For The Love Of Duluth

The Duluth Children's Museum has an incredible history, dating back to 1930 when it was founded by Mabel McKinney Wing during the Great Depression. Despite a handful of relocations since, its mission has remained untouched, serving as an incredible resource for kids and teachers in the Duluth community. Today, the Duluth Children's Museum is thriving, with a new location in Lincoln Park and a new Executive Director, just the fifth to ever hold that special title. Drew Jensen is our guest this episode, taking us through his journey to joining the team (twice!) and mapping out his plans for the Duluth Children's Museum in the years to come.

There is perhaps no better place to open a record store than right here in Duluth, thanks in part to the current vinyl revival happening nationwide and the fact that the Zenith City is known for its music scene. That's why the newest record shop to move into town fits right in - and stands out for all the best reasons. River City Records & Books opened in Lincoln Park late last year and has been thriving ever since. Store Manager Dury Nelson joined us to talk all about how the new addition is finding its groove.

Duluth is full of creative and inspirational people making a difference in the world. Gaelynn Lea is one of them, making her mark as an incredible musician, composer, disability advocate, public speaker & soon-to-be author. She skyrocketed to fame back in 2016 after winning NPR's famous Tiny Desk Contest. She's taken the entertainment world by storm ever since, working with some of the biggest names in both the music and movie industry. She also has two TED Talks to her name, is the cofounder of Recording Artists and Music Professionals with Disabilities and is currently penning her very first book about it all. Hear about her journey in her very own words in this sweet episode.

Warning: you won't stop laughing once you start this episode, featuring Steve Solkela. He does it all, as a musician, comedian, stuntman, opera singer, actor and composer, among many other talents and titles. He's most famous for his Overpopulated One Man Band, a solo show that has earned him rave reviews and fans as far as Finland. The master multitasker has an impressive resume, with an even more incredible journey earning it. Get ready to laugh so hard it hurts in this hilarious episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Just two months (not even!) into his brand new role as Mayor Of Duluth, Roger Reinert sat down with us for an exclusive conversation. During this hour-long chat, we covered a long list of topics, including his goals for his first year in office, his extensive career in politics, his award-winning role in the Navy and his Minnesota roots. We cover this with him and so much more in this very special season five premiere. Enjoy.

Don Ness has firmly cemented himself in the history books of the Zenith City and rightfully so. From growing up in the Hillside neighborhood in the 70s and 80s to holding the title of Mayor of Duluth for nearly a decade, it's unlikely you'll find anyone more passionate and engrained in this community. Once called one of the most popular Mayors in the country, the Northlander now helps Duluthians in a different way, acting as the Executive Director of the Ordean Foundation. In our season four finale, we have an in-depth conversation with Don Ness about it all, from why he stepped away from politics to the incredible work he does today.

It's no secret Duluth was meant to be photographed, nor is it a secret that our town is chock-full of amazing stories just waiting to be told, hence this podcast. One local videographer masterfully tells these tales, most recently crafting a nine-part documentary about the rise and fall of commercial fishing along the North Shore and Isle Royale. A lawyer by day and powerful storyteller by night, Frederick Dudderar Jr.'s passion for the Northland is always in focus. In this episode, it is his story we are telling, as the creative joins us to talk about his business, his latest project and his favorite thing about Duluth.

Tom Hanson has a full plate - literally and figuratively. The restaurant owner is responsible for some of the most beloved eateries in the area, including the famous Duluth Grill and the mouthwatering OMC Smokehouse, among a handful of other amazing additions to the scene. It's almost like he was destined to feed, breaking into the restaurant industry four decades ago and never looking back. In this appetizing episode, Tom dishes all, from how he got his start in the business to how he built the restaurant empire we are all reaping (and eating) the benefits of today.

Bluegrass has a long and storied history, dating back to the 1940s, when it was developed in the Appalachian region of the United States. Since, the genre has found its way to Duluth, with a handful of popular bluegrass bands often taking the stage at one of the Northland's many live music venues. One of the newer bands to hop on the scene is Tres Osos, a trio made up of three friends that formed in 2022, bonding over music, barbecuing and taking on the great outdoors. Tim Leutgeb is one third of the popular trio, joining us to talk about how the band formed, the music scene in Duluth and what it is like working in the industry.

Shipwreck hunters and photographers see the world from a perspective most of us never will and without this dedication to their craft, we'd never see one with our own eyes or learn about their important place in history. Jerry Eliason has made a big splash since he started on this passion project five decades ago, snapping hundreds of shipwreck photos, helping to discover more than twenty wreck sites and taking on too many dives to count. In this episode, we go deep, plunging through this distinguished decades-long journey in an underwater world.

Northern Minnesota is always picture perfect but that doesn't mean photographing it is easy. It takes a lot to stand out and Ryan Tischer does so flawlessly, photographing the picturesque landscape in the city we named this podcast after and selling these stunning pictures in his Canal Park gallery. Tischer Gallery is wildly popular and for good reason: the photos are unmatched. Having entered his first art show when he was just twenty years old to opening his own gallery in the most popular neighborhood in Duluth, Ryan Tischer's passion has always been in focus. Get to know his journey in this new episode.

It's been a big year for Chad Ronchetti. He was handpicked over the summer as the new Director of Planning & Economic Development for the City of Duluth. Fresh off his first few months with the prestigious new gig, he joined us to talk about his decades plus experience in the industry, how he snagged the major role and his future plans for the city. He also bares all about his childhood, travels as a young man and how fate led him to where he is now. Learn all about Chad Ronchetti and his plans for the city we named this podcast after in this new episode.

Over the past few years, the beer industry in Duluth has been booming. With so many breweries making our city their home, it takes quite a special place to stand out. Blacklist Brewing Company does and has since it first opened in 2012, quickly becoming one of the most popular breweries in the Northland. Blacklist has all the 'beer' necessities and then some, with an incredible menu of one-of-a-kind brews and a big emphasis on customer experience. More than a decade later, they continue to thrive, becoming the first spot in Duluth to offer axe throwing and offering up a brand new space. Ray Mindestrom, the Axe Throwing Manager at Blacklist, joined us for this episode to talk their new location, incredible menu and plans for the future.

The only thing better than that first cup of coffee in the morning or finally getting to that afternoon pick-me-up? Knowing you're drinking the java for a good cause. A new coffee shop in Superior has made that a reality, opening over the summer, with proceeds benefitting local ministries within the community. (It's so special, we're crossing state lines for this one. Sorry, Duluth!) 2540 Coffee House is the real deal, with a large handcrafted menu full of delicious treats, coffee flights and a rotating seasonal menu of drinks you will drool just reading about. There's so much more to this brew-tiful new spot than just cappuccino, though. Business Manager and Co-Founder Christyna Foster joins us for a coffee chat to talk about the mission behind the new shop, what else you'll find when you walk through the doors and her passion for giving back.

There's no other body of water quite like Lake Superior. What other lake or ocean has its own publication with such a dedicated following? Lake Superior Magazine comes out bimonthly, made up of subscribers in almost all fifty states, most Canadian provinces and more than twenty foreign countries. Each issue proves why Superior is supreme, placing a special emphasis on the people, places and events that make up these glorious cities along the lake, including Duluth. Travel, history and current events line the pages, along with phenomenal photography and freelance contributions from those that love the lake as much as we do. Konnie LeMay has been a crucial member of the team since she joined twenty-five years ago, with a true passion for the body of water she writes about. As the editor of Lake Superior Magazine, she sail-abrates all things lake life and helps spread the word day in and day out about why lake life is the best life. She'll even teach you a thing or two about Lake Superior in this very Duluth episode.

When you think of local news in the Northland, no one comes to mind quicker than Dan Hanger. The news anchor, reporter and producer quickly became a household name after joining the FOX 21 team in 2010, thanks to his unique way of delivering the news, mixing passion and authenticity with his signature personality, something you don't see on your average nightly newscast. The Illinois native has done it all in the decades-plus since he packed up and moved to Duluth to break the news, providing consistency and steadiness to the ever-changing news landscape in the area, all while providing a bunch of laughs along the way. Hear Dan Hanger's journey from self-proclaimed news nerd to the most famous face in the Northland in this special episode taking you behind the news desk.

There is perhaps no body of water more Duluth than the St. Louis River, beat out only by the legendary Lake Superior, which it happens to flow into. Unfortunately, it is also happens to be one of the most heavily polluted waterways in the state and a Great Lakes Area Of Concern. One nonprofit organization is destined to change that, working to restore, protect and enhance the beautiful river year-round: the St. Louis River Alliance. Executive Director Kris Eilers is our guest this week, joining us to talk about their current projects, goals and the incredible wildlife you will see along the spectacular St. Louis River.

An Irish pub might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to the place we call home but Duluth does have the luck of the Irish in the form of a handful of lively and fun-loving pubs. One of the best? Carmody Irish Pub and Brewing. The spot opened in 2006 in a former livery stable from the 1880s, right in the heart of downtown Duluth. Its popularity is due in part to its owner Eddie Gleeson, who wanted a place to pay homage to his family. Now, nearly two decades later, Carmody is thriving, so much so that it became part of a big Hulu hit late last year. Even George Clooney has saddled up to the bar there! Eddie joined the podcast to talk all about the popular pub in this awesome episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Picnic season is officially here and thanks to one Duluth local, picnics on Lake Superior will never be the same. Jamie Anderson started Events By Jam during the COVID-19 pandemic. While she doesn't remember exactly where she first heard of the pop-up picnic, she knew she wanted to bring the concept to the Northland and bring it she did, offering customized and luxurious picnics for whatever the occasion - and setting it all up for you, too! Get to know the founder + more about this unique business in this episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

In the heart of Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood sits not one but two incredible businesses, both unique and both brimming with feelings of community from the minute you walk through the door. That's no coincidence: both the Duluth Folk School and Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace were co-founded by Carmel DeMaioribus, a Wisconsin native who planted roots in the area years ago. She's made her mark since, helping to open and run the two popular businesses, one which teaches Northlanders everything from making your own herbal remedies to restoring old canoes. The other? A spot that dishes up an authentic Duluth experience in an entirely different way, a casual cafe serving up handcrafted food, delicious coffee and crisp brews. Carmel joins us on this episode to talk about how both businesses came to be and how they work together to help create the quintessential Northland experience.

September 14th of 2022 is a day staff at Lake Superior Medical Equipment will never forget. On a windy Wednesday, the team watched their storefront and original location of two decades go up in flames. The fire left the building a total loss and left the team operating out of a much smaller location in Cloquet, spending the eight months that followed rebuilding what was lost and coming back bigger and better than ever - and with a brand new store in Duluth. In this special kickoff to season four, we are joined by the hosts of this podcast, Tom Jamison & Yvonne Myers, as they tell this story in their own words for the very first time.

Whether a Northlander or a tourist or living on the other side of the world, we all know of Split Rock Lighthouse and for good reason. Split Rock is one of the most visited sites in Minnesota and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. If you've been there, you know exactly why. The iconic lighthouse opened in 1910 after a deadly shipping season and steadily became a national treasure along the way. Today, it is listed as a National Historic Landmark, sitting on twenty-five acres with a visitor center and a location as close to Lake Superior as you can get. No one understands the history and beauty of Split Rock Lighthouse more than the Site Manager, Hayes Scriven. He landed the role in 2019 with an already-impressive resume to his name and today, keeps the busy tourist destination running smoothly. He's also a photographer, using his job at one of the most beautiful places in the country as inspiration. He joined us to talk about all of this and more, from the history of Split Rock to navigating the COVID-19 pandemic to snagging his dream job in this new episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Helping others see the beauty in Duluth isn't a tough gig, being that it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Destination Duluth has made it their mission to do just that, spreading the word about our magical city since its inception nearly a decade ago. Destination Duluth started as nothing more than an idea back in 2006, becoming a reality in May of 2013 with the launch of their official Facebook page. A few months later, a website followed. Today, Destination Duluth has become the go-to place for both locals and curious outsiders online, using spectacular pictures and one-of-a-kind storytelling to educate and inspire people about the city we love. The return? A booming online presence centered around the Zenith City and the positive growth of it, too. This episode dives into the history of Destination Duluth and how it became the juggernaut it is today with the Managing Director, Jerry Thoreson.

A wise person once said "if you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon" and if you've ever watched Grandma's Marathon taking place in real time, you know the statement rings true. The annual race is so much more than just 26.2 miles. From the months runners dedicate to training to the booming cheers from the crowd as the athletes pass by, a marathon brings out the best in both runner and spectator - and Grandma's Marathon brings out the best in Duluth. Zach Schneider, the Marketing and Public Relations Director for the race, joins us to talk all things Grandma's as we inch closer to the finish line in June.

It doesn't get better than incredible food and an amazing view (of Lake Superior, that is). Sir Benedict's Tavern On The Lake has both. The restaurant switched hands, in a serendipitous way no less, back in 2015 when Josh Stotts became the owner. The spot has continued to thrive ever since, with a menu that never misses, live music and the title of Best Outdoor Seating in Duluth. Everyone who walks through the doors of this classic English-style pub leaves happy, full and entertained and it's all thanks to Stotts, who joined us to talk about his fateful journey to taking over the business and how he shaped the menu. Spoiler alert: this episode will make you hungry!

Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Grab a cup of joe and join us for this brand new episode featuring Sam Levar, the General Manager of Duluth Coffee Company. Since joining the team in 2017, he has held countless positions there, from barista to sales management to the role he holds today. Born and raised in Duluth, he was the perfect person for the job, with over a decade of experience managing local businesses and counting. He helps keep everything running smoothly, just like the perfect blend, at one of Duluth's most well-known and popular businesses. Take that shot of espresso and (caffeine) buzz behind-the-scenes of Duluth Coffee Company with this brand new episode!

Some people have one talent they absolutely excel at. Then there are people like Lyla Abukhodair, a rising singer and songwriter in the midwest AND one of the women behind Duluth's popular Palestinian pop-up restaurant. The talented Northlander grew up in Hermantown and stayed in the area for college, attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Over the years, she's fronted a handful of music acts, including her current gig as the leader of a rock band that has packed the house at some of the most iconic music venues out there. When she isn't rocking out, she's cooking Palestinian cuisine with her family and selling out pop-ups all over the area, all while eyeing a brick-and-mortar deli and market in downtown Duluth. Get to know the incredible person that is Lyla Abukhodair in this episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Some stories are so incredible and well-told that you are thinking about them long after you turn the last page. Such is the case with The Twenty-Ninth Day: Surviving a Grizzly Attack in the Canadian Tundra, a book penned by Duluth author Alex Messenger. The book was published in 2019 and quickly garnered national attention, detailing the once-in-a-lifetime trip the avid outdoorsman took at seventeen that quickly turned into a fight for survival. The Deephaven native sat down for a special episode of For The Love Of Duluth to tell his heart-racing story in his own words and share how he was able to heal in the aftermath.

There's a reason Hartley Park is known as one of the most beautiful places in the Northland, spanning nearly seven-hundred acres and situated in the heart of Duluth. On the grounds of the park is Hartley Nature Center, a newly-renovated space that first opened its doors in 2003. Today, it is filled with exhibits,  meeting spaces and offices, hosting fun activities year round and even running its own preschool program. If you've ever reaped the benefits of Hartley Nature Center, you likely have Tom O'Rourke to thank. An avid outdoorsman with a passion for nature (who even shares a property line with the park), the Executive Director of Hartley Nature Center has had the position for over a decade and counting, making it bigger and better with each year that passes. Get to know Tom in this fun episode!

Duluth is no stranger to breweries but one of the newest additions to the town we love really stands out. Lake Superior Brewing sits in the Lester Park / Lakeside neighborhood and is anything but your average brewery. The owners, Seth & Sarah Maxim, bought the brewery during the pandemic and have worked tirelessly over the past few years to make it their own. The result? A one-of-a-kind place to eat, drink, listen to live music and even spend the night. The journey to get to this point is just as great as the brews you'll sip at Lake Superior Brewing. Crack a cold one and hear the story from half of the duo behind the new spot, Sarah Maxim.

Jason Wussow has had the type of journey rock stars write songs about. A music lover for as long as he can remember and a musician himself, he had a dream of opening a live music venue in Duluth. His dreams came true back in July of 1999 when he opened what is known today as Wussow's Concert Cafe. The spot has a stage that some of the most influential musicians in the area have stepped onto, a recording studio and a roster of epic shows even the largest music venue would be jealous of. A coffeehouse by day and a rockin' music venue by night, we have Wussow to thank for this iconic Duluth spot. Get to know him in his own words with this episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

There are few people who could balance as much as Kelly Florence, let alone so flawlessly and authentically. The Cherry, Minnesota native is best known for her work as a horror author, podcaster and screenwriter but those are just a few of her many passions and professions: she is also an instructor of communication at Lake Superior College. With multiple degrees and diplomas to her name, she hasn't slowed down since the day she left her small town. Today, she has five published books to her name, another one set for release in 2023, two podcasts and a screenwriting project. This author is simply superhuman. She took time out of her busy schedule to chat with us about her journey into the writing world and how she balances it all. 

Duluth is no stranger to talent, with the likes of Bob Dylan and Trampled By Turtles calling it home before making it big in the music industry. Charlie Parr is another one of those household names and after our chat with him, it's easy to see why. Born in small town Minnesota, he picked up his first guitar at just eight years old and thirteen albums later, he has still never had a formal lesson. Part blues and part country with a sprinkle of songwriting magic, he draws from life experiences in a candid and distinctive way that is uniquely him, playing 250 shows in an average year and calling Duluth home when he is off the road. The multi-instrumentalist also just released his first book. His story is as incredible as the songs he plays and you can hear it in his own words on this very special episode of For The Love Of Duluth

Stacey LaCoursiere is the owner and founder of a rare Duluth gem, Duluth Studio Market. What started as Duluth Studio Company has morphed into a store with an emphasis on local, authentic and charitable. While most people were temporarily closing during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was working hard to open what is known as Duluth Studio Market - and did so with great success. Today, the store is not only a standout in the area but also gives back to the community it is named after in a big way. Learn how the shop went from an idea to the small business success story it is today in this episode of For The Love Of Duluth!

David Siebert's journey may be one of the most unique we've featured yet. After a successful career in the medical industry for more than two decades, it wasn't until the pandemic that he decided to fulfill his dream of owning his own business. After living in the hot desert of Las Vegas (for 255 days to be exact), where he and his wife Tami moved for a job opportunity, the two were on their way back to the place they called home: Duluth! The journey included a polar vortex and love at first sight, with the spot now known as the Duluth Candy Company. Join us as we learn the sweet story of the candy shop with the owner and operator. 

Are you a Halloween enthusiast? Do you love things that go bump in the night? Grab someone to hold on to and go behind the curtain of one of the most popular haunted attractions in the Northland - and one of the longest running in the entire country. What started as a ghost on a string in his parent's front yard turned into a decades-long passion project for the founder, Patrick Stojevich. The hair-raising attraction also helps out scary good causes across the community, while scaring an average of 5,000 people a year. Here's a look at how it started and how it's going with the man behind it all. (Hint: it's going ghostly good!)

The season two finale of For The Love Of Duluth features a huge name in Duluth: Dan Hartman, the Executive Director of the DECC. He started the big job in summer of 2021 and ever since, has been making the epicenter of entertainment even bigger and better. His roots in Duluth run deep, having spent nearly a decade at the Glensheen and serving on the Duluth City Council for four years. He's also a UMD graduate who led the student campaign to build AMSOIL Arena when he was just a senior. One listen of this episode and it's easy to see why Dan Hartman beat out hundreds of applicants to become the Executive Director of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. Get to know Dan Hartman in the season finale of For The Love Of Duluth.

How does one even begin to capture the excitement that comes with being aboard a vessel on Lake Superior? It takes an incredibly creative person and that is what makes Sarah Pohl the perfect person for the job. As the Social Media Manager for the Vista Fleet, and its sister companies, she is responsible for bringing both the Vista Queen and the Vista Star to life online. Known as Duluth's only floating event center, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Northland, with a cruise for just about everyone. Let's sail-abrate all the Vista Fleet has to offer with this episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Fans of all things scary, you are in for a (trick or) treat! Horror author Meg Hafdahl wanted to write the next great American novel but life had other plans for the popular writer. Growing up between Canada and Duluth, Meg decided to channel her love for things that go bump in the night into words instead. The results have been nothing short of spooktacular: she has penned a long list of books and counting, cohosts a horror podcast with her best friend and was nominated for a Bram Stoker award. The wordsmith joined us to talk about her works, Stephen King and the path she took to become an award-nominated author.  

You'd be hard-pressed to find two people as passionate as Jake and Valerie Scott, the couple behind Duluth's first ever cidery. Duluth Cider opened after a long and unique journey that took the couple from Duluth, where they met at UMD during their college years, to the East Coast to overseas and back to Duluth again, this time for good. For Jake, it was a full-circle moment when the doors of Duluth Cider opened back in 2018. Growing up visiting Duluth with his family, he always felt a connection to the city he and his business now call home. He joined us to talk about his love for Duluth and the incredible way the couple came up with the town's first cidery in this episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

Some things are just meant to be and the Programs Director for the Chester Bowl Improvement Club is a great example of that. Sam Luoma has called Duluth home all his life, which instilled a love of outdoors in him from an early age. It seems the universe had that dialed in, as he became involved with one of Duluth's most beautiful and picturesque outdoor areas completely by chance. Back in 2004, a contest he was running for a different company fell through and he reached out to Chester Bowl officials to see if he could hold it there instead. Fast forward nearly two decades later, Sam has been a snowboard instructor, volunteer and creator of a contest series at Chester Bowl. Today, he holds a major role there and the awe of working somewhere so magical still hasn't worn off. Get to know your favorite spot in Duluth and the man who keeps it all running so well with this new episode of For The Love Of Duluth.

One of the most historic landmarks in the state is located in the heart of downtown Duluth. The North Shore Scenic Railroad has a long and storied history that takes off from the iconic Duluth Depot, bringing visitors to the Northland from all over the world. Ken Buehler is the man that keeps things on track as the General Manager of the North Shore Scenic Railroad and the Executive Director of the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Part history lesson, part lesson in perseverance, he joined us to talk about the history of the popular spot and the unusual way he landed the job he holds now.

There's hard work and there's things that are just meant to be: Bent Paddle Brewing Company is a good mix of both. One of Duluth's most popular breweries (and that's an understatement!), the spot came to be thanks to the hard work of four co-founders who came together in a way that can only be described as destiny. One of those four founders is Laura Mullen, the Vice President of Outreach and Marketing for Bent Paddle. A beer lover prior to opening the brewery, she recounts the amazing road to opening Bent Paddle, how the cofounders settled on a Duluth location and her cool connection to the industry from the very beginning. Crack a cold one and listen to the history of Bent Paddle, a true Duluth beacon. 

If you live in or have visited Duluth, there is no question you have been to Love Creamery. Now a flourishing business with two locations, the spot has become a fan favorite for residents and tourists. With one location in the heart of Canal Park and another in Lincoln Park, the business is sweeter than ever. The owner and founder of Love Creamery is Nicole Wilde. Her journey takes her from the Dairyland where she grew up to her first job at a custard stand. It all led her to where she is now: the owner of one of Duluth's most popular businesses with an eye on sustainability. Her journey will inspire you!

If you've never been to Duluth's Best Bread, you are missing out on some of the finest treats and products the city has to offer. The story behind the booming business is just as fantastic. Started by two brothers, Duluth's Best Bread has grown from an idea to a hot spot with one location and another coming soon. Robert Lillegard, half of this dynamic duo behind the business, joined us to talk about how they got their hilarious mascot, how a former contestant on The Voice ended up singing their theme song and the amazing way he started in the business.

If you've had Locally Laid eggs, you know the quality is unmatched. It turns out the story behind the popular business is just as fantastic. Locally Laid is the brainchild of one Northland couple who came up with the idea for the company after going to the local co-op and discovering there were no eggs from the area. A lightbulb went off and Locally Laid was hatched - but it wasn't easy. Jason Amundsen joined For The Love Of Duluth to talk about how they started the company, a book all about it and of course, how they got their fantastic name. 

You can never have too many tacos, especially ones that are authentic and sources with local ingredients. That is how they operate at Oasis Del Norte, a popular food truck and soon to be brick-and-mortar that specializes in traditional favorites. From tacos to tortas, this spot has become a massive hit in the Northland and within one bite it is easy to see why. Hailing from Mexico and following in his mother's footsteps, Eduardo Sandoval Luna is the proud owner and creator of Oasis Del Norte. He joined us to talk about spending his childhood in his mother's restaurant, how he got the idea for Oasis Del Norte and his journey to making it what it is now. Warning: this podcast will make you hungry. 

The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is one of the busiest tourist attractions in Duluth. Located right on the shore of Lake Superior, it brings well over a million people to the grounds per year. It features interactive displays, a two-story steam engine and scale models, among many other fun and unique activities. Museum Technician and Park Ranger Kasey Helms is part of it all and joins us to talk about what a day at work is like for her, what happens at the museum during the slower winter months and how things operated during the pandemic. Plus, some fun ship talk that could only happen on For The Love Of Duluth. 

Frost River is a Duluth staple, specializing in waxed canvas packs, bags and accessories for all things Northland. Founded in 2001, it has quickly become the place people go to for all their outdoor needs and more. Their Marketing Manager is also a big fan, seeking out a job with the company prior to landing the role she has now. Stephanie Anderson joined us to talk about her love for the company dating back to before she was an employee, how they gave back big time during the pandemic and what you can expect when you walk through the doors.

Season two kicks things off with a very special guest: Jane Pederson Jandl, the Marketing Manager at the Glensheen. An iconic spot in Duluth, the mansion has a rich and storied history that dates back decades. The estate sits on twelve acres of land, has thirty-nine rooms and 27,000 square feet of space. Also known as the historic Congdon Estate, the mansion has a major place in history in the Twin Ports. This episode dives deep into this history, the future of the estate and keeping the magic. Plus, the most frequently question about the mansion is answered: is it haunted? All of that and more in this episode of For The Love Of Duluth.