♪ MAARJA: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH."

I AM MAARJA HEWITT.

BRETT: WE'RE HEARING FROM A AREA NONPROFIT AS THEY WERE TO DO -- WORK TO IMPACT OUR REGION.

MAARJA: PLUS, WE'RE HEADING OUT ON THE ICE TO SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO COMPETE AS A FIGURE SKATER.

BRETT: THAT IS ALL COMING UP.

BUT FIRST, WE BEGIN, BIG NEWS FOR DULUTH HOMEOWNERS AND PROSPECTIVE BUYERS.

THE DULUTH HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS SECURED NEARLY $1.7 MILLION IN FUNDING TO HELP SUPPORT TWO KEY HOUSING PROJECTS.

$300,000 FOR EXTERIOR RENOVATIONS AND FUEL OIL CONVERSIONS FOR LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS TO HELP REDUCE UTILITY COSTS.

ADDITIONALLY, $1.3 MILLION TO HELP FUND THE BUILDING AND SALE OF 15 NEW HOMES IN THE MORGAN PARK AND CENTRAL HILLSIDE NEIGHBORHOODS.

MAYOR ROGER REINERT APPLAUD THE HRA STATING THAT EXPANDING HOME OPTIONS IS CRUCIAL TO REACHING DULUTH'S 2030 POPULATION GOAL OF 90,000 RESIDENTS.

MAARJA: STARTING JANUARY 29, 2025, THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST IS UPDATING THE PROCESS FOR THRU-HIKERS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILL -- WILDERNESS.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL, TWO NEW ENTRY POINTS, NCT EAST NUMBER 90 AND AND CT WEST NUMBER 91 WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR HIKERS TO LEGALLY CROSS THE GUNFLINT TRAIL AND RE-ENTER THE BWCAW WITHOUT NEEDING MULTIPLE PERMITS.

THIS CHANGE WILL REDUCE FEES AND SIMPLIFY THE PROCESS FOR HIKERS ON THE BORDER ROUTE AND KEKEKABIC TRAILS.

THE UPDATE FOLLOWS COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL TRAIL GROUPS AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, AND AIMS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO ONE OF THE LARGEST WILDERNESS SECTIONS OF THE NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL.

BRETT: AND FINALLY, THIS WEEK REPRESENTATIVES LIISH KOZLOWSKI AND JOHNSON VISITED DULUTH.

OUR TEAM MET UP WITH THEM TO DISCUSS THEIR TRIP.

♪ >> I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT UNION GOSPEL MISSION.

WE ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE TO HAVE THE TWO REPRESENTATIVES JOIN US SO THAT WE CAN SHOW THEM WHAT WORK WE ARE DOING NOW AND EXPLAIN THE CAPACITY WE HAVE REACHED, AND THE GOALS WE HAVE FOR THE FUTURE.

THE BIGGEST BEING OUR RELOCATION AND EXPANSION, AND THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN HERE AT BOTH A STATE LEVEL BUT ALSO THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> I AM OUT HERE WITH REPRESENTATIVE PETE JOHNSON AND MYSELF, BRINGING THE CAPITAL TO THE COMMUNITY.

AS LEGISLATORS WHO ARE RUNNERS, ACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHO ARE PARENTS, AND REALLY LOOKING TO DRIVE FORWARD COMMUNITY LED SOLUTIONS, WHILE WE ARE AWAY FROM THE HOUSE FLOOR AND EVERYTHING THAT IS TRANSPIRING IN ST. PAUL.

WE CONTINUE TO DO OUR WORK BEYOND JUST BEHIND A DESK.

SO WE ARE OUT HERE VISITING FUTURE BONDING PROJECT, FUTURE HOUSING PROJECTS, AND MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND CONTINUING TO LIVE AROUND OUR PROMISE TO WORK AND DRIVE SOLUTIONS FORWARD FOR DULUTH.

>> OUR PRIMARY PROGRAM IS OUR MEAL PROGRAM.

WE HAVE SERVED -- WE SERVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND WE HAVE A SUMMER PROGRAM FOR KIDDOS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE ALSO HAVE HOUSING INITIATIVES, WE HAVE A HOUSING FACILITY UPSTAIRS WHERE WE OFFER 20 BEDROOMS FOR GUESTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

AND THEN ALL DAY LONG WE ARE GETTING OUT HYGIENE ITEMS, WARM CLOTHES, BLANKETS, WHATEVER OUR GUESTS MAY NEED.

IF IT IS THE WINTER TIME, WE ARE GIVING OUT HATS, MITTENS.

IF IT'S THE SUMMER, SUNSCREEN, T-SHIRTS, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE.

WE ARE LUCKY TO BE HERE, BE ABLE TO OFFER THAT.

WE OFFER A WARM SPACE ALL WEEK LONG FOR GUESTS TO STAY WITH US DURING THE DAY, SO THEY CAN STAY OUTSIDE OF THE BRUTAL ELEMENTS OUTDOORS.

AND HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE, USE THE BATHROOM, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> WHEN I GOT ELECTED, MY PLAN WAS NOT JUST TO BE SITTING IN AN OFFICE IN ST. PAUL.

IT WAS GOING TO BE TALKING TO PEOPLE, GETTING FEEDBACK, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE TODAY.

>> WE HAVE MASSIVE HOUSING NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND FOOD INSECURITY WE WANT TO TACKLE.

OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES IN STREETS THAT WE ARE HERE STANDING BY.

WE CAN GET IN AND PASS A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET, PASS A BONDING BILL, AND DO GOOD POLICY FOR MINNESOTA.

>> IF I HAVE SOMEBODY THAT HAS AN ISSUE, LIKE IF THEY WANTED TO COME DOWN AND LOBBY FOR THE UNION GOSPEL MISSION, GENERALLY THEY WILL GET A 15 MINUTE TIME SLOT AND IT IS OFF TO THE NEXT THING.

THIS GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A TOUR, GET OUR EYES ON IT, TO SEE THE SPACE AND HAVE A MUCH MORE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NEEDS AND ULTIMATELY WILL MAKE US BETTER AT ADVOCATING FOR THOSE NEEDS WHEN WE ARE BACK DOWN IN ST. PAUL.

ULTIMATELY, IT IS SAVING THOSE FOLKS THE TRIP DOWN, AND SOME ASPECTS BY GIVING THEM MORE TIME TO EDUCATE US ON ISSUES THEY ARE HAVING, SO WE CAN BE BETTER ADVOCATES.

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE IN THIS ROLE IF I DID NOT CARE ABOUT THE FOLKS OF -- FOLKS I GET TO WORK WITH.

WE ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE THAT THE GUESTS ALLOW US TO BE PART OF OUR LIVES, SHARE OUR STORIES, AND TO BE WITH US ON THIS JOURNEY.

MAARJA: OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS TRACIE CLANAUGH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FIRST WITNESS CHILD -- ADVOCACY CENTER IN DULUTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH FIRST WITNESS, MAYBE YOU CAN START WITH AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR MISSION AND WHAT YOU DO.

>> SURE.

I CAN START WITH THAT.

OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES RESPONSE -- COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE.

WE HAVE ALSO A VISION WE STAND FIRM WITH, AND THAT IS THAT WE ENVISION A SOCIETY THAT SUPPORTS CHILDREN, AND PUTS AN END TO CHILD ABUSE.

THAT IS OUR BOLD VISION.

WE WORK TOWARDS IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

BRETT: THAT'S WONDERFUL.

YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THIS REGION?

>> IT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION.

I GUESS I WANT TO SAY THE MISSION AND THE VISION IS WHAT DREW ME TO FIRST WITNESS.

I HAVE A BACKGROUND TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN.

AND JUST TO LOOK AND THINK AHEAD, THAT ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER IN OUR COMMUNITY, THERE ARE THINGS WE ALL CAN DO TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE SAFE, BUT THEY ARE NURTURED, THAT THEIR FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED.

THAT'S WHAT DREW ME TO THE ORGANIZATION.

>> LET'S -- WHAT SERVICES DOES FIRST WITNESS OFFERED?

>> I CAN ANSWER THAT.

WHEN THERE IS AN ALLEGED CASE OF CHILD ABUSE, A REPORT IS MADE TO EITHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SOCIAL SERVICES, THAT INVESTIGATOR WILL CALL FIRST WITNESS AND SET UP WHAT WE CALL A FORENSIC INTERVIEW.

OUR FORENSIC INTERVIEWS ARE CHILD FRIENDLY, THEY ARE CULTURALLY AFFIRMING, AND THEY ARE LEGALLY SOUND.

THE TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS LOOK ON AT THAT INTERVIEW THROUGH A CAMERA, AND OUR INTERVIEWERS, WE HAVE THREE PROFESSIONAL FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS THAT DO THE INTERVIEWS WITH THE CHILDREN.

IT IS A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDREN TO COME AND TALK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE.

AND, LIKE I SAID, IT IS A FORENSICALLY SOUND SPACE.

CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THEIR STORY, AND IF THEY ARE NOT READY TO TELL THEIR STORY, THAT'S OK TOO.

DURING THAT TIME, WE ALSO HAVE ADVOCACY.

THE CAREGIVERS OF THE CHILDREN ALSO RECEIVE ADVOCACY SERVICES.

LASTLY, WE KNOW THAT WE CAN'T ACHIEVE THAT VISION WITHOUT DOING PREVENTION.

WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH ALL OF THE LOCAL SCHOOLS, GOING IN AND TALKING TO CHILDREN, TALKING TO PARENTS, TALKING TO TEACHERS, LOTS OF YOUTH SERVING AGENCIES TO ENSURE THEY ARE ALL INVOLVED IN PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE.

BRETT: DEFINITELY.

IN TODAY'S WORLD, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING YOUTH AND CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY AND WELL-BEING?

>> SO MANY THINGS THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.

I THINK OF BULLYING.

WHAT CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO SOMETIMES, EITHER ONLINE OR THROUGH VIOLENCE.

SO THAT'S WHY I AM APPRECIATIVE OF THE EXPERTISE THAT FIRST WITNESS BRINGS.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR EDUCATION AND PREVENTION TO CHILDREN, THEY LEARN HOW TO TELL AN ADULT, WHAT TYPES OF THINGS THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO LET SOMEONE ELSE KNOW THAT THEY ARE BEING EXPOSED TO.

MAARJA: WHAT DOES FUNDING LOOK LIKE FOR FIRST WITNESS?

WHAT DO THOSE EFFORTS LOOK LIKE?

>> US A GREAT QUESTION.

WE HAVE A MIX OF FUNDING.

WE DO BENEFIT FROM TREMENDOUS GENEROSITY FROM OUR COMMUNITY.

BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS TO FIRST WITNESS.

AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL.

WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF FOUNDATIONAL GRANTS FROM SOME OF OUR LOCAL FOUNDATIONS AND SOME OF THE STATEWIDE FOUNDATIONS.

WE ARE ALSO A NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER.

REVENUE FROM THE TRAINING THAT OUR STAFF DOES AROUND THE COUNTRY, WE TRAIN BOTH ON ADVOCACY AND FORENSIC INTERVIEWING, AND PREVENTION.

THE DOLLARS FROM THOSE TRAININGS ARE PART OF OUR FUNDING MIX.

LASTLY, WE DO HAVE FUNDING FROM BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES AS WELL.

BRETT: SURE.

HOW DOES FIRST WITNESS, HOW ARE YOU SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN CRISIS IN THE REGION?

SPECIFICALLY MAY BE THE ADULTS WHO ARE FACING THOSE CHALLENGES.

>> WE DO HAVE A NEW BUILDING NOW.

WE JUST MOVED IN THIS YEAR.

BUT IT IS SO WONDERFUL THAT WE HAVE SERVICES NOW IN ONE PLACE.

SO CHILDREN CAN COME AND TELL THEIR STORY.

WE HAVE BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED, HOMEY AREAS FOR THE FAMILIES, TO MEET WITH OUR ADVOCATES.

WE EVEN HAVE A SPACE FOR MEDICAL EXAMS.

WE HAVE A SPIRITUAL ROOM SO PEOPLE CAN SPEND TIME IN THERE IN A WAY THAT CAN BE SUPPORTIVE TO THEM.

I JUST THINK IT IS SUCH A GEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THE SMALL STAFF THAT WORKS THERE, LIKE TRACY SAID, WE ARE A NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER.

PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY COME TO THE TRAININGS WE HAVE.

WHEN SHE SPEAKS ABOUT OUR FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, I AM IMPRESSED AS A BOARD MEMBER WHEN I LISTEN TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PEOPLE IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, HOW MUCH THEY DEPEND ON OUR INTERVIEWS -- INTERVIEWERS TO MAKE SURE THEY DO A REALLY PROFESSIONAL, LEGALLY SOUND INTERVIEW.

IT'S A WONDERFUL SPACE TO SUPPORT FAMILIES.

MAARJA: IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A -- IT IS OBVIOUSLY SUCH A VERY IMPORTANT NONPROFIT, THAT WE WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE.

BUT YOU ARE DOING AMAZING WORK, AND THIS TRAINING THAT DRAWS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE NATION.

DO OTHER CITIES SIMILAR SIZED TO DULUTH HAVE RESOURCES LIKE FIRST WITNESS?

>> I CAN SPEAK TO THAT.

THE CONCEPT OF CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS CAME ON THE SCENE ABOUT 35 YEARS AGO.

DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY WERE EARLY ADOPTERS OF THIS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER MODEL.

AND WE HAD A TREMENDOUS GROUP OF LEADERS, INCLUDING OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THAT TIME, MARK RUBIN, WHO REALLY CHAMPIONED THE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER MODEL.

AND, SO SINCE THEN, ABOUT 1100 CHILD ADVOCACY CENTERS HAVE POPPED UP AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO IT IS A MODEL THAT WORKS.

IT IS A MODEL THAT KEEPS CHILDREN SAFE.

IT IS A MODEL THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES DURING A TIME OF CRISIS.

AND IT IS A MODEL THAT REALLY BRINGS RESOURCES TO FAMILIES IN TIMES WHEN THEY REALLY NEED THEM.

BRETT: HE MENTIONED REACHING OUT TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE REGION.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE FOR A CLASSROOM PRESENTATION?

WHAT ARE THE KIDS LOOKING FOR?

>> THANKS FOR THAT QUESTION.

WE LOVE OUR PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAM.

AND WE LOVE OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE SCHOOLS.

WE NOW ARE REALLY HAPPY THAT ENTIRE DISTRICTS HAVE SIGNED ON TO OUR PREVENTION EDUCATION MODEL PRIOR TO THIS.

THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A SCHOOL HERE, A SCHOOL THERE, A TEACHER HERE OR THERE.

PARTICULARLY OUR DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS,, AND HAVE ALL ENGAGED IN OUR SAFE AND STRONG CHILD PROGRAM.

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS OUR PREVENTION EDUCATORS GO INTO CLASSROOMS, ALL OF THE CLASSROOMS, EVERY YEAR, AND THEN THEY ALSO TALK TO THE TEACHERS IN A TEACHER CENTER.

AND THEN ALSO, A CAREGIVER SESSION IS HELD AT ALL OF THE SCHOOLS.

RECOGNIZING THAT CHILDREN CAN'T DO THIS ALONE.

THEY CAN'T KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE ALONE.

WE NEED TO STEP UP AS A COMMUNITY, AND THOSE WHO ARE WORKING WITH CHILDREN ARE REALLY MANY IMPORTANT PART OF THAT EQUATION.

>> FOLKS SITTING AT HOME WHO ARE LEARNING ABOUT FIRST WITNESS, WANT TO BE PART OF IT, HOW CAN THEY GET INVOLVED?

>> BECAUSE OUR SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL, AND WE REALLY WORK HARD TO KEEP THE CHILDREN IN A PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL SPACE, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, OTHER THAN OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

SO, PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY CAN CERTAINLY HELP US BY PROVIDING FUNDING, AND THEY CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND DO THAT.

BUT ALSO, WE KNOW THAT WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR COMMUNITY.

IF WE ARE GOING TO END CHILD ABUSE, EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT.

SUPPORTING YOUR NEIGHBORS, SUPPORTING THE CHILDREN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SUPPORTING HER CHILDREN THAT ARE IN YOUR LIVES, THINKING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO KEEP THEM SAFE, THAT'S REALLY WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO.

BRETT: ON THIS COLD WINTER DAY, WE ARE THINKING ABOUT SPRING.

YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING EVENT.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> WE HAVE OUR ANNUAL SPRING SPLASH, OUR GALA WHERE WE GET TOGETHER AND WE HEAR THE STORIES OF FOR -- OF FIRST WITNESS.

WE HEAR THE WONDERFUL THINGS THAT THE STAFF ARE DOING.

WE HAVE GAMES, AMAZING FOOD.

I COULD GO ON AND ON.

WE HAVE A SILENT AUCTION.

BUT THEN, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO FUND SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AT FOR -- AT FIRST WITNESS.

THEY MAY WANT TO FUND OUR FORENSIC INTERVIEWERS, OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

IT'S JUST A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY THAT IS COMING UP APRIL 10, FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED.

EITHER ATTEND OR SUPPORT AS A SPONSOR OR SILENT AUCTION.

MAARJA: MARKET ON THE CALENDAR.

BRETT: WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SPRING.

THINK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> YOU SO MUCH.

BRETT: ON THIS WEEK'S "MAKING IT UP NORTH," OUR TEAM MET A LOCAL ARTIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN PRISM GLASS ARTIST.

TAKE A LOOK.

♪ >> I STARTED MAKING GLASS WINDOWS IN ABOUT 1974.

MY FUTURE BROTHER-IN-LAW TAUGHT ME HOW TO CUT GLASS.

AND I WENT ON FROM THERE.

I MADE ABOUT 25 DIFFERENT WINDOWS FOR OUR -- FOR AROUND TOWN.

MY OWN HOUSES, I HAD DINING ROOM WINDOWS.

FLAMERS, BAR, WILLIES, MARAS BAR, HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH IN VIRGINIA, REBUILT A LOT OF OLD WINDOWS FOR FATHER PAT.

AND THEN ONE DAY, I SAW DURING WORK, SUSIE BLOOMS DOWN THE STREET HERE AND SHE HAD THIS GLASS WINDOW IN THE BACK THAT SAYS GATELY'S.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE GLASSING.

DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.

20 YEARS LATER, I AM DRIVING BY, AND THEY HAD TORN DOWN THE ARROWHEAD BARN SIGN, PUT UP A PIZZA SIGN THEY TORE THAT DOWN.

AND AS ALL THE WINDOWS AT THE FRONT.

I STOPPED AND ASKED WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO WITH THEM.

JEREMY SAID, I THINK MIKE -- I MIGHT KNOW SOMEBODY THAT MIGHT WORK ON THOSE.

SO I CAME BACK A FEW DAYS LATER, AND I GOT THE JOB FOR FREE.

UPDATED THE MATERIAL AND I OFFERED TO DO IT, BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO SEE THOSE WINDOWS BACKUP.

EVERY STOREFRONT IN THE COUNTRY HAD THESE WINDOWS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT TO THE BACK OF THE BUILDING BEFORE THEY EVEN HAD POWER, BACK IN THE EARLY 1800S, 1880'S, 1870.

THESE WINDOWS HERE HAVE A FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT PATENT STYLE OF GLASS.

I THINK THERE ARE 108 OF THEM IN THESE FOUR WINDOWS.

THEY ARE JUST A DIFFERENT LOOK TO THEM.

I'VE ALWAYS LOVED THIS, AND IT TOOK ME FOUR MONTHS TO DO THESE WINDOWS.

THEY WERE PAINTED GREEN ON THE INSIDE, AND THE OLD DAYS WHEN IT WAS A BAR.

THEY DIDN'T WANT THE LIGHT, SO I STRIPPED ALL THAT PAINT OFF.

60 PIECES AT A TIME.

THREE DAYS TO DO 60 PIECES AND I PUT 60 MORE, SCRUB THEM OFF, GET THE PAINT OFF.

THEN 560 PIECES LATER, I STARTED TO BUILD WINDOWS.

THE FIRST ONE WAS A STRUGGLE.

I RAN OUT OF MATERIAL, SO WE ORDERED NEW ONES FROM COLORADO.

THEY HAD THEM DIRECTLY SHIPPED TO MY HOUSE.

AND I STARTED CUTTING, AND IT WENT A LOT EASIER WITH THE PROPER MATERIAL.

THE LAST COUPLE WINDOWS WERE KIND OF LIKE, REALLY EASY.

I WAS GETTING A LITTLE SMARTER, AND LITTLE EASIER FOR ME.

IT'S GOING TO WORK.

CREATED THEM UP AND HAULED THEM INTO TOWN, AND IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE I FINISHED.

THEY ARE UP AND IN, AND I'M THRILLED.

I WOULD LIKE SOME OTHER STORES AROUND THE AREA TO MAYBE DO THE SAME THING, THOUGH THERE WINDOWS UP.

AGAIN, THIS IS ALL MADE TO DIRECT, THE GLASS HAS SLACKS AND GROOVES ON IT, AND THEY POINT UP, AND IT SHINES A LIGHT BACK.

JUST A REFLECTION AND IT GOES UP.

IT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT THING OF, YOU CAN JUST SEE ON A CLOUDY DAY, 30 OR 40 FEET OF THE CEILING IS LIT UP.

IT IS A WHOLE DIFFERENT LOOK.

A LITTLE BRIGHTNESS COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS PAINTED GREEN.

IT WAS A REAL DARK PLACE BACK THEN.

SO, I'M THRILLED.

AND I ENJOYED IT.

AND I'M GLAD THAT PAMELA AND DENNIS WILL HAVE A NICE FUN BAR HERE.

♪ BRETT: IT IS FUN TO SEE HOW TEDIOUS THAT IS.

MAARJA: I HAD NO IDEA THAT THAT WAS THE STANDARD, MAIN STREET LOOK, WAS THOSE SPECIAL GLASS PRISM WINDOWPANES.

BRETT: AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW THEY ARE POINTING UP AND LETTING THE LIGHT IN.

MAARJA: VERY COOL THAT HE IS RESTORING THEM.

BRETT: THAT'S WONDERFUL.

MAARJA: FINALLY, OUR VENTURE NORTH TEAM SLID INTO THE WORLD OF FIGURE SKATING AT THE DECC.

THEY HEARD FROM ORGANIZERS AND COMPETITORS TO LEARN WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT AND WHAT IT TAKES TO FIND SUCCESS ON THE ICE.

♪ >> I AM THE MARKETING CHAIR OF THE FIGURE SKATING CLUB.

>> IT HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 1979.

IT HAS HELPED US COMPENSATE FOR ICE TIME BECAUSE ICE IS SUPER EXPENSIVE IN DULUTH WITH ALL THE HOCKEY TEAMS WHICH I'M SURE YOU KNOW ABOUT.

IT'S ONE OF OUR LARGEST FUNDRAISERS OF THE YEAR, AND IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

OH MY GOSH.

WE START PREPPING FOR THIS EVENT IN JULY TO GET IT READY, BECAUSE THERE ARE OFFICIALS TO ORGANIZE AND FLY IN, WE HAVE 40 OFFICIALS THAT FLY IN OR DRIVE UP OR IN TO JUDGE COMPETITION, OFFICIATE OVER THE COMPETITION.

AND THEN WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HELPED LEAD IT THROUGH U.S.

FIGURE SKATING.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE COME UP TO HELP WITH THIS EVENT.

IT IS THE LARGEST FIGURE SKATING COME EDITION THAT IS NONQUALIFIED.

IF YOU ARE NOT GOING THE LIMBIC TRACK, THAN YOU ARE GOING TO DO THE OTHER COMPETITIONS WHICH IS CALLED EXCEL.

THE EXCEL COMPETITION IS WHERE THERE IS A NATIONAL EVENT, YOU JUST WANT TO COMPETE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT LOOKING TO GO TO THE LIMBIC.

IT IS A REALLY COOL -- IT'S LIKE A SISTER PATHWAY TO GO THROUGH FIGURES GETTING.

>> MY NAME IS ELIZABETH.

I'M DOING EXCEL NOVICE FIRST GATE AT NORTHLAND COMPETITION.

I'VE BEEN SKATING FOR A LITTLE OVER 14 YEARS.

I STARTED REALLY YOUNG.

BUT THEN DOING SKATING AND STUFF.

THEN JOINED THE DULUTH FIGURE SKATING CLUB.

USUALLY DO THREE TO FOUR COMPETITIONS BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE.

>> WE HAVE 608 COMPETITORS, OKLAHOMA CITY, KANSAS CITY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK.

LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A COLLEGE STUDENT GOING TO A COLLEGE IN THE U.S. THAT WANT THAT -- THAT WANTED TO COMPETE.

SHE WAS FROM THE FEDERATION OF JAPAN.

THEY COME FROM EVERYWHERE.

WE HAVE ADULT SKATERS, AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS NORMAL.

OR NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE.

WE TRY TO MAKE IT A BIG PART OF OUR COMPETITION TO OFFER IT.

ADULTS THAT FIGURE SKATE DO AT THEIR ENTIRE LIVES.

OUR OLDEST COMPETITOR IS 86 YEARS OLD.

SHE HAS BEEN COMPETING FOR LIKE 56 YEARS.

>> IF YOU ARE SOMEONE THAT WANTS TO GET INTO SKATING, AND YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT IT AND ON THE EDGE AND YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO DO IT, I DEFINITELY SUGGEST YOU DO IT.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO PUSH YOURSELF AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE.

I HAVE MOST OF MY BIGGEST CHALLENGES IN FIGURE SKATING.

AND I THINK THAT HAS HELPED ME PREPARE FOR FUTURE EVENTS THAT I WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH, LIKE GETTING OLDER AND OTHER THINGS I NEED TO ACCOMPLISH.

I THINK FIGURE SKATING IS A REALLY BIG PART THAT HELPS YOU GET OVER THAT STUFF.

IF YOU ARE SOMEONE THAT JUST WANTS TO FIGURE SKATE FOR FUN, I SUGGEST YOU JOIN LEARN TO SKATE OR JOIN A FIGURE SKATING CLUB BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD DO.

I REALLY SUGGESTED IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> FIGURE SKATING IS VERY FUN.

IT IS A LIFELONG SPORT.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING, THEY TYPICALLY STAY INVOLVED SOMEHOW FROM -- FROM WHEN THEY ARE LITTLE SKATING, THEY END UP BEING A COACH, OFFICIALS, A JUDGE.

THEY END UP VOLUNTEERING BECAUSE THEY LOVE THE SPORT.

IT'S A VERY INCLUSIVE, EVERYBODY CAN DO IT BECAUSE IT IS AN INDIVIDUALISTIC SPORT.

YOU'RE NOT ON A TEAM, YOU HAVE TO WIN TO PROCEED FORWARD.

WITH YOUR SKATING, YOU MAKE THE PODIUM OR NOT.

BUT IF YOU ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PODIUM, MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE PODIUM, THEY ARE MORE GEARED TOWARD IF THEY DID MORE POINTS THAN THEY DID LAST TIME.

IF A SKATER HAD 36 THIS TIME, NEXT TIME THEY WILL SHOOT FOR 40 POINTS.

THEIR POINT DEPENDENT ON HOW MANY EXTRA ROTATIONS ARE ON A SPIN, HOW LONG THEY HELD THIS ONE SPIRAL, THE LEGO BEHIND YOU THING.

IT IS A SPORT WHERE YOU GET TO PUT TOGETHER YOUR PIECES IN YOUR OWN, AND BUILD YOUR POINT SYSTEM, AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A SCORE.

THAT IS THE ONLY SPORT THAT'S LIKE THAT.

IT'S REALLY COOL.

IT IS EVERYBODY'S OWN SPORT.

♪ BRETT: THAT WAS SO INSPIRATIONAL.

MAARJA: I'M STUCK ON THE FACT THAT THERE IS AN 86-YEAR-OLD THAT IS COMPETING.

THAT IS SO IMPRESSIVE.

SKATING IS A LIFELONG SPORT.

BRETT: IT TRULY IS.

HOW ARE YOU AT SKATING?

MAARJA: NOT FOR ME.

BRETT: LIKE I WAS SAYING, I CAN SKATE AROUND IN A CIRCLE BUT I AM NOT FLIPPING IN THE AIR.

MAARJA: I TOOK SKATING LESSONS.

I DIDN'T HAVE A NATURAL TALENT.

BRETT: I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO DO.

AND I WOULD GET COLD OUT THERE.

MAARJA: IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE OLYMPIC SPORTS.

LOVE TO WATCH IT.

BRETT: IT'S ENJOYABLE.

WE HAVE A LOT MORE SKATING TIME THIS WINTER.

MAARJA: THAT'S RIGHT.

BRETT: THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S SHOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

I'M BRETT SCOTT.

MAARJA: AND I AM MAARJA HEWITT.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

♪