In this month's episode of Archive Dive, Telegram reporter Teri Cadeau and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek dive into the story of Robert Chapman and his mother Mary Chapman.

For 25 years, Mary Chapman was the organist at Cathedral of Christ the King church in Superior and walked there every day, year round. A mother of seven children, Mary Chapman was also a widow at a young age and experienced great loss again in October 1944 when her youngest son Robert was killed in action in the Netherlands during World War II.

Private Robert Chapman was with the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, a unit within the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Meronek said he was either 21 or 22 years old at the time of his death.

"Apparently two of the officers in his unit had been shot and he went out and tried to help them and he got struck by a bullet while he was going out there to help him, but he stayed there. He tried to bandage them up and then he was carrying one of the men off the field and he died," said Meronek.

After his death, Private Chapman was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star and the Bronze Lion decoration from the government of the Netherlands. His body was not brought back to Superior and he was buried in the Netherlands.

But, that is not where the story ends. A woman named Nora Hodiamont in the Netherlands began taking care of Robert's grave. Similar to how Mary Chapman was devoted to her task by traveling by foot to play the organ, Hodiamont was devoted to her task too, traveling many miles by bike to tend to the grave of Robert Chapman, along with others who were buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in the village of Margraten.

"She (Nora) loved her country because family was so important in all of this. She rode her bike 17 miles to take care of these graves."

Mary Chapman and Hodiamont would eventually connect, first through letters and then in person. Almost a decade after Robert's death, an article appeared in the Telegram in 1953 highlighting Mary and Nora's friendship. Mary first visited Nora in the Netherlands and a year after that encounter, Hodiamont visited the U.S. and Mary.

"It may seem small, but it really wasn't. Making sure a grave is taken care of - what a difference that made in people's lives. To know that somebody was taking care of it and it established a friendship too because of it. A friendship across the ocean."

"She (Nora) would also put flowers on the grave, just like a mom would or a family member would take care of somebody's grave. She made sure that he (Robert) didn't miss that part since he was going to miss the rest of his life," Meronek added.

Residents still care for the graves in the cemetery to this day.

"The Dutch people were just so grateful that the Americans had come in and did what they did to help liberate the country," said Meronek.

It isn't known when Hodiamont died, but Mary Chapman died in 1962 in Superior at the age of 69.

"She didn't change the world or even the city or anything, but she gave. She gave her son and she still made her mark though. I like that," said Meronek.

Other topics discussed in this episode:

• Mary Chapman's double wedding in 1911.

• How Mary got her start as an organist and her other musical talents.

• The generations of Dutch people and their gratitude to those who helped liberate them.

• The option for deceased soldiers to return to the U.S. or remain buried in the Netherlands.

• Mary's trip to see Robert's grave and meet Nora.

• Operation Market Garden and how it was featured in the TV series Band of Brothers

• Where did Robert work before he went into the service?

• And much more.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. If you have an idea that you'd like us to explore, email Teri Cadeau at TCadeau@superiortelegram.com.

For this month's episode of Archive Dive, we take a closer look at a story of love, fame and tragedy involving a Gordon woman.

Podcast host and former Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by Brian Finstad, president of the Gordon-Wascott Historical Society, as they explore the life of Victoria Lidberg. She met performer Paul Lorenzo Perkinson, who went by the name Paul Lorenzo, while she was ushering at Superior's Palace Theater. Soon after, they married in October of 1926.

Lidberg became a performer too, as the couple toured the nation's circuses, fairs, and carnivals, wowing audiences with acrobatic feats 125 feet in the air.

Their rise to fame ended when Lorenzo fell to his death during a show in Salem, Illinois in 1942. Although Lidberg eventually remarried, the words on her gravestone show she never forgot Lorenzo.

"Who meets somebody and then the next thing you know, they're 100 feet in the air without a balancing rod? That's pretty amazing!" said Finstad.

"It must have been love," added Lockwood.

Years later, the historical society was contacted by Lidberg's nephew, Andy Worsley, who had trunks filled with costumes, clippings and other treasures from the couple's acrobatic adventures. Plans are in the works to display some of those items during Gordon Good Neighbor Days from July 3-5.

Additional topics discussed in this "Archive Dive" episode include:

• Those who assisted Finstad with exploring the contents of the trunks.
• The large backdrop used as part of their traveling shows and how it was stored.
• Some of the unique events and places at which the Lorenzos performed.
• Stunts that the Lorenzos performed.
• Paul's military background.
• Did Lidberg have previous performing experience?
• Where was the couple married?
• Where is Paul Lorenzo buried?
• What's true and false about Paul's tragic death?
• Other unique performers with ties to Gordon.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. If you have an idea that you'd like us to explore, email us at editorial@superiortelegram.com.

Did you know there's a "choose your own adventure" auto trail that passes through Douglas County? It is true and all you need to access it is a cell phone.

The Northwest Sands Auto Trail (NWSAT) offers an interactive map that lets users take the wheel. The virtual tour highlights 57 points of interest along a trail of over 200 miles, from Madeline Island to Saint Croix Falls.

For this episode, podcast host Maria Lockwood is joined by Brian Finstad, president of the Gordon-Wascott Historical Society and board member for the nonprofit that oversees the NWSAT. They'll discuss the history and idea of the trail.

One quick note, for the third straight year, "Archive Dive" was recognized in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest. From everyone involved with the podcast, we offer our appreciation and gratitude to all of our listeners and readers. This couldn't have been done with you. Truly - thank you!

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email us at editorial@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.

A discussion on Superior's historic buildings isn't complete without Carl Wirth. The architect put his stamp on Superior, creating structures that were grand, beautiful, and well loved. Many of his buildings have stood the test of time and remain part of the city's landscape.

In this month's episode of the Archive Dive podcast, Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek discuss Wirth, his art and the significance his buildings have in Superior.

"In 1880, there were 633 people in Superior, " said Meronek. "By 1890, it had grown to over 11,000 and by 1900, there were 30,000 people here, so it was booming and a great place if you were a young architect. He's only probably in his early thirties when he came here and he got a job."

The intersection of Belknap Street and Tower Avenue became the site of many of Wirth's memorable buildings. The New Jersey block, which we know as Globe News, the Grand Opera House, Hotel Superior, West Superior Hotel and the Watkins block.

"He had three of the four corners," said Meronek.

Other Wirth-designs include the Franklin School, two churches for Holy Assumption, Sacred Heart, the city's first Carnegie Library and even some houses. He was well known in the area. Besides having a consistent advertisement featured, Wirth and his projects were mentioned in the Telegram a lot.

"He was a busy man," said Meronek.

During his life, Wirth lived in both Superior and Duluth. He died on November 19, 1928 at the age of 74.

Other topics include Wirth's first job in Superior, where else did Wirth design buildings, what materials were consistently used, His involvement with the Land and River Improvement Company, how he'd find inspiration, other local buildings he may have designed and why we don't know, two significant buildings he didn't get hired for, where else he lived, why he'd return to Superior, family members, how some of the houses he designed have been utilized, where did Wirth himself live in Superior, what happened to some of his buildings, his other interests and talents, did have signature style or design for his buildings, and much more.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.

Do you remember Superior's dime stores? If so, this one's for you.

In this month's episode of Archive Dive, Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood and local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek discuss Newberry's, Woolworth's, and Kresge's, all of which could be found on Tower Avenue.

What did they carry? How did they grow? What happened to them? Listen as Lockwood and Meronek dive into their histories. Meronek remembers them well.

"A dime store, it was just like magic," Meronek said. "Because they had everything. If you had a dollar, you could get a lot of stuff because most of it was 5 and 10 cents, as they advertised when they first opened up. A lot of 29-cent stuff. They had everything from household goods to parakeets. You could eat at their lunch counters. You could buy candy. It was just a wonderful place to be."

Topics discussed in this episode include: What set dime stores apart from department stores When did dime stores arrive in Superior? Where else was Woolworth's located in Superior? What were the differences among the three big dime stores? The types of pets you could get at Newberry's and a story of their escape. What was "Ridiculous Days"? What was Meronek's favorite dime store and why? What did the national Kresge's chain morph into? Other dime stories once located in Superior. What led to the end of the dime stores in Superior? What businesses currently use the former dime store spaces, and what happened to the Kresge's building? Plus, more.

"They (dime stores) were fun," said Meronek. "You could always get a good meal there and excellent ice cream at all of them."

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Nottingham Apartments and the placement of the James J. Hill Empire Builder statue outside of Superior Central High School.

Another notable event in 1926 included a meeting of two baseball hall of farmers: Babe Ruth and Superior's Dave Bancroft, who was the Boston Braves' manager at the time. Ruth even visited children's homes in Superior.

Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek as they explore these 100-year old stories.

"It is an interesting year. I hope our 2026 is as interesting," said Meronek.

Topics discussed in this episode include why was Ruth in the Twin Ports, the role that the Telegram played for his stop in Superior, Ernie Nevers' connection to Ruth, a historic league Bancroft managed in, where did Bancroft work in Superior, approximately how much did it cost to build the Nottingham Apartments, some of the Nottingham's amenities, other businesses in the building space, the sad story of Dave Kaner, Gordon MacQuarrie's connection to the Nottingham, reasons why Superior has a James J. Hill Empire Builder statue, which directions has the statue faced and which direction was it reportedly supposed to face, when had Superior originally planned to dedicate it, the cost of the statue and the committees involved, other spots considered for displaying the statue, and other buildings in Superior turning 100, and more.

Other notable events in Superior from 1926 including the formation of a skating society, a garden club, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office using seized items from illegal liquor due to Prohibition, turning them into scrap and donating the proceeds, the "Almost Bank Robbery" on Tower Avenue, and new studios for WEBC at a former site of the Telegram.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.

For this month's episode of the Archive Dive podcast, we focus on a pair of Superior women who made impacts both locally and beyond. Kathryn Ohman and Alma Kitchell.

Ohman was a beloved English and drama teacher at what is now the University of Wisconsin Superior. She taught for 38 years, and a theater named in her honor was the site of lectures and performances from 1960 to 2011.

Kitchell was known as the "golden voice of golden age radio." She sang her way into a radio job in New York in 1927 and went on to make history. Kitchell was a trailblazer in both radio and television, launching the first women's talk shows and starring in the first televised cooking show.

Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood is joined by local historian and retired librarian Teddie Meronek as they dive into the lives of Ohman and Kitchell.

Episodes of "Archive Dive" are published monthly. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth Media Group digital producer Dan Williamson. Email Maria Lockwood at mlockwood@superiortelegram.com with ideas for future episodes.