WDSE WDSE ♪ BRETT: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH," I’M BRETT SCOTT.

MAARJA: AND I’M MAARJA HEWITT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE FIRST EPISODE OF OUR 34TH SEASON.

BRETT: TONIGHT, WE’RE TAKING A LOOK AT THE 2025 REAL ESTATE MARKET AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT BUYERS AND SELLERS.

MAARJA: WE’RE ALSO INTRODUCING TWO NEW SHOW SEGMENTS THAT HIGHLIGHT PEOPLE AND PLACES AROUND THE REGION.

BRETT: THAT IS ALL COMING UP.

BUT FIRST, WE BEGIN THIS EVENING, THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES HAS CONFIRMED ITS FIRST CASE OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN A WILD DEER FROM CHIPPEWA COUNTY.

THE INFECTED DEER, A 1-YEAR-OLD BUCK, WAS HARVESTED WITHIN 10 MILES OF BARRON AND DUNN COUNTIES.

AS A RESULT, A 3-YEAR BAITING AND FEEDING BAN HAS BEEN RENEWED FOR CHIPPEWA COUNTY, WHILE BARRON COUNTY’S 2-YEAR BAN REMAINS IN EFFECT.

A PUBLIC MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON FEBRUARY 6TH TO DISCUSS CWD IN THE AREA.

CWD IS A FATAL DISEASE THAT CAN SPREAD THROUGH INFECTED SALIVA, BLOOD, AND WASTE.

FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT THE DNR’S WEBSITE.

MAARJA: THE NORTHLAND FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED $32,500 IN MAADA’OOKIING GRANTS TO TEN INDIVIDUALS ACROSS NORTHEAST MINNESOTA.

THE GRANTS, WHICH SUPPORT NATIVE AMERICAN-LED CULTURAL PROJECTS, ARE AIMED AT ENGAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN TRADITIONAL PRACTICES, LANGUAGE LEARNING, AND ARTS.

GRANTEES ARE WORKING ON A RANGE OF INITIATIVES, FROM TEACHING OJIBWE FLORAL ART AND MOCCASIN-MAKING TO PRESERVING THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE AND ORGANIZING TRADITIONAL WINTER GAMES.

THE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS THE DEEP CULTURAL CONNECTIONS AND DIVERSE PROJECTS HAPPENING ACROSS THE REGION.

FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT NORTHLANDFOUNDATION.ORG.

BRETT: DESPITE LESS THAN FAVORABLE WINTER CONDITIONS THIS SEASON, THE 19TH ANNUAL ASHWABAY SUMMIT NORDIC SKI RACE IS SET FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST.

SKIERS CAN CHOOSE FROM 15K OR 30K RACE DISTANCES ON THE SCENIC, WELL-GROOMED TRAILS WITH VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR.

NEW THIS YEAR, THE EVENT WILL FEATURE THE POPULAR SKIATHLON, WHERE COMPETITORS SWITCH BETWEEN CLASSIC AND SKATE SKIING.

PARTICIPANTS WILL BE TREATED TO PIE AT THE FINISH LINE, AND THE EVENT ALSO SERVES AS A BIRKIE QUALIFIER.

FUNDS RAISED WILL SUPPORT THE AMOUNT -- THE MT.

ASHWABAY’S YOUTH PROGRAMS AND GROOMING OPERATIONS.

FOR MORE INFO, VISIT ASHWABAY SUMMITSKIRACE.COM.

MAARJA: THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION IS INVESTING 121 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP TRIBAL COMMUNITIES BUILD CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

A HISTORIC 124 PROJECTS ACROSS 96 TRIBES AND 10 TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS WILL RECEIVE FUNDING TO ADDRESS CLIMATE-RELATED THREATS, ADAPT INFRASTRUCTURE, AND RELOCATE WHEN NECESSARY.

THIS FUNDING, PART OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT AND BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW, SUPPORTS CLIMATE PLANNING, HABITAT RESTORATION, AND COMMUNITY-LED RELOCATION EFFORTS.

THE INVESTMENT ALSO SUPPORTS THE JUSTICE40 INITIATIVE, ENSURING THAT 40% OF FEDERAL BENEFITS GO TO DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE FUNDING, VISIT THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS WEBSITE.

BRETT: NEXT UP IS "MAKING IT UP NORTH," A SHORT SEGMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS PEOPLE MAKING UNIQUE AND WONDERFUL THINGS AROUND OUR REGION.

THIS WEEK OUR TEAM VISITED THE SPIRIT MOUNTAIN SKI RESORT TO WATCH AND LEARN HOW THEY MAKE SNOW FOR THEIR SLOPES.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> I AM THE TRAIL MAINTENANCE MANAGER AT SPIRIT MOUNTAIN.

THIS TIME OF YEAR, I OVERSEE ALL OF THE GROOMING AND SNOW MAKING PROCESS THAT IS GOING ON NOW.

♪ HOW SNOW IS MADE?

WE PUMP WATER FROM THE RIVER UP THE MOUNTAIN, AND FROM A SERIES OF HYDRANTS, WE USE FIRE HOSE TO GO THROUGH OUR SNOW GUNS AND SNOW STICKS.

SNOW GUNS COMBINE AIR AND WATER, FORCE WATER THROUGH SMALL NOZZLES ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE BARREL, AND FORCE IT UP INTO THE AIR.

AS IT COMES BACK TO THE GROUND, IT IS SNOW.

SAME THING WITH THE SNOW STICKS.

JUST WE DON’T HAVE THE AIR PART OF IT.

IT IS JUST WATER.

THE PILES, WE REFER TO THEM AS WHALES.

WE MAKE -- THAT IS WHAT THE PILES WILL LOOK LIKE IN FRONT OF THE SNOW GUN AS THEY WORK THEIR WAY UP THE HILL.

THEY WILL MAKE THE BIG PILES AND THIS WILL COME IN AND SPREAD THE PILES OUT, SO THAT WE HAVE A NICE EVEN SURFACE.

WE HAVE SEVERAL SNOW CATS.

THEY ALL DO DIFFERENT JOBS HERE.

THE ONES THAT ARE BEHIND ME, ONE IS AN OLD RETIRED PUSHING AND TOWING CAT, THAT NOW HAS A REACH ALL BUCKET ON IT FOR FIXING THINGS IN THE AIR.

IT ALSO MOVES THE SNOW BANDS AROUND.

THE RED ONE THAT IS BACK THERE STILL PUSHES SNOW AND IT TILLS SNOW AND GROOMS ALL THE SKI TRAILS.

WE HAVE TWO MORE LIKE THAT ONE THAT ARE WORKING AROUND THE HILL RIGHT NOW IN DIFFERENT SPOTS.

WE WILL GET ALL OF THE RUNS COVERED WITH ANYWHERE FROM -- WE WILL JUST SAY WE TRY TO GET WHEN HE FOUR INCHES.

WE WILL DO EVERYTHING FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER.

ONCE THAT IS DONE, THEN WE PULL OFF.

THIS NOTE THAT WE MAKE WILL LAST LONGER, NATURE, IF WE GET A FOOT OF SNOW AFTER WE DRIVE’S OVER IT, IT WILL ACTUALLY JUST BE A COUPLE INCHES AFTER WE ARE DONE.

WE NEED TO MAKE OUR SNOW PLUS NATURE, THEN WE HAVE A REALLY GREAT SKIABLE SURFACE.

THIS IS MY FOURTH WINTER HERE.

WE HAVE LOTS OF KNOWLEDGE AROUND THIS HILL.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE 20 PLUS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MAKING SNOW.

OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR, AND SO FAR IT HAS BEEN A GREAT START.

FIRST EIGHT DAYS OF SNOWMAKING HAS BEEN ALSO.

WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL MORE TRAILS OPEN FOR THIS UPCOMING WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW, I WOULD SAY THERE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE AT LEAST FOUR MORE TRAILS OPEN, LET’S CALL IT THREE MORE TRAILS OPEN BY THIS WEEKEND.

WE ARE REALLY GETTING AFTER IT.

IT’S BEEN GREAT WEATHER.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED AND HAPPY.

♪ MAARJA: OUR GUEST TODAY IS DOUG KMAN, A LEADING REALTOR IN OUR AREA WITH OVER 14 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SERVING THE NORTHLAND.

DOUG, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

DOUG: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

MAARJA: TELL IS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU GOT YOUR START IN REAL ESTATE AND YOUR EXPERIENCE.

DOUG: I WAS ALMOST BORN INTO REAL ESTATE.

I AM A THIRD GENERATION REALTOR.

MY GRANDFATHER STARTED A FAMILY REAL ESTATE COMPANY IN 1972 IN IRON RIVER, WISCONSIN.

MY MOTHER SOLD IT TO EAST WEST REALTY BASED OUT OF HERE IN DULUTH, WHICH RECENTLY IN 2021 SOLD TO COAL BANKER REALITY AND I HAVE BEEN WITH ALL OF THEM.

MY OFFICE AND I LOVE IT.

I STARTED IN IRON RIVER, WISCONSIN, NY MOVED TO DULUTH EIGHT YEARS AGO, I GOT MY LICENSE HERE.

MAARJA: IT IS IN YOUR BLOOD, IT REALLY IS.

DOUG: ABSOLUTELY.

MAARJA: HOW DO YOU SEE THE REAL ESTATE MARKET EVOLVING NOW THAT WE ARE IN 2025?

DOUG: IT HAS SLOWED A BIT FROM THE CRAZY MARKET WE HAD DURING THE PANDEMIC, 21 IN PARTICULAR I THINK WAS A MARKET THAT MOST PEOPLE NEVER EXPERIENCED.

IT HAS STUDIED A BIT.

PRICING IS STILL GOING UP A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IT IS DEFINITELY BALANCED OUT.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT MORE INVENTORY.

AND DAYS ON MARKET HAS INCREASED, SO BUYERS HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO APPRECIATE THE HOME, AND DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AS FAR AS AN OFFER AND PROTECTIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

MAARJA: LOOKING BACK ON THE LAST YEAR, 24, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES FOR BUYERS?

DOUG: 2024, HOMES WERE STILL SELLING VERY QUICKLY.

IT IS HARD TO SPEND 30 MINUTES IN A HOUSE AND DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO BUY IT BECAUSE THAT IS A VERY BIG PURCHASE.

HAVING SOME INCREASED DAYS ON MARKET MOVING INTO 2025 WILL BE A POSITIVE THING.

AND WE HAVE SEEN IN INCREASE FROM 22, 23, 24 AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE ANOTHER SLIGHT INCREASE FOR 2025 FOR DAYS ON MARKETS WITH THESE LISTINGS.

MAARJA: TALKING WITH FRIENDS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR HOMES, YOU HAVE TO DECIDE SO QUICKLY.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT BIG INVESTMENT.

DOUG: YOU DO.

THAT IS WHERE IT REALLY MATTERS HOW YOU STRUCTURE YOUR OFFER.

AND WHAT YOU PUT IN IT TO PROTECT YOURSELF IN THE EVENT THAT SOMETHING DOES COME UP IN YOUR RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROPERTY, AS FAR AS ITS VALUE AND ITS INSPECTION.

MAARJA: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU ARE EXCITED ABOUT IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN 2025.

DOUG: I AM.

I AM REALLY EXCITED PRICES ARE GOING TO BE -- THEY WILL SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK THEY WILL STILL APPRECIATE.

BUT THE PERCENT RISE AND THE PRICING IS GOING TO TAKE A BREATHER.

AND I’M EXCITED FOR A MORE BALANCED MARKET MORE INVENTORY AND OPTIONS FOR MY BUYER CLIENTS.

MAARJA: WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE OFFERS, MAYBE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, DO YOU HAVE ADVICE FOR HOW TO STAY COMPETITIVE, BUT NOT BREAK THE BANK?

DOUG: I DO.

MY ADVICE IS RESERVED FOR MY CLIENTS.

THAT IS ACTUALLY A RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW AS REALTORS.

WE CANNOT OFFER ADVICE UNLESS WE HAVE A CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.

THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN DO IT BESIDES THE SELLERS BOTTOM LINE.

LIMITING A SELLERS RISK IS REALLY ANOTHER FACTOR THAT YOU WANT TO CONSIDER WHEN STRUCTURING AN OFFER.

ANYWAY THAT YOU CAN MAKE THEM MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THE OFFER YOU ARE PRESENTING TO THEM, IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT THE PRICE.

MAARJA: LAST YEAR IN ALMANAC NORTH, WE DID A SHOW ON REAL ESTATE, AND SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED WAS PEOPLE GOING IN WITH OFFERS AND WAVING INSPECTIONS.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU THINK WILL CONTINUE TO SEE IN 2025?

DOUG: I THINK WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE IT.

WE WILL SEE LESS OF IT.

BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE IT.

BECAUSE BUYERS HAVE A HANGOVER FROM THE WAY THINGS WERE.

FOR EXAMPLE, BUYERS WILL NOT REALLY SEARCH BEYOND THEIR PRICE RANGE EITHER.

SO LISTING A PROPERTY ABOVE WHAT YOU KNOW IT WILL SELL FOR MIGHT BE PROHIBITING THE BUYER THAT WANTS YOUR HOME FROM SEEING IT.

AND THAT SAME KIND OF ATTITUDE IS GOING TO HOLD OVER INTO INSPECTIONS.

MAARJA: WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BUYERS IN THE NEW YEAR, STARTING THEIR SEARCH?

DOUG: START SOON.

DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE TWO MONTHS TO MOVE INTO THE HOME.

IF YOU HAVE A LEASE THAT IS ENDING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO LOOK AT HOMES.

BECAUSE INVENTORY, WHILE IT IS UP, IT IS STILL LOW, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU SEE THE RIGHT HOMES, AND THAT MAY TAKE SOME TIME.

MAARJA: IS THERE A BEST TIME TO PUT YOUR HOUSE ON THE MARKET?

I FEEL LIKE SPRING -- DOUG: THERE IS, YEAH.

IT DOES VARY A LITTLE BIT DEPENDING ON THE PROPERTY.

SPRINGTIME IS A GREAT, GREAT TIME.

BECAUSE BUYER ACTIVITY IS JUST CRAZY.

LISTING IN LATE APRIL IS MY FAVORITE, BECAUSE THEN IF YOU SPEND 30 DAYS ON MARKET, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT BELOW AVERAGE RIGHT NOW, YOU GET TO LATE MAY WHICH IS THE PEAK OF BUYER ACTIVITY, AND THAT IS YOUR MOST POTENTIAL FOR GETTING THE BEST OR MULTIPLE OFFERS.

MAARJA: WHEN IS THE SEASONALITY FOR HOMEBUYING?

OR SALLY, I GUESS COMMIT -- OR SELLING, I GUESS, IN OUR REGION?

DOUG: WE SLOW DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LATE FALL.

SCHOOL ALWAYS MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

AND THE FOURTH OF JULY ACTUALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE MARKET.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER, YOU WILL SEE A SLUMP TOO.

MAARJA: PEOPLE ARE OUT RELAXING, BARBECUING.

DOUG: TAKING A BREAK AND ENJOYING THE SUMMER.

YEAH.

WE SLOW DOWN FOR THE WINTER, BUT REALLY, IT BALANCES OUT VERY WELL IN OUR REGION.

BECAUSE WHILE THERE IS LESS LISTINGS, TO MATCH THAT SLOWER BY -- BUYER ACTIVITY.

HOMES STILL SEND -- STILL SELL ALL YEAR ROUND.

IT IS MORE IMPORTANT IN THE WINTER MONTHS THAT YOUR HOME IS PRESENTED VERY WELL.

MAARJA: DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE MAY BE LOOKING TO PUT THEIR HOUSE ON THE MARKET, THINGS THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE SURE THEY DO TO MAKE THEIR HOUSE READY AND MARKETABLE?

DOUG: SURE.

HIGHLIGHTING YOUR HOME’S FEATURES IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

SOMETIMES THAT MEANS GETTING YOUR STUFF OUT OF THE WAY.

AND THAT IS REALLY HARD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BECAUSE IT’S YOUR HOME.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE SELLING A HOME, IT SHOULDN’T BE DECORATED.

IT SHOULD BE STAGED.

.

WHICH ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.

.

I HOME, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS VERY BRIGHT COLORS.

AND BOLD FABRICS.

WHICH IS NOT HOW I WOULD PRESENT IT IF I WERE TO PRESENT IT FOR SALE.

DOUG: DECLAN -- MAARJA: DECLUTTERING IT, SO MAKING IT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN WALK INTO YOUR HOME AND ENVISION THEIR LIFE THERE.

DOUG: EXACTLY.

MORE OF A BLANK SLATE WHERE THEY CAN SEE THE HOME’S FEATURES AND HOW.

THEY COULD MAKE THEM MAARJA: MAARJA: WHAT CAN SELLERS EXPECT?

DOUG: SELLERS CAN EXPECT IF THEY LIST THEIR PROPERTY AT AN APPROPRIATE PRICE, IT IS GOOD TO SO QUICKLY.

I THINK YOU ARE SEEING INCREASING DAYS ON MARKET BECAUSE YOU HAVE LIST PRICES THAT HAVE BEEN CLIMBING AND CLIMBING, BUT THE LIST TO SALES PRICE RATIO HAS BALANCED OUT SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND THAT FOLLOWS A SEASONALITY, WHETHER YOU GET ABOVE LIST OR BELOW LIST.

THE LIST TO SALES PRICE RATIO IS PRETTY STEADILY SLIGHTLY UNDER 100% NOW.

MAARJA: OK. WITH ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, AI, VIRTUAL TOURS, HOW HAS THAT CHANGED?

LIKE, HOW YOU DO YOUR JOB?

DOUG: PERSONALLY, I DO A LOT OF VIDEO TOURS, I ALWAYS HAVE.

ALMOST MY ENTIRE CAREER.

BECAUSE IPHONES WERE A THING WHEN I STARTED.

SO I AM USED TO DOING VIDEO TOURS FOR PEOPLE OF HOMES.

AI IS A DEVELOPING THING IN REAL ESTATE LIKE IT IS IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY.

SOME USES FOR AI, CAPTIONING PHOTOS ARE A LITTLE CLUNKY AND NOT SO GREAT.

I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE USE MORE AI FOR THEIR MARKETING THAN THEY HAVE FOR ANYTHING ELSE.

MAARJA: SURE.

I HAVE TO IMAGINE THE VIRTUAL TOURS HELP, EMCEEING THE LISTING AND BEING ABLE TO ENVISION YOURSELF THERE.

DOUG: ABSOLUTELY.

TAKING A LOOK AT PHOTOS DOES NOT HELP YOU SEE THE LAYOUT OF A PROPERTY OR UNDERSTAND WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO WALK THROUGH IT.

MAARJA: ARE THERE ANY OTHER NEW TOOLS OR TRENDS YOU CAN USE IN HELPING WITH THE BUYING PROCESS?

DOUG: FLOORPLANS ARE A REALLY BIG THING.

AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY QUITE EASY.

MAARJA: GOING BACK TO THE BASICS.

DOUG: IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT.

THE BASICS ARE IMPORTANT.

THE FLASHY NEW THINGS ARE NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS THE MOST USEFUL.

IT IS REALLY A LOT OF THE BASICS.

FOR BUYERS, MOVING INTO A MARKET LIKE THIS, I REALLY DO RECOMMEND YOU TAKE YOUR TIME A LITTLE BIT.

AND YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE HOME.

YOU REALLY HAVE TO LOVE THE HOME.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO SETTLE A LITTLE BIT BUT YOU SHOULD LOVE THE HOME, EVEN IF YOU ARE SETTLING.

MAARJA: WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE IN HOMES AND SELLING THEIR HOMES IN OUR REGION AND PARTICULATE?

-- IN PARTICULAR?

DOUG: PERSONALLY, IT IS ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS I BUILT.

THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT REAL ESTATE AND WHY I DO IT.

EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT, EVERY TRANSACTION IS DIFFERENT, EVERY HOME IS DIFFERENT.

IN OUR REGION IN PARTICULAR, HIGHLIGHTING THE OUTDOOR FEATURES, BECAUSE PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO ENJOY THOSE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE STUCK INSIDE ALL WINTER.

SO MAKING SURE YOUR HOME IS A COMFORTABLE AND BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO STAY.

MAARJA: AND WE ARE AN OUTDOOR CITY AND REGION.

DOUG, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

DOUG: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

MAARJA: NOW, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE VENTURE NORTH TEAM JAY COOKE STATE PARK FIRST HIKE.

YOU’LL EXPERIENCE THE WONDERFULLY UNIQUE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE POPULAR PARK IN THE WINTER.

YOU’RE SURE TO LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS AND WHAT IT TAKES TO THRIVE IN THIS FRIGID ENVIRONMENT.

♪ >> MY NAME IS CHRISTINE HILLER.

I AM THE PARK NATURALIST HERE FOR JAY COOKE STATE PARK.

WHAT MY JOB ENTAILS IS EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT THE PARK, ABOUT ALL OF THE RESOURCES, THE NATURAL RESOURCES, HISTORY.

I GET TO TAKE PEOPLE OUT ON HIKES AND DO CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS.

I WORK WITH A LOT OF KIDS AND FIELD TRIPS.

IF IT HAS TO DO WITH EDUCATION OR COMMUNICATION, THAT’S MY JOB.

WHAT I THINK ARE LANDMARK ATTRACTION IS RIGHT BEHIND ME, THE SWINGING BRIDGE.

IT IS 100 YEARS OLD.

IN 2024.

SO WE JUST FINISHED COMMEMORATING THAT ANNIVERSARY.

EVERYBODY COMES IN, IT IS RIGHT OFF THE PARKING LOT, IT’S A QUIK-TRIP TO GO BOUNCE ACROSS THE BRIDGE A LITTLE BIT, SEE THE RIVER, AND SOME STAY FIRST FIVE MINUTES AND LEAVE, AND OTHERS, THAT IS THE START OF THEIR JOURNEY ON OUR HIKING TRAILS.

OH, GOSH, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT MAKE THE PARK UNIQUE.

THE BRIDGE AND THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS HISTORY IS PART OF IT.

BUT ALSO JUST THE BEAUTIFUL RESOURCES.

THIS IS JUST UNDER 9000 ACRES OF UNDEVELOPED LAND.

SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL, THINGS HERE YOU CAN SEE THE INNER TILTED ROCKS ALONG THE RIVER FORMATIONS.

WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIRDS AND ANIMALS, BECAUSE WE HAVE SUCH A VARIETY OF HABITAT HERE AS WELL.

I THINK THAT IS PART OF WHY IT WAS SAVED AS A STATE PARK 100 YEARS AGO OR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO, WAS TO PRESERVE SOME OF THE HISTORY AS WELL AS THE BEAUTIFUL RESOURCES.

WHILE WE HOLD PROGRAMS ALMOST EVERY WEEK HERE AT THE PARK.

IN THE SUMMER, WE HAVE PROGRAMS EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND DURING THE WINTER TIME, IT IS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

AS FAR AS SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT WE HOST, WE DO HAVE OPEN HOUSES OR FREE PARK DAYS THEY ARE CALLED THESE DAYS.

THERE ARE FOUR OF THEM EVERY YEAR.

IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT THE PARK NO MATTER WHAT THE SEASON IS, YOU CAN COME IN FOR FREE AND CHECK US OUT.

OUR CANDLELIGHT EVENTS THIS YEAR IS GOING TO BE ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8.

WE LIKED ABOUT TWO MILES OF TRAILS BY LUMINARIES.

CANDLELIGHT LUMINARIES.

AND YOU CAN HIKE, SNOWSHOE OR SKI, IF WE EVER GET SNOW.

YOU CAN DO THAT ALL ON THE SAME TRAIL.

IT IS JUST A WONDERFUL, MAGICAL WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE PARK AT NIGHTTIME, BY CANDLELIGHT, AND HAVE THIS WONDERFUL SOCIAL EXPERIENCE.

BECAUSE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT WILL SHOW UP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT STOP AT THE PARK, THEY HAVE DRIVEN BY AS SO MANY TIMES AS THEY GO UP TO DULUTH.

AND THEN THEY STOP AND THEY ARE LIKE, WOW, I HAD NO IDEA THIS BEAUTIFUL SPOT WAS HERE.

AND IT IS RUGGED, IT HAS THAT WILD LOOK TO IT WITH THE RIVER AND THE HILLSIDES AND EVERYTHING.

I THINK THAT REALLY ATTRACTS PEOPLE, THAT SENSE OF ADVENTURE, THEY CAN GO OUT AND DO ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE EVERYBODY FROM BEGINNERS AND FAMILIES THAT MAYBE ARE NOT GOING VERY FAR, TO PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE DOING THOSE 20 MILE JOGS OUT ON OUR TRAILS, OR TAKING A BIKING EXPERIENCE OR SOMETHING.

EVERY DAY IS MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCE.

SO, WHAT’S MY FAVORITE EXPERIENCE?

IT HAS TO DO WITH WOLVES.

I HAVE TWO WOLF EXPERIENCES.

I HAVE ONE WHERE I WAS DRIVING IN ONE DAY, AND THERE IT WAS WALKING ACROSS THE FROZEN RIVER.

I KNEW A FACTLY WHERE IT WAS GOING TO POP UP.

ESTOPPED BY CAR AND IT CAME IN FRONT OF MY BUMPER.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE EXPERIENCES WERE USUALLY THE ANIMALS ARE ZIPPING ACROSS THE HIGHWAY.

I GOT TO REALLY JUST SIT THERE AND WATCH IT.

I OTHER WOLF EXPERIENCE, I WAS ACTUALLY OUTSIDE, AND I WILL TELL YOU WHERE I WAS BECAUSE IT IS SLIGHTLY EMBARRASSING, BUT I WAS OUTSIDE AND I HEARD ABOUT THREE WOLVES HOWLING, AND IT WAS RIGHT ACROSS THE BRIDGE.

AND I REMEMBER I CAME IN RUSHING TO GO GET LISA, OUR PARK SUPERVISOR.

LISA, LISA, THERE WOLVES.

BY THE TIME I GOT HER OUTSIDE, THEY HAD STOPPED.

THOSE BRIEF MOMENTS, BRIEF GLANCES, ARE THE MOST SPECIAL.

STOP AT THE OFFICE OR STOP AT THE VISITOR CENTER AND TALK TO US, FOR ONE.

WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF GREAT ADVICE ON PLACES YOU CAN GO SEE.

BASED ON WHAT YOU WANT TO BE EXPERIENCING.

IF IT IS A SHORT HIKE OR A LONG ADVENTURE, IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT CAMPING OR BACKPACKING, WE HAVE LOTS OF GREAT ADVICE.

I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY STOP AND TALK TO ONE OF THE STAFF.

WE ARE OPEN EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE YEAR.

LEAST DURING THE DAYTIME.

SO COME ON IN AND TALK TO US.

OTHERWISE, CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE.

YOU CAN DO SOME PLANNING THAT WAY AS WELL WITH THE MAPS.

LOOK AT DIFFERENT WEBLOGS AND STUFF, OTHER PEOPLE’S ADVICE.

AND COME TO STAY FOR LONGER THAN FIVE MINUTES.

I GUESS I WOULD SAY THAT TOO.

LIKE I SAID, SOME PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE JUST GOING TO STOP IN REAL QUICK, THEN THEY REALIZE HOW MUCH THERE IS TO DO HERE.

SO COME PREPARED TO SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY.

MAARJA: BEFORE WE GO, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU MIGHT BE UP TO THIS WEEKEND.

THIS SATURDAY BEGINNING AT 3:30PM, THE "FIX IT" CLINIC IS UP AND RUNNING AT THE DULUTH FOLK SCHOOL.

IF IT’S BROKEN, CHANCES ARE SOMEONE CAN HELP YOU FIX IT AT THE "FIX IT" CLINIC.

WLSSD AND THE FOLK SCHOOL HAVE PARTNERED UP WITH SKILLED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP TEACH YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS HOW TO FIX THEIR STUFF AND MAKE IT GOOD AS NEW.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SIGN UP IN ADVANCE VISIT WLSSD.COM/FIXIT.

BRETT: ALSO HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY AT 9:00 A.M., THE DULUTH WEDDING SHOW IS BACK AT THE DECC.

YOU CAN MEET FACE TO FACE WITH THE REGION’S TOP WEDDING VENDORS, FROM CATERERS AND VENUES TO DJS AND FLORISTS.

YOU CAN TASTE A VARIETY OF TREAT OPTIONS, REGISTER TO WIN PRIZES AND EXPERIENCE A PROFESSIONAL FASHION SHOW.

TICKETS RANGE IN PRICE STARTING AT $14, MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE.

MAARJA: PLUS, HOCKEY DAY CLOQUET KICKS OFF AT 10:00 A.M. ON CLOQUET AVENUE.

ATTENDEES CAN STOP BY TO WARM UP WITH A CUP OF EARTH MAMA TEA WHILE THEY SHOP ABUNDANT BABY’S COLLECTION OF BABY CLOTHES AND ITEMS.

THE STORE IS OFFERING A 15% DISCOUNT ON ITEMS INCLUDING COZY BLANKETS, EDUCATIONAL TOYS, AND THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FOR NEW MOMS AND BABIES.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ONLINE.

BRETT: AND FINALLY, HEAD OUT TO GRAND RAPIDS MINNESOTA FOR A DAY OF SNOW, SCIENCE, AND FAMILY FUN.

THE FOREST CENTER IS TEAMING UP WITH THE BELL MUSEUM TO EXPLORE AND SHARE THE WINTER WONDERLAND AROUND US.

YOU’LL HAVE THE CHANCE TO TRY SNOWSHOEING, EXAMINE SNOWFLAKES UNDER A MICROSCOPE, CREATE SNOWFLAKE ART AND MUCH MORE.

THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FREE TO ATTEND, LOCATED ON COUNTY ROAD 76 IN GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA.

FESTIVITIES RUN FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M.

SOUNDS LIKE FUN.

MAARJA: THERE IS A LOT OF FUN WINTER ACTIVITIES GOING ON THIS WEEKEND.

BRETT: EXAMINE A SNOWFLAKE UNDER A MICROSCOPE.

HAVE YOU DONE?

MAARJA: I HAVEN’T.

BUT I KNOW THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT.

BRETT: SHOULD BE COOL.

THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK’S SHOW.

MAKE SURE YOU GO OUT AND ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

I’M BRETT SCOTT.

MAARJA: AND I’M MAARJA HEWITT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪