JULIE: I'M JULIE ZENNER ALONG WITH DENNIS ANDERSON, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH.

DENNY: WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE NEW NORTH BY NORTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL COMING TO DULUTH NEXT WEEK, THE LATEST OFF SHOOT OF THE REGION'S GROWING FILM INDUSTRY.

JULIE: WE WILL PREVIEW WDSE'S NEW DIGITAL SERIES MINNESOTA HISTORIA AND MEET THE SHOW'S PRODUCER AND HOST.

DENNY: AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA WRITER AARON BROWN IS OUR GUEST ON VOICES OF THE REGION.

JULIE: THESE STORIES AND MORE COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH.

JULIE: HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

DENNY, OUR SHOW TONIGHT HAS A HEAVY FOCUS ON THE ARTS AND HISTORY.

DENNY: THERE IS A LOT OWING ON HEARING DULUTH, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SO MANY FILMS ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT.

SOME ARE BEING MADE HERE AND IT IS AN EXCITING SHOW.

JULIE: A SAD STORY TO BEGIN THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES DENNY.

DENNY: YES JULIE, IT WAS A TRAGIC WEEK, AS FOUR MEMBERS OF AN EAST HILLSIDE FAMILY WERE KILLED WEDNESDAY IN WHAT POLICE SAY WAS A MURDER-SUICIDE.

POLICE SAY BRANDON TAYLOR COLE-SKOGSTAD TOOK HIS OWN LIFE AFTER SHOOTING ALL FOUR MEMBERS OF THE BARRY FAMILY WHILE THEY WERE ASLEEP IN THEIR HOME.

DULUTH POLICE WERE RESPONDING TO A REPORT OF A PERSON SUFFERING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WHEN THEY FOUND THE BODIES.

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OF THE BARRY FAMILY.

JULIE: U.W.

SUPERIOR'S LAKE SUPERIOR RESEARCH INSTITUTE HAS RECEIVED NEARLY $8 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO FURTHER ITS WORK TO ELIMINATE AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES.

THE MONEY WILL CONTINUE RESEARCH TO COMBAT SPECIES THAT ENTER THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH BALLAST WATER DISCHARGE IN COMMERCIAL SHIPS.

THE LAKE SUPERIOR RESEARCH INSTITUTE WAS CREATED IN 1967.

DENNY: SAD NEWS FROM THE LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO IN DULUTH THIS WEEK, AS THEY REPORTED THE DEATH OF LEO, THEIR AFRICAN LION.

LEO WAS 14 AND A 1/2-YEARS-OLD AND DIED FROM AN AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASE.

THE AVERAGE LIFE SPAN OF A LION IN THE WILD IS TEN YEARS.

JULIE: AND TODAY, FRIDAY, APRIL TWENTY-SECOND IS EARTH DAY, FOUNDED IN 1970 BY WISCONSIN'S GAYLORD NELSON TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT AIR AND WATER POLLUTION.

TODAY EARTH DAY IS CELEBRATED AROUND THE PLANET IN STEWARDSHIP AND CELBRATION OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

THE EARTH DAY MOVEMENT IS CREDITED FOR THE CREATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE FEDERAL CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER ACTS.

DENNY: THE FIRST NORTH BY NORTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS NEXT WEEK IN DULUTH, AND FILMMAKERS FROM ALL OVER ARE TRAVELLING TO SEE THEIR FILMS ON THE BIG SCREEN.

BUT ONE LOCAL PRODUCTION DOESN'T HAVE TO GO TOO FAR.

THE FILM, BEYOND THE NORTHWOODS IS A LOCAL FILM PREMIERING THIS YEAR WITH AN ALL-LOCAL CAST AND CREW.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY WENT TO THE LOCATION WHERE THE FILM WAS SHOT TO FIND OUT, WHAT IS BEYOND THE NORTHWOODS?

>> I AM SO EXCITED WHEN I GOT TO SEE IT.

>> BEYOND THE NORTHWOODS IS A FOUND FOOTAGE HORROR MOVIE ABOUT A YOUTUBER THAT COMES TO TOWN AND WAS AGO INTO THE WOODS AND FILM A VIDEO ABOUT SEVERAL DISAPPEARANCES OF HAPPENED RECENTLY.

IT WAS WHAT IF THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT WAS MADE TODAY, WOULD NOT BE FILM STUDENTS IT WOULD BE CONTENT CREATORS THERE BE SHOOTING ON AN IPHONE.

TO ME THIS IS A MODERN FOUND MOVIE.

>> LOOK AT THAT.

>> THIS MOVIE REVOLVES AROUND WHAT IS CALLED A MCGUFFIN.

THERE IS A MYSTERIOUS FORCE DRIVING THE PLOT AND I SPENT A LOT OF TIME EARLY ON TRYING TO ESTABLISH WHAT WAS THE HORROR.

WHAT WAS THE MONSTER THAT WAS TERRORIZING THEM.

ONCE WE GOT INTO EDITING, I REALIZED THAT WAS THE LEAST IMPORTANT PART OF THE MOVIE.

IT BECAME MUCH MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE, CHARACTERS, WATCHING THEM BECOME TORMENTED.

I THOUGHT IT WAS MUCH SCARIER TO TAKE THESE INSPIRATIONS FROM MOTH MEN OR ENCRYPTED'S OR FOOT -- BIGFOOT.

USE INSPIRATION FROM THEM AND SOUNDS AND IMAGES WHEN ENCOUNTERING THEM BUT NEVER DIRECTLY SAY WHAT IT IS.

>> HELLO?

>> A LOT OF US KNOW THIS AREA SO WELL.

YOU WILL BE LIKE, THAT IS LESTER PARK AND THAT IS ENGER TOWER, I KNOW WHERE THESE PLACES ARE.

AND MAKES IT FEEL MORE REAL.

COULD THERE BE SOMETHING IN OUR WOODS, IN OUR HOME THAT IS SIMPLY UNKNOWN?

>> I THINK THIS PART DOES LEND ITSELF TO HORROR, IT IS CREEPY AT NIGHT AND THAT IS KIND OF WHY EVERYTHING WAS SHOT HERE IN THAT WAY.

IT IS VERY EASY TO ACCESS, TOO.

ALL OF THESE AMAZING TRAILS.

THERE IS SO MUCH GREAT SCENERY, BRIDGES, WATERFALLS.

THERE IS A LOT OF FUN STUFF TO SEE ARE HERE.

YES YOU CAN CARRY A FILM SHOOTING OUT IN ONE LOCATION LIKE THIS.

>> THE LAST MOVIE I MADE BEFORE THIS WAS A SOLO PROJECT.

I SPENT A YEAR BY MYSELF IN THE WOODS AND KIND OF IN GENERAL SPENT A YEAR BY MYSELF.

I FELT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GET WORKING WITH PEOPLE AGAIN AND TO GET A GROUP GOING AGAIN SO WE CAN START WORKING ON MORE THINGS AS THE WORLD BECAUSE OPEN UP.

>> WE HAVE A PLETHORA OF TALENTS IN THE AREA AND NOT TO MAKE USE OF THAT WAS A HUGE WASTE.

THIS IS A DULUTH PROJECT, IT WAS SHOT DULUTH, IT WAS SHOT ON THE TRAILS.

WE ARE UP HERE AT NIGHT AND IS A LITTLE BIT SCARY, YOU NEED PEOPLE WHO ARE USED TO THE AREA WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO COME OUT HERE.

IT WAS A NECESSITY, PEOPLE THAT WERE NOT AFRAID TO COME INTO THE WOODS AT NIGHT.

IF THEY GOT AFRAID TO HELP THEIR ACTING A LITTLE BIT.

>> I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS, I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN A TON OF GROWTH WITH ALL THESE NEW FILM FESTIVALS.

ALL THESE OTHER WAYS PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO SHARE THE WORK AND JUST COLLABORATE.

TO BE A FULL ARTS COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT SEGREGATED TO, THEY ARE JUST THEATER PEOPLE OR FILM PEOPLE.

THERE HAS BEEN A CRAZY BIG MIX IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS OF ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ARTS COMMUNITIES COMING TOGETHER AND COLLABORATING TO WORK TOGETHER AND MAKE ART.

THAT IS THE BASELINE OF IT.

WE WANT TO MAKE ART AND BE IN THE PLACE WHERE WE LOVE, WHICH IS DULUTH.

>> IT IS A GREAT LITTLE COMMUNITY.

JUST BY WORD-OF-MOUTH, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE IN A BUNCH OF PROJECT THROUGH OUT THE YEARS.

>> I AM SO EXCITED WHEN I GET TO SEE IT AT THE NORTH BY NORTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST.

TO BE WITH MY FELLOW FILMMAKERS AND ACTORS AND THE AUDIENCE READY TO SEE AND BE TOGETHER AGAIN.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THERE ARE LOCAL INSTITUTIONS OF LOCAL FESTIVALS THAT ARE FOCUSING IN ON COMMUNITY MADE ARTS AND MAKING AN EXCUSE TO SHOW IT AND BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER.

>> I THINK THE GROWTH HERE HAS REALLY OPENED A LOT OF DOORS FOR PEOPLE.

IT IS CONTINUING TO OPEN A LOT OF DOORS FOR ALL OF THESE ARTISTS HERE.

I LOVE IT HERE.

WHY WOULD I LEAVE?

IF EVERYTHING I HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS IS COMING RIGHT OVER HERE, IT IS A REALLY COOL PLACE TO BE RIGHT NOW.

>> WHERE ARE WE?

WE ARE IN THE NORTHWOODS RIGHT NOW, WELCOME TO THE NORTHWOODS.

I HOPE YOU LIKE YOUR STAY, BECAUSE THERE WILL BE MORE THE NORTHWOODS.

THIS IS NOT THE END, THIS JUST BEGINNING.

JULIE: BEYOND THE NORTHWOODS PREMIERES MAY FIRST AT THE NORTH-BY-NORTH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.

HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL IS KELLY FLORENCE, ONE OF THE FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAMMERS.

AND SARAH LUECK IS THE COMMUNICATIONS AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT ZEITGEIST, WHICH IS HOSTING THE FILM FESTIVAL.

AND LYNN WILLIAMS IS THE MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER FOR ONE OF THE FESTIVALS SPONSORS.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

EXCITING TO HAVE A NEW FILM FESTIVAL IN TOWN, IF YOU CAN TELL US WHAT MAKES THIS ONE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER REALM AND CONTENT FESTIVALS PEOPLE OF TO KNOW WHEN DULUTH.

>> NORTH BY NORTH WE ARE REALLY A COMMUNITY-BASED ARTS PROGRAM AND WE PARTNER WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE DULUTH BRANCH OF THE NAACP TO THE TWIN PORTS ASIAN-PACIFIC ISLANDER COLLECTIVE.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP.

REALLY OUR FOCUS IS ON COMMUNITY STORYTELLING AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LOCAL CREATORS, FILMMAKERS TO INTERSECT WITH THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE AS WELL.

DENNY: TELL US ABOUT THE NORTH BY NORTH PITCH COMPETITION.

>> MAKERS GET THE PITCH THEIR IDEAS TO A PANEL OF JUDGES AND THEY ARE BEING PUT IT -- UP IN TOWN AND SUPPORTED WITH RESOURCES.

THEY WILL GET FUNDING, SCHOLARSHIPS TO MAKE THE PROJECTS.

JULIE: FROM A SPONSOR STANDPOINT, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THIS KIND OF NEW FESTIVAL AND GROWTH OF THIS INDUSTRY IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> GOOD QUESTION, UMD HAS STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AROUND CREATIVE ACTIVITY AS WELL AS PIVOTAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND THIS IS A WAY TO BRING BOTH OF THOSE TOGETHER.

WE KNOW THAT OUR STUDENTS WANT HANDS ON EXPERIENCES AND REALM, TV, VIDEO PRODUCTION -- FILM, TV, VIDEO PRODUCTION.

IT IS A PATHWAY FOR THEM.

JULIE: YOU WERE INVOLVED IN HELPING TO PICK SOME OF THE FILMS THAT WILL BE IN THE FESTIVAL.

WHERE THEY A LOT OF SUBMISSIONS?

HOW DID THAT PROCESS WORK OUT?

>> THERE WERE SO MANY GREAT SUBMISSIONS AND IF WE COULD PROGRAM THEM ALL WE WOULD, WE WOULD BE HERE FOR TWO WEEKS SO WE CANNOT.

I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT TO LIFT UP UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES AND PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES THAT MAY ARE NOT NORMALLY HEARD AND THE FILMS HAVE NOT BEEN SEEN.

THERE WILL BE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH, CRY, THINK AND AS WE SAW IN THAT LITTLE CLIP THERE ARE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU.

DENNY: HOW MUCH INDEPENDENT L MAKING HIS DONE IN -- FILM MAKING IS DONE IN DULUTH OR LEAST IN THIS REGION?

>> I THINK THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT, THE CREATIVE ECONOMY IN DULUTH, IS AN EXCITING TIME TO BE IN THE NORTH LAND FROM AN ARTS PERSPECTIVE.

JULIE: IS UMD ADDING MORE MAJORS OR MORE PROGRAMMING TO TAP INTO THAT CREATIVE CULTURE AND REALM TAKING INDUSTRY -- FILMMAKING INDUSTRY?

>> IT IS REALLY EXCITING AND WE ARE FINDING OUR WAY TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION THROUGH ZEITGEIST AND OTHER EFFORTS IN TOWN.

IT IS A NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR US AND WE ARE GETTING OFF THE GROUND, IT IS REALLY EXCITING TO SEE WHERE WE ARE GOING DOWN THE ROAD.

DENNY: HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR INDEPENDENT FILM MAKERS TO GET THEIR WORK SHOWN IN THEATERS?

>> I THINK MAYBE IT IS DIFFICULT , THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET A BUILT-IN AUDIENCE.

YOU COULD SHOW A FILM, BUT ONLY GET YOUR FRIENDS TO COME, HERE YOU GET FILM MAKERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD SEE IT AS WELL.

>> WITH THE SNIPPET OF THE HORROR PIECE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER GENRES PEOPLE CAN SEE AT THE FILM FESTIVAL?

GIVE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF A SAMPLING OF WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT EXPERIENCE?

>> THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

DOCUMENTARIES, DRAMA, COMEDY, FAMILY FAMILY BLOCKS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE AND SAY WE CAN BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY OUT RIGHT -- FOR AN AFTERNOON ON SATURDAY AND SEE SOME FILMS.

JULIE: WILL ALL THE FILMS BE SCREENED AT ZEITGEIST WILL BE MULTIPLE VENUES?

>> IT WILL ALL BE SCREENED AT ZEITGEIST, THE FULL BUILDING, BOTH ARE THEATERS UPSTAIRS AND OUR THEATRIC PERFORMANCES DOWNSTAIRS, WILL HAVE PANEL DISCUSSIONS, MIXERS, AFTER PARTIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE TO NETWORK.

JULIE: PEOPLE THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE WHERE THEY SIGN UP?

>> GO TO ZEITGEIST ARTS.COM OR NORTH BY NORTHWEST -- NORTH BY NORTH.COM AND YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE -- PURCHASE A BADGE.

>> THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.

JULIE: IT'S TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY SEGMENT VOICES OF THE REGION.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT SOME OF THE STORIES BEING COVERED BY JOURNALISTS IN OUR REGION.

THIS WEEK OUR GUEST IS AUTHOR AND COLUMNIST AARON BROWN FROM ITASCA COUNTY.

>> YOU CAN LOOK BACK TO THE 80'S, WHEN CAR MANUFACTURING BECAME MUCH MORE AUTOMATED OR EVEN LOCALLY WHEN TRUCKS GOT BIGGER AND THE SHOVELS GOT BIGGER.

YOU LOOK AT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOSING THEIR JOBS USED TO WORK WITH SPADES ON THE GROUND.

THIS HAS CONTINUED TO THE POINT, WHERE I POINT OUT IN THE PIECE, FOR INSTANCE, LOWERING -- LOADING A TRAINING OR THE MINNESOTA -- A IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA IT IS A PROCESS THAT TAKES ONE PERSON.

THEY SEND THE PELLETS INTO THE TRAIN AND WHILE THERE ARE OTHER SUPPORT PERSONNEL AROUND, THEY DRAW THAT USED TO TAKE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE NOW TAKES ONE -- THE JOB THESE A TAKE HUNDRED PEOPLE NOW TAKES ONE.

WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT THE -- WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE DO NOT NEED THE PEOPLE TO DO THE PHYSICAL TASKS ANYMORE, HOW DO WE REORIENT OUR LIVES AND THE ECONOMY WHEN THE PHYSICAL TASKS ARE NOT NEEDED ANYMORE?

IT WILL CHALLENGE NOT JUST THE ECONOMY, BUT THE CULTURE, THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE -- DO TO BE A GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN.

WE JUST GOT THE NEWS THIS WEEK THAT THE MINNESOTA STATE SUPREME COURT WILL BE REVIEWING PARTS, VERY SPECIFIC PARTS, OF THE PERMITS.

IT IS A PROPOSED COPPER NICKEL LINE NEAR THE FORMER STEEL PLANT.

I WOULD SAY THE SIGNIFICANT ASPECT HERE IS THE FACT THAT THEY ARE SENDING BACK FOR SOME REVIEW OF THE ORIGINAL PERMITS.

THE ORIGINAL STUDY THAT WENT INTO THE PERMITS.

THIS IS A PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR 20 YEARS.

THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION ABOUT THAT FACT.

I WOULD POINT OUT, THE ONE THING TO REALLY TAKE AWAY HERE IS THAT, WHEN POLYMET WAS PROPOSING ITS FIRST PERMITS, IT TOOK A LOT OF SHORTCUTS AND HOW WOULD PUT IT OUT.

IT DID NOT SPECIFY A LOT OF INFORMATION OR IF POSSIBLE IT LEFT IT FAIRLY OPEN AND VAGUE.

THEY DID THAT FOR A REASON, TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT, DO NOT PIGEONHOLE FUTURE INVESTORS INTO A VERY SPECIFIC COST OF A SPECIFIC PLAN.

THE FLIPSIDE OF THAT NOW, A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT WERE UNANSWERED MIGHT NEED TO BE ANSWERED BEFORE THEY CAN USE THOSE PERMITS AND ACCESS THOSE ORE RESOURCES.

>> ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE BOB DYLAN STORY INHIBIT, -- DESPITE WE HEAR FROM LOCALS THAT WERE NOT A FAN OF DYLAN OR THINKS THAT DYLAN IS NOT A FAN OF THEM WAS THAT BOB DYLAN WAS SIGNIFICANTLY SHAPED BY HIS UPBRINGING IN THE IRON RANGE.

THIS IS EVIDENT FROM HIS OWN WORDS AND WRITING.

IF YOU READ AND FOLLOW THOSE THINGS YOU WILL KNOW HE SPEAKS FONDLY OF WHERE HE GREW UP AND POETICALLY ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF A DYING IRON MINING TOWN.

AT THE TIME IT WAS JUST A NATURAL ORE BEGINNING TO GIVE OUT.

HE HAD A SPECIFIC SET OF EXPENSES.

-- EXPERIENCES.

IT MADE HIM WHO HE IS, AN INTERNATIONAL STAR, AND THAT ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF THE LAST COUPLE DECADES OF A YOUNG MAN OF NAIROBI KENYA IN THE CAPITAL, A SINGER, SONGWRITER, POET AND IS ON MAKING -- IN HIS OWN MAKING.

WHEN HE CAME TO AMERICA HE WANTED TO COME TO THE HOMEPLACE OF HIS ICON.

HIS HERO, BOB DYLAN.

WHICH MEANS HE WENT FROM IRB -- NAIROBI KENYA TO MINNEAPOLIS AND SETTLED INTO THE USE EXCEEDING THEIR.

HE IS COMING TO BOB DYLAN'S HOUSE HOME STAGE THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 23 AT THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM FOR A FREE CONCERT.

DENNY: IF YOU LOVE QUIRKY AND UNUSUAL HISTORY, WDSE'S NEW DOCUMENTARY SERIES IS FOR YOU.

'MINNESOTA HISTORIA' IS OUR NEW DIGITAL-FIRST SERIES WHICH DROPS ITS FIRST EPISODE NEXT WEEK.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS MIKE SCHOLTZ, THE PRODUCER, WRITER AND EDITOR OF MINNESOTA HISTORIA.

AND HAILEY EIDENSCHINK IS A MUSEUM PROFESSIONAL AND HOST OF THE SERIES.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

WHAT IS MINNESOTA HISTORIAN ALL ABOUT?

>> IT IS TELLING SOME OF THOSE QUIRKY AND UNUSUAL, OFTEN UNTOLD STORIES FROM MINNESOTA HISTORY.

I THINK A GREAT WAY TO TALK ABOUT IS TO GIVE EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE ARE GOING BE DOING.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE LEGEND OF SAINTERHO WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE REPAIR LADY, WE'LL TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE TOP FIVE SHIPWRECKS.

A LOT OF UNTOLD NUGGETS.

JULIE: IS MINNESOTA PARTICULAR QUIRKINESS HISTORY OR CAN ANY REGION TO THIS?

>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE QUIRKY FUN STUFF, WE THINK OF OURSELVES AS KIND OF WEIRD SO WE INTO THE WARES STOP MORE.

-- WEIRD STUFF MORE.

DENNY: WHERE DO ALL OF THESE IDEAS COME FROM?

>> MOSTLY MIKE.

>> I HAVE A FILE OF WEIRD STORIES.

I KEEP TRACK OF INTERESTING HISTORICAL ANTIDOTE -- ANECDOTES THAT I HEAR AND TRY TO DEVELOP THEM INTO A DOCUMENTARY WHEN I CAN.

JULIE: WE DO HAVE ONE CLIP ABOUT DILUTES IT FOR THE WINTER OLYMPICS.

>> WHO HOSTED THE 1932 WINTER OLYMPICS?

DO NOT LOOK IT UP ON WIKIPEDIA.

IT WAS NOT DULUTH MINNESOTA.

WELCOME TO MINNESOTA HISTORIAN, I AM HAILEY, YOUR GUIDE TO THE DOOMED WINTER OLYMPICS.

OH, HELLO THERE.

ON JANUARY 10 1929, THE CITY LEADERS OF DULUTH MADE A BID FOR THE 1932 OLYMPICS.

WHY NOT?

DULUTH HAS SNOW, ICE, SOME HILLS , ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARED TO SOME OTHER CITIES IN THE STATE.

BUT, I AM PLAYING DEVILS ADVOCATE HERE, ARE THOSE HILLS BIG ENOUGH?

IF YOU AVERAGE THE ELEVATION OF THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS WE ARE THE FIFTH FLATTEST STATE IN THE COUNTRY, WE ARE FLATTER THAN KANSAS.

LET THAT SINK IN.

FLATTER THAN KANSAS.

JULIE: I DO NOT EXPECT YOU TO GIVE IT ALL AWAY, BUT TELL A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD DULUTH TRIED TO GET THE WINTER OLYMPICS BACK WHEN THERE WERE NOT THAT MANY SPORTS REQUIRING ELEVATION.

WE WILL GET INTO THAT.

IT ACTUALLY WAS POSSIBLE THAT DULUTH COULD HAVE HOSTED THIS THING.

THE ONLY THING THEY NEEDED A HILL FOR WAS THE BOBSLED.

CROSS-COUNTRY -- SKIING AND HOCKEY YOU DO NOT NEED HILLS FOR UNLESS YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG.

32 WAS THE LAST YEAR DULUTH COULD HAVE CONCEIVABLY HOSTED IT.

THE NEXT YEAR THEY HAD DOWNHILL SKIING.

THEY HAD A VERY SHORT WINDOW OF TIME WHERE DULUTH MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOST IT.

IT IS NOW CLOSED HARD.

DENNY: WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING IN THE SERIES AND HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN HISTORY?

>> IT HAS BEEN A BLAST, NOTHING LIKE I'VE EVER DONE BEFORE, READ OFF A TELEPROMPTER AND NOT JUST MEMORIZE 32ND BITS.

I HAVE -- 30 SECOND BITS.

I HAVE BEEN INTO HISTORY FOREVER, MY DAD MADE ME WATCH WORLD WAR II DOCUMENTARIES.

I HAD A, THIS STUFF IS REAL MOMENT THAT MADE ME CONNECT WITH IT.

DENNY: THERE IS A LOT OF QUIRKINESS OUT THERE WITH IT.

>> I AM ALSO A WEIRDO, I LIKE HISTORY, I LIKE WEIRD HISTORY.

WE TOUCH ON A LOT OF IT, BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE THAN WE DO NOT DISCUSS IN THE SERIES.

JULIE: THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION AVAILABLE TRYING TO CAPTURE PEOPLE'S ATTENTION THESE DAYS.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO MAYBE SPARK SOME INTEREST IN HISTORY THAT PEOPLE WHEN I HAVE OTHERWISE?

>> I DO NOT WHY USE THE WORD TRICKING, WE ARE NOT TRICKING PEOPLE INTO WATCHING, WE ARE DEFINITELY USING QUIRKY STORIES FROM HISTORY TO PULL PEOPLE IN AND GIVE THEM MORE CONTEXT OF A BROADER HISTORY IN THE REGION.

WE WOULD DO THE LEGEND OF THE SAINT, A MADE UP PATRON SAINT OF INLAND, AND -- FINLAND AND WE TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR PEOPLE FROM FINLAND AT THAT TIME.

>> THIS IS A DIGITAL ONLY SERIES, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> EACH EPISODE WILL PREMIERE WEEKLY ON TUESDAY.

A NEW EPISODE FOR THE NEXT SIX WEEKS.

ONCE THEY HAVE PREMIERED I BELIEVE THEY WILL AIR ON WDSE FOR A PLEDGE DRIVE.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER YOU CAN WATCH IT ON TV EVENTUALLY.

>> HAILEY, YOU WORK DOWN AT THE DEPOT AND PUT TOGETHER HISTORY TOURS THERE.

IS THIS A DIFFERENT ANIMAL FOR YOU IN TERMS OF THE WAY YOU APPROACH IT IN A FUN AND FRESH WAY OR DO TRY TO BRING A LITTLE BIT OF THAT TO THE DEPOT AS WELL?

>> IT IS REALLY SIMILAR.

I'M DOING A LOT LESS RESEARCH FOR THIS, MIKE HAS TAKEN CARE OF THAT.

FOR THE DEPOT STUFF I HAVE FUN DOING IT AND I TRY TO MAKE ON.

PETE -- MAKE IT FUN.

PEOPLE THEY DO NOT LIKE HISTORY DO NOT LIKE FACTS, NUMBERS, MEMORIZING EVERYTHING, STORIES ARE INTERESTING TO EVERYONE.

INSTEAD OF A TOUR STORY IS A VIDEO STORY.

JULIE: PEOPLE DO NOT WATCH TELEVISION LIKE THEY USED TO WHERE THEY SIT DOWN AT A SET TIME AND PLAN THEIR NIGHT AROUND THE TELEVISION SCHEDULE.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STATIONS LIKE WDSE TO DELIVER CONTENTS AND NEW WAYS TO REACH THOSE NEW AUDIENCES WHERE THEY ARE AT TODAY?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AND WANT TO WORK ON THIS PROJECT.

I AM ACCUSTOMED TO A DOCUMENT BEFORE A FILM FESTIVAL OR TV.

IT IS A SLIGHTLY SLOWER PACE.

THIS WE ARE REALLY WRAPPING UP THE PACE AND INCLUDING MORE IMAGES PER MINUTE.

HAILEY IS A LOW BIT FUNNIER ON YOUTUBE THEN IF SHE WERE DOING IT FOR TV.

DENNY: IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS FOR ALL AGE GROUPS.

>> DEFINITELY, HISTORY IS FOR EVERYBODY.

JULIE: COULD THIS GO BEYOND THE INITIAL SIX EPISODES?

>> LIKE I SAID, I HAVE A VERY THICK FILE.

I AM READY TO GO INTO MULTIPLE SEASONS OF THIS.

JULIE: THANK YOU SO MUCH, IT IS REALLY A FUN SERIES AND WE ARE EXCITED TO BE PART OF A HERE.

DENNY: THANK YOU BOTH.

JULIE: THAT'S OUR TIME FOR NOW, BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH OUR SHOW BY FOLLOWING ALMANAC NORTH ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

THEN VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES, NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP TO WATCH YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS ON DEMAND.

DENNY, MAYBE THIS WEEKEND'S RAIN IS GOING TO GET US THINKING OF SPRING?

DENNY: GET YOUR BUMBERSHOOT OUT YOU WILL NEED IT.

JULIE: WHAT IS A BUMBERSHOOT?

DENNY: UMBRELLA.

JULIE: THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND THE CREW HERE IN THE STUDIO.

WITH DENNIS ANDERSON, I'M JULIE ZENNER, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.