Month: April 2026
Indecent Proposal – “Tears in Rain” (DJ SMOXA Remix)
The latest video from Duluth band Indecent Proposal was shot during two performances — last summer’s Downtown Duluth Street Dance outside Dubh Linn Irish Pub and the band’s opening slot for Third Eye Blind at Black Bear Casino in March. The video production work is by Capture Chaos Productions.
Making it Up North: Seed Treasures
In Angora Township, about 70 miles north of Duluth, Jackie and Will Atkinson are rescuing ancient heirloom seeds from extinction, turning their passion for “growing history” into a thriving, cold-hardy seed business called Seed Treasures.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Postcard from a Giant Freighter in Duluth Ship Canal
At the top of the postcard pile today is an undated image from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography. The caption on the back reads: “Giant Freighter entering Canal of Duluth Superior Harbor, Westerly Terminus of the St. Lawrence Seaway.”
Making it Up North: Alan Nyiri
Alan Nyiri, a lifelong photographer who has traded the traditional retirement for a life on the open road, travels the country with his wife in a fifth-wheel trailer, serving as a “volunteering professional.” Currently stationed at Grand Portage National Monument, he is using his decades of technical skill to document the history of the fur trade and the legendary Rendezvous.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Superior Street, Sept. 11, 1907, Part 1: Introduction
Superior Street, 1907.
The image above comes from a high resolution scan of Superior Street looking east toward Fifth Avenue West. It has been shared online many times before, including on Perfect Duluth Day. For those who have wondered about the businesses visible and half-hidden in the photo and the stories behind them, this series has some answers. Using the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub to match photo elements with newspaper articles, it describes a maritime birth, a crooked pawn shop owner, and an ingenious inventor in its tales of both incredible wealth and stark poverty on Superior Street in 1907. (more…)
The Fine China
My maternal grandmother purchased a nice set of porcelain dinnerware in 1953. That was back when ladies got all giddy over fine china. One of my grandmother’s sisters had the same set of dishes. Perhaps they were thinking they could lend each other matching teacups if either hosted a large gathering.
I’m certain my mother told me all the details related to the fine china numerous times over the years, but I didn’t really pay attention because she was talking about fine china and no one cares about fine china anymore.
Ten days before I was born, in 1972, my grandmother died. It’s a strange kind of grief for me to carry, because it comes with a sense that it began in utero. The idea of my mother’s sadness transferring to the fetal version of me is a little silly, of course, and probably manufactured entirely in my imagination, but still, my grandmother holds a heavy emotional sway with me for someone I never met. It is at least true that I entered the world into a family in mourning. Learning about it later is enough to make it a memory. When I see a photo of my grandmother or hear a story about her, it punches me in the gut because we came so close to meeting but never did. If a story about my grandmother involves fine china, however, my mind will wander because there are few things less interesting than fine china. (more…)
The Imperatur YouTube channel focuses on Duluth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6XPh4t-kYs
A popular YouTube channel based out of Germany features “mini documentaries about cities and infrastructure around the world.” It recently posted an episode on the urban planning challenges faced by Duluth. Within the rapid 9-minute overview, there is a lot that is correct. And there is just as much to quibble about, which is often the more fun part of watching videos like this.
Making it Up North: Portage North
Michael Larson, owner of Portage North and Sun Dog Sport in Ely, talks about life at the Boundary Waters and making durable portage packs and dog harnesses.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Hauliwood Dreams – “Helan Går: It All Goes Down”
The latest from the Finnish-American novelty band Hauliwood Dreams is a traditional Swedish drinking song turned into a Nordic celebration of tradition with a Finnish-American twist. The group features Duluth’s Steve Solkela partnering with Miska Kajanus and led by Maria Voltaine, who wrote the song lyrics and music and produced the video.