344rev
Movers and Mavericks of Thunder Bay: An Anthology
Northern Scribes Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9683846-2-6
$19.95 Softcover
The history of a place so often is told with buildings or economy. But the true personality of a city grows from the personalities who created it.
The Superior Scribes writers in Thunder Bay have created a delightful modern history of the city through short biographies of intriguing residents. One of my favorites is early in the book: the Jolly Little Mayor who performed in vaudeville, invited Liberace to a pot luck, befriended Danny Thomas … and famously (though apparently erroneously) was said to have put his hand on Queen Elizabeth II’s “bum.” Plus there’s the man who filmed “Nanook of the North” along with hockey players, artists, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, good samaritans and other characters. Seven authors handle the tales, some of whom have written for this magazine.
This book is a great way to get to know Lake Superior’s largest city better through the triumphs and foibles of its people. – Konnie LeMay
Resorts of Minnesota
by Neil E. Johnson
NLJ Books
ISBN: 978-0-9830845-9-4
$34.99 Hardcover
This delightful book about classic family resorts will, for many of us, invoke a flood of memories about that week each summer at the lake – a favored resort with endless fishing and swimming, where the world slows way down and time doesn’t matter. But this book is much more than that.
Its gorgeous photos, with neat historic shots, are worth the price alone. In profiling 37 resorts, Neil E. Johnson, along with Adam Swenson, give sweet, personal and entertaining stories of the families who started these state treasures and who maintain them today with hard work and love. Many of our regional resorts are here: Lamb’s Resort on Lake Superior, Golden Eagle Lodge on the Gunflint Trail and Moose Track Adventures and Wilderness Bay Lodge near Ely. Open this book and you’ll be dreaming of your next resort trips. – Bob Berg
Ballyhoo! Backstage Big Top
by Warren Nelson
Song Farm Press
ISBN: 978-0-615-48753-3
$19.95 Softcover
Ballyhoo – so says our online dictionary – is “a clamorous and vigorous attempt to win customers or advance any cause; blatant advertising or publicity.” That makes it the perfect title for a book by Warren Nelson, the true pitchman for the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua near Bayfield – from pitching the idea of performances under a huge canvas tent to actually pitching (or raising) the tent. His Big Top and personal memoir delivers the enthusiasm and brash confidence you’d expect from someone who led creation of a regional icon out of nothing.
Just like one of the tent shows with music and tales, this fast-paced review touches on Big Top history, local mainstays of the show, disasters (storms and fires), a few songs and Warren’s short takes on star performers and, of course, some entertaining ballyhoo. – KLM
Books reviewed here, unless otherwise indicated, should be available through local booksellers by using the ISBN number.