My parents honeymooned in Grand Marais in 1942.  As a child I spent many weeks on the Croftville Road on vacation with my large family. By the time I could drive, I visited Cook County from the cities as often as I could, tent camping at Kimball Lake campground. Just after high school, I rented a cabin on Devil Track Lake.  I moved here and worked at Hedstrom Lumber retail store for three years in the late 70's. When my mother became ill, I returned to the Twin Cities, vowing to return someday. 

That's when I started my lighting career in 1983, which really locked me into staying in the metro area.  I worked long-term for two different lighting showrooms, eventually becoming the Senior Lighting Designer for Cartier Lighting in Plymouth, Minnesota.  In 2002, I bought a home and property in Hovland and moved here in 2003, still commuting to the cities every week for my lighting career. 

You are a busy man, working, being a musician, and taking care of your family.  Will you share a bit about your business, Northern Lights LIghting?  What inspired you to start your own business? 
After my son James was born, I realized that leaving each week for workdays in the cities was not ideal for my family. So I took the leap and started my lighting business locally, also working part time for the USPS and playing music gigs to supplement my income. 

I have maintained many contacts in the lighting industry after so many years as a senior lighting designer. This affords me access to unique and quality lighting products at great prices.  I recently completed a project where I supplied a six-foot, custom-made moose-antler chandelier (shown in photo).   I have worked with many local businesses over the years. Just this past year I helped the North House Folkschool with their decorative lighting for their new yellow building, and I designed and provided lighting for the recently redesigned Birch Building.  The Art Colony's Studio 61 was another one of my projects, along with Voyageur Brewing Company.  This past Spring, I supplied all the product for the retrofitting of the lighting at the Grand Portage National Monument. 

While I love doing large-scale projects, I want to emphasize that no job is too large or too small. I have completed lighting projects on multiple custom homes in the county for a variety of builders, and my greatest passion is helping people light spaces according to their specific needs.  My slogan is:  LIGHTING DONE RIGHT, THE FIRST TIME.

 

Who is your favorite musician/band?  What song do you enjoy singing the most when performing?  Did you know from a young age that you had a musical gift? 
I love all types of music.   However, if I could only listen to, or perform the music from, one songwriter, I would have to go with John Prine. As simple as many of his songs are, I am so moved by his lyrics. They have so many layers of meaning, and can strike right to your heart. Sam Stone is a great example of a deep and powerful song that stays with you forever.  Take a listen to the song "Long Monday," or "Souvenirs."  I think just about everyone can relate to great lyrics like those.
I started playing guitar when I was a senior in high school, after my father showed me three chords and loaned me his 1962 Gibson J50.

To quote John Prine, "I figured three chords was enough so I never really learned any more..."

What is your favorite part about living and working in Cook County?
Living in Cook County fills my heart with such joy, Lake Superior is truly God's gift to us, as well as our beautiful Fall colors.  I love hiking, fishing and hunting,  and spending time with my wife and kids.

 

If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to Australia and charter a fishing trip for Black Marlin, then spend time diving on the great barrier reef as I was once a certified diver, which might be a surprise to some people!