January 2021 Posts

PDD Quiz: January 2021 in Review

The first month of 2021 is in the books! See how much of it you remember with this week’s current events quiz!

The theme of the next quiz, which will be published on Feb. 14, is “I Like it in Duluth.” Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Feb. 10.

Postcard from the Masonic Temple in Duluth

This illustrated postcard of Duluth’s Masonic Temple was mailed 110 years ago today — Jan. 31, 1911. Mrs. Baylis of Cedar Rapids, Iowa was the recipient. The card was sent by one of her children, who was staying at the McKay Hotel.

The Slice: Birding at Sax-Zim Bog

Alexis Powell talks about seeking out northern boreal birds at Sax-Zim Bog, about 30 miles northwest of Duluth.

In its series The Slice, WDSE-TV presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Dukes of Hubbard’s Unreleased Originals

From the early 2000s comes this rather extensive collection of live recordings of Duluth band the Dukes of Hubbard. It’s a full three hours — 25 tracks of music with a photo slideshow as the visuals — featuring the six-piece band made up of Ben Wizik, Jimi Cooper, Tim Saxhaug, Russ Sackett, Mike Gomez and Eric Pollard.

Selective Focus: Full Wolf Moon

The January full moon is referred to as the Wolf Moon. Here are some local views of last night’s show.

Two new movie packages join Banff Mountain Film Festival

Two new Banff Mountain Film Festival movie packages hit the internet on Feb. 4 as part of the virtual world tour. Ruby and Sapphire movie bundles are joining the Amber and Onyx movie packages that are already online. The Duluth Cross-country Ski Club receives part of the proceeds when viewers use the link on duluthxc.com to get to the BMFF content.

Morgan Park: Remembering Our Past

Retired Duluth Fire Chief John Strongitharm put together this half-hour photo slideshow depicting the history of Duluth’s Morgan Park neighborhood. It’s been 50 years since United States Steel announced it would begin phasing out its Duluth Mill operations, but much of the Model Community it created in the early 20th century remains.

National Geographic: Saving the Great Lakes

Duluth and Lake Superior were featured in the cover story of the December issue of National Geographic magazine. (No, that’s not Duluth on the cover image; it’s the Empire Bluff Trail in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Yes, the article has been out for two months; we’re behind on our reading.)

The article delves into a variety of environmental stressors threatening the Great Lakes, including invasive species, toxic chemicals, agricultural pollutants and coastal development. The full article is available on nationalgeographic.com, but it’s behind a paywall, so get your subscription dollars ready.

Mystery Photo: Going Some

Going some? Huh? What is that supposed to mean? Seems like a weird name for a fake boat.

The back of this postcard photo indicates it was shot at the Owl Studio, 10 E. Superior. St., next to Duluth’s Empress Theatre. Estimated year: 1912.

Lake Superior Magazine 2021 Photo Contest Winners

Duluth’s Timothy J. Beaulier took first place in the Maritime category of Lake Superior Magazine‘s 26th Annual Photo Contest.

Postcard from Duluth’s Downtown Motel

This undated postcard from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography offers a view of the Downtown Motel at 131 W. Second St. in Duluth. Built in 1959, the motel later became known as the Best Western Downtown and is still in operation, now as the Downtown Duluth Inn, owned by ZMC Hotels.

Making it Up North: Steve Solkela

Meet Steve Solkela. With his music career crushed by COVID-19 cancellations, he built up a robust YouTube following with his music videos, tandem-bike interviews and random stunts.

WDSE-TV‘s Making it Up North explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.

Luke Zimmerman – “Duluth”

Roughly 15 years ago, Minneapolis singer/songwriter Luke Zimmerman released his solo debut album Twilight Waltz, featuring this track called “Duluth.” Various release dates from 2005 to 2007 are listed on the internet, but allmusic.com reports Jan. 24, 2006.

More Wild Ice

Skating Duluth’s inner harbor at “the slip.” Photo gallery below.

Shredded aluminum cans found on Park Point beach

The city of Duluth and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers are urging caution for anyone using Park Point beach between the shipping canal on the lakeside to 13th Street South as pieces of shredded aluminum cans have been found. The cans are believed to have been inadvertently deposited when dredge materials were placed on the far north beach section this past fall. Dredge material was placed on the beach after the Park Point Community Club and Park Point residents approached the city and other partners with shoreline erosion concerns exacerbated by high water levels.

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