Ely Winter Times 2018

© Kahsha Hyde

Ely Winter Times

2018-2019

CONTENTS Ice Skating Epic A Polar Bear in Ely Meet Ely Bartenders Kicksledding Come to Ely Books for Blizzards Arts Resources & Galleries Ely Area Maps Where to Find What You Need

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© Wolvenwood Studio

Miles of glassy ice on Shagawa Lake, December 1, 2017

Ely Skates It was the week after Thanksgiving in 2017. Michelle and Ben were taking a short afternoon break from work to spend a few minutes together in nature.

A long cold and windy spell had chilled the lake water until it appeared almost like Jello about to set up. Then a calm frigid night turned the water to glass.

More sub-zero nights added depth and

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zig-zagging cracks until a person peering down into the ice had a surreal image of a solid layer shot through with bubbles and seams and even suspended vegetation. “Let’s go ice skating tomorrow,” Michelle suggested, imagining a quiet skate date with her partner on a wilderness lake.

“Yeah!” agreed Ben, who is the Ely

The Ely Winter Times

© Wolvenwood Studio

Pressure ridges commonly run between islands and points and along reefs high school hockey coach. “It’s Friday.

I’ll switch practice to Semers Park and we can skate on Shagawa.” Michelle was on board with that, having long ago joined with Ben in planning their activities to include the Ely community – sometimes at the expense of having time together as a couple.

“Let’s invite our friends, too, and maybe have a bonfire,” added Michelle.

Back at work a few minutes later the couple began thinking about this more seriously. They called the DNR to ask about the safety of the ice, and were reassured that other than some potentially weak spots around pressure ridges, the ice was safe for walking and skating, although not ready for heavy machines yet.

Michelle created an event on the Heavy Metal Sports Facebook page to invite © Mary Mills others, and within ten minutes had several people reply that they would be there. Before they closed up shop for the night, they were amazed to see that nearly 100 people had responded to the invitation.

Earlier in the week, a group of friends had been Miners Lake and most others also froze smooth the week after Thanksgiving 2018-2019

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thrilled with the amazing ice conditions and started skating on a different lake every day. They wondered if they could skate on 20 different lakes before the weather changed the ice to a rough or snow-covered surface. These women were active adventurers, paddling, biking, skiing, or hiking the lakes and woods around Ely nearly every day.

Savvy about assessing ice, they started © Sue Duffy

© Wolvenwood Studio

Ely High School’s hockey team skating on Shagawa 6

Martha getting a close-up view of the ice The Ely Winter Times

on the small first-to-freeze lakes like Johnson and One Pine. As the cold deepened they skated for miles on South Farm, Farm, Garden, and White Iron.

Then they added Miners and Shagawa.

One afternoon, after a long-distance skate, Martha and Sue were relaxing by batting a hockey puck around and chasing it. Sue knocked the puck far down the shoreline and Martha chased after it as fast as she could go. The day was cloudy, dim – flat light that shades everything with a sameness. She heard yelling. What was Sue saying? “STOP!” She did her best hockey stop, ending ten feet from open water. The puck had

skittered across it like a skipped rock, but Martha would have been one wet lady had she kept going. Wisely, the women were sticking close to shore with mostly shallow areas beneath them – but still, wet isn’t fun at zero-ish temps.

Checking their Facebook pages that evening, the group knew they had to be part of the Shagawa skating event. When they arrived at Semers Park the next afternoon, the hockey team was racing around the bay. The women were a bit hesitant to join in, being fit and confident but more restrained in their skating style as befits people closer to retirement age than to adolescence. But soon the

© Wolvenwood Studio

Semers Park shoreline during the epic skate 2018-2019

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hockey team took off down the lake, and others began to stream onto the ice – school kids, toddlers, grandmas, geezers, couples, families and groups of friends.

“I haven’t had these skates on in 20 years,” exclaimed one skater, eagerly but gingerly stepping off the shore and onto the glassy surface. “But I couldn’t miss this!”

When Michelle and Ben realized their

skate date was turning into an event with a crowd, they contacted their videographer friend, Mike Fitzgerald of Wolvenwood Studio. With just a few hours’ notice, he showed up with a camera and drone. From the film he shot that day, Mike created a two and a half minute video that has had more than 68,000 views and brought comments from all over the world. People were © Wolvenwood Studio

Hundreds of people of all ages came to skate on the lake 8

The Ely Winter Times

© Wolvenwood Studio

envious, wanting to fly here from great distances to have a chance to glide across the endless miles of silken ice on lakes ringed with pine forests and granite outcrops, eagles and ravens overhead, charming cabins nestled in the bays – all that Ely has to offer.

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The best guess is that close to 300 people joined in the fun that day. In less than 24 hours the word spread through the town, and December 1, 2017 became a day to remember. What Michelle remembers most vividly is the smiles. “Everyone was just grinning ear to ear.”

Eventually the sun set, people went to their warm homes and hot dinners. A few lingered by the bonfire for a bit. For the next three days the ice stayed smooth and skaters continued to flow

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across the lakes. The group of women added a few more lakes to their list, but didn’t make it to 20 before the snow flew, melding with the glassy ice to roughen the surface and press on the water below until it spurted up through the cracks and made slushy spots.

No one knows when this will happen again—it could be any early winter, but history tells us it’s a fairly rare event, requiring that perfect combination of thoroughly chilled lake water and a calm

frigid night followed by enough cold snowless days to thicken the ice to a safe depth. But when it does happen, Ely will remember 2017, and you can bet there will be another epic skate day on Shagawa Lake.

You can watch the Wolvenwood video at HeavyMetalSports.com

© Wolvenwood Studio

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The Ely Winter Times

A Polar Bear on White Iron Lake?!

Once upon a time, a young girl named Anja and her cousin Erik set out on a dogsled trip through snowy forests high in the mountains of Norway to celebrate the holiday season with friends at a festive Christmas party. Although the day was sunny when they started, soon snowflakes began to fall—gently at first, then harder and thicker until the children and their huskys could no longer find the path or tell which direction they were going. They were lost! That’s when the magic began.

Wolves began howling nearby, making the children anxious, but they

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Photography by Per Breiehagen needn’t have worried. Like all the animals Anja knew, these were kind and helpful creatures who led the children to a tent where they could be cozy waiting for the storm to blow away. But soon, investigating a scratching sound at the door, they found a sad, frightened baby polar bear who had been separated from his mother during the storm. Promising to help reunite the little bear with his mama the next day, the children settled down to sleep in the tent while the bear, finding the tent too warm, snuggled up outside with the dogs.

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was this all a dream? You can find the happily-ever-after ending in the book, The Polar Bear Wish.

But wait – there’s more to this story.

The kids, their dogs, the snowstorm, With the help of a bright red cardinal that was talented at navigation, a giant the tent – these things really did happen white reindeer who lived in a glistening near Ely, at Wintergreen Lodge on White ice castle, and a huge polar bear named Iron Lake. Anja is a real child; her Jager who had befriended Anja in a mother, Lori Evert, is a photo stylist and previous story, the children, their dogs, children’s book author; and her father, and the little polar bear met the next Per Breiehagen, is an award-winning day’s challenges, including broken pack Norwegian photographer. When Anja ice, icy blue glaciers, and snow-covered was born, Per realized that to be a fully mountains. The polar bear baby and participating parent he needed to curtail mama found each other again, and Anja his long trips to far-away places doing and Erik were free to find their way to shoots for prestigious media like National their party. But would they make it? What Geographic and Audubon. As Anja grew other troubles might they encounter? Or into a photogenic three-year-old who

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embraced her Norwegian genes by loving winter outdoor fun (she was crosscountry skiing at age two), her parents— with plenty of input from her—began to do imaginative photo shoots with her.

One shoot they did at her Grandma’s home in Norway was particularly magical. Per dressed Anja in a sweater and mittens his mother had knitted, a Norwegian stakk (traditional dress) that had been handed down in the family for several generations, and a pointed woolen red hat his sister had made. Anja went out and played in the snow in that outfit, and the resulting photos were so striking that the family used one of Anja with a reindeer for their Christmas card.

The enthusiastic response from friends, family, and colleagues led to more demand for Per’s images throughout the world. The photos from that day inspired Lori to make a children’s book.

Lori and Per searched his files of Nordic animals and Norwegian buildings and landscapes, then Lori and Anja

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began inventing stories from that imagery. They landed on an adventure fairy tale set in late 1800s Norway about a little girl who wishes to become one of Santa's elves. She skis out alone, and with the help of a succession of friendly animals, finds Santa Claus and the true meaning of Christmas. A designer friend combined the photos with the copy and the result was The Christmas Wish.

As charming and well-done as The Christmas Wish was, the family was still

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Bria runs ahead to lead the dogs into the camera’s field of view. surprised when, having submitted it to two publishers, Random House quickly accepted it. One book was certainly not going to be enough, and several more ensued, all featuring the delightful little girl and a menagerie of magical animals.

Per’s Arctic adventures had begun in the early 1990s when renowned Ely nature photographer Jim Brandenburg recommended Per to Ely’s Will Steger as the photographer for the TransAntarctica dogsled expedition. Later Per was commissioned to photograph a Wintergreen dogsledding expedition on Ellesmere Island, and soon he became friends with Wintergreen co-founders Paul and Sue Schurke.

Twenty years later, as the Wish stories developed and Anja’s wish for a puppy was granted in one of the books, a dogsledding adventure seemed like the perfect theme for a new Christmas title.

To write the book Lori and Anja needed to experience dogsledding and learn more about it, so Per contacted Wintergreen and made plans for the

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Breiehagen family to visit Ely and take a dogsledding trip. Delighted with the dogs and driving the sleds, Per, Lori, and Anja began more detailed plans for the new book. Per had plenty of potential photo Illustrations in his extensive collection of Arctic scenery and northern wildlife shots, but he would need to add images of Anja and her cousin Erik (a role filled by their family friend Oliver) with the dogs. So the family returned to Ely the next winter, hoping the weather and dogs would cooperate in providing the settings and interactions they needed for the story of two children, two special dogs, and a big blizzard.

The trip was successful almost beyond belief. A fresh snow the night they arrived and sunny skies the next morning provided the picturesque wintery scenes they needed. The next day the snow began again and soon was falling thick and heavy—perfect for the blizzard scenes. But it was the dogs who were most amazing. Paul and Sue’s daughter, Bria, was able to coach the two

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canine actors to howl and sleep on demand (well, some of the time at least), lie buried in the snow, and pull their sled in the directions and at the speed needed for the photography. Lori, Per, and Anja were so impressed by Bria that they named one of the dogs in the story after her. (The dog’s real name is Alice.)

The Wish Books have reached hundreds of thousands of readers around the world, with The Christmas Wish being on the New York Times bestseller list for four weeks. No doubt The Polar Bear Wish will be just as popular, but only Ely Winter Times readers will know the secret of where that blizzard actually 2018-2019

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occurred, how a polar bear made it to White Iron Lake (Photoshop gets some of the credit), and how to go dogsledding with the very same dogs that are in the book. You can sign up for your Wintergreen dogsledding adventure at their website, www.dogsledding.com, or call 218-365-6022. White Wilderness and Chilly Dogs also offer Ely-based dogsledding (see ads pages 3 and 10).

In just three days Per had enough photos for the 48-page book. Having had such a great time enjoying Wintergreen’s hospitality and Ely winter adventuring, the family was a little disappointed that they wouldn’t need to return for a second photo session. But undoubtedly they will be back to cuddle their favorite canines, join in the snowy sports, and explore all the in-town activities Ely has to offer.

You can find the Wish Books at Wintergreen Northern Wear and Brandenburg Gallery on Sheridan St. in Ely. Learn more about how these special books were made at The Wish Books on Instagram and Facebook and at www.TheWishBooks.net.

The family poses with soon-to-be-famous book dogs, Alice and Gabriel

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The Ely Winter Times

David at Insula

Meet Ely Bartenders If you want to know something about Ely and the surrounding area—like where to fish for crappies, find the best pizza, take the kids for a hike, look for an apartment, buy organic groceries, see a moose, rent outdoor gear, nearly anything—one of your best resources for information (besides this magazine) could be the person serving beverages at any of Ely’s many bars. You might think our bartenders are overeducated—many have college degrees, some advanced, but they have had to acquire some specialized knowledge beyond drink recipes to be good at their job. The most popular topic about which they need to have some familiarity is fishing—where to go, what’s biting, which bait. Ely visitors often ask a bartender’s opinion of

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Photos by Kahsha Hyde which lodging is best for their needs, what to do for fun, and where to find the wildlife they hope to see.

Here are five of the dozens of bartenders in Ely, and their thoughts about their job, the town, and a special winter beverage. All have made a deliberate choice to live in Ely because they like the community and they love being in a place where it’s so easy to get out in the natural world. All like their jobs primarily because of the people they meet (and the money’s pretty good in the summer). And all say that winter is quieter, giving them more time to get to know their customers.

David at Insula spends days with his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and works nights bartending at Insula. (Mom

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works the day shift at the same place, so if he has to be late for some reason, she can cover for him.) David’s high school offered week-long trips to the Boundary Waters and gave extra credit for reports on the trips, so he came as often as he could (and got great grades!). He worked construction in the Cities, installing drywall and carpeting as well as some carpentry, but knew he didn’t want to do that forever. He’d been interested in tending bar, but in the Cities it’s almost impossible to get a job as a first-time bartender. When he moved to Ely he was able to start his new career at Dee’s Bar, although he still did some construction work and cabin care on the side. When Insula opened he was glad to take a full time position there.

David’s recommendation for a special winter warm-up at Insula is the hot butterbeer rum (there’s no beer in it).

Requiring hours of simmering, it is only

offered as a specialty from time to time.

The ingredients include butter, brown sugar, cream soda, butterscotch syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Spiced rum is added to the mixture before serving it piping hot with whipped cream. It’s a great alternative to the popular desserts that are usually gone by the end of the dinner hour at Insula.

Jenny at the Boathouse is an aspiring Library Science student, hoping to start at UMD next fall. Her sister moved from Elk River to Ely first, and she followed when she wanted to make a change in her life. Although she misses sushi, she’s very happy with the small town lifestyle in Ely. She likes being able to walk from home to work to the stores, and loves how willing people are to help one another. She especially enjoys seeing the regulars at happy hour. The hardest part of the job for her was learning to answer all the questions tourists asked. Before

Jenny at the Boathouse Brewpub 18

The Ely Winter Times

© Ka

she realized the interview was for this magazine, she said she uses the Ely Summer Times for answers to tourists’ inquiries. And she knows which regulars can answer the fishing questions.

When a customer is looking for something new to try, she makes them a Grape Tootsie Pop. Made from grape schnapps, orange juice, and Kahlua, it may not look very appealing, but it tastes just like the candy it’s named for.

You’ll recognize the Ely Steak House bartender Jim by his nickname, Biggie.

Like David, he too came to Ely on canoe trips as a youngster. After college he moved here to work at the Boy Scout base on Moose Lake. Although he may take an overnight trip to Grand Marais for fun, he intends to live in Ely forever. He

likes the small town life, the regularity of his job, and being close to the lakes that he loves. At the bar, Karaoke nights can be especially lively, and he likes seeing how five or six people can come in as strangers, start chatting, and leave as pals. Winter is enjoyable because he gets to spend more time conversing with the regulars that he’s come to know over the five years he’s worked there.

Although Jim only drinks Summit Pale Ale himself, acknowledging that alcohol doesn’t make him a better person, he suggests the Toe Sucker if you want a drink to sip on all night or if you really want to get tipsy. Like Long Island Tea with an extra punch, this drink may require him to call Safe Ride for anyone who imbibes.

Jim at the Ely Steak House 2018-2019

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With a B.A. in Arts and English and a few years experience working in outdoor recreation in the North Cascades in Washington state, Dave came to Ely to attend Vermilion Community College to get a Natural Resource Tech certificate.

He liked it here enough to stay, so found a job at Silver Rapids Lodge tending bar, which gives him plenty of time to fish and hike during the day and look for work in his field. Ely is just the perfect size for him, and he intends to stay. The resort has guests from every state in the U.S. and many foreign countries, and Dave especially likes hearing about life where they come from. But he also enjoys hearing about the Ely area from their perspective. Since Silver Rapids is out of town a ways, it can be even slower in the winter than in-town bars. But being on a major snowmobile trail, it often suddenly fills up with exuberant sledders ready to warm up with homemade pizza and drinks.

Dave confesses to being a beginner at fancy drinks, although he has occasionally needed to use the blender and find some ice cream. But it was easy to learn to make Silver Rapids’ specialty—the best Bloody Mary in the Arrowhead. The homemade mix gives it a delicious flavor with just the right

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Dave at Silver Rapids Lodge amount of spice. In case you’re driving, a virgin Mary is just as flavorful.

Cindy is unique among this group of bartenders in that she owns the establishment where she works, Northern Grounds. She also works part time at her dream job—coordinator of the Ely Area Tourism Bureau. Cindy grew up in Ely, focused on hospitality and sustainable tourism to get her Masters degree, studied wine and food pairing in Spain, and returned to Ely to stay. She helped her parents run their outfitting, guiding, restaurant, and B&B businesses before taking on the Northern Grounds project in the renovated VFW building.

What she loves about bartending is getting to see how much her customers appreciate the space she designed.

From the beginning she wanted Northern Grounds to be a place people could

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come for meetings, work online with high quality internet service (which took an investment in equipment that makes it faster and more reliable than most places in town), and relax with coffee in the morning and beer, wine, or pre-made cocktails in the evening. She sees it as Ely’s hub of innovation, and has watched several forward-thinking projects go from idea to reality at the booths. Never one to take much of a break after she’s completed a project, she’s creating an event space upstairs and has several

more ambitious plans for boosting the local economy and making Ely an even better place to live and visit.

Cindy suggests sampling some of the 56 wines offered by the glass (the largest variety north of the Cities), although she‘s also fond of the cocktails on tap and the many Minnesota micro-brews.

You can meet these and many other friendly, knowledgeable bartenders in Ely by simply stopping in for a beverage at one of the bars. And an added bonus— you’ll know where the fish are biting!

Cindy at Northern Grounds 2018-2019

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© E. S. Lahtinen Oy

Story and photos

by Sarah Malick-Wahls

Kick, Glide, Repeat How familiar are you with traditional non-motorized methods of winter travel?

Let’s see, there’s skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding, skating, and kicksledding... what was that last one? If you are not already familiar with kicksledding I encourage you to give it a try. My husband and I fell in love with this traditional form of northern travel while visiting Norway and Finland a few winters ago; so much so, that we decided to bring this form of winter recreation to

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Ely. We thought it would be a great fit here with our persistent snow, residents’ and visitors’ love for outdoor activities, and proud Finnish heritage. We recently opened a shop downtown called Ely Bike and Kicksled where, in addition to fat tire and other bikes, we rent and sell the Esla brand of kicksleds, handcrafted in Finland since 1928.

Kicksleds look like a small wooden chair mounted on long runner skis. They are maneuvered on crusted snow or ice

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by kicking between the runners to propel yourself forward. Although it can be a nice workout, it doesn’t require as much balance as skiing and the technique can be picked up quickly. One of the great things about kicksledding is that it is easy to switch between gliding and walking, since there are no bindings to click in and out of. And this is a sport that can be enjoyed by people with a wide range of fitness levels.

The kicksled originates from northern Scandinavia. It likely evolved from a water or timber sled that could be pushed more easily by elongating the runners backwards. They were not standardized and mass produced until the late 1800s, but by the early 1900s they were considered one of the three most popular winter sports in Finland along with crosscountry skiing and ice skating. Modern models typically have a seat to carry goods or a passenger.

Kicksleds perform best during the periods when the snow is too slick for comfortable skiing, but they work great all winter on packed trails, roads without sand or salt, and on lakes with a hard crust or bare ice. In Scandinavia, kicksleds are used just for fun and also by professional athletes for training.

During our trip to Lapland a few winters ago, we saw kids pushing each other

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home from school, tourists playing on trails around resorts, and seniors using them to hold grocery bags and increase their stability while walking on icy sidewalks.

Kicksleds work well on flat or gentle terrain. Most beginners are more

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Š Heidi Pinkerton

comfortable stepping off and walking hills with sharp turns. Kicksleds can handle small turns downhill, as the runners are flexible just for that purpose, however they do not have a sharp edge to carve a turn like skis. When wind or late winter snow-melt exposes large expanses of bare patches on lake ice, kicksleds are generally easier to control than skis. Under such conditions an ice skater often needs to avoid or walk over cracks and uneven areas, but kicksledders can simply glide over or step off and carry the sled.

There are many places to enjoy kicksledding around Ely. You could follow the packed trails made by

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A perfect spot for kicksledding dogsleds across Fall or Moose Lakes, travel along the trails made by snowmobiles on Burntside, Fall, or Shagawa Lakes, and sled around the Trezona Trail or along less-used forest roads such as Hanson Lake Road or the Tomahawk Trail. On a trip to the Hegman Pictographs, you could walk the sled on the rocky and steep portions of the portage trail, but kick across the open ice.

While kicksleds are most commonly human-powered, you can also harness a

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Strap on a crate for supplies and have a seat when you’ve arrived. dog to the sled. This is a nice activity for a retired sled dog that still likes to pull, or any dog that can be trained to skijor.

Any winter boot can be used while kicksledding, but some may be more suitable than others. You’ll want footwear with appropriate insulation for the temperature. If you intend to travel a great distance, you may prefer a lighter insulation such as that in a ski boot, since you will be creating your own body heat. If you intend to kick somewhere on a cold day and spend a significant amount of time relaxing or fishing at your destination, more insulation would be important. Boots that fit snugly around the ankle will be most comfortable to

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prevent chafing. Deep tread on a boot will improve efficiency under normal conditions. When traveling on icy surfaces, traction cleats, spikes, or grips will save on energy expended and help prevent falls when you step off the sled.

If you want to try kicksledding this winter, stop by Ely Bike and Kicksled to check out the equipment. Rental starts at $10 per hour or $25 for a full day. Bring the kids too, as we've got sizes appropriate for youth through adults. The whole family will get a "kick" out of kicksledding!

You can learn more at www.elybikeandkicksled.com.

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Books for Blizzards Here’s plenty of fuel to feed your reminiscing this winter. Starting close to home, A Kid from Ely by Art Skantz will either be a nostalgic trip or a history lesson, depending on your age. Born in 1932 of Finnish immigrant parents in Ely, Art recalls growing up in the buildings that are now historic sites or just memories. He worked underground at Pioneer MIne, met his wife-to-be at the Forest Hotel, helped his dad with his duties as groundskeeper for Lincoln School, and did his share of bar-hopping in the days when there was one bar for every ninety Ely citizens. A section of photos adds to the sense of historical accuracy, but the book is mostly funloving and sometimes heart-breaking.

Along the same vein, I’m Not Lost is full of funny stories dotted with all the

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familiar 1950s Ely places. It has just one flaw—it’s too short. So treat yourself to one story a day to make it last. A perfect gift for an older Elyite, it creates many LOL moments following young Jack Williams through his Ely childhood.

Two decades earlier and deeper in the woods, Alec Boostrom, born of Swedish immigrants, was leading a much less civilized life in what was to become the Boundary Waters Wilderness. In Boundary Waters Boy his grandson Jack Blackwell (yes, related to Chief Blackwell) has recorded Alec’s stories of making a life in the wilderness.

Mixed into the stories of trapping, working a variety of jobs, and raising a family are well-researched historical details that Boundary Waters Journal owner Stu Osthoff calls “the best

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historical account I have ever seen of this area.” Full of familiar lakes, roads, and towns, it’s a local history lesson that is a truly enjoyable read.

Gichi Bitobig Grand Marais is also interesting local history, but from the late Fur Trade era. It focuses on the North Shore in the 1820s as seen through the journals of two young clerks for the American Fur Company. Here are details missing from most historical accounts of how the native Anishainaabeg (Ojibwe) people adapted to the changing political and economic milieu as the United States took over from British dominance and the fur trade expanded westward.

Rising Out of Hatred is included here not because it is set anywhere near Ely but because it’s illuminates the darkness of the difficult political atmosphere that permeates even our End of the Road community. Whichever side of the spectrum you favor, you’ll have a little better understanding of the other side when you’ve read this. It’s a gripping biography of a young white supremacist who attends a liberal college and struggles to make sense of two discordant worlds, each of which offers him a meaningful future but requires that he sacrifice an important part of his life. Thoroughly researched and honestly written, this is an important book for our times.

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It feels like tomorrow’s historical memoir, but Laurentian Divide is actually a novel—the most recent from local author Sarah Stonich. At least we like to think of her as local. She has lived in the area off and on, although she lives in Minneapolis now. And she certainly writes with the intimate knowledge of how things work in this neck of the woods. This story includes a few of the characters and is set in the same town as Vacationland, her last novel. It is even better written, easily competing with Minnesota’s best literary classics for its creative language and polished style.

Perfect for a cozy winter weekend’s entertainment with enough tension to keep the pages turning well into the night.

Definitely set in Ely, the novel Leave No Trace is a psychological thriller that begins with a father and son who disappear during a Boundary Waters canoe trip. Compared to Gone Girl by some reviewers, this is a gripping read 28

for a long winter night.

There are some wonderful new titles for your kids’ bookshelves this winter.

Famous local children’s author Mary Cassanova (Rainy River is close enough to be called local, plus Mary loves Ely and has a booth at Blueberry Festival every year) has another wonderful book, Hush Hush, Forest. A companion to Wake Up, Island, this book’s charm is made all the more vibrant by Nick Wroblewski’s colorful wood cut illustrations that will make you want to tear out pages to hang on your walls as art. But don’t because they really belong with the poetic text that follows wildlife settling down for a northern night. A perfect cabin gift.

There’s more poetry and plenty of whimsy in Snow Day! A friendly snow dragon roars through a child’s dream, and the child wakes to snow drifts and school closing announcements.

Following the child and many friends, plus several fluffy white pups, through the fun of “No school today!”, 24 poems add to the bounce and rhythm of childish enthusiasm for winter play. Here’s a limerick example to try out on the kids: There lived an old grouch on my corner Who yelled at us kids all last summer.

But we shoveled his walk, And he came out to talk, With hot cocoa to make us feel warmer.

The Mukluk Ball may not directly The Ely Winter Times

say so, but it is clearly set in Ely with references to the Echo Trail, Shagawa Square Dancers, the Vanilla Mouse Cafe, and the Mukluk Store. It tells the story of a dance-loving bear who is afraid his hibernation instincts will make him miss the popular winter dance fest. But his owl friend wakes him, and he has a delightful time. Of course, this book is available at Steger Mukluks on Sheridan Street.

Me and You and the Red Canoe is a beautifully-crafted canoe trip story of fishing in the quiet of early morning and bringing a trout back to camp for breakfast. The antique-looking pictures and poetic text make it feel like it’s already a classic.

If you ever played pond hockey and wish for your favorite youngsters that they could know all that is good about a 2018-2019

game played under the sky, share this book with them. The first in the Play Wild! series of outdoor sports titles for kids, Where I Fly brings the game out under the northern lights with deer and wolves as fans, a crackling hot campfire for a concession stand, and a family of teammates.

A non-fiction section includes winter constellations and a glossary of hockey terms.

Watch for more Play Wild books, which will include dogsledding, canoeing, and cross-country skiing.

In case you missed it, the story of making the children’s book The Polar Bear Wish in Ely is on page 10.

All these books can be found at Piragis’ Upstairs Bookstore, and many are available at the Ely Public Library.

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ART in ELY WALLS & SHELVES

Art & Soul Gallery 427 E. Sheridan Street The Brandenburg Gallery 11 East Sheridan Street Fernberg Art Gallery 2267 Fernberg Road Front Porch Coffee & Tea Co. 343 East Sheridan Street Kekekabic Studio 118 East Chapman Street Kess Gallery and Frame Shop 130 East Sheridan Street Ornamental Hermit Studio 132 N 1st Ave E

ARTISTS’ WEBSITES Chris Koivisto Ceramics ElyArt.com Sharee Johnson Jewelry ShareeJohnsonJewelry.com Heidi Pinkerton RootRiverPhotography.com

ORGANIZATIONS

The Art Corner 301 West Sheridan Street Arts in Ely ArtsInEly.org Ely Art Walk ElyArtWalk.com Ely Arts & Heritage Elyxxx.org Ely Photographic Collaborative Find it on Facebook Gardner Trust GardnerTrust.org Northern Lakes Arts Assn.

ElyArts.org Tofte Lake Center TofteLake.com

Rosemary Shepherd?¥

Above are visual arts only. For a complete directory of all Ely arts see the Directory at ArtsinEly.org

30

Maps of the Ely Area Downtown Area

Camp St. 4 5 17 18 19

1

20 27 28

30

31 32 33

37

34 35

36

7

26 29 10 11 12 16 21

8

Whiteside Park

Sheridan St. 6

3

25 Chapman St.

14 22

24

13 23 15

Harvey St. 38 8 Ave

Central Av.

9

10 Below Coworking 10 Art & Soul Gallery 33 The Art Corner 1 The Boathouse 19 Brandenburg Gallery 17 Britton’s Café 11 Chapman St. Bookstore 21 Crapola 16 City Hall/Fire/Police 25 Ely Area Credit Union 9 Ely Bike & Kicksled 4 Ely Bloomenson Pharmacy 2 Ely Clinic and Hospital 2 Ely Community Resource 36 Ely Folk School 27 Ely Free Clinic 38 Ely Outfitting 37 Ely Public Library 24 Ely Steak House 26

Ely Steam Bath Evergreen Cottage The Front Porch Gardner Trust HAK Ely Hand-Done T-Shirts Heavy Metal Sports Incredible Ely Hq. Insula Restaurant J&L Hardware Joe’s Marine & Repair Kekekabic Studio Lakeshore Liquor A Laundry Room Legacy Toys Mike’s Liquor Northern Grounds Organic Roots Bistro The Pebble Spa

4 Ave

2

1st E

Conan St.

15 22 31 23 12 18 12 10 20 14 4 14 35 35 8 32 6 21 28

School

Piragis Northwoods Co Plum Bun Bakery Prairie Fire Tobacco Post Office Potluck Kitchenware Senior Center Sir G’s Sisu Yarn Shop State Theater Steger Mukluks Sustainable Ely Tranquility Wellness Washington Auditorium WELY Wintergreen Northern Wear Women’s Wilderness Dvry Zeugner Accounting Zup’s Grocery

5 34 21 23 16 13 36 7 29 18 26 3 32 21 27 32 16 30

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2018-2019

31

Public Landing

Shagawa Lake

Pioneer Rd

68 69 55 Public Landing

Miners Lake

59 55 Semer’s Park

r St. Chandle W.Shagawa Rd.

M

55

Dr. iner’s

58

Main St.

Washington St.

56 Madison St. Camp St. 62 12 Ave

10 Ave

8 Ave

65

Harvey St. 1st E

1st W

Central Av

54

Whiteside

Sheridan St. Chapman St.

2nd W

Hwy 169 to Tower

3rd W

53

6 Ave

See Detailed Downtown Area Map on Page 39

Conan St. School

Hospital & Clinic

White St.

52

Pattison St.

Ice Arena

50 James St. Boundary St. Wilson St.

Golf Course

Hwy 21 to Babbitt

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Beacon Hill

Adventure Inn Amici’s Event Center Arrowhead Outdoors Dorothy Molter Museum Carefree Living Ely-Bloomenson Hosp./Clinic Ely Chamber of Commerce Ely Northland Market Ely Rec Center, Skating Rink 32

62 50 64 73 54 52 67 57 58

Snowmobile trail maps are free at many businesses and the Chamber of Commerce. For snowmobile events and trail conditions see www.elyigloo.com.

Ski and snowshoe trail maps are available at Piragis Northwoods Co. and the Forest Service. For more area XC skiing info see www.elynordic.org.

Ely-Winton History Museum Evergreen Restaurant Grand Ely Lodge Hidden Valley Recreation Area International Wolf Center Mike Motors Miners Dry, Arts & Heritage Ctr Pillow Rock R & R Transfer Storage

61 68 68 72 71 65 69 59 74

The Ely Winter Times

57

ELY CALENDAR PARKING November 1 through May 31

Pioneer Rd

55

Hwy 88

Savoy Rd 55

74 17 Ave

60

Park on the North or West side on odd numbered days, the South or East side on even numbered days. You may park on the next day’s side after 6pm.

Vermilion Community College 61 66 70

Hwy 169 to Winton/Fernberg Trail

Sheridan St. 71 73

15 Ave

63

Cemetery

Hi dd

en

Kawishiwi Tr Va lle y

Hwy 1 to Airport and North Shore

14 Ave

67

64

Rd .

72

N

W

Ely

E

S Recycling Center Studio North Fitness Center Trezona Trail Wolf Track Classic Start USFS Visitor Center VCC Admissions VCC Theatre Veterinary Clinic

2018-2019

53 60 55 63 70 66 61 56

33

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82 Echo Trail

WINTON Burntside Lake

Hwy 88

95

93 94

Shagawa Lake

87

Fall Lake 83 88

Kawishiwi Tr 89

Ely

92 Fernberg

Garden Lake Farm Lake

Hwy 169

White Iron Lake

Hwy 1 Hwy 21

81

86

91

90

85 84

Alder Place Babbitt & Embarrass Bear Head State Park Camps Du Nord and Widji Chilly Dogs Snowshoe Cabins Kawishiwi Falls

85 85 81 82 84 86 88

Koschak Farm Log Cabin Hideaways The Long Branch Marjo Motel Nordic Home North Arm Ski Trails St. Louis Co. Landfill

94 92 87 81 81 82 85

Silver Rapids Lodge Snowbank Lodge South Farm Ski Trails Veteran’s on the Lake Voyageur Outward Bound White Wilderness Dogsled Wintergreen Dogsledding

89 92 91 83 86 86 90

PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY! © Steve Voiles

34

The Ely Winter Times

Information, Goods, & Services Books, Arts, and Education Chapman Street Books

Quality used books on all subjects.

Free box. Bring your used books in for a discount. Prairie Fire Tobacco has imported and domestic blends. More info at the new Facebook page. 139 E. Chapman St. 365-2212 This business is for sale. See pg. xx

ARTS IN ELY

Online directory of Ely area artists, arts organizations, venues, and resources goes live in January. Sign up for a free listing, find the arts you need, or donate at ArtsinEly.org.

Home, Cabin, & Beyond Snowmobiles & Small Engines

Whether you’re moving snow or riding over it, Joe’s Marine and Repair can help. Mechanics are on duty to keep your snowblower and your snowmobile ready to go. Parts in stock.

25 W. Chapman St., 365-6264.

Rent Anything

From J&L Hardware. Tables, event tents, forklifts, things you might not even think you needed. Drop in to see what will make your life easier and get projects done.

Ely Freecycle

Traditional crafts, natural history, music and dance, and much more. ElyFolkSchool.org

Keep it out of the landfill. At http:// groups.yahoo.com/ElyFreeStuff. Or use Ely Swap and Sell Facebook group.

Meditation, Pickleball, Ice Skating, Dog Training., Financial Planning. ElyClasses.com

Traffic Conditions

For detours and weather-related road problems. Call 511 or go to www.511mn.org.

Up North Jobs will post your job openings for free and counsel job-seekers in creating a resume and interview skills. UpNorthJobs.org.

North and West sides on odd days, South and East sides on even days. You can park on the next day’s side after 6 pm. Nov. 1–May 31.

Ely Folk School

Ely Community Education Help Wanted?

For the Kids Ely Recreation Center

Indoor activities and special events–table games, movie nights, game nights, dances.

Snacks available during open hours. See page 45 for hours. Open skating M-F 3-8, Sat 12-8, Sun 1-6. Go to ElyCommunityResource.org or call 365-5254 about special events. 1043 Main St. - see map page 32.

Ely Public Library

See pages 40-45 for lots of free programs.

Just visiting? You can still get a card to check out books, movies, and music. Book club for all adults 3rd Monday 3 pm.

Win a Free BW Trip

Teenagers only. Submit your essay on why you’d like to go on a trip with just your friends. Applications due Feb10, 2019. See ElyOutfittingCompany.com/EssayContest

2018-2019

Ely Calendar Parking

Health & Safety Seniors & Caregivers

Northwoods Partners will offer beginning Tai Ji Quan for Balance for seniors starting Feb 5.

Also help for caregivers who need a break.

Call 365-8019.

Free Clinic

Every Monday 5:30-7pm at 111 S. 4th Ave. E., across from the school. For anyone without adequate insurance to cover their costs.

Mental Health Help

Northern Lights Clubhouse offers a place to socialize, improve job skills, have a meal, and share with others. ElyNLC.org, 235-9539

Lost Pet?

Found pets are usually taken to the Ely Vet Clinic, which also provides excellent and affordable care for animals large and small.

On call 24/7 at 365-5911.

35

The Ely Dining Guide Ely restaurants provide an outstanding choice of excellent foods in a variety of atmospheres. Hours vary, so call for current open times. $: dinner entreés, or whatever it would cost for a meal for those not serving dinner. C: children’s menu, V: vegetarian items, GF: gluten free. # location on the maps pg. 31-33 Many places have menus on their websites, which are easy to find searching the name + Ely.

The Boathouse Ely’s only brewery serves seasonal brews and great food in the family dining

room or bar. Fill up with specialty burgers, pulled pork or brisket sandwiches, three kinds of reubens, and walleye fish and chips. Winter-only piled-high pizza. Beer in growlers to go and BW containers. Big TVs for sports. Full bar. 47 E. Sheridan St., 365-4301 $9-16, C V GF #19

Britton’s Café • Great local flavor in the food and the guests, Britton’s has served meals

longer than any other Ely restaurant. Open from 6 am, to 2 pm, their hearty breakfasts will keep you warm all day. Homemade breads and baked goodies, French toast specials. Lunches feature Ely ethnic specialties. Take-out available. 5 E Chapman St, 365-3195 $5-12 C V GF #11

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The Ely Winter Times

Crapola Did you have a crappy morning? If not yet, stop on in and add some healthy fiber to your diet with locally made, mostly organic granola, yogurt parfaits, full-of-nutrients and delicious smoothies, cookies, and fair-trade coffee. Buy extra to take home in bulk, or as gifts in pun-filled packaging. Bumper stickers and T-shirts too. 16 N First Ave, 365-6161 $5-7 V GF #16

Ely Steak House • If you’re hungry for a meaty meal, this is the place. Perfectly prepared

steak, walleye, chicken, the famous Bucky Burger, and PRIME RIB on weekends. Discounts for early diners till 4:45 and for seniors. Full bar with seasonal specialty warm-you-up winter drinks.

Ely’s winter night hotspot with pool and karaoke. 216 E Sheridan, 365-7412 $12-40 C V GF #26

Evergreen Restaurant • & Antlers Lounge at Grand Ely Lodge. B’fast, lunch, and dinner emphasizing flavorful specialties like Wild Mushroom Ravioli and Caesar Prime Rib sandwich.

Lounge has extensive appetizer menu, happy hour, and Vikings game specials. Easy access from Trezona and snowmobile trails. Open 365 days. 400 Pioneer Rd, 365-6565 $8-26 C V GF #68 Insula Restaurant • Gourmet seasonal menu with many locally sourced and organic

ingredients served in a congenial atmosphere. Fresh and unusual flavor blends in the New American cuisine and old favorites like reubens and fried chicken. Breakfast frittatas, delicious desserts. Specialty cocktails, wines, and beer. 145 E. Sheridan, 365-4855 $9-32 C V GF #20

Front Porch • Ely’s coffee and computer hot spot with free wi-fi and fireside sofas, kids’ play

area, and a private room for meetings. Fair trade coffee and tea, special hot chocolate flavors, chai, lattés, pastries and pie, wraps, quiche, homemade soup and chili, smoothies, muffins, and desserts. Ely Winter Festival Headquarters. 343 E Sheridan St 365-BEAN $5-8 C V GF #31

Grounds • Early morning espresso, roasted-on-site coffees, teas, and hot chocolate. Soup and sandwich specials, madefrom-scratch fresh-baked pastries, and breads.

Sunday morning bottomless mimosas. 56 bythe-glass fine wines, MN crafted beer, specialty cocktails. Their cupcakes are as delicious as they are fancy!Open year-round from 6am to 9pm. 2 W. Sheridan St.. 365-6010 $5-8 V GF #6

Northern

2018-2019

37

Fast Food Options Dairy Queen - 1441 E. Sheridan (closed Dec 10 to Jan 3)

Crapola - 16 N. 1st Ave. E Log Cabin Coffee - 1340 E. Sheridan Northland Deli - 1230 E. Sheridan Plum Bun Bakery - 402 E. Sheridan Subway -1520 E Sheridan Zup’s Deli - 303 E Sheridan

© W.A.Fisher

Insula’s Pulled Pork Wontons - Yum!

Organic Roots • Organic local foods to go or eat in the intimate setting. Special dietary

needs can be accommodated without a fuss. Daily flatbreads, soups, salads, and sandwiches with vegan options. Deli counter, ready-to-go wraps and salads, healthy sweets. Also bulk organic produce. Organic wine and beer. Lunch Mon-Sat,. 141 E. Chapman St 365-2799 $5-14 V GF #21

Sir G’s • Special Italian cuisine at one of Ely’s most popular dining spots. The pasta is made by

hand right there, and they season their own meat for flavorful fillings and delicious meatballs.

Plenty of pizza options. Save room for the Italian desserts. Wine and beer. Take-out (call ahead) and delivery. Special prices for seniors over 55. 520 E Sheridan, 365-3688 $10-19 C V GF #36

Snowbank Lodge • Make a reservation the night before, then take the 20-mile scenic drive on the Fernberg to the doorstep of the BWCAW for a homestyle breakfast or dinner at this historic resort on a wild lakeshore. Single entrée, vegetarian by request. Friendly folks! Beer and wine coolers. 14564 Snow Lodge Rd, 365-6032. $19 complete dinner and dessert. V #92

Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium Comfort foods and healthy alternatives, homemade pizza, salads, soups, desserts. Sunny deck or cozy fireplace. 955 E. Sheridan St, 365-7348 $7-16. C V GF

Oriental Orchid More than 90 Vietnamese and Chinese menu items.Weekday lunch specials. Call ahead for faster take-out or eat in. Free hot tea. 506 E. Sheridan St., 365-7502 $8-17 V

Stony Ridge Open most winter weekends, call to be sure. 50 varieties of Ely’s biggest burgers plus stuffed hashbrowns, ribs, and chili. Beer and wine. 60 N. Lakeview, 365-6757 $10-25 C V GF

Winton Roadhouse The menu changes daily with specialty flatbreads, meal-size pretzels, and pizza. Full bar, sports on big TV, pool. Special events. 252 Main St, Winton, 365-3339 $6-10 38

The Ely Winter Times

© Ken Hupila

Ely Spiritual Gatherings

Berean Baptist Church 2281 Hwy 169 365-5413 Ely Gospel Church 3 E Allaire St 365-5272 First Lutheran Church LC MS 915 E Camp St 365-3348 First Presbyterian Church 226 E Harvey St 365-5130 Grace Lutheran Church ELCA 301 E Conan St 365-5605 Ledgerock Comm. Church 1515 E Camp St 365-4890 Oasis Int’l Church Ely Senior Center 235-1151 Call for mid-week service times. They are always held but times vary.

Praise Fellowship Christian 302 E Boundary St 365-6033 St. Anthony’s Catholic Church 231 E Camp St 365-4017 St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 715 S Central Av 365-4914 Thursday Night Group location varies, call 365-3346 We do not subscribe to any one path for spiritual enlightenment.

United Methodist Church of Ely 305 E Camp St 365-3355

Sun 10:30 Sun 10, Wed 6:30 Sun 10:30, Mon 6pm Sun 11 Sun 9:30 Sun 9:30 Sun 10 Sun 10 Sat 5 pm, Sun 10 T, W, F 8am Sun 9:30 Th 7pm Sun 10

Ely Area 12-Step Meetings

AlAnon Catholic Church Basement, Room 4 Babbitt Woodland Presbyterian Church Alcoholics Anonymous Catholic Church Basement, Room 1 Women, Open –Catholic Church Basement Miracle on Camp St, open – 1st Lutheran Church Big Book open, Babbitt Woodland Presbyterian Church Open, Hospital multi-purpose room (get directions at nurses station) Keep It Simple, open - Babbitt Woodland Presbyterian Church Open Step and Traditions meeting - Presbyterian Church Happy, Joyous, and Free, open, Presbyterian Church Open meeting - Hospital multi-purpose room Narcotics Anonymous Hospital multi-purpose room (get directions at nurses station) Codependents Anonymous Catholic Church Basement, Room 3 (use west entry by parsonage) 2018-2019

Sun 8 pm Thu 7 pm Sun 8 pm Mon noon Mon 7 pm Tue 7 pm Wed 8 pm Thu 7 pm Fri 7 pm Fri 7 pm Sat 7:30 pm Wed 6:30 pm Fri noon 39

Children’s holiday workshop at the Holiday Fantasy & Craft Fair at Miners Dry - Nove 23rd this year

Check Ely.org, posters, WELY, local papers and the Ely Shopper for updates and additional events. Ely Folk School classes are at their website. Events listed are open to the public; some may require prior registration. Many are free. A high school sports calendar is available at the school’s general office. VCC - Vermilion Community College. Area code is 218 unless noted. Most locations are shown on the maps on pages 31-34; church addresses are on page 39. No reason to ever complain about “nothing to do” in Ely ...

Winter 2018-2019 Ely Area Calendar NOVEMBER 17, 10-3 18, 6pm 21, 5pm 22, 4pm 22, 5-8pm 22, 6-9pm 22, 6-8pm 22-Dec 2 23, 12-4 24 24, 10-2 24, 5-7pm 27, 7pm 29, 2pm 29-Dec 7 29, 7:30pm 30, 3:30

Gifts that Give Fair, fair trade & local gifts, non-profits First Persbyterian Churc Thanksgathering Community Celebration, 365-6921 LedgeRock Comm. Church Celebration of Thanksgiving First Lutheran Church Thanksgiving Potluck, all welcome Ely Folk School Festival Tree Lighting, Silent Auction & Raffle, Northwoods Partners Grand Ely Lodge Thanksgiving Night Shopping, ely.org Downtown Ely Live Music with Max Thompson, local accordion and keyboard player Potluck Kitchenware Festival of Trees, Northwoods Partners fundraiser Grand Ely Lodge Holiday Fantasy & Craft Fair, StoneSoupEvents.net, sleigh rides & more Miners Dry Small Town Christmas, SHOP LOCAL!, ely.org, Downtown Ely Holiday Fantasy & Craft Fair, ElyGreenstone.org Miners Dry Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, bonfire, cocoa, ely.org, Downtown Ely & Whiteside Park Herbal Gifts: Salt Scrub, register at ElyClasses.com Ely HS room 10 All About Elderberry Tranquility Wellness NLAA Fall Show, “A Tiny Miracle with a Fiberoptic Unicorn” see posters for times VCC Theatre Energy Share Tranquility Wellness Pinterst Projects for all ages, supplies provided Ely Library pancakes

Cut your own Christmas tree. Permits $5 at the US Forest Service.

40

The Ely Winter Times

2018-2019

DECEMBER

1, 9-11am 2, 11am 2, 2pm 3, 5-7pm 5, 3:30 8, 11am 8, 1-3pm 8, 3-5pm 8, 1-3pm 9, 1-4pm 10, 3pm 11, 6:30pm 13, 7pm 13, 3:30 15, 4-6pm 16, 6pm 18, 4:30 19, 1:15pm 27, 11 am 22, all day 27-28 28, 7pm 24, 5pm 30, all day

Santa Day, bring the kids to visit with Santa, free pancakes & more Grand Ely Lodge Children’s Slovenian St. Nicholas celebration, all welcome Catholic Church Basement Ely Community Christmas Cantata Washington Auditorium "Tangled Up in Hue" Art Exhibition Open House Art & Soul Gallery Holiday Music with Zachary Scot Johnson, all ages Ely Library High School Nordic Ski Race, Ely Invitational Hidden Valley Mrs. Claus Party w/ Santa, ely.org Amici's Event Center Holiday Party, everyone welcome Ely Folk School Christmas Cookie Sale ($7/lb) & Dessert Social First Lutheran Church Kids Christmas Workshop, 365-5605, all welcome Grace Lutheran Church Friends of the Library Book Discussion, Catcher in the Rye Ely Library 10 Below Co-working Professional Development Workshop, free, Social Media Leads and Sales Ely Schools Winter Concert & Art Show Washington Auditorium Monthly Movie Matinee (with popcorn), Christmas with the Kranks Ely Library Embarrass Finnish Ice Candle Celebration 984-2084 Embarrass Town Hall Reflections Dance Copmany Winter Showcase VCC Theatre Music by local group, The Accidental Ensemble Ely Library Elementary School Winter Concert Washington Auditorium Pinterest Projects for all ages, supplies provided Ely Library Ely &. Winton Christmas Bird Count, 235-8078 Ely-Winton area Girls’ Basketball Hoops-for-Hope Tournament, starts 7:15pm Thurs Ely Memorial HS Gym Boys’ Holiday Basketball Tournament Ely Memorial HS Gym Christmas Eve Candlelight Service First Lutheran Church Isabella Christmas Bird Count and lasagna dinner, 753-6110 Isabella area

JANUARY

4, all day 5, 10am-3pm 6 6, 2pm 7, 5-7pm 8, 6:30pm 9, 10:30am 11, 7pm 11-13 12, 8am 14, 3pm 17, 6pm 18, 6:30 19 19-20, 10-4 19-20 20-22, 6:30 23-27 25, 4pm 26, 6pm 31, 11am

Eagle’s Nest Christmas Bird Count, xxx Eagle’s Nest area KC PRO Ice Racing, Kids Snowmobile oval races Longbranch Reflections Dance Company Winter Session begins, molson727@gmail TBA MN Youth Ski League begins, ages 4-14, mysl@elynordic.org Hidden Valley "Comedy" Art Exhibition Open House Art & Soul Gallery 10 Below Co-working Professional Development Workshop, free, Your Social Footprint Chad Lewis, Supernatural Lake Superior Ely Library Hogwarts Alumni House Cup Championship, adults, must pre-register Ely Library North Country by Dogsled, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center Zooming in on Wildlife Photo workshop w/ Heidi Pinkerton, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center Friends of the Library Book Discussion, Master Butcher’s Singing Club Ely Library Storytelling Evening, “I Didn’t See That Coming” ElyStorytelling@gmail.com Senior Center Hogwarts Active Student House Cup Championship. grades 6-12, must pre-register Ely Library Annual Fun Run rally, snowmobilefunrun.com Ely, Babbitt, Tower Painting Workshop w/ Adam Swanson, TheArtCorner.net The Art Corner Wolf Family Rendezvous, ages 6 and up, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center Auditions for Ely Community Spring Musical, Cabaret, 365-5070 VCC Theater Northland 300 Snowmobile Ride, www.northland300.org Grand Ely Lodge-Two Harbors Harry Potter Wizards in Training, grades 2-5, must pre-register Ely Library Polka Party, Free for all ages sponsored by ECR Amici’s High School Nordic Ski Race, Ely Pursuits Hidden Valley

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42

The Ely Winter Times

© Jude Jalonen

FPO Some people will go to any length to shorten winter!

Get schedules for the Ely Winter Festival & Wolf Track Classic online or in town the week prior to the event.

FEBRUARY 4-9 4, 5-7pm 5, 10am 7-9 7-17 7-17 7-17 8-10 8, 7pm 9, 10am 9,-10 11-5 9, 10-1pm 9, 10-4 9, 12-3 9, 1-5 9, 2-4pm 9, 2 pm 9, 2pm 9, 5-8pm 9, dusk 11, 3pm 12, 6:30pm 13, 6-9pm 15, 5pm 16,-17 11-5 16, 2pm 16, 3:30 16, xx 15-16 15-18 21, 6pm 22-24 22-23

NLAA Amateur Snow Carving Contest, Whiteside Park "Blues in the Night" Art Exhibition Open House Art & Soul Gallery Beginners TaiJi class starts, 365-8019 Ely Rec Ctr 3rd Annual Bird Feeder Design Contest rootbeerlady.com for rules and entry Ely Winter Festival, elywinterfestival.com Ely Area Ely ArtWalk, free guide at Front Porch and Chamber Downtown Ely Northwoods Medallion Hunt,Coolect wooden nickels, win prizes, ely.org Ely Area Winter Expedition in the North Woods, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Cente Ely Folk School Community Dance, music by The Bootlickers, 235-0138 Senior Center Kubb Tournament, ElyKubb.com Whiteside Park Open House and Tours Dorothy Molter Museum Open House and campus tours VCC admissions office Downtown Arts Market, NLAA, 365-5070 for booth The Art Corner Whirlwind Family Activity Day, Free, 365-4451 Dorothy Molter Museum Annual Fish Fry for All, yum... 365-6900 Veterans on the Lake Ely ArtWalk Meet the Artists The Art Corner Performance: The Sebastian Project, art, music, and poetry VCC Theater Make Your Own Rootbeer, 365-4451, pre-register Dorothy Molter Museum Annual Spaghetti Dinner, Ely Comm. Resource fundraiser Catholic Church Candlelight Ski by Ely Nordic, free, all welcome, ElyNordic.org Hidden Valley Friends of the Library Book Club, Leonardo da Vinci Ely Library Professional Development Workshop, free, Funnels and Funnel Hacking 10 Below Co-working Writers’ Night Out all welcome, 365-3375 or RavenWordsPress.com Northern Grounds Dorothy Molter Annual Fundraising Dinner, 365-4451 Grand Ely Lodge Open House and Tours Dorothy Molter Museum Snowshoe to Pictographs with Outward Bound, free 218-491-6789 Hegman Lake Mesabi Symphony Orchestra Concert Washington Auditorium Skinny/Fat Bike & Ski races, see Ely Nordic Facebook for registration info Hidden Valley Wolves after Dark, wolf.org, Int'l Wolf Center Great Backyard Bird Count, BirdSource.org/gbbc Ely and USA Storytelling Evening, “IRepairs of All Kinds” ElyStorytelling@gmail.com Senior Center Women and Wolves: Northwoods Winter, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center 13th MN Snow Run - Pink Ribbon Riders.com Grand Ely Lodge

2018-2019

43

23-24 23, 4pm 23, 5:30 24, 7am 24, 9am

WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race, WolfTrackClassic.com WolfTrack Classic Musher all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Dinner (food at 5) Enchanted Forest adult dinner & dance, AmicisEventCenter.com Mushers and teams gather, public welcome WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race Starts

Ely area VCC Cafeteria Amici’s Ely Softball Complex Ely Softball Complex

MARCH • APRIL • MAY 1, all day BW Choral Festival & Concert at 7pm Washington Auditorium 4, 5-7pm “My Favorite Colors” Art Exhibition Open House Art & Soul Gallery 7, 7pm Music in Our Schools Concert Washington Auditorium 11, 3pm Friends of the Library Book Club, Everything I Never Told You Ely Library 12, 6:30pm Professional Development Workshop, free, Fecebook Messenger Marketing 10 Below Co-working 12, 7pm Ely Area Concert Association: Carol King Songbook Washington Auditorium 15, 7-10 Ely Folk School Irish Dance, music by Friends on the Range, 235-0138 Senior Center 17, 7pm St. Patrick’s Day Dance: Friends on the Range Ely Folk School 21 6pm Storytelling Evening, “Tales of Ownership” ElyStorytelling@gmail.com Senior Center 23, 1pm Corn Hole Bean Bag Toss tournament, AmicisEventCenter.com Amici’s 28-Apr6 Ely Community Spring Musical, Cabaret, see posters for dates & times VCC Theater 30, 8am Focus on the Dark, photo workshop w/ Heidi Pinkerton, wolf.org Int’l Wold Center Apr 1, 5-7 “Strong Values”Art Exhibition Open House Art & Soul Gallery Apr 8, 3pm Friends of the Library Book Club, Educated Ely Library Apr 13, 5pm Annual ECR Art Auction, ElyCommunityResource.org Amici’s Apr 26-28 Tracking the Pack, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center Apr 27, 6pm Jr.-Sr. Prom Grand March Washington Auditorium May 2, 7pm Ely Area Concert Association: Swing Your Strings Babbitt HS Auditorium May 3, 7pm 4th & 5th Grades Musical Washington Auditorium May 11 Minnesota Fishing Opener, the REAL end of winter whatever the weather Ely Area Lakes May 14, 7pm VCC Graduation VCC Gymnasium May 14, 7pm Middle School Spring Concert & Art Show Washington Auditorium May 16, 7pm High School Spring Concert & Art Show Washington Auditorium May 17, 7pm Studio North Dance Recital, “Celebrating 20 Years” Washington Auditorium May 18 Jeremy Hiltbrunner Cystic Fibrosis Walleye Contest, 235-8134 Silver Rapids Lodge May 18, 2pm Studio North Dance Recital, “Celebrating 20 Years” Washington Auditorium

Call or email your events for listings in the Summer Times: 365-3375, raven1@ravenwords.com

44

The Ely Winter Times

© Heidi Pinkerton

The lights of Ely from MIners Lake

Regularly Scheduled Events (open to all - newcomers and beginners)

All week Mon thru Fri Sun thru Thu Mon, Wed, Fri Mon, Wed Monday Monday 2nd Monday 4th Monday Tuesday not Dec. Tuesday Tues&Thurs Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 2nd Wednesday 3rd Wednesday Thursday Thursday 1st Thursday 4th Thursday Friday Friday Th, Fri, Sat Saturday Saturday Saturday 2nd&4th Sat 3rd Sat Sunday Sunday Sunday 2018-2019

Ice skating rink open M-F 3-8, Sat 12-8, Sun 1-6 Ely Rec Center Seniors’ Dinner, noon, all ages (60+$4) 24-hrs reservation 365-4139 Sr Citizens Ctr Open Swimming, 9am - 9pm, bring your own towel Grand Ely Lodge Pickle Ball, 8 - 11 am, elyclasses.com VCC Gym TaiJiQuan, Movement for Better Balance Contiues, 9am, 365-8019 Ely Rec Ctr Ely Community Health Ctr free clinic, 5:30-7 111 S. 4th Ave E. Open Knitting, 6:30-8:30 Sisu Yarn Shop Friends of the Library Book Group Discussion, 3pm Ely Library Care Givers Support Group, 10 am, 365-8019 Ely Hospital NHRP office Tuesday Group (Speakers & discussion), noon not 12/11, 18, 25, or 1/1 Grand Ely Lodge Ice Skating, kids welcome (no hockey) 1:30-2:30, elyclasses.com Ely Ice Rink Beginners TaiJi and Better Balance, 10am, 2/5-4/23 Ely Rec Ctr Memory & Movement Senior Exercise. 10:30, 365-8019 Senior Center Bridge 12-3, Bingo $.10/card 1-3 Senior Center Herb of the Week, 4pm free Tranquility Wellness Woodworking Class, 6-9pm, Jan 3 - Mar 20, ElyClasses.com Ely HS Shop room Women’s Basketball, 7-8:30pm, ElyClasses.com Ely Memorial Gym Volleyball, 7-8:30, all levels welcome, ElyClasses.com Ely Memorial Gym Healthy Living Revolution, 5:30pm, free Tranquility Wellness Ely Field Naturalists, 7 pm, 235-8078 CL 104, VCC Food Shelf open 11-6 15 W. Conan Community Exercise, 10:30, all welcome, 365-8019 First Lutheran Church Ice Skating, kids welcome (no hockey) 1:30-2:30, elyclasses.com Ely Ice Rink Writers’ Group, 5 pm, 365-2654 Boathouse Brewpub Heart of the Woods Quilters, 6:30 pm, 365-4907 Ledgerock Church basement Pre-School Story Time, 11 am, 365-5140 Ely Public Library Watercolor Group beginners last Fri of month, 9:15-12, 365-5696 Ledgerock Church Ely Rec Center open for 5-12 grades, 3---8 pm Ely Rec Center Open Knitting, beginners welcome, free 1-3 pm Sisu Yarn Shop What’s for Dinner? 7 pm, 365-4695, not 11/24 or 12/22 Int’l Wolf Center Karaoke, 9 to Close Ely Steak House Non-Duality Discussion Group, 9am 11/24-1/26 Tranwuility Wellness Community Kitchen, all welcome for dinner, 6pm Ledgerock Church Ely Rec Center open for 5-12 grade, 1--6 pm Ely Rec Center Vermilion Range Amateur Radio Club Meeting, 9am Front Porch See church services and locations in Spiritual Gatherings, page 39.

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Mantis, Dog Elder In thirteen short human years, Mantis has matured from pudgy-bellied puppy to my elder. In dog years (seven to our one), she is now 91. My person age is two thirds of that. Isn’t that magical?

Some might call it Vanity Aging. But as my elder, she does often impart wisdom.

Last winter, she gave me new insights into the beauty found when I surrender my expectations.

In late February, Mantis became lethargic and less steady on her feet. I thought maybe she was beginning to show her age. Then one morning, she couldn’t even get up to go outside.

Alarmed, I called the best veterinarian clinic in the universe, the Ely Pet Clinic. This was a Saturday of course,

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By Becca Brin Manlove

so I called the emergency number. Dr. Chip Hanson was on call. Chip has seen me cry more than any other human—I’ve put down two dogs and a cat plus brought in a cat I’d hit with my car.

Still buoyed by unreasonable hope, I wasn’t crying yet. Chip was in the midst of doing dog checks for the Ely Sled Dog Race and told me he’d meet me at the clinic as soon as he could get away. He double checked that Mantis is part German Shepherd and I knew he was afraid Mantis was bleeding out.

Shepherds are prone to tumors in their abdomens that are often undetected until they burst and the dog dies from internal bleeding.

The Ely Winter Times

Mantis weighs more than 70 pounds.

I couldn’t get her in the car by myself.

Luckily my friend Ben was at his cabin just a mile down the road. He carried Mantis out and laid her in the backseat for me.

When I pulled into the clinic parking lot, Chip called to say he was delayed with the sled dogs. He was relieved to hear Mantis was still alert, just unwilling to get up on her feet. When Chip arrived he started to lift her from the backseat.

She was suddenly intent on getting out of the car by herself. Mantis walked into the exam room on her own power.

Fortunately, the diagnosis wasn’t a bleeding tumor but Lyme’s Disease, which has become prevalent in our area only over the last couple of years.

Climate change has added an average of seven days before freeze-up. Deer ticks, the disease carrier, have migrated north and are active well into autumn.

Mantis responded well to the antibiotics and made a fast recovery, although she is deaf. I’m not sure if it’s due to her age, or to Lyme disease, or to the drugs, but her big ears are purely cosmetic now.

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Just a few weeks after treatment, she was happily trotting on two-mile walks.

Lake conditions were still good for skijoring (a combination of a dog in harness and a person on skis). Mantis and I headed out for our first skijor of the season from the public access to Burntside Lake off the Passi Road. The access parking lot was ringed with snowbanks. An opening beaten down by snowmachines, skiers, and snowshoers was surprisingly narrow. I clipped the line into Mantis’ collar and then stepped into the skijor belt. I managed to brake on my slide down the incline to the lake, and Mantis wisely trotted alongside instead of out front. But as Mantis started to go out ahead of me, I found myself in constant danger of hitting her back legs with my ski tips. Duh. I’d forgotten to put on her harness.

Back up to the car we went. The snow was heavy with melt water and slick as a runny nose. Mantis is a natural skijor dog. When she senses me struggling up a hill, she leans gently into the harness.

But I didn’t want her to work so soon after her illness, so I let her go sniff some yellow snow while I went back to the car

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for the harness. She came eagerly when she saw it in my hand. She shied away from the padded collar going over her head, but stood patiently while I lifted each front leg through the straps. The harness is a little short for her with her grand sweep of a tail, but it works.

I started to clip in but decided to let her run until I got back down the trail to the lake. That turned out to be a good

decision as I fell on my butt in the narrow opening at the top of the slope. Getting back up was a challenge. Turning my skis perpendicular to the very slippery slope, they bridged the snowbanks. That didn’t work. Getting a knee up on a ski (the instructions we give the Youth Ski League kids) was hard to do with my butt sunk deep and my skis eager to slide downhill. Finally, I unclipped my skis to stand up, put myself back together, and

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The Ely Winter Times

slid down onto the lake.

Mantis was waiting. I clipped into her harness and she trotted ahead of me, choosing first one snowmobile track and then another. I kept the line slack between us so that she wouldn’t burn energy pulling me. With frequent stops for her to sniff marks left by other dogs, we skied the length of a narrow bay.

Beauty is such a mystery. Just why this bay, passing between two roll-top granite ridges, is so lovely is hard to parse out. Black rock tripe and orange lichen contrast with sunlit bare rock.

Bristling juniper commands every small ledge. Homes are tucked behind pines, and docks are modest beneath a layer of snow. In early March after a warm week, snow was melted back from south facing ledges and shorelines.

Mantis trotted at a happy pace and was easily distracted from an ice fisherman and his dog, but when we rounded the point she seemed to lose steam. We stopped at a rock outcropping. She lay down in the snow and I perched on a rock. It was warm enough to scribble a few lines in a journal without my gloves on. The point is on a popular snowmobile route, but only a few passed us while we sat there letting Vitamin D, fresh air, and beauty replenish our winter-tightened souls. Mantis waved her tail and I waved my pen when they passed by. Drivers waved too and seemed to smile behind their face shields.

I’m learning Instagram—writers are supposed to build social media platforms. So I snapped a few pictures including a selfie but could hardly see the screen with the blaring sunlight. I tried to send a picture of black Mantis lying on white snow, the blue lead line trailing behind her—without text because I couldn’t see the screen to add any—but the Send button simply spun. Of course, no reception at this spot. Then I couldn’t get it to stop “loading.” This was not the time or place to waste on a screen. I shut my phone off and we got up.

Reluctantly we turned back. I didn’t 2018-2019

want to wear Mantis out. My plan was to load Mantis into the car and ski some more, but when we got to the landing I needed to pee and there is no bathroom there. Mostly being a woman is wonderful, but there are times when different apparatus would be more convenient. I laid aside my dreams of a nice long ski and we drove home.

Wide awake at 3 a.m. I started journaling about our short skijor. Panic struck. “Oh no—did I grab my skis from the snowbank I stuck them in while loading Mantis?” I pulled on layers and a headlamp, then searched the house for my Muck boots. Finally I remembered they were in the car because I drove home in ski boots. Of course, being an Elyite, there were other boots in my entry way. The temperature had dropped and the steps were icy but the moon was out.

I turned off my headlamp.

My skis were in the car. Thank goodness. Driving a cold car on a windy, hilly road even in moonlight wasn’t my 49

cup of tea. But Mantis wanted to come out, so we took time to admire clouds sliding between the moon and the calligraphy of aspen branches. Really, one of us did—the other had to be pulled away from the foreleg of a deer she dragged into the yard that morning. I made the mistake of not hooking her up while I climbed a ladder to clear snow from the roof.

Mantis seems to have made peace with the neighborhood wolves. She often drags in some morsel from a kill they’ve made. She is an escape artist with an easily distracted (aka irresponsible) owner. Some human neighbors welcome her with treats and attention. All her life she has roamed the woods without being eaten or even attacked by wolves. Back when she could hear and a wolf chorus started up, she would swivel her ears toward them, then sigh and throw herself

down on the corner of the deck. She acted as if they were her clique at choir practice while she was stuck in study hall.

A few days later we tried skijoring again. But the day was warmer. Although Mantis has nice big paws, the snow gave way under one of her feet several times.

She wanted to trot, but I was afraid she might be injured post-holing. We turned back before we reached the point. I put her in the car on her bed and went back out. My skis broke through a few times while I skated steadily down the bay and up into the winding river. The river bed was a packed, icy highway from snowmobile traffic. On tight curves the track was narrow and water stood in some of the tracks. But again, sunwarmed rock outcroppings dappled with colorful lichen and crowned with determined pines eased cramps in my mind and muscles.

This winter Mantis and I will be living farther away from lovely Burntside. To get here will take a bit more planning and drive time. But we’ll be closer to gentle trails among tall pines. There will be other frozen lakes to explore. With luck, Mantis will still be up for short trips. Her slower pace is good for staying in the moment. And the moment is filled with beauty. © Becca Brin Manlove

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The Ely Winter Times

Thyme in the author’s garden

Winter Herbal Winter is here and our tendency to stay indoors more, with dry heated air, makes our bodies more susceptible to germs. It seems that these germs are getting stronger and creating more symptoms that last a lot longer than they used to. Nourishing our bodies properly and keeping them strong is the best form of disease prevention. Here are a few simple things to add to your day that can make a big difference.

Since it is dry here in Ely, you need to care for your largest organ—the skin.

Keep it moisturized with an oil that works for you. The best time to apply an oil is right after a shower. The moisture on the body helps the skin absorb the oil. Each body is unique and as it ages the skin changes, so what it needs will change too. What you want is an oil that, when

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By Jaime Brennan

applied to the skin, doesn’t soak in and disappear right away, but also doesn’t feel greasy all day long. Experimenting with a variety of oils helps you find one that’s right. Some of my favorites are Jojoba, Almond Oil, Grapeseed, and Apricot Kernel. You can use more exotic oils like Argan and Baobab, but these get pricey if you apply them to your whole body. Often oils are less expensive in the food section than in the cosmetic section, but they are the same. The "Oils for Healthy Skin" workshop at Tranquility Wellness is one way to try several oils and learn more about each one’s benefits.

Hydration is so important. It helps your skin, brain, energy level, and so much more. How much water do you

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need? A good rule of thumb is to drink the number of ounces equal to half your body’s weight in pounds. For example, a100 lb person should aim to drink 50 oz of water a day. Research shows that for ideal health you also need to consume at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables and get exercise every day.

These simple habits are so important to keep up, especially in winter.

Sometimes, even though we’ve tried our best, we catch a nasty bug. Knowing what to do alleviates some of the stress and can also reduce symptoms, shorten illness, or get rid of it before it takes hold.

Here are a few herbs I always have on hand.

Redpoll resting on a rose bush with rose hips 52

Elderberry Research shows that many of the constituents in these dark-colored berries prevent most viruses or shorten viral infections. We have a red elderberry growing here in Ely, common on the southeast end of the Trezona Trail. This is known as European Elderberry and several books refer to it as toxic. The right berries are dark blue or purple from Sambucus canadensis or Sambucus nigra. These don’t grow wild here, but can be purchased or transplanted from areas farther south. They are hardy to zone 3, and I have a bush that successfully made it through last winter.

Since it is treated like a food, overdoing it is unlikely. Ingesting Elderberry everyday in any form—wine, jam, pie, syrup, tea, or tincture— provides the properties that stop a virus from being able to enter cells. If you're not taking it everyday and you know there is a bug going around, or you feel like you just caught something—you are tired, feverish, or your throat hurts—then take Elderberry every 30 minutes to shut these viruses down as they replicate and head to invade other cells in your body.

To make a simple Elderberry Syrup use 1 cup berries to 3 cups of water. Simmer on low for at least an hour, strain by mashing the berries or squeezing (when cool enough), add honey to taste and store in the fridge. “All About Elderberry” will be held at Tranquility Wellness on second Saturdays during the winter.

The Ely Winter Times

Rose Hips Rose hips cling to their stems all through the winter and wild ones can be found in disturbed, sunny areas, often along the edges of trails and portages.

They are filled with antioxidants and flavonoids that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation. I find that I am more apt to catch a cold when I have been under more stress, gotten less sleep, and eaten less nourishing foods than usual. A daily dose of these babies goes a long way. Use about three teaspoons of cut up rose hips, seeds and hairs removed, to one cup of water and simmer for 10 minutes to make a tea rich in Vitamin C. Thyme This is one of my all time favorites. It is warming and also one of the best bronchial dilating and decongesting herbs. It also has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. I love infusing the leaves in hot water with a little honey, or letting the steam fill a room making for a night of easier breathing. You can help

clear the head and lungs by doing a steam: Add some fresh or dried leaves to a pot and cover them with boiling water; then place your head over the pot and cover your head and pot with a towel.

Breathe in the steam and enjoy the difference.

Peppermint This cooling herb is great when you are feeling hot and stuffed up. It helps the body cool by opening the pores so the heat can escape. Drink it as a tea or use it just like thyme in a steam to help break up congestion in the lungs. Peppermint is also useful for upset stomachs, headaches, and itchy inflamed skin.

Hawthorn berries 2018-2019

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Hawthorn This beautiful small tree can be found along the Trezona and other trails and lakeshores around Ely. It produces berries that can be seen hanging on the tree through the winter and, along with the one- to two-inch thorns, help make it easy to identify. Hawthorn is one of the best herbs for the physical and emotional heart. Hawthorn helps to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammatory conditions of the heart. This is another herb that can be used like food and taken on a daily basis. The body will retain the benefits even after stopping use if it has been consumed for several months.

Hawthorn berries are versatile and can be made into jam, syrups, tinctures and cordials (a delicious after-dinner treat).

This is a very brief overview of a few herbs that can help you stay healthy or get back to health. If you feel inspired to learn more, herbalist and health coach Jaime Brennan offers classes and stocks more than 100 bulk herbs so you can make your own herbal remedies. Check out her class offerings at www.tranquilitywellness.center or stop by 244 W. Sheridan Street when the open sign is out.

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The Ely Winter Times

© Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club

The Hard Work of Trail Maintenance Ahhh... so good to be off the computer, out of the stuffy winter indoors air, away from the minor annoyances of daily life and just cruising along this winter trail and enjoying the mile-high pines, the open lake, the sparkle of sun on snow. Whether we’re on snowmobiles, skis, snowshoes, or dogsleds the joy of winter—no mosquitoes or ticks, crisp refreshing air, amazing patterns of windcarved snow, signs of wildlife never visible in summer—is a thrill we look forward to on those buggy humid summer days. But do we stop to think what it takes to have a trail to travel on?

When we were inconvenienced by that heavy wet snow a week ago, did we consider what it might mean for the miles of trails in the area? If we spent an hour or two shoveling or snow-blowing or plowing, did we whine a little without thinking about who was making miles and miles of trails usable again?

The wonderfully popular Trezona trail in town is just short of four miles long, used by dog-walkers, runners, skiers, fat tire bikers, and plenty of wildlife. It may be the only trail some of us use, and it’s 2018-2019

definitely the shortest one for maintenance. Last summer it was seriously impacted by big wind storms, but quickly cleaned up by city of Ely workers. During winter the trail is packed for skate and classic skiing by the Ely Nordic Club—usually in the dark of night.

The Ely Nordic Club also maintains and grooms about 16 miles of trails at

Groomers and skiers appreciate that most hikers stay off the track set for classical skiing on the Trezona Trail.

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Before trails can be groomed they have to be cleared of trees and brush that are bowed over by heavy snows or blown down by big winds. Although it may seem that an open lake would require nearly no maintenance, imagine traveling it in the dark in a snowstorm, and you’ll realize having a marked trail is the only way you’ll make it across a big lake without getting disoriented. Once the ice is safe in early winter, volunteers use augers to set trail markers to ensure snowmobiles don’t get lost, or worse— head for open water around areas with current.

All grooming takes place late at night or early in the morning when the fewest people are using the trail. When the snow is allowed to sinter, or set up, for a few © Brett Ross

Hidden Valley for classic and skate skiing. Unlike the Trezona, these are skionly trails, making them smoother for faster skiing without boot prints or dog paw indentations to mar the set tracks.

These trails are where the state champion Ely High School Nordic ski team members practice and hold meets and the Ely chapter of the MInnesota Youth Ski League holds its popular lessons for anyone four and older.

Snowmobilers cover many more miles in a day’s recreation than skiers or snowshoers. Of Minnesota’s 22,000 miles of snowmobile trails, 21,000 are maintained by local club volunteers. In the Ely area that is the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club. Formed in 1960, this is the oldest snowmobile club in the U.S.!

Beautifully groomed trail at Hidden Valley

© Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club

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hours after being groomed it becomes a smooth hardened surface that stays firm longer and won’t need to be regroomed as often.

Hidden Valley and the longer snowmobile trails such as the Arrowhead and the Tomahawk are state trails and receive some state money raised through trail passes and license fees. More remote ski trails such as the North Arm and South Farm trails are maintained by volunteers and “user groomed,” which means the first person to ski after a snowfall sets tracks and other follow in them. Local snowmobile trails, largely spurs off the state trails, have been developed and are groomed by Ely Igloo Club. Some money to pay for grooming comes from membership dues and donations by local businesses and private donors.

But all of the trail clearing work is done by volunteers, as is marking the lake routes for snowmobiles.

So if you use the trails, it would be not just polite, but also fun to join other users who work to maintain them. Learn how to

sign up at the Facebook pages or websites for Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club (the first such organization in the U.S.! at elyigloo.com) and Ely Nordic Ski Club (elynordic.org). This is also an opportunity to meet some others who enjoy your winter sport and share some of that fresh air, sunshine, and fun during our long winter season.

© Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club

Trail markers placed across large lakes help travelers stay on a safe route and find their way in white-out conditions.

The Tomahawk snowmobile trail after an early snowfall.

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A Spring Gift It was late April 2018, and many Elyites began to think spring was never coming. Sub-zero temps and big snowfalls kept winter conditions intact with speculations that the lakes wouldn’t thaw for fishing opener. This was great for late-season dogsledding, snowmobiling, and skiing. When the days are long again and the sun feels warm, it’s a wonderful time of year to be out. But the ground had been snowcovered for six months and some people were getting anxious to dig in their gardens. And, frankly, not everyone loves winter.

So Ely Design answered the town’s need for some springtime color and cheer with this shop window. Folded paper tulips and larger-than-life photographs brought smiles to passersby and encouraged sunny dispositions to replace the winter grumps.

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The Ely Winter Times

Construction of the State Theater continues with making the stage performance ready.

Making a Living in Ely One of the great things about living and working in Ely is the support available to help small business owners, job seekers, and people who work from home. The Northland Foundation, Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, Blandin Foundation, and Iron Range Resource and Rehabilitation Board (usually referred to as the “I-triple R-B� or IRRRB) are area-wide organizations that help fund a variety of community and entrepreneurial projects. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Commission (ARAC) provides grants to individual artists, arts organizations, and specific projects. And here in Ely we have a number of resources supporting the local economy.

Up North Jobs, working in conjunction with the Ely Area Development Association (EADA), is expanding their services and providing valuable information and assistance to both employers and would-be employees. www.UpNorthJobs.org lists job openings in the area. Originally focused on creating mining jobs, and still strongly supportive of mining and the jobs it may bring, they have expanded their activities to serve all people offering and searching for jobs. As of this writing 2018-2019

they were listing job openings with the Ely schools, GoodWill, Carefree Living, Vermilion Community College, Frandsen Bank, Ideal Drilling, and the Boundary Waters Care Center.

But many people need more than connecting with a Help Wanted listing.

Up North Jobs is working to provide assistance with job applications and resume writing, interview preparation, and finding the training and education job seekers desire. Their executive director and several board members are ex-military, so they are especially understanding of the needs of veterans.

The EADA received a grant to help Up North Jobs improve its office space and update computer capability. But operating expenses are not provided, and the organization survives on donations and voluteer help. They do not charge for any of their services. If you

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10 Below Coworking Space want to list a job opening, get help finding and applying for a job, or provide some volunteer time or donations you can visit their website, call 218-3653324, email UPNorthJobs34@gmail.com, or stop by their office downstairs of the Frandsen Building at 40 S. 1st Ave. E. They hope to have regular office hours weekdays from 10-3, but if you want to be sure someone will be there, call to make an appointment.

Another resource that’s helpful to small businesses that run out of their homes or people working remotely is Ten Below Coworking. Sponsored by Incredible Ely, they are partly funded by a Blandin Foundation grant. They have the fastest internet available in Ely, spacious desks, and meeting space in a professional atmosphere with the items needed to do business—like a coffee pot and white board.

This winter and spring, Ten Below is hosting a series of free professional development workshops. The monthly sessions will help attendees learn to use the internet and social media to keep customers and clients engaged year round. Find dates and topics through March in the calendar on pages 40-44; visit the website for topics in April, May, and June. To sign up for one or all sessions, or to use the space, visit 10belowcoworking.org.

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One of the indicators that Ely is a community committed to sustainable economic growth is the effort underway to make the city the first in Minnesota to have all businesses agree to Equal Pay for Equal Work. (Right now women earn only about 80% of what men earn in the same job.) The Rotary Club and AAUW have taken on the task of connecting with each employer in town. Many have already signed on, and you will start to see window clings identifying the businesses that have agreed. If you have a business that still needs a copy of the affirmation to sign, contact cjtownes@aol.com. If Ely is indeed the first, this will be a great marketing tool to attract young people and businesses that take good care of their workers.

There has been a saying in Ely for a few years, “Everything is for sale.” That’s not quite true, as there are a number of new business owners looking forward to many future decades of operation. But there are also business owners ready to retire and some looking for a good manager so they can move on to other endeavors.

Chapman Street Books is one that has been featured in past issues, and it is still an opportunity awaiting a bookloving entrepreneur who would enjoy an upstairs apartment with a view of Shagawa Lake. There is lots of potential The Ely Winter Times

for sales as the enormous inventory has never been offered online.

State Theater continues with its renovations and still awaits a film enthusiast to manage what would surely be a profitable business. There are also spaces for retail and restaurant options.

Newly on the market is Hand Done Tshirts. Wanting to find an outlet for her art and design skills, Deb Hanson started

screen printing part time in her home in 1980. In five years she had outgrown her garage, quit her Forest Service job to work at it full time, and moved to the former carpet shop on Sheridan Street.

The business grew steadily, adding embroidery and expanding to serve the whole Arrowhead region. Today HandDone supplies retail stores, outfitters, and other organizations with a variety of

The feline owner of Chapman Street Books

The embroidery department at Hand Done T-shirts

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clothing items sporting Hand Done’s designs or customized art. The business is open year round, has six employees, and hires a manager so that Deb can go to Florida for a few months each winter.

Deb has especially enjoyed getting to know so many business owners through the years. Another part of the fun is guessing which of the season’s 30 new designs created by their three artists will be most popular. If you are interested in taking over this business you can reach Deb at deb@HandDoneTshirts.com.

If owning a historic resort sounds appealing, stop by Silver Rapids Lodge and take a look. Owned and operated by the Kuehl and Tedrick family, manager Sue says her favorite part is seeing the families who have been vacationing there for several generations. She has enjoyed watching the kids grow up and being part of their family tradition. She and her staff also enjoy getting to know the international guests.

This full service resort includes a hotel, cabins, campground, restaurant, bar, event space, and a full service

marina with boat rental. Unique in Ely, it has direct access to four lakes and entry to the BWCAW. Its location on a snowmobile trail makes it a popular destination year round. 2019 will be the resort’s 100th anniversary. Janisch Realty is managing the sale.

One more opportunity if you are an artist, musician, crafter, or provide a service to the arts, Arts in Ely has a new free directory that will be online sometime in January. Visit ArtsinEly.org to sign up for your free listing or to find the art you need.

Ely is a wonderful small town, a great place to raise a family, start a business, and retire. If you want to live here, we welcome you.

With fast water at the dock, Silver Rapids has good fishing both early and late in the season.

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