Stories

It’s “The Land of Lola” In the Duluth Playhouse’s “Kinky Boots”
Review By Sheryl Jensen

Opening night of Kinky Boots at the Duluth Playhouse was a joyous evening filled with song, dance, glitz, glamour and oh, yeah, pairs and pairs of sexy thigh-high boots.

The show’s exuberant score features music and lyrics by rock/pop queen Cyndi Lauper, with Harvey Fierstein’s book delivering heartfelt messages about acceptance, redemption, uniqueness, authenticity, truth, and pride.

The original 2013 Broadway production won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and Lauper's win, for Best Score, made her the first woman to win alone in that category.

Based on a true story and later a non-musical film, Kinky Boots, the musical, tells the story of Charlie Price who is forced into taking over his late father’s bankrupt shoe company.

Just when he is in abject despair about ways to find a niche market for something other than the company’s “practical and pragmatical” men’s brogues, in “waltzes” Lola in need of some sturdier stilettos for her act.

Charlie and his company of dubious, downtrodden factory workers take on the charge of manufacturing “Kinky Boots” for men, needing stilettos that will hold their weight, all the while being sexy and preferably in fire-engine red.

Rocking those stilettos is Twin Cities Equity actor Mitchell Douglas as Lola, the irrepressible and effervescent drag queen (and so much more).

Looking fabulous in sexy dresses, staggering heels, wigs and makeup, Douglas makes Lola’s every appearance increasingly more commanding as the show goes on, taking over every inch of the stage. Just as Charlie says of Lola, the same for Douglas, ”Whenever you leave a room, there's always a great big gaping gap.”

Douglas is a force of nature in a physically and vocally demanding role. Whether in a song “Sex is in the Heel,” about what the special requirements of kinky boots are, or about his dad’s disappointment with him in the poignant “I’m Not My Father’s Son,” Douglas brings all the colors of the rainbow to the role of Lola and his life out of drag as Simon.

Lola’s final solo, “Hold Me in Your Heart,” is breathtaking. Douglas’s appearance, first in stunning silhouette in “angel-white,” and then coming down the factory steps in the highest of heels to a spotlight center stage, is the ultimate culmination of Douglas making this role of Lola their own.

Nathan Meyer, playing Charlie Price, is “straight man” to Lola for much of the musical. While in a much less “showy” role as an Everyman, Meyer shines in a few revelatory solos. Meyer also clearly demonstrates his character’s uncertainty about what he is doing to his father’s long established company and admitting he has very different goals in life than his fiancée (Kaitlyn Callahan).

Nathan’s quest for identity is shown in his questions, “Do I belong here? Am I a fraud? Do I fit in?” By show’s end, his friendship with Lola transforms him, as he and the “out of the box” Lola, find a true friendship and mutual understanding.

Hope Nordquist is exceptional as Lauren, the factory worker who gets “executized” and encourages Charlie to be his own man and take charge of the company. Her solo, “The History of Men,” is the evening’s most comic song, as she humorously laments her unfortunate track record with men in her past and her unrequited love for Charlie.

Two of the other ensemble standouts are Shane German, the strait-laced (or is he?) George, the factory manager, and Samuel Hagen as Don, the factory bully,  whose transformational appearance in the finale was a hoot.

The evening’s most screamingly funny appearance, however, came in a last minute appearance in the character of the Milan Stage Manager. Kenny Johnson starts getting laughs before he opens his mouth, and then goes on in an hysterical mishmash of Italian and ridiculously preening walks to tear the house down.

The Angels, Lola’s drag queen quartet and Greek chorus, Tanner Longshore, SJ Olson, Michael Reed and Ken Shiozawa, provide humor, back up singing, and a full complement of eye-catching drag outfits and footwear. Kudos also to Peg Ferguson for her costume work on a show that requires some real magic to pull off effectively.

For some of the company members, the English accents are inconsistent and also get in the way of clear diction, occasionally causing some of the dialogue, lyrics, and jokes to get lost. Low volume and some lack of crispness with the sound board, particularly for dialogue, also were issues at times.

Phillip Fazio, Director of Kinky Boots, keeps the show’s pacing moving, and makes effective use of Scene Designer Curtis Phillips’ gritty, aging factory set, punctuated by Lola’s world with the glitziness of a red fringed curtain, and finally. the runway of a lighted Milan fashion show curtain. Congrats to Fazio for bringing Minnesota’s regional premiere of Kinky Boots to the NorShor in a dazzling way to end the current season.

The solid ten-piece orchestra, under Ken Ahlberg’s musical direction, rocks the house and provides strong backup for the singers.

Choreographer Matthew Wagner had the unique challenge to create dances with a cast not in reliable sturdy-heeled Capezio dance shoes, but for particularly Lola and her backup Angels, men in drag and crazy high heels.

Wagner’s strong choreography is on full display in “The Land Of Lola,” “ Sex is in the Heel,” “Everybody Say Yeah,” “What a Woman Wants,” and the finale “Raise You Up/Just Be.” Dance was a particularly crucial element in this musical, and Wagner showed he was completely up to the task in his creative work.

Kinky Boots wears its themes on its sleeve by stating many of them directly:

“You change the world when you change your mind.” “Be yourself, everyone else is taken. (Oscar Wilde)” and, most importantly, “Accept someone for who they are.”

Opening night audience members were clearly buying into the show’s messages, and they were on their feet before the last note of the finale, cheering for the obviously emotionally touched company of twenty-five actors.

Kinky Boots runs July 14-30 with with all evening performances at 7:30 pm and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. The Duluth Playhouse NorShor Theatre is at 211 E Superior St , Duluth, MN

Tickets are available at the the box office at the NorShor, by calling 218-733-7555, or by visiting the website at: https://ci.ovationtix.com/35679/production/1122790/

The Playhouse’s next Main Stage production is their 2023-24 season opener, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein running September 15-October 1.

Duluth’s Bea Ojakangas Is the Queen of Scandinavian Cooking

Duluth's Beatrice Ojakangas is Minnesota's most prolific cookbook writer.

Though her Finnish reticence would never allow her to brag about herself or her many accomplishments, Bea Ojakangas has had a life filled with remarkable achievements.

In 1957 at the age of 23, she unexpectantly won a $5,000 prize ($55,000 today) in the Pillsbury Bakeoff contest. In the 1960's she created Pizza Rolls for Duluth's Jeno Paulucci, wrote over 30 cookbooks, cooked with Julia Child and Martha Stewart, won a James Beard Award, owned her own restaurant, and done so much more.

Through it all, she has remained unassuming and modest while becoming the undeniable “queen” of Scandinavian cooking.

Bea was the firstborn of ten children and grew up on a farm in Cedar Valley, Minnesota. Her mother would say, “I have four sons and each one has half-a-dozen sisters.” As the oldest, Bea would help her mom with very basic cooking on a wood-burning stove.

Bea’s first attempt at baking was when she was five years old and decided to make a cake while her mother was in labor.

“I put out all my ingredients, but I didn’t realize I had forgotten the sugar. My mother always said to taste and make sure my cooking had flavor. When it didn’t, I kept adding salt to it. I brought a piece to my mother, who declared it delicious. To this day, I still refer to it as my ‘salt cake.’”

Bea majored in home economics at UMD, where she met her husband, Richard. After getting married, they lived in England for a year, where Dick was in the Air Force ROTC.

Beatrice and Richard Ojakangas celebrate their 64th anniversary.

Before returning to the U.S., Bea heard about the Pillsbury Bakeoff contest. On a complete whim, she decided to enter, only realizing that the due date was in one day. She had only one attempt to test her recipe for “Cheesy Picnic Bread” before sending the recipe off to the contest.

“When I tried it, it was a complete disaster,” Bea said with a chuckle. “The cheese all sank to the bottom. I changed a few things in the recipe but didn’t have the extra ingredients to bake it again. So, I just sent the recipe in without ever seeing if it would work.”

She forgot about the contest when notified that she was a finalist. "The bake-off was October 14, and my first child’s due date was the same day as the Bakeoff. The baby was born on the first of October, and at the urging of family and friends, I decided to go to the contest.”

Bea’s mother cared for the baby while Bea flew off to compete. She ended up winning the Second Grand Prize of $5,000, which the couple used for Richard’s graduate studies at Stanford in California.

While living in California, Bea decided she wanted to do some food writing and got a job with Sunset magazine. She started as a copywriter and ended up writing columns that included recipes.

“I really loved that job. It was exactly what I wanted to do. I was so reluctant to give it up when we moved back to Duluth,” she said.

Her next job was with Jeno’s, then called Chun King, his Chinese food venture. When he was leaving the Chinese food business, Jeno Paulucci wanted to use the machines they had to make the egg rolls for some other frozen food.

At the time, Bea was the only woman working in research and development at $3.00 an hour. She experimented with many flavors, everything from Reubens to peanut butter and jelly, and finally landed on pizza-flavored pockets that became Jeno’s famous frozen pizza rolls.

Jeno loved them, and even though Bea didn’t get a raise or a bonus, she still takes pride in her recipe that “sold like crazy.”

After travels in Finland, France, and other countries and places where she continued to hone her cooking skills and to teach others, she started writing cookbooks. To date, she has written 31.

Her first was The Finnish Cookbook, described on the cover as “Finland's best-selling cookbook adapted for American kitchens. Includes recipes for sour rye bread, Bishop's pepper cookies, and Finnish smorgasbord.”

Written in 1964, The Finnish Cookbook is now in its 38th printing. It is available on Amazon.

In the late 1970s, Bea and Dick opened Somebody’s House restaurant in Duluth. Her new take on burgers was a hit with diners.

As her fame spread in the culinary world, she cooked with Julia Child, making Danish pastries on her Baking with Julia show. “Julia called me herself. I was out, and my mother-in-law took the call and was so excited to hear Julia’s voice,” Bea said.

Beatrice with Julia Childs on the kitchen-set of The French Chef. Photo submitted.

A few years later, she got a call from Martha Stewart’s production team to appear with Martha and to teach her how to make lefse.

“Martha and Julia were a real contrast,” said Bea. “Martha was so organized with everything neat and its place. Julia was charming but her kitchen became kind of a mess when she cooked. It was an honor for me to cook on the shows with each of them.”

Selection to the James Beard Cookbook and later into the James Beard Hall of Fame followed. Bea has also taught cooking classes on cruise ships, done a column for The Woman Today magazine and for the Duluth News Tribune, and written for other publications such as Gourmet, Bon Appétit, Woman's Day, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Midwest Living, Cooking Light, and others.

Being a busy mother and grandmother, she finally found time to write her memoir, Homemade: Finnish Rye, Feed Sack Fashion, and Other Simple Ingredients from My Life in Food.

Beatrice Ojakangas memoir is available on Amazon. Photo submitted.

“I remember growing up making clothing out of feed sacks for me and my siblings—dresses, blouses, and shirts for the boys.”

Lucie Amundsen, author of Locally Laid: How We Built a Plucky, Industry-changing Egg Farm--from Scratch, wrote, “Beatrice Ojakangas makes her compelling family stories rich for all senses: we smell the cardamom in the bread cooling on the counter, savor the cream of morel soup, and long for chiffon cake. Best of all, we experience the joy of recreating these flavors ourselves with the recipes she provides.”

“I never expected all that has happened to me to happen,” Bea explained. “I have been so blessed and lucky. Cooking nourishing, healthy foods for my family still brings me a lot of joy, even making dishes out of leftovers, or ‘something dumb’ as my family calls it.”

She is a member of the First Lutheran Church, where she donated all her lefse-making equipment. She still enjoys making lefse and making pies for the annual Rhubarb Festival.

Bea asserts that her Finnish background is firmly tied to “sisu,” a Finnish word with many meanings, including “a stoic determination, tenacity, bravery, resilience and hardiness.” Bea has decidedly embodied all these traits in her cooking and approach to life.

Juicy Buns are still a family favorite from a recipe from Bea’s mother, so named because they were glazed with a sugar-coffee mixture that kept them moist once out of the oven. 

Beatrice Ojakangas’s  Mummy’s “Juicy” Cinnamon Rolls

Dough
2 packages active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
½ cup melted butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup nonfat dry milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
About 4 cups all purpose flour

Filling
½ cup soft butter
½ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Coffee Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
hot strong coffee

In a large bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Stir. Let stand about 5 minutes or until the yeast foams. Stir in the butter, sugar, dry milk, eggs, and salt. Beat in flour, 1 cup at a time, until the dough is too stiff to mix; you may reach that stage before you have added all the flour.

Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or up to 4 days.

On a lightly floured board, cut the dough into two parts. Roll one part at a time to make a rectangle 12 inches square. Spread with ¼ cup soft butter.

Mix the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle with half the brown sugar mixture over the dough.

Roll up into a firm, log-shaped roll. Cut diagonally to make about 1-inch slices. Place rolls on a greased baking sheet and let rise for 30 minutes or until golden.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the rolls for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.

Mix the powdered sugar with enough hot coffee to make a thin glaze. Brush baked rolls with the glaze.

Makes 24 large cinnamon rolls.     

Photographer Jan Swart Is Inspired by Layers and Light

Photographer Jan Swart. Photo submitted.

When it comes to photography, Jan Swart is a bit of a late bloomer. The Two Harbors-based photographer, who is entirely self-taught, wasn’t drawn to the pastime until after her retirement.

“I really had no more than a normal interest in taking pictures until I retired in 2005,” she noted. “I saw the beautiful photos others took of sunrises and said to myself, ‘I can do that.’”

Since then, she has more than made up for lost time.

“One summer morning, I took some pictures of Lake Superior and was immediately hooked,” she explained. “After that, I started going out every day. It was so amazing and beautiful, so peaceful and quiet.”

"After The Rain is currently my best-selling. All the elements came together in the texture of clouds, water, sunrise and puddles on a bay on Lake Superior" Photo by Jan Swart

Swart earned her chops working as a freelance photographer for a time, snapping photos of whatever the local newspaper needed on any given day. She now specializes in Lake Superior sunrises and what she calls the “cityscapes of Duluth.”

This late-bloomer has since achieved much success in the world of photography. Among her accolades, she has received multiple certificates from Destination Duluth, recognizing the popularity of her images. And, she was even featured in the high-brow pages of Lake Superior Magazine in a lovely 2018 profile story highlighting her gorgeous photos.

She has also had the privilege of making an income doing what she loves. Swart successfully sells her images on her website and in a local gift shop.

“Photography has become the passion of my life,” Swart noted. “I knew instantly that this is what I’ve been led to do.”

Early Years

Swart was born and raised in Two Harbors and studied elementary education and economics at the College of St. Scholastica. After graduation, she moved to the Twin Cities and spent her entire career working in business.

Even back then, she remembers relying on the beauty of Lake Superior to help her power through the most difficult work days.

“I always had a picture of Lake Superior pinned on my cubicle wall,” she said. “I’d look at those waves during a particularly difficult day, and it was always soothing.”

Kaye E. Barker leaving the Port of Duluth, MN. Photo by Jan Swart

Later, when she began taking photos herself, Swart remembered this tidbit. During the pandemic, she purposely posted many of her soothing photos of Lake Superior, usually alongside an inspirational quote.

“I’ve always tried to uplift people with my photography, especially during the pandemic,” she explained. “It’s so rewarding when people comment, telling me that I’ve helped make their day more peaceful.”

After her 2005 retirement, Swart returned to her hometown of Two Harbors, where she remains.

Equipment

When purchasing her first camera, Swart had a convenient connection in the industry.

“My niece worked for a photography shop in Roseville and said she could get me the employee discount,” Swart said with a chuckle. “My first camera was a Canon PowerShot A-95.”

Jan Swart taking photos of the fall colors. Photo submitted.

After many years using her trusty Canon, in 2016, she decided to upgrade her equipment.

“My next camera was a little Sony pocket camera - a Sony RX 100-2.  It was a really good option to bring to Duluth; it was small, and it had a good lens. It did incredible work before the light of dawn.”

Her next camera, which she still uses, is a Nikon D3400 digital camera. “Now, with this camera, I can do long-lens work,” she noted.

Locations

Swart enjoys taking most of her images fairly close to home. “I live three blocks away from Burlington Bay, so I take a lot of photos there,” she shared. “I also have a secret spot, along with a few other locations down the North Shore.”

But she also loves taking the short trek to Duluth. “I started going to Duluth to capture the sunrises in Canal Park. And since then, I’ve started shooting more and more on the central hillside.”

Jan enjoys taking photos of Central Hillside in her cityscapes series. Photo by Jan Swart

However, her best work comes when she relaxes and listens to her quiet inner voice. “I seem to have developed an instinct on where to go,” she explained.

“Of course, I look at the weather and the clouds, but I also have an internal instinct or inspiration. Whenever I follow this instinct, I do my best work.”

Swart’s favorite time to take photos is in the wee early morning hours. “I don’t set an alarm anymore,” she said. “I naturally wake up between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m.

“The thing that fascinates me most in photography is the light,” she added. “Especially in the early morning - I can’t believe how rich and deep those colors are. I especially love when the sunrise is bright orange.

“But I also love capturing layers, such as the view of downtown Duluth showing the buildings’ geometric layers. So, I would say that my two biggest inspirations are layers and light.”

Photo by Jan Swart

Professional Accomplishments

Since first picking up her camera, Swart has become quite a well-respected photographer. She sells her images on her Fine Art America page, jan-swart.pixels.com. Her work is also available at Two Harbors gift shop, Moose-cellaneous Gifts.

She was hired to take photos for the former local newspaper, The Two Harbors Chronicle, which she did from 2015-2018. “I took anything they needed around town. Schools, ships, trains, whatever. I learned so much by just taking thousands of pictures.”

She has been a featured photographer with Destination Duluth for about six years. Jerry Thoreson, DD’s Managing Director, saw some of Swart’s Lake Superior and Duluth-themed photos and approached her about sharing her images. Since then, Swart has been honored with three Destination Duluth certificates, recognizing the astonishing number of views her images have attracted.

Jan also enjoys taking photos of nature and wildlife. Photo by Jan Swart.

Swart was deeply touched when she was approached by the editor of Lake Superior Magazine, Konnie LeMay, about having her photos and a short profile featured in the magazine. This package was published in the August 2018 edition of the publication.

Personal

When Swart isn’t busy taking photos, she enjoys reading novels and spending time outdoors. But even her other interests seem to have a tie to photography.

“I never even thought about nature until I discovered photography,” she said. “And now I’m obsessed with being outside. I go out every sunny morning in the summertime. But I usually don’t go out in the extreme cold.”

Swart has two adult children, Kristine and Eric. She also has two grandchildren.

Goals

In the future, Swart has some big dreams yet to accomplish. “I’d like to do a photography book,” she said. “And my dream is to do a book of Duluth cityscapes. I’d also like to expand my business more into Duluth.”

"Building Blocks of Duluth, MN - I think it's popularity are the different colors and details of downtown Duluth." Photo by Jan Swart

She also wants to continue building a community of supportive photographers. “Before the pandemic, I met with several photographers regularly at the Caribou Coffee in Canal Park at sunrise. I’d like to get back into doing that.”

Swart is grateful to witness the celebration of female photographers in an industry that is still mostly male-dominant. “There aren’t that many women photographers yet in this area, compared to men,” she noted. “So, it’s really important to me that women photographers in this area are profiled - on Destination Duluth, and in newspapers and magazines.”

For more information, please visit jan-swart.pixels.com.

Meet Matthew Wagner
Choreographer for Kinky Boots at the Duluth Playhouse

Matthew Wagner. Photo submitted.

Matthew Wagners has had a nearly lifelong passion for dance, theater, and teaching. He says he has been fortunate to have had many mentors along the way, starting with Joyce Torvund “for being my first dance teacher and giving me the courage and passion to express myself on stage. She is my greatest influence today, and I honor her in all of my work. If I can be half the teacher she was to me, I'll feel like I've arrived.”

Born and raised in Duluth, he attended East High School for two years before transferring to the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Golden Valley, Minnesota. After high school, he went on to Stephens College in Columbia, MD, graduating with a BFA  in Dance in 2002.

For the next decade, mostly in New York City, he performed in concert dance and musical theater, including the Revival National Tour of 42nd Street.

Matthew Wagner participating in New York City Tap Festival, Times Square. Photo submitted.

Matthew noted, “42nd Street is a standout to me as I’ve done the show twice. I learned the original Gower Champion choreography and eventually toured the country with the Broadway revival. I saw the country and many of the incredible theatres that are like hidden gems in each town. I even got to perform in Duluth! it was a dream come true!”

The various theater organizations and dance groups he performed with over the years continued to build and enhance his skills and repertoire to go on to teach and choreograph, as well as perform.

Returning home to Duluth, he worked first as a choreographer and adjunct teacher. Since returning, he has choreographed for many area organizations, including the Duluth Playhouse, and Renegade Theater. Lundeen Productions, East High School, Harbor City, and others. In Duluth, he also appeared in Jekyll and Hyde, Pippin, and Titanic for Lundeen Productions.

Matthew as Leading Player in “Pippin”. Photo submitted.

Receiving his MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2019, he began his job at UMD in 2020 and is an Assistant Professor of Dance and Musical Theater. He specializes in jazz, tap, improvisation, and voice and movement. He also choreographs and directs for the department, including “Singing in the Rain” this past spring.

Matthew also noted that one of his colleagues at UMD, Rebecca Katz Harwood, is another mentor. “Rebecca and I originally met at Perpich when she taught a master class in vernacular jazz. Rebecca has made me feel part of the Duluth dance community and the UMD community. She was a member of my thesis committee and supported me through the difficulty of that process, and I could never have gotten through the pandemic at UMD had it not been for her guidance. I have grown so much under her mentorship.”

Matthew Wagner performs in “Cats," at Cumberalnd County Playhouse, TN. Photo submitted.

On his summer break from UMD, Matthew is hard at work choreographing Kinky Boots for the Playhouse. “My goals for Kinky Boots are truly my goals for any show: something that is pleasing/exciting to the eye challenges the cast to grow, and brings something special to our community. And as with any show, to grow my skills as a collaborator, communicator, and choreographer,” he said.

When asked what is challenging about this show, he said, “Creating a dance finale for a cast in stiletto boots. Lord, keep us upright!”

“The process has been wonderful. Phillip Fazio is an innovative director; Ken Ahlberg a skilled musical director; Linda Bray at the keyboard can’t be beat, and the cast has been nothing but open and willing to learn. I have loved every night of rehearsal, and I can’t wait to get it onto the Norshor Stage.”

Matthew thinks that audiences will take away many uplifting messages from this show, including “That we have far more similarities than we do differences, and we can find true joy and self-love in unlikely friendships.”

The Social House - In Hermantown and NEW in Canal Park
Simple, Genuine Honest Food

 The Social House, a favorite breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot in Hermantown, next to Gordy’s Market on the Miller Trunk Hwy, recently opened a Canal Park location in the vacated Famous Dave’s restaurant at 355 S. Lake Avenue.

Locals and tourists can now order the same great food at both locations, with down-home cooking, large portions, great service, good prices, and an owner dedicated to offering the area’s best casual dining experience.

The Social House second location is in the former Famous Dave's building. Photo submitted.

The Canal Park location features an open and spacious dining area. Photo submitted.

Owner Matt “Bert” Berthiaume notes on his website, ”We pride ourselves on offering something for everyone. Whether you are a health nut, omnivorous, or all about the bacon, we have plenty of lovingly handcrafted dishes for you to enjoy.”

Bert says he got his passion for restaurants and cooking from his mother. “My Mom is the owner of Uncle Louis’ Cafe in Duluth. I started working there as a kid, doing everything from washing dishes to serving and helping with managing.”

The Social House prides itself on delicious light and fluffy pancakes. Photo submitted.

In July 2019, he ventured out on his own and opened The Social House in Hermantown where he now has 22 employees. “It was time. I had grown up in the business,” he said. “I am excited to make great made-from-scratch food for my customers.”

His mission was to give people a place to feel at home and a place where they would always be treated with respect by a dedicated service staff.

The Social House in Hermantown is next to Gordy's on Miller Trunk Hwy in Hermantown, Photo submitted.

He cited some of his customer’s menu favorites as the BBQ Brisket Benedict, homemade pancakes, country fried steak, the Greek omelet and the huevos rancheros for breakfast.

Other breakfast items on the menu are combo plates, omelets and skillets, breakfast sandwiches, chicken and waffles, French toast, corned beef hash, biscuits and gravy, avocado toast, several styles of Benedicts, eggs Florentine, and their ribeye steak and eggs.

A variety of sides for breakfast include rolls, oatmeal, toast, fruit, and several varieties of potatoes, meats, and sauces.

The Social House specializes in a variety of breakfast offerings. Photo submitted.

A few of the launch favorites are their Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, Reubens, chicken salad, and their Barnyard burger with ham, bacon, American cheese and a fried egg. Patrons can also enjoy a variety of other burgers and toppings, and other sandwiches: BLTS, chicken, turkey, gyros, and Cubans.

Salad lovers can choose from side salads, Cobb, chef, chicken or steak Caesar, Greek, and craisin chicken The Social House also offers homemade soup of the day choices. Lunch sides include French fries, sweet potato fries, and onion rings.

The fun children’s breakfast options are kid-friendly versions of the adult choices, with also a variety for lunch: mac and cheese, chicken tenders, burgers or cheeseburgers, mini-corn dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. All kids’ meals are served with fries, fresh fruit, or apple sauce.

All items on the breakfast and lunch menu may be ordered all day.

Social Houses’s beverage menu features Pepsi products, coffee, tea (hot and iced), hot chocolate, milk and a variety of juices. At the Hermantown restaurant, along with their regular beverage menu, they have bloody Marys, mimosas, and beer; Canal Park offers a full bar.

“We have a diverse clientele, families, seniors, and students. We have something for everyone in both locations,” said Bert.

They even encourage people to bring their dogs for some al fresco dining on the patio at the Hermantown restaurant and soon at the Canal Park location.

Pets are welcome on the patio of the Hermantown location and soon in Canal Park. Photo submitted.

About opening the Canal Park location on the Monday of Grandma’s week with his staff of 45 people, Bert said, ”It was definitely a trial by fire! But it went really well. We think that for people who may not have heard of us, the Canal Park restaurant will make people aware of our food and what we offer at both locations.”

He is proud of being recognized for “Best Breakfast” in the Best of Awards for the DNT and third best brunch in all of Minnesota.

"Best" awards from the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Duluth News Tribune are displayed in the Hermantown location. Photo submitted.

Their hours are 8 am to 3 pm at both locations. Bert says they plan to add dinner hours eventually at the Canal Park restaurant.

Social House is known for its food “served in a distinctly hearty style, and enjoyed over good times with family and friends.” On his website, Bert describes his amazingly diverse menu as, “Simple, honest, genuine food, never pretentious, always satisfying.”

For more information and menu, visit The Social House website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram. To order to-go call Hermantown at (218)727-8519, Canal Park at 218-606-1047,

Conner and Hannah Linde family with their three boys, Clarke (5), Ollie (3), and Percy (2).. Photo submitted.

Conner Linde – A Realtor Shares What Makes Duluth So Great

For some people, it takes a while to choose a career path. For others, it seems almost predetermined.

Duluth realtor Conner Linde’s journey to selling homes happened pretty organically. His mother, Stephanie Linde, is the owner and founder of Real Estate Consultants, a brokerage firm she established in 1998. “My mom is a great example of someone who can accomplish anything she sets her mind to,” Linde said.

Conner Linde is a real estate agent with Real Estate Consultants. Photo submitted.

Young Conner often tagged along with his mom during her work day. These fond, early memories of real estate ultimately sparked in him a shared passion for the business.

“When I was little, I would go with her – I’d tour a house with her or wait in the car while she did a showing,” he explained. “I heard her say the term ‘market analysis’ a lot, and I always thought she was saying ‘Mark and Alice,’” he added with a laugh. “It was about my mid-teens when I started to think about real estate as a career.”

Today, Linde is a successful Realtor and joined the family business in 2018. As both a native Duluthian and a family man with a wife and three young kids, Linde has plenty of reasons to recommend Duluth.

“Duluth has a really strong culture,” Linde shared. “People here work in order to live, not live to work. And, people want to be here, which generally means happier people.”

Childhood

Linde is originally from Duluth. While his mom was busy establishing Real Estate Consultants, his dad, Ivars Linde, worked as a third-party vendor, handling leather and upholstery repair for car dealerships. Linde is the middle of five children; all of whom were home-schooled.

Ivars and Stephanie Linde enjoying the trails of Duluth. Photo submitted.

When pressed, Linde is hesitant to choose his favorite Duluth neighborhood, as they all have wonderful amenities to offer. “We lived in several neighborhoods over the years,” he shared. “My mom would find great deals on houses she liked, and we bounced around.”

Linde’s first jobs were in food service; first at Bridgeman’s, and later, at Coney Island. A chat with his mentor helped Linde narrow down his professional prospects to either real estate, banking, or another career using numbers.

At age 18, he got a job as a bank teller at Beacon Bank, and later transferred to Frandsen Bank’s Cloquet branch. During his banking years, Linde earned a business degree with an emphasis on economics from Liberty University Online.

Love and Marriage

When he was 19, Linde took a mission trip to Ecuador. On this trip, he met his future wife, Hannah, who was from Houston, Texas. The two married in 2017 - when Conner was just 20.

Hannah and Conner Linde were married in 2017. Photo submitted.

The couple initially decided to make their home in Houston. “All of her family lived in Houston, and I was able to find a job at a bank,” Linde said. But relocating to Texas simply wasn’t meant to be.

“My job - at Frost Bank - was at a pretty slow branch. I had a ton of time to think and knew it was too slow of a pace for me. So, I got to thinking and re-evaluating.”

With Hannah’s support, after a year in Texas, the Lindes moved back to Duluth, and Conner immediately began to work towards earning his Minnesota realtor’s license. He joined Real Estate Consultants in 2018.

Today, Linde also serves as a Chamber Ambassador for the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a great outlet for my extroversion,” he said with a laugh. “And, it’s fun to see all the new businesses coming onboard.”

After moving to Duluth, Hannah initially got a job in academia. However, after the arrival of the couple’s three young sons – Clarke (5), Ollie (3), and Percy (2), she now stays at home to raise their children.

Conner and Hannah Linde with their three boys, Clarke (5), Ollie (3), and Percy (2). Photo submitted.

Real Estate

Linde currently works from his Observation Hill home, while Stephanie works from her home in Pike Lake. Together, they comprise Real Estate Consultants’ sales team, partnering with local real estate photographers and stagers when listing a new home for sale.

Linde is licensed to sell residential real estate in the state of Minnesota. While most of his clients are from Duluth and the surrounding communities, he has also represented clients as far away as Mille Lacs, Ely, and Grand Rapids.

He offered some thought-provoking observations on why people are relocating to Duluth. “The topic of climate refugees is very interesting to me right now,” he noted.

“I’ve had clients who moved here from California with the express reason that Duluth is a climate refuge or haven. It’s above my pay grade to understand all the science, but given the Lake and the topography, Duluth may be one of the safest places.

“Also, since COVID, and with more people working remotely, I’ve also seen people asking themselves, ‘Why not live where I vacation?’ As a result, we have lots of people moving here from Minneapolis and St. Paul.”

Linde shared several interesting tidbits about Duluth’s current white-hot real estate market. "Many buyers who purchased a home as recently as 2020 have seen an increase in their home's value in the range of $40-50k. And in general, homes here are selling for well above listing price.” Linde estimated that the average sale price for a home in Duluth is between $250-300K.

Linde doesn’t expect Duluth’s robust real estate market to slow down anytime soon. “I expect this market to continue for the foreseeable future,” he said. “This is in large part due to the Essentia project, along with general expansion everywhere. Duluth has a housing shortage right now. We need more housing of every kind: condos, townhomes, rentals, low-income houses, and high-income houses.”

For buyers, Linde offers these tips: “Buyers should be well-acquainted with their numbers, both for the monthly house payment they can afford, but also the interest rate. Additionally, it's never too soon to start taking steps to improve their credit score.

“And, it’s important for sellers to keep in mind that it’s not hard for a listing to go sideways, despite the hot market,” he added. “You always want to select an experienced agent.”

Lots to Love About Duluth

The Linde family truly loves life in Duluth. Even Hannah, the Houston transplant, has come around.

“Hannah was pregnant at the time, and was initially … tenuous … about the move,” Conner shared. “But now, she’s even more in love with Duluth than I am. She’s made lots of friends, and loves the natural beauty.”

Conner and Hannah are in love with Duluth. Photo submitted.

Together, along with the family dog, Hallie, the Lindes enjoy wholesome activities like visiting Enger Park, hiking, and skipping rocks on Lake Superior. “I love seeing our kids enjoy the simple pleasures of skipping rocks,” Linde shared. “It reminds me of growing up in Duluth myself.”

And the children also enjoy places like the Lake Superior Zoo, Great Lakes Aquarium, and visits to Little Neechers indoor play space, called the Play Café. This summer, the Lindes are planting a veggie and herb garden, and look forward to their first harvest.

Goals

Looking ahead, Linde has some ambitious professional goals that he’d like to achieve. “We’d love to bring in some additional Realtors/agents. We’d also love for our brokerage to be the best – not only in terms of helping you buy or sell, but also the best place to work.” Linde is also considering the pursuit of a broker’s license.

“I also want to support the growth Duluth is currently witnessing, and support other local businesses,” he added. “But honestly, I can’t imagine life being much different than it is right now.”

Perhaps you’re ready to take the leap and #befromDuluth? Real Estate Consultants can help. For more information, please visit recduluth.com.

Since growing up in Duluth and graduating from East High School, Sharon McMahon has had a fascinating life on the road to being known as “America’s Government Teacher.”

As Sharon says on her website, “My mission is simple: I aim to cover daily headlines, break down national political coverage and biases, and extract the facts . . . I’m committed to using nonpartisan facts as my guide. I break down tough-to-follow political headlines and events through daily news briefings, thought-provoking conversations, historical context and humor.”

Sharon McMahon is a Duluth East graduate and lives in Duluth. Photo submitted. 

Sharon taught government for twelve years in Washington D. C., California, and Minnesota. When she, her husband and her family of four children moved back to Duluth, she decided to pursue her love of yarn with her own business.

As a “yarnista,” she started her own yarn dyeing business, Three Girls Yarn, and took photos of her beautifully colored, hand-dyed yarns for her catalogs.

Her success with photography led her to starting her own studio,“Three Girls Photography.” She loved taking pictures of newborns, maternity photos, families, couples, grads, and weddings, and for many years won “Best Photographer in the Northland” awards.

When the pandemic hit and, at the same time, in 2020, her husband needed a kidney transplant and had to be in Rochester at the Mayo Clinic, Sharon had to give up her highly successful photography studio. Thankfully, her husband’s transplant was successful.

And then lightning struck in the form of the 2020 election. She said, “I was reading online posts of people who had so much misinformation about what was going on with the election, including one man who thought that a person could actually attend the Electoral College as a student.”

She added, “I decided to do a short simple video explaining how the Electoral College actually works. That brought many people’s questions for me about other aspects of government and how things work.”

Sharon was fielding questions about everything from the certification of the electoral votes to the transfer of power. Beginning in the fall of 2020, TV and radio stations all over the country started getting in touch, wanting to know more about her, and what she thought was going to happen with the election.

She also started getting requests to teach workshops on the Constitution and the history of Congress. That led to her teaching Zoom classes.

Appearances on shows such as the Today Show and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and interviews in publications like the Washington Post and The Atlantic, gained her even more recognition.

McMahon at the Bush Center as a guest with David Rubenstein. Photo submitted.

Her commonsense approach to talking about what was happening with the election aftermath and government in such a completely unprecedented time in American history gained her widespread acclaim.

After CNN featured her in a piece, they continued to call her asking questions about what she could explain about a variety of issues, so that the reporters could better understand the nuances of changing events. Sharon still routinely receives calls from CNN reporters asking her questions.

Another significant call came from the George W. Bush Foundation, asking her to speak on a panel at the George W. Bush Presidential Center's "Engage at the Bush Center" series. “Speaking with the Bushes was amazing, George is very funny, and Laura could not have been nicer or more kind to me,” she related.

McMahon visited with former President George Bush and his wife Laura. Photo submitted. 

In July 2021, she began her own non-partisan podcast “Here’s Where It Gets Interesting,” focused on American history and politics. Podcast guests have included Senator Mitt Romney, actor George Takei, documentarians Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein, among many other famous guests and important people including CEOs, authors, presidential speech writers, Congressional candidates, professors, and former CIA officers.

This is the second year of the podcast, already up to a library of more than 300 episodes.

She was even invited to this year’s State of the Union Address and had the chance to attend a reception with many Congresspeople while she was in Washington D.C.

As she had people reach out to her at her sites, she started hearing about the needs of those trying to pay medical bills that were crippling their families.

Sharon went on her site and asked her followers for 50 cents on Venmo to help these families, raising $11,000 overnight and then $25,000 and then $125,000 and more. “We started giving the money to people, always keeping transparent about the funding,” she said.

The awards and recognition were increasing for all her endeavors, including the Jefferson Awards founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft Jr., and Sam Beard. It is has been called “the country's longest standing and most prestigious celebration of public service.”

Recording a podcast at the Bush Center. Photo submitted. 

At the November 2022 Jefferson Awards event in New York City, McMahon received the S. Roger Horchow Award for Outstanding Public Service by a Private Citizen for her work “dispelling misinformation on the internet as well as raising more than $4.2 million for charities like RIP Medical Debt and World Central Kitchen.”

At that event, she was also recognized for “being a champion of teachers and education, by raising over $1.2 million dollars in one weekend in August 2022 with 100 percent of the money going to $500 individual teacher grants.”

In 2022 McMahon won the Jefferson Award Award for outstanding public service by a private citizen. Photo submitted. 

In 2022, she won “Communicator of the Year” from PR Week, a publication for public relations professionals. Of McMahon, they said, “Our 2022 Communicator of the Year, Sharon McMahon, is someone who upholds the values of fact-based nonpartisan information at a time when this has never been more needed.”

Her followers have responded with more donations for other worthwhile causes, including for terminally ill children and survivors of domestic violence

This past May, McMahon won a Webby Award for “Best Writing for a Podcast.” The Webby Award is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet and is recognized as what The New York Times called” The Internet’s highest honor.”

Last May McMahon won the Webby Award, considered by the New York Times as the "Internet's highest honor." Photo submitted.

Sharon still somehow finds time to do an online Book Club, selling out of Zoom spots in one day each time. She chooses compelling fiction and non-fiction works of interest to her readers, having the authors be part of the Zoom discussion.

When asked what else was coming up next for her, she said, “I am excited to  be writing a book coming out in 2024 to be published by Penguin/Random House about ordinary Americans who changed the course of history.”

In the midst of her incredibly busy schedule, Sharon will continue to tackle questions about American government and associated topics at her website, on her podcasts and in her speeches and public appearances.

Her website noted, “Sharon has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers online, affectionately called the “Governerds,” who look to her for truth and logic in a society plagued by bias and conspiracy.”

For more information and podcast show notes, visit her website  at sharonmcmahon.com and at  instagram.com/sharonsaysso

It’s almost that time of year again: Grandma’s Marathon weekend. Known as one of Duluth’s unofficial holidays, the race is a huge part of the fabric of our community and has been since its inception in 1977.

Unsurprisingly, it takes many, many people to put on a great marathon. This includes staff and interns, volunteers, Board members, sponsors, and runners alike. And we certainly can’t forget to mention the support of our community’s fine residents and business owners, who provide such great hospitality for our guests.

Recently, Destination Duluth visited with some of the people who make the event happen: Zach Schneider, Marketing and PR Director, Grandma’s Marathon; Tom DeSutter, race volunteer; and runner, Tony Loyd.

Each eagerly provided their unique perspective on what makes Grandma’s Marathon so great. They also explain why the marathon’s tagline – “a world-class event with small-town charm” – is so fitting.

History

Grandma’s Marathon began in 1977 when a group of local runners planned a scenic road race from Two Harbors to Duluth. There were only 150 participants that year, but organizers knew they were on to something special.

The first poster advertising the inaugural Grandma's Marathon in 1977. Photo submitted.

The race got its name from the Duluth-based group of Grandma’s Restaurants, the first major Marathon sponsor. Grandma’s Marathon is now a self-governed nonprofit organization with a 17-member board of directors. There is also a staff of 11 full-time employees, plus interns and seasonal staff.

“The North Shore Striders was the name of the group who started the first race,” Schneider explained. “The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon was added in 1991, and the William A. Irvin 5k was added in 1994. And today, Grandma’s Restaurants are still a major sponsor.”

Dick Beardsley & Garry Bjorklund share a drink near a water station during the 1981 Grandma's Marathon. Beardsley went on to win that race in 2:09:37, an event record that stood until 2014. Photo submitted.

Weekend Timeline

This year’s “Grandma’s Weekend” will be June 15-17th, 2023. The weekend kicks off with the Essentia Health Fitness Expo, held Thursday, June 15th – Friday, June 16th at the DECC. Here, 100+ vendors will be on-hand, displaying race-related gear.

Guest speakers and authors will also take part, including Duluth native – and Olympic athlete – Kara Goucher, along with another runner, and the author of “Running While Black,” Alison Mariella Desir.

Friday’s festivities will include the annual Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner; a tradition for 47 years. Saturday will bring the children’s whippersnapper events. And the entire weekend will feature plenty of live music and other entertainment.

Statistics

Grandma’s Marathon leadership are incredibly pleased with this year’s numbers. “For 2023, we have more than 20,000 runners registered,” Schneider said. “And we sold out back in March, which was one of our earliest sellouts.”

Zach Schneider, Marketing and PR Director chats with a local reporter. Submitted photo.

Schneider provided plenty of other interesting race statistics, too:

• Grandma’s Marathon is the 12^th largest marathon in the United States
• In 2023, just over 9,000 people will run the full marathon
• In 2023, 9,400 people will run the ½ marathon
• In 2023, 2,700 people will run the 5k
• An estimated 45,000-50,000 people are expected to travel to Duluth in 2023 for Grandma’s weekend
• Race leadership expects an economic impact of roughly $21M
• All 50 states will be represented with runners
• Runners are expected from 68 countries, including Mexico, Ethiopia, Canada and Kenya
• A whopping 3,500-4,000 volunteers are needed for the race. Volunteers handle everything from water station stops, questions about the event, finish line logistics, the spaghetti dinner, and much more.
• The top men’s and women’s finishers will earn a prize of $10,000
• The top men’s and women’s wheelchair finishers will earn a prize of $3,000
• The top men’s and women’s half marathon winners will earn a prize of $3,000
• Other prizes, such as time incentives and winners of the non-binary category, will also be awarded.

Schneider also added that this year’s marathon should be extra-exciting, due to the large demographic of elite runners. “It’s an Olympic trials year, so we expect a really strong field of runners,” he noted.

More than 9,000 participants begin the race at the start line of the 2019 Grandma's Marathon near Two Harbors. Photo by Jack Rendulich.

Duluth's Uniqueness

Duluth provides the perfect backdrop for a June marathon. “There are so many things that make Grandma’s in Duluth so special,” Schneider said. “Duluth offers a unique combination of elements that add up to make it the 12^th largest race in the U.S.

“We have lots of natural beauty, including the race route along Lake Superior, and the fact that you’re basically running in the northern Minnesota wilderness for the first 20 miles. Then, the runners see people for the last six miles, when they really need a boost.

“The people here also make it great,” he added. “Our city has always opened its arms to be welcoming to runners. The event is well-organized, and runners feel like they’re wanted and appreciated. We have such wonderful hotels and restaurants, too. The entire community feels it when its Grandma’s weekend.

“And, when it comes to weather,” he added, “The temps are typically in the low-to-mid 50s, rising to maybe the 60s with the wind off the Lake, which pushes the runners.

“Grandma’s has really become an unofficial holiday here in Duluth. What happens here during Grandma’s weekend isn’t common; we should be proud of it.”

3500+ Volunteers

Troll Mile --- Jim & Barb Collette greet runners in front of their home along the Grandma's Marathon racecourse. For more than a decade, the Collettes have decorated their curb with hundreds of trolls to "watch" the marathon and "cheer" on the participants. Submitted photo

Tom DeSutter has been volunteering for Grandma’s Marathon for over 20 years. This year, he will serve as co-volunteer coordinator for the Marathon information booths.

“We operate two information booths, one on Thursday evening and two on Friday of Grandma's weekend,” he explained. “I share the coordinator responsibilities with an old friend and workmate, Joan Andrews.

“Together, we recruit, train and schedule approximately 30 information booth volunteers annually.  We are the 'go-to' people for all concerns during race weekend.  Fortunately for us, come race day, our work is complete and we get to enjoy the spectator activities.”

DeSutter shared some positive remarks about what makes Grandma’s so special. “The entire atmosphere surrounding race weekend makes it a ‘festival of running’ in my mind,’ he noted.

“Since both the half and full marathon are point-to-point races, it requires extra coordination. (Start line bussing, gear bag management, and a myriad of other concerns). But, all the work pays big dividends for the runners, as Grandma's truly is a unique and fun event.

“The residents of Duluth really do embrace the marathon year after year,” DeSutter added. “It is certainly an inconvenience for some (people who live on the course in particular), but they still travel up and down the course and experience the enthusiasm for the runners.

“Musical groups providing live music, along with a cast of characters providing all kinds of entertainment suggest that the residents of Duluth are ‘all in’ when Grandma's weekend arrives every June!”

A Runner's Perspective

Runner Tony Loyd is scheduled to participate in his 4^th Grandma’s Marathon this year. Loyd is originally from Arkansas, but currently lives in Little Canada, Minnesota.

Loyd shared his thoughts about the race. “You know how they say Grandma's is a world-class event with small-town charm? It is absolutely true! Grandma's punches above its weight class. And they do so with a tiny staff. The few staff members wear a lot of hats. And the volunteers fill in the gap. How they pull this off year after year, well, it's a miracle.

A runner is overcome with emotion while crossing the finish line during the 2021 Grandma's Marathon. Submitted photo

“I would stack Grandma’s Marathon against marathons in major cities around the world: Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, Tokyo, and Duluth – which one of these is not like the other? And yet, Grandma’s is a world-class marathon.

“It's amazing how Grandma's enjoys the support of cities, villages, and counties,” he added. “I talk to a lot of race directors. They tell me that it's getting tougher to put on races. They don't always get the kind of cooperation they need. Grandma's Marathon enjoys deep community support. It takes a village, and all the villages from Two Harbors to Duluth show up. I've never been anywhere where the entire town shuts down and comes out to support a running event. Grandma's is special.

Loyd also shared how Grandma's Marathon has all the components of what he calls a “perfect marathon,” including:

• Flat and fast, but with a few rolling hills to let you recruit different muscles
• A beautiful, scenic course
• World-class elite runners
• Plenty of citizen runners
• Great crowd support
• Friendly volunteers
• Medical volunteers
• Press corps
• Sponsors

Rewarding

For Schneider and his small but mighty crew, hosting Grandma’s is a highly rewarding endeavor. The marathon is a premiere event that the entire region should be proud of.

Bridge Finishers --- Participants proudly display their finisher medals with the Aerial Lift Bridge in the background following the 2018 Grandma's Marathon. Submitted Photo

“I don’t think big things should be reserved for big places,” he said. “It’s incredible to see what can happen when people work toward this combined good. Grandma’s is proof of what can happen when the community comes together.”

For more information, please visit grandmasmarathon.com.

A Taste of Jamaica In the Heart of Duluth

Spicy, mouth-watering Caribbean cuisine is served up with pride in Chef Tony O’Neil’s kitchen at his popular Jamrock Cultural Restaurant.

Chef Tony O'Neil. Photo submitted.

O’Neil was born in Miami, lived in Jamaica for a few years as a young boy, and then moved back to Miami. “I get my love of cooking and many of my recipes from my grandmother who also moved to Miami. I would watch her prep and cook and found that cooking authentic Caribbean dishes was something I was really passionate about,” O’Neil said.

After attending college at the University of North Dakota and playing Arena League Football, he moved to Duluth. While working a few other jobs, he started manning the grill outside of Duluth’s Aces, cooking up jerk chicken, cornbread, and mac and cheese.

Word of mouth spread, and seeing that his food routinely sold out, O’Neill went in search of another place to cook and serve his food. In Superior, he worked out of the Business Center and at Average Joe’s.

Deciding to come back across the bridge, he set up shop in the location of the former Pak’s Green Corner, and he has now made his home at 319 W. 1st Street in the Duluth Building.

Working with a team of five, he has a full menu of unique dishes, from starters to desserts, to give patrons a true culinary adventure every time they return. O’Neil says, “Everything at Jamrock is always fresh, never reheated, never cooked and frozen to reheat and serve later.”

On the Menu

Jamrock’s customers love to start with some of his delectable sweet, buttery coco bread, grilled Bob Marley jerk seasoned wings, or his spicy beef or jerk chicken in a golden pasty crust. Another starter favorite is his jumbo Carnival shrimp dish with jerk seasoning and mango chutney and relish.

Photo submitted.

His sandwiches include reggae jerk, blackened tilapia, chicken breast, and jerk pork leg. Some of Jamrock’s seafood delights are whole red snapper, salmon, and tilapia.

For entrees, diners have a potpourri of choices: shrimp, (jerk, curry, scampi, or Carnival), jerk or curry chicken, lamb chops, curry goat, Jamaican pepper steak, and his legendary oxtails.

O’Neil says that his most popular dishes are jerk chicken, loaded fries, pepper steak, and Mac and cheese. “I am really proud of our Gouda Loaded Mac n’ Cheese. People say it is the best mac and cheese anywhere,” he said.

Other sides to choose from are butter green beans, cabbage, plantains, potato salad, cornbread, and Jamaican street corn.

Specials also pop up on the menu frequently from the inspired Chef Tony who might whip up jerk ribs, beef brisket and polish beef, or loaded brisket street tacos.

Jerk ribs, Gouda Loaded Mac n’ Cheese and cornbread. Submitted photo.

He has wowed his customers with his specials of shrimp po boys with a Cajan aioli sauce, a chicken and andouille sausage pastalaya with loaded crawfish bread, and stuffed jerk ribeye made with King crab, gouda, onions and peppers.

For desserts, O’Neil works with Chef Paul Lukens, a local pastry chef, who has the Scarlett Pie shop. Mostly on weekends, Jamrock has some of Chef Paul’s cheesecake and French blueberry syrup, banana pudding pie with tropical jam and coconut filling on top, or his rum cake.

Jamrock offers dine-in, take-out, and delivery with Food Dudes. Many patrons like to keep up on specials and new menu items on Jamrock’s Facebook page that O’Neil updates daily.

“I love being a chef. It doesn’t feel like work,” he noted. “When I look out at my customers and see them putting fork to mouth and enjoying their meals, it really gives me a good feeling. I am also proud of providing jobs for my employees and working together with them to make the restaurant great.”

He added, “Our food offers a different option for diners. It is not your standard menu. I call it a cultural restaurant because we are not just providing wonderful food, but also giving people a diverse taste of another culture.”

Happy diners give their testimonials on Jamrock’s webpage at jamrockculturalrestaurant.com.  “Absolutely the best food in the Twin Ports, hands down.” "Amazing food and service and an upbeat atmosphere. I love that Tony wants to serve his community and strives to put out the best product possible.”

Jamrock is also available to cater a variety of events: holiday parties, grand opening celebrations corporate events, weddings and more. They bring Caribbean flair to any event.

Chef Tony says on his website, “At Jamrock Cultural Restaurant, we have three main goals. We want to share good food with the community, bring people together to bond over a meal, and create a go-to spot for fun times.”

Jamrock’s hours are: Open Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 9 pm. Closed on Sunday, available for special events, Closed Monday.

For more information, call 218-310-6320, follow them on Facebook, or visit their website at jamrockculturalrestaurant.com

 On June 3, O’Neil is having a Jamrock Summer Groove party where people can dance, drink, eat and have a good time. Chef Tony will serve up jerk chicken on the grill, cornbread, and more. A DJ will provide the Afrobeats, reggae, and hip-hop music to keep the party vibe going from 10 pm to 2:30 am.

To the delight of aviation aficionados everywhere, one of Duluth’s premiere events will be returning in 2023. The Duluth Air & Aviation Expo (aka “Duluth Airshow”), presented by Essentia Health, will take place for the 15^th time, the weekend of July 15-16^th.

Skilled pilots from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force A-10 Demonstration Team will enthrall the crowds below by flying overhead in a variety of high-tech aircraft. These talented aviators also show off some pretty unique formations.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline the 2023 Duluth Airshow. Photo submitted.

The event also features aviation-related displays and vendors. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. And, adventurous spectators can even sign up to take rides in the aircraft.

Best of all? The event is appropriate for the entire family.

Duluth Airshow performers mingling with the spectators. Photo submitted.

Numbers

Ryan Kern, who is the president and founder of Duluth-based business Kern and Kompany, shared that the Airshow typically draws impressively large crowds, consisting of visitors and locals alike. Many staff are needed, too; in addition to Kern’s internal team, it takes a whopping 500 volunteers per day to coordinate and produce such a large event.

Over 500 volunteers each day assure a smooth experience. Photo submitted.

“Our attendance is typically around 50,000 spectators, with approximately 75% coming from the Twin Cities Metro area,” he noted. “But we also have people coming from all over the world. We get regular attendees from Europe, Canada and Mexico each year.”

The Duluth Airshow is Minnesota's largest spectator event north of the Twin Cities. Photo submitted.

Unsurprisingly, the event is quite popular with those who have served in the military, too. “The Airshow is the largest gathering of veterans in the state of Minnesota,” Kern added.

Many veterans are thrilled to attend the Duluth Airshow. Photo submitted.

History

Kern has always had personal ties to the military and grew up around aviation. His grandfather, father, and stepfather all served in the U.S. Air Force.

After starting Kern and Kompany, Kern found success producing a variety of local events. But he knew there was a niche yet to fill in the community – an airshow.

“Kern and Kompany was established in 1997 and we started out doing small events, mostly sports related, in the community,” Kern explained. “When I had the idea of reintroducing an airshow to the Duluth community, it became very clear that I was going to need to get support from some key players early on, and also personally accept any financial risk associated with the event.”

He continued, “At just 25 years old, I headed to Washington, DC to meet with Congressman James Oberstar about a new era for airshows in Duluth. With the Congressman’s swift support of a young entrepreneur with a big vision, the Duluth Air & Aviation Expo as we know it today came to be.”

The late U.S. Congressman James Oberstar was a key supporter in starting the Duluth Airshow. Photo by congress.gov

In addition to the Airshow, Kern and Kompany produces many other well-known Duluth favorites, such as the Duluth Drag Races - a one-of-a-kind legal drag racing event that takes place on a public street (Garfield Avenue). A new addition under the Kern umbrella is a multi-generational celebration of German heritage: Duluth Oktoberfestival.

Kern, along with his staff of five, also plans and execute the Essentia Health High School All-Star Game Series. They also work behind the scenes at events like the AAD Shrine Circus and other regional events.

Logistics

The Duluth Airshow, which offers fun for all ages, is held on the mid-field apron of the Duluth International Airport, between Monaco Air and Cirrus Aircraft. Kern provided some details about the weekend’s logistics.

“The Duluth Airshow grounds cover a space which is over a half a mile long, and we fill it up with entertainment which is well-suited for everyone - from the first-time airshow attendee to the most hard-core aviation enthusiasts!

“Just like any large-scale event, plan time for event traffic and parking. Prepare for the Duluth Airshow the way you would for the State Fair or an event at Target Field: dress in layers, give yourself lots of lead time, and enjoy the flying, the static displays, the fair-style food options, and the educational and entertainment vendors.”

“I recommend wearing comfortable footwear and planning to spend the day with us,” he added. “The gates are open from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., with the flying window taking place between 11:00 and 4:30.

Pro Tips and What to Bring

Kern recommends that spectators bring three things to the Airshow: ear protection, seating, and sunscreen. Their website provides a valuable Top 10 Insider Tips

“Some of the aircraft flying at the show will be loud …really, really loud! The announcer does a great job of letting the crowd know when ear protection is needed ahead of time, so no one will need to wear earplugs all day, but this is a must-have item.

Earplugs are strongly recommended as F16s roar past the crowd. Photo submitted.

“Complimentary earplugs will be made available at the show from our presenting partner, Essentia Health, but we also recommend over-the-ear protection for children. Often, the foam earplugs are not a great fit for kids.

“And, unless you have purchased a Presidential Chalet or Flight Line ticket in advance, you must bring your own seat,” he added. “The Airshow is different than an outdoor concert where a blanket might work; you will definitely want a chair for this event because the pavement can get hot and uncomfortable.

“And, finally, sunscreen," Ryan emphatically states, "I cannot stress this one enough! Wear sunscreen and reapply often! By design, shade is scarce at the Duluth Airshow to maximize the amazing views of the planes, but sunscreen is a must when you are planning to spend the day under the open sky.”

Awards

The Duluth Airshow has received many recognitions over the years. Since its inception in 2001, the show has received Pinnacle Awards for Business Ethics and Contract Negotiations, Event Expansion and Education, Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Waste Reduction Green Initiative, and The Duluth Airshow’s Protected Group Fund, making the Duluth Airshow the most awarded and recognized show in the entire United States.

The Pinnacle Awards, presented by the International Council of Airshows (ICAS), recognize creative thinking, professional execution, and demonstrable results in the areas of airshow operations and management.

Personal

Kern and his wife, Lindsay, who serves as Community Outreach Director for Kern and Kompany, live in Duluth’s Piedmont Heights neighborhood with their two daughters, Reagan (15), and Paisley (12).

Ryan and Lindsay Kern are the founders and organizers of Duluth Airshow. Photo submitted.

The Kerns are lifelong Duluthians, other than the fact that Ryan Kern attended high school abroad in Aberdeen, Scotland. Like so many parents, much of their time outside of work is spent participating in the activities that have captured the interest of their children.

But in the time that they carve out for family, they enjoy traveling together to new and exciting destinations, and of course, taking in events large and small to continue to learn about and bring new ideas to the Duluth community.

Rewarding

For this Duluth family, producing events that support our local economy and have a substantial economic impact while bringing many visitors to the area is a rewarding endeavor.

“The Duluth Airshow highlights the important role that aviation plays in our community," Linsay stated. It also "ignites excitement in the next generation of aviators, celebrates the men and women of the armed forces past and present, and has an economic impact that pumps dollars into our local economy. For all these reasons and many more, we are proud to produce the Duluth Airshow in the place we call home.”

“The support from our community is the key to our success,” Lindsay shared. “We are frequently recruited to bring this event to other cities across the nation, but Duluth is our home, and it’s important to us that we make you proud to have this event in your community."

Goals and Dreams

Kern and Kompany are constantly looking for new ways to layer and bring more value to the Duluth Airshow that showcases our region as an aviation mecca.

In 2021, Essentia Health signed on as a presenting sponsor, bringing increased reach and valuable resources to the event. In turn, this partnership has allowed the attendance and awareness of the event to soar all across the midwestern United States.

Ryan and his team are always working on ways to keep spectators excited about the future of aviation at the show. “Each year we intentionally change over 95% of our performers, and work hard to bring in military and civilian aircraft on the ground so people can get up close and see it,” he explained.

“This year, we tasked ourselves with securing F-35s that will be displayed on the ground so people can experience the latest generation of American airpower.”

General admission, upgraded seating, and parking tickets for the Duluth Airshow can be purchased online at duluthairshow.com. General admission tickets are also available at all Menards locations throughout Minnesota.

Big Daddy’s - Come Hungry! Leave Stuffed! Guaranteed!

Big Daddy's Caricature of owner Dave Gonhue. Photo submitted.

In the Twin Ports burger scene, a few iconic places come instantly to mind. For many tourists and home-town folks alike, it doesn’t get any better than the legendary burger and fries platter at Big Daddy’s restaurant in Duluth’s Piedmont neighborhood.

From his humble beginning as a teenager working as a dishwasher at Country Kitchen in Duluth to his amazing success in his twenty-plus tenure with Big Daddy’s, Owner Dave Gonhue has forged his own path.

He had been working for a few restaurants in the area, including Blackwoods, honing his cooking skills, when his mother-in-law gave him the opportunity to buy her restaurant in Butte Falls, Oregon, and move there.

Instead, Gonhue chose to stay in the Twin Ports, where he grew up, and pursue his own culinary track. When he decided to open his own place, after doing the leg work to make that happen, he found his location in a small strip mall at 2828 Piedmont Avenue. He has stayed ever since, opening the doors of Big Daddy’s in 2001.

Gonhue’s no-frills, down-home cooking has grown with increasing popularity, and he has built a loyal clientele in the twenty-plus years since.

Burger Lovers’ Choices Galore

While you can get a basic version of a hamburger or cheeseburger at Big Daddy’s, the question is why would you want to? An incredible array of choices there bring customers back to try a multitude of other toppings and variations.

The seasoned 1/3 pound hamburger can be prepared with different choices of cheeses, bacon, olives, chili, onions, jalapeños, mushrooms and much more.

Big Daddy's popular BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger

Other options include a pizza burger, a vegetarian burger, the Big Daddy, the Big Mama, and the Mega Cheese. And diners with bugger appetites can choose to get a 1/2 pound burger instead of 1/3 pound.

Of course, each burger comes with a heaping 1/2 pound serving of their famous delectable fresh-cut, seasoned fries.

Everything is prepared in their open kitchen, right in the center of the restaurant. Some people like to sit right at the counter and watch as their meals are cooked.

“I like to have the kitchen open for everyone to see their meals being prepared. It is part of the restaurant’s fun atmosphere, and the kids love it,” he said.

Gonhue has fond memories of going to supper clubs like Superior’s Cronstrom’s with his parents and watching the chefs who would cook steaks right in the dining room.

“I was one of those kids who liked to watch chefs work in their white coats and their chefs’ hats. I think that was the start of my wanting to cook and own my own place

Wait, There’s More!

If you are looking to change it up from a burger and fries, Big Daddy’s offers a potpourri of hometown cafe favorites such as their pot roast and gravy, hot turkey sandwich, meatloaf and more.

“I went through several versions of the meatloaf to get to the one that was approved by my mom,” he said.

Mom-approved meatloaf. Photo submitted.

Other favorite choices are hot dogs, chili dogs, chicken wraps, fish sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, grilled ham and cheese, BLTs, and Denver sandwiches.

Sides include cheese and chili cheese fries, onion rings, cheese sticks, broccoli, side salads, soups, cole slaw and cottage cheese. Diners can pair their food with a chocolate, vanilla or strawberry malt, or a variety of fountain Pepsi-product soft drinks with free refills, or canned sodas.

Big Daddy’s also serves a variety of breakfast dishes including omelets, eggs, country-fried steak, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, French toast and a potpourri of sides. “We think we have the best breakfast in town,” Gonhue added.

The Big Daddy omelet. Photo submitted.

Seniors can get smaller portions of many of the breakfast and lunch/dinner options. Big Daddy’s also features a kid’s menu.

Big Eaters’ Bragging Rights

Big Daddy’s invites people to “become part of burger-eating royalty” by competing in one of their eating challenges—the smaller “Belly Buster” Challenge or the Big Daddy of all eating competitions, “The Challenge.”

The one-hour “Challenge” features a monster burger with 7 pounds of beef patties, 22 pieces of bacon, 22 slices of cheese, and 2 pounds of fries.

The Challenge Burger. Photo submitted.

This daunting feat has a one-hour time limit. Those who are able to eat it all receive their meal free, a Big Daddy's T-shirt and have their photo added to the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.”

“Believe it or not, the person who has done this the fastest and completed it all is a petite, 120 pound woman!” Dave said with a chuckle.

Molly S. won the 7lb challenge burger and fries contest. Photo submitted.

Fresh foods

“I also take pride in our fresh foods, with no frozen meats ever. And we were happy to have been named Best Burger in the Twin Ports a few times.”

In his small, unassuming diner restaurant, in a quiet neighborhood, Gonhue can still be found behind the grill, flipping burgers that are a far cry from fast food, and putting a smile on his customers’ faces, from their very first bite.

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Follow Big Daddy's on Facebook. For a complete menu, go to duluthsbestburgers.com

Matt Baumgartner President of the Chamber, Passionate Advocate for Duluth

Taken on North Shore Scenic Railroad Train Left to right: Amanda (wife), Benny (son), Matt, Ruby (daughter), Liz (sister). Photo submitted.  

Many people speak glowingly of their hometowns. But not everyone can say they’ve made it their life’s work to make that town a better place. Matt Baumgartner, who was born and raised right here in Duluth, has made it his mission to do both.

Baumgartner has served as the President of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce since July 19^th, 2021, upon the retirement of his long-time predecessor, David Ross.

Referencing his drive to pursue this role, Baumgartner said, “Duluth should be prosperous for everyone, and I believe that the Chamber is the organization best positioned to drive that vision. Leading the Chamber became a goal for me when I realized it was the convergence of my passions, including business, community, and leadership.”

In addition to forging ahead in a Duluth-centered profession, Baumgartner and his wife Amanda share a personal passion for the area, and believe Duluth is a great place to raise their two young children.

Amanda and Matt Baumgartner at the 152nd Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinner. Submitted photo.

Left to right: Benny (son), Ruby (daughter). Submitted photo.

“Duluth offers natural beauty and amenities, a diverse local economy, and an adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit, which all converge in the Northland to bring unparalleled opportunity to our region,” Baumgartner said. “It is the reason that my wife and I remain steadfast in our desire to raise our children here.”

Deep Roots

As noted, Baumgartner has lived in Duluth all his life. He grew up in the Chester Bowl area and now lives in Lakeside.

His father, Tab, has worked for St. Luke’s for nearly 40 years, while his mother, Susan, also has nearly 40 years’ tenure - with the City of Duluth. Baumgartner shared that his parents were an inspiration for the path he ultimately took in life.

Matt Baugmgarter's family. Front row left to right: Dan (twin) and Peggy (great aunt) Back row: Mary (sister), Tab (Dad), Matt holding Ruby (daughter), Susie (Mom), Liz (sister), and Joe (brother). Photo submitted

“My parents instilled in me a spirit of community involvement and servant leadership,” he noted. “They both have served on numerous boards and commissions seeking to better our region for everyone.”

Baumgartner has four siblings: two sisters and two brothers, one of whom is his twin.

Matt and his twin brother Dan at Ridgeview Country Club during the Downtown Duluth golf scramble. Submitted photo

Education and Earlier Career

After graduating from Duluth Central High School, Baumgartner attended St. John’s University, where he studied business management. He also played basketball for the university.

Later, he attended Excelsior College, a private, non-profit institution in Albany, New York, where he earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA), with a concentration in accounting. Interestingly, Baumgartner’s late uncle, Dr. Bernard Schumacher, was an Associate Dean for the school.

Prior to working for the Chamber, Baumgartner worked at Grandma’s Restaurant Corporation, where he served as General Manager and Director of Government Affairs.

He began his career with the Chamber in 2016 and has held a variety of roles in subsequent years, including Board member (2017-2018), Chamber’s Executive Committee (2017-2018), Chair-elect (2018-2019), Chair (2019-2020), and Past-Chair (2020).

Civic Duties

Over the years, he has also been active in civic organizations. From 2012-2017, Baumgartner served on the Board of Directors for the Lake Superior Marine Museum. He served as the President of the Canal Park Business Association, for nearly five years. Additionally, he was a participant on the Mayoral Downtown Task Force, the Spirit Mountain Task Force, and a was member of the FIRST Robotics Regional Planning Committee.

Currently, he is a member of the DECC Board of Directors, its Treasurer, and a Finance Committee member, and is the Chair of the Duluth Area YMCA Association Corporate Board.

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce has recently asked him to serve on their Chamber Executive Board (MCCE). Here, Baumgartner will be the only representative from the northern half of the state.

Personal Life

Baumgartner met his wife, Amanda – who is also from Duluth - in 2007, and they were married in 2012. Amanda is also an accomplished professional; she earned her Master’s degree in clinical social work from The College of St. Scholastica, and works as a psychotherapist for Essentia at Amberwing.

The couple have two young children: Ruby (3), and Benny (1). The Baumgartner family enjoys a wide variety of interests. Ruby loves skiing, and Benny loves exploring. Matt enjoys outdoor activities and reading. Amanda loves camping, yoga, reading, the outdoors, and traveling. They all love spending time together as a family.

In regards to Baumgartner’s goals, he had this to say. “Personally, my goals are just to have a healthy and happy family. Professionally, my goals are to help make Duluth realize its potential, and create a region that is the best place to raise a family. With that, we would have excellent business conditions with great jobs; public safety; equity and inclusion; great schools and access to education; access to reliable and affordable health care; an excellent quality of life; population growth; and tax base growth.”

Chamber – Next 150 years

The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated 150 years in 2020. Looking ahead, Baumgartner has big plans for the next 150. “I want to unfreeze our organization from any status quo and adopt a new and bigger vision,” he noted.

“We set out with an ambitious plan – for our organization as an enterprise, as an operation, and also for the work we do in service to our businesses and community,” he added. “This plan would reposition our Chamber and its ability to provide collaborative leadership and influence in our region.

Taken at the 148th Fighter Wing Left to right: Daniel Fanning (Duluth Chamber), Matt Baumgartner (Duluth Chamber), Senator Amy Klobuchar, Jennifer Cady (board chair-elect and Military Affairs Committee Chair), and Colonel Curtis Grayson (148th Fighter Wing)

“We conducted a deep, rigorous strategic planning process. It affirmed certain things we were doing well, and revealed other areas of opportunity where we could do better. Our events are top-notch and we have solid programs. We do well with membership retention. We have a strong communications department.

“However, we have opportunities. We need to lead on policy and advocacy. This should be central to our work as a Chamber. Yet, we have not had a person in this role for quite some time. I am proud to say we have a policy person now.

“We need financial resources to have a deeper impact on business conditions, economic development, and community development. I live and breathe finances, and our financial position, like many organizations, has been challenged by rising expenses, and we simply cannot just pass those through to our members.

“The research shows that successful large Chambers should have a Foundation to support the efforts of the Chamber. We have answered that call.

“Our new Foundation is now the largest Chamber Foundation in all of Northern Minnesota. It will support the work and mission of the Chamber and strive to improve economic opportunities, equity, and improved quality of life through research, education, advocacy, participating in charitable activities, and support of individuals, businesses, entrepreneurs, and economic transactors.

“By adding a policy person and establishing a Foundation, we are now positioned to be the most influential business advocacy organization in Northern Minnesota.”

Why Duluth?

When asked, Baumgartner can very quickly point out many reasons people may want to #befromDuluth.

“Raising a family requires access to medical care,” he said. “It requires great neighborhoods with public safety. It requires great education at all levels, and in Duluth we are fortunate to have great schools from K-12 AND Lake Superior College, CSS, and UMD.

“We also have world-class research being done on the industries of the future taking place at the Natural Resource Research Institute just off Highway 53 in Duluth,” he added. “So, we are truly educating for the future.”

He continued, “It also requires a vibrant, growing economy that is diverse enough to withstand industry downturns. Here, we have arts and entertainment, aviation, banking and financial services, clean energy, construction, higher education, IT, manufacturing, medical, natural resources, the port, recreation, retail, support service, tourism, and transportation.

“Who else can offer all of that (and more) buttressed by the outdoor opportunities we offer?! The four seasons have been mentioned – how about four seasons of fishing? We also have Hartley, Lester Park, Hawk Ridge, the Lakewalk, Chester Bowl, Spirit Mountain, St. Louis River, Grassy Point, Lincoln Park, Piedmont, the Rose Garden, Western Waterfront, Willard Munger, and the Superior Hiking Trail. Further, we have Park Point and Bayfront Park, which is operated by the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.

“And I might also note that in our world-class port in Duluth, we are quite literally the intersection of wilderness and commerce. I think that is a nice microcosm for ‘why Duluth.’”

For the Love of Duluth Podcast
Tour Guides to the City
Tom Jamison and Yvonne Myers 

Now in its third season with 39 episodes, "For the Love Of Duluth" podcast interviews the people who make the fabric of Duluth.

For the Love Of Duluth podcasts highlight what makes Duluth such a vibrant and exciting place to live or visit. Two current Duluthians, “one transplant and one lifelong resident,” as they describe themselves, discuss a broad range of what Duluth has to offer, including the art, culture, food, breweries/cideries, and, of course, the city’s fabulous views.

Tom Jamison was a business litigation attorney for 25 years in the Twin Cities.  When he decided to retire from the law, he bought a medical supply company, Lake Superior Medical (LSM), and moved to Duluth.

“I enjoyed the business world and decided that being an entrepreneur would be more fun, in 2015, I decided to buy my own company. I have always enjoyed visiting Duluth, and so the move was a great one for me.”

Yvonne Myers was born and raised in Duluth. Myers graduated in 1986 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. She worked for 11 years at St. Luke's in the Cardiac department. Since then, she has done Marketing for Lake Superior Medical Equipment, with a stint in Home Care Nursing added in as well.

Tom and Yvonne started the podcast in August 2021 with a short introductory podcast.

Yvonne Myers and Tom Jamison are the creators and hosts of the podcast For The Love of Duluth

“I have really enjoyed working for Lake Superior Medical, and Tom and I have become good friends,” Myers said.

Jamison added, “You won’t find two bigger fans of Duluth than Yvonne and I. We both love the city. When the pandemic hit, we saw many companies stepping up. With LSM we decided to do everything we could with fund-raising, volunteering and donating food."

Then, in the fall of 2021, they hit upon the idea of starting and hosting their own podcast to highlight all the wonderful people, sights and vistas that Duluth has to offer. LSM became the sponsor of the For the Love of Duluth podcast.

“We wanted to talk about people doing interesting things in Duluth. We know we will never run out of ideas, with so many wonderful folks in all walks of life,” said Jamison. Destination Duluth’s own Managing Director, Jerry Thoreson, was a recent guest on one of their podcasts.

Other guests have included include Zach Schneider of Grandma’s Marathon; Josh Stotts, owner of Sir Benedict’s; Sarah Maxim of Lake Superior Brewing; Dan Hartman Executive Director of the DECC musician Charlie Parr; Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director of Hartley Nature Center; and Jason Wussow, owner of Wussow’s Concert Cafe.

Tom Jamison and Yvonne Myers with special guest Charlie Parr

Jamison and Myers tape their 45-minute podcasts every month at Wussow’s Concert Cafe, on Central  Avenue in Duluth, a coffee house that features live music, an espresso bar, food menu, and beer and wine.

The two are now in their third season of For the Love of Duluth  “Each of the podcasts is a labor of love and we learn so much each time,” said Jamison.

Myers says she especially enjoyed an interview with Duluth author, Alex Messenger, who related a breathtaking story of a frightening grizzly attack he survived in the Canadian Tundra.

Jamison and Myers enjoy getting e-mail feedback and mentions on Facebook and Instagram from their listeners after every podcast. The people they feature also spread the word on their own social media.

Every guest of the show receives a sweatshirt in appreciation for their contribution to For the Love of Duluth podcast

Reflecting on his own love of the area, Jamison said, “As much as I absolutely love the local music scene, I also enjoy being able to get out into the woods with the peace, the waterfalls and the beautiful scenery. The parks, the trails for biking and hiking are other favorites.”

Seeing the city through the eyes of a tourist is how Myers reinforces her love of Duluth. “You have to start with the beauty of Lake Superior. Every reference point always begins and ends with the Lake.”

They both agree that the food and beverage scene and the area entertainment attractions are on their top five lists as well for other aspects of what they refer to as the “hidden gem of the Northwest.”They even note they don’t mind the extremes of the seasons.

“When For The Love Of Duluth was in the planning stages, one thing was certain: we wanted Duluth to be the star of the show and the podcast to serve as a tour guide for those looking to visit Duluth or a resource for those who already call the beautiful town, home,” noted Jamison.

Hear new and past podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast sites. Learn more about For the Love of Duluth at their Facebook page.

Dr. Matt Davies - A Duluth Neurosurgeon Focused on Faith and Family

Dr. Matt Davies has accomplished much in his 36 years. He and his wife, Athena, have been married for ten years, and have two young children: Madilyn (5), and Alexander (3).

Dr. Matt Davies and his wife Athena and their two children Madilyn (5), and Alexander (3)

Davies has been employed at Duluth-based Orthopaedic Associates since 2020. Here, he is both a neurosurgeon and a partner at the firm.

Davies is also a man of deep faith. He begins each day by reading his Bible and setting the intention to be a good husband, father, and surgeon.

“I get up at 4 am every day. That’s the only quiet time in my life,” Davies said with a laugh.

“I start my day by reading the Bible. That’s foundational to me. Then, I work out and I’m out the door by 6 am.” Davies continues until the work is done; this can be as early as 3 pm or as late as 10 pm.

With his talent and abilities, Dr. Davies could practice medicine just about anywhere. However, he has chosen to plant roots in Duluth.

Denfeld Success Story

Davies was born in Hibbing, and has one sibling; an older brother, Chris. His father, Chuck, worked for the State of Minnesota, and his mother, Cindy, worked at Target. The family moved to Duluth when Matt was two after his father received a job offer here.

The Davies family, including Matt's parents Chuck and Cindy, his brother Chris (Dr. Chris Davies), with his wife Maria, Athena Davies and children Madilyn and Alexander.  Submitted photo

Davies excelled in both athletics and academics from a young age. He played football and basketball for the Denfeld Hunters, and proudly represented Denfeld as a team member in the 2004 state basketball tournament.

Davies earned the prestigious Hunt Scholarship, due to his success on the playing field and in the classroom. This scholarship provided a full ride to the University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD).

Why Medicine?

Davies shared his reasons for becoming a surgeon. “When I was 13, my best friend, Ben Johnson’s, dad, Dennis Johnson, was diagnosed with cancer. He was like a second father figure to me. Dennis was a weight lifter and this mountain of a man. I watched him become a smaller version of himself as he got sicker.

“One day, Dennis told me, ‘You need to be a doctor,’ and that just stuck with me. I valued his opinion immensely, and I had always had an interest in science.”

Unfortunately, Dennis ultimately succumbed to his illness. However, Dr. Davies’ work is no doubt a significant part of Dennis’ legacy.

And, why neurosurgery? “I’ve always loved using my hands,” he explained. “And I like fixing things. Maybe it partially comes from my athleticism. And academically, I love the brain, the spine, and neuroscience.”

But neurosurgery wasn’t even on Dr. Davies’ radar until his wife, Athena, mentioned it. “Athena pointed it out to me and suggested that’s what I should do. At that point, I hadn’t even considered it.”

Davies ultimately committed to pursuing neurosurgery in his 3^rd year of medical school.

Education

As noted, Davies attended UMD, where he earned an undergraduate degree in cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry and psychology. His brother, Chris, was also pursuing medicine; interestingly, the two were college roommates and took many of the same courses.

During college, Davies played rugby for UMD, and worked some interesting part-time jobs. Among them, he was a bartender for Mr. D’s, Ace’s, and the Duluth Curling Club. He coached 9^th grade Denfeld football. And he and Chris both had jobs as mail coders for the United States Postal Service.

After graduating Summa Cum Laude (with a 3.98 GPA), Davies attended medical school at the University of Vermont in Burlington. He graduated in 2013 with honors, and was part of Alpha Omega Alpha, an honors society in the field of medicine.

Davies completed his seven-year medical residency at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas.

Supportive Wife

During his time at UMD, Davies met his future wife, Athena - a fellow UMD student - at a blood drive. Davies was instantly smitten.

“We talked briefly, and I couldn’t get her out of my head,” he shared. In fact, I told my friend Steve, ‘I’m pretty sure I just met my future wife.’”

The two wouldn’t cross paths again until they were reintroduced many months later by a friend. Their first official date was in 2008, at Duluth’s Green Mill Restaurant.

At the time, Athena was studying biology. Today, she possesses both a nursing and a nurse practitioner degree.

Throughout his moves to Vermont and Texas to pursue his education, Athena has been a constant, supportive presence in Dr. Davies’ life. The two were married in Vermont in 2012. Their children were both born during Davies’ residency in Texas.

Athena, who is originally from New Hope, Minnesota, currently stays home with the couple’s two children.

Return to Duluth

Interestingly, both Davies brothers made the decision to return to Duluth. And their parents still reside in the home the boys grew up in.

Dr. Chris Davies works as an anesthesiologist at Lakewalk Surgery Center. He is also the owner of the Pain Clinic of Lake Superior.

“Neither of us thought we’d come back, but Duluth had this gravitational pull on both of our lives,” Davies said.

Neurosurgery

In his role as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Davies’ days vary. He specializes in treating the spine, and handles all types of spinal surgeries, including trauma, tumors, cysts, correcting degenerative issues, and addressing congenital anomalies such as scoliosis. He also treats the sacroiliac (SI) joint, with particular focus on motion preservation surgery and artificial disc replacements.

“Issues with the SI joint can be difficult to diagnose,” he said. “People have often had chronic back pain for years. It helps to have a pain physician as a brother. We often consult professionally.”

Dr. Davies performs surgeries at St. Luke’s, the Lakewalk Surgery Center, and also has outreach appointments in Hibbing and Grand Rapids, several days per month. He finds his work as a surgeon incredibly fulfilling.

“The most rewarding thing about the work I do is practicing medicine in my hometown,” Davies said. “I enjoy giving back to the community that has done so much for me, and it brings me great joy every day.”

Life in Duluth

The Davies family (which also includes two Pugs and three cats) live in Duluth’s Piedmont neighborhood. Madilyn and Alexander will be starting school at Stella Maris Academy next year. And the entire family is involved at Rock Hill Community Church. Dr. Davies also serves on the Board for the Greater Denfeld Foundation.

Matt Davies with daughter Madilyn and son Alexander. Submitted photo.

Despite their very busy life, Matt and Athena enjoy everything Duluth has to offer. This includes date night once a week at their favorite restaurants, including Va Bene and Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar. They also maintain a membership at the Kitchi Gammi Club.

The Davies family also has family memberships at the Lake Superior Zoo, Great Lakes Aquarium, and Duluth Depot. The kids also love visiting Skyline Social & Games, Adventure Zone, and Defy Trampoline Park.

Above all else, Davies enjoys watching his family grow and is continually developing a deeper faith in God. “I’m becoming more and more connected with my church,” he said. “I started attending a men’s group on Thursday evenings, and enjoy working on my spiritual and personal development. But most of all, I just enjoy being with my family.”

Growing Happiness at Bloom Wilder ‘From Their Farm to Your Door’
Dan McClelland and Jae Jeon

Dan McClelland and Jae Jeon, owners of Bloom Wilder. Photo submitted.

There is nothing quite like going to one’s front door and receiving an unexpectedly bright, fragrant floral arrangement or bouquet, especially when those flowers are as fresh and distinctive as those from Bloom Wilder.

In 2018, husband and wife Dan McClelland and Jae Jeon began growing gorgeous flowers, just outside their front door in West Duluth. That garden grew into a flower farm and now into their thriving floral business, Bloom Wilder.

“We are very proud that at our flower farm and design studio, we use our own harvested flowers in our arrangements. What we do is really a labor of love,” said Dan. They enjoy growing tulips, daffodils, and especially dahlias, along with many other varieties.

Bloom Wilder offers floral arrangements for all occasions, weddings and special events. They sell their flowers mostly through their online shop with Twin Ports delivery service available.

The florist offers a subscription program to send flowers to loved ones or office friends and associates. "Each year we carefully select over 300 varieties of seeds and bulbs to keep our little farm bursting with flowers. May to October we craft beautiful bouquets and share them with you," according to their subscription page on their website.

Bloom Wilder plants over 300 varieties of seeds and bulbs to uniquely design each arrangement. Photo by Dan McClelland.

“I enjoy delivering the flowers,” said Dan. “I get an immediate reaction, and it is fun to see the happy faces.”

Dan wears many hats in the business doing much of the manual labor, taking the photography, maintaining the website and social media and talking to customers.

Jae chooses the seeds and decides what they will grow, selecting the colors and varieties and then designing and creating the floral arrangements.

They are the company’s only two employees, and both agree it is their shared aesthetic that makes their collaboration so meaningful.

Their seven-year-old son also Dion likes to “play in the dirt” and has his own little mini-garden area to plant and tend.

Seeds of Their Business

Jae was born in Seoul, and in her late twenties, moved to Jeonju (about two and a half hours south of Seoul), opening a flower shop there.

Jae Jeon holding Bloom Wilder's fresh-picked flowers. Photo by Dan McClelland

“I always loved giving flowers to friends and family, but I found the design and packaging were usually unattractive. A new wave of floral design was coming into Korea from Europe and Japan at that time. I had experience in fine art but not flowers. I wanted to develop my skill and the best way to do that was open a shop of my own,” she noted.

She and Duluth native Dan McClellan met when he went to Korea to teach English. In a rom-com movie sort of way, Dan ended up also working in Jae’s shop and a romance blossomed.

He had worked in landscaping in the Twin Cities where he went to college. Dan is also a visual artist and has always had a general interest in growing things.

He comes by it naturally from his father, (also named Dan McClelland), who is a landscape architect and designer and Glensheen Mansion’s former curator of historic grounds.

Dan noted, “When Jae and I decided to come to the U.S. to Duluth in 2015, we weren’t quite sure what we were going to do. After a few other jobs and trying to figure it out, we bought a house with a little bit of land which we slowly started to cultivate. We put in a small greenhouse at the back of the garage. I built some flower beds and the ‘seeds’ of our company were begun.”

When another lot in their neighborhood became available, the couple bought that also and the business grew. Their Studio and Farm on Highland Street is a place dedicated to environmentally friendly practices. Instead of using floral foam, they create their arrangements with reusable frameworks, and they do not use plastic packaging. They also use organic farm practices to grow their flowers.

“Wild. Seasonal. Local”

Jae added, “We're building a business that showcases our talents and also reflects the never-ending beauty of the world. Every day, people choose to show their love for one another with flowers. We get to be a part of that and that's the biggest reward.”

Jae displays a colorful, locally grown bouquet of flowers. Photo by Dan McClelland

Jae truly follows an artist’s process with her floral arrangements. “When I start a bouquet, the momentum builds and it becomes effortless,” she explained. “The planning, the planting, the harvesting are all struggles – but when I finally get to the studio and begin creating, there's a great release.”

“For us, there’s no comparison to the color, scent and vitality of the seasonal blooms we grow. A connection is lost when flowers are shipped thousands of miles away. It’s beyond the simple concept of ‘freshness.’ Our blooms retain their spirit. That’s what makes us unique,” she said.

“Designing with homegrown flowers compliments our naturalistic style and our desire for a healthy, happy future. Today we’re connected to the changing seasons and have a renewed purpose. I follow the season's lead. Today I'm in love with spring tulips and sweet pea!” noted Jae.

They feel that their business is emblematic of the phrase “Local is beautiful.” As they explained about Bloom Wilder at their website, “Together we are settling into a lovely and unpredictable life on a flower farm.”

Another quote from their website eloquently explains why they love what they do. “There is beauty in a flower’s struggle toward the sun and desire to thrive. We let the blooms take center stage — in all their grace and power.”

Visit their website at bloomwilder.com Follow them on Instagram @bloomwilder

Contact them with questions or to place orders at bloomwildermn@gmail.com or 218-600-9727.