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Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Eric Chandler, Michael Creger, Gord Ellis, Peter Fergus-Moore, Casey Fitchett, Joe Friedrichs, Dana Johnson, Ali Juten, Eric Lee, Will Moore, Deane Morrison, Rae Poynter, Julia Prinselaar, Kelsey Roseth, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, Rhonda Silence, Emily M. Stone, Kathy Toivonen, Maren Webb
Copyright 2018 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc.
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ATTENTION JOB SEEKER S
Must love cats Yoga at the Douglas County Humane Society
SUPERIOR—Marissa Anderson and her daughter, Carmen had a special night planned last Valentine’s Day. Their mother-daughter date took place at the Douglas County Humane Society doing cat yoga.
Marissa learned about the class on Facebook and, though she hadn’t done much yoga in the past, the cats were what drew her in.
“You throw cats into anything and I’m gonna probably jump on board with it to be honest with you,” she laughed.
Carmen, who’s nine, agreed and said she thought it would be a good thing for her health and that it would help her with karate. By the end of class, she wanted to take a kitty home with her.
“It seems like a good way for the cats to find a home,” Carmen said.
The class costs $15 and five dollars of that fee goes directly into the shelter’s general fund for animal care.
“Every animal that leaves the shelter is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, vet-checked, the whole she-bang. We do everything we can to make sure that everybody leaving this building is very healthy,” said shelter director, Sheila Keup.
Connecting with the community and finding cats forever homes are the goals of the class and, so far, they are reaching them. Keup says that they feel very fortunate that the cat adoption rate is now fairly high, to the point that she is able to transfer in cats from smaller, over-populated shelters in Wisconsin.
“When the cats join the class, people fall in love with a certain kitty. And even if they don’t get adopted, it’s so good for them to be around people as much as they can be,” Keup said.
The idea of combining yoga with cats was brought up after shelter staff read about it happening already in California. After a little thought, they contacted yoga instructor, Holly Bounting to get the ball rolling. When Bounting received the call, she knew she had to say yes.
“It’s blending two of my favorite things together, yoga and cats. It’s really good for the cats, it’s good for the people that come. The human and animal interaction is really great, so I’m loving it,” she said.
Cats being at the class is what made Jodie Makovec and her aunt want to try it out. Both had never done yoga before, and both women enjoyed it.
“Having cats in the class made it feel like the environment would be friendly and more casual since we are beginners,” Makovec said.
Shelter cat named Black Jack observing the yoga class. | ALI JUTEN
The class, which is open to just 10 people per week, is definitely beginner-friendly, but more experienced yogis were also present. Kelsey Hatfield is a yoga instructor who has been practicing for about five years. When Bounting told her she was teaching a cat yoga class, she was excited.
“I told her, I’ll be there, sign me up for any day you’re doing it,” she said.
Bounting, who has been practicing yoga for 20 years and teaching for five, typically has a theme for her classes. On Valentine’s Day, many of her classes revolved around love.
“We are radiant beings full of love, and sometimes we kind of lose it. So yoga helps you to find it again and to return to it. Because it’s within every single one of us, and so we just kind of have to learn how to tap into it,” she explained.
Overall, everyone who participated enjoyed it, especially the cats. In the beginning, the cats stayed back, just watching. As the room began to relax, the cats flourished providing subtle comic relief, slowly approaching each person with a timid curiosity. By the end, most kitties and humans were no longer shy at all. In general, yoga is about truly being where you are in the moment and, as a cat lover if where you are is with cats, it’s an amazing combination.
Those interested in cat yoga classes can find the schedule and sign-up information on the Humane Society of Douglas County, Wisconsin, Facebook page.—Ali Juten
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Carmen and yoga instructor Holly Bounting pose with Black Jack.
ALI JUTEN
Black Jack takes his spot on the yoga mat with nine-year-old, Carmen.
ALI JUTEN
North Shore ice climbing A day on Cascade Icefall
LUTSEN—Ice climbing on the North Shore is a rewarding adventure that’s fun for newbies and veteran climbers alike. It’s a technical sport, emphasizing healthy risks and natural spaces. With the area’s beautiful landscapes and numerous waterfalls, there’s nothing like ice climbing to snuff-out the cabin fever. On sage advice, our guided climb at Cascade Icefall was one-part personal growth and two-parts renewed appreciation for the Northern Wilds.
Blake Cazier is a veteran climber on the North Shore area. He is also co-founder of Positive Energy Outdoors, a non-profit offering guided tours and educational opportunities that celebrate the outdoors. They host everyone from young children to corporate executives, and next to dog sledding, ice climbing is their premier winter adventure. “Ice climbing along the North Shore is becoming popular for climbers from the Twin Cities to Thunder Bay,” says Cazier.
Cascade River and Gooseberry Falls are on Cazier’s short list of ice climbing sites, so Cascade Icefall is where he would show us the ropes. The area is rocky and rugged, with parts of the gorge getting spotty sunlight at best. If the conditions are right, it can be a popular place for ice climbers. The falls are first-come firstserve, so it’s best to get an early start. Without hesitation, we made plans
around the favorable weather forecast.
We met Cazier the next morning, just south of Cascade River State Park. The sun glistened in the sapphire sky with temperatures hovering around zero degrees F. After a careful jaunt through deep snow, we laid eyes on the stunning scenery overlooking Cascade River. All at once we had perspective. The size of the gorge and the scale of the icefall was a testament to its dominance. It was a moment of serenity. We weren’t far from the highway, but it seemed miles from civilization.
First up: a static line traverse lowering us to the canyon rim. The deep snow and narrow ledge made building an anchor challenging. Cazier used a combination of trees and ice screws to build a bombproof anchor atop the 70-foot wall of ice. Each of us had to rappel down the frozen waterfall before attempting the climb on toprope belay. If we couldn’t climb the ice, then hiking out upstream would be another adventure altogether.
Pressure mounted as we gathered at the bottom of the frozen precipice. With bulky clothing, crampons, and ice axes, it was a different realm than rock climbing. Cazier encouraged focus and balance while swinging the ax just right, “careful not to nick the ropes with sharp tools.” It was an exercise in self-control and calmness of mind. We found ourselves con -
sumed with the experience—not thinking about tomorrow, taxes or the tedium that makes everyday life so feverish.
We climbed multiple routes on the shadowy ice until early afternoon, soon relishing in the glory of a successful adventure.
“Overcoming the unknown and reflecting on the physical, social, and natural interactions is the stuff of lifelong memories,” Cazier said. And while things don’t always go as planned—like bruised knees or ripped clothes—having the ability to work
through the unexpected is an important part of personal growth.
Ice climbing holds a spirit of adventure like few other winter sports. It’s technical, demanding, and concentrates the mind. It’s gratifying, too. Climbers of all stripes should visit icefalls, and joining other climbers is a good way to find new places, create lasting memories, and snap great pictures—all under the spell of the North Shore’s magical landscape.—Eric Lee
Blake Cazier builds an anchor before rappelling to the bottom of the icefall.
| ERIC LEE
A hidden gem on the Iron Range
Lyric Center for the Arts
VIRGINIA—On the proud Mesabi Iron Range, in the heart of downtown Virginia, there’s a historic, unassuming vaudeville house operating today with a renewed sense of purpose. The Lyric Building on Chestnut Street is home to Lyric Center for the Arts, an organization which provides artistic and educational opportunities for the entire Northland.
The Lyric Opera House was built in 1912 and its 580seat theater initially served as a vaudeville house for traveling performers, including Boris Karloff. He was the actor known for his lead roles in horror films, including the black-and-white Frankenstein movies. In the 1930s, the building was purchased by Paramount Studios and for about 20 years, it showed movies. In the 1950s, Lyric became used for various retail outlets and local businesses until the 1990s, when its owners planned to sell the building so the space could be turned into a parking lot.
“It’s one of the last remaining vaudeville houses in the state of Minnesota,” said Mary McReynolds, the executive director of Lyric Center for the Arts. “[We] fought to be able to not have the building demolished.”
A group of local artists, historians and other community members stepped in to halt the building’s destruction. The nonprofit Laurentian Arts & Culture Alliance was founded and the facility was resurrected as Lyric Center for the Arts.
Today, a group of local artists paints in the building weekly. Local workshops are scheduled often, including a two-day watercolor workshop in March. Live theater productions are put on in the Lyric Annex, such as the Mystery Theater Dinner or the children’s performance of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” both this month. New artists are featured monthly in the First Stage Gallery, with plans for an April exhibit celebrating local Native American art and an exhibit in May celebrating the opening of fishing season (artists, there is still time to sign up).
“Before we opened our art gallery there was no place dedicated to visual arts in this area,” said McReynolds.
Minnesota artist Bill Skodji’s paintings will be featured in June.
“It’s comprised of paintings he has done behind closed doors at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and other museums where he has worked as an exhibit preparer,” she said.
Lyric House Concerts are performed regularly, with upcoming performances from Jeromy Darling, a Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter and Sam Miltich, a self-taught jazz guitarist from Northern Minnesota. And that’s only part of what’s scheduled.
“The arts play a huge role in quality of life and it’s been hidden or missing in the Virginia area for many years,” said McReynolds, highlighting the importance of the arts and its deep connection with improving the local economy.
Preservation is also a top priority. The Center is renovating the building, planning more and more projects over time. Currently, the organization just completed the Lyric’s front entrances. Next, plans are in the works to create a recital hall and restore the original lobby.
The gallery is free and open to the public from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays. The rest of the events have various dates, hours, and rates. Get connected with Lyric Center for the Arts on Facebook for upcoming event information, or visit: lyriccenteronline. org.—Kelsey Roseth
The Lyric Center for the Arts building was originally built in 1912 as the Lyric Opera House. | SUBMITTED
New artists are featured monthly in the First Stage Gallery, at the Lyric Center. | SUBMITTED
Keeping a worm bin
NORTH SHORE—I’m not really a pet person. The responsibility of keeping another creature besides myself alive just seems too daunting. I’d rather just enjoy watching the chickadees at my bird feeder (when I forget to fill it they just find food in the woods). I also grow a huge garden (even when I neglect it most things still poke up through the weeds). My one venture into the keeping of Kingdom Animalia is with little critters named Eisenia fetida, which are also known as red wigglers.
I’ve made these little earthworms a home in a plastic tub in the corner of my kitchen. My starter worms arrived in a yogurt tub. They’d been scooped out of a friend’s established worm bin. While they squirmed and writhed away from the light, I quickly used a cordless drill to poke some holes near the bottom of the medium-sized tub with a lid, threw in a handful of sand and soil for their gizzards,
and dampened some shredded cardboard egg cartons for bedding. After scooping every last worm into my new worm bin, I washed my hands and had a snack. The resulting banana peel became their first meal.
Enthused by the novelty of my new pets, I added food every day. Apple cores, carrot peelings, sad lettuce, and other non-acidic veggies became food for my worms, and I carefully buried each new snack under a layer of torn-up egg cartons. I even ordered a book off the web; a cute little thing called Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof that was published the year I was born. Then I put it on a shelf, got busy, and forgot about it.
One day I noticed that my worms were crawling up the sides. The contents of the tub looked a little damp, so I added more egg cartons and stirred things up a bit. The next week everything seemed a bit
dry, so I soaked some egg cartons in water and added those to the mix.
I fed my worms all winter long, and enjoyed a reduction in snowy trips to my outdoor compost pile. In early March I carefully took scoops of castings (worm poop) out of the bin and picked out the worms one-by-one. Once I had enough castings, I returned the worms to their bin with fresh bedding and a little snack. The sorted castings I set outside to freeze on one of the last bitterly cold nights. These worms (like all worms) are not native to the Northwoods and a quick freeze will prevent them from spreading out of my garden and into the forest.
Once the castings came back up to room temperature, I mixed them with equal parts potting soil and commenced seed starting for my garden. In just a few weeks I had trays full of lush tomato and Brussel sprout babies sunning themselves under my grow lights.
The true wonder of my worms didn’t
become apparent until later that fall, though. Over the course of a busy summer I completely forgot to feed my worms. Three—or maybe four (or was it five?)—months after their last meal, I guiltily carried my worm bin out to the compost pile. I was expecting to have a little funeral for a smattering of dead worms, and then seek a source to re-start my colony. Instead, I found a reasonable number of living worms.
With the addition of more egg carton bedding and a steady supply of food, my worms quickly repopulated the tub and manufactured enough castings for the following seed-starting season.
As you may have guessed, I’m no expert in vermicomposting systems. There are certainly more scientific ways to keep worms. But the little wigglers seem to survive in spite of my care, and that leaves me with more time for watching chickadees and working in the garden. Red wigglers are the perfect pets for me, and maybe for you, too.—Emily
M. Stone
Keeping a worm bin will help reduce snowy trips to your outdoor compost pile. | EMILY STONE
Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation
DULUTH—The raven from Grand Marais was obviously enjoying the roomy suite at Wildwoods earlier this winter. But it was in that “rock star” way. The room was a mess.
Tara Smith sighed, knowing it was going to be quite a job to clean the place up after the raven checked out. “He’s leaving soon,” she said, and the raven alighted from his corner branch perch onto another across an expanse that was layered with droppings.
To be anthropomorphic, you’d think the bird would have more appreciation.
Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation in Duluth is the place where injured or displaced animals of the north find shelter and care. The raven, like hundreds of animals from across the region, was found injured and taken to the facility.
With some time on her hands during slower winter months, Smith, a care coordinator and often the only staff on hand through the cold season, crunched some numbers from 2017. She estimated that Wildwoods handled more than 1,600 animals last year, representing 152 species. That was up from 2016, which saw a 30 percent increase in admits from the year before.
Last year, Wildwoods added an outbuilding to the six-acre property it moved into in 2016 off Arrowhead Road. It’s there where the animals get more room to heal with veterinarian-like services. Smith says the organization has come a long way from working out of a residential basement.
Today, Wildwoods is the second-largest wildlife rehabilitation center in Minnesota.
“It’s just improvements now rather than just struggle,” she said.
People have begun to see Wildwoods as the place to call when injured or orphaned wild animals are found. It is the only service of its kind in northern Minnesota, which is why animals are coming from more than 20 counties. But oftentimes, Smith said, Wildwoods is a good place to call when you need hands-on advice. The staff encourages people to be cautious with found animals but also talk them through handling situations on their own.
Smith once convinced a couple to pull a can off a skunk’s head without getting sprayed. Another time, Wildwoods con -
barn this winter were pigeons. There was also a duck, a flying squirrel, rat, grosbeaks and a bat.
It was a big mouse and rabbit year, Smith said. She suspects that some distemper in foxes cut down on natural predators for the rabbits, resulting in a population explosion.
You never know what might come along, Smith said. A first for her last year was a baby porcupine. And there was a raft of larger animals to deal with, she said. Six fawns at once. Three baby bears. An opossum and badger were also a surprise.
She said seeing animals up close never gets old. She delighted in taking care of a river otter last year.
Smith’s quick list from 2017 looked like this:
• 282 rabbits (275 cottontail, 7 snowshoe)
• 276 songbirds (including 60 robins)
• 132 squirrels
• 131 pigeons
• 130 rodents (including 100 mice and 2 porcupines)
• 110 raptors (including 16 bald eagles, 15 broad-winged hawks and 12 merlins, 9 snowy owls)
• 93 mammals (including 74 raccoons)
• 72 sea birds (including 46 ring-billed gulls)
• 27 fawns
• 17 bats
Wildwoods relies on volunteers to care for the animals. Sometimes, those who have experienced reporting an injured animal end up being part of the mission.
“It is amazing how a person’s perception of a type of wild animal changes after they directly care for one,” wrote Wildwoods founder Farzad Farr in a 2017 blog. “In this way, Wildwoods helps renew connections between people, our natural surroundings, and our wild neighbors that have eroded over time.”
Smith revels in her daily up-close encounters with the Wildwoods patients. Even that messy raven.
sulted a Duluth coffee company when an owl got covered in grounds in an exhaust system. The owl was fine, but smelled delicious, Smith said.
“It’s fun to walk people through these situations,” she said.
While winters can be a time to catch up on paperwork, fundraising and upkeep, one call can change a whole day, Smith said. One day she told a caller that she was a bit distracted since a pigeon had just thrown up on her. She was caring for several birds that had been poisoned.
Yes, people call in with worry about pigeons. And mice. It doesn’t matter that both are generally considered pests by many. Wildwoods does not discriminate, she said. The majority of animals in the
“Some animals can be hard to deal with,” she admits. But she remains diplomatic, something she knows is spreading through the region as Wildwoods becomes the go-to spot for injured or orphaned animals. “It’s fun to hear people excited about helping animals.”
If you have a wild animal question or emergency, contact Wildwoods at (218) 491-3604. The center relies on community donations to carry on its mission. If you’d like to help, call or go to: wildwoodsrehab.org. The website and Facebook page are great places to read about and watch epic animal rescues.—Mike Creger
Tara Smith, a care coordinator at Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation in Duluth, checks on a pigeon from earlier this winter. | SUBMITTED
Even in the slower winter months, Wildwoods in Duluth hosts a variety of recovering wild animals. | SUBMITTED
For the love of horses
The Renegade Riders Saddle Club
For the Renegade Riders, horseback riding isn’t simply a hobby or athletic activity—it’s a lifestyle.
“For me, it’s like therapy,” said Sara Cuypers, the board president of the Renegade Riders Saddle Club. “When I hop on a horse… I just feel like I can let out a
Based in Two Harbors, the non-profit formed back in the early 1990s under the leadership of Tom Gow, a North Shore resident passionate about horseback riding. Gow passed away in 2007, and Gow’s daughter Cassidy Gow partnered with Cuypers to revamp the group.
“My investment is personal. But, it’s also for my family, because I got so much positive encouragement out of being a member of the Saddle Club,” said Cuypers, who grew up riding with the group.
Today, her entire family rides. Her three-year-old son Wyatt just received his first pony named Fern. Her 10-yearold daughter Alison owns a pony of the Americans breed named Nala. Cuypers’
husband Chris rides Burton, an appendix quarter horse and she rides Whiskey, a quarter horse.
“They are such magnificent animals,” said Cuypers.
The Renegade Riders Saddle Club’s purpose is to help its members enjoy all phases of horsemanship, riding, training and showing—and to educate young riders to participate at competition levels. Most importantly, it helps grow its members’ confidence and leadership skills, helps them practice goal setting, and realize the rewards of hard work and commitment. It’s also aimed at training riders on the humane treatment of horses.
Despite a packed personal and family schedule, Cuypers recruited her family to join Renegade Riders to teach her children responsibility and provide them an opportunity to engage with a positive, encouraging community.
“The kids that ride horses, they really just cheer for everybody,” she said.
Wyatt Cuypers on his pony Fern. | SARA CUYPERS
Superior Speaks to a fisherman
To my dear boy, Joe, from your life long companion and friend, Lake Superior, You and I are a lot alike. Your body is mostly made up of water and the other part of you…well, they say you are what you eat… so, you and I are made of water and fish!
Oh, how my waves swell with pride to see how you’ve grown. I have rocked you as an infant, washed and fed you, refreshed and quenched your thirst with my waters. Reflected God’s glory and love for you in sunrises, sunsets and moonlight. Released steam to hover over still waters on cold mornings. I’ve awed and thrilled you with my powerful waves and at times, humbled you with them. I’ve calmed and soothed you with my stillness. With the seagull’s cries, I have drawn you to my shores. With herring and trout, I have sustained and entertained you and your family.
I remember you as a young, slightly naughty artist, painting my rocks red with your dad’s good boat paint. I have watched you and your brother rowing your boat in circles, learning to work together. I was giddy watching the love grow between you and your beloved. I rejoiced with you as you shared your passion for fishing with your family and friends. Seeing you so joyous and thankful with each fish that came over the gunnel, either in the net or on a hook, has blessed me.
You know my depths and my shallows and where those secret spots teem with trout. When fish escaped my waters up the flowing rivers to spawn, you would track them down with just as much joy and determination. I can still hear your children, nieces and nephews on those cool spring nights laughing as nets full of smelt were dipped and hip boots sucked against their legs. Your daughter, so thankful that she could go right to bed while you and your beloved would clean coolers full of smelt deep into the night.
Yes, you have experienced heart-wrenching loss, your dear brother and precious parents that you laid to rest in my waters. I was with you then, mourning your loss and feeling your pain.
I have been your highway to adventures to places like Isle Royale for bigger trout and greenstones, Hole in the Wall to commercial fish with your dad and Clark’s Bay for family-fun.
I have trained your hands in my icy waters. From washing sweet carrots from your dad’s garden to picking herring out of the nets. You have skated, snowmobiled and fished on my frozen waters in your bare hands as if it were summer. One winter, while working on a ship, you fell in my icy waters and swam the entire length to get back on. You showed bravery and compassion as you rescued Mr. Hendricks’ body and boat. One evening, with amazing speed and strength, you chased down those young men trying to steal your boat! And then, with mercy and grace, you let them go.
I have seen the crazy side of you as you gunned the motor to run the boat full of nets and fish up the ramp. You have shown ingenuity as you created wooden flaps to keep the boat from sliding back on the ramp and made an automatic scaler for the herring. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed, getting up before the sun to pick nets or to work in the woods. And, as if there were not enough fish in my waters, you started fishing salmon in the ocean!
Generosity is such a part of you. You take great pleasure in sharing your fish in many forms; from fillets cleaned with the flare of an artist to fish smoked and savory. You show hospitality by taking friends and family in your boat to secret places that I will not reveal. And then, with the help of your beloved, you invite them in to your home for a meal of boiled trout and milk gravy.
You taught your children to respect me. One particular day, your beloved was gone and you took the kids ice berg jumping. You continue to protect by reminding your daughter to stay near the shore with her kayak.
You have watched the otters playing nearby, seen moose and deer swimming in my protection, and the birds soaring overhead or bobbing nearby. Seagulls know you by name and trust your gentleness as you feed them.
Know that you are loved by the God who created the waters and the fishes; in other words, you and me! Happy Birthday, my friend!
Written by Denise Axtell, of Hovland, for her father Joe Carlson on his 80th birthday.
Joe Carlson, of Hovland, recently turned 80. He continues to fish on Lake Superior. | DENISE AXTELL
Two Harbors business creates quality dog food
TWO HARBORS—Giving your dog the best care is a priority for most pet owners. But for Katy and Troy Groeneveld of Two Harbors, it’s also a way of life. The couple are longtime owners of 10 Squared Racing, the largest dog sled gear manufacturer in the U.S. Their experience with sled dogs led them to recognize the need for simple, healthy dog food. Rather than waiting for other options to come to them, they decided to formulate their own dog food, and in July 2016 officially launched Canine Health Forward, a company dedicated to creating healthy, quality food for dogs.
While the Groenevelds began their first sled dog business together in 2001, their love for dogs began much earlier, when both were growing up in the Midwest around dogs. While in college in northern Minnesota, Troy found a passion for sled dog racing, and went on to become a dog handler and trainer. Later, both Troy and Katy operated a sled dog kennel while also creating gear for 10 Squared Racing. It was these experiences with dogs that became the foundation for building Canine Health Forward.
“We recognized a need for a transparent, simple, healthy dog food in a very tight, confusing market,” said Katy.
One of the issues facing pet owners is deciding which companies to trust when picking a brand of dog food. The lack of honesty offered by many companies is one of the factors that drove the Groenevelds to create a transparent line of food and health products.
“We strive to cut through the lies being told by the large corporate brands who make you feel like you’re doing the best thing for your dog by feeding their product, when the exact opposite is true,” said Katy.
To ensure they are creating the best products for dogs, the team at Canine Health Forward makes their dog food with all-natural ingredients and slow bakes it in small batches. They also focus on prevention: including ingredients and supplements designed to stop health issues before they occur. For example, Canine Health Forward products include
supplements essential for joint health, helping to protect dogs from future joint issues rather than simply reacting to issues after the fact. Their proactive approach is part of what makes their formulas so helpful for dogs.
In addition to dog food, Canine Health Forward also supplies oral supplements and topical health aids. Through all their products, they aim to help dogs in the Northland and beyond live happier and healthier lives. Their success has been rewarding to pets, owners, and the Groenevelds alike.
“Our favorite thing so far has been literally watching dogs become more healthy by using our products,” said Katy. “We’ve seen overweight dogs lose weight, underweight dogs gain weight, dogs with terrible allergies overcome them, dogs with poor appetites enjoying eating. It’s been great to watch and hear from the owners how happy their dogs are, which in turn, makes them happy owners.”
Indeed, it’s the love of dogs and the joy of seeing them thrive that drives Troy and Katy and their business. Though they don’t operate a kennel anymore, the Groenevelds still have two dogs, Woody and Morgan, who are active and affectionate members of their family.
“Dogs have so much personality and love to share,” said Katy. “We truly feel every dog deserves to be well cared for.”
Though the Groenevelds want to keep their business small enough to maintain quality and don’t envision big box distribution, they are working toward making it easier for shops across the Midwest to obtain their products. In addition to their online store, Canine Health Forward can already be found in various shops across the Northland, including Matilda’s Dog Bakery in Duluth, Anderson’s Greenhouse in Two Harbors, Buck’s Hardware Hank in Grand Marais, and the Ely Veterinary Clinic.
“We do expect to see steady growth as the buzz about Canine Health Forward spreads,” said Katy. “It’s pretty exciting.”
To learn more about Canine Health Forward, visit their website at: caninehealthforward.com.—Rae Poynter
Wood Week • March 6 - 11 Volunteer & Service Learning Weekend April 20 - 22
Friday Night Prime Rib Rubbed with herbs and spices and slow roasted to perfection Starting at $19.95
Tues. & Thurs. Wing Night
$.50 wings with dipping sauces, blue cheese or ranch along with celery. Only available in the Poplar River Pub.
through April. Not available holidays or with other specials.)
The company Canine Health Forward is located in Two Harbors. | STOCK
Good Times Await
Theory of a Deadman will perform at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on Tuesday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. Since forming in British Columbia in 2001, Theory of a Deadman has placed nine songs in the Top 10 on the rock charts, including number one hits “Bad Girlfriend,” “Lowlife,” “So Happy,” and “Angel.” Their latest hit, “RX” is the first single from their new record Wake Up Call. On March 27 and March 28, chart-topping, multi-platinum, award-winning, singer-songwriter Johnny Reid will perform for two nights on his “Revival” National Tour; both shows at 7 p.m. Other performances at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium include: TBSO Pops 5, Snowed In Comedy Tour, The Wizard of Oz, and the Thunder Bay Body Building Championships. tbca.com
Take part in Chef Swap on Monday, March 12, when Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar from Duluth will take over the Red Lion Smokehouse kitchen. Then, on Monday, April 23, Red Lion will head south to take over Lake Avenue’s kitchen. Tickets are $60 and include a four-course tasting menu, created by the visiting chef. Make your reservations now. Tickets are available on eventbrite.ca. Other Red Lion events include arts and craft beer on March 21, music bingo on March 24, and quiz night on March 28. facebook.com/ redlionsmokehouse
Finns and non-Finns of all ages can join the Finlandia Association of Thunder Bay for St. Urho’s Weekend, held March 15-18 at the Finlandia Hall. There will be standup comedy at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday with Ismo Leikola and special guests Chris Holland Pass Lake Princess and Eric Laugh ton. Ismo is the winner of the “Funni est Person in the World” in Las Vegas in 2014. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door; must be 19 years of age or older to attend. Then, meet in front of the Hoito on Saturday for the annual pa rade around Bay Street. Wear purple and green and follow the skewered grasshop per in the hall for an afternoon of en tertainment by local musicians, cultural performers, the Finnish orchestra, local dance groups and singers; held from noon to 4 p.m. And don’t miss the Mrs. Urho’s craft market and sale,
held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. Local artisans and crafters will show off their wares, featuring everything from spring season fashions and jewelry to arts and crafts. thefinlandia.com
Magnus Theatre will be performing Bed and Breakfast, by Mark Crawford, held March 22 through April 7. Brett and Drew want to move out of their tiny downtown condo and into a house, but they just lost their seventh bidding war in Toronto. When Brett’s beloved Aunt Maggie dies, he unexpectedly inherits the historic family home in a quiet little tourist town. Unhappy with their careers and frustrated by life in the city, the couple decides to make the move and start a B&B. But when the guys face friction in their new community, they discover the simple life is more complicated than they thought. magnustheatre.com
Mark your calendars for the 20th annual CLE Spring Home and Garden Show, held April 6-8. There will be multiple craft and merchandise tables, lots of exhibitor booths, outdoor displays, attendance prizes, a special drawing, and the latest in home and garden products. The Country Market will also be in attendance Friday and Saturday. The show will utilize five buildings on the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds. Admission is $3 and parking is free. cle.on.ca
Unconventional Pets
For some folks, a dog or a cat just won’t do.
A Sharp Dressed Pig
BY CASEY FITCHETT
“He is 150 pounds or more bigger than we thought he would be,” said Misty Schliep as she glances down at the photo in front of her. “He is a Vietnamese pot belly pig, not the teacup kind that you would normally think of. He was only supposed to be about 45 pounds.”
What began as a practical joke between her daughter Gianna Schliep and an acquaintance is now a beloved family pet that is now almost nine years old.
“My daughter was trying to convince someone that she had a pet pig,” she explained. “She ended up saying, ‘Wait, why don’t I have a pet pig?’ She found a reputable seller online and came back with Patches.”
Despite squealing all the way home to Cook County from the Twin Cities, the family quickly bonded with the little piglet. His uncertainty about his new situation was calmed by Gianna spending that first night on the bathroom floor with him to gain his trust. Before long, he was so comfortable with the family that he created his own race track around the house, basically cornering on two feet as he gained speed.
“He would run a repetitive race track around the coffee table, over the couch, down the hallway. One time I was cleaning the bathroom downstairs and he screeched to a halt, looked at me, and then kept going,” she laughed. “He was FAST when he was little.”
Patches spent the next years rooting around the house and yard, proving the brute strength of that nose. During the years Gianna attended nursing school in Hibbing, Patches often hit the road as well, of course riding shotgun. He became a staple around the town, and some of the fast food restaurants would save scraps for him. In between getting his belly scratched, he’s been in functions and parades and participated in family holiday gatherings.
Though most of the surprises about pig ownership have been a fun learning curve, some of the stereotypes about pigs do ring true.
“I’ve never seen an animal that is so happy to eat,” said Schliep. “His normal food is sort of like rabbit food, but formulated for pigs. We give him treats sometimes too; he loves corn on the cob, potato peelings, apples, and peppermint sticks around Christmas time. He crunches them like they are nothing.”
Not only was the unorthodox pet fast on his feet with a voracious appetite, but his memory was sharp and he was sensitive to boot. He constantly impressed the family with his intelligence, and they began teaching him tricks, like how to “shake” and “high five.” Don’t count on him to always perform on command, however.
“He is very much like a toddler. He will let you know if he doesn’t like something. There is a lot more that we could train him to do, but he has to want to do it,” said Schliep.
After he consented to learning how to nod “yes” on command, they had a little fun with his talent and added a costume to the scene. With ZZ Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man” playing in the background, Patches donned a pair of sunglasses and bobbed his head through the song. (Yes, the event was caught on video.)
With all the quirks and unique times spent with Patches, Schliep is adamant about the positivity that he has brought to her family’s life.
“He was a good thing for my daughter. Their presence is very calming, and they are very loyal,” she said. “There’s a lot of joy in this animal over the years. These memories are really special to me.”
Patches, a Vietnamese pot belly pig, as a piglet. | MISTY SCHLIEP
Patches loves spending time outside with Misty Schliep. | MISTY SCHLIEP
Drew’s Wild Kingdom
BY JOE FRIEDRICHS
Drew Johnson isn’t a fan of cold weather.
Given his geographic location in northeastern Minnesota, this presents a problem. Opting not to sulk through the winter months, Johnson took the matter into his own hands. So he bought a lizard. And then a snake. And then an enormous frog he named Zigi.
After compiling an impressive and diverse collection of reptiles, amphibians and all manner of aquatic life, Johnson has now dedicated an entire room in his home to warm-weather creatures.
“It’s so cold up here in the winter,” he said. “So it’s nice to have a room in your house with a little tropical climate feel to it.”
Born and raised in Grand Marais, Johnson now lives in Lutsen along with his fiancée, Lanna Sunde. Together the duo have accumulated more than a dozen unique species of animals they share their home with.
“Our deal was, after we settled into the new place we could each get an animal of our choosing. Mine being a cat and Drew’s choice was a Pacman frog,” Sunde said. “And then it kind of spiraled out of control after we went to our first reptile show.”
The easiest way to think of the warm room inside their house is to envision a small pet store where one might otherwise find a spare bedroom. The pet room includes an East African spiny-tailed lizard, a South American horned frog (also known as a Pacman frog), a ball python, a bearded dragon lizard, and a poisonous dart frog. And then there’s the sea coral, tiny shrimp, more amphibians and an assortment of fish. Not to mention a closet full of live larva, earthworms, fruit flies and beetles that serve as food for all the pets.
“Having all these unique pets is pretty much a 50/50 thing between myself and Drew,” Sunde said. “But I’m the practical one keeping Drew from buying a new pet every week.”
Johnson was 10 years old when he obtained his first aquarium-based pet. That was the aforementioned spiny-tailed lizard. Seventeen years later, Johnson and the lizard have become well acquainted. The relationship works like this: Johnson supplies the insects to eat and the pet gladly gobbles them down. Year after year has gone on this way, and it’s only gotten better, according to Johnson.
“The key is to establish and maintain a natural habitat for pets like this,” he said. “Some people don’t do that and they get let down or their pets aren’t healthy.”
Johnson tries to keep the pet room at a consistently-warm temperature, somewhere in the low to mid 70s. The separate aquariums or tanks are kept warmer than that, presenting a desert like feel for some of the pets, and a rainforest atmosphere for others.
A hobby along these lines is not as cheap as say, collecting rocks or even ice fishing. But after the initial start-up funds—including aquariums, various plants that other-
wise have no business being in Minnesota and the cost of the pets themselves—the expenses reduce dramatically.
One aspect often overlooked when it comes to raising exotic pets, such as lizards, frogs or snakes, is preparation. Johnson said he spent four or five months researching the details involved with raising a Pacman frog.
“Some of the bigger pet stores don’t tell their customers about this research phase of being a good pet owner,” Johnson said. “And I feel that’s a mistake.”
As the pet room continues to expand in both numbers and size of the creatures that live there, Johnson has plans to relocate the venue to the basement in his house. There will be more space in the basement, and in the summer months there won’t be the risk of overheating the animals, a challenge that presented itself multiple times last year. Another ‘challenge’ of sorts was the simple fact that there were exotic reptiles and amphibians occupying a bedroom inside the house.
“Most of my friends and family have been pretty interested in our unique hobby,” Sunde said. “Once the snake came into play a few of my friends refused to visit the house, but I’m working on changing their minds.”
Eventually, Johnson might take his show on the road. He has considered bringing the pets to Birch Grove Elementary School in Tofte for day trips in a meet-and-greet style event between the students and pets. There’s also the possibility he will breed some of the pets, and sell the offspring at pet shows throughout the Midwest.
And while having a room full of reptiles, amphibians and fish might seem strange to some, for Johnson it creates a healthy environment to think, create and observe. He often spends time working on various projects on a laptop computer stationed upon a desk inside the pet room. On other occasions, he’ll just sit and watch or listen to the critters.
“The (Pacman) frog barks,” Johnson said. “Like a dog.”
So with a collection of this nature, how does one choose a favorite? Like any good parent, Johnson said it’s impossible to choose just one.
“They’re all kind of my favorite,” he said.
Editor’s note: Drew Johnson is employed by Northern Wilds.
Lanna’s bearded dragon enjoys a snack. | JOE FRIEDRICHS
Drew’s poison dart frog. | DREW JOHNSON
Drew with a few of their pets; his Pacman frog, their ball python, and Lanna’s bearded dragon. | LANNA SUNDE
Eight Reasons why Snakes make Great Pets
STORY AND PHOTOS BY DANA JOHNSON
When most people hear the word “snake,” the first image that comes to mind isn’t a cute pet corn snake curled up in the warmth of its owner’s lap. Usually it’s a vicious cobra hissing and attacking with huge fangs, or a giant anaconda devouring people. Snakes have been misunderstood for centuries and they’ve received negative media attention for too long. In reality there are many small, nonvenomous snake species that make wonderful pets. Consider the following reasons why a snake might be a good choice as your next animal friend.
1. Quiet
A pet snake will never wake you up in the middle of the night barking, or beg for table scraps, or sit on your pillow and meow at you until you get up to feed it, or whine at the door to go outside. Some people prefer a quiet home, and a snake will not disrupt the peace.
2. Hypoallergenic
If you’re allergic to traditional pets, a snake or other reptile is the perfect solution. They have no fur, feathers, or dander. If small animal wood-based bedding makes you sneeze, there are many alternative substrate options you can use, including newspaper, coconut fiber, paper towels, or even regular towels. Fun fact: When a snake sheds its skin, the newly exposed scales underneath are sterile.
3. Inexpensive
Unless you’re looking to invest in a highend morph breeding project, a pet snake, plus its basic set up and care, won’t break
Some snakes have iridescent scales, like this hypomelanistic Sonoran boa constrictor.
the bank. You can keep them in something as simple as a plastic storage container with a secure lid and drilled ventilation holes, which for many species is a better choice than a heavy glass aquarium because the plastic holds heat and humidity better. You can invest in a quality plastic snake cage that will last a lifetime for $150-$300. After initial set up costs, the only expense is food, which for most snakes is less than $5 a month.
4. Easy Care
Because snakes have slow metabolisms, they don’t eat every day. Most pet snakes are fed only once every week or two, and defecate just as often. You can conveniently keep their food (usually whole rodents) in the freezer to be thawed on feeding day—no need to keep and feed live rats that could hurt your snake. Because snakes are ectothermic (cold blooded) they do require some specific equipment to maintain the environmental conditions they need. They must have a heat source and thermo -
These baby Type 2 Anerythristic boa constrictors look very different, but they’re the same morph.
stat, and different species have different requirements, so do your research. A heat gun is a device that reads the temperature of whatever it’s pointed at, and every reptile owner should have one. I recommend the models that read the humidity level as well. Most health problems in reptiles arise due to temperature or humidity issues in their enclosure.
5. Long Lifespan
Most pet snake species live 15 to 40 plus years in captivity. There’s no reason a snake can’t become a beloved part of the family just like a cat or dog. While they can become ill, vet visits should be few and far between if the snake is properly cared for.
6. Incredible Variety
Pet snakes may come in a wider variety of species, pattern and color than any other pet animal. A snake morph is usually a color and/or pattern mutation that is genetically passed on to offspring. Corn snakes and ball pythons are common pet snakes, and each of them are available in hundreds of morphs with thousands of possible combinations. New morphs are being discovered and created through selective breeding all the time, so it’s a very exciting hobby to follow.
Wild caught snakes like this local garter snake don’t make good pets because they often have parasites and may be difficult to feed in captivity. Always buy captive bred.
7. Convenient
While you can purchase a snake and everything needed to care for it from a pet store, I recommend exploring options on the internet. You can choose an individual snake online from a breeder and have it shipped to your door. There are many reputable reptile supply stores online as well. Purchasing frozen rodents in bulk saves money and you can get those online too. Attend a reptile expo to see snake morphs, handle snakes and ask breeders questions in person.
8. Not Dangerous
Snakes are misunderstood animals that deserve some positive attention. A small pet snake is no more dangerous than a cat or dog, and often less so. Snakes only bite for two reasons: food and fear. A bite from a small snake is no worse than a cat scratch. Once a snake learns that the big scary humans aren’t going to eat it, we become akin to a warm tree. Handle fearful snakes by approaching from underneath and behind, not in front or above. Research the species of snake you’re interested in so you know how big it gets and handle some in person before you buy one. Knowledge beats fear every time.
Many pet snakes enjoy supervised outdoor exercise on warm summer days.
Nathara the Okeetee corn snake feels safe under her hide in her enclosure.
Vote for your Favorite Restaurants for a chance
certificate
Do you have a favorite place to get a coffee, to eat breakfast or take the kids for dinner?
The restaurants you vote for must be located in the Northern Wilds coverage area, which includes the North Shore communities from Duluth to Terrace Bay and over to Ely.
Only one ballot per person. Do not choose the same restaurant in more than three categories or your entire ballot will be disqualified (Best server is exempt from this rule). You can mail in your ballot, drop it off at our office or vote online at northernwilds.com. Voting ends March 31, 2018. Look for the results in the 2018 Menu Guide and the June issue of Northern Wilds.
Official Ballot Which restaurant has the best:
Limit 3 entries per restaurant (except for best server)
Appetizers?
Use of regional ingredients?
Ethnic fare?
Northwoods character?
View?
“Worth the drive?”
Kid-friendly menu?
Vegetarian-friendly menu?
Server or bartender? (include full name and restaurant)
Speedy service?
Take-out?
Mail this ballot to:
Northern Wilds Media, Inc., P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55604 or Vote online at surveymonkey.com/r/rest2018
Only one ballot per person.
The process of collecting and storing the ice is not as simple as one might think. It involves science, ingenuity and cooperation. But before the ice-makers can take on the ice, the ice house must be prepared. One such ice house is cut into a hillside and its features include Styrofoam insulation, a concrete floor, and a façade made of logs. The ice house was built by a retired steam and recovery superintendent, who is held in high regard for his experience and knowledge and is referred to as the ‘Ice Master’ or ‘Ice Meister.’ To ready the house, it will first be surcharged with cold by keeping the doors open for weeks. Just as a thermos is surcharged with hot water before filling with hot coffee, conversely, the frigid nights will chill the interior of the ice house.
Likewise, the lake site must be prepared. Snow will be removed from the surface of the ice. Snow acts as an insulator, so by removing the snow, the water below can freeze more quickly to the desired thickness of about two feet. Next, the ice is scored at a width of 14 inches with a chainsaw. The ice is cut deeply but not deep enough to cut through to the water. The chainsaw is attached (blade down) to a skid that resembles a short kick sleigh, and the saw can be adjusted for the variation of thickness in the ice. After all of the blocks are scored in both directions to make a checkerboard pattern, the first cut is made through to the water, which is called the plunge cut. Once the first cut makes it through the ice, water gushes up and fills the score lines, so the crew must work quickly on the slippery surface. The lines must be kept visible and slush must be cleaned off. After the first 14 by 14-inch square is cut on all sides and the block of ice is free, it is pushed down into the water. The block then pops back up like a cork. When the block bobs up, it is grabbed by ice tongs and pulled from the water. Cheers erupt from the crew as the first two-foot-long block is birthed from the water. The foggy, opaque top layer, called creamy ice, transitions to a crystal clear glass cube. The men and women on the crew continue to free blocks of ice, cutting, pushing the blocks towards the edge with a picaroon, and pulling the blocks to the surface. It takes a full day to harvest the 70 blocks (about five tons) of ice for each of the three ice houses. Before leaving the lake, though, one last important task is required: to guard the hole. Trees are put up around the edge of the site to warn others of the open water.
Before the blocks are brought to the ice house, the creamy ice, the top layer that
is foggy and opaque, will be cut and separated from the clear ice. Creamy ice has more air in it and will melt faster, so it is ideal for cooler ice whereas the clear ice has less air and will melt slower. Therefore, the clear ice is the more valued ice.
At the ice house, Ice Meister organizes the blocks. The creamy and clear ice blocks will be organized and stored separately. Snow is then packed between the blocks. The whole lode is then covered with wood shavings and sealed in the insulated house.
When the work is all done, the crew celebrates by sampling the ice crop, dining well, and having a sauna. All the while, they talk about the day and problems solved. Each year, techniques and tools are improved based on traditional knowledge and experiences. Many of the tools the crew uses have been tweaked or designed by the Ice Meister to be more efficient.
“It goes deep in your psyche,” said the ice-maker.
Finally, in the heat of a summer day, the ice house is opened. A block of clear ice is placed on a grate suspended on work horses. A gravity-fed water source supplies water to rinse the shavings from the block. The creamy ice is packed in a cooler, and at last, the clear ice fulfills its noble end, said the ice-maker. When he looks at the ice slowly morphing and melting in his drink, he feels the cold on his face from the January breeze. He sees his fellow crew people working in unison on the ice. He remembers the old woman in the ‘70s who was so happy to be cutting the ice, and he looks forward to the next harvest.
“It’s the value that you receive when you’re looking at the ice in your rum. By the last drop of the bottle, your mind expands and allows you to reflect and regale these thoughts and the more guys you have involved, the richer the picture.”
Scoring the ice at a width of 14 inches.
The plunge cut.
The first block is released.
Clear ice has less air in it and is slower to melt. It is the more valued ice.
Ice is covered with wood shavings and stored in an insulated ice house.
Blocks of ice at the ice house.
By Breana Roy
Chaos, Cracks, Creativity
The annual community art show, sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church, will be held at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais, March 9-25. This year’s theme is Chaos, Cracks, Creativity. An art show opening will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 9, followed by a presentation by artist and art historian Wayne Roosa at 6 p.m. An evening for writers to read their work will be held Friday, March 16. Artists of all ages and media types are invited to submit their work; no more than two pieces per artist. Artwork can be dropped off at the Johnson Heritage Post March 5-6. Here’s a look at some of last year’s artwork.
Artist Jeri Person created this colorful glass piece. | JERI PERSON
This piece was a group project created by students at the Okshi Ogemaag Charter School in Grand Portage.
| OKSHI OGEMAAG STUDENTS
Also occurring this month is the Lakehead University Visual Arts Department Annual Student Juried Exhibition, held at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. This acrylic on canvas, titled “Dropping Heart” by Shaylyn Bishop, is one of the many pieces that will be on display, held March 2-25.
| SHAYLYN BISHOP
This bird painting was created by Grand Marais artist Tom McCann. | TOM MCCANN
This beautiful birch basket, titled “Makok,” was created by Dennis Chilcote. | DENNIS CHILCOTE
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▶ enter tainment while socializing with fellow suppor ters of the ISD
* The Cook County School District ISD 166 Education Foundation awards grants for projects and activities that enhance the curriculum. Nearly $119,000 in grants have been provided by this foundation.
NIPIGON ICE FEST
March 2-4 Ontario’s longest running, premiere ice climbing festival features ice climbing clinics for beginner to advanced levels and a women’s only clinic. There will also be guided snowshoe treks, a game night and a gear swap and raffle. After a day of climbing or snowshoeing, warm up at the Legion Hall and get inspired with presentations by outdoor adventurers and climbing enthusiasts, starting at 7 p.m. Food and drinks will also be available. Event registration is required. facebook. com/nipigonicefest
WOMEN’S EXPO
March 3, Saturday Grab your girlfriends and head to the Duluth DECC for the annual Women’s Expo, featuring numerous exhibits, entertainment, seminars and speakers, health and fitness, samples and screenings, pampering, shopping and more. New this year is WomenRock, a breast cancer awareness event and fundraiser to help Northland women and their families with much-needed resources and support through the St. Luke’s Foundation. WomenRock will raise money for the foundation through games, a silent auction, and the Rockin for a Reason rocking chair marathon. Northern Wilds will also be at the expo, so stop by and say hi. The expo will he held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $6 at the door, or free if you sign up online in advance. duluthwomensexpo.net
SLEEPING GIANT LOPPET
March 3, Saturday Held in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Thunder Bay, the Sleeping Giant Loppet is a mass participation ski festival that offers fun for the whole family and challenges competitive athletes. It
features multiple events with distances for skiers of all levels and abilities. The 8km mini-loppet is perfect for families, children and rookies. If you’re ready to increase your distance, than try the 20km Marie Louise Lake loop. The popular 35km is a relaxed event that takes place on the Burma Trail. For the ultimate challenge, register for the 50km Classic, Skate or Skiathlon distance. Following the races will be a party and awards ceremony at Sleeping Giant Brewery from 6:30-10 p.m., featuring brewery tours, food from Pinetree Catering, and a separate children’s area with a movie and kids menu available. Race registration required. sleepinggiantloppet.ca
SUGAR TOUR
March 3, Saturday All ages and abilities are invited to take part in the annual Sugar Tour; a fun, family-friendly non-competitive cross-country ski challenge at Oberg Mountain in Tofte. Categories include a 5km loop, 8km loop and 18km loop. There will be completion medals and treats provided. Cost to participate is a $10 donation per adult, and $5 for ages 12 and under. This event is a fundraiser for the Sugarbush Trail Association. Register online to participate. sugarbushtrail.org
CABIN FEVER RELIEVER
March 4, Sunday Two Harbors Community Radio (KTWH) will host its 4th annual Cabin Fever Reliever music and entertainment extravaganza at 3 p.m. at the Two Harbors High School auditorium. This family-friendly show will feature music, tap dancing, storytelling, poetry and the popular Radio Theater, as well as a bake sale, coffee and cider. This year’s lineup includes musicians Kyle Ollah and Dave Slattery, Brenda Moe from Sterling Dance, youth performers showcasing the “Suicide Prevention Song,” storyteller Shane Dickey, poet Micky McGilligan, the Two Harbors Piano Studio, and the Two Harbors Ukulele Group. New this year will be kids’ activities in the lobby at 2 p.m., such as face painting and story time. Tickets available in advance or at the door. ktwh.org
THUNDER BAY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OPEN HOUSE
March 4, Sunday The Thunder Bay Horticultural Society will host their third annual Open House from 1-4 p.m. at the Oliver Road Community Centre, featuring seminars, demonstrations, refreshments and more. There will be everything needed to help a new gardener, from how to read a seed catalogue, to how to recycle things to turn into garden art, as well as other topics. This event is free and open to the public. tbayhortsociety.weebly.com
WOOD WEEK
March 6-11
The North House Folk School in Grand Marais is devoting a week to wood-working in its many forms. Courses include a Dala horse carving, sign carving, knife skills, and three rare tools in three
This year’s Cabin Fever Reliever fundraiser in Two Harbors will include the popular Radio Theater group. | SUBMITTED Visit the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth for Easter activities. | SUBMITTED
The Chocolate After Dark fundraiser will be held March 8. | SUBMITTED
live music, featuring Duluth’s top artists performing at Papa Charlie’s. This year’s lineup includes Irish American, Superior Siren, Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, The Social Animals, HALEY, Alamode, To Many Banjos, and Charlie Parr. The Friday and Saturday concerts begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $14 at the door; must be 21 years of age or older. The Sunday and Monday concerts are free and appropriate for all ages. lutsen.com
EATS FUNDRAISER
March 22, Thursday The Cook County School District #166 Education Foundation (CCSDEF) presents EATS: Enriching Academics Through Sustenance. Held from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Cook County Middle/High School in Grand Marais, there will be a wide variety of tasty food to sample from local restaurants and food vendors. There will also be live music and a silent auction with items donated by local businesses and individuals. Tickets are $25 to attend and only 150 tickets will be sold. Tickets are available at Java Moose, Blue Water Café, and the PK-12 office at the school. Contact a CCSDEF board member for more info.
MINNESOTA BALLET PRESENTS SWAN LAKE
March 23-25
The Minnesota Ballet in Duluth will perform Swan Lake, a story of elegance, enchantment, love and betrayal. Staged by Robert Gardner and set to the glorious Tchaikovsky score, the story follows Prince Siegfried through the darkened woods to a moonlit lake, where he comes upon graceful swan maidens and falls in love with Odette, their beautiful queen. Performances will be held at the DECC Symphony Hall at 7 p.m. (3 p.m. on Sunday). Tickets can be purchased online in advance. minnesotaballet.org
CELTIC MUSIC & CEILI DANCE
March 31, Saturday The North Shore Music Association will host an evening of Celtic music and dance, featuring musicians from the band BARRA: Beth Vance, fiddle; Dave Cammack, Bodhran and button box; Paul Garding, guitar and vocals; Bobbie Scott, concertina and whistle; and Ann Wiberg, dance caller. Delighting audiences with favorite traditional dance tunes and songs, rare pieces
Reduced Cost Tree Fencing Program
Landowners planting white pine and cedar within 3 miles of Lake Superior in Lake and Cook Counties can apply for reduced cost tree fencing through the North Shore Forest Collab orative (NSFC). Information and application available on NSFC website.
northshoreforest.org
collected on visits to Ireland, and music from related Celtic traditions, Twin Cities masters of Celtic music, BARRA, will liven up your night. Held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, the concert starts at 7 p.m. and the dance starts at 7:45 p.m. All ages are welcome. Tickets will be sold at the event only, starting at 6:30 p.m. northshoremusicassociation.com
FREE DAY AT THE DENTIST
EASTER ACTIVITIES
Have breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 31 at the 9th annual Cook County Kids Plus Easter Egg Fundraiser for the Snacks and Packs Food Program. Held from 9 a.m.-noon at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais, there will be brunch, games, skating and crafts. An outdoors Easter egg hunt will be at 10:30 a.m. and a raffle drawing with prizes will be at noon. Cost to attend is $20 per family. (218) 387-3015
Also on March 31 is the annual Easter Egg-stravaganza at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth. Held from 10 a.m.2 p.m., there will be hunting for eggs, kids games and prizes, face painting, treats, special animal enrichments, and photos with the Easter Bunny. You can also participate in the annual coloring contest for a chance to win zoo-inspired prizes, including a zoo membership. Coloring contest sheets can be found at area Super One grocery stores and Kwik Trip gas stations. lszooduluth.org
The Easter Bunny will make an appearance at 8 a.m. at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites in Silver Bay on Sunday, April 1, followed by an Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m. There will also be a breakfast buffet with a waffle bar, starting at 6 a.m. Cost to attend the buffet is $6.50 per person; free for hotel guests. (800) 634-3444
Healthy Smiles for Cook County Youth Monday,
April 23, 2018
The Oral Health Task Force will be sponsoring another “Free Day” at Grand Marais Family Dentistry on April 23, 2018 for Cook County children and young adults up to 26 years of age. The Free Day also applies to children who attend Birch Grove Charter School living in Silver Bay. Appointment slots fill up quickly so call today to make an appointment at 387-2774. The “Free Day” includes an exam, cleaning, x-rays, fluoride and/ or sealants. Also being offered is free fluoride well water testing compliments of the Oral Health Task Force to any home where children reside. This offer includes pre-natal moms, children and young adults again up to age 26, day cares, and grandparent’s homes. For further well testing information and instructions, please call either Joe Routh at Cook County Planning and Zoning, 387-3631 or Georgene Daubanton at Oral Health Task 387-2334.
For more information
www.northshorehealthcarefoundation.org
Sponsored by the Oral Health Task Force and Grand Marais Family Dentistry.
This program is made possible by grants from Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Aitkins Memorial Fund, Cliffs Foundation, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, First and Second Street Thrift Store, Grand Marais Lions and Lioness Club, Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, Mardag Foundation, Medica Foundation, Minnesota Dental Foundation, Minnesota Power Foundation, North Shore Health Care Foundation, Northland Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, St. Lukes Foundation, and Walmart Foundation.
March 17, Saturday
St. Patrick’s Day
Cross Quetico Lakes Tour Atikokan, Ontario, traveltheheart.org
Tow Up Throw Down 10 a.m. Spirit Mountain, Duluth, spiritmt.com
St. Urho’s Parade & Variety Show Noon, The Hoito, Thunder Bay, thefinlandia.com
Exhibition & Artist Talk: Gabriella Boros 12:30 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org
Live Music: Tara Nelson 1 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Four Seasons Supper Club, Finland (218) 353-7371
Exhibition & Artist Talk: David Andree 2 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org
Irish Music 4 p.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com
DSSO: Green Grass of Home 7 p.m. Duluth DECC, dsso.com
Snowed In Comedy Tour
7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com
St. Patty’s Day Celebration with the Velvets 8 p.m. Wunderbar Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
Celtic Music Program
8:30 p.m. Justine’s at Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Trail, gunflint.com
March 18, Sunday
Mrs. Urho’s Craft Market & Sale Noon, Finlandia Club, Thunder Bay, thefinlandia.com
Open Skating (Thru Mar. 17) 11 a.m. Cook County Community Center, Grand Marais (218) 387-3015
Voyageur Brewing Company Tour 11:30 a.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com
Open Knitting 1 p.m. Sisu Designs Yarn Shop, Ely, sisudesigns.org
Free: Tour the North House Campus 2 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org
Live Music 3 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us
Apres Ski Acoustic 3:15 p.m.
Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com
Live Music 6 p.m. Cascade Restaurant, Lutsen, cascadelodgemn.com
Live Music 7 p.m. Lutsen Resort, lutsenresort.com
Live Music 8 p.m. Wunderbar Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
Live Music 8 p.m. Grandma Ray’s, Grand Marais (218) 387-2974
Sundays
Live Music: Briand Morrison
10 a.m. Moguls Grille at Caribou Highlands, Lutsen, caribouhighlands.com
Live Music 11 a.m. Wunderbar Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
Open Skating (Thru Mar. 18) 1 p.m. Cook County Community Center, Grand Marais (218) 387-3015
Folk & Bluegrass Music 3:30 p.m.
Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com
Open Stage Sundays 6 p.m.
Wunderbar Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
The North Shore Dish
Local Treats for Your Furry Friends
By Maren Webb
While the North Shore Dish typically focuses on food and drink for humans, in this pet-focused edition of Northern Wilds, I thought it only fitting to look at local delicacies available for our furry friends. These shops and treat-makers offer a wide range of items, from beef jerky to cakes, all for those on four legs. While many of us are pet owners, you’ll want to keep reading even if you are not. Guaranteed that someone is your life has a dog or cat that would enjoy a special treat. Sharing treats is a joyful activity; just ask my one-year-old daughter who loves doling out treats to our chocolate Lab, Maya.
Since 2011, Bay Meats has been serving customers in Thunder Bay, mostly of the human variety. Three years ago, they increased their canine fan base by launching Dexter’s Dog Jerky Treats. Just like their human jerky, Dexter’s is made with Canadian beef in their Bay Street plant and they haven’t met a dog who doesn’t like it.
It all started with Bay Meats’ loyal customers. “Many of our customers were sharing our ‘people’ jerky with their dogs, and as much as I thought it was cute, it didn’t seem right. Dogs are so much smaller than humans, so we started thinking about how to make them a healthier product,” said Cindy Salo, owner and manager of Bay Meats. After some researching, they found that the few options out there had labels instructing people to wash their hands after feeding to the dog. They knew they could do better than that. Not only is Dexter’s Dog Jerky made with Canadian beef, it is made with the same protocols and procedures as their people jerky.
The Dexter’s line is named after general manager Bruce’s sister’s dog, Dexter, who is also the face of the brand. And while the jerky treats are marketed to dogs, as Bruce says, “Cats who can’t read love Dexter’s Dog Jerky.” Indeed, some cats do like it, but all the family dogs give it a “paws up.”
Bay Meats (282 Bay Street, Thunder Bay) is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition to at the shop, Dexter’s are also available online (baymeats.com) and locally at Thunder Pet, Northwest Vet Clinic, and some Safeway stores.
Does your dog have a milestone birthday or other special celebration coming up?
Puppie Love has the treat for you: custom pupcakes (dog cupcakes) and doggie cakes. Sarah LaVerne and her daughter, Ella, start-
ed baking for dogs as a way to fundraise for local pet rescues and charities. It was so well received that Sarah embarked on a journey to create the bakery business, Puppie Love, which has online ordering and local delivery in Thunder Bay.
Puppie Love offers treats, pupcakes and cakes. The treats come in a variety of dog favorite flavors, including peanut butter, bacon, sweet potato, beef, turkey and cranberry, and gingerbread. For pupcakes and doggie cakes, peanut butter, bacon, and honey cake flavors are available. Owner Sarah developed her own recipes, searching for ones that have “natural and organic ingredients that held a good shape, snap and chew, and maintained a good shelf life.” Ella and Sarah’s love of pets comes through in the products they offer, with healthier but still dog-loved options. They have enjoyed taste testing with her mother’s, Ella’s grandmother’s, and dogs Little Girl and Dakota, who have become big
fans of the Puppie Love products.
With hopes of eventually having a storefront, Puppie Love is currently available by special order via the website (puppielove. online). Pick-up and delivery is available in Thunder Bay and if south of the border, contact Sarah as arrangements can be made for delivery to Grand Portage. All dog treat orders need two business days and pupcake/doggie cake orders need two weeks lead time.
In the Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth, a shop on Superior Street is busy selling their own dog treats and many other specialty pet supplies: Matilda’s Dog Bakery and Boutique. Owner Joanne Elliot opened the shop in 2011, after making treats for local gift shops grew into the idea of a full shop. In addition to handmade onsite Buckaroo Biscuits, bark-scotti, and seasonal treats, Matilda’s carries a variety of high quality pet foods, chews, treats and other supplies.
As many in the pet business, Elliot is a pet lover and she has three dogs. “Small, medium, and large,” she said about her dogs. Matilda, Olive and Thor have been her inspiration and taste-testers along the way. Thor the chihuahua is the Buckaroo Biscuits label star. Matilda, the store’s namesake, is an 85-pound husky Lab mix.
“It’s fun to see how people really love their pets,” said Elliot. While Matilda’s treats are for dogs, they also carry high-quality cat treats, including freezedried raw treats. Cat treats are difficult to make as they need to be tiny, so like many other local treat makers, she focuses her handmade products on dogs. Eight treat flavors are available, with the peanut butter-based ones being the most popular, with bacon and maple and with honey. In addition to at the shop, the treats are also available for sale at both locations of
Our pets are part of our families and we like to ‘treat’ them as such.
| PUPPIE LOVE
Dog treats, pupcakes, and doggie cakes from Puppie Love: a treat for every occasion and dog.
| PUPPIE LOVE
Sarah LaVerne and her daughter Elle [LEFT] started the Puppie Love bakery business in Thunder Bay.
| PUPPIE LOVE
Please leave your pets at home!
Sled Dog Derbies
8 DOG 20-23 mi., entry fee $40
6 DOG 10-12 mi., entry fee $30
4 DOG 3-3.5 mi, entry fee $20 plus kid races & rides
Registration 8 am-10 am Musher Meeting 10 am Race start 11 am
The Race: 8 dog teams first, then 6 dog teams followed by 4 dog teams. Approx 2 minutes between teams and 5 minutes between starts of races
The Race: 2 dog max per skier, freestyle races (open to skate skiing or classic skiing). Open to all experience levels
The Race Course will take place entirely on Poplar Lake. Skate skiing should be quite favorable for those seeking speed! Kick Sleds welcome.
Bonfire
Hot Dogs
Buy
Smores
Maple Snowcones
Trail Center Lodge
1/2 way up the Gunflint Trail 7611 Gunflint Trail, Near Grand Marais
For more info.: 218-388-2214 dogdaysofwinter.info dogdaysofwinter.net
the Whole Foods Co-op in Duluth, Duluth Pack and Mount Royal Market.
Pet owners come from near and far to get treats and food through Matilda’s. Elliot is able to special order many difficult to find products, so she encourages potential customers to contact her. As she says, “If I can’t get it for you, you don’t need it.” She is also happy to work with customers on nutrition counseling as pet food allergies have become more recognized.
“It is really satisfying to help someone out with [pet] health challenges,” said Elliot.
Just like with people, diet has a significant impact on pet health and longevity.
Matilda’s Dog Bakery and Boutique (4521 E. Superior Street, Duluth) is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
If you are looking for an extremely local dog or cat treat, a new one came onto the market this past year. Canadian Freshwater Fish Skin Treats are made from fish sourced right from Lake Superior. Thunder Pet, in Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay, is carrying this locally-made treat, produced by a new Thunder Bay company, Canadian Freshwater Fish. They are available in rolls and squares, perfect for dogs and cats. This product debuted this winter and has been well received by customers. Thunder Pet (735 Red River Road, Thunder Bay; 1605 Mountdale Avenue, Thunder Bay; and 37 Simcoe Plaza, Terrace Bay) in open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the two Thunder
fish sourced right from Lake Superior. They can be found at Thunder Pet stores in Thunder Bay and Terrace Bay. | SUBMITTED
Bay locations and in Terrace Bay is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. They also carry raw marrow bones and Dexter’s Dog Jerky from Bay Meats.
We are pet lovers here at Northern Wilds and I hope this will inspire you to treat your favorite pet to a locally made treat this month. Support a local business and make your pet happy with a healthy treat all at once? Sounds like a win-win to me.
Dexter’s Dog Jerky Treats are available at Bay Meats in Thunder Bay and several other locations. | BAY MEATS
Canadian Freshwater Fish Skin Treats are made from
Earth Rider Brewing Up Hoppy and Tart
By Javier Serna
Earth Rider Brewery, which restored production brewing to Superior, Wis., late last year, can be spotted from the heights of the Blatnik Bridge.
I dropped in recently at the Cedar Lounge, which serves at the taproom for the brewery, and snagged a couple of crowlers, which are large aluminum cans (think of those large Foster’s cans) that is the latest rage for take-home purposes on the craft brewing scene.
A side note, The Cedar Lounge has more of a Wisconsin bar feel to it than the typical craft beer tap room vibe. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I mention it because it was noticeable to me. A cool upside is that beer from other Wisconsin craft beer makers is served here, as well as Heggie’s Pizza.
I also had the occasion to try some of Earth Rider’s stuff at the Rex Bar, where local promoters held a craft beer/concert event featuring Kind Country and Black River Revue.
Earth Rider has already hit its stride with a couple of year-round rotational winners, which I am reviewing in this space.
First, there’s Apricrush Tart, which is a kettle-soured wheat ale.
While I love sour beers, a style of beer that has gained a lot of momentum the last few years, I generally have a preference for traditional sours, which tend to take more than a year aging inside wooden barrels to develop.
Kettle sours use a different process to rapidly sour the beer in a matter of days instead of many months. Quite frankly, they generally lack the complexity of traditional sours.
A few, however, are still quite delicious, and I’d say Apricrush Tart is one of them.
It probably helped that they used apricots, which are not overpowering in this slightly hazy beer that showcases the fruit nicely with some citrusy flavors. The pucker factor is also not overpowering, relatively speaking.
At 5.5 percent alcohol by volume, you could crush a few of these beers quite easily if you have a taste for sour beer, and I’d say this is a decent beer to try for those curious about the style. If you are not into tart flavors that make you pucker, this beer is unlikely to bring you into the fold of wild beers.
Next up was Earth Rider IPA. I love citrus-flavored IPAs, and this one didn’t disappoint. It checks in at 7.4 percent ABV and has a lot of grapefruit, berry, peach and pine notes packed into its hoppy punch.
It’s not the most bitter IPA, but it does have a little of that. That’s not to say it lacks hoppiness. Hoppiness need not equal bitterness, though so many beer drinkers associate the two, thanks to brewing trends.
Earth Rider IPA does have a malty side to it, as well.
HOPPING IT UP: Bent Paddle Brewing caught my attention with a Facebook post hinting at a beer they intend to release in March.
The brewer promises four pounds of hops to every barrel, and the hop varieties included citra, a favorite of mine, and Wakatu, known for its lime zest flavor. Should be interesting.
CHARITABLE: Castle Danger Brewing donated $1 for every pint sold on Wednesdays in February to the Gitchi-Gami Trail Association, which is working to complete the 89-mile paved, non-motorized trail from Two Harbors to Grand Marais.
CASKING IT UP: Billed as northern Ontario’s first cask beer fest, BrewHa! Festivals and Events is hosting Caskfest at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition in Thunder Bay on March 23.
A ticket to one of the two sessions runs $20, which covers entrance and four sample tokens. Additional sample tokens cost $2.50 each.
November 1, 2017 through May 31,
holidays or special events. Advance reservations required. Country Inn & Suites Duluth North location only.
The Cedar Lounge serves at the taproom for Earth Rider Brewery, located in Superior. | JAVIER SERNA
Healthy Pup Treats
By Rhonda Silence
Whether you have health concerns about your pet or you just want to pamper your pup, Teri Smith of Grand Marais has some tried and true recipes for you.
Smith began making her own dog food and treats because of the health of her dog, Minnie. Minnie is an adorable mix of cocker spaniel and King Charles cavalier, adopted by Smith six years ago.
When Minnie was about one year old, after being fully housebroken, she started having accidents in the house. And she was in pain. “You couldn’t even touch her stomach,” Smith explains.
After a battery of tests, it turned out Minnie was not able to properly digest protein, which gave Smith a mission. She needed to find something her beloved pet could eat.
After much trial and error, she eventually found a dog food that Minnie could handle on a limited basis, a salmon-based product. But much of the time, Minnie gets soft dog food, cooked in a crock pot with protein from fish or venison, and vegetables. Minnie can also eat an egg occasionally.
And, with almost every meal, Minnie gets a scoop of plain yogurt. “Yogurt is actually really good for dogs,” said Smith.
Smith also makes yogurt treats for Minnie. She says that’s one of the easiest homemade treats for a dog. The recipe? Just take an ice cube tray, mix in some fruit, berries or chopped vegetables into plain yogurt, and freeze. She sometimes mixes in parsley or mint for breath-freshening treats.
However, like most pet owners, Smith wanted to give Minnie a crunchy treat now and then. Back to the internet for more research. She found out that many fruits and vegetables are good for dogs. And she found that Minnie does not like carrots, but she loves apples. The pampered pooch wants her apples peeled though. If Smith gives her an apple slice with a peel, Minnie meticulously nibbles to eat everything but the peel.
Fruit wasn’t the same as more traditional dog biscuits though, so Smith researched some more, first finding out what foods not to use. Minnie couldn’t handle the proteins used in most dog foods—beef, lamb and poultry. And other foods are unhealthy for all dogs, such as avocados, grapes and raisins.
So that meant finding recipes with ingredients such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bananas and Minnie’s favorite: apples.
Smith’s very first attempt at making her own treats was inspired by Giada De Laurentiis of Giada at Home on The
Food Network. Giada turned her Italian cooking skills to the dogs, sharing a simple dog treat recipe with Parmesan cheese on top.
Smith tried the recipe—and it was a hit. She went on to try many others and she now has a great variety of treats for Minnie, as well as the pets of friends and family members. She makes treats for them for birthdays and gives them as Christmas presents.
Smith says it’s not necessary to be fancy. She sometimes just cuts the homemade biscuits into squares with a pizza cutter. But she enjoys using her silicone paw print mold or dog bone-shaped cookie cutter. “You can do anything you want,” she says. “It’s fun!”
When asked if she would consider taking an order for dog treats, she said she’d consider it. If you’d like to talk to Smith about making your own dog treats or about possibly placing an order, email her at: terijean83@ gmail.com
For those who want to try their hand at making their own dog treats, Smith shares some of Minnie’s favorites:
Peanut Butter Oat Treats
2 cups whole wheat flour, plus some for dusting
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1 cup creamy peanut butter (organic is best)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cover a sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats and baking powder. Stir in chicken broth and peanut butter. It will be sort of crumbly.
Press dough together and knead on a floured board about 30 seconds until smooth. Roll the dough out to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into squares with a pizza cutter or knife, or use a bone shaped cutter.
Place treats on the baking sheet,
they can be close together as they don’t rise or spread much. Sprinkle the tops with Parmesan cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes.
Cool on a rack and keep in a sealed container in the fridge.
Pumpkin Cinnamon Treats
2 1/2 cups unbleached or whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1 can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
2 tablespoons peanut butter (organic is best)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix together and chill dough about an hour. Roll out on a floured surface about 1/2 inch thick. Use bone-shaped cookie cutter.
Place on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F. for 30-40 minutes.
Cool and keep in a covered container in the fridge.
Teri Smith and Minnie. Minnie once suffered from digestive problems, but homemade dog food and treats have made her a healthy and happy dog. | RHONDA SILENCE
Keep the Pet, Not the Snot
By Amy Schmidt
The story of humans and their pets is an age-old one, steeped in loyalty and humor, companionship and loss. As long as there have been humans, there have been animals alongside them. And whether they’re guarding livestock, chasing mice, curled up on the couch or begging for table scraps, they hold a decidedly important place in the lives of their humans. But when it comes to owning a pet, it’s not all wagging tails and contented purrs. Beyond the rug-peeing and the shoe-chewing, many of us are allergic to the very creatures who have stolen our hearts. Try if you must, but you just can’t train allergens out of a pet.
Having an allergy to a pet is relatively common. Most often caused by an exposure to the dander shed by a cat or dog, a pet allergy can trigger a whole slew of irritating conditions in the human, including cold-like symptoms and, more severely, difficulty breathing. Skin reactions, called allergic dermatitis, can also creep up. Red, itching skin or raised patches called hives, are common skin reactions to pets. If you have a pet allergy, the best strategy is to avoid or reduce exposure to the animal. Depending on the severity of the allergy, medications may be necessary to control symptoms and manage asthma.
But, what if you don’t want to limit your exposure to the world’s cutest cat? Or, you’re visiting a friend’s house and the world’s best dog happens to sleep on the guest bed? Fortunately, there are some things you can do to survive a pet allergy while still maintaining contact with the dog or cat in your life.
As mentioned earlier, medications may be helpful. A discussion with your doctor can help you determine the appropriate use of medications to manage your pet allergy. Nasal irrigation can also be helpful. A neti pot, when used correctly, helps flush irritants, like dander, from your sinuses, reducing the allergy symptoms.
Bathing your pet weekly will help cut down on the dander released into the air.
If you are visiting a pet-friendly house, especially for an overnight stay, consider asking the pet owner to bathe their pet before your arrival. Because dander and other animal allergens build up in bedding and litter boxes, enlist a friend who doesn’t suffer from an allergy to help you when it’s time to clean the kennel or litter box.
A pet-free zone creates a space where allergens are relatively minimal. Consider making your bedroom, or the bedroom of the allergic family member, the pet-free zone. In other areas of the house, especially those frequented by the pet, remove
carpeting and upholstered furniture if possible. Non-carpeted flooring and furniture without fabric will attract and store far less dander. High-efficiency air filters and vents can also help, reducing the airborne allergens associated with pets. If cost is an issue, purchase one and keep it running in high-traffic pet areas such as the living room.
Pets are great. Videos of them doing funny or cute things are great, too. Pet allergies, however, are not. If employing some of these tips keeps your cat around for even one more Facebook post, the return on your effort is sure to be worth it.
Open Bay Lodge
Northern Trails Gimme Shelter on Ice
The northwestern Ontario ice fishing world I grew up in had no ice shacks. It’s fair to say there weren’t even ice fishing tents. If you went ice fishing, it was done out in the open and fully exposed to the elements. Which is why so many fishing lines were sunk within about 50 feet of shore. The only way to keep warm was via a bonfire. You huddled around the flames and watched for a bite. It was all pretty quaint and old school. No one fished in the open lake much as it was just too cold.
Fast forward about 30 years. The trip is on Lac des Mille Lacs, northwest of Thunder Bay. I’ve been invited to shoot an ice fishing show with someone who will remain nameless. However, the trip exposes me for the first time ever to the pleasures of a commercial ice fishing shack. The company is Sugar Shack rentals, and the proprietor is Archie Hoogsteen. We are able to drive right to the shack on an ice road, although Archie told us he could pick people up via snowmachine if needed. The shack was warm, thanks to a wood stove, and the extra wood was piled up outside the door.
“We’ve been catching as few nice ones,” Archie said as he showed us around. “This shack has been especially good.”
With that, he moved four squares from the floor of the shack and revealed some pre drilled ice fishing holes.
“You are all ready to go.”
I will confess to have been a bit taken aback by this. Ice fishing in comfort? In shirt sleeves? But that’s exactly what was on the menu, and soon fat walleyes were being yanked through these holes into the warm and comfy confines of the shack. Not only was it easier to handle the fish in the warmth, but they were not half frozen if we wanted to let a smaller—or larger— fish go. All in all, it was a positive experience and one I’ve repeated several times since in a variety of locations.
Renting a shack is a great way to intro -
By Gord Ellis
duce people to the pursuit of ice fishing, without also introducing them to potential hypothermia. For folks who are not accustomed to being on a windy lake in the winter, an ice shack is a safe retreat. They can watch the wind howl out the window, while fishing and enjoying all the pleasures ice fishing has to offer. And let’s be clear, catching fish in a hole in the ice is super cool and unique. It is amazing to watch a fish come up on your line as you look down the hole. In some places you can see right to bottom, and watch fish swim by. One time, while fishing a rented shack on Lake Superior, I watched a half dozen species swim under my feet, including lake trout, whitefish, herring, brook trout, pike and steelhead. It was very cool to see the fish come in to the tube jig, with some taking a swipe and many just swimming by without a taste. The most exciting experience was jigging a tube with everything quiet, and then a two-foot long steelhead rocketing in and grabbing the lure without so much as a hesitation. That fish was like hooking on to a rocket and what a fight it was.
Speaking of Lake Superior, one of the most exciting ice fisheries in northwestern Ontario is exploding on Black Bay, a large shallow part of the greatest lake. I think it’s fair to say that without the commercial operators out there, most people would not be able to enjoy it. Most of the fishing takes place many miles off shore, and to say it can get cold and windy out there is an understatement.
Jason Turnbull, of Sudbury, with a perch caught on Black Bay while using a shack. | GORD ELLIS
Meryton High
By Rae Poynter
Northernwords Press, $14.99
Local author Rae Poynter of Grand Marais recently published her first novel. Set in a fictional high school, this modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice follows two young women who are navigating their junior year, learning the lessons of love and life. Largely written while the author was in high school, the novel reads well and the story moves along. However, it is best suited to a young adult audience. Available at:
Evil Dead Center
A Mystery
By Carole LaFavor
University of Minnesota Press, $16.95
An Ojibwa woman has been found dead on the outskirts of the Minnesota Red Earth Reservation. The coroner ruled the death a suicide, but after some suggest foul play was involved, Renee LaRoche wants to prove otherwise. As Renee uncovers horrible truths, she must work through her own childhood issues to help shine light on the dark web she has discovered. Author Carole LaFavor (1948-2011) was a Two-Spirit Ojibwa novelist and activist who lived and worked in Minnesota, helping organizations that supported Native American people with HIV/AIDS. She is also the author of Along the Journey River: A Mystery —Breana Roy
Small Things in an Ordinary Voice
Poems by Peter Fergus-Moore
Eolipile Publishing, $20.00
The newest work by Thunder Bay’s Peter Fergus-Moore is a delightful poetry book written in an accessible, storytelling style. Arranged by categories and infused with layers of meaning, the poems range in length and scope about love and death, four-season living in the Northern Wilds, compassion, and learning, to dispatches from Palestine (Peter and his wife Joyce spent three months in Palestine as human rights monitors).
There’s also humour in his poems, like his imaginative epic poem City of Ships, where a renegade lake freighter powers up onto land for an unconventional tour around Thunder Bay, starting at Prince Arthur’s Landing, ploughing through the landscape, and ending at Intercity “making her own floodway Lakeward.”—Elle Andra-Warner
WHY GO: Lac des Mille Lacs is an expansive lake full of islands and walleyes. It’s a good ice fishing option, and is a spring and summer walleye destination, too. And there are other species to target, including northern pike, smallmouth bass, and eelpout.
ACCESS: There are several public boat launches on the lake, including the East access in the southeast corner, the Maze Bay access on the north-central side, and the Honkonan Narrows access in the northwest corner of the lake. There’s also a dozen resorts on the lake that offer access, according to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources website. From Thunder Bay, it’s about a 100-mile drive out to end of the Pine Point, a prominent peninsula near the center of the lake.
VITALS: Lac des Mille Lacs is about 59,000 acres. Its deepest hole is about 80 feet deep, according to provincial records. It has an average depth of about 20 feet. The lake is west of Thunder Bay, and is less than 15 miles south of the unincorporated town of Upsala.
GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, eelpout, lake whitefish and white sucker.
WALLEYES, SUMMER AND ICE: Kris Hipenbecker, who, along with her husband, runs Pine Point Resort, said the lake is known for both eater and trophy walleyes. But anglers on Lac des Mille Lacs, she said, have found the walleye to prefer down-sized presentations. “Here they want the least amount of stuff with your hook. Like a No. 6 with half a nightcrawler,” she said.
While nightcrawlers are a great way to go during the open-water season, minnows are the name of the walleye game in the winter, she said.
LAC DES MILLE LACS
Hipenbecker said wall-hangers caught more often early in the open-water season, noting one angler with a lot of success catching big fish early every morning.
“People who come for the opener (this year, that’s May 19), think it’s best, and the ones that come in July think it’s best,” she said. “We have some folks that come twice in the summer.”
She spoke of numerous walleyes in the upper 20-inch range being caught by some skilled an glers and of 30-inch walleye being reported on an about annual basis.
In the middle of February, she said most of the walleyes were caught in 18 to 22 feet of water, but they tend to be caught deeper as the ice season progresses.
ESOX: Hipenbecker said there are a few larger pike in the lake to be caught, some real dandys. And though the lake’s pike fishery closes down after April 14 until the second Saturday in May—an exception to the regulations in Ontario’s Zone 6, where it otherwise remains open all year—the lake’s pike protected slot was recently liberalized, reverting back to zone-wide regs (not more than one greater than or equal to 27.6 inches, with a four or two-fish bag, depending on license).
RESORTS/RENTALS:
There’s about a dozen resorts that cater to anglers and hunters on the lake, most with cabins, and some that will cater to guests for the day. Hipenbecker said Pine Point Resort (877-429-8889) does offer that service, as well as some fish houses during the winter.
Hipenbecker said she’s heard of a 54-inch northern being caught on the lake, and also said a couple of tiger muskies were caught recently.
EELPOUT: Hipenbecker said her U.S. guests don’t typically target eelpout, or ling, but some Canadians do, fishing the deepest waters of the lake—areas that winter walleye anglers generally avoid.
“If somebody has never been on the lake before, I beg them not to leave the sight of the resort because they will get lost,” she said. “And you can catch plenty of fish within sight of the resort.”—Javier Serna
Beargrease and Beyond
By Erin Altemus
Three of us stood at the Finland checkpoint for the Beargrease, snow coming down softly around us, waiting for Matt and team to arrive. Two mushers had recently come in: Keith Aili took his team right to his truck. Ryan Anderson turned around and continued on toward Two Harbors, which is the most common strategy by competitive mushers at Finland. Matt had left the last checkpoint with eight dogs, and we had seen his speed slow over the last 30 miles. I held onto the hope that Matt felt positive, that the team was rebounding and that he would “turn and burn” toward Two Harbors. But it wasn’t to be. Rewind.
How did it come to this point—that inevitably Matt would come in, take the team to the truck and say he was done?
Matt had been having a great race. He started out slow, keeping the team at a nice steady and slow pace for the first two legs. Overnight to Trail Center, temps dipped to -17 F., but the moon was bright and the stars punched through the sky. I couldn’t sleep watching the tracker and we welcomed Matt and team at 4 a.m.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the heater going in the trailer, so Matt was unable to
have a warm nap. When he continued on to Grand Portage, we focused on finding parts to fix the heater. Perhaps we spent a little too long eating lunch. And then one of the handlers became ill. By the time we reached Grand Portage, we knew Matt was minutes away. Two handlers parked the truck and trailer and I ran to the chute where teams arrive, just in time for Matt and team.
After eight hours rest, they hit the trail again, and us handlers went to take a nap in our hotel room. I had been going for two days on very little sleep. We stepped into the elevator. The door closed. We were chit-chatting for several minutes and then we became silent. We were waiting for the ding to tell us we had arrived on our floor.
Finally, someone asked if anyone had pushed the button. Sleep deprivation is a very real thing.
Matt maintained a steady speed to Devil’s Track. But there, he ran into problems. Two dogs had minor injuries that necessitated staying behind. Another young dog had balked on the run in to Devil’s Track when we had to run within a mile of our kennel. Matt dropped her as well. Then as he ran onto the lake, a fourth dog, a veteran, Gabby, put the brakes on. After a quarter mile, Matt turned the team around and
The handler crew does a runner change mid-race.
| ANNIE BRANDT-FONTAINE
dropped Gabby as well. What was going great quickly turned into a march.
Sixty-five miles later in Finland, I made Matt take a nap before making any decisions. We heard that Keith Aili scratched. Other mushers were having their own difficulties—champion Nathan Schroeder almost scratched at Sawbill, according to his father, but was able to keep going. Even after Matt’s nap, he didn’t feel the team had enough gusto to go another 73 miles.
We are well-versed in the ups and downs of sled dog racing, but it’s no less heart-breaking. Upon examining my own feelings about the scratch, I find that perhaps I let hope get the best of me. We put so much into our dogs and into running these races—when things don’t go as hoped, it takes some major attitude adjustment.
Apparently, I wasn’t adjusting my attitude very well and needed a little intervention from the universe to set things straight. A few days after the Beargrease, I deemed the team was fine to run, and looking forward to the next race in Michigan, I readied to take them on a run. While waiting for Matt to come home and take over baby care, I attempted to fill the water tank that sits on our woodstove in the winter. Because temps had been below zero during the Beargrease and no one was home, most of our water jugs were half frozen. I lifted one and it emptied slowly, getting heavier by the second with the weight of the ice. I must have lowered my arms, resting the jug on the tank which threw the tank off kilter, because suddenly the tank was tipping
toward me and dumping boiling water on my feet and legs.
I’m sure the scream that erupted was blood-curdling. I tore off my pants and continued to scream. I was immobile. I had no way to call for help, so I just waited for Heather who I knew would show up sooner or later. She did eventually. She found Matt. They hauled me to the car in the snowmobile. I went to the emergency room, and I stopped thinking about the Beargrease.
I’ve wondered this week if the universe is telling me to just quit. Quit doing so much. Take it easy. Give yourself a break. Or, is the universe saying you are absolutely the toughest chica around. You got this.
Sometimes the universe gives us mixed messages, but I am going with the glass half full on this one. I am also thankful for the redirection. The race was just a race. Let’s stay focused on what is really important.
A week after the burn incident, I am changing my wound dressings daily, taking pain killers at regular intervals and hoping like hell that I can recover before the UP200 race next weekend. Heather and Matt are keeping the team in shape. We’ll know soon how this shakes out and either way will be okay.
Two-year-old Major Tom is this year’s MVP. | ANNIE BRANDT-FONTAINE
Mark Cheeley Synergy Wealth Management
A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
You’ve worked hard
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achieve success. You deserve a financial advisor that works as hard for you.
As an Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisor, I have the qualifications and experience to help navigate your complex financial needs. Whether it’s investment management, tax strategies or legacy planning, I can work with you to grow and preserve what you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
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• 20 years of experience in the Twin Cities, now available to meet on the North Shore
• FIVE STAR Wealth Manager*, 2012-2017
• Ameriprise Circle of Success, 2005-2017
*The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), is based on 10 objective criteria: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively employed as a credentialed professional in the financial services industry for a minimum of five years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (please note unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process*); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal firm standards; 5. Accepting new clients; 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or awarded. Once awarded, wealth managers may opt to purchase additional profile ad space or related award promotional products. The award methodology does not evaluate the quality of services provided. The award is not indicative of the award winner’s future performance. *To qualify as having a favorable regulatory and complaint history for this award, the person cannot have (1) been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine, (2) had more than a total of three customer complaints filed against them (settled or pending) with any regulatory authority or Five Star Professional’s consumer complaint process, (3) individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint filed with a regulatory authority, (4) filed for bankruptcy, or (5) been convicted of a felony
• Guestrooms with separate living room area and sofa sleeper
• Premier suites featuring everything from a cinema suite to loft suites
• Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet 7 days a week
• 30,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark is largest in Brainerd area
• Indoor / Outdoor hot tub / Fitness center
• Gold Mine video arcade and game room
• Sand Volleyball Court, Children’s Play Ground and Yard Games
• Flexible meeting and banquet space for up to 300 people
northern sky
MARCH
With two full moons and the spring equinox, what’s not to love about March?
The first full moon arrives at 6:51 p.m. on the 1st, barely an hour after moonrise and just a couple of days after perigee, its closest approach to Earth in a lunar cycle. This means it’ll rise about as round and luminous as any full moon gets.
The second arrives at 7:37 a.m. on the 31st. As the second full moon in a calendar month, it qualifies as a blue moon. However, it sets before the moment of fullness, so catch it the evening of the 30th or before about 6:45 a.m. on the 31st
Venus and Mercury appear very low in the west after sunset, bathed in the sun’s afterglow. The planets are closest on the 3rd, but easy to tell apart because Venus easily outshines Mercury. After the 15th, Mercury plummets toward the horizon and is soon lost. On the 18th, a very young, thin moon appears with the two planets.
In the predawn sky, look south to see brilliant Jupiter. East of Jupiter, Mars is
brightening as it moves swiftly eastward. Its motion carries it away from Jupiter and Scorpius, with its red heart, Antares (the “rival of Mars”), and toward Saturn, a shiny dot above the Teapot of Sagittarius. Mars waxes brighter every morning because Earth is gaining on it in the orbital race. This summer, we’ll lap the red planet.
On evenings between the 3rd and 18th, look for the elusive zodiacal light, a faint glow extending up from the western horizon along the sun’s path shortly after nightfall. It comes from sunlight reflecting off dust in the plane of the solar system.
Spring arrives with the vernal equinox, at 11:15 a.m. on the 20th. At that moment, Earth will be lighted from pole to pole.
The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth campus. For more information and viewing schedules, see the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at: d.umn.edu/planet.
The many kinds of pets
Let’s say you have a Chihuahua. We know that dogs and wolves are related right? But have you ever thought about how closely related your little lap dog is to a 100-pound timber wolf? Closer than you would think.
The wily wolf became man’s first pet. In fact, wolves became the domesticated dogs that we know today before humans had farm animals. Today, the many varieties of domestic dogs are all closely related genetically to wolves and coyotes, even though they bear little resemblance in physical attributes and behavior.
After domesticating dogs, humans began domesticating other animals— including amphibians, farm animals and feathered friends.
The sugar shack, nestled in the Nor’Wester Mountains. | NOR’WESTER MAPLE COMPANY
[LEFT] The new maple evaporator. It is equipped with a sap pre-heater and deep channels called flues, which make evaporation super-efficient, reducing 50 gallons per hour of sap into syrup. | NOR’WESTER MAPLE COMPANY
[RIGHT] Tree cover of maples. | NOR’WESTER MAPLE COMPANY
“We joke about it being a fortress. On almost all sides it’s surrounded by complete sheer cliffs, completely unscalable rock face,” said Murray, who initially explored the stand with the company’s founding members after researching maps and aerial footage. “Our trail...it’s not a straight line. It weaves, and you’re walking a lot more distance than as the crow flies. We’ll never be able to take trucks up there or standard vehicles...It gets your heart racing.”
The stand includes a mix of black ash, red maples, and sugar maples—some over 200 years old. “When you get into the heart of the stand, it really is kind of like going to a southern Ontario forest. We
have trees that I can’t get my arms around, really big ones...I think those are some of the first ones, the seeders. We have a lot in the 10 to 12-inch diameter range.”
Murray and his team made their first batch of syrup from about 20 sugar maples with little more than a tripod, a few second-hand pots and a collection of taps passed down from founding member David Bates’ family, whose Métis heritage traces back to central Ontario’s Batchawana Bay.
“It wasn’t winning any awards,” Murray jokes, but after securing a lease on the land and refining the process, their syrup made it to market last year and sold out within weeks. After a successful first run, the
company has installed a network of vacuum-powered tubing and upgraded its equipment to collect sap and produce syrup with more efficiency.
“This year we’ve jumped 200 years in tech from our plot on a little tripod, up to a fully modern evaporator and vacuum pump system,” he said. While the upgrades will more than double their capacity for production, the company places its greatest value on forest stewardship.
“It sounds like common sense, but sometimes it isn’t when you talk about big industry. You’ve just got to keep the forest healthy...A lot of other industries go for profit first and ecology second, but it’s something we really think is going to be profitable in the long run if we’re making sure our forest is healthy.”
The company powers its woodfired evaporator with diseased or dying maples and black ash, and trees that might otherwise compromise the health of the forest and vitality of the stand.
“We have sort of an informal forest management plan,” Murray tells me. “We knock down those big trees to open up the canopy and allow the younger ones more access to light. We’re speeding up that natural process...On the other hand too, you don’t want to knock
out all the black ash. Biodiversity is what will help in the long run….the difference in nutrients, and the different critters going through there. Everybody wins if you just keep things balanced.”
What might disrupt that balance is something beyond the company’s control, and potentially to its benefit. Rising temperatures and erratic weather brought on by climate change is disturbing not only the timing of the sap run, but reducing the sugar content in trees across the eastern United States. Although those changes may be slower to affect maples in colder climates, experts agree that warming weather will cause broad-leafed trees to extend their reach further north, something Murray is already witnessing first-hand.
“I can see it. The only saplings that are growing on my stand are maple and black ash. There’s no poplar, there’s no pine. All the big poplars are just big, old trees that are falling.”
So if all goes according to the forecast, maple syrup production will be here to stay in Thunder Bay. It’s a sweet beginning to an uncertain future.
BECOME A hunger Hero
Hunger is a serious “invisible” problem here in Lake and Cook Counties. But together we can take a bite out of hunger. Our goal is to DOUBLE the annual funding of local anti-hunger programs.
How? That’s where you come in. It’s a simple challenge: we are asking our members to pledge a monthly donation to our North Shore Hunger Hero initiative. Any amount of support makes a difference –even $1 a month adds up.
In March, we’re pledging to match all contributions made up to $3,000 total. The bonus is that March is National Food Shelf Month—meaning all the money we raise together will also be matched through national programs. NSFCU will offer additional matching opportunities throughout the year.
Your part is simple
The next time you visit a branch, just tell us you want to be a North Shore Hunger Hero, and how much you’d like to give. Sign a permission slip and we will do the rest. Even easier, sign up online through NSFCU E-Branch under “My Account”. As a team of North Shore Hunger Heroes, we can help end hunger in our communities! How cool is that?
Sun-Thurs: 11am -
The company crew unwinding high-tension support wire that is used to mount tubing systems through the bush. | NOR’WESTER MAPLE COMPANY
fore the first 12 were completed so those ships were later sold to private companies.
When World War II broke out, the U.S. government contracted for another 24 self-propelled concrete ships. Of all the concrete ships built by U.S. during the two wars, only 10 are still known to be afloat—including the 120-foot SS Peralta from U.S.’s World War I fleet—and those 10 are used for a floating breakwater in the Canadian city of Powell River in southeastern B.C. Some have become ‘tourist’ shipwrecks, like the Atlantus off Sunset Beach, Cape May, New Jersey.
And what about the racing canoes built of concrete? It was in the U.S. back in the 1960s that concrete canoe competitions began, sponsored by the American Society of
The SS Atlantus, launched December 5, 1918 after the end of World War I, was built by the Liberty Ship Building Company in Brunswick, Georgia. The Atlantus transported U.S. troops back home from Europe and later transported coal to New England. | WIKIMEDIA
Civil Engineers (ASCE), now happening around the world. The competition is designed to provide opportunities for civil engineering students to work with concrete mix designs and project management. There’s even a dedicated concrete canoe website (concretecanoe.org) and a Concrete Canoe magazine.
The next U.S. National Concrete Canoe Competition (the 31st) will be held June 23-25 in San Diego, Califor-
nia; the Canadian National Concrete Canoe Competition (22nd) will be May 13-15 in Montreal.
So, why does a ship/canoe of concrete not sink? Apparently, it is a matter of density, with air being less dense than water. As long as the weight of the water it displaces is more than its own weight (which includes empty air), the concrete ship will float.
•
orchard
The wreckage of the SS Atlantus lies 150 feet off the coast of Sunset Beach near Cape May Point, New Jersey, where the ship ran aground on June 8, 1926. | LUIGI NOVI
LOON LAKE GETAWAY.
Lovely furnished cabin on pristine Loon Lake. Includes a newer 1 bdrm addition, cozy loft, open living/dining room, sturdy deck, and 24' dock on 142' shoreline.
A-FRAME ON POPLAR LAKE. Classic 2 bdrm, 2 bath A-Frame cabin in a beautiful setting overlooking Poplar Lake. Located at the end of the road with year-round access. Very nice, gentle path to the 156’ of lake shore. Nice mix of trees. MLS# 6024438 $187,500
Cabin easily sleeps 6. Lakewater system, septic holding tank. Great lake views! MLS# 6030355 $186,000
PRIME PIKE LAKE. Wilderness, woods and lakeshore.
Pristine views of Superior Nat'l across the lake, towering white pine overhead. Virgin pine and cedar are unique here! The 252' frontage and 3 acres have gentle shore, crystal clear water and great privacy. Driveway and drilled well. Power and Broadband available. Fishing, wildlife and easy access to Lutsen or Grand Marais. MLS# 6032300 $179,900
NORTH FOWL LAKE CABIN.
LOG SIDED CABIN ON TOM LAKE. This 2 bdrm, 1 bath cabin is situated on the shore of Tom Lake with loons and walleye just off the 24' dock. Solar power with quiet generator, though grid electric is available. Features a spiral staircase to a spacious loft and energy efficient windows. MLS# 6030876 $160,000
Only a lucky few get to own cabins here. Remote water access from the US side, or drive in to the landing on Ontario side. Stunning views, easy access to the BWCA. The 2 bdrm cabin is one of the nicest remote cabins you'll find. Includes a great sauna. MLS# 6023214 $158,500
VIRGIN PINE, GREAT SHORELINE, PIKE LAKE. Three lake lots with wilderness, woods, and lakeshore are waiting for your dream lake home or cabin. Pristine views, towering white pine, +/- 200' accessible shoreline each with crystal clear water and great privacy. Good driveway in place, ideal location, power and broadband available. Four total lots can be purchased together at a discount.
MLS# 6032297-99 $129,900+
SOLITUDE ON LOON LAKE. These 1-2 acre lots are located on the south side of Loon Lake and offer great lake views, 152-218’ beautiful shoreline and many nice trees. The main road is in place and power is on the lot line. MLS# 6032216-18, 6032220 $120,000 and up NEW! LEGENDARY SAWMILL BAY. Magnificent oldgrowth cedars and maples frame a corner lot with a high and dry build site. Year-round road access and a terrific wildlife habitat awaits your cabin in the woods. 185' of Caribou Lake frontage. MLS# 6032953 $89,000 LARGE LAND, PINES, PRIVACY AND PIKE LAKE VIEW. Outstanding property with adjoining USFS lands, good access on Murmur Creek Rd, and even nice views of Pike Lake. Launch your boat just a half-mile away. Nice planted red pine, power/ broadband close by. MLS# 6032302 $84,900
BEAUTIFUL NINEMILE LAKE LOT. End of the road, large lot adjoins Superior National Forest and Cabin Creek Unit Roadless Area. Great trees, views and building site on 4.1 acres with 397 feet of shoreine. Unique privacy, year round access and power. MLS# 6031840 $75,900
PRIVACY AND VIEWS AT SISTER LAKE. Nice lake lot with great forest, and beautiful new building site. There's a high point of the surrounding area with awesome views. Excellent, accessible shoreline. New driveway to a great building site. This is a great area for fishing many lakes in the area. You're also close to Tofte/Lutsen on the North Shore. Priced to sell!! MLS# 6031704 $74,900
LOT ON NINEMILE LAKE. Beautiful, large lot on Ninemile Lake in Finland. Lot adjoins Superior National Forest and Cabin Creek Unit Roadless Area with excellent shoreline and views. Power and year round access! MLS# 6028511 $69,000
RARE ELBOW LAKE LOT. For the fisherman who has almost everything. This is a very private 1 acre parcel surrounded by federal land with 268’ shoreline. Your own shore lunch spot! MLS# 6031436 $50,000
GREAT PRICE LAKE LOTS. Deep woods, seclusion and nice views from these Tom Lake lots. This is the desired west side of the lake with access from the Camp 20 Rd. Enjoy a peaceful lake property with good access. Great back roads to explore. Adjacent land available. MLS# 6030741, 6030742 $49,900 each
CONDOMINIUMS
WELCOME TO LAKE SUPERIOR. Warm & beautiful light-filled end unit Aspenwood Townhome. The 2-story walkout style leaves you with plenty of options to get outside and close to the Big Lake. This 2 bdrm, 3 bath home includes 98% of all furnishings & personal property. It is also part of a successful vacation rental pool. MLS# 6022175 $290,000
NEW! QUIET AND PRIVATE CONDO.
Lovely 2 bdrm, 2 bath condo. Spend the day on your balcony listening to Lake Superior and watch the sun rise and set. Updated with end-unit location. Quiet and private with great rental revenues.
MLS# 6032837 $129,000
NORTHWOODS VACATION GET-AWAY. This recently remodeled and updated ski-in/ski-out condo has 1 bdrm, 2 baths, fireplace, and great views of the ski hills, plus distant views of the Poplar River. Walk to the pool, playground, restaurants –everything you need!
MLS# 6027382 $118,000
HOMES & CABINS
A GEM IN THE WOODS.
There
Winter Wonderlands Along the North Shore! Fun Times Skiing, Skjoring, Biking, Snowmobiling!
WATERFALLS ON LAKE SUPERIOR, WALK TO GRAND MARAIS! Stunning home in a Wilderness Setting with Incredible Lakeshore, a combination of Ledgerock and pebble beach! Awake in the morning to the sounds of the Waterfall cascading in to Lake Superior just outside your bedroom window! This striking home is move in ready, main level living with a sweet master bedroom and bath. Lower level walk out area for your friends and family to enjoy! Two plus car garage, with an awesome Man Cave with views of Lake Superior! Gorgeous Landscape, Gorgeous Lake Superior Home. A Must See, including the Little House! MLS#6026723 $799,900
RUGGED ELEGANCE ON LAKE SUPERIOR! LUTSEN’S CASCADE BEACH RD LOCATION
200 ft of level access shoreline and a helluva great home! Spectacular Fireplace, Remodeled KitchenIncredible! Master Suite with a bathroom to LOVE. Recently renovated and updated, this home is Move In Ready for your Family to Enjoy!
MLS#6029989 $799,000
ROMANTIC LOG CABIN ON LAKE
MULFINGER HOME ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Wilderness Wonderland on Stonegate, Gorgeous home with incredible quality and design. Lake Superior is one with this Home! Gourmet Kitchen, Warm and Welcoming great room with Basalt Stone fireplace and huge hearth. Really a Must See home! MLS#6028622 $745,000
NEW! MARVELOUS LAKE SUPERIOR COTTAGE ON CROFTVILLE ROAD IN GRAND MARAIS! Small Footprint, Open Concept! The deck is almost at Water’s Edge, this Cottage was Just renovated and it’s adorable. Perfect Romantic Getaway, completely renovated and Turnkey (less some sentimental items the seller wishes to keep!) Summer Cottage on the Big Lake! MLS#TBA $275,000
Nice gas Stove makes this a comfy and welcoming Cabin! MLS#6026595 $240,000
SUPERIOR! Enjoy your space while your guest live it up in the Carriage house! Stunning Lake Superior Shoreline, you’ll LOVE the updated interior and warmth of this cabin! MLS#6030729 $399,900 REDUCED!
COMFORTABLE LIVING ON LAKE
SUPERIOR! Sprawling ranch living with walk out living space! Nice Lake Views, level access to the shoreline. Updated and Move In Ready Condition, Call today! MLS#6032557 $399,000
DESIGN AND ELEGANCE ON DEERYARD LAKE, LUTSEN. Lindal Cedar Home, dramatic stone fireplace set amongst posts & beams of Douglas
AT LUTSEN RESORT! Enjoy all that the historic Lutsen Lodge offers…a sandy beach, a cool River, Swimming pool, spa, FABULOUS dining…but enjoy it in STYLE at the Cliffhouse overlooking the historic lodge. Newer construction, Big views, Contemporary Design. Total Comfort. Nice rental income to offset expenses. MLS#6021422 $399,000 REDUCED!
Winter Wonderlands Along the North Shore! Fun Times Skiing, Skjoring, Biking, Snowmobiling!
Maple Leaf Lane off Hwy 1 near Finland. It’s a quiet getaway cabin, rustic living. Super hunting spot, man cave cabin! MLS# 6030497 $59,900
Whitetail Ridge Overlooking Lake Superior! Just off Highway 1, Enjoy Sprawling Lake and Ridgeline views and Rugged Terrain! Yr Round Access, Electric. MLS# 6024856 $110,000
30 acres Wilderness, Borders lands next to Little Manitou River!
MLS#2309327 $129,000
Rock Road in Silver Bay area! Great build site with creek frontage! MLS#2308638 $45,000 REDUCED!
Lakeshore on Ninemile Lake at the Village, common water and septic, build ready, borderscommon land!
MLS#2309096 $39,000 REDUCED!
Marks Drive Build Ready parcel in Silver Bay. City Utilities, Super location for a nice family home! Great neighborhood MLS#6031871 $22,000
10 Ac Parcels of Maples! Rolling Terrain of Mature Maples to a Sweet Building site Perched Over a Mixed Boreal Forest. Year Round Access and Electric at Road!
MLS#2024250 $49,900 REDUCED!
DRAMATIC Mountain Top Views, Rolling Hills, Maple Forests fading in to Spruce and Pine and year round access. FROM $70,000 MLS#2090628 PENDING!
87 High Ridge Dr-Lot 3 Sugarloaf Retreats! Driveway in, cleared build site, just plan your North Shore home to take advantage of the Awesome Ridgeline Views! MLS#6030129 $59,000
Sawbill Trail Tofte Lake Superior Views, Mature Spruce forest with driveway and well in place! MLS#6030129 $99,900
LeVeaux Mountain, Super Views and Wildlife Ponds!
MLS#2220050 $69,000
Just Up the Sawbill Trail Grab your little piece of the Northwoods, rolling terrain and small community feel with year round access, great build sites!
MLS#2070509 Prices from $24,900!!
Wowser Lake Superior views on Overlook Tr!
MLS#2296509 $79,900
Maples with lots of Elbow Room, Year Round access and nice location between Cross River in Schroeder and Finland!
MLS#6028422 $59,000
Holy Smokes! End of the Road bordering County land, Tofte. HUGE value with 2 lots sold for the price of one!
MLS#6028792 $49,900 PENDING!
1046 Cramer Rd-Schroeder-40 ac with creek and tons of Maples! OMG it’s a beautiful parcel with high elevations and ravine like creek. Driveway is in! MLS#6028837 $98,000
BIG TIME VIEWS of Lake Superior-Tofte, Excellent value at Johannes Toftey
MLS#6029322 $68,500
Overlook at LeVeaux Mountain-Tofte!
Serene Woodsy setting with Lake Views! MLS#6029324 $49,000
Maples Galore, Acreage! Schroeder Location with Yr Round Access and Electric!
MLS#6029593 $99,000
Nice large parcel #19 at Sugarloaf Retreats, Boreal Forest land with yr rd access/electric.
MLS#6031140 $44,400
LeVeaux Creek Runs Through this Sweet Build Site, minutes to Lutsen Ski Resort! Lake Views! MLS#6031876 $65,000
QUIET CONTEMPLATION ON LAKE
SUPERIOR IN LUTSEN! Creek runs along East Border, with 200+ ft waterfront. Excellent Views, Wilderness Setting. MLS#6028455 $269,900 REDUCED!
Mountains! MLS#6032772 $499,900
LUTSEN LAKE SUPERIOR CASCADE
BEACH RD LAND! Very accessible, build site close to the water, listen to the waves of Lake Superior lapping the rocky shoreline! Gorgeous morning sunrises over the Big Lake, a must see! MLS#2308906 $299,000
SWEET PARCEL ON SWALLOW
LAKE in Isabella area! 220 ft of shoreline, 2.5 ac!
MLS#2300576 $64,900
OVER 400 FT OF ACCESSIBLE
SHORELINE with beach on Lake Superior, Lutsen’s Rollins Creek Road! MLS#6031579 $499,900
KAYAKERS GETAWAY ON TOM LAKE!
Sloping Wilderness Shoreline, Water Access Only!
MLS#6032237 $124,900
Mature Spruce and BIG Lake Views! Walk to Blue Fin Bay, drilled well in place!
MLS#2272174 $49,900
Nice parcel bordering USFS land, driveway roughed in, access to Tait Lk!
MLS#6023412 $35,000
Woodland Foothills Build Ready lots, Shared Water & Community Septic from MLS#2309328+ FROM $39,000
Heartland of Lutsen, 80 ac at the Foothills of Ski Hill ridge, near downtown Lutsen!
MLS#2312987 $119,000
Over 8 ac of Wilderness on Turnagain Trail in Lutsen!
MLS#2216560 $45,000
Prime Build Site(s) just off theCaribou at Jonvick Creek!
MLS#2240533 $49,000
Gorgeous 5 acre parcels in the Heart of Lutsen paved Caribou Trail locale bordering USFS lands!
MLS#2174799 From $54,900 - $77,500
30 acres of Prime Wilderness Land with year round access and electric at street with Views of Lutsen’s famed Clara Lake!
MLS#2080599 $137,500
Maple Leaf Trail at Jonvick, Maples Galore! Nice elevated build site. Yr Round access, electric.
MLS#6024972 $49,000
Ridgetop Views Overlooking Caribou Lake! Tuck your home in to the Maple hillside in Lutsen, year round access. Super Location!
MLS#6028429 $56,500
END OF THE ROAD SPECTACULAR
280 ft of cliff shoreline with unobstructed Views across Lake Superior! Little Marais area, Build ready, driveway already in place! MLS#2313255 $235,000 REDUCED!
400 FT OF STUNNING LAKE SUPERIOR
SHORELINE minute’s to the Cross River in Schroeder! Rolling terrain, nice Evergreen stand giving nice buffer from ANY highway noise. Worth the walk through the wilderness to see the AMAZING 400 ft of sprawling ledge rock shoreline!!
MLS#2313305 $440,000
PIKE LAKE SHORELINE, PRIME rocky s horeline, dropping off to nice depth! Awesome mixed boreal forest, high ground for build site. South facing, year round access, electric. Build your dream home, ask for Lot 6 Willard Lane!
MLS#6031145 $199,900
LOVELY DEERYARD LAKE PARCEL! Lutsen’s Secret Treasure, Deeryard is a peaceful respite from the busy life outside the Northwoods. Maple hillside cascades in to the clear waters!
MLS#6027527 $189,900
Tait Lake area, Legend Trail parcel bordering USFS lands with views of Wills and Williams Lake!
MLS#6028619 $67,500
Wilderness Lutsen location at Tait Lake- backlot with Driveway in place! Yr Round and Electric
MLS#6029115 $37,500
Ridgetop 5+ ac in Lutsen, Fantastic location, minutes to the Ski Hill, Yr Round Living with some Lake Superior Views, perfect for 2 story walk out home. MLS# 603266 $49,900
Ski Hill Road lands, Boreal Lane is your Key To Mountain Top Living! 5 ac lots from MLS#6029557+ $59,000 TO $99,000
20 Acres near Pike Lake, minutes to the new Boat Landing! Driveway is in place, nice shed. Panoramic Wilderness!
MLS#6028569 $69,000
Grand Marais Meadows on County Rd 7, Gorgeous Setting, Super location!
MLS#6029849+ $65,000
NEW! 60 Ac East of Grand Marais with the Superior Hiking Trail thru leading to Lake Superior Beach!
MLS#6031588 $89,900 SOLD!
NEW! Two Awesome City Lots, Great East 5th Street location. MLS#6031883 $54,900, MLS #6031882 $59,900
LAKESHORE 10+ ACRES BORDERING SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST! in Lutsen,
MLS#6023288 $99,900
Lake Superior Lots
Lake Superior View
Inland Lake Lots
Squint
Rough cabin sold “as is”.
MLS 6022402 $149,900
Poplar Lake Convenient mid-trail location with deeded lakeshore access. Building site cleared, driveway in, utilities available.
MLS 2158160 $52,500
.94A with 291’ of shore. Healthy mix of huge white pines, cedars & balsams. Cleared building site, electricity, phone & broadband available.
MLS 6028705 $169,900
FREE MARKET ANALASIS
Large Acreage
200A Camp 12 Rd - $159,900
Over 200A of land, much of it abutting State and Federal land giving you access to thousands of acres!
MLS 6028671
170A+ Camp 20 Rd - $149,900
Heavily forested land that has been replanted with many beautiful pine trees. Rolling topography with many building sites and hiking trails. Features a gravel pit on the northwest corner and a small wildlife pond to the south. State land to the south.
MLS 6022459
110A W Highway 61 - $649,900
Nicely wooded land with varied elevations on the Highway 61 corridor. Year round access via Highway 61 and County Road 7. Many development options with multiple zoning: Far-3, R-1 and commercial.
MLS 2164180
County Road 7 - $299,900 Nicely wooded with excellent development potential. Close to hospital and all the amenities of Grand Marais.. Multiple zoning (R1 & Far 3), survey and wetlands delineation completed in 2007. Electric at road. MLS 2170711
Tait Pines is a private sub-division located adjacent to Tait Lake just 13 miles up the Caribou Trail from Lutsen. This is a mixed forest area including old growth White Pine with a variety of different terrain features. Accessible Year-round with privately maintained roads and wonderful building sites. This developments sits adjacent to USFS land.
