Month: August 2021
The Slice: Duluth’s Shipping Canal turns 150
In 1871 the steam dredge Ishpeming finished cutting a canal through Minnesota Point, opening Duluth’s inner harbor to ship traffic. One hundred and fifty years later, the canal remains a focal point for industry and tourism in the Twin Ports.
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.
Postcard from a Coaching Party on Boulevard Drive
This postcard bears the date of Aug. 31, 1906 — 115 years ago today. It shows horse-drawn carriages on “the Boulevard,” now known as Skyline Parkway. The illustration might be an interpretation of the Twin Ponds area; it’s not clear. The artist apparently felt the popular scenic byway’s gravel surface should be green.
The handwritten message on the card reads, “Will leave here to-day for home,” and the sender’s name looks like “Smith.”
PDD Quiz: August 2021 in Review
Test your memory of this August 2021 headlines with this week’s current affairs quiz!
The next PDD quiz will take a look at weird Duluth laws; it will be published on Sept. 12. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Sept. 8. (more…)
Lanue – “July”
The fourth video release from Duluthian Sarah Krueger’s new musical project, Lanue, features dancing and choreography by Mason Binetti. Krueger shot and edited the video herself.
The debut Lanue album was released in February and is available on Bandcamp, Apple Music and Spotify.
Steve Solkela’s Accordion 5k World Record Attempt
Iron Ranger Steve Solkela ran 5 kilometers through the streets of Virginia while playing an accordion. His finishing time was 34 minutes and 34.91 seconds, which is presumably a record — there seems to be no previous attempts at this stunt.
Video by Nathan Wangensteen.
Mystery Photo: Mr. & Mrs. Burchell
From the back of this cabinet card photo we know the subjects are Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Burchell or Burehell, married Aug. 26, 1891. They were also presumably residents of West Duluth. The photo is from the Downtown Duluth studio of John R. Zweifel. (more…)
Wally Gilbert joins Duluth football eleven in 1921
On Aug. 25, 1921 the Duluth Herald reported that former Denfeld and Valparaiso football standout Wally Gilbert had agreed to join the Duluth Knights of Columbus football team. The “K.C.” team, or “Kaysees,” turned out to be the region’s best pro football squad. Facing all Minnesota and Wisconsin teams at Athletic Park in Duluth, the team racked up a 9-0 record and outscored opponents 278-0 before dropping a playoff game in Illinois to the Rock Island Independents. (more…)
The Slice: Giving Gardens of Duluth
The Duluth Community Garden Program has created gardens for vegetables-loving citizens to stop by for a snack.
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.
Marc Gartman’s Fever Dream – “Keile”
The new album from Marc Gartman’s Fever Dream is about the early life of his great grandmother, Kate “Keile” Gartman. She fled Russia for New York City in 1906 and as a teenager survived the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, an industrial disaster resulting in the death of 146 garment workers. The video featuring the albums six tracks is comprised of footage from the Prelinger Archives and the Library of Congress.
The Size Difference Between a Wolf and Coyote
It can be a little tricky at times to tell the difference between a wolf and a coyote. In general, wolves are much larger. In the video meld above, shot by a Voyageurs Wolf Project trail camera, two coyote and a wolf share the screen.
Wolves in Voyageurs National Park are smaller than wolves in other areas but still noticeably larger than coyotes.
MN Moder – “Elevator” (Visualizer)
Step into the “elevator” with Duluth-based hip-hop artist Zachary Moder, whose new single promises to take you to “another level of pleasure.”
The song is from the MN Moder album, Sweet Dreams, which was released in June.
Postcard from the Aerial Lift Bridge at Night
This undated postcard, published by Zenith Interstate News Company, depicts the Duluth Ship Canal and Aerial Lift Bridge circa the early half of the 20th century. (more…)
Lake Superior Aquaman on patrol
Duluth MN circa 15 feet deep: All clear
A night of films about pets
The Free Range Film Festival continues tonight in rural Wrenshall with a slate of films about pets — a pet turtle documentary, a cartoon about a wild game hunt gone wrong, and a full-length feature titled We Don’t Deserve Dogs.
Watching short films in a century-old barn provided a bit of normalcy Friday night with two filmmakers on hand taking questions from a lighter than usual audience. The venue and environs themselves, with three theaters, concessions and an explosion of wildflowers, is worth the drive just south of Wrenshall at county roads 1 and 4. A new slate of films begins at 7 p.m. Masks are encouraged for viewing inside the barn but outside seating is also available.
The Slice: A World of Accordions Museum
Helmi Harrington, owner and curator of A World of Accordions Museum in Superior, talks about the museum’s collection and the concert hall at Harrington Arts Center.
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.
Bayfront Blues Festival Aerial Footage
Videographer Adam Jagunich captured these aerial images last weekend during the Bayfront Blues Festival.
Duluth’s ‘Mushroom House’ looks for new owner
The “Mushroom House” near the University of Minnesota Duluth is for sale. (All photos via realtor.com)
When it comes to houses, Duluth is noted for the grand, turn-of-the-century mansions clinging to the Lake Superior shoreline or more modern places with stunning hilltop views but there are unique gems sprinkled throughout the city and one of them is on the market.
“The Mushroom House,” located at 1401 Mississippi Ave., just northwest of the University of Minnesota Duluth campus, was listed for sale Aug. 9. The five-bedroom, three-bath home was built in 1971 in a striking triple-dome shape that seems to grow out of its wooded, half-acre lot. The listed price is $279,900. (more…)
Terry Carnation, fresh off the boat from Duluth
The podcast Dark Air with Terry Carnation dropped a reference to Duluth in episode 9, titled “The Haunting of Emily’s Hair.”
Rainn Wilson plays the part of Terry Carnation, host of a fictional late-night AM radio talk show on the paranormal. In the episode he meets director Jason Reitman, who wants to make his screenplay, but ultimately Carnation ends up being “splooged in the face by the cynical abuse of shallow corrupt patriarchy that is show business.” You know, “like many a would-be ingénue fresh off the boat from Duluth, Minnesota.”
Shaunna Heckman – “Cradle the Sound”
Duluth musician Shaunna Heckman has a new single, “Cradle the Sound.”
“This song mostly reflects building confidence to take leaps, trusting my intuition,” Heckman wrote on Facebook. “Overcoming the battle of the inner chatter vs the heart, as messy and terrifying as that can be. Keeping toxic people and negativity away and encompassing the beauty of what you might just find when you own your truth. Hold on to that within your own walls. It’s so precious.”
Moors & McCumber – “What Would Love Do Now”
The duo Moors & McCumber, featuring Superior’s James Moors, has a new album titled Survival set for release in October. The video for the single “What Would Love Do Now” was produced and directed by Tim Bloomquist of Iowa-based Professional Video.
R.I.P. Gannucci’s Italian Market
The Duluth News Tribune reports Gannucci’s Italian Market in West Duluth is closed and a liquidation auction will be held Aug. 25.
Low – “More”
The third video release from the new album by Duluth band Low is directed Julie Casper Roth. Hey What is schedule for release on Sept. 10.
Duluth Population: 1860 to 2020
According to the 2020 United States Census, Duluth’s population hit 86,697, up 432 people from the 2010 count but still down 20,187 from the all-time high in 1960. (more…)
Torment – “Pig Pen” (Live at the Cabooze)
Duluth band Torment has a new song, “Pig Pen.” This video is from the band’s Aug. 8 performance at the Cabooze in Minneapolis. The next show is Aug. 21 at the Caddy Shack in Duluth.