COLUMN: To begin connecting, start by lookin’ around

Civic Media’s Todd Allbaugh has been hitting the road over the last year, broadcasting from 25 different cities, towns and villages across Wisconsin.

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“You can observe a lot just by watchin’.” 

It’s one of my all time favorite quotes by the late great Yogi Berra. It has the added benefit of being true.

You can, in fact, see and hear a lot if you take the time to listen and watch. I’ve certainly found that to be true as I’ve traveled Wisconsin.

A little over a year ago, my bosses told me to hit the road – in a good way. We agreed it would be beneficial for getting the word out about our company and my radio program if I spent more time in communities across the state and less time in a beautiful studio in downtown Madison.  

During the last twelve-plus months, I’ve taken the show to more than 25 different cities, towns and villages in Wisconsin — and we even did a couple of shows from Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago.

I traveled with my colleague Earl Ingram, Jr., to Baraboo for their inaugural Juneteenth celebration. Nobody protested in this predominantly white city, but folks did enjoy great food and music (despite the rain showers). I think some people even learned something. I know I did.

My colleague Jane Matenaer and I broadcast from Amery’s lovely new band shelter in the park on a spectacular Flag Day and talked with small business and tourism folks.  We even got a freshly grilled brat from the meat locker across the street where folks line up at noon once a week for the limited supply.

My friend Trygve Olson, a former Republican like myself, joined me to do a show in his hometown of River Falls along the Kinnickinnic River in front of the Chamber of Commerce. The Rotarians there choose a local citizen to celebrate each year. It’s the person who’s had the greatest impact on the community. This year’s recipient was a gentleman who nearly everyone knows who does the jobs that often go overlooked but who everyone counts on to always be there. Every town has a person like this, but too often they don’t get the credit they deserve.

In South Milwaukee, we did a show from the local public high school to celebrate the many successes of students and faculty in the often-maligned Milwaukee Public Schools system. What amazing facilities and even better people.

We did a few shows in Milwaukee proper. Despite what some politicians say, it’s a beautiful city — hard working, industrious, and vibrant.  

We tried doing a show on top of a parking ramp to highlight Marquette University. Turns out some folks weren’t too thrilled with my motion “W” Wisconsin pop-up-tent. We offered to take it down and bake in the sun, but they said they’d just as soon we’d come back another day. I still cheer for them except for that one game a year. No hard feelings.

On Earth Day, we celebrated by broadcasting from Governor Nelson State Park, on Madison’s north side along the shores of Lake Mendota. The late governor’s daughter, Tia Nelson, joined us to discuss her father’s passion for bipartisan conservation efforts. We talked to a couple of park rangers about how state parks are a gathering place for so many Wisconsinites.

We had amazing food, including pie, while broadcasting from the Norske Nook in Osseo; a town straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

So too is Hayward, where we’ve covered the American Birkebeiner ski race – twice.  It’s better with full winter snow and when the finish line is downtown; magical, really.

Food and great coffee continued to be a theme during our show from Wonderstate Coffee in Viroqua, but so too was community radio, small business, veterans and education.

Eau Claire was a popular spot, including shows with my colleague Pat Kreitlow, from SHIFT Coffee, UW-Eau Claire and The Pablo Center for a movie premier, When Rubber Hit The Road, about the Uniroyal Tire Plant closure and the resiliency of the community.

Another movie premiere, Just A Bit Outside – The Story of The 1982 Milwaukee Brewers, was the subject of our show from Marcus Majestic Cinema in Waukesha. It moved me to both tears and laughter.

It wasn’t a movie set, but rather the real deal, when we broadcast from Volk Field in Camp Douglas for the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s Northern Lightning annual training event. What incredible people – heroes – the men and women are who put on the uniform to ensure the rest of us enjoy the freedoms we too often take for granted.

We spent two days at the bi-annual Cheese Days in Monroe. Having Alp Horns as our opening act was pretty hard to beat in addition to Swiss yodlers and an accordion player (oh, and did I mention cheese?).

And yes, we did several shows from my hometown, Richland Center, including one in the park where the local UPS driver stopped by to say hi on his route. Mark Cupp, executive director of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, was there to recite poetry in honor of the river.

Other places we’ve visited have included Superior, Green Bay, Appleton, Stevens Point, Wausau, New Glarus, La Crosse, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Dells, and Ripon — just to name a few.

So, what did I see? What did I hear?

I saw folks who are, despite the picture politicians try to paint, largely similar.  

They are all enormously proud of their communities, their families and their friends.  They value their local K-12 schools and UW universities because, in many cases, those public schools are the gathering spot for the community. They talk about statewide sports and their local high school sports as well as their school and community bands and choirs. Whether city bike paths or public hunting lands, they value Wisconsin’s great outdoors. Everyone has a local watering hole or favorite breakfast spot or supper club. Music is a big part of their lives.

But perhaps what I’ve seen above and beyond anything else is a humanity. A humanity to be there to support our friends and neighbors when we need them most.

I’ve seen it in the kids playing together on playgrounds before this world has infiltrated their minds. “He (or she) is just my friend.” Why is it we can’t just hold on to that? No judgment, simply friendship.

I’ve seen it at pancake supper fundraisers in church basements and VFW and American Legion Posts for local families who lost their home to a fire, or are fighting cancer with inadequate insurance, or for someone “who needs a little help.”

This is who we are at our best.

Folks are tired of being preached at because, it turns out, for all our similarities, Wisconsin is also pretty diverse in terms of local customs, our faith, and how we view the world. Most folks believe in a fundamental, “live and let live” approach to life — “I’m not gonna criticize you, if you don’t criticize me.” In short, it’s the Golden Rule: treat others the way you’d like to be treated.

During our conversations on our radio program, I certainly have a point of view, but before anyone is gonna listen to what I — or anyone else, for that matter — has to say, they have to know how much we care. About them. As our friends and neighbors. As fellow Wisconsinites. And when it comes to discussing our differences, we can’t make it personal.

During all the stops across the state, rarely did partisan politics come up in organic conversations in bars, coffee shops, or sporting events. That’s not to say I didn’t hear it, but it just wasn’t the focus. Folks were more interested in discussing their communities.

There’s a lot of debate right now about how political parties, candidates, and the media can connect with folks.

I’m no expert, but I agree with one. Maybe start by watchin’. Turns out, you can see (and hear) a lot.