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PrintSnapshot: Nathan Bentley
In 2001, Nathan Bentley started decorating his home for the Christmas season. Each year, his decorations grew and grew, and people started coming from all around the region to see the magical light display that one of Nathan’s friends dubbed “Bentleyville.” In the fall of 2008, Nathan received a phone call from Duluth mayor Don Ness’s office to discuss moving Bentleyville to Bayfront Festival Park. It has been delighting families there ever since. Last year, more than 150,000 people visited Bentleyville — free of charge — enjoying the millions of lights. It has become a beloved tradition here in Duluth~Superior, all thanks to Nathan.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My willingness to be blunt and sarcastic to make a point or let the truth be known.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The success of my company, Advantage Emblem. It has developed into a well-respected, reliable company nationally.
When and where were you happiest?
In the spring of 2003 when a year-long business dispute finally ended and I felt like I had my life back. It was a whole new beginning.
What is your greatest regret?
Not spending more quality time with my four children when they were younger.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I don’t believe there is perfect happiness. I think it a constant, ongoing process of making the best of what one is handed in everyday life.
What is your most treasured possession?
My US Passport, allowing me to travel the world, one country at a time.
Where would you most like to live?
Southeast Asia, i.e. Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore.
What is your greatest fear?
Dying and heights.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My temper and lack of patience.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Procrastination.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
That a college education is the only way to succeed today. This statement has been used for nearly 50 years. There are millions of people that are successful by society’s standards through hard work and persistence, and aren’t just book smart.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I would say my greatest extravagance would be Bentleyville Tour of Lights.
What’s on your iPod?
Johnny Cash, John Denver, 60’s & 70’s, early 80’s. I can’t understand any of the words to songs past the late 80’s.
What is your favorite journey?
Traveling to Ethiopia and realizing first-hand how fortunate we all are.
What is it that you most dislike?
People not using common sense or not being able to distinguish between doing the right thing vs. policies or procedures that need to be set aside.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Self-sufficiency, confidence, good conversation skills.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Self-sufficiency, confidence, good conversation skills.
What do you most value in your friends?
Trustworthiness, a willingness to go above and beyond, and a willingness to listen to my rambling stories of my real life adventures.
If you were to come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A house cat. I am often told I am lurking and often just “appear”.
How would you like to die?
In my sleep, when I’m more than 90 years old.
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