Northern Wilds

It’s Time for a Change (of Season)

After an endless winter, we can only say, “April, you’ve been a long time coming.” We’ve been waiting for you since at least January, when already cold temperatures became colder and deep snow got deeper. We waited, not so patiently, through February and March as the Big Chill nagged us like a toothache. But now you’re here.

We’ve pinned warm hopes on you. Folks in Thunder Bay intend to kick off the month with thoughts of summer with the 16th Annual Spring Home and Garden Show April 4-6. Regardless the weather outside, you can wander through the show and plan for your summertime backyard parties and projects. While you are there, be sure to stop by the Northern Wilds booth in the Claydon Building and say hello. Afterward you can take a stroll along the waterfront, look across the icy bay and dream about the blue, blue water soon to come.

You may be surprised to learn not everyone is in a hurry for the ice to melt. In April, Minnesota ice anglers head for South Fowl Lake, our Fishing Hole of the month, on the Ontario border, which is one of the few lakes in this neck of the woods where the walleye fishing season remains open until April 14. They are not the only winter diehards. Skiers and boarders at Lutsen Mountains will mourn the end of winter with the Sweetwater Shakedown Music Festival April 3-5 and the Mountain Meltdown April 12-13.

Around the same time, others celebrate the first rites of spring. Steelhead anglers appear along North Shore rivers shortly after ice-out seeking chrome-bright rainbow trout making a spawning run from Lake Superior. They are joined by the creekers, semi-crazy kayakers who descend the same rivers when they tumble and roar with spring runoff. You can learn more about them in Lucas Will’s story in this issue. For both groups of river rats, cold brown water is a spring tonic.

Other folks find their tonic in their soil beneath our feet. They smile at the sight of spring’s first crocus and plant their dreams with garden seeds that arrive in April’s mail. Still others wander the leafless forest and seek its secret treasures—antlers dropped by moose and deer the previous winter and spring ephemeral flowers peeking through the

litter. They follow the

Maybe you know another way to shake off the Big Chill. If so, give it a whirl. We’ve waited long enough for April to arrive. It’s time to give the long winter the send-off it deserves.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt

Where can I find Northern Wilds in Thunder Bay?

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PUBLISHERS

Shawn Perich & Amber Pratt

EDITORIAL

Shawn Perich, Editor editor@northernwilds.com

Erin Altemus, Managing Editor erin@northernwilds.com

ADVERTISING

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

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GRAPHIC DESIGN

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OFFICE

Roseanne Cooley • billing@northernwildsmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Elle Andra-Warner, Gord Ellis, Kim Falter, Joan Farnam, Nace Hagemann, Kelsey Roseth, Javier Serna, Jim Stroner,

Copyright 2014 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc. Published 12 times per year. Subscription rate is $28 per year or $52 for 2 years. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part requires written permission from the publishers. Northern Wilds Media, Inc. P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-9475 (phone/fax)

leaf

beat of a familiar drummer, the male ruffed grouse beating his wings atop a mouldering log as he searches for a mate.

FEATURES GUIDES DEPARTMENTS

Jim Stroner captured

Lynx by Nace Hagemann.

Tweet this: Minnesota forest bird populations are increasing

DULUTH—Mature forest habitat in Minnesota is increasing, which is good news for forest songbirds.

And here’s just one reason why we should all care: Birds are highly effective, non-chemical insecticides. And each bird species has carved out their preferred food niche—some species, for instance, depend upon spruce budworm. Take out one species and it could unbalance the system.

The Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) has been monitoring forest bird populations in three national forests—the Chippewa, Superior and Chequamegon— for almost 20 years (monitoring in the Chequamegon ended in 2010), and the trend is steady or upward for 90 percent of the species being watched over these two decades. The NRRI database is one of the longest and most detailed for forest birds in the Midwest, with more than 1,000 point counts gathered each year and almost 500,000 individual birds counted.

The upward trend is encouraging, given that when the monitoring started there was some concern about forest songbird populations.

“At the time we started the monitoring program in 1991, forest harvesting in Minnesota was increasing,” explained Gerald Niemi, NRRI ornithologist and principal investigator for NRRI’s bird research. “We lacked information on the population status for many species of forest birds and how they might be affected.”

By simply overlaying a graph of the downward trend in forest harvest with a graph of the upswing in forest birds, scientists suspect that the availability of more mature forests is one reason for the healthy trend. A 2013 report from the

Department of Natural Resources shows a 5 percent increase in forest coverage in Northeast Minnesota.

“We know that many bird species are associated with intermediate and older forests,” said Edmund Zlonis, NRRI ornithologist and assistant scientist. “When an area is logged, it promotes a period of even-age and often single-species forests that overall support fewer bird species. It takes 60-80 years for more diverse layers and tree species composition to develop.”

Other bird-friendly practices include more selective logging practices over the decades and an increase in backyard bird feeding which could be contributing to the upswing. Warmer winters may also be beneficial to some species.

On the other hand, some species are declining dramatically.

“The connecticut warbler and evening grosbeak have declined 75–80 percent over the last 20 years. It’s a big problem,” said Zlonis. “The swainson’s thrush and the yellow-bellied flycatcher are also in decline, and these are all species found in lowland conifer habitat.”

In the case of colder, wetter lowland bogs, climate change has a more pronounced impact which the scientists think may be affecting those species. But to further confound the researchers, some woody wetland bird species are increasing.

“We don’t have concrete causative factors yet, so that’s something we’ve started researching,” said Zlonis. “Does climate change have a direct physiological effect on some species? Or is it an indirect effect through changing the birds’ preferred habitat?”

Zlonis is lead author on the summary report of breeding bird trends from 19952013 submitted to the Chippewa and Superior National Forests last October. Not only does the data inform land managers and industry on better forest stewardship, the long-term dataset provides a lot of opportunities for young scientists.

DID YOU KNOW?

“It’s something like a playground to learn different statistical techniques and ways to manage data, to learn what you can do with research,” said Zlonis. “As a young person interested in science, it’s fantastic.”— June Kallestad

• Migrating songbirds eat 3,000–10,500 tons of insects per day.

• 6.8 million birds are killed each year by communication towers.

• 360–900 million birds are killed each year by windows and buildings.

• 3-5 billion birds migrate each fall from Canada, many of which over-winter or pass through Minnesota on their way south.

Minnesota offers enhanced driver’s license

ST. PAUL—Minnesota residents can now apply for an enhanced version of their driver’s license that allows them to re-enter the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean without a passport or passport card. The new enhanced documents are available at 14 locations in the state.

Driver license exam stations in Duluth, Virginia, Bemidji and Detroit Lakes are among those stations qualified to process enhanced card applications.

Post offices and county courthouses, which can process applications for passports and passport cards, cannot accept applications for the enhanced documents, said Stephanie Kausenberg, public information officer for the Minnesota Department

of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division. “Only 14 DVS exam stations (in Minnesota) were given authorization from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” she said.

Minnesota is the fifth state to accept the enhanced cards. Others are Michigan, New York, Vermont and Washington.

The cost of an enhanced driver’s license or enhanced identification card is $15 in addition to the fee charged for a regular driver’s license or ID card. The applications will take from two to four weeks to process.

Residents can apply for the cards at the time their driver’s license or ID card is due for renewal, or replace their current driv-

er’s license with no change in the expiration date of the license. Drivers who are 16 or older applying for a license for the first time can also apply for an enhanced card. Like regular driver’s licenses, the cards are good for four years.

To receive an enhanced license, individuals must provide proof of their social security number, proof of U.S. citizenship, photographic identification and proof of Minnesota residency. There are many options for these requirements. To learn more, see https://dps/mn/gov/division/ dvs or call the Duluth Exam Station at (218) 628-4925.

Authorities expect up to 16,000 individuals to apply for the enhanced cards this year, Kausenberg said.—Joan Farnam

Minnesota is now offering an enhanced driver’s license.

The northern parula is one bird species that is increasing in population in Minnesota forests. | ED ZLONIS

Ed Hedstrom of Grand Marais has constructed a portable diorama of winter logging camp and sawmill similar to ones his family operated in the forests of Cook County more than 50 years ago. Hedstrom designed the diorama to be self-contained in a carrying case so he can bring it to schools or special events. The diorama may also be seen at the Cook County Historical Society Museum in Grand Marais. Hedstrom Lumber Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Preservation protects Gooseberry Falls history

GOOSEBERRY FALLS—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is working hard to ensure the history of Gooseberry Falls State Park is not forgotten. The park, located on Hwy 61 a few miles east of Two Harbors, is home to more than 80 original buildings, structures and objects built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1934 and 1941. To maintain the site’s standing on the National Register of Historic Places, projects are underway to protect a few of the park’s most wellknown structures.

Preservation work begins on Lakeview Shelter and Lady Slipper Lodge this spring and will likely continue throughout the summer. “Because all the buildings are

DOG LAKE

Is there room for elk?

CLOQUET—The Fond du Lac Ojibwe Band is in the initial stages of considering whether to re-introduce elk to the portion of northeastern and east-central Minnesota where its members exercise treaty rights to hunt and fish. Elk were native to Minnesota, found on the prairies and forest transition areas, but were extirpated due to unregulated hunting in the late 1800s. Two small herds presently exist in the northwestern corner of the state.

Having received a “green light” from the tribal council to investigate the possibility of releasing elk into the wild, Fond du Lac biologist, Mike Schrage, says the next steps are to evaluate the potential habitat, build support among stakeholders—including major landowners such as the Minnesota DNR—and identify areas with minimal agriculture to avoid conflicts with farmers.

From the experiences of biologists involved with elk introductions in other eastern states, notably Wisconsin, Schrage has learned elk prefer forests that are actively managed for timber harvest, because the animals are attracted to stands of young aspen. He’s also learned the initial introduction of animals must be big, perhaps 75 to 100 animals, to overcome the effects of wolf predation.

If the band eventually decides to go ahead with reintroduction, the number of elk needed may be an obstacle. States or other management agencies with elk herds may be unwilling to give up so many of the highly valued animals, Schrage said. In addition, the elk must be diseasefree. Schrage said chronic wasting disease (CWD) is now widespread and difficult to detect with tests. Other potential diseases include brucellosis and tuberculosis, which can be found with tests.

Omashkoozoog (elk) in northwest Minnesota near Grygla. | MARSHALL DETERS, MDNR

Schrage says the focus on elk came from tribal leaders’ interest in restoring native species and diversifying native food sources. Elk are adaptable to a range of climates and habitats and thus may cope well with variations in Minnesota’s climate in coming decades.

Many eastern states and Ontario already have made successful elk reintroductions. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Kentucky have thriving herds that support popular hunting seasons. Elk are found in the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and are being introduced to Virginia, Missouri and Arkansas. Wisconsin has plans for a second reintroduction. Whatever happens in Minnesota won’t happen overnight. Schrage says given the amount of necessary preparation, it will be years before Fond du Lac’s potential reintroduction may occur.—Shawn Perich

FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Ann Possis, Mary Jo Wimmer (trainer), Duane Hasegawa, Jan Sivertson, Dave Tersteeg, Jeanne Anderson, Jim Boyd, Jessa Frost, Pat Campanaro

MIDDLE ROW: Amy Demmer, Woody Gilk, Peter James, Mike Roth, Kelsey Rogers Kennedy, Amber Pratt, Emily Marshall, Patrick Knight, Abby Tofte, Victor Klimoski (trainer), Tracy Benson BACK ROW: Rowan Watkins, Dave Mills, Heidi DooKirk, Steve Surbaugh, Linda Jurek Kratt, Rick Anderson, Leif Lunde, David Demmer

Emerging Leaders

GRAND RAPIDS--More than two dozen men and women from Cook County participated in a five-day retreat at a resort near Grand Rapids as part of the Blandin Foundation’s Community Leadership Program. Many of them are involved with local government and nonprofit organizations where they can make practical use of skills they acquired through the program.

The goal of the Blandin Community Leadership Program is to develop and train a broad base of local leaders to build healthy communities. Topics covered during the retreat included: identifying and describing community issues and opportunities, effective interpersonal communication, building social capital, appreciating personality differences, managing interpersonal conflict, understanding community power, mobilizing community resources, and goal setting. BCLP training programs are funded entirely by the Blandin Foundation, whose mission is to strengthen rural Minnesota communities.

Pellets for parasite study

DULUTH—Moose are susceptible to several parasites carried by deer. White-tailed deer are the primary host for brainworm and liver fluke. Neither of these parasites are debilitating to deer, but both can cause illness or even death when they infect moose.

Ron Moen of the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Kim VanderWaal, a research scientist at the Minnesota Zoo, are investigating parasite transmission between deer and moose in northeastern Minnesota. Their goal is to understand what ecological factors promote the transmission of brainworm and liver flukes. They plan to develop a “risk map” showing patterns of infection, which will serve as a tool to predict where parasite transmission between deer and moose is most likely.

To map parasite transmission patterns, they are seeking assistance from the public in collecting deer pellets from across northeastern Minnesota.

If you are interested in assisting in pellet collection, please contact Kim VanderWaal (kim.vanderwaal@state.mn.us). She will provide directions for collection and storage so that they can be used to help analyze the spatial distribution of these parasites.

Signs being fixed after winter and fall

helping with backhoe work around Golden Eagle Lodge. | DAN BAUMANN

Spring Rush at the Resorts

Multi-tasking before the first guests arrive

By Shawn Perich

If you own a resort, spring cleaning is…well, a rite of spring. Once the snow melts, resort owners have a short window to get their entire operation in shipshape before the first guests arrive for the fishing season opener. Opening a resort for the season is a formidable task.

“I tend to put it out of my mind for four months in the winter,” says Paul Del Pino, owner of Dog Lake Resort in Kaministiquia, Ont. “I need 20 days to get open and Nature usually gives me about 14 days.”

When spring arrives, he rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. One of the first things he does is turn on the water and find all of the leaks in the lines.

“Nothing is ever perfect,” Del Pino says.

Water is essential to many of the spring tasks, especially the big one—cleaning all cabins, rooms and the lodge. Resorters interviewed for this story agreed it takes a full day just to clean one cabin. Walls, ceilings, bathrooms and windows are thoroughly scrubbed. Carpets are cleaned. Floors are cleaned and waxed. All bedding must be washed. Curtains are washed and ironed. Stoves, refrigerators and furnaces are cleaned and tested to make sure they are in working order. Screens are cleaned and repaired. Chimneys are swept. Painting is done as necessary.

“We have 26 structures on our property, so just think of what you do for deep cleaning your home and multiply,” says Dan Baumann at Golden Eagle Resort on the Gunflint Trail. Because Golden Eagle is a year-round operation, Baumann is simultaneously putting away his winter gear, including a Snow Cat, equipment for grooming ski trails and “all of the snow shovels.”

While cleaning, resort owners can’t forget about day-today tasks, such as answering phone calls and emails, because spring is also when many guests make their bookings. In some areas, cell phone coverage is weak or nonexistent.

“I don’t have a cell phone in my pocket,” says Shari Baker of Gunflint Pines on the Gunflint Trail. “If you miss a phone

call, they don’t call back later, they just call someone else.”

Baker says marketing tasks are part of her spring preparations, from dusting off the gift items for sale in the lodge to attending a gift show, printing brochures and ordering groceries. Resorters must also make sure they have all of the necessary licenses, certificates and inspections they need to be in business.

Outside, many other chores await. Docks must be put in the lake. Boats and canoes must be cleaned and readied for summer rental. Outboard motors and fishing graphs are tested to ensure they are in working order. All other motorized equipment from power generators—essential at an offthe-grid location like Dog Lake—to lawnmowers and ATVs are fired up as well.

Yard work includes clearing brush, raking around cabins, lodges and beaches and putting fresh wood chips on dirt paths. Baumann also plants 400 trees each spring and checks up on the trees he planted in previous years. Del Pino grades the road leading to the resort and steams frozen culverts as necessary.

Getting so much work done in such a short amount of time requires a lot of man-hours—before the summer help has arrived. Del Pino gets some assistance from family members. The Baumanns generally have at least five folks on hand, including themselves and two staff members. The Bakers have some assistance from family as well. In the past, they have sponsored “work weekends” where guests could help out during a four-hour Saturday work session.

“If we had 10 people show up for a work weekend, that was 40 hours for us,” Baker said.

Spring is also a time to tackle big projects, like remodeling jobs. At Golden Eagle Lodge, this year’s project is making 10 new cedar deck chairs for the cabins. They were able to get an early start on the job, because the resort has a heated shop. Still, every resort owner interviewed agreed with an observation from Del Pino, who said, “I never get to start and finish a project.”

Too soon, it seems, the guests begin to arrive, full of an-

made now for the spring start

ticipation of fun and fishing. While guests may appreciate all of the hard work that went into opening the resort for the season, they also expect everything they are paying for to be ready to go—from hot showers in the cabins to a rental boat and a bucket of minnows waiting at the dock. For resort owners, now the real work begins—taking care of their customers. This means being friendly, cheerful and available around the clock until the resort closes in the fall.

“I don’t get a good night’s sleep for seven months,” says Del Pino. “I just have a chair in the lodge that I sleep in.”

Clearly, owning a resort is as much about enjoying a lifestyle as it is owning a business.

Kids

moose rubbing. | DAN BAUMANN

Bob Baker moving a dock. | SHARI BAKER

Chairs being

up.

| DAN BAUMANN

Chasing High Water Spring paddlers take the plunge

By Lucas Will

Right now there’s a group of Minnesota paddlers salivating. Some of them might be watching river gauges or checking a handful of websites, but most are driving up and down the North Shore looking at the rivers for physical signs. They likely haven’t been on a river in months but are poised to start the year off with some world-class whitewater in their own backyard.

Creek boating is a season like no other on the rocky shoreline overlooking Lake Superior. “Spring on the shore is the only time that consistently gives us runnable flows on most of the creeks,” says kayaker Ryan Zimny of Thomson. “It’s fairly rare to get enough rain for them to be runnable, so it comes down to the snowmelt.”

As the winter’s snowpack begins to thaw, all that frozen water funnels into every river, creek, and drainage, saturat-

ing the ground to flood-like levels as it cuts down the ridgeline towards the Big Lake. For these whitewater kayakers, the result is a dream come true.

When the North Shore rivers are ready, word travels fast among the group and then beyond. According to Joel Decker of Carlton, for most kayakers in the area, there is a sense of urgency. “Some seasons are over by April 1st and some don’t even start until May. I think most treat each day as if the season can end at any time.” Rivers with a larger watershed might last a little longer, but there are no guarantees. Many of the rivers offer runs between two to six miles long, on average dropping about 100 feet per mile until they empty into the Big Lake. The high volume of water creates extremely tight and fast-paced runs.

Two aspects make this area unique in the realm of whitewater kayaking. One is accessibility. With so many rivers concentrated along Hwy. 61, it’s not hard to pick and choose. The second is being able to finish a run by empty-

A falls on the East Beaver River makes a great drop. | SCOTT WHITE

Scouting the river is always part of the deal. This is on the Sucker River. | TOMMY NORTON

ing out into the largest freshwater lake in the world.

There are some classic rivers like the Cascade, Split Rock, Baptism and Devil Track that skilled kayakers love for the slides, drops and scenery. Some, running through steep canyons, require a commitment where once you’re in, you’re in. Most, however, allow for a paddler to portage if the upcoming rapid or hole appears more hazardous than the rest (a portage on the Devil Track, for example, involves a 40-foot rappel).

And don’t forget the waterfalls, which for some are considered the spice of north shore runs. “From Duluth to Canada there are at least 20 runnable vertical drops of 10 feet or more. Some have technical [approaches] and some are just straight-forward and big,” says Cliff Langley of Duluth. “And then there are the scary ones.”

Like the water, the risks also run high. “Hypothermia, falls from portaging, strainers [trees across the river], and ice shelves; all are real possibilities on many of the runs,” says Decker. A big consideration is the cold impact, one that kayakers address by wearing many warm layers under-

“Hypothermia, falls from portaging, strainers [trees across the river], and ice shelves; all are real possibilities on many of the runs,” says Decker.

neath a dry suit and extra-thick neoprene.

Langley suggests North Shore creek boating isn’t for the fair-weather paddler. “It’s cold, steep, and fast. Some days the temps are barely in the 40’s, the water is just above freezing and there is still snow in the woods.”

Water levels change daily, so a section that ran one way the day before might look and feel totally different the next. It’s never the same year to year, making for “new” attempts each season.

What draws these paddlers to some of the most difficult rated rivers is the challenge, beauty and a chance to be in the moment. “Paddling whitewater is almost Zen because you have to be doing what you are doing, you aren’t talking, texting while driving, or other multitasking, you are paddling and that’s it,” says Langley.

It’s a sentiment shared by most North Shore kayakers, where egos get checked at the parking lot. “It’s not about trying to beat the river, it’s about harmonizing with it. Sort of like a forced meditation where you have to focus, you have to be in the moment,” adds Scott Ewan, also of Duluth.

For many, it’s an annual get-together centered on kayaking. “Some people might only come to the shore for a month in the spring and then move on to other parts of the country for the rest of the year,” says Zimny, who’s been paddling on the shore for 15 years. “I’ve met a lot of amazing friends, and creek season is a reunion.”

I remember driving by a Hwy. 61 pullout on a spring day last year and spotting a group of heavily geared characters. To most of us, on a fast glance, they might resemble the American Gladiators. Donning headgear, face shields and shoulder pads they had just finished a run down the Cascade River.

That circle of paddlers resonated with enthusiasm, camaraderie and respect. In Decker’s experience, “Everyone watches out for each other, and the bonds that form are pretty impressive.”

This spring, keep your eye out for these focused kayakers all along the scenic North Shore. With access from the Superior Hiking Trail, state park trails, and even the highway, you might catch a brightly colored boater awash in a swelling, whiskey-colored creek.

If the deep snow keeps you away, look for a film by Adventure Minnesota Films which will be following a cast of local creek boaters around the North Shore as part of their Among the Wild independent shortfilm series.

for a longer thrill than most.

A large drop, better known as Illgen Falls on the Baptism River near Finland makes

| SCOTT WHITE

Too. Much. Fun. | SCOTT WHITE

NorthShore ArtScene

By Joan Farnam

“Entry Points to the Creative: Mapping Mystery” opens at the Johnson Heritage Post with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 28. Ruth Pszwaro, program coordinator at the Grand Marais Art Colony, will give a presentation entitled: “Frontiers and Borderlands: Navigating the Creative Process.”

The exhibit, which is organized by the Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church, will feature a variety of artwork in different media created by local artists. Mary MacDonald’s art students at ISD 166 will also be exhibiting work in the show. All invited. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit continues through April 13.

On March 29, consider taking a trip to Thunder Bay for a multi-media art extravaganza throughout the Waterfront District organized by Definitely Superior Art Gallery “Urban Infill: Art in the Core 8” opens on Saturday with a gala opening at the gallery, 250 Park Ave, beginning at 7 p.m. (EST), followed by guided tours of installations, live music, performance art and more throughout the neighborhood. This year there are 18 projects featuring 350 artists in 15 venues throughout the Waterfront District.

You can pick up your art map at the gallery and follow the tour guides, dressed in brightly colored raincoats, who will amuse and entertain you as you explore the downtown. The commercial art galleries in the district will have special exhibits, too, and local businesses will feature wearable art performances in their windows. The exhibits at special locations continue throughout the weekend. Exhibits at the DefSup Gallery continue through April 26. For more information, see www.definitelysuperior.com or visit their Facebook page.

Also that weekend, the Minnesota Ballet will present “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” in Symphony Hall at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in Duluth at 7 p.m. March 28-29. For tickets and more information, visit www.minnesotaballet.org.

On April 1, Minneapolis ceramic artist Ginny Sims will begin her Artist-in-Residence program at the Grand Marais Art Colony. It will run through April 13. During Sims’ residency, she will be working on projects in the Founders Hall as well as in the Art Colony’s ceramics studio. On Saturday, April 5, she will host an Open Studio in the Founders Hall from 1-2 p.m. where the public can come in and see her work. Then on Saturday, April 12, she will lead a Community Engagement Project entitled “Ordinary Objects and Memories: Drawing the Story of Things.” The public is invited to bring an object that interests them and then follow Sims as she illustrates her creative process using large-scale drawings. To register for the workshop, which is from 1-3 p.m., call 287-2737.

The musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” a production of the Lake Superior Community Theatre, will be performed at the Two Harbors High School Auditorium April 4-6 and April 10-12. The dinner theatre performance and silent auction is April 5.

The cast of 44, under the direction of Paul Deaner and choreographer Susan Michels, features George Starkovich in the leading role of Tevye. Starkovich will be joined by Diane Dinndorf Friebe as his wife Golde. David Haaversen will conduct the pit orchestra and pianist Nancy MacGibbon has been leading vocal rehearsals. Scenic

ist-In-Residence at the Grand Marais Art Colony April 1-13.

“A Separate Reality,” by George Raab, intaglio print, is one of the works that will be at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Sandi Pillsbury Gredzens’ painting, “Study for Lavendar and Lace,” will be on exhibit at the Waterfront Gallery in Two Harbors during the Voyageurs Artists annual show.

[LEFT] Landscape painter Dave Gilsvik will be featured on WDSE The Playlist on April 24. [ABOVE LEFT] Ceramic artist Ginny Sims uses Majolica glazes on her work. She will be the Art-

[ABOVE]

designer and painter Ann Gumpper designed the multiunit setting and lead carpenter Charlie Michels built the set with support from a half dozen crew. Reserved seating can be booked online at www.lsct.us or call 218-220-0682. General admission tickets will be sold at the door.

The first weekends in April are also music festival weekends at Papa Charlie’s on Lutsen Mountains. The Sweetwater Shakedown is April 3-5 and will feature Leftover Salmon, The Travelin’ McCourys and Bill Nershi of String Cheese, Gordon Thorne and Paul Mayasich, to name a few.

April 12-13 is Mountain Meltdown weekend featuring a two-day music festival with 10 bands on an outdoor stage, a beer garden and a barbecue. Usually this is the final weekend of skiing on the mountain, but the season has been extended through Easter weekend because of the great snow this year.

Twin Cities jazz singer Prudence Johnson and Jane Aleckson of the Big Top Chatauqua will join Michael Monroe for a special Log Cabin Concert April 19. For reservations, call (218) 387-2919.

The Fingerstyle Masters Weekend at Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte is April 11-12 this year featuring workshops from 9:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Gordon Thorne kicks off the event on Friday, April 11, at the Bluefin Grille from 8-10 p.m. On Saturday night, Phil Heywood and Eric Lugosch will be in concert at the pub at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door, but be early. They sell out. For more information about the event and to register for the workshops, visit www.bluefinbay.com.

And on April 25, an actor from the Minnesota History Players will be at the Grand Marais Public Library at 1 p.m. to portray Virginia Maehope, a woman pilot during World War II who flew transport planes for the war effort.

There are great opportunities to see art exhibits this month, too.

“Spring Has Sprung,” a multi-media exhibit of the Voyageur Artists group, opens at the Waterfront Gallery in Two Harbors with a reception from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Participating artists include Sandi Pillsbury Gredzens, Elsie Cook, John Anderson, Michelle Ronning, Rose Kadera Vastilla, Helen Hartley, Linda Hoffman, Nancy Steinhauser, Dorothy Moe, Sheila Fallon, Shelley Getten, Arlee Wilkes, Marlene Miller and Joyce Gow. The Waterfront Gallery is located at 632 First Ave. The exhibit continues through June 7.

Art and Ambiance, a fundraiser for the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, featuring a live and silent auction of affordable, original works by more than 40 local and regional artists, is at 7 p.m. (EST) April 11. CBC’s Lisa Laco is the host with Dave Shaw as auctioneer. Jazz musician Robin Ranger will play. For more info, visit www.theag.ca.

George Raab, an internationally known printmaker, will open an exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery on April 19. Entitled “Into the Woods: Etchings by George Raab,” the exhibit features his intaglio prints inspired by his photographs. He will give an artist talk at 7:30 p.m.(EST) April 24. The exhibit is open through June. 15.

spotlight

COOPER TERNES Woodturner

Have you always lived on the North Shore?

I grew up in St. Paul, but I came up here multiple times a year with my family when I was growing up. One of those times, I took a North House Folk School class carving spoons. I was maybe 14. It was my first exposure to North House and real, green, woodworking experiences. I have been reading books about woods and woodworking for a long time. I’ve always been interested in it. Later I got the internship at North House and came up.

What projects are you currently working on?

Today, I’m going to finish building a tool so I can do a new kind of bowl. It’s called a shaving horse, and it’s a way to clamp wood quickly so I can carve bowls, elongated ones, rather than turned round ones.

I’m also working on 25-inch (diameter) cherry bowls. I hope to have 50 of the super, super large ones this year. I’m focused on making them the absolutely best I can, and they’re gorgeous. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to get really big pieces of walnut that I’ve been working my way through, so I’m making both cherry and walnut ones that are that big.

The last weekend in April features “A Night of Conversation & Song with Peter Yarrow” who will perform at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. April 26. Yarrow is a member of the famous trio, Pete Paul and Mary, and wrote many of their songs, including “Puff the Magic Dragon,” “Day is Done” and “Light One Candle.” He will play songs and talk about his life as a peacemaker. The event is sponsored by the North Shore Music Association.

Other music events of interest in April include “The Battle of Saxes,” part of the Cabaret Series of the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. In this performance Thunder Bay saxophonists Dino Pepe and Mark Thibert will perform with the symphony at the Italian Cultural Center, 132 Algoma Street at 8 p.m. (EST) April 4-5. For tickets, visit www.tbca.com.

On April 15, the band Collective Soul will perform at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium at 8 p.m. (EST) and the musical, “Mama Mia” will be on-stage at the TBCA April 29-30 at 8 p.m.(EST).

In other art news, Sivertson Gallery will be releasing giclee prints of Howard Sivertson paintings that haven’t been seen for years. The gallery has already released a number of giclee prints of paintings by David Gilsvik and Liz Sivertson. Mark Tessier is putting a catalog together of the new prints.

Here is some great news for artists. Threads plans to set up an artists’ supply section in its shop. It will be bringing in acrylic and watercolor paints, sketchbooks, canvases and more. To find out more, check out the new website at www.threadsshorestore.com or call (218) 387-1004.

The shop is also carrying decorated mirrors by Maryl Skinner

In other art news, glass artist Nancy Seaton will be featured on PBS WDSE’s The Playlist on April 10 followed by Greg Wright, director of North House Folk School, April 17 and plein air painter David Gilsvik April 24. The Playlist airs at 9 p.m. on Thursdays.

The Attic Gallery of Fine American Craft has just received new Navaho and Zuni jewelry, including works

What about your art continues to attract and fascinate you?

There are a lot of answers – continually learning how to make my tools sharper, watching what other turners or potters are doing, continue to develop my sense of form and design – all of that is pretty exciting. This year, I found some rare books on Scandinavian folk art and I’m delving into them. That’s the tradition that I’m working from, that I’m trying to interpret. Those are real inspiring to me—looking at those old objects.

Where can we see your work?

I have pieces at The Foundry Home Goods Store in the Warehouse District in Minneapolis, and I’ll be doing art shows this year, including the Edina Art Fair, the Park Point Art Fair and the Powderhorn Art Fair. You can also contact me through my website at www.nordicwoodenware.com and set up appointment to meet me at my studio (in Grand Marais).

“Emil & the Night Visitor” by Howard Sivertson, is one of his paintings that will be available as a giclee print through Sivertson Gallery.

“As Above, So Below” encaustic, by Nancy Daley, is on exhibit in the “Mapping Mystery” show at the Johnson Heritage Post.

Arrowhead Home and Builder Show Duluth

April 2-6

The 48th Annual Arrowhead Home & Builders Show is coming to the DECC April 2-6. Hundreds of exhibitors will bring the newest, most exciting products on the market from home design to better living to landscaping. Building materials, decorating ideas, remodeling and interior design will all be available for you to view and learn about. Many vendors will be offering discounts only available at the show, making this the place to save money on your project. This year’s main stage entertainment will be the five-man vocal band “Home Free.” Also, back by popular demand is the colorful Parakeet Landing that is fun for kids of all ages. www.shamrockprod.com

Fiddler on the Roof

Sweetwater Shakedown Music Festival

April 3-5

What better way to celebrate this glorious season than with a three-day ski, snowboard and music festival? Sweetwater Shakedown presents the arrival of spring with some sweet musical accompaniment for both young and old performed by topnotch bluegrass entertainers at this epic three-day music event. www.lutsen.com/ shakedown

April 4-6, 10-12. Lake Superior Community Theatre will present the awardwinning 1964 musical blockbuster “Fiddler on the Roof” in the Two Harbors High School Auditorium on April 4-6 and 10-12. The musical takes place in Russia in 1905 and deals with life in the little town of Anatevka and the struggles of Tevye and Anatevkans to maintain their traditions in the face of great social and political upheaval. Fiddler showcases one of the great American musical theatre scores with songs including Tradition, Matchmaker, If I were A Rich Man, Sabbath Prayer, Do You Love Me, To Life, Miracle of Miracles, Sunrise Sunset and Far From the Home I Love. Reserved seating can be booked online by accessing the ticket link at www.lsct.us or by contacting house manager Roxanne Lillis at (218) 220-0682. General admission tickets will be sold at the door.

Folk Singer Peter Yarrow

April 26

Best known as part of the folk trio Peter, Paul & Mary and author of the classic children’s song “Puff the Magic Dragon,” Yarrow is no less than a legend for many Baby Boomers and the generations who followed. His message of social consciousness and humanitarian work continue

Annual Free Tree Seedling Giveaway at Hedstrom Lumber

Offering White Spruce, White Pine and Norway Pine. Mix and match any variety up to a total of 200 seedlings per person.

Persons interested should contact missy@hedstromlumber.com, or 218-387-2995 x 10 before April 18th. Pickup date: May 2nd, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

400,000 seedlings given out since 1997.

www.hedstromlumber.com

Celebrating Over 100 Years.

Home and Garden Show

April 4-6

The Canadian Lakehead Exhibition will host the annual Spring Home and Garden Show in Thunder Bay, featuring a wide variety of businesses. More than 200 exhibitors will be present with booths about painting, landscaping, furnishing, lighting, pool installations, patios, banking and much more. Visit www.cle.on.ca for more info.

Gypsy Moth Update

April 12

Angelique Edgerton, from the Cook County Invasives Team, will cover identification and background information on Gypsy moths, as well as some information on what is being done to manage Gypsy moth populations at 10 a.m. at Sugarloaf Cove. Cook and Lake Counties currently have large and established populations of Gypsy moths, which have prompted the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to propose a quarantine restricting the movement of wood in and out of the counties.

Shawn and Dave Howe, local small business owners, will discuss their work to open a kiln that produces USDA-approved firewood that is Gypsy-moth-free and can be sold and transported across quarantine boundaries. Following the talk, there will be an opportunity to take a trip up to Lutsen to tour the kiln and facilities, and learn more about what is involved in making USDA-approved firewood. Free. For more information visit www.sugarloafnorthshore.org

Mountain Meltdown

April 12-13

Celebrate spring of ski season with a two-day music festival. Saturday and Sunday will feature five bands each day and an outdoor beer garden & BBQ. www.lutsenmoutain.com/mountainMeltdown.

Voyageur Artists’ Annual Spring Exhibit

April

12-June 7

Opening Reception April 12 3-5 p.m. Waterfront Gallery, Two Harbors Group show of watercolor, oil and mixed media paintings, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry and other objects of art. Event is free and open to the public. www.waterfront-gallery.com

Outdoor Adventure Expo

April 25-27

Gear up at the 58th bi-annual Outdoor Adventure Expo in Minneapolis. Hundreds of exhibitors and presentations as well as a used canoe and kayak auction, a beer and gear social night and the Radical Reels Tour. Admission is free. Visit www.outdooradventureexpo.com for more info.

Sustainability Symposium

May 1-4

Focus on learning do-it-yourself skills such as soap-making, canning and bee-keeping. Strawbale gardening pioneer Joel Karsten will lead a workshop. Coursework, tours, speakers, and opportunities for conversation will round out a weekend designed to inspire, engage and educate. www.northhouse.org

Hiking Group Meeting

May 2-4

Superior Hiking Trail Assoc. holds its annual meeting at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland. The weekend will be filled with hikes, workshops, presentations, good food and fun. www.shta.org

o ers a spectacular collection of Canadian Native Fine Arts and Crafts, Assorted Prints, Sculptures, Masks, T-shirts, Music, & Jewelry. Leatherwork: Moccasins, Gauntlets, etc. Artcards Books

We have Moved! Come see our new storefront in downtown Port Arthur. www.ahnisnabae-art.com

269 Red River Road. Thunder Bay, ON P7B 1A9 CANADA • 1-807-577-2656 Hours: Tues-Wed 11 am - 6 pm; Thurs-Fri 11 am - 7 pm • Sat Noon - 5 pm For more information please email us at: louisethomas@ahnisnabae-art.com

for our catalog, visit our website, or ask at your favorite store. PO Box 188, Ely, MN 55731 218-365-3375

Food & Wine Events

May 2-3

The Bluefin Bay culinary team is partnering with Kevin Ilenda of Restaurant 301 in Duluth for a spring food and wine event. A four-course dinner is planned for Friday evening, with a wine-tasting and five-course dinner on Saturday. www.bluefin bay.com

May 2-4

Join Lutsen Resort for a South America Culinary Adventure! Friday night features premium wines paired with intriguing and compelling food "flights". Saturday night features a six-course wine dinner. Sunday fea tures a champagne brunch. Call 800258-8736 for reservations.

Run

May 3

Enjoy the tranquility of Superior National Forest with the Ham Run Half-Marathon, the Ham Run 5k and the Little Runts Run, all of which take place on the scenic Gunflint Trail. Participants are treated to a complimentary ham dinner, free beverages, live music and free massages. www.hamrunhalfmarathon.com

You Gave Us Your Best Shot

This month we are featuring winners in the Place category in our 2013 Northern Wilds Photography Contest. Kristine Cronstrom Maher won $250 in class credits for the North House Folk School in

place

1. CEDARS,

Kristine Cronstrom

Maher

Minneapolis, MN

2. ICE, Sandra Updyke

Hovland, Minn.

3. MISTY LAKE, Kristine Cronstrom

Maher

Minneapolis, MN

4. SAIL BOAT

Bob O’Dean

Box Elder, SD

Grand Marais for her first place photo. Second

winner Sandy Updyke will receive a zen hoody from Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in Grand Marais.

Spring Cleaning for the Body

By Kim Falter

Spring is in the air. As the days grow longer and warmer, some people do a little spring cleaning around the house. Part of ushering in those warm months ahead may include some light dusting, or maybe you open a window for a few hours to air out a room. You might go a bit further, do some deep cleaning in those long forgotten areas or throw out some unnecessary items that have been lying around all winter. The same attention can be paid to our bodies, and spring is a perfect time to clean up, both mentally and physically, in preparation for the active summer ahead.

Our bodies are dealing with toxins every day. We are exposed via the foods we eat, the water we drink, exposure to chemicals, unhealthy habits, or through mental states such as stress. Although we can choose to modify bad habits to limit exposure, total avoidance is almost impossible. Our bodies are equipped with the tools needed to process these toxins and eliminate them, but we have to keep it functioning optimally in order to do this. When our bodies build up toxins we experience symptoms attributed to irritation, inflammation and stagnation such as: fatigue, headaches, skin problems, colds and coughs, gastrointestinal distress and immune weakness.

When humans lived a less modern life, we put on weight in the winter because we needed to in order to survive. As spring came around we shed that weight to prepare for the busy, active summer months. Today, we may not live so close to the land, but the same tendencies are inherent. We do put on weight in the winter in defense of the cold, but most of us don’t really transition to the same active summer of tending crops, etc., as our ancestors did. Still, spring is a great time to not only “lighten the load”, but take a long look at some unhealthy choices or bad habits we may have fallen in to over the long winter and throughout our lives.

We hear a lot about cleansing or detoxifying, and this is a great way to prepare the body and make some healthy changes

to keep it functioning optimally. The perception is that you need to starve yourself or modify your diet drastically in order to “cleanse.” This is a misconception, as your body holds toxins in its fat cells. When you fast or deprive yourself of much needed nutrients, those fat cells dump a lot of “waste” into your gastrointestinal tract, leading to a whole host of issues from chronic headaches and skin rashes to illness. That is not to say fasting is not an option. It works really well for some, but for those of us living busy lives, it is important to be gentle with our bodies. Cleansing and detoxifying can be as simple as incorporating some of these choices in to your daily routine:

• Choose organic fruits and vegetables. Conventional produce may contain chemical residues and pesticides that can accumulate in the body; slowly trading out some of those fruits and vegetables you eat regularly with organic options will go a long way in keeping your body clean.

• Drink an extra quart of water a day. Water is a great way to flush out toxins.

• Avoid or limit sugar, caffeine, alcohol and other substances that may affect proper elimination of toxins.

• Up your fiber intake. Fiber is something we have lost in our typical American diet to the detriment of our bodies. It works as a bulky mass that binds to heavy metals and other toxins for their easy elimination. Simply adding more seeds such as psyllium, chia or flax to your diet can improve your overall elimination of unhealthy chemicals and improve the functioning of your gastrointestinal tract to boot.

• Get fresh air. Cleansing is about more than just what we put in our bodies. Mental states such as stress and depression also upset the balance our body is trying to maintain for proper toxin elimination. Taking a walk to clear your head and other forms of exercise fall under the definition of cleansing and can lend to im-

proving your overall health.

Cleansing is a long-term, healthy choice that leads to proper functioning of the body as a whole. So as you begin to clean out

remember that your body deserves just as much attention and care.

Kim Falter is the wellness coordinator at Cook County Whole Foods Co-op. She has a B.S. in

Up your water intake this spring to help your body flush toxins. | STOCK PHOTO

A daily dose of fresh air helps keep the mind clear and active. | STOCK PHOTO

The North Shore Dish North Shore Cookbooks Surge in Popularity

By Kelsey Roseth

Thousands of people have been waiting anxiously for this moment: renowned chef and local restaurant owner Scott Graden is sharing his secrets. “New Scenic Café, The Cookbook,” a publication seven years in the making, is now available for purchase. Before publication, eager fans signed a long reservation list to get their copies.

“I was getting asked to share them [recipes],” said Graden. “To me, it’s a natural progression. As chefs, we catalog our work constantly, writing down what we do, whether it’s a thought, recipe or sketch.” Since its conception in 1999, the New Scenic Café, located on the North Shore Scenic Drive between Duluth and Two Harbors, has quickly grown a strong, loyal fan base of food lovers. Guests appreciate the restaurant’s continually evolving menu, heavy emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients and artistic plate presentation.

In his cooking, Graden fuses traditional French techniques with what he calls “Scandinavian simplicity,” but admits the cookbook captures no specific ethnicity. “It’s personality cuisine. This is me coming out in business as well as art,” said the restaurant owner. Once the New Scenic Café matured, he began to catalog his favorite dishes, sorting through nearly 4,000 recipes before settling on the 250 that are printed in the cookbook. It was a massive, collaborative effort: Graden shared his recipes, co-author Arlene Anderson recorded them, the New Scenic’s former Sous Chef Eric Sturtz designed the publication and editor

Barb Olson gave final approval.

Graden is hoping for a national reception. The cookbook gives epicureans a chance to enjoy the New Scenic Café without physically stepping inside the establishment. However, Graden hopes readers will attempt recipes at home, then visit the restaurant for the full experience. “One ingredient that is never duplicable is a person actually doing it. You can’t have the same outcome from person to person.” Graden said. He admits that the process of recording his sought-after recipes has been liberating. “To put the recipes out there in a cookbook makes it easier to feel free about what we do and let go of the lock-and-key approach,” said Graden.

The New Scenic Café is now on the growing list of North Shore restaurants that are sharing their recipes with the public. When The Pie Place Café, located in Grand Marais just across the street from Lake Superior, released its cookbook nearly a year ago, it was well-received in the region.

Author Kathy Rice is the former general manager of The Pie Place and intimately knows the restaurant, recipes and patrons. The cookbook started with her desire to catalog her customers’ stories. “We really can’t separate the food from the people, she said. They are, really, I think, interconnected.”

The cookbook pairs personal reflections of customers, family and friends with the individual’s favorite recipes. For example, readers are introduced to long-time restaurant

fans Ted and Eileen Weinberg and then learn how to prepare their favorite Pie Place dish: Beef Stout Pie.

The Pie Place is known for its constantly changing menu, local, fresh ingredients and the culinary relationship it creates with customers. The restaurant staff works hard to create a warm, welcoming experience for patrons. “They learn about new flavors and I’d like to think we helped expand their palates,” said Rice. She said that the eatery’s multi-facet ed focus on food, family and experience is heavily emphasized in the cookbook.

Further up the shore, a publishing compa ny based in Thunder Bay, is helping restau rant lovers embark on a palate-pleasing experience not by visiting just one restau rant, but 20. Split Tree Publishing released “Superior Flavours Cookbook and Taste Tour” last fall. The cookbook features start-to-finish recipes from chefs at 20 locally owned restaurants.

“We brainstormed as a group, and one of my editors said, ‘We have to do a cookbook.’ They are the bread and butter of the publishing industry,” said Stacey Voss, co-founder of Split Tree Publishing. Voss said the desire to showcase Thunder Bay businesses in a cookbook further developed into a multi-media production, which also includes a taste tour. To participate, people purchase the cookbook, create an account on the Superior Flavours website, then record visits to the featured restaurants, like

Ristorante which boasts northern Italian cuisine. The goal is to visit all the establishments featured in the publication by this upcoming Halloween. Food lovers then have the chance to win one of two $1,000 prizes, consisting of $50 gift certificates to all the restaurants.

Voss said the locally owned restaurants deserve attention; a lot of the time, people don’t realize what establishments are based in Thunder Bay. “There is a different taste.” he said. Locally owned restaurants have flexible menus, change to the freshest products at the time and are far more creative with their menus.”

The North Shore Dish’s Featured Cookbooks

“New Scenic Café, The Cookbook,” $50, online at www.sceniccafe.com

“The Pie Place Café Cookbook,” $19.95, in store or online at www.lakesuperior.com

“Superior Flavours Cookbook and Taste Tour,” $30, in featured restaurants or online at www.superiorflavours.com

Additional North Shore Cookbooks

“A Taste of Life on the Gunflint Trail: Stories, History & Recipes from the Lodges and

Asparagus Flan

Recipe from New Scenic Cafe

Ingredients:

3/4 lb asparagus

1 white onion (diced)

1/4 C butter

1/2 T fresh thyme (chopped)

1 T fresh parsley (chopped)

1 T fresh chives (chopped)

6 eggs (beaten)

1 1/2 C heavy cream

1/4 C Pecorino Romano (grated)

1/2 T kosher salt

1/2 t white pepper

Method:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Chop the asparagus, blanch it in the boiling water for 15 seconds, transfer it into ice water, and then drain it well. Dice the white onion, and melt the butter in a medium-size pot over medium heat. Add the onion and “sweat” it, stirring frequently until it is soft and translucent. Allow the onion to cool, and then mix it with the asparagus, thyme, parsley, and chives. Purée this mixture in a blender until it is completely smooth.

Crack the eggs into a large bowl, and beat them lightly by hand until they are mixed. Add the heavy cream, along with the asparagus purée, and stir all the ingredients until they are blended evenly. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any remaining solids. Using a fine microplane grater, grate the Pecorino Romano to create tiny, light shavings, and then add the grated Romano, kosher salt, and white pepper to

Restaurants, as told by the Women of the Trail,” $16.95, online at www.adventurepublications.net

“Betty’s Pies Favorite Recipes,” by Betty Lessard, $16.95, currently out of stock, check www.bettyspies.com for availability

“Angry Trout Café Notebook: Friends, Recipes, and the Culture of Sustainability,” $26.95, in store or online at www.angrytroutcafe. com

“Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar Cookbook 2014,” $34.95, in store or online www.lakeavenuerestaurantandbar.com

the mixture and stir.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. For the flan molds, you can use many different types of vessels, as long as they are ovenproof. I usually make our flans in coffee cups that have rounded bottoms so the finished flans have a half-dome appearance. I have also made them in ramekins, cannelé molds, and other small dishes.

To prepare your flan molds, spray them with a light layer of pan release, dust the insides with all-purpose flour (or for a gluten-free alternative, use corn masa), and then spray them again with pan release.

Set the molds inside a baking pan, and pour in the flan mixture, filling the molds to about 2 inches deep. Fill the baking pan with hot water up to 2 inches, to match the level of the flan mixture in the molds. Cover the entire pan with aluminum foil, and

gRAND mARAIS gRAND mARAIS

CASCADE

3719 W. Hwy 61 www cascadelodgemn.com

DISH cont. from page 23

poke multiple small vent holes in the foil. Transfer the pan to the oven, being careful not to tilt it or splash water into the molds.

Visually check the flans after 30 minutes, and then check them every 5 minutes until

Sauce Vierge

Recipe from New Scenic Cafe

Ingredients:

1/4 C shallot (brunoise cut)

1 T garlic (brunoise cut)

1/3 C fennel (brunoise cut)

1/2 C tomato (brunoise cut)

1 t fresh basil (minced)

1 t fresh parsley (minced)

1 t fresh chives (cross-cut)

1 T capers (cut in half)

1/2 C olive oil

1/2 T lemon juice

1 t white truffle oil

1/4 t kosher salt

1 pinch cracked black pepper

Method:

Take the time to cut all of the ingredients carefully; they will be easily visible in the finished sauce.

Cut the shallot, garlic, fennel, and tomato into a “brunoise” cut of tiny 1/8-inch cubes. Mince the basil and parsley, and cross-cut

northern sky

APRIL 2014

By Deane Morrison UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA STARWATCH

The sky could get pretty red in April, as Mars makes its best apparition of the year and the moon undergoes a total eclipse.

On the 8th, Earth finally catches up to Mars in the orbital race. At that moment, the sun, Earth and the red planet will be lined up, and Mars will appear opposite the sun in the sky, a position called opposition.

Mars is slightly farther than its average distance from Earth during oppositions, but it’s still bright enough to be well worth a look. It’ll rise in the east around sunset and stay up all night, traversing the sky with the bright star Spica, in Virgo.

“Opposite the sun” is also the position occupied by the full moon, and one week

Mars makes its best apportion of the year in April. | NASA

later a round moon visits Mars and Spica. Just after midnight on the 15th, the moon begins a total lunar eclipse that may turn its usually pearly face red as light from Earth’s sunsets and sunrises bends into Earth’s shadow. The moon begins to enter the dark inner shadow, or umbra, at 12:58 a.m. and is totally engulfed by 2:06 a.m. Totality lasts 79 minutes, and at 3:25 a.m. the moon starts to emerge from the umbra. The show ends at 4:33 a.m.

In April the constellation Leo, the lion, reaches its highest point in the south during

they are done. They will be firm all the way through, with no liquid in the center, and will have a slightly domed top with perhaps a few browned areas. Remove the molds from the pan to cool. Let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes, and then place the molds in the refrigerator so the flans cool completely.

the chives into 1/8-inch pieces. Drain the capers, and cut them in half. Combine those ingredients with the olive oil, lemon juice, white truffle oil, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, and stir them together. If time permits, let the sauce sit in the refrigerator overnight for the flavors to meld.

peak evening viewing hours. Look for the Sickle, a backward question mark of stars anchored by bright Regulus, the lion’s heart, and a triangle of stars to the east that designates the hindquarters and tail. Framing the lion are brilliant Jupiter, to the west, and Mars to the southeast.

Venus still greets early risers, even as it heads into its next trip behind the sun. Look for it in the east about an hour before sunrise. On the 26th, a thin crescent moon accentuates the beauty of our sister planet.

The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth campus. For more information and viewing schedules, see: Duluth, Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium: www.d.umn.edu/planet 2/28/14

Contact: Deane Morrison, University Relations, (612) 624-2346, morri029@umn.edu

Find U of M astronomers and links to the world of astronomy at http://www.astro.umn.edu

New Scenic Cafe’s chef & owner Scott Graden. | ERIC STURTZ

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 28-April 13

Entry Points to the Creative Johnson Heritage Post Gallery, Grand Marais www.johnsonheritagepost.org

March 28-29

"A Midsummer's Night Dream" Minnesota Ballet, DECC www.minnesotaballet.org

March 29-April 1

Urban Infill: Art in the Core 8 Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay www.definitelysuperior.com

March 29, Saturday

Spring Carnival Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen www.lutsen.com

Joe Paulik Cascade Lodge Restaurant, Lutsen 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com

T he Spruce Roots Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

The Suburbs with Timmy Haus Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen 9:30 p.m. www.eagleridgeatlutsen.com/papacharlies America’s Walk for Diabetes Miller Hill Mall, Duluth www.simon.com

March 30, Sunday

Classical Guitar with Scott Fraser Bluefin Grille, Tofte 6 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

Joe Paulik Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais 8 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 31, Monday

Joe Paulik Bluefin Grille, Tofte 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

HEDLEY Fort William Gardens, Thunder Bay, ON 7 p.m. (EST) www.hedleyonline.com

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month www.hope-4-u.org

April 1-13

Ginny Sims Artisit in residence Grand Marais Art Colony www.grandmaraisartcolony.org

April 2, Wednesday

Spotlight North-Diet Folk Papa Charlie's, Lutsen 8 p.m. www. eagleridgeatlutsen.com/papa-charlies

April 2-6

Arrowhead Home and Builder Show DECC Duluth www.shamrockprod.com

April 3, Thursday

International Day Against Victim Blaming-Wear Teal. Leftover Salmon Papa Charlie's, Lutsen 9:30 p.m. www.eagleridgeatlutsen. com/papa-charlies

Timmy Haus Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 3-5

Sweetwater Shakedown Music Festival Lutsen Mountains www.lutsen.com/ shakedown

April 4, Friday

Brian Gatten Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Diet Folk Trio Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 4-May 25

Mike Anderson Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca

April 4-5

Cabaret Series: Battle of the Saxes The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

April 4-6

Spring Home and Garden Show Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Center Thunder Bay www.cle.on.ca

“Fiddler on the Roof” Two Harbors High School Auditorium, 7 p.m., Sunday Matinee 2 p.m., Two Harbors www.lsct.us

April 5, Saturday

Ginny Sims Open Studio Grand Marais Art Colony 1-2 p.m. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org

Kate & Crist Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Thorne, Mayasich & Oikiri Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Karaoke Grand Portage Lodge & Casino 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

April 6, Sunday

Janell Lemire & Betty Braunstein Bluefin Bay, Tofte 6 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

Billy Johnson Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 10, Thursday

Joe Paulik Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Rick Mercer The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

April 10-12

“Fiddler on the Roof” Two Harbors High School Auditorium, 7 p.m., Sunday Matinee 2 p.m., Two Harbors www.lsct.us

April 11, Friday

Mark Jukich Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Gordon Thorne Bluefin Bay, Tofte 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

Art & Ambiance Art Auction Thunder Bay Art Gallery 7 p.m. (EST) www.theag.ca

April 11-May 25

Permanent Collection: John Hartman Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca

April 12, Saturday

Stel Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Classic American Fingerstyle Guitar Workshops Full day of workshops followed by evening concert at 7:30 p.m. Space is limited. Pre-register: oman4@live.com or call Gordon Thorne at 218-353-7308.

North Shore Voyageur Artists' Annual Exhibit at Waterfront Gallery "Spring Has Sprung" Artist Reception 3:00 5:00 p.m. at Waterfront Gallery Two Harbors

Gypsy Moth Update Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center 10 a.m. www.sugarloafnorthshore.org

Ordinary Objects and Memories: Drawing the Story of Things Grand Marais Art Colony 1-3 p.m. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org

Pops Series: The Piano Men The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

Joe Paulik Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 12-13

Mountain Meltdown at Lutsen Mountains www.lutsenmountain.com/ mountainMeltdown

April 12-June 7

Voyageur Artists' Annual Spring Exhibit Waterfront Gallery Two Harbors. Opening Reception April 12 3-5 p.m. www.waterfront-gallery.com

April 13, Sunday

Pushing Chain Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 15, Tuesday

Collective Soul The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

April 17, Thursday

Gordon Thorne Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 18, Friday

Fish Heads Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Gone Already Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 19, Saturday

Easter Festival Egg Hunt Gammondale Farm near Thunder Bay 11 a.m.-3 p.m. www.gammondalefarm.com

5th Annual Easter Egg Fundraiser for Kids Plus Cook County Community Center Grand Marais 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Rob Meany

Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Gone Already Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Prudence Johnson and Jane Aleckson join Michael Monroe. Log Cabin Concert and Reception www.facebook. com/logcabinconcerts

April 19-June 15

Into the Woods: George Raab Organized and circulated by the Peterborough Art Gallery –Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca

Wayne Renn Grand Portage Lodge & Casino 8:30 p.m.

April 20, Sunday

Easter at Lutsen Mountains Final Day of the Season

Sunrise Easter Service on Moose Mountain Lutsen Mountains 7 a.m.

Giant Easter Egg Hunt Lutsen Mountains 9 a.m. www.lutsen.com

Joe and Jessie Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 22, Tuesday

The Peking Acrobats The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

April 23, Thursday

Denim Day, Awareness to End Sexual Violence Violence Prevention Center www.denimdayusa.org

Classical + 4: A Joyful Farewell The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

Timmy Haus Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

April 25, Friday

Hank Turnquist

Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Gypsy Lumberjacks Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Every Monday

Songwriter Series Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 8 p.m. 218-406-1320

Every Tuesday

Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop Moondance Coffee House, Lutsen, 5 p.m. www.moondancecoffee. com

Open Mic Night Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 7 p.m. 218-406-1320

Every Wednesday

Spotlight North Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 8 p.m. 218-406-1320

Every Thursday

Trivia Sven & Ole's Grand Marais 7 p.m.

Dance Party with DJ Beavstar Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 9 p.m. 218-406-1320

April 25-26

Cook County Emergency Services Conference 218-387-3059

Lifefest Expo Sportsdome Thunder Bay www.tbchamber.ca/events/lifefest

April 25-27

Outdoor Adventure Expo Midwest Mountaineering and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis www.outdooradventureexpo.com

April 26, Saturday

Artist Reception Sivertson Gallery Duluth 1-4 p.m. 888-815-5814

Gina Lee Lighthouse at Emily's Knife River 6 p.m. (EST) www.lighthouseatemilys.com

Peter Yarrow Arrowhead Center for the Arts Grand Marais 7:30 p.m. www.northshoremusicassociation.com

The Brotherhood of the Travelling Boots The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 7 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

Gypsy Lumberjacks Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Karaoke Grand Portage Lodge & Casino 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

April 27, Sunday

Family Series: Thunder Bay Has Talent The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 3:30 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com Le Stelle Alpine Italian Dancers The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 7 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

Pushing Chain Gypsy Lumberjacks Gun Flint Tavern Grand Marais 7 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

www.sandra-updyke-fineartamerica.com

Dance Floor Technique Course Grand Marais Art Colony, 7 p.m. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org

Every Friday

Comedy Night Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 8 p.m. 218-406-1320

Every Saturday

Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s Lutsen, 3:15 p.m. 218-406-1320

Timmy Haus Devil Track Landing, Grand Marais, 7 p.m. www.deviltrackresort.com

Live Music Saturdays Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 9:30 p.m. 218-406-1320

Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort, Lutsen 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com

What’s For Dinner? International Wolf Center, Ely 7 p.m. www.wolf.org

April 27-May 4

Homegrown Music Festival Various venues in Duluth and Superior www.duluthhomegrown.org

April 29-30

Mamma Mia! The Community Auditorium, Thunder Bay 8 p.m. (EST) www.tbca.com

May 1-4

Northern

May 2

Tree

May 2-3

Spring Food & Wine Lovers Weekend Bluefin Bay Tofte www.bluefinbay.com

May 2-4

Superior

Spring Food & Wine Event Lutsen Resort 800-258-8736 for reservations.

May 3, Saturday Ham Run Half Marathon and 5k. Gunflint Trail www.hamrunhalfmarathon.com Dulcimer Day in Duluth folk music festival. First United Methodist Church www.dulcimersinDuluth.com

SUMMER EVENTS PREVIEW

MAY 1-4 Northern Sustainability Symposium—North House Folk School Focus on learning do-it-yourself skills such as soap-making, canning and bee-keeping. Straw bale gardening pioneer Joel Karsten will lead a workshop. Coursework, tours, speakers, and opportunities for conversation will round out a weekend designed to inspire, engage and educate.

MAY 3 Ham Run Half Marathon and 5k Fun Run Enjoy the tranquility of Superior National Forest with the Ham Run Half-Marathon, the Ham Run 5k and the Little Runts Run, all of which take place on the scenic Gunflint Trail. Participants are treated to a complimentary ham dinner, free beverages, live music and free massages. Visit www.hamrunhalfmarathon.com

MAY 10 Minnesota Fishing Opener

May 11 Mother’s Day

June 20-22 Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival North House Folk School Perhaps the premier North House event of the summer. A chowder feed, Solstice Pageant, speaker series and, of course, boat parade, round out the fun.

May 17 Superior Spring Trail Races 25 and 50k trail races starting near Lutsen. See www.spring.superiortrailrace. com

May 24 The WolfGang Arrowhead Center for the Arts 7:30 p.m. See www.northshoremusicassociation.com

May 24-26 Memorial Day Weekend - Arts and Music on the Shore Everyone enjoys the harbor in Grand Marais. Galleries and shops welcome you to select just the right work of art, piece of clothing, book, North Shore memento or kites to send soaring over the harbor. Live music available all weekend from Tofte to Grand Marais.

May 30-June 1 Boreal Birding and Northern Landscapes Festival North House Folk School Learn more about the birds, wildflowers, and geology of the northern landscape. A variety of courses and public programs will focus on northern Minnesota geology, flora and fauna. Guided hikes and film screenings round out the weekend.

June

June 7 Grand Marais Classic Car

Show Wisconsin Street in Grand Marais will be filled with trophy cars and their drivers who want to show them off. Awards and trophies will be given out to car show entrants.

June 21 Sivertson Gallery Solstice Party 5-7 p.m. Held before the Summer Solstice Pageant with music and food.

June 28 Lutsen 99er

Ultra Bike Race Serious bikers will travel 99 miles through rugged terrain of the Sawtooth Mountains and boreal forest. Feeling rugged and tough? Sign up at www.lutsen99er.com (or check out the schedule and come watch the excitement).

July

July 4 Independence Day - Community celebrations and fireworks at Tofte, Grand Marais and Grand Portage.

July 4-5 Hovland Summer Arts Festival Enjoy local arts and crafts in Hovland at the town hall. Besides fantastic local art, there will be food and live music each day. Visit www.hovlandartsfestival.com for more info.

July 12-13 24th Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival The festival features more than 70 local and regional artists showcasing their handcrafted work. Talk with individual artists and view demonstrations. Visit www.grandmaraisartcolony.org for more info.

July 25-27 North Shore Dragon Boat Festival Be part of the excitement, teamwork and cheering with the annual North Shore Dragon Boat Festival in the Grand Marais harbor. The festival also includes live music, dragon egg hunts,

Wooden boats are on display at the North House Folk School Wooden Boat Show. | CONTRIBUTED

sunrise yoga, a parade and more. Visit www.northshoredragonboat.com.

SUMMER EVENTS PREVIEW

August

Sept 5-7 7th Annual Radio Waves Music

Festival WTIP’s Radio Waves Music Festival takes place annually the weekend after Labor Day—and highlights the talent and diversity of North Shore and regional musicians. In addition to live music throughout the day, the festival features on-site food vendors, on-site camping and a children’s activity area. www.wtip.org

Aug 1-3 Fisherman’s Picnic Packed full of fun for the whole family. Activities include vendors, Crazy Days sales, contests, live music, street dances, a parade and fireworks. Visit www.grandmaraislionsclub.com for a full list of events.

August 8-10 Rendezvous Days Step back in time at the Grand Portage Rendezvouz Days and Powwow. Re-enactors from across the country and Canada come together to camp and provide demonstrations, music, dancing and hands-on workshops. Visit www.nps.gov/grpo for more info.

September

Sept 5-6 Superior Trail Runs 100, 50 and 26.2 mile trail runs starting near Lutsen. See www.fall.superiortrailrace.com

Sept 7 Sawtooth Mountain Bike Challenge Citizen, sport and expert level races begin in downtown Grand Marais near Artist’s Point and wind up and around Pincushion Mountain. Visit www.sawtoothchallenge. org to register or find out more.

Sept 11-14 Unplugged XIII: The Northern Harvest North House Folk School www. northhouse.org

Sept 26-Oct 5 Crossing Borders Studio Tour A self-guided tour of a select group of professional artist studios located along the Minnesota North Shore of Lake Superior. The Crossing Borders Studio Tour offers a unique opportunity to visit the home studios of the artists and view and purchase artwork. Learn about the artists’ processes and how this environment influences our aesthetic decisions. See www.crossingborderstudiotour.com.

October

Oct 16-19 Moose Madness Festival A festival of moose-related activities for the whole family. Many activities geared for children make this an especially popular long-weekend get-away in Grand Marais.

NHFS Family Weekend, Minnesota’s MEA Weekend The North House Folk School is offering a line-up of family friendly courses. A dance, pizza bake and stories around the campfire highlight the weekend. Visit www.northhouse.org for more info.

April 18-21

Welcome Neighbours Holiday

April 26

A Night of Conversation and Song with Peter Yarrow

June 20-22

Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice

Are you ready, figuratively speaking, to thaw out from the long, cold winter? If you were a wood frog, you’d have to literally thaw out. Some of our native frogs that winter on land actually have ice crystals form within them, though a high concentration of glucose prevents their vital organs from freezing. While their breathing and heartbeat may stop during the cold months, these frogs emerge in spring from their partially frozen state.

Many resident animals disappear in autumn to return with the warmth of spring. Some, like bats, are true hibernators, meaning they have a low body temperature and metabolic rate, as well as slow breathing and heart rate. Others, like bears, enter a den and physically slowdown in winter, but don’t enter a state of true hibernation. Some creatures, such as ruffed grouse, spend most winter days buried in the snow, emerging to feed on catkins in the treetops at sunset.

The first signs of spring in resident flora and fauna are visible as early as February, according to Peter Harris, naturalist at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland. The bark on red osier becomes more colorful then, because the shrubs are producing more sugars. Wolf Ridge keeps a list of phenological events that occur on its property. Harris shared some of the average dates for spring “firsts.”

He said plants are more controlled by temperature than the increasing amount of daylight, so dates vary from year to year. On average, sap begins running in sugar maples on March 12. Speckled alders are the first trees to flower on April 6, followed by beaked hazel on April 7. Aspen flowers appear on April 18. Many people don’t realize many trees flower before they develop leaves, he said. In the garden, rhubarb appears on April 12. The first green on the ground is wild leeks on April 21. Bloodroot, a native spring wildflower, blooms on April 29, while the non-native dandelion appears on April 30.

March can come in like a lamb and go out like lion, which may explain why the year’s first thunderstorm is March 31. At Wolf Ridge, the snow usually is gone by April 7. The ice goes out on Wolf Lake April 27 and the first sighting of painted turtles basking on lakeshore logs is usually the day after ice-out. By then, another local reptile, the garter snake, is already active, appearing on April 21.

While house flies and cluster flies appear as early as March 9, most insects become active after the snow melts.

Waking Up From Winter A

Wolf Ridge Phenology

By Shawn Perich

Bumblebees emerge from ground nests on April 13, while honeybees, which do not defecate in their hives, make a cleansing flight to get rid of bodily waste on April 17. Responding to warming soil temperatures, earthworms (not insects) appear on April 18. Wood ticks begin their creepycrawls on April 27. The first mosquitoes, non-biters, show up on April 13.

The earliest butterfly is the mourning cloak, which may be seen along gravel roads on April 1. Another early butterfly is the painted lady, which is often seen near homes and structures because it winters in the shelter of lap siding. Spring azure butterflies, which are bright blue, appear on April 26.

Some mammals not seen since last year start appearing in March, like the chipmunk, which may be seen on March 14. Woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, may be seen at the end of March, around the same time as beavers. Hibernating bats emerge on April 10. Bears become active on April 20.

Of course, all of the above dates are subject to weather conditions. An early warm-up or lingering winter chill can affect appearance of some or all resident species. On the other hand, migrating birds are generally more predictable, because their movements are guided by the length of daylight. Eagles and common crows are passing through the area beginning in March. Migrating songbirds arrive at backyard feeders in waves during April. Large numbers of migrating waterfowl pass through later in the month. When it comes to natural events, April is the most spectacular month of the year.

MINING FORWARD

Stay updated on the project

PolyMet Mining thanks everyone who participated and expressed interest in the public comment period and environmental review process. Each person’s input is important to ensuring the best project possible. It is because of you that we are able to move Minnesota copper-nickel mining forward.

Can Artificial Beat Live Bait? Northern Trails

By Gord Ellis

As a young man growing up in Thunder Bay, the pursuit of fish was an all encompassing passion. Brook trout were favoured, but steelhead and smallmouth bass were high on the list. My childhood fishing tools were pretty simple: short Fiberglas pole; Johnson closed face reel, and a cough drop tin filled with various hooks and sinkers. There were no lures and only the occasional tattered fly. Fishing required live bait, usually worms, but also minnows, leeches, grasshoppers and crayfish.

That meant a lot of time spent digging for crawlers, baiting traps for minnows and flipping rocks for craws. All that effort was usually rewarded. Brook trout responded to a live worm with almost Pavlovian enthusiasm. The light-coloured worm would drift through the deep hole, then magically disappear as a trout engulfed it. Smallmouth bass would practically leap out of the water to grab a live crayfish. The craw was generally tail-hooked, and flipped out over a drop off. There really didn’t seem to be much reason not to use live bait. It was that good.

It was on a canoe trip in my teens that I first realized just how deadly some of the artificial options could be. We were in the Northern Light Lakes area, canoeing those bass and walleye waters in mid-summer. Fishing was high on the list of things to do, but bait was not happening. In expectation of a baitless trip, some crude rubber worms and Mepps Minos had been tossed in the tackle box with jigs, various classic crank

baits and a couple Eppinger Daredevles. The fishing was tough and the yellow bucktail jigs and River Runts were just not cutting the mustard. This, despite seeing some large bass patrolling the large pool we were camped along.

One morning, before anyone woke up, I got out of the tent, cracked open that tackle box and tied on a plain Mepps Mino. It was truly a crude looking thing, but had the profile of a minnow and was relatively natural looking. The plastic bait was cast into the pool, with no weight, and slowly started to drift out of sight. Within moments, the line went tight and I set the hook. Immediately, one of the fat smallmouth that had been so tight lipped the night before was doing cartwheels in the air. The rubber minnow had paid off. For the rest of that summer, the Mepps Mino, as well as various rubber frogs, worms and crayfish were used with reasonable success. Suddenly, the need for live bait seemed less of a key to success. In some instances, the artificial may have even been better.

Fast forward 35 years or so. I’m still fishing, and I still use live bait from time to time. However, the technology around arti-

ficial baits, especially those that mimic the live stuff, is truly amazing. In the past two decades, scented, salted and biodegradable baits have flooded the market. Names like Gulp, Power Bait, Exude and Yum are just a few of the big players in the scented plastics market. Some of these products are so incredibly effective that fish truly bite them and won’t let go. The textures, colours and scents these plastic baits feature have been developed in laboratories where live fish are used to measure response times. Some of the plastics are so water permeable they shrivel into leather like raisins if left on a jig overnight.

One thing is for sure, most of the scented plastic stuff really works. Sometimes, even better than the real deal. And it’s not just bass guys using rubber worms and minnows, by the way. The scented and plastic bait market has been embraced by steelhead and even salmon fisherman. There are not many steelhead anglers—outside of those who are fly only—that don’t have a few scented rubber eggs in their vest. Increasingly, that same angler will have a bag of scented pink or red rubber worms as well. The first time I caught a steelhead on a pink worm, I could not believe it. I’d been floating a pool with fresh spawn bags with nary

a sniff. I put on a three-inch pink worm and the float immediately buried.

On the Great Lakes, one of the very hottest presentations is a scented plastic “cut bait” that reacts like a cut herring, but is brightly coloured and heavily scented. The plastic cut baits are also about 100 times more durable than a real herring.

The walleye angler, in particular, has endless plastic products to choose from, including realistic night crawlers for spinner rigs and slippery, natural-looking leeches. The number of plastic minnows, shads and jerk baits available is also mind boggling, never mind grubs and twisters. They come in every shape and size, some even with glitter flake and holographic bodies.

Is there still a place for live bait? Of course. Nothing swims like a live minnow or leech. A live night crawler is still a deadly offering for trout, bass and walleye. However, in places where bait is more work than it’s worth to keep alive, or where there are restrictions on the use of it, there are all sorts of incredible artificial options to enjoy. Sometimes, it is just more fun to fool a fish with a fake.

Variety—in bait and life—is truly the spice.

Scented rubber worms have been embraced by many steelhead anglers.

| GORD ELLIS

Towering Pines Canopy Tour

Towering Pines Canopy Tour at Gunflint Lodge is the most exciting new way to experience the wilderness get a bird’s eye view plus a thrilling ride through the treetops! It’s a two-and-a-half hour nature adventure led by two sky guides. Open daily starting May 10th. $89.00 per person Call 218-388-2296 for reservations.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner available at Red Paddle Bistro.

Gunflint Lodge is 43 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais. Minimum age is 10; maxiumum weight/person is 240 lbs.

The Creator’s Game:

A story of baaga’adowe/ lacrosse.

By Art Coulson Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2013

Recommended for readers aged 8-12

Eleven-year-old Travis Skinaway is taunted by the other players on the lacrosse team. He wants to quit. But his grandfather comes to Travis in a dream, telling him, “The game is in our blood as Anishinaabe people.” Grandpa goes on to explain that lacrosse is the creator’s game, and that lacrosse is a spiritual quest, just like a prayer, a song or a dance.

Grandpa continues to visit Travis in his dreams and teaches Travis about the traditions of lacrosse. The story that ensues is both touching and revealing. Travis deals with insecurities common to many adolescents and finds that the tradition and culture of his people are there to carry him forward. Though recommended for readers aged 8-12, “The Creator’s Game” would be a great reada-loud for parents with younger children, and the handdrawn illustrations bring the text to life.—Erin Altemus

November’s Fury:

The Deadly Great Lakes Hurricane of 1913

By Michael Schumacher University of Minnesota Press, 2013

Great Lakes shipping was once a much more dangerous enterprise (fewer safety systems, less navigational technology and less-sophisticated weather forecasting), especially when storms wreaked havoc on these giant bodies of water. In November 1913, a storm of epic proportions bore down on the lakes, catching many by surprise, and for four days demolished boats, buried cities in snow, stranded motorists and claimed the lives of the more than 250 sailors. Michael Schumacher brings what became known as the Great Lakes Hurricane of 1913 to life in “November’s Fury” with great detail, mesmerizing photos and a narrative that remains gripping throughout the book. The level of detail that chronicles each ship’s story brings the storm back to life from the sailor who survived because he had a premonition, to the captains who were not-so-lucky because they felt pressured to deliver their final cargo load of the season. If you live or travel along the shore of Superior, “November’s Fury” is sure to change your perspective on the great ships that still travel these waters today.—Erin Altemus

Fishing H le

Kurgo Reflect and Protect Dog Vest

Being a musher who frequently runs dogs at night, I am often thinking about how to illuminate my lead dogs to keep them safe on the trails (we sometimes run on snowmobile trails). During races, race rules dictate that we put blinking lights on our lead dogs and that they have reflective material on their harnesses (if the race runs at night). When I came upon the Kurgo dog vest, I thought it worth a try, as I’ve found many red blinking lights made for dogs to be unreliable, especially in cold temperatures.

The dog vest I chose comes in a pleasing orange (not quite blaze orange) nylon fabric that has reflective piping around the edges. The straps are adjustable, but the vest slipped easily over my dog’s neck and strapped under his belly. A push button activates the LED red lights on the back that either flash rapidly, slowly or are just “on.” Day or night, the nylon provides a thin layer of protection against the wind, rain or snow.

While I haven’t tried the vest in sub-zero temperatures, I am thus far pleased and will use it while mushing at night. The vest is definitely a must for anyone wanting to illuminate their dog for safety while out for a moonlit stroll. MSRP $28. See www.kurgostore.com—Erin Altemus

SOUTH FOWL LAKE

WHY GO: While walleye fishing is shut down most elsewhere in the state, South Fowl Lake, which sits on the Ontario border, remains open. South Fowl also has a solid population of yellow perch.

ACCESS: There are several ways to get to South Fowl, including a carry-in access that can be reached via snowmobile/ATV trail off South Fowl Road and the Arrowhead Trail. There’s also a navigable channel connecting the lake to North Fowl Lake to the northwest. North Fowl is accessible by canoe via a portage from the Royal River. The river is reached from the Arrowhead Trail to Little John Lake to John Lake. There’s also a gravel boat launch on the Ontario side of North Fowl Lake.

VITALS: South Fowl sits right next to the easternmost edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness territory but is entirely in the Superior National Forest. It’s a fairly shallow lake, with a maximum depth of 10 feet, but that depth might contribute to its reputation for good early-season fishing, since it warms up faster than deeper lakes.

SPECIES PRESENT: The Minnesota DNR’s last gillnet survey of South Fowl Lake found northern

pike, walleye, yellow perch and white sucker. It also found smallmouth bass in North Fowl Lake, so it’s safe to assume they are present in South Fowl as well.

OF NOTE: Anglers must be properly licensed to fish in Ontario in order to fish the portion of the lake that sits in Canada.

ALL NATURAL: There is no record of stocking any walleyes in South Fowl, so the lake’s reputed walleye fishery is supported by natural reproduction. The Minnesota DNR hasn’t surveyed the lake since 1998, when a high number of walleyes were caught for a lake of its class. The DNR found quite a few year classes of walleye, a reputation that the lake has seemed to hang onto. The lake’s walleyes are fast-growing, said the DNR.

WITHSTANDING PRESSURE: Tom Haussner, of Devil Track Lodge in Grand Marais, said the lake does get some pressure, especially before the fishing opener for the rest of the state. “It gets fished heavy especially early, but it continues to produce,” Haussner said. “It’s a great fishery.”

PRIME PERCH WATER: Perhaps a reason the lake has continued to hang on to its reputation is the fish seem to grow well, likely the result of a large forage base of yellow perch from which to munch on. Haussner said the lake’s yellow perch are worth targeting as well. That 1998 survey turned up a range of yellow perch form 6 to 14 inches.

Baby Boomer Beaching Safari,

Sand and Sun in the Dominican Republic

By Elle Andra-Warner

I admit it: After going away for a Caribbean Christmas week in the Dominican Republic, I’ve become a convert to ‘’baby boomer beaching’’ during winter. Getting to the tropical island was easy—a direct Westjet flight from Thunder Bay took us straight to the open-air thatched-roof airport at Punta Cana, where a hotel van whisked us to the all-inclusive 5-star beach side resort, Bravaro Princess. Punta Cana is on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic.

Our Caribbean trip was a Christmas present from my daughters Cindi and Tami, who joined my husband and me for the week. We stayed in two ‘’bungalow suites’’ in the same two-story, eight-unit complex. Our suite was on the top floor with a spacious balcony and great view. Being all inclusive, the resort kept our fridge stocked with bottled water, soft drinks and beer.

We spent the first day at the beach. It’s a five-minute walk on palm-lined pathways but you could also take a handy train-tram that came by regularly. And the beach scene? Well, wow—it looked like a picture-perfect tropical postcard with fine white sand, palm trees, thatched umbrellas and emerald-colored waters. We noticed that many people never made it into the water–they were relaxing and reading! And of course, the beach-side bars and restaurants were always open.

During our stay we paid extra to take excursions, including the day-long Outback Safari adventure tour. If you are only going to do one trip during a stay at Punta Cana, this is the one I’d recommend—a fun, relaxing yet exciting time. The Safari picked us up at the hotel, and as we drove through the countryside, our guide Jesse filled us in on the region’s history, culture, plants and animals. We passed through villages, visited a school funded by Outback Safari, had family-style lunch at a mountain-top ranch, shopped at a Rum Shack (best place to buy coffee, rum, cigars, vanilla, pineapple wine and the famous “mamajuana”), had coffee at a homestead, and watched workers harvest coffee, cocoa and coconuts. We finished the day with “boogie boarding” at the secluded Macao Bay beach.

Driving through the small villages of brightly colored houses was very interesting. Our guide knew many of the people and would call out greetings to them as we passed. Particularly intriguing was the “gas station” we passed in one place—a little girl was in the doorway of a small pink-coloured shack with a table set up in front that had varying sizes of plastic jugs of gasoline for sale (about $1 a litre). One could buy the jugs or they would pour out what a customer needed.

The Caribbean Festival snorkel cruise was the other excursion that we took in. Normally, a cruise catamaran comes right up to the dock so you can walk right onto the deck. But the day we went, the currents were too strong, and the catamaran anchored about 200 feet away. It was a bit of an adventure to pile into small open boats bobbing in the water and then be ferried to and from the catamaran.

Once on the boat, we cruised the magnificent Bavaro coastline before heading to an aquarium area where there were sting-ray demonstrations (you get to hold them and they slide across your back) and a “swim with sharks’’ tank. The cruise finished with guided snorkeling above a coral reef. As with the Outback Safari, the friendly crew (especially a young man named Patrick) made sure everything was accessible to everyone.

At the all-inclusive resort, all the meals and drinks were included—daily buffets for breakfast and lunch; for dinner, we could choose either a buffet or fine dining at the resort restaurants.

I’m looking forward to returning to the Caribbean as a ‘’baby boomer beacher’’ again.

‘Gas station’ shack in Punta Cana village with plastic jugs of gas for sale. |

Local crafts beach shop at Stingray Bay. | ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

The author’s daughter Cindi with her boogie board at Macao Bay. | ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

Ancient Mounds Reveal Powerful Presence of History Strange Tales

By Elle AndraWarner

There is something surreal and spiritual about being in a sacred place where the past connects with the present. And some of the most dramatic of those historic places are at ancient sacred mounds found in the northern wilds of Minnesota and Northwestern Ontario.

A chain of mounds runs along the Rainy River on both the Canadian-U.S. shores for 90 miles. They include Ontario’s famous Manitou Mounds, considered to be Canada’s largest pre-European structures.

Part of that chain are the five mounds at the Grand Mound Historical Site located at the juncture of the Big Fork and Rainy Rivers, about 20 miles west of International Falls. At the centre of the site is the Grand Mound, considered to be the largest surviving prehistoric structure in Minnesota and the upper Midwest, dating back to 200 BC (about the same time the Great Wall of China was completed). Believed to have been built by the Laurel people who predominated in the area until 100 A.D., the Grand Mound measures 140 feet long, 100 feet wide, 25 feet high and has a 200-foot low tail. Though the site has been permanently closed to the public since 2007, it is still preserved, owned, administered and maintained by the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS operated a visitor center here between 1975-2003).

On the Canadian side of Rainy River about 34 miles west of Fort Frances and International Falls is the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wan-

Nung (Ojibway for Place of the Long Rapids), with a history dating back 8,000-9,500 years. The place was already at the centre of a vibrant North America-wide trading network, as far back as 5,000-6,000 years. Today, it is best-known for its 23 ancient burial mounds—the largest concentration of mounds in Canada–and village sites built on river terraces edging the Rainy River and Long Sault Rapids. Called the Manitou Mounds, the first ones were built about 2,500 years ago, and the area has now been declared a National Historical Site. The guardians of this rich heritage are the Rainy River First Nations who have built a historical centre on the 90-hectare site that encompasses more than three kilometres of the shoreline.

Walking among these ancient beehive-shaped mounds (only some are accessible to the public), I could feel the powerful presence of history. The mounds, varying in size, are located in a beautiful setting of river terraces edging the Rainy River, surrounded by prairie oak savannah. The sense of history was particularly strong while standing beside the mound that had inspired W. A. Kenyon to write, “The most spectacular prehistoric native monument in all of Canada is a burial mound on Rainy River. Overlooking the long Sault Rapids, it is about 113 feet in diameter and 24 feet high.”

Standing and absorbing the scenery, one could almost hear the sounds of these ancient people as they gathered here and

Manitou Mounds in Ontario are considered to be Canada’s largest pre-European structures. | ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

along the Rainy River each summer by the thousands. They fished with spears and hooks for lake sturgeon that could weigh up to 400 pounds and reach 13 feet in length. They planted summer gardens, leaving a rich diversity of plant life in a prairie oak savannah. And they traded, bringing in items like marine shells from Florida, volcanic glass from Mt. St. Helen’s in Washington State, stone from Hudson Bay, obsidian from Wyoming, flint from the Dakotas.

The mounds here were constructed by digging a shallow pit, placing in the bones (either bundled in birchbark or hides) and covering the remains with earth. The following year, the burial ceremony would be continued until, as more individuals were buried and more earth placed on top, the mounds grew in size to what we see today. Mounds elsewhere have contained grave offerings like shells, copper ornaments, and, in some cases, clay funerary masks.

Notable earthworks further south in Min-

nesota include the six Hopewellian burial mounds featured in Indian Mounds Park, a public park overlooking the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Originally, there were more than 30 mounds, but most were destroyed in the 19th century. The first mounds were built 2,200 years ago by people of the Hopewell culture, who had arrived in the upper Midwest from Illinois circa 500 BC and stayed for about 1,000 years before they disappeared; later the site was used by the Dakota for burials.

In case you wondered, the largest manmade earthen mound north of Mexico is Monks Mound at the 2,200-acre Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site on the Mississippi River in southern Illinois. The four-terrace platform mound is 1,000 feet long, 800 feet wide, and was built between 900-1,200 AD using an estimated 22 million cubic feet of earth. In the 1200s, Cahokia was among the world’s largest cities with a population of 100,000.

High-tech is New Garden Trend

By Joan Farnam

Smartphones and tablets will be making their way into gardens this year, carried by enthusiastic young gardeners who want to learn how to grow their own food.

They’ll have the tools at their fingertips when they do—a number of companies have produced apps for both smartphones and tablets which tell gardeners everything from how to plant, grow and harvest their vegetables to what the weather will be like tomorrow.

Burpee Seeds, for example, has developed Garden Time Planner, an app which offers the gardener the chance to browse a full database of plants, read about varieties, plan out their garden as well as watch howto gardening videos and links to the local weather. It also creates a task list to notify the user when to sow or transplant a particular flower or vegetable.

Garden Squared assists in planning and tracking square-foot gardens, patio container gardens, seedlings, staging, and raised garden beds. Details of every plot can be saved along with a journal entry/task tracker. This is a valuable tool for creating successful gardens by learning from past success and mistakes.

Other apps, like Garden Plan Pro, offers a large plant data base and calendar with weather and crop rotation information. Another, Garden Compass Plant/Disease Identifier helps identify a plant for you if you take a photo of it, as well as helping with disease diagnoses.

There are apps for rose gardens, landscaping, permaculture, composting, tree identification and more, and many are free. Visit iTunes or Google Play and scroll through to see the offerings.

There’s only one caveat—make sure your device has a protective cover to keep it from getting wet and dirty if you plan to use it in the garden.

“I bought a case for it,” said Nick Wharton, who, with his wife Kristin, runs the Good Nature Farm CSA in Colvill. “You just get where you’re worrying about the phone all the time if you don’t have it in something to keep it protected. I keep it in one particular pocket, too, so I know where it is or I keep it in the truck,” he said.

Wharton doesn’t use a gardening app on his iPhone, but he does use it to keep track of what’s going on in his garden. “I use it to make a daily task list,” he said. “It has reminders you can enter -- like plant carrots today or harvest tomatoes. I also use it to record weights and volumes of stuff when I harvest things.”

Wharton also said the phone has helped him consolidate his records. “I have a million notebooks for every different thing,” he said. “I got to the point of not keeping track of where I was keeping track. I’ve found the phone consolidates it all.”

Using a high-tech device in the garden is only one of the trends in gardening for 2014.

As more and more people get concerned about the quality of their food, they’re turning to their backyards to grow their own.

“We’re doing lots of herbs and lots of vegetables,” said Barb Cummings, who runs Cummings Greenhouse in Duluth. “And we’re doing more and more potted things, like tomatoes and peppers that people can put in patio pots. A lot of people are moving into apartments and it’s just easier for them to care for something like that on a patio, instead of going out and taking care of a large garden.”

Cook County Extension Agent Diane Booth, said she is excited about the increased interest in growing your own in a sustainable way.

“We’re seeing a kind of reversal,” she said. “People are saying ‘I want chickens,’ “I want berry bushes,’ ‘I don’t want herbicides on things,’ and we’re also seeing a trend in home food preservation.”

The organic movement has fueled this interest, she said.

The irony is that although people want gardens, they don’t want huge ones.

“Young people don’t want to do all the work involved in all that maintenance,” she said.

So they start a straw bale garden, or plan to grow vegetables on their patios or put in a few hop plants to brew their own beer. “I had three calls about the best hops to grow today,” she said.

“They want to be sustainably trendy,” she said. “Part of me is really glad to see this happen. Anytime you can grow food or teach your kids to grow food is great.”

Louise Kondakow, a manager at Vanderwees Home & Garden Centre in Thunder Bay, agrees.

“We’re doing more into container gardening, and we’re growing more starter vegetables, especially kale and peppers.” she said. “People are putting up more hobby greenhouses in their backyards so they can grow

peppers and things like that. Herbs are becoming quite huge, too.”

Kondakow said she has also noticed that more and more young people are coming in and asking about gardening. “I’ve never seen so many babies in the garden center. Their parents are probably reading about healthy vegetables and want to grow their own. That would be fantastic.”

Business Guide

Grand Marais

Pharmacy

Bob Sample Pharmacist

• Compassion • Trust

• Loyalty • Honesty 218-387-2110

425 W. Hwy 61, Grand Marais www.GrandMaraisPharmacy.co

NorthernWilds

Lower Prices - Longer Hours Free delivery - Free Mailout

Metro area or Minnesota’s North Shore. Contact Jean at 651-600-0169 or www.vitalityandjoy.com

Street, Ely. Open Tues.-Fri. 12 noon - 4 p.m. For information about placing your classified ad, contact Amber at apratt@northernwilds.com

ARTSCENE cont. from page 15

by Tommy Singer and Calvin Begay. The jewelry includes bracelets, earrings and necklaces.

Great Gifts of Lutsen is featuring a wide variety of cards crafted by local and regional artists include Terri Nelson deNatale, Earl Orf, John Peyton, Betsy Bowen, Kelly Dupre, Kristin Accola, Jane Richards and Jackie Kotlarek

For spring reading, Drury Lane Books is recommending a number of gardening books including “Growing Perennials in Cold Climates,” “Green Thoughts,” and “The Beginners Guide to Growing Heirloom Vegetables.” The bookstore also has copies of “Stillwater,” by Nicole Helget, which has had excellent reviews. It is set in Minnesota during the Civil War and is about the Underground Railroad, pioneers and orphans.

And last, but not least, the Grand Mara-

Prudence Johnson will be a special guest at the Log Cabin Concerts on April 19th.

is Art Colony is offering a workshop on making films and videos for youth from 10-16. Maeri Hedstrom is the instructor. Painters John Franz and David Hahn have also been working with young artists in the community.

Hovland 63 Chessie Trail

MLS#6000958

$299,000

Great rustic cabin with privacy and considerable setback from the Highway. Property features a cozy well kept cabin with sleeping loft and wood burning stove. Nice level lot. 178’ of very private gravel shoreline close to Naniboujou and Judge Magney State Park.

in 2011 (could be converted to third bedroom). Excellent value. Call Katterine today for your private showing.

Outstanding 5-Acre Parcel

Lutsen

Boulder Point has positioned its private association as the

premier development area in Lutsen offering outstanding views of

in private wilderness setting. Already complete with a beautiful new home, new construction forthcoming and combining the 4+ million dollar course improvement project at Superior National Golf Course, the new 6 place high speed chairlift at Lutsen Mountains (which will transform the ski experience) and the completion of the Lutsen section of the Gitchi-Gami Bike trail, this is the perfect opportunity to purchase. Call today for additional information and a private site-visit of the development and this lot. Now for only $75,000 MLS #6001645

Lutsen Sea Villas

The Lutsen Sea Villas have withstood the test of time. Why? Nowhere else is there a shoreline like this on the entire coast of Lake Superior. The owner’s and management company have upheld excellent standards and quality while maintaining the unique integrity of this original seaside coastal development, and they are well run by Lutsen Resort. The Lutsen Real Estate Group is pleased to offer three units currently for sale.

G RE aT VaC an T Lan D Va LUES

Boulder Pt Road, Lutsen Lk Superior views, close to Superior National Golf Course & Ski Hill

20 acre parcel

Johannes Toftey Homestead Sites

Beautiful hillside lots in Tofte with Lake Superior and Carlton Peak views. $35,750-55,000

MLS#6001643 $199,000

MLS#6001644 $135,000 40 acre parcel

Jonvick Creek Beautiful home sites in mature Maple, Spruce and Birch forest. REDUCED! $29,500-54,900

Stonegate Road Private Lake Superior lot in Hovland Includes driveway, electric & new septic. (A/O) MLS# 24409 $399,900

xxx Sawbill Trail 120 Acres located up the Sawbill Trail. Large Maples

MLS# 27551 $199,900

Lot 2 Quist Acres 5 acre parcel on Quist Road outside of Grand Marais.

MLS#30439 $47,500

Lot 5 Quist Acres 5 acre parcel on Quist Road outside of Grand Marais, sister parcel to Lot 2.

MLS#30440 $49,900

xxx Mountain Ash Ln Cedar covered hillside overlooking Lake Superior in Lutsen.

MLS#60000147 $649,000

Tofte Airport Home Sites Located between Lutsen and Tofte. Convenient Location with outstanding values. $24,750-33,000

Tait Pines Nestled hillside adjacent to Tait Lake in Lutsen, just 13 miles up the Caribou Trail.

$37,950-$57,750

Caribou Hillside Outstanding homesites tucked along the hillside of Caribou Lake.

$52,250-$126,500

Lot 13 Sawmill Bay 233’ shoreline 2.2 acres

MLS#31370 $88,000

342 Rd Schroeder 160 acres covered in Maples, Birch, and other mixed forest. Can be sold as parcels.

MLS#6000143 $199,000

Boulder Point Rd, Lutsen 20 acre parcel MLS#6004644 $135,000 40acre parcel MLS#6001643 $199,000

Lake Superior View

Lake Superior Lots

MLS 6001752

$69,900 - East Highway 61 – 6.8A

Exceptional value on this private parcel. Driveway is in, multiple building sites, and wonderful views of Superior!

MLS 6001736

$79,900 - East Highway 61 – 20A Large, private parcel close to town with elevation, meaning panoramic views of Lake Superior! Large building site has been leveled. MLS 6000432

Inland Lake Lots

McFarland Lake

Four sites, 7 – 230A, 0 – 300’ shore. Excellent recreational land. Building and septic sites identified. MLS 31140 $63,900 - $155,000

Chester Lake, Hovland This 40A is the only private parcel on Chester Lake! 300’ frontage, cabin & outbuildings sold as is. MLS 31502 $179,000

Devil Track Lake, Grand Marais Private 2.97A lot with unique, natural boat harbor and over 245’ of frontage on north shore! MLS 6001302 $229,900

Kemo Lake, Grand Marais One of only 4 lots on south shore. Private 2.34A with 200’ frontage on excellent trout lake! MLS 6000747 $159,900

Poplar Lake, Grand Marais, 0.94A, 291’ with four portage routes into BWCAW. MLS 6001194 $169,900

Sag Lake, Grand Marais, 1.1A and 191’ frontage on Sag.

Inland Lake Homes

2.5

lake superior properties

tHree speCtaCular lake superior lots at terraCe poiNt. Outstanding shoreline views all the way to Artist Point & Grand Marais. Each has dramatic shoreline. Great location west of town. priced from $175,000 to the unique and pristine point at $409,900. Mls 6000590, 6001067, 6001068.

CoMMerCial properties

tHe outpost Motel.

Thriving business and home with great view of the big lake. The Outpost Motel offers motel rooms and kitchenette suites. In addition there is a loft apartment and a cottage. The great location close to Grand Marais sits directly across the highway from Lake Superior beach. Direct access to the Superior Hiking Trail. Mls #6001280. $689,000.

speCtaCular

piNCusHioN BeD aND BreakFast

Updated 5 bedroom, 6 bath home on 14.8 acres. New 2 car garage and two decks. Direct ski in/ski out access to Pincushion Mountain ski trails. Frontage on Little Devils Track River is fabulous. Just minutes from Grand Marais. Resort/Commercial zoning.

Mls 6001839 $374,900.00

lutseN CoMMerCial HWY 61 FroNtaGe. Two acres, zoned GC. Location, visibility, nice forest, lake view. Includes a third (one-acre) parcel zoned residential.

Mls #6001891 $179,000.

iNlaND Water properties

CasCaDe lake priVaCY. This is the only private land on the lake. Enjoy the utmost privacy and unspoiled wilderness views with 87 acres and over 3,000’ of shoreline. Includes a well-maintained cabin, sauna, dock and outhouse. Easy year-round access. Unique opportunity to own a private wilderness compound!

Mls #31513 $700,000.

iNlaND Water properties

WilsoN lake lot.

Strikingly beautiful 5.4 acre lot, 355’ of shoreline with great build sites near the lake or tucked around the bluff for gorgeous views.

Mls #6000757 $265,800.

priVate HiDeaWaY.

Charming cabin on 150' of Little Ollie Bay on Poplar Lake. Adjoins BWCAW. Easy access to Banadad Ski Trail. Nice views, deck, 2 bedrooms, bath and sauna. Used as a managed rental unit with good income and history.

Mls #6002044 $259,900.00

MCFarlaND

l ake CaBiN

Beautiful cedar full log cabin on McFarland Lake. Cozy hide-away with sauna building, guest cabin, storage building. Great shoreline with new dock. Partially furnished. Large deck, nice cedar trees. Great view of palisade. Mls #6002033 $259,000.00

tuCker l ake lot Gunflint Trail--Tucker Lake Lot. Have tons of privacy on this 3.68acre lake lot with over 550 feet of shoreline, plus 237 feet more shore across the private road, in a protected bay. Nice trees, great building site. Pristine views, and direct access to the BWCAW.

Mls #6002030 $239,900.00

FaMilY CaBiN— BirCH lake.

Family retreat w/2 BR, 1 BA, large deck, charming log bunkhouse, 1-car garage. Great privacy, large dock on 150’ shoreline.

Mls #31680 $199,900.

CaBiN oN

trout lake.

Charming custom-built 1 BR cabin with 150’ shoreline on desirable Trout Lake. Knotty pine paneling, lots of artistic touches. 3.27 acres. Mls #31258 $199,900.

BorDer, Beaut Y aND BWCaW.

Rare opportunity to own a private wilderness escape, North Fowl Lake. 2 BRs, full kitchen, comfortable living room and large deck. Large open yard, sauna, storage shed and dock. Great privacy, 200’ of shoreline, abutting the BWCAW. Water access. Mls #30184 $199,000.

leVel lot, NiCe WooDs, easY sHore.

This Devil Track Lake lot has easy access from county road, power, phone and great building sites. South shore, 200 ft. frontage, great views. Build your home on the lake here. Mls #6001771 $198,900.

larGe aND priVate lake lot

This Greenwood Lake parcel has great views, classic boulder shore, dense pine forest and easy lake access. Plenty of elbow room with many nice cabin/home sites. Mls #6001764 $192,500

Great lot oN looN lake. This lot is located on the south side of Loon Lake and offers great lake views. The main road is in place and power is on the lot line. This lot offers a great shoreline and many nice trees.

Mls #6001605 $192,000 NeW!

aMaZiNG HoMe Near trestle piNe lake.

3 BR, 2 BA home up the Gunflint Trail only a few minutes from many great lakes. The interior has an open bright feeling and is move-in ready!

Mls #6001793 $169,000

Qualit Y DeVil traCk lake lot.

Heavily wooded south shore lot with 150’ of shore. Easy shoreline, great views, excellent building sites. Power/phone. More shoreline available. Mls #6001770 $149,900.

CaBiN Creek CoVe oN NiNeMile lake. 2 lakelots left on the west bay of Ninemile Lake. Lots have excellent bldg sites nestled in a dense mixed forest. Year round access. Power at site. CC&R’s apply. Brochure available. l ots start at $89,300.

trout HaVeN. Six nicely wooded, west-facing lakelots on Hare Lake. Easy county road access. Power available. Beautiful views, nice shoreline, good trout fishing. starting at $82,000.

sNoWsHoe ruN at Hare lake.

Beautiful lots with maple, spruce and cedars. Privacy, surrounded by U.S.F.S. lands. A trout lake; good fishing. Brochure available. starting at $33,500.

MaiNteNaNCeFree oN l ake superior Gorgeous, 3-level residential condo in Tofte. Beautiful views and quality finishes. Ideal floor plan has 3 beds and 3 baths; perfect for your family gatherings. Private outdoor space on every level with two decks and a patio. Can be sold as a "turnkey residence" or "rental ready"-you decide.

Mls #6002039 $339,000

lake superior CoND o/toFte.

Great lake views from this 2 bedroom + loft unit with 2 baths, fireplace, balcony looking up the shore. Chateau LeVeaux offers many updated amenities, indoor pool, sauna, game room, and on-site manager. Facility is in excellent condition for easy and affordable lakefront living or vacation rental.

Mls #6000473 $90,000.

larGe HoMe, t Wo apartMeNts, HuGe lake VieW. Main level 3 BR home with fireplace, quality kitchen, formal dining room, master suite. Two full apartments on the lower levels, each with private entrances provides great income. Includes 2-car attached garage with workshop, 1,000 sq. ft. heated outbuilding, plus 10 acres with paths and privacy. Mls #6001835 $398,000

piNCusHioN MouNtaiN reCreatioN area HoMe. Close to town yet situated in the woods on ski and hiking trails. 3 BR, 2 BA, on 4.75 acres. Large living room with beautiful white tile fireplace and large dining room with Carlton Peak rock chimney. Remodeled kitchen; walk-out basement with sun room. Unique design, lots of wood and windows; several unique handmade doors. Mls #6001099 $349,000

eNerGY eFFiCieNt HoMe.

Earth sheltered home with over 55 acres and a creek.

Conveniently located near Grand Marais and Gunflint Trail. 4 BR, 3 BA with a 2-car detached garage. Updated and remodeled with many custom features. This home is designed for the person who wants to live the rural, energy-efficient lifestyle. Mls #6001251. $297,000

CouNtrY HoMe iN HoVlaND.

Lovely 4 BR/3 BA home on 7.76 acres. Master suite with huge walk-in closet. Open living room with stone fireplace, formal dining room, big kitchen. Office/den opens into the attached garage. 32’ x 40’ pole building has storage for toys. Partially finished basement. Country living at its best! Mls #6000522 $259,300.

GraND Marais HoMe.

CasCaDe ValleY retreat. Charming cottage on 30 acres with adjoining public lands. Well-built cabin has great views of the Cascade River Valley from the screen porch. Sauna building with sitting area, fireplace, dressing room and large cedar sauna. Remote location but good access, and only a short drive to Grand Marais. Mls #6001829 $169,900

rustiC lo G, roiliNG riVer, MoDerN CoMForts.

This log kit home sits on the scenic Flute Reed River in Hovland, just a short walk to Lake Superior's shore. The seasonal cabin has a great screen porch, modern kitchen and comes furnished with cabin-style furnishings and sportsman's décor. +/- 400' of dramatic river frontage. You can't beat the sound of a North Shore river! Mls #6001631 $169,900.

Conveniently located in town with incredible views of Lake Superior. The home features 4 BR, 3 BA with a great layout and tons of storage space. Master BR includes a custom whirlpool tub, skylight, and a separate covered porch overlooking the harbor. The kitchen has been totally redone. Outside you will find a private patio area, heated drive-through garage, gardens, flowerbeds and custom landscaping. Mls #6002043 $247,000 reMote outpost. The 2 bdr, home sits on 77 acres and features all the creature comforts with solar power and shower house, There’s a large 2-car garage with workshop plus 2 guest cabins that provide plenty of space for the whole family or group. Trails, solitude and wilderness – a perfect place to live remotely or as base-camp for your adventures.

Mls# 6001657 $174,900.

Welcome sandra & Jack McHugh!

After many years of enjoying time spent on the North Shore, Sandra and Jack McHugh have made their dreams come true by making Lutsen their home, and joining the real estate team at Red Pine Realty. Now, they hope to help you with making your real estate dreams come true. With more than 30 years of experience in project management, and the rewarding experience of finding and purchasing property in Cook County, they are ready and able to make your real estate search or sale a successful and pleasant experience. Put your dreams in their hands and let them take care of the details.

starter HoMe or Base CaMp. Warm and comfortable cabin in the woods. Great place to call home with room to add or expand as you grow. Easy access on lower Arrowhead Trail Power, phone, outhouse, garden space, big potential. Mls #6000609 $54,900 Scan your smartphone here!

CoND oMiNiuMs

HoMes & CaBiNs

DraMatiC

CasCaDe riVer propert Y.

Twenty acres with 660’ on Cascade River. Good road, building site in cedar. Common property at spectacular waterfalls. Association, assessments. Seasonal access.

Mls #31332 $109,500.

10 aCres oN

CouNt Y rD. #14.

330’ of bubbling creek runs through this beautifully wooded and very private parcel. Build sites near the water. Mls #31619 $99,500.

stuNNiNG riVer aND piNCusHioN trails.

A unique opportunity for skiers and hikers. Trail easement runs through the property. The RC zoning allows for a resort/lodging type business.

Mls #6000298 $85,900.

40 aCres W/MoNs Creek FroNtaGe.

Easy road access. Good building sites. Mature trees. Deeded access to Lost Lake.

Mls #31103 $79,900.

40 aC – lost lake retreats.

Mons Creek flowage with great views and tons of wildlife. Private and secluded location. Includes deeded access to private lake.

Mls #27877 $79,500.

WooDs, Water & seClusioN.

Nice ‘40’ with good timber and 1000’ frontage on Mons Creek. Great building site. Private deeded access to Lost Lake.

Mls #31808 $69,900.

NeW! GraND Marais

HoMe site oN Creek.

Nice wooded lot with City services: water, sewer and electric at site. Nice south exposure and frontage on Cedar Creek.

Mls #6001830 $63,900

l aND/BuilDiNG sites

piNCusHioN trail parCel. This parcel has forest with direct access to the Pincushion Ski Trail system, Superior Hiking Trail and Devil Track River. Resort/Commercial zoning

Mls #6000299 $214,900.

oVer 217 aCres/CaMp 20 roaD

Lovely open land with many ponds and streams. Mls #31645 $216,700.

VieWs FroM terraCe poiNt.

Two lots for development at Terrace Point. One has townhome foundation in place.

Mls #6001069 $94,500

Mls #6001100 $175,000

Maples, VieWs, priVaCY.

85+ acres near Hovland. New road access, adjoining federal land. South exposure and views. Seasonal access. Mls #6001633 $99,900.

5 aCres oN GuNFliNt trail.

A great lot with an amazing view overlooking Loon Lake. This lot includes legal access to Loon Lake for you to dock your boat, swim and relax. Mls #6001601 $94,000

FiVe aCres Near toWN.

Ready to build, Croftville location, Superior view, nice forest, RC/Residential zoning.

Mls #6001810 $80,000.

5 aCres Near DeVil traCk lake. Deep wooded home site – just steps from Devil Track Lake, and DNR access. Enjoy the lake without the high taxes! Mls #31534 $74,900.

FiVe WooDeD aCres.

Surveyed. Septic and access road in place. Close to Devil Track Lake.

Mls #6000318 $65,000. Additional 6 +/- acre parcel available.

10 aCres Near GraND Marais.

Great piece of property located minutes from Grand Marais, on Pike Lake Rd. Seasonal view of Lake Superior. Many nice build sites. Mls #6001078 $64,900

laND Near GraND Marais.

Beautiful 5-ac lot just minutes from town. Meadow, power/ phone. Driveway in. Great home site.

Mls #6001604 $59,900.

larGe parCel WitH possiBle suBDiVisioN poteNtial.

Great Lake Superior views on the higher elevations. A small creek runs through part of the parcel. Priced below assessed value. Mls #6001758 $129,000

reaDY For You to BuilD.

This 5 acre lot is located only a few miles from town but offers great privacy. Nice slope, great trees and possibility for views of Lake Superior! The driveway is in place.

Mls#6001470 $54,900.

lake eFFeCt HoMe site –HoVlaND. Great 4-acre home site. Close to Lake Superior, with some views, nice forest, easy access off of Highway 61 on shared driveway. A great place to call home or nestle-in with your recreational cabin. Mls#6001463 $52,900.

WoNDerFul VieWs oF lake superior!

3 lots available; wooded and private. Minutes to ski hill, Superior National, Lutsen shops. Surveyed, year round access. Mls #6000671 l ots start at $52,000.

Great CaBiN spot!

Mixed topography of beautiful rolling land with many great build sites. Old growth cedar, spruce, pine and birch. Mons Creek meanders through the property border where it abuts state land.

Mls #6001242 $50,250.

HoMe or CaBiN siteGreat lutseN lo CatioN. 4.09 acres, power and phone. Walk to landing on Christine Lake. Adjoins state land.

Mls #31546 $44,900.

reCreatioNal parCel iN HoVlaND.

43+ acres close to the public landing on Tom Lake. Survey complete; may subdivide into two 20+ acre parcels. Road plowed year round in special taxing district. Owner/Agent. Mls #6001471 $37,500

Got reMote?

Can't beat this property for "off-the-beaten-path". If it's seclusion you seek, a place that's tough to get there, and worth the effort (or, the effort is half the fun), this wilderness 19-acre recreational property is for you. Surrounded by State & USFS lands. Hike in access from Devil Fish Lake.

Mls#6001477 $37,000.

Meeting of Water and Wilderness! 200 ft of Ledge rock sprawling for what seems like a football field in to Lake superior! north of Castle danger, Phenom build site! Mls#30422 $409,000

easy living on l ake superior! super location between Grand marias and Lutsen with incredible views of the big Lake! meticulously maintained, move in ready, Great Opportunity to make this your dream Lake superior home! Mls#6001226 $569,500

several acres of privacy and way more than 200 ft of Level access Lake superior shoreline in schroeder, near sugarloaf Cove naturalist a rea! Mls#6001554 $320,000

WHoa MoMM a look at tHese vieWs! Perched on the mountain side, just minute’s to Lutsen mountains ski & summer resort! main level living, decks, and 2 car garage and tons of value!

autHentiC l ake superior Cottage! enjoy 5 plus acres of boreal forest and so much shoreline you could get lost meandering it! Wide board plank interior with brick fireplace, jack and jill bath with two large bedrooms, tall ceilings and plenty of WOW factor! Mls#6001790 $749,900

extra- ordinary lutsen Lake superior home! Unforgettable to say the least, enjoy a Gorgeous superior stone Corner Fireplace with main Level Living, and a modern functional design that welcomes your own touches for updating! Over 300 ft of shoreline, garage and outdoor fireplace!

Mls#6000899 $735,000

Mls#6001010 $354,000 sale

l ake superior log HoMe with 50 mile views! a rchitecturally hand crafted log home on over 230 ft of shoreline on Lake superior! designed for main level living, the Great room is all about the views with huge windows and walk out deck, grab the railing because the views just may knock you over! sophisticated k itchen with quartz counters, large island, Viking stove! 3 season screen porch with a gas stove and walk out lower level designed to have family and friends enjoy their own space! sweet interior sauna, Lovely landscaped grounds, fabulous 2 plus workshop garage! tons of Value! Mls#6001241 $599,000

l ake superior v ieWs, This home sleeps tons, generates great rental revenues and borders the Cascade r iver state Park Overlooking Lake superior in between Lutsen and Grand marais! Mls#31098 $240,000 reduCed again!!

l ake superior and lutsen Leads to the Good Life! sweet Lake superior build ready parcel in the heart of Lutsen, driveway in place all you need is some vision for laying out your home to take advantage of the Creek and the level ledgerock of Lake superior! Mls#31207 reduCed Huge!! $279,900

neW! sCHroeder’s east Bay on l ake superior! Family cabin with main level bedrooms and lower level rec room space that walks out to Lake superior! really buffered from other homes and highway, schroeder’s east bay is a secret slice of shoreline, points, and beach, a must see! Mls#tBa $349,000

neW! Crazy Big l ake Big Mountain v ieWs! epic home with sprawling views, too incredible to imagine, you mUst see! main Level Living, huge deck, loft bedrooms and lower level family/guest space. Over 6 acres! Mls#6002052 $275,000

Wi L derness L ake h O mes... Fami Ly FU n time!

sW eet sHoreline on deeryard

l ake W itH rustiC

Ca Bin! west of Grand marais, south facing and 10 acres of maples, Old Growth White Pines and ancient Cedars all abutting public land. Current owners got you started: a garage that was their starter cabin complete with power, heat, water and septic tank!

Mls#6001066

$189,000 reduCed!

vaCation getaWay at CH ateau lev eaux!

Fabulous Location, improving rental incomes and tons of interior improvements of Common Lodge entry, swimming Pool, etc! Condo is m int Condition, Great Views!

Mls#26043 reduCed!

$122,500 ask for #31!

ironiC isn’t it? a condo in the middle of the northwoods, isabella location! What a great idea for those outdoor enthusiasts looking for very nice accommodations to come back to after a full day of fishing, boating, hiking, biking, snowmobiling and cross country skiing! it’s really the best of the northwoods at a great price! Mls#6001979 $145,000

lutsen l ake

HoMe, Wilderness Living! in between the boundary Waters and Lutsen mountains ski resort with miles of snowmobile and cross county trails between! year round a mazing Cabin, Oversized garage with workshop & bunkhouse!

Mls#29855 $379,000

in CO me G eneratin G OPPO rt U nities

CliffHouse overlooking l ake superior! Lake superior Views at Lutsen resort, Fine dining and stylish living at your own piece of the north shore! Finely appointed, this townhome won’t disappoint!

Mls#28460 $499,000 or Half sHare at $279,000

HoW aBout foCusing on tHe fisHing? year round cabin on Gust Lake, just outside the bWCa and a half hour from Lutsen mountains ski resort is really a Great Fish Camp for friends and family to gather and enjoy the cabin, guest cabin and sauna house! a nd catch some fish! Mls#6001054 $319,000

neW! a rCHiteC tural doozie on CHristine l ake in Lutsen! Luxury Lodge style home with basalt stone Fireplace engulfed between built in douglas Fir bookcases…Get the picture? total Quality, total serenity from this very Cool Lutsen Lake home with bunkhouse, tons of privacy and wildlife! rental revenues offset ownership costs!

Mls#tBa $485,000

ski in ski out to Moose Mountain! enjoy low maintenance vacation living at the famed Caribou highlands resort, tons of amenities and good year round rental revenues to off set ownership costs!

Mls#6001192-4 Br 4 Ba ask for 503 Moose Mt $299,000

Mls#6000261 studio ask for 108a $76,900 reduCed!!

Mls#6000681 1Br 2Ba $80,000 sold!!

Mls#6001787 1 Br 1 BatH Mint! $109,900 ask for 128B! neW!

lutsen sea villas, Level accessible Lake superior! The Lutsen sea Villas are a Great Way for those who enjoy vacationing long term or short term along the north shore! a ffordable association dues make for low maintenance living with a good management company available for offsetting the ownership costs. a nd if you want to keep the Villa all to yourself, you can! One, two and three bedroom Villas available, most recently update and all in the heart of Lutsen just a short shuttle to Lutsen mountains ski resort! From $189,000 Call tOday!

Mls#6001261 B3 $300,000

Mls#6001265 B1 $400,000 Bargain Buy villas! k3 Big reduCtion! $189,000 e3 $224,900 sWeet!

neW! a rtful living at k a H nee ta H! Lutsen’s treasured a rt Gallery has three income generating cabins, perfect for the buyer that wants to live and work on the north shore! Great potential, Great Lutsen Location! Mls#tBa $299,000

neW! Clean lines and easy Living in tofte! sweet 2 plus bedroom, detached garage and nice Lake superior views, you will enjoy coming home after a day of outdoor adventure! a must see to appreciate how nice this home is! Mls#6001945 $174,900

a rCHiteC tural design near Carlton Peak! Good bang for your buck for square footage, this multi-level home is very Cool. Updated gourmet kitchen, new flooring and carpet and two garages! Mls#6001636 $250,000

neW! Holy sMokes this Grand marais “in town” location is Fab! stroll to the north house for a class and enjoy a beer at the trout on your walk home! beautiful sun room on the main level, perfect for morning coffee and a good book. Original hardwood floors throughout the home, gorgeous new stairway, deck in the back yard, a must see home! Mls#6001996 $187,000

dream! Mls#6000833 $329,000

tHe rougH stuff has already been done. buildready site with high-quality components in place: insulated slabs for house w/ porch and garage are set up with infloor heat, plumbing, electric, time-dose & heated septic system, 179’ deep well, gravel driveway, rocks/boulders, 15 cords of clear aspen sawn for paneling for house/cabinets/ counters if desired, blue prints for buildings/design are also included which saves a fortunate buyer thousands of dollars. Priced W eLL beLOW what has already been put into this tremendous lot! Mls#6001308 $129,900 treetop living! enjoy distant Lake superior views from the 4 season sunroom in this lovely home designed for upper level living and lower level guest space, a nice combination for those year round folks who expect a lot of company! Convenient Lutsen Caribou trail location means you are in the middle of everything! Mls#6000894 $199,900 reduCed!

s i Lver Bay to Litt L e Marais to Fin L and & i sa B e LL a!

Swallow Lake Land, isabella a rea Wilderness shoreline in a mature pine area off deep Lake rd. multitude of Lakes abound, much recreational opportunity!

Mls#30253 $99,000

Enough Is Enough! We are talking 30 acres of elevated rolling hills bordering the r idge looking down the Little manitou r iver to Lake superior. Can subdivide, but at this price, you’ll want to keep it all for yourself! Mls#24573 $179,000

30 Ac and 40 Ac parcel, almost adjoining Prime Wilderness with road access available and tons of wildlife through moose ponds, with some high ground for building sites. Great Value and tons of end of the road feel!

Mls#6001525 from $47,500 for 30 acres!

10 Ac Parcels of Maples! scramble across the rolling terrain of mature maples (breathtaking in the Fall) to a sweet building site Perched Over a mixed boreal Forest, Good Levels of serenity For sure! year round access and electric at road!

Mls#6000676 $56,900

Caribou Lake Area Build Site on 5 Ac! at the base of the sawtooth r idge overlooking Caribou Lake is this sweet land perfect for your year round cabin with easy access to all that Lutsen Offers!

Mls#6000-049 reduCed! $49,900

30 acres of Prime Wilderness Land with year round access and electric at street with Views of Lutsen’s famed Clara Lake! Mls#6001462 $137,500

Super Views, Super Future! bordering county lands, this 6 ac parcel can easily be subdivided in to 3 parcels, all with views of the big Lake! Or keep it all for yourself! hUGe Lake views, it won’t disappoint!

Over 5 acres of Young Aspen and Lake superior Views on the sugarloaf road, Walk to superior hiking trail or sugarloaf Cove on Lake superior!

Mls#25632 $29,900

Mls#30736 reduCed!

$129,900

Lake Superior Views Sprawl before you on this gorgeous piece of land at White tail r idge, a lakeview community very near to tettagouche state Park with nice Lake superior access! Mls#6000717 $115,000

Sonju Lake Road Large acreage parcels! 40 plus acre lots ranging from $35k to $60k. a ll 170 acres for $180,000

Mls#6001324+

HUGE Lake Superior Views on 5 ac, creek and electric at build site! Gorgous Cliff, borders county land $89,900

Access to Wilson Lake with Acreage! nice little Camping shack in place, enjoy the hilltop views of the maples! Forge a path through the woods to Wilson Lake and you’ll have all the Walleye you can eat, Wilson Lake is the Walleye Capital of the northwoods!

Mls#27884 $109,900

s chroeder a rea n ear the c ross r iver!

30 ac parcel is a combination of marsh lands and meandering beaver ponds with high ground in the north West corner with some nice maples and views of the surrounding marsh grasses and sawtooth r idges, Mls#6001525 $47,500

Perhaps the most unique piece of property on the north shore! Old rock quarry is surrounded by steep ledge rock reaching up to the sky. your own little lagoon like lake on the top of sawtooth mountain ridge, it’s simply stunning. rugged terrain that was touched by man many years ago, time has now passed and the land has gone back to wilderness with mature pines and south facing maples. Mls#6001560-66 froM $95,000

Sugarloaf Retreats on High Ridge Drive, located up the surgaloaf road from sugarloaf Cove naturalist a rea, enjoy large acreage parcels at rock bottom prices! From $62,000!

Mls#25701-4

t o F te a rea n ear B LueFin Bay r esort!

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#6001346 from $24,900

Hilltop Views at LeVeaux Mountain! From spectacular Lake Views to sites bordering superior national Forest… even a site overlooking a Wildlife pond! Give these sites a look if you like location location location!

Mls#27035-26505-30560 from $19,500!!

LOCATION says it all, enjoy nice Lake superior Views and tons of Privacy bordering county lands, toftevaag is a great spot to build your dream cabin, especially for year round living close to all that tofte offers! Mls#2409130549 reduced from $53,000

Lutsen Lake v iews & w i L derness Lands!

Boulder Point at Lutsen Mountains! recreational 10 acres off ski hill road, flat Plateau with awesome Views of moose mountain and Lake superior!

Mls#6001621 $75,000

Honeymoon Trail Wildlife Lands!

10 ac nearby Poplar r iver in Lutsen, great hunting or hiking land at a sUPer Great price! nice boreal Forest with build site bordering UsFs lands!

Mls#26729 $39,900

Lovely 20 acre parcel located on the outskirts of Lutsen, only minutes to bigsby and Caribou Lakes! nice mixed forest with high ground for choice building sites. Great price for your northwoods getaway!

Mls#31531 $41,900

Gorgeous Views of Williams and Wills Lake in Lutsen! year round access, electric, mountain top site bordering UsFs land. a Wonderful place to build your northwoods home!

Mls#tBa $79,000

Super Building Site on Honeymoon Trail Lutsen locale with electric and all year access! high ground!

m ls#6001796 $39,000

Bargain Clara Lake site! yr round access, electric at street and cleared build site perfect for your Getaway Cabin on Coveted Clara Lake!

Mls#6001680 $155,000

Grand Marais Location Location Location!

A River Runs Through It! 160 acres of Upland and r iver Frontage on the Cascade r iver near eagle mountain, a r are Find with tons of opportunity. Whether hunting land or Wilderness retreat, this is a Great Opportunity! Mls#31732 reduCed $159,000

Between Grand Marais and Devil Track Lake 60 Acres! rolling terrain and nice mixed forest and grasslands just up the Gunflint trail and devil track Lake rd, this is a great location and an amazing price!

Mls#6000-606 $95,900

Bordering Cascade River Park! Potential to subdivide or keep it all for yourself! nice Lake superior Views from multiple build sites, hike right in to the Park land with access to Cascade r iver falls and Lake superior! Mls#31097 reduCed! $200,000

County Rd 7 Murphy Mountain Lake View lands! bargain buys in young Poplar Forest, easy clearing for sweet Lake superior Views for as little as $39,900! Or enjoy hilltop build site with driveway in place, creek bordering site for $89,900! Mls#25633

Rent it -- Buy it

Rent is rebated

$329,900 Owner/Broker; Brokers Welcome

Lake Superior Shoreline Located Between Lutsen and Tofte

• 2400 sq ft luxurious comfort

• Soapstone counters, hardwood floors, stone fireplace

• 3 Bedrooms/3 Baths, 2 person jetted tub

• Huge family room to accommodate the family

• Excellent rental clients who pay the bills

PRoPeRT y MaNageMeNT SeRViCe

Vacation Rental: Cabins! Condos! Homes! Check website for details

Long Term Rental: This is the time to invest, Let us do the rest.

Family Property: We can help make the family cabin workable and pleasurable

Call for an appointment for a confidential discussion.

Judy Motschenbacher, Broker Deborah Nelson, Owner

(218) 387-1447

cell: (218) 370-0136

14 Broadway South, Grand Marais Mailing: PO Box 1276, Grand Marais, MN 55604

Visit our webside to see our current listings: www.superiorescapes.info email: dnelson@superiorescapes.info

Levels of Service

2 well built log homes. Each with log sauna buildings, sand beaches, sheltered mooring area, more building sites and southern views of Scotch Lake. Surrounded by crown land and largest of only a few private parcels on this huge lake. Very secluded and private. Great fishing/hunting retreat. $1,200,000

NICOL ISLAND ROSSPORT

Tremendous Lake Superior building sites. Lakefront and interior lots for sale with docking facilities. Causeway opened year round. Power and phone. Starting at $55,000 CDN

fishing resort. Totally outfitted with all the modern conveniences. 80 miles north of Thunder Bay. Incredible fishing! Main lodge, beach house with sauna and hot tub. Diesel generator, fish cleaning house, boats, motors. Harry Lake is a very large lake with no road access and Harry Lake resort is the only improvement. $295,000 CDN

CATCHLIGHT

Canada Lynx It was a thrill to see this lynx sunning itself on a snowmobile trail. It kept an eye on me, but allowed me to photograph it for several minutes before getting up and slowly and silently walking off into the woods.

— Nace Hagemann