Northern Wilds February 2019

SNOW SCULPTURES—NORTHERN KIDS—SKIJORING—ICE FISHING—WINTER PLEIN AIR

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The many flavors of winter fun Winter is like ice cream. It comes in lots of flavors.

First snow winter, white Christmas winter, deep freeze winter, deep snow winter and never-ending winter are among the many flavors of winter we enjoy/endure in the Northern Wilds on an annual basis. Did you know the Inuit have enough words for snow that they could fill a few pages in a dictionary? Of course, you did. We have more than a few words for the white stuff, too.

We’ve now reached the point where winter outdoor activities are the most fun. Snowy trails are groomed and in great condition. Lengthening days allow more time to be outside. Even though we still have many weeks ahead when the temperatures may fall below zero, the potential for nice days increases as we inch toward spring. So out we go; with skis, snowmobiles, ice augurs, snowshoes, sled dogs and crampons. The best of winter is here.

Do you have a question for one of our writers?

Or an interesting photo, recipe, or story you’d like to share with Northern Wilds? Please send it to storyideas@northernwilds.com.

In this issue, we feature some of the many flavors of winter fun in the Northern Wilds. Let’s start with skis. Rae Poynter explains how to get started in skijoring, being pulled by a dog in harness. Ali Juten introduces us to a new North Shore sport, backcountry skiing, where skiers venture beyond the beaten path. On the other end of the ski spectrum, Eric Chandler reports how snowmaking is expanding opportunities at Spirit Mountain’s Nor-

dic center and Emily Stone outlines the American Birkebeiner’s efforts to make the famous race and its trail sustainable. This is the season for Nordic ski races and Chuck Viren introduces us to some Northern Wilds residents who’ve been doing it for decades.

Elsewhere in the outdoors, Erin Altemus is trying to find her mushing mojo as she prepares for an upcoming race. Joe Friedrichs takes us ice fishing in the Boundary Waters. Julia Prinselaar introduces us to a young boy who is making his first pair of wooden snowshoes. Through Rae Poynter we meet snow sculptors who specialize in temporary works of art. Gord Ellis interviews a young man who has developed a line of outdoor clothing. And Amy Schmidt teaches us how to prevent frostbite and hypothermia from bedeviling out winter fun.

In this issue we also meet Betty Brill of Nipigon, a stalwart volunteer at the Nipigon Museum. Maren Webb introduces us to two Finland residents who enjoy gathering and preparing wild and local foods. We step into the world of signing with Kathy Toivonen. And Elle Andra-Warner argues that all of the Northern Wilds really should be in Canada. May we point out that in the Northern Wilds, winter has no border.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt.

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VOLUME 1 6, I SSUE 2 w w w . n o r t h e r nw i l d s .c o m SERVING THE NORTH SHORE A ND T H E WI L D E R N E S S BE Y O N D PUBLISHERS Shawn Perich & Amber Pratt EDITORIAL Shawn Perich, Editor editor@northernwilds.com Breana Roy, Managing Editor breana@northernwilds.com ADVERTISING Sue O’Quinn, Sales Representative sue@northernwilds.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com Leah Pratt • print@northernwilds.com OFFICE Roseanne Cooley • billing@northernwilds.com Mandy Theiner • print@northernwilds.com CONTRIBUTORS Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Eric Chandler, Gord Ellis, Joe Friedrichs, Ali Juten, Will Moore, Deane Morrison, Rae Poynter, Julia Prinselaar, Amy Schmidt, Javier Serna, Rhonda Silence, John Stember, Emily Stone, Kathy Toivonen, Chuck Viren, Maren Webb Copyright 2019

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Skijoring: A winter adventure with your dog GRAND MARAIS— People and dogs both need plenty of exercise to maintain good health. During the long Minnesota winters, finding creative ways to exercise your pet can be a challenge. But one activity packs in plenty of snow and a good workout for both you and your pet: skijoring.

This high-speed sport, where a person on skis is pulled by a dog, is a fun way to enjoy the winter months, and Go Dog North Shore in Grand Marais is helping to spark interest in this unique winter activity.

Cathy Quinn started Go Dog North Shore in 2013 with the mission of helping dogs and dog owners get outdoors and get active. “A tired dog is a happy dog, and Go Dog North Shore is all about promoting activity,” said Quinn.

One of the first objectives of Go Dog North Shore was to adapt the Gunflint Horse Park to be a dog park. And as northern Minnesota has such long winters, Quinn realized that an integral part of promoting outdoor activity with dogs was to promote winter activities. “We want to get people out in the winter time,” Quinn said. “Finding and developing dog-friendly ski trails is hard, but having them is important.”

Quinn started skijoring when she adopted an extremely active dog. “I started

skijoring the day after I got him,” she said.

“It was a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get in some activity, and wear my energetic dog out.”

For those new to skijoring, trying it out for the first time can feel intimidating.

But with prior cross-country skiing experience and a responsive dog, it can quickly become a fun and rewarding adventure.

Apart from cross-country skis, the rest of the equipment needed for skijoring—a harness for the dog, a belt for the skier, and a bungee-like rope—can be borrowed from Go Dog North Shore. “We want people to be able to try it out before investing in all the gear,” said Quinn.

One problem beginners might experience is training a dog that is not used to pulling, or not used to being on a leash at all. “Dogs who haven’t walked on leashes much tend to follow their noses, and have less experience walking straight ahead,” Quinn said. “Or they’ll go until they feel resistance from the harness and stop. It helps to go with another skijoring dog or another person so the new dog has something to follow.”

But many dogs without pulling experience can learn to be successful at skijoring. Ultimately, the dog has to be responsive and ready to learn. “They at least

have to know sit, stay, and woah,” said Quinn. “Offer lots of positive reinforcement. Praise them when they focus, and when they pass by another animal and don’t react. Let them know when they’re doing a good job.”

Another important step in learning to skijor is finding a place to take your dog out for practice. “If you’re a beginner, you don’t want it to be somewhere with a lot of turns,” Quinn said. “George Washington Pines is a dog-friendly set of trails, but you’ll find a lot of dogs there, and teaching a dog to ignore other dogs is hard.” A good option for beginners can be to follow snowmobile trails. Skijoring on a lake is another good option that doesn’t require a lot of turns. “You can follow snowmobile tracks on Devil Track Lake and go for miles,” said Quinn. “Elbow Lake is another favorite for skijorers.

On lakes you can really start to go fast.

It’s amazing.”

In addition to having plenty of places to practice, the North Shore is also home to several skijoring races. This winter, North Superior Ski and Run will be hosting the annual Pincushion Mountain Winter Festival races in Grand Marais. The races will take place on February 17 and will have a 3k and a 7k option.

“We’ve decided to participate in these races instead of hosting our own races at George Washington Pines,” said Quinn.

“These races are great exposure and really introduce people to skijoring. It gives people a goal. Any level is welcome. We’ve even begun to attract some elite skijorers.”

Another race happening this winter is the Dog Days of Winter, a recreational race at Trail Center on the Gunflint Trail.

The race includes sled dog racing and skijoring, and is held right on Poplar Lake.

“Dog Days of Winter is a really fun race,” Quinn said, “and it’s really for all skill levels. Some of the area mushers bring their teams, and you also have little kids running dogs for the first time. Some people enter with kicksleds. It’s a good chance if you’re new to test it out and have a blast.”

No matter your skill level, Quinn said skijoring is a wonderful activity. “I’d just encourage people to try it,” she said. “The dogs love it. Some people say their dogs could never do it. But you’d be surprised at what you and your dog can do.”

For more information from Go Dog North Shore, visit: godognorthshore.org.

—Rae Poynter

NORTHERN WILDS

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Superior Highland Backcountry LUTSEN—Winters along the North Shore can be very long and the feeling of being cooped-up for months can be hard on a person’s mental health. That’s why finding outdoor activities to keep busy throughout the winter months is so important.

Here’s a new activity for you, backcountry skiing. Combining cross-country with downhill skiing, this means off trail and un-groomed, touring everywhere from the Boundary Waters to dropping off cliffs near the North Shore.

because the dense canopy limits the undergrowth,” she said.

For those that are adventurous and want to go out and find places to ski on their own, State Parks are typically a good place to start.

“State Parks are actually really good candidates due to their conservation minded forest maintenance,” Elli added.

When it comes to equipment, regular downhill or cross-country skis are not a good idea for the backcountry. There are very specific skis for backcountry skiing and they are not the easiest to find. However, along with being an avid backcountry skier, Elli and her husband, Rory, own and operate Lutsen Recreation and offer backcountry skis and boot rentals. Their rentals will be used in upcoming classes offered by Superior Highland Backcountry, as well. The classes will be an overview of different types of equipment and the basic techniques used for backcountry skiing. Anyone of any age is welcome to these three-hour classes and a donation between $35-60 is suggested. They also offer backcountry tours for those who want to get a lay of the land. For members of Superior Highland Backcountry, these tours are free along with discounts on gear.

Superior Highland Backcountry is a non-profit organization that advocates for natural, backcountry skiing on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Elli King-Gallagher is a board member for the organization and a skier herself. She says that those who are involved with Superior Highland Backcountry know where to go to successfully get off the beaten path but, because winters conditions are always changing, there isn’t currently a great way to share the conditions with the community. At this time, the best way to stay in the know is by signing up for their newsletter. Elli says the organization is also working to get designated areas for backcountry skiing to make it more accessible.

“The goal is to be able to just tell a person where the beginner, intermediate and advanced areas are along with trail updates,” said Elli.

Being a completely grassroots funded organization, all donations they receive go toward application fees for the Moose Glades Project, event costs for the annual Backcountry Film Fest, and ongoing administrative costs. The Moose Glades Project is one of the designated areas they are hoping to “glade” in order to make it more skiable. Glading means making skiing glades, clearing the smaller underbrush and smaller trees to make an area safely skiable.

Is there really enough snow to go backcountry skiing along the North Shore? The

20th

rsar e v i n n

A

y!

Elli’s husband, Rory, skiing in northern Minnesota backcountry. | ELLI KING-GALLAGHER

Show & Sale February 7 - 17, 2019

answer is yes. Although it isn’t the same amount as out west, where backcountry skiing is most popular, the snow that does fall, sticks around for a while. Temperatures in the area often maintain for weeks on-end, meaning the snow hardly melts down and the quality of skiing is pre-

served longer. As far as brush and branches that may get in the way of skiing goes, she says that the North Shore does have some great spots that are perfectly skiable without alteration.

“The most common forest type that provides good skiing is a mature maple forest,

“Backcountry, it is a whole different world.

Skiing through the snow instead of just on a hard packed surface...it’s hard to imagine, you just have to try it,” Elli said.

For those interested in backcountry skiing, learning about classes, or going on a backcountry tour, the best way to stay in the loop is to sign up for their email newsletter. Visit superiorhighlandbc.org to learn more.—Ali Juten

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Grand Avenue Nordic Center marking historic firsts DULUTH— At 4:36 p.m. on Dec. 3, 2018, the first snow gun started making snow at the Grand Avenue Nordic Center (GANC).

For the first time ever, there was manmade snow for cross-country skiing in Duluth. Gary Larson, Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club (DXC) member said he took a picture at the exact moment they threw the switch. Larson also said he shouted, “Woohoo!” Understandable, since it was the culmination of a multiple year effort

by DXC with the City of Duluth and Spirit Mountain. As of the first week of January 2019, the full 2.5k of newly constructed groomed trail is open, lit by three dark-sky LED lights near the trailhead at the base of Spirit Mountain. There’s also an 800-meter loop of un-groomed trail that was built

by DXC volunteers that skiers can use for classic-style skiing.

The first significant natural snow didn’t fall in Duluth until December 27, so the pent-up demand for a usable ski trail showed itself right away. The first DXC Wednesday Night Race was held on December 5, just a few days after snowmaking started. The trail opened to high school practices on December 11 and six local schools immediately took advantage.

At that point, only a 500-meter loop was available. Snowmaking continued as two more Wednesday Night Races took place.

The first Thursday Night Ladies’ Ski happened on December 20 at GANC, hosted weekly by Kara Salmela, former U.S. Olympic Team member.

Trail use picked up over Christmas break as the 13th Annual Marshall School Holiday Ski Camp used the GANC trails for three days, from December 26-28.

According to Dave Johnson, 90 children used the trail for this yearly event. Then, snowmaking efforts allowed the trail usage to expand to about a 1.5k loop. The New Year started with the Proctor/Hermantown Invitational on January 2, the first-ever high school race at the GANC.

A perfectly groomed stadium area of Grand Avenue Nordic Center and Chalet at the base of Spirit Mountain in Duluth. | ERIC CHANDLER Over 350 young athletes raced the freestyle technique that day. This event proved that the start/finish stadium, trail, parking, and Grand Avenue Chalet were all up to the challenge as a quality venue for the athletes, coaches, and spectators of a large Nordic ski competition.

Erik Blow, the head-groomer for the GANC with Spirit Mountain, made a trail report on January 3 on skinnyski.com that the GANC was “fully skiable!” DXC made an announcement via Facebook on January 5 that the entire system was open, touting the beautiful views of the St. Louis River valley and Duluth from the newly accessible upper loops.

This was good news as the usage of the trail continued to ramp up. On January 6, the first DXC KidSki session took place

at GANC. According to Kari Hedin, DXC president, there were 95 kids enrolled in the program and five adults taking part in a simultaneous ParentSki program.

Volunteer coaches from the Proctor/ Hermantown and Denfeld High Schools helped teach the younger children how to cross-country ski.

“It was a thrill to see the stadium full of kids today and see our first DXC family program in action,” said Hedin.

The program runs for six Sundays through February 10 and they still need volunteer coaches. Contact DXC at info@ duluthxc.com if you’re able to help.

Ultimately, the new trail, the lights and snowmaking equipment all have to result in good groomed snow conditions. Spirit

Mountain came out of the gate fast. Internet trail reports are filled with high praise.

“Another thing I’d add about GANC is the care they’re taking with managing snow condition and communicating between the snowmakers, maintenance crews and the groomers to provide top-notch skiing conditions at GANC. The main groomer, Erik Blow, has a real personal investment in setting high standards,” said Hedin. “Siiri Morse is also doing a great job as the GANC Nordic coordinator and helping us all manage programs and races at GANC.” After many years of effort, the GANC is finally up and running. Not only that, but running well with an impressive start in just the first few weeks of operation.

GANC is a vital new addition to Duluth’s cross-country skiing scene.—Eric Chandler

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Building trails and friendships NORTH SHORE— From Two Harbors to Grand Portage, there are amazing snowmobile trails on the North Shore with scenic overlooks, solid bridges and sturdy shelters. There are miles of well-groomed and well-signed trails for local riders and visitors to enjoy. But none of that would exist were it not for the hard-working volunteers of the many snowmobile clubs that built and maintain those routes.

Most of the area snowmobile clubs formed in the 1970s and 1980s by hardy residents who wanted to go snowmobiling, but needed trails. The Voyageur Snowmobile Club of Two Harbors, for instance, started in 1970 as an informal organization mainly just to ride.

Snowmobilers on the Grand Portage trail overlooking Teal Lake. | MARYANN GAGNON

The Voyageur Snowmobile Club became a nonprofit in the late 1980s. The first board members were Dale Moe, president; Warren Miller, vice-president; Rick Mickelson, secretary/treasurer. They are fondly recalled by today’s members for their work to become part of the Minnesota DNR grant-in-aid trail program, which brought funding to the volunteers maintaining those trails.

ly says there is a core group of about 10 people always working on brushing and clearing. McNeally adds that the club could really use some younger members to help out.

Being in the grant-in-aid program helped the Voyageur Snowmobile Club eventually obtain a Tucker Sno-Cat groomer, greatly welcomed by riders. A club member remembers that those early rides were like “surfing waves of sweeping moguls.”

The northernmost Minnesota club on the North Shore is the Grand Portage Trail Riders and they, too, formed in the 1980s. The original board members were Dick Hoaglund, president; Mickey Spry, vice-president; Melvin “Bun” Gagnon, secretary/treasurer.

The Voyageur Club now officially maintains about 92 miles of trails and has several groomers, two brush cutters and has built two memorial shelters and a club facility.

They rebuilt three bridges destroyed in the flooding of 2012. And the majority of the maintenance is still done by volunteers.

Mary Ann Gagnon was involved at the beginning and she is now the secretary/treasurer. Asked if those original board members are still active, Gagnon says only “Bun” Gagnon is still active. She said he helps out whenever he is needed.

When current president Dean Thompson was asked why he continues to be involved with the club, he simply said, “Someone has to do it.”

Gagnon recalls the hard work getting the club started, including early fundraisers. “When we first set up the club and bylaws, we had no money. We sold pull tabs and had bingo. We made a lot of money and were able to buy a double track snowmobile. We groomed with that—all of the members did the work.”

“When the chips are down, our club members come together with a lot of help with labor and resources,” Thompson added.

Another club, on the west end of Cook County, the Lutsen Trail Breakers, was formed in 1983. Like the Voyageur Club, it was started by people who just loved to ride.

Many of those folks are recognized and remembered on the 52½ miles of trails in the Lutsen system.

There is the shelter at the top of White Sky Rock on the Caribou Trail, overlooking Caribou Lake, which is named after long-time treasurer Bob Wedell. There is also the Evjen Overlook on Beaver Trail, on the first ridgeline just west of Cascade State Park. The overlook bears the name of long time trail groomer Jerry Evjen and offers an amazing view of Lake Superior and toward Pike Lake.

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Current trail administrator Larry McNeally also gives credit to longtime members Mike and Lynn Rose, and Shirley Lindgren—and current Trail Breakers secretary Sharon Hexum-Platzer, whose parents were founding members of the club, Bob and Sophie Muhlberg.

One of the most scenic spots on the Lutsen trails is the evergreen-lined Bob Muhlberg Trail.

It takes a lot of work to maintain the Lutsen trails. The club pays a groomer operator in the winter, but McNeal-

Because it is so much work, why does McNeally keep doing it? He explains, “It’s a lot of work, but I like being able to snowmobile and someone has to do it. I enjoy snowmobiling and I do it for the future generation.”

She laughs, “The others are all snowbirds now!”

The trails were a bit rough back then, but still enjoyable. However, Gagnon said trail groomer Bob Vogel now keeps the Grand Portage trails in great condition, with the help of community volunteers.

It’s a lot of work, so why does Gagnon stay involved?

“I enjoy it, it’s kind of a stress reliever,” she said. “Our scenery up here—it’s the best in Cook County.”

Trail administrator Tony Swader agrees. “I enjoy it,” he said, “I enjoy the time you spend out there with the group riding and when you stop—it’s quiet, especially under the stars. Sometimes you see northern lights. At times like that you just stand and stare at the sky.”

For all of the snowmobilers, the time with friends and family—whether doing paperwork, clearing trails, or riding—is what’s important.

Gagnon perhaps sums it up best. It’s the friendship that keeps her involved.

“We’re not a really fast moving group. We have curvy trails. I ride in the back and you can see the line of headlights and taillights ahead, just through the trees. You can see your friends ahead of you,” she says.—Rhonda Silence

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All set for Snowarama at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino on Feb. 9 are Brittany Anderson, MaryAnn Gagnon, Easter Seals ambassador Emilee Pike, Todd Ford, Jean Hilde, Rhonda Harrison and Ashley Pike. | STAFF

Grand Portage hosts Snowarama GRAND PORTAGE—The Easter Seals Snowarama returns to Grand Portage Lodge and Casino on Saturday, Feb. 9.

This is the 16 th year for the event, which raises funds for children with disabilities. Participants gather pledges and then choose from two routes to ride during the day, a long route to Skyport Lodge on Devil Track and a shorter route utilizing the trails on the Grand Portage Reservation. In the evening after the ride, there is a dinner, short ceremony and a dance at Grand Portage Lodge.

Rhonda Harrison, Easter Seals senior development officer for northwestern Ontario, said the organization provides support for the families of children with disabilities, such as helping them purchase equipment for mobility and communications devices. The organization also sponsors summer camps for the children. Easter Seals receives no government monies and is entirely funded via the generosity of communities.

Snowarama usually has 150-200 participants. Over the years, the event has raised over $450,000.—Shawn Perich

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Man-made snow holds up better than natural snow in warm temperatures, so the early season loop at the Birkie start area is still skiable even after unseasonably warm weather. | EMILY STONE

Come ski! Have fun!

Be sustainable!

CABLE, WISC.— In rural northwest Wisconsin, over 100 kilometers of world-class ski trails snake through scenic, forested hills between the towns of Cable and Hayward. Each February, 13,500 skiers and more than 25,000 spectators and volunteers descend into these small towns to participate in North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon and its accompanying events.

2016 was a big year for the Birkie. That year, the American Birkebeiner Trail was named the best cross-country ski trail in the United States by USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest. In a lesser known honor, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and the local tourism bureau were named the 2016 Champions of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism.

Then, in 2017, it rained. The snow pack melted and a hopeful-looking snowstorm tracked just a little too far south. For only the second time in the Birkie’s 45-year history, the race was canceled. It was a disappointing, but not entirely surprising, occurrence. Skiers all over the country have been contending with warmer winters and a shallower snowpack for years.

Hayward’s average winter temperature has risen 4.5 degrees since 1950. Even before the Birkie was honored in 2016, it was featured right alongside maple syruping and ice fishing on the climatewisconsin.org website as Northwoods traditions that are threatened by a changing climate.

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So how can cross-country skiing adapt to these challenges? Ben Popp has some ideas. Popp became executive director of the non-profit American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation in 2013, and his big dreams and big energy have been making things happen.

In 2018, the Birkie purchased their first ever snowmaking equipment, using donations from businesses and the ski community. Two big snow guns now rove trails near the Birkie’s start area. The trail crew began making snow on November 7, 2018, and opened a 1 km loop of ski trail on November 17. Someday the man-made snow could be stored over the summer under an insulating layer of sawdust. It would be ready to use in October, even before temperatures become suitable for snowmaking again.

Making snow is energy intensive, though, which could increase carbon emissions and exacerbate climate change. Popp wants to make sure that the Birkie isn’t setting up for a short term win and a long term loss, so he’s been meeting with the local electrical companies about installing a solar farm to offset the Birkie’s energy use. Warming huts along the trail already derive their electricity from solar panels.

The Birkie’s most important adaptations to the changing snow conditions are unglamorous improvements to the trail itself.

Skiers can make do with just an inch of

snow on the velvety turf of a golf course.

By smoothing the trail and removing rocks, the Birkie may soon be skiable with just four inches of flakes. It helps that the Birkie’s piston bully trail groomers have rubber tracks instead of metal, so that they float better on shallow snow.

Snow is essential, but liquid water threatens the trail. To prevent washouts, crew members harden off the trail by removing soft topsoil. They’ve also installed French drains, reengineered slopes, added ditches, put in erosion bars, and even built the trail higher ahead of a rising water table. In the future, the trail may be rerouted away from southwest-facing hills where snow disappears first.

Popp and the trail crew are even looking at the surrounding forest to eke out more gains in sustainability. Bayfield County, who owns and manages the forests along the Birkie Trail corridor, has respected the scenic quality by not cutting trees within 100 feet of the trail. As dense groves of evergreens intercept snow, hold in heat, and create thin spots on the trail, though, foresters are being given a green light to manage trees in that buffer zone. “Part of the process is educating skiers that forest management is a good thing, and convincing them that it will actually improve their skiing experience,” says Popp.

Skiing isn’t the only game in town, though. Running, mountain bike, and fat bike races spread both revenue and risk across seasons. Having multiple events to help cover the $380,000/year cost of trail maintenance is part of trail sustainability.

As the Birkie tries to lead by example in many forms of sustainability, their skiers are stepping up, too. One skier even facilitated the installation of an electric vehicle charging station at the popular OO trailhead. This winter, the organization will launch its Birkie Green initiative, which seeks to reduce waste through reusable backpacks and cups, and to work with partners who are willing to make similar choices toward sustainability.

Why is this all so important to Popp?

“The Birkie is a Northwoods icon,” says Popp, “and preserving some version of it is important.” He feels responsible to the local community who depends on the economic boost that the trail provides.

More than 90 percent of the Birkie’s income comes from greater than 50 miles away, and more than 90 percent of that is spent within a 50-mile radius. The Birkie also provides unique venues for kids’ lessons, high school races, skills clinics, and more. The trail system is a draw for athletes, vacationers, active retirees, and cabin owners.

Popp’s been drawn to this ski community since he was a child, even participating in the kids’ race before it became known as the Barnebirkie. His passion is contagious. His energy is infectious. He’s a “big picture” guy, and under his leadership, the American Birkebeiner will continue to be a big part of the cross-country skiing picture. In his words, “Come ski! Have fun!”

—Emily M. Stone This snow gun helped create 3 kilometers of early season skiing, even while the rest of the Birkie trail took longer than usual to open. | EMILY STONE

Hygge is

Join us in celebrating Hygge | February 8-14 Scandinavian-themed dining, live music all week long, fireside gatherings, candlelit skiing, guided snowshoe adventures, late night stargazing, lodging specials and more. VisitCookCounty.com/Hygge

Fireplace Tour | February 1-28

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“My body sets limits but never my mind.”

AN INTERVIEW WITH BETTY BRILL Since 1972, Betty Brill of Nipigon has volunteered for the Nipigon Historical Museum, which chronicles the extensive human history of the renowned Lake Nipigon and Nipigon River and the surrounding environs. Her time includes a devastating 1990 fire that destroyed the museum and the 14-year effort to rebuild it. She remains committed to the museum and preserving the history of the Nipigon region.

“I just can’t say enough good things about Betty,” says fellow museum volunteer and Nipigon River fisheries expert Rob Swainson. “She never gave up after the fire and preserved so much information that otherwise would have been lost.”

—Shawn Perich

*** What brought you to Nipigon?

In 1965 my brother Donald and I undertook an 800-mile road trip to visit my father’s sister and her family in Nipigon.

This led to Donald being offered a seasonal job. He wintered with us at home until 1969 when we sold the farm and moved to Nipigon.

What did you do for a living?

In the years from 1955 to 1969 we lived on our family’s ‘subsistence’ farm.

No phone. No hydro. We sold some produce—fruits and vegetables; eggs; cream; Christmas trees; fence posts and the odd pig. For over three decades, my father, Osmund (better known as Punch), was a commercial fisherman on Lake Huron. He was a stone mason who built fireplaces.

He also built houses and log cabins and boats. Whatever he did we helped in any capacity we could. He was a trapper and I became one, too. Once I turned 16, I was a summer short order cook on weekends at the Tuck Shop on Port Elgin’s beach.

Brill’s artwork takes many forms. She is presently working with plasticine, a modeling clay. | BETTY BRILL Nipigon’ history encompassing the Lake and the River.

European contact arrived with the celebration of the First Mass on the Nipigon in 1667, followed closely by Duluth and his brother setting up a post and commencing a 200-year swarm of activity with the fur trade. Rivalry among trading companies at one point resulted in over a dozen ‘posts’ dotted about the shores of Lake Nipigon (1799). LaVerendrye was in charge of the French posts on the Nipigon when he learned of the “great Western Sea” from a local individual (circa 1723).

When we settled in Nipigon, I worked two years as a night housekeeper at the Nipigon Memorial Hospital until a job opened up at the Public Library in 1972.

I was a librarian at the Nipigon Public Library until 1983. I worked 28 years at St. Edward School as a librarian and educational assistant until I retired.

Most of my museum work, from 1970 to present, has been as a volunteer, although sometimes I received an honorarium. My time at the museum wasn’t something I did ‘for a living.’

How did the museum come to be?

In January, 1970, a few dozen ‘movers and shakers’ of Nipigon met in St. Edwards’ School to brainstorm the idea of a museum or, as Buzz Lein liked to call it, a ‘Cultural Complex’ for Nipigon. Ad hoc committees were organized. By 1972 Domtar Woodlands moved their offices to Red Rock and donated their building on Second Street to be used as a museum.

We used a Winter’s Work Program and donated plywood from Multiply Plywood 12

FEBRUARY 2019

The Hudson’s Bay Company kept their Post (1859) and then store in the municipality of Nipigon until 1982.

Betty Brill (in green sweater) at the Nipigon Museum with ice climber Shaun Parent, Levina Collins and Jimmy McCollough. | ROB SWAINSON Mill (Nipigon), along with tempered glass from a local Auto Glass store to build display cabinets. The people of Nipigon and surrounding communities brought in the artifacts—we opened in June 1973—with more artifacts arriving every day, equalling about 3,000 donations that first year.

Because of the diversity of Northwestern Ontario and the great distances (then)

NORTHERN WILDS

between museums, we undertook to represent a geographical area up to a 100mile radius (more or less) of Nipigon.

Why is Nipigon’s history important?

Nipigon’s history represents from 8000 B.C. (BCE) to present day. It’s really ‘The

As the Fur Trade declined Confederation pushed land transportation (rail), bridging the Nipigon in 1885, finally tying East with West. Not until 1937 did land transportation by highway cross the Nipigon River and link to Schreiber on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The link to Southern Ontario was achieved in the early 1940s using the northern highway (#11). The #17 Highway to Sault Ste. Marie officially opened in 1963. To this day, even with our new spiffy four lane bridge opening in Dec. 2018, it is the only way to drive across Canada…you have to use

The forest industry built its mills with water access. Wood from River Drives of all tributaries of Lake Nipigon and the Nipigon River flowed to Nipigon Bay until 1972.

The Nipigon was also a “River of Power” with three Hydro dams erasing the “River of Glory‘s” rapids and waterfalls that had hosted the world’s elite who challenged the waters for world-famous speckled trout trophies, employing hundreds of local guides over its more than a half-century of fame.

After the fire of 1990, how did you go about recovering the artifacts and starting over?

We survived the shock by writing to-do lists and keeping a daily journal. Speaking was very hard. Thinking was a Black Hole.

The Canadian Conservation Institute sent two conservers who worked with us for a few days to get us established in how to treat items with fire, smoke and water damage. The Nipigon Arena roof had been condemned so we used that for treatment and storage until June when we moved to a small building at the Marina where nearly all the rescued items were stored for 14 years.

Starting over meant for the museum board, director and curator to go through government-required studies; dealing with grant criteria that changed with the wind every election; sorting through available sites that were put forward until the Saunder’s Building was acquired (circa 2000).

Then, working with Human Resources Canada and Nipigon’s Downtown Revitalization Project to renovate, Human Resources again for a year-long inventory of the stored artifacts, opening in 2004 sans cabinets. Cultural Spaces Canada grant set us up with those in 2008.

If people visit the Nipigon Historical Museum today, what will they see?

The building’s outside mural shows from pre-European contact to near modern-day Nipigon. Inside we have displays and exhibits related to pre-historic peoples (archaeology—lithics and pottery and copper); the Fur Trading Era (British and French axes, clay pipes, Francis Hopkins prints of voyageurs, tobacco twists, snake plate from trade gun); logging, railway and local history; wildlife; and the Fishing Hall of Fame exhibit which includes the rod and reel that caught the world record speckled trout in 1915; a video showing the Nipigon River before and after the dams with a map showing how the dams flooded all the rapids, waterfalls and lakes along the river. We also have the Beardmore Viking Relic replicas, as well as photo and document archives for researchers.

Our gift shop has post cards and locally authored books, and Nipigon Nylons if we can keep them in stock. We even have a few rolls of refills for those older fish finders that used paper.

Is it important for a community to preserve its history?

Yes. When we started, as a group, collecting our history in 1970, Buzz Lein was actively searching out persons that had lived at the turn of the century for their stories of Nipigon, or their work during the railway and highway construction, early logging and timber contracting, Hudson’s Bay Company or other traders and fishermen on the river. The 1950s were only 20 years before, the 1960s were just behind us…so we didn’t actively gather that data…but guess what…now try and find it! It will be out there and it is coming in little by little. We did a series of interviews in 2006 to gather local stories.

We hope to be doing a series of interviews over the next two years to gather more.

The local community whole base has changed with the closing of our Red Rock mill and the burning of Multiply 10 years ago. We will become a more transient population with no multigenerational employment industry. History will have to be caught day to day and year to year before the people pass on to other jobs in other places.

Every community has a story to tell, it just takes an old-fashioned “busy body” to dig it out and preserve it. Now with digital cameras and recorders it gets easier and easier and that should entice the ‘younger’ generation to get with it.

EXPERIENCE

NIPIGON MARCH 2- 3

Sometimes it just is too late, and the voices are silenced forever.

What are some of your other interests?

Well, in grade five I learned about Leonardo DaVinci and decided I could be involved in just about everything from art to science and beyond. I studied art for four months but they said it would take about 12 years to become a recognized artist. I didn’t have the time for that so I became a librarian…with access to all the information I could ever want. I got involved in provincial and federal politics. I was in from the start of the Local Citizens’ Committee for the Remedial Action Plan for Nipigon Bay area of concern. I chaired the Local Citizens’ Committee for the Nipigon East Forest Management Plan (Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario) until 2008. I like writing essays and letters and poems. And all along I kept creating works of art in whatever media I fell in love with at the time. Watercolour, oil, acrylic, casein, pastels, charcoal, conte, pencil, ink, wool, paper mache and now modeling clay (plasticene). Sometimes people even buy them.

I no longer hunt or trap. I enjoy the wildlife that comes to my door.

I no longer take long walks in the bush or trail rides into the mountains, but I remember them always.

I no longer snowshoe or ski-doo. I shovel snow and watch the sunlight colour the shadows on the black spruce bows by the house, and pick out the lynx and rabbit tracks crossing the walk.

My body sets limits but never my mind.

Photo by Aric Fishman

the Nipigon River Bridge. The rail system has a transcontinental line going north of Lake Nipigon so they are not as restricted for transportation. That northern line construction was engineered from offices in Nipigon in 1905—the building that later became our first museum in 1972.

1 hour east of Thunder Bay, Ontario

outdoorskillsandthrills.com/nipigonicefest

Northwestern Fur Trappers Annual Convention MARCH 1 & 2 Friday March 1 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday March 2 9:00 am – 3:00 pm FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Wild Fur Fashion Show Fur Handling Demos & Competitions Exhibits • Raffles

CLE Coliseum Building

425 Northern Ave., Thunder Bay

Trapper Membership Meeting & Rendezvous

Smorgasbord, Dance & Silent Auction

Friday March 1 Members only Meeting: 6:30pm After the meeting: open to everyone ‘til 1:00am!

Live Auction • Watering Hole Contest Results

Saturday March 2 6:00pm-1:00am Tickets $50 Adult | $25 Kids 4-9 Kids under 4 FREE Reserve your tickets early!

CLE Coliseum

Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Ave

Music by Plan B

For more information, becoming a vendor or banquet tickets contact: Sarah Cardy 807-627-4229 • nwfta@outlook.com NORTHERN WILDS

FEBRUARY 2019

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The unspoken truth about signing designate parameters for each person or situation and slightly move their shoulders towards the parameter to identify who/ what they are talking about. Also, Sign language is more about facial expression than actual signing with the hands. Moreover, the language is fluid and changes with the times. For example, out of respect for ethnic cultures, signs that were once used to represent a physical feature have been changed; and new signs have been developed for newly recognized populations, such as the transgendered. Some signs represent an attribute, such as the antler of a deer; and some signs continue to represent its roots, such as the sign for coffee, which is the motion of grinding coffee beans.

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CRAIG BLACKLOCK PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS, FREE ARTIST TALK, AND ART EXHIBITION THIS FEBRUARY

MORE INFO ABOUT THESE EVENTS AT

GRAND MARAIS ART COLONY

GrandMaraisArtColony.org 218.387.2737 14

FEBRUARY 2019

Lilly Amendola, Greg Eyben and Susan Eyben sign the letters ASL. | KAREN HACKMAN

However, even in ASL, there are regional differences—something like a regional dialect. Signs are determined within each Deaf community. Some signs may be radically different from community to community, but the word or idea is usually deciphered within the context of a conversation.

THUNDER BAY—To observe people conversing in sign language is like peeking into a secret world where rhythm, motion and emotion are conveyed without speaking. That is, in fact, what you are seeing: a language that went underground and was preserved in secret by the Deaf communities for over 100 years.

At one time, sign languages around the world were not only accepted, they were encouraged. Schools were built; tools and publications were developed to help educate the Deaf. But in 1880, the International Congress on the Education of the Deaf (ICED), a multi-country conference of Deaf educators, was held in Milan, Italy, where it was decided that oral-based languages were better than signing-based languages. As a result, sign languages in the schools were banned and the Deaf were deprived of their own language.

In the 1970s and ‘80s, Deaf children were educated in many forms, but not sign language. Lilly Amendola is from Montreal, Quebec, where she attended a Deaf school and was taught an oral-based English language. Susan (Maxwell) Eyben was born and raised near Thunder Bay but attended a Deaf school in Bellville, Ontario, where she was taught Signing Exact English, a form of Sign language that mimics proper English vocabulary and grammar.

Greg Eyben is from Edmonton, Alberta.

His education was based on the philosophy of ‘Total Communication’ for the Deaf, which included signs, speech, hearIn June 2018, the Canadian Federal Government tabled Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act: An Act to Ensure a Barrier-free Canada. One of the principles (in part) of the act allows all persons to have meaningful options and be free to make their own choices.

However, many of those in Canada’s disability communities and organizations have requested amendments to the Act, one of which would include the recognition of ASL/LSQ as official languages.

NORTHERN WILDS

Lilly Amendola, Greg Eyben and Susan Eyben from the Thunder Bay Deaf community in conversation. | KAREN HACKMAN ing aids, pantomime and other techniques to communicate ideas and vocabulary.

All of the students learned American Sign Language (ASL) secretly through friends, others in their Deaf communities, or in the school yard at the risk of getting caught and in trouble with the teachers.

“Sign language has freedom,” Greg said.

It is not bogged down with grammar rules.

However, it can be very subtle and can convey complex ideas, as well as words.

For example, when talking about multiple people or multiple situations, one would The Internet has had a profound effect on the Deaf community—both good and bad. The Canada Video Relay Service App on a phone or computer make it much easier to communicate with the hearing world for things such as making a doctor’s appointment or even ordering a pizza. Other Apps offer face time and the ability to leave video messages for each other. However, the people in the Deaf communities are now less likely to meet in person for meetings or social gatherings.

American Sign Language is the common language used within the Deaf communities of the U.S. and Canada (as well as Langue des signes du Québec (LSQ) in Quebec). However, ASL is not recognized as an official language in either country. Though, Deaf schools in both the U.S. and Canada have been using ASL to educate Deaf children since the 1990s.

The silent language has intrigued people for years and even made its way into popular culture. Many young hearing couples teach their little children a rudimentary Sign language to communicate before their children can speak.

Susan said, “It is fine for hearing parents to teach their babies Sign language, as long as Deaf babies can use it, too.”

Her statement speaks to the concern within the Deaf community that the progress they’ve made could revert back to the time of the Milan Conference, when their language was denied and their hands were tied.—Kathy Toivonen

Down-home Northwoods Atmosphere

BEER &

When it snows, state plow operators work continuously to keep highways clear. | STOCK

Clearing the highway TWO HARBORS ­— A pair of heavy snowfalls earlier this winter challenged the snow removal skills of just about everyone on the North Shore, including the snowplow operators for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT). Breakdowns, short staff and long hours are just part of the job.

“In the first big storm, heavy, wet snow caused plows to break down,” said Beth Petrowske, MNDOT public affairs coordinator in Duluth. “About 15 percent of our plows in this district (northeastern Minnesota) had some mechanical problem.”

While breakdowns affected the plow operators’ ability to keep roads clear during that storm, a much bigger factor was the rate of snowfall. Petrowske said it is common during large storms to hear complaints that the plows aren’t on the roads. They are, but the snow is falling faster than they can keep up with it.

“We’re doing our best,” said Mike Hedlund, MNDOT transportation operations supervisor for the North Shore. Hedlund oversees truck stations in Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Grand Marais.

In Cook County, Hedlund said three plow trucks are responsible for Highway 61 from Schroeder to the Canadian border. Drivers work 12-hour shifts during

storms. The crew of six was short one member, necessitating some long days.

MNDOT is in the process of filling the open position.

“Those five guys in Grand Marais can’t take time off during the winters, because there are no backup drivers,” Hedlund said. “It can be tough when we are short-handed.”

Working split shifts, MNDOT’s North Shore crews provide 24-hour coverage during the week. Hedlund said no one is in on the weekends, unless they are called to respond to snow and ice.

While keeping roads clear of snow and ice is the top priority, MNDOT also tries to be environmentally conscious by using as little chloride (salt) as possible. Hedlund said if the snowfall is dry, plow operators try to keep the road dry. If the tire tracks get “polished” (with ice), they will spread material to improve traction. Salt doesn’t work in the cold, so they’ll use sand instead. If the snow is wet and sticky, they’ll use a mixture of salt and sand to prevent compaction.

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“We’re always working to use less salt,” Hedlund said. “Our North Shore operators are extremely conscientious.”

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Planning to Plant Conifers on your property on the North Shore?

Reduced cost deer fencing available through the North Shore Forest Collaborative.

Landowners are encouraged to help restore conifers to the north shore by planting white pine and cedar and fencing the seedlings to protect them from browsing deer.

But the cost of fencing materials is often prohibitive for landowners.

Landowners within 3 miles of Lake Superior in Lake and Cook Counties can apply for reduced cost fencing available through the North Shore Forest Collaborative (NSFC).

Further information and the application form are available on the NSFC website, at www.northshoreforest.org.

Program made possible by funding from the Weekes Family Foundation.

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r u o y r o f e t Vo

e t i r o v a F s t n a r u e to win Restca hanc for a $ 50!

Do you have a favorite place to get a coffee, to eat breakfast or take the kids for dinner?

The restaurants you vote for must be located in the Northern Wilds coverage area, which includes the North Shore communities from Duluth to Terrace Bay and over to Ely.

2019

Only one ballot per person. Do not choose the same restaurant in more than three categories or your entire ballot will be disqualified (Best server is exempt from this rule).

You can mail in your ballot, drop it off at our office or vote online at northernwilds.com. Voting starts February 1 and ends March 31, 2019. Look for the results in the 2019 Menu Guide and the June issue of Northern Wilds.

Official Ballot Which restaurant has the best: Limit 3 entries per restaurant (except for best server) Appetizers ____________________________________________________________ Steak ________________________________________________________________ Burger _______________________________________________________________ Fish _________________________________________________________________ Pizza ________________________________________________________________ Soup ________________________________________________________________ Salad ________________________________________________________________ Breakfast _____________________________________________________________ Baked goods __________________________________________________________ Sweets _______________________________________________________________

Ethnic fare ____________________________________________________________ Northwoods character __________________________________________________ View ________________________________________________________________ “Worth the drive” _____________________________________________________ Kid-friendly menu ______________________________________________________ Vegetarian-friendly menu ________________________________________________ Server or bartender (include full name and restaurant) _______________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Speedy service ________________________________________________________ Take-out ________________________________________________________

Coffee _______________________________________________________________

Mail this ballot to:

Wine ________________________________________________________________ Cocktails _____________________________________________________________

Northern Wilds Media, Inc., P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55604 or Vote online at surveymonkey.com/r/rest2019

Beer selection _________________________________________________________

Only one ballot per person.

Regional craft beer _____________________________________________________

Name ________________________________________________________________

Happy hour ___________________________________________________________

City _________________________________________________________________

Music venue __________________________________________________________

Phone _______________________________________________________________

Fine dining ___________________________________________________________

Email ________________________________________________________________

Artistic flare from the chef ______________________________________________

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Use of regional ingredients ______________________________________________

FEBRUARY 2019

NORTHERN WILDS

Points North More coaster brook trout in Minnesota lower, due to unusual spring weather. Cold temperatures delayed spring and were followed by a rapid warm-up that abbreviated fishing for spawning steelhead, as well as brook trout.

By Shawn Perich

Peterson said many North Shore anglers have a strong interest in coasters, even though steelhead are the most popular fish. Brook trout, he says, are a “heritage fishery.” Many North Shore anglers grew up fishing for them.

“Steelhead may be the king, but brook trout are the queen,” he said. “And you don’t mess with the queen.”

The population of native coaster brook trout along Lake Superior’s North Shore appears to be increasing, according to anecdotal angler reports and a recent fall survey by the Minnesota DNR. Working with a cadre of volunteers, last October Minnesota DNR fisheries staff electro-fished the lower reaches of 12 North Shore streams from the Gooseberry River north at least twice to evaluate the number of brook trout entering the rivers from Lake Superior to spawn.

Evidence of the coasters’ popularity includes the 21 enthusiastic volunteers who participated in the fall survey. Peterson said most were members of angling organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Minnesota Steelheader and the Lake Superior Steelhead Association.

“We put out a call and these guys really stepped up,” Peterson said. “Some days, we had more volunteers than we could use.”

DNR fisheries specialist Nick Peterson, stationed at French River, said the purpose of the survey is to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1997 fishing regulation that restricts an angler’s harvest to one brook trout over 20 inches in length. He is still crunching numbers from the survey results and plans to have a complete report by March.

Peterson plans to continue working with volunteer anglers to collect fin samples for the Coaster Brook Trout Genetic Research Project. In addition to determining the wild or hatchery origins of Minnesota coasters, researchers hope to learn more about their life histories, seasonal movements and habitat use. Although they are a native species, Lake Superior coasters are not well understood by scientists.

While the average length of brook trout turned up in the survey is about nine inches, the largest taken was 19.5 inches.

However, there are an increasing number of stories and photographs from anglers who are catching brook trout topping 20 inches from Minnesota waters.

“We (the DNR) have had a relatively high number of anglers’ reports this year,” Peterson said.

Initially, the 2018 fall survey was stymied by low water and then high water following substantial rain. By the third week of October, the crews finally encountered stream conditions conducive to the electro-fishing survey. Water temperatures were in the mid to low 40s F. The increased flows appeared to have triggered more fish to enter the rivers.

Waterfalls near Lake Superior block upstream migrations of coasters and other species, wild brook trout from the upper reaches can make their way downstream.

Peterson said this points to the necessity of maintaining good trout stream habitat.

“After the rains, our catches improved significantly,” Peterson said.

“Our best inland streams are our best coaster streams,” Peterson said.

In addition to counting brook trout, the crew took small fin samples, both to mark the fish as captured and to submit for genetic analysis. The DNR wants to determine if the brook trout are wild, stocked by another agency or are stocked splake, which are a brook trout/lake trout hybrid. Splake are stocked in Lake Superior by Wisconsin and Michigan, while the Grand Portage Ojibwe rear and stock brook trout.

While spawning coaster numbers are best in the streams from the Gooseberry north, brook trout are caught in nearshore waters all along Minnesota’s portion of Lake Superior. Peterson has reports of coasters caught near the mouth of the French River on the outskirts of Duluth. A creel clerk found the carcass of a 20-plusinch coaster at a fish-cleaning station in Silver Bay. Coasters are commonly caught by kids fishing in the Grand Marais harbor.

Circumstantial evidence suggests many of the coasters have wild origins. The surveys have found North Shore streams with the best habitat have the most coasters.

The DNR and volunteers seek brook trout beneath the Highway 61 bridge on Kadunce Creek. | SUBMITTED

The most telling evidence that fishing for coasters is getting better are data from the annual spring creel survey of steelhead

The collaboration between anglers and the DNR builds on relationships that began a couple of years ago with the agency’s Steelhead Genetic Project, which relied on samples collected by anglers. In contrast, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has worked closely with cooperating Lake Superior steelhead and brook trout anglers for decades.

anglers. Creel clerks record what trout and salmon species the anglers they interview report catching. Peterson said beginning in 1992, the spring creel recorded 442 brook trout. The 2016 brook trout catch was 1,078 and in 2017 they caught 1,249.

He said the 2018 brook trout catch will be

Shawn Perich’s POINTS NORTH weekly online

Follow outdoor writer Shawn Perich as he reports on conservation issues and explores the North Shore wilderness with his dog Rainy.

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FEBRUARY 2019

17

Snow sculpting teams submit a design and work together to sculpt their blocks. | CHAD KIRVAN

SNOW SCULPTING:

Turning Winter into Art

By Rae Poynter

Every winter in Thunder Bay, the waterfront area becomes dotted with large blocks of snow. Over the course of a few days, artists work to turn these cubes into intricate and detailed sculptures. Snow sculpting is an impressive art form that shows how even the most simple and commonplace materials can be used to create stunning works of art.

Snow sculpting events occur throughout the Northern Wilds, with festivals in Two Harbors and Ely, as well as Thunder Bay. Michael O’Connor is a snow sculptor from Thunder Bay who got started after a trip to Grand Marais.

“The Art Colony used to have a snow sculpting festival with about five different locations in Cook County,” said O’Connor. “That’s where I got started. That went

on for three or four years, and was a lot of fun.”

O’Connor, a professional artist, found snow sculpting to be an interesting new medium to try. “It was the first time I’d worked on something that big,” he said.

“Now there’s a core group of us who have been carving for about 10 years.”

Chad Kirvan is another snow carver from Thunder Bay. Like O’Connor, he is also a professional sculptor. After studying sculpture in Toronto he moved to Thunder Bay, and it was there that he decided to try snow sculpting.

“I started snow sculpting about three years ago,” Kirvan said. “Some friends and I decided to try it. There’s definitely a learning curve, but our first try wasn’t

[LEFT TOP AND BOTTOM] Michael O’Connor and Vic Germaniuk’s work on

carousel horses helped with their Mick Jagger design. | MICHAEL O’CONNOR 18

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terrible.” Since starting, Kirvan has sculpted every year in Thunder Bay and has also participated in the Ely festival.

To begin a snow sculpture, each carver starts out with a large block of snow, typically 8’ by 8’ but sometimes larger. A team of a few carvers will work together on a block over the course of a few days until it’s transformed into their design.

Both O’Connor and Kirvan emphasized that the quality of the snow greatly affects the outcome of the carvings. “The snow is usually taken from fields or lakes and then molded into the blocks. But where it’s taken from affects the quality,” Kirvan said.

“You don’t want snow with rocks and dirt in it.”

Likewise, the weather can play a huge role in the outcome of snow carving events.

Extremely frigid temperatures make it difficult to carve, as does melting snow. “Snow sculpting is very weather-specific, and you have to plan with that in mind,” said Kirvan. “A few years ago in Thunder Bay it was too warm and our sculptures turned slushy, which was very frustrating.”

O’Connor recalls strategizing during a warm year by carving overnight. The judging was to occur in the morning, so while other sculptors had added detail during the day and had it melt, he waited until night when the temperatures dipped below freezing to add the detail to his sculpture. His working through the night paid off: the detail was there for the morning judging, and his team ended up winning.

A typical snow sculpting festival will have a theme around which the artists can structure their design.

[ABOVE] Snow sculptures take days

of work with many different tools, some of which are homemade. | MICHAEL O’CONNOR

“We like to challenge ourselves with our designs,” said O’Connor. “The first complex snow sculpture we made was the Party Bears: a Volkswagen Beetle with traveling bears. We’ve done hockey players.

Last year we had to do something entertainment related, and our sculpture was of Mick Jagger. I work with Vic Germaniuk, and at the time we were working on the restoration project for the carousel in Chippewa Park. I realized that Mick Jagger’s hair is a lot like a carousel horse mane! All of our work on the horses helped us get our Jagger sculpture right. It ended up being one of my favorites.”

[LEFT] Snow sculpting is unique in

that spectators can witness the sculptures come to life over the course of a few days. | CHAD KIRVAN

This month, there will be three different snow carving events in the Northland.

Ely’s Snow Sculpting Symposium runs February 7-10 as part of Ely’s Winter Festival.

Snow sculptors have the option of carving 8’ blocks or 12’ blocks as part of this event.

The event will take place in Whiteside Park and are lit at night by ice candles.

Another unique aspect of snow sculpting is the tools involved in the process. “A lot of people make their own tools just for snow sculpting, and it’s cool to see what people come up with,” said Kirvan.

O’Connor is one who has made some of his own tools for snow sculpting, all of which have a hand-hewn wooden base.

One is fixed with a roof truss nail plate, and another with old plexiglass sheet. “I do most of the roughing with a square steel spade and machete and hack away. Sometimes I use saws. The handmade tools can be used to create texture.” Apart from handmade tools, typical tools seen during snow sculpting festivals include shovels, hand saws, wooden spoons, and machetes.

Between the tools and medium used, snow carving makes an interesting form of art. “It’s neat in that it’s temporary art,” said Kirvan. “You can make something big and monumental, and you can also think of something new every year.”

For O’Connor, his snow sculpting even helped him land a job carving dinosaurs out of Styrofoam. “It was great to have the experience with large sculptures that I had from snow carving. The process is quite similar, and I actually used a lot of the same tools that I do for snow carving.”

“There’s a really cool community aspect to carving,” said Kirvan. “The spectators are neat and interested in what you’re doing. People are getting to see it develop, and they come back every day and notice the progress. It makes it unique compared to other art forms.”

While the process of snow carving is an exciting challenge, both Kirvan and O’Connor said they both really enjoy the carving community and meeting people at festivals.

“There’s definitely a community aspect where you see the same carvers every year, but there are also a lot of new faces, too,” said O’Connor.

The same weekend, February 7-9, Two Harbors will be having a Snowman Building Contest as part of their Winter Frolic festival. The event is open to all ages and will take place at the Moose Lodge.

The judging will take place on February 9 at noon.

Finally, Thunder Bay will host their annual snow sculpting competition as part of Family Day on Monday, Feb. 18. The theme for this year’s competition is transportation, and the event will take place at the waterfront.

Visitors are free to stop by any of these events to observe the fun and see just how impressive snow can be.

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A Birkie dinner with Kathy and Jan Horak, Dick Swanson, David Eckel and Tim Kennedy. | DICK SWANSON

North Shore Cross-country Skiers in it for the Long Haul

By Chuck Viren

Knowing that cross-country skiing holds a broad appeal for residents along the North Shore of Lake Superior should not come as a great surprise. The word “ski” is derived from the Old Norse “shid,” which means “stick of wood.” Skiing in various forms has been practiced in Northern Europe for thousands of years to travel between distant communities separated by snowy expanses. The European settlers who populated the North Shore had skiing in their blood.

Today, hundreds of ski trails meander through the area forests. A number of long-distance races have evolved as well.

Three prominent races are the American Birkebeiner in Cable, Wisc., the Sleeping Giant Loppet in Thunder Bay, and the Pincushion Ski Festival races near Grand Marais. The longest of these races is 55 kilometers. It turns out, some North Shore 20

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residents have competed in these races upwards of 40 years. For them, skiing and preparing for the races has become a way of life in the winter. They find the races themselves to be a huge rush and are generally determined to keep competing as long as possible.

The Sleeping Giant Loppet began in 1978 as the Sibley Ski Tour. Ron Lappage and Guy Latimer are the only two to have completed the race every year. Lappage says he initially entered the race because many of his friends were also participating and they would socialize after the race.

None of those friends still participate. At 73, Lappage is motivated to keep his string of participation going as long as he is able.

He loves cross-country skiing because it is good all-around exercise and because he loves being outdoors. He generally puts in 2,000 to 2,500 kilometers during a season

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and makes sure he does at least a couple of skis at the distance he plans to cover prior to the race. His advice for distance racers is to pace themselves and to stop at the feeding stations to rehydrate and get something to eat. He says a person entering for the first time should choose a distance they are comfortable with, then work themselves up to longer distances if they so desire.

Like so many, Lappage does not consider himself a competitive skier and is more durable than fast. Still, in 1994 he completed the 50k race in two hours and 52 minutes.

Latimer was attracted to cross-country skiing in the early days because it provided him with the freedom to go anywhere on the snow and to travel though the woods during the winter months. It was also an activity where his whole family could participate. He continued with the sport to stay fit and to enjoy the outdoors. La-

timer competes in large part because he enjoys the camaraderie and telling Loppet stories after a nice sauna. He also wants to share the record with Lappage for many more years.

“With such beautiful conditions in Thunder Bay for cross-country skiing, it is easy to access groomed trails and areas to bushwack your own close to the city,” says Latimer.

South of the border, the American Birkebeiner is probably the premiere distance ski event. This race first appeared in 1973 with 35 skiers competing. This year they expect 13,500. Over 250,000 people have participated in the race since its inception.

Only one person, Ernie St. Germaine, has skied the race every year. Locally, a number of skiers have participated in many of the races.

Tim Kennedy plans to compete in his 37th Birkie this year. | SUBMITTED

Dick Swanson skied all three races in the early days, including the Birkie, shown here. | DICK SWANSON

Not only does David Eckel race the Birkie, but he also travels to Europe to take part in World Loppet races. | SUBMITTED

Jan Horak is preparing to ski in his 40th Birkebeiner this year. | SUBMITTED This year, Jan Horak of Tofte is preparing to ski in his 40th Birkebeiner. Horak got his first skis at age six and was primarily a downhiller until he moved to Tofte in 1975. There he found a 5k trail that originated at the Tofte dump. In 1977, Charlie Nelson and Rick Scott, one of the founders of the Birkebeiner, convinced him to participate in the race. It wasn’t too far into his first race that he realized that skiing five kilometers a day is not sufficient preparation for a 55k event. After fighting cramps and fatigue throughout the race, Horak got into his car and pushed in the clutch. Immediately both legs convulsed into excruciating cramps. The next year he sought out different venues to train. At the Gunflint Hills Golf Course, he started training with two members of the high school cross-country team, Paul Beberg and David Eckel. Eckel plans to ski his 39th Birkie this year. Like Lappage, Horak skis almost daily and works up to longer distances in time for the races. The Sugarbush Trails near his home at Cobblestone Cabins allow him to ski loops of up to 38k.

He makes sure to put in at least a couple of 50k outings before the race. Also like Lappage, he credits camaraderie and fitness as the reasons he like to ski and compete. He says the start at the Birkie is quite a rush.

Eckel of Grand Marais began his cross-country skiing journey on the Cook County High School team. Before long he was skiing in the Birkebeiner, and he hasn’t looked back. He has skied all of the local events and now travels to Europe to take in World Loppet races. Eckel skis for exercise and simply because it is fun. To prepare for the races he likes to ski a vari-

ety of distances and work on his hill technique and double polling. He likes to go on a long ski about a week before the race and then taper before the race. Eckel said the first several races were difficult until he learned to strategize a bit. In the old days at the Birkebeiner, there was a mass start at Telemark Lodge up the hill. He said once he fell and had trouble getting up because there were masses of people swarming like ants all around him. He says the crowds make it difficult on the downhills, too, as sometimes people in front of him fall. He has learned how to read those situations better over the years.

Tim Kennedy of Grand Marais began skiing in St. Paul in the early ‘70s. After he made the move north in 1977, he got very involved in the Cook County ski scene. He plans to compete in his 37th Birkie this year. His goal is to still ski the Birkie at 80. Like so many who ski these distance races, he skis for excersise, to be outside, and to enjoy the winter. Kennedy also found that his first trip to the Birkebeiner was an eye opener. He remembers Charlie Nelson coming up behind him. He must have looked exhausted. Nelson said, “Take it easy—you’ll get to the end!” And he did.

To train for these races he skis frequently and likes to switch between classical and skate skiing. Often, he will compete in a race shortly before the Birkie to get a feel for the adrenaline rush and the feeling of competition. He says the Pincushion race is a good primer because, even at 30k, the hilly conditions require one to work on their technical skills. Kennedy has also taken to competing abroad in other World Loppet events. Ten events and one earns

Ron Lappage wearing #41 for his 41st cross-country ski race. | RON LAPPAGE their World Loppet Masters. Kennedy is nearing his second World Loppet honor.

Dick Swanson skied all three races in the early days and is a great keeper of knowledge about the early days of skiing in Cook County. He started off as a jumper in Minneapolis and competed in the state meet as a high schooler. After he moved to Cook County in 1973, he had no more access to ski jumps. As there were few trails, he got a pair of touring skis and broke his own trail. He got involved with the local ski association early, and is even a member of the 2301 club, where there was an annual event to ski up Eagle Mountain. He skied

the initial Sibley Ski Tour, as well as the early ski races in Cook County. He said the early Pincushion Ski Festival races had up to 250 competitors. In 1979 he competed in his first of 20 Birkebeiners. After 1999, he stopped going because the logistics and the crowds got to be too much.

The snow conditions and pristine forest trails make the North Shore of Lake Superior prime cross-country skiing country.

From Thunder Bay down the shore, many have caught the bug and compete year after year in distance races. They do it for camaraderie, exercise, and to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months.

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By Breana Roy

Winter Plein Air

The Outdoor Painters of Minnesota recently gathered at YMCA Camp Menogyn up the Gunflint Trail for the annual Winter Plein Air retreat, where artists painted the wonderful winter wonderland. This year marks the 10th anniversary for the retreat, so a special exhibition will be held Feb. 1-24 at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais, featuring artwork from the past 10 years. An opening reception will be held Friday, Feb. 1 from 5-7 p.m.

“The Director’s Cabin,”

by Tom McGregor, is one of many pieces that will be displayed at the Winter Plein Air exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post, held Feb. 1-24. | TOM MCGREGOR

“In the Woods,” is an oil on canvas by Matt Kania. | MATT KANIA

Adam Swanson created this plein air acrylic on panel, titled “Between Naps,” in 2016. | ADAM SWANSON 22

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“Sauna at Menogyn” by Grand Marais artist Neil Sherman. | NEIL SHERMAN

“Sled Dogs of Menogyn” by Allison Eklund. To learn more about the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, visit: outdoorpaintersofminnesota.org. | ALLISON EKLUND NORTHERN WILDS

Craig Blacklock, Landscape Photographer CREATIVE SPACE: By John Stember

Renowned landscape photographer Craig Blacklock will hold a free artist talk at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Feb. 15. | SUBMITTED The North Shore is a place photographer Craig Blacklock keeps returning to over the years. This February, the Grand Marais Art Colony will showcase a Blacklock exhibition on the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers. His work, called The Enduring Gift, follows the path of the two Minnesotan rivers from the point of view of a kayak.

The journey started on the water in 2015 and culminated two and a half years later to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. “My goal in producing both the video and the book was to give you, as close as I could, the same experiences that I had when I was out on the rivers,” said Blacklock. “I wanted to take you on a guided journey down on the rivers where magically nature is always at its best. Most of all, I wanted you to slow down to the pace of the rivers current, to let go of the daily stresses and become for a few minutes a part of the river.”

Traveling primarily by kayak, Blacklock would head out for days at a time onto the St. Croix and Namekagon. By the end of 2016, he’d paddled every twist and turn. He preferred to dodge the weekend herds of people, paddling out on Sundays to return on Fridays, camping along the way.

“Typically, I try to select campsites that have some potential for good morning photography either from camp or from somewhere close by,” he said. “I then get up well before sunrise, hoping for either morning fog or nice warm light. Once I finish my morning photography, I’d break camp and start paddling and I’d stop often to take photographs along the way.”

For this project, Blacklock tucked a 50-megapixel Canon 5DS R with either a

28-300 mm f/3.5 or 150-600 mm f/5 lens between his legs in a dry bag. Along with a tripod for landscapes, he also used tilt shifts, a polarizing filter and a DJI Drone for aerial shots. Camera gear has come a long way since the days of medium format and 4x5 film, which Blacklock used for 30 years before moving entirely over to digital.

“One of the great things about the timing of this project was the advent of drones and the miniaturized high-resolution cameras that the drones could carry. So, I was able to create images from vantage points that nobody had ever seen the rivers from,” he said.

Breaking script for a 64-year-old, Blacklock laughed and happily admitted he was not afraid of the ever-changing technological transition despite his age. With a 17-year-old daughter, concepts like selfies and posting on Instagram are impossible to miss. Even after 40 years in the industry as a landscape photographer, Blacklock incorporates that innovative knowledge into his work. He never sits still.

“Before we went out, I flew over the rivers using Google Earth to select the locations we wanted to work from, time of day we’d want to be there, the elevation, the angle of view,” he said.

Life as a photographer these days is a complicated hustle. The hyperinflation of picture taking, which was caused partly by the swell in affordable camera gear (amen!) and the rise of the ubiquitous cellphone, has now plopped cameras into everybody’s hands. Social media applications like Instagram or Facebook, which encourage users to share photographs instantaneously with large audiences of

The Grand Marais Art Colony will showcase Blacklock’s exhibit, The Enduring Gift, Feb. 1-22. | SUBMITTED people, have also incentivized the recent boom. Despite this popularization, becoming a full-time, financially dependent photographer is elusive.

“It started in 1976 with calendars and then books. I was working with small regional publishers...You’re competing with thousands of people that aren’t going to make it. There are only a handful of people who will make a living out of it. You’ve got to be one of those two or three that people know by household name,” he said.

The Grand Marais Art Colony will be hosting some of Craig Blacklock’s Lake Superior photography along with his exhibition on the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers from February 1-22. There will be a free accompanying artist talk on February 15 at 7 p.m. with live music. From February 11-15, Blacklock will also facilitate a winter photography workshop in Grand Marais on Lake Superior’s rugged and icebound shoreline.

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T B AY ON

WHERE OFF THE BEATEN PATH MEANS YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK

Reina del Cid’s first album was released in 2012, but she’s been writing songs since age 14. | REINA DEL CID

Reina del Cid JAMS: By Will Moore The music of Reina del Cid is a rare find.

The clever and compelling songwriting is partnered with musicianship that wows, and every note suits every word. With songs inspired by poetry, literary magazines, and TV shows, del Cid describes her music as “somewhere between pop, altfolk, and rock with an emphasis on lyrics that tell a story rather than create a mood.”

Last year was a huge year for del Cid and her band, comprised of Toni Lindgren, Andrew Foreman, Nate Babbs, and Lightnin’ Joe Peterson. After the release of their album Rerun City at the end of 2017, the group embarked on several ambitious tours through the American West and South, and even into Canada.

“Our band is basically just a group of friends who play darts together after shows and would hang out even if we weren’t playing music, so we travel really well together, and that makes it more fun to tour,” says del Cid. The summer also took guitarists del Cid and Lindgren on another tour to Europe.

HERE IS WHERE I FOUND MYSELF VISITTHUNDERBAY.COM

“We were surprised to find that we actually have more fans in European cities in general than we do in the U.S., and the audiences there were so welcoming and warm. I think there’s a sense of, ‘You travelled a long way to play music for us, so we’ll show you a good time while you’re here.’”

Reina del Cid’s first album was released in 2012, but she says she’s been writing songs since she was 14. But, it wasn’t until her time at the University of Minnesota that she felt comfortable sharing her talents. She says she never expected playing music as a career.

“I was really shy about sharing my music and went to college thinking I would get a Ph.D. in English and become a professor one day,” says del Cid. “My dorm friends freshman year basically forced me to per-

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form a mini concert for them on our floor, and then I realized I actually enjoyed the adrenaline rush of performing music live in front of an audience.”

She started posting songs online and gained a following on Youtube. For the last few years, del Cid, Lindgren, and several band members have been posting weekly videos of original songs, covers, and other special performances. del Cid says it’s hard to go back and watch her old videos, but know they have importance to fans.

“People can have serious attachments to older work and it’s not great to remove that content. One guy said he used to listen to an old song of mine to get through a suicidal time—that really opened my eyes. Who am I to take it down?”

Many of Reina del Cid’s songs are written from unique points of view. One of her latest songs is called “1970” and is sung from the perspective of an Alzheimer’s patient.

“My paternal Grandma is just starting to experience the very early stages of dementia, and it’s a painful process for everyone involved. I was trying to imagine what it would be like being the person with memory loss and navigating a world that makes less and less sense as you are unhinged in time. Now that the song is out there, it’s been so heartwarming to see people’s reactions.”

Reina del Cid plans to release a new album late in 2019, but will start out the year with more tours, including one that takes the group around Minnesota and up the North Shore.

“It’s been too long. We’re playing in Duluth and Lutsen, which are two of my favorite places in Minnesota. Hoping to do some snowshoeing while I’m up there.”

Reina del Cid will play in Lutsen as part of the Caribou Point house concerts series on Sunday, Feb. 10.

Breana’s

SAVE THE DATE!

FIFTEENTH

LUNDIE Vacation Home Tour

PICK OF THE MONTH Originally from London where she trained as a goldsmith at Middlesex University, Louise PayjackGuillou now lives in Duluth, where she makes intricate, one-of-a-kind jewelry through her business, Atelier & Stone. Shown here is a pair of earrings she created, comprised of watermelon tourmaline, rose cut emeralds, and 14kt yellow gold. Photo credit goes to Michelle Bennett of Wolfskull Creative. Louise’s work can be found at various shops along the shore, as well as online. For more info, visit: atelierandstone.com.

Historic and architecturally significant sites!

The Tour:

Five Sites on North Shore of Lake Superior

Tour includes the Historic Slade House!

Plus…

Our famous Picnic on the Ledge Rock

with beverage bar

EXHIBITS Permanent Exhibits New Acquisitions Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma Selections of Traditional & Contemporary Native Art Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Feb. 23 Color and Pattern: Marcus Cain, Eric Sall, & Raissa Venables Joseph Nease Gallery, Duluth, josephneasegallery.com

Thru Feb. 24

From the Permanent Collection: Carl Beam’s Exorcism Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru March 5 Ray Allard: Jazz Forest Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru March 10 Beargrease Art Show Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth, beargrease.com

Thru April 15 62nd Annual Arrowhead Regional Biennial Exhibition Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Annual Member Show Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru March 3 21 Pillows: Cheryl WilsonSmith Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca Lessons: The Artistry of Learning Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru April 30 Moose of the Bold North: Root River Photography International Wolf Center, Ely, rootriverphotography.com

Transportation provided

by ISD 166!

Thru May 5 Vern Northrup: Akinomaage Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru May 26 Manifesto: Jonathan Thunder Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Spring Quiet Simplicity: Life in 19th and 20th Century America Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Thru Aug. 18 Intersections Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Feb. 1-22 Craig Blacklock: Lake Superior and the Enduring Gift Exhibition Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

July 13, 2019

Feb. 1-24 Winter Plein Air Exhibit (Reception Feb. 1 at 5 p.m.)

Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

Feb. 2-28

Architects on Tour, including Dale Mulfinger!

Free and Open to the Public: Panel discussion of Edwin Lundie and his works hosted by authors

Dale Mulfinger & Peter O’Toole

Schroeder Township Hall 10:00-11:30

RSVP: $150 Donation

For further Information or to RSVP contact the Cross River Heritage Center

218-663-7706

Space is limited! Sign up online www.crossriverheritage.org A fundraiser for the Schroeder Area Historical Society and Cross River Heritage Center (Home of the Lundie Room)

Sue Rauschenfels: Acrylics (Reception Feb. 2 at 1 p.m.)

Lakeside Gallery, Duluth, lakesidegalleryduluth.com

Feb. 4-28 Blues in the Night Exhibition (Reception Feb. 4 at 5 p.m.)

Art & Soul Gallery, Ely, elysartandsoul.com

March 1, Friday Dan Welden Prints: Exhibition and Sale 7 p.m.

Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

March 1-10 Violence Prevention Center Exhibit (Reception March 1 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

GUIDED FAT BIKE EXPEDITIONS FOR ALL ABILITY LEVELS! Fat Bike River Rides Beginner's Rides on Flat Terrain Groomed Singletrack Forest Rides Electric Fat Bikes

Sweet treatS

Valentine’S Day!

for Truffle and Fudge Samplers!

open daily at 11 am

5461 north shore drive du l u th , mn 55804 12 1st Ave W. Grand Marais (218) 387-9228 Y www. GunflintMercantile.com

218-525-6274 newsceniccafe.com

WWW.FIREWEEDBIKE.COM 218.370.1625 www.facebook.com/fireweedbike NORTHERN WILDS

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Enjoy a s’more, as well as live music, a vendor fair and various outdoor activities, at the Two Harbors Winter Frolic, held Feb. 7-9. | SUBMITTED

COLD FRONT FEBRUARY

Feb. 1-3 Held in Canal Park, Duluth’s Cold Front February celebrates the best of winter fun, featuring snow sculptures, a sledding hill, campfires and s’mores, fat tire biking, a snow play hill, live entertainment, and more. This family-friendly event kicks off on Friday, Feb. 1 from 5-9 p.m. with a luminary hike along the Lakewalk. Then, enjoy live music from two local bands inside a heated tent, as well as sledding, hot beverages, and more.

Saturday’s activities will take place from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and include local vendors in a heated tent with samples, sales and pop-up shows, Children’s Museum activities, snow sculpting with local artists, fat tire bike demos, live music, and more. And don’t miss the flag snow football tournament on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to noon. coldfrontduluth.com

SNOWMOBILE RIDES

This month, multiple snowmobile fun runs will take place along the North Shore, starting with the 10th Annual Cook County Ridge Riders Fun Run on Saturday, Feb. 2 on the Gunflint Trail. Collect stamps from participating locations, while enjoying a ride on the scenic trails; open to anyone and everyone by snowmobile, car, and even by plane. The main starting point and registration will take place at the groomer shed club house at 9 a.m., located off the Devil Track Road on South 26

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Shore Drive. Upon completion, return to the club house at 7 p.m. for live music, raffles, food and prizes. And don’t miss the drag races at Hungry Jack Lake on Feb. 16, held at 11 a.m. with registration starting at 10 a.m. Classes are 600, 700, 800 open and improved stock. Afterwards, enjoy food and drink specials, and live music. cookcountysnowmobileclub.com The Winter Frolic Vintage Snowmobile Ride will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9 in Two Harbors. Registration is from 9-10:45 a.m. at 815 Airport Road. The ride leaves at 11 a.m. and arrives back in Two Harbors at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $10 per sled, which includes a ticket for prizes and lunch with a beverage. For more info, email: scrappinklink@lakenet.com.

The annual Finland Vintage Snowmobile Rendezvous will take place on Saturday, Feb. 16, sponsored by the Finland Snowmobile/ATV Club and local businesses.

The guided ride starts at 10 a.m. at the Wildhurst Lodge and Campground. Afterwards, enjoy outdoor music, food and beverages, various vintage run awards and a raffle, all starting at noon. All sleds are welcome in this family-friendly event. To learn more, find the Finland Snowmobile/ ATV Club on Facebook.

The Lutsen Trail Breakers Snowmobile Club is hosting its 4th Annual Blast from the Past Vintage Snowmobile Ride on Saturday, Feb. 23. The ride will start and

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Take part in a snowmobile ride along the shore this month, such as the Winter Frolic Vintage Snowmobile Ride. | SUBMITTED end at Cascade Lodge in Lutsen. Registration starts at 10 a.m. in the Main Lodge and the ride begins at noon. Enjoy a 20mile scenic trail ride before returning to the lodge for food, beverages, and some socializing. Prizes will be awarded for best of class, best of show, and winner and loser of the fun run. For more info, find the Lutsen Trail Breakers Snowmobile Club on Facebook.

CANDLELIGHT SNOWSHOE, HIKE OR SKI

Bundle up for a candlelight snowshoe, ski, skate or hike at one of the various locations, happening throughout the month of February.

The first candlelight Snowshoe and Hike is at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park near Two Harbors on Saturday, Feb. 2. Held from 6-8:30 p.m., this self-guided hike is

Ride your bike on Lake Superior with Bike Across the Bay, held Sunday, Feb. 17 in Washburn. | JOHN MURPHY

Go snow tubing during the Voyageur Winter Carnival, held Feb. 16-18 at Fort William Historical Park. | SUBMITTED

roughly a two-mile round trip, suitable for all ages. Begin at the Trail Center and follow the glowing luminaries to Day Hill. A bonfire and marshmallows await visitors partway through the trail. Afterwards, enjoy a hot beverage and snack at the Trail Center. mndnr.gov/splitrocklighthouse

sip a free cup of coffee or cocoa; located at The Art Corner. There will also be art activities for children, so bring the whole family. elywinterfestival.com

The Ely Nordic Ski Club will hold a Candlelight Ski on Saturday, Feb. 9, starting at dusk (roughly 5 p.m.). Held in Ely, enjoy skiing on a section of the Hidden Valley Trails lit by ice luminaries. Afterwards, enjoy a snack and beverage in the chalet or around a bonfire. This is a free event for all ages. elynordic.org Gooseberry Falls State Park, located near Two Harbors, wil hold a candlelight Ski, Snowshoe and Hike on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 6-8:30 p.m. Begin at the Visitor Center and follow the glowing luminaries along the trail. A bonfire and marshmallows await visitors at the Lady Slipper Amphitheater and hot beverages and cookies are available at the Visitors Center. mndnr. gov/gooseberry Head to the Oberg Mountain parking lot near Tofte for the Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe on Saturday, Feb. 16. Held from 6-8 p.m. the Oberg Mountain Trailhead will be lit with luminaries for this fun, family-friendly event. And enjoy a bonfire, hot cocoa and a cookie either before you leave or when you return, as well as a little conversation with other folks. sugarbushtrail.org

HOW TO DUO WITH PUSHING CHAIN

Feb. 4-5 Join Pushing Chain, an acoustic folky-tonk duo from the shores of Lake Superior, as they discuss musical choices and performance decisions as they apply to being a duo. How do they arrange songs to fit into the seemingly small box of an acoustic folk duo? What do they think about while writing, performing and arranging material? How do they hold an audience’s attention with two instruments and two microphones? During this 60-minute program, Pushing Chain, which is comprised of Boyd Blomberg and Adam Moe, will discuss their process and illustrate the discussion with songs chosen from a vast catalog of original music. The program will

take place at various locations, starting with the Two Harbors Public Library on Monday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. Other locations include the Grand Marais Public Library at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, followed by the Silver Bay Public Library at 6 p.m. and the Ely Public Library on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. This program, sponsored

by Arrowhead Library System, was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. alslib.info

TWO HARBORS WINTER FROLIC

Feb. 7-9 The annual Two Harbors Winter Frolic includes events the whole family will enjoy, such as a medallion hunt, a photo scavenger hunt, a snow building contest, a vendor fair, a spaghetti fundraiser, sledding and skating. Friday night events include the restaurant chili cook-off, the community curling challenge, the city vs county exhibition curling challenge, live music and a frozen t-shirt contest. Saturday is also jam-packed with events, starting with the pancake breakfast and a winter t-ball tourney. There will also be a bean bag tournament, tug of war, fireman’s kids races, a bonfire with free s’mores, the vintage snowmobile ride, live music in the big tent, open curling, and more. Pre-registration required for most events. twoharborswinterfrolic.com

ELY WINTER FESTIVAL & ARTWALK

Feb. 7-17 The annual Ely Winter Festival features dozens of family-friendly activities, such as a spaghetti feed, an amateur snow carving contest, live music, a kubb tournament, kicksledding demos, Dorothy Molter Museum tours and a fundraising dinner, a community dance, snowshoeing, a fish fry, and lots more. The Ely Folk School will offer a variety of classes, such as pine needle basketry, intro to chainmaille jewelry, creating polymer clay jewelry, and carving a diamond willow walking stick. And don’t miss the Ely ArtWalk; a window-shopping exhibition and sale featuring more than 400 pieces of art by local and area artists, held at various downtown businesses.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, from 1-3 p.m., meet many of the participating artists as you

HYGGE FESTIVAL

Feb. 8-14 Cook County will celebrate its third Annual Hygge Festival, held Feb. 8-14. Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is the Danish ritual of embracing life’s simple pleasures; feeling relaxed, cozy and surrounded by the warmth of family, friends and community. This year’s activities include a fireplace tour (held at various lodges from Feb. 1-28), snowshoe tours at Lake Superior Trading Post, a stars cross-country skiing tour with Stone Harbor Wilderness, a capella group SVEA singing Scandinavian folk songs and telling stories at Drury Lane Books outside around a bonfire, a pop-up shop at Voyageur Brewing with The Big Lake and live music, and comfort food tasting with Cook County Higher Ed. Other events include card writing, fatbiking, knitting lessons, and the annual Mukluk Ball at Voyageur Brewing. visitcookcounty.com/hygge

SNOWARAMA

Feb. 9, Saturday Once again, the Thunder Bay Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids will head south of the border to Grand Portage for the 16th annual Snowarama snowmobiling fundraiser. Over the past 16 years, the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Snowarama has raised over $450,000 for children and youth with physical disabilities. There is a minimum pledge of $100 to ride. This year, with every $100 in pledges you raise, you will receive a ballot to spin the wheel to win one of 10 Snowarama prize packages, including two trips to Las Vegas. Participants will also enjoy a complimentary dinner and live entertainment Saturday night, featuring Rage N’ Country. Snowarama has two routes to choose from: a long ride that is roughly 120 miles and a short ride roughly 35 miles. Trail permits will be required for those riders that venture off the Grand Portage Reservation trails. snowarama.org

NORTHLAND OUTDOORS DEER CLASSIC & THE BOAT, SPORTS, TRAVEL & RV SHOW

Feb. 13-17 The great outdoors is headed indoors for the 53rd Annual Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel and RV Show, and the Northland Outdoors Duluth Deer Classic; two expos in one. This family-friendly event features a variety of fishing and hunting seminars, vendors, workshops, and manufacturers on-hand demonstrating and showing off their newest products. Don’t miss your chance to meet Time Bandit Captain Johnathan Hillstrand, as seen on Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch. Attend the Lowrance Marine University, see the extreme raptor show, and stroll through the predator prey exhibit.

There will also be free scoring of your deer racks and live fishing at the Rainbow Trout Pond. Kids will enjoy testing their luck with the indoor sling shot, safe archery and brand-new BB gun shooting gallery at Pheasants Forever Youth Village. And there will be free balloon animals and face painting from Cherri Merri Muffin. One ticket gives you admission to both expos, located at the Duluth DECC. minnesotasportshow.com

NORTHERN FIBERS RETREAT

Feb. 13-17 Wool and woodstoves, friends and fibers: it all weaves into a cozy tapestry during the annual Northern Fibers Retreat. This five-day event celebrates all manner of fiber arts, featuring seminars, community gatherings and coursework.

The North House Folk School in Grand Marais, alongside the Northwoods Fiber Guild, will offer more than two dozen course options: build your own wooly adventure spinning, knitting, felting, sewing, beading and more. This year’s featured guest instructor is Karin Flatøy Svarstad of Kalvåg, Norway. Karin has been re-

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searching and working with the wool of the North Atlantic Sea for more than 40 years, focusing on the native sheep of the area. During her visit, she will teach two courses: “Felting Exploration: Sculptural Felting” and “Felting: Creative Hats and Bags.” She will also give a public talk in the evening on Saturday, Feb. 16. Other activities include yoga for fiber folk, a community soup dinner, a show and share, and various “lunch and learn” sessions. Registration required. northhouse.org

WINTERFEST

Feb. 15-18 This year’s annual WinterFest event in Terrace Bay will feature all sorts of family-fun. There will be a snow sculpture contest, a hockey shoot out contest with various age categories, fire pits and hot chocolate stations at Simcoe Plaza, a treasure hunt, a pasta dinner and a pancake breakfast, dancing, bingo, bowling, winter games and prizes, a selfie station, curling, a raffle drawing, and more. Bring your sliding gear out to the sliding and tubing hill, open all weekend, and enjoy fireworks at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16. On Monday, Feb. 18, take part in the free family ski day at Trestle Ridge Ski Hill.

To participate in certain events, get a WinterFest button at the Terrace Bay Community Center office: $3 adults and $1 youth. terracebay.ca

BOOK ACROSS THE BAY

Feb. 16, Saturday Book Across the Bay is a unique winter event, open to skiers and snowshoers of all ages and ability levels.

The 10k course, which is groomed for both classic-style and skate skiing, starts in Ashland and ends in Washburn (Wisc.), and

follows a route not on land, but over the frozen surface of Lake Superior. The event is held at night, and the course is lit by the stars above and up to 1,000 candles in ice luminaries that line the entire route. The start area is at Maslowski Beach and the race will start in four waves. The first wave will leave at 6 p.m. and subsequent waves at five-minute intervals after that. After the race, a heated tent will be set up near the finish line with a chili feed, beer and soda, music, and awards. Race registration is required. batb.org

Autosport Club go head to head on the Kaministiquia River in an ice race demonstration. Fire a musket with the Canadian Corps of Voyageurs. Take part in one of the many contests: log sawing, curling, snow snake, or the Family Moose Ski Race.

There will also be snow graffiti, a science station, snowshoeing, a crafts area, and winter golf. The festival will be held from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. fwhp.ca

BIKE ACROSS THE BAY

ELY SKINNY FAT

Feb. 16, Saturday Join the Ely Nordic Ski Club for a fun afternoon and evening of winter events for the whole family, starting with the kids races and some silly fun at 2:30 p.m. (no registration required). Then, at 3:30 p.m., ski the wonderful Hidden Valley trails that roll through the woods on the edge of Ely. Ski at whatever pace suits you, either skate or classic. Stick with family and friends, or race against them on this 10k. Finish to a festive atmosphere with a bonfire and food. Afterwards, stay around and watch the fat bike races, or get on your bike and give the same trail a spin with the 10k and 20k night fat bike races at 5:30 p.m. This is your one chance per year to ride the well-groomed ski trails at Hidden Valley. The course has a few punchy climbs and descents as it winds through the woods. A helmet and headlight is required and the event is timed; no awards. Registration required: ultrasignup. com. An additional entry fee is required for each event. elynordic.org

Terrace Bay’s WinterFest is filled with outdoor activities. | SUBMITTED

VOYAGEUR WINTER CARNIVAL

Feb. 16-18 A weekend of winter fun awaits the whole family at Fort William Historical Park’s Voyageur Winter Carnival. There will be Midway rides, a giant snow maze, tubing and sliding hills, skating, winter games and activities, carnival games and contests, indoor and outdoor entertainment, and more. Experience the speed and excitement as the Thunder Bay

Stay Shop Dine Play

Feb. 17, Sunday Ride on the awesome expanse of Lake Superior ice with Bike Across the Bay in Washburn, Wisc., hosted by the North Coast Cycling Association.

Enjoy the incredible shoreline scenery, such as the stunning rock formations, and discover the brownstone ice caves, cracks and crevices. The ride will be roughly 10k (one lap) and 20k (two laps) and start at 10 a.m. from the Harbor View Event Center. Male and female categories; first place winners will be awarded for each category in each distance. New this year is an after-party by Earth Rider Brewery at the Harbor View Event Center as part of their Frozen Earth Rider Series. There will be food, live music and beer sampling, with a brief intermission for an awards ceremony. Race registration required. northcoastcycling.com

PINCUSHION MOUNTAIN SKI FESTIVAL

Feb. 17, Sunday Celebrate 40 years with the North Superior Ski and Run Club during the Pincushion Mountain Ski Festival in Grand Marais. Held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., this family-friendly event will feature

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Current performance: HUFF Feb 7-23 Tickets: magnustheatre.com

races for all levels. The first race, a 30k classical ski race, begins at 9 a.m., followed by a 10k freestyle and a 10k classical. Other races include a 1/2k kids classical race, a 1.5k kids classical, a 3k kids classical, and 3k and 7k skijoring single dog races. There will also be soup, chocolate and hot drinks. Race registration required. And don’t miss the pasta dinner held Feb. 16 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center. pincushiontrails.org

eventbrite.com. All proceeds from the event go to supporting and expanding Arc Northland; a non-profit organization that promotes and protects people with disabilities and their families. Arc Northland provides support for Southern St. Louis, Carlton, Lake and Cook counties. arcnorthland.org

CHOCOLATE AFTER DARK

Feb. 28, Thursday The 22nd Annual Chocolate After Dark fundraiser will include a sampling of chocolate creations from local chefs, a silent auction, live music by Bluewater Big Band, and a gift card wall. The fundraiser will take place at the Holiday Inn & Suites ballroom in downtown Duluth from 4:30-7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at:

SLEEPING GIANT LOPPET

SONES DE MEXICO

March 1, Friday Sones de Meixco Ensemble is the country’s premier folk music organization specializing in Mexican son, including the regional styles of huapango, gustos, chilenas, and son jarocho. Sones de Mexico will perform an evening concert of music and dance at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts in Grand Marais on Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults and $5 youth ages 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at: aca.tix.com. In addition to the concert, Sones de Mexico will teach a two-day residency at Great Expectations School with themes including Musical Ge-

Good Times Await Three unique exhibits continue at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery this month.

First up, we have Lessons: The Artistry of Learning, featuring work by artists dedicated to the accumulation and sharing of knowledge. Artists include Moses Amik Beaver, Zoe Gordon, Sarah Link, Jean Marshall, Riaz Mehmood, Crystal Nielsen, and Mavourneen Trainor.

Next up is: From the Permanent Collection: Carl Beam’s Exorcism. Last but not least, 21 Pillows, by Cheryl Wilson-Smith, is an interactive installation featuring 21 pillows placed on the gallery floor. Cheryl invites visitors to enter the dimly lit gallery, reminiscent of dusk, and pick a glass rock—one from thousands, all designed and kiln-fired by the artist—to place on the pillows. This collective shaping of the environment allows us to consider the passage of time and the vulnerability of both humanity and the natural world. All three exhibits are on display until March 3. theag.ca Every Sunday, until March 17, embrace winter by taking part in a different fun outdoor activity for free with Winter FunDay. Held from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at Prince Arthur’s Landing, upcoming activities include skating with your favorite Thunderwolves hockey players, making bannock over a fire, and a Harry pot-

NIPIGON ICE FEST

March 1-3 Ontario’s longest running, premiere ice climbing festival, held in Nipigon, will feature ice climbing clinics for beginners and intermediates, as well as a mixed climbing clinic. There will also be a guided snowshoe trek, a game night and a gear raffle. After a day of climbing or snowshoeing, warm up at the Legion Hall and enjoy presentations and guest speakers, starting at 7 p.m. A chili fundraiser will be available from 6-7 p.m. on Saturday, which will include all-you-can-eat chili, salad, desserts and beverages. All proceeds go to next year’s Ice Fest.

Event registration required. outdoorskillsandthrills.com

WOLFTRACK CLASSIC SLED DOG RACE

Feb. 23-24 Enjoy a weekend of dog sledding fun with the 9th Annual WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race in Ely, featuring two mid-distance races; a 50-mile, 8-dog race, and a 30-mile, 6-dog race. A musher’s dinner will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Vermilion Community College cafeteria, featuring an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner. Social hour starts at 4 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. $12 per person at the door. On Sunday morning, spectators will have the opportunity to mingle with the mushers and watch them prepare for the race. Then, at 9 a.m. sharp, the 8-dog teams take off from the Ely Softball Complex, followed by the 6-dog teams. There are several vantage points along the trail for the public to watch the mushers as they cross roads, so bring a camera and cheer on your favorite team. An awards banquet will be held at Grand Ely Lodge on Sunday after the races. wolftrackclassic.com

ography of Mexico, Mexican Tragic Ballad Songwriting, Danza de Los Viejitos Mask Making, and Ancient Aztec Dance. A Mexican folkloric dance class for adults and teens will also be offered. More info can be found online. northshoremusicassociation.com

ter winter-themed treasure hunt. After you’ve enjoyed the Winter FunDay activity outside, you can warm up with a creative activity inside the Baggage Building Arts Centre from 1-3 p.m. thunderbay. ca/winterfundays

Help celebrate those who work, volunteer and contribute to the arts, culture and heritage in Thunder Bay with a nomination for the 9th Annual Arts and Heritage Awards. Nominate an individual, group, organization, or local business in one of the 16 categories.

Complete details on eligibility and how to submit can be found online. Nominations are now open and deadline to submit is Friday, Feb. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

And save the date for the 9th Annual Awards Gala, where the winners will be announced, held Friday, April 5 at Magnus Theatre. thunderbay.ca The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium will host various shows throughout the month, starting with an all new Yuk Yuk’s Comedy show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2. Stand-up comedian Jeremy Hotz will perform his Dangerously Handsome Tour on Feb. 9, and Canadian country artist Paul Brandt will perform on Feb. 12. And don’t miss the Fly Fishing Film Tour on Feb. 16,

March 2, Saturday Held in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park in Thunder Bay, the Sleeping Giant Loppet is a mass participation ski festival that offers fun for the whole family and challenges competitive athletes. It features multiple events with distances for skiers of all levels and abilities.

The 8km mini-loppet is perfect for families, children and rookies. If you’re ready to increase your distance or work on your speed, than try the 20km Marie Louise Lake loop. The popular 35km is a relaxed event that takes place on the Burma Trail. For the ultimate challenge, register for the 50km classic, skate, or skiathlon distance. Following the races will be a party and awards ceremony at Sleeping Giant Brewery from 6:30-10 p.m., featuring self-guided brewery tours, food from Pinetree Catering, and a separate children’s area with a movie and kids menu provided.

Race registration required. sleepinggiantloppet.ca.

North of the Border featuring a vendor fair, door prizes, movies and more. tbca.com Huff, written and performed by Cilff Cardinal, will take place at the Magnus Theatre Feb. 7-23. Huff is the wrenching, yet darkly comic tale of Wind and his brothers, caught in a torrent of solvent abuse and at high risk of suicide.

Ancestral history combines with harsh reality and gas-induced hallucinations in this tale of family, love, despair, and the possibility of redemption. magnustheatre.com The 10th Annual Charity Run & Walk will take place Sunday, Feb. 10, held in support of Children’s Centre Foundation Thunder Bay. Held at the Lakehead University hanger, this year’s event features a full marathon, half marathon, 10km run and walk, as well as a marathon relay. The full marathon is a 211-lap race, which will start at 8 a.m. The half marathon and marathon relay also start at 8 a.m., followed by the 10km walk at 9 a.m. and the 10km run at 10:30 a.m. There will be a free kids fun run at 11:15 a.m. for children ages one to 10; no registration is required.

All abilities are welcome to participate in the races. Participants can choose to walk, run or stop as often as needed. You

Remember, Thunder Bay is on Eastern Time­— 1 hour ahead of MN time. can also collect pledges to support the foundation. All proceeds from this event support children’s mental health education and prevention initiatives through Children’s Center Foundation. Registration required. thunderwolves.ca/indoormarathon SnowDay, held Monday, Feb. 18, is a free celebration of all things winter that takes place annually on Family Day at Marina Park. There will be activities and entertainment for all ages, including snow sculpting, ice skating, games, learning how to snow carve, and more. thunderbay.ca/snowday The Northwestern Fur Trappers Annual Convention will be held March 1-2 at the CLE Coliseum Building. There will be vendors, demonstrations, live and silent auctions, a wild fur fashion show, exhibits, and competitions. The convention will be held from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, March 1, and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free. There will also be a smorgasbord, dance and silent auction, with live music by Plan B, on Saturday from 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Slovak Legion. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for kids under 10; children under 4 are free. nwfta.ca

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Northern Wilds Calendar of Events Jan. 26-Feb. 3

Briand Morrison 5 p.m.

Puss in Boots 1 p.m. & 4 p.m. Saturdays (2 p.m. Sun.) Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org/family-theatre

Jan. 31-Feb. 3

Northland Figure Skating Competition Duluth Decc, decc.org

Jan. 31-Feb. 10

Don’t Dress for Dinner 7:30 p.m.

(2 p.m. Sun.) Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

The Cove Lobby Bar at Best Western Plus Superior Inn, Grand Marais, briandmorrison.com Candlelight Snowshoe & Hike 6 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/ splitrocklighthouse Yuk Yuk’s Comedy 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Feb. 2-3

Movie Night: The Islands and the Whales 7 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org MN Ballet’s Celebrity Dance Challenge 7 p.m. Marshall School, Duluth, minnesotaballet.org

Feb. 7-9

Winter Frolic Two Harbors Curling Club, twoharborswinterfrolic.com

Feb. 7-16

William Shakespeare: Love’s Labor’s Lost 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on Feb. 10) Marshall Performing Art Center, Duluth, z.umn.edu/loveslaborslost

The Dead Pigeons 8 p.m.

Laskiainen Festival Loon Lake Community Center, Palo, Minn., facebook.com/loonlakecommunitycenter Test Drive Ontario Snowmobile Trails Ontario, permits.ofsc.on.ca Gun & Knife Show 9 a.m.

Duluth DECC, decc.org

Feb. 2-9

Feb. 7-23

Feb. 1-3

Winter Bike Week Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Feb. 1, Friday

Family Game Night 6:30 p.m.

Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

Feb. 1-2

Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com Cold Front February Canal Park, Duluth, coldfrontduluth.com DCC Duluth Ice & Mixed Fest Duluth, duluthclimbers.org Disrupt It Weekend Confederation College, Thunder Bay, disruptit.ca

Feb. 1-22

Feb. 4, Monday

How to Duo with Pushing Chain

Feb. 5, Tuesday

Feb. 1-24

Winter Plein Air Exhibit (Reception Feb. 1 at 5 p.m.)

Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

Feb. 1-28

Fireplace Tour Throughout Cook County, visitcookcounty.com

Feb. 2, Saturday Groundhog Day Ridge Riders Snowmobile Fun Run Devil Track Clubhouse & Gunflint Trail, cookcountysnowmobileclub.com Meet the Musher & Sled Dogs 12:30 p.m. Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Trail, gunflint.com Community Ink Day: Monoprints 1 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org Father Daughter Ball 5 p.m. Duluth DECC, fatherdaughterballduluth.org

FEBRUARY 2019

Super Sunday 12:15 p.m.

Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, grandportage.com

6 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, alslib.info

Craig Blacklock: Lake Superior and the Enduring Gift Exhibition Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

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Feb. 3, Sunday

Blood Drive 9 a.m.

Two Harbors High School, mbc.org How to Duo with Pushing Chain 1 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, alslib.info How to Duo with Pushing Chain 6 p.m. Silver Bay Public Library, aslib.info

Feb. 5, Tuesday

Tweevening with Dr. Jennifer Webb 6:30 p.m. Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, d.umn.edu/tma

Feb. 6, Wednesday Winter Walk to School Day GES & ISD 166, Grand Marais

Feb. 6-23

Mamma Mia 7:30 p.m.

Paramount Theatre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/plivetbay

Feb. 7, Thursday

Winter Farmers Market 4 p.m. Duluth Folk School, Duluth, facebook.com/duluthfolkschool

NORTHERN WILDS

Feb. 7-17

Ely Winter Festival & ArtWalk Ely, elywinterfestival.com Huff Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

Feb. 8, Friday

Film Fiesta Series: Pitch Perfect 2 p.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org LSC Firefighting & Truck Driving Career Night 4:30 p.m.

LSC Emergency Response Training Center, Duluth, lsc.edu Fitger’s Furry Film Festival 5 p.m. Fitger’s Complex, Duluth, fitgersfilmfest.com Free Cross-country Night Skiing 5:30 p.m. Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, Grand Marais, booking.stoneharborws.com

Feb. 8-10

Winter Carnival Current River Community Centre, Thunder Bay, Facebook: Current River Community Centre

Feb. 8-14

Hygge Week Cook County, visitcookcounty.com/hygge

Feb. 9, Saturday

Winter Family Fun Day Isabella, Minn., Facebook: Isabella Friends of the Fourth Snowarama for Easter Seals Kids 7 a.m. Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, snowarama.org Nice Girls of the North Marketplace 10 a.m. Lakeside Lester Park Community Center, Duluth, nicegirlsofthenorth.com

NLAA Downtown Arts Market 10 a.m. Amici’s Ceremony Hall, Ely, northernlakesarts.org Fat Bike Group Ride 10 a.m. Whiteside Park, Ely, saq7044@icloud.com Saturday Morning at the Races 10 a.m. UMD Ward Wells Fieldhouse, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com ArtWalk Meet & Greet 1 p.m.

The Art Corner, Ely, elyartwalk.org Explore the Winter Wonderland!

5 p.m. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, Schroeder, sugarloafnorthshore.org DXC Snow Ball Gala 5 p.m. Greysolon Ballroom, Duluth, duluthxc.com/snowball Ely Nordic Candlelight Ski: Free 5 p.m. Hidden Valley Rec Area, Ely, elynordic.org Father Daughter Ball 5 p.m. Duluth DECC, fatherdaughterballduluth.org TBRC 10th Annual President’s Dinner 6 p.m. Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/ thunderbayrowingclub Hygge Mukluk Ball 6 p.m.

Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com DSSO: British Isles 7 p.m. Duluth DECC Symphony Hall, dsso.com Jeremy Hotz: Dangerously Handsome Tour 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com Cloud Cult 9 p.m. Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com Rage N Country 9 p.m.

Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, grandportage.com

Feb. 10, Sunday

10th Annual Charity Run & Walk 8 a.m. Lakehead University Hanger, Thunder Bay, thunderwolves.ca/indoormarathon Live Chalk Art 4 p.m.

Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Feb. 11, Monday

Romantic Comedy Trivia 8 p.m.

Zeitgeist, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Feb. 12, Tuesday

Valentines & Voyageur 4 p.m.

The Big Lake, Grand Marais, facebook.com/thebiglakelife Ruby’s Pantry 5 p.m. Cook County High School, Grand Marais, facebook.com/rubyspantrycc

Paul Brandt: The Journey Tour with Jess Moskaluke & Hunter Brothers 7 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com Faculty Brass Quintet Concert 7:30 p.m. Weber Music Hall, Duluth, sfa.d.umn.edu Superior Shorts 7:30 p.m.

Zeitgeist, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Feb. 13, Wednesday

Duluth Go Red For Women Luncheon 10 a.m. Duluth DECC, decc.org Ted at the Teatro 7:30 p.m.

Zeitgeist, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Feb. 13-15

Married Alive! Lyric Center for the Arts, Virginia, Minn., lyriccenteronline.org

Feb. 13-17

Northern Fibers Retreat North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org Northland Outdoors Deer Classic & Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel & RV Show 10 a.m. (5 p.m. Feb. 13-14) Duluth DECC, minnesotasportsshow.com

Feb. 14, Thursday Valentine’s Day

Blood Drive 9 a.m. Vermilion Community College, Ely, mbc.org Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund 5 p.m. The Cove Lobby Bar at Best Western Plus Superior Inn, Grand Marais, briandmorrison.com Plucked Up String Band 6 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Feb. 14-17

USSMCA National Senior Men’s Curling Championships Duluth Curling Club, duluthcurlingclub.org

Feb. 15, Friday

Blood Drive 8 a.m. Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, mbc.org Dorothy Molter Fundraising Dinner 5 p.m. Grand Ely Lodge, Ely, rootbeerlady.com SVEA Singers Concert 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, facebook.com/drurylanebooks Artist Talk with Craig Blackblock: Wild & Scenic Rivers Act 7 p.m. Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

TBSO Mainstage: The Beatles

7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Feb. 15-16

Duluth Comedy Fest 9 p.m. NorShor Theatre, Dululth, norshortheatre.com

Feb. 15-18

WinterFest Terrace Bay, terracebay.ca

Feb. 16, Saturday

Ely Skinny Fat Hidden Valley, Ely, elynordic.org Ridge Riders Snowmobile Drag Races 10 a.m. Hungry Jack Lodge, Gunflint Trail, cookcountysnowmobileclub.com Vintage Snowmobile Rendezvous 10 a.m. Wildhurst Lodge & Campground, Finland, Facebook: Finland Snowmobile ATV Club Bent Paddle Tap Takeover 11 a.m. Poplar Haus, Gunflint Trail, poplarhaus.com Free Family Day 11 a.m. Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org Author Mary Ellen Ashcroft: OMG Growing Our God Images 5 p.m.

Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, facebook.com/drurylanebooks Book Across the Bay 6 p.m. Maslowski Beach, Ashland, Wisc., batb.org Fly Fishing Film Tour 6 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe 6 p.m. Oberg Mountain Trailhead, Tofte, sugarbushtrail.org Candlelight Ski, Snowshoe & Hike 6 p.m. Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberry Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert 7 p.m. Grand Marais, michaelmonroemusic.com Annual Short Shorts Film Festival 7 p.m. Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org Northwoods Band 8 p.m.

Hungry Jack, Gunflint Trail, facebook.com/hungryjacklodge Tony Peterson & Colleen Myhre 8:30 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Feb. 16-18

Voyageur Winter Carnival 11 a.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

Feb. 17, Sunday

Pincushion Mountain Ski Festival 8 a.m. Pincushion Mountain, Grand Marais, pincushiontrails.org NCAA Bike Across the Bay 10 a.m. Washburn, Wisc., northcoastcycling.com McCullough Brothers 7 p.m.

Hungry Jack, Gunflint Trail, facebook.com/hungryjacklodge Billy Johnson 7 p.m.

Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com His Girl Friday 7 p.m. NorShor Theatre, Dululth, norshortheatre.com

Feb. 18, Monday Presidents’ Day

Family Day SnowDay on the Waterfront Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/snowday

Guest Artist Concert: Yousif

Sheronick: World Percussion 7:30 p.m. Weber Music Hall, Duluth, sfa.d.umn.edu

Feb. 19, Tuesday

Guest Artist Concert: Sarah Knott:

Mezzo-Soprano 7:30 p.m. Weber Music Hall, Duluth, sfa.d.umn.edu Open Mic Night Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com

Feb. 20, Wednesday

Winter Carnival Oliver Road Community Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/orccthunderbay

Feb. 24, Sunday

Afternoon with the Classical

Masters 1 p.m. Fairlawn Mansion, Superior, superiorpublicmuseums.org

Feb. 24-25

Feb. 27, Wednesday

Wednesday

Feb. 21, Thursday

Film Screening of Historic Trails in Northern Minnesota 6 p.m.

Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

National Chili Day Chili Tasting 11:30 p.m. Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Trail, gunflint.com Downtown Duluth Arts Walk 5 p.m.

Downtown Duluth, facebook.com/ downtownduluthartswalk

Feb. 22-23

Pink Ribbon Riders Minnesota Snow Run Grand Ely Lodge, Ely, pinkribbonriders.com Irving Berlin’s Rags to Ritzes 7:30 p.m. Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

Feb. 23, Saturday

Lutsen Trail Breakers Vintage Snowmobile Ride 10 a.m. Cascade Lodge, Lutsen, Facebook: Lutsen Trail Breakers Snowmobile Club Meet the Musher & Sled Dogs 12:30 p.m. Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Trail, gunflint.com Gordon Thorne & Friends 3 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us Coldest Night of the Year 3 p.m.

The Summit Church, Thunder Bay, cnoy.org/location/thunderbay The Grace Notes 5 p.m.

The Cove Lobby Bar at Best Western Plus Superior Inn, Grand Marais, facebook.com/bwsuperiorinn Enchanted Forest 5:30 p.m.

Amici’s Event Center, Ely, amiciseventcenter.com DSSO: Catch the Big Wave 7 p.m.

Duluth DECC Symphony Hall, dsso.com

Feb. 23-24

WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race Ely, wolftrackclassic.com

Tuesday

Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com

Feb. 26, Tuesday

Feb. 22, Friday

Live Music 6 p.m.

Preschool Storytime 11:15 a.m.

Two Harbors Public Library, twoharborspubliclibrary.com Story Time 10:30 a.m. Grand Marais Public Library, grandmaraislibrary.org Live Music 6 p.m. Lutsen Resort, Lutsen, lutsenresort.com Trivia Night 7 p.m.

Grandma Rays, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmarays

Maria Bamford 7 p.m. (8 p.m.

Mon.) NorShor Theatre, Dululth, norshortheatre.com

Community Conversation: The State of the Arts Noon, Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org How to Duo with Pushing Chain 4 p.m. Ely Public Library, alslib.info Pinterest Projects 3:30 p.m.

Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org Winter Farmers Market 4 p.m.

Duluth Folk School, Duluth, facebook.com/duluthfolkschool Thunder Bay Horticultural General Meeting: Speaker Tracy Rowe on “Bug Wars” 7 p.m. Oliver Road Community Centre, Thunder Bay, tbayhortsociety.weebly.com TBSO Mainstage: Can You Hear Us Now? 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com Guest Artist Recital: Sonora Trio 7:30 p.m. Weber Music Hall, Duluth, sfa.d.umn.edu Dance Party with DJ Beavstar 9 p.m.

Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com

Monday

Open Mic Night

Feb. 27-March 4

WTIP Winter Membership Drive WTIP, Grand Marais, wtip.org

Feb. 28, Thursday

Movie Matinee 3:30 p.m.

Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org Chocolate After Dark Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Duluth, arcnorthland.org Shades of Africa Recital: A Tribute to African American Women Composers 7:30 p.m. Weber Music Hall, Duluth, sfa.d.umn.edu Dance Party with DJ Beavstar 9 p.m. Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, lutsen.com

Feb. 28-March 10

Country Market 3:30 p.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca Open Mic 5 p.m. Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com Winter Wednesdays: Free 6 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, grandmaraislibrary.org

Thursday

Date Night with Live Music

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

Lutsen Resort, lutsenresort.com

Friday

Preschool Storytime 11 a.m.

Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org Live Music 4 p.m.

Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com

Cascade Lodge & Restaurant, Lutsen, cascadelodgemn.com Friday Night Reels: Free 6 p.m.

Grand Marais Public Library, grandmaraislibrary.org Renegade Improv 10:30 p.m.

Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Saturday

Country Market 8 a.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca Voyageur Brewing Tours 11 a.m.

Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, voyageurbrewing.com Free: Tour the North House Campus 2 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org Live Music 6 p.m.

Cascade Lodge & Restaurant, Lutsen, cascadelodgemn.com Live Music 7 p.m. Lutsen Resort, lutsenresort.com Renegade Improv 10:30 p.m.

Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Sunday

Winter FunDays 1 p.m.

Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/winterfundays

Disney’s Newsies 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

Feb. 30, Saturday

The Grace Notes 5 p.m.

The Cove Lobby Bar at Best Western Plus Superior Inn, Grand Marais

March 1, Friday Sones de Mexico

7 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, northshoremusicassociation. com Dan Welden Prints: Exhibition and Sale 7 p.m.

Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

March 1-2

Northwestern Fur Trappers Annual Convention 11 a.m.

(9 a.m. Sat.) CLE Coliseum, Thunder Bay, nwfta.ca

March 2, Saturday

Sleeping Giant Loppet Thunder Bay, sleepinggiantloppet.ca Ridge Riders Annual Trout Derby 9 a.m. West Bearskin Lake, Gunflint Trail, cookcountysnowmobileclub.com

March 2-3

Nipigon Ice Fest Nipigon, outdoorskillsandthrills.com

NORTHERN WILDS

FEBRUARY 2019

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10% LOCALS DISCOUNT

Coho Café & Bakery – your stop for “made fresh” daily!

• NEW! Fruit crepes now on the breakfast menu • Bagel sandwiches and fresh pastries available daily • Great coffee, espresso, beer, wine, Sake Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas • Award-winning pizza available for dine-in, take out, or take and bake • Open for breakfast and lunch daily; dinner on weekends

Sunday – Thursday: 8 am to 3 pm • Friday & Saturday: 8 am to 8 pm HWY 61 Tofte • 1-800-BLUEFIN • bluefinbay.com

LUNCH AT THE TAVERN GUN FLINT TAVERN ON THE LAKE DOWNTOWN GRAND MARAIS, MINNESOTA

UNDER $10 MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 11:00 - 4:00 HOT DAGO

9.95

HOT TURKEY OLD SCHOOL

9.95

PHILLY STEAK AND CHEESE ON A HOAGIE

9.95

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH KIELBASA

9.95

CHEDDAR TUNA MELT ON FRENCH

9.95

BOWL OF SOUP AND ALL YOU CAN EAT SALAD

9.95

GRILLED SALAMI AND SWISS

8.95

We use Grass fed beef and pork sausage for our italian seasoned patty, grill it, toast our baguette, slather with our house marinara and melted mozzarella.**

Organic house roasted turkey served open faced with Tavern mash and turkey gravy, side of cranberry compote Sauteed ribeye strips, green pepper, onions, provolone cheese and horsey sauce.** Baked, bubbly and delicious like grandma would do.

MARCH 11

april 8

r e d l i o n s m o ke h o u s e kitchen TEAM

l a k e av e n u e k i t c h e n T E A M

AT

AT

course meal

Per PERSON

get your tickets at eventbrite

includes 18% gratuity | tax not included

t h u n d e r b ay , o n 16 Cumberland Street S

Duluth, mn 3 9 4 S o u t h L a ke Av e n u e

Baked open faced with tomatoes, pickles, celery and onions in our mix .** Your choice of our soup of the day and salad with a chunk of buttered warm bread.

On french with honey dijon, tomatoes, onions and greens.**

CAPERED EGG SALAD

On toasted french, open faced.**

WHAT ELSE? with your lunch meal.

Add a cup of soup for $4 Add a salad for $4

HAPPY HOUR

$1 International

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FEBRUARY 2019

NORTHERN WILDS

8.95 ** choice of greens w/vinaigrette or ripple chips

00

MON-THURS 4-7PM

off rail drinks, house wines & tap beers.

FREE CHIPS & SALSA IN THE RAVEN PUB $200 OFF APPETIZERS

The North Shore Dish Learning to Use Locally Grown and Wild Food By Maren Webb

Tucked away off Highway 61 in the Northern Wilds is Finland, home to about 200 residents and a hotbed for the local foods movement. This February, two Finland residents, Honor Schauland and Kaare Melby, will be sharing their passion and knowledge for wild and local foods by offering three classes for the public at the Clair Nelson Center. Whether you are new to the idea of local food production or looking to up your game, Schauland and Melby are ready to help you find, preserve, and cook with locally grown and wild food.

Locally grown and wild foods have been increasing in popularity in recent years, for a variety of reasons. For some, it is the appeal of a more environmentally sound way of eating, by reducing the carbon footprint of their meals with shorter transportation distances. For others, it is the opportunity for food security and increasing personal and local reliance. It can also be an economic opportunity, either in that wild food can be free or buying local produce and meat provides financial support to neighbors.

“Spending money locally creates wealth locally, which improves our local economy (known as the local multiplier effect),” said Melby, class co-instructor.

Taste and health can be other draws, with both the freshness of locally sourced ingredients and the types of foods available.

“When you feed someone an egg that a chicken laid 20 minutes ago, they almost universally agree that it tastes amazing,” said co-instructor Schauland.

While all these reasons have increased the interest in local food, many of us were not raised with the skills or knowledge needed to find, preserve, and cook with these foods.

Despite some of this knowledge no longer being the norm, it has not been lost.

Schauland and Melby were raised in Finland and learned many of these skills and knowledge from their families.

“Some of my earliest memories are of helping my parents harvest potatoes and carrots from the garden. I would pride myself on my ability to convince other kids who said that they didn’t like carrots that carrots straight from the garden were a special treat,” said Melby.

His parents also tapped trees and made maple syrup, harvested wild rice, gathered

Locally harvested ingredients make for a wonderful meal, for taste, freshness, and the pride in supporting local or from harvesting items yourself. | KAARE MELBY wild berries, harvested apples from ancient trees, and ate wild game from neighbors and friends.

goods at the Finland Farmers Market, and also barter my foods with others who have things I don’t have.”

“I was raised gardening by my parents.

My dad was a logger who came from a dairy farming family and my mom was a hippie back-to-the-lander, and they were really into growing their own food, building their own log house, living off the land as much as possible. I grew up doing that kind of stuff,” said Schauland. Yet, “I was an adult before I realized how great it was to grow up eating local and wild food.”

Melby and Schauland will be bringing together their own experiences and knowledge to share with others through three classes this month. Students can sign up for one or all three, depending on their own interest and availability, although it is recommended to take all three. The first class will be “Finding, Buying, and Gathering Locally Grown and Wild Food” on Sunday, Feb. 10. This class will focus on what local foods are available in different seasons and how to procure them, from gathering wild food to finding local farmers. The second class is “Storing Locally Grown and Wild Food: Drying, Freezing, Canning, and Fermenting” on Sunday, Feb. 17. The storage of wild and local foods is a key aspect of eating a local diet. And lastly, the third class, “Cooking with Locally Grown and Wild Food,” will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24. Building on the first two classes, this session will focus on how to prepare local foods in meals for your family.

Both Schauland and Melby have rediscovered these foods as adults and continued to develop the skills needed to make it part of their families’ lives.

Melby moved back to Finland in 2012 and that first winter he supplemented his family’s diet with snared rabbits and hunted grouse, which was the beginning of his adventure into hunting.

“While I had gone fishing many times as a child, I began to fish as a way to provide my family with food for the first time. I had already learned about wild foods while in college, and I had learned how to forage wild mushroom as a child from a friend of the family. Once hunting and fishing was added to that mix, I found myself experiencing the bounty of food the forest has to offer,” said Melby.

Schauland also moved back after going to college. Now she has learned to “raise chickens, grow a lot of my own vegetables and fruit, gather mushrooms and berries, hunt occasionally, fish more, sell canned

“Students will leave the class with a knowledge of our current local food system, and how to engage with that system to procure, preserve, and cook with local foods, [including] handouts about local producers, a cycle of the year foraging guide, and more,” said Melby.

Each class is held from 3-5 p.m. and cost to attend is $5 a class, thanks to support from Lake County Extension. All three classes will be at the Clair Nelson Center in Finland.

“The major barriers for most people [to eating a local diet] is that many people are not used to cooking with and preserving local foods. This bit of knowledge has begun to be lost in our community. The other barrier is that most people simply don’t realize that there is local agriculture that actually produces a wide variety of foods,” said Melby. Schauland and Melby are working to rekindle the interest and knowledge in local foods to “show people how beautiful and delicious local foods can be, and hopefully increase the demand for local foods, creating space for new local farmers to get started, and existing local farmers to expand their operations.”

If you aren’t able to participate in the classes, Schauland recommends that you “become familiar with what’s available locally. So much of procuring local foods is done by word of mouth. Talk to people in your community. Ask them where they buy eggs or local meat, or local veggies. Or who they get them from. Then get to know the folks who produce those foods.”

And from Melby, “If you are not from the North Country, I encourage you to find the wild and locally raised food near you and start experimenting with them in your cooking. And visit your local farmers market.”

To register for a class or for more information, visit the Lake Superior School District Community Education webpage: isd381.k12.mn.us/community-education.

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Lighter beer can still pack a lot of flavor

Gunflint Pines Year-Round Cabins Ski/Snowshoe Rentals Ice Fishing Gift Shop & Grocery Pizza & Ice Cream Open to the Public

HISTORIC TRAILS SCREENING: Grand Marais’ Voyageur Brewing Company will screen the documentary, “Historic Trails in Northern Minnesota,” on Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. The WRPT film features the Gunflint Trail, Voyageurs National Park trails, and the Mesabi Trail, including their pasts, their modern uses and the future.

218.388.4454 www.gunflintpines.com 217 South Gunflint Lake Grand Marais, MN 55604

W I L D S T A T E C I D E R U P D A T E : On Jan. 14, soon-to-open Duluth cidery Wild State said it was beginning to paint the place and an outdoor sign would be going up soon. An inspection was needed in order to begin the cider making, and while it was too early to predict an opening date, “we are not too far away,” read the cidery’s Facebook page.

South of the Border C · a · f · e

Breakfast Served All Day Lunch • Homemade Soups We’re Open Before the Fish Bite!

Blacklist’s Single Anytime Ale is 4.5 percent ABV, while Earth Rider’s Raspbecrush Tart Wheat Ale has a 5.2 ABV.

Open 5 am - 2 pm Everyday!

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean one must opt for heady imperial stouts, even if you are drawn to them. In these cold months, it’s also a good idea to have a couple of lighter beers on hand.

Located at the stop light in Grand Marais

218-387-1505

With that in mind, I snatched up a fourpack of Blacklist’s Single Anytime Ale.

NORTHERN

Blacklist notes that the style was once one of the rarest in the world. Belgian singles are meant to have a lot of flavor while still being fairly light, and I’d say Blacklist gets that about right, though I’ve never had the occasion of having a Belgian-made “singel.” I do dream of Westvleteren 6.

Fibers RETREAT

FEBRUARY 13 - 17, 2019 20+ courses lunch-and-learns fiber show-and-share

Single Anytime is fairly dry, not very hoppy, and there is some malt presence.

While it isn’t sweet, it does have some fruit notes, and it pours clear and golden with a slight head.

At 4.5 percent alcohol by volume and 11 international bitterness units, it’s definitely a beer that’s easy to drink, and it’s available on bottle shop shelves in 16-ounce cans. It’s also available on draft at some fine drinking establishments and in Blacklist’s East Superior Street taproom.

www.northhouse.org for more info

FEBRUARY 2019

A slight step up in gravity, Earth Rider’s Raspbecrush Tart Wheat Ale is another very drinkable beer.

Yes, it is slightly tart and, though it is a kettle sour, it is not as tart as many of the kettle sours being produced these days. It is a wheat beer and it is loaded with raspberries.

The beer pours a hazy mahogany with a slightly creamy head.

Arrowhead Center for the Arts 51 W. 5th St. Grand Marais

$15 adults $5 youth tickets: www.aca.tix.com or at the door northshoremusicassociation.com • 218-387-1272 • music@boreal.org

NORTHERN WILDS

A G O O D C A U S E I I : Duluth’s Canal Park Brewing Company is selling Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, which is brewed by Chico, Cali’s Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., to raise relief money for California’s Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the Golden State’s history.

LAKE SUPERIOR ADDS NEW DEL I V E R Y M E T H O D : Lake Superior Brewing has been making a lot of changes since new owners took over last year.

The latest change is offering up its beer in crowlers at its Duluth taproom. These 750ml cans have a longer shelf than growlers.

Raspbecrush has a 5.2 ABV and 15 IBUs, so it’s an easy to drink, even crushable wheat beer.

Fri., March 1, 7 PM

North House Folk School

34

While it’s a tasty, light beer, it might taste even better on a muggy, summer day, but let’s give Blacklist some credit for the “anytime” label.

SONES DE MEXICO

Featured International Instructor KARIN FLATØY SVARSTAD

500 W Hwy 61, Grand Marais www.northhouse.org 218-387-9762

By Javier Serna

A G O O D C A U S E : Thunder Bay’s Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. announced that it would make a donation to Beendigen, an Anishinabe Women’s Crisis Home and Healing Agency, for every one of its beers sold at Red Lion Smokehouse in Thunder Bay.

The Genuine.

The Original.

HEAD DOOR OVER

Overhead Door Company of Duluth 24 hour service

Phone 218-722-2884 www.ohdnorthernmn.com 4214 Airpark Blvd.

Duluth, MN 55811

Keep the Winter Warm and Wonderful INTEGRITY We will be ethical in all we do and follow through on all of our commitments.

VALUE S

Taking preventative action is your best defense against hypothermia and frostbite. | STOCK

By Amy Schmidt Winter has officially taken up residence on the North Shore. Almost too picturesque to be real, the forests and shoreline have taken on fairytale attributes, a perk that makes the bitter temperatures well worth it.

But a winter wonderland can become a nightmare when those bitter temperatures cause injuries such as hypothermia and frostbite.

Hypothermia is defined as an abnormally low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold. When the body is losing heat faster than it can be produced, the result is hypothermia. A body temperature that dips below 95° is an emergency and should be dealt with immediately.

Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat or submersion in cold water. Symptoms of hypothermia in adults includes shivering, exhaustion, confusion, lack of coordination and slurred speech. Infants may display only bright red, cold skin and low energy.

Persons with hypothermia should receive immediate medical attention. Until medical care is available, every effort should be made to warm the person’s core body temperature. Focus on the center of the body first—chest, neck, head and groin.

Remove any wet clothing and move victim to a warm, sheltered area. Warm beverages can be helpful but never give alcohol and never attempt to give a beverage to someone who is unconscious.

Frostbite occurs when ice crystals form within the affected body parts, halting blood flow and causing the frozen tissue to be deprived of oxygen. The result is tissue

damage—which can lead to amputation— or death. Frostbite most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers or toes.

Signs and symptoms of frostbite include clumsiness in hands and feet, numbness or a stinging/burning sensation, cold or waxy feeling tissue, pain during thawing/ warming, blood-filled blisters and whitish/ grayish skin.

represent what we believe in, what we stand for and how we approach everything we do. They will provide a guideline for making decisions at all levels of our organization.

northshorehealthcarefoundation.org

218-387-9076 PO Box 454, Grand Marais, MN 55604

At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin. Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water or warm the area using body heat, such as an armpit for frozen fingers. Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it. And don’t use a heating pad, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming as affected areas are often numb and can be easily burned. Seek medical care as soon as possible.

Taking preventive action is your best defense against either of these conditions.

Never venture outside without plenty of warm-weather gear. You can always shed layers if you find you’re over-dressed. Keep extra winter gear in your car in case you are stranded on the road. Choose mittens, rather than gloves, and a hat that pulls down fully over your ears. Check the wind-chill, not just actual temps and consider staying indoors if the wind-chill factors are extremely low. A wind-chill of -20 can cause frostbite in 30 minutes. And protect those who can’t protect themselves, like very young children and the elderly, by ensuring that they have proper winter clothing.

Cold weather is never a reason to miss the splendor of winter. It’s just a reason to be prepared and wise while you do it.

So grab your hat and mittens and get out there! There’s so much to enjoy.

In Range: A New Era of Mining PolyMet’s copper-nickel mine is coming, Minnesota. Modern, safe and brimming with a wide range of opportunities for a new generation of Iron Range miners, the businesses that support them and hundreds of millions in economic benefit for us all.

PolyMetMining.com 33136_65_PolyMet_NewEra_4-84x5-78_NW_Feb.indd 1

NORTHERN WILDS

1/11/19 10:35 AM FEBRUARY 2019 35

Northern Trails

EXPERIENCE THE SPIRIT OF HYGGE WITH US! Friday, Feb. 8, 5:30pm Join us for a free, all-inclusive night of cross country skiing.

Sign up online @ booking.stoneharborws.com

Outdoor & Casual Clothing, Footwear & Equipment Guided Tours & Rentals for all Seasons Open Daily, Year Round On the East Bay in Grand Marais 218.387.3136 • stoneharborws.com

Get Cozy with Someone Special This Winter Anniss Seid, owner of Brass and Arrows and the Outdoor Classifieds. | ANNISS SEID

Anniss Seid Brass and Arrows

At Legendary

GUNFLINT LODGE & OUTFITTERS

At 25 years of age, Anniss Seid of Thunder Bay is carving himself a nice little spot in the popular niche market of outdoor clothing. Seid’s clothing line, called Brass and Arrows, is popular in the northwest and is making inroads across Canada thanks to its visibility on Instagram and Facebook. Seid has also been working hard on a website called Outdoor Classifieds, which he hopes will become a popular spot for people who want to move products from firearms to pup tents. Early in January I dropped in on Seid at his office on the city of Thunder Bay’s south side. He greeted me with an enthusiastic handshake and a cup of Robin’s coffee. Here is part of my chat with Seid.

is your background 1. What in the outdoors?

As Featured in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die—U.S. & Canada

Fireplace Cabins with In-Suite Sauna, Hot Tubs, Kitchen & Laundry  Sleep 2-14 Full-Service Restaurant & Bar  Ski & Snowshoe Trails Snowmobile Rental

(800) 328-3325

Tell me about the clothing brand, the name of it and gunflint.com 2. how the idea came to be?

43 miles from Grand Marais on the historic Gunflint Trail

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So I grew up in Fort Frances Ontario and was introduced to fishing and hunting at a very young age. My father was a fisherman and hunter and he introduced me to that. I fell in love with it. So I know the Fort Frances area and now I am trying to figure out the stuff around Thunder Bay. That passion for the outdoors, I kinda saw that there was some opportunities there for the clothing brand, as well as the website.

And it kind of sprung from there.

About the clothing brand...I was sitting on the couch one day just thinking of

By Gord Ellis

names for the classifieds website. That’s how it started. And I came up with Brass and Arrows. So brassandarrows.ca was initially the classifieds website. And then from there I thought, that’s a really catchy name...why don’t I make that into a clothing brand? Then the domain for outdoors classifieds was available and I made that its own entity and Brass and Arrows was born.

How long had Brass and 3.

Arrows been around and how did the logo design come to be?

The classifieds site started in March of 2017 and the clothing brand started a few months after that. As for the design, I’m not the best artist, but it sprouted from a sketch I did. I’ve got a friend that is in graphic design and she helped me kind of establish a logo. From that I drew a couple more designs and then we had the logo.

do you sell the Tell me about your Outdoor 4. How product and get it out there?

6.

Classifieds website. Where does it fit in your business plan?

When I first started Brass and Arrows, I went online to look for ways to sell clothing. What came up was drop-shipping. I worked with a company out of the States.

You submit your design to them, they take care of printing the product, they have a website builder and they ship it for you as well. So that worked out pretty good. I saw some sales and figured out that I wanted to take this further. I saved up my pennies, nickels and dimes, and decided I was going to invest in getting my own line. I found a company out of Toronto and the biggest thing for me was that if I was going to establish it as a premium brand I was going to have to have my logo on the neck tag. I needed something that was unique to me.

So I invested with this company and they got me custom hoodies, t-shirts, tank tops, and I just got into custom hats, which I’m pretty happy about.

is buying 5. Who your product?

The beautiful thing about social media is you can look at your metrics. So it’s primarily a male audience but anybody is buying it. Girls, guys and as for age, even my Dad’s friends are loving it and they say it is the most comfortable t-shirt they have worn. So all ages and sexes.

Outdoor Classifieds, which was initially brassansarrows.ca, was planned and founded to connect people across Canada that were like minded in a local way.

I noticed with the platforms out there ...Facebook, Kijiji and stuff like that, they really didn’t have the options there to sell hunting equipment, fishing equipment and if they did it was limited. I mean you look at Cabela’s and there are so many sub-categories to fishing. Same thing with hunting.

So I took that and brought it out further to make Outdoor Classifieds.

7. Who is using it?

It’s designed for anyone who loves the outdoors. There are categories for hunting, camping, hiking and all that kind of stuff. So for anybody who likes the outdoors there is a category on there for you.

There is a forum as well...for trading ideas, recipes, you name it. I would like to see more people on that.

you a 8. Are one-man operation?

Yes, it’s currently only me. My fiancé will help me from time to time, folding clothes and stuff like that, which I truly

Anniss Seid models one of his Brass and Arrows hats. | ANNISS SEID appreciate. But I founded the website Brass and Arrows when I was in school, and it’s been me ever since.

Goods in Thunder Bay and Devlin’s Corner Store in Fort Frances. The Outdoors Classifieds address is: outdoorclassifieds.ca.

You can find Brass and Arrows online at: brassandarrows.ca, or at D&R Sporting

OLIVER LAKE WHY GO: This beautiful lake relatively close to Thunder Bay (in the jurisdiction of Neebing) is known for some big lake trout and northern pike, which anglers target in the winter, and lots of smallmouth bass, including some big ones, in the open-water periods.

ACCESS: Oliver has a boat ramp on the west end of the lake. The ramp is at the terminus of Podres Road E. The best route for getting here, whether coming from Minnesota or Thunder Bay, is heading west on 608 (from Hwy. 61). That intersection is north of Neebing. You’ll be on that road for about 7 miles before 608 turns left and West Oliver Lake Road continues straight.

Follow West Oliver until it Ts into Podres Road and take a right. There was a ramp along East Oliver Lake Road that was blocked off by the Municipality of Neebing for safety reasons back in 2016. That access still shows up on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Fish ONLine website, but it is no longer usable.

VITALS: This 492-acre Ontario lake is pretty deep, giving coldwater refuge to lake trout and the ciscos that lakers and other predator fish love to eat. It has an average depth of about 75 feet.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Burbot, cisco, lake trout, lake whitefish, northern pike, smallmouth bass and walleye.

LAKERS: Justin Reid of D&R Sporting Goods Ltd., (807-345-3323) in Thunder

Bay said most anglers target lake trout in the winter. The winter season for lakers opens on Feb. 1, and a few years ago (2015), it became illegal to use smelt for bait in most of the zone, including Oliver Lake.

In the winter, anglers tend to jig with white tubes and swim baits. It’s always good to bring along any electronics you have to help locate fish that could be suspended in the water column.

Reid said he’s seen winter pictures from the lake with anglers posing with 20-pound lake trout, “even bigger,” he said.

Unlike lakers, northern pike are open all year on Oliver.

But there are also average-sized lakers to be caught there, too, he said. “I wouldn’t say it’s known more for big fish,” he said.

SMALLIES: Come summer time, Oliver gets a bit of bass-minded boat traffic, and Reid has targeted them himself.

There is some effort put towards lake trout in the summer with Dipsy Divers and other deep-running tackle, Reid said.

One of his personal best smallmouths, which breached four pounds, was caught on Oliver, he said.

Reid said he believes there is whitefish in the lake, but didn’t know much else about them.

BIG PIKE, TOO: Reid said anglers will occasionally jig up a winter pike while fishing for lake trout, “depending on how deep you are,” but setting tip-ups for the toothy predators is not a bad way to target them on Oliver.

“You get a lot of bass in the summer,” he said. “It’s clear water.”

He said the lake is also popular with swimmers.

He’s done well with Flukes, a soft plastic jerk bait. Spinner baits also work well.

“There’s some good cliff-jumping spots,” he said, mentioning the natural features that give the lake some of its beauty.

—Javier Serna

“Just a plain hook and a sucker minnow, right through the tail and let it swim,” he said.

There’s also been some giant pike reported out of Oliver, he said, including fish that reached 25 pounds.

THE REST: The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources also lists walleye, burbot and lake whitefish as being present.

A poster on an internet message board mentioned catching a big walleye on the lake a couple of summers back by slow-trolling a Rapala at dusk, and another poster also mentioned walleye.

View our complete collection of Fishing Hole Maps online at: northernwilds.com/ fishingholemaps

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Ice fishing for lake trout in the Boundary Waters

By Joe Friedrichs My fishing companion is dead.

This was an actual thought swimming through my mind on opening day of the 2018 lake trout season for lakes located entirely within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

My fishing accomplice for last year’s opener is a friend and resident of the Gunflint Trail. The reason I wondered if he was still alive was largely due to the weather. The air temperature was -18°F (-27.8°C). A steady wind whipped wildly across West Bearskin Lake as we trudged toward the portage and our ultimate destination, making it feel far colder than any thermometer let on. Turning my back to the wind and gliding in a not-so-smooth Michael Jackson moonwalk across the ice, I gasped when my friend staggered and fell. After the stumble, he didn’t move.

Three seconds seems like an eternity when you’re waiting to see if your fishing partner is alive or dead. After those prolonged seconds, he did rise, albeit very slowly.

“Like Lazarus,” I whispered.

Ice fishing in the Boundary Waters can be a memorably wonderful experience.

Tip-ups do rise and fish can be found.

Though rest assured, all this joy in the wilderness setting comes with a price, namely the fact you have to walk to get there. Being that the BWCAW does not allow motors or any mechanized assistance, snowmobiles are banned from assisting anglers to travel across lakes and portages. Once you’re in, you’re in and you’re walking, so to speak.

I don’t mind the walking, snowshoeing or skiing that takes me into the BWCAW during the winter months. In fact, I typically enjoy the pain that accompanies

traveling in for an ice fishing journey. The remoteness and fact I often have a lake to myself are all part of the experience.

When I trek to the Boundary Waters to go ice fishing, I am most often in the pursuit of lake trout. These are the coveted species for anglers to chase in the Northern Wilds, and for good reason.

No fish can match the pure intensity that lake trout deliver, and they make excellent table fare. That being the case, just how long I’ll be able to chase lake trout on some of my favorite lakes in the region is up for debate. A recent study out of the University of Manitoba shows lake trout are a species at risk from a changing climate. I talked in December 2018 with the lead author of the study, a wildlife researcher and Canadian resident named Matthew Guzzo. Lake trout are ‘a canary in a coal mine’ for looking at climate change because they’re extremely temperature sensitive, he explained.

Guzzo and his colleagues spent more than a decade observing lake trout at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario. What they found is that lake trout are moving to deeper and cooler parts of the lake to feed as water temperatures rise. What this means for the future of lake trout in Minnesota and Ontario remains unknown, but it will likely, at the very least, mean skinnier and slower-growing lake trout.

Aside from appreciating the thrill of catching a lake trout through the ice in lakes along the Gunflint Trail, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the fish as well. My friends and I have hooked into a handful of lake trout weighing more than 8 lbs. during recent winters from lakes including Daniels, Moss, Duncan and Seagull. We always throw the big fish back, keeping just one or two in the

Although he typically chases lake trout in the winter months, Joe Friedrichs is not afraid to pursue the occasional walleye. | MAGGIE FRIEDRICHS 18-22 inch range if we’re lucky enough to catch them.

“They melted in the fire last night,” I said.

In addition to having a fine meal as a result of fishing, stories are collected along the way. Several years ago while fishing for lake trout on the Gunflint Trail and camping out on a frozen lake in the BWCAW, my boots caught on fire. We’d built a quinzhee on a remote lake and opted to have a roaring bonfire outside the shelter before crawling into the cave-like structure for a night’s slumber. Evidently I stood too close to the fire, and without realizing it, my boots literally melted from the intense heat. Refusing to give up on the fishing trip, I wrapped the shell of my boots in several plastic bags and strapped those down with thin rope. The next morning a Forest Service ranger on patrol swung through our camp to check our permit and share some conversation.

About a minute after he arrived, the ranger awkwardly pointed down to my tattered footwear.

Nothing more was said about the boots and shortly after the explanation the ranger left. It was one of those strange moments in life where people seem angry and nobody knows why.

“You have a plastic bag on your boot?” he inquired in a tone that made it seem like he didn’t really want to ask, but more that he simply had to ask.

On the Dec. 29 opening day this year for lakes located entirely within BWCAW, the temperature was again in the double-digit negatives as we trudged across the wilderness line and completed our first portage of the trip. My cousin from New Mexico was along for this year’s lake trout opener, and he noted a swing of more than 90 degrees from the day he left home in Las Cruces near the Mexican border to where we drilled our first hole through the ice less than one mile from the Canadian line. By 8 a.m. we had our limits of lake trout resting comfortably numb on the strong ice. I thought back to my friend from a year ago, his eyes half wild from the cold as he described a misstep that caused him to fall on the ice. We come out here to fish, I thought, but in these Northern Wilds, we often venture out to live.

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Beginnings:

The Homeward Journey of Donovan Manypenny

By Thomas D. Peacock Holy Cow! Press, $15.95

Beginnings is the fictional story of Donovan Manypenny. Raised by his grandparents on a northern Wisconsin Ojibwe reservation until their passing when he is 10 years old, he becomes a ward of the state and enters the child welfare system—foster care, children’s home, and adoption. The trauma he experiences as a result of losing his grandparents and way of life leads him to put his past behind him for over 43 years. Then, at age 53, events in his life take him back to his childhood home, retracing the historical westward migration of his Ojibwe ancestors. Heartfelt and bittersweet, and layered with meaning, Beginnings will resonate with anyone who longs to make the journey home, wherever that may be, as well as those who seek or have experienced cultural or spiritual awakening, and healing. Author Thomas D. Peacock is the author of several Minnesota Book Award winners, and is a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior.—Breana Roy

OMG

Growing Our God Images

By Mary Ellen Ashcroft Cascade Books, $23

In her journey through life, the author examines her image of and relationship with her God. The story is told via vignettes of her personal history. From being “born again” during a laying of the hands at a church gathering she attended as a young woman, to a transformative experience as a vicar’s wife and mother of young children in apartheid South Africa, the author finds her image of God changes as she matures. It changes yet again as she undergoes a painful divorce, and later, the loss of a son. Through all life events, her faith remains strong and continues to grow.

—Shawn Perich

DRURY LANE BOOKS

SVEA Singers Concert

*Outside weather permitting!* Friday, Feb 15 • 6 PM

Connecting the world with North Shore news, weather, events music and entertainment.

Mary Ellen Ashcroft

Experience the people and culture of the North Shore

reading & signing her new book OMG Growing Our God Images Saturday Feb 16 • 5 PM

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State parks booked?

We’ve got tent sites!

Camping footsteps away from Grand Marais.

Gichi Bitobig, Grand Marais Early Accounts of the Anishinaabeg and the North Shore Fur Trade

By Timothy Cochrane University of Minnesota Press, $21.95

Long before Grand Marais became a village beside Lake Superior, the American Fur Company attempted to establish a trading post at the site from 1823-25. The intent was to compete with the established Hudson’s Bay Co. posts in Grand Portage and Fort William.

Through the journals of two trade clerks who were stationed at one called “Fort Misery,” we learn what life was like at the isolated post.

We also learn about the Anishinaabeg who came regularly to Gichi Bitobig to fish in Lake Superior and to gather maple syrup along the hardwood ridges above the lake. The author, an accomplished historian, tells an engaging story of life along the North Shore in the decades preceding the signing of the 1854 Treaty, which opened the region to European settlement and development—Shawn Perich

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Wild Delight

northern sky FEBRUARY 2019 By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH

Attract the Extraordinary

What groundhogs will see at sunrise February 2 is unpredictable, but in a clear predawn sky they’ll definitely see two bright planets: Venus and Jupiter, both well up in the southeast an hour before sunrise. Saturn and a thin old crescent moon also make it into the sky on Groundhog Day, but you may need binoculars to pick them out of the sun’s foreglow, especially for Saturn.

As February goes by, Venus drops toward the rising sun while Jupiter, now higher than Venus, rapidly pulls away westward.

Saturn, following Jupiter, passes Venus between the 17th and 19th. On the 28th, Jupiter, a waning moon, Saturn and Venus form, in that order, a descending line to the horizon. High above and west of the planets shines brilliant Arcturus, the jewel of Bootes, the herdsman. Look to the left of Arcturus for its rival Vega, the brightest of the Summer Triangle of stars.

We have a Great Selection of Bird Feeders too!

In the evening sky, Mars, in the southwest, drifts slowly westward as the bright winter constellations close in on it. These constellations are now high in the south

during the mid-evening hours—in prime viewing position. Lowest in the bunch is Canis Major, ornamented by Sirius, the night sky’s brightest star. Only 8.6 lightyears away, Sirius owes most of its brilliance to its proximity. To its upper left is Procyon, in Canis Minor. Procyon means “before the dog,” a reference to its habit of rising just before Sirius, the Dog Star.

To the upper right of Procyon is Betelgeuse, Orion’s right shoulder. Together, Betelgeuse, Procyon and Sirius form the Winter Triangle of bright stars.

The moon reaches fullness the morning of the 19th, a mere seven hours after making its closest approach to Earth in this lunar cycle. Therefore, it qualifies as another large, luminous supermoon. To see it before it sets, look to the west by about 6:45 a.m.

The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. For more information and viewing schedules in Duluth, see the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium: d.umn.edu/planet.

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MUSH LAKE RACING DOG BLOG

BY ERIN ALTEMUS

Finding My Mushing Mojo Your Winter Wonderland...

On the WILD SIDE!

This is what it looks like to have mushing mojo. Erin with Cha-cha and Beezus. | JIM STRONER One year ago I was a musher, mother of an 8-month-old, full-time student and part-time nurse. This year I upped the mothering when my now 20-month-old decided to go into the terrible twos early and I started a new and challenging job with a steep learning curve—though I am done with school. On top of that, because we had sooo many puppies last year who are now yearlings and want to run, we have more dogs than ever in training. Somewhere in between the runs to town for daycare, training runs before or after work, passing the kiddo back and forth between Matt and I, and hauling things between the two properties we call home, I lost my mushing mojo.

And I am trying hard—really, really hard—to get it back.

I’m not sure when I noticed that I was no longer having fun, but it might have coincided with the drastic increase in training miles starting in November. At the same time, we started running sleds with small teams, which meant, that to train all the dogs, we had to run not only twice as far, but twice as much. In other words, we could run 14 dogs on an ATV, and sometimes we ran two ATVs, but on sleds, we could only run eight dogs. So, to run everybody meant more runs. Then, our best leader Beezus got injured and my retired house dog Sally died. Negativity had taken hold and despite high hopes, I took some of this with me to our first race.

We finished the Gunflint Mail Run, and if you were following the race, you noticed we finished in 11th place out of 14 finishing teams. Without Beezus, there were some leader problems. I spent considerable time trying different dogs, untangling dogs, encouraging dogs and trying to just make something work, but it seemed my team had lost its mojo as well.

Now, right now, I am making a plan for gaining my mojo back, because running the Beargrease without mojo is a race better left not run.

STEP ONE: Simplify. Matt and I were both going to run teams in the Beargrease. Matt signed up for the 120-mile race but decided to withdraw. I need some of his leaders on my team and the logistics of having two teams in separate races was going to undo us. One team equals less stress. Done.

STEP TWO: I am going to make something of running the race with some fantastic mushing women. Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to make good friends

in the mushing community and the women that run dog teams are fun people. One, Sally Manikian, who is traveling here from New Hampshire, is a soulmate. We actually attended the same high school, in Massachusetts. We didn’t know each other—we are a few years apart, but a mutual friend told me about her one day—how she is a musher and we would like each other. Then, I opened the alumni newsletter from my high school (yes it was a prestigious prep school that has things like quarterly alumni newsletters) and it profiled this woman from New Hampshire and her dog team. I knew this must be the musher my friend Elissa had been talking about. Now when Sally and I meet up we mostly talk about dogs, but sometimes we compare prep school memories. I have a few things planned for these women along the way to lighten our mood.

STEP THREE: I’m committed to putting together a music mix to keep me pumped.

Music is an important part of staying awake and maintaining an upbeat positive attitude while on the trail—especially during night runs. Last year, some of my best runs during the race coincided with certain songs on my iPod mix, so I need to spice up my library. I lean toward pop music and I have three dogs on the team who are named after songs—Major Tom, Roxanne and Figaro. These will, of course, be on my mix.

STEP FOUR: Don’t leave Beezus behind. Beezus is my mojo. Running with Beezus makes mushing fun. He will be on my team. He has recovered from his injury and we have a plan for getting him to the finish. I am awake at night thinking about the leaders I have and who can get me to the finish line. Nancy is key—but she can’t do it alone. She also wants Beezus at her side.

STEP FIVE: There is only one goal this year, and that is to finish the race. We have had some great placements in the top five in the past. That is not likely to be the case this year. I am okay with that, because, I will have my mushing mojo, my dog Beezus, my friend Sally, my partner and chief handler Matt at all the checkpoints and a team of dogs for whom I am their number one every day. And, just think, it’s a three-day break from the crazy life I chose for myself on the Gunflint Trail. A life we call “living the dream.” All I have to do for three days is breathe in the ice cold air, stay on the runners, keep my hands on the handle bar and let the team run wild.

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Behind-the-Scenes Tours starting at $10/person!

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February 23-24 2019 Public invited to all events

Musher Registration & Dinner February 23, starts at 4 pm

Race Day

Sunday Feb. 24, starts at 9 am Ely Softball Complex Warm up during the race at Grand Ely Lodge.

Awards Banquet

Sunday Feb. 24 after the race Grand Ely Lodge, 400 N. Pioneer Rd., Ely

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13

SINK OR SWIM:

How Wild Critters Move in Winter Sponsored by

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Unless you are wearing snowshoes, you are likely to sink up to your waist.

Humans have no adaptations to help us “swim” on top of the snow in winter. But some animals do.

Think of the moose. A moose definitely sinks. They are a heavy animal with straight legs on pointy hooves that do nothing to ride the snow pack. A moose must use more energy to travel through deep snow—though they are quite skilled at doing so. In a deep snow year, a moose must also use more energy to find food and avoid predators. The hooves are useful for clearing away snow to access food. Deer are in the same predicament as the moose.

An animal that doesn’t mind the deep snow is the snowshoe hare, using its long hind legs like snowshoes to stay on top of the snowpack. The Canada lynx, however, also has large feet that help it stay on top of the snow—much to the snowshoe hare’s dismay.

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This winter in the Northern Wilds, there is already several feet of snow on the ground. Have you tried walking in the woods—not on a path? What happens?

Do you sink or float on top of the snow?

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A bird that uses the deep snow to its advantage is the grouse, who burrows

down into the snow by diving from a tree limb. Then, it makes a snow tunnel under the snow. Deep in the snow, temperatures are quite mild for the grouse, which helps it survive in winter. But watch out if a grouse bursts out of the snow—you will be in for a surprise.

Smaller mammals, such as pine marten, squirrels and weasels, do pretty well with deep snow. They are light on their feet and don’t sink far.

Some animals that travel in packs make paths, which makes it easier for a group to travel. Wolves and deer are this way.

A pack may travel single file through deep snow so that the leader can break trail and everyone else in line then has an easier time.

Mother Nature did a good job giving animals the tools they need to survive.

But as climate change affects our snow depth and average temperatures, we will no doubt see changes in animal populations according to how well each critter can adapt.

Can you find the critters that we see in winter?

Wild Traditions The Ties that Bind: Making snowshoes weaves cultural connections for Anishinaabe boy By Julia Prinselaar

Eight-year-old Tevai Terry walked up to the base of a black ash tree and carefully examined the length of its trunk for any large bumps or curves.

Satisfied that it was tall and straight enough on all sides, he stepped back as his father, Jesse Terry, felled the tree with a chainsaw.

The young boy kneeled in the snow, lightly covered with fresh sawdust, and placed a small bundle of tobacco leaves near the base of the stump. Offering tobacco, one of the four sacred medicines, is a customary practice by many Indigenous people to express gratitude following the harvest of a gift from the land, be it a moose, a medicinal herb, a fish, or a tree.

“Then, we said ‘Thank you,’” Tevai recalled. As the sun set on one of the last days of 2018, he began the process of making his first pair of Ojibwe snowshoes.

Comprised of bent hardwood frames and a pattern of intricately woven rawhide, called babiche, Ojibwe snowshoes are distinguished by pointed tips and an upturned nose. Their design makes them ideal for travel across flat terrain, much like the landscape that resembles the boy’s hometown of Sioux Lookout in northwestern Ontario.

In a region that may see the first arrival of snow as early as October, traveling efficiently during the winter months is as integral to life in the north as the season itself. So when the days become shorter and nearby lakes freeze over, there is a good chance that Tevai and his five-year-old sister, Miali, are running sled dogs, going winter camping, and setting hare snares with their family.

Much of that requires trekking through the bush, or simply using snowshoes to pack down the surface for a tent. But when his store-bought snowshoes weren’t performing so well, Tevai decided to make his own, and turned to the technical ingenuity of his people.

“The homemade snowshoes are more natural and special; the plastic ones…they just kind of make me sink,” he told me during a telephone call a couple weeks after he hauled the tree out of the bush with his dad. “I wanted to try something new, and I want to do it the way that Anishinaabe

Tevai feeling good after driving his own dog team to their campsite at Troutfish Bay on Minnitake Lake. | MARY ENGLAND people do it, or the Ojibwe people make snowshoes. Because I am Anishinaabe.”

After Tevai and Jesse brought home the log, they quartered it and used a hatchet to square off the sides. Once the pieces are further refined with a draw knife, they will be put into a snowshoe form and left to dry.

A Family Affair “Then we use the rawhide,” explained Tevai. “The babiche, for weaving.”

Luckily, he didn’t have to look far for a source of this material. Tevai’s auntie Kanina, who lives nearby, prepared rawhide from a white-tailed deer that will be cut into strips and used for snowshoe lacing.

“We chose deer instead of the moose for these snowshoes because it is lighter and thinner and easier for him to weave,” explained his dad. “[We’ll use] the thicker strips for the middle of the shoe and thinner strips for the ends.”

Jesse, 35, became familiar with snowshoe-making in his late 20s while he was running outdoor skills programs with youth in the nearby community of Lac Seul.

“I grew up working with wood and carving with wood, but I had never made a pair of snowshoes before I was leading these programs,” he recalled. “All the while I had an uncle, my mom’s older brother, Paddy Kenny, building snowshoes all his life.”

Cultural Identity

As the course went on, Jesse brought his uncle in for counsel and guidance.

Two weeks later, participants each went home with a finished pair of handmade snowshoes.

“It just makes me feel really proud as a father to hear that he’s so interested in learning these skills that I feel, for me personally, are really important,” said Jesse.

“Tevai talked about the Anishinaabe way and how the things that we’re doing are part of our culture as Anishinaabe people.

When we do these things, we are helping to keep parts of our culture and traditions alive…To pass them onto my son and to my daughter, it just feels good, it feels right, it feels like what I need to be doing, and it feels like what I should be doing.”

“It was all kind of crucial to have the assistance of Paddy Kenny. And it was really neat to see how proud some of these guys were. It was very satisfying for them, and you could tell that they felt good about what they did. I think that feeling good about that is one step toward feeling good about who they are as Anishinaabe people,” said Jesse, who’s planning for him and Tevai to spend time with his uncle when the wooden frames are ready for weaving.

“I think I’ll need a refresher. It’ll be a great chance to hang out with my Uncle Paddy, the same man who taught me about making tikinagans (cradleboards) when I first became a father.”

After speaking with the father and son pair, it became clear that for them, the process of making snowshoes carries as much value as the final product.

Tevai predicts he’ll be able to use his handmade snowshoes for a few winters before he’ll outgrow them and need a bigger pair. Have you thought about what you’d like to make for your next project? I asked him. Without hesitation, he replied, “I want to make a birch bark canoe with my dad when I’m a little older.” By the sound of his conviction, he will be going places.

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Strange Tales Quirks of the Minnesota-Ontario Boundary By Elle AndraWarner

A large chunk of northeastern Minnesota—including Duluth and Grand Marais—might have become part of Canada if it hadn’t been for the inaccurate, error-laden Mitchell Map of 1755.

That’s the map used by peace negotiators in the Treaty of Paris 1783, which ended the American Revolutionary War, gave British recognition to the U.S. as a free, sovereign and independent nation, and set the boundary lines between the U.S. and British North America (today’s Canada).

Early negotiations to set the boundaries were somewhat chaotic between the two countries. For example, U.S. negotiator Benjamin Franklin suggested the crazy idea that Britain simply cede all of Canada to the U.S., and the British negotiator happily agreed, but the idea didn’t get support back in Great Britain. Though no surveys were done and no fur-trading merchants familiar with the geography were consulted, the treaty—using the map—drew a boundary line from Atlantic Ocean to Lake of the Woods describing the Lake Superior and west section as: “….Thence from Lake Superior northward of the Isles Royal & Phelipeaux, to the Long Lake; thence through the middle of said Long Lake, and the water communication between it and the Lake of the Woods, thence through the said Lake to the most Northwestern point thereof, & from thence on the due west Course to the River Mississippi…”

The Mitchell Map of 1755 was created by Virginian-born John Mitchell. It was the map used by peace negotiators for the Treaty of Paris 1783 to determine the boundary lines between the U.S. and British North America (today’s Canada). | PUBLIC DOMAIN treaty [Treaty of Paris], which dictated that any boundary through Lake Superior was to stay north of the island, thus it was thought such a line might directly point to elusive Long Lake.” (By this treaty, Isle Royale became American, not Canadian.)

In his book Minnesota’s Boundary with Canada: Its Evolution Since 1783, author William E. Lass writes,

One of the joint commission tasks was to identify “Long Lake” and the “northwesternmost point” of Lake of the Woods, and then recommend which would be the river boundary route (the water communication) from Long Lake to Lake of the Woods.

“Had their knowledge of geography been accurate, they would almost certainly have brought the boundary through Lake Superior to the St. Louis River and then west, probably from the head of that river, to the northern sources of Mississippi. In effect, the use of Mitchell’s map saved the Mesabi and Vermilion iron ranges for Minnesota…”

But there were major problems with both the map and Treaty test, like the map’s distorted Lake Superior and its ghost island “Phelipeaux” and mysterious Long Lake. Inaccurate locations for misshapen Lake of the Woods and Mississippi River. Plus the Treaty of Paris itself presented puzzles with its confusing language, like where was the location of Long Lake and “Phelipeaux”. Which river route was the ‘water communication’ to Lake of the Woods?

Where was the northwesternmost point of Lake of the Woods? And how could the Mississippi River—which was to be the western boundary of the U.S.—be west of Lake of the Woods (it’s south)?

At the time, the Mitchell Map of 1755 was the most comprehensive detailed map of North America. Printed on eight sheets, it measured 4 feet, 6 inches (136 cm) by 6 feet, 5 inches (195 cm) and was created by Virginian-born John Mitchell, a doctor who was neither a mapmaker nor geographer; rather living in England, he drew his map using extensive trove of reports, records and archives.

It wasn’t until 31 years with the signing of another treaty—this time the Treaty of Ghent 1814 to end the War of 1812 between U.S. and Great Britain—that both countries began to address the boundary puzzles by establishing 44

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U.S. delegation at the Treaty of Paris included John Jay, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Henry Laurens and William Temple Franklin. They are depicted in this painting by Benjamin West, “American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Agreement with Great Britain”. As the British delegation refused to pose, the painting was never finished. | PUBLIC DOMAIN joint boundary commissions to do surveys to arbitrate all boundary issues. The British boundary commissioners included the famous fur-trader/mapmaker and astronomer David Thompson, who had already mapped much of Minnesota and Canada for the North West Company (NWC).

In his book, Laas writes (p. 41) “Survey was important because Isle Royale was explicitly named in the peace

Thompson felt Long Lake was the St. Louis estuary near today’s Duluth; the British then claimed the St. Louis-Vermilion boundary river route, putting much of northeastern Minnesota, including Duluth and Grand Marais, into Canadian territory. Not surprisingly, the Americans selected the Kaministiquia River as the “Long Lake” start of the river boundary, which would put America’s claim territory north up to today’s Thunder Bay. And the third option was the Grand Portage-Pigeon River route to Rainy Lake.

However, the joint boundary commission failed to agree upon the river boundary line between Lake Superior and Lake of the Woods.

Finally, in 1842, the river route boundary was finalized when the U.S. convinced Great Britain that the Grand Portage-Pigeon River route was the right “water communication” boundary as described in the 1783 Treaty of Paris.

And with the signing of the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty, both the Arrowhead Region—which includes Duluth and Grand Marais—and Lake Vermilion became part of the U.S., not Canada.

The Treaty of Paris 1783 also set up the conditions for creation of Minnesota’s North West Angle, the ‘northwesternmost point’ on Lake of the Woods, which is accessible by road only by going through Canada first—but that’s a story for another time.

Ready to Make Your Move?

Lynne Luban

Over 12 years selling downtown MPLS Condo living.

Currently representing this developers 10th project PORTLAND TOWER & THE LEGACY. I am available to meet with you in Grand Marais or Minneapolis to go over prices & floor plans.

Cell: 612-599-6986

Email: lynneluban@mac.com Website: thelegacyminneapolis.com

263 OLD 240 S

ANCY OCCUP 8 1 FALL 20

BALCONY MASTER BEDROOM 15'-6" x 17'-11"

BEDROOM 15'-2" x 12'-9"

LIVING 38'-2" x 14'-0"

CLOSET

BEDROOM 15'-2" x 12'-9"

BALCONY

MASTER BEDROOM 15'-6" x 17'-11"

CLOSET

LIVING 38'-2" x 14'-0"

KITCHEN/DINING 35'-4" x 14'-8"

BATH

CLOSET

CLOSET

KITCHEN/DINING BATH 35'-4" x 14'-8"

BATH BEDROOM

BATH CLOSET

BEDROOM 17'-4" x 11'-8"

BATH

LAUNDRY

CLOSINGS ARE BOOKED SOLID FOR AUGUST, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER , NOVEMBER, DECEMBER!

LAUNDRY

CLOSET

Unit 1424 2774 Square Feet Balcony: 184 Square Feet KEY PLAN

LIVE OUT YOUR LEGACY IN NEW CONDOS IN MILLS DISTRICT BY THE GUTHRIE!

BATH

17'-4" x 11'-8"

Contact me for a personal viewing of floor plans photos of construction views and pricing.

NORTH

10/14/16 ALL DIMENSIONS ARE APPROXIMATE PLAN SUBJECT TO CHANGE VERIFY CURRENT PLAN WITH PROJECT MANAGER Riverdale Ventures, LLC. © 2016. All rights reserved.

Unit 1424 2774 Square Feet Balcony: 184 Square Feet

NORTH

THere’s a NEW CONDO BUILDING in DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS 10/14/16

ALL DIMENSIONS ARE APPROXIMATE PLAN SUBJECT TO CHANGE VERIFY CURRENT PLAN WITH PROJECT MANAGER

112 units with 79 SOLD! • 7 units available for immediate occupancy • 40 still available to customize.

KEY PLAN

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Riverdale Ventures, LLC. © 2016. All rights reserved.

• 17 story New Contsruction • Pet-friendly building • High end standard features • Community and Fully equipped exercise room, and outdoor roof top green space • Climate controlled parking • Just a few blocks from US Bank Stadium • Additional garage stalls available for purchase • Walk the Skyway for all your needs

A New Luxury Condo Development 740 Portland Avenue • Downtown Minneapolis

• Within a few blocks of Lightrail • Close to the Nicollet Mall • Choose from many restaurants close by!

• Walk two blocks to the new 9 arce Commons Park that extends from the US Bank Stadium to Portland Avenue.

• Choose from many available options to customize your unit.

Own a piece of

Historic Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior

Please call for more information or to set up an appointment:

Alyssa Sushoreba Cell: 507-340-6189 alyssa@lutsenresort.com

Scott Harrison Cell: 218-349-9320 Home: 218-663-0065

Investment opportunity with Lake Superior views!

Enjoy resort living while you’re here!

When you purchase a unit at Lutsen Resort, you get so much more. The historic resort offers an extensive list of amenities and activities! kayaking • standup paddle boarding • fly-fishing hiking • par 3 golf (and disc golf ) course on property kids camp • kids pizza and movie night snow shoeing • cross country skiing • ice skating door to door ski hill shuttle • game room indoor pool, hot tub & sauna • live music • beach bonfires

& more!

Versatile rental on Lake Superior!

This Poplar River Condo is a 3 bedroom plus sleeping loft, 3 bathroom unit at Lutsen Resort with amazing rental versatility. The ingenious floor plan allows one, two, or all three of these rooms to be rented by guests making it a popular option for couples AND families visiting the resort. PLUS you and your family can enjoy a north shore getaway while earning an income. Unit 582 $339,000

These 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Cliff House Townhomes at Lutsen Resort are the perfect Lake Superior getaway for you and your family while earning a rental income. An open concept kitchen, living, and dining area with a patio facing the lake, you can enjoy lake view living at its best.

This is a resort guest family favorite. Don’t forget about the activities and amenities a resort property offers!

Unit 675 $429,000 • Unit 673 $399,000

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Own a slice of Minnesota’s Favorite Resorts We bring you closer. To the lake, each other and your vacation property dreams.

Surfside on Lake Superior

Bluefin Bay Condos & Townhomes Bluefin Unit 7

Bluefin Unit 18

3 BR, 2 BA. Recent $130K elegant remodel. Only a few feet from shore. $419,900

2 BR, 2 BA floorplan.

Unique to the whole resort. A guest favorite. $340,000

New townhomes, total coastal luxury right on the shore of Lake Superior. 3,000 s/f, 3BR, 3BA. Quarter-share ownership w/ flexibility for personal use & rental income. Excellent family retreat or investment property. Prices from $174K-$215K, includes furnishings.

Bluefin Unit 32

Bluefin Unit 26

1 BR, 1 BA. Charming unit with brand new bath, kitchen, and fireplace. $50K in Rental Income. $275,000

1 BR/1 BA. Ideal location.

Exceptional value and solid investment at reasonable price. $259,900

Eric Frost Sales Agent, Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts

SOLD

Bluefin Unit 37

Bluefin Unit 38

2 BR, 2 BA. Upper level unit affords panoramic lake views. Over $60K in rental income. $315,000

2 BR, BA turn-key rental property. Newly remodeled and tastefully decorated. $319,000 SOLD

Bluefin Unit 55

Bluefin Unit 61

Deb Niemisto 218-370-8434

LAKE SUPERIOR CONDOS

Chateau 1 BD 1 BA Turn-Key Rented Units

Nan Bradley 218-370-8433

46

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lockport@boreal.org

www.coldwellbankernorthwoods.com 7072 Two Moose Trail Wilson Lake - Finland

Caribou Lake - Lutsen 38 Sawmill Lane

PRICEED C REDU

Newly remodeled log lodge Upgraded cottage cabin like condo with spec- themed condo. Great tacular lake views. rental income!

MLS 6077019 $79,900 MLS 6077201 $69,900

218-663-6886 | eric@bluefinbay.com

3 BR, 3 BA Bluefin’s largest town home.

Grosses over $110K in rental income. Absolutely stunning. $564,000

3 BR and 3 BA. Beautiful upgrades and appointments. Great location near outdoor pool. $569,000

NORTHWOODS REALTY

Let Eric, exclusive sales agent for Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts, provide the details about each property and guide you through the process. Contact him today to learn more.

Experience Solitude on one of the most beautiful lakes around. Acreage with many amenities ready for use & enjoyment. MLS 608329 $246,900

WOW 4 BD, 2 BA custom built home on Lutsen’s #1 premier lake. Gazebo, dock, fire pit, large family room, open concept one level living.

MLS 6074363 $449,500

Commercial 126 Airport Rd Grand Marais Airport

Lake Superior - Lutsen 19 Norwood Shores East

D L O S Commercial hangar, heated, insulated, rental income MLS 2116969 $172,000

3 BD, 3 BA Townhome, open Concept, Fireplace, garage MLS 6078350 $369,000

REALTORS®: Mike Raymond, Broker • Gail J. Englund, GRI • Linda Garrity, Realtor Cathy Hahn, ABR/GRI • Larry Dean, Realtor • Bruce Block, Realtor • Jake Patten, Realtor

Red Pine Realty • (800) 387-9599 (218) 387-9599 • Fax (218) 387-9598 • info@RedPineRealty.com PO Box 938, 14 S. Broadway, Grand Marais, MN 55604

LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTIES FOUR SEASONS GUEST HOUSE. Four quiet apartments with endless big lake views. The 3-bdrm main house could be an owner’s home with 3 rental units in the guest house.

Property includes a buildable 4-acre lot with views and driveway in place.

Great opportunity!

MLS# 6080025 $400,000 PRICE REDUCED! PANORAMIC LAKE SUPERIOR. Gorgeous 10 acres with panoramic views on Lake Superior. 545 feet of beautiful sand/ gravel beach with a stream running through the property. Located only 1.5 miles from Gooseberry State Park. Septic hook up is at the road. MLS# 6031490 $399,000 LAKE SUPERIOR – OLD FISHERMAN’S CABIN. Tucked in the corner of beautiful Big Bay on the shores of Lake Superior lies the old fishing cabin and remains of an old pier and boat from a bygone era. This lot has great lake views, and looking east to the ridges running up the coast. The cabin could be renovated and is situated right along the shore. There are nice home sites with access to power and Broadband. The woods is deep and enchanting with large spruce and moss covered boulders. End of the road privacy.

This is a unique spot for your home or cabin, and maybe a great place to launch your own fishing adventures. MLS# 6079826 $255,000 LAKE SUPERIOR, BIG BAY, BIG VIEWS. Dense spruce forest, moss covered boulders and privacy make this a classic Lake Superior lot. 200' shoreline with partial driveway in place, shared road maintenance, power and Broadband. Easy access from Hwy 61, yet private and secluded feeling. MLS# 6075213 $189,900 BIG BAY LOT. Lake Superior lot with views, deep spruce forest, adjoining state land and outstanding sunrises and sunsets with the east view of the lake. The forest is enchanting with huge moss-covered boulders. Build your home or North Shore cabin here and enjoy the feeling of seclusion with all the charm and peacefulness of the Hovland area on the east end of Cook County. MLS# 6079835 $179,900

INLAND WATER PROPERTIES HERMITAGE OR HERITAGE – LARGE INLAND LAKE RETREAT. Charming 4-season, 2 bdrm home on 46+ acres with over 1600’ beautiful frontage on Two Island Lake.

Privacy assured with US Forest surrounding you.

Development potential. Located just 20 minutes from Grand Marais.

MLS# 6075756 $749,900 REMODELED DEVIL TRACK HOME. Like new! 2 bdrm, 2 bath home with all new interior. Many nice features and upgrades including tile and hardwood floors, Marvin windows, wood siding, deck, fixtures, appliances, and more. Two levels, 2 kitchens, incredible lake views! MLS# 6078755 $375,000 PRIVATE LAKESHORE – WILDERNESS LAKE. Eggers Lake is surrounded by the Superior National Forest and has only one private land owner on its shore. This 160 acre island of private property sits within the scenic and rugged Misquah Hills with remote privacy plus a large wildlife pond. MLS# 6076498 $349,900 QUALITY GARAGE ON WILSON LAKE. The perfect place for your north woods dream. The Timberland garage is well built and provides an excellent cabin while you build your dream home on a great walleye lake. Knotty pine, wood burning stove, outhouse, and dock with 313' shoreline. Year round access. MLS# 6078042 $239,900 DEVIL TRACK LAKE – REMOTE CABIN. Quality 2 bdrm cabin featuring lrg windows, cathedral ceiling in the great room, loft, and beautiful kitchen. New well, compliant outhouse. Unique, secluded location with 150 ft frontage in a sheltered bay. 4.78 acres adjoins remote public lands. MLS# 6078684 $225,000 WILDERNESS SETTING - TUCKER LAKE. A perfect place for your cabin or home with unspoiled views and lots of Gunflint Trail privacy. 3.68 acres and 554’ shoreline. Tucker Lake is a protected lake with added setbacks to protect the lake and views.

Direct BWCAW access. MLS# 2309237 $199,000 WILSON LAKE WILDERNESS - FINLAND. True Solitude! Over 5 acres and 355' shoreline with great build sites near the lake or tucked around the bluff for gorgeous views. Appreciate the stunning sunrises and paddle the bays in a canoe or kayak.

Wilson Lake is also a great fishery!

MLS#: 6074552 $199,500

SALIENG PE N D

CABIN WITH BWCAW VIEW ON MCFARLAND. This super 2 bdrm cabin has great views of the Palisades and the west end of McFarland Lake.

Just a stone’s throw from the BWCAW! Comes furnished including pontoon boat, fishing boats, canoe, dock, and two Onan generators. MLS# 6029644 $199,000 LEVEL LOTS, NICE WOODS, EASY SHORE. These Devil Track Lake lots have easy access from a county road, power, phone and great building sites. South shore, 200+ ft. frontage, great views. Build your home on the lake here!

MLS# 6033181, 6078259 - $198,900 Each MARK LAKE - 159 ACRES. The only private land on Mark Lake! Good northern fishing. 200ft. Shoreline, forestry road or snowmoblie access. Motivated Seller!

MLS# 6026299 $197,000 LOON LAKE GETAWAY. Lovely furnished cabin on pristine Loon Lake. Includes a newer 1 bdrm addition, cozy loft, open living/dining room, sturdy deck, and 24' dock on 142' shoreline. Cabin easily sleeps 6.

Lakewater system, septic holding tank.

Great lake views!

MLS# 6030355 $186,000 RARE GUNFLINT LAKE PARCEL. Exceptional lot with 344' of waterfront features unreal views and privacy. Use the slope of this lot to your advantage when considering what style to build. Power and broadband available. Borders public land!

MLS# 6073686 $175,000 NORTH FOWL LAKE CABIN. Only a lucky few get to own cabins here. Remote water access from the US side, or drive in to the landing on Ontario side.

Stunning views, easy access to the BWCA. The 2 bdrm cabin is one of the nicest remote cabins you'll find.

Includes a great sauna.

MLS# 6023214 $149,900 SOLITUDE ON LOON LAKE. These 1-2 acre lots are located on the south side of Loon Lake and offer great lake views, 152-218’ beautiful shoreline and many nice trees. The main road is in place and power is on the lot line. MLS# 6032216-18, 6032220 $120,000+ NICE TOM LAKE LOT. Gently sloped 4.34 acre lakeshore lot that would offer some incredible views. Situated in a quiet and peaceful private bay. MLS# 6076728 $110,000 LEGENDARY SAWMILL BAY. Magnificent old-growth cedars and maples frame a corner lot with a high and dry build site. Yearround road access and a terrific wildlife habitat awaits your cabin in the woods. 185' of Caribou Lake frontage. MLS# 6032953 $89,000 ESCAPE TO NINEMILE LAKE. Nice, quiet lake between Tofte and Finland known for its recreational opportunities. Very near the BWCAW. Good snowmobile access to the Tomahawk Trail and miles of trail riding. 2.90 acres, 184' frontage.

MLS# 6077701 $59,900 PRIVATE COVE ON TOM LAKE. Nice private lot with vibrant, wooded 255' lake shore. Desirable old growth cedar grove supports a great build site. Driveway and cedar walk corridor complete. Great recreational opportunities.

MLS# 6077180 $46,000

www.RedPineRealty.com • Locally owned and operated since 1996 • info@RedPineRealty.com NORTHERN WILDS

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CONDOMINIUMS WELCOME TO LAKE SUPERIOR. Warm & beautiful lightfilled end unit Aspenwood Townhome. The 2-story walkout style leaves you with plenty of options to get outside and close to the Big Lake. This 2 bdrm, 3 bath home includes 98% of all furnishings & personal property. It is also part of a successful vacation rental pool.

MLS# 6022175 $280,000

CARIBOU HIGHLANDS CONDO 113A. This is the epitome of a northwoods vacation get-away. Ski-in/skiout from this condo overlooking Bridge Run, offering unreal views of the ski hills.

Remodeled exterior and remodeled and updated interior. Walk to Lutsen Mountains activities. Comes furnished! MLS# 6074164 $81,700

HOMES & CABINS HOME WITH DRAMATIC VIEWS. This large, efficient 3bdrm home has panoramic views of Lake Superior and the surrounding hills. Secluded with landscaped yard and 20 acres bordering Gov't lands. Quality features, many windows, shop building and more! MLS#6033328 $429,900 CHARMING HOME NEAR TAIT LAKE. This 2 bdrm, 2 bath cabin is cozied up to a giant beaver pond that is part of the Tait River. Updated through the years but still has the lake cabin charm that is often sought after in the North Shore area. Close to the boat landing and borders public land. MLS# 6078290 $304,900 HOME IN PARADISE. This 2 bdrm, 3 bath home enjoys the view and proximity to Lake Superior's beauty without the lake-front taxes. Home could be converted to a duplex for extra income. Huge garage/workshop with lake-view windows.

MLS# 6074449 $275,900

HOMES & CABINS REMOTE HIDE-AWAY. Charming custom built 2 bdrm, 2 bath cabin tucked in the woods overlooking a beaver pond. A screened porch for summer dining. The living room is open and includes the kitchen and dining. A cozy Franklin stove warms the whole building. The full basement is a complete guest space.

Generator power and over 100 acres to explore. MLS# 6029349 $244,000 COUNTRY LIVING CLOSE TO TOWN. Enjoy country living in a renovated, contemporary, energy efficient 3-4 bedroom home. 1900+ sq. ft. of living space only 10 minutes from Grand Marais. Many quality and custom features. Large 2 car garage with room for workshop and storage.

MLS#: 6079399 $239,000 COTTAGE HOME ACROSS FROM LAKE SUPERIOR. This cute home sits just across the highway from the big lake shoreline. The 2 bdrm, 1 bath cottage has wood floors, beamed ceilings, and a warm, comfortable feel. Septic and well, a small shed and 11 acres of privacy. MLS# 6030154 $167,900 TIMBER FRAMED LOG HOME OVERLOOKING TOM LAKE. Charming log cabin on 78 acres with seasonal views of Tom Lake. Large loft bedroom and covered porch with swing. Stone fireplace, hardwood floors, and metal roof. Year-round access.

Furnishings and generator included. MLS# 6027412 $159,900 COMFORTABLE LOG HOME IN BEAUTIFUL WOODS. This 2 bdrm cabin was set up for a simple lifestyle with solar electric, hand pumped well and composting toilet.

Charming living room with stone fireplace, large kitchen and comfortable bedrooms. 12 private acres with mature white pine and cedar.

MLS# 6076755 $139,900 CABIN RETREAT NEAR TWO ISLAND LAKE. This sweet off-grid, log sided cabin is in excellent condition with plenty of room and a comfortable feel.

Located about 12 miles from Grand Marais.

Public land adjoins the 20 acre property with many fishing opportunities nearby. MLS# 6073794 $129,900 RUSTIC RECREATIONAL CABIN ON 40+ ACRES. Very private recreational 42 acres with rustic cabin and a beautiful, large pond for wildlife. Great grouse hunting and deer hunting. The timber cabin can easily sleep 6 in the loft. Offering to sell furnished! MLS# 6079154 $109,900

COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES GREAT HISTORY, GREAT LAKE. Devil Track Cabins is a long standing seasonal resort on the beautiful north shore of Devil Track Lake.

The 5 charming cabins + owner’s cabin each have a private setting and lake view.

Great beach with docking for guests.

A wonderful family retreat! MLS# 6033556, 6033557 $374,900 MARKET, DELI, LIQUOR STORE – HOVLAND. A bustling business in a beautiful rural community on the North Shore.

Bakery, deli, pizza, convenience store, and liquor store under one roof.

Large seating area & outdoor patio. Expansion/ home site possible!

MLS# 6030800 $329,900 PRIME RETAIL DOWNTOWN GRAND MARAIS. Main traffic location in the heart of down town. Located on Wisconsin St between Blue Water Cafe and Sivertson Gallery, with 25 ft street frontage and over 2300 sq ft each. Build up for a lake view – lots of possibilities! MLS# 6029930, 6029951 $144,900 each PRIME COMMERCIAL LOTS IN LUTSEN.Two acre-sized lots with Highway 61 frontage-road access and great visibility in downtown Lutsen. Nice creek borders the east property line, nice mature forest. Great location for a small gallery, retail or restaurant. A residential lot is available adjoining to the north.

MLS# 6032971 $97,900 • MLS# 6032972 $89,900

SALIENG PE N D

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE LARGE TRACT WITH CREEK. This 319 acre parcel has ponds & creek frontage on the Flute Reed River. Has been in DNR management program. Great for hunting or homesteading.

Access is by unimproved easement from the Camp 20 Road, near county maintenance. The land may be split - take your pick of "40's"! MLS# 6027384 $258,000 NEW! CHARMING CABIN ON DEVIL TRACK RIVER. Well built, comfortable cabin with over 450’ frontage on the beautiful Devil Track River.

Property also features a lovely creek with fantastic bridge. Plenty of room to build another structure and install a septic system. Once you experience the river life combined with the woods you’ll never want to leave! MLS#6080203 $159,900

www.RedPineRealty.com • (800) 387-9599 Fax (218) 387-9598 • info@RedPineRealty.com 48

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REALTORS®: Mike Raymond, Broker • Gail J. Englund, GRI • Linda Garrity, Realtor Cathy Hahn, ABR/GRI • Larry Dean, Realtor • Bruce Block, Realtor • Jake Patten, Realtor

Red Pine Realty • (800) 387-9599 (218) 387-9599 • Fax (218) 387-9598 • info@RedPineRealty.com PO Box 938, 14 S. Broadway, Grand Marais, MN 55604

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE SUGARBUSH, BEAVER, TROUT. Remote 80 acres ,10 miles from Grand Marais with easy access. Surrounded by public land.

700’ of Durfee Creek frontage.

MLS# 6024638 $149,000 LOG HOME ON FLUTE REED RIVER. Charming homesteader log cabin with pasture. The river flows beautifully through the property. Private and secluded setting with some high views and heavy timber. The cabin is large and comfortable with a drilled well for carry-in water.

MLS# 6077654 $132,900 BRULE RIVER RETREAT. Remote 40 acre parcel with small bunk house, covered camp shelter and outhouse. Walk the path to the river with 660' shoreline where you can launch your canoe and fish this placid stretch. Surrounded by wildlife and thousands of US and State Forest land.

MLS# 6076495 $99,900 TWENTY ACRES – GREAT LOCATION. Great larger parcel near Grand Marais with road in to the “top” of the property. Lake views, maple and mixed forest, small creek. County road access with power and broadband close by, borders public land on three sides. MLS# 6030517 $89,900 WOODS, WATER & SECLUSION. Three 40 acre lots with 600 to 1000 ft frontage on Mons Creek. Also includes deeded access to Lost Lake. Private and secluded.

MLS# 6073876 $59,900 or MLS# 6073877 $69,900 or MLS# 6073878 $74,900.

NICE HOME SITE NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Nice elevation and views from this 6.75 acre lot off of County Rd 6 just minutes from town. Frontage on Little Devil Track River, with lowland and highlands. Nice forest and privacy for your home or cabin in the woods. MLS# 6031740 $51,000 FLUTE REED RIVER HOME SITES. These two heavily wooded parcels have the seclusion of 11-13 acres and about 330' frontage each on the trout stream Flute Reed River. Access is easy from frontage on a county road. Power and broadband are available.

These lots are the perfect place for a retreat property or a year-round home. MLS# 6030884, 6030885 $49,900 each 500’ ON MOHNS CREEK. Mixed topography of beautiful rolling land with many great build sites on 25 acres. Old growth cedar, spruce, pine and birch. Abuts state land.

MLS# 6029353 $37,000

LAND/BUILDING SITES LOCATION, VIEWS, PRIVACY – 80 ACRES. This former homesteaders property has it all: rolling topography, ravines, grassy meadows, mature timber, flowing creek and expansive Lake Superior views! Minutes from Grand Marais, adjoins USFS land.

MLS# 6076511 $279,000 BEAUTIFUL LAND, TUCKED AWAY PRIVACY, LOG CABIN AND POLE BARN. This 36 acre parcel is tucked up against the "Hovland mountain range" with mature forest, easy road access and a moderated Lake Superior climate. Charming log cabin/home plus lrg 34' X 56 pole building. Build a future home amongst the pines and with a lake view. Property can be split, utilities are nearby. MLS# 6076757 $229,800 ACREAGE ADJOINS WILDERNESS - LAKE ACCESS. This 42 acre parcel includes 400 feet of shoreline on McFarland Lake. Building sites are located across the road on the hillside with potential lake views. Easy access to the BWCAW and Border Route Hiking Trail. MLS# 6024602 $179,000 INCREASINGLY RARE, LARGE RECREATIONAL PARCEL. 190 arces fully surveyed. The perfect retreat. Has a rich variety of trees, ponds, high and low lands, some meadow land and wetlands. MLS# 6029820 $139,000

LAND/BUILDING SITES PROVEN GREAT HUNTING AREA - 80 ACRES. Prime hunting land in Schroeder. Rolling land with great wildlife habitat incl. stream, beaver dam with large pond, and a good mixture of trees and low vegetation. Older 2 bdrm cabin in a beautiful park like setting overlooking large beaver pond. MLS# 6080300 $112,500 LARGE ACREAGE NEAR TOM LAKE. 128 acres with good road access and an easy walk to the Tom Lake boat landing.

Year-round road, power is possible here. The 3 forties may be split - take your pick. MLS# 6027383 $111,000 TWO INCREDIBLE LUTSEN PARCELS. Driveway, electric/broadband, survey and a cozy camper/RV are all set on Lot 3, while Lot 4 offers unending privacy as it abuts federal land.

Christine Lake public boat landing is within walking distance with Poplar and Tait rivers nearby as well.

MLS# 6032903 $89,000 HUGE POND-HUGE PRIVACY. Large 45+ acre wooded parcel located across from Tom Lake. Huge pond/lake in the very center of the acreage. MLS# 6029352 $90,000 LARGE UNDEVELOPED CITY TRACT. This large Central Addition property is perfect for a lot development plan, or as a private home site. City utilities are close, street access on two sides. Many possibilities. MLS# 6076673 $89,900 RESORT COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL LOT – TOFTE. This 8.64 acre parcel has over 900 feet of Highway 61 frontage with great visibility. Utilities are on the lot. Lake Superior views. If you have a lodging idea in mind this might be the perfect spot. Great location between Tofte and Lutsen. The bike trail is just across the highway. MLS# 6079287 $82,900 LAND NEAR WILSON LAKE. A special piece of the Northwoods – 16 acres with deeded access to Wilson Lake!

USA-owned forest is your backyard. Driveway, electric, and a small bunkhouse/shed are in place. MLS# 6028685 $80,000 HIDDEN GEM IN HOVLAND. Explore the 40 acres of seclusion with dramatic views from the south facing bluff. Enjoy the beautiful mixed forest and abundant wildlife. It even has a small gravel pit for your future building needs. The neighbors have electricity and the road has been kept open all winter through a road association. MLS# 6076192 $75,000 FORTY WITH PONDS – COUNTY RD FRONTAGE. This 40 acre parcel has beaver ponds, adjoining federal land and easy access with frontage on County Rd 14. Just 15 minutes from Grand Marais, this would be a great large home parcel, or rec land with 1000s of acres of USFS lands on the west border. MLS# 6076727 $69,900 GREAT BUILDING LOT NEAR TOFTE. This 5.82 acre parcel has privacy, adjoins US Forest land and has Lake Superior views. Utilities are at the lot. It's also zoned Resort Commercial if you have a lodging idea in mind this might be the perfect location.

Great location between Tofte and Lutsen. The bike trail is just across the highway. MLS# 6079285 $66,900 LARGE LAND, POND, LAKE RIGHTS. Densely wooded 60 acre parcel with beaver ponds and access to Lost Lake.

Good seasonal road access, many great building sites and southerly exposure. Lots of elbow room, privacy, and miles of forest roads to explore. MLS# 6033463 $63,900 ROLLING LAND, PINES, HOME SITES. Two 10 acre parcels of heavily wooded land within 10 minutes of Grand Marais. Great location with remote feel near trails and thousands of acres of Federal land, yet close to town and the big lake. County road with utilities.

MLS# 6076524, 6076539 $62,900 - $64,900

WOODED SECLUSION IN GRAND MARAIS. Six great wooded lots on the west side of Grand Marais. Build your home within a short distance of the bike trail and just a mile to downtown. Septic systems and wells are allowed here with power and broadband. Privacy on a dead end road.

MLS#: 6079335-40 $49,500 – 59,500 SUNNY 5 ACRES NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Beautiful sunny hillside with distant Lake Superior views. This is country living only 2 miles from Grand Marais. Large lot, great home sites with abundant wildlife. Driveway partially in place.

MLS# 6077083 $54,900 DEEP WOODS NEAR GRAND MARAIS. Two 5+ acre lots adjoining USFS land with power/phone/broadband. Great location near Grand Marais with good road access and very secluded location with mature trees. Ready for you to build your country home. First time on the market.

MLS# 6076518/6076517 $49,900 – $52,900 NICE 20 WITH BEAVER POND. The driveway and trails are in place on this nice 20 acre parcel with maples, cedar and variety of forest types. Large beaver pond adds a water feature for wildlife! MLS# 6077902 $45,900 MAPLES ON SECLUDED 20 ACRES. This mature maple forest is enchanted and full of neat places to build a home or cabin. Rough driveway was put in years back. Trails lead to public lands. Good road access. MLS# 6077903 $45,900 BUILDING SITE OVERLOOKING MCFARLAND. This pine studded 7 acre property has easy walking access to the county beach on McFarland Lake. Nice elevated build site with easy county road access. MLS# 6024601 $43,000 GREAT LOCATION HOME SITES. Just minutes from Grand Marais on black top County Rd 7 are two 5+ acre lots with easy access to power and Broadband. Good building sites.

MLS# 6079612 - $42,900 • MLS# 6079615 - $64,900 BEAUTIFUL WOODED LUTSEN LOT. Beautiful level lot with an open build site for your cabin or new home in a quiet and peaceful area of Lutsen. You'll be minutes away from every type of north-woods activity, including Lutsen Mountains and Superior National Golf Course. MLS# 6033068 $32,900 5 ACRES NEAR CARIBOU LAKE. Gorgeous corner lot with colorful maples and majestic cedars. Plenty of privacy. Close to hiking trails and the Caribou Lake boat landing. Year round access with power! MLS# 2279179 $35,000 LAND FOR ESCAPE AND RECREATION. remote yet accessible 20 acres near Judge Magney State Park. Good mix of trees, high building site, some distant Lake Superior views.

MLS# 6025397 $33,900 GREAT LOCATION HOME SITE. Wooded home or cabin site near Devil Track Lake. The 1.72 acre lot has nice trees and maybe a view of the lake from a second story. The boat landing is just down the road, as are many other lakes and trails.

MLS# 6029872 $33,000 REMOTE SECLUSION/HUNTING LAND. Forty acres of remote seclusion with Flute Reed River frontage. Good hunting area. Rough access, but walk or ATV. Adjoins State land to the north, with thousands of acres of USFS lands north of that. Want privacy? Here it is!

MLS#: 6075271 $29,900

www.RedPineRealty.com • Your easy source for new MLS listings daily • info@RedPineRealty.com NORTHERN WILDS

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Time to get Outdoors and Revel in the Snow Up North!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!!

Local 663 - 8777 • I n f o @ T i m b e r W o l f f R e a l t y . c o m To l l f r e e ( 8 7 7 ) 6 6 4 - 8 7 7 7 LAKESHOR E HOMES ON THE BIG LAKE OR INLAND LAKES! DREAMING ON THE NORTH SHORE! Overlooking BlueFin Bay on Lake Superior, this Tofte home has Amazing Lake Superior views! Top Notch Construction, with thoughtful design centered around family gatherings and individual spaces.

Gourmet kitchen which will satisfy the fussiest chef, with kitchen island and breakfast bar. Wall of windows face Lake

Superior, really fantastic interior spaces focused on the Big Lake. Master loft bedroom with nice views.

Lower level bedrooms with rec space, your guests will love their own space, with Lake Views too! Large garage with guest space above.

Gorgeous land, Gorgeous home.

SERENITY NOW AT TAIT LAKE!

Comfortable family lake cabin in Lutsen, on some Sweet Swimming shoreline! 3 bedrooms, full bath, and two half baths! Awesome screened porch, nice family room open to kitchen, great entertaining space! Oversized for boat storage 2 car detached garage! Move in Ready with a Civilized sense of seclusion!

MLS#6073605 $345,000

MLS#6076479 $549,000

DESIGN AND ELEGANCE ON DEERYARD LAKE, LUTSEN.

Lindal Cedar Home, dramatic stone fireplace set amongst posts & beams of Douglas Fir. Designer kitchen, sunroom, secluded master bedroom and bath with soaker tub. Wood fired oven, Timberframe Sauna, Woodshop and

a large garage. End of the Road 4.48 acres, 175’ of frontage, adjacent public land buffers and beckons.

Leave Everything behind and just enjoy the Good Life on Deeryard Lake!

MLS#6028689 $579,000

E L SA ING D N E P

NEW! LUTSEN’S CASCADE BEACH RD AUTHENTIC LAKE CABIN! MLS#6079179 $670,000

PEACE AND SOLITUDE AT A MAXIMUM ON LUTSEN’S LAKE SUPERIOR!

Simple and Solid Lake Superior Cottage. located on Lutsen’s Cascade Beach Road, All the folks that don’t like to hear the highway, this is the place for you! No sounds but the waves rolling up the sprawling ledgerock shoreline. A very unique and incredible piece of land and lakeshore, the long tree lined driveway opens up to an expansive view of Lake Superior, with the cottage centered in the middle of the nearly 200 ft of shoreline, with 3.4 acres of land! The cottage is all that you need, two bedrooms, a nice large bathroom, living room with fireplace and a walk through galley style kitchen.

Well maintained, new roof, new furnace, and a cozy fireplace...it’s a very warm and inviting space ready for you to enjoy!

MLS#6079647 $575,000

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Time to get Outdoors and Revel in the Snow Up North!

I n f o @ T i m b e r Wo l f f R e a l t y. c o m RUSTIC CABINS AND GETAWAYS!

Local 663 - 8777 • To l l f r e e ( 8 7 7 ) 6 6 4 - 8 7 7 7

COMMERCIAL ON THE NORTH SHORE!

SIMPLY MODERN RUSTIC STYLE!

Lutsen cabin is a MUST SEE if you enjoy the simple things in Life! Two bedrooms, open kitchen/dining spaces, covered porch area and a sauna house!

No well nor septic, but there’s an Outhouse!

Must see to appreciate.

MLS#6076115 $132,000

COME ON! AREN’T YOU A LITTLE TIRED OF SLEEPING IN A TENT? Very near the public

access to Gunflint Lake, these Rustic cabins are CUTE, with Log sauna (needs a wood stove). Don’t worry, we aren’t talking 4 Star Accomodations, it’s STILL a Camp near Gunflint Lake Up the Trail! A Must See for the Adventurous!!

MLS#6076146 $129,900

SWEET TOFTE LOCATION, ESTABLISHED BUILD SITE!

Old trailer home that needs vision, or easily removed so that you have a nice cabin site with drilled well, driveway in place.

MLS#6074783 $54,500

RUSTIC LIVING A HOP SKIP & A JUMP FROM GRAND MARIAS! Charming rustic cabin on 10 acres of south facing forest with distant views of Lake Superior. Bordering public lands, great for hunting or hiking!

MLS#6020031 $85,500

LOW MAINTENANCE RENTAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY! Enjoy solid long term rentals, self-sustaining solid local businesses.

Highway frontage and Room to Expand Up! Support the Local Economy and Enjoy some passive income, Buy Now and bring your ideas for expansion!

MLS#6028366 $324,900

FORMER SITE OF THE CROSS RIVER CAFÉ!

Lots of Opportunities, River Frontage and Established site.

MLS#6078629 $72,000

MOUNTAIN RESORT HOMES AND LAKE SUPERIOR VACATION RETREATS BEST OF THE HIGHLANDS!

This Lutsen Mountains Ski In/Out Condo was renovated from top to bottom, Inside & Out! New Exterior- windows, slider doors in bedrm and family room, stylish dry-stacked stone fireplace.

INCREDIBLE Cottage Style Kitchen w/ Quartz Countertops! Moose Mtn Views from the HUGE double sized deck! MLS#6032522 $99,900

ASPENWOOD ON LAKE SUPERIOR, EXPANSIVE VIEWS! SIMPLICITY OVERLOOKING MOOSE MOUNTAIN!

Lutsen Mountain Ski and Summer Resort, if you love Lutsen Vacations, then these Condos and Townhomes are for you! Use as often as you like and make money when you aren’t here! “Hands off or on Ownership” means flexibility for keeping all to yourself for family and friends, or choose a management company that will fit your needs. Some are newly renovated exterior and out, some are not. From Studios (with huge decks) to 3+ bedrms, See them all to find YOUR right fit!

124B BRIDGE RUN $99,900 MLS#6032522 114 BRIDGE RUN $109,999 MLS#6028015 128 BRIDGE RUN $111,900 MLS#2120739 120A BRIDGE RUN $109,000 BIG VALUE! MLS#6074478

Upper level incredible master bedroom en suite, huge Views of Lake Superior from Bathtub and King Bed! Fantastic Layout, Stylish Living on Lake Superior with little maintenance! Gourmet kitchen, dining area, Step Down to the Great Room with fireplace and Fantastic Lake views!

MLS#603110 $309,900

UNIT 1 AT BLUEFIN BAY RESORT!

Excellent Vacation getaway on the North Shore, this 2 bedroom Condo has modern design with vaulted ceilings and TONS of Lake Superior views, just a stone’s throw to Lake Superior! Super rental revenues, excellent amenities!

MLS#6077000 $349,900

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK AND LIKE TIMBERWOLFF R EALTY! NORTHERN WILDS

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Time to get Outdoors and Revel in the Snow Up North!

THINK SNOW!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!!

i n fo @ t i m b e r wo l f f r e a l t y. c o m I n f o @ T i m b e r Wo l f f R e a l t y. c o m

Local 663 - 8777 • To l l f r e e ( 8 7 7 ) 6 6 4 - 8 7 7 7

NORTHWOODS HOMES AND CABINS, IN TOWN OR IN THE WOODS!

FAMILY FUN IN SILVER BAY!

Large family kitchen will WOW you, three main level bedrooms and bath, and lower level rec room/bath/bunk space allows for plenty of elbow room! 2 car detached on a spectacular Hays Circle lot! You’ll LOVE the backyard patio! MLS#6075984 $155,900

BIG VALUE!

WELCOME TO THE NORTHWOODS!

Located 20 minutes from Lake Superior and the Cross River in Schroeder, this Finland home is all about Family Fun! Open kitchen to dining area overlooking a Maple Forest, Large family room with fireplace, sun room nook, and Great Views! Lower level two bedrooms and a master en suite bath, tons of Family Space! Includes Mint Bunkhouse, and Barrel Sauna.

Wowser of a home!

MLS#6079618 $223,000

HAND CRAFTED ON THE HONEYMOON TRAIL!

Shake off your worries as you pull up to this beauty of a home! Unload and Enjoy the Peaceful Oasis this wilderness home offers. Bordering Superior National Forest AND State Forest to Christine Lake in Lutsen.

Hike the “Portage” to Christine, or trailer the boat to a MULTITUDE of excellent fishing lakes within 10 minutes. Sounds like it’s in the middle of NO WHERE, correct? NOT SO! This gem is only 12 miles to downtown Lutsen; with year round access and fiber optic/electric.

And when you see the Hand Crafted Log home with updated kitchen, remodeled bathrooms and really great design, you’ll fall in love. This home WILL NOT DISAPPOINT. Year Round recreation from your front door, Gotta love it. 2 PLUS car garage.

MLS#6078599 $399,900

JUST EAST OF GRAND MARAIS, JEFFREY LANE HOME!

Lots of square footage for the money! Solid home, Good well and septic, GORGEOUS piece of land. The home needs a little TLC but has Great Living space upstairs with incredible views from the deck!

MLS#6078550 $189,900

NEW! TERRIFIC GRAND MARAIS HOME, the Big Lake is just a couple blocks away:

you’ll hear it churning in November and all summer long the cool Gitche Gumee breeze envelopes this home in a light and airy goodness. Energy efficient home, off-peak heating. 2 bedrms, plus a bunkroom or office in lower level. 2 baths. Big living room upstairs, giant family room downstairs. Sprawling deck wraps around the home with a stairway to the lawn, partially fenced for Fido! Attached garage. MLS#6079776 $250,000

E L SA ING D N PE LUTSEN-TOFTE AREA HOME!

Come take a Look at this Tofte home with acreage! Lots to offer, the home is solid and has a nice flow. The kitchen has been upgraded! Large windows allow for lots of light, and accessory buildings are perfect for a workshop and garage!

Curious? Give us a call to see this gem!

MLS#6022904 $177,500

NEW! BIG LIVING ON BIG CEDAR TRAIL AT THE BASE OF LUTSEN MOUNTAINS! Large kitchen to die for: center

HUMPHREY CIRCLE HOME IN GRAND MARAIS!

Newer SIP energy efficient construction, and fun layout! Wooded land envelopes this 3 bedrm 2 bath home that has some finishing left to do. Light flows throughout the home, bright and sunny!

MLS#6078699 $239,000

island, granite countertops, breakfast bar with stools… where the life of the party is! Dining area open to kitchen and living room. Vaulted ceilings cover it all, floors are warm with in floor-heat. The woods and light spill in through so many windows! Den/Office, extra sleeping space or to sequester the TV viewing. Owners Bedroom is light-filled, spacious, with private entrance to deck, walk-in closet, great master bath! Sunroom off the master bath awaits your vision. Additional bedrooms accommodate friends and family in style.

Attached 2-car garage. Walk out to the golf course, jog up to the Ski Hill! Fabulous location, Fabulous home!

MLS#6079278 $429,000

Call TIMBERWOLFF REALTY or visit www.timberwolffrealty.com for more information!

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Time to get Outdoors and Revel in the Snow Up North!

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Local 663 - 8777 • To l l f r e e ( 8 7 7 ) 6 6 4 - 8 7 7 7

I n f o @ T i m b e r Wo l f f R e a l t y. c o m

CAMPN’, HUNTN’, FUN GETAWAY LAND, INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE! feel with year round access, great build sites!

10 ac site, minutes to Lutsen Mtn’s.

$99,900 MLS#6074084

Wowser Lake Superior views on Overlook Tr!

Whitetail Ridge Overlooking Lake Superior!

Just off Highway 1, Enjoy Sprawling Lake and Ridgeline views and Rugged Terrain!

Yr Round Access, Electric.

Woodland Foothills Build Ready lots, Shared Water & Community Septic from

Maples with lots of Elbow Room, Year Round access and nice location between Cross River in Schroeder and Finland!

ROCKY WALL outskirts of Silver Bay! Huge Lake Superior Views, Driveway and Campsite in Place! Maple Forest, Electric, Developed Build Site!

MLS# 6024856 $95,000 REDUCED! 30 acres Wilderness, Borders lands next to Little Manitou River!

MLS#2309327 $129,000

MLS#2070509 Prices from $24,900!!

MLS#2296509 $79,900

MLS#6028422 $53,000 REDUCED! BIG TIME VIEWS of Lake Superior-Tofte, Excellent value at Johannes Toftey MLS#6029322 $59,900

Ridgetop 5+ ac in Lutsen, Fantastic location, minutes to the Ski Hill, Yr Round Living with some Lake Superior Views, perfect for 2 story walk out home.

$62,500 MLS#6077523

MLS#2309328+ FROM $39,000

MLS# 603266 $49,900 REDUCED!

Heartland of Lutsen, 80 ac at the Foothill on Turnagain Trail, Fabulous Wilderness Build s of Ski Hill ridge, near downtown Lutsen!

MLS#2312987 $119,000 Over 8 ac of Wilderness on Turnagain Trail in Lutsen!

High Ridge Maples in Lutsen bordering public land.

44 ac of wild country, short distance to carry in access to Deeryard & Ward Lakes.

Year round, power & fiber close.

MLS#6078431 $99,000 PENDING NEW! 18 Maple Leaf, Hillside

Overlook at LeVeaux Mountain-Tofte!

Serene Woodsy setting with Lake Views!

MLS#2216560 $45,000

MLS#6076558 $37,000

Beaver Ponds, 40 acres, awesome wild life habitat in Shcroeder/Finland area.

Build New in the Heart of Lutsen at Jonvick Creek!

Hillside builds with some lakeviews!

MLS#6079411 $49,000

NEW! Crosswinds in Tofte, Walk to Coho!

LeVeaux Creek Runs Through this Sweet Build Site, minutes to Lutsen Ski Resort! Lake Views!

Gorgeous 5 acre parcels in the Heart of Lutsen paved Caribou Trail locale bordering USFS lands!

MLS#2174799 From $54,900 - $77,500

NEW! 1xx 4th AveNice build site close to schools and hospital.

Great trees!

30 acres of Prime Wilderness Land with year round access and electric at street with Views of Lutsen’s famed Clara Lake!

Build ready in town location, level site.

Lakeshore on Ninemile Lake at the Village, common water and septic, build ready, borderscommon land!

MLS#6029324 $49,000 MLS#6029593 $99,000

Large pkg lots, Great Value.

FROM $45,000 MLS#6077966 10 Ac Parcels of Maples!

Rolling Terrain of Mature Maples to a Sweet Building site Parcels Over a Mixed Boreal Forest. Year Round Access and Electric at Road! MLS#2024250

$49,900 REDUCED!

DRAMATIC Mountain Top Views, Rolling Hills, Maple Forests fading in to Spruce and Pine and year round access. $70,000 MLS#2090659 39 ACRES! Sawbill Trail Tofte Lake Superior Views, Mature Spruce forest with driveway and well in place!

MLS#6031876 $65,000 PENDING New! Wilderness land with canoe access to Tait Lake!

3+ ac a stone’s throw to Tait Lake!

MLS#6078839 $42,000

5 ac in the heart of Lutsen, just above TimberWolff!

Great location for family home or Vaca Cabin!

LeVeaux Mountain, Super Views and Wildlife Ponds!

Just Up the Sawbill Trail Grab your little piece of the Northwoods, rolling terrain and small community

2 ac at the Foothills of Eagle Mountain at Turnagain Trail! $29,900 MLS#6077521

MLS#2220050 $69,000

MLS#2240533 $49,000

MLS#6078781 5 AC $40,000

Jonvick Creek Runs Through It! Enjoy the Sounds of the Creek running by your future build site, Fabulous Lutsen Location just off the Caribou Trail!

Tait Lake area, Legend Trail parcel bordering USFS lands with views of Wills and Williams Lake!

LAKE SUPERIOR views, Rolling terrain with creek meandering through the land. Beautiful setting less than five minutes to Grand Marais!

Wilderness Lutsen location at Tait Lake- backlot with Driveway in place!

Yr Round and Electric

Gorgeous 42 acres near Pike Lake, Yr Round access, electric at street and INCREDIBLE ridgetop views!

MLS#6074179 $55,000

MLS#6028619 $67,500

LAKE SUPERIOR LANDS NEW! NEARLY 8 ACRES AND 473 FT OF COBBLE BEACH SHORELINE ON LAKE SUPERIOR! Nice Build Sites, Rugged Terrain! Grand Portage area.

MLS#6078704 $266,000 GREAT VALUE!

JUST NORTH OF SILVER BAY, PALISADE VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR! Gorgeous Lakeshore, Priced Way Below Tax Assessed Value!

Gorgeous Views down the Coastline and Well buffered from Hwy.

MLS#2313255 $198,000 REDUCED!

SCHROEDER, JUST OVER AN HOUR FROM DULUTH! Home site just 40 ft from the Big Lake, level easy access, well buffered from Hwy!

MLS#6032752 $250,000

MLS#6029115 $33,000

build site, driveway in place. Electric at road, 200 ft PRIME shoreline.

$189,900 MLS#6033095

CHRISTINE LAKE 10 AC bordering Superior National Forest, Yr Round Access, electric/broadband avail. Hill top build site overlooking mature white pine, cedar lined shoreline on Christine. Serenity Now!

MLS#6023288 $99,900

MLS#6032772 $499,900

MLS#2308906 $299,000

MLS#6073655 $109,900 PENDING

CLARA LAKE IN LUTSEN! Wilderness Lakeshore Site with cleared

Rolling terrain, level shoreline, and nearly 600 ft of it! Enjoy your own paradise on Lake Superior!

Gently sloping hillside buffers the build site from highway noise. Lovely setting with easy access to the ledge rock shoreline. Minute’s to the Lutsen Mountains Ski & Summer Resort!

Perfect for your Lake Superior getaway home!

MLS#6029849 $65,000

INLAND LAKE LANDS

LARGE LAKE SUPERIOR PARCEL, JUST AN HOUR FROM DULUTH!

JUST IMAGINE, A MODERN NEW CONSTRUCTION BUNGALOW ON LUTSEN’S CASCADE BEACH RD!

MLS#6079772 $75,000 NEW! 5xx 4th Ave-

MLS#6079773 $60,000 NEW! Cty 44 and Pike Lk Road!

10 acres of high level ground, easy build site at a great price! $45,000 MLS#6076094

MLS#2080599 $137,500

MLS#6077951 $39,000

Caribou Hillside in Lutsen! Maple hillside above Ward Lake and Caribou Lake, FABULOUS location for summer and winter fun! Must see land!

MLS#6030129 $99,900

build site with lake views!

PIKE LAKE LUTSEN SIDE!

Premium Shoreline, nice and rocky! South facing build site, boreal forest.

Lot 6 Willard Lane, must see! MLS#6031145 $190,000

FISHERMAN’S DREAM GETAWAY, WALTER IS WAITING! End of the bay bordering USFS lands and some Super Shoreline! Call today for details!

MLS# 6027279 $219,000

REDUCED! NEW! WILLARD LANE PIKE LAKE VIEW LAND WITH LAKE ACCESS!

Rugged elevation, great build site. Shared 20 ft access to Pike Lake for

$75,000 MLS#6078799 NEW! WHITE PINE LAKE IN LUTSEN

RUSTIC GETAWAY LAKESHORE, Build ready with drilled well, new septic system, garage and Fabulous ISABELLA AREA. Mature pines, end of the road location on Swallow Lakeshore bordering Federal land, stroll to the Tait River for Moose Lake! MLS#2300576 $64,900

Viewing! MLS#6079880 $229,000

LUTSEN LAKESHORE ON DEERYARD!

NEW! PEACE AND WHITE PINES AT TAIT LAKE!

Year Round access, elec/broadband. Maple hillside, Rocky prime shoreline! Gorgeous piece of lakeshore, mature White Pines, driveway from days gone by leads to Sweet Build site area. Must see on Tait Lake in Lutsen!

MLS#6074179 $185,000 REDUCED! Owner is licensed REALTOR

MLS#6079968 $219,000

VISIT US AT WWW.TIMBERWOLFFR EALTY.COM FOR PICTUR E SLIDESHOW! NORTHERN WILDS

FEBRUARY 2019

53

Grand Marais Area

Lutsen/Tofte Townhomes and Condo’s

Lutsen Real Estate Group Office 218-663-7971

lutsenrealestategroup.com

Meet Our Awesome Agents!

Coveted Cobblestone Cove Villa on Grand Marais Harbor. The most

coveted location on the entire North shore. This beautiful two bedroom townhome front faces the Grand Marais Harbor with the Sawtooth Mountain ridgeline and north coast of Lake Superior serving as the backdrop. Walking distant to an eclectic selection of foodie restaurants and cool art scene with so much more. Call today for your private showing. MLS 6080023 $375,000

PRICEED C REDU

Stunning End Unit at Chateau. Chateau LeVeaux is the ideal choice for

a North Shore getaway. Use it when you like, and rent it at other times to offset your costs of ownership. Upper level end unit with panoramic views of Lake Superior. Open concept main level includes living, dining & kitchen along with private deck. Distressed hdwd floors, rainfall showerhead, glass bowl sink, fireplace & sleek Scandinavian décor make this a stunning place to hang out. Added windows for both south and west exposures. Chateau comes with many amenities, including pool, whirlpool, sauna and their spectacular deck for those big sky views. Tofte is close to all the action on the shore, such as the ski hill, hiking trails & golf, plus great restaurants and cool music.

MLS 6079941 $123,000

Sandy McHugh Kelsi Thompson 218-428-0992 218-370-7841

Just West of Grand Marais.

Nicely appointed and extremely well maintained beautiful 3 bedroom home just west of Grand Marais. Home includes a two stall garage with adjacent office, workshop, wine room and more. Many wonderful upgrades made to home in 2010. Nice clean yard and garden areas.

Move in ready. All you need is the key. Call our office today to schedule your private showing. MLS 6029508 $329,900

NEW GREA PRICE! T VAL UE! Mike Larson 218-370-1536

Jack McHugh 218-370-2602

44 Caspers Hill Rd. Peaceful country home w/ 3 bdrms, 3 baths & 3 gorgeous stone fireplaces. Eat-in kitchen has a wood-burning fireplace to warm those winter nights. Huge master bedroom with a stone fireplace and whirlpool tub. Upper level includes loft family room, office and large bedroom with dormers. Walkout LL has Fam room & bathroom. Exterior includes cedar-shingled roof, deck, detached dbl garage w/loft bunk rm, circle driveway & 5 acres. Located on a county-maintained road with close proximity to Grand Marais for work or leisure activities. MLS 6078471 $249,900

Bruce Kerfoot 218-388-2294

Steve Surbaugh 218-663-7971

PRICEED C REDU

Kelly’s Hill.

Very nice and well-kept 2 bedroom 2 bath home on nearly five acres just east of Grand Marais. Private trails cut on land with the Superior Hiking trail nearby. Yard and large garden areas surrounded by mature forest and some wonderful large White Pine trees.

Beautiful sunrise and sunsets with Lake Superior views from the second level master bedroom and deck.

MLS 6077096 $219,900

Lutsen Heritage Townhome with Superior Views Panoramic views of Lake Superior & Lutsen Mountains can be enjoyed from nearly every room.

High end finishes, including maple woodwork, stainless appliances, granite counters, Mission-style raised panel doors, and two gas fireplaces with drystacked stone. Maintenance-free living and part of a distinctive neighborhood.

Main floor bedroom allows one-level living. Has successfully been offered as a vacation rental, helping to offset the cost of ownership. For the right price, furnishings included with sale, allowing turn-key use and/or rental. Proximity to many activities & venues, including Lutsen Ski Hill, North Shore Winery, Superior Hiking Trail, restaurants and shops. Call today! MLS 6077102 $315,000 104 C Bridge Run Ln. Nicely remodeled Nordic whirlpool studio condo at Caribou Highlands ski-in ski-out resort in Lutsen.

With many amenities at the resort as well as hiking and biking trails on the ski hill, you won’t have a lack of options during the day. Enjoy relaxing on the new deck overlooking Moose Mountain, with distant views of Lake Superior. With new siding, roof and deck all part of the updates in the past few years this Nordic studio is not one to overlook! MLS 6077413 $69,000 Gorgeous Chateau LeVeaux Condo Quality finishes along with tasteful new furnishings make this an ideal choice for anyone’s North Shore getaway. Open concept layout, with a high-end look and those everchanging moods of Lake Superior. Walk-out to a private patio to watch the sunrise. Or take in the morning views of the big lake tucked into your cozy bed. Plus a wood-burning fireplace for those chilly nights. Chateau LeVeaux comes with many amenities, including pool, whirlpool, sauna, and their spectacular common deck for those big sky views. Tofte is close to all the action on the shore, including the ski hill, hiking trails, golf, and great restaurants & cool music. This one is not to be missed! Showing appointments being taken now. MLS 6078779 $76,000

EARN MONEY WHEN YOU ARE AWAY BY PLACING YOUR HOME IN OUR VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM. Give Andrew a call at 218-264-0497 When you visit our website www.lutsenrealestategroup.com you will find additional information on all properties in the area accompanied by multiple photographs for a more comprehensive overview of properties you may be interested in.

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Lutsen Real Estate Group

Using a fundamental business approach for all your real estate needs Office 218-663-7971

lutsenrealestategroup.com

WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Gunflint Trail Area Lakeshore lot on Poplar Lake with a new 2

stall garage, electric, driveway, nicely wooded, great views to the north and west, 200’ lake frontage, 1.8 acres, on a private road with year around access. MLS 6074074 $158,000

Lake Superior Vacant Parcels and Homes

1 Bedroom log cabin on Gunflint Lake,

306’ of lake frontage, 5.3 acres, approved septic permit, electricity, 3 Season, $229,000

Other Vacant Land Parcels

ue – Great Val ffer! make an o

D

SOL

Lund Road off Honeymoon Trail. Looking for a peaceful spot close to some lakes? This 5+ acres is tucked 15 min from downtown Lutsen, close to Christine Lake, White Pine Lake and Tait River, a great location for exploring the lakes and woods while still being close to the ski hill. A great quality on this land is gravel! Since the gravel is already on the property it can be used for the driveway, site prep and other. No hauling required!

MLS 6075805 $45,900

Murmur Creek Near Pike Lake. Have you ever wanted your very own 20 acres in a remote, peaceful place with a diverse forest and absolute privacy? Look no further than this sweet spot. Beautiful parcel with building and septic sites located. Call for specific directions for finding this pristine and secluded forested property. MLS 6076404 $35,000

Lake A cce Lakesh ss without ore pri ces!

Tait Lake, Lutsen. Recent sales of undeveloped lakeshore lots show prices exceeding $200,000. Lots 16 and 17 have the benefit of Tait Lake access without lakeshore prices.

Tucked hillside overlooking Tait Lake on Caps Trail, Lot 16 offers 2.8 acres with convenient and deeded access to the association’s private dock. Lot 17 provides the same with 3.3 acres.

Beautiful, wild and unspoiled and simply outstanding values.

Lot 16 MLS 2143246 $49,499

Stonegate in Hovland.

Looking to build on beautiful Lake Superior? Check out this lot and all it has to offer. With septic already installed, electric to build site, driveway and cleared build-site, and an accessible cobblestone shoreline, this lot is ready for a home! The build-site is complemented with additional and nicely forested property and a very cool creek to hang out by. A great spot to build a guest home or studio. With both Lake Superior and a creek, this lot is simply waiting for the perfect home and homeowner. And a great bonus – the property is 5.4 acres with 200’ of shoreline. In addition, the property is located on the quiet road of Stonegate – distanced from Hwy 61.

MLS 6076045 $249,000

Rosebush Lane near Grand Marais.

Thinking of building your Lake Superior dream home and want to be close to all that Grand Marais has to offer? Look no further! West Rosebush Lane extends onto a point giving you seclusion and buffer from highway noise that you want and is so close to Grand Marais you might want to walk to town! Add to the convenient location the amazing panoramic views of the big lake with sunrise and sunset viewing. Watch 4th of July fireworks lighting the sky over Artist’s Point from your sprawling ledgerock beach! Not many lots left like this one. Electric and broadband available at the edge of the property.

MLS 6074324 $325,000

CE

PRI NEW

NOW $39,999

Lot 17 MLS 6032097 $54,499

NOW $49,499 PRICES REDUCED! GREAT VALUES!

Superior National Golf Course Homesites Few Golf Courses

have been built on land as spectacular as Superior National. And more recently the golf course just completed its nearly $4.5 million course improvement project on the River and Canyon Nines. The homesites listed below are tucked within the Cedar Forest along River 6 fairway and River 6 green. With water, sewer, power and broadband available, combined the sounds of the Poplar River just across the fairway and so much more beauty, the value offered simply is unbelievable. Act now, the golf course will launch its new marketing campaign in 2018 announcing the grand-re-opening – with that, lot prices will likely increase next year.

Lot 4 Block 2. This lot sits adjacent to #4 fairway on River 9 at Superior National Golf Course. Very nice build site with easy access from Ski Hill Road. Water, Sewer, power and broadband available curbside.

This is an excellent value. $59,900

Outstanding Lake Superior

Value!

9480 Hwy 61 Unique 4 bedroom, 2 bath geodesic dome home on Lake Superior. Located just inside the western Cook County line, this home is unlike any other on the North Shore! Open concept kitchen, living & dining, all with views of the lake. Accommodates large gatherings. Upper loft with bathroom to hold overflow guests. Finished, walkout lower level with beautiful T&G wood ceiling & walls, plus another bedroom with big lake views. The shoreline is amazing, and is accessible for all your activities: meditating on the beauty, picking rocks or launching your kayak on a calm day. There is an additional deck located near the lake, perfect for entertaining. On rough water days, watch the waves crash against large rock outcroppings. Two-car detached garage to store both gear & vehicles. Great vacation rental history, which helps to offset expenses. Request your showing today!

MLS 6076429 $399,900 PRICE REDUCED!

EARN MONEY WHEN YOU ARE AWAY BY PLACING YOUR HOME IN OUR VACATION RENTAL PROGRAM. Give Andrew a call at 218-264-0497 NORTHERN WILDS

FEBRUARY 2019

55

www.CBNorthShore.com NORTH SHORE

Serving Cook County since 1971

(218) 387-2131 (800) 732-2131

101 West Hwy. 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604 info@cbnorthshore.com

On Lake Superior

68 Trailsyde

Extremely rare opportunity to purchase over 1000’of beautifully rugged and secluded Hovland Lake Superior shoreline with over 30 acres of land to ensure ample exclusivity and privacy. Property is amazing and includes an unfinished concrete mansion structure plus a guest cabin. Whether you subdivide or keep it as an exclusive retreat, you won’t find another property like this one!

MLS 6026201 - $995,000

16 Beargrease Crossing

Spectacular 4BR, 3BA Lake Superior home on a private 5.26 lot that includes a waterfall, 276 ft. of ledgerock, gravel beach shoreline and minutes from Grand Marais. Gourmet kitchen with huge island, stainless steel appliances & a lovely farm kitchen sink; floor to ceiling fireplace; walk out guest suite; south facing windows for views & sunlight. Includes a large heated garage with a studio.

MLS 6077977 - $770,000

22 E Rosebush Lane

Marvel at the views of Artist Point from this stunning 4 bedroom, 4 bath premier home located west of Grand Marais. Must see to appreciate the custom tile work, built-ins, floor to ceiling windows, cobblestone fireplace, decks and expansive gourmet kitchen & much more. Home is complete with AC, back-up generator & oversized garage.

Private 2.96 acre lot with 243’ of gravel shoreline.

MLS 6080232 - $890,000

Lake Superior Lots

MLS 6078585 - $269,900

Commercial

Schroeder Lots

Prime commercial property has immediate income. Two upper level apartments with space for more, plus storefront, and grounds rental. For Grand Marais the location could hardly be better for tourism and traffic potential.

MLS 6078583 $299,900 and 6078584 $339,900

Fabulous views of both Artist Point and the Sawtooth Mountains!

Stunning Lake Superior lot with 1.24A, 200’ ledgerock shoreline embedded with Thomsonite Stones, making this piece of Lake Superior Shoreline truly unique.

MLS 6076120 $239,900

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FEBRUARY 2019

Stonegate Rd, Hovland

Lovely Lake Superior lot, located on the scenic Chicago Bay Road. Nicely wooded, private, and well insulated from Highway 61, this lot offers an escape with no inconvenience.

MLS 6030329 $189,900 and 6030330 $194,900

NORTHERN WILDS

condos East Bay Suites

8 N.Broadway

Massively expansive ledge rock shoreline make these two lots some of the most amazing shoreline you will see on the North Shore.

Lots are 2+ acres and 200 ft wide with significantly more meandering shoreline.

2888 W Hwy 61, Grand Marais

8650 W Hwy 61

Talk about your Lake Superior value!!!!! This 2 acre Schroeder lot has plenty of privacy, year round creek AND an incredibly beautiful Lake Superior ledgerock beach with a private inlet to launch your kayaks. Large, roomy 3 bedroom, 2 bath manufactured home.

MLS 6029037 $437,900

1st Ave West

Great opportunity in the downtown business district!

This building is located on 1st Avenue West close to the harbor, Wisconsin Street, and Highway 61. Busy retail area year round--heavy foot traffic all summer long! A cafe, jewelry store, and t-shirt shop have all prospered at this location--what is your dream business?

MLS 6075583 $224,900

Check out these condos

located in the heart of Grand Marais on the shores of Lake Superior.

Great property if you are wanting a 2nd home or an investment property.

UNIT 202 MLS 6074935 $319,900 2 BR, 2 BA

Bluefin Bay Tofte MLS 6078520 Unit 26, 1BR, 1BA $259,900 MLS 6074681 Unit 32, 1 BR, 1BA $275,000 MLS 6078275 Unit 18, 2 BR, 2 BA $340,000

Homes

&

Cabins

G N I D N PE

D L O

S

16 Cliff Cove Spacious 4BR, 2BA home with lots of woodwork and old world charm, on a landscaped 4.64A lot in Schroeder. Enjoy the open floor plan, with a wood burning fireplace, and the 3 season sunporch, perfect for sunsets.

MLS 6077691 - $229,900

54 Morgan Rd Special one room getaway in the woods on 40A of mature trees, abuts Cascade State Park and Federal land! Beautiful Lake Superior Views. Garage and bonus space is quite functional as it is, or remodel as you desire.

MLS 6073759 - $239,900

210 Bloomquist Mtn Rd This 2BR, 2BA year-round home has all the modern amenities together with an open floor plan that is perfect for entertaining. Detached garage, ready for your toys all on 6+ acres of fields and amazing views of Lake Superior.

MLS 6032433 - $176,000

NEW 37 Hammer Road, Hovland Spectacular sunrises overlooking Lake Superior from this energy efficient 3BR 2BA home with open floor plan, high ceilings, tiled floors, in-floor heat, storage shed, and new well and septic system.

MLS 6080086 - $229,900

68 Springdale Rd, Tofte Sweet 1+ bedroom home that has been lovingly updated with many new features to include wood floors and an updated kitchen. Attractive neighborhood with a nice lot, featuring a stream.

Motivated Seller!

MLS 6079139 - $133,900

418 4th Ave W Spacious 4 BR home on a large corner lot with a 5-stall garage & 24x24 workshop. Features vaulted ceilings, open floor plan, huge windows surrounding the gas fireplace and an updated kitchen.

MLS 6075590 - $375,000

319 E 2nd Ave Three rental units for the price of a single home, or the lower units can be combined leaving a family home with a studio apartment overhead.

Or restore home into a two story single family home.

MLS 6027869 - $168,000

413 3rd Ave E. Affordable Grand Marais living that is located on a very quiet street. Cute 3BR, 1BA home will remind you of a cabin in the woods with the spacious .29A heavily wooded lot. Distant Lake Superior Views from the upper level balcony adds to the charm.

MLS 6079884 - $214,900

117 W 6th Ave Classic 3+BR, 3BA home in a quiet neighborhood, but a short walk from the lake and downtown. Wonderful natural light, hardwood floors, a stone fireplace, updated kitchen, & finished lower level.

MLS 6079902 - $319,000

Inland

11 Wildflower Lane, Lutsen Beautiful 4 BR, 4 BA home with lots of special touches - gourmet designed kitchen, hickory floors, fireplace, eagle nest style loft, custom tilework and a separate w/o apartment, Lake Superior Views, Large Deck all on 6+ acres in Lutsen.

MLS 6080005 - $489,900

Lake

Birch Lake 42 Soderberg Lane SERIOUSLY! Check out one of the only grandfathered-in Boat Houses in Cook County. This lot features 412 ft of shoreline with 3+ acres; plus there is add’l acreage available. Property includes an older rustic cabin, is fully surveyed, year round access. $199,900 - MLS 6080113

NORTH SHORE

234 W 10th Ave W Lovely traditional 4 BR, 3 BA home with floor to ceiling FP, dining nook overlooking the creek, open floor plan, spacious kitchen, w/o lower level and det’d 2 car garage. This is a totally move-in-ready masterpiece.

MLS 6079966 - $389,900

Homes

NEW 1001 Pike Lake Rd Check out the charming farmhouse character of this 2 BR, 1BA fixer-upper on a great 10+ acre property that is close to lakes, trails, state and federal land yet still 15-20 minutes from Grand Marais.

MLS 6080310 - $149,900

NEW 37 Overlook Drive Beautiful Greenwood Lake home situated on 6A and 300’ shoreline. Home features 3 fireplaces, beautiful lake vistas, open floor plan, gorgeous tile floors, and state-of-the-art solar power system.

MLS 6079981 - $675,000

101 West Hwy . 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604 info@cbnorthshore.com

(218) 387-2131

•

(800) 732-2131

www.CBNorthShore.com NORTHERN WILDS

FEBRUARY 2019

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Land

Large

D L SO

Whispering Pine Private lot at the end of Wes Hedstrom Trail, just high enough for a view of Leo Lake. Convenient location mid-Gunflint Trail.

MLS 6077021 - $45,000

County Road 7 Check out this property with 2.27 acres within city limits. Build your home or consider doing a subdivision.

MLS 6075749 - $55,000

3143 East Highway 61 Attractive 1.84 acre, year round lot with a south facing elevation, perfect for a walk out. Additional land available and owner will carry a CD. MLS 6079521 - $39,900

19XX Camp 20 Road Affordably priced 20 acre parcel with privacy, situated near Federal land to the north. Seasonal access off of the Camp 15 Loop Rd in Hovland.

MLS 6076349 - $24,900

North Rd – Hovland Affordably price 20 acre lot that is perfect for a private, year round retreat. Power, phone and broadband available at the road.

MLS 6024552 - $39,900

313X East Highway 61 Fantastic lot with 20.89 acres, that could be subdivided. Features a pond, great views & healthy trees.

Owner will carry a CD. MLS 6079768 - $159,900

West Hwy 61 – Grand Marais Attractive & affordable building site with 3+ acres & easy access right off of Hwy 61. Minutes from town and Close to Cascade River State Park MLS 6078588 - $44,000

XX Boulder Point Rd Attractive YR building site with 3.22 A; private driveway; seasonal creek and gentle southern slope with some partial views of Lake Superior.

MLS 6078705 - $59,900

310X East Highway 61 Nice lot east of town with 5.56 Acres; excellent topography lines.

Lake Superior Access across the road.

Owner will Carry a CD. $59,900

Railroad Drive – Lutsen Sweet 1.7 A building site located in the heart of Lutsen. Gently rolling topography, mature trees – easy building site and near many recreational opportunities.

MLS 6023743 - $39,900

County Road 67 – Grand Marais Breathtaking views of Lake Superior from this 2.24 A lot. Year round access, surveyed, private driveway and directly abuts State land to the east.

MLS 6029973 - $39,900

Lot 7 LeVeaux Ridge Beautiful and affordable lot, with electricity, phone and broadband on site, abuts to State land for added privacy! Close proximity to many recreation options!

MLS 6077826 - $29,900

23XX Co Rd 7 Cabin or future home site? Beautiful lot with 6.83 acres, abundant with trails, flowing creek and abutting State land! Includes a camper with a nice deck & outhouse.

MLS 6079953 - $57,500

14x Bloomquist Mtn Rd Ten acres of mature trees including huge White Pines! Sloping lot with lots of southern exposure for sunshine all year long.

MLS 6075850 - $59,900

Inland

Lake

1643 Caribou Trail Location, location, location! 40 A, surrounded by Federal land, yet features year-round access, electricity, broadband and phone for a truly convenient home site.

Rare acreage with frontage on The Caribou Trail! Potential to subdivide and a motivated seller!!

MLS 6079699 - $129,900

Lots

160 Acres Gunflint Trail Remote, yet not far away from many mid-Gunflint Trail resorts. Incredibly unique chunk of land surrounded by USFS & abutting the BWCA for the ultimate northwoods getaway.

Extremely close to Iron Lake.

Access is a little rough!

MLS 6074802 - $139,900

Acreage

110 Acres 180X W Gauthier Rd 110 acres of privately owned acreage directly abutting Judge Magney State Park, with distant Lake Superior views. Direct access to the Superior Hiking Trail, with plenty of wildlife to observe!

MLS 6079702 - $110,000

170 Acres Camp 20 Rd Heavily forested land that has been replanted with pine trees. Rolling topography, many building sites and hiking trails. Features a gravel pit on the northwest corner and a small wildlife pond to the south. State land to the south & east.

MLS 6074422 - $149,900

G N I D N PE Moose Valley Land Imagine owning 700 acres of contiguous land that abuts State Land & is 2 ½ miles in length? Multiple road access points from Highway 61 to Moose Valley Road to Whippoorwill Road. Property is abundant with wildlife; natural ponds; spectacular Lake Superior views; driveways and trails!

Whether you keep this as one parcel or subdivide, the options are endless.

Priced to sell and Owner will Carry a CD. MLS 6079583 $399,900

Lake

D L SO Moosehorn Lake AMAZING 220 acre parcel, totally surrounded by Government Land.

This includes the only private ownership on Moosehorn Lake, which is known for Trout Fishing.

There is a private driveway off of the Arrowhead. Stunning views overlooking Stevens Lake; rolling topography; lots of privacy & wildlife; and relatively close to year round access.

Priced to sell and Owner will Carry a CD. MLS 6079579 $269,900

Superior

View

Raven Feather Road

Poplar Lake Convenient mid-Gunflint Trail 2.75 acre building site featuring deeded lakeshore access. Building site cleared, driveway in, utilities available.

MLS 2158160 - $52,500

Tom Lake Enjoy stunning sunsets and views of the Palisades! Year round access, 171’ shoreline, driveway and a cleared building site plus a stairs to the lake for easy access.

MLS 6076516 - $49,900

Onagon Lake Amazing building spots with views overlooking both Onagon and Cupid Lake. 5 A and over 1000’ of shoreline between both lakes.

MLS 6078278 - $99,900

Tom Lake One of the nicest lots on Tom Lake w/300’ of shoreline in a private bay with spectacular views of the Palisades and your own private peninsula. Year round access, driveway and cleared building site.

MLS 6076298 - $97,900

Poplar Lake Private lot with over 2 acres & 250’ of rocky shoreline on Fireplace Road. Great open lake views and a Southeastern exposure provides a perfect building site.

MLS 6077828 - $139,900 Squint Lake Mid-Gunflint Trail lot with 2.13A & 221’ shoreline.

Gently rolling topography, old white pine trees & abuts USFS! YR access, elec & broadband.

MLS 6028920 - $75,000

Birch Lake Appealing 4.15 A lot with private driveway and cleared building site. Over 300’ of shoreline on this fabulous lot in the heart of the Gunflint Trail. Can be subdivided.

MLS 6080112 - $179,900 Chester Lake Imagine being the private owner on this lake? Property consists of 40A surrounded by USFS & 300’ frontage!

Rough cabin sold “as is”.

MLS 6079842 $149,900

NORTH SHORE 58

FEBRUARY 2019

NORTHERN WILDS

Seriously amazing Lake Superior views, including Alligator Island from the rock outcroppings on this stunning lot. Property consists of 6.65 acres, end of the road location AND abuts Federal land to the west. Close to town & all amenities

MLS 6075126 $119,900

County Road 67

Check out the Lake Superior views from these properties! 2 .7 - 3.48 acres with all utilities readily available - electric, broadband & telephone. DNR owned Lake Superior shoreline across the road so you can have the enjoyment of the lake without the cost.

MLS 6029971 $69,900 MLS 6029972 $82,000

Birch Drive

Dream big or dream small--most likely it will involve huge windows facing South! Bordering Cascade State Park, this lot is ready for outdoor activities. Features a partial driveway, 4.9 acres & year round access.

MLS 6075803 $79,900

101 West Hwy . 61 (218) Grand Marais, MN 55604 info@cbnorthshore.com

387-2131

County Road 60

Gunflint Trail

MLS 6073592 $99,900

MLS 6033168 $87,500

Secluded 20 acres located on a County Road with all amenities to include electricity & broadband and is a short drive to town. Lot has excellent views of Lake Superior, abuts State land to the north, close to hiking trails, cross-country ski areas.

•

Year round 6.46A on county maintained road with amazing views of the lake. The cleared path up the property will help you visualize your future home on the North Shore! Also in close proximity to down town, hiking, biking & skiing trails!

(800) 732-2131

www.CBNorthShore.com

CATCHLIGHT

weasel I ran into this little weasel when I was tracking a bobcat. The tracks went through a rocky area and as I was looking over the area this little guy/gal popped up by my feet and stared at me for a few moments, just long enough to capture the moment. It was so cool as weasels are always on the move and getting it to stay still was very lucky.—David Johnson NORTHERN WILDS

FEBRUARY 2019

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on the Gunflint Trail Full Day, Multi-Day, and Season Ski Passes Available!

Unspoiled. Serene.

Spectacular. Unforgettable.

W

elcome to Golden Eagle Lodge, a family oriented, year-round resort located on the Gunflint Trail of Northeastern Minnesota, only 30 miles north of Grand Marais. As the only residents on Flour Lake, and nestled in within the 3 million acres of the Superior National Forest, you can look forward to the quiet and solitude offered only from a true wilderness setting.

Golden Eagle Lodge Nordic Ski Center is world class, nationally-known, and silent sports only.

We are located on the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System, a well-marked network of more than 70km of beautifully groomed trails that begin right from your cabin’s doorstep. This trail system was built specifically for cross-country skiing and

is tracked for both traditional and skate skiers alike. All ski trail passes are offered at no charge to our cabin guests!

We offer complete skiing and snowshoe rentals for all ages, a heated ski waxing room, a trail lit 7 days a week, and a private use sauna. All our modern housekeeping cabins have a fireplace, either wood, gas, or electric.

We know much time, effort, and expense is invested in a vacation. We would be honored if you considered us as your vacation destination.

We go out of our way to ensure every aspect of your visit will convince you to come back and see us again. You won’t be disappointed!

800-346-2203 • 218-388-2203

Golden-Eagle.com

Check out our Live Webcam!

Stay updated on ski trail conditions and snow totals 60 FEBRUARY 2019 NORTHERN WILDS