Wisconsin Life

Imagine making it as a musician not only once, but at two distinct moments in your life. That’s what happened to jazz saxophonist Frank Morgan of Milwaukee. Author Dean Robbins brings us the story on the musician’s rebirth and stardom.

In the early 1940s, many women stepped up to the plate to become professional baseball players after most men were drafted to serve in the military in World War II. They became players in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.  Heewone Lim brings us the story of the players on the Racine Belles and specifically their uniform — which was a dress. It was made famous in the 1992 film, “A League of Their Own.” One of the movie’s costumes is a part of the Wisconsin 101 collection, which tells the history of the state through objects.

Sometimes, an ordinary experience surprises us — turning the mundane into something extraordinary. Writer Crystal Chan felt this on a walk she took in her neighborhood with a friend, reminding them of the power of being present and enjoying the moment with geese in an Oshkosh pond.

Doran Kemp Jr. was a firefighter with the Milwaukee Fire Department. During his 25-year career, he helped recruit several people of color and women to the force. But earlier this summer, he passed away from cancer. WPR’s Evan Casey has a look at the legacy he left behind.

Waves are everywhere: they make up light, color and heat. In a very literal sense, waves connect us all. WPR’s Avery Lea Rogers is obsessed with how these waves turn into sound. When they visited specialized microphone maker Klover Products in Janesville, Rogers found that these high-tech microphones connect Wisconsin to the world.

It was 60 years ago today that The Beatles played their one and only show in in Wisconsin. To mark the historic event, we’re dipping into the archives and revisiting this story from writer Dean Robbins, who tells us about the madness that greeted John, Paul, George and Ringo on their first American tour and their stop in Milwaukee on September 4, 1964.

Going to camp can be the highlight of some kids’ summers. But what if you didn’t to go to sleepaway camp as a child? Or if you were one of the lucky ones, perhaps you’ve been yearning for those glory days. More summer camps for adults are popping up to fill that void. Ayisha Jaffer attended one in Wisconsin to see what was driving campers to pack their bags and bunk it for the weekend.

Photographers tend to spend a lot of time with their subjects. For astrophotographer Rick Wayne of Madison, his subject for much of his life has been space. What started off as an interest in taking better pictures soon became something much greater, a sense of glory. On one clear night, audio producer Alexandra Salmon joined Wayne to take photographs of the night sky at the Yanna Astronomical Research Station in Brooklyn, Wisconsin.

In the summer of 1966, activist Father James Groppi and the NAACP Youth Council led a series of Civil Rights marches in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa. As writer and historian John Gurda tells us, he was 19 at the time and one particular night left a lasting impression on him.

The Lac du Flambeau tribe got its name from French traders who observed tribal members harvesting fish from canoes at night by torchlight. More than 200 years later, the Lake Superior band is trying to keep such traditions alive by holding camps that teach tribal youth how to fish. WPR’s Danielle Kaeding tagged along with dozens of kids taking part, some of whom were picking up a pole for the first time.

Summer time in Milwaukee is more than beer gardens and beach parties. It’s also cruising season, where people bring out their favorite cars they’ve stored away all winter. Eric Ramos from the southside of Milwaukee has grown up in the culture…specifically, the lowrider culture. As Jimmy Gutierrez tells us, Ramos is helping that scene grow.

Wellness books and self-care social media accounts often stress the importance of “living in the moment.” But, what if you’re just not that into the current moment? How do you approach things more positively? Journalist Olivia Herken has been thinking about this a lot lately, specifically when it comes to her least favorite month: August.

“The Wizard Of Oz” is a beloved, iconic film that has captivated generations of fans. Author Dean Robbins of Madison tells the story of Watertown, Wisconsin native, Meinhardt Raabe, whose thirteen second role as the coroner in the movie was part of a long and fulfilling life.

The local library is an important place for a community. It’s a collection of knowledge and art. A resource for learning and exploring. And for Eau Claire writer BJ Hollars, it’s even a place to turn up the music and dance.

Sprinter Kenny Bednarek can outrun the fastest athletes in the world. But before the track and field star won a silver medal in the men’s 200 meter event in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, he was a kid racing his brother in Rice Lake. And now, he’s running in his second Summer Olympic Games. In Paris, he’ll be competing in the men’s track and field 100m and 200m events.