Life Up North

Each November 10, Split Rock Lighthouse's beacon is lit to honor all mariners lost on the Great Lakes.  

On November 10^th, 1975, we lost the SS Edmund Fitzgerald – a majestic Great Lakes freighter - in a powerful storm. The massive vessel ultimately sank to her final resting place - the cold and desolate depths of Lake Superior. Tragically, all 29 crew members onboard the Fitz lost their lives.

This somber day will never be forgotten, in large part due to the dedicated staff at Split Rock Lighthouse. Since 1985, Split Rock has been commemorating this day with a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony.

This event will continue once again this year – on November 10^th. At 4:30 pm Central time, the lighthouse will close temporarily while the names of the departed crew members are read to the tolling of a ship's bell. Following the ceremony, the beacon will be lit, and the tower will be open again to tour.

As in years past, the public are invited to attend. Another option is to catch the ceremony on a live stream.

For information about the event, please visit: Beacon Lighting | Minnesota Historical Society.

History of the Commemoration

Hayes Scriven, Site Manager - Split Rock Lighthouse, explained how the ceremony began. “In 1985, former Site Manager Lee Radzak lit Split Rock Lighthouse’s beacon on November 10th to honor the Edmund Fitzgerald on the 10th anniversary of its sinking,” he noted.

“A few neighbors noticed the tribute and appreciated the gesture. The following year, Lee lit the beacon again, drawing a small group of visitors. From there, the tradition steadily grew, and by the 1990s, the ceremony closely resembled the service held today.

“In 2023, the ceremony welcomed 1,520 guests on site. The online stream of the event has also seen tremendous growth in recent years, enhanced by improved production quality to give remote viewers a sense of being there.

“Last year, the stream reached over 200,000 people within just five days. In a historic first for 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard joined the ceremony, adding a meaningful dimension to the service. Their participation highlighted their connection to the U.S. Lighthouse Service and their crucial role in maintaining safety on the Great Lakes.”

 

Sinking of the Fitz

Scriven is well-versed in what happened the day the Fitz went down. He generously shared the story with us.

“On November 9, 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald departed from Superior, Wisconsin, loaded with 26,116 long tons of taconite bound for Detroit, Michigan. Later that day, the Fitzgerald passed Two Harbors and was joined by the SS Arthur M. Anderson. With a storm approaching, both vessels opted to follow a northern route - a common practice during severe weather.

“By the early hours of November 10^th, previously issued gale warnings had escalated to storm warnings. As the ships neared Caribou Island on the eastern end of Lake Superior, Captain Cooper of the Anderson observed the Fitzgerald passing dangerously close to a shoal around 3:15 p.m.

YouTube video created by Joseph Fulton with Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitgerald."

“In the hours that followed, the Fitzgerald reported various issues, including a broken fence rail, damaged vent covers, a noticeable list, and a loss of radar functionality. At 7:10 p.m., Morgan Clark, the First Mate of the Anderson, radioed the Fitzgerald to offer navigational assistance and asked how they were faring. Captain Ernest McSorley replied, ‘We are holding our own’ - the final communication ever received from the Fitzgerald. Moments later, at 7:15 p.m., the Fitzgerald vanished from sight and radar in a sudden snow squall.

“Between 7:25 and 8:25 p.m., Captain Cooper contacted other vessels and the Coast Guard, inquiring if they could locate the Fitzgerald on radar. None could. Shortly after, the Coast Guard declared the Edmund Fitzgerald and her 29 crew members missing. Initial search efforts recovered only scattered debris.

“In the days that followed, the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards continued searching the lake. On November 14, 1975, an anti-submarine aircraft detected an object 530 feet beneath the surface, approximately 17 miles from Whitefish Point. In May 1976, an underwater research vehicle confirmed the wreck to be the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

What we Learned

Scriven shared that there were plenty of hard-earned lessons learned from the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. “The sinking of the Fitz led to several important changes in Lake Superior shipping,” he said. This includes:

1. Pre-November inspections of hatch and vent closures as well as lifesaving equipment became required by the Coast Guard.
2. Lake Superior navigational charts were improved and made more accurate with additional details.
3. To help locate ships in emergency and disastrous situations, all vessels were required to have Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB) on board.
4. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began to use a different system to predict wave height.
5. In 1977, the Coast Guard required ships 1,600 gross register tons or greater to use depth finders.
6. In 1980, vessels were required to have survival suits with attached strobe lights in the crew quarters and at regular workstations.
7. Also in 1980, the LORAN-C (Long Range Navigation) navigation system was implemented over all the Great Lakes. By 1990, GPS took its place.
8. The 1973 Load Line Regulation amendment was repealed. This action prevented vessels from being overloaded which meant ships could sit higher in the water.

Ships Mataafa and Maderia are two other famous shipwrecks

Well before the Fitz, there were many other powerful storms and subsequent shipwrecks on Lake Superior, making lighthouses a necessary part of the shipping industry.

For instance, a powerful storm on November 27 - 28, 1905, ravaged Lake Superior, damaging twenty-nine ships and claiming the lives of 30 men. Shockingly, a third of the damaged vessels were uninsured.

Scriven shared details of two other devastating shipwrecks that occurred in 1905, of The SS Mataafa and the SS Madeira.

The Mataafa

During the storm, the Mataafa attempted to enter Duluth's port but struck the North Pier, tearing off its rudder. The vessel was then swept back out into the lake, where its stern collided with the South Pier. The ship eventually ran aground just outside the harbor, cracking in two. High winds prevented the nearby life-saving station from reaching the vessel until the following day. Tragically, nine men trapped in the aft section succumbed to exposure, while fifteen men in the forward section were rescued.

The Madeira

The Madeira, a schooner barge being towed by the William Edenborn, became separated during the storm - either by force of the waves or a deliberate release. The barge drifted and smashed into Gold Rock Point, about half a mile north of where Split Rock Lighthouse now stands. As the vessel struck the cliffs, crewman Fred Benson seized a moment to leap onto the rocky point. He climbed to the top and threw down a rope, helping save seven of his eight crewmates. Sadly, the first mate was swept overboard by a rogue wave and lost. The surviving crew waited on Gold Rock for two days until the tugboat Edna G arrived to rescue them.

As a result of these – and many other - shipwrecks, Split Rock lighthouse was built as a navigational aid in 1910.

The Role of Lighthouses Played

Scriven shared that lighthouses are still used today. However, many of them – including Split Rock - have been decommissioned and repurposed.

“Lighthouses are still used in several ways today. Some, known as active aids to navigation, are managed by the U.S. Coast Guard and mark hazards or ports.

“Many lighthouses are privately owned, while the Coast Guard maintains and monitors the light itself,” he added. “Then there are decommissioned stations, like Split Rock Lighthouse, which no longer serve as navigational aids and have been repurposed, often as museums or bed-and-breakfasts.”

Several lighthouses remain on Lake Superior’s North Shore, including Duluth and Superior:

• Grand Marais Breakwall Lighthouse
• Split Rock Lighthouse
• Two Harbors Breakwall Lighthouse
• Two Harbors Lighthouse
• Duluth North Pier Lighthouse
• Duluth South Pier Lighthouse
• Duluth South Breakwater Inner Light
• Minnesota Point Lighthouse (Ruines)
• Wisconsin Point Lighthouse

Respect Mother Nature

As we commemorate the sinking of the Fitz, it is important to remember that Mother Nature is always in charge. Scriven shared that it is his duty to continue to honor the Edmund Fitzgerald, while reminding people of Lake Superior’s immense power.

“I consider it part of my job to honor not only the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald but also all those lost on Lake Superior,” Scriven noted. “By continuing to commemorate the tragedy of the Fitzgerald, I hope to remind everyone that while Lake Superior is beautiful, it can also be incredibly dangerous.”

Resources

For more information about the commemoration taking place on November 10^th, please visit Beacon Lighting | Minnesota Historical Society.

Gordon Lightfoot’s hauntingly beautiful song, “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which was recorded in 1976, can be accessed here: Gordon Lightfoot - Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald (Official Audio)

May the 29-man crew of the Fitz and singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot (who died in 2023) rest in peace.

______________________________________________________________________________

​ Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.

 

Destination Duluth Theatre Review

Invisible Fences is repose from an emotional week

Great theatre doesn’t require flashy, expensive sets, a huge cast, or a big orchestra to fully captivate an audience.

Sometimes, all it takes is a couple of actors, a few instruments, and an enchanting little story to create magical stage wizardry.

Zeitgeist’s presentation of “Invisible Fences,” a funny, sweet, and sometimes tear-jerking musical fable, proved that idea to be definitively true at their Thursday night opening.

Created and performed by singer/songwriter Gaelynn Lea and storyteller/playwright Kevin Kling, the show was just what a battered and weary audience needed after a runaway roller coaster ride of an election season.

Lea and Kling share their steadfast advocacy for support of people with disabilities, both bringing personal life stories that make them acutely aware of living with a disability and finding their ways to very successful careers in the arts.

Lea was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones disease) and began using a wheelchair at age two. Kling was born with his left arm smaller than his right arm. About twenty years ago, he lost the use of his right arm in a serious motorcycle accident.

Lea plays the ingenious and wise-cracking Largroff who was born with “a spontaneous genetic mutation that caused her to sprout wings, horns, and a snout.” Kling’s character is a comic and witty Grasshopper, who sets the two off on a perilous journey to a far-off city so he can find his swarm and sing with them before he dies.

Pitfalls, dangers, and even sword fights with an evil prince of darkness ensue, as the plucky duo must work together to complete their quest. Lea and Kling play off each with an unmistakable joy and connection, taking on the story’s labyrinth of twists and turns that require the characters to work together with their own unique talents and quick wits.

The clever script is filled with puns, local references, and poignant lines, many of which seemed uncanny in their timeliness to the current political quagmire.

Music is also integral to the story. Lea’s violin playing was absolutely stunning, at turns upbeat and at others plaintive and heart-wrenching. She often sang along with her playing, with a voice and lyrics that were perfect to match her mythical character. Lea wrote the songs and lyrics, collaborating on a few with George Ellsworth and Alan Sparhawk.

Kling is precisely in his element, making the audience laugh and bringing out the pathos of his character, often at the same time. With his bright-green leprechaun outfit and antennae, his mythical “pot of gold” is really the wisdom, friendship, and simple things of life his character values.

The third character is narrator/guitar player, area musician George Ellsworth, whose storytelling provided an often funny deadpan take on the events, and was convincingly menacing as he played a few villains. Moving the story along chapter by chapter and playing his guitar, often to accompany Lea, made him integral to the success of the play.

Stunning projected digital artwork from Joel Sass and Tina Moore provided colorful back drops, and even simple animated moments at times, to make the story even more vivid. If a children’s book with this story, art, and themes is not already in the works, it should be.

Thematically, the play centers on the belief that both Lea and Kling espouse that “disability is diversity,” not something negative but something to be embraced and revered. The play demonstrates vividly that disability culture brings something unique and important to all forms of art.

The audience, in tears by show’s end, even joined in singing part of the show’s final song. The play shows the power of art to help soothe and bring peace, even in an environment of fear, anger, division, and ugliness.

Congratulations to Zeitgeist, the “Fences” cast, creative team, and director Tim White for their work to offer area audiences a wonderful piece of theater unlike any other show.

Now is an even more critical time to honor all the arts and those who bring them to us. Support your local theater and the variety of other organizations and artists who make their magic in a broken world. They are the healing “balm” we need.

Go see “Invisible Fences.” Bring the kids. Bring your friends and neighbors. Prepare to be enveloped in the show’s warmth, positivity, and hope.

Information on “Invisible Fences”
By Kevin Kling and Gaelynn Lea
Directed by Timothy White

November 7-23 (Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and
Sunday, November 19 ay 2 pm)
At Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone
222 East Superior Street Duluth

For tickets go to agileticketing.net  More information at zeitgeistarts.com

Every performance will have ASL interpretation (by Rebecca Rick) as well as projected captioning. There will also be narrated audio descriptions at the beginning of each scene to help blind and low-vision audience members better place themselves in the worlds created onstage.

Read a profile of Gaelynn Lea at destinationduluth.org

_____

About Sheryl Jensen - Arts & Entertainment Editor

A retired educator with the Duluth Public Schools, Sheryl Jensen has been a theater director of over 60 school and community productions. Her production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew at East High School won the National High School Theater award from the BRAVO television network.

Having written theater, music, dance, and opera reviews for the Duluth News Tribune for many years, she now is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for Destination Duluth.

 

 

 

Pack 7+ Uniquely Duluth Experiences - ALL in ONE 3-Day Weekend 

Whether you’re a local or just paying us a visit, you’re in luck:

Duluth offers SO many exciting activities to celebrate the holiday season. And there are plenty of enjoyable attractions for all ages, budgets, and interests.

We at Destination Duluth have curated a helpful itinerary (with options!)– so you don’t have to!

Here is everything you need to plan your BEST. EVER. Duluth Holiday Weekend!

• THURSDAY EVENING (November 23 – December 28): America's Largest and #1 Free Public Holiday Lights Display, famously known as Bentleyville
• FRIDAY MORNING: Skiing/Snowboarding/Tubing at Spirit Mountain (After Thanksgiving, conditions permitting)
• FRIDAY AFTERNOON (November 22 – January 5^th): Christmas at Glensheen Mansion (39 Rooms, 27 Christmas trees, and more!)
• FRIDAY EVENING (November 22): Attend the 66th Annual Christmas City of the North Parade
• FRIDAY OR SATURDAY EVENING (December 6-21): Explore the Zoo Lights (and meet the critters) at the Lake Superior Zoo
• SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING (November 30 - December 22): See SCUBA Santa at 11 AM the Great Lakes Aquarium 
• SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING (December 7-8): - Attend Duluth Winter Village at the DECC
• SATURDAY AFTERNOON or FRI-SAT EVENING (December 6-22): The Duluth Playhouse presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
• SATURDAY EVENING (November 29 - December 21): Take a train ride on the Christmas City Express 
• SUNDAY AFTERNOON (December 13 – 15): A ballet performance of The Nutcracker

Here are the details on each of these uniquely Duluth holiday attractions and events.

THURSDAY EVENING: – Bentleyville
With so much to do, you'll want to take Friday off and make your first stop Bentleyville! Thursdays are an excellent choice because it's not quite as busy as the weekends.

For 2024, the centerpiece 128 ft tree has ALL NEW LIGHTS.

“This is the largest makeover in the past 15 years that we have had on the tree,” said Nathan Bentley, the founder of Bentleyville.

The annual walk-through holiday light display features over five million lights, live characters, cookies, coffee, hot chocolate, popcorn, s’mores, special events and a large variety of themed displays. Children under 10 can visit Santa and get a stocking hat. Best of all, admission, refreshments, and hats for kids are ALL FREE! (Parking nearby is $10)

Bentleyville typically welcomes an astonishing 300,000+ visitors per year. While many are local residents, others, including global tourists, visit Bentleyville from far and wide.

Founder, creator, and "Mayor of Bentleyville" Nathan Bentley, shared what’s new this year:

• The iconic Bentleyville tree, the center piece of Bentleyville, is celebrating its 15^th season of shining bright and with that a makeover. All 150,000 existing LED net lights were removed and new RGB lights were installed on the 128’ tree. “This is the largest makeover in the past 15 years that we have had on the tree,” Bentley said.
• A new apple cider building will be located near the firepits. For $2.00, guests can stop to get a fresh cup of apple cider with a touch of cinnamon.
• A 60th anniversary Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer display, including an Island of Misfit Toys display.
• 12 new places for photo opportunities have been added, including a life-size gingerbread house.
• New gnome displays.
• Bentleyville’s 4,000 square foot gift shop has a new grand entrance, as well as an expanded variety of Bentleyville merchandise.
• A life size “Bumble” character will be available to greet guests.
• Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving by helicopter this year on November 23^rd between 4:50 – 5:00 pm

Bentleyville Tour of Lights opens November 23^rd, and runs through December 28^th. The event is open from 5-9 PM Sundays - Thursdays, and 5-10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fireworks will happen BOTH opening and closing nights - Saturday, November 23^rd (at 5:30 pm), and the final night, Saturday, December 28^th - at 5:30 pm.

They provide a planning guide and tips at  bentleyvilleusa.org. In case of inclement weather, announcements are made on the Bentleyville Facebook page.

Bentleyville has won back-to-back 1st Place Reader's Choice USA Todays 10Best Public Holiday Light Displays and it is nominated again this year! Help them 3-peat #1 in America by voting daily for them here.

For a story on the history (including why it's called Bentleyville), finances, and heart-warming stories, go to our story 2024 Bentleyville is Bigger, Brighter, and Better than Ever

FRIDAY MORNING – Winter Fun at Spirit Mountain
(Beginning after Thanksgiving, conditions permitting)

Spirit Mountain offers 22 Alpine runs, 175 acres of skiable terrain, a 700' vertical drop, five chair lifts, and three surface lifts.

They also offer fat-tire biking, tubing (ages three and up), and the largest terrain park and half-pipe in the Midwest, with fabulous views of Lake Superior from all runs.

For cross-country skiers, Spirit’s Upper Nordic center features 22km of groomed Cross-country ski trails (classic tracks and skating) that are mostly intermediate and run through dense hardwood forest.

For more information and tickets, go to Spiritmt.com

FRIDAY AFTERNOON - Christmas at Glensheen

Christmas at Glensheen Mansion is an immersive experience, perfect for all ages. Mike Mayou, Marketing Manager at Glensheen, shared several highlights:

• 27 beautifully lit Christmas trees
• Many original ornaments from the Congdon family will be on display
• This year, there will be a few exciting new additions: Six of Glensheen’s rooms will be themed to match six classic Christmas tales: The Night Before Christmas, The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol, Elves and the Shoemaker, The Snow Queen, and 12 Days of Christmas.

“It’s a really magical time of year,” Mayou said. “Especially after a fresh snowfall. Guests can wander around the grounds and then come in and see the mansion where it’s warm and cozy inside.”

Christmas tours at Glensheen will take place from November 22nd – January 5^th. Read the Destination Duluth feature on Christmas at Glensheen.

Information on hours, tickets, and more can be found at glensheen.org.

FRIDAY EVENING (November 22^nd ONLY) - Go to the 66th Annual Christmas City of the North Parade

The public can catch the parade – featuring dozens of live floats and an appearance from Santa - live and in-person outside on Superior Street, or stay warm and cozy inside one of many local businesses along the parade route. It will also be live-streamed and available to watch on Northern News Now, beginning at 6:35 pm.

To learn more, please visit Christmas City of the North Parade

FRIDAY EVENING: - Lake Superior Zoo

This year, the Lake Superior Zoo will host their fourth annual Zoo Lights event!

Guests will enjoy a magical walk-through experience featuring holiday light displays, larger-than-life animal inflatables, free s'mores, visits with Santa, and more! LS Zoo’s main building and Primate Conservation Center will be open to see the animals and warm up on a cold night. Local schools will be featured each night, singing carols or playing holiday music. Guests will also enjoy a special free craft activity each night!

Zoo Lights is open 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights in December through 12/21.

To learn more, please visit Lake Superior Zoo, or search for Lake Superior Zoo on Facebook.

SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING - Great Lakes Aquarium 

The folks at Great Lakes Aquarium shared that they will have two interesting highlights during the holiday season this year.

SCUBA Santa will be making his appearance on-site at the Aquarium every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 am from November 30 - December 22. You can find SCUBA Santa in the Isle Royale exhibit.

And the Aquarium’s annual holiday membership drive begins November 25 and runs through the end of the year. During this time, the Aquarium will offer perks and bonuses for new or renewing members.  Special bonuses and incentives include tickets to Duluth Harbor Monsters Arena Football at the DECC and passes to the Duluth Children’s Museum.

To learn more, please visit Great Lakes Aquarium or follow them on Facebook

SATURDAY OR SUNDAY MORNING - Dec 7-8 - 2024 Duluth Winter Village

The magic returns...to Harbor Drive!  The festive greens, your favorite shops, hot drinks, and fire pits. Stroll through the same outdoor Winter Village you love, with Lake Superior and the Lift Bridge as your backdrop. The DECC (Duluth Entertainment Convention Center) is steps away from Canal Park and Bentleyville, with plenty of parking and additional festivities, dining and shopping nearby.

Shop your favorite local businesses (plus some new additions) in a fun, festive environment overlooking the Lift Bridge and harbor.

More information at Duluth Winter Village

SATURDAY AFTERNOON OR EVENING – Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella - Dec 6-22 at the historic NorShor Theater

With a hilarious new script by Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane, this contemporary adaptation invites audiences to build a better, kinder world together. Featuring a sweeping score by Rodgers & Hammerstein that includes “In My Own Little Corner,” “Impossible,” and “Ten Minutes Ago,” this romantic Broadway musical is guaranteed to warm the hearts of audiences of all ages.

For all the show times and tickets, go Cinderella at Duluth Playhouse. 

SATURDAY EVENING – Take the Christmas City Express by North Shore Scenic Railroad

The Christmas City Express is a storybook experience recommended for families with children under 10 … and for the young at heart. Photo Courtesy North Shore Scenic Railroad.

The performance begins in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, where you’ll be treated to a book reading of the new Christmas City Express story. Guests will also enjoy carolers and a visit from a special guest.

Then, guests will climb aboard the train for a 30-minute ride up to Lake Superior. Once onboard, guests will enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cookies, and holiday tunes.

Space is very limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged.

More info and tickets are available at Christmas City Express .

Start Making Plans Today!

There you have it! A packed three-day holiday weekend tour with memories that will last a lifetime!

___________________________________________________________________

Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.

With 150,000 all-new lights on the 128' tree, a lifesize Gingerbread House, a dozen new photo booth displays, and more, the 21st Bentleyville will bring holiday cheer to 300,000 guests.  

The Bentleyville tour of lights has been an amazing triumph for Duluth. Voted best public outdoor light display for two consecutive years by USA Today, Bentleyville, America's largest free walk-through light display, returns to Bayfront Park in Duluth November 23-December 28.

The annual walk-through holiday light display - featuring over five million lights, live characters, refreshments, and a wide variety of themed displays - welcomes an astonishing 300,000+ visitors annually. While many are local residents, others come from far and wide to visit Bentleyville. A study by UMD Bureau of Business and Economic Research in 2021 estimated a $24 million dollar economic impact.

But, beyond the astounding influx of tourism and cash for the local economy, Bentleyville is also doing great things for the community. Each year, the event collects and distributes thousands of pounds of food and thousands of children’s toys for the less fortunate.

 

Twenty-one years after its inception, Bentleyville remains free to the public, as it has since day one. Bentleyville offers free admission for all guests, as well as free hot cocoa & coffee, free cookies, free freshly popped popcorn, free marshmallows to roast, and free visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus!

“As long as I’m at the helm, it will always be free,” said founder/creator/namesake, Nathan Bentley. “That’s part of the uniqueness of it all. A lot of people don’t have extra disposable income – especially at that time of year.”

Please Note: Parking is $10 per vehicle near the attraction, but if you're willing to hike a little, free street parking is available downtown after 5:30 pm.

Nathan Bentley

Nathan Bentley is, first and foremost, a businessman. He has owned Advantage Emblem, a screen printing and embroidery business, since the age of 18.

But he also has a heart of gold and enjoys doing acts of service to help others. In addition to creating and maintaining Bentleyville, he spends four months every year in Laos. Here, he helps renovate schools and installs infrastructure like roads and lighting.

Bentley and his wife, Tricia, have been married for 33 years and have four adult kids: Aryanah (32), Austin (30), Abbey (26), and Alex (24). The family has also grown to include two grandchildren, Zion (4) and Zane (6 months). The Bentley family also includes three “Doodle” dogs: a Sheepadoodle, a Goldendoodle, and a Mini Bernedoodle.

History

Bentley explained a little about how Bentleyville began. “It was a complete accident,” he noted with a chuckle. “It wasn’t built on purpose. I was just trying to put up more lights than my neighbor had.”

The holiday display celebrated its first year at the Bentley family home in Esko in 2001. When the family moved to Cloquet, Bentleyville did, too. It remained there for the next four years.

As the number of lights and displays grew, people took notice. “One of my employees facetiously called it ‘Bentleyville’ as a jab. Kind of like Whoville,” Bentley explained.

Bentley leaned into the joke and ultimately embraced it. He put up a Bentleyville banner and added apple cider and cookies - and the people just kept coming. Dozens of new light displays were added. He constructed a 78'x24' castle, made of 45,000 lights as the entrance, firepits warmed visitors, and Santa came nightly. The trails were paved to make it fully handicapped accessible.

“People started putting $1 and $5 under the Christmas tree I had by my shed to help contribute,” Bentley said. “I like to say it was organically grown.”

Traffic became an issue, so they built parking lots in nearby fields and used nine 72-passenger buses to handle the 35,000 visitors.

A Big Move

In 2008, then Duluth mayor Don Ness approached Bentley about relocating the display to Bayfront Festival Park. Bentley’s response? “Sure, we’ll try it.”

The event took a year off in 2009 while Bentleyville and City leadership focused on planning for the future. Power, infrastructure, and parking, among other topics, had to be figured out.

The event roared back - bigger than ever - in 2010, and is now “America's largest, free walk-through holiday display.”

Budget

Bentleyville has come a long way from its modest beginnings in Esko. The event now has an annual budget of roughly $1,000,000 (including in-kind gifts and services), which includes:

• $200,000 for new lights and displays
• $60,000 for stocking caps, which are free for children
• $45,000 for cookies, hot cocoa, and popcorn, which are free for guests, at the Cookie House
• $15,000 for restroom facilities
• $8,000 for cookies given out by Santa
• $9,000 for power bills

Other significant expenses include snow removal, equipment rentals, zip ties, trucking costs, insurance, costumes, and infrastructure.

What’s New?

As with every year at Bentleyville, there will be some exciting new changes in 2024. Bentley shared what’s new:

• The iconic Bentleyville tree, the centerpiece of Bentleyville, is celebrating a makeover. All 150,000 existing LED net lights were removed, and new RGB lights were installed on the 128’ tree. “This is the largest makeover in the past 15 years that we have had on the tree,” Bentley said.

• A new apple cider building will be located near the firepits, where guests can stop to get a fresh cup of apple cider with a touch of cinnamon.
• A 60th anniversary Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer display, including an Island of Misfit Toys display.
• Twelve new places for photo opportunities have been added, including a life-size gingerbread house.
• A new gnome display.
• Bentleyville’s 4,000-square-foot gift shop has a new grand entrance and an expanded variety of Bentleyville merchandise.
• A life-size “Bumble” character will be available to greet guests.
• Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving by helicopter this year.

Funding

Bentleyville is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity; as such, funding comes from a variety of sources.

Bell Bank, along with various other corporate sponsors, helps pay the bills. There are also annual fundraising events, like a candy bar sale. Funding is rounded out by donations, parking lot revenue (parking in a nearby lot costs $10), and retail revenue from the Bentleyville gift shop.

Financial donations are always welcomed and accepted by those who want to contribute. People are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys for kids and teens. These items are donated to and distributed by the Salvation Army and shared with seven regional locations.

Another way to support Bentleyville is to purchase some delicious Christmas Cookie Cream Ale, a seasonal brew offered by local brewery Bent Paddle. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Bentleyville.

Volunteers NEEDED!

It takes a giant team to host Bentleyville every year. Volunteers are needed nightly for the marshmallow hut, popcorn box, fire pits, and cookie house and to serve as greeters. Learn more about volunteering and sign up by clicking here

Volunteers include an 11-person Executive Board of Directors, who meet monthly to discuss budgets, contracts, and other high-level items. The Operations Committee (also called “Red Coat Staff”) consists of 30 people who coordinate all details and work as hands-on decision-makers for the event.

There is a 7-person sewing group that makes costumes for the live characters at Bentleyville, including Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer, penguins, snowmen, and more.

A group of four welding volunteers provide the welding and repairs for all the steel and aluminum displays. The Ironworkers Local #512 also volunteer to handle the set-up and take-down of displays and the enormous metal Christmas tree every year.

Bentley donates the time of some of the talented graphic artists at his company, Advantage Emblem, to create the displays. Interestingly, five federal prisoners are being transported from the Federal Prison Camp here in Duluth seven days a week to help set up Bentleyville.

Special Memories

Over the years, Bentley has witnessed some amazing memories being made. “People have had their first date there and gotten engaged there,” he shared.

“Couples have even gotten married there,” he added. “We host between 3-4 weddings a year.

“People also name their kids and dogs after Bentleyville! It’s really fun that the next generation is also bringing their kids. I enjoy seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces and just watching them have a good time.”

Schedule

Bentleyville Tour of Lights opens November 23^rd and runs through December 28^th. The event is open from 5-9 PM on Sundays - Thursdays and 5-10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Fireworks will happen BOTH opening and closing nights - Saturday, November 23^rd (at 6:30 pm), and the final night, Saturday, December 28^th - at 6:30 pm.

For more information, go to BentleyvilleUSA.org

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​ Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.

 

 

DD Artist Profile Series – Gaelynn Lea in "Invisible Fences" At Zeitgeist Nov 7-23

Gaelynn Lea was born with a disability called osteogenesis imperfecta or brittle bones disease and started using a wheelchair at age two. Rather than let that diagnosis stop her or even slow her down, she has blazed a trail for herself and others by becoming a vocal advocate for many artists with disabilities.

Whether it has been with fighting the cause for accessibility of performing spaces all the way up to her opportunity to write the score for a revival of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” on Broadway, Gaelynn has resoundingly made her voice heard.

While growing up in Duluth, Lea, worked behind the scenes in her parents, Tom and Peggy White’s play and dinner theater productions. “It was an important part of my childhood,” she said. Taking on a myriad of tasks including taking tickets and working sound, she was discovering what being a part of a theatrical arts community meant to her.

Her path, however, took her instead through the music route starting when she first learned to play the violin as a young student. Because of her disability, she adapted to holding the bow like bass player, with the body of the violin in front of her, like a cello.

Gaelynn began expanding her repertoire in several different styles of music, including from her classical training, and adding blues, Celtic, traditional fiddle tunes, and many more. She started composing her own songs and adding singing to her performances.

Her big breakout moment came, however, in 2016, when she won NPR’S annual Tiny Desk Award with the song "Someday We'll Linger In The Sun.” Lea was thrilled to be chosen as the winning performance from among thousands of submissions from all fifty states.

“Winning this award changed my life in every conceivable way,” she said. It gave her a chance to play all over the country in all kinds of other musical styles with such groups and performers Wilco, The Decemberists, the industrial rock group Pigface, Michael Stipe (REM), fellow Duluth musician Alan Sparhawk of Low, and others

Touring became a bigger part of her life, and with her husband Paul Tessler, she hit the road for six months of the year. “We found we really loved traveling and seeing new places together,” she said.

Getting bigger and bigger platforms to perform and speak, Gaelynn also became a co-founder of Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities (RAMPD). According to their website, their mission is “to amplify Disability Culture, promote equitable inclusion, and advocate for inclusive and accessible spaces in the music and live entertainment industries.”

In 2022, when she was offered the chance to compose the music for the revival of “Macbeth” on Broadway, starring Daniel Craig (James Bond) and Academy Award nominated actress Ruth Negga, Gaelynn’s career took another large leap.

This iconic Shakespeare play was directed by award-winning director Sam Gold and was nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Sound Design.

“Working on this big of a piece of theater was amazing. Getting to meet the actors and watching how a big Broadway production gets put together, and then being a part of it was incredible,” she said.

Winning the Whippoorwill Arts award recognized Gaelynn's talents with $25,000. As their mission statement says, they “provide opportunities for roots musicians and artists to thrive and nurture their creativity with a focus on collaboration, fair wages, equity, and social justice.”

This award will allow Gaelynn to mix, master, and produce an album of the music from her “Macbeth” score with the original music that she composed and recorded for the play. She also plans to tour with music from the album as well.

She also won a Disability Futures fellowship from the Ford and Mellon Foundations  for $50,000, allowing her money to continue to pursue all the various goals of travel, public speaking, and performing.

Future goals are working with mentors in Ireland on traditional Celtic music while also connecting connect with disabled artists there. She is also excited about the memoirs she is writing about her touring adventures, music, and disability advocacy.

In 2023, Lea partnered with noted Minnesota playwright Kevin Kling to write, “Invisible Fences,” a play with music that she composed. She also acts sings, and plays in this “musical fable.”

Kling brings to the table his own tremendous list of talents. He also shares the perspectives of his own congenital birth disorder and the partial paralysis he suffered in a serious motorcycle accident.

“Invisible Fences” premiered at Open Eye Theater in Minneapolis with Gaelynn’s father, Tim White, directing. The show is being revived at Zeitgeist Theater, also directed by White.

Information on “Invisible Fences”
By Kevin Kling and Gaelynn Lea
Directed by Timothy White
November 7-23
At Zeitgeist Theater
222 East Superior Street
For tickets and more information visit zeitgeistarts.com

(From the Zeitgeist website)

Singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea and storyteller-playwright Kevin Kling combine their talents in an original musical fable, which weaves together storytelling and song to create a unique theatrical experience. This production blends their internationally renowned skills in music and storytelling to create an intimate show that is rich in the wit and wisdom inherent in Disability Culture.

The Largroff (Gaelynn Lea) is a platypus who was born with a spontaneous genetic mutation that caused her to sprout wings, horns, and a snout. The Grasshopper (Kevin Kling) lost two of his limbs as a nymph, and is on a quest to get to the city for a peaceful retirement.

Together this unlikely pair embarks on a journey where they come face-to-face with different worlds, dangers, and dreams. This musical play touches on identity, disability, and the stories we tell ourselves. Featuring Kling’s signature poetic wordplay, and an array of captivating songs, written and sung by Lea, who plays her violin accompanied by George Ellsworth.

This show will be heavy on fun and adventure, while also centering accessibility and Disability Culture. Every performance will have ASL interpretation as well as projected captioning. There will also be narrated audio descriptions at the beginning of each scene to help blind and low-vision audience members better place themselves in the worlds we are creating.

DD ARTIST PROFILE SERIES – Artistic Directors Calland Metts and Sarah Lawrence Are the Heart and Soul of Loon Opera

Husband and wife Cal Metts and Sarah Lawrence moved to Duluth after performing here with Colder by the Lake in the parody “Les Uncomfortables” in 2001. They had been living in Chicago, where Cal was singing with regional opera companies and symphonies as well as with the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s chorus, and Sarah was beginning a professional singing career with regional companies.

When they moved to Duluth, they performed locally and with theatres, opera companies, and symphonies, together and separately around the U.S. Sarah also played Christine Daaé as a member of the Third National Tour of “The Phantom of the Opera” and in “Phantom: The Vegas Spectacular.”

When Ruth Jacobson founded Lyric Opera of the North (LOON), she hired Sarah and Cal to perform in “The Magic Flute.” After Ruth’s passed in 2010, the couple was asked to share the position of Co-General Artistic Directors for LOON.

“When Sarah and I were asked to become the General Artistic Directors of LOON in 2010, at first we told the board of directors no. But Ruth’s 12-year-old daughter Georgia was much more convincing when she insisted that we continue her mother’s work,” said Cal.

About their administrative and tech work with LOON, Sarah explained, “We work together on plan repertoire and build the teams for each production. Cal focuses on set building, props, and managing all the props, scenic elements, whether they are getting put back into storage or sent somewhere for a rental. I write the grants, work with the board and committees, work on budgets and fundraising, and with Kailyn Pelerin I work on marketing and communications, as well as production-related stuff like finding housing, helping with schedules, and more.”

Locally, Cal and Sarah have been in productions at The Duluth Playhouse playing leading roles in “My Fair Lady” and “Secret Garden,” with LOON, with Colder by the Lake, and in concerts with the DSSO. Regionally, they have appeared with Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Skylark Opera Theater, Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, and the Minnesota Oratorio Society.

Cal and Sarah love their life in Duluth with their daughter, Gigi, a seventh grader, who they describe as “a self-appointed Junior Executive Director, production team member, and frequent on-stage collaborator with LOON.”

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Gigi has performed with LOON and the Playhouse, among others. Sarah said, “She works with LOON the way kids who grow up in any family business do -- they help out where they're needed. She has answered phones, worked with Ann Gumpper and Cal in the scenic shop, painted, sanded, given speeches at fundraisers, and sung in concerts.” Gigi also plays violin in the DSSYO and studies ballet at Minnesota Ballet.

A Love Affair with Duluth

“After 17 years in Chicago, the small-town feel of Duluth has been a relief,” said Cal. “I also think Duluth should be extremely proud of the arts scene here. There is an extraordinary amount of very good art happening in our community.”

“We have a great view of the city and the lake from our house,” added Sarah. “I fall in love with our city again every time I look out the window.”

She added, “Our lives intersect so regularly with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Ballet, the Duluth Playhouse, Wise Fool Shakespeare– it does feel more and more like one big ecosystem.”

Perspectives on Opera

The talented couple have immersed themselves in an art form they clearly love. “Opera is a grand expression of emotions . . .  anguish, joy . . . It is very cathartic to sing or experience opera in any form,” Cal stated.

Sarah added, “From the most private, reflective thoughts to outrage, triumph, ecstasy – all the most intense feelings can be expressed so powerfully through opera.”

It is unique for opera companies in our size market to have grown and thrived for 20 years the way LOON has. With Cal and Sarah’s leadership, LOON has deservedly found its audience for both life-long opera lovers and new patrons.

“The Impresario” and “Circe on Superior” Opens 20^th LOON Season

2 Operas
3 Little Pigs
14 Duluth jokes
3,700 hydangeas
20 Years of LOON
Friday, November 1 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 PM
At The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage
Sung in English, with English supertitles projected above the stage.
Tickets at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922.

Sarah Lawrence is playing the role of Amelia Hope in “The Impresario” and Katharina Fach in “Circe On Superior” Gigi will play Eevi in “Circe.”

The evening pays homage to Ruth Jacobsen, founder of LOON, and honors scenic designer Ann Gumpper who is retiring after designing over 20 shows for LOON as well as for a variety of other organizations.

Next Up for Loon Opera
“The Radio Hour”  A choral opera in one act
Composed by Jake Heggie Libretto by Gene Scheer
Friday, January 24 at 7:00 PM Sunday, January 26 at 3:00 PM
At The St. Louis County Depot Mainstage
Tickets at loonopera.org or by calling 218.464.0922.

In 40 minutes and three parts, this choral opera tells the story of Nora, a woman having a very bad day. She seeks solace by locking herself inside her apartment and turning on the radio. The chorus represents the inner monologue of her life and the imaginative possibilities that await her.

“The Radio Hour” A choral opera in one act

 

 

DD THEATRE REVIEW - "Macbeth A Dinner Party" at Zeitgeist Theater

“A celebration of one of The Bard’s most infamous plays with food, drinks, and, of course, witches.” -Robert Lee, Director

Zeitgeist Theater has long been known for its bold, cutting-edge theater. Their current production of the immersive “Macbeth A Dinner Party” gives, as they describe it, a “new take on a diner and a show.”

Closing the restaurant for the Sunday and Monday night performances, Zeitgeist moved its “stage” to the second floor of the restaurant. With the 40-member audience seated at tables lining the walls on three sides and with the acting space in the middle. The actors were often up close and personal, sometimes playing directly into audience members' faces and even sitting down at the tables at times.

Eliminating the fourth wall made Shakespeare’s timeless story even more immediate and devastating. A talented 18-member cast, several playing two or more roles, also waited tables and gave the audience an interesting historical background of the period and the play.

Along the way, the cast also shared some of the play’s fascinating, troubled history and the folklore of episodes of accidents, illnesses, and even deaths, starting with the first performance of Macbeth (circa 1606) when the young male actor playing Lady Macbeth took ill, (or according to some accounts died), and Shakespeare himself stepped into the role.

In a world where “Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair” and ghosts, witches, imaginary daggers and walking “trees” abound, the cast takes the audience along on the wild witnessing of the blackest of deeds, where “direst cruelty” shows the worst of human nature.

Standout supporting roles in the Zeitgeist production included Karen Wyse Niedermier as the hilarious drunken porter and Eric Elefson as the tragic Macduff. The trio of weird sisters, Christine Winkler-Johnson, Agatha Pokrzywinski, and Olivia Nelson, created the show’s dark tone from the beginning with their “double, double, toil and trouble” incantations.

Justin Peck was entirely convincing as the noble Banquo, both as Macbeth’s devoted friend and later as a ghostly apparition, the uninvited guest at the dinner party. Playing an early murder victim, the trusting and virtuous King Duncan, John Pokrzywinski was also commanding and believable, representing the social order that Macbeth decimates.

Kate Horvath had strong moments as the ruthless and plotting Lady Macbeth, clearly starting the path of death and destruction with her prodding and manipulation of her husband to follow his deepest and darkest ambitions.

Her final important “out damned spot” scene, however, lost some of its impact at times to blocking that had her at the far end of the playing space with her back to half the audience for part of the famous speech. (For a profile of Kate Horvath, go to destinationduluth.org

Taking on the daunting tasks of directing, menu planning, and playing the title role, Robert Lee has had a ten-year odyssey of his “passion project,” with the style and intent of his version of “Macbeth” finally coming to fruition with this production.

Early on, Lee's delivery was somewhat flat and lacking in some intensity and vocal variety. He grew stronger in the role, however, as the show went on and his character descended into an inexorable path of blood lust, ambition, and madness.

Because of the darker lighting of the “out of the box” venue, the audience could not clearly see some of the actors important facial expressions, so crucial for the actors’ “toolboxes” to convey character. And the audience also had to eat much of the meal in dim light, making dining an “adventure” when they could not read the menu of descriptions of their dishes.

Chef Stuart Gordon was in charge of the pre-show snack and four-course meal.

Several of the finger-food Americanized versions of Scottish dishes were delightful. Depending, however, on the palates of audience members, other selections were a bit hit and miss, as evidenced by what was left on trays.

The timing of Zeitgeist’s production was brilliant in the final days of election campaigns that are as dark and twisted as anything Shakespeare himself could have conceived. Imagine the fun, though, that the immortal Bard would have had with these modern-day villains and an outrageous “plot” that is beyond belief.

MACBETH: A DINNER PARTY
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Robert Lee
October 20-November 11

The run is sold out with nightly wait lists to fill seats of no-shows.

Up Next at Renegade
“Invisible Fences”
November 7-23
Written by Gaelynn Lea and Kevin  Kling
Directed by Timothy White
For tickets, go to zeitgeist arts.com

Singer-songwriter Gaelynn Lea and storyteller-playwright Kevin Kling combine their talents in an original musical fable, which weaves together storytelling and song to create a unique theatrical experience.

This production blends their internationally renowned skills in music and storytelling to create an intimate show that is rich in the wit and wisdom inherent in Disability Culture.

Every performance will have ASL interpretation as well as projected captioning. There will also be narrated audio descriptions at the beginning of each scene to help blind and low-vision audience members better place themselves in the worlds the cast is creating.

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About Sheryl Jensen - Arts & Entertainment Editor

A retired educator with the Duluth Public Schools, Sheryl Jensen has been a theater director of over 60 school and community productions. Her production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew at East High School won the National High School Theater award from the BRAVO television network.

Having written theater, music, dance, and opera reviews for the Duluth News Tribune for many years, she now is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for Destination Duluth.

 

 

Meet a First Responder - Mark Mathison is a Duluth Paramedic of 46 Years

Duluth paramedic Mark Mathison has seen it all.

He has delivered babies. He has reversed countless drug overdoses with the lifesaving medication Narcan. The scenarios he responds to daily would undoubtedly boggle your mind.

“We respond to everything from toothaches to major traumas,” he said. “As paramedics, we are under obligation to respond to 911 calls for whatever reason.”

With 46 years of service, Mathison is the most senior team member at Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service. In addition to his current role as a paramedic, he has worked as an EMT, dispatcher, helicopter paramedic, and field training officer.

But, whatever you do, please don’t refer to his position as an “ambulance driver.” The highly skilled, life-saving heroes in this field deserve to be called by their rightful titles: EMTs or paramedics (more on this distinction later).

With all his experience, you would be blessed to have Mathison on the scene if you ever need to call 911. But – and, please don’t take this the wrong way - he hopes he never has to show up at your door.

“The longer you can go in life without needing an ambulance, the better off you are,” he noted with a wry chuckle.

Background

Mathison was born in Denver, Colorado, but grew up in many cities and towns across Minnesota, including Rochester, Fridley, Plainview, Annandale, and Minneapolis. His father, the late Dr. Robert Mathison, started his career as a primary care physician and later became an anesthesiologist. His late mother, Barbara, had a nursing degree but ultimately stayed home to raise Mark and his five siblings.

Mathison recalls having a pretty idyllic childhood. “I played football, baseball, and hockey,” he said. “And us kids were very outdoorsy. We’d head outdoors at dawn and come back in when the streetlights came on.”

He shared some early memories about the medical profession. “As a primary doctor, my dad did house calls. A lot of our Sunday drives included riding along with him to different farmhouses to see his patients.”

When he was in 3^rd grade, Mathison saw his first ambulance. “When we were living in Annandale, my friend got hit by a car. They called my dad, who showed up to help but then had to call an ambulance. My friend had a broken femur but was eventually ok.”

Early Training as a First Responder

While he was still in high school at Mayo Senior High in Rochester, Mathison had a friend who worked for Gold Cross as a dispatcher. “I thought that might be fun to do,” he said. “911 was just getting started back then.”

At age 16 or 17, he completed the roughly 100-hour course and became certified as an EMT. He was then hired at Gold Cross.

You may wonder what the difference is between an EMT and a paramedic. “Being an EMT is the foundation of being a paramedic,” Mathison said. “EMTs recognize strokes and heart attacks, can control bleeding, do splinting, address head injuries and psychiatric emergencies, and handle basic airways.

“The role of a paramedic has more physiology involved,” he explained. “We do advanced airways (endotracheal tubes), start IVs, administer medications, handle all types of cardiac issues – including reading ECGs (electrocardiogram) – and have more knowledge about drug interactions.”

After graduating high school, Mathison thought he’d become a veterinarian and attended the University of Minnesota for a time. But ultimately, that wasn’t the right fit. When his father transferred to Duluth, Mathison joined him.

He was hired at Gold Cross Ambulance in Duluth as an EMT on December 8, 1978.

46 Years of Saving Lives

While at Gold Cross, Mathison started out as a nighttime dispatcher, and would also “run calls” with his boss during the day. He started training as a paramedic immediately. After passing his test through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, he was certified.

As noted, over the years, Mathison has worn different “hats” in his field. “I flew for ten years through Luke’s One Helicopter,” he noted. “There, we handled patient transfers from one ICU to another and on-scene trauma calls such as car accidents.”

Later, he worked as a field training officer for 20 years, helping train new paramedics. He has spent his remaining years as a paramedic.

In 1994, Gold Cross was purchased by Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, which remains the only ambulance service in Duluth. When being driven in an ambulance, patients can select the hospital of their choice.

Shifts + Day in the Life

Mathison reports to work at the Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service offices at 4505 West Michigan Street. His team's geographic range includes the southern 1/3 of St. Louis County, so they’ll go as far as Cotton. Mathison works 12-hour day shifts, but Mayo is staffed round the clock.

A paramedic’s day starts by checking out their “truck” (ambulance) to ensure it is well-stocked with equipment. However, “We are on duty from the moment we show up,” he noted. “We have to walk in the door ready to go. The night shift is ready to be relieved by the time we arrive.”

Stories

As noted, paramedics respond to any and every 911 call you can imagine. In addition to the fire and police departments, paramedics are the first on the scene for any life-threatening scenario your mind can conjure up.

Mathison shared a few memorable stories. “Once, I got dispatched to help a lady who was having abdominal pains. When we arrived, she was crowning – she didn’t know she was pregnant.” Mathison has, in fact, successfully delivered four babies and was on-scene for three more.

He recalls a 90-year-old man who had fallen and broken some ribs. When Mathison arrived, the patient was crying – it was the day of his wife’s funeral, and he took a tumble while getting ready. As he wasn’t considered critical, Mathison – with the patient in an ambulance – kindly stopped at the funeral first so this man could say goodbye to his wife.

And, longtime Duluthians will remember the tragic story of the woman who died after becoming caught in – and bisected by - the Aerial Lift Bridge in 1990. Mathison was the first responder on-scene.

One noteworthy – and very unfortunate – trend in his field is the increase in drug overdoses. “In my first 20 years, I gave Narcan maybe five times,” he said. “And, in the last 26 years, I would say we give Narcan at least three times a week.”

Personal

Mathison and his wife, Joni, who is retired from Lake Superior College, live in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood. They have two adult children, Abigail (married to Charley) and Brent (married to Stephanie). The Mathisons have three beloved grandkids—Landon, Emmett, and Amelia—and a Black Lab named Buster.

In his free time, Mathison enjoys taking outdoor photos. Some of his favorite places to shoot are Hawk’s Ridge and the Sax-Zim Bog. Being out in nature and spending time with his grandchildren are some of his favorite ways to decompress after work.

Advice

After 46 years as a paramedic, Mathison would recommend his profession to others. “It’s so rewarding when my patients have good outcomes,” he said, adding, “But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes we’re the guardian angel and sometimes we’re the grim reaper.”

“We definitely need more good people,” he said. “If you don’t want to be a paramedic or EMT, maybe you can consider helping through your community’s volunteer service.”

If this job is something you’re contemplating, consider what Mathison says is needed to be good in this role. “You have to be pretty Type A,” he noted. “You have to dig in immediately and do what needs to be done.

“And EMS is nothing but change,” he added, referring to how medical intervention procedures evolve as we learn more. “If you don’t like change, you can’t be in this job.”

Based on everything he’s seen and experienced, he gave the following life advice: “Hug your kids. You just never know.”

____________________________________________________________________

Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.

 

 

Darci Griffith Gamerl is an award-winning orchestral and chamber musician who also composes and arranges music. “Music enriches my life personally in so many ways. I love to explore new repertoire, writing music and exploring new textures. Playing is also very cathartic for me and performing is a beautiful way of weaving a story for the listener,” she said.

Growing up in northern British Columbia, she came about her love of music at an early age, starting in first grade on the recorder and singing in choir, then moving on to the clarinet and eventually to the oboe. She now plays both oboe and English horn.

“My Grandpa Reid played violin in the Vancouver Symphony. He had paid a trapper to teach him in exchange for lessons. He would always send us tape cassettes and video recordings of orchestral music to listen/watch. (I didn't realize how much it impacted me until I was in college as a music major and had all the major violin concerti memorized), Gamerl said. “He was a huge influence and inspiration as he played his entire life both in orchestras and in chamber groups.”

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master's degree in Oboe Performance. In addition to playing the oboe and English horn, she is also a studio musician and website designer, and she teaches at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

This is her 19th year performing with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, as Assistant Principal Oboe. She also currently plays with the Sioux City Orchestra (2nd Oboe/English horn); Lincoln Symphony Orchestra (3rd Oboe/English horn); South Dakota Symphony (3rd Oboe/English horn); and Omaha Symphony Orchestra (regular substitute).

 Bel Canto

Gamerl is a founding member of the music ensemble, Bel Canto Duo, with her husband, looping artist and cellist David Downing. She said “Bel Canto Duo specializes in writing and performing original, classical music with immersive elements such as our Four Cather Tableaux with our original film. It really evokes the beauty of the prairies especially when paired with Willa Cather's beautiful writing. We will be exhibiting the Tableaux at the Joslyn Art Museum in January of 2025,” she said.

The film highlights Cather’s personal life and body of work with extensive commentary by American filmmaker, Ken Burns.

“Playing music in Bel Canto Duo with my husband. has been rewarding on so many levels . . . There is so much that is communicated when you are performing with someone. The nonverbal communication goes very deep and is really phenomenal to experience. Performing closely with David has been fascinating, and we have both learned a lot from each other as we continue to grow as a chamber ensemble,” she said.

 Courageous Lights

The DSSO will be performing the piece entitled English Horn Concerto: Courageous Lights at their upcoming concert on October 26 with Gamerl as the oboe soloist. She was also the Consortium Leader of the piece.

Dirk Meyer, DSSO Music Director, said, “Darci approached me a while back about supporting a new commission to James Lee III, and I was excited about it right away. James’ music is very interesting and colorful, while at the same time approachable and beautiful.”

“In addition, I thought it was a great and worthwhile idea to write about courageous women activists,” Meyer said. “We performed the world premiere together last season with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, and it was a great success. I’m looking forward to bringing this work to the Twin Ports audience.”

He added, “Besides her wonderful musicality and virtuosity, Darci brings a wonderful energy and passion for innovation to our group, as can be seen in this project, which only came to fruition thanks to her efforts.”

Composer of Courageous Lights James Lee III

“This is a concerto based on three outstanding women activists. The title is derived from how these women have courageously sought to be a light and inspire positive change in their sphere of influence,” Lee III said.

He explained the first movement Amanda’s Ascent “is inspired by American poet and activist Amanda Gorman's poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’ for President Joseph Biden's inauguration. Specifically, the movement is inspired by themes of light and unity.”

The second movement is named for Zitkála-Sá's Song. He said, “This movement is inspired by Zitkála-Sá's activism as she advocated for American Indians to receive full citizenship in the United States. The music in this movement reflects her passion for change and the uplifting of her people.”

Lee III stated, “This last movement is inspired by Malala Yousafzai and her activism in striving for the education of girls. She has advocated for safe and free education and worked to bring forward the voices of women and people of color.”

“I have enjoyed working with Darci because of her enthusiasm and dedication in bringing my concerto alive! She has a wonderful and beautiful sound when she performs my music,” Lee III added.

Collaborative Project

Gamerl has enjoyed the collaborative process of working with Lee III and Dirk Meyer. She is looking forward to the Minnesota premiere of Courageous Lights with the DSSO.

“James has a very special gift for communicating, and he does so in a powerful way through his music! We worked closely on the commission and the thematic material used in each movement. We had a lengthy discussion about the impact of three phenomenal women: Amanda Gorman, Zitkala-Ša (Red Bird/Gertrude Bonnin) and Malala Yousafzai, Gamerl said.

She explained, “All three women were so inspiring to me as each faced adversity, prejudice, and oppression. Yet each persisted and were able to enact long lasting change . . .their lights light the path to a brighter future for us all.”

She acknowledges the difficulties of this score. “This piece is a marathon, a tour de force! It is extremely technically challenging and written largely in the highest tessitura of the English horn. James writes beautifully intricate music that is equally difficult for the orchestra due to the intricacy of his harmonic language. It is a joy to put together but coordinating and balancing with the solo English horn is a challenge!”

She concluded, “As I approach my 20th season with the DSSO, I find myself incredibly grateful to my wonderful colleagues, the warmth of Duluthians, and how very welcome I feel in the community. Finally, the artistry and vision of Music Director, Dirk Meyer. He was the true driving force behind the Courageous Lights commission! “

Information On Masterworks Concert 2   Courageous Lights
Darci Gamerl, oboe soloist
October 26, 7:00 pm. DECC Symphony Hall

The DSSO’s Masterworks Concert 2 will include classics of the repertoire, alongside a brand-new work, written for DSSO oboist, Darci Gamerl. Composer James Lee III has been a rising star over the past few years, with performances by major symphony orchestras around the globe. The DSSO co-commissioned him to write Courageous Lights, a concerto for orchestra and English Horn, celebrating three outstanding female social activists. This performance marks the Midwest premiere of Courageous Lights.

The orchestra will frame this inspiring new work with two symphonies: the short, yet sparkling Paris Symphony (No. 31) by Mozart, and Felix Mendelssohn’s dramatic Symphony No.1, written when he was just 15 years of age.

Tickets at dsso.com or call or visit the DECC Ticket Office - 350 Harbor Drive (Box Office Hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm) 218-727-4344 (check out the auditorium seating chart at www.decc.org).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UMD’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” Entertains as a Silly Comedy and a Barbed Satire
At Marshall Performing Arts Center - Now-Oct 19. 

UMD opened its theatrical season on Friday night with the Oscar Wilde Victorian classic “The Importance of Being Earnest” that Wilde described as a “trivial comedy for serious people.” The audience connected with both the show’s trivialities in plot and its more serious satirical themes.

A visual feast, the show’s designers, (a mix of theater department staff and students), recreated the prim and proper Victorian world to a “tea.” Scenic designer Curtis Phillips and assistant designers Sheridan Cornett and Emma Wylie had the challenging task of bringing three different settings to life.

From a frou frou parlor with its fussy furniture and gilt wall paper, to a lovely Victorian garden with its explosion of flowers, and back to an interior of a staid library filled with knick knacks and volumes, each setting brought the audience back to the waning years of the Victorian period.

Scene changes were accomplished with costumed servants helping to establish the “upstairs/downstairs” aspect of the story. The change between acts two and three was beautifully choreographed, eliminating the need for a second intermission.

Costume designers Jennika Bunney and assistant Morgan Ryals did a magnificent job with their exquisite period costumes, all helping to establish character and bring even more color and life to the stage.

“Earnest’s” frivolous plot of mistaken identities and preposterous coincidences is the Victorian equivalent of a romantic comedy. It is, however, decidedly more sophisticated, filled with Wilde’s witty epigrams and bon mots, all intended to slam the hypocrisies of the snobbish society he satirizes.

Two young dandies, John Worthing (Luke Hiland) and Algernon Moncrieff (Luke Pfluger), live their idle lives devouring cucumber sandwiches and muffins and endlessly discussing their vacuous plans to do as little as possible.

Hiland and Pfluger struggle a bit in the first act with their accents, their diction, and their pacing but as the wildness of the improbable story develops, they find their footing and their comic timing, and are more playful with their characters.

The show kicks into gear with the arrival of the show’s three delightfully comic-leading women. Gwendolen Fairfax (Abby Aune) and Cecily Cardew (Maggie Clark) are the “love” interests of Worthy and Moncrieff. Aune and Clark are deliciously funny with their feigned sisterhood and later outright hostility towards each other.

Both actresses clearly display that their Victorian doll house lives are empty, filled with little more than pretty clothes, tea cake, and diary writing about nothing.

At the satirical heart of the show is the indomitable Lady Bracknell (Elsa Persson), the equivalent in “Downton Abbey” to the Dowager Countess Lucy Grantham. Persson skillfully makes every line a decided pronouncement of Oscar Wilde’s most pointed criticisms of Victorian life.

Persson is an undeniable presence as Bracknell, with her ramrod straight posture, stiff, dark satin dresses, and hilarious variations of pitch and tone. Her classic lines such as “Never speak disrespectfully of Society, Algernon. Only people who can’t get into it do that,” were a hit with an appreciative opening night audience.

Because of the illness of an actress, the part of the governess Miss Prism was played by understudy Kay Boster whose projection was so low that she was often difficult to hear. Prism has some of the funniest lines and important plot points in the denouement some of which were unfortunately lost.

Director Rebecca Katz Harwood chose to let Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece speak for itself and not to take major liberties with it as some modern day interpretations of the play do.

Katz Harwood’s straightforward approach allows her cast to immerse themselves completely into the Victorian milieu and have Wilde’s words be the heart and soul of her production.

For those who have never read or seen the show, UMD’s production provides a wonderful introduction to Oscar Wilde, the infamous playwright who lived a life himself that broke all societal norms, leading to this play being closed and leaving Wilde broken, ill, and imprisoned.

His masterpiece shows that not so far beneath the surface, hypocrisies and close-mindedness abound, some of which modern society is still sadly clinging. This as a central theme in “Earnest” is also epitomized in his quote from “The Picture of Dorian Grey.”

“And what sort of lives do these people, who pose as being moral, lead themselves? My dear fellow, you forget that we are in the native land of the hypocrite.”

UMD Theatre Presents
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Directed by Rebecca Katz Harwood

Oct 11, 12 | 7:30 pm
Oct 13 | 2:00 pm
Oct 16, 17, 18| 7:30 PM
Oct 19, 2024 | 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Marshall Performing Arts Center - Mainstage Theatre
Reserved seating at tickets.umn.edu or 218-726-8561

*UMD Student ticket options: $10 advance tickets (60% discount on regular ticket prices) OR FREE rush tickets the night of the performance with a valid UMD student ID. UMD students are encouraged to arrive for rush 30 minutes before curtain. Subject to availability. Online ticket sales end 90 minutes prior to each performance. After that time, call or stop by the box office for ticket availability and information.

For a profile of Elsa Persson, Lady Bracknell in this production, go to destinationduluth.org

Next Up for UMD Theatre and Dance
“Dance Works ‘24” November 22-24, 2024
Marshall Performing Arts Center - Mainstage Theatre
Reserved seating
For tickets, call the box office at 218-725-8561 of go to tickets.umn.edu

Prepare to be swept away by the dynamic energy and diverse performances of UMD Theatre's DanceWorks '24, gracing the stage this November. Embracing the diversity of choreographic voices, UMD dance artists unite to create a mesmerizing showcase of creativity and connection. Join us at the Marshall Performing Arts Center for an unforgettable celebration of dance and unity.

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About Sheryl Jensen - Arts & Entertainment Editor

A retired educator with the Duluth Public Schools, Sheryl Jensen has been a theater director of over 60 school and community productions. Her production of William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew at East High School won the National High School Theater award from the BRAVO television network.

Having written theater, music, dance, and opera reviews for the Duluth News Tribune for many years, she now is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for Destination Duluth.