Northern Wilds

The North Shore’s Favorite Restaurants

Northern Wilds readers know where to satisfy their wide-ranging appetites. This year, about 500 people voted in our annual Reader’s Choice Restaurant Awards. Thank you to everyone who participated and to the restaurants who promoted the contest to their customers.

2018 Winners Which restaurant has the best:

Appetizers:

1st Voyageur Brewing Co.

2nd Gun Flint Tavern

3rd Cascade Lodge Restaurant & Pub

Steak:

1st Harbor House Grille

2nd Crooked Spoon Café

3rd Bluefin Grille

Burger:

1st My Sister’s Place

2nd Trail Center

3rd Wunderbar Eatery

Fish:

1st Angry Trout

2nd Dockside Fish Market

3rd Northern Waters Smokehaus

Pizza:

1st Sven & Ole’s

2nd My Sister’s Place

3rd Sydney’s Frozen Custard

Soup:

1st Cook County Whole Foods Co-op

2nd Crooked Spoon Café

3rd Vanilla Bean Restaurant

Salad:

1st Angry Trout

2nd Vanilla Bean Restaurant

3rd Gun Flint Tavern

Breakfast:

1st Cascade Lodge Restaurant & Pub

2nd Blue Water Café 3rd South of the Border

Baked Goods:

1st World’s Best Donuts

2nd Coho Café & Bakery

3rd Rustic Inn

Sweets:

1st Gunflint Mercantile

2nd Coho Café & Bakery

3rd World’s Best Donuts

Coffee:

1st Java Moose

2nd Cedar Coffee Company

3rd Fika Coffee

Wine:

1st North Shore Winery

2nd Crooked Spoon Café 3rd Lutsen Resort

Cocktails:

1st Gun Flint Tavern

2nd Black Water Lounge

3rd Grandma Ray’s

Beer Selection:

1st Gun Flint Tavern

2nd Voyageur Brewing Co.

3rd 7 West Taphouse

Regional Craft Beer:

1st Voyageur Brewing Co.

2nd Castle Danger Brewery

3rd Gun Flint Tavern

Happy Hour:

1st Cascade Lodge Restaurant & Pub

2nd Wunderbar Eatery

3rd TIE: Gun Flint Tavern & Black Woods Grill & Bar

Music Venue:

1st Papa Charlie’s

2nd Gun Flint Tavern

3rd Wunderbar Eatery

Fine Dining:

1st Crooked Spoon Café

2nd Bluefin Grille

3rd Lutsen Resort

Artistic Flair from the Chef:

1st Crooked Spoon Café

2nd New Scenic Café

3rd Harbor House Grille

Use of Regional Ingredients:

1st Angry Trout

2nd Duluth Grill

3rd Crooked Spoon Café

Ethnic Fare:

1st Hughie’s Taco House

2nd Gun Flint Tavern

3rd India Palace

Northwoods Character:

1st Trail Center

2nd My Sister’s Place

3rd Cascade Lodge Restaurant & Pub

View:

1st Bluefin Grille

2nd Angry Trout

3rd Sydney’s Frozen Custard

Worth the Drive:

1st Trail Center

2nd Naniboujou

3rd Trestle Inn

Kid-Friendly Menu:

1st Dairy Queen

2nd My Sister’s Place

3rd Blue Water Café

VegetarianFriendly:

1st Duluth Grill

2nd Gun Flint Tavern

3rd At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Café

Server/Bartender:

1st Sara Tate: Blue Water

2nd Sevgi Akinci: Blue Water

3rd Kia Pusc: Trail Center

Speedy Service:

1st Hughie’s Taco House

2nd Dairy Queen

3rd TIE: Blue Water Café & My Sister’s Place

Take-Out:

1st Hughie’s Taco House

2nd Sven & Ole’s

3rd My Sister’s Place

Do you have a question for one of our writers? Or an interesting photo, recipe, or story you’d like to share with Northern Wilds? Please send it to storyideas@northernwilds.com.

It sure is nice to step outside without having to bundle up before doing so. Just a month ago, we worried that spring would never arrive, because Old Man Winter refused to retreat. But the grumpy old man proved no match for May sunshine. The snow disappeared. Frozen lakes became fluid. Deciduous trees, naked of foliage since last October, burst forth new leaves of vibrant green. Summer. It couldn’t come at a better time.

Many of us know summer has truly arrived in the Northern Wilds when we hear the call of a loon. Perhaps we feel a kinship with this ancient bird, a fellow denizen of the north. Just about any time we go paddling or fishing on a northern lake at this time of the year, we are in the company of loons. And they are good company, whether silently swimming and diving on a placid lake or piercing the silence with their haunting calls. In this issue, we explore the world of loons, beginning with the striking image on our cover. Inside you’ll learn about loon language, loon natural history, loon monitoring and even loon art. Perhaps our coverage will inspire you to become a volunteer LoonWatcher with the Minnesota DNR.

Did you hear about the bull moose that could barely squeeze into the International Wolf Center in Ely? You’ll find a story about the big boy inside. On the other end of the wildlife scale, Ali Juten interviews North Shore butterfly experts about monarchs and other fluttering beauties. Erin Altemus explains to kids how dragonflies prey upon mosquitos and other flying insects. Kelsey Dayton, in her first story for Northern Wilds, tells us about the Poo-Poo Project, a national effort to prevent

birds, bats and other critters from making a fatal flight into the vent pipe of an outdoor privy.

A new trend we are seeing in the Northern Wilds is the rise of hostels to provide inexpensive, sociable lodging alternatives. Casey Fitchett talks with hostel owners in Duluth, Grand Marais and Thunder Bay. Kim Casey visits the Red Rock Inn, where a new owner is restoring the iconic building as a bed and breakfast. On the water, Elle Andra-Warner recalls some Lake Superior shipwrecks and the dramatic rescues that prevented tragic loss of life. Shallow water lake trout are on the agenda for Gord Ellis, who shares his tips and tricks for catching this cold-water native of the North. Preferring to catch her fish off the menu, Maren Webb takes us in search of fish and chips. And the intrepid Javier Serna goes fishing for new local brews in the wilds of Duluth.

In honor of the summer solstice, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux provides the recipes so you can prepare a traditional Swedish smorgasbord. Striking a pensive note, Julia Prinselaar uses the long evenings of the solstice to reflect upon Canada’s relationship with its Indigenous people. If you find such deep thoughts distracting, then stay off the road, says Amy Schmidt, who explains there are more ways to be a distracted driver than just texting on a cell phone.

We suggest that you don’t read this issue while driving. Instead, use this issue to inspire you to drive to places you’ve never been or to revisit old favorites. The season of summer fun is upon us. Don’t let it slip away from you.

—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt

JUNE 2018

PUBLISHERS

Shawn Perich & Amber Pratt

EDITORIAL

Shawn Perich, Editor editor@northernwilds.com

Breana Roy, Managing Editor breana@northernwilds.com

ADVERTISING

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

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com

Kathy Hellner • kathy@northernwilds.com

OFFICE

Roseanne Cooley billing@northernwilds.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Kim Casey, Eric Chandler, Mike Creger, Kelsey Dayton, Gord Ellis, Peter Fergus-Moore, Casey Fitchett, Joe Friedrichs, Ali Juten, Ann M. Mershon, Deane Morrison, Matt Nesheim, Rae Poynter, Julia Prinselaar, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, Emily M. Stone, Maren Webb

Copyright 2018 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc.

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Listening to loon talk

NORTH SHORE—The mournful wail of a common loon echoes across the glassy water. From a neighboring lake, another loon replies with the same smooth cry. Common loons are an icon of the northwoods, and while it’s not always easy to see one up close, we can enjoy their unique voices from afar. With just a little practice, one can learn to identify loons’ four different calls and attempt to interpret what they’re saying.

Loons use their eerie, howl-like wail as a form of long distance communication. For instance, one loon in a pair might use wail to call their mate back to the territory. During breeding season, the avian parents split childrearing duties 50-50. After the male chooses the nest location, the female builds the nest (which only entails pulling some weeds around her body) and then lays the two eggs. Alternating incubating and eating, the parents wait 26-31 days until the two eggs hatch a day apart. If one member needs a break, or if a threat on their territory is making them nervous, they can call their partner back with a wail.

stunned prey, and eventually result in chicks catching their own. I’ve watched as patient parents re-catch a snack and bring it back to the chick for a second attempt. Not all loon calls are family-friendly, though. The evening serenade of loon calls echoing from lake to lake is one of the most special memories one carries home from a canoe trip. And while it’s true that a couple of those loons might be dedicated mates, there’s also a good chance that some voices belong to rivals.

Loons are extremely territorial, and each pair defends an area with the nesting habitat, protected nursery bays, and feeding grounds that it needs to survive and raise young. While the size of the territory can vary based on the density of food, one thing that remains constant is the need for a clear viewshed. Loons do not like to see other loons while they are on their territory. As a result there are a finite number of loon-ready lakes in the northwoods. Loons who haven’t secured their own territory yet are always on the alert for an opportunity to get one.

Loons can tell each other apart by their calls, and even elementary students can distinguish individual loons by looking at sonograms of their yodels.

If eagles come near, the parents may give a special three-note version of the wail. Bald eagles are a known predator of loons, and the alarm call tells the chicks to “DIVE NOW!”

Adult loons communicate with the chicks using a soft, short “hoot.” Snack time often involves the parent surfacing with a minnow, giving a hoot to alert the chick, and the chick swimming over to receive its treat. Loons can’t chew or tear their food, so each lunch item has to come in a bite-sized package. Feeding lessons start with a dead minnow dropped in front of the chick, progress to larger

During that evening chorus, the neighbors are checking in with each other. Is everyone alive and well, and in their proper location? Or is someone missing? Silence from a lake that used to have a loon on it may invite floater loons to check out the situation for a possible invasion.

The tremolo is another common call you’ll hear from loons. It’s no surprise that this fast, frantic trill is their alarm call. It could mean that a raccoon, a rival, or a human is approaching too close. But it has another use, too.

Loons sometimes make the tremolo call in flight. High in the sky it acts as a door-

bell. An exploring loon will tremolo over a lake. If the lake is empty, or if any loons on it are also floaters and not territorial, they will remain silent and the flying loon may land without conflict.

If the lake is occupied, the resident male will signal that he is willing to fight for this prime real estate and he will reply with a maniacal yodel. The invading loon can tell by the lowest note in the resident male’s yodel approximately how big the defender is, and use this information to decide whether a fight is in his favor or not. If he chooses to fight, the invader replies with his own unique yodel. Loons can tell each other apart by their calls, and even elementary students can distinguish individual loons by looking at sonograms of their yodels.

Sometimes the still night air is pierced by the yodels of two male loons. This signifies a battle over territory. Thirty percent of the time a territorial battle results in the death of the resident male. Home territory means a lot to loons. The longer a

male holds in the same territory, the more local knowledge he gains about good nest sites, and the greater his chance of raising chicks to adulthood. Finding a new territory isn’t easy, so it’s better to fight hard to keep the one he has. Invading loons have less to lose, so they will give up before mortal injury occurs and live to fight another day.

If the invading male wins, the resident female will stay on the territory with the new male. As with many species, males only fight males and females only fight females. Females don’t yodel, though, and they rarely fight to the death.

The eerie wail, the soft hoot, the frantic trill and the maniacal yodel: drama unfolds as these elements of loon language echo over summer in lake country. —Emily M. Stone

Adult loons often give a soft hoot to call their young over for snack time. | EMILY M. STONE

Loon language is every bit as stunning and complex as their striking plumage. | EMILY M. STONE

Discover Geraldton Interpretive Centre

Schroeder

GERALDTON—The centre piece of a massive mine reclamation project, the Discover Geraldton Interpretive Centre (GIC) opened its doors in July 2000 to offer visitors a truly unique experience in Northwestern Ontario. Highlighting how the past and present meet in a fantastic interactive heritage display, the GIC attracts hundreds of tourists each year, providing a quick break from their travels down Highway 11.

The Municipality of Greenstone provides guided tours exploring the early days of the Hudson Bay fur traders, the gold boom that brought the town of Geraldton to being, and the firefighting legacy that is ours today. Situated directly across from the Interpretive Centre is the Macleod Cockshutt Mine Head Frame, which has been restored and stands tall representing the rich history in mining. A platform outside the GIC allows for great selfies displaying the head frame.

Recently added is a canoe, which displays painted indigenous images and symbols as a way of showcasing their history and culture within the region. The canoe was donated by the Outers Program and painted by grade 11 students at the Geraldton Composite High School.

Come and discover the Interpretive Centre, located at the crossroads of High -

of

|

way 11 and Michael Power Boulevard in Geraldton, Ontario. Admission is free for all ages. Open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. until

August 31. For more information, visit: greenstone.ca.

This water-bomber replica hangs at the Geraldton Interpretive Center.

SUBMITTED

The North American Bear Center in Ely has a new common loon exhibit. | SUBMITTED

Loon exhibit at North American Bear Center

ELY—The new common loon exhibit in the Northwoods Ecology Hall, located at the North American Bear Center in Ely, features a female loon (taxidermy) resting on her nest surrounded by tall grass and cattails. Overhead, a loon slideshow plays, showing a variety of loons photographed in the Ely area by Lynn Rogers. Visitors can learn fun facts about loons while listening to their four distinct calls: the tremolo, wail, yodel and hoot.

Some fun facts about the common loon (Gavia immer):

• Minnesota has the largest loon population of any lower 48 states and rightfully claims the loon as its state bird.

• Their legs are positioned at the rear of their body, which aids in diving, but is a disadvantage when walking on land.

• They have solid bones, which add weight for diving.

• They are strong, fast divers.

The Northwoods Ecology Hall also features many birds and animals that black bears encounter in the northwoods. Exhibits include a 660-gallon aquarium, terrariums with local reptiles and amphibians, a majestic bull moose mount, a woodland caribou mount and a 40-foot wildlife exhibit showcasing over 35 mammals and birds in seasonal habitat settings.

The Bear Center is also home to four American black bears, Ted, Lucky, Holly and Tasha. You can get up close and personal with one or more of our bears during our Behind-the-Scene tours and learn about black bear behavior. To learn more, visit: bear.org.

Reviving the Red Rock Inn

RED ROCK—In the center of Red Rock, on a hill overlooking Nipigon Bay, is the historic Red Rock Inn. The Lake Sulphite Pulp and Paper Company built it in 1937, at a cost of $100,000. Its style Neo-Georgian, it was designed by the Montreal-based architectural firm, Lawson & Little.

The first guests to stay at the Red Rock Inn were the paper mill’s engineers and officials. Close to where the marina building now stands, a campsite with 48 bunkhouses was erected for the construction workers. Two years later, the Lake Sulphite Pulp and Paper Company went bankrupt. In 1940, the Canadian Government took over the campsite and called it Camp R. It was used for prisoners of war. The officers stayed at the Red Rock Inn and the guards were stationed at houses in the community. The following year, the camp was discontinued due to poor sanitation, and the inn was once again vacant.

Midway through WWII, Brompton Pulp and Paper Company bought Red Rock’s dormant paper mill, which included the inn. The paper mill was sold two more times and the inn’s ownership was part of both transactions. In addition to offering accommodations, banquets, dances and first-class dining, it has over the years, hosted other businesses and services.

Everything from a pharmacy, dentist’s office, credit union, hair salon, snack bar, library, school and union headquarters.

Since 1973, the inn has been owned and operated by numerous people not connected to the paper mill. Its current caretaker Don Evans was born and raised in Red Rock. After university he moved away, but no matter where his work took him, he always came back to the area. Evans explained that he and many other residents have always stayed connected to the community and each other, and it was this bond that brought him back to run the once again vacant inn.

Evans has resided at the Red Rock Inn for a year and seven months. In that short time, he has, with the help of the local his -

torical society and many generous people, made some much needed changes to the four-story building. His goal is simple, the 70-year-old man, with the energy of someone far younger, plans to restore the inn to the way it was when he was a youth. And no matter how busy Evans is with this huge project, he is always happy to take time out of his day to give tours. The Red Rock Inn has the largest stair master in Northwestern Ontario, and a basement lounge with a capacity for 200 people. Every room possesses a rustic ambience made all the more inviting by Evans’ recollections. One such example is when he was showing the view from the back of the inn, and talked about the robbers that hid in the bell tower of the nearby United Church. They even had a getaway car. Evans explained that this happened back in 1963, when gun laws were more lenient. So much so, that the teller was not alarmed when the two local teenagers entered the bank with their .22 rifles. And it wasn’t until one of them shot the ceiling, that she realized they were serious. At present, Evans runs the inn as a bed and breakfast. He can accommodate up to 36 people in the 24 rooms that have been recently renovated. There is a large kitchen available for anyone wanting to prepare their own meals. He shared that a large family living in different parts of Canada, recently held their reunion at the inn. They had such a great time that they are planning to return this summer. Evans explained that the reason why the Red Rock Inn is becoming such a tourist attraction around the world, is because the guests can experience firsthand its rich past in a comfortable and leisurely setting. There is also the added attraction of being able to view Evans’ artistic masterpiece. Inspired by the famous Group of Seven, he drew a picture that hangs in the lobby. Its primitive depiction of sunburnt stick people standing by a blotchy blue lake may not win any awards. But it will definitely bring a chuckle to all those fortunate enough to visit the Red Rock Inn. —Kim Casey

Tofte 4th of July Celebration & fireworks

WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 2018

Tofte 4th of July!

TOFTE TOWN HALL - 11 am - 5 pm

Live Music - Fabulous Food - Beer Garden Bingo - Art & Craft Show - Minnow Races

11:00 am Craft Fair opens

1:30 pm Line up for the parade at the west end of Tofte Park Road

2:00 pm Parade

3:00 pm Citizen of the Year Award Presentation

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Spaghetti Dinner at Zoar Lutheran

10:00 pm FIREWORKS Tofte Town Park

LIVE MUSIC!

TOFTE TOWN HALL

Come enjoy the music of this great local band! Cook County’s Most Wanted

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.

held rain or shine!

Front entrance to the Red Rock Inn. | SUBMITTED

Grand Marais fisheries announces survey work

July 16 Survey Partridge and Little Trout lakes.

BLOCK PARTY

JUNE

9 2018

MUSIC FOOD SHOPS

JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY GRAND

9AM - 5PM

GRAND MARAIS—Each year, fisheries staff from the Minnesota DNR Grand Marais area office conducts fisheries surveys and assessments to monitor changes in fish populations, and to evaluate management strategies.

Survey methods and frequencies vary based on the types of information needed for ongoing management evaluations in individual lakes and streams. Large lakes with heavy use are surveyed more frequently than small, remote lakes. Stocked lakes are also sampled more often to better assess stocking success. Large trout streams are surveyed more frequently than small trout streams or warmwater streams. Most streams are surveyed using backpack electrofishing gear, while most lakes are surveyed using gill nets and trap nets.

Survey results are reviewed and incorporated into individual lake and stream management plans. The plans identify goals for key species in the lake and outline specific management activities. They are typically revised every six to 10 years. All current lake and stream management plans for the Grand Marais area are available at the area office, and copies can be provided upon request. Public comments and suggestions for management of these waters are welcomed at any time.

Surveys and assessments are planned for several Cook County lakes and streams during the 2018 summer fieldwork season. Dates are subject to change.

Waters scheduled for surveys or assessments (by week of) include:

DESCRIPTION

GIANT JENGA NORTH SHORE WINERY TASTE

TESTING LOCAL AUTHOR RECEPTION S’MORES

VOYAGEUR BREWING SAMPLES BBQ

WOODBLOCK PRINTMAKING DEMOS FUDGE ROCK SKIPPING COMPETITION PORTRAIT

DRAWING PIE & ICE CREAM SCREEN PRINTING KAYAK AND SUP DEMOS & MUCH, MUCH MORE!

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY LIVE MUSIC

1:15 - 2:45PM - ROD & CARIBOU

3:00 - 4:30PM - BLACK RIVER REVUE

MORE MUSIC TO BE ANNOUNCED!

LEARN MORE AT

May 29 Begin a survey of the Greenwood River.

June 4 Survey the Greenwood River, Pine (Trestle-Pine) Lake, and Bench Lake.

June 11 Survey Gogebic, Little Portage, and East Pope lakes.

June 18 Survey Pit and Weasel (Sled) lakes, and begin a survey of Sea Gull Lake.

June 25 Survey Sea Gull and Swamper lakes.

July 2 Survey Quiver Lake.

July 9 Survey Holly and Otter lakes.

July 23 Check walleye natural reproduction in Devil Track Lake, survey the North Brule River, and survey Kemo Lake.

July 30 Survey the Greenwood River, Assinika Creek, and Deer Yard Lake.

Aug. 6 Survey the Flute Reed River, Poplar River, Onion River, Timber Creek, and Ray Lake.

Aug. 13 Survey Kadunce Creek, Kimball Creek, and Junco Creek.

Aug. 20 Survey the Devil Track River, Cascade River, and Irish Creek. Measure water temperature and dissolved oxygen in Thompson, Mink, Kimball, Turnip, Tomato, Weasel (Sled), and Talus lakes.

Aug. 27 Survey the Temperance River and Barker Lake. Measure water temperature and dissolved oxygen in Shoe, North Shady, Moosehorn, and Olson lakes.

Sept. 4 Survey Daniels and Cam lakes.

Sept. 10 Survey Alpine and Extortion lakes.

Sept. 17 Survey Howard, Peter, and Little Saganaga lakes.

Sept. 24 Survey Boys, Turnip, and Tomato lakes.

Oct. 1 Survey Mink and Kimball lakes.

The number of lakes and streams scheduled for survey in 2018 has been reduced due to cuts in staff and funding, and it is likely that some of the surveys listed above may not be completed. Lakes and streams may be added or dropped, and the timing and duration of some surveys may change. Questions and general information about area lakes and streams can be addressed to the DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries office at 1356 Highway 61 E. For more info, call (218) 387-6021, or email: grandmarais.fisheries@state.mn.us

Preliminary results for many of the surveys should be available in the fall of 2018. Final reports will be completed by the spring of 2019. Final lake survey results will be available online at: mndnr. gov/lakefind or from the Grand Marais area fisheries office.

Dockside reopens with new owners

GRAND MARAIS—Since the summer of 1998, Dockside Fish Market has been a staple and much-loved business of Grand Marais. Twenty years on, Dockside is still going strong and has opened for yet another summer season. This year, however, marks the first year that Dockside Fish Market is being run under new ownership. From its inception, Harle and Shele Toftey have manned Dockside’s helm, guiding it from its startup days to the well-established business it is today. Now, however, they are ready to begin a new chapter and hand off Dockside to its next owners.

“It was time to move on,” Shele explained. “We wanted to enjoy doing other things.”

The Toftey’s transition began with the sale of the Dockside property to the neighboring North House Folk School. North House’s director, Greg Wright, said that it was a natural decision for them to acquire the property. In fact, it was a long-running joke between the two businesses.

“We joked for years about who should buy who out,” Wright said. “Then Harley and Shele said, ‘We’re not joking.’ We sat down to talk over more than one cup of coffee, and each cup of coffee seemed to move us closer to the idea that this might work.”

The sale of Dockside to North House seemed a logical move. For North House,

buying the Dockside property would mean added classroom space as well as rental income from the shop. For Harley and Shele, the thought of North House purchasing the property felt right: it was immediately next door, and they could trust that the feel would stay the same. For the community, North House’s purchase of the property will mean a faithful effort to stay true to the original spirit of Dockside.

“While North House is leasing the space, Dockside will be what it has always been: a local business,” affirmed Wright. “We want to be good at being a school and have good relationships with our neighbors. And we want Dockside to be good at being a small business.”

In February the sale was finalized, and now Dockside’s first summer under new ownership is beginning. Stepping in for Harley and Shele will be the Frank family, who have many years of experience as owners and operators of Morey’s Seafood Markets in the Brainerd area. Their expertise and passion for their work will ensure that Dockside lives on in good hands. In addition, Tyler and Zachary Smith of Grand Marais are taking over the fishery. Shele explained that she will stay on staff at Dockside through June to train others in and make sure everything is off to a good start before she leaves.

| RAE POYNTER

Looking ahead, Wright said that North House plans to convert the big steel “boat barn” into a classroom. The project will include remodeling and putting in windows, and the school hopes to have it completed by mid-summer. After that, North House plans to take a step back to complete a Master Planning Process: a year’s worth of strategic planning to decide how to move forward in order to make North House the best it can be.

“We want to talk about our plans for the future, the resources needed, and have a conversation with the community, instructors, and all of those invested in the North House,” said Wright.

As the Toftey’s prepare to leave, Shele said she will remember many great things from her years running the business. When asked about her favorite aspects, she said, “The people. Grand Marais has the best people.”—Rae Poynter

The sale of Dockside to North House was finalized in February.

vided for participants while they chat or play cards.

There are always leftovers, and nonperishable surpluses are distributed to the food shelf and the Snacks and Packs program, as well as other places. Items have been sent to the Pine Ridge Reservation and Puerto Rico, and Dan and Melody Riddle have transported and stored perishable items to distribute (free) at the Blue Water Restaurant.

WHO ORGANIZED IT?

Ruby’s Pantry has been operating in Grand Marais for three years. After a number of residents became aware of Ruby’s

Pantry, a group from Spirit of the Wilderness Church visited the Silver Bay site to investigate. The program is church-based and was first established by Lyn Sahr in Pine City. It began as a plan to provide toys for Mexican children, but corporations donated truckloads of surplus food rather than toys. In an effort to distribute this surplus food, Sahr and some friends came up with the pop-up idea. They’ve expanded to over 61 sites across Minnesota and Wisconsin, with twice that number in the process of adopting it.

In Grand Marais, the leadership team of devoted volunteers include Barb and Larry

LUNDIE Vacation Home Tour

Spaulding, Beth and Tim Kennedy, Karen Halbersleben and Jack, Dave and Barb Jansen, and Donna and Orvis Lunke. A host of other volunteers give hours of hard work each month to keep Ruby’s Pantry going. Ruby’s Pantry has distributed nearly 9,000 shares here in three years.

Though 10 percent of the share payments go to the church, Spirit of the Wilderness has created a separate Benevolence Account with those funds. After paying for distribution supplies, they donate the remainder to the Good Samaritan Fund at Social Services.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

Ruby’s Pantry is held in both Grand Marais and Silver Bay.

Grand Marais hosts it on the second Tuesday of the month from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Community Center from May through September, then at the school during the winter months.

Silver Bay hosts Ruby’s Pantry on the third Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Bay Area Vineyard Church.

If you’d like to volunteer at either site, Google “Ruby’s Pantry Volunteer Form” online.—Ann Marie Mershon

Dan Riddle and Brad Andress move food on pallets. | ANN MERSHON

Volunteers sort and stack food. | ANN MERSHON

The Lattin Family from Silver Bay lends a hand. | ANN MERSHON

The Real Concerned Citizens of Thunder Bay Citizen journalism

THUNDER BAY—If you call Pino Demassi a news hound, the Thunder Bay resident doesn’t disagree.

“I have a love of news,” he says. “This is what I chose to do.”

He is referring to his creation, The Real Concerned Citizens of Thunder Bay entity, an exercise in what he calls “citizen journalism”. TRCCTB is both a website and a Facebook page, inviting and publishing news from local citizens on a variety of issues. For Demassi, the venture stems from a lifelong interest in world events, and a frustration with local mainstream and alternative social media.

“September 11 (2001) sparked my interest,” he says of his beginnings. “I wanted to know why did it happen, explore the story.” As his life took turns leading him to a variety of jobs across the country, Demassi’s interest never waned. And then, the unexpected:

“I came down with Crohn’s Disease,” he recalls. “It’s an autoimmune condition I’ve had for about two years. It’s unpredictable, often painful. But I make the best of it—I don’t whine.”

Making the best of it has brought Demassi to a full-time investment in TRCCTB.

“I can’t do physical labour anymore,” he says. “I needed to adapt. I have a love of news, so I started sending tips to local media.”

Enter frustration: “Nine of 10 of my tips never got published, and for those that did, I didn’t get any credit, even for photos I submitted,” he says.

Demassi approached several local media as a correspondent, but hit another wall.

“I was told, ‘no budget’, most of the time,” he recalls, “so I said ‘Screw it!’”

His response was to open his own news website, with reliance on ads for revenue. Though the ad revenues are scanty at present, he maintains the website as a labour of love and determination. And he seems to be getting results.

“There are almost 200,000 users on the website,” he says, “and about 18,000 in the Facebook news group. How many are lovers (of what we do), how many haters? I don’t know. I’m starting to ignore both the praise and the put-downs, and just do the work.”

Though the website is entirely Pino, as he puts it, the Facebook page has several administrators. He urges anyone curi -

ous to visit them both and make up their own mind.

For Demassi, the community involvement work of TRCCTB goes beyond merely reporting news tips. The Facebook page, for example, also acts like a community bulletin board. He has seen members answering someone else’s need for an item or advice, on the page. As well, TRCCTB runs a community clean-up crew. Begun last year by two members of the Facebook group, the crew meets about every two weeks in a different location to

provide clean-up services for playground areas, parks, etc. The crew gets support from the City of Thunder Bay and different agencies in town.

For all its stated intentions and good works, the idea of “citizen journalism” begs the question about accountability on the part of those submitting and publishing news.

“A lot of stories I get are from the court house,” Demassi says. “And people send me tips. If the story is in town, I check it out, talk to people, take pictures.”

“I’m open to being sued,” he chuckles. “I’ve been threatened to be sued lots, but it’s never happened.”

Demassi cites the court house documentation of cases on which he reports, as an unimpeachable source.

“I’ve been interviewed by CBC and TVO,” he adds. “They had some hard-hitting questions.”

Demassi stresses that TRCCTB isn’t out to replace local media, but expand what gets coverage in the northwest.

“What we need is more media coming up here and doing stuff,” he says. “So much falls between the cracks.”

To learn more about TRCCTB, visit: trcctb.com or the group’s Facebook page: facebook.com/trcctb. —Peter Fergus-Moore

Pino Demassi believes “citizen journalism” fills a gap in local news coverage. | PINO DEMASSI

Duluth Rowing Club builds 2nd boathouse

DULUTH—There was more ice than open water behind the Duluth Rowing Club (DRC) boathouses. That didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the assembled DRC leadership as they talked about the club’s upcoming 132nd year of rowing. The source of the excitement was the impending completion of their second boathouse.

“We have some paint and linoleum work to do. We have some landscaping that has to be done. Then we should get the occupancy permit from the City of Duluth,” said Tom Rauschenfels, DRC president.

The newest building marks the end of a multi-year, three-phase project. Phase 1 was the completion of the large Joseph M. Krmpotich Boathouse that was dedicated on July 15, 2016. Phase II was the demolition of the old wooden boathouse that was in service for 111 years. Phase III was the construction of this new boathouse. According to Rauschenfels, the new boathouse will be officially dedicated sometime this summer.

In this revised DRC campus, the new boathouse stores the single and double boats. This building includes restrooms, locker rooms and showers. Parts of the building are heated and insulated. The boats are stored using an ingenious rack and pulley system. It raises the boats up out of the way while stored. They are lowered to bring the boats to the water. Arvid Brekke, DRC board member, and Rauschenfels said it took “523 feet of rope” to rig up the system. This opens up the main floor of the room for multiple uses while the boats are overhead. Bonnie Fuller-Kask, DRC head coach, runs a junior rowing program with over 100 kids each summer. This room makes it easier to hold team meetings or use the rowing machines inside when the weather is bad.

WOODEN BOAT SHOW & Summer

Solstice Festival

June 22 - 24

The Krmpotich Boathouse will primarily house the larger boats like the fours and eights. The DRC recently acquired some new, large boats to supplement the junior rowing program. Moving the singles and doubles to the new boathouse made room for the new boats.

Fuller-Kask pointed out several opportunities to try the sport. For those who have rowed before, the club offers a refresher course from June 11-14. There are also three “Learn to Row” classes during the summer. Each class runs from Monday to Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for a two-week period: June 18-28, July 9-16, and July 23-Aug. 2. If you’re curious but don’t want to get wet, come out to watch the exciting 60th Annual Duluth Rowing Club Regatta on Saturday, July 14.

The club is nearly at the finish line, but there’s still work to do. “We’re 95 percent of the way to our fundraising goal. This is a million dollar project,” said Greg Peterson, DRC board member.

If you are interested in donating to help the DRC reach their goal, visit their capital campaign website: continuethetradition. com. Or if you’d like to know more about the club, the calendar of events, or how to get started in rowing, visit the DRC website (duluthrowing.org) and the DRC Facebook page.

The Duluth Rowing Club has changed a lot in 132 years. They look ready to row all the way through the 21st century in their new home.

—Eric Chandler

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Singles and doubles stored in an overhead rack system in the new Duluth Rowing Club boathouse. | ERIC CHANDLER

The Poo-Poo Project

GUNFLINT TRAIL—The goldeneye duck was stuck in disgusting muck in the bowels of a vault toilet. Startled by the fishing net a forest service employee lowered in a rescue attempt, it thrashed, further coating itself with the toilets contents, said Jon Benson, the assistant ranger for recreation and wilderness on the Superior National Forest.

The duck, while “pretty gross,” seemed to be OK when it finally emerged and was released in the forest, Benson said.

“It was the last we ever heard of it,” he said.

That was a few years ago, but it’s something that shouldn’t happen again. Many of the vault toilets on the Superior National Forest now have Poo-Poo Screens, specially designed to cover the pipe to the toilet to keep birds out, but without blocking ventilation to the outhouse.

The screens protect cavity-nesting birds—those that prefer dark, narrow spaces for nesting—and small animals from burrowing down the open pipe, only to get stuck in the well of waste below, unable to climb the smooth walls out or spread their wings to fly.

The Teton Raptor Center in Wilson, Wyoming, designed the screens. Amy McCarthy, executive director for the Teton Raptor Center, saw a picture the Forest Service was passing around in 2010 of a boreal owl, pitifully staring up from a pile of human waste.

“My first thoughts were ‘This little owl is where? Why?’” McCarthy said. “And then ‘This is not OK.’”

Screens available at the time were expensive—about $100 each—and lay directly on the pipe of the outhouse. If snow or pine needles accumulated on top, the toilet lost its ventilation.

So the center innovated and designed the Poo-Poo Screen, which is easy to attach and raised slightly above the pipe, so that air can still flow in, even if snow or debris covers the top. It only costs $30. The screens, which debuted in 2013, are now in use in all 50 states, said David Watson, Poo-Poo Project coordinator. They’ve sold 12,000 screens and worked with more than 400 partners, from private groups like local Audubon chapters, to individuals who buy and donate a single screen, to agencies like the Forest Service, which nationwide has installed more than 800 Poo-Poo Screens, Watson said.

On the Superior National Forest, Benson said staff installed about 80 screens on the eastern part of the forest a few years ago. It was a preventative measure; Benson hasn’t heard of birds found in the toilets other than the goldeneye.

Lissa Grover, a retired wildlife biologist with the Superior National Forest, first heard about the screens when evaluating a mineral exploration project on the forest. While the project wasn’t permitted, her research on birds getting trapped in open pipes led her to the “iconic” photo of the owl trapped in an outhouse and the Teton Raptor Center, she said.

There are a number of cavity-nesting bird species in the forest, including woodpeckers and chickadees, as well as boreal owls, which are classified as a sensitive species, she said. Bats are also at risk for flying down the pipe and getting stuck.

The screens were easy to install and had already proven to be effective. Staff installed the screens when working near, or performing maintenance on the outhouses. It was an easy way to make sure no birds experience an untimely death in an outhouse, Grover said.

There isn’t data on how many birds get caught in open pipes in general, or outhouse pipes specifically, said Watson with the Teton Raptor Center. Birds are curious and even non-burrowing species could get stuck exploring an open entry. Reptiles, snakes and small mammals can also get caught. Most incidents go unseen or unreported, Watson said.

“Who knows how many die?” he said. “Even one is too many.”

The Teton Raptor Center is focused on vault toilets, but in the future might look at ways to mitigate birds dying in irrigation or mining pipes. Wherever he goes, Watson now sees potential death traps in pipes outside business or homes and in dryer vents or chimneys.

“There is still more work to do,” he said. “This open pipe issue is huge for all kinds of wildlife.”—Kelsey Dayton

Recreation technician Chad Lafevere installing a Poo-Poo Screen at Britton Peak Trailhead. | SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST

Friday night bikes Pump Track Race Series in Nipigon

NIPIGON—On any given Friday evening in the summer, trail builder and outdoor guide Michael Elliott parks his truck at the Nipigon Community Centre in Nipigon. He walks toward the earthen track near a grove of trees; a dozen young people are already sitting on their bikes or pedaling and pumping their way around the mounds and steep banked turns. Off to one side, a group of parents has arranged a makeshift spectator section of camp chairs. But Elliott’s arrival signals the start of the more formal weekly event: the Pump Track Race Series.

Pump tracks are purpose built courses designed for riders to gain momentum by “pumping”—moving their bodies in an up and down motion—instead of relying solely on pedal power. Pump tracks are an offshoot of bike motocross (BMX) that emerged in the 1970’s and utilize similar bikes with rigid frames and no suspension.

Elliott first saw a pump track on the internet. The owner and operator of Epic Adventures, he has guided hiking, kayaking and biking tours near Nipigon for over a decade, and, more recently, built trails in the region. Based on his love of biking, it didn’t take long to see the potential of a pump track in his community.

“I thought ‘we gotta build one of those!’” he said. “So I approached the township. They were all for it...we wanted to get kids on bikes, away from the PlayStation and Xbox.”

Since the first race in 2010, Elliott and community volunteers have built and maintained four tracks, and run a weekly race series that rotates between the sites. Although the tracks are open year-round, the race series runs from the first Friday in June to the last Friday in September. The races start at 7 p.m. and cost $5 to enter. Riders take turns on the course, or “circuit,” and race a set number of laps.

The fastest rider earns 10 points, but the rewards don’t stop there; if a rider makes it out to 12 out of the 18 or so weekly races a season, his or her name is entered in a drawing for a gift certificate to Fresh Air Experience, an outdoor gear shop in Thunder Bay. But each night is inclusive and has its own reward; participants ride away from any race with a chocolate bar, regardless of his or her age.

“Age doesn’t matter,” says Elliot. “We’ve had everyone from two-year-olds on strider bikes to 50-year-olds on mountain bikes.”

The 2018 race season brings exciting develops to the series: in addition to routine maintenance and adding signage, Elliott and his volunteer crew will be constructing a new track, bigger than the previous ones, that will allow for side-by-side riding. The first rider back will be the winner when they race the new course.

“It’s a little more fun if you’re knocking elbows with another rider, right?” Elliot said with a laugh.

By the end of September, summer will have transitioned to fall on the shores of Nipigon, and daylight will fade by the ap -

pointed start time. The Nipigon community will still show up, park their cars a bit closer, and the racers will round the track under the glow of a half dozen sets of headlights.

Elliott summed it up: “We’re gonna keep this thing going as long as we’re able to.” —Matt Nesheim

she hoped to realize that dream during the six years she spent in British Columbia, life had other plans and her entrepreneurial spirit pulled her back to Thunder Bay to open The Haven Hostel.

Painting and demolition were the main projects during the summer of 2017. The contractors, architects and the downtown community have all been working tirelessly on the warehouse space to realize the opening in late March of this year. Despite the shared living environment, the layout of the rooms is configured with both privacy and functionality in mind. She modeled the POD bunks after a Scottish hostel she once visited.

“The bunk dormitories are just as private with your regular rail car alignment. The space is made to function, and also have privacy, in the rooms and the lounge areas,” said Watson. “We have some little nooks where you can hang out and read, or be in the middle of the lounge on our #bigassyellowcouch.”

Watson takes pride in the fact that she created a space that is so inviting and comfortable that her guests decide to extend their stay. It is her belief that the lion on The Haven Hostel logo and the door knocker on the front of the building are watching over her safe ‘haven’ and zen space that is steps away from the center of the action in Thunder Bay’s Port Arthur.

When the former Garon Brothers Jewelry Building came for sale, Bob Monahan set out to both fill a need and bring more travelers through his neighborhood in downtown Duluth.

“I think that the impetus for the hostel was that I have musicians coming through [The Red Herring] on a regular basis and a lot of times they need a place to stay. They don’t really require that much; they don’t need a pool or even their own room,” said Monahan. “Most of them are pretty willing to sleep on a couch or even a floor or futon.”

The yet-to-be-named hostel, which is three stories and about 5,000 square feet, will be able to house 46 guests when at full capacity. The first floor will have six bunks and a sauna, the second floor will be the common area, lobby, reception area and dining area, and the third floor will have 12 bunks with shared bathrooms.

Because of his connections to the other businesses in Duluth, Monahan hopes to have the hostel serve as a link between the travelers and local activity options.

“I do have in my staffing breakdown a spot for an activity coordinator, mainly for a friend of mine. In the high season we will try to incorporate that,” explained Monahan. “Maybe we just take people on a bar crawl; you can literally go down 1st Street and you have five or six different spots. I

am a Duluthian who loves community and thinks community will be bettered by this place. I am trying to do good for this place and offer people an alternative.”

With a focus on design and ambiance, Monahan hopes that many of the visitors will conclude that this lodging option will be not only the nicest place they’ve stayed in Duluth, but perhaps anywhere. The modern and slightly funky downtown Duluth hostel is tentatively set to be open in mid-August of this year.

All of the hostels mentioned in the article are open year-round. More information about each is available on their respective website s.—Casey Fitchett

PLANNING FOR WILDFIRE

July 5 & 6

Interested in learning steps you can take to protect your home and neighborhood against wildfire?

This is an opportunity to learn about ways you can reduce risk to your home by implementing wildfire prevention strategies.

Event Details

Presented by: Jeffery Jackson, NE Region Firewise Specialist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Mid-Gunflint Trail Demo Day

Thursday, July 5, 9-11 am—61 Bunn Trail (Off Hungry Jack Road) Thursday, July 5, 2-4 pm (Location TBD) Hovland Demo Day Friday, July 6, 9-11 am—Tom Lake Friday, July 6, 2-4 pm—McFarland Lake Contact: Todd Armbruster Cook County Firewise Coordinator toddarmbrust@gmail.com, 218-235-0899

Can’t make Demo Day, but interested in making your home firewise? Go

Bunk dormitories at the Haven Hostel. | HOLLY WATSON

Bedroom at the Haven Hostel. | HOLLY WATSON

The Haven Hostel in Thunder Bay is configured with both privacy and functionality in mind. | HOLLY WATSON

Tight fit Massive moose mount barely makes it through the front door

ELY—For the past six months, staff at the International Wolf Center in Ely were nervous. A mounted moose scheduled to arrive for the new temporary exhibit was so massive, staff weren’t sure it would fit through the front door.

They also weren’t sure that, if it did get in, whether it would fit in the exhibit space.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief recently after Taxidermy Unlimited of Burnsville delivered the moose safely to Ely and reassembled it in the new temporary exhibit, “Moose of the Bold North.”

The antlers of the moose, which is from Alaska, spread more than 5.5 feet wide. The animal itself is almost 10 feet long and stands six feet tall at the shoulder. It will certainly make an unbelievable backdrop for summertime selfies and family photos.

“I had my doubts about fitting it through the door,” said Krista Harrington, the Interpretive Center manager. “We measured everything a couple times and were in touch with the taxidermist, but when he started sending photos of how big this moose was, I got very nervous.”

According to a score sheet submitted by the hunter and an official measurer, the moose had a non-typical Boone and Crockett Club score of 296 4/8. The Boone and Crockett club maintains a scoring and data collection system to measure and track big game animals. The incredibly high score is due, in part, to the unique antlers found on this moose.

The mount is now at home in the middle of the Center’s new temporary exhibit, which is open to the public. The mount

| SUBMITTED

is surrounded by beautiful photographs of moose taken by local photographer Heidi Pinkerton. There are informational text panels, all off which aim to explain the complex relationships that exist between moose and wolves in northern Minnesota.

As prey and predators in coexistence, moose and wolves on Isle Royale in Lake Superior are the subjects of one of the most fascinating, longest-running research projects in the world. Moose arrived on Isle Royale in the early 1900s; wolves arrived almost a half-century later in 1949. For nearly 60 years, researchers have

studied their population fluctuations and other aspects of their coexistence, seeking a better understanding of the ecology of predation. The new exhibit highlights this research and hints at what might happen next in the ongoing Isle Royale story.

Research on likely causes of moose population decline in Minnesota began in 2012, with data collection focused on environmental factors, calf mortality and winter survival. The results have surprised some people, as brain worms, ticks and predation have each played a role in moose population fluctuations.

The mounted moose for the new temporary exhibit at the International Wolf Center is almost 10 feet long and stands six feet tall at the shoulder. | SUBMITTED

Visitors will be intrigued to follow the long-running drama that continues as biologists search for answers to long-standing questions.

The exhibit will be up at the Center until April 2019. The moose mount, which was loaned by Jerry and Becky Hennessey, will then be carefully dismantled and returned.

“We’re so thankful that the Hennessey family loaned us this spectacular mount for our exhibit,” said Nancy Gibson, the Center’s co-founder. “The taxidermist, Taxidermy Unlimited, went above and beyond to accommodate us, too. They donated a lot of their time to get the moose up to Ely for the exhibit.”

For more information on the International Wolf Center, visit: wolf.org.

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The antlers of the mounted moose spread more than 5.5 feet wide.

Stellar lineup for Thunder Bay Blues Festival

This year’s all female lineup for the Thunder Bay Blues Festival started when the festival booked Sarah McLachlan. | SUBMITTED

THUNDER BAY—Call it a happy accident with a purposeful result. The lineup for this year’s Thunder Bay Blues Festival veers sharply from the past two years of all-Canadian bills, though it started when the festival booked countrywoman Sarah McLachlan.

“Sarah confirmed quickly,” said Trevor Hurtig, the marketing manager for the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, which produces the festival that takes place July 6-8 at Marina Park. McLachlan had performed at the auditorium before and the concert was a hit with the artist and fans, Hurtig said.

Then Sheryl Crow came on, forming a stellar double-bill for Saturday night. Then Hurtig learned that Melissa Etheridge was available to headline Friday night. “You don’t ask twice,” he said. “All of a sudden we had something coming together.”

The lineup of female superstars rounds out with Pat Benatar on Sunday. “We weren’t on an all-female course,” Hurtig said, but the stars literally aligned in the booking process. “It just kept flowing.”

You might call it a mini-Lilith Fair, the short-lived but popular tour McLachlan founded in the late 1990s to showcase women in music. Crow and Benatar had stages on the tour. That history may have had something to do with the drastic lineup firepower, Hurtig said, but it’s also a sign that the 17-year-old festival is becoming known in a wider music circle. “Agents know us,” he said. “It’s a nice venue on the waterfront.”

Currency exchange rates with the United States limited the festival outreach the past two years, meaning it stuck with Canadian acts. But that didn’t drive away audiences, Hurtig said. There was record attendance in 2017, pushing organizers to keep fans sated with its lineup. “We needed to do something big,” he said.

When the lineup was announced in March, general manager and festival programmer Bob Halvorsen said that “after the success of the past two festivals, we knew that we would need to set the bar very high and bring in the best talent that we could manage.”

The well-known acts will draw and those in attendance will continue to see roots bands that you’d expect to find at a blues festival. “There’s no hip hop or death metal,” Hurtig said with a laugh. Sure, the headliners stray a bit from the blues, but “the rock stars will bring people down and expose them to the blues acts.”

And the women in the lineup have their own bona fides in the blues genre, he said, including Etheridge’s recent tribute to Stax Records artists and Crowe’s continuing bluesy country rock.

Spring into Summer at Rooster’s Bistro Breakfast Starts Here.

Improvements in the setup has also helped attendance, Hurtig said. There is a “proper stage” instead of a tent with video panels, for a better concert experience for fans throughout the grounds, he said.

VIP tickets sold out in one week and weekend pass sales are up from years past, Hurtig said. He advises that people get tickets as soon as possible since “this year is a little bit different. It’s a top-notch lineup.”

Tickets are available online at tbca.com, by phone or in-person only at the TBCA box office: (807) 6844444. Single tickets, if available, will be on sale closer to the festival date. To learn more, visit: tbayblues.ca. —Mike Creger

Good Times Await

Queen, starring Giles Taylor, will perform their It’s A Kinda Magic tour at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on Monday, June 4. This tour recreates Queen’s 1986 World Tour concert, featuring over 20 of the band’s greatest hits, such as “We Will Rock You,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” “Under Pressure,” and “Fat-Bottomed Girls.” This is as close as you’ll ever get to the original Queen. Also performing at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium is Pierre Schryer’s Thunder Bay Connection s on June 23. On stage alongside the award-winning fiddler will be some of the area’s top artists, including Matt Sellick, Danny Johnson, Rodney Brown, Clay Breiland, Merrie Klazek and more. Other auditorium events include The Myth of Normal with Dr. Gabor Mate on June 7, and the David Feherty Live Off Tour on June 16. tbca.com

The Thunder Bay Pride Festival is June 6-16 featuring several events located in the Waterfront District. The flag raising and opening ceremonies will be held at City Hall at 10:30 a.m. on June 6, followed by Trivia Night at 7:30 p.m. at The Foundary. There will be an awareness breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Prince Arthur Hotel

on June 11; open to all ages. Don’t miss the Pride Parade and Pride in the Park Music Festival, held June 16 at 11 a.m. in Marina Park. This family-friendly event includes live entertainment, food vendors, children’s activities and learning opportunities. Other Thunder Pride events include a drag show, rodeo, literary night and a night of tribute. A full list of events can be found online. facebook.com/thunderpride

The Thunder Bay Art Galley annual Art Auction will be held Friday, June 8, featuring a live auction of artwork from local and regional artists. The evening will be complemented by a silent auction full of great experiences and prizes from some of Thunder Bay’s best restaurants, shops and tour groups. There will also be live music and tasty appetizers. Tickets are $60 and limited; available at the Gallery, over the phone or online. An exciting new exhibit will open on June 22 at the Art Gallery, titled Uprising: The Power of Mother Earth , featuring artist Christi Belcourt with Isaac Murdoch. The exhibit will be on display until November 25. The Fresh Perspectives: Secondary School Art Exhibition also remains on display through November 25. Aaron Veldstra’s Tarlacan exhibit ends June 17. theag.ca

The Red Lion Smokehouse will host Lug 2 Logger on June 13, an exciting double tap takeover featuring Sleeping Giant Brewing Company and Beau’s Brewing. Starting at noon, there will be new beers on draught, swag giveaways, and a special one-nightonly menu. Other Red Lion events include Vinyl Friday with DJ Dr. Dave at 9:30 p.m. on June 8; music bingo at 9:30 p.m. on June 16; and quiz night at 8 p.m. on June 27. facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse

The 6th Annual Thunder Bay Mining Day will be held on Saturday, June 23 at Marina Park. This family-oriented fun-filled day includes gold panning, interactive displays, games, metal detectors, a helicopter, large mining equipment and a diamond drill. Rocks and minerals will be identified by a geologist. There will also be plenty of giveaways, including draws for prizes. Held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., this is a rain or shine event; admission is free. thunderbayminingday.ca

Celebrate Canada Day on the Waterfront on Sunday, July 1. Activities will be held from 5-11 p.m. at Marina Park, culminating in the area’s biggest fireworks display. calendar.thunderbay.ca

For the Love of Loons

By Shawn Perich

The call of the loon is the sound that defines a northern summer. Haunting, lonely and wild, the ancient loon songs evoke the spirit of the boreal wilderness. It is not surprising that the common loon is the state bird of Minnesota and the provincial bird of Ontario.

A creature of the water and sky, the loon’s anatomy accommodates diving and flying. Powerful swimmers, their legs are set so far back on their bodies that it is nearly impossible for loons to walk on land. Unlike most birds, loons have heavy, solid bones that assist them for diving to depths of over 200 feet. In order to go so deep, loons have the ability to hold their breath for over five minutes. In the air they can reach speeds of 75 mph.

Loons eat fish. Wildlife biologists consider them to be indicators of clean water and healthy fish populations. Breeding loons were once found statewide, but unregulated shooting a century ago, coupled with declines in water quality across southern Minnesota, has reduced their range to north of the Minnesota River, roughly the northern two-thirds of the state. Their Minnesota distribution has been relatively stable for 50 years. With a breeding population of about 12,000 birds, Minnesota has more loons than any other state in the Lower 48. The majority of North American loons breed in Canada and Alaska. The species is found across the Northern Hemisphere. In Eurasia, it is known as the great northern diver.

Loons produce a variety of sounds. The most common is the tremolo, which

is often likened to laughter. This is a call that loons use to announce their presence to other loons, or as a response to threats to their territory. It is the only call loons make while in flight. The yodel is made by males to establish territory and to confront other males. The wail is just two or three notes, like a wolf howl, and is used to signal a bird’s location to other loons. The softer, more intimate hoot is used to

communicate with chicks, family groups and flocks.

Long-lived, up to 30 years, loons don’t breed until they are five to seven years old. Wisconsin researchers have found a breeding pair will remain together for three or four years. They do not mate for life. Rival males fight vicious territorial battles, which are a significant source of loon mortality.

Loons nest near the water’s edge, often on islands. At lakes where human shoreline development has left little or no loon nesting habitat, they will use artificial nesting platforms. Both parents will incubate the eggs. A pair of loons may produce one or two chicks. Shortly after they hatch, the sooty black chicks will be seen swimming with their parents or riding on a parent’s back. The parents capture tiny fish to feed to the chicks. They are very protective of their offspring.

In early autumn, loons begin preparing for their southward migration. While a few Minnesota loons goes eastward to winter in the Atlantic Ocean at places like Chesapeake Bay, most go south to the Gulf of Mexico. This is a time of year when you may see groups of loons gathering on lakes as they stage for migration. They may remain on the lake for a day or for two weeks. Migration is when parents separate from their offspring. The adult birds stage on Lake Michigan before heading south, while the juveniles go directly south.

Loons are vulnerable to predation. The chicks are a favored target of eagles, though they may be consumed by pike or other fish, as well as otters, raccoons and other mid-sized predators. Periodic outbreaks of avian botulism can devastate migrating loons. In 2012, approximately 3,000 loons died of botulism poisoning on Lake Michigan as they staged for the fall migration. Loons are also vulnerable to human-caused mortality. They may be struck by speeding boats, die of lead poisoning from swallowing lead fishing tackle or be weakened

Loons can dive to great depths to capture fish, which comprise the bulk of their diet. | BRENDA HADRICH

The Minnesota DNR uses volunteers to survey and monitor loons across the state. | BRENDA HADRICH

“...Tending these amazing creatures has transformed me into a mesmerized monarch mama. You could not make this stuff up. Seriously, they soupify themselves, trade in their yellow, black and white stripes, sprout wings with exquisite deep orange and black markings, then fly off to one small area in Mexico by genetic GPS? They have no seasoned navigators to lead the way,”

Spreading Wings North Shore Butterflies

By Ali Juten

When Maryl Skinner, of Grand Marais, happened upon some caterpillars on her milkweed plants last summer, she was thrilled. She knew that she had to do something to help their chances of becoming monarch butterflies. Skinner has always loved butterflies and had hoped to, someday, have the chance to help with one of nature’s greatest miracles. In July of 2017, she had her chance. Although she wasn’t prepared with a home for them at the time, it didn’t take long for Skinner and her husband, Denny, to create one.

To make a home for the larvae, they cut out the bottom of a laundry basket and inverted it so they could convert it into a “nursery”. Filling it with milkweed twice daily was also a must, as it is the only plant that monarch larvae feed on. Then, to keep them clean and dry, newspaper was added to their temporary home as well.

In a Facebook post last July, Skinner described her experience.

“...Tending these amazing creatures has transformed me into a mesmerized monarch mama. You could not make this stuff up. Seriously, they soupify themselves, trade in their yellow, black and white stripes, sprout wings with exquisite deep orange and black markings, then fly off to one small area in Mexico by genetic GPS? They have no seasoned navigators to lead the way,” she wrote.

According to University of Minnesota Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP), North American monarchs migrate up to 3,000 miles in an annual flight from their summer breeding habitat to

wintering grounds. So, it does seem that it was a good idea for Skinner to take the caterpillars under her wing. In 2010, monarchs were included on the “Top 10 to Watch” list. This list is maintained by the World Wildlife Fund to highlight species that are thought to be in need of close monitoring and protection.

This summer, Skinner hopes to have a similar monarch experience.

“I have a better idea of what to do next year. You don’t want bigger caterpillars with the little caterpillars. You don’t want to crowd them,” she said.

David MacLean and his wife, Bonnie, are both entomologists living in Cook County. For those unfamiliar, simply put, an entomologist is a scientist who studies insects such as the classification, life cycle, distribution, physiology, behavior, ecology and population dynamics. After completing their Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Entomology, they moved to Boardman, Ohio where David took a job as an Assistant Professor of Biology at Youngstown

Monarch on liatris. | MARYL SKINNER

State University. MacLean retired as Professor Emeritus from YSU in 1998 and the couple moved to Devils Track Lake, more than 20 years ago. They first visited the North Shore on their honeymoon in 1964 and returned many times over the years with their two children. Since moving to the North Shore, they have undertaken numerous insect inventories.

The MacLean’s, along with fellow entomologists Ron Huber, Kyle Johnson and Robert Dana of the Minnesota DNR, have all contributed a great deal to the knowledge of Minnesota butterflies and moths, especially those found along the North Shore.

This year will be the 20th year that the MacLean’s have been involved with an annual Cook County butterfly count. This year, the count will take place on Saturday, July 14.

In an email to Northern Wilds, MacLean noted that in Minnesota, there are roughly 150 species of butterflies typically recorded. As of 2017, according to MacLean’s count, 73 species of butterflies were recorded in Cook County. In a typical year, though, that number is usually between 40-45 species.

MacLean pointed out that the major factors in the annual abundance of butterflies is habitat, life history, larval host plants, population cycles, pesticides, fire and land use practices.

“Many species of butterflies undergo population cycles where they are common to abundant some years, followed by years when few or none are seen,” he wrote. “The common Mourning Cloak and Compton’s Tortoiseshell are good examples of species that undergo such population cycles. After years of abundance,

natural enemies such as parasitoids, predators and viruses build up and cause butterfly populations to crash.”

Another very notable factor in the mortality of butterflies is weather.

“A cool wet spring will retard the emergence of adults and no doubt decrease their numbers. Weather conditions hundreds of miles to the south and west of Minnesota can also play a role in which butterflies we see on the North Shore,” he wrote.

Since the weather cannot be controlled, those who want to help sustain the population of butterflies in the area can do so by ensuring a proper habitat. Planting

common milkweed, along with native plants and flowers, definitely helps.

Shoreview Natives, a company based in Two Harbors, specializes in “designing and installing gardens featuring locally

and regionally-native plant species including flowers, grasses, sedges, shrubs, and trees.” The company will also be at the Duluth Monarch Festival selling milkweed and other native pollinator plants, all from locally collected seeds.

The Duluth Monarch Festival, which is put on by the Duluth Monarch Buddies, is in its third year and will take place on Saturday, June 9. Cathy Wood, the vice-president of Duluth Monarch Buddies said that the festival was purposely moved from May to June this year. The hope is to welcome their own monarch butterflies rather than having to borrow eggs, caterpillars and butterflies from monarchwatch.org.

This year, the festival will include information tables from the Northeast MN Beekeeper’s Association, Wild Ones, Master Gardeners and the Duluth Garden Flower Society. For the kids, local artist Laural Schultze from “Lauralloons Balloon Twisting” will be creating caterpillar and butterfly masterpieces. There will also be mini-sessions covering nature photography, creating a butterfly garden and the “Monarch Highway”.

This fun-filled event is $5 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. For more information, find the “Duluth Monarch Buddies” on Facebook.

Painted lady butterfly on sedum. | MARYL SKINNER

Olya Wright, holding the butterfly that Maryl Skinner named Olya, in honor of her work as a young naturalist. | MARYL SKINNER

Monarch just after hatching from chrysalis. Above right, chrysalis stage. | MARYL SKINNER

Adult monarch caterpillar eating fresh milkweed leaf in one of the caterpillar “condos.” | MARYL SKINNER

CELEBRATING THE 20 YEAR ‘MANNIVERSARY’ OF Pushing Chain

By Casey Fitchett

The Pushing Chain duo has been galavanting around the Cook County music scene and beyond for over 20 years. Getting their start at a wedding in Lutsen, musicians Adam Moe and Boyd Blomberg mainly haunted staple venues like Papa Charlie’s in Lutsen and the Gunflint Tavern in Grand Marais in the early days.

“We ran an open mic at the Gunflint Tavern that helped pay for our first CD around 1998,” said fiddle player and singer Moe. “I’d be hard-pressed to think of a place in Cook County we haven’t played at one time or another.”

Averaging 180 shows per year over the past two years, it’s hard to keep up with the group’s whereabouts. In the year of their ‘manniversay’, their goal is 200 gigs.

“We have been all over the place, and in the next year or two, we have some big trips planned. Lately we’ve really been liking Texas, and we’ve made some great new friends in Oklahoma,” said Moe. “This summer and fall we have shows in the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, and some spots in between. We also play all over Minnesota.”

Audiences in all of those states have had the opportunity to hear a unique genre of music. When asked to describe their sound, the duo pushed back on the normal terminology and have dubbed their own term: Folky-Tonk.

“You get that question all the time as you set up for a show: ‘What kind of music do you guys play?’ We decided Folky-Tonk was a good description. It’s like classic country and honky-tonk played by a folk duo. Folky-Tonk,” explained Moe.

Blomberg and Moe will bring covers to life as well as their original songs, depending on the type of gig. Festivals and listening room shows primarily warrant original music, with a few covers thrown in to give the audience a sense of their musical influences and inspiration. In settings where the music isn’t the main focus, they tend to gravitate towards covers and songs they haven’t played in a while.

“If people are talking and doing their own thing, we will play whatever we feel like playing. We have definitely been in situations where we are playing primarily for ourselves, and when that happens, we mix in a lot more covers. We will also play things

Pushing Chain consists of Adam Moe and Boyd Blomberg. | GRANT FRASHIER

we haven’t played in a while, or try out new material—sort of a live rehearsal.”

Whereas some artists prefer the regiment of having songs they plan to play mapped out in advance, Pushing Chain never operates from a set list. After so many years of playing together in different environments, the two are adept at altering their shows to find the best feel for that particular audience and situation. At this point, it’s easy to believe the two have seen just about every scenario possible.

“Twice we’ve played through bar fights. We’ve met and played with some of our musical heroes. We’ve driven through southern summer without air conditioning, and northern winters without heat. We’ve slept in the car, in the basements of strangers, and under festival stages. We’ve played for standing room only crowds, and for nearly empty rooms. We sang the anthem at Target Field before a Twins game. And we’ve made a lot of really good friends. A lot of friends,” mused Moe.

Though all of the domestic travel can pull them away from their roots in northern Minnesota, Pushing Chain will occasionally still play shows along the Shore. More information is available on their website: pushingchain.com.

Breana’s PICK OF THE MONTH

When searching for artwork this month, I came across this beautiful canvas on wood piece, titled “Spirit Loon” by Sharon Girdwood. A resident of Terrace Bay, Girdwood is a Métis artist who specializes in depicting wildlife and nature. “Spirit Loon” is part of her Spirit Animal series and can be found at the Lighthouse Gallery in Terrace Bay: facebook.com/lhgallerytb. To see more of Girdwood’s work, visit: studiogirdwood.com.

Thru June 16 Fortify This: Indigenous MultiMedia Art Installation Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, definitelysuperior.com

Retrograduate: Lakehead University Visual Arts Graduates Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, definitelysuperior.com

Thru June 17 Northerly Pots: The Long Pleasurable Carry Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

Aaron Veldstra: Tarlacan Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru June 30 Spring Art Underground Betsy Bowen Studio, Grand Marais, woodcut.com

Bill Skodje: Pictures from Behind Closed Doors First Stage Gallery, Virginia, MN, lyriccenteronline.org

Thru July 1 Jonathan Herrera: Querida Presencia Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Tara Austin: Boreal Ornament Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Travels with My Twin: From the Pearson Brother’s Collection Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru Aug. 5 Fine. (Re)Fine. (De)Fine. Faculty Exhibition Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Aug. 19 Treasures from Home: An Anthology of Gifts from Collectors Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Aug. 26 In Solidarity: Revolutionary Women of Print Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Oct. 20 Children of the Finnish Homestead Cross River Heritage Center, Schroeder, crossriverheritage.org

Thru Oct. 28 Chance: Kathy McTavish Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Nov. 2 Pacific Northwest Native Art from the William J. Saul Collection Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Nov. 25 Fresh Perspectives: Secondary School Art Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru Spring 2019 Quiet Simplicity: Life in 19th and 20th Century America Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

June 1-30

Virginia Alexander: Lake Superior Trail Series Lakeside Gallery, Duluth, lakesidegalleryduluth.com

June 2-24

Waterfront Artist’s Exhibition Baggage Building Arts Centre, Thunder Bay, visitnorthwestontario.com

June 8-29

NWFA Annual Spring Art Expo (Reception June 29) Cook, MN, nwfamn.org

June 12-Aug. 12

Mounties Collection Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

June 22-July 15

Through Our Hands V: Northwoods Fiber Guild (Reception June 22 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

June 22-November 25

Uprising: The Power of Mother Earth: Christi Belcourt: A Retrospective with Isaac Murdoch Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

June 23, Saturday

Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild 41st Annual Fair 10 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbaypottersguild.com

the whole family. | SUBMITTED

BOUNDARY WATERS EXPO

June 9-10

Held at East Bearskin Lodge, 26 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, the Boundary Waters Expo is a free, family-friendly event that features speakers, vendors and activities for everyone.

East Bearskin Lake is a getaway to the Boundary Waters, with three portages and two entry points to choose from. This makes it the perfect location to celebrate canoeing, camping and wilderness travel. Test canoes, paddles and other gear on the lake. Or string up a tarp and crawl into a tent. There will also be equipment demos, food and merchandise for sale.

This year’s guest speakers are Cliff Jacobson, Dan Cooke, Rob Kesselring,

Sue Plankis, Kelly Dahl, Paul Dahl, Bear Paulsen, Michael Crotteau and Mike Bartz. Exhibitors include Voyageurs Outdoor Gear, Accent Paddles, Primus, SealSkinz, Cooke Custom Sewing and more. And don’t miss Dead Fish Polo, one of the expo highlights. Dead Fish is a game played from canoes where participants try to drop or throw a wet sponge into each other’s boats using their paddles. Come see well-known paddlers make fools of themselves in this silly canoe game.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert tripper or a beginner with a paddle, everyone will have fun and learn something new at the expo. bwcaexpo.com

NORTHERN LANDSCAPES FESTIVAL

June 1-3 Learn about the birds, wildflowers, insects and geology of the Northern landscape at this annual North House Folk School festival in Grand Marais. This year, renowned ecologist Bernd Heinrich returns to campus as the featured guest to teach and speak. Bernd will offer a two-day course exploring his book Bumblebee Economics. Other festival highlights include courses, demos, and free presentations and programs, such as “Summer Sky Spectacular: Planets, Satellites and the Milky Way with Bob King.” Course offerings include birding by ear, wildlife tracking through remote camera photography, boreal birding, what’s this rock, spring phenology in the field, and more. Course registration required. northhouse.org

KITE FESTIVAL

June 3, Sunday The annual Thunder Bay Kite Festival, which first began in 1981, will be held on Sunday, June 3 at Chippewa Park. People of all ages will enjoy kite workshops, demonstrations and activities. Festival-goers will also experience the flying skills of kite experts from renowned kite clubs. Don’t miss this award-winning day of fun, color and amazement, held from noon to 4 p.m. calendar.thunderbay.ca

VOYAGE NORTH 5K & 10K

June 9, Saturday Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais is hosting the first

ever Voyage North 5k and 10k run/walk. Participants will enjoy the scenic beauty of Lake Superior and the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains as they venture from Artist Point to Voyageur Brewing. Just after the start of the 5k and 10k races, runners and walkers will have the opportunity to grab a donut hole from World’s Best Donuts before heading down Wisconsin Street along Lake Superior. Before crossing the highway, Java Moose will be handing out shots of cold press coffee fuel for the hill section. Talk about brunch on the go! And it wouldn’t be truly Northern Minnesota without fish. Just before the race finish, participants will be able to grab a sample of pickled herring from a Dockside Fish Market representative as they go by. Racers will receive a t-shirt and a well-deserved pint of craft beer from Voyageur Brewing. Registration required. voyageurbrewing.com

DULUTH MONARCH FESTIVAL

June 9, Saturday Join the Duluth Monarch Buddies for the annual Duluth Monarch Festival, held at the Coppertop Church (First United Methodist) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. See real monarch eggs, caterpillars and butterflies, while participating in family-friendly activities. There will be milkweed and native pollinator plants for sale, free milkweed seeds, information booths, Lauralloons balloon twisting and

The Boundary Waters Expo will feature equipment demos, guest speakers, vendors and activities for

Spring Art Underground 2018 at Betsy Bowen Studio Gallery

Featuring hand-made local art by:

Jeanne Knight pottery

Anita White paintings

Wally White paintings and cards

Fritz Lehmberg pottery

Ken Valentas watercolors

Bob LeMettry pottery

Misha Martin oils

Nancy Seaton glass

Jeanne Hedstrom oils

Jerry Riach printmaking

Ron Piercy jewelry

Betsy Bowen woodcuts

Stephan Hoglund jewelry

Melissa Wickwire clay

Jim Sannerud wood

Shelly Getten printmaking

Natalie Sobanja pottery

Heidi Sobanja oils

Mary Schliep rosemaling

Glen Hambleton wood

Tree Skin Bags birchbark

Elena Bantle jewelry

Sandi Pillsbury oils

Bonnie Gay Hedstrom felt

Howard Hedstrom wood

Jeremy Vaughan porcelain

Diane Wesman acrylics

Leah Thomas graphics

Tobias Lawson metal

monarch movies. There will also be four drop-in sessions, including “How to raise and tag monarchs,” and “Creating a butterfly garden.” Love Creamery will provide ice cream and the El Oasis del Norte food truck will be available for lunch. Cost to attend is $5 for adults; free for ages 12 and under. To learn more, find the Duluth Monarch Buddies on Facebook.

THE BIG DIXIE SWINGERS

June 9, Saturday The new Orleans-based band, The Big Dixie Swingers, is committed to reviving the music of America’s rural radio stations and stages. Their sound blends old time country and pre-war era pop, spinning it back out as western swing-style dance band numbers. Comprised of fiddler Aaron Gunn and banjoist Elizabeth Vargas, the group often includes Minneapolis singer/songwriter Jack Klatt and bassist Michael Carvale (of Davina & the Vagabonds) when performing in Minnesota. The group won the MBOTMA Americana-Roots Band Concert at last year’s Minnesota State Fair. They will perform at the Wunderbar in Grand Marais on June 9. The show starts at 8 p.m. and there is an $18 entrance fee at the door (no advance ticket sales). There will be a dance floor available, as well as seating. northshoremusicassociation.com

DULUTH HARD ENDURO

June 9, Saturday The Max Fierek’s Duluth Hard Enduro is one of the Midwest’s premier enduro mountain bike races, challenging riders to more than 40 miles of rugged trails, starting at Lester Park and ending at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. There are four different categories for racing, including Open Men, Open Women, 40+ Men and Junior U21 for riders under 21 years of age. Registration is required. The race starts at 9 a.m. and everyone is welcome to attend the after party and awards

ceremony at 3 p.m. at Spirit Mountain. duluthhardenduro.com

GRAND MARAIS BLOCK PARTY

June 9, Saturday The first annual Grand Marais Block Party will include live music, vendor booths, food, games such as giant jenga and more. Held on 1st Avenue in Grand Marais, it will run all day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Rod and Carah will provide live music from 1:15-2:45 p.m., followed by Black River Revue from 3-4:30 p.m. Voyageur Brewing and North Shore Winery will provide samples to taste. Birchbark Books and Gifts will host an author, illustrator and reader meet-and-greet from 4-6 p.m., with wine and cheese provided. All local authors, illustrators and fans are invited to join. A full list of activities can be found online. visitcookcounty.com/ blockparty

LAST RUNNER STANDING

June 9, Saturday The Last Runner Standing is a unique event for runners of all abilities, but only the strongest among them will be the Last Runner Standing. Held at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, each runner will have exactly one hour to complete the 4.2 mile scenic loop. If a runner fails to return within the hour, they are eliminated from the race. Runners can complete the course at whatever pace they choose, but

The Big Dixie Swingers, comprised of Aaron Gunn and Elizabeth Vargas, will perform at the Wunderbar on June 9. | SUBMITTED

they must finish the race and be ready to start the next race within 60 minutes. The first race will be held at 9 a.m. and a new race will begin every hour on the hour (10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and so on) until only one runner is left standing. What will your strategy be? Will you run the loop hard and reserve time for rest, or take your time and conserve your energy on the trail, only to take a few minutes to rest before the next race begins? Even if you aren’t the last runner standing, unique awards will be presented to runners who complete 10k, 25k, marathon, 50k, 50 miles, 100k and 100-mile distances. Every runner will receive a race t-shirt and the race headquarters tent will provide drinks and snacks. Race registration required. lastrunnerstanding.com

ANISHNAWBE KEESHIGUN

June 9-10

Celebrate Indigenous culture during Anishnawbe Keeshigun at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay, featuring entertainment, activities and demonstrations for the whole family. Watch and learn about various styles of traditional dance. Sample foods such as corn, bannock and smoked fish. Test your aim with challenges like atlatl (spear throwing) and baggataway (lacrosse). Increase your Oji-Cree vocabulary and win handcrafted prizes by joining the Language Scavenger Hunt. Create traditional crafts you can take home. Learn about a variety of Indigenous traditions with hands-on demonstrations, including traditional teas, fruit leather and berry preserves, wood carving, pemmican making, wild rice cooking and fish preparation. Take part in the bannock making and fire lighting contests for a chance to win great prizes. Anishnawbe Keeshigun will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. fwhp.ca

GRANDMA’S MARATHON WEEKEND

June 15-17

Tie up your shoelaces for the 42nd annual Grandma’s Marathon race, held on Saturday, June 16. Totaling 26.2 miles, the race will start at 7:45 a.m. in Two Harbors and end in Canal Park in Duluth. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (13.1 miles) will also take place on

Saturday, and the William A. Irvin 5k and youth Whipper Snapper races will take place on Friday. Other events include the traditional Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, and the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the DECC, June 14-15. View over 100 booths showcasing the latest products and services in the athletic industry. The expo will run from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday. Admission is free; open to everyone. Grandma’s Marathon weekend will also include live music Friday and Saturday night with the Rock the Big Top celebration in Canal Park, featuring Sugar Ray, Viva Knievel, Belfast Cowboys, and more. Gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online. grandmasmarathon.com

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

June 21, Thursday National Aboriginal Day, held Thursday, June 21, is a day to celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. This year’s theme is Honoring and Sharing Our History. Festivities will be held at Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) on Fort William First Nation in Thunder Bay, starting with the sunrise ceremony at 5:45 a.m. Opening ceremonies will be held at noon and the grand entry and powwow starts at 1 p.m. A community feast will be held at 5 p.m., followed by giveaways and an open air concert at 7 p.m. The closing ceremonies will be at 9 p.m. There will also be food vendors, informative booths and artists showcasing beautiful handmade arts and crafts. nadtbay.ca

WOODEN BOAT SHOW & SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL

June 22-24 Held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, the family-friendly Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival features a bit of everything. There will be rows of hand-made and unique watercraft, a boat parade, craft demonstrations, workshops and mini-courses, guest speakers, an evening square dance, a boat and tool auction, chili and brats, live music and more. This

year’s featured speaker is Martha Greene Phillips, author of Border Country: The Northwoods Canoe Journals of Howard Greene, 1906-1916. And don’t miss the Summer Solstice Pageant by the Good Harbor Hill Players. The Pageant is a performance that features giant life-size pup -

The Wooden Boat Show at the North House features a bit of everything. | SUBMITTED

Group

Pre-registration

Tours

pets,

LUTSEN 99ER

June 23, Saturday The Lutsen 99er bike race takes place high above the shores of beautiful Lake Superior, starting and ending at Lutsen Mountains. The 99-mile course weaves through the rugged terrain of the Sawtooth Mountains and boreal forest. Other categories include a 69-mile, 39-mile and 19-mile race, as well as free youth races. Spectators and volunteers are welcomed and en -

couraged. Post-race events include an awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. at Papa Charlie’s, followed by live music by 4onthefloor. Kids’ races will be held on Sunday, June 24. Race registration required. lutsen99er.com

RHUBARB FESTIVAL

June 23, Saturday Get your taste buds ready to tackle the tangy tartness of every kind of rhubarb delicacy known. This family-friendly event features games, crafts, live music, auctions, stage shows, contests, a raffle, a bake sale and, of course, food booths. A group of master gardeners will be available to answer all your gardening questions, and Duluth author Bea Ojakangas will be onsite selling and signing her cookbook. This year, learn to hula hoop and learn new hula tricks with the Zenith Hooping Company. Then, make ash basket strips with Dr. Mark Boyce and watch him weave a basket. Other activities include a children’s area with arts and crafts, face painting, bubbles, a coloring contest, a climbing wall and obstacle course, children’s races and more. The festival will take place at 11th Avenue East and London Road in Duluth, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. chumduluth.org

MUDS & SUDS

June 23, Saturday Held at Mount Baldy in Thunder Bay, Mud and Suds is a 5k(ish) mud and foam run, complete with crazy obstacles and even a cold suds beer stop.

The Northern Landscapes Festival will take place June 1-3 at the North House Folk School. | SUBMITTED

Northern Wilds Calendar of Events

May 25-June 30

Spring Art Underground 11 a.m. Betsy Bowen Studio Gallery, Grand Marais, woodcut.com

May 30-June 3

Duluth Superior Film Festival Duluth, ds-ff.com

June 1, Friday

Daniel O’Donnell: Back Home Again Tour 7:30 p.m. Duluth DECC, decc.org

Bug House 8 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Chris Koza 8 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

June 1-2

Maaingan 9 p.m. Grandma Ray’s, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

June 1-3

Northern Landscapes Festival

North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Red Rock Fish & Game Lake Trout

Derby 8 a.m. Red Rock Marina, Ontario, redrockfishandgame.com

June 2, Saturday

Metre Eaters June Classic 5k & 10k Boulevard Lake, Thunder Bay, metreeaters.ca Open House & Free Park Admission Copper Falls & Big Bay State Parks, Ashland, WI, visitashland.com

George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation Soapbox Races Waverly Hill and Park, Thunder Bay, georgejeffreyfoundation.com

Walk for Animals & Furry 5k 9 a.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, animalallies.net Electronics Recycling Collection Event

9 a.m. Cook County Recycling Center, Grand Marais (218) 387-3630

Kid’s Fishing Day 9 a.m. Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland, WI, nglvc.org

Bike & Helmet Kids’ Safety Event

10 a.m. Toy Sense, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/toysensetb

National Trails Day with Lonnie Dupre

7 p.m. Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Our Celebrations: Twin Ports Wind Orchestra 7:30 p.m. First Lutheran Church, Duluth, twinportswindorchestra.org

Pushing Chain 8 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 2-3

Bridging the Gap

Fitger’s Brewery Complex, Duluth, bridgingthegapdlh.wordpress.com

June 3, Sunday

Walk for Arthritis 10 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, walktofightarthritis.ca

Kite Festival Noon, Chippewa Park, Thunder Bay, calendar.thunderbay.ca

Bug Lite 8 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 3-9

Commuter Challenge Thunder Bay, ecosuperior.org

June 4, Monday

Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

June 5, Tuesday

Blood Drive 10 a.m. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Two Harbors, mbc.org

Make Mandalas with Jill Terrell 6 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Garden Nights 6 p.m. Hartley Nature Center, Duluth, hartleynature.org

June 6, Wednesday

National Running Day Group Run 6 p.m. Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Fostering Resilience in a Stressed

Culture 7 p.m. Victoria Inn, Thunder Bay, theconferenceplanner.ca

June 6-16

Thunder Pride Festival Thunder Bay, facebook.com/thunderpride

June 7, Thursday

The Myth of Normal: Depression, Anxiety & Addictions from a New Perspective 9 a.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Zeitgeist Parklet Grand Opening Party

5 p.m. Outside Zeitgeist Arts Building, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Steve Earle & the Dukes 30th Anniversary of Copperhead Road with The Mastersons 7 p.m. Norshor Theatre, Duluth, norshortheatre.com

Billy Johnson 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 8, Friday

Portage Band & Cruisers 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Art Auction 6:45 p.m. Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Make & Take Pot of Plants 6:30 p.m.

Blue Moose, Grand Marais (218) 387-3015

Vinyl Friday with DJ Dr. Dave 9:30 p.m. Red Lion Smokehouse, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse

June 8-9

Park Point Rummage Sale 9 a.m. Park Point, Duluth, parkpointcommunityclub.org

Diane Isackson Craft Show 9 a.m. Larsmont Little Red Schoolhouse, Scenic 61, larsmont.org

Black River Revue 8 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 8-10

Annual VFW/Junior Legion Classic Baseball Tournament Veterans Memorial Field, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

June 8-29

NWFA Annual Spring Art Expo (Reception June 29) Cook, MN, nwfamn.org

June 9, Saturday

Open House All MN State Parks Walleye Whamma Birch Lake, Babbitt, babbitt-mn.com

Arrowhead Cooperative Annual Meeting 8:30 a.m. Cook County High School Cafeteria & ACA, Grand Marais

Grand Marais Block Party 9 a.m. Grand Marais, visitcookcounty.com/blockparty

Take a Kid Fishing 9 a.m. Mink Lake Beach, Gunflint Trail (218) 387-1750

Community Play Day 9 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Lakehead University Bora Laskin Building, Thunder Bay, healthykidstbay.com

Duluth Hard Enduro 9 a.m. Lester Park to Spirit Mountain, Duluth, duluthhardenduro.com

Watercolor Technique Demo: Dafne Caruso 9 a.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

Duluth Monarch Festival

10 a.m. Coppertop Church, Duluth, Facebook: Duluth Monarch Buddies

CCTA Block Party & Tennis Mixer

10 a.m. Cook County Tennis Courts, Grand Marais, playtenniscookcounty.org

Nice Girls of the North Marketplace

10 a.m. Lakeside Lester Park Community Center, Duluth, nicegirlsofthenorth.com

Voyage North 5k & 10k 11 a.m. Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

The Future of Cook County History

1 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Author, Illustrator & Reader Meet and Greet 4 p.m. Birchbark Books & Gifts, Grand Marais, facebook.com/birchbarkgifts

The Big Dixie Swingers

8 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, northshoremusicassociation.com

SplinterTones 8 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Live at Grand Portage: Comedian

Don Burnstick 8 p.m. Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, grandportage.com

June 9-10

Boundary Waters Expo Bearskin Lodge, Gunflint Trail, bwcaexpo.com

Golf for Gold 8 a.m. Kenogamisis Golf Club, Geraldton, ONT, kenogamisisgolfclub.com

Last Runner Standing 10 a.m. Spirit Mountain, Duluth, lastrunnerstanding.com

Anishnawbe Keeshigun 10 a.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

June 10, Sunday

Inaugural Pedal for Good 11 a.m. Spokengear, Two Harbors, facebook.com/spokengear

WALKstock Festival of Walking Noon, International Friendship Garden, Thunder Bay, ecosuperior.org

Cookie 3 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Gunflint Trail Historical Society Shrimp Boil Fundraiser 4 p.m. Seagull Lake Community Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

Norshor Classic Film Series: Some Like It Hot 7 p.m. Norshor Theatre, Duluth, norshortheatre.com

Gag Me With A Spoon: A Community Story Share 7 p.m. Zeitgeist Atrium, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Eric Frost 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo: A Very Intimate Acoustic Evening 8 p.m. Duluth DECC, decc.org

June 11, Monday

Community Collaborative Drawing 4 p.m. Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Songwriter Series: Mel Parsons 8:30 p.m. Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com

June 12, Tuesday

Brodini Magic Comedy Show 9 a.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

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

Art Night with Jill Terrell 5 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Fresh Air Trail Run 6:30 p.m. Kamview Nordic Centre, Thunder Bay, tbnordictrails.com

June 13, Wednesday

Ely-Winton Historical Society Annual Meeting & Dinner 5 p.m. Vermilion Community College Cafeteria, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

Art Skantz: History Nights

7 p.m. Vermilion Community College, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

North Shore Community Swing Band 7 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais (218) 370-9852

Ely Field Naturalists Meeting

7 p.m. Vermilion Community College, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

June 14, Thursday

St. Louis County Hazardous Waste: Residents 10 a.m. Ely Joint Public Works Facility, Ely (218) 741-8831

Quarter Release Ceremony 11 a.m. Voyageurs National Park, International Falls, nps.gov/voya

Pinterest Projects: Popsicle Sticks 3:30 p.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

Colored Pencil Demonstration: Free 4 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Briand Morrison & Sam Miltich 7 p.m. Art House B+B, Grand Marais, arthousebb.com

Plucked Up String Band

7:30 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 14-15

Essentia Health Fitness Expo Duluth Decc, grandmasmarathon.com

June 14-17

Pinocchio Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

June 15, Friday

Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner 11 a.m. Duluth DECC, grandmasmarathon.com

Whipper Snapper Races: Free 2 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

The Church of Cash 5:30 p.m. Doug Johnson Recreation Center, Cook, MN, churchofcashmusic.com

William A. Irvin 5k 6 p.m. Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Billy Johnson 8 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

June 15-16

Rock the Big Top Canal Park, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Craft Market Show & Sale

9 a.m. Larsmont Little Red Schoolhouse, Scenic 61, larsmont.org

Rich Lewis Band 8:30 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 15-17

Peter Mitchell Fun Days Babbitt, babbitt-mn.com

June 16, Saturday

GenNext’s Annual Day of Caring Thunder Bay, uwaytbay.ca

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

6:15 a.m. Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Grandma’s Marathon 7:45 a.m. Two Harbors to Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Apostle Islands Inline Marathon

8:30 a.m. Madeline Island, Ashland, WI, apostleislandsinline.com

Pride Parade & Pride in the Park

Music Festival 11 a.m. Magnus Theatre & Marina Park, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/thunderpride

Ledgerock Community Kitchen

Noon, Ledgerock Community Church, Ely, ledgerockchurch.com

Cross River Annual Meeting 5 p.m. Schroeder Town Hall, crossriverheritage.org

North of Broadway: A Fundraiser for the Mesabi Symphony Orchestra

7 p.m. Vermilion Community College Fine Arts Theater, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

David Feherty: Off Tour

7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Brothers in Arms 8 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Music Bingo 9:30 p.m. Red Lion Smokehouse, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse

June 16-18

Kids Fish Derby Red Rock, Ontario, redrockfishandgame.com

June 17, Sunday

Father’s Day

Free Classic Tours for Fathers 9 a.m. Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, glensheen.org

Father’s Day Super Hero Party: Free Admission for Fathers 10 a.m. Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, lszooduluth.org

Nature Presentation: Chel Anderson

2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

Broken Heartland String Band

4 p.m. Skyport Lodge, Grand Marais, skyportlodge.com

Rich Lewis Band 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 18, Monday

Concert in the Park: Twin Ports Wind Orchestra 7 p.m. UMD Campus, Duluth, twinportswindorchestra.org

June 19, Tuesday

Kid’s Day: Free Admission

11 a.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

Sawmill Tours 12:30 p.m. Hedstrom Lumber Company, Gunflint Trail (218) 877-7030

USFS Nature Program: Free

2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

Chance on Tap: Kathy McTavish

6 p.m. Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Stamp Carving with Jill Terrell

6 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Garden Nights 6 p.m. Hartley Nature Center, Duluth, hartleynature.org

Take It With You: Season 5 7:30 p.m. The Underground Theatre, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org

June 20, Wednesday

Free Artist Talk: Unfiltered – A

Conversation About Art & Water

7 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

June 21, Thursday

Summer Solstice

National Aboriginal Day Mount McKay, Thunder Bay, nadtbay.ca

Summer Solstice Celebration Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Go Skateboarding Day Noon, Marina Park, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/ thunderbayskateboardcoalition

Movie Matinee: Indian in the Cupboard

3:30 p.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org



Summer Solstice Party & Live Music

5 p.m. Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Summer Solstice Webinar 6 p.m. International Wolf Center, Ely, wolf.org

Gordon Thorne 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Free: Presentations by Susan Jaward & Erika North 7:30 Oliver Road Community Center, Thunder Bay, tbayhortsociety.weebly.com

June 21-23

Friends of the Library Book Sale Semer’s Beach Park, Ely, elylibrary.org

June 22, Friday

Sawmill Tours 10 a.m. Hedstrom Lumber Company, Gunflint Trail (218) 877-7030

Portage Band & Bug House 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Mid-Summer Mudslinger Trail Run

6:30 p.m. Kamview Nordic Centre, Thunder Bay, tbnordictrails.com

Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners 8 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

June 22-23

Spring At Last Garden Art Fair

9 a.m. Spring At Last Greenhouse, Duluth (218) 728-3785

Agate Bay Crafters 9 a.m. Larsmont Little Red Schoolhouse, Scenic 61, larsmont.org

Jon Miller & the Homebrews 8 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 22-24

Wooden Boat Show & Summer Solstice

Festival North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Geraldton Walleye Classic Geraldton, Ontario, gcfi.net

DQ Grill & Chill Legion Classic Baseball

Tournament Veterans Memorial Field, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

Don Giovanni: Presented by Lyric Opera of the North 7:30 p.m. (3 p.m. Sun.)

Norshor Theatre, Duluth, norshortheatre.com

June 23, Saturday

Superior Vistas Bike Tour

Washburn, WI, superiorvistas.org

Lutsen 99er Lutsen Mountains, lutsen99er.com

Muds & Suds 5km(ish) Mud & Foam Run

Mount Baldy, Thunder Bay, mudandsuds.ca

Rhubarb Festival 9 a.m. 11th Ave. East & London Road, Duluth, chumduluth.org

Thunder Bay Rowing Club Annual

Sprints Regatta 9 a.m. Kaministiqua River, Thunder Bay, thunderbayrowingclub.com

Children’s Day 10 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

Thunder Bay Potters’ Guild 41st Annual Fair 10 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbaypottersguild.com

Mining Day 10 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbayminingday.ca

Blessing of the Fleet 10:30 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, calendar.thunderbay.ca

Wolves at Our Door Presentation: Free 11:30 a.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

Peregrine Falcons on the North Shore

1 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

Hands-On Activity: Suminagashi

1 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

CCTA Wooden Racquet Social 1:30 p.m. Cook County Tennis Courts, Grand Marais, playtenniscookcounty.org

Dan Helmerson Presentation: Canoe Trip, 1917 Style 4 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

Wolves at Our Door: Free 4:30 p.m. Grand Portage State Park, mndnr.gov/events

Solstice Celebration 5 p.m. Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais, sivertson.com

Michael Monroe

Log Cabin Concert 7 p.m. Grand Marais, michaelmonroemusic.com

Pierre Schryer’s Thunder Bay Connections 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Gambler’s Daughter 8 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Swing Band 8 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

June 23-24

Duluth Gun Show 9 a.m.

Duluth DECC, decc.org

Park Point Art Fair 10 a.m. Park Point, Duluth, parkpointartfair.org

Summer Solstice Overnighter

5:30 p.m. Spokengear, Two Harbors, facebook.com/spokengear

June 24, Sunday

Little Muckers/Mud Princess Race Mount Baldy, Thunder Bay, mudandsuds.ca

Dorothy Day: Celebrating 25 Years

11 a.m. Dorothy Molter Museum, Ely, rootbeerlady.com

Nature Presentation: Kate Kelnberger

2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

SplinterTones 4 p.m. Skyport Lodge, Grand Marais, skyportlodge.com

NSHCF Annual Barbecue

4 p.m. Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Trail, northshorehealthcarefoundation.org

Timmy Haus 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 25, Monday

Community Collaborative Drawing

4 p.m. Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

June 26, Tuesday

Chronicle Journey Charity Golf Classic

9 a.m. Whitewater Golf Club, Rosslyn, ONT, uwaytbay.ca

Kid’s Day: Free Admission 11 a.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

Sawmill Tours 12:30 p.m. Hedstrom Lumber Company, Gunflint Trail (218) 877-7030

USFS Nature Program: Free 2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, chikwauk.com

Art Night with Jill Terrell 5 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Superior Shorts 7 p.m. Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone, Duluth, facebook.com/superiorshorts

Joe Paulik Band 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 27, Wednesday

Superior Hiking Trail Raise a Pint Night: Free 2 p.m. Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Summer History Nights 7 p.m. Vermilion Community College, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

Quiz Night 8 p.m. Red Lion Smokehouse, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/ redlionsmokehouse

June 27-July 8

Thomas Carnival Duluth DECC, thomascarnival.com

June 28, Thursday

NASA: Strange New World 2 p.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

Guest Lecture: Emergency Management 7 p.m. Cook County Higher Education, Grand Marais, northshorecampus.org

Eric Frost 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Full Moon Reading with Amy Schmidt 8 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, facebook.com/drurylanebooks

June 29, Friday

Sawmill Tours 10 a.m. Hedstrom Lumber Company, Gunflint Trail (218) 877-7030

Lutsen Block Party 4 p.m. Lutsen Liquors Parking Lot

Cook County’s Most Wanted 5 p.m. Birch Terrace, Grand Marais (218) 387-2215

Ely Family Fun Night 5 p.m. Grand Ely Lodge, Ely, ely.org/mn/events

Monday

Open Mic Night 6 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Live Music 9 p.m. Bluefin Grille, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Tuesday

Ely Farmers’ Market 5 p.m. Whiteside Park, Ely, facebook.com/elymnfarmersmarket

Trivia 6 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Campfire Music 7 p.m. Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Wednesday

Country Market 3:30 p.m. CLE

Dove Building, Thunder Bay, thunderbaycountrymarket.com

Open Mic 5 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Live Music 7 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Beer Garden at Glensheen 7:30 p.m. Glensheen Mansion, Duluth, glensheen.org

Live Music 9 p.m. Bluefin Grille, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Thursday

Heritage Homestead Tours 1 p.m.

Embarrass Information Center, embarrass.org

Finland Farmers Market (starts June 14) 5 p.m. Clair Nelson Center, Finland, friendsoffinland.org

Live Music 6 p.m.

Cascade Lodge & Restaurant, Lutsen, cascadelodgemn.com

Live Music by the Campfire 6:30 p.m. Lutsen Resort, lutsenresort.com

Date Night with Live Music 7 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

Live Music 7 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Friday

Heritage Homestead Tours 1 p.m. Embarrass Information Center, embarrass.org

Live Music 4 p.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Live Music 7 p.m. Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors, castledangerbrewery.com

Free Artist Talk: Color & Form 7 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Four Shore 9 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

June 29-30

Julie Widen Craft Show 9 a.m. Larsmont Little Red Schoolhouse, Scenic 61, larsmont.org

Dead Larry 8 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

June 29-July 1

Guys and Dolls, Jr. Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

June 30, Saturday

Senior Men’s & Women’s Golf Club Invitational Kenogamisis Golf Club, Geraldton, ONT, kenogamisisgolfclub.com

Poetry Reading & Discussion with Margot Galt 7 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, facebook.com/drurylanebooks

Woodblind 8 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Kutdown 9 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Live Music 8 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Live Music 9 p.m. Bluefin Grille, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Renegade Improv 10:30 p.m. Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Saturday Country Market 8 a.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, thunderbaycountrymarket.com

Ashland Area Farmer’s Market 8 a.m. Ashland, WI, ashlandareafarmersmarket.com

Cook County Market 9 a.m.

Senior Center Parking Lot, Grand Marais

Ely Farmers’ Market (starts June 16) 9:30 a.m. Whiteside Park, Ely, facebook.com/elymnfarmersmarket

Children’s Story Hour with the Muffin Man 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, facebook.com/drurylanebooks

Harbor History Tours (starts June 16)

1 p.m. Lightkeeper’s House Museum, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Heritage Homestead Tours

1 p.m. Embarrass Information Center, Embarrass, embarrass.org

Free: Tour the North House Campus

2 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Live Music 6 p.m. Cascade Lodge & Restaurant, Lutsen, cascadelodgemn.com

What’s For Dinner? 7 p.m.

International Wolf Center, Ely, wolf.org

Live Music 7 p.m. Lutsen Resort, lutsenresort.com

Live Music 7 p.m.

Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors, castledangerbrewery.com

Live Music 8 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Live Music 9:30 p.m.

Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com

Renegade Improv 10:30 p.m. Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Sunday

Open Stage with Joe Paulik

6 p.m. Wunderbar, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn

Come Dine with Us! May 26 thru September 30 By Reservation Only Take-Out Available

Dinner Menu

Reserve by Noon Served at 5:30 pm with bread, cottage cheese, a salad or applesauce. Also a vegetable, dessert and coffee or hot tea.

Waves of Superior Café at Surfside Opening for the Season May 24

• Open Daily – Serving Breakfast & Lunch

• Grab & Go Items, Including Wraps, Salads and Sandwiches

• New Menu Features: Asian Smoked Fish Sandwich, Cajun Salmon Sandwich, Turkey Bacon Avocado Wrap, Tuscan Bean Soup & more

• Wine, Beer, Coffee, Juices and Soda

All-You-Care-To-Eat Loon Lake Breakfast $11.95 Reserve the day before Served from 8:00 - 9:30 am Includes:

 Swedish Pancakes

 Made to order eggs

 Shore lunch potatoes

 Hash browns

 BBQ Baby Back Ribs

 Roasted Duck

 10 oz Ribeye Steak

 Chicken Alice

 Rack of Lamb w/ Blueberry Sauce

 Walleye

• Outdoor Deck Seating & Indoor Café With Lake Superior Views

Daily: 8 am – 3 pm

Located At Surfside on Lake Superior • Hwy 61 Tofte • Bluefinbay.com/dine

 Bacon, Sausage links or patties

 French toast

 Toast

 Served with unlimited juice, milk, coffee, or tea.

 Wild-caught Salmon

 Meatloaf

 Bourbon Pork

 Vegetarian and Children’s options available.

39 miles up the Gunflint Trail  visitloonlake.com Call 218-388-2232 to Make Reservations

11 am - 1 am

- 9 pm Full Menu 7 Days a Week

—Weekly Specials—

40 Cent Wings, Open Mic, Dart League

Sandwich Nite, Trivia 6pm-9pm, $1 off Guys Night 9 pm-Close

$1 off Burgers: New signature burger every Wednesday

$1 Tacos, $4 Margeritas 2 for 1 Ladies Night 9 pm-Close

Broasted Chicken, Drink Specials, Live Music

Prime Rib, Drink Specials, Live Music

$4 Bloody Marys, $11.95 Prime Rib Sandwich, $10.95 Prime Rib Nachos, Half of all Appetizers, Free Pool

—Music—

Fri. & Sat., June 1 & 2

Maaiingan 9-12

Friday, June 8

Portage Band 6-8

Cruisers 8:30-12:30

Saturday, June 9

Splinter Tones 8-11

Sunday, June 10 Cookie 3-6 Friday, June 15 Billy Johnson 8-11 Saturday, June 16 Brothers In Arms 8-12 Sunday, June 17 Happy Father’s Daydads half price Tuesday, June 19 Help the Vets Event

Friday, June 22 Portage Band 6-8 Bug House 8:30 - 12

Saturday, June 23

Swing Band 8-12

Friday, June 29 Four Shore 9 - 1

Saturday, June 30 Kutdown 9-12 Check Facebook for our Live Music schedule.

The North Shore Dish

North Shore Fish and Chips

By Maren Webb

Fish and chips has become a common sight on menus across North America and in many parts of the world. Most of us recognize fish and chips as British fare. The origin story goes back to 1860s England, although there is debate as to whether it originally started in London or Lancashire. Either way, by 1910 there were more than 25,000 fish and chip shops across the United Kingdom, and by the 1930s there were over 35,000. Fish and chip shops became known as a “chippy” or “chipper.” The number of standalone shops in the U.K. have since declined, but it still remains a prominent meal in British culture.

In the United States, standalone fish and chip shops or restaurants are less common. In the Northern Wilds, Grand Marais happens to be home to a mini epicenter of fish and chip restaurants with two right next door to each other: the Angry Trout Cafe and Dockside Seafood Market. Neither is a replica of a British “chippy,” yet each reinterprets this British fare to the northern shores, to our taste buds’ delight. These two restaurants are no stranger to our readers: in the Northern Wilds 2018 Restaurant Awards, they won first and second place in the fish category.

The Angry Trout Cafe is perched on the shores of Lake Superior, in the Grand Marais Harbor, awaiting diners May through October each year. It opened in 1988, but didn’t start its fresh fish-based menu until 1992, originally serving hot dogs, Polish sausage, soups and salads. Today, it is hard to imagine the Angry Trout without fresh fish, especially for the quintessential fish and chips.

The Angry Trout fish and chips is a customer favorite and it’s not hard to see why. It starts with the fish, most of which comes straight from Lake Superior. Tyler and Zach Smith will be taking over the fishing operation from Harley Toftey/Dockside next door, continuing to supply the Angry Trout with herring. The whitefish comes from Halvorson’s in Cornucopia, Wisconsin. If local fish is not available, you’ll see Alaskan Cod on the menu. Commercial fishing is part of the Angry Trout’s history, with part of its building having been a commercial fishing shanty operated until the 1950s.

If you have not tried herring, you are missing out. Some people associate it with the pickled stuff sold in jars, but it is a completely different species (it was called herring by Scandinavian settlers and the

name stuck, despite being a freshwater not saltwater fish). Lake herring, cisco, and tullibee are all names for the species. If you happen to see menominee on the menu, be sure to include it in your order. It’s a smaller version of the lake whitefish (also known as round whitefish) and is available for only short periods of the season, caught by local fishermen. Can’t decide which variety to choose? Typically the Angry Trout is able to accommodate a split order, such as one fillet herring and one fillet whitefish. When it comes to the breading, “keep it simple,” said Barb LaVigne, co-owner of the Angry Trout Cafe. “We dunk the fillets in milk and then roll them in a breading mix of flour, cracker meal and a little salt.”

According to the Angry Trout Cafe cookbook, a frying temperature around 350 degrees F. is best and don’t overcrowd your pot if frying at home. Personally, I’ll leave it to their cooks and enjoy both the fried fish and accompaniments without splattering myself or my kitchen with oil.

Depending on who you ask, the chips part of the fish and chips equation may hold more or less weight in terms of importance. The waffle fries at the Angry Trout make a nice accompaniment, but even more important is the tartar sauce. Do not miss the tartar sauce. Co-owner George Wilkes developed the recipe and it is memorable. Also available in the cookbook ( Angry Trout Cafe Notebook: Friends, Recipes, and The Culture of Sustainability), it features a good dose

of dill weed and is hard to beat. The Angry Trout plans to have bottles of the tartar sauce available for sale this summer, if you plan to recreate this meal at home. The last piece of the Angry Trout fish and chips basket is the choice between a pickle and coleslaw. We won’t weigh in on this one, as I’m sure you have your personal favorite already (Team Pickle over here, although I won’t turn down a good coleslaw).

In addition to serving delicious food, the Angry Trout Cafe strives to operate in a sustainable manner to have a positive effect on the community economically, socially and environmentally. This includes serving organically and sustainability-raised foods and investing in the neighborhood economy by purchasing as much as they can

Dockside Seafood Market offers take out, or stay and enjoy the view of Lake Superior from the deck. | MAREN WEBB

from local producers. For example, over $115,000 was invested in products sourced from Cook County producers.

The Angry Trout Cafe (408 West Highway 61, Grand Marais) is open seven days a week, May through October, serving lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m. (closing times vary by month and are available at angrytroutcafe.com or by calling 218387-1265). They do not take reservations, but you are welcome to call 15 minutes before you plan to arrive and if there is a waiting list, they will add your name. Fish and chips is always on the menu.

Right next door to the Angry Trout you will find Dockside Seafood Market, another local fish and chips staple. For many years, Dockside was part commercial fishing business and part fish market and restaurant. Harley and Shele Toftey, former Dockside owners, have passed on the reins and both parts of the business will continue. As mentioned above, Tyler and Zach Smith are continuing the commercial fishing operation and the community has welcomed the Frank family of Morey’s Seafood Markets as the new operators of the restaurant. Dockside lovers, do not fear. The Franks are continuing the menu and adding a few new retail products.

The Dockside menu offers a mix and match style, providing a myriad of options and ways to cater your order. From basket or sandwich, fish choice, sides and upgrades, everyone finds their perfect mix. Fish and chips are a favorite choice, with Harley’s beer battered fries and fried fish. The fish options include varieties such as Superior herring, Norwegian cod, Supe -

rior whitefish, and Euro walleye. Be sure to look for the “Tyler’s Fresh Catch” sign for locally caught fish, such as herring and whitefish. Say yes to the tartar sauce; it is homemade and a different recipe than next door. Can’t decide between fries and coleslaw? You can add on to your order and have both. If you decide to go off the fish and chips path, consider upgrading to cheese curds. Yum!

Dockside is not only a restaurant but also a retail store. They even sell “Dockside’s Secret Breading” and “Fish Fry Oil” if you’d like to make your own fish and chips at home. They also carry a large variety of fresh, frozen and other items, including Shele’s fishcake batter, smoked fish and pickled herring.

“We have expanded the selection of gourmet grocery available, and are excited about introducing some new items to town,” said Elyse Frank Burton, VP of Operations for Seafood Markets, Ltd. and part of the new Dockside team.

Dockside Seafood Market (418 West Highway 61, Grand Marais) is open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit: facebook.com/ docksidefishmarket or call (218) 387-2906.

This summer, I hope you enjoy a basket (or two) of fish and chips in the North Shore style, with a great view of Lake Superior on the harbor in Grand Marais. Cheers!

The Angry Trout Cafe has a great view of the Grand Marais Harbor, with indoor seating and on the outdoor deck. | ANGRY TROUT

Swedish Smorgasbord

By Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux

After a long winter, Swedes revel in the return of the sun. Midsommar is celebrated around the summer solstice with singing, dancing, drinking and a smorgasbord of meatballs, new potatoes and side dishes. For the full experience, set your table with rye bread, butter, Havarti and Gjetost cheeses, pickled herring, pickled beets, and, of course, aquavit for toasting.

Swedish Meatballs

Swedish meatballs are made with a combination of beef and pork. Soaked white bread keeps them tender, and the Worcestershire sauce in the gravy gives them their classic flavor. Serve them with lingonberry preserves.

ƒ 2 slices white bread

ƒ ¼ cup cream or milk

ƒ 3 tablespoons butter, divided

ƒ 1 small onion, finely minced

ƒ ¾ pound ground beef

ƒ ¾ pound ground pork

ƒ 1 egg

ƒ ½ teaspoon salt

ƒ ½ teaspoon pepper

ƒ ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

ƒ ¼ teaspoon allspice

ƒ Parsley, optional

Tear the bread into tiny pieces and soak in milk. (For gluten free, substitute ½ cup of oats.)

Lightly sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon of butter with a pinch of salt.

In a stand mixer, or working with your hands, combine all ingredients.

Use a 1-ounce scoop to make approximately 30 meatballs. Cook on medium heat in 2 tablespoons of butter, turning often to brown evenly.

Garnish with parsley and serve in gravy.

Swedish Meatball Gravy

ƒ 2 tablespoons butter

ƒ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

ƒ 1½ cup beef broth

ƒ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

ƒ ¼ cup heavy cream

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.

Whisk in flour, then broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer.

Add cream and reduce heat to medium low until gravy thickens, about 10-12 minutes.

Add cooked meatballs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Potatoes with Dill

Because new potatoes are harvested early, they are smaller and sweeter.

ƒ 2 pounds new potatoes

ƒ ¼ cup butter, softened

ƒ 3 tablespoons fresh, chopped dill

ƒ 1 tablespoon hot water, optional Boil potatoes until tender (10-20 minutes).

Combine butter and dill, crushing herbs to release flavor.

Toss cooked potatoes in butter until evenly coated. Add a tablespoon of hot water if needed.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh dill and serve.

Cucumber Dill Salad

This lightly pickled salad has a fresh, summery taste.

ƒ 2 cucumbers

ƒ ½ cup good vinegar

ƒ 2 tablespoons water

ƒ ½ teaspoon salt

ƒ 3 tablespoons sugar

ƒ ⅛ teaspoon fresh dill

Slice cucumbers very thinly and arrange in pie pan or casserole dish.

Whisk together all ingredients and pour over cucumber. Chill for 1-3 hours. Garnish with fresh dill and serve.

New

Midsommar is a Swedish tradition that features singing, dancing and food. | PIXABAY

Happenings

FRIDAY, JUNE 1 Chris Koza 8-11pm

SATURDAY, JUNE

Blacklist Finds Balance with a Pair of Pale Ales

A visit to Duluth’s Blacklist Artisan Ales (120 E. Superior St.) showcased a couple of solid pale beers that veer from the brewery’s Belgian inspiration.

The first of those, the Last Pale on Earth, is one of the latest from the brewery to be offered in cans, which I was happy to learn.

This name of this American pale ale is a play on the brewery’s location in the same spot where the infamous Last Place on Earth head shop operated before it was notoriously shuttered.

Blacklist, according to published reports, poured a million bucks into renovating the location, which it opened in December 2016.

They did a great job remaking the place into a well-decorated, sharp-looking taproom in a town that has an increasing share of handsome taprooms. Blacklist, which was around before it moved in, has been cranking out some quality beers for a while now.

THURSDAY, JUNE 21 Summer Solstice Celebration

FRIDAY, JUNE 22

Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners

SATURDAY, JUNE 23 Gambler’s Daughter 8-11pm

Last Pale is a beer I could see being a go-to in those situations where you want an easy-to-drink APA. It’s not a “session” beer, but at 5.5 percent ABV, it’s not going to quickly take your driving keys away from you.

The beer pours a clear orange and is slightly dry, with some citric sweetness that so many brewers are looking for these days. It’s a hoppy but not overly bitter beer that finds the type of balance I am looking for in my APAs, and I was pleased to find it on tap in the Cities recently (why, yes, I did order more than one).

As mentioned, it is being distributed in cans (the 16-ounce variety), and aside from finding it on tap at fine drinking establishments in Minnesota, the taproom also sells it in crowler form.

The other Blacklist beer I am reviewing, Finally We Got Our IPA , is not canned for distribution. It’s not even listed on the brewery’s website, but it’s available at the taproom on draft and in crowlers.

I was pleased with this beer, but I do love some bitter hops, and this one de -

By Javier Serna

livers on that front. Whereas Last Pale won’t necessarily scare off the hop-averse, this one packs enough bitterness that I wouldn’t recommend it to those types of beer drinkers.

It poured a slightly hazy orange, and I have a hard time nailing down the hops

used in this juicy, West Coast-style IPA. It’s definitely off in that bitter grapefruit direction. The bartender called it a “pineapple gummy bear,” and that’s a pretty decent description of this beer that debuted in April.

HARDWARE: Superior’s Earth Rider Brewery was the only North Shore brewery to win at the World Beer Cup competition in Nashville in early May (a few other Minnesota brewers won medals). North Tower Stout took third place in the oatmeal stout category.

MORE PROPS TO BENT PADDLE: I had a chance to visit Bent Paddle Brewing’s new 5,000-square foot taproom. They really outdid themselves with the new space, from the custom finishes throughout to the featuring of local artists.

The new taproom is an instant Lincoln Park gem.

FITGER’S FINDS WORKAROUND: It’s complicated, but long-time Duluth craft brew -

er Fitger’s Brewhouse will finally see its beer distributed, unleashed from Minnesota’s draconian brewing laws that prevent brew pubs from distributing their beer.

And technically, Fitger’s, apparently following years of working with attorneys, won’t be the one distributing favorites such as Apricot Wheat and Starfire Pale Ale.

But, according to published reports, owner Rod Raymond is handing the recipes to his son, Beau Raymond, who will be operating a separate company, Duluth Brewhouse, which is how this legal workaround will allow the beer to be distributed.

Islands,

Blacklist Artisan Ales is a European-inspired brewery in Duluth. | SUBMITTED

Driving while Distracted

By Amy Schmidt

If you are driving right now, stop reading this article immediately. The irony, not to mention the danger, of reading an article about distracted driving while driving, would just be too much.

Taking your eyes off the road for even a second can be devastating—think of deer, and how quickly they can appear, out of nowhere. If you happen to be glancing anywhere but at the road ahead of you when that deer materializes, you’re putting yourself (and anyone else in the car with you) in grave danger.

According to traffic safety experts, distracted driving can be classified into three main types: manual, visual and cognitive, or distractions that take your hands from the wheel, your eyes from the road, or your mind from the task of driving. For example, reaching back to hand your toddler a snack, glancing out at the lake to catch a glimpse of its beauty, or daydreaming about what you’ll do on Friday night.

Distracted driving is really easy to do, and really, really hard not to. We are, by nature, distracted creatures. Our brains are like those dynamic billboards, rotating

endlessly with thoughts, bombarding us and tempting us to think, and act, on anything but the task at hand.

Cell phones add a distraction temptation that encompasses all three of the classifications. Your phone pings, and suddenly you’re thinking about what flashed across the screen. So you grab the phone, hands off the wheel and look, eyes off the road and…at this point, the toddler in the back seat who is screaming for that snack he knows is in your purse, may as well be the one driving because you certainly aren’t.

But we’ve all done it! And then we read articles like these, with statistics about how cell phone users are almost six times more likely to get in an accident than none-users, and we swear we won’t do it again. We put our cell phones on silent, or put them in the trunk. We set auto-reply messages for incoming texts. We use hands-free devices or Bluetooth or commit to waiting till we get home to talk.

And these are all good things, habits worth having. Our roads would be far safer if we all promised, and kept our promises, to ditch the cell while driving. But even with the best of intentions, there’s still the

beautiful lake beckoning us to look at it. And the toddler who still wants his snack.

And Friday night, a blank canvas awaiting your plans.

So what’s to be done? How can we be vigilant, yet realistic, in our intentions to minimize driving distractions?

Remember the first time you got behind the wheel? You were probably 14, terrified and perspiring. One mistake would cost you, at best, your Driver’s Ed grade, and at worst, your life. So you drove humbly, like a person who knew what was at stake. Maybe white-knuckling the steering wheel is excessive. And looking both ways four times at every stop sign is unnecessary. But, driving with utmost care isn’t excessive or unnecessary. It’s critical.

Northern Trails Shallow-water Lake Trout Fishing

By Gord Ellis

The lake trout is known by reputation to be a dweller of the deep. This is largely true, as these fish demand clean, cold water. However, as the ice recedes from northern Ontario’s lakes and reservoirs, the lake trout will start to move in to areas that might not see them much come summer. This post ice period can last through June and even into early July, depending on when spring arrives and what the average daily temperatures are. On huge, cold lakes such as Lake Nipigon, lake trout may come shallow well into July. It’s a great time to angle for these magnificent, native fish. Here are a few ways to catch spring lake trout this season.

Shallow water trolling

When I say shallow water, I’m talking in comparison to where the lake trout usually are in the summer, which is 40 to 60 feet down or more. In June, thanks to cool water temperatures, lake trout will sneak up into water that is 10 to 15 feet deep, chasing minnows, insects and whatever else they can swallow. Surface temperatures under about 55 F. are still in the lake trout’s comfort range. In cool water, these fish will make forays up on rocky shorelines, points and the shallowest sections of mid-lake reefs.

Keep in mind trolling shallow water can be tricky and even dangerous if you don’t know the water. A depth finder really helps, as you can see if extra shallow water requires navigating deeper. On larger boats, a “kicker” gas motor helps, or an electric trolling motor, provided it has the strength to stay at trolling speeds. For lake trout, you don’t have to troll very fast, 1.5 to two mph depending on the lures you use. I really like slow-trolling lures such as the Williams Wabler, Lucky Strike Toronto Spoon and Len Thompson. Always check to see how the lure is acting at your trolling speed before letting out line. A spoon that is spinning is being trolled too quickly. Diving crankbaits like the #9 Shad Rap, Deep Diving Husky Jerk or Berkley Flicker Shad are also a fine choice.

Plugs will occasionally pound bottom when you troll them, so make sure you use line on the heavier side. I like a 12-pound, high abrasion monofilament like Maxima Ultra Green and Berkley Trilene Extra Tough. You will get more lures back if you get snagged and also have a better chance landing a monster trout if one takes hold.

Trolling with baitcast gear and longer rods of up to eight feet is preferred, but you can use spinning as well. Troll with at least 5075 feet of line out, as lakers can be spooky when boats go over them.

Casting

If you like to cast for trout, then spring lake trout will be right up your alley. You will still be fishing many of the same types of areas you could troll over, but the ap -

proach will be different. In a boat, park over deeper water, and cast towards the shallows. On a reef, stay off the top of it and cast to the shallowest point. Lake trout up shallow are generally aggressive. A wide variety of lures can work in this situation, including the Rapala Husky Jerk, X Rap, Countdown Rapala, Luhr Jensen Krocodile spoon and #5 Mepps Aglia Spinner. Make sure the lure is running a couple of feet above the bottom most of the time. When

fishing a jerkbait, like the Husky Jerk, a reel—pause—reel retrieve is deadly. Silverand shad-finished jerkbaits get the nod.

Jigs of all kinds can work wonders on shallow lake trout as well. A four-inch white tube jig is a great choice, as the tube is erratic when swum back to the boat and looks like a bait fish. You can also vertical jig the tube below the boat. This is a great tactic if a lake trout follows a lure in without hitting, as they often do. Bucktail jigs

Gord Ellis with a monster June lake trout caught on a Williams Wabler. | GORD ELLIS

that look like a smelt or minnow are also a great choice. The undulating action of the bucktail in the water looks very appealing. One other jig that has proven very effective is a fourinch plastic minnow or shad body on a bullet head jig. This presentation looks a lot like a minnow and when slowly worked over shallow, rocky areas, is hard for a lake trout to resist. Some plastic lures have impregnated scent, which adds to the appeal.

Shorefishing

Finally, lake trout in shallow water can be caught from shore. The best spots to do this are at narrows in a lake, where the fish will be more concentrated; off of points that drop into deep water; or off beaches. Beaches seem to attract lake trout as there is often emerging weeds with insects on them and they are more able to scoop up crayfish, minnows and other food on sand. You can cast any of the lures already mentioned from shore, keeping in mind that when you get snagged—and you will—the odds are not great that lure is coming back. Somewhat less expensive options like jigs are a good choice.

Another popular shore fishing technique in the northwest involves casting a live sucker or dead herring out, with a heavy slip sinker rig. A slip sinker is set so the line can run through it when a fish takes the bait. You will need to put the slip (or bell) sinker on the main line, then a small

bead and swivel.

fluorocarbon leader material of about three feet is added with a hook of ad equate size for the bait. The sinker needs to be heavy enough to cast well and anchor the bait on bottom.

Many people cast this rig out and then prop the rod on a lawn chair or in a rod holder. You can also put a small bell on the rod tip to register a strike. When you see the tip dance—or hear the bell—you let the trout take a little line before setting the hook.

Big lake trout run up shallow in the spring and early summer.

| GORD ELLIS

Gunflint Burning Fire in the Boundary Waters

By Cary J. Griffith

University of Minnesota Press, $25.95

On May 5, 2007, two days into his twenty-seventh trip to the Boundary Waters, Stephen Posniak found a perfect spot on Ham Lake and set about making a campfire. Over the next two weeks, the fire he set would consume 75,000 acres of forest and 144 buildings. More than one thousand firefighters would rally to extinguish the blaze, at a cost of $11 million. Gunflint Burning is a comprehensive account of the dramatic events around the Ham Lake fire, one of the largest wildfires in Minnesota history. In sharp detail, author Cary J. Griffith describes the key events as they unfold, providing readers with a sense of being on the front lines of an epic struggle that was at times heroic, tragic and sublime.— Breana Roy

150 Years Up andNorth More

Edited by Karen McCauley & Laura Stradiotto Latitude 46 Publishing, $20

150 Years Up North and More is an anthology of creative non-fiction short stories about the colonization and immigration in Northern Ontario, told by a variety of writers, from Indigenous storytellers to new immigrants. Edited by Karen McCauley and Laura Stradiotto, this collection features both established and new authors, including Thunder Bay author Julio Heleno Gomes. Other authors include Liisa Kovala, Rod Carley, Margo Little, Caitlin Sylvia McAuliffe, Lee Weimer, and William R. Morin. The book marks Canada’s sesquicentennial and features 17 authors total.—Breana Roy

WHY GO: It’s a solid option for walleyes with no horsepower limit for most of the lake (except for the two easternmost arms). There are camping facilities on the lake, as well as Bearskin Lodge, and opportunities to catch other fish species.

ACCESS: The National Forest Service’s East Bearkskin Lake Campground has a boat ramp. To get to the campground, which is 26 miles from Grand Marais off the Gunflint Trail, take the Gunflint Trail to East Bearskin Road. Take a right on East Bearskin Road and follow the signs.

VITALS: This 593-acre Cook County lake sits inside the Superior National Forest, and partially inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Consult a map, but the eastern end of the lake is subject to a 10-horsepower limit. The lake notably has portages to several BWCAW lakes, including Little Alder, Crocodile and Moon.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Walleyes, lake trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike, green sunfish, pumpkinseed, white sucker and yellow perch.

WALLEYES: The lake is stocked in backto-back years on a five-year cycle, in an attempt to maintain anglers’ interest in the state fish, according to DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor Steve Persons.

The lake was last sampled by fisheries crews in 2016, and some nice-size walleyes turned up, from eater-sized fish to those in

the 20- to 24-inch category.

“It’s a fair walleye lake,” Persons said. “Catch rates have been modest.”

There is some natural reproduction of walleyes in the lake, but not enough to sustain the demands of anglers, Persons said.

“In creel surveys, more people are fishing for walleyes than bass, but more people catch bass than walleyes,” he said, noting that when DNR stopped stocking the lake with walleyes for a while, catch rates plunged. “So we have good reason to continue that.”

SMALLIES: Persons noted that the gear fisheries crews use doesn’t tend to capture many bass, but East Bearskin still has a solid smallmouth bass population, he said.

“There is a pretty good number of bass over 12 inches,” he said. “I wouldn’t say it is producing trophy smallmouths, but bass over 12 inches are a lot of fun.”

The catch rates haven’t changed on the lake for decades, but Persons noted that what has changed is anglers’ habits when it comes to keeping smallmouth bass.

“Very few people keep them anymore,” he said.

Don’t be shy about taking some home for the table. Smallmouth bass from these cold canoe country lakes make excellent table fare.

LAKERS: DNR is in the process of eval -

61 Gems on Highway 61

A Guide to Minnesota’s North Shore

By William Mayo & Kathryn Mayo Adventure Publications, $12.95

Starting in Duluth and working their way up to Grand Portage, authors William and Kathryn Mayo share 61 gems located along highway 61. Gems include Brighton Beach in Duluth, the Silver Creek Cliff Trail near Two Harbors, Illgen Falls near Silver Bay, Chippewa City outside of Grand Marais, and Hollow Rock Resort near Grand Portage. The perfect book for tourists and locals alike, this updated second edition features full-color photographs and maps, driving directions, accessibility, fun facts and need-to-know information. —Breana Roy

EAST BEARSKIN LAKE

uating its lake trout program for the lake, which hasn’t been showing promising numbers, unfortunately.

The fish hardly show up in gear, with a single lake trout caught in the most recent survey, and this is the second time in a row that only a single fish was surveyed.

Despite that lone laker being a naturally reproduced lake trout, Persons said it doesn’t appear there’s enough natural reproduction to sustain a lake trout fishery, and, on top of that, anglers on the lake have shown little interest in pursuing them, according to creel surveys.

“We would hope that after all of these years of stocking the lake, we would be seeing a lot more trout in our nets,” he said. “They are surviving, but they are not thriving there.”

The lake, with a maximum depth of 66 feet but an average depth of about 10 feet, might not have enough deep, cold-water habitat to sustain these sensitive fish.

THE REST: There are northern pike in the lake.

“Not great numbers, not great sizes, but people do run into them,” Persons said. “That can provide some unexpected action.”

While there’s green sunfish and pumpkinseed present, Persons said he hasn’t heard any significant reports of bluegills or crappies popping up in the lake.

“On the whole, bluegill would be a good thing,” he said. “They don’t compete seriously with any of the fish that are in there now. They would be a good, bonus fishery.”

He’s less rosy about the idea of black crappies finding their way into the lake. They can negatively impact a walleye fishery.—Javier Serna

Wild Traditions

Summer Solstice: A Time for Reflection

By Julia Prinselaar

The 21st of June marks the time of year when the summer solstice occurs, and the Earth’s axis is pointed directly toward our sun. This is the longest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere; the first day of summer, when the natural world is energized with new life after a fertile spring.

In my first years of post-secondary schooling, I was lucky enough to study at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. The campus is bordered by the McIntyre River, one of five main watercourses that run through the city and drain into Lake Superior. Each spring, the river is lined with anglers wading in the current to cast for steelhead.

A trail cuts through mixed woods of eastern white cedar, balsam fir, birch and black spruce, and for my friends and I, it was an annual tradition to ride our bikes to the river for the summer solstice. First, we’d walk through a grassy field that would be lit up by fireflies. Beyond that, a narrow pathway led to the rocky riverbank. We would light a fire and celebrate the longest day of the year together. To me, the summer solstice meant the start to new beginnings in solidarity with some of my closest friends.

For many cultures around the world, the longest and shortest days of the year are marked with reverence and ceremony.

Traditional pow-wows are held across the country on National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day). In the Thunder Bay area, this year’s event will take place on Anemki Wajiw (Mount McKay) at Fort William First Nation.

Through song, dance and food, age-old customs and stories come alive and are shared with non-Indigenous people in the community.

“There is diversity within our cultures. Here in Thunder Bay, we are not only Ojibway, and now is a time that we can learn from others,” Teresa Trudeau once told me. She works as a traditional healing coordinator at Anishnawbe Mushkiki, a local or-

ganization that delivers community health and wellness programming.

Community events and festivals like these are spectator-heavy, and often competitive between neighbouring communities whose members travel to regional

The author in contemplation at sunset. | JULIA PRINSELAAR

pow-wows to perform. Over generations, these gatherings have become a platform for the celebration of North America’s Indigenous peoples.

In a more formal tone, Canada’s government officially recognizes Indigenous peoples by marking the summer solstice as a day to celebrate First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. Last summer, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau renamed National Aboriginal Day to National Indigenous Peoples Day. The year prior, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) renamed its Aboriginal news unit to CBC Indigenous, recognizing that Indigenous is fast becoming the preferred way to refer to First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and is a term often chosen by Indigenous peoples as opposed to being designated by someone else.

Another initiative of the CBC is Beyond 94, a national, interactive website that monitors the progress of one of Canada’s most important tools for change: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

The mandate of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential Schools through the documentation of stories from its survivors, families and communities affected by the legacy of the residential school experience in Canada.

The project provides up-to-date status reports on the TRC’s calls to guide governments, communities and faith groups down the road to reconciliation. But as of

March 2018, the website reveals that just 10 out of the 94 Calls to Action have been completed.

Recognizing that the land has so much to do with culture and identity, some Canadians are taking action by giving away or offering their property to local First Nations as an act of reconciliation.

Last October, a secondary school teacher from Peterborough, Ontario, made headlines when she made plans to restore her land to tallgrass prairie and repatriate it to nearby Alderville First Nation.

“I realized that at the heart of this path of reconciliation is the land, that we as white settlers stole, including my ancestors,” said Janice Keil, who owns 100 acres of land in Northumberland County, in the territory of the Mississauga.

More recently, an Alberta man offered to share his “stolen land” with an Indigenous family who wants to live a traditional lifestyle.

In anticipation of summer solstice, and in reverence of new beginnings, I ask myself what reconciliation means to me on a personal level: how do I relate to people with whom we share our community, and to the natural world that sustains us? Rather than being a spectator, a witness, how can I be directly engaged? I’ll return to the riverbank, on the traditional territory of Fort William First Nation, in search of answers.

northern sky

JUNE 2018 By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH

Neither the Big nor the Little Dipper holds much water after nightfall in June; the Little Dipper stands on its handle while the Big Dipper hangs down by its. But the Big Dipper’s handle makes a handy guide to stars and planets.

Follow its curve to Arcturus, the brightest star in the evening sky this month. Arcturus shines high in the south, anchoring the kite-shaped constellation Bootes, the herdsman. Continue the curve to Spica, in Virgo, then turn to the east, where Jupiter reigns over dim Libra, the scales, a constellation that resembles a jellyfish. Next to Jupiter is Zubenelgenubi. Its ancient, Arabic-derived name refers to the southern claw of Scorpius and recalls a time when stars of Libra were considered part of Scorpius. The scorpion and its red heart, Antares, rise low in the southeast and trail Jupiter into the sky.

Rising even later, Saturn glows above the Teapot of Sagittarius, the archer. On the 27th, Earth laps Saturn in the orbital race, and the ringed planet will be up all night. Trailing Saturn into the night sky,

Mars brightens dramatically this month as Earth gains on it. Earth laps the red planet in the last week of July—an event not to be missed.

In the west, Venus continues to outshine everything else. As Earth’s orbit carries it farther from Jupiter, the giant planet drifts westward toward Venus. Watch the gap between the two beacons narrow over the summer. Speaking of which, the summer solstice occurs at 5:07 a.m. on the 21st, as the sun reaches a point over the Tropic of Cancer.

June’s full strawberry moon arrives at 11:53 p.m. on the 27th. It won’t look very big because it will go through apogee, its farthest point from Earth in a lunar orbit, just two days later. It glides across the night sky in company with another famous orb—Saturn.

The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. For more information and viewing schedules in Duluth, see the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium: d.umn.edu/planet.

Dragonflies: Nature’s Perfect Mosquito Control

When the mosquitoes hatch this summer, so will the newest crop of dragonflies and we will soon be watching them dive, rise, flit and glide through the air, chasing the nasty biters.

Have you ever had a dragonfly land on your shoulder, or even your head? Most of us will let the winged creature rest there, wondering if the extra-large eyes are taking us in or if they are focused on something else, perhaps a juicy mosquito.

Many thousands of years ago, in the age of the dinosaurs, that dragonfly might have had wings over a foot long on each side. The largest dragonfly fossil ever found had a wingspan of 30 inches. It is the biggest insect ever known, but it went extinct 250 million years ago. Good thing, because most of us don’t want a dragonfly as big as an owl resting on our hair.

Life Cycle

The life of a dragonfly begins in the water where, as larvae, they live for two years, eating anything they find including tadpoles, small fish, water bugs, mosquitoes

and even each other. On legs, the dragonfly eventually crawls out of the water, sheds its exoskeleton—the hard encasement surrounding its body—and liberates a body with four wings. The wings need a few hours to dry, and then the insect can take flight.

Now an adult, most of these dragonflies won’t live longer than a few months, but maybe up to a year.

In the Northern Wilds, we wait for these dragonflies to hatch from their exoskeletons and take flight each summer. Usually at the end of June or early July, sometimes solo and sometimes in mass squadrons, dragonflies start consuming mosquitoes by the hundreds and thousands. They have sharp teeth, and can make quick work of mosquitoes, but are also known to eat butterflies, moths, beetles, and even its close relative the damselfly. As an adult, the dragonfly must be able to fly to catch prey—if it can’t fly, it starves.

Migration

Have you ever wondered if a dragonfly migrates? Or do they all die when the weather turns cold?

One species called the green darner is known to migrate south in the fall, often at the same time as other migratory birds, who feed on the dragonflies during the journey. The adult dragonflies won’t make it back north, however, but their offspring might

the next year. In fact, a dragonfly called the globe skimmer, has the longest migration of any insect, flying back and forth over the Indian Ocean, a journey of thousands of miles.

had quite a kick and the half-pound bag we brought home with us still delivers a happy Belizean memory. On another visit, we tried a seaweed milkshake. And guess what? Fantastic!

Seine Bight has a short, dusty street named for the artist who lives there: Lola Delgado. Lola’s Art is situated in a plain wooden house in which Lola herself lives and paints. You can find her art literally all over the place in Placencia area, especially in gift shops.

Seine Bight is a former fishing village of the Garifuna people. They are people descended from proud African-Indigenous people who were expelled in the 18th century from what used to be British Guyana, for refusing to be slaves to the white colonists. They have their own language, spirituality, and a vigourous music and art from which Lola, herself part Garifuna (her father is Florida Seminole), draws her style. Hip-swaying women bearing bowls or loads of sticks on their heads, wearing stabbingly bright coloured clothing, set against the green jungle and the aching blue of the Caribbean—these and many other subjects are Lola’s visuals of the Garifuna ways and life. And if you go see her (please do), you will encounter her artistic partner Leon Crossman, known locally as “Fire”, whose plaques are beautifully painted by Lola. You will also see Luna (cat), Bird (hen), and maybe some dogs who won’t say no to a petting. Lola, with her limited resources, adopts abandoned and/or abused animals and names them—anyone with a name in her household is not killed.

Did I mention birds? Pelicans, cormorants, gull-billed terns, magnificent frigate birds, kiskadees, grackles, kingfishers, woodpeckers—you name it—Belize is a birder’s paradise. We enjoyed their songs (even the grackles seemed to have become Pavarotti in the Belizean forests—not like they sound on the North Shore) and squabbling.

We were fortunate to be near the Goss Chocolate factory, which produces rich dark chocolate from organically-grown beans and sugar. You can find it all over the place in Placencia area stores, but co-owner Linn Goss, a fount of information and lore about the area, opens their tiny wholesale room every Wednesday

morning. It’s worth a visit—your taste buds will thank you.

There is no recycling whatsoever in Belize. There is pollution and some areas are clearly being over-touristed. But the Belizean government has the above-mentioned environmental sensibility, as well as such NGOs as Fragments of Hope, co-created by Dr. Lisa Carne and Placencia native Mariko Wallen. Fragments of Hope is involved in planting coral to restore the amazing barrier reef system of southern Belize. This and other initiatives offer hope for the future of the ecology of a beautiful country.

After two weeks, we drove back north over the mountains to the airport, turned in our vehicle, and boarded the plane for home, bearing many memories and mementos.

Colourful painting by Lola Delgado.

Rescues on Superior Strange Tales

By Elle AndraWarner

After experiencing Lake Superior in his 1872 cross-country expedition, Reverend George Grant wrote, “Though its waters are fresh and clear, Superior is a sea. It breeds storms and rains and fogs, like the sea. It is as cold in mid-summer as the Atlantic.” The legends, shipwrecks, storms and rescues of Lake Superior have made for interesting reading—here’s a few vignettes of dramatic rescues where no lives were lost.

The seas were rough and it was foggy in the early morning hours of September 20, 1900 when the 193-foot Canadian steamer St. Andrew, bound for Port Arthur (Thunder Bay) from Jackfish, slammed and stranded on Bachand Island at the entrance to Nipigon Strait. Before a giant wave struck the St. Andrew, three crew members jumped off the ship. Then the ranging seas tore off the pilot house, boiler house and cabins. A towline (hawser) was rigged thanks to the three on-shore crew members and the assistant cook who had bravely swam to shore with the line; the remaining crew used hand-over-hand on the line to get from the ship to safety. The following day St. Andrew sank. It was also the next day that the tug Georgina rescued the crew off the island and brought them to Port Arthur. The St. Andrew was a total loss valued at $50,000 (equivalent to about $1.4 million in 2017).

The largest and most successful marine rescue in Lake Superior history occurred on May 27, 1933 off the west end of Isle Royale. No lives were lost when the refurbished and renamed 259-foot steamer George M. Cox (built in 1901 as the Puri -

“Though its waters are fresh and clear, Superior is a sea.”

tan) grounded around 6 p.m. on the shoals near Rock of Ages Lighthouse. Owned by millionaire George M. Cox, his namesake steamer was making her first trip of the season, enroute to Port Arthur from Chicago to pick up 250 Canadians and bring them to the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago.

On December 4, 1989,

No lives were lost when the refurbished luxury steamer GeorgeM.Cox (built in 1901 as the Puritan) grounded on May 27, 1933 off the west end of Isle Royale. | OHIOLINK DIGITAL RESOURCES COMMONS

the U.S. Coast Guard Mesquite was grounded on a reef off Keweenaw Peninsula.

In

of

Underwater Preserve. | U.S. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

The SOS message before abandoning ship reached Houghton about 8 p.m. and the U.S. Coast Guard immediately left for a rescue operation, arriving to the wreck about 2:15 a.m. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper (May 28 1933),

Plowing through a heavy fog, the steamer, with its passengers at dinner, struck an extended ledge of a rock a short distance from Rock of Ages Lighthouse with such force that her engines and boilers were ripped loose. The impact threw the passengers to the salon floors and sent tables and chairs crashing through the walls.

Before she sank, the 127 passengers and crew had been loaded into life boats and been towed safely to the Rock of Ages Lighthouse by the keeper John Soldenski and his motor boat. A loss of $200,000 (equivalent $3.76 million in 2018), the George M. Cox was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

On December 4, 1989, it only took just over three hours from the time the 180-foot U.S. Coast Guard cutter Mesquite hit a reef off Keweenaw Peninsula while pulling a buoy just after 3 a.m. to the order given to abandon ship at 6:17 a.m. As the weather worsened, she was battered by strong winds and waves damaging her hull and flooding her cabins. Mesquite was abandoned after her 53 crew members donned survival suits, took to life rafts/motor surfboats and were rescued by the 700-foot passing freighter Mangal Desai. Unsalvageable, she was removed in July 1990, deliberately sunk in about 110 feet of water and is now a popular scuba dive site of the Keweenaw Underwater Preserve. Mesquite was built in Duluth in 1942 and saw action in World War II.

“We were really in bad straits so they don’t understand how we survived.”

A dramatic rescue took place June 2016 when things went horribly wrong during a fishing excursion. The water was calm on Lake Superior when Richard Luskleet and son Alex loaded up their canoe at their Portage Bay camp by Black Bay, put on life jackets and headed out to do some fishing. About a half-hour later, they were more than halfway across when the wind picked up, and they decided to return to camp.

Later in a CBC Radio interview, Richard said they just about had the canoe turned around when a three-foot wave picked up their canoe and flipped it over, putting them both in the lake. He was able to get his son into the swamped canoe while he stayed in the water and clung to its sides. After being blown into Black Bay, they dealt with four- to five-foot waves that sometimes picked up the canoe, dumping Alex back into the water.

They stayed positive, reassuring each other that someone was going to find them. Richard had told his wife where they would be fishing and knew she would go for help when they didn’t return. And she did. The rescue operations included off-duty OPP officer staff sergeant Daniel Peters, who took his boat into the rough waters of Black Bay and found the duo in the high seas. By the time they were located, both Richard and Alex had been in the cold Superior water for about six hours.

“We were really in bad straits so they don’t understand how we survived,” said Richard in the radio interview. “I attribute it to both of us just not giving up. We refused to give up and we had a will to survive and really wanted to go home.”

LAKE SUPERIOR

July

1990, the Mesquite was removed from the reef and deliberately sunk as a dive site of the Keweenaw

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New firewood rules aim to protect Minnesota forests

ST. PAUL—Campers and other visitors planning to have campfires at state parks, state forests and other public lands managed by the Minnesota DNR need to be aware of new firewood rules beginning this year. New rules were needed, because quarantine boundaries instituted for gypsy moth and emerald ash borer made the former rules problematic.

Under the new rules, firewood approved for use on DNR-managed lands includes:

Firewood sold at the specific Minnesota state park or recreation area where it will be used.

Non-ash firewood that was (1) purchased from a vendor and (2) harvested in the same Minnesota county as the DNR unit where it will be used.

Firewood that was (1) purchased from a vendor, (2) harvested in Minnesota and (3) certified to be pest free by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Additional types of acceptable firewood listed at: mndnr.gov/firewood

“One of our biggest challenges has been communicating that firewood sold at a Minnesota state park or recreation area is approved for use at that specific unit, but it may not be approved for use at other Minnesota state parks and recreations ar-

eas,” said Ed Quinn, natural resource program supervisor for the Parks and Trails Division at the DNR. “If you have leftover firewood, be sure to check with park staff to determine whether it can be taken to any other campgrounds.”

When purchasing firewood, be sure the bundle label includes the county of harvest. If the wood is certified, the bundle label will also feature the logo of either the Minnesota Department of Agriculture or the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Save the receipt, because it will be needed to show proof of purchase and labeled bundles to DNR staff upon re -

quest. Individuals bringing non-approved firewood onto DNR lands are subject to confiscation of their firewood and a $100 penalty.

“Invasive species negatively impact forest ecosystems, scenic views and visitor experiences,” said Quinn. “That’s why it’s so important for everyone to do their part and bring only firewood approved for each specific campground or picnic area they visit.”

For more information, contact the DNR Information Center by emailing info.dnr@ state.mn.us or by calling (888) 646-6367.

New firewood rules for MN DNR-managed lands are now in place. | STOCK

On Lake

Superior

7044 West Highway 61, Tofte

Well build Lake Superior home designed to maximize the views from almost every room in the house. This 4 bedroom, 3 bath home features an open floorplan, natural stone fireplace, full walk out lower level complete with a family room & bar, tons of storage and much more. There are patio doors everywhere leading to the multi-level decking

3298 West Highway 61,

Grand Marais

1900 E Hwy 61, Grand Marais

Lake Superior Lots

stunning ledgerock shoreline, with incredible views of the Grand Marais Harbor and the Sawtooth Mountain Ridge Line.

MLS 6027340

2888 W Hwy 61 - $249,900

Fabulous views of both Artist Point and the Sawtooth Mountains! Stunning Lake Superior lot with 1.24A, 200’ ledgerock shoreline embedded with Thomsonite Stones.

MLS 6027323

Stonegate Rd $194,900 - $199,900 2 lots along scenic Chicago Bay. Nicely wooded and private! 1-2A with 200+’ shore. MLS 6030329

Lake Superior View

Raven Feather Road

Seriously amazing Lake Superior views, including Alligator Island from the rock outcroppings on this stunning lot. Prop- erty consists of 6.65 acres, end of the road location AND abuts Federal land to the west. Close to town & all amenities

MLS 6027354 $119,900

County

6029971 $72,000$82,000

Gunflint Trail

Year round 6.46A on county maintained road with amazing views of the lake. The cleared path up the property will help you visualize your future home on the North Shore! Also in close proximity to down town, hiking, biking & skiing trails!

County Road

County Road

Inland Lake Lots

NEW

Stunning Devil Track Lake lot on the north shore with 159’ of shoreline and 1.88A for plenty of privacy. Driveway and cleared building sites.

MLS 6074624 $179,900

NEW Birch Lake

Lovely lakeshore lot on the north shore of Birch Lake with 209’ of shoreline & 5 acres. Convenient mid-Gunflint

MLS 6074808 $99,900

NEW

MLS 6074802 $139,900

Kemo

AWESOME fishing on this premier Trout Lake. Private lot with 2.34A & 200’ of accessible shoreline. Power & Broadband available.

MLS 6031924 $139,900

Tom Lake Rare opportunity to find 34+A w/ 600’ of shoreline on a quality Walleye lake. Lot is surveyed & septic sites identified. Potential CD.

MLS 6074852 $119,900

Tom Lake

Enjoy stunning sunsets while overlooking Tom Lake! Year round access, 171’ shoreline, driveway and a cleared building site.

MLS 6032510 $53,900

Two Island – The Grade

Affordable lot with 500ft of shoreline, nicely wooded 5 acres abutting state land plus it is close to town AND has year round access.

MLS 6023533 $74,900

Onagon Lake

Unique 5A lot with views overlooking both Onagon and Cupid Lakes. Approx. 1000’of shoreline and abuts Federal Land to the west.

MLS 6029826 $99,900

Onagon Lake

Located at the end of the Gunflint Trail with 1A, 222’ of shoreline & a babbling creek. Electricity and broadband are nearby.

MLS 6029825 $39,000

Squint Lake

Mid-Gunflint Trail lot with 2.13A & 221’ shoreline. Gently rolling topography, old white pine trees & abuts USFS! YR access, elec & broadband.

MLS 6028920 $75,000

Chester Lake

Imagine being the owner private owner on this lake? Property consists of 40A surrounded by USFS & 300’ frontage! Rough cabin sold “as is”.

MLS 6022402 $149,900

Poplar Lake

Convenient mid-Gunflint Trail 2.75 acre building site featuring deeded lakeshore access. Building site cleared, driveway in, utilities available.

MLS 2158160 $52,500

Poplar Lake Beautiful views of the lake with a healthy mix of huge white pines, cedars & balsams. Cleared building site, electricity, phone & broadband.

MLS 6028705 $169,900

Greenwood Lake

Attractively priced lakeshore lot with 4.2A and 300’ rocky shoreline. Coveted trout lake, year round access – perfect for cabin or home site.

MLS 6073512 $139,900

Inland Lake Homes

Large Acreage

200

170

Check

Excellent

and Commercial. Additional R-1 acreage available.

MLS 2170380 $149,900

North Rd – Hovland

Affordably price 20 acre lot that is perfect for a private, year round retreat. Power, phone and broadband available at the road. What more do you need?

MLS 6024552 $39,900

Rosebush Hill – Grand Marais

COOL lot with 25+A close to Grand Marais, healthy mix of trees, creeks & gently rolling topography. Approx. 800’ frontage on the Fall River with building sites overlooking the river. Whether you keep it all as one lot or subdivide, the options are endless.

MLS 6030910 $89,900

Rosebush Hill – Grand Marais

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

MLS 6030911 $49,900

Rosebush Hill – Grand Marais

5.72A of nicely wooded land with gently rolling topography AND approx. 500’ frontage on the Rosebush Tributaries. Year round access, Electricity & Broadband.

MLS 6030899 $39,900

78 Squint Lake Rd – Gunflint Trail

Nice mid Gunflint Trail building site with 5 acres surrounded on 2 sides by government land. Convenient year round location with all amenities . MLS 6020283 $59,900

Railroad Drive - Lutsen

Sweet 1.7 acre building site located in the heart of Lutsen. Gently rolling topography, mature trees – easy building site and near many recreational opportunities.

MLS 6023743 $39,900

Broadway Ave – Grand Marais

Want to live in the country and yet want access to City Sewer & City Water? Check out this over-sized lot that is located on the Gunflint Trail in city limits.

MLS 6031909 $48,000

County Rd 67 – Grand Marais

Enjoy the views of Lake Superior from this 2.24 acre lot. Features year round access, directly abuts State Land to the east, is fully surveyed and has a well-built private driveway.

MLS 6029973 $39,900

County Rd 7 – Grand Marais

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

MLS 6028579 $58,000

Silver Fox Rd – Grand Marais

Peaceful and quiet 5 acre parcel that is close to town. Deeded walking easements onto Federal Land & near the Superior Hiking Trail.

MLS 6025690 $25,900 SOLD

County Rd 48 - Grand Marais

Two lots with 5+ and 7+ acres that are perfect for building a home in the country while being minutes from Grand Marais. Rolling topography & great location.

MLS 6030629 $45,000 - $47,500

43 Acres - County Road

UPDATES AT www.CBNorthShore.com

Acres - Tofte

Check out these Wildwood Acres lots! At these prices, you can build an affordable home. Lots range from .9 to 1.85 acres. Nice wooded lots in an attractive residential neighborhood.

MLS 6031563 $20,000 - $35,000

Boulder Point Rd - Lutsen Home or cabin? This 3.55 acre lot is located Lutsen right off the Ski Hill Rd with views of Lake Superior. Abuts the State Scenic and Natural Area.

MLS 6031787 $59,900

Victory Lane - Hovland

Explore this 20 acre parcel & check out the great building sites overlook- ing a beautiful beaver pond. Very private and plenty of wildlife in the neighborhood.

MLS 6032536 $25,000

10 Murphy Mtn Rd - Grand Marais

SLEEPER LOT! Dream about your future home while relaxing in the screened in porch. Enjoy the Lake Superior views, 5+ acres of rolling topography, driveway & utilities in place.

MLS 6073521 $49,900

West Hwy 61 – Grand Marais

Attractive & affordable building site with 3+ acres & easy access right off of Hwy 61. Minutes from town and connects to the Superior Hiking Trail.

MLS 6033459 $44,000

Wildwood

STUNNING

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

MLS# 6074555

$495,000 PRICE REDUCED!

PANORAMIC

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

MLS# 6031490

$399,000

and location, location, location! MLS# 6030289

$515,000

PREMIER LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTY.

Beautiful, very private 1.84 acre residential lot with 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 $199,900

LAKE SUPERIOR, BIG BAY, BIG VIEWS. Dense spruce forest, moss covered boulders and privacy make this a classic Lake Superior lot. 200' shoreline with partial driveway in place, shared road maintenance, power and Broadband. Easy access from Hwy 61, yet private and secluded feeling. MLS# 6075213 $189,900 PRICE REDUCED

LARGE DEVIL TRACK LAKE HOME

Description: 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. MLS# 6074542 $399,900

LAKE SUPERIOR CABIN.

Nestled into a hill just around the curve from Cut Face

CLASSIC CABIN ON CLEARWATER

LAKE. Comfortable, well maintained 2 bdrm, 1 bath cabin cared for by the same family for over 60 years. 205 feet of shoreline on much sought after Clearwater lake with direct access to the BWCA. MLS# 6032657 $259,000

road or snowmoblie access. Motivated Seller! MLS# 6026299 $239,000

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

MLS# 6029644

MARK LAKE - 159 ACRES. The only private land on Mark Lake! Good northern fishing. 200ft. Shoreline, forestry

LOON LAKE

GETAWAY. Lovely furnished cabin on pristine Loon Lake. Includes a newer 1 bdrm addition, cozy loft, open living/dining room, sturdy deck, and 24' dock on 142' shoreline. Cabin easily sleeps 6. Lakewater system, septic holding tank. Great lake views! MLS# 6030355 $186,000

INLAND WATER PROPERTIES

RARE GUNFLINT LAKE PARCEL

Exceptional lot with 344' of waterfront features unreal views and privacy. Use the slope of this lot to your advantage when considering what style to build. Power and broadband available. Borders public land! MLS# 6073686 $175,000

SALE PENDING

PRIME PIKE LAKE. Wilderness, woods and lakeshore. Pristine views of Superior Nat'l across the lake, towering white pine overhead. Virgin pine and cedar are unique here! The 252' frontage and 3 acres have gentle shore, crystal clear water and great privacy. Driveway and drilled well. Power and Broadband available. Fishing, wildlife and easy access to Lutsen or Grand Marais. MLS# 6074691 $179,900

NORTH FOWL LAKE CABIN.

LOG SIDED CABIN ON TOM LAKE. This 2 bdrm, 1 bath cabin is situated on the shore of Tom Lake with loons and walleye just off the 24' dock. Solar power with quiet generator, though grid electric is available. Features a spiral staircase to a spacious loft and energy efficient windows. MLS# 6030876 $160,000

Only a lucky few get to own cabins here. Remote water access from the US side, or drive in to the landing on Ontario side. Stunning views, easy access to the BWCA. The 2 bdrm cabin is one of the nicest remote cabins you'll find. Includes a great sauna. MLS# 6023214 $158,500

VIRGIN PINE, GREAT SHORELINE, PIKE LAKE Two lake lots with wilderness, woods, and lakeshore are waiting for your dream lake home or cabin. Pristine views, towering white pine, +/- 200' accessible shoreline each with crystal clear water and great privacy. Good driveway in place, ideal location, power and broadband available. MLS# 6074687, 6074688 $159,900 each

NEW! NORTH SHORE GET-AWAY ON TOM LAKE. Description: A true, perfect lakeshore cabin experience. Wood-fired sauna, beautiful outhouse, great storage shed. Wonderful lake views from all rooms with a highly functional layout. Solitude, peace, and privacy with 200' shoreline. MLS# 6074563 $144,900

NEW! LAKE PRIVACY ON 20 ACRES. Beautiful Lost Lake is a remote wilderness lake with only a few privately-owned parcels on the water. No public access! This great lot features huge white pines, pristine views, 20 acres, and 650’ shoreline! Motivated seller. MLS# 6075215 $129,900

SOLITUDE ON LOON LAKE. These 1-2 acre lots are located on the south side of Loon Lake and offer great lake views, 152-218’ beautiful shoreline and many nice trees. The main road is in place and power is on the lot line. MLS# 6032216-18, 6032220 $120,000 and up

LEGENDARY SAWMILL BAY. Magnificent old-growth cedars and maples frame a corner lot with a high and dry build site. Year-round road access and a terrific wildlife habitat awaits your cabin in the woods. 185' of Caribou Lake frontage. MLS# 6032953 $89,000

BEAUTIFUL NINEMILE LAKE LOT. End of the road, large lot adjoins Superior National Forest and Cabin Creek Unit Roadless Area. Great trees, views and building site on 4.1 acres with 397 feet of shoreine. Unique privacy, year round access and power. MLS# 6031840 $75,900

PRIVACY AND VIEWS AT SISTER LAKE. Nice lake lot with great forest, and beautiful new building site. There's a high point of the surrounding area with awesome views. Excellent, accessible shoreline. New driveway to a great building site. This is a great area for fishing many lakes in the area. You're also close to Tofte/Lutsen on the North Shore. Priced to sell!! MLS# 6073911 $64,500

NEW! TALK ABOUT WILDERNESS! Immerse yourself in a large tract of deep wilderness. 17 acres on Tucker Lake just off the Gunflint Trail. This parcel is tucked up to Superior Nat'l Forest lands with the BWCAW just across the lake. Frontage on the Tucker River, privacy and wilderness all around. MLS# 6074216 $69,900

RARE ELBOW LAKE LOT. For the fisherman who has almost everything. This is a very private 1 acre parcel surrounded by federal land with 268’ shoreline. Your own shore lunch spot! MLS# 6031436 $50,000 GREAT PRICE LAKE LOTS. Deep woods, seclusion and nice views from these Tom Lake lots. This is the desired west side of the lake with access from the Camp 20 Rd. Enjoy a peaceful lake property with good access. Great back roads to explore. Adjacent land available. MLS# 6030741, 6030742 $49,900 each

CONDOMINIUMS

WELCOME TO LAKE SUPERIOR. Warm & beautiful light-filled end unit Aspenwood Townhome. The 2-story walkout style leaves you with plenty of options to get outside and close to the Big Lake. This 2 bdrm, 3 bath home includes 98% of all furnishings & personal property. It is also part of a successful vacation rental pool. MLS# 6022175 $285,000 PRICE REDUCED!

NEW! CARIBOU HIGHLANDS

furnished! MLS# 6074164 $94,500

CONDOMINIUMS

BEAUTIFUL LAKE SUPERIOR CONDO. Nicely updated one bdrm condo on Lake Superior. New fireplace insert, king-sized memory foam bed, cork flooring, rainfall shower, & spa bathroom with log walls. For right price unit comes fully-furnished! MLS# 6032109 $79,900

HOMES & CABINS

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

NEW! BEAUTIFUL LAKE VIEW HOME

Nearly 3000 square feet of living space with stunning views of Lake Superior, yet only 2 miles from town. 4 bdrm, 3 bath home with an additional loft area. Open design, huge deck, abuts federal land!

MLS# 6075065

$420,000

HOME WITH DRAMATIC VIEWS. This large, efficient 3bdrm home has panoramic views of Lake Superior and the surrounding hills. Secluded with landscaped yard and 20 acres bordering Gov't lands. Quality features, many windows, shop building and more!

MLS#6033328

$429,900 PRICE REDUCED!

NEW! HOME IN PARADISE

This 2 bdrm, 3 bath home enjoys the view and proximity to Lake Superior's beauty without the lake-front taxes. Home could be converted to a duplex for extra income. Huge garage/workshop with lake-view windows. MLS# 6074449 $275,900

GREAT HISTORY, GREAT LAKE. Devil Track Cabins is a long standing seasonal resort on the beautiful north shore of Devil Track Lake. The 5 charming cabins + owner’s cabin each have a private setting and lake view. Great beach with docking for guests. A wonderful family retreat! MLS# 6033556, 6033557 $379,900 PRICE REDUCED!

$329,900 PRIME RETAIL DOWNTOWN GRAND

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

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE

LARGE TRACT WITH CREEK. This 319 acre parcel has ponds & creek frontage on the Flute Reed River. Has been in DNR management program. Great for hunting or homesteading. Access is by unimproved easement from the Camp 20 Road, near county maintenance. The land may be split - take your pick of "40's"! MLS# 6027384 $258,000

LARGE ACREAGE WITH WATER FEATURES. The headwaters of Irish Creek! Quality 160+ acres, 5 parcels sold grouped or separately. Many great features incl. old growth white pine, ponds, camping and building areas. MLS# 6030177 $149,500 SUGARBUSH, BEAVER, TROUT. Remote

80 acres ,10 miles from Grand Marais with easy access. Surrounded by public land. 700’ of Durfee Creek frontage. MLS# 6024638 $149,000

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# 6073876

TWENTY ACRES –GREAT LOCATION. Great larger parcel near Grand Marais with road in to the “top” of the property. Lake views, maple and mixed forest, small creek. County road access with power and broadband close by, borders public land on three sides. MLS# 6030517 $89,900 PRICE REDUCED!

$59,900 or MLS# 6073877 $69,900 or MLS# 6073878 $74,900.

NICE HOME SITE NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Nice elevation and views from this 6.75 acre lot off of County Rd 6 just minutes from town. Frontage on Little Devil Track River, with lowland and highlands. Nice forest and privacy for your home or cabin in the woods MLS# 6031740 $51,000

FLUTE REED RIVER HOME SITES. These two heavily wooded parcels have the seclusion of 11-13 acres and about 330' frontage each on the trout stream Flute Reed River. Access is easy from frontage on a county road. Power and broadband are available. These lots are the perfect place for a retreat property or a year-round home. MLS# 6030884, 6030885 $49,900 each 500’ ON MOHNS CREEK. Mixed topography of beautiful rolling land with many great build sites on 25 acres. Old growth cedar, spruce, pine and birch. Abuts state land. MLS# 6029353 $37,000 PRICE REDUCED!

LAND/BUILDING SITES

100+ ACRES NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Great location for a home or recreational property just minutes from Grand Marais. Rolling land with creek, borders thousands of acres of federal and state lands. Power at road. Seller willing to subdivide. MLS# 6032474 $277,900

TOP OF BIRCH CLIFF.

See 50 miles across Lake Superior –incredible 180 degree views! Private drive and buried power in place. 15+ acres with nice mature trees and public lands on 2 sides. More land is available. This site will rock your world. MLS# 6033563

$249,900

ACREAGE ADJOINS WILDERNESS - LAKE ACCESS. This 42 acre parcel includes 400 feet of shoreline on McFarland Lake. Building sites are located across the road on the hillside with potential lake views. Easy access to the BWCAW and Border Route Hiking Trail. MLS# 6024602 $179,000

INCREASINGLY RARE, LARGE RECREATIONAL PARCEL. 190 arces fully surveyed. The perfect retreat. Has a rich variety of trees, ponds, high and low lands, some meadow land and wetlands. MLS# 6029820 $139,000 PRICE REDUCED!

FANTASTIC FIVE MILE ROCK. Great 7 acre property abuts Highway 61 at Five Mile Rock. Beautiful views of Lake Superior. Excellent build site and a 30 x 40 Morton building. Ready for your dreams! MLS# 6030238 $120,000

PROVEN GREAT HUNTING AREA - 80 ACRES. Prime hunting land in Schroeder. Rolling land with great wildlife habitat incl. stream, beaver dam with large pond, and a good mixture of trees and low vegetation. Older 2 bdrm cabin in a beautiful park like setting overlooking large beaver pond. MLS# 6032712 $115,000

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

TWO INCREDIBLE LUT-

SEN PARCELS. Driveway, electric/ broadband, survey and a cozy camper/RV are all set on Lot 3, while Lot 4 offers unending privacy as it abuts federal land. Christine Lake public boat landing is within walking distance with Poplar and Tait rivers nearby as well. MLS# 6032903 $109,500

HUGE POND-HUGE PRIVACY. Large 45+ acre wooded parcel located across from Tom Lake. Huge pond/ lake in the very center of the acreage MLS# 6029352 $90,000 PRICE REDUCED!

LARGE LAND, PINES, PRIVACY AND PIKE LAKE

VIEW. Outstanding property with adjoining USFS lands, good access on Murmur Creek Rd, and even nice views of Pike Lake. Launch your boat just a half-mile away. Nice planted red pine, power/broadband close by. MLS# 6074689 $84,900

LAND NEAR WILSON

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

RESIDENTIAL OR RESORT COMMERCIAL LAND. 5.9 acres between Tofte and Lutsen on the Onion River Rd. Resort Commercial allows rental cabins and businesses - a wonderful opportunity. Beautiful mature cedar forest, seasonal view of Lake Superior. MLS# 6032988 $74,900

GREAT LOCATION HOME SITES. Just minutes from Grand Marais on black top County Rd 7 are two 5+ acre lots with easy access to power and Broadband. Good building sites. Lot #8 already has a roughed-in driveway and power, and nice views. MLS# 6033035 - $42,900 • MLS# 6033039 - $72,500

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

LARGE LAND, POND, LAKE RIGHTS. Densely wooded 60 acre parcel with beaver ponds and access to Lost Lake. Good seasonal road access, many great building sites and southerly exposure. Lots of elbow room, privacy, and miles of forest roads to explore. MLS# 6033463 $64,900

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

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

RUSTICATE, RECREATE, RELAX. Hovland hideaway – 43 acres with new driveway to “base camp” with a nice camper trailer and shed. Trails have been cut throughout the property which adjoins State land. MLS# 2313223 $59,900

STONE'S THROW LAKE SUPERIOR. This heavily wooded, private 2+ acre building site sits just across the highway from Lake Superior's shore with a view of the big lake. You can walk the beach or have a bonfire on the State shoreline. MLS# 6029899 $59,900

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

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

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

BEAUTIFUL WOODED

LUTSEN LOT. Beautiful level lot with an open build site for your cabin or new home in a quiet and peaceful area of Lutsen. You'll be minutes away from every type of north-woods activity, including Lutsen Mountains and Superior National Golf Course. MLS# 6033068 $39,000

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

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

NEW! THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Nice 6 acre parcel of mixed forest land only 6 miles from town! Great site for nature lovers, birders and wildlife watchers. The shared driveway is already in and there is a transformer on the property for easy electric access. MLS# 6074736 $35,000

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

GREAT LOCATION HOME SITE

Wooded home or cabin site near Devil Track Lake. The 1.72 acre lot has nice trees and maybe a view of the lake from a second story. The boat landing is just down the road, as are many other lakes and trails. MLS# 6029872 $33,000

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

See YOU at our Annual Lutsen Block Party June 29th! Music By Joshua Schmidt! 4-7 p.m. In front of our TimberWolff Office in Lutsen!

It’s about the Wilderness, the Water, and the way they come together around this wonderful Family Style Authentic North Shore home! More bedrooms than you need, this home has a ton of value for the square footage! Gorgeous waterfall into a creek that meanders to the mouth of Lake Superior, cascading over a ledgerock beach to the Big Lake. Serenity can be found at the Little House located within a stone’s throw to the Big Lake. If you enjoy the journey, you’ll love everything this accommodating home has to offer! Mint Condition home, two plus car garage with heated workshop. EASY Walk to Grand Marais Harbor!

MLS#6026723 $749,900 REDUCED!

LAKE SUPERIOR AT THOMSONITE BEACH!

Lake Superior home as timeless and rock solid as its geologic neighborhood. Just near the 1.1 billion year old Cutface Creek sandstone, nestled among thomsonite gemstone producing basalt flows and sporting it’s very own sea arch, this home is all about the pleasures of the North Shore.

MLS#6023379 $524,000 REDUCED!

RUGGED ELEGANCE ON LAKE SUPERIOR!

LUTSEN’S CASCADE BEACH RD LOCATION

200 ft of level access shoreline and a helluva great home! Spectacular Fireplace, Remodeled KitchenIncredible! Master Suite with a bathroom to LOVE. Recently renovated and updated, this home is Move In Ready for your Family to Enjoy!

MLS#6029989 $799,000

MASTERPIECE MAIN HOME AND GUEST HOME ON VAST LAKE SUPERIOR LEDGEROCK

Multigenerational Property on Lake Superior, the main home is a Modern Dream, absolutely incredible connection to the Big Lake from within this home. Whimsical design allows two separate living spaces, the main home with 4 bedrms, the Guest home with complete kitchen, dining, family, bedrm, bath and three season porch for additional bunk space. Tuckunder garage never used, easily converted into additional living space. Walls of Windows connect you to Lake Superior, it’s really something to see. Call to schedule your showing!

MLS#6075189 $899,900

See YOU at our Annual Lutsen Block Party June 29th! Music By Joshua Schmidt! 4-7 p.m. In front of our TimberWolff Office in Lutsen!

shoreline overlooking Superior National Forest Lands! Welcoming home, INCREDIBLE lake views from a Great Room wall of windows. Fantastic home, two gas fireplaces, wood stove and entertaining space! Sauna, Two car garage. Only 20 minutes to Lutsen Mountains Ski & Summer Resort! A Must See home.

HEY KIDS, LET’S HEAD NORTH TO THE LAKE!

Fisherman’s Dream on Tait Lake in Lutsen!

Terrific layout for the family cabin! Level access to Super shoreline, just 20+ minutes to Lutsen Mountains! 3 bedrm 2+bath and huge garage for boat storage! Screen porch too!

MLS#6073605 $355,000

LOOKING FOR A LAKE CABIN

$459,000 LUTSEN’S CLARA LAKE, A WILDERNESS DREAM HOME!

MLS#6031576 $499,900

LUTSEN LAKE

SUPERIOR VACATION TOWNHOME AT LUTSEN RESORT! Enjoy all that the historic Lutsen Lodge offers…a sandy beach, a cool River, Swimming pool, spa, FABULOUS dining…but enjoy it in STYLE at the Cliffhouse overlooking the historic lodge. Newer construction, Big views, Contemporary Design. Total Comfort. Nice rental income to offset expenses. MLS#6021422 $399,000 REDUCED!

HAND CRAFTED LOG CABIN ON DEERYARD LAKE IN LUTSEN! What a FAB Log home! Just stunning interior, stone fireplace and vaulted ceiling with log beams and open Great room. Main

AND ELEGANCE ON DEERYARD LAKE, LUTSEN.

MLS#6030976

SIMPLICITY OVERLOOKING MOOSE

MOUNTAIN! Lutsen Mountain Ski and Summer Resort, if you love Lutsen Vacations, then these Condos and Townhomes are for you! Use as often as you like and make money when you aren’t here! “Hands off or on Ownership” means flexibility for keeping all to yourself for family and friends, or choose a management company that will fit your needs. Some are newly renovated exterior and out, some are not. From Studios (with huge decks) to 3+ bedrms, See them all to find YOUR right fit!

108 BRIDGE RUN $89,900 MLS#6027475

124B BRIDGE RUN $99,900 MLS#6032522

114 BRIDGE RUN $109,999 MLS#6028015

128 BRIDGE RUN $111,900 MLS#2120739

120A BRIDGE RUN $114,900 MLS#6074478

526 MOOSE MOUNTAIN $153,500 MLS#2217205

NEW! MARVELOUS LAKE SUPERIOR COTTAGE ON CROFTVILLE ROAD IN GRAND MARAIS! Small Footprint, Open Concept! The

$275,000

SWEEPING LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS FROM THIS ASPENWOOD TOWNHOME ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Beach access via a nice stairs, this townhome has a fantastic Master Suite w/ deck, and a gorgeous main level kitchen open to Great Room and BIG Lake Superior views! MLS#6031110 $309,900

See YOU at our Annual Lutsen Block Party June 29th! Music By Joshua Schmidt! 4-7 p.m. In front of our TimberWolff Office in Lutsen!

SWEET TOFTE LOCATION, ESTABLISHED BUILD SITE! A great homestead, no covenants no restrictions, live in the trailer home while re-building or start completely fresh! Already in place is the well, septic, electric, garage, and lots of storage sheds…TONS OF VALUE AT $64,555. Minute’s to Carlton Peak Trailhead, and Tofte’s Lake Superior Park for lake access! $64,555 MLS#6074783

ALPINE RETREAT OVERLOOKING LAKE SUPERIOR! Tucked in to the Ridgetop of the Sawtooth Mountains in Schroeder, MN, just an hour or so from Duluth! Gorgeous home features living spaces that take advantage of the tremendous Lake Superior views! Enjoy access to Lake Superior only a minute away at the Sugarloaf Cove Interpretive Center on Lake Superior.

$349,000 MLS#6074886

home w/ master bedroom, nice guest spaces and a to die for deck overlooking the Woods and the Lake! MLS#6030389 $350,000 LUTSEN HOME AT MINK RANCH! Nice home for the money, three bedroom, one bath AND a garage. Really a cute place, just a minute from Lutsen Mountains, Move in Ready! MLS#6030897 $145,000 REDUCED!

BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM LOG CABIN NEAR TRAIL CENTER! Solid and newer home, just needs some interior finishing. Nice entry area, featuring wood burning stove. Flawless transition to spacious living area, with amazing Stone fireplace, with super-efficient fireplace insert for heating! Gorgeous setting with beautiful pond, border USFS land. Poplar lake is a stone’s throw away!

MLS#6032396 $219,900

See YOU at our Annual Lutsen Block Party June 29th! Music By Joshua Schmidt! 4-7 p.m. In front of our TimberWolff Office in Lutsen!

CAMPN’, HUNTN’, FUN GETAWAY LAND, INVEST

ROCKY WALL outskirts of Silver Bay! Huge Lake Superior Views, Driveway and Campsite in Place! Maple Forest, Electric, Developed Build Site! $99,900 MLS#6074084

Maple Leaf Lane off Hwy 1 near Finland. It’s a quiet getaway cabin, rustic living. Super hunting spot, man cave cabin! MLS# 6030497 $59,900

Whitetail Ridge Overlooking Lake Superior! Just off Highway 1, Enjoy Sprawling Lake and Ridgeline views and Rugged Terrain! Yr Round Access, Electric. MLS# 6024856 $110,000

30 acres Wilderness, Borders lands next to Little Manitou River!

MLS#2309327 $129,000

Rock Road in Silver Bay area! Great build site with creek frontage! MLS#2308638 $45,000 REDUCED! Lakeshore on Ninemile Lake at the Village, common water and septic, build ready, borderscommon land!

MLS#2309096 $39,000 REDUCED!

Marks Drive Build Ready parcel in Silver Bay. City Utilities, Super location for a nice family home! Great neighborhood. MLS#6031871 $22,000

10 Ac Parcels of Maples! Rolling Terrain of Mature Maples to a Sweet Building site Perched Over a Mixed Boreal Forest. Year Round Access and Electric at Road!

MLS#2024250 $49,900 REDUCED!

DRAMATIC Mountain Top Views, Rolling Hills, Maple Forests fading in to Spruce and Pine and year round access. $70,000 MLS#2090659 39 ACRES!

SCHROEDER, JUST OVER AN HOUR FROM DULUTH! Home site just 40 ft from the Big Lake, level easy access, well buffered from Hwy! MLS#6032752 $250,000

LARGE LAKE SUPERIOR PARCEL, JUST AN HOUR FROM DULUTH! Rolling terrain, level shoreline, and nearly 600 ft of it! Enjoy your own paradise on Lake Superior!

MLS#6032772 $499,900

JUST IMAGINE, A MODERN NEW CONSTRUCTION BUNGALOW ON LUTSEN’S CASCADE BEACH RD! Build it on this Dreamy Parcel, Have Vision!

MLS#2308906 $299,000

ALL TO YOURSELF! 400+ FT, WITH ACCESSIBLE LEDGEROCK, OCCASIONAL BEACH! Rollins Creek Rd Lutsen Locale, Historical Nature.

MLS#6031579 $499,900

87 High Ridge Dr-Lot 3 Sugarloaf Retreats! Driveway in, cleared build site, just plan your North Shore home to take advantage of the Awesome Ridgeline Views! MLS#6031037 $59,000 SALE PENDING

Sawbill Trail Tofte Lake Superior Views, Mature Spruce forest with driveway and well in place!

MLS#6030129 $99,900

LeVeaux Mountain, Super Views and Wildlife Ponds! MLS#2220050 $69,000

Just Up the Sawbill Trail Grab your little piece of the Northwoods, rolling terrain and small community feel with year round access, great build sites!

MLS#2070509 Prices from $24,900!!

Wowser Lake Superior views on Overlook Tr!

MLS#2296509 $79,900

Maples with lots of Elbow Room, Year Round access and nice location between Cross River in Schroeder and Finland! MLS#6028422 $59,000

BIG TIME VIEWS of Lake Superior-Tofte, Excellent value at Johannes Toftey MLS#6029322 $59,900

Overlook at LeVeaux Mountain-Tofte! Serene Woodsy setting with Lake Views!

MLS#6029324 $49,000

Maples Galore, Acreage! Schroeder Location with Yr Round Access and Electric!

MLS#6029593 $99,000

Nice large parcel #19 at Sugarloaf Retreats, Boreal Forest land with yr rd access/electric.

MLS#6031140 $41,900

LeVeaux Creek Runs Through this Sweet Build Site, minutes to Lutsen Ski Resort! Lake Views!

MLS#6031876 $65,000

JUST NORTH OF SILVER BAY, PALISADE VIEWS OF LAKE

SUPERIOR! Gorgeous Views down the Coastline and Well buffered from Hwy. MLS#2313255 $235,000

LUTSEN’S ROLLINS CREEK ROAD LAKE SUPERIOR! Build Ready, good buffer from Hwy, Spectacular Views! MLS#6028455 $225,000

SIMPLE LIVING ON LAKE

SUPERIOR! A Step up from Thoreau’s Cabin, Enjoy the peace and quiet this lovely little cabin offers on over 300 ft of Lake Superior Shoreline! Electric, and Nice gas Stove makes this a comfy and welcoming Cabin! MLS#6026595 $225,000 REDUCED!

Nice parcel bordering USFS land, driveway roughed in, access to Tait Lk!

MLS#6023412

$35,000

Woodland Foothills Build Ready lots, Shared Water & Community Septic from MLS#2309328+ FROM $39,000

Heartland of Lutsen, 80 ac at the Foothills of Ski Hill ridge, near downtown Lutsen!

MLS#2312987

$119,000

Over 8 ac of Wilderness on Turnagain Trail in Lutsen!

MLS#2216560

$45,000

Prime Build Site(s) just off theCaribou at Jonvick Creek!

MLS#2240533

$49,000

Gorgeous 5 acre parcels in the Heart of Lutsen paved Caribou Trail locale bordering USFS lands!

MLS#2174799 From $54,900 - $77,500

30 acres of Prime Wilderness Land with year round access and electric at street with Views of Lutsen’s famed Clara Lake!

MLS#2080599 $137,500

Maple Leaf Trail at Jonvick, Maples Galore!

Nice elevated build site. Yr Round access, electric. MLS#6024972 $49,000

Foothill Blvd Location in the Heart of Lutsen!

Established build site with Boulder lined driveway in place leading to cleared building site. Camp now and plan for the future, bring your RV, electric is at the build site! Minute’s to Sky access to Caribou Lake in Lutsen! $56,500 MLS#6028429

Jonvick Creek Runs Through It! Enjoy the Sounds of the Creek running by your future build site, Fabulous Lutsen Location just off the Caribou Trail!

MLS#6074179 $189,900

RUSTIC GETAWAY LAKESHORE, ISABELLA AREA. Mature pines, end of the road location on Swallow Lake! MLS#2300576 $64,900

HOVLAND’S TREASURE ON TOM LAKE, prime lake only access with large acreage, privacy galore! MLS#6032237 $124,900

LUTSEN LAKESHORE ON DEERYARD! Year Round access, elec/broadband. Maple hillside, Rocky prime shoreline! MLS#6074179 $189,900 Owner is licensed REALTOR

Ridgetop 5+ ac in Lutsen, Fantastic location, minutes to the Ski Hill, Yr Round Living with some Lake Superior Views, perfect for 2 story walk out home. MLS# 603266 $49,900 Ski Hill Road lands, Boreal Lane is your Key To Mountain

20 Acres near Pike Lake, minutes to the new Boat Landing! Driveway is in place, nice shed. Panoramic Wilderness!

MLS#6028569 $69,000

Grand Marais Meadows on County Rd 7, Gorgeous Setting, Super location! MLS#6029849+ $65,000

Quiet Side of Town, a Creek meanders Through, Cleansing. Large lots, surveyed and build ready. Just Imagine, New Construction in the heart of Grand Marais!

MLS#6031883 $54,900

New! Gorgeous 42 acres near Pike Lake, Yr Round access, electric at street and INCREDIBLE ridgetop views!

MLS#6073655 $109,900

11 acres yr round access, electric, Nice build site near Pike Lake!

MLS#6073657 $44,900

CHRISTINE LAKE 10 AC bordering Superior National Forest, Yr Round Access, electric/broadband avail. Hill top build site overlooking mature white pine, cedar lined shoreline on Christine. Serenity Now! MLS#6023288 $99,900

PIKE LAKE LUTSEN SIDE! Premium Shoreline, nice and rocky! South facing build site, boreal forest. Lot 6 Willard Lane, must see! MLS#6031145 $199,900

DEERYARD LAKE EAST SIDE, bay shallow shoreline but great views to the west down the lake! Boardwalk in place for lake access. MLS#6031104 $74,900

LAKE SUPERIOR LANDS

INLAND LAKE LANDS

Outstanding Land Values in Lutsen

THREE

EVENTS,

LIVE AT THE WATERFRONT

July 28, 5:30 pm & 9:30 pm

SUPERIOR THEATRE FESTIVAL

BUSKER’S FESTIVAL

July 28 & 29

A two-day street festival featuring local and international street Buskers, food vendors, merchants and sidewalk sales WHERE UNIQUE

Two special performances by Machine de Cirque - Truck Stop. Co-presented by Centre Francophone

July 25 – 29

A multi-disciplinary arts festival showcasing dance, theatre, music and workshops

HERE IS WHERE I FOUND MYSELF