To start the connection, you first see around

Todd Allbaugh from Civic Media took to the streets last year and broadcast 25 different cities, cities and villages throughout Wisconsin.

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“You can only watch a lot by watching.”

It is one of my favorite quotes of all time of the late great yogi berra. It has the additional advantage of being true.

Indeed, you can see and hear a lot when you take the time to listen and watch. I definitely found that to be true when I traveled Wisconsin.

A little more than a year ago my bosses told me that I should take to the streets – in a good way. We agreed that it would be an advantage that we know our company and my radio program if I spent more time in communities in the whole state and in a beautiful studio in downtown Madison.

In the past twelve months I have brought the show to more than 25 different cities, cities and villages in Wisconsin-and we have even done a few shows from Los Angeles, Seattle and Chicago.

I traveled to Baraboo for her first Juneteenth celebration with my colleague Earl Ingram Jr.. Nobody protested in this mostly white city, but people enjoyed great food and music (despite the rain shower). I think some people even learned something. I know I did it.

My colleague Jane Matenaer and I broadcast on a spectacular day from Amerery's Lovely New Band Shelter in the park and spoke to small companies and tourism people. We even received a freshly grilled brat from the meat closing compartment on the other side of the street, where people are on the way to limited care once a week.

My friend Trygve Olson, a former Republican like me, joined me to make a show in his hometown River Falls along the Kinnickinnic River in front of the Chamber of Commerce. The Rotarians there choose a local citizen who celebrates every year. It is the person who had the greatest influence on the community. This year's recipient was a gentleman that almost everyone knows who does the jobs who are often overlooked, but everyone counts to always be there. Each city has a person like this, but too often it does not get the loan they deserve.

In South Milwaukee we made a show by the local public high school to celebrate the many successes of students and faculties in the often painted system of Milwaukee Public School. What amazing facilities and even better people.

We did a few shows in Milwaukee. Despite what some politicians say, it is a beautiful city – hard -working, hardworking and lively.

We tried to make a show on a parking ramp to highlight the Marquette University. It turned out that some people were not too enthusiastic about my movement “W” in Wisconsin pop-up tent. We offered to put it down and bake it in the sun, but they said they would come back as quickly as soon. I still fire her, except for this one game a year. No hard feelings.

On the day of the Earth we celebrated radio from the governor Nelson State Park on the north side of Madison along the banks of Lake Mendota. The deceased governor, Tia Nelson, discusses us to discuss her father's passion for cross -party maintenance efforts. We spoke to a few Park Rangers about how state parks are a meeting point for so many wisconsinites.

We had great food, including cakes, while we were broadcast from the Norske Nook in Osseo. A city directly from a Norman Rockwell painting.

So also Hayward, where we covered the American Birkeber ski race twice. It is better with a full winter snow and when the finish line is in the city center. Really magical.

Food and big coffee were still a topic during our show from Wunderstate Coffee in Viroqua, but also community radio, small businesses, veterans and education.

Eau Claire was a popular place, including shows with my colleague Pat Kreitlow, Shift Coffee, UW-Eeau Claire and the Pablo Center for a film premier. As a rubber on the streetAbout the Uniroyal Tire Plant Clock and the resistance of the community.

Another film premiere, Just a little outside – the history of the Milwaukee Brewers from 1982was the subject of our show from the Marcus Majestic Cinema in Waukesha. It moved me to tears and laughter.

It was not a film set, but the real deal when we were broadcast by Volk Field in Camp Douglas for the annual training event of the Wisconsin Air National Guard of the Northern Lightning event at the Wisconsin Air Guard. What incredible people – heroes – men and women are the uniform to ensure that the rest of us enjoy the freedom that we take for granted too often.

We spent two days on the two-year cheese days in Monroe. Alp Hörner as an opening act was quite difficult to beat in addition to Swiss Yodler and a accordion player (Oh, and did I mention cheese?).

And yes, we made several shows from my hometown Richland Center, including one in the park in which the local UPS driver came by to say hello on his route. Mark Cupp, Executive Director of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, was there to recite poems in honor of the river.

Other places we visited were superior, Green Bay, Appleton, Stevens Point, Wausau, New Glarus, La Crosse, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin Dells and Ripon – to name just a few.

So what did I see? What did I hear?

I saw people who try to paint despite the image politicians.

They are all extremely proud of their communities, their families and their friends. They appreciate their local K-12 schools and UW universities, since these public schools are in many cases the meeting point for the community. They talk about nationwide sports and their local high school sports as well as about their school and community bands and choirs. Regardless of whether city bikes or public hunting areas, they appreciate Wisconsin's nature. Everyone has a local irrigation hole or a popular breakfast place or dinner club. Music is a large part of her life.

But maybe what I saw about everything else is humanity. A humanity that is there to support our friends and neighbors when we need them most urgently.

I saw it with the children who play together in playgrounds before this world infiltrated their thoughts. “He (or she) is just my girlfriend.” Why can't we just hold on to it? No judgment, simply friendship.

I saw it at Pancake Supper donation campaigns in church cellars and VfW and American Legion posts for families on site who have lost their home through a fire or fight against cancer with inadequate insurance, or for someone who “needs a little help”.

This is what we are in top form.

People are fed up with being preached, because with all our similarities, Wisconsin is also in terms of local customs, our faith and how we see the world. Most people believe in a basic “Live and Let Live Live” approach to life – “I will not criticize them if they don't criticize me.” In short, it is the golden rule: treat others as they want to be treated.

During our conversations on our radio program, I certainly have a view, but before someone can hear what I – or someone else, have to say, they have to know how much we are interested. About them. Than our friends and neighbors. Than others. And when it comes to discussing our differences, we cannot do it personally.

At all stops throughout the state, a partisan policy in organic talks in bars, cafes or sporting events rarely occurred. That doesn't mean I didn't hear it, but it was just not the focus. People were more interested in discussing their communities.

At the moment there are a lot of debates on how political parties, candidates and media can connect to people.

I'm not an expert, but I agree with you. Maybe start to see. It turns out that you can see (and hear) a lot.