JULIE: I'M JULIE ZENNER, ALONG WITH DENNIS ANDERSON.

HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC NORTH."

DENNIS: MEMORIAL DAY IS THIS MONDAY, WHICH MEANS ANOTHER YEAR OF DULUTH'S MEMORIAL DAY PARADE.

WE'LL SPEAK WITH PARADE ORGANIZERS ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR.

JULIE: THE UNITED STATES NAVY COMMISSIONED THE USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL LAST WEEK IN DULUTH.

WE'LL HAVE AN ON-DECK REPORT OF THE CEREMONY.

DENNIS: AND VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS AND STUDENTS TO SHARE STORIES OF MILITARY EXPERIENCE.

WE'LL SPEAK WITH THE PROGRAM MANAGER ABOUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED.

JULIE: ALL THAT AND VOICES OF THE REGION, COMING UP ON "ALMANAC NORTH."

♪ WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH."

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

LOOKS LIKE WE'LL BE ENDING THIS WEEK WITH SOME SUNSHINE.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL CARRY OVER INTO THE HOLIDAY.

DENNIS: I HOPE SO.

I KNOW THERE IS TALK OF SOME RAIN OVER THE WEEKEND BUT I AM HOPING FOR SOME GOOD WEATHER TO COME OUT AND DO SOMETHING.

JULIE: FINGERS CROSSED.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE HEADLINES.

DENNIS: THANKS, JULIE.

THE CITY OF DULUTH HAS RELEASED ITS 2023 COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

IT REQUESTS RESIDENT INPUT ON HOW TO SPEND $3 MILLION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND AN ADDITIONAL ONE-TIME PAYMENT OF $1.9 MILLION FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

FIND OUT MORE AND SUBMIT YOUR INPUT AT DULUTHMN.GOV.

JULIE: MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE BLATNIK BRIDGE BEGINS TUESDAY, CAUSING SINGLE-LANE CLOSURES THAT WILL LAST THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, DECK AND CONCRETE REPAIRS, AND MORE WILL HELP EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE BRIDGE UNTIL IT IS REPLACED IN 2028.

DENNIS: THE HULL RUST MINE VIEW IN HIBBING, MINNESOTA HAS OFFICIALLY OPENED FOR THE SEASON.

WITH ITS MORE THAN 125 YEARS OF MINING HISTORY, VISITORS WILL GET UNIQUE LOOKS INTO THE VAST OPEN IRON ORE MINE.

THE SITE IS OPEN DAILY FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., WEATHER PERMITTING.

JULIE: THIS SATURDAY, GRAND MARAIS WELCOMES BACK THE SEVENTH ANNUAL LE GRAND DU NORD GRAVEL CYCLING CLASSIC.

COMPETITORS WILL RACE 26, 54, OR 110-MILE COURSES WITH FORESTED ROADS AND CLIMBS UP TO 5500 FEET.

IF YOU PLAN TO CHEER ON THE CYCLISTS, STARTING TIMES BEGIN AT 8:00 A.M. OUTSIDE OF VOYAGEUR BREWING COMPANY.

DENNIS: NOW ON TO OUR FIRST DISCUSSION.

MEMORIAL DAY IS THIS MONDAY, A DAY WHEN WE HONOR U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO DIED IN SERVICE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS YEAR'S DULUTH MEMORIAL DAY PARADE ARE PARADE ORGANIZERS SHARON BERGQUIST AND CAPTAIN JOHN MARSHALL.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

BIG WEEKEND COMING UP.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT REALLY CERTAIN AS TO WHAT MEMORIAL DAY IS ALL ABOUT?

IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T REALLY SURE.

JOHN: MEMORIAL DAY IS THE MOST HALLOWED DAY FOR VETERANS, ESPECIALLY COMBAT VETERANS.

IT IS THE DAY WE HONOR OUR WAR DEAD.

IT IS NOT A DAY TO HONOR MOM AND DAD WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY.

IT IS TO HONOR OUR WAR DEAD ONLY.

IT IS A TWOFOLD EVENT.

IN THE MORNING WHEN WE LOWER THE FLAG TO HALF-STAFF, WE MOURN AND REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES MADE BY OUR WAR DEAD.

WHEN WE RAISE THAT FLAG BUCK UP AT NOON, WE CELEBRATE THAT SACRIFICE.

OUR WAR DEAD WOULD WANT US TO HAVE PARADES AND PICNICS AND CELEBRATE THAT SACRIFICE.

JULIE: DULUTH WOMEN OF TODAY ORGANIZES THE PARADE, YOUR ORGANIZATION.

WHY IS THIS SOMETHING THE MEMBERSHIP FELT WAS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT TO TAKE ON?

SHARON: THE WOMEN OF TODAY ORGANIZATION IS A SERVICE ORGANIZATION, SO WHEN THE PARADE WAS IN DANGER OF NOT HAPPENING IN 2019, AND THE NEED CAME OUT OVER THE AIRWAVES, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY SAID WE CAN DO THIS.

THEY VOLUNTEERED TO DO IT.

AND LIKE THE COMMANDER MENTIONED, THEY PUT IT TOGETHER IN A VERY SHORT TIME THAT YEAR.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS.

IT FIT THE BILL FOR WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION TRIES TO DO.

DENNIS: CAPTAIN, TALK TO US ABOUT VETERANS.

THEY LIVE WITH A LOT OF MEMORIES, SOME OF THEM QUITE DIFFICULT.

JOHN: MY WAR LIVES WITH ME EVERY DAY.

I WILL NEVER SEE PEACE UNTIL I TAKE MY LAST BREATH IN THIS LIFE.

WHAT WE EXPERIENCE AND MORE IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST IN HUMANITY.

MEMORIAL DAY IS NOT ABOUT US, IT IS ABOUT REMEMBERING OUR WAR DEAD AND THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF GOLDSTAR FAMILIES.

THE OLD SAYING IS AS LONG AS WE KEEP SPEAKING THEIR NAMES LIKE HENRY COURTNEY OR FRED MURRAY, THEY WILL NEVER DIE.

THEY WILL ALWAYS REMAIN ALIVE.

IT IS A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE AND THE ABSOLUTE WORST OF HUMANITY.

JULIE: CAPTAIN, THE COMMUNITY WILL COME OUT FOR A PARADE FOR MEMORIAL DAY.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE THIS REAL OUTWARD, VISIBLE SHOW OF SUPPORT?

JOHN: WE HONOR THE WAR DEAD.

AGAIN, ALL THAT FOCUS HAS TO BE ON THEM.

SO MANY FAMILIES GO OUT AND VISIT MOM AND DAD'S GRAVE OR UNCLE ED WHO SERVED IN THE ARMY, AND THAT IS NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

IT IS ALLOWING US TO HONOR -- WHEN WE ALMOST LOST THE PARADE THIS YEAR, IT WAS SUCH A TRAVESTY.

IN 1909, THERE WAS A STATE STATUTE PRESENTED THAT CITIES MAY APPROPRIATE UP TO $300.

IN 1909, THAT EQUATES TO $10,000.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE AND REMEMBER OUR WAR DEAD.

DENNIS: I THINK MOST AMERICANS ARE FAIRLY PATRIOTIC.

WHAT DOES THE MEMORIAL DAY.

PARADE MEAN TO THEM AND TO YOURSELF?

SHARON: I THINK IT MEANS WE COME OUT AND WE SHOW OUR PATRIOTISM BY ATTENDING DIFFERENT EVENTS FOR MEMORIAL DAY, PRIOR THAN SHOWING UP TO THE PARADE.

IF YOU COULD SEE, AND IF THEY DO COME OUT WITH THE FLAGS AND RED, WHITE AND BLUE, IT REALLY SHOWS YOU DON'T WANT TO COME OUT FOR A TRAGEDY.

YOU WANTED TO COME OUT AS A CELEBRATION FOR DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO OUR VETERANS.

IT MEANS THEY ARE SHOWING UP TO CELEBRATE THE VETERANS WHO SERVE IN THEIR COUNTRY AND PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

THAT'S WHAT IT MEANS TO PUT ON THE PARADE.

NOT ONLY FOR THE VETERANS, WHO LIKE JOHN SAYS, LIVE IT EVERY DAY.

BUT FOR THE FAMILIES WHO LOST A LOVED ONE IN THE WAR, IT MEANS A LOT.

JULIE: FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TO THE PARADE BEFORE, CAN ONE OF YOU GIVE THE DETAILS IN TERMS OF WHERE IT IS AND HOW PEOPLE SHOULD ACT AS A MEMORIAL DAY PARADE?

JULIE: I TAKES PLACE IN WEST DULUTH.

WE LINED UP ON 50 9TH AVENUE WEST RIGHT BY THE AMERICAN LEGION.

LINEUP STARTS AT 10:30.

WE STEP OFF AT 12:30.

PEOPLE, I THINK, ARE COMING AND THEY ARE RESPECTFUL.

AS THEY SHOULD BE.

BUT THE PARADE WILL GO DOWN GRAND TOWARDS A CENTRAL AVENUE, MAKE A RIGHT TURN THERE.

DENNIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SHARON AND JOHN, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

SHARON: THANK YOU.

♪ JULIE: YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF ACTIVITY IN THE HARBOR LAST WEEK AS THE UNITED STATES NAVY COMMISSIONED THE USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL.

PRODUCER A.J.

LARSON WAS THERE TO GIVE US A LOOK AT THE CEREMONY.

>> WELCOME TO THE Z ANDENITH CITY.

THE COMMISSIONING OF USS ST. PAUL MINNESOTA.

♪ >> MY NAME IS COMMANDER WHITE, COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE U.S. MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL.

SHE IS AN LCS, FREEDOM VARIANT CLASS SHIP.

OVER 40 KNOTS.

450 FEET LONG.

BILL TO BE FAST, AGILE AND MODUL E, SO YOU CAN INTERCHANGE THE MISSIONS ON THE FLY IN WHATEVER THEATER YOU NEED.

THE MOST MODULAR THING ABOUT HER IS HER CREW.

PERSONNEL HAVE TO BE DIVERSE AND SMART AND WILLING TO PICK UP AND DO MANY THINGS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE TRAINED FOR.

THIS CREW HAVE EXCELLED AT THAT.

>> IT IS GREAT TO BE WITH ALL OF YOU AT THE PORT TODAY.

TODAY IS THE DAY.

AFTER ALL THE HARD WORK THAT 140 SAILORS AND CREWMEMBERS PUT IN TO GET THIS SHIP READY, WE FINALLY SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

OR AS THE MAYOR OF DULUTH APTLY PUTS IT, THE LIGHTHOUSE ON THE HORIZON.

BECAUSE TODAY THE USS MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL OFFICIALLY JOINS THE FLEET OF THE NAVY.

>> I AM HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY TO REPRESENT LOCKHEED MARTIN.

TOGETHER WITH OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND U.S. NAVY STAND READY TO DELIVER THIS INCREDIBLE SHIP TO THE OPERATIONAL FLEET.

>> I CAN SAY IT IS ON HONOR -- AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THE NAVY TODAY AS WE WELCOME THE USS MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL TO THE FLEET.

AS A NAVAL AVIATOR THAT FLEW OFF AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, AND TALKING TO SOME OF THE FOLKS AND LOOKING IN THEIR EYES AND SEEING THE SENSE OF PRIDE THEY HAVE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY AND WHAT THIS SHIP MEANS TO THEM -- I SPOKE WITH A FEW, THAT IS NOT LOST ON ME.

FOR AN AVIATOR TO STAND UP AT THIS TIME, IT IS PRETTY COOL.

THE CREW OF THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST.

I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING COMMANDER WHITE AND MANY OF HIS SAILORS.

THE LEADERSHIP THAT HE COMMANDS AND THE GREAT SAILORS THAT ARE WITH HIM ARE SECOND TO NONE.

THEY ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST.

AND AS THEY BOARD THIS SHIP, SHE'S GOING TO SAIL ACROSS THE WORLD PROTECTING THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS COUNTRY, PROTECTING THE UNITED STATES, AND PROTECTING OUR ALLIES.

>> THERE ARE TRUE HEROES AMONGST US.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE ENDURED THE UNIMAGINABLE FOR US.

BUT THERE'S ALSO'S -- THEY ARE ALSO NEIGHBORS SITTING NEXT TO YOU WITH THE SAME HOPES AND DREAMS.

IN THIS NATION, THERE IS A FEW THAT RAISE THEIR HAND AND ARE WILLING TO SAY WE'LL DO WHAT'S NECESSARY SO YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIVES IN PEACE AND SECURITY.

AND I FOR ONE AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL THE NAVY BROUGHT THIS TO MINNESOTA TO LET US TO SHARE IN THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE COMMISSIONING OF A UNITED STATES NAVY WARSHIP.

>> OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE USS MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL MAN OUR SHIP AND BRING HER TO LIFE.

[APPLAUSE] ♪ DENNIS: THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL IS MEANT TO COLLECT, PRESERVE, AND DISSEMINATE THE HISTORIES OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA VETERANS AND VETERANS GROUPS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT ITS PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IS PROGRAM MANAGER, JAY HAGEN.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

TALK TO US ABOUT VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL.

WHAT IS ITS MISSION?

JAY: YOU KIND OF BEAT ME TO IT.

DENNIS: I DIDN'T MEAN TO.

JAY: COLLECT, PRESERVE AND DISSEMINATE THE MILITARY STORIES OF VETERANS FROM ST. LOUIS COUNTY AS WELL AS NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

DENNIS: WHO IS A TYPICAL VISITOR?

JAY: WE HAVE VETERANS THAT SHOW UP WHO ARE COMING UP FROM THE CITIES OR LOCAL VETERANS.

UNFORTUNATELY, MANY DON'T EVEN KNOW WE ARE THERE.

WE ARE NEAR THE DEPOT.

THE GALLERY TELLS THE STORY OF ALL OF OUR VETERANS.

TELLS OUR STORY AND WE HAVE THE MEDAL OF HONOR WALL OF REMEMBRANCE WHICH IS A CELEBRATION OF THOSE.

JULIE: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAIN EXHIBITS THEY HAVE ON DISPLAY?

JAY: THE PRIMARY EXHIBIT IS OUR VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL GALLERY.

THAT IS OPEN ALL THE TIME SO IT IS AROUND-THE-CLOCK AT THE DEPOT, DURING NORMAL DEPOT HOURS WHICH IS USUALLY 10:00 UNTIL 5:00 IN THE SU WINTERTIME.

IN THE SUMMERTIME, IT GOES FROM 9:00 TO 6:00.

WE ARE RUNNING A SPECIAL EXHIBIT CALLED RESILIENT READY WHICH IS A 9/11 EXHIBIT.

WHICH IS TALK ABOUT THREE LOCALS WHO WERE HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE 9/11, EITHER PARTICIPATING IN THE AFTERMATH AND GIVING THEIR REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES.

DENNIS: YOU MENTIONED THE MEDAL OF HONOR WALL.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

JAY: WE HAVE FIVE VETERANS WHO HAVE EARNED THE MEDAL OF HONOR.

YOU DON'T RECEIVE -- YOU ARE NOT VOTED, YOU EARN THE MEDAL OF HONOR.

WE HAVE FIVE LOCALS WHO HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA THAT ARE HONORED THERE.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RENOVATING THE MEDAL OF HONOR ROW.

THE FIVE -- MIKE, DALE WARNAM FROM VIETNAM.

WE HAVE HENRY COURTNEY.

WE HAVE DONALD RUDOLPH.

AND THE LAST ONE IS OSCAR NELSON.

JULIE: YOU MENTIONED MIKE.

THERE IS A MEDAL OF HONOR SCHOLARSHIP YOU OFFER.

TALK ABOUT THAT AND HOW STUDENTS CAN ACCESS IT.

JAY: THE MEDAL OF HONOR SCHOLARSHIP, YOU CAN GET THE APPLICATION ON OUR WEBSITE.

VETS-DASH.ORG.

OR YOU CAN GO TO WWW.THEH ISTORYPEOPLE.ORG.

DIRECTIONS AND APPLICATIONS ARE OUT THERE.

IT IS OPEN TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS.

THERE'S ONE STIPULATION.

YOU HAVE TO WRITE A FOUR TO 10 PAGE PAPER ABOUT A VETERAN OR VETERANS GROUP IN MINNESOTA.

THE WINNING ENTRY IS AWARDED A $1500 SCHOLARSHIP.

DENNIS: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO COLLECT THE STORIES AND HISTORIES?

JAY: THERE IS A TIE.

ALL THESE STORIES ARE BEING PRESERVED IN OUR RESEARCH CENTER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO APPRECIATE OTHERWISE, THE STORIES COULD BE LOST.

FAMILY MEMBERS.

A CASE OF MY UNCLE WHOSE STORY WAS NEVER TOLD UNTIL HIS REMAINS WERE RECOVERED.

HIS STORY PUT MUCH ENDED THERE AND WE ACTUALLY RESUSCITATED THAT STORY.

THAT IS WHAT WE PRESERVED AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS INTO PROPERLY HONOR THEM AND THEIR SURFACE AND SACRIFICE.

JULIE: ARE THERE STILL PEOPLE COMING IN TODAY WHO ARE GIVING THEIR ORAL HISTORIES AND SHARING THEIR STORIES?

JAY: YES, THAT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PROGRAMS, OUR ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM.

THE WAY IT WORKS IS A VETERAN IS INTERESTED IN TELLING THEIR STORY.

WE WILL SET THEM UP WITH A TRAINED INTERVIEWER.

THEY TELL THEIR MILITARY STORY AND THEN WE WILL TRANSCRIBE IT.

THEN, IT WILL THEN BE PUBLISHED IN THE RESEARCH CENTER FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

IT WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED ON OUR WEBSITE.

AGAIN -- IT'S A TIE WITH A SCHOLARSHIP AND THOSE RESEARCHERS WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT INFORMATION WE STORE IN THE RESEARCH CENTER, WHICH WE WILL ULTIMATELY PRESERVE AS WELL.

FOR A LOT OF STUDENTS, IT WILL BE THE FIRST CHANCE TO BE PUBLISHED.

JULIE: HOW DO PEOPLE ACCESS THIS RESEARCH?

CAN THEY GO IN AT ANY TIME AND PICK SOMEBODY OUT TO LISTEN TO OR DO THEY HAVE TO MAKE A RESERVATION WITH YOU?

JAY: IF THEY WANT DETAILED INFORMATION AND WE HAVE TO GO INTO THE ARCHIVES, YES, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A RESERVATION WITH ME AND CALL ME AND WE WILL SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.

BUT WE ARE MOVING FARTHER AND FARTHER DOWN THE LINE OF GETTING EVERYTHING ELECTRONICALLY OR DIGITALLY STORED.

THOSE STORIES ARE BEING PUBLISHED RIGHT NOW AND GETTING STORED ELECTRONICALLY.

DENNIS:DENNIS: I OFTEN HEAR SOMEONE SAY TO A VETERAN THANKS FOR SERVING.

WHAT DOES THAT SIMPLE STATEMENT MEAN TO A VETERAN?

JAY: I THINK IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO THEM.

THEY DON'T WANT ACCOLADES SO MUCH AS RECOGNITION.

THANKS FOR SERVING IS A JOB WELL DONE.

WHO WOULDN'T WANT THAT IN THEIR WORKPLACE, TO KNOW THEY HAVE DONE THEIR DUTY?

, ACCOLADES, I THINK THEY JUST WANT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WHAT THEY DID FOR THIS COUNTRY.

JULIE: IT IS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNED FOR THE WEEKEND?

JAY: WE GO INTO THE PARADE AND WE WILL ALSO BE GOING UP TO CALVARY CEMETERY FOR THE HONOR GUARD.

THAT IS JOHN MARSHALL'S GROUP, YOUR PREVIOUS GUESTS.

THEY WILL DO THEIR HONORS AT EACH OF THE CEMETERIES UP THERE.

RIGHT AT WHAT'S CALLED THE VETERANS REST UP THERE.

JULIE: WILL THE VETERANS MEMORIAL HALL ITSELF BE OPEN IF PEOPLE VISIT DULUTH THIS WEEKEND?

JAY: ABSOLUTELY.

THE VETERANS ALL IS OPEN EVERY DAY, REGULAR DEPOT HOURS.

DENNIS: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE BOOK "SUCH GOOD MEN?"

JAY: THE AUTHOR IS ALAN ANDERSON, ONE OF OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

WHAT HE DID WAS -- THERE WAS A FUNDRAISER WE DID TWO YEARS AGO FOR A REMEMBRANCE DINNER.

THE BOOK COINCIDED WITH IT.

IT TOLD A STORY OF THE FIVE MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS, PLUS MAJOR BOND FROM SUPERIOR.

HARD TO NOT INCLUDE HIM EVEN THOUGH HE WAS IN NORTHEASTERN, MINNESOTA.

JAY: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

JULIE: THANK YOU.

♪ JULIE: IT'S TIME NOW FOR VOICES OF THE REGION.

EACH WEEK, WE TALK WITH AN AREA JOURNALIST ABOUT THE STORIES THEY'RE COVERING.

OUR GUEST TODAY IS HEIDI HOLTAN WITH KAXE COMMUNITY RADIO IN GRAND RAPIDS.

♪ HEIDI: WAR IN UKRAINE CONTINUES.

WE CONNECTED RECENTLY WITH A LOCAL LEADER FROM THE GRAND RAPIDS BASED BLANDIN FOUNDATION.

BERNADINE DIRECTS THE PUBLIC POLICY AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM.

SHE RECENTLY SPENT THREE WEEKS ASSISTING REFUGEES AT THE POLISH-UKRAINE BORDER.

HER INTEREST IN THE REFUGEES AND THE WAR IN UKRAINE IS BOTH PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL.

SHE LIVED AND WORKED FOR 15 YEARS AND THE SOVIET UNION, LATER RUSSIA IN THE 1980'S AND 1990'S.

SHE WAS AT THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT.

HER SON'S FATHER IS RUSSIAN AND HER HUSBAND IS FROM UKRAINE.

IN OUR CONVERSATION, WE TALKED ABOUT HOW HER IN-LAWS WERE SYMPATHETIC TO PUTIN'S ARGUMENTS.

>> AND ALL THESE DECADES I HAVE BEEN HERE IN GRAND RAPIDS, I'VE TRIED TO KEEP MY TIES ALIVE WITH RUSSIA.

I SERVE ON A BOARD IN AN ORGANIZATION IN MINNESOTA THAT TRIES TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING WITH RUSSIA.

THROUGH THAT CONNECTION, OUT OF THE BLUE INTO MY INBOX CAME AND NOTICED THAT THIS ORGANIZATION WAS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO GO TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE AND BOLAN POLAND.

ONE QUARTER OF THE POPULATION HAS BEEN DISPLACED.

IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO SEE MYSELF AS PART OF THE SOLUTION.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY HARD FOR DECADES TO HELP THEM GET THE BROADBAND THEY NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO OPPORTUNITY.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE NUMBER ONE NEED OF THESE PEOPLE ARE WHEN THEY CROSS THE BORDER?

A SIM CARD.

A SIM CARD, SO THEY CAN USE THEIR PHONE.

YOU HAVE A PHONE, YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY.

YOU CAN BE CONNECTED.

WHEN DO THE TRAINS LEAVE, A MAP?

PEOPLE STOOD IN LINE.

BEFORE THEY WENT TO GET FOOD OR ANYTHING TO GET A NEW SIM CARD SO THEY CAN CALL AND CONNECT.

ALL HAVE OPPORTUNITY, NOT JUST IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES BUT IN THE WORLD TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

BERNADINE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE STAYED IN CONTACT WITH HIS PARENTS IN KYIV.

THEY BRIEFLY LEFT THE CITY, BUT AFTER RUSSIAN ARMORED VEHICLES CAME TO THE SMALL TOWN THEY FLED TO, THEY ARE BACK IN KYIV.

♪ WE CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE OF LOCAL FOODS AND FARMERS MARKETS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA WITH OUR FEATURE, WHAT'S FRESH?

WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT ECONOMICALLY FOR OUR REGION AND PERSONAL HEALTH.

FOOD THAT IS GROWN LOCALLY IS BETTER FOR YOU.

IT DOES NOT INVOLVE TRANSPORTATION EMISSIONS AND IT CONNECTS US TO THE LAND WE LIVE.

LAST WEEK, WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH LIZ, OWNER AND OPERATOR OF SOUL-FED FARMS, A WOMAN RUN MICRO FARM THAT RECENTLY BECAME THE FIRST FARM IN MINNESOTA TO BECOME A CERTIFIED NATIONALLY GROWN DESIGNATION.

>> I FOUND A TON OF VALUE IN GROWING FOOD JUST FOR US.

JUST THE AMAZING CONCEPT THAT IN THE DEAD OF WINTER, I CAN GO OUT AND GRAB SOME POTATOES OR ONIONS FROM OUR GARDEN THAT WE GREW FOR FIVE MONTH AGO.

OR SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CANNED OR SOMETHING OUT OF THE FREEZER, AND ALL OF THAT CAME FROM OUR GROUND AND OUR HARD WORK.

I TOOK THIS CONCEPT AND RAN WITH IT.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO, I LOOKED AT MY WIFE AND I SAID, I REALLY WANT TO GROW FOOD FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

GOOD, HEALTHY FOOD.

AND REALLY INTERESTING VARIETIES.

SOME OF THE HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE FLAVOR LIKE THAT FROM A GROCERY STORE.

HEIDI: LIZ TOLD US THE WEATHER HAS BEEN SLOWING DOWN THE GROWING SEASON THIS YEAR BUT THERE'S LOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

SHE STARTED SEEDLINGS INSIDE FOR PEPPERS, TOMATOES AND ASPARAGUS.

SOUL FED FARMS HAS STRAWBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES AND MORE.

THE FARM WILL HAVE A STAND AT THE HILLSIDE MARKET IN DULUTH AND INVITE THE PUBLIC TO VISIT THEIR FARM.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MICRO FARMING OR SIGN-UP.

♪ FINALLY, OUR REPORTER KATIE CARTER BROUGHT US A STORY RECENTLY ABOUT HOW NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA FOUNDATION HAS CREATED A LANDLORD MITIGATION FUND TO LEND A HAND TO HOMELESS YOUTH.

THE FUND WILL CONNECT LANDLORDS WITH THE HOMELESS YOUTH 25 AND YOUNGER WHO CANNOT FIND HOUSING DUE TO THEIR AGE AND HISTORY.

THE WILL LEARN TO DEVELOP POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPPORTING HOUSING PROVIDERS.

KYLE BURRELL IS A LANDLORD PARTICIPATING.

>> LET'S AY THE REFRIGERATOR GOES OUT, IT IS AMAZING HOW EVEN INTIMIDATING SOME KIDS CAN BE LIKE.

I DIDN'T WANT TO TELL YOU, I WAS AFRAID MY FRIDGE WASN'T WORKIN.

IT'S NOT ON YOU.

SOME OF THOSE BASIC SKILLS -- EVEN, HAVE HAD A YOUNGER TENANT TELL ME I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO FILL OUT AN ADDRESS TO MAIL AN ENVELOPE.

IT'S CRAZY THAT SOME OF THE BASIC SKILLS THAT SOME OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LACKING.

IT'S NOT ANYTHING DIFFICULT.

HEY, IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT OR SHOWN, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE.

THAT IS WHERE I TAKE ENJOYMENT IN HELPING PEOPLE, HAVING A SAFE PLACE FOR SOMEONE TO STAY IN PROVIDING THAT FOR THEM IS WORLD CHANGING.

♪ JULIE: THAT'S OUR TIME THIS WEEK, BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH OUR LATEST UPDATES BY FOLLOWING "ALMANAC NORTH" ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATION.

AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING OF ALMANAC NORTH AND YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS.

DENNIS, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A LOT GOING ON THIS WEEKEND TO HONOR THOSE WHO DIED IN SERVICE.

DENNIS: IT IS A GREAT WEEKEND TO GET OUT AND DO SOME -- MAKE SOME KIND OF HONOR IN YOUR MIND AS TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN WAR.

THIS IS THE WEEKEND TO DO THAT.

GOOD WEEKEND TO SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY.

JULIE: GOOD ADVICE.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND OUR CREW IN THE STUDIO.

WITH DENNIS ANDERSON, I'M JULIE ZENNER.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪