The Roadhouse

St. Louis County Commissioner Frank Jewell spoke with Ann Possis Sept. 20 about the Heart of the Continent Partnership (HOCP), an American/Canadian coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working together on cross-border projects. Their next meeting is at Camp Menogyn, off the Gunflint Trail, Oct. 3 & 4. For more information on the HOCP, or to sign up to attend the meeting, click here.

Boundary Waters lover Barry Johnson has put together a book of essays about his favorite place, the "BWCA Reader." Several dozen stories from different writers run the gamut from fish tales to honeymoons to canoes gone missing. Barry shares how and why he decided to publish this book, why it's important to him, and more, in this conversation with Ann Possis Sept. 20.

Buck chatted and laughed with Marc Abrahams of Improbable Research, which publishes a magazine and awards the IgNobel Prizes for research that "makes people laugh, and then think." Learn about the origin of karaoke (it's not what you might think), very important cow research, and...what the heck is a Blonsky device? (see drawing at left)

Buck & Dick welcomed Tom Paxton, Jon Vezner, and Jonathan Brown to Studio A Sept. 13 for talk and music. The three were in Grand Marais to perform on NPR's Mountain Stage, Friday evening, and Unplugged XII, Saturday evening, both at North House Folk School.

Ky Dickens has made a powerful new film, "Sole Survivor," which documents the struggles of people who were the only ones to survive deadly plane crashes. Though these people are seen as 'lucky', special challenges come with being a sole survivor. Buck spoke with her Sept. 13.

Dick spoke Sept. 13 with Mel Duncan, co-founder and director of advocacy & research of Nonviolent Peaceforce. Their mission is to to promote, develop and implement unarmed civilian peacekeeping as a tool for reducing violence and protecting civilians in situations of violent conflict. They talked about the organization's work in general, as well as the current situation in Syria.

Buck & Dick welcomed Al, Don & Bruce to Studio A Sept. 6 for a little preview of their Radio Waves performance. Beautiful guitar!

Dick Swanson talked Sept. 6 with Dr. Marlene Zuk, professor of ecology, evolution & behavior at the U of Minn., about her recent book, "Paleofantasy: What evolution really tells us about sex, diet, and how we live." The book addresses the belief that humans were at some point much healthier and more environmentally acclimated that we are today, shows how & why we're different from our ancestors, and lots more. A can't-put-it-down read, especially if you like science.

Buck welcomed retired teacher Tim McDonnell to Studio A Sept. 6 to chat about his recent memoir, "The Whole Forest for a Backyard: A Gunflint Trail Wilderness Memoir." Tim grew up in a family that ran a resort on the Trail, and has many delightful stories and memories to share.

Buck and Dick welcomed Eric Frost to Studio A Aug. 23 for great conversation and beautiful music.