White Lady Cornrows in Duluth
For the second time, Duluth has been mentioned on the podcast Yo, is this Racist? The show, hosted by Andrew Ti and Tawny Newsome, answers questions from listeners about whether given subjects are an example of racism or not. The Aug. 3 episode was recorded live in Minneapolis, so Newsome’s reference to Duluth was perhaps more carefully selected than random. (more…)
Flame Excursion Boat during Portorama 1962
This photograph by Lyman E. Nylander was shot 60 years ago during the Duluth Seaway Portorama of 1962. The 108-passenger Flame served as a tourist excursion boat in Duluth from 1961 to 1973. It was replaced by the 256-passenger Vista Queen.
The Flame is now operating in Buffalo, N.Y.
Digital Marketing Job Opening
Hey fellow PDD’ers and Duluthians, my company has a job opening for a digital marketer. So if you, or anyone you know, has some digital marketing chops we have a great opportunity. I wanted to give a shot to finding some local talent, before casting the net further.
The ideal candidate would have a background in some aspects of digital marketing. Pay will be based on experience and skills, the ideal candidate could expect $35 – $60 per hour with wage growth based on quality of work, motivation and performance. Training and improving digital marketing skill sets will be a large aspect of this position and we will send the right candidate to educational trainings and conferences each year.
This is a remote work position, with occasional onsite working sessions when needed. Hours are flexible 20 – 40 per week and candidate must be available during the day Mon – Fri.
Selective Focus: Dirtbike Boyfriend
Photo by Gary Walton
Bret Holland, or “Dirtbike Boyfriend,” is a multimedia artist based in Duluth. His art — encompassing doodles, denim painted clothing, music and more — explores themes both personal and political. And yes, he does ride dirt bikes. (more…)
How to Slice Watermelon
Apparently there is a watermelon surplus on Minnesota’s Iron Range. In this video, Steve Solkela and friends have some fun with the sweet fruit of summer.
Charlie Parr – “Preachin’ Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)”
Duluth’s Charlie Parr performs the song “Preachin’ Blues (Up Jumped the Devil)” in this recently-uploaded-to-YouTube video from PoleCat Productions. The song was originally recorded by Robert Johnson in 1936. This video of the Charlie Parr version was shot on Feb. 22, 2021, during a performance in Slab City in California’s Sonoran Desert.
PDD Quiz: July 2022
Test your memory of this month’s headlines with the PDD current events quiz!
The next PDD quiz heads your way on Aug. 14; it will look at the Tall Ships festival. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by Aug. 11. (more…)
Last issue of the Duluth Herald
Forty years ago today — July 30, 1982 — the Duluth Herald newspaper was published for the last time. The first issue was published April 9, 1883, and its cover appeared as artwork on the final edition. (more…)
Exploring Lower Brewery Creek Tunnel
Seven months ago Duluth Urbex published a winter video from the icy underground of the Brewery Creek drain tunnel. A new video, embedded above, explores the tunnel in summer conditions.
Mystery Photo: 1962 State and Sectional Champs
This photo was acquired at the Ellefson Estate Sale in the Upper Cody part of West Duluth in 2019. It shows a youth baseball team with players wearing different jerseys, suggesting perhaps it’s an all-star squad or the team had multiple sponsors. The sponsor names on the shirts are: Kelley Duluth, City Bottling, YOT (Young Old Timers), Gately’s, West Arrow Chevrolet, Moose 1478 … and one looks like it might be M&J Super Value (the bottom word is blocked by the players forearms). Two jerseys are plain white; those players have an M on their caps while the other players have caps with no lettering.
The writing on the back of the photo gives the biggest clue: “1962 State & Sectional Champs.” But the names of the players and coaches are lost to history unless a nerd or two step up and solve the mysteries. (more…)
On underwater microphones and the acoustics of Lake Superior
In this video, the Embassy‘s Sub Superior Festival (feat. Troy Rogers AKA Robot Rickshaw) teams up with Cafe Scientifique Twin Ports. They address the technical challenges of producing an underwater music festival, review favorite moments, and dream about the future of Sub Superior. Broadcast live from the Embassy’s secret Industrial Temple.
Canal Park restaurant expands into Island Lake landmark
An investment group has purchased the former Boondocks saloon & grill and drive in on the south side of Island Lake. Investment group spokesperson Andrew Knutson, right, said the group plans to revitalize the roadside business district. Lake Ave Restaurant and Bar owner Derek Snyder, center, will take over food operations and Luke Anderson, left, has been named head chef at the new location. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A popular Canal Park eatery started serving smash burgers and ice cream at a historic drive-in this summer while work is underway to expand operations at the site and create a new destination restaurant just south of Island Lake. (more…)
Video Archive: Styx in Duluth, 2002
https://youtu.be/o_rAz3EIZfI
Twenty years later and they’re still going strong.
Postcard from a Bird’s-eye View of Duluth in 1912
Postmarked July 27, 1912, this image shows Downtown Duluth from an Observation Hill vantage point. A different version of this postcard was posted on Perfect Duluth Day a bit more than a year ago, sparking some discussion about the vantagepoint of the image and the likelihood that it represents Duluth circa 1900. (In other words, the image likely represents a scene in Duluth from 12 years before the card was mailed.)
The card in this post is simply for the purpose of marking 110 years since it was sent and recognizing the oddly simplistic message written on the back. (more…)
Expanded features turn Mont du Lac into year-round attraction
The Trophy Lodge opened in 2017 at the top of the ski hill at Mont du Lac. It’s just one of many recent developments than have radically changed the recreation area. (Photo by Jayden Erie)
For nearly 75 years, Mont du Lac has been primarily known as a neighborhood ski hill. A recent series of added features to the privately owned recreation area, however, is changing that image.
This year, for the first time in Mont du Lac’s history, more revenue is expected to flow into the business during the summer than the winter. (more…)
The State of Duluth-area Cider
Hard cider has been steadily growing as an alcoholic beverage category in the United States over the past decade. The Duluth area is no different. The region is now home to seven craft cideries. (more…)
Steve Solkela’s “Overpopulated” One-man Band – “The Ely Song”
From 94.5 FM WELY radio in Ely.
Duluth Kayak Rescue
Via WCCO-TV, reported July 15.
Big Sky Woody – “#31”
This is a one-man-band home-recording available for free on Bandcamp. You can find a few others there as well.
Late on the Water
I arrive at the paddleboard shop on Barker’s Island in Superior just before noon. Because I learned to paddleboard last spring, and because winters are long, I need a refresher on how to attach the folding seat and ankle strap to the board. (I don’t need a crash course on how to tie my shoes—they have Velcro straps.) Last year after I connected the seat and strap to my board, they stayed put until I deflated it in the fall. Heather, co-owner of North Shore SUP, helps me. (She’s friendly and supportive and would show me how to tie my shoes, if needed. It took me a long time to learn to tie them when I was a kid.)
It’s July 16, and I will paddleboard for the first time this summer. I’ve lost a month because a long, cold spring latched onto the heels of a long, cold winter. Toss in stormy weather plus the three days a week I provide daycare for my grandkids, and getting out on my board slid to the bottom of my list. (more…)
Chuck Haavik – “When We Were in Love”
The fourth single from Duluth’s Chuck Haavik, “When We Were in Love,” is sort of a boy breakup rock ballad. Duluth native Dave Mehling plays bass and mixed the song.
First time author from Duluth
My name is Nick Campanella. After ten years of typing, editing and revising, I’m proud to say I am now a published author with a successful book called Path of Affliction. (more…)
PDD Video Lab: Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, July 2022
In this edition of the PDD Video Lab we’ve taken a recently shot silent drone video by YouTube user IndyDroner and added music from Robert Plant’s 2017 album Carry Fire. The track is titled “Heaven Sent.” (more…)
Postcard from the Elevators on Rice’s Point
This undated postcard from the Rotograph Company is captioned “Elevators, Superior Harbor, Duluth, Minn.” and features a view of Rice’s Point and the Duluth/Superior Harbor.
According to an article on the Canada Lakes Conservation Association website, the Rotograph Company was based in New York City and was “a major publisher and printer of postcards from 1904-1911.”
Lake Stories: A Collaboration of Russian and Native American Students
This past winter, Native American high school students from Duluth and high school students from Petrozavodsk, capital city of the Russian Republic of Karelia, worked together to create Lake Stories, a video project that takes a poetic look at the magic of Lake Superior and Lake Onega, the great lakes that lie next to their cities. The video is presented by Duluth Sister Cities International with support from Eurasia Foundation.
More info in the Duluth News Tribune story “Northland students find freshwater bond across borders.”