Northern Wilds June 2025

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Lounge Around

The North Shore is filled with plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors, from canoeing and camping in the Boundary Waters, to thru-hiking the Superior Hiking Trail. However, sometimes it’s nice to sit back, relax, and enjoy the North Shore at a slower pace, especially in the summer when days are longer and the weather is warm—which brings me to our Lounge Around issue.

In our first feature for the issue, Kalli Hawkins provides us with many leisurely activity options for those who want a more laid-back style of travel. From scenic stops and slow moments along Highway 61, to beach days and boardwalk wandering in Grand Marais, she’s got options the whole family will enjoy.

In Along the Shore, Dana Johnson suggests relaxing in nature by visiting one of the many state parks in our area, such as Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche. Rather be on the water? Chris Pascone explores some “Signature Experiences” with Sail Superior in Thunder Bay. Looking for a different way to sightsee? Naomi Yaeger recommends taking the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad. Located just west of downtown Duluth, this quiet excursion train

Did you know that since the late 1990s, it’s estimated the monarch population has dropped by 90 percent, and worldwide, an estimated 20,000 species of bees also have declining numbers? Monarchs play only a small role in pollination compared to bees, but organizations like Duluth Monarch Buddies (DMB) have chosen the iconic orange-and-black butterfly to symbolize the conservation of all pollinators. In our second feature story, Victoria Lynn Smith talks with DMB members, helping monarchs one waystation at a time. With summer on its way, there are plenty of events to keep the whole family busy this month. From the Kite Festival in Thunder Bay on June 8 to the Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival in Grand Marais, held June 20-21, and the Park Point Art Fair in Duluth, held June 28-29, there’s no shortage of fun to be had. For a sneak peek at a few of the Park Point Art Fair participants, check out my Spotlight column on page 24.

Of course, June also means celebrating all the wonderful dads out there, with Father’s Day on June 15. Gord Ellis dedicates his Northern Trails column to his dad and namesake, Gord Senior. There’s so much more hidden within these pages, but I’ll let you discover it at your leisure. Enjoy the

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Capt’n J’s Mini Golf A Treasure Chest of Fun on Barker’s Island

SUPERIOR—In September 2024, Jason Port traveled from his home in Las Vegas to Superior, Wisc., to oversee the new greens being laid at Capt’n J’s Mini Golf, a course he has owned since 1999. He stood under a bold-blue sky, on a beautiful late-summer day, while a work crew unfurled rolls of artificial putting green. Port wore a bright smile, nearly as wide as the brim of his baseball cap. Since buying the mini golf course, he has taken great pride in owning and maintaining Capt’n J’s. Originally from Duluth, he returns every year to the Northland to visit with family and friends and meet with his employees.

Before Port bought Capt’n J’s, he wanted to build his own mini golf course in Duluth. He felt there wasn’t enough for kids to do, and he believed mini golf was an activity they could enjoy. While he searched for land, someone told him about a mini golf course in Superior that might be for sale. Port and the owners didn’t reach a deal that year. However, the following year he contacted the owners again, who were now ready to retire. They struck a deal, and Port became the proud owner of Capt’n J’s. After Port bought the course, he updated it, but he kept the name Capt’n J’s. The J stands for Jim, the first name of the man who built the course. Port planned to own it

for 10 years then sell it, but he became attached to it. This summer he will have owned the course for 26 years. “It’s nice to own a business where people come to have fun,” he says. He also tells his employees to have fun and relax. One of his long-time employees says, “Jason is wonderful to work for.”

From late spring to early fall, if the weather is nice, Capt’n J’s Mini Golf welcomes families, groups of friends, and courting couples. The radio, always tuned to KOOL 101.7, softly plays happy, toe-tapping rock and pop music from days gone by. As the golfers make holes-in-one, or miss easy putts, or struggle with the volcano—the hardest hole on the course—cheers, laughter, and groans fill the air. Everyone has a good time. Port originally thought it would be kids and teenagers who came to play, but he discovered a wide variety of people relish mini golf. Grandparents love to play with their grandchildren. Every year UMD brings their foreign exchange students for an outing. Once a year about 15 Harley motorcycles rumble into the parking lot, and bikers dressed in their leathers compete in a friendly round. Using mini golf to encourage a sense of esprit de corps, athletic teams from UMD and UWS come to golf, and occasionally a bus pulls in with an outof-town college team, who play to pass the

Golfers begin and end their rounds at Capt’n J’s “club house.” Recently painted a pale tropical blue, it has a soothing Caribbean vibe. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

time before a sporting event. Couples come on dates. Recently, one couple, now married, returned to golf and mentioned they had their first date at Capt’n J’s.

Located on Barker’s Island in Superior Bay,

Port says his mini golf course “has a unique spot.” That’s a bit of an understatement, as golfers can’t help but notice the impressive 380-foot SS Meteor, the world’s last surviving whaleback ship. Now a museum berthed

Capt’n J’s, located next to the SS Meteor in Superior, embraces happiness and a nautical theme. The lighthouse is on the 17th hole. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

Black Beach Inn

at Barker’s Island, the Meteor provides both a dramatic backdrop and a source of amusement for Capt’n J’s patrons. Once an hour, a tour guide announces that the ship’s horn will sound in one minute. Golfers listen but become engrossed in their putts once again. Sixty seconds later when the horn blares, almost everyone on the course jumps, jerks, or shudders. Shared laughter and blushing faces follow in a collective gotcha moment of embarrassment.

While waiting their turn to putt, golfers can watch small planes and float planes take off and land at Sky Harbor Airport on Minnesota Point. Geese, ducks, and gulls fly by, and occasionally a bald eagle soars overhead. Sailboats and small watercraft breeze through Superior Bay, and lucky golfers may even see an ore boat glide past.

In addition to Capt’n J’s unique setting, the course is trimmed with vibrant rainbow-colored flowers. The plants are lovingly tended to by one of Port’s long-time employees, who takes great pride and joy in caring for them during the summer. She arrives early in the morning to water the gardens and deadhead the flowers. She is always thinking about what to plant next. “Some people come just to smell the flowers,” says Port. Even if someone’s having a bad game, it would be hard to remain discouraged among the cheerful annuals and perennials.

After golfers sink their ball on the 18th hole and return their putters to the “club house,” they can buy an ice cream, frozen fruit pops, and Dippin’ Dots. While they slurp their icy treats at a nearby picnic table, they can do what all enthusiastic golfers do and talk about their latest round: the great putts, the near misses, the holes they parred, and who had the best score.

Capt’n J’s is a gem of a place—a wonderful opportunity for families, friends, and couples to create memories. Because Port believes it’s important to have quality entertainment at an affordable price, a round of mini golf is $7 and children age 4 and under are free with a paid adult, and the frozen treats are delicious and inexpensive. For more information, visit captnjs.com or Capt’n J’s Mini Golf on Facebook, or call 715-394-4450.

People wishing for a longer outing on Barker’s Island can tour the SS Meteor Whaleback Museum, visit the Lake Su-

And on Saturday mornings they can shop at the farmers market from 9 a.m. to noon.

Jason Port is right—Capt’n J’s has a unique spot. Victoria Lynn Smith

perior Estuarium (a small interactive natural history museum), rent a paddle board at North Shore SUP, stroll on the Osaugie Trail, or let their children play at the park.

Jason Port has owned Capt’n J’s since 1999. The J in Capt’n J’s stands for Jim, the first name of the man who built the course.

VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

Explore History at Duluth’s LSMMA Visitor Center

DULUTH—It’s hard to miss the large, dark-colored building right on the edge of Canal Park in Duluth, near the pier. There’s a cute little painted statue of the Aerial Lift Bridge right in front of the entrance, just next to the real-life bridge. Sure, it’s always been there. But what is it?

“We have a lot of museum functions and exhibits, but we also have a lot of random tasks we do to welcome people here at the visitor center,” said Scott Bjorklund, museum technician and park ranger for the Army Corps of Engineers. “We educate the public about the Corps of Engineers’ role in supporting the shipping that happens here, which is a part of preserving the maritime history. The museum and visitor center are used interchangeably because we are officially one.”

The Lake Superior Marine Museum Association’s mission statement is as follows:

The LSMMA seeks:

• To preserve the maritime heritage of Lake Superior and the Port of Duluth-Superior

• To cooperate with the Corps of Engineers so as to acquire, preserve, and exhibit maritime artifacts, documents, publications, and photographs

• To fund development and presentation of educational and promotional programs, events, and publications pertaining to Lake Superior, the Great Lakes, and St. Lawrence Seaway System

• To support the Lake Superior Maritime Collection at the University of Wisconsin-Superior

• To assist other organizations in promoting and protecting our maritime heritage

• To achieve the above with a growing

membership of involved citizens who will provide financial resources through their membership and activities

The list is truly all-encompassing when it comes to Lake Superior’s maritime history.

Summer is a busy time for the museum and visitor center. “We usually have an event of some kind for Lake Superior Days here at the visitor center, held July 19-20. Then Lighthouse Days is another big event we do, which will be on August 7. For that day we typically have special lighthouse-related tours in the

park area, as well as activities and films related to the lighthouses,” said Bjorklund.

Those with an interest in shipwrecks can also look forward to November 10, when Split Rock Lighthouse will hold a ceremony to honor the Edmund Fitzgerald crew members who were lost during that fateful November day in 1975. The ceremony will be livestreamed at the Lake Superior Maritime Museum, along with other similarly themed exhibits and programs. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ship’s sinking—a

significant milestone. “My favorite ship that comes through [the canal] is the Arthur M. Anderson, which famously followed the Fitzgerald and was the last in contact with them,” said Bjorklund.

Interested in becoming involved with the organization? Maybe a little volunteering— or just finding others that share your enthusiasm for maritime history?

“The way people can become involved is they can become a member of the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association, which is our nonprofit fundraising group. The best way to get a hold of us to do so, besides visiting us in person, is to reach out to our email, which is hellolsmvc@gmail.com. [Volunteer-wise] we appreciate anyone and everyone who is willing to help us out. It’s a cool place to just hang out and answer questions for the public. All our current volunteers really like it. They’ve all been coming back almost every year,” said Bjorklund.

For those not interested in volunteering or joining the LSMMA, maybe a stroll through the museum is a good idea to tuck away for a rainy (or sunny) day. “Besides exhibits that cover the history of the Corps of Engineers and what we do here, we have a lot of other interactive exhibits that are good for all ages. The visitor center is not just for folks looking for a stuffy museum. We have a gift shop, we have films, and we have tons of model ships—more than you’ll see anywhere,” said Bjorklund.

Their website, lsmma.com, also includes a boat watcher’s live cam feed. The visitor center is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shelby Lonne-Rogentine

A tour takes place in front of the LSMMA visitor center in Duluth. | SUBMITTED

Mobile Saunas are Building Steam

NORTH SHORE—You’re sitting on a dock overlooking a placid lake, listening to the loons, dreaming of how good a steamy hot sauna would feel right now. You’d follow it up with a dip in the cool waters. You’ve been hearing the media constantly plug the benefits of taking a sauna, and your social media feed is full of friends treating themselves to wellness weekends. Too bad it’s all a fantasy: who’s got the money, or space, to build a sauna from scratch?

In today’s modern society, full of restaurant delivery options, Amazon, and home grocery delivery, you could spend your whole life holed up in your home fortress.

North Shore sauna proprietors are seizing on the home delivery trend too. They can make your sauna dreams come true—through mobile sauna delivery to your home, cabin, wedding, or party. Here’s how Sisu + Löyly, a staple of Grand Marais sauna culture, and Silver Creek Sauna Co., based out of Two Harbors, have transformed the sauna tradition to make this steamy experience accessible anytime, anywhere, to anyone.

The sauna craze sweeping America has been hyped up ever since COVID, when people were home more, and looking to prioritize their health. Canada and northern Minnesota are no strangers to sauna culture, and have a wealth of local businesses that build home saunas, manufacture sauna stoves, operate public saunas, and even publish an online sauna magazine (saunatimes.com). These businesses have taken off around the region, capitalizing on increased awareness of sauna’s physical and mental health benefits.

Katie Usem, owner of Sisu + Löyly, a Finnish name which translates to a slogan of “Grounded in Grit, Lifted in Spirit” started her sauna business in 2021. Her flagship location is in a 100-year-old Norwegian fish house, repurposed into two public saunas on the shore of Lake Superior in downtown Grand Marais. Following the opening of the permanent location, Usem took the next step and commissioned a trailerable sauna to be handcrafted by Timber Arched, a custom sauna builder from Alexandria, Minn.

“The aesthetics were important to me, because Grand Marais and Cook County have such a strong artisan community, along with the North House Folk School. I wanted something that fit in with that handcrafted vibe,” recounts Usem of her ideal mobile sauna build. “The sauna beams were steam bent, the same way wooden ships are built, and the Gothic arch shape is really beautiful,” Usem adds about her mobile sauna, which has a capacity of six, with three different bench levels.

Usem spent the first year bringing her new mobile sauna from place to place, delivering it to people’s homes, events, and vacation rentals. It was a side business to her regular operations at her permanent saunas in Grand Marais. “A lot of people operating mobile sauna businesses also have another job that’s their primary income as they come up to speed,” says Usem. “I was already doing sauna full time at my primary location, so adding mobile fit well.”

Silver Creek Sauna Co. is a mobile sauna operated by husband-and-wife-team Stacy

Silver Creek Sauna's barrel sauna is built on a trailer, meaning it can be delivered directly to your event or party.

Sisu and Löyly's mobile sauna has a vaulted ceiling and three different bench levels for maximum comfort in the hot steam. | SUBMITTED

and Phil Nightwine. They fulfill exactly the work-life balance that Usem describes. Stacy works a full-time job at North Shore Federal Credit Union in Two Harbors, and is a yoga instructor, while Phil has his own excavating company, named Nightwine’s Land Services. “Our fun is working,” laughs Stacy.

The Nightwines say it all works out though, because their mobile sauna, which they launched three years ago, is booked mostly in winter, when Phil gets a break from excavating (his winter gig is plowing).

The Nightwines have a slogan for their sauna: “Stay steamy.” They fulfill this promise by delivering their sauna to places as far away as the Gunflint Trail. Two years ago, recounts Phil, their sauna was rented nonstop to various homes from Thanksgiving through New Years Eve, from Lutsen to Duluth, with breaks in between only for cleaning and vacuuming. That’s a lot of logistics. “It’s a good thing that I like road trips,” jokes Stacy.

Stacy got the idea for their business while using a mobile sauna at a yoga retreat in central Minnesota. She and Phil ordered a mobile sauna building kit the same day, and put the sauna together on a trailer themselves. They’ve been delivering around the region ever since.

Family reunions, gatherings, and bachelorette parties are all events for which people order sauna deliveries. The next question is how to get it there? Both Usem and the Nightwines say trailering a long building through the woods, often in mud season, can be an adventure. “Once we delivered a sauna to a home between Duluth and Two Harbors, and their driveway hadn’t been plowed all winter long,” remembers Phil. “We had to haul it in over a 2-foot-tall snowbank, then drag it down a long driveway.” “There was some pushing involved,” says Stacy. “And some swearing too,” admits Phil. Similarly, Usem and her husband Sam have had their share of hair-raising trailering experiences. “In our first year, we did all door-to-door deliveries all over Cook County, where the majority of roads are not paved,” Usem explains. “There are some pretty tricky driveways around. I found trailering is not my favorite part.” Not surprising, considering that her sauna trailer with tongue is 26 feet long.

“We looked for a way where I’m not moving it every week. We’ve evolved a bit over these last couple years,” Usem adds.

Sisu + Löyly has found their niche through partnerships collaborating with other hospitality businesses. The last two winters their mobile sauna has been parked at North Shore Winery in Lutsen, where patrons can sign up for a rental time. “The Winery has such a foothold in Lutsen, and is a popular apres-ski destination,” says Usem. “We play off our combined strengths.”

Upon arrival at your home, sauna proprietors give a tutorial on how to use the sauna. This includes how to light the stove, how to get the sauna up to temp, and the best part— how to properly soak in the steam. There’s a laminated “cheat sheet” in the Nightwine’s wood box if you forget something.

The Nightwines’ sauna has an easy-tolight wood-burning stove, and Phil made a custom-built wood box on the front of the sauna trailer that’s full of kindling and birch wood. They don’t charge extra for firewood, and they encourage not burning your own home wood in the sauna. Their barrel sauna only takes 30 to 40 minutes to get up to temp. Their Harvia stove is made in Finland, and has a glass door for extra ambience.

Stacy and Phil hired a friend to build their website (silvercreeksauna.com). Stacy does the admin work, and contacts customers to line things up. Phil typically delivers the sauna, and Stacy typically picks it up—all upon working their full-time jobs. Of course they have their own home sauna too.

Sisu + Löyly, meanwhile, is trying something new this summer. They regularly run out of space at their two saunas at their primary location in Grand Marais, so they will keep their mobile sauna all summer this season at their Lake Superior location. “We want to see how it goes,” says Usem, who also owns a floating sauna at Skyport Lodge on Devil Track Lake, “then maybe go back to home delivery or residencies in the future.”

Ordering home sauna delivery is clearly a much smaller investment than building and maintaining your own sauna. You get the pleasure of taking a backyard sauna without any of the hassle. Rent out a local mobile sauna for a unique experience and a steamy good time.— Chris Pascone

Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center

Preserving the Legacy of the Gunflint Trail

GUNFLINT TRAIL—While its programs and facilities continue to evolve, the mission of Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center has remained constant: educating visitors about the history, culture, and ecology of the Gunflint Trail.

From naturalist presentations on local wildlife to exhibits on historical watercraft, from self-guided nature trails to museum displays about logging, mining, and tourism, Chik-Wauk offers a unique opportunity to learn about the past and engage with the present. Visitors can pick blueberries in late summer, fish off the U.S. Forest Service dock, and try to lift a Voyageur pack.

Located at the end of the Gunflint Trail, 57 miles from the city of Grand Marais, the 50acre parcel was purchased by the U.S. Forest Service in 1978 as part of the establishment of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

In 2005, the newly minted Gunflint Trail Historical Society (GTHS) forged a partnership with the Superior National Forest Gunflint Ranger District to transform the land and Chik-Wauk Lodge into a museum. The USFS granted a special use permit for this purpose, fulfilling a long-held dream of the lodge’s last owners, Ralph and Bea Griffis.

According to Campus Director Bonnie Schudy, the arrangement is both unique and mutually beneficial: “The Forest Service appreciates that we take care of the land.” Indeed, the USFS has allowed ChikWauk to expand operations by adding new buildings such as the Nature Center; these carefully planned additions, Schudy explained, have been a key component of its continued success.

Outside of this agreement, Chik-Wauk is privately funded, leveraging revenue from museum admission fees, grants, and, most critically, contributions from the community. Consequently, recent changes to federal

Chik-Wauk’s hiking trails are open year-round. | SUBMITTED

funding have had minimal impact on the organization’s operations.

In 2024, Chik-Wauk welcomed nearly 9,000 visitors, the second highest number in its history. Its museum captures the human and natural history of the area, with displays on Native American culture, mining, logging, fur trading, and tourism.

This summer, Chik-Wauk will host an exhibit to recognize the 20th anniversary of GTHS and the 15th anniversary of the museum. GTHS was born out of conversations within Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee about strategies to preserve and celebrate Chik-Wauk Lodge, which was built in 1934. Two years after its incorporation, GTHS lobbied successfully to have the lodge added to the National Register of Historic Places. The museum opened in 2010, the

Chik-Wauk offers a unique opportunity to learn about the past and engage with the present. | SUBMITTED

Nature Center in 2016, and the Watercraft Exhibit Building in 2019.

Chik-Wauk is also in the process of transforming the front room of the museum into a permanent exhibit that will more fully reflect Anishinaabe history and culture. This project has been in the works since 2022 and is slated to open in 2026. Consultants on the project, all of whom have Anishinaabe heritage, include Staci Drouillard, author of Walking the Old Road: A People’s History of Chippewa City and the Grand Marais Anishinaabe, Sam Zimmerman, visual artist, and Rita Walaszek Arndt, program and outreach manager at the Minnesota Historical Society. Drouillard’s grandparents worked at Chik-Wauk as a cook and a guide in the 1940s and 1950s.

“We recognized more and more that we needed this,” said Schudy. “In order to make good on our land acknowledgement statement, we needed to help people get back to that era, understand that era, before the French voyageurs, before borders. There is so much to learn about Anishinaabe wild ricing, blueberry foraging, maple syruping.” The new exhibit will amplify the museum’s focus on the history of the Gunflint Trail by more fully acknowledging the past, present, and future of the Anishinaabe culture that is central to the region.

Chik-Wauk’s location—remote even by Cook County standards—makes for stunning star gazing. In partnership with University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, Chik-Wauk houses an AllSky camera to take advantage of the BWCAW’s international dark sky status. The camera runs from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise, taking a photo of the sky about once a minute and then creating a time-lapse video of each night’s sky, available via Chik-Wauk’s website and Facebook page. Also available via the website is the Nature Center’s loon nest camera. Chik-Wauk maintains close relationships with lodges along the Gunflint Trail and pro-

A view of the boardwalk.

| SUBMITTED

duces videos of past and current businesses on the Gunflint Trail. On tap this year is an updated video about businesses along the trail, reflecting the changes in ownership of 18 businesses since 2010.

The museum is open 149 days a year—including holidays—from the Saturday before Memorial Day through MEA weekend. ChikWauk’s hiking trails remain open year-round.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Nature Center is open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Watercraft Exhibit Building is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From June 24 to August 19, admission is free every Tuesday for children under age 18. Leashed dogs are welcome on Chik-Wauk’s grounds.

Schudy encourages visitors to take their time, pack a lunch, and keep their eyes peeled. “You might see a moose; you might see a lynx. You just never know what’s in store.”— Anne Graybeal

Registration starts 3 p.m.

Bring the registration coupon from your annual report to receive a $10 credit on your electric bill and to register for door prizes.

Reception 3-4 p.m.

Meeting Call to Order 4 p.m.

This a great opportunity to learn about the Cooperative’s plans for 2025 and to ask questions for the board and management.

Rails to the River: Duluth’s Other Scenic Train Ride

DULUTH—The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad (LSMR) offers something many Duluth visitors and even longtime residents tend to overlook. While most leisure time is spent admiring the vast sweep of Lake Superior, this quiet excursion train hugs a different shoreline. Just west of downtown, it winds along the St. Louis River, a lesser-known waterway that once powered the city’s industrial boom and now flows through neighborhoods shaped by both history and recovery.

“For generations, the river has been kind of off limits, or at least out of mind, because it was so polluted,” said David Bolgrien, vice president of operations at the LSMR. Bolgrien, a retired biologist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, began volunteering with the railroad while still working full time. “There were railroads in the way and a massive steel mill between Morgan Park and the water. People lost their connection to the river or never had one to begin with.”

Now in its 45th season, the all-volunteer heritage railroad offers passengers a slow, immersive journey along 6.2 miles of track that winds from Riverside to Gary–New Duluth. As a narrator speaks about history and nature, riders can sit in vintage coaches or take in the breeze from an open-air car as the train traces the river’s edge, passing cattail marshes, wooded bluffs, and long-forgotten corners of the city.

“We give people a chance to see what has been in their backyard all along,” Bolgrien said. “Many have never gone there before.”

Today it is peaceful, but these riverfront areas were once alive with the clatter and

DAVID SCHAUER

smoke of steel mills and railroad yards. The ride offers a leisurely journey through history and habitat, where the freshwater river meets the lake in a broad estuary teeming with life. Great blue herons stand watch in the shallows, and if you are lucky, a river otter might ripple the stillness along the shore.

The estuary is also home to stands of wild rice, or manoomin, a sacred and culturally vital plant for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. For generations, the band has harvested wild rice here and led efforts to restore and protect these waters. This place is more than scenic. It is a living landscape where nature, memory, and community still meet.

Running from the base of Spirit Mountain through Duluth’s western neighborhoods, the train offers a slow, scenic ride through a landscape most people have only glimpsed from a distance.

“You start near places you recognize, like across from the zoo,” Bolgrien said. “But then the train takes you into places you’re not as familiar with, even though they’re in your backyard.”

Unlike the more visible North Shore Scenic Railroad, which heads toward Two Harbors, the LSMR explores the western neighborhoods of Duluth. It operates on city-owned track that was once part of the original 1870 route from St. Paul to Duluth.

The ride takes about 90 minutes round trip. Along the way, passengers can sit in vintage coaches or an open-air safari car.

At the turnaround point near Boy Scout Landing, the crew performs an old-fashioned maneuver: disconnecting the engine,

looping it around and reconnecting it to the other end of the train. Passengers watch the process unfold in real time.

“It’s part of the show,” Bolgrien said. “You see us hook up the locomotive, connect the air hoses, run the brake tests. You’re seeing railroading up close.”

The all-volunteer crew includes retired railroaders, outdoor enthusiasts, and history buffs. Bolgrien joined 12 years ago after a friend recruited him. At first, he helped maintain the track by pounding spikes, cutting brush, and shoveling ballast. Now, he helps manage marketing, ticket sales, and outreach.

“We don’t have a pizza train or themed rides,” he said. “We just focus on the river. That’s our thing.”

It is a mission that resonates with longtime Duluthians and first-time visitors alike.

“We’ve had people say, ‘I’ve lived here for 30 years and never seen the river like this,’” Bolgrien said. “And tourists who say, ‘We came for Lake Superior but had no idea this was here.’”

With no paid staff and a modest depot tucked behind the zoo on Fremont Street, the LSMR relies on word of mouth and the dedication of volunteers. Even the track is partly theirs to maintain. The city of Duluth owns the western section and charges the railroad with caring for it.

“We’re a nonprofit, a business, and a federally regulated railroad,” Bolgrien said. “We do the inspections, the safety training, all of it.”

The LSMR operates quietly, fueled by dedication and curiosity. Its continued pres-

WHERE TO BOARD:

6930 Fremont St., Duluth

(Across from the Lake Superior Zoo, just east of the Munger Inn and the Tappa Keg Inn)

DEPARTURE TIMES: Saturdays & Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Season runs June 21–Oct. 26

(Extra Saturday runs on June 7 & 14)

TICKET PRICES:

Adults (13+): $25.95

Kids (5–12): $12.97

Ages 4 & under: Free

Veterans & active-duty military ride free on Sundays

SEATING:

General admission. First come, first served.

AMENITIES:

Restrooms onboard. Snacks and drinks available (cash only).

WHAT YOU’LL SEE:

• Scenic views of the St. Louis River

• Wildlife and wetlands

• Spirit Mountain’s wooded backdrop

• Historic neighborhoods rarely seen from this angle

• A live engine turnaround at Boy Scout Landing

FUN FACT:

The route traces part of Duluth’s original 1870 rail corridor—the city’s first railroad connection to St. Paul.

WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

The LSMR is powered entirely by volunteers—from track maintenance to ticket sales. It is an official railroad and follows the regulations of the Federal Railroad Administration, all the safety training, all the inspections. No prior railroad experience required! For more info, visit: lsmrr.org.

ence shows what a small group of volunteers can accomplish when they share a common purpose and a deep connection to place.

For those who climb aboard, the reward is simple: a deeper connection to Duluth’s riverfront, its history, and the quiet stories that still roll along the tracks.

For more information, visit: duluthrivertrain.com.— Naomi Yaeger

The Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad started in 1870 and was a route from Duluth to St. Paul. Now it provides a leisurely train to learn about nature and history. |

Bringing Back the Joy of Art

TWO HARBORS—A recent question on the game show Family Feud was, “Name a fun activity you did in kindergarten that you wish you could do at work.” The number one answer was art. Other answers included having a singalong, show and tell, and story time.

Most people would agree that for a child, these are key activities in the learning and growing process. Children gain important social skills, fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and independent thinking— proven outcomes of being creative and core components of a kindergarten curriculum.

So why is it that, according to a game show survey, adults are eliminating art, singing out loud, and sharing stories with others—primarily at work? Is it a programmed belief that playing and having fun is only for young children because that is an accepted process of learning and growing?

Even by the time students move out of elementary school, learning becomes a much more academic approach, with art and creative opportunities becoming secondary. The advancement into adulthood and eventually entering the workforce often moves creative elements aside, unless they are specifically the nature of a job. An analysis of this phenomenon could conclude that taking the time to indulge in art is a frivolous use of time, especially when on the clock.

North Shore artist Carly Jandl is working to change this narrative, one painting class at a time. Her classes are available to spark the permission in adults that it’s ok to take the time to do creative work. Her workshops provide a space for participants of all ages to revisit the joy of art, with the focus being the pure pleasure of having fun.

Jandl began her business, Northern Exposure Art, close to three years ago, introducing simple techniques of acrylic paint on canvas. Although participants can range in age from 14 to 70, the majority are adults, purposely taking the time out of their overscheduled day to engage in art.

She guides participants with simple, stepby-step instructions, encouraging individuals to experiment with the colors, brushes, and design. At the beginning of class, the chatter—primarily from the adults—starts out with self-doubt and criticism of their ability to make it “right,” and the collective lack of confidence can be felt in the room. However, as the work continues, a gradual shift in the overall mood comes over the room as participants loosen up and allow themselves to enjoy the process under Jandl’s guidance. Budding artists let their guard down and can be overheard with spontaneous excla-

mations of “This is fun and satisfying,” or “Wow, this isn’t too bad!” The buzz of gentle compliments and encouragement from fellow participants can also be heard. Jandl sets a tone of process vs. outcome and al-

lows participants to concentrate on the simple joy of engaging in making art.

Jandl, born and raised in Duluth, defines herself as a self-taught artist, attributing her exposure to the Northland as inspiration to paint. Her business goal is to share the importance of creativity through instructed paint classes and lessons.

She says, “Art is not about a right or wrong way. I show my students what has worked for me with lots of trial and error.” It is inspiring to her to see a variety of people in each class, and in the end, to see every piece turn out completely different.

Northern Exposure Art offers public and private classes, in addition to lessons or private group events. Bookings include all supplies, travel time to most North Shore communities, and up to three hours of instruction. Visit northernexposureart.com or call 218-216-5833 for the public calendar or more detailed information on booking a private event.— Michelle Miller

Northern Exposure Art participants Michelle Miller and Jamie Harthan show off their finished projects. | MICHELLE MILLER

Sample art work from a 5-year-old.

| MICHELLE MILLER

“Signature Experiences” with Sail Superior

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THUNDER BAY—Gazing at the horizon from Thunder Bay’s iconic Prince Arthur’s Landing, one invariably gets entranced by the call of the Sleeping Giant, the Main Lighthouse, and the numerous islands dotting Lake Superior in the distance. Inevitably, your next thoughts are “How do people get out to those lonely islands, and huge cliffs? I wish I could get a closer look at the Main Light too.” Romantics have plenty of temptations on Lake Superior, and Sail Superior—a Thunder Bay water adventure company— specializes at turning people’s sailing dreams into reality. Here’s the story of how Sail Superior has made itself a staple of Thunder Bay tourism for the last 20 years.

Gregory Heroux, owner and captain of Sail Superior, has four boats in his fleet, and four full-time crew members (and more part-time crew). He offers 20 different boat tours on Lake Superior, not to mention sailing classes for total beginners up to ISPA competent crew certifications.

Of course, Sail Superior had more humble beginnings. Following a life abroad as a model and actor, Heroux returned to his Thunder Bay roots in 1999, bringing his new family back to the place where he learned to sail with his father on Lake Superior. He and his dad then bought a Finnish Jonmeri 40-foot sailboat (Frodo), which Heroux describes as a “world-class” boat. Heroux sailed it across the Atlantic and back to Thunder Bay before opening his charter business in 2004, learning the boat in heavy weather and proving it was up to the task of navigating mighty Lake Superior.

What started in 2004 as a part-time hobby business—taking people on harbor tours—grew into teaching people sailing. Freshly minted sailors would then come back to Heroux to rent his boat. “You go out there and start building clients, and then the clients come back and rent the boat. So, we built our own market,” recounts Heroux of the early days.

At the same time, Heroux also understood there are many tourists in Thunder Bay who don’t know how to sail, but still really want to enjoy Lake Superior. “OK, I don’t have

enough boats,” Heroux realized. He saw that diversifying his tours was key: “It’s simply a matter of economics, because you have such a short season here. Our season is June, July, August, and September, but you have to pay for salaries, maintenance, and storage year-round. You’re making income for four months, but you’re spending for 12 months.”

Thus, Heroux grew the business incrementally, continually expanding trips beyond the port of Thunder Bay. “I pride myself in being able to say yes to pretty much any request to get out on the lake,” says Heroux.

So, what are the trip choices? Visitors can select from tours as relaxing as the public “Harbour Tour,” a 100-minute sailboat cruise through the heart of Thunder Bay (leaves Prince Arthur’s Landing daily at 4 p.m.), all the way to the “Seven Days on Lake Superior” private tour, which takes you to nine destinations, three islands, and two saunas, covering 100 miles of Lake Superior’s crystal water.

In the process of developing new tours, Heroux has grown his fleet from just Frodo to include Journeyer, a 38-foot Downeaster two-mast sailboat with loads of deck space and a silent electric motor, Superior Rocket,

Sail Superior's Journeyer, Lagoon, and Frodo (left to right) are stunning boats all used for tours of Thunder Bay and environs. | SUBMITTED

Gregory Heroux, owner and captain of Sail Superior. | SUBMITTED

a 12-passenger 30-foot Zodiac Hurricane 920 with top speeds of 90km/h for island hopping, and Sail Superior’s flagship Lagoon 500 catamaran, a luxury home on the water with four private bedrooms. With this diverse fleet, Sail Superior’s tours can range from high-speed adventures to leisurely cruising, as well as instructional outings and overnight trips.

Each of Sail Superior’s boats has its own niche. “Catamarans aren’t tippy and don’t heel,” explains Heroux. “It’s a very stable, large platform sailing vessel. If you have a cross section of 30 people on board, from 11-year-olds to your grandmother in her 80s, the Lagoon catamaran is the best boat by far. Whereas if you go on Frodo, then you need to be a bit more athletic. It can sail in more adverse conditions, and you can really hunker down in it.”

Likewise, the different tours all satisfy a certain niche too. And with so many to choose from, Heroux recognizes it can be overwhelming for guests. Thus, he’s curated four “Signature Experiences,” or top choices for newbies to the Thunder Bay area. For example, the “Sleeping Giant Zodiac Adventure” tour is a five-hour trip, complete with a hike at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. “We cross from Thunder Bay to the Sleeping Giant in 45 minutes in the Zodiac, then guests can explore on shore,” explains Heroux. The excellent sailsuperior.com website continues: “Whether you’re an avid hiker or just looking for a fun and simple way to explore this Provincial Park, this experience is the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and discovery. Don’t just visit the Sleeping Giant—experience it in the easiest, most scenic way possible.”

For a relaxing “Signature Experience” at sunset hour, take the “Wine and Cheese Tour” on Journeyer. This public tour leaves

the dock at 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays and lasts 105 minutes. You’ll see the various features of Thunder Bay’s ports and harbors while sipping wine on a peaceful evening cruise.

Heroux and his team love the water, and their passion is sharing it with visitors and locals alike. “Right now we have five salties (ocean-going vessels) moored in the Thunder Bay harbor. They’ve made a 2,000-mile trek to get here. It’s a really interesting phenomenon to see them up close. We love to be engaged in the lake, and we want people to come out and see it from a new perspective,” Heroux says.

There are clearly a lot of logistics involved offering so many different tours, in multiple boats. Today Heroux leaves the sailing to his great crew, while he mainly manages clients and tours. That said, Heroux is continuously developing his team’s marine skills. Sail Superior is currently helping the Canadian Coast Guard. “We’ve started a Coast Guard auxiliary, because we have really good, trained captains who know the lake, and we have the right boat for the job (the Zodiac). We’re on standby to go out and do an emergency call if the Coast Guard can’t get to it. We’re all-volunteer, but we don’t have out-of-pocket expenses either. It’s like

a volunteer fire department,” says Heroux. “It’s a benefit to our community.”

Sail Superior is a pillar of the beautiful Thunder Bay Waterfront District, where you can look out at the formidable Sleeping Giant cliffs, soak in the sunrise on a calm summer morning, or walk the docks. But to get a true sense of Lake Superior’s moods and expressions, you need to get offshore. No matter what your tastes, whether wine and cheese, or rugged overnight trips to faraway islands, you’ll get to experience the lake in a totally new way with Sail Superior. Chris Pascone

HOURS: 9a-8p MON-THURS 9a-9p FRI & SAT Noon-6p SUN

The Lagoon 500 catamaran is a luxury floating home that Sail Superior uses for wedding cruises and overnight trips. | SUBMITTED

10 1 st STREET, GRAND MARAIS

Waterfalls and Wilderness

Visiting Minnesota’s North Shore State Parks

NORTH SHORE—Minnesota’s North Shore is home to some of the state’s most breathtaking and popular state parks. With waterfalls cascading over ancient basalt cliffs and serene hiking trails through old growth forests teeming with wildlife, these unique parks offer adventures everyone can enjoy.

“People who visit state parks and trails in person experience firsthand the amazing natural resources we have in Minnesota,” says Erin Turner-Garza, the park manager for Cascade River and Judge C.R. Magney State Parks in Cook County. Positive park experiences lead people to appreciate these resources and advocate for their preservation.

National parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and many other federal agencies have been impacted by cuts and layoffs this year. While Minnesota’s DNR state parks have not been impacted directly to date, Turner-Garza is concerned by the proposed federal cuts.

“We will continue to work collaboratively with federal, state, and local partners to monitor changes at the federal level and understand any implications to our work,” she says. “All Minnesota state parks, recreation areas, and waysides are open and ready to welcome visitors.”

Relatively new to the area, Turner-Garza moved north for her career and family two years ago. “I was an assistant park superintendent for Texas Parks and Wildlife previously and jumped at the opportunity to work for the DNR on the beautiful North Shore,” she says.

Minnesota state parks are open yearround, though they see the most visitors during the summer. Hiking, camping, and picnicking are the most popular recreational activities. Visitors also enjoy educational nature centers and historical sites with various programming, incredible views of Lake

Superior and its dramatic tributaries, wildlife watching, mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing, hunting, fishing, and foraging.

Parks are constantly making changes and improvements. A new bridge is being constructed this summer at Tettegouche State Park to replace the one that was damaged by flooding in 2022. A section of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) has been rerouted since the original bridge was removed.

“The SHT reroute will remain in place until the new bridge is complete, which is anticipated to be November 2025,” Turner-Garza says. “At Judge CR Magney, we had our Kettle Falls platform replaced so visitors can now walk below the falls for an epic view.”

The Hovland area park, well known for its mysterious Devil’s Kettle, is also adding two new WIFI hot spots to boost cell service.

Choosing when to visit state parks will influence your experience. “People looking to

avoid the crowds at any park might consider a visit on a weekday instead of a weekend,” Turner-Garza mentions. Getting an early start may offer you more personal space on popular trails as well.

Of all the North Shore parks, George H. Crosby Manitou is considered the quietest. This could be because it’s tucked away a few miles from Lake Superior and busy Highway 61, but it offers serene wilderness hiking and backpacking, views of waterfalls, and easy access to canoeing and fishing opportunities on Bensen Lake.

Visitors with physical disabilities that limit mobility can still enjoy many of Minnesota’s state parks through the DNR’s all-terrain track chair program. People can borrow track chairs for use within the park for free.

“Here on the Shore, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park has a track chair you can reserve,” Turner-Garza says. She also men-

Boat

The North Shore is home to some of Minnesota’s most breathtaking and popular state parks, including Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche. | DANA JOHNSON

Minnesota state parks are open year-round, though they see the most visitors during the summer. |

tions Grand Portage State Park which features two paved, accessible trails—one of which goes to the Pigeon River High Falls, the largest waterfall in Minnesota.

It’s a good idea to check the DNR website as part of your trip planning. If there are alerts or notices such as poor trail and campground conditions, road or trail closures, fire danger, etc., they will be linked at the top of each state park’s web page.

When asked how the parks balance recreation with conservation, Turner-Garza replies, “It can be a fine line. We want our visitors to have the best experience possible. The best way to balance this is through education.” She says practices like Leave No Trace encourage visitors to be “good stewards of our parks so all can enjoy them.”

Unfortunately, crimes like vandalism and littering happen in the parks sometimes, and the public is encouraged to reach out to any park staff to report anything that seems amiss. Turner-Garza says park staff doesn’t handle criminal matters “outside the rules and regulations of the park,” but they do cooperate with officers if an incident occurs.

If you’re a frequent State Park visitor, you may be interested to know there are volunteering opportunities available. “Some parks have friend groups who support the work of the park,” Turner-Garza says, and she mentions there are ways to volunteer directly for the DNR with information online. People can also call parks directly with inquiries.

The state parks of Minnesota’s North Shore are well known and loved by residents and visitors from around the world. USA Today Readers Choice 2025 has Devil’s Kettle Falls trail in the running for best hiking trail in the United States, and Gooseberry Falls State Park has been nominated for best state park.

“If you haven’t visited before, plan a trip and experience these special places for yourself,” Turner-Garza recommends. “If you’re already a regular visitor, invite a friend, relative or neighbor to join you next time.”

Whether you’re an avid outdoor adventurer or a casual traveler seeking scenic views, the North Shore’s state parks provide the perfect escape into the wild heart of our

Northern Wilds. For more information on state parks, visit the Minnesota DNR website: mndnr.gov/stateparks.— Dana Johnson

GRAND

AMY NEILSEN

Lounge Around

Leisurely Exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior

By Kalli Hawkins

The North Shore of Lake Superior is known for its scenic landscapes and outdoor adventure. While there are plenty of hiking trails, state parks, lakes to paddle, and wild spaces to visit, there is also an equally long list of leisurely activities to enjoy.

From Duluth to Thunder Bay, the North Shore offers plenty of ways to take in the scenery at a slower pace. The summer months bring long days and warm weather—ideal for sitting by the water, listening to live music, exploring smalltown businesses, or watching ships pass on Lake Superior. Here’s a roundup of leisurely activities on the North Shore for those wanting a more laidback style of travel.

Lakeside Leisure in Duluth

Duluth is a natural starting point for a relaxed North Shore itinerary. Besides finding a parking spot in the summer, Canal Park offers plenty of relaxed opportunities without needing to do much at all.

Canal Park: Grab an ice cream cone from Love Creamery, sit on a bench, and watch salties and lakers pass under the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Duluth Waterfront Tours: A great way to experience Lake Superior is to book a Vista Fleet harbor cruise for a unique view of Duluth and the Big Lake.

Glensheen Mansion: On a summer afternoon, take a self-guided tour of the historic mansion’s 39 rooms on numerous levels and 12 acres of well-maintained gardens and estate.

Great Lakes Aquarium or Lake Superior Zoo: For families with younger kids, the Great Lakes Aquarium is a great place to learn about the Great Lakes and the variety of species that call the area home. Alternatively, visit Lake Superior Zoo and see 300 animals from around the world, including the northern Minnesota region.

Scenic Stops and Slow Moments Along Highway 61:

As you head farther north along Lake Superior from Duluth, Highway 61 offers a string of easy, scenic places to pull over and take in the views without breaking a sweat.

Two Harbors:

• Walk the breakwall to the Two Harbors Lighthouse or visit the museum.

• Visit Castle Danger Brewery’s patio for a drink or snack.

Gooseberry Falls State Park: Stop for a picnic in the state park or stroll along the well-maintained trails to view the falls—minimal walking required.

Beaver Bay & Silver Bay: Pull off at Palisade Head or Black Beach to enjoy views of the lake and the outdoors from the comfort of your car.

Split Rock Lighthouse: Experience the sights and sounds of Lake Superior and tour the historic Split Rock Lighthouse. The visitor center and museum are filled with educational information and activities.

Watch salties and lakers pass under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth. | VISIT DULUTH

A view from Palisade Head in Silver Bay. | KALLI HAWKINS

Beach Days and Boardwalk

Wandering in Grand Marais:

Grand Marais is one of the most walkable and relaxed towns along the North Shore, perfect for a low-key day by the lake. The harbor is a natural gathering place, with opportunities for picnics, naps, or walking the dog.

Grand Marais Harbor:

• Take a short walk to the Grand Marais Lighthouse or around Artist’s Point to see Lake Superior and the town.

• Enjoy relaxing by the lake with friends or family while soaking up the sights and sounds of Grand Marais.

Java Moose & World’s Best Donuts: Grab a coffee and a warm donut to enjoy while you stroll through town or out to the lighthouse.

Voyageur Brewing rooftop: Beer and rooftop harbor views—leisure at its finest.

Grand Marais Rec Park & Campground: There are nightly tent and RV sites available at the campground, providing easy access to the lake and a short walking distance to the restaurants or shops in town.

Artistic Escapes and Wine Sips on the North Shore

The stretch of the North Shore from Tofte to Grand Marais offers a slower rhythm and creative artistic activities. There are plenty of options, whether you enjoy visiting art galleries, listening to live music, or channeling your inner Picasso during a Paint & Sip class.

Paint & Sip in Tofte: During the summer, Surfside on Lake Superior hosts Paint & Sip sessions for residents, visitors, and guests. A glass of wine accompanies the fun sessions.

The Lofty Gondola in Lutsen: The new live music venue opened its doors in December 2024 and features live music on an intimate stage numerous times a week.

North Shore Winery & Sawtooth Mountain Cider House in Lutsen: Live music, wine, and cider tastings, the perfect relaxing combination for a warm summer evening.

Art galleries in Grand Marais: Stop by the Johnson Heritage Post, Betsy Bowen Studio & Gallery, or Sivertson Gallery for an afternoon to see the beautiful work of talented local and regional artists.

Joy & Company: Browse local handmade goods and relaxed, creative activities.

Knit or Crochet at Dappled Fern Fibers: Bring your knitting needles, crochet hooks, and yarn along on your trip and stop in for a class or gathering.

Into Canada: Thunder Bay’s Relaxed Gems

Keep heading farther up the North Shore and cross the U.S. and Canadian border to experience the best things to do in Thunder Bay.

Kakabeka Falls: About a 30-minute drive west of Thunder Bay is Kakabeka Falls, the second-highest waterfall in Ontario. The boardwalk provides easy access to view the falls for all ages.

Marina Park: Take a stroll through Marina Park and watch the small boats or large Great Lake freighters pass in the distance. In the summer, the park hosts live music and events.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery: If the weather is less than ideal, an engaging indoor activity is to visit the Thunder Bay Art Gallery to witness the exhibitions, attend an event, or take part in a workshop.

Fort William Historical Park: The park offers year-round festivals, events, educational programs, and more. Take a step back in history during a guided tour and learn about what life was like in the early 1800s.

Traveling the North Shore doesn’t have to mean packing a canoe and gear or planning a strenuous adventure. From Duluth to Thunder Bay, there are countless options to enjoy a slower pace filled with great views, good food, and the freedom to take your time. Whether sitting on a bench in Canal Park watching the ships pass, sipping wine at a Lutsen winery, or browsing an art gallery in Grand Marais, there are plenty of ways to slow down and enjoy the North Shore at your own pace.

The North Shore Winery in Lutsen offers wine and cider tastings alongside live music. | NORTH SHORE WINERY

Kakabeka Falls is the second-highest waterfall in Ontario. | ONTARIO PARKS

A view of the Grand Marais harbor and lighthouse. | KALLI HAWKINS

Duluth Monarch Buddies

Helping Monarchs One Waystation at a Time

By Victoria Lynn Smith

For many of us, when we think of butterflies, monarchs come to mind. Their vibrant-orange wings divided by thin black lines resemble tiny stained-glass windows. Every time I see one sip nectar or fly by, my heart flutters. I cringe at the thought that monarchs may become extinct. Unfortunately, many pollinators are in trouble.

Since the late 1990s, it’s estimated the monarch population has dropped by 90 percent, and worldwide, an estimated 20,000 species of bees also have declining numbers. The destiny of monarchs and other pollinating insects are inextricably linked together. Loss of habitat, pesticides, herbicides, disease, and changing weather patterns all play a role in their decline. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 80 percent of the 1,400 crop plants grown in the world need pollination. Globally, pollinators contribute an annual value of more than 3 trillion dollars for their pollination services. In the U.S. the annual figure is 10 billion. And pollinators never collect a paycheck. Monarchs play only a small role in pollination compared to bees, but organizations

working to save pollinators have chosen the iconic orange-and-black butterfly to symbolize the conservation of all pollinators. Monarchs are beautiful, easily recognized, and prevalent throughout the United States.

Fortunately, many communities are working together to increase viable, healthy habitats for monarchs and other pollinators.

The even better news? Individuals, by sharing a part of their yard, can help too. Organizations, like the Duluth Monarch Buddies (DMB), work with people who wish to create pollinator gardens.

DMB is a nonprofit organization established in 2015 by Tom Uecker. When Uecker was a child, he raised a monarch butterfly from a caterpillar, an experience he never forgot. For 35 years, Uecker worked as a teacher, and he shared his enthusiasm for monarchs with both elementary and secondary students. In the late summer, he would look for monarch eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalides to bring into the classroom each fall. His students would nurture the fourth-generation monarchs, which were destined to migrate to Mexico for the win-

ter. Each day the students provided the caterpillars with a new milkweed leaf and cleaned the frass (waste) out of their cups. After the monarchs emerged from their chrysalides and became strong enough to take flight, his students released them.

Uecker and fellow DMB members serve as enthusiastic ambassadors for monarchs and other pollinators, giving educational talks to students and adults at schools, community centers, parks, churches, garden clubs, senior centers, and the zoo. They provide information and support to people who wish to create pollinator waystations.

In 2025, the DMB will hold two main events for the public. First, on Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., they will host their Monarch Festival at the First United Methodist Church (230 E. Skyline Parkway, Duluth). The event is free. At 10:30 a.m. Alex Carroll, Monarch Joint Venture’s Midwest Science Coordinator, will give a keynote speech about the use of drones to survey and evaluate milkweed habitats for monarchs. Attendees can watch a drone demonstration.

Shoreview Natives, a plant nursery based

in Two Harbors, will sell locally grown plants that are native to Northern Minnesota. Their plants do not contain pesticides or neonicotinoids, which have been linked to adverse impacts on bees and other pollinators. Native plants are naturally resilient to drought, diseases, and pests, making them low maintenance.

Additionally, the festival will feature children’s activities, short monarch movies and popcorn, local environmental groups, and monarch eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies. While planting a pollinator garden isn’t complicated, it’s a good idea to learn about the process. People who attend the festival can pick up free milkweed seeds, gather advice about pollinator gardens, and learn about the importance of pollinators in our world.

DMB’s second event, the Monarch Waystation Garden Tour, will be held Saturday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A self-driving tour, it features six to seven waystations. The cost is $10. Tour pamphlets can be purchased in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church (230 E. Skyline Parkway, Duluth).

Black-eyed Susans and purple cornflowers team up to attract butterflies and bees. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

[ABOVE] During last year’s tour, Alánna Smith released a monarch, which landed on Tom Uecker’s shoulder before flying away. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

[LEFT] The Waystation Garden Tour provides opportunities to see monarchs in their natural habitat. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

Featured every year, the Lakewalk Pollinator Garden on London Road and 26th Avenue East is a good place to start the tour. Designed in 2018, this waystation was developed as a collaboration among DMB, Shoreview Natives, Friends of the Lakewalk, and Pheasants Forever. Uecker said that the DMB thought it would be nice to have a waystation at this location because it’s the terminus of Interstate-35, which begins in Laredo, Texas, and has been designated the “Monarch Highway.”

Uecker describes I-35 as “a big funnel” with monarchs coming north along the highway corridor in the spring and returning south along it to Mexico in the fall, where they winter over. Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas work together to provide quality habitats for monarchs and other pollinators along I-35.

Uecker hosted the Lakewalk Pollinator Garden in 2024. He loves to answer questions about the plants and pollinators visitors see. Last year people who stopped by had an opportunity to release a recently hatched monarch. Uecker plans to host the

While the Lakewalk Garden is always on the tour, the privately-owned gardens featured each year change, with the participants revealed on the morning of the tour.

Pollinator gardens—planted to function as habitats and feeding stations—look different from more traditional gardens, but they are just as beautiful. Because some pollinators are specialists, and only gather nectar from certain flowers, different species of flowers are often mixed together to attract a greater variety of pollinators. Also, instead of planting only one or two plants of the same species, gardeners will plant an abundance of a species in the same area, which allows pollinators to feed and conserve energy.

Milkweed is part of every pollinator garden, and despite its name, it’s not a weed. It’s essential for the survival of monarchs. Female monarchs only lay their eggs on the underside of milkweed leaves, and their caterpillars only eat milkweed leaves. Gardeners should select pesticide-free milkweed that is native to the Northland, such as com-

mon milkweed, butterfly weed, and swamp milkweed. Tropical milkweed, which isn’t native to our area, should never be used. It’s home to a parasite, which can infect monarchs causing them to die after emerging from their chrysalides.

The Waystation Tour provides a great opportunity to ask other gardeners for advice. Do you have an area of your lawn where grass won’t grow? One gardener I visited planted purple yarrow, smooth oxeyes, and common milkweed—all sun-loving, native plants—along her boulevard. Now, a row of elegant flowers grows in a place that once contained dead grass and weeds.

Perhaps you have a wet area in your yard due to drainage issues? Tamaracks, willows, alders, sedges, and moisture-loving flowers thrive in moist conditions, giving gardeners workable solutions, rather than fighting Mother Nature. Besides providing homes for birds, trees improve air quality, absorb climate-warming carbon dioxide, and protect water quality.

The DMB’s Waystation Tour fosters an important connection between people and

pollinators. On last year’s tour, I spent three joyful hours visiting gardens and watching butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds feast on a smorgasbord of vibrant flowers. Knowing that so many caring people endeavor to protect pollinators is inspiring. Bees, butterflies, moths, birds, bats, beetles, ants, flies, and mosquitoes have important roles in pollination. Together these pollinators help reproduce three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 percent of its food crops. Honey bees pollinate up to 90 percent of blueberry and cherry flowers, along with various other fruits, vegetables, and nuts. If honey bees disappear, the alternative would be to hand pollinate these plants, a process that would be expensive, labor-intensive, and daunting. By promoting healthy habitats for monarchs and providing educational opportunities for the community, organizations like the Duluth Monarch Buddies help pollinators throughout the United States. To learn more, visit the DMB’s website: duluthmonarchbuddies.org.

Lakewalk Garden in 2025.

Nestled among colorful flowers, a trickling water feature delights visitors.

| VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

Looking for monarch eggs or caterpillars, Alánna Smith inspects the leaf of a milkweed plant. | VICTORIA LYNN SMITH

By Breana Johnson Park Point Art Fair

The 53rd annual Park Point Art Fair will take place June 28-29 in Duluth. The festival features over 100 local and regional juried artists of all types, displaying and selling their work. See the events section for more info.

| NATALIE SOBANJA

Two Harbors ceramic artist Jennifer A. Murphy created this piece, titled “The Committee.” It measures 9 by 15 by 22 inches. | JENNIFER A. MURPHY

Grand Marais artist Natalie Sobanja will be selling her treasure jars, made from wheel thrown stoneware clay that are then hand carved and topped with driftwood.

Located in Duluth, Superior Currents owner McKenzie Kapsner creates handmade earrings from Lake Superior driftwood. | MCKENZIE KAPSNER

Sherri Kruger-Kukowski of Winding River Mosaics will be selling and displaying her art, like this mixed media, abstract style mosaic titled “Single Summer.” | SHERRI KRUGER-KUKOWSKI

This 20-by-60-inch woodcut musky print by Stanley Leonard is titled “You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Boat.” | STANLEY LEONARD

Photographer Sully Merrigan will showcase his incredible work such as this great gray owl photo, titled "The Hunter," taken near Ely. | SULLY MERRIGAN

E.J. Klepinger: Nurturing Art, Nature, and Artists

CREATIVE SPACE: By Anne

Graybeal

For artist E.J. Klepinger, growing up in the Rocky Mountains meant developing an early love for nature and animals. Armed with his drawing pad and pencil, the self-professed wallflower spent much of his time in the woods, observing and sketching wildlife. That project would go on to take him on journeys both literal and metaphysical.

Klepinger won his first art award while in elementary school and went on to be inspired by a series of high school art teachers who introduced him to everything from canvas stretching to printmaking.

Enamored with the discipline, Klepinger knew that he wanted to study art in college. His father’s skepticism about this “impractical” hobby, however, prompted him to major in graphic design instead. The pragmatism of commercial art seemed like a safer route.

Even so, Klepinger continued to break his own trail by designing a minor in computer science and marketing. The combination was so unexpected that he needed to appeal to the irregularities court at the University of Denver School of Art to get it approved.

“At that time, I was the only one in the history of the school to earn that degree,” he said. “I just had an intuitive feeling that computers and art were going to become something major.”

A college internship—which eventually led to a job—with the Denver Museum of Natural History’s Exhibits Department exposed Klepinger to the work of a museum preparator. The role turned into “one of the most creative ‘business’ careers you could have,” he said, “because you’re building and designing things.”

His computer science background inspired him to begin tinkering with interactive educational displays for the museum’s exhibits, and after 10 years Klepinger was managing a million-dollar budget and supporting all of the museum’s interactive exhibits.

Ready for a change, Klepinger and a friend struck out on their own, founding two separate companies: one to create in-

is

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teractive educational imagery for museums and zoos, and one to develop multimedia educational software for organizations, from federal drug prevention programs to animal shelters.

After 35 years of this work, the Great Recession came as “something of a blessing,” recalled Klepinger. As the economy contracted, he took it as a sign that he could “finally go back to being an artist.” He leveraged his museum background to found a remodeling company, aptly called Chameleon Home Improvement. The company gave Klepinger time to build his art career and once again begin taking commissions.

The transition turned out to be a watershed moment.

“A lot of people live their lives in fear,” Klepinger said. “They do things that pay the bills and make the money, but they’re not happy. We chase the dollar, but we lose the dream,

Klepinger will be the featured artist in August at Split Rock Lighthouse. | SUBMITTED

lose our soul, lose what resonates with us as humans. To follow my heart and be an artist required that I break that barrier of fear and do what I wanted to do, not knowing what the future was going to bring.”

Klepinger began exploring meditation and distilling wisdom from a diverse series of belief systems.

“I did some soul searching, and I actively chose to just do art for my soul work, and not worry about whether people will like my art or buy my art. I went back to my childhood,

where my focus was nature and wildlife. Animals are exceptionally wise. I value animals and nature to such a degree that I wanted to celebrate them through my art. I needed to just do the art, to stay in the moment [and not worry about sales]. And when I did that, opportunities just began to appear.”

Klepinger is now the president of Voyageur Artists, an art cooperative in Two Harbors. He teaches classes every other weekend. Many of his adult students have what he characterizes as a “traumatic” history with art, carrying with them experiences of teachers, friends, or family members who said something disparaging about their work. Consequently, he explained, “We don’t critique each other; we support each other. It’s very therapeutic.”

Buoyed by their experience in his classes, several of Klepinger’s students are now building semi-professional art careers. Voyageur Artists is one feeder group for Castle Danger Brewery, which showcases pieces from the program’s students in their taproom.

“Any time that I can encourage an artist to get out there, get their confidence up, be vulnerable enough to get their art out into the public eye, I’m going to do it,” he said.

Klepinger is planning a private show of his own work at Split Rock Lighthouse in August. He is represented by Siiviis Gallery in Duluth and Ghost Ship Gallery in Washburn, Wisc., and he continues to do commission work, focusing primarily on animal and nature-based subjects.

This fall, Klepinger will participate in the Lake Superior 20/20 Studio Art & Tour. Now in its 14th year, the show has grown to showcase nearly 60 juried artists. Klepinger’s studio is one of the stops, and he will also host Burdock Ceramics as a guest artist. Show dates are Sept. 26-28.

“If I can inspire people to look at nature and animals with a different perspective of love, compassion, respect, admiration, inspiration,” Klepinger said, “that is my gift to the world.”

Growing up in the Rocky Mountains, Duluth artist E.J. Klepinger developed a love for nature and animals early on. | SUBMITTED

Klepinger

the president of Voyageur Artists, an art cooperative in Two Harbors.

Handcrafted Functionality

Behind the Craft: By Gabe Strand

As a furniture maker, I spend a lot of time thinking about how people will use the furniture I design and build. It’s one of the main things I enjoy about my work. Since I’ve been living in Grand Marais this year thanks to my involvement in the Artisan Development program at North House Folk School, I’ve had the time and space to develop design ideas into objects that speak to how we use furniture in our homes and even out in places like the Boundary Waters. Does handcrafted woodworking have a place in wilderness areas? You bet!

Some obvious examples of this are hand-carved spoons and bowls, or a carved wooden canoe paddle—special items that are just fun to use. I have a wooden coffee cup I love to use on wilderness trips. It just feels nicer than plastic or metal, and if I could make a wooden Aeropress, believe me, I would. In search of a simple, lightweight stool that I could bring with me on canoeing trips, I’ve been tinkering with a folding design that marries strength and durability without adding more plastic gear to my kit. I settled on a threelegged folding stool that uses the simple woodworking techniques, tools, and materials I use to make lightweight ladderback kitchen chairs with woven seats. On its maiden voyage into the BWCAW, it performed marvelously: it fit in the canoe, strapped to my pack during portages, and gave me a place to sit while eating lunch or sketching in camp. A little luxury in the backcountry.

Design is a process of removing everything that’s unnecessary (similar to making a backcountry packing list) until you’re left with something that’s intuitive and comfortable to use. I ended up with a stool frame made from just nine small pieces of hardwood that I can shape and assemble using hand tools. The first version had a seat woven with hickory bark, which passes the toughness test, but is hard to get my hands on in Northern Minnesota. I’ve been dreaming of recycling used climbing rope as a seat material, and as luck would have it, a student in one of my woodworking classes this winter owns a climbing gym in Wisconsin. Hearing my idea, he agreed to supply me with all the rope I needed. I first had to learn to remove the core, then I used the brightly patterned outer sheathing to weave the seat just like I’ve done with natural materials. The result is a comfortable seat that can get wet, and it keeps about 60 feet of climbing rope out of the landfill.

With seating handled, now I’m turning my attention to tables with folding capabilities. I saw a few ingenious an-

tique examples of this on a recent trip to Sweden and have been inspired to try my hand at designing what could be called “multi-purpose” or “utility” furniture a desirable quality when trying to make the best of living in a one room log cabin in 19th century Scandinavia. Designing utility furniture that incorporates traditional joinery and a handmade aesthetic is a nod to the influence of Scandinavian woodworkers of past centuries, for whom this was normal. It’s also an act of resistance against the ubiquitous mass-produced plastic that passes for “furniture,” and a recognition that many of us feel the need to do more with less. I’ve been making a small hardwood desk that folds flat and stows against the wall, in the closet, or the truck bed. Another morphs from a comfortable bench into a hand-

As a furniture maker, I spend a lot of time thinking about how people will use the furniture I design and build. It’s one of the main things I enjoy about my work. | SUBMITTED

some coffee table. Next up is a tabletop that rolls up. Maybe these won’t be as reasonable for a Boundary Waters trip, but we can use as much adaptability in our modern home furnishings as we can get.

I find satisfaction as a craftsperson when I bring a concept like a folding table from initial sketches into production. Even more satisfying is seeing that handcrafted piece of furniture collect dents and patina through its intended purpose: to bring more functionality and joy into my life year after year.

Gabe Strand is a woodworking artist in the Artisan Development program at North House Folk School, where traditional craft is taught on the shore of Lake Superior.

Gabe Strand is a woodworking artist in the Artisan Development program at North House Folk School in Grand Marais. | SUBMITTED

This comfortable seat keeps about 60 feet of climbing rope out of the landfill. | SUBMITTED

family-friendly

held Tuesday, June

The Northern Landscapes Festival will include a course on beekeeping basics. | SUBMITTED

NORTHERN LANDSCAPES FESTIVAL

May 30-June 1 Learn about the birds, wildflowers, and insects of the northern landscape at this annual North House Folk School festival in Grand Marais. This year’s course offerings include beekeeping basics, welcome to blacksmithing, foraging for spring wild edibles, discovering the language of birds, and more. Other festival highlights include a film at 7 p.m. on May 30 titled Bad River, and a discussion with author Ferin Davis Anderson regarding her book Wildfire: The Culture, Science and Future of Fire, held May 31 at 7 p.m. The film and presentation are free and open to the public. northhouse.org

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DULUTH MONARCH FESTIVAL

June 7, Saturday Join the Duluth Monarch Buddies for the annual Duluth Monarch Festival, held at the Coppertop Church (First United Methodist) in Duluth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoreview Natives, from Two Harbors, will be selling milkweed and other native pollinator plants. A keynote speech will be given at 10:30 a.m. by Alex Carroll, Monarch Joint Venture’s Midwest Science Coordinator, titled “Drones, Milkweed, and Monarchs: How drones are used to evaluate milkweed availability for mon-

arch habitats.” There will also be informational tables and vendors, children’s activities, monarch movies and popcorn, and live eggs, caterpillars, and monarchs. This is a free event, but donations are appreciated. duluthmonarchbuddies.org

KITE FESTIVAL

June 8, Tuesday Get ready to soar at the annual Kite Festival—a family-friendly celebration filled with colourful kites, outdoor fun, and exciting activities. Held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chippewa Park in Thunder Bay, there will be amusement rides, kite flying areas, temporary tattoos, inflatables, local food vendors, artisans, booths from local organizations, programming from Science North, and indoor and outdoor games and activities for all ages. Admission is free. thunderbay.ca/events

The

Thunder Bay Kite Festival will be

8 at Chippewa Park.

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SHERIDES

MOUNTAIN BIKE CLINIC

June 13-15 SheRides is an inclusive mountain bike clinic in Lutsen designed for women-identifying and non-binary riders comfortable in a femme-centered space. SheRides was founded by the Superior Cycling Association to help women improve their singletrack skills in a fun, supportive environment. Individuals of all skill levels and ages 12 and up are encouraged to participate (participants younger than 16 must attend with a participating parent). Learn and practice foundational and advanced skills, enjoy guided rides, connect with fellow riders, and learn about bike setup, maintenance essentials, and how to handle common trail-side repairs. Registration required. superiorcycling.org

PRIDE CELEBRATION

June 14, Saturday Presented by the Cook County Pride Committee, the annual Pride Celebration in Grand Marais, titled Love is Our Resistance, will feature a variety of family-friendly events throughout the day, all in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Enjoy free yoga with Carly Puch in Harbor Park at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., visit the Hub for drag story hour with Cravin’ Catastrophe, followed by community crafts and sign making with free snacks. Other Hub activities include a free writer’s workshop with Brian Malloy at 11 a.m. titled “Write Your Coming Out Story,” and a presentation by OutFront MN at noon. Then, head to Harbor Park for community singing, music making, and dancing, followed by a pride rally and march at 5 p.m. and free dinner from 6-8 p.m., provided by Double D’s Catering and Angry Trout Café. The evening will conclude with a dance party at Up Yonder at 9 p.m. with Birthday Gurl and DJ Anjo. cookcountypride.org

THUNDER BAY MINING DAY

June 14, Saturday Held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marina Park, the 10th annual Thunder Bay Mining Day offers fun for the whole family with games for the kids, career information for big kids, and education for all. This free event consists of a variety of exciting demonstrations, interactive activities, prizes, and mining/exploration exhibits. Mining Day is held rain or shine. thunderbayminingday.com

HIGH NOON 24-HOUR TRAIL RACE & RELAY

June 14, Saturday The fourth annual High Noon 24-Hour Trail Race and Relay will take place at the Kamview Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay. The goal is simple: challenge yourself to cover as much distance as you can in 24 hours. Your final distance is up to you. Run, walk, or crawl. This is your race and a chance to test your true grit in a welcoming and fun place. Starting at 9 a.m., choose between the solo category or a relay team. Then, follow a 3.38km loop on cross country trails with rewarding views. Portions of the course will be unlit, so when the sun sets, have your headlamp ready. If you’re age 15 and under, you can participate in the four-hour solo race, held from 1-5 p.m. Participants will enjoy a complimentary breakfast on Sunday morning, followed by an awards ceremony. Registration required. upriverrunning.com

SUMMER SOLSTICE & WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

June 20-21 Held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, the Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival features a bit of everything. There will be handmade and unique watercrafts on display, family drop-in crafts, a pop-up craft market, live music, a Boats to Tools Auction, a poetry celebration, a family and community contra dance, a Lions Club BBQ and ice cream social, a community paddle/row/sail on the harbor, guest speakers, mini courses, tours of the campus and new building, family games and activities, craft demonstrations, an Empty Bowls fundraiser with chowder, and more. On Saturday, June 21, don’t miss the free Summer Solstice Pageant with the Good Harbor Hill Players, starting at 8 p.m. This family-friendly presentation features

handmade paper mâché puppets and live music. northhouse.org

Trail Canoe Races

| TBAY ALIVE

Spreading Awareness of Invasive Species

Family Friendly Activities

Limited-Release, “Emerald Ash Beer” Blonde Ale

Invasive Species Bingo with prizes starting at 2:30 PM

Invasive Species Education Booths

*First 100 guests to purchase a pint of the new beer will receive a limited edition pint glass

GRANDMA’S MARATHON WEEKEND

June 19-21 Tie up your shoelaces for the annual Grandma’s Marathon race, held on Saturday, June 21. Totaling 26.2 miles, the race will start at 7:45 a.m. in Two Harbors and end in Canal Park in Duluth. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (13.1 miles) will also take place on Saturday, and the William A. Irvin 5k and youth Whipper Snapper races (free: ages 14 and under) will take place on Friday. Other weekend events include the traditional Michelina’s All-YouCan-Eat Spaghetti Dinner at the Decc from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the Decc June 19-20. View over 100 booths showcasing the latest products, services, and technology in the athletic industry. The expo will run from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. Admission is free; open to everyone. Grandma’s Marathon weekend will also include live music Friday and Saturday with the Rock the Bayfront Festival in Bayfront Festival Park. This year’s lineup includes Boxcar, Cloud Cult, Woodblind, Rafe Carlson, Sydney Hansen, Big Wave Dave and the Ripples, and more. grandmasmarathon.com

FESTIVAL

June 28, Saturday The annual Chum Rhubarb Festival in Duluth is fun for all ages. This free event, held at Asbury United Methodist Church, offers your favorites like rhubarb brats, pies, crisps, and sweet treats. Alongside the food will be live music, arts and crafts, booths, kids’ activities, games,

and more. Rhubarbara the mascot will also make an appearance. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. chumduluth.org

LUTSEN 99ER RACES

June 28, Saturday Held at the Superior National Golf Course, the annual Lutsen 99er is an ultra-marathon mountain biking event in Lutsen. Riders can choose between four distances: a 29-mile, 45-mile, 59-mile, or 99-mile race. The course consists of snowmobile and ski trails, Forest Service roads, and a bit of pavement and single-track. The first race will start at 7:30 a.m. and an afterparty with live music will start at 4:15 p.m. outside Caribou Highlands, followed by an awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. For those not racing, Fika Coffee is hosting a watch party. And don’t miss the festivities on Friday, June 27, at Superior National, including live music, food and drinks, and the Little Niners races at 5:30 p.m. (registration required). lutsen99er.com

PARK POINT ART FAIR

June 28-29 An iconic community event, enjoy a free weekend of original arts and crafts in a stunning setting near Lake Superior in Duluth. Held at Park Point Recreation Area, the 53rd annual Park Point Art Fair will feature over 100 juried artists from the Midwest region displaying and selling fine art and crafts, including photography, ceramics, prints, paintings, metal, glass and wood sculptures, jewelry, fiber, and more. There will also be live music, food trucks, free art making activities, demonstrations, and more. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. parkpointartfair.org

CANADA DAY ON THE WATERFRONT

July 1, Tuesday Celebrate Canada Day in Thunder Bay with an unforgettable day at Marina Park. Held from 3-9 p.m., there will be three incredible stage shows featuring diverse performances and entertainment for all ages, food vendors, arts and crafts, interactive giant bubble stations, cultural programming and dance groups, and a variety of indoor and outdoor games and activities for the whole family. Admission is free. thunderbay.ca/canadaday

CHUM RHUBARB

The annual Grandma’s Marathon race will take place Saturday, June 21, totaling 26.2 miles. | SUBMITTED

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thru June 1

Home, I’m Darling 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

Thru June 8

Laura-Lynn Petrick: Hometown Anthems Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

The Planet Welcomed Me: A Commemorative Exhibition of Works by Robert Derbouka Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru June 9

Annual Member Show Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru June 15

Art Exhibit: Recent Works by Neil Sherman Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Edward Poitras: Big Iron Sky Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru June 16

We Are Water MN Exhibit The Hub, Ely, elyfolkschool.org

Thru June 30

Kristen Anderson: Refugia Ely Area Community Hub, northernlakesarts.org North Shore Luminescence: K-2nd Grade Art Installation Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Thru August 30

Summer Exhibition: Movement Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Thru Dec. 31

Can-Car & The Rosies Thunder Bay Museum, thunderbaymuseum.com

May 29-June 1

A Year with Frog and Toad Cambrian Players, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/cambrianplayers Legally Blonde Jr. 7 p.m. Trinity Hall Theatre, Thunder Bay, applauzeproductions.com

May 30-June 1

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

May 30-Sept. 14

Benjamin Chee Chee: Modern Painter Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

June 1, Sunday

Family Art Day 1 p.m. Thunder Bay Art Gallery, facebook.com/thunderbayag

June 1-30

Photography & Art at the Rock: Jeffery Benson (Artist Onsite June 14 & June 21 at Noon) Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

Arrowhead Artist Exhibition: Kaitlin Klennert (Reception June 7 at 4 p.m.) Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

June 3, Tuesday

Painting Spring Wildflowers 3 p.m.

Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberry

Nerd Nite 7 p.m.

Sleeping Giant Brewing, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/sciencenorth.northwest

June 4, Wednesday

Volunteer Event: Tree Planting 10 a.m. Chippewa City Church, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Rock Talk Nature Cart 2 p.m.

Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberry

AICHO’s Women & Drumming Cultural Presentation 5:30 p.m. 202 W. 2nd St., Duluth, facebook.com/aichomn

Author Talk: Arnold Alanen: The Scenic Route 6 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, drurylanebooks.com

June 5, Thursday

River View Trail Summer Birding Hike 7 a.m. Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberry

Coffee & Concert: North Shore Fiddlesn-Friends 1 p.m. Two Harbors Community Center, facebook.com/communitypartnersth

June 5-7

Festival Bonjour Waverley Park, Thunder Bay, festivalbonjour.com

June 6, Friday

EFS 10th Birthday: Birch Bark Canoe Community Paddle 5:30 p.m. Semer’s Beach Park, Ely, elyfolkschool.org

Women in Theatre: New Play Festival 7:30 p.m. Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

June 6-7

10x10 Short Play Festival Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

June 6-8

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend Throughout Minnesota, mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing

June 6-30

Artist of the Month: Ian Veihman (Reception June 6 at 7 p.m.) Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay, mndnr.gov/tettegouche

June 7, Saturday

National Sauna Day 9 a.m. Nelimark Homestead, Embarrass, sisuheritage.org

Gunflint Clean Up 9 a.m. Schaap Community Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflintcleanup.wordpress.com

Northern Goods Grand Opening Party 9 a.m. Northern Goods, Grand Marais, facebook.com/northerngoodsshop

June Classic 5k & 10k Race 9:45 a.m. Boulevard Lake, Thunder Bay, metreeaters.ca

Duluth Monarch Festival 10 a.m. First United Methodist Church (Coppertop Church), Duluth, duluthmonarchbuddies.org

Open Studio: Juried Artists-in-Residence: Christopher Hagen & Santiago Culullu 11 a.m. Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Grain Days 11 a.m. St. Jude’s School, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Author Talk: Andrea Gilats: Radical Endurance 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

EFS 10th Birthday: Potluck Party Celebration 6 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

June 8, Sunday

Kite Festival 11 a.m. Chippewa Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/events

Trans Joy Fest 11 a.m. Park Point Recreation Area, Duluth, facebook.com/transnorthland

June 9, Monday

ALS Bookmobile 4:30 p.m. McQuade Small Craft Harbor, Duluth, alslib.info

June 10, Tuesday

Let’s Go Hike the Old-Growth 9 a.m. Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay, mndnr.gov/tettegouche

NSFCU Hunger Heroes Golf Scramble 5 p.m. Gunflint Hills Golf Course, Grand Marais, northshorefcu.org

June 10-Sept. 1

Aaron Kloss Exhibit: Aurora Borealis (Reception June 10 at 6 p.m.) Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth, aaronkloss.com

June 11, Wednesday

Full Moon Poetry 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

Full Moon Bike Ride 6 p.m. Real Canadian Superstore, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas 7 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, bayfrontfestivalpark.com

June 12, Thursday

Arrowhead Cooperative Annual Meeting 3 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, arrowheadcoop.com

Brodini Comedy Magic Show 3:30 p.m. Ely Public Library, alslib.info

Artist Talk: The Art of Implication 4:30 p.m. Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

June 13, Friday

Brodini Comedy Magic Show 1 p.m. Mount

Royal Branch Library, Duluth, alslib.info

Lutsen Block Party 5 p.m. Downtown Lutsen

A Night of Music with Crowder & Matt Maher 7 p.m. Decc, Duluth, decc.org

Die Fledermaus 7 p.m. NorShor Theatre, Duluth, loonopera.org

June 13-14

Duluth-stämman: Nordic Folk Music & Dance Festival UMD: Weber Hall, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Park Point Rummage Sale Park Point, Duluth, parkpointcommunityclub.org

June 13-15

SheRides Mountain Bike Clinic Lutsen, superiorcycling.org

June 13-Sept. 14

Big Back Yard Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

On a Silver Platter: Kris Goold Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

June 14, Saturday

Free Parks Day Minnesota State Parks, mndnr.gov/freeparkdays

Ride for Dad Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, Slate River, ophp.ca

For-Paws Vendor Market 8 a.m. CLE Heritage Building, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/aemarketsco

Pride Celebration 9 a.m. Grand Marais, cookcountypride.org

High Noon 24-Hour Trail Race & Relay 9 a.m. Kamview Nordic Centre, Thunder Bay, upriverrunning.com

CSM John S. Werner Memorial 5k Run/Walk 9 a.m. The Other Place Bar & Grill, Duluth, thehistorypeople.org

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

Celestial Pathways Animal Healing Center Open House 10 a.m. Celestial Pathways, Grand Marais, celestialpathwaysahc.com

Walk to End ALS 10 a.m. Boulevard Lake, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Free Writing Workshop: Your Coming Out Story 11 a.m. The Hub, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmaraislibrary

Walleye Whamma Fishing Contest 11 a.m. Birch Lake, Babbitt, Facebook: Peter Mitchell Fun Days

June 14-15

License-Free Family Fishing in Ontario Throughout Ontario, ontariofamilyfishing.com

June

15, Sunday

Father’s Day

Die Fledermaus 3 p.m. NorShor Theatre, Duluth, loonopera.org

June 16, Monday

Brodini Comedy Magic Show 10 a.m. Two Harbors Public Library, alslib.info

June 17, Tuesday

Brodini Comedy Magic Show 10 a.m. Silver Bay Public Library, alslib.info

Brodini Comedy Magic Show 3:30 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, alslib.info

June 18, Wednesday

Norwegian Bingo 4 p.m. Two Harbors Community Center, facebook.com/communitypartnersth

The Duluth Armory: A Living History 5 p.m. West Theater, Duluth, thewesttheatre.com

June 18-29

Next to Normal Vermilion Fine Arts Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

June 19, Thursday

Juneteenth Day

Plant Sale & Swap 4 p.m. West Arthur Community Centre, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/westarthur

June 19-20

Essentia Health Fitness Expo 4 p.m. (10 a.m. Fri.) Decc, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

June 20, Friday

Summer Solstice

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

William A. Irvin 5k 1 p.m. Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

YAF Festival & Whipper Snapper Races for Kids 2 p.m. (Races at 4 p.m.) Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

June 20-21

Summer Solstice & Wooden Boat Festival North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Rock the Bayfront Festival Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

June 20-22

Peter Mitchell Days Babbitt, Facebook: Peter Mitchell Fun Days

June 20-July 13

Recent & Past Works from Brock Larson that Capture Northern Life (Reception June 20 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

June 21, Saturday

Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration Anemki Wajiw, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/nadtbay

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon 6 a.m. Scenic Hwy 61 to Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com Grandma’s Marathon 7:45 a.m. Two Harbors to Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com Ducks Unlimited 5km Fun Run 9 a.m. Kamview Nordic Centre, Thunder Bay, tbnordictrails.com

Electronic Recycling Collection 9 a.m.

Grand Marais Recycling Center, retrofitcompanies.com

Meet & Greet: John Owens: One Spring Up North 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

Invasive Species Brewery Event: Emerald Ash Borer Edition 2 p.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, facebook.com/cookcountyinvasives

Summer Solstice Puppet Pageant 8 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

June 21-22

Heritage Crafts & Museum Fair Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park, Slate River, ophp.ca

Geraldton Walley Classic Geraldton, Ontario, gcfi.net

Imagine a Dragon 1 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com

June 22, Sunday

Free Presentation: Al Trippel: “Geology of Cook County Minnesota” 2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

Sesame Street Live! Say Hello Tour 2 p.m.

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

DSSO Presents: Highland String Quartet 3 p.m. Depot Theater, Duluth, dsso.com

June 23-Sept. 16

Heidi Wanzek: Within the Threshold Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Charvis Harrell: The Games We Play Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

June 24, Tuesday

Kids Day: Free Admission 11 a.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

June 25-28

Guys & Dolls: The Musical 7:30 p.m.

Trinity Hall Theatre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/applauzeproductions

June 26, Thursday

Brodini Comedy Magic Show 1 p.m. Duluth Public Library, alslib.info

Mentor North Summer Fest 4:30 p.m. Earth Rider Festival Grounds, Superior, superiorchamber.org

Cookies on Tap 5 p.m. Clyde Iron Works, Duluth, bit.ly/cookiesontap2025

Author Talk: J. Ryan Stradal: Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

Brodini Comedy Magic Show 6 p.m. West Duluth Branch Library, alslib.info

Care Partners Dance Party with The Splints 6:30 p.m. Up Yonder, Grand Marais, carepartnersofcookcounty.org

June 27, Friday

Dorothy Day Open House 11 a.m. Dorothy Molter Museum, Ely, rootbeerlady.com

Book Signing: 100 Things to Do in Duluth Before You Die 11 a.m. Zenith Adventure, Duluth, zenithadventure.com

Little Niners Race 5:30 p.m. Superior National Golf Course, Lutsen, lutsen99er.com

June 28, Saturday

Lutsen 99er Races 7:30 a.m. Superior National Golf Course, Lutsen, lutsen99er.com

Chum Rhubarb Festival 10 a.m. Asbury United Methodist Church, Duluth, chumduluth.org

Blessing of the Fleet 10:30 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Supreme Drag Sovereign Pageant 6 p.m.

Prince Arthur Hotel, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

June 28-29

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

June 28-July 6

License-Free Family Fishing Week in Ontario Throughout Ontario, ontariofamilyfishing.com

June 29, Sunday

Zenith City Radio Business Gala Noon, Clyde Iron Works, Duluth, zenithcityradio.com

Free Presentation: Adam Lindquist: “Teddy Roosevelt: The Wilderness Warrior” 2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

Taylor: A Tribute to the Eras of Taylor Swift 2 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Tina: The Ultimate Tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll 7 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

June 30, Monday

ALS Bookmobile 4:30 p.m. McQuade Small Craft Harbor, Duluth, alslib.info

Barely-a-Book Club 5:30 p.m. Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors, facebook.com/ communitypartnersth

Community Mindfulness Night 6 p.m. Two Birds Healing Arts Center, Grand Marais, twobirdart.com

July 1, Tuesday

Canada Day

Canada Day on the Waterfront 3 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/canadaday

WEEKLY EVENTS

Tuesdays

Locals Night with Live Music 5 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

Free Concert: Broadway in Whiteside Park 5 p.m. Whiteside Park, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

Music in the Park (Starts June 17) 6:30 p.m. Chester Park, Duluth, chesterbowl.org

Free Tai Chi in the Park 7 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, pengyou-taiji.ca

Wednesdays

Game Day for Adults 1 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, facebook.com/communitypartnersth

Duluth Farmers Market 2 p.m. Duluth Farmers Market, duluthfarmersmarket.com

Thunder Bay Country Market 3:30 p.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca

Thursdays

Bird Banding 7 a.m. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, Schroeder, sugarloafnorthshore.org

Free Tai Chi in the Park 7:30 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, pengyou-taiji.ca

Thursday Night Art 3:30 p.m. Joy & Company, Grand Marais, joy-and-company.com

Grand Marais Farmers Market (Starts June 19) 4:30 p.m. Community Center Parking Lot, Grand Marais, facebook.com/ grandmaraisfarmersmarket

Finland Farmers Market (Starts June 12) 5 p.m. Clair Nelson Center, Finland, finlandfarmersmarket.com

Date Night with Live Music 6 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

Where

can I find

Northern Wilds in Thunder Bay?

Advanced Auto Bay Village Coffee House

Calico Coffee House

Comfort Inn

Dawson Store

D&R Sporting Goods

Done-Rite Auto

Entershine Bookshop

European Meats & Store

Fireweed Store

Fort William Historical Park

Java Hut Restaurant

K&A Variety / Gas Station

Lulu’s Variety Store

Prince Arthur Hotel

Seattle Coffee House

Thunder Bay Museum

The Superior Inn

Victoria’s Cupboard and many more!

Northern Wilds is distributed freely at over 100 locations from Duluth to Nipigon, Ont. You can also subscribe or read it online at www.northernwilds.com

Fridays

Victory Chorus 10 a.m. Community Partners, Two Harbors, facebook.com/communitypartnersth Renegade Late Night Improv 10 p.m. Zeitgeist Arts, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Hidden Valley Hammer MTB Race Series (Thru June 13) 5 p.m. Hidden Valley Recreation Area, Ely, elynordic.org

Saturdays

Thunder Bay Country Market 8 a.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca

Duluth Farmers Market 8 a.m. Duluth Farmers Market, duluthfarmersmarket.com

Cook County Market 10 a.m.

The Hub Parking Lot, Grand Marais, facebook.com/ccfarmandcraft

Two Harbors Farmers Market 10 a.m. Seagren’s Home Hardware Outdoors, Two Harbors, facebook.com/twoharborsfarmersmarket

Thunder Bay Farmers Market (Thru June 14) 10 a.m. North End Recreation Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/t.bay.farmersmarket

Children’s Story Hour 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

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

Sundays

Clover Valley Farm Trail (Begins June 15) Noon, Two Harbors & Duluth, clovervalleyfarmtrail.com

Weekend Wine Down 3:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

The North Shore Dish

The Clover Valley Farm Trail

By Virginia George

I think most of us are familiar with the concept of a farmer’s market. These are gatherings of local vendors who often meet in parking lots on specified days of the week to create a pop-up style shopping experience. You can find a variety of things at a farmer’s market, from vegetables, fruits and meat to flowers, jewelry, and clothing. They’re lovely community events that help connect consumers with their food whilst supporting farms directly.

In the Duluth-Two Harbors area, there’s a different kind of market called the Clover Valley Farm Trail (CVFT). The CVFT is a cooperative community of farmers in the—you guessed it—Clover Valley, who all maintain farmstands on location. From June 15 until October 5 you’ll find farm stands open every Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Some stands are open other days as well, but rest assured, the farm stands are usually open for your weekly Sunday drive. The CVFT website (clovervalleyfarmtrail. com) is the best way to keep abreast of the farms who are part of the trail, but I want to share a few of them here with you.

Field.Store.House.

This will be the first growing season for Field.Store.House. in their Ryan Road location. Owners Tony Weston and Seth O'Donovan came to Minnesota after a nationwide search for a place to set down roots for their dreams of combining farming and hospitality. With a background working in Michelin level restaurants, they have a passion for growing food that connects the growing and cooking and hosting experiences. They were drawn to Clover Valley’s farming history and the connection to the woodlands of northern Minnesota.

“We moved here last May, traded work/ farm chores on another farm on the trail (Little Chili Farm) for a spot to land our tiny house and animals while we property searched, and found this 40-acre old dairy farm for sale over on Ryan Road,” said O'Donovan. “We moved onto the property in November, and this will be our first growing season. We planted garlic first thing last fall and have about 1,000 plant starts going for our early spring planting for our market garden. This year will be a huge learning curve/getting-to-know-you season with this soil and site, and we’re really excited about it. We’re currently on the search for a used high tunnel or caterpillar tunnels to help out with some wind-reduction for some of the more ‘summer’ crops (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers), so we’ll see if that manifests. We grew a test plot of vegetables at Little Chili last summer just to see how lots of our Colorado

seeds would fare in a new climate and were really encouraged.”

O'Donovan continued, “This summer we’ll be running our farm stand (open Thursday through Sunday every week), cooking a brunch pop-up at Dreamcloud coffee roasters for the month of May (and possibly all summer if it goes well), and hosting five field dinners from produce from our garden and other sourcing nearby. We have big dreams for the final expression of this property/project, but in the meantime, we believe that we should always offer whatever we can to folks, and without any finished buildings on the property yet, those three activities are what we can

offer. We just really believe in the crafts of our hospitality vocations (cooking, hosting, fermenting, etc.) to be a very key connector for the public to be able to weave their own perspectives of the world with what’s happening with land, stewardship, and farming in the U.S. and believe the way to people’s hearts and minds is through care and kindness and feeding them.”

O'Donovan finished by saying, “We’re really excited to be welcomed to the farm trail even as first year growers and think that helping folks find a network of farms in the area is so important to them finding it worth the trip out here. We also really love the group identity as a farming valley (that

has an amazingly rich farming community history up here on the North Shore) that the farm trail brings to all of us working on growing here.”

Farm du Nord

Farmers Blane and Bridget Tetreault have a 10-acre farm where they grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and native plants. You will often find their farm stand stocked with these along with freshly baked goods like scones, bread, cookies, and dog treats—a perfect pick-me-up on a Sunday drive.

From Blane and Bridget: “We believe in being culture-makers instead of just culture-consumers. We strive to be the change we wish to see in the world. Building our local community is important to us because it contributes to our mental and physical health and that of others. Knowing where our food comes from is also important. Helping to create a sustainable local economy is part of that. That provides independence from disruptions nationally or internationally.”

They continued, saying, “Being a part of the farm trail helps build our local community by connecting us with like-minded individuals and farms. The opportunity to serve community members via the fruits of our labor is very fulfilling. Right now, this is the only place where people can buy our baked goods and produce.”

These are just two of the current 12 farms who are part of the CVFT. Aside from vegetables, here are some examples of what the current 12 farms might entice you with: Agate Acres welcomes you with flower bouquets, eggs, and locally made barbecue sauce. Boreal Bounty Farm would love to share their herbs, apples, and canned goods like cucumber relish, salsa, and sauerkraut.

Clover Valley Farms shares their special vinegars and herb-infused salts, wool roving and yarn, and wood turn artwork. Draupnir Farm has cultivated mushrooms, hand-harvested wild rice, horseradish, and various salves and tinctures, wool, sheepskins, and artwork. Farm du Nord shares their delicious baked goods, farm fresh eggs, and Lake Superior Surfing gear. Field. Store.House. hopes you will stop by for a field dinner coming soon. Little Chili Farm provides goats milk and cheese, flowers, and various baked and canned goods. Little Waldo Farm loves native pollinator plants, fresh cut flowers, and honey and beeswax products. Lucky Dog Farm loves to share seedlings, fruits, and vegetables. Shoreview Natives loves “creating pollinator habitat, one yard at a time,” and would welcome consulting with you on a project. SolFed Farm shares their garden produce, seedlings, and farm fresh eggs. Sörestad gets excited about early greens, strawberries, melons, and eggs.

If you’re like me, you may be surprised to learn of the farming history in what is often an unforgiving place. The surrounding area is full of thick clay that is impossible to dig, let alone plant in. The growing seasons are short, with last frost well into May, and first frost at the end of September. However, these farmers make it work using sustainable farming practices, permaculture (finding a way to work with the land instead of against it), and a whole lot of heart. As a result, there is a lovely community of farmers in the Clover Valley who seek to help each other out. So, this summer, pull out a map, grab your adventurous spirit, maybe a hungry belly, and go for a Sunday drive to check out the Clover Valley Farm Trail.

SolFed Farm will offer fresh produce, seedlings, and more. | LIZ STROHMAYER

Loggin’ Food at its Finest

Wellness Concept, Culture, & Commodity

By Hartley Newell-Acero

These days, you can’t swing a bottle of kombucha without hitting a product, person, or service that promises to improve your “wellness.” While this word has been around for centuries, the meaning has evolved. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “wellness,” as opposed to illness, was first used in the 1650s. By the late 1800s, the meaning of wellness began to shift, as many Europeans moved to urban areas, experienced greater affluence, and adopted more sedentary lifestyles with indulgent diets. In response to the decline in health associated with this lifestyle, many turned to a wellness approach known as Life Reform. Its approach may sound familiar: raw, vegetarian food, barefoot strolls, open-air exercise, sunbathing, and time spent at expensive spas. Around the same period in the United States, John Harvey Kellogg began offering similar treatments at his Battle Creek Sanitarium. He referred to his notion of wellness as “Biologic Living” and fervently believed that it would prevent and treat virtually every malady.

Our modern use of the word “wellness” can be traced to 1961. Physician and biostatistician Dr. Halbert L. Dunn distinguished between good health—as the absence of illness—and high-level wellness. He defined it as “an integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable, within the environment where he is functioning.” In 1972, Dr. John Travis, MD, expanded on this concept. He developed what he called the Illness-Wellness Continuum. This continuum incorporates emotional and mental health, and illustrates that a person’s well-being is not simply a binary state of being sick or well. A person’s health can move along a continuum, with premature death/disability on one end, a neutral point where one is neither ill nor well, and growth/high-level wellness on the other end.

As the language of wellness has become more commonly used, it has enabled many different cultures of wellness to develop. But what does “culture of wellness” mean? Author and teacher Seth Godin elegantly explains culture as simply “People like us do things like this.” A culture of wellness then is a group of people engaging in similar behaviors in hopes of maximizing their potential. For instance, the purpose of many workplace wellness programs is to “make the healthy choice the easy choice.” These programs offer veggie trays in the cafeteria, replace soda with sparkling water in vending machines, and subsidize gym memberships. By trying to make these choices the effortless norm, they hope to create an environment where “People like us (the employees of ABC Company), do things like this (eat vegetables, drink water, and go to the gym)." Different wellness cultures can spring up around different behaviors. Going with the cultural flow can support healthy change and work in a person’s favor.

A person isn't either sick or well. The state of their health will fall somewhere along a continuum.

| HARTLEY NEWELL-ACERO

But, like a lot of things, more wellness is not always better. The modern definitions of wellness make sense and can be helpful, but the term itself has become diluted and over-applied in today’s society. When almost anything can be labeled wellness, that label can be used to sell almost everything—from anti-aging amalgams to zen yoga. The commodification of wellness is big business. In 2023, the global wellness economy was estimated at $6.3 trillion. While this includes things like improving nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and mental wellbeing, it also includes spas, cosmetics, and tourism. A great deal of what is considered to be part of the wellness economy is at least benign, and much of it can even be beneficial. Problems arise, however, when wellness morphs from being something meant to enhance our lives to being the point of our lives. For some people, constant optimization of wellness has become a moral imperative, and poor health is seen as a personal failing. The wellness industrial complex persuades consumers that relentless self-improvement is necessary—and can best be achieved by the purchase of a never-ending supply of products and services. We can end up trapped in a perpetual cycle of treating problems that we didn’t even know we had.

If something or someone promises better health but ignores how a person is impacted by the conditions of their life, demands hyper-vigilance and constant striving for unattainable goals, and profits off the fears that it has stoked, can that be wellness? True wellness recognizes that we are unique and multi-faceted beings who are worth caring about and for, and that there’s no single right way to do that. Real wellness isn’t a commodity but a personal journey of growth.

HOOKED ON FISHING

HUR HIKING

The season has arrived for fun outdoor activities like fishing, hiking and boating. North Shore Health is here to help if you suffer an injury. We handle safe removal of fishhooks, heat stroke, hypothermia, lacerations from fish-cleaning accidents, twisted ankles, fractures, tick bites, wound care and more. Ticks should be removed promptly to prevent Lyme disease or other pathogens that can enter your bloodstream and cause serious illness. NSH encourages locals and tourists to have fun, but please follow safety tips for all outdoor activities.

515 5th Ave West, Grand Marais, MN 55604 218-387-3040 / NorthShoreHealthgm.org Community Access to Compassionate Care

July 1, 2025 Canada

July 11 to 13, 2025 The Great Rendezvous

August 12, 2025 Perseid Meteor Shower

August 16 and 17, 2025

24, 2025

Northern Trails

My Dad: A Father’s Day Recollection

By Gord Ellis

We can’t pick our parents—that’s a decision made by God and nature. And not all people have good memories or relationships with their parents. However, I was lucky enough to be born to two awesome humans: my late mother Nora, and my father—and namesake—Gord Senior.

This column is about my father and his influence on my life and on my own journey to fatherhood.

My earliest memories of my father have to do with the outdoors—specifically, the fishing side of things. Gord Sr. was the son of a very keen angler and hunter, and that passion was passed on to him. So, when I arrived on the scene as the first-born son, it was only natural that he brought me along on his adventures. Initially, those included brook trout fishing trips to McVicar Creek in Thunder Bay. In those days, the Department of Natural Resources would stock a large pool above Court Street with yearling trout and people would flock there. Dad brought me down to the creek, propped me up against his knee, and let me drop a worm and hook in the water. Those stocked trout were willing and the gateway to a lifelong passion— and it was Gord Sr. that took me there.

Over the years, as my siblings Roy and Romy Marlo came along, our family would go on canoe trips, camping adventures, and many hikes. We crossed Canada several times in a station wagon towing a pop-up tent trailer. Both my parents loved adventure, but it was my father who made sure the camping gear was ready, and the car had its oil changed. The outdoors was the family playground, and Gord Sr. was the ringleader.

Dad had some funny habits I’ve occasionally teased him about. One was his ability to pack a vehicle full of gear. This was especially true on family trips when we were kids. It didn’t matter if it was a day trip or a week—that Matador station wagon was jammed to the brim. Boxes with Coleman stoves, lanterns, extra fishing gear, plenty of food, and sleeping bags were carefully stowed. We were always ready for any eventuality—including an apocalypse.

He also went to great pains to repair something before it got tossed. Tents, sleeping bags, and anything fabric would be stitched, taped, or whatever it took to go that little extra distance. To this day, he has a 40-year-old gym bag that has been stitched together more times than Frankenstein’s face. The need to repair things far past their best-before date is not a trait I’ve acquired. However, I did also find myself being something of a pack rat on my outdoor outings, both with family and on solo missions. Overstocked and overstuffed is

still my general rule of engagement, so the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Another trait of my father that all his children have seen and been inspired by is his great faith. He is truly a spiritual person. His spirituality (shared by our mother) was not just saved for the pew. It has run throughout his life. He has always been empathetic to the sick, the hurt, and those who needed some help. Our childhood home often had people staying in it who needed support. To this day, my 87-year-old father is tremendously good at checking in with

people who are hurting, and visiting those who are sick or in the hospital. He is an inspiration and great example to me and many others.

When our two boys came along, my father was a huge part of their childhood. Not only did he take great interest in their lives, sports, and hobbies, but he was an inspiration to them. Dad was a school math teacher by trade, but also an incredibly handy person. Senior was always tinkering with motors, refinishing chairs, or building something. He still is constantly working

on projects all these years later. That both Devin and Austin gravitated to the trades is not a huge surprise to me. They learned at least some of that stuff first-hand from their Grampa Ellis.

The biggest gift my father gave to me was his friendship. We are father and son, but we are also good friends. We have shared many, many outdoor adventures together, and I have been there to see him achieve things I’m not sure he thought would happen. That includes a record book whitetail buck, several moose, and a lot of very large

BY JOE SHEAD

WHY GO: McDonald Lake is accessible by a short boardwalk portage, providing secluded fishing without the need to get deep into the Boundary Waters. It’s got some nice smallmouth bass, abundant pike and some hefty perch.

ACCESS: McDonald is a long, skinny lake that parallels The Grade. To reach it, travel 3 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais. Turn left onto Devil Track Road (Cook County Hwy. 8). Go 6.5 miles and veer right onto Ball Club Road (Cook County Hwy. 27). Travel 5 miles, then turn left onto The Grade (Forest Road 153). Go 4.5 miles and turn into the small gravel parking lot on your left. There’s a short portage down to the lake, so you’ll need to carry a canoe, but there’s a boardwalk and it’s an easy hike to the lake. There is parking for a few cars without trailers. There are no facilities, but there’s a rustic toilet at the Eagle Mountain trailhead less than a mile to the west of the lake.

VITALS: McDonald Lake spans 85 acres and has a maximum depth of 8 feet. The shallow nature of the lake makes it relatively easy to fish.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, and bluegill.

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Smallmouth bass are one of the primary management species in this lake. Bass anglers will find good numbers of smallies here, with some good-sized fish available. I’ve personally caught smallies up to 18 inches in McDonald and have tangled with a number of good-sized bass. Although smallmouths are generally thought of as rock-oriented fish, I’ve caught my biggest fish on this lake in the weeds.

brookies, pike, and lake trout. To this day, my father is my favourite hunting and fishing companion. His appreciation for the outdoors is without equal and his enthusiasm infectious. He still likes to go tromp in a cut-over for moose or take a sled on the ice for lake trout. It’s a rare day when he decides to pass on something that happens outdoors. He has a lust for life and a passion for nature.

Happy Father’s Day, Senior. Thank you for everything you have given me and this family. We love you.

MCDONALD LAKE

NORTHERN PIKE: McDonald is also managed for northern pike. Anglers will find average numbers of pike here, and their size tends to be relatively small. You’ll encounter lots of pike in the upper teens, but 25 inches is about as big as they ever seem to get.

YELLOW PERCH: Most anglers probably aren’t here for perch, but you might be pleasantly surprised by the odd jumbo that attacks a lure intended for other species. The latest DNR survey found perch up to 11 inches, and previous surveys have caught perch topping the foot mark, so they’re not just forage for pike and walleyes. It might be tough to put together a good stringer of perch, but they are a nice bonus catch.

WALLEYE: Walleyes have struggled in recent decades in McDonald Lake. Once abundant, their population has been lower than average since the 1990s. Still, they are hanging on here, supported entirely by natural reproduction. If you do find a walleye, it tends to be of eater size, but there are far better lakes in the area if you’re bent on catching walleyes, such as nearby Two Island Lake.

BLUEGILL: Bluegills first turned up in DNR surveys in 2017 in McDonald Lake. It’s likely they made it into the lake via Two Island Lake, where they have been established since the ‘90s. Their initial appearance in McDonald turned up 77 small fish. It remains to be seen how well they take in McDonald and how large they get.

[LEFT] Gord Jr. and Gord Ellis Sr. with brook trout. [RIGHT] Gord Ellis Senior poses with a big steelhead. | SUBMITTED

NORTHERN SKY JUNE 2025

By Deane Morrison MN STARWATCH

As the summer stars move into prominence in the evening sky, the spring constellation Leo, the lion, slinks away in the west as it begins its descent into the sunset.

Facing the same fate, Mars, with its relatively high orbital speed, resists its inevitable tumble. Between June 15 and 17, Mars and Regulus, Leo’s brightest star, slip past each other somewhat low in the west. Mars will be just above Regulus, the base of the Sickle—a backward question mark of stars outlining the lion’s head. Look at nightfall, before both objects set.

High in the south, brilliant Arcturus anchors kite-shaped Bootes, the herdsman. Immediately east of Bootes hangs crescent-shaped Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown. The crown is set off by its one jewel, called Alphecca or Gemma.

Below and slightly west of Arcturus you’ll see Spica, the only bright star in the constellation Virgo, the maid -

en. The moon will make a convenient guide to the star by gliding past it between the 5th and 6th. If you like challenges, find a star chart, go out on a dark, moonless night, and trace the rest of the constellation.

In the morning sky, Venus glimmers low in the east as dawn starts to break. To Venus’s upper right, Saturn pulls away from it all month long as Earth chases the red planet in the orbital race.

June’s full moon rises in twilight the evening of the 10th. It will follow Antares, the heart of Scorpius, across the night sky.

Summer arrives with the solstice at 9:42 p.m. on the 20th. At that moment the sun reaches a point over the Tropic of Cancer, ending its annual journey north. An observer in space would see Earth lighted from the Antarctic Circle up to the North Pole and over to the Arctic Circle on the dark side of the planet.

GUNFLINT TRAIL GRAND MARAIS MN

Following the Ancestor’s Steps

Oshki-giizhigad Chigami-ziibiing

A New Day on the St. Louis River

By Zhaawanoogiizhik / Sam Zimmerman

I love walking along the chigami-ziibiing (St. Louis River) estuary and have been spending more time there listening to the noodin (wind). I have seen nigigwag (otters), waagoshag (foxes), maangwag (loons), and migiziwag (eagles) during my walks. It has slowly become one of my favorite places to visit when I want to step back from painting, every day worries, and to relax. I wanted to honor this special place in this new painting. This piece features 474 anangoog (stars), 79 for each ningo-gikinoonowin (year) that I’ve celebrated the ziigwan (spring) equinox home.

Follow my studio on Facebook and Instagram @CraneSuperior or if you have ideas for a North Shore painting, you can email me at: cranesuperiorstudio@gmail.com.

Chasing Justice

A Memoir

By Richard Dorr

Self-Published, 2025, $12.99

In Chasing Justice, Deputy Richard Dorr reflects on his decades of patrolling Cook County, sharing stories that range from tragic to tender. His memoir captures the soul of rural policing—lonely roads, close-knit communities, and high-stakes calls. Dorr doesn’t sugarcoat the job, but he brings empathy and insight to each memory, offering readers a rare and emotional view behind the badge.

Breana

Johnson

Chasing Wildflowers

By Phyllis Root

Photography by Kelly Povo

University of Minnesota Press, 2025, $27.95

Chasing Wildflowers takes readers deep into Minnesota’s wild nooks to discover nearly 200 native plant species. Filled with humor, grit, and gorgeous photography, Root and Povo’s passion shines as they venture into prairies, bogs, and beyond. Alongside tales of misadventures and muddy boots, the book offers plant identification tips, habitat details, and practical resources—making it both an inspiring travelogue and a useful guide for wildflower lovers and explorers alike.— Breana Johnson

A Lesser Light

A Novel

By Peter Geye

University of Minnesota Press, 2025, $27.95

In 1910, Willa Sauer is pulled from college and rushed into marriage with a brooding lighthouse keeper on Lake Superior’s rocky shore. Trapped in isolation outside Duluth, she finds solace in the stars—especially the coming of Halley’s Comet. As her marriage crumbles, unexpected visitors bring new perspective and fragile hope. A Lesser Light is an achingly beautiful novel about love, loss, and finding your way when the path forward seems im Cultivate Your Writing with Brian Malloy Our

Creative Writing Workshops | 6-8 PM @ the Grand Marais Public Library

6/14: Your Coming Out Story | 11 AM @ the Hub 7/9: Funny Stuff

8/20: Work-in-Progress Reading | 7 PM 9/10: Point of View

10/22: Nature Writing 10/29: Personal Essay 11/12: Novel Structures 11/19: Novel Subplots

Strange Tales

Déjà Vu: Remembering a Place You’ve Never Been Before

By Elle AndraWarner

Ever visited a new place for the first time but feel you’ve been there before? Or maybe you get a strange feeling that the conversation you’re having has happened before—a déjà vu moment?

According to Cleveland Clinic, over 70 percent of people have experienced déjà vu at least once in their lives. Those more susceptible included people with a high level of education, who travelled frequently, remembered their dreams, and held liberal views.

Personally, I’ve never experienced déjà vu, but when we were touring Europe I was present when someone did. It happened while we were visiting the medieval Church of the Holy Spirit (Püha Vaimu Kirik), built in the 14th century and located in the middle of Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia.

At some point I noticed my husband Glenn had left our group and was now sitting by himself in the middle of a pew, staring straight ahead in a daze. After asking him what was wrong, he replied in a quiet voice, “I’ve been here before.” A chill went down my spine. How could it be? It was our first time in this country. He repeated, “I’ve been here in this church before.”

Oxford Dictionary defines déjà vu as “a feeling of having already experienced the present situation.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “the illusion of remembering scenes and events when experienced for the first time.” A feeling that one has seen or heard something before. Wikipedia describes it as the “phenomenon of feeling like one has lived through the present situation in the past.” Some researchers say it could be a mix-up or glitch in the brain’s processing. A sign from the universe with a deeper spiritual meaning. A dream-based explanation. A memory from a past lifetime.

Swiss psychotherapist and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung explained his controversial theory of déjà vu as the “collective unconscious.” The key idea is that information inherited from ancestors—a shared pool of knowledge and experiences—is passed down to future generations and can be unconsciously accessed by all people. Jung introduced the concept of déjà vu as an example of collective unconscious.

While the term déjà vu was not yet created, the concept of it was mentioned as early as 400 A.D. by St. Augustine (354430 A.D.), who called it false memories. Almost 1,500 years later, Charles Dickens described the sensation in his book David Copperfield (1850):

“We have all some experience of a feeling, that comes over us occasionally, of what we are saying and doing having been said and done before, in a remote time—of our having been surrounded, dim ages ago, by the

was in

Swiss psychotherapist and psychiatrist Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) introduced déjà vu as an example of his controversial theory "Collective Unconscious." | PUBLIC DOMAIN

same faces, objects, and circumstances—of our knowing perfectly what will be said next, as if suddenly we remember it!”

The actual term déjà vu (“already seen”) is credited to Émile Boirac (1851-1917), a French philosopher, parapsychologist, and advocate for the universal language Esperanto. In 1876, Boirac used the words for the first time in a published letter in the academic journal Revue philosophique. Later, in his book The Future of the Psychic Sciences he described déjà vu:

“We encounter a situation that is similar to an actual memory but we can’t fully recall that memory. Our brain recognizes the

French philosopher Emile Boirac is credited with creating the term déjà vu. | PUBLIC DOMAIN

similarities between our current experience and one in the past…left with a feeling of familiarity that we can’t quite place.”

But what causes the eerie sensation of déjà vu has so far remained a mystery. However, two areas of scientific research are emerging that may someday shed some light on it: genetic memory and epigenetics.

Genetic memory is the idea that memories, certain behaviours, fears (such as fear of water, heights, or fire), or traits from ancestors can be stored in their DNA and later

passed on to descendants. Epigenetics is the field of genetic inquiry into how that genetic memory can be transferred from one generation to another without altering the DNA sequence itself. It explores how the mechanism of epigenetic markers works to transfer ancestors’ genetic memory. Researchers clarify that while a person can’t store the actual memory of the ancestor, what can be transmitted from one generation to another is the emotional imprint of, for example, a traumatic experience sustained over time (study by Emory University of Atlanta).

In the BBC News article by health and science reporter James Gallagher, “Memories Pass Through Generations,” a study by a team at Emory University School of Medicine in the U.S. provided evidence of “transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.” In the Nature Neuroscience article, “DNA Memory Exists And Keeps Our Ancestors’ Experiences,” researchers claim that descendants may inherit the responses to the things experienced by previous generations.

In her book Two Worlds Within: A Memoir of Dual Identity, Canadian author Anne Remmel writes about the trauma of people, like her Estonian parents, forced to flee their homeland in wartime. “The scars of war were hidden deep in the people who fled these shores and were still lurking in the next generation. Whether we recognize the signs or not, the scars have been passed down to us. Whether we acknowledge them or not, we carry them with us.”

Could déjà vu also be linked to genetic memory from ancestors? Well, currently no epigenetic markers have been identified for déjà vu. However, one of the possible links being researched is the LGl1 gene on chromosome 10.

It

the medieval Church of the Holy Spirit (Püha Vaimu Kirik) in Tallinn, Estonia, where Glenn sat in a pew in a daze and said "I've been here before." | ALEJANDRO: WIKIMEDIA

LISTING

Red Pine Realty

SECLUDED GREENWOOD LAKE LOT

Greenwood Lake lot tucked into a quiet southern bay. Electric and broadband are scheduled to be installed this summer. There are 2 flat areas the seller cleared a few years ago. A day of brush clearing and you will have a camping area ready to go while you make plans to build.

MLS#6119255 $250,000

INLAND LAKE PROPERTIES

LOG HOMEPORTAGE LAKE

Pristine 10 acres, 1700+ feet of Portage Lake shore, unique Mid-Gunflint Trail location. Surrounded by Superior National Forest and BWCA. Beautiful full-log home, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, porch, 2-car garage and gardens. Peninsula, privacy and views. Pristine location on quiet wilderness lake.

MLS#6118688 $649,000

DEVIL TRACK LAKE CABIN/HOME SITE

Charming recently renovated cabin with new kitchen, 3/4 bath, Murphy bed and large decks. A mini-split provides yearround cabin comfort. The stunning views, underneath the towering pines, is classic wilderness lake front. Desirable north shore lot is ready to use with new dock with benches.

MLS#6117479

$469,000

UNIQUE NORTH SHORE MOUNTAIN TOP

Spectacular Lake Superior views from remote 40-acre wilderness parcel. Easy access from Hwy 61, with a good road and new driveway to the top. You can see Isle Royale, the Swamp River flowage, and the Sawtooth Mountains. Step directly onto the Superior Hiking Trail or roam the many trails and old roads. Site is prepped and ready for someone to build their dream home.

MLS#6112490 $340,000

PORTAGE LAKE –MID-TRAIL LAKE LOT

Wilderness serenity surrounds you. Direct access to the BWCAW, or just enjoy it from your deck. 5.13 acre lot, 400 feet of accessible lakeshore, nice building sites amid typical boreal forest landscapes. Huge rock faced cliff guards a pond, deep forest and pristine lake views.

MLS#6118691

$198,900

PORTAGE LAKE LOT - GUNFLINT TRAIL

Direct access to the BWCAW. The lake has limited private land and has the wilderness feel. The large lot boasts 10.75 acres with 818 feet of accessible lakeshore. Nice building sites and dense evergreen forest, with unique fen for wildlife viewing.

MLS#6118643

$239,000

HOME ON CLEARWATER

LAKE ROAD

12+ acre property just a few miles from the center of the Gunflint Trail with a gorgeous view of Aspen lake! Two bedroom, 1 bathroom, single-level home is suitable for year-round use, with a wood fireplace and 4-season porch. Detached garage with ample workbench space and storage. Deeded lake access with a floating dock.

MLS#6119382 $375,000

LARGE HOME - SILVER BAY

Five bed, 2 bath home with plenty of room and comfortable spaces. Hardwood floors, fireplace, updated appliances and new mechanical systems. The large lower level has space for projects or rec-room. Large yard and extra garage.

MLS#6115564 $299,000

COZY LOG CABIN ON 83 ACRES

Come see this one bedroom, one bathroom, kit log cabin perched atop 83 acres, bordered by MN State land. Interior is accented by beautiful diamond willow railings and custom ironwork. Propane lights, refrigerator and cooking range reduce utility expenses.

MLS#6119194 $289,000

UNIQUE VACATION RENTAL

The “Little Lost Containers” has been crafted with skill to create a unique vacation rental. Situated on a ridge above Lake Superior, it captures magnificent views over Chicago Bay and Chimney Rock. It is all about the view with each room, 3 levels of decks, and the fire circle providing a place to soak in the beauty. Living room includes custom-made furniture that converts to a 2nd bed and the efficient kitchen provides everything for a relaxing stay.

MLS#6118409 $299,900

COMMERCIALRESIDENTIAL MIXED USE ZONING

Imagine the possibilities! This house plus business space could become a hostel or bed and breakfast. Or, live in the house and run your business out of the NE side. Currently it's used as a boarding house. The central location in the Mixed Use zone can't be beat! Bring your ideas!

MLS#6117545 $425,000

new 1755 Hwy 61 E

Super convenient location makes this well-designed 3br/2ba home on 2 acres a great find! Full walkout basement complete with south-facing windows, high ceiling, and ready to be finished.

MLS 6119046 • $524,900

new 15 W 8th Avenue

Affordable two bedroom with a Lake Superior view! Located within the City Limits of Grand Marais and in the much desired Commercial-Residential Mixed Use District.

MLS 6119140 • $239,900

335 W 9th Ave

Move-in ready 3br/2ba home in Grand Marais sits on a spacious lot with a private, woodsy setting. Features include stainless appliances, gas fireplace, two decks, and a detached garage.

MLS 6118429 • $339,900

178 Whippoorwill Lane

Escape to your own slice of paradise with this stunning 2BR/2BA log home, perfectly situated on 40 acres of natural beauty. Located in Hovland, this tranquil retreat offers the ideal blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. The expansive southern-facing windows provide breathtaking views overlooking the large pond full of wildlife! Step inside to discover a spacious interior with vaulted ceilings, beautiful wood flooring throughout, the loft with two balconies, and the magnificent stone wood-burning fireplace. The attached 2-car garage provides convenient storage space for vehicles, toys, and gear.

MLS 6118753 $649,900

879 Clearwater Road

Elegant 3BR/2BA Mid-Trail home on 5 wooded acres blends sophistication with nature. Features an open-concept main level, wood-burning fireplace, in-floor heat, patios, and a 3-season screen porch. Ideal for year-round or vacation use near BWCA.

mls6119230 • $589,900

1480 Devil Track Road

It’s all about the lake! This two-story, 4BR3BA retreat is situated on the desirable north shore of Devil Track Lake. Providing a blend of Northwoods charm and modern comfort, this home has it all! Lake views galore! Hot tub area just a few steps from the lake. A workshop & garage for toys and hobbies with heated floors, insulated walls/ceiling, and a cozy wood-burning stove. Recent updates include new ductless mini-split heat pump, new dock, and new shingles on all buildings! Experience the epitome of lakeside living in this exceptional home.

MLS 6117794 $785,000

185/187 Sag Lake Trail

Discover this exceptional four-bedroom, three-bath home that is nestled along the scenic Gull Lake, with 467 ft of frontage and approximately 5 acres of land, complete with rock outcroppings, pine trees, stunning views, and plenty of privacy. Ideal for the buyer wanting to enjoy paddling from their dock into the BWCA. This meticulously maintained property features a back-up generator system, attached heated garage, HUGE spacious heated garage, and workshop (including lots of storage & a golf net), along with two charming rustic sleeping cabins.

6117924 $1,500,000

257 Seagull Lake Road

Exceptional Seagull Lake property with tons of privacy. The property consists of 10.62A on over 480’ of lakeshore with a floating dock, oversized insulated garage and a camper.

MLS 6113853 • $539,900

new 12XX Golf Course Road

Great Location!! This very attractive 9.86-acre lot will be the perfect setting for your home, or Northwoods retreat.

MLS 6118951 • $119,900

Troll’s Trail

This rare 2-acre lot in Grand Marais offers a gentle south slope, simplifying construction, snow removal, and winter access. It features a creek and privacy.

MLS 6118480 • $79,900

MLS 6119033 • $99,900

new 1XX W 13th Ave

Nicely wooded 5 acre lot with Lake Superior views! close to Grand Marais, but far enough away for privacy and peace of country living. Electricity at lot.

Affordable Lake Superior lot with a beautiful view! Over 300’ of shared lakeshore and over 7A of shared land! XX9 Murphy Dr

MLS 6118382 • $119,900

Have you got a desire to build within the City Limits of Grand Marais? Nicely wooded, surveyed lot on the outskirts of town. X10 Murphy Dr

MLS 6118743 • $59,900

Top of the world views--Nice build sites with views of Lake Superior! This 5+ acre lot has sunny, southern exposure and great heights. Electricity at lot.

MLS 6118383 • $124,900

Beautiful Poplar Ridge condominium with views of the Poplar River and Lake Superior! 3BR/3BA with an extra sleeping area in the loft. Great location for a getaway!

MLS 6117961 • $499,900

This stunning end-unit Cliffhouse Townhome in Lutsen offers three bedrooms, three baths, and breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the Poplar River. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-out deck, and a private spa room with a jetted tub, it’s ideally located near Superior National Golf Course, the Gitchi Gami Trail, and Lutsen Mountains, blending luxury and outdoor adventure in a serene North Shore setting.

STEVE SURBAUGH Broker and Co-owner

CLAIR

NEW! EXPERIENCE BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR FROM THIS HOME LOCATED IN THE HEART OF TOFTE! Perched up on a hill this 3 bedroom home has amazing views of Lake Superior! Feel the stress of life melt away while you watch the sunrises/sunsets or the Nor wester storms roll in from the Living room, with the fireplace crackling in the background. The Kitchen is ready for all your baking needs, while the rec room downstairs is the perfect place for a TV room or play area. You even have an extra space that would make a great home office or crafts room! The Detached 1 car garage gives you room for your seasonal toys! There are plenty of activities within 10 miles: Skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, mountain biking and hiking to name a few. Or wander just a minute down the road to Bluefin Bay or Coho for a meal. Call today and start living the North Shore Dream!

MLS#6119200 $425,000

NEW! PLENTY OF ROOM TO EXPLORE IN SCHROEDER! Just south of Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder, and overlooking Lake Superior, are 40 acres of elbow room awaiting a new lover of the North Shore! Hard to find a large acreage parcel, easily accessible, and pitched just so to provide evocative, energizing views of the The Big Lake. Current owners have provided a good start: put the driveway in, cleared a building-site, heck they even planted a few apple trees. Now it’s your turn to start creating YOUR DREAM! Come have a look, stand in the middle of your own 40, deep and away from the cares and worries of modern life.

MLS# 6119000 $395,000

38+ ACRES OF SERENITY IN FINLAND SURROUNDED BY PUBLIC LAND ON ALL 4 SIDES! Wild, beautiful acreage is just thawing out and ready for a new owner. The forest is a mix, and there are large swaths of maple on level land. Currently, a cabin and assorted buildings have served a family well for years of getaways, storytelling, and improvisation. Buildings need attention and some new owners may wish to start anew, A handy new owner with vision may breathe life back into the buildings. The Superior Hiking Trail is very close. Fly-fish the Baptism River just down the road. Or maybe you just want to hang up a hammock between some trees and unwind!

MLS#6119163 $159,000

CALLING ALL PADDLERS! BAPTISM LAZY RIVER FRONTAGE WITH AWESOME CABIN!

Welcome to the Wilderness in Finland! This two-bedroom cabin will make a great full time home or a getaway just for you! The off-grid system is 100% solar with a backup generator, but still has amenities like fiber optic! Vaulted Ceilings & wood fireplace give you the ambiance of the woods. Large loft bedroom gives you plenty of room to relax and 19+ acres with 500+ft of shoreline on the Baptism River gives you room to explore! Large Detached garage for your toys and spacious 3 season porch mean you have everything you need to enjoy the Northwoods! Visit Today!

MLS#6118387 $399,000

by a stately stand of Norway Pines. The home has been lovingly and thoughtfully updated, class-act finishes. 3 bedroom, 2 bath, top-notch kitchen. Light pours into the home. Sensible floor plan provides gathering spaces and holing up for contemplation, crafts or working remotely. Large garage with a dreamy screen porch. Wilderness vibes and wildlife are dominant themes, yet Grand Marais is about five minutes away.

MLS#6117570 $649,000

ENJOY THE LOG CABIN LIFE IN FINLAND! Along one of the more serene sections of the Baptism River is 20 acres of boreal forest. Nestled in among those woods is an iconic Northwoods getaway – a square hewn log cabin! All off grid and ready for all the seasons with a screen porch, Fireplace and propane stove! Loft area for sleeping or storage. Nice path to the river invites moments for spring warbler identification, breezy summer strolls, crunchy fall walking, ski down to the winter’s, icy river and explore! George H Crosby Manitou State Park is just down the road. Finland is a great little town, and the Finland COOP is a throwback with everything a person could need. Come relax, realign, escape.

MLS# 6118579 $199,999

FUN TIMES AT EAST BAY IN GRAND MARAIS! CLOSE TO ALL THE GOODNESS OF MINNESOTA’S COOLEST SMALL TOWN!

LAKE SUPERIOR TOWNHOME!

$639,000 BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM HOME ON LEVEAUX MOUNTAIN IN TOFTE! MLS# 6115360 $549,000

Breathe in the Gitchee Gummi air, Relax, put the urban blues behind ya and chill out. When you are away, the unit is a workhorse earning income! This classy, Scandinavian Modern, 3-bedroom, 2-bath, well-appointed unit is just a stone’s throw from the lake. Everything you need to relax is here from the spacious Living Room with a fireplace to the balcony overlooking Lake Superior. This is the top floor unit - extra peaceful. Nothing to worry about with this property. Use it yourself and let it earn while you’re off doing you. Check it out today!

MLS#6118014 $450,000

CAMPN’, HUNTN’, FUN GETAWAY LAND, INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE!

FINLAND AREA

11 PLUS ACRES JUST 8 MILES FROM THE CROSS RIVER IN SCHROEDER! You’ve driven by this nice parcel during a Fall leaf color tour on the Cramer Rd, a beautiful area for your getaway cabin! Year round County Rd access, electric and fiber at the road. Level build site, boreal forest for great wildlife viewing! Lots of recreational opportunities just minutes away including fishing, hiking and biking the old railroad grade, or toe dipping in Lake Superior!

MLS#6118380 $79,000

SCHROEDER AREA

NEW! PLENTY OF ROOM TO EXPLORE IN SCHROEDER! Just south of Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder, and overlooking Lake Superior, are 40 acres of elbow room awaiting a new lover of the North Shore! Hard to find a large acreage parcel, easily accessible, and pitched just so to provide evocative, energizing views of the The Big Lake. Current owners have provided a good start: put the driveway in, cleared a building-site, set up the firepit, heck they even planted a few apple trees. Now it’s your turn to start creating YOUR DREAM! Begin with a little getaway place, put your own touches on the land. Or make it the homestead. Come have a look, stand in the middle of your own 40, deep and away from the cares and worries of modern life.

MLS# 6119000 $395,000

CREATE YOUR DREAM IN SCHROEDER! This 3+ acre parcel is right in Schroeder, with easy access to the Superior Hiking Trails and Snowmobile Trails. Plan your design to see the Distant Lake Superior views. Explore the nearby State parks or travel inland to one of the many inland lakes! Lutsen Ski Hill and Superior National Golf Course are less than 15 minutes away. Power and Fiber optic are right at the road for easy hookup for when you’re ready to reconnect to the world. Come check out this lot and begin making your dream a reality.

MLS#6118565 $91,000

LUTSEN AREA

NEW! PEACEFUL AND SECLUDED SPOT IN THE HEART OF LUTSEN! Rare opportunity to make Lutsen your home or vacation base! This lot in Jonvick Creek 2nd Addition is ideal for a North Shore getaway, with almost 4 acres of wooded area! Plenty of space to create your own oasis. Year-Round Access to enjoy all the seasons!

MLS#6119040 $69,000

SAVOR NATURE AT TAIT LAKE! Amongst the Tait Lake Pines in Lutsen, at the end of the road, is this nearly three acre lot. Feels larger as it abuts miles of public lands to the south and dedicated open space to the east. Current owners have provided a good start with clearing, dirt-work preparation and building sites. Great Location close enough to all the fun: skiing at Lutsen Mts, golf at Superior National, paddling the BWCA, hike Eagle Mt. 2 private HOA docks provide access to Tait Lake. Come get your foothold in the cool north, living life in a Lakeland wilderness.

MLS#6116905 $92,500

GRAND MARAIS AREA

NEW! ENJOY LAKE LIFE AT DEVIL TRACK IN GRAND MARAIS! Spend your days playing in the 200+ ft of shoreline swimming in the little cove or launch a kayak to explore! Maybe you would rather start up a campfire and make smores, the options are endless! The current owners have given you a head start on this 2.98 acre property with a circle driveway, a nice rock retaining wall and a cleared site! If you are ready for the good life on the lake and get away from the hustle and bustle this property is right for you!

MLS#TBD $269,000

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PURCHASING OVER 2 ACRES IN THE CITY OF GRAND MARAIS!

You don’t have to give up solitude to live in the city of Grand Marais, this is a perfect fit for a home with a great location. The YMCA and school are within walking distance and just a hop, skip and jump to the Gunflint Trail to access numerous trails for hiking, biking and snowmobiling and MANY inland lakes. Visit today and start your dream of enjoying the North Shore! MLS#6114386 $111,000 PRICE REDUCED

CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT

common loon

While canoeing in the Boundary Waters, we came across a family of loons. These little guys must have only been a few days old. As we passed by, I used a large telephoto lens to get a few shots without disturbing them.— Paul Sundberg