Strange Tales

Ever wonder what happened to steam side-wheelers (aka paddle-steamers) once so prominent on Lake Superior waters? Here’s a look at the timeline of the legendary...

Back in August 2024, my Northern Wilds article “Shorthand Writing: The Cryptic Code of the Past” talked about the hand-written shorthand systems of the past...

Lighthouse keepers had their fair share of shipwreck rescues and riding out storms. But many of them had good tales to tell, too. Here’s a...

Years ago, a Thunder Bay colleague told me they made a point of going away each Christmas to avoid the stress and hustle-bustle of Christmas,...

In his book, The Best Travel Writing 2010: True Stories From Around the World, editor-writer Michael McGee had an interesting observation. He wrote, “When travelling,...

Many of us have used or heard the phrase “Holy Mackerel” when expressing surprise, excitement, wonder or disbelief. But why that fish and not “Holy...

It is thanks to the shorthand reporters of the ancient past—speedwriters of language—that the world has a record of historic speeches, parliamentary debates, dialogues, and...

Fifty-three years ago in 1971, the 18-minute film North of Superior—one of the earliest and most popular IMAX films—had its giant-screen premiere at the world’s...