Northern Wilds November 2021 by Northern Wilds Magazine

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Enjoying the indoors, too This time of year, Lake Superior, as well as the other Great Lakes, tends to be a little unpredictable and wild. Strong winds exceeding 39 mph create what we know as the Gales of November. While it may be a common occurrence each year, those of us who live near the lake never get tired of watching the waves roll—though I don’t envy the ships out on the cold lake. Speaking of ships, on Wednesday, Nov. 10, the beacon at Split Rock Lighthouse will be lit to commemorate the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the 29 crew members who were aboard at the time. It’s also a time to reflect on the memory of all lives lost in Great Lakes shipwrecks over the centuries.

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.

I don’t know about you, but between the November gales and knowing that snow is coming soon (if it isn’t already here), makes me want to curl up inside next to a fireplace and read a good book. As a bookworm, my bookshelves are definitely overflowing with pages just begging to be turned, and November is the perfect month to do so. Many of our writers are also avid readers. And since you picked up our publication, we’re guessing you appreciate a good read, too. That’s why we’ve dedicated this issue to books. In fact, one of our feature stories is nothing but our writer’s book recommendations, featuring everything from gothic novels and memoirs to historical

non-fiction and even a children’s book—you’ll find something for everyone. In our Along the Shore section, Rae Poynter talks with three Minnesota authors who have a shared love for this region and it reflects in their latest works. Don’t forget to check out our monthly review section. While the weather tends to be fickle this time of year, it still promises to be a fun-filled month with holiday art and craft sales, good eats and deer hunting, so be sure to get outdoors, too. Minnesota deer opener is Saturday, Nov. 6 this year and Joe Shead writes about bringing his girlfriend out deer hunting for her first time, per her request. We think you’ll enjoy the outcome. Northern Trails columnist Gord Ellis interviews provincial conservation officer Davis Viehbeck on deer hunting through his eyes as a C.O. in Ontario. Dog Blog columnist Erin Altemus is back with updates on her latest adventure in the world of dog sled training and racing. Thanksgiving is also this month, so Kitty Mayo breaks down where you can dine-in or order-out for your holiday meal. And Peter Fergus-Moore writes about a Moroccan feast he recently attended in Thunder Bay. It’s starting to get colder outside and it’s getting darker earlier, so get cozy and curl up with our latest issue.—Breana Johnson

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Winners! 3rd place winners chosen by our readers. Watch for 1st and 2nd place in January!

LANDSCAPE

Nancy Reilly “Silky Dreams”—a beautiful spring run-off at Kakabeka Falls as a storm brews.

MACRO

Grace Burns A flower with water droplets, taken at the Rose Garden in Duluth.

WILDLIFE

Lisa Townsend I found this great grey owl in Two Harbors. It was my third trip to northern MN searching for them and the first time I had been able to see one.

PEOPLE & PETS Lindsay Charlton Enjoying time outside under a rainbow.

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FEATURES 16 A Hunter is Born

Copyright 2021 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.

Deer hunting for the first time

18 Our Favorite Reads

Book recommendations for everyone

Cover

DEPARTMENTS 7 Along the Shore 14 Points North 20 Spotlight 22 Events 27 Dining 29 Health 31 Northern Trails 32 Fishing Hole

Grand Marais by Ed Lee

33 Dog Blog 34 Travel 36 Northern Sky 37 Reviews 38 Following the Ancestor’s Steps 39 Strange Tales

Take the North Shore home with you! From Duluth to Thunder Bay, Ont. and beyond, we cover the stories from the area featuring the people and places that make this place unique.

REAL ESTATE 41 Bluefin Bay, Odyssey 42 Coldwell Banker North Shore 45 Red Pine Realty 48 Lutsen Real Estate Group 50 Timber Wolff Realty 54 Backlund Realty

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A lot of hard work goes into preparing the Lake Superior Zoo for winter, including paying attention to the daily highs and lows to determine which animals can safely go outside. | LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO

Winterizing the Lake Superior Zoo DULUTH—There is a lot going on at the Lake Superior Zoo (LSZ) in Duluth this fall and winter.

To get to where she is today, Perala interned with large and small animal vets, a humane officer, a wildlife rehabilitator, and at a big cat and bear sanctuary before landing her first zookeeping job at the Dallas Zoo in the primate, tiger and otter section. Perala has now been a zookeeper for 11½ years, and will have been at the Lake Superior Zoo for nine years this November.

Not only does the LSZ have a brand-new winter event in the works—The Lake Superior Zoo presents Larger than Life Lights—that will feature six giant animal inflatables, holiday lights and more, but fall is also the time of year that the zoo transitions from summer to winter care and programming.

Perala discovered her love for animals at a young age while showing a variety of animals for 4-H that ranged from cats and rabbits to horses. It is this passion for working with animals and inspiring the next generation of zookeepers that continues to motivate her in her work at the LSZ.

And there is a lot that goes into winterizing the grounds and exhibits of the nation’s 19th oldest zoo. “As most people know, winters can be quite extreme up here,” says Emily Perala, lead zookeeper at the LSZ. “That being said, the visitor’s experience is very similar in the winter as it is in the summer months, with the caveat that some folks may not spend quite as much time outside because of the cold.” “Almost all of our animals that have outdoor exhibits are from climates similar to ours,” continues Perala, “so they are well acclimated to our winters and can stay visible in their habitats year-round. The train doesn’t run in the winter and our hoof-stock contact yard is closed until Memorial Day, but with the exception of the kangaroo and wallaby yard, all of our outdoor habitats are open year-round.” To prepare the grounds for the winter, Perala and the rest of the LSZ team set out animal-safe salt buckets and shovels to keep walkways clear when the snow falls, they winterize all of their equipment and exposed waterlines and reservoirs, and do their last major clean on all of the outdoor animal pools and rockwork for the season. They set out heated water bowls for the few animals that can have them, turn on the heated rocks for the “big cats” (something that Perala compares to in-floor heating in a house) and add straw beds to the habitats and bedroom areas so they have “nice cozy

“My favorite part about zookeeping,” says Perala, “is building relationships with the animals. They have a way of making you feel good, and they are so entertaining, though they can be stubborn and difficult at times just like the rest of us.”

Part of winterizing the zoo includes setting out heated water bowls and turning on the heated rocks (similar to in-floor heating in a house) for the big cats. | LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO places to rest,” and generally start paying close attention to the daily highs and lows to determine which animals can safely go outside. “We also have to closely monitor indoor temperatures,” says Perala, “adjusting thermostats and individual heat lamps in basking areas depending on temperature fluctuations caused by outdoor temps.” Needless to say, a lot of hard work goes into preparing a zoo for winter on the North Shore. However, it is not just in the fall that Perala has a lot on her plate. “A big part of my job,” says Perala, “is to work in all the different animal areas to fill in for staff and help the other zookeepers with their projects and goals.”

“I help foster communication between the keepers and the director of animal management, and just generally keep things running smoothly,” continues Perala. “I’m also in charge of our animal care internship program that helps educate aspiring students by setting them up with the tools that they need to become successful zookeepers. And as the enrichment coordinator, I work closely with the training and welfare coordinators to make sure that the animals are healthy and are receiving the best possible care.” As is the case with most zookeepers, Perala’s path took a number of unique twists and turns before launching her on a career as a zookeeper.

“Training and enrichment are my two favorite aspects of the job,” continues Perala. “The ‘lightbulb’ moment with training is especially rewarding, when you can see that you had a breakthrough in communication and you and the animal are now an even better team.” Despite the cold, winter is a great time to visit the Lake Superior Zoo. The new Larger than Life Lights event will begin on Friday, Nov. 26 and then continues Thurs.-Sun. (except Christmas Eve and Day) from 6-9 p.m., with the annual holiday membership drive running Nov. 26-Dec. 31. I mean, where else can you see a lion lounging in the snow in our region other than at the Duluth Lake Superior Zoo? For more information, be sure to visit the LSZ website at: lszooduluth.org.—Eric Weicht

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NOVEMBER 2021

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A Moroccan feast in Thunder Bay

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THUNDER BAY— Naima Elouahydy has been up since 4:30 a.m. and now, toward evening, is bustling about in her apartment kitchen, preparing food for her guests. At home from her daily work, the vivacious Moroccan Canadian flattens balls of wheat flour dough with her hands into discs about 25 centimetres (10 inches) in diameter. Once oven-baked, these will be the n’samen, or flat bread, to go with the main course. Nearby on her kitchen table is an electric brazier, whose coils are already glowing red hot in anticipation of the tajine stew of chunks of lamb meat, pureed onions, and much else. The tajine (pronounced “taw-zheen”) names both the meal and the inverted funnel-shaped clay cooker in which the food is prepared. It is distinctive to Moroccan cuisine, and one day, Naima and her chef husband Abdel hope to share that cuisine more widely with their fellow Lakehead citizens. Just then, her friend Amel Abdullah arrives. Once they have warmly greeted one another, Naima rushes back to continue her food preparation.

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“We hope someday to open a restaurant here,” Naima explains as she chops onions. Already her sense of restaurant-style presentation is evident: in a small bowl, she has artfully placed the spice array—turmeric, cinnamon, pepper and ginger—in readiness for the tajine, rather than lining up herb and spice shakers. “My husband works at the Vahalla in the kitchen, and he has a diploma as a chocolatier and in pastry.”

A Moroccan salad with rice, potatoes, carrots, lettuce and more. | NAIMA ELOUAHYDY

Abdel at that moment is out with their two young children, clearing space and time for Naima to demonstrate her cooking skills. The couple are ethnically North African Berbers, or as they prefer to say, Amazigh, a title which is believed to connote a “free person.” The Amazigh (pronounced “Ah-mahzee”) people are found primarily in North Africa, in an area stretching from Morocco to the west, all the way to Libya in the east. Among the various Amazigh populations, there is a shared language (Arabic), and similar cultures and cuisines.

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“The way we all cook is much the same, but there are differences—in Morocco, they like food very spicy, while we in Tunisia don’t use spices quite as much. And Algeria is right in the middle,” explains Abdullah, who is also Amazigh. Naima now pours a small amount of oil into the shallow-sided bottom pan of the tajine. Once it is heated, she adds a chopped onion puree and spices to the pan before setting the inverted-cone top in place. After letting the mixture slowly simmer, Naima will add the lamb meat, along with partially-boiled eggs and raisins. In the meantime, she boils water for naanda, or mint tea. “You like some cookies?” she asks her guests as the tea steeps. Naima brings out an artfully-arranged plate of baking that would not be out of place anywhere in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, the couple’s food preparation skills and experience amount to their very strong bid to realize their restaurant dream. Naima produces an astonishingly wide variety of tasty cookies and cakes, such as the traditional Amazigh siffa, an almond cake of shredded filo pastry, as well as the unique “gazelle horns” cookies. She also makes r’fissa. “It is for celebrating birth,” she says. The cake of dried walnuts, apricots, raisins, on-

Naima Elouahydy and the tajine slow cooker. | AMEL ABDULLAH ion and sugar, also features lentils. “To stimulate the milk.” When asked about her hoped-for restaurant, Naima answers shyly that she needs to improve her English, and study the requirements of the local health unit for public food service. Her answer touches on her journey to Canada as an immigrant. Abdel arrived first in Thunder Bay in 2017, while she arrived a year later. Both are employed at the Valhalla, though Naima works in housekeeping rather than joining her husband in the kitchen area. “I never flew before,” she says of her relocation. “It was hard—I was scared. But everything is fine now.”

The slow-cooked tajine stew, with boiled eggs, stewed prunes, raisins and onions. | AMEL ABDULLAH Now she drags each one through a plate of sesame seeds to coat them. Already the robust aroma of the lamb stew permeates the apartment as she arranges the prunes in the steaming dish. Within a few minutes, her guests are regaled with the stew, flat bread, couscous, and bowls of honey and edible argan oil for the bread. “Feast” is not too strong a word for this occasion. Perhaps the dream is not so far away.—Peter Fergus-Moore

As her guests drink the mint tea and sample the cookies, Naima excuses herself to check the tajine. It is ready for a final touch. She has been soaking prunes in a solution of hot water, sugar and cinnamon.

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NOVEMBER 2021

While each author arrives at the blank page for different reasons, a shared love of this region—including its rich history and sometimes uncertain future—unites all three of these books. | SUBMITTED

A WILD WORKSHOP: Finding writing inspiration in Northern MN NORTH SHORE— When Charlotte Brontë wrote the preface to the 1850 edition of her sister Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights, she described how the novel was inextricably tied to the Yorkshire moors where the sisters lived. Wuthering Heights, Charlotte said, was “moorish, wild, and knotty as a root of heath,” and had Emily lived elsewhere, “her writings, if she had written at all, would have possessed another character.” When we are taught about story structure as children, we are taught that the setting is where and when a story takes place. But far more than a mere backdrop, a deep sense of place can almost be as much of a character in a story as the people in it, and can be the reason that an author starts writing at

all. Here in Northern Minnesota, the forests, lakes, and wilderness have been the source of inspiration for many authors who weave together place and story in their work. For Duluth author Linda LeGarde Grover, a sense of place is deeply connected to history, culture and family, as told in her book Gichigami Hearts: Stories and History from Misaabekong. Gichigami Hearts tells the story of The Great Migration of Anishinaabe/ Ojibwe people from the Atlantic Coast to the Great Lakes. Underpinning all of the stories is Misaabekong, the geological formation also known as the Point of Rocks, which runs through Duluth. “The sense of physicality in time and place is present in this book and inseparable from

my own family’s history,” LeGarde Grover said. “That mass of gabbrous rock provides a foundation and solidity for life here in this region, lived against the backdrop of the natural and spiritual worlds.” From the beginning of the book and the stories about the early arrival of the Anishinaabe to Lake Superior all the way to the end and the stories of her own family, LeGarde Grover’s stories all tie back to the Point of Rocks. “The combinations of memoir and essay, fiction and nonfiction, prose and poetry in Gichigami Hearts is a presentation and format that is new to me while at the same time reflective of traditional Anishinaabe/ Ojibwe recounting of history, cultural and

spiritual beliefs, and endeavors along the road to Mino-Bimaadiziwin, the living of a good life,” she said. Author Mary Casanova’s work is also rooted in her ties to Northern Minnesota. Nature, she said, finds its way into all of her writing. Casanova’s newest novel, Waterfall, follows the story of Trinity Baird, a young woman living on the Minnesota/Canadian border in the 1920s, and her struggles with mental health. Trinity Baird was inspired by the story of Virginia Roberts, the daughter of a wealthy family who spent the summers on Rainy Lake, and were friends with the environmentalist Ernest Oberholtzer. Casanova’s writing process involves blending together real-life inspiration and locations with new ideas.

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“Along with Waterfall, my earlier novels, Frozen and Ice-Out, are also set in the early 1920s on the northern Minnesota border,” she said. “I feel I have been living in that era—a century ago—for some time now. During this long stretch of writing and research, I become a sponge, soaking up every aspect of history and culture I can uncover.” Casanova said that her early writing process is often driven by a haunting idea or questions of injustice. In the case of Waterfall, it was learning that women could be committed to an asylum based on the word of family alone, with the diagnosis of “hysteria” used to cover a long list of behaviors that were considered unacceptable for women. Following research, Casanova begins by writing a few scenes, and continues to add detail and depth with each revision. “It is through the writing that I figure out what I think; with each story I am ultimately trying to understand what it means to be human,” she said. “Waterfall is a story of hope and survival—that you can seemingly go over a waterfall—and yet somehow survive. It’s an empowering story of one young woman’s journey from utter brokenness to wholeness.” Another Minnesota author who weaves together stories of challenge and hope is Ranae Lenor Hanson. Her book Watershed: Attending to the Body and Earth in Distress details her personal health journey after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, and juxtaposes this diagnosis with a look at the state of our ecosystems and the world’s climate.

ethics of the Ojibwe and of respect for diverse and ongoing life,” Hanson said. Four strands run through the book: the first is about Minnesota’s watersheds and Hanson’s childhood near the headwaters of the Kawishiwi River; the second about the climate crisis and stories of climate refugees; the third about Hanson’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes; and the fourth is on the ethical foundation for life, with opportunities for the reader to take action. “The diabetes diagnosis and crisis surprised me by helping me with my despair over climate disruption,” Hanson said. “Once I had a body that depends on 24/7 intervention, I became more comfortable about a world that will need 24/7 intervention because its natural systems, like my body’s, have broken. Then, too, the attentions that I have to pay in order to stay alive now parallel the attentions that all people need to make to keep the earth’s life support systems going.”

For more books with northern ties, here are some recently released titles: The Good Berry Cookbook: Harvesting and Cooking Wild Rice and Other Wild Foods by Tashia Hart

Sunken: Shipwrecks of Lake Superior by Kathy Groth

While each author arrives at the blank page for different reasons, and with different stories to tell, a shared love of this special region—including its rich history and sometimes uncertain future—unites all of the books that were hewn in this wild workshop.—Rae Poynter

“The book celebrates the watersheds of Minnesota, and particularly of the Northeastern part of the state, and honors the

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NOVEMBER 2021

The Boundary Waters wraps-up another busy season GUNFLINT TRAIL— As temperatures continue to cool along the North Shore and the tamarack drop their needles in fall’s final golden display, another canoe season in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness comes to a close. And, wow, was it ever an exciting one.

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According to a number of outfitters in the Gunflint region of the BWCAW, 2021 was a wild, busy season made all the more challenging by one of the worst droughts in recorded history and the numerous fire-related closures that came about as a result. “The 2021 season was just as busy, if not busier than the crazy season last year,” says Matthew Ritter who co-manages Voyageur Canoe Outfitters at the end of the Gunflint Trail with his wife Cassidy. “Like most outdoor rec and tourism businesses, we had a record year last year, but we seem to have passed those stats this summer, which we thought impossible.”

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Despite weeks of lockdowns and a delayed opening of the BWCAW in 2020, the previous season saw a huge growth in the number of visitors to the wilderness, with a 16 percent increase in annual visitors over the previous year according to the Forest Service’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Superior National Forest Permit & Visitor Report 2016-2020.

MyCCHE.org While physical damage such as vandalized green trees and garbage is an ongoing issue for the Forest Service, “social damage” is another, perhaps lesser-known, impact visitors can have on the wilderness. | ERIC WEICHT

Hand in hand with the increased number of visitors in the BWCAW in 2020 was a 25 percent increase in permits issued during the quota season from May 1 to Sept. 30 over the previous year. Increased demand for permits has made permits harder to come by, especially for some of the more sought-after entry points.

damage” is another, perhaps lesser-known, impact visitors can have on the wilderness. “Social damage is something visitors don’t always consider,” says Schwaller, “like playing music from blue tooth speakers, screaming, singing, dragging canoes over rocks, lack of portage etiquette, and lighting up campsites at night.”

“As an outfitter,” adds Ritter, “we look at permits daily, and in the past two years they have gotten harder and harder to come by. I don’t think the park has ever seen this amount of pressure or traffic.” “We used to only have issues booking permits once we got into the busy season in July and August,” continues Ritter. “Now, we encourage people to get things planned and booked as soon as they can, especially if they have a specific entry point in mind. On a number of occasions over the past two years we have seen the park running at 100 percent capacity, something I can say has not happened in my time at VCO before the pandemic.” Updated statistics for the 2021 season will be released by the Forest Service later this coming spring once they have had the opportunity to collect all of the self-issue permits from the entry point/trail head permit boxes in late fall, winter and early spring. The 2021 BWCAW canoe season seems to have been similar to last year in how busy it was. However, 2021 was different in a couple of significant ways from the 2020 season, namely with in-person permit issuing and the consequences of severe drought. This year marked a full return to in-person BWCAW permit issuing, a dramatic change from the remote online permit issuing process that the Forest Service was forced to adopt last year during the pandemic.

NOVEMBER 2021

“Noise and artificial bright light,” continues Schwaller, “can be just as much of an impact as other types of damage in the wilderness.” “The Forest Service is dedicated to in-person issuance into the future,” says Ann Schwaller, forest program manager for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “In-person issuance is always a better educational experience and allows visitors to connect/ask those important questions.” “We hope to have our doors open next year with regular hours,” continues Schwaller, “but it’s hard to predict what this virus will bring to all of us or the direction from the Department of Agriculture and Forest Service.” According to Schwaller, “resource damage” is always a serious concern in a wilderness area that is as heavily used as the BWCAW. In-person permit issuance definitely helps educate visitors on proper wilderness travel etiquette, but with more and more people visiting wilderness areas since the onset of the pandemic it has become even more crucial that visitors enjoy the park responsibly. While physical damage such as vandalized green trees and garbage is an ongoing issue for the Forest Service, “social

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A good resource for leave no trace and tread lightly information is the Forest Service’s Trip Planning Guide, which can be found online at: bit.ly/tripplanningguidefs. With regards to the drought’s impact on the 2021 season, low water levels had a definite impact on the accessibility of certain parts of the BWCAW, while limited food resources for bears played into an uptick in bear activity for the season.

Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) is a non-profit organization established in 1996 to address four critical issues facing our rural remote community: extreme isolation, skilled worker shortages, limited career advancement, and lack of higher education opportunities. With the nearest college or university over 100 miles away, CCHE makes it possible for local residents to earn a certificate, diploma, or degree that leads to living-wage employment right here in our community. In the past 10 years, CCHE has expanded its offerings to include college prep, training and development, and lifelong learning opportunities.

North House Folk School NorthHouse.org Our mission is to enrich lives and build community by teaching traditional northern crafts in a student-centered learning environment that inspires the hands, the heart and the mind.

Then, of course, certain entry points were closed throughout the season in response to fire activity. “The drought caused dangerous conditions unlike anything we’ve seen in recent history,” says Schwaller. “At times, we had to choose safety from wildfire over recreational access.” Further information on the BWCAW and Superior National Forest can be found on the Forest Service’s website at: fs.usda. gov.—Eric Weicht

Cook County Care Partners CarePartnersofCookCounty.org Care Partners provides support and companionship on the journey of aging and serious illness. We help older adults stay in their homes and community through services such as care coordination, caregiver support, volunteer visits, rides and chore assistance.

Grand Marais Playhouse GrandMaraisPlayhouse.com The Grand Marais Playhouse has been building community through theater since 1971 and will celebrate its 50th season in 2022! Our local community theater provides High quality productions and educational opportunities with and for Cook County and its visitors.

North Shore Healthcare Foundation Friends of the Finland Community FriendsofFinland.org Our mission is to help make Finland and the surrounding area an inviting and vibrant place. We provide space for youth, elders, community groups, events, rentals, small business support and incubation, a farmers’ market, community education, community recreation, free internet, public computers, and trail maps and information, all in one location!

North Shore Area Partners NSAPartners.org We are here to navigate aging well, together. Your support will help us to continue offering crucial services that enable older adults 60-plus to live safely in their homes within our community for as long as possible. Serving Eastern Lake County, NSAP supports elders’ independence through programs like care navigation, caregiver support, assisted transportation, in-home support, public programming and more.

Birch Grove Community School BirchGroveSchool.com Birch Grove Community School will promote academic excellence utilizing our unique natural setting allowing students to reach their potential, preparing them to become socially and environmentally responsible, self-directed, lifelong learners.

NorthShoreHealth CareFoundation.org

Gunflint Trail Historical Society

Our Vision: A Healthy Community for All in Cook County. We are an independent nonprofit benefiting health care and emergency services in Cook County. We proactively identify opportunities to expand equitable health care and healthy living and champion solutions through funding, education and advocacy. Supporting us means supporting a variety of programs which assist children, families and seniors, local health care agencies, EMS, Fire, Law Enforcement and Search & Rescue, our schools and CCMN Restorative Justice. Make your dollar go farthest and make a positive impact on thousands of lives in a single donation by giving to the Health Care Foundation.

GunflintHistory.org The Gunflint Trail Historical Society is the primary resource for history of the Gunflint Trail region. The role of the GTHS is threefold— preservation, presentation and participation. Keep Gunflint Trail history alive! Explore Gunflint Trail’s natural history at Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center.

Lake Superior Zoo LSZooDuluth.org Our mission is to provide close-up animal experiences that inspire connections with wildlife and action towards conservation in our region and around the world. As the 19th oldest zoo in the United States, we have a rich history of providing animal exhibits, animal enrichment demonstrations, educational programs and camps, events, and more. Donate or become a member today to directly support these efforts and the 300-plus animals in our care.

Duluth Area Family YMCA DuluthYMCA.org/Give Make our community a better place to live and work by supporting local programming at your Y. There are 100 reasons to give—find your impact at the Y and become part of our 100 Reasons drive this fall.

Two Harbors Area Food Shelf

Community Partners

THFoodShelf.org

CommunityPartnersTH.org

Our mission is to reduce hunger and improve the health of those in need by providing food and resources at no cost. Your support will allow us to continue providing for our neighbors in need throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Cook County Historical Society CookCountyHistory.org The purpose of the Historical Society shall be the collection, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history and art of Cook County, and to relate it to the history of the State of Minnesota.

Community Partners (CP) has been helping older adults and caregivers age successfully in the Two Harbors area for over 20 years. Programs offered that support independent living and well-being include grocery delivery, assisted transportation to medical appointments, companionship and friendly phone calls, chores, caregiver counseling, care navigation, public programming, and more. With a recently formed endowment fund and an anonymous donor who will match up to $12,500, you have more ways to give and your donation will be matched!

NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

Points North Commercializing wildlife lands By Shawn Perich

It appears the Minnesota DNR isn’t doing everything it ought to be in order to maintain and improve fish and wildlife habitat on state lands that, ironically, are purchased and managed by monies derived from hunting and fishing licenses and federal excise taxes paid on hunting and fishing gear. At issue is commercial logging that is occurring on state Wildlife Management Areas and Aquatic Management Areas, where the DNR is unable to document how the timber harvests benefit fish and wildlife habitat. Indeed, audits of state WMAs conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as anecdotal reports from wildlife professionals and conservationists indicate some harvests have harmed habitat. It is important to note that no professionals involved with this issue are against logging or utilizing Minnesota’s abundant and valuable forest resources. State lands currently are the largest provider of timber for Minnesota markets. At issue is a move initiated by the Dayton administration to ramp up the annual harvest from DNR-managed state lands from roughly 800,000 cords per year to 1 million cords. Using computer modeling to assess the state’s forest inventory and determine how much timber was available for harvest, the DNR determined the way to meet the Dayton administration’s ambitious logging target was to ramp up cutting on lands managed for wildlife. Perhaps ironically, Dayton’s industry-friendly program was called the Sustainable Harvest Initiative. Timber harvest on WMAs and AMAs is not new. Logging has long been used as a wildlife management tool to create areas of new forest beneficial to wildlife species ranging from woodcock to moose, as well to encourage regrowth of native tree species and create a patchwork of forest habitat comprised of stands of varied ages. The big difference is in the past, harvests were designed by wildlife biologists with specific goals to maintain or improve wildlife habitat. Under the Dayton initiative, the cuts are laid out by foresters with the intent of meeting increased harvest targets. It’s not about habitat any more. It’s about cords. The response from wildlife professionals and conservationists was swift and strong. In 2019, The Wildlife Society, the Minnesota Division of the Izaak Walton League of America and a group of existing and retired DNR wildlife managers sent letters of objection to the DNR Commissioner’s Office regarding the harvest targets set for WMAs. They received little response from the Com-

NOVEMBER 2021

State Wildlife Management Areas are funded by hunting fees and excise taxes. Lately, the DNR has been using the forests for commercial logging rather than wildlife conservation. | STEVE HARRI missioner’s Office and no action to address their concerns about turning wildlife lands funded by hunters and anglers into commercial forests.

an exercise in creative writing remains to be seen. It is fair to say the agency’s actions are being closely watched by wildlife professionals and conservationists.

However, another agency was paying attention to the issue and shared the wildlifer’s concerns. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers multi-million-dollar grants to the DNR of funds derived from Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs, which collect excise taxes from the sales hunting and fishing gear. The DNR is reimbursed 75 cents on every dollar for approved habitat projects. To get the money, the DNR must track expenditures and demonstrate that the intent of the work was to benefit wildlife habitat. When it comes to commercial logging on WMAs, the DNR hasn’t made that case.

In regard to the issue as whole, there are pertinent observations to be made. First, the Walz Administration has chosen to stay the course with Dayton’s ramped-up logging initiative. Second, Minnesota’s overall level of timber harvest is the lowest it’s been in at least 20 years, due to decreased demand for wood caused by many mill closures and the resulting loss of loggers across the state. It is fair to ask, but difficult to answer, whether Dayton’s initiative was an industry-friendly move to flood the market with state wood and thus depress prices for timber offered by counties, private landowners and others.

Audits by the USFWS of three WMAs across the state, Whitewater, Mille Lacs and Red Lake, turned up examples of timber harvests where the DNR could not document any wildlife benefits. In response, the USFWS has put conditions on the DNR’s federal grants that forest activities on WMAs and AMAs need to demonstrate benefits to habitat. Whether the agency will take the conditions seriously and do a better job of managing logging on wildlife lands or it will simply approach the USFWS demand for documentation as

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What is especially troubling, and should be regarded as a red flag by the state’s hunters and anglers, the DNR Commissioner’s Office under Walz has chosen to not acknowledge, much less respond, to letters specifically ad-

Shawn Perich’s POINTS NORTH online

dressing this issue from The Wildlife Society and the Izaak Walton League. Considering these organizations have long been stalwart supporters of the DNR, especially its fish and wildlife division, one can only wonder what sort of message it sends—whether intentional or not—to the conservationists and many hunters and anglers within their ranks. In a long career of writing about fish and wildlife conservation in Minnesota, it is hard for this writer to recall another instance where the agency has strayed so far from its mission of maintaining and improving fish and wildlife habitat. And I am not the only one to make this observation. While there always is, and should be, tension between the DNR and the conservation community, it’s different this time. Let’s hope it’s an anomaly and not a signal of a diminishing conservation mission within what has long been regarded as one of the best state natural resource agencies in the U.S.

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

Balsam fir: Friend or foe? NORTH SHORE— Anyone who has spent time rambling through northern Minnesota’s forests is familiar with balsam fir. The flat needles and aromatic “Christmas tree” smell of this short-lived native conifer are distinctive. Balsam grows on a wide variety of soils and topography and is usually mixed with aspen, birch and spruce. It is a climax species that is virtually destroyed by wildfires and then takes 30-50 years to re-emerge in the stands. Balsam fir is valuable for wildlife, serving as a major food for moose in winter and thermal cover for moose, deer, grouse and other critters when snow gets deep and nights cold. But deer and grouse rarely eat it. Dense stands also provide shade in summer. The forest products industry primarily uses balsam fir for pulp for papermaking, but larger trees are sawn into 2x4-foot studs.

50Theatre 1971-2021

Declining market demands contributes to Verso’s closure. | AMERICAN FOREST & PAPER ASSOCIATION

However, we can have too much of a good thing. Balsam fir is very susceptible to damage by spruce budworm—a defoliating insect Spruce budworm defoliation and mortality in larvae. The tree often dies 2020. | MINNESOTA DNR after several years of having its needles stripped off, and limit waste of the resource. They want leaving dense patches of highly flammable the balsam cut during timber harvests, restanding dead trees. As one person put it, gardless of market conditions. So, loggers “Imagine a huge pile of dead Christmas trees are forced to burn fuel and incur manpower being struck by lightning.” That is almost ex- costs to cut down something they can’t sell. actly what happened with the Greenwood This is contributing to a large number of timfire this summer. We are in the midst of a ber permits containing balsam fir going unlarge spruce budworm outbreak which im- sold. For example, in the DNR Two Harbors pacted 345,997 acres in 2020—right where Area 77.8 percent of the timber sales went the fire began. Fire suppression in spruce unsold in fiscal year 2021. That figure was budworm-killed stands is extremely difficult, 33.1 percent in FY20 and 26.1 percent in resulting in explosive fire behavior which FY19. Those unsold stands will continue to transports large amounts of peeling bark, get older, less healthy and more fire-prone fine twigs, and branchlets in convection col- every year until they are managed. umns which start spot fires downwind. Some land managers are getting creative Our ability to manage balsam fir to pre- by pricing these sales low enough to offset vent the insect outbreaks and subsequent the transportation costs, by relaxing utilifires is predicated on having markets to sell zation standards so the balsam can be left the wood. Up until 2020 we were able to to be burned, or by making it optional to utilize virtually all balsam fir cut in the state. harvest. The latter means balsam fir is left But the societal changes brought about by standing in place, which is not desirable eithe COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the de- ther. Balsam is shade-tolerant, and its shade mise of the biggest consumer of this fiber. can prevent the growth of a new forest Verso Corporation in Duluth manufactured around it. Quite the dilemma. coated paper—the kind often used for newsAll of this proves that the Economics 101 paper inserts and flyers. They consumed over 50 percent of the balsam fir in the state laws of supply and demand reach all the way and nearly all of the balsam generated in the into natural resources management. Withfar northeast portion of the state. Unfortu- out markets for finished products, we lose nately, the pandemic dramatically decreased the ability to manage our forests for a vast demand for Verso’s product, forcing them array of ecological, social and economic valto close the Minnesota mill and another in ues. And in this case, it can quite literally put Wisconsin. Yes, there are other markets, but our homes, lives and livelihoods in jeopardy. the transportation costs from remote areas We ask that you keep this in mind and defend the forest products industry when you prohibit full utilization of the resource. hear misinformation about timber manageThis situation creates many problems for ment in Minnesota. We are a vital industry loggers and land managers. Balsam fir is providing good paying jobs in rural areas for present on nearly every timber sale in north- over 34,000 people, all while serving as the ern Minnesota. The land managers have tool to keep our forests and wildlife healthy timber sale prescriptions and utilization and thriving.—Rick Horton, VP of Forest Polstandards that dictate what species get cut icy with Minnesota Forest Industries

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NOVEMBER 2021

sightings were few. Plus, she had a hard time looking through her scope with just one eye, so she carried along an eye patch for her non-scope eye, which made peering through the scope easier. That move earned her the nickname, “The Pink Pirate.” We did manage to see a couple does, but Amanda‘s tag went unfilled that first year.

Amanda Swanson deer hunting in the snowy woods her first season. | JOE SHEAD

A Hunter is Born By Joe Shead

I live to be 50, I’ll never understand women. I suppose, in this day of advanced medicine and increasing life expectancy, 50 years seems like a pretty meager goal. But that modest age is irreversibly entwined with my inability to understand the other gender. It took longer than it should have for me to realize that when a female asks if something makes her look fat, the answer is an emphatic “no!” I think the proper way to answer that question would be to give her a split-second glance and say something like, “That outfit makes you look like the prettiest belle at the ball.”

and you’ll be punched in the shoulder or kicked in the shin. Even if your gal is petite, those beatings pack a wallop. Thus, the reason I feel I’ll be doing well to make it to 50.

edge to another woman. Success is measured by the amount of fun had by all, and if any fish make it into the boat, even small ones, everyone shares in the success.

I don’t know why Amanda decided she wanted to go deer hunting. Hunting was not a big part of her family. Her dad and brother formerly hunted, but they held only a passing interest in the sport and it had been years since either pursued deer. I suppose dating me was the impetus for her desire to hunt. She already had a natural love of fishing, even before she met me. She had all her own ice fishing gear, some of which was better than my own equipment. But hunting would be a new realm for her. In my experience, men and women are wired differently when it comes to the outdoor sports. When most guys go fishing, the ultimate goal is to catch fish. Oh sure, they like hanging out and perhaps tipping back a few beers on the water, but at the end of the day, if they haven’t caught some fish, the outing wasn’t successful.

Now, that scenario isn’t 100 percent accurate, but it seems to hold true in a lot of situations. Women just enjoy the outdoors for different reasons than men. And I’ll give them credit, women are very patient and detail-oriented, which serves them well while hunting or fishing. They’re also not too macho to ask for help and they take constructive criticism better than men; especially if it comes from another woman. For these and myriad other reasons, women often excel in outdoor sports.

You don’t even need to look at her to know the answer is “no.” That response should come automatically. But women are so sensitive, you can answer this trick question incorrectly, even when you think you’ve given the proper response. You have to at least glance at her so she knows you’re not just saying she doesn’t look fat, but if you look at her for even a millisecond too long, she’ll think you had considered that Most women, on the other hand, enjoy maybe she does indeed look a bit chubby. the camaraderie and the experience. They Oh, and another thing: there is a language cheer on each other and try to share their barrier across the genders. “Fine” in man knowledge to help make everyone a better speak is not a parallel translation in the fe- angler. They don’t want anything “mansmale dialect. In fact, those words are com- plained” to them—guys hovering around plete antonyms. Use the wrong translation and constantly giving advice. But for them, it’s OK when a woman imparts knowl16

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So, for reasons known only to her, Amanda asked if I would take her deer hunting. The joke may have been on her, however, because Minnesota has a hunting mentorship program, through which individuals can hunt without taking the normally required hunter safety course, as long as their mentor stays within arm’s length. Amanda wasn’t just going hunting; she was about to be a hunter! And of course, the second she found out that she could wear blaze pink clothing instead of the traditional blaze orange, she immediately went on a pink shopping spree.

The following season, things looked much better. For one thing, we wouldn’t be hunting in the woods, where visibility is limited and deer are close and easily spooked when you do see them. We had gotten permission to hunt over a farm field where deer appear each night to feed. Tom, the landowner, laughed when I showed up before season to do some scouting. “All you have to do is watch the field,” he explained. “There will be deer there every night.” As I soon learned, I was trying to overcomplicate a sure bet. On our first evening, Amanda and I watched the field, waiting for deer to appear. Perhaps an hour before dark, a doe and fawn emerged from behind a row of pines and began grazing on alfalfa. They fed trustingly, never realizing they were being watched by predators. Amanda watched intently, enjoying the encounter. Although her tag was good for any deer, she wanted to hold out for a buck. We had three evenings to hunt, and if she had to settle for a doe, she wouldn’t do it until the final evening. As it turned out, her chance at a buck came quicker than expected. The doe and fawn were still feeding in the field when Mr. Big arrived. Well, OK, he wasn’t exactly big. In human terms, he was a teenager. He had just grown his first set of antlers that summer. They consisted of 5-inch spikes on either side of his head. His was a pretty meager rack. But he was a buck. Amanda, who had been so calm while watching the doe and fawn, suddenly began to breathe heavily when she spotted the young buck. She trembled as she raised the rifle. She struggled to see the buck in her rifle scope. A couple weeks earlier, at the shooting range, everyone who watched her shoot was impressed. She was a natural marksman and once we had her scope on target, she regularly hit the bull’s-eye. However, right now she couldn’t even see through the scope, and if she could have, she was so unsteady she would have struggled to hit the broad side of a barn.

Our first season was a struggle. AmanEven though she was leaning on a solid da didn’t have much time to hunt and deer rest, the rifle barrel wobbled from side to

side. At the shooting range, she was calm and steady and she shot with military precision. But this was the real world. She didn’t know it, but something deep within her psyche, going all the way back to her caveman ancestors, was emerging. That “fight or flight” response was welling up inside her as she prepared to kill her prey and it was rattling her visibly. All she had to do was settle the crosshairs on the buck and pull the trigger. I know she was capable of making that shot. I’d watched her do it repeatedly at the shooting range. But things are different with a live target. After probably a minute or more of struggling to find the deer in the scope, she finally pulled the trigger. The young buck bounded off unscathed. A flood of emotions washed over her. She was disappointed that she had missed the deer. And she commented repeatedly on how difficult it was to make that shot in the heat of the moment. It wasn’t like being at the shooting range. It was real and nerve-racking and different. She hadn’t killed her deer, but the experience had taken hold of her. She had gotten a taste of that moment when you come in contact with your prey and the encounter was exciting and different. Now she was more determined than ever to shoot a buck. The following night we were back, but no buck appeared. Originally, Amanda had said she would shoot any deer on her last evening. However, after her encounter with the young buck, she wasn’t going to settle for a doe on the third evening. It was a buck or nothing. Once again, no buck appeared on the third night, although we did see some does. I thought that just like last year, her season would end in defeat. Little did I know we were just getting started. The memory of that buck gnawed at Amanda. Originally, on the following evening, we were supposed to help Amanda’s brother Josh move into his new house. In fact, Amanda had reminded me not to forget just the day before. But on the fourth day, she sent me a text: “Let’s hunt at Tom’s tonight!” “What about your brother?” I responded. “He can move himself!” So Josh was on his own. The fourth night turned into a fifth. And a sixth. The sixth night was a pivotal one. Once again, does appeared in the field. We had watched them for more than an hour. It was growing dark and it was getting hard to see, although the legally mandated quitting time for the day was still a few minutes away. Amanda unloaded her rifle and tucked it into its case. Just as she did so,

Amanda Swanson with her first buck. | JOE SHEAD another deer entered the field, followed by another. Even in the waning light, I could clearly see both were bucks. The first buck was a nice one, sporting a decent rack. But the second one, oh the second one, was the buck of dreams. The barrel-chested bruiser strode into the field with confidence. He knew he was the boss of the woods. His antlers spread beyond his ears, with thick tines jutted up from heavy main beams. In about two seconds flat, Amanda‘s rifle was back out of the case. She reloaded and peered through the scope. I put my fingers in my ears, expecting at any moment to hear the rifle roar. I waited. And waited. But the expected rifle blast didn’t come. The sky grew darker. The bucks became mere silhouettes. At long last, Amanda lowered the rifle. “I just can’t see him through the scope!” she hissed. I was dejected on the inside, but I dared not show it. Oh, how I wished her first buck had been a giant. The light was dim and making the shot wouldn’t have been easy. Still, I know that I could’ve found a way. But this wasn’t about me. It was about Amanda, and she was disappointed, too. She knew that buck was a monster. But one of the most important parts of hunting is gun safety. If you can’t see your target well or make a good shot, you’re better off not shooting. It would’ve been a horrible thing to have wounded the deer and not recovered it. As badly as she wanted to shoot it, she made the right call. After that there was no turning back. Amanda‘s three-day hunt miraculously

stretched into yet another day. She wanted a buck bad! This time, however, really was her last day. Tom had friends coming to hunt. In fact, he had foregone his own hunting so that Amanda could hunt. We had one final chance. On our last sit, many thoughts went through our minds. We thought about that spike buck from the first day. We talked about the thrill of watching the does and fawns feed every night. And of course, the vision of that monster buck—the one that got away—was always at the forefront of our minds. But as the clock ticked down, it looked like we were out of chances. Two does and a fawn fed in the alfalfa—where was their male suitor? It had been a fun season. Amanda had learned a lot. She’d discovered that trying to shoot at a live target isn’t the same as shooting at the range. We’d come so close. We’d seen bucks and even got a shot at one. It really had been a pretty good season. But somehow it just wasn’t enough to go home without a buck. We sat quietly, sullenly, dwelling on the impending reality of another deer-less season. We had just a half-hour left to hunt when yet another buck entered the field. Amanda had sat with her head hung on that final sit, but this new buck sighting jolted her back to life. She had one more shot at redemption. There was a purpose in her movements as she brought her rifle to her shoulder this time. That girl who fidgeted awkwardly with a rifle just days earlier was gone. Now she aimed confidently and deliberately.

This time her nerves were under control and the rifle barrel held steady. At the rifle’s report, the buck dropped in its tracks. “You got him!” I exclaimed. Amanda couldn’t believe her eyes, but a brown blob lay still in the middle of the alfalfa field. Amanda unloaded the rifle and set it down. I gave her a bear hug and kissed her. We couldn’t cover the distance across the field fast enough to get to her first buck. As she walked up on the deer, conflicting emotions bubbled out of her. For one thing, there was a bit of shock that she had gotten a third chance and this time had made good. There was probably relief, too. Night after night we’d been trying for a buck, and now she finally had one. As we knelt next to the fallen deer, Amanda brushed the deer’s gray winter coat. There is always that moment of remorse when you realize that you’ve snuffed out the candle of life and Amanda was sad for the deer. But more than anything, she was elated. She had become part of the fraternity of hunters. No longer was she a spectator; she was an active participant. Amanda gushed about the experience. The buck wasn’t the monster we’d seen a couple days earlier, but Amanda couldn’t have been prouder. I don’t know why Amanda chose to deer hunt. I guess I could ask her. But as I stood there watching a girl kneel next to her first buck, the sheer joy and elation on her face was all the reason I needed.

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Our Favorite Reads Here are a few suggestions from our Northern Wilds staff for a good read this winter. The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully By Joan Chittister This is a wonderfully encouraging book by an internationally respected speaker and author with a keen prophetic voice for our time. The book’s many brief chapters are filled with candid observations and insights offering a fresh look at the possibilities of life for those of us in our sixties and beyond. I highly recommend this book for personal reflection, and it would also be a fruitful springboard for group discussion. —Joyce Fergus-Moore

Know My Name By Chanel Miller I read Know My Name by Chanel Miller for the first time this summer. The book is nonfiction and is beautifully written. Like many others, in 2016 I read Miller’s original Emily Doe statement on buzzfeed.com to her attacker, Brock Turner. This was before anyone knew her real name. Yes, Miller is the victim in the Stanford sexual assault case that involved the swimmer. This book continues the same raw and thought-provoking societal commentary that the statement held. Miller is so much more than a victim. This book is empowering, sad and wonderful. —Shelby Lonne-Rogentine

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NORTHERN WILDS

Locked In Ice

North of Highway 8

By Peter Lourie

By Dan Woll

If the upcoming winter has you dreaming of skiing to the North Pole, like I am, then Locked in Ice is for you. Peter Lourie’s 2019 biography is about Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian explorer who spent three years straight sailing and skiing to the pole and back to Norway. Although Nansen turned around 232 nautical miles from the pole, Locked in Ice will still feed your drive to make your own backcountry explorations this winter. The book is marketed for “young readers,” but adults will get plenty of adventure and survival inspiration, too. —Chris Pascone

Depending on where you live in Wisconsin, Highway 8 is sometimes known as the southern border of the Wisconsin “wilderness.” Once you get north of Highway 8, you get to enjoy dirt roads, crystal clear waters, and a world that’s just made for adventure.

Bury Your Dead: A Chief Gamache Mystery By Louise Penny Louise Penny— who years ago was a radio host with CBC-CBQ in Thunder Bay and taught writing at the local college—is today one of the leading crime mystery authors in North America. Her latest novel, State of Terror, was just launched in October 2021, a collaboration with Hillary Rodham Clinton. I got hooked on her novels by reading Bury Your Dead, the sixth in the best-selling Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series (17 to date). Set in Quebec, the book has multi-story lines with intricate plots covering police stakeouts, a rescue gone wrong and murder to mysteries surrounding explorer Samuel Champlain’s gravesite. —Elle Andra-Warner

Woll’s book is a collection of stories that deal with the incessant pull of the outdoors. Wisconsin is a major player, but Woll also takes detours to describe his camping and climbing trips elsewhere. It’s amazing how spending a few years living in the rugged terrain and seasons of Wisconsin can prepare you for the challenges you’ll meet anywhere in the world. Woll’s book contains both wisdom and humor. He’s an excellent storyteller, and North of Highway 8 is a great read for anyone with any connection to Wisconsin. —Walter Rhein

The Haunting of Hill House By Shirley Jackson This book is old, but it is so good. I took a gothic literature class in college and was a little unsure of what I signed up for. We read this book and I was hooked. Author Shirley Jackson tells a compelling haunted house story that explores themes of family, belonging and fear. Don’t watch the Netflix show and think you have the same story—it’s so different. If you like a good old-fashioned spooky story, this is the book for you. —Shelby Lonne-Rogentine

In the Woods By Tana French Small towns in Ireland, detective backstories, and can’t-put-down writing are elements of every Tana French book. The first in the Dublin Murder Squad series, In the Woods is about a detective covering a case that has a few too many similarities to his past. It is creepy, but the plot is so well thought out that I never knew what was going to happen next. I read this book about four years ago and I have continued to read French’s writing ever since. —Shelby Lonne-Rogentine

The River Why By David James Duncan In the opening chapters of The River Why, the book’s protagonist, Gus, recounts the confrontation between his aristocratic, fly-fishing father and his worm-plunking mother that resulted in their meeting and his existence. A few pages in, and I was hooked. Gus is a fishing prodigy who has the uncanny ability to think like a fish. As a young man, Gus retreats to a river-side cabin in Oregon to fish and discover the meaning of his existence. This novel is a keeper, and one I will read time and again. —Chuck Viren

The Sea By Piret Raud The Sea is a whimsical, imaginative children’s story written in a fun, humorous style. The Sea reads a bedtime story every night to her sea family that includes fish, star fish, turtles and ducks. She loves them all but needs quiet time for herself, so she takes a break. While she’s gone, the sea animals enjoy a boisterous time. But by day’s end, they miss the Sea and especially their bedtime story. They cry so many tears that the Sea returns. All ends well—the Sea teaches them to read so they can always enjoy books even if she takes a time-out. —Elle Andra-Warner

The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America By Thomas King If you read only one book about the historical relationship of Indigenous people in Canada and the United States from the time of European contact to present, consider the award-winning The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America, written by U.S.-born Canadian celebrated author Dr. Thomas King, the former University of Minnesota Chair of American Indian Studies. A powerful book, it’s a witty, fun but brilliantly packed-with-information page-turner written in a storytelling style from his perspective as an Indigenous person. He debunks myths; looks at stereotyping in films and entertainment; explores the issue of land, treaties, borders, battles, terminology; and much more. —Elle Andra-Warner

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey By Candice Millard Are you a fan of history? Me neither. For those of us who got their fill learning about the past prior to high school graduation, I promise you should give this book a read. Full of early 1900s drama but written in 21st century language, this 416-page adventure narrative will inspire you to hop off your couch and find some uncharted territory. After losing the bid for the presidency in 1912, Theodore Roosevelt does what any respectable person would: he almost gets himself killed on a first descent of an unmapped tributary of the Amazon. Toss in starvation, Indian attack, disease, drowning, and a murder and you’ve got a nonfiction tale that makes even your craziest Boundary Waters trip seem extremely vanilla in comparison. At least you didn’t lose your canoe in whitewater rapids. —Casey Fitchett

The Gordon MacQuarrie Sporting Treasury By Gordon MacQuarrie (Compiled by Zack Taylor) Gordon MacQuarrie was born in Superior, Wisc. in 1900. He grew up in a time when hunting and fishing were mainstream, but the way he penned his fishing and hunting stories was anything but. This book is a collection of MacQuarrie’s short stories, many of which appeared in the major outdoor magazines of his day. MacQuarrie had a gift for character description, realizing that the people in his stories were every bit as important as the outcome of his trips afield. Through his yarns, MacQuarrie described many trout stream treks and duck blind sits accompanied by his father-in-law and mentor, the president of the Old Duck Hunters Association, Inc. (which stands for incorrigible). Although it’s been more than a half-century since his passing, MacQurrie’s tales are as alive and relevant now as ever. Curl up beside a fire and let MacQuarrie take you along on his adventures. You’ll feel like you’re part of the crew as you read these stories again and again. —Joe Shead

The temperature is quickly dropping and snow will be here soon, so grab a cup of hot chocolate and curl up with a good book.

NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

By Breana Johnson

Holiday Art & Craft Shows

This month’s spotlight is all about Thunder Bay, featuring artwork from the annual Artisans Northwest Fine Art and Craft Show, held in-person Nov. 20-21 and virtually Nov. 22-28, and the Holiday Craft Revival, held virtually from Nov. 21-26 and in-person on Nov. 28. See the events section for more info.

Leona McEwan, owner of Bee Weave Creations, will participate in both the Holiday Craft Revival and Artisans Northwest Fine Art and Craft Show. This handwoven piece is titled “Bluebirds Nesting.” | LEONA MCEWAN

Bay Stitch Girls owners Courtney Garbet and Robyn Altree will take part in the Holiday Craft Revival. They call this hat their Nipigon Nylon Toque, named after the famous Nipigon Nylon “work socks.” | BAY STITCH GIRLS

Another show occurring this month is an exhibit by Karen Nease at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais, titled The Far and Near. This oil on cradled wood panel piece is titled “L’Origine du monde – day.” The exhibit will be held Nov. 12-Dec. 5. | KAREN NEASE

Victoria Ann Jewelry owner Victoria Racco will participate in the Holiday Craft Revival, too. These red and black plaid petalstyle earrings are made of faux leather and all of her earrings are made from nickel and lead-free hooks or posts. | VICTORIA RACCO 20

NOVEMBER 2021

This hand-stitched journal, titled “Remember the Now” by Stephanie Paxton, was created using mixed media and a collection of different papers. Paxton will participate in the Holiday Craft Revival both virtually and in-person. | STEPHANIE PAXTON NORTHERN WILDS

Among the many animals she photographs, Katie Mumm said that fox and moose are especially her favorites, and she has had some memorable encounters with each of them. | KATIE MUMM

Wildlife Photographer Katie Mumm CREATIVE SPACE: By Rae Poynter Many visitors to the wild areas of Northern Minnesota hope to catch a glimpse of some of the wildlife that is so emblematic of this part of the state. Whether it’s an industrious beaver, a russet-colored fox, or the elusive moose, seeing any of the wild animals that call this place home is a memorable experience. But for wildlife photographer Katie Mumm, spotting animals is much more than just an occasional occurrence: it is an art form, a passion, and a way of life. Mumm’s journey to becoming a wildlife photographer began when she moved to the mid-Gunflint Trail in the winter of 2017. Originally from Northwestern Minnesota, Mumm arrived in Cook County to work at Bearskin Lodge, where she had visited frequently growing up. Though she had done some photography prior to the move, it was living on the Gunflint Trail that inspired her to start pursuing it more seriously. “I was new to the area and didn’t know many people yet, and with more time to myself I decided I was going to find a hobby,” Mumm said. “One day I realized that I hadn’t seen a moose for a while, so I just started searching and driving all of these roads when I finally stumbled across two of them. That’s where it started.” Her photography took off from there: she got a new lens for her camera and began venturing to the most remote corners of Cook County, often driving several hundred miles a week to look for wildlife. As a self-taught photographer, dedication, pa-

Another remarkable moment came last November, when Mumm got the opportunity to see three bull moose gathered together in one clearing, resulting in a photograph that would draw attention from news stations around the state.

Mumm’s journey to becoming a wildlife photographer began when she moved to the mid-Gunflint Trail in the winter of 2017. | KATIE MUMM tience, and many hours on the road has led to her capturing detailed shots of the area’s most-loved wildlife, including moose, bear, fox, loons, beavers and wolves. Among the many animals she photographs, Mumm said that fox and moose are especially her favorites, and she has had some memorable encounters with each of them. This past summer she captured a photo of a fox with distinctive markings on the legs and ears. When she looked back at some of her earlier photos, she realized that she had taken a photo of this exact same fox earlier in the winter: a side-by-side comparison reveals just how much longer the winter coat is from the summer coat.

“I had a friend with a cabin on the Gunflint who told me she had seen three bull moose running. She told me where she’d seen them so I went there three days, morning and night, and the last day in the morning I pulled in and they were all sprinting away. So I drove away for a while and when I came back I saw all three standing on a hill, so I waited a while and they walked into a pond. That’s when I got the shot of all three of them looking at me,” Mumm said. “It was crazy. I sat there for a while, and one by one they each left. I went back to the area several times to check for tracks but never found any, so I don’t think they ever went back there.” As far as the best times to see wildlife, Mumm says that she often goes out in the early morning. And when it comes to wildlife photography—both for getting natural shots and for practicing safety—Mumm stressed the importance of always being mindful and respectful of wildlife. “When I take pictures, I’m quiet and just try to leave them in their natural habitat,” Mumm said. “The other night when I was driving, I saw a moose, so I just turned off my car and let her do her thing, and she walked by my car without realizing that I was there. That’s how I like to keep it: I don’t want them to have any idea that I’m

nearby. Sometimes they’ll look at me and sniff, but if they ever show any signs that they’re uncomfortable then I’ll leave.” This past year has brought both new challenges and new growth for Mumm. While photographing the sunset in February, Mumm fell and broke her leg, preventing her from being able to drive on her own while it healed. But even a broken leg and subsequent surgeries didn’t stop her photography. “My mom came up and stayed for a month, and she would put me in the back seat with pillows on the center console and then drive me up the Trail. We saw moose all the time, and she would just line up the car right so I could take pictures,” Mumm said. Through persevering in her craft, Mumm has found new opportunities: this autumn was her first photography show at Split Rock Lighthouse, and she plans to have her work displayed this winter at the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais. “The show was really a turning point for me, because while I love taking pictures, I hadn’t really thought of myself as a photographer. But to see your work printed and hanging up, and to have people interested in your work is really neat,” Mumm said. Katie Mumm shares her photography on her Instagram @kemofthenorth, as well as on her website, katiemumm.com, where visitors can find prints of her work and her 2022 calendar.

NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

This year’s Winterers’ Gathering and Arctic Film Fest, held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, will take place both in-person and virtually. | NHFS

DULUTH JUNK HUNT

Nov. 4-6 Love antique shopping and searching for goodies? Take part in the semi-annual, three-day Duluth Junk Hunt at the DECC, featuring vintage, antique and repurposed treasures from more than 100 of the area’s finest vendors. There will also be a farmer’s market section featuring local foods and flowers. Those who pay admission for the Early Bird price ($18 at the door) can shop from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday. General admission tickets for Friday and Saturday cost $8 at the door; held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Tickets can also be purchased online before the event. Kids 12 years old and younger are free. duluthjunkhunt.com

NORTH SHORE READERS AND WRITERS NONFEST

The annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting event will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at Split Rock Lighthouse. | KATHY WENDEL

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

Nov. 4-11 The North Shore Readers and Writers Festival is a biennial event that locates, celebrates and fosters the literary arts and engagement with the written word. This year, the festival will become a fantastic NonFest. Meaning, the Art Colony is not planning programming for large, in-person gatherings just yet, but has crafted two educational tracks for writers of all levels to learn from seasoned, published Minnesota authors. The classes will be two to four days in length and follow either

a poetry or hybrid track, and are anticipated to be hosted in-person. Participants can opt to follow one of the two specific tracks or select from either track to build out their NonFest experience. Registration is required. grandmaraisartcolony.org

EDMUND FITZGERALD MEMORIAL BEACON LIGHTING

Nov. 10, Wednesday Held at Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, this annual event commemorates the sinking of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald and the loss of her 29 crew members on Nov. 10, 1975. It is also a time to reflect on the memory of all lives lost in Great Lakes shipwrecks. The lighthouse, fog signal building and visitor center will be open from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and costumed interpreters will greet visitors and provide historic site and shipwreck information. Throughout the afternoon, visitors can view a film about the Edmund Fitzgerald in the visitor center. At 4:30 p.m., the lighthouse will close temporarily while the names of the crew members are read to the tolling of a ship’s bell. Following the ceremony, the beacon will be lit and the tower will be open again to tour. For those unable to attend the event, a portion of the beacon lighting will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. mnhs.org/splitrock

LUNAFEST VIRTUAL FILM FESTIVAL

Bentleyville, located in Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, will take place Nov. 20-Dec. 27. | SUBMITTED

Nov. 14, Sunday The Violence Prevention Center (VPC) in Grand Marais is once again hosting the LunaFest film festival on Sunday, Nov. 14. This unique film festival highlights women as leaders in society, illustrated through seven short films by women filmmakers. The films range from animation to fictional drama, and cover a variety of topics. This year’s festival will be virtual, starting at 6:30 p.m. with an online music reception. Speakers and the movie screening will begin at 7 p.m. There will also be a virtual silent auction. Tickets to attend LunaFest can be purchased online. All proceeds from the event will benefit the VPC and Chicken & Egg Pictures. violencepreventioncenter.org

WINTERERS’ GATHERING & ARCTIC FILM FEST

Nov. 18-21 Held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, this multi-day educational event celebrates the crafts, customs, landscape, history and stories of winter travel and traditional life ways in the north. Featuring winter-centric course work, an Arctic film festival, zoom webinars, a gear and ski sale, a deep freeze chili feed, winter tent camping, dinner over a bonfire and more, this is a classic event to welcome the season of white. This year’s featured speaker is adventurer Jon Turk, held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20. From his Siberian trips to his more recent ventures into warmer climes, Turk’s stories are the very best kind—

in-person. The in-person show will be held Nov. 20-21 (Sat. and Sun.) at the DaVinci Centre, starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday. The admission cost is by donation. The virtual show will start at 9 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 and end at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 28. To celebrate their 45th year, there will be interesting online posts, bios, pictures, prizes and fun leading up to and during the in-person and online shows. For more info, find Artisans Northwest on Facebook or visit: artisansnorthwest.ca

HOLIDAY CRAFT REVIVAL

Nov. 21-26 & Nov. 28 This year’s Holiday Craft Revival in Thunder Bay will take place both virtually and in-person. Shop from over 200 artists and makers in the northwestern Ontario region during the virtual portion, held Nov. 21-26. Then, on Nov. 28, enjoy in-person shopping at over 25 locations in the Waterfront District; held from 10 a.m.4 p.m. Find everything from jewelry, metalwork and fiber art to paintings, ceramics, soaps and candles. thecraftrevivaltbay.com

Jennifer Caie is one of many artists participating in this year’s Artisans Northwest Fine Art & Craft Show. This acrylic painting is titled “This is Our Land.” | JENNIFER CAIE thought-provoking, surprising and resonant. northhouse.org

BENTLEYVILLE “TOUR OF LIGHTS”

Nov. 20-Dec. 27 Located in Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Bentleyville invites guests to stroll under the glow of over 5 million lights, while enjoying free hot cocoa, coffee, cookies, freshly popped popcorn, and marshmallows to roast. Kids can also visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bentleyville is free (though donations are appreciated) and opens at 5 p.m.

daily, including all holidays; cost to park in the Bentleyville lots is $10 per vehicle. Guests are also encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or new unwrapped toy to donate to the Salvation Army for those in need. Remember to dress for warmth as Bentleyville is an outdoor event. bentleyvilleusa.org

ARTISANS NORTHWEST FINE ART & CRAFT SHOW

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Nov. 26, Friday North Shore Winery’s Third Annual Christmas Market in Lutsen turns the Winery into the North “Pole” Winery loaded with art, gifts, holiday decorations, wreaths, maple syrup, food and wines to enjoy or to give as holiday gifts. Held from 12:305 p.m., vendors include Dave Woerhide, Anna Hess, Julia Klatt Singer, Nan Onkka, North Country, Jim Cordes, Kari Vick, The Big Lake, Wild Country Maple Syrup, and more. All shoppers must be masked during the event. northshorewinery.us

Nov. 20-28 This year’s 45th Annual Artisan Northwest Fine Art and Craft Show in Thunder Bay will take place both virtually and

NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Thru Nov. 7

Nov. 6-7

Nov. 18-21

Impressions: Paintings From Everyday Life Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

Festival of Trees 9 a.m. (10 a.m. Sun.) DECC, Duluth, juniorleagueduluth.org

Winterers’ Gathering & Arctic Film Fest North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Nov. 7, Sunday Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov. 9, Tuesday

Nov. 19, Friday

Thru Nov. 13 33rd Anniversary Members Exhibition Definitely Superior Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, definitelysuperior.com

Thru Nov. 21

Dr. Seuss Kahoot! 3 p.m. Ely Public Library, Ely, elylibrary.org

Piitwewetam: Making is Medicine Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Nov. 10, Wednesday

Itee Pootoogook: Hymns to the Silence Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru Dec. 1

Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting 11 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

The Simon & Garfunkel Story 7:30 p.m.

Kwewog Giiwednog: Women of the North Mural Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru Jan. 10 63rd Arrowhead Regional Biennial Duluth Art Institute, duluthartinstitute.org

Oct. 21-Nov. 6 Lunenburg Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

Nov. 3, Wednesday

DECC: Symphony Hall, Duluth, decc.org

Nov. 11, Thursday Veterans Day Remembrance Day Nov. 11-20 The Thanksgiving Play 7:30 p.m. Duluth Playhouse: Underground Theatre, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org

Nov. 12-14

Banadad Annual Meeting 7 p.m. Online, banadad.org

Waves & Wellness Weekend Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Nov. 4-6 Duluth Junk Hunt 9 a.m. DECC, Duluth, duluthjunkhunt.com

Nov. 12-Dec. 5

Nov. 4-11

Karen Nease Exhibition: The Far and Near (Reception Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, johnsonheritagepost.org

North Shore Readers & Writers NonFest Grand Marais Art Colony, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Nov. 13, Saturday

Nov. 5, Friday Big Buck Contest: Last Day to Sign Up Buck’s Hardware, Grand Marais, bucksbigbuck.com

Nov. 5-6 Fall Food & Wine Lovers Weekend Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

TBSO: Breakout! Freeborn Concert 7:30 p.m.

Nice Girls of the North Second Saturday Marketplace 10 a.m. Masonic Lodge, Duluth, nicegirlsofthenorth.com Grand Marais Playhouse Presents: All Together Now! 7 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com

Nov. 17, Wednesday

DaVinci Centre, Thunder Bay, tbso.ca

Get Crafty: Duct Tape 3:30 p.m. Ely Public Library, Ely, elylibrary.org

Nov. 5-22

Nov. 18, Thursday

Big Buck Contest Buck’s Hardware, Grand Marais, bucksbigbuck.com

Nov. 6, Saturday Minnesota Deer Opener

Give to the Max Day Minnesota, givemn.org

Nov. 18-19 TBSO: Good Vibrations 7:30 p.m. Hilldale Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay, tbso.ca

Get Great Stuff: Local Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m. Peace Church, Duluth, wendyupnorth.com

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

Christmas City of the North Parade Duluth, facebook.com/christmascityparade

Nov. 19-21 Outdoor Adventure Expo Midwest Mountaineering, Minneapolis, outdooradventureexpo.com

Nov. 19-Dec. 19 Pepperkakebyen (Gingerbread City) Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Nov. 20, Saturday DECC Fall Sunrise PhotoMeet/InstaMeet 6:45 a.m. DECC, Duluth, decc.org

DSSO: To Explore 7 p.m. DECC: Symphony Hall, Duluth, dsso.com

Nov. 20-21 Artisans Northwest Fine Art & Craft Show 10 a.m. DaVinci Centre, Thunder Bay, artisansnorthwest.ca

Nov. 20-Dec. 19 Annie 7:30 p.m. and/or 2 p.m. Duluth Playhouse, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org

Nov. 20-Dec. 27

Nov. 26, Friday Black Friday Christmas Market 12:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us Oh Ole Night Parade & Fireworks 5 p.m. Downtown Grand Marais, visitcookcounty.com/events

Nov. 26-Dec. 31 Larger Than Life Lights 6 p.m. Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, lszooduluth.org

Nov. 27, Saturday MN Christmas Market 10 a.m. DECC, Duluth, decc.org

Nov. 27-28 Lotus Creek Events Craft & Vendor Show 10 a.m. Miller Hill Mall, Duluth, facebook.com/millerhillmall

Nov. 28, Sunday In-Person Holiday Craft Revival 10 a.m. Waterfront District, thecraftrevivaltbay.com

Nov. 29, Monday First Day of Chanukah/ Hanukkah Dec. 2-18

Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” 5 p.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, bentleyvilleusa.org

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

Nov. 21-26

Dec. 4, Saturday

Online Holiday Craft Revival Thunder Bay, thecraftrevivaltbay.com

Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Sale 9 a.m. Studio 21, Grand Marais

Nov. 22, Monday Mannheim Steamroller Christmas 7 p.m. DECC: Symphony Hall, Duluth, decc.org

WEEKLY EVENTS

Nov. 22-28

Wednesdays

Artisans Northwest Virtual Fine Art & Craft Show 9 a.m. Online, artisansnorthwest.ca

Nov. 23, Tuesday Family Movie: Nanny McPhee 3 p.m. Ely Public Library, Ely, elylibrary.org

Nov. 23-24  Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos

8 p.m. Greysolon Ballroom, Duluth, greysolonballroom.com

Nov. 25, Thursday Thanksgiving

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

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

Saturdays Thunder Bay Country Market 8 a.m. CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca Tour the North House Campus 2 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

NORTHWOODS BOOKS for everyone on your list!

ThruHike

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SawduS st Their Blo in t od

100 years of Sawdust in

A Centur y of Perseverance On July 14, 1914, North Shore lumber on the pioneer Andrew banks Hedstrom began nesota. A century of the Devil Track River sawing owned busines later, the Hedstrom Lumbernorth of Grand Marais , Minfrom its humble s operating at the same locationCompany remains a . This is the compa familythrough several start in a pioneer settlem ny’s ent during the transfor mations into of today. tall-pine loggingstory the modern no-was te sawmill operatiera Throughout the on sity with problem years, the Hedstrom family has met challen able to remain -solving ingenuity and tenacity ges and adver. By their pluck, Shore institutio in business when other mills n. failed and becam they were e a North In the remote settlement of first began sawing Scandi lumber to meet navian immigrants, Andrew ing a sawmil the needs Hedstro l he purchased demand for lumber and rebuilt after of his carpentry busines m s usit was ruined grew, so did the company in a fire. As the the company. hauled During the 1930s within the wildern a portable sawmill and to to the mill. Later, ess, where teams of horseswinter logging camps deep40s, when the advent were a forest road of mechanizationused to haul massive logs network made and the develop family returne it possible to d to a new, perman ment of deliver ent mill on the logs greater distances, the This is a story Devil Track River. of perseve rance. Even today, in a location as remote as it isn’t easy to Grand Marais challenges, includin run g several devasta . Andrew and his sons a business from adversity faced many ting fires. Yet they always before. Today, by making the mill better recovered and more efficien remaining in Hedstrom Lumber Compa northern Minnes ny is one of the t than it was the Hedstrom family’s achieveota. Sawdust in Their Bloodfew lumber mills try. It also celebra ments during is a celebration 100 years tes the North of a prominent part, and which Shore community of in the timber induswhich they are success. played a powerf such ul, continuing role in their About the Author

Co. By Jack Blackwell

s Of The Hed Phil

strom Lum ber Co.

Jim Boyd is a St. John, and retired journalist who lives his in the Cook County dog, Scarlett. He current Cook County with his wife, ly serves as executi Jetty Chamber of Commerce. ve director of

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

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Carl

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From Andrew Hedstrom’s humble start sawing lumber on the banks of the Devil Track River north of Grand Marais, the Hedstrom family survived a century to become the modern, no-waste sawmill operation of today. $19.95

Bob Olson discovered the North Shore and Gunflint Trail in the 1950s. Driving a Ford Model A truck, he roamed the lonely north, meeting the resourceful characters who lived there, eventually making his home on a Gunflint Trail lake. Hop in with Bob and take a ride to adventure! $14.95

Seventeen-year-old Jack Blackwell joined his grandfather, Alec Boostrom, on his northern Minnesota wilderness trapline. There he learned the story of his grandfather’s life of wilderness adventure on Lake Superior’s North Shore and deep within the canoe country. $14.95

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Elle Andra-Warner

One devastating day in November, 1975, the Edmund Fitzgerald succumbed to gale-force winds, plunging to the bottom of Lake Superior and leaving no survivors. This haunting tale looks back to one of the most legendary, mysterious and controversial shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. $9.95

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The North Shore Dish Giving with Gratitude and Good Eats By Kitty Mayo

For a lot of us in the States, Thanksgiving is the ultimate food holiday. Family, friends, gratitude, and most of all food, glorious food! Thanksgiving gives us the opportunity to pull out all the stops on annual favorites, memorialize loved ones with their old recipes, and even try a few experiments for fun. Even with a pared down guest list, cooking and baking (and eating) the day away is a lovely way to spend time together at my house. A household vote puts “second supper,” or leftovers as the favorite part of the experience. One vote goes to a decade-old tradition of “pie first,” implemented the year an early snow storm delayed our guests. That single vote is mine, because it reminds me what my mom said that day; “You never know when you’re going to die, so maybe we should eat dessert first.” Words to live by… Whether you immerse yourself into a glorious frenzy of cooking, or want to allocate your time to focusing on what you’re grateful for, there is something for your table of bounty on this year’s list of T-day goodness along the North Shore.

Maple pecan cheesecake is one of the dessert add-on options for MidCoast Catering’s take-out Thanksgiving meal packages. | MIDCOAST CATERING “Especially now that the world is even harder than normal; if I can provide a bright spot in someone’s day to make life a little easier, I want to do that,” says Conroy.

The Bad Seed, GRAND MARAIS

Here’s a way you can contribute to someone else’s family feast. Christina Conroy of The Bad Seed is expressing her gratitude by serving others all the ingredients necessary to have a classic spread. While Conroy has come to be appreciated for her smoked meats, curries, vegan options, and farm-to-table emphasis, she is leaning hard into traditional Thanksgiving with her free meal boxes that include a turkey, salad, rolls and other sides. Who is eligible for the turkey day meal? “Anyone who feels like they could use a Thanksgiving box, just sign up,” says Conroy. Others who know of someone in need can also sign them up through The Bad Seed’s Facebook page.

Moving from wholly catering under the Rebel Girls flag, to a food stand, Conroy has just wrapped up her first food truck season as The Bad Seed and it’s been a good year. With what she calls “a visible ideology,” Conroy says she draws “a ton of support from the community; the customers I have are fun, amazing and adventurous.” The Bad Seed’s catering business is also in full-swing, with a packed season of weddings and next year mostly booked already. Conroy says she celebrates her own way on an alternate date for “Friends-giving, it’s a celebration of friends and family coming together where I cook, and mac’n cheese is always involved.”

MidCoast Catering Co.,

Jonathon Resnick gets creative with their menu. | MIDCOAST CATERING Conroy uses a percentage of her profits year-round to put back into the community, because, she says, “Community-mindedness is an important part of who I am and what my business represents. I feel like it represents social awareness.”

Last year, Conroy was able to send 58 meal boxes out with the help of community fundraising, and enlisting friends to make deliveries. This year, she hopes to keep up the momentum with help.

DULUTH

If you want to stay home, but still want a killer feast, consider MidCoast Catering’s Thanksgiving meal packages. Evolved out of the Rambler food truck and Jonathon Resnick’s skillful, yet playful, culinary am-

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bitions, MidCoast’s take-out Thanksgiving meal is getting creative with stuffed pork tenderloin, filled with cranberry stuffing. Garlic mashed potatoes, parmesan asparagus, creamed corn and sweet potato praline round out the main course. Leave room for dessert, because you will not want to miss the add-on options of pumpkin crème brûlée or maple pecan cheesecake. Place an order by November 19 at 3 p.m. by calling (218) 464-1856, or messaging through social media. Orders to be picked up on November 23.

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their “Oink, Moo, Cluck” repertoire with some whole wood-smoked free-range turkeys again this year. Last year, smoked birds brought in from a local farm were a big hit for a pick-up one to two days before Thanksgiving. Smoked turkeys can be ordered online, or by calling (218) 606-1611, and will be sent out the door ready to reheat in an aluminum pan. Turkey stock is included so you can whip up some gravy, and ordering sides is optional.

Black Woods Bar & Grill,

TWO HARBORS, DULUTH & PROCTOR

Moving away from their typical buffet spread, the Black Wood’s restaurants will be open for slightly limited hours on Thanksgiving Day, and will instead be offering a plated holiday special for dine-in, curbside, and some locations offer delivery. The family meal package serves six with all the usual favorites, and can be ordered by November 19 by calling (218) 625-6147.

Island View at Grand Portage Casino, GRAND PORTAGE

Holding with tradition, Island View is serving up all the classics with a plated special on Thanksgiving. In addition to the turkey, you will get sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, bread dressing, corn, and a slice of pumpkin pie. What could be more classic than that? Open on Thanksgiving Day, you will find the special on the lunch and dinner menus.

Cold Weather Countdown

Top off your tank. Winter nutrition 6: isn’t really different from that of summer. Plenty of veggies and fruits, whole

By Hartley Newell-Acero and Amy Schmidt Some of us look forward to things cooling off, and some of us are sad about the end of warm temperatures, but regardless of how we feel about it, cold weather is coming. What plans and preparations can we make now so we can create better health and more enjoyment in the chilly months ahead? Whether you’re new to this neck of the woods, or have shoveled mountains of snow, it’s time to start the Cold Weather Countdown.

10:

Cold weather clothing. What’s more miserable than being cold? Being cold and damp. Getting set with the right kind of clothes can go a long way in keeping you safe and comfortable. Remember the old adage: There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices.

Get the gear. Now that you’re dressed, it’s time to get outside. 9: Everyone needs ice cleats for their boots. They make a big difference in balance and stability. How about a thermos? Hand/foot warmers? Boot trays and a dryer?

Explore winter sports. Try before 8: you buy. Renting can be a good way to explore all your options, then you can

invest in the ones you really enjoy. There’s so much to do during a North Woods winter: snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing, skating. Pick something new and try it.

Get your car ready. Safety and comfort are important beyond our clothing choices. To learn more, check out: bit.ly/crwintercarcaretips.

grains, lean proteins, and a little fat will get you where you want to go. And remember to hydrate. It’s important, regardless how hot (or not) the weather is.

Companionship. Summertime 5: made getting together with friends and family easier. As we move into our second covid winter, we may need to dust off the connection skills that we developed last year. If we get creative, cold weather and covid doesn’t have to equal isolation.

Entertain your brain. Here’s a good 4: rule of thumb: If your days are desk-bound, balance that by unwinding with some physical activity. If your days are very physically active, recover with more restful activities in the evening. Movie marathons can be great, but maybe not every evening. What are some different ways to relax? When is the last time you checked out our amazing public library? Played a board game? Tried a video game? Explored a new craft?

Look for the light. Make sure 3: you’re taking advantage of every bit of daylight: morning tea by a window, lunch-time walks, mid-afternoon sunshine breaks. Light therapy boxes can be helpful too. Even with those measures, the short days of winter can be difficult for some people. Stay alert for the signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Get your flu shot. The flu is serious business. It can lead to pneumonia, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), sepsis (a life-threatening response to an infection), and even death. On top of that,

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Get your covid vaccine. They’re safe 1: and highly effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death. Register at: cookcountycovid19.org.

Light Up a Life Celebrate the life of loved ones during the holiday season and help Care Partners support end of life care.

Tree Lighting Ceremony Johnson Heritage Post Thursday, December 9, 5:30 pm All are welcome! For more information or for forms visit www.carepartnersofcookcounty.org or call Care Partners at 218-387-3788

Each $5 donation will light up one bulb in memory of one person on the Memory Tree by the Johnson Heritage Post. Enclosed find my donation of $ ___________ for ___________ light(s).

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Northern Trails Deer Hunting Through the Eyes of a CO By Gord Ellis

Fall in the northwest means that residents and families take part in big game hunting. Traditionally, moose have been the main focus, but as moose numbers have dropped in the northwest, many hunters have turned their attention to chasing whitetail deer. Yet hunting whitetail deer is often done in places where there can be more interactions with other hunters as well as non-hunters. This creates a whole range of safety and ethical issues. To talk about some of these deer hunting related issues, and how they are seen through the perspective of a conservation officer, I recently spoke with provincial CO Davis Viehbeck.

Conservation officer Davis Viehbeck. | GORD ELLIS

There’s a mix of bush and private property here in the northwest of Ontario. What are the rules for deer hunters on private property?

Yeah, we continue to have challenges with hunters entering private property without consent of the landowner, which is required by law. The Trespass to Property Act and the Fish Wildlife Conservation Act apply to these situations. Hunters have to look for indications of private property and take on that responsibility of knowing where they are in advance of their hunt. So those indications could be a 4-inch (10 centimeter) diameter red dot. Also, no trespassing signs, gates, fields under cultivation

Andy Treble and Gord Ellis Sr. pull out a buck. | GORD ELLIS NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

and fences. And then we also have other forms of private property. If you look at the area to the west of Thunder Bay, there are the large tracts of land known as the Wagner Block that are commonly used and that has a pay for use system.

their own camps out of two-by-four construction or even wood from the bush. Then they tend to use these polyethylene tarps and those tend to “stay” in the bush, creating a mess. And as soon as littering starts, it tends to attract more litter, unfortunately. So, we encourage all hunters that when you arrive at a campsite, it’s clean. Then leave it just as clean, if not cleaner, than when you found it. It’s also required by law in the Public Lands Act.

Q: A:

Any tips for deer hunters as far as stand and ground blind safety?

One thing we always encourage people to do regardless of where they’re hunting, is let somebody know where you are in the event that you do have a mishap or you get turned around in the bush. If you’re in a tree stand, certainly wear a safety harness. Let somebody know where you are and give yourself time to get in and out of your stand. One of the things we see as conservation officers is hunters forgetting to actually bring their gun cases with them and then not leaving themselves enough time to get out in the evening. So, if you are going to be hunting towards that time where you’re required to have your firearm in a case, make sure you are prepared. It doesn’t have to be a rigid, hard case. You can use a gun sock and keep that with you in your hunting pack.

Q: A:

Over the years, shooting on roads—and also carrying loaded firearms in vehicles—has been an ongoing issue. Can you speak to that? Yeah, unfortunately, we continue to see a trend where hunters are throwing caution

Another issue that often gets attention on social media and elsewhere is the disposal of animal carcasses. What’s the proper way to dispose of them?

A: Hunting whitetails in the bush. | GORD ELLIS to the wayside and discharging firearms from a longer distance across the travelled portion of a roadway. This is very common on the major logging roads in northwestern Ontario. It’s ultimately the most dangerous incident that we investigate as conservation officers. It puts the public at risk. There are two aspects of our legislation that we deal with: careless use of a firearm and shooting within roadways. If you’re driving on a road, you shouldn’t be shooting on that road. It’s that simple. Again, it’s a huge safety issue. It also takes up a considerable amount of investigative time for conservation officers when we respond to these

occurrences, whether it’s through a complaint or we come across it through general patrols. Ultimately the consequences aren’t worth the risk of shooting an animal while it’s on the road.

I want to ask you about something else; hunt camps and what the responsibilities are for hunters that leave those camps behind. What are those responsibilities?

It really depends on the type of camp. One of the things we see is hunters that create

Hunters are encouraged to take their carcasses to Crown Land far away from residences where it’s not going to create a conflict. Don’t drop them off on the rural roads where you’re potentially dropping them off on someone’s private property or at the end of the driveway. Every year we get complaints about this. You can also inquire with your local municipality as to whether or not landfill sites take them. And then when you do dump off your carcass, if it is on public land—Crown Land—just make sure you’re not leaving the plastic gloves that are often used during the hunt. Same with paper towels; those types of things. Obviously, scavengers will take advantage of the carcass. But just get it off the road and make sure you’re doing it on Crown Land and not private property.

MOOSE LAKE BY JOE SHEAD WHY GO: Moose Lake has a robust population of good-sized walleyes. It also has a native lake trout fishery, with some good-sized fish present.

Canada U.S.A.

ACCESS: Getting to Moose Lake is a challenge. The lake straddles the Minnesota/Ontario border. The Minnesota portion of the lake lies within the Boundary Waters and no motors are allowed. The Ontario portion lies within La Verendrye Provincial Park, but it has no motor restrictions. There are no houses on the lake. Access to the lake is via a 0.39-mile portage from North Fowl Lake, however, the portage trail is in Canada. North Fowl is accessible by car from Ontario, or by a long trail from Minnesota, off Cook County Road 16. Or you can take a series of portages from Mountain Lake. VITALS: Moose Lake is 1,026 acres with a maximum depth of 113 feet. It’s rocky and has good spawning habitat for lake trout and walleyes. There is very little weedy cover. Due to its difficult access, the lake hasn’t been surveyed since 1998. Therefore, up-to-date information on fish populations is unavailable. 32

NOVEMBER 2021

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Lake trout, walleye, smallmouth bass, eelpout, lake whitefish and cisco. LAKE TROUT: Moose Lake is managed primarily for lake trout. Back in the 1970s, the laker population was high, with some quality-sized fish present. Subsequent surveys in the 1990s found a declining lake trout population. At the same time, walleye numbers were on the rise and smallmouth bass made it into the lake, which may be coincidence, or these species may be impacting the lake trout population. Anecdotally, anglers do still catch lake trout, primarily in the winter. The lake has a high population of small ciscoes, which provide excellent forage for lake trout. WALLEYE: Walleyes showed up in Moose Lake in the 1970s. The last survey in 1998 found high walleye numbers and a very

NORTHERN WILDS

good average size. There are a lot of walleyes in the 16- to 20-inch range. Walleyes grow quickly, thanks to a high cisco population. SMALLMOUTH BASS: Like a lot of Cook County lakes, smallmouth bass are recent additions to Moose Lake, first discovered in the 1993 DNR survey. Little is known about the current population. LAKE WHITEFISH: Traditionally, the lake whitefish population was quite healthy. The most recent surveys showed a declining population. However, there are still nice-sized whitefish, topping 20 inch-

es. At the same time, the cisco population seems to be increasing. Moose Lake ciscoes are generally less than 10 inches. EELPOUT: Eelpout are present in very good numbers. However, they are generally small; usually less than 20 inches.

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

SAWTOOTH RACING DOG BLOG BY ERIN ALTEMUS

The Times are a Changin... In April, we moved from our off-grid cabin on Mush Lake to a home in the County Road 14 area east of Grand Marais. The horseshoe of County Road 14 has been home to many mushers over the past few decades, including Iditarod racing kennels and large tour operations. Our new home was built by a musher who had a mushing apparel business (Arrowhead Trading Company) and raced the Iditarod twice, as well as other local races. The mushers on 14 built a large network of trails that are not a part of any DNR snowmobile or ATV trail network (though still accessible for multi-use). In our upsized home and down-sized lot, we begin a new season with a few new dogs, new trails and a new name. We are one month into ATV training. The trail takes off from the back of the dog yard into Superior National Forest. Where we used to live far from any neighbors, we are now part of a neighborhood, so we are conscientious of our dog yard noise. Accordingly, we hook up at first light, which nowadays is close to 7 a.m. It’s barely cold enough. Morning temps have been in the 40s—still no frost as of early October. We are as efficient as possible hooking up the team, and we can accomplish the task in under 15 minutes if all goes well. Then we slingshot down the trail, bumping along over tree roots and rocks, at first doing a 3-mile loop and now up to 7 miles. Soon we will bump up to the next loop at 9 miles and increase every week to 20 miles by the end of October. My husband Matt is taking over a dogsled building business that has been handed down from musher to musher over many years. Dog sled hardware, forms for the runners, wood, and plans have been accumulating over the past few months in our shop, waiting for assemblage.

right now a thousand hues of orange at the peak of fall color. There are five puppies waiting for their daily walk (the Goonies, named after my favorite Spielberg movie of the 80s), wood to cut, and a house to clean (at age 4, Sylvia is busy building forts and making art projects in her free time). Mush Lake is home to a new family as we settle into our own. The scenery for the dogs has changed as well. They are located in our open back yard where they can see all that is going on, including deliveries from UPS, the house dogs out and about, the puppies and their activities, and anything else going on. Dogs seem to thrive on routine and the expected so anytime something usual or unexpected happens they get amped up. Their proximity to each other and our house has made everything from chores to dog petting rounds easier and I think they have settled in. I signed up for the Beargrease marathon again this year. The 25-team roster filled in two days and I was lucky to get one of the last spots. A handful of teams from Canada and Alaska will be here to compete and it should be a good race. Another race to watch for in Minnesota is the Klondike Derby which takes place on Lake Minnetonka. It is a 40-mile race on the lake and sports a $40,000 purse. There are a number of Cook County teams participating, but it might be too fast for our dogs. We are planning a full season of long and short races to accommodate both the A-team and the B-team of yearlings and A-team retirees— perhaps going to the Apostle Island races which we haven’t done for years, likely going to Maine if our leader situation seems agreeable and of course the Gunflint Mail Run. With lots of changes in the past year, we go forth, ready for new adventures.

My own view of a small and isolated lake in the pines has changed to a maple forest,

A beautiful cool morning on a new trail means lots of wagging tails. | ERIN ALTEMUS

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Author Micaella and Axel the Harris Hawk at the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve, located on Ireland’s eastern coast. | MICAELLA PENNING

Hunting with Hawks in Ireland’s Wicklow Mountains

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The dense tree canopy glistened from light rain, a creek burbled to my right, and the woods rang with the sound of a bell attached to a hawk’s foot. I held out my hand, wrapped in a stiff leather glove that rose to my elbow. “He’ll go for the glove,” our guide, Wayne, said. “He knows that’s where the food will be.” A raw chicken leg rested between my fingers. I waited, the bell ringing louder and louder from behind. Suddenly, the chime reached overhead, and stopped. Sharp talons gripped my head. “Oh!” Wayne said, grinning. “I forgot to tell you. He’ll do that sometimes.” I laughed nervously and stood very still, wondering if

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Axel glanced around, spread his wings briefly, and then flapped back to the treetops, silhouetted against a stormgray sky. My husband Matt and I were in County Wicklow, on Ireland’s eastern coast, just south of Dublin. As soon as we had begun planning our trip, Matt’s face lit up when he saw an excursion based on exploring the world of hunting with birds of prey. In high school he had visited the Raptor Center in St. Paul, where he became captivated with the idea of having a bird of his own. He began plotting possible maneuvers to steal a falcon’s egg straight from the nest, and drafted out the dimensions

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Axel the Harris Hawk would choose now to relieve himself. But there was no food on my head, so he soon hopped to my gloved hand, gulping down his snack in a single swallow.

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The Bayeux Tapestry from the 11th century shows King Harold of England with a hawk on his outstretched hand, and the king reportedly owned the most expansive collection of books on the topic in all of Europe. “And what was the purpose of falconry?” I asked. “Back then, it was all about putting food on the table. And peregrines were the best at doing that.” According to the Book of St. Alban’s, written in 1486, yeomen were only allowed to own goshawks, and servants merely kestrels. Only a prince could possess a peregrine falcon. Wayne whistled shrilly and Axel came jingling in, gulped another chicken leg, and flew away. “Sometimes he’ll catch frogs and mice on our walks. One time, he even went after a dipper in the creek. He plunged into the water. Since he’s got ten-thousand feathers, our hawk walk was immediately over. Took a long time to dry out again.” “All birds of prey are opportunists,” he continued. Wayne went on to describe the delicate balance needed between keeping birds fed but not overfed. He’s been working with falcons and hawks for a decade now, and keeps 12 birds at home. Every day the birds are weighed. For hawk walks, he explained, “they need to be hungry enough but not too hungry. If they’re too hungry, they won’t even leave your side. If you don’t get it right, you’ll lose the bird. Or kill it.”

And while he has 12 birds, no two can be flown at the same time. “They’re still predators. Anything smaller than them is in danger.” The next time Axel returned and had gobbled his snack, he hopped down on to the trail, where his jaunty gait looked like that of a small dinosaur in Jurassic Park. Then he returned skyward, circling among treetops thick with the abandoned nests of sparrowhawks, and resumed scanning for prey. By the time we returned to the trailhead, Axel was quiet, no longer squawking loudly. Wayne tied him to a perch. “Some people say it’s not fair to have them tied up,” he said. “But in the wild, they’re flying for one reason, and that’s to catch their food. They’re not flying around just for the sake of flying around. These guys are really content if you get them out for some exercise and give them their food; when you get back home he’s happy to sit around. And besides, it takes him 16 hours to digest his food.” Axel began cleaning his beak by wiping it along the metal perch, and he tucked one leg tightly beneath him. The crop on his neck bulged with the day’s catch. And then I realized that despite the ancient origins of falconry and hawking, even today it’s still all about the same goal. Food. While it used to be centered around putting food on the table, now its focal point is putting food on the glove. I had tried holding my arm out for Axel to land on, without food in my fist, but he was nowhere to be seen. For as Wayne pointed out, “No food, not interested.”

It takes 16 hours for Axel the Harris Hawk to digest his food. | MICAELLA PENNING needed to build an appropriately sized cage. But an imminent move to a college dormitory soon thwarted the idea. We met Wayne at the Glen of the Downs Nature Reserve, a 2-kilometer-long wood that straddles the N11 motorway. Wayne opened the trunk of his car, within which were three wooden crates painted black, like magicians’ boxes. He opened one and Axel emerged, shrieking violently. Wayne held the bird on his arm while he adjusted the tracker, which looked like a large zip tie circling Axel’s foot. “Any day you come home with a live bird is a good day,” he said. We walked to the edge of the woods and

Wayne released the hawk, which quickly vanished amidst the glossy sheen of sharp holly leaves under a canopy of oaks. The path was lined with the tangled brambles of wild blackberries, drooping with fat fruit. “Falconry and hawking have been around a really long time, right?” I asked, for unlike Matt, I knew nothing about maintaining birds of prey or its purpose. “Absolutely. Since the Middle Ages,” Wayne replied. “They would have flown peregrine falcons. Back in those days, they had an order of who was allowed to fly what kind of bird. Peregrines were at the top. Only the higher classes would have been allowed to fly them.”

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NORTH HOUSE FOLK SCHOOL WINTERERS’ GATHERING NOVEMBER 18-21 CELEBRATE THE CRAFTS, CUSTOMS, LANDSCAPE, HISTORY, AND STORIES OF WINTER IN THE NORTH ON CAMPUS AND ONLINE

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NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN SKY NOVEMBER 2021 By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH

Watching November’s evening planets from night to night is akin to watching a slow-motion chase. Venus comes out in the setting sun’s afterglow and barely seems to budge all month long. But not so for Saturn and brilliant Jupiter. After nightfall you can watch them close in on Venus as they head toward the horizon. Will the two giant planets catch up to the brighter but much smaller Venus? Alas, no. Before year’s end, Venus begins a rapid drop from the evening sky, leaving Saturn and Jupiter behind. While you’re watching Saturn and Jupiter, notice the lone bright star low and to the left of the planets. This is Fomalhaut, the only bright star in Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish. Above and to the right of Saturn and Jupiter, the Summer Triangle of bright stars still shines, though lately it has tipped on its side a bit. A waxing moon visits Saturn on the 10th and Jupiter on the 11th. On the 12th, the moon shines above Fomalhaut.

the ring of dimmer stars known as the Circlet of Pisces. In the morning sky, Mercury briefly appears very low in the east-southeast during the first few days of the month. On the 3rd, if you catch Mercury before the sun washes it out, you may spot a very thin old moon above the planet as dawn starts to break. The Leonid meteor shower is predicted to peak the morning of the 17th or 18th, but a nearly full moon will interfere for most of the night. November’s full moon rises in the afternoon on the 18th, with fullness arriving at 3 a.m. on the 19th. It travels the night sky followed closely by the Pleiades star cluster, with the panoply of bright winter stars bringing up the rear. The University of Minnesota’s public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses have been curtailed due to the pandemic. For more information and viewing schedules, visit: d.umn.edu/planet.

The Great Square of Pegasus is now high in the south at nightfall. Below it glimmers

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Skiing into the Bright Open My Solo Journey to the South Pole By Liv Arnesen Translated by Roland Huntford

University of Minnesota Press, 2021, $21.95

First published in Norway in 1995, the true story of Liv Arnesen’s solo expedition to the South Pole has finally been published in English, allowing a whole new audience to enjoy it. After skiing solo for 745 miles in 50 days, Arnesen finally arrives at the Amundsen-Scott base on December 25, 1994, asking herself: ‘what took you so long?’ In Skiing into the Bright Open, Arnesen describes the exhilarating, exhausting experience of being the first known woman to ski unsupported to the South Pole. She reminds us that with a little bit (or a lot) of determination, perseverance and confidence, anyone can achieve their dreams.—Breana Johnson

Secrets of the Loon By Laura Purdie Salas & Chuck Dayton

Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2020, $16.95

This beautifully-written children’s book follows Moon Loon during her first year of life—learning how to swim, catch her own food and fly. Written as non-fiction poetry, Secrets of the Loon is the perfect introduction to loons for young readers. The back of the book also contains interesting loon facts, blending science, nature, photography and poetry all into one story. This is a book the whole family will enjoy. —Breana Johnson

The Pemmican Man By William Hennessy

Self-Published, 2020, $14.99

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The work of a former Cook County attorney, this historical novel set in the fur trade era tells the tale of a young man who runs away from an abusive stepfather and goes West. His adventures take him from Pennsylvania to the Rocky Mountains and then back to Old Fort William. It’s a fast-paced story, reminiscent of the 20th century western genre.—Shawn Perich

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NOVEMBER 2021

Gidaanikeshkaagonaanig Gidaanikoobijiganinaan Following the Ancestor’s Steps

Nimishoomis Mooz (My Grandfather’s Moose) By Sam Zimmerman With this past October and November being a favorite time for hunting either mooz (moose) or bine (grouse), I think of hunting stories shared with me. I have always loved nimishoomis (my grandfather’s) stories about growing up in Gichi-onigamiing (Grand Portage) and mooz hunting. Even when he was in his 90’s he would share stories of nichiiwad (badstorms) in biboon (winter), where he ran snares for waabooz (rabbit), and reminisces about old mooz hunts. He would have been 104 years old this year so I added 104 anangoog (stars) in this piece for him. This is my second mooz painting to honor him and his stories with the niizhwaaswi (seven) zhingwaakwag (pine trees) to represent the Grandfather teachings. Follow my studio on Facebook and Instagram @CraneSuperior or if you have ideas for a North Shore painting, you can email me at: cranesuperiorstudio@gmail.com.

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Wherever you go from here, you belong here. Securely manage your finances wherever you go, made easier by people who know exactly where you’re coming from. Download our convenient mobile app today at northshorefcu.org/NSFCUApp.

Strange Tales The Code Talkers of World War I and World War II By Elle AndraWarner

How would you develop a secret code to decipher secret military messages that came in a series of unrelated words in a strange unidentifiable language? Well, the code talkers successfully did during World War I and World War II with codes developed in their Indigenous languages—and no enemy was able to break those codes. Code talkers were Indigenous soldiers from various native (First Nations) bands in the U.S. and Canada. During WWI and WWII, they developed codes and communicated on radios, telephones and telegraph in their own languages and dialects. Few non-Indigenous knew their little-known difficult language making the codes indecipherable by the Allies’ enemies. Code talkers worked in pairs and took oaths of secrecy which many honoured in their lifetime, never speaking of their work. (The U.S. declassified their WWII code talker program in 1968.) In the U.S., the Navajo Code Talkers have received the most attention in books, films and media for work in the WWII communications code units; their language has a complex syntax, numerous dialects, and was unwritten at the outbreak of WWII. During both wars, more than 40 native nations transmitted coded messages in different tribal dialects, including

Comanche Code Talkers of the 4th Signal Company (U.S. Army Signal Center and Ft. Gordon). | U.S. ARMY

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Are you considering placing your home, townhome or condo in a vacation rental program? Then consider this: Cascade Vacation Rentals is often referred to as the “Gold Standard” for vacation rental management. As industry leaders, we: Are your advocate and voice with respect to proposed local, state and national rentalrelated legislation issues Ensure your property has the correct insurance, inspections and licensing Collect and pay state sales, local lodging and other taxes on your behalf Address all guest communications and emergency calls Coordinate housekeeping and maintenance needs Our sophisticated revenue management tools, professional photography and guest service staff will attract more visitors to your listing resulting in more bookings. And, we do all the work!

Operating a portable radio set in a clearing of dense jungle close behind the front lines in 1943 is Navajo Code Talkers Corp. Henry Bake, Jr. and Pvt 1st Class George H. Kirk. | U.S. MARINES Navajo, Cree, Comanche, Sioux (Lakota, Dakota and Nakota), Cherokee, Choctaw, Mohawk, Hopi and Assiniboine. Pioneers in “code talking” were the Cherokees and the Choctaw; the first known official use of Indigenous code was men from Choctaw nation from Oklahoma who worked as telephone communicators (aka Choctaw

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Telephone Squad) in October 1918 during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. While information about Canada’s code talkers remains sparse with little documentation, the Cree Code Talkers have received recognition. Peter Scott writes in The Canadian Encyclopedia, “Cree Code Talkers were an elite unit tasked with developing a coded system based on the Cree language for disguising military intelligence. They provided an invaluable service to Allied communication during the Second World War. Although their contributions remained hidden until recently, in part because the code talkers had been sworn to secrecy, their service helped to protect Western Allies and to win the war. Indeed, the enemies were never able to break the code.” So, how did the code talkers work? For Navajo Code Talkers, they would receive a message of Navajo words, translate each one into its English equivalent and then take the first letter of the English word to make the code word. For example, the Navajo word “shush” would mean ‘bear’ in English and so the first letter “b” would be part of the code word. According to Stephen Pincock’s book Codebreaker, the Navajo code for “navy” would be “nesh-chee” (nut); “wol-la-chee” (ant); “a-keh-di-glin” (victor); “tsah-as-zoh” (yucca)—the result: N(nut) A(ant) V(victor) Y(yucca). Because many military terms—like words for tanks, machine guns, bombers and fighter planes—didn’t exist in Indigenous languages, the code developers made up new terms to use in the language of the code talkers. For example, in Navajo, no word existed for “submarine,” so code developers agreed to use Navajo terms “besh-lo” which translated to code word “iron fish;” the Cree word for mosquito “sakimes” was used for the military term “Mosquito fighter-bomber;” and Comanche code terms for “tank” was “turtle” and “machine gun” was “sewing machine.”

“It is important for us to honor these veterans whose contributions have, until recently, been ignored. Often sent out on their own to provide communications with headquarters on enemy location and strength, they sometimes spent 24 hours in headphones without sleep or food. Many endured terrible conditions without protection from the enemy. Using three Sioux languages Lakota, Nakota and Dakota, the Sioux Code Talkers were able to communicate messages the enemy was unable to crack.”—U.S. Congressman John Thune speaking about the Sioux Code Talkers. December 19, 2000.

Code talkers played crucial roles in battle. During the first two days at Iwo Jima, six Navajo Code Talkers worked 24-hours around the clock, sending and receiving more than 800 messages, all without error. The signal office Major Howard Connor later declared, “Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.” Few of Canada’s code talkers are known by name and one reason may be their oath of secrecy. “The majority of them carried the secret with them to their grave, not even telling their closest family members. The government lifted the commitment to secrecy in 1963, but that information either did not reach many of the veterans or their experiences in the war and treatment upon their return home was so painful they could not share.” (Scott, The Canadian Encyclopedia). All of Canada’s Indigenous code talkers, which included Cree, Ojibwe and other First Nations, have now passed on. A Canadian Cree Code Talker—Corporal (retired) Charles Marvin “Checker” Tomkins, a Metis from Alberta—did share his story with two documentarians from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian shortly before his death in 2003 at age 85. Before their visit, Tomkins had honoured his oath of secrecy and never talked about the war, even to his family. Tomkins, who helped develop the Cree Code and worked with the U.S. 8th Air Force in WWII, is featured in the 2016 short documentary “Cree Code Talker.”

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Bluefin Bay Condos & Townhomes

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All units are currently sold. To be notified when something comes available, email eric@bluefinbay.com.

Eric Frost

Sales Agent, Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts

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.

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.

218-663-6886 | eric@bluefinbay.com

NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

(218) 387-2131 (800) 732-2131

www.CBNorthShore.com

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

Serving Cook County since 1971

ON L AKE SUPE RIOR

140053 _ NORTH SHORE

G N DI

N E P 2884 W Highway 61

69XX Highway 61E

XX Tamarack Trail

317 ft. of magnificent ledge-rock Lake Superior shoreline, located minutes west of Grand Marais. Numerous outcroppings and rock formations that create incredible wave action together with the accompanying sounds of crashing water.

The ultimate private Lake Superior retreat with over 28 wooded acres and 1000 ft. of straightline lakeshore can be yours! This exceptionally unique parcel features stunning shoreline with incredible ledge rock.

Looking for a Lake Superior property to go camping on or to build your dream home? Make sure to check this lot with 386 ft. of shoreline, 3.83 acres, driveway, cleared area AND Farquhar Creek frontage.

MLS 6095857 $359,900

MLS 6099131 $595,999

MLS TBD $174,900

INLAND LAKE PROPERTIES

21 Voyageur Bay

Off Grid living at its finest on the north side of beautiful Greenwood Lake! This 3 bedroom home, on 7.76 acres and 415’ of shoreline, is part of the East Greenwood Lake Sites. Designed to capture the beauty of nature, southern exposure orientation, tastefully decorated and furnished. Accessible shoreline.

MLS 6097578 $339,900

MLS 6099742 $449,900

G N DI

N E P Deeryard Lake

Just a little off the beaten path this 3.5 acres and 134ft of lake shore sits on Deeryard Lake. Build your cabin among the BEUATIFUL maples over looking the lake or close to the waters edge. MLS 6095803 $155,000

NEW 128 Cedar Trail

This sweet two bedroom, one bath cabin is surrounded by towering pine trees and located on the shores of Gunflint Lake, which is a very desirable lake because of the size & quality, fishing and direct BWCA access right out your front door. The cabin is situated on a USFS leased lot.

NOVEMBER 2021

WILSON LAKE

Peaceful, private and serene lot on 4A and 285’ of picturesque Wilson Lake. Building site is situated with beautiful high views of the lake and surrounding forest. MLS 6098364 $199,900

NORTHERN WILDS

G N DI

N E P

Greenwood Lake

Here’s your chance to have property on the incomparable Greenwood Lake. Over 200 feet of rocky shoreline. A cleared building site on a rocky knoll gives an awesome view down to the lake. MLS 6095672 $129,900

NEW Road Lake

Have you been wanting a place on the Gunflint Trail to call your own? This is a sweet spot to set up camp and have your own peaceful 48’ stretch of Road Lake shoreline. MLS 6100082 $39,900

Your Luxury Property Expert NEW 177 Needham Road Check out this phenomenal, quintessential Gunflint Trail estate, located on 4+ acres with 560’ of shoreline on Bearskin Lake AND includes frontage on the coveted Hungry Jack Lake. The original cabin consists of 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and was built by Charlie Boostrom and filled with custom made furnishings by local legend, Billy Needham. The cabin oozes charm with the full logs, massive rock fireplace, wood floors, attached porch and is finished off with a large deck, surrounded by beautiful trees. In 2005, the owner built the Carriage House, complete with 3 garage stalls and a beautiful 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment with a large family room & attractive kitchen.

MLS 6100104 $995,000

7120 Two Moose Trail True solitude can be found on Wilson Lake in this stunning Mulfinger, architecturally designed 4 bedroom, 5 bath home that takes advantage of the many attributes of lake living. This exquisite home is tucked away on a gorgeous 4.5 acre lot filled with trails, gardens, and multiple water access points along the 284.17 feet of user-friendly shoreline. Escape to this peaceful retreat where you can enjoy the great outdoors, explore trails summer and winter, or just enjoy the views…. This is a truly special place!

MLS 6096401 $879,900 REDUCED

190 N Loon Lake Rd Majestic forest surrounds this equally majestic 3 bedroom, 3 bath home all set on 14 acres with over 650’ of Loon Lake shoreline. Open concept, granite counters, beautiful fireplaces, large attached garage…it has it all! Can you imagine having your own stunning forest, complete with walking & snowshoeing trails, majestic old growth cedar trees and plenty of wildlife? Cabins like this rarely come on the market and this home is being sold basically turnkey, making it easy to start living the dream!

MLS 6097081 $969,900

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

(218) 387-2131

•

(800) 732-2131

www.CBNorthShore.com

140053 _ NORTH SHORE

NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

HOM ES & C AB INS

G N DI

N E P NEW 821 W. 1st Street

NEW 535 Humphrey Circle

N E P

1397 Gunflint Trail

3 BR home home built in 1937 with exceptional taste sitting on nearly an acre of mature pine, birch, maple, oak, and mountain ash right in Grand Marais! Renovations were started, but not completed leaving a clear canvas for you to create your own masterpiece.

3BR/2BA split entry home with a nice private yard, garage, and storage shed located right in Grand Marais. The main bedroom has patio doors leading to a huge deck which is also accessed from the kitchen. A great spot to call home. Check it out today.

MLS 6099806 $379,900

MLS 6100077 $374,900

136 W 9th Street

Have you been dreaming about the perfect home in the woods with complete privacy yet only minutes from all that Grand Marais has to offer. Well, your dreams have just come true. This well built 3BR/1BA home is situated on nearly 10 acres of absolutely gorgeous forest.

Country living within the City Limits of Grand Marais! This 3BR home on an oversized lot will provide peace and quiet, room to explore, and easy access to downtown Grand Marais! Large deck with a distant Lake Superior view.

MLS 6097748 $299,900

MLS 6099459 $294,900

LAND NEW 13XX Gunflint Trail 5A wooded parcel with driveway in the Maple Hill community is a perfect location for your home or cabin. Only 5 miles from Grand Marais on County maintained Gunflint Trail. MLS 6100022 $64,900 NEW 1X Wildflower Road Are you looking for a great lot in Lutsen? This lovely 2+ acre parcel features seasonal Lake Superior Views and likely, once some clearing is completed, some very attractive year-round views. MLS 6099827 $69,900 NEW 2X Wildflower Road 2+ acre gently rolling parcel with a mix of nice, healthy trees. Incredible location, near all that Lutsen offers. MLS 6099945 $74,900 NEW 1X Mountain Ash Lane Check out this coveted building site in the heart of Lutsen, which has phenomenal views of Lake Superior! This lot is south facing, providing excellent views as well as a sunny home site. MLS 6100019 $99,900 XXX Mountain Trail Nicely wooded 5 acre lot with fabulous views of Lake Superior. Close to Grand Marais, but country privacy--end of the cul-de-sac lot with great height. MLS 6097785 $124,900 County Rd 6 Lots 3 lots available from 4.78 – 4.92 acres Own your own space in the country and only 10 minutes from Grand Marais and numerous recreational opportunities. Great mix of birch, balsam, pine and spruce. Check out these great Lots! $57,000 - $59,900

1X Brandon Lane Beautiful lot just outside Grand Marais. Fall River runs through this property. Dramatic frontage! MLS 6095813 $62,000 1X South Shore Drive So many options with this 5+ acre lot! Mature trees in a country setting close to popular Devil Track Lake, the airport, and only minutes to Grand Marais. MLS 6091923 $45,000 1XX Ski Hill Rd Dreamed of a getaway on the North Shore? Over a half acre on Lutsen’s Ski Hill Road with the west side of the property overlooking Superior National Golf Course. MLS 6099951 $59,900

ING

15X County Rd 6 Easy drive to downtown Grand Marais from this private lot on County Road 6. Fall River/ Rosebush Creek frontage. MLS 6097095 $64,900

PEN

replanted with many beautiful pine trees, poplar & cedar trees. Features gravel pit and pond and abutting State land. MLS 6097348 $159,900 Jonvick Creek Sites 9 lots available from 1.5 - 4.8 acres In the heart of Lutsen, just off the Caribou Trail. Maples, Pines, and cedars in varied arrangements will make a great backdrop for your home or cabin. Each property adjoins public land making your space seem even more private. $29,900 $49,900

12X-D County Rd 6 Out in the country, but close to all the activities in Grand Marais! This peaceful 10A parcel will have you dreaming of easy living in a rural setting. MLS 6097097 $199,900 14XX Camp 20 Rd Terrific 55 acres with an amazing mix of forest. Balsam, spruce, birch, aspen and some maple and white pine. Want room to recreate? This is it. MLS 6097013 $60,000 1142 Camp 20 Rd 170+ acres of heavily forested land that has been

101 West Hwy. 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604 info@cbnorthshore.com 44

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

918 Cutoff Rd Beautifully wooded lot with garage and drilled well already completed. Close to town and the Pincushion Ski Area. What a location for your recreational getaway or year round home! MLS 6096726 $109,900 REDUCED

14X Bloomquist Mountain Road Ten acres of mature trees including huge White Pines! Easy drive to town, yet secluded on a private road in a country setting. MLS 6075850 $47,500

12X-C County Rd 6 Private 10 acre lot with Lake Superior views-privacy at its best. Plenty of land for your oasis, hobby farm, cabin, home, retreat. MLS 6097096 $199,900

140053 _ NORTH SHORE

G N I D N E P G N I D N E P

92XX Hwy 61 W 40A of healthy forest with Highway 61 frontage is ready for your idyllic place on the North Shore. Attractive tract with a potential Lake Superior view. MLS 6097501 $149,900

CONDOS Grand Marais Condos UNIT 12

Totally renovated with quality materials and workmanship, this 2BR, 1BA immaculate ground floor condo is move-in ready. The unit is close to all downtown Grand Marais has to offer. Complete the package with a heated underground garage and storage space and enjoy worry free living

G N I D

PEN

MLS 6098687 $289,900

(218) 387-2131

•

(800) 732-2131

www.CBNorthShore.com

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

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

INLAND WATER PROPERTIES

LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTIES AMAZING LAKE SUPERIOR LOT

Property features 1,850 feet of magnificent shoreline enveloped by a seemingly infinite expanse of fresh water, and dense, moss-laden forest. Take the long boardwalk through the woods to 3 observation decks with vantage points of the scenery. Follow the driveway to the lake view building site with electric and fiber optic access. Or preserve its natural serenity and leave the property as it is.

MLS#6097902 $1,500,00 LAKE LOVER’S PARADISE

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Lake Superior views that will take your breath away. In addition to dramatic cliffs and mature birch that characterize this property, there is ample acreage above the north side of Hwy 61, with a variety of lake view building sites. 510 feet of shoreline with 46+ acres. Shown by appt only, listing agent must be present, buyer must provide lender’s pre-approval letter or proof-of funds to secure appt. MLS#6097546 $450,000

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PREMIER LAKE SUPERIOR LOT

Spectacular views of the big lake from a slightly elevated build site. Very secluded and private, a one of a kind opportunity with 332 ft of ledge rock shoreline! Right in the neighborhood of Lutsen Mts., Superior National Golf

course, dining and recreation. MLS#6096904 $299,000

LAKE SUPERIOR – LEVEL LOT, GREAT VIEWS This 1.76 acre lot has

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214 feet of rugged rocky shore. Building site close to the water’s edge in mature spruce trees. South and east views of sun rises and moon rises. Secluded area adjoining state land. A great home site from which to watch the crashing waves.

MLS#6095526 $199,900 BIG BAY – BIG VIEWS

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Lake Superior lot with 206 ft of shoreline, deep spruce forest, adjoining state land and outstanding sunrises and sunsets with east view of the lake. Enchanting forest with huge moss-covered boulders. Build your home or cabin here and enjoy seclusion with the charm and peacefulness of the Hovland area. MLS#6097037 $199,900

INLAND WATER PROPERTIES MILLION DOLLAR WILDERNESS VIEWS

A fantastic stand-alone luxury home on the edge of the BWCA on remote and scenic McFarland Lake. A full wall of windows brings the stunning scenery into all 3 levels, with 6 bdrms, 4 baths and full lower level kitchen. Custom built home shows quality throughout, including 2 fireplaces, sunroom, large loft, sauna and laundry room. Spend summer evenings on the expansive deck and outdoor spaces, or in the screen house off the patio. Huge 3-bay floating dock system, detached 2-car garage with workshop and generator room, and a 4-stall garage. Comes fully furnished. MLS#6097293 $950,000

LARGE, PRIVATE RETREAT – TOM LAKE.

LARGE TWO ISLAND LAKE RETREAT - GRAND MARAIS.

This 46+ acre property includes a 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. Literally walk to the BWCAW. Charming 4-season, 2 bdrm cabin with large dock and easy lakeshore access. Property can be sub-divided.

MLS#6087574 $845,900

FIELDS, POND AND GARDENS

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3bdr, 2 bath single-level home, excellent condition with updated kitchen, minutes from Grand Marais on blacktop road. Large heated attached garage w/ room for shop space & storage. Swim & fish in the huge 25 ft deep pond. Includes open hay fields, extensive raised-bed gardens, barn & great options for your hobby farm dreams. Adjoins thousands of acres of federal land. MLS#6099412 $549,900

GUNFLINT LAKE LOT

Property ready for a house to be built on 16.9 acres. Includes garage with loft, power and high speed internet. Enjoy 677 feet of calm, sandy shoreline on Gunflint Lake. Southern edge of property borders an inlet, occasionally animated by moose, beaver and waterfowl activity. Unique opportunity to establish yourself in a quintessential location in northern Minnesota, and take advantage of its many activities and sights.

MLS#6097781 $499,000

LOG HOME SERENITY – WILSON LAKE

SOLD

This 2 bedroom lake home is situated on the quiet & pristine Wilson Lake. Log framed home features vaulted ceilings, wood stove, loft bedroom, natural woodwork, screened in porch & broadband Internet. Spacious bonus room above the 2-car garage features a wood burning stove and extra sleeping area. Screened-in boat house to store your water toys or enjoy an evening without bugs. Protective covenants protect the peace and quiet. MLS#6098278 $449,900

TOM LAKE ESCAPE.

This cabin boasts 195 ft of gorgeous shoreline on Tom Lake, manicured lawn, and covered deck space on two sides of the house for relaxing and entertaining! Lake draw water, a mound septic system and generator power. Additional land and lakeshore available for purchase. Year round access.

MLS#6092306 $339,000 HUGE PINES, PRISTINE VIEWS, GUNFLINT LAKE

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

This original family cabin is well built and in good shape, tucked into a large private tract on beautiful Tom Lake. 52 acres of pine and cedar with 1287' private shoreline. Adjoining state land for plenty of

room to explore. This is a rare find. MLS#6092390 $299,000

MUSH LAKE CABIN Imagine escaping to this 44+ acres of peace and serenity surrounded by Superior National Forest. A cabin in the woods, a yurt, a sauna and what feels like your own private lake since this is the only cabin on the lake, the rest of the shoreline is USFS land.

SOLD

MLS#6097971 $264,900

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DEVIL TRACK LAKE – REMOTE CABIN

Quality 2-bdrm cabin, built in 2012, featuring large windows, cathedral ceiling in the great room, loft, and beautiful kitchen. There is a well and a holding tank sewer system. Unique location, at the far end of the South Shore Dr of Devil Track Lake, surrounded by state and USFS lands. 150 ft of lake frontage in a protected and sheltered bay. The 4.78 acre parcel adjoins thousands of acres of remote public lands for exploring.

MLS#6096616 $220,000 TOM LAKE LOT WITH DOCK

Imagine owning over 650 ft of shoreline on a fantastic walleye lake! Driveway is built and the dock is at the shoreline. Slope to the lake is gentle with nice building sites. Electric and Broadband are on Tom Lake Rd or you can use a generator/solar panels. Road association plows the road in the winter. MLS#6097952 $169,900

NINEMILE LAKE LOT

2.30 acres with 548' of gorgeous inland lakeshore in one of the most lovely and private areas of Lake County. Includes a beautiful point of land that naturally offers quiet and peacefulness. Lot adjoins MN State lands. Proximity to hiking and snowmobile trails, ATV trails, other amazing fishing and wilderness lakes nearby. Year-round access. MLS#6098089 $139,900

TWO EXCEPTIONAL TOM LAKE LOTS.

These special properties offer opportunities. One lot is a beautiful forested peninsula with cove, and the other has a nice mix of tree cover and open build sites. Accessible, yet away from it all. Build your dream here!

MLS#6092307 $97,000, MLS#6092308 $129,000 NEW! PEACEFUL OFF-GRID CABIN

Escape to this quiet & peaceful off-grid cabin on 36+ acres. There is a pond on the property with 3,037' of shoreline. Well thought out cabin features arctic entrance, wood floors, sleeping loft, wood burning stove, propane cooking stove, and comes furnished. Cabin is fully wired to run off of generator power. Snowmobile in during the winter & start a fire in the wood burning stove, read a book and enjoy.

MLS#6099648 $125,000

MLS#6099440 $299,900

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

NOVEMBER 2021

INLAND WATER PROPERTIES HOMES & CABINS FRONTAGE REALTORS®: Mike Raymond, Broker • Linda Garrity, Realtor • Cathy Hahn,RIVER/CREEK Assoc. Broker, ABR/GRI.

Larry Dean, Assoc. Broker • Gail J. Englund, GRI LARGE HOVLAND ACREAGE This is aRealtor great 136+ • Jake Patten, Realtor • Jess Smith, Realtor • Sue Nichols, GREAT HUNTING LAND CABIN property to build a retreat, use for hunting, or preserve through the SFIA Easily accessible via the logging road at Casper's Hill Rd and runs east OVERLOOKING program, in which it is currently enrolled. Seasonal access only. Additional through the 158 acres. Includes creek front footage, aspen, balsam and CARIBOU LAKE acreage available! MLS#6099413 $120,900 spruce stands. Abundant deer sign, and good grouse habitat. East side of Little log cabin that property abuts Judge Magney State Park. Property is subject to SFIA land SOLITUDE ON LOON overlooks Caribou Lake! (218) 387-9599 • Fax (218) 387-9598 • info@RedPineRealty.com use covenants. MLS#6094370 $199,000 LAKE. Two great lots on the south The 2.29 acres are densely side of Loon Lake. Fantastic shoreline, highlighted by beautiful GREAT LOCATION 40 ACRE OLD HOMESTEAD PO Box 938, 14 S. Broadway, Grand Marais, MN 55604 beautiful views, many nice trees. Located cedars, birch, maples and Property was picked by an early settler as a homestead for a reason. near the Gunflint Trail on a private road. various evergreens. Includes Gently rolling land w/ southern exposure & nice mix of trees, tapable Driveway in with power on the lot line. 1 bdrm., 1 bathroom, sugar maples, year-round running creek, good soils, & a distant Lake MLS#6089604 $96,000, fireplace and a 3-season Superior view. Secluded & private, surrounded by SNF lands, ~ 2 miles porch. Make it your permanent residence or visit it when you need to get off a cty rd between Grand Marais & Lutsen. Old Forest road access is MLS#6089606 $88,000 away from noise and a packed schedule. grown-in, could reclaim w/ work. MLS#6098856 $92,500

Red Pine Realty • (800) 387-9599 SALIENG PE N D

HOMES & CABINS

LARGE CONTEMPORARY HOME

4 bdrm/3 bath on 10 acres, close to town, abutting Federal land. Relax on your deck overlooking the "big lake". Well maintained home includes: hardwood, slate & heated wood laminate flooring, solid wood doors, air exchange & Geothermal heating system. South facing windows overlook the lake. Kitchen includes new propane stove, refrigerator & walk-in pantry. Separate entrance to downstairs, abundant storage & built-in bar. Heated attached garage & detached 25 x 40 garage.

SOLD

MLS#6099566 $564,900 BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM BUILT HOME

3 bdrm, 3 bath house on 11.75 acres with county road frontage near Grand Marais. Quality craftsmanship, stone fireplace, custom cabinets and built-ins. Tile, wood and laminate floors with in-floor heat w/ dual heat sources. Master suite w/ walk-in closet and bath. Nice patio area and the feeling of seclusion. Attached 2-car heated garage w/ shop space. Access to SNF on adjoining forestry road. MLS#6098774 $492,000

SALIENG PE N D NEW! TRI-PLEX WITH LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS This is such

MLS#6098534 $249,900

REMOTE HIDEA-WAY. Charming custom built 2 bdrm, 2 bath cabin tucked in the woods overlooking a beaver pond. Screened porch for summer dining. A cozy Franklin stove warms the whole building. The full basement is a complete guest space. Generator power and over 100 acres to explore. MLS#6029349 $244,000

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HOME ON DEVIL TRACK RIVER

SOLD

This home is conveniently located only 6 miles from Grand Marais and just off of the Gunflint Trail. Includes 5+ bedrooms, a large yard and open floor plan on the main level. There are 230' of river frontage on the beautiful Devil Track River which is great for fishing stream trout or perhaps to find a place to sit and enjoy the sounds and views of the flowing river.

COYOTE RIDGE LOTS WITH POWER

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If you are looking for acreage close to Grand Marais but with that out of town feel, look no further. Lot 10 is 6.9 acres with power on site. Enjoy all that the north shore has to offer with hiking trails, the Gitchi-Gami bike trail, inland lakes and more! Features nearly 1000' of frontage on Lone Pine Creek and seasonal views of Lake Superior. Please schedule your showings with a licensed real estate agent. MLS#6096717 $73,900

WOODS, WATER & SECLUSION.

Two 40 acre lots with easy road access, good building sites, mature trees and open water views of Mons Creek. Has private deeded access to Lost Lake, a short drive away. Lost Lake is a beautiful lake with no public access and wilderness views and wildlife. The walk-in landing provides easy access for a canoe or small boat. Roads are gated for security and privacy and minimum lot size is 20 acres. MLS#6089089, 9090

$69,900 each

FINLAND 40 ACRES

40 beautiful acres surrounded to the N/S/E/W by state lands, compete w/ its own creek/stream and trails running adjacent to the east. Water, woods & winding roads for miles! Enjoy downtown Finland, the Baptism River & more.

MLS#6096272 $180,000

a nice property with several updates, 3 lovely apartments/ rentals and a yard that is as beautiful as it is in the listing photos! One 2 bedroom apt., and two 1bedroom apts. and all have separate entrances, separate meters and incredible Lake Superior views. Hop right onto the bike trail or walk to downtown Grand Marais. It truly is a great opportunity! MLS#6100128 $414,900

4 BEDROOM HOME IN GRAND MARAIS

Great location, blocks from downtown & harbor. Kitchen, living room, dining room & bath have all been remodeled. New appliances & mechanicals, newer roof & windows. Large home has 2 bdrms plus sitting area & bath upstairs. Rec-room w/ fireplace & bath downstairs. Living room has a fireplace & large windows looking to a seasonal harbor view. Large yard, attached garage, plenty of storage in basement & a storage shed. MLS#6099514 $335,000

SALIENG PE N D LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY Beautiful SIPS panel

home with detached 2-car garage, on 20 secluded acres of maple forest close to Tom Lake. Open concept main floor with soaring beamed ceiling. Large, open kitchen features Schrock solid maple cabinets and Italian stone tiled floor. In-floor heating and passive solar gain. Independent home with solar system and panels, but connecting to the grid is at the driveway. Includes Broadband, well & septic system, and a dual fuel outdoor wood boiler.

MLS#6098199 $319,900 REDUCED

S. GUNFLINT LAKE RD CABIN Great off-

grid camping or starter cabin, with access to power. Possible view of Gunflint Lake with selective tree removal. 10+ acre property abuts public land to the south. Really nice, simple getaway, or a good place to come to after a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters or a long weekend hike. Smaller building has storage space and a composting toilet. Come take a look, and have a seat on the screened porch. MLS#6097930 $169,000

COMMERCIAL FORMER AIR FORCE BASE. Formerly operated as an Air Force Base years ago and now somebody can bring their ideas and creativity to create something special. Endless possibilities w/ the existing structures, the sewer/water already in place, power, internet, sidewalks and streets. It'd be tough to beat the panoramic views, too! Complete with a beautiful trail system. Some structures potentially salvageable. New roofs on some. MLS#6097816 $800,000 LARGE GRAND MARAIS LOT. Nice 3.60 acre commercial lot with potential for multi family housing subject to city approval. Good location on the west end of Grand Marais just off Hwy 61. Easy access to the bike trail. MLS#6089284 $149,500

PRIME COMMERICAL LOTS - LUTSEN

Highway 61 frontage-road access, two nice forested lots (.95/1.05 acres). Great visibility in downtown Lutsen. Would make a great location for a small gallery, retail or restaurant. Plus a 1.3 acre commercial lot adjoins to the north and is available, giving potential for a large site.

MLS#6099360, 9361 $97,900 each

DEEP WOODS, MONS CREEK. Nice “40” with good tree

MLS#6096627 $65,000

cover and creek frontage, where you could launch your canoe. There's a great building site overlooking Mons Creek from a high point. Good road access, but private and secluded. The property has private deeded access to Lost Lake, which is a short walk away. Wilderness feel. New trail cut into the property so you can see the potential! MLS#6089091

$58,900 PEACEFUL LOTS ON LONE PINE CREEK

Peaceful 6.9 acre lots on a private road with an affordable yearly association fee to cover plowing and road maintenance costs. Both parcels have power available nearby and include 400' – 520' of frontage on Lone Pine Creek. Close to Grand Marais, with nearby access to all the north shore has to offer including, but not limited too biking and hiking trails, inland lakes and more! Please schedule your showing with a licensed real estate agent. MLS#6096709

$48,900, MLS#6096716 $58,900

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.

MLS#6031740 $52,900

40 ACRE SOLITUDE

Off grid 40 acre parcel with small pond surrounded by wildflowers, ferns and raspberry bushes. Located in an area with plenty of trails to explore. Near Tom Lake. Seasonal access by 4WD vehicle. Year round access by OHV, snowmobile, cross country ski, snowshoes, dog sled or paratrooping!

MLS#6098405 $49,000

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

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE LAND/BUILDING SITES REALTORS®: Mike Raymond, Broker • Linda Garrity, Realtor • Cathy Hahn, Assoc. Broker, ABR/GRI.

Larry Dean, Realtor • Jake Patten, Realtor • Jess Smith, Realtor • Sue Nichols, Assoc. Broker • Gail J. Englund, GRI

ROLLING TERRAIN & POND

SALIENG Red Pine Realty • (800) 387-9599 PE N D

Deep woods and private access to Lost Lake. Good road access and many building site options. Beautiful beaver pond and creek split the 20 acre property. Lost Lake is a tucked-away gem with limited private property and no public access. Good trout fishing and moose sightings. This is a remote retreat property with the added bonus of lake access on a pristine wilderness lake. MLS#6098652 $38,900

500’ ON MONS 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 BEAUTIFUL REMOTE LAND

Beautiful, remote parcel near Cloquet Lake. Enjoy a mixture of mature forest, young trees, wildflowers and open space. Parcel surrounded by Forest Service land to the south and the west. Walking access to Cloquet Lake by way of 300' path. Quaint stream runs through the southeast corner of the property. MLS#6099470 $36,000

LAND/BUILDING SITES VIEW THE LAKE & PRIVACY This 40 acre tract is a

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few miles from Grand Marais on a blacktop county rd with power and broadband available. Fantastic views of Lake Superior, with possible 100+ degree views looking up and down the shore. Mature forest with diverse landscape. Many great building sites with great lake views. Potential for buyer to do a residential subdivision. MLS#6098102 $324,900

ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES LOT

15.71 acre parcel just 3 miles east of Grand Marais. Good Lake Superior views from multiple building sites. Resort Commercial zoning. Property has been surveyed and wetlands delineated. Subdivision potential. Access driveway on west boundary line is in place. Great location!

MLS#6098504 $199,900

LOT W/ LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

Beautiful 14+ acreage w/ sweeping views of Lake Superior. Gentle slope up east side for a driveway leading to magnificent ridge top views. Enjoy entire property for private retreat or look into possibility of dividing into separate lots. Nice mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, open areas for enjoying lake view to the south or valley view to the north. Arrowhead Power line runs through NW corner of parcel. MLS#6098647 $175,000

SPECTACULAR LAKE VIEW. Expansive lake views

and enchanting forest make up a unique 13 acre parcel. Just 15 minutes from Grand Marais, and a short walk to Lake Superior's shore. Power and Broadband are available. Shared driveway leads almost to the property line. MLS#6090230 $132,000

INCREASINGLY RARE, LARGE RECREATIONAL PARCEL. 234 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

LARGE PARCEL NEAR SHORE.

This heavily wooded 12 acre parcel is within a short walk to the shore of Lake Superior. Great lake affect and plenty of privacy. Rough shared driveway in place. Close to Broadband and power. Older travel trailer included. MLS#6090231 $87,900

LOCATION, RECREATION, FOR VACATION

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These 33 acres are in a great location for your escape cabin. Close to the BWCAW and within walking distance to Cascade Lake. Year-round road access in a secluded part of Cook County. No power, or Internet - you’ll need satellite for that. But, maybe this is the time and place to leave it behind. MLS#6096618 $79,900

COYOTE RIDGE LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

BUILDING SITE 10 MINUTES FROM GRAND MARAIS Deep wooded lot with 5.31 acres. Power and Broadband.

Good road access. Easy access to trails and lakes. Great spot to build your Two lots only 3 miles from Grand Marais. Lot 17 is a beautiful 5 acre home in the woods. MLS#6095432 $49,900 parcel with an amazing view of Lake NATURE LOVERS PARADISE Broadband and electric on (218) 387-9599 • Fax (218) 387-9598 • info@RedPineRealty.com Superior. Potential for views of the a year round, school bus route! This is a mature, wooded 5 acre lot with big lake from the top of Lot 18,Marais, with PO Box 938, 14 S. Broadway, Grand MN 55604 spruce, poplar, birch, cedar and Balsam. There is ample space for building 6.43 acres. Broadband and power your new home. Notice the huge National Forest land on the back side of are nearby. Features nearby access to the property. This is a nature lovers paradise, deer, grouse, wolf and fox all that the north shore has to offer. A peaceful lot on a private road with hanging out in your backyard. MLS#6095674 $49,000 affordable yearly association fee to cover plowing and road maintenance costs. Please schedule your showing with a licensed real estate agent. 20 ACRES WITH LAKE VIEWS Beautiful 20 acre parcel with MLS#6096676 , MLS#6096674 $70,000 lake views!! If it's hunting you want, good luck finding 20 acres that can compete. Property borders reservation land on the north and east sides and Federal land to the south. The land is covered with beautiful trees and LARGE ACREAGE NEAR TOM LAKE. Two parcels with 40 wildlife! Currently there is no road to the property, which is factored into acres near year round road access and power. An easy walk to the Tom Lake boat landing. Shared easement granted to build driveway into property. the asking price. MLS#6094977 $49,000 Many great building sites. Great recreational area. Easy access to trails and COYOTE RIDGE LOT other lakes. MLS#6095113, 6095114 $60,000 each If you are looking for acreage close to Grand Marais but with that out of GRAND MARAIS VACANT LOT. town feel, look no further! Nearby Nicely wooded parcel on quiet street in the west end of town. Three full city access to all that the north shore has lots facing south with city street, curb and gutter, utilities near by. Short to offer including, but not limited too, walking distance to the harbor. MLS#6093024 $59,900 hiking trails, the Gitchi-Gami bike NEW! GRAND MARAIS LOT – DEEP WOODS trail, inland lakes and more! Lot 15 This 2 acre parcel is tucked away at the end of a privately maintained road is a great 5+ acre parcel on a quiet on the west side of Grand Marais. Private setting with good lake effect wooded lot, on a private road. Please schedule your showings with a from Lake Superior, common area across the street for added privacy, and licensed real estate agent. MLS#6096712 $45,000 dense forest with nice building sites. Easy access to the bike trail and a short ride to downtown. Private water and sewer. Power is at the lot. GREAT LOCATION HOME SITES. MLS#6100024 $59,500 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. NEW! DEEP WOODS HIDE-AWAY IN GRAND

SOLD

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MARAIS Nice, heavily wooded 1.86 acre parcel on private dead-end

road on the west end of Grand Marais. Close to bike trail and easy walk to downtown. Private water and sewer, shared road maintenance, power at site. A very private and secluded location. Enjoy privacy and northwoods seclusion, yet only minutes to the coffee shop. MLS#6100025

$59,500

WOODED SECLUSION IN GRAND MARAIS.

Several great wooded lots on the west side of Grand Marais, a mile from down town. Close to the bike trail with privacy on a dead end road. Septic and wells allowed, power and broadband available. MLS#6087223 & 6087226 PENDING,

SOLD

MLS#6094098 SOLD, MLS#6094099 $42,900 GREAT LOCATION FOR HOME OR CABIN

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

MLS#6096700 $42,900

LUTSEN MAPLE LOTS

Beautiful 5+ acre wooded lots, covered in Maple forest. In the fall this beauty will be ablaze with stunning colors. Caribou Lake Public Access nearby, hiking trails, Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort, Gitche Gumee bike trail and all the

MLS#6087228 $59,500

WOODS, VIEWS AND PRIVACY Nice lot only 4

miles from Grand Marais on county road. Potential Lake Superior views from a high lot with dense forest. Great location for your home or cabin. Close to trails and all the recreational opportunities in the area. MLS#6096711 $56,900

HOME SITE NEAR GRAND MARAIS Nice 5 acre property close to town on black-top county road. power and phone at the lot. Broadband available. Dense woods and potential Lake Superior Views. Close to hiking, bike trails and all the wilderness adventures you desire. MLS#6096706 $54,900

SALIENG END P BEAUTIFUL HOME SITE – NEAR GRAND MARAIS This 5.61 acre lot has adjoining USFS land, mature trees Eon Maple Hill. Power/ and lots of privacy. Just minutes fromL town SA Gyour country home. phone/Broadband at the site. Ready for you to build MLS#6095429P $51,900 ENDIN DEEPLY WOODED 5 ACRES This nice 5 acre parcel has many good building sites, easy access to power and Broadband. Good road access andL minutes to Grand Marais. A E10trails Anearonlylakes, great location for a home orS cabin Gand wilderness. N I MLS#6095434 $50,900 D N PE

GREAT LOCATION – 5 WOODED ACRES Only 10 minutes to Grand Marais, this 5 acre parcel is heavily wooded with good road access.Power and Broadband at the road. Nice mature forest. A perfect home site! MLS#6095435 $52,900

things the North Shore has to offer. MLS#6098003 $39,700, MLS#6098012 $42,350 SOLD

TAIT LAKE PINES LOTS

Private & peaceful location in Lutsen, MN with its own hiking trails, outstanding views/settings, maintained roads, year-round accessibility, access to power, a calm and serene overall vibe and deeded lake access to Tait Lake!! Close to the Superior Hiking Trail, many more inland lakes and trails, Lutsen Ski Resort, Superior National Golf Course and access to food/beverage. 2+ acre lots are priced to sell.

MLS#6098275 $39,250, MLS#6098276 $43,250, MLS#6098277 $42,000 REMOTE PEACE & QUIET Hide away in this beautiful

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

MLS#6098653 $36,900 REMOTE WOODED HIDE-A-WAY This 20 acre parcel is

remote and has nice southerly exposure. Deeded access to Lost Lake gives you a place to fish and listen to the loons. It’s a lake with limited private property and no public access. Great area for ATV’s and miles of roads to explore. MLS#6098654 $34,900

FORTY ACRES NEAR FINLAND

Old homestead property in “Cramer” adjoining state land, and very close to Cramer Lake. No road access.

MLS#6095233 $34,900

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

NOVEMBER 2021

GRAND MARAIS AREA DEVIL TRACK LAKE SHORE VACANT PARCELS NOW AVAILABLE 340 front feet SOLD

1. Parcel A

9.57 acres

2. Parcel B-1.

3.59 acres 179.5 front feet $99,900

3. Parcel B-2

3.59 acres 179.5 front feet $99,900

4. Parcel C-1

2.21 acres

153 front feet PENDING

5. Parcel C-2

2.21 acres

153 front feet $89,900

6. Parcel D-1

2.01 acres

200 front feet SOLD

7. Parcel D-2

20 acres

LUTSEN/TOFTE/LAKE SUPERIOR TWO BEAUTIFUL LUTSEN LOTS AT JONVICK CREEK NOW AVAILABLE! These two adjacent lots area located in the heart of Lutsen in the Jonvick Creek development. The lots are nicely wooded with a variety of trees, including maple with potential Lake Superior views . Only minutes to Lake Superior, the Superior Hiking Trail, Lutsen Mountains, Superior National Golf Course, White Sky overlook, Caribou Lake as well as many cross country and snowmobile trails. Power and broadband available from curbside. Seller/owner owns both lots 1 & 2 and is willing to take offers on both. You must see the property and location to appreciate the potential.

$64,900

XXX Maple Leaf Trail MLS 6098518 $61,300 XXX Maple Leaf Trail MLS 6098519 $61,700

COUNTRY LIVING IN THE CITY OF GRAND MARAIS! Enjoy easy city living at this quiet home just minutes from downtown Grand Marais! Located at the end of a peaceful cul-desac, this home features a private backyard, spacious deck, and large garage. The efficient floor plan includes entry laundry, openconcept kitchen/dining/living spaces, and spacious hallway leading to three nice-sized bedrooms. The master bedroom features a private wooded view and attached full master bathroom is complete with a large soaking tub. The basement workshop space provides excellent storage and additional living space! Maintenance-free siding, central air conditioning on the end of a quiet city-maintained street just minutes from downtown ... this lovely home is move-in ready! Call today for your private showing. 579 Humphrey Circle MLS 6099163 $329,900

MOLLY O’NEILL Agent

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

SUPERIOR NATIONAL AT LUTSEN GOLF COURSE LOT Beautiful lot on the River 9 - 3rd Fairway near the 3rd green at Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course. Walking distance to theLutsen trail-head of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail....a trail, when complete will be an 86 mile non-motorized trail from Two Harbors to Grand Marais along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Just one mile from Lutsen Mountains Ski area and nearby cross county ski trails. Ski Hill Road is home to the Lutsen 99er bike race each June. This lot is a member of the Heritage Homeowners Association thereby protecting the integrity your investment and build. Lot has been cleared and is build ready showcasing a 100+ year old towering White Pine and wonderful build site options. Lot infrastructure includes common HOA sewer, power and broadband. Having sewer, site cleared and a great location on the golf course is clearly a bonus. Make an offer today! Seller is a licensed MinnesotaReal Estate Broker. MLS 6096168 $84,900

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SELLING YOUR NORTH SHORE HOME?

NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

Winter is coming quickly! Enjoy the last of the fall days Before the snow starts to fly!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local 663-8777 • Info@TimberWolf fRealty.com Toll free (877) 664-8777 DREAMING OF LAKE SUPERIOR? ON THE WATER, LAKE VIEWS!

NEW! LITTLE RED CABIN ON THE LAKE!

One of the original Gunderson Cabins! There is 356 ft of gorgeous accessible shoreline and a mixture of winding ledge rock formations AND a pebble beach. The cabin sits on the water edge with spectacular Lake Superior views. Wrap around deck is a great place to relax and unwind listening to the waves with access to the West side of the property shoreline. Overall a Quiet and peaceful setting, with unmatched views of the Lake. Located within walking distance from Temperance State Park and only 2 miles away from Tofte and its North Shore Market, Coho Café and Bluefin Bay Resort!

MLS#TBA $749,900

LAKE SUPERIOR TOWNHOME LUTSEN/TOFTE AREA! Welcome your guests in to this sprawling townhome, fun design and focus on Lake Superior! Big Views from Nearly every room, and enough deck space for everyone to enjoy those cool breezes off Lake Superior! Upper level owner bedroom en suite is spacious! Open kitchen, and dining areas, with a drop down Great Room with wall of windows and fireplace, Amazing Views. One car attached garage too! Stroll to the stairway to the beach just for owners! LOVE this place for year round living or vacation getaway! Minute’s to Lutsen Mountain Summer and Ski Resort AND Tofte’s Blue Fin Bay Resort!

MLS#6098625 $475,000

FUN TIMES AT THE HARBOR IN GRAND MARAIS! Modern interior, Sweeping Views, and FANTASTIC downtown location make this home away from home an amazing opportunity! Offset ownership with some rental income and enjoy all that Grand Marais has to offer from your front door. This Condo has a balcony made for morning sunrises overlooking the Sandy East Bay beach on Lake Superior, A MUST SEE!

HOME SWEET TIMBER FRAMED HOME ON LAKE SUPERIOR! MLS#6099060 $1,500,000

E SA L ING D PEN

MLS#6095992 $335,000

CHECK OUT OUR NEW LOCALLY CR AFTED TIMBERWOLFF WEBSITE , SEARCH ALL MLS LISTINGS AT TIMBERWOLFFREALTY.COM 50

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

Winter is coming quickly! Enjoy the last of the fall days Before the snow starts to fly!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local 663-8777 • Toll free (877) 664-8777

Info@TimberWolf fRealty.com INLAND LAKESHORE OPPORTUNITIES!

E L A S ING D N E P

LUTSEN TAIT LAKE OASIS— A LINDAL CEDAR HOME!

This Lindal Cedar Home is a Classic, from the large foyer entry leading into the accommodating living room with a wall of windows overlooking the lakeshore and forest to the gas fireplace adding to the ambiance. Overlooking Tait Lake with a babbling creek and over 300ft of shoreline all in the midst of the boreal forest! From the Screen porch, the Spa room and the Main Level Owner’s Suite you won’t want to leave your personal Oasis, and who can blame you! Two car attached garage makes this home perfect for year round living in the Northwoods! With the Crib style year round dock in place you will be ready for all the seasons!

MLS#6095596 $895,000

PIKE LAKE CABIN, SHARED SHORELINE JUST WEST OF GRAND MARAIS!

Super accessible, shared 282ft of shoreline on Pike Lake! The cabin sits very close to the Lake and offers wonderful Lake Views, or sit on the deck and listen to the loons. Very functional floor plan, all on one level and wood burning fireplace to take away the spring chills.

MLS# 6096148 $249,000 REDUCED

FIND THOSE NEW LISTINGS FIRST!! EMAIL INFO@TIMBERWOLFFREALTY.COM TO SIGN UP FOR AUTO EMAIL! NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

Winter is coming quickly! Enjoy the last of the fall days Before the snow starts to fly!

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local 663-8777 • Toll free (877) 664-8777

Info@TimberWolf fRealty.com HOMES, HOMES, HOMES, READ ALL ABOUT ‘EM!!

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NEW! DOME’CILE

Dreamy Home on the Pike Lake Rd sitting on a highland of maples and boreal forest abutting miles of public land!An inspired dome home flanked by bedroom, kitchen, and sun-room wings to form a functional and inspiring floor-plan. The sun-room, drenched in light, is a place to unwind, contemplate and open the mind as it spills into the heart of the home, the Dome! The paneled and beamed ceilings lift the spirits and the loft is cozy under the upper reaches of the dome. Sprawling, tasteful deck surveys the nearly four acres. Waterfalls, trout and hiking are 5 minutes back at the Cascade River. XC ski trailhead and snowmobile trails, 3 minutes away. Getaway in the woods and enjoy the silence.

NEW! COUNTRY LIVING IN AN IDEAL SETTING!

Just a little ways up the Gunflint sits this Classic country home with cozy bedrooms, roomy remodeled kitchen, big ol’ living room all which look out on an open yard with garden space, humongous cultivated raspberry patch, and plenty of room to toss a baseball or get a bags tournament going next to a BBQ pit on the 5 acres. Surrounding the home is a great diversity of towering trees adding to the country feel, Yet, if you crave the “city lights” just roll down the Gunflint and get your Grand Marais on.

MLS#6099763 $279,000

E SA L ING D PEN

MLS#6099797 $289,900

D L O S RENOVATOR’S DREAM ON THE CARIBOU TRAIL IN LUTSEN!

Yes, the home needs work and some TLC, but the five acres of BEAUTIFUL SUGAR MAPLES bordering the Superior National Forest makes all the work to be done WORTH IT! High on the hill going up the Caribou Trail, just minutes from White Sky Landing on Caribou Lake sits the Renovator’s Dream…two bedrooms with room to expand a second bath and 3rd bedroom in the lower level basement. Open concept kitchen to dining, with South facing family room with big windows. One car attached garage space has been partially converted to storage or could be living space. Two car detached garage too, just needs a little TLC too. And new roofs on the home and garage are needed as well, but what the heck, you are a Renovator looking for a Project!! Call today, this home won’t last long!

MLS#6099130 $199,900 AS IS AND FIRM AT ASKING PRICE!

NEW!! DOVETAIL LOG CABIN NEAR TETTEGOUCHE STATE PARK! MLS#6099232 $359,900

CHECK OUT OUR NEW LOCALLY CR AFTED TIMBERWOLFF WEBSITE , SEARCH ALL MLS LISTINGS AT TIMBERWOLFFREALTY.COM 52

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

Winter is coming quickly! Enjoy the last of the fall days Before the snow starts to fly!

Info@TimberWolf fRealty.com

Call TimberWolff for Your Personal Tour of Homes & Land!!! Local 663-8777 • Toll free (877) 664-8777

CAMPN’, HUNTN’, FUN GETAWAY LAND, INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE! SILVER BAY TO SCHROEDER AREAS 24 acres on Blackwoods Drive, approx. 8 miles up the Cramer Rd from the Cross River in Schroeder! Southern sloping maples, beautiful build sites! Electric, fiber, year round access.

TOFTE AREA

GRAND MARAIS AREA

Easy Build Site in Tofte! Level five acre parcel with potential for views in the South East corner, or build in the center of the acreage for maximum seclusion! Diverse trees including a nice mix of birch, mountain ash and balsam fir!

Great lots in the heart of Grand Marais with city water and city sewer at the street!

MLS#6094707 $99,900

MLS#6099658 $64,500

Seclusion at 8271 Blackwoods Drive! Over 16 acres of sugar maples, beautiful! Year round access but gives you feeling of remote location. There is plenty of room to build and have the seclusion that you looking for- in fact the project has already begun since the current owners have already installed a driveway. Easily create a comfortable basecamp while building your dream getaway!

Outdoor Enthusiast Dream Location with 17+ acres to explore! Make your North Shore dreams a reality- this property is zoned resort/ commercial/residential meaning the potential for creating your business and home just got that much easier. Great location close to The Cross Country Ski Trails, Superior Hiking Trails which both have access just a little further up the Onion River Road. And don’t forget about the Superior National Golf Course and Lutsen Ski and Summer Resort just a little further on the highway. MLS#6097866 $179,900 SALE PENDING

MLS#6097285 $84,900

TOFTE AREA

LUTSEN AREA

South Sloping parcels at LeVeaux Mountain! Beautiful build sites, one parcel has a wildlife pond and the other views of Lake Superior from the top! Yr Round access, electric and fiber along the road, sensible HOA makes this a gem to build your dream North Shore home! MLS#6089001; MLS#6089003 $67,000 EACH!

Lutsen Build sites with shared septic and well just waiting for your little cabin ideas! Looking for a site to build without spending an arm and a leg? These sites are it! Well and Septic in place, just Build and Enjoy!

Beautiful parcel at Birch Cliff, located between Lutsen and Tofte, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds! Dine at BlueFin and Ski the day away at Lutsen Mountains from this lovely corner build site with decent Lake Superior views and views of Carlton Peak in the distance. LeVeaux Mountain is to the North, wowser setting!

Perched on the Foothill of Lutsen Mountains, this five acre parcel has both views of Eagle Mountain as well as Lake Superior! Beautiful trees complete the package. With a thoughtful Home Owner’s Association in place, you’ll enjoy peace and quiet in the heart of Lutsen! High ground, rolling terrain, year round access!

MLS#6099657 $75,000

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MLS#2309328 $39,000 AND OTHERS, JUST ASK ABOUT MINK RANCH!

MLS#6099659 $89,900

.24 ACRES $96,500 MLS#6095459 .22 ACRES $90,000 MLS#6095460 .27 ACRES $70,000 MLS#6095461 ALL 3 SOLD Come and live with the wildlife! 39+ acres of beautiful forest, accessible vie seasonal old logging road. Peaceful and Secluded Acreage with Flute River Frontage which attracts abundant wildlife! Borders Judge Magney State Park on the west and access to Superior Hiking Trail on state land. Create your own oasis in the woods and leave the busy lifestyle behind!

MLS#6096200 $59,900 SALE PENDING

HOVLAND AREA The Wilderness at your fingertips! 92+ acres just off the Tom Lake Road in Hovland. Dream and scheme the getaway cabin, build it out of timber right off the land. Wander all the nooks and crannies to find that ideal getaway. Make some ski trails or hunker down. Open up a patch for a back-to-thelander’s dream garden or just keep it wild and natural: a place to walk, preserve, hunt, and contemplate the big questions. Unwind a bit here, get in a natural groove. Bring your vision, energy, passion and love!

MLS#6098528 $84,900 PRICED REDUCED

This nearly 40 acres parcel is recreational parcel for the outdoor enthusiast! Remote and secluded land, perfect for hunting or hiking, wild life viewing or planting trees and camping. Judge Magney State Park is close by – featuring the Devil’s Kettle and scenic hikes. The historic Naniboujou Lodge is also nearby and worth to visit!

MLS#6098693 $69,900

MOUNTAIN R ESORT HOMES RELAX AT CARIBOU HIGHLANDS!

1 bedroom condo with balcony overlooking resort. Relax and unwind while planning each season’s adventures! Relax by the indoor or outdoor pools and soak up the views of Moose Mountain!

MLS# 6098169 $145,000

FIND THOSE NEW LISTINGS FIRST!! EMAIL INFO@TIMBERWOLFFREALTY.COM TO SIGN UP FOR AUTO EMAIL! NORTHERN WILDS

NOVEMBER 2021

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 109 TOM OVERLOOK TRAIL TOM LAKE , HOVLAND, MN

X28 W 2ND ST GRAND MARAIS, MN

237 CAMP 20 RD HOVLAND, MN

New Listing

X2 W 3RD ST GRAND MARAIS, MN

New Listing

100’ x 120’ residential lot in town. MLS# 6099385 Price: $45,000

Bedroom 1 Bath 2 Car Garage Huge workshop 48 Amazing Acres with over 5K trails. MLS# 6099807 Price: $490,000

2 Lots: 50 x 100 and 75 x 100 Wetlands delineated. Ready to go. MLS# 6100150 Price: $69,900

17.81 EAST COYOTE RIDGE GRAND MARAIS, MN

6.88 EAST COYOTE RIDGE GRAND MARAIS, MN

X5 CTY RD 7 GRAND MARAIS, MN

X20 CTY RD 60 GRAND MARAIS, MN

17.81 Acres. Rolling parcel with seasonal creeks. Private and close to town. MLS# 6097455 Price: $99,900

6.88 Acres. Lake Superior view. Driveway in. Power at the road. Close to town. MLS# 6097459 Price: $89,900

5.9 acres close to town. Ready for your dreams. MLS# 6099380 Price: $65,000

19+ Acres for homestead or hunting land MLS# 6078387 Price: $89,900

XXX E 7TH AVE W GRAND MARAIS, MN

5 N BROADWAY GRAND MARAIS MN

XXX SUCKER LAKE RD, BIG SUCKER LAKE, NASHWAUK, MN

9 N BROADWAY GRAND MARAIS MN

Sweet Log Cabin with Bunkhouse and Sauna, 191 Ft Lakeshore on 3.31 Acres MLS# 6098700 Price: $299,900

Saleng Pendi

Sweet lot. 90 x 120 Dead end street. MLS# 6098146 Price: $59,500

Commercial Building 2578 sq. ft. Restaurant. Great location. Possibilities MLS# 6095312 Price: $399,000

15.9 beautiful acres with 840 ft of lakeshore on Big Sucker Lake MLS# 6096525 Price: $139,900

Commercial 50 x 82 lot. Fab location MLS# 6095295 Price: $139,000

Phone: 218-387-1501 Cell: 218-370-8977 Terry@BacklundRealty.com 54

NOVEMBER 2021

NORTHERN WILDS

CATCHLIGHT

Red o F x One winter day, while wandering the bank of a frozen river with my tripod and camera thrown over one shoulder, I spotted this red fox. It was on the ice, close to shore, and was working its way toward me, unaware of my presence. If it continued on its current route, the canine would pass within camera range. And that’s just what happened. At the sound of my camera’s shutter, the fox turned and bolted, but not before I captured this image. — Bill Marchel NORTHERN NORTHERN WILDS WILDS

NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2021 2021

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Northern Wilds November 2021

Articles inside

Dog Blog

Points North

A Hunter is Born

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