In the mid-1970s, Comedians Jay Leno, David Letterman, Andy Kaufman, Richard Lewis, Robin Williams and several hundred other would be talents from all across the United States headed out west to Los Angeles, the new home of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. There, in a late-night world of sex, drugs, dreams and laughter, they created an artistic community unlike any before or since. It was Comedy Camelot—but it couldn’t last.

In July 2009, Glen Braget interviewed William Knoedelseder, author of I’m Dying Up Here: Heartbreak and High Times in Stand-Up Comedy’s Golden Era. Knoedelseder was a cub reporter covering the scene for the Los Angeles Times and was there when the comedians—who were not paid for performing—tried to change the system and incidentally tore apart their own close-knit community.

Experiences are shared by Jim and Jan Strandlie of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and their visiting of the ancient Mayan ruins of cities, which prospered thousands of years ago.

A recent trip to the Shrine Circus in St. Paul with their granddaughter triggers memories and prompts a look back into the development of the “circus”…back to early Rome. From small to large, the circus and county fairs remain a favorite for young and old alike!

Is there really a Santa Claus and what does he have to do with Christmas? Virgina Handlin wrote to the New York Sun many years ago asking the truth about Santa Claus. The Sun wrote an editorial back to Virginia that is warmly remembered today.In part two of this piece the Rev. Billy Graham is asked to speak at a luncheon in his honor. He tells a story about Albert Einstein.

Hubert H. Humphrey was Minnesota’s “favorite son”. He championed the issue of Civil Rights. One could consider Coya Knutson Minnesota’s “Favorite Daughter”. Knutson was the first women elected to Congress.