Dear KAXE Listeners and fellow Nature Enthusiasts,
A little over a year ago, many of you joined me to celebrate 40 years of The Phenology Show. Reflecting on that milestone, I had little inkling on an October morning in 1983 when I turned on the mic for the first time, what it would lead to.
That moment marked the beginning of a journey that has consumed and connected me—and, to my great surprise, many of you as well.
In those early days, my reports were often less about phenology and more about clouds and weather. But something incredible happened: you started getting involved. And suddenly, a feedback loop was created. Turns out many of you were not just listening—you were observing. As you started sharing your notes with me the show evolved into something much greater than I had imagined.
Together, we embody the spirit of KAXE and community radio—disparate yet cohesive, a true reflection of the world we observe and celebrate each week.
John Latimer
When I started, KAXE had been on the air for seven and a half years. It was called “community radio,” but I didn’t fully grasp what that meant at the time. It took me about six months to understand: community radio is not just about broadcasting—it’s about connection. Your observations, your notes, your appreciation, and even just your nods of encouragement made it clear. You and I—we—are community radio. We are KAXE.
One moment that truly shaped this phenology journey was a call from Doug Belgum, a teacher at Crosby-Ironton Elementary School. Doug invited me to speak with his fourth graders, and I was captivated by their enthusiasm. That experience inspired me to expand my outreach, visiting classrooms in Bemidji, Baxter, Hill City, Virginia, and beyond.
Not long after, the idea of creating a network of phenology reporters—young observers documenting nature—began to take shape. With the help of passionate teachers, reports started flowing in from schools across the Northland. A chance encounter at a curling bonspiel in Two Harbors led to a connection with North Shore Community School, bringing reports from Duluth. Then came Baudette. Soon, the dream of a regional phenology network expanded to include the entire state of Minnesota.
This, in turn, led to the creation of the Season Watch Facebook page, grant funding to work with teachers and other partners from the LCCMR (Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources), and the hiring of Phenology Coordinator Charlie Mitchell who in turn, created the Season Watch Newsletter.
Today, we’re proud to have 30 schools participating in the Phenology network. These students are heading outside, observing the natural world, noticing subtle changes, and sharing their discoveries. If you listen to all their reports, you’ll come away with a vivid picture of what’s happening in Minnesota’s nature at any given time.
One of our southernmost contributors is Prairie Creek Community School in Northfield, Minnesota, with a tagline of “way down south in Northfield, Minnesota.” It’s a reminder that phenology isn’t just a northern pursuit—it’s a shared journey that connects us all, from the forests of the Northwoods to the prairies and farmlands of the south.
Last year, the students at Prairie Creek wrote me a poem I will not soon forget.
This journey has been nothing short of serendipitous. When I first began sharing observations from my mail route all those years ago, I had no idea it would grow into this vibrant, statewide community. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to each of you—listeners, contributors, teachers, students, and supporters. You are the heart and soul of KAXE and The Phenology Show.
Together, we embody the spirit of KAXE and community radio—disparate yet cohesive, a true reflection of the world we observe and celebrate each week.
With gratitude,
John Latimer
Phenologist, KAXE
P.S. Your gift today makes all this happen. Thank you for your continued support!
