memories

Luckily my friends had rec rooms, rumpus rooms and basements filled with fun games, because all I had was a phonograph.  That was it, a phonograph.  Through my friends I learned how to play pool, air hockey and foosball.  We recently acquired a foosball table through a Family Pathways Thrift Store in St. Croix Falls, WI and childhood memories came flooding back.

I went to Wrenshall School, it was a K-12 school that required that you took music as an elementary student. That meant whether you could carry a tune or not, you were in choir. Whether you could read musical notes or not, you were expected to play the recorder, the triangle (is that the technical term?) and the bongos. To the credit of Mrs. Busch our Choir/Music Director and Mr. Smithson, the Ban

Long before "digital photography" we didn't have the choice of having a family member or friend take our grad photos.  You went to a professional photographer and your choices of backgrounds were limited.  I think most of us had an indoor head shot, a picture leaning into a tree with a leg up, a picture laying on the ground peeking around a tree and if you got your picture taken at Dean'

From 175 feet above the floor of the Amsoil Arena on the catwalk we talk to Dan Russell, the Executive Director of the DECC.  While I catch my breath Dan explains building design and energy efficiency.  To further their quest to be community-minded we'll also show you the "grain elevator wall" and give details on the 50th anniversary celebration and invite of the DECC employee reunion. R

The fifth video of our series is in the newest addition to the DECC, the Amsoil Arena. Dan Russell, the Executive Director of the DECC tells us who the first was to perform at the Amsoil and that it only took one minute for his show to sell out, can you guess who it was? We also talk about the fantastic concessions food they serve, even house made potato chips to enhance their sustainability.  Rea

Dan Russell has been the Executive Director of the DECC for years. His knowledge of concerts and events is interesting and at times, humorous. We have an amazing view for the third video of our series from the Harborside Ballroom.  We hear about a side of Alice Cooper you probably didn't know existed from Dan.

The fourth video of our series has us chatting with Dan Russell, the Executive Director of the DECC from the stage of the DECC Symphony Hall. His knowledge of concerts and events is interesting and at times, humorous. He shocks us with a story of how he had to pay a judge to get an artist out of a murder charge so he could perform, watch and find out who that was!

Dan Russell has been the Executive Director of the DECC for years. His knowledge of concerts and events is interesting and at times, humorous. The second video of our series takes us to the hallway of what use to be the Duluth Arena, now the DECC. Watch the video to hear more memories from Dan Russell and to hear the surprise that will soon be hung on the wall.

Dan Russell has been the Executive Director of the DECC for years. His knowledge of concerts and events is interesting and at times, humorous. (I don’t expect anything less from Dan)!  With the 50th anniversary of the DECC coming up in August I thought I’d pull a Barbara Walters and interview Mr. Russell. It certainly brought back memories for me and gave me insight to things that happened behind

Ok, those are my 4 suggestions, what would you like to see in that space?

I'm sure you can come up with lots of things to add to my list. Or maybe crazy things your mom told you to be careful of that were myths, like waiting 30 minutes after you eat to go swimming.

Do you remember these? I was in Rhineland, WI with my sister at The Vintage Thrift Shop and ran across so many things that took us back to our childhood. Salt and Pepper shakers, knick knacks and games that were at our mother’s house. We laughed when we she picked up this item and said, “remember THIS!"