CBC and MPR: A Personal History

For me, CBC radio started in 1979 as the only radio station my AM truck radio received clearly. I enjoyed the Canadian programming, particularly because I lived less than 25 miles from its border with the US, in northwest Minnesota.

In 1980, I learned about hockey. Couldn't help it. Had no choice as I lived in Roseau, Minnesota, https://goroseau.com/hockey/where for many years had the most Minnesota State Hockey Championships of any town in the state. Roseau is just down the road from Warroad, Minnesota its rival. Warroad had its own 'seniors league' called The Warroad Lakers, as their city is on the shores of the Lake of the Woods. https://minnesotahockeymag.com/warroad-lakers-hockey-best/

I was working in Roseau the day the US beat the Russians in the Olympics for the gold where everyone was gathered around TV sets, at work and at home, in the whole state of Minnesota, especially in Roseau where player Neal Broten was from, and Warroad, where player David Christian was from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1VWxS-zhcA. Talk about cultural phenomenon ... They called it "Miracle on Ice."

In 1982, I listened to Glen Gould's "An Idea of North," as I plumbed-in my septic tank hook-up to an ancient mobile home I purchased upon a sudden separation from my wife of nine years. I was totally by myself in the woods along a north flowing creek, on maps identified as 'Mickinock Creek,' (and I spell 'Mikinaak' for accuracy. Mikinaak means 'snapping turtle' in Anishinaabemowin/Ojibwe.) far off any county road. No neighbors within a mile from any direction.

I propped up my large stereo speakers onto the windows and played Gould's music loud into the darkness, where by that time of September night, I was appraising my sad grotesque little tin box of a home under the dim yellow light over its propane stove. Hardly heaven, except for Glenn Gould's music. His US debut with Leonard Bernstein in 1960 Conducting Bach's Keyboard Concerto No. 1 in D minor. Gould's piece begins at 18:03 of: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nx09pigZRI

Such was its appeal for me in those days of no television, no cellphone, or personal computer. I did have an electric typewriter, and loads of time. I began writing in earnest about that time and so it continues to this day (I may even get good at it if I keep practicing)

Comments

Joe - Wednesday's Child said…

Here's a link toIdea of the North on spotify.

May 4, 2024 at 10:11 AM

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