Paul Lundgren Posts

Guide to Duluth-related Blogs in 2018

Feb 15, 2018 2 Comments

As far as blogs go, obviously Perfect Duluth Day isn’t the only show in town. And it must be noted the line where a blog crosses over from one person’s musings into becoming an online magazine is a fuzzy one. In spite of the inherent problems associated with labeling anything, below is PDD’s updated list of Duluth-area community blogs — an every-couple-of-year salute/guide to the individuals and small groups who crank out content like it’s 2007 instead of (or in addition to) just Facebooking, Instagramming and whateverelseing.

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Recommendations ,

Video Archive: The Hart Foundation and Honky Tonk Man cut a special Duluth Valentine’s Day wrestling promo in 1988

Feb 14, 2018 No Comments

Trade in your candy hearts for some “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart and the Hart Foundation. The World Wrestling Federation was in Duluth 30 years ago today — Feb. 14, 1988 — for its fifth card at the Duluth Arena. (The WWF is now the WWE, and the Duluth Arena is now the DECC Arena. Times change.)

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History, Videos ,

Unreceptive

Feb 10, 2018 8 Comments

It’s been about 12 years since I’ve had cable television. My only exposure to it these days is when I’m on vacation and lodging somewhere it’s offered. My wife will search the channels for some kind of garbage to watch, then she’ll fall asleep and I’ll flip the channels, eventually stopping on network television unless one of those ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries is on.

When I was a kid I loved cable television, basically for three reasons — old sitcom reruns, professional wrestling and music videos. I still kind of like those things, but certainly not enough to pay for them. I never liked them enough to pay for them.

I had access to cable television for most of the era spanning roughly 1980 to 2006. I use the word “access” because throughout that period, one thing remained constant: I never paid a cent for it. Don’t get me wrong, I never stole cable (other than trying to watch scrambled HBO). I was just fortunate enough to live with people who were willing to pay to watch television. First it was my brother, then my dad, then various roommates and finally my wife. When Netflix hooked her it was the end of cable in our house.

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Random ,

Old Photos of Jay Cooke Statue in Duluth

Feb 05, 2018 No Comments

Jay Sonnenburg shares this old photo from his family collection. It shows Duluth’s statue of Jay Cooke across Superior Street from the Kitchi Gammi Club, date unknown. The statue was moved a short distance in the 1980s when I-35 was extended through the area.

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History, Photos , ,

Postcard from Duluth’s Hill Top

Feb 03, 2018 7 Comments

Set the Wayback Machine 105 years; this postcard was mailed Feb. 3, 1913. The message on the back was written the day before, and will require a translator. Stay tuned for that. Someone will answer the call to duty in the comments eventually.

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History

What’s on tap at the NorShor Theatre?

Feb 01, 2018 4 Comments

No, the question here is not the figurative “what entertainment is on tap?” but rather “what is literally on tap in terms of craft beer at the NorShor?”

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Random ,

One of the great things you will see in Duluth

Jan 29, 2018 No Comments


History ,

Upset Duluth: Vikings Fans at Mr. D’s

Jan 22, 2018 No Comments

This is perhaps the most painful addition to PDD’s ongoing “Upset Duluth” series, in which we feature Duluth News Tribune photos of people who are upset.

Story link: “Vikings fans’ optimism turns to disappointment”


News and Current Affairs, Photos ,

Postcard from Duluth’s Skyline Parkway

Jan 18, 2018 1 Comment

This postcard image of Duluth from Gallagher’s Studio of Photography appears to be circa 1970. The card is not dated and was never mailed.

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History, Photos ,

Mystery Photo #60: Duluth Baby on Scale

Jan 09, 2018 12 Comments

The date on this image appears to be Oct. 4, 1896. Just about everything else is a mystery. Who is the baby? Who is the adult? Where are they? What does the note “5 win + 6 days” mean?

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History, Photos

Postcard from Bethany Lutheran Church of Duluth

Jan 03, 2018 2 Comments

The postcard image above shows Bethany Lutheran Church at 2302-2308 W. Third St. in Duluth’s friendly West End. The image appears to be circa the 1970s, maybe ’60s.

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History, Photos , , ,

Saturday Essay: Select gems from 2017

Dec 30, 2017 No Comments

Saturday Essay logo genericLast week we highlighted the five most-read pieces from the second year of Perfect Duluth Day’s “Saturday Essay” series. This week’s focus is on five essays of similar quality that might have been missed by readers who didn’t catch links in their social media feeds and/or were busy doing non-internet things.

In the past two years PDD has published 100 essays showcasing the work of 22 different writers; we hope to expand that roster in 2018. Anyone who has an original piece of literary excellence that seems to fit (or appropriately defy) the established format should email paul @ perfectduluthday.com to get involved.

And now, links to a few select gems from season two, in random order …

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Art

2017: The Year in Duluth Gig Posters

Dec 28, 2017 No Comments

Another year over, another gallery of rock posters. As usual, by no means is this a comprehensive collection, nor is it a carefully curated archive of the best. It’s just a bunch of random 2017 concert posters.

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Music

Video Archive: Honky Tonk Man and Butch Reed cut wrestling promos for 1987 Duluth show

Dec 27, 2017 No Comments

The World Wrestling Federation — now known as World Wrestling Entertainment — brought four cards to the Duluth Arena in 1987. The fourth happened 30 years ago today — Dec. 27.

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History, Sports, Videos , ,

Merry Christmas from Congdon Park

Dec 25, 2017 No Comments

Duluth Photo Engraving Company holiday postcard circa 1915.


History , , ,