Postcard from Tugs Breaking Ice for Steamer Ireland

This undated postcard, circa 1903 to 1913, shows a tugboat next to the Steamer R. L. Ireland, which the caption indicates is “going to winter quarters, Duluth, Minn.” The Great Lakes bulk freighter was built and launched in 1903. According to the website Great Lakes Vessel History, it was twice renamed — Sirius in 1913 and Ontadoc in 1926 — and sold for scrap in 1970.

Torment – “I Am the Problem”

Duluth band Torment performs “I Am the Problem” on New Year’s Eve at Pizza Lucé. The song is from the band’s new EP, The Pain. The video was shot and edited by Kayden Emantsal and Lane Peterson.

PDD Quiz: 2025 Coming Attractions

The first PDD Quiz of 2025 previews events, establishments and shenanigans coming to the Twin Ports this year.

A quiz reviewing the month’s headlines and happenings will be published on Jan. 26. Please email question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat @ gmail.com by Jan. 23.

Sugar on the Roof – “Over the Great Saltless Sea”

Sugar on the Roof has a new self-titled album out on Philville Records. The track “Over the Great Saltless Sea” is highlighted here as the latest addition to Perfect Duluth Day’s list of more than 100 songs with “Duluth” in the lyrics or title.

Duluth Salvation Army building has hit century mark

A small feature in the Jan. 10, 1925 Duluth Herald mentions the opening of the “new” Salvation Army at 118 N. Third Ave. W. The building still stands, now serving as an annex to Hostel du Nord.

New book of interest if you have friends at UMD

I love talking about the literary writing world here, but I rarely talk about academic writing. I’d like to, this time, because I just finished c0-editing a freshly published book with articles by some of your neighbors. They were intentionally written to be accessible to a broad readership.

Kyle Orla – “Worried Blues”

Duluth’s Kyle Orla performs “Worried Blues” at the edge of Lake Superior on the last “warm” day in December 2024.

Regional partnerships inviting proposals for community projects

The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships are seeking proposals for projects related to sustainable agriculture and food systems, clean energy, natural resources and resilient communities.

I’m on the board for these proposals, and many of your neighbors throughout the region are, too. You don’t need to be a nonprofit — local businesses with community impact and individual citizens can apply, too!

Lessons from Scribes and Vibes and a Minnesota writers class

Last semester, I taught a class in the writing major at the University of Minnesota Duluth called Minnesota Writers. It was a survey of a few “greatest hits” (Laura Ingalls Wilder and Wanda Gag; Upton Sinclair and F. Scott Fitzgerald; Tim O’Brien), but mostly, it was a tour through some of the writers alive and well and shaping Minnesota culture (Margi Preus, Chris Monroe, Julie Gard, Emily August, Michael Fedo, Lucie Amundsen, Kelly Florence, Meg Hafdahl, and contributors to the Pride Zine).

“Opiate War,” Container Music Publishing

“Opiate War”
Copyright 2025 Container Music Publishing
iPhone, Take One

Boxcar – “Here I Am”

The third video release from Duluth band Boxcar‘s new album, Black Noon, is directed by Lance Lindahl and edited by Adam Jones, with photography directed by Austin Hilgenberg.

Living Chess (The Vintage Duluth blog is back)

The Vintage Duluth Blog at the Duluth Public Library is back.

JamesG’s Best Heely Tricks of 2024

Former Duluthian James Geisler, also known as the hip-hop artist JamesG, has released the 2024 montage of his best wheeled-sneaker stunts. In the past year he’s grown his TikTok fanbase from 94,000 to 109,000.

Coast Guard vs. Illegal Fishing Shelter

The Duluth-based YouTube channel Vibe with Mike has the story. Spoiler alert: Coast Guard wins.

PDD Geoguessr #33: Walking Shortcuts

This Duluth avenue is unlikely to be open to car traffic any time soon. (Photo by Matthew James)

Over the past 100 years, the increase in car use has changed the Duluth landscape. Downtown has fewer shoppers walking the streets and traffic is heavy on the roads to the big box stores at the top of the hill. Whole neighborhoods have been torn down to make room for highways. But the particular geography of Duluth has resulted in a number of urban routes open only to people walking (and, for some, also biking). This post takes a closer look at a few of those locations and concludes with a Geoguessr game testing your knowledge of travel routes in Duluth closed to cars.