Northern Wilds December 2022

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Short Days with Much to Do

Christmas in the Northern Wilds is a time of short days and long nights. What is interesting is that because the Northern Wilds coverage area includes two time zones, the short day has somewhat different affects on people. In Canada, Thunder Bay is on the far western edge of the East ern time zone, which means the people there have about an hour of extra daylight in the evening than their neighbors in Grand Marais. In contrast, the folks in Minnesota get an extra hour of morning light because they reside in the eastern end of the Central time zone. All of this occurs even though the length of daylight is nearly identical in the two towns. Toss in the often-discussed possibility of moving daylight savings to year-round and the time saving issue be coming downright confusing. Even Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer cannot keep it straight.

Of course, this change in time zones means little to the wild creatures with whom we share this place. They follow an eternal clock that doesn’t have time zones. They are all on the same time, having no bills to pay, meetings to attend or other time sensitive details that make up a human day. Unfortunately, time changes interrupt the feeding sched ules of our dogs and cats, who also operate on a worldwide time schedule. Luckily, most of them quickly adjust to the change in human times.

While time zones are handy for human schedules, they mostly run along political borders rather than following the curve of the Earth. Then there are abnormalities such as two time zones dividing North Dakota east from west and the explicatively strange half-hour rather than full hour time zone of Newfoundland. One can only wonder what Santa thinks of that.

Here in the Northern Wilds, even with two time zones, we celebrate our multiple holidays on a shared schedule. We apologize that with this issue, we have not expressively

reached out to all of the communities who celebrate this time of year. It is not our intent to ignore anyone. That said, just about everyone will find some enjoyable stories here.

Consider our feature about Grand Marias photographer David Johnson, who is widely recognized for his outdoor work with wildlife and night skies. Somewhat along the same lines is a story about Duluth artist Sam Nielsen, who never thought she would become a full-time artist. Taking a somewhat different direction with her food column, Vir ginia George shares the story of the popular local grocery store chain, Super One.

In the outdoors, Gord Ellis gives a run-down of his favor ite spoons for ice-fishing, especially for lake trout. Joe Shead takes us ice fishing on the popular Whiteface Reservoir between Duluth and the Iron Range. Winter columnist, nurse, mom and dog musher (not necessarily in that order) Erin Altemus gives us a run-down of her upcoming mush ing season. Our Catchlight photo this month is a dramatic shot of a great gray owl flying directly at the photographer.

In Knife River, the replica of the Viking ship Leif Erik son has found a new home. It sailed across the Atlantic in 1926, arriving in Duluth in 1927. Harold Alanen has been recognized for his extensive work in the border region as an “amateur” archeologist. In Grand Marais, two long stand ing businesses are undergoing change as one is remodeled and the other is up for sale. Also in this issue is a story about a lady who spent 21 years working as an assistant lighthouse keeper on Lake Superior.

As for those holiday stories, you won’t need to search hard to find them in this issue. And on that note, we wish everyone a joyous holiday season.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt

Merry Christmas

from all of us at Northern Wilds

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 12 www.northernwilds.com

SERVING THE NORTH SHORE AND THE WILDERNESS BEYOND

PUBLISHERS

Shawn Perich & Amber Pratt

EDITORIAL

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CONTRIBUTORS

Erin Altemus, Elle Andra-Warner, Gord Ellis, Peter Fergus-Moore, Casey Fitchett, Virginia George, Michelle Miller, Deane Morrison, Hartley Newell-Acero, Rae Poynter, Joe Shead, Eric Weicht, Sam Zimmerman

Copyright 2022 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.

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Illuminating the Northland

DULUTH—Traditions are the lifeblood of the holiday season in many ways. Beyond being the catalyst for creating new memo ries, they often encourage us to gather and spend time with one another. One custom during the winter holidays that has had staying power: light displays. Whether tradi tional white lights and wreaths or a colorful, musical show of cheer, there’s something special about admiring the selfless work of friends and neighbors whose only mission is to add beauty to the world.

Seeing businesses and individual homes lit up in an outward display of spirit is truly a unique aspect of the celebration. Eight years ago, Peter Cpin and his family were hoping to join the celebration and share their joy with the community by entering the Duluth area lighting contest.

“We like to decorate our house; we weren’t looking to win or anything,” he explains. “We just wanted people to know where to find us so they could come see the lights.”

Instead of being able to easily enter the local contest, their quest to throw their hat in the ring came up empty-handed. The con test didn’t exist anymore; the normal entities that had organized it through the years had let it go. As his family was running an event business at the time, the logical next step was to take over running the contest.

“It was the first week of December and we all of a sudden threw together a quick

contest. We put it out there and had a good response,” says Cpin. “We really wanted to bring back that piece of childhood that peo ple have nostalgia for. We wanted to carry the torch.”

They made the contest their own, acquir ing sponsors, setting up a website and social media page, and a unique organizational structure. Though Duluth, Superior, Cloquet and Hermantown are the primary cities in cluded in the challenge, participants outside of those regions are still welcome to sign up. The general public can vote for their favorite display in two categories for each city: Best in Home and Best in Business. Beyond those categories, community voters can cast a vote for their “Favorite Christmas City” and the “Masters” category. To qualify for the Masters, a home must have won the pre vious two years of competition. There are prize basket awards for best home and busi ness in each featured city, best home overall, and the winner of the Masters.

“The goal is to always keep graduating people up, so that way new people can get a chance to play and participate and get a chance to win,” Cpin notes.

Holiday cheer seekers likely won’t have to travel far to find a home or a business that has dropped their location as a pin on the participant map. During the height of the pandemic, the contest saw its largest num ber of applicants since Cpin and his family

Registration for this year’s Duluth area lighting competition ends on Dec. 9 and voting runs from Dec. 2-21. A ceremony to announce the winners will take place on Thursday, Dec. 22. | SUBMITTED

began running it: 150 entrants. In other years, they average around 100 throughout the region, with 20-30 per city.

Taking on another responsibility as a busy family during the holiday season is not a simple feat, but the goal of the contest has always been the same: spread Christmas cheer.

“We want to provide a family opportunity to make some memories. We encourage ev eryone to participate. It doesn’t have to be a grandiose Grizwald Christmas lighting dis play. It can just be a dozen lights on the front

of your house that you think looks cute,” en courages Cpin.

Registration for the 2022 competition ends on Dec. 9. All votes to determine the winners will be cast by community members through the Lighting Challenge website. Voting runs from Dec. 2-21. The Lighting Challenge Ceremony to announce the win ners will be held on Dec. 22. More informa tion can be found on the event’s website (christmaslightingchallenge.com) or their Facebook page.—Casey Fitchett

During the height of the pandemic, the Duluth area lighting contest saw its largest number of applicants since Peter Cpin and his family began running it: 150 entrants. | SUBMITTED

THUNDER BAY—Sharon Sparkes had a busy Friday morning in October. In addition to supervising the volunteers in the Gathering Table distribution room as they organized non-perishable food donations, she pre pared lunch for those same volunteers. Like many church organizations in the Thunder Bay area, the Gathering Table, a faith com munity of the Anglican Church of Canada, is providing community support through the calendar year. Sparkes and the small group of volunteers are preparing for Gathering Ta ble’s food bank opening on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

Across the city, Redwood Park Church operates its own food bank twice monthly, serving some 100 families, according to Pas tor Jay Ewing.

The Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship con centrates most of its efforts on the popular Empty Bowls/Caring Hearts campaign, al though this initiative is not connected to the Christmas season.

What all three and many other religious and secular organizations are trying to do is to alleviate hunger in the community, a lack felt most often in the Christmas season. Ac cording to the Thunder Bay Food Bank web site, over 100 households are supported on a bi-weekly basis, which translates to food for an average of 150 adults and 55 chil dren. Obviously, statistics for the entire area would show many more individuals and fam ilies in need, and hopefully supported by the collective efforts of the organizations.

Back at Gathering Table, Sparkes’ husband Dale gets a phone call.

“The truck is on its way,” he tells his col leagues.

The Thunder Bay Regional Food Distri bution Association (RFDA) calls itself “a food bank for food banks,” providing bulk non-perishable foods for groups like Red wood and Gathering Table, to name but two of dozens in the area. Soon, the rumble of a diesel engine outside the walls of the building announces the arrival of the RFDA truck. The driver swings open the doors of

the truck’s cargo section, then clambers up to ready the palette for unloading. A few minutes later, the Gathering Table volunteers are bringing in the supplies on hand trucks. The distribution room very quickly becomes a crowded place.

“We get non-perishable food donations from the congregation here and Lutheran and Anglican churches,” says Sparkes. “The RFDA is our main supplier. We even get fro zen foods. This Sunday—bison!”

“We have also served alongside Dilico (In digenous child and family services) through the Christmas Wish Campaign and have done so for about a decade,” says Pastor Ewing of Redwood Park Church. “We plan to do this again this year, but have not yet organized it formally with our community (as yet).”

“This year’s Empty Bowls brought in over $20,000,” says Lakehead Unitarian Fellow ship member Angie Bach. “The proceeds go to Shelter House and the Thunder Bay Food Bank. During Christmas, we gather and do nate small items to the Faye Peterson House.”

The Faye Peterson House is a temporary shel ter and service provider for persons and fami lies fleeing from abusive situations.

While food security is an ongoing chal lenge for billions in the world, and thousands locally, the Christmas season highlights the special need for support for those living in insecure life situations. As December 25 falls on a Sunday this year, some food distribu tion dates have to be changed. As well, food banks that might normally operate bi-weekly will be closed.

“We want our clients to have food, enough to tide them over at Christmas time,” says Sparkes. “With Christmas on a Sunday, we would not be open again until the second week of January. That’s a long time for people to wait.”

To offset that time gap, the Gathering Ta ble will open a little early this year, on De cember 18. All food banks will be providing extra supplies in addition to their regular offerings. Gathering Table, like many other food banks, tries to include special items,

such as mandarin oranges and Christmas candies, along with staples like vegetables.

“We’re hoping to get some strawberry jam and hot chocolate, too,” Sparkes adds.

“There are other ways we have sought to serve the city over the years, including tak ing a special offering at our four Christmas Eve services each year with all the donations going directly to an organization we be lieve in,” says Pastor Ewing. “Last year we were able to write a cheque to Northwind Family Ministries which are making such an impact in Thunder Bay and the region.” Their 2022 beneficiary had not been decided upon as of this writing.

One of the casualties of hunger is person al dignity, a reality on the minds of all food bank volunteers.

“We always give our clients options over and above what is in their (individual) box,” says Sparkes. “Some have no stove where they live, or are homeless. We make sure we give them something easily opened with a can opener, or that doesn’t need cooking.”

Many food banks in the city are now log ging two or more decades of operation, and the end of needing such organizations is not yet in sight. In the meantime, all involved try as best as they can to alleviate the ef fects of a difficult reality of needs not met.

—Peter Fergus-Moore

Volunteers work in the Gathering Table distribution room. The Gathering Table, part of the faith community of the Anglican Church of Canada, provides community support year-round. | SUBMITTED

Cook County, MN

| PAUL VON GOERTZ

Viking replica ship has a new home

KNIFE RIVER—The speculation is over. Du luth’s historic Leif Erikson ship—the Viking replica that sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1926 and arrived in Duluth in 1927—now has a new home with the Knife River Heritage and Cultural Center (KRHCC) in the com munity of Knife River, located on the North Shore between Duluth and Two Harbors.

Both in years and miles, it’s been a long journey for the Leif Erikson. It all began in Korgen, Norway in 1925 when Norwegian Captain Gerald Folgero (1886-1948) hired a boat-builder to make a replica of the vessel that Norse explorer Leif Erikson (c. 970-c. 1019-1025) had sailed to North America over a thousand years ago. Built of Norway pine and about half the size of the original, Folgero’s 42-foot ship was rigged with red and white striped sails, plus one set of tri angular sails. She had no motor and was steered by a rudder with an attached log har (tiller). Carved on its side was a dragon’s head and tail and traditional wooden shields. Captain Folgero’s long-time goal had been to sail Erikson’s sea route to America in a Vi king replica ship.

On May 23, 1926, with a crew of three and one dog, Captain Folgero sailed out from Bergen, Norway. They stopped at Faroe Islands, survived storms on the way to Iceland, fought hurricane-winds across the ocean, and reached Nova Scotia in mid-Au gust before heading for Boston Harbor. After staying the winter in New York City, the Leif Erikson reached Duluth on June 23, 1927, having travelled roughly 10,000 miles.

The vessel was purchased by two Duluth businessmen and donated to city of Duluth to be maintained as a permanent display. For many years it was a popular tourist attrac tion at the city’s Leif Erikson Park. But the ship fell into disrepair until 1985 when a vol unteer-group, “Save Our Ship” (SOS), was created to repair and restore the Leif Erikson, after which she was put in storage. The plan

1927. | SUBMITTED

was to return her to the park after a special ly-designed shelter was built. Well, it didn’t quite work out that way.

In June 2021, ownership of the ship was transferred to SOS by the Duluth City Coun cil and the search for a permanent location began while the ship remained in storage. Then, in November 2021, she was trans ported to KNHCC for their annual Julebyen Scandinavian Christmas Festival. And on June 22 of this year, SOS and KNHCC agreed to permanently relocate the 96-year-old Vi king replica to KNHCC where she would be on exhibit in a new $150,000 timber-frame building alongside the local Crusader II Norwegian commercial fishing tug (which was christened in 1939 by Norway’s Prince Olav). Construction is slated for completion next summer.

Knife River Heritage and Cultural Cen ter was established in 2018 as a grassroots non-profit to “engage the public in preserv ing, presenting and valuing the history” of the area. Looks like a good home for the Leif Erikson —Elle Andra-Warner

CELEBRATE THE DARK SKY FESTIVAL

Cook County is home to one of the darkest skies in the world. Take in the beauty during the Dark Sky Festival, December 8 - 10. Plan your trip at VisitCookCounty.com

Duluth’s historic Leif Erikson Viking ship now has a new home with the Knife River Heritage and Cultural Center in the community of Knife River.

Created as a Viking replica ship, the Leif Erikson sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1926 and arrived in Duluth in

Modern-day historian and Ontario amateur archaeologist

THUNDER BAY—Harold Alanen, the Cana dian-born grandson of Finnish immigrants, is one of Thunder Bay’s modern-day histori ans—the stewards of history—who explore the landscape, collect and preserve an area’s archaeological record, record people’s his tory and then shares their research through presentations and writings.

Officially recognized by the Ontario gov ernment as an “amateur archaeologist,” his interest in the field stretches back to age 9 at Nolalu Public School when he held an authen tic stone arrowhead a classmate had brought to school that had been found in a potato field owned by the student’s grandparents.

“From that day on, I searched cultivated fields, gardens, hiking trails, campsites, lake shores, river banks, and any other places where there was evidence of human activi ty,” said Alanen, a retired elementary school teacher and principal. “Most of the activities I did in the area, which is north of the Min nesota/Ontario border from Pigeon River to Northern Light Lake. It took close to 50 years before I discovered my own authentic stone arrowhead. It was on a beach on Northern Light Lake.”

Reading about the history of the area led to the discovery of habitation sites.

“I discovered a ‘workshop’ site north of Whitefish Lake that had been exposed by a logger’s bulldozer when he made a road to his bush lot,” recalled Alanen. “A lot of the evidence of former human activity that I have found has been campsites on lake shores and along portage trails.”

One of the most interesting relics of the past, its purpose still unknown, he found north of Whitefish Lake.

“Mysterious stone boxes with four sides and a lid, assembled out of flat rocks. The eleven boxes were on bare exposures of Ca nadian Shield bedrock, each about the size of an apple box and distributed over an area of many acres. The thick growth of moss and lichens on the stone structures indicated to me that they were very old.”

Officially recognized by the Ontario government as an “amateur archaeologist,” Harold Alanen’s interest in the field goes back to age 9 at Nolalu Public School when he held an authentic stone arrowhead.

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Another puzzling find was also near Whitefish Lake on bedrock.

“It was a series of petroglyphs, a portion of which included a seated human figure holding a flag standard,” says Alanen.

Alanen is part of a network of metal de tectorists in Duluth, Two Harbors and Wis consin specializing in searching for fur trade artifacts and raw copper artifacts. And each year, archaeological groups from Thunder Bay, Duluth, Two Harbors and Superior host the Lake Superior Archaeological Workshop, alternating sites between Thunder Bay and locations in Minnesota.

Well-known as a historian, he is the au thor of the best-selling book, They Came From All Around: A History of the 1,200 Square Mile Area From Nolalu to Northern Light Lake

[ABOVE] One of the most interesting relics Alanen has found, it’s purpose still unknown, was a series of mysterious stone boxes, found north of Whitefish Lake. | SUBMITTED

[LEFT] Another puzzling find was this series of petroglyphs, also near Whitefish Lake on bedrock.

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“I had been collecting and

arti cles, photographs, artifacts, etc., from the area for many years before I thought about writing about it,” said Alanen. The book pro

vides an extensive look at the area from the first people back 9,000 years to the Europe an/Finnish immigrants arriving in the 1900s. His research and writings have attracted world-wide interest. In 2016, Harold was invited to speak on Finnish settlers in Cana da at an international conference in Finland —Elle Andra-Warner

Change is coming to Cook County

GRAND MARAIS—There are a couple of big changes taking place at two of Grand Mara is’ better-known businesses.

Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply in down town Grand Marais is for sale, and the his toric Harbor Light is being reopened by the owners of the Gunflint Tavern and their son, Cassidy Gecas, as a new event space and music venue called Up Yonder.

“Why am I selling the business?” says Jack Stone, owner of Stone Harbor. “Because I’m 74 years old.”

“I love what I do,” continues Stone, “but I know that I can’t continue doing this forever. I’ve been up here almost 20 years, and it’s time I take a step back and spend more time with my family: my kids and grandkids.”

Stone first opened Stone Harbor Wilder ness Supply back in 2008 and has been run ning the business, in addition to his work in the oil marketing business, ever since.

“There was a shop here before Stone Har bor,” says Stone. “I think it was called Cas cade Kayaks. It was some combination of kayak shop, coffee shop and cyber café.”

“When we took over, though, we had to completely remodel the building,” continues Stone, “and, for all practical purposes, make the business what it is today.”

Stone is a lifelong outdoorsman and has been making trips north to paddle the Boundary Waters since the 60s. Moving to the North Shore was something that he al ways wanted to do, so when the opportuni ty to open an outfitter right in the heart of Grand Marais presented itself, he seized the moment and made it happen.

“I used to work for Eddie Bauer back in the 1970s,” says Stone, “back when it was one of the premier outdoor retailers in the country.”

“I liked what we did [at Eddie Bauer],” continues Stone, “I liked our concept. Com ing up here all those years I always thought that Grand Marais could use a high-qual ity outdoor shop like that, which is what sparked the idea for Stone Harbor in the first place.”

Twelve years later, Stone Harbor Wil derness Supply is going strong as one of the premier outfitters on the North Shore. They offer high-end outdoor gear in every thing from sea kayaking the Big Lake to ca noe-camping the BWCAW, and they offer year-round wilderness tours that are suitable for all skill-levels.

“Most outfitters don’t deal with Lake Superior,” says Stone, “but we do. We do everything that we can to make exploring Lake Superior accessible to anyone who’s interested.”

“It’s important to me,” continues Stone, “that [Stone Harbor] be more than just a place for people to buy gear. Stone Harbor is a place for people to have experiences.”

For further information on everything that Stone Harbor has going on this winter, visit their website at: stoneharborws.com.

Farther up the hill from Stone Harbor, Cas sidy Gecas—general manager at the Gunflint Tavern and the new owner of Up Yonder (at Harbor Light)—has been hard at work with his crew turning the place into a new event space and top-notch music venue.

The plan for Up Yonder, according to Ge cas, is to turn it into a proper event center, something that he thinks is missing in Grand Marais. There will be a bar with limited food options at first that will likely expand to in clude “sandwiches, wraps, and that sort of stuff” once things get going, but the main focus of the business will be live music and big events.

“So far,” says Gecas, “we’ve built a 16 by 16-foot stage out in the yard with a smaller gazebo on top. There’s also a new big fire pit, a number of new picnic tables, and a bunch of yard games ready to go. We used the campground to help out with staff hous ing this summer, but next summer we plan on running it like a proper campground so people can pitch a tent and stay where the music is.”

“On the inside,” continues Gecas, “we re-did the sound system and stage, put in place new vault ceilings, knocked out some walls to better utilize the space, installed new hardwood floors, new paint, lights, and

windows too. We’re going to put in a nice pool table and some dart boards where the ‘middle’ room used to be, but we’re leaving the lower area to use as a closed-off space for private events.”

Even though the plan is, as of right now, to only be open weekends (Friday through Sun day) through the winter once construction is complete, Gecas is hopeful that they will be able to expand their hours once things pick up again in the summer.

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[LEFT] Jack

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“In the summer,” says Gecas, “It’s really going to depend on staff—who we’re able to hire and what we’ll be able to run.”

“Hopefully we’ll get a decent crew and be able to stay open seven days a week in the summer,” continues Gecas, “but either way, it’s going to be a really good time.”

To stay current with all that’s happening with Up Yonder, follow them on Instagram @up.yonder.at.harborlight or find them on Facebook: Up Yonder.—Eric Weicht

[ABOVE] Cassidy and his girlfriend Brit stand in front of their new business.

Stone first opened Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply back in 2008 and has been running the business ever since.

Eve Graham Memories from an assistant lighthouse keeper

THUNDER BAY—Over a 21-year period, Eve Graham en joyed some of the most spectacular views of Lake Superior in some of the lake’s remote places—and was paid for the priv ilege. Graham lived on three light stations—Angus Island, Trowbridge Island and Porphyry Island—and was assistant lighthouse keeper on the latter two. She retired only when all the stations were automated in 1989.

The entire northwest side of the house was ice-covered, rendering the windows useless for visibility.

“The four stations around Thunder Bay were kept by couples, and the wives did the work as much as the hus bands. We wives were unpaid help,” she remembers. “After some staff kept quitting from the loneliness, the Ministry of Transport finally figured it made sense to hire the wives as assistants. So, we were four women who were paid em ployees alongside our husband lighthouse keepers at this end of Lake Superior.”

Contrary to a popular notion, lighthouse staff did not work only at night and sleep in the day. A station typically maintained a 24-hour lookout, especially in stormy weather conditions, around flexible eight-hour shift schedules. Lat er, when 12-hour shifts were instituted, they were respon sible only for the day shift. From the end of March to two weeks before Christmas every year for 21 years, Eve and her husband Gordon maintained light stations for the safe ty of Lake Superior shipping. The remoteness and relative lack of access to the station islands brought special chal lenges to the families.

“I called Angus Island ‘Alcatraz’ because it was so difficult to get in and out of there,” Eve says. “It was barely large enough to have the lighthouse, the fog alarm building, the boathouse and the keeper’s houses on it. Gordon loved the isolation, but after about four months, I didn’t. I loved having people to talk to, so when we could have visitors, which was rare, I would invite them in for coffee and cinnamon buns that I’d baked myself.”

The weather and isolation also meant that supplies had to be bought in bulk and brought in by Coast Guard boats, or station boats when the weather allowed it. When the Graha ms had children (Neil and Kevin), Eve added to her lighthouse duties by acting as their teacher, with resources provided by the Lakehead District School Board.

In addition to maintaining the light, the Grahams were also responsible for the annual repainting of the buildings, keeping the lighthouse machinery (including three diesel generators on Trowbridge) running, and maintaining chan nel markers for marine craft approaching the island. Eve took diesel shop and small engines courses at Hammarskjold High School during the winter. They had to keep everything in good working order.

Eve has hundreds of memories from her time on the light houses, but two dramatic ones stand out. In the late summer of 1978, her then-3-year-old son Kevin caught pneumonia.

“The emergency helicopter from Thunder Bay came for him,” she says. “The paramedic tried to ease Kevin’s mind, telling him that he was getting an experience most children never got—a helicopter ride!”

Little did the paramedic know that Eve’s son, like the rest of his family, was a veteran of many such rides. “Just never lying down,” Kevin breathlessly quipped.

Another dramatic memory came from a few years earlier. In November, 1975, Lake Superior was the scene of a perfect storm—and the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald

“The weather bureau told us that there were two storms

coming in, to collide with one another, making a very large storm,” Eve remembers. “On the 8th and 9th, we observed the waves getting stronger. We pulled everything in that we couldn’t tie down. There were 45-gallon fuel drums fastened to steel clamps set in the concrete platform, chained down.”

By Nov. 9, the waves were strong enough to wash over the island, which prevented Gordon from mounting the exterior stairs of the lighthouse tower. He kept watch thereafter from the second storey window of the keeper’s house. By then, the spray from the waves was washing up over the two-sto rey house, higher than the roof. The entire northwest side of the house was ice-covered, rendering the windows useless for visibility.

“We hadn’t actually seen the Fitzgerald, because it had passed south of Isle Royale,” Eve remembers. “By the night of the 10th, when the ship was lost, we couldn’t see out our windows—the whole south side of the house was covered with ice.”

The Grahams were not prepared for the sight that awaited them when they were able to emerge safely from their house the next day.

“It was normal for storms to rearrange the beach, with rocks and driftwood, and stuff washed up. We often used to go beachcombing after a storm,” Eve says. “But that storm had changed everything! It even deposited a huge boulder right on the helipad, and the gas drums were all ripped away. We never saw hide nor hair of them again.”

Eve is emphatic that that experience was the most dramat ic of her 21 years in lighthouse keeping.

When the lighthouses were all automated in 1989, the Grahams moved to Thunder Bay, taking other employment. They deliberately chose to build their house on Lakeshore Drive, east of Thunder Bay, where they could still look out on the Lake.

“From the upper storey of the house, we could still see the light of Angus Island,” Eve says.—Peter Fergus-Moore

Spotting reindeer isn’t your only superpower.

Join in. Shine on.

Save the holiday for our North Shore neighbors in need. Sign up today or make an additional one-time contribution. We’ll match up to $3000 of pledges and donations to local food shelves.

northshorefcu.org/hungerheroes

Eve Graham with a photo of Trowbridge Island Lighthouse. | PETER FERGUS-MOORE

Points North

Wild Balsams are Santa’s Gift to Us

By Shawn Perich

Why do humans so often disrespect their non neighbors with whom they share the natural world? Although humans have existed on this planet for a significantly shorter length of time than most of the planet’s other inhabitants, we rarely take this fact of life into consideration. We consider our selves the dominant form of life across the environment. The destroyer of the environment is a more accurate description.

You don’t have to look hard to find plenty of evidence within the natural world of our disrespect of nature. Due to our activity, some have become extinct during humanities time here. Others have simply become out of balance with the natural world they have long inhabited. Humans, espe cially those who make decisions about the natural world, often discount or ignore the human role in the disruption of the natural order. When they do, often the human-based solutions they attempt increase the imbalance rather than correct it.

Consider the fate of the balsam fir, perhaps the sec ond most common tree species across the Northern Wilds. The balsam is disrespected by many forest and wildlife pro fessionals who are responsible for its management, even though it is a native species. Simply put, the balsam has al ways been common in the Lake Superior region. Its biggest problem is that it has a limited commercial value. When loggers came after other species, the balsams were left be hind. As a result, it filled gaps created by the disappearance of other tree species.

As the forests recovered from the initial and subsequent logging by pioneers and their descendants, some other tree species were far less common in the second growth forests. White pine and cedars are two species that come to mind. Others, including red pine and white spruce, thrive in an unnatural environment of tree plantations. The balsam, along with aspen and birch, came to dominate the regrow ing forests. All three were relatively short lived and thus fast growing. Together, they had value to the pulp industry, which produced newsprint and other paper products. They were also used to make particle boards used by the build ing industry. Even so, they were not considerable by valued commercial species, especially the lowly balsam.

Then the world changed. In a heartbeat of time, even less as measured by nature, the paper industry made a monu mental change. Newspapers were replaced by online prod ucts, diminishing a primary market from the common trees of our forests in a span of about 10 years. Paper mills across the Northern Wilds were forced to close. Most were disman tled and will never go back into business.

Some folks may look at the loss of the timber industry as a good thing, supposing that this will allow the forest to return to a more natural state where long growing species such as white pine and cedar can, over time, reclaim their roles in the forest. While none of us can predict the future, a return to the past is very unlikely. Not only are the native seed sources largely gone, but the conservation movement simply lacks the funding or desire to attempt the widespread

reformations of forest that will take centuries to complete. This is especially true in the face of climate change.

Also, the natural world is never static and forever in a state of change. Even without the disruption of the pioneer era, the old group forests of the past would have continued changing, although likely in different ways. Although many people rarely consider it, the only constant in the natural world is change. This returns us to the short-lived balsam. In the out of balanced forests of the modern Northern Wilds, balsams are trapped in an endless cycle of death and regrowth. The species is susceptible to an insect pest called the spruce budworm. As a balsam stand reaches maturity, the bud worm sweeps across vast forest areas, wiping out the majority of balsams and leaving behind a largely dead for est. Such places are susceptible to massive wildfires. While the burned areas recover and provide habitat for many na tive species, they also threaten man-made developments.

Of course, humans place a greater importance on their own works than they do on the natural environment. It is possible that the other species with which we share the Northern Wilds do not view balsams in the same manner that we do. Walk through the snow-covered winter forest and pay attention to where you see the evidence of other creatures. It seems as if everything from deer to chickadees find shelter and foods beneath and among the balsams. Temperatures are somewhat warmer within the shelter of the trees. The conifers also significantly reduce snow depth because the limbs prevent it from reaching the ground. While it may be hard to quantify the importance of balsam stands as winter cover, its role in the woods is obvious to any two-legged creature who pays attention to such things.

The same is true during the snow free months of the year. When the weather is hot, the massive moose may head into a balsam stand to find shade. Many forms of fungi grow there as well. Balsams along the course of a trout stream keep water temperatures cool during the hottest weeks of summer. In the fall, birds such as ruffed grouse often seek cover beneath balsams both to find cover and protection from birds of prey.

While the natural values of balsams may be largely ig nored by most people, there is one time of year when the tree is truly appreciated; nothing in the forest smells more like Christmas. For many years, folks went into the woods to find the perfect balsam Christmas tree. Usually, it is a young balsam of perfect shape that will fit into the corner of a room where it can be decorated with lights and bulbs to celebrate the season. Once in the house, the balsam scent will penetrate every room.

Unfortunately, many folks seem to have lost appreciation for the Christmas balsam. It’s now common to purchase ar tificial Christmas trees. Some folks who still celebrate with the real thing tend to buy their balsams in a parking lot. However, there are still those who venture into the woods to harvest their own trees. Our Christmas spirit rests in their hands. Merry Christmas to all!

Finding the perfect Christmas tree requires a walk through the autumn forest and a keen eye. | STOCK

Solar Co-op can make your Solar Dream a Reality

Agne Smith has been interested in sustain ability and the idea of solar power for quite some time. “I’ve always liked the idea that you can harvest the sun and use it for electricity— it’s amazing,” said Smith, a longtime resident of Grand Marais and a solar owner.

But with the cost and hassle, actually get ting solar panels installed on her home felt like a long shot. “It always seemed so expensive, I just didn’t know when I would be able to get to it,” she said.

Then, in 2020, that changed when she heard about the Solar United Neighbors (SUN) Du luth and Arrowhead Solar Co-op. SUN is a na tional nonprofit that helps people go solar and has completed over 350 solar co-ops helping over 7,500 people go solar. Locally, the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP), Minne sota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL), and One Roof Community Housing partnered with SUN to promote the solar co-op.

At a SUN solar co-op info session Smith learned the basics of solar technology, the eco nomics of solar, and how the solar co-op works to save members time and money.

“All of the sudden, it seemed doable,” said Smith. So, she joined the solar co-op.

Key to the process is that the solar co-op leverages group purchasing power to get the best price and service on solar installs. SUN solicits bids from solar installation compa nies in the area. A committee of solar co-op members reviews the bids and picks the best offer.

“Going through the process hundreds of times has allowed SUN to perfect the bidding process”, said Bobby King, Minnesota State Di rector for SUN. “Competitive bids from reputa ble installers saves solar co-op members time and money.”

For Smith’s solar co-op, the selection com mittee chose Wolf Track Energy of Duluth as the installer.

Smith sent Wolf Track information about her electricity usage and they created a proposal for rooftop solar for her home.

Smith purchased her home through a pro gram run by One Roof Community Housing that helps low and moderate income residents become homeowners. Because of that SUN

helped secure additional funding for her proj ect and One Roof staff worked closely with her to make sure it was financially viable. With the discounted group rate on panels and this ad ditional funding, she realized she could make it work. Smith signed the contract and a few months later, panels were being installed on her roof. Due to her roof size and household en ergy consumption, she ended up getting a 3.33 kWh system that includes nine panels (three on the upper roof, six on the lower roof).

These days, her energy costs are much lower and she sees electricity credits from her utili ty for her solar production on her monthly bill. For most months, solar covers about half of her bill. In the sunnier months, it’s a lot more. “Almost all of my August bill was covered by the sun,” Smith said. Her smaller bills are a re sult of using the solar power and the credit she receives from the utility company for the net electricity generated.

Similar to other Minnesotans with solar, her array is connected to the electric grid. When her panels produce power that her home isn’t using, it’s diverted to the grid and shared with neighbors. She’s paid by her utility for the pow er that’s sent back to the grid for use by others. This process is called “net metering.”

“When the sun is out and you are producing energy, the electricity you don’t use literally goes to your neighbors,” King said. “Net me tering encourages homeowners to go solar and recoup their investment in solar. It encourages distributed solar which is essential to a more sustainable and resilient electrical grid.”

Smith’s experience with the Duluth and Ar rowhead Solar Co-op demonstrates the reason the group exists in the first place; to make go ing solar easier and more affordable—and to make solar dreams a reality!

Even though the cost of solar has fallen dra matically in the last decade, it has still felt out of reach for many families. Not to mention that figuring out if your home is good for solar, how many panels you’ll need, what your electricity bill will look like after solar, how long it will take to pay off the system, and finding an installer who you trust can all feel like a giant headache.

Before joining the co-op, Smith had ques tions like, “How much is it going to cost? How am I going to get everything organized?” But joining the co-op gave her “all of the resources

and knowledge” she needed. She suggests that anyone interested in solar check out SUN’s so lar co-ops.

And with the passage of the Inflation Reduc tion Act (IRA) in August 2022, the federal solar investment tax credit was increased to 30 per cent and extended for another 10 years. This means that 30 percent of the cost of going solar can be used as a credit against federal income tax owed. The IRA also expands this incentive to entities that don’t pay federal income tax like schools, local governments, and churches

by offering a cash reimbursement. The IRA in cludes other clean energy incentives, like home battery storage and electric vehicle chargers.

The solar co-op helps folks get solar and solar helps lower electricity bills. But it does more than that. It lets people have agency over where their power comes from. It also supports the growing clean energy economy in Minnesota. And, it creates a more resilient electricity grid and generates energy locally.

Go solar with the solar co-op!

The Duluth and Arrowhead Solar Co-op is open to new members and is free to join. There is no obligation to go solar. Learn more and join online at: www.solarunitedneighbors.org/duluth

You can register for the solar co-op’s webinar on Dec. 6 or Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. by going to the ‘Events’ tab on the co-op webpage.

CCLEP is one of the local partners promoting renewable energy in Cook County. Learn more here: www.cookcountylocalenergy.org

Professional Photographer David R. Johnson

By Eric Weicht

David R. Johnson can’t remember the last time that he slept past 5 a.m.

“As a photographer,” says Johnson, “I have to be ready to go at all times, ready to get that shot.”

“I’m always looking for new places for landscape photos,” continues Johnson. “For my wildlife photography, I have different routes that I try to run daily. I go out in the early morning, usually before daylight, to get to a ‘hot’ area at the right time. I don’t miss much.”

For Johnson, getting “that shot”—a term he uses to describe his best work—is all about patience and persistence. No matter the day, no matter the weather, Johnson spends his time out adventuring in the “back-country” with his eyes open, his mind focused, and his camera close.

Johnson is a professional photographer who has lived on the North Shore his en tire life. Born in Duluth, Johnson moved to

Grand Marais with his family at the age of 6 and has lived there ever since. He is a fourth generation Cook County resident, and has no plans to leave anytime soon.

“The North Shore is just home,” says Johnson. “It’s where my grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins all live. [Cook County] is where my family’s home stead is, and it’s where I am able to explore the vast Northwoods.”

Johnson is self-taught in photography, and got his start at a young age by exper imenting with “an old Brownie camera.” Photography for Johnson started out as a hobby, but—after years of hard work and countless hours spent wandering around the woods—it has now “morphed” into a professional pursuit.

“I never figured to make a career out of photography,” says Johnson, “it just kind of morphed into one. One thing would lead into another, and now I don’t have a lot of spare time for much else.”

David with his partner of 20 years, Tina, who he lost this last January.

| DAVID JOHNSON

Johnson is a self-taught photographer. He got his start at a young age by experimenting with “an old Brownie camera.” | DAVID JOHNSON

In 2016, Johnson won first place in the “humor/people” category of Lake Superior Magazines photo contest with his photograph “White Sky Rock Fall Sunrise,” and in 2020 his work was on display at the Johnson Heri tage Post Art Gallery in an exhibition titled “Cook County Through My Eyes: Vol II.”

While most consider Johnson to be a nature photographer, his work is not limited to pictures taken during his time in what he describes as the “back-country.” His website is full of photographs that capture all aspects of life in Grand Marais; from rainbows to the northern lights above Elbow Lake, and from loons to lighthouses.

In addition to photos of birds, lynx, and the many wildlife encounters Johnson has accumulated over the years, he has a plethora of photographs in his galleries that were taken around town. There are shots of Drury Lane Books during a cold winter night, and photographs of passing ships in the Grand Marais Harbor. Under the cat egory HDR on the featured page of his website, there is a striking photo tak en of the Grand Marais State Bank on a crisp fall day. He even has a whole category devoted to the Fourth of July.

Johnson’s photos don’t just capture the natural beauty of the North Shore, they capture all of its beauty. His work provides viewers with a unique per spective of what life is like in a smalltown on the shores of Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake.

That being said, Johnson tries to spend as much time as he can in the woods, and is perhaps best known for his wildlife and natural landscape photography. Johnson considers his experiences photographing the triplet

moose calves, the white wolf pack, and bull moose battles during the rut to be among his most memorable moments as a photographer. That, and anytime he is fortunate enough to catch the Northern Lights dancing in the night sky, or a lightning strike during its brief flash in and out of existence.

When it comes to photographing wildlife, Johnson acknowledges that there is an element of luck involved in the process.

“[Getting] ‘that’ shot with wildlife,” says Johnson, “is mostly pure luck. You have to get out there and spend as much time looking as you can.”

“Wildlife photography is, in a lot of ways, a matter of being in the right place at the right time,” he continues. “One minute one way or another and you miss a shot—left only with tracks in the dirt or snow.”

For most of his career as a photog rapher, Johnson was empowered by his partner Tina and kept company by his trusted golden retriever, Gus. Today, however, Johnson explores the Northwoods alone, holding both Tina and Gus close to his heart in all that he does.

“I lost my partner of 20 years, Tina, last January,” says Johnson, “and it has been a tough time without her. She in spired me all the time and was a con stant source of encouragement.”

“My dog Gus,” continues Johnson, “went to the ‘happy hunting ground’ a couple of years ago, it’s been pretty lonely in the truck without him.”

Despite the adversity of having lost two of his best friends in life, Johnson continues to venture out on a near daily basis in search of his next great shot.

Scrolling down Johnson’s Face book page is like flipping through a real-time flipbook of life on the North Shore. He typically posts his best shots from his explorations a couple of times a week, giving the viewer a sense of what’s happening on the North Shore and a unique glimpse into life as David R. Johnson sees it.

Johnson’s work reflects what he finds important, whether that be a female white-winged Scoter in the Grand Marais Harbor or a particularly noteworthy sunset over the Sawtooth Mountains. His work reflects the plac es that, together, make up his home.

All of Johnson’s work can be found on his website (davidrjohnson.zen folio.com), where it is organized into categories such as Ice, Frost Land scapes and Night. There is a helpful video on ordering prints directly from his website under the Gallery page, and he is happy to work with people if they are looking for some thing specific. His 2023 calendar is also available on Etsy under the name DavidRJohnsonPhotos.

[FROM TOP RIGHT] Bohemian waxwing feeding its young.

| DAVID JOHNSON

When it comes to photographing wildlife, Johnson says there is an element of luck involved in the process. | DAVID JOHNSON Look closely—there’s actually six moose in this photo.

| DAVID JOHNSON

Johnson tries to spend as much time as he can in the woods. Shown here is a closeup of a lynx. | DAVID JOHNSON

David Johnson has lived on the North Shore his entire life. He is a fourth generation Cook County resident and has no plans to leave anytime soon. | DAVID JOHNSON

Ribbons and Bows

BY MICHELLE MILLER

Christmas trees, whether tall or stubby, live or plastic, are a staple of most holiday decorating traditions. What we find under the tree can be a favorite part of the season, as well. The colorful ribbons, unique gift tags and elegant paper are one of my favorite parts of the Christmas season. But it is not the receiving of the festive packages I enjoy the most, it’s knowing I did my best to select the perfect gift to give to those I care about.

The wrapping process is just as much fun for me as ac tually picking out the gift. I have my designated baskets of supplies, equipped with tape, stickers and writing utensils, which are only used in December. My stash of Christmas CDs are pulled out and the fireplace is lit as my annual cer emony begins. When I choose from the carefully gathered paper options or create a homemade tag, I personalize each package with the recipient in mind. I take inventory of the variety of boxes, bubble wrap and trinkets for embellish ments I have collected throughout the year. The finished product may give a hint of what is inside or it may be a clever disguise that will be a total surprise.

My mom was the master of wrapping to camouflage our presents when I was growing up. Of course, we never wit nessed her preparing the gifts but each day, the week be fore Christmas Eve, a new bounty would be discovered un der the tree. Even at a young age, I recognized the care and love each beautifully wrapped gift represented. It wasn’t until I was a mother myself that I understood the complete joy of sharing a piece of my love through the process of gift wrapping.

When my boys were teenagers, we lived through a house fire that destroyed just about everything. That Christmas, there was not many resources for presents or the additional bling I prided myself in providing. A few of the items that survived, however, were a variety of my boys’ favorite toys and keepsakes. Those treasures held court under our tree that year. No bows, fancy paper or gift tags—however the gratitude of being together made that year special. Maybe the tree really is the best part of holiday decorations. Or, perhaps, it is sharing the love of unwrapping what gifts we are able to provide for each other during the season.

A Christmas Journey

BY PETER FERGUS-MOORE

The phone and the doorbell rang at the same time. Won dering, I opened the door to see two sombre Nipigon On tario Provincial Police officers who had come bearing sad news: my mother-in-law, Helen, had passed away at her care home residence the night before. Upstairs, my wife Joyce had just received the same news by telephone from her sis ter. It was December 17, 1995.

Neither of us remembers much of the remainder of the day. Our 4-year-old daughter Emma was to be Mary at the Christmas pageant service at the church where my wife was the minister. Joyce and I sat numbly watching the pageant; a kind elderly woman held Joyce’s hand. Our family left to drive east a couple of hours later.

We had met and married in Sudbury, Ontario and to this city, a thousand kilometres away, we returned. We were a young family, facing a Christmas season intended to be cel ebratory, yet for us full of sorrow.

My mother-in-law was a remarkable woman. She had been part of a young family emigrating from Finland to North America in April, 1912—they narrowly missed be ing passengers on the Titanic. Helen’s redoubtable mother Emmi stressed to her young daughter (known as Rauha, or Peace, to her family) the importance of getting an education to succeed in life. Helen eventually became a teacher, mar ried, had children and later grandchildren, retired, and was widowed. She was interested in everything, and was present for the birth of our daughter Emma. Emma’s second name is Rae, her Grandmother Rauha’s nickname as a schoolgirl.

We settled in a hotel suite for almost two weeks, grieving, meeting with the minister, receiving condolences, and help ing plan the funeral service. We moved on automatic pilot from one day to the next.

One evening after we returned to the hotel from yet an other full day, we found a huge, bright, red poinsettia in our hotel room—a gift from two dear friends. We were stunned by its beauty. Christmas cards avalanched into our hotel room as the days progressed.

Shortly after Helen’s funeral, the Christmas Eve service of our home church in Sudbury happened a week to the day after we learned of her passing. Still numb and grieving from last goodbyes to Helen, we found the church service to be astonishingly healing and nurturing for us. Between

the lovely lights in the sanctuary and the Christmas liturgy with messages of hope for an injured, grieving world, along with the familiar music, we were held and uplifted even as we knew a deep absence in our lives. Many of the congre gation who remembered us embraced, greeted and sympa thized with us. We felt immersed in love.

We made the long drive home through the treacherous snows and winds of the northern Lake Superior highway, exhausted yet buoyed by the experience of so much caring in an unforgettable Christmas season.

My mother-in-law, Rauha Helen Fergus, at Joyce’s bedside after she gave birth to our daughter in 1991. | PETER FERGUS-MOORE

My mom Renee, known as the master of camouflage, and my sons. | MICHELLE MILLER

From a Downer to a Priceless One

BY ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

What’s my favourite memory from a past Christmas? Maybe it’s the last Christmas in Lowestoft, England before we immigrated to Canada. Or perhaps it’s once we were in Canada—memories of partici pating in Christmas celebrations during the 1950s in the local Estonian immigrant community, like singing carols with the Estonian children’s choir; folk-dancing traditional dances; Christmas plays (in Estonian); enjoying a banquet of food tables (includ ing open-face salted salmon on rye sandwiches); and later waiting for Santa Claus (Jõuluvana) to arrive with really cool presents for all the children.

But the one Christmas that stands out for me start ed out as a real downer. We had been settled in Lake head (today’s city of Thunder Bay) for about three years when sometime before Christmas my parents had the difficult task of telling me that this year there would be no gifts under the tree.

My father, a former chief engineer for years in the mer chant marine in England and Europe, had been laid off from his new job at Port Arthur ship yards until spring, and money was now tight. I was almost 8-years-old at the time and aware that it was my parents, not Santa Claus, who put the Christmas gifts under the tree. I remember think

ing that it was an ominous sign that we now didn’t have enough money to buy even a Christmas present. (Of course, as a young child, I didn’t realize how parents had to stretch money to en sure payment of household and family expenses, especially for im migrant/refugee families like we were.)

Now the good part: Christmas Eve rolled around, as did the usual time of opening our presents after a turkey dinner (a donated turkey from work). And then a great surprise— under the tree was a small present for me: a Little Golden Book! It was the best Christmas present ever—to me it was “priceless.” Maybe there really is a Santa Claus?!

My Favorite Christmas Tradition

BY ERIC WEICHT

My family takes Christmas very, very se riously. I’ve written about this in years past, but it bears mentioning again—my mom and her three brothers have never missed a Christmas together, not once in well over half a century, and it is expected that my sib lings and I follow suit.

Like so many other families, we cram De cember 24-25 with loads of traditions, fol lowing the same pattern of events year after year after year.

Recently, however, there has been a lot of change in our family, and all of that change has started to seep its way into our holiday traditions.

Newborns have become expected guests each Christmas Eve at the “kid’s” table, and cousins that used to be in bed before 8 p.m. are now the ones keeping everyone up laughing late into the night.

Marriages, too, have been mixing things up as of late. My sister, Patty, just got en gaged this past spring, and my own mar riage is a little over a year old. Both my wife and Patty’s fiancé have their own set of tra ditions, and I’m sure it won’t be long before their way of celebrating the holidays starts finding its way into our own.

Of course, change is not all growth. This will be the first Christmas Eve in my entire

life that I will spend without my “Auntie” Mo, longtime hostess of the annual Christ mas Eve get-together. Mo passed away this year from cancer and will be sorely missed by everyone this Christmas Eve, and every year after.

With all of this change pressing in from the outside, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about tradition. Specifically, what is my fa vorite Christmas tradition—what is the one tradition that I just can’t do without?

The first thing that comes to mind, natu rally, are the presents.

Presents are the best. The crisp feel of wrapping paper as it tears a part in your hand, peeling back from the mysterious sur prise underneath.

I love giving presents, too. Like giving a toast at a wedding, or writing a card on an anniversary, giving presents is an opportu nity to show the people you love that you care about them. Is there anything more satisfying then the “thank you” that comes after giving your brother the blow-dart gun that he didn’t even know he wanted?

Presents are great, but how could I do a Christmas without the eggnog? My dad makes the best eggnog, but only once a year on Christmas Eve for the party. He’ll fill up a fancy-looking crystal bowl with nog and

within minutes it will be gone, younger cousins nursing their third cup of the deli cious tradition as they run off to see what’s going on in the next room over.

What about the annual showing of It’s a Wonderful Life, though, and the freez er overflowing with Christmas cookies? The advent calendars, my mom’s egg bake and homemade cinnamon rolls Christmas morning, and the infamous gift exchange game on Christmas Eve?

All of these traditions are so good, so great, but they are not the best. The best tradition is the one that is always changing. The best tradition is family.

Christmas used to be perfect with just my mom, dad, brother and sister, but now it won’t be right without my wife Bailey and Patty’s fiancé Mark. Everyone together around the fire, discussing what board game we want to play next—that is what I’m look ing forward to most this Christmas.

It’s funny, tradition is all about keeping things the same, and yet more and more I’m starting to think that traditions are more about accepting change. I love Christmas, I love what it has been, and I can’t wait to see what it becomes.

Me with my parents Regina and Jüri Jürivee. | ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

Lana the Wheaton “terror”—another member of our growing family.

By Breana Johnson

Happy Holidays

The holidays are my favorite time of year. I love the twinkling lights and festive decorations, spending time with loved ones, making (and eating) sweet treats, and bringing joy to others. In honor of this magical season, I’ve complied some holiday artwork, some of which can be found at upcoming craft shows and sales.

Happy Holidays!

Hand

ornaments

11.

“Loitering at Bentleyville” is an oil painting by Matt Kania. He currently has new plein air oil paintings on display at Dunn Brothers Coffee in Duluth.

| MATT KANIA

This pen, ink and watercolor piece by Hannah Wren of Three Sisters Studio is titled “Dancing Around the Tree.” Wren will be at Julebyen. | HANNAH WREN

Mosaic tree ornaments by Bailey Aaland of Bailey Rae Mosaics.

| BAILEY AALAND

Mary MacDonald created this Scottish tartan wool scarf. She will also be at the Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Sale.

| MARY MACDONALD

This hand-stitched beaded and felt piece by Jo Wood is titled “Season of Wonder.” She will take part in the Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Sale on Dec. 3 in Grand Marais. | JO WOOD

Katy Attleson of Ebenezer Stone will also be at the Local Artists Market selling her jewelry. | KATY ATTLESON

printed

by Nan Onkka. See her work at the Local Artists Market at Superior Creamery in Grand Marais on Dec.

| NAN ONKKA

Forging a Creative Life

A

Conversation

with Duluth Artist Sam Nielsen

CREATIVE SPACE: By Rae Poynter

As many artists would attest, a creative life is one of continual growth and discov ery. Duluth artist Sam Nielsen has spent the last several years forging a creative path of her own. She started an art business that went from a passion project to a full-time endeavor, and through multiple mediums such as watercolor paintings, bookmarks, stickers, and enamel pins, she captures the beauty of Duluth, the North Shore and be yond.

Although Nielsen had a deep-seated love for creativity, she hadn’t initially envisioned herself becoming a full-time artist. She at tended college to study music education, but in her last year she began to wonder about switching tracks and pursuing a career in art. There was just one problem–she hadn’t taken an art class since middle school.

“I took a painting class in my last semes ter as a music ed major to test the waters before diving in and changing everything,” Nielsen said. “At that point it wasn’t even on my radar that I might be a full-time artist someday.”

Nielsen ended up graduating with a de gree in art education and planned to build a stable teaching career while painting on the side. She moved to Duluth to teach art at the high school level, but it was there that her own art career started to gain traction. Pri or to the move, Nielsen had started a 365day sketchbook project where she sketched every day for a year. As she shared this sketching journey online, she began to grow a following of people interested in her art. From there her business, Art by Sj Nielsen, was born.

Starting a creative business from scratch is no small endeavor, and the early years of Nielsen’s business were busy; she recalls many days when she would come straight home from teaching to work on her art business until it was time for bed. More and more people were finding out about her work, and during her second year of teach ing she reached a tipping point—she was beginning to get more orders and requests for commissions than she could handle. She could either keep teaching and start turning down new customers, or go full-time with her art. Nielsen chose her art, and the rest, she says, was history.

Every artist has a unique creative process, and Nielsen finds herself drawn to creating in collections. One of her sketches might lead to an idea for a collection of sketches, or a particular piece from a collection of paintings will become the inspiration for a new painting collection.

“The first few collections I did were North Shore scenery focused, sometimes using reference photos of my own or photos that people have shared with me,” she said. “But right now, I’m working on a collection of mini pieces. I stumbled across a mini paint palette online, and have been focusing on this extravaganza of mini sketches.”

As part of this mini painting collection, Nielsen travels with her mini sketchbook and pocket-sized paints and creates on the go. One of her social media posts from this fall shows her creating a mini watercolor from start to finish while on the Lutsen gon dola. Along with inspiration from her own travels along the North Shore, this mini collection is including paintings from plac es that Nielsen has never been. Her social media followers had the opportunity to sub mit reference photos from around the world for Nielsen to paint. Not only has this en abled Nielsen to travel from her desk, but it’s helped her community of followers become more involved in the creation process. Niel sen said another highlight of this collection is that the mini painting format has been a great fit for her life as a mother of two young children.

“It’s been so life-giving for me during this season since we just had our second child a few months ago, and right now my creative and business time is slipped into whatever spare moments I can find,” Nielsen said. “I think the mini piece is speaking to me so much because you don’t need quite as much time–it’s nice to actually complete some thing versus doing little bits of a bigger piece over the course of weeks.”

Nielsen said that the 100 mini paintings will only be available as originals. Along with her paintings, Nielsen also creates and sells stickers and enamel pins. One thing she’s intentional about is having a variety of different pieces at various price points, thereby making art accessible for people from all walks of life.

In addition to her art, Nielsen also made her debut as an author in 2018, penning a book entitled 5-Minute Watercolor: Su

Through multiple mediums such as watercolor paintings, bookmarks, stickers and enamel pins, Nielsen captures the beauty of the North Shore and beyond. | SAM NIELSEN

per-quick Techniques for Amazing Water color Painting. The book was published as part of a 5-minute art series. The publishing company had found her on Instagram and reached out to see if she’d be interested in writing the installment on watercolor. Niel sen agreed, and the book was eventually published by Firefly Books and is available online where books are sold.

Altogether, Nielsen said that her favorite part of the creative life she’s forged for her self has been the connections she’s made along the way.

“Being at art fairs has become one of my most favorite things because of getting to connect with people and hear their sto ries,” she said. “It’s so easy to be at your table painting away, but to hear how a piece has touched or impacted someone is so reward ing. It feels like something so much bigger than me.”

To find more of Sam Nielsen’s art, visit her website (artbysjnielsen.com) or find her on Instagram under: sj_nielsen.

Duluth artist Sam Nielsen.

| JANECANE PHOTOGRAPHY

BENTLEYVILLE

“TOUR OF LIGHTS”

Thru Dec. 26 Located in Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” invites guests to stroll under the glow of over 5 million lights, while enjoying compli mentary hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and roasted marshmallows. Kids can also vis it with Santa and Mrs. Claus (kids 10 and under will receive a knit winter hat). Bent leyville is free (though donations are appre ciated) and opens at 5 p.m. daily, includ ing all holidays; parking is $10 per vehicle. Guests are also encouraged to bring a non perishable 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. bentleyvil leusa.org

CP HOLIDAY TRAIN

Dec. 2, Friday The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train will return to the rails this season after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The train will again raise money, food and awareness for local food banks in communities along the CP network. On Friday, Dec. 2, the train will make multi ple stops in our area, starting with a stop in Marathon at 12:20 p.m., followed by Schreiber at 2:45 p.m. It will also stop in Nipigon at 5:30 p.m. and in Thunder Bay

at 8:30 p.m. Each stop will include a live performance by Tenille Townes and Aysa nabee. All train concerts are free, but it’s requested that you bring a food or mone tary donation to your local food bank/pan try, which will be on site taking collections. cpr.ca/holiday-train

a.m.-2 p.m., there will be tasty treats and refreshments, as well as knitting, weaving, spinning and needle felting demonstrations. A take-home craft kit will also be available.

NORTHWOODS FIBER GUILD HOLIDAY SALE

Dec. 3, Saturday The annual Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Sale will take place at the Grand Marais Art Colony’s Studio 21 (21 W. Hwy 61), featuring high quali ty, one-of-a-kind handmade clothing and unique holiday gifts for sale. Held from 9

JULEBYEN

Dec. 3-4 At the annual Julebyen Christmas Village festival in Knife River, you will find all things Scandinavian. There are indoor and outdoor marketplaces with foods and handmade gifts by local artisans, an inter national flag parade, sledding, a bean bag toss, live entertainment for the whole fam ily, food vendors, a children’s herring run, Thor’s hammer throw, a train ride to troll canyon (admission required), and more. Santa will also be in attendance both days, starting at 10 a.m. Julebyen will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. julebyen.us

The CP Holiday Train is back this year, stopping in Thunder Bay at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. | SUBMITTED

Stroll under the glow of over 5 million lights at Bentleyville in Duluth. | SUBMITTED

DULUTH WINTER VILLAGE

Dec. 3-4 Held outside along the lake at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center’s Harbor Drive, the Duluth Winter Village is free to attend and fun for the whole fam ily. This two-day festival brings more than 40 local businesses together to sell their unique, curated goods out of custom-built wooden cabins. In addition to shopping, visitors will enjoy food and beverages from local restaurants in a heated dining space, campfires by the lake, live animals, carolers, free skating inside at the DECC, and more. The event runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. duluthwintervillage.com

LIGHT UP A LIFE

Dec. 8, Thursday Sponsored by Care Part ners of Cook County, the annual Light Up a Life event offers community members the opportunity to celebrate the life of a loved one during the holiday season, while sup porting end of life care. Each $5 donation will light up one bulb in memory of one person on the memory tree, located by the Johnson Heritage Post in Grand Marais. The tree lighting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. Donation forms are available on line. carepartnersofcookcounty.org

DARK SKY FESTIVAL

Dec. 8-10 Organized by Visit Cook County, the Dark Sky Festival in Grand Marais re turns for its fifth year. This year’s activities include multiple presentations at various locations, the screening of a new documen tary and the exhibit opening of “Northern Nights, Starry Skies” at the Heritage Cen ter at Grand Portage National Monument,

a night sky walk and telescope viewing at Pincushion Mountain, a dark skies dinner at Justine’s at Gunflint Lodge, and more. Don’t miss the star party at 7:30 p.m. at Voyageur Brewing on Friday, Dec. 9, led by the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium team, and on Saturday, head to Studio 21 to build your own lunar lander with NASA, held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. A full schedule of events can be found online. visitcookcoun ty.com/events

ARROWHEAD ICE FISHING & WINTER SHOW

Dec. 9-11 Held at the Decc in Du luth, the Ar rowhead Ice Fishing and Winter Show features ac tivities for all ages, as well as sales on the lat est outdoor products and gear. Try your luck fishing at the frozen basin for priz es, attend panel discussions at the ice box, and save big with show-only pricing. Bring the kids to the sea lion splash with multiple daily performances showcasing the talents of these amazing animals—this is the only traveling, self-contained sea lion attraction in the U.S., fully licensed by NOAA Fish eries, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conserva

The Dark Sky Festival in Grand Marais will take place Dec. 8-10 this year.

| JACOB NEPRUD

tion Commission. Kids can also paint their own jig, courtesy of Master Bait & Hook. Tickets can be purchased on line for a discount, or at the door; ages 5 and under are free. arrowheadice show.com

HOLIDAY PARTY

Dec. 10, Saturday The Ely Folk School will host a free outdoors holiday par ty for the community from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. Held at Semers Park Beach on Shagawa Lake in Ely, there will be a bonfire, dog sled rides, Ojibwe snow snake demos, winter bowling, hot cocoa, glögg, snacks, and more. There will also be snow shoes provided by Piragis Northwoods Company. More information can be found online. elyfolkschool.org

SANTA SHUFFLE FUN RUN & ELF WALK

Dec. 10, Saturday The annual Santa Shuffle will be held at 10 a.m. at the Current River Recreation Centre in Thunder Bay. This fun, family-friend ly event consists of a 1km Elf Walk and a 5km Santa Shuffle Fun Run/ Walk. Prizes will be given to the top fundraisers in several categories, as well as to the most festively dressed individual, group of six, team of 10, and pet. There will also be door priz es, selected by drawing bib numbers. The door prizes are wrapped under a tree, so each prize is a surprise. After the races, participants can enjoy soup, buns, fruit and hot and cold drinks. Santa will also be in attendance and all participants will receive a Santa Shuf fle long-sleeved ugly sweater shirt as

part of their registration, as well as a participation medal. Registration can be done online in advance, or in-per son the morning of the event from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Rec Centre. san tashuffle.ca/thunder-bay

PARADE OF LIGHTS

Dec. 10, Saturday The annual Thun der Bay Police Association Parade of Lights is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Presented by Tbay tel, dozens of beautifully decorated trucks will line the streets in front of thousands of spectators. The parade will start at Manitoulin Transport on Main Street, to Harbour Expressway, and turn right onto Memorial Avenue to Queen Street. From there, it turns right onto Fort William Road and ends on Water Street—this section will be sensory-friendly with no music or horn honking. facebook.com/pa radeoflights.thunderbay

LOCAL ARTISTS MARKET

Dec. 11, Sunday Shop for your holiday gifts while enjoying ice cream. Held at Superior Creamery in Grand Marais, this one-day shopping event features six local women artists: Hannah Palma Ceramics, Nan Onkka Prints, Rebecca Barrett of The Wilder Woodshop, Em ily Wick of North Woven Goods, Katy Attleson of Ebenezer Stone, and Dee Closson of Up North Leather Craft. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Superior Creamery will have a limited menu of finger foods, ice cream and beverages. facebook.com/ thewilderwoodshop

BOREALIS CHORALE & ORCHESTRA: A GIFT OF MUSIC

Dec. 11-12 After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Borealis Chorale and Orchestra (BCO) is back, performing Dec. 11-12 at 7 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais. A Cook County tradition that began in the 1950s, this year’s con cert is a tribute to former directors William Beckstrand and B.J. Muus. The program, which features over 75 talented singers and musicians under the new director Karina Roth, will in clude Beckstrand’s compositions “The Musical Rose,” “People Look East,” “What Greeting This,” and more. Pieces by B.J. Muus will be “Come Thou Savior of Our Race” and “Come Unto Him.” There will also be other seasonal selections to round out the program. BCO concerts are free to at tend, but donations are appreciated. northshoremusicassociation.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY FROLIC

Dec. 31, Saturday Ring in the New Year and kick-off Fort William Histor ical Park’s 50th Anniversary with the New Year’s Eve Family Frolic in Thun der Bay. Held from 4-8 p.m., enjoy an evening filled with a variety of fun in door and outdoor activities, including forging demonstrations, candle mak ing, a glow room, and a cannon salute. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and youth; children ages 5 and under are free. fwhp.ca

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thru Dec. 3

Man of La Mancha Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

Thru Dec. 4

North House Folk School Exhibition: Living With Craft Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Festival of Trees Grand Ely Lodge, Ely, ely.org/events

Thru Dec. 5

Avigail Manneberg: Shared Bodies Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru Dec. 11

Robert Patrick: Currents Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, duluthartinstitute.org

Thru Dec. 18

Pepperkakebyen Gingerbread City Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

There Is a Woman in Every Color: Black Women in Art UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, tweed.d.umn.edu

Remembrance and Legacy of Neyaandagookwe, Karissa White Isaacs, PhD UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, tweed.d.umn.edu

Ojibwe Basketry: Permanent Collections UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, tweed.d.umn.edu

French Barbizon Works: Permanent Collection UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, tweed.d.umn.edu

Selections from Tweed’s Ceramic & Glass Collections UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, tweed.d.umn.edu

Thru Dec. 22

Winter Artist Market 11 a.m. Lyric Center Gallery, Virginia, lyriccenteronline.org

Thru Dec. 26

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

Thru Dec. 31

Holiday Art Underground 11 a.m. Besty Bowen Gallery & Studios, Grand Marais, woodcut.com

Shine Bright Ely Throughout Ely, ely.org/events Zoo Lights 5 p.m. Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, lszooduluth.org

Margaux Williamson: Interiors Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Shelley Niro: Bamaapii: See You Later Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Jaafar Alnabi & Ahmed Alshaikhli: Home of Memories: Portraits & Stories of Iraqi Minnesotans Duluth Art Institute, Duluth, duluthartinstitute.org

Nadya Kwandibens: The Red Chair Sessions

Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru Jan. 6, 2023

Group Art Exhibition 10 a.m. Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center, Duluth, aicho.org

Dec. 1, Thursday

Mall of AmericInn 3 p.m. AmericInn, Silver Bay, 218-226-4300

Author Anton Treuer 6 p.m. Grand Portage Community Center, 218-475-2503

Dec.

2, Friday

Sparks & Fire Winter Artisan Show 11 a.m. Sleeping Giant Brewery, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Meet the Makers: Jamey Ritter

1 p.m. Glensheen Mansion, glensheen.org Santa at the Hub Bazaar

1:30 p.m. The Hub Bazaar, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/thehubbazaar

Christmas Dinner & Dance 6 p.m. Slovak Legion, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

DSSO: Holiday Spectacular 7 p.m. (Casual Concert at 2 p.m.) Decc: Symphony Hall, Duluth, dsso.com

Dec. 8, Thursday

Light Up a Life: Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, carepartnersofcookcounty.org

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

North Shore Swing Band 6 p.m. North House Folk School: Blue Building, Grand Marais, facebook.com/northhouse

A Laura Velvet Christmas with Big Wave Dave & the Ripples 7 p.m. Pier B Resort, Duluth, pierbresort.com

CP Holiday Train 12:20 p.m. Curling Club Parking Lot, Marathon, cpr.ca/holiday-train



CP Holiday Train 2:45 p.m. Cenotaph, Schreiber, cpr.ca/holiday-train

Culture Crawl 5 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Music with Ginger Bones, Zack Baltich & Willow Waters 7 p.m. Northern Grounds, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

TBSO: Messiah 2/2 7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s United Church, tbso.ca

Dec. 8-9



A Christmas Story: The Musical 7 p.m. Mesabi Range Virginia Campus Theater, Virginia, lyriccenteronline.org

Dec. 8-10



CP Holiday Train 5:30 p.m. 60 Front Street, Nipigon, cpr.ca/holiday-train

Kids to the Front: All Ages Punk Rock Show 6 p.m. Port Arthur Branch 5, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/crockstbay

TBSO: Messiah 1/2 7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s United Church, tbso.ca

CP Holiday Train 8:30 p.m. CP Train Depot Track, Thunder Bay, cpr.ca/holiday-train

Dec. 2-3

West Thunder Christmas Craft Sale 5 p.m. (10 a.m. Sat.) West Thunder Community Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/ westthundercommunitycentre

Dec. 2-4

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com Dec. 2-18

Little Women: The Musical Duluth Playhouse, Duluth, duluthplayhouse.org Dec. 3, Saturday

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

Studio 17 Holiday Open House 9 a.m. Art Colony’s Studio 17, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.com

Holiday Craft Fair 10 a.m. Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, grandportage.com

Get It Local Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m.

Peace Church, Duluth, wendyupnorth.com

Winter Wonderland Fair 10 a.m. Chester Bowl Chalet, Duluth, facebook.com/getschickdone

Pots for Presents 11 a.m.

Grand Marais Art Colony: Founders Hall

Fierce Fall Festive Food Drive Christmas Drag Show 9 p.m. The Westfort, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Ugly Christmas Sweater Dance Party 10 p.m. The Foundry, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/foundrytbay Dec. 3-4

Julebyen 9 a.m. (10 a.m. Sun.) Knife River, julebyen.us Duluth Winter Village 10 a.m. Duluth Decc, duluthwintervillage.com Dec. 4, Sunday

Christmas Shopping Craft & Vendor Fair 10 a.m. Clyde Iron Works, Duluth, facebook.com/glitteratievents

Holiday Concert 2 p.m. A World of Accordions Museum, Superior, worldofaccordions.org

Dec. 6,

Tuesday

Historic Cook County Trivia Night 6 p.m. GunFlint Tavern, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Consortium Aurora Borealis: Angela Park in Concert 8 p.m. Trinity United Church, Thunder Bay, consortiumab.org Dec. 6-24

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com Dec. 7, Wednesday

Firefighters Serving Day in Support of Toys for Tots Noon, Boston Pizza, Thunder Bay, merciers@bostonpizza.com

Cabernets: Wine Tasting 6 p.m. Northern Grounds, Ely, ely.org/events

Dark Sky Festival Cook County, visitcookcounty.com/events

Dec.

9, Friday

The Roosters 8 p.m. Branch 5 Legion, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com Dec. 9-11



Arrowhead Ice Fishing & Winter Show 10 a.m. (Noon on Fri.) Duluth Decc, arrowheadiceshow.com

The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale 7 p.m. Duluth Decc, minnesotaballet.org

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Jr. 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com

Dec. 9-18

A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol Fitger’s Spirit of the North Theater, Duluth, boatclubrestaurant.com

Dec. 9-Jan. 1

Cook County Potters: Does It Pour? (Reception Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Dec. 10, Saturday

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

Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk 10 a.m. Current River Recreation Centre, Thunder Bay, santashuffle.ca/thunder-bay

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

Neighbor-Made Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m. Peace Church, Duluth, wendyupnorth.com

Wild Santa 5k Run/Walk 10 a.m. Wild State Cider, Duluth, facebook.com/duluthrunning Holiday Craft Sale 11 a.m. Moose Hall, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Annual Christmas Party 11 a.m.

The Hub Bazaar, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/thehubbazaar

Meet the Makers: Tony Dierckins 1 p.m. Glensheen Mansion, glensheen.org

The History of Santa 1 p.m. St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com Santa at the Hub Bazaar 1:30 p.m. The Hub Bazaar, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/thehubbazaar

Outdoors Holiday Party 2 p.m. Semers Park Beach on Shagawa Lake, Ely, elyfolkschool.org

Christmas Dinner & Dance 6 p.m. Slovak Legion, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Parade of Lights 7 p.m. Thunder Bay, facebook.com/paradeoflights.thunderbay

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

Girls to the Front II 8 p.m. Port Arthur Branch 5, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/ crockstbay

Dec. 10-11

Breakfast with Santa 9 a.m. Boat Club Restaurant, Duluth, boatclubrestaurant.com

Handcrafted Market 10 a.m. Burlington Station, Two Harbors, lovinlakecounty.com

Beer + Bots 5 p.m. Bent Paddle Brewing, Duluth, facebook.com/bentpaddlebrewing

Christmas LIVE 6:30 p.m. Italian Cultural Centre, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Dec.

16-18

A Christmas Story: The Musical 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Mesabi Range Virginia Campus Theater, Virginia, lyriccenteronline.org

Dec.

17, Saturday

The Great Hall Marketplace 10 a.m. The Depot, Duluth, experiencethedepot.org

Winter Market Noon, Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors, facebook.com/castledangerbrewery

Meet the Makers: Troy Hansen 1 p.m. Glensheen Mansion, glensheen.org Makers’ Market & Mixer 2 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

Christmas Dinner & Dance 6 p.m. Slovak Legion, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Culture Crawl 5 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Dec. 31,

Saturday

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve Family Frolic 4 p.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

NYE Bash with Glitterati 6 p.m. Duluth Decc, glitteratievents.com

New Year’s Gala with 21 Gun Fun 6 p.m. Slovak Legion, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

New Year’s Party with Whiskey Trail & Bo Allen 7 p.m. Pier B, Duluth, pierbresort.com

New Year’s Eve Celebration with Live Music 10 p.m. The Foundry, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/foundrytbay

WEEKLY EVENTS

Wednesdays

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

Open Mic Night 7 p.m.

Lakehead Beer Company, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/lakeheadbeer

Fridays

Thunder Bay Farmers Market (Thru Dec. 23)

9 a.m. North End Recreation Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/t.bay.farmersmarket

Saturdays

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

Makers Market (Thru Dec. 24)

11 a.m. Hoops Brewing, Duluth, facebook.com/hoopsbrewingco



Arrowhead Chorale: One Silent Night: Holiday Traditions & Jubilations 7:30 p.m.

(3 p.m. Sun.) The Depot: Great Hall, Duluth, arrowheadchorale.com

Dec. 11, Sunday

Local Artists Market 10 a.m.

Superior Creamery, Grand Marais, facebook.com/thewilderwoodshop



A Christmas Story: The Musical 2 p.m. Mesabi Range Virginia Campus Theater, Virginia, lyriccenteronline.org

Dec. 11-12

Borealis Chorale & Orchestra Concert: A Gift of Music 7 p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Grand Marais, northshoremusicassociation.com

Dec. 12, Monday

The Northern Lights Trail Is Going to the Dogs 4 p.m. Kamview Nordic Centre, Thunder Bay, tbnordictrails.com

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

Dec. 13, Tuesday

Cook County All School LGBTQIA+ Alliance Cook County Community Center’s Log Cabin, Grand Marais, dane.kufa@greatexpectationsschool.com

River Ally Appreciation Party 5 p.m. Zeitgeist Atrium, Duluth, stlouisriver.org



Barenaked Ladies: Hometown Holidays 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Dec.

14, Wednesday

Guided Community Tour of Autumn Exhibitions 2 p.m. Thunder Bay Art Gallery, visitthunderbay.com

Winter Red Wine: Wine Tasting 6 p.m. Northern Grounds, Ely, ely.org/events

Dec. 15,

Thursday

An Evening with George Winston 7:30 p.m. Decc: Symphony Hall, Duluth, decc.org

Dec. 16,

Friday

Cook County Snowmobile Club Kickoff Party with Northwood’s Band 5 p.m. Up Yonder (Harbor Light), Grand Marais, facebook.com/cookcountyridgeriders

A Hometown Holiday Concert 7 p.m. Vermilion Fine Arts Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org



Tuesdays



TBSO: Home For the Holidays 7 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbso.ca

Dec. 17-18

Breakfast with Santa 9 a.m. Boat Club Restaurant, Duluth, boatclubrestaurant.com

Dec. 18, Sunday

First Day of Chanukah/Hanukkah

Meet Santa at the Christmas Cookie Cabin 2 p.m. RJ Houle Information Center, Two Harbors, lovinlakecounty.com

Hotel California: The Original Eagles Tribute Band 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Dec. 20, Tuesday

Books & Brews Night 6 p.m. Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors, castledangerbrewery.com

Songwriting Circle 6 p.m. Ely Folk School, Ely, elyfolkschool.org

Dec. 21, Wednesday

Winter Solstice

Holiday Wines: Wine Tasting 6 p.m. Northern Grounds, Ely, ely.org/events

Dec. 24, Saturday Christmas Eve

Dec. 25, Sunday Christmas Day

Dec. 26, Monday

Boxing Day

Dec. 27, Tuesday

Historic Cook County Trivia Night 6 p.m. GunFlint Tavern, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Dec. 28, Wednesday

Bubbles: Wine Tasting 6 p.m. Northern Grounds, Ely, ely.org/events

Dec. 30, Friday

Falcons, Live! 10 a.m. Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center, Silver Bay, dnr.state.mn.us

Falcons, Live! 3 p.m. Gooseberry Falls State Park Visitor Center, Two Harbors, dnr.state.mn.us

Thunder Bay Farmers Market (Thru Dec. 20) 4:30 p.m. North End Recreation Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/t.bay. farmersmarket

Locals Night with Live Music 4:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

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

S U N S H I N E + L A K E S U P E R I O R = AWA R D - W I N N I N G C R A F T B E E R & F O O D !

Snowmobile from your front door

The North Shore Dish One Super Grocery Store

By Virginia George

The holidays mean different things to different people, but for me, I have always cherished the togetherness. For a long time, Christmas hasn’t been about gifts, but about the relationships that are nurtured and fed around the dinner table. When my hus band and I were first dating, we tried to hit every family Christmas event that year. If I remember correctly, we had four fami ly events in five days, some of them on the same day. I felt like I was always leaving one place to go to the next, and I hated it. I hated feeling like I couldn’t be present with the people I was with. That was the last year we tried to appease everyone, and now we have clear expectations of where we spend our time to ensure the opportunity to really enjoy our families.

Let’s be honest… what do we do over the holidays? We eat. It’s the time of year for all the special goodies, and the only time of year I make lefse and flatbread, honoring my husband’s Norwegian heritage. While I know plenty of people eat out during the holidays, a lot of us end up eating in, and in order to do that, we have to procure our groceries.

During this time of holiday reflection, where you may need to pick up a grocery or two, I want to highlight a Minnesota-based, family-owned grocery chain that prioritizes family, customer service, and respect for the communities in which they serve.

Humble Beginnings

In 1943, Tony and Ida Miner owned and operated a small tavern in Grand Rapids, Minn. There, they offered residents icecold beer, but noticed that customers left the tavern early to purchase bread and milk on their way home before the local grocers closed for the day. An entrepreneur at heart, the Miners added a milk cooler and bread to their little store, and the Super One sto ry began. Tony saw his customers’ need and found a way to meet it.

Thus, the foundation was laid for the Super One we see today, putting custom ers first, and working hard to stretch their customer’s dollar by working directly with manufacturers, and purchasing products directly to ship out of their distribution center, allowing them to drive down costs and remain competitive with larger mer chants, passing the savings on to their customers.

Today, Miner’s Inc. operates through out Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with 30 Super One Foods stores, one County Market, and Woodland Marketplace Foods, in addition to 11 liquor stores, Ace Hardware, a 200,000 square foot distribution center and trucking division. They are a family-owned company, employ ing 2,900 people, including third and fourth generation family members.

Giving Back

I reached out to Super One because I have experienced firsthand their dedica tion to the communities in which they op erate. They donate significant resources to Grandma’s Marathon every year, and open up their lanes to local youth activities to bag groceries as a means of fundraising. When I asked them why community involvement is so important to them, they said:

“It is important to show the local com munities how our company gives back by

providing both time and financial support. One of our core values is the gold en rule, ‘treat others as you would like to be treat ed.’ This core value rein forces the importance of serving others with excel lence and being empathetic to the needs of others. We support organizations that have the ability to assist people that are troubled with the same challenges. Some examples of organi zations that we support are the Second Harvest North ern Lakes Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Chum, local area food shelves, and Safe Haven. In addition, we provide assistance to various youth and sports programs within all the markets we serve.”

“We are proud to be involved in the com munities we serve on big and small levels. From corporate sponsorships of major events such as Grandma’s Marathon to be ing a part of smaller events such as activities and sports at local schools or supporting neighborhood clubs and organizations, Su per One is proud to give back and stay in volved in our local communities.”

Super One is invested in their commu nity. During the height of the pandemic, as supply chain issues reigned, they strove to source products, keep up with demand, and keep shelves stocked. If items became unavailable, they sought to source similar products to meet the community’s needs. Further, Super One recognized their em ployees as front-line heroes, and provided

all hourly employees a $2.00 per hour ap preciation pay for six months. During a time of stress and uncertainty, Miners Inc. and Super One provided stability for customers and employees alike, giving them access to food and basic supplies, and access to work ing wages.

When I asked Super One what their val ues are, they replied, “At Super One, we strive to offer our customers low prices and better choices throughout all of our store lo cations. We also value offering the freshest and highest quality products. Whether it’s meat, produce, bakery or deli, our goal is that only the freshest and the best make it to our customer’s tables.”

Low prices. Better choices.

For my family, a lot of relationship build ing happens around the table. We try to have family dinner most nights, which is be coming increasingly difficult as teenagers’ schedules increase, but I cherish the time we spend around the dinner table, catching up, and hearing about each other’s day.

I also cherish family holidays. I set the table with my mother’s china, which she began collecting when she was just 16. I’m not a fancy tablescape kind of gal, but there’s something about the big pine table with the extra leaf put in, my mom’s china with the gravy boat attached to the plate, and a home cooked holiday meal that is warm and com forting. It’s also comforting to know that the food I buy to put into that home cooked meal is carefully chosen and the business getting my money is investing in the community in which I live, and in causes I care about. Thanks Super One, you’re one super store.

Happy Holidays!

Super One’s 40th anniversary photo. | SUBMITTED

A Holiday Dessert

Chocolate Yule Log FROM ALLRECIPES.COM.

INGREDIENTS

Buttercream Filling ƒ 1 2/3 cups powdered sugar ƒ 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room tem perature ƒ 2 tablespoons coffee-flavored liqueur ƒ 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder ƒ 1 pinch salt ƒ 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese

Sponge Cake

ƒ

2 tablespoons melted butter ƒ 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ƒ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ƒ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

ƒ 5 large eggs, at room temperature ƒ 2/3 cup white sugar

ƒ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

ƒ 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, or as needed

Ganache Frosting

ƒ 1 cup heavy cream, boiling-hot ƒ 1 (8 ounce) package dark chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Make the buttercream filling: Whip pow dered sugar, butter, coffee-flavored liqueur, cocoa powder and salt together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk at tachment on high speed.

Transfer filling mixture to a separate bowl and add mascarpone cheese. Mix until com bined; set aside. Clean and dry the stand mixer bowl.

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

Prepare a 13x18-inch rimmed sheet pan for the sponge cake: Brush a little melted butter over the sheet pan, then line the pan with parchment paper and brush remaining melted butter on top.

Whisk cocoa powder, flour and salt to gether in a bowl, making sure to break up any clumps.

Place eggs in the clean bowl of your stand mixer. Add sugar and whip with the whisk attachment until fluffy, thick and very light in color, 2-3 minutes. Add vanilla and half of the cocoa powder mixture; mix on low speed for a few seconds. Add the remaining cocoa mixture and mix on low for a few seconds. Switch to high speed and mix until the mix ture is moistened but not fully blended. Pull off the whisk attachment and use it to whisk the batter by hand until evenly blended.

Pour batter onto the prepared sheet pan and spread out with a spatula, almost to the edges, but not quite. Tap the pan on the counter several times to remove any large air bubbles.

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides, 8-10 minutes.

While the cake is baking, sift powdered sugar onto a clean kitchen towel to cover an area slightly larger than the sponge cake.

Remove cake from the oven. Run a knife around the edges of the pan. Dust some powdered sugar over the top. Run a spatula under the parchment paper to make sure it’s not stuck to the pan.

Quickly flip the pan on top of the sugared area on the towel to invert the cake. Care fully remove the parchment paper, then sift more powdered sugar over the cake. Gently roll the cake up inside the towel; allow to cool for 15 minutes.

Carefully unroll the cooled cake. Dollop as much buttercream filling as you like on top, reserving some for later; spread to the edges. Roll cake up over the filling, using the towel to lift it if needed. Sprinkle more pow dered sugar on top over the log, then wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Make the ganache frosting: Pour hot cream over chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for 1 minute, then whisk until chocolate is melted.

Make an angled cut 3 inches from one end of the log. Place log on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Apply some filling to the angled slice and attach it to one side of the log. Spread a layer of ganache all over the cake, except for the swirls on the ends. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up the ganache.

Use the tip of a knife to carve lines into the ganache to create the appearance of tree bark. Refrigerate until completely chilled.

Dust with cocoa powder and powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!

Car Seat Safety

By Hartley Newell-Acero

In the U.S., the leading cause of death for children ages 3-14 is motor vehicle crash es. The right car seat, used in the right way, greatly increases your child’s chance of sur viving a car crash, but frighteningly, almost half of all car seats are installed incorrectly.

Some car seats are held down using the seat belts, while some are held in place by a LATCH. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. As long as they are used correctly, both LATCH systems and locked seat belts are equally safe, so use whichever one works best for your particu lar combination of seat and vehicle.

In general, the back seat is the safest place to ride for children younger than 13, and the safest section of the back seat is in the middle. Most crashes are front impact, and the back seat keeps children away from both the impact zone and from airbags that are designed to protect adults. However, if you get a better installation in the sides of the back seat, choose that. It’s more important that the car seat is installed correctly than it is to be in the middle of the back seat.

Winter car seat tips

Cold weather makes getting everyone situ ated in their car seats extra challenging. Here are tips for when the temperature drops:

1. Don’t buckle over bulky winter clothing. In a crash, puffy coats and snowsuits im mediately flatten out from the force of the impact, leaving the straps too loose. Instead, dress your child in thinner, more fitted, layers, and then cover them with a blanket or jacket over the harness.

2. Make sure the harness is snug. If you can pinch the strap, then it needs to be tightened.

3. If possible, store car seats in the house. This keeps them warmer, and they won’t zap body heat when kids get buckled in.

After a crash

Car seats don’t automatically have to be replaced after a minor crash. A crash is a minor one if ALL the following apply:

• The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site.

• The vehicle door nearest the car seat was not damaged.

• None of the passengers in the vehicle sustained any injuries in the crash.

• If the vehicle has airbags, the airbags did not deploy during the crash; and

• There is no visible damage to the car seat.

• If it’s been in a moderate to severe crash, it’s time for a new seat, even if it appears to be fine.

What to know before you buy a car seat

1. Know your child: Keep track of their height and weight. This information, along with their age, influences when it’s time to go up to the next size car seat. This is also impacted by behavioral and/ or health issues.

2. Know your store: Some will let you “try before you buy.” This is important, be cause not every car seat is a good match for all cars. Cushion angle or seat belt placement can make some seats incom patible. Always make sure the store will accept returns, in case the fit is wrong.

3. Know your car: In your car’s owner’s manual, find the section on child safety

seats. Read it to familiarize yourself with its specific information on seat belts, LATCH, and seats.

Remember—car seats expire! They have tough lives: they’re made from plastics that degrade when exposed to extremes in tem perature and sunshine. They get stuff spilled on them. They get banged around. Some seats will have an expiration date printed on them, but sometimes you’ll have to check

the car seat manual and then do the math for yourself. Visit consumerreports.org to walk through an interactive decision tree that will help you determine if you can reuse a car seat or not.

This is a condensed version of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s “Topic of the Month” newsletter. To read and access source links, listen, or subscribe, visit: sawtoothmountain clinic.org.

Northern Trails

All About Winter Jigging Spoons

By Gord Ellis

If you are like me, picking your first lure to start fishing with requires some thought. Sure, there are always the obvious go-to choices—fishing with a sense of confidence is important. Yet, even picking the starting lure among a small group of choices can be a struggle. This was the exact situation facing this writer last January, as I cracked open my jigging spoon box for the first time. Would it be the Swedish Pimple, a long-time winter staple and a family favourite? Or perhaps the half-ounce Hopkins Smoothie, a simple and deadly spoon that had proven itself more than a few times. Then there was the Williams Ice Jigging spoon, with those extra hooks fixed into the side.

There were more choices yet, but the Wil liams caught my eyes as it had red tape on its silver side. So, I clipped the 4-inch spoon on the line and dropped it into the hole. The spoon fluttered down slowly and was visible on the multi-coloured Humminbird sonar unit that was tracking its descent. When the spoon touched bottom, I reeled up a bit of line until it suspended just above bottom.

After about a half dozen lift and drops, a red mark appeared on the sonar unit near the dancing spoon. This mark was made by a fish that had been attracted to the pulse of the lure. Before I completed the next lift, the rod registered a strike and immediately there was weight on the line. It was an excit ing start to the ice fishing season. The result was a 7-pound laker with the spoon firmly planted in its nose. The Williams Jigging Spoon got the win, at least that day.

The jigging spoon name covers a wide va riety of lure types, but they all are worked with a vertical lift and drop presentation. Some jigging spoons are little more than chunks of metal with a hook, while others are more elaborate, with pronounced cur vature, multiple hooks and even built-in rattles. The jigging spoon presentation will catch nearly every type of fish in the win ter. You can use tiny spoons to catch perch and panfish; one quarter ounce spoons for small trout and whitefish; and spoons of an ounce or more for lake trout and pike. I’ve even caught suckers and burbot (eelpout) on jigged spoons. The fish attraction of a jigged spoon crosses all species lines.

Picking Spoons

A few of my favourite jigging spoons have already been named earlier in this piece and

you can’t go wrong with any of those. Yet there are other spoons that deserve to be named including the Krocodile, Crippled Herring, Northland Buckshot Rattle, the Rattle Snakie, Laker Taker and Al’s Gold fish Ice Spoon, to name just a few winter favourites. Some traditional casting spoons for trout also can be jigged. The Little Cleo is one that comes to mind. The Cleo is a wide

wobbling spoon and falls very erratically when jigged. Yet, brook trout and splake love the jigged Little Cleo—it is my fellow outdoor writer and friend James Smedley’s favourite winter trout spoon. That knowl edge alone should be enough to make the Cleo worth trying this winter.

As for spoon colour, a silver finish is the go-to in most situations. Most baitfish have silver sides and herring and smelt are bright and shiny. That said, where perch or insects are a primary forage, a brass finished spoon can be deadly. Don’t be afraid to mix it up. Some colour on a spoon can also add fish appeal to a spoon. Fire tiger is a great colour for brook trout and splake. Red, fluorescent green and purple tape is a common addition to spoons.

The addition of glow paint or glow tape to a spoon is one of my favourite tricks. Why glow works is something only fish know, but it can make a huge difference. I especially love a touch of glow when jigging spoons for walleye, perch, lake trout and steelhead. Glow spoons and paints often need to get a blast of light to be properly lit up. In the old days, we would use a camera flash. Today, you can use the flashlight on your phone or a small LED light.

Another good trick when using jigging spoons is to use coloured hooks. I’ll often replace the stock treble hook on a spoon with a Gamakatsu or another super sharp red hook. This extra flash of colour on the

spoon hook does seem to increase hook ups. There are also glow and green hooks that are worth considering. Always make sure that whatever hook you use is extra sharp. Don’t be afraid to replace a bad hook.

Other Jigging Spoon Tips

Attach your jigging spoon with a simple metal clasp. This will allow you to change spoons easily and quickly. When jigging a spoon, there will be some line twist if you don’t use an inline swivel. A small barrel swivel attached about 18 inches above the lure will reduce line twist to almost noth ing. I prefer to jig with braided line, but it can collect ice, which can be a pain. If you use braid, consider using a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader of a similar—or slight ly less—breaking strength. That will give your hookset a slight cushion thanks to the stretch of the nylon or fluoro.

Another option for jigging spoons is to sweeten the hook with bait or plastic. A minnow head or tail on the hook can add some scent and bulk. For trout, a piece of nightcrawler draped on the treble adds scent and a little extra wiggle. A plastic scented egg or small twister is an easy add if you don’t want to mess with bait in the cold.

Jigging spoons should be part of any ice angler’s repertoire. They are easy and effec tive when fishing under the ice. Plus, jigging can help keep you warm. Good luck.

Devin Ellis plays a laker as Gord Ellis Senior and Chanelle Boucher look on. | GORD ELLIS

Lake trout that hit a Swedish Pimple.

| GORD ELLIS

SAWTOOTH RACING DOG BLOG

BY ERIN ALTEMUS

The Best Time of Year

I find myself in recent years, peering at my life from afar–chopping blocks of meat for the dogs, huddled over the steering wheel of the ATV, rain pelting my face, mud-encrusted from head to toe. What a strange existence, riding around on an ATV for miles and hours with nothing more to think about than life’s hills and valleys.

Before this life as a dog musher who spends countless hours in grimy clothes, hefting around buckets of kib ble and later dog poop, chasing pup pies and scratching dog necks, there were other lives–a waitress at a sushi bar, a folk singer with coffee house gigs, a vegetable farmer, an MFA stu dent and then teacher of writing. I’ve had a lot of jobs–medical office clean er, editor, sea kayak tour guide, and bartender. I’ve babysat, milked cows, and even done cement work on a Bud dhist monk’s barn foundation. I have been a lifeguard and a camp coun selor. None of these jobs includes the three positions I hold now: musher, mother and nurse.

I have a habit of jumping into things. Never one to start with an internship, I have simply learned by “training on the job.” Of course, becoming a nurse did necessitate some schooling and a few tests first. Becoming a musher ne cessitates nothing more than acquir ing dogs, harnesses and gangline and figuring out how to make the dogs go forward. Lucky for us, the dogs almost always go forward on their own. These days we usually have the forward part under control, but how to get them to go forward just a little faster is the question burning in our competitive minds.

Today, as I write this on Novem ber 14, a snowstorm has descended upon us. I sit in scrubs contemplating the work ahead of grooming trails, packing all this snow into something hard enough to support dog paws and sled runners. I dare to say out loud to my fellow nurses that perhaps we are getting too much. They just look at me like maybe there is something very wrong here. This is a musher talking?

Winter is long in Cook County. We move snow until there is nowhere left to put it, but we have to keep finding places. Add this to my list of past and current professions–snow mover. Six months of ice and snow start now. School is cancelled for Tuesday. Kids all over the county rejoice in their fortune. Tomorrow the social media

feeds will be ripe with photos of our accumulation.

Race rosters are filling up. The Beargrease has 20 mushers signed up to run the marathon and even more for the mid-distance. The Mail Run up the Gunflint Trail has a good roster of teams in both the 12-dog and 8-dog classes. My husband Matt will run the Beargrease Marathon this year and we will both run teams in the Mail Run. I plan to have another try at the UP200 in mid-February.

Currently we have a deeper pool of experienced dogs than we have had in a really long time, maybe ever. Hope fully we can keep them all trained up

to the mileage required to run the lon ger races.

Two days from now, after the snow fall stops, the trail is groomed, and we have set up the sleds, I am going to find myself in a quiet woods, no hum of the ATV motor, just the swish of dog paws on snow. The various lives I have lived, jobs I have worked, experiences that have made me will be with me behind that team of dogs. The dogs and I will be running in the moment, ducking under snow filled tree branches, find ing our footing, following the path ahead. Another winter is upon us. It is the very best time of year. We can hardly wait.

NOW HIRING CNAs

Cer tified Nur se Assistan t Start your Career at North Shore Health!

Do you have a passion for helping others?

The Care Center at North Shore Health is a wonderful place to start your health care career as a CNA. We offer an OnTrack online program with a hybrid flexible schedule. Come here to develop your skills and clinical experience. We will pay for your course (if you agree to work here). Your certification exam can be done from this facility. You can use a computer in our training room, or in the nearby Higher Education building. Plus, you can start working as a paid student during your training! There is a Sign On bonus available as well, based on working a specific number of hours. For those with continuing education interests, we can help you with scholarship opportunities! If you are on the fence about going back to work or coming out of retirement, this is a great opportunity to work occasional shifts, or full time if you prefer. We would be happy to answer your questions.

Community Access to Compassionate Care

Fill out an application and view the complete posting at: http://www.northshorehealthgm.org

Keith is ready to go. | ERIN ALTEMUS

Gidaanikeshkaagonaanig Gidaanikoobijiganinaan Following the Ancestor’s Steps

Jidmoonh Chipmunk

By: Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik

With the agoon (snow), I realized that my favorite backyard buddies will be gone until the ziigwan (spring). All ziigwan (spring) and niibin (summer), these adorable mii (little) manidog (spirits) stayed with me in the yard, ganawaabange (watching me), scampering along the gar den, apabi (sitting) on the deck, and following me around. Even when I’m out hiking, they seem to find me and scamper along.

This is my first time painting a jidmoonh (chipmunk). I love their presence in my life—they are such wonderfully fun manidog (spirits). I added one mitig (tree) for each season they visit me.

Follow my studio on Facebook and Instagram @CraneSuperior or if you have ideas for a North Shore painting, cranesuperiorstudio@gmail.com.

WHITEFACE RESERVOIR

BY JOE SHEAD

WHY GO: Whiteface Reservoir lies in a scenic setting and is only moderately devel oped. The lake offers good fishing for wall eyes, bluegills and crappies. It also has a nice campground.

ACCESS: The lake has two notable boat ramps. That U.S. Forest Service camp ground has a concrete slab ramp with park ing for 11 trailers, two docks and a restroom. To reach it from Biwabik, head south on County Road 4 for 13 miles, then head east on County Road 16 for 6.5 miles. Proceed south on County Road 618 for 3 miles to the campground. Minnesota Power owns a con crete ramp on the south end of the lake with parking for three trailers, but no dock or restrooms. From Duluth, proceed north on County Highway 4 (Rice Lake Road)/Rudy Perpich Memorial Drive/Vermilion Trail for 40 miles. Turn right onto County Road 265 (Blais Road) for 1.3 miles to the landing.

VITALS: Whiteface Reservoir covers 4,567 acres at full pool and has a maximum depth of 35 feet. The lake has two dams: on Whiteface River and Skunk Creek. The reservoir was created in 1923 by Minnesota Power to produce hydroelectric power. The lake boasts a 52-site National Forest camp ground (32 with electricity) with five picnic sites, 2.5 miles of hiking trails, a playground

and a sandy beach. There are a few primitive remote campsites as well. Although the for est was logged prior to impoundment, you’ll still find stumps, reefs and other unmarked navigational hazards, so proceed with cau tion. At full pool, the lake is 35 feet deep. Prior to 1995, drawdowns as much as 14 feet occurred. However, today, winter draw downs are no more than 5 feet, which has increased aquatic vegetation and benefitted species such as bluegills and black crappies. Because of the winter drawdowns, ice fish ing pressure is very light.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Walleye, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch and northern pike.

WALLEYE: “We’ve got a really healthy (walleye) fishery and most anglers are pret ty satisfied,” said Dan Wilfond, Duluth area fisheries specialist. Wilfond said a recent creel survey found most anglers harvesting walleyes in the 13- to 16-inch range, with some larger ones taken as well. He said the lake is known for consistent natural repro duction, although the walleye growth rate is slow. Anglers will find plenty of good wall eye structure, including wood, reefs and points.

BLUEGILL: Bluegills have become a draw for area panfish anglers. “We’re seeing some really nice ’gills and we’re hearing about a lot

of pressure on black crappies,” Wilfond said. In fact, a 2021 targeted panfish survey found the av erage bluegill size at 8.2 inches, with the largest measuring 9.7 inches, although to be fair, that sur vey was conducted during the spawn ing season when adult bluegills were up shallow. In or der to protect those quality fish, recently a five-fish daily bag limit on sunfish was imposed.

BLACK CRAP PIE: Crappie fish ing is likewise good on Whiteface, with 10-inch fish fairly common and 12-inchers available. Like bluegills, crappies now have a five-fish daily bag limit as well.

YELLOW PERCH: DNR surveys don’t show large numbers of perch in the root beer-colored reservoir, but the size quality is there. You’ll find perch in excess of 10 inch

es here, and Wilfond said the latest survey produced a perch of more than 13 inches.

NORTHERN PIKE: Northern pike fish ing isn’t overly productive. Pike are present in low numbers, with most fish measuring around 20 inches. View all our Fishing Hole Maps at: northernwilds.com/fishingholemaps

Shipwrecked Vessels Meet Doom on the North Shore

By Ronald Wright R. W. Publishing,

2013, $15

The book takes in 72 years of shipwrecks (1875 to 1947) on Lake Superior’s North Shore and Isle Royale, with a focus on 45 known shipwrecks that “remain beneath the surface of Lake Superior.” Written in a story-telling style, Thunder Bay-based author Ronald Wright in cludes both the famous shipwrecks like the Al goma (1888), Gunilda (1911), Kamloops (1927) and Emperor (1928), and the lesser-known ones including Nettie (1887), Kakabeka (1895), Golspie (1906), Neebing (1937) and a name less ‘mystery’ schooner with its lost mariners still not identified. Some stories have person al shipwreck recollections of the captains and crew members in their own words, drawing from historic news and official reports as well as personal conversations. Shipwrecked is available at Wally’s Thunder Country Diving and the Lakehead Transportation Museum in Thunder Bay.—Elle Andra-Warner

The Sugar Thief

A Novel

By Nancy Mauro

Random House Canada, 2022, $16.95

A legendary pastry called the “Persian,” the secret recipe for its famous pink frosting and the city of Thunder Bay—the world’s only know place to buy a ‘Persian’—all play key roles in The Sugar Thief, written by former Thunder Bay resident Nancy Mauro. A family get-together in Thunder Bay after the pass ing of the patriarch—who owned the locked briefcase that held the famous recipe—turns into a tension-filled time resulting in dramat ic events. This is a page-turner of a book with many layers, from flashbacks to homeland It aly and a daughter’s YouTube fame to buried family secrets, deadly confrontations, hidden pasts and unexpected story twists. With much of the story anchored in Thunder Bay, there’s plenty of references to local lore, bakeries, people, events and Italian-Canadian immi grant tales.—Elle Andra-Warner

Duluth’s Grand Old Architecture 1870-1940

Buildings, Houses, Bridges, Landmarks

By Tony Dierckins and Maryanne C. Norton

Zenith City Press, 2022, $60

Tony Dierckins and the late Maryanne C. Norton have worked on many projects together, but this one is their largest yet. Coming in at 336 pages, this beautifully writ ten, oversized coffee table book includes over 425 historic photo graphs and sketches, while telling the stories of more than 300 existing and lost struc tures in Duluth. The book covers everything from synagogues and churches, hospitals and charitable institutes, and government buildings, to schools and colleges, houses and town houses, industrial facilities, and more. With short chapters and fascinating information, this book is a celebration of Duluth’s rich history that everyone will enjoy.—Breana Johnson

NORTHERN SKY

DECEMBER 2022

By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH

On the night of December 7-8, Earth fi nally catches up to Mars in the orbital race. Mars will then be opposite the sun in the sky and so up all night—not to mention glo riously bright.

But despite this being its big night, Mars gets upstaged by December’s full moon. On the evening of the 7th, the moon occults— that is, passes in front of—Mars. The exact time of Mars’ disappearance varies with location, but it will happen near 9 p.m. To watch this spectacle, grab your binoculars, get outside early, and keep an eye on the moon as it closes in on Mars. The red planet will reappear on the other side of the moon approximately an hour after disappearing.

Saturn is edging toward the western hori zon, with brilliant Jupiter not far behind. A waxing moon visits Saturn on the 26th, Ju piter the 28th and 29th.

Mercury and Venus pop up into the sun set glow in mid-month. However, Mercury may be lost in the glare and Venus could be hard to find until late in the month. The best

day to look is the 24th, when a young cres cent moon shines to the left of the planets. Mercury soon falls out of the sky, but Ve nus remains an “evening star” well into next summer.

The bright winter stars and constella tions will be assembled in the east by about 10 p.m. on the 1st, then earlier each night. Mars sails high above Betelgeuse, the gigan tic red star at Orion’s right shoulder. See if you can make out the reddish colors of these two beacons. Compare them to the brilliant white of Sirius, the lowest of the iconic win ter stars.

The winter solstice arrives at 3:48 p.m. on the 21st. At that moment the sun reaches a point above the Tropic of Capricorn and be gins its journey back north.

The University of Minnesota’s public view ings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses have been curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For more informa tion, visit: d.umn.edu/planet

Strange Tales

Breaking Tradition with Christmas “Away”

By Elle AndraWarner

Years ago, a colleague told me they made a point of going away each Christmas to avoid the stress and dynamics of Christ mas, and had never regretted their choic es. On the other hand, I had always looked forward to celebrating Christmas at home with family and friends. But 20 years ago, we broke tradition and had our first Christ mas ‘away.’

At the time, all three of our daughters were living out west—two daughters in British Columbia (BC) attending universi ty in Victoria and Vancouver, and the third teaching university in Calgary, Alberta. So, we booked our first family away Christmas on BC’s Vancouver Island at the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria.

Built in 1908 and located downtown on the Inner Harbour, the Empress was a perfect place to be during Christmas as the whole area was lit up with thousands of lights. The magic of the holiday season continued inside the hotel, where at the en trance a large decorated tree greeted guests from all over the world. On the second floor, there was a dazzling forest of more than 75 beautifully-decorated trees.

On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed an excel lent buffet in the fancy ballroom and on Christmas Day morning, we were pleas antly surprised to hear carollers singing holiday music along the halls. And they left a Christmas stocking filled with good ies hanging on the doorknob of each room. Our first ever Christmas away was a special, carefree, joyous time that surprassed our expectations.

Beautiful palm trees and a trail leading to the beach from our suite at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

| ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

It was another 10 years before we had another Christmas away, this time in Ari zona, arriving in Mesa late on Christmas Day. We picked up our rental car at the air port, waited for other family members to arrive and by the time we left the airport, we were all hungry for a nice holiday meal. But there was an unexpected problem—all the restaurants were closed, including the one beside our resort. Finally, after driving around a bit, we found a fast-food drive-in that was open. We chuckled as we munched on a Christmas Day dinner of hamburgers, fries, onion rings and pop, while sitting in our rental ‘dining-car’ in the parking lot that was empty.

The following year, thanks to a vaca tion package gift from our accompanying daughters, we had a Caribbean Christmas in the Dominican Republic at an all-inclu sive resort in Punta Cana. It was a direct Christmas Day flight from Thunder Bay on a half-empty flight (it felt like we were on our own private plane). Arriving at the Punta Cana International Airport with its palm trees, thatched roof and welcoming band playing the island’s merengue music put us right into the tropical holiday mode. The resort’s van drove us to our suite in a two-storey villa.

It was kind of funky upon arrival to see the resort’s reception area decorated in Christmas garlands and the friendly staff wearing Santa red-and-white hats with jin gle bells. It was late in the evening by the time we checked in, so we went to eat at the resort’s all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. I had never seen such a large selection of food and drinks in one place—definitely a gour

met Christmas Day dinner.

One off-site excursion we took was the Outback Safari, an all-day tour by a small bus that took us to the countryside, passing through small villages, visiting a chocolate plantation, and stopping for a Domini can-style family lunch at a hilltop ranch that had its own small zoo and Rum Shack. Our last stop was a gorgeous secluded beach for some fun water boogie boarding.

But by far, my favourite Christmas away was 13 years ago when we went to Calgary to spend my grandson’s first Christmas with him. We cooked the traditional turkey din

ner with oven-roasted potatoes, Estonian sweet-and-sour sauerkraut (the way my mom used to make it), real cranberry sauce, and all the trimmings. The highlight of that special Christmas was spending an evening at the Calgary Zoo to experience their an nual Zoolights with its glitzy display of 1.5 million Christmas lights. There was also an igloo-building, ice-carving demonstra tions, reindeer stables, carolling and fire pits where we warmed up.

Admittedly, breaking tradition to spend Christmas away is relaxing and makes for some wonderful memories. I still do, how

ever, cherish the traditional Christmas spent at home with its hustle and bustle, shopping, visiting and setting up outside Christmas decorations (like my lighted polar bear, reindeer and moose outside the front door).

Wishing everyone the best for the hol iday season and good happenings in the coming year.

H WO O D S B O O KS

r

r yo n e o n yo u r l i s t !

The Scandinavian lifestyle and job skills well-matched the challenge of homesteading on the North Shore. Amply illustrated with photos, The Lake is Your Life tells the Fenstad family history from pioneering at Little Marais in 1883 to the beginning of the “New Era” in the 1950s.

$19.95

Veteran long-distance hiker Annie Nelson compiled the information and advice you need for a successful thruhike adventure on the 310mile Superior Hiking Trail. $16.95

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

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

During our Christmas away in Mesa, Arizona, we took in canyon-cruising on the Dolly Steamboat. | ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

One of the buildings at Superstition Mountain is a white chapel dubbed the Elvis Chapel. So, of course, I had to get my picture with Elvis.

| ELLE ANDRA-WARNER

THE ALEC BOOSTROM STORY

By Jack Blackwell

Caribou Lake

Rare opportunity to find a lake lot to build your dream home on the shores of Caribou Lake. Lot abuts USFS, features 213’ of shoreline and 3.5 acres.

MLS 6103447 $399,900

Tom Lake

Listen to the loons and enjoy the waves gently swelling on the shore of this Tom Lake lot with over 200 feet of frontage! With an easy slope to the lake.

MLS 6104147 $74,900

51 Mort Meadows

Amazing property with investment possibilities! 10-acres of mature forest, Lake Superior views, large 4 BR home, fabulous studio apart ment, rental cabin, 3-stall garage, greenhouse, pond, gardens, and more!

MLS 6104233 $459,900

MLS 6105319 $389,900

218-387-2131 800-732-2131

101 West highway 61 grand marais, mn 55604

1726 Greenwood Lake Rd

Off-grid, remote, living at its best! This light and airy three bedroom home has a top-of-the-world view of majestic Greenwood Lake! Designed to capture the views, this home is sure to impress. Shared lakeshore/boat harbor.

MLS 6104029 $720,000

415 4th Avenue

Centrally located contemporary 3BR, 2BA home with beautiful pe rennials and seasonal stream. At tached heated garage plus a huge 22’ X 36’ detached garage for your shop and recreational gear.

MLS 6105215 $399,900

1226 Devil Track Road

Great location near Devil Track Lake! Easy access to the public landing and walking distance to Sand Point! 2BR carriage house on 7.83A of land--2-stall tuck un der attached garage and detached 3-stall garage with finished up stairs space.

MLS 6105371 $399,900

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

1142 Camp 20 Rd

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

MLS 6102798 $149,900

49XX North Road

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

6103079 $169,900

1X

Brandon Lane

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

MLS 609581 3 $62,000

4XX East 5th St.

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

MLS 6105272 $64,900

reduced

XXX Reason Road

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

MLS 6103087 $119,900

Two Island River Rd

Large acreage! The lovely piece of land consists of 160 acres and is surrounded by the USFS. It is heavily wooded with some trails, gravel, wildlife pond - something for everyone!

sold

MLS 6103734 $199,900

Gustav Lane

pending

4907 Hwy 61 E

Affordable commercial opportunity in Hovland! Or Lake Superior view building site! Or both!? There is room to have home and busi ness. Create the quintessential North Shore home with that Lake Superior view, easy access from a paved road, and State-owned beach right across the road. Trails, lakes, streams, and parks await your outdoor adventures as well. Invent your future here!

MLS 6104724 $179,900

pending

Beautiful 3+ acres on a peace ful private road. Ideally located close to Superior Hiking Trail and CC Snowmobile Trail. Country living close to Grand Marais.

MLS 6104354 $64,900

623X

Little Marais Road

Build your North Shore getaway on this large parcel! Located high above Little Marais with views of Lake Superior, perfect blend of peaceful forest and easy access to the area.

12XX Highway 61 W

sold

MLS 6102257 $159,900

RARE, I repeat, RARE opportunity to find almost 6 acres of Com mercial acreage, located in the heart of Grand Marais, with city sewer and city water. This property has approximately 825 ft. of frontage on Highway 61 and also has access from 3 different points off of 1st Street.

MLS 6103253 $989,900

TBD

Cedar Grove Lane

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

MLS 6105145 $69,900

X13 Murphy Mountain Trail

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

MLS 6102645 $129,900

Jonvick Creek Sites

5 lots from 1.5 - 4.8 acres In the heart of Lutsen, just off the Caribou Trail. Maples, Pines, and cedars in varied arrangements will make a great back-drop for your home or cabin. Sites adjoin public land.

$44,900 - $56,900

NEW Hoaglund Drive

Nicely wooded lot in Tofte with Lake Superior views and tre mendous potential for building your dream home.

pending

MLS 6106042 $69,000

1315 E Highway 61

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

MLS 6104280 $1,500,000

©2022 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

NEW!

LAKE LOVER’S PARADISE

DEERYARD LAKE LOG CABIN

Enjoy this log home with southern sun exposure, wood burning fireplace, outdoor wood burning sauna within a maple forest canopy & 100 ft of shoreline on E Deeryard Lake. Direct access to the snowmobile trail. Home offers warmth & open living. Efficient wood burning fireplace can even heat the 3-season porch. Kitchen is a gathering spot around a large center quartz island. Main floor bedroom, full bath & large combination mechanical/laundry storage room. Upper level opens to a spacious bedroom, sitting area & 3/4 bath. Detached garage with wood stove heat. Neighboring lot also for sale. MLS#6105008 $625,000

ISLAND LIVING –WILDERNESS

LAKE

Large island in Greenwood Lake offers isolation, wilderness views and wildlife. Comfortable small home is set up for your retreat lifestyle, large shop building has upstairs guest quarters. Owners lived on the island for over 15 years. Off grid solar and generator power, new peat-moss septic system, lake water and satellite provide the comforts you desire. Air boat, pontoon and fishing boats included, and provide access with a protective cove and docks for easy landing and loading. One-of-a-kind property. Over 2000 feet of shoreline with 6.82 acres. MLS#6104980 $595,000

EAST BEARSKIN

LAKE CABIN

This spot is about as close to being in the Boundary Waters as you can get, land right across the lake is in the BWCAW. Home needs work. Renovate existing structure or build new. Septic installed in 1999. Lake draw

SIMPLICITY, SOLITUDE AND WILDERNESS VIEWS

Whether you are standing on one of the potential

on 31+ acres, perched on a

edge,

away in one of the

your view of Lake Superior will take your breath away. In addition to the dramatic cliffs and mature, radiant birch that characterize this property, there is also acreage that sits like a crown high above the north side of Hwy 61, with potential lakeview building sites to discover. It is conveniently located within a 25 minute drive of many local attractions.

that weave in and out of the 510 feet of

MLS#6105910 $497,900

SALE PENDING

GREENWOOD

LAKE LUXURY

HOME

Exquisite architectural masterpiece created on 4.8 acres on gorgeous Greenwood Lake. Artfully nestled in a white pine forest, meticulously maintained and professionally landscaped, with flagstone and rock walkways to the main home, carriage house, and log cabin. Open concept with durable White Oak wood flooring throughout the main floor. Living room features vaulted ceilings, stone surround fireplace with a custom mantle, and the view of the lake from this room is truly something special! Easily accessible lake shore for swimming and boating. Pristine lake is clear and cool. Greenwood lake holds the state record for lake trout, but you can catch small mouth bass and rainbow trout off the dock.

MLS#6103823 $1,895,000

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. MLS#6099440 $294,900

GREENWOOD LAKE

LOT

Lot on stunning Greenwood Lake with 4.24 acres. The lot was selected for the peninsula lake front with 300

NORTH FOWL LAKE CABIN

HOMES & CABINS

2 HOMES & AN APARTMENT

– LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

Unique property consists of TWO well-maintained houses with road frontage on the Croftville loop, spacious decks & Lake Superior views. Houses share a well & a compliant septic system, but have separate driveways off of Hwy 61. Main house (1804) is equipped w/ wheelchair ramps & a stair lift. In addition to 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths upstairs, there is a 1 bed, 1 bath apartment in the basement w/separate entrance for a renter. It has been rented out for the past 3 years & could continue to provide extra living space for long/short term rental. The second house (1810) was built in 1935 and has a nostalgic North Shore feel to it with vaulted ceilings & square timber posts. Includes 3 bedrooms & 2 baths, all on one level. This would make a nice VRBO or an extended family compound, just 3 miles east of Grand Marais. Property is walking distance from pebble beaches on Lake Superior, the vast Superior Hiking Trail, or fly fishing on Devil Track River.

MLS#6105848 $1,250,000

MAJESTIC

BEDROOM

HOMES & CABINS

CHARMING TIMBER FRAME

COMMERCIAL

floor heat. 3-car attached garage with drain and a separate 2-car garage.

MLS#6103486

HOME WITH STUNNING

LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

Nearly 3000 square feet of living space with stunning views of Lake Superior! Only 2 miles from town. Four bedroom, 3 bath home comes with add’l loft area big enough for guests, a room with a view! Open design kitchen features newer appliances & a kitchen island with seating. Dining & living room give you a "big sky" and "big lake" feel. Custom designed hickory cabinets throughout. Log sided home, has in floor heat and a wood burning stove. South facing windows provide great passive solar heat in the cool season, yet mountain breezes keep it pleasant in the summer. Abuts federal land to the east. You'll love the "dream deck" ready for large gatherings MLS#6105717

CHARMING GRAND MARAIS CABIN

Great Location for investment property. A private setting away from the road, camouflaged in its own ecosystem. Located on one acre but adjoins 40 acres of state land. Publicly maintained year-round road on the school bus route. Only 14.2 miles from Grand Marais and only 3.8 off of Lake Superior! Property includes a landscaped pond with two tier New York Blue flagstone patios and pathways. Property has a main cabin and guest cabin. MLS#6105918 $149,900

SALE PENDING

SILVER BAY HOME

Here's your chance to own a home on the North Shore and create your space with this fixer upper. Silver Bay is located an hour north of Duluth. Includes 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a detached garage. Close to Split Rock State Park, Gooseberry Falls and plenty of activities along the North Shore. MLS#6102239 $99,900

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 $159,500

RIVER/CREEK FRONTAGE

CASCADE RIVER FRONTAGE LOT

This is a rare opportunity to purchase one of the very few privately owned lots on the scenic Cascade River! Over 440 feet of private river frontage offers peaceful calm and gives rise to creative dreaming. Build an off-grid compound with rustic cabins or a custom log home, or keep it wild for camping. There's plenty of space here to spread out with 26.6 acres, and seemingly endless public land to the south and west for hiking, hunting and other north woods enthusiasm. MLS#6105797 $350,000

REMOTE PRIVACY, LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

This "80" acre property has high ridge views of the big lake. The property adjoins Judge C.R. Magney State Park. Easements in place for road access on old logging trails. Ultimate privacy! Mixed, mature forest of evergreens and maples, creeks and pond. Walking distance to Brule River. There are many unique aspects to this beautiful and recreational property. MLS#6104623 $99,000

MONS CREEK WILDLIFE

LARGE, REMOTE ACREAGE – PRIVATE LAKE RIGHTS

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

WOODED SECLUSION

IN GRAND MARAIS. Great wooded lot on west end of Grand Marais. Build your home within a short distance of the bike trail & a mile walk/drive into town, with privacy on a dead end shared road. Mature evergreen forest, nice building sites & good lake effect, only a quarter mile off of Lake Superior. Small creek adds charm when it's running. Really secluded feeling location. Private sewer & water, city power. MLS#6087228 $69,500

SALE PENDING

TAIT LAKE PINE LOT

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

REMOTE ACREAGE, ADJOINING FOREST LANDS-PRIVATE LAKE RIGHTS

LUTSEN MAPLE FOREST LOT

40 acres w/ easy road access, good building sites, mature trees & open water views of Mons Creek. Lots of moose & waterfowl inhabit this 600 ft section of Mons Creek! You can canoe for some distance in the creek. Includes deeded access to Lost Lake, private wilderness lake, only a short walk away. Homeowners association stocks lake w/ brook trout. Walk-in landing provides easy access for canoe or small boat. Gated roads for security & privacy. Lost Lake Retreats is a truly secluded & private wilderness escape. MLS#6089089

SOLD

MONS CREEK AND VIEWS

1000 ft of Mons Creek frontage & a great view from a high build site. Easy road access, but lots of privacy. 40 acre property w/ private deeded access to Lost Lake, a short drive away. Private lake w/ limited use, a true wilderness feel. Perfect cabin retreat location w/ added bonus of private wilderness lake access. Homeowners association stocks lake w/ brook trout. Walk-in landing provides easy access for canoe or small boat. Roads are gated for security & privacy. Lost Lake Retreats is a truly secluded & private wilderness escape. MLS#6089090 $60,000

DEEP WOODS, MONS CREEK.

Nice “40” with good tree 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 $52,900

ROLLING TERRAIN & POND

Deep woods and private access to Lost Lake. Good road access and many building site options. Beautiful beaver pond and creek split the 20 acre property. Lost Lake is a tucked-away gem with limited private property and no public access. Good trout fishing and moose sightings. This is a remote retreat property with the added bonus of lake access on a pristine wilderness lake. MLS#6098652 $41,900

Beautiful 5.24 acre wooded lot, 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 things the North Shore has to offer. MLS#6101916 $68,500

CARIBOU HILLSIDE LOT

Beautiful 5+ acre wooded lot, 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 things the North Shore has to offer. MLS#6101915 $67,500

40 ACRES – STONES THROW TO TOM LAKE

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

WOODED 64 ACRES –ACCESS TO PRIVATE LAKE

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

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 $56,900

SALE PENDING

MLS#6103978 $46,900

REMOTE

43

ACRES –LOST LAKE ACCESS

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

REMOTE WOODED HIDE-A-WAY

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

MLS#6098654 $38,900

HUNTER’S PARADISE

Hunter’s paradise or remote solitude? 24 acres situated currently off grid (electrical hook up at Devil Fish Overlook). Mix of deciduous and pine trees with mature pines in the SW corner of the property, clearing areas for camper or possible build. The southern border neighbors State land. Additional acreage available. MLS#6103981 $36,780

for gatherings, stories, memories, and frying up walleyes or Devil Track’s white fish. The living room is spacious with vaulted wood-paneled ceilings, dramatic wood burning fireplace, and views to the lake and beckoning deck. Out on the deck the world is your oyster: grill it up, relax with a cold one, tell some tales, hear the loons, the owls, take it all in! Or wander the 3 acres and 300ft of shoreline. Attached two car garage gets you in and out of the rain or snow, but wait, detached garage has three more stalls and a workshop/kennel. Fill it all up with the extras that bring this country to life: canoes, kayaks, ATVs, snowmobiles, fishing boat, store your pontoon. Visit today and create your life on the North Shore! MLS#6104817 $859,900

LEO LAKE SOLITUDE!

Halfway up the Gunflint Tr hang a right and head into solitude and the hinterlands, yet only five minutes away is camaraderie and the best chow at Trail Center. The home was built for efficiency! Walls have R-50 insulation. Currently, two woodstoves provide all the heat. Three bedrooms offer space for the whole gang. Or make one a hobby room or office. 2 full bathrooms, one of which is a handy Jack-and-Jill between the upper bedrooms. The kitchen is ready to fry up a mess of trout. A handy entryway houses all the gear necessary in the Northland. Lower level area with good light awaits your vision: spa room, movies and sports viewing, you decide. Sprawling deck overlooks all the sylvan beauty and gorgeous moods of Leo Lake. 246 feet of frontage and 7+ acres is plenty of elbow room. Wander the deep back area all the way to where the property abuts public land. The neighborhood is terrific: so many lakes to experience, BWCA very close, old lodges and restaurants to explore. Hiking, snowmobiling, XC skiing, you name it! All furnishings can be included. Wildfire sprinkler system in place.

MLS#6105692

SPACIOUS HOME IN GRAND MARAIS!

Great Investment opportunity! Enjoy your time in Grand Marais with your own private home or rent out the lower level! The upper level is main level living with a beautifully renovated kitchen and bathroom, Vaulted ceilings with lots of light in the living room and open to the dining area and kitchen and Two bedrooms. The lower level offers the exact same footprint and is a walk-out basement, plus accessible via an interior staircase, perfect if you decide you do not want to rent and want to keep it all to yourself! The garage is set up so each level of the home has ½ the garage, with room for 1 car and storage. The location of the home is great with a short distance to the clinic, YMCA, school, and Community center. Or walk downtown and enjoy the gorgeous walking beach access to Lake Superior. Wander to the great Restaurants, coffee shops, and more, all close by. Visit today and Stop dreaming of your getaway in Grand Marais, make it a reality! MLS# 6105670

NORWAY PINE LOG HOME IN GRAND MARAIS!

Terrific Log Home on a peaceful corner in Grand Marais. 3 Bedroom, 3 bath, 2500+ square feet. Classic, Norway Pine logs bring warmth and a timeless quality to the home. Light streams in through the many windows, with views to a well-forested lot providing a sense of being in the woods. Yet, all that Grand Marais has to offer is within walking distance. Walk inside and enjoy the natural light flowing from the Family Room into the open Kitchen, start a fire in the woodstove to take away the fall/winter chills. Lower Level features a large Rec Room and a great office space. Guest bedrooms on lower and main levels. Head up a log stairway for the ages to the primary bedroom that snoozes under a lofted ceiling – private and away from it all with plenty of space to relax. The attached bath up there is incredible. Top it all off with an oversized 2 car garage! Just across the road is a handy access point to the snowmobile trail system. That’s life in one of America’s Coolest Small Towns! All that is missing is you! MLS#6105152

Are you disappointed with the high cost of lakeshore living in Lutsen? Tired of looking at your neighbors right next door on the lake… maybe a little seclusion while entertaining on the deck would be nice? Take a look at this Gorgeous Lutsen Caribou Lake home, featuring a trail to Caribou Lake where you can install your own dock, this is NOT shared access, but your own lake easement. The home affords you peace and quiet, surrounded by a maple forest with tons of space for year round living, an oversized two car detached garage for all the toys. Peninsula Point Trail location, minutes to Lutsen Mountains and Lake Superior! MLS#6103652

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CAMPN’, HUNTN’, FUN GETAWAY LAND, INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE! LUTSEN AREA

SILVER BAY TO SCHROEDER AREAS

SCHROEDER PARCEL UP THE CRAMER ROAD! This is a rare opportunity to be able to put some sweat equity into clearing this lot and building your dream home or cabin getaway. Nicely wooded parcel will make a great homesite. You can enjoy all your favorite outdoor activities from this great location just a few miles up Cramer Rd like the Superior Hiking trails, ATV trails, snowmobile trails and many inland lakes. MLS#6105228 $39,900

TOFTE AREA

LAKE VIEWS IN TOFTE! Enjoy the views of Lake Superior from this beautiful parcel at Birch Cliff, located between Lutsen and Tofte so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Dine at Bluefin Bay or Ski the day away at Lutsen Mountains. Great build site with Lake Superior views and of Carlton Peak in the distance and LeVeaux Mountain to the North. The property extends across the road to the North and has a potential build area, talk about potential! Bordering the Superior National Forest to the East you have plenty of room to wander and explore right from your yard! Perfect for your yearround home or North Shore Getaway! Close to many Hiking and Biking Trails and just a hop skip and jump from Lake Superior. The options for fun times and recreation are endless. Visit today! MLS#6105249 $114,900

BRING YOUR DREAMS OF A NORTH SHORE GETAWAY TO LIFE ON THIS NICE TOFTE LOT IN WILDWOOD ACRES!

Located just a little ways up the Sawbill Trail you will be close to all your favorite outdoor activities like Hiking the Superior Hiking Trails or Snowmobiling. Year round road access via a simple association, electric at the road and a driveway in place means you can start building as soon as you’re ready! Visit today and start making your dream of owning a North Shore getaway come to life! MLS#6102865 $30,000

OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST DREAM20 ACRES IN LUTSEN!

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

MLS#6105389 $135,000

BEAUTIFUL LUTSEN LAND!

Enjoy all the North Shore has to offer from this property in the Heart of Lutsen. This 3+ acre lot is close to almost all recreational activities you enjoy or sit back and enjoy the surrounding while still only being a minute from Lake Superior or a quick drive to the many inland lakes. As part of the Turnagain Trail Development you will have year-round access via the Association’s access road. Electricity and broadband are at the road. Visit today and start planning your dream getaway!

MLS#6105929 $49,999

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

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

MLS#6103685 $79,000

LUTSEN AREA

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

MLS#6102890 $94,900

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

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

GRAND MARAIS AREA

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

MLS#6103293 $129,000

ENJOY BIG VIEWS OF LAKE SUPERIOR FROM THIS GORGEOUS PARCEL, JUST MINUTES WEST OF GRAND MARAIS! 5+ acres gives you room to build your dream getaway but close enough Grand Marais to enjoy everything town has to offer!

MLS#6103292 $129,000

CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT

great gray owl

One winter day, I was hiking a forest trail in northern Min nesota, with my camera and tripod thrown over my shoulder, when I spotted this great gray owl. These big raptors are rel atively tolerant of humans; thus, the owl allowed a close ap proach. It hunted by flying from perch to perch down the tight corridor the trail provided. At one point, the owl attempted to fly past me and I was able to capture this image.—Bill Marchel