The late Wisconsin Public Radio reporter -- Mike Simonson -- inspired this program and public reading as a part of the “One River, Many Stories” project.
“One River, Many Stories” began when Perfect Duluth Day President Paul Lundgren suggested honoring Mike’s memory and his legacy of journalism in northern Wisconsin by telling stories about the St. Louis River, its community and its people.
Lundgren partnered with University of Minnesota Duluth journalism professor John Hatcher and others to fund a project to invite media outlets across the Twin Ports to feature stories over the course of one month about river.
The Knight Foundation Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation provided funding to support this event and others through this media collaboration project.
So, why the St. Louis River you ask? As Paul tells it, Mike shared plans for his retirement in their last conversation together. Those plans included writing a radio documentary about the St. Louis River. Unfortunately, Mike died a short time later in October 2014.
Many of Mike’s students and colleagues continue his legacy through their tireless dedication to telling stories about the people and places of this region.
Mike’s widow, Jennifer Simonson, can tell you about how much he loved the river. They often invited friends to take boat rides with them on Stryker Bay near their home in West Duluth.
We invite you to sit back and listen to the stories and poems from those who have been willing to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences about the St. Louis River.