
Contrary to what I wrote in a prior entry, the departure of Garrison Keillor is hitting me harder than I thought and hoped it would.
As mentioned, wed have been through this whole thing before in 1987 when Keillor announced to the world that he was closing up shop to move to Denmark. I mourned and played old re-runs (with the Butch Thompson Trio), but before long he was back. I was glad for that but the newer version never struck me as much as the chapter which started with “Look who’s coming through that door”.
Anyway, when Garrison Keillor announced his departure from the show this time I was one of those who in part welcomed the new, believing that perhaps it was time.
But now as the last “new” show is broadcast this weekend (It is not live as it was taped at the Hollywood Bowl the night before – reruns will be played until the new host takes over in the Fall), the tributes for Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion are pouring in, one made me finally appreciate what was drawn me to the program, Lake Wobegon and Garrison Keillor.
An article from The Atlantic probably tapped into my thoughts and feelings better than I ever could.
Entitled “How Garrison Keillor United America”, Joshua Rigsby’s wonderfully written essay is sub-headlined “The host of A Prairie Home Companion used storytelling to bridge the gap between red and blue states”:
I now more fully realize that it is this trait, as much as Powder Milk Biscuits, The Chatterbox Cafe, Ralph’s Prettygood Groceries, Butch Thompson, Jean Redpath, Johnny Gimble, Robin & Linda Williams and Heather Massey & the News from Lake Wobegon (all that I loved), that has drawn me, engaged me and impacted me the most.
It is also a trait that I try to apply in my own everyday dealings of neighbors, friends and friends I do not yet know – be they near and far.
Because we might not agree does not mean that the way we treat each other cannot be respectful and civilized – as the man from Lake Wobegon showed us.
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