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Tom Herzog's avatar

I was a relatively young man when I first heard your show back in 1985, Mr. Keillor. I had just arrived in Sacramento, California to attend law school. One of my housemates insisted that he just had to listen to a certain radio show.

When he turned on the show I thought, "This is rather odd. Here's some guy talking in a mellifluous baritone telling strange stories about odd and eccentric people..."

I was hooked like black bass who swallowed the worm, hook, line and sinker. Each Saturday I waited with anticipation for six p.m. This guy always, and I mean always, without fail had the most interesting, insightful things to say. And he had musical guests on who, outside of the Grand Old Opry, one would never hear anywhere else.

And best of all was the final, "News from Lake Wobegon." A place that, "...time forgot and the decades can not improve..." Somewhere out there on "...the edge of the prairie." Where ever that might be.

It was certianly one of the most intelligent, creative shows on radio. And it has been and will be dearly missed by many including me.

Now I just wish I could remember that guys name...? Carson Wieller or something? Something about walleye? And a private detective named...Guy Noir or something?

And the taciturn, grumpy men who spent the long Minnesota winter in an ice-fishing shack taking turns drinking from a bottle of schnapps. Or was it Kentucky whiskey?

Now I'm an old man and my days are numbered. But in my mind I can still "...hear that old piano from down the avenue, I smell the onions, I look around for you..." Of course it didn't hurt that I was usually two(out of three) sheets to the wind when the show came on. What could I do?! The Unknown Norwegian was sitting across the kitchen table from me refilling my empty glass and insisting I "have another" for old times... "don't ya' know?"

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Michele Moon's avatar

The world is an odd place. We get to watch unscrupulous attorneys finally speak against their leader after pledging loyalty, then we watch grown men fuss and fight over who is best suited to represent them. And then GK appears on our screens. And we’re suddenly in a safe and warm place again. We’re younger, hopeful, able to laugh and sing. GK, you and Dylan have given us shelter from the storm.

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