MUNCIE, Ind. -- The odds against winning were pretty high, and yet Robert C. Kissel of Solsberry, Ind., was one of the four winners in the "Minnesota in Winter" trip giveaway, conducted last fall by A Prairie Home Companion (APHC) with Garrison Keillor. 

Kissel entered the contest because of his support of Indiana Public Radio-WBST.

The public radio stations that carry the show facilitated the ticket giveaway. APHC gave away four grand prize trips to see a live January broadcast from the Fitzgerald Theater in downtown St. Paul. The prize package includes airfare, overnight accommodations and tickets to the show.

Kissel was automatically entered in the contest when he called the Muncie public radio station during last fall's pledge drive. His entry was one of 6,660 from public radio stations throughout the U.S.

He, his wife, and six-year-old daughter will fly to the Twin Cities Saturday to see the show.

Solsberry is located in Greene County, just a few miles west of Bloomington, and is not normally considered part of the Indiana Public Radio listening area. However, Kissel says he listens to IPR as he travels the east central part of the state, and he enjoys the programming enough to become a supporting member.

Coincidentally, A Prairie Home Companion will broadcast live from Elliott Hall of Music on the Purdue University campus on Saturday, April 7. (Muncie residents may remember that Keillor brought the show to Muncie in March of 1997.)

Indiana Public Radio members have the opportunity to purchase a special APHC package which includes tickets and transportation to the April 7 show at Purdue. Call (765)285-5888 for more information.

A Prairie Home Companion is produced by Minnesota Public Radio and airs on Indiana Public Radio Saturdays at 6 p.m. with a repeat broadcast on Sundays at noon.