Northern Wilds April 2023

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One of the many things that makes the North Shore so interesting are the people, and the Northland is comprised of all types—talented artists, hardworking business owners, adrenaline-seeking adventurers, families who have called this place home for generations, folks who are new to the area, and so many others. So, for this month’s theme, we decided to simply focus on people, because everyone has a story to tell.

Kalli Hawkins starts us off with an Along the Shore story on local photographer Thomas Spence, who was recently asked by the Art in Embassies program to show one of his wildlife photos in the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Rae Poynter reached out to Sarah Jorgenson-Hallberg, who has taken on a new role as a weather reporter for Java Moose’s social media pages. Chris Pascone interviewed Lloyd Hautajarvi and Damian Wilmot about their current Lucius wooden canoe restoration project. Casey Fitchett writes about Anne Brataas, the creative force behind Minnesota’s Children’s Press, an educational non-profit authoring and publishing collaborative that provides space for child authors, illustrators, designers, and editors to bring their ideas to life. Strange Tales columnist Elle Andra-Warner dives into the world of underwater archaeology and interviews Thunder Bay’s Chris McEvoy, an underwater archaeologist and photographer who explores and documents submerged shipwreck sites, underwater artifacts and more. Last but not least, Joe Shead tells us the story of a small family-run business in Two Harbors that creates heated hummingbird feeders that are distributed throughout North America.

In this month’s Creative Space, Eric Weicht covers Theresa Hornstein, an avid fiber artist who’s crafting also spans everything from woodworking, basketry and hen-

na, to jewelry-making and Pysanky egg decorating. Oh, and she also dyes her own yarns and fibers—color me impressed! Michelle Miller takes us to the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth, where the Duluth Fiber Guild currently has a 30-piece exhibit on display until May 20. Back in Grand Marais, the North Shore Artists League will hold its fourth annual members show at the Johnson Heritage Post April 7-30, titled Spirit of the Arts.

Northern Trails columnist Gord Ellis writes about the joys of ice-out fishing for trout. Shead brings us to Scarp Lake in Lake County for this month’s Fishing Hole, which offers quality rainbow trout. Pascone writes about his experience fishing for science with the Squeers Lake Winter Fishery program, ran by the Ontario Ministry of Nature Resources and Forestry. The program, which took place in March, is aimed at doing scientific research by providing anglers with excellent conditions for catching lake trout, so that the trout can then be sampled and studied by OMNRF technicians. According to Pascone, “ice fishing for lake trout on a sanctuary lake that had been closed to the public since 2016 was a fantasy come true.”

Photographer Earl Orf provides us with a photo feature on the signs of spring. From baby animals, budding trees, flowers emerging, and birds chirping, there’s plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Even though there’s still piles of snow outside as I write this, with more snow predicted to fall tonight, I know spring will soon emerge. I’m definitely ready for a change of seasons, and I bet many of you are too.—Breana Johnson

A comprehensive guide to the lighthouses and navigational beacons from Duluth, Minnesota to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Learn about the storms and shipwrecks that led to their construction, the lonely lives of the keepers and the role lighthouses play in present-day maritime navigation. $22.95

From wilderness waters teeming with trophy walleyes to secluded ponds stocked with brook trout, this guide contains data about fish populations and access for 366 lakes. Contour maps for 68 popular fishing lakes are included. $14.95

This best-selling guide to Minnesota’s best backroads destinations. Stunning photographs of Minnesota’s varied landscape are accompanied by informative narrative that leads the reader to the best scenery, parks, refuges, and historic sites. $24.95

Veteran long-distance hiker Annie Nelson compiled the information and advice you need for a successful thruhike adventure on the 310mile Superior Hiking Trail.

$16.95

Join the authors on the trails that lead to the magnificent waterfalls of Lake Superior’s North Shore. Maps and directions to over 150 waterfalls are included in this unique guide. $19.95

Rock paintings, called pictographs, were created by Indigenous people. This book contains a description of every known pictograph site in the Boundary Waters and Quetico, complete with maps and directions to find them.

$14.95

APRIL

VOLUME

PUBLISHER

Amber Pratt

EDITORIAL

Breana Johnson, Editor breana@northernwilds.com

ADVERTISING

Destry Winant, Sales Representative ads@northernwilds.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com

OFFICE billing@northernwilds.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Gord Ellis, Casey Fitchett, Virginia George, Kalli Hawkins, Michelle Miller, Deane Morrison, Earl Orf, Chris Pascone, Rae Poynter, Joe Shead, Eric Weicht, Sam Zimmerman

Copyright 2023 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc.

Published 12 times per year. Subscription rate is $28 per year or $52 for 2 years U.S. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part requires written permission from the publishers.

April 10

Cultivating a hobby Thomas Spence’s photography journey

TOFTE—For many individuals, it takes a specific motivating reason to get out of bed at 4 a.m. It may be to provide for your family, further your education, or for some, fuel an out-of-control hobby.

Thomas Spence, a photographer along the North Shore of Minnesota, considers himself in the latter category.

“The early mornings are my favorite,” Spence said. “It’s my favorite time of day as far as light goes.”

Fortunately, Spence lives and works in a location where the early morning photography opportunities are endless. Most of the wildlife or beautiful sunrises are found right outside his front door and not too far from his alarm clock.

Spence lives on the Sawbill Trail in Cook County, which he said “makes it pretty easy for me to get into the woods.” In addition, Spence works construction throughout the county, providing ample opportunity to scout to and from work. “I often, not always, but often bring my camera to work because the commute in the morning and evening can be pretty good for wildlife.”

While Spence’s photography is widely known along the North Shore for capturing stunning photos of Canada lynx, moose, or other critters in northern Minnesota, his path in photography started with capturing photos of waterfalls and the northern lights nearly 12 years ago.

“I liked the long exposure of waterfalls and how people would smooth out the water,” Spence said. “And I thought, I need to learn how to do that.”

In his early years, while developing his skill for photography, Spence spent a consider-

Spence said he hopes to offer photography workshops of his own someday. |

able amount of time exploring the woods, rivers, and lakes in the Superior National Forest with his Canon Powershot.

“There was a bit of a learning curve, like knowing what gear to use, as well as the technical aspects of the camera,” Spence said.

It wasn’t long before he decided to upgrade his photography equipment to a Canon 660D and sign up for a workshop from photographer Bryan Hansel. “A workshop really came in handy. It helped to have a pro -

fessional show you hands-on exactly what each setting does in relation to other settings,” Spence said.

After the workshop, Spence was hooked. “Ever since then, it’s kind of been an out-ofcontrol hobby that pretty much takes up all my spare time,” he said.

Throughout the past 12 years, Spence’s hobby has grown in notoriety along the North Shore and, more recently, internationally. In November of 2022, Spence received an email from a curator for the Art in Embassies program. The curator and the U.S. ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, wanted to feature wildlife in the United States inside the embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. The curator found Spence’s wildlife photos online and reached out.

Spence said he was “quite shocked” after opening the email and learning more about the program. “I mean, it’s quite an honor.”

He said he supplied the curator with a few of his favorite photos, and they spent time narrowing down which one to feature. Ultimately, Spence and the curator chose his favorite photo of a Canada lynx, the same photo that was featured in the Catchlight section in Northern Wilds magazine a few years prior.

“When I take these pictures, I never really know where they’re going to end up,” Spence said. “So, to go from having it sitting on my website or sitting on my hard drive, to in Nairobi on the wall of the embassy, it’s kind of mind-blowing.”

The selected photo derives from one of his favorite photography moments in the field. Five winters ago, Spence encountered a family of five lynx on a backroad and spent two hours watching the feline family hunt

for snowshoe hares and relax in the morning sun. “That was one of the most incredible experiences,” he said.

Compared to other photographers, Spence explains he focuses more on the experience rather than checking a species or composition off a bucket list. “I’m more whatever’s in front of me,” he said. With that being said, there is one mammal that Spence would love to photograph, and he has taken a unique tactic to improve his luck.

“I told my sister that the fisher is probably the animal that I want to photograph the most,” Spence said. Two weeks later, he received a pair of socks with fisher illustrations. Spence said he now “tries to wear them when taking pictures as often as possible,” hoping to boost his luck.

While Spence has progressed in his skill and camera equipment, he often reflects on the impact of taking a workshop during his early photography years. “I kind of held off on a workshop or a lesson for a while, and it was one of the most valuable things I did,” he said.

Spence said he hopes to offer workshops of his own someday. In the meantime, he said, “I still feel like I have a lot to learn before I start teaching anyone, but I’m getting there.”

“It’s definitely something I’ll be working towards in the next five years,” he said.

In addition to the exciting news about his work featured in the U.S. embassy in Kenya, Spence shared he is preparing for an upcoming artist feature at Photography and Art at the Rock, a monthly rotating artist exhibit at the Split Rock Lighthouse. Spence is the featured artist this upcoming fall season, during September.—Kalli Hawkins

Throughout the past 12 years, Thomas Spence’s hobby has grown in notoriety along the North Shore and internationally. This lynx photo was recently chosen to be featured in the U.S. embassy in Kenya. | THOMAS SPENCE

THOMAS SPENCE

NEW HAIR ST YLIST IN T WO HARBORS! Betsy Bowen

Tweed A community museum

DULUTH—The Northland is rich with history; natural spaces, industries, people, and cultures. Preserving it in all forms for future generations to enjoy takes vision, which is what motivated the Tweed family to create the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth.

Established in 1950, the Tweed home was donated to serve as a community museum. However, it quickly outgrew its space and was moved to the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus in 1958, with most of the construction funded by family donations. The initial collection began with American and 19th century European pieces, gathered by George P. Tweed and then gifted to the museum by his widow, Alice Tweed Tuohy. The comprehensive collection is made up of mediums ranging from prints, ceramics and photography, to textiles, animations, and paintings, in addition to contemporary Native and Indigenous art.

The Tweeds were ahead of their time in terms of appreciation for art, focusing on the diverse cultures and techniques from around the world. The artwork continues to stay relevant to the community still, growing globally—the permanent collection now consists of 8,000 works of art. Not only is the collection size impressive, but the state of the art, professional display of the items, and the artwork itself engages visitors and tells an in-depth story as visitors tour the rooms and hallways of the museum.

As part of the Tweed’s family vision, the museum also serves as a teaching museum. In addition to study spaces, interpretive workshops, lectures, and student exhibits are featured throughout the school year. Three floors of nine exhibit spaces allow for self-guided tours and it is recommended to plan on a two-hour visit. Staff and volunteers are on site to answer questions and provide historical and exhibit details. The extensive collection allows for rotating exhibits and the visiting seasonal curated shows keeps art enthusiasts coming back for more.

The Tweed Museum has partnered with the Duluth Fiber Guild for its current spring exhibit, featured in several rooms on the first floor of the museum. The guild is celebrat-

ing its 50-year anniversary this year and the exhibit includes 30 pieces selected from a juried show held last fall. The first space is dedicated to the guild’s founder, Janet Meany. Board member and organizer of the anniversary event, Kit Sitter, is thrilled with the design Tweed curators created for the exhibit. Sitter says the group was researching several locations and “this partnership was a serendipitous ending.” The Duluth Fiber Guild exhibit is on display now until May 20.

Events for the Duluth Fiber Guild’s anniversary includes four additional state-wide exhibits throughout the coming year, wrapping up at the Textile Library in the Twin Cities. Categories of fiber arts that members of the guild specialize in include spinning, weaving, felting, and dying, and they recently added a new group working with reused and repurposed fiber products. Sitter says participants range from beginners to full time professionals and is open to all ages.

“We would love to see more college-aged participants though,” says Sitter.

For more information about the Duluth Fiber Guild, visit: duluthfiberguild.org.

One of the newest additions to the permanent display at the Tweed Museum does not hang on the walls or sit in a display case; it can be enjoyed on a ride in the elevator. Midwest classically trained painter, Iashia “Mana Bear” Bolton, created a vibrant, 360-degree mural last summer that is available for the public to enjoy. Her colorful and expressive work can also be viewed at: artstation.com/manabear.

The Tweed Museum is open Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays, and admission is free. For more information, call 218-726-8222 or go online at: tweed.d.umn. edu. The museum is located in the Humanities Building on the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus at 1201 Ordean Court.

—Michelle Miller

The Duluth Fiber Guild has a 30-piece exhibit on display now until May 20 at the Tweed Museum. | STEVEN TIGGEMANN

Java Moose Sharing the weather, spreading kindness

GRAND MARAIS—On the corner of Highway 61 and Wisconsin Street is Java Moose, Grand Marais’ beloved coffee shop. The Jorgenson family has owned Java Moose since 1999, back when it was a seasonal kiosk in the Trading Post, and have seen the business through many transitions, including moving to the new location and becoming a yearround operation. Sarah Jorgenson-Hallberg is in charge of operations at Java Moose, and among the many hats she wears, the one she is most widely recognized for is her role as social media manager. Through posting daily weather videos, she has become the face of the Java Moose business, and uses Instagram and Facebook to share all things weather, coffee, and kindness with Grand Marais and beyond.

Although Jorgenson-Hallberg had been using social media for her business for a long time, growing a substantial social media presence is time-consuming. As the only one on the team doing social media, she said she didn’t have the bandwidth to be a “content creator,” as that comes with a lot of pressure to continually generate new ideas. Then came the summer of 2021, when northern Minnesota experienced a summer of wildfires. Jorgenson-Hallberg took to Instagram to share updates on the fires. People watched them, and the start of Java Moose’s signature weather videos was born.

“People online didn’t know if we were okay or if it was safe to come up here,” Jorgenson-Hallberg said. “It was hard for people to find up-to-date information specific to Grand Marais, so it started as a way to give reports on what was happening here.”

That summer was also the first of two summers to bring road construction to Highway 61 in Grand Marais, and Jorgenson-Hallberg also used their platform to give updates on the construction progress and how that was affecting both Java Moose and the broader community. Today, she shares a daily weath-

er report on the Java Moose Instagram account, braving subzero temperatures, forceful winds, and whatever weather Lake Superior happens to bring. She also shares tips for exploring the local area and getting out in nature.

“I share activities that are accessible and easy for most people to do,” she said.

While weather reports might seem like a matter-of-fact topic, Jorgenson-Hallberg’s videos help people feel connected to a place they love. Many people who visit the North Shore develop a deep connection to Lake Superior, and staying up-to-date on the changing seasons through videos can help people keep that connection alive.

“The North Shore holds a special place in people’s hearts,” she said. “For example, a few months ago, we received a message from a girl who had lost her mother. She said that they watched our videos together every day, and they helped her through that time.”

On a deeper level, Jorgenson-Hallberg’s videos embody a message that’s close to her heart: the importance of being kind.

“I don’t shy away from showing that we care about each and every person,” she said. “I want people to know that everyone is welcome in our shop, and everyone who walks through the door will be treated kindly, fairly, and equally.”

This message on the importance of kindness was shared even more widely than usual this summer when one video of hers gained a large number of views. In this particular video, posted during the height of the busy summer season, Jorgenson-Hallberg shared how the Java Moose staff—particularly the young staff—had been treated poorly by customers. In the video, Jorgenson-Hallberg urged visitors to be kind, and to remember the true reason for any visit to the North Shore: the special beauty of nature. The video ended up being picked up and shared by

regional news stations, and has been viewed over 41,000 times at the time of this writing.

“In situations like this, you have to keep your head up and keep integrity,” Jorgenson-Hallberg said. “In our culture, we’re taught that the customer is always right, and often they are, but not to the point of degrading staff or being mean.”

Despite that, Jorgenson-Hallberg said that the vast majority of customers are great people and that she’s incredibly thankful to be in her role.

“We have a wonderful job—we sell coffee and leave people feeling better. We want to get better every day and keep trying new things,” she said. “At the end of the day, people just want to believe that they matter, so be kind.”

Find Java Moose on Instagram and Facebook at: @javamoosegrandmarais.

—Rae Poynter

While weather reports might seem like a matter-of-fact topic, Sarah Jorgenson-Hallberg’s videos help people feel connected to a place they love: the North Shore. | SARAH JORGENSON-HALLBERG

The Jorgenson family has owned Java Moose in Grand Marais since 1999, back when it was a

kiosk in the Trading Post.

Restoring a legend: The Lucius

DULUTH—How does it feel to paddle a 100-year-old piece of Northwoods history?

To ply the waters of Wisconsin’s Bois Brule River in a wooden canoe designed and built with hand tools? Let’s add to the mystique that this particular boat was made by master boat-builder Joe Lucius. Would you feel the spirit of the Brule, or would the leaky relic just give you wet feet?

The answer can still be found today thanks to the handiwork of Damian Wilmot of Superior and Lloyd Hautajarvi of Duluth. The two Brule history buffs have a strong passion for keeping the river’s culture and story alive. Together, they are currently do -

ing their third restoration project of a Lucius wooden canoe out of Hautajarvi’s workshop nestled high up in Duluth’s Woodland neighborhood. The two take river-beaten Lucius canoes, some built as far back as the 1890s, and reconstruct the wooden ribs, floor planking, thwarts and seats as necessary to get the boats back on the river. Their goal is to make these venerable boats operational again, all while recapturing the beauty and heritage of the Lucius originals.

Joe Lucius contributed to the legend of the Bois Brule River in northern Wisconsin for over 60 years. Lucius worked as a contractor for members of the famed Winneboujou

Club—a landowners’ association started in 1895 on the banks of the Brule. Lucius built freighter canoes designed to transport raw materials for constructing the wooden estate houses that the Winneboujou Club owners called “lodges.”

Lucius’ distinctive design idea was to make his canoes longer and wider than traditional birchbark canoes, thereby giving them a greater hauling capacity. According to Wilmot, “There was no network of roads back then. When Lucius was hired to build one of these lodges, all of his purchase parts, like fasteners and fixtures, came to Winneboujou Station in the upper Brule valley on a

train. He needed a way to get those materials upriver to his building sites. Lucius would pole the boat upriver from the train station.”

Meanwhile, the Brule was gaining fame as one of America’s premier hunting and fishing grounds. The rich and powerful were beginning to congregate on the spring-fed, wild river, hiring local Ojibwe guides to teach them the river’s secrets. Lucius contributed to creating the Brule’s legendary stature by building the boats that opened this paradise to wealthy railroad barons (and U.S. presidents).

Lucius’ creations are unlike the aluminum and fiberglass canoes that gained popularity over wooden boats in the latter 20th century. Weighing in at up to 200 pounds, and built out of native cedar planking with ribs of white oak, a Lucius canoe is culturally a part of the Brule itself, to be used with respect and awe for the past.

Now, on a sunny Sunday morning in late February, Wilmot and Hautajarvi are in Hautajarvi’s backyard workshop finessing steambent ribs for a canoe restoration project ordered by customer Jeff Day. Having grown up fishing the Brule, Day says his whole family sees sentimental value, as well as functional purpose, in getting the family’s Lucius back on the water after a stint of 40 years waiting patiently in the boathouse.

Wilmot and Hautajarvi are bending the white oak cross-ribs to hold the boat’s planking together. They’ve already ordered bronze

Lloyd Hautajarvi [LEFT] and Damian Wilmot make custom bending forms to shape each canoe rib individually. | CHRIS PASCONE

The finished Lucius canoe restoration includes a sub

bilge water.

nails from Hamilton Marine in Maine: the bronze hardware resists pull-out stresses even when wood swells or shrinks. The two are surrounded by hand tools—staying true to Lucius’ original building methods.

The duo knows how much work this third restoration is going to take: Wilmot and Hautajarvi spent 750 hours restoring the Lucius 20-footer that Wilmot uses as the guide boat for his Fly-By-Night Guide Service fishing trips on the Brule. That project, which took two winters to complete, was a much bigger undertaking than the current restoration the two are doing for Day.

But for Wilmot and Hautajarvi, every boat they can get back on the river in fine working condition is about more than preserving a boat: it’s about preserving a culture, a way of life. Wilmot takes the culture even further on his guided trips, adding cane rods, local “Brule flies,” and the traditional Brule dinner. Wilmot’s satisfaction comes from keeping the river’s heritage alive.

The Lucius boats themselves are “living” remnants of the past for Wilmot and Hautajarvi.

“We took this current boat out of the Winneboujou Club boathouse at the end of September (2022), and it sat on the trailer outside for six weeks before we hauled it to Lloyd’s shop,” says Wilmot. “It’s probably been 40 years since this boat was last on the water. You know, you could see daylight through some spots in the canoe. But just in the three weeks that it sat outside at my cabin, we got quite a bit of rain, and all the wood rehydrated and swelled. It was holding water like a bathtub.”

Day is partnering with Robert Graumann, one of the Winneboujou Club members, to share the cost of restoring the boat, “because we both care about the history,” says Day. “It’s kind of a legacy, just to recapture a little bit of the 19th century. I want to set something up that will be there in another 100 years.”

Day had seen the results of Wilmot and Hautajarvi’s earlier restoration work, and approached the two to work on his family’s Lucius as well. Day says Wilmot was the person he could entrust the cultural importance of the project to: “He’s a font of information. He’s a dictionary about materials and tools and building methods. He told me a lot about what Lucius canoe restoration entails, and how to restore it very close to its original state and splendor.”

WE’RE HERE FOR

Lifes Big Moments

For Day and Graumann, the boat is something to be used, not just looked at, saying “Our idea is to have it be a club boat, open to all, with the due respect it deserves. A boat like that needs to be in the water.” The restored boat will also be a way for the family to honor Day’s late mother.

“My mother passed away 17 years ago and she loved the Brule,” says Day. “She had a history there her entire life. She actually had her feet in two places. She married my step-father, who was the last person to be accepted into, and build a house, as part of the Winneboujou Club. So, she was both a Hannaford and a Drake. The idea is to maybe christen the boat as ‘Char,’ or ‘Cha-Cha,’ as her grandkids called her. It’s going to be a consensus thing, and there are a lot of voices. I like the idea of remembering her in that way, leaving her legacy for the next generations.”

Currently, Wilmot and Hautajarvi aim to have Day’s family boat back in the water again after its 40-year hiatus by mid-April of this year. The boat will soak up water, expand, and become water-tight again, ready to carry the Brule traditions on.

For Wilmot, this restoration, like the previous two undertaken together with Hautajarvi, is a way of paying homage to Joe Lucius. “He built a lot of these boats. We have to keep it going.”

Hautajarvi concurs, “We love them. They are early attempts to build something better than birch-bark canoes. Are they the epitome of wooden boat building? No. But, they’re history. They’re brilliant.”

Some of the brilliant features that Lucius installed on his hand-built canoes were permanent livewells that used river water to transport trout alive, sliding bow seats, and a hull shape that allows the boat to be poled upriver without scraping lurking underwater rocks.

Look for these beautifully restored boats on the Brule—at 200 pounds of solid wood, they won’t be going anywhere else without a trailer. But the Brule is where they’re meant to be. For Wilmot, “In a big wide boat like this, even though it’s heavier than hell, you can carry a couple of 200-pound guys, your fishing gear, your cook kit, and everything for a day on the Brule. You’ve probably got an 800-pound payload, and the boat is hardly underwater thanks to its hull design.”

These boats are built for the long haul and Wilmot and Hautajarvi are making sure they keep hauling.—Chris Pascone

Lloyd Hautajarvi [BACKGROUND] talks to Damian Wilmot [FOREGROUND] in his home workshop. | CHRIS PASCONE

Minnesota Children’s Press fosters creativity

GRAND MARAIS—Grand Marais resident Anne Brataas is passionate about teaching and literacy. Armed with an intrinsic motivation to explain the natural world, the former Pioneer Press and Star Tribune science and environmental reporter wants to influence children to be stewards of their surroundings. Through her various engagements with youth while living in the Twin Cities, she quickly realized their deep capabilities and the way she could help them embrace their limitless creativity.

As the children she mentored expanded their minds through written and illustrated thought exercises on topics like ‘what makes a good community,’ Brataas knew there was more she wanted to do. In 2019, she decided to formalize her unique mentorship concept by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The Minnesota Children’s Press is an educational non-profit authoring and publishing collaborative that provides space for child authors, illustrators, designers, and editors to bring their ideas to life. The budding entrepreneurs interview, research, write, illustrate, edit, design, craft, proof, sign off, and publish stories from their perspective on the world around us.

Borrowing from the familiar phrasing of another popular youth group, the youth club participants call themselves “Story Scouts.” Instead of selling cookies, the Story Scouts sell the books that they have created.

“Selling our books helps fund life-improving community projects such as helping kids graduate from college free of debt, or designing more engaging playgrounds of natural, non-polluting and non-toxic materials,” says Brataas. “From our Ice Cream & Fish book revenues through March 2021, we donated to the Cook County Violence Prevention Center, several 12-steps groups, and funds for families facing food insecurity.”

The organization has received a number of grants, including one recently from the Blandin Foundation. With these resources, they will be able to operate the new “Letteracy Deck” in Grand Marais starting this summer. Residents, visitors and passersby are welcome to pause for a moment of reflection and

screen-free letter-writing while overlooking Lake Superior. The organization’s volunteers will supply the tables, chairs, space, all the fun papers, cards, inks, pens (even quills), stamps, envelopes and models of letters.

“Our goal is simple: from June 15 through September 15, we encourage visitors and locals alike to pause and reflect while inspired by the majesty of Lake Stupendous—ok, Superior—and let that energy empower them to connect with someone positively,” explains Brataas. “We want people to have a free, open place where they can contemplate beauty and communicate it.”

The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation of Duluth also supported the group in its quest to write and illustrate a five-book series of 200 years of Cook County history. Starting in 2020, the Story Scouts teamed up with the Cook County YMCA to interview local elders and conduct research at the Cook County History Museum. The fourth book

in the chronological series, written about the time period from 1930 to 1980, was a 2021 Minnesota Author Project Award Finalist. Not even a global pandemic could stifle the creativity and positivity of the Story Scouts. Between March and November 2020, the group produced a work entitled Safe and Healthy: A Child’s Field Guide to Thriving in a Pandemic. Donations from the “sale” of this pandemic project benefit the Litter Lab, a mapping and online Litter Museum designed to reduce public trashiness and Lake Superior pollution. Another grant-funded initiative, the Litter Lab youth participants sorted litter based on its type and GPS location to identify trends. Analyzing the data and reports encouraged the community to brainstorm ways to reduce the pollution. It was also the brainchild of Brataas.

With many, many years under her belt working with youth, Brataas has no shortage of memorable stories. Though every interaction touches her in a different way, there have been some that rise to the top.

“I witnessed the very moment a child understood himself to be an artist and that he

could tell stories through pictures. It was one of the best feelings ever—for me and for him,” she explains. “His drawing became the cover of one of our local history books, Berries & Beavers. He was so proud of his drawing. He asked me to keep it for him, and to ‘make sure you keep it up high so it won’t get wrecked.’”

The Minnesota Children’s Press, with Braatas at its helm, has its sights set on the long term. Setting up its Story Scouts for the future by making them more comfortable working and creating in the digital age is paramount. Beyond the collaboration required to write and illustrate a book with other members of the group, the Story Scouts is teaching the children lifelong entrepreneurial skills.

“That’s sort of where all this goes; they’re building a career portfolio whether or not they know it,” she says. “It’s an alternative way to learn important and practical things. These are really problem-solving skills in life.”

More information about the Minnesota Children’s Press can be found at: minnchildpress.org.—Casey Fitchett

Youth club participants call themselves Story Scouts, but instead of selling cookies, they sell the books that they’ve created. | SUBMITTED

The organization mentors kids ages 5-15. | SUBMITTED

Squeers Lake Winter Fishery Fishing for science

THUNDER BAY—Imagine skiing into a remote northern Ontario lake, right past a big sign that says “No Fishing: Provincial Fish Sanctuary.” You ski onward, knowing you have an official invitation in your pocket to do the province a big favor and catch lake trout out of this protected gem—all for the benefit of science. Does this sound like the ultimate fishing dream come true?

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s (OMNRF) Science and Research Branch made this fantasy a reality for anglers over nine days in midMarch at Squeers Lake, in Ontario’s Thunder Bay District. This year, the “Squeers Lake Winter Fishery” was opened to the public for the first time since 2016, meaning that the trout inhabiting the deep, cold water hadn’t seen a hook, line or sinker in seven years.

The Squeers Lake Winter Fishery is an OMNRF-run program aimed at doing scientific research by providing anglers with excellent conditions for catching lake trout, so that the trout can then be sampled and studied by OMNRF technicians. You get to take your catch home with you (up to five lake trout per person). But first you hand your precious research subjects over to a team of prodigious fish processors who gut the trout for you after taking biological samples. The OMNRF gets its data and you get dinner—everybody wins.

The 2023 Squeers Lake Winter Fishery was well advertised. This public engagement really impressed me—an angler from Duluth. Never before had I come across any government actively recruiting anglers. Ontario rocks.

The Fishery was promoted in posts on the “Ontario Fish and Wildlife” page on Facebook starting on January 19, then again on January 24 and February 3. There were articles previewing the fishery in Thunder Bay media like the CBC news website, and there were posters promoting the event in many local outdoor retail shops.

I signed up in February. It took two minutes on Eventbrite. The listing said: “Whether you are an experienced angler or just want to try ice fishing, you are invited to participate. It’s a great opportunity for families or first-time anglers to enjoy a full day of ice fishing on a lake with plenty of fish.” I was in!

The day arrived. My Canadian friends drove us 100 km northwest of Thunder Bay, and we made the mile-and-a-half trek in to Squeers. My heart was beating with expectation and pride when I skied onto the ice and saw the tents (check station) set up by the OMNRF to greet anglers and provide final instructions on this public research endeavor. We each got our License to Collect Fish for Scientific Purposes (a memento to be cherished dearly), and went out fishing.

I spent the next eight hours happily jigging a Little Cleo spoon a couple feet off bottom. While the action wasn’t exactly dream-like, I did get three trout on the ice, which was triple the number I had caught winter-to-date.

According to Tony Trogrlic, an OMNRF technician, the main purpose of the winter fishery is to see how angling pressure affects the fish population of the lake.

“We control entrance to the lake, so we know exactly how many people are fishing,” says Trogrlic. “We know how many fish are removed. We have previous population estimates, and by measuring this year’s harvest, it gives us a really good metric on how angling affects a lake.”

The harvest data from the Winter Fishery allows biologists

to estimate the lake trout population size. They can do so by using the number of lake trout tagged the previous fall, which was over 2,000 fish, and the number of those fish that are recaptured in the Winter Fishery. Sure enough, one of the four trout our party caught was tagged.

Blair Wasylenko, Provincial Aquatics Monitoring Program Lead of the OMNRF’s Biodiversity and Monitoring Section explains more about the science.

“Traditionally, the fishery monitored annual sustainability but has since transitioned to monitoring lake trout recovery, which could be done at a five-year interval using the winter fishery,” says Wasylenko. “This process allows our biologists to estimate the lake trout population to inform our provincial broad-scale monitoring of inland lakes program.”

Squeers is a good candidate for this kind of study because it was overfished in the 1970s after a new nearby logging road made fishing there more accessible. The lake was closed to angling in 1979 due to overharvesting, and designated a provincial fish sanctuary in 1981. Since then, the OMNRF has conducted its controlled harvest experiment, using anglers to harvest lake trout.

Back at the check station, Trogrlic and his team are sampling the biological attributes of the fish we brought in: “We analyze each fish’s length, weight, stomach contents, sex, and sample the fish’s inner ear bone (or otolith) to determine its age.”

Fishing for the sake of research is a tough job, but as they say, somebody has to do it.—Chris Pascone

Ice fishing for lake trout on a sanctuary lake that has been closed to the public since 2016 was a fantasy come true. | CHRIS PASCONE

Tony Trogrlic, fisheries technician with the OMNRF, explains to a guest where to explore for trout. | CHRIS PASCONE

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Signs of Spring

Photos & Story By Earl Orf

Canada geese breed early in spring. You are likely to see cute, fuzzy goslings any time now.

Spring is a time of renewal here in northern Minnesota. Winter birds start leaving and summer birds start arriving. Lakes and rivers are freed from their ice-covered condition. Flowers start blooming. Insects emerge from their winter hibernation. We all seem more invigorated when we can get out in the fresh air and enjoy the warmth of spring.

You might be fooled into thinking you’re seeing a new bird this spring. However, it would be a male American goldfinch sporting his bright yellow breeding plumage after spending the winter looking much duller in his winter plumage. Note the same black and white wing and tail feather pattern in both plumages.

Spring brings many birds, like this black-throated green warbler, to our area to raise their families. These birds spend the winter in Central and South America. They are in a hurry to get here and secure the best locations for their nests.

Mourning cloak butterflies overwinter as adults. This gives them an advantage in spring because they can be out and flying about as soon as the weather warms up. This is probably one of the first butterflies you will see in the springtime.

If you have bleeding heart plants in your garden, you will see them blooming early in spring. Note, the fully opened blossoms on the right, while the ones at the tip of the flower stem are still buds.

These tiny flowers are round-lobed hepatica. They are part of a group of early blooming flowers known as spring ephemerals. They live on the forest floor and need to finish blooming before the trees get their leaves and block the sun.

The warming days of spring prompt trees to start producing their leaves and flowering parts.

Marsh marigolds are a welcome splash of color in early spring. As their name implies, you can find them in marshy areas, but they are also found in many of the ditches beside our back country roads.

It’s fun to watch ferns spring up and uncurl their leaves as the weather warms up.

Hummingbird Feeders By Joe Shead

When was the last time you saw a hummingbird in northern Minnesota in winter? My guess is never. So, it might seem surprising that a very unique style of heated hummingbird feeders is manufactured and distributed in Two Harbors.

The story of this one-of-a-kind creation starts with Lars (Bo) Bolen, who grew up in Two Harbors. He had a great passion for fishing—so much so that he moved to Albany, Oregon in the 1960s so he could fish year-round. Trout fishermen often fish western rivers from drift boats, which feature an upswept bow and stern, which means less surface area contacts the water, making them easier to row in currents. But Bo found a dilemma with drift boat fishing; if both he and his fishing partner hooked a fish at the same time, no one had a free hand to drop an anchor to keep the boat from drifting downstream. So, he invented Bo’s Anchor Release, a foot-operated release that is pretty much standard in every drift boat these days. The invention took off and eventually Bo was manufacturing the anchor releases full-time out of his garage.

Working from home gave Bo plenty of time to observe wildlife. He was always a

wildlife lover, so he began feeding the rufous and Anna’s hummingbirds that are native to Oregon. The rufous hummingbird, like our ruby-throated hummingbird, migrates

south in winter. But Anna’s hummingbirds remain in the area year-round.

Bo went to great lengths to care for his hummers. During cold weather, he brought his hummingbird feeders inside at night to keep them from freezing, rising at 3 or 4 a.m. to put out warm feeders for the birds. After a few years of this winter routine, he reasoned there had to be a way to keep the feeders warm while prolonging his sleep.

He tried adding heat lamps to the feeders and even wrapping them with Christmas lights. After trial and error, he came up with the design that was to become Hummers Heated Delight. The key to the feeder is a 7-watt lightbulb that has been tested to keep hummingbird food from freezing down to 1 degree F.

Bo began taking his heated hummingbird feeders to trade shows, where he marketed his anchor release, and the product took off. Bo and his wife Sharon worked from home, taking orders for the new product by mail and phone. Then, a neighbor helped them create a barebones website, which opened the business to online sales. Eventually the neighbor moved away and that’s what created the connection to Two Harbors.

Dave Bolen, a nephew of Bo and Sharon, has lived his whole life in Two Harbors, save for a year when he was a teen.

“I had lived with them (Bo and Sharon) when I was 14 during my family’s shortlived attempt at moving to the Pacific Northwest, so I had a really good relationship with them, even though they were so far away,” Dave said.

“My uncle would travel back to Minnesota to see family and old school friends every so often, and on one of these trips he brought a ton of feeder pics and some promo content like the flyers they used at the home and garden shows,” Dave said. “We sat down one night and we created a multipage website with more content and photos. From that point on I did all the website stuff for them, which was really nice because I was in contact with them all the time then.”

With an improved website, Hummers Heated Delight flourished.

“Then, in 2014, my uncle passed away,” Dave said. “At that point, their grandkids stepped up and helped my aunt run the business. The business kept growing, keeping their entire family busy until 2017 when my aunt passed away, too. She gave the business to her grandson, Chase, who had been the driving force in the years after my uncle’s death. Chase, along with his mom

Hummers Heated Delight is the definition of a family business, with up to seven family members helping out in a rush.

SUBMITTED

The heated hummingbird feeders are sold year-round. | SUBMITTED

Teresa, his two siblings, Dawson and Josie Beau, and his girlfriend Emily (now wife) ran the business for a year or so, but at some point they decided it was taking up more time than they could devote to it because of jobs and school.”

“In the summer of 2018, I offered to buy it from them,” Dave said. “I knew the only way we could do it was to make the website an e-commerce site and sell them direct to consumer. We really didn’t know what to expect, but it blew up pretty quick once we sold them online. Before we knew it, my whole family was helping out. My wife, Carrie, handles all the business stuff. I build the feeders and my kids (Brock and Fiona) and my mom (Lolly Cavallin) and niece (Ara Bolen) do all the boxing and packing. We converted a little building we call the cabin into a dedicated work area, which is very small and gets crazy busy at times.”

The Bolen home and the workshop are at the family’s homestead on Stanley Road, which has been in the family for about 100 years. The cabin that currently serves as the workshop for the feeders has an interesting history in itself.

“My uncle Vern was in the Korean War and was MIA for about half a year,” Dave said. “His entire platoon, with the exception of him, was killed behind enemy lines. He avoided the enemy for months on his own

until he found his way back with the help of a local rice farmer. By that point, he was suffering from PTSD and hadn’t spoken to anyone in six months. When he came back, he needed isolation, so my family (including Bo) built a small cabin 50 feet from the house for him. Over the years, multiple uncles, aunts and cousins—including myself—have lived in that cabin for short periods of time. That one tiny building has really been useful far beyond its intended use so many years ago.”

Although Hummers Heated Delight was created to feed the local Anna’s hummingbirds in the Pacific Northwest, the business has expanded in response to demand.

“With some of the weird weather in the U.S. and Canada the last few years, our feeders have been used for at least a dozen species

of hummingbirds in almost every state (with the exception of Hawaii) and Canadian province,” Dave said. “We have sold and donated feeders to members of Hummingbird Research, Inc., like Brainard Palmer-Ball, who is a retired zoologist from the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, who sends them to people all over Kentucky who have hummingbirds show up in the winter. This allows them to help keep them alive and band them for research so they can find out where they came from, where they are going, and possibly why they ended up there.”

In 2021, Duluthian Laura Erickson, birding author and host of the “For the Birds” radio show, had a rufous hummingbird show up at her feeder at Thanksgiving. Upon learning about the heated

feeders, she rushed to Two Harbors to buy one, then a second, from the Bolens. Although most of the Bolens’ business occurs during cold weather, they do sell feeders year-round.

“When snow or ice storms hit an area, we always see spikes in sales; sometimes large spikes,” Dave said. “The issue we run into when this happens is mail is always affected in those same areas and the customers want them yesterday. That is when I work 16-hour days, seven days a week, until we get them all mailed out.”

Dave said the products are available in about 20 to 30 retail stores in the Pacific Northwest. However, about 80 percent of his business is direct to consumer. In addition to the original 16-ounce feeder, the Bolens have released a 32-ounce model as well. The simplistic design makes the units pretty reliable, but the company also sells replacement bulbs and other accessories.

Hummers Heated Delight is the definition of a family-run business.

“Everyone just jumps in and helps as needed,” Dave said. “Sometimes it’s pretty crazy for a month at a time, so I am extremely thankful for my family’s help in those times. I work full time at this and we can have up to seven family members helping out in a rush.”

“We really love what we do and take great pride in knowing that our heated feeders save the lives of hummingbirds all over North America,” Dave said.

You can learn more about Hummers Heated Delight online at: hummersheateddelight.com.

Although Hummers Heated Delight was created to feed the Anna’s Hummingbird in the Pacific Northwest, the business, now under Dave Bolen [LEFT], has expanded in response to demand. | SUBMITTED

The Bolen home and the small workshop are at the family’s homestead on Stanley Road, which has been in the family for about 100 years. | SUBMITTED

By Breana

Johnson Spirit of the Arts

The North Shore Artists League will hold its fourth annual members show at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais this month. The show, titled Spirit of the Arts, will feature 25 artists and run April 7-30, with a reception on April 7 from 5-7 p.m. See our events section for more details.

| GINA ADAMS

|

| GREG MUELLER

| DEE CLOSSON

| MAGGIE ANDERSON

This acrylic piece, titled “Bird’s Eye View,” is by Hovland resident Gina Adams. You can see more from Adams at: birdsonacup.com.

Linda Ricklefs Baudry is the artist behind this pastel, ink and charcoal piece. It is titled “Immersed.” For more of Ricklefs Baudry’s art, visit: studiolrb.com. | LINDA RICKLEFS BAUDRY

This ceramic piece by Clay Phoenix owner Maggie Anderson is titled “The Thaw Begins.” For more artwork by Anderson, visit: clayphoenixceramics.com.

“Eating Pears in Santa Fe” is an acrylic on canvas piece by Betsy Bowen. Find more of Bowen’s art at: woodcut.com.

BETSY BOWEN

This leather bag was created by Up North Leather Craft owner Dee Closson. All of Closson’s projects are designed, cut, stitched, and stamped by hand in Hovland. Learn more about Closson at: northshoreartistsleague.org.

“Silent Sentinel” by Greg Mueller is a sculpture made from reclaimed Highway 61 elmwood and steel. To see more of Mueller’s work, visit: greglmueller.com.

| THERESA HORNSTEIN

Theresa Hornstein

For the Love of Color

CREATIVE SPACE: By Eric Weicht

For Duluth-based artist Theresa Hornstein, the common “thread” that ties together her various artistic projects, teachings, and passions is a love of color.

Best known, perhaps, for the natural dyes that she uses to color her yarns and fibers—dyes that she often creates using invasive species foraged in the surrounding forests—Hornstein is an avid fiber artist, and her crafting spans everything from basketry to woodworking, and henna to jewelry-making. She also teaches Pysanky egg decorating.

“You know, I consider myself more of an artisan than an artist,” says Hornstein. “In my mind, artists make beautiful things while crafters make functional things, and I see an artisan as being someone who combines the two by making functional things that are also beautiful.”

“I love using color,” continues Hornstein, “whether it be for decorating eggs, yarn, or felting, and I love learning new things. I keep expanding what I do, but all my crafts link into one another and, importantly, keeps my mind ‘thinking.’”

Hornstein was born and raised in Michigan, which is where she was first introduced to the world of craft by her grandparents.

“Both my grandmothers were crafters,” says Hornstein. “One was a knitter and the other was a crocheter, and by the time I was 5 years old they had taught me how to do both.”

“From there, it didn’t take long for me to get into embroidery and quill work,” continues Hornstein. “Then, during the 70s there were just a lot of ugly yarns in the world— yarns that were not my colors—so I started playing around with dye work, which eventually turned into experimenting with natural dyes and everything else that has followed since.”

In 1981, Hornstein moved to Duluth for grad school and fell in love with the place that would eventually become her home.

“After grad school,” says Hornstein, “I worked several jobs in different parts of the country, but in the end, I came back to Duluth. There’s just something about the lake and the rocks, the surrounding forest and wilderness. This place, it sings to me.”

Hornstein spent the next 35 years of her life teaching biology at Lake Superior College in Duluth. In fact, she was the first teacher that they ever hired, back when the college was still, according to Hornstein, “borrowing space in the Government Services Building.”

“I have always liked art,” says Hornstein. “As a kid, I planned on becoming an artist when I grew up, until a seventh-grade art teacher pulled me aside and gently told me to pursue a different career.”

“That worked out fine, though,” continues Hornstein, “because I also liked science. There is actually a lot of correlation between art and science. When you’re doing art, you need to understand the basic structure of the things you are working on in order to bring out the details of your work, and to be successful with science, it is necessary to tap into the same creativity that art releases.”

Throughout her years teaching at LSC, however, Hornstein never stopped crafting; never stopped experimenting with new ways to create.

“Don’t get me wrong,” says Hornstein, “I love teaching. I love watching the ‘lightbulb’ come on in the student’s eyes when they connect with what you’re trying to explain, it’s incredible. That being said, teaching is very much a process. You never really see a ‘product’ like you do with art. You hope that students have learned what you passed on to them and will be able to use it in their

lives, but rarely to do you see a ‘finished piece’ so to speak, whereas with art, when you finish something, you have it there in front of you and you can give yourself a little satisfied ‘I did that!’”

Now that she is retired from teaching biology, Hornstein has applied a renewed focus to her crafting in the form of crafting projects and classes.

Hornstein is a member of the Nice Girls of the North Art Cooperative based out of Duluth, and teaches various fiber and dye-related crafting courses at the North House Folk

Hornstein is well known for the natural dyes that she uses to color her yarns and fibers— dyes that she often creates using invasive species foraged in the surrounding forests.

| THERESA HORNSTEIN

Hornstein’s crafting spans everything from basketry, woodworking, and fiber art, to henna, jewelry-making, and Pysanky egg decorating.

| THERESA HORNSTEIN

School in Grand Marais, the Duluth Folk School, and the American Swedish Institute in the Twin Cities.

“I have two dye classes coming up this summer,” says Hornstein. “There is a natural dye course at the Duluth Folk School that I will be teaching at the end of June, and then a second one down at the American Swedish Institute called ‘Dye like a Viking.’”

“The Vikings we see on television are always wearing grays and muddy browns,” continues Hornstein, “but nahh, that’s so off. These guys had a thing for color. There’s been some really good research done on the textiles found during archeological digs from the era, and a lot of their dyes—like the woad plant that they used to create a blue dye similar to indigo—will grow up north where we are.”

For more information on everything that Theresa Hornstein is crafting, visit her webpage on the Nice Girls of the North Art Collective (nicegirlsofthenorth.com), or check her out on Instagram @greylady_design.

In 1981, Theresa Hornstein moved to Duluth for grad school and fell in love with the place that would eventually become her home.

GITCHEE GUMEE BREWFEST

April 1, Saturday Now in its 24th year, the annual Gitchee Gumee Brewfest in Superior is a fundraiser for the Superior Jaycees. Held at the Wessman Arena (on the UW-Superior campus), Brewfest features over 30 brewers, including your favorite local and regional breweries, as well as games like hammerschlagen, a slew of other vendors, and more. The event is held from 3-6 p.m. General admission is $35 and VIP admission is $50. The VIP pass will get you in the doors a full hour early before admission ticket holders, as well as access to free catered food, private bathrooms, and more. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. ggbrewfest.com

STOP THE SILENCE CONCERT FUNDRAISER

April 6, Thursday The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) will hold a concert fundraiser, “One Community, Many Voices, Stop the Silence,” for the Dabinoo’Igan Domestic Violence Shelter in Duluth on April 6. Held from 6:30-9 p.m. at the NorShor Theatre, the concert will feature performances by Erik Koskinen, Anishinaabeg national music award winners Annie Humphrey and Keith Secola, and the Miziiwekaamikiinang Drum Group. Tickets can be purchased in person or online through the NorShor Theatre. All monies raised will go toward the Dabinoo’Igan Shelter expansion. Dabinoo’Igan is an emergency shelter for victims of physical and sexual violence, trafficking, and stalking who need immediate shelter. Women and children can stay up to 30 days to receive a variety of services including advocacy information and referral, housing search assistance, financial assistance, limited on-site legal services, and more. facebook.com/aichomn

SPRING FAMILY SKATE

April 6, Thursday Looking for one last chance to put on those skates before the warm weather comes? Join the GardaWorld Spring Family Skate in support of PRO Kids at the Fort William Gardens on April 6, from 7-9 p.m. There will be crafts, contests with prizes, and the opportunity to skate with the Thunder Bay North Stars. Admission is $3 per person and all proceeds support PRO Kids. Helmets are recommended for all skaters, but mandatory for kids 12 years and under. Don’t forget to bring your skates. prokidsthunderbay.ca

NORTH SHORE ARTISTS LEAGUE MEMBER SHOW

April 7-30 The North Shore Artists League will hold their fourth annual members show April 7-30 at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais. The show, titled Spirit of the Arts, will feature over 25 artists in various mediums including glass, ceramics, fiber, jewelry, leather, paintings, and sculpture.

EASTER EGG-STRAVAGANZA

April 8, Saturday The Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth will hold their annual family-friendly Easter Egg-Stravaganza on Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy an Easter egg hunt with prizes, a magic show, food trucks, arts and crafts, a coloring contest, special Easter-themed enrichments for the animals, games, and more. The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 or at the door for $16. Kids 2 and under, as well as all Lake Superior Zoo members, receive free admission. lszooduluth.org

VOLUNTEER WEEKEND

April 21-22 Learn new skills while also helping the North House Folk School in Grand Marais by participating in Volunteer Weekend. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. both days and divide into project teams. There will be projects for all skill levels and abilities, from garden clean-up and window washing to picnic table construction and

An opening reception will be held on April 7 from 5-7 p.m. cookcountyhistory.org

Anishinaabeg national music award winner Annie Humphrey will perform at the Stop the Silence concert fundraiser on Thursday, April 6 at the NorShor Theatre in Duluth. | SUBMITTED

Award-winning artist Keith Secola will perform at the Stop the Silence concert fundraiser in Duluth. | EVAN LAUBER

furniture refurnishing. The work will wrap up at 4 p.m. both days and lunch will be provided. To celebrate everyone’s hard work, there will be a wood-fired pizza bake Saturday evening at 5 p.m. Those interested in participating can sign up online. northhouse.org

COOK COUNTY EARTH DAY FAIR

April 22, Saturday Held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Grand Marais, the Cook County Earth Day Fair is back for the second year in a row. Held at the Cook County Community Center, this free event will feature live speakers, interactive stations, live music, games, activities, and food from local food trucks. Tea, coffee and water will be provided, but please consider bringing your own travel mug, utensils and containers for food and beverages to avoid using single-serving products and to promote sustainable practices. For those unable to attend, this year’s speaker series will be recorded and available online to watch. Come celebrate community and a shared love of the Earth together. cookcountylocalenergy.org

IRON RANGE EARTH FEST

April 22, Saturday The annual Iron Range Earth Fest, hosted by the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability, is a celebration of local traditions and practical resources for sustainable living in northeastern Minnesota. Held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia, this year’s theme is “For the Children, For Us All.” There will be exhibits and vendors, guest speakers and presentations, demonstrations, children’s activities, a local

marketplace and silent auction, live music by MorningBird and Josh Palmi & Trapper, free electronics recycling, and more. Don’t miss the presentation from Danielle Hefferan with Climate Generation on “How to talk with children about climate change.” Other guest speaker topics include “You are where you eat,” “Kids in the garden: How to get them involved,” and “Responding to Climate.” Admission to Earth Fest is free. irpsmn.org/earthfest

The annual Iron Range Earth Fest, held Saturday, April 22, offers activities for the whole family. | PLUSKWIK PHOTOGRAPHY

This oil piece, titled “Applause” by Kathy Fox Weinberg, will be on display April 7-30 at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais, as part of the North Shore Artists League Member Show.

| KATHY FOX WEINBERG

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thru April 1

Little Shop of Horrors 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Vermilion Fine Arts Theatre, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

Thru April 2

Winter Plein Air Exhibit

Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Into the Woods Norshor Theatre, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org

Thru April 16

Lakehead University Juried Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru April 23

Lakehead University Honours Exhibition

Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Annual Student Exhibition Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, tweed.d.umn.edu

Thru April 29

Leading With Our Hearts Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Thru May 3

Carole d’Inverno: I Didn’t Know How to Say Goodbye Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru May 21

Duluth Fiber Guild Exhibition Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, tweed.d.umn.edu

Thru Oct. 31

Now That Summer Has Ended: An Exhibit About Winter Activities During the Fur Trade Era Grand Portage National Monument, visitcookcounty.com/events

March 28-May 17

Reconnecting Through Clay: Robert DeArmond, Karen Keenan, Ray Shelerud Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

March 29-April 2

Minnesota Film Festival Zeitgeist Arts Building, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com/mff

March 30-April 2

Arrowhead Home & Builders Show Decc, Duluth, arrowheadhomeshow.com

March 31-April 1

TBSO: An Evening with Matt Sellick 7:30 p.m. Da Vinci Centre, Thunder Bay, tbso.ca

March 31-April 2

2023 Insighters Retreat Two Harbors, facebook.com/roofinginsights

Spring Home & Garden Show 10 a.m. Canadian Lakehead Exhibition, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/ springhomeandgardenshowtbay

Sweetwater Shakedown Music & Ski Festival Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen Mountains, facebook.com/lutsenmountains

April 1, Saturday

Thunder Bay Polar Bear Plunge Thunder Bay Marina, thunderbaypolarbearplunge.ca

Free Museum Day 10 a.m. Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth, lsrm.org

Easter Bunny Visit 11 a.m.

Toy Sense: 309 Bay Street, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/toysensetb

Gitchee Gumee Brewfest 3 p.m. Wessman Arena, Superior, ggbrewfest.com

Stand Up Comedy: Bobby Knauff 7 p.m. Paramount Theatre, Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

April 2, Sunday

Spring Fling Market 9 a.m. West Thunder Community Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/northernreachrescuenetwork

Celebrate Easter 1 p.m. Gillies Community Centre, South Gillies, facebook.com/gilliescc

Four Seasons Fashion Show 4 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/theafricanboutiquethunderbay

April 3, Monday

Community Career Expo 4 p.m. Two Harbors High School: Gymnasium, Two Harbors, lakecounty-chamber.com

Arrowhead Library System’s Bookmobile 4:30 p.m. Clearwater Grille, Duluth, alslib.info

Lakehead University Vocal Ensemble: “Home on Earth” 8 p.m. University Centre

Theatre: Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

April 4, Tuesday

Free: Youth Mental Health First Aid Class 9 a.m. Cook County Higher Education, Grand Marais, mycche.org

April 4-June 7

Alexa Carson: Reclaiming Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

April 5, Wednesday

Thunder Bay Career Fair & Training Expo 1 p.m. Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/jobscanadafair

National Poetry Month Reading & Open Mic 7 p.m. Ely Folk School, Ely, facebook.com/elyfolkschool

April 6, Thursday

Easter Seals Ontario Presents: The Roasting of Johnny de Bakker 4:30 p.m. Victoria Inn Hotel & Convention Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/eastersealson

Stop the Silence Concert Fundraiser for Dabinoo’Igan Domestic Violence Shelter 6:30 p.m. NorShor Theatre, Duluth, facebook.com/aichomn

Spring Family Skate in Support of PRO Kids 7 p.m. Fort William Gardens, Thunder Bay, prokidsthunderbay.ca

April 7, Friday

Let’s Talk MN Mental Health Action Concert: Social Animals & Ingeborg Von Agassiz 6 p.m. NorShor Theatre, Duluth, norshortheatre.com

April 7-8

ZEGILS 300 387 Fort William Road, Thunder Bay, bit.ly/zegils300

April 7-30

North Shore Artists League Group Exhibit: Spirit of the Arts (Reception April 7 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

April 8, Saturday

Virtual Writers Café 9:30 a.m. lakesuperiorwriters.org

Kids Plus Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Grand Marais Rec Park, Grand Marais, Facebook: Annual Kids Plus Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Egg-Stravaganza 10 a.m.

Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, lszooduluth.org

Nice Girls of the North Second Saturday Marketplace 10 a.m. Spirit of the Lake Community School, Duluth, nicegirlsofthenorth.com

Easter Bunny Visit 11 a.m.

Toy Sense: 447 May St. N, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/toysensetb

April 9, Sunday

Easter

Giant Easter Egg Hunt 9 a.m. Slopes of Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen, facebook.com/lutsenmountains

April 11, Tuesday

Hot Stove Night: 50th Anniversary Celebration 6:30 p.m. Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth, lsrm.org

April 12, Wednesday

NOSFA Presents: Living 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. SilverCity Cinemas, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/northofsuperiorfilmassociation

April 13, Thursday

Up North! A Writer’s Journey with Author Mary Casanova 6 p.m. Silver Bay Public Library, alslib.info

Call of the Wild Poetry Night 6 p.m. Northern Grounds, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

April 13-16

Alice In Wonderland 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com

April 13-23

Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Duluth Playhouse, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org

April 14, Friday

Up North! A Writer’s Journey with Author Mary Casanova 10:15 a.m. West Duluth Branch Library, alslib.info

Up North! A Writer’s Journey with Author Mary Casanova 1 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, alslib.info

Quiz Night 5 p.m. Current River Community Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/northernreachrescuenetwork

Friday Night Dance 7:30 p.m. Slovak Legion, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/thunderbaycommunityband

April 14-15

Mountain Meltdown Festival

Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen Mountains, facebook.com/lutsenmountains

April 14-16

Woody’s Boat & Trailer Show 1 p.m. CLE: Coliseum Building, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Singin’ in the Rain 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.)

UMD: Marshall Performing Arts Center, Duluth, tickets.umn.edu

April 15, Saturday

Stronger Than You Know: Uncovering Your Core Connections 9 a.m. Cook County Higher Education, Grand Marais, mycche.org

Up North! A Writer’s Journey with Author Mary Casanova 1 p.m. Duluth Public Library, alslib.info

TBSO: The Spirit Horse Returns 2 p.m.

Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbso.ca

Colvill Community Club: Mexican Potluck, Salsa Demo & Dance 5:30 p.m. 2953 E. Hwy 61, Colvill, 218-387-2487

DSSO: Elgar & Bruckner: Masterworks 6 7 p.m. Decc: Symphony Hall, Duluth, dsso.com

Mark Menei: Unhinged Tour 7: 30 p.m. Wawa, Ontario, campfirecomedy.ca

April 16, Sunday

High Tea & Fashion Show Noon, Victoria Inn, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/communitylivingtb

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser 5 p.m. Gillies Community Centre, South Gillies, facebook.com/gilliescc

April 17, Monday

Boundary Waters Connect: New Resident Social 5 p.m. Society Hall: Above Northern Grounds, Ely, bit.ly/bwcsocial

April 17-30

Heather Wright: Weird Wonder: Surrealism From Tiny Nature Ely’s Historic State Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

April 18, Tuesday

Up North! A Writer’s Journey with Author Mary Casanova 3:30 p.m. Ely Public Library, alslib.info

Downtown Duluth: Annual Meeting & Celebration 4:30 p.m. Decc, Duluth, downtownduluth.com

UMD Visual Artist Lecture Series:

Ulla-Karin Warberg 6 p.m. Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Books & Brews 6 p.m.

Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors, castledangerbrewery.com

Women Hike Duluth 6 p.m. Canal Park: Lakewalk Plaza, Duluth, duluthmn.gov/parks

April 18-22

Singin’ in the Rain 7:30 p.m.

UMD: Marshall Performing Arts Center, Duluth, tickets.umn.edu

April 19, Wednesday

Ulla-Karin Warberg: An Exposé on Swedish Folk Art 1:30 p.m. Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Webinar: Foraging for Mushrooms on the SHT 7 p.m. Zoom, superiorhiking.org/webinar

April 20, Thursday

Spring Gala Red Swan

Catering & Event Center, Two Harbors, facebook.com/experiencelakecounty

TBSO: Earth Day: Rediscovering Spring 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbso.ca

April 20-23

Alice In Wonderland 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com

April 20-May 6

Father Tartuffe Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

April 21, Friday

Kevin Gates with Waka Flocka Flame 7 p.m. Amsoil Arena, Duluth, decc.org

Buckwild 8 p.m. Silver Bay Lounge, Facebook: Silver Bay Municipal Liquor Store

Rolling with the Giant: Live in Thunder Bay 9 p.m. 211 Red River Road, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/baydreamrecordings

April 21-22

Volunteer Weekend North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

April 21-23

Battle on the Bay Fort William First Nation Arena, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/warriorsupplies

April 22, Saturday

Earth Day

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

Iron Range Earth Fest 9 a.m.

Iron Trail Motors Event Center, Virginia, MN, irpsmn.org/earthfest

Fitger’s 5K 9 a.m. Fitger’s Complex, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Falcons, Live! 10 a.m. Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay, mndnr.gov/tettegouche

Cook County Earth Day Fair 11 a.m. Cook County Community Center, Grand Marais, cookcountylocalenergy.org

Disney Drag Brunch Noon, Grand Ely Lodge, Ely, facebook.com/flipphone

March for Mother Earth Noon, Waverley Resource Library, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/standup4cleanup

Earth Day Celebration: Swedish Ceiling Crowns & Paper Flowers 1 p.m. Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Free ArtDAI 1 p.m. Duluth Art Institute: Lincoln Park Building, Duluth, duluthartinstitute.org

Falcons, Live! 2 p.m. Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberry

Duluth Transit Authority 7 p.m. Ely’s Historic State Theater, Ely, facebook.com/elystatetheater

Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy 8 p.m. Decc: Symphony Hall, Duluth, decc.org

An Evening with Whitney Cummings 8 p.m. NorShor Theatre, Duluth, norshortheatre.com

April 23, Sunday

Spring’s in the Air Vendors Market 10 a.m. Da Vinci Centre, Thunder Bay, bit.ly/springvendormarket

SunFunDays: Moss, Sami & Swedish Bags for Kids 1 p.m. Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

April 24, Monday

Arrowhead Library System’s Bookmobile 4:30 p.m. Clearwater Grille, Duluth, alslib.info

April 24-29

Get Downtown Week Downtown Duluth, downtownduluth.com

April 25, Tuesday

Art Night Out 5:30 p.m. Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth, duluthartinstitute.com

Valdy 8 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

April 26-July 16

Neechee Studio 10th Anniversary: Oh, My Creator! An Exhibition of Indigenous Youth Artwork Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

April 27-30

The Great Benjamins Circus Canadian Lakehead Exhibition, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/greatbenjaminscircus

April 28, Friday

Culture Crawl 5 p.m. Cook County History Museum, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

April 28-30

Tuck Everlasting Duluth Playhouse, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org

April 29, Saturday

Healthy Kids Day 1 p.m. Cook County Community YMCA, Grand Marais, facebook.com/cookcountycommunityymca

The Big Spring Clean 4 p.m. Sleeping Giant Brewery, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/standup4cleanup

Centennial Gala Fundraiser 5 p.m. Fort William Country Club, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Ann Reed 7 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, northshoremusicassociation.com

TBSO: Starman: David Bowie 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbso.ca

Guest Artist: Lyra Baroque

7:30 p.m. UMD: Weber Music Hall, Duluth, tickets.umn.edu

April 29-30

Hymers Fair Mother’s Day Market 10 a.m. CLE: Heritage Building, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/hymersfallfair

April 30, Sunday

The Royal Ball 1 p.m. Da Vinci Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/fortcitykinettes

April 30-May 7

Homegrown Music Festival Duluth, facebook.com/duluthhomegrown

May 1

Free Day at the Dentist Grand Marais Family Dentistry, 218-387-2774

May 1-June 1

Adam Swanson: Bellwether Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

May 6-7

Folklore Festival: A World Tour of Nations Noon, Fort William Gardens & Curling Club, Thunder Bay, folklorefestival.ca

WEEKLY EVENTS

Tuesdays

Locals Night with Live Music

4:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

Zen Meditation Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. First Congregational Church UCC, Grand Marais, grandmaraisucc.org

Wednesdays

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

Thursdays

Craft ‘n’ Chat 2 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, twoharborspubliclibrary.com

Thursday Night Art 4 p.m. Joy & Company, Grand Marais, facebook.com/joyandcompanymn

Women’s Night Fat Biking and/or Nordic Skiing 6 p.m. Lester-Amity Chalet, Duluth, skihut.com/events

Date Night at the Winery 6 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

Saturdays

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

Saturday Fiber Circle 10 a.m. Dappled Fern Fibers, Grand Marais, dappledfernfibers.com

Jazz at the Depot 3 p.m. Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth, lsrm.org

I f t h e d o c t o r a l r e a d y k n o w s m y c h i l d w h e n a p r o b l e m a r i s e s ,

h y d o y o u t a k e y o u r c h i l d t o c h e c k u p s ?

The North Shore Dish

Tried and True Restaurants

By Virginia George

One of the things I love about the Northland is the myriad possibilities of new and interesting food choices. That said, there is something comforting about the consistency of tried-and-true restaurants, where you can walk into a familiar location and have a good idea of what to expect, be it ambiance or food choices.

Sometimes these “comforting” restaurants are large national (or international) chains, while others are local chains, but either way, the menu and atmosphere are consistent. Sort of like comfort food or a security blanket—you know what to expect on those days you don’t feel adventurous, or you just have a hankering for something you know you love. For those reasons and more, BoomTown Woodfire, Black Woods Grill and Bar, and A&W Restaurants are my “tried and true” choices when eating out.

BoomTown Woodfire, Duluth

BoomTown is a Minnesota chain, with locations across the Iron Range. Located near the airport, on the outskirts of Duluth, BoomTown’s name pays homage to the rich mining history on the Range. It is a cozy restaurant with an upscale feel, boasting a motto of “comfort food with a twist.”

BoomTown smokes their brisket and chicken in house, and grills burgers, chicken, and steak over a woodfired flame, creating flavors that please even the harshest critic. Burgers range from the classic cheeseburger, to a bacon brie burger, bison, and even a Minnesota wild rice burger, served with cranberry ketchup, goat cheese, arugula, and a charred tomato, all on a pretzel bun. You can substitute sweet potato fries or their (amazing) truffle fries with your burger, if you so desire.

In addition to flame-grilled entrees, BoomTown offers a variety of tacos, salads, and pasta dishes. I’m a personal fan of the brewhouse steak salad with goat cheese instead of the bleu cheese it comes with, but I have heard great things about the yard bird sandwich and smoked brisket mac as well. For the littles in your party, BoomTown offers a kids’ menu, complete with a drink and ice cream dessert.

Black Woods Grill & Bar, Proctor, Duluth, Two Harbors

Black Woods is a family-owned restaurant, with locations in Duluth, Proctor, and

In addition to flame-grilled entrees, BoomTown offers a variety of tacos, salads, and pasta dishes. BoomTown also offers a kids’ menu, complete with a drink and ice cream dessert. | VIRGINIA GEORGE

Breakfast Ser ved All Day

Two Harbors. They pride themselves on a home-cooked feel and on creating an environment in which guests feel like they are part of the family. And really, they make themselves a part of the family with their involvement in the community through fundraising programs, and “hands-on involvement with local organizations” who also prioritize giving back to the community. Black Woods prioritizes investing in the local economy by purchasing ingredients from local markets, and providing jobs that allow people to live and thrive in the area.

Their food is as idyllic as Black Woods’ values. Black Woods Grill and Bar has a vast menu, including vegan and gluten-free options. They offer several meat substitutes for a hearty salad, pasta, or sandwich, as well as seasonal and holiday specials to keep the menu fresh and new. Their other staples include categories like burgers, sandwiches, steak and ribs, and comfort food. Black Woods has a kids’ menu, which thoughtfully includes a gluten-free option. Black Woods’ sauces are made in-house and are available to bring home.

Black Woods offers catering for weddings and parties, and private dining experiences in semi-private rooms. They also deliver within 15 miles of their Duluth and Proctor locations.

A&W Restaurants, Thunder Bay

A&W has a long history in North America, dating back as early as 1919. The first A&W I went to was a drive in, and they served your ice-cold root beer in a frosted

mug, which inevitably made a mess all over me and my car as it melted, but it was a fun and nostalgic experience. A&W still serves their root beer in frosted mugs, but generally not in your vehicle.

Thunder Bay has several A&W locations serving their signature beverage, as well as various sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and more. A&W has a breakfast menu including English muffin and egg sandwiches, and bacon and eggs, many of which are available all day. Their lunch and dinner menu includes various burgers, including the grandpa burger, which is three grass-fed beef patties piled high and topped with pickles, onion, ketchup, mustard, and Teen sauce.

Beyond their food, it’s worth mentioning A&W’s commitment to sustainability and environmental impact. In the restaurant, A&W serves food in washable containers, and for take out, they have switched to compostable packaging, moving away from single-use packaging whenever they can. A&W was the first fast food restaurant to switch to paper straws in all of their restaurants. A&W Canada’s cheese all comes from Canadian cows, and they have been serving grass-fed beef since 2013.

A&W Restaurants can be found in various places around North America, and when you eat at one, you support environmental sustainability through waste and energy reduction. They also provide the opportunity for patrons to participate in fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis and Mealshare, which helps to provide meals for kids in need.

Part of the pushback against national chain restaurants and push toward shopping local is to be sure you are investing your money into your community, not the pockets of a large holding corporation overseas and to support the farmers and employees where you live, and not to simply make the rich richer. However, each of these “tried and true” restaurants is a chain of some kind, yet they prioritize the health of their customers, communities, and local economies. They are each intentional with their buying power, and actively seek to give back to the communities in which they thrive. So, when I really want to know what to expect, when I have a hankering for food I can rely on, I can choose BoomTown Woodfire, Black Woods Grill, or A&W Restaurant with a clear conscience.

Mon-Sat: 11am - 9pm

Sunday

Black Woods Grill offers a vast menu, so there is something for everyone.

| BLACK WOODS GRILL & BAR

Easter Appetizers

Strawberry Goat Cheese Bruschetta

FROM ALLRECIPES.COM

INGREDIENTS

ƒ 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

ƒ 12 slices Italian bread

ƒ 1 tablespoon olive oil

ƒ 1 pound strawberries, washed and diced

ƒ 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving

ƒ 1 cup goat cheese, room temperature

ƒ Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Heat vinegar in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Simmer until reduced by about half, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

Prepare a grill for high heat. Place bread slices on a foil-lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

Combine strawberries and thyme in a small bowl and set aside.

Grill bread on a preheated grill until browned, about 3 minutes per side.

Spread goat cheese on toasted bread. Add black pepper, salt, and reduced vinegar to the strawberry mixture. Spoon over the goat cheese topped bruschetta. Garnish with additional thyme. Enjoy!

Asparagus Roll Ups

FROM ALLRECIPES.COM

INGREDIENTS

ƒ 6 slices bacon

ƒ 24 spears fresh asparagus, trimmed

ƒ 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

ƒ 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives

ƒ 12 slices white bread, crusts removed

ƒ 2 tablespoons butter, melted

ƒ 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Grease a baking sheet.

Place bacon in a large, deep skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. When bacon is cool, crumble and set aside in a bowl.

Place asparagus spears into a large skillet and pour in about 1 inch of water. Place over medium heat, cover the skillet, and simmer asparagus until bright green and slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Remove asparagus and set aside.

Place cream cheese and chives into the bowl with bacon and stir to evenly combine.

Roll each bread slice with a rolling pin on a work surface until the slices are thin and flat. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over each slice of bread.

Center 2 asparagus spears on a bread slice, and roll the slice around the asparagus into a tidy and compact cylinder. Place seam side down onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Brush each roll with melted butter and sprinkle each with about 1 1/2 teaspoon Parmesan cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden brown and hot, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

Easter Deviled Eggs FROM ALLRECIPES.COM

INGREDIENTS

ƒ 12 large eggs

ƒ 1/4 cup creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip)

ƒ 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

ƒ Salt and ground black pepper to taste

ƒ Hot sauce

ƒ 4 drops red food color, or desired amount

ƒ 4 drops blue food color, or desired amount

ƒ 4 drops green food color, or desired amount

ƒ 3 cups water, divided, or as needed

DIRECTIONS

Place eggs into a large saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Let eggs boil for 3 minutes; turn off heat, cover pot, and let eggs cook in hot water for at least 20 minutes. Drain and cover eggs with cold water. Peel cooled eggs.

Cut hard-cooked eggs in half lengthwise and remove yolks; mash yolks in a bowl with creamy salad dressing, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and hot sauce until smooth.

Place red, blue, and green food coloring into 3 different bowls and add about 1 cup water to each bowl. Steep 8 egg white halves in each bowl, tinting the egg whites pink, light blue, and green. If color is too pale, add more food coloring to bowls. Drain colored egg whites on paper towels.

Pipe or spoon egg yolk filling into colored egg white halves. Cover and chill before serving, at least 30 minutes. Enjoy!

655 Arthur Street W., Thunder Bay, Ontario 807-577-4241 or 800-265-3253

Breakfast and airport shuttle

Wherever Life Takes You. Best Western Is There.® Each Best Western branded hotel is independently owned and operated

Stronger Than You Know:

Stronger Than You Know:

Uncovering Your Core Connections

Uncovering Your Core Connections

Using Eco-mapping to visualize your support network

Using Eco-mapping to visualize your support network

Saturday, April 15, 2023 • 9am – 12pm

Saturday, April 15, 2023  9am – 12pm

Cook County Higher Education in person or online

Cook County Higher Education in person or online

Uncover and celebrate the positive connections you already have to age well – and discover ways to enlarge your circle of support.

• $20 per participant includes light breakfast and materials

• Scholarships available

• Registration deadline April 12

Uncover and celebrate the positive connections you already have to age well – and discover ways to enlarge your circle of support.

• Register online at Cook County Higher Education (mycche.org)

Workshop Presenters: Stacy Remke, MSW, Teaching Specialist, University of Minnesota School of Social Work and Julie Wilson, MSW, LGSW, Executive Director, Care Partners of Cook County

• $20 per participant includes light breakfast and materials

• Scholarships available

• Registration deadline April 12

• Register online at Cook County Higher Education (mycche.org)

PO Box 282 Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-3788

Workshop Presenters: Stacy Remke, MSW, Teaching Specialist, University of Minnesota School of Social Work and Julie Wilson, MSW, LGSW, Executive Director, Care Partners of Cook County

Northern Trails

The Joys of Ice-Out Trout Fishing

By Gord Ellis

It had already been a fine fishing trip and the outing had only just begun. On the third cast I had managed to land one nice silver steelhead. A hen of about 6 pounds had smacked the lure and did a semi-jump, despite the ice-cold water. That fish was slipped back into the lake and swam off as if nothing had happened, yet things were about to get even better.

My father, Gordon Sr., was about 50 yards away blasting a Kamlooper spoon way out in the lake. I was casting a clown-coloured Husky Jerk and I had to make sure my line fell between a few massive ice chunks that were floating around. We were fishing Lake Superior in April, and there was still some evidence that the winter ice wasn’t ready to leave.

I carefully waded back out to the spot I’d been casting from. The water was just above knee depth, and I planted my feet firmly before casting—a slip would be very cold and uncomfortable. The rod went back and the crankbait went flying. It landed with a splat between a couple of ice floes and the reel was engaged. Popping the rod tip down to the water, I slowly and deliberately worked the lure back. The line stopped as a big steelhead grabbed the Rapala.

“There’s one Senior,” I said, while lifting the rod overhead.

“On my way,” he said, reeling up his line. The trout was fighting hard but lacked the speed of the first trout. When it got closer, I could see it was a big, dark rainbow. There was no net, so I began to walk the fish toward shallower water were it would be gloved.

“Looks pretty nice son,” said Senior. The trout swam by and I grabbed it by the wrist of the tail. Barely.

“How big is that thing?” said my dad.

“Not sure,” I replied. “Let’s measure it.” A minute later we pulled out the tape as the trout lay on a flat rock. It read 33 inches. A monster and my personal best. After a few quick pictures, the trout was released.

“You don’t see those every day,” I said, as the enormous trout swam off.

Ice-out trout and steelhead aren’t always that big. Yet, it’s amazing how often nice fish

are caught in the coldest water. Let’s look at how to fish ice-out trout.

Ice-Out Locations

On Lake Superior, any open water has the potential to cough up a steelhead, laker, salmon, coaster brook trout or even a stray brown trout. Remember that in Ontario,

brook trout are not open until Saturday, April 22, and there is a size limit of one fish over 22 inches. The places that trout congregate tend to be associated with rivers or creeks. However, that doesn’t mean you have to fish right at the mouth of the tributary; any point, break-wall or island will be worth a shot. If you can fish from a canoe, kayak or boat, you will be able to cover much more

area. However, the shore casting angler can do very well at ice-out as well. Make sure you have insulated waders and are properly dressed. Also, don’t shore fish alone.

Fishing from shore on stocked, inland lakes can also be very good. As soon as the ice starts pulling away from the shore, stocked brook trout, rainbow trout, splake and browns will start patrolling the shallows, looking for food. Casting from shore is an excellent way to get these fish. Timing is everything, but if you can get to a lake at ice-out on a bright, sunny day, the fish will often be the most active. The sun warms the water and the fish get hungry. On inland lakes, trees that have fallen in the water, beaver dams or beaver houses are all fish magnets. The sticks and logs provide great places for minnows, leeches, newts and nymphs to hide, which are what trout like to eat.

What To Use

At ice-out, lures that are easy to cast and look like something good to eat get the nod. As mentioned, crankbaits that look like minnows, smelt or other baitfish are very effective. Trout are hungry after a long winter and a potential meal of meat is hard to pass up. The Rapala Husky Jerk is a good choice as is the Live Target Smelt. Go smaller on inland lakes but used 4- to 5-inch crankbaits on Superior.

Another very popular option for casting is the spoon. There are many good ones, but the EGB, Little Cleo, Krocodile and Nipigon Spoon are all worth a try. Think silver, silver/blue or brass spoons on Superior. On inland lakes, I like fire tiger, silver/orange and brass/red spoons. Throwing heavier weight spoons of 3/8- or 5/8-ounces will help you punch through the wind on Lake Superior. On smaller lakes, a one quarter or 3/8-ounce spoon should do the job. Use a metal clip on your main line as it will be easier to change out lures quickly.

My final lure choice is one that has been the most consistent for me. I find bucktail jigs—or jig flies—to be very effective on cold water trout and salmon. My favourites are made by Mighty Mitch and Jungle Joe’s Jig flies of Thunder Bay. You can find them on Facebook or Instagram. The brightly coloured jig flies have been quite good in cold water, but I tend to start with black, brown or smelt coloured jig flies. Cast them out, then retrieve them back just fast enough so that they are not touching bottom. Trout and salmon really pop them, and often will hit a jig fly when nothing else works.

Ice-out trout fishing is just around the corner. If you want to get a jump on the open water season, now is the time to bust out the rod and get fishing.

[ABOVE] Author Gord Ellis with an ice-out steelhead caught on a jig fly. | GORD ELLIS

[LEFT] A selection of prime ice-out trout lures. | GORD ELLIS

BY JOE SHEAD

WHY GO: Scarp Lake offers quality rainbow trout fishing in a scenic setting. “As a camping experience, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to get there, but when you get there, it still has that solitude,” said Dean Paron, Finland area fisheries supervisor.

ACCESS: Scarp Lake is part of the Hogback Lake Recreation Area—a unique cluster of lakes connected by 5 miles of hiking trails with a few campsites thrown in for good measure. Anglers can reach Scarp Lake via a quarter-mile hiking trail or by paddling across Hogback Lake and making a 20-rod portage into Scarp. You’ll find a small, three-site rustic campground with a day-use picnic area on Hogback Lake. Scarp has two remote campsites—one on the west end of the lake and another on the north-central part of the lake. These sites can be reached on foot or by canoe. A hiking trail goes all the way around the lake, providing a few shore fishing access points. If you’re planning to camp on any of these lakes, try to get there early. “It gets a fair amount of recreational use, especially early in the spring,” Paron said. “It’s popular with tent campers.”

To reach the parking area at Hogback Lake from Tofte, travel southwest on U.S. High-

NORTHERN SKY

APRIL 2023 By Deane

Morrison,

MN STARWATCH

Venus spends April chasing Mars, but— spoiler alert—it won’t catch up to the red planet. At least not anytime soon. Our sister planet shines as an “evening star” in the west. Meanwhile, Mars sojourns through the Gemini twins as the bright winter stars stream past it toward the sunset. Nightfall in mid-month will be the last good time this season to compare Venus to Sirius, the brightest of stars, which will be low in the southwest.

Watch the Pleiades star cluster slip by Venus between Sunday, the 9th and Wednesday, the 12th. Just east of Venus, look for the V-shaped Hyades cluster, which forms the face of Taurus, the bull. The bull’s eye is the bright star Aldebaran, which is not part of the Hyades.

The spring constellation Leo, the lion, prances high in the southeast to south this month. Look for the backward question mark of stars outlining Leo’s head. This figure, called the Sickle, is anchored by bright Regulus, the lion’s heart. The lion’s hindquarters are a triangle of stars pointing eastward.

Beneath and slightly west of Regulus, you may spot a somewhat bright but rather lonely star. This is Alphard, in the large but largely unknown constellation Hydra, the sea serpent.

In the northeast, the Big Dipper’s handle hangs down from the bowl. Follow the curve of the handle to Arcturus, the brightest star in the northern hemisphere of sky. Its kiteshaped constellation, Bootes, the herdsman, is a pleasing staple of the summer night sky.

As the month goes by, another bright star climbs over the southeastern horizon to the lower right of Arcturus. This is Spica, the only landmark in large but dim Virgo, the maiden. To the west of Spica you’ll find the irregular four-sided figure of Corvus, the crow.

April’s full moon arrives at 11:34 p.m. on Wednesday, the 5th. That night it leads Spica across the sky.

For more information on the University of Minnesota’s public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses, visit: d.umn.edu/planet.

SCARP LAKE

way 61 for 2.4 miles, crossing the Temperance River. Just past the river, turn right onto FR 343 (Temperance River Road). Follow FR 343 just over 5 miles until you come to an intersection. Turn left on FR 166 and proceed about 1.8 miles to County Road 7 (Cramer Road). Turn right onto County Road 7 and proceed about 5.6 miles until your reach FR 172 at Charity Lake. Turn left onto FR 172 (Wanless Road) and proceed about three-quarters of a mile. Turn into the Hogback Lake parking lot on your left.

VITALS: Scarp Lake spans 39 acres with a maximum depth of 15 feet. It’s named for the rocky escarpment you’ll find along the lake.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Rainbow trout.

RAINBOW TROUT: Rainbow trout are the only gamefish species in Scarp Lake.

“We stock it annually with yearling (10- to 12-inch) rainbow trout,” Paron said. “We boat them in from Hogback and stock them in spring every year. It’s pretty popular with anglers. When we survey, we get good numbers in each age-class, which is kind of unusual. Several anglers like to target Scarp specifically for the larger rainbows,” Paron continued. “They seem to grow a bit bigger for whatever reason.” Paron said it’s a fairly

productive lake, with more nutrients than a typical stocked trout lake, which probably aids their growth. He noted he’s heard of rainbows up to about 18 inches coming out of the lake. Scarp sees a lot of campers in the spring and summer, but it also gets pressure from anglers on snowmobiles or snowshoes in winter. “It’s a neat little gem,” Paron said.

BONUS TROUT: Hogback and Steer lakes are connected to Scarp via hiking trail.

Both are designated trout lakes. Hogback has rainbows and splake, while Steer Lake is stocked annually with brook trout. “A large portion of the anglers that fish on Scarp also fish on Hogback,” Paron said. So, if the fish aren’t biting on Scarp, you’ve got other options close by.

View all our Fishing Hole Maps at: northernwilds.com/fishingholemaps

Gidaanikeshkaagonaanig Gidaanikoobijiganinaan Following the Ancestor’s Steps

Giiwedino-Manidoog: Spirits of the North

On my first day in Voyageur National Park, while sailing on the water, I was struck by the richness of the earth and the life, spirit, and power of the water. This piece is to celebrate the beauty of the land, water and sky and the animal spirits of the land, water, and sky, while also serving as a reminder to visitors that the park sits on ancestral Anishinaabe and Ojibwe homes. The Ojibwe constellations serve as this reminder as Ojibwe people have looked up at the stars for a millennium to tell stories. The Ojibwe culture and stories were and continue to be a part of the story of Voyageur National Park.

Weshkad imaa gii-niingaasimoonowaan nigii-maaminonendaan wiin iye epiichi-onizhishing iye aki, epiichi-bazhishigendaagok iye bimaadiziwin, naa ge epiichi-mashkaagamig iye sa nibi. Onjida go naa nigii-shizhoobii’aan owe ji-waabanda’amaan iye epiichi-maamakaadendaagokin iye aki, nibi, giizhik, naa go ge igiyeg aadizookaanag, miziwe bago eyaawaad. Boochi igo ji-mikwenda’indwaa igiyeg biiwideg imaa sa Anishinaabewaking bimi-ayaawag, memindage omaampii jiigibiig. Shke naa ge igiyeg moozhekanag, pane-ko gaa-onjiseg iye bimaadiziwin ogii-kanawaabamigowaan iniyen Anishinaaben. Mii imaa wezi-aadizookeng. Mii apane ingiyeg anishinaabeg ogii-tibaadodaan iye sa aki, biinish igo omaapii Gichi-onigaming.

By Zhaawanoogiizhik / Sam Zimmerman

Translation by Mandioo Ma’iingan

SAWTOOTH RACING DOG BLOG Women Win

BY ERIN ALTEMUS

Post Beargrease, we prepared for the UP200, which I planned to run. The weather turned warmer and warmer, melting snow off the trails all around the Great Lake. Finally, a rainstorm deteriorated the trail too much, and the race was canceled.

Friends from Canada told us about another race that was allowing mushers to register last minute, called Abitibi. When perusing the website, which was mostly in French as the race would take place in Quebec near La Sarre, I found it difficult to understand much, but after going back and forth on the pros and cons of a 12-hour drive for a 100-mile race, my husband Matt signed me up.

Unfortunately, I misunderstood where the race was located and had reserved a hotel room in Timmins, which Matt informed me was two hours from the race. Oops.

At the race, it was me (from the U.S.) and another 14 mushers from Canada, all of whom spoke French. Those who knew English translated the required gear list and the logistics of the race. I left as the last musher in the 100-mile race, bib 15.

The trail was put in for mushing, winding its way out of town, onto a river and then into the woods. I passed a few teams in the woods and about 35 miles into the first 50mile leg, I popped out onto Abitibi Lake and there ahead of me into the distance as far as I could see were eight teams spread out. We began passing them one-by-one, passing all but one before going back in the woods. At each road crossing, volunteers and spectators shouted at me in French. Not knowing what they were saying, I just smiled and waved. By the time we reached the checkpoint, I had passed all but one team, and I had the fastest run time for the first leg, meaning after our 3.5-hour rest, my team would leave first.

We held our five-minute lead until Abitibi Lake, and there in the gray light of dusk, I could see Martin was catching us. Now in the dark, his headlamp encroached. Then, a split in the trail caused me to stop. I couldn’t see which way to go. We simply waited a minute for Martin who called his team to gee, and we followed. Not too much further he stopped to snack his team and we passed. I thought, ‘that’s a good idea,’ so I stopped my team to snack and he passed. We followed Martin’s team at a respectable distance for almost 30 miles. I could see two other teams were catching us. In a narrow section of trail that wound back and forth for several miles, I was on Martin’s tail. Another team was on mine. Finally, when we spat out of the woods, I called trail and we passed. I had about 5 miles until the finish. I called up the dogs, encouraging them every

minute. We put some space between us and the team behind, and we finished first.

On to Can-Am 10 days later while Sylvia stayed home with Grandma. Matt and I took 22 dogs and a U-Haul trailer to Maine. Matt ran the 10-dog, 100-mile race. I ran the 12-dog, 250-mile race. Both are unassisted. Matt and his team placed sixth out of 20 teams. Major Tom ran lead. He broke his metacarpals in a freak accident last year, so this was a big comeback for him. He led with 2-year-old superstar Chicken.

Matt’s team left the chute at 8 a.m. and after helping him, I had two hours to prep my dogs. I had no helper but given the amount of time, it was no issue to harness and bootie the dogs by myself. We ran down the main street of Fort Kent Maine, alongside the Allagash River and then turned inland, south, toward Portage. The first leg was 67 miles. Most years we run down Portage Lake at the end of the leg to the checkpoint, but this year the slush was apparently so deep they had to reroute us, making the leg extra-long, with more hills. I had a horrendous pass of another team, where my leader Temper stopped outright to smell one of the females. Then they all became interested in that team’s snacks. Finally, after I ran back and forth to the front of the team to drag them forward several times, we went on. One team passed me, New Brunswick musher Kat Langlais. “Don’t be first to Portage” I yelled as she went by. We had both scratched from the race in previous years after getting to Portage checkpoint first.

At the checkpoint, teams were parked extremely close to each other. My dogs ate well and I went inside for food and a nap. I awoke after a brief 20-minute nap to dogs barking. It turns out there had been some skirmishes in the yard. Upon leaving, my team became bunched up and two females started a fight. I straightened them out and found one to have a paw injury. At this point, my team was screaming to go so we left, but 30 miles later, Georgia was riding in the sled, her paw now too swollen to run on.

Georgia stayed at Rocky Brook. The rest of the team wasn’t eating very well here. I left with 11 dogs for a 4.5-hour, 31-mile run to Sylver in the heat of day. How such a short leg can take so long remains a mystery, but the hills go on and on and on. Turn a corner or crest a hill and up we went.

Checkpoint Sylver was so hot in the full sun I took off my snowpants and trudged around in my long johns for four hours. I spent considerable time trying to coax dogs into eating. I could tell Itsy was dehydrated by looking at her pee and finally got her to drink some water and eat kibble. I dropped another dog, Wallaby, here and we left to-

ward Allagash 10 dogs strong. Several miles out of the checkpoint we were moving awkwardly, and a bit slow. I stopped and put Deedee in lead and off we went. This was the highlight of my race, a nice team moving well, watching the sun set on the mountains around me, listening to music, feeling good… except I wasn’t feeling that good. I had come down with a bad cold and with no meds or even a tissue, I sneezed my way to Allagash, blowing my nose in my gloves.

At Allagash we took our five-hour required rest and left solidly in fourth place, at least 40 minutes behind third, and fifth place 40 minutes behind me. It was almost 4 a.m. I found myself barely able to stay awake, and as the sun just began to rise, I saw a woman on the trail telling me to “gee!” I didn’t really comprehend the dog command and we veered to a road crossing around a berm, so I couldn’t see where to go. The dogs suddenly swung left onto the road and I couldn’t stop them. Down the pavement we went, me trying to brake in total futility, tossing the snowhook off the sled where it merely bounced along the road. I gee’d them into a closed gas station hoping the snow on the parking lot would help stop us, but they careened on through and out onto a highway. Finally, I threw my sled on

its side to stop the team. A race volunteer pulled his truck in front of the team, also stopping traffic and together we turned the team around, tied off the truck and made our way back to the trail.

That took the oomph out of my team and my runners felt like they were coated in sand. We made our way slowly to the finish, crossing open fields where the wind nearly blew us sideways. After this road trip fiasco, I worried that Denis Tremblay in fifth place would catch me, but that was not the case. A solid fourth-place finish rounded out our season. A bigger deal was that my Canadian friend Kat Langlais won the 250-mile race, the first time the race was won by a woman. In fact, the 250, 100, and 30-mile races at Can-Am were all won by women.

Now we look toward training the next batch of puppies, nine months old and full of puppy vigor. We have some big ambitions for next year having to do with a certain 1,000-mile race in Alaska—stay tuned.

Sylvia and I hang out with the dogs while they rest at the halfway point. | MATTHEW SCHMIDT

Now What? Navigating Life After Loss

By Beth Probst

Book Baby Press, 2023, $17.99

After losing her mother at age 18 and lat er her father during the height of Covid-19, author Beth Probst is familiar with loss. However, loss comes in many different forms—Probst has also dealt with fertili ty frustrations, a failed adoption, mother hood, career changes, evolving friendships, aging, marriage, and identity crises. With humility, sometimes humor, and human connections, Probst shares her attempt to navigate both ordinary and extraordinary losses and reminds us that everyone grieves differently, and that’s ok. Loss, both big and small, is part of life. So, whether you’ve lost a loved one, or felt like you lost a little in dependence because you changed your cell phone plan from an individual to a threeyear family plan contract, this book is for you.—Breana

Johnson

Meander North Essays

By Marie Zhuikov

Nodin Press, 2022, $19.95

After nine years of “Marie’s Meander ings” blog posts, Duluth author Marie Zhui kov took her best stories to create North. These short, quirky essays are ar ranged by season, starting with winter, and cover a wide range of outdoorsy and com munity-based reflections, all taking place in northern Minnesota. This light-hearted book is full of wit and humor, with story titles like “How My Dog Got Me Out of a Traffic Ticket,” “That Time I Organized a Sea Lamprey Taste Test,” and “Nantucket Sleigh Ride Via Loon.” Filled with unex pected adventures, friendships, dangerous weather, and even loss of life, this book is a must read for anyone who loves the North Shore.—Breana

Johnson

Star Party

By Polly Carlson-Voiles

Illustrated by Consie Powell

Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2023, $17.95

In this fun and well-written children’s book, Nora and her grandparents leave their cozy cabin for a walk down to their dock at night for a star party. On the way, Nora experiences the magic of the North woods with flying squirrels, barred owls, and bats. Once at the lake, Nora is mesmer ized by the number of stars she can see, not ing that the stars are mirrored in the lake. Nora sees shooting stars and the milky way, listens to frogs and loons, and learns about light pollution. After the story is a section titled Night Sky Notes, which teaches kids about nocturnal animals, constellations, Dark Sky Sanctuaries, and more. This is a great read that will have everyone looking to the sky at night.—Breana

Johnson

NORTH HOUSE FOLK SCHOOL

“Brings

whole new light.”

PAUL SCHURKE, founder and director, Wintergreen Adventures

Strange Tales The World of Underwater Archaeology

By Elle AndraWarner

Exploring and conserving ancient underwater ruins (like the Lighthouse of Alexandria and Cleopatra’s palace under the Mediterranean Sea), shipwrecks, cities, artifacts, museums, and other submerged cultural heritage sites are all part of the work of underwater archaeologists.

Did you know the world’s first underwater museum is the sunken ruins of the ancient city of Alexandria in the Mediterranean Sea, off the shore of Egypt? And the largest underwater museum, known as MUSA, is in Mexico’s Cancun National Marine Park, where more than 500 underwater sculptures in three galleries are located to facilitate the preservation of coral reefs. The oldest underwater shipwreck discovery is the Dokos, dated by archaeologists back more than 4,300 years. And underwater archaeologists are currently exploring almost 80 shipwrecks in Michigan’s Thunder Bay on the northwestern shores of Lake Huron.

Canadian and U.S. governments both employ underwater archaeologist teams to discover and take inventory of submerged artifacts. For example, Parks Canada’s Underwater Archaeology Team (UAT) discovered the two long-lost ships of the Franklin Expedition in the Canadian Arctic: the HMS Erebus, found south of King William Island in 2014, and the HSM Terror, found in 2016. The same UAT spent two weeks in the summer of 2019 off the North Shore of Lake Superior taking inventory on the 27 known shipwrecks within the boundaries of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area. Using sonar, they gathered shipwreck data from the Neebing, Mary McLachlan, Gunilda and Ontario.

In the U.S., the Submerged Resource Centre (SRC), a unit of the National Park Service, has been documenting shipwrecks and other underwater sites for more than 40 years, including sites at Isle Royale National Park (IRNP) from 1980 to 1986. Almost 20 years later, in 2009, the SRC returned to Isle Royale to work with the IRNP to document the condition of five shipwrecks in the park: America, Henry Chisolm, Cumberland, Glenlyon and Emperor

Thunder Bay’s Chris McEvoy is an underwater archaeologist and photographer who explores and documents submerged shipwreck sites, underwater artifacts and more. I asked McEvoy what the difference is between archaeology and underwater archaeology.

“Archaeology, in general, is the study of past cultures through the evidence they leave behind. Traditionally, this ‘evidence’ is often associated with artifacts, but it can also refer to the impact humans have had on the environment, which is something we also study,” said McEvoy. “The ‘underwater’

in underwater archaeology refers to the environment in which we look for evidence of human existence. Whether its modern shipwrecks or Indigenous occupations that are now submerged, the methodologies we use are like those on land—just adapted for a wetter environment.”

A graduate of Lakehead University, McEvoy has a n honours BA in anthropology, a masters in environmental studies, and a diving license and marine archaeological license from the Ontario government. Since childhood, he has wanted to be an archaeologist.

“The idea of finding new sites and exploring past cultures always excited me. I also wanted to learn to scuba dive as a child, so I guess it was a combination of the two that fuelled my interest,” says McEvoy.

An accomplished photographer (his recent images of polar bears roaming the sub-Arctic wilds of Churchill, Manitoba have received high praise), he owns and operates Rusty Anchor Productions, and is a member of the Canadian Conservation Photography Collective. His photography skills have become an important tool in his underwater archaeology.

Some of his most memorable projects have included digging up 10,000-year-old sites near Mackenzie River and surveying shipwrecks on Lake Superior, including trying to find two French Navy warships that disappeared in Lake Superior on their first voyage after being launched in Fort William (now Thunder Bay).

“As a technician with Lakehead University’s Department of Anthropology, I re-

Dr. Scott Hamilton [BACK] and NRM MSC graduate Tom Collins [FRONT] search for shipwrecks near Michipicoten Island, Lake Superior. | CHRIS MCEVOY

Our regions history can be found scattered throughout the lake bottom. Image captured in Lake Superior, just south of Thunder Bay. | CHRIS MCEVOY

cently had a chance to help search for two missing WWI Minesweepers (Inkerman and Cerisoles) near Michipicoten Island in Lake Superior,” said McEvoy. “As head archaeologist on the project, I helped develop the strategies for the survey. And what made the project particularly interesting was that we used semi-autonomous kayaks to search for the missing vessels. Developed by Tom Collins (Natural Resources Management), the jet-powered kayak was able to search large swaths of water without anyone on board. This meant that our team—Dr. Hamilton, Tom and I—could stay safe on shore, while the kayak used side-scan sonar to map the more challenging sections of the lake.”

So, which kind of archaeology does he prefer? “Both underwater and terrestrial archaeology interest me. However, there is something about exploring the underwater that feels special. It’s a privilege to put on all that gear and go see a part of the world that most people won’t see,” said McEvoy. “Although I use imaging as part of my job, underwater photography is something I am really passionate about. I love bringing the underwater world to people who don’t get to see it for themselves. It’s a true privilege.”

While underwater archaeology is challenging, McEvoy notes that there is more to it than lost ships or searching for treasure.

“It’s a discipline that uses scientific techniques to answer complex questions regarding our collective past,” he says.

Wreckage from an unknown source was photographed along the northern shores of Lake Superior. | CHRIS MCEVOY

HERE IS WHAT LUTSEN REAL ESTATE GROUP AGENTS SAY YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Limited inventory continues to support strong pricing Mortgage rates have fallen a full percentage point since their high last October Cash sales rose to 28% when compared to 23% the year before

Volatility in the stock market continues to drive buyers to real estate

The North Shore continues to be a very special area

WHEW!

FREE MARKET ANALYSIS

Give one of our “Awesome Agents” a call today to learn more about why it remains a good time to sell. Our team of experts will provide you with a FREE Market Analysis on your home and/or property and outline why Lutsen Real Estate Group is your BEST CHOICE when considering listing your home for sale.

Looking to buy a property for a vacation rental? Through our sister company, Cascade Vacation Rentals, we have gained incredible knowledge about what North Shore visitors are looking for. We are happy to use that information to help guide you in purchasing a property that is not only a good fit for you, but will also increase your chances of high rental income.

LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTIES

INLAND WATER PROPERTIES

HOMES & CABINS

HUGE PINES, PRISTINE VIEWS, GUNFLINT LAKE

WATERFRONT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Beautiful waterfront commercial property in downtown district of Grand Marais, which includes 2 apartments overlooking Lake Superior, and a retail/rental business. Also included in the sale is a 5 acre parcel on County Road 7, with a 52' x 42' warehouse for boat and other inventory storage and deliveries.

This large, densely wooded lot has 171 feet of shoreline on big water Gunflint Lake. Direct BWCA access, huge white pines, classic wilderness boulder shore and vast views of Canada across the lake. Nice building site with easy access to the water. Good year-round road access with power and Broadband at the parcel. Build your dream lake home on this outstanding lake lot. MLS#6099440 $284,900

HOMES & CABINS

MLS#6103262 $1,950,000 REDUCED

INLAND WATER PROPERTIES

NEW! HOME WITH SPARKLING

WATER & SUNSETS

Custom built, single level lake home on pristine Wilson Lake. Known for crystal clear water and excellent walleye fishing.

Tucked deep inside the Superior National Forest, you can relax in the peaceful beauty of a BWCA-like experience. But here, you enjoy the modern conveniences of a four season, wheelchair accessible lake home with fiber optic internet. One level living, large great room, three bedrooms, two accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers, in-floor heat, slate and wood flooring, attached heated garage, and large deck and boardwalk down to the lake and fire pit. Open floor plan offers space for gathering along with two separate wings for privacy. Large windows throughout the home offer a panoramic view of the natural beauty surrounding the property.

MLS# 6107163 $679,900

HIDDEN GEM IN DOWNTOWN LUTSEN

Breathtaking year round views of Lake Superior & Peek-A-Boo view of Lutsen. Scandinavian designed home is cozy & efficient with southern exposure that brings extra warmth in the winter combined with an efficient designed fireplace to heat the home & save on utility bills. Warm inviting home with maple hardwood floors, pine vaulted ceilings & versatile rooms. Main living area offers year round panoramic lake views. Kitchen is updated & efficient with access to others in the dining/ living area & windows directly to the deck. Upper level can be an extra living space with ½ bath & walk in closet with spectacular Lake Superior. Office space can accommodate work from home with built in desk & shelving. Lower level has a cozy refurbished "fire place room" that walks out to the paver patio. Oversized garage has attic. Insulated bunkhouse with kitchen & 1/4 bath. Seller is a Licensed Real Estate Agent.

MLS#6106675

PEACEFUL HAVEN

Enjoy a peaceful haven only 20 minutes from Grand Marais with all the comforts of home.

WILDERNESS LAKE ISLAND HOME

Live off-grid with comfort and spectacular scenery on a 6.82 acre island on Greenwood Lake, Minnesota's highest lake. Most of the 2000 ft shoreline is US Forest Service land. It's a jewel and you get the protection of your own island, offering isolation, wilderness views and wildlife. Comfortable small home is set up for your retreat lifestyle. Present owners built the home and large shop building with guest quarters, and have lived on the island for 15+ years. Off grid solar, generator power, new peat-moss septic system, lake water and satellite provide the comforts you desire. Air boat, pontoon and fishing boats included, providing access with a protective cove & docks for easy landing/loading.

MLS#6104980 $595,000

Stay in and enjoy the park-like setting with Myhr Creek lazing its way along the north and east side of the acreage. Within 3 miles of the home are the Brule River, Judge CR Magney State Park and the historical Naniboujou Lodge. Venture farther up the highway for a view of the high falls at the Pigeon River or an evening at Grand Portage. 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a heated garage. High quality broadband, vaulted beamed ceilings, open floor plan with main level master suite MLS#6106674 $374,900

PENDING! TRI-PLEX HOME

This property was a single family home that has been converted into three, long-term rental units, and has a strong rental history. It could be kept as is to continue providing housing for the residents and workforce of Cook County, or converted back to a single family home. All three units are currently occupied on month to month leases. 24 hour minimum advance notice for showings is required.

MLS#6106929 $270,000

COMMERCIAL

MULTI-USE PROPERTY HOVLAND

2.3 acre property has great home site with lake views, great well & septic, and an existing structure used as a local store & food business. New patio in 2008 & new addition in 2010. Many options exist, from residential, rental, cottage industry, retail shop or continue its present use. Perfect set up for a move-to-the-Shore life change. Bring your idea & start the dream from here. Existing business is available at additional cost.

MLS#6103739 $339,000

LUTSEN COMMERCIAL SITE

Lutsen "downtown" location. Hwy 61 frontage-road access, 3.3 acres and 389 feet of frontage overlooking the highway, with some limited Lake Superior views. Nice creek borders the east property line, mature evergreen forest. Great location for retail, restaurant or art gallery with great visibility off the North Shore Scenic Highway. LTGC zone district (Lutsen Town Center General Commercial) allows many options. Three separate lots could be split. Located just minutes from Lutsen Mountains Ski Area, Superior National Golf Course, many lodges and recreational opportunities. MLS#6105204 $220,000

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE

CASCADE RIVER FRONTAGE LOT

This is a rare opportunity to purchase one of the very few privately owned lots on the scenic Cascade River! Over 440 feet of private river frontage offers peaceful calm and gives rise to creative dreaming. Build an off-grid compound with rustic cabins or a custom log home, or keep it wild for camping. There's plenty of space here to spread out with 26.6 acres, and seemingly endless public land to the south and west for hiking, hunting and other north woods enthusiasm.

MLS#6105797 $350,000

MONS CREEK AND VIEWS

1000 ft of Mons Creek frontage & a great view from a high build site. Easy road access, but lots of privacy. 40 acre property w/ private deeded access to Lost Lake, a short drive away. Private lake w/ limited use, a true wilderness feel. Perfect cabin retreat location w/ added bonus of private wilderness lake access. Homeowners association stocks lake w/ brook trout. Walk-in landing provides easy access for canoe or small boat. Roads are gated for security & privacy. Lost Lake Retreats is a truly secluded & private wilderness escape.

MLS#6089090 $60,000

LOOKING FOR WILDERNESS?

Are you among those who want to own remote acreage where your neighbors don’t tarnish your dream?

40 acre parcel within a 1100 acre unit, bordered by federal, state park and private ownership on parcels which cannot be less than 20 acres. Unique property extends north from Lost Lake Rd to a creek meandering through a large wetland with no development in sight. Launch your canoe below a great building site overlooking Mons Creek from a high point above the creek. New trail is cut to this overlook. Private deeded access to Lost Lake, a short walk south on a trail. Homeowners’ association has defined covenants & a conservation easement of 44 acres along the south side of Lost Lake prohibiting any development. Lake is a natural environment lake with 150 ft setbacks.

MLS#6089091 $52,900

LAND/BUILDING SITES

LARGE, REMOTE

ACREAGE –PRIVATE LAKE RIGHTS

This over 80-acre tract has some high ground with views of the hills to the south. Good road access. Some young planted pine trees. It adjoins a Private Conservation Easement area. The property is part of a private association with lake rights to Lost Lake, a limited access lake with shared carry-in landing from which you can launch your canoe or kayak. A unique opportunity. MLS#6103975 $74,900

40 ACRES – STONES

THROW TO TOM LAKE

40 acres with an easy walk to the Tom Lake boat landing. Year-round road to within 1000 feet, power is possible here. Driveway easement granted to build shared access. Many great building sites. Easy access to trails and other lakes. MLS#6095114 $60,000

WOODED 64 ACRES –ACCESS

TO

PRIVATE LAKE

This large wooded retreat property is within walking distance to a shared landing on Lost Lake - a private access lake. Good road access and many nice places to build a cabin. Privacy on top of restricted private road access makes this a unique opportunity for wilderness seclusion. MLS#6103974 $59,900

PEACEFUL TAIT LAKE PINES

REMOTE ACREAGE, ADJOINING FOREST LANDS-PRIVATE LAKE RIGHTS

This 43 acre tract has adjoining federal land and state park within walking distance. Good road access, with an old "logging road" into the property. The property is part of a private association with lake rights to Lost Lake, a limited access lake with shared carry-in landing from which you can launch your canoe or kayak. A unique opportunity.

MLS#6103979 $46,900

REMOTE 43 ACRES –LOST LAKE ACCESS

This secluded 43 acres adjoins federal land and is located on a private gated road. There's a seasonal pond, existing "logging" road into the property for immediate use of the land. The property comes with shared private access to Lost Lake, a lake with no public access. Plenty of privacy! MLS#6103978 $46,900

BRULE VALLEY LOTS

These remote, off-grid parcels with deeded access to the Brule River could be your own seasonal retreat; whether you're looking for a place to pitch a tent for a few nights, or if you want to build your dream cabin, there is a good canvas here for your creation!

Lot B (40ac) MLS#6102969 $43,000; Lot C (42.82ac) MLS#6102971 $46,000; Lot D (43.82ac) MLS#6102970 $44,000

GREAT LOCATION HOME SITE.

Just minutes from Grand Marais on black top County Rd 7, a 5+ acre lot with easy access to power and Broadband. Good building sites.

MLS#6094099 $45,900

ROLLING TERRAIN & POND

Deep woods and private access to Lost Lake. Good road access and many building site options. Beautiful beaver pond and creek split the 20 acre property. Lost Lake is a tucked-away gem with limited private property and no public access. Good trout fishing and moose sightings. This is a remote retreat property with the added bonus of lake access on a pristine wilderness lake.

MLS#6098652 $41,900

You'll appreciate the private & peaceful 1.93 acre location in Lutsen, MN, complete with its own hiking trails, outstanding views, finely maintained roads, yearround accessibility, access to power, a calm overall vibe and deeded lake access to Tait Lake! One of the most gorgeous drives one can find, up the Caribou Trail and around Tait Lake. Close to the Superior Hiking Trail, inland lakes, including BWCAW access & trails, Lutsen Ski Resort, Superior National Golf Course and access to food/ beverage. MLS#6106368 $55,000

TAIT LAKE PINE LOT

Welcome to Tait Lake Pines! You'll appreciate the private & peaceful location in Lutsen, MN, complete with its own hiking trails, outstanding views/ settings, finely maintained roads, year-round accessibility, access to power, a calm and serene overall vibe AND deeded lake access to Tait Lake!! It'll keep you close to the Superior Hiking Trail, many more inland lakes and trails, Lutsen Ski Resort, Superior National Golf Course & access to food/beverage. MLS#6098276 $54,900

GREAT LOCATION FOR HOME OR CABIN

Just minutes west of Grand Marais on a black-top county road with power at the site, Broadband nearby. Five acre parcel with southern exposure. Potential Lake Superior views. Very affordable building site!

MLS#6096700 $45,900

REMOTE PEACE & QUIET

Hide away in this beautiful dense forest, with remote trails and private lake access to Lost Lake, a limited private property lake with no public access, and trout! Twenty acres of rolling topography and nice building sites for your cabin retreat. Lot B

MLS#6098653 $39,900

REMOTE WOODED HIDE-A-WAY

This 20 acre parcel is remote and has nice southerly exposure. Deeded access to Lost Lake gives you a place to fish and listen to the loons. It’s a lake with limited private property and no public access. Great area for ATV’s and miles of roads to explore. Lot C.

MLS#6098654 $38,900

NEW! NORTH WOODSY LAKE HOME NEAR FINLAND!

Enjoy this Fabulous vacation or year-round home at Ninemile Lake! This 3 bedroom home doesn’t disappoint with floor to ceiling windows and vaulted ceilings in the Great Room, a spacious Kitchen and even a covered porch this home has everything you need to relax and unwind! Shared access to 1800ft of shoreline on Ninemile lake and close to close to many inland lakes, plus direct access to snowmobile, ATV and hiking trails means you can enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities!

Visit today and start planning your summer Up North!

MLS#6107181 $429,000

SALE PENDING SOLD

WELCOME TO UP NORTH LAKE LIVING!

Ten minutes to the Lake Superior Harbor of Grand Marais! Devil Track Lake is where you want to be for lake fun along the North Shore! Enjoy lakeside dining at the Raven’s Rock Grille, and lots of open water for recreating! In addition to a two-car attached garage, there’s a tasteful 3 stall detached to store your toys situated off a black top driveway. Prime South facing Shoreline, and plenty of it with 300 ft & 3 acres, RARE FIND! Super well-maintained home, you will have fun updating it to your own style! Gorgeous Lake views, vaulted ceilings, large kitchen, huge primary bedroom w/ en suite.

MLS#6104817 $859,900

polished agate of a log home, to life. With two bedrooms, one bath and a living room with commanding views over all that cool fresh water. A den downstairs that walks out to the shore and a billiards room featuring a table hand-crafted by the architect. There’s more, The log workshop/studio is inspiring and it even has a one stall garage. Move to the east along the trellised walkway to arrive at the log sauna. Wander the land and see why the architect and peregrines enjoy it. From corner to corner there is 450+ feet of frontage along the big lake. Charming Schroeder is nearby, about a half mile to Sugarloaf Cove Interpretive Center, skiing and golf at Lutsen 15 minutes. Though, staying put is the mode of this place: cribbage, fires in the gorgeous wood stoves, billiards tournament, a sauna. Arriving here feels like stepping into a dream, into a childhood vision – an archetype of Gitche Gummi Getaway.

MLS#6106795

$1,250,000

Spring is Here!! Time to Plan an Adventure to the North Shore!

SALE PENDING

NORWAY PINE LOG HOME IN GRAND MARAIS!

BEAUTIFUL NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME IN GRAND MARAIS!

Enjoy everything Grand Marais has to offer in this NEW home! Welcoming interior, bright and sunny with tons of windows! Open living room lined with large windows and patio door allowing for lots of natural light to flow through the room. Open concept design, the kitchen island anchors the space and the gorgeous stone fireplace is a beautiful focal point to the Kitchen and Living spaces. Bright Kitchen, awesome pantry, and coffee counter, you’ll love the kitchen! Main level has 2 bedrooms convenient to hallway bath with custom shower and double sink, as well as an office/craftsroom. Upper level is a large owners en suite with skylights! PROPERTY IS OWNED BY A LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

MLS# 6106877 $539,000 PRICE REDUCED

Terrific Log Home on a peaceful corner in Grand Marais. 3 Bedroom, 3 bath, 2500+ square feet. Classic, Norway Pine logs bring warmth and a timeless quality to the home. Light streams in through the many windows, with views to a well-forested lot providing a sense of being in the woods. Yet, all that Grand Marais has to offer is within walking distance. Walk inside and enjoy the natural light flowing from the Family Room into the open Kitchen, start a fire in the woodstove to take away the fall/winter chills. Lower Level features a large Rec Room and a great office space. Guest bedrooms on lower and main levels. Head up a log stairway for the ages to the primary bedroom that snoozes under a lofted ceiling – private and away from it all with plenty of space to relax. The attached bath up there is incredible. Top it all off with an oversized 2 car garage! Just across the road is a handy access point to the snowmobile trail system. That’s life in one of America’s Coolest Small Towns! All that is missing is you!

MLS#6105152 $499,000

DREAMY

NEW! RAVEN’S RIDGE!

Nestled on a rocky hillside high above Gitchi Gumee and tucked below LeVeaux Mountain, here is a place of respite with long views over the Big Lake. A forested environment of outcrops and sylvan tranquility where calm predominates. Inside all is cozy, Design and embellishment were the prevailing focus as this class act home was finished off. Plenty of space here, three bedroom, two bath. The great room is for gathering, under cathedral paneled ceilings and warm wood floors. Access the sprawling deck from numerous glass doors where the Northwood’s Breeze introduces itself and you invite it in - a cheerful and loquacious guest. The kitchen is spacious, fully equipped and high end. The tastefully designed detached workshop awaits your inspiration and includes a spacious lean-to for additional exterior storage. At nearly 3 acres, there is plenty of elbow room to explore the granite outcrops, boreal woods, get a fire going, share space with the furry neighbors! Lutsen Mts and Superior National Golf Course are about 5 minutes away!

MLS#6106476 $675,000

Spring is Here!! Time to Plan an Adventure to the North Shore!

CAMPN’,

HUNTN’, FUN

SILVER BAY TO SCHROEDER AREAS

SCHROEDER PARCEL UP THE CRAMER ROAD!

This is a rare opportunity to be able to put some sweat equity into clearing this lot and building your dream home or cabin getaway. Nicely wooded parcel will make a great homesite. You can enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities from this great location just a few miles up Cramer Rd like the Superior Hiking trails, ATV trails, snowmobile trails and many inland lakes.

MLS#6105228 $39,900

TOFTE AREA

LAKE VIEWS IN TOFTE! Enjoy the views of Lake Superior from this beautiful parcel at Birch Cliff, located between Lutsen and Tofte so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Dine at Bluefin Bay or Ski the day away at Lutsen Mountains. Great build site with Lake Superior views and of Carlton Peak in the distance and LeVeaux Mountain to the North. The property extends across the road to the North and has a potential build area, talk about potential! Bordering the Superior National Forest to the East you have plenty of room to wander and explore right from your yard! Perfect for your yearround home or North Shore Getaway! Close to many Hiking and Biking Trails and just a hop skip and jump from Lake Superior. The options for fun times and recreation are endless. Visit today!

MLS#6105249 $114,900

NEW! LAKE SUPERIOR VIEW LOT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOFTE!

This 3.61 acre lot is a dreamy location to build your North Shore home. With multiple south-facing building sites giving you great views of Lake Superior, electricity conveniently located at the road and Year Round accessible thanks to the Home Owner’s Association you will be able to build your getaway and enjoy it in all the seasons. There is quick access to snowmobile trails, many hiking trails and Cross Country skiing all close by. Visit today and make your dream of a North Shore Home a reality!

MLS#6107193 $149,900

GETAWAY

LAND, INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE!

LUTSEN AREA

NEW! SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR! Rugged terrain leading to Gorgeous Vistas overlooking Lake Superior! Enjoy the wilderness nicely tucked below the highway, with easy access to the North Shore bike Trail for you to enjoy walking or biking to your hearts content. Year round access, electric at the street and views up and down the shoreline all day long! minutes from Lutsen Mountains, Superior National Golf Course in the heart of Tofte!

MLS#6106770 $99,000 SALE

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST DREAM20 ACRES IN LUTSEN!

This is the perfect location to create your own homestead with direct access to Cross Country Ski and Snowmobile Trails and the Superior Hiking Trail Or use the space to build your own trails! This is a rear parcel surrounded by Federal land on three sides, the only neighbors you will have are the wildlife that enjoy the woods. Ideal spot for building a rustic cabin for an adventure home-base. There are multiple building sites with great solar power potential. Enjoy the beautiful forest with a great mixture of maples, evergreens, pine trees, and birch. Great potential to establish your outdoor permanent campsite or build your Up North off grid getaway and enjoy the North Woods.

MLS#6105389 $135,000

BEAUTIFUL OLD PINES AND VIEWS OF TAIT LAKE, THE SURROUNDING FOREST, AND ALL THE WAY TO EAGLE MOUNTAIN!

This 5+ acre lot is a Northwoods gem. A diversity of tree species creates a lovely sylvan vibe with plenty of elbow room. The lot comes with deeded access to Tait Lake at two landings: one peaceful and just right for a canoe or kayak or a developed ramp for a bit of evening cruising in a motor boat. Select a building site along the south line of the lot to maximize the views. Not far from Lutsen, about a half hour to Grand Marais, yet a feeling of being deep in the woods. Come have a look, do a walkabout and fall in love with your own acreage Up North!

MLS#6103685 $79,000

LUTSEN AREA

NICE PARCEL IN THE HEART OF LUTSEN!

Great place to build your dream cabin or permanent home, with plenty of space to enjoy the quiet woods atmosphere. Close to all Lutsen has to offer and many inland lakes in the area which are a quick drive away. There is year round accessibility via association road. Visit today and start planning your dream getaway!

MLS#6102890 $94,900

LUTSEN BUILD SITES WITH SHARED SEPTIC AND WELL JUST WAITING FOR YOUR LITTLE CABIN IDEAS! Looking for a site to build without spending an arm and a leg? These sites are it! Well and Septic in place, just Build and Enjoy!

MLS#2309328 $39,000

GRAND MARAIS AREA

BEAUTIFUL 15 ACRES NEAR GRAND MARAIS! Bordering National Forest to the south you will have plenty of space to explore! Parcel has been surveyed and corners are flagged. Dreamy building spot near a group of pine trees, even a bubbly creek to create a magical setting!

MLS#6103293 $129,000

ENJOY BIG VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR FROM THIS GORGEOUS PARCEL, JUST MINUTES WEST OF GRAND MARAIS!

5+ acres gives you room to build your dream getaway but close enough Grand Marais to enjoy everything town has to offer!

MLS#6103292 $129,000

Jonvick Creek Sites

3 lots from 1.5 - 4.8 acres

In the heart of Lutsen, just off the Caribou Trail. Maples, Pines, and cedars in varied arrangements will make a great back-drop for your home or cabin. Sites adjoin public land. $44,900 - $56,900

1142 Camp 20 Rd

170+ acres of heavily forested land that has been replanted with many beautiful pine trees, poplar & cedar trees. Features gravel pit and pond and abutting State land. Seller is licensed real estate agent in MN.

MLS 6102798 $149,900

TBD Cedar Grove Lane

Grow your commercial enterprise on this 1.44A lot. Paved road, city water & sewer, electric, driveway and partial building pad. Establish your business and even your personal residence. Lake Superior view.

MLS 6105372 $69,900

183 Linnell Rd

Wonderful 5 acre lot on a quiet county maintained road with drilled well and partial driveway in place. Perfect distance from town for some country living yet close to all Grand Marais has to offer.

Potential lake views!

MLS 6106867 $89,900 reduced

NEW 296 Cramer Road

Enjoy the expansive Lake Superior views and the privacy of 5 acres! 4BR/2BA home with oversized master suite, open concept kitchen, good sized pantry, breakfast nook, and great room. Park your car and store your toys in the 20x24 garage! This is a great location for many outdoor adventures!

MLS 6107103 $339,900

1315

E Highway 61

Incredible commercial opportunity at City Limits! Current use includes a 3BR rental unit, professional office, and huge home! Cathedral ceilings, partially finished second floor, beautiful custom designed kitchen, master bedroom with ensuite and private patio access. Bring your idea and make your dream come true!

MLS 6104280 $1,500,000

Beautiful lot just outside Grand Marais. Fall River runs through this property. Dramatic frontage!

MLS 609581 3 $62,000

49XX North Road

X13 Murphy Mountain Trail

Nicely wooded 5 acre lot at the end of a cul-de-sac with views of Lake Superior! Great location--just minutes from Grand Marais

MLS 6102645 $129,900

XXX Reason Road

If you’re looking for a remote property with access to recreation, this is the one for you! 120 acres of mature trees, varied topography, and wildlife. Make trails to explore the area and let your adventure begin.

MLS 6103087 $119,900

40 wooded acres on a well-maintained county road can be yours to build your dream house, your hunting cabin, or pitch your tent. Here is a great base from which to explore the Arrowhead Region or just hike your acreage. Make it your own wildlife refuge.

MLS 6103079 $169,900

4XX

East 5th St.

Here is an affordable place to build a home or a vacation getaway right in Grand Marais. City water & sewer and a paved street make it convenient and cost effective.

MLS 6105272 $64,900

1X Brandon Lane

2580 Highway 61 E

175’ of Lake Superior accessible beach with a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home! Enough said? There is more. Only 7 miles from Grand Marais this property is well maintained with a paved driveway, a new 30’ by 50’ garage in addition to a 2-stall attached garage, and a shop or studio building. This piece of paradise won’t last long. Call today!

MLS 6105811

$899,500

2962 W Highway 61

Large 4 bedroom, 2 bath home tucked into a wooded lot with magnificent Lake Superior ledgerock! Charming and spacious in one package! The views will mesmerize you—look for the Sawtooth Mountains to the West! Easy flowing living room, dining, and kitchen out to the patios, paths, and accessible shore. This home beautifully weaves comfort, nature, and lake together. Partial basement with exterior access houses mechanics. Detached shed for storage of outdoor items.

MLS 6106192

$899,900

1100 Old Shore Road

A rare Lake Superior find, this exquisite 3+ bedroom home has beautiful beach, great privacy, and is conveniently located on the edge of the Grand Marais city limits. 194 feet of accessible private beach fronts this 1 acre property. A large garage with a heated shop space completes this golden opportunity. Call today!

MLS 6103709

$1,395,000

CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT

Wood Ducks

In April, wood ducks return to the North Shore. For this photo, I set up a blind close to a small pond just outside Grand Marais. Wood ducks are easily spooked, so I had to get into the blind early while it was still dark. About a half dozen male wood ducks and one female came in just at sunrise. These two lined up for the perfect photo.

—Paul Sundberg