30 December 2023
DULUTH As I contemplate my New Year’s resolutions for 2024, I remind myself that most resolutions have shorter lifespans than your average housefly (that’s about 15-30 days).
Hey, we often have great intentions, but we’re human at the end of the day.
A recent poll from Forbes offered these sobering statistics: “The average resolution lasts just 3.74 months. Only 8% of respondents tend to stick with their goals for one month, while 22% last two months, 22% last three months and 13% last four months.”
If you make it to Dec. 31 with your resolution intact, you’re part of the 1% club. Congrats!
That’s why I try to keep my New Year’s resolutions simple, easily measurable and attainable. They often revolve around reading for fun (after I’ve spent the day or week getting paid to read).
I’m happy to report that this year’s resolution to read more in 2023 than I did in 2022 is still in play. I’m a bit behind though about 200 pages. So I will be curling up with a good book this weekend and churning out pages until I hit that goal … even if I am still reading while the ball drops in Times Square.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a new year ahead. And if your resolutions dried up in March, no worries. Let’s hit those marks in 2024!
Here are some DNT highlights from the past week:
Beargrease in jeopardy
Count sled dogs among those most eager to finally see a measurable snowfall in the Northland.
Sled dogs need snow to mush, but so far their training has been restricted to the dryland variety that they experience in the summer and early fall.
That absence of snow has put the 2024 running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in jeopardy of postponement or cancellation. (Yes, that photo above was taken during a normal winter.)
DNT reporter Jimmy Lovrien provided readers an update this past week on where things stand with the race scheduled for late January and when a difficult decision could be made by race officials. (Subscriber-only story)
End of an era
I was saddened to hear about Video Vision closing shop on its longtime video business.
The immediacy and convenience of streaming movies and TV shows from our phones and TVs is now second nature, and the act of running to a video store to choose that evening or weekend’s entertainment has been replaced by a remote or cellphone.
But, as Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood wrote this week, Video Vision still had a loyal and devout fanbase that is mourning the loss of a favorite haunt the last of its kind in the Twin Ports. (Subscriber-only story)
Favorite outdoors photos of 2023
Before we turn the calendar to January 2024, let’s look back at some of our favorite outdoors photos from 2023.
The Duluth News Tribune visual department is highly talented and has a nose for great outdoors shots. Weekly Wave loves the cute photo of the bear above, but many other outstanding shots can be checked out here. (Subscriber-only story)
Catch a wave
Here are a few more stories from the past week to check out:
Small house update: New hope for tiny home that came up short in Duluth market (Subscriber only) The Vault: Investigators at standstill in search for missing Aitkin trucker (Subscriber only) 75 years of Greyhounds hockey: Five memorable players, games (Subscriber only) Best Bets: New Year’s Eve events as Duluth welcomes 2024 (Subscriber only) Front Row Seat: My most memorable Duluth moments of 2023 (Subscriber only) Astro Bob: Guide to using your new telescope Our View: Appreciate those who gave, now are gone
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