Along the Shore

For over 30 years, the Tamarack Dance Association of Duluth has been encouraging folks to put on their dancing shoes and shake off the winter cobwebs at their monthly folk-dance gatherings. | BRYAN FRENCH

Grab a partner and cut a rug

By Casey Fitchett

DULUTH—The Tamarack Dance Association of Duluth has been encouraging residents and visitors to put on their dancing shoes and shake off the winter cobwebs at their folkdance gatherings for over 30 years. With a welcome and inclusive ambiance, the grassroots organization arranges dances that are taught by a caller and include contras, reels, circles, jigs and squares.

Duluth resident and folk-dance enthusiast Terrence Smith is one of the founding members of the organization.

“Right around 1979 we started doing dances. I met my friend who plays the fiddle,” he explains. “We started doing regular family dances and community dances at a variety of halls by 1984, taking breaks in the summer.”

As the years passed, the group began to consider the benefits and possibilities that would be afforded to them if they incorporated. After being granted 501(c)3 status, they were able to apply for funding from different sources, one being the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. These grants have helped with the costs of hosting regional artists and callers, as well as supporting the group’s inclusivity initiative.

“We want our events to be a chance for all to gather together,” says Smith. “Simplicity and accessibility are very important to us. Having a sliding fee for admission to our dances for adults and families supports that goal.”

The association has a very close relationship with the Duluth Folk School and hosts its regular monthly dances there. The Folk School, which was founded in 2016, is focused on building community through providing a space to learn traditional and interesting crafts and skills. Through hosting music and parties like the Tamarack Dance Association third Saturday dances, they are increasing the unique opportunities for fun in the Twin Ports.

The monthly dances are immediately preceded by a twohour old-time jam session with community musicians. Fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer and bass players are encouraged to bring their respective instruments and learn new tunes. Those who aren’t as musically inclined are still invited to join the fun; simply listening and dancing along are also welcome.

The organization is run by a working board of nine dedicated individuals. These board members come from a variety of backgrounds and includes a mix of dancers who attend regularly and people who play in the band and callers. Beyond the monthly dances at the Duluth Folk School, the Tamarack Dance Association leaders also help organize two larger events during the course of the year: Barn Dance in July and Woolsock in late December. These weekend-long events bring people together from throughout the region to share meals, learn at cooperative workshops, and of course, dance.

The association has a very close relationship with the Duluth Folk School and hosts its regular monthly dances there.

BRYAN FRENCH

As is the case with many grassroots organizations, creating connections and bringing together like-minded people is a cornerstone of their ‘why.’

“We are sister cities with Thunder Bay and are just getting ready to have their folks play for our dance. Musicians from Upper Michigan, southern Wisconsin, and the Twin Cities also come to play. It’s really nice to have that cross-fertilization with other organizations and places,” says Smith. “For the families that come, it’s a chance to have that cultural connection to the community through participatory dancing. It’s hard to beat that.”

The Tamarack Dance Association is still finding its footing with all of the changes brought about by the pandemic. Prior to 2020, they would usually have a membership of 40-50 people. Smith sees potential for the organization’s growth and development as the situation with the pandemic evolves. In addition to reconsidering the membership structure, the leadership team is hoping to continue to expand the number of opportunities for dancers.

“We are trying to make that first Saturday a more specialized one for workshops and learning, followed by a dance specifically for families, one for the entire community, and lastly, a relaxed, houseparty-type atmosphere,” he explains. “No matter what, we aim to be accessible to all ages and abilities.”

For the full updated schedule of events, he encourages readers to check out the organization’s website and Facebook page.

Past to present: North Superior Coast Guard Station

By Kalli Hawkins

GRAND MARAIS—There is one thing that is common along the North Shore of Minnesota, and that is change.

And a significant change to the North Shore in 2022 was the closing of the North Superior Coast Guard Station in Grand Marais. The two-story white building in the Grand Marais harbor is a daily reminder of the town’s innate historical past and the industries that once fueled it.

Stemming from the late 1880s and well into the turn of the century, Grand Marais and numerous North Shore communities prospered on a thriving logging and commercial fishing lifestyle.

During this period, there were limited modes of transportation, and in the summer months, the North Shore was primarily accessed by boat. According to the St. Louis County Historical Society, before the building of Highway 61, several small gas-powered boats comically coined the “Mosquito Fleet” operated out of Two Harbors and serviced the fisherman along the North Shore.

Simultaneously, the Grand Marais harbor acted as a port to distribute pulpwood, gravel and other forest products across Lake Superior. The North Shore was a booming hub for commercial fishing and shipping.

As both industries expanded in the early 1900s, the need for a Coast Guard station became evident following multiple accidents and fatalities on Lake Superior. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson approved constructing and staffing a Coast Guard station in Grand Marais. However, it wasn’t until nearly a decade later, in 1929, that the station officially opened.

The newly formed Coast Guard station proved to be a valuable asset for the North Shore. Not only did the station ensure safety for the local residents and commercial fishermen on Lake Superior, but the crew and their wives became integrated as members of the small community.

Nonetheless, a shift occurred in the 1970s that set the station’s longevity on an uncertain path.

The Coast Guard said the decision to close the Grand Marais station was partly due to a lack of calls per year.

KALLI HAWKINS

With the dwindling of commercial fishing and shipping industries, Grand Marais’ economy slowly transitioned towards tourism. In addition, navigation technology increased, and the federal government was looking to exercise budget cuts. As a result, the need for a Coast Guard station became less pertinent.

The shift that began in the 1970s still lingers to this very day. The federal government announced on June 9, 2021, that the North Superior Coast Guard Station would close, leaving a 1,500 square-mile stretch that extends from the Ontario border south to Schroeder and out to the Michigan border to the responsibility of the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and the Grand Portage tribal government.

The Coast Guard said the decision to close the Grand Marais station was due to a lack of calls per year. In addition, with the continued advancement in navigational technology, well-crafted boats, and the reduction of fishing and shipping industries along the North Shore, there was no longer a need for a Coast Guard station.

The Coast Guard also stated that consolidating the Grand Marais station with the nearby station in Duluth would result in a more robust response system by increasing staffing levels and capacity.

While the closure of the Coast Guard station might be seen as a consolidation of resources and an increase in efficiency, it has left members of the community and the Cook County Sheriff’s Department uneasy.

Following the official closure of the North Superior Coast Guard Station last summer, members of the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Grand Portage tribal government approached the Cook County commissioners and Grand Marais city councilors for support.

“We’ve been left high and dry here, and we need some help,” Pat Eliasen, Cook County sheriff, said during an Oct. 12 meeting.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Department currently has an 18-foot open vessel to respond to water rescue calls, but the boat is not equipped or designed as a rescue craft. Meanwhile, the Grand Portage tribal government has relied on the Minnesota DNR fisheries and conservation officer vessels to respond to recent troubling water rescue calls.

The Grand Portage tribal government expressed concern for an uptick in rescue calls amid the pandemic as individuals unsuccessfully attempted to navigate to nearby Isle Royale National Park. The recent increase in outdoor recreation experienced nationwide and along the North Shore has added another layer to the complex equation.

During the October meetings, local officials stressed the need for adequate resources if an accident on Lake Superior occurs. The Cook County Sheriff’s Department is actively seeking funding from the federal government to outfit the county with two 30-foot safe boats with navigational and safety equipment. The funding request is nearly 1 million dollars.

In the meantime, the responsibility of on-water rescues falls on the back of the Cook County Sherriff’s Department, the Grand Portage tribal government, and the willingness of a good Samaritan or local charter captain.

What lies ahead for the future of the two-story white building on the Grand Marais harbor is uncertain. But for the foreseeable future, it will remain a remnant for individuals to reflect on the past and a symbol of the change yet to come along the North Shore.

Duluth Armory: A tribute to “the day the music died”

By Michelle Miller

DULUTH—This January, move to the be-bop music of the late 1950s at the Buddy Holly Tribute Concert. Hosted by the Armory Arts and Music Center, the event will be held on Sunday, January 29 at the Clyde Iron Event Center in Duluth from 6-9 p.m. This annual concert honors the historic night when “the music died.”

The winter of 1959 impacted the history of music. Known as some of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll at the time, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper were victims of a tragic plane crash. It happened shortly after performing at the National Guard Armory in Duluth as one of the stops on the Midwest Winter Dance Party Tour.

The historic Duluth Armory is located on London Road.

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This year, local musicians Todd Eckart and his band will bring the music back to the stage. The band is made up of lead guitarist Jimi Cooper, George Ellsworth on base, drummer Mathew Groom and Eckart on vocals. In addition to remembering and honoring the talent of the rock ‘n’ roll superstars, this event is a fundraiser to support the historic Armory and continue its legacy of celebrating and inspiring young artists.

Eckart has been transforming into Buddy Holly for the past seven years as the fundraiser’s headliner. He has been a fan of the late 50s music since he was an elementary student after his uncle introduced him to the sounds of The Beatles. After watching the Buddy Holly Story in the 1980s, he was hooked on the rock-a-billy rhythm. Eckart says Holly was “a pioneer in music.” Sadly, his career lasted only four years and was cut short by his death.

The Armory has been a site of great inspiration throughout its history. It was built in 1915 at roughly five times the average cost of other armories of that era. It served as a military training facility for the Minnesota National Guard and Naval Militia.

Buddy Holly at the Duluth Armory.

SHARRON JOHNSON

In 1978, it was purchased by the city and its use as an armory was discontinued. Since 2000, the Armory has been threatened with demolition. The nonprofit Armory Arts and Music Center (AAMC) acquired the building in 2003 and has been working to rehabilitate it as a cultural venue, including investing nearly $5 million to establishing a firm foundation for the nearly $35 million proposed restoration project. In 2021, Sherman Associates was secured as the developer of the project and other key engineers, architects and contractors have also come on board. AAMC’s executive director, Mark Poirier, says it has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes and is thrilled “we are at the point to really see something happen.” For the most current updates, follow Historic Duluth Armory and the Music Resource Center Duluth Armory on Facebook.

The Duluth Armory was listed on the National Record of Historic Places in 2011 for its state-level significance in the theme of military history, as well as the building’s important role as the cultural and entertainment hub of the Duluth region. In addition to Buddy Holly, other famous performers have appeared at the Armory, including Harry Truman, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Cash, Bob Hope, and the Beach Boys. Two Harbors resident Larry Furo recalls attending events in the early 1960s, saying “the place would be packed—you could literally feel the floor bouncing from all the dancing!”

A rendering of the revitalized Duluth Armory’s historic stage.

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So put on some bobby socks and grease back that hair to bring the music alive during this special tribute concert. Eckart and his band promises to deliver an entertaining and interactive performance. Historical footage of those who graced the Armory stage will be featured on a slide show as the backdrop of the stage. Between sets, Eckart will share facts and stories of Holly, Valens and the Big Bopper. There will also be a costume contest for prizes. Tickets for the event are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and can be purchased online (dulutharmory.org) or by calling 218-428-9686. All proceeds support the students of the AAMC’s Music Resource Center program. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m.