Northern Wilds

Celebrate the Dark

Do you have a question for one of our writers? Or an interesting photo, recipe, or story

Craving the Light

It seems winter has already been around forever, but we’re just getting started. Ahead of us lies the Winter Solstice and the calendar start of winter on Dec. 21. And regardless of the groundhog’s prognostications on Feb. 2, it will still be winter around here when the calendar declares the beginning of spring on March 20.

Ok. We have long winters in the Northern Wilds. That’s no surprise. Most of the folks who live and visit here enjoy them, although they may sneak off to somewhere warm for a little respite from the cold. If you have a conversation about winter with a local, what they likely will say is that snow and cold don’t bother them, but the short days do. During the work week, most folks have little time for daylight activities.

The darkness does give us the opportunity to observe natural phenomena such as the constellations and northern lights. We also find our own ways to illumi -

the Bentleyville Christmas light display in Duluth. At this time of year, something deep within us craves the light.

In this issue, we explore this craving, as well as some of the traditions of the season. Dave and Amy Freeman share their story of a Christmas spent deep in the canoe country, where they made ice luminaries to light up their holiday campsite. Ali Juten interviews three of the region’s top photographers, who share tips for taking the best nighttime photos. Emily Stone introduces us to her favorite winter constellation: Orion.

Fishing fanatic Joe Friedrichs has been making rumblings about spending New Year’s Eve on the ice so he can celebrate the opener of the Boundary Waters winter trout fishing season. A pragmatic Gord Ellis tells some stories about what it is like to travel to remote fishing destinations when the snow lies deep on land. No stranger to snow and cold, Erin Altemus describes the

es up with some winter surfers along Ontario’s North Shore. Micaella Penning goes further abroad and brings us to an island inhabited by penguins off the coast of Chile.

On a warmer note, Maren Webb shares some gift ideas for the chefs on your list. Breana Roy has a rundown of holiday art and craft sales. Peter Fergus-Moore reports on a unique Aboriginal craft sale held in Thunder Bay. Javier Serna serves up a couple of special brews, as well as some news from the local brewing world. If you’ve ever wondered, “What the heck is a Christmas Pickle?” Elle Andra-Warner has the answer. And if the holiday season gets you down, Rhonda Silence talks with professionals about how to beat the seasonal blues.

Oh, in case you are wondering, Grand Marais photographer Lesli Higgins spent an October afternoon with the Northern Wilds crew. The new photo to the left was taken by her. And the only polite thing to say about it is

Christmas

DECEMBER 2017

VOLUME 14, ISSUE 12 www.northernwilds.com

SERVING THE NORTH SHORE AND THE WILDERNESS BEYOND

PUBLISHERS

Shawn Perich & Amber Pratt

EDITORIAL

Shawn Perich, Editor editor@northernwilds.com

Breana Roy, Managing Editor breana@northernwilds.com

ADVERTISING

Sue O’Quinn, Sales Representative sue@northernwilds.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com

Drew Johnson • drew@northernwilds.com

OFFICE

Roseanne Cooley billing@northernwilds.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Michael Creger, Gord Ellis, Peter Fergus-Moore, Casey Fitchett, Dave Freeman, Joe Friedrichs, Ali Juten, Martha Marnocha, Deane Morrison, Julia Prinselaar, Javier Serna, Rhonda Silence, Emily M. Stone, Maren Webb

Copyright 2017 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc.

Published 12 times per year. Subscription rate is $28 per year or $52 for 2 years U.S. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part requires written permission from the publishers.

Northern Wilds Media, Inc. P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-9475 (phone/fax)

Name:

Address:

City: St./Prov: Zip/PC: Email:

Tel:

(We do not sell or share subscription information.) Please mark one: United States

( ) One Year Subscription, 12 issues $28 USD

( ) Two Year Subscription, 12 issues $52 USD Canada

( ) One Year Subscription, 12 issues $36 USD

( ) Two Year Subscription, 12 issues $68 USD

Please cut this out and mail it with your check to:

Northern Wilds Media P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN, 55604 OR Call (218) 387-9475 to pay by credit card (Visa or MC) OR subscribe online: www.northernwilds.com/marketplace

Aboriginal arts and crafts returning to Thunder Bay

THUNDER BAY—Once again, high quality Aboriginal art and craft work is coming to Thunder Bay just in time for the Christmas gift season. How it came to be part of the city’s Christmas preparations is a story in itself.

Seventeen years ago, Indigenous artist John Ferris agreed to start an Indigenous arts group at the request of Nishnawbe Aski Nation. He put an advertisement in the Wawatay News, which served the Indigenous population of Northwestern Ontario. He asked if any artisans/artists would be interested in exhibiting their works for sale at a venue in Thunder Bay. The artisans would do well, he suggested, in the Christmas period.

Thirty-two of them agreed to try it.

After a very successful first year, Ferris and the arts group decided to continue the event annually under their own auspices.

“It’s accumulating every year,” Ferris said. “Now, we get over 250 artisans from all over, from up here and southern Ontario, the States, even Winnipeg.”

The Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario (AAGNO) shows no signs of letting up. Each year, Indigenous artisans and artists bring their wares to Thunder Bay to sell as Christmas and birthday gifts to shoppers looking for quality Indigenous artwork. The urban venue gives the artists from remote Indigenous communities greater exposure and a wider market for their craft work.

“The people are so happy to participate,” he adds. “It’s like they’re a congregation, the largest (artisanal) one in Ontario. Not just First Nations, either: Metis, Non-Status, you name it. They are all carrying on their traditions.”

“There’s a vast art awareness and differences between one community and another in approach,” he says. “They bring their clothing, their jewellery, paintings in the Woodland style. It’s caught on here, and people come and buy in pretty large numbers.”

“There have been a lot of designs inspired by European art in the past,” Ferris adds. “Things like floral motifs in the beadwork. But now things are changing. There are more pictographs. You’ll see birds, owls, whatever the artists have around them back home.”

“Our cultural art forms are embedded in us,” he muses. “In fact, I call what we do Aboriginal Engineering. Look at our traditional clothing, our dwellings, our canoes and snowshoes, and so on. I believe that art was embedded in our traditional lifestyle—not separate from it—it was part of our survival. I would like mainstream people to realize that.”

Ironically, among his first art influences, Ferris cites a European source.

“I was brought up in Pagwa River,” he says. “As a boy, I used to study from my dad’s family Bible. I’d draw the shapes from the illustrations. Later, when I went

to study formally, I found I was creating the same basic shapes from before.”

On his return to the North in the 1990s, Ferris began creating art courses for young Indigenous people, which eventually blossomed into art camps involving Indigenous elders teaching the youth traditional art forms in their own language. He continues that process to this day with a newer initiative, Ed-Digenous Traditions, and works in both Kairos and Correctional Services facilities.

“The younger generations are coming out with their own designs, but in traditional art forms,” he says. “They are keeping the traditions alive. We should be really proud of Aboriginal people in the North that way.”

The AAGNO Annual Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Gift Show will take place at Victoriaville Mall in Thunder Bay, December 12-16, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.—Peter Fergus-Moore

The Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Gift Show will take place Dec. 12-16 in Thunder Bay. | JOHN FERRIS

Little free library

There is a newly, reconditioned Little Free Library at 103 3rd Ave. West in Grand Marais. The purple, orange and green boxes have recently been replaced by an elf house with four box sections of books. It includes a box for little ones, featuring picture books and board books; a box for early readers with chapter books; a teen box section; and a box section for adults. There are now benches beside the Little Free Library for those who are short and tall, and a bright banner that declares “Books.”

Please stop by to pick out a book, stay and read for a while, or make a contribution. Everyone is welcome. The master carpenter who designed and built the elf house is Matt Geretschlaeger. The library is run by Lynn Arnold, lover of all books.

The greatest gift we at North Shore Federal Credit Union could have received this year came from the generosity of our members.

Your continued giving to the North Shore Hunger Hero program can spread that seasonal joy for yourself and others.

From now and to the end of the year, North Shore Federal Credit Union will match up to $3,000 for area food programs with monthly pledges in any amount through member accounts. Those who have signed up already, thank you. Those who haven’t, please consider doing so at this important time. We are also accepting one-time donations this holiday season.

Your donations help so much

All you need to do to take part in the North Shore Hunger Hero campaign is to stop into a local branch, sign

a permission slip with a designated monthly donation amount. It only takes a few seconds and we take care of the rest. Those who have already signed up can visit us and increase the monthly donation, or add a one-time additional holiday donation.

Together, we are making a difference in ending hunger in our community. It’s the greatest gift we can give to others, and ourselves.

Thank you again,

Your friends at North Shore Federal Credit Union

P.S. Our Hunger Hero program supports the food shelves in Cook County, Silver Bay and Two Harbors, along with the Backpack Food Program at local schools and food provider Ruby’s Pantry.

Wolf Ridge ELC expands commitment to environmental sustainability

FINLAND—Located in the Sawtooth Mountains overlooking Lake Superior, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (ELC) has taken on a new challenge in their mission of inspiring visitors to appreciate the natural world. Building on their focus of promoting environmental awareness, Wolf Ridge is constructing a “net-zero” dormitory, with hopes it will be a teaching tool in sustainable building practices and ongoing conservation efforts.

On June 3, work began on the Margaret A. Cargill Lodge with the intention of registering the building with the Living Building Challenge (LBC), a green building certification program.

Once completed, the new Margaret A. Cargill Lodge will be a “net-zero” energy building. The term “net-zero” refers to zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building nearly equals the amount of renewable energy created.

Formerly known as the West Dorm, the Margaret A. Cargill Lodge is located on Wolf Ridge’s 2,000-acre campus near Finland. Founded in 1971, Wolf Ridge has more than 15,000 children and adults visit annually with a focus on outdoor learning.

In 2012, while plans to upgrade housing were being discussed by executive director, Peter Smerud, and several board members, the idea was posed to recreate the West Dorm into a teaching tool in green building design and living more sustainably. Smerud felt that learning at Wolf Ridge had been primarily centered in the outdoors, and the Living Building Challenge was a chance to “inspire people from that moment of awaking. We set thematic goals for the building...it should be a ‘Teaching Tool of Sustainability.’”

The decision was made to register the former West Dorm in the LBC program. Created in 2006, the LBC is considered the most stringent green building standard in the world. It requires building owners to reach standards in seven areas: site, water, energy, health, materials, equity and beauty. Wolf Ridge ELC will be the first in the region, and the northernmost in the country, to attempt full LBC certification.

The Margaret A. Cargill Lodge is designed to minimize electric use, and will utilize solar electricity, solar hot water and biomass heating. Annual rainfall will provide the budget for annual water consumption, with low flow fixtures keeping usage within that budget. Additionally, the building is equipped with technology that will allow visitors to monitor their personal energy and water consumption.

Smerud states many design features were added for human enjoyment, providing access to the beauty of the Margaret A. Cargill Lodge’s setting. The upgraded dorm design includes large windows that look out onto bird feeding areas, in addition to the use of earth tone colors and unpainted wood to create a sense of harmony with the building’s natural surroundings.

The northern location of Wolf Ridge ELC and its relative remoteness have posed extra challenges in complying with LBC criteria. These include issues such as distance to manufacturers of certified sustainable products, as well as disposal of recyclable construction waste. That construction waste—which is around 90 percent of the total amount created—needs to be transported to the Twin Cities, currently the closest recycling center.

The climate and geography of Wolf Ridge are also considerations. Much of the landscape has only a thin layer of gravel soil over bedrock, creating difficulty in building structural foundations. The area’s Lake Superior micro-climate of cold, dry conditions in winter, followed by relatively high humidity and warm temperatures in summer, add to the complexity of heating and cooling systems.

Additionally, Smerud says that locating sources of sustainable certified materials

[LEFT] A “smart” vapor barrier that’s waterproof breathable. If moisture gets in the wall, it wicks it out. [ABOVE] Recycling everything possible. | SUBMITTED

has been more challenging than anticipated. Care was taken to ensure that the products installed contained no chemicals known to be hazardous to human or environmental health, even in the paint on the walls. Additionally, all lumber used in the project came from within 300 miles of Wolf Ridge.

“They don’t call it a challenge for no reason,” said Smerud.

Smerud hopes visitors to Wolf Ridge’s Margaret A. Cargill Lodge will learn what is possible in sustainability, adding that it is “critically important to humans and the planet that we show our future generations and educators how to make the world a better place.”

Learn more about Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and the Living Building Challenge at: wolfridgelivingbuildingchallenge.org.—Martha Marnocha

Once completed, the Margaret A. Cargill Lodge will be a “net-zero” energy building. | SUBMITTED

Trout opener for Boundary Waters lakes rings in the New Year

BOUNDARY WATERS—If catching trout hooks you on the idea of a party, then the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the place to be on New Year’s Eve.

The winter season for trout on all lakes located entirely within the BWCAW opens Dec. 30 and runs through April 1, 2018. That means by New Year’s Eve, the fishing season will be open for more than 24 hours, giving anglers ample opportunity to ring in the holiday on the ice.

“We usually have lots of cabin business that time of year, but it’s centered on the holidays and not the lake trout opener,” said Andy McDonnell, a co-owner of Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfitters located up the Gunflint Trail. “I don’t think that the fact the trout season opens inside the (Boundary Waters) before it opens outside is very widely known.”

A decade ago, there was no special season for trout fishing in the BWCAW. Winter lake trout season dates were the same for lakes within and outside the wilderness line.

But legislation enacted in 2009 moved up the lake trout opener on lakes entirely within the BWCAW to occur sometime around New Year’s Day. Three years later, in 2012, another change in Minnesota’s fishing regulations allowed winter stream trout fishing on all lakes entirely within the BWCAW to open earlier. According to the Minnesota DNR, stream trout are defined as splake, brook, brown and rainbow trout.

Stream trout angling this upcoming season, the same as lake trout fishing, will open Dec. 30 and close on April 1, 2018, for all lakes entirely within the BWCAW boundary.

Matthew Weberg is the assistant area fisheries manager for the DNR based in Grand Marais. He said according to the legislation passed less than a decade ago, the BWCAW trout opener always occurs Jan. 1, except when New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. When that happens, the opening day is the Saturday nearest to and before Jan. 1. This year, New Year’s Day is on a Monday, hence the early start date.

“I’ve talked with a few folks who like to coincide their winter camping trips with the lake trout opener,” Weberg said. “Others will just do a daytrip to select lakes near Boundary Waters entry points.”

The winter season for trout lakes outside and partially outside the BWCAW is approximately two weeks shorter: Jan. 13 through April 1, 2018. Cook County lakes partially or completely outside the BWCAW include Gunflint, Magnetic, Seagull, Clearwater, East Bearskin and Saganaga. Even then, the DNR urges anglers to tread carefully.

“At that point of the winter there’s usually plenty of ice,” Weberg said, “but if we have a warm fall like last year, ice on some of the larger and deeper lakes might be a little sketchy still.”

A group travels across a BWCAW lake in pursuit of lake trout. | TUSCARORA LODGE & CANOE OUTFITTERS

Meanwhile, according to the DNR, the trout opener for Boundary Waters lakes specifically is not exactly a booming enterprise.

“Sadly, the BWCAW trout opener is fading quickly,” said DNR conservation officer Darin Fagerman. “I would say that we don’t get a big turnout even on opening day. Some lakes that are easy to get to will see the same old die-hards that have been there year after year. Last year we walked into the farther trout lakes only to find one or two people on them on opening day.”

Weather also plays a significant role with regard to the turnout during the BWCAW opener, Fagerman noted.

“If the weather is predicted to be on the brutal side, the small number of anglers will drop off even more,” he said.

Another factor to consider if you’re fishing in the BWCAW during the special trout season is how close you might come to the Canadian border. It’s extremely important to know where that line is, with lakes like South or Rose being examples of lakes entirely within the BWCAW but also partly in Canada. The fishing season for lake trout in Ontario waters typically begins on Jan. 1, as it did in 2017, but make sure to check the fishing regulations to be certain. Also make sure you know where the international line is on any border lakes you might fish.

McDonnell said the BWCAW specific early-season opener is indeed less of a

draw than when the regular season opens a couple weeks later.

“We do get the hardcore anglers around for that opener, but there are definitely more serious fishermen for the outside opener in January,” he said. “There are definitely exceptions to this, but most of the real hardcore people we see are using snowmobiles to fish from, or to access areas not easily reached on foot in one day.”

Fagerman said overall, ice fishing does seem to be losing momentum or even popularity with regard to the remote lakes of the Boundary Waters.

“I think the biggest factor of the fading interest is the lack of younger people taking the spot of the old-timers that are getting too old or who have died off,” he said.

Meanwhile, McDonnell, who is in his early-30s, doesn’t let trends get in the way of what he considers a good time during the long winter months.

“I fish multiple times a week all season long so we’ve always got up-to-date info on the fishing and the lake conditions,” he said. “We talk to a lot of people that just want to know what the ice is like, or how much snow is in the woods. We’re always happy to talk about that if folks give us a call.”

The team at Tuscarora also post weekly videos on Facebook and YouTube that show the current conditions and what they’re up to during the winter, which usu -

ally happens to be fishing or exploring the remote lakes near their home.

Mindy Fredrikson, a co-owner of Gunflint Lodge, said her resort on the shores of Gunflint Lake is equipped to not just promote ice fishing, but support those who want to try it out.

“We offer ice fishing packages that includes a portable pop-up ice house, heater and propane, hand auger, ice scoop, chair and toboggan,” she said. “We also have ice fishing gear and tackle available for sale and we can help our guests schedule a fishing guide if they want more assistance in finding a good fishing spot.”

A collection of anglers, including McDonnell and the owners of many resorts along the Gunflint Trail, are hoping the ice is solid enough to go fishing by Dec. 30. And if it is, there could be a few celebrations on the remote lakes to ring in 2018.

“I haven’t run into anyone celebrating New Year’s Eve on opening of fishing,” Fagerman said, “but I guess I haven’t asked or it hasn’t come up.”

That being the case, it’s possible that somewhere deep in the Boundary Waters, the sound of a tip-up rising could coincide with the ringing in of 2018.—Joe Friedrichs

H ILL HAVE N

Staff is available 24 hours a day for assistance and physical therapy during your recovery from illness or surgery.

(218) 387-9119 · hillhaven@boreal.org 1681-1683 E Hwy 61, Grand Marais, MN

Gathering holiday greens on Superior National Forest

DULUTH—Cutting your own Christmas tree or balsam boughs on the Superior National Forest can be a festive outing during the holidays. The ritual of hiking through the woods with your family and friends to choose your personal tree or boughs can greatly enrich the holiday season.

Remember to obtain a permit at a Superior National Forest office before you go. A permit to cut one Christmas tree on the Superior National Forest costs $5 and may be purchased at any Forest office. Two Christmas tree permits are allowed per household per year. A “personal use” permit for gathering balsam boughs on the Superior National Forest allows for enough boughs to make approximately five door-size wreaths and costs $20. If you plan to gather boughs, it’s best to contact the Ranger District office closest to the area where you plan to collect greens. Superior National Forest office hours generally are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of federal holidays. Permits and maps may be obtained by mail but you must allow time for a check to travel through the mail and materials to be returned. For a printable flyer and additional information, visit the Superior National Forest web site at: fs.usda.gov/superior

Fourth grade students may obtain a free Christmas tree permit through the Every Kid in a Park Program. The program is an initiative to get kids and families into our national forests and parks. Fourth grade students can go to the Every Kid in a Park website, complete some on-line activities, and print a voucher good for a special Fourth Grade Pass which can be picked up at participating federal agency offices, including the Forest Service. In addition to enabling fourth graders to receive a pass that allows free access to federal lands, the pass (or the printed voucher) also allows fourth graders to get a free permit for their family to harvest a Christmas tree on a national forest. See the website for details: everykidinapark.gov.

There are a few things to know before you go out to gather boughs or cut a Christmas tree. Be sure you know where Superior National Forest lands are. Parcels of state, county, tribal and private lands are intermixed with national forest lands within the Forest boundary. Visitor maps of the Superior National Forest which show land ownership are available for $10 at all Forest offices and also via the internet. Cutting of trees and boughs is not allowed inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, plantations, recreation areas or administrative sites.

To cut your own Christmas tree this year in the Super National Forest, simply obtain a $5 permit from any National Forest office. | STOCK

DULUTH—For the first time in nearly a decade, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service plans to increase the price of its Forest Visitor Maps. Beginning Monday, Jan. 1, the Forest Service will charge $14 for the printed Forest Maps. This change is the result of increasing costs for production, printing and distribution.

The Forest Service continually updates and looks for ways to enhance maps. The Forest Service expects to shorten the revision cycle as cartographers continue to apply new digital technology to the map revision process.

The Forest Service is also working to increase the availability of digital maps. Digital maps for mobile applications can be downloaded at: avenza.com/pdf-maps/ store. Digital maps cost $4.99 per side.

Printed Superior National Forest Visitor Maps are available for purchase at the Forest Offices, found online at: fs.usda.gov/ superior In addition, there are three ways to order maps from the National Forest Map Store:

1. Online: nationalforeststore.com

2. By phone: (406) 329-3024

3. By US Mail: USDA Forest Service, National Forest Store, P.O. Box 7669, Missoula, MT 59807

In an effort to help offset the pricing increase for volume sales, beginning Jan. 1, discount pricing will be made available on sales of 10 or more maps of the same title. Discounted maps are only available when purchased through the National Forest Map Store.

Synergy Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

You’ve worked hard to 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.

MARK CHEELEY, MBA, CFS®, CRPC®, CLTC®, RFC®

Private Wealth Advisor 10159 Wayzata Blvd, Ste 200 Minnetonka, MN 55305 mark.d.cheeley@ampf.com mysynergywealthmanagement.com CA Insurance #OI11648

Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. The Compass is a trademark of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC @2017 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. (12/17)

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

NORTH SHORE—Since you’re reading Northern Wilds, there’s a good chance that you have regular access to a dark night sky. Even if you live in a city, a short drive or weekend trip might bring you to the shore of a wilderness lake or a remote vista overlooking vast forests.

On a recent visit to a sparsely populated stretch of the Lake Superior shoreline, my family and I stood in awe as the Milky Way flowed down to meet its own reflection on the water. Satellites slid between the static stars before escaping beyond the glint of sunlight. A meteor flamed across them all.

Winter is a fantastic time for stargazing. Not only are there plenty of hours of darkness, but the cold, dry air makes for clearer skies. And my favorite constellation—Orion—twinkles above our (hopefully) snowy woods from November to February.

Even though he’s often described as a hunter, we see Orion in the humble position of lying on his side. Maybe he’s resting up for an early morning of deer hunting. Traditionally, of course, his quarry was more mythical—chasing the beautiful seven sisters of Pleiades, doing battle with Taurus the Bull, fighting a scorpion sent to tame his ego, or hunting the constellation Lepus the Hare. Some in the Ojibway culture call this constellation Kabibona’kan, the Winter Maker, as its presence in the night sky heralds winter.

While the stories associated with the constellations are fun to think about, the science behind them is also fascinating. Betelgeuse is a reddish-colored star that marks Orion’s right shoulder. The red color is not an optical illusion, and it is not due to rusty iron, as is the color on Mars. Betelgeuse is a type of star called a red supergiant. Only 13 percent of Betelgeuse’s light is visible to our eyes, because it gives off most of its light in the near-infrared wavelength, which we cannot see.

If we could see infrared light, Betelgeuse would be the brightest star in the sky. Instead, we build surrogate “eyes”—instruments that can “see” these wavelengths. With the help of these instruments, astrophysicists have observed hotspots and other features on the surface of Be -

telgeuse. One astronomer characterized Betelgeuse as “an enormous seething restless cauldron of belching plasma.”

Something that violent can hardly last very long. Indeed, Betelgeuse has already used up its supply of hydrogen for nuclear fusion. This means heavier elements are fusing together, and the star’s core is compressed into a hot, dense ball, while other outer layers have expanded into the huge red mass we see. This expansion means that its energy is spread across a large area, and its surface temperatures are only about half as hot as our sun. Stars like this are rare—we only know of 200 in our Galaxy—because they do not live very long.

Even at only 8.5 million years old, Betelgeuse is thought to be near the end of its life. (Our sun is 4.56 billion years old.) Betelgeuse likely will explode into a supernova within the next 100,000 years. When it does, it will be visible even in the day, brighter than the moon, and would outshine the entire Milky Way Galaxy. If humans are still on Earth when it blows, they won’t need the dark skies of our Northern Wilds to enjoy that show.—Emily M. Stone

Good Times Await

Gallery 33 will host a Christmas Art Market Dec. 1-2. Come peruse homemade gifts from a variety of vendors, as well as the artwork on display in the gallery. Refreshments and Christmas music will be provided. Santa will also make a special appearance. The event will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Friday and 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday. facebook.com/gallery33.tbay

The annual Thunder Bay Police Association Parade of Lights will be held Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. Presented by Tbaytel, dozens of beautifully decorated trucks will line the streets in front of thousands of spectators. Volunteers with official Parade of Lights donation cans will walk the parade route, collecting monetary donations on behalf of the benefitting charities. The parade will start at Manitoulin Transport on Main Street to Harbour Expressway, and right onto Memorial Ave. to Queen Street. paradeoflights.ca

Enjoy some festive beers and cheer with Jingle Brews, held at Sleeping Giant Brewing Company on Dec. 2. There will be a symposium, an auction, and beer tasting compliments of Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. and Dawson Trail Brewery, with pairing food stations. Jingle Brews will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight; tickets are $70. arthritis.ca/ jinglebrews

The Baggage Building Arts Centre will hold its Members Exhibition Dec. 2 through Jan. 5. To learn more, find Baggage Building Arts on Facebook.

On Sunday, Dec. 3, the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium will be transformed into Crafland: A Winter’s Market , featuring over 50 vendors on all three floors and onstage. Held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., shop for unique, handcrafted gifts made by talented artisans. You will find stained glass, beadwork, Indigenous crafts, jewelry, original paintings, ornaments, furniture, clothing, books, soap and more. Attendance is free. To learn more, find Craftland at the Community Auditorium on Facebook.

The Finlandia Association, along with community partners, will host the Finland 100 Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 6. The celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Finlandia Hall with a flag procession by the Finnish Veterans and a moment of silence. Then, enjoy live music, traditional dancing and a speaker panel. Admission is free. Later, a traditional Finnish dinner buffet will be held from 7-10 p.m., followed by a dance; admission required. thefinlandia.com

Don’t miss the heartwarming play Miracle on 34th Street , showing at the Magnus Theatre Dec. 7-23. Adapted by Caleb Marshall and Erin Keating, this classic story by Valentine Davies follows a Macy’s department store Santa who turns the commercial world of New York City upside down. A Christmas classic for over 70 years, this story of triumph of faith over greed, and goodwill over commercialism, is as relevant as ever. magnustheatre.com

The Christmas Bizarre Bazaar will be held at the Baggage Building Arts Centre Dec. 9-10, featuring over two dozen artists, crafters and creators. For more info, find Christmas Bizarre Bazaar 2017 on Facebook.

Eleanor Drury Children’s Theatre will perform The Magical Lamp of Aladdin on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. The show will be held at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12. Also held at the auditorium is the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops concert on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. tbca.com

Head to the Finlandia Club on Saturday, Dec. 16 for the Cambrian Players Improv Show. Doors open at 7 p.m. and there will be a cash bar. thefinlandia.com

hot breakfast.

Christmas in the Wilderness

Story and photos by Dave Freeman

As dawn’s first light penetrated the walls of our tent I unzipped my sleeping bag enough to reach out and grab the small slivers of kindling and strips of birch bark I had placed near the wood stove the night before. Half asleep I loaded the wood stove, lit the kindling, and slid back into the familiar warmth of my sleeping bag. It was December 22, 2015 and for the past 90 mornings I had followed the same routine of lighting the woodstove and waiting for the fire to warm our tent. Christmas was just a few days away and the mercury was dropping as winter tightened its grip on the wilderness.

On September 23, 2015, my wife and I had loaded our canoe with food and camping gear and paddled into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) for an entire year. We are concerned that copper mines being proposed just outside the wilderness area could pollute these pristine lakes and rivers so we decided to spend a year in the wilderness to raise awareness about this issue. We wouldn’t turn on a faucet, enter a building, or cross a road for 366 days. We were living out of our tent, exploring more than 500 lakes, rivers, and streams and moving camp about 100 times throughout the year. People often assume that summer’s swarms of mosquitoes, frigid winter nights, or perhaps a year without a shower

would be the hardest part of spending a whole year in the BWCAW. In reality, as time passed our bodies hardened and the physical hardships became normal. The hardest part was being isolated from friends and family, which gave the holiday’s special meaning.

As the fire took hold, the stovepipe began to glow red as heat radiated into the tent; our day began in earnest. Sipping coffee, we watched the light increase as the sun climbed higher in the sky. As the weeks and months flowed by our pace had slowed, our senses continued to heighten and we were content to fill our days with the simple tasks of gathering water from an ice hole chopped in the lake, searching for firewood, and a handful of other tasks central to our survival.

After breakfast we pulled on layers of wool and fleece and left the warm oasis of our tent behind. We hoped that the 10-degree F. air chilling our faces had frozen the lake to the south of our campsite on Newfound Lake, but our hearts sank as we trudged out onto ice in front of our camp. A quarter mile to the south by Horseshoe Island the now familiar line of dark, churning water signaled that the southern half of the lake was still open. As we walked back to camp through six inches of powdery snow, we realized we would remain cut

Amy Freeman lights ice luminaries on New Year’s Eve on our campsite at Moose Lake.

We stop to pet Acorn, Tina and Tank as we begin to bond with our new companions in early January.

Night Photography Tips from the Experts

By Ali Juten

[ABOVE] James Smedley enjoys capturing night photos with great silhouettes and contrast, like this one of a group of fishermen.

| JAMES SMEDLEY

[RIGHT] Using low level lighting techniques, Bryan Hansel captures the galaxy and the earth within one photo. | BRYAN HANSEL

For the novice photographer, capturing images at night can be a blur. Literally. Applying the same daytime photography techniques to nighttime shots can be frustrating. So, what is the secret to taking stunning photographs in low light? After speaking with a few professional photographers, each with different styles, they had some tips to share that could bring a photo from mediocre to stunning.

Bryan Hansel, a professional photographer out of Grand Marais, began learning about the art of capturing and developing photos more than 30 years ago in high school and college. One of Hansel’s favorite things to photograph is the Milky Way. He says that having the right camera gear is of utmost importance. His primary lens is a 14-24 millimeter Nikon, which is a wide-angle lens.

“Generally speaking, you need a wide lens and fast lens. Also, autofocus systems don’t work well for nighttime photography, so you need manual,” Hansel said.

In order to photograph the Milky Way, Hansel keeps his shutter open for a longer period of time so he can capture the “star trail.” He says to use a shutter release cord or remote to do this because it eliminates having to physically press the shutter, which causes movement and, ultimately, a blurry photo.

“The longer the shutter is open, the longer the trails. Try pointing your camera at the North Star, and leave it open for an hour. Come back and all the stars have gone around the North Star,” he added.

Hansel spends more than half of the year on the road for photo trips, teaching classes in national parks. Last year, he spent 100 days this way, scouting, shooting, and teaching on the road.

“If I’m not shooting, I’m scouting. After scouting, it is all about judging the light. I will typically go to a spot that I have already scouted out because I know it will work with that kind of light,” he said.

Beyond scouting, anticipating natural events like Aurora Borealis is also helpful.

Ely based photographer, Heidi Pinkerton uses sites like spaceweather.com to track when Aurora Borealis will be out in full force and is known for her photos of it. With her full frame camera, she uses a wide-angle, 16-35 millimeter lens with an ISO of 500, f/2.8, and keeps her shutter open for 30 seconds. In case this sounds foreign, ISO stands for “International Standards Organization” and it is a standardized industry scale for measuring sensitivity to light. In general, the higher the ISO, the more sensitive the camera lens is to light. The “f/2.8” refers to the “focal stop” which is the opening that lets light into your camera. The number “2.8” is the size of that opening.

The result of these settings, at least for Pinkerton, are photographs of Aurora Borealis that look better than the naked eye can see.

“The reason that the photos look better is because you have 30 seconds of that image collecting on that data sensor of your camera. While your eyes see it as a moving picture,” she said.

Pinkerton also knows how to correctly process her photos in order to get the best quality image. Her husband is a software engineer for Photoshop, and is one of the reasons she got her start in photography. In 2004, Photoshop sent them a Canon Rebel to test out. She has been honing her photography and editing skills in the Ely area ever since.

Last but not least, Ontario based photographer and outdoor writer, James Smedley, says to definitely use a tripod.

“A tripod is almost a must for night photography, because you are dealing with slow shutter speed and low exposure. Unless you want a blurry image, you need a tripod.

He says it can sometimes be a pain to always have a tripod with you, but if you don’t have one, you may miss opportunities.

“Photography is all about light, the ambient light you have, the northern lights, the stars, moon, street lights. It’s making the most of that light,” he said.

Smedley excels at taking dramatic, silhouette style outdoor photos. Another tip he has is to just keep shooting, because you never know what the light may turn into unless you stick around.

“A lot of times at night, as you’re losing light, you should keep sticking around and shoot the same scene, because it changes. It goes by quickly but can give you some of the best light,” Smedley said.

So the right gear, scouting out locations, anticipating good light, and learning to process an image with programs like Photoshop, are all key to creating great images. Last but not least, get outside and start shooting. Like any craft, it only improves with practice.

For more information about the photographers featured in this story, visit their websites.

Bryan Hansel: bryanhansel.com

Heidi Pinkerton: shop.rootriverphotography.com

James Smedley: jamessmedleyoutdoors.com

Heidi Pinkerton captures the Aurora Borealis in her photo titled, “Dawn’s Early Light.” | HEIDI PINKERTON

By Breana Roy

Holiday Craft Sales

Throughout the month of December, artisans of all kinds are joining together for various holiday art and craft shows on the North Shore. Each show is a little different, offering everything from live music, tasty treats, prizes and a hands-on craft table. And each show features multiple artists, showcasing handmade mittens, jewelry, paintings, pottery, ornaments, photography and more. For a full list of events, see the Calendar of Events on page 28.

|

[LEFT]

“Northern Lights” by Thunder Bay artist Janna Zachary; acrylic and ink on a wooden tree slice. Zachary will attend the Bizarre Bazaar Dec. 9-10 and Craftland: A Winter’s Market Dec. 3, both held in Thunder Bay. | JANNA ZACHARY

“Pine Grosbeaks” woodcut by Betsy Bowen can be seen at the Holiday Art Underground event in Grand Marais, held Dec. 1-30. | BETSY BOWEN

Michael Anderson carves from moose and deer antlers. To see more, visit the Aboriginal Fine Arts and Crafts Gift Show and Sale in Thunder Bay, Dec. 12-16. | MICHAEL ANDERSON

[ABOVE] “New Day” by Janice Andrews is part of the Selections from Earth Series exhibit at Gallery 33. See more during the Christmas Art Market, held Dec. 1-2.

| JANICE ANDREWS

This birch bark and copper statement piece necklace was created by Cree Stevens. She will attend the Craftland: A Winter’s Market event in Thunder Bay, held Dec. 3.

CREE STEVENS

Curry Cook-Off BroadwayandMusical Showcase

Dec. 16

Arrowhead Center for the Arts 101 West Street, Grand Marais

Tickets: Food $10, Show $10

Membership Meeting 6 p.m.

Food 6:30 p.m.

Showcase 7:30 p.m.

This is a fundraiser for the Grand Marais Playhouse. Come enjoy fabulous food and song and Support YOUR community theater!!!

Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario (AAGNO) presents our 16th Anniversary

JULEBYEN

December 12 - 16

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Daily at the Victoriaville Centre Featuring John Ferris

Largest Gathering of Aboriginal

Dec. 2-3 At the annual Julebyen Christmas Village festival in Knife River, you will find an outdoor market with ethnic foods, unique, hand-made gifts by local artisans, an indoor bazaar full of hand-crafted decorations for your home, and the Troll Village with an assortment of exciting things to see and people to meet. This family-friendly festival will also include craft workshops and demonstrations, outdoor recreation, animals, live music, storytelling, the Tour of Homes event, a silent auction, train rides to Troll Canyon, and more. Santa will also be available for photo ops. Julebyen will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday; admission is free. And don’t miss Julefest on Friday, Dec. 1 from 5-8 p.m., featuring food by local caterers, special children’s menus and activities, music and more (tickets required). julebyen.us

DULUTH WINTER VILLAGE

Dec. 2-3 Organized by Duluth Loves Local, the Duluth Winter Village brings more

than 30 local businesses together to sell holiday gifts out of wooden cabins on the grounds of the historic Glensheen Mansion. Along with shopping, visitors will enjoy local food and beverages from Sir Ben’s, Canal Park Brewery, Bent Paddle and Vikre, plus choral singers, fire pits and s’mores, wreaths and holiday greenery, animals from 12-3 p.m. both days, face painting, gift wrapping, a custom photo wall, children’s activities and more. Held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days, this event is free to attend and parking is available off-site with free shuttle service provided. Glensheen will also run their Christmas Tours; tickets available in the ticket house. duluthwintervillage.com

HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXPO

Dec. 2, Saturday Roughly 150 crafters, vendors and boutiques will attend the 2nd annual Holiday Shopping Expo at the Duluth DECC. Held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., there will be food, entertainment, gift wrapping, prizes, 100 free gift bags of goodies to the first 100 shoppers, and more. Santa Claus will also be in attendance from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission is $3 at the door or free with a Toys for Tots donation; kids ages 12 and under are free. decc.org/event/holiday-shopping-expo-2

Open Mon - Sat, 10 am - 5 pm

Over 30 local businesses will attend the Duluth Winter Village event. | SUBMITTED

toss. After the show, head to Bentleyville for an evening stroll under the glow of over 4 million lights while enjoying complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and roasted marshmallows. Admission to the Arrowhead Ice Fishing and Winter Show is $10 ages 13 and up; age 12 and under are free. mniceshow.com

MINNESOTA BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER

Dec. 8-10

Enjoy an evening of holiday magic, whimsical music and elegant danc-

ing with The Nutcracker, performed by the Minnesota Ballet in Duluth. This Allen Fields’ production is a must-see for all ages. Watch a fierce battle between the Nutcracker and soldiers against the Mouse King and his minions. Journey to the exotic lands of beautiful dancing, presided over by the Sugar Plum Fairy and capped by lovely waltzing flowers, all performed to Tchaikovsky music played by the Minnesota Ballet Orchestra. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. (3 p.m. on Sunday) at the Duluth DECC Symphony Hall. Tickets can be purchased online ahead of time. minnesotaballet.org

ART COLONY’S 70TH BIRTHDAY BASH

Dec. 9, Saturday The Grand Marais Art Colony is hosting a community celebration in honor of 70 years of nurturing creativity in Grand Marais. Held at the Art Colony, the Founders Hall will be transformed into a dazzling night club with live music by Cook County’s Most Wanted, tasty treats, and a cash beer and

wine bar. This is a great opportunity to wear your celebratory attire and visit with friends and acquaintances. In honor of the birthday evening, the Gallery Store will be open from 7-9 p.m. to shop for the holidays and support local artists. grandmaraisartcolony.org

CHRISTMAS

BIZARRE BAZAAR

Dec. 9-10 The 4th annual Christmas Bizarre Bazaar will last two days this year, featuring over two dozen artists, crafters and creators. Held at the Baggage Building Arts Centre in Thunder Bay, this event

showcases unique, bizarre creations, expanding your Christmas buying possibilities. There will also be exciting live entertainment from the Compelling Characters group, coffee from Rose N Crantz Roasting Co., and treats from Sweet Escape, Reanna, and Novi’s Bread and Treats. The Christmas Bazaar Bizarre will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. For more information, find Christmas Bizarre Bazaar 2017 on Facebook.

IGNITE THE FORT

Dec. 9-10 Held from 4-6 p.m. at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, Ignite

Betsy Bowen Gallery Presents:

1 - 30

Sneak Preview - Friday, Dec. 1st 5 - 7:30 ~with music by Rod & Caribou~ Special Hours- Saturday 9 - 5 & Sunday 11 - 5

Featuring hand-made,

Jennifer

december

Northern Wilds Calendar of Events

Nov. 18-Dec. 26

Bentleyville Tour of Lights

5 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, bentleyvilleusa.org

Nov. 24-Dec. 24

Bering Sea Designs Trunk Show Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, sivertson.com

Nov. 30-Dec. 2

Sleeping Beauty Kids and Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Maple Tops Paramount Theatre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/ mapletopsthunderbay

Nov. 30-Dec. 17

A Christmas Carol 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) The Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

Dec. 1, Friday

L.U. Visual Arts Open House Noon, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay (807) 343-8491

CP Holiday Train 3 p.m. Cenotaph, Schreiber, cpr.ca/holiday-train

Pinterest Projects 4 p.m.

Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

CP Holiday Train 5:34 p.m. Across from Nipigon Town Hall, cpr.ca/holiday-train

CP Holiday Train 8:45 p.m.

CP Train Depot Track, Thunder Bay, cpr.ca/holiday-train

Dec. 1-2

Christmas Craft Fair 4 p.m. (10 a.m. Sat.) West Thunder Community Centre, Thunder Bay (807) 622-7790

Christmas Art Market 6 p.m. (10:30 a.m. Sat.) Gallery 33, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/gallery33.tbay

Bah, Humbug! Scrooge’s

Christmas Carol 7 p.m. Confederation College: Shuniah Building, Thunder Bay, allthedaze.ca

FWMC: Prelude to Christmas

7:30 p.m. St. Pat’s High School, Thunder Bay, fwmc.ca

Space Monkey Mafia

9:30 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Dec. 1-30

Holiday Art Underground (Reception Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.) Betsy Bowen Gallery & Artist Studios, Grand Marais, woodcut.com

Dec. 2, Saturday

Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Open House & Sale 9 a.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk 10 a.m. Current River Recreation Centre, Thunder Bay, santashuffle.ca

Craft Bazaar & Luncheon 10 a.m.

Cook County Senior Center, Grand Marais (218) 387-2660

Holiday Shopping Expo 10 a.m.

Duluth DECC, decc.org

Boulder Christmas Tree Cut 10 a.m.

Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center, Duluth, boulderlake.org

Holiday Craft Fair 10 a.m.

Grand Portage Lodge & Casino Event Center (218) 475-2800

Pamela Clifton Jewelry Trunk Show 10 a.m. Siiviis of Sivertson Gallery, Duluth, sivertson.com

Get It Local Gift Fair 10 a.m. Peace Church, Duluth, wendyupnorth.com

Craft Sale 10 a.m. Finlandia Hall, Thunder Bay, thefinlandia.com

Snowflake Christmas Tea 1 p.m. Westminster United Church, Thunder Bay



DSSO: White Christmas 3 p.m. DECC Symphony Hall, Duluth, dsso.com

Jingle Brews 6 p.m. Sleeping Giant Brewing Company, Thunder Bay, arthritis.ca/jinglebrews

Parade of Lights 7 p.m. Starts at Manitoulin Transport, Thunder Bay, paradeoflights.ca

Consortium Aurora Borealis presents TBSO: Symphonies & Serenades 8 p.m. St. Paul’s United Church, Thunder Bay (807) 683-5673

Dec. 2-3

Julebyen Knife River, julebyen.us

December Dreams Show & Sale

9 a.m. (11 a.m. Sun.) Canadian Lakehead Coliseum, Thunder Bay, lakeheadrotary.com

Duluth Winter Village 10 a.m. Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, duluthwintervillage.com

Dec. 2-Jan. 5

BBAC Members Exhibition Baggage Building Arts Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/baggagebuildingarts

Dec. 3, Sunday

Craftland: A Winter’s Market 10 a.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com



TPWO Happy Holidays Concert 3 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Duluth, twinportswindorchestra.org

Dec. 4, Monday

Fur Trading with Jacques La Christian 3:30 p.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

Dec. 5, Tuesday

Lakehead University Preview Day Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, mylakehead.ca/openhouse

Breakfast for Heroes 8:30 a.m. Superior Shores, Two Harbors (218) 834-2600

Holiday Shopping: Fundraiser for the Domestic Abuse Legal Advocacy Center 5 p.m. University Club, St. Paul, north61.com

Open Basket Nites: Free 5 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Tweevening with Ken Bloom: A Thousand Words 6:30 p.m. Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Dec. 6, Wednesday

Firefighters Celebrity Server: Fundraiser Noon, Boston Pizza, Thunder Bay

Finnish Independence Day Celebration 5:30 p.m. Finlandia Hall, Thunder Bay, thefinlandia.com

Craft and a Craft Market 4:30 p.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Wreath Making 6 p.m. Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, boulderlake.org

Lakehead Choral: Spirit of Christmas Concert 7:30 p.m. St. Agnes Church, Thunder Bay, woconnor@londonpower.com

Dec. 7, Thursday

Pikku Joulu 5 p.m. Clair Nelson Center, Finland, friendsoffinland.org

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 11 a.m. Duluth DECC, decc.org

Mall of AmericInn 3 p.m. AmericInn, Silver Bay (218) 226-4300

Holiday Sampler 5 p.m. Fairlawn Mansion, Superior, superiorpublicmuseums.org

Light up a Life 5:30 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, carepartnersofcookcounty.org

Svea Singers Holiday Concert 7 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, sveasingers.com

Dec. 7-9

A Not So Silent Night 7 p.m. Redwood Park Church, Thunder Bay, keynoteevents.ca

The Santaland Diaries 8 p.m. The Underground, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org

Dec. 7-23

Miracle on 34th Street Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

Dec. 8-10

Arrowhead Ice Fishing & Winter Show 10 a.m. (Noon on Fri.) Duluth DECC, mniceshow.com

Minnesota Ballet presents The Nutcracker 7 p.m. (3 p.m. Sun.) DECC Symphony Hall, Duluth, minnesotaballet.org

Dec. 9, Saturday

Agate Bay Craft Show 9 a.m. Two Harbors Community Center, lakecountycalendars.org

Get to the Point: Awesome Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m. Lafayette Square: Park Point, Duluth, wendyupnorth.com

Nice Girls of the North Marketplace 10 a.m. Lakeside Lester Park Community Center, Duluth, nicegirlsofthenorth.com

Book Release & Signing: Seven Ways to Trick a Troll 1 p.m. Siiviis of Sivertson Gallery, Duluth, sivertson.com

Mrs. Claus Party 1 p.m. Ely, ely.org/mn/events

Art Colony’s 70th Birthday Bash 7 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Dec. 9-10

Christmas Bizarre Bazaar 10 a.m. Baggage Building Arts Centre, Thunder Bay, Facebook: Christmas Bizarre Bazaar 2017 Ignite the Fort 4 p.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

Dec. 10, Sunday

Metre Eaters Frostbite Run 7k Neebing Roadhouse, Thunder Bay, metreeaters.ca

Finlandia Christmas Craft Market 11 a.m. Finlandia Hall, Thunder Bay, thefinlandia.com

North Shore Voices Concert 3 p.m. William Kelley High School Auditorium, Silver Bay, lakecountycalendars.org

Dec. 10-11

Borealis Chorale & Orchestra Christmas Concert 7 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais, northshoremusicassociation.com

Dec. 12, Tuesday

Ruby’s Pantry 5 p.m. Cook County High School, Grand Marais, facebook.com/rubyspantrycc

Eleanor Drury Children’s Theatre presents: The Magical Lamp of Aladdin 7 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Dec. 12-16

Aboriginal Fine Arts & Crafts Gift Show & Sale 10 a.m. Victoriaville Centre, Thunder Bay (807) 939-7525

Dec. 13, Wednesday

Craft and a Craft Market 4:30 p.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Wreath Making 6 p.m. Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, boulderlake.org

Dec. 13-16

9 to 5: The Musical 7:30 p.m. Maple Tops Paramount Theatre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/mapletopsthunderbay

The North Shore Dish

A Holiday Gift Guide

By Maren Webb

The holiday season has arrived, after an early start to winter in the Northern Wilds. Food is the center of many holiday traditions and often how we celebrate together. But, it is also an inspiration when it comes to holiday gift giving. Whether your holiday gift list includes a true foodie or a busy parent that needs ideas on how to get weeknight meals on the table, don’t overlook food-related gifts this year. Think beyond the average kitchen gadget and discover some unique gift ideas.

The Instant Pot, or an electric pressure cooker, has become a fast favorite with cooks of all abilities that want to save time and effort in the kitchen. If you are looking for a gift for a busy family, college student, or senior, this is one to consider. It has earned a cult following by its speedy cooking, taking two to six times less time compared to traditional methods, as well as using less energy. It also has the benefits of a slow cooker in that it doesn’t need to be babysat but cooking much more quickly. Blogs, Pinterest, and even Facebook have exploded with Instant Pot resources and recipes, helping cooks make use of this versatile kitchen appliance. From the perfect hard-boiled egg to beef stew to easy dry beans, it’s hard to argue with its convenience and versatile nature.

As a vegetarian, I was first intrigued by the electric pressure cooker when I heard it allowed you to cook dried beans in under an hour, which takes many hours in a slow cooker and more forethought. Now, after using the Instant Pot, making easy-topeel hard-boiled eggs is one of my favorite uses and it takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. No cracked shells or overcooked eggs from boiling or undercooked eggs from the stovetop steam method. Split pea soup from the Budget Bytes blog and mushroom wild rice soup from the Pinch of Yum blog were also big hits at our house.

The electric pressure cooker not only reduces the cook time, which often allows more nutrients to remain in the food, it also does its thing without you having to keep an eye on it. The built-in timer allows you to preset the cook time and it will automatically switch to keep warm mode when finished. I’ve long been a fan of slow cookers, but the Instant Pot means that I don’t have to worry about getting something in the slow cooker before I leave for work.

Many freezer-to-Instant Pot recipes are coming out for those that like to prepare freezer meals and save even more time in

the evening. If your gift recipient isn’t the most internet savvy, include a cookbook like How to Instant Pot by Daniel Shumski. Drury Lane Books in Grand Marais will have copies available for sale this season.

If the mention of a pressure cooker makes you a little leery, fear not. This is not the pressure cooker of the past. The pressure cookers of today, both electric and stovetop, have great safety mechanisms built in. Both the product manual and a quick Google search will give you the top tips to use the Instant Pot and avoid any problems, such as using a wooden spoon to open the release valve to avoid the hot steam. A variety of models are available, with 7-in-1 being one of the most popular from the Instant Pot brand. The seven functions include electric pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, sauté/ browning pan, steamer and warming pot.

Check your local retailer for the models they stock or buy online.

If you have an eco-conscious person on your gift list, this gift not only avoids kitchen plastic waste, it also allows users to avoid putting plastic on their food. Bee’s Wrap is an alternative to plastic wrap, for covering containers or wrapping food. It is washable, reusable and compostable, made of organic cotton, beeswax, organic jojoba oil and tree resin. This mix creates a malleable food wrap that can be used for up to a year.

You may be wondering how this could possibly work. The warmth of your hands warms the wrap to allow it to be wrapped around a piece of food or over a dish. Once it cools, within a matter of seconds, it will hold its seal. It can be used to wrap a variety of foods, from vegetables to cheese to bread, although it is not recommended

for use with raw meat. The Kitchen Nook (168 S. Algoma Street, Thunder Bay) carries a convenient three-size pack, perfect for a holiday gift or stocking stuffer. If your cook also is a regular user of fresh herbs, I recommend the Prepara Herb Savor from the Kitchen Nook. Instead of fresh cilantro, parsley, and others lasting days, they’ll last weeks in the fridge.

For the cook who has everything, check out a gift set from McQuade’s Herbs, Spices and More. For best flavor, herbs and spices should be fresh, so they are always a perfect gift for a home cook. This season, McQuade’s is offering several gift boxes, featuring some of their most popular items. The grill master will enjoy the Grill Gift Box, with Memphis BBQ rub, prime rib rub, caress rib rub, potato magic and a cooking thermometer. For any cook, the All Purpose Box includes lemon pepper,

For the best flavor, herbs and spices should always be fresh. So the All Purpose Gift Box at McQuade’s is the perfect gift for a home cook. | MCQUADE’S

Bent Paddle Brews Up some Decadence

By Javier Serna

One of the most decadent beers to be had in the Northern Wilds is Bent Paddle’s Cold Press Black coffee ale—particularly when it’s served up on nitro at the brewer’s Lincoln Park taproom.

Luckily for those without frequent access to the nitro version, the West Duluth brewer cans the beer in 12-ounce cans sold in four-packs and is available as singles at some of the finer retailers around the Twin Cities.

It is a sipper. A dark, hoppy and dry sipper with robust, roasted coffee and chocolate notes and the slightest amount of bitterness.

At six percent ABV, this toasty beer reads heavier than its gravity would suggest.

It’s a night-cap beer, or one to share with a friend. Or one to hoard at the taproom.

Next up, because I can’t stay away from pale brew, was Borealis Fermentery’s Vinegoblin, which is billed as a Belgian-style pale ale, a style that has been taken on by a few other North Shore brewers, who opted for more bitter IPAs.

This is a wild, funky beer that is more floral than herbal. Those familiar with the wild, fungal yeast Brettanomyces, or “Brett” will instantly recognize its presence in this riff from the Knife River brewer, one of the only strawbale breweries in the country.

Vinegoblin, available in 750ml bottles, lists at 6.7 percent ABV, and it reads as such on the palette. There are subtle hints of malts that also come across, but the stars here are the hops and the Brett. Brewer Ken Thiemann both “kettle” and “dry” hops this beer, meaning it receives its hop dosages both during kettle/boiling stage and again during the fermentation/ conditioning process.

What pours out of the bottle is a hoppy beer that is not overly bitter and that has a bit of farmhouse character.

Lake Superior Brewing in new hands: Duluth’s Lake Superior Brewing Company was recently sold to new owners.

Dale Kleinschmidt will continue as head brewer, as new owners Lars Kuehnow and Lisa Blade take over the operation.

Castle Danger expanding: In November, Two Harbors’ Castle Danger Brewing was set to expand into an 8,400-squarefoot packaging hall, which is part of the brewery’s plan to double its production over the next couple of years.

The brewery, which started out as a small operation on the grounds of Castle Haven Cabins in 2011, has grown mightily in recent years. And while the plans will ul -

timately expand Castle Danger’s distribution footprint, it is already pretty readily available on Minnesota’s North Shore and in the Cities.

Blacklist, too: Duluth’s Blacklist Artisan Ales recently inked a new distribution deal, which will lead to its availability in southern Minnesota.

Year-round Cabins & Cottages on Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail

Ski - Snowshoe - Ice Fish Fireplaces & Sauna

218.388.4454 · 800.533.5814 www.gunflintpines.com 217 S. Gunflint Lk • Grand Marais, MN 55604

New technology at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is updating technology to offer personalized healthcare at a small-town clinic and cutting edge, precise medical record-keeping.

Previously for annual physicals and other appointment types, each visit required paperwork mailed to a patient’s home, with instructions to fill it out and bring it to the appointment. Patients who did not bring the paperwork were required to fill it out at their appointment, which led to delays for them and other patients.

The system is about to become more streamlined. Patients will be given both a registration time and an appointment time. The registration time is for updating patient information and the appointment time is to meet with the provider. When arriving to register, for some types of appointments, patients will be handed an iPad. Front-desk staff will answer any questions patients may have about how to use it. Using the iPad, the patient will enter their information directly into their medical records. This not only saves time,

The Clock is Ticking

it improves accuracy, and increases confidentiality.

Registration time will be scheduled for either 10 or 20 minutes before the appointment time, depending on the appointment type. Being on-time will assure that patients get their full scheduled appointment time and all their provider’s attention. Late arrivals may have their appointment rescheduled, so that other patients’ appointments aren’t impacted.

Consumers must enroll by December 20th for coverage to begin January 1st MNsure’s open enrollment period runs to January 14th. Call today for more information.

Erin Watson is available to assist individuals and families navigate the application and enrollment process. Her services are available to consumers free of charge. For more information or to make an appointment, you can reach Erin at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic by calling (218) 387-2330 ext. 153

Safe at Home

Kevin Pylka is an Iron Ranger and avid outdoorsman. He and his wife, Terri, raised two kids on the Range and continue to enjoy all there is to offer. He’s also PolyMet’s manager of environmental permitting and compliance, and Kevin knows that our plan will energize the economy and protect our environment – not only for his generation, but also for other kids growing up on the Range.

Seven Ways to Trick a Troll

By Lise Lunge-Larsen

Illustrations by Kari Vick University of Minnesota Press, $19.95

Trolls are huge, ugly and extremely dangerous. Thankfully, their brains are no bigger than a walnut, so even small children can trick them. But first you need to know their weaknesses, which is where these stories come in. And remember, what works against trolls are the best things about being human: patience, kindness, courage and quick thinking. In seven whimsical, entertaining folktales, children discover trolls’ weaknesses, as well as their own strengths. Taken from a wide range of historical and international sources, Seven Ways to Trick a Troll will entertain imaginations of all ages.

—Breana Roy

Tents, Boats and the Ones That Got Away

Outdoor Memories

By Tim Mead Ancient Angler Press, $17.95

Some might call this a memoir. Others might call it a great collection of fishing stories. Both are correct. The author shares stories from his long fishing career and across a vast collection of places, including the Northern Wilds. The book begins: “As is true with many anglers, I can’t remember the first time I went fishing.” From there it goes forward, sharing the author’s rich life through the prism of fishing. Mead’s passion for angling, especially fly fishing, has taken him far and wide, although he continues to be drawn to the Quetico, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the trout rivers of Montana. If you like these places, too, he’s pretty good company.—Shawn

Perich

WHY GO: Managed by the Minnesota DNR as a stream trout lake, Divide offers anglers angling action both during the open-water period, and again during the ice fishing season, particularly the early-ice portion.

ACCESS: There are many carry-in access points off of F.R. 172 (Dumbell Lake Road) on the north shore of the lake, including one at the Forest Service’s campground. Designated Stream Trout signs are posted near each of the accesses.

VITALS: This 61-acre Lake County lake sits inside the Superior National Forest. It has nearly 2 miles of mostly undeveloped shoreline, though F.R. 172 does border parts of the northern shoreline of the lake. It has a maximum depth of 22 feet, with a mean depth of 9.2 feet, according to Minnesota DNR’s Lakefinder survey.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Rainbow trout and splake.

RAINBOWS: Dean Paron, DNR’s Finland area fisheries supervisor, said Divide Lake is one of the more popular stream trout lakes in the area, particularly around first ice.

It is stocked in the spring with catchable rainbow trout. It typically receives about 2,000 yearling rainbow trout every spring. And shore fishing is popular on the lake for rainbows particularly in the spring months of May and early June, before the lake stratifies, and again in October, Paron said.

Divide was surveyed this past summer, and the rainbow catch was a little bit lower than expected.

Onigamiising:

Seasons of an Ojibwe Year

By Linda LeGarde Grover University of Minnesota Press,

$14.95

Long before it became known as Duluth, the land was known to the Ojibwe as Onigamiising, “the place of the small portage.” There, the Ojibwe lived in keeping with the seasons, moving among different camps for hunting and fishing, for cultivating and gathering, for harvesting wild rice and maple sugar. In Onigamiising, award-winning author Linda LeGarde Grover accompanies us through the cycle of the seasons, one year in a lifelong journey on the path to Mino Bimaadiziwin, the living of a good life.

In 50 short essays, Grover reflects on the spiritual beliefs and everyday practices that carry the Ojibwe through the year and connect them to this northern land. Grover is a professor of American Indian studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth and is a member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe.—Breana Roy

DIVIDE LAKE

“That could indicate anglers are catching them and keeping them,” Paron said.

SPLAKE: The lake is also stocked with about 3,000 splake in the fall, and Paron is pleased with survey results.

“We did find a really good population of splake in different size ranges,” he said.

The splake sampled this summer ranged from 7 to 21 inches, with quite a few in the 13- to 17inch range.

“There’s a lot of nice, eatable splake in there,” Paron said. “I know they are popular with the early-ice anglers.”

LAURENTIAN DIVIDE: rides the continental divide, and Divide Lake flows towards Lake Superior, while waters on Tanner Lake, on the other side of 172, flow north to Hudson Bay by way of the Rainy River watershed.

CAMPING: The fee season has cur rently ended on this small, three-site secluded campground on the north side of Divide Lake. During the pay season, it’s $15 per night, with a maximum of nine people per site. Maintenance on the site will be resumed in May. It does have a canoe launch .—Javier Serna

MUSH LAKE RACING DOG

Going with the Flow

By Erin Altemus

On a warm Sunday in early October, I woke up at the cabin alone. Matt and baby Sylvia were in Fargo for several days, but I stayed home, tasked with caring for the dogs and running the team. The temperature at our cabin read 46 degrees F., almost too warm to train. I thought about not running, but I didn’t have to work that day, so I decided to go anyway. I would stick to the wettest of our trails where I could run the team through large puddles to keep them cool.

Halfway through the run, I stopped at a road crossing to listen for traffic. I turned the ATV off so the sound of my engine couldn’t mask any oncoming cars. Hearing nothing, I tried to start the machine back up but nothing happened. I couldn’t downshift to neutral. Our ATV has an electronic shift but it didn’t seem to be working. The dogs decided they didn’t care to wait and pulled out into the road which seemed to pop the clutch and start the engine. This should have been my warning sign, but I didn’t heed it and kept going around our loop again.

About a mile later, while going up a hill, the ATV killed. I couldn’t re-start it and I couldn’t shift down to neutral. I was stuck in gear going up a hill and despite a good effort by the team, we weren’t going anywhere.

It has happened a scant few times to me when I have gotten the ATV stuck: the team becomes frantic and then hysterical to go and there is nothing I can do. In this situation, I found the only thing I could do was unhook the entire team, tie each dog off to a tree along the trail and head for home to retrieve the car. Three dogs and I walked home—a little over a mile away. I fetched the Subaru, drove to the trail head, and walked each dog out to the car—this took about 15 minutes per dog. One dog chewed himself free from his tree and ran home on his own.

I hooked the team to the Subaru, ran them to our parking spot and then again walked each dog down to the kennel from the car—another 15 minutes per dog. Mind

you, “walking” each dog sounds benign. These dogs don’t “walk.” Two of them are so strong I can barely get them on the gangline in the kennel—a distance of 25 feet. To walk each of them ¼ mile involved an act of super human strength to keep from getting dragged on my face the entire way. Three hours later, I had them all home.

October remained warm. Between keeping up with our jobs, the warm weather (some days were too warm to run), watching the baby and my school schedule, we fell behind on training compared to last year. There have been days we have thought about getting out of sled dogs altogether. Since Sylvia was born last spring, the first question people ask is “will you keep running dogs?”

“We’ll just keep going until we crash and burn,” I tell people. But I have teetered on the edge of crashing and burning.

A week ago, the warm October turned cold and it began to snow. It hasn’t really stopped since. Nevermind that we hadn’t picked up the yard or pounded posts in the new puppy yard or finished the driveway project that we had planned for November. The beauty and bite of winter’s arrival is that there is nothing to be done. We go from the frantic pace of summer and fall to a sudden hush.

Everything is quiet. The cabin floor goes from a pattern of muddy paws to a clean slate. We light the fire place, watch the snow fall and breathe a little more deeply.

I’ve been enjoying the first few runs on snow and so have the dogs. The other morning, the team scared up a snowy owl—it rose up in front the dogs, wings spread. My leader Buda dove into the snow and picked up a dead hare. He intended to keep running, rabbit in mouth. I stopped

and ran up there to grab it. Gabby snatched it from me, trying her best to play finders keepers. Finally getting a hold of the thing, I tossed it away, hoping the owl would come back for its hard-earned meal.

And so we keep on keeping on. The hardest and also the most rewarding runs are ahead. In a sudden change of heart, we decided Matt would run the Beargrease this year (he has unfinished business from last year). I plan to run the UP200 and the Can-Am Crown in Maine—both of which will be new races to me. We are joined by a new handler this week—a gal who ran tour dogs at Menogyn last year is going to get her chance to run a race team.

It will likely be a difficult winter, but I am determined. Dogged determination, some say. I am determined to find the beauty in our crazy life and to have fun. If that’s dogged, then I’ll go with it.

The snow is building up in early November. | ERIN ALTEMUS

Wild Traditions

Great Lakes Surfing, Northern Ontario-style

By Julia Prinselaar

While most of us embrace the onset of winter with conventional coping mechanisms (fleece-lined pants, cozy slippers, a good book, a hot mug of tea), there’s one guy in a small North Shore town who chases the last rays of sunlight by suiting up and plunging into the icy waters of Lake Superior.

For Chris Dube, a 13-year resident of Terrace Bay, Ontario, the fall and winter winds mean high time for freshwater surfing.

“I’ve never felt a deeper connection to the land and the lake than when I’m in the water,” says Chris. “Everybody has this idea that nature is like this sunny day. But here’s this beautiful moment where you’re getting blasted by the wind...and you’re playing with one of the most powerful—if not one of the biggest—lakes on earth. The granite hills, the boreal forest, fresh water. It’s a magical time of year, these transitional seasons between winter and summer. It’s never lost on me just how beautiful it is and how lucky we are.”

The zeal in Chris’ voice is echoed by the fact that he’s a high school teacher and a passionate ambassador for the outdoors. He loves to move and he loves to bring people together. Only minutes into our interview it’s easy to tell why he hosted Waasaashkaa: A Gathering of the Great Lakes Surfers in his tiny North Shore community over a weekend last October.

Waasaashkaa translates to the lake has white caps in Ojibwe.

“I wanted something that basically spoke to the heritage of the land, the traditions, talking about the Indigenous people...something that encompassed all of that,” he said.

2017 was the inaugural year for the event, born out of a simple desire to bring the “old school” surfers back together and out of their busy day-to-day lives, and to give anyone who’s been skirting the idea of surfing a chance to get on a board and feel confident enough to try it out. Co-organizer Jaakko Natri of Natribros Surf & SUPerior Standup Paddleboards provided rental gear through the weekend.

“Obviously I wanted to promote the scene. How do you create any scene in these northern Ontario communities? We’re relatively isolated. Whether it’s ice climbing, rock climbing, surfing, kayaking, canoeing...someone brought me out and taught me how to ice climb. I didn’t

learn any of that myself, and that’s what I feel like northern Ontario is...I understand it’s different in different places, but that’s my vision for what our scene should be,” said Chris.

On day one of the gathering, surfers started filing into Terrace Bay from as far away as Duluth and Winnipeg, Manitoba, where the standup paddleboarding scene is strong.

“I call it the love and stoke,” he tells me, describing the scene on his front lawn that day. “It’s nine or ten in the morning, everybody’s drinking their coffee, everyone’s waxing their boards... People are rolling into town and pulling into my driveway. There’s like 40 cars on the road and surf boards all over the place—I’ve never seen anything like it. Usually it’s like me and the eagles and a few people.”

I assumed that surfing was simply left to the oceans, rooted in the history and traditions of coastal cultures around the tropics. The fact is that Chris and his friends represent a subculture of wave riders along the North Shore that join larger groups of surfers in communities around the Great Lakes.

“It’s hard to say where Great Lakes surfing started,” says Brian Tanis, publisher of Great Lakes Surfer’s Journal based out of Ann Arbor, MI, an annual publication that celebrates Great Lakes surf, culture and

community. “We did a feature on 90-yearold ‘Doc’ Seibold, who started surfing the lakes in 1955 in Grand Haven, MI. He may have been the first one but what we’ve found [is] there were people entertaining the idea around the lakes independently. In that spirit, although there is no hard proof, it stands to reason that natives would have most likely recognized the power of the wave and were appropriately opportunistic. I mean, if you’re canoeing the lakes downwind, it’s simply logical to use all of your energy resources for propulsion, including waves, and that would technically qualify as surfing.”

The photo on the cover of the first edition of GLSJ features a surfer in a Neoprene wetsuit smiling with icicles stemming from his moustache and the brim of his hood. Not my cup of tea, but this guy looks genuinely elated. So what’s it like to surf a Great Lake? After some careful thought, Chris singles out one word: challenging.

“There are a few things to take into account for Great Lakes surfing,” he cautions.

Because freshwater surfing depends on waves generated from sustained onshore winds, they come in at tighter intervals than offshore ocean waves.

“So you literally sometimes only have four or five seconds after you’ve been dumped by one wave to get back on your

board, paddle-paddle-paddle, then you get dumped, and paddle-paddle-paddle...it’s a lot of work getting yourself into position. Then you have your wet suit, which adds weight.”

Freshwater is also denser than saltwater and less buoyant.

“Between the water temperature, the frequency of the wave patterns, the wind-generated waves, all of those sorts of things— it’s challenging. And then maybe you have snow in your face,” he adds.

But don’t let that turn you off. There were some “beautiful moments” at Waasaashkaa, says Chris, not only because the bigger waves eventually rolled in to give more seasoned surfers something to play with; the south winds generated three- to five-foot waves that were perfect for beginners, all under fairweather skies followed by a potluck dinner at his house.

“For me it was one of my proudest days, seeing something like that come together, to see people partake in something that they were so interested in...you have that personal growth and the human connection,” he says. “You don’t have these moments all the time, and so when they occur you really have to relish them.”

Terrace Bay resident Chris Dube recently hosted Waasaashkaa: A Gathering of the Great Lakes Surfers on Lake Superior. | RICHARD MAIN

Winter Birds

How birds survive

Many birds that make the northwoods their home during the summer flee when temperatures turn cold. But a few hardy birds stay all year. You will see them flittering about on even the most frigid of days. Here is how they survive:

First, birds have to fly, so they can’t simply “fatten up” for the winter or they wouldn’t be able to take off. Instead, they have downy coats. The layer of feathers closest to their skin is especially warm and many birds grow an extra layer in the winter. Yes, humans have copied this and it’s why many of us wear down coats in the winter—those feathers are really warm.

Along with this, the feathers must stay dry. A wet feather is useless to a bird, if not harmful. Birds produce an oil that repels water so that the feathers stay dry even in the event of rain or snow.

Birds often shiver in the cold. This micro-movement of the muscles keeps circulation of blood going and keeps the bird warm.

Birds can adjust their wings to cover most of their body. You may sometimes see a bird tuck its head into its wing, which is usually for warmth. Sometimes a bird may rest on one foot and then switch to the other—drawing the cold foot up towards its body where it can warm up.

And as the saying goes, “birds of a feather, must flock together…” Birds that sleep in a tight huddle stay warm.

Feed the birds

Try putting out some food for the birds in your yard. They will appreciate the extra source of calories. Even better, the bears are all sleeping and won’t get into your feeders. Here is a recipe for making your own bird suet—a ball of bird food with fat as its base that you can add to with your own special ingredients: Start with some kind of fat—save up your bacon fat, or use lard or vegetable shortening. The easiest way to deal with the fat is to heat it up to a liquid and then

Who is here?

Look for these common birds this winter in the woods and at your backyard feeder. Have you seen any that are not on this list?

• Downy, hairy, and red-bellied woodpeckers are all happy habitants of the northwoods, and are often seen at feeders.

• The dark-eyed junco, blackcapped chickadee and whitebreasted nuthatch are some of the smaller birds you will see.

• Blue jays and gray jays round out the most common birds.

• Keep your eyes out for the elusive pileated woodpecker, great gray owl, and more.

pour into containers—ideally about one or two cups at a time. You can add corn meal or peanut butter to the fat while it’s in liquid form. Try adding sunflower seeds, peanuts (chopped), bits of dried fruit, honey and even kitchen scraps— such as bits of cheese, bread, cereal, chips or crackers. Place the containers in the fridge to cool and when cold, the suet should pop out in a molded form, ready for placement in a suet feeder outside your window.

Blue Jay

Chickadee

Great Grey Owl

Pileated Woodpecker

The Penguins of Isla Magdalena

By Micaella Penning

Isla Magdalena is barren, moonlike. No trees or plants, just rocks and dust-colored grass cratered with round holes within which penguins rested, like prairie dogs. Other than the white and red lighthouse, the upright, apelike birds are the tallest things on the island. Only the penguins and lighthouse cast shadows.

We had just arrived on the Melinka, a cherry-red cargo vessel turned tour boat, which chugs to the island daily from the Tres Puentes boat terminal in Punta Arenas, Chile. As we approached, I started jumping up and down, hardly able to contain my excitement as whiffs of kelp permeated the air and the black dots slowly evolved into penguin form.

A small, humped outpost of rock amidst the Strait of Magellan, Isla Magdalena emerges from the cobalt, frothed swells of a waterway which connects the Atlantic and the Pacific, and divides the South American continent from Tierra del Fuego, the last, lone fragment of land before the Furious Fifties merge into the Screaming Sixties and Antarctica.

I practically skipped off the boat. “Do you think we’ll see Rico or Kowalski?” I jokingly asked my husband, referencing our favorite cartoon, The Penguins of Madagascar. (Yes, even as adults we watch a lot of cartoons). “Perhaps,” Matt replied, “That one over there looks mischievous like Rico.”

In a spin-off from the Madagascar movies, The Penguins of Madagascar follows the exploits of four penguins in New York City’s Central Park Zoo, who are continually wreaking havoc on humans, blowing stuff up, and trying to contain the mayhem created by Kowalski’s scientific inventions. There’s actually only one record of a penguin showing up in Madagascar, in 1956, when a single male Southern Rockhopper arrived on the island’s southern coast, most likely from South Africa.

Sixty thousand pairs of Magellanic penguins live on Isla Magdalena. They honked, bleated and howled, sounds that I attempted to record with my camera, but all that is audible is the roar of the wind, which thundered incessantly. I watched them waddle, their bodies leaning forward as if they needed the help of gravity threatening to knock them over in order to move.

White, tie-dye-like sprawls of their fecal matter covered the island, layered thickest around the penguins’ burrowing holes. There seemed a rampant case of what we termed IBS among the birds—or itchy butt syndrome. They would fold their bodies

in half, sideways with yogi-like dexterity, and scratch with their black beaks in their derriere regions.

These penguins are named for Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, whose name also graces the straight the island lies in. Traveling with Magellan in 1520 was Antonio Pigafetta, who is credited with first sighting the species, and described two islands full of ‘geese,’ goslings and sea wolves: “The great number of these goslings there were cannot be estimated, for we loaded all the ships with them in an hour. And these goslings are black and have feathers over their whole body of the same size and fashion, and they do not fly, and they live on fish…and they have a beak like a crow’s.”

The wind thrummed in my ears without abate, as we wandered around the looping path on Isla Magdalena, interrupted only by the breaking waves and bleating penguin calls, which have been likened to the bray of donkeys. Yet it was the wind that was most pervasive, gushing around my ears and whipping through my hair in exhausting whorls. In the 1930s, French pilot and writer Antoine de St. Exupery wrote of the Patagonian winds that “rush to the Atlantic in a strangled and accelerated buffeting that scrapes the surface of everything in their path.”

Though the path was roped on either side, penguins careened freely amongst us humans, tumbling jauntily forward in a gait that seemed to move sideways as much as it did forwards. The only other life on the island were seagulls, which dotted the landscape like the white-capped ocean surrounding us, and wheeled in the quick currents above.

Around two months old at the time of our visit, young chicks were nearly as large as their parents, but still covered in plush gray fuzz, not yet clad in the striking black and white suits of their elders. Most remained tucked in their underground burrows, protected from aerial predators and the cold.

Magellanic penguins live in coastal Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands, occasionally migrating as far north as Brazil. Yet like the lone Rockhopper in Madagascar, there are similar accounts of interminable peregrinations in South America. In 2007 a lone Magellanic penguin strayed some 5,000 kilometers north to the Paracas National Reserve in Peru. Attempts were made to return the penguin to Chile, amidst concerns of rejection and harassment by the native Humboldt penguin colony. I thought of Bruce Chatwin’s cogitation on the nomadic nature of man and

penguin alike in his 1977 classic, In Patagonia: “The resident ornithologist, a severe young man, was studying the migration of the Jackass Penguin. We talked late into the night, arguing whether or not we too, have journeys mapped out in our central nervous systems; it seemed the only way to account for our insane restlessness.”

I could relate—to both the lone penguin and Chatwin. After all, here I was on a barren island in the Straight of Magellan, seven thousand miles from home. Further south of the equator than my home in Minnesota is north of it. And why? For no rational reason: I simply wanted to be

there, and always had. Perhaps my lifetime of restlessness was, as Chatwin suggests, mapped out in my nervous system from birth.

A few hours later the ship’s horn blared, and we were herded aboard the grumbling Melinka. The penguins slowly blurred back into black dots, and then vanished altogether into the receding rock, as we motored away across the chopped sea.

Sixty thousand pairs of Magellanic penguins live on Isla Magdalena. | MICAELLA PENNING

While the walking path is roped off, the penguins moved freely amongst us humans. | MICAELLA PENNING

Isla Magdalena is a small island in the Strait of Magellan, Chile. | MICAELLA PENNING

Christmas Pickle Poem

To start a tradition that will surely last, Here’ the story about the pickle of glass.

The night before Christmas, it’s hung on the tree

While everyone’s sleeping, it’s done secretly.

And on Christmas morning, when you arise,

The first one to find it will get a surprise!

A family tradition for all to share.

—By Unknown Author

According to the Woolworth Museum website, in 1880 businessman Frank W. Woolworth imported the first American case of 144 glass tree ornaments for his store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, charged customers two for $25, and sold out within a day. By 1900, Woolworth was ordering 200,000 shining glass tree ornaments a year.

It was in the small town of Lauscha— known as the birthplace for glass blowing since 1597—that a group of glass-blowers in 1847 made the first glass-blown shiny Christmas tree ornaments in the shape of nuts and fruits (including the pickle). At first, mercury or lead was applied to give the ornaments a silvery look, then later a

At Victoria’s Cupboard, the Christmas Pickle comes with a note explaining the pickle’s German tradition story.

|

ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

special compound of silver nitrate and sugar water was used.

Today, the glossy Christmas Pickle tree ornament is still handmade in Lauscha using traditional methods (some artisans are descendants of the original two families who created the mouth-blown glassware) and are sold in Germany and around the world with a tag telling the “German” pickle tradition story.

While the real story of the strange Legend of the Christmas Pickle remains a mystery, it’s a fun new whimsical tradition to start and add to the spirit of the holiday season.

Pancore Lake, Tofte

Lutsen

Superior National Golf Course Homesites

Few Golf Courses have been built on land as spectacular as Superior National. And more recently the golf course just completed its nearly $4.5 million course improvement project on the River and Canyon Nines. The homesites listed below are tucked within the Cedar Forest along River 6 fairway and River 6 green. With water, sewer, power and broadband available, combined the sounds of the Poplar River just across the fairway and so much more beauty, the value offered simply is unbelievable. Act now, the golf course will launch its new marketing campaign early 2018 announcing the grandre-opening – with that, lot prices will likely increase next year.

Lot 8 Block 5. Private lot tucked along River 6 Fairway. Water, sewer, power curbside. Great value. (Owner/Agent) MLS 602078 $64,500

Lot 6 Block 5. This was one of the very first lots purchased because of its outstanding location. Nestled adjacent to the River 6 Green - it offers so much. Great build site with outstanding orientation. Access to all HOA utilities. MLS 6028392 $92,500

Grand Marais Area

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

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 It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year! Happy Holidays Up North!

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

Nice gas Stove makes this a comfy and welcoming Cabin! MLS#6026595 $240,000

LAKE SUPERIOR GETAWAY, MINUTES TO LUTSEN! Sprawling Views, Lovely Mint Condition home with over 300 ft of Lake Superior Shoreline, accessible AWESOME cove all to yourself! Designed for main level living with lower level for guests! 2 car detached, Perfect Getaway! MLS# 6023113 $550,000

ROMANTIC LOG CABIN ON LAKE 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!

LUTSEN. Lindal Cedar Home, dramatic stone fireplace set amongst posts & beams of Douglas Fir. Designer kitchen, sunroom, secluded master bedroom and bath with soaker tub. Wood fired oven, Timberframe Sauna, Woodshop and a large garage. End of the Road 4.48 acres, 175’ of frontage, adjacent public land buffers and beckons. Leave Everything behind and just enjoy the Good Life on Deeryard Lake!

MLS#6028689 $599,000 REDUCED

LOVELY CABIN ON CLARA LAKE, gorgeous parcel of land tucked in to the Wilderness surrounding Clara Lake, just 20 minutes to downtown Lutsen! Cabin features nice rustic living, with the ability to bring the electric in to the cabin from the street, but otherwise the cabin was built for rustic off grid living. One main level bedrm, upper level loft, and Vaulted ceilings in the family and kitchen area spaces. 200 ft of PRIME shoreline! MLS#

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year! Happy Holidays Up North!

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

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

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

Creek Build Site just off the Caribou Trail at Jonvick Creek! Rare and Unique Build site!

MLS#2289515 $57,500

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

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, Ski Hill and Lake Superior Views! Fab Location, Boreal Forest with Maples! 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

NEW! Two Awesome City Lots, Great East 5th Street location.

MLS#6031883 $54,900, MLS #6031882 $59,900

DREAMY LAKE SUPERIOR . land and lakeshore! Several acres of privacy and way more than 200 ft of Level Access Lake Superior shoreline in Schroeder, near Sugarloaf Cove Naturalist Area! MLS#2090420 $275,000 OLD GROWTH WHITE PINES ON

MLS#6029117 $199,900 REDUCED!

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!

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

NEW! OVER 400 FT OF ACCESSIBLE

SHORELINE with beach on Lake Superior, Lutsen’s Rollins Creek Road! MLS#6031579 $499,900

NEW! KAYAKERS GETAWAY ON TOM

LAKE! Sloping Wilderness Shoreline, Water Access Only!

MLS#6032237 $124,900

SELLER SAYS SHOW ME AN OFFER!!

200 ft of Deep Rocky shoreline on Lutsen’s Fabulous Clara Lake! MLS#1600179 $199,000

LAKESHORE 10+ ACRES BORDERING SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST! in Lutsen, year round access with over 10 acres and 200 feet of shoreline! Hilltop building site with cleared path thru cedar forest to Christine Lake, a super wilderness lake great for paddling your days away!

MLS#6023288 $99,900

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

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

PLENTY OF ELBOW ROOM ON LAKE SUPERIOR!

Nearly 800 ft of shoreline and 11 ac. of rolling terrain, with signs of the past logging roads and Spruce planted forests providing a sweet buffer from all of those pesky worries of the Real World! Driveway installed in to the mid-section of the land to allow you to explore which building site best fits your desires!

MLS#2309271 $799,000

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!

Chimney Rock Platted Development. Premier quality with stunning elevated and panoramic views of the lake. MLS# 2313197 $199,900 EXPANSIVE LAKE SUPERIOR RETREAT. Lake Superior charm and seclusion awaits on this parklike private retreat property with almost 90 acres, 1793 feet of shore, and 3 classic Aldrich log cabins with outstanding lake views. A rare, unique opportunity! MLS# 6030553 $2,250,000

STUNNING LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS. Immaculate and beautifully furnished 4 bdrm, 3 bath Lake Superior home. Very little maintenance with smaller association benefits! All major rooms with stunning lake views. Master suite and laundry on main level. MLS# 6028321 $565,000 PRICE REDUCED!

FOUR SEASONS GUEST HOUSE. Family compound or short-term rentals-you choose. Endless views, solidly built, rear parcel with lake views, new septic, and location, location, location!

MLS# 6030289 $515,000

LUTSEN LAKE SHORE. Exceptional Lake Superior

LAKE SUPERIOR, BIG BAY, BIG VIEWS. Dense spruce forest, moss covered boulders and privacy make this a classic Lake Superior lot. 200' shoreline with partial driveway in place, shared road maintenance, power and Broadband. Easy access from Hwy 61, yet private and secluded feeling. MLS# 6029039 $199,900 PRICE REDUCED!

MLS# 6030267 $239,900

GUNFLINT LAKE

– SAND

PANORAMIC LAKE SUPERIOR. Gorgeous 10 acres with panoramic views on Lake Superior. 545 feet of beautiful sand/gravel beach with a stream running through the property. Located only 1.5 miles from Gooseberry State Park. Septic hook up is at the road.

MLS# 6031490 $399,000

6025545 $3,100,000

RARE WILDERNESS RETREAT. Just you, the lake and the wilderness - the only private land on Cascade Lake. Enjoy 87 acres and 3000' shoreline. There is a neat, well-maintained cabin, sauna, dock and outhouse. Easy year-round access. Great fishing and wildlife sightings. MLS# 6028765 $668,500

SECLUSION AND SERENITY IN MAPLE FOREST. Immaculate, Mulfinger designed 2 bdrm, 2 bath home situated perfectly into the terrain with rock outcroppings and stunning views through the tree tops. Deep woods privacy, beautiful features and 220' lake shore.

MLS# 6029530 $359,900

CABIN WITH BWCAW VIEW ON MCFARLAND. This super 2 bdrm cabin has great views of the Palisades and the west end of McFarland Lake. Just a stone’s throw from the BWCAW! Comes furnished including pontoon boat, fishing boats, canoe, dock, and two Onan generators. MLS# 6029644 $199,000

PENDING PARADISE ON TOM LAKE. This 2 bedroom log sided cabin is the definition of superb craftsmanship! Large Pella bay windows, genuine hardwood flooring, Corian countertops & quartz island, and 2 fireplaces! Also features a 30 x 16 carriage house & 220’ shoreline.

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. Cabin easily sleeps 6. Lakewater system, septic holding tank. Great lake views!

MLS# 6030355 $186,000

MARK LAKE - 159 ACRES. The only private land on Mark Lake! Good northern fishing. 200ft. Shoreline, forestry road or snowmoblie access. Motivated Seller! MLS# 6026299 $239,000

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

MARKET, DELI, LIQUOR STORE – HOVLAND. A bustling business in a beautiful rural community on the North Shore. Bakery, deli, pizza, convenience store, and liquor store under one roof. Large seating area & outdoor patio. Expansion/home site possible! MLS# 6023742 $329,900

BIG OPPORTUNITY, MANY POSSIBILITIES. Prime commercial location in Hovland, 1000 feet of Highway 61 frontage. Large commercial space with a small 2 bedroom home and 1 functioning rental cottage. Many new improvements and upgrades. Two more small cabins could be rented, and there's room for many more...or other possibilities. Large 2-car garage plus two sheds. MLS# 6026089 $284,900

PRIME RETAIL DOWNTOWN GRAND MARAIS. Main traffic location in the heart of down town. Located on Wisconsin St between Blue Water Cafe and Sivertson Gallery, with 25 ft street frontage and over 2300 sq ft each. Build up for a lake view – lots of possibilities! MLS# 6029930, 6029951 $150,000 each

PRIME COMMERCIAL LOTS IN LUTSEN.Two acre-sized lots with Highway 61 frontage-road access and great visibility in downtown Lutsen. Nice creek borders the east property line, nice mature forest. Great location for a small gallery, retail or restaurant. A residential lot is available adjoining to the north.

MLS# 6027064 $99,900 • MLS# 6030056 $89,900

COMMERCIAL LOT IN GRAND MARAIS. Good opportunity for a commercial building with a nice second story view of the harbor. Level 40 x 50 lot. A two story vacation rental could be built with a harbor view. What is your dream? MLS# 6024992 $52,500

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE

LARGE TRACT WITH CREEK. This 319 acre parcel has ponds & creek frontage on the Flute Reed River. Has been in DNR management program. Great for hunting or homesteading. Access is by unimproved easement from the Camp 20 Road, near county maintenance. The land may be split - take your pick of "40's"! MLS# 6027384 $258,000 SUGARBUSH, BEAVER, TROUT. Remote 80 acres ,10 miles from Grand Marais with easy access. Surrounded by public land. 700’ of Durfee Creek frontage. MLS# 6024638 $149,000 TWENTY ACRES – GREAT LOCATION. Great larger parcel near Grand Marais with road in to the “top” of the property. Lake views, maple and mixed forest, small creek. County road access with power and broadband close by, borders public land on three sides. MLS# 6030517 $112,000

WOODS, WATER & SECLUSION.Three 40 acre lots with 600 to 1000 ft frontage on Mons Creek. Also includes deeded access to Lost Lake. Private and secluded. MLS# 6021356 $59,900 or MLS# 6021357 $69,900 or MLS# 6021358 $74,900.

NICE HOME SITE NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Nice elevation and views from this 6.75 acre lot off of County Rd 6 just minutes from town. Frontage on Little Devil Track River, with lowland and highlands. Nice forest and privacy for your home or cabin in the woods. MLS# 6031740 $54,900

FLUTE REED RIVER HOME SITES. These two heavily wooded parcels have the seclusion of 11-13 acres and about 330' frontage each on the trout stream Flute Reed River. Access is easy from frontage on a county road. Power and broadband are available. These lots are the perfect place for a retreat property or a year-round home. MLS# 6030884, 6030885 $49,900 each

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE

DEEP WOODS – PADDLE THE CREEK. Really neat property on Murmur Creek. Navigate all the way to Caribou Lake. Good building sites and remote privacy on this 20 acre property. MLS# 6031403 $45,500

500’ ON MOHNS CREEK. Mixed topography of beautiful rolling land with many great build sites on 25 acres. Old growth cedar, spruce, pine and birch. Abuts state land. MLS# 6029353 $39,000

100+ ACRES NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Great location for a home or recreational property just minutes from Grand Marais. Rolling land with creek, borders thousands of acres of federal and state lands. Great investment and subdivision project. Power at road. Seller willing to subdivide. MLS# 6027269 $277,900 LOCATION, VIEWS, PRIVACY - 80 ACRES. This former homesteaders property has it all: rolling topography, ravines, grassy meadows, mature timber, flowing creek and expansive Lake Superior views! Minutes from Grand Marais, adjoins USFS land. MLS# 6027073 $279,000 LARGE WILDERNESS ACREAGE - LAKE ACCESS. This 80+ acre parcel includes 400 feet of shoreline on McFarland Lake. Building sites are located across the road on the hillside with potential lake views. Rugged property with high topography and old growth cedar and pine. Easy access to the BWCAW and Border Route Hiking Trail. MLS# 6024602 $179,000 MOUNTAIN TOP - WILDERNESS VIEWS. Fantastic vistas into the BWCA and surrounding rugged topography near McFarland Lake. Located at the end of the Arrowhead Trail with easy year-round access. The 122 acres has a high ridge and a “mountain top” for you to name. MLS# 6024599 $154,900 INCREASINGLY RARE, LARGE RECREATIONAL PARCEL. 190 arces fully surveyed. The perfect retreat. Has a rich variety of trees, ponds, high and low lands, some meadow land and wetlands. MLS# 6029820 $150,000 LARGE ACREAGE WITH WATER FEATURES. The headwaters of Irish Creek! Quality 160+ acres, 5 parcels sold grouped or separately. Many great features incl. old growth white pine, ponds, camping and building areas. MLS# 6030177 $149,500

BIG LAND NEAR LAKE SUPERIOR. Four 80 acre parcels located south of Schroeder off Highway 61 with shared access and approved septic sites. Mix of trees, gradual elevation, nice build sites and lake view. MLS# 6027841, 6027843, 6027844, 6027845 $139,900 each FANTASTIC FIVE MILE ROCK. Great 7 acre property abuts Highway 61 at Five Mile Rock. Beautiful views of Lake Superior. Excellent build site and a 30 x 40 Morton building. Ready for your dreams! MLS# 6030238 $120,000

PROVEN GREAT HUNTING AREA - 80 ACRES. Prime hunting land in Schroeder. Rolling land with great wildlife habitat incl. stream, beaver dam with large pond, and a good mixture of trees and low vegetation. Older 2 bdrm cabin in a beautiful park like setting overlooking large beaver pond. MLS# 6029945 $115,000

LARGE ACREAGE NEAR TOM LAKE. 128 acres with good road access and an easy walk to the Tom Lake boat landing. Year-round road, power is possible here. The 3 forties may be split - take your pick. MLS# 6027383 $111,000

HUGE POND-HUGE PRIVACY. Large 45+ acre wooded parcel located across from Tom Lake. Huge pond/lake in the very center of the acreage MLS# 6029352 $99,000

LAND NEAR WILSON LAKE. A special piece of the Northwoods – 16 acres with deeded access to Wilson Lake! USA-owned forest is your backyard. Driveway, electric, and a small bunkhouse/shed are in place. MLS# 6028685 $80,000

LARGE LAND, MAPLES, LAKE ACCESS. This 67 acre parcel has high maple ridges, a pond, and an easement to walk to Tom Lake. Good seasonal road access, many nice building sites. A perfect escape property in an area with many trails to ride and forest to explore. MLS# 6030705 $69,900

LARGE LAND, POND, LAKE RIGHTS. Densely wooded 60 acre parcel with beaver ponds and access to Lost Lake. Good seasonal road access, many great building sites and southerly exposure. Lots of elbow room, privacy, and miles of forest roads to explore. MLS# 6029025 $64,900

GREAT LOCATION, QUALITY FOREST, BUILD HERE. These 10-acre parcels have a mature and mixed forest, southerly exposure, easy county road frontage and just minutes from Grand Marais. MLS# 6023274 $64,900, MLS# 6023275 $62,900, MLS# 6023276 $64,900

MAPLE HILL - HOME SITE. Heavily wooded 6.45 acre parcel with great privacy, county rd frontage, power and phone. MLS# 6023465 $64,500

RIDGES, PINES & VIEWS - ARROWHEAD

TRAIL. Nice 20 acre parcel with high building sites and huge pines. The surround ing federal land leads directly into the BWCAW. MLS# 6024600 $59,900 RUSTICATE, RECREATE, RELAX. Hovland hideaway – 43 acres with new driveway to “base camp” with a nice camper trailer and shed. Trails have been cut throughout the property which adjoins State land. MLS# 2313223 $59,900

WOODED HOME SITE This 5+ acre parcel is only 1.5 miles from Grand Marais and ready for your country home. Mixed forest, with forest service land in the back for exploring or hunting. A driveway and culvert are already in place. MLS# 6026053 $55,000

STONE'S THROW LAKE SUPERIOR. This heavily wooded, private 2+ acre building site sits just across the highway from Lake Superior's shore with a view of the big lake. You can walk the beach or have a bonfire on the State shoreline. MLS# 6029899 $52,900

GRAND MARAIS CITY LOT. Great location for a home in the city of Grand Marais. Paved dead end street with water and sewer hookups. Lake view from a second story! More land available. MLS# 6029695 $52,900

RUSTIC WOODED WONDERLAND. Beautiful 40 acres of maple forest with small rustic cabin bordering Judge Magney State Park. Enjoy the peaceful solitude of Aide Lake, rimmed by an open cedar grove just a short hike from the cabin into the park. MLS# 6025235 $52,000

PERFECT 5 ACRE HOME SITE. This private and secluded build site is just waiting for your custom plans! Only five miles from town with five acres of great woods bordering public land on two sides. MLS# 6028922 $51,500

GRAND MARAIS LOT. Nicely wooded lot on quiet street. City street, curb and gutter. There is a property assessment for city water and sewer. Location to be identified. MLS# 6029185 $50,400

30 ACRES - PANORAMIC VIEWS. Rare mountain top property with a 180 degree view of distant Lake Superior and the ridge to the north. Many trails in place with food plots for wildlife. MLS# 6020274 $49,500

BUILDING SITE OVERLOOKING MCFARLAND. This pine studded 7 acre property has easy walking access to the county beach on McFarland Lake. Nice elevated build site with easy county road access. MLS# 6024601 $43,000

WOODED ACREAGE – GM. Private 20 acre lot with hiking and ski trails, and abundant wildlife. A high building site offers seasonal views of Lake Superior. MLS# 2313173 $35,000

POWERS LAKE ROAD PARCEL. This is the beautiful ‘40’ that you have been waiting for. Easy access off Powers Lake Road with electricity and broadband. This is a fine opportunity for the person seeking a remote retreat with some modern amenities. MLS# 6027426 $44,900

5 ACRES NEAR CARIBOU LAKE. Gorgeous corner lot with colorful maples and majestic cedars. Plenty of privacy. Close to hiking trails and the Caribou Lake boat landing. Year round access with power! MLS# 2279179 $35,000

LAND FOR ESCAPE AND RECREATION. Remote yet accessible 20 acres near Judge Magney State Park. Good mix of trees, high building site, some distant Lake Superior views. MLS# 6025397 $34,900

GREAT LOCATION HOME SITE. Wooded home or cabin site near Devil Track Lake. The 1.72 acre lot has nice trees and maybe a view of the lake from a second story. The boat landing is just down the road, as are many other lakes and trails. MLS# 6029872 $29,900

GREAT LUTSEN LOT. Very quiet and private. Choice 2.31 lot at the end of the road, ready to build. Borders state land and priced to sell! MLS# 6031961 $29,900

Homes & Cabins

Land

W Hwy 61 Great location and development opportunities right off Hwy 61! 7.1A, zoned commercial and R-1. Additional R-1 acreage available.

MLS 2170380 $149,900

North Rd 20A, very private, year round access. Power, phone and broadband available at the road!!

MLS 6024552 $39,900

Coyote Ridge Three 5A, private, beautifully wooded parcels close to town. Babbling, gurgling creek for your boundary.

MLS 6021224 $45,000 - $65,000

25+A close to Grand Marais; healthy mix of trees with a very gently rolling topography. Approximately 800’ frontage on the Fall River.

MLS 6030910 $89,900

Rosebush Hill Lane Nicely wooded 5.40A with shared driveway only minutes from town. Identified septic sites and fully surveyed! Approx. 430’ of creek frontage. OWNER will consider a Contract for Deed!

MLS 6030911 $49,900

5.72A of nicely wooded land with gently rolling topography AND approx. 500’ frontage on the Rosebush Tributaries. OWNER will consider a Contract for Deed!

MLS 6030899 $39,900

78 Squint Lake Rd 5A surrounded on 2 sides by government land. Convenient mid-trail location.

MLS 6020283 $59,900

Railroad Drive 1.7A in the heart of Lutsen. Gently rolling topography, mature trees. Convenient location.

MLS 6023743 $39,900

Broadway Ave Wonderful location, oversize lot is open to many opportunities for development and use.

MLS 6031909 $48,000

Co Rd 67 2.24A, year round access, directly abuts State Land to the east. Fully surveyed and well-built private driveway. MLS 6029973 $39,900

Stonegate Rd 2A on public portion of desirable Stone Gate Road with lots of potential uses. Power, phone, and broadband are a stone’s throw away.

MLS 6029678 $18,400 PENDING

County Rd 7

Oversize lot on Co Rd 7 but inside the city. The obvious benefits of broadband and other services.

MLS 6028579 $58,000

Super private piece of land with 6.83A that directly abuts Federal land. There is a seasonal camper on the property that is perfect if you are only using a few times a year.

MLS 6031424 $59,900

Silver Fox Rd

Peaceful and quiet 5A close to town with easements onto Federal Land.

MLS 6025690 $25,900

Camp 20 Rd

28A located off of the Camp 20 Rd. Surveyed, septic sites have been identified and there is even a wetlands delineation!

MLS 6027375 $27,900 PENDING

County Rd 48

Year round 11A of nicely wooded land, close to town, yet has a country, northwoods feeling. Partial Lake Superior view!

MLS 6029188 $64,900

2 lots 5-7A, 5+ and 7+A lots at a great country location just minutes from town. Recreation trails close by.

MLS 6030629 $45,000 - $47,500

Quist Rd

Fantastic 5A parcel close to town but private. Driveway already stubbed in, potential Lake Superior views.

MLS 6030846 $49,000

Wildwood Acres

5 parcels in Wildwood Acres! .9A to 1.85A. Nicely wooded and private. Residential neighborhood.

MLS 6031563 $20,000 - $35,000

Boulder Point Rd

3.55A in Lutsen off the Ski Hill Rd. Abuts State Scenic and Natural area providing hundreds of acres of untouched land.

MLS 6031787 $59,900

2965 E Hwy 61

Conveniently located near public access to Lake Superior, Kadunce Wayside, Kadunce River, Superior Hiking Trail and more.

MLS 6031864 $15,900 PENDING

Grand Marais Condo

Located in the heart of Grand Marais.

Inland Lake Homes

Large Acreage

Gray fox

Although it is not necessarily nocturnal, the gray fox is usually not seen during the day. Most of their hunting is done at night and they are omnivores; many people have never seen this fox. They hunt mice and other small mammals, and much of their diet is of larger insects. I have seen them snap up large moths mid-air. They also love a variety of nuts. If you turn on your outside light at night and see a small fox under your bird feeding station, it will probably be a gray fox cleaning up fallen seeds and peanuts, as with this photo taken mid-winter. —David Brislance

CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT