August 2020 Posts

Daybreak on the Lake

Footage from the Duluth Harbor Cam of dawn breaking over Lake Superior on Aug. 4.

A Lynching in the Family

The 1920 Duluth lynchings is the subject of a series of three short videos released by PBS-TV’s Independent Lens. The videos share the title A Lynching in the Family. Part one, above, is subtitled “Accuser, Instigator, Victim.”

On Parents Behaving Poorly

There are a thousand ways to let your inexperienced children get themselves killed before they are old enough to know better. Letting them chase around and harass wild animals such as Canada Geese in Chambers Grove Park is as good as any. Check out this link to why letting your cute little 3-year-old daughter chase 50 wild geese in circles is an all around bad idea before you lose your mind over the stranger advising you against this activity, you silly lady.

Quora: Geese hiss at you, but can they really hurt you or injure you in any way if they peck at you with their rounded bill?

Postcard from the S.S. North West

This postcard was mailed 110 years ago today — Aug. 4, 1910 — from A. Nelson in Duluth to Miss Louise Skoug in Two Harbors.

According to the Historic Detroit website, the North West “began its life as one of the finest passenger steamers ever built for service on the Great Lakes — and, after a series of unusual events, ended that life by being torpedoed by the Germans during World War II.”

Vanspaining, Episode 3: Cat Clyde

In the third episode of Vansplaining, Duluth’s Alan Sparhawk talks with Canadian folk band Cat Clyde about the benefits of saline vaporization.

Recovering a Forgotten Struggle for Racial Integration in Duluth

Laura Weber, editor of Minnesota History magazine, and Chad Montrie, author of the new Minnesota History cover story, “In That Very Northern City: Recovering a Forgotten Struggle for Racial Integration in Duluth” discuss the history of racial integration in Duluth.

RiverWest project near Spirit Mountain wins road approval

The site of the planned RiverWest development is at the foot of Spirit Mountain, between Grand Avenue and the BNSF Railroad tracks. (Photo by Liftoff Aerials)

An ambitious but long-dormant redevelopment project designed for outdoor enthusiasts received a jumpstart last week when city officials authorized new road construction below Spirit Mountain Recreation Area.

Duluth You & Me: Duluth Folk Festival

The Duluth International Folk Festival was an annual event held at Leif Erikson Park on the first weekend of August. It was first held in the 1940s. It was held at Bayfront Festival Park from 1990 to 1996 during construction of the I-35 freeway tunnels and Lakewalk trail. The festival returned to Leif Erikson Park in 1996, but in 2005 it was moved back to Bayfront and renamed the Duluth Festival of Cultures. The new name was intended to emphasize it was a cultural event and not a festival of folk music. For whatever reason, the whole thing fizzled out shortly after the change, with the final event held in 2007. During its peak, the festival drew crowds exceeding 10,000 people.

Use the link below for a printable PDF for your drawing and coloring pleasure.
Duluth You & Me: Duluth Folk Festival

Follow the Duluth You & Me subject tag to see additional pages. For background on the book see the original post on the topic.

Wild rice on the St. Louis River, piping plover habitat on Wisconsin Point, beach restoration at Barker’s Island — three videos from the Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has released three new videos about the St. Louis River Area of Concern, including project highlights for wild rice restoration, piping plover habitat restoration and Barker’s Island swimming beach restoration.

Postcard from Duluth’s Hillside in 1950

This postcard was mailed Aug. 2, 1950 — 70 years ago today. It features a view of Duluth’s harbor entrance, ship canal, Lake Superior and the Downtown business district.

Duluth Autonomous Navy recruiting poster

(Troy Rogers photographed by Richard Narum)

Jade Fountain tiki bar opens Aug. 7

The new Jade Fountain tiki bar has its grand opening scheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m. The space will be limited to 50 patrons at a time due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. Drinks will be pre-made for additional safety.

Minnesota Senate District 7 Candidate Forum

The League of Women Voters held this candidate forum for Minnesota Senate District 7 on July 10. Mary Faulkner is the moderator.

Vansplaining, Episode 2: Lord Friday the 13th

In the second episode of Vansplaining, Duluth’s Alan Sparhawk talks with Felix and Sloane of the Austin, Texas-based brother-and-sister band Lord Friday the 13th about meditation, fonts and flying tea.

At the six-minute mark, another Duluth musician makes a cameo. Nathan Amundson of Rivulets tells a car-accident anecdote.

Featured in the next three episodes are Cat Clyde, Mikaela Davis and Southern Star, and Chelsea Wolfe.