Northern Wilds May 2020 by Northern Wilds Magazine

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The best things haven’t changed Ok, we’re bad examples. We are not social distancing in the photo above. But we are wearing masks. Golly, it’s surprising how much our world has changed in a month. And we don’t know what the next month will bring. At this writing, we are uncertain if Governor Walz will extend the stay at home order beyond May 4 or if he will make changes in the restrictions. Right now, nonessential travel is discouraged. Social distancing guidelines are in place and likely to remain so in coming months. The border with Canada is closed except for essential commodities. The North Shore is completely shut down. Lodging facilities may begin opening in May, but obviously to a new reality. Some restaurants are open for curbside take-out. In Grand Marais, the grocery stores and liquor store are curbside, as well. Our North Shore communities are functioning with these reduced services during what is typically the quiet time of year. 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.

You can go for a hike, go fishing or skip stones in the lake, provided you keep your distance from others who are doing the same. While Minnesota’s restrictions allow outdoor recreational activities, it’s hard to say what fishing season will be like this year. Anglers who typically head north to

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go fishing, may celebrate the season opener closer to home. Americans who traditionally go fishing in Canada may be staying home, too. The same is true for other outdoor activities. Many popular outdoor events have been cancelled. At this writing, even wilderness areas are closed. The U.S. Forest Service announced in April that the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness was closed for the duration of Minnesota’s stay at home order. Ontario has closed Quetico Provincial Park through May 31. While some may think a wilderness canoe trip is extreme social distancing, they are not thinking about the support services, from rangers to rescue squads and fire crews, that a public wilderness area needs to function. From this perspective, restrictions on human use of wilderness makes sense. While much in our human world has changed, the natural world remains the same. It’s spring. The snow is quickly disappearing and ice is coming off the lakes. By the end of the month, the outdoors will be vibrantly green and we’ll be firing up the lawn mower. We’ll be planting gardens, too—in shirt sleeves. May is a glorious month of warming weather, long days and promise of summer ahead. Get out and revel in it.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt

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VOLUME 17, ISSUE 5 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 Amber Pratt, Sales Manager ads@northernwilds.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com Leah Pratt • print@northernwilds.com OFFICE Roseanne Cooley • billing@northernwilds.com CONTRIBUTORS Elle Andra-Warner, Corey Belt, Gord Ellis, Joe Friedrichs, Will Moore, Deane Morrison, Julia Prinselaar, Walter Rhein, Amy Schmidt, Rhonda Silence, Chuck Viren, Eric Weicht Copyright 2020 by Northern Wilds Media, Inc. Published 12 times per year. Subscription rate is $28 per year or $52 for 2 years U.S. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part requires written permission from the publishers. Northern Wilds Media, Inc. P.O. Box 26, Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-9475 (phone/fax) PRINT & DESIGN print@northernwilds.com

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24 FEATURES 12 The Story of Cook County’s Airport Clarence Krotz and Skyport Lodge

15 Idled Servers Getting By the Best They Can

Surviving the coronavirus pandemic

20 DEPARTMENTS 5 Along the Shore 10 Points North 16 Spotlight 20 Dining 22 Health 24 Northern Trails 26 Wild Traditions 28 Northern Kids 29 Northern Sky 30 Reviews 31 Strange Tales

REAL ESTATE 32 Lutsen Real Estate Group 34 Backlund Realty 35 Lutsen Resort, Real Living,Remax 36 Coldwell Banker North Shore 39 Red Pine Realty 42 Timber Wolff Realty 46 Bluefin Bay, Coldwell Banker Northwoods Realty

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Three businesses in downtown Grand Marais were destroyed by a fire on Monday, April 13: Crooked Spoon Café, Picnic & Pine, and White Pine North. | WTIP

Fire ravages Grand Marais businesses GRAND MARAIS—Three downtown Grand Marais businesses were destroyed by a daytime fire Monday, April 13. It may seem surprising that fire chief Ben Silence says, “We got pretty lucky.” Strong northwest winds fanned the flames and allowed the fire to rage through three old, mostly wooden buildings. The lucky part was that firefighters were able to contain the fire to those structures and thus protect the remainder of the downtown. Silence said the Grand Marais Fire Dept. was paged at 12:23 p.m. for a fire that originated at the Crooked Spoon Restaurant. Firefighters were on the scene in 10 minutes to find fire engulfed the rear of the restaurant and the adjacent businesses, White Pine North and Picnic and Pine were burning, too. As fire fighters were setting up their hose lines, Silence noticed the cedar shakes and façade on the nearby Set Out T-shirt shop were starting to burn. He quickly had members of his crew extinguish those flames and wet down the building to keep it safe. Pushed by the wind, it didn’t take long for the blaze to fully engulf all three buildings. Silence was concerned it might spread to other structures. Sven and Ole’s Pizza was separated from White Pine North by an alley. He said the pizza parlor had a metal roof, which prevented it from being ignited by burning debris. Fortunately, the wind-blown debris didn’t ignite any of the structures across Wisconsin Street, although there was a spot fire in the grass at Bear Tree Park. The fire was so furious firefighters were unable to enter the buildings.

“Once the fire got into the eaves and the voids in the attic space, there was nothing we could do,” Silence said. While firefighters struggled to contain the fire, sheriff’s deputies struggled to contain the onlookers. Even though they had established a perimeter a safe distance from the fire, onlookers were standing shoulder to shoulder, ignoring social distancing, and sneaking around barricades to get closer to the scene. At one point, Silence looked up to see a woman and her children, who had walked along the lakeshore by the Lake Superior Trading Post, crossed over fire hose lines and approached the scene via the vacant lot beside the Bluewater Café. He had to summon a deputy to chase them off the scene. While there were three propane tanks in the vicinity, they did not ignite, contrary to rumor. The popping noise onlookers heard was from a vehicle fire behind the buildings as the airbags and tires exploded. Within a couple of hours, the fire reduced the buildings to rubble. Firefighters were unable to extinguish all of the hotspots. Silence called in a county excavator to move the rubble so firefighters could carry on with the mop up operation. He said the state fire marshal was already on scene and they kept the excavator away from the fire’s point of origin. “I never thought I’d call in an excavator to raze half a city block,” Silence said.

Grand Marais Fire Dept., mutual aid was provided by volunteer departments from Lutsen, Colvill and Maple Hill. Also on the scene were the Cook County STOP team, members of Cook County Search and Rescue, Cook County Sheriff’s Dept., the Border Patrol, Minnesota DNR Enforcement and the North Shore Health Ambulance. Silence was especially grateful to Mike’s Holiday for providing snacks and drinks and the Cook County Chaplain’s Association for providing Subway sandwiches to the firefighters. He was most thankful there were no injuries and the devastating fire was contained. “I’m super thankful the buildings weren’t occupied,” he said, “because they went so quickly.” There has been an outpouring of support for the families who lost their businesses and buildings to the fire. “The community has been incredible,” said Kelsey Kennedy, owner of Picnic and Pine. “All of the community leaders and small businesses have reached out to us. We’ve even heard from people who love Cook County and live far away.” For Kennedy, it is time to hit the pause button and spend time with family before moving forward. “I’m trying not to make decisions right now,” she said. “I’m taking time to figure out what my family needs and what comes next.”—Shawn Perich

Firefighters worked through the night to complete the mop up. In addition to the

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So close, yet so far GRAND MARAIS— Many of us dream of finding a partner we want to spend our lives with. Someone we can love and see a future with. Someone we can build a home and family with. What if you found that person, they lived close by and every time you went to visit them you had to get permission from a government agent carrying a gun? That’s the situation my fiancé and I find ourselves in. I live in Grand Marais and my fiancé, Lara Hollway, lives in Thunder Bay. Our homes and communities are less than two hours apart along a breathtaking stretch of highway 61 that attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. We live in the same forest, speak the same dialect of the same language, have the same cultural background, and gaze out upon the same big, blue lake every day. And yet, there is an imaginary line that separates us. The border itself is real enough. At the only road crossing for hundreds of miles to the east or west, the Pigeon River demarks the border between Ontario and the Grand Portage Reservation in northeastern Minnesota. A body of water is a natural separation that makes sense to the mind, but the arbitrary selection of this one river and these series of lakes in a vast, wild land spot marked by thousands of lakes and sliced through by hundreds of rivers seems arbitrary at best. Somehow we ended up on different sides of the divide. For the most part, the border has been an interesting diversion within our relationship and never a great obstacle. We have been crossing every week and have become

known to the border guards on both sides. We now keep our passports in the glovebox and have developed the tendency to think about the border as a formality and a quaint little part of our relationship. It seems a little silly and unimportant. Surely the rules don’t apply to us. The vast immigration apparatus and legal system are designed for threats to national security from overseas, not from next door. We understand the necessity of securing international points of entry, but Thunder Bay and Grand Marais are hardly foreign to each other. In fact, a village in Quebec or Hawaii would be much more exotic. Even going to Toronto or Minneapolis is a greater culture shock. And yet, the rules are the rules and they are applied uniformly throughout both nations. I can no easier immigrate and work in Thunder Bay than a citizen of Germany, Afghanistan or The Philippines would be able to. The friendly faces of the customs officers at the Pigeon River can turn cold and immovable when ordered to deny entry. This became our new reality in mid-March when the Covid-19 pandemic closed the U.S./Canadian border and we were suddenly separated by a physical barrier that became more real than symbolic. We are now in a holding pattern and playing a waiting game. On April 18 both governments extended border restrictions for another 30 days. Our relationship now depends on creative ways of staying in touch. We have had ‘dates’ on Skype, Google Hangouts and Zoom. We had a virtual dinner to-

Living on opposite sides of the border, Corey Belt and his fiancé Lara Hollway are now in a waiting game while the border is closed. | SUBMITTED gether that included cooking the same meal at the same time (pasta with veggies and marinara sauce) and then eating together while drinking a glass of the same wine (cabernet sauvignon). A few weeks ago, we both hiked to High Falls from our respective sides of the river and waved, smiled and yelled to each other over the sound of the roaring falls. The near reunion was bittersweet. It was a blessing to see each other, and a curse to be so close and yet so far apart. We are both confident that our relationship will survive this forced exile, but we are also both looking forward to the re-opening

of the border with great anticipation. This situation has made us realize how many ties we have on both sides of the border and how closely our two communities are intertwined. For many of us who live in this region, Lake Superior is our shared identity and the force that binds us together rather than the two nation states that share her waters. The drive between Grand Marais and Thunder Bay is an hour and a half of unbeatable scenic beauty. I look forward to taking that drive again in the near future. —Corey Belt

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The Hayes family enjoying some beach time at Split Rock State Park: Devin, Aneliese, Jenny and Hayes. | SUBMITTED

New light keeper finds North Shore magic at Split Rock TWO HARBORS— In fall 2019, longtime Split Rock Lighthouse site manager Lee Radzak retired, passing the torch to Hayes Scriven. Hayes and his family moved into the light keeper’s residence this winter. Northern Wilds reached out to Hayes to learn more about the man who is now caring for the historic lighthouse. Hayes comes to Split Rock with a solid background in Minnesota and Wisconsin history. While in college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, he was an intern at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisc. After college, he served as the executive director of the Northfield Historical Society in southern Minnesota for over 11 years, starting there as the exhibits and education coordinator. He and his wife, Jenny, wanted to be farther north, so when the director position for the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center came open, he applied. Hayes says, “I had always joked, that the only job that would ever take me away from Northfield was a job up north. When the job at the Bong became open, it was the perfect opportunity.” He oversaw the Bong Veterans Historical Center from 2017 until November, 2019, when he accepted the light keeper’s job at Split Rock. Hayes is not a North Shore native—he grew up in Nerstrand, Minn., about 15 miles outside of Northfield. But he has always had a fondness for the iconic lighthouse. He doesn’t remember his first visit to Split Rock

at just 2½ years old, but his parents recorded the moment with a photo of their little boy, gazing up at the 54-foot tall lighthouse. There were many other trips north with his grandfather, starting when Hayes was 13 years old. The pair made annual treks to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, exploring the North Shore along the way. His first visit to Split Rock when he was in college was with his girlfriend, Jenny, now his wife. He later proposed to her on top of Day Hill, the bluff in Split Rock State Park that gives panoramic views of Lake Superior and the lighthouse. “The site and the North Shore has held a very special place in our hearts for many years,” says Hayes. A new lighthouse keeper is a big change for the site, which is a National Historic Landmark managed by the Minnesota Historical Society. Former lighthouse keeper, Radzak managed the site for 36 years. We asked Hayes if he knew Radzak. Hayes jokes that “history geeks” always seem to find one another. Shortly after moving to Two Harbors, Hayes was hosting a trivia night at Castle Danger Brewery. Lee and his wife, along with a Split Rock program manager, Jennifer Niemi, came in to play and the rest, as they say is history. We asked Hayes if Radzak gave him any advice as he passed the torch. Hayes says Radzak suggested that he run the site like it’s his own business. Words of wisdom that Hayes plans to follow, as that was also his philosophy at the other organizations where he worked.

“If I did not fundraise, increase attendance, or increase membership, we would not be able to keep the doors open,” he says. “Also, you have to have passion for what you do. If you don’t have passion, your business will fail.” And Hayes adds, “Lee and I will continue to chat; he has a wealth of knowledge that I need to try and download from him.” However, there may be some changes ahead at the site. “We are going to be introducing some small programmatic changes this year that will give our guests some more to do while they visit,” explains Hayes. “We are creating pop-up programs—short 20 minute interactive presentations on a variety of topics. In addition, we hope to offer some more specialty tours which can enhance the experience at Split Rock.” Hayes and his family—wife, Jenny and children Devin, and Aneliese—are now residing on site and loving their new home. Hayes says, “We are very passionate about the outdoors, so being in the state park and living so close to Lake Superior is just a dream come true. “The first morning we woke up in the house, I looked out the bedroom window and a bald eagle was coming right at the house and flew right over the top. It was a very magical moment, and I knew right then, we are in a very special place.” Hayes says he will work to share that feeling with the public. “We hope everyone that visits Split Rock will have the same connection and feelings that we all do to the site

A tiny boy and a big lighthouse; Hayes Scriven at two and a half years old. | SUBMITTED and the North Shore. It is hard to describe so I have been calling it ‘North Shore Magic.’” “My goal is to make every guest feel the ‘North Shore Magic,’” says Hayes. —Rhonda Silence

COVID UPDATE At press time, access to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is currently restricted due to the COVID-19 national emergency, however work continues on programming for when the historic site is once again open to the public.

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The Richard I. Bong Veteran’s Historical Center in Superior contains over 10,000 artifacts, as well as an impressive archive of over 3,000 books, personal letters, photographs, and more. | SUBMITTED

A history of the sky: Aviation Museums NORTH SHORE—The roar of an F-16 fighter jet passing overhead is a sound that isn’t so much heard as it is felt by a person watching from ground level. Anyone who has spent significant time on the North Shore is familiar with that roar, and has had a moment interrupted by a fighter jet’s awesome rumble as the 148th Fighter Wing, based out of Duluth, runs a routine practice flight along Superior’s shore.

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The F-16’s based out of Duluth, along with the commercial airliners that pass by 35,000 feet up in the sky and the modern personal jets designed and manufactured by the locally headquartered Cirrus Aircraft, are but the most recent chapter in aviation history on the North Shore.

North Shore aviation has a fascinating history, one well worth discovering. The following are a few of the different organizations in the region that dedicate themselves to the continued preservation of aviation history on the North Shore.

RICHARD I. BONG VETERAN’S HISTORICAL CENTER The Richard I. Bong Veteran’s Historical Center, located at 305 Harbor View Parkway in Superior, Wisc., is a must-see for anyone who fancies themselves an aviation enthusiast. What started as a foundation to raise funds for a Richard Ira Bong memorial, is now a much larger organization whose mis-

sion has expanded to not only preserve and honor the memory of Major Bong, but to do so for “all veterans of World War II and the subsequent conflicts by providing educational resources for the Twin Ports area community and beyond.” The Historical Center is home to a stateof-the-art museum that boasts an impressive collection of over 10,000 artifacts, as well as archives containing over 3,000 books, manuscripts, yearbooks, personal letters, photographs, scrapbooks and newspapers. A P-38 fighter plane—donated by the American Legion Post 435 in 2000—stands impressively in the center of the museum in honor of Major Richard I. Bong. Fascinating and engaging—the museum is well worth the visit.

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According to the historical center, Richard I. Bong was a WWII fighter pilot who became the United States’ all-time “Ace of Aces” during the war, “downing 40 enemy planes in the Pacific Theater of the war while flying P-38 fighter planes.” Major Bong was eventually sent home by General George C. Kenney to marry his sweetheart, Marge, and start a family in Superior. Born and raised on a farm in nearby Poplar, Wisc., Richard I. Bong’s upbringing “epitomized the values and expectations of that era,” making him a true American hero. Major Bong was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by General Douglas MacArthur in 1944, a year before Richard Bong’s tragic death during a test flight of a new P-80 Fighter Jet. While Major Bong may be gone, his story—along with the stories of other veterans from WWII and subsequent conflicts—lives on in the Veteran’s Historical Center that bears his name. For up to date hours, events, and information on the Richard I. Bong Veteran’s Historical Center and its mission, visit: bongcenter.org.

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO AVIATION HERITAGE CENTER On the other end of the shore from the Bong Museum, the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Center (NOAHC) is an organization dedicated to the continued preservation of aviation history in the North. The NOAHC covers aviation history in an area that expands across nearly 50 percent of Ontario—526,372 square kilometers—making it a regional center despite its location in Thunder Bay. The idea for the heritage center first came about in 2006 when the retired aeronautical engineer Victor Stevenson brought together a group of aviation enthusiasts with the goal of establishing a museum to preserve the story of the Canadian Car and Foundry’s (Can-Car) contribution to aviation history. Though not limited to producing planes during wartime, Can-Car is best known for the Hawker Hurricane fighters and Curtiss SB2C Helldivers that it manufactured during WWII. As the aviation “enthusiasts” continued to work towards establishing a museum, however, it became apparent that there was a larger story beyond Can-Car that needed to be told, a story that included both “the civilian and military history of aviation in the region with all of its tales of heroism, courage, ingenuity, laughter, and tragedy,” as described on the NOAHC webpage. Established in 2008, the museum today not only takes visitors through Can-Car’s story and the 4,000 “Rosie’s of the North” that contributed planes throughout WWII, but also immerses its visitors in the daring tales of the bush pilots that made life and industry in the remote North possible. Exhibits are well laid out and easy to follow, with photos and artifacts on display that take the viewer back to a time before modern navigation aids and accurate weather reports, when flying was, to quote the NOAHC, “a seat-ofthe-pants affair.” For further information on Northwestern Ontario Heritage Center events, hours, and special tours, visit their website at: noahc.org.

The Richard I. Bong Veteran’s Historical Center is a must-see for any aviation enthusiast. | SUBMITTED

DISCOVER GERALDTON INTERPRETIVE CENTER In addition to the Richard I. Bong Veteran’s historical center and the NOAHC, the Discover Geraldton Interpretive Center (GIC) is an interpretive center that delves into aviation history in its telling of the region’s history. Located in Geraldton, Ontario along Highway 11, the discover GIC offers visitors the opportunity to “explore the early days of the Hudson Bay Fur Traders, the gold boom that brought the town of Geraldton into being, and the firefighting legacy that is ours today.” Further information to events and summer hours can be found on their webpage at: bit.ly/greenstoneic.—Eric Weicht

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Points North North Shore rainbow trout stocking goes wild By Shawn Perich

A change in the strain of rainbow trout stocked in Lake Superior by the Minnesota DNR marks the dawn of a new era for North Shore anglers. For decades, the agency raised domesticated Kamloops strain rainbows in hatcheries for stocking in Lake Superior tributaries. The “loopers” as they are called by anglers, behave differently than the lake’s wild rainbows, called steelhead. The loopers remain near shore and in the vicinity of stream mouths from autumn until spring, where they are avidly pursued by anglers in open water and through the ice. In the spring, they entered tributary streams to spawn, as do steelhead. One difference between loopers and steelhead is a legal matter. The DNR clipped fins on loopers prior to stocking to identify them as hatchery fish. Anglers are allowed to keep three, clipped-fin rainbow trout at least 16 inches in length. Rainbow trout without a clipped fin must be released. The intent of rule is to protect wild steelhead, which are prized by anglers for their sporting qualities, while allowing them to bring home a stocked fish to eat. Although they are both large rainbow trout (weighing 3 to 10 pounds), stream anglers believe the hatchery-raised loopers don’t fight as hard as wild steelhead and consider them an inferior sport fish. Anglers who fish for food didn’t share this somewhat snobbish distinction and were satisfied to catch Kamloops they could take home and eat. Biologically, loopers are less robust than their wild kin. Bred for many generations in hatcheries, they lack the vigor of wild steelhead, which are adapted to survive in the cold, harsh environment of Lake Superior’s North Shore. Biologists and some anglers were concerned that interbreeding between loopers and steelhead would be detrimental to the wild fish. Genetic testing revealed interbreeding was occurring in Minnesota tributaries. Because they could be identified by their clipped fins, biologists learned the Kamloops roamed far and wide. They received reports of loopers entering spawning streams from Wisconsin, Michigan and Ontario. This was a problem. Lake Superior’s fisheries are managed by two countries, three states, one province and a number of tribes that are members of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. By agreement, one agency can’t have a negative impact on fisheries 10

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Wild Lake Superior steelhead like this one are prized by anglers. | SHAWN PERICH managed by another jurisdiction. It was possible Kamloops were interbreeding with wild steelhead beyond Minnesota’s borders. The DNR had to take a hard look at the popular stocking program. Ceasing Kamloops stocking meant that anglers who liked to keep fish to eat would no longer be able to do so. Anglers strongly support catch-and-release for wild steelhead and would oppose any rule change that allowed steelhead harvest. Fisheries managers sought a solution that allowed for rainbow trout harvest and protected wild steelhead. “We didn’t want to manage ‘harvest anglers’ out of the fishery,” said Lake Superior fisheries supervisor Cory Goldsworthy. The DNR developed a hatchery program based on wild steelhead. Eggs are collected from wild steelhead captured during the spring spawning run in the agency’s fish trap on the French River and taken to the Crystal Springs Hatchery, where they raised for several years to maturity. Then they become the brood stock for hatchery production. Offspring of the brood stock are raised in the hatchery for one year and are then fin-clipped and stocked in Lester and French rivers near Duluth. The hatchery-raised steelhead are genetically the

same as wild fish. Every year, eggs for a new generation of brood stock are collected from the wild, ensuring the strain doesn’t become domesticated in the hatchery. Goldsworthy said the first stocking occurred in 2018. He’s heard reports of anglers catching 14-inch fin-clipped fish from that stocking this spring. They are still catching a few Kamloops, too. Unfortunately, 2019’s stocking fell short of the DNR’s goal of 120,000, due to a production hiccup. The DNR has shut down egg-taking operations for 2020 because of social distancing concerns. But Goldsworthy is optimistic the steelhead stocking program will be biologically sound and successful.

Shawn Perich’s POINTS NORTH online

“I’m excited to see how the new program plays out,” he said. Anglers who practice catch-and-release find good fishing for wild steelhead all along the North Shore. Since 1996, the DNR has conducted a creel census along the North Shore to monitor catch rates and angler satisfaction. According to a DNR report on the 2018 spring creel survey, anglers caught an estimated 3,242 steelhead, which was higher than the historic average of 2,878. The estimated shore-wide catch of Kamloops was 1,442, which was lower than the historic average 2,422. Creel clerks are not working this spring while social distancing restrictions are in place.

Follow outdoor writer Shawn Perich as he reports on conservation issues and explores the North Shore wilderness with his dog Rainy. Sign up for this web exclusive blog at northernwilds.com

Hostel becomes ‘haven’ for foreign students THUNDER BAY— Last fall, Holly Watson, owner of The Haven Hostel in Thunder Bay decided to open her facility to foreign college and university students as a way to get through the winter months that are traditionally slow for tourism. The plan was to house the students through April 30 and then ramp up for the summer season during early May. At least, that was the pre-pandemic plan.

More like mortgage guide.

“Then March happened,” Watson said. She returned from a work stint as an environmental consultant at a remote location to Thunder Bay that was shutting down in preparation for the arrival of the coronavirus. She went to Home Depot to find people standing 10 feet apart to purchase household necessities. “It was like being in an apocalypse,” she said.

Holly Watson’s Haven Hostel is housing foreign students who are unable to go home due to the pandemic. | SUBMITTED

It was clear the summer tourism season was now on hold. The foreign students staying at the hostel, most of whom are from India, had all been laid off, were unable to fly home, and had nowhere to go.

despite receiving information and assistance on the local rental market. It was likely 14 students would continue living at the hostel as they have become quite comfortable.

For Watson, it was a moment of panic. At first, she worried the students would become complacent and prevent regular hostel business from arriving. Faced with new coronavirus-related rules to protect tenants, she would not be able to evict them, nor would she want to during a pandemic. Thinking worrisome thoughts, she fretted about her business dilemma for a week. Then, in a meeting with her mentor group, they realized there was a positive opportunity there. “They told me to put a positive spin on the situation. The Haven Hostel could become a haven for these kids,” she said. “I decided to make a go of it in a day and all of a sudden I was pivoting again.” She found the students were taking a laissez faire approach to addressing their situation. They weren’t really looking for other housing alternatives

Mortgage Lender?

Since gatherings of more than five are not allowed, Watson met with four of the students to see if the group wanted to stay at the hostel through July 1. It was clear a family had formed and the students wanted to remain together and were willing to stay. However, now they would be on their own due to COVID-19 precautions. During the school year, with the help of an incredible young volunteer named Yasmin, Watson and her business partner had spent at least two hours a day cleaning up for the students; a task that was at times frustrating because this was the first time many of them had lived away from home. Now the students are on lockdown, which means they have to take care of themselves. Watson provided them with cleaning supplies and the tools they need to stay informed and keep their living quarters clean.

“We’ve been coaching them for seven months now,” she said. “We’re supplying everything for them. Now they’re on their own.” With social distancing guidelines, the students are living in a self-contained unit. If they need anything, there is an on-site student supervisor and they can call or text Watson anytime . She will do biweekly walk-throughs to check on the facility. “It’s definitely hard not being in there every day,” she said. “But so far, it looks pretty good.”

Thinking about buying a home – but unsure of what direction to take? At North Shore Federal Credit Union, we believe that applying for a loan shouldn’t leave you feeling lost. Our mortgage lenders are here and ready to guide you to your new home. Friendly, personal service isn’t the only reason to get your home loan through NSFCU. You’ll also enjoy: • Market leading fixed interest rates • Convenient online loan applications • First-time home buyers program • Full spectrum of financing options for homes, raw land and construction • Custom loans for special properties • 30 days or less for most closings

Like many other business owners, Watson isn’t sure what the future holds. She knows that when the agreement with the students ends July 1, she’ll need to pivot again. If tourism remains on hold, she may house medical staff at the hostel. For now, she’s satisfied to be assisting people in need and maintaining a small revenue stream for her business. In the ‘new normal’ created by the coronavirus crisis, that counts as a business success. —Shawn Perich

Support fish and wildlife:

Buy hunting and fishing licenses Editors Note: A coalition of outdoor groups issued the following statement. MINNESOTA— Whether or not you’re planning to hit the water or the woods in the coming weeks, you can still make a positive difference for our fish and wildlife today. If your circumstances allow, you are encouraged to buy fishing and hunting licenses and stamps, even if you do not plan to fish or hunt. Not everyone realizes the management of fish and wildlife by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, is paid for by hunters and anglers. This is done through the sale of fishing, hunting and related licenses and stamps, as well as federal excise taxes on fishing

and hunting equipment purchases. This vital work is funded by anglers and hunters. It is not funded by property or general income taxes. Individuals in the hunting and angling community have a long history of stepping up during times of adversity to promote fish and wildlife management and conservation. Some of the best programs operating today were created in the shadow of the Great Depression of the 1930s. Many retail locations that sell licenses remain open, and we encourage you to support them. If you’d prefer not to go out, you can also purchase these from home. Visit the DNR webpage: mndnr.gov or call the DNR at 888-665-4236.

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MAY 2020

An aerial view of the old Skyport Lodge, located on Devil Track Lake. | COOK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Story

of Cook County’s Airport By Eric Weicht In a day and age where fewer people are learning to fly and small-town airports are feeling the effects across the country, there is one smalltown airport on the North Shore that continues to stand the test of time. 12

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Prior to 1996, the Cook County Airport was situated on Devil Track Lake where it was built, maintained, and operated by the Krotz family for nearly 40 years. | COOK COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Grand Marais Airport & Seaplane Base, covering an area of 220 acres at an elevation of 1,799 feet, has been serving the flying community at its current location since 1996. Few people are aware of the airport, fewer still have paid it a visit, and yet despite its modest standing within the Cook County community it is part of a rich history that goes back more than 70 years. Prior to 1996, the airport was situated on the shore of Devil Track Lake, where it was built, maintained, and operated by the Krotz family for nearly 40 years. The many Shore, start a

Grand Marais airport, like so businesses along the North began as one man’s dream to new life away from the cities.

“My father moved up here to open a resort right after the war in 1945,” says Kathy Krotz-Finn, Cook County resident and the middle child of Clar-

ence Krotz’s three daughters. “It was his dream, it’s what he wanted to do.” Clarence J Krotz, Kathy Finn’s father, grew up in Chicago as the son of a jewelry maker before going on to serve as a B-26 bomber pilot in the Mediterranean Theater of WWII. Krotz successfully completed 73 missions over Italy and North Africa, before setting his sights on a new life in the woods. According to Finn, Krotz had been saving his money throughout the war, and after completing his final mission had sent the money to his two brothers in Chicago with instructions to “purchase property, preferably on a lake in Northern Minnesota, where he could start a resort and build an airport.” In their search, Krotz’s brothers discovered a stretch of promising land along the shore of Devil Track Lake in Cook County, and in 1945 Krotz purchased the property that he and his

soon-to-be family would eventually turn into Grand Marais’ first “fly-in resort.” Krotz immediately set to work in turning his newly acquired land into the resort of his dreams. Two years later in 1947, Krotz had already completed the lodge, airstrip and seaplane base; the same year that he was to marry Dorothy Rindahl. Krotz and Dorothy would go on to have three daughters—Ginger, Kathy and Clarice—and run Skyport Lodge together until Krotz’s death in 1981. At the time, Krotz’s airstrip was not the only airstrip in the county. In fact, it was not even the only one in Grand Marais. “In 1933, during the Depression,” says Finn, “the CCC had been trying to build an airport down by where the football field is in town today. Before building his own, dad (Clarence Krotz) checked theirs out, but found

[ABOVE] Clarence J Krotz smiles from the cockpit of his plane. He successfully completed 73 missions over

Italy and North Africa during WWII, before setting his sights on a new life in the woods. [TOP RIGHT] Krotz served as a B-26 bomber pilot in the Mediterranean Theater of WWII. | SUBMITTED

that the lay of the land was all wrong, that the grade was wrong, and that it was never going to be able to be an airport like they planned.”

“I can’t tell you how many planes I gassed up and tied down over the years,” says Finn. “It was awesome growing up at the resort, I loved every minute of it.”

“He told them this and they were kind of distraught,” adds Finn, “but he felt he had to say it because it was true! And so that’s when he went up and started his own airstrip.”

“Sure, there was a lot going on, a lot of work that needed to get done each day,” continues Finn, “but it was work that we all enjoyed, and meeting all of the different people was great, in some ways it was the best part.”

According to Finn, her father’s assessment of the CCC’s work was later validated when the state visited Grand Marais in 1948 to assess the airport in town and found it “unfit” for licensure “except for private use.” Then, having just decided not to license the airport in town, they paid Krotz’s airstrip a visit up on Devil Track Lake. “He wasn’t quite finished with it all at that point,” says Finn, “but they could see that it was ‘el perfecto!’ That he knew what he was doing, and so they licensed him right on the spot.” With a licensed airstrip and a good portion of the resort complete, Krotz’s next step was to acquire an airplane. So, in 1950, Krotz purchased a 1941 Piper J-3 Cub with floats which he used to offer pilot lessons at the resort, shuttle guests into remote lakes of the Arrowhead, and pass on a passion for flying to his three daughters. Of Krotz and Dorothy’s three daughters, Finn was the one who ultimately got “bit by the flying bug.” She was the only daughter to receive her pilots license, and the one who inherited the Piper Cub after her father’s death. When asked about life at the Lodge, Finn had one word to describe it—awesome.

With cabins, motel rooms, and a lodge to run on top of operating the Skyport airstrip and maintaining the Piper Cub, all in a location as remote as Devil Track Lake, it is perhaps an understatement to say that the Krotz family had a lot of work on their hands. However, despite the challenges of resort life, Finn looks back on her childhood on Devil Track Lake with fondness and a plethora of good stories, especially when it comes to the family plane. And was she ever nervous flying the Piper Cub? “Oh heavens no!” says Finn. “We grew up that way. I mean we were babies when we were first went up in the Cub. There were years that we didn’t have a car at times, but we always had the airplane, always had the Cub.” “It wasn’t strange to us, it wasn’t odd at the time,” continues Finn, referring to the frequent flights that she and her family would take in the family plane. “We didn’t even think of it as anything eccentric, it was just normal. The Cub was our bread and butter and that was all there was to it.” Though she may have felt comfortable flying the family plane from a very young

Of Krotz and Dorothy’s three daughters, Kathy Finn was the one to receive her pilots license and she inherited the Piper Cub after her father’s death. | SUBMITTED

age, Finn does recall one flight that was more “exciting” than the rest.

Skyport Lodge Today

One day, during a routine joyride in the Cub with her father, they were flying over the Devil Track River when he suddenly turned around and said to Finn, “I’ve got the controls.”

“We want to share the history. That’s why we went for the original name of Skyport Lodge,” says Rachelle Christianson, who owns and operates the lodge on Devil Track Lake with her husband Cory.

“He immediately took us down, way down,” remembers Finn. “You know the part in the river where there are canyons? Well, we were down so low that it felt like the Cub’s wings could touch the canyon walls at any moment.” With the cockpit hanging within the canyon walls, Krotz maneuvered the Piper Cub along the curves of the river, weaving through the canyon while his daughter watched in awe from the co-pilot’s seat. “I was very nervous, but it was fun,” continues Finn, “and at the end of the thing, we pulled out, got up to altitude, and he looks over to me and says, ‘ok you can take over’.” “Once I had taken control again, I asked him, ‘what was that all about?’ And he looked over and said, ‘Oh I used to fly like that in the war, I couldn’t resist’.” With the help of a co-pilot, Finn continues to fly the Cub today and enjoys “buzzing” friends and family as they watch from below. She would still be flying solo if it weren’t for a dislocated left arm that makes it impossible to “pull the prop.” Finn plans to someday pass the Piper Cub down to one of her or her sister Ginger’s grandchildren, hoping that one of them will catch the same flying bug that she did as a child, and carry on the Krotz family tradition of taking to the skies.

The lodge was completely rebuilt by previous owners, Doug and Patty Nordahl, about 20 years ago. The Christiansons purchased it in September, 2016. They have focused on creating a neighborhood grill that celebrates the history of the old airport. Historic photos of Skyport adorn the walls. “The history resonates with a lot of people, both locals and our guests,” Christianson said. “Sometimes they share their memories of Skyport and the Krotz family.” Christianson sees the airport as an untapped resource for local tourism. Hoping to increase their fly-in traffic, Skyport is planning to build a dock conducive to float planes. They have developed stay and play packages that can be customized for folks arriving by plane. Christianson will provide shuttle service from the airport (as do others), because the airport doesn’t have a car for visiting pilots to use. She wants to work with the airport and aviators in ways that are mutually beneficial. “We want to create a bridge with the airport,” she said. “We want to bring back the Krotz’s dream of a fly-in lodge that caters to pilots.” —Shawn Perich NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

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Idled servers

getting by the best they can In March, Minnesota and Ontario order the closure of bars and restaurants as a measure to slow the spread of Covid-19. While some restaurants have offered curbside takeout, others have closed entirely. We checked in with a few servers to learn how the closures have affected them.

Tuija Hansen, Thunder Bay

Lisa Bartman, Two Harbors

“I’ve worked at the Foundry since it opened,” said Tuija Hansen. “We were going to celebrate the eighth anniversary of the opening in July.”

“I’m not working,” said Lisa Bartman, a server at Grand Superior Lodge. “The restaurant isn’t doing take out except on Saturday mornings and my manager is handling that.”

The owners of the facility closed it a day before closure was mandated by Premier Doug Ford. Hansen said she was grateful for the concern the owners showed for their employees and patrons by doing so. The Foundry at this writing is not open for curbside pick-up. But employees are not the only ones who have lost work from the closure. “The Foundry is a music hub in the community,” Hansen said. “Monday through Saturday, there was always something going on.” Hansen is a fiber artist and has spent her time designing new items for her home textile business. She typically sells her wares at craft shows, which are closed, too. She also works part time as an art instructor for a local organization. Since the organization can’t hold in-person classes, at this writing they were investigating ways to do online instruction. Even though her sources of income

She is collecting about $400 per week in unemployment benefits, which is “keeping me going.” She misses going to work, her work “family” and the exercise that is part of the fast-paced job. She also misses the restaurant’s “beautiful view” of Lake Superior. have dried up, Hansen is getting by. “Luckily, the government rolled out comprehensive support for people who lost work due to Covid-19,” she said. She worries about the future of bars and restaurants, which often operate on small profit margins. She thinks restaurants in smaller communities may be able to survive the closure, but wonders what will happen in Ontario’s large urban areas. “We’ll see what happens,” she said. “They may not be able to make the rent.”

“I’m trying to keep a stiff upper lip,” he said.

She’s not sure when she’ll be able to go back to work. “I’m praying for May 4,” she said, referring to the end date of Governor Walz’s stay at home order.

Tammy Dalbec, Two Harbors

The Rustic closed, but continued making its signature pies, which are sold at the Whole Foods Coop stores in Duluth. Dalbec was able to help out with preparing pie orders and with curbside pie orders at the restaurant. At this writing the restaurant was about to begin offering a menu as well as pies. While she appreciates the work, it is far different than what she was doing previously.

Over the past year and a half, Graeme Parrish has worked as a server, bartender and cook at the Gunflint Tavern. When the closure of bars and restaurants began in March, the Tavern began doing take-out orders. Parrish said the owner’s concerns about the staff’s health and safety during the initial shutdown led to a decision to close the restaurant entirely, putting him out of work. At this writing, the Tavern is doing curbside growler sales.

He’s now collecting unemployment benefits for the first time. As someone used to being busy working, he’s finding his current situation stressful.

“I like my job,” she said. “It’s good

money. People are generous with their tips.”

“Right before all of this started, I went on vacation to South Carolina to see my mother. I ended up cutting my vacation short and coming home,” said Tammy Dalbec, who has worked at the Rustic Inn in Castle Danger for 19 years.

Graeme Parrish, Grand Marais

“It’s definitely an adjustment,” he said. “It’s like a vacation, but not.”

In the meantime, she’s spending time outdoors. She’s gone hiking at Tettegouche and Gooseberry state parks and at Silver Bay’s Black Beach, as well as fished for Coho salmon from the Two Harbors breakwall. Being outside is enjoyable, but she wants to be working.

“It’s a new world to go from 40 hours a week to being at home,” she said. “I’ll be happy to go back to work.” To do so, he’s been getting outdoors to hike and catching up on his hobbies. He’s also remained in contact with his Gunflint Tavern workmates. “We have a closely knit crew,” he said. “So it’s easy to keep in touch.”

When she eventually returns to work, she knows the restaurant business will be a new world, too. For social distancing, the restaurant may have half as many tables. Servers may wear gloves and masks, and pass out disposable menus. In the meantime, restaurant cus-

tomers will be served at the curbside. She noted that even during the stay at home order in April, the North Shore was busy with visitors from outside the area. While many visitors will patronize restaurants to get a meal, Dalbec thinks the business volume from curbside pick up may be far less than when a restaurant is fully open. “You won’t see an hour-long wait line going out the door,” she said. “Curbside is great if you get enough business to sustain it.”

NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

By Breana Roy

Celebrating Spring

It seems spring has finally arrived in the Northern Wilds and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After a long winter and the current coronavirus outbreak, it feels great to get outside and bask in the sunshine. Here’s a selection of some springtime artwork to help with your spring fever.

Duluth artist Adam Swanson recently finished this acrylic piece of his son tending the sap boil, titled “Stranger.” | ADAM SWANSON

“Winged Convergence” is a giclee print by Marian Lansky. | MARIAN LANSKY

“Little Raven’s Big Wish,” by Lutsen artist Kari Vick. Vick is a printmaker, painter and illustrator of children’s books using watercolor and ink. | KARI VICK “Water Lily” is a giclee print by Rick Allen. Allen and Marian Lansky are the owners of Kenspeckle Letterpress in Duluth. To view more of their work, visit: kenspeckleletterpress.com. | RICK ALLEN

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NORTHERN WILDS

This fun and whimsical piece is titled “Love Shortnin’ Bread” by Liz Sivertson. To see more of her work, visit: sivertson.com. | LIZ SIVERTSON

Hovland artist Lee Ross in her studio. Ross has been a professional artist for more than four decades. | DAN ROSS

Lake Superior inspires a clear vision for North Shore glass artist CREATIVE SPACE: By Joe Friedrichs Lee Ross is inspired by people who’ve persevered through challenging circumstances. As many work to navigate these uncertain times, heroes are emerging in medical facilities, grocery stores and places once looked upon as commonplace. At the end of the day, however, when times are tough, Ross often turns to a familiar source. “In times of trouble, I turn to artists,” Ross said. Ross, along with her husband, Dan, have made their home near Lake Superior in Hovland for more than 30 years. The duo have been creating art together and working as professional artists for more than four decades. Until recently, their creative collaborations went hand-in-hand on many projects. Then Ross found a new medium to explore: glass. Naturally, it was her base of operations that inspired this new branch of creation. “I was always curious about what was on the inside, or down in the depths of Lake Superior below the surface,” Ross said. “And now I have a way to explore that.” When it comes to the ever-continual discovery of her surroundings and the creative process using glass, Ross is not alone in the Northern Wilds. Showcasing this talented pool of regional glass artists is the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery in Grand Marais. Originally scheduled for May 1-24 but now

rescheduled for December of 2021, the art gallery will feature the works of more than a half dozen local artists and their glasswork. In addition to Ross, the featured artists will be Mary Bebie, Lissa Grover, Jeri Person, Nancy Seaton, Veronica Weadock, Sharon Frykman and Tony Rau. Known locally as the “Glass Group,” Ross said Nancy Seaton was largely the mastermind who started the group. “We gather on cold winter nights in the warm glass studio to share ideas and experiment with glass,” Ross said. Prefacing the question with genuine artistic humor, Ross turned the tables on the author of this story to inquire: “What do a teacher, forest service employee, fish monger, canoe outfitter, radio host, gardener, ceramic artist and a technical illustrator have in common?” The answer is, of course, glass. “We share ideas, techniques and stories,” Ross said of the local group, “which we weave into finished glass pieces.” Ross has been an artist in one form or another for not just her entire adult life, but for the greater part of her entire time spent on this planet. The daughter of a potter, she has been sinking her hands in clay for the purposes of creation since she was a child.

“I come from a long line of biologists and artists,” Ross said. “I enjoy combining them.” Mixing the natural world with her art is the core of the combination Ross refers to, with hikes through Judge Magney State Park, located just up the road from her home, often appearing on her daily to-do list. Indeed it was, as is the case for many who move to the region, the natural world and its beauty that brought Lee and Dan to set up shop near Lake Superior. They are frequent paddlers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. As with canoeing, there is a certain efficiency and smoothness that comes when two people can work in unison to create art. While not for all couples, working together as partners in their professional and home life has been a welcomed and rewarding process for them. “My work with Dan has been a true collaboration,” Ross said. “From concepts, designs, sketches to finished sculptures and prints. I have been branching off with glass but still value Dan’s input and help.”

Glasswork by Lee Ross. Her artwork will be on display at the Johnson Heritage Post in December of 2021, alongside seven other glass artists. | DAN ROSS ideas and new ways to share a message. The most recent glass sculptures Ross has explored are various watercrafts and other works directly inspired by looking into Lake Superior, Ross explained. “I work every day as an artist and enjoy every minute of it,” she said. “Curiosity is my driving force.”

Ross, who is originally from St. Paul, met her husband while both were students at the University of River Falls in Wisconsin in the early 1970s. Most of their shared work has involved ceramic sculptures, stone carvings and prints. As with many artists, Ross’s work is constantly manifesting new forms, new NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

Betsy Bowen Studio & Gallery 301 First Avenue West, Grand Marais, MN 218-387-1992

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Gunflint Pines Cabins & Camping Boat /Canoe/Kayak/ Fishing Pole Rentals Gift Shop & Grocery Pizza & Ice Cream Open to the Public 218.388.4454 www.gunflintpines.com 217 South Gunflint Lake Grand Marais, MN 55604

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A SWIMMING STORY

A Long Time Coming JAMS:

By Will Moore For Thunder Bay guitarist Taylor Perrault, creativity has never been an issue, but taking the steps to put that creativity out into the world has been a bit more difficult. A bar manager who lost his job just before widespread stay-at-home orders were put in place, Perrault says today’s circumstances may have aided the release of his first solo album. “I don’t know if this record would have come out in a different situation,” says, Perrault, 28. “I have a bad habit of pushing it back and pushing it back. I really wanted to be perfect. So, in all this spare time, I was playing the songs and I was like ‘you know what? Now’s the time to do it’.” And the final step to make that happen may have taken a bit of bribing. “I called up my friend Mack Davis...we were already starting to go into quarantine. I was like, ‘I’ll buy you that Animal Crossing game if you master my record’.” The album, called “A Swimming Story” is nearly a decade in the making, hearkening back to a time he was living in Toronto around 2011 with his friends as part of a band called The Other Colour. It was around that time that his bandmates inspired him to start writing his own music. Now back in Thunder Bay, Perrault says the conceptGrand of A Swimming Story is Marais, Minnesota “trying to stay afloat kind of in this new

A Swimming Story album cover; artwork by Joshua van Boxtel and Shannon Dobson. | SUBMITTED foreign environment, even though it really isn’t that foreign.” “When I moved away from my family and was in Toronto, some vices took over; I was not living my best life, you could say,” says Perrault. “And I was trying to kind of motivate myself through my songs in my music. Keep your head above water.” Perrault got the album’s name from a Barenaked Ladies record that was ultimately titled something different, deciding if they weren’t going to use it, someone else should. He also says there’s a dichotomy to his creative process.

“There’s kind of two main ways a song 90.7 FM Grand Marais can be written in my opinion, either the melody just kind of comes to you, or you 90.1 FM Grand Portage can sit down with a theme or idea and North Shore Community Radio kind of play around that. And I think that 89.1 FM Gunflint Trail the album kind of breaks half and half into those situations.”

“The project evolved over time to kind of take on new meanings,” says Perrault. “And it definitely turned out differently than how I first imagined because it was written over such a long period of time.” Though he says he started out as a “classic rock snob,” his tastes in music have varied over the years and that’s evident with this batch of songs. Largely guitar driven, it’s an experimental and playful album with elements of folk, hard rock and tinges of country, with some great guest vocals by Tyson Coady and Danielle Knoll. There’s also one extremely, facetiously bluesy song appropriately called “Stereotypical Blues.” “My dad is a huge blues fan…when you grow up with that you kind of get sick of it,” says Perrault. “I sat down with the intention to write a cheeky blues love letter. And I was making fun of it a bit because it’s a repetitive genre. But you know, I love it, too.” Perrault says for now, with venues closed, he’s not focused on doing virtual concerts. Rather he wants to get back into a creative mindset right away.

e t i r o v a F ’s Shore! e n o y r e v E e on the Stor 218-387-2233 • Grand Marais

He also says that incubating these songs for so long ultimately changed the final product.

“I didn’t want to make this huge back catalog of music and ideas and not have the original batch kind of out there. So now that this album’s out in the world, it’s just time to start writing again,” he says. “I’ve already got a bunch of different ideas.”

JoynesBenFranklin

A Swimming Story is available for download on Bandcamp; you can find it at: taylorperrault.bandcamp.com.

Painting rocks and spreading kindness By Rhonda Silence Unless you’ve been living under a rock (pun intended), you’ve probably noticed online posts from groups such as “Painted Rocks!” or “Kindness Rocks.” You may have heard an artistic friend talking about this interesting hobby—painting rocks and placing them in special places. Or perhaps you’ve found a delightfully decorated rock yourself and wondered what is this all about? It all appears to have started with women’s empowerment coach and kindness activist Megan Murphy, who founded and trademarked the Kindness Rocks Project in 2015. Murphy founded the Kindness Rock Project after an introspective walk on a beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. On her website, Murphy explains that she frequently looks for messages on such walks—heart shaped rocks or pieces of rare sea glass. She sees these finds as signs that she is on the right path. Murphy says she had an epiphany—why not create inspirational messages for others to find? She launched the Kindness Rocks Project and hundreds of other such groups formed across the United States and around the world, including two here on Lake Superior’s North Shore. Local rocks are being painted, hidden, found and re-hidden by members of Cook County/Grand Marais Rocks and Thunder Bay Rocks. The Cook County group is fairly small. Its Facebook page has just 164 members at this time. But for Cook County residents, it is fun to see painted rocks turning up at familiar locations, such as the Lake Superior Trading Post, outside East Bay Hotel or Grandma Ray’s. The Cook County group was founded by a rock painting visitor, Terry Bockovich of Marysville, Washington. Bockovich enjoys taking part in “Snohomish County Rocks” there. On a visit to Grand Marais in December 2016, she shared the idea with friends and family, who quickly took up the challenge to, as Bockovich says, “spread love and joy around the community.” Thunder Bay Rocks is a much larger group. The Thunder Bay Rocks Facebook page has 8,551 members. One of the administrators, Patricia Quinton, explains that she heard about the concept of painting rocks from a cousin who belongs to Winnipeg Rocks, a group with 25,485 members. She says she took up the idea as a new hobby. In a phone interview, she laughs, “After all, how many knitted afghans can you have?” Quinton had never painted before, but decided to give it a shot. She started simply, just hiding rocks saying “Spread Kindness.” But as she became more confident, she painted more elaborate rocks. Which leads to the question, is it hard to hide the rocks and not know what happens to them? Quinton says no, because the mystery of what happens to the rocks is part of the fun. “I’ve done hundreds and I let them go. Will the person who finds it enjoy it?

Will it make an impact on their life? The mystery makes it fun,” she says. However, Quinton admits it is also touching to hear the stories of found rocks. One of her favorites was a perfect oval rock, painted to be Spiderman. She shared it with a friend to hide, but before the friend could hide it, she encountered a little boy decked out in Spiderman gear from head-to-toe. There was no way that rock could be hidden, it had found its owner. That happens all the time, says Quinton. In fact, her mother had a serendipitous encounter that showed how meaningful a rock with a positive message can be. Quinton’s mom was at a bakery and had to dig through her purse to find change for her purchase. In her purse was a rock painted by her daughter. When the salesgirl saw the rock, she shared one she had found— one painted and hidden by Quinton! The young woman said she found it at a low point of her life. She now keeps it on a shelf at the bakery and whenever she has a bad day, she looks at it and feels better about things. That is the purpose of the huge hideand-seek game. Behind the whimsical artwork and silly messages; mixed amongst the masterfully painted rocks with deeply philosophical quotes, is a very serious effort to make the world a better place—one painted rock at a time. Editor’s Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, rock groups have halted hiding rocks until it is deemed safe to once again do so. In the meantime, many participants are still painting rocks and sharing them on the groups’ Facebook page. Check it out for some uplifting thoughts of better days ahead.

An assortment of painted rocks from the Cook County/Grand Marais Rocks group. | SUBMITTED

How to join the kindness rock movement—it’s simple! PAINTERS 1. Find an interesting rock. 2. Paint it—include a reminder on the back to share to a local group’s Facebook page. 3. Hide it—follow the guidelines for your local rock group. FINDERS If you find a rock, you have two options—keep it as an inspirational keepsake or re-hide it to be found and enjoyed by others. For more information, visit the Facebook pages for the North Shore rock groups: • Cook County/Grand Marais Rocks • Thunder Bay Rocks

A rock hidden at the Lake Superior Trading Post. | SUBMITTED

Art Pick of the Month by Breana Roy

Comfort—

Love comes together during hard times. Grand Marais artist Betsy Bowen has been publishing a series of inspiring drawings a few times a week on her Facebook page. The series is titled “Comfort” and her images range from marigolds and seedlings, to the beach and the first spring bike ride. This piece, titled “Love” was published after the downtown fire in Grand Marais on April 13, to which Betsy wrote, “Comfort—Love comes together during hard times.” To see more of her work, visit: facebook.com/betsybowenstudio. NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

The North Shore Dish Local Farmers Connect to Land and Community By Chuck Viren

Many who move to the North Shore seek a deeper connection with the land. For some, that connection involves gardening, producing one’s own food from the land. It takes a lot of knowledge, dedication, and adaptability to produce quality, consistent crops in this environment with its rocky ground and short growing season. Some brought specialized knowledge to the task. Some managed to produce more than they could consume and began selling at local farmer’s markets. Some began offering CSAs for sale—Community Supported Agriculture. Those who turned their passion for gardening into a family business learned to adapt and diversify their offerings. Let’s look at three such local farms: Maple Hill Sugarbush and Gardens near Grand Marais, Chelsea Morning Farm near Silver Creek in the Two Harbors area, and Round River Farm near Finland. All have their own stories and backgrounds, and all have found their own niche. Melinda and Mark Spinler, owners of Maple Hill Sugarbush and Gardens, met in college. Mark had grown up on a farm in southern Minnesota and had farming in his blood. Melinda grew up in a military family, moving every three years or so. Her roots were in the Appalachian Mountains, where her relatives were farmers and miners, and very independent and self-sufficient. She had developed a love of gardening. But because of her somewhat nomadic upbringing, she was looking for a place to settle down. They moved to the North Shore in 1984, bought a remote parcel of land, and of course put in a garden. Melinda became involved with the Cook County Whole Foods Coop in its early days. Back then, it was difficult to find a variety of high-quality produce. She was in communication with other local growers and worked to establish a farmers’ market in Grand Marais. Customers at the market eventually suggested they start a CSA. Initially she formed a cooperative with other growers to meet the demands of local customers. Eventually some of the other growers got bigger and ventured out on their own, so now they offer 15 to 20 shares solely from their farm and also sell food at the Cook County Market. CSA shares for this year are still available. They have definitely learned to diversify. Mark had tapped maples on his farm 20

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Cree Bradley with CSA Crates. Bradley is the owner of Chelsea Morning Farm near Two Harbors, alongside her husband Jason. | SUBMITTED

South of the Border

growing up, so was experienced in making syrup. They have 12 acres of maples they tap each year and utilize a wood-fired evaporator to produce syrup. They also raise chickens and sell eggs. Twice a year they offer pastured organic chicken for sale—usually by preorder. They follow organic farming practices, but because they sell locally, they do not feel the need to go through the certification process.

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Cree and Jason Bradley are relative newcomers, having started their Chelsea Morning Farm in 2006. While they did not have farming backgrounds, Cree became involved with a local farmer’s market while a student at UMD. As part of her work with the farmers’ markets, she started volunteering on local farms and learned she loved being on a farm. She loves being connected to the land and the seasonal cycles. Her approach is also very science-oriented; she currently teaches holistic farm management through the Land Stewardship Project. Jason’s route to the farming life, interestingly, involves fish. He had worked as a fishing guide in Ely, and eventually got a job smoking fish at Russ Kendall Smokehouse in Knife River and got to know the local commercial fishermen. He apprenticed under Steve Dahl and now has his own commercial fishing license. Diversity is the name of the game at Chelsea Morning Farm. On their 25-acre farm, they plant three acres of mixed vegetables. They also grow flowers and sell starter plants in the spring. They have around a hundred laying hens. And then there’s the syrup. They tap 2,500 maples each year and sell under the label Never Summer Sugarbush. Oh, and the fish. They offer herring and lake trout fillets, caught by Jason, and fish cake. Also for sale are honey, wild rice, and holiday balsam wreaths. At one time they sold 80 to 100 CSA shares a year. They have shrunk that to 30 to 40, and according to Cree they still have shares available for sale this year. They have a wide variety of options for purchasing shares depending on which products the customer wishes to include in their order. They also sell at farmers’ markets. Lise and David Abazs were in New Mexico at High Desert Farm working on a seed saving project looking at how to produce food in tough growing environments. They planned to move to Maine to take up farming. Lise, who is from southern Minnesota, had a last-minute change of heart and

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Lise Abazs, and her husband David, spent 12 years with pickaxe in hand working the land at Round River Farm and building up the soil. They started offering CSAs about 20 years ago. | SUBMITTED wanted to settle in Minnesota. David, who had long dreamed of moving to Maine, did his research and said it would have to be in Finland, because it held similar tree types to Maine and because of Lake Superior’s resemblance to an ocean. They found a 40acre parcel 32 years ago and spent 12 years with pickaxe in hand working the land at Round River Farm and building up the soil. Approximately 20 years ago they started offering CSAs and sold from Duluth to Grand Marais. They have since purchased an adjacent 80 acres. Lise has used her expertise in growing, planning and economics. David has utilized academic research in the development of their soil and of seeds suitable for the region. When they first started farming, they had 22 inches of soil atop bedrock. The soil was a half percent organic matter. Their soil is now 15 percent organic matter. Ever conscious of the effects of climate change, David estimates their soil once sequestered 5,800 pounds of carbon per acre. That number has grown to 174,000 pounds per acre. David and Lise, like the other farmers in this article, have done various jobs throughout their years of farming. David states he never wanted to rely solely on the farm for their income because he thought

they might be tempted to stray from their values simply to make money. Now that they are a bit older and both have substantial jobs—Lise with North Shore Area Partners and David as executive director of the Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnership through the University of Minnesota Extension Service—they have decided to no longer offer CSAs. They are still selling produce through local farmers’ markets, but their focus has now become the development of seed varieties they can distribute to area farmers. They will co-distribute with North Circle Seed. They are developing varieties of beans, broccoli, kale, swiss chard, onions, carrots, tomatoes, squash and lettuce. They also have 35 varieties of apples and 44 rhubarb varieties. A love of land. A connection to community. A passion for sustainably grown, nutritious produce. Family. Diversity. Innovation. These are the values that have prompted these dedicated local farmers to share their bounty with others.

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Farmers markets are essential services, so they are allowed to continue during the pandemic. However, we are expected to offer ample hand washing stations, encourage social distancing with our layout, and not offer any samples or products to be consumed on site. We still want to offer community learning experiences at the market, so it’s time to get creative with how we do it. Want to be involved? Have an idea for an event? Contact us! 218-353-0300 or email federica@friendsoffinland.org

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MAY 2020

Run when you can, walk when you have to: How to become a runner By Walter Rhein There is a strange psychology to running that I’ve never fully come to understand. I’ve done more than 25 marathons and I still find that the hardest part is lacing up my shoes and taking the first step. Yet, the euphoria experienced upon achieving a finish line always seems to provide enough momentum to make you sign up for the next event. Running is simple.

not your miles. That prevents you from getting discouraged if the conditions were poor or you were fatigued. You shouldn’t say, “Today I ran five miles and yesterday I ran seven.” Instead, say, “Today I ran for an hour, even though I also ran for an hour yesterday.” Be positive. Find victories and celebrate them. This is another good piece of advice, both for exercise and for life.

There’s no need to invest in a gym membership or purchase expensive equipment. All it takes is time, and we all benefit from the kind of silent, reflective moments that come during a run.

Seven to 10 hours a week is a good amount for a marathoner. Three to five is good for general fitness. Start out conservative and see how your body responds. Take rest days when you need to, but don’t give up.

When people ask for tips on how to get into running, I always start by dismantling the first great misconception: the truth about running is that you don’t have to run.

The other great misconception about running is that it is a physical challenge.

At least, not all of the time. Many people hear the word “run” and what they think is “sprint.” The word that should come to mind is “jog.”

It’s not. It’s mental. You have to keep going.

A dozen years ago I met a man in his 80s who was running his hundredth marathon.

Your legs are going to hurt, and you’re going to be short of breath, and you’re going to get hungry, and you’re going to be pushed to your limits. But if you keep moving, the race will end.

“Do you have any advice?” somebody asked.

Run when you can, walk when you have to.

“Run when you can, walk when you have to,” he said.

I think the most amazing thing about running is that it shows you that you’re capable of a lot more than you ever thought possible.

Good advice, both for exercise and for life. The trick to running is to keep moving. Whether you’re going five kilometers or 50, if you keep moving, eventually the race will end. The old saying goes you must walk before you can run. So walk. The trick is to make your training part of your daily routine. Your running needs to become a habit like brushing your teeth. Keep track of it. Keep track of your time

You’ll start to think things like, “If I can run 6.2 miles, why can’t I run 13.1?” Then you’ll do it, and you’ll discover that you can. Then you’ll think, “If I can run 13.1 miles, why not 26.2?” Running doesn’t get easier, but you do get faster and you go farther. I think the thing that makes running addictive is the

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little whisper you start to hear which suggests that you can do more.

You might not even hear it on your first run.

It seems like every day we’re surrounded by thousands of screaming voices telling us what we can’t do. Those voices fall silent on a run, and you hear the little whisper, and the whisper says, “Yes, you can.”

But if you keep with it, you will start to hear it, and all the other voices will become diminished.

But you won’t hear the whisper when you’re lacing up your shoes.

Then you’ll do that, too.

And you won’t hear the whisper when you take your first step.

So, run when you can, walk when you have to. You might be surprised to discover that you don’t have limits after all.

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Visit MNOWS.com for more information. Most warts disappear on their own, but it can take some time. That said, there is nothing wrong with seeking treatment for warts. | STOCK

Ward Off Warts By Amy Schmidt A wart is a small, rough growth that can appear anywhere on the body. Warts on the feet are referred to as plantar warts; those on the hands are palmar warts. In general, the appearance of the wart depends on its location on the body and the thickness of the skin. Most warts look like a solid blister or a small cauliflower. Warts are caused by viruses in the human papillomavirus (HPV) family and most often affect children and teenagers. As many as one in three children and teenagers are estimated to have warts, but only three to five percent of adults. This is probably because the immune system becomes better able to prevent wart development over time. Most warts disappear on their own. Like the symptoms of a cold that dissipate after your body has overcome the cold virus, so a wart will disappear after your immune system defeats the strain of HPV you are infected with. Unfortunately, it usually takes your body a lot longer to fight off a wart virus than a cold virus, one to five years on average. On the other hand, it’s great news that our immune systems aren’t so slow when it comes to the common cold. Can you imagine having a congestion and sneezing that lasted five years? That said, there is nothing wrong with seeking treatment for warts, especially for those in sensitive places or those that have grown quite large, or numerous. There are a number of home or folk-remedies that people have found to be very successful in curing warts (and no, it doesn’t involve hair pins and witch spells). Keeping the wart

covered with duct tape essentially suffocates the skin cells that comprise it and, in the meantime, can remove some of the excess cells that make the wart bulky and visually prominent. Over the counter products that contain salicylic acid can be effective, especially when applied after the wart has been soaked and loose skin cells have been removed. Be sure to protect the healthy skin around the wart with petroleum jelly or a corn paste. Some people swear by oregano essential oil. Depending on the dilution, this can be very irritating to the skin so use with caution. Sometimes warts require treatments only prescribed or performed by medical providers. Some of these treatments include cryotherapy, surgery, topical chemical creams or laser treatment. Talk with your doctor if you have a wart that bleeds easily, causes pain especially during daily activities, changes appearance, comes back after prior removal or spreads easily to other parts of the body.

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To reduce the risk of catching or spreading warts, don’t touch other people’s warts. Don’t share personal items such as towels, shoes or socks and be sure to wear shoes when entering and exiting communal showers and pools. Don’t scratch or pick warts and if you do, wash hands thoroughly afterward. If you have questions, please call the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic at (218)3872330 or find info online at: sawtoothmountainclinic.org. NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

Northern Trails Small Lake Brook Trout in Spring By Gord Ellis

After a long, snowy winter, there are very few sights more appealing than a sparkling, ice free lake. If it has brook trout living in it, then so much better. There really are few activities in life more fun and relaxing then paddling around some jewel of a lake, catching the prettiest fresh water fish in the swim. And spring really is the prime time to fish these lakes. Here is a guide to fishing for small lake brook trout.

Where to Go Northwestern Ontario literally has hundreds of stocked lakes that are put, grow and take. You can get good information on these water-bodies, and how to find them, via the fish online tool from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: bit.ly/ fishontario.

Casting off a beaver house. | GORD ELLIS work wonders as well, with the #3 Mepps Aglia and the Panther Martin topping the charts. Small minnow-sized crankbaits such as the Rapala Husky Jerk, Rapala Countdown or Live Target redbelly dace can be deadly. A light or medium/light weight spinning rod of 6 to 7 feet is a good all-around choice for a rod. I don’t recommend going too light for brookies in small lakes. There is too much timber, weeds and rocks that they can get tangled up in. I’d recommend 6-pound test monofilament at lightest, but generally use 8-pound.

The FishOntario tool can tell you what lakes are being stocked, with how many fish, when and the GPS coordinates. Some of the stocked lakes are very remote, others are quite accessible. It’s staggering how many options there are. If wild, native brook trout are what you fancy, there will be a bit more detective work involved. Northwest Ontario has a few of these small jewels, but generally they are rather well-kept secrets. Limits are also different. I live release wild brook trout. Fish from stocked lakes generally don’t spawn and are there to be harvested.

Brook Trout Locations When you get to a brook trout lake you have never fished before, take some time to look at the shoreline. Search for points, reeds, Labrador tea beds, fallen trees in the water, beaver houses and rock reefs are all worth a poke. So is any water moving in or out. In the spring time, after the ice has receded, brookies will generally move up into the shoreline cover, where the water warms quickly and the food they prefer will first emerge. This food can include dace, stickleback, leeches, scuds, nymphs and any number of amphibians. Trout food will get more active as the thermometer rises. And this usually happens fast. Several years ago, I fished a natural brook trout lake with a friend on the exact day the ice went out. In fact, the canoe had to bust through half a lake worth of skim ice to get to the clear side. Initially, the 24

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Spring brook trout love spoons. | GORD ELLIS fishing was terrible, but as the early May sun burned down, the ice vanished and the trout turned on. So frenzied was the bite that we would have multiple fish trying to hit the lure on retrieve. If one shook the spoon, another brookie would smash it. It was simply the most incredible trout bite ever. A week later we went back, hoping for a repeat. Never had a bite. Welcome to brook trout fishing.

Techniques You can catch spring brook trout in a variety of ways and with a few different

techniques. If you fish from shore, I would recommend finding a vantage point that allows you to case parallel to the shore. You will catch 90 percent of the fish within 10 feet of shore. Another option is still fish with a float, sinker and worm or nymph off a beaver house or point. Float fishing can be a deadly way to catch trout that are working an area repeatedly. They come to you. Fly fishing can be difficult from the shores of spec lakes, but is doable if the back cast is clear. As for tackle, spin-fishing anglers will be well served by smaller spoons like the Little Cleo, Krocodile and EGB. Spinners can

As for flies, the standard bearers are the Wooly Bugger, Matuka Sculpin, Strip Leech or anything that looks buggy or like a minnow. Spring brookies are generally pretty receptive to a wet fly or nymph cast and slowly stripped back in. You can also troll a fly and have pretty impressive action. Trolling also helps you track down where brook trout are hanging out. A 6 or 7 weight fly line with a sink tip or full sink will work well in a lake. You don’t need to make long casts, just be accurate. Generally, it’s easier and more effective to fish from a canoe, belly boat or kayak. Remember that the water in spring is very cold, so you will need insulated waders in a belly boat. Canoes and kayaks allow you more mobility. Brook trout fishing in small lakes is one of the great treats in angling. What’s even better is that as often as not, there is not another soul around. Just you and the bookies in splendid isolation.

When hitting the water this season, remember to boat close to home and always wear your life jacket. | STOCK

Be safe, practice social distancing on the water As boaters across Minnesota prepare to hit the water, they need to keep in mind tips for being safe on cold water as well as their responsibility for staying close to home and practicing socially distancing under Gov. Tim Walz’s “Stay at Home” executive order. “As Minnesotans, we have a natural urge to get outside this time of year—and for many of us, that’s especially true this spring,” said Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director. “We constantly remind people about ways they can stay safe while they’re on the water. In light of COVID-19, we also ask this year that you take additional steps to protect yourself, your family, and the people around you.”

Cold-water safety

No matter when the ice went out, there’s one common theme: The water this time of year is dangerously cold. Falls into the water can quickly turn tragic. With water temperatures not much above freezing, a fall in likely will trigger cold-water shock. Numbness will set in quickly, and swimming or calling for help will be difficult. You’ll probably gasp uncontrollably and draw water into your lungs. Even strong swimmers may drown within minutes. “The best way to prevent that from happening is to wear a life jacket—actually wear it, not just have it along,” said Lisa Dugan, DNR Enforcement recreation safety outreach coordinator. “It’s the easiest and most effective way to prevent an unfortunate situation from turning into a tragedy.” The cold-water season isn’t the time to boat alone, either. This year, people should head out only with members of their immediate household and let others on shore know where they’re going and when they plan to return. Keep the floor of the boat free of clutter to avoid tripping and falling into the water, and ensure the boat has safety equipment such as life jackets, communication and noise-making devices, and a first-aid kit.

Boating during COVID-19

When hitting the water, know the DNR’s COVID-19 outdoor recreation guidelines and practice the following to protect yourselves and others: • Maintain social distance of at least 6 feet. This includes places such as fuel stations and community docks, and means no beaching or tying up to other boats. • Boat only with people in your immediate household. • Boat close to home. Travel to and from the access site without making other stops. • When fueling, wash your hands as you would when fueling a car. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. • When launching and loading your boat, give people ahead of you plenty of time and space to finish launching or loading before you approach. • Keep in mind water-access site conditions may be different than in previous years. DNR-managed accesses are open, but spring maintenance is not completed. • If you have been diagnosed with, or are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (including fever, cough, or difficulty breathing), stay home. This self-isolation period should extend for at least seven days after the illness begins and include 72 hours of being fever-free without using fever-reducing medications and resolution of other symptoms. • Know what’s open. To see what DNR-managed sites are available, see the DNR’s COVID-19 website or call the DNR information center at 651296-6157 or 888-646-6367. NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

Wild Traditions When the Stone Speaks By Julia Prinselaar

Anywhere she moves, Deborah Spear carries rocks with her. Inspired by the geology and wildlife along Lake Superior’s North Shore, the Manitoba native began working with soapstone, also known as steatite, about 12 years ago after taking a carving class in Thunder Bay. I watched her from across a table as she grasped the handle of a 12-inch bow saw and ran it across a piece of the soft, metamorphic rock. The carbide blade smoothly sliced through the material, leaving a trace of fine, white powder that collected on a towel. Without the use of any power tools, this is Spear’s first step for carving—rough cuts to hone the basic shape of her next piece, be it a bear, a turtle, an owl or other woodland creature. She follows with a rasp to grind the stone into a more distinct shape, followed by varying grades of wetted sandpaper and diamond bit files that look like dentistry tools for the etching of eyes and other detailed features. “I take a really open-ended, playful approach to carving. I look at [the stone] and I get an idea of what it could potentially be,” she tells me, gesturing to the shallow corners of a rock that extend outward, form-

Stone carver Deborah Spear works on a turtle carving. | JULIA PRINSELAAR ing what looks like the head, shell and feet of a turtle. “My goal is to work with the size and shape of the stone as it is.” The use of soapstone dates to antiquated times. Ancient Egyptians carved it into jewelry and charms of symbolic creatures like the scarab beetle. In Asia, the Chinese

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With two hands, Spear hoists the carving of a black bear and passes it onto my lap. It feels like it weighs about 20 pounds. Striations of greyish green cut across the rock from its haunches to its back, culminating to an upward-gazing head. Its rearend, pitted and speckled, leans to one side.

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created seals used to stamp art and documents of significance. In northern Canada, the Inuit originally carved from bone and ivory, but began using soapstone after contact with southern settlers and traders who had a penchant for carved objects to carry with them.

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- Call Bruce Hyer (park co-creator) anytime for free advice. - 40-years experience.

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Deborah Spear’s work is on display at The Chanterelle in Thunder Bay. | PATRICK CHONDON & ECOSUPERIOR

Spear finds inspiration from the geology and wildlife along Lake Superior’s North Shore. | PATRICK CHONDON & ECOSUPERIOR “This is another piece where the stone really indicated what I could do with the body. He’s got a bit of a swagger,” says Spear. “I don’t mind if it has crevasses or texture or pitted surfaces, because I want people to know that it’s still a rock. I don’t strive for perfection. I just try to create a carving that speaks to someone and certainly with the animal that I’m trying to portray.” Significant deposits of soapstone are scattered across the country, including Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario. “There’s a lovely deposit of black soapstone around the Kenora area

but apparently it’s on an island,” says Spear.

But the colors, that’s the stone speaking for itself.”

She purchases the bulk of her raw material from a dealership that sources soapstone globally. Many pieces come from Brazil.

With more than a decade of carving under her belt, Spear’s work has spurred a love for education and imparting her knowledge onto others through workshops with children, youth and adults.

Initially, raw soapstone looks pale and chalky, resembling little of the finished product. It’s not until a finished piece is polished with mineral oil that its colors are revealed, usually in earth tones of brown, green and grey. “It’s my favorite part of the whole process,” says Spear. “I’m thrilled of course if the carving turns out in a way that’s interesting and dynamic.

“It excites me to help others to learn a new skill. People surprise me all the time—their creativity and what they end up doing with it. Few people need detailed instruction—they need to know what to do, but what they create, comes from within themselves.”

Spear began working with soapstone, also known as steatite, about 12 years ago, after taking a carving class in Thunder Bay. | PATRICK CHONDON & ECOSUPERIOR

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THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR PART! GMSB wants to thank Local Businesses & Community Members for doing your part to help with the suppression of COVID-19 on the North Shore. everyone in our community.

two payments on any loan for any loan customer. In May we lose the two brightest lights in the evening sky: Venus and Sirius, the brightest of stars. Sirius begins the month very low in the southwest and drops out of sight by mid-month. In the last two weeks of May, most of the other bright winter stars also disappear. Venus, a brilliant evening star, plummets through the sky and is gone by month’s end. Near the end of its fall, Mercury pops into the sky; it passes Venus on the 21st, when both are extremely low and in the sun’s afterglow. At nightfall Leo, the lion, appears to be leaping downward in the southwest. Look for the bright star Regulus, at the base of a backward question mark of stars called the Sickle; this is the lion’s head. East of Regulus, fairly bright Spica shines from its berth in Virgo, the maiden. Above Spica, radiant Arcturus anchors kite-shaped Bootes, the herdsman. Jupiter and Saturn rise a couple of hours after midnight on the 1st, appearing earlier every morning. Mars follows them by

about two hours. All three planets are well up in the southeast before day starts to break. Saturn and brilliant Jupiter are gradually approaching each other, even as they glide steadily farther from Mars. Above Saturn and Jupiter shines the Summer Triangle of bright stars. Altair, in Aquila, the eagle, is the closest to the two planets.

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May’s full moon will be another big, bright supermoon. Fullness happens at 5:45 a.m. on Thursday, the 7th. If you watch it rise the night before or after, it will be close to half a day before or past full. If you go out the morning of the 7th, remember that on that day the moon sets in the west at 5:59 a.m.—just 14 minutes after reaching fullness. 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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DRURY LANE

Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020, $18.95

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In this urban biography, author Tony Dierckins covers the fascinating history of Duluth, complete with old photos and a map of present day Duluth. The 10 chapters are divided into time periods, starting with the first peoples prior to 1850; the last chapter covers the years 1996-2020. Stories include the legend of the digging of the ship canal, the aerial transfer bridge and the lift bridge, Duluth’s park system, the 1920 lynching of three African American circus workers, the Glensheen murders, and the evolution of the city’s east-west divide. This is an interesting book for both residents and visitors alike. —Breana Roy

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The Story of a Minnesota Music Man By Joy Riggs

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PHOTO: BENJAMIN BYRON GRAND MARAIS, MN

2019, Nodin Press, $19.95

In the early 20th Century, many small towns had community bands, providing entertainment and serving as a source of pride. J. Oliver Riggs was among the best-known band directors in the Midwest, leading bands in Crookston, Bemidji, Grand Forks and St. Cloud. Rigg’s success in working with young musicians to develop excellent community bands left Minnesota with a musical legacy after his death in 1946. Now, in the 21st Century, his greatgranddaughter, journalist Joy Riggs, researched the past to tell the story of the band director’s life and times. In doing so, she adds a nearly forgotten chapter to Minnesota’s history. —Shawn Perich

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ta Book of Niskanen. “I only recentl Skills,” a finalist Author of the 2012 for the Minneso book, things were.” y started hunting ta Book Awards. , so I didn’t More than grow up hearing hunters unders a trip back in time, the stories about conservationi tand important stories “the way pieces of sts’ reading Minnesota’s in this book help list!” modern past. A great —Ashley Peters, addition to day any conservationist, “This collect conservation ion communicator Minnesota’s of Nineteenth Centur and newbie prairie y hunting hunter. landscape wildlife it and the abunda tales provides supported.” a glimpse nt of

Bob worked at the Chicago Stockyards and from an early time came to know hard work and long hours. His Chicago roots grew deep and except for a tour of Europe including fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, serving in the Tank Destroyers and as a machine gunner in the 104th Infantry Division, always lived within the confines of the City.

Sportmen’s Tales fro m 1850-1 900

Bob met his love, Patricia Ann Donahoe, and together they raised their two sons on Melvina Avenue. Each son took from their parents a love of reading and grew up in a warm and nurturing home. Lively discourse was expected. Bob and Pat knew that their boys were living a city life but each summer they would hit the road for Wisconsin, then Minnesota, then the farthest reaches of Ontario in an attempt to teach the sons an appreciation of the outdoors. Bob was also free to pursue his favorite activity, fishing. Some of his poetry evolved from his time in the forest and on the water. Other verse came from his experiences in the War and I don’t know if it was a true catharsis, but the emotion of his experience is profound. Still other rhymes resulted from his good humor and he was quick to make light of our species, himself included. Bob loved Pat and the poems he sent to her leave no doubt that he treasured her so much. From war to family to love and humor, this collection of poems will delight those who read them and provide a glimpse into a gentle man who we have great reason to miss every day.

There Was a Gentle Man

j POETRY OF

R OB ERT T HOM PS ON

Stephen Dahl is the author of the award-winning book Knife Circling a Year in a HerringIsland: Skiff.

to gather a seed

NODIN PRESS 2009

hese are the poems of a man who built his own house in the woods and earns his living by fishing Lake Superior in an open skiff. People who work hard outside learn to conserve energy, so it’s not surprising poems fit the definition that Steve Dahl’s of poetry a friend once offered me: the most said in the fewest words. In their brevity, honesty, humility, wry humor, nature, Dahl’s best poems and nearness to keep company with the work of such good men as the Spaniard Antonio Machado and the Norwegian Olav Hauge.

—Bart Sutter, author of Nordic Accordion: Poems in a Scandinavian Mood Minnesota book awards for poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction

meant to take a quick peek at these poems early one morning, and return to them later, but ended up reading all of them, certain lines playing through my mind all day. “nothing from darkness / grows like lilacs / in springtime holy / upon the hill.” These poems are spare and precise, quiet and essential, as essential as the things they praise and ponder. Each one: “a sparrow / just to the ground / from the branch above / to gather a seed.” The poems in this collection want to be read aloud. There a subtle rhythm in Dahl’s is language here, a rhythm reminiscent of water lapping gently on a rowboat. They left me stilled, awake, and grateful to be living in this world.

poems by stephen dahl

—Deborah Cooper, author of Blue Window Duluth Poet Laureate 2012-2014

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Hunting Adve ntures on the

...when elk and when sharp- bison roamed the prairie tailed grouse were abunda and prairie s, nt across the chickens for days to land, and experience the hunting when hunters and advent in time, and Minnesota read urers travell had to offer. ago. This book how the places you Sit back, step ed hunt today back hunting spots, gives vivid descriptions looked like over of but marvel constituted at how abunda the places we know 150 years a good day today as good nt game of hunting of hunting on the frontie species were, and what in the day accom r. Minnesota Historical Society panied by 30 photog More than two dozen stories raphs from . the archives This book of the belongs in the librar y of every serious Minne sota hunte r.

j Robert Gordon Thompson lived from August 30, 1922, until February 4, 2001. He was a city boy and spent his childhood in Chicago during the depression, living on the South Side on Emerald Avenue. He graduated from Tilden Technical High School, a school with roots back to 1881. Tilden still lives on.

There Was a Gentle Man

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485782

Compiled by Tom Land wehr

Professional editing, design, and printing.

218-387-9475 • editor@northernwilds.com 30

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

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Strange Tales Chief Blackstone, Quetico Provincial Park and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-20 By Elle AndraWarner

The world seems somewhat surreal these days. Everything looks normal—home, streets, stores, Lake Superior, lake freighters, cars—yet there’s been a dramatic shift in our day-to-day living. The current global coronavirus pandemic has brought us long lines to get into some grocery stores; sixfoot (2 metres) social distancing; closed schools, restaurants, theatres and international borders; curbside pickups or delivery of groceries/food; wearing masks; stay-athome orders; and, the like. We remain however plugged in to the world, family and friends with our cellphones, computers, social media, TV, and 24-hour news broadcasts with pandemic updates. A century ago, during the 191820 global influenza (H1N1 virus) pandemic, there were no such devices, so how did people connect or call out for assistance? In our Northern Wilds, one of the legendary stories from the 1918-20 pandemic involved the 50-mile (72.3 km) snowshoe journey for help by Ojibway Chief Blackstone and his wife to Winton, Minn. from their Sturgeon Lake Band (SLB) community, Reserve 24C. Their village was located at the mouth of Wawiag (Kagawagamuk in Ojibway) River where it enters Kawnipi Lake at Kawa Bay in the eastern half of Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park. (Chief Blackstone of the Sturgeon Lake Band was the son of the first Chief Blackstone of Lac La Croix First Nation, a famous orator who fought for the rights of Ojibway people in the 1873 Treaty 3 with Canadian government.) In author John Nelson’s book Quetico: Near to the Nature’s Heart, he writes that the SLB site was established in 1877 by the Ontario government after the region’s nomadic Ojibway, part of the Ahnishinaabe Nation, were asked to select an area for their reserve. Government records indicate their population was about 52. While no universal consensus as to its origin, the 1918 influenza outbreak was tagged the “Spanish” flu as Spain was the first country to publicly report on it. Lasting for two years in four separate waves, it ended in the spring of 1920. During that time, more than 50 million people died worldwide. It wasn’t until the 1930s that scientists confirmed it was a virus, not bacteria. In the U.S., the pandemic resulted in more than 675,000 deaths; in Minneso-

“We must also never forget about the Sturgeon Lake Band, also known as 24C, where our relatives were forcibly removed to make way for the creation of Quetico Park…The knowledge of reserve 24C still has a place in our hearts and the pain, suffering, trauma and emotional scars are ever present.” Lac La Croix First Nation. Quetico Provincial Park Management Plan Published 2018. ta, more than 10,000; and Canada, about 50,000 deaths. On the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it notes that since there was no vaccine over a century ago to protect against the 1918 influenza, “control efforts worldwide were limited to non-pharmaceutical interventions such as isolation, quarantine, good personal hygiene, use of disinfectants, and limitations of public gatherings, which were applied unevenly.” Sound familiar? In the winter of 1918-19, the pandemic was decimating the village at Kawa Bay. In her book Walking the Old Road: A People’s History of Chippewa City and the Grand Mara-

Chief Blackstone (the second) and birch bark teepees in 1903 on Basswood Lake on today’s Quetico Provincial Park. During the winter of 1918-1919, Chief Blackstone travelled on Basswood Lake prior to collapsing on northeast Agnes Lake. | ALBERT HERRING is Anishinaabe, author Staci Lola Drouillard writes that only Chief Blackstone (the second) and one of his wives “were healthy enough to snowshoe to Jack Powell’s cabin on Saganagons, in order to get help.” As the story goes, there was no telephone or radio there, so the two continued on to Winton, Minn., where they radioed the Canadians that their village at Kawa Bay was dying. The message relayed, the Chief and his wife headed back up home. Then, tragedy struck. At the northeast end of Agnes Lake, Chief Blackstone collapsed and died. His wife pulled his body to shore, wrapped the Chief in a rabbit skin blanket and buried him in the snow. “Chief Blackstone’s body was later retrieved by his people and buried at the site of his former village on the shore of Kawa Bay,” wrote Drouillard. It wasn’t until spring when the Canadian authorities responded to the call for help. By the time they arrived at Kawa Bay, only a few people had survived and they were moved to Lac La Croix to reside.

the final event of a band whose population had shrunk to just a few families due to earlier outbreaks of disease.” It should be mentioned that when Quetico Provincial Park was formed in 1913 it surrounded the Sturgeon Lake Band’s village. Two years later in 1915, without consultation with the Indigenous people or compensation, the Ontario government cancelled the reserve of Sturgeon Lake Band at Kawa Bay. Nelson writes, “When government terminated Reserve 24C in 1915, the long history of the Ahnishnaabe people making the resource-rich mouth of Wawiag River their home came to an official end.” Seventy-six years later, on June 3, 1991, the Ontario government made a formal public apology for the injustice of taking away the reserve and forcible removal of the Sturgeon Lake Band 24C.

Nelson wrote in his book that the 1918 influenza outbreak “may well have been NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

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Fully renovated and much loved home, you’ve all seen the outside, the cool looking Cobblestone house on the Lake superior side of the devil track river, just a few minutes east of Grand marais. While the exterior is interesting, the interior is FantastiC! From the warm wood floors to the hand hewn interior beams and trim, this home welcomes you in to the history of the north shore. Updated everything and move in ready, walk to the beach and up the river for a day of Fly fishing, just incredible home and location. mLS#6086342 $399,000

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the days of lakeshore setbacks, this home is perched just at the edge of the ledgerock leading to Lake superior. Well designed home allows the big Lake to be the big Focus! kitchen, dining, Great room and two of the three bedrooms all have excellent views of Lake superior. One plus car attached garage, two driveways from the west end of the Cascade beach rd, perfect Lutsen location! mLS#6083301 $535,000

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Just over an hour from duluth, you’ll LOVe this secluded getaway with a timeless Vibe! The main home is just the right size, with a guest cabin, each bedecked in all the little matters that count. Carved birds soar out of the gables, there’s scrollwork, tin filigree, a sauna. The fireplaces! The beach cobbles came in handy, each a masterpiece - roaring delights.

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amazIng LaKe SUpeRIoR home WITh a beaCh hoUSe! bIg vIeWS fRom aLmoST eveRy Room! beautifully updated kitchen w/ center island. Living room wood burning fireplace is perfect for Lake superior living! all the hard work on updating bathrooms has been done, this home is ready for your enjoyment! Wait until you see the beach house! Fabulous for a great sense of the Lake! many fun features! mLS#6083651 $589,000

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MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

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MAY 2020

Itching to See a Home? Take our 3D Walk through Virtual Tour of any Home listed here!

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mLS#6088871 $219,900

gUnfLInT TRaIL WILDeRneSS home WITh vIeWS of gUnfLInT LaKe! newer construction log sided home. 10 acres

bordering the superior national Forest on 2 sides- seclusion! Throw the boat in at the nearby Gunflint Lake landing when you want to hit the water. newer home has Fabulous lake views, spacious deck. Fabulous stone fireplace, open dining/kitchen area. Gourmet kitchen, granite. master en suite bedrm, screened porch. Lots of elbow room with the additional bedrms.

mLS#6083975 $279,000

honeymoon TRaIL home In LUTSen! nearly new, really nice home

in woodsy setting, great recreational area for hiking, biking, and just enjoying some peace and quiet in Lutsen. two bedrooms, Open kitchen/family room, nice southern exposure! big garage, shed. Walk to Christine Lake!

mLS#6083092 $287,500

LUTSen’S beST KepT SeCReT aT homeSTeaD RD! Captivating home and property, 5 ac bordering UsFs land with ravine and creek meandering through. home features fantastic contemporary kitchen, gorgeous fireplace to cozy up on cool evenings, master en suite with Lake superior views. beautiful sunny southern exposure to boot! attached 2 car garage plus a detached for all the toys. must see home!

mLS#6083720 $315,000

LoveLy TempeRanCe RIveR aRea home-6 aC SURRoUnDeD by mILeS of pUbLIC LanD. adjoining bike trail, a ¼ mile from the temperance river biking and hiking bridge, a minute more to Lake superior! head up the temperance rd to the tranquil setting of the #8 swimming hole on the temperance river! Lovingly maintained home. 3 bedrms, 2 baths, plus sun room bunk room! Large garage w/ art studio space? mLS#6084142 $355,000

mLS#6082440 $229,000

moUnTaIn Top LIvIng on mInneSoTa’S noRTh ShoRe! breathtaking views of Lake

superior are the focus of this home, built by david salmela. Lofty red Pines are scattered amongst the boreal forest surrounding this 4 bedroom home while overlooking the wild country of tettegouche state Park.

mLS#6086880 $650,000

Call TImbeRWoLff ReaLTy or visit www.timberwolffrealty.com for more information! 34

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

Itching to See a Home? Take our 3D Walk through Virtual Tour of any Home listed here!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!!

Local 663-8777 • Toll free (877) 664-8777

Info@TimberWolffRealty.com

CamPn’, hUntn’, FUn GetaWay Land, inVest in yOUr FUtUre! $99,900 mLS#6074084

South Sloping land in Tofte, seasonal Lake Views in beautiful setting at LeVeaux mountain. easy access, electric, fiber…build ready! ask for 2xx and 3xx LeVeaux ridge mLS#6089001 anD 6089003

Whitetail Ridge Overlooking Lake Superior! Just off highway 1, enjoy sprawling Lake and ridgeline views and rugged terrain! yr round access, electric. mLS# 6024856 $99,000 SaLe

Maples with lots of Elbow Room, year round access and nice location between Cross river in schroeder and Finland! mLS#6028422 $49,000

ROCKY WALL outskirts of Silver Bay! huge Lake superior Views, driveway and Campsite in Place! maple Forest, electric, developed build site!

penDing!

$67,000 eaCh

Wildwood acres lots- ranging from $19-33,000 Great location! mLS#6087233

30 acres Wilderness, borders lands next to Little manitou river! mLS#2309327 $129,000

Well-Manicured Lot in Lutsen! driveway and building site in place, 1.75 acres.

2+ car Garage in Place sitting on 3.4 acre lot with 200ft of shoreline on ninemile Lake!

mLS#6086735 $29,000

mLS#6087805 $139,000

Wilderness land with canoe access to Tait Lake! 3+ ac a stone’s throw to tait Lake!

Crosswinds in Tofte, Walk to Coho! 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!

D SoL

mLS#2024250 $42,000

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!

mLS#6028619 $67,500

Woodland Foothills Build Ready lots, shared Water & Community septic from

Hansen Hjemstead Rd, level build site with nearby pond!

mLS#6029849 $65,000

Mature Trees In Town! excellent location for your main level living home, tucked in to the trees while being a minute to sawtooth mountain Clinic and the ymCa!

mLS#6084133 $49,000

mLS#6080711 $80,000 mLS#6080709 $79,000

Coveted County Road 7 Location! two 5 acre parcels remain, with creek meandering along the border. nice boreal forest, high elevations!

mLS#6029115 $33,000

mLS#6078781 5 aC $40,000

mLS#6086990 $63,000 mLS#6086993 $65,000

mLS#6084134 $39,900

mLS#2309328+ fRom $39,000

Very near the public access to Gunflint Lake, these Rustic cabins are CUTE, with Log sauna (needs a wood stove).

mLS#6082222 $54,900

mLS#6074981 $57,500

Wilderness Lutsen location at tait Lake- backlot with driveway in place! yr round and electric

$89,900

mLS#6085097 $39,000

Quiet Side of Town Building Site, just off the east 5th street in the heart of Grand marais. Walk to east bay!

Caribou Hillside in Lutsen! maple hillside above Ward Lake and Caribou Lake, FabULOUs location for summer and winter fun! must see land!

driveway, with cleared build site area. 2017 built garage with electric and fiber used as a sWeet summer cabin getaway! Porta Potty on site! mLS#6088829

High Ground above Lake Superior, bloomquist mountain area!

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!

mLS#6077951 $39,000

neW! CLaSSiC garage Cabin on pike Lake roaD! Long winding

mls#6076146 $129,900

D SoL

mLS#2080599 $99,000 SaLe penDing!

5 ac in the heart of Lutsen, just above TimberWolff! Great location for family home or Vaca Cabin!

rUstiC Cabins and GetaWays!

$36,000 mLS#6084131-2

30 acres of Prime Wilderness Land with year round access and electric at street with Views of Lutsen’s famed Clara Lake!

Hilltop build site in the maples, isak ridge rd. nice Lake superior Views with superior national Forest lands across the road. Perfect for a Walk Out home design!

mLS#6086473 $48,000

Tucked in the maples with cedar forest surround, 2 parcels at

mLS#2312987 $119,000

mLS#6078839 $42,000

40 ac Sugar Loaf Rd-Hunter’s Paradise, upland and level land. yr round access, minutes to Lake superior.

Come on! Aren’t you A little tired of sleeping in A tent?

Heartland of Lutsen, 80 ac at the Foothill on turnagain trail, Fabulous Wilderness build s of ski hill ridge, near downtown Lutsen!

inLand Lake Lands

Lake DeeryarD Lake nearLy 8 aCreS anD 473 ft of getaWay! 2.30 acres and 175ft of shoreline! CobbLe beaCh ShoreLine on Lake Superior! nice build sites, rugged mLS#6086435 $174,900 terrain! Grand Portage area. mLS#6078704 ruStiC getaWay LakeShore, $266,00 iSabeLLa area. mature pines, JuSt north of SiLVer bay, end of the road location on swallow Lake! paLiSaDe VieWS of Lake mLS#2300576 $64,900 Superior! Gorgeous Lakeshore, Priced beSt of the ViLLage at Way below tax assessed Value! Gorgeous Views ninemiLe! 1800ft of shared shoreline on down the Coastline and Well buffered from hwy. ninemile Lake, great location and sense of privacy! mLS#2313255 $185,000 mLS# 6087908 $37,000 SChroeDer, JuSt oVer an CLara Lake in LutSen! Wilderness hour from DuLuth! home site just 40

tofte park roaD on Lake Superior! Well buffered deep lot, spruce

forest and level sprawling ledgerock shoreline!

mLS#6086299 $399,500 SaLe penDing! White pine Lake in LutSen

build ready with drilled well, new septic system, garage and Fabulous Lakeshore bordering Federal land, stroll to the tait river for moose Viewing!

mLS#6079880 ReDUCeD! $199,000 bIg TIme

vaLUe! ft from the big Lake, level easy access, well buffered from ChriStine Lake 10 aC bordering Lakeshore site with cleared build site, driveway superior national Forest, yr round access, in place. electric at road, 200 ft Prime shoreline. hwy! mLS#6032752 $250,000 $169,000 mLS#6088357 Large Lake Superior parCeL, electric/broadband avail. hill top build site overlooking mature white pine, cedar WiLLarD Lane pike Lake VieW JuSt an hour lined shoreline on Christine. serenity now! LanD With Lake aCCeSS! rugged from DuLuth! rolling terrain, level mLS#6023288 $99,900

elevation, great build site. shared 20 ft access to Pike Lake for $75,000 mLS#6078799

shoreline, and nearly 600 ft of it! enjoy your own paradise on Lake superior! mLS#6032772

$499,900

COmmerCiaL UP nOrth! fiSherman’S Dream getaWay on greenWooD Lake, WaLter iS Waiting! end of the bay bordering UsFs lands and some super shoreline! Call today for details!

mLS# 6027279 $199,000

former Site of the LoW maintenanCe CroSS riVer Café! Lots of rentaL inVeStment opportunity! enjoy solid long Opportunities, river Frontage and established site. mLS#6078629 $65,000 term rentals, self-sustaining solid local businesses. highway frontage and room neW! CommerCiaL VaCant to expand Up! support the Local economy Lot With Lake Superior and enjoy some passive income, buy VieWS! 4.89 acres with direct access now and bring your ideas for expansion!

mLS#6028366 $324,900

from highway 61 and leveled building site!

mLS#6087649 $220,000

Visit Us at WWW.timberWOLFFr eaLty.COm FOr PiCtUr e sLideshOW! NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

Grand Marais Area Grand Marais Country Home.

Lutsen Real Estate Group Office 218-663-7971

lutsenrealestategroup.com

Meet Our Awesome Agents!

Sandy Mchugh 218-370-7841

Kelsi Williams 218-428-0992

Inger Andress 218-216-7141

Bruce Kerfoot 218-388-0876

SOLD

This 5 Bed, 4 bath country home has a warm, welcoming feel, with new wood floors, and vaulted ceilings. The kitchen comes complete with a breakfast bar that opens to the dining area. Large south facing windows allow light to flow through the home. Grill out on the deck in a great wilderness setting. Large garage with an upstairs room. Amazing home theater room with in-floor heat to bring movie watching up a notch. This is a must see home! MLS 6087250 $299,900

Devil Track Lake Cabin. Don’t miss this cozy cabin located on 6.52 acres of land on the west end of Devil Track Lake! The cabin features wood beams, a main floor open-concept layout, and large loft space with amazing lake views. Idyllic, level yard space - plenty of room for yard games, outdoor dining, and bonfires! Enjoy reading, writing, or playing games in the peaceful screen porch. Unique shoreline with permanent dock access - you’ll love this cove of Devil Track and its possibilities for paddle boarding, boating, swimming and more! On the other side of the private road, you’ll love the clearing that has already been done - level land at the mouth of privately created trails. Perfect for ATV access, hiking, snowshoeing, and more! MLS 6085747 $284,900

Spectacular Devil Track Home.

Mike Larson Broker 218-370-1536

Steve Surbaugh Broker 218-663-7971

Lutsen/Tofte Area

Gorgeous Lutsen Home.

Gorgeous log home tucked into the perfect spot in the Superior National at Lutsen golf community. Open concept w/cobblestone FP & fourseason porch in a woodsy setting. Perfect layout for entertaining, with peninsula bar & stainless appliances. 3 bed, 3 bath, incl main flr owner suite with separate tub/shower. Main floor laundry. 2 add’l bedrooms on upper level w/full bath & loft. In-flr heat w/elec boiler & propane FP for dual fuel savings. Wraparound deck facing Lk Superior with outdoor gear closet. Oversized, detached dbl garage & cool firepit. Well-maintained home with great curb appeal. Well-managed HOA with shared state-certified water/waste systems. Perfect location to enjoy all of the activities the North Shore has to offer. Close to restaurants, shops and within walking distance of North Shore Winery! MLS 6088120 $489,900.

Stunning Superior Property.

Beautiful and well-maintained home with unparalleled views of Lake Superior from most rooms. Light pours into this 2-bed, 2-bath home, accenting the Scandinavian-looking aspen paneling with vaulted ceilings. A stunning accent is the Vermont Casting Wood Stove installed a year ago. The kitchen has a JennAir stove top with easy conversion to a grill top. Large floor-to-ceiling windows brings the glorious outdoor foliage and woods into your dining experience. The wet bar extension gives extra room for the chef. Magnificent location with accessible ledge rock. Perfect spot for a camp fire, or Tofte fireworks watching! Dining in the gazebo is a surreal experience of being surrounded by the professionally-landscaped yard; no need for a lawn mower. All of this plus a double, detached garage. This is a must-see property! MLS 6088709 $699,900

Caribou Lake Home.

Fully furnished, all you need is the key...literally. Updated two-story home located on Devil Track Lake, just 8 miles from Grand Marais. Inside you’ll find modern décor with a flair of up north touches. Enjoy the lake-facing deck or step onto the lower level patio to enjoy the gorgeous lakeside yard. 3 beds, 2.5 baths, and a spacious master suite on the main level. Two living areas, plus a full-sized kitchen and dining room, a perfect gathering spot for the entire family. Unique artwork and carefully selected furnishings help to make this home warm and welcoming. Wall to wall windows to take advantage of the Devil Track Lake views year round. New roof, stain, decking, floorings, newer appliances and more. No work required! Part of the Landing at Devil Track HOA providing year round access, snow removal, maintained road and driveway, lawn care and covenants designed to protect your investment. This home is currently part of the Cascade Vacation Rental program. New owners can elect multiple options how best to use and enjoy their new vacation property. MLS 6089182 $425,000

Your chance to be on Caribou Lake! Large, level lot in a maple forest. Zen-like walking path to your private dock. Charming log home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, natural woodwork, vaulted ceilings, a cozy gas fireplace & terrific lake views. Bright kitchen with functional layout. Spacious loft with ample sleeping room. Deck spans the entire lakeside, and will be your favorite place to hang out. Walkout lower level with another bathroom. What more could you want? Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, biking, all right outside your door. Year-round access on HOA maintained roads for both summer and winter use. Lutsen is nearby when you need provisions. Close to hiking trails, ski hill, golf course, winery & restaurants. Schedule your showing today! MLS TBD $380,000

Aspenwood on Lake Superior.

Gorgeous lake views from every level of this sharp Lake Superior condo. Quality finishes including granite, wood & tile floors, maple cabinets, with a cool, modern vibe. Multiple spaces to hang out in this spacious, three-level unit with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Large windows for wide-open views of the big lake. Vacation rental revenues help to offset the cost of ownership. Enjoy your time on the North Shore without any pesky chores. Just enjoy lake living, and all of the activities this area has to offer: golfing, skiing, hiking, biking, beach combing, music, shops & restaurants, plus more. MLS 6085503 $299,900.

- EArn MOnEy WhEn yOu ArE AWAy Place your home in our Vacation rental Program. Give Andrew a call at 218-264-0497

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

SaLe

Lutsen Real Estate Group

using a fundamental business approach for all your real estate needs Office 218-663-7971

lutsenrealestategroup.com

real Estate is serious business, and we understand that.

From the Gunflint Trail, to the shores of Lake Superior- we have full time agents ready to assist you in selling and buying. Our agents live here, work here and are defined by service and expertise.

Give us a call today!

Lake Superior Parcels Coveted Stonegate Rd

Buildready Lake Superior parcel. Driveway, power & septic already in place. Private setting with no hwy noise. Accessible shoreline, cleared build site, surveyed. Make this beautiful spot your new Lake Superior homesite! MLS 6082793 $229,900

Other Vacant Land Parcels

Inland Lake Lots Tait Lake, Lutsen

This gorgeous Tait Lake property waterfront lot is a must-see! Enjoy 208 spectacular feet of shoreline and 3.83 wooded acres situated on either side of a private association-owned road which is accessible year-round. You’ll love the scenery as you approach the lake: the picturesque drive, mature trees, and rolling hills. Paddle, fish, snowshoe, hike, and more from this scenic location! Just 12 miles away from Lutsen area activities and a short 30 minute drive from the great shops and restaurants in Grand Marais. This serene lot is ready to be your retreat! MLS 6084736 $209,000.

ithout w s s e cc ! Lake ashore prices Lake Devil Track Lake Lots Great location for second home, primary residence, or cabin. Wooded shoreline with many potential building and driveway locations. Ample space for septic and well. Pristine shoreline, plus close proximity to Grand Marais and many area activities. MLS 6081021, 6081022, 6081023, 6081024. Priced from $99,900 to $149,900. Enjoy beautiful Tait Lake Another Price Reduction! Priced nearly 25% below current assessed value,

and down $60,000 from original list. Someone could ask, “what’s wrong”? Absolutely nothing, just a very motivated seller! This is a large parcel on beautiful Tait Lake, consisting of 6.1 acres with deeded access to a nearby private Association boat landing (a couple blocks) on Tait Lake, and no pricey lakeshore taxes. Towering white pines, multiple build sites and a corner lot ideally-situated for convenient ingress and egress from two sides of Caps Trail so that you can trailer your boat in and out with ease! Located just 13 miles from Lutsen, adjacent to the Caribou Trail. Power & broadband at the road. HOA handles road maintenance and plowing giving you year-round access! Seller is a licensed real estate agent in the State of MN unrelated to listing agent. Please let listing agent know if you intend to walk the property, but you’re welcome to do so! Make an offer today – one of the best values in all of Cook County. MLS 6085581 $69,000

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. Lots 1 and 2, Block 1. Outstanding location. These lots lay adjacent to River #3 fairway, near the green. Lots 1 and 2 are the only golf course lots that are independent of all other golf course lots and therefore nicely private. Walking distance to Gitchi Gami bike and walking trailhead. Minutes to Lutsen Mountains. Common water and common sewer available through HOA. Lot 1, MLS# TBD, $44,900. Lot 2, MLS# TBD, $40,900. Purchase both for $79,500. 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. MLS 6079877 $59,900 Lot 9 Block 5. Very nice golf course lot adjacent to the 6th green at the newly renovated Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course. A very nice building area has been sited. Broadband, water and sewer curbside meaning no need to drill a well or build an egregious mounds septic system. The property is within an HOA which provides water and sewer to homeowners within the association. MLS 6081231 $84,500

Sugar Loaf Road ‘Eighty’ This wooded ‘untouched’ property is secluded yet has year round public road access that is snow plowed and maintained for you... approximately 1/4 mile of frontage road access. Only less than 30 minutes away from Lutsen Mountain’s ski hill and Superior National golf course. For the outdoor enthusiast, it is close to several destinations, the Sugar Loaf Nature Trails and Center, Caribou Falls, Temperance River and the Superior National Hiking trail. This is a generous eighty-acre parcel, with many older cedar trees that would be an ideal place to build a forest home, cabin for hunting or to have a piece of pristine nature! MLS 6085833 $129,900

Hwy 61 Frontage Perfect Lutsen Home Site.

Check out this Lutsen parcel, with the potential for outstanding views of Lake Superior. Private setting, yet convenient to many local spots. Priced below tax value, so call today! MLS 6082966 $45,000

Convenient Build Site.

Great parcel of land conveniently located just 2.7 miles east of Grand Marais. Well already in place. Located on Hwy 61; perfect place to build a new home. 2.29 acres. MLS 6081081 $55,600

Outstanding Lake Superior NORTHERN WILDS

Value!37

MAY 2020

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

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 7

Bluefin Unit 18

Bluefin Unit 26

Bluefin Unit 32

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

SOLD

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

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.

Bluefin Unit 38

218-663-6886 | eric@bluefinbay.com

2 BR, BA turn-key rental property. Newly remodeled and tastefully decorated.

Nan Bradley 218-370-8433

Deb Niemisto 218-370-8434

NORTHWOODS REALTY

Sales Agent, Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts

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

Bluefin Unit 37

Eric Frost

lockport@boreal.org www.coldwellbankernorthwoods.com

What are you searching for?

SlopeSide Condo at lutSen

Lake Superior retreat 3 Bd 3 Ba luxury living

Priceed c redu

unit 515 $385,000 MlS 6083142 unit 535 $399,000 MlS 6083130 1 Bd 1 Ba $79,900 MlS 6088169

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

Sleeps 6 $105,000 MlS 6080501

Keep your whole family together—Invest in Lutsen

Talk to Terry! Terry R. Backlund Broker/Owner Phone: 218-387-1501 Cell: 218-370-8977 Email: Terry@BacklundRealty.com

Frank Lehto Real Estate Agent Phone: 218-387-4955 Email: Frank@BacklundRealty.com

Lori A. Backlund Real Estate Agent 553 cty rd 6 GraNd Marais, MN

Priceed c Redu

1310 w 2Nd st GraNd Marais, MN

d l o S

4 Bedroom, 3 Bath, Log Home 30 x 40 Garage on 75 private acres MLS# 6085649 Price: $349,900

116 2Nd ave w GraNd Marais, MN

New Listing

Saleng Pendi

2 Bedroom 1 Bath Great Location, Neat as a pin. MLS#6088118 Price: $172,000

2 Bedroom 1 Bath 2 Car Garage12+ Acres MLS# 6086960 Price: 154,900

10 oNGstad rd. hovlaNd, MN

9 N Broadway GraNd Marais, MN

635 cty. rd. 6 GraNd Marais, MN

338 ft. of Lake Superior on 14.53 acres. 1 Bedroom Cabin, Garage, Dock MLS# 6029532 Price: $289,000

Blackwoods dr. lot 5 Blackwoods dr. lot Block 3 schroeder, MN 3 Blk 2 schroeder, MN

32 acres of maple forest Peaceful rolling parcel MLS# 6083843 Price: $76,500

Priceed c u d e R

7 devils track rd. GraNd Marais, MN

5 Bedroom 2 Bath 2 Car Garage Barn/Workshop and Sauna on 10 private acres MLS# 6086606 Price: $329,000

Priceed c Redu

2 Bedroom 2 Bath 2 Car Garage Great location. Nightly rental potential MLS# TBD Price: $299,900

240 Birch dr. GraNd Marais, MN

16 acres of unbeatable privacy Electric and broadband nearby MLS# 6083844 Price: $38,750

New Listing

Saleng Pendi 2+ Bedroom 2 Bath 1176 sq.ft.home on 5 acres MLS# 6079593 Price: $172,500

Rare. Commercial lot on Broadway. 50 front ft. Over 6600 sq. ft. MLS# 6087575 Price: $195,000

For results list your property here For more details call or check my website

Phone: 218-387-1501 Cell: 218-370-8977 Terry@BacklundRealty.com NORTHERNâ&#x20AC;&#x201E; WILDS

MAY 2020

Lynne Luban

BUYING OR SELLING

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.

Call: 218-591-0985 Email: stphn.carlson@gmail.com or Realliving.com/steve.carlson.

White Tail Ridge Rd 27-5707-33790

27-5707-33730

27-5707-33670

27-5707-33850

27-5707-33910

27-5707-34550

27-5707-34610

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

345 OLD 337 S

Rocky Wall Rd

UPIED

C 90% OC

Lake County, MN Parcel

Lake County, MN Parcel 27-5707-33490

Cell: 612-599-6986

27-5707-34490

27-5707-34790

27-5707-34730

26-5700-35550

27-5707-34670

27-5707-34850

27-5707-34910

26-5700-35610

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

27-5707-33860 26-5631-04070 26-5631-04190 26-5631-04030

26-5632-04210 26-5632-04390

26-5607-03310

26-5607-03250

26-5632-04460 26-5632-04160 26-5607-04191

26-5607-04130

26-5607-03070

26-5607-03430

26-5607-03500

26-5607-04720

26-5607-02250

26-5635-01030

26-5607-02370

26-5607-02430

26-5607-03490

26-5607-03570 26-5607-03510 26-5607-03530 26-5607-03580 26-5607-03553 26-5607-03640 26-5639-00200 26-5607-03677

26-5635-01065

26-5635-00151

26-5635-02030 26-5635-00051

26-5607-02550

26-5607-02490

26-5635-02020

Roads State Hwy

1:18,056

Townships Sixteenths

County Forest Rd

Sections

Sixteenth

County Hwy

Private

State Hwy

City-Municipal Rd

CSAH

Townships

County Forest Rd

Sections

0.2

0.33

0.4 0.65

0.8 mi 1.3 km

Sources: Esri, Airbus DS, USGS, NGA, NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS, Public Viewer

26-5607-03860

26-5639-00010

Township Rd

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

1:36,112

1/16/2020, 1:15:50 PM

Roads

Online map disclaimer applies to this resource

1/16/2020, 1:20:46 PM

Parcels

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

26-5635-01040

26-5607-03560 26-5607-03552 26-5607-03550

26-5607-04790

26-5607-02310

26-5635-01010 26-5635-00001

26-5607-04190 26-5607-04205

26-5607-03020

0.1

0.15

0.2 0.3

0.4 mi 0.6 km

Sources: Esri, Airbus DS, USGS, NGA, NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS,

Private

Public Viewer Online map disclaimer applies to this resource

This 3.67acre lot is on the ridge above Hwy 1 just north of Silver Bay. Gated entrance must call agent for access. 218-591-0985

Steve Carlson 218-591-0985 stphn.carlson@gmail.com Realliving.com/steve.carlson.

10 acre 660x660 with easement for 20 acre lot to the south On Ridge behind Silver Bay

2 NEW CONSTRUCTION CONDO BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS with quick close and occupancy â&#x20AC;˘ Portland Tower ONLY 14 units left!

$57,600

20 acre 660x1320 Views of Lake Superior on the ridge behind Silver Bay $66,700

www.Realliving.com/Messina

A New Luxury Condo Development 740 Portland Avenue â&#x20AC;˘ Downtown Minneapolis

â&#x20AC;˘ 17 story New Contsruction â&#x20AC;˘ Pet-friendly building â&#x20AC;˘ High end standard features â&#x20AC;˘ Community and Fully equipped exercise room, and outdoor roof top green space â&#x20AC;˘ Climate controlled parking â&#x20AC;˘ Just a few blocks from US Bank Stadium â&#x20AC;˘ Additional garage stalls available for purchase â&#x20AC;˘ Walk the Skyway for all your needs

â&#x20AC;˘ Within a few blocks of Lightrail â&#x20AC;˘ Close to the Nicollet Mall â&#x20AC;˘ Choose from many restaurants close by! â&#x20AC;˘ Walk two blocks to the new 9 arce Commons Park that extends from the US Bank Stadium to Portland Avenue. â&#x20AC;˘ Choose from many available options to customize your unit.

112 units with 79 SOLD! â&#x20AC;˘ 7 units available for immediate occupancy â&#x20AC;˘ 40 still available to customize.

Lutsen resort company

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

Alyssa Sushoreba â&#x20AC;˘ Office: 218-663-6650 â&#x20AC;˘ alyssa@lutsenresort.com

Investment opportunity with Lake Superior views!

Enjoy resort living while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 â&#x20AC;˘ standup paddle boarding â&#x20AC;˘ fly-fishing hiking â&#x20AC;˘ par 3 golf (and disc golf ) course on property kids camp â&#x20AC;˘ kids pizza and movie night snow shoeing â&#x20AC;˘ cross country skiing â&#x20AC;˘ ice skating door to door ski hill shuttle â&#x20AC;˘ game room indoor pool, hot tub & sauna â&#x20AC;˘ live music â&#x20AC;˘ beach bonfires

& more!

MAY 2020

NORTHERNâ&#x20AC;&#x201E; WILDS

Versatile rental on Lake Superior! These Poplar River Condos have 3 bedrooms, a sleeping loft, 3 bathrooms, each with a whirlpool tub, three gas fireplaces and amazing rental versatility. The ingenious floor plan allows rental as one, two, or all three bedroom units by guests making it a popular option for couples AND families visiting the resort. You and your family can enjoy a north shore getaway while earning an income. Unit 582 $339,000 Unit 552 $365,000 price reduced Unit 572 $359,000 Unit 512 $439,000 price reduced

These 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Cliff House Townhomes at Lutsen Resort are the perfect Lake Superior getaway. An open concept kitchen, living, and dining area with a gas fireplace and a patio overlooking the lake, affords owners lake living at its best. This is a family favorite for guests of the Resort. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget the many activities and amenities a resort property offers to you as a unit owner. Unit 675 $429,000 Unit 673 $399,000

Enjoy visiting Lutsen in your very own lakeside unit while earning an income at Lutsen Resort! The Sea Villas are as close as you can be to the edge of the water which means amazing lake views and access to Lake Superior. This unit has 1 bedroom, plus a sleeping loft, a beautiful bathroom with a full kitchen, living and dining room, wood burning stove and deck facing the big lake. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss your chance and inquire further today! Unit K3 $205,000 price reduced Unit G5 $209,000

www.CBNorthShore.com 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 140053 _ NORTH SHORE

d L O S 22 e Rosebush Lane

34 grace drive

Stunning 4BR/4BA open beam Lake Superior home! Features floor to ceiling windows for gorgeous views, updated kitchen and a HUGE living & family room. Lot has 1.65 acres & 214’ of shoreline, 2 garages, greenhouse plus a cute sauna by the lake.

Manitoo trail

Lovely 4BR/2BA home. 113’ Lake Superior shoreline on the coveted Manitoo Trail. Soothing sounds of lake, privacy of the forest, smells of the northwoods beckon you to forget your worries and relax—or entertain on the huge patio!

MLS 6089314 $449,900

MLS 6088081 $749,900

8580 w Highway 61

Exceptional Lake Superior lot with 313’ of amazing shoreline including a gravel beach. The depth of the lot, as well as the 4.26 acres provides plenty of privacy from Highway 61. Enjoy listening to the lake in the this cute 1940’s cabin located right by water’s edge.

122 Stonegate Rd

3 bedroom, 3 bath comfortable, elegant home on 218 feet of Lake Superior shoreline. Open concept, large window, gas fireplace, high quality home. Huge heated attached garage and workshop. Plus private rustic guest cabin in a wilderness wonderland.

MLS 6086682 $749,000

MLS 6083953 $525,000

MLS 6080232 - $850,000

45 Mossy Hollow point

Looking for the dream cabin nestled in by the lake? This 2BR/2BA is the perfect size with 1128 sq. ft. of one level living. Gas fireplace, custom maple cabinets & solid wood floors. Gazebo, decks & benches make it easy to appreciate the 261 ft. of ledgerock shoreline.

MLS 6087722 $439,900

Lake Superior Lots

Large acreage 180X w gauthier Rd 100 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 - $104,900

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.

Camp 20 Rd Heavily forested 170 acres 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

Schroeder Lot

MLS 6086787 - $314,900

Land XX OLd Ski HiLL ROad 3+ acres just minutes from town on a quiet county maintained road with a nice mix of trees. Easy access to snowmobile trails and fun at Pincushion Mountain. MLS 6088343 $49,900

COyOte Ridge LOtS Magnificent views are yours to be had from these 5 acre parcels! Only minutes to downtown Grand Marais or Cascade State Park. LOt 6 MLS 6087781 $79,900 LOt 2 MLS 6087783 $99,900 pending

County Rd 14 Terrific and extremely affordable pieces of land with good high building sites and interesting game attracting low areas as well. 8Xa COunty Rd 14 MLS 6086957 $38,900

XXX BROadway ave Want to live in the country and yet want access to City Sewer & City Water? Check out this over-sized lot that is located on the Gunflint Trail in city limits. MLS 6085408 $39,900

1xx High Ridge drive Schroeder 15 acre lot high on the ridge is ready for your dream home or weekend getaway! Views of Lake Superior to the south and valley to the north. MLS 6082812 - $99,900

Railroad drive Lutsen Sweet 1.7 A building site located in the heart of Lutsen. Gently rolling topography, mature trees and easy building site. MLS 6084050 - $39,900

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 6086785 - $59,900

XX LeveauX Ridge Looking for an affordable lot to build your future home? This south facing, year round property has electricity, phone and broadband on site plus it abuts state land. MLS 6086067 $29,900

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. MLS 6086836 - $59,900 pending

14x Bloomquist Mtn Rd Ten acres of mature trees including huge White Pines! Sloping lot with lots of southern exposure for Jonvick Creek Sites sunshine all year long. 12 lots available from 1.5 - 4.8 acres MLS 6075850 - $49,900 In the heart of Lutsen, just off the Caribou Trail. Maples, Pines, and cedars in varied arrangements west Hwy 61 will make a great back-drop for your home or Attractive & affordable building site with 3+ acres & cabin. Each property adjoins public land making easy access right off of Hwy 61. Minutes from town your space seem even more private. and Close to Cascade River State Park $29,900 - $49,900 MLS 6086779 - $35,000

1XX COunty ROad 56 Rare opportunity to find a gently rolling 20 acre parcel in the heart of farm country. Lake Superior view and driveway already in place. MLS 6083495 $67,900

d L O S

Massively expansive ledge rock shoreline make this lot one of the most amazing shoreline you will see on the North Shore. Lot is 2+ acre and 200 ft wide with significantly more meandering shoreline.

StROBuS Lake Rd - LutSen 10 beautiful acres less than 10 miles from Lutsen and only a short drive to the Grade and multiple access points to the BWCA. Close to trails, fishing and more. MLS MLS 6086562 $49,900

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 new 4612 nORtH Rd Attention GARDENERS & Brewers!! One of a kind 19.7A property includes ponds, creek, wildlife galore, brand new 30’x30’ pole barn, well, incinolet toilet, 20’x24’ garage, 120’x120” fields, drip irrigation lines. Currently set up to grow hops with extremely solid pole support system. MLS 6089311 $127,900 County Road 67 Lots Looking for Lake Superior Views AND close to town? Lovely lots with a solid, private road & all utilities are readily available. State owned Superior shoreline, perfect for morning walks. Lot d 3.48A, with Lake Superior views MLS 6086070 - $69,900 Lot e 2.7A, all utilities readily available MLS 6086072 - $82,000 Lot F 2.24A, year round access MLS 6086085 - $39,900

NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

d L SO Homes

i d d L SO pen

Cabins

11 wildflower Lane Beautiful 4 BR, 4 BA home with lots of special touches- gourmet 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. MLS 6085210 - $489,900

2371 County Rd 7 Here is a turn-key, charming and rustic cabin getaway on 12 + acres. It is close to town on a paved road, but feels like a secluded forest cabin you can escape to. The old Backlund farm’s milk house served as the bones for the cabin. MLS 6089300 $139,900

new 272 County Rd 48 Sunny 2 BR, 1 BA home with a full bsmt for plenty of living space. Premier location on County Road 48; close to town, yet very private & quiet. New septic system and 3 car garage. MLS 6089192 $199,900

new 85X Creechville Rd Seller says to SELL!! Large .47A City of Grand Marais lot has unbelievable potential and spectacular Lake Superior views with bunkhouse and 28 x 36 metal garage. Water/sewer hook ups right in front of the property and plenty of room for development. MLS 6089051 $89,900

2021 County Rd 7 The interior is as cute as can be with gorgeous, nicely finished wood floors, an efficient kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry room all on one floor!!! Perfect starter home with a little TLC and sweat equity. MLS 6084603 - $104,900

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 - $199,900

new 1189 pike Lake Rd Watch the moose from the sunny family room in this attractive 2 BR, 2 BA country home! Beautiful property, great views & close to many outdoor trails. Includes a heated garage, guest cabin, sauna & storage building. MLS tBd $339,500

841 irish Creek Rd, Hovland 75 acre parcel with a little one bedroom cabin with a loft, perfect for a weekend getaway, is located off of the Irish Creek Road, in the heart of the Arrowhead Trail. Lot is gently rolling with beautiful trees and a wildlife pond. MLS 6083960 $79,900

new 2499 e Highway 61 Beautiful 3 BR, 2 BA home with an open floorplan, stunning rock fireplace, gorgeous kitchen and a southern wall of windows, perfect for viewing the ore boats! Large detached garage, complete with a lovely YR apartment. MLS tBd $379,900

ONE ROOF HOUSING • Many financing options available to qualified buyers.

Interest Rates are incredibly LOW, making a monthly mortgage all the more affordable.

For example: $175,000 - Principal 3.5% Interest at 33 years Monthly Payment $745.77 Interest rates vary depending on loan, credit & timing. Payments will be higher when adding Real Estate Tax & Insurance Escrows. This information is strictly for illustration purposes.

• 0% on Loan for Closing Fees. • Potential of Reduced Interest Rates through Rural Housing & Home Development.

new aFFORdaBLe pRiCe 18 nordic Star dr Brand new 3 bedroom, 1 bath home in a quiet neighborhood of Grand Marais. One level and low maintenance living with beautiful oak kitchen cabinets, stainless steel appliances, island for extra seating. 2 stall garage completes the package. Prospective buyers must have a gross annual income under $70,900. Exceptions may apply. MLS 6088033 $173,000

11 nordic Star dr Cute porch upon entering this brand new 3 bedroom, 1 bath home in a quiet neighborhood of Grand Marais. Kitchen features ample oak cabinets, stainless steel appliances, island open to the living room. The laundry/utility room accesses the attached garage. Prospective buyers must have a gross annual income under $70,900. Exceptions may apply. MLS 6088034 $173,000

101 West Hwy. 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604 info@cbnorthshore.com 140053 _ NORTH SHORE

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

• Quality Construction & Energy Efficient.

(218) 387-2131

•

• Must be Owner Occupied as Primary Residence. • Affordable Monthly Payments – Income Based Programs • Minimum down $1,000 – LESS than Renting!

(800) 732-2131

www.CBNorthShore.com

inland

42 Soderberg Lane SERIOUSLY! Check out one of the only grandfathered-in Boat Houses in Cook County. This lot features 412 ft of shoreline on Birch Lake with 3+ acres. Property includes an older rustic cabin, is fully surveyed, year round access. MLS 6088180 - $232,000

Lake

Homes

and

601 South Shore drive Exceptional 223’ of Devil Track Lakeshore and 2.5 A of land in a south shore bay. Rustic 1 BR cabin with open living spaces and fabulous 275 sqft wrap-around deck. This furnished cabin has all you need for a true Northwoods experience. MLS 6089460 $249,900

Lots

3823 arrowhead trail Cedar log cabin nestled in the trees, overlooking McFarland Lake with 311’ frontage. 2BR, 3/4 bath, cathedral ceilings, wood floors and lots of windows. Complete generator/solar panel system, well, septic, all designed for year round usage. MLS 6082108 - $339,900

g n i d n pe 44 Carbine Rd Imagine the ultimate northwoods experience-this rustic, twobedroom cabin is 15 feet from the shore of McFarland Lake at the end of the Arrowhead Trail. Outbuildings include a sauna, generator shed, wood shed lean-to, shed and outhouse with 500 gallon tank. MLS 6083715 - $199,900

d L SO

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 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

33 wilderness trail Escape to this beautiful piece of north woods paradise with 200” of shoreline on Tom Lake. Includes a shed, outhouse, outdoor shower with hot water. Shoreline accommodates a great dock and excellent swimming hole. This unfinished, fully furnished cabin is waiting for someone to make it there own! MLS 6088040 $169,900

Clara Lake With 200 feet of south facing lake shore surrounded by Forest lands this lot is a wonderful escape from the outside world, yet only 12 miles from the Lake Superior shore. MLS 6085959 $99,900 ReduCed devil track Lake 5.9 acres to make your dreams come true on the popular north side of Devil Track Lake! 340 feet of shoreline to enjoy all the fun things to do on the water! MLS 6085879 $164,900

Squint Lake Mid-Gunflint Trail lot with 2.13A & 221’ shoreline. Gently rolling topography, old white pine trees, YR access & abuts USFS! MLS 6028920 - $75,000

8 n. Broadway

MLS 6029037 - $437,900

pike Lake Pristine Pike Lake lot with 190’ of rocky shoreline on the north west side of the lake. Easy year round access off of the Caribou Trail, electricity & broadband available. MLS 6084251 - $178,900

tom Lake Tom Lake lot with over 200 feet of frontage and an easy slope to the lake! There’s a shed and a dock waiting for you to start your adventure. MLS 6083377 - $69,900

Condos

Commercial

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.

35 w point Rd Over 400’ of accessible shoreline on the end of South Point with a private boatslip and dock. This 2 BR, 2BA seasonal retreat may be the most perfect spot on Devil Track Lake to catch the sunset. MLS 6085678 $299,900

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 6084360 - $199,900

610 e 5th Street

Commercial lot in Grand Marais with a great location. Just over 100 feet off the Gunflint Trail on East 5th Street with over 10,000 square feet to develop. The area has excellent exposure.

east Bay Suites

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.

MLS 6083349 - $52,500

101 West Hwy . 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604 info@cbnorthshore.com

unit 210 MLS 6082642 $299,900 3BR, 2BA

(218) 387-2131

Bluefin Bay tofte MLS 6078520

Unit 26, 1BR, 1BA

$259,900

•

MLS 6074681

Unit 32, 1 BR, 1BA

$275,000

(800) 732-2131

www.CBNorthShore.com

140053 _ NORTH SHORE

NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

RealtoRs®: Mike Raymond, Broker • Gail J. Englund, GRI • Linda Garrity, Realtor Cathy Hahn, ABR/GRI • Larry Dean, Realtor • Jake Patten, Realtor • Jess Smith, 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 New! stuNNiNG lake superior HoMe. Beautiful, completely

remodeled home that is entirely impressive in every way. Brand new roofs, windows and sliding door, siding, hardwood floors, kitchen cabinetry with soft-close doors, granite countertops, bathroom fixtures/shower(s)/cabinetry, interior doors/trim, luxury vinyl floors in the kitchen/laundry/bathrooms, 16' x 16' composite deck, septic mound, gutters, lighting and furnishings. The bunkhouse transformed into a 2 bdrm suite. Nice level lot makes it easy to get to the water's edge. Just a few minutes from downtown Grand Marais! Mls#6088834 $657,500

lake superior – eNcHaNtiNG BiG BaY.

Tucked in the corner of beautiful Big Bay, this lot has great lake views, and looks east to the ridges running up the coast. An old 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. Mls# 6088024 $253,000

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

superior locatioN, waterfroNt iN GraNd Marais. Situated

on 160 ft of stunning shoreline with awesome views of the east bay and Artist Point, this early homestead has great commercial potential, or use as a residential home. The large 2 bdrm, 3 bath home would have many options for an Inn or B&B. Two garages, one with living space above, plus a charming shed. The half acre parcel is adjacent to downtown commercial businesses for visibility, but also feels tucked away and private. Mls#6083621, 6083758 $789,000

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.

croftVille road paradise.

Mls#6031490 $399,000

A rare find! Enjoy a view of Lake Superior from this well built, spacious 1+ bdrm home. Solid front deck, hard oak floors, accessible private beach, and room for a new garage. Add your own finishing touches and enjoy your piece of this iconic area. Mls#6086969 $294,000

BiG Views oN fiVe acres. This cabin sits on

almost 5 acres of land and includes 543 feet of Lake Superior shoreline in the Big Bay area of Hovland. It has a nice grouping of old pine trees along the shore and a few cedar. The views are spectacular and whether or not you are looking to build your dream home or use this as is for a getaway you will have some amazing views on the Big Lake. Mls#6086940

$282,900 superior opportuNitY. Bargain on

the shore! 575 ft of Lake Superior shoreline on 5+ acres. Property is located 4 miles east of Hovland and includes 2 garages, septic system, paved driveway, and water system. Beautiful, accessible shoreline. Offers encouraged! Mls# 6087505 $267,000

iNlaNd water properties

secluded feeling. Mls# 6082864 $172,500

iNlaNd water properties

property includes a beautiful peninsula with outstanding lake views. Wide creek and tons of wildlife. Privacy assured with over 1600 ft of lake front, plus over 2000 ft of creek. Mostly US Forest lands surrounding you - literally walk to the BWCAW. Charming 4-season, 2 bdrm cabin with large dock and easy lakeshore access. Large stone fireplace and screen porch. Property can be sub-divided. A rare gem located just 20 minutes from Grand Marais. Mls# 6087574 $749,900

custoM lake HoMe – GreeNwood lake.

This custom built wilderness lake home features 2 stone fireplaces, quality fixtures, finishes and details throughout. The large and private 2.5 ac lot has expansive 391 feet of shoreline, and adjoining U.S. Forest shore on Greenwood Lake, making for a truly private setting. Pristine views, large floating dock system, complete off-grid solar and generator system, satellite internet and cell service. The large 2-car garage has shop space and power room. The lot is landscaped with a gazebo, fountain and fire pit. There's even a private boat slip to save time and effort launching the boat. Mls#6087884 $529,000 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# 6085583 $349,900 cabin you have dreamed of! Perfectly cared for 3 bdrm home with many inviting windows and a huge composite deck. Half a mile paddle to the BWCA with great fishing. Solar panels and propane generator. Dream kitchen with propane oven and antique wood stove. Custom cabinets, solid wood flooring, and even a fireplace in the master suite! The large garage could hold an RV and more!

Mls#6086867 $349,000

cabin with 200' shore, located right on the edge of the BWCAW and MOVE IN READY! Two large bdrms plus living space above the garage. Bright and peaceful. Home is used seasonally but it's insulated for winter use. Broadband ready! Mls#6089222 $283,900

salieNG pe N d

sereNe NortH sHore – deVil track. Classic year-

round lake cabin on the serene north shore of Devil Track Lake. Two bdrms, 1 bath, a cheery sunroom and an attached rec room that is very multi-functional. While there is no garage, there is space to build one. The storage shed is sized to fit whatever outdoor gear, lawn care equipment, bikes one needs to stow. The lakeside deck walks out to a nice level and gently sloping yard where it's easy to enjoy a nice bonfire, fish off the dock, swim, boat and enjoy lake life in a gorgeous setting.

Mls# 6088816 $269,000 deVil track lake – reMote caBiN. This quality

larGe two islaNd lake retreat - GraNd Marais. This 46+ acre

Bwca at Your doorstep. The

New! NortH woods caBiN – iroN lake. Beautiful

2-bedroom cabin was built in 2012 featuring large windows, cathedral ceiling in the great room, loft, and beautiful kitchen. There is a new well, and a compliant outhouse. The location is unique, being at the far end of the South Shore Dr of beautiful Devil Track Lake, in an area surrounded by state and USFS lands. The 150 feet of lake frontage is in a protected and sheltered bay. The 4.78 acre parcel adjoins thousands of acres of remote public lands for exploring. Mls#

6088269 $235,000 New! 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. Year round access. Mls#6089028 $209,900

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 fishing boats, canoe, dock, and two Onan generators. Mls#6029644

$184,900 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 the lake!

Mark Lake is about a mile long, 8 ft deep with good northern fishing and lots of wild rice. Approximately 200 ft of shoreline with ultimate privacy and wildlife viewing. Seasonal forestry road access, or snowmobile in the winter. Priced well below assessed value. OWNER IS MOTIVATED AND LOOKING FOR OFFERS! Mls#6088418 $179,000 toM lake lot witH dock. Imagine owning over 650 feet of shoreline on a fantastic walleye lake! The driveway is in and the dock is at the shoreline. Gentle slope with nice building sites. Electric and broadband are nearby, year round access. Mls#6083761

$169,900

www.RedPineRealty.com • Locally owned and operated since 1996 • info@RedPineRealty.com 44

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

iNlaNd water properties caBiNs RealtoRs®: Mike Raymond, Broker • Gail J.HoMes Englund, & GRI • Linda Garrity, Realtor Cathy Hahn, New! clearwater caBiN – pallisade Views. This long-owned

ABR/GRI • Larry Dean, Realtor • Jake Patten, Realtor • Jess Smith, Realtor eXceptioNal cottaGe HoMe

Red Pine Realty • (800) 387-9599

and loved 2 bdrm cabin is in nice condition and is the perfect simple BWCAW retreat. Paddle into the wilderness for a short day or a long stay. Cozy warm wood interior with stunning lake views, 200 ft of shoreline. The huge dock is perfect for lounging, fishing and swimming. The large 2.3 acre lot has plenty of room for a larger cabin/home to be built in the future. Mls#6089203 $169,000 lake priVacY oN 20 acres. Beautiful Lost Lake is a private, remote wilderness lake with only a few parcels on the water. This outstanding lot has towering white pines, pristine views from a cabin site on a knoll looking south over the whole lake, and great accessible shoreline for your dock. The lake has no public access and is quiet and peaceful with a motor restriction, and nearly half the shoreline is protected by a conservation easement. Seller is motivated!

Mls#6083646 $129,000 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 $139,900 Great GreeNwood lake lot. Tremendous views

of the bay and lake. 2.10 acres surveyed and ready to build. A true northwoods setting, nicely wooded, privacy, easy lake access. There is a stubbed in driveway and a building pad. Greenwood lake road is plowed in the winter. Mls#6084314 $120,000 priVate toM lake lot. 25 acres and 671 ft of shoreline on a great walleye lake! Nice white pines, fantastic rock outcropping for your dock. Remote access - no road easements are in place. You can visit this spot by boat or snowmobile. Look for the flagging and sign.

Mls#6083597 $105,000 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. 2.9 acres very near the BWCAW. Good snowmobile access to the Tomahawk Trail and miles of trail riding. Mls#6085601 $59,900 Great price lake lot. Deep woods, seclusion and nice views from this Tom Lake lot. This is the desired west side of the lake with access from the Camp 20 Rd. Enjoy a peaceful lake property with good access. Great back roads to explore. Adjacent land available.

Mls#6085287 $43,900

HoMes & caBiNs tHe BallY House B&B. Seeped in deep history and an abundance of charm and class, The Bally House Bed & Breakfast is now available. Not only does it have 4 guests rooms (each w/ their own bathroom), but the owner's home/ quarters is spectacular itself. Absolutely turn-key. Updated throughout and lovingly maintained. Massive garage, lovely little stone garage, garden shed, unbelievable grounds. All within walking distance to downtown Grand Marais. Mls#6084663, 6084813 $669,000 classic loG HoMe – sceNic Moose ValleY. Beautifully crafted, 4 bdrm log home on 81 acres with a mountainlike setting. Large kitchen, large walk out basement, huge heated garage with work shop, two historic cabins used for storage, small creek and thousands of acres of adjoining state forest to explore Mls#6089088 $446,000

GraNd Marais across froM lake HoMe. Located on a superior. This cute home corner lot right in the heart of sits just across the highway from Grand Marais with beautiful the big lake shoreline. The 2 (218) 387-9599 • Fax gardens, fruit trees, flowers - (218) 387-9598 • info@RedPineRealty.com bdrm, 1 bath cottage has wood allPO professionally landscaped. floors,55604 beamed ceilings, and a Box 938, 14 S. Broadway, Grand Marais, MN Wrap around decks (682' warm, comfortable feel. Septic sq.feet), seasonal lake view. Loads of living space, 4 bdrm, 3 baths, 3 and well, a small shed and 11 fireplaces - 2 gas and one wood burning. Wonderful large kitchen with acres of privacy. Mls# 6030154 $159,900 big windows and patio door to the deck. Living/great room with open New! GetawaY stair to the maser suite upstairs. The cozy room is flooded with light, HoMe witH lake has a wood fireplace and patio door to the deck. All the windows are Views (pic) Perched Anderson "Eagles" for comfort all seasons. The office/den could be the up on a small hill, this 5th bedroom. The garage is 2 car but half used by the seller as a heated wonderful cabin/home offers shop. Easily converted back. Endless possibilities! Mls# 6088560 some amazing views of Lake $395,000 Superior. All furnishings are larGe included, updated plumbing coNteMporarY and electrical, newer GraNd Marais HoMe. appliances, and compliant septic. Smart and functional layout with This home/studio is ready for wood burning stove. Two acres with mature trees, and a big garage. your vision! Over 4200 sq ft of Mls# 6089138 $159,777 living space (including studio) rustic on 2+ floors with many large dbl recreatioNal thermopane windows! Plus a cozy caBiN oN 40+ acres. 1 bdrm apt on main floor with its own full size kitchen and fireplace. Very private recreational 42 SOLIDLY built with dry basement, covered deck, garages and more! acres with rustic cabin and Mls# 6085626 $384,900 a beautiful, large pond for New! Beautiful, wildlife. Great grouse hunting eNerGY-efficieNt and deer hunting. The timber HoMe. This newer construction cabin can easily sleep 6 in the 3 bdrm, 1 1/2 bath home with loft. Offering to sell furnished! Mls#6087367 $99,000 detached garage sits on 10 acres GetawaY cottaGe Near deVil track and abuts hundreds of acres of riVer. This little cottage needs some good TLC, but it's a start federal land. Open concept floor for someone who wants a seasonal getaway at an affordable price. plan, quartz kitchen counters, lots Spacious yard, surrounded by towering pines and poplars. Property of windows, and seasonal views of boundary is steps away from Devil Track River. Mls# 6085486 Lake Superior. Designed for energy efficiency with casement windows, $94,000 maintenance-free siding & in floor heat plus wood burning stove. Only forest cottaGe iN 10 mins from Grand Marais! Mls# 6088994 $359,000 HoVlaNd. This cozy cabin in Great locatioN GraNd the woods comes fully furnished and Marais HoMe. This solidly built includes a knotty-pine interior, a 3 bdrm, 4 bath home in the middle of sleeping loft, and wood stove. The 1.6 Grand Marais has lots to offer. Plenty acre parcel is located under a mile away of storage with two garages, basement from Lake Superior, with tall pines with great room and recreation room, & deer trials crossing the property. large laundry, plus a craft/workshop This is a sweet little getaway to the space for your hobbies. This mid-century home is ready for your vision. Northwoods. Mls#6088116 Mls#6087562 $287,000 $75,000 cHarMiNG tofte HoMe – BiG lake coNdos & towNHoMes Views. All the charm of the 1930's with all of the modern conveniences Beautiful sea one could want. The current owner Villa oN lake put so much TLC into this 3 bdrm superior. Updated home since purchased: Brand new successful vacation rental bathroom, newer appliances, a sitting just a few steps new set of steps to the upper part of the lot (which overlooks its own away from our beloved Lake waterfall!), fireplace improvements, improved/repaired chimney, an Superior. 2 bedrooms, a absolutely adorable finished shed that was used as a small art gallery, sleeping loft within the 2nd a new fenced-in area, and incredible gardens. The hardwood floors are bedroom, 2 bathrooms and gorgeous, the layout is ideal and the overall feel is nothing short of cozy views that will blow you away!! The Sea Villa has modern appliances, a and calm. The Lake Superior views are astounding, there is access to woodburning stove, wi-fi, TV, indoor swimming pools/hot tubs, sauna the public shoreline just across the road and access to dining, shopping and sits right next to the state bike trail. This gorgeous waterfront and hiking/biking is right outside the door. Mls# 6087734 townhome is only a short drive away from the ski hills and the $235,900 Superior Hiking Trail. Mls# 6087735 $321,500 price reduced! reMote Hide-a-waY. Charming custom built 2 bdrm, 2 bath Quiet lake superior sea cabin tucked in the woods overlooking Villa. Entirely cozy, comfortable and a beaver pond. A screened porch for close to the edge of our beloved Lake summer dining. The living room is Superior in Lutsen. Fully furnished, this open and includes the kitchen and Sea Villa has one bedroom plus loft with dining. A cozy Franklin stove warms two twins. Located in a quieter part of the whole building. The full basement the grounds, but still near the pool/sauna is a complete guest space. Generator building and the playground. Pet friendly! power and over 100 acres to explore. Mls# 6029349 $244,000 Mls# 6088117 $204,900

www.RedPineRealty.com • Locally owned and operated since 1996 • info@RedPineRealty.com NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

RealtoRs®: Mike Raymond, Broker • Gail J. Englund, GRI • Linda Garrity, Realtor Cathy Hahn, ABR/GRI • Larry Dean, Realtor • Jake Patten, Realtor • Jess Smith, 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

laNd/BuildiNG sites

coMMercial 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# 6084743, 44 $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# 6088430 $97,900 • Mls# 6088431 $89,900

riVer/creek froNtaGe

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# 6085112 $169,000

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 $129,000 New! top of BircH cliff See 50 miles across Lake Superior – incredible 180 degree views! Private drive and buried power in place. Nice mature trees and public lands on 2 sides. More land is available. This site will rock your world. Mls#6089101

$229,000 larGe parcel Near lutseN. Over 65

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# 6081432 $258,000

acres of astounding beauty and opportunity to create your own wooded oasis. These two parcels are ready for someone to execute their vision of a Northwoods experience. Surrounded by public lands for privacy with power and broadband at the road. Partial driveway in place, with proximity to lakes, the BWCA, trail systems and Lutsen. Mls# 6088177 $114,900

Remote 80 acres ,10 miles from Grand Marais with easy access. Surrounded by public land. 700’ of Durfee Creek frontage. Mls# 6024638 $134,900 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

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.

suGarBusH, BeaVer, trout.

$99,900 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# 6089089 $69,900 or

Mls# 6089091 $59,900 or Mls# 6089090 $69,900 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

10 acres oN tHe flute reed riVer. Very nice property for your homestead. The

Flute Reed River meanders through with a perfect build site about 200 ft from the river. Heavily wooded with mature trees. Great recreational parcel! Electric at the road. Mls# 6087451 $49,500

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 $47,500 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

larGe acreaGe Near toM lake.

Mls# 6081431 $111,000 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# 6083920 $90,000 Mature woods, lake View, close to GraNd Marais. Great 20

acre parcel on County Road 14 with mature forest and Lake Superior views. Good area for a home or recreational property. Could be subdivided.

Mls# 6086641 $89,900 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

eleVated Views iN HoVlaNd.

Nice elevated property to build a house or cabin, with distant views of Lake Superior. Close to hiking at Judge Magney State Park and Superior Hiking Trail, or trout fishing in the Flute Reed River. The outdoor adventure opportunities are endless! Mls# 6086321

$79,900 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# 6080792 $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 $65,000

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 $68,000 Great locatioN for Your HoMe. 7.5 acres located just 5 miles from Grand

Marais on County Rd 7 blacktop. Some lake views, good building sites, driveway and a tiny cabin set up for your camp outs until you build. Mls#6087262

$64,900 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#6086104 $63,900

lake superior Views – Great locatioN. Five heavily wooded acres with

driveway to a beautiful building site. Great lake view! Only minutes to Grand Marais. Nice mix of trees, quiet dead-end road, south exposure, power and Broadband nearby. Perfect for your home in the woods.

Mls#6086767 $63,000 larGe laNd, Maples, lake access. This 67 acre parcel has high maple

ridges, a pond, and an easement to walk to Tom Lake. Good seasonal road access, many nice building sites. A perfect escape property in an area with many trails to ride and forest to explore. Mls#6085291

$59,900 deep woods aNd priVacY 20 acres. Remote with access to modern amenities,

this acreage has a nice elevation with some views, some maples, other nice trees and a small creek. Road frontage on an old DNR road in good shape. Power and Broadband are nearby. MLS# 6085875 $59,900 lot Near NiNeMile lake. Very private and quiet beauty of a lot with power and year round access. This large 6.8 acre lot sits high on a maple ridge with a seasonal view of the lake and deeded access to the cleared corridor to the shore. Mls#6083977

$56,300 deNselY wooded, HiGH GrouNd – 20 acres iN HoVlaNd. Great location not too far off the beaten path, potential lake views, nice forest and feels remote and private. Just off Jackson Lake DNR Forestry Road. Great area for hiking the nearby SHT, biking or four wheeling the many trails and old logging roads. Potential off-grid home site or cabin site. Mls#6085963 $54,900 New! eNd of tHe GuNfliNt Your piece of paradise 1/2 mile from Saganaga Lake landing. These 3.62 acres could be your daytrip headquarters for hiking, fishing and berry picking! Access the BWCA without the lakeshore prices. Potential building sites overlooking the Gull Lake watershed. Broadband and electric at the road with year round access. Mls#

6089034 $54,000 perfect 5 acre HoMe site. This is a

great residential home site Only 5 miles to town and on a school bus route. Nicely wooded and bordering public land on two sides. A new driveway has been curved into the meadow and perfect home site. 5+ acres for private living. Mls#6084313 $51,900

recreatioN oN powers lake road. Over 60 acres of wooded land with minimal

wetlands, waiting to be explored and enjoyed. Nearly 1,500 feet of road frontage on Powers Lake Road present a range of options for access. Good spot for a rustic northwoods retreat or hunting camp. Close to Esther Lake for great trout fishing. Mls#6087571

$51,000 20+ acres iN HoVlaNd. Heavily

wooded property with a rustic, wood-heated cabin, in the midst of a sled-dog neighborhood. Driveway minimally maintained; a 4 wheel drive vehicle is a good idea. Lots of recreational opportunities nearby.

Mls#6086501 $50,000 wildlife HaVeN. Fairly flat 5.92 acre

property despite being located on a hill. Nice mix of poplar, pines and birch trees. Lots of wildlife activity - deer, grouse and wolves. Potential distant Lake Superior view. Adjacent property available (MLS #6082089). Mls#6082090 $49,900

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#6087223-26, 28, 30 $48,500 – 59,500 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

$47,900 - $49,900 wooded propertY Near GraNd Marais. 10+ acres with nice trees, hills and a sm. creek. A great place for a home or deer camp. Adjacent lot also for sale (MLS#6082090). Mls# 6082089

$46,900 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# 6084563 $45,900 BuildiNG site oVerlookiNG cfarlaNd. 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# 6085111 $43,000

acreaGe iN GraNd Marais.

Wonderful, large wooded lot inside city limits, and conveniently located just 1 mile from downtown Grand Marais. Plenty of space here to build a house, stretch out a bit and maybe lay down some roots...with a garden perhaps! Mls# 6088336 $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 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#6084370 $34,900

www.RedPineRealty.com • Locally owned and operated since 1996 • info@RedPineRealty.com 46

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

CATCHLIGHT

skunk While driving through a North Shore campground I noticed this young skunk alongside the road. As I was taking this photo, a young girl came along on her bike. Realizing that she didn’t see it, I worried she would pass right between me and the skunk. If it sprayed we both would get it. I didn’t dare holler to her as I was afraid she would get scared and stop next to the skunk. It raised its tail and turned it directly towards the biker and me, but luckily didn’t spray. The biker went on without even realizing the skunk was there.—Paul Sundberg NORTHERN WILDS

MAY 2020

Photo by Timothy Young.

Mike’s Holiday Station Store

in Grand MaraiS, Mn

is open for you! • drink Bar featuring Coffee, F’reals, Slushees & 16 flavor Fountain Pop! • Bait • Tackle • Groceries • CBD Products • Red Box

5¢ off gas

up tO 20 gallOns

Coupon good through May 31, 2020. Grand Marais Location only. No copies allowed. 48

MAY 2020

NORTHERN WILDS

Our sign is down, but...

we are Open during the Highway 61

Construction project. Use the Broadway entrance when the Highway 61 entrance is closed for the project.

Northern Wilds May 2020

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