But those who have been under the shadow,
who have gone down at last
to elemental things,
will have a wider charity.

In memory of the first responders and families of Gaza indiscriminately/intentionally assassinated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

"Slava Ukraini Слава Україні! Vive l’Ukraine libre, vive l’Europe démocratique. Claude Malhuret/ politique français

“Origin Story of Fort Road/West Seventh Street,
the Township/City of Saint Paul,
the Territory/State of Minnesota,
Glacial Age Forward”

“Origin Story” Goes Live!

• Next Generation Indie Book Awards, first place:
  Historical Non-Fiction category
  

At the end of 2024, 380 histories were published, 78 hard cover and 350 soft cover. All proceeds, over $14,000, benefited West Seventh’s C.S.P.S. Hall’s Legacy Fund. The first edition sold out in two months thanks to enthusiastic demand in the West End and beyond. In August 2025 a second, edited edition was published: 500+ with over 420 sold. Proceeds benefit non-profits and food shelves.

The history is 420 pages with 1069 images (vintage and commisioned), documented with 259 endnotes. Each book was inscribed “Thank you for (contributing to and) supporting the history of immigrants and volunteers of W7!”  Selected Topics are serialized in the Community Reporter, the local publication of the West End of Saint Paul. (Thirteen as of June 2025)! Over 50 copies donated to libraries, educational and cultural organizations.

Email to reserve a copy ($30): joe@josfland.com

Origin Table of contents and more information

Presentations:

2026

• June 7: Grand Old Days, TCFM  Meetinghouse, 1725 Grand Avenue.
• May 29: French Heritage Corridor (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin): 6th Annual Conference panel discussion. Alliance Française MSP
• Fridays, April 3-May 15: Origin Select Topics, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute seminar
• March 26: Czech Heritage Giesenbrau New Prague
• March 6: Henderson High School at CSPS Hall
• February 22: St. Michaels Lutheran Church, Roseville
• February 6: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
• Janaury 27: State and Local Historians Association

2025

• November 8: Twin Cities Book Festival
• August 17: Germanic-American Institute Cafe
• Thursday, June 5, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, University of Minnesota College of Continuing and Professional Studies
• May 9: Saint Paul Friday Lunch Forum
• April 29: Fort Road Federation/ District 9 Community Council’s annual meeting,
• February 18: Saint Paul Rotary Club (University Club)
• February 27 West Seventh Library and Keystone/West Seventh Community Center
• March 24: 5PBS documentary "We Are the River" On-camera interview
• March 24: West Seventh Library and Keystone/West Seventh Community Center
• March 14, Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota (historic C.S.P.S. Hall
• January 6: My Villager of Highland Park of Saint Paul, Front page feature
• November 28 (2024): Community Reporter of the West End of Saint Paul, Front page feature

 

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Kiosk: Guides for learning (2024) Website

Restored, reformatted, and revised with 200 guides to promote learning, middle school through returning adult--with translations in 38 languages! Non-ChatGPT, non-Bard; non-AI.

Kiosk guides for learning
is a freely accessible educational environment that offers strategies to recognize and realize learning objectives. We accept individual differences without regard to ability and creed; sexual and affectional orientation; caste, tribal and national affiliation; individual, familial and collective history. Dates from 1996.

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Aging Gardens Website

I sold my bluffside home of 40+ years in 2022 when my partner Steve and I moved next door to a house and gardens we built over four years. The Website Aging Gardens is both a summary of the construction and an inventory of the perennials, ground covers, bushes, trees, cacti and houseplants over the years.

Minneapolis/Saint Paul Home Tour, April 30/May 1, 2022.

Minneapolis Star Tribune, HOME & GARDEN section, August 19, 2022:
St. Paul garden tour founder is all about creating Zen in his garden ... By Nancy Ngo

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Recognition:

Community service and volunteer activities.

Media:

MN Public Radio "Music with Minnesotans"; "MN State Capital" documentary;
KARE-TV  "Summer Backyard (Garden) Tour"; Czech Radio

 

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CV/Resume

Professional activities including research and development of Online educational resources