DuluthCommunityNews
People, places

By BEN JORGENSON
DCN Correspondent

The average person who watches the weather on the evening news is paying attention to see if they have to wake up a half hour early to warm up their car and shovel the driveway.

Some have another goal in their head as they watch the blue and green radar blob surge through the Midwest. They watch the weather for the prize of finding the perfect wave to surf on our humble lake front shores.

Continue reading "Lake Superior surfers look forward to unsettled weather" »

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 1:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By KARLI MILLER
DCN Correspondent

Brian Hadfield is spending his Friday night a little differently than he normally does. Instead of spending time with his usual crowd – his rugby teammates – he is surrounded by 60 some rambunctious kids in the YMCA gym. The Mentor Duluth program is hosting its annual holiday party here, and Brian is careful to keep his eye on his mentee, Matt.

Continue reading "Mentor Duluth pairs kids and volunteers" »

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By KIM HENNEN

Walking up the creaky, wooden stairs and into a room with only a sunken futon and a television resting on an upside down garbage can, this house seems to resemble that of any other male college student. However, venturing into the house just a few steps further, one enters a whole new world.

It's the world of online gambling. Rob, an incoming sophomore at UMD, sits in a small room, a palace of technology. Four flat-screen computers accompanied only by other technology equipment rest on a sturdy, oversized desk. In the kitchen are a sink of last week's dirty dishes and a stack of mail lying next to empty pizza boxes. But in this room, there are no distractions, except maybe intertwining cords turning this way and that.

Continue reading "The cost of wagering: students and gambling" »

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 12:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By KRISTEN KREBS
DCN Correspondent

By now it’s almost 4 o’clock. Earl Sullivan’s workday is coming to an end. In just minutes his replacement will walk in. Sullivan has had the store open since 9 a.m. He’s seen about a dozen customers so far today — his regulars.

Continue reading "A shift change at 8th Street Video" »

Posted by John Hatcher at 1:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By RYAN SWANSON
DCN Correspondent

When you walk into the basement of The Ski Hut on Fourth Street, you might get the image of Santa’s workshop in your head. Then you start to think. These guys down here are way cooler than elves and these toys are a little bit better than the ones Santa left for you.

Continue reading "From the basement to the mountain" »

Posted by John Hatcher at 1:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By SARAH ROSTEN
DCN Correspondent

Megan Swanson sits on her bed in a robe, leaning back against a Disney princess pillow. She just showered after rugby practice and is now examining her arms and legs carefully.

“Wow I can’t believe they are so big,� she says, poking and prodding the bruises that are scattered across her body. “It looks like I got beat up,� she adds, a proud smile spreading across her face.

Continue reading "Fighting Penguins rugby team still in practice" »

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ASHLEE HARTWIG
DCN Correspondent

Snow sticking to their boot soles, a group of three middle-aged women passed through the front door of Sara’s Table, breathless and rosy cheeked from the strong afternoon wind. Anders Lundahls’ footsteps create dull squeaks across the wooden floor following their melting footprints.

“Can I grab all of you a cup of coffee, hot chocolate? I know how cold it is outside. I had to scrape off my windshield this morning,� Lundahl asks them, placing menus in front of them and opening the menu’s cover with pancake-flipping precision.

Continue reading "It takes a trick or two" »

Posted by Elizabeth Strawn at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By KENDRA RICHARDS
DCN Correspondent

Coffee, check. Pie, check. Napkins and plates, check. Anything else?

“Hmm...They might want something to eat it with,� Joan Bushnell thinks aloud sarcastically, as she grabs forks out of the kitchen drawer and spread them out on the counter.

Continue reading "Polish church feasts to present, looks to future" »

Posted by claes019 at 9:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By APRIL HANSEN
DCN Correspondent

He runs his hands over the burnt-orange colored leather, cutting away pieces to fit around the rough base of the defenders.

Scratching away the remaining plaster with sandpaper, the mold of the mount is ready to be covered.

Mounting deer antlers is something that comes naturally to Randy Bowe, owner of Bowe Taxidermy in Lakeside and member of the National Taxidermy Association. His large,callused hands meet the roughness of the deer’s antlers while he polishes the tips of the ten pointer.

Continue reading "A natural calling: Lakeside’s own “area freeze-dry specialistâ€?" »

Posted by Brittney Silewski at 9:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ZACH OLSON
DCN Correspondent

With his hands and forearms covered in white, powdery flower, Jamie Solem waits patiently. Standing behind the counter, his body language speaks volumes about the way business at Sammy’s Pizza has been going for the night.

Continue reading "Sammy's staff serves to satisfy" »

Posted by enkex006 at 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By VERONICA WILSON
DCN Correspondent

Black and white adhesive stickers spell “barbershop� on the window next to the door. I open the door that has a hand-written sign displaying the hours hanging on it and see that Don Hanson is midway through a trim of one of his regular’s hair.

Continue reading "A day in the life of a friendly Duluth barber" »

Posted by Sara Jochems at 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By JORDAN HANSON
DCN Correspondent

Through two big windows on Central Avenue in West Duluth, a bustling crowd of all ages could be seen on Wednesday night. It was open mic night at Beaner’s Central, which is one of their busiest nights of the week.

Chad Bloodson runs the sound for open mic night every week. He said he believes that all up-and-coming musicians should be able to get some experience in front of a crowd.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to get to know sound equipment and get on stage,� said Bloodson. “It helps people to reduce their stage shyness.�

Continue reading "Beaner's Central open mic attracts all ages, talents" »

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 9:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

By ABEL GUSTAFSON
DCN Correspondent

His short, determined steps through the Park Point snow are too casual to be considered "trudging." Methodical, maybe; and markedly second-nature.

They should be; he’s been doing this beat for 15 years.

Continue reading "Walking in familiar tracks" »

Posted by David Buckner at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ALEX DE MARCO
DCN Correspondent

Walking into the building one is instantly struck by the overwhelming bangs and annoying grind of metal on metal. More than 75 people laugh and yell, attempting to be heard over the roaring music that plays in the background.

Continue reading "Duluth's youth 'Encounter' faith while skateboarding" »

Posted by Julia Davis at 9:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By CORY BELLAMY
DCN Correspondent

The air is cool late on a weekday afternoon. A partly sunny sky is hovering over Duluth as the temperature hovers around 10 degrees.

These are perfect conditions to enjoy one of Minnesota’s richest traditions — ice skating.

Continue reading "Ice skating at Bayfront Park proves painful yet memorable" »

Posted by Julia Davis at 8:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By FATIMA JAWAID
DCN Correspondent

Welcome to the fun room.

Eleven women stand hips cocked, arms in the air, and their faces a picture of intense concentration, many mouthing the steps under their breath.

Side, side, up. Side, side, up. Forward, step, spin. Again and again they move, their body’s picking up speed with each steady movement. Behind them the stereo pulsates with sound. The driving beat of the drum almost moving as fast as the women themselves.

Continue reading "Belly dancing: 'It just wouldn’t be the same without Eman'" »

Posted by Elizabeth Strawn at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By VENESSA OSTERGAARD
DCN Correspondent

Its 8:30 on a Tuesday night at the Twins bar in the Central Hillside. There are five or so groups of people indulging in conversations over beers and popcorn. The place smells like a moldy pool. There is only one girl in the entire bar besides myself. There are pull-tabs in the corner. An old man, in his sixties, runs the operation.

Taking a seat at the bar, I glance around at all the empty tables and dart boards. Typical for an early weekday night I guess.

Continue reading "A friendly conversation in an unlikely place" »

Posted by Zach Olson at 8:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By PAUL BUDD
DCN Correspondent

Pete Ullrich applied a warm, foamy lather of shaving cream to the back of a man’s neck and his sideburns. He pulled out his straight razor and began to carefully and precisely remove the excess hair left on the sides and back of the man’s head.

Once he was finished, Ullrich wiped away the shaving cream, effortlessly brushed the leftover hair clippings to the floor, and whirled the robe off from around the man’s neck.

“You’re good to go,� says Ullrich as the man hopped out of the old-fashioned barber chair and turned around to pay him.

Continue reading "A shave and a haircut: Lakeside barber leaves no stray hairs" »

Posted by Brittney Silewski at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By ALEXANDER RISSE
DCN Correspondent

Snow is falling, but at Lake Superior Divers Supply and School getting wet is still a top priority. For over 50 years Duluthians have been learning to dive at the shop, which is located on Third Sreet in Lincoln Park. For nearly the same amount of time, Lake Superior Divers has taken yearly trips near Roatan, Honduras for world-class diving.

Continue reading "Superior divers take a chilly plunge" »

Posted by David Buckner at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By BECKY EDWARDS
DCN Correspondent

The large coffee machine hisses to life as a woman and her young daughter wait for their hot beverages to be ready, both dressed in clothes that would make an Eskimo proud. The coffee pours into the cup held by Alyssa Bethke, who handles the machine with a precision that can only be learned from working at the shop for a year and a half. She proceeds to add the essential ingredients to the drink, adding whipped cream, a shot of espresso and toppings.

Continue reading "An evening night in Bixby's after Duluth's first snowfall" »

Posted by Sara Jochems at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By DAYNA LANDGREBE
DCN Correspondent

More than Memories: Antique Emporium is a small store on Fourth Street in Duluth’s East Hillside. Inside, hundreds of old-fashioned trinkets, dishes, and collectibles are carefully organized into display cases and shelves.

One Friday afternoon, customers are filing into the shop and milling around the tight corners.

Continue reading "More than memories are buried in bins" »

Posted by krebs068 at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By LIZ ENKE
DCN Correspondent

A chilling winter breeze blows behind a customer entering the Fourth Street Market. The smell of fried chicken lingers in the air while Christmas music plays in the background.

Behind the counter employees carry on gleeful conversations one another. The laughter personifies the unhurried, yet productive, atmosphere that’s always present.

Continue reading "Artist serves up sandwiches to satisfaction" »

Posted by claes019 at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By CORY CLAESON
DCN Correspondent

On a typical wintry Duluth day, the snow falls slowly and fluffy until it comes to rest on the ground. There is a fogginess caused by the weather making visibility low. The sidewalks are covered with the outline of size nine shoe imprints embedded in the snow. That is until you reach the St. Louis County Government Center.

It is here where you can find rosy-cheeked workers shoveling the concrete steps and sidewalks shortly after the snow starts falling. The cleaning staff employed by the county has no problem working in this kind of weather.

Continue reading "Dedicated workers shovel clear paths regardless of weather" »

Posted by Zach Olson at 8:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By MARK WARNER
DCN Correspondent

It is December in Duluth. It’s early on a Friday evening, but pitch black nonetheless. The first significant snow of the season falls, blanketing the Central Hillside with a quilt of fresh powder. Oddly enough, while most are indoors or at least out and about enjoying the start of a new weekend, Donovan Boucher, a freshman at Lake Superior College, is shoveling his front walk as the snow still falls.

Continue reading "Snow sets stakes high for student" »

Posted by enkex006 at 8:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ALEXANDER DeMARCO
DCN Correspondent

Since 1978 people have gathered at Sir Benedict's on Superior Street to take part in the fellowship of bluegrass music. Ted Heinonen has been there since the beginning. He took a few minutes to share with us a little bit about this Wednesday night tradition.

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ZACH OLSON
DCN Correspondent

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By MARY K. TENNIS
Special to DCN

Doug Misson and Josh Dakerski are fighting the evil forces of chaos 40,000 years in the future.

Every weekend at Dragon Port Games and Comics, a downtown Duluth store, people gather to fight mini-epic battles with, well, whoever shows up.

Continue reading "Dragon Port Games and Comics a home battlefield for Duluth gamers" »

Posted by Kathleen Grigg at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By RYAN HANSON
DCN Reporter

Glenn Albert Bridges’ small apartment contains everything he needs to live. A single bed with sheets askew fills one corner. A table that doubled as a desk sits against the opposite wall, next to a window with a view of a busy downtown Duluth street.

Continue reading "The story of a man's life alone" »

Posted by John Hatcher at 6:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

By TYLER KORBY
DCN Reporter

A unique Hillside shop, packed with silk plants, baskets, gift cards, pottery and candles, has been home to many sales over the years. But Dunbar Floral and Gifts has also been home to something special that one cannot put a price on— family.

Continue reading "Hillside florist sells more than flowers" »

Posted by Phoebe Yuen at 3:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ERIC LUDY
DCN Reporter

Sunhillow Books on Fourth Street is a mess.

Continue reading "Bookstore is a "spider's web" attracting a diverse crowd" »

Posted by Phoebe Yuen at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By CLAIRE CHOCK
DCN Reporter

Dubhlinn's Pub and Billiards on 1st Avenue and Superior Street is new to town, having opened about two years ago. Judging by the number of people that go there on any given night though, it has quickly become a hot spot to gather with friends for a brew. I’ve gone there about seven times since last April but hadn’t gone to their Irish Music Thursdays, so I figured I’d check it out.

Continue reading "Stop by, it's Irish: Live music plays on Thursdays at Dubhlinn's" »

Posted by Sarah Hasselquist at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By JIM SALMELA
DCN Reporter

Walking into the Union Gospel Mission, you’ll see a receptionist desk to the left with a couple offices behind it, a few chairs set up on the right and a table full of clothing for anybody to take. The limit is three items of clothing and six pairs of underwear and socks for each person.

Continue reading "Gospel Mission making it their mission to fill needs of community" »

Posted by Carissa Mikkelsen at 3:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By JEREMY PIEPER
DCN Reporter

The early morning sun shone brightly down upon a small barber shop named Floyd’s Hair Choppers. A small barber pole spun cheerily outside the shop, seemingly eyeing up passers-by who could use a quick trim.

Continue reading "Barber creates more than great haircuts" »

Posted by Aaron Swanum at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BY GINA WILKEN
DCN Reporter

On a brisk fall day, Joanna Regnier walks into work at Heide’s Mastectomy Shop with a goal not to just sell a product, but instead to give something that no price tag can offer— hope.

Continue reading "Shop gives hope to breast cancer victims" »

Posted by Phoebe Yuen at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By CASEY GODE
DCN Reporter

Jake Ernest, a 13 year old at Woodland Middle School glides up to school, but instead of going in the front door like the rest of the kids he sneaks in the side door. He quickly goes to his locker to hide his contraband before a teacher can see. Jake's not a typical rule breaker, but what he brought today could get him in a lot of trouble.

Continue reading "Duluth laws make some skateboarders into rule breakers" »

Posted by Theodore Norgaard at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

By KEVIN SKALICKY
DCN Reporter

Downtown Duluth has a barber shop that sticks out among its modern surroundings. In the window there are antique scissors, brushes, mirrors and combs on display for the pedestrians walking by. The door is frequently propped open during the day to let in the fresh air.

Continue reading "History is preserved in local barber shop" »

Posted by Sarah Hasselquist at 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ZACH GRILL
DCN Reporter

In a town like Duluth, there is no shortage of establishments that offer an environment that includes good beer, good food, local music and a friendly Minnesota attitude. What makes Sir Benedict’s Tavern http://www.sirbenedicts.com/, or Sir Ben’s to locals, special is that those qualities are offered every day and all are welcome.

Continue reading "Musicians and patrons converge at Sir Benedict's Tavern" »

Posted by Anna Woodwick at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By RYAN HANSON
DCN Reporter

Walking the steep trails along the banks of Chester Creek, sunlight trickles through the treetops, lighting the path. Dan Proctor navigates the trail like he’s been here before.

Continue reading "Maintaining Chester Creek trails is a labor of love for local environmentalist" »

Posted by Carissa Mikkelsen at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By JARED JACOBSON
DCN Reporter

The early afternoon sun beams down upon the heavily residential Central Hillside neighborhood. Gary Root sits on his doorstep, hunched to one side, as if waiting for someone to sit next to him.

Continue reading "Hillside man opens up about life's struggles" »

Posted by Aaron Swanum at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By JOEL RUNCK
DCN Reporter

On an unseasonably warm day in September, Roger Hill makes his way down the sidelines of the Grant Community Center (GCC) soccer field with a serpent in his hands and a crowd of young children following him.

Above: Rob Hill of the Grant Community Center unveils his reptile repertoire (Photo by: Joel Runck)

Continue reading "Grant Community Center mentor a favorite among workers and children" »

Posted by Anna Woodwick at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By CHRIS OLWELL
DCN Reporter

It’s 11 a.m. on a Friday morning and Karen Nelson has put the "back in five minutes" sign up in the window of her business so she can trek through the rain to the store down the block. It’s one of the perks of being your own boss.

Continue reading "Obscuriousities, the Nelsons' alternative to corporate America" »

Posted by Theodore Norgaard at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By LISA KUNKEL
DCN Reporter

Stepping into Old Town Antiques and Books on Superior Street is comforting. The people are welcoming and you easily find yourself lost in the clutter, listening to Conway Twitty, staring at a rusted old typewriter and saying to yourself … “How is that worth $85?�

Continue reading "Antique shop brings its customers down "memory lane"" »

Posted by James Salmela at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By JULIA DAVIS
DCN Reporter

Two fourteen year old girls walk in and immediately start giggling when they enter The Last Place On Earth and see the selection of posters. Some depict two women making out, while others are solely devoted to marijuana and its paraphernalia. The girls point and whisper while they slowly make their way deeper into the shop.

Continue reading "The Last Place on Earth: "Everything we carry offends someone"" »

Posted by James Salmela at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By RACHEL BREWSTER
DCN Reporter

Flowers spill from a yard on Third Street, overflowing onto the dull sidewalk to bring color, life, and beauty to the world. Contrasted against brooding government buildings, the blue house snatches the eye like Candyland in a cement city.

Carol Simat stands before her home, fingering a dying sunflower—proof that fall has come.

Continue reading "Gardening heals the heart" »

Posted by Sarah Hasselquist at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By TYLER DOMAAS
DCN Reporter

The sun begins to set on the field. Orange leaves swirl around, riding the wind to their next destination. At the playground, three girls run around giggling. A football lands in the dirt next to one of the girl’s feet. A small football player who is fully padded runs up, retrieves the ball, and runs the ten yards back to his practice.

Continue reading "Youth football squads fill cramped local park to practice" »

Posted by Aaron Swanum at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ERIC SIMON
DCN Reporter

At Grant Language and Arts Magnet Elementary School’s http://www.duluth.k12.mn.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=124&sc_id=1193319312colorful library a volunteer training program organized by Kathey Bogen is just wrapping up. She doesn’t have the time to stay, she's a busy woman.

Continue reading "Busy days for Grant Language and Arts Magnet Elementary School's Kathey Bogen" »

Posted by Theodore Norgaard at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By DAVID BUCKNER
DCN Reporter

Brenda Rolandson stands in her front yard and is ready to work on the house. Not in the way you might think, however. Instead of paint buckets, hedge trimmers, or shingles, Brenda is equipped with lights and inflatable goblins.

Continue reading "Goblins abound: A new take on holiday cheer" »

Posted by Carissa Mikkelsen at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By CARISSA MIKKELSEN
DCN Reporter

Being a dreary afternoon outside in Duluth, Ben Levine’s home studio is filled with color. Color stemming from tables filled with yards of multicolored fleece, art supplies, various artisan sculptures from past adventures and the artist’s own watercolor paintings adorning the walls.

Continue reading "Local man makes hats for those in need" »

Posted by James Salmela at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By ALI DRAVES
DCN Reporter

Roger Hill handles chaos on a daily basis.

A little boy gets into an argument over an unfinished soccer game, someone tugs on his shirt as they ask him millions of obnoxious and rushed questions and the phone is ringing wildly in the background of the cluttered playroom.

Continue reading "Grant Community Center worker builds lasting relationships with children" »

Posted by Anna Woodwick at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)