ALMA’S ALMANAC

She has no meteorology degree or high-tech weather gizmos at her access, but that doesn’t stop Alma Kubat from delivering the weather forecast on KRUE Country Radio of Owatonna every Thursday morning.

And it doesn’t hurt anything that she finds herself in good company. Her son, Brad, is the long-time host of KRUE’s morning show that airs weekdays from 6:45 to 9 a.m.

It has turned the life-long farm woman into somewhat of a local radio celebrity.

“She has a big following,” says Brad Kubat. “I often hear from listeners who say they hear my mom every Thursday and that they love her. She never thought she would be a radio star.”

And what does Alma think of her radio celebrity status?

“I feel very grateful,” she said modestly. “I enjoy hearing people’s reactions after they listen to me. It’s kind of rewarding.”

Alma, who just turned 85, typically delivers the forecast appropriately called, “Alma’s Almanac,” from the confines of her rural Steele County farm—the same place she has lived and farmed for the past 64 years. The kitchen table becomes her makeshift studio when she joins Brad over the phone around 8:45 a.m.

When the weather allows, Alma likes to go outside and sit on her front steps overlooking the farm she has meticulously cared for over the years. “I like to give people the atmosphere of being outside where they can hear the birds singing on a beautiful sunny day,” she said.

Sometimes a rooster or two may be crowing in the background while she’s giving the forecast. “It can be the battle of the roosters when they talk to each other. That’s the fun of living in the country.”

She cares for about 55 chickens on the farm. Her morning routine typically involves collecting the eggs. “They lay more eggs when the weather is nice,” Alma said.

Alma milked cows up until she was 67 and drove tractor until 70. “I miss the cows,” she said. “I cried every day I went into the barn for a week after getting rid of the cows.”

Two years ago, Alma gained statewide notoriety when she was recognized as the Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year.

On a recent Thursday, she joined her son, along with Mara Sellner and Karie Pankowski, in the studio for the first time ever.

Alma does her homework on the weather before coming on the air. “Mom uses a weather app on her phone,” Brad said. “She uses different models to come up with her own forecast,” he added.

As for the accuracy of her forecasts, Brad said with a smile: “She is as good as any other weather person or meteorologist. We know they are not perfect.”

After delivering the forecast that Alma scratches out by hand on a note pad, Brad features a Thursday throwback where she gets to pick her favorite song of the day. For this particular day, she chose Orange Blossoms Special by Johnny Cash.

“I like to switch it around,” she said of her musical selections. “I’ve got a big box of albums and go through them to find something I like.” She added she particularly enjoys Johnny Cash songs.

She has also been known to share birthday or anniversary wishes to family members on the air.

Alma’s Almanac even comes with its own sponsor: Ringhofer Insurance Agency in Owatonna. It seemed only fitting as owner Dennis RInghofer has provided the Kubat family with their insurance needs for years. “I’ve known Dennis since he was a kid,” Alma said. “It really took me back, wow, when he agreed to sponsor me on the radio.”

Alma admits she was a little overwhelmed by coming into the studio with microphones, headphones, computers and sound boards staring her in the face. “I woke up a few times last night because I was nervous,” she said. “After I was here a while, I felt more at home. I just needed to relax a little.”

But she apparently did well at hiding her nervousness and her son did most of the heavy lifting.

“She did great,” said Brad. “She said she was nervous, but I sure couldn’t tell it.

After the forecast, Brad gave her another opportunity to shine on the radio. Alma delivered the Battle of the Sexes trivia between Sellner and Pankowski, a task usually handled by Brad.

Brad is especially pleased that he is able to share the special bond he has with his mother with radio listeners.

“They always tell me if they can’t listen any other time, they listen on Thursdays for mom’s pick,” Brad said. “I think it’s wonderful to have her on. I see the joy she gets in doing what she does.”

Both Brad and Alma came into their roles on KRUE with no prior radio experience. Brad said he was working in the shop on the farm 14 years ago when he heard an ad playing on the radio from the Linder Farm Network. He applied and got the job.

“It was pretty rocky,” Brad admits. “I’m sure I was pretty bad as I had never done it before. It was sink or swim.”

Brad has come to enjoy the beauty of radio.

“It’s doing something that only a small fraction of people would do,” he said. “It’s like a magical thing. People don't know how it works. I’m very blessed that I am part of the radio family.”

The broadcaster feels even more blessed that he’s able to share in the joy of radio with his mother at his side even just some of the time.

And the feeling is mutual with Alma.

“I like to help out Brad and do anything for the radio station,” she said.