Sue O’Quinn, Sales Representative sue@northernwilds.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com
Drew Johnson • drew@northernwilds.com
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Roseanne Cooley billing@northernwilds.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Kim Casey, Keith R. Crowley, Gord Ellis, Peter Fergus-Moore, Casey Fitchett, Ali Juten, Deane Morrison, Matt Nesheim, Rae Poynter, Julia Prinselaar, Kelsey Roseth, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, Rhonda Silence, Emily M. Stone, Maren Webb
Copyright 2018 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc.
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NORTH SHORE—The eruption of spring wildflowers is nothing short of miraculous. Every year, as we grumble about the inconveniences of mud season, these deceptively delicate-looking plants emerge from beneath the last patches of crusty snow, soggy mats of leaves, and cold soil. If you’re attentive enough, you may notice tiny, green spikes of furled leaves that thrust upward, and often tear right through the middle of one of last year’s maple leaves.
Just a few days of warmth will transform the spikes into the distinctive shapes of our familiar spring wildflowers— large-flowered trillium, trout lily, spring beauty, Dutchman’s breeches, wood anemone, and blue cohosh. By the time these blossoms carpet the forest floor, only a few other shrubs and trees will have started expanding their own baby leaves and flowers. That’s a key part of the plan, since the spring wildflowers must rush to take advantage of sunlight before the trees shade them out. It’s well-choreographed example of resource partitioning—where organisms avoid competition by being active in their own particular space or time.
So what fuels the flowers’ rapid growth? Fairy spuds. All of the spring flowers mentioned above store carbohydrates in some variation of a swollen root. Botanists define various types as bulbs, tubers, rhi -
zomes, or corms. Those storage units lay dormant—and protected from drought or cold—through the winter.
Burrow your finger into the soft soil near any of those plants, and you will soon pull out a small, white tuber. On spring beauties (Claytonia virginica) in particular, these modified roots are nicknamed fairy spuds, are said to be quite tasty, and could be prepared just like a tiny potato. Leek tubers store their sugar with an oniony kick that tastes amazing with eggs. The tubers of trout lilies have a mildly sweet flavor, especially if you can sleuth them out before the leaves unfurl. While tasty in small quantities, all parts of a trout lily plant are an emetic that will cause you to vomit if you eat too many.
This brings me to two words of caution. While finding wild foods in the spring is
great fun after a long winter, it is easy to overharvest a plant when you’re digging it out by the root. Euell Gibbons, author of Stalking the Wild Asparagus enjoyed eating fairy spuds, but he advised against harvesting too many. “The tubers are good food for the body,” he wrote, “but after a long winter, the pale-rose flowers in early spring are food for the soul.”
In addition, many of these spring flowers protect their valuable carbohydrate stores with toxic chemicals. Cut-leaved toothwort, a member of the mustard family, defends its leaves and rhizomes with a spicy tasting element, similar to wasabi. The flavor probably deters some herbivores, but it’s actually encouraged people to use it as a condiment. I’ve chewed on a leaf, and it tasted like very plain mustard.
The toxins in the roots of Dutchman’s breeches, trillium, and bloodroot aren’t so benign. While not edible, they have been
used medicinally. Likewise, the root of blue cohosh is sold all over the internet as a supplement to cure “female problems.” A friend once described it to me as “strong medicine,” though—something to be cautious with. And then there’s wood anemone. This dainty member of the buttercup family contains chemicals known to be a strong irritant of the mouth and gastrointestinal mucosa and skin. While it would take a lot to kill you, I’m not likely to experiment with it.
Once their leaves are fully unfurled, these resourceful little plants will race to replenish their depleted energy stores before melting away under the deepening summer shade. Whether you count on them to heal your body or feed your soul, fairy spuds fuel the miracle of spring.
—Emily M. Stone
Jess Peterson was inspired by the dog on our March cover to send this photo. She writes, “My dad sent me the photo of the cover of your publication this month because of the striking resemblance to my dog, complete with the lopsided ears. Love it! (My dog Woody has a darker nose, though).”
The growth of spring beauty flowers is fueled by sugars manufactured during the previous year and stored over winter in their roots. | EMILY STONE
Cut-leaved toothwort. | EMILY STONE
Lush greens grow in Minnesota’s first deep winter greenhouse
FINLAND—In the heart of this past winter, when days were short and the temperatures dropped below freezing, hardy vegetables and herbs were growing in Finland. Initially, the idea seems unfeasible, but the University of Minnesota’s deep winter greenhouse prototype is proving that it’s possible to grow crops in the winter.
One year ago, construction completed on the greenhouse—one of five across the state. “It has been very productive, much better than I had hoped,” said David Abazs, the AgroEcology Center director. He’s working on the project, which is run by the Organic Consumers Association and the university.
Designed at U of M, this greenhouse is a prototype for researchers to learn about the sustainability of deep winter growing. Here’s how it works: glass angled windows direct warmth from the sun, and four feet of rocks trap the heat. Vents and fans are used to release heat and warm the plants. The goal of building this passive solar greenhouse is to dramatically limit the amount of fossil fuels needed to grow cold hardy crops up north.
On a sunny day during the winter, the greenhouse can be 85 to 100 degrees F., and on darker days the greenhouse ranges
from 48 to 55 degrees F. inside. The lack of light poses one of the biggest challenges for the greenhouse.
Today, one-third of the greenhouse is reserved for research, while the other twothirds of the crops are for sale. Rows of lush green line the greenhouse, including lettuces, cabbage greens, broccoli, spinach, and radishes, among others. Abazs estimates they’re growing about 50 to 60 varieties.
The herbs and vegetables are being sold at the Finland Cooperative and General Store, and Abazs said they move quickly. “Now we can look at this technology and figure out how can we scale up, and lower the initial costs of construction, and how does it fit into, say, a school cafeteria approach,” he said.
Over the next few years, researchers will compare the metrics of food production between this greenhouse and one in southern Minnesota. “[We’re] weighing each harvest down to the one hundredth of an ounce,” said Abazs. If the greenhouse continues to see success, researchers hope that small scale farmers and gardeners may be able to utilize the design. The initial cost of the greenhouse is currently between $38,000 to $55,000,
Two-thirds of the winter greenhouse crops in Finland are sold, while the other one-third of the greenhouse is reserved for research. | SUBMITTED
and it would take years to pay back on crop sales alone. Researchers are also trying to ascertain how the greenhouse can provide additional value.
“It’s an incredible space. It can be 20 below outside and it can be 75, 80 degrees inside. The space, with the growing plants, the healthy atmosphere of organic production… the green in the stark of winter,” said Abazs, sharing the benefits for gardeners or farmers to consider.
When summer starts, the greenhouse closes for four months for sterilization. At that time, researchers will be able to produce their first report on greenhouse metrics. Those interested in following along with this story can visit: extension.umn. edy/rsdp/statewide/deep-winter-greenhouse —Kelsey Roseth
Preparing your home for sale
NORTH SHORE—You’ve decided to sell your home or cabin. It wasn’t an easy decision, because you think it’s a great place to live. A prospective buyer may agree, especially if you take some steps to turn your living space into a property ready for sale. Your preparations don’t need to be expensive, although they may involve an investment of time and elbow grease. Linda Garrity, a realtor at Red Pine Realty has some suggestions for a prospective home seller.
“The first thing is to declutter inside and out,” she said. “Put away any piles of mail, medications on the counter and other personal items. You want to depersonalize the space, as well as protect your personal information.”
Garrity says that some real estate agents advise putting away all personal photographs, although she doesn’t think that is necessary in the North Shore’s small-town environment. Still, you don’t want a table or shelf to be cluttered with family pictures.
Next comes the elbow grease. It’s time to do a deep-cleaning of the house and garage. Got pets? Make sure there is no sign or smell of them when you are done. Wipe down the baseboards and vents. Clean the carpet, including underneath the furniture. Clean the walls and paint if you must, using soft, neutral colors. Clean all windows and glass, too. If necessary,
you can update lighting and cabinet hardware, too.
Speaking of furniture, think of Goldilocks and her porridge. You don’t want so much furniture that the house looks crowded or so little that it doesn’t look lived in. The amount of furniture needs to be just right. You want the home to be inviting. Garrity sometimes helps sellers arrange their furniture to make the home look its best.
Once you are done inside, get to work on the yard. Make sure there is no clutter and that the grass is mowed and trimmed. Sweep the walk and make sure the garden looks well-tended. If you know where the property corners are, mark them with flagging. Tidy up the garage and sweep the floor. You want to give the impression the home is well cared for.
“I sold a house last fall where the garage was perfectly clean with everything organized in numbered bins with a list of their contents on the wall,” Garrity said. “You don’t have to go that far, but it is evidence of taking pride in what you own.”
When it is time for a showing, neither you nor your pets should be home. Peo -
ple feel awkward looking around a house while the seller is there. Still, the home should seem lived in. Garrity said sometimes she’ll light a fire in the fireplace and put on some soft jazz music in the background, to set the tone.
“First impressions are everything, right down to how the house smells inside,” she said.
While it is up to your real estate agent to make the sale, you should do what you can to prepare your home for the market. That may require some work by you and even minor investments, but you’ll make the agent’s job a little easier. That will help you achieve your goal of selling your home.—Shawn Perich
New northern pike fishing regulations coming for fishing opener
ST. PAUL—New regulations for catching and keeping northern pike are the most significant change to the 2018 Minnesota fishing regulations.
“Anyone who wants to keep pike in Minnesota’s inland waters needs to take a close look at these regulations and be prepared to measure the pike they want to keep starting on the Saturday, May 12, fishing opener,” said Al Stevens, fisheries pro -
gram consultant with the Minnesota DNR.
The new fishing regulations have three distinct zones to address the different characteristics of pike populations in Minnesota. While not designed to manage for trophy pike, the new regulations are meant to restore pike populations for better harvest opportunities across the state for sizes that make good table fare, up to around 28 inches or so.
The move toward new regulations was a response to anglers’ concerns about the over-abundance of hammer-handle pike in much of central to north-central Minnesota; the low numbers of pike present in southern waters; and a desire to protect large pike in the northeastern part of the state.
The new pike harvest regulations apply to inland waters of the state.
North-central: Limit of 10 northern pike, but not more than two pike longer than 26 inches; all from 22 to 26 inches must be released.
Northeast: Two pike; anglers must release all from 30 to 40 inches, with only one over 40 inches allowed in possession.
Safe Driveways in Rural Areas
Driveway Access for Emer gency Vehicles
South: Two fish; minimum size 24 inches.
Darkhouse spearing regulations for pike change slightly and those regulations are listed in the spearing section of the regulations booklet.
Meanwhile, the new pike regulations do not affect border waters fishing regulations and special regulations that cover individual lakes, rivers and streams. For more information on the new zone regulations visit: mndnr.gov/pike
Veterans to go on a free fishing trip
DULUTH—Veterans will join fishing guides this April to catch steelhead on North Shore streams and rivers. Any veteran can come along free of charge as a ‘thank you’ for their dedication to our country. The trip is offered by organizer and guide Cory Wehrman of Brule, Wisc.
The action is a collaboration between four Wisconsin and Minnesota fishing guides and several veteran organizations, mainly the Wounded Warrior Project and the CVSO in Superior.
There will be two separate five-day trips: the first in northwestern Wisconsin, and the second one on the North Shore. So far, 15 veterans have signed up for both events, which will both be held in
Emergency personnel tr y their best to respond to calls in a timely manner. Planning for access
important in rural areas where response times may be considerably longer than in cities.
Driveway W idth, Height & Gr ade
For emergency vehicles to safely access your property, your driveway must have an all-weather surface that is able to provide adequate support for large, heavy vehicles. Vegetation must be cleared to the following standards:
• Have an unobstructed vertical clearance of 14 feet.
• Limbing and/or removing trees and brush to provide the necessar y vertical clearance
• Have at least a12-foot wide drivable surface, with a 2-foot clear zone on each side of the driveway (16-feet overall).
• May require the removal of rocks and bur ying utility lines to provide adequate sight distance.
• Driveway must not exceed 12% grade overall
April near Duluth. The exact location of the trips will be determined shortly beforehand by Wehrman, as this depends on where the fish are biting. Wehrman is happy to extend the length of the action past the planned dates if a lot of veterans want to join in.
“I will gladly extend the donation, by all means. I’ll be out there fishing myself, so why not give veterans a chance to hook into some fish and get that experience,” said Wehrman.
Satisfied with the response so far, he intends to make this donation an annual event. Veterans interested in joining one of the fishing trips can reach Wehrman at: (218) 220-9790
Cook County Fir ewise 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais, MN 55604
Phone: 218.235.0899
Keeping tradition alive with the Northshore Tractor Club
Ene rgy
• Increases the energy efficiency of your home.
• Uses energy audits before and after improvement work
• Open to all income levels.
• Audit cost $400. CCLEP rebate ($300) available with improvements within 18 months of initial audit
• Final audit cost $100 with improvements.
SILVER BAY—When thinking of Lake Superior’s North Shore, farming isn’t the first thing that comes to mind for many people. But for the Northshore Tractor Club in Silver Bay, farming—and the equipment that goes along with it—is something to celebrate.
The Northshore Tractor Club began in 2012, and originally started as a coffee club for people of all ages who wanted to network about tractors. Members get together over coffee and cookies to share their knowledge on parts, repairs, or swap stories about newly purchased machinery.
“Many members are current or former farmers,” said Bonnie Warner, who is in charge of the club’s marketing. The Northshore Tractor Club also includes people who were loggers or are simply interested in tractors. Warner said that for many retired members, the club is a way to rekindle their experiences working with tractors.
“Farming is becoming a lost art up here,” Warner explained. “There used to be some big herds, but people are getting away from that now. Through our club, we are keeping the old traditions and trades alive.”
As Warner pointed out, trade work such as farming and logging are what helped build northern Minnesota into what it is today. However, some of these areas of expertise are dwindling as people move away from trade work. “There’s a shortage of people in trades,” said Warner, “not just farmers, but loggers, brick layers; we’re helping people reconnect with these trades.”
Learning about tractors and trades comes with a deeper appreciation and respect for northern Minnesota’s early farmers. As Warner explained, the work it took to clear a field for agriculture was astounding, sometimes taking up to 10 years to remove all the rocks and trees. The work required dedication and resourcefulness, traits that the Northshore Tractor Club members certainly exhibit.
“We have a Finland member who joined two tractors together and uses it as his logging tractor. It’s all painted and looks
brand-new. Another guy builds all sorts of things—we have all kinds of ingenuity,” said Warner.
Aside from club meetings, the Northshore Tractor Club is also involved in the community, participating in local parades and festivals, group tractor rides, hayrides, and visiting schools to give presentations on agriculture. One of the highlights of the club’s calendar is the Clover Valley Tractor Show, occurring the last weekend in June. Every year an empty field in Clover Valley is transformed into what Warner described as a “tractor show and tell.” The show includes vintage machinery and an old-time thatching demonstration, music, food and evening tractor rides, and is open to everyone.
In addition to the show, one of the biggest ways that the Northshore Tractor club is involved in the community is through their scholarship program. Through fundraising, the club has been able to raise money to help support local students, and in the 2017 school year gave out six $1,000 scholarships. The club has set its sights even higher, and is aiming to raise $10,000 for scholarships to give out in the
2019 school year. How will they reach this goal? Through tractors, of course.
“The plan is to fundraise and refurbish an old tractor that we will give to a raffle winner,” explained Warner. The tractor, a 1950 Farmall demonstrator, will be raffled off on September 16, with proceeds going to the scholarship fund. “We went from having coffee once a month to having a scholarship,” Warner reflected. “It’s pretty amazing.”
Looking on all the club does, Warner emphasized that the most important part is the community. “We’re really about community and helping each other. It’s like an old barn-raising philosophy: if someone needs help, you give a hand.”
For those interested in getting involved, the Northshore Tractor club meets at 2 p.m. on the third Sunday of every month in varying locations. Visitors and cookies are always welcome. Call (218) 226-4858 for more information.—Rae Poynter
North Shore Health call for artists
GRAND MARAIS—North Shore Health (NSH) is requesting submission proposals for an art display that will be located within the Cook County Hospital and Care Center. The art can be original paintings, photography, fiber art, mosaic or mixed media; essentially artwork that can be displayed on walls. The selected art will remain the property of the artist and NSH will change the exhibit every four months.
The artwork should celebrate and reflect one or more aspects of the cultural, historical, geographical or community attributes of Cook County. The selected art will be viewed and enjoyed by visitors, patients, residents and employees of NSH.
Vegetables, Herbs. Many new varieties
plant your planters, hanging baskets, & cemetery baskets
A selection committee will review all submissions. Artists may be asked to make a presentation about the proposed art for the site, including visual representations, materials to be used, size, weight, maintenance requirements, and other issues.
The submission deadline is April 13. Decisions regarding the selected artists will be made by April 20. The art installation will be completed May 10, in anticipation of the NSH rededication ceremony on May 17. To learn more, contact Kimber Wraalstad by phone at (218) 387-3260 or via email: kimber.wraalstad@northshorehealthgm.org.
|
After years of searching, Keith R. Crowley spotted not one, but five lynx in the Superior National Forest.
Searching for the gray ghost
COOK COUNTY—Three years is a long time. It’s a long time to try to photograph a specific animal, anyway. But that’s the life of a wildlife photographer. You have patience and tenacity, or you don’t do it at all.
This particular effort began while I was working on a story about snowshoe hares in 2015. In the process of scouring backroads of the Superior National Forest not far from the Gunflint Trail, I came across a maze of cat tracks. It was obvious from the size of the footprints that these weren’t bobcat tracks I was looking at; they were huge and circular, and fuzzy around the edges. That could only mean one thing—Canada lynx.
I knew the reclusive cats lived in the area, yet I’d never seen one in 40-plus years of coming here. But now the wheels were in motion. They were close and I just wanted a glimpse.
I got that glimpse a full year later, in 2016, when I turned a corner on a two-rut trail deep in the forest and saw a flash of fur dart away. Ahead I could just see the remnants of a snowshoe hare left in the ruts. Not wanting to disturb the scene, I set a remote camera on a nearby stump and backed off. When I returned the hare was gone, but the camera showed that shortly after I left an eagle had carried away the carcass.
That was it for another 21 months. Try as I might, I saw nothing but tracks.
Then something incredible hap -
pened. On my third trip of this past winter I came across an unplowed road with fresh lynx sign. Clearly there was more than one cat, maybe two or three, I thought.
I unsuccessfully searched all that day. The next morning I arrived at daylight. According to the dashboard it was -16 degrees F. when I left the vehicle to follow a set of fresh tracks.
With a camera slung over my shoulder I tromped through the deep snow, following the signs until I reached a ridge that was too steep to descend. I turned and shuffled my way back to the road. When I got back to the truck I set the camera on the hood and unlocked the door.
I don’t know what caused me to pause; maybe just a feeling. I know there was no sound.
When I turned, a lynx was standing in my bootprints looking at me from 30 feet away. I stood there dumbfounded until I remembered the camera next to me. I rattled off several shots while the cat took a few more cautious steps my way. Then it circled my vehicle once and walked back into the spruces.
I watched closely for another 10 or 15 minutes, shaking more from adrenaline than the cold. When it seemed that the lynx was truly gone, I got into my vehicle and quickly checked the photos. I started the engine and pulled away slowly, grinning like a Cheshire... well, you know.
About 20 minutes later I turned around and went back to the scene, as if I didn’t believe what had just
happened and needed to see it again to be sure. When I got to the spot I saw nothing but our tracks—the cat’s and mine—in the snow. I looked at the impressions for a few minutes and then moved on. I hadn’t gone 100 yards when another movement caught my eye.
There she was! The lynx was sitting in the sun, facing me in a little opening in the trees, perhaps 50 feet away. I didn’t know she was a “she” for a few more seconds. Then another lynx walked out of the forest and sat down. Then another, and another, and another.
In all, four nearly-grown lynx eased themselves down next to the mother. They faced me, soaking in the warm sunshine on the bitterly cold morning. They dozed and groomed and yawned. I did my best to remain still and calm while I photographed them. They basked there, half-asleep, for most of an hour. Then they rose one-by-one and silently melted back into the forest.
Astonishing and wild, yes, and I can’t really explain it further. You’ll just have to trust me—it was really something.—Keith R. Crowley
KEITH R. CROWLEY
Canada close to legalizing cannabis
THUNDER BAY—With the proposed federal Cannabis Act under review by the Senate, recreational marijuana use could be legalized in Canada as early as this summer.
While many medical professionals are supportive of decriminalizing cannabis and regulating its production, possession and sale across the country, one family physician adds that the federal government’s framework for cannabis advertising is mirroring that of the alcohol industry too closely, and needs tougher marketing standards to avoid the creation of a highly commercialized and predatory marijuana industry.
“There are very strong arguments for decriminalizing or legalizing marijuana. [But] just because prohibition is not working, it doesn’t automatically mean that any form of legalization will be an effective public policy,” said Daniel Myran, speaking on behalf of himself and Ryan Forrest, an international tobacco control policy officer based in Ottawa, who co-authored an opinion piece in Maclean’s Magazine last January about the marketing of alcohol and pot. Myran is currently completing his masters in public health at Harvard University, with some of his research looking at alcohol regulation in Ontario.
The proposed Cannabis Act, or Bill C-45, would ban marketing to youth, but the rules have been criticized as hazy. Current advertising standards predate the internet and don’t address how ads on social media would be policed.
“If you look at the wording of Bill C-45, it’s very similar in its essence to how alcohol [marketing] is regulated federally in Canada, and that’s under the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission), and that was passed in 1996,” he says. “There have been large changes between 1996 and now and I think that
one of the big things that’s happened is there has been an explosion in internet-based marketing and in marketing through social media and it’s very hard to regulate.”
With alcohol advertising regulated on more of a voluntary basis, Myran says a more reasonable compromise is to have the marijuana industry not follow the same suit.
“If you look at a lot of publicity toward legalization, people were pitching...alcohol being this reasonable marketing strategy to emulate. Our feeling is that the alcohol marketing strategy has not been a successful strategy and that it is just not the public policy that the government should be copying [for cannabis],” said Myran, arguing that Canada has the fourth-highest rate of binge-drinking in the developed world, 80 percent of Canadians drink alcohol regularly, and one-quarter of youth aged 12-17 drank in the past year.
“Even if there are good intentions, I think that marketing is going to trickle down to youth. I think the government should approach this from having mandatory reviews of the advertising, clear consequences for violating the standards, and I think that it’s very reasonable to be the government who’s taking a look at the ads,” he said.
While legalization is a federal decision, Canadian provinces and territories are tasked with developing their own rules for certain activities, including public education, retail models, retail locations, distribution and wholesaling of marijuana. The federal government is responsible for activities including advertisement and packaging, but provinces can introduce additional restrictions. In Ontario, and in many provinces, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario will oversee the sale and distribution of recreational cannabis through a subsidiary corporation.
“There’s this dichotomy of what’s up to the federal government to regulate and what should be done on a provincial level, and the province of Ontario does regulate alcohol advertising as well and has updated their code more recently than the CRTC,” says Myran.
But, he says he’s uncertain about how that will really play out. “I’m agnostic about who’s doing the regulation, but I think that someone should be closely regulating this…There’s a large amount of room for improvement.”
In the meantime, there is still time for the Senate to propose changes to the bill that is currently being debated at its second reading. Four Senate committees have been tasked to study and report on aspects of the bill with reporting due May 1.
Canada can learn from U.S. states that have legalized pot, say Myran. “In many states I think they’ve actually done a better job than what Canada has done.”
Colorado allows print, radio, TV and Internet ads if there’s reliable evidence that 70 percent of the audience is over 21, while Washington state requires ads to contain a number of warnings. Colorado banned promotions that appeal to kids when it legalized cannabis, and over time the rules became more specific.—Julia Prinselaar
Fabulous fiddleheads
NORTH SHORE—A sure sign that spring is well on its way, is when the ferns’ coiled tips begin their annual ascent through the forest floor. Due to their strong resemblance to the scroll on a stringed instrument, they are fittingly called fiddleheads, and are considered by many around the world to be a delicious and nutritious delicacy. Expert harvesters warn that there are many different species, and that the
fiddleheads from the Ostrich fern are safe to consume.
Ostrich ferns are quite common throughout North America. They can be found near water systems and partially shaded areas. The best time to harvest these wild vegetables is late April, when the bright green fiddleheads are an inch or two above the rich damp soil. Once these forest treats unfurl, they are no longer ed -
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ible. An Ostrich fern can have anywhere from three to twelve fiddleheads growing out of its single black crown. To ensure the plants continued growth, leave at least half of the fiddleheads behind.
There is also the popular option of cultivating Ostrich ferns. Not only to eat, but to admire. Their featherlike fronds or leaves can grow up to 35 to 47 inches, and will enhance the elegance of any garden. Fiddleheads can be bought fresh or frozen from commercially based farms, which is a great alternative for anyone that lacks experience in being able to differentiate between the numerous species of wild ferns.
Freshly picked fiddleheads can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks. They can also be frozen for up to a year, provided they have been properly blanched.
Health Canada warns that they should never be eaten raw or undercooked. They recommend that people thoroughly wash their hands before and after preparing fiddleheads. Once their brown paper-like husks have been removed, they need to be washed several times with clean water. Then either boiled for 15 minutes or steamed for 10 to 12 minutes.
What makes fiddleheads such a sought after green is their unique taste. Some describe it as a cross between an asparagus and spinach, while others claim it has a mushroom-like quality. The ways in which fiddleheads can be consumed is endless. For many, some butter and a dash of salt and pepper is all that is needed to experience its earthy flavour.—Kim Casey
Kalusche/P&&TC Photo Contest
The ways in which fiddleheads can be consumed are endless. | STOCK
Good Times Await
Magnus Theatre will continue performing Bed and Breakfast, by Mark Crawford, through Saturday, April 7. Brett and Drew want to move out of their tiny downtown condo and into a house, but they just lost their seventh bidding war in Toronto. When Brett’s beloved Aunt Maggie dies, he unexpectedly inherits the historic family home in a quiet little tourist town. Unhappy with their careers and frustrated by life in the city, the couple decides to make the move and start a B&B. But when the guys face friction in their new community, they discover the simple life is more complicated than they thought. magnustheatre.com
The Lakehead University Visual Arts Department Annual Major Studio Exhibition continues until April 15 at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. The Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School Exhibition will run at the gallery March 28-April 29. And don’t miss the Honouring Our Stories exhibition, running March 31-May 13. Organized by the Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre, this is an art-based community project focused on the resilience and dignity of women surviving sexual violence. theag.ca
The 20th annual CLE Spring Home and Garden Show will be held April 6-8. There will be multiple craft and merchandise tables, lots of exhibitor booths, outdoor displays, attendance prizes, a special drawing, and the latest in home and garden products. The Country Market will also be in attendance Friday and Saturday. The show will utilize five buildings on the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds. Admission is $3 and parking is free. cle.on.ca
The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra will perform three shows in April at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. The first show, Masterworks Series 3: Ode to Joy, will be held Friday, April 6. Celebrate humanity and the power of the human voice with Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music. The next show, Pops 6: Brass & Bow, will be held Saturday, April 21. The show will feature two of Thunder Bay’s musical gems, trumpeter Merrie Klazek and fiddler Piere Schryer, for an exciting evening of Jazz, Latin, Classical, Operatic and Popular music styles. Then, don’t miss the Masterworks Series 4 show on Friday, April 27: Serhly Salov Plays Glorious Brahms, featuring Canadian piano virtuoso Serhly Salov. All shows are at 7:30 p.m. tbso.ca Kinky Boots is coming to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium April 10-11. Kinky Boots is Broadway’s huge-hearted, high-heeled hit, featuring songs by Grammy and Tony winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Inspired by true events, the show takes you from a gentleman’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Both performances are held at 7:30 p.m. Other Thunder Bay Community Auditorium events
include 2Cellos: The Score Tour, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18; Peppa Pig Live: Peppa Pig’s Big Surprise, at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26; and the Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 29. tbca.com
Save the date for the 25th annual Northwest Film Fest , occurring April 15 and April 22 at SilverCity. Held by North of Superior Film Association, a prelude screening will be April 12 and an interlude screening will be April 19. facebook.com/northofsuperiorfilmassociation
Red Lion Smokehouse is going back in time to 1959. On Saturday, April 28, join Sandy, Danny, and the rest of the gang from Rydell High for the Go Grease Lightning event. It’s the big dance and everyone is invited, so dig out your poodle skirts, saddle shoes and lettermen jackets. Held from 9 p.m.-2 a.m., there will be prizes for best costume and best dancer. The Big Race will take place at 11 p.m. and it’s for pinks, so winner takes all. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online via Eventbrite, or at Red Lion Smokehouse. Ticket includes one drink and evening entertainment. facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse
The Chaban Ukrainian Dance Group will perform “Beauty and the BeetsBeats” on Saturday, April 28 at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium. Featuring dancers of all ages, the Ukrainian version of this fairy tale will showcase amazing music, exciting dancing, beautiful costuming and, of course, a story of love, and a few beets. This family-friendly show will be held at 7 p.m. tbca.com
“Echoes of Chaos” by Shaylyn Bishop is part of the Lakehead University Visual Arts Department Annual Major Studio Exhibition at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. | SHAYLYN BISHOP
[TOP RIGHT] Because she gardens, Phyllis also cans. These are her homemade pickles with her freshly grown garlic.
| PHYLLIS GARTON
[BELOW] The back portion of Phyllis’ garden where she planted almost 200 garlic cloves. She typically harvests the garlic scapes to make garlic scape pesto.
| PHYLLIS GARTON
The ABC’s of Herbs
ANISE: Leaves and seed are used to add a liquorice flavour to meats, salads and baked goods. Both can be dried.
ARUGULA: Leaves look like dandelion leaves and have a peppery flavour. They are used mostly in salads, and keep well for several days in the refrigerator. However, they do not dry and store well.
BASIL: There are a few varieties of basil, all of which grow well in local gardens or pots. This herb is used for enhancing tomato dishes, salads and dressings as well as other cooking. It can be dried or frozen for future use. When planted in pots, they can be brought indoors for the winter but, as with all herbs, tend to get leggy if they don’t get enough light.
BORAGE: Grown for its flowers as well as leaves, it has a slight cucumber taste and the flowers are used to enhance salads as well as drinks. The flowers can be dried for future use.
CHAMOMILE: This plant reseeds itself and its small white flowers are used to brew a soothing tea. The flowers can be dried for future use.
CHIVES: One of the most common perennial herbs, it has many uses, from toppings to salads to general cooking. Hav -
ing a mild onion flavour, its leaves can be chopped and dried or frozen for future use. It is also grown as an ornamental in flower gardens.
CILANTRO/CORIANDER: A staple in Asian and Latin cuisine, the leaves resemble flat leaf parsley and since it grows and matures quickly, it should be sown every two weeks to maintain a good supply.
DILL: The leaves and seeds are both used in cooking and pickling. Allow the seed heads to form and ripen, harvest the seeds to save for future use. The feathery foliage is used to flavour soups, stews and other cuisine. This is the essential pickling herb, as the heads as well as the foliage is used in pickling. To store the foliage, it can be dried, or stored fresh in small jars with spare layers of pickling salt and the greens. Kept in the fridge, this herb will last all through the winter months.
FENNEL: A liquorice-flavoured bulb whose leaves and bulb can be eaten. It does not store well.
GARLIC CHIVES: A cousin to the common chives, its uses are the same, but instead of an onion flavour it has a garlic flavour.
LAVENDER: One of the more fragrant herbs, this one has many uses, but mostly grown for its fragrance. Used in sachets
and potpourri, the flowers can also be used to flavour biscotti. This herb dries well, tied in bundles and hung from rafters to allow the air to circulate.
LEMON BALM: A hardy perennial that can be used wherever a lemon scent is desired. It is used for herbal teas as well. It is typically used dried for the full benefits.
LOVAGE: A sun-loving perennial, it has a strong celery flavour, used for making soup stocks and stews. A little goes a long way, so do not be generous using this for flavourings. It can be dried or frozen for future use.
MARJORAM: Another annual herb that is used for flavouring a variety of dishes, from fish to stews, etc. It dries well.
MINT: There are several varieties of mint, spearmint, peppermint, lemon mint (bergamot), each has a refreshing fragrance, used in many culinary and aromatherapy ways. Wild mint can be quite invasive but the others can be well cared for in containers.
OREGANO: Greek oregano is a perennial that is widely used in tomato sauces, marinades and pizza. Easily grown, it can be dried in bundles or using a dehydrator. Easy to store once dried it will last indefinitely.
PARSLEY: High in iron and vitamin A, parsley is used to garnish almost anything. A good additive when making pesto. Again, it can be added to soups and stews to enhance their flavours. It dries well, so storage is easy. Two main varieties are curly leaf and flat leaf. Although not actually a perennial, depending on the area where it is grown, parsley has been known to survive the winter.
ROSEMARY: As well as an attractive border plant, it is a robust herb used to flavour lamb and other dishes. It dries well for future use.
SAGE: Popular for culinary use, sage dries very well as it retains its colour and aroma.
SAVORY: Another herb used to flavour soups and stews, beans and other vegetables, it is easy to dry.
RUSSIAN TARRAGON: This herb is hardy and grows taller than French Tarragon. Used with many dishes and enhances the flavour of mushrooms. Again, dries well.
THYME: One of the basic herbs to grow in your garden, it can be sheared to harvest and promotes fresh growth. This staple can be used with many dishes, including seafood, considered one of the ‘fine French herbs’. Dries well.
The front of Phyllis’ vegetable garden. She grows cucumbers under the tented frames on the left. On the right is fencing for beans and peas. | PHYLLIS GARTON
Restoration Project Preserves Historic Carousel
By Shawn Perich
A restored carousel pony is primed for painting, showing the remarkable quality of the carvings. | SANDRA BERTIN ROSS
A close up of the lower leg and hoof of a horse shows how the individual pieces were made. | VIC GERMANIUK
While annual dismantling and storage helped preserve the wooden horses, Germaniuk’s crew still discovered rot and other damage. | VIC GERMANIUK
This collection of nails and screws were removed from one horse. All had been added over the years to keep the horse from literally falling apart.
| VIC GERMANIUK
Generations of children have ridden the wooden carousel horses at Thunder Bay’s Chippewa Park. For many, the memory of riding on a carousel lingers for life. Now, after a century of service, the carved wooden horses of the C.W. Parker carousel have become tired and in need of repair. Local woodcrafter and sculptor Vic Germaniuk was contracted by the City of Thunder Bay to begin the wooden horse restoration project, which is part of a larger effort to restore the carousel to its original factory condition.
The restoration project was initiated by The Friends of Chippewa Park with the support of the City of Thunder Bay, Parks and Open Spaces Division. Funding for the project comes from multiple sources, with contributions of $200,000 from the city, $100,000 from Canada 150 and a fund-raising effort with a goal of $900,000, of which $386,000 has been raised as of this writing. A direct-ask, “Adopt a Horse” campaign is just getting started.
Eleven horses from the outer or A ring of the carousel are currently stabled at Germaniuk’s shop, Woodcraft Design, in Kaministiqua. They arrived there stripped of paint and coming apart at the seams, because the carved wooden pieces from which they are constructed have begun to delaminate due to the slow deterioration of the original hide glue. Germaniuk says this is to be expected on a carousel constructed 100 years ago. Actually, the wooden horses are in surprisingly good condition.
“For almost 50 years, the carousel was stripped down and stored indoors during the winter,” Germaniuk says. “The city did a good job of looking after the horses.”
That said, park workers did what they could to keep the horses from falling apart over the years by adding nails and screws to thwart the delamination and rot. The first task for Gemaniuk and his crew was removing the nails and screws that were not original; sometimes dozens per horse. Then they used epoxy and wood shims to hold the pieces together and fill the gaps caused by delamination and deterioration. They’ve also replaced wood that has rotted away. Then the horses are sanded down to restore their original form.
Germaniuk is well-suited to the painstaking task of restoration. After owning a sign-painting business in Thunder Bay, he began doing woodworking projects in homes and businesses. One of his projects was the interior work at the Thunder Bay Museum. An artist and sculptor, he also has done snow-carvings with his friend Michael O’Connor at Marina Park in Thunder Bay and all over Minnesota. O’Connor is assisting with painting the horses, along with Michelle Rienelt. Woodworkers involved in the project are Sandra Bertin Ross, Jaret Wing, Holger Remmer and Tom Ihala.
The carousel arrived at Chippewa Park in 1935, replacing an old and dilapidated merry-go-round. The Parker traveling carousel was purchased from Mrs. Maude
King of “King’s Royale Canadian Shows” for $1,750, payable in three yearly installments. While the Parker company made many carousels, there were only three in this particular series. It was outfitted with an Eli engine and a Wurlitzer organ.
The horses were hand-carved with elaborate detail from flowing manes to tiny puppies adorning the edges of the saddles. On some horses, portions of the carvings were damaged or missing. Germaniuk has carved new manes, trying to replicate the original work. Doing so wasn’t easy. He tried using the mane from another horse as a pattern, but found it was similar, but not the same as the horse he was restoring. With further research, he discovered Parker carvings were not exactly the same.
Work on the project has been guided by the Heritage Standards and Records subcommittee of the Carousel Restoration Committee, which hired a consultant who is an expert in carousel restoration, Lisa Parr, of Old Parr’s, Inc. of Highland, Illinois. Germaniuk has only met with her once, when she came to Thunder Bay to view the progress on the project.
“She seemed happy with the work,” he said, “and had some suggestions for us.”
One of those suggestions was somewhat surprising. Germaniuk says he is very meticulous in his work. Parr asked him not to remove all of the little imperfections, such as filling in tiny pockmarks in the wood, because doing so will make the finished
[ABOVE] Wooden shims are used to fill gaps caused by delamination.
| VIC GERMANIUK
[LEFT] The profile of this horse shows the extent of the repair work.
| VIC GERMANIUK
horse appear as though it was constructed of a synthetic material, rather than being carved from wood.
Parr has provided the painting patterns for the horses, which are being painted with One-Shot sign painters’ enamel. Germaniuk was instructed by the city not to display images of the painted horses until after they are unveiled by the city at the park in late May. Suffice to say the finished horses are boldly colorful.
The full carousel will be up and running for the summer season, the first weekend June through Labour Day. In addition to Germaniuk’s restored horses, the center column panels will be stripped, repaired and repainted.
After the season ends in September, the remaining horses will be restored. The rounding boards will be fully restored and painted with iconic local scenes. One of the chariots (benches) will be restores and the other will either be replaced with a wheelchair tie-down or modified to allow a wheelchair to be placed there. All of the wood beams will be sanded, repaired and repainted; the brass poles cleaned and polished. The entire electrical system will be replaced and the mechanical system either repaired or replaced. The carousel will get a new canvas roof and the exterior fence will be replaced with one more historically accurate. Then the horses will be truly ready for another century of service to the children of Thunder Bay.
Sandra Bertin Ross works on a horseshoe; an example of the original maker’s attention to detail. | VIC GERMANIUK
Emergency responders find reward in being there
By Rhonda Silence
All along the North Shore there are people ready at any moment to drop everything to dash to the scene of a car crash or a fire. Who are these folks who answer the page to head out in all kinds of weather to search for a missing person? Who know how to work the powerful jaws-of-life and how to deliver a baby?
BJ Kohlstedt of Lake County is an emergency medical technician and has been with Lake County Search and Rescue (SAR) for 18 years. She is now the emergency management director for Lake County.
She works with four fire departments (Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Finland and Fall Lake), one ambulance service which has stations in Two Harbors and Silver Bay, as well as three rescue squad teams. Kohlstedt says the departments function on their own; she is there to support them; to coordinate training and in times of crisis, such as “flood, fire, flu, and fiber outages.”
Kohlstedt said that the Lake County responders cover 2,000 square miles, with another 3,000 miles if water is counted. “And we do respond to emergencies on the water,” she says.
Steve DuChien of Grand Marais has been with the Cook County Ambulance for 32 years, was the Grand Marais Fire Department assistant chief for eight years
and is now ambulance director for North Shore Health.
DuChien says Cook County Ambulance has three ambulances. The Grand Marais Fire Department has three fire trucks and two support vehicles. But he is quick to add that there are many more responders in the county. Cook County has three ambulance services—Cook County, based in Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage. There are nine fire departments, in Schroeder, Tofte, Lutsen, Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, Maple Hill, Colvill, Hovland and Grand Portage. And, there is also Cook County Search and Rescue.
Why so many departments? Because of the geography of Cook County. DuChien says the Cook County Ambulance alone covers about 1,200 square miles. Emergency response and medical care can be a challenge. “There are long distances—to pick up a patient and then to transport them because sometimes we can’t give them what they need,” he said.
One of the emergency responders working to meet that challenge is Rebecca Frost, who has been on the Cook County Ambulance service for 13 years. We asked her why she decided to become an emergency medical technician. She says she wanted to be on the ambulance when she was a little
During a practice fire, medical personnel also practice their skills. | RHONDA SILENCE
By Breana Roy
April is a busy month, with lots of multiple artist exhibits being shown at galleries from Duluth to Thunder Bay. The Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais will feature two exhibits this month, as will the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. And on Saturday, April 21, various galleries in Duluth will celebrate Art for Earth Day Gallery Hop. For a list of participating galleries, visit: duluthgalleryhop.com.
Printmaker Rick Allen will reveal the newest print in his Trapper’s Daughter series on April 21 at the Siiviis Gallery in Duluth. The reception will be held from 1-3 p.m. and coincide with the Earth Day Gallery Hop. This piece is titled “The Trapper’s Daughter Crosses the Lake.” | RICK ALLEN
This woodcut and screen print by Stanley Leonard, titled “The Mountain,” will be on display at the Found: 3 Views on Nature exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post, April 27-May 20. | STANLEY LEONARD
This chalk pastel, titled “Unity” by Blake Evans, is part of the Lakehead University Visual Arts Department Annual Major Studio Exhibition at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. It will be on display until April 15. | BLAKE EVANS
Mixed media artist Stephanie MolstreKotz is one of three artists in the Found: 3 Views on Nature exhibit. This piece is titled “Boarealwalk.” | STEPHANIE MOLSTRE-KOTZ
“Rain Fall” by Bethany Kepler is part of the Found: 3 Views on Nature exhibit. Kepler is an encaustic painter. | BETHANY KEPLER
Sharing Her Truth through Music
By Casey Fitchett
Though she spent the first two years of her life in the Twin Cities, musician Maria Nickolay only remembers her life along the North Shore of Lake Superior. As with many young artists, she was first introduced to her craft by her mom. She describes this period as being part of the first “season” of her musical career.
“My brother and I were inundated with music; my mom took us to worship events at church and to bluegrass and Scottish festivals,” she explains. “Music was always a part of my life.”
Eleven-year-old Nickolay began playing at bars and restaurants in her family’s collaboration group, Wild Mountain Thyme, on the Celtic bodhran drum. The young girl soon realized her passion for finding harmonies and her place within a group.
Discovering the blues and her affinity for the guitar in her teenage years marked another change of season that affected the course of her journey. Despite the fact that no one else in her musical circle shared her passion for this particular genre, the soulful melodies and feeling emanated by these artists touched Nickolay.
“This is my soul language. I just want so badly to learn it and hear it and speak it,” she said. “I also drew inspiration from artists that dip into the blues without actually going there. Dave Matthews and his guitar style is probably the single most important musical influence I have.”
Playing her original music while gigging solo was a transformative part of that season of her life. Both Cascade Restaurant and Lutsen Resort gave the teenager her first opportunities to play in front of a
Maria Nickolay began playing in her family’s collaboration group, Wild Mountain Thyme, at age 11.
| MARIA NICKOLAY
group of strangers. It is because of these experiences and the symbolic embrace she felt by her North Shore community that she decided to create her first album. A stint at audio engineering school gave her the technical skills she needed to be able to complete the entire process herself, a feat she doesn’t necessarily recommend.
“I actually produced, engineered, recorded, and mastered the entire album myself. I would spend all day on Pro Tools, from the time I woke up until 5 or 6 p.m.,” she laughs. “I’m planning to do another album as soon as possible. For this one I am
looking forward to working with an engineer so I don’t have to listen back to my voice, which creates a cycle of critique.”
Music took a brief hiatus during Nickolay’s international travel to Northern Ireland for mission and charity work. Because her particular visa didn’t allow for her to make money performing overseas, Nickolay solely performed at open mic nights, house concerts, and other unofficial venues for friends.
“That is one of the reasons I came home; I missed it so much. It is a skill that I have and something that I’ve worked towards,” she explains, speaking of her desire to play music.
Though the coming months will see some international and domestic travel away from the North Shore, Nickolay does have intermittent gigs lined up at venues such as Voyageur Brewing Company, the Gunflint Tavern, North Shore Winery, and Lutsen Resort. No matter where she plays, Nickolay holds one particular piece of advice close when she is pursuing her passion.
“One of the first women I opened for told me something that I’ve always remembered: ‘Before you go into the music industry, know why you’re doing it, and what’s behind your music.’ For me, I’ve always wanted to write really honest songs that communicate a feeling or thought or emotion that people can relate to,” she says with conviction.
Fans can currently listen to Nickolay’s music on her Bandcamp site and follow along with her future shows on her Facebook page. Both a website and a larger social media presence on different platforms are in the works.
Breana’s PICK OF THE MONTH
Each year, EcoSuperior in Thunder Bay hosts a painted rain barrel auction to promote water conservation and raise money for local outreach programs. Individual artists and groups of all ages and abilities paint 30 rain barrels to be displayed and sold at the CLE Home and Garden Show, April 6-8 in Thunder Bay. Shown here is last year’s winning barrel, titled “Beauty of the North” by Irene Tait. Visit ecosuperior. org to learn more.
Continuing Exhibits
Thru April 7 Urban Infill: Art in the Core 12 (Reception April 7 at 7 p.m.) Waterfront District, Thunder Bay, definitelysuperior.com
Thru April 9 Territory: Emerging Photographers 2017 Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org
Thru April 15 Lakehead University Visual Arts Department Annual Major Studio Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca
Thru April 22 Chroma Creatures Vessel Vision Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org
Thru April
29 Terraria Gigantica: the World under Glass: Dana Fritz Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org
Thru April
29 The Cut Worm Forgives the Plow: Russell Prather Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org
Thru April
29 Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca
Thru April
29 The Rooster Invitational: Multiple Artists Lakeside Gallery, Duluth, lakesidegalleryduluth.com
Thru May 6 Senior Student Exhibitions Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma Thru May 13 Honouring Our Stories (Reception April 5 at 7:30 p.m.) Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca
Thru Aug. 5 Fine. (Re)Fine. (De)Fine. Faculty Exhibition Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma
Thru Aug. 19 Treasures from Home: An Anthology of Gifts from Collectors Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma Thru October 28 Chance: Kathy McTavish Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma
April 3-29
Annual Student Exhibition (Reception April 21 at 4 p.m.) Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma
April 4-29
Apron Exhibit (Reception April 13) Northwoods Friends of the Arts, Cook, MN, nwfamn.org
April 5-28
Native Skywatchers-Earth Sky Connections Lyric Center for the Arts, Virginia, MN, lyriccenteronline.org
April 25-May 6
Annual Members Show & Sale (Reception April 27 at 5 p.m.) Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org
April 27-May 20
Found: 3 Views on Nature (Reception April 27 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org
Resin ink color bursts by Josie Lewis; from Chroma Creature Vessel Vision exhibit.
| JOSIE LEWIS
Inaugural Call for Artists
Request for Submission
Two Artists will be selected to install works of art in designated public locations within North Shore Health beginning May 10, 2018 through August 31, 2018
Submissions should be received by April 13, 2018 for installation May 10, 2018
The art work will be on display during the NSH rededication ceremony on May 17, 2018.
The art will be original paintings, photography, fiber art, mosaic, mixed media; essentially art work that can be displayed on walls.
The works of art should celebrate and reflect one or more aspects of the cultural, historical, geographical or community attributes of Cook County.
The selected art will remain the property of the artist.
It is the intention of NSH to change the exhibit every four (4) months.
Please
Attention:
Artists interested in participating in this project should submit the following information:
1. A letter of interest explaining your relevant experience and vision for the work of art you intend to provide.
2. Specify the dimensions, display mechanics and framing, as applicable, of the envisioned works of art.
3. A statement that you have read, understand and agree to the terms of the Request for Submission.
4. If available, provide a digital image(s) of the contemplated work of art.
5. Contact information including phone and email address.
6. The number of works of art you intend to submit for consideration.
AUGUST WILSON’S FENCES
March 27-April 15 Lake Superior Community Theatre will present a historic production of August Wilson’s Fences, performing in Duluth, Two Harbors and Silver Bay. The drama will be presented by an all African-American cast. Fences is the story of a 1957 Pittsburgh, Penn. working class, lower income family. The drama swirls around protagonist Troy Maxson (father of the family) and his relationships with his son, wife, friend, and employer. Issues include the value of hard work, responsibility, and Troy’s past and current ironies of love, loyalty and infidelity. Performances will be held March 27-29 at the Lincoln Park Middle School auditorium in Duluth; April 6-8 at the Two Harbors High School auditorium; and April 13-15 at the Silver Bay High School auditorium. All Friday and Saturday performances are at 7 p.m., Sunday performances are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults, $8 students and can be purchased online or at the door. This show is not recommended for elementary children. lsct.us
CELTIC MUSIC & CEILI DANCE
March 31, Saturday The North Shore Music Association will host an evening of Celtic music and dance, featuring musicians from the band BARRA: Beth Vance, fiddle; Dave Cammack, Bodhran and button box; Paul Garding, guitar and vocals; Bobbie Scott, concertina and whistle; and Ann Wiberg, dance caller. Delighting audiences with favorite traditional dance tunes and songs, rare pieces collected on visits to Ireland, and music from related Celtic traditions, Twin Cities masters of Celtic music, BARRA, will liven up your night. Held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, the concert starts at 7 p.m. and the dance starts at 7:45 p.m. All ages are welcome. Tickets will be sold at the event only, starting at 6:30 p.m. northshoremusicassociation.com
ARROWHEAD HOME & BUILDER SHOW
April 4-8 The Arrowhead Region’s largest, annual spring event for building, remodeling, and home and garden products will take place at the DECC in Duluth. There will be hundreds of exhibitors with the newest products and technology, informative seminars, a fully furnished and landscaped model home you can tour, and more. Bring your antiques to be appraised by Dr. Lori, craft a cool and creative container garden with the Renegade Gardener, or learn tips and tricks to keep your furry friends happy and healthy with Joe Green’s Amazing Pet Cures. Stroll through shipping containers that have been converted into comfortable homes. Bring the kids and interact with parakeets at the colorful parakeet landing. There will also be free face painting, balloon animals, and a kid’s zone. homeshowmn.com
EASTER ACTIVITIES
Have breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 31 at the 9th annual Cook County Kids Plus Easter Egg Fundraiser for the Snacks and Packs Food Program. Held from 9 a.m.-noon at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais, there will be brunch, games, skating and crafts. An outdoors Easter egg hunt will be at 10:30 a.m. and a raffle drawing with prizes will be at noon. Cost to attend is $20 per family. (218) 387-3015
Also on March 31 is the annual Easter Egg-stravaganza at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth. Held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., there will be hunting for eggs, kids games and prizes, face painting, treats, special animal enrichments, and photos with the Easter Bunny. You can also participate in the annual coloring contest for a chance to win zoo-inspired prizes, including a zoo membership. lszooduluth.org
The Easter Bunny will make an appearance at 8 a.m. at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites in Silver Bay on Sunday, April 1, followed by an Easter egg hunt at 9 a.m. There will also be a breakfast buffet with a waffle bar, starting at 6 a.m. Cost to attend the buffet is $6.50 per person; free for hotel guests. (800) 634-3444
The Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge will take place April 21-22 at Lutsen Mountains. | SUBMITTED
See shipping containers that have been turned into homes at the Arrowhead Home & Builder Show. | SUBMITTED
SPRING HOME & GARDEN SHOW
April 6-8 See the latest in home and garden products at the 20th annual CLE Spring Home and Garden Show in Thunder Bay. There will be multiple craft and merchandise tables, lots of exhibitor booths, outdoor displays, attendance prizes and a special drawing. The show will utilize five buildings on the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition grounds, plus there will be expanded outdoor display areas. The Country Market will also be on-site. The show will be held from 4-9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $3 and parking is free. cle.on.ca/home-garden-show
SIAMA MATUZUNGIDI & CONGO WORLD QUARTET
April 7, Saturday A prolific composer and guitarist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Siama Matuzungidi has recorded hundreds of popular songs and toured Africa, Asia and the Middle East. His signature sound helped fuel the popularization of soukous (“the sound of happiness”),
which is still enjoyed on dance floors worldwide. Siama will perform in concert with his Congo World Quartet, featuring singer Dallas Johnson, global music drummer Tim O’Keefe, and cellist Jacqueline Ultan. The quartet creates a unique fusion by blending different musical influences with Siama’s traditional Congolese music. The concert will be held at 7 p.m. at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais. Tickets are $15 adults, $5 youth. In addition to the show, Siama and Dallas will present two educational programs at the Grand Marais Public Library on Friday, April 6. The first program is at 1 p.m., followed by a different program at 2:30 p.m. Both are free and open to all ages. northshoremusicassociation.com
DULUTH EMPTY BOWL
April 16-17 Free and open to the public, Sea of Bowls, a gallery-style preview of the traditional Empty Bowl event, will be held on Monday, April 16, from 5-7 p.m. Bowls range in price from $25-$100. Then, attend the 25th annual Empty Bowl on Tuesday, April 17 from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Participants can choose a handcrafted bowl created by area artists, school children and community members. Dine on soup, bread and beverages donated by area restaurants, while enjoying local entertainment. There will also be a silent auction, featuring the works of profession -
al regional artists. Both events will be held at the Duluth Depot and all net proceeds benefit Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. northernlakesfoodbank.org
SHREK THE MUSICAL
JR.
April 20-22 & 27-29 Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical Jr., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical. Everyone’s favorite Ogre, Shrek (played by Danny Berka), leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue Princess Fiona (played by Elsa Garry) and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek Jr. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family. Held in Grand Marais at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 ages 12-18, and $1 for ages under 12. grandmaraisplayhouse.com
EARTH FEST
April 21, Saturday The 10th annual Iron Range Earth Fest, hosted by the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability, is a celebration of local traditions and practical resources for sustainable living in northeastern Minnesota. This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Traditions for a Sustainable Future,” will highlight the value
Siama Matuzungidi &
the Congo World Quartet
Sat., April 7, 7 PM
Arrowhead Center for the Arts
51 W. 5th St. Grand Marais
$15 adults $5 youth.
GM Public Library Workshops– Friday, April 6
1:00 PM – Interactive presentation about Congolese history and culture. 2:30 PM – All-ages singing workshop
Enjoy artwork at the Annual Members Show & Sale. | SUBMITTED
many stories to share and information about protecting these incredible animals. The programs will be held from 1-3 p.m. Cost is included with the $6-10 lighthouse admission; MNHS members get in free. mnhs.org/splitrock
MIDWEST EXTREME SNOWMOBILE CHALLENGE
April 21-22 Cor PowerSports (CPS) presents the annual Midwest Extreme Snowmobile Challenge (MESC) at Lutsen Mountains. Sponsored by Polaris 365, this event has been a racers and fan favorite for over three years. The races will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, with the MESC Hillclimb and Hillcross qualifiers. Sunday races will begin with the CPS Cross Country Series at 9 a.m. All races feature multiple classes and three riders will earn spots at the Jackson Hole World Championship hillclimbs. Race registration is required to participate; deadline is 6 p.m. on Monday, April 16. Spectators are welcome. corpowersports.com/schedule/rd10
CHEF SWAP
April 23, Monday On April 23, Red Lion Smokehouse in Thunder Bay will head south to take over the kitchen at Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar in Duluth. Tickets are $60 and include a four-course chef-curated tasting menu, created by the visiting chef. Alcohol pairings will be available, but are not included in the price. Make your reservations now; held from 6-9 p.m. To contact Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar, call (218) 722-2355 or visit: lakeaveduluth.com. To contact Red Lion Smokehouse, call (807) 286-0045 or visit: facebook. com/redlionsmokehouse. Tickets can be purchased at: eventbrite.com.
ANNUAL MEMBERS SHOW & SALE
April 25-May 6 The Grand Marais Art Colony annual Member Show and Sale provides an opportunity for artists to share their inspiration with each other and the public. This year’s theme is Dialogue and Exchange. The artwork exhibition will be held April 25 through May 6, with an opening reception held Friday, April 27 from 5-7 p.m. Also on April 27 is a member’s meeting at 3:30 p.m. Other Grand Marais Art Colony events this month include two Make-a-Bowl for Empty Bowls sessions, with Hannah Laky, held April 1314. Tuition is $5 and classes are held at various times throughout both days. And don’t miss the artist-in-residence Jonathan Herrera. His exhibit will be held April 9-22 and an artist talk will be held April 21 at 1 p.m. grandmaraisartcolony.org
TIMBER FRAMER’S GUILD
April 27-29 Timber framers of any and all skill levels are invited to gather on the shores of Lake Superior at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais. The Timber Frame Gathering will be filled with workshops, storytelling, pre-gathering course offerings, a film screening titled “Raise the Roof,” hands-on demonstrations and mini courses, seminars, discussions, a tour of the North House campus buildings, a wood-fired pizza bake, and more. Course offerings include timber carving and embellishment, sharpening hand tools, crafting the throwing axe, basic timber framing, timber frame engineering, and sketching up your timber frame. Course registration required. northhouse.org
ADVENTURE EXPO
April 27-29 Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis will hold their 66th bi-annual Outdoor Adventure Expo, featuring something for everyone. This year’s expo includes 10 guest speakers, such as Michael Koppy “240 Miles through Moab,” Amy and Dave Freeman “Pedal to D.C.,” Cliff Jacobson “Camping’s Top Secrets,” Lonnie Dupre “Climbing Denali in the Dead of Winter,” Kevin Callan “The Complete Guide to Winter Camping,” and more. There will also be over 100 exhibitors and vendors, a canoe and kayak auction, a beer and gear social night and raffle, environmental organizations and outdoor clubs, food and drink concessions, a kids’ area with games, the Banff Radical Reels Tour, and over 100 programs. Cost to attend is free, with the exception of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. outdooradventureexpo.com
FOLKLORE FESTIVAL
May 5-6 Travel the world in 48 hours at the 45th annual Folklore Festival at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay. Presented by the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, there will be international foods, imported wines and beers, incredible entertainment, “shop-the-world” booths, an activity-packed children’s area with free activities, a parade of nations, exhibits, displays, and local artists on-site. You also have a chance to win a free “stay-cation,” courtesy of Victoria Inn Hotel and Convention Centre. The Saturday night feature entertainers, Café Paris – Martin Blanchet Jazz Quintet, will play a lively selection of French songs, cabaret, gypsy jazz, modern and world music. Festival hours are Noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Attendance is $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, $3 for ages four to 12; free under four years old. folklorefestival.ca
Travel the world at the 45th annual Folklore Festival in Thunder Bay. | SUBMITTED
Joe Paulik 11 a.m. Wunderbar
Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
Jazz & Gospel Concert: Chris Gillis, Thomas Stamps & Friends 3 p.m.
First Congregational Church UCC, Grand Marais (218) 370-9318
Andrew Huber 7:30 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com
April 16, Monday
Empty Bowl Sea of Bowls 5 p.m. The Depot, Duluth, northernlakesfoodbank.org
April 17, Tuesday
25th Annual Empty Bowl 10 a.m. The Depot, Duluth, northernlakesfoodbank.org
Mandala Painting with Jill Terrell 5 p.m. Wunderbar Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
Revel with the Daredevils: Dinner, Silent Auction & Bake Sale
5 p.m. Duluth East High School, facebook.com/daredevils2512
April 18, Wednesday
2Cellos: The Score Tour
8 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com
April 19, Thursday
Pinterest Projects 3:30 p.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org
Gordon Thorne 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com
DJ Real Pure Heart 8 p.m. Wunderbar Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
Theme Night: Go Grease Lightning
9 p.m. Red Lion Smokehouse, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/redlionsmokehouse
April 29, Sunday
Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers
7 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com
Timmy Haus 7 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com
Jim Gaffigan 7:30 p.m. AMSOIL Arena, Duluth, decc.org
April 29-May 6
Homegrown Music Festival Duluth, duluthhomegrown.org
May 5-6
Folklore Festival Noon, Fort William Gardens, Thunder Bay, folklorefestival.ca
WEEKLY EVENTS
Mondays
Open Mic Night 6 p.m. Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays
Live Music by the Fireplace
8 p.m. Bluefin Grille, Tofte, bluefinbay.com
Tuesdays
Live Music 6 p.m. Poplar River Pub at Lutsen Resort, Lutsen, lutsenresort.com
Tuesday Trivia 7 p.m. Grandma Ray’s, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays
Wednesdays
Herbal Demonstration 2 p.m. Tranquility Wellness Center, Ely, tranquilitywellness.center
Country Market 3:30 p.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, thunderbaycountrymarket.com
Open Mic 5 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com
Thursdays
Date Night at the Winery with Live Music 6 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us
Live Music 6 p.m. Poplar River Pub at Lutsen Resort, lutsenresort.com
Fridays
Preschool Storytime
11 a.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org
Live Music Grandma Ray’s, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays
Live Music 4 p.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com
Live Music 6 p.m. Cascade Restaurant, Lutsen, cascadelodgemn.com
Live Music 8 p.m. Bluefin Grille, Tofte, bluefinbay.com
Saturdays
Country Market
8 a.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, thunderbaycountrymarket.com
Voyageur Brewing Company Tour
11:30 a.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com
Open Knitting 1 p.m. Sisu Designs Yarn Shop, Ely, sisudesigns.org
Free: Tour the North House Campus
2 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org
Live Music 6 p.m. Cascade Restaurant, Lutsen, cascadelodgemn.com
Live Music 7 p.m. Lutsen Resort, lutsenresort.com
What’s For Dinner? 7 p.m.
International Wolf Center, Ely, wolf.org
Live Music 8 p.m. Grandma Ray’s, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays
Sundays
Open Stage with Joe Paulik 5:30 p.m. Wunderbar Eatery & Glampground, Grand Marais, facebook.com/wunderbarmn
The North Shore Dish
Going Fresh with Italian Pastas
By Maren Webb
As regular readers can attest, I’m a fan of herbs in cooking. Last year I wrote a column about herbs and spices (find it at: northernwilds.com). Very often, though, herbs are considered garnishes or a nicety for a meal. Thankfully, some cultures and cooks have long recognized the delicious role fresh and dried herbs can play. In this herbs and plants edition of Northern Wilds, the North Shore Dish is spotlighting herbs in Italian cooking and how you can become a little more herb savvy in your own kitchen.
Kim Pizzolato and Ashlyn Ransome both have Italian roots and it comes through in their Thunder Bay business, The Pasta Shoppe. When asked how they developed their recipes, they referenced a combination of family secrets, childhood favorites, and “because Nona said so,” as in that’s how it should be done. But, set aside that mental picture of a sweet Italian grandmother when you picture The Pasta Shoppe. This business takes authentic family traditions and adds a modern twist, using local produce, fresh herbs, and other inspirations to create simple and flavorful meals to enjoy at home.
The Pasta Shoppe specializes in small batch, handcrafted fresh pasta and sauces, for take away, local delivery, make at home, and for eating in the shop. The pasta is made on-site, including tagliatelle, spaghetti, rigatoni, fusilli, and a market-fresh option that is a rotating flavor cut daily. They also rotate a featured sauce each week, in addition to being able to choose from marinara, Bolognese, meatballs and sauce, mushroom ragu, Alfredo, and rose. Mix and match for your favorite combination—the hand-rolled meatballs and sauce is a customer favorite. Hand-rolled gnocchi is available the last Friday of each month.
Herbs are a staple in many of the sauces and pastas at The Pasta Shoppe. Fresh basil and parsley shine in the Bolognese, marinara, and meatball sauce, while fresh sage takes the stage in the mushroom ragu. They recognize that fresh herbs are key to getting the right flavors in their sauces, just like Nona’s. When fresh herbs are in season in Northwestern Ontario, even more appear in the menu options, with pestos and even in the fresh pastas.
“Fresh herbs are excellent for providing an all-natural colour and a subtle pop of flavour in fresh pasta dough,” said Pizzolato.
Handmade fresh pasta is not typically a weeknight endeavor, unless you stop by The Pasta Shoppe first. With both hot pasta bowls for take-out and fresh pasta and sauce kits for assembly at home, The Pasta Shoppe is focused on helping families enjoy handmade pasta at home around the family dinner table.
“We help them enjoy fresh pasta with their families more frequently, and hopefully encourage meals together,” said Pizzolato and Ransome.
The fresh pasta and sauce kits include everything you need to prepare dinner at home, for two to three people, with fresh pasta, sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Also available is pasta by weight, sauce by half
or full litre, and hand-rolled meatballs by the half or full dozen. Pick up what suits your needs or what your family will enjoy.
Just remember when cooking fresh pasta, the true test is taste, not time, to get the noodles just right.
In the age of busy schedules, smartphones, and rare family dinners, Pizzolato and Ransome recognized that it is difficult to create the family dinners of their childhoods. “They were hand-made with love and filled with tradition, but we didn’t realize that until we started learning what was required to prepare such meals.” They’ve stepped in to help bring those traditions back by making it affordable and convenient to enjoy a family meal. As an added
convenience, The Pasta Shoppe does a seasonal pop up at the Thunder Bay Country Market.
The Pasta Shoppe (117 S. May Street, Thunder Bay) is open Tuesday, 11 a.m.4 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Order ahead online (thepastashoppe.ca), call (807-286-6335), or stop in.
Italian and fine dining also go hand-inhand, which is apparent for any diner that has enjoyed a meal at Bellisio’s in Canal Park, Duluth. The restaurant was started as a classic Italian restaurant by Michael (Mick) Paulucci to honor the heritage of his father, Jeno Paulucci, who shared a passion for great food and wine. Today, that pas -
The Pasta Shoppe in Thunder Bay specializes in handcrafted fresh pasta and sauces for dine in, take away, delivery, or to make at home. | THE PASTA SHOPPE
FREE DAY AT THE DENTIST
Healthy Smiles for Cook County Youth
Monday, April 23, 2018
The Oral Health Task Force will be sponsoring another “Free Day” at Grand Marais Family Dentistry on April 23, 2018 for Cook County children and young adults up to 26 years of age. The Free Day also applies to children who attend Birch Grove Charter School living in Silver Bay. Appointment slots fill up quickly so call today to make an appointment at 387-2774. The “Free Day” includes an exam, cleaning, x-rays, fluoride and/ or sealants. Also being offered is free fluoride well water testing compliments of the Oral Health Task Force to any home where children reside. This offer includes pre-natal moms, children and young adults again up to age 26, day cares, and grandparent’s homes. For further well testing information and instructions, please call either Joe Routh at Cook County Planning and Zoning, 387-3631 or Georgene Daubanton at Oral Health Task 387-2334.
For more information
www.northshorehealthcarefoundation.org
Sponsored by the Oral Health Task Force and Grand Marais Family Dentistry.
This program is made possible by grants from Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Aitkins Memorial Fund, Cliffs Foundation, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, First and Second Street Thrift Store, Grand Marais Lions and Lioness Club, Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, Mardag Foundation, Medica Foundation, Minnesota Dental Foundation, Minnesota Power Foundation, North Shore Health Care Foundation, Northland Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, St. Lukes Foundation, and Walmart Foundation.
sion and heritage continues at Bellisio’s, with a menu featuring fresh flavors and authentic classics.
Bellisio’s is named for a town in Italy, Bellisio Solfare, which is where the Paulucci family lived before emigrating to the United States, to the Iron Range of Minnesota. Still today, there is a mural on the wall in Bellisio’s dining room of the family home. These connections to the homeland are reflected in the menu, featuring Italian favorites like classic fettuccine Alfredo, which features imported Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and fettuccine, and Pappardelle alla Norcina, with crumbled Italian sausage, pancetta, cream and sweet peas. Today, executive chef Gary Baregi, ACA, and senior sous chef Chad Blomquist balance the history with innovation for a memorable dining experience.
Herbs are featured in many dishes, but some of the lighter options are where they really shine. The chicken minestrone soup features fresh herbs and seasonal vegetables, their version of the classic Italian soup. The Tuscan salad includes Italian parsley, fresh basil and herb roasted croutons. If you are looking for a dinner entree, the longtime crowd favorite fennel roasted rack of pork is a center-cut pork loin slowly roasted with fennel, garlic, and other fresh herbs.
“Whether it is aromatic basil or rosemary, classic oregano, or a number of other herbs that can subtly take an item from average to outstanding,” said LeeAnn Smith, general manager of Bellisio’s. For those that enjoy wine with their meal, Mondays are half-price bottles of wine.
Bellisio’s (405 Lake Avenue South, Duluth) is open Monday through Thursday for dinner 5-9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (9 p.m. on Sundays). Reservations are recommended. Call (218) 727-4921 or visit: bellisios.com for an OpenTable online reservation.
When cooking at home, fresh herbs are a simple way to up your cooking game in a healthful way. In addition to adding flavor, herbs also add nutrition. Polyphenols, plant compounds that have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, are prevalent in herbs. If the potential health benefit doesn’t help you swallow the often high supermarket price tag, herbs are very affordable if you grow your own. Even in the Northern Wilds, a year-round window garden is possible, if you have a sunny southern facing window. I have had especially good success with sweet basil, Thai basil and parsley. Rosemary I have failed at with dry indoor air, so rely on dried or store bought.
For very perishable herbs like cilantro and parsley, set them in a jar of water, cover with a paper towel, and then cover with a plastic bag to place in the fridge. Swap out the towel and freshen the water every day or two. Depending on how fresh the herbs were when you started, they can last one or two weeks. If you love a kitchen gadget, the Prepara Herb Savor does a great job with the same idea but does take up less space in the fridge. This spring, I hope you enjoy delicious meals, at home or out, with a flavor punch from fresh herbs.
Rigatoni alla Norcina is one of the many pasta dishes found at Bellisio’s in Duluth. | BELLISIO’S
The Prepara Herb Savor will keep your herbs fresh. | MAREN WEBB
Vegetable Soups
By Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux
These creamy vegetable soups are hearty enough for the lingering chill of winter, and colorful enough to get you thinking spring.
Crème de Carottes Soup
This carrot soup is comforting and subtly sweet. The recipe is slightly adapted from a tattered, cloth-bound copy of Au Petit Cordon Bleu, collected during my mother’s years living in England. Variations can be made with any root vegetable.
INGREDIENTS
1½ pounds carrots
1 potato
2 onions
1 clove of garlic
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
¼ - ½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon rice, uncooked
15 ounces milk
15 ounces water
1 egg yolk
5 ounces cream
Chopped parsley
Nutmeg, optional
Thinly slice all vegetables.
Melt butter in a large pot, add the vegetables, and season with salt and pepper. Cook slowly with the lid on for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the rice, water and milk, stirring until it comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Using a blender and being careful with the hot liquid, puree and return to pot.
In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolk and cream. Whisk a small amount of soup in with the egg mixture to prevent it from scrambling, then add it all to the pot.
Stir until soup thickens, without boiling.
Serve with a sprinkling of nutmeg and snippets of fresh parsley.
Zucchini Bleu Cheese Soup
If you don’t have bleu cheese on hand, try substituting cheddar, chèvre, or even cream cheese for a milder flavor.
Adapted from Mediterranean Food of the Sun
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
2 pounds zucchini, sliced
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of nutmeg, optional
2½ cups vegetable stock
4 ounces bleu cheese, plus more for garnish
1¼ cups cream
In a large pot, heat the oil and butter until slightly frothy. Gently cook the onion for about five minutes until soft.
Add the zucchini, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring often.
Add the stock and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer with the lid half-on for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in cheese until melted.
Using a blender and being careful with hot liquid, puree and return to pot.
Add cream, stirring on low until heated through (do not boil).
Top with bleu cheese crumbles and serve.
Crème de Carottes Soup is comforting and subtly sweet. | ROSE ARROWSMITH DECOUX
Happenings
SUNDAY, APRIL 1
Acoustic Brunch featuring Superior Siren 11-2pm
FRIDAY APRIL 13
Pedal to DC Fundraiser for the Boundary Waters featuring The Splintertones! 6-9pm
Daily Happy Hour 4-7 pm 1.00 off all drinks 1/2 price wings.
Special Occasions Call for Special Brews
By Javier Serna
I’m typically not the type of guy that mixes beer drinking with ice fishing, but that rule goes out the window when I shack up in “sleeper” houses on walleye meccas such as Upper Red and Lake of the Woods as I’ve done recently.
And special occasions call for special beers.
A couple of beers I’m glad I packed for the most recent trip were Castle Danger’s White Pine Project IPA and a 750 ml bottle of the 2017 version of Bent Paddle’s Barrel-Aged Double Shot Double Black
First, that IPA, which turned out to be right in my hoppy beer wheelhouse.
For those of you that don’t like super bitter pale ales (they aren’t my favorite pale beers, either), don’t be scared off by this one.
The brewery doesn’t list which hop varieties it used in this beer, but if I had to guess, I would say Citra hops seem to be showcased.
basically a super-charged
tropical fruit and piney flavors, along with a bit of maltiness. If you’re into that type of pale ale, it could be a go-to. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another sixpack or three.
for sipping. Despite not being a stout, it sat in for the purpose. My particular fishing buddy and I like to sip on “breakfast stout” when in the morning of the aforementioned walleye trips.
Sometimes we pour coffee into the mix, but that wasn’t as necessary this time.
SUNDAYS
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY Bloody Mary Bar 11:30-3pm
Brunch 11-2pm Open Stage with Joe Paulik 5:30 - 9:30pm
TUESDAYS
APRIL 3 & 17 & MAY 1
Mandala Painting with Jill Terrell 5-8pm
THURSDAY, FRIDAY, & SATURDAY
Check Facebook for bands, times, and even more events!
This spring seasonal beer is canned and can be found on retail shelves, as well as at the brewery’s Two Harbors taproom and on tap at some finer drinking establishments.
It’s been mentioned in this column before, since proceeds from the beer will be used to plant white pines at select places along Minnesota’s North Shore; a noble, and I’d say special, cause, indeed.
At 5.6 percent alcohol by volume, it’s a little heavy to be considered a “session” beer, but I’d still say it’s crushable. It pours a hazy and juicy (unfiltered) light orange, has a piney nose, and has a great balance between slightly bitter hops and citric,
- Unique access by train and floatplane.
- The only full-service canoe outfitter for Wabakimi.
- Main base B&B plus 6 remote fishing outposts.
So I’ve been cellaring a single 2015 bottle of Double Shot Double Black, but I never had tried the beer until this latest fishing trip. Let’s just say that this barrel-aged beer, which despite looking, tasting and smelling like an imperial stout, is not technically a stout, but in that black ale category. It did seem a little lighter (less laciness) than say your typical imperial stout, but everything else was on point, down to that barrel-aged booziness.
It’s basically a super-charged version of the brewery’s Cold Press Black, with “a double shot of both cold-press coffee and whole bean vanilla,” according to the brewery.
It has a roasted profile with not only vanilla, but also chocolate notes, perfect
- Full or partial outfitting, with or without guides.
- Permits, maps, route planning and shuttles.
- Quote this Code # NW0516 for a free $100 gift certificate.
NEW BREWERY COMING TO LINCOLN PARK: It was announced recently that Ursa Minor Brewing, a small, five-barrel operation, would be opening up in Bent Paddle’s neighborhood this summer.
The brewery will also specialize in Neopolitan-style pizzas at its Duluth taproom at 2415 W. Superior St. The brewery is the workings of brothers Ben and Mark Hugus, according to a press release.
PINK BOOTS COLLABORATION: Duluth’s Hoops and a handful of other breweries are participating in Pink Boots Collaboration Brew Day, a national event celebrating International Woman’s Day, which fell on March 8. The beer, a dry-hopped American pale ale, was a collaboration between Hoops head brewer Melissa Rainville and Earth Ryder’s co-lead brewer Allyson Rolph, among others, including Bent Paddle owner Laura Mullen. The beer is among 240 other collaborations occurring among women brewers around the country, and it is expected to be available April 2.
Bent Paddle’s Double Shot Double Black is
version of the brewery’s Cold Press Black. | CHAD CAMPBELL
Beat the Cell Phone Addiction
By Amy Schmidt
A statistic put out by the Pew Research Center stated that 46 percent of Americans said they could not live without their smartphones. In fact, according to a recent survey, we’d rather have a broken bone than a broken phone. Because we don’t just love our smart phones, we need them. We’re addicted to them.
Most of us are well-versed in the idea of addiction, especially to things like drugs, alcohol, tobacco or gambling. But an addiction to a smart phone? That’s an addiction we don’t talk about much.
So, why can’t we stop? Why would we prefer a broken bone to a broken phone? The answer is dopamine. Dopamine is a brain chemical that quite literally makes us happy. Heroin and cocaine flood the brain with an imitation dopamine, creating a euphoria that keeps the user coming back. Dopamine keeps a gambler pulling the arm of a slot machine. And dopamine keeps us scrolling through Instagram when we should be eating a meal with our families or talking to a stranger in the grocery line. Every time a text or Facebook notification
comes through on our phones, we receive a hit of dopamine. And because dopamine controls the pleasure center of our brain, the hit feels good. And because it feels good, we want more. So we keep on scrolling and before we know it, we’re stuck in a dopamine loop as difficult to exit as a room of bolted doors.
We’re not addicted to our phones because we want to be. We’re addicted to our phones because they are literally addicting. Like gambling. Like heroin.
This is not good news. This is, in fact, rather terrifying news. Because it’s not just responsible adults who are playing with the fire of this addiction—it’s college students and teenagers and children who still need their parents to tuck them in at night.
So, what do we do? For starters, we admit it. Secondly, we take a deep breath and realize there are some simple things we can do. Start by turning off your phone’s notifications. If you’re not constantly interrupted by dings and pings, you can focus on what’s in front of you, whether it’s a work report or a meal with your family.
According to Pew Research Center, 46 percent of Americans said they could not live without their smartphones. | STOCK
Changing your proximity to the smart phone will help, too. Instead of wearing your phone, stash it in a purse or a backpack or, better yet, in a different room. If you have to get up and walk to another room to check your screen, you’re a little less likely to do it. Consider creating a ‘digital safe-zone.’ Maybe your family agrees to turn-off all devices at meal times. Or maybe you discipline yourself to put your phone in airplane mode while you work out at the gym. Doing this builds regular, predictable breaks in your day, allowing your brain to detox.
These are only a handful of general suggestions. Take critical stock of your personal phone use. What needs to change? Be creative. Challenge yourself, your family and your friends toward a better, healthier relationship with smart phones. And in the meantime, talk to the stranger in the grocery line. Talk about the weather or, better yet, tell them a knock-knock joke about beets.
To all our community members, Thank you! From the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic staff, for assistance in advocacy efforts to secure Federal :330 funding for Community Health Centers, through the Health Resources and Services Administration. We appreciate your perseverance and your efforts!
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Northern Trails Time for Last Ice Walleye
By Gord Ellis
As the days get longer, and the sun’s warmth melts away the snow, many anglers start thinking about open water. This is only natural, as there is something invigorating about standing in moving water drifting a fly after a long, dark winter. However, the last gasp of the dark season is also a chance for the ice angler to enjoy some great fishing in splendid weather. Early April ice is generally still pretty decent in the north country of Ontario, although it always pays to be extra careful and wary, particularly near river mouths and outflows. There are very few times an ice angler can sit back and soak up some rays while fishing on the ice, but early April is one of those times.
LOCATION
The key to cashing in on last ice walleye is to understand the fish are on the move towards the spawning areas. For many lakes and reservoirs, this will be via an incoming river or creek. Walleye start staging as early as February and by late March and early April, they will be nosing into the bays where rivers run in. Some last ice anglers presume you should fish as close to the river mouth as possible. This is not always the case. I’ve found many staging walleye will hold well out from the mouth, cruising the bays or setting up on nearby points. They also seem to work shoreline during the late winter period, perhaps using them as a guide towards the rivers. You generally don’t have to fish too deep in late winter; often you will be in 15 feet of water or even less. Generally, the late winter spots are well known and anglers will cluster on them. On clear water lakes, expect the peak bite to be the hour just before dark and for about an hour after. On some wellused lakes, the river mouths and entry bays have fishery protections on them, to keep anglers off the staging fish. Check your Ontario sport fishing regulations and make sure you are up to speed about where you want to fish.
TECHNIQUES
Keep it simple is the rule of the road for late ice walleye. My preference is to jig, as an active lure seems to attract the attention of lovelorn walleye. The number one presentation is a quarter-ounce jig head with a 3-inch minnow. Jig heads should be brightly coloured to get attention and I like glow heads at first and last light. Drop the jig to bottom and lift it with a subtle
action. Every once and a while, let the jig and minnow suspend just a bit off bottom. Sometimes no action after some steady jigging will trigger a strike. On the flip side, a jigging spoon such as a Swedish Pimple or Northland Fire Eye Minnow can be jigged fairly aggressively with sharp snaps. The thump and flash of the spoon attracts and triggers walleye that are very active. Sometimes, adding a minnow head or tail to a spoon can be used as a “sweetener.” I like bright-coloured spoons weighing a halfounce with a little flash on them, but don’t be afraid to experiment.
The other main winter walleye presentation is called a set line. This technique is done by setting a minnow or small sucker on a hook with a weight and leaving it. Some people like to use a trigger mechanism called a tip up, or they use a soft tipped jigging rod and place it on a dowel, rod holder or five-gallon bucket. The trick is to have a minnow lively enough to attract attention, but not too lively or the walleye won’t catch it. With larger minnows, use a good-sized treble hook and weight so the bait is “anchored.” Hook the minnow just below the dorsal fin. Larger walleye often cruise right to the minnow and look it over well before eating it. Watch the tip of your jigging rod for any signs of frantic minnow action. If you have a hit on a large minnow, let the fish run for a bit before setting the hook. This will allow the walleye to get
the minnow turned in its mouth. I really encourage you to photo and release larger walleye as they are usually females and are loaded down with eggs. Fish under two pounds are better eating and are mostly males.
HOT SPOTS
Nearly any lake with walleye in northwestern Ontario will have some kind of bite going at last ice. Everyone has their favourite lake, but I’m partial to Lac des Mille Lacs, northwest of Thunder Bay. It’s darkstained water ensures a good daytime bite for walleye and the fish really start to stage in Sawmill Bay, Poplar Bay and a few other spots by the end of March. Shebandowan, a little closer to Thunder Bay, is another good late ice option, although you need to be mindful of closures at river mouths. Whitefish Lake, closer to the border, is also a popular walleye destination with several winter outfitters that can put you up in shack. Of course, there are many lakes scattered along the border that have great fishing late ice walleye fishing as well. A little investigative research will go a long way. The last days of winter can be some of the very best of all. Get out and catch some last ice walleye before Mother Nature takes the hard water away for another year.
Walleye are biting well at last ice. | GORD ELLIS
Gord Ellis hoists a beauty walleye caught in early April. | GORD ELLIS
Fawn Island
By Douglas Wood University of Minnesota Press, $14.95
For author Douglas Wood, Fawn Island, set amid the beauty of Voyageurs National Park, is not just a charming wilderness hideaway; it is the entry to realms of thought and meaning. From its pineclad shores he searches for insights into the nature of neighborliness and independence, of community and solitude. He questions the notion of being a “force of nature” and the concept of time. These short, thought-provoking essays, both serious and humorous, are accompanied by the author’s original pen-and-ink drawings. Wood is also the author of the best-seller Old Turtle and, more recently, Deep Woods, Wild Waters —Breana Roy
Border Country
The Northwoods Canoe Journals of Howard Greene: 1906-1916
By Martha Greene Phillips University of Minnesota Press,
$39.95
In the summer of 1906, a Milwaukee businessman set out with his young sons and some friends to canoe and camp in the North Woods of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Canada. It was the first of several month-long journeys Howard Greene and “The Gang” would make over the years, each documented in handmade journals accompanied with photographs and maps. Greene captures images of logging and mining operations, remote Native American villages, trading posts, primitive dams and primitive camping. Introduced and annotated by his daughter, Greene’s journals are a window into the North Woods wilderness as it existed in the early 1900s.—Breana Roy
WHY GO: This St. Louis County stream just outside of Duluth has a decent stretch of water that is accessible to lake run species, such as steelhead, Kamloops and even pink salmon at various points in the year. There’s also brown and brook trout on the inland portion of this stream.
ACCESS: There’s a decent amount of public access on this stream, both via multiple bridge crossing and a lot of easements, according to fly fishing guide Carl Haensel, whose business Namebini is located along the stream.
VITALS: This 17.4-mile stream drops 830 feet from Paradise Lake in the Cloquet Valley State Forest and 2.4 miles of the stream are below the posted boundary, which generally corresponds to the area accessible to anadromous trout and salmon. That’s a considerable amount of water by North Shore stream standards, Haensel pointed out.
GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Brook trout, brown trout, coaster brook trout, Kamloops rainbow trout, pink salmon, steelhead trout.
STEAL YOUR RAINBOWS: Haensel notes the stream isn’t stocked, hasn’t been for a couple of decades, yet pulls lots of steelhead rainbow trout to its spring run.
“It varies from year to year, but we need to continue to protect it,” he said, as talk of opening up steelhead trout harvest was heating up in DNR halls.
It’s mainly a spring run, but when there’s been “enough” water, it is possible to get a few steelhead to show up in the fall.
Haensel noted that the stream in the spring also gets a few Kamloops rainbow trout, and he encourages anybody catching one of these to harvest any rainbows they catch missing their adipose fin. Steelhead anglers are particularly concerned about the genetic integrity of the steelhead
Flames of Discontent
The 1916 Minnesota Iron Ore Strike By
Gary Kaunonen
University of Minnesota Press, $24.95
On June 2, 1916, 40 mostly immigrant mine workers at the St. James Mine in Aurora, Minn., walked off the job. This seemingly small labor disturbance would turn into one of the region’s most contentious and significant battles between organized labor and management in the early 20th century. Flames of Discontent tells the story of this pivotal moment and what it meant for workers and immigrants, mining and labor relations in Minnesota and beyond. Author and historian Gary Kaunonen draws on untapped accounts from immigrant newspapers, company letters, personal journals and oral histories to give voice to the strike’s organizers and working-class participants.—Breana Roy
SUCKER RIVER
population upon a recent genetics study showing Kamloops and steelhead trout are widely crossbreeding, creating a genetically inferior hybrid.
Haensel recommended stone flies for steelhead, noting the stream drops fast here. “It is not conducive to long casts and swinging flies,” he said. “You have to get down to find the fish...You have to make sure you are on the bottom to have a shot at it.”
ACCESS ISSUES: Haensel urges anglers to know where they are going, and not to step onto private property. It’s to be noted that the mouth of the stream is privately held, though the landowner allows access. That was in jeopardy last year after some visitors to the land left trash on the land.
“People need to strongly respect the land,” Haensel said.
LITTLE PINKY: As mentioned, there is a pink salmon run in the fall.
“It is pretty small, and they don’t make it much farther than the scenic route,” Haensel said.
STREAM TROUT: The inland portion, both middle and upper sections, of the Sucker is an excellent brook trout stream, Haensel said, encouraging catch and release angling for this species. There are also brownies, particularly on the middle.
This fishing is best from late spring to early summer, or the middle of May through the end of June, and picks up again in September.
Haensel said to use small streamers and fluffy dry flies for these trout.—Javier Serna
I sent in my registration in January for the Can-Am Crown 250. The race takes place in northern Maine, and it made sense to truckpool with other mushers to share travel costs, so I recruited a few. With the use of a large dog truck and trailer, we fit four teams in one rig—all women and North Shore mushers—Mary Manning, Jennifer Freking and Alice White, and an extra person to help with dog care. Matt, baby Sylvia and Matt’s mother flew out to Maine while the rest of us piled in the truck with all of our dogs, sleds and gear for the 36-hour trek across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, all of Ontario and part of Quebec.
Northern Maine has all the charm of New England with rolling mountains for emphasis. Several mushers had insisted that this race would be more difficult than the Beargrease—that the hills were worse, if that could be possible. I looked forward to seeing for myself. Matt had run this race three years ago and dropped out half-way after his leaders became too sick to run. He ran it again the following year, taking third place. He had plenty of advice to offer.
The morning that we loaded the dogs into the trailer in Minnesota, one of Jennifer’s dogs wasn’t eating, and she said this was unlike him. Dogs are often stressed when traveling and don’t always eat on the road, so I thought nothing of it. But on the morning of the race, one of my best eaters wouldn’t touch her food, and I realized then there might be a bug going around.
The race starts in the middle of Fort Kent, Maine, a small town situated on the Allagash River on the border with Canada. We ran out of town on a flat snowmobile trail, turning into the hills and going south for 70 miles. I was able to take in the scenery during the daylight and the dogs had plenty of energy. Mostly I was slowing them down as I wanted to conserve their energy for later in the race. My dog Roxanne, who didn’t eat that morning, continued to refuse all snacks offered and began to vomit. I had to leave her behind at the first checkpoint.
The Can-Am is an unassisted race. Whereas in a race like the Beargrease or the UP200, a musher’s handlers can meet you at each checkpoint, help you bed down the dogs and feed them and booty them for the next leg. At Can-Am, a musher must do all this herself. I was fifth into the first checkpoint and volunteers helped me park the team, and brought me water and my gear that I had sent ahead. I prepared food, took off booties and bedded down the team for a rest.
The race rules mandate a minimum of 14 hours rest split up into four checkpoints. I planned to do three hours at the first, four at the second, three at the third and then four hours at the final checkpoint, which was required in the rules. A musher can take more than 14 hours but not less. After leaving Roxanne with the vets, we pulled out of Portage and ran on toward Rocky Brook. I left after the three men who were considered to be the front runners.
At Rocky, I took a nap and woke up feeling sick—mostly I think due to nerves. I felt better once I was back outside and attended to dropping another dog, Phoenix, who seemed to have some soreness that was causing a change in her normal running gait. While trying to get the dogs rebooted, one of my neutered males decided to jump a female in heat. This wasn’t a big problem because the male was fixed, but the team was wild and I could tell we were on the brink of either a huge fight or the dogs pulling the sled out of the checkpoint. I stopped booting, loaded the sled and took off. What followed was a fivehour slog to Camp Sylver.
By this time, the stomach bug had taken hold of more dogs. Several had diarrhea and weren’t eating well. I felt like the run to Sylver was incredibly slow and long and I was shocked that no one passed me. As we neared Sylver, I started singing to the dogs. Suddenly, Ringo picked up on my energy, began yipping and drove the dogs into a sprinting frenzy. We ran into Sylver at a full sprint.
I had to leave two more dogs at Sylver— both had the stomach bug and were too dehydrated to continue. I left with eight dogs. In the first few miles, I struggled to get the team running at a good pace. I had six males and two females and I had been trying to find males that could run together but nothing was working. After trying every combination possible, I finally extended my gangline so that some dogs could run single. Then, my leader Beezus kept wobbling and I thought he was sick. I considered turning around and ending my race. I decided to give the team another couple miles. It turned out he was tripping in one of the many moose holes in the trail. We finally got momentum and went on into the dark.
The run to Allagash is the most challenging leg because of the hills. Still, I didn’t think the hills were as difficult as Beargrease because they were longer and not quite as steep, making it easier for the dogs to get into a steady pace. Sometimes though, it didn’t seem we could possibly go up any more, and then my headlamp
would catch the upward slant of the trail as it continued…up, up and up. I figured out that if I started singing or even gave a good cough, Ringo would yip and the dogs would break into a run. This would last 100 yards or so, just long enough to get us over the top of a hill. Finally, we went down into Allagash.
After four hours rest we went on to the finish, leaving around 1 a.m. I had slept two and a half hours through the race at that point, and I started nodding off on the sled. For 20-30 miles I tried caffeine and an energy shot, sucking on candy, listening to music and shaking myself, but nothing worked. My head would roll to the side and then I’d wake up, over and over. Once the sky lightened and we headed down the mountain toward the finish,
I perked up. With eight dogs we hit the finish line just before 7 a.m.
The thoughts that went through my head during 30 hours on the sled runners changed from the highs when things are going great to the lows when it was impossible to see how this could be called “fun.”
In the parking lot after the race, debriefing with other mushers, one said, “it’s a next year sport.” Indeed, we end a race and start thinking about next year and all that is to come. It’s a very hopeful sport in that way. Next year looms with the hope of new dogs on the team, different training, changes big and small that will give us that edge in a race. This year though, I am enjoying the remainder of spring. We still have a deep snow pack, puppies to train and more hours of sunshine every day.
During the drive, all 45 dogs get a break from their dog box every four hours for potty and snacking.
| ERIN ALTEMUS
northern sky
APRIL 2018 By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH
April opens with Mars and Saturn paired in the predawn sky. On the move eastward, Mars passes a mere 1.3 degrees below Saturn on the 2nd. Just 25 days later, the gap has widened to 13 degrees, and Mars keeps right on going. The red planet also brightens dramatically as Earth closes in on it in the race around the sun. The distance between our worlds shortens from 103 million miles on the 1st to 79 million miles by month’s end.
Meanwhile, Earth is about to catch up to Jupiter. As we draw nearer, Jupiter rises in the east earlier and earlier—from about three hours after sunset on the 1st to only half-an-hour after sunset on the 30th. At that point Jupiter will be up nearly all night, sweeping from east to west and clearly dominating the night sky. No wonder Jupiter was named for the king of the gods. Saturn and Mars follow Jupiter’s beacon; look to the south an hour or two before dawn to see all three planets. Now an “evening star,” Venus comes out in the sun’s afterglow. Late in the month,
you may catch Venus and Jupiter shining from opposite horizons, bracketing the early-evening sky with brilliance.
The moon’s travels bring it into pairings with all four planets, starting on the 3rd, when a waning moon visits Jupiter. Between the 4th and 5th the moon passes over the brilliant red star Antares, the heart of Scorpius; and on the 7th it hangs close above Saturn and Mars. On the 17th, a young crescent moon of the next cycle makes a pretty pairing with Venus.
On Sunday the 29th, April’s full moon arrives at 7:58 p.m. This is so close to the time the moon clears the horizon that it will appear perfectly full at that moment. And that night it’s Jupiter’s turn to follow a brighter orb across the sky.
The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. For more information and viewing schedules in Duluth, see the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium at: d.umn.edu/planet.
Wild Traditions
Returning to her Ancestral Roots
By Julia Prinselaar
Most of us who straddle urban life and time spent in the outdoors can relate to that sense of yearning for wilderness when we’ve had enough of the noises, smells and crowds of the city. For a young woman growing up in Gothenberg, Sweden, that inner calling eventually became too loud to ignore, and led her to the birthplace of her mother and 11 generations of relatives who came before her.
“Every single day from when I was about 16 years old I dreamed about moving to Grundtjärn,” writes Jonna Jinton in an email from her home, a little red house situated about a quarter mile from the nearest lake. “My mom was born here, and also my grandmother, and her mother... So this village is where my ancestors come from, and I think I could somehow feel that even when I was three years old. We had a little summerhouse here where we spent a week every year, and as long as I can remember, that week was the best time of the year for me.”
With an old car, no job and a little bit of money, Jinton moved north to the tiny Swedish hamlet eight years ago when she turned 21. Located on the same latitude as Iceland and southern Nunavut, just below the Arctic Circle, Grundtjärn is surrounded by forests, meadows, lakes and the northern lights that inspire her professional photography and paintings.
Wide open spaces and solitude also give her room to practice kulning, the term for a Nordic singing technique to herd livestock that dates back to medieval times. Jinton was first introduced to kulning during a
grade school field trip to a musical museum in Stockholm.
“A woman [demonstrated] kulning in front of us, and it was the most amazing sound I had ever heard. When I moved to this place and I could be all alone in the forest, I sometimes tried to make these highpitched sounds because the echoes were so magical,” she says.
Traditionally practiced by Scandinavian women who herded cattle and lived on the fäbod, or summer grazing pasture, the sounds are usually improvised and vary in length. It’s hard to describe in words how the high-pitched melodies of kulning sound, but once you hear them, the feeling is unequivocal.
“I wanted to learn kulning because the
sound really awakened a special feeling in me. It was as if the sound spoke to my soul and reminded me of something. It’s hard to describe in words,” says Jinton, who records videos of her kulning out to the lake, a meadow, and to herds of cattle that approach her in curiosity. Viewers that watch her YouTube channel from around the world seem to have the same reaction.
“No matter from what country or culture, people from all over the world get the same kind of feeling as I do. As if it reminds [them] of something. It makes people get teary eyes and shivers all over, in a good way. The thing I really find special with this ancient herding song is that there is definitely something mystical about it. Why do both humans and animals seem to like this kind of music so much? In Swedish
it is called ‘fäbodmodus’ It’s not happy, and it’s not sad. But it’s some kind of longing or prayer-like sound, I think. As if someone is calling out, waiting for an answer. But also that is what it was used for: calling to communicate, both to humans and animals.”
For Jinton, kulning has answered an inner call to tap into her cultural heritage while returning to the land her relatives made a living from. To hear her collection of video recordings, visit: youtube.com/ user/JonnaJinton
Jonna Jinton’s kulning brings in a herd of cattle. | JONNA JINTON
Gala for the Grove
Saturday, May 19
Semi-formal benefit
Surfside Lakeside Ballroom, Tofte
Have a great night out at this spirited event while supporting Birch Grove Community School
5:30 p.m. Champagne Social
6:30 p.m. Fine Dinner and Wine
7:30 p.m. Live Auction/Raffle
9:00 p.m. Music & Dancing Limited tickets: $75
It sold out last year! For tickets call the school office at 218-663-0170 or visit our website at birchgroveschool.com/ Events/ GalafortheGrove for a downloadable invitation/order form.
Turning Over a New Leaf
Have you ever wondered how trees can stay alive through a northern winter? Imagine if we had to stand outside in below zero temperatures, all day and night for months. We would be frozen solid.
Trees do freeze solid. Well, sort of. We call it dormancy. Bears hibernate in fall and trees go dormant. It’s just one of nature’s many adaptations to the harsh northern climate. In spring, as daylight increases and temperatures rise, our deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves each fall such as maple, aspen and
birch), begin to wake up. Imagine that a tree has veins like we do that move water from their roots to the branches where tiny dormant buds start to unfurl. In the sugar maple, this movement of water is so prolific, that we can put a spigot in the tree and collect some of that water—also known as sap. In the sugar maple, this sap is sweet and can be boiled into a syrup. But it’s not the only tree that has sap. Birch trees also produce a sap that can be boiled into an edible syrup. Other trees produce sap too, but not all sap is sweet.
Watch and Listen
This spring, start an observation journal. Pick a spot outdoors that you enjoy visiting about once a week. Ideally the place will host a variety of plant species, trees, and maybe even some water. Try to stay at least 10 minutes and observe. In early April, what do you see and hear? How does this change by the end of April? What trees have their leaves? What birds do you see and hear? Are there wildflowers blooming?
Evergreen trees have their own kind of antifreeze. The water inside the tree’s cells resists freezing—the water can actually stay liquid inside the evergreen’s cells even when it’s below 32 degrees F.—which is how they stay green all year round. If you’ve ever gotten too close to a pine tree and come away with a sticky mess on your clothes, you have encountered the pine tree sap— this special substance can stay liquid at below freezing temperatures. Enjoy the unfurling of spring!
Here’s a sample list of what to record:
• Date and time of day Weather
• Tree notes (what is different from each visit)
• Plant species Insects
• Birds
• What do you hear?
• Any smells?
• Any evidence of animals such as prints or scat?
From Earthing to Music from Trees and Plants Strange Tales
By Elle AndraWarner
What some of us have simply called a “leisure walk in the woods” is emerging as a global wellness movement with the new name of “forest bathing”—and it’s getting lots of media attention. The age-old practice of walking barefoot in the grass, on the beach or elsewhere is now called ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding.’ And some innovative electronic artists are supposedly recording music from trees and plants.
Mainstream media including CNN, CTV, National Geographic, The Atlantic, Canada’s major newspapers National Post and Globe & Mail have all featured stories and published articles about forest bathing with titles touting “Experience the magical practices of forest bathing”, “Why you should be forest bathing (and we don’t
mean shampoo)” or posing the question, “What the heck is forest bathing?”.
The concept comes from the healing practice of Shinrin-Yoku developed in Japan in the early 1980s. The term means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” In 1982, Japan made Shinrin-Yoku a part of its national health program, making it a cornerstone of its preventative health care and healing in Japanese medicine. The goal is to get people to slow down and reconnect with nature.
While the benefits of a relaxing walk in the woods is something people have intuitively known to have calming, rejuvenating and restorative benefits, the preventative and health-enhancing benefits are scientifically being proven through research. Among the benefits are reduced blood pressure, lowered stress hormones, improved mental clarity, boosted immune system, increased energy levels and improved sleep, to name a few.
In a CNN Article (August 2017), Dr. Nooshin Razani, a pediatrician and nature researcher with UCSF Benoiff Children’s Hospital Oakland, is quoted “Studies have shown that within 15 minutes of being in nature, your stress level goes down, your
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heart rate, blood pressure improves. If you’re in nature longer, you can feel less depressed, less anxious. And if you’re in nature for a few days, you have much increased creativity and cognitive ability.”
According to the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy (the organization that trains and certifies Forest Therapy Guides) forest bathing is “a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments”. This summer, University of Minnesota is offering monthly afternoon sessions on Shinrin Yoku with a certified forest guide at their Arboretum in Chaska.
Another growing back-to-nature health movement is “earthing” (also known also as ‘grounding’), first introduced in the late 1990s by a retired U.S. cable TV executive Clint Ober, the author of “Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?”. Simply put, it is about making direct skin contact with Earth—like walking barefoot on a beach, stone, soil or grass—or a conductive surface that is in direct contact with Earth.
•
The idea is based on research that connecting to Earth’s electrical energy promotes physical well-being by transferring free electrons to replenish the body and bringing the body back in sync to its neutral state. Prominent medical doctors like cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra, scientists like Dr. David Suzuki and some NASA astronauts have supported earthing. According to emerging research, including a study at one of Germany’s Max Planck Institutes, positive results include decreased pain, reduced inflammation, sleep improvements, reduced stress and increased energy.
The famous nature writer Sigurd F. Olson from Ely, dedicated his book Wilderness Days —first published in 1958—to “all those who have listened to the Pipes of Pan along the waterways of the north”. Moving forward to the 21st century, some are finding ways to record the music of nature, like German sound artist Bartholomäus Traubeck who has designed equipment for tree rings to produce music.
“I think about where yoga was 30 years ago and where it is today, and I realize that forest therapy is making the same journey toward cultural definition in a way that will mainstream the practice,” said Ben Page, a certified forest therapy guide who founded Shinrin Yoku Los Angeles
(Quoted in article by Meeri Kim, “Forest Bathing is latest fitness trend to hit U.S. – Where Yoga was 30 years ago.” Washington Post, May 17, 2016.)
Tree rings have been compared to the grooves of a record in that both contain data. Traubeck designed a special turntable designed to read tree rings like music tracks, producing music described as “aesthetically beautiful while at the same time strangely ethereal.” Traubeck, who has said each tree produces a different tune, produced a music album in 2012 titled “Years” featuring tunes from spruce, oak, maple, alder, walnut and birch trees.
Can plants make music? Back 42 years ago (1976) in Damanhur community near Turin, Italy, researchers were exploring ‘plant intelligence’ and wondered if it was possible to communicate with plants by means of music. They created a device that measures the electromagnetic changes on the surface of plant leaves and roots, translating the micro-currents into music through synthesizer. Calling it the “Music of the Plants,” the plant music is now featured on videos and CDs, as well as at live concerts and presentations at festivals around the world.
England’s sonic artist and environmental designer Mileece is also a creator of plant music using electrodes on plant leaves.
Growth rings of a tree at Bristol Zoo, England. Each ring represents one year; the outside rings near the bark are the youngest. | WIKIMEDIA
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Swimming pool, spa, FABULOUS dining…but enjoy it in STYLE at the Cliffhouse overlooking the historic lodge. Newer construction, Big views, Contemporary Design. Total Comfort. Nice rental income to offset expenses. MLS#6021422 $399,000 REDUCED!
DESIGN AND ELEGANCE ON DEERYARD LAKE, LUTSEN. Lindal Cedar Home, dramatic stone fireplace set amongst posts & beams of Douglas Fir. Designer kitchen, sunroom, secluded master bedroom and bath with soaker tub. Wood fired oven, Timberframe Sauna, Woodshop and a large garage. End of the Road 4.48 acres, 175’ of frontage, adjacent public land buffers and beckons. Leave Everything behind and just enjoy the Good Life on Deeryard Lake! MLS#6028689 $599,000 REDUCED!
The Nearer Your Destination, the More Your Worries start Slip Sliding Away…Up North!
SUPER CTY RD 7 JUST WEST OF GRAND MARAIS LOCATION! Lake Superior views, Welcoming home w/ master bedroom, nice guest spaces and a to die for deck overlooking the Woods and the Lake!
MLS#6030389 $350,000
LUTSEN HOME AT MINK RANCH! Nice home for the money, three bedroom, one bath AND a garage. Really a cute place, just a minute from Lutsen Mountains, Move in Ready! MLS#6030897 $145,000 REDUCED!
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM LOG CABIN NEAR TRAIL CENTER! Solid and newer home, just needs some interior finishing. Nice entry area, featuring wood burning stove. Flawless transition to spacious living area, with amazing Stone fireplace, with super-efficient fireplace insert for heating! Gorgeous setting with beautiful pond, border USFS land. Poplar lake is a stone’s throw away! MLS#6032396 $219,900
NEW! LOVELY CARRIAGE STYLE NEWER CONSTRUCTION HOME. Features energy conscious construction, vaulted ceilings, and tons of light that flows throughout the home! Minute’s to Cross River and Lake Superior in Schroeder, less than 20 minutes to Lutsen Mountains! MLS#6032195 $222,933
the premises. MLS# 6029226 $139,900 REDUCED!
Maple Leaf Lane off Hwy 1 near Finland. It’s a quiet getaway cabin, rustic living. Super hunting spot, man cave cabin! MLS# 6030497 $59,900
Whitetail Ridge Overlooking Lake Superior! Just off Highway 1, Enjoy Sprawling Lake and Ridgeline views and Rugged Terrain! Yr Round Access, Electric. MLS# 6024856 $110,000
30 acres Wilderness, Borders lands next to Little Manitou River!
MLS#2309327 $129,000
Rock Road in Silver Bay area! Great build site with creek frontage! MLS#2308638 $45,000 REDUCED!
Lakeshore on Ninemile Lake at the Village, common water and septic, build ready, borderscommon land! MLS#2309096 $39,000 REDUCED!
Marks Drive Build Ready parcel in Silver Bay. City Utilities, Super location for a nice family home! Great neighborhood. MLS#6031871 $22,000
10 Ac Parcels of Maples! Rolling Terrain of Mature Maples to a Sweet Building site Perched Over a Mixed Boreal Forest. Year Round Access and Electric at Road! MLS#2024250 $49,900 REDUCED!
DRAMATIC Mountain Top Views, Rolling Hills, Maple Forests fading in to Spruce and Pine and year round access. $70,000 MLS#2090659 39 ACRES!
87 High Ridge Dr-Lot 3 Sugarloaf Retreats! Driveway in, cleared build site, just plan your North Shore home to take advantage of the Awesome Ridgeline Views! MLS#6030129 $59,000
The Nearer Your Destination, the More Your Worries start Slip Sliding Away…Up North!
Sawbill Trail Tofte Lake Superior Views, Mature Spruce forest with driveway and well in place!
MLS#6030129 $99,900
LeVeaux Mountain, Super Views and Wildlife Ponds!
MLS#2220050 $69,000
Just Up the Sawbill Trail Grab your little piece of the Northwoods, rolling terrain and small community feel with year round access, great build sites!
MLS#2070509 Prices from $24,900!!
Wowser Lake Superior views on Overlook Tr! MLS#2296509 $79,900
Maples with lots of Elbow Room, Year Round access and nice location between Cross River in Schroeder and Finland! MLS#6028422 $59,000
1046 Cramer Rd-Schroeder-40 ac with creek and tons of Maples! OMG it’s a beautiful parcel with high elevations and ravine like creek. Driveway is in! MLS#6028837 $98,000
BIG TIME VIEWS of Lake Superior-Tofte, Excellent value at Johannes Toftey MLS#6029322 $68,500
Overlook at LeVeaux Mountain-Tofte! Serene Woodsy setting with Lake Views! MLS#6029324 $49,000
Maples Galore, Acreage! Schroeder Location with Yr Round Access and Electric!
MLS#6029593 $99,000
Nice large parcel #19 at Sugarloaf Retreats, Boreal Forest land with yr rd access/electric. MLS#6031140 $41,900
LeVeaux Creek Runs Through this Sweet Build Site, minutes to Lutsen Ski Resort! Lake Views! MLS#6031876 $65,000
Nice parcel bordering USFS land, driveway roughed in, access to Tait Lk! MLS#6023412 $35,000
Woodland Foothills Build Ready lots, Shared Water & Community Septic from MLS#2309328+ FROM $39,000
Heartland of Lutsen, 80 ac at the Foothills of Ski Hill ridge, near downtown Lutsen! MLS#2312987 $119,000
Over 8 ac of Wilderness on Turnagain Trail in Lutsen! MLS#2216560 $45,000
Prime Build Site(s) just off theCaribou at Jonvick Creek! MLS#2240533 $49,000
Gorgeous 5 acre parcels in the Heart of Lutsen paved Caribou Trail locale bordering USFS lands! MLS#2174799 From $54,900 - $77,500
30 acres of Prime Wilderness Land with year round access and electric at street with Views of Lutsen’s famed Clara Lake! MLS#2080599 $137,500
Maple Leaf Trail at Jonvick, Maples Galore! Nice elevated build site. Yr Round access, electric. MLS#6024972 $49,000
Ridgetop Views Overlooking Caribou Lake! Tuck your home in to the Maple hillside in Lutsen, year round access. Super Location! MLS#6028429 $56,500
Tait Lake area, Legend Trail parcel bordering USFS lands with views of Wills and Williams Lake!
MLS#6028619 $67,500
Wilderness Lutsen location at Tait Lake- backlot with Driveway in place! Yr Round and Electric MLS#6029115 $37,500
Ridgetop 5+ ac in Lutsen, Fantastic location, minutes to the Ski Hill, Yr Round Living with some Lake Superior Views, perfect for 2 story walk out home. MLS# 603266 $49,900
Ski Hill Road lands, Boreal Lane is your Key To Mountain Top Living! 5 ac lots from MLS#6029557+ $59,000 TO $99,000
20 Acres near Pike Lake, minutes to the new Boat Landing! Driveway is in place, nice shed. Panoramic Wilderness! MLS#6028569 $69,000 Grand Marais Meadows on County Rd 7, Gorgeous Setting, Super location! MLS#6029849+ $65,000
Quiet Side of Town, a Creek meanders Through, Cleansing. Large lots, surveyed and build ready. Just Imagine, New Construction in the heart of Grand Marais! MLS#6031883 $54,900 ASK ABOUT ADJOINING LAND!
LAKE SUPERIOR LANDS INLAND LAKE LANDS
SCHROEDER, JUST OVER AN HOUR FROM DULUTH! Home site just 40 ft from the Big Lake, level easy access, well buffered from Hwy!
MLS#6032752 $250,000
LARGE LAKE SUPERIOR PARCEL, JUST AN HOUR FROM DULUTH! Rolling terrain, level shoreline, and nearly 600 ft of it! Enjoy your own paradise on Lake Superior!
MLS#6032772 $499,900
JUST IMAGINE, A MODERN NEW CONSTRUCTION BUNGALOW ON LUTSEN’S CASCADE BEACH RD! Build it on this Dreamy Parcel, Have Vision!
MLS#2308906 $299,000
ALL TO YOURSELF! 400+ FT, WITH ACCESSIBLE LEDGEROCK, OCCASIONAL BEACH! Rollins Creek Rd Lutsen Locale, Historical Nature.
MLS#6031579 $499,900
JUST NORTH OF SILVER BAY, PALISADE VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR! Gorgeous Views down the Coastline and Well buffered from Hwy. MLS#2313255 $235,000
LUTSEN’S ROLLINS CREEK ROAD
LAKE SUPERIOR! Build Ready, good buffer from Hwy, Spectacular Views!
MLS#6028455 $225,000
SIMPLE LIVING ON LAKE SUPERIOR! A Step up from Thoreau’s Cabin, Enjoy the peace and quiet this lovely little cabin offers on over 300 ft of Lake Superior Shoreline! Electric, and Nice gas Stove makes this a comfy and welcoming Cabin!
MLS#6026595 $240,000
RUSTIC GETAWAY Lakeshore,
area. Mature pines, end of the road location on Swallow Lake! MLS#2300576 $64,900
HOVLAND’S TREASURE on Tom Lake, prime lake only access with large acreage, privacy galore! MLS#6032237 $124,900
LUTSEN LAKESHORE ON DEERYARD!
Year Round access, elec/broadband. Maple hillside, Rocky prime shoreline!
MLS#6027527 $189,900
$99,900
PIKE LAKE LUTSEN SIDE! Premium Shoreline, nice and rocky! South facing build site, boreal forest. Lot 6 Willard Lane, must see!
MLS#6031145 $199,900
DEERYARD LAKE EAST SIDE, bay shallow shoreline but great views to the west down the lake! Boardwalk in place for lake access.
MLS#6031104 $74,900
Isabella
CHRISTINE LAKE 10 AC bordering Superior National Forest, Yr Round Access, electric/broadband avail. Hill top build site overlooking mature white pine, cedar lined shoreline on Christine. Serenity Now! MLS#6023288
The Tofte Airport home-sites derives its name
Lake Superior Lots
Lake Superior View
Homes & Cabins
Land
W Hwy 61 Great location and development opportunities right off Hwy 61! 7.1A, zoned commercial and R-1. Additional R-1 acreage available.
MLS 2170380 $149,900
North Rd 20A, very private, year round access. Power, phone and broadband available at the road!!
MLS 6024552 $39,900
Coyote Ridge Three 5A, private, beautifully wooded parcels close to town. Babbling, gurgling creek for your boundary.
MLS 6021224 $45,000 - $65,000
25+A close to Grand Marais; healthy mix of trees with a very gently rolling topography. Approximately 800’ frontage on the Fall River.
MLS 6030910 $89,900
Rosebush Hill Lane Nicely wooded 5.40A with shared driveway only minutes from town. Identified septic sites and fully surveyed! Approx. 430’ of creek frontage. OWNER will consider a Contract for Deed!
MLS 6030911 $49,900
5.72A of nicely wooded land with gently rolling topography AND approx. 500’ frontage on the Rosebush Tributaries. OWNER will consider a Contract for Deed!
MLS 6030899 $39,900
78 Squint Lake Rd 5A surrounded on 2 sides by government land. Convenient mid-trail location.
MLS 6020283 $59,900
Railroad Drive 1.7A in the heart of Lutsen. Gently rolling topography, mature trees. Convenient location.
MLS 6023743 $39,900
Broadway Ave Wonderful location, oversize lot is open to many opportunities for development and use.
MLS 6031909 $48,000
Co Rd 67 2.24A, year round access, directly abuts State Land to the east. Fully surveyed and well-built private driveway. MLS 6029973 $39,900
Stonegate Rd 2A on public portion of desirable Stone Gate Road with lots of potential uses. Power, phone, and broadband are a stone’s throw away.
MLS 6029678 $18,400
County Rd 7
Oversize lot on Co Rd 7 but inside the city. The obvious benefits of broadband and other services.
MLS 6028579 $58,000
Super private piece of land with 6.83A that directly abuts Federal land. There is a seasonal camper on the property that is perfect if you are only using a few times a year.
MLS 6031424 $59,900
Silver Fox Rd
Peaceful and quiet 5A close to town with easements onto Federal Land.
MLS 6025690 $25,900
County Rd 48
2 lots 5-7A, 5+ and 7+A lots at a great country location just minutes from town. Recreation trails close by.
MLS 6030629 $45,000 - $47,500
Wildwood Acres
5 parcels in Wildwood Acres! .9A to 1.85A. Nicely wooded and private. Residential neighborhood.
MLS 6031563 $20,000 - $35,000
Boulder Point Rd
3.55A in Lutsen off the Ski Hill Rd. Abuts State Scenic and Natural area providing hundreds of acres of untouched land.
MLS 6031787 $59,900
2965 E Hwy 61
Conveniently located near public access to Lake Superior, Kadunce Wayside, Kadunce River, Superior Hiking Trail and more.
MLS 6031864 $15,900
Victory Lane
20A with great building sites overlook a beautiful beaver pond and some great building sites overlooking the pond.
MLS 6032536 $25,000
E County Rd 14
Private 5A piece of property out of town yet close enough for school and work. The road is in place and great building sites whether it’s a year round home or a getaway cabin.
MLS 6032716 $37,500
Grand Marais Condo
STUNNING LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS.
Immaculate and beautifully furnished 4 bdrm, 3 bath Lake Superior home. Very little maintenance with smaller association benefits! All major rooms with stunning lake views. Master suite and laundry on main level.
MLS# 6028321
$565,000
EXPANSIVE LAKE SUPERIOR RETREAT. Lake Superior charm and seclusion awaits on this park-like private retreat property with almost 90 acres, 1793 feet of shore, and 3 classic Aldrich log cabins with outstanding lake views. A rare, unique opportunity! MLS# 6030553 $2,250,000
FOUR SEASONS GUEST HOUSE. Family compound or shortterm rentals-you choose. Endless views, solidly built, rear parcel with lake views, new septic, and location, location, location!
MLS# 6030289 $515,000
lot with 240 ft of Lake Superior shoreline in the Chimney Rock Platted Development. Premier quality with stunning elevated and panoramic views of the lake. MLS# 2313197 $199,900
LAKE SUPERIOR, BIG BAY, BIG VIEWS. Dense spruce forest, moss covered boulders and privacy make this a classic Lake Superior lot. 200' shoreline with partial driveway in place, shared road maintenance, power and Broadband. Easy access from Hwy 61, yet private and secluded feeling.
MLS# 6029039 $199,900
WILDERNESS INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY. 2000+ acres of Cook County land with 6 lakes. Over 10,000' of shoreline. Various parcels spread across the Superior National Forest, most accessible via forest service roads. The Mark Lake parcel is 159 acres with 200’ shoreline for sale separately: $219,000. MLS# 6025545 $3,100,000
SECLUSION AND SERENITY IN MAPLE FOREST. Immaculate, Mulfinger designed 2 bdrm, 2 bath home situated perfectly into the terrain with rock outcroppings and stunning views through the tree tops. Deep woods privacy, beautiful features and 220' lake shore.
MLS# 6032538 $359,900
DEVIL TRACK LAKE HOME AND CABIN. Incredibly well-built 4 bdrm Devil Track Lake home on a premier lot. Included is the main home along with a lovely guest cabin, all just a short distance from the water's edge. Nice 3 car garage, woodburning Carlton Peak stone
CLASSIC CABIN ON CLEARWATER
LAKE. Comfortable, well maintained 2 bdrm, 1 bath cabin cared for by the same family for over 60 years. 205 feet of shoreline on much sought after Clearwater lake with direct access to the BWCA. MLS# 6032657
$259,000
MLS# 6029644 $199,000
Seller! MLS# 6026299 $239,000 LAKE SUPERIOR HOME SITE. Great Lake Superior lot with an excellent site for walkout. Surveyed and level open location for your new home. This 1.07 acre parcel has a very neat, private cove and a 447' of meandering ledge rock shoreline. MLS# 6027506 $299,000
SALE PENDING
CABIN WITH BWCAW VIEW ON MCFARLAND. This super 2 bdrm cabin has great views of the Palisades and the west end of McFarland Lake. Just a stone’s throw from the BWCAW! Comes furnished including pontoon boat, fishing boats, canoe, dock, and two Onan generators.
INLAND WATER PROPERTIES
LOON LAKE
GETAWAY. Lovely furnished cabin on pristine Loon Lake. Includes a newer 1 bdrm addition, cozy loft, open living/dining room, sturdy deck, and 24' dock on 142' shoreline. Cabin easily sleeps 6. Lakewater system, septic holding tank. Great lake views! MLS# 6030355 $186,000
PRIME PIKE LAKE. Wilderness, woods and lakeshore. Pristine views of Superior Nat'l across the lake, towering white pine overhead. Virgin pine and cedar are unique here! The 252' frontage and 3 acres have gentle shore, crystal clear water and great privacy. Driveway and drilled well. Power and Broadband available. Fishing, wildlife and easy access to Lutsen or Grand Marais. MLS# 6032300 $179,900
NORTH FOWL LAKE CABIN.
LOG SIDED CABIN ON TOM LAKE. This 2 bdrm, 1 bath cabin is situated on the shore of Tom Lake with loons and walleye just off the 24' dock. Solar power with quiet generator, though grid electric is available. Features a spiral staircase to a spacious loft and energy efficient windows.
MLS# 6030876 $160,000
Only a lucky few get to own cabins here. Remote water access from the US side, or drive in to the landing on Ontario side. Stunning views, easy access to the BWCA. The 2 bdrm cabin is one of the nicest remote cabins you'll find. Includes a great sauna. MLS# 6023214 $158,500
VIRGIN PINE, GREAT SHORELINE, PIKE LAKE. Three lake lots with wilderness, woods, and lakeshore are waiting for your dream lake home or cabin. Pristine views, towering white pine, +/- 200' accessible shoreline each with crystal clear water and great privacy. Good driveway in place, ideal location, power and broadband available. Four total lots can be purchased together at a discount. MLS# 6032297-99 $129,900+
SOLITUDE ON LOON LAKE. These 1-2 acre lots are located on the south side of Loon Lake and offer great lake views, 152-218’ beautiful shoreline and many nice trees. The main road is in place and power is on the lot line. MLS# 6032216-18, 6032220 $120,000 and up LEGENDARY SAWMILL BAY. Magnificent old-growth cedars and maples frame a corner lot with a high and dry build site. Year-round road access and a terrific wildlife habitat awaits your cabin in the woods. 185' of Caribou Lake frontage. MLS# 6032953 $89,000 LARGE LAND, PINES, PRIVACY AND PIKE LAKE VIEW. Outstanding property with adjoining USFS lands, good access on Murmur Creek Rd, and even nice views of Pike Lake. Launch your boat just a half-mile away. Nice planted red pine, power/ broadband close by. MLS# 6032302 $84,900
BEAUTIFUL NINEMILE LAKE LOT End of the road, large lot adjoins Superior National Forest and Cabin Creek Unit Roadless Area. Great trees, views and building site on 4.1 acres with 397 feet of shoreine. Unique privacy, year round access and power. MLS# 6031840 $75,900
LOT ON NINEMILE LAKE. Beautiful, large lot on Ninemile Lake in Finland. Lot adjoins Superior National Forest and Cabin Creek Unit Roadless Area with excellent shoreline and views. Power and year round access! MLS# 6028511 $69,000
RARE ELBOW LAKE LOT. For the fisherman who has almost everything. This is a very private 1 acre parcel surrounded by federal land with 268’ shoreline. Your own shore lunch spot! MLS# 6031436 $50,000
GREAT PRICE LAKE LOTS. Deep woods, seclusion and nice views from these Tom Lake lots. This is the desired west side of the lake with access from the Camp 20 Rd. Enjoy a peaceful lake property with good access. Great back roads to explore. Adjacent land available. MLS# 6030741, 6030742 $49,900 each
CONDOMINIUMS
WELCOME TO LAKE SUPERIOR. Warm & beautiful light-filled end unit Aspenwood Townhome. The 2-story walkout style leaves you with plenty of options to get outside and close to the Big Lake. This 2 bdrm, 3 bath home includes 98% of all furnishings & personal property. It is also part of a successful vacation rental pool. MLS# 6022175 $290,000
NEW! SUPERIOR LIVING ON THE LAKE. Gorgeous 2 bdrm, 2 bath condo with unobstructed Lake Superior views! This unit has had everything redone and replaced. Convenient location with access to many recreational opportunities. MLS# 6033455 $144,000
HOMES & CABINS
NEW! LARGE HOME ON THE HILL. Privacy and comfort are yours in this quality home with huge garage on 40 acres of high land with distant lake views. Remote off-grid living without being too far off the beaten path. Self reliance is all set up for you with a 4 bdrm, 1 bath home that has beautiful living spaces and room to do more as you see fit. A home or retreat, situated close to Magney State Park and Lake Superior. MLS# 6033566 $274,900
PRIVACY AND VIEWS AT SISTER LAKE. Nice lake lot with great forest, and beautiful new building site. There's a high point of the surrounding area with awesome views. Excellent, accessible shoreline. New driveway to a great building site. This is a great area for fishing many lakes in the area. You're also close to Tofte/Lutsen on the North Shore. Priced to sell!! MLS# 6031704 $74,900 A GEM IN THE WOODS. There is quality and detail at every turn in this magnificent 2 bdrm, 2 bath home hidden on 30 acres in the Grand Portage State Forest. Marble stairs and floors, loft, master bath
GUNFLINT TRAIL ESCAPE. Tucked away overlooking Gunflint Lake are 9 acres of dense forest with a stream. Two small but functional cabins are remodeled and ready for you to move in. Great log sauna. Adjoins federal land - walk to the BWCAW. Public landing nearby. MLS# 6031608 $129,900
HOMES & CABINS
MARKET, DELI, LIQUOR STORE – HOVLAND. A bustling business in a beautiful rural community on the North Shore. Bakery, deli, pizza, convenience store, and liquor store under one roof. Large seating area & outdoor patio. Expansion/home site possible!
MLS# 6023742 $329,900
NEW! GREAT HISTORY, GREAT LAKE. Devil Track Cabins is a long standing seasonal resort on the beautiful north shore of Devil Track Lake. The 5 charming cabins + owner’s cabin each have a private setting and lake view. Great beach with docking for guests. A wonderful family retreat!
MLS# 6033556, 6033557
$387,900
BIG OPPORTUNITY, MANY POSSIBILITIES. Prime commercial location in Hovland, 1000 feet of Highway 61 frontage. Large commercial space with a small 2 bedroom home and 1 functioning rental cottage. Many new improvements and upgrades. Two more small cabins could be rented, and there's room for many more...or other possibilities.
Large 2-car garage plus two sheds. MLS# 6026089 $284,900
PRIME RETAIL DOWNTOWN GRAND MARAIS. Main traffic location in the heart of down town. Located on Wisconsin St between Blue Water Cafe and Sivertson Gallery, with 25 ft street frontage and over 2300 sq ft each. Build up for a lake view –lots of possibilities! MLS# 6029930, 6029951 $150,000 each
PRIME COMMERCIAL LOTS IN LUTSEN.Two acre-sized lots with Highway 61 frontage-road access and great visibility in downtown Lutsen. Nice creek borders the east property line, nice mature forest. Great location for a small gallery, retail or restaurant. A residential lot is available adjoining to the north.
• MLS# 6032971 $99,900 • MLS# 6032972 $89,900
RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE
LARGE TRACT WITH CREEK. This 319 acre parcel has ponds & creek frontage on the Flute Reed River. Has been in DNR management program. Great for hunting or homesteading. Access is by unimproved easement from the Camp 20 Road, near county maintenance. The land may be split - take your pick of "40's"! MLS# 6027384 $258,000
LARGE ACREAGE WITH WATER FEATURES. The headwaters of Irish Creek! Quality 160+ acres, 5 parcels sold grouped or separately. Many great features incl. old growth white pine, ponds, camping and building areas. MLS# 6030177 $149,500
SUGARBUSH, BEAVER, TROUT. Remote 80 acres ,10 miles from Grand Marais with easy access. Surrounded by public land. 700’ of Durfee Creek frontage. MLS# 6024638 $149,000
TWENTY ACRES – GREAT LOCATION. Great larger parcel near Grand Marais with road in to the “top” of the property. Lake views, maple and mixed forest, small creek. County road access with power and broadband close by, borders public land on three sides. MLS# 6030517 $112,000
RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE
WOODS, WATER & SECLUSION.Three 40 acre lots with 600 to 1000 ft frontage on Mons Creek. Also includes deeded access to Lost Lake. Private and secluded. MLS# 6021356 $59,900 or MLS# 6021357 $69,900 or MLS# 6021358 $74,900.
NICE HOME SITE NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Nice elevation and views from this 6.75 acre lot off of County Rd 6 just minutes from town. Frontage on Little Devil Track River, with lowland and highlands. Nice forest and privacy for your home or cabin in the woods. MLS# 6031740 $54,900
FLUTE REED RIVER HOME SITES. These two heavily wooded parcels have the seclusion of 11-13 acres and about 330' frontage each on the trout stream Flute Reed River. Access is easy from frontage on a county road. Power and broadband are available. These lots are the perfect place for a retreat property or a year-round home. MLS# 6030884, 6030885 $49,900 each
500’ ON MOHNS CREEK. Mixed topography of beautiful rolling land with many great build sites on 25 acres. Old growth cedar, spruce, pine and birch. Abuts state land. MLS# 6029353 $39,000
100+ ACRES NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Great location for a home or recreational property just minutes from Grand Marais. Rolling land with creek, borders thousands of acres of federal and state lands. Power at road. Seller willing to subdivide MLS# 6032474 $277,900
NEW! TOP OF BIRCH CLIFF See 50 miles across Lake Superior – incredible 180 degree views! Private drive and buried power in place. 15+ acres with nice mature trees and public lands on 2 sides. More land is available. This site will rock your world. MLS# 6033563 $249,900 ACREAGE ADJOINS WILDERNESS - LAKE ACCESS. This 42 acre parcel includes 400 feet of shoreline on McFarland Lake. Building sites are located across the road on the hillside with potential lake views. Easy access to the BWCAW and Border Route Hiking Trail. MLS# 6024602 $179,000 INCREASINGLY RARE, LARGE RECREATIONAL PARCEL. 190 arces fully surveyed. The perfect retreat. Has a rich variety of trees, ponds, high and low lands, some meadow land and wetlands. MLS# 6029820 $150,000 FANTASTIC FIVE MILE ROCK. Great 7 acre property abuts Highway 61 at Five Mile Rock. Beautiful views of Lake Superior. Excellent build site and a 30 x 40 Morton building. Ready for your dreams! MLS# 6030238 $120,000
PROVEN GREAT HUNTING AREA - 80 ACRES. Prime hunting land in Schroeder. Rolling land with great wildlife habitat incl. stream, beaver dam with large pond, and a good mixture of trees and low vegetation. Older 2 bdrm cabin in a beautiful park like setting overlooking large beaver pond. MLS# 6032712 $115,000
LARGE ACREAGE NEAR TOM LAKE. 128 acres with good road access and an easy walk to the Tom Lake boat landing. Year-round road, power is possible here. The 3 forties may be split - take your pick. MLS# 6027383 $111,000
TWO INCREDIBLE LUTSEN PARCELS. Driveway, electric/broadband, survey and a cozy camper/RV are all set on Lot 3, while Lot 4 offers unending privacy as it abuts federal land. Christine Lake public boat landing is within walking distance with Poplar and Tait rivers nearby as well. MLS# 6032903 $109,500
HUGE POND-HUGE PRIVACY. Large 45+ acre wooded parcel located across from Tom Lake. Huge pond/lake in the very center of the acreage. MLS# 6029352 $99,000
LAND NEAR WILSON LAKE. A special piece of the Northwoods – 16 acres with deeded access to Wilson Lake! USA-owned forest is your backyard. Driveway, electric, and a small bunkhouse/shed are in place. MLS# 6028685 $80,000
RESIDENTIAL OR RESORT COMMERCIAL LAND. 5.9 acres between Tofte and Lutsen on the Onion River Rd. Resort Commercial allows rental cabins and businesses - a wonderful opportunity. Beautiful mature cedar forest, seasonal view of Lake Superior. MLS# 6032988 $74,900
GREAT LOCATION HOME SITES. Just minutes from Grand Marais on black top County Rd 7 are two 5+ acre lots with easy access to power and Broadband. Good building sites. Lot #8 already has a roughed-in driveway and power, and nice views. MLS# 6033035 - $42,900 • MLS# 6033039 - $72,500
LARGE LAND, MAPLES, LAKE ACCESS. This 67 acre parcel has high maple ridges, a pond, and an easement to walk to Tom Lake. Good seasonal road access, many nice building sites. A perfect escape property in an area with many trails to ride and forest to explore. MLS# 6030705 $69,900
LARGE LAND, POND, LAKE RIGHTS. Densely wooded 60 acre parcel with beaver ponds and access to Lost Lake. Good seasonal road access, many great building sites and southerly exposure. Lots of elbow room, privacy, and miles of forest roads to explore. MLS# 6033463 $64,900
GREAT LOCATION, QUALITY FOREST, BUILD HERE. These 10-acre parcels have a mature and mixed forest, southerly exposure, easy county road frontage and just minutes from Grand Marais. MLS# 6023274 $64,900, MLS# 6023275 $62,900, MLS# 6023276 $64,900 MAPLE HILL - HOME SITE. Heavily wooded 6.45 acre parcel with great privacy, county rd frontage, power and phone. MLS# 6023465 $64,500
RUSTICATE, RECREATE, RELAX. Hovland hideaway – 43 acres with new driveway to “base camp” with a nice camper trailer and shed. Trails have been cut throughout the property which adjoins State land. MLS# 2313223 $59,900
STONE'S THROW LAKE SUPERIOR. This heavily wooded, private 2+ acre building site sits just across the highway from Lake Superior's shore with a view of the big lake. You can walk the beach or have a bonfire on the State shoreline. MLS# 6029899 $59,900
SALE PENDING
WOODED HOME SITE This 5+ acre parcel is only 1.5 miles from Grand Marais and ready for your country home. Mixed forest, with forest service land in the back for exploring or hunting. A driveway and culvert are already in place. MLS# 6026053 $55,000
RUSTIC WOODED WONDERLAND. Beautiful 40 acres of maple forest with small rustic cabin bordering Judge Magney State Park. Enjoy the peaceful solitude of Aide Lake, rimmed by an open cedar grove just a short hike from the cabin into the park. MLS# 6025235 $52,000
PERFECT 5 ACRE HOME SITE. This private and secluded build site is just waiting for your custom plans! Only five miles from town with five acres of great woods bordering public land on two sides. MLS# 6028922 $51,500 BUILDING SITE OVERLOOKING MCFARLAND. This pine studded 7 acre property has easy walking access to the county beach on McFarland Lake. Nice elevated build site with easy county road access. MLS# 6024601 $43,000
BEAUTIFUL WOODED LUTSEN LOT. Beautiful level lot with an open build site for your cabin or new home in a quiet and peaceful area of Lutsen. You'll be minutes away from every type of north-woods activity, including Lutsen Mountains and Superior National Golf Course. MLS# 6033068 $39,000
WOODED ACREAGE – GM. Private 20 acre lot with hiking and ski trails, and abundant wildlife. A high building site offers seasonal views of Lake Superior. MLS# 2313173 $35,000
5 ACRES NEAR CARIBOU LAKE. Gorgeous corner lot with colorful maples and majestic cedars. Plenty of privacy. Close to hiking trails and the Caribou Lake boat landing. Year round access with power! MLS# 2279179 $35,000
LAND FOR ESCAPE AND RECREATION. Remote yet accessible 20 acres near Judge Magney State Park. Good mix of trees, high building site, some distant Lake Superior views. MLS# 6025397 $34,900
GREAT LOCATION HOME SITE. Wooded home or cabin site near Devil Track Lake. The 1.72 acre lot has nice trees and maybe a view of the lake from a second story. The boat landing is just down the road, as are many other lakes and trails. MLS# 6029872 $29,900
GREAT LUTSEN LOT Very quiet and private.
CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT
I was photographing the sunrise at Artist’s Point in Grand Marais and as I walked back I saw this little guy hanging out next to the ice. I pulled out my long lens and waited to see what he would do. At first, he was cautious and curious. He hid, then poked his head out and eventually walked out on the ice. When he slipped into the water, I thought the encounter was over, but I waited. I’m glad I did, because he emerged shortly afterward with a fish in his mouth.—Bryan Hansel mink
