If These Woods Could Talk

02/26/2025

🌲🌳 If these woods could talk, they might get a little big for their birches and cancel their plans with you to go be famous instead.
Just joking, Jackie.
In this episode, NYT best-selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard shares her story about the time she didn't come to a Rhinelander District Library for a book reading/signing. 📚🌲

🌲🌳 If these woods could talk, they might get a little big for their birches and cancel their plans with you to go be famous instead.Just joking, Jackie.In ...

02/11/2025

🌲🌳If These Woods Could Talk, they might offer you $500 to carry a sack of coins a mile. I suppose they’ve said stranger things…

In this episode, Al Lis shares a story about a nice guy who won some easy money (or not), then tells us how and why he came to possess that famous SOO Line caboose on HWY 47 in Newbold. 🌳🚃

If These Woods Could Talk is produced by the Rhinelander District Library. Find us almost where’er you find podcasts, and new episodes will now be available on YouTube, as well. Tell everyone.

Season 2 premiere - and also our first youtube upload.I visited longtime area resident Al Lis to talk about a 1958 news article about a $500 prize offered by...

11/06/2024

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might share all the dirt on every teacher who ever graced Rhinelander area schools. Instead, today we have Darlene Machtan, a lifelong educator in the Northwoods. Though I never had Ms. Machtan as a teacher, stories of her good nature and occasional outrageous antics were always floating around, told by former students and colleagues. Listen here as Darlene reminisces about her first year as a teacher at RHS.🏫🌲

If these woods could talk, they might share all the dirt on every teacher who ever graced Rhinelander area schools. Instead, today we have Darlene Machtan, a lifelong educator in the Northwoods. Though I never had Ms. Machtan as a teacher, stories of her good nature and occasional outrageous antics....

10/01/2024

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might whisper disconcerting nothings in the dark cemetery at night. In advance of a historical tour at Forest Home Cemetery in Rhinelander, Historical Society president Bill Vancos stopped by to share some knowledge about the area’s first cemetery.🪦🌲

You can hear more history at the Historical Cemetery Lantern Tour this weekend. Again, that will be Friday October 4th from 6-8pm, and Saturday October 5th from 1-3pm. Tickets are available for purchase online now, or at Sammy Jr.’s on the day of tours–right across the road from Forest Home Cemetery.



Photo credit: Katie Thoresen/WXPR

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might whisper disconcerting nothings in the dark cemetery at night. In advance of a historical tour at Forest Home Cemetery in Rhinelander, Historical Society president Bill Vancos stopped by to share some knowledge about the area’s first cemetery.🪦🌲 Y...

09/24/2024

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might tell you about a rowboat with Rhinelander written all over it. When he was a teen in the forties, Glynn “Bud” Roberts’ family bought a resort in Arbor Vitae. Bud talked about the resort and other memories of the Northwoods, including trips to the Rhinelander Boat Company.🚣🌲

If these woods could talk, they might tell you about a rowboat with Rhinelander written all over it. When he was a teen in the forties, Glynn “Bud” Roberts’ family bought a resort in Arbor Vitae. Bud talked about the resort and other memories of the Northwoods, including trips to the Rhineland...

09/11/2024

I was promised this album in April. It was worth the wait. Finally, local boys The Old Pine Road Band's fantastic second album, "Branching Out," has been released, including "Find Your Way," the full-length version of These Woods' theme. Listen here, and probably about anywhere else you listen to music.

https://youtu.be/yDvEWUrBJVU?si=tYKZZiD8un33wTpN

Provided to YouTube by TuneCoreFind Your Way · Old Pine Road BandBranching Out℗ 2024 Old Pine Road BandReleased on: 2024-09-10Auto-generated by YouTube.

08/27/2024

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might tell you that there is no illegal moonshine operation here, and to beat it, and stop asking questions if you know what’s good for ya. 🐀🌲

We had the chance to talk with Grant Voermans, an author and historian from Harrison who recently released his self-published work, “The Harrison History: 130 years of logging, farming, and bootlegging.” It is filled with decades of research, stories, and some really excellent old photographs from the area.

Check out Grant's book at theharrisonhistory.com/

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might tell you that there is no illegal moonshine operation here, and to beat it, and stop asking questions if you know what’s good for ya.🐀🌲 We had the chance to talk with Grant Voermans, an author and historian from Harrison who recently released his...

08/13/2024

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might have been a source of information for Ted Victor “T.V. Olsen” as he wrote his “Rhinelander Country” trilogy detailing the history of this area, from the geology and local flora to the people who built the city.

In this edition of If These Woods Could Talk, Bob Keith remembers his “Uncle Ted,” and gives us a little insight into the life of a writer who achieved success as far as Hollywood and still chose to live in his hometown.🌳🌲

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/if-these-woods-could-talk/episodes/The-T-V--Show-with-Bob-Keith-e2mu8br

07/25/2024

🌲🌳𝙈𝙔𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙍𝙔 𝙏𝙊𝙒𝙉❓🌲

A friend in Canada with roots in the Northwoods sent me this today. The photo was found with a collection of other family photos, and it was unlabeled aside from having a grandfather's name on it. She believes it is from around 1910. Stetsonville, Little Black, and Phillips were the original suggestions, although it could be any of the small towns in North Central WI.

Who has any ideas?
I've got one canvas RDL bookbag for whomever helps us.

07/15/2024

🌲🌳 On April 28, 1924 these woods may have been abuzz with excitement of the upcoming Paris Olympics. Meanwhile, some 4,000 miles away, a baby named Paul was born in Poland.

Paul would grow up to live a remarkable life. He survived the N**i occupation of Poland and the destruction wrought by WWII, lived through the paranoia of Soviet rule, made it to the United States and his long-lost family, and eventually retired to Rhinelander. At 100 years old, Paul Haftarski is still eager to share his stories.🌳🌲

If these woods could talk, they might tell you about an exceedingly bright young man in Poland who graduated high school just in time for N**i occupation; who was torn from his family; who used his intellect to make himself valuable to said occupying forces; and who, after decades of striving, made....

06/27/2024

🌲🌳If these woods could talk, they might invite you out for a cold product of old Rhinelander. I recently got to sit down with George-Anna Karl, general manager of the Rhinelander Brewing Company Tap Room on Brown Street. George-Anna regaled us with a brief history of Rhinelander brewing, from its initial factory opening in 1893 to prohibition, bankruptcy, and ultimately today--well into the brewery’s comeback. In this episode you will hear a few questions that we were unable to answer. If you know something, please let us know in the comments!🍺🌲

If these woods could talk, they might invite you out for a cold product of old Rhinelander. I recently got to sit down with George-Anna Karl, general manager of the Rhinelander Brewing Company Tap Room on Brown Street. George-Anna regaled us with a brief history of Rhinelander brewing, from its init...

06/20/2024

🌳🌲If these woods could talk, they might tell you to shush, and then throw popcorn at you 🌲📽

Old advertisement found in the Rhinelander Daily News.

06/14/2024

🌳🌲If These Woods Could Talk is back after an incidental hiatus, with a new home!
Search for "If These Woods Could Talk" wherever you get podcasts and follow for new episodes, or find the latest episode and other information at https://rhinelanderlibrary.org/these-woods/

Alternatively, here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/if-these-woods-could-talk/episodes/A-Haunting-in-Rhinelander-e2kspgu

If these woods could talk, they might say "BOO!" This week we hear some of the history behind one of the first houses built in Rhinelander--and explore some unusual activity.🌲👻

I have perhaps never put myself in greater peril than when I visited the Michlig home to hear a ghost story that purportedly occurred within that very house. Hyperbole aside, I will first share some proven facts about this house, and some facts that are accepted, if not verifiable by physical eviden...

04/17/2024

🌳🌲If These Woods Could Talk, they might tell you tales of antediluvian beasts and yet-unnamed nightmares that call the Northwoods home. Or you could read Annelise Ryan’s Monster Hunter Mysteries.

Bestselling author Beth Amos (a.k.a. Annelise Ryan, A.K.A. Allyson K. Abbott) will be speaking at Rhinelander District Library this Saturday April 20!

Before her appearance, I was able to speak with Beth about her life as an ER nurse, dealing with publishers, and researching cryptids in Wisconsin--including Rhinelander's beloved hodag.

Listen now at WXPR.org or wherever you find podcasts.



https://www.wxpr.org/podcast/if-these-woods-could-talk-a-wxpr-community-podcast/2024-04-16/annelise-ryan-beth-in-the-northwoods

If these woods could talk, they might tell you tales of antediluvian beasts and yet-unnamed nightmares that call the Northwoods home. Or you could read Annelise Ryan’s Monster Hunter Mysteries.

04/15/2024

If these woods could talk, they might tell you about Henry and Betty Preu who moved to the area in 1980 and quickly became locals. In the meantime, you can hear a bit of that story directly from Betty.

This recording comes to us courtesy of Oneida County 4H-er, Claire Ably. Claire and her cousin Scott interviewed their grandmother, Betty Preu, in 2017. This is a sample of that interview.

Thanks to Claire and Scott for conducting the interview; Emily for sending it in; and thank you to Betty for sharing your memories. Enjoy a few recollections from Betty Preu.

This episode comes to us courtesy of Oneida County 4H-er, Claire Ably, who sent in this interview with her great-grandmother, Betty Preu (1924-2018).

04/10/2024

𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐊𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍
With the advent of spring, roller skating on the cement walks of the city is one of the popular amusements of the children. This is a good, healthful pastime and one which the little folks should be permitted to enjoy. They should also be allowed to skate anywhere in the city. The rollers do the walks no harm, and the older heads must not forget that they were once young themselves.

🌻​🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

It's a beautiful spring day in the Northwoods! Do you have your roller skates?

04/03/2024

Reposting the first episode of 𝗜𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸. In this one we hear from Mike Haney. Mike lives in Texas these days, but he spent a few formative years in Rhinelander. I reached out to Mike after I saw a contribution of his to You grew up in Rhinelander WI if you remember.... I hope you enjoy his recollections.