Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities

March is Women’s History Month. We are celebrating women and girls who’ve made and empowered positive change in the world. In this Area Voices, Mary Kay Carter remembers the shift from dresses to pantsuits in the South Dakota Department of Agricultur

The country school in Helga Township where Wayne Hoff attended first and second grade, left an imprint on his heart. A constant element in tales of generations of family stories, the Nary School was more than a structure in which to be educated, it was part of family lore, part of the history of rural experience.

Closed in the 1970s, Nary School remained empty for nearly 50 years. Plans to tear down the school began floating around, and Hoff wondered what could be done about its fate. To date, more than $600,000 have been secured for renovations. The building and adjoining Heritage Park are now home event spaces, classrooms, a theater, a hockey rink, and a revival of activities, idea sharing, and inspiration on the campus.

Lee Furuseth, the executive director of the Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji, joins Heidi Holtan on the Wednesday Morning Show. Lee starts with the announcement of Orion the bunny rabbit’s retirement from the center after over 5 years of “petting employment.”

HCS is celebrating their 28th birthday this March by offering a free demo every Sunday at 3:30. HSC is also celebrating Pi Day on 3.14 or Monday, March 14th. They are giving out free admission tickets for that day. Local businesses who deal with “round things” are getting involved by giving tickets out to the public. Giovanni’s, First National Bank, Raphael’s Bakery, Kenny’s Clark and St. Michel Furniture.

Listen here for the story of the 60-gallon aquarium in their window for composting, and how it relates to their e-cubed annual fundraiser event .

British Nigerian writer Lizzie Damilola Blackburn talks about learning to love one’s self in her novel Yinka Where is your Husband; Jonathan Evison explores the american dream in his new novel Small World; Kari Maher tells the based on real-life story of the American bookseller in Paris who fought to get James Joyce’s Ulysess published–the Paris Bookseller is the name of her new novel; Brit Bennett talks about her novel The Vanishing Half; Brainerd teacher Misty Jobe and Bemidji author Will Weaver talk about a shortage of new books for middle grade boys, and Children’s Librarian Tracy Kampa has some new books you’ve got to hear about.

Katie Marshall, Executive Director of the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids, stopped by the morning show to discuss the First Friday events happening tonight as well as the new exhibits at the MacRostie featuring Kent Estey and Helen Dolan!