It’s July 1952 in Oconto, Wisconsin. You wake up, stretch, pour some coffee, all while strange sounds filter in from outside. Some witnesses describe sounds like a combination of rubbing on a balloon, and distant rifle fire.

Only it isn’t distant rifles making these sounds - it’s 175 million …. frogs.

Tea Krulos is a contributing writer for Milwaukee Magazine, who wrote about the Great Oconto Frog Invasion for this month’s issue. He sat down with Lake Effect’s Sam Woods to discuss the phenomenon, and how little of it is remembered today.

To mark the beginning of summer, WUWM’s Maayan Silver is looking into the origins of the beloved and unmistakable song “Summertime.”

She’s joined by Jason McKinney, an opera singer, educator and music director with Milwaukee roots.

Beyond Our Senses is a new nature documentary that gives you a bird’s-eye view of the world of Bank Swallows. The 30-minute film follows thousands of Bank Swallows as they migrate to Lake Michigan’s bluffs in the spring. It explores how the small birds navigate the breeding season with their unique vision and flight abilities.

David Busse is the director behind the film and a Milwaukee native. He joins Lake Effect’s Xcaret Nuñez for June's Chirp Chat to talk about Bank Swallows and the making of the film.