Townies
People of Northfield doing interesting stuff!
In partnership with KYMN Radio 95.1 The One
In partnership with KYMN Radio 95.1 The One
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Townies is currently airing on Northfield's radio station, KYMN Radio, 95.1 The One. New episodes air on the first Thursday of each month at 9:00 AM Central Time.
Townies is ArtMakers' newest radio segment and features interviews with the people of Northfield, MN doing interesting stuff. Join us to learn about the lives and experiences of Northfielders with stories to tell! Thanks to KYMN Radio for their partnership and support in this project! You can check out KYMN Radio here. |
Andrew Rossow, one of the hosts of "Townies", stands in front of a brick building, leaning against a windowsill with a big neon “KYMN” sign behind the glass.
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Previous Episodes
"Agriculture and Culture" with Lee Dilley
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Original Air Darte: June 5, 2025
Lee Dilley grew up on a farm six miles north of Northfield. He talked with us about agriculture and culture, soil life, farming in the South Pacific, and the importance of diversity to keep our natural world – and our societies – healthy. Plus: Kierkegaard as a punster. |
"Sessions and Lessons" with Ray Coudret
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Original Air Date: May 1, 2025
Musician and classroom curriculum specialist Ray Coudret talks about composing music and composing lessons; instrument as voice; learning as discovery; and Rock N Roll Revival. Plus: The story behind the band name Fred the Bear. |
"Growing Up with Music" with Cora Scholz
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Original Air Date: February 6, 2025
Guest: Cora Scholz Cora Scholz is co-founder of Northfield Youth Choirs. She talks about leading Northfield Youth Choirs and nurturing young singers; growing up in “a singing church”; music as a gift to create and give freely; and your voice as part of a larger whole, the privilege and obligation to take your place in the big picture of people together. Plus: Andrew and Cora sing “The Blessing.” |
"Adventures in Tug of War" with Ally Lyman
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Original Air Date: January 2, 2025
Guest: Ally Lyman Ally Lyman is a Tug of War champion who travels the world for Tug of War competitions, including China for the World Games, a testing ground for the Olympics. Ally explains Tug of War as a sport, and talks about the pleasures of international travel and “natural moments of discovery”; being tourists in our own country; and growing up in Northfield . . . for generations. Plus: What vegan cookies, Tug of War, and the autoharp have in common. |
"100 Miles to Go" with Scott Wopata
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Original Air Date: December 5, 2024
Guest: Scott Wopata Scott Wopata is the executive director of Community Action Center . . . and a long-distance trail runner. He talks with us about the Superior Fall 100-mile race on Superior Hiking Trail, how it compares with running a non-profit with many projects and long-term commitments, taking what the trail gives you, “dancing through the trees,” and the moment to be still. Plus: Scott and Andrew consider running 100 miles together. |
“Water, Dirt, & Serving Community" with Jayne Hager Dee
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Original Air Date: November 7, 2024
Guest: Jayne Hager Dee Jayne Hager Dee likes being an active participant in community. She gets to know Northfield and neighbors by serving on boards – LOTS of boards, locally, regionally, and statewide. Jayne explains how Soil & Water Conservation Districts work with homeowners and farmers; gives tips to keep soil and water clean and abundant; and gives advice on how others can get involved in community, too. Plus: What happens when Chicagoans move to Minnesota. |
"Fitness for Everybody" with Craig Swenson
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Original Air Date: October 3, 2024
Guest: Craig Swenson Craig Swenson is assistant director and fitness manager of FiftyNorth here in Northfield. He’s also a personal trainer and a record-holding athlete. Craig talks with us about the role of a corrective exercise specialist; how moving your body improves your physical – and mental – health; advice on finding your own favorite activities; and the surprising variety of adaptive ski equipment. Plus: Holding the record for javelin. |
"From Northfield to Norway" and "Around the World and Back" with Nora Serres
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Original Air Date: August 1, 2024 & September 5, 2024
Guest: Nora Serres Part 1: Nora Serres loves a challenge. Nora came to Northfield for college at St. Olaf – then moved to Norway for graduate school. She talks with us (mostly in English) about Minnesota as a mini-Norway, becoming a distance runner and sharing challenging races with teammates with disabilities, and appreciating small-town life. Plus: Nora and Andrew run a marathon together. Part 2: We continue our conversation with our favorite Ole, Nora Serres, from her home in Norway. We talk about the lessons of worldwide travel and the many ways to be rich in the world; choosing to be part of a community; turning 30!, and how to spend two days in Northfield. Plus: St. Olaf’s ceramic mug lending library.
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"Art Everywhere" and "Art & Wreaths" with Mary Closner
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Original Air Date: June 6, 2024 & July 4, 2024
Guest: Mary Closner Part 1: Artist and arts aficionado Mary Closner talks about handmade art and the relationships behind it, how art affects our sense of community, the pleasure of running Swag in Northfield with her mom Maxine, and being a “noticer.” Part 2: Our conversation continues with the artist and arts aficionado who talks about the surprising things that people collect, making art wreaths, finding inspiration in everyday objects, and how art gives us new ways to think about our world. Plus: Washing dinosaurs in the bathtub. |
“Nurturing Body and Spirit” with Maria Bohl
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Original Air Date: May 2, 2024
Guest: Maria Bohl Physical therapist Maria Bohl talks about the power of the body to heal, the importance of tending the spirit, sending negative thoughts down the river, and the healing combination of patience and persistence. Plus: Sharing the East River Trail. |
"Great Adventures and Great Lakes" with Bruce Dalgaard & Carol Korda
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Original Air Date: April 4, 2024
Guest: Bruce Dalgaard & Carol Korda Travelers Bruce Dalgaard and Carol Korda have taken many cruises in places around the world and close to home. They talk with us about traveling with research scientists, the different personalities of the Great Lakes, and the quality of light in France. Plus: Riding a bus on a cruise. |
"Hamlet and The Bible " with Paul Fried
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Original Air Date: March 7, 2024
Guest: Paul Fried Scholar and teacher Paul Fried connects the dots between Hamlet, the Bible, the Lion King, and other stories. Plus: That one line from Macbeth. |
"Skiing and Sewing" with Gwen & John Daniels
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Original Air Date: February 1, 2024
Guests: Gwen & John Daniels Gwen and John Daniels moved from Northfield to the Theodore Wirth neighborhood in Minneapolis . . . and brought their skis. We talk about cross-country vs. downhill, adaptive skiing, skiing the streets of Northfield at night . . . and the invention of the NorSari. Plus: chihuahua skijoring. |
“Margit Johnson, Part 2: Travel Across Cultures”
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Original Air Date: January , 2024
Guest: Margit Johnson We continue our conversation with Margit Johnson to talk about theme-based travel with her husband Eric, favorite spots across Minnesota (spoiler alert: there’s a lighthouse), and the variety of our natural world. Plus: A Zen challenge for familiar places. |
"Margit Johnson, Part 1: Posts and Outposts"
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Original Air Date: December 7, 2023
Guest: Margit Johnson Artist and naturalist Margit Johnson tells the story behind the mural in Northfield’s Post Office, shares the importance of place, and reminisces about a gap year in Sweden . . . fifty years ago. Plus: A short conversation in Swedish and Norwegian. |
"Home and Away" with Chuck & Meleah Follen
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Original Air Date: November 2, 2023
Guests: Chuck and Meleah Follen We sat down with world travelers Chuck and Meleah Follen. Listen to them talk about visiting new countries, returning to favorite places . . . and coming home to their dogs Rio and Dixie. Plus: the best place in the world for Chinese food. |
"Kids and Computers" with John Thomas
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Original Air Date: October 5, 2023
Guest: John Thomas John is a computer expert known to many as Mr. JST. He manages computer technology for teachers, students, and people with disabilities. In this episode, John talks about homework, Siri, and tailoring technology to the user. Plus: a couple servings of cookies. |
"Melodies and Memories" with Dan Kallman
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Original Air Date: September 7, 2023
Guest: Dan Kallman Composer Dan Kallman talks about writing music for choirs, the beauty and challenge of children’s voices, and fresh air as inspiration. Plus: a surprise visit from an old friend. |
"Roots" with Andrew & Betsy of Spring Wind Farm
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Original Air Date: August 3, 2023
Guests: Andrew & Betsy, Spring Wind Farm Andrew and Betsy are the farmers of Spring Wind Farm, a CSA on the north edge of Northfield. They share stories about planning and planting, the connection between humans and land, their favorite veggies, and what it’s like to nourish people – and nourish community – at the same time. Plus: the Zen of tractors. |
"Bookcases and Staircases" with Kathy Ness
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Original Air Date: July 6, 2023
Guest: Kathy Ness Kathy Ness, Northfield’s popular children’s librarian (and crafter!), tells us how she turned the Library’s staircase on Division Street into a bookcase. Plus: the origins of Boomerang bags. |
"Adventures in Space and Wide-Open Spaces" with Will Daniels
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Original Air Date: June 1, 2023
Guest: Will Daniels Environmental Sciences expert Will Daniels recounts his adventures from NASA’s Space Pod to Antarctica and Greenland. Plus: What’s weird about water. |
"Latitude and Language" with Jonathan Hill
Original Air Date: May 4, 2023
Guest: Jonathan Hill
Professor emeritus Jonathan Hill gives us a vocal tour of the UK, from Rugby to Wales and beyond . . . and ponders how accents reflect growing diversity of culture. Plus: the origins of the word “posh.”
Guest: Jonathan Hill
Professor emeritus Jonathan Hill gives us a vocal tour of the UK, from Rugby to Wales and beyond . . . and ponders how accents reflect growing diversity of culture. Plus: the origins of the word “posh.”
"Music Far and Near" with Helen Forsythe
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Original Air Date: April 6, 2023
Guest: Helen Forsythe Helen Forsythe (and her banjo) have traveled the world to learn and teach music. She talks about sharing music around the world . . . and close to home. (Once, at the same time.) Bonus: Listen to Helen’s song “Come on Home.” |
"Music and Math" with Peter Webb
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Original Air Date: March 2, 2023
Guest: Peter Webb Math professor and star pianist Peter Webb mulls over the connections between calculations, compositions . . . and ridiculous math jokes. |
"Pastimes and Past Times" with Rich Larson
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Original Air Date: February 2, 2023
Guest: Rich Larson The co-hosts of “Remember Radio” talk about baseball, social connectedness . . . and how Northfield’s town crier got his start in radio. |