Behind the Story: Dakota Glow
Pictures and a little background
The story “Dakota Glow” was inspired by various places and people. For example, the idea for the Ted character was inspired by Milwaukee’s own, Milverine. He’s a construction worker walking the streets of Milwaukee shirtless, and people think he resembles the comic book character Wolverine. Someone created a Facebook page where people post pictures to report the latest sightings; now, he’s a living legend in the city. Ted is a kind of Kung Fu version in a different place and with a different look.
In the mid-1990s, I lived in the tiny house behind the Taco John’s described in the story.
The poor house looks like it’s fallen on hard times.
During that time I was working as a certified nurses assistant at the state hospital, which also gets a couple shout-outs in the story.
The World’s Largest Buffalo is a real thing in Jamestown, North Dakota!
The Motown produced 1985 movie, The Last Dragon was not only real but a favorite during my teenage years.
