David Beard
More about the poetic lives of Sheila Packa and Tracy Gilsvik
Sheila Packa is a poet laureate of Duluth and a friend. Her poem in the fall/winter 1996 edition of North Coast Review is paired with a poem by Tracy Gilsvik. I think they work in health, now, but I want to know more about their poetic lives. (more…)
Atlas Games in Proctor
I’m always thrilled to explore publishing companies in Duluth and its environs. In Proctor, one of the coolest publishers in the region brings board games, card games and role-playing games to press. Atlas Games has announced its next role-playing game project, and it reminds me that we have an industry leader creating fun in a suburb of Duluth. (more…)
Who were Mary Dragich and Heidi Ash as poets?
I’m seeking information about poets who appear in an old issue of North Coast Review, a Poetry Harbor publication.
Today, two poems, one by Heidi Ash. Is this possibly the chocolatier? Can anyone help me fill in some details here? The other is by Mary Dragich, who has a few articles about her in the Duluth News Tribune (and appeared to have been married to my former colleague, John Pastor). But what about their literary lives? Were these their only or best poems? (more…)
Excavating Literary History in Duluth: John R. Donahue
I’m reading an issue of North Coast Review from 1996 and seeking information about poets whose works appear in the magazine.
Today, John R. Donahue. Is this possibly the Jesuit who has written 28 books? Can anyone help me fill in some details here? (more…)
Excavating Literary History in Duluth: Astrid Rose Francel
After every library book sale (the next one is in Superior in a few weeks), I post on Perfect Duluth Day about the poets whose works are being deaccessioned. Over the next few days, I will ask about poets appearing in North Coast Review, a Poetry Harbor publication.
First up, Astrid Rose Francel. There is a popular novelist named Astrid Rose, and there is an actress named Rose Francel. But I can’t find Astrid Rose Francel. Can anyone help? (more…)
Excavating Literary History in Duluth: Sally Ockwig Larson
I’m reading books secured at the most recent Duluth Public Library book sale. Over the next few days, I will ask about poets appearing in North Coast Review, a Poetry Harbor publication.
Today, Sally Ockwig Larson. (more…)
After the Book Sale: Excavating the Poetry Community
After the Duluth Public Library’s book sale, it’s time to discover and uncover Duluth poets from the books the library has de-accessioned, weeded. (more…)
Maternal Mental Health Community Discussions at UMD
The State of Minnesota recently released the Minnesota Maternal Mortality Report, which found that the number one cause of death in the period of pregnancy, birth and postpartum was mental health. (more…)
ARDC receives Excellence in Regional Transportation Award
A partnership between the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission has won recognition from the National Association of Development Organizations. (more…)
Puzzling Through the Museum of Ojibwa Culture: Saint Ignace (and Indigenous History in our Region)
On a recent trip through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I stopped to visit the Museum of Ojibwa Culture in St. Ignace. The Museum is operated by the city of St. Ignace, and so “the city-operated museum and park portray a vivid picture of life in the Straits of Mackinac over 300 years ago when Ojibwa, Huron, Odawa and French lifestyles met.” (more…)
A Literary Summer Begins
It’s been a very literary summer in Duluth and Superior.
First, the Duluth Failed Poets Society met at Wussow’s Concert Cafe to celebrate a new book. Laminated Wildflowers is a celebration both of craft and of community. (It’s also a sequel to Murder Your Darlings.) Photos and video of the event are available on Instagram. (more…)
David Abazs shares creative gardening strategies
David Abazs at the Mount Royal Branch of the Duluth Public Library.
David Abazs, executive director for the University of Minnesota Extension Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, shared some insights on gardening at the Mount Royal Branch of the Duluth Public Library on Monday. (more…)
Emily Gaarder appears on the SongWriter podcast
Duluth musician and scholar Emily Gaarder appears on the “Ali Selim + Carla Kihlstedt” episode of Song/Writer podcast released March 23. Gaarder is one of the visions behind local band The Rhizomes. (more…)
Just Me: A project to increase connection to nature and embolden bicycle use as transportation
My friend and former student Kevin Stanke recently shared his final project in the Master of Professional Studies program at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His work sets out to increase people’s connection to nature and to embolden bicycle use as a primary form of transportation. He’s given me permission to share it here. (more…)
Tolkien Reading Day 2026
I have just learned that the Tolkien Society sponsors an annual Tolkien Reading Day on March 25. The text below is a press release. Would anyone like to help plan a Duluth event for next year? (more…)
Former Duluthian Nik Nerburn exhibits at MIA
Still from Nik Nerburn’s “Going Out For Cigarettes.”
The Minneapolis Institute of Art has announced former Duluthian Nik Nerburn will have work on exhibit there March 21 to June 21. (more…)
At the RSDP meeting there was a lamb waiting to vote
The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships program in the University of Minnesota is a model for university-community interactions, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. Our “statewide coordinating committee” meeting was held March 5, and the room was on fire. (more…)
Lisa Fitzpatrick recognized with environmental film award
Lisa Fitzpatrick creates a tiny tableau of the St. Louis River estuary in “River Creatures,” an artwork that is part of “The River Speaks” exhibit at Wussow’s Concert Cafe, organized by the St. Louis River Alliance. (Image via the St. Louis River Alliance’s Instagram page.
Duluth-based artist, animator and climate advocate Lisa Fitzpatrick was recognized with an Outstanding Environmental Film Award at the Short. Sweet. Film Fest., an event in Cleveland, Ohio that highlights short features. Her submission, Love Song for Earth, was part of the festival’s environmental program on March 4. (more…)
S.M. Garbers has published her first novel, Reaper of Resistance
Former Duluthian Samantha Garbers, writing as S.M. Garbers, has published her first novel. Reaper of Resistance was released on Jan. 16 and develops Garber’s passions as a writer, student and human being. (more…)
Harbor City named an ESEA Distinguished School
I’ve seen two (kind-of) stepchildren attend Harbor City. The school makes good things happen on a tiny budget. It is celebrating recognition as an ESEA Distinguished School. (more…)
Minnesota State Arts Board announces application deadlines
The Minnesota State Arts Board has posted application deadlines for all of the grant programs it will offer in the fiscal year 2027 grant cycle. Deadlines, decision dates, and grant periods can be found on the Arts Board calendar. (more…)
Sixteen thousand people read my little project?
I am proud to learn that a journal I have co-edited for the past decade has a new mechanism for reporting its readership. I have always known that this journal was important to me — I am ecstatic to learn that it might mean something to other people — 16,000 people downloaded articles just this year.
If you would like to be a writer or a reviewer for this journal, reach out. We are going places. (more…)
Former Duluthian Miles Spangrud releases debut novel
My friend and former Duluthian Miles Spangrud will see their debut novel released by Two Gun Publishing. Flesh and Bone: A Historical Western is interesting to me because Western feels like one of those genres that keeps happening no matter how far outside the field of my vision it is. Like Art Bell, maybe. Always there, and I only stumble into it once in a while, this time because the author was local. (more…)
Our Changing Relationship to Lake Superior, 1975-2025
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald. (Image via the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
A new collection of works by Duluthians speaks to their changing relationship to Lake Superior. I am including the intro, which I wrote, below. For more, visit openrivers.lib.umn.edu. (more…)
Call for writing and artwork for ‘Going the Distance’
Duluth Publishing Project, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Duluth and Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador, is compiling a collection of creative works — visual art, poems and nonfiction writing — on the theme of “Going the Distance.” Students enrolled in classes at the colleges will edit and create the final product. (more…)