Thirty-four full-service RV sites are available with water and 50 amp/240 volt electrical service. These RV sites are located along the shore of Whiskey Jack Creek. This area has its own central washroom and shower facilities.
Twelve electrical-only RV sites are available at the campground. Water is only available for filling tanks. Six of the sites have 30 amp electrical service, and six have 15 amp service. Each site has a picnic table. These RV spots are located around the outside of the centre green.
Log Cabins
Seven modern, wheelchair-accessible cabins are available. Cabins are electrically heated and have two queen-size beds, table and chairs, microwave and small fridge. A beautiful wooden deck at the front is perfect for relaxing in the sun.
Tent Sites
Approximately 16 tent sites are conveniently located in a wooded area near the main campground building and a large open playfield. Additional sites are situated on grassed areas adjacent to the treed areas. This unserviced area is also available for group bookings for trailers and tents. This area will hold approximately 40-50 trailers.
Dump Station
The public dump station can be used free of charge by registered Chippewa campers. Non-registered trailers/RVs will be charged a fee.
The Chippewa Park Wildlife Exhibit features animals and birds native to Northwestern Ontario, showcased in their natural environment. An elevated, wheelchair-accessible walkway encircles the spacious animal enclosures and provides visitors with a spectacular viewing opportunity.
Hours for July to September 11 am to 8 pm
Amusement Rides
Fun for all ages
July to September (Labour Day weekend) 7 days a week: 1 - 8 pm (weather and crowd permitting)
For campground reservations or more information call (807) 623-3912 or email:
chippewacampgroundsstaff@thunderbay.ca
Check us out at: www.chippewapark.ca
Join local musicians for an evening of musical entertainment every Tuesday night starting on July 5 through August 30.
It is an open jam session with everybody welcome and TFOCP provide a sound system and travelling microphone. All musicians of all skills levels are welcome and new players and singers are encouraged to join us. Listeners are also encouraged to come out and be entertained and dancing is strongly endorsed. Musicians share a mix of old and new country, folk, old time rock and roll and stuff you can sing along to including some gospel.
Seating is limited to approximately the first 100 so it might be good to bring along a lawn chair or two.
There is no admission fee. We will ask for a free will offering to help cover expenses. Coffee, tea and juice as well as cakes and cookies are provided at no extra charge. We start at 7:00 PM and go till 10:00 PM. See you there!
Chippewa Park is located off Highway 61 at the south end of the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Take Chippewa Road then City Road to get to this great family park. THE FRIENDS OF CHIPPEWA PARK presents
Celebrating the Arts
We’re willing to bet the Northern Wilds has more artists per capita than anywhere else in the region. The area’s beauty has long attracted artistic types and inspired creativity among the folks who live here. Often it is a creativity born of self-reliance in cultures where building bark canoes or wooden fishing boats were necessary life skills. Today, a handful of crafters carry on those traditions.
Art goes back, way back, to native rock pictographs and colorful Ojibwe beadwork. It was carried forward with the woven sashes of the Voyageurs to the early paintings and photographs of the first artists to depict life and the striking landscapes of the Northern Wilds. Today art is everywhere. Most restaurants and many businesses display local works. There are galleries galore. And it isn’t unusual to run into local celebrities such as Howard “Bud” Sivertson or Betsy Bowen on the streets of Grand Marais.
In July, it is especially easy to find artists and their works. Art festivals occur in many Northern Wilds communities; outdoor events where you can stroll among the booths and view an array of artistic wares. In this issue, you’ll find comprehensive listings of art events and ongoing exhibits from Duluth to Thunder Bay and all points between. If you enjoy festivals, you’ll find get-togethers celebrating more than art this month—everything from beer to blues, and buskers to blueberries.
For many of us, July is just a month to get away. We head for places we can spend time with family and friends, enjoying one another’s company or just plain peace and quiet. Often, that special place is known simply as “the cabin.” Eric Chandler tells a wonderful tale of enjoying years of ‘family time’ at their cabin on Whiteface Lake. For other folks, that special place may be a family-owned resort. We pay tribute to three Gunflint Trail families who are celebrating a combined total of 195 years of resorting, often hosting two or more generations of guest families.
For those who prefer to go it on their own, albeit in style, Joe Friedrichs introduces us to glamping.
For foodies, Maren Webb tracks down some restaurants where you can have a wood-fired meal. One roadside operation she mentions in Ontario sounds especially intriguing. Julia Prinselaar sends us to the bogs in search of edible wild mushrooms, while Kim Falter shares ways to enjoy your buckets of wild blueberries. We should mention that as you read this, the common, easy-to-identify chanterelles should be sprouting in the woodlands. We’re also featuring three of the winning restaurants from the Northern Wilds 2016 Reader’s Choice Restaurant Awards.
We’d also like to remind our American readers that this is an excellent summer to pay a visit to our neighbors to the north in Ontario. The current exchange rate is favorable to the American dollar and Canadian gasoline prices are as low as they’ve been in several years. If you haven’t been north of the border for a while, you may be surprised at what you find, especially in and around Thunder Bay. The community offers an appetizing selection of locally produced food, has a vibrant dining scene and is buzzing with new, youthful energy.
Speaking of youth, we’ve welcomed a new addition to our staff. Kaelyn Lenski, a communications student at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, is our summer intern. She is working to further develop our social media presence on Facebook and to boost traffic to our website www. northernwilds.com. She is also learning how we produce this monthly magazine. If you see her in our Grand Marais offices, be sure to say hello.
Our offices receive lots of visitors during the summer months. Some are travelers to the North Shore who stop in to say hello. Some are seeking copies of the books we publish, including Where the Fish Are! Cook County, Water-
falls of the North Shore and More, and The Edmund Fitzgerald; The Legendary Great Lakes Shipwreck. Others are customers to our growing sign, design and print shop. They are all welcome and so are you. Stop by anytime.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt
87th Annual Fisherman’s Picnic
Getting Around
$8/van within the Grand Marais area until 9 pm. Call or text Harriet Quarles at 218-370-9164
WEDNESDAY, August 3
5-6:30 PM Grand Marais Lioness Buffett Dinner and Silent Auction at St. John’s Catholic Church, 5th Street and Broadway Ave. Silent Auction bids 5-6:30 pm. Dinner served is buffet style. $15 per plate for adults, $7 per plate for children under 12
THURSDAY, August 4
9 AM Crazy Daze Sales – all over town. Visit local merchants
9 AM-5 PM Cook County Farm and Craft Market – E. Wisconsin St
10 AM Vendors and Craft show opens – 1st Ave W
10 AM Kids Rides open – Senior Center Parking Lot
11 AM Fishburger Stand opens – Harbor Park
NOON Bingo Tent opens – Parking Lot adjacent to Grandma Ray’s (formally the American Legion) – 1st Ave W & Hwy 61
1-2:30 PM Joe Paulik – Harbor Park Stage
2 PM Free Guided Tour of the Cook County School Campus (includes Elementary, Middle and High Schools) Meet at the Main Entrance. Alumni and visitors welcome
3-6 PM Cook County’s Most Wanted – Harbor Park Stage
5-7 PM Library Friends Members Only Book Sale. Memberships sold one hour before sale. Cook County Community Center – 317 W 5th St.
7 PM Grand Marais Playhouse, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, The Arrowhead Center for the Arts – 51 West 5th Street, www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org/playhouse
7-10 PM Street Dance – Heck Yeah Holler String Band – Harbor Park Stage
Friday, August 5
8-11 AM Pancake Breakfast, $7 for adult and $5 child (12 and under). Community Center – 317 W 5th St. Proceeds support Early Childhood Programming
8 AM-4 PM Library Friends of Cook County Annual Book Sale. Cook County Community Center – 317 W 5th St.
10 AM Vendor and Craft Show opens – 1st Ave W
9 AM-5 PM Cook County Farm and Craft Market – E. Wisc. St.
10 AM Fun games and Inflatables – Wisconsin St.
10 AM-4 PM Open Log Rolling, $5 for all day pass, all ages
– 2nd Ave W
10 AM Kiddy Rides open – Senior Center Parking Lot
10:30 AM Old Fashioned Horseshoe Tournament for adults and children – Naniboujou Lodge. Old Fashioned Root Beer Floats during tournament
11 AM Fishburger Stand Opens – Harbor Park
11 AM-12:30 PM Chris Mammenga – Harbor Park Stage
11:30 AM World’s Best Donut Bingo* – Donut Shop - corner of Wisconsin
1-5 PM Dunk Tank, proceeds support the YMCA – Harbor Park
1-2:30 PM Axtell – Harbor Park Stage
2 PM Free Guided Tour of the Cook County School Campus (includes Elementary, Middle and High Schools) Meet at the Main Entrance. Alumni and visitors welcome
3 PM Senior and Adult Tennis matches
- High School Tennis Court.
3 PM DQ Upsidedownright Thick Blizzard Race* maximum of 10 teams with up to 4 racers each, pick up register form at Dairy Queen prior to race – 2nd Ave W.
3-6 PM Spruce Roots – Harbor Park Stage
5-7 PM Shrimp Boil Dinner, 1st Congregational Church
– corner of 3rd Ave W and 2nd St.
6-6:30 PM Minnesota State Loon Calling Championship*
– Preliminary Round – Harbor Park Stage
7 PM Grand Marais Playhouse, “The Addams Family”, The Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 W 5th Street, www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org/playhouse
7-10 PM Street Dance – Plucked Up String Band
– Harbor Park Stage
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6
8-11 AM Pancake Breakfast, $7 for adult and $5 child (12 and under). Community Center, 317 W 5th St. Proceeds support Early Childhood Programming
7:30-8:50 AM Fisherman’s Picnic Trail Run registration*. Pin-
cushion Mountain Trail - 2mi. north off Gunflint Trail, Co. Rd 12
9 AM Pre-teen, 8 yrs and under – ¼ Mile, 9-12 yrs – 1 Mile
9:45 AM 5 Mile Walk/Run
9:50 AM 3 Mile Non-Competitive Walk
8 AM-12 PM Library Friends Bag Sale, by donations, Cook County Community Center – 317 W 5th St
8 AM Men’s Slow Pitch Softball* – Pappy Wright Field and Rec Park Ball Field
8 AM Senior and Adult Tennis Matches*
– High School Tennis Courts
8:30 AM Hoopin’n in the Harbor registration* 3-on-3 Tournament – Wisconsin St.
9 AM-5PM Cook County Farm and Craft Market – E. Wisc. St.
9 AM Zumba Class – Harbor Park
9:30AM Warm up for Logrolling Championship
Minnesota State Logrolling Championship Amateurs Only Tournament. Must have previous log rolling experience
– 2nd Ave W
9:30 AM Hoopin’n in the Harbor *3-on-3 Tournament
– Wisconsin St.
10 AM Vendor and Craft Show opens – 1st Ave W
10 AM Fun Games and Inflatables – Wisconsin St.
10 AM Kiddy Rides open – Senior Center Parking Lot,
10 N Broadway
10 AM-5 PM Dunk Tank, proceeds support the YMCA
– Harbor Park
10:30 AM Citizen of the Year Award – Harbor Park Stage
10:30 AM Senior Citizen of the Year Award
– Harbor Park Stage
11 AM Fishburger Stand opens – Harbor Park
11 AM-12:30 PM Joe Paulik – Harbor Park Stage
NOON Bingo Tent opens – Parking Lot Grandma Ray’s (formally the American Legion) – 1st Ave W & Hwy 61 NOON Minnow Races*, Beaver House – Corner of Broadway Ave and Wisconsin St.
12:00 PM Cross Cut Saw Competition Registration*
– Wisconsin St.
12:30 PM Cross Cut Competition, sponsored by Hedstrom Lumber Co – Wisconsin St.
1-2:30 PM Michael Monroe – Harbor Park Stage
1-4 PM Free Vision Screening using the Welch Allyn Spot Vision Screener – Harbor Park
2 PM Ice Cream Social for tournament participants* – High School Tennis Courts
2 PM Pickle Herring Eating Contest*– Sven & Ole’s Restaurant
– Wisconsin St.
2:30 PM Pizza Eating Contest*, Sven & Ole’s Restaurant
– Wisconsin St.
2:30-5 PM Kids Tractor Pull* (ages 4-11) – Wisconsin St.
3-5 PM Dat Dere Jazz – Harbor Park Stage
3:30 PM Winners announced for Minnesota State Logrolling Championship Amateurs Only Tournament – 2nd Ave W.
4:30 PM Rock Skipping Contest* (all ages) – Harbor Park
5 PM “Coolest Small Town” Rock Painting Contest winners announced, sponsored by Joynes Ben Franklin – Harbor Park Stage
5:30-6 PM Minnesota State Loon Calling Championship Finals* – Harbor Park Stage
6 PM Cutest Puppy Contest* – Harbor Park
7 PM Grand Marais Playhouse “Arsenic and Old Lace”, The Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 51 West 5th Street, www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org/playhouse
7-10 PM Street Dance – SplinterTones – Harbor Park stage
9:45 PM Fireworks over the Harbor
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7
8 AM Men’s Slow Pitch Softball* – Pappy Wright Field and Rec Park Ball Field
8 AM Senior and Adults Tennis Matches* – High School Tennis Courts
9:30 AM Waterfront Worship – Harbor Park Stage
11 AM Fishburger Stand opens – Harbor Park
11:45 AM Fish Contest Winners Announced – Harbor Park Stage NOON Bingo Tent opens – Parking Lot adjacent to Grandma Ray’s (formally the American Legion) – 1st Ave W & Hwy 61
NOON-1 PM Lake Effect – Harbor Park Stage
1 PM Fisherman’s Picnic Parade, Downtown Grand Marais, Route starts at Elementary School Park Lot, down Broadway Ave. Right on Wisconsin St. and ends at Hwy 61.
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, Eric Chandler, Gord Ellis, Casey Fitchett, Joe Friedrichs, Michael Furtman, David Johnson, Kurt Mead, Deane Morrison, Julia Prinselaar, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, Scott Stowell, Kathy Toivonen, Maren Webb
Copyright 2016 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.
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Towering Pines Canopy Tour
Towering Pines Canopy Tour at Gunflint Lodge is the most exciting new way to experience the wilderness get a bird’s eye view plus a thrilling ride through the treetops! It’s a two-and-a-half hour nature adventure led by two sky guides.
Open Daily
$89.00 per person Call 218-388-2296 for reservations.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner available at Red Paddle Bistro.
Gunflint Lodge is 43 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais.
Minimum age is 10; maxiumum weight/person is 240 lbs.
Northern Wilds 2016 OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST
New this Year!
The top three photos in each category will be featured in the 2017 Northern Wilds Calendar.
All Winners will receive a calendar with their winning photo, plus other prizes.
Deadline Sept. 30
Rules: Please email your entries to contest@ northernwilds.com. Contestants may enter up to three photos per category. All photo entries must include the following information: 1) Contestant’s name, address, telephone number and email. 2) A short description of the photograph indicating where and when the picture was taken and identification of persons shown in the picture. 3) Photo resolution needs to be 10 megapixel or at least 3,000 kb. 4) Contestants agree to allow Northern Wilds Media to publish the photos (with credit) for editorial and publicity purposes.
Frosty Faces, Vicki Schmidt, West Fargo, ND
Brotherly Love Christine Johnston, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Surf’s Up by Philip Schwarz, Menomonie, WI
Lake Loving Dog by Brenda Hadrich, McGregor
Dining on Mountain Ash Berries Tracy Benson, Grand Marais
Dragonflies along the edge
TETTEGOUCHE STATE PARK—We all know northeastern Minnesota is a special place for myriad reasons. For some, it’s the wilderness; the quiet and solitude experienced from the bow of a canoe. For others, it’s the opportunity to hunt, fish, or trap, exercising age-old traditions. It could also be skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The list is long.
There are many dragonflies to be found statewide, but our mixed boreal forest is home to species not found elsewhere in Minnesota, species at the edges of their ranges. The same is true for mammals (think moose), plants, etc.
Dragonflies, and their close kin, damselflies, are grouped together in the scientific order known as the Odonata (a word, which translated from ancient Greek means, “the toothed ones”). This is a very diverse group of insects, but there are some commonalities among them. Eggs hatch in the water and the young live in an aquatic state, rarely if ever, leaving the water before adulthood. The adults, like the waterborne nymphs, are voracious predators, eating live prey ranging in size from miniscule up to larger than themselves. These predators do not eat plants, nor do they scavenge. They eat meat, mostly in the form of insects. The nymphs will also take small fish and tadpoles.
“Adult dragonflies eat X-times their weight in mosquitoes, every day.”
I have heard various versions of this statement many times. We all want to believe it, but I am not sure that it’s true. I’ll tell you why: Mosquitoes are most active and voracious in the dawn and dusk and during cloudy, cooler weather when they are in less danger of drying out. These are not conditions in which dragonflies excel. Dragonflies do best in warm, sunny conditions. They eat a lot of bugs when the sun is shining, but not so much in the shade. Although there are a few dragonfly species that have evolved to take advantage of the food-filled, no-competition twilight hours, most species have packed it in for the night before sunset.
But the nymph dragonfly, if growing and developing in mosquito breeding waters, may gorge on baby mosquitoes and make a huge impact on our evening comfort in the summer. The protection and conservation of lakeshores, ponds, and other surface waters mean higher quality dragonfly breeding waters, which may mean fewer mosquitoes.
There are times, though, when the sheer volume of mosquitoes can outstrip the ability of our friendly nymphs in reducing the buzzing of our evening blood-feeders. This is often the case in the water-rich forests of northeastern Minnesota, as we all know. Other insects, biting and otherwise, thrive in the warm, humid summers of the north woods. In other words, it’s a good place to be a dragonfly.
However, not just any dragonfly can make a go of it here. There are species of
dragonflies that are very common in the Twin Cities that cannot survive in the boreal forests. Perhaps the winters are too cold or too long. The nymphs of some species will freeze in shallow lakes and still emerge as adults in the spring, but
others just can’t hack it. The common pondhawk, for example, ranges from the tip of Florida up to southern St. Louis County, but no further north.
On the other hand, we have species occurring here that have never been found south of Duluth, like the zigzag darner. Also found in higher elevations of the Rocky Mountains, this species lives as far north as northern Nunavut (aka Northwest Territories) and as far south as here. This edge of range phenomenon is also true for east and west in Minnesota, but northern Minnesota seems to be a latitudinal boundary for many dragonfly species.
The counties along Minnesota’s North Shore have the greatest diversity of dragonflies and damselflies. In combining what
is known from St. Louis, Lake and Cook counties, we find that this region has 110 of Minnesota’s 149 known species. We have several rare species, not found elsewhere in the state.
As the climate changes, edges are moving. Not always in a north/south way, but that’s a typical way to think about this. Likely, some dragonflies are feeling climate change pressures. Boreal species may be unable to compete at their southern edges as southern species expand into this new frontier. Some species may benefit while others won’t. Without armies of researchers surveying edges for long term population trends, it’ll be hard to anticipate what, if any, effects a changing climate will have on dragonflies in the north country.
In the meantime, we can sit on the end of the dock, pondering edges and changes and enjoying the aerial acrobatics of dragonflies. They benefit us by eating pesky insects, but they also make the north country a richer, more beautiful place; as if we needed another reason to love being north.—Kurt Mead
River jewelwing damselflies are often found hanging like jewels from streamside vegetation in the north woods. This female is laying eggs by inserting them into aquatic vegetation. | KURT MEAD
Zigzag darners are boreal dragonflies that need boggy habitats for breeding. | KURT MEAD
The lasting legacy of the Root Beer Lady
ELY—As tender-hearted as she was tough, Dorothy Molter was a dynamo of spirit. For over 56 years, she paddled, hiked, fished, skied and snowshoed across the pristine land she called home in what is now the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). She lived year-round on the Isle of Pines on Knife Lake, northeast of Ely, and received as many as 7,000 visitors per year. The Dorothy Molter Museum in Ely offers the story of her fascinating life, and how it paralleled major environmental management and legislative changes, including the establishment of the BWCAW.
Dorothy was known to many as the “Root Beer Lady” for the homemade root
beer she served to wilderness paddlers who stopped by. Others knew her as the “Nightingale of the Wilderness.” She became a nurse after graduating from high school in Chicago. Her medical background helped her treat visitors to Knife Lake who occasionally needed first aid. Sometimes her patients included wildlife.
Dorothy visited Knife Lake for the first time when she was 23 and eventually struck up a friendship with Bill Berglund, the owner of the Isle of Pines Resort. When Bill died in 1948, she became owner and operator. But as a result of the Wilderness Act in 1964, the U.S. government issued an order requiring Dorothy to leave
the wilderness; she was no longer allowed to run the resort or reside on the Isle of Pines. However, she had touched the lives of so many people that area residents petitioned the government to let her remain and the story garnered national media attention. After a long legal battle, she was granted lifetime tenancy in 1972 and stayed until she passed away in 1986.
Dorothy was the final, non-indigenous resident of the BWCAW. With her soul so rich and personality so vibrant, volunteers determined to keep her spirit alive. They dismantled her homestead in 1987, moved it to Ely by dogsled and snowmobile, and restored two of her cabins. The Dorothy
Molter Museum was founded and her legacy lovingly preserved.
The museum is recognized for its historical and educational value, due in part to the quality of its displays and exhibits. Several renovations have recently taken place, which foster Dorothy’s legacy of north woods stewardship. Through grants and private donations, the museum unveiled a new collection of artifacts and photos in Dorothy’s “Point Cabin.” It also offers a 15-minute version of the popular documentary Dorothy Molter: Living in the Boundary Waters. The original hour-long documentary is available for purchase.
Beyond her flair for root beer, Dorothy had a special place in her heart for birds. The museum has developed a bird feeding hub featuring an assortment of feeder styles that attract a large variety of birds year-round. This year, the museum will begin Phase I of the “Bird’s Landing.” It’s a landscaping project designed to enhance natural flora and human accessibility, and incorporates nesting boxes, feeding trays and watering stations. A selection of field guides from the gift shop encourage bird identification, plus free take-home brochures include bird food recipes. Phases II and III will advance the project but require additional funding.
A Loan on the Lake A Loan on the Lake
Dorothy capped thousands of bottles of root beer on this equipment, one at a time. | SCOTT STOWELL
A statue of Dorothy in front of her Winter Cabin welcomes visitors to her museum. | SCOTT STOWELL
The displays in Dorothy’s “Winter Cabin” have been fine-tuned to fully depict how she used her living space. Her original root beer-making equipment is on hand to give tour guests insight into the work behind brewing thousands of bottles for thirsty travelers each summer. The kitchen and dining areas conjure images of Dorothy building up the fire in her wood stove, serving guests hot coffee and creating her holiday ornaments beneath lamplight.
The gift shop has also been renovated, not just for root beer, new merchandise and admissions, but to rotate some of the museum’s smaller displays, like scrapbooks of her days in nursing school. A collage of her fishing adventures is complete with old gear and photos of behemoth lake trout. One exhibit in particular shows Dorothy’s remarkable artistic and delicate side that she enjoyed during her quiet time in winter. She handcrafted exquisite Fabergé eggs of eye-popping detail.
Such was her colorful personality, that Dorothy continues to inspire new merchandise for the museum gift shop. When she was once asked if she’d ever marry she replied, “When I find a man who can chop more wood, portage heavier loads or catch more fish, I’ll marry him.” The museum directors liked it so much they turned it into a T-shirt for 2016.
For deeper appreciation of Dorothy’s lifestyle, the museum sponsors a fully-outfitted, guided canoe trip for women to Knife Lake. In addition, the Dorothy Molter Memorial Foundation has developed the Wilderness First Responders Fund, an annual scholarship for people seeking to enhance their medical education in nursing and other medical services.
Events and activities are available at the museum, like Camp KWITCHURBELIAKIN for kids in the summer, nature trail walks, group and bus tour accommodations, and speaker services. For further info, visit www.rootbeerlady.com
The kitchen in Dorothy’s Winter Cabin offers a glimpse of her personal belongings and how she used the space. | SCOTT STOWELL
eggs.
Canoe country courtesies
DULUTH—People come from all over the world to enjoy the beauty and serenity found in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Some 200,000 annual visitors enter the Boundary Waters, making it the most visited unit in the National Wilderness Preservation System. With visitors come impacts—both to the resource and to other people. Keeping those impacts to a minimum are not only crucial to the preservation of the area, but to the enjoyment of fellow travelers. The Forest Service has its own set of rules, some of which overlap with these recommendations:
• Pack smart! Everything should go in packs and items removed while paddling should be stowed back into the pack before landing at portages. Besides avoiding losing things, being efficient helps minimize congestion at portage landings.
• If making multiple trips across a portage, place the gear left at either end out of the way so as to not block the trail or landing for other users.
• Let’s face it, portages end up being a chance for paddlers to answer that call of nature – don’t do it near the landings. Head up the trail a bit and then back into the woods. We’ll all thank you.
• Boundary Waters rules state that no more than nine people can be at any one place at one time. That means portages too. If your group is having a picnic at the portage landing, and my group would put us over nine, my party has to sit out on the water until you’re done. In other words, take your breaks somewhere else—an island, a point, or empty campsite.
• Sound travels a great distance over water. Be kind to other visitors (and see more wildlife) by using your “inside voice” outside.
• If an area of a campsite is lush and green, or growing
wildflowers, that doesn’t make a good place to pile gear, lie down, or put a tent. It makes it a rarity, and a place to admire. Restrict your activities to those areas already hardened by use. It takes a long time for soil to build, and plants to grow in this harsh environment, but just a few minutes of shuffling feet or dragging gear to destroy it.
• Clean fish well away from any campsite. Whether you bury the remains in the woods, place them on a rock for scavengers, or sink them in deep water is a matter of debate, but no matter how you dispose of fish remains, do it far from areas people use. A fishy campsite is sure to attract biting flies and possibly bears.
• Foil doesn’t burn. Really. Half of those food packets you burned were lined with foil, which is now in the firegrate. Either don’t burn the trash (illegal in Minnesota anyway) or retrieve the foil.
• Clean up after yourself. Your mother would be proud and other campers will be thankful. If you hauled it into the wilderness, you can sure haul it back out.
• It’s an old custom, now often forgotten—leave some dry kindling and a few sticks of firewood for the next campers. Maybe then they’ll do it too!
— Michael Furtman
GRAND MARAIS—For most who opt to pitch a tent in the wilds of Ontario or along Minnesota’s North Shore, a leather recliner and silk robe are not considered essential items. Satellite television and being able to check email with the click of a button aren’t often requirements that will make or break a trip for early season lake trout anglers heading toward Quetico Provincial Park.
But for glamping expert MaryJane Butters, an extended list of luxury items are the exact ingredients required for her recipe to enjoying quality time in the wilderness.
“Glampers head outdoors with their fine china and lofty down pillows,” said Butters. “They set their tables with vases full of gathered wildflowers.”
So what is glamping? Quite simply, it’s spending time outdoors with all the comforts of a five-star hotel room. It can involve sleeping in a tent, but such stipulations aren’t necessary to define the trend of glamorous camping. Think the exact opposite style of camping, exemplified by Cheryl Strayed or Reese Witherspoon from Wild and you’re on the right track for visualizing what glamping is all about.
“It’s daring but doable,” Butters said. “Glamping isn’t the concept portrayed in the movie Wild.”
Butters and her expertise on glamping have been featured in The New York Times Magazine, Travel & Leisure and on The Today Show. She has also written a book on glamping, appropriately titled “Glamping with MaryJane.” For Butters, glamping is about exposing the joys of nature to people who might not otherwise be willing to take a walk on the wild side. And Butters is not shy about emphasizing the role women have played in the rise of popularity when it comes to glamping.
“Glamping appeals mostly to women,” Butters said, “and the men in their lives that are willing to go along for the ride.”
When it comes to camping in canoe country or along the shores of Lake Superior, glamping has yet to arrive with the same boom it has made in places such as the wilderness and parks near San Francisco or Seattle. Grand Marais parks manager Dave Tersteeg said how popular glamping is in Minnesota and Ontario depends largely on one’s definition of the activity.
“Anytime you’re sleeping outside and not in a traditional bed, house or hotel, yet still experiencing hot showers and sit-down meals, you could call that glamping,” Tersteeg said.
While the North Shore doesn’t offer $1,000 per night glamping in a treehouse, it does offer the ability to experience roughing it in style, Tersteeg said. At the Grand Marais Recreation Area, people can sleep on the ground
if they choose to, but they can still dine at local restaurants or shop at downtown art galleries. Glamping offers the best of many worlds on the same trip.
“The big appeal to glamping at the truly luxury level is bragging about the experience,” Tersteeg said. “Folks want one-of-a-kind experiences when they vacation, and at its best, glamping creates these experiences.”
Tersteeg said that much like roller blading and leg warmers, glamping is a trend. As of the early stages of this summer, Tersteeg said he is not aware of any active marketing campaigns pushing glamping in the region.
All the same, glamping appears to have found its way to Minnesota. In the eco-tourism town of Ely near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, luxury tents are available to rent that sleep up to four people. The description of the rental states that the tents are 12-feet by 20-feet and come complete with a king-size bed, which can be converted into two twin-size beds, if so desired. Linens and pillows are included, and each tent is completely carpeted. By nearly every aspect of the definition, this constitutes glamping.
“The concept has continued to diversify in that women are increasingly comfortable planning outdoor trips and they often have children,” she said. “What child wouldn’t love a fun and pampered outdoor experience?”
Perhaps a child who enjoys portaging and cleaning fish near a campsite secluded deep within the remote reaches of the BWCAW or the Quetico … But this is 2016. And it takes all kinds.—Joe Friedrichs
195 YEARS OF FAMILY RESORTING ON THE
Gunflint Trail
Sunday July 3-Admission FREE all day
Special Activities from 11 am to 4 pm. Treats available.
Weekly Events
Kids’ Day
Tuesdays, thru August 16, 11 am to 4 pm
Stories, hikes, journal-making & crafts
USFS Presentations
Tuesdays, thru August 16, 2 pm
Various Northwoods-themed topics presented by U.S. Forest Service naturalists
Nature Presentations
Fridays, starting July 1st, 2–3 pm
Featuring one of the learning stations from the Nature Center
Thru
GUNFLINT TRAIL—A recent statewide news story bemoaned the loss of Minnesota’s family-owned resorts, but such operations remain the norm along the Gunflint Trail, north of Grand Marais. This summer, three resorts are celebrating a combined 195 years of family-owned operation. In fact, nearly all resorts on the Gunflint and nearby North Shore of Lake Superior are family owned and operated. A change to that situation doesn’t appear likely to happen anytime soon.
Nor’wester Lodge, 85 years
Luana Brandt recalls marrying her husband, Carl, on a Saturday. The newlyweds came home to the Gunflint Trail on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday morning, Luana served breakfast for 26 people at the resort that was her new home. That was on June 22, 1966. She’s now been married to Carl and catering to guests at the lodge for 50 years.
But the lodge had already been in existence for 35 years before Luana came on board. Carl’s parents, Carl and Alis, founded Balsam Grove Resort in 1931 to house the fishermen who were venturing to the area. It was rustic, but adequate to serve the guests of that era.
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“When we took over, some of the cabins didn’t have running water,” Brandt said. “We put in bathrooms and kitchens.”
The first summer she was there, ice for the guest’s fish was available in the ice house, where it was stored after being cut in the lake the previous winter. Guests were fed three times per day: breakfast and dinner at the lodge, and a packed
lunch to take when they went fishing. The second generation changed the name to Nor’wester Lodge in 1968.
She said outdoor gear has improved over the years. She remembers when the lodge switched to aluminum canoes, which were much lighter than the wood/ canvas canoes they replaced. Today, aluminum canoes have long since been replaced by ever-lighter models. The same is true for the tents, sleeping bags and packs used by canoe country adventurers. However, Brandt says her mother-in-law Alis, who lived to be 102, saw even greater changes during her lifetime.
Fifty years ago, traveling 30-60 miles down the Gunflint Trail to Grand Marais was something Trail residents did infrequently. Brandt said she almost went crazy during her first winters on the Trail, because there were few people her age. Back then, beaver and mink trapping were common topics of conversation.
“We’ve become much more urban than before,” she says of present-day life on the Trail, where many summer home owners and vacationers come from the Twin Cities and beyond. Another change has been the make-up of summer help. It used to be easy to find college students who were eager to spend a summer working up north. Now the seasonal staff is comprised of foreign exchange students.
Carl and Luana Brandt of Nor’wester Lodge are celebrating 50 years of marriage and operating a resort.
Trout Lake Lodge, 70 years
They came from Chicago in 1946. Bud and Charlet Kratoska, and their two young daughters, moved to a rustic lodge on Trout Lake. They brought along a 32-volt light plant and batteries, which eventually provided electricity to their home (a converted boat house/workshop) and the guest cabins. Telephone service with a party line, came later. The family heated with wood and cut ice from the lake for summer refrigeration. They didn’t get connected to the electrical grid until 1956.
Early resort owners were an independent bunch who often viewed one another, rather than other destinations, as competition. It took time to get them to work together to promote the area. Bud Kratoska was the secretary of the Gunflint Trail Association and organized the Tip of the Arrowhead Association to promote all of Cook County. He and Charlet represent-
ed the organization at sport shows and handled information requests.
Bud died suddenly in 1986, which triggered the passing of the resort to the next generation.
Daughter Nancy Waver returned to care for her mother and operate the resort. This allowed Charlet, who died at age 92, to continue living there. Waver’s children have entered the business as well. In 2007 the lodge was devastated by fire, so the family has worked to rebuild it. Family members now involved in the business include Waver’s sons, Guy and Craig, and Craig’s wife Kathy, as well as her daughter Karen and her son, Rusty. Children and grandchildren of the Kratoska’s original guests still vacation at the resort.
“It’s a lot of work,” Waver said of running the resort, “but what else would we do?”
Golden Eagle Lodge, 40 years
When John and Irene Baumann bought Golden Eagle Lodge in 1976, they rolled up their sleeves and went to work.
“It was basically dilapidated,” said their son Dan, who now runs the resort with his wife Teresa.
The four original cabins dated back to the resort’s beginning in the 1940s and were summer-only. The Baumanns updated and winterized the existing cabins and built a workshop. In less than a decade, they expanded the business to 10 year-round cabins. Between 1980-83, they added a new water system, a new sewage system and a new LP gas system. Over the years, they’ve built three homes on the property, and staff housing.
In 1994, Dan and Teresa purchased the resort. The infamous 1999 blowdown storm ravaged
the forests along the Gunflint Trail, but it didn’t deter Golden Eagle’s growth. The family added a campground that year and replaced a cabin with a brand-new one. Over the years, they’ve kept growing.
“We’re always investing in improvements and looking for new opportunities,” Baumann said.
Today, larger expansions are necessary to achieve an adequate payback from the project. He said that instead of adding just one unit, he now must look to adding several units as well as additional staff. He is currently hoping to hire two full-time staffers, but says it is difficult to find people who want to live in the woods.
As for the Baumanns, the Gunflint Trail is home. John, 83, and Irene, 80, live at the resort. Dan and Teresa’s three children, Bri
anna, Zachary and Johnathan, remain in the area, too. Dan believes it is possible that one or more of the kids will someday
become the third generation of Baumanns to own Golden Eagle Lodge.
—Shawn Perich
The Waver family poses in front of the Trout Lake Resort sign. | SUBMITTED
The second and third generations of the Baumann family at Golden Eagle Lodge on the Gunflint Trail. From left to right: Johnathan, Brianna, Teresa, Dan and Zachary. | SUBMITTED
GUNFLINT TRAIL CANOE RACES
History endures at Chippewa Park
THUNDER BAY—Chippewa Park in Thunder Bay is built on a foundation of history, culture and nature; and with so many things to see and do, the park delivers adventure for everyone.
According to historical records at The Harry Kirk Archives and Records Centre in Thunder Bay, The Crown purchased 270 acres of land from the Ojibway people of the Mount McKay Reserve and then passed the land to the City of Fort William. Clearing of the land began in 1920, and one year later, the park was named Chippewa, the English word for Ojibway. A casual exhibit of animals at the park began in 1923 with a donation of a squirrel and a raccoon, along with instructions on how to care for them. Soon after, more animals were added, such as pheasants, bison, bears, and a Shetland pony. In 1934, a traveling midway, operated by Maude King, went into bankruptcy while in Fort William. The Fort William Board of Parks Management purchased some of the attractions, including a C.W. Parker carousel built in 1915.
Today, The City of Thunder Bay’s Parks Division manages all the parks, and the lead hand for Chippewa Park is Dan Gigliotti, who took me on a tour to highlight some of what the park has to offer. The first stop was the log pavilion, built in 1921 from the trees cut to clear the land. Inside the pavilion, the exposed, majestic timbers crisscross overhead and the original hard wood flooring spans the dance hall. Modern updates have respected the rustic décor so the pavilion is suitable for events and can operate its canteen.
Next, the midway and the celebrated Parker carousel,
where the hand carved, wooden horses carry children of all ages—seemingly away from the dragons embellished on the hub panels and cresting—through the winds of Lake Superior. A close look at one of the horses shows Parker’s signature design: an elaborate mane and jeweled reigns. Attached to a beam on the carousel is a metal plate, stamped with the manufacturer’s name and date, which confirms its authenticity as one of only three still operating in North America. As for other rides at the midway, one can test their mettle on the bumper cars or take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl. Young children can ride the boats, tanks and planes.
Finally, we toured the Chippewa Wildlife Exhibit, where the animals can be viewed from the raised boardwalk. Natural habitats from grasslands to forests to ponds are home to indigenous animals such as hawks, caribou, coyote, bobcats and wolves. The exhibit also includes arctic fox and mouflon sheep, which are well suited to the local environment. All of the animals have been bred in captivity or rescued, and vacant habitats are only filled when an animal is in need of a home. However, you won’t find an exotic animal in the park as they don’t do well outside of their climate.
Other activities at the park include swimming, use of the volleyball net at Sandy Beach and fields for sports and picnics. There are plenty of spots for day camping, overnight RV sites, and accessible cabins.
The park has hosted Pow Wows, company picnics, summer camps, festivals, and plenty of events and programs. Check out www.chippewapark.ca. for more details.
Backpackers return to Pow Wow Trail
MINNEAPOLIS—Four backpackers, three men and one woman, successfully completed a four-day backpacking trip over the Pow Wow Trail, which burned five years ago in the Pagami Creek Fire, according to the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC).
Four backpackers stepped over more than 4,658 treefalls in four days while they retraced the favorite backpacking trail in the BWCAW, only a week after the snow melted. They followed the trail much of the time and bushwhacked through areas damaged by fire.
“The Pow Wow Trail is an incredible hiking trail,” said Martin Kubik of the BWAC. “The Pow Wow Trail is prized by hikers for its solitude and campsites that are away from canoe routes. We are thankful for the many man hours of work on this trail by the Kekekabic Trail Chapter of the North Country Trail and the Fournier Outdoor Services. Their hard work is keeping this trail open to hikers.”
Though the US Forest Service (USFS) has allowed volunteers to maintain only six miles of the 32 mile loop trail five years after the fire, hikers hope to open the rest of the trail. Presently, there are more than 4,000 treefalls blocking the trail, making backpacking a challenge, but Kubik is optimistic. About 26 years ago, Kubik organized volunteers to clear and reopen the 42 mile long Kekekabic Trail that was abandoned by USFS for more than 10 years.
“It is important that the Forest Service provide leadership and cooperate with volunteers to secure grants for full restoration,” said Kubik. “To date, only one campsite had been restored five years after the fire. There is much more work to be done to conserve this trail popular with
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hikers before the Pagami Creek Fire. Pow Wow Trail had twice as may overnight permits as a similar Sioux Hustler Trail in the BWCAW, but after the fire, this number of overnight permits dropped by 90 percent,” Kubik added.
According to Kubik, most of the treefalls are small and can be easily cut with a camping saw and carried away. It is the sheer number of the treefalls that makes it taxing of hikers who have to cross them at a rate of one a minute.
The BWAC will use the information from the trip to write a Pow Wow Trail guide for backpackers. In the meantime, a free map and educational brochure is available to the public with financial help of Lake Superior Trading Post of Grand Marais.
Tread Lightly funds ATV trail work
DULUTH—A $2,000 grant awarded to the U.S. Forest Service by the Tread Lightly national organization allowed the agency to complete improvements to the Jackpot ATV trailhead parking area near Babbitt.
Tread Lightly promotes responsible outdoor recreation through education. As part of a national celebration of their 25th anniversary, Tread Lightly helped fund 25 trail-related projects across the country, including the Jackpot ATV Trail on the Superior National Forest. The Tread Lightly grant award went towards the purchase, delivery, and spreading of gravel on the trail head parking area,
and for the purchase of new maps for both the parking area kiosk and for a new trail head kiosk in Babbitt.
Completed in 2014, the 28-mile Jackpot ATV trail is connected to the Stony Spur ATV Trail. Both trails are part of a broader network of ATV trails and roads that a rider can follow east all the way to the North Shore of Lake Superior. The proposed Prospector Loop Trail is intended to eventually connect Ely with existing trails and further expand opportunities for ATV riders in the area.
The Jackpot ATV Trail is possible through the cooperation and collab -
oration of partners and volunteers, including the Babbitt ATV Club, the Polaris Foundation, the Minnesota DNR, Tread Lightly, Twin Metals MN, the City of Babbitt, the Conservation Corps of Minnesota and Iowa, and the National Forest Foundation. Partnerships provide volunteer efforts and funding that are key to developing and maintaining most National Forest system trails.
For more information about outdoor recreation opportunities, including ATV and off-highway-vehicle riding on the Forest, visit www.fs.usda. gov/superior
Hikers gather on the trail: Paul Stelter, Susan Pollock, Travis and David Mattila, and Paul Ebert.
Mandatory training required for aquatic invasive species violators
ST. PAUL—Starting this boating season, anyone found guilty of violating Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species laws will not only have to pay the required fines, but will also have to complete mandatory training. The short “Clean In Clean Out” training must be completed before people found guilty of violating Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species laws can legally operate their watercraft anywhere in the state.
“The class is free and easy to take either online or with a paper home-study,” said April Rust, Minnesota DNR invasive species training coordinator. “Anyone interested in learning more about how to protect Minnesota waters from invasive species can also take the free online class.”
“Clean In Clean Out” training is available at www.mndnr.gov/CICOtraining
“Minnesotans overall are doing the right things and the rate of compliance with aquatic invasive species laws is increasing every year, said Maj. Todd Kanieski, DNR Enforcement operations manager. “The few individuals who violate these laws are the highest risk factor for infesting a lake or river. We want to not only help people avoid a citation but, more importantly, keep 95 percent of Minnesota’s lakes off the infested waters list.”
Boaters and anglers can comply with Minnesota’s invasive species laws by remembering Clean, Drain, Dispose:
• Clean aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species from watercraft.
• Drain lake or river water from all equipment and keep drain plugs out during transport.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, not in the water.
Lake property owners are reminded that docks and lifts must be cleaned and allowed to dry for at least 21 days before moving them to another body of water.
More information about aquatic invasive species and how to prevent their spread is at www.mndnr.gov/ais
July
- August 21
Pottery in Cook County
Remember to drain lake or river water from all equipment and clean aquatic plants from watercraft to help invasive species from spreading. | SUBMITTED
If found guilty of violating Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species laws, you must complete a mandatory training class. | SUBMITTED
Boaters and anglers must remember to Clean, Drain and Dispose. | SUBMITTED
American Lighthouse Council honors Split Rock Lighthouse keeper
TWO HARBORS—Lee Radzak, manager of the Minnesota Historical Society’s Split Rock Lighthouse, has earned the American Lighthouse Council’s lifetime achievement award. Called the Francis Ross Holland, Jr. Distinguished Service Award, it is bestowed “with respect and admiration for contributions to the history and preservation of America’s lighthouses.”
The organization announced the award at the May Great Lakes Lighthouse Conference. In granting this award, they cited Radzak’s long tenure as the light station keeper and the many preservation and history projects he as led, including the 1986 construction of the visitor cen -
Wolf Center welcomes pups
ELY—The International Wolf Center in Ely has two new arctic wolf pups that arrived from Canada early June. After customs inspections, check-ups and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service paperwork, the pups made it to their new home.
They are settling in nicely, and becoming more playful and curious each day. They are also growing incredibly fast. The temporarily nicknamed wolf Axel is slightly bigger. He is a little more dominant and constantly jumping on his brother. Grayback (also a temporary nickname) is more timid, but still gives Axel a run for his money in the tussling department.
Both pups are attended night and day by the wolf care staff and trained volunteers. They are old enough to eat solid food, in addition to their regular formula. The pups are also receiving an intense socialization process. This allows them to exhibit natural wolf behaviors in the enclosure while still allowing the wolf care staff to safely feed and care for them.
The pups will graduate to the main wolf enclosure in early August where they will be beautiful, all-white ambassadors for the arctic wolf. See the pups live at the Wolf Pups! program, presented four times per day in the Ely auditorium.
ter and a three-year restoration project that culminated in 2010. Also under his stewardship, the historic site earned a designation in 2011 as a National Historic Landmark.
For more than a third of its history, Lee Radzak has cared for the iconic lighthouse. He has lived on site since 1982, raising his family there while also serving as ambassador to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who stop by each year. He has also been active in national lighthouse preservation efforts throughout his career.
The American Lighthouse Council’s lifetime achievement award is named after the late F. Ross Holland, Jr., the first award recipient.
The Wolf Center recently held a naming contest for the puppies. Look for the results on our facebook page. | SUBMITTED
Bobby Curtola has died
THUNDER BAY—We are saddened to report the death of Thunder Bay-born singer-songwriter Bobby Curtola—a Canadian music icon featured in the June 2016 issue of Northern Wilds. His death was announced on June 5 by his sons Chris and Michael Curtola. In a statement, they said, “To his fans….he loved each and every one of you more than you will know, and never took for granted the life you gave him. He would want you to do something kind for one another today and each day.” Bobby was 73.
Betsy Bowen’s Love for Art
By Erin Altemus
Betsy Bowen must exercise self-discipline to take days off from her artwork. And though Bowen is nearing 70, she won’t stop working anytime soon.
Bowen creates woodcuts with a machine. | ERIN ALTEMUS
The Grand Marais printmaker, known for her illustrations in children’s books, thrives in her art and the studio in which she works—a 113-year old church renovated into an informal artist collective.
Betsy Bowen originally came to Grand Marais with her family from the Chicago area. Those first trips were short family vacations, but when she was 18, she started coming for longer periods of time. She took classes from John Spelman and from the Grand Marais Art Colony.
“People took me seriously as an art student,” Bowen said. “It was a natural, normal thing to be an artist here.”
Bowen established relationships over the years with the Sivertson Gallery and the Art Colony. Jan Sivertson helped Bowen secure her first book project and Bowen rented the printmaking studio at the Art Colony until she needed the studio more than she could use it—and the Art Colony had become busy as well.
Meanwhile, a few blocks away, a small Norwegian church built in 1903, later used as a school and then a home for the Grand Marais Playhouse, had become empty. In 2002, Bowen purchased the somewhat dilapidated building and remodeled it.
Pictures made their way onto the walls and soon the church turned into a gallery.
“It was a natural, normal thing to be an artist here.”
Today, the church houses five working artists and the gallery carries outside artwork as well, including jewelry, pottery and woodwork.
The studio continues to be a work-inprogress, but, “There is a lot of creative ‘hoopla’ that goes on here,” said Bowen.
Currently, Bowen is working on several projects at once. One recently finished book project, “One North Star,” will be coming out soon. Another, called “The Lost Forest,” written by Phyllis Root and illustrated by Bowen, is a picture book about a 40-acre piece of old growth forest near Deer River. The land is often referred to as the “Lost 40” because the surveyors who went over the land in the 1800s mistakenly designated the land as swamp. This meant loggers passed it over, and today the forest remains untouched.
Bowen is also working on a print for the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center fundraiser as they work on an expansion. And then there are the smaller projects, such as hand-printing cards to sell at the shop and the art fairs during the busy summer and autumn months.
Bowen works on her art more than fulltime, but when she isn’t carving wood and pressing ink to paper, she plays bass guitar for Shaky Ground, a house band for the Gun Flint Tavern’s open mic night.
Bowen’s studio is located in the old Grand Marais Playhouse, which she bought in 2002. | ERIN
“I feel a bit like grandma Moses in a rock ‘n roll band,” Bowen says.
This summer, she will also be found paddling a North House wooden boat on the harbor and cooking on a wood fire.
But mostly, she loves making stuff, she says. “Making the prints and the design part of book-making. You lose track of time, immersed in the story, and make the story-telling effective.”
The Betsy Bowen Gallery & Artist Studios is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, until the end of October. Bowen’s work can also be seen at the Grand Marais Art Fair, July 9-10, or by visiting www.woodcut.com.
“Lighthouse” by Bowen is one of her newest images. | BETSY BOWEN
The “Quiet Pond” is from Bowen’s story “Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwood’s Alphabet Year.” | BETSY BOWEN
ALTEMUS
Bowen takes a break from her art at her studio. | ERIN ALTEMUS
[FAR LEFT] “Robin” is one of many woodcut images created by Bowen. | BETSY BOWEN
Exhibits Showcase Northern Artists
By Casey Fitchett
Thomas
this
photo
[ABOVE LEFT] Leanna Marshall and Celeste Pedri-Spade combine traditional Anishinabeg regalia and photography for The TeachingisintheMaking exhibit. | THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY
[ABOVE RIGHT] This jingle dress is also part of the The TeachingisintheMaking exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. | THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY
[RIGHT] Photographer Tim White’s photos can be seen at the Duluth Art Institute’s In & Out of Context exhibit. | TIM WHITE
A strong and vibrant regional art scene and the renewed energy of summer on Lake Superior’s North Shore means opportunities galore to see art on display and in action. Establishments both large and small have unique showcases, both planned and in progress; from the Duluth Art Institute and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, to the Cross River Heritage Center and Johnson Heritage Post. With mediums ranging from photographs to Anishinabe regalia to landscape painting, the exhibits display north-inspired works.
The Duluth Art Institute (DAI) is currently showcasing a series of black and white photographs as part of an exhibit in the John Steffl Gallery, entitled In & Out of Context. The exhibit, which opened on June 16, correlates to artist, photographer, writer, and community organizer Tim White’s book of the same title. Both his book and the exhibit feature White’s photographs, alongside the words of 21 Northland poets, songwriters, and prose artists. The book was released at the DAI last January 21.
The DAI also hosts In & Out of Context events throughout the summer: a poetry evening on Thursday, July 7, an ephemeral poetry workshop on Saturday, July 23 and a music performance by violinist Gaelynn Lea on Thursday, August 25.
On exhibit in the DAI’s George Morrison Gallery are Jen Dietrich and Robb Quisling’s three-dimensional installations that investigate sports as a ritual that builds connections. The work, which engages other senses such as sound and smell, can be seen through July 7.
Lake Superior’s grandeur and Duluth’s postindustrial buildings will be the inspiration for forty artists in mid-July as part of Plein Air Duluth: Paint du Nord. The event, which is also a product of the DAI, will see the painters practicing their craft outdoors from July 10-15 in various locations around Duluth. Potential observers should keep an eye on social media for the hashtag #DuluthPleinAir16 to track down the artists at work. The exhibit will be on display at the DAI through September 9.
Lastly, the DAI and the Red Herring Lounge will showcase Duluth Street Photographer : a black-and-white photo exhibit by D.R. Martin. An opening reception will be held at the Red Herring Lounge from 5-7 p.m. on July 21, and the exhibit will be on display through August 17.
Anishinabekwe artists Celeste Pedri-Spade and Leanna Marshall blend Anishinabeg photography and traditional regalia in their The Teaching is in the Making exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. For the artists, the photographs and regalia are important tangible markers of Anishinabe art, story, spirituality and knowledge. Through the display, the artists consider the continued presence of ancestors in their lives and use the art as a
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Spence took
aurora
at Temperance River, now on display at the Cross River Heritage Center. | THOMAS SPENCE
means through which to visit ancestors and listen to their stories. Their work is on display through September 24, following the opening ceremony on Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Running now through July 24 is the Karen Savage Blue exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery in Grand Marais. Last year, Karen Savage Blue was awarded an Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Artist Fellowship and her work is represented in the distinguished permanent collections of the Tweed Museum of Art, North Shore Bank of Commerce, Fond du Lac Administration and Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul. Blue has been featured on WDSE’s “The PlayList” in recognition of her self-imposed challenge to create one painting every day for one year. She recently finished the project, and many of these works are on view with large-scale paintings.
The gallery is operated by the Cook County Historical Society and features revolving exhibits, as well as a permanent collection of original art by Anna Johnson, an early 1900s artist.
The Cross River Heritage Center in Schroeder maintains a goal to present exhibits that will inform and engage visitors. Their summer exhibit showcases artists Bruce Palmer, David DeGree and Thomas Spence, until July 15. The art on display in the gallery and gift shops are available for purchase.
Learning the North Shore’s history is another benefit of visiting the Cross River Heritage Center. One room reflects the character of the Stickney Inn of the 1930s and another room represents a cabin designed by Edwin Lundie, a celebrated Minnesota architect.
With over 70 local and regional artists bringing work to display, the 26th annual Grand Marais Arts Festival weekend offers a big bang for a viewer’s proverbial “buck.” Demonstrations also serve to satisfy a curious audience during the special event held by the Grand Marais Art Colony. Taking place on July 9 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and July 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the festival includes awards for Best Booth and Best in Show.
The exhibit DuluthStreetPhotographer showcases black-and-white photographs by D.R. Martin. | DULUTH ART INSTITUTE
EXHIBITS
April 14-July 7
Jen Dietrich & Robb: Team Spirit Quisling Duluth Art Institute www.duluthartinstitute.org
May 27-July 16
Bruce Palmer, David DeGree & Tom Spence: Boomtown Cross River Heritage Center, Schroeder www.crossriverheritage.org
June 9-Sept. 4
Vance Gellert: Iron Country Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth www.d.umn.edu/tma
June 9-Sept. 18
Sue Coe and Warrington Colescott: All This Is True Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth www.d.umn.edu/tma
Jeffrey T. Larson: Domestic Space Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth www.d.umn.edu/tma
June 10-Sept. 25
Arthur Shilling: The Final Works Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
June 16-Sept. 2
Tim White: In & Out of Context Duluth Art Institute www.duluthartinstitute.org
June 18-July 23
Die Active Art Collection: I Will Not Write on Walls Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay www.defnitelysuperior.com
Definitely Superior 28th Anniversary Members Show
Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay www.defnitelysuperior.com
International Video Screening Series: Creators Project 6 Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay www.defnitelysuperior.com
June 24-July 24
Karen Savage Blue Exhibit Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais www.johnsonheritagepost.org
June 24-Sept. 24
Leanna Marshall & Celeste Pedri-Spade: The Teaching is in the Making: Re(Store)ied Memories of Anishinabeg Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
June 24-Sept. 25
The Art of Adornment: Selections from the Permanent Collection Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
July 1-31
Shaun Hedican: Halftone Empire Baggage Building Arts Centre, Thunder Bay artscentre@thunderbay.ca
Susan Dykstra & Biljana Baker Exhibits Baggage Building Arts Centre, Thunder Bay artscentre@thunderbay.ca
July 4-Aug. 31
The Beehive Design/Test Their Logik: Art of Resistance Tour Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay www.defnitelysuperior.com
July 9-10
Grand Marais Arts Festival 9 a.m. Sat. & 10 a.m. Sun. Downtown Grand Marais www.grandmaraisartcolony.org
July 10-16
Plein Air Duluth: Paint du Nord Duluth www.duluthartinstitute.org
July 15-Sept. 9
Plein Air Duluth: Pain du Nord (reception July 15 at 5 p.m.) Duluth Art Institute Galleries www.duluthartinstitute.org
July 20-23
Ely Watercolor Show 10 a.m. Miners Dry House in Ely Arts & Heritage Center www.elygreenstone.org
July 21-Aug. 17
D.R. Martin: Duluth Street Photographer (reception July 21 at 5 p.m.) Red Herring Lounge, Duluth www.duluthartinstitute.org
July 29-Aug. 21
Pottery in Cook County Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais www.johnsonheritagepost.org
“Cat-tail Queens” by Karen Savage Blue can be seen on display at the Johnson Heritage Post. | KAREN SAVAGE BLUE
By Breana Roy
Celebrating the Arts
While I’m not skilled with a paintbrush or camera, I am a performing arts dancer and a lover of all art forms, which makes July one of my favorite months of the year. Art festivals are abundant throughout the Northern Wilds. There’s the annual Grand Marais and Hovland art festivals, Ely Blueberry Arts Festival, Two Harbors Chalk.a.Lot, DAI
Paint du Nord, Ely Greenstone Art Show, and the Duluth Art in Bayfront Park in August—just to name a few. Not to mention all the art exhibits being showcased. With so many extraordinarily talented people along the shore, I declare July a time to celebrate their works.
Grand Marais Art Festival
Over 70 artists, both local and regional, will partake in the 26th Grand Marais Art Festival, July 9-10, hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony. Festival-goers will see art mediums of all kinds, from photography, painting and ceramics, to jewelry making, sculpting and woodcarving. This is the perfect time to reminisce with your favorite artists and see hands-on demos, all amidst a beautiful Lake Superior backdrop.
Painter Jeff Niesen will showcase his works, like “Red Fox” pictured here.
| JEFF NIESEN
Minnesota ceramic artist Megan Mitchell uses printmaking techniques on her pottery. | MEGAN MITCHELL
Jennifer Nunnelee will show off her jewelry at the festival. | JENNIFER NUNNELEE
Tim Pearson creates watercolor paintings, such as “Two Chickadees.” | TIM PEARSON
Hovland Arts Festival
The 11th annual Hovland Arts Festival, July 2-3, will feature over 25 area artists and will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Hovland Town Hall. Local musicians Joe Paulik, Jim Miller, Yvonne Mills, the Portage Band, Katrina and Julian, and the Redshaw Family will serenade festival-goers. There will also be food provided by the Trinity Lutheran Church. To see the full list of participating artists, visit www.hovlandartsfestival.com.
Paint
du Nord
Forty Minnesota artists have been selected to participate in the Duluth Art Institute’s second annual Paint du Nord, an outdoor painting festival that will take place July 10-16. En Plein Air means “in the open air,” so artists will work outdoors, drawing inspiration from the landscape and their surroundings. The juror for the exhibit is Dan Mondloch, who was awarded first place at last year’s festival. Mondloch will offer a watercolor workshop on July 16, from 9 a.m.4 p.m. Other activities include a free Quick Paint class at Midtown Park on Wednesday, July 13, from 6-7:30 p.m. An exhibit showcasing the artists’ work will run from July 15-September 9.
Breana’s Pick OF THE MONTH
Minnesota artist Mark Reschke has a love for natural wood, his favorite being Birch Burl. Reschke makes everything from jewelry boxes and wooden ladles, to Celtic candles and wood flasks. My favorite pieces are his wooden clocks, which can be purchased at KahNee-Tah Gallery in Lutsen. Visit www.xswoodworks. com for more info.
The Hovland Arts Festival features mediums of all kinds, including jewelry by Sue Hangge. | SUE HANGGE
Duluth Paint du Nord artists use their surroundings to create beautiful masterpieces. | MARY PETTIS
Terry Lewis of Serenity Pines Creations makes recycled wine bottle chimes. | TERRY LEWIS
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MYSTERIOUS WAYS A Bowling Team without a Lane
While driving on the highway one day after work, long-time friends and musicians Pat Eliasen and Mike Pratt were following a vehicle with an ‘Oversize Load’ banner on the back. While many people wouldn’t think twice about this sight, the duo had an “a-ha” moment.
“We thought, ‘let’s name our band Oversize Load so we get all this free advertising along the highway,’” laughed Eliasen. “We were going to name it ‘Free Beer’, but no one advertises for that.”
Though recently re-branded under the name MYsterious WAYs, the group includes members who have been playing together for upwards of 25 years. Originally formed in 1991, the band now consists of three long-time members: Pat Eliasen on lead vocals and guitar, Matt Bronikowski on drums, and Mike Pratt on guitar and back-up vocals. Though losing their bass player about a year and a half ago to a job relocation forced the band to transition to a new sound (and was
By
Casey Fitchett
the impetus for the name change), it wasn’t too much of a challenge for the group to bounce back.
“It wasn’t a bad transition because a lot of the hard rock music we played before we just play acoustically now,” Eliasen said. “The new name is based on a song that Mike wrote. A lot of it is just because of all the different configurations we’ve gone through. We spent hours trying to come up with a new name.”
The group has a definite following in Cook County and beyond. Gigs typically include stage time at Grandma Ray’s, the Gun Flint Tavern in downtown Grand Marais and various locations along the Shore. They have played at spots on the Iron Range as part of their touring repertoire and have traveled as far as Kettle River for shows. Musical influences include Eddie Van Halen, AC/DC, David Lee Roth and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
“The music we play makes us unique, especially in
Grand Marais. We play classic rock, hard rock and blues. We don’t do much country or bluegrass,” explained Eliasen. “Out in public we only play four or five original songs and the rest are covers.”
Though long-standing friendships aren’t always enhanced by the formation of a musical group, Pratt and Eliasen’s relationship has withstood the test of time. The pair has been hanging out together since 1976 and playing guitar with each other since 1982. They had a band together in the Twin Cities and met Bronikowski at a garage jam session when they moved back up to Grand Marais.
“It’s just fun. We’ve always had fun. Of course we don’t see each other every day but we’ve never had a rift,” said Eliasen, proudly. “We have a good time and...”
“There’s good chemistry,” finished Pratt. “We are like a bowling team without a lane.”
Mysterious Ways features Mike Pratt on guitar and back-up vocals, Matt Bronikowski on drums, and Pat Eliasen on lead vocals and guitar. | SUBMITTED
BUSKERS FESTIVAL
July 23-24
Festival features over 40 street performers, sidewalk sales, craft vendors, food and fun. | SUBMITTED
Festivities galore will occur over the span of two days at the 4th annual Valley Fresh Buskers Festival, located in the Bay and Algoma Neighborhood in Thunder Bay.
According to the dictionary, a busker is someone who entertains by singing, dancing or reciting on the street or in a public place. And with over 40 performers rotating through 10 stages outdoors, there will be no shortage of family-friendly entertainment.
This year’s festival will include street performers of all kinds, including magicians, clowns, hoola-hoopers and musicians. There will also be sidewalk sales and craft
vendors, as well as a free Kid’s Zone, which will include balloon animals, street chalk, face painting and bouncy castles. And what’s a festival without lots of food? Enjoy the food truck alley with your favorite festival foods and fresh fruit.
The festival will also be running in conjunction with the Definitely Superior Die-Active Yart Sale, otherwise known as a yard art sale. Visit www.definitelysuperior.com for more details.
The festival will be held from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. both days. For more info and a full list of events, visit www. bayalgoma.com/buskers-festival.
[LEFT] This year’s Busker’s Festival will feature some familiar favorites, as well as new surprises. | SUBMITTED
[ABOVE] Hoola-hoopers are one of many busker street performers at the festival. | SUBMITTED
The Busker’s
HOVLAND ARTS FESTIVAL
July 2-3 The 11th annual Hovland Arts Festival will feature over 25 local artists, covering everything from painting and photography to basket weaving and glass blowing. There will also be live music and food provided by Trinity Lutheran Church. The festival takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Hovland Town Hall. www.hovlandartsfestival.com
INDEPENDENCE DAY
the Bay Days Festival. Registration is at the Mary MacDonald Building in Silver Bay at 8 a.m. www.bay-days.org.
BAY DAYS
July 8-10 This year’s Bay Days Festival in Beaver Bay and Silver Bay will include a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast on Saturday, vendors, live music, a carnival and dunk tank, and a classic car and motorcycle show at 8 a.m. on Sunday, followed by the parade at noon. www.bay-days.org
Sponsored by Mark D. Consulting, LLC Serving Businesses and Residential Customers. 218-663-7149
Mark@MarkDConsulting.com
July 4, Monday Head to Tofte this year for a full line-up of family-friendly events, beginning at 11 a.m., including food, bingo, an arts and crafts show, minnow races, a dunk tank, beer garden, live music by Cook County’s Most Wanted, and a parade at 2 p.m. There will also be a spaghetti dinner at the Zoar Lutheran Church at 5 p.m. Head to the First Congregational Church in Grand Marais at 6:30 p.m. for an ice cream social. Enjoy live music in Harbor Park by the Splinter Tones at 8 p.m. At 10 p.m., find a spot in either Grand Marais, Tofte or Grand Portage for the fireworks show. www.visitcookcounty.com
RUN/WALK RACES
BEER FESTIVALS
July 4, 8, 9 Register for one of the many races occurring the month of July, beginning with the annual Tofte Trek 10k Trail Run on Monday, July 4. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the races will be held at 9 a.m. Visit www.sugarbushtrail.org for details. Next up is the Midsummer Mudslinger Mudrun at the Kamview Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay on Friday, July 8. For more info, visit www.tbnordictrails. com. Lastly, the Bay to Bay Run and Walk is at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 9, during
July 8-9, 23 & Aug. 12-13 Calling all beer lovers! July is full of craft beer festivals, each featuring live music, great food, activities, brewer meet-and-greets, and of course—beer! We begin with the Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival at Lutsen Mountains, July 8-9. This year’s brewers include Castle Danger, Voyageur Brewing, Gun Flint Tavern, Surly, Bent Paddle, and more. Visit www.caribouhighlands.com for more info. Next, is the 5th annual All Pints North Summer Brew Fest, hosted by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 in Duluth. Tickets are $45 in advance or $55 at the gate (if available). Visit www.mncraftbrew.org for more details. And don’t forget the Brew Ha Craft Beer Festival, August 1213, at Prince Arthur’s Landing in Thunder Bay. Visit www.brewhafestival.com for more info.
4th of July Fireworks can be seen over the Grand Marais Harbor.
| DAVID JOHNSON
Kaelyn Williams from Golden Valley was the female Tofte Trek 10k winner in 2014.
A bagpipe show entertains guests at the All Pints North beer festival.
JANE CANE PHOTOGRAPHY
THUNDER BAY BLUES FEST
July 8-10 The 15th annual Thunder Bay Blues Festival is sure to entertain this year, with over 20 blues artists performing, including Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Colin James, Burton Cummings, Serena Ryder, April Wine, Steve Hill, Gowan and many others. The festival will take place outside at Marina Park. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. www. tbayblues.ca
LUNDIE VACATION HOME TOUR
July 9, Saturday The 12th annual Lundie Vacation Home Tour provides attendees with a rare opportunity to see designs by Edwin Lundie. The tour will include six historically significant sites in the Tofte and Schroeder area, five of which reside on Lake Superior. Attendees will also enjoy the famous “Picnic on the Ledge Rock” with a beverage bar. Transportation will be provided. RSVP is required. www. crossriverheritage.org
GRAND MARAIS ARTS FESTIVAL
July 9-10 Over 70 local and regional artists will show off their unique handcrafted work during the 26th annual Art Festival in downtown Grand Marais. This year’s artists include Jeff Niesen, Bob Husby, Lissa Flemming, Gail Anderson, Mary Bebie, Betsy Bowen, Tim Pearson and many others. There will be food, demos, vendors, entertainment and fun. Also occurring is the Clothesline Art Sale Fundraiser at the
Cameron Norman leading Gyo-taku fish printing at the Grand Marais Art Festival. | SUBMITTED
Grand Marais Art Colony; 5x7 sale of artwork donated by talented artists in support of the Art Colony. Price is $35 each. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org
UNSALTED SEAS EXHIBIT
July 15, Friday The largest sturgeon touch tank in North America is coming to Duluth this summer as part of a new permanent exhibit at the Great Lakes Aquarium. The new exhibit, “Unsalted Seas” will open on Friday, July 15 and showcase large lakes of the world, the animals that call them home, and their importance as global freshwater resources. There will also be a large cichlid tank, a bronze sculpture of a freshwater Nerpa seal, and an interactive model research vessel based on the Large Lakes Observatory’s R/V Blue Heron. www.glaquarium.org
AnniversarY, Your Lucky Day!
Nor’Wester Lodge turns 85 this year, and owners Carl and Luana Brandt are celebrating two Golden Anniversaries: 50 years of marriage and 50 years of running Nor’Wester Lodge — and you get the gifts!
The Luck of the Draw
Visit the Nor’Wester gift shop any Tuesday between Memorial Day and Labor Day and draw a card from the Lucky Deck Win 10 - 50% off your purchase of $20 or more.
OUTFITTERS
LAKE COUNTY
FAIR
August 18-21, 2016
Mounted Shooters
Old West Camp
4-H and Open Horse Shows 3K Dirty Dash
Amateur Talent Contest
Balloon Artistry by Mandana Todd Armstrong Shows Midway
More information and a full schedule can be found at
LIFE IN CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH
Proclaiming the Good News of Life through Jesus Christ 2017 W Hwy. 61, Grand Marais
Worship with us on Sundays at 9 am. In July & August, you’ll also find us at 579 So. Gunflint Lake at 11:30 am
A Mission and Ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod sharing God’s Word and doing God’s work.
www.lcmsgrandmaraismn.org
The Festival of India in Thunder Bay offers henna tattoos, among other activities. | SUBMITTED
Breakfast Ser ved All Day
Lunch • Homemade Soups
We’re Open Before t he Fish Bite!
Open 5 am - 2 pm Ever yday!
CANADIAN COTTAGE LOT FOR
SALE
Beautiful camp lot on Surprize Lake at historic Silver Islet.
45 Minutes from Thunder Bay. Three acres, 300’ of water front, excellent flat cleared building lot. Great swimming in Surprize Lake and two minutes from Lake Superior boating and fishing.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Safely dispose of household hazardous waste and pick up usable household products. Free of charge! Saturday, July 23rd, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cook County Recycling Center, Grand Marais
Acceptable wastes include (but not limited to):
FORT FEST
July 15-16 The Fort William Historical Park’s amphitheater will rock once again during the Fort Fest community music event. Taking the stage this year will be The Cult Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, as well as Platinum Blonde, Sass Jordan, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Helix, and more, including a variety of local talent. Gates will open at 5 p.m. on Friday and noon on Saturday. Make reservations online at www.fwhp.ca.
BAYFRONT REGGAE & WORLD MUSIC FEST
July 16, Saturday Celebrate the sounds of world music at the Reggae and World Music Fest at Bayfront Park in Duluth, starting with DJ Sound of Fujun at noon. Gates will open at 11 a.m., rain or shine. Help spread the message of love, hope and equality for all people worldwide. Tickets are available online or at the gate. www.bayfrontworldmusic.com
WATER FESTIVAL
July 16-17 Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in Grand Marais is hosting the North Shore Water Festival on Lake Superior. Boat and equipment demos include kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, car racks, camping gear and accessories, clothing and paddling gear. Be sure to sign up for stand up paddle board yoga classes. The festival will be held in the harbor from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Location may change depending on the weather. www.stoneharborws.com
CHALK.A.LOT
July 16-17 The 5th annual Chalk.a.Lot Art Festival in Two Harbors is the only sidewalk chalk event along the North Shore. There will be free sidewalk drawing demos, make-and-take art booths, live entertainment, and food vendors. Featured artists will instruct attendees on technique. Registration is required for participating artists. The festival will take place at Thomas Owens Park in Two Harbors. In the event of rain, the festival will move to the Lake County Arena. www.facebook. com/chalk.a.lot.twoharbors.
LAKE SUPERIOR SALMON CLASSIC
July 16-17 The 16th annual Salmon Classic Fishing Tournament, hosted by the Silver Bay PTSO, will take place in the Silver Bay Marina. Prizes and raffle tickets will be available. Entry fee is $20 per person. www.silverbay-marina.com/salmon.php
CAN-AM POLICE-FIRE GAMES
July 16-24 Meet your fellow first-responders and put your abilities and skills to the test at the Thunder Bay Can-Am Police-Fire Games. Choose from over 30 sports and activities, featuring everything from basketball, track and field, and ice hockey, to pistol shooting, Texas Hold ‘Em and a chili cook-off. These games promote the friendly rivalry that naturally exists between various law enforcement and emergency services. The games will begin with an impressive opening ceremony at Marina
The Grand Marais Water Festival will feature paddle boards. | SUBMITTED
Sidewalk artists gather for the Two Harbors Chalk.a.Lot Festival.
and activities will be held throughout Thunder Bay. www.thunderbaycanam.com
GUNFLINT CANOE RACES
July 20, Wednesday The Gunflint Trail Canoe Races began in 1976 to raise money for worthy causes. This year’s goal is to raise more than $20,000 to support the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. Events include a live and silent auction, more than 100 raffle items, a kayak raffle, a food tent, kid’s games, and 16 canoe races for multiple ages and agility levels. There will also be fun activities for non-racers of all ages. For more info, contact Vi Nelson at vi@vinelson.com.
SUMMER THEATER FESTIVAL
July 21-Aug. 14 The Grand Marais Playhouse will be performing Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesserling, and The Addams Family musical. Shows will alternate each night, beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $20 adults and $10 for ages 18 and under. Advance tickets are available at www.tix.com. All seating is general admission. www.arrowheadcenterforthearts.org
JERRY SEINFELD
July 22, Friday America’s premier comedian, Jerry Seinfeld, will be performing his signature stand-up routine at the Duluth DECC. Seinfeld has been hailed for his uncanny ability to joke about the little things in life that audiences everywhere can relate to. The show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets can be found online at www.decc.org.
LAKE SUPERIOR CLASSIC & CUSTOM BOAT SHOW
Saturday, July 23 The 18th annual Boat Show will be held at Barker’s Island Marina in Superior, Wisc. at 10 a.m. The show features wooden, metal and fiberglass vintage boats of all kinds—pulling boats, power boats, sailing boats, canoes, and kayaks. The public is invited to vote for the “Best of” in four boat classes, as well as “People’s Choice” award for best in show. The show is free and will also feature old time fiddle and banjo music by Four Mile Portage. www.lsccbs.info
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
July 23, Saturday Safely dispose of household hazardous waste and pick up usable household products, free of charge, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Grand Marais Recycling Center. Acceptable wastes include (but not limited to) aerosols, adhesives, home and garden pesticides, fluorescent tubes, acids and bases, paints and stains, and automotive products. Types of wastes not accepted are tires, explosives, alkaline batteries, radioactive material, compressed gas, empty containers or business waste. Call (218) 387-3630 for more details.
FESTIVAL OF INDIA
July 23-24 Enjoy a feast of dance, music, color and culture with the Festival of Color on Saturday, July 23 and the Festival of India on Sunday, July 24. Enjoy a free vegetarian feast, chariot parade, henna tattoos, a transcendental art exhibit, yoga, The Lake
Superior Boat Show features vintage boats. | SUBMITTED
CELEBRATE
INDEPENDENCE DAY
JULY 4TH
Grand Marais
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Ice Cream Social
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
First Congregational Church
Live Music by the Splinter Tones.............................. Harbor Park
10:00 pm
Fireworks
Tofte
9:00 am
Tofte Trek 10k
11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Live Music by Cook County’s Most Wanted Arts and craft show, dunk tank, minnow races, bingo, food, beer garden
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
Parade
Citizen of the Year Award ...........................................
live music and dancing. Both festivals will take place from 3-8 p.m. at Marina Park in Thunder Bay. Entrance is free, but donations are welcome. www.tbayfest.com
SUNORA REGATTA
July 23-30 This year is the 21st anniversary of the family-oriented low stress Lake Superior race, sailing the traditional route to Rossport and anchoring along the way. The proposed route from Thunder Bay includes possible stops in Finlay Bay, Root Bay, Irvine, Woodbine Harbour, Vein, Wickam Bay, Pleasant Harbour and Porphyry/Walkers Channel. All boats are prize contenders. www.tbyc.on.ca
July 29-31 The Two Harbors Kayak Festival is the oldest established kayak and racing event on Lake Superior, continuing the tradition with the 19th annual family-friendly event July 29-31. There will be three competitive races on Saturday, July 30; the John Abraham 18-mile Marathon, the Ellen Anderson 10-mile Race, and the 5-mile Betty’s Pies Kayak and SUP
The Two Harbors Kayak Festival will include paddle boarding demos and safety clinics. | SUBMITTED
Art will be available to purchase at the Ely Blueberry Art Festival. | ELLEN CASHMAN
Race. There is also kids’ kayak sprint races, stand up paddle boarding, tours of the bay, kayak demos and safety clinics, live music, a brown bag auction, kayak raffle, hors d-oeuvres, and an awards ceremony. www.kayakfestival.org.
CELEBRATE NIPIGON & BLUEBERRY BLAST
July 29-31
The Blueberry Blast will be part of a funfilled street party celebrating everything Nipigon. This year’s events includes a Paddle to the Sea Jubilee, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film and 75th anniversary of the book, from 11- a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, July 29. There will be activities for all ages, free cake, and the grand opening of the new Paddle to the Sea splash-pad. Also part of the festival is the Parks Canada artESCAPE: an interactive, open air art gallery featuring seven local artists, from July 30-31. Other events include live entertainment, food and music. www.nipigon.net
July 8 – 10
Silver Bay & Beaver Bay
Friday, July 8: 11AM-6PM: Bay Days
Information Booth - Shopping Center
Noon-6PM: Vendors
- Silver Bay Shopping Center
- Raffle Tickets available and Bay Days Games
4PM: 2016 Alumni Golf
Scramble/ Dinner - Silver Bay Golf Course
8:30PM: Street Dance- Sweet Siren - Main Stage - Lake Bank Field - Silver Bay- $5
Saturday, July 9:
7-10AM: Pancake BreakfastSilver Bay Fire Department
8:00-11:30AM: Family Golf Tournament- Silver Bay Golf Course
8:45AM: Bay to Bay Run and Walk- Registration at Mary MacDonlad Building 8AM
9AM: Soap Box Derby- Silver Bay Arena- Registration 8AM
9AM-3PM: Book Sale by the Friends of the Library- Silver Bay Library
9AM-6PM: Vendors- Silver Bay Shopping Center
9-11AM: Coffee and RollsSilver Bay Reunion Hall
9:30AM-3:30PM: Wm. Kelley
High School ToursPlease RSVP for tours at mmmcd44@hotmail.com
10AM-5PM: Bay Days
Information Booth- Shopping Center- Raffle Tickets and Wrist Bands
11AM-3PM: North Shore
Area Partners Luncheon and Silent Auction - Reunion Hall - Silver Bay
BLUEBERRY ART FESTIVAL
July 29-31 The 36th Blueberry Art Festival in Ely will feature 270 artists and crafters, activities for kids, a blueberry pancake breakfast, a food court, and a beer garden. There will also be live music all weekend played by Bill Maxwell and Cowboy Angel Blue, the Everett Smithson Band, and Timmy Haus. The festival will take place at Whiteside Park from noon-7 p.m. on Friday, and start at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. www.ely.org
FISHERMAN’S PICNIC
Aug. 4-7 The 87th annual Fisherman’s Picnic festival in Grand Marais includes something for everyone: bingo, live music, a dunk tank, kiddy rides, vendors, dozens of contests—including the Big Fish contest— demos, arts and crafts, the Crazy Daze Sales, and of course, the fishburger stand. And don’t forget to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win $10,000! www. facebook.com/grandmaraislionsclub
1PM: North Shore Voices will be performing North Shore Area Partners Luncheon
12PM: North Shore Flag Brigade - Shopping Center Dr
12-4 PM: Kids Activities Lake Bank Field Silver Bay
12-4PM: Dunk Tank - Shopping Center
12PM: Bags TournamentShopping Center - Silver Bay
12:15 & 2:30PM: The North Shore Flag Corp – Information Booth Area- Shopping Center - Silver Bay
3PM: Bean Bags Tournament- Shopping Center
8PM: Street Dance - Pop Rocks – Lake Bank Field - Silver Bay- $10 Cover Charge
9:30PM: Light Boats - Silver Bay Marina
Sunday, July 10: 7-10AM: Pancake BreakfastSilver Bay Fire Department
8AM-Noon: Car Show
- North Shore FCU parking lot - Awards at 11 AM
9AM-2PM: Vendors - Silver Bay Shopping Center
9-11AM: North Shore Tractor and Equipment Clubnear Lake Bank
10:30AM: Ecumenical Service - Lake Bank lawn
Noon- 2 PM: Parade- Silver Bay
1:30 PM: Raffle - Silver Bay Shopping Center
Good Times Await North of the Border
Seeking
a Hip Scene? Head for Thunder Bay’s Waterfront District and the nearby Algoma & Bay Neighborhood. You’ll find it all: live music, great food, funky galleries, unique shops, the OLG Casino, Marina Park and more. This ain’t your daddy’s Thunder Bay! www.thewaterfrontdistrict.ca (Remember, Thunder Bay is on Eastern Time —1 hour ahead of MN time.)
July is a busy month, packed full of family-friendly events, beginning with Canada Day on Friday, July 1. Multiple venues will be holding celebration events, including Black Pirates Pub and Fort William Historical Park. A celebration will also be held at Marina Park, beginning at 5:30 p.m. www.thunderbay.ca/canadaday
The Live at the Waterfront Free Concert Series begins on July 6 at Marina Park, and will occur every Wednesday until August 24. www.thunderbay.ca/live
Other weekly events include Meet the Artist Thursdays at Gallery 33, from 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Many of the artists will provide demos or a performance. Gallery 33 is located at 4 Balsam Street. (807) 286-4233
Over 20 blues artists will be performing at Marina Park over the weekend of July 8-10 for the 15th annual Thunder Bay Blues Festival. Big name artists include Tom Cochrane, Colin James, Burton Cummings and Serena Ryder Gowan. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. www.tbayblues.ca
Definitely Superior Art Gallery will be hosting multiple events throughout the month, starting with the Die Active Art Collection, I Will Not Write on Walls, and the International Video Screening Series Creators Project 6, both on display now through July 23. Also being shown is the 28th Anniversary Members Show And mark your calendars for the Die Active Yart Sale held on July 30 in the Bay and Algoma Neighborhood. www.defnitelysuperior.com
Art enthusiasts should also check out the Baggage Building Arts Centre for their July exhibits: Halftone Empire by Shaun Hedican and Art Exhibit by Susan Dykstra and Biljana Baker. www.thunderbay.ca
The Festival of India and Festival of Colors will be held at Marina Park, July 23-24. Festivities include a free vegetarian feast, chariot parade, yoga, art exhibits, henna tattoos, live music and dancing, and of course, food. Both festivals are free and will take place from 3-8 p.m. www.tbayfest.com
The annual Garden Tour Fundraiser will be held at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery on Sunday, July 24 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. www.theag.ca
Head to the Bay and Algoma Neighborhood July 30-31 for the Valley Fresh Buskers Festival, featuring over 40 street performers rotating through 10 different stages. There will be food, games, street chalk, face painting, balloon animals for the kids, and lots of entertainment. Don’t miss out! www.bayalgoma.com
Last but not least, we end the month with the Festa Italiana at the Italian Cultural Centre on Algoma Street, July 31-August 1. Enjoy home-cooked, traditional Italian food, entertainment, art, vendors and prizes. The festival will end with fireworks at 11 p.m. each night during the closing ceremony. www.bayalgoma.com
Northern Wilds Calendar of Events
April 25-Oct. 9
Residency Workshops Grand Marais Art Colony www.grandmaraisartcolony.org
June 26-July 1
The Wonder of Wolves International Wolf Center, Ely www.wolf.org
June 29-July 10
Thomas Carnival Fourth Fest The DECC, Duluth www.decc.org
July 1, Friday
Canada Day
First Fridays 4 p.m. Grand Marais www.visitcookcounty.com
Canada Day on the Waterfront
5:30 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay www.thunderbay.ca/canadaday
Space Monster 9 p.m.
Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais www.gunflinttavern.com
Michael Monroe 9 p.m. Community Center Log Cabin, Grand Marais www.michaelmonroemusic.com
Live Music 9:30 p.m. Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen www.lutsen.com
Sundays
Free Concert in the Park 2 p.m. Chippewa Park, Thunder Bay www.chippewapark.ca
Rob MacLeod’s Capitol Players Presents: A Beaver’s Tale & The One Wee Wife of Wes Fort 4 p.m. Chippewa Park Pavilion, Thunder Bay www.chippewapark.ca
Live Music 5 p.m. Moguls at Caribou Highlands, Lutsen www.caribouhighlands.com
BECOME A hunger Hero
Help End Hunger In Our Communities
July is more than just summer fun in Minnesota—it’s another opportunity for food shelves to have their donations matched through participating programs. That’s why NSFCU will be making another round of donations to our local food shelves through our North Shore Hunger Hero initiative.
Our 2016 goal is to DOUBLE the annual funding of local anti-hunger programs.
How? That’s where you come in. We are asking 1,000 of our members to pledge a monthly donation to our North Shore Hunger Hero initiative. Any amount of support makes a difference –even $1 a month adds up. Your part is simple
As
What does diversifying the economy mean to Iron Rangers? Just ask Art and Roger Lind, owners of Hibbing-based
Industrial Supply. PolyMet’s plan adds hundreds of jobs and millions in
revenue. And it also ensures businesses like the Linds’ won’t simply survive, they will thrive in a place they’re proud to call home.
The North Shore Dish
Cooking with Fire: Wood-Fired Ovens
By Maren Webb
Some say that cooking with fire is in our DNA. It’s not too far from the truth, as for thousands and thousands of years cooking over an open fire was the only way to cook your meal. Eventually, our ancestors started to build fire rings and eventually hearths, transforming the way food was cooked. Spring forward to the present day and we’re embracing our roots by cooking with fire. Whether for the delicious meals it can help create or for the fun of cooking in a different way, wood-fired and grilled food can be found along the North Shore this summer.
In Grand Marais, Sydney’s Frozen Custard and Wood-fired Pizza is harnessing the potential of the cooking fire with its wood-fired oven, resulting in delicious pizzas, flatbreads, and new breakfast items. Nine years after Sydney’s got its start, owners Bruce and Pam Block expanded their menu beyond frozen custard, Chicago dogs, and pita sandwiches by adding a wood-fired pizza oven. Already known for their delicious frozen custard, the pizza oven has helped round out their menu options, whether you are looking for a sweet treat, breakfast, or a satisfying dinner.
While Syndey’s got its start in Grand Marais in 2002, the idea was first planted while the Blocks were living outside of Chicago in the late 1980s. To escape the busy city life, Pam and Bruce would drive into the country and visit the small towns along the way. Each town seemed to have its own little ice cream shop. They loved the experience and the ice cream.
“We fell in love with the idea of building our own little shop somewhere, someday. It turned out that somewhere was Grand Marais,” said Bruce.
After a potential location materialized along the beautiful East Bay with views of Artists Point, their dream began to take shape and the new shop was named “Sydney’s” after the newest addition to their family, their daughter Sydney.
In 2011 Sydney’s wood-fired pizza oven made its first appearance, and with it a new era for the business. Their expansion into dinner has proved most successful, now being known almost as much for their pizza as for their frozen custard. The key to this success likely comes back to the oven itself and the creativity it inspires. Can’t quite get that unique flavor when you make pizza at home? Wood-fired ovens, like Sydney’s, exceed 850 degrees
Enjoy a wood-fired breakfast pizza at Sydney’s this summer, overlooking the beautiful East Bay. | SUBMITTED
Fahrenheit for a fast bake that cannot be achieved in a home oven. Locally sourced, kiln-dried maple firewood fuels the oven and creates the all-important radiant heat. It also helps them achieve that flavorful char.
In addition to the oven, Sydney’s imports flour from Italy for its crust. Their classic pizza is the Margarita Pizza, an Italian flour crust topped with tomatoes, fresh basil, and grated parmesan. “It’s simple perfection,” said Block. This is one of many pizza varieties that make use of top quality ingredients to achieve an excellent pizza experience. Pair your favorite pizza with one of their craft brews or a glass of wine, and find a spot on their rooftop deck for a memorable meal this summer. In 2016, Sydney’s was awarded 1st place for the View category in the Northern Wilds Reader’s Choice Restaurant Awards. Unsurprisingly, they also placed second in the Pizza category.
While wood-fired pizza may be found at several places along the North Shore, Sydney’s is entering new territory this summer: breakfast from the pizza oven. With the Block’s oldest daughter, Tara, at the helm, they have created a new breakfast menu. This new menu features woodfired breakfast pizzas, like the Benedict Pizza, with eggs and fresh hollandaise, and wood-fired quiches. They plan to expand into other baked goods in the future. Another new creation from the wood-fired oven has been fruit tarts. We should all be excited to see what comes next out of their oven!
“We designed Sydney’s to be a place for everyone to relax and come and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings, locals and tourists alike,” said Bruce.
Be sure to swing by this summer to enjoy some fire cooked fare and even catch one of their many weekend musical events starring local musicians.
If you are heading north of the border, there is another spot to try wood-fired pizza. Joe and Pina Stefanile, originally from Southern Italy, serve up pizza and gnocchi to visitors passing through the border area. Pizzeria Primavera 61 is located just minutes away from the Pigeon River Border crossing (6845 Highway 61) on the Canadian side. With an oven imported from Italy and many authentic Italian ingredients, the Stefanile’s aim to bring a bit of Italy to the area. “Everything we do in Italy, I do here,” said owner, Pina Stefanile.
This unique venue is open seasonally from May to October for lunch and dinner starting at noon. Wednesdays they serve up their homemade gnocchi with meatballs and Thursdays through Sundays they have their full pizza menu. This casual spot is best enjoyed when you call ahead to order (807-964-1721) from their menu, available online at www.pizzeriaprimavera61.com. It is a cash-only establishment, so Americans; remember to exchange some money before you arrive. It is a take-out spot, with a tent
Tofte 4th of
and table set-up for those that would like to eat before they go. With fruit trees and a nice yard, it is a pleasant locale for a delicious meal.
Entering its eighth season, Pizzeria Primavera 61’s menu has grown to sixteen pizza options. This year’s new addition is Pizza del Mer with seafood. The ever popular Primavera 61 Special, with proscuitto, Italian ham, salami, and mushrooms, is great for the meat-lover. For the veggie-lover, try the Campagnola with fresh tomatoes, eggplant, roasted red peppers, mushrooms, black olives, and artichokes. While more Canadians currently frequent Pizzeria Primavera 61, I’d recommend that more Americans stop on by and try this authentic wood-fired pizza. Just don’t forget to call ahead to order to avoid a wait.
Whether with your barbeque grill at home or while dining at one of these wood-fired oven locations, be sure to appreciate the history of cooking over fire and all the wonderful flavors it brings us this summer.
The Annual
Tofte Trek
BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER
Join in the fun of this famous annual event! 8:00 am Registration • 9:00 am Races Begin Breakfast Pizzas available at Birch Grove 8-11 a.m. Visit www.sugarbushtrail.org for more info.
Restaurant Awards
Last February, voting for the 2016 Reader’s Choice Restaurant Awards began, featuring 26 different categories, from Best Coffee to Best Server or Bartender. The winners were picked by our readers and the results were announced last month. Here are a few of the winning restaurants, proudly displaying their awards. We’ll feature the other winners in upcoming issues.
Dockside Fish Market
World’s Best Donuts
Almost anyone who has ate at World’s Best Donuts can attest to the name, so it’s no surprise that they won first place for Best Baked Goods. Serving everything from raised glazed to bismarks, as well as coffee, muffins and bread, this Grand Marais shop is run by third generation donut makers Dee Brazell and Stacey Hawkins. What originally began in 1969 by Merieta “GrammaRita” Altrichter has quickly grown in popularity and size. However, World’s Best is only open seasonally, closing on October 22. To learn more, follow World’s Best Donuts on Facebook or visit www.worldsbestdonutsmn.com.
Since 1998, owners Harley and Shele Toftey have been serving up fresh, locally caught fish to the Grand Marais area, earning them this year’s Best Fish award. With decades of commercial fishing experience, the couple is known for their fresh herring, lake trout, whitefish and walleye. They also sell fresh Copper River sockeye, coho and king salmon, halibut, tuna loin and swordfish flown in, as well as jumbo scallops, tiger shrimp, calamari, king crab and lobster. Visit www.docksidefishmarket. com for more info.
Lutsen Resort
Castle Danger Brewery Castle Cream Ale
By Eric Chandler
Standing in line, I hurriedly picked a Castle Danger brew without even knowing my choice. Later, I learned it was their Castle Cream Ale. It was a glass of clear, dark gold with a finely marbled head. A clean, straightforward drink that was smooth and sweet, it finished clean with only slight bitterness.
• Super One stores
• DeWitt Seitz
• Whole Foods Co-op
• Cashwise Liquor
• Cub Foods
• Edgewater Hotel
• New London Cafe
• Burrito Union
With over 125 red and white wines to choose from, it’s clear that Lutsen Resort deserves the Best Wine award. Founded in 1885, Lutsen Resort is a perfect getaway destination, located on Lake Superior in Lutsen. It was even named “Most Romantic Resort” by Minnesota Monthly Magazine, so make it a date night and enjoy some wine with a loved one in the lakeside dining room. Or, for a more laid back, casual experience, there’s the Poplar River Pub, also located within the resort. Don’t forget to register for the annual Fall Food and Wine Weekend event. Visit www.lutsenresort.com for a downloadable wine list and more info.
• The Duluth Pack Store
• Red Mug
• Canal Park Hotels
• Lake Aire Bottle Shop
• Perkins restaurants
• Canal Park Brewery and many more!
I asked Jeremy King, the head brewer at Castle Danger Brewery, what makes cream ale. He said it was the “most American” of beers with a non-barley grain element. King said that they first started brewing it in 2011 or 2012 as a summer seasonal. Because of the demand for this session beer, they made it one of their four year-round choices. I asked King to explain the concept of a session beer. “It’s when you’re sitting down just to drink beer. You might have one. Or two. You want beer with a light mouth feel on the crisp side with low alcohol content.”
“It has flavor notes that aren’t overpowering,” said King. “It’s easy drinking. The honey malt gives it a biscuit-like note. There’s slight spice from the German hops. Kind of a fruit salad element from the yeast.”
King said their Cream Ale fits well in taplines because it’s not competing directly with macro beers or the IPA’s. “It appeals to a craft beer drinker with a lot of flavor. But it’s also a good entry-level beer. A ‘welcome to the party’ beer.”
Join the party at the Castle Danger Brewery taproom in Two Harbors and give this unique beer a try.
The Farkleberry
By Kim Falter
Known in the past as the sparkleberry, cowberry, bilberry, and yes: a farkleberry; the blueberry is one of few fruits native to North America. Gathering blueberries was a common practice amongst Native Americans, where they were gathered and eaten fresh or used dried, to flavor soups and stews, and as a meat rub. The range of the wild blueberry is vast, stretching from as far north as the Arctic Circle, down here to Minnesota and across the northern United States. The blueberry belongs to the genus Vacinnium, typically represented as a low growing, woody shrub whose members also include the cranberry and the lingonberry. Vacinnium angustofolium, also called the lowbush blueberry, is what is commonly referred to when talking of the wild variety.
The lowbush blueberry is extremely cold tolerant, grows to approximately a foot or two in height, and presents with a smaller version of what we see in our grocery stores. Yet out in the wild blueberry fields, most of us see a wide variety of color, size and height. This is because there are over 400 varieties of wild blueberries. Sparkleberry, cowberry and farkleberry were all names once attributed to different varieties of blueberries. Cultivation of the blueberry began in the early 1900’s with collaboration from Elizabeth Coleman White and Frederick Coville of the USDA-ARS breeding program. White offered those who owned land full of wild blueberry plants cash for plants with an odd supply of large fruit. Selective breeding led to the highbush blueberry, which we see in cultivation today. The United States and Canada are still the larg-
est producers and consumers of the blueberry, yet the last few decades have seen a rise in interest and cultivation in New Zealand, Chile and Japan. Although Hammonton, New Jersey boasts the title “Blueberry Capitol of the World,” Washington State is the largest producer of blueberries.
Native Americans used all parts of the blueberry plant. A tea made from the leaves was known to be good for the blood and the juice was used to help treat coughs. During the Civil War, a beverage made from blueberries was given to soldiers to improve health. Today, studies are showing us the science behind what was very well known in the past: blueberries are good for us!
Blueberry Rhubarb Crisp
Filling:
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 cups fresh rhubarb cut in ½-inch pieces
2 cups blueberries
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped
Grease an 8 X 10 baking dish and preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. For the filling, mix flour and sugar together, then stir in rhubarb and blueberries until coated. Add vanilla extract, mix, and spoon into baking dish.
For the topping, mix flour and sugar. Add butter and blend with a pastry blender un til mixture becomes coarse. Stir in pistachios. Crumble topping over the filling and bake for 45-50 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
Blueberry Cornbread
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plain yogurt
1 egg
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
3 tablespoons butter, melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease an 8 X 10 baking dish. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine wet ingredients separately. Stir wet ingredients in with the dry, add blueberries. Mix until just combined. Spread into prepared baking dish and bake for 20 minutes, or until center is firm to the touch.
Blueberry-Basil Vinegar
4 cups blueberries
4 cups vinegar, preferably white wine, or any organic white vinegar
1 cup basil leaves, crushed Zest of 1 lemon
Combine blueberries and 1 cup of vinegar in a large glass bowl. Gently mash blueberries with a potato masher. Add remaining 3 cups of vinegar, crushed basil and lemon zest. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and let sit in a cool, dark place for a month. Stir every 2-3 days. Taste weekly
At this point, you can strain your vinegar through cheesecloth, discarding all remaining pulp, then store in jars in your refrigerator. Canning this vinegar is preferred. Prepare canning pot, jars and lids. After straining, place vinegar in a saucepan and heat to 180 degrees Fahrenheit over medium heat. Ladle hot vinegar into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Screw on lids to just tight, place in canner ensuring that all jars are covered with water. Bring to a boil and process for 10 minutes. Remove heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove jars from canner, cool and store. Makes 5 8-ounce jars.
Blueberry-Basil Dressing
1 clove garlic, crushed and minced
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoon blueberry-Basil Vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
Zest of half a lemon
Blend in a food processor, or simply shake in a salad dressing jar.
Thinking of Eating Local?
By Amy Schmidt
Look almost anywhere and you’ll see evidence of people advocating for the “eat local” movement. Clever slogans, countless internet resources, bumper stickers and posters are just a few of the encouraging sources you might stumble across.
But why should a person choose to eat local? And how? During the month of July, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic will be focusing on those two questions, shedding some light on a simple concept that sometimes seems a little complicated.
We are fortunate to have access to a lot of great produce at our stores. So why should a shopper choose to buy local if given the option? For starters, local food is often more flavorful because it’s in season. Because it’s grown nearby and not shipped a long distance, the buyer can be certain produce was picked at the height of ripeness. Most locally grown food was picked within 24 hours of being sold.
When you buy a locally grown vegetable, you know exactly what you’re getting because, in most cases, you can talk to the person who grew it. If you want to know the farming practices of the tomato you’re about to buy, all you have to do is ask. And, because the tomato wasn’t grown 1,000 miles away, shipped in a truck and handled by countless people before getting to you, the chances of contamination are quite low. The more hoops your food has to jump through before it gets to you means more chances for the food’s safety to be compromised.
Food purchased from local farmers also supports the local economy. When you hand your money to a farmer vendor, you know exactly where the dollars are going
and whom they are supporting. And the farmer is not the only thing your money supports. Purchasing locally grown food supports the environment because it helps to maintain responsibly managed farms.
So, how does an interested shopper go about getting locally grown food? One way to get local food is to grow it yourself. Even a small garden can yield enough produce to keep your table full all summer. For those not gardening themselves, local markets and locally grown options at grocery stores are an excellent choice.
Cook County currently has two markets where people can shop for produce. The Cook County Farm & Craft Market fills the Senior Center parking lot every Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The Local Food Market, located in the Community Center Parking lot every Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. is a testament to the season’s bounty with farmers selling everything from strawberries to rutabaga. Cook County Coop also regularly offers locally grown produce, especially in the height of summer.
If you find yourself down the shore a ways, make a stop at the Finland Farmer’s Market, running every Thursday from 5-6:30 p.m. under the pavilion at the Clair Nelson Center. Credit cards are accepted at this market, making transactions fast and easy.
And last but certainly not least, Two Harbors has a vibrant market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Located at the Band Shell Park, shoppers will find plenty of fresh produce for their summer meals.
More information and questions can be directed to Kristin at 387-2330 or via email at kristin@sawtootmountainclinic.org.
Food purchased from local farmers is often more flavorful. | STOCK
Boreal Balance and Sun Salutations
By Casey Fitchett
Breathe. Stretch. Relax. Repeat.
In many ways, practicing yoga on the North Shore just makes sense. Maintaining a mindfulness and consciousness of place is prevalent in the culture and attitudes in our northern home. The natural setting mimics the desired balance that yogis strive to achieve and gently encourages the calming of the mind and heart. Visitors and locals alike have the opportunity along the Shore to deepen both their pose and understanding of what it means to connect body and mind.
Our plentiful bodies of water, paired with an adventurous populace, leads to almost all land sports having some iteration on a lake. Stand up paddleboard (SUP) yoga offers a new challenge to practitioners who are looking to literally add a different element to their sun salutations. Touted as providing a slightly better workout because of the unstable surface, some claim it has the ability to help better refine and concentrate on technique. The constant possibility of falling in the water also works to keep practitioners fully invested in the moment.
“There is something about being in downward dog on a stand-up paddleboard on Lake Superior,” said instructor Amanda Weberg. “Down dog is easily the most ubiqui -
tous yoga pose and has several benefits on land. However, those benefits multiply on a paddleboard. The sensations of moving with the gentle waves cannot be put into words, feeling grounded through the hands and feet while floating on water, being inverted and looking out at the horizon of the lake from upside down offers a new perspective on the world beyond yourself.”
Weberg will be an instructor for some of the SUP yoga classes that are being offered as part of the North Shore Water Festival in the Grand Marais harbor July 16-17. Sessions are limited to four participants, are an hour long, and offer online registration. Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply runs the two-day festival.
“It is so much fun. We have people who have never been on a paddlboard in their life and they get up there and look like they are going to fall off. An hour later, I see them coming back and they are just relaxed as can be,” said Stone Harbor owner Jack Stone. “Last year, every single one of our classes was filled. Yoga is for meditation and relaxation; what better way to do it than on the water.”
The southwestern edge of the big lake also sees yoga action on the water at North Shore SUP in Duluth. Their course, which was “developed with the beginner to ad -
vanced yogi/yogini in mind,” lasts approximately an hour and includes about 15 minutes of paddling and 45 minutes of yoga.
“It offers a whole new outlook on balance and strength, connecting your breathing with the movements of your body and the water you and your board are floating on,” explained Heather of North Shore SUP.
Just around the corner from North Shore SUP is Evolve Duluth, which offers hot flow, hot fusion, hot yoga, and yoga sculpt classes in their studio on Superior Street. Hot flow focuses on alignment of movement and breath, with the pose progression getting gradually faster throughout the class. Their hot yoga variety focuses on holding 26 poses in a hot room, and yoga sculpt provides a full-body toning workout with light weights to build lean muscle mass.
Debbie Zweep and Myles Ball, of Moksha Yoga Thunder Bay, also keep the yoga studio temperature turned all the way up are. Opening their doors in April 2015, Moksha Yoga studios are guided by seven philosophical pillars, two of which are environmentalism and community.
“We support students who ride their bikes to the studio by providing free yoga mat rentals because we want students to enjoy the amazing outdoors,” said 10-year teacher
Zweep. “One of our seven pillars in Moksha yoga is 'Live Green'!”
Moksha (hot) yoga has a specific sequence of 40 postures that was developed by two Canadians, Jess Robertson and Ted Grand. Studios are located across Canada, the United States, and Australia. The Moksha yoga studios emphasize meeting environmental standards in with their physical locations as well. These guidelines influence how the studio floors are cleaned, how the air is heated, and how studio waste is recycled and ideally reduced.
Exercise enthusiasts wishing to continue their relaxation after class with a refreshing beverage will likely be enticed by the Pints and Poses sessions at the Red Lion Smokehouse in Thunder Bay. Participants of all ability levels flow through poses for an hour and subsequently sample beer.
“We run Pints and Poses every six weeks. It's a relaxing flow class, so it's just right for a Sunday morning,” explained Alexandra Bono of the Red Lion Smokehouse. “We try to have a unifying theme with the beers to give the tasting some structure. In the past, we have done a dark beer tasting with a Brown Ale, Porter, and Stout, and a fruit beer tasting with a ginger beer, banana beer, apricot beer, raspberry beer and mango beer.”
The next Pints and Poses class will be part of the BrewHa event on Saturday, August 13 in Thunder Bay. Participants can buy a ticket for Pints and Poses that includes entrance and beer tokens for the festival. As the event is plastic free, individuals should bring their own mat as well as a refillable water bottle.
Certified yoga/global dance instructor, dog musher, and student of yoga therapy Sherri Moe has been teaching yoga for 17 years, seven of which have been on the North Shore. Offering both weekly classes, private classes, and workshops around Grand Marais has drawn her closer to the community and connected her more deeply with her surroundings.
“Yoga is about community, connecting, and being of service. To me, being of service means helping others to find comfort in their own bodies through yoga,” writes Moe. “The name of my studio is Soulstice Yoga of Grand Marais. We live here because of the sense of place, the beauty of wild places that connects to our mind, body and spirit. Yoga is a way to identify how to create a pace of life that mimics the sense of tranquility that so many of its residents fell in love with when we moved here.”
Laurie Senty of Grand Marais offers an active variety of massage as part of her practice by stretching clients with certain assisted yoga poses. During the individual's time in the stretch, Senty presses her knuckles, fingers, thumbs, elbows, feet and hands into specific points to relieve muscle tension and stress.
“Thai Massage emphasizes the mind/body connection. I use massage and stretching to help the mind and body to relax and recover from injury,” explained Senty. “Thai yoga restores the proper flow and balance of Qi in the body.”
Brigette Nies helps participants awaken their kundali ni energy and power to excel during weekly classes in Kundalini Yoga, as well as Vinyassa Flow at the Commu nity Center Log Building in Grand Marais. The ancient practice of Kundalini Yoga incorporates physical, mental and spiritual aspects of yoga into one cohesive system. An orchestrated pattern of movements and concentration lead the mind and body to a specific result or change of consciousness.
According to the Kundalini Research Institute, “The primary objective of Kundalini is to awaken the full potential of human awareness in each individual; that is, recognize our awareness, refine that awareness, and expand that awareness to out unlimited self.”
Another upcoming yoga event along the Shore is north Ontario's largest yoga class at the 7th Annual Festival of India at Marina Park in Thunder Bay, July 23-24. Kathy Horak, a certified Intermediate Jr. 1 Iyengar Yoga instructor, also teaches multiple classes per week at Cobblestone Cabins in Tofte.
Red Lion Smokehouse in Thunder Bay offers a Pints and Poses class every six weeks.
| RED LION SMOKEHOUSE
Moksha Yoga Thunder Bay offers intro to hot yoga classes. | DEBBIE ZWEEP
Northern Trails
My Path to Guiding
By Gord Ellis
It was never my intention to be a part time guide. In fact, a couple early experiences with guiding actually scared me away from it for two decades.
In the early 1990s, I’d just begun my writing career and scored a couple nice features in some major outdoor magazines. One of them was on trophy brook trout, and it caught the eye of an angler in Montreal. He tracked me down by phone and we talked. He wanted me to guide he and his wife to a trophy brook trout on a fly. The understanding was he would practice catch and release. He was a fly fisherman, but a poor one. He could not cast, despite his very expensive Orvis gear. So one afternoon, as giant brookies boiled around us, I tried to teach him to fly cast. I laid out a loop and a football sized brookie ate the fly. The fish was played in and I quickly unhooked it.
“I want to keep it,” he said. My look must have said it all. “I want to bring that fish home and mount it.” I was both shocked and disappointed. I had a dilemma. Was I going to let some guy kill a 6pound brookie I had caught? I turned over the net and dropped the fish in the river. Needless to say, he wasn’t too happy with me. There was not much talking after that and no tip. He also stole my lake map from the boat and denied it. It was a bad scene. So outside of a dozen or so charity deals, that was my last guiding experience for 20 odd years.
The funny thing is, during those two decades, I fished with easily a hundred or more guides all across Canada and the United States. In nearly every case, they improved my experience on the water. This was especially important when I fished unfamiliar waters. Sure, there were a few guides who were clearly just running the boat from spot to spot. But several really helped my angling game. One guide in Nova Scotia helped correct a persistent problem with my own fly casting. Another, on the other coast in British Columbia, helped this writer land a 38-pound chinook salmon in very heavy seas. All memorable experiences.
So four years ago, after a certain lodge owner in Red Rock, Ontario, kept asking me about guiding, I broke down. The agreement was to try a couple days of it, with the understanding that if it didn’t work, neither of us had any further obligation. It was a blind date. My first trip was with an older couple from southern Ontario. They
were both great company and amazingly appreciative of the whole experience. They were awestruck by the beauty of the Nipigon River, thrilled to see eagles and bears, and totally pumped to catch a fish. Any fish. I’m not sure who had a better time. I did about a dozen trips that summer and enjoyed them all. Watching people so excited to catch fish—even small ones—rekindled something in me. And I got paid.
Make no mistake, guiding is not for everyone. It is work. It is a service. You are responsible for your guests well-being and safety. You are responsible for your own gear, and must keep it running and in good order. You will be a tour guide, nature expert, listener of stories and—occasionally— psychologist and counselor. All the while, you are trying to help your guest catch a fish. Most have basic to minimal fishing experience, despite what they may claim. Fly anglers are the worst in this regard (sorry). That’s ok, but as the guide you need to spot the weaknesses and know how to fix them. You will also be fishing in even the worst of conditions. There are very few rain days in the guiding business. Conditions in northern Ontario are often less than perfect. Wind, cold, rain and even snow are a possibility. Yet people who have booked a trip 6 months in advance are not likely to pull out of it.
I’ve had a few challenging clients during the past couple of years. One gentleman was about 90 years old and had a variety of
physical ailments. He was as tough as they come, but had trouble casting. Of course, he wanted to fly fish. We got it done. Somehow. Another guest had incredibly high expectations, and expected to catch monster fish on every cast. He didn’t and started to question how I had all these pictures of big fish when he wasn’t getting them. That was a long day.
Mostly, guiding has been a great time and something I hope to do for a while yet. And these days, whenever I’m with a guide, I do my very best to stay out of their way and let them do their job. They are, after all, professionals.
A guide to 366 lakes with data about the fish species and population status, public access and acreage. Contour maps for 68 popular fishing lakes are included.
Author Gord Ellis guided German TV show host Bab Kijewski in August 2015. | GORD ELLIS
MinnesotA
Brook es, PIke,
BAss And more
We pounced when a cabin came up for sale on Whiteface Reservoir, 40 miles north of Duluth. No plumbing. We haul water to drink. My two kids can brag to their city friends about the outhouse. Last summer was our tenth at the cabin.
It started poorly. My wife Shelley wrote the first entry in the cabin journal:
26 MAY 2006
Grace fell head first off the dock… She didn’t like that too much! Sam got a leech attached to his toes. Papa had to pull it off as it was really latched on.
Despite the rough start, that year was packed with firsts. I found a “little purple flower” and learned it was called Heals All. I saw a deer swim between two islands. We saw a bird on the point that sounded like a machine-gun—a kingfisher. My kids caught their first walleyes. My wife saw fireflies for the first time in her life. My wife and son saw their first northern lights. I taught my daughter how to find the North Star. All of us stared out at the great horned owls that sat on my truck and screeched in the middle of the night. We looked at the ceiling and listened to the loons as we drifted off.
The second summer, we heard a racket at night. It was a gray tree frog. My kids changed one letter and (not so cleverly) named him Kermin. He perches on the propane tank every year. Every summer, the kids lift up the coffee can that covers the valve and there he is. Could it really be the same frog? He (or his descendant) was there again in 2016.
By Eric Chandler
One year, a raptor set up shop in a dying poplar. I sent pictures around to experts and learned it was a merlin (Falco columbarius). It’s also called a “pigeon hawk” because it looks like a pigeon in flight. The Latin columbarius means dove. Around that time, I found a beautiful wildflower by the outhouse. I looked in the flower book: columbine. Also from the Latin word for doves, since the flower looks like a gathering of doves. Things converge and overlap in strange ways if you stay in one place and look close.
One night, the bats arrived. I heard something and turned on the light. Freaky to see them fly such tight circles inside.
[ABOVE] Grace, Sam, and Eric relaxing. | SHELLEY CHANDLER
[LEFT] Shelley helps Leo get his sea legs. | ERIC CHANDLER
“Puppy dreams. Mama’s got a hurt foot. Flying bats. Sam lost a tooth. Lots of activity.”
One March, the kids rolled in the spring snow so much that they were soaked to the skin. So, they dried their underwear over the campfire like marshmallows. So much comedy. As I re-read my own note, I almost shot coffee out of my nostrils:
28 JUNE 2012
Cleaned the outhouse. It’s perfect here.
I feel lucky to have that place. So we try to share. I remembered how my grandparents made ice cream in an old-fashioned hand-cranked ice cream maker. So, I bought a new one and we started making homemade ice cream. In 2009, we had our first ice cream social. We invited friends and family up to the cabin. Kids
of all ages got to experience this unique treat, but only if they took a turn cranking. This year, we’ll have the 8th annual Ice Cream Social. My friend Cooter brought his floatplane to the first edition and gave the kids airplane rides right from the dock. Not sure we’re going to top that one, but we keep trying.
The cabin teaches tougher things, too. One year, the dog found a deer carcass. He was proud of himself after he rolled in it. I imagine he was also proud of my violent dry-heaves as I washed him. Another time, Shelley drove north to Biwabik to buy beer. During this vital mission, she hit a songbird and it stuck in the grill of the vehicle. The kids found this when she got back. They named him, “Sir Lord Saint Pringle” and gave him a proper burial. His tombstone still stands by the woodpile. In 2011, I came out of the water and my daughter noticed my wedding ring was gone. That symbol of my devotion lies under the tea-colored lake water. If you have to lose something that important, the cabin is the place to do it. I’ll sip a gin and tonic, look at the lake, and think about the underwater ring on our 20th wedding anniversary this July.
We keep learning new things and stumbling into firsts. A bald eagle snagged a fish from the water just feet from the dock. We looked at each other with our mouths open making sure we all saw it. My wife figured out her paddleboard. The kids figured out their water skis. I figured out my chainsaw. I dropped a threatening poplar without de -
stroying the finest outhouse in St. Louis County. (Does your outhouse have a palm tree painted on it? I didn’t think so.) We learned how to rope swing from an island over by the National Forest campground. We learned that our point isn’t all red pines. There are some white pines tucked in there, too.
What’s the biggest lesson? I learned those journal entries are more valuable than the cabin itself. The list of memories. I’m grateful for the cabin, but it’s not the point. The point is being with your friends and family outside. The point is to pay close attention, follow your curiosity, and take notes. The best part of my life is making stories with my family on that spit of land.
26 MAY 2012
Kingfisher is here off the end of the point.
You can hear the nesting merlins in the pines...
The frogs are making a racket.
The columbine is blooming near the outhouse.
The kids found a chrysalis for a moth. Empty.
Two dragonfly nymphs went up the side of the cabin and dragonflies emerged and dried their wings and their tails straightened and wings stretched out…
…The kids made whips like Indiana Jones.
Grace said, “This is one of the best days of my life.”
citizen
Two separate awards for an individual or couple who has made Cook County a better place to live.
1. The Citizens of the Year
2. The Senior Citizens of the Year
two special awards for to nominate someone...
Please provide the following information: Nominee name (or couple), date of birth, marital status, # of children, # of years lived in the county, work history (retirement status-applicable), public offices held, current community involvement. Statement of support by nominator. What is very special about this person or couple & other items you believe to be important. Deadline: Noon Wed, July 20, 2016. Please respond by e-mail to barbb@boreal.org
Questions? call Barb Backlund at 218-387-1886
Nothing short of amazing. Dazzling
[ABOVE] Grace and Sam. | SHELLEY CHANDLER
Wild Traditions
Yellow-foots and Trumpets: Lesser-known Edibles
By Julia Prinselaar
When I think of chanterelle mushrooms, I’m often reminded of the golden-coloured, thick-stalked, chanterelle, a choice sought after by market buyers and culinary enthusiasts across North America. Known for its apricot fragrance and mild to peppery taste, Cantharellus cibarius is one of the most popular and prized edibles in the wild world of mushrooms.
But there are other mushrooms in the chanterelle family—at least 13 known species on our continent. The majority of them are good edibles, including the yellow-footed and trumpet chanterelles. Known to avid foragers in Western Canada but generally under the radar in this region, these are two more varieties to add to your wild food palette.
“I don’t think that many people know that they exist here,” said Paul Drombolis, an avid fisherman, mushroom forager and resident of Thunder Bay.
Unlike most chanterelles that grow in dry conditions, the yellow-footed and trumpet chanterelles typically thrive in swamps and moist areas covered in sphagnum moss. Drombolis often wears rubber boots, or even hip waders if the occasion calls for it, when he’s foraging for yellow-foots, as he colloquially calls them.
“I’ll be standing in the middle of this puddle, and just picking around it,” he said.
The National Audobon Society describes the yellow-footed chanterelle as having an orange-brown to brownish cap, with a wrinkled undersurface and a descending stalk. Like many mushrooms, the caps grow downward when young, becoming vase-shaped with raised edges as they mature. Trumpet chanterelles look similar, but can take on a violet hue.
These thin-fleshed mushrooms have a high water content, so instead of going home and frying them in a pan right away, it’s best to put the mushrooms in a paper bag and leave them in the fridge for a few days to exhaust some of the moisture.
Like many foods that are produced in certain regions (think wine or cheese), the natural environment influences their taste and aroma. When it comes to wild foods, mushrooms are no different. Leave it to fact or fiction, but when Drombolis is frying up a pan of yellow-foots, he can also taste the partridge berries, sphagnum and
black spruce that these mushrooms share in their habitat.
“When I eat them, it kind of just reminds me of that place,” he said.
Yellow-foots and trumpets can bloom as early as July, but tend to be a late species in Northwestern Ontario, typically blooming in the fall. In forager circles, they’re sometimes referred to as winter chanterelles.
Drombolis was first inspired by mushrooms as a student at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. During a mushroom course, his class took a full day trip through Quetico Park to explore different species.
“It was my first real exposure (to wild mushrooms). I totally fell for mushroom picking at that point,” he said.
After spending more time in the forests of Northwestern Ontario, he began noticing patterns in the natural environment. Certain habitats and conditions yielded certain results, like formulas in the mathematics of nature.
“Mushrooms really reminded me of fishing,” he explained. Much like fishing, the species and population of mushrooms are entirely dependent on the conditions of their natural surroundings.
As a beginner forager, Drombolis identified the types of trees that were growing in a given area. Now, he whittles his search down to finer details like the age of certain trees and how far they’re spaced apart.
“You can just keep digging and digging.
I like figuring out that pattern—that’s what fascinates me the most. If it all comes together just right, that’s when you find a ton of mushrooms,” he said.
This summer, you may find Drombolis at the Thunder Bay Country Market, with a table of wild edibles, including chanterelle, lobster, boletes and hedgehog mushrooms. He keeps books and other educational resources on hand so people can learn about foraged food.
“I enjoy sharing the experience with others,” he says. “And raising the environmental consciousness of what’s growing in our area.”
Yellow-footed chanterelles look similar to trumpet chanterelles: both grow in moist, swampy areas. | PAUL DROMBOLIS
northern sky
JULY 2016
By Deane Morrison— MINNESOTA STARWATCH
Star watchers have good reasons—besides the usual one—to celebrate on July 4. First, we get a new moon, which means we can watch stars and planets at any time of night without lunar interference.
If you’re out after nightfall, don’t miss the S-shaped form of Scorpius low in the south, with Saturn (to the left) and Mars bracketing the scorpion. Note the reddish glow of Antares, the heart of the scorpion, below the ringed planet.
In the northwest, find the Big Dipper and extend the arc of its handle to see magnificent Arcturus, a star that’s rapidly plunging through the disk of our Milky Way galaxy. Arcturus sits near the “tail” of kite-shaped Bootes, the herdsman. Just east of Bootes, Corona Borealis, the northern crown, hangs like a necklace. Again to the east, Hercules, with its signature hourglass of stars, kneels upside down. A star chart will help in finding all these jewels, along with Ursa Major, the constellation that contains the Big Dipper.
Also on the 4th, Earth reaches aphelion, the farthest point from the sun in its orbit. At that moment, we’ll be 94.5 million miles from the sun and traveling at our lowest speed.
July’s full moon arrives at 5:57 p.m. on the 19th. It rises less than three hours later, so it will look very round. Algonquin Indians named this the full thunder moon, as thunderstorms are now so frequent.
July also brings us the dog days of summer. In ancient times, these days of intense heat were thought to come from the combined furnaces of the sun and Sirius, the brilliant Dog Star, as they traveled together across the summer sky. We can’t see Sirius now, but during the winter, it reigns as the brightest star in the night sky.
The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth campus. For more information and viewing schedules, see the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at www.d.umn.edu/planet.
To the Summit of Volcan Baru
Story and photos by Kate Watson
It was a normal hike. A rocky path leading uphill. Dense forest on either side of the trail. Unknown rustlings in the underbrush. Packs loaded with provisions and extra layers—and a dinner-plate sized tarantula scurrying across the beam cast by my headlamp. It was a dark and stormy night in Panama, and my friend Pete and I were climbing a volcano.
The peak of Volcan Baru in Chiriqui Province, Panama, is the country’s highest point at 11,398 feet. Probably best known for the Panama Canal (and the best palindrome: A Man, A Plan, A Canal, Panama!), Panama is the southernmost country in Central America, sharing borders with Columbia and Costa Rica. You’ll find the towering Volcan Baru in the far northwestern region of the country, just across the border, or about 21 miles, from Costa Rica. Since Panama is an isthmus (flashback to middle school geography: a narrow strip of land with sea on either side, linking two larger areas of land—in this case N. and S. America), if you venture to the very top of the volcano on a clear day you can look toward the horizon and see the Atlantic
Ocean, then look over your shoulder to see the Pacific stretching endlessly in the opposite direction.
The guidebooks warn that the trip up Volcan Baru is best undertaken with a guide, and that it’s not for the faint of heart. The hike gains 7,498 feet of elevation over its 13 kilometers—that’s 937 vertical feet per mile. In short: it’s really steep. The other option is to hire a jeep. Although the path is rocky and deeply rutted, a jeep can handle the trip. For about $125 per person you can save yourself the trouble of walking and instead endure an incredibly bumpy, jolting two-hour ride in a 4x4 to reach the top with the rising sun (and then another uncomfortable trip down). This option did not appeal to me. In these situations, it seems the view is truly sweetest if it’s earned the hard way.
Fortunately for me, Pete, a friend from high school, happened to be passing through Panama when I was visiting. He had summited the volcano the previous week, and was willing to undertake the trek again. Generally, the goal is to set off at midnight and complete the hike in
around six hours. This will put you at the top just in time for sunrise. With this plan in mind, and the unlikelihood of flagging down a taxi at midnight a few miles outside of Boquete, we arranged for a midnight pickup with plans of being whisked the nine miles to Volcan Baru Nacional Parc, where the hike would begin. At 12:15 am we were still waiting.
“Well, how long do we wait?” I asked, ever the worrier. I was already sweating bullets—both due to the air temperature and the storied reputation of the hike itself. A lengthy pre-hike warm-up was not in my game plan.
“Let’s wait a little longer and then start walking. I’m sure we’ll run into a taxi along the way,” Pete said, unconcerned. At 12:30 a.m. the walk began. Sure enough, we were able to flag down a taxi a mile or two in, and we were on our way. To me, it felt like an inauspicious way to start a day that would be characterized by...lots of walking. As the taxi climbed out of the valley toward the park, the dark clouds massed over Boquete were illumi -
The view from the top of Volcan Baru in Panama—11,398 feet in elevation.
The author celebrates after reaching the top of Volcan Baru.
nated by flashes of lightning. Thunderstorms were predicted, but rain wasn’t falling yet. At the park entrance the taxi driver dropped us on the side of the road. We gathered our packs, passed by the ranger station (closed for the night), and started walking. It was dark and hot. On a normal night I would be deep into my REM sleep cycle.
The next four and a half hours were one foot in front of the other over talcum powder sand and loose fist-sized rocks. With frequent water breaks and ever steeper hills around the next corner, our sphere of existence was restricted to the task at hand: moving upward. In addition to the scuttling, enormous tarantula, we saw oil spatterings from doomed vehicles that couldn’t quite clear the large rocks, heard the amplified rustlings of critters on their nocturnal constitutions, and every so often, the vibrant colors of a tropical flower would flash as our headlamp beams swept past. With our visual fields limited to a tiny slice of light, the experience was surreal.
“I’ve never seen stars like this! Even in Alaska or the Boundary Waters—they’re amazing!” I said, stumbling over yet another rock while gawking at skies vaster and blacker than I’d ever seen.
Even though I couldn’t see him, I knew Pete was smiling. He had told me about the stars, and I didn’t believe they could possibly be that spectacular. They were.
We made good time going up, allowing us to steal an hour of fitful, teeth-chattering sleep near the top. The barren, rocky ground of the primitive camping area was far from a featherbed, and the alarm went off all too soon— time to tackle the last kilometer and catch the sunrise. A few rocky switchbacks brought us to the fenced site of the mountaintop communications towers, then we scrambled up a crooked footpath and were at the tip top of the volcano. As I stood at the foot of the large concrete cross marking the spot, Pete called “Right now you’re the highest person in Panama!”
Both the elevation and adrenaline made this statement very true. Looking down on a broad swath of clouds and the transmission towers, we really were on the top of the world. Strong winds sent a thick mist streaking past, and I was glad for the absurd number of layers I had packed. The clammy heat from the beginning of the hike, almost
7,500 feet below us, was a distant memory.
Due to the cloudy weather, no jeeps filled with well-rested, sunrise-viewing tourists showed up, but shortly after we arrived, a group of three Panamanians joined us. One was a local man in his twenties and two friends who’d come up the other side of the mountain. The man said he’d summited the volcano no less than 12 times, and it was his favorite spot in the country. But, he claimed, his accomplishments didn’t compare to other locals who worked as guides—one had been up the volcano more than 50 times.
The Cook County Firewise Program reaches out to the community to educate and help property owners understand hazards associated with their areas. Funding programs through the USFS and MNDNR assist property owners with free Firewise Assessments, hazardous fuels reduction projects, sponsoring chipper days, and providing county-wide brush disposal areas.
For more information about Firewise and what you can do to better protect your property from wildland fires, call 218-235-0899 or email toddarmbrust@gmail.com www.cookcountyfirewise.org Follow us on Facebook.
Panama, set between Columbia and Costa Rica, is the southernmost country in Central America.
Volcan Baru Nacional Parc is home to lush forests and over 250 species of birds.
GRAND MARAIS ARTS FESTIVAL
July 9 - 10, 2016
Stop by the Gallery Store or check out a demo, artist talk, or drop-in activity.
DRURY LANE BOOKS
Writer’s Salon
Mary Sharratt
The Dark Lady’s Mask: A Novel of Shakespeare’s Muse Saturday, July 9 • 5 p.m.
Full Moon Reading
Hannah Barker Nickolay Music and Reading Tuesday, July 19 • 7:30 p.m.
Writer’s Salon
Kim Alan Chapman & James Armstrong Nature, Culture, and Two Friends Talking Saturday, July 23 • 5 p.m.
Hours:
Open 7 Days a Week
PO Box 626 120 W. 3rd Ave Grand Marais, MN 218.387.2737 grandmaraisartcolony.org
Follow us on 12 E. Wisconsin St., Grand Marais 218-387-3370
After marveling at the clouds, the view, and the accomplishment of hiking up the mountainside (plus a celebratory Snickers bar) it was time to head down. The hike back was surreal in a different way. Stripping off layers as we descended and the temperature rose, I was awestruck to see the steep terrain in broad daylight.
“It’s a good thing it was so dark on the way up—luckily I had no idea what we were in for.” I said. “And I can’t believe you were willing to do this twice.”
“Not a problem,” Pete said, as if he hiked up volcanoes every day. On his first trip, he and his group reached the top to find clear skies. “Even though we didn’t see both oceans, there’s still something magical about seeing above the clouds,” he said. I agreed.
About halfway down, the forest thickened, and Pete told me about a bucket list bird-watching opportunity.
“I haven’t seen one yet, but there are quetzals here and this is their mating season,” he said. “Listen for this.” And he proceeded to make a noise like a loudly whimpering dog. Quetzals were a sacred bird to the indigenous cultures, he explained. The tail feathers were harvested for the headdresses of Mayan and Aztec nobility, and their inability to survive in captivity made them a symbol of liberty. Sure enough, a little further down the trail, the odd call echoed through the forest. We froze and scanned the canopy for the brightly colored bird. After hearing a few more calls, we saw a motion in the leaves, and the majestic bird flew by—its tail streamers clearly visible as it headed deeper into the woods.
Energized by this sighting we headed further down the volcano, knees complaining as rocks and powdery sand shifted un -
derfoot. With sore, tired muscles, unstable terrain, and persistent gravity (I only fell once) the going was almost tougher than it had been on the way up. Near the bottom, it started to rain. We stopped on the way out of the park to pay our entrance fee ($5 each), and inquired about transportation back to town. There was a bus stop only about five minutes down the road, the ranger said, and we were delighted at the thought. After what turned out to be 15 minutes of walking (downhill, again), well-soaked and exhausted, we huddled in the shelter to wait.
“How do you feel about hitchhiking?” Pete asked, after about an hour.
Five minutes later, we were in the back of an obliging farmer’s pickup, still getting wet, but at least moving forward without the use of our own tired legs. After the driver dropped us in Boquete, we stopped at a bakery for an overdue lunch. It would have been easy enough to catch a taxi back to the guesthouse, but we decided the honorable way to finish the 15-hour adventure was on foot. As we walked along the river, we could see the distant Volcan Baru, its peak obscured by clouds. But we knew it was up there, towering over Panama, and we had been too. In the land of free-range tarantulas and the resplendent quetzal, we really had been on top of the world.
The Volcan Baru is an active volcano located in Panama.
Leisure Leash
The Leisure Leash is intended to be carried by your dog when it is off leash, because the lead slips over the dog’s neck. While I didn’t try using the leash this way, it was an excellent tool for obedience class. The leash combines a nylon slip collar with a short lead. It was just what I needed to control my dog as he learned basic commands. Now that he has completed basic training, I’ll continue using it in situations that require a leash. The price of a 22” leash, which fits most medium to large dogs, is $21. A 27” leash for larger breeds is $22. Extensions are available for additional lengths. Leisure Leash can be bought online at www.leisureleash.com, Amazon and Etsy.—Shawn Perich
You Must Only To Love Them: Lessons Learned in Turkey
Ann Marie Mershon
Maple Hill Publishing, $14
In this candid account of her years in Istanbul, Grand Marais author Ann Mershon delves into the soul of Turkey—its people, its history, its terrain. Over the course of seven years, Mershon explored Turkey, awed by its artifacts, majestic terrain, and the generosity and grace of its people. “You must only to love them” was a bit of ungrammatical wisdom from a young Turkish friend—advice for managing the exuberant young Turks. Part travelogue, part romance and part adventure, this book is a heartfelt account of her discoveries.
—Breana Roy
WHY GO: Splake may be mostly targeted in winter, but if there ever was a place to target them in the summer, Pine, also locally referred to as Trestle Pine, is as good a place as any to try. There’s also a growing population of bluegills, which have been reaching keeper size.
ACCESS: There’s a dirt ramp on the south shore of the lake, along with parking for four vehicles, located 10 miles north of Grand Marais, off C.R. 27 on Forest Road 1365.
VITALS: This 97-acre Cook County lake sits in the Superior National Forest. It has a maximum depth of 34 feet.
GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Splake and bluegill.
BRAKE FOR SPLAKE: Trestle Pine does not have a lot of big fish, said Steve Persons, DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, but it does have a lot of splake
in it, and there are a few bigger fish. “They are doing quite well,” he said. “We see fair numbers of fish over 12 inches, and some approaching 20 inches.” Persons said splake fishing is a bit different than rainbows, which can often be riding up high in the water column over deep water.
“Splake are not as active on the surface as rainbows might be,” he said, suggesting fishing in 5 to 15 feet of water with flashy
Make a Splash: It’s Okay!
Lauri E. Olson-Hohman
www.bookemon.com
$16
A wise old grandmother frog gives some good advice—it’s okay to have fun! Show off, be different, and strut your stuff with a wiggle and a giggle and a sway. Make a Splash includes playful and colorful illustrations with a powerful message. Inspired by her own four grandchildren, Silver Bay author and illustrator Olson-Hohman reminds readers of all ages to be yourself and enjoy life to the fullest.
—Breana Roy
PINE LAKE (TRESTLE PINE)
spoons, minnow-imitators and even just a jig and a crawler.
Splake have to compete with a big white sucker population for the same food on Trestle Pine, and while DNR often will poison out a lake to remove the competition, a tactic known as “reclamation,” that’s not an option for Trestle Pine. It is closely connected to Kemo Lake, where a lake trout population is doing quite well.
“We don’t want to put (Kemo’s lakers) at risk,” he said. “We are probably stuck with white suckers in Pine.”
‘GILLS GROWING: It’s unclear how bluegills got into the lake, but they are doing pretty good. Unlike most of the handful of area lakes with bluegills, they are growing to keeper size on Trestle Pine, Persons said. The most recent survey of the lake, in 2014, had a pretty high catch rate of bluegills, which are not a species
the state biologists would have been targeting. “A lot of those fish are over 6 inches,” Persons said, adding that while none are over 10 inches, there are some in the 8- or 9-inch range. “They are awfully nice fish,” he said.
OVER THE RAINBOW: Back in 2010, Minnesota DNR was trying to cut costs with its inland trout lake stocking program, and discontinued stocking rainbow trout, while increasing the number of splake it stocked in the lake. The lake was last stocked with rainbows in 2009. “We had to concentrate on one species, and it looked like splake were doing better than the rainbow trout,” Persons said. The splake stockings have gone from no more than about 5,000 fingerlings a year, to as many as 8,630 in 2014, and generally at least 7,000 a year. Persons said DNR is looking for a way to restore the rainbow trout stockings to Pine, though it still does not have the funding to do so. “We’d like to bring them back there,” he said
—Javier Serna
Strange Tales
Submarines in Lake Superior or the Great Lakes?
By Elle AndraWarner
Every so often, someone brings up the question, “Were there ever any submarines in Lake Superior, or the Great Lakes?”
Over 100 years ago, the Ottawa Citizen newspaper had the headline, “Submarines May Be Built in Ontario” and went on to specifically identify the Western Dry Dock Company plant (later became Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company) in Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay). It said the Canadian plant “was the most up-to-date shipbuilding factory in Canada,” emphasizing it was “particularly equipped” to build big submarines and employ hundreds of men. The First World War was occurring and Great Britain needed more subs.
Apparently, it was almost a done-deal that the British subs would be built in the U.S. by Bethlehem Steel Company. However, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared it would violate American neutrality if subs were built by an American company for the British, or any nation at war. So, the Canadians proposed the British subs be built in the Western Dry Dock Company, which had already built ships like the Noronic and large freighters. The company was actually one of the plants of the American Shipbuilding Co., although mostly owned by Canadian investors.
The plan was for the subs to be built in sections and then shipped to other places to be put together. There’s no record that the subs were ever built in Port Arthur, although rumours crop up of war subs being secretly built somewhere on Lake Superior.
In 1919, the WWI German mine-laying submarine UC-97 reached Lake Superior. The sub had been allotted to the U.S. after having been surrendered to the British after the war. She was on the last part of her Victory Bond tour of the Great Lakes and was scheduled to visit Lake Superior ports, but after clearing the Sault Ste. Marie locks into Lake Superior, she had engine problems and turned back. She returned to Chicago to fulfil the terms of armistice, but the German sub was scuttled in Lake Michigan in June 1921, about 20-30 miles from shore, by shots from the USS Wilmette.
Move forward to World War II and there were 28 U.S. Navy submarines built from 1941–1944 at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and launched in Lake Michigan. Manitou had never built a submarine before, but finished the first one 228 days early.
The first sub was the USS Peto, launched
April 30, 1942, and in December, loaded on a floating drydock barge and transported on the Mississippi River to New Orleans. This was the first submarine to travel the midwestern waterways to reach the sea. Of the 28 subs built by Manitowoc, 25
served in the Pacific Patrol, sinking a total of 143 ships. The last sub built by Manitowoc was the USS Mero, which cruised the Great Lakes before being transported by the floating drydock barge to New Orleans and then on to Pearl Harbor.
[LEFT] The Alligator (1862) was the first submarine purchased by the U.S. Navy. It contained two crude purifiers, a chemical-based system for providing oxygen and a bellows to force air through lime.
| WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
As for Lake Superior, in July 1985, the research submarine Johnson Sea-Link II carried the first humans to the deep bottom of Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake. It was the first ever submarine expedition in the lake and was part of a month-long research project into fish life, water quality and lake-bottom geology, including probing the lake’s deepest part, more than 1,300 feet below surface. Funded $500,000 by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the project was directed by Michigan State University and the University of Connecticut. The three-phase project covered Whitefish Bay, Keweenawan Peninsula and Isle Royale.
Several dozen scientists took turns going down with the sub’s crew in the four-person, 22-foot long, battery-powered submarine, and used searchlights to penetrate the inky darkness of the lake’s deep bottom at 1,319 feet. One scientist told reporters after the dive, “It was spectacular. No one has ever done this before.” They saw two species of fish—burbot and sculpin—and rocks covered with red jellyfish-like creatures called hydra.
The crew of the USS Minnesota submarine mans the ship during her commissioning at Norfolk Naval Base on September 7, 2013. | WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Other known submarines in Lake Superior include the famous two-man yellow submarine of explorer Jacques Cousteau in 1980. This was the first manned-sub to briefly explore the Edmund Fitzgerald, 530 feet below surface. In the 1990s, a few more submarine expeditions reached the Fitzgerald, before it became illegal to dive to the Fitzgerald.
While there are no known submarines currently plying the waters of Lake Superior, there is a new $2 billion U.S. Navy submarine that has been named “Minnesota,” the first to carry the state’s name since 1921.
Built in 1775 and put into action in 1776, the hand-propelled wooden American Turtle was the first American submarine. It was designed and built by William Bushnell to break the British naval blockade in New York Harbor during American Revolution.
| SUBMITTED
The 377-foot USS Minnesota was launched in June 2013, has a 134-member crew and weighs 7,800 tons.
There are submarines on display in museums around the world. In the U.S. and Canada, they include: the WWII German sub UC-505 at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, USS Silversides in Muskegon, Cod in Cleveland, Cobia in Manitowoc, and HMCS Ojibwa in Port Burwell, Ontario.
20 minutes from Grand Marais on school bus route. Near state trail, Broadband internet available.
Great family home. 83 N. Pike Lake Rd.
$205,000 for sale by owner.
Newly Constructed by Owner —a Retired Contractor
· 2,410 sq. ft. dual-fuel hot water in floor electric heat. Wood & L.P. gas heat, gas fireplace.
· Up to 5 bedrooms. Two full kitchens, three full baths, mud room, 2 utility rooms, back porch, storage shed.
· Separate living quarters above 24' x 28' 2-car garage with heated floor and floor drain.
· All appliances & furniture.
Contract for Deed possible. 772-203-9399 or 218-387-2109
$950,000USD
2,410 sq. ft. • Great Family Home • 20 minutes from town
MALCOLM CLARK, Broker
BLANKET ISLAND, ROSSPORT
Your own private island located in the south of Rossport Harbour. Sheltered by the main land, Whiskey Island, and Nicol Island. Approx. 1/2 mile from the town of Rossport. 764 ft of Lake Superior shoreline. Really neat 1 1/2 story cabin with water, shower, cooking facilities with woodstove. Gravity water feed from tank on roof. $199,000 CDN
LITTLE PIGEON BAY
just 15 minutes north of the Minnesota/Ontario border on Lake Superior. Cozy, comfortable cottage with over 178 feet of shoreline. Mostly level lot with easy access. Asking $219,000 CDN
NICOL
ISLAND ROSSPORT
Tremendous Lake Superior building sites. Lakefront and interior lots for sale with docking facilities. Causeway opened year round. Power and phone. Starting at $55,000CDN
LAKE SUPERIOR LOTS
Little Trout Bay, 20 minutes north of the Minnesota/Ontario border, 3 large estate-sized lots, very sheltered with southern exposure. Tremendous views. Power and telephone available. Priced beginning at $199,000 CDN
New Levels of Service
640 Beverly Street, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 0B5 Canada
Phone (807) 344-3232
FAX: (807) 344-5400
Toll Free 1-888-837-6926
Cell: 807-473-7105
mclark@avistarealty.ca www.avistarealty.ca
LITTLE TROUT BAY
Lake Superior, 20 minutes north of the Minnesota/ Ontario border!
Stunning year round residence all done in white pine. Cathedral ceilings, open concept, wrap around decks, southern exposure, detached double garage and the list goes on! Truly a private quiet Lake Superior adventure. $249,000 CDN
COBINOSH ISLAND, ROSSPORT
Wholly owned island in Lake Superior. 6 miles south of Rossport, Ontario. Over 2 miles of shoreline and over 130 acres. Cobble and rock beaches significant elevation changes, gentle slope along the perimeter. Different species of plant life on the island. Sheltered north shore by the significantly larger Wilson Island. $479,000.00 CDN
OLIVER LAKE
North shore. 215.5 acre parcel with 3900 feet of lake frontage. Rugged property-water access. Southern exposure, ultimate privacy. $169,000 CDN
Northern Light Lake Island with Log Cabin
• 3 bedrooms
• Old growth white and red pine
• Rustic winter cabin
• Stone fireplace
• Owner/Broker
• Price: $225,000
• Shore lot available for added convenience - Package $350,000
REDUCED BY OVER $120,000!!! Now offered at $630,000
shown on the attached map is two additional parcels with Lake Superior Shoreline with building sites above the gravel road. Parcels 2 and 3 are separate from this transactions and are available for $50,000 each. If desired to be purchased with the main property the overall property will consist of over 12 acres 855’ of total shoreline.
Lutsen, MN Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course Homesite. MLS 6020783
$59,000
This development is fast becoming recognized as the “Beaver Creek”
Lutsen, MN 1044 Caribou Trail
MLS# 2020244 $319,900 Year round home on bay of Caribou Lake. Access from Caribou Tr. This 150’ lakeshore parcel is located on the private outlet cove of Caribou Lake. Immaculate grounds with towering White Pines. * 150’ Lakeshore * 3 bedrooms – 1 bath * Open area kitchen and dining.
Lutsen, MN 261 CapsTrail, Tait Lake
MLS# 6020959 $299,750 Tait Lake in Lutsen. Wonderfully appointed and extremely well maintained 2 bedroom, loft and 2 bath south facing home on a 2.9 acre parcel and 190’ of shoreline with dock. Abundance of natural light throughout the home. New addition in 2006 includes second bedroom, bathroom hallway and laundry. Office added in 2011 (could be converted to third bedroom). Excellent value. Call Katterine or Mike today for your private showing.
Driveway stub already in. This is a very nice opportunity. Tax value is $84,200. Owner Agent.
4.1A, 280’ shore. Driveway, septic mound and electric in place.
MLS 2297434
318X E Hwy 61 - $79,900 SOLD EXTREMELY private Lake Superior
with 7+A south of 61, 4+A north of 61. 318’ Lake Superior Shoreline!
MLS 2308863
2888 W Hwy
2884
14
A
Three
Inland Lake Homes
Condos
East
Suites
Surfside
6.84A
Bloomquist Mtn. Rd 5.8A - $44,900
2313330
Gunflint
4.16A
Inland Lake Lots
Tom Lake Year round, 1.10A, 171’ shore, nicely wooded, driveway and cleared building site.
MLS 6020381 $54,900
Heavily wooded with year-round access. 112’ shore on county maintained road.
MLS 2313184 $114,900
Private 34+A, 600’ of shore, surveyed and septic sites are id’d. Will consider owner financing to a qualified buyer.
MLS 6020848 $149,900
Iron Lake 150’ of shore on 1.2A with year round access. BWCAW access lake, southern views overlooking federal land. MLS 6021654 $117,900
Birch Lake Heavily wooded 1.54A, 150’ of
MLS 6021433 $139,900
Devil
MLS 2306066 $199,900
Heavily wooded with 112’ shore. Property is on a county maintained road for use all year long.
MLS 2313184 $114,900
Chester Lake The only private parcel on Chester Lake. One of a kind opportunity! 40A, 300’ frontage! Rough cabin sold “as is”. MLS 6022402
$45,000 - $65,000
Roman’s Rd 1.72A Close to Devil Track Lake and lots of recreational activities. MLS 2173907 $29,900
Pike Lake Rd Wooded 4+A near Pike Lake! Nicely elevated build sites, survey in place and septic sites identified MLS 6019339 $29,900
Solberg Lane 20A close to town but is definitely offthe-grid for a real North Woods getaway. Nicely elevated with the possibility of solar and wind power. Rustic outhouse and bunkhouse cabin on the site. MLS 2239163 $72,500
78 Squint Lake Rd 5A surrounded on 2 sides by government land. Convenient mid-trail location. MLS 6020283 $62,900
Gunflint Trail Cross country skiers, hikers; this property is connected to the Pincushion Cross Country Ski Trail system with the Little Devil Track River flowing through it MLS 2313364 $69,000
Diagonal Rd 20A, not-so-remote remote parcel. Year round access to within a few yards. Septic sites identified. Great mixture of tree cover as well as highlands and wetlands. MLS 6021005 $27,500
Co Rd 67 2.24A with driveway in place! Excellent location close to town and county road means easy access.MLS 6021756 $49,900
Kelly Hill Rd
19.6A just a few miles from town. Simple lean-to cabin to give you a head start on your get away. MLS TBD $45,000 New
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 2232494 $49,900
County Rd 7
Wooded 5A, with seasonal Lake Superior Views! Nice mix of trees and quality build sites. MLS 2309120 $74,900
Beautifully wooded 7.7A, wonderful views of Lake Superior. Septic and building site id’d. MLS 6019917 $69,900
Oversize lot on Co Rd 7 but inside the city. The obvious benefits of broadband and other services. MLS 2313107 $65,000
Pick your own floorings, colors, materials! Borman Construction will build 2BR,1BA home on 5A. MLS 2309117 $315,000
10A lot in the highly popular Good Harbor Hill area west of Grand Marais. Nicely wooded, small creek flowing through, good home sites. MLS 6023300 $79,900 NEW
Camp 20 Rd
200+ A of land, abutting State and Federal land. Mature trees, gently rolling topography. MLS 6020847 $159,900
40A off of the Irish Creek Road. Land is surrounded by State Land for added privacy. MLS 6020846 $42,900 PENDING
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 6022528 $19,900
NEW!
high speed internet! Nicely updated, Main level bdrm, upper sleep loft the kids will love! MLS#6022854 $175,000
NEW! SERENITY ON CASCADE BEACH, LUTSEN’S LAKE SUPERIOR. Fantastic lakeshore home, reminiscent of days gone by while being lovingly maintained through generations. Craftsman built, you’ll be welcomed in to the comfortable kitchen, awed by incredible views through a wall of windows, very close to the water’s edge. You’ll fall in love with the large porch and stone flooring, move in ready yr round living. MLS#TBD $610,000
NEW! OVER 300 FT OF SPECTACULAR SHORELINE W/ AUTHENTIC BOATHOUSE AND MODERN HOME! Bright and Sunny home with huge deck for enjoying the fabulous views! Main level living, guest space on lower level. 2 car detached, awesome sauna. MLS#6023113 $585,000
NEW! LAKE SUPERIOR LOG HOME! Walk to Caribou Creek Waterfall from this Welcoming Log home! Vaulted, Beamed Ceilings, Wraparound deck and a wonderful move in ready interior! Some of the best lakeshore around, a must see! MLS#6022501 $549,000 **ASK ABOUT ADDITIONAL LAND!
ANYONE? Drift back to days gone by when you visit this lovely Greenwood Lake cabin! Incredible peninsula, Sweet cabin completely renovated and in tip top shape. Deep shoreline, huge ledgerock surrounds the home, you need to EXPERIENCE this property!
MLS#6023066 $429,000
NEW! JUST IMAGINE YOU’LL BE ON LOON LAKE NEXT 4TH OF JULY MAKING YOUR OWN FAMILY MEMORIES! Let the kids romp and swim down on the shoreline while you enjoy relax on the large deck! It’s a small footprint which means more affordable to maintain and heat!
Trout all day long!
MLS#6022840 $211,000
NEW! GORGEOUS SHORELINE WITH RARE SEA ARCH! The views are from the deck of a ship. A crafters dream home, lots of elbow room, stone fire place for the ages and lower level walk out living space your friends and family will LOVE! MLS#TBD $549,0000
NEW! COZY AND COMFORTABLE LAKE SIDE BLUEFIN CONDO, Very desirable to rent, street level. Functional kitchen for cooking meals or even better, eat out at the Coho Café or Bluefin Grille, within walking distance. Remodeled bathroom! Tons of amenities,
MLS#6022978 $237,500
DREAMY LAKE SUPERIOR CABIN, ACCESSIBLE SHORELINE! Accessible ledgerock shoreline in the heart of Tofte! Walk to BlueFin for dinner, Enjoy seclusion amongst the Mature Spruce, Year Round living at it’s best. Perfect home to update and make it your own! MLS#2270954
LAKE SUPERIOR HAVEN! Mint Condition and Move In Ready, you’ll love the location, minutes to Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort and a short drive to the Harbor at Grand Marais! Quality, energy efficient home designed for one level living and low maintenance…more time for you to soak in the views from the Prow Windows in the Great Room! MLS#2308717 $579,900
THE SECLUDED SIDE OF GRAND MARAIS ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Just east of the East Bay, you’ll love running your toes through the sandy shoreline on Lake Superior! Lovely Year Round 2+ bedrm home within walking distance to Grand Marais features main level living and room for expansion in the nice but unfinished basement. 2 car garage.
MLS#2313342 $369,900
Happy 4th of July! Summer Sunshine on the Shore!
LAKE SUPERIOR LAND!
CHALLENGING BUILD SITE ON LAKE SUPERIOR means BIG SAVINGS! Enjoy Rugged terrain, this is your Lake Superior dream in excellent location between Tofte and Lutsen on the Bike Trail! Must WALK with the list agent to truly understand the accessibility! MLS#2313306 $238,000
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 $265,000
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
DEERYARD LAKE WEST GRAND
MARAIS 2000 sq ft Log Home on 100 ft
Deeryard Lake, 2.5 ac, south facing, built in 2004. Large insulated, heated garage. 4 person sauna, 2 bedrm, 2 bath, 4-season porch. Power/broadband, water/septic. Maple and White Pine. Quiet, Northwood’s setting, not far from Grand Marais. MLS#2308905 $279,000
SECLUSION ON GREENWOOD LAKE’S EAST BAY! Charming newer construction log sided cabin with great Lake Views tucked in to the shoreline of a quiet bay… imagine fishing your days away on Greenwood! MLS#6019922 $249,000
PIKE LAKE SUNSHINE ON WILLARD LANE! Charming property is on the west end of Pike: the quiet side. Step inside the spacious A-frame: paneled floors and walls are warm and inviting, earnest wood stove. A bank of lakeside windows tells of every mood of light. Birch branch cabinet fronts, 240’ of lakeshore. MLS#2313066 $239,700
SWEET CABIN ON TONS OF PIKE LAKE SHORELINE! End of the road, year round living in this Grand Cabin bordering the Superior National Forest! MLS#6022181 $349,000
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
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 $529,000
ISLAND VIEW, HARBOR VIEW, SPECTACULAR VIEW!Accessible and Incredible shoreline, One of a KIND Lake Superior Parcel, Must Meander to See how much you will LOVE this Shoreline! MLS#2308826 $429,000 REDUCED!
to enjoy! Main Level Owner’s Suite will make you want to keep it all to yourselves! A Must See! MLS#2313246 $485,000 REDUCED!
CRAZY CUTE LOG CABIN ON CHRISTINE LAKE! Located just off a designated Mountain Bike Trail system, enjoy year round access, electric at street and a TOTAL SENSE OF SECLUSION! Canoe on Christine, Fly Fish in the Poplar or just go for a hike in the Superior National Forest! MLS#2308836 $150,000 REDUCED!
POPLAR LAKE CABIN ON 440’ OF SHORELINE AT THE TIP OF A PENINSULA!
Ensconced in quiet Boreal environment, Cabin sits proudly above the lake for long views over Poplar’s numerous islands! Home needs a little TLC, priced to sell! MLS#2308952 $259,000 REDUCED!
paved driveway all on 8 acres! MLS#2313057 $330,000
Hwy 1 area Hunting Cabin on 10 ac MLS#2309318 $64,900
30 acres Wilderness, Borders lands next to Little Manitou River! MLS#2309327
$129,000
Rocky Wall Overlooking Lake Superior just outside Silver Bay. MLS#2244646 $99,000
80 acres for $79,000 Blesner Lake Rd! MLS#2234328
Rock Road in Silver Bay area! Great build site with creek frontage! MLS#2308638 $45,000
Sonju Lake Road in Finland! 39 ac Rolling terrain with some maples MLS#2313331 $45,000
Little Marais Road Acreage! Build Ready Site, RV Neg. Old Garage, MLS#2313191 $99,000 SOLD!
160 acre parcel of upland maples and boreal forest. Total seclusion. Owned by the same family since 1904! MLS#2194145 $129,000
Lakeshore on Ninemile Lake at the Village, common water and septic, build ready, borders common land! MLS#2309096 $39,000 REDUCED!
Commercial Lot for Bar/Restaurant at the Village at Ninemile Lake, in between Finland and the Trestle Inn! MLS#2309264
$47,500
SCHROEDER AREA NEAR THE CROSS RIVER! SILVER BAY TO LITTLE MARAIS TO FINLAND & ISABELLA! TOFTE AREA NEAR BLUEFIN BAY RESORT!
Caribou River Frontage, Simply Gorgeous 38 ac! MLS#2313027 $65,000 SALE PENDING!
Maple forest with meandering creek , nice sized pond. Electric/broadband Yr Round access. 15 min from Hwy 61 in Schroeder. 20 ac $49,900 MLS#2308954; 40+ ac $109,900 MLS#2308953
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 $56,900
DRAMATIC Mountain Top Views, Rolling Hills, Maple Forests fading in to Spruce and Pine and year round access. Tons of acreage available, or just pick up a 40 for $70,000! MUST SEE, call Emily today! MLS#6001560, multiple#’s call for full map and prices! FROM $70,000 MLS#2090628
Sugarloaf Retreats on High Ridge Drive, located up the Surgaloaf Road from Sugarloaf Cove Naturalist Area, Enjoy large acreage parcels at rock bottom prices! Each $39,000 MLS#1598640 REDUCED!
LeVeaux Mountain, Super Views and Wildlife Ponds! FROM $49,900 MLS#2216091, MLS#2220050 $69,000 & MLS#2309131 $59,000
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#2070510 Prices from $24,900!!
Tofte vaag on the Sawbill, Nice Lake Views! Walk to the Coho, great location! FROM $49,900 MLS#1615956
Wowser Lake Superior views on Overlook Tr! MLS#2296509 $79,900
Mature Spruce and BIG Lake Views! Walk to Blue Fin Bay, drilled well in place! MLS#2272174 $49,900
Gorgeous 19 acres with creek running through the middle, high ground! MLS#2309247 $65,000
Onion River Rd land, Hiker’s Heaven! MLS#2309316 $45,000 SALE PENDING!
High Ground End of Cul de Sac borders Superior National Forest! MLS#6021436 $49,900
Woodland Foothills Build Ready lots, Shared Water & Community Septic from $19,000 MLS#2309328+
Heartland of Lutsen, 80 ac at the Foothills of Ski Hill ridge, near downtown Lutsen! MLS#2312987 $119,000
Over 15 ac of Wilderness on Turnagain Trail in Lutsen! MLS#2216560 $69,500
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
What an opportunity!
30 plus acres on Lutsen’s Ski Hill Rd, Lutsen Mountains. Great views of Lake Superior and toward Moose Mountain. MLS# 2217142 $250,000 SOLD!
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
INVEST
80 Ac with Poplar River Frontage on the Honeymoon Tr! MLS#2307399 $95,000
Hunters and Fisherman take note! Desirable 20 acre parcel located on the outskirts of Lutsen, minutes to Bigsby, Ward, Deeryard and Caribou Lakes! Nice mixed forest with high ground. Murmur Cr. frontage. Great price for your Northwoods getaway! MLS#1914043 $24,900 SALE PENDING!
Gorgeous Views of Williams & Wills Lake in Lutsen!
Year Round Access, electric, Mountain Top site bordering USFS land. A Wonderful place to build your home!
MLS#2107927 $70,000
A Hop, Skip & Jump West of Grand Marais this lot is the perfect location to build. With an apron and culvert installed off County Rd 7, and the survey done you are ready to build! MLS#2313311 $68,900
7.26 ac south facing land west of Grand Marais. White Pine, Maple forest in the Deeryard Lake area- East Deeryard Rd. Power/broadband. All high ground. MLS#2308855 $49,000
Birch Drive, West of Grand Marais! or HUGE Lake Superior views. MLS#2303398 FOR $71,000 SOLD!
A River Runs Through It! 160 Acres of Upland and River Frontage on the Cascade River near Eagle Mountain. Whether Hunting land or Wilderness Retreat, this is a Great Opportunity! MLS#1940786 $99,500 REDUCED! SALE PENDING!
Corner Build Site in Town Walk to Harbor! MLS#2309203 $39,000
60 Ac with Lake Views E of Grand Marais! Keep this gem all to yourself and enjoy plenty of elbow room! MLS#2208961 $119,000
Peaceful 40 ac with Flute Reed River Frontage. borders Judge Magney State Park, great hunting parcel! MLS#2309163 $44,900 SOLD!
Cty Rd 7 Murphy Mountain Lake View lands! Bargain Buys in young Poplar Forest, easy clearing for Sweet Lake Superior Views for as little as $39,900! Or Enjoy Hilltop Build Site with driveway in place. MLS#1599157 $79,900 REDUCED!
NEW! Lovely parcel just Up the Gunflint Trail, ready to build, mature pines great location! MLS#6022429 $49,900
LAKESHORE
CONTEMPORARY LOG HOME. Every room has a Lake Superior view! This beautiful home on 6.5 acres features an open living/dining room with cozy wood burning stove and wrap-around deck. The shoreline is accessible with a fire pit and beach platform. The kitchen has a huge granite island and homemade cabinets with lots of storage. "Technically" this is a 2 bedroom home, but the den could double as a bedroom. The upper family room also has space for "sleepovers." Nice basement and extra large garage with room for 4 vehicles. MLS# 6021770
AFFORDABLE
LAKE SUPERIOR –FINISH TO TASTE. This new lake shore home sits on 110’ of North Shore ledge rock with great views. The 2 bdrm, 2 bath home is quality constructed & partially completed inside. It's ready for you to use now and finish to your own taste and time frame. Build sweat-equity while enjoying a usable home, or complete the details before you move in. MLS# 6022255 $369,500
SPECTACULAR LAKE SUPERIOR LOT
2308811 $750,000
Framed by palisades, the nicely wooded property has two or more perfect sites on which to build your special lake home. Views are classic old North Shore looking over Chicago Bay. Shared septic system is in place. MLS# 2308784 $365,000 LAKE SUPERIOR COTTAGE. Exceptional Lake Superior property in highly regarded Lutsen area. 150 feet of accessible ledge rock and gravel beach shoreline with long magnificent views up and down the shore. The 2 bdrm, 1 bath cabin could be refurbished or this could be the build site for your north shore getaway. MLS# 2309109 $349,000
240 ft of Lake Superior shoreline in the Chimney Rock Platted Development. Premier quality with stunning elevated and panoramic views of the lake. MLS# 2313197 $249,900
NEW! LOG CABIN SECLUSION - LOON
LAKE. This beautiful log cabin sits on the secluded north shore of Loon Lake and adjoins forest service land on two sides. The quality log work is impeccable. 2 bdrms, 2 baths, huge loft, wonderful 4-season porch, deck and full walk-out basement provide plenty of room. The full stone fireplace is the focal point of the open floor plan living-kitchen area. The views are pure wilderness and the shoreline is classic Boundary Waters. MLS# 6023186 $449,000
NEW! GORGEOUS HOME ON DEVIL TRACK LAKE. Impeccably maintained 2 story, 3 bdrm lake home with 3 season porch. Windows all around, vaulted ceilings, numerous upgrades, loads of finished living space. Workshop, landscaped yard and gardens. Easy walk to access the 100+ ft of lake shore and dock. There is a picnic space with fire pit that is perfect for get-togethers. MLS# 6023129 $399,900
CABIN.
huge windows looking through the forest to the lake. The 200' of lakeshore is easy to access and includes the dock. The lot is full of huge mature cedars and feels like the primeval forest. MLS# 6021137 $389,900
NEW! PARADISE ON TOM LAKE. This 2 bedroom log sided cabin is the definition of superb craftsmanship! Charm in every room. Large Pella bay windows, genuine hardwood flooring, Corian countertops & quartz island with new kitchen appliances, and 2 fireplaces - one of which is see-through and heats the master bedroom! Generator power - electricity is at the road. Also features a 30 x 16 carriage house, 8 x 8 shed, & 220' shoreline. MLS# 6022909 $259,900
NEW! EAST BEARSKIN LAKE HOME.
Description: Charming 2 bdrm cabin on 180 ft of E. Bearskin Lake. Federal lease property. All knotty pine interior, brick fireplace, built-in bookcases. Septic, lake water well, new hot water heater. Awesome views of the lake, level walk to the dock and shore. Includes utility shed, woodshed, aluminum canoe & boat. MLS# 6023139 $235,900
NEW!
INLAND WATER PROPERTIES
QUALITY DEVIL TRACK LAKE LOT. Wooded south shore lot with easy shoreline and great views from excellent building sites. 150 ft frontage. Power/phone. More lakeshore land available. MLS# 6020623 $149,900
CARIBOU LAKE - HOME SITE. New price is well below tax assessed value, and seller is open to offers. Magnificent old-growth cedar and maple trees frame a corner lot with a great, high build site on Sawmill Bay. 5.34 acres and 185’ lake frontage. MLS# 2203572 $95,000
SWEET SPOT ON TOM LAKE. Just a great opportunity, only four lots behind the gate. The driveway is in and the owner is looking at all offers. 1.60 acres and 189’ shoreline. Quiet and very private. MLS# 6021808 $70,000 LOTS ON NINEMILE LAKE. Three beautiful, large lots on Ninemile Lake in Finland. Lots adjoin Superior National Forest and Cabin Creek Unit Roadless Area with excellent shoreline and views. Power and year round access! MLS #6019489 $89,300, MLS #6019492 $97,900 MLS #6021813 $69,000
SNOWSHOE RUN LOTS. Set along a high ridge overlooking Hare Lake in a mature northern hardwood forest. Year-round plowed and maintained county roads, power at each property and a clear water trout lake. These beautiful home sites were planned for generations of enjoyment and are protected by covenants. MLS# 60194906019496, 6019498 Lake lot prices start at $48,800
END OF THE ROAD PRIVACY ON TOM LAKE.This beautiful wooded lot has its own bay/cove. There is a long curved driveway to a cleared build site. The lake is a great walleye fishery and a wonderful getaway. Seller willing to do contract for deed for the right buyer. MLS# 6021553 $47,500
CONDOMINIUMS
NEW! WELCOME TO LAKE SUPERIOR. Warm & beautiful light-filled end unit Aspenwood Townhome. The 2-story walkout style leaves you with plenty of options to get outside and close to the Big Lake. This 2 bdrm, 3 bath home includes 98% of
CONDOMINIUMS
- perfect for entertaining. Attached garage is a rarity on the shore. Perfect North Shore home or offer as a vacation rental. MLS# 2312996 $374,900 LOG CABIN CHARM. This gorgeous lower level unit walks out to Lake Superior. Updated with top-notch finishes,
NEW! A GEM IN THE WOODS. There is quality and detail at every turn in this magnificent 2 bdrm, 2 bath home hidden on 30 acres in the Grand Portage State Forest. Marble stairs and floors, loft, master bath with hot tub & sauna, soaring cathedral ceilings, and 2000 sq ft attached garage. There's even a remote bdrm tucked away for guests. Not your typical home in the woods, this is a rare gem waiting for someone who loves the outdoors, but wants the class of an elegant home at the end of the day. MLS# 6022895 $750,000
MAPLE HILL HOME IN ENCHANTED FOREST. This 3 bdrm, 2 bath split entry sits in a mature pine forest with tons of seclusion and northwoods appeal on 28 acres. Lrg stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings, open plan living-diningkitchen with patio door to the deck. 1.5-car garage with finished space above plus 30 x 40 shop building. Great location near town, but tucked away in the majestic pines for peaceful privacy. MLS# 6020988 $389,900
room, huge living room, comfortable den with built-in bookshelves, 3 season porch and full basement with workshop. The land is special with a large wildlife pond, planted pines, open meadow and potential for a lake view. More land is available. MLS# 2309191 $298,900 PRICE REDUCED!
LAKE SUPERIOR CONDO/TOFTE. Great lake views from this 2 bedroom + loft unit with 2 baths, fireplace, balcony looking up the shore. Chateau LeVeaux offers many updated amenities, indoor pool, sauna, game room, and on-site manager. MLS# 2276189 $80,000 QUIET AND PRIVATE CONDO. Spend the day on your
HOVLAND
6020672 $81,900
OPPORTUNITY. Large home or commercial opportunity on Hwy 61 between Hovland and Grand Portage. This 7 bdrm, 3 bath home has resort/commercial zoning allowing for many options. Located on the scenic Reservation River at the gateway to the most picturesque corner of Minnesota's North Shore. Large deck, stone fireplace, Lake Superior views, +/- 500' of rushing river frontage. A great home for a large family, or your business dream. MLS# 2313085, 2313088 $289,900 HOBBY FARM OR LOTS OF IDEAS. This large property features open meadows, gardens, orchards, and a beautiful river. The living quarters with 4 bdrms, 2 baths and open living space is located above a 6-stall horse barn. A large pole barn, huge gathering hall, garage and various storage sheds provide lots of sheltered space. Two wells and septic systems. Easy county road access. What's your idea? MLS# 6018972 $269,900 PRICE REDUCED!
HOMES & CABINS LAND/BUILDING SITES
RECREATIONAL BASE CAMP. Great Tofte lot has 2 garage buildings. They could easily become living space, one has a second story. Property has room for a home with views of a dramatic creek gorge with waterfall and Lake Superior view. 4.54 acres, year-round road, power, phone. MLS# 6019481 $169,900
CABINS IN THE WOOD. Only a stone’s throw to Gunflint Lake with nice views of the lake and Canadian shore, these 9 acres are nicely wooded and feel secluded. There is a super charming log sauna and two small cabins, ready for you to move in. A storage shed and outhouse are included. It adjoins federal land and you could walk to the BWCAW, or drive to the public landing just down the road. MLS# 2305426 $124,900
NORTH SHORE RETREAT. Here is one of those little cabins waiting for you to turn it into a place to call home, or a weekend retreat. Located on the Lake Superior side of Highway 61, these 3.8 acres have decent lake views and the property is accessed from a private road off of the highway. The one-room cabin is kind of rough, but maybe this is the project you've been looking for. MLS# 6020252 $40,000
OUTPOST MOTEL. This motel has had a steady income stream for over 25 years. Only 9 miles from town with trails that connect the Outpost to the Kadunce River Park and the Lake Superior Hiking Trail. The motel has 9 smaller queen units and 5 kitchen units with 2 queen beds (some with extra living room space). 3 bdrm owner’s home overlooks Lake Superior. 17 acres – room to grow! MLS# 6020562 $620,000
RENTAL COTTAGES - GOOD HISTORY - GREAT LAKE. Devil Track Cabins have been a long standing seasonal resort on the beautiful north shore of Devil Track Lake. 5 cabins plus an owner's cabin needing renovation - a manageable operation for a retired couple, or as a family retreat. Great potential as vacation rental business. Classic charm, nice lake views. private setting. MLS# 6019988 $389,000
RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE
DRAMATIC CASCADE RIVER PROPERTY. River splits the 20 acre property – never look at a neighbor across the river. The dozen large private parcels in this “island” of private land are surrounded by federal and state forest lands. Remote, yet only 15 minutes to Grand Marais. MLS# 6020527 $74,900
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 PRICE REDUCED! or MLS# 6021358 $74,900.
GRAND MARAIS - CITY LOT ON CREEK. Wooded lot with City services: water, sewer and electric at site. Nice south exposure and frontage on scenic Cedar Creek. Quiet street. MLS# 2125228 $59,900
LAND ON THE FLUTE REED RIVER. Enjoy privacy and seclusion in a deep 13 acre parcel with over 300 feet of trout stream in Hovland. Easy access with power, phone and broadband. Nice build sites. MLS# 2313215 $49,900 500’ 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# 6021088 $39,900
LAND/BUILDING SITES
NEW! TOP OF BIRCH CLIFF. See 50 miles across Lake Superior! Only a few spectacular view sites like this exist on the North Shore. You can see 180 degrees from Isle Royale to the east, the Apostle Islands to the south, and all the way down the Sawtooth Mountains to the west. There is a private drive and buried power already in place. Public lands border the 15+ acre property, and more land is available. This site will rock your world. MLS# 6022768 $350,000
LOCATION, VIEWS, PRIVACY, 80 ACRES. Sweeping views of Lake Superior and Pincushion Mt from expansive open meadows. This former homesteaders property has it all: rolling topography, ravines, grassy meadows, mature timber, flowing creek and expansive views. Great property for horses or crop production. Minutes from Grand Marais. MLS# 6021017 $289,000
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# 6019433 $203,000
BUILDING SITE, CREEK, MAPLE RIDGE.This 47 acre parcel has a lot to offer. There's a nice south facing building site just off a county road, a trout stream with beaver pond, and a maple ridge adjoining federal land. Make this your home or cabin site and enjoy all the natural diversity on this parcel. Great location close to Grand Marais. MLS# 6022087 $69,900 RUSTICATE, RECREATE, RELAX. Reclusive 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 $67,900
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 PINES & LAKE SUPERIOR VIEW. Large 13+ acre pine filled lot on the hillside above Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center in Schroeder. Great lake views! Power, phone and broadband at the lot. MLS# 2313242 $64,900 NEW! HOME SITE NEAR DEVIL TRACK LAKE. Deep wooded home site steps from Devil Track Lake. Great tree cover, nice elevation, secluded privacy. Walk a short distance and launch your canoe, kayak or boat at the public access. Enjoy the lake without the high taxes. MLS# 6022472 $64,900
MAPLE HILL - HOME SITE. Heavily wooded 6.45 acre parcel with great privacy, county rd frontage, power and phone. MLS# 2192740 $64,500
GRAND MARAIS PROFESSIONAL BUILDING. The options here are endless and the opportunity is great. Ample parking and a nice sized storage building. Own/occupy the entire building, rent out one side & offset your ownership costs, create “condo offices” & offer space to a variety of entities… many avenues one could take! The building is in wonderful condition and is ready for business. MLS# 6020220 $269,900
GRAND MARAIS CABINS. Good income property with long-term tenants. All 5 cabins have had ongoing upgrades - roofs, baths, plumbing, heating. Cabin 1 has fireplace. Charming touches. MLS# 2312978 $210,000
COMMERCIAL LOTS IN LUTSEN. Two commercial-zoned lots fronting Hwy 61 in Lutsen across from Lockport Store. Great visibility, nice forest, lake view. Third lot is zoned residential. Bring your business idea! MLS# 6020464 $179,000
CEDAR GROVE BUSINESS PARK LOTS. Cedar Grove Business Park is the ideal location for your existing business or new start-up! Conveniently located in Grand Marais, near the start of the iconic Gunflint Trail. Full infrastructure in place including paved streets, municipal sewer and water, electric and telephone. Call us today for a guided tour of this unique and affordable business park opportunity. 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# 2308736 $297,500
OUTSTANDING VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR. Almost 15 acres within the boundaries of Cascade State Park. Rolling hills, a variety of tree species, and just 10-15 minutes from both Grand Marais and Lutsen. Potential for subdivision. MLS# 2309282 $175,000 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# 2313109 $167,000
BIG LAND, BIG CREEK, BIG TREES. This nearly 100 acre Hovland area parcel is on the "front range" of the Farquhar Hills with a dramatic backdrop of rock cliffs and escarpments. There is a large creek running through the entire property with many fantastic building sites. MLS# 2308857 $159,900
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# 6023211 $150,000
BEAUTIFUL ACREAGE WITH LAKE VIEWS. Four 80 acre parcels located just south of Schroeder and a stone’s throw from Lake Superior! Each parcel features shared access off State Highway 61. The land features a gradual elevation, tiered building sites, beautiful lake views, and the Caribou River is within walking distance. MLS #6020335, #6021914, #6021916, and #6021918 $149,900 each.
LARGE PARCEL. Large private parcel with possible subdivision potential. Great Lake Superior views on the higher elevations. A small creek runs through part of the 25 acre property. MLS# 2308822 $124,900
INTRIGUING PROSPECT. High-quality items already in place include an insulated/heated slab for house/porch, insulated garage slab, electricity, driveway, the well, a time-dosed/heated septic system. Over 18 acres of privacy. MLS# 6021384 $114,900
READY TO BUILD – 20 ACRES IN SCHRODER. Driveway and building pad already in place. A red pine forest climbs up to the highest point with stunning views of high ridges and valleys. MLS# 2308723 $99,900
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# 6022858 $99,000
MAPLES, VIEWS, PRIVACY. 85+ acres near Hovland. Good end of road access, adjoining tons of federal land, great view of pond. MLS# 2313198 $98,900
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, plus an elevated viewing blind. MLS# 6020274 $55,000 PRICE REDUCED!
RIDGES, PINES AND VIEWS - ARROWHEAD TRAIL. Nice 28 acre parcel with high building sites and huge pines. The surrounding federal land leads directly into the BWCAW. Excellent year-round road access and McFarland Lake is just a half-mile away. MLS# 2313108 $63,000
BUILDING LOT - GRAND MARAIS. A rare find! This lot is located on 8th Ave W in the heart of town with easy walking distance to the harbor and business district. All city services are at the street. There's even good potential for a lake view. Build your home here and enjoy living in the heart of "America's Favorite Small Town.” MLS# 6019287 $54,900
QUIET AND PRIVATE.Choice 2.31 acre lot at the end of the road in Lutsen, ready to build. Priced to sell! MLS# 2309202 $54,900
NEW! 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# 6021986 $51,500
WOODED 2.4 ACRE. Tait Lake back-lot with driveway in and cleared building site ready for your cabin. Electric is on site. Owner/Agent. MLS# 2297619 $49,000
OWN A PIECE OF THE NORTHWOODS. 39+ acres of gently sloping, wooded land with easy road access on Camp 20 Road in Hovland. Less than one half mile east of Judge CR Magney State Park, and steps away from the Superior Hiking Trail, this parcel is located within the Grand Portage State Forest. MLS# 6022163 $48,900
BUILDING SITE OVERLOOKING MCFARLAND LAKE.
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. Just minutes from the BWCA by canoe or hiking shoe. MLS# 6019449 $47,000
POWERS LAKE ROAD ACREAGE. This is the beautiful '40' that you have been waiting for. Easy access off Powers Lake Road. Electricity and broadband scheduled for 2016 - a real bonus! This is a fine opportunity for the person seeking a remote retreat with some modern amenities. MLS# 6022202 $42,000
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 $40,000
NICE HOVLAND ACREAGE. Easy year-round access, almost 40 acres. Build your cabin retreat overlooking the wildlife pond! MLS# 2313144 $38,000 PENDING
WOODED ACREAGE – GRAND MARAIS.Two private, 20 acre lots with hiking and ski trails, and abundant wildlife. A high building site offers seasonal views of Lake Superior. MLS# 2313172 $46,000 & MLS# 2313173 $35,000
FIVE SECLUDED ACRES. One of eight secluded wooded 5-acre parcels bordering Govt. land. MLS# 2308827 $28,000 WILDWOOD ACRES - TOFTE. Great building potential. MLS# 2313009, 2313010, 2313011 & 2313012 $17,500 - $20,000 COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT
Bald Eagle
This photo was taken on the Seagull River that flows into Gull Lake. The eagle was one of a pair that had a nest near the river. They would hunt along the river for fish. The nest blew down this year, but they still come to the river to fish.—David Johnson
Welcome to Golden Eagle Lodge, a family oriented, yearround resort on Minnesota’s historic Gunflint Trail. Located on the quiet shores of Flour Lake, we are the only resident on nearly 8 miles of pristine shoreline. Here, you can look forward to the quiet and solitude offered only from a true wilderness setting. We offer modern lakeshore cabins to ensure comfort during your stay in the North Woods.
Each season has something special to offer; excellent fishing, canoeing, and hiking in summer and nationallyrenowned Cross-Country Skiing in winter. Visit our website to find in detail how each season can help shape your vacation.
Try our 9-site campground which offers the same quiet and personal service as our cabins; each site comes equipped with water and electric hookups. We go out of our way to ensure every aspect of your visit will convince you to come back and see us again.
We know much time, effort, and expense is invested in a vacation and we would be honored if you considered us as your vacation destination. You won’t be disappointed!
