Duluth
An Urban Biography By Tony Dierckins
DRURY LANE
Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020, $18.95
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In this urban biography, author Tony Dierckins covers the fascinating history of Duluth, complete with old photos and a map of present day Duluth. The 10 chapters are divided into time periods, starting with the first peoples prior to 1850; the last chapter covers the years 1996-2020. Stories include the legend of the digging of the ship canal, the aerial transfer bridge and the lift bridge, Duluth’s park system, the 1920 lynching of three African American circus workers, the Glensheen murders, and the evolution of the city’s east-west divide. This is an interesting book for both residents and visitors alike. —Breana Roy
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The Story of a Minnesota Music Man By Joy Riggs
218-387-3370
NORTHHOUSE.ORG • 218-387-9762
PHOTO: BENJAMIN BYRON GRAND MARAIS, MN
2019, Nodin Press, $19.95
In the early 20th Century, many small towns had community bands, providing entertainment and serving as a source of pride. J. Oliver Riggs was among the best-known band directors in the Midwest, leading bands in Crookston, Bemidji, Grand Forks and St. Cloud. Rigg’s success in working with young musicians to develop excellent community bands left Minnesota with a musical legacy after his death in 1946. Now, in the 21st Century, his greatgranddaughter, journalist Joy Riggs, researched the past to tell the story of the band director’s life and times. In doing so, she adds a nearly forgotten chapter to Minnesota’s history. —Shawn Perich
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e writer Chris
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publisher
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ISBN 978-0-5
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9 780578
Compiled by Tom Landw ehr
ta Book of Niskanen. “I only recentl Skills,” a finalist Author of the 2012 for the Minneso book, things were.” y started hunting ta Book Awards. , so I didn’t More than grow up hearing hunters unders a trip back in time, the stories about conservationi tand important stories “the way pieces of sts’ reading Minnesota’s in this book help list!” modern past. A great —Ashley Peters, addition to day any conservationist, “This collect conservation ion communicator Minnesota’s of Nineteenth Centur and newbie prairie y hunting hunter. landscape wildlife it and the abunda tales provides supported.” a glimpse nt of
Bob worked at the Chicago Stockyards and from an early time came to know hard work and long hours. His Chicago roots grew deep and except for a tour of Europe including fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, serving in the Tank Destroyers and as a machine gunner in the 104th Infantry Division, always lived within the confines of the City.
Sportmen’s Tales fro m 1850-1 900
Bob met his love, Patricia Ann Donahoe, and together they raised their two sons on Melvina Avenue. Each son took from their parents a love of reading and grew up in a warm and nurturing home. Lively discourse was expected. Bob and Pat knew that their boys were living a city life but each summer they would hit the road for Wisconsin, then Minnesota, then the farthest reaches of Ontario in an attempt to teach the sons an appreciation of the outdoors. Bob was also free to pursue his favorite activity, fishing. Some of his poetry evolved from his time in the forest and on the water. Other verse came from his experiences in the War and I don’t know if it was a true catharsis, but the emotion of his experience is profound. Still other rhymes resulted from his good humor and he was quick to make light of our species, himself included. Bob loved Pat and the poems he sent to her leave no doubt that he treasured her so much. From war to family to love and humor, this collection of poems will delight those who read them and provide a glimpse into a gentle man who we have great reason to miss every day.
There Was a Gentle Man
j POETRY OF
R OB ERT T HOM PS ON
Stephen Dahl is the author of the award-winning book Knife Circling a Year in a HerringIsland: Skiff.
to gather a seed
NODIN PRESS 2009
T
hese are the poems of a man who built his own house in the woods and earns his living by fishing Lake Superior in an open skiff. People who work hard outside learn to conserve energy, so it’s not surprising poems fit the definition that Steve Dahl’s of poetry a friend once offered me: the most said in the fewest words. In their brevity, honesty, humility, wry humor, nature, Dahl’s best poems and nearness to keep company with the work of such good men as the Spaniard Antonio Machado and the Norwegian Olav Hauge.
I
—Bart Sutter, author of Nordic Accordion: Poems in a Scandinavian Mood Minnesota book awards for poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction
meant to take a quick peek at these poems early one morning, and return to them later, but ended up reading all of them, certain lines playing through my mind all day. “nothing from darkness / grows like lilacs / in springtime holy / upon the hill.” These poems are spare and precise, quiet and essential, as essential as the things they praise and ponder. Each one: “a sparrow / just to the ground / from the branch above / to gather a seed.” The poems in this collection want to be read aloud. There a subtle rhythm in Dahl’s is language here, a rhythm reminiscent of water lapping gently on a rowboat. They left me stilled, awake, and grateful to be living in this world.
poems by stephen dahl
—Deborah Cooper, author of Blue Window Duluth Poet Laureate 2012-2014
SNOW BUNTING BOOKS 1939 Old North Shore Road Duluth, MN 55804 stephendahl@q.com 218.525.4679
$12.00 ISBN 978-0-578-50522 -0
51200
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Po e tr y o f R OB E RT TH OM P S ON
“The Minneso
Minnesota Fron tier
“Tom Landw ehr’s collect landscape that all conserion of historic outdoo in time!” rs stories vationists gives us a aspire to look back reclaim. A at a fascinating —Author, journey back outdoorsman and free-lanc
Hunting Adve ntures on the
...when elk and when sharp- bison roamed the prairie tailed grouse were abunda and prairie s, nt across the chickens for days to land, and experience the hunting when hunters and advent in time, and Minnesota read urers travell had to offer. ago. This book how the places you Sit back, step ed hunt today back hunting spots, gives vivid descriptions looked like over of but marvel constituted at how abunda the places we know 150 years a good day today as good nt game of hunting of hunting on the frontie species were, and what in the day accom r. Minnesota Historical Society panied by 30 photog More than two dozen stories raphs from . the archives This book of the belongs in the librar y of every serious Minne sota hunte r.
j Robert Gordon Thompson lived from August 30, 1922, until February 4, 2001. He was a city boy and spent his childhood in Chicago during the depression, living on the South Side on Emerald Avenue. He graduated from Tilden Technical High School, a school with roots back to 1881. Tilden still lives on.
There Was a Gentle Man
There Was a Gentle Man
thecomfy.com, $39.99
485782
Compiled by Tom Land wehr
Professional editing, design, and printing.
218-387-9475 • editor@northernwilds.com 30
MAY 2020
NORTHERN WILDS
Made out of a soft fleece microfiber, the Comfy Lite is a one size fits all oversized hooded sweatshirt (though it’s more like a wearable blanket) that’s great for anyone who loves to be, well, comfy. It’s 100 percent polyester, has a giant front pocket and comes in many different colors. This is perfect for relaxing on the couch in, or keeping warm around a campfire. If you want something even thicker and warmer, there’s the Comfy Original, which has a Sherpalined interior. Either way, you can’t go wrong.—Breana Roy
