History 21 The Podcast - 5.04 Ethel Wagner DeLong

In 1954, the Metropolitan Opera held its first regional auditions in Minnesota. They planned to fly the winner to New York and broadcast the performance to the nation on the radio program “Auditions of the Air.” The winner was Ethel Wagner DeLong, a 33-year-old mother of three from the City of Anoka. In this episode, listen to excerpts from her 1954 “Auditions of the Air” appearance and her subsequent MPR interview in 1979, looking back at her accomplishments. Between clips, you’ll hear our conversation with her eldest son, Peter, who shared his memories of his mother and the music constantly permeating their home.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.Text

History 21 The Podcast - 5.03 George Atwood

George Atwood moved to Anoka in 1912 where he helped construct Cottages at the Anoka State Hospital and spent winters as a lumberjack in Northern Minnesota. In this episode listen as he shares what it was like living in the lumber camps. Hear George’s voice from an oral history recorded in 1979, and a reading of the short memoir he penned describing the jobs, and even smells, at the Ball Club logging camp.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.02 Celebrate Episode 100!

We’re celebration our 100th episode with a special tour Around the County! Rebecca and Sara sit down to share 100 of their favorite facts, memories, trivia, and tidbits from each of the county’s 21 cities (and desperately try to make it to the end without getting tongue tied.) Special guests: the ACHS Board of Directors pop in to share their favorite county memories too.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.01 Gary Nereson

In 1969, Gary Nereson said goodbye to his pregnant wife and crossed the world to serve in the Vietnam War. After three long months with the 9th Infantry Division, he was reassigned to Advisory Team 66 because of his background in electrical engineering. His new job: help bring electricity to rural villages in South Vietnam. Gary sat down with Rebecca to share his story in November, 2024 as part of ACHS’s Echoes of Bravery project.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 4.24 The Ponczek Murder Case

In June of 1935, Mrs Josephine Seeker went to the sheriff’s office in Minneapolis and asked them to begin a search. Where was her sister Mrs Clara Williams??

This act set off a chain of events that led deputies to a run-down farm in Anoka County and a shocking murder – Clara had been beaten, killed, and buried on the suspects farm underneath the remains of their dog in an attempt to confuse searchers. Hear the story of the Ponczek murder case.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 4.23 The Witte Block in Anoka

As you cross the Rum River Bridge into Downtown Anoka the road curves slightly past a long row of tall brick buildings that have been home to businesses for over 140 years. Hear the story of one city block, and the stories it contains from drug stores, shoe, and hardware stores, to restaurants and bowling alleys.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 4.22 Anoka County Reactions to WWI

The United States officially entered World War I in 1917, three years after its start. Local historian and ACHS volunteer Brian Boldt explored those years and what Anoka County residents knew about the war. While some aided in the war effort with their dollars and aid packages, others looked to Canada and joined the Canadian Expeditionary Forces to join the fight.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 4.21 Wargo Nature Center's Heritage Lab

Each fall hundreds of kids visit Wargo Nature’s Heritage lab to experience a melding of nature and history with a day immersing them in a part of Minnesota history. The Wargo naturalists are joined by staff from Gibbs Farm and ACHS to create seven different stations the kids rotate through. In this episode listen as Eric Vehe, Program Services Supervisor, shares what goes into creating this program, and hear the kids’ excitement as we take a microphone into the woods to capture the day.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 4.20 Ghosts at the Music Store

More Ghosts abound in Anoka! Rebecca wandered into the music store on Main St. on the hunt for ghost stories and met Jerry Olson from Twin Cities Music Repair. He shared the mysterious happenings that he’s witnessed, and his connection to past Reynolds Music owner, John Reynolds.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 4.19 Reboot Ghost Stories with Ambi and the BWH

To officially kick-off Ghost Tour season at ACHS, a classic reboot episode of Ghost Stories! In 2022, we sat down with Ambi Wine Bar and The Big White House to talk about their ghostly encounters. Both businesses are stops on the Ghosts of Anoka Tour which run September and October in the City of Anoka. This episode originally published September 2, 2022.

Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast! - 4.18 The Great Depression in Anoka County

The Great Depression affected the lives of Americans for a decade in the 1930s. In this episode, we explore how the national economic collapse impacted the lives of the local people of Anoka County. Hear about local bank collapses, county relief programs, and WPA projects.