University of Wisconsin - Extension

Legend has it that back in 1927 Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) host Harold B. McCarty had a radio guest cancel at the last minute. He had to fill the time with something, so he pulled a library book out of his briefcase and started reading--and unknowingly began one of the longest-running programs in the history of radio.

In 2002 WPR is celebrating 75 years of ¿¿Chapter a Day.¿

"Chapter a Day" is just what the title suggests: a half-hour reading from contemporary fiction, history and biography by some of the finest voices at WPR. ¿Chapter a Day¿ is broadcast at 12:30 p.m. (and repeated at 11 p.m.) weekdays on the Ideas Network stations of Wisconsin Public Radio.

WPR's 75th celebration includes a statewide tour featuring three "Chapter a Day" readers in "The Feuding Founders," a dramatic presentation of the John Adams-Thomas Jefferson letters. The tour runs Sept. 3-26 and includes performances in Bayfield, Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Rapids, Sturgeon Bay, La Crosse and Madison.

"We wanted to do something more for our listeners than appear in person with book in hand. So Karl Schmidt, Norman Gilliland and I will appear in character," says Jim Fleming. "The surprising thing about these letters, written two centuries ago, is how revelatory they are about current events. They say quite a bit about the founding of our country, and are a pleasure to read."

For information about "Chapter a Day" archival booklists, upcoming selections, photos, musical themes and the tour: http://www.wpr.org