Ely Summer Times 2023

Ely Summer Times

Contents

The Ely Summer and Winter Times is published twice a year by Raven Words Press. For editorial information or advertising rates, contact us at 218-365-3375, ads@ravenwords.com, PO Box 188, Ely, MN 55731. For a subscription within the US, send check or money order for $8.00 for a year or $40 for a lifetime, or order at www.RavenWordsPress.com. Archived articles from 1996-2022 can be found on this website. Scan the QR

code for a digital edition of this issue and archived issues.

Cover: Sunrise near the Birch Lake Campground, Gary Alan Nelson

© Raven Words Press, 2023

© Lacey Squier

Thank You, Bonnie and Dave at Ely Flower & Seed

Growing Old in Ely

Portraits

by John Ratzloff

“I could grow old in Ely, so give me a porch with a view.” Those lyrics from a song by Ted Feyder express the dream-come-true of many Ely elders and the hope of many younger life-long residents and newcomers. Although the dominant culture in modern America regards aging and the elderly with opprobrium, here in Ely such negativity is less common. Perhaps that’s because, at a median age of 51 compared to the national

median of 38, so many Ely area residents are closer to old age than the American average. 23% of the 55731 zip code population is over 60.

Old age in Ely is something to look forward to, according to the five nonagenarians and one centenarian who share their thoughts here. All these lively seniors have some things in common. Staying active and engaged is one. Whether it’s church, visiting the family cabin, watching wildlife, helping neighbors, playing

Arlene and Tom, age 94

cards with friends, or taking a drive, they get plenty of socialization and changes of scenery. They each have an exercise routine to keep them mobile and healthy, and they can’t say enough good things about the health care they receive in Ely. None of them wants to live anyplace else and they don’t leave for warmer climes in the winter. They are grateful for the help of friends and family, for the natural beauty around them, and for life.

Meet Tom and Arlene Trembath, both born and raised Elyites who are 94 years young. Tom is best known in Ely for his work at Trembath Welding,

which his Dad started in the building that is now the Ely Echo. An inventer and engineer, Tom built Jacob Pete’s first houseboat at Hoist Bay, hauling the materials over 4-Mile Portage. In 1961 he designed and built the rolling docks that are now produced by Docks on Wheels. He installed the fire escapes that are still in use on the backsides of the Ely Theater and The Boathouse, and he repaired the Birch Lake dam gates. Tom worked until he was 90, and would still be there today except his son Keith took over the business and likes being independent.

Arlene raised the family and knitted heavy wool cardigan sweaters that sold in Canadian Waters and Dayton’s in Minneapolis. When her children were grown, she opened The Spinning Wheel, where more than 100 Ely crafters and sewers sold their creations. She had a loyal tourist customer base, with some visitors saying her shop was the first stop they made when coming to town. Now Mary’s Spinning Wheel, the store still does a good business selling fabric and sewing supplies.

Jo Pruse is one of the most cheerful people you’ll ever meet. Born to the Spreitzer family on June 1, 1924, she was their 12th of 14 children. Their Chapman Street house still has the big, well-tended garden she worked in as a child. The family also farmed the 40-acre plot still known as Spreitzer Field, located just south of Boundary Street and 8th Avenue. They had horses and raised pigs and chickens. “We fared well,” she states. “Our parents were good

providers.” Jo’s father was an immigrant from Cornwall, recruited by Captain Trezona to work in the Ely mines. He found that too dangerous and took a job as an engineer with the city waterworks. Her mother was also an immigrant, arriving from Slovenia when she was a young child.

Jo worked as a dental technician for Dr. Call in Ely until her husband took a position in Mendota Heights as a fine finishing carpenter. They maintained a cabin on White Iron Lake, where they retired. Jo lived on there after her husband’s death, but a broken leg and slow recovery landed her in a facility in the Cities close to her children. She missed Ely and her friends, so moved into Carefree Living and is content there. Although

Jo, age 99

legally blind from macular degeneration, she bakes cookies for the other residents. “My hands aren’t blind,” she says, explaining that she can bake by feel and remembers the recipes. Her favorite activity is going to the cabin on White Iron when her kids come.

Jo likes to be of service to others. As a volunteer with the former Hospital Auxiliary, she was the juice lady, taking the cart around in the afternoon to offer juice to patients and their visitors, who called it “Pruse Juice.” A devout Catholic and active member of St. Anthony’s church, she has fond memories of traveling to Italy and the Vatican. A prized possession is the certificate of a blessing bestowed on her by Pope John Paul II. It reads “For continued divine

protection,” which seems to have been a blessing fulfilled, given her good health and spirited demeanor.

Donald Hoover’s home overlooks Shagawa River, and he spends many hours watching the wildlife and weather. He always has a smile on his face, which once got him in trouble during his stint in the Army. He was called out by his commander who asked, “Why are you smiling all the time?” in an unappreciative tone of voice. “Wipe that smile off your face,” he demanded. But Don had trouble doing that. The commander repeated his demand. But still Don smiled. “Take your hand and wipe that smile off your face!” the man growled. Don did and managed to go a few seconds without smiling to avoid punishment for being such a happy person.

Don’s uncle gave him a 1931 Chevy when he was 12 and knew nothing about cars. To get it started he had to hook it up to his horse! He learned a lot about engines and machinery starting with that car. Don left ninth grade to work as a “cookie” in a lumber camp. His mechanical skills served him well when he came to Ely at age 20 and worked on logging operations and again in the Army during the Korean War, when he stayed state side working as an engineer building airports in Arizona and California.

His wife, Rosie, didn’t want to move so far into the woods as Forest

Center for logging work, so Don took jobs closer to town. He tried Reserve Mining for a few months, but much preferred working for Johnsons Logging and stayed with them until he was 70. After that he helped out at the Boy Scout base and did some skidding on his own. In retirement he built a couple hundred bird houses, but working with cedar started to make him cough, so he doesn’t do much of that now.

Donald bought the two lots where his house stands for $70 in 1960. He put in the basement and did the inside finishing, but claims he’s just a little

bit of a carpenter, so had help with the framing and roof.

A happy-go-lucky guy, Don advises those who want to get to be 90 to be lucky. However his luck might be genetic; his sister lived to be 96, and an aunt to 101. He once drank a bit on weekends, but quit that. And he claims he used to get angry, but it gave him a headache so he stopped that too. It seems some good choices have been a big part of Donald’s “luck.”

Barbara Kollar has made headlines in Ely newspapers with her birthday celebrations, learning to

The view from Donald’s window last April

drive a dogsled at Wintergreen. A gym teacher and coach most of her life, she was an avid skier, but in her early 90s skiing was getting to be too much. She loves to be out and active, so dogsledding seemed like a good alternative. She did her first trip at age 98, earning her “degree” by 99, a PhD at 100, and at 101 as a post-doc she had to teach someone else, so she

took along the director of Boundary Waters Care Center, where she lives, and taught him the basics. Needing fresh adventures, she took up ice fishing last winter, going out with SnoBear Ice Fishing and bringing home enough crappies for a meal.

Barbara first came to Ely on a vacation 16 years ago, enjoying time at the Honeymoon Cabin at Timber

Trail Resort with her family. She quickly came to love it here, especially enjoying the live music at the Front Porch and Silver Rapids. Pat Surface and Barb Hall were her favorites. Although she can’t do what she used to—no more hiking the Himalayas—she enjoys her life in Ely and looks forward to her daughter Cindy’s daily visits.

Byron Moren moved to Ely in 1958 with his new bride, Alice, who didn’t care for Ely at first. Byron says “It only took a week” for her to make friends and change her mind, largely due to their social life at Grace Lutheran Church. They’ve been here ever since, finding it “A wonderful place to raise kids.”

Byron has had an impressive variety of work situations. At age 18 he dropped out of high school to enlist in the Air Force where he was a teletype operator in Japan and Korea. He claims “That was one of the best things I ever did,” partly because he

quit smoking since he could get so much money for cigarettes on the black market, and the veterans benefits have been invaluable. As a young man he drove trucks for a mine, sold Electrolux vacuum cleaners, played bass fiddle at bar gigs, and was a printer for Mesabi Daily News. His first Ely job, and the

Barbara, age 101

Byron, age 95

reason he came here, was as a business teacher at the high school, teaching shorthand, typing, and business machines. As the demand for business skills diminished, Byron was promoted to Vocational Education Director for the school district, overseeing programs in Nursing, Home Ec, Auto Mechanics, and more. At age 70 he started his own company making customized signs for businesses and the model lighthouse outside his home.

A teacher’s salary didn’t allow for much financial comfort, but Byron found opportunities to procure a fine house, a cabin on Burntside, a sailboat and a houseboat. With lots of sweat equity and some offbeat transportation methods, he moved a DM&IR railroad station house from Aurora to Ely, a CCC cabin from Isabella to Burntside, and the sailboat from Lake Superior to the cabin. He still sails with his son as first mate, and the whole family enjoys the houseboat with new pontoons made by–you guessed it–Byron himself.

Byron’s advice for staying young: keep active (in moderation at 90+),

enjoy hobbies (his are music, model trains, photography, sailing, and working on the cabin), and have a spiritual life. He hopes to finish making a film about Ely’s and his personal history using video he’s taken for many decades.

The Trembaths, Donald, and Byron still drive, which is helpful in keeping up their active social lives and being independent. (Did you know studies show that drivers ages 70 and up are safer than average? That’s because they are more likely to wear their seat belts and less likely to speed, consume alcohol before driving, or text while behind the wheel.)

These Ely elders look forward to activities, but not too far. “At our age we don’t make plans too far ahead,” says Tom. “We get up in the morning and say ‘What do we want to do today?’“ Jo has a happy anticipation of baking goodies for her neighbors. Don looks forward to each day’s view of Shagawa River out his big windows and visiting with his daughters. Byron and Alice are working on plans for their 4th of July parade float and also

have a longer perspective, hoping to take a cruise soon. Barbara enjoys her daily visits with River, a young energetic pup who accompanies Cindy on her visits.

The elders who lived in Ely in the 50s and 60s have fond memories of the days when Ely had more stores, and recalled that there were also far more bars. “There was a grocery store every few blocks,” recalls Jo. In those days, she explains, most women didn’t drive. They walked to get groceries and sent the kids on foot or bike to pick up eggs, butter, sugar, or whatever ingredient they might be missing for supper preparation. Byron

expressed his surprise on finding a bar or two on every block when he first arrived. Although he’d grown up in Biwabik and played his bass fiddle in bars across the Range, not known for a dearth of taverns by any means, he was impressed by the plethora of drinking establishments in Ely. Donald recalls that every brand of car had its own garage in town. Everyone expressed a hope that Ely’s future would include more shops for items they now buy out of town—clothing, shoes, and cars. Several expressed appreciation for the State Theater’s renovation and enjoyed attending the End of the Road Film Festival last winter.

Romance seems to be part of a long, satisfying life. Tom and Arlene graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1947, but they were only slightly familiar with one another. Arlene played in the orchestra, Tom in the band. Their parents were good friends. Tom’s mother gave Arlene’s mother a lovely vase as a wedding gift. During their first and long-lasting marriages they became friends as couples, frequently enjoying social times together until their spouses died and they drifted apart. A few years later, at a mutual friend’s funeral, Arlene “screwed up all the courage”

Byron still entertains with his bass viol.

she could manage and approached Tom. “If you’d ever like to get together for coffee, you could call,” she ventured. He called later that same day. They shared coffee and occasional outings together for the

next year, not so much as holding hands. But a more romantic attraction took hold, and they were married last year at age 94. The centerpiece for their reception table was the vase that had been a wedding gift nearly a century earlier.

A funeral was where Don Hoover met his bride-to-be, Rosie. She was only 13 at the time, but Don was smitten enough to pay her a call in Ely the next year on the way from his Michigan home to a job in North Dakota. Her appeal was greater than the work farther west, so he signed on with a logging operation on the Tomahawk Trail and paid a call to her whenever he had time off. Eventually, needing the work, he headed to North Dakota for a job building the Garrison Dam, but returned in a few months and found work closer to Rosie. This pattern went on for years: Don finding work near Ely for a few months, Rosie breaking up with him when he left for other employment and a stint in the Army. But finally, at the ripe old age of 22, she agreed to marry him and he agreed to stick around. Rosie died a few years ago, and Don continues to live in the house they built in Winton, close to their two daughters.

Jo and her husband, Bernie Pruse, were friends in high school. Bernie

delivered groceries to their home, and Jo’s mother loved him. Jo and Bernie started dating, but when the war began he enlisted. He asked Jo to write to him and they exchanged letters for the 6 years he was gone, marrying on his leave a year before he was discharged. They were married 71 years.

Barbara met her husband on the tennis court, but the relationship was strictly tennis until she saw him at a dance. “I fell in love with his dancing,” she reminisces with a twinkle in her eye. Byron met the love of his life, Alice, in the teachers’ lounge of Cook County High School where she was the superintendent’s secretary. They were married on the shore of Lake Superior 65 years ago in July, and it’s obvious they still enjoy one another’s company.

There are many other elders in their 80s and 90s in Ely, bumping up that average age of Ely residents. Due to limited space here, we leave you to find them and hear their stories. Chat with them at your church, join them at the Senior Center for Bingo, or visit Carefree Living or the Boundary Waters Care Center. Podcasts are another great source for Ely elders’ stories. Find both My Ely Story and What’s Up Ely? podcasts online at ely.org/plan/podcast. Great listening for a road trip! Stick around the Ely area, find “a porch with a view,” and you could become a happy Ely elder too.

John Ratzloff

An outstanding portrait photographer, John’s exhibit “Indigenous Minnesota: Images of Survivance” will be on display in the MSP airport’s Concourse C for a year starting September 1st. From there the show will move to the Capitol building in St. Paul for three months. John has focused his work on people, sled dogs, the Steger Center, and Voyageur Outward Bound School. He occasionally does presentations at the Ely Folk School. This summer his work can be seen at Ely Folk School and the Hospital Gallery. An elder himself at 76, John was impressed by the strength, joy, and liveliness of these subjects and thoroughly enjoyed their Ely stories.

Tom and Arlene’s wedding bouquet in the vase

Tom’s mother gave Arlene’s mother

Ely’s Senior Center

A Community Space for All Ages

If you are 55 or older, you can be a member of the Ely Senior Center for just $20 a year. Joining can make you feel good about supporting a valuable Ely non-profit, but in truth most of the center’s programs are open to anyone, regardless of age or membership status. You can come and play Bingo (with coffee and dessert) on Wednesday afternoons in the company of up to 50 other seniors and their younger friends and family. You can access the many pamphlets with information on health services in

the area, senior living, Medicare, and more. And you can rent space for meetings, parties, craft sales, and food preparation in their commercial kitchen. It would certainly be polite to become a member if you want to take advantage of their small library of books and puzzles, but there is no cop to stop you from contributing to it or borrowing from it. And the current board’s policy is very much “Everyone is Welcome!”

Formerly a garage, the building was purchased in 1980 to establish a

Free Services for all ages at Ely Community Health Center

Thursday Evening Clinic, 5:30-7

Dental Clinic, T,W,Th - by appt.

MnSure Navigation

BP checks at Senior Center

218-365-5678

33 E. Chapman St

ElyCommunityHealth.org

place for seniors to socialize. The more than 300 members held many fundraisers and worked hard to accomplish all the remodeling, creating the kitchen, card room, and large social hall. In 1988 they opened the building to the public and soon began serving low-cost noon meals to about 25 people a day. A sharp decline in attendance during Covid made that program impractical, and meals are no longer served except for special occasions and rentals.

Today there are a variety of health activities there - Wellness Wednesdays with free blood pressure checks, Tasty Tuesdays that focus on nutrition and cooking, and a foot clinic. People of all ages gather for cards and other games several days a week. Community Education classes are held here plus craft fairs, driving tests, church services, senior exercise classes, and elections. (See Calendar

on page 70 for dates and times.)

After 35 years, some renovation is needed including new kitchen appliances, making the bathrooms handi-cap accessible, and improving the front door entrance. If you are interested in helping out as a board member or volunteer, stop in at 27 South 1st Avenue East during open hours, M-F, 8am-1pm and later on Wednesdays.

Ely Folk School community dances are hosted at the Ely Senior Center

© LucySoderstrom

Cravin’ Crawdads

by Aaron Kania

Lake Vermilion has become home to a large population of Rusty Crayfish. (All crayfish species are known as crawdads, especially if you are going to eat them.) These are suspected to have been introduced when fishermen from the central Midwest brought them to the area as bait and released them into the lake before heading home. Lake Vermilion and the surrounding areas provide ideal habitat for the invader. These non-natives outcompete the native

crayfish and reproduce rapidly. Living on the lake and enjoying sunsets on the dock in the evening provides one ample opportunity to conduct thought experiments about the surrounding world. These thought experiments sometimes lead to research, which leads to seeking out knowledgeable neighbors and experts who have experience with such things. These multiple lines of inquiry may occasionally lead to actually experimenting with the subject matter to learn a thing or two first hand.

2022 got off to a slow start on the lake because of the high water. By the time the water receded it was well into June. We had bought two crayfish traps during the winter so were ready. We tried hot dogs, fish carcasses, and chicken bones for bait. The fish definitely worked best, and one night we caught 144 crawdads! Usually there were a dozen or so caught every night in early summer, which tapered off to five or so by September. This was not enough to cook up, so we had to find a way to keep the crawdads until we were ready to have a meal. At first we put them in a bucket but found that crawdads do not live long in a bucket without aeration. So we got a hanging live fish trap that we could attach to the dock. This worked great and we could keep the crawdads alive for several weeks until we had enough to cook up. By the end of summer we had caught more than 800 crawdads. (The Ely record we know of was 6,000 in one spot by Dan, Fall Lake!)

All this catching led to the question of what to do with them. Eat them of course, and not be wasteful. The most time-consuming part is in the preparation. This can be fun for all involved. It generally requires a cold

beer or two to start. The first thing to do is purge the crawdads. To accomplish this we moved the crawdads from the live trap to a wheelbarrow filled with water. This gave us a chance to make sure there were no dead crawdads in the trap and also let us salt the crawdads so they would purge the contents of their intestines. From the wheelbarrow it was straight into a pot of boiling water for 15 minutes. We added a full box of Old Bay Seafood Seasoning for lots of flavor. Then we shut off the heat and let them sit in the hot water for another 15 minutes.

The real challenge now begins. If

being used in a low country boil, all the other fixings can be added. Hold on–what is a “boil”? Low Country or Cajun boils involve adding other ingredients such as potatoes, corn, and shrimp. The difference between Low Country (Georgia and South Carolina primarily) and Cajun (Louisiana primarily) boils has to do with how the seasoning is added. But the key to a good boil is the group of friends invited over. It is truly about the atmosphere and joy of being out and about on a summer evening with good friends gathered together.

The Scandinavian tradition also involves plenty of friends, but uses dill for the seasoning and aquavit for the social lubrication. Typically a MidSummer’s Eve party, a kräftefest or kräftskiva will be imitated on August 12th, 5pm, at the Ely Folk School this year. The crayfish will be served separately with the rest of the meal being potluck.

The nice part of either a boil or kräftskiva is that a whole lot of friends divide up the work of shucking the crawdads for the ounce of meat in the tail. True believers suck the goodness out of the head, but none of our friends took up that challenge. If the crawdads are not going into a group meal, then usually more beer is necessary and a rainy day helps.

To shuck a couple hundred crawdads takes a few hours. We got

pretty good with technique and could shuck each crawdad in 20 to 30 seconds. It took a lot of practice and we each had our own techniques for the process. First, the front half needs to be separated from the tail. Then there is a trick of twisting the tail to pull out the vein along with the flipper

of the tail. Next, a crack is made along the tail and the meat pulled out in one piece. The reward here is a bit tough to be enthusiastic about. A couple hours of work yields a quart bag of meat that can be frozen and used like shrimp. A hot, creamy crawdad chowder with cheddar bay biscuits is delicious on a

cold day. The real lesson, though, is to have some good friends over to help while sitting in the garage drinking a couple cold beverages in a rain storm. That’s probably the most efficient way to process the crawdads.

Now what to do with all the leftovers? And there are lots of shells after the fun is over. That question led us to a search for solutions. Dumping them in the trash was not a good solution since going to the landfill is not something we do often. Throwing them in the woods was also not a good option due to odor and flies. We did some research into what they do down south and found that composting the shells might work.

A friendly neighbor loaned us a barrel composter on wheels that is easy to turn. After more research we settled on using sawdust as a matrix for the shells. The quantity of four

parts sawdust to one part shell seemed to be the best ratio. We added a little garden dirt to speed up the process through the introduction of good bacteria. The final ingredient was a liberal dose of water, and the composting was off to the races. Throughout the course of the summer we mixed up a giant batch of compost with the hundreds of crawdads and a huge bag of sawdust. We rotated the compost barrel whenever we walked by. Thankfully there was no odor to the mixture. The shells broke down quickly. By the end of summer we had two overflowing wheelbarrows full of material. We collected a sample to send to the University of Minnesota Soil testing lab. Those results came back and showed that the crawdads and sawdust turned two waste products into a really high quality soil additive.

What started out as a thought exercise turned into a summer’s worth of fun learning activities. We definitely put a dent in the population of crawdads around our dock. That was not enough time to see if this will help protect the weed patch from crayfish predation and maintain the

lake vegetation needed for little fish to grow into eating-size fish. Anglers–you are doing double duty when you eat rusties: providing a meal now and more meals of fish later. What we found in 2022 may lead us to more thought experiments for 2023. The first question will be to find out if more rusty or native crayfish have repopulated our shoreline.

More About Rusty Crayfish

from Liz Anderson, Lake County SWCD

Many people have had run-ins with the feisty crawdad known as the rusty crayfish, but are you aware of its origin story? Hailing from the Ohio River Basin, rusty crayfish were first observed in lakes in the Ely area in the late 1990s, and it’s thought that they hitched a ride with anglers using them as bait. The good news is that since the early 2000s they haven’t spread to any new, unconnected local waters. The bad news is that many of the area lakes are connected, and rusty crayfish have wreaked havoc where they have become established.

Rusty crayfish are omnivores with a voracious appetite. Known as the “lawnmowers of the lake,” rusty crayfish can decimate aquatic plants, affecting fish habitat and wild rice beds. Rusties eat snails, fish eggs, plants, and pretty much anything they can get their claws on. They are much more aggressive than our native Calico and Virile crayfishes and have drastically reduced native crayfish numbers, if not outright ousted them.

Identifying rusty crayfish can range from very easy to somewhat

Top 2 images are native Virile species. 3rd from top is a native Calico Crayfish. Bottom image shows the namesake rust-colored spots on the rusty crayfish. © Lake Co. SWCD

© Emily Nelson

Crayfish trap

challenging. If you see the namesake markings, the rusty red spots on their sides, it is a surefire indication you have a rusty crayfish. You can also look at their large, front claws and if there are orange tips preceded by black rings, it’s probably a rusty. When pinched closed, most rusty crayfish claws will also have a slight gap or keyhole opening. Unfortunately, crayfish markings can vary and not all rusty crayfish have red spots. Making it even trickier in this area is hybridization between rusty crayfish and other species. If you are unsure of an identification, don’t hesitate to call in the experts! Reach out to your local Soil & Water Conservation District, 1854 Treaty Authority, or the DNR. In most situations, there are limited management strategies for controlling rusty crayfish populations on a lakewide scale, however there are some things that can be done to minimize impacts at a hyper-local level. We have heard anecdotal reports that intensive trapping near shoreline properties can help protect aquatic

In Case You Haven’t Heard

New Businesses

plants in the area. We have also seen success with intensive trapping on the Burntside River preventing rusty crayfish from scooting upstream to Burntside Lake. Credit the youth and staff at Ely Community Resource for that. They have been trapping nearly weekly in the summers since 2016. What to do with the crayfish you may catch? I’ll leave that for another article to address, but in my personal opinion they are quite the delicacy! Did you know you can take 25 pounds of crayfish per day for personal consumption with your Minnesota fishing license? I would just refer you to Minnesota regulations on taking and possessing crayfish. One highlight: you may take and possess rusty crayfish (a regulated invasive species in Minnesota), but you may not release them into waters of the state. And as always we thank you for cleaning, draining, and drying your gear between waterbodies, and for disposing of any unwanted bait in the trash or compost!

Sustainability is the basic theme for two new Ely businesses. Back on the Rack at 1307 E. Sheridan provides Ely (finally!!) with a clean, well-organized store for pre-owned goods. They accept donations on Wednesdays and Saturdays, limiting it to two boxes or bags per household. Whether you need a low-cost addition

to your wardrobe or more room in your closet, this store is here to help. Committed to the Ely community, Back on the Rack also raises money for worthy causes with their monthly round-up donations.

Mayhem Mending is a gear repair, arts, and sewing business at 438 E. Sheridan St. Does your favorite 10year-old Patagonia jacket still have lots of wear left but a ripped out pocket

Mugs by Three Jewels Pottery

and funky zipper? Mend your frustration at Mayhem. Tents, packs, and other less-than-fully-functional outdoor gear can come out of the back of your closet and have new adventures. Owner Madden Reed is an experienced repair guru, having learned to repair and care for gear at Widjiwagan, the Repair Lair in Minneapolis, the Great Lakes Gear Exchange in Duluth, and Wintergreen in Ely. They also make useful gear such as fanny packs from scraps too small for other manufacturers to use, and they plan to have local artists’ wares as retail items. Contemplating what else Mayhem could become, Madden is full of ideas–stay tuned.

Looking for a special Ely-themed gift to take home for the good friends watching your cat? Blue Loon is full of unique to Ely gifts and clothing as well as art by the owner, Ali, and her son. The softest warm fuzzy wraps are here and many humorous stickers.

The 200 block of Sheridan Street is the new home to some great shops with potential gifts as well as practical items hand-crafted by local artisans. The Ely Folk School mercantile is filled with made-in-Ely items on consignment from the instructors. In the Northern Toboggan Company you’ll find the Ely Mercantile, offering custom-designed sweatshirts and other items that can display your lake name and icons of your favorite activities. Across the street next to the Steakhouse is Three Jewels Pottery, a combined shop and ceramics studio with functional pottery made right there. Why buy cheap stuff from China when you can find affordable artisan crafts that support the local economy? Are you looking to start a business in Ely? We really need a taxi service. Uber and Lyft are not authorized to operate here, and at the moment there is no one but friends and family to provide a safe ride after imbibing too much at the bars, and they may not be sober either.

The Arts

Ely has always had music and theater activities during the summer, but this year seems about to outdo all others. The City Band is making a come-back after a Covid-induced break. All are welcome regardless of how long ago they played regularly. Led by Ely shools’ new band teacher, the group will again hold Tuesday concerts in Whiteside Park during July. Musicals and concerts will grace the stage at the college in July and August with the Broadway in the Boundary Waters series from Northern Lakes Arts. “Pay what you can” tickets ensure that no one will need to miss performances due to budget constraints. The annual Reflections Dance Company show has a new twist this year–a complete story line interpreted with the company’s usual excellence and variety of styles. September will feature a new revision of Root Beer Lady, the musical rendition of Dorothy Molter’s life on

Knife Lake. Find dates and times for all these and much more in the Calendar starting on page 70, and at NorthernLakesArts.org.

Ely schools music director Mike Rouse was working late in his home studio last August. About 1 am he noticed an email from Disney. Curious to see the results of a contest to award one school in each state the rights to produce Disney’s Frozen, the Broadway Musical, he opened it.

The contest was sponsored by Disney; the Educational Theater Association, which promotes learning opportunities in theater arts; and Musical Theater International, which holds the rights to the show. Expecting to see which of Minnesota’s prestigious big-city high schools had won the contest, Mike was totally surprised by the winner. It was Ely!!

A month earlier Mike had entered the contest, which involved writing several essays regarding how the

production could ensure inclusivity for students with various skills, talents, and abilities as well as the larger, community. He also wrote about how the theme “Love is an Open Door” would be portrayed, and what unique situations in the town would be reflected in the production.

Mike started his application saying, “Ely is literally Frozen for 6 months a year.” He described businesses like Steger Mukluks, Wintergreen, and White Wilderness that focus on winter. He told how Ely has practical winterdependent activities like cutting ice for summer refrigeration and hauling materials across frozen lakes by dogsled, as well as a 10-day midwinter festival with snow sculptures.

With a remarkable musical theater program in the Ely schools that starts in 4th grade, we can expect a topnotch show January 19-21, 2024. Community members are already providing volunteer support such as figuring out special effects that will create snow, northern lights, and perhaps even a chill that wafts over the audience momentarily. Fundraisers will be needed to help pay for costuming, set building, and promotion. If you want to get involved, contact Mike by email at mrouse@ely.k12.mn.us.

New Purpose for a Vacant Building

Once upon a time (in the 1980s) a community-minded Ely-loving benefactor thought Ely needed a community pool. A great idea that is at last coming closer to reality through the efforts of the Ely Area Community Foundation (EACF), an organization devoted to improving Ely’s quality of life (as great as it is, there’s room for growth). The original donor offered enough funding to build the pool, but the original organization that would have managed the fiscal responsibilities couldn’t be certain they would find the money for

maintenance, and the project was put on hold. Recently another benefactor, teaming up with EACF, has made it possible to purchase the former MN Dep’t of Revenue building. Adding a pool to the building is still a work in progress that will require a major fundraising effort, but many other great things are about to happen there, with collaboration between occupants being one of the main features. Remodeling is underway to give a new and improved home to several existing Ely organizations and address some of Ely’s most pressing needs.

Happy Days Preschool is one Ely non-profit that will find a home at the EACF building. Their new space will allow for expanded programs serving a major community need—child care.

Founded in 1969, Happy Days provided preschool to generations of Ely kids before temporarily closing the doors in the 2021-22 school year due to Covid and a sharp decline in enrollment. Now their board–four Ely moms who have full time jobs–has enlarged the vision to help meet the needs of other working families in Ely.

Once the construction dust settles, the renamed Happy Days Learning Center will include an infant room that can care for up to 12 babies, a toddler area for up to 14, a preschool space for up to 20, an industrial kitchen for meal preparation, and an outdoor playground. At least seven full-time staff will be hired (several have already committed) plus a part-time cook.

Until construction is completed, Happy Days offers preschool and day care for 3 to 5-year-olds, but can only accommodate 12 children. Changing to a 7:30am to 5:30pm day will make more workers available to help meet the job demands of Ely employers.

The primary focus of all Happy Days programs is providing what Ely needs most for children and parents. The next priority is providing childhood education using a playbased curriculum. “We want to do this right and have fun with an outdoor focus,” says board member Allie. “We want children to explore and appreciate the unique area where we live and develop a strong sense of community” Collaboration with senior activities in the building may add an important intergenerational experience.

Programming for older adults will be part of what Northwoods Partners brings when they move into EACF. Now providing exercise classes, wellness activities, caregiver support, and social groups in a variety of places, they will be relieved to have everything under one roof. And the seniors they serve will be able to access all Northwoods Partners’ programs without having to go from the rec center to the hospital to the Lutheran Church basement to...you get the idea.

Lisa, the director, is excited to share a space where her clients have access to a larger gym and the Trezona Trail for more physical activity, as well as opportunities to interact with children and enjoy the outdoors. Both care givers and those cared for will be able to engage in a Although extremely grateful for the office the hospital has provided for years, Lisa looks forward to fewer interruptions (and germs) in the new space.

Heavy Metal Sports, now Functional Fitness, is changing more than their name as they prepare to move into much more spacious digs. The 2300 square foot gym means more room to spin, more equipment to share, and more classes to keep Elyites healthy and strong. HMS has always been about getting in shape in a community that supports people as they are and encourages progress toward where they want to be. Owner Michelle is enthusiastic about offering more classes at the hours that work best for members. The EACF building has better access to outside activities for the youth program. And a smoothie bar! Hang out, chat, and rehydrate.

important to continued success for those working on recovery and healthy living. Such a place allows recovery to deepen while people make community connections and find what they need to sustain their well-being whether that’s jobs, friends, time in nature, creative outlets, or recreation.

Another space in the building will be administrative offices for Well Being Development plus a meeting room where their seven staff members, most of whom work virtually, can gather with leaders of the many other community organizations focused on mental and behavioral health. Well Being Development has to move out of their current space in the Bowling Alley basement by the end of July. The Clubhouse and some of their other programs will return to their St. Mary’s Episcopal Church location temporarily until another home can be found. Well Being Development is also planning for a Recovery House elsewhere in town. The support such a housing space offers is

Look for an article in the upcoming Ely Winter Times about the many resources for mental health and general well-being available in Ely.

Providing high quality space and chances for collaboration to existing organizations and businesses that improve life in Ely is quite an accomplishment.Thanks EACF!!

Northwoods Partners’ Healthy Aging Expo

Party Barge Adventures

by Becca Brin Manlove

I prefer the simplicity of paddling a kayak, but pontoon boats keep barging into my life. It all started twelve years ago, in early November on a second date with David Conard. We were both mature adults when I met him at the private landing on Burntside Lake. But my 23-year-old daughter was apprehensive about her widowed mother going off with this stranger, so I texted pictures of his license plate and pontoon boat. When she called, I handed him my phone. David was over 60. His eyes twinkled

at me while he gamely answered her question, “Who are you?” When she asked, “What are your intentions with my mother?” he laughed out loud. So did she. But then, she reminded him that she had pictures. David, a retired Army helicopter pilot, had many adventures to share, but one of his favorites became that call with Celin.

David loved boats (he owned a dozen when we first met). His favorite was The Bentley, his party barge. He put it in as early after ice-out as possible. We broke ice around it to take the boat out each fall. A small

stream was inexorably making swamp out of his waterfront. He extended his dock with a pontoon barge. Still we fought waterlilies as he backed away from the dock and out into the bay.

My mom developed Alzheimer’s and my parents struggled to find safe housing for her. David and my brother helped me move them to Ely. Mom lived in the Memory Care unit at Carefree. My dad bounced between sharing her apartment and living with me. They often joined us on David’s pontoon boat and added their own mix of adventure.

My dad was an avid fisherman. Going out on a boat was all about trolling across likely walleye havens. David was Pilot of every craft he drove and had no patience for fishing. They tried, but neither one could surrender to the other.

A week before Dad’s birthday and my parent’s sixtieth wedding anniversary (they were married on his twenty-first birthday), Dad showed up at my office. He was an adorable eighty-year-old man, French Canadian in size and attitude, fierce and funny. His red, button-down shirt, patterned with cars and women, always drew smiles and compliments from Mom’s caregivers. That day, he was beaming.

“Bought myself a birthday present, Beck. Come out and see it.”

A brand-new pontoon boat looked enormous, perched on its own trailer. My heart sank. Another damn pontoon boat. David’s shrink-wrapped Bentley had blocked the view out of one of my windows for three winters already. Where were we going to park Dad’s? And where were we going to dock it?

David’s dock barely supported the Bentley. There was no room for this new party barge.

Dad suffered a stroke about five years before this. Although he regained his ability to walk and talk, his judgement and his sense of direction were impaired. He’d gotten

lost in a fishing boat on tiny Minister Lake, a lake he’d fished for thirty years. And he wasn’t very steady on his feet. Even if the pontoon boat hadn’t been too big for the lake, he couldn’t negotiate the steep access from my house down to the shoreline.

But all my objections floated off when I looked at Dad. Mom’s Alzheimer’s had taken away so much of their lives. They’d had to sell their home on a sweet little hobby farm,

many of their possessions went away in an auction, they’d tried three different assisted living options for Mom, and Dad had tried to squeeze himself down to fit in those same places. Worst of all, he was losing Mom so slowly and horribly.

This pontoon boat represented getting some of their freedom and dignity back. He pictured the two of them, out tooling around, catching fish and reliving the many good times they’d had. “Wow, Dad, it’s amazing.”

It also represented a little triumph for his granddaughter Celin. David had agreed to Celin’s wedding shower being held at his cabin with one stipulation: the guests couldn’t take the Bentley out without his driving it. When Dad told Celin he’d bought the boat, the first thing he said was, “Now you and your friends can take your party out on the lake.”

A neighbor just a few cabins down from David’s graciously gave Dad docking space. But we were in for a few adventures. We tried to be sure someone who could find their way back always accompanied Dad, but one evening that little voyageur made

a break for it, with Mom aboard, and escaped the bay. David and I jumped on the Bentley and raced after them. Even lumbering pontoon boats don’t leave tracks on the water and Burntside’s many islands confounded our pursuit. Dad did finally answer his phone and admit he was lost. When we found them, they were happy, floating in a quiet bay.

Less than a month after Dad bought the pontoon, he fell and hit his head while disposing of fish guts. Yes, fish he caught from the pontoon. He died of a brain bleed, exacerbated by undiagnosed leukemia. We didn’t tell Mom he was gone. When she asked where he was, I told her he was out on

a fishing trip with my late husband, Mike (on days when she remembered David, she wouldn’t have believed the two of them were fishing). Although Mom had no memory of it, sometimes I said Dad was out on the new pontoon. Because in my heart, he was.

I was grateful Dad bought that fancy barge for his last month, but I had no desire to own it. My brother uses it now with his family. When David died, his family adopted the Bentley and found storage for it. So I was at last free of pontoon boats.

A few years later, I sold my Minister Lake place. Dad’s love of fishing never did take with me, but his love of the water did. In a whirlwind purchase just before the COVID-fueled lakeshore buying craze started, I became owner of a little rustic cabin on a good-sized lake. And with it, came a pontoon boat. I suspected my dad’s spirit was somehow involved.

We zip and strap my little granddaughters into their life jackets

to take them out on the pontoon. Of course, the little girls love the hairchurning ride, the benches to climb, and railings to test. I’m grateful for the loops at the back of their lifejackets and have made a rule: No moving around when the motor is on. My daughter is happy to be the pilot while I cling to the girls.

I lack the courage to take the pontoon boat out on my own. I’m happy to clamber into a kayak and tool around, exploring shoreline and islands. But the mechanics of the pontoon motor freak me out. And my fears have been born out.

One day, Sean, my son-in-law launched the pontoon boat. His parents were visiting and so was my mother-in-law. We were going to give his hard-working parents a little tour of our end of the lake. Out in the clear, away from the dock, I suggested I drive to become more comfortable with operating the party barge. Sean gave me the helm. Then, equidistance from the cabin and the public access, the engine stopped. We all assumed it was pilot error. After a few tries, I gave the wheel to Sean. Neither he nor his dad, Craig, could get it going.

Sean noticed something tangled in the prop. He jumped into the lake and discovered the battery cable was wrapped around it. For some reason, the cable was very long—about ten feet. It had snaked off the deck and was caught in the churn of the motor.

The cable was nearly cut through. Luckily, Sean and Craig are resourceful mechanics. Sean held the cable together (without getting shocked) while Craig got the motor restarted and drove us back to the dock. Then, instead of relaxing at the lake, Craig and Sean went into town, bought a new shorter cable, and replaced the damaged one.

Last summer, family and friends used the pontoon some, but I paddled my kayak. Then at the end of the season, I had to scramble to get the boat out of the water. A neighbor loaned us a trailer. My daughter was working. Sean loaded the two little girls into their car seats in his truck, hooked up the trailer and drove to the public access. He backed the trailer down into the water and waited for me to bring the boat across. He called to say the baby had fallen asleep and the three-year-old was getting restless but he was keeping her in her car seat where she was safely out of the way.

I managed to start the motor and only went the wrong direction briefly before I got it into reverse and backed carefully away from the shoreline rocks and the dock. I gained confidence and slowly increased speed, watching the string of cabins on the shoreline recede behind me. Most were seasonal, like mine. Only a few were occupied this late in the fall.

A sharp beep sounded from the motor and it quit. I remembered that

CAMP VOYAGEUR

A camp for boys 10-18 with water and land sports plus wilderness canoe trips. Guided trips for girls. Located at the edge of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. 800-950-7291, www.campvoyageur.com

sound from David’s boat. But I didn’t know what it meant. Again, I was equidistance between my dock and the public access. The landing was on the back side of a point, out of sight.

I restarted the engine. It caught, turned the prop and pushed the boat forward. I said a prayer of thanks. But it hadn’t gone far when that beep shrieked and the engine quit again. I probably re-started the engine five or six times. Each time the engine ran a shorter distance. The last push carried me around the point and within sight of Sean and the trailer before it died. Across the water, Sean patiently explained trouble shooting the motor to get it re-started. He eyed the frigid water, wondering if he should wade in to get me. I tried his suggestions but the motor refused to turn over again. Mentally I prepared to leap into the breath-taking water to tow in the boat. Luckily a breeze sprang up from just the right direction and I floated near enough for Sean to catch the bow rope and pull the pontoon boat into position over the trailer skids.

OUTBOARD REPAIR

Joe’s Marine and Repair. Chainsaw and outboard service. Mechanics on duty Monday through Saturday. Full of boating accessories for “Fun on the Water.” 25 W. Chapman St., 218-365-6264

The breeze also wafted the smell of a burning engine. Sean looked at the motor once we’d pulled the trailer out of the lake. He offered hope that I might not have totally ruined the thing. He thought the problem might be some whatzit that often fails when an engine isn’t run frequently enough. Is this party barge worth all the hassles? My knee jerk response is HE-double hockey sticks NO, but I think Dad and David would have a different answer. I’m going to climb into my kayak and paddle around, meditating. Weighing upkeep costs versus benefits; my kids’ joy against my fear of being stalled equidistance between self-sufficiency and having to ask for help—again.

Becca notes that she’s writing through her Party Barge Period, kinda like Picasso and his Blue Period. You can find more pontoon stories at her blog, Love With Roots, and in Summer Times archives at RavenWordsPress.com.

100+ Years of Drama

Decades ago, It was common for people with mutual interests to form a study club, usually with membership exclusive to those chosen by the organizers. The group would meet regularly with a few members presenting an educational session on the current topic for study. Meetings were usually held at a member’s home. (I remember my mother thoroughly cleaning our house and getting out the good china for such meetings.) Science, history, and the arts were common organizing subjects. In Ely in1923, such a group formed from the collaboration of two

smaller groups to create the Ely Music and Drama Club. In case you didn’t do the math, they are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Originally the group met three times a month with elaborate productions that included costumes, music, and props. At that time, research had to be conducted at the library or in private collections of books and music; Google makes this easier today. Now the club meets once a month and presentations lean more towards the informative than the theatrical.

Through the years, Music and Drama Club became more civicminded, supporting community arts rather than only studying arts in distant times and places. For many

years they provided a preperformance audience for the Spring Musical, helping the cast know when to pause for laughs and applause. Members brought a meal for the cast, orchestra, and crew during the daylong rehearsals the weekend before opening. The theater lobby was transformed into a costumed cafeteria with side shows of singing and dancing as the chorus polished their numbers and consumed enough potluck energy to make it through the tech rehearsal that lasted until late in the evening. Scholarships are another way Music & Drama has supported the Ely arts community. The Zella Richter Memorial scholarship, begun in 1950, has been awarded to graduating high school students who excelled in the arts. The scholarship program has expanded to provide funding for talented middle and high school students wishing to pursue their arts passion at summer workshops or

camps. Funds are raised through membership dues and donations, as well as a few events.

Music & Drama Club is most definitely not a thing of the past. They are still active, studying a variety of subjects at monthly meetings, providing scholarships, and presenting the annual Community Service Award to someone who has contributed substantially to Ely’s multi-faceted arts scene. A plaque with awardees’ names is on display in the college theater lobby.

For anyone interested in becoming a member of this fine organization, an invitation is extended to attend a meeting on the third Monday of the month May-September, 6 pm, at Ledgerock Church. The by-laws limit membership to 25 people, but recently several members have transitioned to honorary status, creating room for new theater and music enthusiasts to join. No worries about cleaning house or polishing the silver; just think of a topic you’d like to explore, perhaps in cooperation with others. Not at all stuffily prestigious, as such groups could be decades ago, this group is fun and down-to-earth. Happy Hundredth Anniversary, Music and Drama!!

M&D Club celebrates Spring and the Holidays with special parties

Drama clubs have a long history in Ely.

The cast of Joseph, 1996, well-fed thanks to Music & Drama

ART in ELY

WALLS & SHELVES

Art & Soul Gallery 427 E Sheridan Street

Art by Abbey 545 E Sheridan Street

ORGANIZATIONS

The Art Corner 301 W Sheridan Street

Arts in Ely ArtsInEly.org, FB

ARTISTS’ WEBSITES

Consie Powell ConsiePowell.com

Chris Koivisto Ceramics ElyArt.com

Eric Sherman Photography EricShermanImages.com

Dafne Caruso Arts DafneCaruso.com

Heidi Pinkerton RootRiverPhotography.com

Roy Misonznick Images ElyPix.com

Ely Art Walk ElyArtWalk.org

Ely Photographic Collaborative Find it on Facebook

Ely Folk School 209 E Sheridan Street

Gardner Humanities Trust GardnerTrust.org

Northern Lakes Arts Assn. NorthernLakesArts.org

Tofte Lake Center TofteLake.org

Brainstorm Bakery 402 E Sheridan Street

The Brandenburg Gallery 11 E Sheridan Street

Ely Historic State Theater 238 E Sheridan Street

Fernberg Art Gallery 2267 Fernberg Road

Gallery Ali 6 E Sheridan Street

Kekekabic Studio 118 E Chapman Street

Mayhem Mending 438 E Sheridan Street

Mealey’s Gift Shop 124 N Central Avenue

Ornamental Hermit Studio 132 N 1st Avenue E, by appt

Three Jewels Pottery 206 E Sheridan Street

So many books, so little space! We try to choose the best of those with special relevance to the Ely area and published by small companies without huge budgets, meaning you may not hear of them elsewhere. Check ‘em out!

Local author Polly Carlson-Voiles and illustrator Consie Powell have teamed up again to create a delightful picture book perfectly suited to an Ely audience. Young Nora stays up late enjoying the night sky with Grandma and Grandpa on the dock. Nocturnal wildlife joins the Star Party. The nonfiction pages have helpful notes for creating your own summer night on the dock. A must-have book for the cabin library, you can get it signed at Art & Soul Gallery or Piragis’ Bookstore events on June 3rd and May 27th.

Talking Sky and What We See in the Stars are good companions to Star Party, and just right for the older child or adult who wants to delve deeper into the heavens. Talking Sky

presents the Ojibwe perspective on star groupings, including how the sky world reflects the seasons and governs life on the planet’s surface. Greek mythology and indigenous North American traditions are contrasted, noting the strengths of each in applying them to our day-to-day life. Ideas are presented about how pictographs may depict heavenly phenomena, and the likelihood that these ancient rock drawings were created in winter.

What We See in the Stars details some of the science behind our celestial observations in an easy reading style. Learn about moon phases and eclipses, characteristics of other planets, our sun, a history of sky observation tools and technology, and the exploration of deep space and the possibility of life in other solar systems. Lively illustrations help the beginning astronomer understand key concepts.

This listing is sponsored by

With a title like The Lichen Museum, you might be expecting a lavishly-illustrated compendium of research on these life forms. But this book is more philosophical, insisting that humans have much to learn from the symbiotic, creative, adaptable, complex, long-lived beings that are lichens. The author suggests that many of humanity’s troubling issues could be resolved by studying and–yes, behaving more like lichens. There are many humorous musings, engaging anecdotes, personal reflections, and some lovely color photos as readers explore how differently humans could relate to time, each other, and the GNP.

What exactly is a “Foundational” tree? In White Pine we learn how such trees are part of our history and culture as well as the base upon which the pyramid of a forest community is

built. The iconic tree of our north woods forests, white pine were clearcut nearly to oblivion in northern Minnesota, making more money for lumber barons than the California gold rush made for its investors. Not quite too late, foresters began to discover the importance of the tree’s life cycle and work to see this species thrive again and survive the current threats of climate change and blister rust. If you love a stand or an individual tree, reading this book will grow your affection and understanding, and may even provide some practical protection for the white pine in your life.

Just for fun– Wildlife Anatomy describes the amazing, surprising, and sometimes mysterious features of the bodies and behaviors of a variety of animals. From alpacas to zebras, hundreds of critters practically jump, slither, crawl, and fly off these pages.

For the middle-schoolers (and older ones who like a good plot and quick read), here are two can’t-put-itdown books. Windswept is the most recent story from local author and mentor to the Ely high school student writers’ group (along with Mary Casanova), Margi Preus. Disappearing children and an increasingly dystopic society motivate young Tag to take the risk of going Outside to find her sisters. She joins an unlikely-to-be-heroic bunch of kids on a search for siblings and a better life.

Small Game is a story about a reality entertainment game gone terribly wrong. Survival becomes more than play, and protagonist Mara, whose woodsy childhood resembles that of some Ely kids, has to figure out how to get along with teammates that may be less than trustworthy, while surviving all the trials of living in the north woods without the comforts of her usual life. Both are great readaloud books for campfires.

Chapman Street Books

Quality used books on all topics, including many with local interest. Bring yours in for a discount. Big free box. Home to Prairie Fire Tobacco, with imported and domestic blends. 139 E. Chapman St. 218-365-2212

Immersed in the upheavals of indigenous life at the turn of the 19th to 20th century, John and Tchi-Ki-Wis Linklater made their home in the Arrowhead region and on Isle Royale. A man respected by all who knew him, John–or Jack as his friends called him–was a game warden, guide, and father. Tchi-Ki-Wis was known for her finely crafted cedar mats. The two maintained a life true to Anishinaabe and Métis values and pursuits as much as was possible while their way of life was changing by the advance of white people’s influence on the land and society. This deeply biographical account of their lives includes rare photographs, historically accurate anecdotes, and a sense of what life was like living on Basswood Lake in the 1920s. A challenging portage is a good analogy for the struggles and accomplishments of their lifetimes.

© David Jackson

To bring diversity and inclusion to your summer reading list start with How We Go Home. Inspiration and hope hold hands with despair in these oral histories by indigenous North Americans who seek to imagine what “going home” can mean to them. Eye-opening for anyone who’s ever tried to explain to others or themselves why people raised in poverty and oppression can’t just “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” (And, btw, did you ever try to picture the physics of that?! Truly impossible.) Not an easy read, but a worthwhile one.

When you think of outdoor writing–love of nature, adventure, environmental advocacy–is there any black writer who comes to mind? A Darker Wilderness addresses that missing voice. Tiya Miles describes this as “like walking down a dim urban street that turns out to have always been a sacred wood full of magic.” This anthology covers everyday life and dramatic events, history and present day, woods and fields and rivers. Good literature all.

All these books are available through the Ely Public Library and at Piragis’ Upstairs Bookstore.

Canoe Dogs

by Samantha Lamers

A thick, grey haze hung suspended over our canoe as we glided quietly through the dark water. I glanced down at my map and back into the fog ahead, letting my eyes adjust to the perpetual cloud that stretched on before me. Charlie, my four-legged companion of 6 years, began to shift her position in the bow of my canoe. I knew she deserved to stretch her legs

after a couple hours of patience with my navigational failures this morning. I sighed in frustration, trying to resist the urge to turn on my cell phone and reference my position by satellite. I could hardly make out any reference beyond the tree line that was 20 yards ahead of me. Charlie mirrored my impatience with a dramatic groan, slumping down into a small puddle that had accumulated in the bottom of the canoe.

“I’m sorry, Chica,” I muttered. Tiny drops of water beaded over the surface of everything in our canoe, leaving us soaked. The forest couldn’t seem to decide weather or not it wanted to rain.

I paddled forward, sharing thoughts with my dog about our travel route for the rest of the morning and whether we should take a break and let this soggy curtain lift. Strategizing my plans with my Charlie was something I had grown to do on a regular basis after our years together. Whether it was doing chores in the yard, road tripping, or traveling by canoe, Charlie had been there. I had adopted her as a three-month-old pup and vowed to take her everywhere with me. With a lot of patience, training, and help from family and friends, I had come to own an outstanding dog. (I hold no bias, of course.)

Just as I parted ways between two islands, a spit of sand appeared off the peninsula on our starboard side. As I approached, Charlie promptly sat up, anticipating our next move. “Sit.” I instructed her sternly, gliding slowly into the shallow bank. I left just a few inches of water between the sandy bottom and my canoe, being careful not to scrape the fiberglass with a heavy load. Charlie sat obediently and whined, waiting for me to give her the release command. “Okay!”

She leapt gracefully over the gunwales, paws splashing into the water before zooming to shore with excitement. I swung my legs over and escorted our boat the rest of the way to the shoreline. Charlie loped happily along the edge of the brush, following an old set of otter tracks. Her yellow life jacket faded in and out of the fog, her tail waving wildly with excitement. This was my first solo trip with Charlie, but she had graced the bow of a canoe many times before. Whether it was a day trip or an overnight paddle, she had probably spent hundreds of hours in a canoe. Like I may have insinuated before, she has been my favorite travel companion. But to some, traveling with their dog in a canoe may sound like a recipe for disaster. They may second guess the possibility of overturning a canoe in the middle of a lake, or sharing a tent with a wet, smelly companion who can’t change their soaking wet clothes.

Traveling with your dogs in the Boundary Waters is not for the unprepared. There have been some close calls and tragedies from dogs getting injured or lost in the wilderness, and while some accidents are inevitable, there are ways to mitigate risk for you and your dog.

Eric Glasson and Tim Barton have become accustomed to traveling in the wilderness with their dogs after living and working in Ely. Both have extensive professional and personal experience traveling in the BWCAW.

One suggestion both would make to travelers considering bringing a dog along on a canoe trip, is getting them comfortable with working in and around a canoe. First and foremost, try to introduce your dog to water as soon as possible.

“Wendell was 3 months old the first time he went swimming and 4 months for his first canoe paddle! He was tentative at first, but now he demands his swim in Shagawa every single day during the summer.” Shares Glasson. His Australian Shepard mix, Wendell, has become a devoted and welltraveled canoe companion.

Even if your dog may not have been introduced to water at a young age, it may not be too late to start. Start by making their time spent around water a rewarding experience. Encourage them to swim or play in and around the water. A pocket full of treats and a lot of praise is a great way to lay some basic groundwork with your four-legged friend.

Next introduce them to a canoe. Eric suggested teaching them how to

Dogs enjoy tent time after a day of canoeing.

enter and exit a canoe on dry ground first, where the stakes are lower. The last thing you would want is your dog to panic and overturn a canoe into the water, scaring and soaking all parties involved. Slowly work you way to a place where you feel comfortable with your dog being able to enter and exit a canoe on command. If you feel ready enough to start paddling, be sure you can reach and gain control of your dog to prevent them from sending themselves, and you, overboard. The canoe should eventually become a comfortable place for them, enough so that they can eventually lie down and take a nap in the bottom of the boat

during longer excursions.

Strong commands and obedient dogs are a must. If your dog can obey the basic commands of “Sit”, “Stay”, “Lay down” and Heel”, you are much more likely to have a safe and successful trip. Building discipline and a partnership between you and your dog should be taken seriously before venturing into any outdoor endeavor. Eric would say that if you’re looking specifically for a dog to bring on canoe trips, do you research. He makes a strong point regarding his dog’s obedient demeanor and size.

“Medium-sized breeds like Australian Shepards are the ideal canoe-dog size

and combination of intelligence and agility. Small enough to provide stability in the canoe, and large enough to take care of themselves on trail.”

Tim also shares that the size of his American Cocker Spaniel, Harvey, contributes to their ease of travel in the Boundary Waters. “He rarely moves once in, and he never jumps out on his own. Also, since he is only 25 pounds, if he wants to shift his weight in the boat, it is barely noticeable.”

While there are a variety of breeds that would make great canoe companions, size and disposition are serious traits to consider. I have yet to see a Great Dane perched elegantly in the bow of someone’s canoe. Size consideration should be taken into account for smaller breeds as well.

Growing up, my dad would affectionally refer to my aunt’s Yorkshire Terrier as “Muskie Bait.” You may find traveling with breeds on each

end of the size spectrum more logistically challenging than you hoped.

Gear is essential to all travelers of the wilderness, especially when it comes to being safe and comfortable in the woods. The suggestion from both Eric and Tim- don’t overthink it. Determining what is necessary and what isn’t may take a few trips and can also vary from owner to dog as well.

Harvey reads maps, too.

The exception to the rule, this 165-pound Great Pyrenees is not especially obedient but loves canoeing.

“I used to bring all sorts of gear into the woods for Wendell... Most of those things weren't necessary, didn't get used, or interfered with our trip experience. Dogs should be simple. They should be comfortable traveling in the outdoors; it was not long ago their ancestors were wild animals,” states Glasson.

That being said, there are some key essentials that make for a safe and enjoyable experience for both humans and pets in the wilderness. Tim outfits Harvey with a specially fitted life jacket. “It has a handle on the back which makes it really easy to get him in and out of the canoe, or out of the mud which is an inevitable occurrence.”

A dog life jacket may sound silly to some, especially to owners of waterloving breeds like retrievers. However, just like humans, some of the best swimmers can still fall victim to fast and rough moving water. Consider a life jacket in the spring and early summer when you are most likely to encounter high water and faster currents. When July and August roll around, a life jacket can be too warm

during long days out on the water and under the sun. Try to mitigate overheating with lots of swim breaks or just taking the jacket off when water conditions aren’t hazardous.

Bugs can be just as uncomfortable for your dog as they can be for you. Be sure your pet is up to date with their flea and tick applications. Look into other deterrent options, like a vetapproved bug repellent. Wendell has been outfitted with a bandana treated with bug repellent that is placed around his neck. Areas to check for bug irritations are around the eyes, armpits, and underbelly of your dog. Bites from flies can become swollen and painful, so be sure to properly monitor the condition of your pet while out on trail. You may also want to consider bringing a bug net to create a bug free space for your dog at camp; they are lightweight and easy to stuff into a pack.

A ground pad or mat can be used in the canoe and at camp for a comfortable spot for your pooch to lay. Tim uses an old Thermarest pad for Harvey to keep him more sure-footed on the slippery bottom of the canoe. A pad can also provide some joint relief and insulation from the cold hard bottom of the canoe and the ground while resting at night.

Other important items to consider would be a few first aid essentials to throw in your personal kit. Consider including items like vet wrap and padding to treat smalls cuts and abrasions, nail clippers and a vetapproved antihistamine-like supplement in case of bad reaction to insects. A quick-dry towel may help with removing dirt and water from your dog’s coat before they join you inside of the tent at night.

While planning for your first canoe trip with your pet may seem like an ominous goal, it sure can be worth it.

“I love traveling with Harvey,” shares Tim. “I get to bring my best friend along to enjoy the things I love.”

And nobody said it better than Eric, “Every wilderness trip we have taken with Wendell was enhanced by his presence. I wish I could say that for every human I have introduced to the BWCA.”

The author and her dog, Charlie

It may take extreme measures to keep biting flies off your dogs, but they may appreciate it.

Wendell on a rainy day

Ely Dining Guide

The Boathouse Ely’s only brewery also serves seasonal brews and tasty food in the family dining room or bar. Duck wings, steak bites, and many more appetizer choices. Burgers, walleye, Cuban sandwiches, and salads to satisfy big appetites. Beer in growlers and BW containers. Sports on big TVs. Full bar. 47 E Sheridan St., 365-4301 $11-17, C V #68

Brainstorm Bakery Did you have a crappy morning? If not yet, stop on in and add some healthy fiber to your diet with locally made granola, yogurt parfaits, smoothies, fair-trade coffee, and fresh-baked treats. Expanded seating for coffee with friends. Granola for gifts in pun-filled packaging, bumper stickers and T-shirts too. 402 E. Sheridan, 235-6161 $5-8 V #89

Call (Area Code is 218) or check websites, FB pages or EatinEly QR (next page) for hours and menus. Price ranges are for a meal. C: children’s menu, V: vegetarian meals, # is location on the maps, page 78. Most places have take-out and even curbside delivery if you request it.

Rockwood Dog-Friendly Patio

Ely Steak House Steaks, walleye, seafood, chicken, and French onion soup prepared to perfection. Prime rib Fri and Sat. Sr discounts 4-6 pm. More than 3/4 million Bucky Burgers have sold (and still counting)–the most popular burger in Ely. Generous servings. The lounge is a favorite night spot with games and specials.

216 E Sheridan, 365-7412 $12-40. C V #73

Evergreen Restaurant & Antlers Lounge at Grand Ely Lodge. Sunset view of Shagawa Lake on the deck for bar or dining. Extensive dinner menu, b’fast and lunch specials, light dinners and appetizers. Pasta specialties, salads, walleye, and steaks. Open 365 days a year.

400 N Pioneer Rd, 365-6875 for reservations and take-out. $10-31 C V #37

Gators Grilled Cheese

Emporium Comfort foods and healthy alternatives, full breakfast menu. Grilled sandwiches and burgers, homemade soups, and salads. Little Free Library outside. Very popular spot; come early or late for faster seating. Dog-friendly sunny deck, shady side lawn, or cozy fireplace.

955 E. Sheridan St, 365-7348 $7-18. C V #39

Insula This popular dining spot serves many locally-sourced and organic ingredients in the New American cuisine. Daily featured pasta special, market catch, and butcher’s cut. Expand your palate with fresh flavor blends, or choose old favorites. Casual-dining ambience. Specialty cocktails, beer, and wine. Open Tues-Sat.

145 E. Sheridan St, 365-4855 $9-32 C V #82

Northern Grounds Coffee and wine bar. Espresso, single-origin coffee roasted on site, tea, chai, and mocha. 50+ bythe-glass fine wines, craft beers, and specialty cocktails on tap. Charcuterie, fresh-baked breads and pastries, smoothies, soup and sandwiches. Upstairs Society Hall for co-working space or special events.

2 W. Sheridan St.. 365-6162 $5-810V #63

RockWood Enjoy a craft beer, glass of wine, or a signature cocktail on the spacious converted patio or in the outdoor beer garden. Smoked meats and simple eats, handhelds and items to share. Dogs allowed on the patio and in the beer garden. Open Wednesday through Sunday at 3 pm. See FB page for live music schedule.

302 E Sheridan, 365-7772 $8-20. C V #79

Britton’s Cafe Get a breakfast to fill you up all day. Omelets, stuffed hashbrowns, pancakes, waffles. Lunch specials, homemade soup. 5 E Chapman St, 365-3195 $9-17 C V

Chocolate Moose Dine inside or on the deck. Fine pastries every morning, lunch and Supper Club dinners Fri-Tues. Specialty cocktails.101 N. Central Ave, 504-5555. $10-50 C V

Domino’s Ely’s late-night option. Pizza and much more. Open 10am until late 7 days a week. Find coupons there and at Dominos.com. 32 E Sheridan St, 235-6262 $6-26 V

Mitska’s Market

Organic and specialty foods market with selection of bulk foods. Deli-style grab-and-go. Cold drinks. Vegan options. 141 E. Chapman St. 365-2799 $10–18 V

Oriental Orchid More than 100 Vietnamese and Chinese menu items. Weekday lunch specials and dinner combinations. 506 E. Sheridan St, 365-7502 $9-$19 V

Grab Something Quick

Dairy Queen - 1441 E. Sheridan

Ely State Theater - 238 E Sheridan

Log Cabin Coffee - 1340 E. Sheridan

Subway -1520 E Sheridan

Zup’s Deli - 1500 E. Sheridan

Find Your Own Food

Ely Folk School offers classes on mushrooming, wild rice harvesting, and foraging for other wild foods. ElyFolkSchool.org

or stop by 209 E. Sheridan

Ely’s Bars

Peanuts, Pizza, & More

Catz Billiards - 29 E. Chapman

Dee’s Bar - 17 E. Sheridan

Ely Steak House - 216 E. Sheridan

Antlers Lounge- 400 N. Pioneer

Kwazy Wabbit - 11 N. Central

Samz Place - 1203 Old Winton Rd.

Silver Rapids - 450 Kawishiwi Tr.

Zaverl’s Bar - 509 E. Sheridan

Please thank our advertisers for providing you with this free publication. This couldn’t happen without them!

The Rusty Cup at Silver Rapids Lodge. Lakeside seasonal dining on the Tomahawk ATV trail. Full bar, specialty cocktails with lots of mules. 459 Kawishiwi Trail, 365-4877, $15-28, C V

Sir G’s Italian cuisine with hand-made pasta. Appetizers, pizza, salads, desserts. Wine and beer. Call ahead for faster take-out . 520 E Sheridan, 365-3688 $10-19 C V

Stony Ridge Ely’s biggest burger selection (50 kinds!) Walleye, stuffed hashbrowns, big servings. Full bar. Lovely patio overlooks Shagawa Lake. 60 N. Lakeview, 235-9441 $13-40. C

Thai Cuisine by Paan Food truck at Whiteside Park or nearby. Fresh, authentic Thai food. Cooking classes, too. See FB for up-to-date locations. 504-9430 $8-13.50 CV

Wilderness WoodFire Pizza Food truck. Specialty combos or create your own with variety of toppings. See FB for updates. Call for faster service. 235-8752 $6-27 V

Little Free Libraries of Ely

How many can you find?

The Little Free Library website lists 11 official LFLs in Babbitt and Ely. But the site misses several, so there are probably close to 20 in the area. No one should go without reading material around here! We used to include them on the maps, but there are now so many that they would block out the

names of places you are trying to find, so you’ll just have to drive around looking for the cute, cleverly made boxes that house books, magazines, and occasionally small toys or other items people are ready to pass on. Stop and make a deposit or pick up a title that appeals to you.

The Kelso Stone

On an exposed rock outcropping on a small island in the middle of a narrow river flowing through a boreal bog in the BWCA sits a large eggshaped boulder resting on top of three smaller rocks. Most people canoeing past it never even notice, and those that do probably think it is a glacial erratic–a natural phenomenon left by a retreating glacier thousands of years ago. However, a closer examination and comparison to similar megalithic stones around the world leads to a different conclusion. It is a dolmen.

The word dolmen means “stone table” and they are so named because they typically look like a table made of rocks. Stonehenge is one well-known example.

The Kelso River Stone has a large boulder forming the tabletop–approximately 6 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet, a fact that will become important later. It is shaped somewhat like an egg. There is a 5-inch space between the flat bottom of the capstone boulder and the ground. The large boulder is aligned north-south and there is a ridge running along the top of the rock that is perfectly aligned to magnetic

north. The capstone sits on two basketball-size rocks under the large rounded end and a tiny pyramidshaped rock two-thirds of the way down the length. Looking under the capstone, one can see that the two larger support rocks are perfectly nestled in hollows in the underside of the top rock. On the east side of the capstone are etched two one-inchlong, almost parallel incisions.

Due west of the Kelso Stone is Kelso Mountain, one of the highest peaks in Minnesota at 2100 feet in elevation, rising 300 feet above the dolmen.

According to Harvard professor Barry Fell, who documented this stone as the first dolmen discovered in Minnesota, such monuments were Celtic, Iberian, or Phoenician in origin. Dolmens have been found all over the world with more than two hundred examples in New England alone and others as far away as California and West Virginia. Carbon dating of charcoal found near the Mystery Hill megalithic complex in New Hampshire indicates that it was established about 2,000 B.C. A complex of petroglyphs or rock etchings describing a Celtic Iberian trading voyage near Peterborough, Ontario has been dated to 1700 B.C. There is evidence of Celtic occupation in North America as late as 50 A.D.

There are several other explanations as to the origin of this

rock structure on the Kelso River. One local fishing guide told me that he had seen rock piles created by Boy Scouts on several occasions and that this sounded like something they might do. Another guide said he had previously been a logger and that the old time loggers had the ability and creativity to move heavy loads and could have lifted a several-ton rock if they wanted to. Another explanation is that since the perched rock is near an old Forest Service fire tower on Kelso Mountain, it was placed there by bored Forest Service employees in their spare time. While these explanations are possible, there are all kinds of reasons why they

by J. Fletcher Freeman

© Paul Sundberg

don’t make sense. Why would Forest Service employees go two miles from their tower to an island in the middle of a river to build a rock pile? How could a group of Boy Scouts on a canoe trip lift a 90-cubic-foot boulder that weighs over 8 tons, much less get it to the island in the middle of the river by canoe? While loggers might have more time, manpower, and equipment with which to lift the heavy stone, why would they have been in the middle of a swamp instead of in the forest where the trees were located? The river is too narrow and too shallow for floating log to a landing, and there’s no apparent landing downstream.

As to the glacial erratic theory, many similar dolmens are found in countries that never underwent an ice age. In addition, it is not feasible that a glacier could erect several rocks of exactly the right height and then neatly deposit on top of them a giant capstone perfectly aligned to the cardinal points and various astronomical sight lines, not once but hundreds of times and almost always on a bare outcropping of ledge rock near water.

But there is an even better reason why none of these explanations are correct. There is an almost identical dolmen located in Greenwood Lake, New York, with an inscription to the Celtic Sun god Bel. The book The Search for Lost America by Salvatore Trento includes a picture of a similar egg-shaped boulder sitting atop three smaller rocks. The book describes it: “a 6-by-5-by-3-foot boulder rests upon rounded stones near the edge of an exposed ridge.” These are almost the exact measurements of the Kelso Lake dolmen. The picture of the Greenwood Lake dolmen shows a stone identical in shape to the Kelso Lake dolmen and even reveals a similar ridge running along the top. The support stones are placed similarly, too. Both dolmens sit on exposed rock outcroppings.

Charles Bailey, a researcher from Duluth who has studied many ancient sites in the upper Midwest, had this to say about the Kelso dolmen: “…it appears oriented to the sunrise at the Summer Solstice. A precise map of the site (using canoes) was made back in 1991. Since that date, repeated

surveys of the site have resulted in discovery of several additional features. These include a cave north of the dolmen with an east-facing window; two strong magnetic anomalies; two, possibly three, very old petroglyphs, and a sonic feature which may explain the configuration of dolmens elsewhere. It appears the site was used as an observatory/worship area to mark changes in the seasons as well as planetary and star risings and settings.”

Dolmens are traditionally attributed ,to cultures existing around 2,000 B.C., all of which worshipped a sun god by the name of Bel, Bal, or Baal. There is substantial evidence that these explorers from these groups came to the North American continent before the time of Christ. Why did they come to America and more particularly to northeastern Minnesota? Probably for the same reason most later explorers and emigrants came. They were looking for valuable materials to ship home.

About a hundred miles east of the Kelso dolmen is Isle Royale in Lake Superior, famous for ancient copper mines that have been dated back to

7000 B.C. If people came to Isle Royale for copper, isn’t it likely that they would explore the region for other valuables or trade routes back to the homeland?

How did they come to America ?

According to Julius Caesar, the Celts had a navy of 220 ships all of which were bigger than and superior to the Roman fleet. Caesar noted that the Celtic ships were able to travel on the open ocean and were strong enough to withstand tempest and high waves. He destroyed the Celtic Navy in 55 B.C. thus ending their ability to engage in transatlantic travel. However, prior to that date the Celts apparently could go

The Kelso River

Note that the stone is unsupported for about 1/3 of its length. That is true of many dolmens.

anywhere. Even before that time the Phoenicians had a huge merchant fleet of ships. Historical documents written between 480 B.C. and 440 A.D. refer to a land beyond the Atlantic Ocean.

How did these early voyagers live and what were they like? They may have been similar to the Native Americans except for the color of their skin. Julius Caesar reported that they lived in small huts made of interlocked boughs over which animal hides were stretched. They wore clothing made from the skins and fur of animals. The Celts from Gaul (France) were described by Caesar as “a fair-haired race, blue-eyed, very high spirited, boastful, quarrelsome, courageous in war, with a love of ornamentation.”

Like the later French voyageurs, it’s likely they intermarried with the Native Americans. The explorers of the early 1600’s reported finding blonde “eskimos” and some of the Mandan Tribe were reported to have white skin and blond hair.

How did these ancient people build the dolmens? According to Professor Fell, the construction of a dolmen involved immense labor. “The vertical peg stones would first be erected, then a great mound of earth piled over them to permit the capstone to be levered and dragged to the top. After the capstone was set in place, the earth would be removed, allowing the huge boulder to sink onto its supports.” In the north woods of Minnesota, perhaps the builders used snow and ice instead of earth.

Kelso is an unusual name. The name “Celt” or “Kelt” is derived from the Roman word “Kelto” which was their name for the barbarian tribe now known as the Celts. There are instances of Celtic words being assimilated into Native American language, especially Algonquin, the language group of the Ojibwe. Did the Indians name the river, lake, and mountain after the Keltoi people who once lived there? Nearby Lake Lujenida also has an unusual name. Could this lake have been named after the Fire Festival, Lughnasada, held on the Fall Holy Day of the Celts?

Astro-archeologists know that many ancient megalithic monuments have astronomical and astrological aspects. They typically are aligned to the cardinal points–North, South, East, West–such that on the Equinoxes and Solstices the sun will have a special relationship to the monument. The Kelso Dolmen is aligned in a NorthSouth line. Across the river from the stone lies a large rock that is due west of the Dolmen. On the equinoxes, the sun appears to set directly over that rock for an observer standing on the East side of the Dolmen.

Are there other dolmens in the Boundary Waters? Based upon the New England evidence, the answer is probably yes. Whoever built these structures apparently put them up quite profusely. In discussing the Kelso

Lake dolmen, I have been told about similar structures in the area. Table Rock on Crooked Lake may be one. An unusual rock on Wisini Lake known as Pig Rock is supported by three small rocks and looks much like the Kelso Stone. There is a large elongated boulder located on Burntside Lake near the Little Long Portage on a bald granite promontory that has the same shape as the capstone of the Kelso and Wisini megaliths. It is perfectly aligned to the west such that on the equinoxes the sun sets directly in front of the rock. Two hundred yards north of this rock is another sitting on a granite ledge, and it is perfectly aligned with the setting sun on the Summer Solstice.

Once a few New England sites were recognized as Celtic and researchers knew what to look for, many more locations were discovered. Stone circles, standing stones, cellars or temples made of stones, engraved stones (especially triangular), piles of boulders and cupules cut into boulders are all indicative of Celtic presence. New England boulders are very similar to those in Minnesota.

Few people get off the waterways in the BWCA to explore for temples or standing stones, but perhaps as we learn more about the possibilities of long-ago Celtic visitors, curiosity will lead to more exploration and the discovery of more dolmens and other archaeological sites.

© MBeyer

Table Rock on Crooked Lake is another potential dolmen in the BWCA. Treaties were signed here.

Ely Area Attractions

Locations for many of these can be found on the maps, page 78. Area code is 218 unless noted.

Adventure Seaplanes 410-7935

AdventureSeaplanes.com

Air charter service to places in MN, WI, and Canada with an airport or waterway large enough to land. Scenic flights over the region are customized for each group so you can choose what to see. Everyone gets a window seat! Call or text to check availability.

ATV Trails

www.facebook.com/ProspectorLoopATVTrail

The Prospector trail system reaches from Ely to Tower, Babbitt, and Embarrass and connects to trails that go across the Iron Range, north to Crane Lake, and east to the North Shore of Lake Superior. Forests of tall pines, river crossings, vista views, and boardwalks through cedar swamps provide great riding experiences. See their FB page to join any of their many rides for charity and to join or volunteer. Info and maps at the Chamber and gas stations.

Bearhead State Park

235-2520

www.mndnr.gov/bearhead

A gem of a park with terrific hiking trails, remote lakes, rental cabins, camping, boat and stand-up paddleboard rental, swimming beach, birding, and a knowledgeable staff. MN State Park vehicle permit required, available for this and all state parks at the office.

Bois Forte Heritage Center 753-6017

BoisForteHeritageCenter.com

At the Bois Forte reservation on Lake Vermilion near Tower, the displays portray Ojibwe life past and present, indoors and out. One of the best things to do on a rainy day! See the new map of the Lake Vermilion area with native place names. Open Tues-Sat 9-5. $6, age 4-12 and seniors $6, family $20, veterans $3, free for band members.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness recreation.gov

Ely is the put-in place for the western and central parts of the BWCAW. Designated as a Dark Sky location, this is a place to view constellations, the Milky Way, and sometimes the northern lights. Permits are always required, but are unlimited for day trips. Overnight permits are needed May-September. Get more information at any Ely outfitter or the U.S. Forest Service station.

Chamber of Commerce

365-6123

800-777-7281 Ely.org

Information on resorts, outfitters, events, and businesses. Coupons for discounts at Ely stores. State and area maps. Located in a log bunkhouse originally built on Basswood Lake in 1938. 1600 E. Sheridan St. Open M-F 9-5 year round, Sat 10-4 May 29-Sept 30. Closed holidays.

Children’s Garden 365-5254 Pattison and 3rd Ave. W.

Children and adults welcome anytime to explore the green bean teepee, tomato house, pumpkin patches, strawberry lane, raised vegetable beds, the rain barrel, butterfly and perennial gardens. Art and garden activities for kids through Ely Community Resource. Call for times and to register.

Dark Skies

The wilderness area near Ely is an official Dark Sky Sanctuary. Although the city has a ways to go to eliminate light pollution, most out-of-town locations are excellent for star gazing, northern lights sighting and photography, and contemplating our place in the universe. Our long winter nights are an especially good time, so come back.

Dorothy Molter Museum

365-4451 RootBeerLady.com

The "Root Beer Lady" was the last legal non-indigenous resident of the BWCAW. Three of her cabins were relocated to Ely as a tribute to her unorthodox life. Exhibits cover BWCA history, root beer making, travel to Knife Lake, and guest registers. Icecold root beer, nature trails, bird watching, pet area. $7 adults, discounts for kids, seniors, AAA. Members and military free. Summer 10-5 daily.

Downtown History Walking Tour

https://theclio.com/tour/2160

Visit 33 historic locations on this 12-block walking tour. Learn about the history of each former boarding house, dry goods store, saloon, and other establishments from the late 1800s to the 1960s. You can get the map and descriptions for the sefl-guided tour with the QR code on page 78. For a real treat join the guided tour at City Hall on Tuesdays 4pm or Saturdays 9am July 11-Aug 8. Members of Ely’s Historic Preservation group will walk with you and answer your questions about Ely’s storied past. A map and details for a history driving tour are also available at the Chamber.

Ely Arts & Heritage Center 365-3578

ElyArtsandHeritageCenter.org

The Pioneer Mine Museum and the Miners Dry building are where miners transitioned to and from their underground jobs. Learn about Ely’s iron mining heritage on their free tours. See equipment, clothing, and lots of photos of Ely miners. Memorial thru Labor Day, Tues 2-5, Fri 3-6, any time the green jeep is parked there, or by appointment. 401 Pioneer Rd.

Ely Folk School 235-0138

209 E. Sheridan St. ElyFolkSchool.org

Learn a new skill or teach one you know. Take classes in blacksmithing, ceramics, baking, fiber arts, painting, birding, foraging, and much more both online and in-person. Stop by or see the website for a current schedule of classes, community dances, and other events. Bring a craft and conversation starter to Makers Morning on Thursdays or bring youth to Kids Makers Morning on Fridays, June through August. See Calendar on pg 70 for some details.

Ely Golf Course 365-5932

ElymnGolfClub.com

9-hole, par 36, 3,268 yards. Carts and rental clubs, snack bar. Open May-Sept, snow allowing. On S. Central Ave, right at sign. 7am to 7pm July and August. 9 holes $24, 18 holes $32.

Ely Public Library 100th Anniversary! 365-5140

ElyLibrary.org

Children’s area, computers and internet, audio books, music, DVDs. Large regional book section. Summer residents and visitors welcome. Kids can pick up monthly activity kits and enjoy story time Fridays at 10am. 9-6:30 Mon-Fri. See Calendar pg. 70 for activities and check the website.

Ely Recreation Center 365-5254

ElyCommunityResource.org

Ely Wheel Park, basketball court, pick-up soccer in the hockey rink, indoor games, music, snack bar, and more. The base for many kids’ activities. Available to rent for private parties by calling the City of Ely at 365-3224 x1. Supervision Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat. Call or see website for current hours and activities open to all. 1034 E. Main St. (see map pg 78; “Main” is not a good description of this location.)

Ely State theater 235-6300 ElyStateTheater.org

238 E. Sheridan

Two theaters with classical movies, new releases, and live events. Waffles, popcorn, beer, wine, and some cocktails at the concession stand, which is not restricted to movie-goers. Enjoy refreshments whenever they’re open. $5 a ticket (except live events). This is the home of the blazingly successful first Ely Film Festival last February, watch for the 2024 event. Also a revised Root Beer Lady musical Sept 7-10.

Ely Steam Sauna

365-2984

127 S.1st Ave. E.

One of the last public baths in Minnesota, this has public men’s and women’s rooms and private rooms. Friendly and clean, an Ely social scene. Towels included. Wed, Fri, Sat 4-5:30 or 6-7:30, $11-16, kids $5.

Ely Winton History Museum

365-3226 College Fine Arts Building

Ely’s cultural heritage, Indian life, archaeology, voyageurs, logging, and mining. Amazing 3D model of mines and homes, today’s Trezona Trail area. Book shop features local history titles. Hours Tu-Sat, noon to 4pm. Free admission, but please consider donating or becoming a member. See FB page for more info.

Hiking Trails

There are dozens of places to hike near Ely whether you want to stretch your legs, get aerobic, exercise the dog, or make an expedition of several days. The Bass Lake Trail is one of the most popular with a waterfall, great views, swimming, fishing, and berry picking. Ask for trail maps at the USFS Visitor Center. The Koschak Farm is close to Ely, offers great birding, and isn’t so much a trail as a spot to poke around with kids or dogs and see what you can discover. See map pg 79 for some locations.

Hidden Valley Recreation Area ElyNordic.org

Hidden Valley Nordic ski trails are great for summer and fall hiking, biking, trail running, wildlife sighting, birding, and walking your dog. 9 miles of new single-track MTB trails are now complete and will host races this summer. The chalet is a secluded yet convenient spot to rent for special events–info at the website. Turn right east of Ely city limits.

International Wolf Center 365-4695 Wolf.org

Enjoy a close encounter with a wolf pack as they play, eat, nap, and tussle. Visit the display to learn about canids of all kinds, wolf behavior, research, and more. Find daily programs for all ages as well as the always-on webcam at wolf.org. Open 9-5 until Oct 23. $15, Seniors 60+ and veterans $12, Child age 4-12 $9, under 3 free. Check out free online programs.

© Chuck Dayton

Kawishiwi Falls 444 Fernberg Rd

A 1.5 mile round-trip trail goes to the falls and down to a small beach on Fall Lake. Warm micro-climate supports an unusual yellow birch forest. Eagles’ nest across the bay. Great fishing below the falls. Access by road or lake. Watch for poison ivy and keep the kids close.

Lake Vermilion State Park 218-300-7000 MNDNR.gov/LakeVermilion

Here you’ll find 31 electric campsites, 3 group campsites, 8 year-round camper cabins and a rustic island cabin rental. The day-use picnic shelters and fishing pier are open daily.

Listening Point ListeningPointFoundation.org

Take a guided tour of Sigurd Olson's historic cabin on Burntside lake, family homestead, and iconic writing shack. Guided tours on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10 AM and 2 PM. To register, please visit the website. No set cost, donations appreciated.

Miners Lake

The site of Ely’s first iron mines, this was a shallow open pit mine for a few years in the 1880s before operations went underground. The lake was created by flooding of collapsed drifts and shafts. Two fishing docks; one is wheelchair accessible. Stocked trout.

MN North College, Vermilion Campus 235-2100

The “Boundary Waters College” offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum and specialized degrees and certifications in Natural Resources, Outdoor Education, Vet Tech, Forestry, Wildland Law Enforcement, Watershed Science, Emergency Medicine, and more. The Fine Arts Theater is the site of many performances and concerts. Stop in for a free tour.

Mural and Public Art Tour

See works of art created for the public and displayed on commercial building walls, inside the Post Office, and along the hallway between the clinic and hospital. Ely Mural Walk brochures can be picked up at Art & Soul Gallery and the Chamber of Commerce.

Nelimark Finnish Homestead Museum 984-3012 SisuHeritage.org

In Embarrass, Minnesota’s Cold Spot, 28 miles from Ely. Finnish heritage and Embarrass history. Sauna exhibit, historic buildings. Free. Open June thru September, Thur, Fri, Sat 10-4 North American Bear Center 365-7879 bear.org

Observe resident black bears as they play, eat, rest, and wander through their natural habitat. Northwoods Ecology Hall features more than 60 exhibits with wildlife displays and easy-to-use touchscreens. Cub room for kids, nature trail. 9-6pm daily May28-Oct 3; 10am4pm daily May 5-26 and Sept 4-Oct29. Open year-round for groups; call for arrangements. $15, seniors & military $14, age 3-12 $9 under 3 free.

Pillow Rock 1200 block of Main Street, north side

You’ve heard of bed rock. Well, here’s the pillow, made of Ely Greenstone. Follow the historic site signs at 13th Avenue to see this 2.7 billion-year-old geologic formation.

Senior Citizen’s Center 365-4139

Everyone welcome to Bingo, Wed at 1pm. A place to socialize, do puzzles, play games. Some community ed classes are held here, plus community dances, craft fairs, health programs.

Semers Park 365-3224 x1 for rental

On Shagawa Lake, this park has a sandy beach and pier, playground, picnic facilities, restrooms, a campfire circle, hiking trails and islands, timberframe pavilion for rain shelter. Indoor event space for rental for reunions and parties. Follow signs from N. Central Ave.

Shopping See maps on page 78 for advertiser locations. Visitors, don’t miss Chapman Street, one block south of Sheridan Street. Used books, hardware, kitchenware, gifts, massage, yarn, car parts, packs, bulk food, deli, café, banks, small engine repair, and more.

Soudan Mine State Park 218-300-7000 MNDNR.gov/SoudanMine

Join a 1-hour tour of surface facilities to learn about the work that made underground mining possible, management of ore on the surface, and the equipment used in this “Cadillac of Mines.” Shaft maintenance continues through the summer, so no underground tours yet. May 27- Sept 4, 10-4, $5 ages 5 and up. 22 miles west of Ely on 169. No vehicle permits required in the parking lot.

Swimming Spots

Semers Park in Ely; Forest Service campgrounds at Fenske Lake, Fall Lake, and Kawishiwi; Dry Falls on the Bass Lake Trail; Fall Lake at the bottom of Kawishiwi Falls (watch for poison ivy), the Longbranch in Winton. There are no lifeguards. Good biking to most of these spots.

Tofte Lake Center

TofteLake.com

Artists on creative retreats and residencies fill the cabins and studio space here each summer. Public programs in the calendar, pg 70. If you need creative space in a northwoods setting, check out the website and plan an artist residency here. 2209 Fernberg Rd

Trezona Trail

Four miles around Miners Lake for biking or hiking within the city limits. Some interpretive signs at historic mine sites. Spurs to Int’l Wolf Center, USFS, and the college. PIcnic shelter near parking lot. Good berry-picking. Leashed dogs welcome, but clean up after them!

U.S. Forest Service Visitor Center 365-7600 Recreation.gov

Find informative brochures, maps, and kids activities here; pick up BWCAW permits; and browse the displays on wildlife, fire, wilderness history, and more. 8-4:30 daily 1393 Hwy 169.

Vermilion Lake Mail Boat 753-4190 AronsonBoatWorks.com

Ride along on the mail delivery route that covers 80 miles of scenic Lake Vermilion and includes 105 water-access only mail boxes. The driver is a knowledgeable local who can give a history lesson and share other information about the lake and its residents. Reservations required. Dress for the weather! Adults $25 Kids 12 and under $12. 9 am Mon-Sat. June1Labor Day.

Vermilion Range Trap Club 365-3368

Join local sports shooters at this shooting range. Trap and skeet are available at the clubhouse 5 to dark Wednesdays and 1-4 pm Sundays. Special events are held through the summer.Visitors and newcomers always welcome. Check their Facebook page for more info and updates.

Whiteside Park

Located in the middle of town, this is the site of many summer events including Blueberry Festival, Harvest Moon, and Farmers and Artists Market. Playground, gardens, band shell, restrooms, scribed-log pavilion, and plenty of space for Frisbee games.

Donate

Adopt

Volunteer

Dumping your pet is NEVER a solution. Abandoning an animal is a CRIME in MN. Please REACH OUT if you need help!

218-638-2153

• ContentedCrittersMN@gmail.com

Churches

Berean Baptist Church 2281 Hwy 169 365-5413, baptistchurchely.com Sun 10:30

Ely Gospel Church 3 E Allaire St 2351142 Sun, Prayer 9, Worship 10

In-person and livestreaming on YouTube at their channel, Ely Gospel Church

First Lutheran Church LC MS 915 E Camp St 365-3348 Sun 10:30, Bible study 12

First Presbyterian Church 226 E Harvey St 365-5130 Sun 11, YouTube

Grace Lutheran Church ELCA 301 E Conan St 365-5605 Sun 9:30

In-person and livestreaming on FB, archived on YouTube

Ledgerock Comm. Church 1515 E Camp St 365-4890, LedgerockChurch.com Sun 9:30

In-person and livestream on FB, audio on web, archives

Oasis Int’l Church 10 W Pattison 235-1151 Wed 9:30, Sun 10

In-person and livestreaming on FB at Oasis International

Praise Fellowship Christian Ely Senior Center 235-9541 Sun Bible study 9, worship 10

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church 231 E Camp St 365-4017 Sat 5 pm, Sun 10

Babbitt, Sun and Wed 8am T 5pm, Th, F 8am

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church 715 S Central Av 409-6870 Sun 9:30

Zoom, ElyStMarys@gmail for link

United Methodist Church of Ely 305 E Camp St 365-3355, elyumc.org Sun 10, FB

In-person and YouTube, ElyUMC1

Ely Area 12-Step & Recovery Meetings

HOPE - for those dealing with any addiction in friends or family

1st Lutheran Church Mon 7pm

AlAnon

Ely Willingness AFG – 1st Lutheran Church Wed 7pm

For others contact Cathe at 235-8964 or check out District8Online.org

Alcoholics Anonymous

Women’s Open – Ledgerock Church Mon noon

Miracle on Camp St, open – 1st Lutheran Church Mon 7pm

Babbitt Tues Night Group, open – Tue 7pm

Ely Wed Night Group, open – 1st Lutheran Church Wed 7:30pm

Lake Vermilion 12X12, open Thu 6:30pm

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Tower

Babbitt Back2Basics, open – Woodland Presb Church, Babbitt Thu 7pm

Happy, Joyous, and Free – First Presbyterian Church Fri 7pm

Ely Saturday Group, open – 1st Lutheran Church Sat 7:30pm

Check www.District8Online.org for up to date information and Zoom

Children’s Garden

Ely Area Calendar Summer 2023

For up-to-date event information go to www.ely.org, check posters, the local papers, and the Ely Shopper. “What’s Up Ely MN” Facebook page is a great source for current info whether it’s a lost dog or a big concert. NorthernLakesArts.org (NLAA), ElyFolkSchool.org for class schedule, and ElyClasses.com are other websites to check. Find locations on the maps, page 78; church addresses on page 69. Use contact info or search websites for registration or more details. Area code is 218. VMN = Vermilion Campus, MN North College. PWYC_ Pay What You Can ticket prices.

Events in GREEN are especially for children

1-30 Black and White and Telling Stories, The Powells Art & Soul Gallery

2, 6pm Crooked Water Spirits Tasting, meet@thenortherngrounds.com Northern Grounds

2, 7pm Ely Memorial High School Graduation Washington Aud

3, 8:30am National Trails Day Hike, register friends-bwca.org, 235-3233 Kekekabic Trailhead

3, 12pm AltaZmeja Golf Tournament, 365-6539 Ely Golf Club

3, 1-3pm Open House and book signing, Star Party Art & Soul Gallery

3, 1 & 5:30 Studio North Recital, 365-2493 for tickets Washington Aud

5-10, 9-12 Vacation Bible School, age 4 through 6th grade, 365-4890 Ledgerock Church

5, 8am Red Cross Babysitting Class, ages 11-15, elyclasses.com Vermilion CC109

5 or after Register for Summer Reading Program, all ages, prizes, 365-5140 Ely Public Library

5, 3:30 Shova and the Northern Lights Dragon program Ely Public Library

6-8, 9am-noon Greenstone Art Camp, grades 1-6, NLAA, 235-9937 Miners Dry

7, 5pm Ely-Winton History Museum History Night, Pioneer Mine Grand Ely Lodge

15-28

Artist Sylvia Houle show Ely State Theater

17, 5pm Houseplant swap and seed exchange Ely Folk School

17, 6:30

Reflections Dance Showcase, PWYC Vermilion Theater

20, all day City Wide Rummage Sale and Used Gear Sale Ely area and businesses

20, 10am Spring Fling Golf Tournament Ely Golf Club

20, noon Sketch Crawl with Consie Powell, free but register at NLAA Whiteside Park

21, 3pm Guttormson Concert, Sisu Heritage Apostolic Luthern Church, Embarrass

22, 9-3:30

23-26

24, 5:30

24, 5:30

25-26, 7-4

Healthy Aging Expo for Seniors, Free 365-8019 Grand Ely Lodge

Inheritance Games Kahoot, adults, 365-5140 Ely Public library

Estate Planning with Kelly Klun, elyclasses.com, free Media Center, Ely Schools

Auditions for Reflections Dance summer show, register NLAA Vermilion theater

Wilderness First Aid, register at ElyClasses.com or 235-2189 VMN

25, 1pm Wild Edibles, dress for the weather Ely Folk School

27, 1pm Star Party book signing and author visit Piragis Northwoods Bookstore

31, 5pm Storytelling with John Ratzloff Ely Folk School

DID YOU KNOW? All library events are free!

Many others listed here are free even if they don’t say so.

8-12 Divergent Series Kahoot, online Ely Public Library

8, 11am Careers program for pre-schoolers Ely Public Library

8, noon Art Show for Children’s Art Camp, all welcome, free Miners Dry

10-11 Jr Wolf Biologist Mini-Camp, ages 7-12, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center

10, all day Northwoods Kids Fishing Derby, ages 6-11, 365-6123, register Veterans on the Lake

10, 9-4 National Sauna Day tour, games, music, food Nelimark Museum

10, 10am Greg Mosher Memorial ATV ride to Babbitt Ely West End Trailhead

10, 10-4 Walleye Whamma Fishing Contest, 827-3464 Birch Lake Beach, Babbitt

11, noon Firewise Demonstration, minnesotafac.org Eagle’s Nest Township

11, 12:30

12-25

Loon Lessons Presentation and signing by expert Dr. James Paruk Piragis Bookstore

Locals Only Art Show (Local Plants, that is) Ely State Theater

12, 11am Library Scientists: Microbes, kids grades 5-7, 365-5140 Ely Public Library

12, 3pm Friends of the Library Book Club, Adults and teens The Plot Ely Public Library

12, 6pm First City Band Rehearsal, all welcome, 533-0450 Ely School Band room

13-16, TBA Ely Golf Club Youth Lessons, ages 8-14, elymngolfclub.com, 365-5932 Ely Golf Course

14, 7am Loon field trip with Dr. James Paruk, free Miners Lake public landing

14, noon Loon field trip with Dr. James Paruk, free Rookie Pond Overlook

14, 6pm Nature Night, Loons by Dr. James Paruk, free VMN CL104

15, 10-2

Household Hazardous Waste Collection, stlouiscountymn.gov

2210 E. Sheridan

15, TBA Loon observation on Pontoon Boat, Dr. James Paruk, 235-8078 Burntside Lake

15, 1pm Raising Chickens, by UofM Extension office, for adults Ely Public Library

16-18 Peter Mitchell Fun Days, Carnival and Activities Babbitt

17-30 Artist Ellen Sandbeck show Ely State Theater

18-19 Wolf Family Rendezvous, ages 6+, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Ctr

18-21 Dance Workshops, grades 6-12 and adults, register NLAA Ely School and Tofte LC

18, 10am Polish Delight Tournament, golf@elymngolfclub.com Ely Golf Course

20, 11am Get Crafty with Tricia: Kindness Rocks for all ages, 365-5140 Ely Public Library

20, 6pm Community Mural with Ian Francis Lah, free, register NLAA Whiteside Park

21, 7pm Ely-Winton History Museum History Night, The Workman Murals VMN CL 104

22-23, 9-3 Friends of the Library book sale (no donations this year) Senior Center

22, 5pm Rock Around the Clock fundraiser for Northwoods Partners Miners Dry

22-July 2, 7and2 Godspell, Sundays 2, PWYC 6/29, NLAA Vermilion Theater

25, 11am-2pm Dorothy Day: Preserving a Legacy, free entry Dorothy Molter Museum

26-27, 8:30 Junior Wolf Biologist Mini-Camp, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Center

27, 6pm Ely City Band’s 1st concert of 134th Season Whiteside Park

28-July 8, 8-11 NLAA Youth Theater Camp, ages 8-18 (off 7/4) Vermilion Theater

28, 1pm The Ant and the Grasshopper, Climb Theater, all ages Ely Public Library

28, 6:30pm Nature Night, topic TBA, free VMN, CL 104

29, 11am Hey, It’s a Holiday: Int’l Fisherman’s Day Ely Public Library

1-31 Journey North–Captivating Images by Heidi Pinkerton Art & Soul Gallery

1, 12:30-2 Meet the Author - Mary Casanova Piragis Northwoods Bookstore

1, 1-3pm Open House with Heidi Pinkerton Art & Soul Gallery

1, 5-11pm Rock the Park - Bands, Food Trucks, Beverages, family event Whiteside Park

Weekly Events

Visit wolf.org and bear.org for daily programs for all ages at the Int’l Wolf Center and the Bear Center. Most locations are on the maps, page 78; church addresses are on page 69. 218 area code Activities are open to the public; registration may be required. Child-focused activities are in GREEN5

Mon 4pm sharp Ely Women’s Golf League, 6/6-8/28, 365-5932 Ely Golf Club

Mon 6pm Smear Tournament, all are welcome Ely Senior Center

Tue, 10am Tai Ji Quan:Moving for Better Balance, pre-register, 365-8019 Ely Rec Center

Tue 12-1pm Tuesday Group Speakers elytuesdaygroup@gmail.com Zoom or Grand Ely Lodge

Tue 2-3:30 Tasty Tuesday, by ECHC, 302-1778, nutritious food on a budget Ely Folk School

Tue 2-5pm Pioneer Mine Shaft House tours, Memorial-Labor Day Arts and Heritage Center

Tues 4pm Guided History Walking Tour, 7/11-8/8 Meet at City Hall

Tue 5-7pm Farmers Market and Arts in the Park, 6/6-9/26 Whiteside Park

Tues 5:30-9 Tiki Tuesday, live music, 6/14 till mid-August Tiki Deck across from Mealey’s

Tues 6pm Ely City Band Concert, 6/27-7/25, (after parade 7/4) Whiteside Park Band Shell

Tue, 7pm Karaoke, just for fun-no talent required (Fri and Sat too sometimes) Zaverl’s Bar

Wed 10:30am Wellness Wednesdays, free BP checks and more, 365-8019 Ely Senior Center

Wed 10:30 Memories & Movement Men’s group, 365-8019 Ely Senior Center

Wed noon Community Lunch, $7 or PWYC Northern Lights Clubhouse

Wed 1-3pm Bingo and Dessert, all welcome Ely Senior Center

Wed 4-6pm Root Beer with Dorothy Molter Museum staff, starts 6/7 Ely Folk School

Wed 8 pm Howling Safari (August only) 365-HOWL, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center

Thur 7-9am Ely Field Naturalists Field Trips, car pool, binoculars provided* Chamber Parking Lot

Thur 9:30am Adult Makers Mornings, free Ely Folk School

Thur 10am Tai Ji Quan:Moving for Better Balance, 365-8019 Ely Rec Center

Thur 10:30am Community Exercise for seniors, free 365-8019 First Lutheran Church

Thur 12-3pm Ely Field Naturalists trips to special places, car pool* Chamber Parking Lot

Thur 5:30-7pm Ely Community Health Center free clinic 111 S. 4th Ave E.,

Thur 1-3pm Conversational Finnish, join other Finn speakers, open to all Embarrass Town Hall

Fri 9:30am Kids Makers Mornings, 6/16-8/28, free Ely Folk School

Fri 10:30am Pre-School Story Time, 365-5140 Ely Public Library

Fri 3-6pm Pioneer Mine Shaft House tours, Memorial Day-Labor Day Arts and Heritage Ctr

Fri 6pm Hammer Mountain Bike Race Series, ElyNordic.com, 5/26-6/23 Hidden Valley

Fri 8pm Howling Safari (August only) 365-HOWL, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center

Sat 9am Guided History Walking Tour, 7/8- 8/5 Meet at City Hall

Sat 9-noon Ely Field Naturalist Resource Center open* above NAPA store

Sat 8pm Howling Safari (Sept-Oct only) 365-HOWL, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center

*More details at https://elyfieldnaturalists.wordpress.com or call 235-8078

2, 10am Group Bike Ride, cookout follows, Mesabi Trail, 235-3233 meet at Semers Park

4-6pm

Cookout, free food and music, friends-bwca.org Semers Park

Flag Raising and Patriotic Program Veteran’s Memorial

on

4th,

City of Ely 4th of July Celebration, kids activities & 1pm parade Whiteside Park 4, dusk Fireworks (Please send donations to PO Box 231, Ely 55731) Over Miner’s Lake

7pm

11am

8, 10am Firewise Demonstration,minnesotafac.org Vermilion Township

8, 1-5 A Day at the Lake, workshops, games, BBQ, music Tofte Lake Ctr

8, 2 and 8 Seussical Kids Musical, NLAA theater camp show Vermilion Theater

10, 3pm Friends of the Library Book Club, The Hundred Year Old Man... Ely Public Library

12, 1pm Get Crafty! Tile Art, age 8 and up 365-5140

Public Library

12, 6:30pm Nature Night, topic TBA, free VMN, CL 104

13 -17 Gail Carriger Kahoot, online, 365-5140

Public Library

15-16, 9-2 Wolf Family Rendezvous, ages 6+, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Ctr

17-30 Local Plant Life art show Ely State Theater

17, 4pm Painting Faces in Tempera with Cecilia Rolando, free, register NLAA Whiteside Park

19-23, 10-5 Water Color Club Show and Sale Miners Dry

19, 10;30 USFS Beaver Float Planes, for adults Ely Public Library

19, 7pm E-W History Museum History Night VMN CL 104

20-30, 7and2 Songs for a New World, Sundays 2pm, PWYC 7/27, NLAA Vermilion Theater

22, 10am Blueberry Ball Golf Tournament, golf@elymngolfclub.com Ely Golf Course

24-25, 8:30 Junior Wolf Biologist Mini-Camp, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Center 24, 3:30pm Bubble Wonders, all ages Ely Public Library

26-Aug 4 Stars of the North theater workshop, ages 8-18, register NLAA Vermilion theater

26, 6:30pm Nature Night, topic TBA, free VMN, CL 104

27-30, 10-4 Greenstone Art-A-Palooza, Exhibition and Sale of local artists’ work Miners Dry

27, 11am Library Scientists: Catapults, grades 5-7 Ely Public Library

28-30 42nd Annual Blueberry Arts Festival, 10am-6pm Whiteside Park

28-30 Taste of Blacksmithing, many sessions, just stop in Ely Folk School

28-29, 10-5 Blueberry Bazaar, indoor vendors & senior cafe, 365-4139 Ely Senior Center

29, 5pm Authors’ Round Table with Cary Griffiths & Amy Hepp Friends of BW office

30, 11-2 Donuts with Dorothy, free entry to displays Dorothy Molter Museum

1-30 Northern Reflections Art Exhibition by Abbie Bahnemann Art & Soul Gallery

AUGUST

1-3, 8-11am Teen Art Camp, grades 7-12, NLAA Miners Dry

1, 11am Get Crafty! Tie Dye, all ages but young kids bring adult to help Ely Public Library

2, 7pm Ely-Winton History Museum History Night, WPA art project in Ely VMN CL104

4-5, 7pm Broadway in the BW, PWYC 8/4, NLAA Vermilion Theater

Ely Pickleball

Register at ElyClasses.org.

$35 for summer. Walk-ins are welcome, $5 per person per time

High School Pickleball Courts in summer (see map inside back cover)

VMN gym in the fall.

Mon-Fri 8-12

For calendar, levels, and beginner classes

See ElyPickleBallClub.org

Fitness and Yoga Classes

There are too many for us to list them all. Drop-ins are mostly welcome. YOGA

End of the Road Yoga 9am - 5:30pm 235-7294 endoftheroad.yoga

Beginning, Hot, Power Flow, Noon Express, + more Heavy Metal Sports 5:30am Wed, 9am Sat hmsfunctionalfitness.com

Ravens Wing Yoga 8:30 M W F 218-365-4322 (also Zoom)

Tofte Lake Center 8:30 Th, 6/8-9/7 TofteLake.org

8:30 Tue, 6/13-7/25 (not 7/4)

FITNESS and EXERCISE

Heavy Metal Sports 6am - 6:15pm hmsfunctionalfitness.com

Spin, Hybrid, TRX, Evolution, Mobility, personal trng, ++ Studio North TBA facebook.com/studionorthelymn

Gym and fitness center with day or week passes

Ready for yoga at Tofte Lake Center

5, 7-9am Great River Energy Bike Ride, MesabiTrail.com start and finish at Miners Dry

5, 8:30 am Wildlife Career Day, ages 12+, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Center

5, 1-3 Open House with Abbie Bahnemann Art & Soul Gallery

9, 6:30pm Nature Night, topic TBA, free VMN, CL 104

10-14 Keeper of Lost Cities books 6-9 Kahoot, online, 365-5140 Ely Public Library

11-12, 7pm Matters of the Heart, dance program by Reflections Dance Co. Vermilion Theater

12, 5pm Kräftskive, crayfish feed and potluck in Swedish tradition Ely Folk School

12-13, 11am 16th Annual Ely Watercross Race, 235-8940 Fall Lake at Longbranch

13, 11-2 Supporters Appreciation Day, free entry Dorothy Molter Museum

13, 2pm Matters of the Heart, dance show by Reflections Dance Co. VermilionTheater

14-27 Artist Scott King show, New Mining Ely State Theater

14, 3pm Friends of the Library Book Club: Lessons in Chemistry Ely Public Library

16, 11 am Tutu Workshop, ages 3-6 Ely Public Library

16, 7pm Ely-Winton History Museum History Night MNV CL 104

18, 6pm Dorothy M Museum 30th Anniversary, reception and film screening Ely State Theater

19 10am Big Cup Tournament, oversized cups, golf@elymngolfclub.com Ely Golf Course

22, 11am Hey! It’s a Holiday: National Tooth Fairy Day, all ages Ely Public Library

24, noon Basic Skills for Cricut, older teens and adults Ely Public Library

25-27 Annual Embarrass Regional Fair Embarrass Timber Hall

26-27, 9-2 Wolf Family Rendezvous, ages 6+, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Ctr

27, 9:30am Sunday Worship Service in the Park with Grace Lutheran Whiteside Park

28, 5pm Jumpin’ Jehosafats World Tour of Northern MN Kickoff Whiteside Park

31, 10-2 Household Hazardous Waste Collection, stlouiscountymn.gov Northwoods Transfer

31, 7pm Music & Storytelling with Joey Kenig and Tim Stouffer Tofte Lake Center

Ely All Class Reunion • Save the Dates!

June 29 - July 7, 2024

Monthly Events (Open to all, visitors welcome!)

2nd Monday, 3pm Friends of the Library book discussion Ely Public Library

4th Tuesday, 6:30pm Holistic Wellness offering by Ely practitioners Hidden Valley Chalet

3rd Wednesday 11-5pm Food Shelf Open, 235-8527 15 W. Conan

1st Thursday, 6:00pm, Ely Area Writers’ Group, any genre, 235-1984 Boathouse Brewpub

4th Thursday, 10am Caregiver Support Group, 365-8019 Ely Senior Center

4th Thursday, 6:30pm Heart of the Woods Quilters, 365-4907 LedgeRock Comm. Church

Last Thursday, 7pm Water Color Art Nights, 235-8965 Grace Lutheran Church

1st Saturday, 8-11am Pancake Breakfast, Oct-May Timber Hall, Embarrass

Saturday after 3rd Monday 8-11 Food Shelf Open, 235-8527 15 W. Conan

SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER • NOVEMBER

1-30 Cold World Adventures Art Exhibition by Marissa Saurer Art & Soul Gallery

1-4 Fest DuNord, concert and music for families, ymcanorth.org Camp duNord

2, 1-3pm Open House with Marissa Saurer Art & Soul Gallery

2, sunset Night Golf, golf@elymngolfclub.com Ely Golf Club

5 First day of school, grades 1-12 Ely Public Schools

8-10 29th Annual Harvest Moon Festival Whiteside Park

8-10 TBA NLAA Art Show, check website for details Miners Dry

8-10 Women & Wolves Weekend, ages 21+, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Center

8 5pm Listening Point Fundraiser 365-8889, listeningpointfoundation.org Grand Ely Lodge

9, 9am Soup Cup Golf Tournament, golf@elymngolfclub.com Ely Golf Course

10, 4pm Community Night Out, music and food, 984-3012Seitaniemi Homestead Embarrass

11 Studio North – Fall dance classes begin, studionorthelymn.com Studio North

18-31 Artist Show, Laura Myntti Ely State Theater

22-23 Dorothy Molter Beer Garden fundraiser Whiteside Park

22, 7pm 5K Northern Lights Glow Run, all ages and abilities Whiteside Park 23, 7:30 and 8am Ely Marathon and BW Bank half marathon, elymarathon.com Ely Area

23, 8:45am Dorothy’s Root Beer Kids Marathon, kids run 25 miles before race day Ely Area

23-24 Working for Wolves, ages 14+ up Int’l Wolf Center

28-29 Wolves after Dark, overnight ages 12+, pre-register, wolf.org Int’l Wolf Center 30, 7pm “Echo...” new dance performance by April Sellers Dance Collective Tofte Lake Ctr

Oct 2 Dance classes start for Reflections Dance Company Various locations

Oct7-8 Wolf Photography Weekend, wolf.org, 365 HOWL Int’l Wolf Center

7, 10am-4pm Jake Forsman Memorial Car Show & Burnout CompetitionChapman St. at City Hall

16-29 Artist Lini Rose, Northern Lakes Stories Ely State Theater

12, 5-7pm New Residents Social, new and old Elyites, all welcome Society Hall

21-22 Wolf Family Rendezvous, ages 6+, wolf.org, 365-HOWL Int’l Wolf Ctr

Nov 13-26 Youth Art Show Ely State Theater

Nov 23, 3pm Thanksgiving Potluck, all welcome Ely Folk School

Little Free Libraries

Take or donate books at the many in our area. You will find them at businesses, residences, and parks around town, even some out-oftown. We have stopped putting them on the map because there are too many. See the list on page 55.

Maps of the Ely Area

See Maps on next page