focus but left him without a plan for money post-career The startling financial lessons of moving to LA and having parental support for just three months Going into debt to pay lifestyle bills and spending two years digging out of that hole Stopped subscription renewals, cut back on social and entertainment, and lived in some less-than-comfortable housing arrangements Finding stable income in football coaching Diversifying income (particularly with rental properties) to avoid relying on the periodic income of creative endeavors Diversifying skills by adding writing and eventually producing to his acting portfolio Encouragement and support from mother Adding the belief in ownership to the depression-era focus on saving as a way to build financial stability and security Links referred to in the episode, and how to connect with the guest, Alvin Cowan: Alvin Cowan on Twitter SimpaticoMedia.xyz Subscribe to the Money Fit Show today wherever you get your podcasts! You can also find us at moneyfit.org/podcast We would appreciate it if you would click the star or thumbs up to give us a like for today’s episode. Connect with the Money Fit Show: Twitter: @MoneyFitbyDRS Facebook: MoneyFitbyDRS Email: Podcast@MoneyFit.org

Alvin Cowan is a veteran actor, writer, and producer from Austin, Texas, who has worked with legends like Clint Eastwood, James Caan, Bradley Cooper and Bruce Willis. Alvin has a passion for sports, and his football prowess led him to become a record-setting quarterback at Yale, where he was inducted onto the All-Era Team. He then briefly played professional football with both the NFL and AFL.After his athletic career, he moved to LA, where he landed a breakout recurring role in ABC's “Back In The Game” followed quickly by a supporting role in Clint Eastwood's “American Sniper.” He recently appeared on Season 2 of HBO's critically-acclaimed series, “Westworld,” and had a recurring role in Seasons 3 and 5 of Emmy-nominated “This Is Us.” He will next be seen in the highly-anticipated indie, “International Falls,” alongside Rachael Harris and Rob Huebel and guest starring in the final season of the AMC hit, “Better Call Saul.” You can reach Alvin here: https://twitter.com/Alvincowansimpaticomedia.xyz

With a dry forecast, the National Weather Service predicts that the water level on Rainy Lake — which is threatening hundreds of properties east of International Falls — will rise by only a couple inches over the next seven days. That compares to some days in the past couple weeks where the lake rose that much in a single day, swollen by a heavy winter snowpack and then spring rains. This is a morning update from MPR News, hosted by Cathy Wurzer. Music by Gary Meister.

Hour 3: Adam was in for Chad and got the latest on record flooding in International Falls and talked a new drive thru experience at Taco Bell

In Episode 29, Michael and Julian talk about1.     Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard.  They are both splendid places to go in the Summer. Beaches, lighthouses, and hikes are the highlights2.     Small-Town American Museums. Both of us love small-town museums. Any American town of almost any size has one, and they are great places for understanding American culture.3.     A Grand Tour. Julian talks about his forthcoming Grand Tour across Europe. Michael talks about the podcasts he is going to record and edit in Julian's absence. Other Show NotesLearn more about how America's culture developed in Julian Bishop's High, Wide, and Handsome.Available here to buy as a paperback, ebook, or audiobookExcerpts, reviews, and more available hereConnect with Julian via:FacebookInstagramTwitterLinkedInConnect with Michael viaTwitterLinkedIn

Welcome to 2nd Amendment Radio and the Great Outdoors with Bo Matthew and Marc Cox – as always we are produced by Carl Middleman (Pew Pew)! This week the boys talk to Art Perchaliuk, owner & proprietor (with his wife, Jenny) of PipestoneLodge.com in Ontario, Canada – just across the way from International Falls, Minn. Carl has gone there every year since 2017 – but not for the last 2 years because Canada was closed. Then they speak with Mark Schmitz,father of fallen Marine, Jared Schmidtz about his latest event with TheFreedom13.org.

Originally from the coldest place in the United States, International Falls, Minnesota, to the warm weather of Winter Park Florida to the grey, but pleasant, Seattle, Buzz has solidified his name as one of the experts in computer-human communication. Through his company ActiveWords, Buzz has set out to make computers understand us, not the other way around. Buzz is full of great stories, from his time as a lawyer in Florida to how he came to ActiveWords. Give this episode a listen, you'll enjoy it. Find Buzz Online Buzz Bruggeman | LinkedIn Buzzmodo | Twitter ActiveWords.com If you're enjoying Entrepreneur's Enigma, please give us a review on the podcast directory of your choice. We're on all of them and these reviews really help others find the show. Also, if you're getting value from the show and want to buy me a coffee, go to the show notes to get the link to get me a coffee to keep me awake, while I work on bringing you more great episodes to your ears. →  https://gmwd.us/buy-me-a-coffee Follow Seth Online: Seth Goldstein