Which stories are included? Disc 1 Jan 26, 1980: When the town's Christmas tree falls down, many wonder if Wally, proprietor of the Sidetrack Tap, pulled it down or if it fell naturally.
Feb 9, 1980: The Valentine's Day dance is approaching and the town council is worried that only 3 couples have signed up; Father Emil is in Minneapolis lobbying the legislature; the town ponders building a new bridge to Art's Bait of Rest and Motel; and rumors circulate that Ralph purchased a snowmobile.
April 14, 1980: The town asks whether the bells at both Lake Wobegon Lutheran and Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility should ring for Easter. Plus, the story of Bud Soderberg and his snowplow and the story of Arlene and the Lake Wobegon marching band.
April 21, 1980: Harold doesn't have much to report in the Lake Wobegon Star Herald during a quiet week that saw the Whippets defeat the Uppsala Uff-Das.
May 3, 1980: An early telling of a classic story about changing out the storm windows. Plus: grass grows in the ear of the Statue of the Unknown Norwegian!
May 24, 1980: The gardens are coming up in the spring, the town readies itself for graduation, and we hear the story of Porch People.
May 31, 1980: Memorial Day celebrations are underway for both Lake Wobegon Lutheran and Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility. The Whippets get pummeled again and everyone knows it will be another long season.
June 7, 1980: The Whippets are now in last place with a 0-4 record but the Herald Star prints that everyone should look on the bright side as the team is only 4 games out of 1st. Everyone is brought up with the motto that winners never quit and quitters never win, so we must all hang in there.
July 12, 1980: The Norwegian Lutherans and German Catholics are searching for the cure to insomnia. Norman Ditman falls down after visiting the Sidetrack Tap and townsfolk wonder whether it was the heat, the drinks, or the barstools, which cut off the circulation to your legs.
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Disc 2
July 19, 1980: The first telling of the classic story "Tomato Butt." Plus, Dr. Newt is retiring after 44 years and everyone wonders how it will affect the town.
July 26, 1980:
The fire siren goes off twice, spurring a discussion of past searches and disasters including the story of Bertha Inqqvist and her kidnapper and the picnic of the Exiles.
August 2, 1980
The Leap for Life from the grandstand at the Mist County Fair, middle child syndrome, and the importance of National Geographic magazine.
August 16, 1980
The town talks about the lengths Bud and LeRoy, the Lake Wobegon town constables, go to maintain the peace. The Olson boy is attracted to Inga from the Chatterbox which leads to an explosion at the grain elevator.
August 23, 1980
It's going to be a long and hard season for the Lake Wobegon Whippets as the losses pile up.
August 30, 1980
Clarence and Arlene Bunsen are off on vacation as Duane ponders the start of another school year. Lake Wobegon High School is looking for teachers, students ponder lessons learned on the playground, and the Whippets finish the season with a miraculous catch and a victory.
September 13, 1980
The town is a bit quieter because of the Friday Night fish fry at the Sidetrack Tap and the ramifications of the fall harvest when you learn you don't always have to work for your vegetables if you go to Sunday service.
September 20, 1980
Lake Wobegon sees a week of peace as the first hard frost of the season brings the tomato-growing season to an end. Pastor Ingqvist's sermon deals with renunciation and sacrifice, and the Lake Wobegon Leonards wind up losing to a group of girls as they debut a new fight song.
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Disc 3
September 27, 1980
Everyone in Lake Wobegon is putting up their storm windows as is custom when October arrives. Most have the old wood windows because they cannot seem to throw away something that still works. Uncle Charlie takes his nephew to task after he returns from college with an attitude and the Olson house causes quite a stir.
October 4, 1980
The water conservation project is ongoing in Lake Wobegon. Many old toilets have been replaced, but there have been water issues affecting the morning coffee. The town council is not sure they will reward Bud's work with a pay raise.
October 11, 1980
It's Homecoming and guys are falling asleep all over town: at the Sidetrack Tap, the Chatterbox Cafe, and even at church and it's understood that its due to the Hogian theory.
October 18, 1980
Things are so slow that the front page of the Herald Star is filled with auction notices and everyone notices that a number of old-time farmers are giving up farming and selling their equipment.
November 8, 1980
It's deer-hunting season and there isn't a lot to report in the Herald Star. Well, there is a lot to report, but as Harold says, there is a lot happening that must go unreported because "I gotta live with these guys."
November 15, 1980
The Poet Laureate of Lake Wobegon, Margaret Haskins Durber, shares her poem 'A Book Report of Minnesota Birds.'
November 22, 1980
Little Ruth Halvorson is getting married and the townsfolk are concerned. Plus the first appearance of Senator K. Thorvaldson.
November 29, 1980
The story of the exiles and how they are welcomed back to town on Thanksgiving and other occasions. Guest privileges are not good for more than 24 hours so don't overstay your welcome. Once you leave . . . you're gone. GET THE CDs >>> | 