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Environmental advocates challenge Minnesota Power’s commitment to clean energy Page 10

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ch nd , .t S on a Pub afe, f S alo ish t C o e s S Ir cer w g e ll ma’ linn on La o C nd bh ’s C vich a u Gr D ssow dose u a W R May 7, 7, 2020 May 2020 3 3

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1098 May 7, 2020

Robert Boone

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NEWS & VIEWS 8

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EAT & DRINK 36

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DEPARTMENTS 8 Here’s How 28 Local history 31 Heloise

50 Puzzles 51 Personals 54 TV Guide 70 Classifieds

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in box No forgiveness come November In November, there will be no forgiveness for our current president and his loyal minions. In Dec., Canada, Taiwan and South Korea began monitoring COVID and taking steps;

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our leadership was in denial. Nations that have been successful in slowing the outbreak, have intelligent and committed national leadership. The president, and his minions, continue to place money ahead of people. As of April 14, Taiwan had fewer than 400 confirmed cases. In December when indications of a contagious new illness appeared in China, Taiwan established the Central Epidemic Command Center; something our president has consistently said is not necessary, putting an inept vice president in charge of our pandemic. The Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs worked with businesses to close and ultimately to produce a national supply of masks, and other necessities. Costs were kept low, so all had equal access to what they needed. Taiwan put life ahead of money. We recently had an ER doctor commit suicide from her trauma while VP Pence goes to Mayo without a mask. Arrogance and ignorance rein high in the White House. During the SARS invasion, America was pro-active. Republican President George Bush didn’t play politics with peoples’ lives. Since 2003, no progress has been made to be prepared for further international virus threats, no coordinated plan has been developed, no emergency stockpiles inventoried and monitored. Our current president brushes aside all experts in science and medicine; recommending folks put cleaning fluid in their lungs! We are lucky to have Fauci and Fauci is lucky that the nation would revolt if the president tried to sideline him. We must be thankful for governors like Cuomo (New York) and Newsom (California). There are well-organized protesters whining about opening up America;

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these are the same folks called out for gun rights, anti-abortion, and white supremacy protests. Their support can be directly linked to supports of the president. Perhaps they could learn to do something constructive with all their time off; like helping others? Putting money ahead of lives, the Republican senate pushed through a ‘relief’ package that gave most of the money to supporters of their party, airlines, large chain restaurants, professional sports teams. Only when the public outcry shamed these greedy companies/organizations, did they return the millions they had taken. The Democrats fought the second package to avoid this kind of corruption, so endemic in the current Republican party. Our small businesses account for 48% of employment across America. Shouldn’t we be focused on keeping them solvent? Isn’t time for all the ‘closet Republicans’ to come out and form a third party with intelligent, moderate, fiscally responsible people? There are millions of us sitting on the sidelines waiting for some authentic leadership and we will all be voting in November. Nancy Lanthier Carroll Duluth, Minnesota Climate crime It’s a crime to lie before Congress unless, apparently, you are a member of Congress. About two years ago I submitted an OpEd piece to the Ashland Daily Press that called for two newly divided categories of so called “Climate Deniers.” I said that some Deniers are actually “Climate Deceivers,” but that the majority are unfortunately “Climate Deceived.” Since then the climate crisis has only worsened and the deception and lies only deepened. More recently, David Koch passed away. He and his brother Charles invested hundreds of millions of their oil wealth dollars into deceiving the voting public, corrupting Congress, and effectively derailing any thoughtful or true political process. With all of this in mind, I feel it is high time for a Climate Crime Bill and I am sending a copy of this letter to my Representative in the House. Oh wait, I don’t have representation in the House. My Representative, Sean Duffy (one of the most vocal of the Climate Deceivers), has vacated his office to be with his family (although this “family thing” also apparently involves taking a high-paying job as a DC Lobbyist).

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In any case, Sean will be joining the ranks of those whose paychecks are signed by Charles Koch or one of the many other big money Deceivers. A Climate Crime Bill could be very similar in nature to the Hate Crime Bill. The passage of that bill did not outlaw or criminalize hate, but simply allowed for steeper penalties when violent crimes were inflicted upon individuals based solely on their race, religion or sexual identity. Similarly, a Climate Crime Bill wouldn’t criminalize one’s belief that our climate is not changing, or that these changes are not human caused, it would simply allow for additional penalties and increased mandatory minimums in the sentencing phase of those found guilty of regular, sleazy, white-collar and political crimes when the nature of their illegal activities takes them into the climate crime category. Those in political office, or in a position of authority over climate issues, who choose to deliberately deceive or mislead for political gain or corporate profit, should face penalties commensurate to the nature of their crime. That said, I’m not in favor of punishments that are both devastating and irreversible, so let’s just lock ’em up. Kurt Nelson, Cornucopia, Wisconsin Trump’s war Is “America” the main, or only, country where a third of the population prides itself on being stupid? Republican Donald Trump wanted to be judged on our economy. Trump is the current occupant of “Our White House.” Former Democrat President Obama graciously handed Trump a rapidly rising economy and falling unemployment. Obama received an economy about to capsize into severe depression from Republican President Bush after “his people” went on a money-grubbing 8-year rampage of greed. Life is more important than money. But a Republican would rather be dead, his pockets stuffed with cash, than be alive and broke. Trump calls himself a “war-time president.” Trump should be judged on his handling of the coronavirus “war.” Normally we grade on a scale A through F. That scale isn’t big enough. Trump gets a Z. Trump is lazy, hoping for a vaccine miracle. Where are the N95 masks? Where are the Test kits? People wear homemade “third-world” masks. According to medical experts, close to zero for effectiveness! Where’s the PPE

protecting our vital workers? These are the ammunition in this war. Trump says, “get your own; besides, you were probably selling what ‘I’ gave you. That’s why you’re short now.” Trump’s projecting again. 419 have been killed by COVID-19 in Minnesota in roughly 3 months, extrapolating to 1,676 for a year. We only have about 350 traffic deaths a year. No one like quarantines. It hurts business. And some would repeal DWI laws; they hurt bar business. Killing someone while DWI is a crime. So is “fake” COVID-19 response. Trump is an extreme liar; we all know that. He’s a junk-bond salesman. Turn him off, listen to all others, you’ll soon figure out that’s what here. Ask the workers themselves: they have almost zero protection. No ammo! A. Martin Merrifield, Minnesota A message from Gov. Tim Walz On May 5, Governor Tim Walz and the State of Minnesota’s Chief Financial Officer Myron Frans announced a projected $2.4 billion deficit through 2021. Governor Walz released the following response: “Today’s budget outlook confirms what we suspected: COVID-19 will badly damage Minnesota’s economy.” “As I said during my State of the State address, there is a long winter ahead. COVID-19 is upending life as we know it – and our economy will not be spared. “This will mean shared sacrifice among all of us. Hard decisions will be made. “But thanks to smart budgeting, Minnesota is in a much better position than other states to weather the storm. We must not undercut what got us there: Investing in our children. Expanding access to health care. Putting Minnesotans first. “These last few weeks have been difficult, and it’s only going to get harder. “It is more important than ever that we lead with our values and protect Minnesota’s quality of life. “Minnesotans will look out for one another. We will help each other back on our feet. We will get through this winter – together – and we will see spring.” Governor Walz also signed an Executive Order that will provide a roadmap for safely restarting elective surgeries. Starting next week, doctors, dentists and veterinarians who create a plan to keep patients and health care professionals safe may begin offering these procedures

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Maintaining pipelines is essential work By Barry Simonson

We can all agree that energy infrastructure is important – it’s what keeps our homes warm, cars and trucks fueled, equipment working in fields and forests, it powers industry, and drives our economy. Although Winona LaDuke, according to her April 23 commentary [in The Reader] might disagree, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has decided pipeline workers are essential during the COVID-19 response. Actually, their work maintaining pipelines is essential every day. Let’s not forget that replacing the decades old Line 3 with new pipe made of thicker steel is really a maintenance project that will restore the pipeline’s original capacity and function while better protecting Minnesota’s environment. The COVID-19 pandemic is testing us all. Our thanks go out to the health care professionals and first responders on the front lines, and our hearts go out to everyone touched by the virus – at some point, hopefully soon, its spread will be halted, and we will begin to recover together – our families, communities, and economy. Enbridge remains committed to replacing this aging infrastructure. We serve critical markets across North America that continue to need energy now and during the recovery. We deliver our customer’s products to some of the most complex and competitive refineries in the world including here in Minnesota. We do our work safely, responsibly and in accordance with the high standards people who live along our pipelines expect…and deserve. A project the size and scope of replacing Line 3 requires extensive preparation. When construction finally moves forward, Enbridge will continue to follow the latest guidance provided by local, federal and international public-health and government authorities to protect workers and communities. As always, if we can’t do the work safely, we won’t do it.

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All contractors currently working on Enbridge projects have a safety plan and a pandemic plan in place for all work sites and for all contractors and subcontractors under their control. Any worker confirmed to be infected with COVID-19, or in contact with a person infected with COVID-19, is not allowed access to work sites and is quarantined for a minimum of 14 days. Wherever possible, contractors safely transport anyone who exhibits signs of COVID-19 to their point of origin for treatment as opposed to using a local medical facility. We will all be adjusting to new ways of working in the days ahead. When construction moves forward on Line 3, contractors will also have hazard management measures in place on site to minimize the potential for spread of COVID-19. These include increased implementation of universal cold and flu precautions (hand washing, sanitizing), social distancing, increased site hygiene and deep cleaning protocols, and active monitoring of these activities by dedicated personnel. The Minnesota portion of Line 3 will bring a $2.6 billion-dollar private investment boost to our state’s recovering economy. It will provide good-paying jobs to 4,000 men and women in the construction trades, and contrary to what LaDuke writes, the majority of those skilled workers will come from union halls right here in Minnesota. After more than five years of environmental study and permitting review, after more than 70 public hearings, open houses, townhalls and teleconferences, it is the most studied pipeline project in Minnesota history. Once permits are in hand, we’ll be ready to go with safeguards in place that will protect workers and communities during construction. It is past time to move the Line 3 project forward. Barry Simonson is Director of the L3R Project for Enbridge.

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We asked loyal readers to help during this distressing time, and you have answered with donations to help The Reader stay afloat. With so many of advertisers still closed, we are struggling with greatly reduced ad revenue. If you would like to help, donate through the website (DuluthReader.com) or by mail P. O. Box 16122, Duluth, MN 55816. We give thanks to these contributors:

Mike Jaros, Ria Meltzer, Joseph Raycraft, Mary and Jim Stukel, Harry Welty, Cindy and Jack Seiler, Brian Smith, Pat and Larry Duncan, Don Macor, Margery Stanley-Meyer, Barbara and Steven Rovinsky, Dennis Elj, Rick Ball, Peg Apka, Jim Suttie, Jacqueline and Ken Moran, Ronald Lampinen, Leonard Lamoureux, Richard Benson, Susan Wollack, Maria and Robert Fierek, Linda and David O’Connor, Nia Buria, Ann Kreager, Kathy Goetze, Robert Britton, Mario Ferrer, Loreen and Edward Engelson, Jason Maloney, Cindy Dillenschneider, Shary Zoff, Frances Kaliher, Paul Roen, Karen and Kalen Johnson, Cecilia Hill, Mark Elden, Patricia Dowling, Ann and Jerome Miller, Carolyn Sheets, Doretta and David Reisenweber, Karen Moore, Joanne and David Sher, Sara Kylander-Johnson, Jeanie Mulford, Rick Rovner, Gary Orwig, Kurt Salmela, Dennis Rogalsky, Elaine Palcich, Bill Lynch, Mary Thompson, Lenny Sandberg, George Erickson, Lindsay Sovil, Sebastian Lamberti, Philip Anderson, Hal Moore, Beth Tamminen, Paul Jorgenson, Ben Effinger, Charlene and Denis Liljedahl, Anita and Richard Paulson, Dawn Thompson, Kathy and Tom Maas, June Kreutzkampf, Marlene and Greg Barto, Lorraine and Russell Mattson, June and Rodger Klosowsky, Ivy Wright, Larry Johnson, Sharon and William Wilton, Ann Scott, Bart Sutter, Stan Eisenberg, Jason Johnson, Dennis Zimmerman, Jack Pick, Walt Prentice, Doris Malkmus, Carol Beach, Judith and James Cherveny, Edith Greene, Marc Elliot, Laura Davidson, Sanford Anderson, Dorothy and Harry Skye, Thomas Waletzko,Karen and Patrick Lucia, Debra Nordman, Margaret Fait, Joanne and John Zarins, Kathleen and William Croke, Barbara Bayuk, Alicia Gaskin, Jo Thomspon and Anonymous. May 7,May 2020 7 7, 2020 7

Here’s How: No-barrier bathroom feels spacious Dear James: We are remodeling our small master bathroom and like the idea of a European-style, no-barrier design. Can we change our bathroom to this type of design? — Ronnie K. Dear Ronnie: What you are referring to is commonly called a “Eurobath,” and it’s becoming more popular here, too. With no barrier on the floor between the shower and the

8 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

rest of the room, a smaller bathroom can appears larger. Also, not having a barrier provides more useful floor space. Another advantage of a no-barrier bathroom is easier and safer access for elderly and handicapped people. As you get older, you might be glad you have a no-barrier bathroom. When you plan to sell your house someday, you

will have a larger potential buyer pool, including the elderly. The slope of the floor is relied upon to carry the water to the shower drain with a barrier-free floor. Also, the entire floor must be sealed well so the water spray from the shower makes it to the drain and does not leak through the floor. Tiled floors and walls are most commonly used and are most attractive.

floor. The mortar bed allows you to vary the slope across the floor and create any desired angle. The sink and toilet are usually far enough from the shower area so the floor under them can be level.

HERE’S HOW

The floor framing underneath the shower area may have to be by lowered to create adequate slope for proper water flow. The standard 2-by-10-foot floor joists may be cut down to 2-by-6-feet, and additional ones may need to be installed (doubled or tripled) for strength.

JAMES DULLEY

It is a major remodeling project, but you can convert your existing bathroom with a shower stall to a barrier-free one. The first item to check is the slope of the bathroom floor. Floors are not always as level as you might think they are. If the entire floor slopes away from the shower now, it might not be a good idea to try this. Assuming your floor is reasonably flat to start with, the basic remodeling method involves laying a full mortar bed floor, sometimes called a mud

This can also be accomplished by raising the rest of the floor in the bathroom to create the necessary slope to the drain. The only drawback here is the offset at the door opening where the new raised bathroom floor meets the bedroom or hall floor. With proper layout, slope the floor back down near the door. A small step is also possible, but this creates problems for wheelchair and walker access.

A 1/4-inch drop per 1-foot length is an adequate slope for the areas out from the shower, which may get some water spray. The slope in the actual shower area down to the drain should be slightly steeper, but not excessive. Water should flow nicely over a tiled floor. Once the mortar floor is contoured properly, it is wise to install a waterproof membrane before installing the tile. Mortar feels hard to the touch, but moisture, particularly if it is standing, can migrate through it to the lumber below. Use a drain with a flange, and seal the membrane around it. Install the new tile floor and walls, and grout them as normally done. Send your questions to Here’s How, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at creators.com.

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May 7, 2020 9

Utility fight brewing

‘Climate-refuge’ status challenged by high use of coal By Walker Orenstein Last year, a Harvard professor branded Duluth as a “climate-proof” sanctuary for its cold weather, access to fresh water and for infrastructure that could absorb a rush of new residents fleeing warmer places. Yet Duluth is far from climate-proof. Storms that have already battered shorelines, put homes at risk and damaged city treasures like its Lakewalk pedestrian trail are expected to become stronger. Rains that have already strained sewer systems and flooded infrastructure may become heavier. As a result, there has been a growing climate movement in Duluth, a city that has increasingly advertised itself as an outdoor haven with access to fresh air, clean water and Lake Superior. Officials are working to fortify infrastructure and slash greenhouse gas emissions from city government. Climate advocacy groups have also

launched projects to build solar gardens, develop more sustainable housing and improve residential energy efficiency. But for environmental advocates who want a carbon-free Duluth, their biggest roadblock may be a unique and influential hometown utility that not only serves the city but a stable of energy-hungry taconite mines and paper mills that have long been critical to the region’s economy, and its identity: Minnesota Power. “If Duluth really is going to identify itself as a resilient and sustainable community where all are welcome, we need to walk the walk,” said Jenna Yeakle, a Duluth organizer for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal and Clean Energy campaign. “We can’t be contributing to climate change while also being home to many who are seeking refuge.”

Julie Pierce, left, vice president of strategy and planning for Minnesota Power, points to the utility’s 2021 goal for 50 percent renewable energy, ahead of all utilities in the state, and without help from nuclear plants. However, Bret Pence, right, Greater Minnesota Director for the climate advocacy group Interfaith Power and Light, said, “Our opinion is that they are right now engaged in greenwashing.” Powered by coal Minnesota Power provides electricity for 145,000 residential and commercial customers across northern Minnesota, including Duluth, and counts 1,020 full-time and part-time employees. Its parent company, ALLETE Inc., also owns a North Dakota coal mine, a clean energy company, and another utility that provides water, gas and electricity to Superior, Wisconsin. Minnesota Power has been an institution in Duluth for a century. Founded in the early 1900s, the company generated hydropower initially through a dam on the St. Louis River, which flows through Duluth into Lake Superior. As the region’s mining and forestry industries expanded in the last century, so did Minnesota Power’s reach, and the utility eventually built a fleet of coal-fired power plants to support growing cities, towns and industry across the Northland. By 2005, 95 percent of the company’s energy came from coal, and the reason was simple, said Julie Pierce, vice president of strategy and planning for Minnesota Power: Coal was the cheapest and most reliable form of energy. And the company needs a lot of it. That’s because while the utility serves a fraction of the total customers that neighboring Xcel Energy does in the Twin Cities, Minnesota Power feeds a small group of energy-intensive large industrial customers. Typically, about 74 percent of Minnesota Power’s energy is sold to industrial operations, and most of that electricity heads to just six taconite

10 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

facilities and four paper and pulp mills scattered throughout the region. That customer mix is unique in Minnesota and rare – perhaps unheard of – across the country. Minnesota Power estimates one U.S. Steel mine alone needs roughly the same energy as the City of Minneapolis, which has more than 400,000 residents. The electricity use of Duluth, population 86,000, is tiny by comparison. Those mines and mills have long been a pillar of the northern Minnesota economy, powering direct and indirect jobs in Duluth, such as shipping. Despite its robust coal portfolio, after 2005, Minnesota Power began to shift away from the fuel. Pierce said improving technology for renewable energy made it possible. But federal tax credits for wind power made a transition cheaper. It also wasn’t entirely up to Minnesota Power; a 2007 state law ordered utilities to have 25 percent renewable energy by 2025. The company cleared that benchmark early. Over a decade and a half, Minnesota Power built a massive wind farm in North Dakota and struck a deal to buy large quantities of hydropower from a Manitoba utility starting in June 2020. The utility also bought and repurposed a transmission line and built another to harness the resources. A third is under construction by Manitoba Hydro. Because of those investments, and others, Minnesota Power has closed or idled five of the nine coal-fired generating units it had in 2005 and converted another pair to natural gas. About 30 percent of the utility’s

power is now generated by renewable sources. Minnesota Power plans to stretch that to 50 percent by 2021 after it adds a wind farm in Southwest Minnesota, the hydropower from Canada and more solar electricity to its portfolio. Nearly all of the renewable energy will be carbon-free, though Minnesota Power does produce some energy from biomass. “We like to identify how we’ve gone faster and further with our transition in a very thoughtful way,” Pierce said. Climate movement grows As Minnesota Power has changed in response to climate change, so has Duluth. More than many communities in Minnesota, Duluth is already facing problems created or exacerbated by climate change, said city Councilor Joel Sipress. For instance, more extreme weather is contributing to erosion that threatens homes and businesses in Park Point and straining stormwater infrastructure. This year, the city asked the Legislature for $13.5 million in state bonding money to fortify coastline infrastructure like seawalls and the Lakewalk. And people are taking notice. “In Duluth, over the last year or two, many in the community have come to recognize that climate change is not a future problem but is now a present problem,” Sipress said. “If we don’t start getting serious right now it’s going to become an increasingly serious problem in the future.” That climate awareness has grown

Minnesota Power got its start as a utility with the Fond du Lac Hydroelectric Station on the St. Louis River, built in 1923 and capable of producing 12 megawatts of electricity. in tandem with a city shifting away from an industrial past toward higher education, health care and small businesses like breweries, said Bret Pence, a Duluth resident who serves as Greater Minnesota director for the climate advocacy group Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light. For more than a decade, the city has marketed itself as an “outdoors town,” where people are connected to the environment and Lake Superior, Pence said. And that has been a big part of Duluth’s “revival,” he said. “People move here because of the outdoors often and then find a job, rather than the other way around.” Minnesota Power’s trajectory is, for some in Duluth, too slow. Pence noted Duluth quickly joined the Paris Agreement on climate change after President Donald Trump’s administration pulled out, and Mayor Emily Larson, who recently hired a sustainability coordinator, has committed to reducing city emissions 80 percent by 2050. Resisting clean energy? While Minnesota Power is approaching that 50 percent renewable milestone, it’s still grappling with questions about its energy production. One of those questions is whether the company will shut down its last two coal-fired generators. The two units – at the Boswell Energy Center, 90 miles northwest of Duluth in the small city of Cohasset – will be considered for retirement or operating extensions in 2035 and 2036, though some environmental advocates hope they are shuttered earlier. Iron mines have been vocal in their opposition to early retirement for the plants. The Iron Mining Association of Minnesota proposed state legislation to require that Boswell stay open unless it’s cheaper to build and operate

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clean energy and infrastructure like transmission lines. Minnesota Power supported the idea, even as the company has remained tight-lipped about its long-term plans. What’s next for the coal plants will become clearer later this year, when Minnesota Power files a 15-year plan with state regulators. But the climate debate goes beyond coal for Minnesota Power. The utility wants to build a $700 million natural gas plant in Superior, known as the Nemadji Trail Energy Center. Yet the plant faces stiff opposition from environmental advocates, who warn it could become outdated and expensive as renewable technology advances. Even large industrial customers argued it was not the cheapest power option. And while the Nemadji Trail plant was approved by Minnesota regulators, the state Supreme Court is considering whether it should undergo environmental review in Minnesota. As Gov. Tim Walz and other state Democrats push for a new law to require carbon-free energy by 2050, the utility has not taken a position on their 2050 clean energy bill, or otherwise pledged to be free of emissions by midcentury. By contrast, Xcel Energy says it will be coal-free by 2030 and 100 percent carbon-free by 2050. Xcel has also surpassed 50 percent carbon-free power in the Upper Midwest, though much of that is from nuclear energy, which Minnesota law does not count as renewable. Minnesota Power has not taken a stance on another bill, this one with some Republican support, to make adding new fossil fuel power more difficult. “To me it looks like they are publicly just committing themselves to a goal that they’ll meet next year,” Yeakle,

May 7, 2020 11

the Sierra Club organizer, said of the utility’s 2021 pledge. “And they aren’t putting forward any long-term goals or vision.” The utility has also thrown its considerable power and influence behind a new crude oil pipeline planned to cross northern Minnesota: It leads Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition of labor and business that is fighting for the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline and two copper-nickel mines under consideration in northern Minnesota. Minnesota Power plans to supply energy for the pipeline and one of the new mines. The second mine hasn’t chosen a power provider yet. (The utility says the pipeline won’t increase energy demand because it expects the pipeline to be more efficient and run a different route from a smaller one it will replace. Some argue Line 3 won’t increase emissions, since oil will simply be transported by rail if the pipeline is not built.) Low-cost, reliable power The utility still says it’s doing much better at fighting climate change than some of its critics contend. The company says it offers the highest percentage of renewable power among large utilities in Minnesota, and is second in the Upper Midwest, even though northern Minnesota is not a particularly windy or sunny region for producing renewable power. And despite the hefty, around-theclock electricity needs of the mines and mills it serves, Minnesota Power’s 2021 goal for 50 percent renewable energy

12 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

“I pretty firmly believe that we need to generate this baseload power for these businesses to survive, for those employees to keep their jobs and keep these communities going.” Sen. Erik Simonson is ahead of all utilities in the state, Pierce said. The utility’s clean-power strides come without help from nuclear plants, which Xcel has benefited from since the 70s. Pence, the clean energy advocate, also praised some Minnesota Power programs, like its rebate program for installing solar. “I often like to ask folks, how important is it that someone put out a goal for 2050 versus what they’re doing right now?” said Pierce, of Minnesota Power. “Obviously we’ve put out markers too, like 50 percent (renewable power).” As it develops its 15-year plan, Pierce said the utility is “excited about looking at alternatives” for coal. But the utility’s priorities include more than a carbon-free power mix. Pierce said its focus is on balancing clean electricity improvements with reliable, safe, low-cost energy that creates and protects jobs. For instance, mills and mines worry that the price of new clean power infrastructure could spike their rates, at least in the short term. Costs have already increased between 50 to 70 percent for industrial customers as Minnesota Power has made its energy

transition, Pierce said. Kelsey Johnson, president of the Iron Mining Association, said the higher energy bills put them in danger of being uncompetitive in the global industry. (Three mines and one paper mill were idled in April and more than a thousand people have been laid off amid an economic slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.) And recent Boswell renovations have cost hundreds of millions of dollars that Johnson said shouldn’t go to waste. “We know the importance of these customers to this region, to (Duluth), to the Greater Minnesota economy,” Pierce said. “They make up 10 percent of our economy, they’re 8,000-plus jobs. They are somewhat of a lifeblood of the northern part of this state and we need to hear their voices.” One reason the company wants to build the Nemadji trail gas plant is to make sure power service won’t be interrupted by the sporadic production of wind and solar. Plus, delivering new renewable power vast distances can be complex, Pierce said, and requires lengthy planning for expensive infrastructure like transmission lines. Boswell is the last so-called “baseload

power” Minnesota Power has in the region. “It is harder when you’ve got a high concentration of rural, heavy, industrial (power) load,” she said. “There are different considerations than if you’re downtown Minneapolis. It just is the nature of how electricity works.” But Pierce said Minnesota Power has met the needs of Duluth residents, too. Especially during the coronavirus pandemic that has crimped the economy, said spokeswoman Amy Rutledge. “Safe, reliable, affordable power, number one through three on their list” of priorities, Pierce said. “All day, always.” Pushing for faster transition That view is not shared by all in Duluth. “Our opinion is that they are right now engaged in greenwashing,” said Pence, of Interfaith Power and Light. While he commended Minnesota Power for adding clean energy when required, Pence said the utility has often done so while fighting green regulations along the way. In 2007, the company opposed the state’s energy standard for 25 percent renewable power by 2025, a law that Minnesota Power now cites as one reason for dropping much of its coal. And in 2014, the company settled with the federal government while facing allegations that it violated antipollution laws at its coal plants. It paid $500 million to make anti-pollution upgrades at its coal plants, among other concessions. Minnesota Power also sued the Obama administration over its 2015 Clean Power Plan, which required states to reduce carbon emissions — even though the utility said at the time it could likely comply. (Minnesota Power said it opposed the 2007 state law for being a mandate and Obama’s rules for creating an unclear regulatory process, though it did not oppose adding clean energy itself. The Obama power plan has since been unraveled by the Trump administration.) Pence said clean energy groups like Interfaith Power and Light have won concessions from Minnesota Power before state regulators on the Public Utilities Commission, too. If advocacy groups “don’t intervene and show the facts,” then choosing clean energy is “not their default,” Pence said. Those organizations are now gearing up to convince state regulators that Minnesota Power does not need the Nemadji Trail gas plant in its longterm plans or the Boswell coal units for another 15 years. Especially as the price of wind and solar has dropped

nationwide and coal continues to become more expensive. Two leading clean energy nonprofits, Fresh Energy and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, are still working on modeling and research to lay out exactly what their alternative vision looks like. Yet both say Minnesota Power could expand its renewable energy portfolio beyond existing plans without threatening reliability. Allen Gleckner, senior director of energy markets and regulatory affairs for Fresh Energy, said the state government should intervene to help communities impacted by a switch to clean power, like Cohasset. While Boswell is open, Pence said Minnesota Power could also pursue novel carbon-cutting strategies that Xcel plans to try, such as using coal only during the winter and summer, when more energy is needed, and otherwise idling the plants. A political split The future of the utility has divided elected officials. Sipress, the city councilor, said Duluth has been primarily focused on reducing the city’s own carbon footprint, despite interest in the community for putting more pressure on Minnesota Power. Climate advocacy groups have been preparing a “mobilization plan” to pressure city leaders into declaring a climate emergency that would speed transition to carbon-free energy, Sipress said. It’s in the long-term interest of mines and mills to act now, he said. “One of my fears is that if we drag our heels in northern Minnesota on energy transition we may face the danger of being forced to make that transition without proper planning,” Sipress said. Yet the utility has plenty of allies. One is Arik Forsman, a city councilor whose primary job is to help lead economic development for Minnesota Power. (He said he has recused himself from votes related to the utility.) While Forsman said he shares the mayor’s vision for Duluth’s own energy transition, which includes weaning a city-owned steam plant off coal, he said Minnesota Power’s work to keep local jobs and low rates for all customers is important, too. While he’s heard from people at council meetings asking the utility to go “further, faster” Forsman said he’s been in meetings with employees of Taconite Harbor Energy Center – a coal plant along the North Shore of Lake Superior that was partially closed in 2015 and then idled in 2016 – whose families were “upended” when they

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lost their job. Plus, he said, Minnesota Power is ahead of industry-heavy utilities elsewhere in planning for an energy transition, making it more competitive in a changing sector. Most state legislators in the region have also been staunch supporters of mines and mills, which have pressured Minnesota Power to keep Boswell running. Many support Line 3 and the proposed copper-nickel mines, too, for the jobs they would create. State Sen. Erik Simonson of Duluth, the top Democrat in the Senate’s Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy Committee, said new technology may be able to help the utility get rid of carbon emissions entirely in the future, but he has to look at Minnesota Power through an “economic lens, too.” “It’s not to say that I’m a big coal proponent,” Simonson said. “But it is to say that I pretty firmly believe that we need to generate this baseload power for these businesses to survive, for those employees to keep their jobs and keep these communities going.” Ben DeNucci, chair of the Itasca County Board of Commissioners, told a Senate panel recently that 13 percent of the county’s tax base comes from the Boswell plant and its lifespan “is a huge deal to us.” The jobs are “some of the best jobs in our county.” “We cannot afford or absorb Minnesota Power’s plant going away,” DeNucci said. At the center of this divide is Duluth Mayor Larson. While Minnesota Power was slow to begin an energy transition, she said, they are quickly making up ground and being a “good partner” in working with a city that sometimes has different energy goals. And while Larson has prioritized reducing Duluth’s government emissions, she said that doesn’t mean Minnesota Power isn’t facing pressure to ramp up carbon-free energy faster. Larson said Duluth residents do influence the utility, and their activism makes it easier for her to press for bold climate change policy. “The push (for Minnesota Power) comes from living in a city that wants to see and do more,” Larson said. “From Rust to Resilience: What climate change means for Great Lakes cities” is a collaborative reporting project that includes six members of the Institute for Nonprofit News (Belt Magazine, The Conversation, Ensia, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, MinnPost and Side Effects Public Media) as well as WUWM Milwaukee, Indiana Public Broadcasting and The Water Main from American Public Media.

Reader Locations Below find locations we are going to try to keep stocked with The Reader. This list will be updated at DuluthReader.com

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All Super Ones Cub Foods Mount Royal Fine Foods Mount Royal Bottle Shop Mount Royal Library Whole Foods Co-op Cashwise Liquor Lake Aire Bottle Shoppe Holiday - 27th Ave W. Holiday- 40th Ave W. Holiday - London Road Holiday – Rice Lake Road Minit Mart - 19th Ave. W. & Superior St. CHUM drop-in center Marshall Hardware Reader box - Dewitt Seitz Reader box - Main Post Office Reader box - Downtown Sammy’s – West Duluth University Liquor Vintage Italian Pizza Woodland Market Place Wussow’s – West Duluth

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May 7,May 2020 13 13 7, 2020

Newspapers are dropping like flies Coal miners and gas and oil workers “Folks,” I told the staff, “here is my have been crying the blues of late but first test.” they have nothing on workers in the As a rule, the paper never ran newspaper industry Nothing. endorsements. And I had another rule: Newspapers have been dropping like no negative political advertising. None. flies the past 15 years as advertisers Tell our readers what you will if elected fled to the internet and Google and and leave out stuff about the other guy. Facebook and Twitter and all the other In dramatic fashion in our sites able to cash in on the addicts who composing room I tossed their first can’t put their phones down. endorsement in the recycling bin. I was All I can say, folks, is that you’ll to have run an endorsement urging never be able to start a fire in the readers to Vote No on the Legacy woodstove with a cell phone or a Amendment but I wrote an op-ed the laptop. Yes, you can toss those items week before urging readers to Vote Yes in after the fire has started but I truly on the amendment that would forever hope someday people decide to go cold set aside dollars for the environment turkey and just go back to reading. and the arts. How could the paper in But that won’t happen soon. good conscience run such conflicting People are just too darn addicted to commentaries in a week’s time? give up their electronics without an Next, I was to endorse Sen. Norm intervention of sorts. Coleman over Al Franken. Well, in The newspaper industry has dramatic fashion I told the staff that “I dwindled. The various thought must have lost that one” as I tossed it herders and propagandists have added away, never to be seen again. fuel to the fire by denying facts and Finally, I was to endorse Sen. John reason and a search for truth through McCain over Sen. Barack Obama. Well, journalism. The thought herders and I did run the McCain endorsement but propagandists have gladly besmirched I also found an Obama endorsement the professions, culminating with that I ran as well. I believe I put a Donald V. (for Vengeance) Rumpt header above the two endorsements calling us the enemy of the people. I that read “Viewpoint.” get such a hoot out of a faker like him. The owners didn’t like that and I have to admit I felt started to peer over my a little punch in the gut shoulder. I was then to cut when I saw that my old the page count in half and newspaper, the Lake County I told them on a weekly News-Chronicle, was going basis for months that we to fold. After working there were working on that as by as editor and pressman for best we could but we just several decades I figured I weren’t able to do that yet. was going to retire there Sorry. and eventually be buried We were to upload all with old Goss Community news content daily to our Press in my burial plot out website and all I could do behind the building. was wrinkle my nose and When the various uppity-ups came say we can’t really do that until the by the office 11 years ago to terminate newspaper was printed on Thursdays. our staff I had a few choice words for When told again to upload all their decision. I was never Mr. Budget content I could only respond by for our little company, but I knew a shrugging my shoulders and asking dumb budget decision when I saw one. “If we do that people might not buy We were still making money and had a the paper on Thursday. And besides, nice base of around 4,000 subscribers. I know a whole lot of people in Lake We were more than profitable, even County that don’t like computers or with a staff of old timers in their 60s. I have cell phones. That just wouldn’t was the young one at 55. make business sense, would it?” The owners left us alone for a couple Then my one loyal writer was to of years after they bought the paper be in the office 9-5 everyday and no but then things turned ugly when overtime. My one loyal writer had a the election of 2008 rolled around. I desk in our office but did a lot of her received a FedEx envelope one day that work from her home. They didn’t like had mandatory political endorsements that arrangement and mandated that for a party I’d begun to call the New she be in the office daily, a mandate we Conservative Neanderthal Party, ignored with a smile. They called often formally the republicans. to see if our arrangement had ended

FROM THE SIDE FORREST JOHNSON

14 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

and if loyal writer was in the office. I’d wink at her and tell them “Yes, she’s right here. Would you like to speak with her?” “You know what I mean,” said the out-of-town publisher. “That she’s in the office full time.” “Yes, she’s right here, would you like to speak with her?” Well, all the fun ended in May of 2009. Subscribers fled because they knew we were all canned. Revenues dried up, legals were lost, the office was closed. The paper lived poorly on a budget of austerity. I always wondered how you grow a tree if you cut it down first. Lake County will sorely miss the old Chronicle. And I can’t thank

the community enough for all the support we had over the years and all the writers and columnists and photographers and the folks who’d come in the back door and watch us wind up the old press, adjust the ink and shoot out that week’s news. Mary Nikolai up in Finland wrote her Finland News column for more than 60 years and when she passed her daughter Verna took over. At Mary’s funeral I hung around the back of the church until some family member told me that I had to sit up front. There on Mary’s casket was a Lake County NewsChronicle. I cried. I’m trying not to cry that my old newspaper is gone but it’s going to be hard.

The sacred cow in a time of plague We are finding out – very painfully The proposed 2021 CDC budget is cut – that there is much more to “national another 9%. Clearly this in not what is security” than weapons of war. The needed. current pandemic sweeping the Even worse, the figures above nation adds angst and urgency to the are not the total cost for “national situation. We are seeing the results of security.” Analysis by the Center for excessive military preparedness and Defense Information adds up all other insufficient investment in all other war-related spending in the federal government activities that actually budget. Using this measurement make our lives secure. the total proposed national security The U.S. military is the largest and spending for 2021 is $1.21 trillion most expensive in the world. It has out of a proposed $1.5 trillion been since WWII. We spend more discretionary budget. This is 81.5% of on defense than the next eight top discretionary spending, which is the spenders combined. We have military annual operating budget of the federal bases in 140 countries, more than government. any empire ever. We have 11 nuclear This means all other operations aircraft carrier battle groups (China of government – education, and Russia have one each). With the law enforcement, food safety, exception of Russia having more tanks, public health, children’s health, the U.S. exceeds every other nation in environmental protection, medical ships, planes and weapons. The U.S. research, farm subsidies, housing, arsenal is the most advanced. economic development, disaster relief, But an outbreak of disease is bringing etc. – get only 20 cents of your income our country to its knees. We don’t have tax dollar. War and preparation for enough paper face masts war gets 80 cents of every to protect people We don’t disposable dollar. When have enough hospital beds, even the court system, the enough test kits, or enough backbone of conservative ventilators. We don’t have “law-and-order,” is a universal national health underfunded, it is time to by care system or paid sick re-assess. leave needed in this time This is troubling because of crisis. So people with our personal, community, COVID-19 (or any other national and international communicable disease) are problems can’t be solved not getting the attention by military action. needed. Many people are The current pandemic not financially able to stay home. So is only one example. Climate we have a poor health emergency change, environmental destruction, response system because we have been population control, poverty and unwilling to pay for a good system. economic inequality have no military This should be a wake up call about our solutions. Most of the world’s serious poor spending priorities. problems can only be solved through Cost is no problem, however, for the cooperation and diplomacy. In military sacred cow. We have enough addition our obsession with militarism nukes to destroy the world. We have exacerbates these problems. Increasing the money for unnecessary military international cooperation will reduce bases and naval fleets circling the conflict and diminish the risk of costly globe. We have unlimited war funds. wars while creating a better, cleaner, No one every asks how we will pay for safer, more just and equitable world. a war. The money magically appears. But federal spending for diplomacy and Military spending typically international cooperation gets only 3% consumes about 55% of the federal of the budget. “discretionary” budget each year Defense is a necessary function (and this figure only includes the of government, but most of our Department of Defense, nuclear bloated military is not defensive. It is weapons, and the Overseas offense. It is for “projecting power” Contingency Operation (i.e., war and maintaining the capability for funding). This spending for FY 2020 military intervention that got us into was $733 billion. The proposed 2021 quagmires in Iraq and Afghanistan. A budget for $740.5 billion. In contrast national security that is truly defensive the Centers for Disease Control in 2020 would invest much more in diplomacy, received a total of $6.6 billion. This was cultural exchange, international $1.3 billion or 19.3% less than 2019. cooperation, respect for treaties and

SOUTH SHORE RUMINATIONS

PHIL ANDERSON

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enforcement of international law. Instead we are building 10 new $12 billion aircraft carriers (each twice the CDC budget). Some experts say aircraft carriers will soon be obsolete. They are vulnerable to a new generation of guided missiles. We are spending $1.5 trillion to “modernize” nuclear weapons which is creating a new arms race. More than half of the Pentagon budget goes to weapons manufacturers and other contractors. It does not “support the troops.” This spending is legendary for widespread waste and fraud. Just cleaning up the corruption could fund large increases in public health spending. Even conservative advocates for a strong military object to the current level of military spending. Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis (U.S. Army, ret.) writing in 2016 for the Project on Government Oversight said, “But is there such a thing as too much defense spending? Is it possible that, counterintuitively, more defense dollars could make us less safe? Yes. The fact is, that is exactly what’s happening. There

are tens of billions of defense dollars being wasted every year. That’s not just bad for our checkbook. It’s bad for our military effectiveness.” Christopher A. Preble, writing for the libertarian Cato Institute, says, “If U.S. foreign policy was less focused on trying to transform the world in America’s image by force, and more on leading by example, that would allow for a smaller and less costly – but still extremely capable – military. Allocating more attention to the other instruments of U.S. power and influence, meanwhile, would enable Americans to remain globally engaged through trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.” No matter how you spin the numbers, we spend way too much on war and preparation for war. It is time to change our priorities. Our country would be stronger, our people safer, and the world more peaceful it we did. We have to stop throwing more and more money at the military sacred cow.

- closed Tuesdays

May May 7, 2020 1515 7, 2020

Viral visions Thinking back it seems we went from out a good bluster. Happy New Year to a gloomy midnight One thing I haven’t done nearly as in (an old expression) no time flat. much as I could and should is express Certainly, things have changed. I got appreciation to and for The Reader as a an extra feel of the new-real the other goodly public forum. day. Doing nothing more exciting than Not once, ever, have I been asked to weekly grocery shopping I suddenly change wording or back off a phrased felt as if I was a player in a spaghetti position. That’s both applaud worthy western. (I imagine it’s been a while and brave in times when speaking of since most of you heard that term and red grapes or white bread can bring on for others their first time.) But there we wailings of protest. If it is any comfort were, an unlikely masked to the easily offended I crew of mot skulking weep for them, but not slowly down the aisles as sincerely or with much if carrying out a desperado actual compassion. In act. any case a supposed word Were we cautious injury is neither physical by masked banditos going nor permanent. to waylay a stock boy as Supposedly harmful hostage or grab the cashier speech can be questioned for ransom after dragging and then be retracted, them properly bound and amended or repeated gagged to our hideout depending on the speaker. in the hills? Why else would a gang Primarily in dictatorships is the spread out masked and creeping in a individual compelled to say this and grocery if not up to no good? not that. Yes, these are some odd times we’re It’s also worth remembering that in. misspeaking, bombast, insult and etc. Have you noticed the infectious are not criminal. Human changes in agent threatening humans has bred views and opinions means lots of false a blossoming of new virals in the steps. It’s part of the process. In human internet world of e-mail? exchanges chest beating or a growl is My count is not precise, but I not cause for mortal combat. estimate a tenfold increase in spam I think I understand but don’t have junk. It’s been decades since I had so much sympathy for presumptions many friends in Nigeria (one of the of hate speech. Asserting a claim of early major sources of spam scam speech injury carries some questionable e-mails). and possibly false beliefs. Well, they’re back, and seemingly Are you responsible for another’s no longer limited to Nigerian borders. feelings or are they outside your If grammar is any guide the writer control? sources of heaps of wonderful offers That’s a big question. It gets bigger and opportunities coming my way are yet when supposed responsibility for not native speakers of English, not that feelings of others outside your control unhappy numbers of news people on is assigned a burden of guilt. What a air are a hell of a lot better. Awkward bottomless muskeg bog that becomes. phrasing and sloppy use seems a Keeping communication clear is often badge of distinction among many difficult enough without lumbering it current commentators who see them with impossible dictates. themselves above petty distinctions of A “felt” injury is subject to a person’s correctness in use. mood or bias. How would you know Unfortunately this looseness what that was without asking and gravitates over to other areas of their being at risk of triggering a felt injury work and has the unexpected result doing so? A subjective view may not be of having no impact on their strict valid for others. observance of correctness in political What does red mean if you lack color terms. vision? Well you need not be a good reporter What’s real when someone to be an interesting one, do you? miscounts but insists their number is On that leveled field some of the correct? contenders are monumental examples Small matters become big when of how so much can be made of so people overreact. I think this happens little if you raise your voice and play more if we elevate subjectivity to the

NORTHSHORE NOTES HARRY DRABIK

16 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

grand scale of a universal revelation. Another area not gaining my sympathy is New York City. Yes NYC has been hard hit by the virus. But after 9/11 were they not made terribly aware of their vulnerability to outside forces which would include biological attack? If you can be reasonably sure (as is so with The Mall of America, I might add) you are a plum target on somebody’s screen you should take some steps to be prepared. I’m certainly in no position to lay out steps for NYC to take. The ones who are there are the ones who should figure it out and Be Prepared. Instead of prudent the leadership of NYC was political and didn’t take steps to be ready. Well we have to agree with NYC politicos that it is easier and more career rewarding to set aside nagging necessities to go along with popular demand knowing you can always duck responsibility and point the finger elsewhere.

Claiming others have failed us is often a sign of having failed ourselves in the first place. This, however, is not the sort of thing politicians do, is it? When is the last time you heard a political leader simply say they were wrong? Obsession with appearances and popular position may be excellent for a career politico but I doubt that translates favorably as for the public good. Too often public office is enriching, and I don’t mean spiritually. Lastly, as a former speech and debate coach I cringe at President Trump’s speaking style. It works but is really off putting. I’d give him middlin’ marks. But in debate you want a team with a distractor, someone attractive and appealing while also good at thinking on their feet. A debate squad also needs an imponderable, someone who keeps the other team off balance. In that case I can see giving a better mark.

Why shop locally? Reason #5

Nurture Community

Independent businesses are owned by people who live in this community and are committed to investing in Duluth’s future. Studies have found that locally owned businesses contribute more than twice as much of their revenue to charitable causes as corporate chains do. And advocates of local causes find that local business owners are generally much more accessible than executives of large corporations based in other states

When profiteering corporations rule the world With power to censor whistleblowers, corporations aren’t our friends

“He who pays the piper, calls the tune.” (Which basically means the wealthy corporate elites and their foundations that own and operate the media also get to decide what Big Pharma drugs and vaccines are promoted, what propaganda gets broadcast as news and what truly investigative journalists and whistleblowers censored or fired.) “Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.” – Commonly attributed to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini “Corporations are the opposite of good citizens. They bribe politicians to write laws that cheat society on a mammoth scale, most significantly by allowing them to avoid paying many of the very real costs incurred in conducting their businesses…including the social and environmental costs of destruction of valuable resources, pollution, the burdens on society of workers who become injured or ill and receive little or no health care, the indirect funding received when companies are permitted to market hazardous products, dump wastes into oceans and rivers, pay employees less than a living wage, provide substandard working conditions, and extract natural resources from public lands at less than market prices. Furthermore, most corporations are dependent on public subsidies, exemptions, massive advertising and lobbying campaigns, and complex transportation and communications systems that are underwritten by taxpayers; their executives receive inflated salaries, perks, and “golden retirement parachutes” which are written off as tax deductions.” – John Perkins, author of The Secret History of the American Empire: The Truth About Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and How to Change the World. “There are two governments in the United States today. One is visible. The other is invisible. The first is the government that citizens read about in their newspapers and children study about in their civics books. The second is the interlocking, hidden machinery that carries out the policies of the United States in the Cold War. This second, invisible government gathers intelligence, conducts espionage and plans and executes secret operations all over the globe.” “The Invisible Government…although the CIA is at its heart…even encompasses business firms and institutions that are seemingly private.”

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– David Wise and Thomas B. Ross, coauthors of The Invisible Government. “If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been “taken”. Once you give a charlatan (or a corporation) power over you, you almost never get it back.” – Carl Sagan. “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!” – Upton Sinclair, American author. It has become increasingly obvious that the filthy-rich billionaire class (with multinational corporations that are commonly in league with criminal elements) are the ones that have taken control of the policies of the U.S. presidency, his cabinet members and other bureaucratic appointees. Of course, corporations have long had financial control of most of the elected members of Congress, most of the Supreme Court, all big business trade and lobbying associations, Wall Street, War Street, and – as has become obvious since the coronavirus panic – even the unelected federal and state health bureaucracies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its subsidiaries, the NIAID, the CDC, the HHS and the FDA. One only has to check out the salaries, stock ownerships, past direct campaign and/or employment connections to corporations to note that virtually every Trump cabinet member and political appointee is a corporate-connected multi-millionaire – or worse. A timely example of the ruling power that multinational corporations have over governmental health care initiatives is the sad fact that corporations routinely try to bribe – via “campaign contributions” – most politicians, from Trump on down to state governors and their legislative bodies that are in charge of appointing their respective state health bureaucracies. Corporations do not pledge allegiance to a code of ethics (as physicians used to do). Their only duty is to make as much money as possible for their already wealthy shareholders and CEOs. Since the infamous Citizen’s United ruling of 2010, corporations may have the same rights as people, but they are dangerously sociopathic corporate persons.

And the march toward corporate supremacy over governments actually started long before the dramatic boost that corporations received when the big business-dominated U.S. Supreme Court ruled that inanimate corporations should have the same rights and privileges as human beings in the outrageous Citizen’s United versus the Federal Election Commission in 2010. President Obama accurately predicted – in his State of the Union address shortly after the SCOTUS decision – that it would “open the floodgates for special interests…to spend without limit in our elections.” I have been reading a book authored by David C. Korten, titled When Corporations Rule the World. It was published in 1995, but everything Korten predicted about the growing power of multinational corporations has come true. Here are some comments from book reviewers: “Under the guise of free market economics, modern corporations have assumed enormous economic and political power.” “Corporate libertarians have equated corporate growth with the public good, but … increasing corporate power results in an enormous transfer of power, wealth, and resources from the public to the private sector. Unresponsive to the public will, corporations have placed their immediate self-interest over the public good. In When Corporations Rule the World, former USAID official and Harvard Business School professor Korten examines the social, economic, and environmental consequences of the uncontrolled growth of multinational corporations.” “The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have all facilitated the growth of multinational corporations. The new global economic environment has resulted in a massive transfer of jobs and capital (to third world nations) and a drain on natural resources. Corporate expansion has been fueled … a predatory financial system, by corporate mergers and buyouts, and most of all by the illusory idea that unlimited growth is possible in a finite global environment. The corporate agenda of maximizing short-term profits often works against the common good, especially when corporations externalize their costs and export jobs and capital. A healthy society requires more than greed and

DUTY TO WARN by

DR. GARY KOHLS self-interest to sustain itself.” “With the unlimited growth of global corporate power, Korten foresees the emergence of a new corporate colonialism resulting in the loss of national sovereignty, economic dependence, and continued environmental and social decline. The corporate goal of global consumerism on a Western scale is simply unsustainable … without catastrophic social and environmental consequences.” Frequent readers of my past Duty to Warn columns will recognize the significance of the following article by Thom Hartmann (that will appear in the archives, but not the print version of The Reader this week) that deals with American Fascism and what defines corporate sociopathic behaviors. I totally agree with the following quote from Heywood Broun, an actual investigative journalist who wrote during the liberal democratic era of FDR. Most history books have refused to report that FDR, in 1934, was the target of an attempted coup d’etat by a conspiracy of powerful corporate entities, including JP Morgan and George W. Bush’s grandfather. The corporate conspirators had been inspired by the fact that German corporations had funded Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. “Fascism is a dictatorship (authoritarian rule) from the extreme Right, or to put it a little more closely into our local idiom, a government which is run by a small group of large industrialists and financial lords ... I am going to ask latitude to insist that we might have Fascism even though we maintained a pretense of democratic machinery. The mere presence of a Supreme Court, a House of Representatives, A Senate and a President would not be sufficient protection against the utter centralization of power in the hands of a few men who might hold no office at all. Even in the case of Hitler, many shrewd observers feel that he is no more than a front man and that his power is derived from the large munitions and steel barons of Germany.” -- Heywood Broun, syndicated columnist (1936)

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Judgment at Washington Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds: “because we know who you are…. In 1944 as a prisoner of war in a German labor camp M/Sgt Edmonds was the leader of the American prisoners. One morning at roll call the German commander demanded that all the Jews in the formation step forward. Edmonds said: “We are all Jews here.” The German officer pulled his Luger from its holster and put the barrel against Edmonds’s forehead and commanded: “Sergeant, One last chance. You will order the Jews to step forward or I will shoot you right now.” Edmonds: “Major you can shoot me, but you will have to kill all of us – because we know who you are – and you will be tried by for war crimes when we win this war. And you will pay.” The German put his Luger back in the holster. The Germans who did commit major war crimes were found guilty at the Nuremberg trials held after the war in 1945-46. Many perpetrators ended up with long prison sentences and nine were hanged. I thought of this story after listening to Donald the Lyin’ King at one of his political rallies disguised as a COVID-19 press conference. Thousands of Americans have been virus-killed by his incompetence, ignorance, narcissism, stupidity and mental disorders too numerous to mention. Read the Manuel of Mental Disabilities for sociopath and psychopath. His pleas to “liberate Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia” by asking his zombies to participate in rallies against shelter-in-place sponsored by his rich donors the Kochs and DeVoses is really a war crime because a lot of his zombies will die from the virus – and will kill others exposed by them. Just like after the Holocaust, when this pandemic is over, we must have Washington pandemic trials for negligence and men, women, and children manslaughter.

written by George Packer of what has happened to us during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the actions of our “wartime president.” He has covered domestic and foreign policy for many years in the New Yorker, Atlantic and other publications. He has written several books about American history and foreign interventions such as the Iraq War. He won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2013 for his book, The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America. I read his stuff because he always does his homework – and tells the truth, whether you like it or not. In contrast, I do not listen to or read about Trump’s statements because he always lies – more than 18,000 now. Here is Packer’s opening paragraph of a terrific article everyone should read: “When the virus came here, it found a country with serious underlying conditions, and it exploited them ruthlessly…. The crisis demanded a response that was swift, rational, and collective. The United States reacted instead like Pakistan or Belarus – like a country with shoddy infrastructure and a dysfunctional government whose leaders were too corrupt or stupid to head off mass suffering. The administration squandered two irretrievable months to prepare. From the president came willful blindness, scapegoating, boasts, and lies. From his mouthpieces, conspiracy theories and miracle cures. A few senators and corporate executives acted quickly – not to prevent the coming disaster, but to profit by it. When a government doctor tried to warn the public of the danger, the White House took the mic and politicized the message. Every morning in the endless month of March, Americans woke up to find themselves citizens of a failed state.” The Boston Globe newspaper ran 16 pages of obituaries in one day last week. What the hell, shelter-in-place protesters, let’s all get back to work!

THE GADFLY

ED RAYMOND

I trust George Packer to tell the truth – as I trust Donald the Lyin’ king to lie The June Atlantic has a summary

Why is our government paying $7 for 75 cent N95 masks? Because it is corrupt to the core. While Attorney General William Barr runs around the country spouting Roman Catholic Opus Dei bullshit about “religious freedom,” abortion,

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contraceptives and his allegiance to a nutcase con man, the grifters and thieves are busy fleecing the American taxpayers instead of going to jail for gouging, fraud, swindling and misrepresentation. What is the Justice Department and FBI doing to put these crooks in jail? I see Donald the Lyin’ King wants to bail out “our” cruise line corporations. I agree. There is only one cruise ship, the NCL America’s Pride of America, flagged and registered in the United States. Pay them off. There are currently 100 cruise ships out on the oceans someplace with 80,000 workers that can’t seem to dock anyplace. There are four big cruise line companies and dozens of smaller “headquartered” lines in the U.S. Disney ships are registered in the Bahamas. Go to Nassau for your bailout Master Sergeant Roddie Edmond stepped check. up when needed. Royal Caribbean ships are registered in Liberia. Your bailout check is there. figure out when enough is really Celebrity ships are registered in enough? I guess greed gets you Malta. Dock and collect your check. somewhere. Carnival ships are registered in Well, Harvard finally was Panama. You can stop and pick up your embarrassed enough to send the check bailout check as you go through the back – but only because Stanford and canal. Princeton refused their checks. For the rest of the cruise lines, go Why should we bail out the to your countries of registry and blow airlines? They have been very profitable your whistle. I would imagine they for more than five years while turning will rush out to the harbor with your their coach seats into flying cattle cars bailout checks. to squeeze in the riff-raff. You made your decision decades ago The four top lines – American, when you did not want to follow U.S. Delta, United and Southwest – spent labor and safety laws for your 441,000 a combined $39 billion buying stock employees or pay taxes in the country back so the CEOs and other executives where you made most of your money. More than 75% of cruise passengers are could pay themselves $666 million in compensation. (By the way, the top American citizens. Try suing a cruise cruise line executives cut themselves line. It’s a long trip to Liberia. See ya $448 million in compensation with later. stock buybacks.) If the four airlines had used profits Dear Congress: Why are we to reduce liabilities instead of stuffing bailing out these groups? their pockets they would have been Harvard University, which has more better prepared to handle flying during than $40 billion in the bank, applied pandemics. You don’t need bailouts, for and got a “stimulus” check from you need lessons about saving up bucks taxpayers for $8.6 million. It refused to cover problems caused by rainy days to give it up, claiming they were instead of taking all the profits when going to use it to pay the tuition for the sun shines – and then yelling and poor students enrolling at their elite whining for help from taxpayers while university. If it is so altruistic, why hasn’t it used having full wallets. Take them out and $8.6 million out of its own endowment put some of the cash back. And Boeing? You screwed up of $40 million to do the same thing? by killing people because you put Why steal it from a qualifying passenger jets in the air while building organization which is broke? the planes. Your lesson is “free market” Can’t a well-educated Harvard guy greed: go bankrupt and finish them on

Defendants in their dock at the Nuremberg Trials, circa 1945-1946. In front row, from left, Hermann Göring, Rudolf Hess, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Wilhelm Keitel (in second row, from left) Karl Dönitz, Erich Raeder, Baldur von Schirach, Fritz Sauckel. the ground. Boeing spent $53 billion on stock buybacks in the last five years, enriching executives and shareholders. Don’t try to screw the taxpayers. Empty your full wallets – then head for the breadlines. Where is that list of superrich who are taking care of their employees? I guess the Disney Corporation doesn’t want to be on the list. While cutting the pay of 100,000 workers, the company provided more than $1.5 billion to protecting executive bonuses and dividends. That amount of cash would keep all of their workers’ salaries paid for three months. Executive chair Bob Iger did give up $3 million of his salary and ended up with only $47 million in compensation. That’s a real sacrifice. Suspending the pay of half its theme park and hotel employees will save Disney $500 million a month. Those employees will have to depend on the safety nets of several countries to survive. Abigail Disney, granddaughter of Walt, is a very rich woman because of Disney stock, but she is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker who is completely pissed-off – and ashamed – of how the Disney company is run.

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One.” Atheists, now at 15% instead of 7%, think religion is a scam and 40% of young Americans now agree with the atheists – and do not affiliate with any church or religion. They do not want to support anti-Christian climate deniers who are anti-gay, pro-AR15, pro-white, anti-abortion, anti-Social Security, anti-Medicare, anti-Medicaid, anti-black-Latino-Jew-Asian-Native American-American Samoan, antiimmigrant, pro-wealth and vote against the disabled. These “Christians” do not even want to feed the poor or allow them to vote. How can they still use the name and life of Christ? Yes, we do need freedom of religion. But we must also have freedom from religion. Otherwise we might all be wrapping rattlesnakes around our necks while boogying to a hymn. And what was Congress thinking when they made private think tanks eligible for “stimulus” checks funded by billionaires who want to run the government? It’s beyond comprehension. The plutocrats have already bought Congress. Now they want taxpayer money to run the Cato Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, Freedom Works, and other right-wing

propaganda mills which have screwed workers, unions, the disabled, and taxpayers for 40 years. Some Trumplicans want to suspend payroll taxes for the rest of the year “to put more money in the hands of workers.” Your payroll taxes go toward Social Security and Medicare. Fight that to the death – because many depend on both for survival. Can you imagine the Trumplicans voting to fund future deficits in both when the rich right-wingers have been trying to eliminate both essential programs for years? After this pandemic is over we need to convene a court in Washington to determine responsibility – as we did at Nuremberg 75 years ago. Nineteen defendants and three organizations were found guilty of war crimes.

She summed it up: “That’d pay for three months’ salary to frontline workers (the $1.5 billion), and it’s going to people who have already been collecting egregious bonuses for years. Dividends aren’t all bad, given the number of fixed-income folks who rely on them. But still 80% of shares are owned by the wealthiest 10%. Pay the people who make the magic happen with respect and dignity they have more than earned from you. This company must do better.” Amen. Should atheists pay taxes to support evangelical christian ministers’ salaries? A Pepperdine University professor pushed the idea in the Wall Street Journal that places of worship were essential so we should pay minister salaries. In their hour of great need the collection plates were not passed in empty churches. Of course, this is a Trumplican professor from a conservative university trying to pull a flim-flam in a Trumplican newspaper. “Christian” ministers like Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell, Jr., Paula White and Pat Robertson have destroyed Christianity in the U.S. in three short years by helping to elect “The Chosen May 7, 2020 May 7, 2020 19 19

An e-mail from ‘Dickie Berkowitz’ ‘donation” (we will call it that?) Immediately after that, I will go away and under no circumstances contact you again I will get rid of everything I have in relation to you. You may keep on living your normal day to day life with absolutely no stress. “You have 24 hours to do so. Your time starts off as soon as you read this e mail. I have one of a kind program code that will inform me as soon as you go through this email so do not attempt to act smart.”

Clark Kent (George Reeves) is about to become Superman, if only he can get rid of Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson). Would Dickie Berkowitz have contacted the real Clark Kent with his scam? Would Superman have responded? “I am aware, Clark Kent, is your think I am messing around, just reply password. proof and I will be forwarding the “I require your complete attention recording randomly to 11 people for the coming 24 hours, or I may you are friends with. It could be your make you sure that you live out your friends, coworkers, boss, parents (I shame for the rest of your existence. don’t know! My software will randomly “Hi, you do not know me personally. select the contact details) But I know all the things “Will you be capable to regarding you your personal look into anyone’s eyes fb contact list, phone again after it? I question contact lists plus all the that… online activity in your “But, doesn’t computer from the past necessarily need to be by 116 days. Including, your that path masturbation video, which “I would like to make brings me to the main you a one time, non motive why I composing negotiable offer. this specific mail to you. “By USD 2000 and bit “Well the previous time coin and send them on you went to the sexually graphic the below address: online sites, my malware was activated “1C9o3WyXTHvbpR*eJK5iwP6GKtR inside your computer which ended QicwwM7B [Case-sensitive so copy & up recording a beautiful footage of paste it, and remove * from it] yourself pleasure play by activating “(If you do not understand how, look your Web Cam. (you got a really online how to acquire bit coin. Do not unusual preference by the way lamo.) waste my precious time) “I own the full recording. If you “If you do send this particular

NOT EUDORA HARRY WELTY

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When Dickie sent me this extortion note last week he/she/it got one thing right, sort of. Clark Kent* was my go-to password over and over for better than 10 years on the Internet against all good advice to the contrary. Did I want to order a Bonsai tree from Colorado? – type in Clark Kent to establish an account. Did I want a day’s online pass for the Seattle Newspaper? – Clark Kent. My guess is that Dickie picked up a raft of passwords, including mine, from a data breach at Target, Equifax, Linkedin, Ebay or the National Security Agency. I furrowed my brow a quarter century ago when I got my first awkwardly worded email from a Nigerian phisher of the credulous. He needed my help recovering his kleptocratic father’s pilfered wealth from a Swiss bank account. If only I could give him a hand I’d share in millions of dollars. Oh, and he was an African prince. In the years since, hundreds of Nigerian princes sent me similar appeals. I showed the email to my better half

and apologized for my self-pleasuring videos. My better laughed when she read Dickie’s threat. “If he knew you he’d know there is no way you could figure out how to do bit coin.” That was true. The closest I’ll ever get to bit coin was an episode of the Big Bang Theory. Even it’s idiot savants, who discovered that their long forgotten bit coin “investment” had turned into millions, couldn’t figure out how to collect it. I was no savant. I was just an old duffer doomed to Dickie’s “nothing personal” humiliation. I was a little PO’ed. I sent Dickie a reply asking him if he would like me to send him any more of my passwords. I know. I know. That was stupid. What I should have done was encourage him to phish Donald Trump’s twitter account. If you haven’t heard the FBI, CIA and NSA are hellbent on removing Mr. Trump and have probably already compromised the security on all his Internet accounts. I’m the one who should be “lmao.” (Note Dickie’s accronym above. He was laughing ass my off) *Dear readers, While Mr. Berkowitz did discover an oft-used password of mine it wasn’t “Clark Kent.” If I can’t trust Dickie Berkowitz I probably shouldn’t trust you either. Harry Welty confines his self-pleasuring mostly to tickling his keyboard at lincolndemocrat.com.

Vera declared her dead and shared the news with Duarte’s family, but her daughter, Sandra, later told local media, “He assumed she was dead and ... they disconnected her and passed her off to the funeral home.” The Daily Mail reported that funeral directors told investigators they were shocked to find she was breathing and moving around inside the body bag at the funeral home. Duarte was immediately transferred to another hospital for observation. [Daily Mail, 4/14/2020]

Home Invasion Early on the morning of April 15, an unidentified driver smashed his yellow Mustang into a fence in unincorporated Marin County, California, KPIX reported. California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew Barclay later recounted what followed: The driver tried to back out of the fence, but failed to realize he was in drive and crashed through a home instead. The homeowner came out to investigate and, noting the driver’s impaired state, removed the keys from the Mustang and returned inside to call police. The driver then discovered the keys inside the homeowner’s Toyota and tried to make his getaway, Barclay said, but he shifted the car into drive and barreled through the house once more, coming to rest alongside his Mustang. When the homeowner again tried to take the keys away, the driver allegedly hit him repeatedly, causing major injuries. CHP arrested the driver for suspicion of DUI involving drugs, battery and theft of a vehicle. [KPIX, 4/15/2020] Bright Ideas Many hospital workers are selfisolating to keep their families safe from COVID-19 exposure, but Corpus Christi, Texas, emergency room doctor Jason Barnes, 39, is taking a novel approach: He’s moved into his kids’ treehouse in his backyard. Barnes told the Caller Times on April 20 that he’s lived in the treehouse for about three weeks. If he needs something, he’ll shout down to the kids or call the house. “(T)he Wi-Fi reaches the treehouse, so I have my laptop and my own little command center here,” Barnes said. He uses a camping toilet with disposable bags, and he either showers at the hospital or “my oldest son will rig up a water hose. ... Luckily, my fence is pretty tall.” As for when

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he can re-enter the house, Barnes said, “We’re always looking at the CDC and Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision, but the final determinator is the wife.” [Caller Times, 4/20/2020] The Washington Examiner reported on April 21 that some people appear to be spending their coronavirus stimulus checks on another kind of stimulation. The adult live model site Cams.com says it has seen a surge in traffic. “Since April 13, we’ve seen a 22% uptick in traffic to our livestreaming site, and tips to our models have increased by 40%,” said Gunner Taylor, director of strategic development for FriendFinder Networks, of which Cams.com is a part. Traffic from Washington state is up 204%, and it’s up 83% in Illinois, but it’s down in Washington, D.C., by 29%. [Washington Examiner, 4/21/2020] The Entrepreneurial Spirit At the Peace N Peas Farm in Indian Trail, North Carolina, owners Francie and Mark Dunlap have launched a new career for their 8-year-old mini donkey, Mambo, and their other horses. For $50, Mambo, Eddie, Zeus or other animals will make a 10-minute guest appearance to liven up your next videoconference, the Charlotte Observer reported. You can even give the fourlegged interloper the on-screen name of a regular attendee: For instance, Zeus might become Paul, the guy who asks too many questions. The Dunlaps also arrange for their animals to visit classrooms or happy hours. [Charlotte Observer, 4/19/2020] Reports of My Death Cancer patient Gladys Rodriguez Duarte, 50, was rushed to a clinic in Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay, on April 11, after her blood pressure shot up, according to the Paraguay National Police. Two hours later, Dr. Heriberto

The Continuing Crisis Geauga County (Ohio) Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand told WJW his office was called to break up a large party of Amish late on April 18 in Huntsburg Township. “When we got there, there was a barn full of people and some of them ran,” he said. One partier was arrested for disorderly conduct, two were charged with underage drinking and another was issued a summons for violating the state’s stay-at-home order, according to the sheriff. “We won’t tolerate this,” Hildenbrand said, “and we have to keep everybody safe.” Amish people are reportedly continuing to gather in large groups, and the county health commissioner has sent a letter to Amish bishops about an increase in COVID-19 cases in that community. [WJW, 4/20/2020] Not COVID-19 An unnamed 22-year-old Chinese woman has spent the last 14 years trying to discover the cause of her persistent cough, which started when she suffered a serious fit of coughing as a child, Oddity Central reported on April 22. Over the years, she has been misdiagnosed numerous times, but as she recently prepared for an unrelated surgery, the mystery was solved. Dr. Wang Jiyong at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine ordered CT scans that revealed a foreign object in her right lung that turned out to be a chicken bone fragment just over half an inch long. Doctors said she had probably inhaled it at 8 years old, when the coughing started. [Oddity Central, 4/22/2020] Ignorance Was Bliss Elena Manighetti and Ryan Osborne, formerly of Manchester, England, followed their dream and have been sailing around the world on their boat since 2017. They were en route from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, where they planned to dock on a small island in mid-March, but were surprised to discover the island’s borders were closed because of a worldwide pandemic. “In February,

we’d heard there was a virus in China, but ... we had figured by the time we got to the Caribbean in 25 days it would all be over,” Elena told the BBC. The couple had told friends and family they didn’t want to hear any bad news, but Elena is from the hardhit Lombardy region of Italy and has since caught up with her family. “It’s a very macabre picture at home, there are no more coffins, no more cemetery space. ... My family is thankfully safe ... but people we’ve known for years have died,” Elena said. The couple was eventually able to dock in Saint Vincent, and they hope to head north before hurricane season starts in June. “We’re sandwiched between the hurricane season and the virus,” Elena said. [BBC, 4/21/2020] Numbers Game Doriana Fontanella contacted KDVR in Denver to report that she’s been inundated with phone calls recently and she suspects she know why: Her mobile phone number is just one digit off Colorado’s fax number for the Department of Labor and Employment, where people are trying to send applications for unemployment claims. “There’s a real need out there, and I needed to let people know that I’m not the one they want,” Fontanella told the station’s Problem Solvers team. “I see on the news they’re saying they can’t get any response from unemployment, and I think that’s because they’re not getting the right number.” [KDVR, 4/22/2020] Inexplicable Ethan Palazzo, 30, of Collingswood, New Jersey, was arrested by police in Old Forge, who found him naked inside a local funeral home on April 11. According to a criminal complaint, Palazzo allegedly broke into the Thomas P. Kearney Funeral Home around 8 p.m., then rummaged through the facility’s chemical closet and left a cold bottle of beer in a display casket. The Citizens’ Voice reported Palazzo smelled of alcohol and declined to give police a motive for his trespassing; he was charged with burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief. [The Citizen’s Voice, 4/15/2020] Send your weird news items with subject line WEIRD NEWS to WeirdNewsTips@ amuniversal.com.

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District 7 Congressional candidates respond to Reader questions Two distinctly different candidates are running in the May 12 special election for Wisconsin’s 7th District Congressional seat, formerly held by Republican Sean Duffy. The Reader recently posed identical questions to the two candidates. Here are their replies. Q. Why should voters send you to Washington, and why do you want to represent them? Tricia Zunker: I’m the proud daughter of a 30-year union member (USW Local 2-224), the granddaughter of a dairy farmer, and a first generation college graduate who also went on to earn a law degree. I’m where I’m at today because of opportunities I was given, and I want to ensure other people have those opportunities as well. I’m a supreme court justice for my tribe, Ho-Chunk Nation, Wausau school board president, a professor, an attorney, a solo parent, and I’m looking forward to serving you in Congress. Sen. Tom Tiffany: President Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” That’s why I am running for Congress – to defend freedom and our Wisconsin way of life. I want my daughters, Karlyn, Lexie and Katherine, to have the same opportunities my siblings and I did to earn the American dream. The Northland needs a leader who has proven they will provide effective leadership and who will work to get rea results for our communities. I will be a champion in our nation’s capital for the critical infrastructure projects vital to the prosperity of our community, such as the Nemadji Trail Energy Project, the Husky refinery, and the Port of Superior. I’m also the only candidate in this race with a tested, proven record of standing up for Northern Wisconsin. As a citizen legislator, I’ve helped pull Wisconsin out of difficult times before, and I’ll do it again. Q. What skills do you bring to the job? Tricia Zunker: I’m a supreme court justice for my tribe Ho-Chunk Nation, Wausau school board president, a professor, and a solo parent. I’ve spent years serving my community in a number of ways. I know what it means

cacophony of Washington, D.C.?

to listen to facts, science, and legal reasoning when making a decision, and I know how to work with others to come to consensus. Sen. Tom Tiffany: My experiences – from growing up on the farm, as a father, as a small businessman, and as a public servant – help me understand and support the hardworking people of Northern and Western Wisconsin during tough times. When our state faced a troubling economic future, I stepped up and ran for public service. Red tape and regulations were crippling businesses. Taxes were too high. Wisconsinites were losing their jobs, and our state had multibillion-dollar deficits. It wasn’t easy to put our state on the right track. Democrats fled the state, and our Capitol saw protests unlike ever before. None of that deterred me from making the right decisions for my daughters, family, neighbors, and our community. Using the work ethic my parents taught me, I worked with my colleagues to cut taxes by $13 billion and help more Wisconsinites get to work than ever before. Right now – especially in the face of this public health crisis and its ripple effects – our district needs a leader who is ready to work for them on Day One and enact commonsense policies. I helped Wisconsin navigate its way out of the Great Recession to become prosperous. We need a leader who has proven they will provide effective lead-

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ership and who will work with President Trump to get real results for our hardworking families in rural America. Q. What is the most important thing voters should know about you that they won’t learn anywhere else? Tricia Zunker: I’m a hard worker, I worked hard to be the first person in my family to graduate college and then law school. And I will work incredibly hard for the people of this district. Sen. Tom Tiffany: I have the values and leadership needed to represent the 7th District. When I got into politics, I did so as a father and a small businessman concerned for my community, and I delivered on my promises. Wisconsinites can count on me not just because of my words but because my words come with action. I won’t apologize for or compromise our Wisconsin values – I’m pro-gun, prolife, pro-America, and will always put Wisconsin first. Plus, I’m a dam man. I serve as the dam tender on the Willow Flowage in Oneida County. Q. By virtue of the office, a Congressional representative should be the face and heart of the people he or she represents. What do you see as the five main priorities among the portion of northern Wisconsin you hope to represent? And how would you effectively give voice to your constituency in the

Tricia Zunker: I’m going to put aside partisan politics and advocate for what’s best for this district and everyone in it, whether they voted for me or not. My top priorities are advocating for affordable health care, lowering prescription drug costs, additional help for our small businesses and family farmers, expanding access to rural broadband, and making sure our beautiful lands stay protected. Sen. Tom Tiffany: Our top priorities are: 1) Provide Wisconsin families with the bridge necessary to safely get us through the COVID-19 pandemic and back to prosperity. 2) Stopping the creep of socialism into our country and protecting the American dream for future generations. 3) Lowering the price of health care and increasing access. 4) Securing more free and fair trade deals for Wisconsin farmers. 5) Delisting the gray wolf. In addition, I will be a champion in our nation’s capital for Superior and our Northland communities. Superior is a critical junction for infrastructure here in the United States, and I will work everyday to ensure its continuedsuccess. This includes completion of the Nemadji Trail Energy Project, rebuilding the Husky refinery, and making sure the Port of Superior gets its fair share of federal funding. These are vital infrastructure projects for the prosperity of the United States. Unfortunately, my opponent is endorsed by the Sierra Club which has sued to stop the Nemadji Trail project, and supports policies that will jeopardize the reconstruction of the Husky refinery. But I, along with the people of the Northland, know how important these projects are, and I will ensure your voice is heard in Washington D.C Q. Should we be open for business? Can you see any federal options you would support to help right the economy once the pandemic has cooled down, even if things must remain closed for longer than expected? Tricia Zunker: I believe we need to listen to the scientists and medical experts about how to reopen safely.

I know many people are eager to get back to work, but we need to make sure we follow a process that keeps us from making the pandemic any worse. And I believe the federal government needs to do more to help small businesses and family farms impacted by this crisis, and I will do that in office. Sen. Tom Tiffany: We can and must do both: control the spread of the virus and begin opening our economy back up. We must also work to provide Wisconsin families, workers, and businesses with the bridge necessary to safely get us through these tough times and back to prosperity. That is why I voted for the recent emergency COVID-19 legislation that will help protect Wisconsinites during this public health emergency. But we must also implement a more precise, regional plan to reopen our economy, rather than a shotgun, lock-down approach. Such a plan has been recently outlined by Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House virus task force coordinator. Q. Should the U.S. rejoin the Paris climate change agreement? Where do you stand on the continued rolling back of environmental regulations? Tricia Zunker: I believe we should rejoin the Paris climate agreement. We need to take action to address climate change, and making sure our beautiful waters and lands stay protected will be a priority of mine in office. I will oppose rolling back environmental regulations that will expose our lands to corporate greed. Sen. Tom Tiffany: Like all Wisconsinites, I value our national resources and believe we should work to manage them responsibly. However, these efforts must be balanced with the negative impacts they also have on rural families. International deals like the Paris Climate Accord hinders the prosperity and growth of our economy here at home, while doing next to nothing to actually help the environment. Deals like this and radical policies like the Green New Deal threaten to jeopardize the Nemadji Trail Energy Project and would surely halt the reconstruction of the Husky refinery. These are critical infrastructure projects for our county and are the heart of our prosperity in the Northland, and they must be protected. Moreover, when our dairy farmers, small businesses, and manufacturers are already struggling with too much government red tape, the answer cannot be to send more costly, crippling regulations their way. Should we reduce the amount of oil

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and gas we use? Absolutely. We, as private citizens, should promote energy efficiency wherever possible, and we are seeing smart consumers looking to do that organically. We should look at all sources of energy, but they should be able to stand on their own in the marketplace without taxpayer support and government interference. Q. Is there a solution to the mess that is American health care? Tricia Zunker: I believe we need to make health care more affordable and accessible. I will work to strengthen and expand the Affordable Care Act, I will make sure pre-existing conditions stay protected, and I will support a robust public option. Sen. Tom Tiffany: Socialists like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren want to enact a cookie-cutter Medicare for all plan that would bankrupt taxpayers with its $34 trillion price tag. For those seniors on Medicare, it completely guts the current program and will result in Medicare for none. There’s a better way to help Wisconsinites get the health care they need. With more freedom, choice, competition, and transparency, Americans will get better access to health care at lower costs. As a small businessman, I’ve seen these free-market principles in action. I will work to hold drug companies accountable with high transparency. Transparency will help lead to lower prices on prescription drugs and health care, and by inserting competition into health care, we can lower costs. Providers will have to compete for patients’ business, resulting in higher quality and lower costs. To do this, we need the federal government out of the way. By giving states the power to create innovative solutions, we can come up with ways to help the neediest of the needy. Before Obamacare, Wisconsin had one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country. Unfortunately, Obamacare made us get rid of our high-risk insurance pool that many people with pre-existing conditions loved, and now we have fewer health care choices and skyrocketing costs.

having internet access is to work, start a business, use virtual learning opportunities or access telemedicine. Sen. Tom Tiffany: My first priority will be to provide Wisconsin families, workers, and businesses with the bridge necessary to safely get us through these tough times and back to prosperity. I’ll work to lower the price of health care and increase access. I’ll champion delisting the gray wolf. I’ll fight to build a border wall so we can fight against the influx of drugs that are scourging our neighborhoods. I’ll take my work ethic learned on the farm to Congress, and help lead the fight for free and fair trade deals for Wisconsin farmers. And to stop future generations from being saddled with this enormous federal debt, I’ll roll up my sleeves to lower out-of-control spending. Q. Please sum up the reasons why you are the better candidate. Tricia Zunker: I have the moral fiber, work ethic and experience to get the job done in Congress and I’m going to take office and advocate for

every person in this district, whether they voted for me or not. I’m going to put partisan politics aside and work to make sure people have access to affordable health care, and that small businesses and family farmers have the help they need. On the school board I’ve worked with people who have differing viewpoints than me to get things done, and that’s what I’ll do in office. I’ll also prioritize constituent services. Sen. Tom Tiffany: There is a clear distinction in this race. My opponent supports radical policies, such as the Green New Deal, that will cripple the economy of the Northland. Her agenda threatens the livelihood of local communities. Superior is a critical transportation hub for our prosperity in the future, and we must fight to protect it. I will be a tireless advocate for our infrastructure projects that are so important, not just to Superior, but to America. TheNorthland can count on me because my words come with a record of never compromising on our shared values and always putting Wisconsin first.

Q. Is there any one issue you would like to tackle while in office? Tricia Zunker: There’s many issues we need to tackle like expanding access to affordable health care and providing help for our small businesses and family farmers, but one area we particularly need to address is expanding rural broadband access. This pandemic has shown more than ever how important

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Back to business The situation created by Covid-19 makes it easier for school board members and our superintendent to mug grins at each other over the internet and box bothersome citizens out. They met in a closed, virtual manner on 4/23/20. As the chair put it, the meeting was held: “to consider an offer, or develop a counter-offer for the sale of real property.” The “real” properties on the table for discussion: Old and New Central High Schools. When I tried to access the special meeting on YouTube, a video of the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation kept appearing on my screen. General Gregory Martin, class of 1970, kept popping up with the ceremony’s opening remarks: “Fifty years ago, the class of 1970 sat in the exact same seats – figuratively, at least…” I felt like I was sitting in the exact same spot – psychologically, at least – from 9 years ago. Our school district’s past actions automatically drives many citizens into suspicious mode. I couldn’t help but worry what kind of Red Plan coup de grace Keith Dixon’s protégé, Bill Gronseth, was scheming to dump on

us as he leaves town, just the way his mentor did. No vote was taken during the closed session, so the contents remain secret. But Bill is trying. He is trying really, really hard to follow his mentor’s exact same tracks out the door. Retired banker and former school board member Richard Paulson sent me an email the next day. He was trying to understand what was going on in this process: “I see they are talking about this legislation in the Education Finance Division. I do not understand how this can be regarded as a necessary deferred maintenance project, based on estimated levy savings from Historic Old Central.” Mr. Paulson – a citizen with good old-school sense – couldn’t see the underlying logic in this fiscal maneuver because there isn’t any. How could the school board even THINK about rebooting the Red Plan and dumping something like this on the new Superintendent, just as he steps into the job?

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Our new Super’s super deal The Duluth school board has ap-

SCHOOL BOARD by

LOREN MARTELL proved a three-year contract for its new Superintendent. John Magas will make $187,500 his first year, $191,250 his second year and $195,750 his third year. A superintendent position fetching this kind of salary is symptomatic of why so many school districts are fiscally struggling. In his first year, our new super will be making $59,871 a year more than the governor of Minnesota. The governor’s salary is $127,629. The differential between these salaries – $59,871 – would be a great salary for many people in Duluth. Our new superintendent in fact will make more money than all but four governors in the whole country, and he won’t be much below those four: California, $201,680, New York, $200,000, Pennsylvania, $194,850 and Tennessee, $194,112.

The contract given to Mr. Magas appears to be identical to the contract given to Bill Gronseth, except for higher numbers. (Bill’s first contract, in 2012, had a starting salary of $168,000.) The new super’s contract still includes a “golden parachute” clause, meaning termination of his contract “without cause, upon 30 days notice, (requires) payment of nine months salary and continuation of all benefits for twelve months…” After experiencing Bill Gronseth’s unending attempts to breach the trust of his contract and escape the asylum, I would have insisted on a clause that protected the district. After procuring job security for himself with his last contract, Bill hit the road looking for a new gig, as though he hadn’t signed any contract at all. If he had gotten a job in the spring of 2017, ISD 709, reeling on the brink of fiscal collapse, would have found itself without a leader. Such a near-disaster warranted some language inserted into the new superintendent’s contract that protected the school district’s (and taxpayers’) interest, in case the new guy got footloose after signing on the dotted line. I would have lobbied hard for a mon-

etary penalty that locked the signee into a more binding agreement and reduced the risk of being jilted. I would not want to see another groom run off right after the wedding ceremony, holding a prenup that forces the crestfallen bride’s parents to pay him for 9 months and cover his insurance for a year, if the false-hearted lout didn’t find another girl to accept his proposal. Some of the other perks of this deal include: $7,500 to cover relocation expenses from Green Bay to Duluth, a $6,000 Health care Reimbursement Plan and up to $5,000 a year to further the district’s top administrator’s education. There are probably many people across Duluth’s hillside living on not much more than $7,500 a year. (The school board makes $7,500 a year.) The super’s $6,000 HRA job benefit covers out-of-pocket medical expenses. As far as the five grand for educational expenses, one of my column’s readers emailed me a question she wanted to ask Bill Gronseth: “How much did ISD 709 pay towards his PhD, to make him more marketable to job hunt his way out of Duluth?” I’ll answer that question, for Bill: $25,733.68. And, according to an information response I received from the district dated 3/16/20, Bill Gronseth still “does not have his doctorate.” Even if Bill did manage to finish his doctoral thesis in the next few months, is Duluth getting a good return on its $25,733.68, if our super becomes Dr. Bill just as he’s leaving town? And I have to ask: Given the tough challenge so many people face trying to pay for higher education, can’t the fortunate person making $187,500 a year (a governor’s, if not a king’s ransom, destined to climb to nearly $200,000) pay his own college tuition? I think this contract is over-the-top, way too generous, especially when so many others are struggling. HR/Finance meeting, 4/14/20 Like nearly every conversation these days, this meeting (conducted virtually) began with an evaluation of the new normal that has befallen our world because of an invisible little microbe. Only three board members now attend these meetings. Two of the 3 asked what effect the Covid-19 facility shutdown, and switch to distant learning, was having on the budget. Committee Chair Trnka queried CFO Erickson if the

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State legislature is considering a “different kind of formulary” other than student count to determine funding, “because, numbers this year are frankly unreliable to a certain extent.” Erickson responded that state officials are “looking at some language to provide more flexibility and more opportunity,” but she did not indicate any more money would be forthcoming to address this specific issue. The district’s budget guru added that she still didn’t know yet “the impact all of this (will have) on this year’s budget and how that rolls into our fiscal ‘21 budget.” Member Sandholme followed up with some questions about possible savings associated with closing buildings, pointing out that there should be transportation savings from the children no longer attending schools. “There’s got to be some savings in other areas, as well,” he added. “How is that getting consumed? You know: savings from not using substitute teachers, or savings we’re realizing in food service and other areas. How does that all work out?” Erickson pretty well dashed any “savings” hope. “We are maintaining a full food service staff right now. We’re actually losing money in our food service dept…We do have some fund balance reserves we plan to utilize to provide the almost – I think we’re (still) close to – 2000 students being served.” She added that a previous “revenue generator” for district operations – pre-school child care – was being provided for free during these pandemic times. She told the board the district was going “above and beyond” the governor’s executive order, which requires free child care during the school day. Now providing child care for 11½ hours a day, from 6:30 in the morning until 6 in the evening, but not charging any money, ISD 709 is going to tap into its meager reserve funds to cover this unexpected expense, as well. As far as any transportation savings, the CFO launched into one of her trademark verbose explanations, which I’m going to write out in full: “Keeping in mind that, while we might be saving some mileage and some fuel costs, we are required – and we are continuing –to utilize our transportation staff. And because this has only been so many days, and we had a (spring) break, the utilization of the daily savings is not as high as we would have expected to see in terms of accumulated savings in that area. So, again – and in our transportation budget – we had some unexpected repairs

and maintenance that we’re doing on some of our bus fleet. So, the potential savings that we might be seeing now is really being absorbed by some of our overrun costs that we might be having in our transportation dept., so it would be – right now –without getting into a lot of detail, we’re not necessarily seeing any material savings from a dollar amount perspective, but we are grateful that there’s some limitations that we can have that can help kind of subsidize where we could go, and the intention of the legislature is also so that some of those projected savings could be transferred to food service and community service, to help offset the losses that we’re gonna do. But, right now, we’re committing to the (reserve) fund balance investments to make those things whole through our process. Does that help, Member Sandholme?” Another version of this explanation, verbosity trimmed away: For some reason we are required to use all transportation staff instead of laying some off. We were on break for a while, so the buses were idle anyway. Our fleet is wearing out because of years of fiscal mismanagement, so the savings are actually a blessing to save us from going in the hole for repairs. The legislature is letting us use any leftover savings to plug holes elsewhere in the budget, but we still plan to raid our meager reserves. How about you, readers? Does that help? In the red again The biggest story from this meeting was the preliminary budget for the next fiscal year, which shows a projected $1,159,526.65 deficit. According to the document administration provided, the biggest drivers of this deficit are two expense increases: a $1.59 million increase in special education and a $1.1 million increase in the aforementioned Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts. As already stated, these HRA accounts cover out-of-pocket medical expenses for district employees. The plan is based on Cost-Level 2 health clinics, which comprise about 66% of Duluth area clinics. Out-of-pocket expense for basic health care and prescription drugs is reimbursed for district employees in these clinics. The maximum out-of-pocket reimbursable expense (until recently,) was $2,000 for single payers and $4,000 for families. Only one exclusion is listed in the PEIP (Public Employees Insurance Program)

schedule – for two drugs: a therapeutic drug used in the treatment of PKU (a rare, inherited disorder called Phenylketonuria) and infertility. The annual cost for HRA accounts went up $100 for single payers and $200 for families in 2016, and was bound to climb again. This money is not use or lose. The annual deposit (again, currently, $2,000 for singles, $4,000 for families) made by the district into these accounts keeps accumulating if not used. “Employee HRA accounts are fully vested when the money passes to the employee,” the district’s former Director of Business Services confirmed to me in a response to questions on the issue, “so, yes, the employee owns the account and takes it with them when they leave the district. There can be earnings on the account, subject to the options and performance of the investments chosen by the employee.” Starting in July, the cost of this benefit will jump again, in a big way: from $2,000 to $2,750 for single district employees, and from $4,000 to $5,500 for families. The superintendent will get $6,000. The Duluth News Tribune quoted HR/Finance Committee Chair Sally Trnka this way, in response to this increase: “If this isn’t a call to arms for legislators that we need to fund public education, I don’t know what is.” The newspaper added that Trnka declared that “this deficit isn’t due to fiscal mismanagement.” Under the Insurance heading (Article XVIII,) of the teachers’ contract, the language covering HRA accounts states the district will pay $2,000/$4,000 “or 95% (whichever is greater)” into these accounts. In other words, when the HRA cost went up (and everyone knew it was just a matter of time before it did again,) the district (i.e., taxpayers) were on the hook for nearly all of it. I’ve heard so much scapegoating from the people who control the boardroom of our school district. Committee Chair Trnka’s assertion is just flat-out wrong in relation to this HRA expense. The cost did rise for this sugary benefit, but the primary reason ISD 709 slipped into another fiscal pitfall is not inadequate State funding. To write a contract that way – effectively putting the district’s operational budget at risk for 95% of any increase – IS mismanagement of the public’s business.

May 7, 2020 25May 7, 2020 25

PUC OKs Minnesota Power’s rate reduction The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a request by Minnesota Power to reduce the interim rate customers are paying. Starting May 1, the previously approved interim increase of 5.8 percent was reduced to 4.1 percent. The request was made by Minnesota Power on April 23 to help ease the financial challenges the COVID-19 pandemic is having on customers and communities. “We appreciate the Commissioners’ willingness to consider and approve this portion of our request so quickly,” said Bethany Owen, president and CEO of ALLETE, which owns Minnesota Power. “This decision enables us to provide some much-needed relief to our customers during these difficult times as we continue to focus on delivering the safe and reliable energy so important to our communities, homes, hospitals, and businesses.” The Minnesota PUC is scheduled to decide in June on other aspects of Minnesota Power’s proposal, including, but not limited to, a refund of interim rates for all customers of about $12 million and delaying any future rate proposal until at least March 1, 2021. Energy CENTS Coalition, Citizens Utility Board, and IBEW Local 31 have all come out in support of Minnesota Power’s proposals. The MPUC is accepting public comments on the proposed resolution of Minnesota Power’s rate review through May 11. A hearing is expected in early June.

Prof. Rochford heads out on high note

With a passion for research of Ireland’s business and culture crossroads, LSBE’s Linda Rochford, associate professor of marketing, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award to Ireland in Business.

26 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

Adding to this momentous distinctacts there have deepened my appretion, Dr. Rochford also has been selectciation for the country and people of ed by the University of Minnesota ReIreland,” she said. tirees Association to receive a 2020–21 However, as with many things, COProfessional Development Grant for VID-19 has put travel into a holding Retirees. Grants are awarded for the pattern. “A lot of my plans are still up pursuit of projects related to research in the air given the current situation,” and professional development for facsaid Rochford. “But I hope to be in Ireulty, professional and administrative, land late summer/early fall for up to a and civil service employees from all month to do a lot of the ground work U of M campuses when they are fully for the Fulbright project. The actual retired. Fulbright semester will begin January 2021.” “I am thrilled and honRochford has been a ored to be named a Fulprofessor at LSBE for 27 bright Scholar for Ireland. I years. In addition to the have had a life-long career Innovation in Ireland proby interest in innovation, and gram, she teaches classes I am looking forward to primarily on marketing READER having the Fulbright and management and strategy UMRA grant support and STAFF as well as the developing time to pursue a project and marketing new prodthat is near to my heart.” ucts course. Her Fulbright and grant come as Rochford segues into a new phase of her career. She will be leaving UMD Event production in May to continue her research company expands and exploration in the wider world. Lundeen Productions announced the “I would like to work and live in unveiling of the Lundeen Group, a new wing of the company that will specialEurope on a part-time basis after the ize in helping businesses achieve their Fulbright.” marketing and promotional goals in Using both the UMRA grant and Fulbig and small ways. bright Award, Rochford will conduct “I believe that the way we do busiresearch on “Overcoming Barriers and ness moving forward is definitely going Borders to Innovation.” Her project foto be different than it was up until the cuses on understanding the factors that middle of March,” said Tracy Lundeen, president. “We have never had to influence successful innovation and entrepreneurship in Ireland’s northwest sharply change the way we do business so rapidly. It’s been tough to see along the border between the Republic our friends in business have to close, of Ireland (i.e., County Donegal) and some not knowing if they’ll ever open Northern Ireland. This geographically again.” remote area of the Republic of Ireland The pandemic has led to many busihas historically faced educational and nesses downsizing in office space, ofeconomic disadvantages. ferings and staff. These companies face new challenges moving forward To gather data and insight, Rochford through and after this crisis ends. The will conduct in-depth case studies with Lundeen Group is now offering the companies and organizations in the strategies they have fine-tuned through region. Additionally, her research will marketing their business and events to be used to help develop curriculum every company. for a study abroad program focused on “Many don’t know that at Lundeen innovation at Letterkenny Institute of Productions, we’ve been coordinating Technology in Ireland. marketing and promotion strategies for others for many years,” said Kynze For eight years, Rochford has offered Lundeen, vice president. “We have had the successful Innovation in Ireland a hand in promoting events, including short-term study abroad program that national conferences, business media she developed. More than 110 students campaigns, and political campaigns, have joined her to learn more about plus helping nonprofits with fundraisthe Emerald Isle. ing. We have a lot to offer clients, re“My experience, studies, and congardless of their size.”

LOCAL NEWS

Collectively the Lundeen Group team brings nearly 80 years of marketing and promotional experience with a myriad of connections locally, regionally, and nationally to work with clients. Learn more about what they offer at thelundeengroup.com.

Century Link to pay state for violations

CenturyLink will pay the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety (MNOPS) $2.25 million for repeatedly violating a state law last year requiring the company mark the location of underground telecommunications lines. The consent order also requires the company to develop a damage prevention program, evaluate its quality assurance measures and provide monthly status reports to MNOPS regarding its on-time response performance. Utility marking is required by law so crews can safely dig without hitting gas, water, internet and other important underground lines. CenturyLink’s locating issues and delays happened during the height of last year’s digging and construction seasons, forcing crews to abandon jobs. “This was unacceptable and our ultimate goal is for it to never happen again,” said MNOPS Director and State Fire Marshal Jim Smith. “CenturyLink has an important job to do and we want them to do it successfully to help us keep Minnesotans and the people who work and visit here safe.” “MNOPS inspectors work hard each day to ensure safe digging by companies and homeowners across Minnesota,” Smith said. “The One-Call Law exists in Minnesota to keep everyone safe. CenturyLink, like any other utility or excavating company, is required to comply with the law and we expect they will continue to do so.” Civil penalties collected by MNOPS will be used to offset costs incurred while carrying out the office’s responsibilities under state statute, and to develop and conduct additional training programs for locators, operators, and utility companies across Minnesota

Road restrictions end May 8 on county roads Spring load restrictions, which have been in place since mid March, will be lifted at the end of next week. Road restrictions will end on Friday, May 8,

for both the North and North-Central Frost Zones, which cover all of St. Louis County. Certain roads may continue to have load limits based on their particular condition. Signs will clearly mark those roads. Information on zone boundaries can be found on the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) website at mndot.gov/ loadlimits. The ending dates for spring load restrictions vary each year based on how weather is affecting roadway strength. These dates are established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change. For more information on road restrictions, or to view County maps detailing restrictions, visit stlouiscountymn.gov/ roadrestrictions.

Rice Lake Road construction begins

The early closure of schools has accelerated one St. Louis County road construction project. Temporary traffic signals are being installed this week so that construction can begin Monday, May 4 to reconstruct a little more than half a mile of Rice Lake Road, widen the intersection at Arlington Avenue

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and Arrowhead Road and make improvements to Technology Drive. The project will improve traffic flow and safety throughout the area, while also better accommodating pedestrians and other forms of transportation. During the first one to two weeks of the project, motorists may see delays, but no road closures. Anyone traveling through the area is reminded to slow down and use caution when in or near a work zone. By May 18, and potentially sooner, Rice Lake Road will be closed between Technology Drive and Arrowhead Road. The closure is expected to last until September, and detour routes will be marked. Anyone needing to access Technology Drive should do so from the north. The starting date for the road closure had originally been set to begin in June following the end of the school year to minimize traffic impacts

to North Star Academy, but now this work can begin sooner. This is a joint project involving St. Louis County and the City of Duluth. The county is responsible for work on Rice Lake Road and the intersection at Arlington Avenue. This involves new traffic signals, widening Rice Lake Road to accommodate additional turn lanes, and adding new curbs and gutters and sidewalks. The city will be widening Technology Drive and adding a sidewalk along the north side of Arrowhead Road. Total cost of the project is a little more than $4 million. KGM Contractors of Angora is the project contractor.

Historical Society hosts virtual concert

The Lake County Historical Society (LCHS) is seeking financial donations to maintain operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other businesses and nonprofits LCHS has not been immune to the financial problems caused by the pandemic. On March 16 all historic sites and the Lighthouse B & B managed by LCHS were closed, eliminating the majority of income.

“We are doing the best we can to limit expenditures, and at the same time keep our mission moving forward. Our predecessors have endured many challenges throughout our 95 year existence, and we as stewards of these historic landmarks are committed to guiding the society through this current challenge,” said Samuel J. Gangi, board president “It was about the worst time possible to shut down operations.” To kick off the fundraising effort LCHS is hosting a Facebook Live Concert on May 13 at 7 pm with North Shore musician John Cron. They are also asking the public to share their pandemic experiences with them.

May 7, 2020 May27 7, 2020 27 Grand Marais and Gunflint Trail promotional patch, ca. 1986.

Duluth Herald May 7, 1888

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

COME HOME TO ROOST A TWO WEEKS’ OLD CHILD FOUND IN A YARD Said to be the Illegitimate Offspring of Mrs. Longtin, who Left It In the Yard of Its Alleged Father, Matthew Sabieski – Taken to the Woman’s Home Mrs. Bombotz, a Polish woman living at 6176 East First street, came down to police headquarters at an early hour this morning and stated that she had found a child about two weeks old, in the yard of Matthew Sobieski near the house, this morning. She took the little foundling to Kugler’s drug store and Capt. Paul, hearing of the matter, had it conveyed to the Woman’s home. There is little doubt of the infant’s paternity. Three weeks ago Mrs. Longtin, a widow living in the neighborhood, applied to police headquarters for a warrant for the arrest of Sobieski on the charge of bastardy. She was asked to make a complaint in due form, but went away without doing so and had not been heard from again until this morning. Mrs. Longtin acknowledged that the

Ad appearing in the May 7, 1888 edition of the Duluth Herald.

child was hers and that Sobieski was it’s father, but has not yet determined to prosecute him.

Duluth Herald May 7, 1890 AFTER FISHERMEN.

The Officials in Search of Illegal Fishermen Up the River.

the preceding five days. To keep the peace the demands were temporarily granted and the matter referred to the Boston office for final settlement. It is probably that the men will get their demands, or at least the larger art of what is asked. The influx of foreigners to the copper district is unprecedentedly large this season. The Finns lead in numbers, owing to the rigorous action of the czar’s government, which is depriving the grand duchy of Finland of rights guaranteed n 1809. The immigration from Austria and Italy is also unusually large, while from other countries the influx is about normal. The newcomers are usually met by friends who have been here a few years, or possibly only a few months, and have little trouble in getting work. From 200 to 500 immigrants are reaching the copper district weekly.

Duluth Herald May 7, 1910

PLANS FOR DULUTH’S MAMMOTH NEW STEEL PLANT FILED WITH THE CITY BUILDING INSPECTOR Are Product of Fully Two Years of Incessant Labor. Give Some Idea of Immensity Of the NEW Industry. Call for Forty-Eight Distinct Buildings on New Duluth Site. The plans for the $10,000,000 steel plant at Spirit Lake were made public for the first time today, when they were

The fish warden and his assistant returned this morning from a trip up the river after some fishermen. For some time past illegal fishing has been going on in St. Louis river, and tons of fish have been netted. The other side of Fond du Lac and near Spirit Lake the warden came onto several parties, but they escaped to the Wisconsin shore and thus eluded capture. The authorities are doing all in their power to stop net fishing, but it is hardly possible to do so, until the Wisconsin officers take concerted action with those in Minnesota.

Duluth Herald May 7, 1900 THE COPPER DISTRICT MANY FINNS ARRIVE Two Hundred to Five Hundred Immigrants Reaching the District Weekly.

Ad appearing in the May 7, 1910 edition of the Duluth Herald.

Houghton, Mich. – (Special to The Herald) – The May day uneasiness, which seems to be world wide, though most violently manifested in Europe, was marked in the copper district by a threatened strike at the Osceola Consolidated, which employs upward of 1000 men. The minders demanded an increase of pay to $60 per month for men working on company account, also a 5-hour day on Saturday with ten hours’ pay for men who had worked

28 May , 2020 DuluthReader.com

Ad appearing in the May 7, 1900 edition of the Duluth Herald. Stories and images courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society newspaper archives.

Ad appearing in the April 30, 1920 edition of the Duluth Herald.

The temporary buildings are a storehouse and office to cost $9,000; a concrete mixing plant and gravel screen, to cost $7,500, and a factory to cost $4,500.

Duluth Herald May 7, 1920 CLOQUET SITUATION IS STILL UNCHANGED Construction of New Mill Halted Because of Controversy

Cloquet – (Special to The Herald) – Both sides are still holding form in the local labor controversy growing out of the demands of employees of local sawmill and allied industries for an eight-hour day and the refusal of the companies to operate except on a ten-hour basis. Good order prevails and a long drawn out dead-lock is feared unless the Federal mediator new at work here can bring about a composition of differences. The strike has halted all construction work on the new mill it was proposed to build on the site of the old

Ad appearing in the April 30, 1920 edition of the Duluth Herald.

filed at the office of Building Inspector S. M. Kielley in the city hall. The immensity of the institution now under course of construction becomes apparent upon an examination of the big blue print with its network of lines, dots and dimensions, each significant. They are the product of two years of incessant labor, and give the people the first real idea of what the steel plant will be when the vast enterprise which is to make Duluth the “Pittsburg of the West” is finally completed. The plans call for forty-eight distinct buildings, each of which is definitely located and each of which plays an important part in the finished

products which are to be turned out. They include a rail mill, finishing mills, blast furnaces, ore bins, coke ovens, gas producers, a blooming mill, a merchant mill, open hearth furnaces, a forge and plate shop, a splicer bar and tin plate finishing department, a machine shop, an engine house, a hot metal mixer, a concrete plant and numerous other units necessary to the operation of a great steel plant. Application was made for permits for three temporary buildings this morning and one permanent structure, the power house. They will be used for the preliminary work which is now under way. The power plant will be permanent and will cost $9,500. It will be located near the shore of Spirit lake.

• Check it. • Use it. • Read it.

DuluthReader.com Ad appearing in the May 7, 1920 edition of the Duluth Herald.

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May 7, 2020 May 7,29 2020 29

lifelines

To submit obituaries, births, vows for publication, email to submissions@readerduluth.com

Marian Lorraine Arras 2/29/1928 – 5/2/2020

Marian Lorraine Arras was born in Duluth, Minnesota. She died surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth.

David Michael Groshel 10/22/1947 – 4/26/2020

David Michael Groshel of Minnesota Veterans Home, Silver Bay, died at Onamia Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, Minn. He was born in Hibbing. David was a Vietnam Army veteran. Burial is at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery-Duluth. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth.

Scott G. Konu 5/26/1967 – 4/30/2020

Scott “Snackbar” G. Konu, 52, was born to Kenneth & Marie (Blomster) Konu in Stillwater, Minn. He was a 1989 UMD graduate with a degree in communication and history. He married Kristi Bruneau on Aug. 23, 2014. A memorial and graveside service will be held later this year. To leave an online condolence, visit nelsonfuneralcare.net. Memorials may be sent to Kristi at 14 Memorial Drive, Esko, MN 55733.

Debra D. Kurtz 2/12/1954 – 4/30/2020 Debra D. “Debbie” (Backlund) Kurtz, 66, of Superior, died peacefully at Solvay Hospice House with her daughter Shelby by her side. The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family, but with respect to Debbie’s wishes, no visitation or service will be held. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit lenroot-maetzold.com. Kristin Jean Baldwin (Medjo) 1977 – 2/11/2020 Kristin Jean Baldwin

(Medjo), 43, of Saint Paul, Minnesota, died on February 11, 2020 following a brief and aggressive battle with breast cancer. Kristin grew up in Duluth, attended Marshall High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in English. She loved learning and teaching, so she pursued a graduate degree in education. In 2002, she found a new calling, working full time with autistic children. In 2008, she transitioned to working in education, supporting students who had been marginalized in school. Kristin and her husband Brett met in 2003 and married in 2008. When their son Cooper was born in 2008, she devoted herself to raising him in the best environment possible. In her spare time, she explored her many interests, including tennis, writing fiction, politics and disability advocacy. She is survived by her husband (Brett) and son (Cooper) of St Paul, and by her parents Dennis and Sandra Medjo of Duluth, her aunt Susan Medjo of Washington DC and many cousins. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Makayla Blair Powless, Key Robert Powless, Yvonne Simone Powless, and Preston Lafayette Powless. He is loved unconditionally and will be truly missed by his family. Robert served the Anishinaabe community and the larger Duluth community as an educator, mentor and as a community leader for more than 40 years. He was a very social person who enjoyed being with other people: telling jokes and laughing, extending compliments to others, and taking part in important discussions. His intellectual contributions to local communities were always compassionate and were always well received. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He made a point of shaping profound loving relationships with each of his grandchildren, and was supportive and active in the lives of his two children. When asked recently what the best decision that he ever made was, he replied “Having Linda love me.” A memorial service will be held when circumstances allow. The family will invite the community to join them in celebrating his life at that time.

Robert E. Powless 1933 – 4/25/2020 On April 25 Robert Elroy Powless moved gently into the spirit world in the presence of his loving family. He is survived by his wife Linda Graham Powless, his daughter Marcia Karen Powless, his son Blair Graham Powless, and his five grandchildren Dane Malcolm Powless,

Janet L. Provost 6/1/1933 – 4/6/2020 Janet “Jan” L. Provost, 86, longtime Billings Park resident, died peacefully April 6 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Superior, to John “Jack” and Gertrude (Harris) White. She married Ronald Provost on June 18, 1955, and they

30 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

celebrated 58 years of marriage before his passing in 2013. Jan attended area schools, and graduated from Cathedral High School, where she was Homecoming Queen. Jan was a longtime active member of Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church, and was a well-known area peace activist. In 1983, she founded the Northland Chapter of Grandmothers for Peace. Jan is survived by five daughters, two sons, longtime special family friend, Ron DeGraef, two sisters-in-law, 14 grandchildren, 8 greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass at Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church will be held at a later date. The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, visit downslesage.com. Richard A. Running 7/21/1933 – 4/27/2020 Richard A Running, 86, died at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and in the Pacific aboard the USS Boxer. Rich was a member of the Duluth Curling Club for more than 40 years, and as also a member of the Elk’s Club, Eagles Club, Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion. Troy Andrew Volkenant 4/13/1979 – 4/19/2020 Troy, the son of Larry and Nelly Volkenant, was born in Duluth at St. Luke’s Hospital

on April 13, 1979, and passed away April 19, 2020. Troy attended Hermantown High School and was also home schooled. He had a variety of interests and hobbies. He loved to fish, hunt, trap and was very talented at word burning nature scenes. Troy enjoyed helping with raising domestic farm animals and doing his chores. Troy and his siblings also raised rabbits, hamsters, kittens and tropical fish. Troy’s mother taught him and his brothers and sisters to do crafts, cook, bake, make maple syrup, jellies, can fruits, vegetables and pickles. Troy was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and LuLu Steffen of Duluth, and Anthony and Evelen Volkenant of Hector, Minn.; his mother, Nelly; his brother and best friend, Darin; and his uncle, David Volkenant of Hutchinson, Minn. He is survived by his brothers Lance and Brent, sisters Cindy (and her husband Jeff Merrill) and Kristy Meidl; stepmother Kim and stepsisters Jackie Wells and Marsha Forrester; numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Blender vs. food processor

processor. – Heloise Dear Heloise: What is the difference between a food processor and a Oatmeal blender? How do you know which one Dear Heloise: Do you have any sugto use? Carolyn K., Perryopolis, Penn. gestions or recipes for an Carolyn, food procesoverabundance of cooked sors have interchangeable oatmeal cereal? Our church blades with each blade degroup makes breakfast signed to do different tasks. every other month (panBlenders have blades that cakes, eggs, biscuits and are fixed and may not be gravy, fruit and oatmeal), suited for some foods. For and there is usually a pot blending liquids, making of oatmeal left over. I hate purees or chopping smaller by to see this thrown out but items, a blender is fine to have no ideas on how to use. Food processors have transition this into somean opening at the top that thing else. Please help. allows you to add more Vickie D., Burke, Va. items while the processor is working. Vickie, yes, cooked oatmeal can be A blender does not have an opening at used in place of uncooked in most the top. You’ll need to stop the blender recipes for cookies, muffins, breads, etc. to add items or other ingredients. A You’ll need to first mix the dry ingrefood processor is built to handle larger, dients, then add the oatmeal with the solid items because their motors are far eggs, oil or shortening. You might have more powerful than the motors usually to adjust the liquid ingredients to get found in a blender. A blender needs the right consistency. – Heloise a little liquid to grind properly, while Bain-Marie a food processor does not. A blender Dear Heloise: A friend of mine is is cheaper and less bulky than a food

HINTS WITH HELOISE HELOISE

LifeLines

getting married and she has a bainmarie on her wedding registry. What is this item? - Rebecca in Vermont Rebecca, a bain-marie is a French cooking utensil that’s similar to a double boiler. It has one pot for heated water and another pot that sits in the heated water to keep its contents warm. - Heloise Stop, thief! Dear Heloise: An alternate use for sheets of free address labels that charities send out: I label groceries of mine that I put in the communal refrigerator at work. At least when somebody steals my lunch or soda, they know whose stuff they are stealing! It’s also helpful for the other people who bring the same sodas. - Michael W., via email

for removing background images) with the pen and eraser. It came out a little messy until I got good with the mouse, but it works! – Vikki S., Little Rock, Ark.

Clip this Dear Heloise: I read your column in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which just went digital. I figured out how to do some puzzles without printing. I use the clipping tool (you can find online

Two hints for one Dear Heloise: I’ve loved your and your mother’s column for ages! I am sensitive to perfumes and have found both detergent and dryer sheets in unscented versions. Both of my neighborhood supermarkets carry their brand of dryer sheets in unscented. Second, I use the zip-up heavy plastic bags from sheet sets for my purses. It keeps them dust free. The bags come in many sizes, and so do my bags! - Maxine W., via email Maxine, great idea! I also use those sturdy bags to protect my cowboy boots from dust. – Heloise

“Stay home - have fun, Pools of it!

Obituaries, Vows, Celebrations Share your story with our community in LifeLines Call 218-722-0173 for more details

or email us at: ads@readerduluth.com

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MayMay 7, 2020 7, 2020 31 31

Quarantine club Crisis Lines Safe Haven 24/7 Crisis Line: 218-728-6481 Arrowhead Region Crisis Line: 218-723-0099 Douglas County Crisis Hotline: 715-392-8216 Fond du Lac Crisis Line: 218-655-3669 or 218-655-3668 Minnesota Warmline: Adults needing support can talk to a specialist who has firsthand experience living with a mental health condition. 651-288-0400 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255) North St. Louis County: LetsTALKMN.com 218-288-2100 South St. Louis County: LetsTalkMN.

com 218-623-1800 Peer Support Connection: 844-7396369 (5 p.m. to 9 a.m.) Program for the Aid of Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA): 218-726-1931

p.m. each day, including Sunday, departing Miller Hill Super One for Menards and Walmart at :10 and :30 past each hour. Go to duluthtransit.com or call 218-722-7283.

Duluth Transit Authority All rides are free in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Please limit bus travel to essential trips during this time. Reducing the number of passengers can help reduce the spread of illness. The last trips of the evening Monday through Saturday are just after 9 p.m., leaving downtown. The last trips of the evening on Sunday are just after 7 p.m. also from downtown. A shuttle runs 10:10 a.m. to 6:10

Finances If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills or other essential services, dial the United Way Helpline at 211. (In Minnesota you may also dial 800-543-7709 and in Wisconsin 877-947-2211.) When families are faced with financial uncertainty or sudden income loss, addressing the situation takes more than just thinking about dollars and cents, says Lori Hendrickson, Extension Educator and an accredited financial counselor with University of Minnesota Extension. “Often, when layoffs and income reduction happen, we are experiencing shock and denial that keep us from immediately making adjustments in our spending to keep us on solid ground,” according to Hendrickson. Layoffs due to the COVID-19 pandemic are an example of events that can have significant financial impact on many families in Minnesota. Working through the grief caused by a sudden drop in income allows families to plan for how to adjust their finances with clear heads, and the entire family should be a part of those conversations. Hendrickson advises, “When we are adjusting spending, it’s important to include the whole family. Talk about items in the budget that are necessary and those that can be put off or eliminated altogether. Ask these questions: • Can we substitute a less costly item? • How can we avoid waste? • Are there opportunities to work with others by trading or sharing what we can do? • Can we save if we do it ourselves? • Can we do without? After determining the impact of the income loss, Hendrickson says to be sure to talk with creditors to let them know the situation and discuss when and how you may make payments. For more information on COVID-19 resources, including managing income loss, visit: https://extension.umn.edu/ news/coping-covid-19 Food AEOA food shelves (St. Louis Coun-

32 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

ty): 800-662-5711 Damiano Center, 206 W. Fourth St., provides free bagged meals in the parking lot Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for: Continental breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m. Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dinner 5-6 p.m. (Fri., Sat., Sun. only) Kids’ Kitchen, 2nd Ave. W., serves boxed meals Mon-Thurs 3-6 p.m. Damianocenter.org Duluth Public Schools serve free carry-out lunch and breakfast for Duluth students age 18 and younger, 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays through May 4. Other meal hubs are served 10-11 a.m. For updates, times and locations see Isd709.org or call 218-336-8700. Burrito Union, 1332 E. 4th St., offers free kids lunch Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations may be sent to Burrito Union, c/o #FeedTheKids, 1332 E. 4th St., Duluth MN 55805. Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank (NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin): 218-727-5653 Superior Public Schools has a mobile service that provides breakfast and lunch at various locations (Superior High School, SuperOne, WalMart, Park Place and more) weekdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For times and locations go to superior.k12.wi.us or call 715-394-8707. Union Gospel Mission, 219 E. First St., Duluth, serves curbside lunches Tuesday and Thursday 12-12:30 p.m. Dinners served Sunday through Friday 4:30-5:15 p.m. Wisconsin: access.wi.gov Health care If you need health insurance visit mnsure.org or call 855-366-7873. In Wisconsin visit access.wi.gov or your county health and human services. (Douglas County 715-395-1304) Essentia Health: essentiahealth.org, 855-469-6532 Lake Superior Community Health Center, lschc.org Duluth: 218-722-1497 Superior: 715-392-1955 St. Luke’s: slhduluth.com, 218-249-5555 Wisconsin State Health Dept.: 608-258-0099

Housing St. Louis County Southern Triage Team: 218-733-2717 Northern St. Louis County Triage Team: 218-471-7391 Illegal evictions during crisis: HOME Line Tenant Hotline: 612-728-5767 Legal Action of Wisconsin: 855-947-2529 MN housing question hotlines: For single-family residences: 651-296-8215 For multi-family residences: 651-297-4455 Jobs CareerForce Duluth: 218-302-8400 Northwest Wisconsin Job Center: 715-392-7800 Minnesota hotlines Health questions: 800-657-3903 School and childcare questions: 800-657-3504 Discrimination Helpline: 833-454-0148 Report a concern about the stay at home order: 651-793-3746 Minnesota Responds Partnership that engages volunteer

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programs to strengthen public health, preparedness and recovery. Become a qualified volunteer by completing online orientation. mnresponds.org Northlanders in need of help during Corona Crisis Facebook group to lend a hand in the Duluth/Superior area. Seniors Age Well Arrowhead delivers groceries to seniors and needs volunteers to make the deliveries. Students home from school also wanted to make check-in phone calls to seniors and make cards that can be delivered with the groceries. 218-623-7800. Douglas County Aging & Disability Resource Center: 715-395-1234. Senior Linkage Line (800-333-2433) is a free service for Minnesotans that can help adults 60 and older find answers questions and locate services. Twin Ports Mask Brigade Collecting donations of unused masks for doctors and nurses. twinportsmaskbrigade.com Unemployment Looking for information? Find it

at the Department of Employment and Economic Development website mn.gov/deed, and sign up at uimn.org or call 651-296-6141. Information about Wisconsin Unemployment may be found at dwd. wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-3131. Veterans Any veteran who has been financially hurt by COVID-19 can apply for a special needs grant through their local County Veteran Service Office. Duluth: 218-725-5285 Ely: 218-365-8203 Hibbing: 218-262-6090 Virginia: 218-749-7110 Vikre Distillery Vikre Distillery, 525 S Lake Ave. in Canal Park, is giving away free organic hand sanitizer 12-5 p.m. weekdays. Bring your own 16 oz. container, one per person. For larger requests, email info@Vikre.com. Check their Facebook page for updates or call 218-481-7401. A GoFundMe page has been set up to take donations. Sutherland CBD & Dr. Juice USA Sutherland CBD and Dr. Juice USA, both on Tower Avenue in Superior, are

now offering handmade hand sanitizer. While they are selling the four-ounce bottles at cost (about $3) all sales go back into production so any financial or ingredient donations are welcome. You can call, or order online for pickup. Contact Dr. Juice at 715-718-0912 and Sutherland CBD at 715-718-8050. Arts Arrowhead Regional Arts Council resources for artists: aracouncil.org/ covid19-resources Indy Music Livestream Concert Clearinghouse: Facebook page to connect independent musicians with audiences in search of livestream concerts. Livestream Cover Challenge: Facebook page in which musicians challenge fellow musicians to learn and stream cover songs. Quarentunes: Facebook page for live music shows during the quarantine. Virtual Duluth: A place to post all the upcoming virtual events. To submit entries, email info@readerduluth.com.

May 7, 2020 33

FRESH & HEALTHY For everyone’s safety, we would like to reserve the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. for our elderly and immunity challenged friends

Thank you Mount Royal Shopping Center • Duluth • 218-728-3665 • mountroyalmarket.com 1600 Woodland Ave - across from the UMD Campus NEW HOURS: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Quantity rights reserved. Not Responsible for Typographical or Pictoral Errors

34 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

2019

Spices help keep you sharp while aging Q. My husband and I like to stay active despite the various aches and pains that come from celebrating a bunch of birthdays. What we worry about most, though, is our brain health. We would like to stay sharp for at least a few more decades. Are there any natural remedies that could help? A. There are many natural compounds that show some promise for keeping your brain working well. We don’t have any research demonstrating that foods, herbs or spices can ward off dementia, though. You might want to consider drinking a glass of rosemary water daily. A study in 80 healthy adults showed that they performed better on cognitive tasks after consuming 250 ml (about a cup) of rosemary water than after drinking mineral water (Journal of by Psychopharmacology, December 2018). Turmeric, the yellow spice in yellow mustard and curry powder, is another promising compound for both inflammation and cognitive function. Preliminary research suggests that curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may help prevent cognitive decline with aging (Brain Research, Dec. 15, 2019). To learn more about rosemary, turmeric and other herbs and spices that can be beneficial for healthy aging, you may wish to read our book “Spice Up Your Health.” You will find it in the book section of PeoplesPharmacy.com.

PEOPLES PHARMACY

JOE & TERESA GRAEDON

Q. I am a nurse working in gastroenterology. You have often written about muscle cramps. People with anemia often suffer from leg and foot cramps that resolve when the anemia is corrected. A. Thank you for pointing out this connection. We also found documentation from medical research (PLOS One, Aug. 2, 2018). Compulsively eating ice is another seemingly unrelated condition that often disappears

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when anemia is treated (Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases, July 2019). Q. Fast soup products are often packaged in a plastic foam cup. You add water, nuke it and have a hot lunch in seconds. Even healthy organic brands of rice come in pouches suitable for a hot microwaveable lunch. I recently noticed the noodle soup package says NOT to microwave the product in the plastic foam cup. That defeats the convenience factor! The rice products instruct you to cook the product in the pouch. But now health coaches on some TV news shows tell you NOT to cook products in the pouches, because microwave heat releases some undesirable chemical from the pouches. What is unhealthy about microwaving the soup in the plastic foam cup? And why not cook the rice in the package, or even eat from the package? A. We consulted with Dr. Linda Birnbaum, one of the country’s leading toxicologists. She was formerly director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program. Dr. Birnbaum has studied endocrinedisrupting chemicals for decades. The compounds alter the way our hormones function and are found in many plastic products. Heating the contents in the microwave could conceivably increase the amounts of these chemicals that leach into the food. Most of the experts we have consulted over the past 20 years recommend glass, ceramic or paper instead of plastic products in the microwave oven. One study reported that heating food in plastic containers in the microwave increases migration of endocrinedisrupting compounds into the food (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Aug. 9, 2017). (c) 2020 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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NUTRITION

Hydrate, hydrate!

CHARLYN FARGO

Creators Syndicate During this time of sheltering at home, we know it’s important to eat healthy to keep our immune systems strong. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and lean dairy — full of vitamins and minerals — need to be part of our daily diet. It’s also important to hydrate. Drinking water may not be at the top of your list, but it should be. To stay hydrated, a popular rule of thumb is to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. Another is to drink half your weight in ounces of water every day. To do that, you need to make water handy; have a glass at your desk as you work. Does sparkling water count? Sparkling water or seltzer water, which is carbonated, contains water and carbon dioxide. It can also contain added flavorings and minerals such as sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate and sodium chloride. The most popular types are mineral water, soda water, tonic water and sparkling or seltzer water. When carbon dioxide dissolves in water, the pH drops, resulting in a slightly acidic beverage much like adding a slice of lemon or lime to tap water — without the fizziness. Many people find the fizz more appealing than regular water. And if you’re one of those people, bottoms up. A study found that sparkling water is as effective as tap water at keeping your body hydrated. The trial, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in March 2016, looked at 13 different drinks and measured urine output and fluid balance to determine hydration. Another study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in October 2000, found no significant differences in hydration levels after people drank various beverages, including plain and carbonated water. The bottom line? Drink water often to keep hydrated. How do you know if you’re

drinking enough? Check the color of your urine. If it’s a light yellow, you’re doing a good job.

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

Q and A Q: Is fasting good for you? A: It may improve heart health and reduce the risk for diabetes. A recent 28-day pilot study divided 22 healthy, college-age men into two groups. Both groups ate only during an eight-hour window, drinking only water during the other 16 hours. One group’s calories were controlled, and the other group ate as much as they wanted. Both groups had significant loss of body fat, reduced blood pressure and significant increases in highdensity lipoproteins, the good cholesterol. The study was published in Nutrition Research in the December 2019 issue. It’s a small study, so more research is needed, but early results look promising.

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

RECIPE These days, we’re looking for easy recipes with not many ingredients — maybe a healthy side to go with those burgers on the grill or maybe a fun fruit salad. We’re all cooking at home more — and sometimes running out of ideas. My answer, when inspiration is low, is to turn to the grill. Here’s a recipe for Grilled Broccoli Wedges with Herb Vinaigrette from Eating Well magazine. If you don’t have everything for the vinaigrette, use a good bottled variety. GRILLED BROCCOLI WEDGES WITH HERB VINAIGRETTE

2 small broccoli stalks, trimmed and quartered

36 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper Preheat one side of the grill to mediumhigh; leave the other half unheated. Toss broccoli in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Grill the broccoli cut side down, turning once halfway through, until lightly charred, 10 to 15 minutes total. Move to the unheated

side, close the lid and cook until the stalks are tender, 10 to 15 minutes more. Meanwhile, whisk vinegar, basil, chives, mustard and pepper with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in the bowl. Toss the broccoli with the vinaigrette to coat. Serves 4 (1 cup each). Per serving: 100 calories; 3 grams protein; 4 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram total sugars (0 added); 9 grams fat (1 gram saturated); 2 grams fiber; 202 milligrams sodium. Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian at Hy-Vee in Springfield, Illinois, and the media representative for the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.

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HELP WANTED Keyport Lounge

is currently hiring wait staff to greet customers, wait tables, serve food and beverages. Please apply in person with Connie at Keyport Lounge 1900 Belknap, Superior.

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May 7, 2020 May37 7, 2020 37

Allyson Rolf of Earth Rider Brewery Welcome to a new Reader feature called Meet the Brewer. We kick this series off with questions we asked of Allyson Rolf, head brewer at Earth Rider Brewery in Superior.

these beer styles and became a BJCP certified judge. I started homebrewing, started volunteering and making an effort to learn everything I could about what it means to be a brewer.

Q. What triggered your interest in beer and brewing? Did you begin as a homebrewer?

Q. When was that a-ha moment?

AR: I took over (the Thirsty) Pagan (her first head Allyson Rolf: brewing job) in 2012, When I first started so the aha moment drinking beer in the was 2009 or 20190. I mid to late ’90s. I as spent a good amount going to Mankato and of time learning to be Schell was right there. a homebrewer before Exloring beer, I drank a I even thought I was by lot of Schell’s, Summit, good enough to try to Leinie’s. I always get a position as brewer. gravitated toward the At first I did a whole more flavorful beers, not lot of brewing by myself. that I didn’t drink my fair My very first batch of share of Michelob Light extract homebrew was in college. on the stovetop while I moved to Duluth after watching a YouTube graduating, and there video. But then I got were microbreweries here really involved with the in the area and also South Northern Ale Stars, the Shore in Ashland. I really local homebrew club. started to get into the I still try to do at least local craft beer scene and one homebrew batch a what they were offering year, just to say I still was really intriguing for homebrew. me. I started really trying We did a study group a variety of craft beers. It together for the Beer seemed like this whole new Judge Certification Program. world was opening up with options They were great. There’s a lot of and flavors. It was interesting and really good beer judges in that group. creative. Whenever I had a question about beer I guess the a-ha moment that or was trying to tweak a recipe or get brewing might be the thing for me, some thoughtful feedback, I definitely I worked a brew festival at the Dells reached out to members of the club in Wisconsin. We had some issues that I know are really good beer judges. with serving beer. I went over to Dells They’re a great resource. Brewery and talked to a woman and said, “We’re having some trouble Q. What is your go-to beer? with our beer. Do you think when the brewer gets back he could help me out AR: I think it’s really contextwith some stuff?” Little did I know related. What is your favorite beer on that that was Jamie, the head brewer a hot day doing yard work. I really there. She gave me some really good like Miller High Life for that. One of advice about what I should do. my favorite go-to craft beers? Sierra She was like, I am the head brewer. Nevada Pale Ale. I also like, in small All I’d ever seen is men in the industry. amounts, sour beer because I know it’s Why didn’t I think of this? It wasn’t, really challenging to make. So it really you should become a brewer, but this depends. is something I find interesting and Sierra Nevada Pale for a craft. If I go challenging, making a product you get into a liquor store and I don’t know to share and enjoy with other people. what I want to drink, that’s probably The aha moment was, maybe I could what I’ll grab. do this. So I started learning about all of Q. What beer have you brewed for

MEET THE BREWER

JIM LUNDSTROM

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Allyson Rolf taking care of business at Earth Rider Brewery, where she has served as head brewer since August 2017. the public that you are most proud of, and why? AR: I’m really proud of all of our beers, honestly. What we’re putting out here at Earth Rider, I’m absolutely proud of every thing we’re putting out. But I’m especially proud of our sour beers. It’s a difficult, time-consuming project. There are a lot of question marks making sour beer. Being able to make a good one is a lot of luck and experimentation and know-how. I’ve definitely dumped a lot of bad sour beer in that learning process. Coming up, the Cedar Sour Red I’m most proud of and eager to share. Also the lagers we make. It’s not an easy beer to make well and I’m really proud of them. Q. What does it mean to you to be a female head brewer in the maledominated industry. AR: Talking to a few women in the brewing industry at a professional meeting back in February, there’s really no reason that there aren’t more women in the brewing industry. The physical aspect of it, there are definitely some hard days and heavier lifting. I think seeing other women in the brewing industry is really important. That’s why we do a lot of these events, just to show other women

that there are women in the brewing industry. I’ve had a relatively good response from the men I’ve worked with and interacted with. Some of the issues I have in the industry are some of the same issues women in leadership face, the way women are represented, they’re bitchy or demanding, versus if it were a man in that position, he’s a strong leader. The narrative is different. I think that’s one of the difficult things. It’s no different from being a woman in a leadership position in other industries. The descriptors often are applied differently to women than men in those same positions. I get it more from the consumer side. I think a lot of consumers, before they know I’m the head brewer, the same way I made assumptions with Jamie not being the head brewer. I didn’t ask her for help, I asked for the brewer. When I’m talking about beer and people say, Wow, you actually know a lot about beer. Well, I make it. I see a little bit more of the assumptions on the consumer side. Like my knowledge and who I am, that’s a little more gender-biased then the men in the industry. Knowing other women in the industry, I think I’m fortunate that I’ve not had bad experiences because I know it does happen.

Pinot gris and rose for sunny days While sitting at home awaiting the end of social distancing, it might be difficult to conjure up the image of the sunny days ahead that mark by the transition from winter to spring. For the wine enthusiast, this is an important transition from the heavier red and white wines we prefer in cold weather to the lighter wines we associate with sunshine and warm weather. Easter is when I typically make the switch, turning toward pinot noir, Beaujolais, lighter Rhone blends and crisp (meaning little or no oak influence) whites. These wines accompany the parallel switch to lighter cuisine as I fire up the grill and plunge into the routine of backyard barbecues every night of the week. For the like-minded, I have a few suggestions. For one, start taking grenache seriously. Planting of this grape indigenous to the southern Rhone region of France is surging throughout the U.S., and Rhone-style red blends relying on a higher percentage of grenache are now the norm. They are fruit-forward, taste good when chilled and pair beautifully with grilled meats. Ditto dry rose wines. On a warm day, a well-made dry rose is both refreshing and delicious. It’s versatile, too. Rose can be enjoyed with grilled fish, grilled chicken, savory sausages, etc. My personal favorite white wine this time of year is pinot gris. Oregon and California have become tremendous resources for this grape variety when produced using little or no oak. Neither as heavy as chardonnay nor as tart as sauvignon blanc, pinot gris provides a smooth transition from winter to spring as we begin to serve up barbecued shrimp, salmon and chicken wings from the grill. Rest assured, there are sunny days on the horizon and sunshine-inducing wines to make them even better.

VINO

ROBERT WHITLEY

Best Value Wines are rated on a 100-point scale.

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Wines are chosen for review because they represent outstanding quality or value, and the scores are simply a measure of this reviewer’s enthusiasm for the recommended wine. Decoy 2018 Chardonnay, Sonoma County ($20) – Decoy may be the second label for the more glamorous (and expensive) Duckhorn brand, but by every measure, it’s a standout on its own. Modestly priced, the 2018 Decoy chardonnay doesn’t skimp on richness, body or flavor. This vintage exhibits beautiful aromas of baked apple and wood spice, with a note of lemon oil that brightens the finish. Rating: 90. Herdade de Sao Miguel 2019 Colheita Seleccionada Rose, IGP Alentejo, Portugal ($14.99) – One of the unsung heroes of Portuguese wine is the delicious but oft overlooked rosado, or rose, category. Dry rose from Portugal often rivals the best of that from southern France, and this beauty from Herdade de Sao Miguel is a splendid example. Primarily a blend of touriga nacional and syrah, it is fresh and crisp, showing attractive notes of strawberry and cherry with mouthwatering acidity and a long, clean finish. Rating: 90. Tasting Notes Black Kite 2017 Chardonnay, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands ($48) — Winemaker Jeff Gaffner has a deft hand with chardonnay, consistently producing wines that are rich and full-bodied without losing their elegance. The 2017 vintage from Sierra Mar Vineyard in the Central Coast is yet another beauty from Gaffner, showing notes of lemon creme, apple and pear with a dollop of fall spice and a thread of minerality that runs through it start to finish. Rating: 95. Stephanie 2015 Malbec, Napa Valley ($55) — One of the most perplexing aspects of malbec is its stunning success in Argentina. The grape is native to Bordeaux and widely

planted in California, but the best malbec typically calls Argentina home. Stephanie’s 2015 malbec from the Napa Valley rivals the finest malbec Argentina can muster. Bold and rich, showing intense blackberry and currant fruit with smooth, supple tannins, this Napa Valley malbec makes a powerful statement. Rating: 94. Oak Farm 2018 Albarino, Lodi, California ($24) — As unlikely as Lodi is for albarino production, Oak Farm consistently surprises with an expression of this classic Spanish grape variety that is crisp and fresh and exceeds all expectations. The 2018 is loaded with notes of juicy citrus, is clean and refreshing, and shows exceptional palate length and a lingering finish. Rating: 93. Tinto Figuero ‘4’ 2016 Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain ($21.99) - The number 4 refers to the time this wine spent in oak barrels following fermentation. Four months

is just enough time to impart a hint of wood spice without overwhelming the young wine. It also gives the wine the all-important contact with oxygen that softens the tannins and enhances aromatic development. The result is a red that is fresh and clean, showing exceptional fruit purity (blackberry, currant and dark cherry) and excellent palate length. Rating: 90. Follow Robert on Twitter at @wineguru. To find out more about Robert Whitley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at creators.com. Email Robert at whitleyonwine@yahoo.com.

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The importance of decomposition NATURAL CONNECTIONS by

EMILY STONE Leatherleaf forms a living scaffolding around the edges of bogs, and sphagnum moss uses it to extend the bog mat. Photos by Emily Stone.

Pitcher plant flowers have beautiful and ephemeral petals, but their main structure can be seen in the bog throughout most of the year.

Well, April is an interesting month in the Northwoods, and spring seems to be coming in fits and starts. Many trails are muddy right now, and hikers should be careful about the impact their boots make in the wet soil. For now, I’ll content myself with walking on roads and writing about the Forest Lodge Nature Trail. This week, the sections I’m sharing from the trail’s new interpretive booklet include one of my favorite topics. I love bogs, I love bog plants. The pages in this booklet are short, and I left out many of my favorite facts. If you’d like to learn more, you can access my blog/archive at cablemuseum.org and search for “bog.” As always, please contact me with corrections or ideas – the booklet is still in draft form! The Forest Lodge Nature Trail has a lovely bog boardwalk to give you easier access to this fragile ecosystem. Some trails in Wisconsin have been closed recently, so it’s important to check before you go, stay close to home, use proper hygiene (including dealing with waste properly) and be extra cautious so you don’t stress our emergency response system. Whether you visit the trail in person or in your imagination, happy hiking! Bogs and fens continued… With cold, acidic, low-oxygen water, decomposition proceeds slowly in bogs and fens. Without decomposition to return nutrients to the system, they are challenging places to live, and the plants that can survive have unique adaptations.

from the air and nutrients from the soil. Now they are decomposing and the forest is recycling their resources. Much like the snag and the nurse stump, these logs are filled with life. Moss and lichens keep them moist. Fungi soften the wood. Beetles, ants, and other invertebrates chew tunnels. Spiders, crickets, firefly larvae, salamanders, and mice find cozy homes. As the logs decay, they replenish the soil’s nutrients and help the soil retain moisture so that new trees can grow. They are an important part of the cycle of life. Local logging history The lumber industry in Wisconsin faced many obstacles as it began in the 1830s. Bogs, wetlands and dense forests prevented easy travel. The railroad reached Cable in 1880, and the lumberjacks came with it. Teams of draft horses hauled huge loads of pine and hemlock along this logging road. Once the lumbermen reached camp on nearby Lake Namakagon, the logs were rolled into the lake and floated to sawmills on the Namakagon River. There they were cut into lumber and transported by train. The railroad reached Cable in 1880. Look for large, rotting stumps left over from the logging era. As new life takes them over, they represent both the past and the future of this forest. Thanks to Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteers Thom Gerst and Kay Meyer for their help in drafting this booklet!

Sphagnum moss plays a big role in bog and fen formation. Sphagnum’s primitive leaves are like tiny sponges, and can absorb up to 26 times their own weight in water. Because of this trait, it has been used for diapers and bandages. To deal with the lack of available minerals, sphagnum shoots hydrogen ions into its environment – dislodging scarce nutrients for its own use. This acidifies the bog or fen, which further limits which plants can grow there. Leatherleaf is a hardy shrub with leathery, oval leaves that hang on through the winter. It’s rigid stem and wiry branches are the scaffolding that support sphagnum moss as the vegetation mat grows inward from the edges of the basin. In the middle of the bog, leatherleaf forms the base of mounds called hummocks. Leatherleaf obtains nutrients through a partnership with fungi on its roots. Pitcher plant is a carnivorous plant with leaves that hold water. Their dark red flowers bloom in June, and their seed heads poke above the bog like periscopes for most of the year. In order to get enough nitrogen and phosphorus, pitcher plants lure insects to the trap of their water-filled leaves. Then fly larvae, mosquito larvae, and midge larvae who are living in the pitcher help the plant digest and absorb the nutrients it needs. These mosquitos eat so well that they don’t need to drink blood! Logs into soil How many rotting logs can you see from where you stand? Those trees once grew using carbon

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The uniquely shaped leaves of pitcher plants act as insect traps. These carnivorous plants rely on insects to acquire enough nutrients to survive in the challenging habitat of bogs and fens. Emily’s second book, Natural Connections: Dreaming of an Elfin Skimmer, is now available to purchase at cablemuseum.org/books. Or order it from our friends at redberybooks.com to receive free shipping! For more than 50 years, the Cable Natural History Museum has served to connect you to the Northwoods. The Museum is currently closed due to COVID-19, but we’re still building our new exhibit and bringing you educational content. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to see what we are up to.

Refunding or rescheduling your vacation I specialize in helping consumers get they make a significant schedule refunds for all kinds of travel products. change. If a hotel isn’t open, you get If you’re not planning to travel, all your money back. And if a cruise there are ways to get line cancels your itinerary your money back, from to avoid a coronavirus negotiating strategies to outbreak and tries to card tricks. rebook you on another Here are some of the sailing, you have the option most effective coronavirus of canceling. The terms by refund tips: of purchase outline when Negotiate politely you’re eligible for a refund. That’s the advice of It pays to read your ticket Laurie Guest, an author contract or the terms of who specializes in travel purchase. and customer service. Hail them on all Focus on maintaining frequencies a relationship with the travel Last week and over the weekend, a company. “Consider the depth of the lot of readers were complaining about relationship,” she says. “You might Expedia being unreachable by phone say, ‘After years of working together, I because of “technical difficulties.” Of hope we can find a compromise that course, there were technical difficulties; works for both of us.’” Guest is also everyone was trying to call Expedia a proponent of postponing, but not at the same time. But companies also canceling, a trip. have email addresses and online chat. Cite their own rules They have Facebook pages and Twitter Often, you don’t need a special handles. No one wants to use them waiver to secure a full coronavirus because they don’t get instant results, refund. Airlines give refunds when but those channels are often more

Consumer Navigator CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

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effective. Invoke your loyalty Frequent-flier and hotel loyalty programs have become increasingly convoluted and irrelevant, but this is one of those times when the color of your card might make a real difference. A business can see how much your business is worth. “Members of hotel and airline loyalty programs can press the service providers to reward their past and likely future loyalty,” says Marcia Flicker, an associate professor at Fordham University. Negotiate a little less politely No, I’m not talking about throwing a tantrum — although I’ve seen plenty of those recently. If a travel company tells you to take a credit or leave it, you have options. A favored response is a little light social media pressure. Salila Sukumaran, a travel adviser based in Mountain View, Calif., says you need to be diplomatic. A friendly note on Twitter or Facebook may nudge the company into offering a refund. “If done tactfully and respectfully, such an act may get the money back,” she says.

“However, if done poorly, you may be blacklisted by a small or mediumsized facility. People will remember the incident.” Leverage your credit card When Rachel Sheerin had to cancel a trip and obtain a coronavirus refund, that’s what she did. She called American Express Platinum and asked for help. A representative stayed on the line while Sheerin negotiated a refund. “The Amex concierge is a game-changer and has saved me lots of money,” says Sheerin, a frequent traveler and motivational speaker from Charlotte. Another benefit of making a credit-card purchase: If the company won’t offer a refund, you can dispute the charges. None of these coronavirus refund tips should be necessary. That’s because it shouldn’t take much to move a company in the right direction, particularly now. Christopher Elliott’s latest book is How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler (National Geographic).

May 7, 2020 39 May 7, 2020 41

Best UMD team ever? Pick 1983-84 or 1984-85 Three years ago, the UMD hockey team had just come off a stirring lateseason hockey rush, going all the way to the NCAA tournament final before falling to Denver in the title game. A thorough makeover was coming, and with a new goaltender and five freshman defensemen in the lineup, it looked like a difficult road lay ahead. But several games into the 2017-18 season, those five freshmen all looked remarkably poised and skilled. As I awaited a game at AMSOIL Arena that night, I spotted an old friend. It was Tom Kurvers, former state champion at Bloomington Jefferson before coming to UMD and embarking on a four-year career that helped lift the Bulldogs to elite status. Now he is an assistant general manager of the Minnesota Wild, after a solid NHL playing career that included a Stanley Cup with Montreal. “Great to see you,” I said. “You’ve going to enjoy seeing this UMD team. They’ve got a lot of talent, and one of their five freshman defensemen is the best UMD defenseman since you!” I was referring to Scott Perunovich, who just signed an NHL contract after capping three straight years as an All-America on defense for the Bulldogs, led the NCHC in scoring, and won the Hobey Baker Award as UMD’s unprecedented sixth player so honored. It was appropriate to bring up this topic to Kurvers, because when he was a senior, he was the first Bulldog to win the Hobey Baker Award after leading the Bulldogs to their first WCHA championship. Naturally, we also talked about

From left, Tom Kurvers, Bill Watson, Matt Christensen and Tom Herzig. the lingering pain from the day after Kurvers got the award, when UMD lost the 1984 NCAA championship game 5-4 to Bowling Green in the fourth overtime, at Lake Placid, N.Y. “Winning the award was one of the highlights of my life,” Kurvers said. “But I would trade it in a second for the championship trophy in 1984.” One year later, the departure of Kurvers was difficult to overcome, but the task was eased by the arrival of

Drivers Wanted Two Harbors to Grand Marais Contact The Reader 218-722-0173

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Brett Hull, whose explosive shot was paired with the amazing scoring of Bill Watson, as the two led the Bulldogs to a repeat WCHA title, and yet another heartbreaking loss in the NCAA tournament at Detroit, 6-5 in an exhaustive by 3-overtime battle with RPI. It wasn’t much of a salve that the Bulldogs bounced back to beat Boston College 7-6 – in one overtime – to win the third-place trophy. In my mind, those two teams always stood as the best two teams in UMD hockey history, and that comes from a perspective of somebody old enough to remember every UMD hockey team since the Curling Club games, dating back to the old MIAC. With all of us going stir-crazy with the Coronavirus pandemic eliminating all our sports all spring and, maybe, also summer, reminiscing has become

the primary sports attraction, and a lot of sports fans are into naming the all-time team, or the best team in UMD history. It was an honor to be invited to the 40th reunion of that 1983-84 team, held at Grandma’s Sports Garden. It was fascinating to watch the interaction, which more resembled a family reunion. As we all sat around telling stories, we were all asked to make one statement of what they remember best about that team. When the turn came to me, I said: “You guys are so close, it makes me realize that winning the title back in 1984 doesn’t matter; you couldn’t be any closer if you had won that championship game.” Coach Mike Sertich recalled that scene the other day. UMD won the NCAA title three times and the last two in a row, and I’m

SPORTS JOHN GILBERT

team repeated as WCHA champions, went 36-9-3, then lost a wrenching 3-overtime NCAA semifinal game to RPI at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. That came one day after Bill Watson had been named UMD’s second straight Hobey Baker winner, for his 49-goal season, which came after he had “only” scored 35 goals the year before. Most of the players on those two teams were the same, and most of the line combinations were the same, too. Rick Kosti was in goal for both teams and he was superb, despite losing that

4-OT classic to Bowling Green. Kosti was 27-9-2 as a freshman, when he made 55 saves in that title game and was stung only when a last-minute dump-in hit a seam in the Zamboni door and the ricochet went out in front for an easy goal, before Kosti could scramble back to the crease from behind the cage. UMD had a dozen excellent scoring chances through the overtimes, before Bowling Green swiped the big trophy in the fourth overtime. That team was loaded, on both offense and defense. Kurvers and

Maciver both went on to play for more than a decade in the National Hockey League. Kurvers won a Stanley Cup at his first stop, Montreal. Matt Christensen centered Bill Watson and Tom Herzig on the top line. Other prolific scorers up front included Bob Lakso, Brian Johnson, Skeeter Moore, Dave Cowan, Mark Odnokon, and there were worker-bees like Danny May, Jim Toninato and Sean Toomey. Besides Kurvers and Maciver on defense, UMD had another decade-

Continued on next page.

convinced the Bulldogs were headed for their third in a row this season, with what I believe was Sandelin’s best team. Those who might argue have to realize that the freshman-sophomore dominated team that won the 2018 title had matured into pretty much a junior-senior led team, which won just about every NCHC individual accolade for their effort. By winning 9 of their last 10 games, they finished just one victory short of overtaking North Dakota for the regular-season title, which would have conclusively proved this year’s UMD team was Sandelin’s best. The game has changed into a tightchecking, defensive-oriented style in the last 10 years. What used to be decried as dumpand-chase hockey has evolved into dump-and-trap hockey, where teams still shoot the puck into the offensive zone, but then fall back with a mild forecheck and hope to regain possession as the opposing team reaches center ice. Scoring is greatly reduced, and defenseman Perunovich outscored all the forwards in the NCHC with his clever assists. Look back at the 1983-84 team, which won its first WCHA season title with a 29-12-2 record. Kurvers was captain as a senior defenseman on that team, and his partner was junior Norm Maciver. The next year, Kurvers had graduated, but a new young winger named Brett Hull stepped in. That

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May 7, May 20207, 2020 43 43

long NHLer in Jimmy Johnson, plus the speedy Bill Grillo, and two other future pros in Jim Sprenger and Guy Gosselin. That was as solid a 6-man defense as you could find. In evaluating the scoring from defense, consider that Kurvers had 192 points over four years, Maciver 191, and a fellow from the previous decade — Curt Giles — had 171. In career goals, assists and points, it was 1. Kurvers 43-149—192; 2. Maciver 39152—191; 3. Giles 36-135—171; then 4. Keith Hendrickson 35-94—129; and 5. Dave Langevin 35-72—107. Not a bad top five. The sixth highest-scoring defenseman? Scott Perunovich, at 2085—105. Those are the only six defensemen in school history to wind up more than 100 points, and while points aren’t the best way to measure defensemen, that’s an impressive group, if you could only pick six. Sertich was voted WCHA coach of the year his first three years, and the only reason his Bulldogs didn’t win three straight league titles is that in his third year, first-line center Christensen, who worked like a hand in the glove to set up Hull, was felled by a stroke midway through the season, and the team spiraled out of contention to place fourth. Scoring 20 goals is a big deal, in today’s defensive-oriented college game, and 30 is unheard of. Back in 1983-84, Watson scored 35 goals and then 49 goals in 1984-85, his Hobey year. Brett Hull scored 32 goals

There is more defense played nowadays, and certainly more attention to team defense. But could today’s teams stop Watson? Or Brett Hull, who scored 32 goals as a freshman, 52 in his second season, and went on to an NHL career where he scored more points than all but Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux? in ’84-85 and a whopping 52 the next year. For further comparison, consider the trop 10 in career scoring for the Bulldogs: 1. Dan Lempe, who played 146 games from 1976-80, scoring 79143—222; 2. Derek Plante, who played 138 games, 96-123—219, tied with Matt Christensen, who played 168 games with 76-143—219; 4. Watson, who played 108 games, scored 89121—210 for the team career record of 1.94 points per game. Incredible; 5. Keith (Huffer) Christiansen, UMD’s first league scoring champ and an AllAmerica, played only 102 games back in 1963-67, but scored 75-121—196, for a per-game average of 1.92 points, second only to Watson. 6. Brett Hull had 84-60—144, in only 90 games. The best team in UMD history? A case could be made for this year’s 2019-20 team. I say it’s third, even if allowed to go on and win its third straight NCAA title. For the top two, we must pause and

go back to the mid-1980s. The game has changed considerably since UMD first went Division 1 and left the Curling Club in the 1960s. There is more defense played nowadays, and certainly more attention to team defense. But could today’s teams stop Watson? Or Brett Hull, who scored 32 goals as a freshman, 52 in his second season, and went on to an NHL career where he scored more points than all but Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux? But none other than Kurvers said that whenever he sees old friends from UMD opponents back in the 1980s, he says: “The only thing we don’t have is an NCAA title. Now that they’ve won three NCAAs, we can say, ’Now it’s the best program in the country — and

we’re still winning Hobeys!” Interesting point. Is it better, in any league, to win the league champion and contend for a national title, or not contend for a league title but get hot enough to run the table at tournament time? I must say that winning the league title is the best evidence of how good a team is, but once you get to the playoffs, winning the national title is all there is when it’s over. In that regard, which UMD team would be the best in a best-of-seven series? Both the teams of the 1980s and current eras had great goaltending and excellent defense. But nobody among the new generation of speedy, hustling, puck-handling forwards can shoot the puck like Watson or Hull, or dozens of other snipers of that era. So having watched every UMD team that has hit the ice since 1960, my choice as the best UMD hockey team ever is a toss-up between the 1983-84 and 1984-85 teams. Would you rather have a team with Kurvers, or with Hull, if you could only have one? Flip a coin. And the 2019-20 team is No. 3.

My simulated Stanley Cup conclusion and other NHL tidbits and news ISLAND LAKE…. In the recent Part to some factors and others will have One of my simulated Stanley Cup their game diminished by them. We tournament I projected a final regular haven’t seen a situation like this in my season standings and then using that or your lifetime. data laid out the opening round of In the East Final with TBL against the Cup tourney based on the league PHI, the two clubs had only played playoff formatting and twice prior to the cessation then projected Rounds one of play in March. The and two. In Round one Bolts won both games, in the East I had BOS vs and neither of them were NYI, TBL vs TOR, WAS vs played until mid January, CAR and PHI vs PIT. My and then mid February. by first round Eastern winners New Flyer coach Alain were BOS, TBL, WAS and Vignault had time by that PHI. That set up Round point to get his system two featuring BOS vs TBL and style in place and and WAS vs PHI. In those the Flyers were playing series I had TBL and PHI well. The Bolts core group making it to the Eastern Conference including Coach Jon Cooper fit like an Finals. old shoe and have been together for In the West my first round had COL multiple seasons. When they are on vs WIN, STL vs DAL, VGK vs NSH and “it” they are among the league’s best. EDM vs VAN. Coming out of Round Both teams are top ten in GF and GA. one were COL, STL, VGK and VAN. In The special teams rank close as well, Round two I had COL over STL and with the Flyers taking substantially less the VGK over VAN. This set up the penalties. The Flyers have the young WCF between COL and the VGK. Of Hart kid in goal, and the Bolts have the four teams remaining I have two the veteran Vasilevskiy. This would be of them (COL and TBL) as being in my a close and epic series, and could go top four, top tier teams in the league. a full seven games. In this case, the My other two (BOS and STL) are out. layoff benefits the Bolts and they win Based on a variety of factors, this isn’t in seven. unusual. No matter the sport within In the West, COL vs the VGK, this the four majors, the best, or “top tier” is another tough call. I feel like COL teams don’t always win their leagues is the team with more “juice” at the titles or even make their finals. And time play was halted, but now every once in a while, as we witnessed last club has had rest. I saw these two year, an NHL team will come out of play out in Denver last spring and the nowhere to win it all. Avs were all over them until late, but However, even though the VGK hung on to win. The Avs are better and PHI are not in my top tier, they in GF and GA, but Vegas is better on are in my very next “level” after that, the PP, but almost last in the NHL on meaning that they are very good and the PK. They aren’t far apart in PIMs. still possess the ability to win the Cup. Vegas lost two to the Avs early in the Remember, the NHL is still in limbo season, and they weren’t close games. due to the pandemic situation and At the break though, both teams were multiple factors have to be in place playing at their peak. The Avs have to win a championship. The Bruins more pop on offense clearly, but Vegas for instance are out in my simulation has Marc-Andre’ in goal. At the end of because with one of the oldest players six games, it’s the Avs. and older rosters in the NHL, and So, in the SC Final I have a “mile having played 176 games since the high” team against a “sea level” team. start of the 18-19 season, how do they The Avs. The Bolts. The energy game fare with this break? Some would say of COL up against the power and that it’s a gift for an older club like experience of the TBL. The Avs would the Bs. I’m unconvinced of that and have home ice here. They beat Tampa believe that the inactivity will hurt soundly early in the season then lost their game when real competition to them in OT in their regular season resumes. Certain teams will thrive due tilts. Numerically, it’s close. The Bolts

MASKED FAN MARC ELLIOT

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Bobby Hull shakes hands with Jean Beliveau after the 1965 Stanley Cup series, won by Montreal. are 1st in GF, COL is 3rd. Tampa is 10th in GA, COL is 5th. TBL is 5th on the PP, COL is 19th. They are tied for 13th on the PK and the Bolts take more PIMs. Avs coach Jared Bednar has proven himself thus far as an NHL bench boss, but lacks the overall experience of Jon Cooper. Whether the Avs play Grubauer or Francouz in goal, they don’t have Vasy’s experience in really big games. Edge Bolts. Does the altitude factor here at all? I think only slightly. In the preseason Vegas odds Tampa was a 6-1 fave to win the Cup, the Avs were at 10-1. All things considered I believe the Bolts will hoist the Cup they should have won last year, and they will do that in 6 games…. THE NHL HAS A Return to Play committee and it’s made up of league exec’s, NHLPA exec’s and rounded out with players. They are constantly monitoring the pandemic situation and gauging whether or not they could resume competition and how and when that could take place. There are several key issues to consider. Among them are availability of player/personnel virus testing, how to complete the regular season, where to hold games, and who and how many

people would be allowed into game sites, a training “camp” of some sort, home team designations when playing at “neutral” sites, and more. Off the top you would want to complete the regular season both for playoff purposes and also to determine draft positions for the next entry draft, whenever that might be. Name just one operational component of the hockey business and it has likely been impacted by the pandemic. The sports business environment is enough of a challenge during most any season. Imagine what obstacles and issues a league would be up against now. I appreciate them now more than ever. As much as I have loved sports my entire life, I knew they weren’t the most vital part of life itself. They really are entertainment. Then I consider how much enjoyment and fun it has been to follow sports over the years. Sure, if you are a Minnesotan, there has been at least some agony involved. Then again, I wouldn’t trade away any of it. Can’t wait until they are back… PEACE

May 7,7,2020 May 2020 45

Thirst finally quenched by HD streaming version of Ice Cold in Alex Have you ever had a deep thirst for a movie, something you’ve only heard about or read about, or something you saw once long ago and would love to see again, but in this age when you can see almost any movie your heart desires, this one has been unavailable until only very recently outside of DVD Region 2 or Blu-ray Region B, neither of which is anywhere near here. My first such movie to thirst for was the original 1933 King Kong, which I Desperately wanted to see as a kid, and even tried staying up for it on the midnight movie one wintery Friday night, but I spent the early evening in endless sledding and wore myself out. I fell sound asleep in the living and woke up early Saturday morning with the TV still on – but nothing airing – Saturday morning broadcasting hadn’t started yet on the three available stations. It was by more than a decade when I finally saw it one wintry night living in a converted horse stable on a family farm in Tingrith, England. The BBC was airing just a week or so in advance of the December 1976 release of Dino DeLaurentis’ remake of King Kong, Starring Charles Grodin as the Robert Armstrong character, Jeff Bridges in the Bruce Cabot hero role, and lovely young woman from Cloquet, Minn., Jessica Lange in the role of the blonde beauty played so beautifully by Fay Wray in the original. King Kong lived up to everything I had heard, read or imagined about it. I was blown away by it hat snowy night in England. And I liked the remake, too, but I hate Peter Jackson’s endless remake. Awful! England was a great place to see American movies on the BBC. I finally saw Singing in the Rain there and Mary Poppins, and John Ford’s The Searchers and many other John Wayne westerns

MOVIE REVIEW

JIM LUNDSTROM

John Mills (right) tucks into an ice cold lager after a deadly desert drive, as his fellow travelers look on (from left) Harry Andrews, Anthony Quayle and Sylvia Syms. – the English loved them and the BBC aired them Saturday evenings. But I also had the opportunity to see some great British films, especially war pictures. And most of this British war films are available to audiences the world over – Dam Busters, In Which We Serve, The Cruel Sea, Lawrence of Arabia. You can find all of those somewhere. One war film I saw there I’ve been thirsting to see again, but it was only available in foreign countries. Until now. I regularly searched for the release of this movie in North America, but it was not available. Sad thing is, all I could remember about it was the punchline, which is also the title – Ice Cold in Alex – which refers to the main character, Capt. Anson (John Mills bleached blond to make him look younger than his 50 years when this

46 March 26, 2020 DuluthReader.com

was made in 1958), and his thirst for an ice cold lager in Alexandria, Egypt, at the end of an ordeal through Nazioccupied desert. Bit it’s more than that. During the ordeal the alcoholic Captain and his crew of fellow travelers (two Catholic sister nurses – one doomed and the other – the excellent Sylvia Syms – to be among the quartet that finally gets to tip an ice cold in Alex), the stalwart Sergeant Major Pugh (Harry Andrews) and a chap (Anthony Quayle) they pick up along the way who says he is Dutch Afrikaner, but is he? It’s a tough, sweaty little movie with plenty of harrowing circumstances as Anson, the Sgt. Major and the suspicious Afrikaner attempt to bring the two nurses out of the war zone in Tobruk to the relative safety of Alexandria. Each harrowing encounter

46 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.

with Nazis, the elements and their own existential problems as human beings makes Anson even thirstier for a drink, which the Afrikaner is all-too happy to provide from his stash of gin, while Nurse Murdoch and Sgt. Major Pugh work to stop Anson from drinking. Then there is the subplot of whether a Nazi spy is among them. Pugh makes his decision early on when he learns the Afrikaner doesn’t know how to make desert tea, which, he believed impossible if the Boer had been fighting alongside British troops, as he said he had. The others are made suspicious when the Afrikaner goes for his evening “shovel” walk carrying his big, heavy, Army radio-shaped sack. After pulling a stunt that gives the doomed nurse a fatal Nazi machine gun gut wound, Capt. Anson is pulling

on a bottle of gin to get himself right, when Sylvia berates him for being a drunk. That’s when he tells her about the place in “Alex” that has the best beer in the Middle East, and cold, too. And he’d lay off the hard stuff. Ice Cold in Alex was made in 1958, directed by J. Lee Thompson. Being more familiar with Thompson’s later American movies such as Guns of Navarone (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award), Cape Fear (the original with Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck) and Mackenna’s Gold, and a whole bunch of Charles Bronson movies, I was surprised to learn he was in fact a British director with a raft of Brit flicks dating back to 1950 (Murder Without Crime was his first one, starring the always entertaining Dennis Price. Thompson also wrote the script, based on his own West End play titled Double Error). Whether Quayle’s character is really a Nazi spy doesn’t matter in the end because we are, after all, the same. Even Nazis can have some good in them, it seems. But that is not the moral of the story.

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This is, ultimately, an uplifting tale of perseverance and thirst. So does it hold up to the years of memories? Yes, it most certainly does. It looks great, all black and white in a Technicolor world. John Mills’ bleached blond hair is weird. Sylvia Syms is lovely. Lots of sand and sweat and flies. The payoff is perfect. Capt. Anson quickly disposes of his ice cold in Alex. And Anthony Quayle is quickly dispatched for being a Nazi spy (whoops, should have warned you about that spoiler, but, honestly, if you don’t know by then that he’s been carting around a radio all this time, well, then, you’ve not been paying attention). I’ve always liked John Mills, from his appearance as Pip in David Lean’s 1946 adaptation of Great Expectations (opposite Alec Guinness) to his 1954 turn as bootmaker Will Mossopp, who becomes son-in-law to his employer, Mr. Hobson (Charles Laughton) in Hobson’s Choice, also by David Lean.

This is another British classic I saw on the BBC back in the day. Two years after making Ice Cold in Alex, Mills was again playing opposite Alex Guinness in the tremendous tale of jealousy and pride, Tunes of Glory. It seems by then – and after Ice Cold in Alex – Mills was typecast as a nervous man. He’s great with the forehead crinkle of a man with deep currents. It’s a beautiful thing when Capt. Anson finally gets his lager. The story goes that the scene required multiple takes and real lager was used, so the actors were well lubricated at the end of the day. The story is also told that it was a grueling film to make, so their enjoyment over a beer carries the heavy cultural weight of just how good it is to drink beer with friends. As soon as I learned you can now rent Ice Cold in Alex for $2.99 on Amazon Prime or purchase an HD version for $6.99, I did the latter. Now I’ll have to get the digital version of Zoltan Korda’s 1943 Sahara (starring Humphrey Bogart as battlescarred tank Sgt. Joe Gunn) so I have a double feature of desert war movies.

Capt. Anson (John Mills) feels the condensation on his glass of ice cold lager before downing the beer in one go.

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Odetta revives life of folk singer Odetta: A Life in Music and Protest Ian Zack Beacon Press $35, HC, 264pp Odetta Holmes (Dec. 31, 1930 – Dec. 2, 2008), known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, lyricist and a civil and human rights activist, often referred to as “The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement.” Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz and spirituals. An important figure in the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, she influenced many of the key figures of the folk-revival of that time, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples and Janis Joplin.

Odetta channeled her anger and despair into some of the most powerful folk music the world has ever heard. Through her lyrics and iconic persona, Odetta made lasting political, social, and cultural change. But Odetta’s importance extends far beyond music. In Odetta, journalist Ian Zack follows Odetta from her beginnings in deeply segregated Birmingham, Alabama, to stardom in San Francisco and New York. Odetta used her fame to bring attention to the civil rights movement, working alongside Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte and other artists. Her opera-trained voice echoed at the 1963 March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery march, and she arranged a tour throughout the deeply segregated South. Her “Freedom Trilogy” songs became rallying cries for

protesters everywhere. Through interviews with Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte, Judy Collins, Carly Simon and many others, Odetta brings Odetta back into the public’s attention, reminding the world of the folk music that powered the civil rights movement and continues to influence generations of musicians today. An inherently fascinating and thought-provoking biography, Odetta: A Life In Music And Protest is a fitting memorial that will prove to be a welcome and lastingly popular addition to personal, community, college and university library collections. It is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $17.99). A History of the University of Wisconsin System Patricia A. Brady University of Wisconsin Press $49.95, HC, 392pp A tumultuous 1971 merger that combined all of the state’s public colleges and universities into a single entity led to the creation of the University of Wisconsin System. Drawing on decades of previously unpublished sources, Patricia A. Brady (who is a consultant on higher education law issues and served as chief legal officer for the University of Wisconsin System from 2002 to 2010) details the System’s full history from its origin to the present, illuminating complex networks among and within the campuses and an evolving relationship with the state. The UW System serves as a powerful case study for how broad, national trends in higher education take shape on the ground. Brady illustrates the ways culture wars have played out on campuses and the pressures that have mounted as universities have shifted to a student as consumer approach. A History of the University of Wisconsin System is the essential, unvarnished story of the unique collection of institutions that serve Wisconsin and the world – and a convincing argument for why recognizing and reinvesting in the System is critically important for the economic and civic future of the state and its citizens. Amish Family Recipes Lovina Eicher Herald Press $24.99, PB, 292pp Now any kitchen cook can create

48 March 26, 2020 DuluthReader.com

memorable meals for their family and friends with the more than 100 authentic, time-tested recipes of an extended Amish family in your own kitchen with Amish Family Recipes by Old Order Amish newspaper columnist Lovina Eicher. Colorful photographs of easy-to-prepare dishes and pictures of life in an Amish household reveal a people committed to faith, family, community and simplicity. The book features recipes and memories of Lovina’s mother, Elizabeth Coblentz, who wrote The Amish Cook newspaper column. Stories from Lovina, her sisters and her children offer family lore and mealtime memories. Practical sections devoted to cooking with children, preparing for family picnics, and making large dishes for reunion meals round out this scrumptious collection. The Ultimate Keto Air Fryer Cookbook Wendy Polisi Rockridge Press $16.99, PB, 200pp The Ultimate Keto Air Fryer Cookbook by Wendy Polisi (who is the passionate cook, photographer and blogger behind the web sites WendyPolisi.com and Kicking-Carbs.com) is the go-to resource for foodies who are loving the health benefits of keto but still want to serve up all kinds of delicious air-fried foods. Packed from cover to cover with more than 100 tasty recipes for classic dishes and new air fryer ideas, The Ultimate Keto Air Fryer Cookbook is the ultimate air fryer cookbook that makes it simple to put some crunch back into our culinary life with more than 100 keto-friendly takes on everything from biscuits and fried chicken to fries and empanadas. The book is additionally enhanced for the kitchen cook with all sorts of essential advice for keeping a kitchen supplied for keto cooking, as well as a wealth of invaluable tips for getting the most out an your air fryer. Expertly organized and presented, The Ultimate Keto Air Fryer Cookbook is a very highly recommended and thoroughly user friendly addition to personal, professional, and community library Contemporary Cookbook collections. It should be noted that it is currently available in an inexpensive digital book format from Amazon.com (Kindle, $0.99). Courtesy midwestbookreview.com

TAURUS APRIL 19-MAY 20 Element: Earth. Taurus Earth is much like a swamp filled with ancient trees covered in moss. Trying to navigate through this is like a dream in which you try to walk, but get nowhere.

and realistic. In other words, no fun at all. The Taurus male is patient, prudent, persevering, a tower of strength on whom you can lean. You will fall for his shy charm and those big, sad eyes. His needs are simple: home and hearth, a good woman, and a nest egg for that Quality: Fixed. Taureans are the rainy day. original immovable objects. He may offer comfort, but what you will probably get is an armySymbol: The Bull. Seriously…this is boot mentality. Either you do things too easy. Bullish, Bullheaded. Raging his way, or you do your thing Bull. Full of Bull. alone. He actually won’t mind your independence, if it benefits Ruler: Venus, the him in some way, and as Goddess of lust, jealousy long as dinner is ready when and perversion. he appears. Don’t expect to be Role Model: Scrooge showered with praise and by lavish attention. Do expect Dream Job: Hanging to be cast in the role of the judge. little woman. Of all the men in the Key Phrase: “Why do Universe, this one expects you make me hit you?” the 1950’s textbook version. He will buy your clothes, Body Part: The throat pick your friends, and criticize your – usually sore from bellowing. beliefs. He is judgmental and fixed in Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac, his ideas, attitudes, and prejudices. Nothing you can say or do will change resides in the House of Money and him. You will have the distinct feeling Possessions. Traditional astrology of being boiled alive slowly, and you kindly describes this Fixed-Earth sign will be right. Mr. Taurus invented the as a steadfast, discriminating, thrifty smothering relationship. homebody who is a great cook. Your He is jealous, possessive, and real-life version more closely resembles obsessive. Piss him off and he’ll hold a a stubborn, judgmental, boring miser grudge forever. Unfortunately, it’s not a with a weight problem. silent one. He will snipe and pick and Piss off a Taurus and watch the make nasty remarks until you want to transformation from a peaceful bash his head with the nearest blunt buffoon quietly chewing on a peace object. of sweet grass to a Raging Bull. With The Taurean love for food is practice, you will be able to spot an renowned, and the Bull loves to eat. imminent charge. His or her face By your second anniversary he could darkens visibly as the temper rises. The be wearing triple-X sweats and a truss. eyes veil, the jaw juts, or sets, ever so He is capable of eating himself into slightly. Some Taureans lower their multiple heart attacks and will expect head a bit and look up at you as a real you to play nurse for real. His idea bull does before it charges. Depending of excitement is switching from the on how self-controlled your Taurus is, Food Network to Wrestlemania. This you have from one second to a few is perfect, as it’s not too far from the minutes to brace yourself. fridge, and best of all, doesn’t cost Venus rules Taurus and that ancient anything, as long as you are paying the bad girl gives this sign an insatiable cable bill, which he saw to when you appetite. These Bulls can never get hooked up. enough approval, possessions, food, Taureans are cheapskates. Only a rest, or sex. Taurus would deliberately live on a Bulls rely on emotions not intellect, beer and beans budget unnecessarily. .instinct rather than fact. They are He may have millions, but you will extremely judgmental, and can’t see never see the bank accounts, although another person’s point-of-view. All you might get an allowance. If you do reason and logic go out the window get his money, it will only be because when the Bull is pissed. you outlived him, or murdered him This is the first of the Earth signs; as in his sleep. The latter will become a a result, Taureans are deeply practical

WHAT’A YOUR SIGN? LADY OCALAT

DuluthReader.com 49 April 30, 2020 DuluthReader.com

tempting idea as time goes by. Sigmund Freud’s use of psychoanalysis was a breakthrough in the field of psychiatry. But only a Taurus man could be at once so obtuse and so egotistical as to define a woman’s frustrations and unresolved emotional distress as penis envy. The Bull’s favorite game is Grand Inquisitor. He will expect you to report every detail in your day. He will snoop and rummage through your private papers, and look in your phone, and even scope out your underwear drawer for info on your whereabouts. If you have a past, and are foolish enough to reveal it to him, he is very capable of using it against you at any time for the rest of your life. Your best bet is a safedeposit box, and to lie your ass off. He is so stable he’s motionless. Work and home are all he knows. You are his housekeeper. He is so insensitive that you must smack him with a skillet to get his attention. If you are the type who needs excitement now and then, you could just lick the light socket or have an affair. With a Taurus man, I would opt for the first choice. Although he hates change, he is perfectly capable of tossing you out on your ass one day, and moving in your replacement the next – “ouch.” Now to the Taurus woman….(you didn’t think I would just pick on the guys, did ya?) She is Mother Earth in a black teddy. She is faithful, courageous and strong. The Taurean woman seeks security and a dependable mate. Money is not important as long as you can provide a nice home and the basic necessities. She has a refreshingly simple viewpoint of life. Picture fresh-baked bread, a cozy love nest, and her dainty hand in yours. Before you go off half-cocked and get yourself in too deep… She is as tough as nails, no matter how hard she tries to convince you otherwise. She is also a victim. You, on the other hand, will be a bastard from the instant you slip the wedding ring on her finger. Don’t forget it. If you argue with her, she will throw whatever she has in her hands at the moment straight at your head. Food is her emotional pleasure. She’ll

eat when she’s happy, depressed, angry, or just plain hungry, which is most of the time. By your second anniversary, her wardrobe will consist of sweat pants, flip-flops, and a robe. Along with the weight gain will be a natural slowing down of the urge to keep the house clean. Her reasoning is that it only gets dirty again. She will, however, expect you to work two jobs to pay for her new car. She deserves it for putting up with you. She likes to start family feuds, then sit back and observe the mayhem. She barks orders, makes pronouncements, plans everyone’s future, and expects blind obedience. Try to reason with her, and she’ll set her jaw and plant her swollen feet – “shudder.” She is easily depressed. Running out of ice cream can throw her into a funk. When she’s down, you will swear she is Kathy Bates, the maniacal nurse in the movie Misery. She is a martyr. She blames the world, her job, the kids, her mother, and you for her own faults. If she has four plates of lasagna, then is sick later, it’s your fault for letting her eat so much. When you’re ready to dump her, and who could blame you, make all your preparations in secret and take a day off work to move without her knowledge. Sounds cruel, but it could save you a trip to the hospital, or the morgue. Remember that the Taurus man or woman needs to feel secure. Timing is the key to getting your way. When they go ballistic, and they will, reach for the chocolate and keep your head down. Sex will end any fight you have with a Taurean. Good luck, friend. Till we meet again… Lady Ocalat is a Professional Astrologist, Reiki Master, Minister, and Tarot Reader. She can be reached at 218-722-2240, or at Lady Ocalat’s Emporium in downtown Duluth. ladyocalat.com

May 7, 2020 49

May 7, 2020 49 March 26, 2020

CROSSWORD By Thomas Joseph

CRYPTOQUIP A X Y D L B A A X is LONGFELLOW One letter stands for another. In this sample, A is used for

the three L’s, X for the two O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of the words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different.

YW YC L NRRQ‘C VZUZRFLWYBU WR JWWUZ WZJWKC WKLW OR ROU UQCU DYQQ CVULT. — OUYQ FLYGLO

ACROSS 1 Mongoose foe 6 Shoppers’ aids 11 “The Tempest” sprite 12 Hawaiian greeting 13 Japanese box lunch 14 Rental choice 15 Writer Philip 17 Ram’s mate 18 Baby’s mouthful 22 Dull pain 23 Stockholm natives 27 Tick off 29 Small herring 30 In addition 32 Track event 33 Vampire’s undoing 35 Promise 38 Soccer legend 39 Goes out 41 Sailor’s cry 45 Plains abode 46 FCC’s concern 47 Tipped 48 Decorate

Answers on Page 53

DOWN 1 Fare carrier 2 Valuable rock 3 Storage site 4 Got back 5 Coldly distant 6 Tasty nuts 7 Tavern drink 8 Took the bus 9 Turn to slush 10 Rational 16 “My country — of thee” 18 One of a bear trio 19 High cards 20 Enjoy some gum 21 Granted a stay 24 Pull along 25 Singly 26 Proofing mark 28 Went by 31 Caustic compound 34 Andean animal 35 White House power 36 Plow pullers 37 Use a sponge on 40 Hamilton’s bill 42 Commotion 43 Knight’s title 44 Leather color

50 March 26, 2020 DuluthReader.com 50 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

Answers on page 55

Personals I Saw

(58539:02/21)

You

Just

Friends

! Penpal wanted SWB: Gender-fluid student ISO a penpal. I love writing letters and want to do it more often. (58514:7/22)

Friendship in Duluth WWF, 60s, relocated to Duluth, seeks friendship/activity partner with older single newcomers to Minnesota. Enjoy coffee chats, hiking, xc skiing, canoeing, classical music, reading and listening to people’s stories. And you? (58487:4/11)

Women

seeking men

Social distance for now Searching for interesting man to share letters or phone calls. Let’s get to know each other this way, for now. Preferably 60plus, single, honest, caring and affectionate. Range area only. (58542:4/23) Coffee? Wine? SWF, 70’s, slim, above average, seeks SM, any age, any area (I like to drive) who is lonely too. (58540:04/03) Maybe Mid 60’s, active, liberal, looking for same! N.S., light drinking, non-motor sports.

abbreviations S

Single

Divorced

W W

White Widowed W

Black

Asian

H Hispanic M Male F Female G Gay

• Check it. • Use it. • Read it.

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Bi Bisexual P Professional ISO In search of NS Non-smoker

Non-drinker

LTR Long Term

Relationship

Searching Mate on the Range SWF; 5’ 5”; NS/ND Outddors, walks, movies, cuddling, traveling etc. (ask) ISO compassionate, lovable guy w/ humor. please be NS; interested in LTR; honest, will answer. (58463:01/28) A special friend for coffee, etc. WWWF, 65, 5’6”, chubby. Likes: Crafts, bowling, fishing & so much more. Limited due to knee braces, but willing to try new things. (58535:01/16) Looking for my one and only SWF, 51, heavyset, looking for someone to spend the rest of my life with. Hope you are the one for me. (58525:10/24) Grand Rapids or surrounding area ISO my life partner that rides a Harley or India 0 n. I’m a DWF, 67, 5’6”, average weight, NS/ND, long black/ chrome hair, brown eyes. Three things are important to me, God, family, riding motorcycles. Live on hobby farm. Like being outdoors. Let’s have coffee. I’ll buy! Exchange photos. (58519:10/10) Seeking Partner Looking for a life partner. I’m a WF, 64, divorced a long time. I’m ready to retire and go down a new road with a kind, adventurous soulmate. I love God, cuddling, fun, the outdoors, travel, sharing and caring. (58512:7/25) Looking for a nice guy Hey! Let’s have some fun things together-outdoors, or just watch TV/movies. Mid 60’s height/weight average. Ok if later LTR. (58508:7/16) Where are you now? Two Dobermans. The Ore House. Orange Crush. Pie and coffee. Rocky Raccoon. West Duluth apt. couch. (58494:5/2) Looking for a best friend DWF, 49, brown hair, hazel eyes, ISO quality honest, loyal, financially stable WDSM for fun, summer events, concerts, fishing, camping, snuggling in the winter, watching movies, love motorcycle rides, great sense of humor, tattooed & pierces, may lead to LTR. (58490:4/11) Biker who enjoys life DWF, 52, ISO WM, someone

who knows how to treat a lady. Love the outdoors. Honesty & loyalty a must. (58486:4/11) Looking for you WWF, 76, walking converstation, fishing, dancing, facebbok account. 5’6” brown hair & eyes. (58471:08/17) Warm & Spiritually Minded Individualist, NS/ND 58 country soul, artist, fisher, nature hiker, gardner, baker, active, trim, in good health, seeking skilled male counterpart for companionship, eventual marriage. (58469:08/16) SMART & SASSY SFP, 31, 5’5”, 140 lbs, brunette. Loves nature, sunshine, coffee, gardening, cooking & target shooting. Seeks potential LTR between ages 32-40. Must have integrity (58433:06/11) Spoil me and I will spoil you! Attractive blonde SWF - 71, 5’8” wanting travel. laughter, love & more. I love to fish both deep sea & lake. Looking for intelligent, kind loving man. (58432:05/31) Companionship LTR Uses walker 68 yrs young. Chubby & busty. Enjoys christian activities NS ND Books, travel, movies, cards & games, dining out, RV camping. Kind & honest w/sense of humor (58430:05/31) Country Girl Looking 5’7” medium build 66 yr young country gal NS ND loves to travel & be appreciated (58429:05/31) Home on the Range SWF, 5’4”. Looking good! Seeks tall handsome SWM in 60s, educated, kind, honest with sense of humor. Likes animals, Lakeside, sauna, camp fires. Must be loving. (58426: 11/9) Seeks Christian Man DWF, NS/ND, 59. Enjoys bicycling, walks, music, dining out dancing, snowshoeing, camping. ISO christian man w/similar interests. (58419: 11/9) Hot with Cabin Fever Seeking happy, healthy, 60ish gentleman in Central Lakes/ Cotton area for some lake time. Northern, WI ok too! I’m fun, fit, easy on the eyes. Let’s toast the sunset. (58412:8/31) Lonesome in Ashland Looking for caring, honest man, understanding of physi-

May 7,May 2020 51 51 7, 2020

Personals cal imperfections to talk and go out with. F 60s, NS/ND. (58409:8/31)

soinate, sincere, kind gentleman in near age group. NS/ ND. (58354:6/23)

Try a Senior Moment Active, adverturous, affable, nice, nurtuting, nimble. Petite, positive, playful. Smart, shapely, spunky. ISO fit young (67-77) codger for smiles and converstion, serandipity, exploring. (58403:6/8)

From the Range WWF, 62, NS, likes the outdoors, walks, animal lover, garage sales, dining out, movies. ISO honest, caring man to enjoy lfe with. Will answer all. (58352:6/23)

Compantionship WWF, 70, looking for companion to enjoy life with. Love football, picnics, and dining out. Must be honest. (58398:5/4) Looking for Soul Mate SWF ISO friend who likes camping, coffee, outdoors, travel, estate sales, and hanging out. Send photo. (58394:3/30) Looking for my Sweetheart DWF, 58, 5’5”, 160lbs, NS/ND, likes to cuddle, hold hands, camping, traveling, cooking, walks. ISO Christian guy 55-70 for friendship and possible LTR. (58374:12/15) Searching for Comanionship DWF, NS, retired veteran female. 63, honest, considerate, loves to laugh, visit and talk. (58373:12/15) Let’s Seek God’s Will Together NS, 51, tall, exotic, attractive, Christian F. Fun, nature lover, educated, epicurean with diverse interests, healthy living. ISO Christain male 45-58 years young with similar interests. (58370:10/13) Searching for Mate 72yr old F ISO LTR with a pas-

Female Activist Seeks Companionship Seeking like minded Liberal gentleman for friendship and fun. (58340:4/14) Looking for Older Gentleman 77yr, DWF, blond, 5’5”, 140lbs. ISO older gentleman. I love reading, animals, movies, quiet times, fun. Let’s talk. (58342:4/14) Wondering? SWW, 5’11”, 185lbs, 61yrs. Is there a lonely guy out there with a colostomy pouch? I have one too. Let’s meet. (58343:4/14) Soulmate Wanted Men 55-72 yrs old. 180-210 lbs. Kids okay. Write me. (58336:3/24) Lake Superior Country Girl Pretty, 5’3”, mid-50s, healthy, fit, well read, ISO companion to dance with, garden, dine out, hike, explore life, earth, universe, off grid life style. (58327:2/18) Seeking Companion How old is too old? WW. ND/ NS. Educated, traveled, experienced, bilingual. Don’t get any wild ideas now. Talking is a start. (58319:1/14)

RESPOND TO PERSONALS

1) Write your response. Be clear as possible about who you are, what you’re like, and what you’re looking for. If possible, include a photo. Remember to include info on how the recipient may contact you. 2) Place your response in a small letter-size (4x6), sealed envelope. Any size larger will not be forwarded. 3) On the outside of the envelope, clearly write the box number and title of the ad to which you are responding. Do not include postage stamps. 4) Place the envelope inside another envelope addressed to the Reader. Include the forwarding fee of $4 per response (cash, check, or money order). Mail

sent without a box number or $4 fee will not be forwarded. 5) Mail the two envelopes to: Reader P.O. Box 16122, Duluth, MN 55816

Wants the Farm Life DWF, 51, 5’6”, auburn hair, blue eyes. Not afraid of hard work. ISO NS man 45-60 who loves family, nature, animals, fishing, farming, warm fires and romance. I would like to spend the rest of my days with the same. I have other interests too, could I be the one for you? (58311:11/19) Looking 4 Romance SWF looking for a Jewish man. Brown hair/eyes, 5’8”, 170 lbs. Want a pal-lover-romance. (58304:10/8)

Men

seeking women

Living romance novel! Let me lead the way into our very own love story! SWM, tall, attractive, passionate, mysterious, James Bondish! Respond, I want to meet. (58545:4/23) Looking for love WM, 58, seeking mature BBW for dating. I have many interests. Camping, travel, concerts. (58544: 4/23) Time for fun & happiness DWM, 70, 5’8”, 170, brown hair, blue eyes. I am caring, honest, helpful, loving, youthful. I like to do anything once & more. Enjoy outdoor fun. (58543:4/23) Unique Interesting Cat Needs Suitable Kitten If you enjoy cooking, forest hikes, art, picnics, travel, antiques,cats & dogs, are 50 to 60 years old? NS, open to learning, fond of bald men, then scratch my itch.

WRITE YOUR OWN FREE AD

The Reader promptly forwards all responses to the people who place personal ads. After that, it’s up to you. Ads will run eight weeks. 1) Keep it short (around 25 words, give or take a few) and from the heart. Statistics about you always help (age, height, weight, characteristics). Above all, be honest. Your identity is kept confidential until you decide to reveal it to your future date/friend/partner/snugglebunny. 2) Completely and neatly fill out this form (follow directions) and send it in. It’s free. You must be at least 18 years of age to place or respond to an ad. While the Reader accepts ads from inmates of correctional facilities, the ad must identify the author as such or it will be refused. Please take normal precautions when meeting someone for the first time. Meet in a public place and let other people know about your plans.

(58541:04/03) Lonely Again I’m 6’ brown retired from the rock scene, but still roll. (58539:03/25) Won’t be sorry Am looking for partner 63 on disability, heart surgery. Ok now 5’10” 185lbs DWM ISO L&R Hope to find home to gether, Avarage looks (58538:02/24) Seeking a mature woman SWM, tall, dark, handsome, romantic, in search of a mature woman who enjoys living life with a fun down-to-earth man with many interests! (58537:01/23) Romantic looking for lady SWM, NS, 71 5’9” 160, trim, fit, seeks fun-loving girl 50’s or 60’s Duluth, NW WIsc. casual hiking, dinners, old movies, good music. Possible LTR, photos! (58536:01/10) Young 70 Looking for Female 55 & up Retired, divorced Iron Ranger in Bemidji would like lady who enjoys life and wants to enjoy with partner who treats lady as lady should be, respectfully. You may be her! (58531:12/12) Desiring an honest, intelligent significant other I’m likable, are you? I’m slim, attractive, humorous, middleaged, ISO possible LTR. I enjoy walking, movies, cooking, cuddling and music. I’m financially secure. Let’s bask in utopia. (55829:11/21) Mesabi Bike Trail DWM, 60s, 5’8”, 165 lbs., seeks Christian healthy in-shape gal 50s-60s. Love for outdoor music, biking, camping, lakes,

AD HEADLINE UP TO 6 WORDS AD COPY UP TO 25 WORDS

sunsets. Humor a must. I’m honest, secure, please be the same. (58528:10/31) Looking for fun & partner DWM 69, 5’10”, 215 lbs., NS, light drinker, muscular, well built, looking for fun honest woman. Like to cuddle amd love. Like camping, swimming, traveling, movies, TV, staying home or pen pal and romantic. (58526:10/24) Best friend and partner DWM, 60, 190 lbs., 5’10”, looking for LTR with woman that loves camping, hiking, canoeing, fishing, road trips and just quiet nights home. (58524:10/24) Hopeless romantic in Two Harbors 61, on pension, fairly attractive, spiritual, love gardening, cooking, watching movies and cuddling. If this appeals to you please respond. (58523:10/24) Not the age, it’s the mileage WM, 61, 6’, 250 lbs., NS, light drinker. Not handsome but handy, easy going, honest, homebody. Very affectionate, likes to cuddle, slow dance. Enjoys shore fishing, light gardening, easy walks. movies, music, cooking and more. ISO cuddly, warmhearted woman 55-65 for LTR. (58518:9/5) Respect joy & fun for you Tell me your story. I’m attractive, healthy, athletic, Amtrak retiree, 6’, slim, financially stable, liberal, NS. Enjoy hiking, swimming, cooking, movies, writing personal letters, conversation. ISO F LTR, any race or age. I like reciprocally gentle foreplay. Seesaw with me as

friends. (58516:8/8) Tired of being alone WW, WM, 61, blonde, blue eyes, 5’11”, honest, caring, hard-working. Retiring in November. Will answer all/ (58513:8/1) Lonesome old guy There has to be some lonesome lady in the Virginia area that would like to go for coffee & conversation, maybe play some cribbage. (58510:7/16) Seeking Honesty SWM 57 looking for SWF, fit, educated,love to travel. Camping, adventures. Picture a plus but not required. Must be romantic. (58508:7/16) Attractive Discriminating Ninety Intellectual Stimulating NS 5”9” 170lb seeks slim-trim female biologically 65ish independent fox to persue happiness. Wine/ dine, dance, karaoke. Upper North Shore -Let’s explore!. (58507:7/4) I am a reminiscent sentimental romantic Professional writer, community education teacher, 6’1”, thin, NS, middle-aged, enjoys hiking, classical music, reading, humor, loves holding hands, cuddling, open-minded, conversationalist, adaptable to your desires. (58506:7/4) Partnership Have a nice country home, some pets, camping, fishing and learning. ISO a lady to share and communicate with. Will exchange photos. (58505:7/4)

GROUPING MEN SEEKING WOMEN, ETC. YOUR INFO KEPT CONFIDENTIAL NAME

REPLY ADDRESS

PHONE

FOR VERIFICATION, IF NEEDED

CLIP & SEND READER PERSONALS PO BOX 16122 DULUTH, MN 55816

The Reader does not accept responsibility for claims made in Personals ads. The screening of respondents is soley up to the advertiser. The Reader assumes no liability for the content of or reply to any advertisement. The advertiser, by virtue of submitting this form, agrees to hold the Reader harmless from all expenses, liabilities, or damages resulting from or caused by Personals advertisements. The Reader reserves the right to edit or refuse ads.

Personals 4/13)

Want to love again WM, 62, 5/3, 140, ND/NS, faithful, honest, passionate, seek LTR. Love camping, fishing, hiking, cuddling, holding hands, bonfires. Seeking younger to same age. Want to share love, life and hardships. So much to give. (58504:6/20)

Men

Pantie Play Looking for another 60 year old that enjoys wearing panties and stockings. Intrested? 58546:4/23)

Looking for love I’m 64 years old. Love movies and music. Candlelight dinners, walks on the Lakewalk. Looking for LTR. (58496:5/9)

New to Grand Rapids DWM age 78, NS, looking for NS woman 60-80 who likes road trips outdoors, fishing, dining out & financially stable. (58502:6/13) Oral herpes for oral herpes 40s male looking for lady who has oral herpes. I do, too. 46-59. Slim or average build. Picture, please. I’m tall, ave. build. (58501:6/13)

M4M Attention Turkish trained to provide for make muscle attending and care. (58534:12/30)

ISO Life Partner SWF ISO ages 50-62. Enjoys camping, hiking, kayaking, music & more. Honesty important. No drugs (58394:

Loving, honest, passionate DWM, 74, 180, 5-8, looking for honest woman. Like gardening, dancing, outdoors. Active, LTR, looking to adventure, try fishing and other sports, anything new. (58493:4/25) Togetherness DWM, NS, 74, 180 lbs., 5’8”, likes cooking, gardening, woodwork, dancing, Hallmark Channel. Looking for LTR, life partner. Learn from each other. (58488:4/11) 41 seeking 50-60 Seeking lady age 50-60 for dating that leads to LTR. I’m in Superior. 6’2”, 225 lbs., Caucasian, dark brown hair, brown eyes. (58485:4/11) Tall Horse Lover DWM 65 6’2” 180lbs ISO country woman. Where are you? Let’s meet so we can horse around. Honest, sincere & marriage minded. (58481: 4/6) Looking for a wonderful best friend Single man 60 yrs, seeks lady that loves life, movies, fishing, sports, cards, board games, cooking & grilling together that wants a true, best friend. (58480, 4/6) Still looking in North Central WI SWM 63 NS/ND 5’8” 160lb. Still believe life is meant to be shared. Enjoy the outdoors,good conversation, self sufficiency & people w/the same values. No games, just the simple life values. (58479, 4/6)

DuluthReader.com

seeking men

The smaller the better MWM 60-plus looking for a male friend. caual get-togethers. (58529:12/5) Fishing friend with benefits MWM, 64, looking for a guy with similar intent. Love to fish, a little play time when the bite is slow. (58521:10/10)

Women

seeking women

Etcetera Lay down the law WF, early 50s, seeks WM 50s to spank, punish and ground me. (58527:10/24) Seeking Trans Woman SM seeking sub. TW for live-in FWB/LTR. No DU! Reply w/ photo and phone. Women welcome too! (58495:5/9)

Suduko Answers A

Male transforming to female 58 Y.O.G.W.M. 5’8” 165lbs, tone, cute-cross dress nicely, have started medical gender reasignment process. Seeks younger in-shape Gay-Bi cross dressor. (58441:3/11) Seeking young women S.S.ND. 62 M. Seeking young women for N.S. leading to CT. I seek a young woman who is very sexual wishing for an older sexual man. Attention

photo & ph. (58440:11/8) Lady Boy where are you? Older male ISO a deep friendship, someone to appreciate your mind & your body. Someone appreciative of the arts. Height & weight proportionate. (58439:11/9) Daughter for dad SWF 50 ISO S/D WM 50-57 spank & punish me when I’m bad. Go do something fun when I’m good. (58438:08/16)

Puzzle Answers

Wake me up, stud Northern Wis. Looking for playmates, top or bottom, for right stud, nice package. (58503:6/13) ISO Top SWM WITI. 67. seeking christian SGWM for possible LTR, photo, phone please. (58453:5/31) Looking for a connection SWM 70, working artist w/ strong interest in books & music. Physical fitness important. Someone simpatico with those values. Carpe diem. Send phone or email (58439: 11/8) Show me the way WGM 36, fully blind & new to scene. ISO M friend to have a good time with. (58438: 10/18) Biverse Bear ISO friend, mid-40’s Looking for hunt, fish & discreet Biverse friend 18-50 verse discreet friends with benis satisfaction. (58437: 9/30)

Word Sleuth Answers

Senior fun time 70, 67”, NS, Bi, fun time, tall, up close-personal, enjoyment. (58436: 8/7)

Cryptoquip Answer It is a fool’s prerogative to utter truths that no one else will speak. — Neil Gaiman 7, 2020 May 7,May 2020 53 53

(Times listed are based on Central time zones.)

Mae Whitman stars in the NBC series Good Girls.

weekly

Thursday, 5-7

The Best Thing I Ever Ate FOOD 8:30 a.m. This tasty rebroadcast celebrates the food and restaurants that have withstood the test of time, showcasing everything from the best pancakes in the country to unrivaled doughnuts. Some of these delicious dishes will go down in history as true legends

Movie: Fury AMC 5 p.m. During WWII, an Army sergeant leads his tank crew on a mission Levy Tran stars in the CBS reboot of MacGyver, airing at 7 pm Fridays on CBS.

behind enemy lines, facing impossible odds. This acclaimed film is as star-studded as it is action-packed, with unforgettable performances by Brad Pitt, Jon Bernthal and Shia LeBeouf.

Friday, 5-8

Movie: Downton Abbey HBO 7 p.m. In this film based on the iconic series, the Crawleys prepare for a visit from the King and Queen of England. Downton’s future is threatened when the royal visit leads to scandal. Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter and Michelle Dockery star. MacGyver CBS 7 p.m. Lucas Till stars as the eponymous secret agent in this reboot of the iconic series. MacGyver works for a clandestine organization within the U.S. government with hacker Riley Davis (Tristin Mays) and protection from Desi Nguyen (Levy Tran).

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Saturday, 5-9

Movie: Downton Abbey HBO 7 p.m. In this film based on the iconic series, the Crawleys prepare for a visit from the King and Queen of England. Downton’s future is threatened when the royal visit leads to scandal. Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter and Michelle Dockery star. Line of Duty AMC 10 p.m. In this hit series’ Season 2 premiere, an ambush leaves three police officers dead and another fighting for their life. Kate (Vicky McClure) and the team focus on their main suspect, the police convoy’s leader who managed to somehow escape unscathed.

Sunday, 5-10

Movie: Forrest Gump CBS 7 p.m. Tom Hanks stars in this timeless film based on Winston Groom’s novel. Slow-wit-

ted with a big heart, Gump (Hanks) tells his incredible life story to unsuspecting strangers while waiting for the bus. Sally Field, Gary Sinise and Robin Wright also star.

Renovate Like a Mother HGTV 7 pm Catch this new, self-shot special as part of HGTV’s “mom-a-thon” Mother’s Day programming. Renovating moms Jasmine Roth of “Hidden Potential” and Mina Starsiak Hawk of “Good Bones” share intimate updates on their pregnancies and new lives with kids.

Monday, 5-11

Asian Americans PBS 7 p.m. From India, China, Japan and beyond, this new series explores the history and impact of Asian immigrants in Brad Pitt in Fury on AMC at 4 pm May 7.

the U.S. From facing antiAsian discrimination laws to becoming the country’s fastest growing ethnic group, Part 1 looks at the fight for equality.

American Pickers History 8 p.m. In this newly compiled episode, Mike Wolfe’s favorite kind of “big pick,” motorcycles, are featured. These bikes and parts are hot, wild and super rare - from a vintage Harley-Davidson Knucklehead engine to a limited series Indian.

Marlow Barkley and Taran Killam star in the ABC comedy series Single Parents, airing at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

Tuesday, 5-12

Gordon Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back Fox 7 p.m. Ellicott City, Maryland, residents have been to hell already when severe floods destroyed their homes and businesses in 2016 and 2018. Chef Gordon Ramsay and his team will help the locals bring it back better than ever in this special new episode. The Flash CW 7 p.m. When villains threaten the citizens of Central City, The Flash (Grant Gustin) races to protect them in this new epi-

sode. Based on the popular DC Comics series, the drama recounts the story of a mildmannered crime scene investigator with super speed.

Wednesday, 5-13

My 600-Pound Life TLC 7 p.m. With live performances on hold, Nick Cannon hosts this special series (from home), that invites celebrity fans and former contestants to remotely discuss their favorite moments from past seasons of the show.

Ghost Hunters A&E 8 p.m. Dozens died on Utah’s Wendover Airfield during atomic bomb training for World War II. Met by the base’s former director, the team attempts to help the staff who have begun to fear for their own safety, as well as that of citizen visitors to the base.

Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick) in All Rise. Julia Roberts stars as sassy single mom Erin Brockovich on AMC Saturday, May 9.

Thursday, 5-14

Restaurant Impossible FOOD 8 p.m. New episodes are back with host Robert Irvine. This episode find him at a restaurant in Titusville, Florida.

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MayMay 7, 2020 5555 7, 2020

Week one

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For the first time, Jeff Probst hosts Survivor virtually. The show airs Wednesdays at 9 pm on CBS.

weekly

Thursday, 5-14

The Hangover AMC 7 p.m. When the groom-to-be goes missing after his unwanted bachelor party, his three friends go on a wild goose chase through Las Vegas trying to pin down what they did the night before. Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha star.

Vagrant Queen Syfy 10 p.m. Elida (Adriyan Rae) takes off

on a solo scavenging job, leaving her team behind, in a new episode of this dramatic sci-fi series. Meanwhile, Isaac (Tim Rozon) and Amae (Alex McGregor) battle a gang of train hijackers. Paul Du Toit also stars. Broke CBS 8:30 p.m. Suburban mom Jackie (Pauley Perrette) gets the surprise of her life when her super-wealthy estranged sister (Natasha Leggero) and brother-

The Hangover airs at 7 pm Thursday, May 14, on AMC. 62 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

(Times listed are based on Central time zones.) man and Michael Beasley all in-law (Jaime Camil) move in after losing their money, have ties to the area. and she tries to teach them about work and realLive PD ity. A&E 8 p.m. Dash cams, fixed rigs and Friday, 5-15 handheld cameras reveal what police officers across Masters of Illusion the country deal with on CW 7 p.m. Some of the worldâ€™s most a typical Friday night. ABC legal analyst Dan talented illusionists and esAbrams hosts the cape artists wow a live series, which audience as they also features law perform amazing enforcement magical feats in the experts for return of this unbecommentary lievable series, hosted and context. by Dean Cain. All styles of magic are represented, from perplexing to comical.

Basketball County: In the Water Showtime 8 p.m. This premiere special tries to figure what is in the water in Prince George County, Maryland, that seems to push out basketball superstars like a factory. Kevin Durant, Victor Oladipo, Marissa ColeHoneybear (Moonbear) is still spending all her time dodging her crush in Betty, which airs at 10 p.m. Fridays on HBO. This female-led teen skateboarding drama also stars Nina Moran.

Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick) in All Rise.

Saturday, 5-16

NBC Sports Special NBC 1 p.m. Certain people have expressed a disdain for the ongoing sports replays, but Top 100 lists never get old. This special counts down the 100 best games in NFL history, from Super Bowl upsets and near-perfect seasons to unbelievable weather conditions.

Movie: Joker HBO 7 p.m. Beaten down by society and his own mental health at every turn, party clown Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) reaches a breaking point and begins to spiral into villainy in this film. This unique take on the DC Comics villain earned high critical praise.

Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020 Extreme Cougar Wives ABC 7 p.m. TLC 1 p.m. With classes and ceremoEWomen date much nies canceled due to COVyounger men in a mini-marathon of this reality TV series. ID-19, the graduating classes of 2020 have lost these First, viewers meet 76-yearonce-in-a-lifetime moments old Hattie and 65-year-old with family and friends. Stephanie, who’ve sworn This special seeks to only date younger to bring the entire men. Later, Gale excountry together plains her bliss with virtually to honor and a man close to her celebrate with daughter’s age. them.

Joaquin Phoenix stars in Joker, airing at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16, on HBO.

DuluthReader.com

Paranormal 911 TRAV 8 p.m. In this new episode, three emergency workers share spooky stories of on the job paranormal activity. When EMT Chris Sanders responds to a late-night, three alarm house fire that forced a family outside, he is certain he sees someone still left inside. Movie: Paradise Hills Showtime 8 pm Emma Roberts stars in this stunning take on the world of fairy tales from director Alice Waddington. After waking up on a seemingly perfect island, dark mysteries arise. Milla Jovovich, Awkwafina and Eiza Gonzalez also star in this dark fantasy film.

Sunday, 5-17

Duncanville Fox 7:30 pm Amy Poehler, Ty Burrell, Riki Lindholme, Zach Cherry and Yassir Lester are among the voice actors who contribute to this latest in Fox’s

Ellen’s Game of Games airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Contestants tackle obstacles, puzzles and more as they compete for cash in this game show hosted by comedian Ellen DeGeneres.

Sunday night “Animation Domination.”

Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist NBC 8 p.m. Computer programmer Zoey Clarke (Jane Levy) navigates the world differently now that she is able to hear and see people’s thoughts as song and dance routines. May 7,May 2020 63 63 7, 2020

Week two

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Answers on page 55

Employment Job Opportunites Graphic Artist needed soon. Adobe Creative Suite ,pagination skills a plus.Send resume to: info@readerduluth.com Needed Immediately Some one ASAP to work with elderly, nice lady to do some errands, shopping, Doctors appts. etc. No housework. Must be kind and honest. Have to have car, insurnace. Must like pets and be kind to animals. Good pay. Variable hours. 341-9027 LvMessg. Business Opportunity. Photo/ picture framing equipment, Fletcher 2100 & 3000 mat/glass cutters, Vacu-Seal programmable press. Extra supplies incl. $7500. value selling for $2500. Can purchase items separately. 218-830-1255 Looking for fill in-part time local delivery driver. Drive my cube van earn $150.00 per day. Background check and drug screen required 218-393-3902 Living Well workshop series is for people with conditions such as chronic pain, diabetes, arthritis or mental health conditions. We are looking for volunteers and professionals to become class leaders

to motivate and inspire. Leaders co-lead a 6-week workshop with another certified instructor in a community setting of their choice. Must lead one workshop per year. yourjuniper.org. Wanted: In search of Talent Manager & mentor to help me rach my potential. I am a comedian & speaker with electric personality. I have potential to impact the world but I need a believer to believe in me. I want to make the dream attainable.Write me: Benjamin Jorgenson, 2 East 2nd st. Duluth, MN 55802 Adults 18 or older and generally healthy wanted for research on the physiological and subjective stress responses of individuals who use marijuana regularly. Compensation provided. U of MN Medical School Duluth Research Study, 218-726-8623. President’s Liquor has full & part-time employment openings for stock clerk, cashier, maintenance & office assistant. Apply inperson at the Liquor store. 3824 E. 2nd St. Superior, WI. Ask for Jim Have lots of nest stuff 4 sale. Have Amazon acct. Need someone w/ internet sales ability. For info 218348-2903

“Ever wonder what the world looks like at 5am? Always dreamed of having afternoons off? Amazing Grace is looking for a full time breakfast line cook. The right candidate will be: Reliable and skilled in the arts of time management; Ready to become an indispensable piece of our ever-growing team; Able to work fast-paced professional kitchen; Excited about working in a from-scratch kitchen in a family owned restaurant; Stop by & pickup an application, we look forward to meeting you.” ARE YOUR KIDS IN SCHOOL? V.I.P. is in need of a few good

Employment Classifieds kitchen workers. Day hours available when your kids are in school. If you are interested call your nearest V.I.P. or stop in. NO EXPERIENCE NEDESSARY DRIVERS WANTED Looking for self-motivated people that would like part time work transporting people to appointments in your area. Great benefits. Please leave message 612/978-2115 Paperboy looking for help with marketing on internet. 218-3482903 Housekeepers Wanted Must be available mornings and weekends. Apply in person at the front desk/ Allyndale Motel, 510 North 66 Ave. West and Cody St.

Looking for an amazing career and a great place to work? Aerostich is hiring! View our video and all available positions at www.SewAero.com. Arrowhead House Foster Care has part time employment opportunities working with adults with mental illness. Day/evening & awake overnight positions avail-

able. Competitive wages, paid training, paid time off and employee bonuses! Call 218-727-8040, or apply online at www.ahprograms.com Work Wanted Sharpening Service 29 years exp. Circle saws, planer knives, Zamboni knives, tec. John 218879-6143 Experienced pet sitter would love to watch them in your home & house sit. References. Call 218380-3340 Trudy. $0. one dog, $5 each additional Licensed Nurse-Duluth/Superior area. Good driving record. Will assist clients: DRs appts, meds, shopping, lunch, some light housekeeping duties. Avail. 2-3 hrs on weekdays. Reasonable rates Call Lynn 218-348-7393 Experienced personal care assistant/home health aide looking for jobs. 29 yr old female with reliable vehicle and valid insurance. can run errands, clean, do small projects, drive u places, assist u with things inside and outside of the house, shovel, as well as assist

with activities of daily living. 218481-3388 Educated hair stylist willing to come to your home and do your hair. Very fair rates. Wendy 715919-0979 Senior will do phone fundraising/ surveys. PT, afternoons, downtown Duluth. 218-940-9005 Reliable man to care for elderly in home. Run errands, work in your home. Very diversified, excontractor. Call for details 218409-4725 Feet on the Go! Yes! I will come into your home to give you a pedicure. 218-208-7950 Handyman. $13/hr - Call Ryan @ 218-428-1626 Musicians..

Anyone looking for a drumset or Bass player? I play both. 612-396-8307 GUITAR LESSONS from Austin, Tx professional new to the Twin Ports! (Also Bass & Vocal) go to new levels! Call 512-565-5000 Guitar lessons available. 16 years experience. All styles, reasonable rates. Contact Aaron at 218-760-1599.

Professional violin/fiddle lessons. Credentials: Performance degree U of M Twin Cities, toured nationally as American/Celtic/Nordic/Rock fiddler. Duluth. References. 218-235-3235 Eli Bissonett Free Piano Lessons for Beginners in your home. If you have the desire to learn the basics this is a good start. I will not give lessons to under 18 without others present. Jay 218-213-4687 Lost/Found Lost - Black I-Phone on Dec. 16. Within 4 blocks of East High School in the snow. $50 reward Text/Call 218213-6213 Rentals__ Large 2 bedroom apartment in West Duluth. Available Sept. 1st Call 218940-6237 Condo in Aspenwood 3 bed - 1.5 bath, garage,fully firnished. All utilities inc. Available October 1st. 6-8 month lease. $1,595. 218-390-7291 Newer 2 story side by side duplex in Superior w/att. 2 stall garage. 2bdr w/ full & half ba gas heat & water. $1025/ mo + util. & dep. No pets. Avail. May 1 Call 715-394-2028

Seeking Rental - Whole house or private entrance w/o shared ventilation. Chemically sensitive

tenants - Can Afford $800-1000 per month depending on utilities. Asthma triggered by poor indoor air quality. Call or text (218) 260-5091 $350 1 bedroom util. incl. Cloquet. Shared kitchen, bath, living room. No smoking, pets or kids living with you. 218-464-7849. Hobby Sawmill-Hunting Lodge. Needs new renters or buyers. 218-727-1928 ______________________Cozy two bedroom apt. In Lakewood township. $875/month available Oct. 1, 2016. Included in rent is water, heat, garbage and WIFI. wildlife. Shared laundry. No pets; no smoking or smokers. 218-3300769. Fisherman cabin 1 mile from boat landing on Lake Superior. For info or pictures call (715) 682- 2568 Vacation Rental. Causeway on Gull, Nissewa, MN. 2 Bdrm, 2 bath, sleeps 8 May 13-15th. Close to marina, free boat slip. 218-8656591 Lake of the Woods, MN 30 acres for sale with well, septic, power

& sheds. Minutes from the lake! Excellent summer, winter fishing & hunting. Close to resorts. Asking

Yeah, we’re talking to you - you’re still texting and talking on your phone while driving. Reminder to all Minnesota drivers as of August 1, 2019 it is illegal to hold, look at or use your cellphone while driving.

$78,900. 218-242-7304 Wanted_ I buy homes, multi-units and land. Cash $. 218-556-2542 www. webuytwinports.com_

HELP WANTED Cashiers and produce clerks Apply in person or call

218-728-3665

Mount Royal Shopping Center • Duluth • 218-728-3665 • mountroyalmarket.com 1600 Woodland Ave - across from the UMD Campus Open 6 am to 9 pm- 7 Days a Week • Quantity rights reserved. Not Responsible for Typographical or Pictoral Errors

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MayMay 7, 2020 7, 2020 71 71

Classifieds

Be A Census Taker  Extra income  Flexible hours  Weekly pay  Paid training Apply Online 2020CENSUS.GOV/JOBS

For more information or help applying, please call 1-855-JOB-2020 Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-833 TTY/ASCII www.gsa.gov/fedrelay The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

D-1569 | April 2019

72 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

Wanted: Furnished bedroom, apartment, or cabin in Duluth area for senior couple for for month of August. JANEorTOM@ gmail.com Disabled P/T employed male in need of stable housing, room or basement with available kitchen. Far East End. Please call James 218-461-0703. Will provide all inside/outside upkeep, maintenance, etc. for your property/home. Swap for free but private living quarters on site. Multi-skilled 70 yr old man. Excl. Character. 218-213-43-69 MINNESOTA HUNTING LAND Wanted. Earn thousands on your land by leasing the hunting rights. Free evaluation & info packet. Liability coverage included. The experts at Base Camp Leasing have been bringing landowners & hunters together since 1999. Email: info@basecampleasing.com Call: 866/3091507 www.BaseCampLeasing.com Real Estate Hunting Land 40 acres Ajoins 2000 A County Land. NW Douglas County. Buildable, heavily wooded. Wood value $26k - Taxes $670. $67,900 218-428-5844 WILDERNESS HUNTING CABIN with storage shed 1000 ft. off forest management road on leased land in St. Louis County Brimson area. Call 218-391-4131 or 218-879-6585 For Sale: 2.35 acre lot w/100’ shorelineon Lake LaVerne, WI. Motivated to sell: $27,000 Call Lori 612-803-6607 for details. For Sale: 1978 2 bedroom, 2 bath mobile home in Sunnyside Estates, Cloquet. Needs repairs. $1,500. or B.O. 218-481-5881 Responsible non profit animal rescue looking for pet friendly rental housing, fenced yard, spactious. Rent to own pref. ASAP. 218-576-8534 50 acres hunting land. 2 enclosed deer stands, building site, power & phone access. Westerlund Loop, Solon Springs, Wisc. 920-344-8016 Mobile home $18,500 Vintage Acres/Gary 2br//1ba includes appliances. Quiet. Lg yard/garden area. 218-464-5524 2-Bedroom Cabin on Siskwit Lake, 500’ frontage, Cornicopia, Wisconsin 847-710-2967 Services Alernative Therapies Mind Body Spirit Harmonization with Tachyon Energy. One only a few Tachyon Chambers in U.S. Superior, WI 715-5014046 Meetings NARVRE Unit 92 - Protecting Railroad Retirement - we meet the 2nd Thursday of each month at the West Duluth American Legion at 1 PM World Word Writers’ Workshop meets noon every Monday at the Garland Room at the Vaughn Library in Ashland, Main & Vaughn. until Dec. 30. 2019. All genres of writing will be approached in a workshop environment from journalism to poetry with special emphasis on film documentary. We will be publishing an anthology if there is enough interest. More information: editor@worldword.org or 715-274-2202. Needle Art Guild of Duluth Membership Lunch at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 45th and Colorado Street, Duluth. September 23, 2019. Lunch at Noon Program at 1:00 - Mary Mulari, nationally known designer of sewing projects will present “Vintage and New Age Aprons Free & open to the public. Scandinavian Crime Writers Book Club meeting in Duluth Call Kirk 612-558-1318

Real Estate $48,000 Wooded Lot with Creek & Well 6632 Hwy 61, Little Marais

Ready to build on level site. Year round access. Well, electricity, and identified septic 1-3/4 acres includes: 25’ travel trailer, 18’ X 18’ Shed, mature trees, winding creek

Contact: Mike 651-406-8221

Upper Eau Claire Lake Spectacular westerly views from this 3-Bedroom log sided home on beautiful Upper Eau Claire Lake. This property has everything you desire in a lake home including privacy w/7 acres and 300’ of lakeshore, ample storage with huge pole building & large detached garage, generous sized home with many upgrades such as authentic field stone fireplace, granite countertops, wood floors, walkout basement, lakeside patio and deck. Sand lakeshore & crystal clear water. New septic system. Personal property negotiable. $485,000. 218-590-1740

Schroeder, Minnesota 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home for sale in Schroeder, Minnesota. 2 car garage plus 3 stall shop. New siding on house, metal roofs on all buildings. New septic tank, newer windows and furnace. Close to Lake Superior, Lutsen Mt., bike trails, snowmobile trails and dog sled races. 424 Cramer Road, Schroeder, MN $165,000. 218-663-7553

Don’t miss out on this location!

14th Avenue West & 3rd Street Wood setting near Enger Tower in the middle of Duluth. 2 bedroom apartment, everything included 950.00 a month Newer secure building, views of bay, OSP, laundry, non-smoking, no pets. 100 yards from hiking and biking trails. Students and young professionals welcome. Call Dan. 218-348-8008

CLASSIFIED ORDER FORM

Ad wording (25 words or extra cost. Note which category it should run in to save words. For example, no need to say “car for sale” because it will be under the CARS category. Don’t forget contact phone number. May attach info as well.)

Build your Vacation Home or Cabin Very nice, remote 10 acres. Fully surveyed, driveway in, building site fully ready. Walk down to lake and fish for Walley, Northern and perch. Ducks, Geese, Deer, Moose and Bear roam the property. Build your dream home, or hunting cabin. Located in central Lake County. Forrest service road accress, not plowed in winter. 18 miles from Finland, MN. $35,000

Call 218-353-7403 leave message

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April7,23, 2020 73 73 May 2020

Reader classifieds 1963 Oldsmobile

4 dr collector car. 17,700 original mil. Museum quality. $15,000. 218-778-688 6 after 6pm

2017 Nissan Leaf SV ALL ELECTRIC, Charge with house power,107mi Range,back-up camera,GPS,Bose audio,heated seats. 16k miles. $14,500 or BO. 218-428-5631

1962 Cadillac Coupe Deville. Family owned, original papers, $18,000. 218-969-4369. 1981 Buick LeSabre. 4-Dr., dark blue, 19,000 miles, flawless. $9,500. 1998 BMW Z-3. Headturning black beauty. Spoked wheels, 5-speed, extra rims and tires, $9,750. 715-682-6116. 1973 Blue Lincoln Continental, 27K Mint Condition. $15,000. 218966-1748 1999 Toyota SR5 4x4 Classic extended cab. Excellent to mint condition. Cap, steps, frontguard, rear air shocks, sun visor & chrome package. $12,500. or BO 715-2783055 2003 Ford Taurus. New tires, good runner. Good for parts car. Has rusted frame. $750. or BO 218348-2434 95 Cad. 6 door-9 pass Limo. Very clean. 52K New vinyl roof. $3,500. OBO 218-628-2606 1997 Lincoln Luxury TOwn Car. Arizona vehicle, never seen snow. Lo-miles. $5900. kept in Minong 715-466-4607 or 715-520-0345

1974 VW Super Beetle. Fair condition. 138,000 mi. ‘98 paint-green. Bayfield area. $2,750.00 7157793203 Collector 1968 GM 3-speed column shift transmission #GM-17 part #3925647 and bell housing. 218-525-1477 2008 Ford Focus 4cyl sedan 4D SES 144k miles. $4500. 2000 Toyota Corolla 4cyl sedan 4D LE 90k miles $2900. 218-727-6724 1983 Buick Regal Limited mint condition V6 Air , cruise ,all original carpet still new, seats velour 25,000 miles. $8000,00. (218-6242143 Sold AS-IS for restoration or parts. Collector 91 Buick Riviera, 68 Chevrolet 3/4 ton pickuo. 88 Mercury Topaz, 74 Mercury Montery 218-525-1477 2000 Dodge Intrepid, still runs good, (been babied), FW drive, tires fairly new, $178,000+ miles, $2000 or BO 218-786-0339 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. 24,500 K mi. Salvage title. We have owned this car for over three years, have had absolutely no problems, Dk. blue, is clean, runs and drives excellent. Good rubber, new battery, remote start, keyless entry, auto/manual trans . New tabs & oil change. 25+ mi.per gal. avg. in town and over 30 hwy. $8999 218-393-1094 2003 Saturn LW200 Wagon. Great shape, great runner, low miles. Economical family vehicle. $4200 obo. 218-940-3659 2000 Dodge Neon. Good shape w/139k miles. PS/PB/AC. 4 cyl. Two new tires. $1800 or BO 218263-8292 1979 Pontiac Sunbird coupe, all original 44000 actual miles, never been in the snow. 4 cylinder ,4 speed, custom wheels, must see ,picture available,$4500 OBO 218-475 -2767 Single Owner, 2010 Steel Gray, Level 5, Toyota Prius, 42,000 miles, maintenance up to date, new tires, GPS navigation system, JBL Speaker system and Bluetooth for hands free cellphone connection. Excellent condition. In garage in winter. $19,500 call 218235-1698 1989 Cadillac Fleetwood. 75k Imaculate. Collector plates. A/C,

74 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

Cruise, PowerSeats & Windows. $5,000 BO. 713-4095431 or 218-346-3622

Trucks, Vans, SUVs SnowPlow Truck 2004 F250 Ford ExCab XLT SuperDuty 4x4 shortbox, fiberglass topper, leather interior. 148k 4 newer tires, some rust. $6250. 218-749-3993 1999 Toyota SR5 Ex-Cab 4x4 ExCond-mint, Caps, Steps,Frontguard, Rear Air Shocks, Sun visor, Chrome pkg. $12,500 715-278-3055 94 Ford Bronco-One owner (not OJ) 133k New alternator, tires, brakes etc. $1,500. ask for Rene’ 218-464-0757 86 GMC Rally STX 8 passenger Van 2500. 5.7L (350 V8) 168K, hitch, 2 extra tires, owners manual, very good cond. $3000. 218-4285416 88 Ford Econoline E-250 Camper Van. Flacon 190,351 Windsor motor, 144,000 mi, runs drives great. New tires 7,000 mi ago. Many new parts. $6,900. 218-780-6436 2012 Chevy Captiva Sport V6, 67k excellent cond. $10,000. 715-3632646 or 715-292-1043 Vans-SUVs-Non Business 6 door 9 pass Limo. Nice Arizona car. No rust, new vinyl roof. $4500. OBO 218-628-2606 or 218-391-2535 1947 Willy Jeep attachment to make manual lifting Plow into power!! $75.00 218-6242143 96 Dodge Dakota ExCab, V-6, 137xxx mi. $1850.00 218-7493993 1997 Red Chev 1/2 ton, Z71, leather, 3rd door, push button 4x4++! 157000 mi. $3850. 218749-3993 2015 Yukon SLT. Fully loaded. 50% wear on tires. 103KMi Free of accidents. $34,750. 218-349-8334 2004 Ford F-150XLT 4WD CrewCab. V8 Auto, 168K 2nd owner. Remote Start, 2 sets wheels/tires. New Battery, spark plugs, coils. Susupension upgrade. Tonnau cover, side steps. Mechanically Excellent.. Well-maintained. Over $12,000 invested. $7,500. ot B/O 218-206-1045 1987 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton Pickup. 2WD 318 Auto, no rust. Nice upholstery. Runs good. 130k. Nice tires-orig paint. w/topper. Clean $2,650 218-269-0153

Car and truck buyers are picking up

The Reader.

1999 Jeep Wranger Sport. Hard top, full doors. $5800. OBO 715747-2350

Heavy equipment

Knaack Jobsite Tool Box, 23” H x 48” W x 24” D. Powder paint finish in excellent shape. $100 OBO 715-209-1228 1964 John Deere 2010 C Series Diesel Crawler/Loader $5,000. 218-966-1748 Walco 5’ Brush Cutter for skidloader $2500. Coleman 6250 watt generator $125. Charmaster wood/oil forced air furnace $1000. (320)838-3322 New engine hoist chevy picker & engine stand $150. for both. Diamond plate truck tool box 70” outside 5ft inside 15” depth $100. 6 1/2 ft fiberglas topper off chev pu $50. 218-848-2007 12 Tine Spring Tooth Cultivator on steel wheels. $100. 5’ Tow-Behind Field Disc $50. 715-817-8327 8’ dumpbox insert for pickup truck. 12v elec/hyd self contained. $1400/b.o. 218-729-5273 Int. single axle clam truck. $2500. Semi hyd wrecker boom $1100. 1999 Chev ext-cab 4x4 119k. $4500. 218-258-3935 Boats/Bikes/ATV/Sno Arctic Cat Snowmobile Suit. Like New, paid $260 make offer cash only. 218-834-3709 Trek 21-speed, disc brakes. Perfect condition $125 or BO Call Jim 218-491-4201 2004 HarleyDavidson Heritage Softail. Lots of extras, helmet, available. 12,000mi $10,000. 218966-1748 14ft fiberglass fishing boat, molded seats $200. or BO 218-848-2007 1985 Honda Shadow 650 122,000 odometer. Runs good. Comes with brand new helmet & leather saddle bags. $900 OBO 715-813-0757 OLD MOTORCYCLES WANTED Collector looking for old motorcycles sitting in the barn or shed collecting dust mostly looking for 60s and 70s motorcycles but possibly newer ones as well what do you have? Cash paid! Call me 320420-7675 Reasonably priced 20’ Pontoon boat w/ 4-stroke engine and power lift. 928-234-3325 2010 Yamaha Cruiser Red,

1000cc, 1,800mi, saddlebags, removable backrest, windshield, cruise control. Like new $5000. 218-410-2616 Ranger snowmobile trailer. 8 ft wide, 10 ft long, tilt, 4 ever lic. aluminum, spare crank up tongue. Ready to go nice trailer. $1150.00 218-749-3993 1998 AlumaCraft 185 Trophy 150hp Johnson, 6hp Nissan, 2 Locators, Marine Radio, 4 Downriggers, 2 planner boards, 7 rods & reels. $10,000 or BO 715-8178030 2252 Ciera Express. Set up for Lake Superior. Asking $10,000. or reasonable offer 218-348-5450 91 H.D. Sportster 1200cc Rebuilt & modified. Good cond. $5,000. OBO 218-724-1946 1972 Harley 50cc Did run last 1988. It’s been hung from ceiling inside my house since then. Asking $1,500 or BO 218-940-4984 1981 Yamaha 100 XS full dressed motorcycle w/39k miles and a full dress parts bike with it. Asking $1000. 218-263-8292 1995/96 Ski-Do Free Style. Also trailer for 24ft pontoon boat. 715-682-5305Boats 35 years of expert marine service. Inboard and stedrive specialist. Electrical & plumbing. Winterizations. Pre-Purchase inspections. I’ll come to your boat.. INLAND SEA ENTERPRIZES 715-2921172 1972 Classic S-S Swan 43 Custom. Freezer/fridge/watermaker. Hull #64 of 67. 715-747-2350 Trade my 17’ canoe for small fishing boat. 218-525-6707 17” cedar strip canoe. Brand new, hand built in No. Minn. $1700. 218626-1262 10’ Jon Boat. New ores. Good shape. $200. 218-788-6636 20-foot Kayot Aluminum Pontoon Boat with 25 HP Evinrude outboard motor. Deck has been replaced. Duluth area. $1,500. 763-3890318 Auto Wanted Auto parts needed. Hood, grill & headlight units for 1997 Buick LeSabre. Hopefully not too expensive. 218-600-7105 Leave Message. Wanted: livestock trailer. Around $500 or less. Nothing fancy. We can make repairs. Hauling alpine goats to Arizona. Text 218-340-

1273. Have a chicken coop I can trade. We Sell Used Auto Parts. We Sell Used Tires. We Buy Any Make/Model Junk Auto (Pay in Cash) 218-260-5944 Marks Salvage - markssalvage.com Older snowmobiles, motor cycles, mini bikes and most small engines. 218-269-5455 Wanted: Junk Cars & Trucks. Junk cars and trucks for scrap. Partial proceeds benefit Douglas County Humane Society. Thanks. 218348-6942. Misc-Auto\Traillers Wanted: older 1/2-ton, 2-wheel drive, full-size pickup in good running, rust-free condition. 218-9299161. Wanted: 5-hole 13 inch trailer wheels with or w/o tires 218-2634676 1929 Inline Six Double D motor & transmission $1,000 or BO 218410-5011 New Kumhp Solus KR21 Tire & rim P225/70/R16 $75 BO New Dayton tire P215/65/R16 $40 BO 218-3435114 Nokian Hakkapeliitta snow tires. 205/60 X R16 Excellent condition $200. 218-830-1255 2009 Montana 5th wheel, 4 slides, located in Cloquet, Spafford Park, many extras, $22,900 obo. 701 509 7757 Brand new Kumho-Solus Tire and wheel, 225-70-16 (KR21) $50/BO New Dayton tire 215-65-16 $25. 218-464-2824 34-foot Jayco Eagle Bunkhouse Travel Trailer. Sleeps 9, 16’ Awning, Lots of storage. Self-Contained. Shower. Price lwoered to $5,500. Duluth area. 763-3890318 2-Crager S/S Chrome reverse wheels 14” Uni-lug $200. 218-5251861 4 Weather Master, Snowgroove, ST2-195/55 R15 Tires $100. 4-205/70/R15 $100. 218-724-5358 01 Salem 21’ Camper. 14’ slide. Nice cond. Equlaizer hitch. Fully equip. $4,500. 218-591-0207 Diamond Plate Aluminum Pickup Tool Box, 14” Deep, 60” Long, 20” Wide with 5” Overhang, Single Cover. In Great Shape. $100 (218)743-3933 Brand new Kumho Solus KR21 tire & wheel. 225-70-16. $85 OBO New Dayton tire only. 215-65-16

Bart trade ers, unders, and private $100 ads are FREE!!

$50 OBO 218-606-2011 4 truck roof bar light. Chrome, new. $10. 218-848-2007 New engine stand. $50. 218-8482007 Trailer hitch fits Jeep Grand Cherokee, Reese Model 51010, like new $75 obo 715-794-2089 ARE Chev white topper. 6’ wide. Slider windows & screens Brake. Like new. 218-525-1477 4 Hankook Ventus V12 ev0. 245/45 ZR 19 Extra load tires with less than 7,000 mi. $200 218-4093913 4-275-65-18R (F150) Goodyear Wranglers 8-9/32 Tread $100. 218-341-0396 Lawn tractor wheel weights. 30lbs each. Fits 8 or 10” rims. $60 obo. 218-729-5273 2002 Chrysler TOC passenger outside door handle. $30. 218591-7712 L&R front fender script emplems and chrome fender scoop ornaments for 69’ Firebird. $50 firm. Cash only. 715-718-0092 F-150 fiberglass topper, blue $100. 715-591-8217 Music Jusek Violin. Made by a master in Prague 1926, #107 valued at $4,000. Will trade for cash and a good violin or BO Call Jim 218491-4201 Conn Organ - Free if you have children, otherwise $20. Also, consol TV, beautiful cabinet - Free 218624-4900 35 String Irish Harp made by Duluth Harp maker David Kortier. Excellent cond. with case. $1800. 218-428-0563 Two 15” JBL speakers w/tripods, Peavey XR-600 P.A. Head. For band or solo. $500. firm 320-6308004 4-piece PDP drum set with cymbal stand and double bass pedal. Excellent condition! $300. Call Terry at 218-206-7571 Fender KXR-60 Keyboard amp50amp 12”speaker $135. 218-2351475 Ibanez Micro Bass. Great for beginners. Black New $195 OBO 218-235-1475 Fender Jazz Bass, black, humbuckers. Like New $400 OBO 218235-1475 Two Lawrence green box

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flashers. Mac 1 Eagle graph--Lawrence. $75. 218-984-2669 Jay Turser Sanatoga Electric Guitar w/all the bells & whistles. Gotta see to appreciate w/hardshell case $100. 218-393-1375 Hammond organ J-122 model w/ bench. Great condition. $100 or best offer. 218-244-1629 SWR studio 220 bass head and 2 AMPEG 4x10 cabs $600. 5905664 Old Tunes for new Harpists. Spiral bound books 3 hymns; 3 Christmas/holiday, and 2 folk tunes/ classics) with 15 original arrangements, suitable for all harps. $20 612/308-1792. Rocktron Amp. 120wt 2x12. On board reverb, distortion, chorus, tuner. Loud and gig worthy. $175. 218-269-7042 Wanted Two- or four-wheel folding grocery cart, less than $15. Call evenings, 218-940-9005. Small cast iron wood or pellet stove. 218-834-3709 lv messg Honda Trail 70, Z50, XL70, SL70, XR75 motorcycles. 218-428-3474 Cheap-used recesed ceiling fan. 218-310-1781 or 218-276-4985 Cheap used/refurbished room, window or portable air conditioner in good shape. 218-310-1781 Wanted - snowblower with electric start, 8 HP more or less. Reasonable - Leave or Text message to 715-610-1710 Duluth or Superior Are 2 into 1 stock muffler from early 80’s Harley FX 218-341-2841 Sets of Dresser scarves. 218-9409005 evenings Reasonably priced 20’ Pontoon boat w/ 4-stroke engine and power lift. 928-234-3325 1931-71 Convertibles, old bikes, pop machines, old motorcycles, gas pumps, signs, golf cart, J.D. Gator & John Deere M 218-3728758 Seeking private woodlands to sustainably harvest balsam boughs in Sept & Oct. Cash paid. Senior couple. 218-428-5220 Super 8 Viewer. 715-919-1028 Wooden duck decoys: sell large wooden carved eagles. 729-5671 Plastic model cars and car kits,

parts & pieces. 1/24 & 25th scale. 218-393-1375 Your old resonator or Dobro guitars/parts. Desired by man of limited resources for a project. 715817-1813 Wanted to buy. Forging tools. 218590-6507 Computer/Elec Ham Radios-Best Offer. Text only for info & pics. 218-750-7981 Old “Air Master” radio. Text only for info & pics. 218-750-7981 Dell Inspiron desktop 100 dollars.218-341-2607 White Baby Monitors $10. or BO 218-310-1781 or 218-276-4985 Bluetooth Music Light up bulb. $25. or BO Mini electric cigarette roller. Blue&Black comes with pushstick & brush $30. or BO218-310-1781 PS2 Console w/3 controllers. Slim PS2 $40. or BO Will trade for other electronics. 218-310-1781 or 218276-4985 Moving. Record player with A. M. radio etc. Comes with Free approx 75 records. Elvis, Johnny Cash, etc Mix. $40.00. 218-628-6252 RCA digital converter box wth remote, gently used-still in box. $35 or BO-will trade for other electronics. 218-310-1781 or 218-2764985 1940 RCA console radio, excellent condition maple wood. $500.50. 218-624-2143 Appliances Two window air conditioners. $75 each or best offer. Small chest freezer, $25. Kenmore dishwasher, $50. wood-burning stove, $100. Upright piano, free. 218-370-0711. ATTENTION LANDLORDS: Frigidare washer, Maytag dryer, X-Large Kenmore Refridgerator w/ice maker, Maytag Convertible Dishwasher. Downsizing. Excellent running cond. Some scratches from moving. $1,000. for all. 218241-1842 Frigidare Freezer, commercial duty, 32w 30d 72h white $200. Electric kitchen stove almond $65. 218-848-2007 Cube-style dorm fridge in good cond. $40. 218-638-2399 Frigidaire frost-free 14.4 cu. ft. freezer. Never used. $300.00 Pickup only 218-390-8426

Reader classifieds Jen-aire Glass Top Stove. Works great. Best offer 218-724-5358 Wood space heater $50. 218-7214481 Stove for home, cabin or garage. Burns wood or coal. $95. 715-3998569 White Kenmore microwave. $10. 218-206-1278 Two 250 gal fuel oil tanks. Paint red for gasoline. $50/ea. 218-8482007 Furniture Full size box spring and mattress, very good shape. $30 cash only takes both. 218-834-3709 Office chair. Good condition. $5. Call 218-525-7702 Lovely gold floor lamp. $10. Call 218-525-7702 Full length lawn chair with cushion. Good condition. $10. Call 218-525770 Two office chairs good condition. $5.00 each. Call 218-525-7702 48” round oak pedestal table, small oak library table, ornate oak buffet, multi-drawer draftsman cabinet. Make offer 218-830-1255 White ceiling Fan $10. or BO 218310-1781 or 218-276-4985 Queen, full, single beds, solid dressers, hutch, rockers, lamps, couches - July 19-20 3015 E. 6th Superior. 218-428-1273 Ceramic bear collection (15) with shelving unit. $25. Call 218-5257702 Wooden kitchen table, 12” leaf,

6 chairs. Very sturdy $100. Light tan couch-unfolds into bed, steel frame $100. Both items in V.Good Cond. 218-390-2629 4 Drawer Dresser 24”H 71”L Excellent Condition-solid wood. $10. 218-348-2900 Full length lawn chair with cushion. $10 call 218-525-7702 Miscellaneous H&R 22 pistol with leather holster, $150. 12-gauge pump shotgun, like new. $350.218-848-2007. 16mm sound movie projector. Runs very well. $100. 320-2602464. Chest High Waders. Size 11 $35 cash only. 218-834-3709 Baseball basketball cards. great condition. please call 218-4810175. or email. Patrickgjaros@ gmail.com. Uniquely inspired, hand-braided, natural yarn, plat hangers. Durable. Interior/exterior use. Locally crafted. Colors galore. $5 each. Bulk rates available. 218-4281510 or 218-428-7358 Caboose Stove. Best Offer. Text only for info & pics. 218-750-7981 7 WWII rifles, serial numbers match. Mausers-Arisakas-Russians-Swiss. $2500. Call 218984-2669 2 Nikons, 1 Voigtlander, Konica, Kodak Eltralite, Hanimax Amphibian, lenses and accessories for Nikons. $500. Call 218-984-2669 Compost toilet, no need for electric or water, great for cabin or hunting

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Reader readers, it’s the best deal you’re going to find anywhere in the Twin Ports region. Classified advertising, including the Personals, is free. That means you can find a roommate, a partner, rent your place, sell a guitar, give something away, trade, barter, or do whatever your transaction needs are – with the cost of a postage stamp or click of your mouse. There is a charge for items you are selling and asking more than $100 and for busi-

shack $200. Igloo fiberglass dog house w/floor $25. Cattle water tank $50. 218-848-2007 Trek “3500” 21 sp. shocks, disc brakes. $150. 218-491-4201 Jim 25 beautiful plants. Variety. $5 each. Call 218-525-7702 Ten large house plants. Variety. $5 each. Wheelchair with foot rests. Good condition. $50. Call 218525-7702 Western paperbacks.Nice selection from Zane Grey 60 different titles and Louis La`Moure 80 different 50¢ each..715 364 2899 ask for Zeeb Sports Cards: Baseball, Basketball & Hockey Rookies & Stars Mostly from the 80s & 90s. Call of text 218-391-4274 Never used still in factory-sealed box. Simple Clean Automatic Litter Box. Cleans itself every hour. Cats love them. $80 715-376-4502 $90 or best offer Ecolet compost toilet great for cabin /hunting shack Twig area 714 296-2646 Silk screen picture of the Duluth Depot. Matted and framed. $100. Call 218-525-7702 25 beautiful plants. $5 each or less. Variety. Call 218-525-7702 For sale: Saris bike rack. Mint condition. Originally $128, will sell for $60.218-727-8687 Snowmobile helmets $10.00 2185766454 or 2183939962 Cameras--2 Nikons, Voigtlander, Konica, Kodak #10, Hanimax Amphibian (underwater). Lenses-500mm and down. $1000. Call 218-984-2669

nesses running ads. Details on costs are as follows: Non-business advertisers $10 for 25 word ad, 50 cents for each additional word. Ad will run 8 weeks. Businesses For 25 word ads with 20 cents for each additional word. One issue: $10 Three issues: $25 Seven issues: $50 13 issues: $75 The Reader does not accept responsibility for claims made in classified ads. While we make attempts to screen illinintended ads, use your best judgment. The Reader assumes no liability for the content of or reply to any advertisement. The advertiser, by virtue of submitting this form,

agrees to hold the Reader harmless from all expenses, liabilities, or damages resulting from or caused by advertisements. The Reader reserves the right to edit or refuse ads.

MAyApril 7, 2020 7575 23, 2020

Rugged Wrangler adds smooth diesel model

GILBERT’S GARAGE by

JOHN GILBERT Jeep’s 2020 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara now offers 3.0 turbodiesel. Photo credits,: John Gilbert It used to be that the arrival of a Jeep Wrangler to the Western tip of Lake Superior was equal parts adventurous and nuisance. But the 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara 4X4 has altered that dual description. The nuisance factor has been pretty well eliminated by technology and refinement. The test vehicle arrived in Firecracker Red paint that was so red that it was almost red-orange, bright enough to cause passers-by to take another look

and to offer the occasional thumbs-up. When automakers return to full production if and when this Coronavirus shutdown ends, it might be the perfect time for some of them to take a look into the expanding FCA line – which stands for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, but also includes Jeep. Especially Jeep. The hearty all-American utility family was perhaps the prime jewel in the deal, when Fiat bought out Chrysler and all its appendages, and

76 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

with Fiat’s enthusiasm behind it, Jeep has risen steadily in an industry climate that has been notably stagnant. As time has evolved, I found myself appreciating the Grand Cherokee and everything on down to the Renegade, always cautioning myself to not overlook the Wrangler – that rugged, war-born all-out utility vehicle that you can find climbing ridiculous obstacles wherever ridiculous obstacles can be found to drive over. Then, a couple years ago, the Fiat-

pushed refinement hit the Wrangler, adding various options to the suspension and drivetrain, coupled with some outstanding interior upgrades that have pretty much ruined Wrangler’s life-long reputation of being rugged and tough in all circumstances, even if it means being a little harsh to the uninitiated. That disclaimer is no longer needed, because the refinement has turned the rugged off-roader into an on-roader that is actually pleasant to drive, even

Inside, the Wrangler shows upgrades, including soft leather seats. on long trips. The biggest news about the new Wrangler is…well, it’s several things. First, the diesel engine is a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, which FCA calls “EcoDiesel.” It is built in Italy, and the 8-speed automatic transmission handling the versatile 4-wheel-drive beast is made in Germany by ZF. The Wrangler itself is assembled in Toledo, Ohio. Talk about a citizen of the world. The turbodiesel is not huge, at 3.0-liters, but it turns out huge power. It has 260 horsepower and a whopping 442 foot-pounds of torque. That allows the Wrangler to tow up to 3,500 pounds, which is a large haul for a tightly made 4-door Wrangler that still appears to be made to challenge rocks and hillsides off-road, where you wouldn’t be towing any trailers. Beyond the powertrain, which shows EPA fuel estimates of 22 city and 29 miles per gallon highway, the diesel is quiet and hurls you off the line with quick power. The 8-speed shifted smoothly. The Wrangler now offers buyers a very difficult decision, coming with a tried and true 3.6-liter V6, or the outstanding new 2.0-liter turbo 4, or the turbo-diesel. Those fans who have had diesels know of their strength and durability, and won’t flinch at the option tag of $4,000 to add this Fiatsourced 3-liter V6 turbodiesel, which is as quiet as the 3.6 gas V6 and about doubles the torque. The suspension is heavy duty, with gas shocks, and the Command-Track part-time 4-wheel-drive system worked

DuluthReader.com

efficiently and without flinching. The part-time thing means you can shift it into 4x4 or 4-wheel-drive high, or 2-wheel-drive. In Minnesota, you’re still in 2WD most of the time if the highways are free of ice, but there aren’t many things more conducive to a secure feeling than to be in a Jeep with the system in 4WD, and the Dana front axle means it will also work over rough terrain, while hill-descent control will ease you down even the mile-high hills of Duluth, Minnesota. The interior’s straightforward and efficient instruments, its shift levers on the console, a navigation screen in easy view atop the center stack all are without criticism, but what sets the new Wrangler Sahara’s interior apart is the remarkably classy soft-leather front bucket seats, heated for the harshest weather and embossed with a Sahara logo. With all the connectivity and satellite audio and remote-start capability, you look around and feel as though you’re in a typical 4-door SUV.

It’s almost easy to forget that the roof you’re looking at is heavy-duty fabric, and you also can fasten a 3-piece fiberglass roof firmly in place, simply by sliding it out of its easily-stowed case. The fabric top was fine in some very chilly weather, and it left behind the recollection of flapping fabric tops on Jeeps from the old days. Another old Jeep “tradition” that won’t be missed. Add in backup camera, and the safety security cross-traffic controls, and keyless entry and remote start puts this Jeep into its own realm. But the most important thing is the overall package, which, when you combine all the high-tech features with the plush leather seats, make the Unlimited Sahara a vehicle that demands a comparison drive, even amid all those other Jeep models joining it in the showroom. Its base price of $38,645 quickly jumps to $55,925, diesel and all, but the lost tradition that will be missed the least is that after handling all

From the side, look closely and you can see the tight-fitting black convertible roof. April 23, 2020 May 7, 2020 7777

sorts of rugged off-roading or even Duluth streets, it rides smoothly on the highways. No more 200-miles-on-apogo-stick treks for Wrangler lovers. KEEP WATCH WITH SANDS A week ago, I wrote a brief introduction to an offbeat “test drive” I am conducting with a new Szanto ICON Roland Sands signature series wristwatch. This prize timepiece is designed to have the sporty flair of a motorcycle racer, which Sands was, in motocross and road racing, before he turned to designing motorcycles and accessories. Among his prizes are leather motorcycle jackets, which are hinted at in the leather ribbed bands of his watches. He helped with the actual design of the watch, itself, otherwise designed

by Time Concepts, LLC., which has built outstanding Swiss watches. lt has a mineral crystal with 100-meter water resistance, a satin brushed stainless steel screw-on back, and a design that looks like the sort of watch a rider or racer might wear, both in the handlebar-like attachment bars and the watch face itself. It comes in assorted face colors and bands, starting at $225, and can be seen online at timeconcepts.net.

A hard roof can easily be fastened, for extra protection.

CLASSIFIED ORDER FORM

The Roland Sands Signature Series wristwatch looks race-ready, at timeconcepts.com

Why shop locally? Reason #9 Preserve entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship fuels America’s economic innovation and prosperity, and serves as a key means for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class. Plus, the success of locally owned, independent businesses provides real-life inspiration to our young people, proving that they can stay in Minnesota and prosper on their own terms

78 May 7, 2020 DuluthReader.com

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Submit ads by mail to: Reader Classifieds, Box 16122, Duluth, MN 55816.

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May 7,23, 2020 April 2020 79 79

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