“The more I thought about it, the more I knew that compiling memories of how progress in the Northland happened, as told by some of the people who made projects happen, would be interesting and inspiring to those who will work to improve our area in the future. The result is this history recording the first hand recollections by the civic leaders of most of the many projects that changed our area since the early ’60s.”

Manley “Monnie” Goldfine
from Acknowledgments and Dedication

“1960 marked the beginning of a new era for Duluth and the region. The sawmills along the harbor had long ago closed. Two world wars emptied the Mesabi Range of the rich, red ore that had been the backbone of the regional economy,...the commercial and industrial standbys of the past era had closed or moved south...it was necessity which fostered the individual and collective efforts described in these pages...not to provide a forum to brag about what occurred, but to serve as a navigational aid to the next generation.”

Harold Frederick
from Introduction

“Duluth and northeastern Minnesota were blessed in the second half of the 20th century with dedicated, independent community leaders taking turns in project leadership, but working hand-in-hand for the public good…We didn’t rely on government to do our job. We took it upon ourselves to bring projects to the government, rather than waiting for the government to assess our needs. We were thorough in our homework, made certain of our facts, then got the attention of public officials when needed through the power of public opinion expressed through the media. As a team, we kicked ass. Not one of our projects failed.”

Jeno F. Paulucci
from Chapter 1

“Frank Lloyd Wright once advised us to study and admire the good works of others, but ‘own your own effects.’ To us this means: respect the experiences in this book but use them as a stimulant for fresh and independent ideas...It also helps if we choose good mayors, pick councilors who are confident team players,...spread the load by delegating to leaders and emerging leaders,...and make friends in high places!”

Donn Larson
from Epilogue