Maureen McCollum

6 days ago | wisconsinlife.org | Ron Weber |Maureen McCollum

As winter fades and Wisconsin begins to thaw, the changing season brings renewal not only to the land but also to the human spirit. Writer Ron Weber explores how the arrival of spring awakens long-forgotten memories, and he invites us to rediscover the sense of wonder that often lies dormant within us. ==“A Spring Song”We look forward to it with the anticipation of a child waiting for a midnight visit from Santa.

1 week ago | wisconsinlife.org | Yia Lor |Maureen McCollum

We all grieve differently, often vacillating between these worlds of wanting to talk about our loved ones to wanting to be left alone in silence. Writer Yia Lor of Eau Claire gets this. She tells us about finding her place while grieving the loss of her sister, Jer Lor. ==When my little sister Jer was dying, I was not prepared for the amount of support my family would receive and the number of people who would come from all over the country to celebrate her life. My sister was loved by many.

1 week ago | wisconsinlife.org | Justin Barney |Maureen McCollum

Wisconsin’s Justin Vernon is one of the biggest musical artists to come out of the state in the past 20 years. For most of his career, most notably with Bon Iver, he has shied away from the media and chosen to quietly work out of his April Base home studio in Fall Creek. But on his new record, “SABLE, fABLE,” it’s clear a lot has changed. In a rare interview, Vernon talked with Wisconsin music reporter Justin Barney about the new record, which was released April 11.

3 weeks ago | wisconsinlife.org | McKenna Scherer |Maureen McCollum

Writer McKenna Scherer is a proud Wisconsinite. Sure, that love is tied to cheese and Spotted Cow. But at the root of that love is her family. Scherer shared a story, “The largest gathering of Norwegians in Northwestern Wisconsin, probably: Gierefest,” at a live storytelling event hosted by Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Life” and the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild. It was held on Nov. 14, 2024 in Eau Claire at The Lakely. Wisconsin is perhaps best known as America’s Dairyland.

3 weeks ago | wisconsinlife.org | Evan Casey |Maureen McCollum

TW Hansen first saw “American Movie” in 2000. Or maybe it was 2001 — he’s not entirely sure. When asked for a rough estimate of how many times he’s seen the documentary, the best he can offer is between a “dozen and two dozen times.”“Not enough to be obsessive, but enough to keep it as a regular presence in my life,” Hansen said. So naturally, he decided to see it again, this time in January 2025 at Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre. It still drew a packed house, even 25 years after its release.