Thirteen was a lucky number for Lake Superior Magazine on Thursday, November 4, with the Duluth-based regional publication taking home that number of awards from the Minnesota Magazine and Publishing Association (MMPA) 14th Annual Excellence Awards.

Lake Superior Magazine swept two of the categories for general interest magazines with circulations of less than 60,000. With entries focusing on nature, science and home ownership, the magazine took the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for Best Technical Article – gold for "Lake Superior: Freshwater Research Capital of the World" by Konnie LeMay, about lake-based research; silver for "Unfriendly Waters" by Ann Klefstad, about insuring your home against disasters; and bronze for "Our Ancient Residents," by Gene LaBerge, about stromatolites, the region's residents of 2 billion years past.

The magazine also took Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in the category of Best Use of Visuals – Photography, all designed by Art Director Randy Bauer. "Woodland Ghosts and Meteors," with photos of the Slate Islands by Layne Kennedy, took gold; "Lovely Lupines," with images from a number of regional photographers, took silver and "Tall Ships on Our Horizon," about the Duluth 2010 Tall Ships Festival, took bronze.

The magazine's managing editor, Bob Berg, earned a Silver Award for Best How-To Article with his "Scenic Overlooks," telling the best roadside spots to see Lake Superior and in that same category "Hiking Isle Royale" by Mark Resnicoff received a Bronze Award.

Other Bronze Award winners for the magazine were: for Best Feature Article – "The Old Man and the Inland Sea" by Marlin Bree about a tragic and heroic rescue attempt by a Lake Superior fisherman; for Best Single Cover – the 30th Anniversary Issue cover with a photo by Duluth photographer Jay Steinke; for Best Single Topic Issue – "Why We Love the Lake," the 30th Anniversary Issue; and for Best Editor's Letter to the Reader – "Be Ye a Pirate of the Inland Seas" by Konnie LeMay.

In a combined Best Overall Design category for magazines both less than and more than 60,000 circulation, Lake Superior Magazine earned a Bronze Award. The magazine was also one of five finalists for the Minnesota Magazine of the Year, which was won by Minnesota Monthly.

Lake Superior Magazine, flagship of the family-owned publisher Lake Superior Port Cities Inc., is entering its 32nd year of publishing. Its website is www.lakesuperior.com and its offices are at 310 E. Superior St. in Duluth, Minn.