If you already own a cabin or if you’re thinking about buying one this show is for you. It’s your one-stop event for answers and fresh ideas. Everything for your second home lifestyle is here:
• Unique Cabin Products & Gifts
• Rustic & Specialty Furniture & Furnishings
• How-To Seminars & Demonstrations
• Real Estate, Builders & Remodelers
• Sustainable Landscapes & Lakeshores
• Sporting Gear, Outdoor Equipment & Marine
• Fun Activities & Free Special Features
MADISON
Alliant Energy Center
Madison, Wisconsin
January 29-31
PLUS: THE BAT ZONE With expert Rob Mies
SANDWICHES TO DIE FOR Gourmet grilling with Chef Patrick Moore
FREE SEMINARS
Great topics - All weekend!
ORIGINAL CABIN MUSIC
Performed live by Neal Topliff
MINNEAPOLIS
Minneapolis Convention Center Minneapolis, Minnesota February 19-21
CHICAGO
Schaumburg Convention Center
Schaumburg, Illinois February 26-28
Visit us at: lakehomeandcabinshow.com
RobMies
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Welcome to Downtown Lutsen
We’ve Grown!
Since the first Clearview store opened over 70 years ago, the Downtown Lutsen Community has worked hard to bring a variety of services to both Lutsen residents and visitors alike. All businesses are locally owned and operated, with years of experience in catering to a wide variety of needs. Services include:
• Small-Town General Store
• Liquor Store
• Gift Shop
• Sculpture Studio and Art Gallery
• All-Purpose Sewing and Decorating Business
• Real Estate and Seasonal Rental Office
• Cabin and House Maintenance Business
• Credit Union with ATM
• US Post Office
• Laundromat
Let’s Ring in the New Year
Another year and, equally important, the prolonged darkness of winter solstice are behind us. Ahead are longer days and the best of winter. Snow was late in arriving, but Northern Wilds was covered with a rich, white blanket in plenty of time for Christmas. It was the perfect cap to what had been, for many in our region, a very good year. We are optimistic the coming year will provide plenty of sunshine and good times. The only cloud we see on the horizon is the present downturn in the steel industry. We sincerely wish the best for our many friends in Silver Bay, Babbitt and across the Iron Range. We also wish our logging friends a spate of below-zero temperatures to freeze the swamps and allow them access to their timber sales. We firmly believe that all of us who live and work in the Northern Wilds are in this together.
On the tourism front, there are many exciting things to look forward to in the coming year. This winter, skiers are taking advantage of the new gondola at Lutsen Mountains. Grand Marais, which saw a surge in tourism in 2015 after being named the Coolest Small Town in America, has every reason to expect another strong season this year. The tall ships are returning to Duluth this summer. Based on past visits by the historic vessels, this could be the biggest tourist event of the season.
Our Canadian friends have reason for optimism, too. After a long hiatus, the Ontario government reinstituted a pilot spring bear hunt 2014 and is resuming the full hunt, including for nonresidents, this year. Once an important shoulder season activity for fishing camps and outfitters, the spring bear hunt’s 1999 closure was linked to a subsequent downturn in American outdoor tourism. Research has found very few sows with cubs are taken during the spring hunt. Residents of many northern communities also believe the hunts significantly reduce nuisance bear problems in their towns. On another Canadian note, we remain impressed with the ongoing transformation of Thunder Bay’s Waterfront District. The town is definitely on a roll.
In this issue, we offer a couple of simple ways you can celebrate the New Year. The first is by going sledding. Casey Fitchett offers an overview of Northern Wilds sledding hills from Thunder Bay to Duluth. Another way to have fun is by attending one of the two dog races scheduled for this month: the Gunflint Mail Run and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Jack Stone, co-director of the Mail Run, has a suggestion for making your experience more fun: Hang around the race HQ at Trail Center Lodge to meet some of mushing’s old timers. Chat them up and you’ll hear some great stories.
January also marks the beginning of Minnesota’s winter trout seasons for lakes inside and outside the BWCAW. As far as most anglers on the North Shore are concerned, this is really the only ice fishing that matters. The bays
on Lake Superior have been slow to freeze, so it may be a while yet before ice anglers can venture out there. When they do, they’ll have action for everything from lake trout on Pigeon Bay, to yellow perch on Black Bay. In the woods, snowmobilers will hit the trails. Check out Joe Friedrich’s story about the Cook County Ridge Riders to learn what it takes for a local club to maintain and groom a trail system.
You may have already forgotten your resolution to begin a diet. Even if you haven’t, why pass up a chance to read about good food? Dining columnist Maren Webb takes us to the Red Lion Smokehouse, an English-style pub in Thunder Bay. Epicurean adventurer Julia Prinselaar heads in an entirely different direction, teaching us how to cook a vitamin-rich deer heart. Speaking of vitamins, Kim Falter gives us a run-down of winter’s best source of vitamin C: citrus fruit.
For readers who think they’ve seen it all in Northern Wilds, we present the story of what is certainly the only African lion hunt ever to occur on the North Shore, with Dick Dorr’s strange and sad account of how law enforcement officers were asked to dispatch a roving lion in Lutsen. We are proud to present all of this and more to our readers. And we’ll strive to do even better in 2016.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt
Sue O’Quinn, Sales Representative sue@northernwilds.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com
Drew Johnson • drew@northernwilds.com
OFFICE
Roseanne Cooley • billing@northernwilds.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Virginia Danfelt, Dick Dorr, David Dudley, Gord Ellis, Kim Falter, Casey Fitchett, Joe Friedrichs, Earl Orf, Julia Prinselaar, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, James Smedley, Paul Sundberg, Maren Webb
Copyright 2016 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc. Published 12 times per year. Subscription rate is $28 per year or $52 for 2 years U.S. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part requires written permission from the publishers. Northern Wilds Media, Inc. P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-9475 (phone/fax)
Well groomed: Ridge Riders support trail system
GRAND MARAIS—When Kevin Mackey moved to the North Shore, he had a mission.
“I joined the Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club soon after we moved up here,” he said, “because I wanted to help out and be involved in the care of the trail system.”
Mackey, who now serves as the vice president of the Ridge Riders, is among the dozens of volunteers who maintain and improve the vast network of snowmobile trails along the Gunflint Trail and near Grand Marais. In addition to a strong presence up the Trail, the Ridge Riders’ trail system interconnects with state trails and the trail systems from the Tofte/Schroeder/Lutsen area, as well as the Grand Portage Reservation, essentially covering all of Cook County.
Each winter, the Ridge Riders host a series of events in the region with the intent to raise funds for the club and simultaneously improve and upkeep the local trail systems. The keystone event for the Ridge Riders is their Fun Run, which takes place this winter on Saturday, Feb. 6. Now heading into its seventh year, the event features snowmobiling, prizes and good times.
“Our goal was to help the local economy grow from this event,” said Andrea Everson, an active member and secretary/ treasurer of the Ridge Riders. “We’re trying to get people from out of town to ride our beautiful trails, while staying at our resorts, hotels and eating at our restaurants.”
The Fun Run typically draws about 200 people annually, with participants coming from Canada and throughout the Midwest to partake in the day’s events.
In addition to the Fun Run, the Ridge Riders will also host drag races at Hungry Jack Lake on Saturday, Feb. 20, and the Annual Trout Derby at Gunflint Lake on Sunday, March 6.
The Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club was founded in 1961. This was prior to the formation of the BWCAW and the original members of the club used to travel in groups to Ely across what is now much of the federally-protected wilderness area. Not only was there the enjoyment of traveling in numbers, but it was essentially necessary due to the unreliability of snowmobiles in the early 60s, according to Jack Heiskari, an early member of the Ridge Riders.
Everson said the Ridge Riders team has worked diligently over the years to make the local snowmobiling trail system accessible for riders of all skill levels. And in a widespread area such as Cook County, that means maintenance work on the trails is never hard to find.
“We do a lot of brushing in the summer and signage replacement,” she said. “And we have the biggest trail system in the state of Minnesota.”
Mackey said it has been tremendous to
witness firsthand the development of the Ridge Riders Club, particularly during the past few years.
“A favorite moment was seeing our new groomer maintenance building being built,” he said. “And having the financial stability to have two modern groomers instead of one very old, cantankerous groomer, as when I first joined the club.”
And while the main function of the Ridge Riders, which now boasts 100 members, is to function as a non-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving the snowmobile trails in Cook County, they also double as a local-economy booster, Everson noted.
“Our biggest push is to try and make our trails the best they can be, so the re -
sorts and restaurants stay busy and get repeat customers,” she said.
For more information on the Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club or to find specifics about their upcoming events, visit www.ccscridgeriders.wix.com/ridgeriders or email cookcountyridgeriders@hotmail. com.—Joe Friedrichs
Mining downturn affects local communities
SILVER BAY—As the New Year begins, some folks in the Northern Wilds are currently out of work. In December, Cliffs Natural Resources laid off workers at its Northshore Mining facilities in Silver Bay and Babbitt due to decreased demand for iron ore pellets. Similar lay-offs have occurred at mining operations across the Iron Range.
The layoffs are expected to be temporary; although some speculate it may be spring or later before workers are back on the job. While part of the industry downturn is due to less industrial demand, officials say that illegal, below-cost steel “dumping” in the U.S. by foreign competitors is the real culprit. Minnesota politi -
cians have called upon the Obama Administration to address the issue.
In response to the shutdown, Silver Bay Mayor Scott Johnson says the city decided to not have an increase in the tax levy, shelving for the time being some plans for increased maintenance. He says most laid off workers will be fine for about six months, because they can draw about 80 percent of their usual pay via unemployment benefits. While mining shutdowns occur about every five years, he says this time folks are more anxious due to the global steel situation.
“All we can do is cross our fingers and hope,” Johnson says.—Shawn Perich
[ABOVE] Drag races attract an enthusiastic crowd. [TOP RIGHT] : Local Ridge Riders supporters Jill Westphall Hill, Andrea Everson, Amanda Plummer and Samantha Wallner. [LOWER RIGHT] A line of lakers at the annual Trout Derby. | SUBMITTED
Rocky Taconite is Silver Bay’s mascot. | FILE
Grand Marais’ first solar electric system
GRAND MARAIS—Grand Marais Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux, his wife Rose and son Ennis, installed Grand Marais’ first solar electric system last November. As owners of Art House Bed and Breakfast, the family decided to do this as a business and community statement.
The mayor worked with All Energy Solar, a Minneapolis-based solar company. They handled all the paperwork and installation, features that were important to the family.
The first step was to determine historic usage. The annual average electric use at Art House is 13,000 kWh. To meet this annual demand, a 9.3 kW system was required. However, due to space limitations of their existing south facing roof, the family chose to install a 5.94 kW system. To accommodate this, they built a pergola over their deck to hold some of the panels.
The 5.94 kW system has 22 panels rated at 270 watts each. This meets about 64 percent of the historic annual electric use. Using energy efficient measures, the family hopes to reduce their actual consumption. The system is estimated to produce between 7,920–8,600 kWh annually.
The system, including the panels, rack, micro inverters, wiring, disconnect, and monitoring systems, cost $25,000. The Arrowsmith DeCouxs applied for and received an AEOA Business Energy Retrofit Grant for 30 percent of the total cost. After a down payment of $3,500, the
A Loan
the Woods A Loan in the Woods
The Art House Bed and Breakfast has the first solar electric system installed in Grand Marais that sells power to the grid. | SUBMITTED
balance is financed with a 2.99 percent loan for 10 years. They also qualify for a 30 percent federal tax credit, but do not think they can use much of this because they don’t earn enough to take full advantage of this benefit. However, this tax credit can be used in future years after the initial filing.
Individual micro inverters are connected behind each panel. The direct current (DC) power created by the panels is changed to alternating current (AC) and flow through the monitoring systems to the building’s electrical service entrance panel.
The grid also connects to the building’s electrical service entrance panel through a bi-directional meter. The meter records how much electrical energy the building uses from the grid and how much electrical energy is sent back out to the grid from the solar system. Depending on solar panel production and the building’s energy use, the electrical energy can flow either way.
For example, at night when the panels do not produce electricity, the grid supplies all the power to the building. On a sunny day, the panels can produce more power than the home is using so the excess is sent back to the grid.
The other advantage of this system is the utility buys the power on the grid at the going retail rate in the form of a credit on the utility bill. This is called net metering and is required by state law. This helps offset the upfront cost of installing a system and may eventually pay for the system over many years.
When there is a power failure, the panels are wired to stop producing so the building is without electricity until the power from the grid is restored. This is also required by law as a safety precaution for linemen working on power lines. In order to have power from a solar system when the grid power is off, a storage battery system would need to be incorporated into the system design.
Being the first solar electric installation in Grand Marais, this is also the first system the Grand Marais Public Utility Commission (GMPUC) connected to their grid. According to the mayor, electrical director Mike Taylor researched the type of meter required and what was involved with the installation. The process went quite smoothly. By law, the connecting utility can only charge actual interconnection costs, which came to $100 for the meter and installation time.
For more info, visit www.grandmaraismayor.blogspot.com. —Virginia Danfelt
Thumbs UP from DOWN river
Even though Keith Erickson’s family lives just down river from PolyMet Mining’s proposed copper-nickel mine, he’s on board. The third generation miner knows the company has invested in the modern, safe technology needed to protect the environment. And, he says, the environmental review and permitting process will make sure of it.
Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux installed the solar system to make a statement. | SUBMITTED
Charles Skinner of the Lutsen Mountains Corp. holds a proclamation from Governor Mark Dayton honoring the Dec. 18 grand opening of the ski area’s new gondola. The Governor was unable to attend the event due to recent back surgery. | SUBMITTED
Manitoba bans some moose hunting
WINNIPEG—Moose hunting was recently banned in some areas in Manitoba by the provincial government, due to declining populations, according to a report in the Canadian Press. The new bans bring to a total of eight hunting areas across the province where moose hunting is now banned.
The newly banned areas in the Turtle Mountains, southwest of Winnipeg, have seen a 75 percent drop in moose numbers in the past decade, primarily due to overhunting. In other areas, overhunting and
predation from wolves are considered the reasons for moose population declines.
In Manitoba, aboriginal and Metis groups are able to hunt moose outside of provincial regulations. While the province increased the fine for illegally killing a moose to $10,000 last August, it does not apply to anyone exercising a treaty or aboriginal right to hunt. To address wolf predation, last year the province offered a $250 per wolf bounty to people with registered trap-lines in some areas.
Medicine bottles for developing countries
GRAND MARAIS—Oddz & Endz thrift store is helping to make a difference one life at a time and you can too, by donating your unused pill bottles. Empty pill bottles cannot be recycled and medical pharmacies and hospital facilities, in places like Malawi, often find themselves with nothing except torn pieces of paper to wrap medicine in for their patients.
This is often seen in rural hospitals where the poorest of the nation try to live and survive. Oddz & Endz in Grand Marais has volunteered to be a drop off site for unused bottles, just make sure to remove any labels or residue. After sorting the bottles, they will be mailed to the Malawi Project. For more info, contact oddzandendz@boreal.org.
Moose numbers continue to decline. | STOCK
Start the New Year on the right foot with a hike
ST. PAUL—Minnesota state parks and trails will join other states in a nationwide effort to get as many kids and adults out hiking on Jan. 1 as possible. The effort, led by America’s State Parks, will include more than 400 guided hikes in all 50 states.
First Day Hikes in the Northern Wilds will take place at Jay Cooke State Park (Carlton) from 1-2:30 p.m. and Tettegouche State Park (Silver Bay) from 1-4 p.m. The hikes will promote families to get outdoors to burn off holiday calories, cure cabin fever and enjoy the winter landscape and wildlife.
“Research shows that spending time outdoors rejuvenates the mind and body,” said Erika Rivers, director of the DNR’s parks and trails division.
“Minnesota state parks and trails can be a great resource to anyone whose New Year’s resolution involves improving their health and fitness.”
Take the time to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air this year. | SUBMITTED
All First Day Hikes are free, but a vehicle permit ($5 for a one-day permit or $25 for a year-round permit) is required to enter Minnesota state parks.
Snowshoeing will also be an option, weather permitting. Some parks have snowshoes available in child and adult sizes; call ahead to reserve a pair.
“If a First Day Hike doesn’t fit into your family’s schedule on New Year’s Day,” Rivers says, “remember that Minnesota state parks and trails are open every day, even in winter, so come visit and hike whenever you can.”
After much anticipation, snow arrived along the North Shore in mid-December. Cindy Wartman of Beaver Bay Sports shared this photo of her dogs taken Dec. 16. At press time, snow depths ranged from a few inches near Lake Superior and over a foot at higher elevations inland, all the way from Duluth to Nipigon and beyond. While there is enough snow for winter sports, trail grooming has been delayed by numerous deadfalls and poor ice conditions. On the lakes, ice conditions are variable and some large lakes remain open. Ice anglers are advised to use caution.
Sledding is a poplar winter activity for all ages. | JAMES SMEDLEY
Your Guide TO THE SHORE’S Sledding Hot Spots
BY CASEY FITCHETT
The hill looks more intimidating as you approach the edge. The anticipation is invigorating. You push off and the descent is underway. There’s something enticing about the cold air grabbing your ears as you whiz down the side of the hill, laughing as you gain speed when the runners slice through the snow. You feel invincible as you swerve to narrowly avoid a tree, yet don’t lose any momentum. The hill gradually levels off as you continue to glide and slow to a complete stop. ‘Just one more time,’ you repeat to yourself as you trudge up the hill again. It’s one of the simplest joys of a northern Minnesota winter day: flying down a steep, snowy hill on a sled.
Sledding’s popularity on Minnesota’s North Shore is influenced by the ample public land as well as the variable topography of the Sawtooth Mountain Range. For many residents and visitors, sledding is the perfect winter activity because of the simplicity of equipment, ease of access to hills and ability to include all family members. Traveling anywhere on Highway 61 will lead to a hill worth conquering.
A Tour of the Hills
In our neighboring country to the north, we begin our tour at Centennial Park in Thunder Bay. Centennial Park, situated on the Current River on the city’s north side, boasts toboggan-related ammenities and sees quite a few sledders in the winter months. The park itself includes a chalet open year-round as well as sleigh rides and cross-country ski trails. Tobogganing awaits on Centennial Park Drive, which is north off of Arundel Street and just west of Hodder Avenue. Sliding down the hill on your toboggan is free of charge.
Crossing over the border, we make our next sledding pit stop about an hour and a half later in Grand Marais. Sledders looking for action near the harbor town can find the best offering at Sweetheart’s Bluff. Dave Tersteeg, the parks manager for the city of Grand Marais, says kids and parents alike appreciate the hill for its informal fun and community atmosphere.
“It’s a ‘sled at your own risk’ type of offering, with no staff, hours or fees. We keep the road plowed past the blue gate and usually provide a couple of picnic tables and a firebox for s’mores,” said Tersteeg.
Sweetheart’s Bluff is located on the west end of the Grand Marais Recreation Park off Highway 61. Beyond the baseball field lies Honeymoon Hill, the top of which is Sweetheart’s Bluff.
Drive about twenty minutes south and we spot some Lutsen sledders at the local fire hall hill next to the
Caribou Trail. Siena Woerheide, a 9-year-old Lutsenite, has been sledding on these hills for as long as she can remember with her sister, Nina.
“One time we went sledding when there was lots of snow, but it had just rained and froze on top. We went so fast!” said Woerheide.
Zooming past the likes of Tofte, Silver Bay and Two Harbors, our sledding adventure sees us roaming around the hills of Duluth. Should you desire a more streamlined experience, Duluthians and visitors have the option of a sledding escapade at Spirit Mountain Adventure Park on the south side of the city. Participants can enjoy multiple lanes of tubing on inflatable inner tubes on a two-hour pass for $19. A handle tow makes getting back to the top quick and easy, suddenly making those endless walks up the hill seem like way more work than necessary.
Visitors to the city on the hill with a more rugged vision of their day, can check out the hill behind the Holy Rosary School and Ordeen-East Middle School in the northeast section of the city (2900 East 4th Street) or the Lester Park Golf Course (1860 Lester River Road).
Sledding Smarts
Wherever you choose to go, being picky about your sledding location can lead to a safer quest for speed. One of the primary considerations should be searching out a clear area. Unless the sled has very precise steering ability, obstacles on hills can pose a serious threat to riders. Scouting a path down the side of the hill, including the end of the run, can prevent many injuries on the path.
Choosing a proper sled, based on the conditions and the preferences of the rider is crucial to a positive outing. Toboggans, in the simplest description, are sleds without runners. The word toboggan comes from either the Algonquin word odabaggan or the Anishinabe word nobugidaban. Early toboggans were made from whalebone, birch or tamarack and had a curved front to facilitate travel over difficult terrain. Most toboggans today are made with seven boards of ash or maple.
Clipper sleds and cutter sleds were the first to be mass-produced in the United States. Not for the faint of heart, Yankee Clippers are meant to be ridden face-first. The runners on clippers are upturned in the front, while the runners on cutter sleds curve over the front of the sled. The cutters are designed to be ridden sitting down.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable sleds is the Flexible Flyer, the invention of a Pennsylvania Quaker farm implements manufacturer, Samuel Leeds Allen. As an effort
to keep his farm workers busy during the slower winter months, he formulated the Flyer design and had them produce the sleds beginning in the late 1800s. The Flexible Flyer’s biggest draw was the “super steering,” made possible by the laterally flexible front runners that are able to be bent sideways. Though they didn’t sell well during their first entry to the market, they were soon “flying” off the shelves with increased advertising and word of mouth.
Creative adventure seekers have long used household items and other non-sleds to get their thrills on the side of the hill. Shaped like trash can lids, saucers are made of plastic and can get going at speeds similar to standard sleds. Catamarans offer a bouncier ride, as the seat is made of some elasticized material tied between the runners. Plastic sleds, likely the most readily available in stores today, are often the fastest because they move over the snow versus cutting through it.
Pairing the current ground cover conditions with the type of sled can also enhance the ride. Runner sleds, for instance, can often fly through three to four inches of fresh snow, while plastic sleds are more ideal for hard packed or icier surfaces. Whichever sled best suits the conditions, ensure there are no bare grassy spots on the run, as they can very quickly lead to injury.
Maneuvering the sled is a crucial skill to master before tackling more advanced runs. Some sleds have wheels or other steering mechanisms that make avoiding obstacles relatively simple. Runner sleds will typically have built-in steering capabilities. It’s important to remember that sleds will all respond differently to body movements. Leaning to one side during the descent will cause one side of the sled to dig deeper into the snow, increasing the friction and thus turning the sled gradually. Typically digging one foot into the snow on either side of the sled will cause it to turn very quickly.
Sticking both feet into the ground in front of you can be a way to stop the sled entirely. Leaning all the way back off the back of the sled will also cause it to slow down and eventually stop. Rolling in either direction off the sled, also known as bailing, can be an effective way to stop, though only after ensuring no obstacles are present on either side.
The basic checklist is simple: sled, snow, hills. With a small toolkit of sledding knowledge, the help of Mother Nature and a basic map to your slope of choice, there’s nothing stopping you from creating your own sledding adventure wherever you find yourself along Highway 61.
A New Beginning
“Ribbon Shirt,” created by Vanessa Myra David, is made from cotton, glass beads, plastic buttons and ribbons. It is part of the “Garments of Everyday Life” collection. | THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY
Comic artist Lynn Johnston, creator of “For
at
The holidays have quickly come and gone, thus begins our fresh start to the New Year. To celebrate this joyous beginning, we start the month of January with the outdoor Winter Plein Air, held Jan. 24-29.
Now in its fifth year, the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota (OPM) have gathered at YMCA Camp Menogyn, near the edge of the BWCAW, to paint the beauty of the Northland. This year, the Grand Marais Art Colony will be hosting an artist Meet-nGreet on Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m. There will also be an open reception and a pop-up exhibit of the new paintings from 3-5 p.m., Jan. 29.
To find out more about OPM and the Winter Plein Air Festival, visit www.outdoorpaintersofminnesota.org or visit www.grandmaraisartcolony.org for event info.
Also this month is the “For Better or For Worse” comic artist Lynn Johnston exhibit featured at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Johnston uses from her own life experiences to create and evolve the much-loved characters of “For Better or For Worse.”
The exhibit gives a behind the scenes look at her life, creative process and the 30-year history of the iconic comic characters. A meet and greet with Johnston will take place at the gallery Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Visit www. thecomicartoflynnjohnston.com for more info.
Also on exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery is “Garments of Everyday Life: From the Collection” and “Unconstrained: Comic Art by Five Local Emerging Artists,” which features local artists from Thunder Bay’s thriving comic and sequential art scene. Find more info at www.theag.ca.—Breana Roy
“Exhost” is a digital print by Callen Banning, one of five comic artists in the “Unconstrained” collection in Thunder Bay. | THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY
“Mouse Island,” an oil painting by artist Allison Eklund, was created “en plein air” at Camp Menogyn during last year’s festival. | ALLISON EKLUND
Allison Eklund, St. Paul artist and member of the OPM, created this oil painting titled “Menogyn Sunset”. | ALLISON EKLUND
Better or For Worse,” is featured as a cartoon working
her desk. | LYNN JOHNSTON
Meet the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers
Plucking their way to the Grand Marais Gun Flint Tavern in January is guitar/fiddle duo, the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers.
Making up half the band is Joe Hart, a guitarist and vocalist whose ties to the Northland include a youth spent in Grand Portage and teenage years attending Cook County High School. Lending her skills on the fiddle, guitar and vocals is partner Nikki Grossman. Hart and Grossman have a mutual connection to the Shore through Hart’s family commercial maple sugaring operation in Grand Portage.
“We originally were trying to come up with a band name that had something to do with the good memories Nikki and I shared working in the sugar bush. When Nikki tossed out the ‘Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers’, that was ultimately what stuck,” said Hart.
Having enjoyed individual musical success for a number of years in old-time, folk, rock and country bands, Hart and Grossman decided to combine their passions to form the Sapsuckers in 2013. The couple performs frequently, working as full-time musicians. In addition to the thrills in their musical careers, they are also expecting to add a baby band member in March.
Based in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, the pair performs both original songs and fiddle music inspired by the classic hillbilly, western-swing and old time fiddling traditions. Touting themselves as providing a “brand new take on old-time country,” they also perform covers of songs from those same genres.
Though the music they play represents sounds from across the country, the Scandinavian flavor of their hometown
region provides a strong influence on their fiddling selections.
“Our special emphasis, when it comes to fiddle tunes, is on the Scandinavian-influenced regional tunes of the upper Midwest, many of which we’ve picked up from old-timers in the hills around our Wisconsin home,” explained Hart.
The Sapsuckers can be seen performing in a variety of venues and events, including as the dance band at square and contra dances, listening rooms and bars. Regular performers on their local community radio station’s live variety show, they demonstrate an ease and lightheartedness that engages audiences.
The band has released two albums in the same number of years. Their second album, “Ocooch Mountain Home” (March 2015) has received high praise from numerous bluegrass and country
music reviews, including fROOTS and Bluegrass Today.
The Sapsuckers are swinging by the Tavern on Jan. 17 for a free show as part of their “Frozen Solid” tour. The tour, which also includes stops in Eau Claire, Duluth/Superior, Finland, Ely, St. Cloud and Minneapolis, runs from Jan. 14-25.
“We know first-hand how long those winter nights can be. January nights can be awful cold. We thought it would be a nice way to warm up the winter with some country music,” says Hart.
The Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers will be joined by the new country-folk combo A Kin. To learn more about the duo, visit www.sapsuckersmusic.com. —Casey Fitchett
Duo Joe Hart and Nikki Grossman formed the Sapsuckers in 2013 after working as individual musicians. | POLLY SCOTT
Musher readies for Gunflint Mail Run & Beargrease Marathon
Odin Jorgenson has spent the entire year preparing for winter. Now he and his dog team are ready for the racing season.
No stranger to competition, Jorgenson has mushing in his blood. His father, Arleigh Jorgenson, was one of the Cook County mushers that organized the original Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race, which later grew into the longest sled dog race in the lower 48; the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon.
The Gunflint Mail Run as been resurrected in recent years and will be held Jan. 9-10 on the Gunflint Trail. Jorgenson is competing in the race.
Though the elder Jorgenson has essentially retired from mushing, Odin has been training for both races, despite having two toddlers running around the house. He averages 15 training runs a month, using an ATV instead of a sled before the snow falls. He describes December, specifically the time between Christmas and New Year’s, as a crucial time for getting the dogs ready for the main event.
“To be fair to the dogs, mushers need to show them what will be expected from both a physical and mental perspective,” explained Jorgenson.
In an effort to mimic those race realities for both himself and his dogs, Jorgenson simulates the camping, or layover, aspect of the competition on multiple occasions prior to the race. Official rules of the Beargrease require four hour layovers in between segments of racing. Jorgenson began to integrate this format into his mid-December training with two 40-mile runs, separated by a four-hour break.
Stepping up the pace immediately after Christmas, Jorgenson includes three to four 60-mile runs as well as camping training. Backing off to 40-mile runs leads him right in to the first Cook County race of the year, the Gunflint Mail Run.
The precursor to the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, racers in the Mail Run can choose from two classes this year: a 12-dog, 110-mile race, or a new 8-dog, 70-mile race. Jorgenson, the 2012 winner of the Gunflint Mail Run, plans to race again this year in the traditional longer division.
In each of the classes, the race consists of two equidistant legs, separated by a mandatory layover. The race can accommodate up to 30 racers and will start, layover, and finish at Trail Center Lodge, approximately 30 miles up the Gunflint Trail. Race organizers hope that the addition of a class will help to make the race more inclusive.
“The shorter, faster eight-dog race will add a whole new dimension to the Gunflint Mail Run,” explained race co-director Jack Stone, owner of Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. “This shorter race also gives newer mushers or mushers with smaller kennels the opportunity to compete in this race.”
Following the Mail Run, Jorgenson's training will slow and the Beargrease Marathon race day checklist will begin to take priority. His days will be filled with tending to his own aches and pains, as well as those of his dogs. As can be expected, their feet are of utmost importance.
“I make sure to cover all the little things like clipping toe nails, inspecting feet daily (maybe twice daily) and applying ointment or liniment if needed,” says Jorgenson. “I also make sure I am going over all dogs with massage to make sure I know if there are little aches and pains I have missed in the whirlwind of the heavier training prior.”
Keeping his championship dogs healthy is something that he does not take lightly, especially because many of these dogs come from a very specific bloodline. Though some of them are mixed with a type of hound, all have Alaskan husky in them. According to Jorgenson, there is quite a bit of
Odin Jorgenson and his team of dogs will compete in the Gunflint Mail Run and the John Beargrease Race. | CASEY FITCHETT
commonality among the top racing dogs, mainly because they have proven themselves to be the best.
“There was a dog named Lingo who belonged to a famous native musher named George Attla. He is behind many of the dogs I have right now. If you start tracing the pedigrees, many of the best dogs have commonality in their background.”
Cleaning harnesses and collars, double-checking the sled's mechanics and organizing all the equipment keeps Jorgenson busy right up until the Beargrease.
There are four different race distances for competitors: marathon, mid-distance, junior and rec race. The marathon course is just under 400 miles long and sees mushers complete an out-and-back course on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The trail start and end are occasionally altered due to fluctuating levels of snow. The topography of the course is similar to the Superior Hiking Trail: rugged hills.
Gunflint Mail Run
SATURDAY, JANUARY 9
SUNDAY, JANUARY 10 Late evening /early morning Finish
Championship teams have to be ready for an event with strict and thorough rules. The racers must start with a minimum of 10 dogs and must run at least six dogs in the harness at all times. There are two mandatory, predetermined four-hour layover stops for all mushers. The additional 20 hours of required layover time are at the drivers' discretion. The stakes are high; mushers who compete at a superior level and follow the rules can qualify for the famed Iditarod in Alaska.
Spectators can watch the teams in the 32nd annual Beargrease at one of the many checkpoints along the course. The marathon and mid-distance races begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 31 and will conclude the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 3. In an effort to further honor the contributions of John Beargrease, all mushers are sworn in as official U.S. mail carriers prior to the race and carry small amounts of mail on the trail.—Casey Fitchett
Jorgensen’s sled dogs prepare for a training run. | CASEY FITCHETT
NACE HAGEMANN
Your perfect winter awaits in Cook County, Minnesota. Let snowshoes set you free. Explore the vast beauty of the North Shore, Sawtooth Mountain Range and the Superior National Forest. Follow a trail or make your own.
Featuring Minnesota-made artwork, paintings, photography and unique, handcrafted items such as fine silver jewelry, beautiful beeswax and soy candles, turned wood, glass art, gorgeous pottery and more.
*Join our free book exchange, just bring a book and take a book*
Gallery & Cottages Open Year Round Winter Hours:
M, Th-Sa 10-5 •Su 10-4, Closed Tu & W 4210 W Highway 61 Lutsen, MN 55612 Located just between Lutsen and Grand Marais 218.387.2585 • www.kahneetah.com
us on Facebook @ Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery & Cottages And Instagram @kahneetahgallerylutsen
New art for the New Year!
Stop in and say hello; we’d love to meet you and show you all of the new creations we’ve found!
Visit our website for more information. Check it out at www.kahneetah.com
2015 marks the 20th consecutive year that NSFCU will award a Patronage Reward—returning our earnings back to our members. With the Reward given back to members this year, the grand total will top $3.4 million returned! Can your financial say that?
Join today and get your share of the pie. Because if you’re up here, you belong here.
Silver Bay | Lutsen | Grand Marais | Grand Portage www.northshorefcu.org to say we’re not like the other guys would be an understatement.
North Shore Federal does a lot of things different which sets us apart from the other guys. Rewarding our Members with earnings from another successful year is just one of them.
Movie & Dialogue
Jan. 8, Friday
The Ely Folk School will be showing a free movie and discussion titled “Arctic Exploration” at 7 p.m. The discussion will be hosted by arctic explorer and dogsledder Paul Schurke, in honor of the historic 1986 trip to the North Pole 30 years ago. Schurke, Will Steger, and their team endured 56 days and 1,000 miles across fractured, shifting sea ice in temperatures below -75 degrees Farenheit. Don’t miss this incredible story and film. There will also be a free movie on Friday, Jan. 22 titled “Vanishing of the Bees,” hosted by Dan Donnelly. www.elyfolkschool.org
Grand Marais Ole Opry
Jan. 16, Saturday
The North Shore Music Association will be holding the 3rd annual Grand Marais Ole Opry, featuring local and regional musicians. Audience members will enjoy classic country, bluegrass and old time music, made famous by artists such as Hank Williams, Emmylou Harris, Patsy Cline and the Louvin Brothers. The show will be emceed by WTIP Classic Country show host Carl Solander and musicians include The Roe Family Singers, Jim and Michele Miller, Portage and the Pinemartians. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais. www.northshoremusicassociation.com
Native men pull up a Greenland shark during one of Schurke’s trips to the arctic. | SUBMITTED
Boulder Lake Ski & Snowshoe Stomp
Jan. 17, Sunday
Sign up for one of five races at Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center north of Duluth. Featured is the 32km or 11.1km skate and classic ski races or the 10.4km or 5.2km snowshoe races. Or try both with the Duathlon, an 11km ski followed by 5.2km snowshoe. Chili will be given to participants at the finish line. Door prizes and race awards will also be provided. www. boulderlakeskirace.com
Let’s Hang On: Frankie Valli Tribute Show
Jan. 17, Sunday
Let’s Hang On is a group of 10 entertainers preserving the music and style of the iconic 1960s group Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Enjoy all the great hits such as Big Girls Don’t Cry, Walk Like a Man, Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, December Snowmobilers
The Roe Family Singers are performing at the Grand Marais Ole Oprey. | SUBMITTED
’63 and Who Loves You. Let’s Hang On will also pay tribute to the Broadway show, The Jersey Boys. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. www.tbca.com
Northland 300: Riding with Heart
Jan. 20-24
The Northland 300, held in Ely, is a 300mile, three-day charity snowmobile ride to raise funds for the Special Olympics Minnesota. The event is planned by a volunteer board of directors and more than 700 enthusiasts have participated since the event’s inception in 1988. The ride will not be cancelled due to bad weather. All of the funds raised go to the Special Olympics Minnesota to benefit its athletes. www.northland300.org
Get in shape for the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center Ski and Snowshoe Stomp Races. | CLAYTON KEIM
Winter Plein Air Festival Jan. 24-29
The Outdoor Painters of Minnesota (OPM) will gather at YMCA Camp Menogyn up the Gunflint Trail for the 5th annual Winter Plein Air, where artists will paint the winter wonderland of the Northern Wilds. The Grand Marais Art Colony is also taking part this year by hosting an
artist Meet-n-Greet at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 24 at the Art Colony. On Jan. 29 is a reception and pop-up exhibit, open to the public, from 3-5 p.m., also at the Art Colony. Visit www.grandmaraisartcolony.org or www.outdoorpaintersofminnesota.org for more info.
January 16, 7:30 PM featuring The Roe Family Singers, Jim & Michelle Miller, Portage, and The Pinemartians performing
Sept. 11-Jan. 10
Preservation | Desire to Fill: Carol Kajorinne & Susan Kachor Conlin Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
Nov. 10-Jan. 10
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow Exhibit, Lakehead University Alumni Exhibit, and Maggie Phillips & Peter Langes Multimedia Artisans Exhibit Baggage Building Arts Centre, Thunder Bay www.facebook.com/ baggagebuildingarts
Nov. 14-Jan. 10
Gratitude: Woodcuts & Lithographs Northern Prints Gallery, Duluth www.northernprintsgallery.com
Nov. 15-May 15
Free Fluoride Well Water Testing Grand Marais 218-387-2334 or 218-387-3631
Nov. 20-Jan. 10
Unlimited Edition Exhibition (Organized by Kamloops Art Gallery) Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
Sled Dog Race Gunflint Trail www.facebook.com/gunflintmailrun
Jan. 10, Sunday
Anniversary Celebration 1 p.m. Cook County YMCA www.cookcountyymca.org
Curator Talk by Tania Willard 2 p.m. Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
Gene LaFond 6:30 p.m.
Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais www.gunflinttavern.com
Jan. 12, Tuesday
Blue Rodeo 8 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium www.tbca.com
Jan. 14, Thursday
Trout Unlimited 7 p.m. Hartley Nature Center, Duluth www.hartleynature.org
Jan. 14-17
World Junior/Under 23 Trials Lappe Nordic Ski Centre, Thunder Bay www.cccski.com
Jan. 15, Friday
Joe Paulik 3:30 p.m.
Moguls Grille & Tap Room, Lutsen www.caribouhighlands.com
Jan. 15-March 6
For Better or For Worse: The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca
Jan. 16, Saturday
MN Trout Fishing Opener Lakes outside or partly outside the BWCAW Meet & Greet: Local Author Abby Fincel 1 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library www.grandmaraislibrary.org
Potluck Dinner 5 p.m. Ely Folk School www.elyfolkschool.org
Michael Monroe 7 p.m. Log Cabin, Grand Marais www.michaelmonroemusic.com
Grand Ole Opry 7:30 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais www.northshoremusicassociation.com
Classical Music and Dinner 6 p.m. Bluefin Grille, Tofte www.bluefinbay.com
Fa mily Ski Festival
February 14, 2016 on the Pincushion Mountain Trails north of Grand Marais
10:00 a.m.
32K Classical Race a combination of the Scenic Pincushion Loop and the challenging Ole Hyvaa loop
10:05 a.m.
10K Classical Race all ages welcome, for fun or competition
2:00 p.m. Kids’ 1.5K and 2.5K Classical Races
3:00 p.m. 3K and 7K Skijoring Dog Races
Congratulations to the 2015 Photo Contest Winners
This year, we received over 200 entries for our photo contest. The quality of photos we received were incredible and judging was extremely difficult. Everyone in our office had their favorites; a photo that reminded each of us of a special time or place. After many rounds of voting and tallying points, we found our winners. Thank you for sharing your photos with us. You certainly gave us your best shots.
First place receives $250 in North House Folk School course credits, second place receives $50 and third place receives $25. We also chose an honorable mention. This issue, we present the winners of the Wildlife category. Other categories will be published in the upcoming issue.
The 2016 photo contest will begin later this summer.
Category: Wildlife
#1. Brotherly Love
Chrstine Johnston, Thunder Bay, Ontario
#2. Dining on Mountain Ash Berries
Tracy Benson, Grand Marais
#3. Eagle on Saganaga Lake
Keith Anderson, Fenton, MO
honorable mention: Ambassador
Ryan Pennesi, Grand Marais
2015 WINNERS
LANDSCAPE: 1. David Johnson, Grand Marais 2. Joe Cohen, Duluth. 3. Neil Parsons, Shuniah, Ontario. Honorable Mention: Keith Anderson, Fenton, MO
PETS: 1. Brenda Hadrich, McGregor. 2. David Neil Parsons, Shuniah, Ontario. 3. Sandy Updyke, Hovland. Honorable Mention: Madison Cutler, Nolalu, Ontario
PEOPLE: 1. Lauri E. Hohman, Two Harbors. 2. Cheryl Deloach, Proctor 3. Sandy Updyke, Hovland. Honorable Mention: Madison Cutler, Nolalu, Ontario
The Dorr Report
A Cook County Safari
By Dick Dorr
Calls and incidents that the sheriff’s department deals with can be tragic, interesting, humorous and unique. Some are a little of everything.
Imagine getting a call stating a vehicle is driving around in a cattle pasture. I responded to this call thinking, “What the heck is this all about?” I arrived at the location just a few miles west of Grand Marais and sure enough, there was a car in a pasture. It was hung up on a log and the driver was revving the engine, trying to dislodge the vehicle.
I approached the car, had the driver turn the engine off and came to the conclusion that he appeared intoxicated; his eyes were glassy, speech was slurred and he was very unsteady on his feet. When I asked him to blow in my face, there was no odor of an alcoholic beverage.
When examining the interior of the vehicle, I understood why. There were several empty bottles of Listerine mouthwash on the seat. The bottles indicated an alcohol content of 27 percent. Since the DWI statute applies anywhere in the state and not just on public roadways, the man was placed under arrest. He had the best breath of any drunk driver I’ve encountered.
Another unique incident occurred while patrolling a county road on Maple Hill. I rounded a curve and was flagged down by a man who lived nearby. He informed me his mother, who was dealing with some dementia issues, had wandered off and he couldn’t locate her. The surrounding forest was considerable and we had no known direction of travel.
As we stood there trying to make a plan, a vehicle approached. It was autumn and the vehicle was driven by a grouse hunter. I asked him if he saw anyone along the road and told him we were looking for a lost, confused person. He said his dog was a good tracker and we could give it a try.
We let the dog smell an item of the woman’s clothing and the dog, a Brittany Spaniel, took off northbound into the woods. The woman was located in less than 10 minutes. I didn’t have the words to express our thanks to this angel who had come out of nowhere. Sometimes, we did have happy endings.
Another incident that involved dogs in a different manner, was a drug investigation,
put together by a deputy who had only been on the department for five months. He developed information that a man living in the county was going to have visitors from New Mexico.
The Cook County man raised and ran sled dogs. He lived in the northeastern part of the county. This investigation was unusual because the visitors were alleged to be transporting a substantial quantity of drugs; 27 pounds of marijuana.
This case facilitated the creation of telephonic search warrants. Because our judge lived in Two Harbors, if a case came up involving the need for a quickly drawn up search warrant, we would no longer have to drive 80 miles to secure it. Protocol was in established to satisfy the judge as to probable cause and a warrant would be issued over the phone.
That procedure was followed in this drug case. The deputy was informed when the suspects were going to arrive in the county and the sheriff’s department obtained a telephonic search warrant for the residence. A team of officers was organized to execute a search for the drugs.
On an August night, we waited for darkness after the suspects arrived at the residence. Our team of officers quietly surrounded the home. I recall slowly creeping to the rear of the house, when all of a sudden, the area around me exploded in noise! I had inadvertently crept into the middle of the sleeping sled dogs. Well, so much for the element of surprise.
I didn’t know which way to go. The lights went on in the house and people inside started coming to the back door. The dogs eventually settled down and we served the warrant. We found the large quantity of drugs and made the arrests.
The musher left the county years ago, but I learned a lesson from that experience; always carry a bag of doggy treats. You never know when they will come in handy.
Lion in Lutsen
Mid-morning in March of 1978, my phone rang at home.
“Hello! Do you want to go on safari?” the caller asked.
“What?!” After asking the caller, my boss, the sheriff, to repeat his question about six times, he explained.
A couple in Lutsen, who had raised a male African lion from a kit to an adult had a problem. Specifically, the wife had the problem. The husband and primary handler of the animal was gone and the lion broke out of his cage. The cage was homemade and, as I recall, bed springs were part of the configuration. The wife, who made the call to the Sheriff’s office, wanted the animal dispatched. The residence was located up the Caribou Trail
on the shore of Caribou Lake. There was snow on the ground and cross country skiers were still using the area trails. I shuddered as I thought of the possibilities.
I told my boss I would go on this safari with him and assist in putting the lion down. I grabbed my most accessible deer rifle and met up with the Sheriff. We recruited a State trooper for more firepower and proceeded to Lutsen.
Wow! A loose African lion in Cook County. All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind as we covered the 20 miles to the lake. My first thought was, please let this animal still be on or near the property.
We came up with a shooting plan on our way. It would be one, two three, pow! We had to make sure we all fired at the same time for maximum effect. I brought along a 12 gauge shotgun, loaded with 00 buck in case our initial shots didn’t put the animal down.
I was more than a little nervous as we pulled into the yard and spotted the big cat standing there with the lake behind him. Exiting the vehicle and getting into position felt surreal. As I put my front sights on the lion I recall thinking, we’re supposed to be shooting deer in Minnesota, not lions.
We sighted between the big cats eyes, counted to three and pulled the triggers. One loud blast and the animal dropped straight down, no lingering. We breathed a sigh of relief and talked with the woman at the residence. This was a majestic beast and we didn’t feel particularly good about it, but it was something we had to do. There were no other resources available and our first responsibility was public safety.
Dick Dorr (standing) , State Patrol officer Jim Dols and Sherrif John Lyght were forced to shoot an escaped lion in Lutsen. | SUBMITTED
The North Shore Dish
Barbecue and Beer in Thunder Bay
By Maren Webb
Last summer, my husband and I visited the Waterfront District of Thunder Bay on our way to Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. Before our trip, I was volunteering at the Grand Marais Arts Festival and had the opportunity to ask several Thunder Bay residents if they had a restaurant recommendation. Three out of three recommended a new restaurant we hadn’t tried yet and was of great interest to my barbecue-loving spouse—the Red Lion Smokehouse.
As was apparent with my mini-survey, the Red Lion Smokehouse has become the hot spot, whether you are visiting Thunder Bay for the day or live around the corner. This restaurant has smoked meats (barbecue) as a mainstay on the menu, yet I was pleasantly surprised to find a variety of options for veggie lovers, too. And to top off your meal, they have a stellar assortment of craft beers, some from local breweries like Sleeping Giant Brewing Company and others from across the world.
You may wonder how this gem opened up in Thunder Bay in late 2014. It started with a chef named John Murray. A classically trained chef and sommelier, John worked in London for eight years in fine dining establishments, including Michelin-starred restaurants. At the end of his time in London, he helped start a barbecue restaurant called the Blind Pig. Thankfully for us, John is originally from Thunder Bay. He and his wife, Alex Bono, decided that they wanted to come back home and open a restaurant.
During their time in England, John and Alex also discovered the world of craft beer. At the time, microbreweries were opening in southeast London and even their friends were home-brewing, introducing them to a range of great beer. With local ingredients, a background in fine dining and barbecue, and a newfound appreciation for craft beer, Red Lion Smokehouse found its inspiration. And with Red Lion being the most common pub name in the UK, it also found its name.
As co-owner Alex shares, “It seemed fitting for us since we wanted to bring a bit of the U.K. to Thunder Bay.”
While serious about the food and drink, the Red Lion Smokehouse also has a fun side. A stack of board games sits on one wall à la British pub, inviting you to enjoy not only your meal but also the company of your dining companions. Whether you are a fan of Cards Against Humanity or
the classic cribbage, you’ll find a game to your liking.
Their menu, printed each day to reflect the ingredient focused options, also includes a fun fact. In November, one of the amusing tidbits was that they had sold 15,473 sandwiches over the past year. That’s a lot of sandwiches! And when asked what the most popular menu item is, the maple bacon and smoked cheddar burger with homemade bacon was the definite winner.
Red Lion hosts events and themed nights throughout each month. In addition to their Pub Quiz on the last Wednesday of the month, they host an adult spelling bee on the second Wednesday, called ‘Spelling Bee(r).’ Chef John’s mother is a regular
with the spelling bee, although she has not yet won.
Every other month they also host a yoga class in the bar on a Sunday morning. ‘Pints and Poses’ includes beer tasting, afterwards, of course. As co-owner Alex explained, “A little downward dog followed by a beer.” Other themed nights include Wing Night every Thursday and Taco Night every Tuesday.
On a normal day or evening, you’ll find a few regulars on the Red Lion’s menu and a few rotating items that are local ingredient driven. Burgers, ribs and pulled pork are mainstays served with coleslaw, chips (known as fries in the U.S.), and aioli garlic sauce. My much-enjoyed meal was their three bean burger, topped with aioli and
homemade ketchup for the fries, which is available upon request. I paired it with a Muskoka Cream Ale, which happened to be their beer of the day and my new favorite. They also have a beer sampler available, so you can taste a variety of local beers. Their rotating items reflect the seasonal ingredients available and even clientele requests. The carrot salad, with pickled carrots, deep fried goat cheese, and carrot gnocchi, was off the menu but is back by the request of a few regulars. In addition, it happens to be the Chef’s current favorite item on the menu.
Red Lion Smokehouse runs their smoker every day, smoking whole carcasses. They finish each meal using a special oven to seal in the flavor while keeping the meat
Ribs are one of the mainstays at the popular Thunder Bay smokehouse. | RED LION SMOKEHOUSE
Winter Specials! Lakeside Dining Room
Friday Night Prime Rib
$.50 wings with Sriracha Buffalo or maple BBQ, blue cheese or ranch along with celery (Winter
moist and tender. This oven, called a Josper Oven, is originally from Spain and is one of only three in Canada. It is a charcoal grill that can reach up to 900F. This oven is more commonly used in Europe and is an ideal match for barbecue. While I’m no expert in restaurant kitchens, I’m a fan of any item that helps the chef create delicious food.
Looking for an excuse to check out the Barbecue? This February Red Lion will be joining other Thunder Bay Waterfront District restaurants and shops for a special
We’re Open Before the Fish Bite!
Breakfast Ser ved All Day Lunch • Homemade Soups Open 5 am - 2 pm Ever yday!
winter festival. Restaurants will be offering a prix fixe 2-course meal for $25 from Feb. 1 until Valentine’s Day, in hopes that people will come out and treat themselves to a dinner out on a wintery night. In addition, retailers in the Waterfront area will also be offering shoppers a chance to win $200 Waterfront Dollars when they spend $25 or more during the festival. For more information, check out their website www.redlionsmokehouse.ca or give them a call at (807)286-0045. Over the past two years, the Waterfront District has been undergoing a revitalization with many new places opening up and new reasons to check it out. I really loved being able to stay at the Prince Arthur Hotel down the street and reach restaurants, shops and galleries on foot.
For those of you, like me, that live on the American side of the border, Red Lion has something new coming out that may be of interest. As we likely can’t get to the restaurant as often, they will soon be selling some retail items including mini beer candles ($7 CAD), pint glasses ($8 CAD), and their barbecue rub ($8 CAD). More items, including their barbecue sauce and liquid smoke, will be available soon. While I don’t have a 900F oven at home, their barbecue rub would surely help me attain some of those great flavors!
The unique Josper Oven at Red Lion is one of only three in Canada. | RED LION SMOKEHOUSE
Coming to Cook County in February 2016
A Citrus History
By Kim Falter
From humble beginnings in the forests of Southeast Asia, the citron is the oldest known member of the citrus family. This small evergreen tree, which produces an oblong fruit with a thick, tender rind, found its way to Mesopotamia where it became a highly regarded fruit. It was bitter, so it was not consumed the same as our lovely, juice-filled citrus today. For centuries, the peel of these golden fruits were candied or preserved, or used medicinally as an antidote for poison, an antispasmodic, a sedative and as an antibiotic. Quite prominent in its time, citron was featured on the coinage by the first king of Judea in the second century B.C. while also being described in the Bible. Excavations from ancient Mesopotamia sites have found citron seeds dating as far back as 4000 B.C.
From this single variety, citrus fruits are now one of the most prolific fruit families on Earth. Multiple varieties, including those we know today such as the sweet orange, lime, lemon and grapefruit, have been cultivated for over a millennia. Here in the U.S. citrus fruits were unknown until the 1500s. Brought here by Spanish explorers, major cultivation in Florida was not established until the early 1800s. Due to freezing temperatures, the Florida citrus industry has suffered over the years. Currently, California, Arizona and Texas have taken up the slack with highly productive orchards. Although we see citrus in our grocery stores year-round, peak season for most citrus runs November through April.
Though primarily a warm weather fruit, you can try growing citrus in the Northland. Citrus trees need warm days, approximately 70-75 degrees, and cool nights, 45-55 degrees. This works for our summer months, but move your citrus tree indoors in the winter. Check out Rodale’s Ultimate Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening for a list of varieties that are naturally small and adapt well to both cooler temperatures and life in a container.
Citrus fruits have grown in popularity due to their high levels of vitamin C. An essential nutrient for humans, vitamin C is vital since we do not make it on our
own. In fact, humans are one of the few species of animals that do not produce the enzyme responsible for converting glucose into vitamin C within the body. This means we must get it through food. It was noted throughout history that sailors on long voyages succumbed to scurvy, an illness characterized by bleeding gums, skin hemorrhages, severely weakened bones and eventually death. In the late 1700s, it was discovered that lack of vitamin C was the culprit and all European ships carried citrus rations as prevention.
Today, we recognize vitamin C for its tremendous role as an antioxidant. Research shows that vitamin C works as the hub of all antioxidants, actually helping replenish other antioxidants such as vitamin
Orange-Honey Glazed Chicken
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup honey
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground ginger
E to help fight free radical damage within the body.
This action as an antioxidant is believed to be behind the reason we reach for vitamin C at the first sign of a cold. Although several studies have shown that Vitamin C does very little to prevent or cure the common cold, it does help support reduction of symptoms and decrease duration.
One orange contains approximately 65mg of vitamin C, which is equivalent to the established recommended daily value. On these cold winter days, reach for a piece of rich, juicy citrus fruit at its peak.
up, and spoon half of the orange mixture over the chicken. Roast for 20 minutes.
Spoon remaining orange mix over the chicken and roast for an additional 20 minutes. Baste until cooked through. Serve in slices with pan juices.
LOCAL Citrus
Guide
These aren’t locally grown, but are varieties that usually find their way up the Shore this time of year.
NAVEL ORANGES: Originally from Brazil, this sweet, seedless orange is easy to peel and segment. Peak season: November-April.
VALENCIA ORANGES: While originally from Spain, it is rare to find one growing there today. Now primarily grown in the U.S. and Brazil, this sweet, juicy citrus bear’s fruit year-round. Peak season: April-October.
RED NAVEL OR CARA CARA: Very sweet with a red/orange flesh, this variety is usually seedless. One cara cara actually has more fiber than one serving of raisins. Peak season: December-April.
BLOOD ORANGES: Usually seedless and very sweet, these oranges are unique. A red/orange exterior, and bright red flesh, make for a spectacular addition to a fruit platter, or for a splash of color in your mimosa. Peak season: January-May.
MANDARINS: Around here, we tend to see the mandarins in the form of the satsuma or clementine varieties. Easy-to-peel and segment, these citrus varieties make a great snack. Their peak season is short-lived so grab them while you can. Peak Season: December-February.
TANGERINES: Tangerines are actually a variety of mandarins. Tangerines tend to be seedy. In your local grocery you may find the Minneola Tangelo, which has a tangy orange flavor and less seeds than your typical tangerine. Peak season: January-May.
1 chicken, approximately 3-1/2 pounds, split in half lengthwise
Add salt & pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté, stirring often, approximately 5 minutes or until onions soften. Stir in orange juice, honey, paprika, ginger, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Place chicken in a roasting pan, skin side
Broiled Grapefruit
Preheat oven to broil or 550 degrees. Cut grapefruit in half and remove any seeds. Cut around the edges and segments to loosen. Sprinkle half of each grapefruit with brown sugar or drizzle with maple syrup. Broil grapefruit 4-6 inches from heat until juice bubbles and edges of peels turn light brown, approximately 5-10 minutes. Serve hot.
GRAPEFRUIT: The grapefruit is the “youngest” varietal of the citrus family. Grapefruit gets its name from its propensity for growing in clusters like grapes. With 75 mg of vitamin C and healthy amounts of fiber, this is a great choice for the health-conscious. Available year-round.
LIMES: Once it was discovered that the high levels of vitamin C contained in citrus helped prevent scurvy, copious amounts of lime juice were guzzled by European sailors, leading to the nickname “limey.” Limes also had a role in theater as stages used to be lit by a process that involved heating lime until it became incandescent, hence the word “limelight.” Available year-round.
LEMONS: Such a versatile citrus, second only to salt and pepper as a seasoning. High in nutritional content, lemons can be used medicinally as a detoxifier, digestive aid and fat metabolizer. Look for the low-acid Meyer Lemon during the winter for a lemon with a little less bite. Available yearround.
This Year, Focus on what Truly Matters
By Amy Schmidt
It is difficult to care for our family, friends or community unless we’re able to first care for ourselves. Recall the instructions on an airplane if the cabin loses pressure—the parent is supposed to place their own oxygen mask on before assisting the child. In that spirit, we invite you to consider and explore with us how we can better care for ourselves as stewards of our bodies, minds and spirits. This year, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Outreach Program will focus its efforts on exploring what it means to truly “care for” and “take care of” ourselves. This “selfcare” includes everything from physical well-being to social and mental health.
With New Year’s resolutions looming over us, it’s important to discuss a topic that many people turn to when setting New Year’s goals: weight loss. New Year’s is the most popular time to start a diet or an exercise plan. But multiple studies have shown that these resolutions don’t stick, with as many as 90 percent of dieters gaining back more than the weight they lost. In other words, even if you keep your resolution for the entire year and lose the desired amount of weight, you’ll most likely gain it back after your resolution habits start to fall away.
Kathy Kater, LCSW, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment and prevention of the full spectrum of body image, eating, fitness and weight-related concerns, recent-
ly spoke in Cook County on this exact topic. She talked about some of the common body image myths that bombard our culture, especially our youth. In her opinion, we should focus more on who we are, letting how we look (including our weight and size) come second in importance. Long-term healthy body strategies (such as well-rounded meals and an active lifestyle) should be practiced instead of relying on dieting and fad exercise plans. She also believes that the eat, drink and be merry mentality ought to be replaced with a mindset of eating well, enjoying regular physical activity and accepting the body size that comes as a result of healthy habits. Simply put, assuming we’re making healthy food and exercise choices, we’d be best off satisfied with our natural body size.
Part of arriving at a point of satisfaction and appreciation for the body type we have is first accepting that everyone is different. We must stop comparing ourselves to our family members, our friends and coworkers, the world of Hollywood and beyond. We need to realize that healthy lifestyle choices will have varying results among us all. There is no right size and no wrong size. There are simply bodies, in varying sizes, doing their job of housing the real person, the part of each of us that truly matters.
oral health care for children oral health task force
FREE FLUORIDE WELL WATER TESTING
From Nov. 15, 2015 to May 15, 2016
The Oral Health Task Force is offering free fluoride well testing for Cook County and Grand Portage Reservation families. Families include: pre-natal mom’s, children, and young adults up to 26 years old.
Fluoride is safe and a huge benefit in providing good oral health and helps in the prevention of tooth decay. Water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20% to 40%. The EPA recommends wells should be tested every three years.
How do I do this? It’s simple. Just stop in at the Cook County Court House/Environmental Health Office (Planning and Zoning) or the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic to pick up a form and a bag for the water. The bag of water and completed form is then returned to the Environmental Health Office (Planning and Zoning) for testing. Results of the test will be sent by letter from the Environmental Health Office.
If you have questions, please contact Georgene Daubanton at the Oral Health Task Force at 218 387-2334 or Joseph Routh, Fluoride Analyst at 218 387-3631 or 387-3630.
From Amber Pratt
“Furiously Happy” by Jenny Lawson: This is a fun, illuminating, fast-paced book about one woman’s crazy adventure with depression. Whether you are depressed, or know someone who is, there are many opportunities to relate to this debilitating disease through laughter.
From Eric Chandler
BEST BOOKS FOR A NORTHERN WILDS WINTER
“Newlyweds Afloat: Married Bliss and Mechanical Breakdowns While Living Aboard a Trawler” by Felicia Schneiderhan and “The Emancipation of a Buried Man” by Eddy Gilmore: I recommend both books, since both authors live in Duluth and both books are about adventure, just different kinds. Felicia describes getting married and living on a boat with her new husband. Eddy talks about growing up in the home of a hoarder and finding relief in the outdoors. Both books are worthy reads.
From Elle Andra-Warner
“Boundless: Tracing Land and Dream in a New Northwest Passage” by Kathleen Winter: As the Canadian writer-in-residence on an expedition ship travelling through the Arctic’s Northwest Passage, Kathleen Winters writes a compelling narrative of the voyage in her book “Boundless,” deftly blending
travel and nature writing, Inuit culture and traditional knowledge, European Arctic history and memoir. At times, the journey triggers flashbacks to her own past. Other times, she struggles to understand the powerful forces of the land, questioning “Was the mysterious energy of the land real?” Starting in Greenland and ending in Kugluktut, Nunavut, there are stops at remote settlements, dramatic landscapes, desolate islands, historic landmarks (like the three gravesites on Beechey Island of the first men that died on the famous ill-fated British 1845 Franklin Expedition), polar bear and muskox encounters, and even Arctic drama when the group has to evacuate their ship after it gets grounded on an uncharted rock in Coronation Gulf.
Northern Trails
Ed Marsh; A Mentor and Friend
By Gord Ellis
Ed Marsh was a true northerner and the son of Northwestern Ontario pioneers. He was born on October 2, 1917, and grew up well off the grid on the banks of the Black Sturgeon River, with nine brothers and sisters. An avid angler, hunter and outdoors person, he was most at home in the woods. Ed Marsh was also one of the kindest and most generous men I’ve ever known. After 98 years on earth, Ed left this world on Canadian Thanksgiving Monday.
Ed and I crossed paths nearly 30 years ago due to my relationship with his granddaughter Cheryl. He absolutely adored Cheryl and was not going to let just anyone date his girl, never mind marry her. But I did hunt and fish, which gave me a bit of an in. In fact, early on, he asked me to go fishing with him for a day. During that pike fishing trip to Disraeli Lake, Ed grilled me about my job prospects, religion and what I liked to drink. Not all the answers were to his liking—if any of them—but we managed to end the fishing day with a few beers and a mutual respect. I remember my future wife being quite amused, but not surprised I’d been given the third degree. We ended up going bird hunting a few times in the following months and drove miles of bush roads looking for chickens. During that time, I heard many of Ed’s endless hunting and fishing stories. He had the most incredible recall of events and could remember in detail a particular hunt or big fish.
A year after Cheryl and I married, Ed decided it was time for me to go moose hunting. I’d not really done any moose hunting to that point and at the time I didn’t feel I had a suitable firearm for it. In typical Ed style, he phoned one afternoon and said he was coming to pick me up. Within a half an hour we were at the gun counter at D and R Sporting Goods in Thunder Bay, looking at rifles. He liked a certain Remington 30-06 and picked a scope for it, which he then bought on the spot.
“Now we can go moose hunting,” he said, handing it to me. I was completely taken aback, but that was how Ed rolled.
Our first moose hunt was a classic. It was just he and I in a small trailer that we pulled off a bush road on the north end of Dog Lake. We scouted for a couple of days and I heard him do his moose call. This was something I’d never seen done and it was fascinating. We also walked many bush roads and potted a few grouse in the pro -
cess. Evenings were spent chatting about our respective wives—he was crazy about his wife Mary—eating potato pancakes and drinking a brandy or two. Brandy was an acquired taste for me, but Ed was certain it was necessary before bed. Who was I to argue? We were 45 years apart in age, but we got along great.
On the opening morning of my first moose hunt, I opened the door of the trailer and was met with a full on blizzard. Intense expectation collided with bitter reality.
“They won’t be moving today,” said Ed, as he slipped back into his sleeping bag. He was right. We didn’t see a moose track for three days. But Ed was also lucky and when the moose did start to move, he knew where to find them. It was only when Ed’s eyes started to fail that he gave up moose hunting, and even then, very reluctantly.
Several years later, when I started moose hunting with a small group of friends, I finally took my first bull.
A few days later, when I told Ed the story, he was thrilled.
“The gun worked well?” he asked.
“Just one shot,” I said.
He smiled. He had done his job.
When our two boys came along, Ed could not have been happier. He doted on them, just as he had with Cheryl and her two sisters. Ed was the grandfather that took his grandkids fishing, camping and snowmobiling. He was involved with them. He always asked our boys individually about their team sports, girlfriends and fishing trips. He was as generous with them as he was with all his loved ones. Sadly, he was too old to show them the wilderness he loved. But he shared his love and affection.
For the past few years, Ed slowed down as age caught up with him. His hearing and eyesight failed, but his mind stayed sharp. He could remember everything and everyone, even if he could not always follow a multi-person conversation. Amazingly, he lived in his own home, on his own, up until just two months ago. When he started to fail, he had to go to the hospital, a place he was not comfortable. Last time I saw him, with my wife and boys on his birthday on October 2, he wanted to hear about my bow hunt for moose. He savored all the details and admitted the weather was “too hot.” But it was clear he was not in a good place. He was ready to go “home to Mary.”
And now, he has. I feel blessed to have known Ed Marsh and I am so happy I got
to know him in his element; the outdoors. He was truly a great man and will be missed.
Ed Marsh loved to fish for lake trout. | GORD ELLIS
Ed Marsh in mid 1970s with his granddaughters Cheryl (left) and Rhonda (middle). | GORD ELLIS
Tracks in the Wild
By Betsy Bowen University of Minnesota Press, $19.95
The woods are filled with wild animals and while we don’t always see them, we know they’re nearby because of their tracks. Young naturalists will follow the tracks and explore the lifestyle of bears, wolves, otters, moose and more. Filled with Bowen’s signature woodcut prints, readers will enjoy learning about 13 different north woods animals and the secrets their tracks leave behind.
—Breana Roy
The Forest in the Mirror
By Abigayl Fincel Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC, $10.99
Kyleah has lost her memories. After waking up in an unfamiliar forest, Kyleah accepts a stranger’s help and embarks on a journey to regain her memories. However, beware; things aren’t always what they seem. Local author Fincel provides a quick read, filled with suspense and mystery, in her first young adult novel. Fans can find her at the Grand Marais Library for a Meet-and-Greet on Sat., Jan. 16 at 1 p.m.—Breana Roy
Taconite Dreams:
The Struggle to Sustain Mining on Minnesota’s Iron Range, 1915-2000
By Jeffery T. Manuel University of Minnesota Press, $27.95
Iron mining is deeply woven into the economic and cultural fabric of northeastern Minnesota. This book offers a fresh look into the region’s mining history, with its booms and busts, as well as the efforts to sustain the industry in America’s post-industrial age. This is a dry topic, but the author’s engaging writing style carries the story forward. Controversies, such as the Reserve Mining lawsuit, are handled objectively. The conclusion of the book touches on the present copper mining debate as well.—Shawn Perich
WHY GO: It’s one of the larger lakes stocked with rainbow trout, making it less susceptible to over-fishing.
ACCESS: There’s a steep U.S. Forest Service carry-in access on the north side of the Gunflint Trail, at the Laurentian Divide scenic overlook. The pullover, with parking for about five vehicles, is about 23 miles north of Grand Marais, on the lake’s south shore.
VITALS: This 236-acre Cook County gem sits inside the Superior National Forest. It has a maximum depth of 69 feet. It’s a clean, clear lake. Water clarity was measured at 17 feet with a Secchi dish by Minnesota DNR in 2012.
GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass.
OVER THE RAINBOW: Steve Persons, Minnesota DNR’s Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, said the size of Birch protects it to some degree from over-fishing, compared to smaller Cook County lakes that are stocked with rainbow trout. In the last survey of the lake, which was most recently stocked by DNR with 5,000 yearling rainbow trout in 2014 on an every-other-year basis, saw good numbers of fish, including fish in the 20- to 24-inch range. “There weren’t many large fish, but there were some decent-sized rainbows,”
BIRCH LAKE
BROOKIES NO MORE: DNR has stocked brook trout on odd-numbered years starting in 2009, but didn’t this year because the fish didn’t appear to be doing very well in the lake. “We have seen very few of those come back to anglers or show up in assessments,” Persons said. “We will replace that with more rainbow stocking.”
The 2012 assessment turned up only four brook trout, though two were in the 15- to 19-inch range.
DECENT SMALLIE OPTION: Though smallmouth bass hardly showed up in the most recent assessment, the lake does have a lot of smallmouth bass in it, Persons said, much to his chagrin. “We are
CHANCE FOR A LAKER: Despite a lack of suitable habitat, Persons said at Birch there’s the chance of catching lake trout, which would have likely been swimming in the lake naturally, though any remaining lake trout would have been planted after the lake was poisoned in the 1960s. “They are hanging on in small numbers,” Persons said. “There’s a small chance somebody fishing rainbow trout could find a lake trout.”
—JAVIER SERNA
northern sky
JANUARY 2016
By Deane Morrison— MINNESOTA STARWATCH
The new year opens with four of the five bright planets in the morning sky. By the end of January, all five will be strung across the predawn firmament.
The month starts with Venus blazing away in the southeast an hour before dawn. Dimmer Saturn is to the lower left and Antares, the bright red heart of Scorpius, to the lower right. Both quickly climb past Venus; have a look on the 9th, when Saturn passes less than a moon’s width from the brilliant planet.
High in the south, Jupiter also shines brightly. About midway between Jupiter and Venus is a pair of objects: reddish Mars on the left and Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, on the right. These two move apart as the days go by. Also, by the 25th you may be able to spot Mercury just above the horizon, below and left of Venus. That gives us a planetary string in the order (southeast to southwest) of Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter. The lineup will continue into the early days of February.
In the evening sky, the lovely winter stars are in full glory. Sirius, the brightest of all, shines from Canis Major, at the base of the dazzling array. Grab a star chart and pick out the other beacons: Procyon in Canis Minor, Pollux and Castor in Gemini, Capella in Auriga, Aldebaran in Taurus, and Rigel and Betelgeuse in Orion.
At 4:49 p.m. on the 2nd, Earth reaches perihelion, its closest approach to the sun in its orbit. We’ll be 91.4 million miles from our parent star—unfortunately, not nearly close enough for us to feel any extra warmth.
January’s moon reaches fullness at 7:46 p.m. on the 23rd. That’s only three hours after moonrise, so this one will be another almost perfectly round beauty.
The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth campus. For more information and viewing schedules, see the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at www.d.umn.edu/planet.
MWintering
When most people think about viewing birds, usually the middle of winter doesn’t come to mind. But winter is one of the best seasons to see birds, as some venture south out of the high arctic tundra and northern boreal forest in search of food. This particular winter is poised to be especially exciting along the North Shore.
ike Hendrickson, a northeastern Minnesota birding guide for the past 30 years, says “Right now, common redpolls are moving down the North Shore in good numbers. And yes, this winter will be a very good year for common redpolls. Other finches, like pine siskins and American goldfinches, will be in good numbers in the Northland. The best way to attract these finches is having your feeders stocked with black oil sunflower seeds and keep thistle feeders filled.”
He adds, “Once there is snow on the ground, the birds will visit the feeders and most times, the finches will continue to hit the same feeders until it’s time to move north in late March and early April.”
As bird populations grow and food becomes limited, birds travel far outside of their normal range in large numbers, leading to what ornithologists and bird-watching enthusiasts refer to as an irruption. Sometimes, several species experience an irruption simultaneously, resulting in a spectacular “super flight” of birds. This occurred across the U.S. and Canada in the record-breaking winters of 1997-1998 and 2012-2013.
Although a once-in-a-decade super flight is not likely this winter, a regional increase among some birds along the North Shore is likely. Every year, Ron Pittaway, of the Ontario Field Ornithologists, publishes a report forecasting winter finch movements across North America. Several sources on annual tree seed crops are compiled to determine which areas can expect to see higher
than usual bird movements. U.S. and Canadian forests that have bumper crops of cones, catkins, seeds, and berries are where the hungry birds can be expected to go during any given winter.
This winter, cone crops are generally poor from central Ontario eastward to the Atlantic provinces and northeastern states. Mountain ash berries are very good across most of the boreal forest and birch seed crops are poor to average. The different northern songbird species, known as winter finches, travel in nomadic flocks seeking out suitable seeds throughout the winter.
Each of the winter finch species is a specialist when it comes to eating the seeds of a certain tree. Pine grosbeaks eat the seeds contained within the mountain ash berries and discard the rest. A telltale sign of pine grosbeaks at work is when the snow beneath a mountain ash tree is littered with blooms of pinkish stains from the berries’ flesh. Common redpolls are birch seed specialists and flocks along the North Shore may have the occasional hoary redpoll, a more northern-dwelling cousin, tagging along.
Perhaps the best example of a seed specialist is the crossbill. Crossbills have scissor-shaped mandibles designed to pry apart the scales of pine cones in order to extract the seed. There are even “left-handed” and “right-handed” crossbills with different beak sizes to accommodate different types of cones.
Crossbills can be difficult to find as they roam far and wide in search of cones. According to Hendrickson, “As far as whitewinged crossbills and red crossbills, there isn’t much anyone can do to bring them to their feeders, but occasionally red crossbills
[LEFT TO RIGHT] Bohemian waxwing, common redpoll, evening grosbeak.
Birds STORY BY DAVID DUDLEY
PHOTOS BY EARL ORF
will visit. To view these birds, drive along roads that have a lot of pine trees and listen for the chip-chip calls of the red crossbills. People may see these finches eating grit on the road.”
There are 10 “types” of red crossbills that are best differentiated by their flight calls. Perhaps because of their wide-ranging habits in remote locations, these birds are poorly understood. People who come across a flock and manage to record their calls, with something as simple as a cell phone, can submit the recording to Matt Young, a researcher at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He will not only determine which type of red crossbill it is, but the information will be incorporated into a larger study, helping to understand this elusive bird and the broader health of the ecosystem, including the trees.
Currently, type 3 red crossbills have been congregating in the Great Lakes region and they will continue to move as cone crops become exhausted. White-winged crossbills are experiencing good cone crops across their more northerly range and are less likely to venture south this year, although a flock was spotted near Thunder Bay in late November.
Evening grosbeaks and purple finches used to be seen quite often, but have declined over the past several decades along the North Shore. Many believe this is due to a restored natural balance between forest fires and reduced spruce budworm outbreaks. Both evening grosbeaks and purple finches, however, won’t hesitate to visit a backyard bird feeder if they happen to come upon one.
In fact, all of the winter finches are likely to appear at an adequately stocked bird feeder, with perhaps the exception of the two crossbill species and bohemian waxwings (which are sometimes included as winter finches and are more likely to eat ornamental crab apples from the backyard than seeds from a feeder).
American goldfinches are perennial staples at local bird feeders and pine siskins, which were noticeably absent a few winters ago, should show up in numbers again this year. Keeping bird feeders can be one of the surest ways to revel at the buzzing, chatty flocks that spend most of the year hiding in thick conifer stands.
Some people choose to provide a bird bath so the birds can have access to an unfrozen water source. Winter finches eating seeds do not require drinking water as their bodies produce enough as a metabolic byproduct from digesting the grains. Some birds that may be supplementing the seeds in their diet with dormant insects will appreciate the drinking water. Some people swear the only way to attract
evening grosbeaks is to provide a heated bird bath.
Finches aren’t the only winter visitors attracted to bird feeders. Northern shrikes also make their way south as food supplies dwindle. However, their preferred food is other birds and small mammals. People who have feeders might see a sleek, grayish bird with a black mask and hooked beak perched nearby, especially if there is a large open yard, meadow or bog in the area. Shrikes are notorious for killing more than they can immediately eat, sometimes impaling their prey on barbed wire or thorns to serve as a storage larder for later consumption. Chances are, if there is a northern shrike hanging around the bird feeder, the winter finches won’t be staying very long.
Even without feeders, there are still opportunities to observe some beautiful arctic birds that find themselves in open water harbors along the shores of Lake Superior. Deep-diving sea ducks, such as scoters, long-tailed ducks and harlequin ducks will be seen from time to time. Last year, an eider spent the entire winter at Canal Park in Duluth. Sometimes even a parking lot or rooftop full of gulls can present a surprise, such as the enormous glaucous gull or an Iceland gull, both of which only ever come about as far south as the mid-latitudes.
Other birds that are year-round residents seem to become more visible in the winter months. Bald eagles tend to stay near busy roadways as the lakes begin to freeze. Owls also begin to become more vocal as they prepare for their late winter breeding season and ravens, crows and jays seem to grow bolder in the winter as well.
Winter birds roam widely and it’s sometimes difficult to locate the rare visitors. Luckily, birders in Minnesota have some great resources at their fingertips. Richard Hoeg, a volunteer naturalist at the Sax-Zim Bog, recently developed a free app for tablets and phones that helps connect the community of Minnesota birders.
In his words, “The app provides automatic updates from Minnesota bird blogs, web sites, bird sightings and photos. Thus, the user can read about birding news in Minnesota while learning about rare bird sightings.”
Because of the popularity of birding in the area, locations of rare birds are posted and updated almost daily. Just remember that these birds are sometimes spotted on private property, so check before visiting a location and always remember to keep a reasonable distance away from the birds, they are wild animals after all.
[LEFT TO RIGHT] American goldfinch, northern shrike, white-winged crossbill, pine siskin. [BELOW] Common redpolls.
Strange Tales
Viking Ships on Lake Superior
By Elle AndraWarner
The speculation and debate continues: Did the Norse (Vikings) travel to the Northern Wilds of mid-continent North America centuries ago, perhaps sailing on Lake Superior? Was it possible? Yes, according to Norwegian Captain Gerald Folgero (18861948) of Sannesjoen who sailed in 1926 in a hand-built Viking replica ship across the Atlantic Ocean from Bergen, Norway to Duluth, Minnesota.
Since his childhood, Folgero’s dream was to prove true the Norse sagas about Viking explorer Leif Erikson making the journey to America in 1000 A.D., almost 500 years before Columbus arrived in 1492. And in 1926, the Captain did. At the time, no evidence of Viking sites had been found in North America; that didn’t happen until 1960 with the discovery of Erikson’s Viking settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows circa 1000 A.D. on the northern tip of Newfoundland.
Captain Folgero went to sea at age 14. In 1910, at age 24, he obtained his captain’s license and seven years later, commanded his first ship as captain. The whole time, he kept alive his goal to someday build a wooden Viking ship to re-enact Erikson’s sea voyage to the new world of America as recorded in the Norse sagas.
“Many people said this could not be true, so I made up my mind it could be done, as soon as I could get money for a ship,” Folgero is quoted as saying.
By 1925, he had the money and hired a boat-builder in Korgen, Norway to build a 42-foot wooden modified “knar,”
about half the size of what Erikson likely used. Named Leif Erikson and made of Norway pine, it was rigged with red- and white-striped sails along with one set of triangular sails. The vessel, with a carved
dragon’s head and tail and traditional wooden shields on the side, was steered by a rudder with an attached long har (tiller); it had no motor.
Captain Folgero, his crew of three and a dog set sail from Bergen, Norway on May 23, 1926. At a Faroe Islands stopover, a veteran fisherman predicted they would die before reaching the Shetland Islands and later, whaling boat mariners said the seas would destroy them before they made Iceland.
And it was rough going on way to Iceland. They barely survived a violent storm. A month later, they encountered thick fog, rough seas, crashing waves and drift ice surrounding their open boat. “It was a dangerous position to be in the middle of an ice belt,” wrote Folgero in his journal. “We could be smashed to pieces in these high seas. Struggling for our lives, each time the sea threw us into the ice, we thought the end was near.”
They fought hurricane-like winds, bad weather and dangerous conditions. They reached the southern tip of Nova Scotia two months later on July 22, where according to lore, the legendary Leif Erikson had briefly landed a thousand years ago.
When they arrived in Boston Harbor in mid-August, the crew had travelled 6,700 miles. After overwintering in New York, they resumed their voyage the following year in early March by going up the Hudson River. By the time they reached Duluth on June 23, 1927, the little boat had travelled about 10,000 miles.
As they sailed into the Duluth Ship Canal, their voyage had become international news and thousands of people lined the piers to welcome them. In a speech, Congressman William Chars said, “Nobody will say today that the history of the Vikings is not true. There is no doubt that Vikings were in America long before Columbus.”
For years, the Leif Erikson ship was on display at Duluth’s Leif Erikson Park, becoming Duluth’s second most popular tourist attraction. Currently, the ship is in storage after undergoing repairs; plans are to return it to a specially-designed shelter at the park.
The Hjemkost Viking ship at the Heritage Hjemkost Interpretive Center in Moorhead. | FARGO-MOORHEAD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
Leif Erikson’s arrival in Duluth. | SUBMITTED
Obama proclaims Leif Erikson Day
Last fall, President Barack Obama proclaimed Oct. 9 as “Leif Erikson Day.”
The proclamation reads in part:
“Since our Nation’s founding, we have been driven by strength in the face of uncertainty and by a bold spirit of adventure. These defining forces were reflected in the early discovery of our continent when Leif Erikson—a son of Iceland and grandson of Norway— and his team became the first Europeans known to land on North American shores. On Leif Erikson Day, we honor him as an important piece of our shared past with the Norwegian people and we celebrate the perilous yet rewarding voyage he and his crew undertook one millennium ago.
“Leif Erikson’s discovery marks the beginning of a meaningful friendship between Norway and the U.S., and we have seen reflections of his team’s journey
As for Captain Folergo, he returned to Norway and in 1930 built a bigger Viking ship, the 60-foot Roald Amundsen (named after his explorer friend), on which he and a crew of three sailed the sea route taken by Columbus in 1492 from Spain to Cuba.
Between 1973 and 1980, Robert Asp, a resident of Moorhead, Minn., hand-built, with volunteers, a 76-foot-long replica Viking ship that he planned to sail from Duluth to Norway. Asp died in late 1980, but others carried on with his ship project. Named the Hjemkomst (“homecoming” in Norwegian), it sailed from Duluth on May 1982 and arrived in Bergen, Norway on July 19. The ship was transported back to Moorhead and is now on display at the Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center.
throughout history. The courage that guided these pioneers to North America was also found in the voyage of six families who braved the unforeseen in 1825 as some of the first immigrants from Norway to the United States. Fleeing religious strife in their homeland in search of liberty’s light, they sailed across the same ocean Erikson traversed more than eight centuries prior. And 190 years ago, these striving newcomers began to weave their unique threads into the fabric of America.
“On Leif Erikson Day, we pay tribute to those who embarked on these expeditions and recognize the role they played in shaping our legacy as a nation of immigrants. We also reaffirm the ties that bind America and Norway and rededicate ourselves to our common goals of securing peace and prosperity around the world. Let us honor his spirit by celebrating our past while fearlessly reaching for the future he knew was possible.”
Like to see a Viking ship sail again into Duluth? The world’s largest Viking ship built in modern times, the 114-foot-long Draken Harold Harfagre, is coming to Duluth this summer as part of the Tall Ships 2016 festival. Owned by Norwegian businessman Sigurd Aase, the hand-built ship with its 3,200-square-feet of pure silk sails is scheduled to leave Haugesund, Norway for North America in May 2016. It aims to “recreate the historical route the Vikings explored a thousand years ago.”
by
Photo
Lisa Nilles
Rock
State Park
Wild Traditions
The Heart of the Hunt: A New Experience
By Julia Prinselaar
One of my earliest memories dates back to when I was four years old. I watched my father lift a skillet full of beef tongue from the stovetop as I stood in the middle of the kitchen. I remember being perplexed and sufficiently turned off by this foreign, featureless mass of meat flanked by onion halves and potatoes. What I don’t remember is eating it for dinner that evening. But apparently, I did.
“Oh yeah, you ate it. Sure, you ate it. You’ve had it two or three times. You probably didn’t know what it was,” my dad assured me, as he recounted our shared memory over the phone. He then began to recall stories of his own childhood, growing up throughout the 60s in the Canadian prairies as one of four sons to Dutch immigrants.
“In the day it was cheap. It was like a staple: you had tongue one day, and your meat loaf the next…and that was what people lived on. Before I was 13 years old, we never had the stuff in the grocery store like we have now. That was what we grew up on,” he told me.
Many of us have stories of ourselves, our parents or grandparents who valued the odd parts of animals. In times of scarcity—or by virtue of culinary creativity and
ethnic tradition—using the whole animal simply made sense.
Turning to wild game, I have taken a personal interest in venison heart—motivated in part by curiosity and inspired to
honor the animal’s life by using what I harvest. As my partner and I field-dressed our first buck last November, I carefully cut away the connective tissue to free the heart from the rest of its insides, still warm in the early snow.
A commonly-consumed organ of whitetailed deer, there are myriad ways to prepare venison heart for the dinner plate: stuffed, roasted, braised, grilled or simply sautéed.
Heart is typically unlike most choice cuts of meat in both taste and texture—it’s a massive piece of muscle, after all. But with scrupulous preparation, many people love it, including Tom Armstrong. An avid Thunder Bay hunter, he’s been eating bread-stuffed deer heart for years according to his mother’s recipe.
“My grandpa loved to eat [heart] and my mom would usually cook it. The only organs I’ve eaten are the heart from deer and moose, [but] I’ve kept the liver and tongue for others,” he tells me.
Organ meats, including the heart, are high in many vitamins: B and fat-soluble A, D, E and K, according to Catherine Schwartz Mendez, public health nutritionist with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “Also, minerals like iron, phosphorus and magnesium,” she adds.
While the nutritional benefits of organ meats make them revered as a delicacy, care should be taken when harvesting them from the wild.
“Signs of unhealthy organs are typically discoloration, presence of cysts or abscesses, excess fluid around the organ and foul smell,” says Michelle Carstensen, wildlife health program supervisor with the Minnesota DNR.
It isn’t uncommon to find parasites or cysts living in white-tailed deer. Some can be seen with the naked eye, including liver flukes, which primarily infect the liver but can migrate to other areas and encapsulate themselves in the abdominal lining and wall of the chest cavity. Others including
[TOP] Venison stew prepared by the author. [ABOVE LEFT] Chopped venison heart. [ABOVE RIGHT] Venison recipe from “Northern Cookbook.” | JULIA PRINSELAAR
tapeworms (Taenia krabbei) can infect muscle tissue, including the heart.
The good news is that these parasites pose no health risk to people if properly handled. Carstensen recommends wearing gloves when field dressing, cleaning and disinfecting field dressing knives prior to butchering the meat and freezing wild game down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of four days to kill parasites. Cooking temperature should be to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill unwanted bacteria and parasites.
When I brought up the idea of cooking venison heart to my grandparents (my dad’s parents—the ones who love beef tongue), my Oma shot up from her chair and exclaimed she had “just the book” for me. After rifling through a shelf above her kitchen stove, she came back to the table with an old paperback dated from the 1960s called Northern Cookbook, issued under the federal Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
“The purpose of this book is to record facts about some of the wild game, game birds, fish, fruit and vegetables available in Canada’s north,” prefaces the author, Eleanor A. Ellis.
From jellied moose nose to boiled reindeer head, this book will satisfy the appetites of the brave, the curious and the unconventional. It’s also a testament to the history and culture of people so intimately tied to the land that times of need or scarcity were met with tenacity, creativity and reverence.
If you have what you consider to be an unconventional wild game recipe to share (venison heart or other), feel free to share it by emailing julia@northernwilds.com.
Braised Heart of Venison
1 venison heart
1 tablespoon salt
4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons bacon fat Water
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 medium onion, sliced or 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons dried parsley
Wipe the heart well with a damp cloth. Soak overnight in enough water to cover, to which 1 tablespoon salt has been added. Remove, drain and pat dry. Slice heart crosswise in ½ inch slices and remove the tough white membrane. Dredge the slices in flour. Melt the bacon fat in a heavy fry pan and sauté the slices of heart, until lightly browned. Add enough water to cover the meat, reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 1 hour, adding more water as required. Add vegetables and more water if necessary, cover, and simmer until vegetables and meat are tender. Serves 4. From “Northern Cookbook” by Eleanor A. Ellis
MUSH LAKE RACING DOG BLOG: Mushing Memories
By Erin Altemus
Our decision to live in the woods with a few dozen sled dogs didn’t happen overnight. While some are born into the mushing tradition, the rest of us fall into it, dog by dog, until one day we are telling people who ask, “How many?” that there are 27.
Matt and I had a taste of mushing at YMCA Camp Menogyn in the winter of 2003-04, running loops around the lakes with guests, taking care of the dogs that Menogyn leased for the winter and learning how to manage a team. A few years later, then living in Wisconsin, we acquired a small wooden dog sled that a family friend was selling because her small team was too old to pull it. The sled sat in our barn a few years until in 2009, when we saw an ad in the paper for a free team of dogs. Matt drove off with our Chevy S-10, returning several hours later with six dogs piled into the back, restrained only by a tailgate and a topper. We have been known to jump into new endeavors.
They were a motley crew—two looked like greyhound mixes, two were fluffed out Siberians, one looked like a Golden Retriever and the last one resembled no breed I’ve ever seen. But they pulled. We let them take us around the fields on our Wisconsin farm and suffer the mistakes of our inexperience.
One particularly memorable time, I was out alone with the team. At the bottom of a sharp and steep hill where the trail turned 90 degrees to the right, I was suddenly holding onto the sled while the team loped off and away. The gangline that holds the team to the sled had severed. Not knowing what else to do, I pushed the sled down the field until I found the team in a tangled pile. I tied the broken gangline together and sorted out dogs and rope until we were lined out again in the direction of home.
The next year, Matt and I helped our friends, the Jorgensons, at a 130-mile race
and the race bug took hold. That spring, we bought four Alaskan huskies, a breed that is really a mutt, but carefully bred for certain traits that lend to racing. It wasn’t long before we had over 20 dogs and moved north to find more snow and better trails.
The first question folks ask when they hear about our 27 dogs, is “Can you tell them all apart?”
Many people have never seen 27 of any animal in one place at one time and the image, I think, is almost incomprehensible. But the answer, is yes, they each have a name and a distinct personality. We spend time with each of them every day and often at night. We can pick out a certain bark or howl as belonging to Dennis or Ringo or Fudge. It’s a large family and racing is our favorite activity.
We are a month away from the first race of the season, the Gunflint Mail Run, which has two classes this year: the 8-dog and 12-dog races. We plan to run a team in each class. The race begins and ends at Trail Center on the Gunflint Trail on Jan. 9. While the first race of the year seems to always fall on absolutely frigid cold stretches of weather, maybe this year will be different, as cold doesn’t seem to be part of the vernacular.
Mushers are not the only ones aghast at the lack of winter so far, but we find ourselves running through creeks that have yet to freeze over and wearing rain slickers more often than parkas. We don’t know what this means for the racing season ahead—will there be snow for safe race trails? We are hopeful the answer is yes, and so, training continues. If the races happen, we will be ready.
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Underdeveloped Property
• Onion River Road: 6 acre zoned resort commercial/residential. $79,000
• Barker Lake Road: 20 Acres --remote property with great access. $62,000
• The Grade: 39 acres at the corner of the grade and Brule Lake Road: 10 acre zoning year round access. $199,000
• Woodland Foothills: Lake Superior view-includes water and sewer and 20 acres common property. $42,000
of Resorts, provide the details about each property and guide you through the process. Contact him today to learn more.
consist of over 12 acres 855’ of total shoreline.
MLS#6003083 $299,900 Authentic and classic late 1940’s - 1950’s log home located in Lutsen near Caribou Trail. Deep, private and recessed 2 acre lot. Home has been meticulously maintained and well cared for spanning four decades and two generations within the same family. Septic non-compliant. Cool cabin, cool piece of real estate, mutli-options present themselves for future use consideration. An all around cool place.
Lynne Luban
Realtor Specializing in Urban Cabins/Condos and Up North Living for 10 years. Cell: 612-599-6986 Email: lynneluban@mac.com
208 Fireweed Lane
Great home or vacation home with rental availability. This beautiful sunny 3 BR, 2 BA home has in floor heat on main level with floor to ceiling stone gas fireplace. Pine ceilings throughout adds to the charm of up north living. With 2 secluded patios great for enjoying warm summers. Walk across street to deeded access of 900 ft lakeshore on Devil Track Lake. Only 8 miles to Grand Marais. Sold furnished.
4590545 $249,900
LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTIES
STUNNING ARCHITECT DESIGNED HOMELAKE SUPERIOR. Beautiful timber framed, Mulfinger designed home. Ideal layout is suitable for a couple or a sizable crew. Tasteful, well thought out & comfortable details make it an impressive place. Top notch appliances, custom cherry cabinetry, black iron custom forged hardware, central air, custom front door w/ stained glass and more. Open main level offers views of the 2-story Montana stone fireplace. The over-sized heated 2 car garage has a 3 bed bunkroom/guest room above with a 1/4 bath. MLS#2308599 $925,000
EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY, STUNNING SHORELINE. Elegant and comfortable contemporary home, architecturally designed and built to fit into the ledge rock hillside of Chimney Rock. Beautifully wooded, and private, with lichen-covered dramatic rocks and panoramic lake views on 223 feet of easily accessed Lake Superior shore. The great room is shared with the gourmet kitchen, formal dining, and living area centered around the Finnish fireplace. The master suite is a lovely open space with a private office, plus quiet reading corner. The master bath suite is exceptional. Upgrades throughout, beautiful maple flooring, fabulous storage on all three levels. MLS# 2308811 $750,000
SUPERIOR AFRAME. This 3,300 sq ft Lake Superior home with original A-Frame was expanded in 2006, adding 2,000 sq ft w/ quality finishes. Stunning kitchen with large island, hickory cabinets, granite & lake views. 3 bdr, 3 bath, large gathering spaces and deck. Master bdrm with attached whirlpool/glass shower. Sleeps 12+. 418’ frontage and extra large lot size for privacy and expansive views. MLS# 2313080 $689,000
SPECTACULAR LAKE SUPERIOR LOT. Framed by palisades, the nicely wooded property has two or more perfect sites on which to build your special lake home. Views are classic old North Shore looking over Chicago Bay. Shared septic system is in place. MLS# 2308784 $365,000
LAKE SUPERIOR COTTAGE. Exceptional Lake Superior property in highly regarded Lutsen area. 150 feet of accessible ledge rock and gravel beach shoreline with long magnificent views up and down the shore. The cabin could be refurbished or this could be the build site for your north shore getaway . MLS# 2309109 $349,000
PRIVACY
LAKE!
LAKE SUPERIOR -BEAVER BAY LOT. Elevated site with slope to lake. Rugged shoreline. Towering white pines, spruce, birch and cedar. Must be seen to be appreciated. Views to offshore island. Great building site. MLS # 2196267 $299,000
PREMIER LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTY. Beautiful, very private residential lot on Lake Superior in the Chimney Rock Platted Development. Premier quality with stunning elevated and panoramic views of the Lake. MLS# 2313197 $249,900 A UNIQUE AND SPECTACULAR BUILDING SITE ON LAKE SUPERIOR. This site is build-ready for your dream home or cottage, with spectacular views and privacy. All hookups are ready - septic, water, electric, phone and propane - with Association shared expenses. This lot was blasted, prepped and is waiting for construction. House plans are available. There is a garage lot included. Only 8 owners share this park-like former resort property with 315 feet of gentle lake shore and 1000' of dramatic river frontage on 8 acres. You won't find a more affordable lot on the big lake! MLS 6019661 $99,900 GUNFLINT LAKE HOME-CEDAR FOREST. This quality built and lovingly maintained home sits in a classic mature cedar forest on 200 feet of accessible shoreline. Interior features include cedar paneling, huge windows, oak hardwood floors and beautiful stone fireplace with built-in bookshelves. Two bedrooms, 2 baths, Large detached garage MLS# 2305777 $468,900
Wrap around decking sets only 35 feet from the water's edge. Beautifully appointed, open living space
CASCADE LAKE RETREAT. Just you the lake and the wilderness. This is the only private land on the lake. Enjoy the utmost privacy and unspoiled wilderness views with 87 acres and 3000 feet of shoreline on Cascade Lake. There is a neat, well-maintained cabin, sauna, dock and outhouse. Easy year-round access. Great fishing and wildlife sightings. This is one of the last of its kind in Cook County. MLS# 2309037 $669,000
SOLITUDE ON TAIT LAKE.Spacious home features a GREAT great room, gourmet kitchen with all stainless steel appliances. Charming master suite has sliding glass and lake view. Stunning open beamed ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, cozy loft and a huge screened porch. Comfortably sleeps 10-12. Detached garage. MLS# 2312977 $559,500
nished with a few exceptions of personal property. Crafted
and storage space. Too much to mention! MLS# 2309233 $355,500
PRIME PIKE LAKE CABINS. Private Lake Home or successful vacation rental w/ solid customer base already established. Cabins are set on over ½ an acre of quiet, peaceful grounds & include 200’ of gorgeous shoreline. Modern dock, artfully crafted slate fire pit, screen porch/boathouse. Many improvements and upgrades. MLS # 2313304 $390,000 SOLITUDE ON WILSON LAKE. The log sided "carriage house" has great views overlooking Wilson Lake. Building site has been prepared down by the shore. There is even a private sandy beach
MCFARLAND LAKE
CABIN. Beautiful cedar log cabin on McFarland Lake. Cozy hide-away with sauna building, log guest cabin, storage building. Great shoreline with new dock. Partially furnished. Large deck, nice cedar trees. Great view of palisade. MLS# 2144634 $249,500
INLAND WATER PROPERTIES
WILDERNESS SETTING - TUCKER LAKE. A perfect place for your cabin or home with unspoiled views and lots of Gunflint Trail privacy. There's only a few parcels on this peninsula. Property boasts two lots - one on each side. Tucker Lake is a protected lake with added setbacks to protect the lake and views. Direct BWCAW access . MLS# 2309237 $229,900
HARRIET LAKE RETREAT. Want seclusion? Here is a classic homestead property at the end of a private road. It has 87 acres and 1300 feet of shoreline on a peaceful bay of Harriet Lake. There is no other private land on the bay. It's just you and the Superior National Forest! There are two older cabins that can be swept out and put to use. MLS# 2272123 $310,000
CLASSIC CABIN ON CLEARWATER LAKE. Well maintained 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# 2309283 $259,000
2900 FEET OF WILDERNESS LAKESHORE! The ONLY private parcel on Monker Lake just minutes from Grand Marais. Well built log cabin, snowmobile garage and log shower house. Custom cabinets, oak flooring and loads of charm with a loft bedroom.
Groomed trails lead you to the open lake shore and canoe launch. Another trail goes to a campsite at the water’s edge. No driving access in the winter - snowmobile or ski in. MLS# 2312997 $225,000
BEAUTIFUL, LARGE LOT ON GULL LAKE. Over 342 feet of shoreline and 4 acres. A great location and many excellent building sites. There is a magnificent panoramic view of the lake with easy access to the water’s edge. The property is perfect for a trophy walleye fisherman! MLS# 2308946 $220,000
NORTH FOWL LAKE
CABIN. Remote water only access from the US side of the border, or drive in from the Ontario side. Stunning views and easy access to the border lakes and the Royal River on the east end of the BWCA. The private 200 foot of lake-front lot has gentle shoreline and great views. MLS# 2309250 $189,000
LAKE PRIVACY ON 20 ACRES. Beautiful Lost Lake is a remote wilderness lake with only a few privately owned parcels on the water. The lots are all 20 acres in size with 600 feet of shoreline. This great lot has huge white pines, a cabin site on a knoll looking south over the whole lake and great accessible shoreline for your dock. MLS# 2051958 $179,000
BEAUTIFUL LOON LAKE LOTS.Solitude on the south side of Loon Lake. Two lots with wonderful shoreline on a private road. Electric available. MLS# 2309227 & 2309228 $179,000 each
SOLITUDE ON LOON LAKE. These lots are located on the south side of Loon Lake and offer great lake views. The main road is in place and power is on the lot line. These lots offer a great shoreline and many nice trees. MLS# 2309079, 2159458, $175,000 and up ASTOUNDING VIEWS ON GREENWOOD. Nice affordable lot on Greenwood Lake. Southwest location with astounding views down the lake. Surveyed and ready to build your dream home or cabin. Easy year round access and only 20 minutes from Grand Marais. MLS# 2308929 $159,500
GREAT LOT – TOM LAKE. End of road privacy on Tom Lake. Lot 16 on Wilderness Shores. Beautiful wooded lot that has its own bay/cove. MLS# 2308801 $50,000
CARIBOU LAKE - HOME SITE. New price is well below tax assessed value, and seller is open to offers. Magnificent old-growth cedar and maple trees frame a corner lot with a great, high build site on Sawmill Bay.185' of lake frontage. MLS# 2203572 $95,000 MID-TRAIL SOUTH FACING LOT. In a private development of 11 Squint lake lots surrounded by US Forest land. Heavy tree coverage of mature of red and white pine and cedar. Minutes from the amenities of the mid Gunflint Trail area. MLS# 2265840 $94,900
SISTER LAKE PARCEL. Nice lake lot with good tree cover, high and level building sites. High point has awesome views. Excellent shoreline, partial driveway already in place. MLS# 2273977 $89,600
LOT 1, NINEMILE LAKE End of the road, large lot adjoins Superior National Forest and Cabin Creek Unit Roadless Area. Great trees, views and building site. Power, year-round access. MLS #19489 $89,300
SNOWSHOE RUN LOTS.Snowshoe run is set along a high ridge overlooking Hare Lake in a mature northern hardwood forest. Year-round plowed and maintained county roads, power at each property and a clear water trout lake. These beautiful home sites were planned for generations of enjoyment and are protected by covenants. MLS# 2242114 thru 2242213 Prices start at $24,900
CONDOMINIUMS
BRAND NEW CONDO. Terrace Ridge #16 has been designed and built by Bob Davis of Design 1 in Eden Prairie. The principles of Frank Lloyd Wright and John Howe will be evident within the completed unit. Conveniently located between Lutsen and Grand Marais on Minnesota's Lake Superior North Shore. MLS# 2313126 $399,000
THREE-LEVEL LAKE SUPERIOR
CONDO. Beautiful views and quality finishes. 3-bdrm, 3-bath, accommodates 10. Outdoor access from each level with two decks and a patio right on the shore. Main floor has open floor plan with great room, kitchen and dining room - perfect for entertaining. Attached garage is a rarity on the shore. MLS# 2312996 $374,900
LAKE SUPERIOR CONDO/ TOFTE. Great lake views from this 2 bedroom + loft unit with 2 baths, fireplace, balcony looking up the shore. Chateau LeVeaux offers many updated amenities, indoor pool, sauna, game room, and onsite manager. MLS# 2276189 $100,000 SPEND THE DAY ON YOUR BALCONY LISTENING TO LAKE SUPERIOR. Updated kitchen and main level, end-unit location. Very private, very quiet. Experience some attractive rental revenues and offset the ownership costs. MLS# 2309175 $133,000
HOMES & CABINS
BEAUTIFUL GRAND MARAIS HOME. Nice family home in Grand Marais with large rental income unit.
REMOTE HIDE-A-WAY. Charming custom built cabin tucked in the woods overlooking a beaver pond. A screened porch for summer dining. The living room is open and includes the kitchen and dining. A cozy Franklin stove warms the whole building. The full basement is a complete guest space . MLS# 2308912 $299,500
HOMES & CABINS
OPPORTUNITY.
between Hovland and Grand Portage. This 7 bedroom home has resort/commercial zoning allowing for many options. Located on the scenic Reservation River at the gateway to the most picturesque corner of Minnesota's North Shore. Large deck, stone fireplace, Lake Superior views, +/- 500' of rushing river frontage. A great home for a large family, or your business dream. MLS# 2313085, 2313088 $289,900
HOBBY FARM OR LOTS OF IDEAS. This large property features open meadows, gardens, orchards, and a beautiful river. The living quarters
MANY
TIES
. MLS# 6019555 $219,900
DISPOSITION.
Large loft bedroom. Covered front porch complete with swing. Ready for your finishing touches! 78 acres of forested land, with year-round access on plowed roads. Furnishings & generator included. MLS# 2313187 $192,900 CABINS IN THE WOOD.
Only a stones throw to Gunflint Lake with nice views of the lake and Canadian shore, this 9 acres is nicely wooded and feels secluded. There is a super charming log sauna and two small cabins, ready for you to move in. A storage shed and outhouse are included. It adjoins federal land and you could
& CABINS
VALHALLA – HISTORIC HOUSE AND BARN. Two charming historic Hovland structures dating to 1912. Partially redone with a new steel roof, bathroom, electrical work, etc. Fantastic location, 100 yards from Lake Superior with public access at the Hovland dock. You can spend more, but you cannot get more for less $$. Some work needs to be completed to your taste. MLS# 6018581 $65,000 PRICE REDUCED! BIG DROP!
ESCAPIST’S CABIN – HOVLAND. Cozy cabin on 43 acres with all the comforts you need. Trails lead to State land on two sides. Year round access and close to Tom Lake, yet with deep seclusion. MLS# 2313225 $79,900
COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES
CEDAR GROVE BUSINESS PARK LOTS. Cedar Grove Business Park is the ideal location for your existing business or new start-up! Conveniently located in Grand Marais, near the start of the iconic Gunflint Trail. Full infrastructure in place including paved streets, municipal sewer and water, electric and telephone. Call us today for a guided tour of this unique and affordable business park opportunity.
COMMERCIAL LOTS IN LUTSEN. Two commercial-zoned lots fronting Hwy. 61 in Lutsen across from Lockport Store. Great visibility, nice forest, lake view. Third lot to north is zoned residential. Bring your business idea! MLS# 2274856 $179,000
RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE
STUNNING LITTLE DEVIL TRACK RIVER FRONTAGE. Pincushion Trail access make a unique opportunity for skiers, hikers and mt bikers. Trail easement runs thru property with covenants to protect the trails. Zoned Resort/Commercial. MLS# 6019560 $103,900
WOODS, WATER & SECLUSION. Three 40 acres lots on Mons Creek Lots with deeded access to Lost Lake. Private and seculded. MLS# 2162557 $64,900 or MLS# 2162560 $74,900 or MLS# 2162561 $74,900.
INCREASINGY 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# 2309103 $150,000
LARGE PARCEL. Large private parcel with possible subdivision potential. Great Lake Superior views on the higher elevations. A small creek runs through part of the 25 acre property. MLS# 2308822 $124,900
INTRIGUING PROSPECT. High-quality items already in place include an insulated/heated slab for house/porch, insulated garage slab, electricity, driveway, the well, a time-dosed/heated septic system. Over 18 acres of privacy. MLS# 2291419 $119,900
READY TO BUILD. Driveway and building pad already in place. A red pine forest climbs up to the highest point with stunning views of high ridges and valleys. MLS# 2308723 $99,900
MAPLES, VIEWS, PRIVACY. 85+ acres near Hovland. Good end of road access, adjoining tons of federal land, great view of pond. MLS# 2313198 $98,900
BIG OPPORTUNITY, MANY POSSIBILITIES.
GRAND MARAIS - CITY LOT ON CREEK. Wooded lot with City services: water, sewer and electric at site. Nice south exposure and frontage on scenic Cedar Creek. Quiet street. MLS# 2125228 $59,900
LAND ON THE FLUTE REED RIVER. Enjoy privacy and seclusion in a deep 13 acre parcel with over 300 feet of trout stream in Hovland. Easy access with power, phone and broadband. Nice build sites. MLS# 2313215 $49,900
SITES
LOCATION, VIEWS, PRIVACY, 80 ACRES. Sweeping views of Lake Superior and Pincushion Mt from expansive open meadows. This former homesteaders property has it all: rolling topography, ravines, grassy meadows, mature timber, flowing creek and expansive views. MLS# 2309111 $279,000
GREAT HOME SITE OR RESORT-TYPE BUSINESS
LOCATION. Adjoining Pincushion Mtn. Hike, ski and bike trails. Trail easement through property. Lake Superior view - unique opportunity! More land available. Zoned Resort/Commercial. MLS# 6019559 $214,900
RECREATIONAL BASE CAMP.
HUGE POND-HUGE PRIVACY. Large wooded acreage located across from Tom Lake. Huge pond/lake in the very center of the acreage. MLS# 2308921 $99,000
RUSTICATE, RECREATE, RELAX. Reclusive Hovland hideaway –43 acres with new driveway to “base camp” with a nice camper trailer and shed. Trails have been cut throughout the property which adjoins State land. Road maintained in winter with power possible in the future. MLS# 2313223 $69,900
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# 2309143 $67,900, MLS# 2309123 $68,900, MLS# 2309147 $68,900
MAPLE HILL - HOME SITE. Heavily wooded parcel with great privacy, county rd frontage, power and phone. MLS# 2192740 $64,500
PINES & LAKE SUPERIOR VIEW. Large pine filled lot on the hillside above Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center in Schroeder. Great lake views! Power, phone and broadband at the lot. MLS# 2313242 $64,900
THIRTY ACRES - PANORAMIC VIEWS. Rare mountain tops with a 180 degree view of distant Lake Superior and the ridge to the north. MLS# 2260709 $62,500
THE GUNFLINT MOTEL - GRAND MARAIS. Longestablished business located just a block from the harbor and downtown shops and restaurants. There are 5 large motel units with kitchens, plus a full lower apartment in the motel structure. All are in great shape. There is also a 4 bdr, 2 bath owner's home that has had many recent updates and enhancements. It features views of the harbor and provides a comfortable and private residence. MLS# 2309141 $419,000 RENTAL COTTAGES - GOOD HISTORYGREAT LAKE. Devil Track Cabins have been a long standing seasonal resort on the beautiful north shore of Devil Track Lake. 5 cabins plus an owner's cabin needing renovation - a manageable operation for a retired couple, or as a family retreat. Great potential as vacation rental business. Classic charm, nice lake views. private setting. MLS# 2313022 $389,000 GRAND MARAIS CABINS. Good income property with long-term tenants. All cabins have had ongoing upgrades - roofs, baths, plumbing, heating. Cabin 1 has fireplace. Charming touches. MLS# 2312978 $210,000
Great Tofte lot has 2 garage buildings. They could easily become living space, one has a second story. Property has room for a home with views of a dramatic creek gorge with waterfall and Lake Superior view. 4.54 acres, year-round road, power, phone. MLS# 2299624 $179,900
Prime commercial location in Hovland, 1000 feet of Highway 61 frontage. Large commercial space with a small 2 bedroom home and 1 functioning rental cottage. Many new improvements and upgrades. Two more small cabins could be rented, and there's room for many more...or other possibilities. Large 2-car garage plus two sheds. MLS# 2308736 $299,900 GRAND MARAIS PROFESSIONAL BUILDING. The options here are endless and the opportunity is great. Ample parking, grassy, yardlike grounds and a nice sized storage building create a nice setting for a variety of business ventures. Own/ occupy the entire building, rent out one side & offset your ownership costs, create "condo offices" & offer space to a variety of entities....so many avenues one could take!! MLS# 2308794 $269,900
OUTSTANDING VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR. Almost 15 acres within the boundaries of Cascade State Park. Rolling hills, a variety of tree species, and just 10-15 minutes from both Grand Marais and Lutsen. Potential for subdivision. MLS# 2309282 $175,000
MOUNTAIN TOP - WILDERNESS VIEWS. Preserve this large acreage for your exclusive annex to the adjoining wilderness. Fantastic vistas into the BWCA and of the surrounding rugged topography near McFarland Lake. Located at the end of the Arrowhead Trail with easy year-round access. The 122 acres has a high ridge and a "mountain top" for you to name. MLS# 2313109 $167,000 BIG LAND, BIG CREEK, BIG TREES. This Hovland area parcel is on the "front range" of the Farquhar Hills with a dramatic backdrop of rock cliffs and escarpments. There is a large creek running through the entire property with many fantastic building sites. MLS# 2308857 $159,900
RIDGES, PINES AND VIEWS - ARROWHEAD TRAIL.
Large parcel with first rate, high building sites with huge pines looking south and west over the wilderness. The surrounding federal land leads directly into the BWCAW. Excellent year-round road access on the Arrowhead Trail. McFarland Lake is just a half-mile away. MLS# 2313108 $63,000
GREAT LOCATION NEAR DEVIL TRACK. Nice wooded parcel, survey, septic site evaluations, and access road in place. MLS# 2308847 $59,900
QUIET AND PRIVATE. Choice lot at the end of the road in Lutsen, ready to build. Priced to sell! MLS# 2309202 $54,900
READY TO BUILD - NEAR DEVIL TRACK. Nice wooded parcel, survey, septic and access road in place. MLS# 2308925 $49,900
WOODED 2.4 ACRE. Tait Lake back-lot with driveway in and cleared building site ready for your cabin. Electric is on site. Owner/Agent. MLS# 2297619 $49,000
WOODED ACREAGE – GRAND MARAIS. Two private, 20 acre lots with hiking and ski trails, and abundant wildlife. A high building site offers seasonal views of Lake Superior. Good winter access via ski trails. MLS# 2313172 $46,000 & MLS# 2313173 $35,000
REMOTE 40 – POWERS LAKE ROAD. Easy access off Powers Lake Road. MLS# 2304124 $42,000
NICE HOVLAND ACREAGE. Easy year-round
THE SECLUDED SIDE OF GRAND MARAIS ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Just east of the East Bay, you’ll love running your toes through the sandy shoreline on Lake Superior! Lovely Year Round 2+ bedrm home within walking distance to Grand Marais
CHALLENGING BUILD SITE ON LAKE SUPERIOR means BIG SAVINGS! Enjoy Rugged terrain, this is your Lake Superior dream in excellent location between Tofte and Lutsen on the Bike Trail! Must WALK with the list agent to truly understand the accessibility!
MLS#2313306 $238,000 END OF THE ROAD SPECTACULAR
280 ft of cliff shoreline with unobstructed Views across Lake Superior! Little Marais area, Build ready, driveway already in place! MLS#2313255 $265,000
400 FT OF STUNNING LAKE SUPERIOR SHORELINE minute’s to the Cross River in Schroeder! Rolling terrain, nice Evergreen stand giving nice buffer from ANY highway noise. Worth the walk through the wilderness to see the AMAZING 400 ft of sprawling ledge rock shoreline!! MLS#2313305 $529,000
TEMPERANCE LANDING ON LAKE SUPERIOR!
Spectacular log home on level accessible shoreline, Vaulted ceilings, tons of windows to Soak in the views! Nice main level owner’s suite, plenty of elbow room for friends and family!
MLS#2313000 $689,000
OF LAND AND LAKESHORE ON LAKE
SUPERIOR! Well maintained Family Compound with yr round newer home on 8+ ac and 340+ ft accessible shoreline! But’s it really about “The Shining Rocks” The “Rock 1” log cabin was built early 30’s, and it’s been lovingly maintained by only a handful of families since. Cabins Rock 1, 2 & 3 create this incredible family compound! MLS#2187245 REDUCED!
$659,000
SWEET LAKE SUPERIOR SHORELINE, GREAT SKI GETAWAY BUNGALOW ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Ski at Lutsen Mountains, Dine at BlueFin Bay Restaurant! Super location for Easy Living on Lake Superior! Meander the Sprawling Ledge Rock Shoreline! MLS#2270954
$429,000
ISLAND VIEW, HARBOR VIEW, SPECTACULAR VIEW!Accessible and Incredible shoreline, One of a KIND Lake Superior Parcel, Must Meander to See how much you will LOVE this Shoreline! MLS#2308826
$438,900
LUTSEN LAKE SUPERIOR CASCADE BEACH RD LAND! Very accessible, build site close to the water, listen to the waves of Lake Superior lapping the rocky shoreline! Gorgeous morning sunrises over the Big Lake, a must see! MLS#2308906 $299,000
PLENTY OF ELBOW ROOM ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Nearly 800 ft of shoreline and 11 ac. of rolling terrain, with signs of the past logging roads and Spruce planted forests providing a sweet buffer from all of those pesky worries of the Real World! Driveway installed in to the mid-section of the land to allow you to explore which building site best fits your desires!
MLS#2309271 $799,000
ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED, GORGEOUS TERRACE POINT ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Quality crafted townhome features an owner’s suite so luxurious your family and guests may wonder if you’ll ever reappear! 476’ of shared shore w/ a point that juts dramatically into the lake forming Good Harbor & Cutface Creek beach. Water, sewer, ext. maint. covered by Assoc. MLS#2183691 REDUCED! $299,000
$579,900
SIMPLE LIVING ON THE BIG LAKE! Great vibes resonate from this home, comfortable in its design, it’s about the nice views from the entire main level, including main level bedroom! Nearby Taconite Harbor, watch the big boats pull in to the harbor!! MLS#2300030 $349,000 LUTSEN’S LAKE SUPERIOR HAVEN! Mint Condition and Move In Ready, you’ll
POPLAR LAKE CABIN ON 440’ OF SHORELINE AT THE TIP OF A PENINSULA! Ensconced in quiet Boreal environment, Cabin sits proudly above the lake for long views over Poplar’s numerous islands! Home needs a little TLC, priced to sell! MLS#2308952 $269,000
DEERYARD LAKE
WEST GRAND
MARAIS 2000 sq ft Log Home on 100 ft Deeryard Lake, 2.5 ac, south facing, built in 2004. Large insulated, heated garage. 4 person sauna, 2 bedrm, 2 bath, 4-season porch. Power/broadband, water/ septic. Maple and White Pine. Quiet, Northwood’s setting, not far from Grand Marais. MLS#2308905 $279,000
CARIBOU LAKE MEETS LUTSEN MOUNTAINS! Ski Your Winters Away, Snowmobile from your front door and Snowshoe across Caribou Lake for views of White Sky Rock! Fine Quality Family Style home that’s made for entertaining with complete guest quarters on lower level and upper level Rec Room!
Gourmet Kitchen, Gorgeous Owner’s Suite walks out to deck over the Lake! Plenty of garage for cars and toys, Move In Ready! MLS# 2313246 $547,500
LOG CABIN A SHUTTLE AWAY FROM LUTSEN MOUNTAINS! Mint Condition, Move In Ready, keep for your own Northwoods Lutsen home in a FAB location, or participate in a rental program to offset your ownership expense while you Ski Your Winter Away, Snowmobile from your Front Door! MLS#2308971 $239,900
and Lutsen Ski Getaway! MLS#1336097 $169,000
CROSS COUNTRY SKI PARADISE ON LAKE
HEY HEY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS SUPER NICE CARIBOU LAKE BUILD
SITE! The original cabin was recently removed, allowing for a nice “established feel” to this lot. Driveway in place, clearing done and electricity available! MLS#2309132 $179,900
GEGOKA! On the way to Ely just off Hwy 1, this Turn Key Condo in the Wilderness has it all…shared amenities like sauna house and spectacular shoreline! Groomed trails nearby, Call today, Ski In to the New Year! MLS#2309094 $132,900
RUGGED TERRAIN AND SECLUDED BUILD SITE ON CARIBOU LAKE! MLS#6002791 $250,000 ON DEERYARD LAKE, with garage/workshop/cabin with 100 ft of Nice Shoreline and nearly 3 acres of south sloping land. Electric, well, septic tank, AND dock! Can’t beat this value for Lutsen Lakeshore Living! MLS#2051927 $139,000
PIKE LAKE SUNSHINE ON WILLARD LANE! Charming property is on the west end of Pike: the quiet side. Step inside the spacious A-frame: paneled floors and walls are warm and inviting, earnest wood stove. A bank of lakeside windows tells of every mood of light. Birch branch cabinet fronts, 240’ of lakeshore. MLS#2313066 $239,700
CRAZY CUTE RUSTIC LOG CABIN ON CHRISTINE LAKE! Located just off a designated Mountain Bike Trail system, enjoy year round access, electric at street and a TOTAL SENSE OF SECLUSION! Canoe on Christine, Fly Fish in the Poplar or just go for a hike in the Superior National Forest! MLS#2308836 $165,000
LUTSEN DEERYARD LAKE 175 FT SHORELINE, S weeter than the sap flowing in the abundant maples on the property! View across the lake is miles of public land! Roughed-in driveway and dock materials. 15 min. to Lutsen for skiing, food, music, golf. Owner is licensed MN REALTOR® MLS#2308919 $184,900 REDUCED!
NORTHWOODS FAMILY HOME, TONS OF ELBOW ROOM! Functional living space with tons of light flowing through home, and spectacular views of the wilderness! Great recreational spot nearby to tons of
LOVELY LUTSEN HOME,
HOME NEAR TEMPERANCE RIVER! Lovely home is set up as a Duplex, an upstairs home and a lower level apartment, which could be a perfect rental for extra income. Hike to Lake Superior’s Temperance River State Park, just a stone’s throw from the bike trail MLS#2309057 $199,000
and carpet and two garages! MLS#2097402 REDUCED! $205,000
FAMILY FRIENDLY HOME IN TOFTE in between Lutsen and Tofte, just a minute to the Ski Hill or Sugarbush X Country trails! Garage, tons of space! MLS#2165564 $189,000
a MUST See Home minutes to Lutsen Mountains! MLS#2308985 $268,500
SWEEPING HOME ON MAPLE HILLSIDE, DISTANT LAKE VIEWS AND RAVINE! All you can ask for, acreage, Maples!, and a huge garage with plenty of
firewood storage for winter warmth! Newer construction, huge walk around deck and wide open living, Awesome Owner’s Suite, Tons of potential in walk out level! Must See! MLS#2313265 $304,900 REDUCED!
Hwy 1 area Hunting Cabin on 10 ac MLS#2309318 $64,900
Wilderness Retreat! Sweet cabin and Storage on 39+ acres of Boreal Wilderness!
MLS#2312989 $114,900
30 acres Wilderness, Borders lands next to Little Manitou River! MLS#2309327 $129,000
Rocky Wall Overlooking Lake Superior just outside Silver Bay PRICE REDUCED!
MLS#2244646 $99,000
80 acres for $79,000 Blesner Lake Rd! MLS#2234328
Rock Road in Silver Bay area!
Great build site with creek frontage! MLS#2308638 $45,000
Sonju Lake Road in Finland!Several large parcels from MLS#2313331 $44,900
Little Marais Road Acreage! Build Ready Site, RV Neg. Old Garage, SOLD MLS#2313191 $99,000
160 acre parcel of upland maples and boreal forest. Total seclusion. Owned by the same family since 1904! MLS#2194145 REDUCED! $129,000
Lakeshore on Ninemile Lake at the Village, common water and septic, build ready, borders common land! MLS#2309096 $45,000
Commercial Lot for Bar/Restaurant at the Village at Ninemile Lake, in between Finland and the Trestle Inn! MLS#2309264 $47,500
SCHROEDER AREA NEAR THE CROSS RIVER!
Caribou River Frontage, Simply Gorgeous 38 ac! MLS#2313027 $65,000
Maple forest with meandering creek , nice sized pond. Electric/broadband Yr Round access. 15 min from Hwy 61 in Schroeder. 20 ac $49,900 MLS#2308954; 40+ ac $109,900 MLS#2308953
10 Ac Parcels of Maples! Rolling Terrain of Mature Maples to a Sweet Building site Perched Over a Mixed Boreal Forest. Year Round Access and Electric at Road! MLS#2024250 $56,900
DRAMATIC Mountain Top Views, Rolling Hills, Maple Forests fading in to Spruce and Pine and year round access. Tons of acreage available, or just pick up a 40 for $70,000! MUST SEE, call Emily today! MLS#6001560, multiple#’s call for full map and prices! FROM $70,000 MLS#2090628
Sugarloaf Retreats on High Ridge Drive, located up the Surgaloaf Road from Sugarloaf Cove Naturalist Area, Enjoy large acreage parcels at rock bottom prices! Each $49,900 REDUCED! MLS#1598640
Cheers to a Happy and Healthy New
Year
Up North!
LeVeaux Mountain, Super Views and Wildlife Ponds! FROM $49,900 MLS#2216091, MLS#2220050 $69,000 & MLS#2309131 $59,000
Just Up the Sawbill Trail Grab your little piece of the Northwoods, rolling terrain and small community feel with year round access, great build sites! MLS#2070510 Prices from $24,900!!
Tofte vaag on the Sawbill, Nice Lake Views! Walk to the Coho, great location! FROM $49,900 MLS#1615956
Wowser Lake Superior views on Overlook Tr! MLS#2296509 $82,900
Mature Spruce and BIG Lake Views! Walk to Blue Fin Bay, drilled well in place! MLS#2272174 $49,900
Gorgeous 19 acres with creek running through the middle, high ground! MLS#2309247 $65,000
10 acres with driveway, gorgeous views from cleared building site and a building concrete pad, ready for your cabin or garage! A Hop and a Skip to Pike Lake Landing! MLS#2309168 $57,500
Lutsen land with lake views. Lake views, driveway, rustic cabin on one parcel! Great value at $80,000 each! MLS#2313098, ask about MLS#2313099 for addl land!
Onion River Rd land, Hiker’s Heaven! MLS#2309316 $45,000
Woodland Foothills Build Ready lots, Shared Water & Community Septic from $19,000 MLS#2309328+
Heartland of Lutsen, 80 ac at the Foothills of Ski Hill ridge, near downtown Lutsen! MLS#2312987 $119,000
Over 15 ac of Wilderness on Turnagain Trail in Lutsen! MLS#2216560 $69,500
Prime Build Site(s) just off theCaribou at Jonvick Creek! MLS#2240533$49,000
Gorgeous 5 acre parcels in the Heart of Lutsen paved Caribou Trail locale bordering USFS lands! MLS#2174799 From 54,900-$77,500
Creek Build Site just off the Caribou Trail at Jonvick Creek! Rare and Unique Build site! MLS#2289515 REDUCED! $57,500
What an opportunity!
30 plus acres on Lutsen’s Ski Hill Rd, Lutsen Mountains. Great views of Lake Superior and toward Moose Mountain. MLS# 2217142 SALE PENDING $250,000
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
80 Ac with Poplar River Frontage on the Honeymoon Tr! MLS#2307399 $95,000
Hunters and Fisherman take note: Desirable 20 acre parcel located on the outskirts of Lutsen, minutes to Bigsby, Ward, Deeryard and Caribou Lakes! Nice mixed forest with high ground. Murmur Cr. frontage. Great price for your Northwoods getaway! MLS#1914043 REDUCED! $24,900
Gorgeous Views of Williams & Wills Lake in Lutsen! Year Round Access, electric, Mountain Top site bordering USFS land. A Wonderful place to build your home! MLS#2107927 REDUCED! $70,000
PARCEL ON SWALLOW LAKE IN ISABELLA AREA! 220
of
2.5
A Hop, Skip & Jump West of Grand Marais this lot is the perfect location to build. With an apron and culvert installed off County Rd 7, and the survey done you are ready to build! MLS#2313311 $68,900
7.26 ac south facing land west of Grand Marais.
White Pine, Maple forest in the Deeryard Lake area- East Deeryard Rd. Power/broadband. All high ground. MLS#2308855 $49,000
SUPER Views on Birch Drive! Complete with swimming pond on high ridge ledgerock setting, unique! MLS#2308937 $79,000
Birch Drive, West of Grand Marais! Wilderness Setting with 5 ac HUGE Value $42,500 MLS#2173005 or HUGE Lake Superior views MLS#2303398 SALE PENDING FOR $71,000!
A River Runs Through It! 160 Acres of Upland and River Frontage on the Cascade River near Eagle Mountain. Whether Hunting land or Wilderness Retreat, this is a Great Opportunity! MLS#1940786 REDUCED! $119,900
O wn your own park in the heart of Grand Marais! MLS#2178139 $17,000 Corner Build Site in Town Walk to Harbor! MLS#2309203 $39,000
60 Ac with Lake Views
E of Grand Marais! Keep this gem all to yourself and enjoy plenty of elbow room! MLS# 2208961 REDUCED! $119,000
Wild Plum Drive
East of Grand Marais! Nice level build site, yr round and electric avail. MLS# 2272729 REDUCED! $40,000
18 Ac With Lake Superior Views! Awesome locale Cty Rd 56, minutes to Grand Marais, yr round access & Elec at Rd! MLS# 2306551 REDUCED! $69,000
MLS#2300576 $64,900 DREAMY LAKE SUPERIOR land and lakeshore! Several acres of privacy and way more than 200 ft of Level Access Lake Superior shoreline in Schroeder, near Sugarloaf Cove Naturalist Area! MLS#2090420REDUCED! $275,000
SILVER BAY TO LITTLE MARAIS TO
1501 W Hwy 61 - $169,900 New
Almost
MLS 6019246
Bloomquist Mtn. Road 5.8A$44,900
10 miles east of Grand Marais with power at the property, driveway, and several building sites partially cleared!
MLS 2303330
Silver Fox Rd - $69,900
Year round 5+A east of town. Utilities are all available. Mature trees, rolling topography, a babbling creek.
MLS 2313029
County Rd 67 - $69,900
4.16 A with the lake so close you can see the waves rolling in to the state-owned shoreline, right across the street.
MLS 2212837
Gunflint Trail 6.46A - $127,495
Year round 6.46A with plenty of privacy. Great views of Superior!
MLS 2312979
Murphy Mtn Rd - $59,900
5A, close to town. Surveyed, pins are all clearly marked, utilities in place and septic sites identified.
MLS 230311
Homes & Cabins
Kemo Lake One of only 4 lots on south shore. Private 2.34A with 200’ frontage on excellent trout lake!
MLS 2313219 $139,900
Devil Track Lake Beautiful lake lot on 2A and over 150’ of shore. Nicely wooded, close to town. Tons of recreational activities nearby.
MLS 2306066 $199,900
10A of wooded land with driveway and building site in place. 255’ of shore with fantastic views.
MLS 2312980 $185,000
Squint Lake Nicely wooded 2.13A with some lovely old White Pine trees! Excellent Mid-Gunflint Trail location, 221’shore, gentle topography AND directly abutting USFS for added privacy
MLS 2308814 $79,900
Leo Lake 169’ shore, on 3.70A, mid trail location, with public access to other lakes nearby.
MLS 2309112 $134,500
Pike Lake
3.7A, 200’ of accessible shoreline. Healthy tree coverage; abuts federal land to the south for added privacy
MLS 2309173 $179,900
Poplar Lake Convenient mid-trail location with deeded lakeshore access.
Building site cleared, driveway in, utilities available.
MLS 2188160 $52,500
Very quiet 1.8A, over 200’ shore. Driveway and garage are in. Multiple portages into BWCAW.
MLS 6004001 $174,900
Tom Lake
Year round, 1.10A, 171’ shore, nicely wooded, driveway and cleared building site.
MLS 6003815 $54,900
Year round, 1.3A, 200’ shore. Nice gentle walking trail down to lake.
MLS 6004165 $69,900
Heavily wooded with year-round access. 112’ shore on county maintained road.
MLS 2313184 $114,900
Inland Lake Lots
Squint Lake 5A surrounded on 2 sides by government land. Convenient mid-trail location with easy access to many recreational activities.
MLS 6003242 $69,900
Silver Fox Rd 5A of northwoods privacy with all modern conveniences about 8 minutes from town. Gently rolling with some very attractive building sites. Abuts government land.
MLS 6004545 $39,900
Roman’s Rd Close to Devil Track Lake and lots of recreational activities. 1.72A
MLS 6002323 $29,900
County Rd 7 5A to build your home or cabin, close to town. Close to Pike Lake and has lots of wildlife!
MLS 6004124 $49,900
Wooded 5A, with seasonal Lake Superior Views! Nice mix of trees and quality build sites.
MLS 6004272 $74,900
Beautifully wooded 7.7A, wonderful views of Lake Superior. Septic and building site id’d.
MLS 6004338 $69,900
Oversize lot on Co Rd 7 but inside the city. The obvious benefits of broadband and other services.
MLS 6004622 $65,000
Pick your own floorings, colors, materials! Borman Construction will build 2BR,1BA home on 5A.
MLS 6004271 $315,000
Land
Rosebush Hill Lane Nicely wooded 5.40A with shared driveway only minutes from town. Identified septic sites and fully surveyed! Approx. 430’ of creek frontage. OWNER will consider a Contract for Deed!
MLS 6003093 $49,900
W Hwy 61 Great location and development opportunities right off Hwy 61! 7.1A Commercial lot (Zoned Commercial and R-1). Additional acreage of R-1 behind. Agent Owned.
MLS 6002301 $149,900
Diagonal Rd 20A, not-so-remote remote parcel. Year round access to within a few yards. Septic sites identified. Great mixture of tree cover as well as highlands and wetlands.
MLS 6003602 $27,500
E Hwy 61 Conveniently located near public access to Lake Superior, Kadunce Wayside, Kadunce River, Superior Hiking Trail and more.
MLS 6003752 $18,000
Schoolhouse Road10A close to town. This parcel will be surveyed and have septic sites confirmed
MLS 6019135 $49,900
4018 County Rd 14
10-20A nicely wooded year round lots. Electricity and phone, abuts Federal land providing access to incredible amount of land.
MLS 6004017 $44,900 - $74,900
Irish Creek Rd 23A, off grid living on a year-round road means easy access while maintaining that secluded feel. MLS 6004611 $29,900 Pending
North Rd
20A, very private, year round access. Power, phone and broadband available at the road!!
MLS 6004563 $39,900
Coyote Ridge
Three 5A, private, beautifully wooded parcels close to town. Babbling, gurgling creek for your boundary.
MLS 6004797 $45,000 - $65,000
Whippoorwill Ln
24+A with a 1944 sq ft pole building. Great for a hike-in writer’s cabin, artist’s retreat.. MLS 6004636 $89,900
Gunflint Trail
Cross country skiers,
Pike Lake Rd
Wooded
Solberg
Inland Lake Homes
$49,999-10598 Mitawan Lake 1.46 Acres MLS# 6019242
$69,900- XXX Gunsten Lake Rd 10+ Acres MLS# 6018259 $84,500 XXXX Gunsten Lake
lakeshore
6015996
CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT
canada lynx
While traveling through Tettegouche State Park along Hwy 61, I spotted this lynx feeding on a car-killed deer. I was fortunate that it gave me a quick glance before disappearing into the thick balsams.—Paul Sundberg
Welcome to Golden Eagle Lodge, a family oriented, year-round resort located on the historic Gunflint Trail of Northeastern Minnesota. As the only residents on Flour Lake, and nestled in within the 3 million acres of the Superior National Forest, you can look forward to the quiet and solitude offered only from a true wilderness setting.
We offer complete skiing and snowshoe rentals for all ages, a heated ski waxing room, a trail lit 7 days a week, and a private use sauna. All our modern housekeeping cabins have a fireplace wood stove, gas, or electric fireplace.
We know much time, effort, and expense is invested in a vacation. We would be honored if you considered us as your vacation destination. We go out of our way to ensure every aspect of your visit will convince you to come back and see us again. You won’t be disappointed!
Golden Eagle Lodge Nordic Ski Center is world class, nationally-known, and silent sports only. We are located on the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System, a well-marked network of more than 70km of beautifully groomed trails that begin right from your cabin’s doorstep. This trail system was built specifically for cross-country skiing and is tracked for both traditional and skate skiers alike. All ski trail passes are offered at no charge to our cabin guests!
