Postcards

Learn about toy tractors with Wesley Thompson of Montevideo, splatter paint with artist Ty Kotlowski and listen to the beautiful music written by singer/songwriter Ava Hanson.

Forage for wild mushrooms with Nicole Zempel, watch as Madison’s first public art installation, Biome, lights up the town, and see the natural beauty of wooden crafts with woodworker Dean Johnson.

Learn about the healing power of horses with Dakota Wicohan, bake delicious cupcakes and grill savory ribs with the Tuckett family and witness the age old art of tattooing with artist Benny Bonnema.

Take a step back in time at the Batcher Block Opera House, learn about ancient jewelry traditions from around the world from metalsmith and art historian Laura Marsolek, listen to the history of commercial fishing come to life with tales from Curt Piechowski of Madison and Browns Valley.

Learn about growing strawberries in our region with the Brouwer family of Raymond, take in the colorful Nordic and fish-inspired paintings of artist Doug Peterson of Madison and create beautiful string instruments with luthier Arnie Anderson of Brainerd.

Learn about New Orleans-style cooking and civil rights history with the Mackbee family of St. Joseph. Create Thai spring rolls with Thai Chef Phaeth Holapatiphone Worden.

Listen to the smooth rock and hypnotizing vocals of Minneapolis artist and musician Taylor Seaberg. Visit North House Folk School in Grand Marais and meet student violinist Ashley Guse.

Tuscaloosa follows the story of Billy Mitchell, a recent college graduate, as he falls in love with Virginia, a patient at his father's mental institution. It takes place just after the civil rights movement in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, but the film was made entirely in Minnesota. Hear an interview with the film’s director Phillip Harder who based his film on a novel by Glasgow Phillips.

In 1967, Craig Tschetter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, was a combat radio operator in the Vietnam War and finished service as a drill instructor in San Diego. Post service, he returned to South Dakota and started a career in the funeral service industry. In 2017 Tschetter published his book Fifteen Minutes Ago: A Vietnam War Memoir about his experiences and his subsequent struggle with PTSD.

Hear stories from Joe Carlini and his mother Jodi Ritacca Carlini about the news and film industries in Minnesota.

Dave Hanson wanted to become an art teacher but found himself stationed in Vietnam operating radar detection equipment for night ambush teams. He shares memories of his intense experiences during the Vietnam War recalling years of flashbacks, nightmares and suicide attempts. After receiving help from the Veterans Administration, Hanson now shares his story in hopes to help other veterans.

For 2,000 years, the Karen people have lived in the hills bordering the eastern mountainous region of Burma—also known as Myanmar. But through war, colonial forces, ethnic discrimination and genocide many have been forced to flee their land and apply for resettlement status in other countries. Hear from local Karen refugees about how they courageously migrated to safety.

Learn about the history of the prairie riverine environment of Lac qui Parle County Park with local historian David Craigmile, tour the Lac qui Parle State Park with DNR Park Manager Terri Dineson and then explore the life and times of Ignatius Donnelly with Minnesota-based filmmaker Mike Scholtz.