There is a treasure to be found on the internet and his name is Garrison Keillor. For those who don't know Garrison he is a master writer, story teller, creator of "A Prairie Home Companion" and the mystical fictitious town of Lake Wobegon. He is also true americana and provides the world with a humorous and brilliant insight into the American psyche.

If anyone ever really wanted to know America, all they need do is know the work of Garrison Keillor.

Born in 1942 in the state of Minnesota, he grew up in his birth state later to attended the University of Minnesota. He graduated in 1966 and went to work for Minnesota Public Radio in 1969. In the summer of 1974, "A Prairie Home Companion" became a Saturday afternoon live variety show, which was presented in various theaters and halls in the area. In January of 1980 "A Prairie Home Companion" went national over the radio airways and the rest as they say is history.

There have been bumps in his road. To quote Garrison: "I brought the show to an end in 1987, from sheer exhaustion, and soon regreted this, and resumed it in 1989 in New York, from the Majestic Theater in Brooklyn, as the American Radio Company of the Air. Despite attempts to strike out in new directions, it was still the same show, so we brought it back to St. Paul and in 1993 resumed the name A Prairie Home Companion."

In addition to the weekly radio program Garrison Keillor is a prolific and extraordinarily talented writer. He has a weekly column which appears in the online Salon magazine. Has authored numerous novels and just finished a piece "Looking for Lake Wobegon" with photographs by Richard Olsenius, which can be found at National Geographic

In my estimation of all of Garrison Keillor accomplishments nothing surpasses "A Prairie Home Companion", the "News from Lake Wobegon" to be more precise. Much to our great and good fortune all of this is available on the net in RealAudio format, free for the listening! As is our ability to enjoy Garrison's work live thanks "Listen Online" and "Watch Netcast".

Travel on over to the official "A Prairie Home Companion" homepage, check the schedule and have a listen. I suggest you jump right into the real genius of Garrison by going to the "Show Archive" pick a month, date then select "News from Lake Wobegon".

As you listen to Garrison spin yarns of Lake Wobegon, sharing its wit and wisdom, you will find yourself becoming totally entranced with his words and voice. As all this happens try to remember that Lake Wobegon is a mystical fictitious place, a figment of Garrison's imagination.
Or is it?