"I was in a lineup with Donald Blom" -- A True Crime Anecdote

On May 26, 1999, 19-year-old Katie Elizabeth Poirier went missing from D. J.'s Expressway Conoco convenience store in Moose Lake, Minnesota, where she worked nights as a clerk. Donald Albin Blom is now serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for her murder in 1999. A registered sex offender involved in five cases of kidnapping and sexual assault prior to Poirier's murder, he was suspected of being a serial killer by case investigators. 

* * * 

I was making music with a group of musicians this summer when one of the guitar players, John Hyde, told us about how he ended up in a police lineup with Donald Blom, the convicted murderer of Katie Poirier. The story intrigued me because I can't recall ever meeting someone who was in a police lineup. 

John Hyde, far right. Donald Blom, second from left.

"It was late in the day when I got a call about the lineup from Sgt. Dannon Bauer," Hyde said. "He is the guy next to me in the lineup. He said he was looking for someone blonde with a mustache."

* * * * 

In 1978, John Hyde worked with the Duluth Police Department for a year, not as an officer but as a tech guy. This became a career stepping stone. Hyde had an opportunity to work in this field in exchange for an FCC license and he took it. He returned to the DPD in 1992 and worked there till 2020.  

One day, Dannon Bauer, a department seargent, said, "Report to Moose Lake." When he arrived Hyde was told to dress in prison garb so that he could be placed in a police lineup with four other officers and Donald Blom at the Carlton County jail. Blom had been accused and later convicted of the abduction and murder of Katie Poirier, a high profile case in our region.

When Hyde reported to jail he was escorted to a break room where he and the others would wait for Blom to be delivered to the station for the lineup. "I picked up a magazine to read," Hyde said.

The video surveillance footage showed that the man who abducted Poirier was wearing a baseball jersey, so each of the men would take turns being dressed in a #23 New York Yankees jersey, then ushered into the small room with a two-way mirror. Each was then instructed to read a statement.

Because Blom was late in arriving, it became a late night for all involved. 

"I wasn't intimidated by him (Blom)," Hyde said. "I didn't talk to him. He did talk to one person in the room."

There were three FBI guys involved in this case, Hyde believed. Hyde had interactions with two of them, but not the supervisor they reported to. One of the FBI guys was a jokester, ribbing Hyde by saying, "They picked you out of the lineup." 

Hyde later had to go to court to have his identity verified. Afterwards he went to lunch with the FBI guys.

In an interesting twist, John's 15-year-old son Andrew Hyde also got involved in the case. There was a call for volunteers to go out and search the woods to find evidence regarding where the body might have been buried or disposed of. More than 100 National Guardsmen and an equal number of volunteers participated in the evidence quest. Sadly, the search yielded results. Dental remains were found in a fire pit on Blom's 20-acre property. 

Photo courtesy John Hyde

Oldenburg House Getting Jazzed for the Honey Bee Festival and More

Here we go... With the worst behind us, events have been opening up all around the Northland, and all around the country if our region is any kind of indicator. Two noteworthy items to pass on... The Honey Bee Festival is back at the Oldenburg House, celebrating the pollinators as well as the local habitat. It's an annual two-day fest with music, dance, vendors, food and more.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5TH

3:00 - 10:00 PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

One Day Passes are $20 and a Two Day Pass is $30.

The lineup of performing musicians is fabulous as always. Many fan favorites will be on hand. And then there's Cookin' at the O' kicking off another season of intimate top-drawer jazz with a whole clutch of Petersons present to lift you to higher realms.

On Saturday there will be a Swarm Bike Ride, with three swarms gathering and starting from three locations, Carlton Bike Rental in Moose Lake, Wussow's in West Duluth, and TJs Country Corner in Mahtowa. If you don't have a bike but can get a ride to Moose Lake, you can rent one from Carlton Bike Rental there and return it in Carlton. (Just sayin')  

Participants receive admission to Saturday festival, SWARM t-shirt, free beverage ticket and support on the trail. Details HERE

* * * 

Here are the lineups for Friday and Saturday

FRIDAY

Randy Lee Ensemble

Andy Peterson Quartet

* * * 

The Return - Cookin' at the O

Glenn Swanson

Billy Peterson

Ricky Peterson

Jason Peterson DeLaire

SATURDAY

Terrence Smith/Hive Jive

Boss Mama

Steve's "Overpopulated" One Man Band

Anam Cara — barn dance

Briand Morrison & Roxanne Berglund

The Langerstons

The Fish Heads

Ingeborg von Agassiz

Lanue

Rich Mattson and the Northstars

Andrew Walesch

Bee Fest will have booths with artisans and craftspersons.

And yes, there will be a mermaid in the pool again this year.

For sure there will be bees.

The place will be a stream of creative energy. 

In addition to two days of music you will find:

Plein Air Painters

• Outdoor Painters of Minnesota

Terrence Smith

• Hive Jive

Splash the Mermaid

• at the pool

Honey-infused food and drink

Bee-inspired arts & crafts

Info & advocacy to support pollinators

FOOD TRUCKS

Room at the Table

Dogs N' Kabobs

Sukie

* * * 

This event is an outgrowth of the Oldenburg Arts & Cultural Community (OACC). Learn more at OACC.US  

And in the event you are too far away to enjoy this celebration, the Oldenburg House is also a Bed & Breakfast adjacent to Jay Cook State Park and some fabulous natural beauty. To learn more, visit OldenburgHouse.com.

Flashback Friday: Carlton Bike Rental Prepares for Ribbon Cutting with Congressman Oberstar

10 Years Ago Today

One of my early peach freelance writing assignments was in 1988, two years after moving to Duluth here in the Northland. I received a call from the Twin Cities asking if I'd be interested in interviewing the two candidates vying for Congress from the 8th District. The 5,000 word piece would appear in a magazine called People & Politics that aimed at serving as a voter's guide.

That was my first meeting with Congressman Jim Oberstar, son of an iron ore miner raised in Chisholm, a few miles from the largest strip mine in the world. At the time, "Jim" had been representing the district for seven terms. I concluded my article by stating that he would remain in Congress for as long as he wanted to, and now that he is in his eighteenth term it would appear that my prescience was well founded.

This weekend is Carlton Daze and Congressman Oberstar has scheduled a visit to this year's festival. One stop this morning will be Carlton Bike Rental & Repair, a new business in town situated at the hub of three major biking trails. In addition to the bike rental business, founder Joelene Steffens has a bit of a passion for the arts, operating a framing business called Art Dimensions. Many of my own paintings have been framed by Joelene, with wonderful results. Some of them can be seen on the walls of Carlton Bike Rental, along with photography and works by other local artists.

Joelene is also a nostalgia buff, and seeing as Carlton is located along the railroad tracks and has a history for being home to hobo camps during the Great Depression, she has called her composite businesses Hobo Junction, now replete with gazebo and an invitation to the public to make themselves at home here.

In 1988 Congressman Oberstar said to me, "My father told me when I graduated from high school, 'You have two choices. You can work in the mines, or go to college to create for yourself a better life... And it better be one that helps other people.'" With this advice tucked away in his heart young Jim did indeed choose college, attending St. Thomas in the Twin Cities. But his life aim at the time was not a career in politics. He said he first wanted to be a missionary, and if remember correctly he went to Haiti for a short time after graduation. But his ultimate life direction was altered, he said, quoting Robert Louis Stevenson who said, "The greatest adventures in life are those we do not go forth to seek."

Being a pro-life Democrat has made him something of an anomaly within his political party, but as a child of the Iron Range his pro-labor values make him a candidate hard to unseat up here with its working class roots. His years of service in Congress have resulted in the quiet accumulation of influence, especially as chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, a role that enables him to keep a close watch on legislation that affects Great Lakes shipping and the steel industry.

But he also serves on a number of other committees, and one of them is the Bike Caucus, which is undoubtedly the reason he is heading to Carlton today.  

He also likes reading and in 1988 when I asked who his favorite authors were, he said C.S. Lewis and Henri Nouwen. If I get a chance I'll try to ask him again today who his favorite authors are.

* * * *
July 24, 2020
EdNote: The late Congressman Oberstar passed away in May 2014.

Life is Like Riding a Bicycle was the theme of our Toastmasters meeting last  night. Do you remember your first bike? Did your bike have training wheels? What color was it? Feel free to tell me about it in the comments.
Learn more about Carlton Bike Rental & Repair at CarltonBikeRental.com

Local Art Seen: Encore Performing Arts Center & Gallery in Cloquet--Almost Wordless Wednesday

"The First Ladt of Comedy" by Susan Krochalk. This is what my family's TV set
looked like in the 50s. And who didn't love Lucy?

Last Thursday's art crawl in Cloquet and Carlton was fun. First stop was the Pine Knot where Native artist Karen Savage Blue's paintings are on display. From there I scampered to the Encore Performing Arts Center, home to the County Seat Theater Company, located East on 33 just off the circle, to see the new collection of works gathered for the end of September show, Hilda's Yard, curated by Kris Nelson. The paintings on this page are just a foretaste of what you'll if you make it to one of the shows.

* * * *

Kris Nelson's chairs are always fun to see and share.

* * * *

"Li'l Finlanders" by Rebecca Koepke

* * * *

"Iris Garden" by the popular Sue Brown Chapin

* * * *

"Wilder" . Adam Swanson is almost always represented at the Encore.

* * * *

"Woodland Cottage" by Edna Blanchard

* * * *

* * * *

"60's Nightlife" by Sue Pavlatos. A definite Edward Hopper feel here. 

* * * *

Detail from another Kris Nelson chair. Definitely 1950's.

* * * *

Same chair. Full Monte.

* * * *

Final stop was the Magnolia Cafe in Carlton. where the photography of New Englander Ryan Pennesi was on display. Pennesi is now part of the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and working towards an M.A. in Biology. You should check out his nature photography via the link below.

Related Links

2019 Season Schedule for the Encore Performing Arts Center
https://www.countyseattheater.com/2019-season/
Ryan Pennesi Photography
https://www.ryanpennesi.com/

Twin Ports Arts Happenings the Next Ten Days of September

Mind if we start with a riddle?

Which is heavier, one gallon of water or 10 gallons of butane?  
(answer at bottom of page)

* * * *

Here is a partial listing of what’s happening. Esther Piszczek’s Twin Ports Art Blog includes yoga activities, ballet, farmer’s markets, classes and much more. If you want to know what’s really going on, bookmark the Twin Ports Art Blog (TPAB).

Many of the listings here are abbreviated. The TPAB has more complete descriptions.

Wednesday, September 4, 7-9 p.m.
Last night was the Paint Duluth Artist Reception, Pizza Luce, 11 E. Superior St.
“Paint Duluth is a collaborative exhibit of 20 artist works from the Lake Superior Watercolor Society. On View: till October 6

TONIGHT--Thursday, September 5, 5-8 p.m.
Carlton/Cloquet Art Crawl. There is a lot of creative activity just south of Duluth, with great music and events at both the Oldenburg House and Scott House. The CC Art Crawl is a trio of other locations where we can gather to enjoy the visual arts and share an evening with friends of the arts.
The Coquet Pine Knot—5 to 7 p.m.
Magnolia Café—6 to 8 p.m.
The Encore Theater—6 to 8 p.m.
Carlton and Cloquet are just a hop skip and a jump away Twin Ports. Do yourself a favor and get to know our neighbors to the South. You’ll be glad you did.

Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nice Girls of the North 2nd Saturday Marketplace, Lakeside Lester Park Community Center (the former Lakeside Library), 106 N. 54th Ave. East

Saturday, September 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Harvest Fest, Bayfront Festival Park, 350 Harbor Drive
"Listen to music and treat yourself to handmade craft items. Eat something fresh and healthy (or maybe just a little bit indulgent). Learn about backyard composting or backyard chicken-raising or beekeeping. Meet your neighbors—and meet the people who grow your food. It’s food, it’s learning, it’s growing, it’s fun. It’s something for everyone, and it’s free. Why not make a day of it? Admission and parking are free to the public. Check for updates on Facebook!

Monday, September 9, 5-9 p.m.
Hawks on High: Art Opening Reception and Book Release and Reading, Zeitgeist Arts, 222 E. Superior Street
"Hawks on High: Everyday Miracles in a Hawk Ridge Season is a book with poems by Phil Fitzpatrick and drawings by Penny Perry. WOODBLIND will be performing live music from 7-9 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. For a full list of Hawks on High events visit their Facebook page at Hawks on High." On View: through September

Get to know Phil and Perry
"Phil Fitzpatrick Talks About His New Book of Poems, Hawks on High: Everyday Miracles in a Hawk Ridge Season" 
"A Visit with Penny Perry: Long Time Arts Advocate and Duluth Art Scene Asset"

Spied at Art on the Planet, Superior.

Mondays, September 9, 16, 23, 30, 5:30 p.m.
Tangling Mondays, Mount Royal Library, 105 Mount Royal Shopping Circle
This group meets in the the old Yarn Harbor space, which was taken over by the library awhile back (on the left when you walk in). It is open to anyone, but primarily focused on pattern drawing. Bring your supplies and something you want to finish or start. No instruction, no fee, no organization. It's wonderful to tangle together, if schedules align, and lovely to tangle alone. If you find yourself alone, no worries, another Monday is right around the corner. Enjoy!

Tuesdays, September 10, 17, 24, 12:30-3 p.m.
Open Studio at the Duluth Depot, 506 W. Michigan StreetThe Duluth Art Institute offers a regular Tuesday open art-studio session at the Depot. People of all abilities practicing all artistic mediums are invited to bring their own supplies and join the weekly group. Cost: $5 plus a DAI membership (first session is free).

Wednesday, September 11, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Zentangle (R) & Wine with Esther Piszczek, CZT, Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road
Come experience the fun and relaxation of drawing simple, repetitive line patterns with pen and ink and pencil shading. No previous drawing experience necessary. Class Cost: $35; Supplies: $10 (or use supplies provided without additional cost). RSVP to episzczek@gmail.com. Seats are limited.You can read about one student's experience here: Local Art Seen: First Lesson in Zentangle with Esther Piszczek, by Ed Newman, Ennyman's Territory, August 18, 2019.

Spied in my studio.

Wednesday, September 11, 7:30-9 p.m.
This one falls slightly out of my normal sphere, but it sounded so interesting I have included it anyways.
Flamenco Vivo: Live Flamenco Music and Dance Performance, Teatro Zuccone, Zeitgeist Arts, 222 E. Superior Street "Audiences are invited to Join the following locally and internationally recognized Flamenco artists for an evening filled with raw emotion and expression embodied in the sultry rhythm, sound and movement of Flamenco; dancer Sachiko “La Chayí” (Minneapolis 2017 McKnight Dancer Fellow), singer Alfonso Cid (Seville, Spain & New York City), guitarist Kris “El Cuervo” Hill (Phoenix, AZ) and guitarist Ross “El Vecino” Fellrath (Minneapolis).

"FLAMENCO VIVO, in its distinctly Southern Spanish tablao-style, offers a twist of spontaneity and skilled improvisation to traditional dance and music, which comes to life through the high-spirited collaboration between the dancer, singer, and guitarists performing together on stage."

Friday, September 14, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Enkindle Dance Theater Performance, Sacred Heart Music Center, 201 W. 4th Street
"Enkindle Dance Theatre is a new nonprofit modern-and-contemporary dance company based in Duluth. The group is being led by two local artists whose mission is to bring a diverse group of dancers together to perform original dance works. The performances will consist of a collection of 10-12 pieces created by 3-4 choreographers. This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature’s general and arts and cultural heritage funds.

"Tickets are available at sacredheartmusic.org. Adult admission is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Student admission is $7. Visit facebook.com/enkindledancetheatre for more information."

* * * *

"Man's Fate"--12"x 24" Acrylic on panel

Don't forget there's always something to see at the Tweed Museum of Art on the UMD campus, and the Duluth Art Institute galleries in the Depot, as well as a dozen framing shops, another dozen art galleries and an assortment of local eating establishments that support local artists and display their work.

And if you're an artist with a desire to scan your work for producing giclee reproductions, or simply for posterity, contact Kelly and Jeff at Custom Photo Lab (CPL Imaging). Voted Best in the Northland for 30 years straight.


ANSWER: The water. 
No matter how much you have, butane will always be a lighter fluid.

BOOKMARK THE TWIN PORTS ART BLOG

https://twinportsart.blogspot.com/

Local Art Seen: Adam Swanson @ the Magnolia Cafe

Detail from lower corner of the Owl below.

This week's Magnolia Salon took pace not at Oldenburg House, where they usually gather, but rather at its namesake, the Magnolia Cafe just off the main intersection in Carlton. The reason for the switcheroo was to host an Opening Reception for an exhibition of paintings by Adam Swanson.

The place was packed with friends of the arts. Room at Table Catering added their upscale appetizers to the down-home goodness of the Cafe. Guitarist Spencer Walton provided a musical accompaniment and Pippi Ardennia added some brightness.

The 6 to 8 reception followed on the heels of a 4 to 6 reception for Kris Nelson that took place at the Pine Knot offices, a two-stop art crawl. The packed Cafe was full of energy. Midway through the festivities things quieted down for Adam Swanson's "artist talk" in which he gave an overview of his career for those unfamiliar with his background or how he came to this neck of the woods.

Nearly right off he noted that he is not related to the Oldenburg House Swansons, though it is very possible back in time they may share mutual bloodlines.

At one time Adam lived and worked in Antarctica, hence the occasional appearance of penguins in his paintings. His transition to the Northland was not as challenging as it might be for someone who only lived in the tropics previously.

When he came to Duluth they lived in town initially. He initially did as much painting as he was able but supplemented the family income with a bartender job. This enabled him to cut back hours slowly as his commission work grew, which it did. Eventually he as able to obtain enough work to move out of Duluth and begin painting full time.

Today he paints every day from 8 to 5 with 60% of what he paints as commission work. Swanson said he was grateful that he's never had to do work he doesn't like "just to make the money."

Swanson paints on Masonite panels, a versatile tempered hardboard with a smooth surface. He gessoes and primes the surfaces before painting. As for subject matter, he likes painting humans interacting with nature, and as is readily apparent, he loves color.

Swanson is currently working on four murals which we be unveiled this summer in a few locations. In the meantime, if you're in the Carlton area, be sure to drop in for coffee and other treats at the Cafe and check out the rest of Adam Swanson's paintings on display at this time.

White Owl or Snowy Owl? 

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Get into it.

The Historic Scott House and a Luke Marvin Story from Duluth's Early Days

Scott House in Winter. 

This past month I have been working on an article about the Historic Scott House on the outskirts of Carlton and Wrenshall. The challenge in any such writing endeavor is identifying the "story." Actually, a number of stories began to emerge. I decided to narrow it to two, the story of the house and an introduction to the man who now owns the house and has been sharing it with the community, James Sheetz.

The article appeared in this past week's Pine Knot News. (link at the end of this post)

As anyone who has ever done historical research will attest, it's simply fascinating to uncover details that connect with other details from previous projects you've worked on. In this case, I learned a new detail in the Luke Marvin story.

Who was Luke Marvin?

I first learned of the man while researching the history of the First Presbyterian Church on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary in 1994. (This year marks the 150th anniversary of the church's founding.)

Luke Marvin had been born in Leicestershire, England, coming to Duluth in 1861. He had been appointed by President Lincoln to serve as registrar for the United States Land Office. His responsibilities included deeding out 40 acre plots of land in St. Louis County to whoever would settle there and tame it. This "land rush" contributed to an influx of Scandinavian and Eastern European immigrants, thereby helping to populate the new State of Minnesota.

Mr. Marvin was one of the 10 founders of the First Presbyterian Church, Duluth.

The intriguing story for me was how the church had come to be. There was a Reverend William R. Higgins who served as pastor across the bay in the fledgling town of Superior. After preaching on Sunday mornings, Rev. Higgins would walk across the frozen bay in the winter, or row across in summer, to preach in the Marvin's living room. Mrs. Marvin's sewing machine, which some believe was the first sewing machine in Duluth, would on Sunday afternoons become a pulpit.

Eventually these early Duluth Presbyterians met in a schoolhouse on the lower side of First Street, between Third and Fourth Avenues East.

* * * *

The House was featured in an 1870 story in The Atlantic

It's somewhat amazing how much we take our roads for granted. In 1851, three years after Wisconsin had become a state and while Minnesota was still a territory, a decision was made to create five roads in this wholly undeveloped region. The first of these roads to be carved through the wilderness was to run from the Twin Cities up to the St. Louis River. that flowed into Lake Superior. After the project was begun the powers that be decided it should run all the way to Superior, Wisconsin. It's name, which is used to this day, was "the Old Military Road."

This being before bulldozers and all the massive road building equipment we have today, it was no small undertaking and took a full seven years. By creating an actual road, stage coaches could carry passengers and cargo from St. Paul and Minneapolis to the settlements up north.

It was a five day journey with 14 places along the way where one could make an exchange for fresh horses. The Historic Scott House, on Twin Lakes, was the first stop on that five-day endeavor if you began in Superior going South.

"THROUGH THE WOODS TO LAKE SUPERIOR" (click to enlarge)

This past winter was a rough one here in the Twin Ports. Hard winters take their toll on the city roads and this year the potholes seem worse than ever, though I suspect this isn't the first time Duluthians have said such things. Even so, it's nothing like the story Luke Marvin wrote about this road, recounting a trip his parents made in 1861.

It was a tradition in those early days that no woman could stand the trials of a journey over the old government military road between Saint Paul and Superior, and as far as I know my mother was the first woman to adventure it, although on this point in time I am not certain.*

At any rate she insisted on coming along with my father saying that if he could stand the trip she guessed she could, too. We were a week making the 150 miles or so that the road extended, and it was certainly a terrible trip. The whole distance lay through dense forest and through this forest the trees had been felled on a space wide enough for a road on which teams could pass.

Stumps stuck up all over the road. In many places it was very marshy and trees had been cut down to make a corduroy. There were no springs to the coach and we would go bumping over stones, in momentary danger of upsetting at times; at others our wheels would be past the hubs in mud, out of which it would take the utmost power of the horses to pull us. Sent from my iPhone

*Actually a Mrs. Pete took the trip in 1856 six weeks before delivering a son in Superior. During the trip she almost lost her life when the wagon was upset and she was wedged between the wagon load and a tree.

* * * *

Scott House Parlor

When I think back on these early settlers, one wonders if any of us could do it today. The weather was as brutal then as now, and you can be sure they didn't have the amenities we've got. We complain about potholes, but there are no tree stumps sticking up in our roads any more.

The Luke Marvin account above was taken from a book called Scott House Souvenirs by James Sheetz and Marlene Wisuri. In it you'll see photos from some of Jim Sheetz's collections, old maps and plenty of stories.

Today the Historic Scott House is more than a relic of history. It is a community gathering place for events, weddings and is now an AirBnB. Visit their website to begin your own journey: https://historicscotthouse.com/

Related Links
Historic Scott House: Where history and imagination meet.
History of the First Presbyterian Church
Another historic house in the Carlton region: Oldenburg House

Miscellaneous Monday: AICHO, Art Happenings and Other Upcoming Events

The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) is hosting what looks to be an interesting event next Monday. In a world of increasingly complicated regulations, especially as regards foodstuff, it would be great to have some kind of guide to lead you through the red tape jungle.

Well sure enough, next Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. there will be a workshop called Blazing Trails: Food Regulations Training, to be conducted at the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center, AICHO. The training is FREE for anyone with a passion for local farms and local food. You can learn more here on their Facebook page.

TWIN PORTS ARTS HAPPENINGS

Thursday, February 14, 3-4 p.m.
Crafternoons for Kids, Blue Room, Mount Royal Branch Library, 105 Mount Royal Shopping Circle
"Drop in for a fun make-and-take craft project. No experience or sign-up required. Age Group(s): Preschool, Kids, Tweens"

Thursday, February 14, 5-7 p.m.
Bring Her Home: Stolen Daughters of Turtle Island, Duluth Art Institute, The Depot, 506 W. Michigan Avenue
"All My Relations Arts and its partners present art by Indigenous artists residing on Turtle Island.This traveling exhibit highlights the ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women. Featuring work from Shan Goshorn, Luzene Hill, Laura Youngbird, Kayeri Akweks, Hillary Kempenich, Chholing Taha, Cara Romero and more."

Thursday, February 14, 5:30 p.m.
Valentine's Day Soiree 2019, Gresolon Ballroom, 231 E. Superior Street
Join Lyric Opera of the North for it's biggest fundraiser of the year. Always a delightful evening filled with good food, lovely voices, and a few surprises. Free Valet Parking.
5:30 p.m. – Hors d’oeuvres / Cash Bar .  6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Music $100/person ($50 tax deductible) (click on link above to see dinner choices)

Friday, February 15, 5:30-8 p.m.

9th Annual Love Your Local Artist, Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Avenue
"This annual fundraiser celebrates local art, live music, libraries, and community. Peruse the tables and meet local artists while purchasing their work. Support the library through the Adopt-a-Book sale and the silent auction. Enjoy wine and refreshments, all while supporting your local library. This after-hours event is free to attend and open to the public."

Friday, February 15, 6-8 p.m.
Free Mixed Media Techniques Art Lecture with Bonnie Cutts, Two Harbors Community Center, 417 South Avenue, Two Harbors
"Minnesota artist Bonnie Cutts is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where she received her B.F.A. in drawing and painting. She has been exhibiting her work professionally since 1981, in both solo and group shows. Her drawings and paintings are included in numerous corporate and private collections around the country. Event sponsored by Voyageur Artists. *No charge, but RSVP is required: email Sandi at authenticartist@sandipilsbury.com"

Friday, February 15, 7-8:30 p.m.
Adult Story Time, Zenith Bookstore, 318 N. Central Avenue
"Zenith Bookstore staff and friends read short stories, poems and book excerpts. There will be wine, chocolate and comfy chairs."

Saturday, February 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Douglas County Historical Craft Fair, Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Avenue, Superior, WI
"New Monthly Event at DCHS! Visit the fair and receive free admission to our museum that day. For more information email dchs@douglashistory.org. Next fair: March 16."

Saturday, February 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free Family Art Day, Duluth Art Institute at Lincoln Park, 2229 W. 2nd Street
"People of all ages and artistic abilities can create make-and-take art projects."

Acrylic Painting Workshops with Guest Artist Bonnie Cutts

$110 per workshop (or become a member of Voyageur Artists and pay $75 per workshop)
RSVP to authenticartist@sandipilsbury.com (see class descriptions below)

Saturday, February 16, 9:30-4 p.m.,
Two Harbors Community Center, 417 South Avenue, Two Harbors
"Loose, Lush Landscapes: Approach landscape painting using personal photos for subject matter, and see what fun adding lots of color and texture can be! You will learn to add texture with gels and figure out which gel best suits you as you create little paintings packed with emotion. The focus of the class will be on capturing larger shapes rather than details as you simplify the landscape images. You will be encouraged to work quickly with big brush strokes or swiftly apply paint with a palette knife. Each student will finish several small paintings during the class, all with a different feel depending on the acrylic materials used. All levels of painting experience are welcome."

Sunday, February 17, 9:30-4 p.m., Two Harbors Community Center, 417 South Avenue, Two Harbors
"Encaustic Effects With Acrylics: Learn to create the wax like look of encaustic painting with the durability of acrylics. Mimic the soft, luminous effects of beeswax by applying multiple layers of acrylic paints and gels layer upon layer. Cut and bury paper images and stenciled patterns deep below the surface and create lovely soft translucent layers over them. Become familiar with encaustic-like wax formulas, explore a variety of applications and create a whole new feeling in your artwork. Open to all levels of painting experience."

* * * *

In Carlton, there are a number of events this Valentine weekend. Here is the lineup for Oldenburg House. Also, the Historic Scott House has a nostalgic weekend planned for friends and lovers: Words of Love. Celebrating the Music of the 60s.

* * * *

Word on the street is that there will be a Benefit for Tom O'Keefe this Saturday at Izzy's in Superior. Tom has been a generous spirit who's lifted many spirits with his music. Tom O'Keefe & Friends have been performing at a number of Dylan Fest events the past several years. Details on this event will be forthcoming.

Music, Art, Dance... and Life! Get into it.

My Favorite New Word of 2018 & an Invite to Magnolia Salon in Carlton

Photo by Kenny Luo on Unsplash

This past year I began blogging on Medium. One of the publications I have been getting involved with is called The Writing Cooperative, and one of the writers there has been creating a blog series titled "Words You Have Taught Me" which, as the name suggests, features words that he's come across while reading other writers' blog posts.

David Foster Wallace famously loved learning new words, and somewhere in my youth I had a teacher who taught us to underline words we didn't know so we could look them up and add them to our own vocabularies.

All this to say that of all the new words I came across in 2018, the one that most stands out is hygge. It's a Danish word that we were introduced to last February at a Magnolia Salon gathering at Oldenburg House in Carlton. Hygge, one of those words with an umlaut sounding vowel that is strange to pronounce in our clumsy English, carries a meaning one might associate with mindfulness, creativity and flow. Another translation associates the word with coziness and contentment. Think of being nestled before a warm fireplace with friends, being laid back, reflective.

This is where some of the magic happens.

It doesn't look like it would be pronounced hoo-ga, but that's probably the closest you will get. I mention this new word because there has been a study done to determine the most hygge cities in the nation, and Minnesota's Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) ranked third in coziness. You can read the full story here in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

According to the article it means more than comfort. It conveys that sense of spending time with friends. And for this reason, one of the first weekly Magnolia Salon gatherings at Oldenburg House last year focused on helping us understand this word.

* * * *

Tonight is the beginning of 2019 and the first gathering of Magnolia Salon at the Oldenburg House. Storyteller Cynthia Johnson will be sharing beginning at 6 p.m. Next week, Almanac Coffee's roaster will be sharing secrets about one of our favorite, most aromatic beverages derived from beans.

On Friday & Saturday next week (January 11 & 12) Ricky and Patty Peterson will be the featured performers Cookin' @ the O.

To learn more about these and other events taking place at Oldenburg House, visit and bookmark oacc.us.

To learn more about H00-ga (Hygge) check out this story about the day I learned the word in 2018. Yes, it took place at Magnolia Salon.

Coco @ the O and Reminders about Other Events Coming Up

The other day I mentioned Movies in the Park (Leif Erickson Park, Duluth) but neglected to mention that this weekend there are also Movies @ the O, as in Oldenburg House in Carlton. Tonight, after you finish the Downtown Duluth Arts Walk you will still have time to scurry to Carlton and catch COCO, about a 12-year-old, music-loving boy who makes an unforgettable journey to the Land of the Dead. It's yet another stellar animated story from the Pixar team. How they do it over and over again is incredible, though if you read Ed Catmull's Creativity Inc., you will get an inside perspective on the culture Steve Jobs, Catmull & company created. Here's a good starting point on the Pixar story.

Tomorrow evening at the O they will be showing O Brother Where Art Thou?, another fun film with a soundtrack you never tire of. Here is a link to everything else going on at the Oldenburg House this month, including the Honey Bee Folk Festival. It's an ambitious summer schedule at the O.

Also tomorrow, Peace Church is hosting the Woman-Made Arts and Crafts Fair. Details here.

* * * *

TONIGHT: DOWNTOWN DULUTH

LOOK FOR THE SIGNS... or Pick up a Map

More than 20 locations in the HeART District

Meantime, Art goes on all around you. Get into it.