Northern Wilds November 2022

MARAIS

GRAND PORTAGE THUNDER BAY NIPIGON

Entering into the Night

“The finest Realtor I’ve ever worked with in my life.”

-Tim K.

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No Longer a Quiet Time of Year

November used to be one of the quietest months of the year in the Northern Wilds, but that is no lon ger the case. There was a time when tourism sharply dropped off after the kids went back to school and the leaves dropped from the trees. While those declines re main noticeable, they no longer signal that it is time to “roll up the sidewalks” as the old tourist town saying goes, because the folks from elsewhere still arrive.

What lures them North at a time when the days grow short and chilly? About 15 years ago, an urban-based outdoor writer surmised that Northern Wilds businesses got through November solely on meager trade with deer hunters. The outdoor writer was off-base back then and is far more so today. So, what does draw folks to the shores of Lake Superior at this time of year? The short answer is storms and a whole lot more. Just the fact that the area is as busy as it was in August and September is attractive to many travelers, especially couples looking for an enjoy able getaway.

If you don’t believe that, peruse the Calendar of Events at the center of this issue. You find something going on every day of the month, ranging from local to international mu sical acts to art and craft events in every community. The quality of these offerings is more than you might expect to find in the somewhat isolated corner of the Great Lakes. In fact, you can call it Superior without being accused of making a corny pun.

You will find stories in this issue that explore the not only upcoming events, but also the interesting folks who

choose to live here, the activities they participate in and the natural world that truly makes this place unique. Look into the night sky at this time of year and you may see phenomena ranging from the northern lights to the Milky Way as Rae Poynter explains in her story, accom panied by stunning local photography. Michelle Miller reports on a partnership between Chik-Wauk Museum on the Gunflint Trail with the Duluth Planetarium to provide a real time view of the sky.

We also introduce a mixture of interesting folks in this issue. Rae Poynter explains how people with differing views within a community meet one another via a Na tional Public Radio project called One Small Step. Local archeologist David Cooper won a national award for his work on Lake Superior, reports Eric Weicht. Chris Pas cone interviews Damian Wilmot, who has perhaps the region’s largest collection of Coleman lanterns, which have been produced with little change for over 100 years. Another outdoor expert is Jessica Berg-Collman, who shares her knowledge of creating European mounts with Eric Weicht.

No November issue would be complete without a story about stormy Lake Superior. Our resident historian, Elle Andra-Warner tells tales of autumn shipwrecks that are part of the Big Lake’s lore. Oh, and those November deer hunters haven’t disappeared. Joe Shead has a sick hunt ing story to tell. You will find it and more in the pages ahead.—Shawn Perich and Amber Pratt

PEOPLE’S CHOICE Winners!

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

P E O P L E & P E T S

Ted Armstrong

The art of camouflage; my granddaughter hiding from us.

W I L D L I F E

Mary Glass

Preparing for winter on the North Shore.

L A N D S C A P E

Nancy Reilly Haunted grain.

M A C R O Grace Burns Rock stack on the shores of Lake Superior near Leif Erikson Park.

Northern Wilds 2022

Cover Aurora by Travis Novitsky

NOVEMBER 2022

VOLUME 19, ISSUE 11 www.northernwilds.com

SERVING THE NORTH SHORE AND THE WILDERNESS BEYOND

PUBLISHERS

Shawn Perich & Amber Pratt

EDITORIAL

Shawn Perich, Editor editor@northernwilds.com

Breana Johnson, Managing Editor breana@northernwilds.com

ADVERTISING

Destry Winant, Sales Representative ads@northernwilds.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Katie Viren • katie@northernwilds.com

OFFICE

Roseanne Cooley • billing@northernwilds.com

CONTRIBUTORS

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

Copyright 2022

by Northern Wilds Media, Inc.

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Honoring the “timeless” Coleman gas lantern

SUPERIOR—The soft light, warm glow and gentle hum of a gas lantern burning in the night has captivated our primitive needs for generations. Everybody understands—you’re in the woods, it’s nighttime, it’s dark—you’ve got to have your own autonomous lighting out there. It’s human instinct to want the safety and security of illumination.

But for Damian Wilmot, of Superior WI, one specific lantern—the Coleman gas lantern—is the pinnacle of cool. In fact, Wilmot’s appreciation and respect for the Coleman lantern has led to somewhat of an addiction for collecting vintage models. Wil mot collects lanterns the way other people might collect art. He treasures every piece, and puts valuable time and attention into restoring each lantern to its rightful beau ty. Wilmot ignores today’s plethora of bat tery-powered, rechargeable LED headlamps and lanterns, giving preference instead to the “timeless” gas Colemans.

He’s not joking about the timeless part— Wilmot’s collection of 65 lanterns (and growing) is largely based around Coleman models made in the 1920s. For Wilmot, the older—the better. But how did he get start ed collecting the lanterns?

“I’ve always had Coleman gas lanterns, starting from my Boy Scout days as a teenag er,” says Wilmot. “Then, about 25 years ago, I stopped at a rummage sale, and they had an old Coleman lantern there for five bucks. I’d never seen one that looked like that—it looked really old and super cool. So, I grabbed it, but I never really did get it running. Then, about six years ago, a friend posted some photos of an old Coleman lantern with a nickel-plated fount, like the one I had standing on my fire place mantel. I sent him a couple photos of my lantern, and asked ‘Is this something you would like to get going for me?’ He texted me right back and said ‘Yah, that’s a Coleman 427. It was made in October of 1926.’ The next time he came up here fishing, he took it and got it running again, and that sparked my interest as a collector.”

Wilmot is deep into his collection.

“There are people who are far more in sane about collecting these things than I am. But I do have one of the largest collections for our area,” he says.

He uses them too—he brings at least two lanterns on each camping trip, and rotates through his collection trip to trip. These are vintage lanterns from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and they still run, thanks to the love and care that Wilmot gives them. Wilmot also has an off-the-grid cabin on the Brule River, where he spends every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The lanterns are his only source of light there. So, all of his 65 pieces make the rota tion at some point in the cabin season.

Wilmot’s goal is to get every one of his 80 to 100-year-old vintage lanterns operat ing in peak condition again, stating that he has “no interest in lanterns that don’t work.” Once he finds a vintage lantern for sale, Wil mot cleans it.

“They’re really a simple apparatus. If a Coleman lantern isn’t burning correctly, it’s one of three things—either the generator, the fuel pick-up, or the air tube is clogged. You can just pull them apart and inspect. I’ll soak the parts in vinegar overnight. That lit erally solves most of the issues.”

Wilmot enjoys the simplicity of the lan terns’ operation.

“They need fuel and air to burn. If they’re not burning correctly, fuel and air are your only problems. For a lot of the lanterns, starting from the 220B series, you can still go to Northwest Outlet in Superior and buy a generator off the shelf. The generator has been the same for the last 80 years.”

Coleman sells new gas lanterns today for $115 apiece on their website. You will also need a gallon of Coleman white gas, which runs around $18, and can be bought at any hardware store. Coleman also makes cheaper lanterns today that run off its ubiquitous pro pane cartridges, but Wilmot collects only the gas lanterns and he isn’t done collecting yet.

“There are definitely lanterns I’d still like to get my hands on, but I’m a lot more discern ing now. Some lanterns are relatively com mon, like the 228F (model from the 1960s). Coleman made millions of those. So, unless it’s a nicer example than what I already have, I tend to pass on it.”

Wilmot says he’s also cleaned and shined up a number of lanterns, and gotten them working correctly, in order to give them to friends.

Note to readers with old lanterns hanging around in their basements—Wilmot says the glass globes alone can go for $75 on eBay,

Damian Wilmot has amassed over 65 Coleman gas lanterns, ranging up to 90 years old. He makes sure that every one of them is still operational today. | CHRIS PASCONE

if they’re rare varieties. The correct, original globes add the special touch to old lanterns, and Wilmot has been known to buy a rum mage sale lantern just to source the globe.

For those of you with old Coleman lan terns lying around that you want to reincar nate, another resource may be the website: oldcolemanparts.com.

Today, with gas lanterns falling out of favor to lightweight, battery-powered LED lanterns, Wilmot feels a nostalgia for the craftsmanship of old.

“It’s sad, but the white gas lantern is really kind of a relic now. The lanterns of the 50s, 40s, 30s were beautiful. They were literally hand-crafted and polished. They were mass produced, but they don’t have a mass-pro duced look.”

Wilmot philosophically compares Cole man lanterns to firearms, saying, “One of the things that makes these lanterns so cool to me is that they’re like guns. When you look at the original modern firearms designers, like Samuel Colt, John Browning and Paul Mauser, and what they did in the 1800s, here we are 150 years later, and no body’s really changed what those guys did. The delivery method for a bullet has not changed significantly all these years. William Coleman came up with his lantern design in 1911, and it’s remained essentially the same for 110 years. It’s a beautiful design. It’s cool that the design has stood the test of time.”

This continuity clearly appeals to Wil mot and his personal Coleman collection is a show of respect for this timelessness.

—Chris Pascone

A Coleman L427, made in October 1926, gets regular outdoor use by Wilmot 96 years later. This was the first of Wilmot’s truly vintage lanterns. | SUBMITTED

Local archeologist wins award

APOSTLE ISLANDS—The John L. Cotter Award for Excellence in National Park Ser vice (NPS) Archeology is awarded annually to “recognize the archeological accomplish ments of NPS staff or partnership research ers within the NPS,” and this year’s ‘Cotter Award’ was awarded to local archeologist and cultural resource specialist David J. Cooper.

“Throughout my career,” says Cooper, “I have had the privilege of working close ly with all sorts of incredible people and in credible cultural resources on this Lake [Su perior]. Shipwrecks, lighthouses, traditional blueberry sites, ancient fishing sites… it’s been a heck of an experience, and I am very honored to have been recognized for it.”

Archeology is not something often asso ciated with the North Shore, or Lake Supe rior for that matter, despite having a human history that goes back thousands of years. People have been living along Lake Superior ever since the glaciers receded after the most recent ice age, and Cooper has devoted the better part of his career to learning and pre serving their stories.

Cooper was born and raised in Northern Wisconsin along the shores of Lake Michi gan. He has always been drawn to the histo ry of the Great Lakes and considers this place to be his home.

“Where I grew up had a similar feel to where I am now,” says Cooper, referring to his current home in Bayfield, Wisc. “There were lots of orchards, good ‘big lake’ fishing, sum mer tourism, and the expected long winters.”

Cooper completed his undergrad at UW Madison, before moving to the southeast to finish grad school at North Carolina. Shortly after graduation, Cooper took a job exca vating a revolutionary war battleship for the state of Virginia, which is where he got his start in marine archeology.

“It was a little bit of being in the right place at the right time,” says Cooper, refer ring to his early involvement with Wiscon sin’s underwater archeology program and the U.S. Navy’s marine archeological pro gram, respectively.

“Right around the time that I was gain ing experience working for the state of Virginia,” continues Cooper, “federal legis lation passed regarding the preservation of shipwrecks. This was when the Titanic was discovered, which sparked a realization that there were lots of historical shipwrecks in American waters that, up until then, had not received much protection or even recogni tion as historical resources.”

Cooper has had a storied career as an ar cheologist and as a cultural resource special ist with the NPS. Prior to his time with the NPS, Cooper founded Wisconsin’s underwa ter archeology program; helped create the U.S. Navy’s marine archeology program that focuses on submerged revolutionary war, civil war, and WWII sites; and spent time in Great Britain doing medieval archeology on “fortifications, monasteries, and other ar cheological sites from similar periods.”

In 1998 Cooper became the Archeologist and Cultural Resource Specialist at Grand Por tage National Monument, a position he held for over a decade. While working at Grand Portage, Cooper also became involved with the North House Folk School, joining, among other things, in a cooperative effort between the North House and the NPS to reconstruct a historic Mackinaw boat.

“Doing archeology in the Minnesota Northwoods is like finding a needle in a haystack,” says Cooper, “more so then, let’s say, excavating a shipwreck or a medieval monastery.”

“The archeological remains [around Grand Portage] are subtle,” continues Cooper, “and what people left behind is very sparse. Sometimes all we find are stains in the soil, or maybe a few scattered piles of artifacts.”

Much of Cooper’s archeological work from his time on the North Shore is on dis play today in the new visitor’s center at the Grand Portage National Monument. It is well worth the visit for anyone who has yet to experience the new exhibits.

In 2010, Cooper transitioned to his current role with the NPS on the South Shore pre serving the cultural resources of the Apostle Islands.

“I went from working in a fairly small park unit in Grand Portage,” says Cooper, “to

working at the Apostle Islands, an area the size of Rocky Mountain National Park.”

“In Grand Portage,” continues Cooper, “my job was defined by intensive work on a very focused and specific area. In the Apos tles, now, my work covers a much broader area with bigger environmental and archeo logical challenges to overcome.”

Working for the NPS as a cultural resource specialist has required Cooper to “wear many hats.” In addition to working as an ar cheologist for the parks that he is involved with, Cooper serves as historian, manages the museum’s collections and archives, is responsible for “environmental compliance and reviews” of actions taken by or within the park, and has responsibilities related to programming and special events.

Today, much of Cooper’s work in the Apos tle Islands revolves around the restoration of historic lighthouses on the islands—a multiyear, multi-million-dollar endeavor that has been ongoing for quite a few years now.

Outside of lighthouse preservation, though, Cooper has a number of other proj ects on his plate, including excavating sites from the time when the Apostle Islands first emerged from the Lake 5,000-6,000 years ago and overseeing a traditional blueberry burn on Stockton Island.

“Studying the earliest sites on the Apostle Islands is a very important opportunity for us,” says Cooper, “but perhaps even more so for the tribes.”

“The tribes,” continues Cooper, “have been particularly excited about the recently discovered ancient heritage sites, and fur thering their understanding of how long their ancestors have been a part of this area, using the waters and Islands of Lake Superior.”

To learn more about the Apostle Islands and David Cooper’s ongoing work, visit the official NPS Apostle Island website: nps.gov/ apis/learn/index.htm —Eric Weicht

Cooper currently works on the Apostle Islands. | SUBMITTED

Working for the NPS as a cultural resource specialist has required Cooper to “wear many hats.”

| SUBMITTED

Much of Cooper’s work in the Apostle Islands revolves around the restoration of historic lighthouses. | SUBMITTED

application includes questions about partici pants’ backgrounds, and Meyers works as a matchmaker to bring together conversation partners. The pairs typically hold divergent views but also have some common ground. Once the two participants find a time to meet, they begin the conversation facilitated by Meyers or by her assistant, Martha Mar nocha.

in common. It’s a beautiful place to start a discussion from,” Meyers said. “We recently called some past participants, and they were all so positive and had wonderful things to say. Many of the participants have become friends on Facebook or gone out to coffee with their conversation partner and have gained a new friend from a circle that they wouldn’t have before.”

Finding common ground with One Small Step

GRAND MARAIS—It’s no secret that politi cal polarization has increased in recent years. With more people divided along ideological lines, political tension has become a constant undercurrent. One doesn’t have to spend long on social media–or anywhere online–to find examples of this. But while this chasm seems to grow ever larger, some are building the bridges we need to cross it. One exam ple of this is StoryCorps’ One Small Step. An initiative to bring people together across po litical lines, One Small Step offers the oppor tunity to have a conversation with someone who holds differing views. This year, WTIP in Grand Marais became a participant in One Small Step, bringing these conversations closer to home.

Barbara Jean Meyers has been managing the One Small Step initiative at WTIP. Ac

cording to Meyers, the idea to get involved with StoryCorps’ One Small Step came through Matthew Brown, WTIP’s executive director; a colleague of Brown’s at the Na tional Federation of Community Broadcast ers reached out to let him know about the initiative, and that StoryCorps was looking for radio stations to participate.

“I read through the project and it sound ed incredible,” Meyers said. “StoryCorps is a fantastic organization. This seemed like an amazing opportunity to make a difference in a time when our society is increasingly polar ized and fractured.”

WTIP applied and was accepted, and Mey ers started working on bringing One Small Step to Cook County in 2022. The process starts with community members applying to participate in a 50-minute conversation. The

“There are four touchstones that help break the ice,” Meyers said. “At the begin ning, the participants start by asking each other why the other signed up. In the ap plication process you write a short bio, and each person reads the other’s introduction out loud in first person so you step into their shoes for a moment.”

After that, each participant asks the other about the most influential people in their life, and then they ask each other to articulate their personal political values.

“And then they’re off to the races,” Mey ers said. “The conversation can be freeform, otherwise as the facilitator I have backup questions they can use if they need more structure.”

While these conversations bring up dif fering viewpoints, they are not a debate. Rather, One Small Step conversations are a chance to find common ground and see the humanity in someone you would never have envisioned connecting with. Often, the similarities are greater than each participant would have thought.

“Everybody is doing the best that they can and wants what’s best for their com munity and their loved ones. When you sit down on an even playing field and talk about your lives and the things that shaped you, people find they have a tremendous amount

So far, WTIP has done around a dozen facilitated conversations, with the goal to do 25 in total by the end of the year. That means there’s room for more participants to sign up, and participants don’t have to live in Cook County. Meyers said they’ve had a few people from Lake County and have people in the application pool from Duluth.

As far as what happens with the record ings, that’s up to the participants–the pur pose of One Small Step is to be a community service project, not to gather tape. Partici pants are under no obligation to share their conversations with anyone, but those that are willing can have their conversation ar chived in the StoryCorps database and in the Library of Congress.

They say change starts small, and One Small Step is just that–a step away from po larization and toward common ground.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has tak en this step,” Meyers said. “It takes a lot of courage to do that and I believe we’re mak ing a difference.”

Learning more about the initiative at: wtip.org.—Rae Poynter

One Small Step participants Scott Benolken [LEFT] and Steve Fernland outside WTIP after their conversation. | SUBMITTED

One Small Step conversations are a chance to find common ground and see the humanity in someone you would never have envisioned connecting with.

Cook County Historical Society Cookcountyhistory.org

For 98 years, Cook County Historical Society has been collecting, preserving, and sharing the material, cultural, and artistic heritage of Cook County. We operate five historical sites while providing programming, events, exhibitions, publications, and tours.

Gitchi-Gami Trail Association Ggta.org

The GGTA works with MnDNR and MnDOT to promote and plan for a premier paved trail connecting the communities, state parks, and points of interest along the North Shore of Lake Superior from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. With your help, we can support this great trail on our great lake!

Give to the Max Day is Minnesota’s annual day of giving to thousands of nonprofits across the state. We support these North Shore nonprofits any day of the year and we hope you will too!

Grand Marais Playhouse Grandmaraisplayhouse.com

The Grand Marais Playhouse has been building community through theater since 1971. It provides high quality theater productions and educational opportunities with and for Cook County residents and visitors. We value artistic challenge and growth, diversity, equity, community, and collaboration.

Duluth Area Family YMCA DuluthYMCA.org/Give

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

North Shore Area Partners Nsapartners.org

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

Cook County School District 166 Education Foundation Cookcountyschools. org/page/educationfoundation

The mission of the CCSDEF is to offer unique experiences through innovative instruction and cocurricular programs which are unable to be funded by ISD 166 or other sources. Our annual fundraiser, E.A.T.S., has not been held for two years due to COVID-19. Donations are tax deductible and your check may be sent to P.O. Box 583, Grand Marais, MN 55604-1117.

Cross River Heritage CenterCrossriverheritage.org

The mission of the Schroeder Area Historical Society, located in the Cross River Heritage Center, is to research, document, record, preserve, and provide education regarding the unique history, art, and culture of the Schroeder area and the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Friends of the Finland Community Friendsoffinland.org

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

Cook County Higher EducationMycche.org

Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) makes it possible for local residents to earn a certificate, diploma, or degree that leads to living-wage employment in our community. With an emphasis on trades training and providing FREE CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) programming this year, CCHE could use your support! Please visit our website to donate.

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Sawtoothmountainclinic.org

Our Giving Tree program helps ensure access to high-quality healthcare by providing patients with grocery vouchers, fuel cards, and medical lodging vouchers. Donations help patients keep food on the table and travel the long distances required to see medical specialists.

North House Folk School Northhouse.org

Our mission is to enrich lives and build community by teaching traditional northern crafts in a student-centered learning environment that inspires the hands, the heart and the mind North Shore Healthcare Foundation Northshorehealth carefoundation.org

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

Chik-Wauk partners with Duluth Planetarium

the previous night. The camera is monitored by Coleman, who is a professor of chemistry and has a background in physics, optics and chemistry.

WTIP North Shore Community RadioWTIP.org

WTIP is community supported, volunteer driven radio for the North Shore. On the air since 1998, our mission is to provide locally focused news, community views and eclectic music programming for residents and visitors to the North Shore and beyond.

Two Harbors Area Food Shelf Thfoodshelf. org

Our mission is to reduce hunger and improve the health of those in need by providing food and resources at no cost. So far in 2022 we have seen a 30% increase in the need for food assistance in our community, in part due to rising inflation and economic hardships. This year alone we have received over 1,200 visits to our Food Shelf. Your support will allow us to meet the ever-increasing demand for our services, now and in 2023!

International Wolf Center Wolf.org

Teaching the World about Wolves. Donations made Nov. 1-19 will be TRIPLED by matching funds up to $50,000. Your donation will support our ambassador wolves and our education programs for students, families, and wolf enthusiasts.

GUNFLINT TRAIL—It can be said there is truly nothing more spectacular than viewing the vast night sky along the North Shore. The stars are crisp and clear, planets are often vis ible and a rare visit from the northern lights (aurora borealis) never fails to amaze those who experience the wonders of the night.

The skies of the North Shore are so unique, the International Dark Sky Association (IDSA) recognizes a portion of the Boundary Waters to be among 19 of the darkest sky sanctuaries in the world.

The Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, operated by the Gunflint Trail His torical Society (GTHS), in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, has front row seats to this nocturnal beauty. The museum was established nearly 15 years ago and GTHS president, David Coleman, describes it as “a world class little museum.” It is located at the heart of the BWCAW, a three-hour drive from Duluth. The site is now home to an AllSky Cam. The installation of the camera was a three-and-a-half-year project. It has been up and running for two years. A collab oration with University of Minnesota Duluth Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium and GTHS brought this complicated electronic project to completion.

“The partnership and dedication of plan

The device takes a live picture every minute, from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise.

| SUBMITTED

etariums executive director, Jessica Rodgers, continues to make the project even better each year,” says Coleman.

The camera has a fish eye lens, with the ability to provide a horizon-to-horizon view of the sky. The device takes a live picture ev ery minute from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise. A video is then compiled into a minute and a half movie, which can be viewed online at: bit.ly/um dallskycamera. Images of the Milky Way and constellations can be seen in real time from

“Sometimes there is not much happening and other times the sky just goes crazy,” says Coleman.

He adds that the video gets views from all around the world on a nightly basis.

The Chik-Wauk Dark-Sky Committee is a newly formed group, now in the process of developing more telescope and educational opportunities to the public. Coleman and his co-chair, Emma Adams, lead a group of skilled individuals in the fields of astrology, night sky photography and constellation interpretations. The name Chik-Wauk is a derivation of an Anishinaabe word to mean a pine tree. Members of the Anishinaabe community are key contributors to the com mittee. More information on the committees work and a calendar of events offered at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center can be found at: gunflinthistory.org. The muse um and nature center are open the week be fore Memorial Day through October for the 2023 season.

The GTHS partners at the University Min nesota Duluth operates the Duluth Planetar ium, built between 1965-1967 with a gen erous donation from Mr. Marshall William Alworth to resurrect the passion of Duluth resident John Darling, who loved to stargaze and share his findings with others. The first observation dome in Duluth was created by Darling in 1917. His original telescope used in the 1920s is on permanent display in the planetarium lobby. The facility has had many additions and upgrades in recent years, in cluding a mobile GeoDome Theater system which provides a traveling program to reach more people, particularly local schools.

In addition to traditional presentations us ing the classic Star Machine, the museum is expanding exhibits to create a more interac tive experience of astronomy with full dome movies. Each of the shows on site feature an interpretive constellation display. Plans are also underway to restore the campus obser vatory adjacent to the planetarium. This new facility will include a high-powered telescope housed under a retractable dome and will be open to the public. The full schedule of events, hours of operation and ticket infor mation are available at: bit.ly/umdplanetari um, or call 218-726-7129.—Michelle Miller

Chik-Wauk is now home to an AllSky Cam, which has the ability to provide a horizon-to-horizon view of the sky. | SUBMITTED

Points North

The Month In Between

By Shawn Perich

In the Northern Wilds, everyone has a fa vorite month. Given the dramatic change in seasons, perhaps two or three. Sometimes, you may not recognize a favorite month un til you are experiencing it. The weather in any month may significantly change from one year to the next.

That said, the transition months of April and November are least likely to make any one’s list of favorites. April is sometimes referred to as “mud season” as the melt ing winter snow is absorbed in the soil in preparation for the typical switch from winter to summer. On the other hand, November spans a time that is neither au tumn nor winter. In some ways it spans a bit of both seasons, often in the same day.

A sunny and mild afternoon may sudden ly sink into a freezing evening as the sun, with little fanfare, dips below the horizon. While the shortest day officially occurs just before Christmas, it signals its arrival in November.

November typically delivers more snow than rain, but that doesn’t make it winter. The snow that arrives in November is a sub stance all of its own. In the Northern Wilds, there are two reasons for this. The first rea son is because the ground, at least for most of the month, is still unfrozen. This causes the snow to change texture over time, usu ally melting a day or more after it falls. The second reason is Lake Superior. Air tem peratures are warmer near the open water. As you move inland, gaining elevation and distance from the lake, snow depth and the texture of the snow changes. Often this may occur as you simply walk up hill and away from the lake.

The trouble with November is that it gen erally lacks the consistent snow and cold necessary for winter activities like snow mobiling, skiing and ice fishing. At the same time, it is too cool and snowy for most warm season activities with the exception of hiking—even that is limited due to the pres ence of deer hunters in the woods. Perhaps the only outdoor folks who truly enjoy No vember are deer hunters and Lake Superior storm watchers.

The storm watchers are less interested in the snow and cold than they are in the big waves that may accompany them. Lake Superior can be especially grouchy in No vember, when the collision of cold Arctic air with warm, moist air from the Gulf

creates strong winds that blow across the lake. Such was the weather that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald

For deer hunters, snow not only leaves records of the crossings of whitetails and other creatures, but also creates a backdrop in the densely vegetated forest. Without that backdrop, a deer may pass a hunter unseen.

While no two years are the same, the first snows of deer season, which begins in early November, are often fluffy dustings rang ing from barely a ground cover to a cou ple of inches. Such snows are a blessing to still-hunters, a vanishing breed of hunters who slip through the forest on their feet, pursuing deer on the animals’ own terms, rather than waiting in an unseen ambush from a tree stand or box on the ground.

The snow tells stories of the forest; not just deer tales, but the comings and goings of other creatures as well. The passing of everything from red squirrels to wolves is visible in the snow. Often these tales are as interesting to a hunter as those of the prey the hunter seeks.

The best snows for still-hunters are the ones that fall during the cooler hours of the night and then cease around sunup. Any tracks seen in such snows are bound to be fresh; “smokin’ hot” as some say. Often the deer that made them is not far away. Some hunters will follow the hoof prints hoping

to “track down” the deer, especially if the tracks are fresh. Rarely is this technique effective. A deer won’t survive if it allows predators to sneak up on it.

Often, new snow becomes soft and starts to melt once daybreak’s chill dissipates. By lunchtime, dawn’s fresh tracks are sim ply spots where the snow has melted away. Fresh tracks made at midday may look old in an hour. During the afternoon, snow will disappear from sunny spots. Overnight, the remaining snow may freeze and be crunchy at sunrise. If the temperature climbs during the day, the melting process begins again.

If the weather is warm when the snow falls, it will be soft and sticky when it hits the ground. Sometimes inches of heavy, wet snow will cling to branches and tree trunks, reducing forest visibility to zero. In such conditions, the best place to be is in doors, waiting for the snow to fall from the trees. More often a dry snow will land in the branches and then drop to the forest floor with the arrival of a slight breeze.

As the 16-day hunting season progress es, the cold of the coming winter creeps closer. Inland from Lake Superior, the snow is more likely to stay and perhaps accumulate. Deer trails, tracks left by ani mals travelling back and forth, start to ap pear. Usually these are made by the same deer marching back and forth. With colder temperatures, the snow is generally more

winterlike, though it may still melt away from places exposed to the sun.

Down on the ridges rising from Superior, the snow remains temporary or nonexis tent. While the sun continues sinking closer to the horizon, even at midday, with the as sist of the Lake’s warmth, it is able to melt the snow. Less snow falls near Superior, of ten delaying the arrival of winter. There may not be much snow on the ground near Lake Superior well into December.

The lack of snow makes a difference for deer and other creatures that spend the win ter in the Northern Wilds. While few deer exist more than a few miles inland from the Big Lake, those that do take advantage of the mild conditions. When whitetails were more abundant, there was a noticeable mi gration of inland populations to the lake shore in late November.

Eventually, the Northern Wilds surren ders to below zero temperatures or kneedeep snows that announce the arrival of winter. Nevertheless, it still may be weeks before winter’s grip is firmly established with the arrival of safely frozen lakes, snow depths sufficient for grooming ski and snowmobile trails, and snowbanks piling up along roadsides. Once winter takes hold, everyone knows the mud season of April is far, far away.

Lake Superior storms are among the few attractions of the transition month of November. | TERRY HOWARD

The Brilliant Night Sky

By Rae Poynter

AS WE MOVE CLOSER TO THE WINTER SOLSTICE, we settle into the darkest and quietest time of the year. The hum and brightness of summer is replaced by November gales and dwindling daylight hours. The bright side of all this darkness? The dazzling night sky.

The Northern Wilds have some of the darkest skies in the nation, with the Boundary Waters designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association. (One of only a handful of designated sanctuaries worldwide.) So, take advantage of the darkness to see what you can find in the inky sky.

The Northern Lights

One of the most striking features of northerly skies is the aurora borealis, or the northern lights. Although the auro ra can appear at any time of year, more hours of darkness mean a greater chance of catching nature’s light show.

David Johnson is a Grand Marais photographer who has been capturing the night sky, including the northern lights, for years. He often goes out at 3 or 4 a.m. to do photography, and has mastered the art of capturing northern Minnesota’s sky. Johnson said he follows a few Facebook groups that dis cuss aurora conditions, and if the forecast is good he might stay out all night chasing the auroras. Often, he has a few locations in mind of scenes he wants to capture with the northern lights.

“There are so many places to go and so many scenes that you want to capture with the aurora,” Johnson said.

For those wanting to capture the northern lights on a camera, Johnson has a few tips for those new to nighttime photography. The first is to have a way to stabilize your cam era, whether that’s with a tripod or even setting it on your vehicle.

“You definitely want to be in manual focus, not auto fo cus,” Johnson said. “When it comes to ISO, which is your light, I start between 1600 and 2000 ISO, or less if there’s moonlight. Then your aperture, which is how far open your lens is—you want to be wide open. I start off at 5 or 10 sec onds and then keep dialing it in. Sometimes it’s a scramble when you first start getting into it, but you get it dialed in and it’s not too bad to figure out.”

And while most of us associate the aurora with undu lating lights across the sky, sometimes the aurora appears as a distinct band or pillar stretching east to west. This is known as STEVE, or Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement. Sometimes STEVE can have a picket fence appearance, and can be seen farther south than typical au rora displays.

One of the most striking features of northerly skies is the aurora borealis, or the northern lights.

| DAVID JOHNSON

The Northern Wilds have some of the darkest skies in the nation, with the Boundary Waters designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association (one of only a handful of designated sanctuaries worldwide).

| DAVID JOHNSON

Moving Objects

The night sky is also filled with moving objects that can be fun to spot. The first of these is shooting stars. Shooting stars happen when a meteor enters and burns in Earth’s at mosphere. Even though most meteors are tiny–like a grain of sand–larger meteors produce even more brilliant displays and can have a “fireball” appearance when entering the at mosphere.

In addition to meteors, the night sky is filled with manmade objects. Satellites appear like slowly moving stars as they orbit Earth. Thanks to our ever-connected modern so ciety, it’s become easier than ever to spot the many satellites that keep our worldwide communications going.

Two particular satellites may stand out to viewers. One is the International Space Station (ISS), a platform for scientif ic research. Low in Earth’s orbit, the ISS is the third-bright est object in the sky. (You might even mistake it for a plane, except it doesn’t have any flashing lights.) You can track the location of the ISS at: spotthestation.nasa.gov.

Another unique moving object (or objects) is the Star link constellation of satellites. Owned by SpaceX, Starlink provides satellite internet service. To date, Starlink has launched over 3,000 satellites. From the ground, these satel lites may look like a “train” of lights moving together across the sky.

Brilliant Stars

The dark winter skies are also a perfect time to see the Milky Way and winter constellations. Cold temperatures mean less moisture in the air, leading to more brilliant stars. The most famous of all the winter constellations is Orion, the hunter, which rises in the southern sky on winter nights. Other prominent winter constellations include Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini and Taurus.

Overhead, stargazers will also see the Milky Way on a clear night. So named because our galaxy can appear to cast a white cloud over the sky, the term “Milky Way” typically refers to this distinct band, even though all the stars in the sky are part of the Milky Way galaxy. The gauzy appearance of the Milky Way is thanks to our galaxy’s billions of stars. While most of these stars are too far away to be seen with the naked eye, they collectively form the characteristic glow that illuminates the night sky.

The dark winter skies are also a perfect time to see the Milky Way and winter constellations. Cold temperatures mean less moisture in the air, leading to more brilliant stars.

It’s also possible to spot some of our galactic neighbors. The Andromeda galaxy is a neighboring spiral galaxy at 2.5 million light years away. Andromeda can best be seen in the autumn months, from September through November.

For those interested in learning more constellations, in stalling a star map app can help new stargazers learn the name of constellations and search for their favorite stars in the sky.

Noctilucent Clouds

Are those northern lights or clouds? If it’s summertime, it might be hard to tell. Noctilucent clouds are the highest clouds in Earth’s atmosphere, and can be visible at twilight during the summer months. These clouds are formed when

| DAVID JOHNSON

ice crystals in the mesosphere form around tiny particles left behind from things like meteors or space crafts. When the sun is below the horizon, its light can reflect off these clouds, giving them an otherworldly, glowing appearance reminiscent of the aurora. (Noctilucent means “night shin ing.”) The reason these clouds are visible in the summer is because very cold temperatures are needed in the meso sphere for them to form, and the mesosphere is coldest in the summer.

While noctilucent clouds are occasionally visible at low er latitudes, the best chance of viewing them during peak months is between latitudes of 50 and 70 degrees.

Hunting While Sick

By Joe Shead

The day before deer season I had promised my friend Joe I would duck hunt with him. However, by Thursday evening I wasn’t feeling up to duck hunting. I had a fever, chills and a stuffy nose. But if I cancelled, I knew I would have to look into Joe’s sad puppy dog eyes and break his heart, so I kept our appointment.

Imet Joe at the boat landing Friday morning, well before dawn. I was not looking forward to this. As much as I love duck hunting, I’d have much rather been in bed, nestled in my cozy blankets. Nonetheless, we donned waders, set out our decoys and greeted the dawn: Joe with naïve duck hunter’s optimism, and me with a blank stare as I concentrated on breathing through my mouth and contemplated the possibility of leaving early.

The hunt wasn’t my finest moment. My ears were plugged, which made it hard to hear duck wings cleaving the sky. My senses felt dull; my movements slow and awkward. When we had birds in range, I just wasn’t ready for them.

The hunting wasn’t too hot, but the morn ing was punctuated by Joe’s first bufflehead: a gorgeous drake that now adorns his living room. By mid-morning, however, the flight had slowed down and my symptoms wors ened. Eventually, I slogged to shore and laid down on the high ground.

“Here comes a flock! Do you want to shoot?” Joe asked from a cattail clump a few yards away. I just groaned in reply.

“How about these?” Joe asked as another flock circled.

“Ugh,” I moaned.

Eventually, Joe took pity on me and called it a morning. Packing up was no fun. There were a lot of decoys to retrieve with cold, wet hands, but the thought of going home and flopping down on my bed was good motivation.

I slept most of the day, exhausted from our early morning exertion, coupled with an overall lack of energy. I didn’t know how I was going to go deer hunting in the morn ing, but it was opening day and I couldn’t not go. That afternoon, I packed my truck with my hunting gear. Usually I would drive up north the night before season and spend the night in my truck. However, the idea of sleeping in a cold truck topper did not appeal to me in the least. I voted to sleep in my cozy bed and make a long drive early in the morning.

The following morning, I woke up extra early to make the 75-mile drive. It was a challenging, uncomfortable ride. At times I got chills and I cranked the heater to full blast. But minutes later I’d be sweating and I’d have to turn on the air conditioner.

These hot and cold spells alternated for the duration of the drive. How I was go

ing to spend a morning in a tree stand and shoot a deer was beyond me. I hoped a dumb buck would just stumble out right away and I could get the hunt over with.

I shouldered my climbing tree stand, toted my rifle and made the long trek to my stand site. The exertion took my breath away and I stopped frequently. I started the hike with my jacket in hand, but by the time I was halfway to my stand, almost all my upper layers were off. By the time I settled in my tree I was completely exhausted. It would feel good to just sit and rest. I hoped maybe the fresh air would do me good.

I sat, 15 feet up a birch tree, breath ing through my mouth and trying not to cough. Maybe I’d get lucky and shoot one right away, but I knew that wasn’t likely. I rarely shoot a buck on opening morning. I watched the sunrise and began the task of sweeping my eyes back and forth, scanning for any sign of movement.

Usually that opening morning excite ment keeps me fired up for several hours. That energy keeps me from snacking or get ting distracted by my phone. But for what ever reason, that morning I reached into my pack and pulled out a package of Pop-Tarts.

So, there I was, trying to unwrap a foil wrapper silently in the woods—an impossi ble task. I don’t even know why I was eating because the season was only a half-hour old. I was chewing on a Pop-Tart when suddenly a doe came from behind me at a trot. Right on her tail was a buck. I threw the remain ing portion of the Pop-Tart into my pack and snapped my rifle to my shoulder. I gave the rack a quick glance and saw that the buck was plenty good enough for me. That buck should have lived to see another day. All he had to do was keep tailing the doe. But, for some reason, he stopped just before he disappeared behind some trees. He was right in the open and the

one branch that could have concealed him was about 6 inches too high to save his life. I snuck a bullet under the branch and the 9-pointer went down. I couldn’t believe it! Here I was, sick as a dog, with a nice buck down on opening morning. What a relief.

I got down from my stand right away. As happy as I was with the buck, I was more relieved that I could go home now. Howev er, I wasn’t looking forward to the drag. It would be a fair distance, but at least most of it would be on trails. I tagged and fielddressed the buck, then carried my gun and stand back to my truck, leaving a few layers of clothing behind as well. Then I returned for the deer.

Dragging a deer out of the woods is never particularly fun, but especially when you’re sick. At least I didn’t have to worry about suppressing my cough now. I took my time, doing the best I could. When I needed to stop, I stopped. I had all day.

But to my delight, my strength was re turning. A day earlier and I’d have real ly struggled getting that deer out of the woods. Today was no picnic by any means, but moving the deer was do-able. Besides, you have to stop now and then to admire your buck’s antlers anyway.

By the time I reached the truck, I was actually starting to come around. In fact, although earlier I was excited to go home, now I was embracing the day. My shotgun and a sack of duck decoys were in the back of my truck and there was a nearby lake I had always wanted to hunt… so I decided to go for it.

When I reached the parking spot where I’d have to begin the mile-long hike to the lake, to my surprise, I found a truck already parked there. Who would be duck hunting on opening day of deer season? A minute later I got my answer as a blaze orange-clad hunter exited the woods on the hiking trail. He said he was just hiking along the trail, taking a little midday walk, when he spotted an 8-pointer in the clearing only a couple hundred yards from the truck.

I immediately put my duck hunting plans on hold and offered to help him drag out his buck. It’s amazing what a little deer drag ging will do for your health.

The author endured a fever and chills on opening day of deer season, but was rewarded with this 9-point buck. Dragging it out of the woods seemed to have a curative effect. | SUBMITTED

By Breana Johnson

Past & Present Artists

There’s a new art show in Thunder Bay, titled Celebrating Artists Past and Present. Hosted by Biljana Baker, the show will feature artwork from current artists, as well as those who have passed. It will be held in the Valhalla Ballroom Nov. 12-13, starting at 10 a.m. each day. See our events section for more info.

Host Biljana Baker is the artist behind this painting, titled “Fall Glory.” | BILJANA BAKER

“The Far North” is an acrylic on canvas by Crystal Nielsen. | CRYSTAL NIELSEN

This wooden bowl was created by Marcel Tardif of Sumac Hill Creations.

| MARCEL TARDIF

This pine needle basket, titled “Quail,” was created by Sandra McInnes.

| SANDRA MCINNES

Danielle Kantola is one of many artists attending the show. This painting is titled “Eye of the World.” | DANIELLE KANTOLA

This 22-by-33-inch watercolor by Lee Fidler is titled “Sleepyhead.” | LEE FIDLER

Eugene Vandel created this 36-by-36-inch acrylic piece, titled “The Gathering.”

| EUGENE VANDEL

Jessica Berg-Collman: European Mounts on the North Shore

CREATIVE SPACE: By Eric Weicht

Despite its notorious gales, November is usually a pretty quiet month on the North Shore.

By the time November rolls around each year, the leaves have all fallen and the tem peratures have too. Forests are frozen and the lakes have started to harden, but it’s not quite ski season. November is the final tran sition before the long nights of winter.

For an outdoorswoman like Jessica Berg-Collman, however, November is one of the busiest months of the year. November is hunting season.

Berg-Collman is a passionate hunter, has been her whole life, but that is not the only reason why she gets excited when November rolls around. Three years ago, Berg-Collman decided to try her hand at creating European mounts [or “skull mounts” as they are some times referred to], and she has been “perfect ing her method” every November since.

“I first started doing European mounts for friends and family,” says Berg-Collman, “just to see if I could do it—if I was any good at it.”

“It turned out that I was,” continues Berg-Collman, “so I started taking on more mounts and continued to perfect my meth od. Hunting is tough in our area—people have to be pretty lucky to get a buck—but this ‘side gig’ of mine has been growing, spreading mostly through word of mouth and social media.”

Berg-Collman was born and raised in Grand Marais and has lived in Northeast ern Minnesota for most of her life.

“Actually, I was almost literally born on the Gunflint Trail,” says Berg-Collman, “somewhere near Swamper Lake in the mid dle of the night.”

“Throughout college and the years that I spent traveling,” continues Berg-Collman, “I was always drawn back to Northeastern Minnesota. Lake Superior is a powerful force in my life, I don’t think that I could ever part with it.”

Berg-Collman grew up surrounded by the Northwoods, and spent a good portion of her childhood in and around Saganaga Lake at the end of the Gunflint Trail. Some of her favorite memories are of times spent “taking naps and playing with minnows and leeches” on the floor of her mom Julie Collman’s boat, and visiting with the “lifelong residents” of Saganaga Lake.

“One of my most memorable experiences as a child,” says Berg-Collman, “was visiting Betsy Powell and watching her shoot wolf

spiders with a 22 cal. through her screen door. Growing up around these unique people is what inspired me to enjoy the out doors in my own way, with independence and confidence.”

Today, Berg-Collman spends as much time as she can on the water each summer fishing for “hawgs” (what her and her family call walleyes over 28 inches in length) with her two white Labs Winter and Stormi. Her father, Mike Berg—owner of the Seagull Creek Fishing Camp at the end of the Gun flint Trail—is who Berg-Collman credits with her love of fishing for walleye.

“My biggest ‘hawg’ this summer was 31 inches,” says Berg-Collman, “but I’m wait ing for a 33-inch fish to put on my wall. My dad has caught and released over a dozen 33-inch-plus fish so I know that they’re out there.”

Now, with the 2022 fishing season behind her, Berg-Collman is gearing up for hunting season and another season of mounts.

According to Berg-Collman, the process of creating a European mount—which is a mount where only the skull and antlers of an animal are displayed—is intensive. It takes her about four days from start to finish to complete a mount, and with the equipment that she has she is able to process three to four skulls at a time.

“I start by skinning the hide off of the deer head and boiling it in water,” says

Berg-Collman. “Then, the tedious work begins.”

“I spend about an hour scraping the re maining flesh off of the skull and removing all of the unnecessary cartilage and bone,” continues Berg-Collman. “Once the skull is clean, I soak it in hydrogen peroxide. If the skull is ‘not fresh,’ it can take two weeks or more to turn white. Once it’s white, I let it dry in the sun before spraying it with a clear coat to give the skull a nice shine.”

Also known as a skull mount, a European mount is a mount where only the skull and antlers of an animal are displayed. | SUBMITTED

Photos of Jessica Berg-Collman’s work can be found on her Facebook page, and for anyone lucky enough to harvest a buck this year, she can be contacted at jessica26june@ gmail.com to have a buck mounted this hunting season.

Jessica Berg-Collman has grown up fishing for walleye on Saganaga Lake. | SUBMITTED

Three years ago, Berg-Collman decided to try her hand at creating European mounts—it turns out she’s quite good at it. | SUBMITTED

N O RT H WO O D S B

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

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

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

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

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

Boundary Waters Boy

Veteran long-distance hiker Annie Nelson compiled the information and advice you need for a successful thru-hike adventure on the 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail. $14.95

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

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

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

THE

BY ANNIE NELSON

The Legendary Great Lakes Shipwreck

Elle Andra-Warner

THE ALEC BOOSTROM STORY

By Jack Blackwell

DULUTH JUNK HUNT

Nov. 3-5 Love antique shopping and searching for goodies? Take part in the semi-annual, three-day Duluth Junk Hunt at the Decc, featuring vintage, antique and repurposed treasures from more than 125 of the area’s finest vendors. There will also be a farmer’s market with fresh flowers, bakery treats and local makers. Those who pay admission for the Early Bird price ($17 at the door or $15 online) can shop from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday. General admission tickets for Friday and Saturday cost $7 at the door ($5 online); held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. duluthjunkhunt.com

LAKE SUPERIOR JAZZ FESTIVAL

Nov. 4-6 A weekend full of live jazz music and performances is coming to Lutsen for the first-ever Lake Superior Jazz Festival, organized by Visit Cook County and Lut Song Productions. On Friday, Nov. 4, Min nesota jazz acts the Southside Aces and the Andrew Walesch Orchestra will perform at Papa Charlie’s, following a jazz dinner with Brilliant Colors Jazz Trio at Lutsen Resort. Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Or chestra will be flying into Minnesota for a headline performance at Papa Charlie’s on Saturday, Nov. 5. Also on Nov. 5, Twin Cit ies-based Gypsy Mania “Hot Club” Swing Jazz Band will play at the Summit Chalet at 1 p.m. The festival schedule will be capped off on Sunday, Nov. 6 with a Jazz Brunch at Caribou Highlands featuring Grand Portage jazz guitarist and musician Briand Morri son. visitcookcounty.com/events

The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting event will take place on Thursday, Nov. 10 at Split Rock Lighthouse. | HAYES SCRIVEN

Southside Aces will perform at Papa Charlie’s in Lutsen on Friday, Nov. 4 as part of the Lake Superior Jazz Festival. | SUBMITTED

ARTISANS NORTHWEST

ART & FINE CRAFT SHOW

Nov. 5-6 The not-for-profit Artisans Northwest group in Thunder Bay will celebrate their 46th Annual Art and Fine Craft Show Nov. 5-6 at the Val halla Inn Ballroom. This year’s juried show will feature a variety of media by multiple artists, from paintings and ce ramics to woodworking and fiber arts. The show will be held from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. artisansnorthwest.ca

EDMUND FITZGERALD MEMORIAL BEACON LIGHTING

Nov. 10, Thursday Held at Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, this annu al event commemorates the sinking of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald and the loss of her 29 crew members on Nov. 10, 1975. It is also a time to re flect on the memory of all lives lost on the Great Lakes. The lighthouse, fog signal building and visitor center will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and guides will greet visitors and provide historic site and shipwreck informa tion. Throughout the day, visitors can view a film about the Edmund Fitzger ald in the visitor center, or join a guid ed tour exploring the history of the Fitzgerald’s final voyage. At 4:30 p.m., the lighthouse will close temporarily while the names of the crew members are read to the tolling of a ship’s bell, with a rendition of the Naval Hymn. Following the ceremony, the beacon will be lit and the tower will be open again to tour until 6 p.m. mnhs.org/ splitrock

GLENSHEEN: THE CABARET!

Nov. 11-12 Visit Cook County in Grand Marais has partnered with a new pro duction company, LutSong Produc tions, to bring a new performance to the Papa Charlie’s stage at Lutsen Mountains. This will be the first public performance of “Glensheen: The Cab aret!” an adaptation of the St. Paul History Theater musical “Glensheen: The Musical,” a blockbuster hit about the 1977 Congdon family tragedy in Duluth. Four of the original “Glen sheen: The Musical” leads Jen Maren,

Dane Stauffer, Sandra Struthers and Randy Schmeling, along with music director George Maurer, will enact an intimate concert presentation of the smash-hit musical by Jeffery Hatcher and Chan Poling. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, and at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12. visitcookcounty.com/events

JUNIOR LEAGUE FESTIVAL OF TREES

Nov. 12-13 Mark your calendars for the annual Junior League of Dulu th’s Festival of Trees, held Nov. 12-13 at the Duluth Decc. In the past, this event has included over 170 of the ar ea’s top crafters and vendors showing their wares. Other highlights include JLD toffee and beautiful hand-dec orated trees. This holiday arts, crafts and gifts show will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m.3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 on Saturday, $4 on Sunday; kids 12 and under are free. Shoppers that bring a canned food donation for Second Harvest will receive $1 off their admis sion. juniorleagueduluth.org

CELEBRATING ARTISTS

PAST AND PRESENT

Nov. 12-13 Held at the Valhalla Ball room in Thunder Bay and hosted by Biljana Baker, Celebrating Artists Past and Present is a different kind of art show. The show honors artists that have passed away, such as Roy Thom as, Susan Ross, Gladys Postans and Paul Bents, while also celebrating to day’s talented artists. There will be more than 30 booths with over 50 artists represented, giving you a look at the best of what Thunder Bay has to offer. You will see a representation of visual art, traditional beading, met alwork, jewelry, fiber art, stained and fused glass, photography, art from Superior High School, the Chippewa Carousel, and more. The show takes place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. There will also be a $1,100 chair door prize. biljanabaker@shaw.ca

Bentleyville in Duluth will open Saturday, Nov. 19 and run until Dec. 26. | SUBMITTED

Shop from over 200 artisans and businesses at 18 locations during the Holiday Craft Revival in Thunder Bay. | SUBMITTED

The Oh Ole Night parade in Grand Marais will start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday,

rade should meet in the Senior Center park ing lot at 5 p.m. Following the parade will be a tree lighting ceremony in Harbor Park, culminating with fireworks over the harbor. visitcookcounty.com/events

WINTER HOVLAND ARTS FESTIVAL

WINTERERS’ GATHERING & ARCTIC FILM FEST

Nov. 17-20 Celebrate the crafts, customs, landscape, history and stories of winter travel and traditional life ways in the North. Featuring winter-centric coursework, a winter tent camp, gear swap, film festival, demonstrations, speakers, a communi ty contra dance, a poetry slam and a chili feed, this is a classic event to welcome the season of white. Held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Anton Treuer is this year’s featured speaker. His talk, Ojibwe Winter Stories, will feature tribal oral traditions, Ojibwe language and lore for the coming season; held on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. northhouse.org

BENTLEYVILLE

“TOUR OF LIGHTS”

Nov. 19-Dec. 26 Located in Bayfront Fes tival Park in Duluth, Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” invites guests to stroll under the glow of over 5 million lights, while enjoy ing complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and roasted marshmallows. Kids can also visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus (kids 10 and under will receive a knit win ter hat). Bentleyville is free (though dona tions are appreciated) and opens at 5 p.m. daily, including all holidays; parking is $10 per vehicle. Guests are also encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or new unwrapped toy to donate to the Salvation Army for those in need. Remember to dress for warmth as Bentleyville is an outdoor event. bentleyvilleusa.org

OH OLE NIGHT

Nov. 25, Friday Grand Marais will once again host the quirky small-town Oh Ole Night Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. down town. Those wanting to take part in the pa

Nov. 26, Saturday The Hovland Town Hall will be packed with various artists on Saturday, November 26 for the Winter Hovland Arts Festival. Held from 10 a.m.4 p.m., you’ll find artwork of all kinds, from ceramics and fiber crafts to jewelry and paintings. There will also be snacks and beverages available. facebook.com/ hovlandartsfestival

HOLIDAY CRAFT REVIVAL

Nov. 27, Sunday The Craft Revival is once again taking over the Waterfront District and Marina in Thunder Bay. For one day only, prepare to shop and dine while keep ing it local. You’ll find one-of-a-kind items from over 200 artisans and local business es. Held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you’ll find everything from jewelry, fiber art and pho tography, to paintings, ceramics, soaps and candles. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides from Dell Farms and live en tertainment at various locations, as well as food and beverages. facebook.com/craf trevivaltbay

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thru Nov. 6

Flotsam & Jetsam: Drawings & Sculpture with Books, Mueller, Christiansen Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

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

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. 31

Margaux Williamson: Interiors 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

Nov. 2, Wednesday

Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Learning to Reconnect: Pathways to Playfulness 10:30 p.m. The Hub, Grand Marais, 218-387-2660

Nov. 3-5

Duluth Junk Hunt 9 a.m. Duluth Decc, duluthjunkhunt.com

Nov. 4, Friday

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

CoComelon Live! JJ’s Journey 6 p.m. Amsoil Arena, Duluth, decc.org

TBSO: Language of the People 7:30 p.m. Hilldale Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay, tbso.ca

Heidi Pack & Whiskey Trail 8 p.m. Silver Bay Lounge, facebook.com/silver.bay.munidipal

Nov. 4-5

Fall Food and Wine Lovers Weekend Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

A Night at the Theater 7 p.m. Vermilion Fine Arts Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

Nov. 4-6

Lake Superior Jazz Festival Lutsen, visitcookcounty.com/events

Nov. 5, Saturday

Minnesota Deer Opener

Get Great Stuff: Local Art & Gift Fair 10 a.m. Peace Church, Duluth, wendyupnorth.com Festival of the Season 10 a.m. Duluth Farmer’s Market, facebook.com/duluthfarmersmarket

Community Clothing Swap 10 a.m. Cook County Community Center: 4H Building, Grand Marais, cookcountylocalenergy.org

DSSO: Vaughan Williams & Tippett 7 p.m. Decc: Symphony Hall, Duluth, dsso.com

Let’s Dance! 7 p.m. Ely Senior Center, ely.org/events

Nov. 5-6

Vanderwees Country Christmas Craft Fair 9:30 a.m. Vanderwees Garden Gallery, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/vanderweesgardengallery

Artisans Northwest Art & Fine Craft Show

10 a.m. Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay, artisansnorthwest.ca

Nov. 5-21

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

Nov. 6, Sunday

Daylight Saving Time Ends Nov. 7-13

Art Show: Celebrating Our Youths (Reception Nov. 7 at 4 p.m.) Historic State Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

Nov. 8, Tuesday

Fresh Air Trail Run: Under the Lights 6 p.m. Kamview Nordic Centre, Thunder Bay, tbnordictrails.com

Nov. 9, Wednesday

Learning to Reconnect: Loneliness & Solitude 10:30 p.m. The Hub, Grand Marais, 218-387-2660

Nov. 10, Thursday

Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting 10 a.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

The Call of the Wild: Monthly Poetry Night 6 p.m. Northern Grounds, Ely, ely.org/events

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

Nov. 10-Dec. 3

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

Nov. 11, Friday

Veterans Day Remembrance Day

Level Up: Spellbound Tour 9 p.m. Atmos, Thunder Bay, levelupdub.net

Nov. 11-12

Billy Johnson 6:30 p.m. GunFlint Tavern, Grand Marais, gunflinttavern.com

Local Beef Auction & Gala 6:30 p.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/tbaygrowingproject

Nov. 12-13

Junior League Festival of Trees 9 a.m. (10 a.m. Sun.) Duluth Decc, juniorleagueduluth.org

Celebrating Artists Past and Present 10 a.m. Valhalla Ballroom, Thunder Bay, biljanabaker@shaw.ca

Hymers Fair Holiday Market 10 a.m. Airlane Hotel & Conference Centre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/hymersfallfair

Nov. 13, Sunday

St. Elizabeth Church 2-Bit Auction Fundraiser 1 p.m. St. Elizabeth Church, Thunder Bay, 807-622-1085

Nov. 15, Tuesday

Bert Kreischer: The Berty Boy Relapse Tour 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. Decc: Symphony Hall, Duluth, decc.org

Nov. 17, Thursday

Give to the Max Day Minnesota , givemn.org

Cook County Empty Bowls Grand Marais, emptybowlscookcounty.org

Nov. 17-20



TBSO: Boreal Forest Blues 7:30 p.m. Da Vinci Centre, Thunder Bay, tbso.ca

World Premiere of “Glensheen: The Cabaret!” Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, visitcookcounty.com/events

Nov. 11-13

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

Nov. 11-Dec. 4

North House Folk School Exhibition: Living With Craft (Reception Nov. 11 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Nov. 12, Saturday

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

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

Christmas Dessert, Tea & Bazaar 1:30 p.m. Lakeview Presbyterian Church, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Winterers’ Gathering & Arctic Film Fest

North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Nov. 18, Friday

Christmas City of the North Parade 6:30 p.m. Duluth, facebook.com/christmascityparade

TBSO: Transcending 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbso.ca

Nov. 18-19

Oliver Road Community Centre Christmas Craft Mart 6 p.m. (9:30 a.m. Sat.) Oliver Road Community Centre, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Nov. 18-20

Outdoor Adventure Expo Midwest Mountaineering, Minneapolis, outdooradventureexpo.com

Nov. 18-Dec. 18

Pepperkakebyen Gingerbread City Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Nov. 19, Saturday

Santa Claus Parade 10 a.m. Memorial Avenue, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/fortwilliamrotary

Share the Warmth: Free Winter Clothing Event 10 a.m. St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Silver Bay, facebook.com/stmarysilverbay

Duluth Fiber Guild Fair & Sale 10 a.m. First United Methodist Church, Duluth, duluthfiberguild.org

Local Author Showcase 11 a.m. Ely Public Library, elylibrary.org

Makers’ Market and Mixer 2 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

Mini Pops Kids Live! The Bright Lights Concert Tour 3 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Eira 7 p.m.

Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, northshoremusicassociation.com

Consortium Aurora Borealis: Count, Duke, Prince, King 8 p.m. St. Paul’s United Church, Thunder Bay, consortiumab.org

Nov. 19-Dec. 26

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

Nov. 22, Tuesday

Headstones: Flight Risk 7:30 p.m. Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, tbca.com

Nov. 24, Thursday Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Potluck 3 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

Nov. 25, Friday

Black Friday

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

Oh Ole Night Parade, Tree Lighting & Fireworks 5:30 p.m. Downtown Grand Marais, visitcookcounty.com/events

Nov. 26, Saturday

Winter Hovland Arts Festival 10 a.m. Hovland Town Hall, facebook.com/hovlandartsfestival

Book Talk with Marcie Rendon 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, facebook.com/drurylanebooks

McCullough Brothers 8 p.m. Silver Bay Lounge, facebook.com/silver.bay.munidipal Masquerade Dance Party 10 p.m. The Foundry, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/foundrytbay

Nov. 27, Sunday

Holiday Craft Revival 10 a.m.

Waterfront District, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/craftrevivaltbay

Holiday Craft Sale 11 a.m. Moose Hall, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

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

Cirque Dreams Holidaze 7 p.m. Decc: Symphony Hall, Duluth, decc.org

Dec. 1, Thursday

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

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

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

Dec. 3-4

Duluth Winter Village 10 a.m. Duluth Decc, duluthwintervillage.com

WEEKLY EVENTS

Tuesdays

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

Wednesdays

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

Thursdays

Date Night at the Winery 7 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

Saturdays

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

Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm

AmericInn, Silver Bay

Do your Christmas shopping locally and conveniently this year!

Local businesses will be setting up mini-stores at the AmericInn of Silver Bay. Come to one location and get all of your shopping done with a variety of businesses, crafters and artists. Rooms available for $50.00 plus tax for shoppers who want to spend the night.

Crystal Alhbeck: Kitchenware, Towels, Busy Bags

Debbie Alhbeck: Jewelry, Paparazzi

Kenny Albrecht: Clothes

Jessie Anderson: Creating My Journey, Custom Vinyl, etc.

Min Baker: Baked goods- cookies, bars, cake, jams & jellies made with wild berries.

Ashley Belanger: Young Living Essential Oils

Jessica Berger: MARS CO. Cocoa infused food enhancers + goodies

Jessica Conrad: Sewing Crafts, kitchen Towel, Hand Bags

Penni Cuppy: Body Butter, Lip Balm, Smelly Jelly, Candy Sleighs & Trains

Jill Davey: Soap. Pillows, Mittens

Roger Deloach: CDM Productions, Books, Photography, Music

Sheila Fetters: Wood signs, Glassware with Decals

Darcy Gaffke: Scarfs, Decorative Baskets, Cedar Wood Products

Maria Gilbertson: Suds N’ Wicks

Cindy Gustafson: Tie One On, Jordan Essentials

Christy Harling: Hannah’s Handmade Creations, Bath & Body Products

Laurie Kallinen: Kallico Jams and Jellies

Trish Kasprzyk: Snug a Bowl/Koozies

Michelle Ketola: Childrens Books

Sandy Knupp: LED pictures, herbal neck wraps.

Jan Lillis: Suncatchers, Jewelry

Molly Lisor: Sipology by Steep Tea

Tami Long: Young Living Essential Oils, Plant Based Cleaning Products and Supplements

Bev Mell: Mittens Out of Sweaters

Audrey Nelson: Sewing Items, Mittens, Artwork

Cheryl Smrekar: Photography

Melissa Spry: Matilda Jane Clothing

Gloria Stern : 30-1 Gifts

Jackie Thomason & Greg Hare: Paracord fairy stuff, yarn crafts, wood cut-outs, animal towels, hand made crafts, pincushsions

Kory Thurnau: The Muddy Knome

Lita Wallace: Aprons, Kitchen Towels, Supplies

Ben & Tamber Weller: Rock Artwork, Agate Jewelry and Polished Agates

Michelle Wick: Junk and Disorderly

Donna McCurdy Wolke: Color Street Nails & Avon

Due to the temporary nature of the stores, many businesses will be unable to accept credit cards. Please plan ahead and bring cash and/or checks. Thank you. Questions or of you would like to set up a store, call 218-226-4300 Visit the AmericInn of Silver Bay on Facebook!

Snowmobile from your front door

The North Shore Dish Pasta for the Soul

By Virginia George

Back in early October I accompanied my son on a field trip to the North American Bear Center in Ely. We fed the chickadees from our hands as they flitted back and forth, stashing sunflower seeds under the bark of the surrounding pines for a winter dinner scavenger hunt. After this, we got to meet the bears. Ted was the first bear we met, and when he came into the center in the spring of 2007, was one of the larg est black bears ever recorded. Lately, Ted and his friends have been fattening up for winter. Did you know that black bears shed about 20 percent of their bodyweight over the winter while they hibernate?

Well, with the weather cooling off, many of us humans are feeling ready for the com fort food and hunkering down that our long northern winters afford us. The bears fancy their produce and hazelnuts, but us humans, what better meal to do that with than pasta? Unless, of course, you’re gluten sensitive, but we’ve got some options for you as well.

Sir G’s, Ely

Sir G’s is a homey Italian restaurant, lo cated right in the heart of Ely. They are an “authentic Italian restaurant” offering mainly pizza and pasta. Their signature rec ipes include spaghetti with extra-long fresh noodles, ravioli filled with seasoned meat, and cannelloni filled with pork, spinach, ri cotta, ham and mozzarella cheese. There is also the option to build your own pasta dish, where you can choose from four different house made pasta sauces. For the gluten sen sitive, there are gluten free pizza and pasta options as well. Sir G’s offers catering and delivery, so if you have a party or an event and like Italian food, Sir G’s might just be the place for you.

Va Bene Caffe, Duluth

Lakeside and on the Lakewalk, Va Bene Caffe might have one of the best locations in Duluth. It’s a charming little shoppe with views of the lake, tucked between the trees and sidewalk that doubles as outdoor seat ing in the warmer months. Va Bene has sev eral seating locations, both indoor and out, that take advantage of the picturesque lake shore. You will need to make a reservation online to ensure you get the seating option of your choice.

The menu at Va Bene includes pasta and paninis, an extensive wine list, espresso

and gelato. Va Bene sources fresh and local ingredients whenever possible, and makes their pasta sauces and desserts in house, from scratch. All pastas can be substituted with gluten free noodles upon request. Va Bene has a kids’ menu for children 10 and under, and flavored Italian sodas for little and big kids alike. The gelato selection at Va Bene changes daily, but at any time you can expect to find as many as 12 flavor choices.

Va Bene Caffe also has a private dining space for groups up to 30. These meals are catered onsite and served family style. As a host, you can choose several dishes from the menu which are then passed and shared be tween tables. The Soffitta (or attic, in Italian) room is lakeside and has beautiful views of Lake Superior.

Nook, Thunder Bay

Nook is a locally-oriented Italian eatery located just a few blocks off Lake Superior in the Bay Algoma neighborhood. Nook places a focus on sourcing their ingredients from growers and producers in Northwest ern Ontario, and creating simple dishes that are packed full of flavor. They do this in a

casual, friendly atmosphere, which provides both indoor and outdoor seating spaces in the warmer months.

Nook has a lunch and a dinner menu, so if you want to get in on their delicious, house made pasta, make sure to book your reser vation for dinner. Lunch includes sandwich es like their house porchetta or caprese, and pizza, like a traditional margherita or pro sciutto with arugula, garlic and parmesan. The Nook dinner menu is where the house made pasta is at; rigatoni, spaghetti, ma falde—your meal will be plated beautifully and taste delicious, to boot. Desserts and specials change, but if you like house made Italian, you’re sure to find something deli cious at Nook.

When I was a kid, my grandma would make homemade chicken noodle soup and I loved helping her make the egg noodles. They were simple: eggs, flour and salt. She would roll the dough out on the count er into an oblong shape, dust it with flour, then roll the dough lengthwise into a giant egg noodle spiral. Grandma would then cut thin strips of noodle and it was my job to unwind the spiral and drop the noodles, one

by one, into the hot chicken soup to cook. Grandma served her soup on a plate. I never asked why, but it’s one of those things that as an adult I look back and realize it’s a little unconventional. Convention or not, I loved those noodles, and whenever I get a bit of thick, chunky pasta, I think of my grandma and her warm house with the boiling pot on the stove, windows fogged from the humidi ty, and a table full of plates and spoons.

Pasta is like that. It takes care to prepare. The right ingredients, mixed carefully as to not become too tough, and cooked to per fection. That’s what you’ll find at Sir G’s, Va Bene Caffe, and Nook. Food prepared with care and delicious homemade noodles and sauces.

We humans don’t hibernate, and most of us don’t need any help fattening up for winter, but there’s something cozy about a warm plate of pasta. As the weather turns and we warm our dens in preparation for the upcoming season, think of Ted and his friends, warm and snug, dreaming of warmer days ahead…and maybe they’ll dream of pasta.

Sir G’s in Ely is an “authentic Italian restaurant” offering mainly pizza and pasta. This dish is the Pasta alla Succa Violina. There is also the option to build your own pasta dish, where you can choose from four different house made pasta sauces. | SUBMITTED

Medically assisted dying The coin in your pocket

THUNDER BAY—Ted Reguly made a decision. Medically as sisted dying was now legal in the province of Ontario, and as he was terminally ill, he told his family, “This might be an option for me.”

“I was shocked!” his widow Carol remembers. “And I said to him, ‘What are you saying?’”

What indeed? Practically physically incapacitated, his body swollen from organ failure brought on by liver cancer, the 80-year-old Reguly had chanced upon a newspaper arti cle on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in mid-February, 2022. Aghast, his wife was originally opposed to the idea.

“But it was his choice,” she continues, “his life and quality of life, of which there was none near the end. And I respected it.”

“Dad couldn’t even go out and do the simple things he loved, like his morning coffee at McDonalds, and getting his sport tickets,” his daughter Lorraine Reguly says.

Lorraine immediately began researching MAiD. In Canadian law, there are strict eligibility criteria, including especially the soundness of mind and the stated voluntary intention of the sufferer. Two doctors must independently examine and assess the person’s condition as either being a debilitating terminal illness like that of Reguly, or a long-term illness or condition without hope of recovery. Physical or psychological suffering without hope of change is also part of the eligibility criteria.

Lorraine worked to help her father through the process of being accepted for assisted death. In the end, it was her father’s expressed request that the procedure be done.

When the time came, the doctor performing the proce dure asked once more if this was what Reguly wanted. He affirmed it, and as the IVs were installed, he responded, “I know what you’re giving me. I’m ready.”

Reguly died peacefully on March 31, 2022.

“MAiD was a blessing to have as an option,” Lorraine says. “It was his wish to have it.”

“MAiD is a coin in your pocket,” says Sheila Noyes. “You may not need it, but it’s a comfort in knowing that while death is bad enough, you shouldn’t have to be afraid of how the end will come.”

Noyes is a member and former co-president of Dying with Dignity, a Canadian organization originally devoted to changing Canadian law to make assisted death legal and ac cessible. Nowadays, it is still involved in advocacy, particular ly in getting the law amended to allow advance requests. As well, according to their website, Dying with Dignity provides information on such matters as MAiD legalities in different regions, since assisted death is part of provincial health care systems that are not identical across the country.

Like Reguly, Noyes’ mother and later her younger sister were in debilitating, extremely painful terminal conditions. At that time, MAiD was not legal in Canada and any attempt to assist death was punishable by a 10-year prison sentence. Noyes vowed that she would fight to see the law change, and after many years and many people involved in campaigning, has lived to see assisted death a legal reality.

But while assisted dying reduces or eliminates much com plication around end-of-life choices, there are still things to consider, as well as how it will be for their surviving families.

“Palliative care isn’t enough in many situations,” says Noy es, “Though it might be helpful or needful at first.”

“If you are going with the MAiD option, it’s better to do it early, before it all gets ugly,” says Lorraine. “That’s what I would tell families in our situation.”

One of the realities that originally galvanized Noyes into action was learning exactly how her loved ones were going to die, regardless of medical intervention. She feels that any

Carol [LEFT] and Lorraine Reguly, with pictures of Ted. | PETER FERGUS-MOORE

individuals and families unsure of resorting to MAiD ought to get that information from medical personnel.

“Once you know that (it will be a terribly difficult end),” she adds, “you can plan accordingly.”

Across the border, the Minnesota state legislature is about to debate the Minnesota End-of-Life Option Act through the fall. Minnesota lawmakers are said to be basing their pro posed law on the model provided by Colorado, the first state in the U.S. to enact assisted death legislation. Such legislation is now being considered by many states.

North of the border, both Noyes and the Reguly family are deeply grateful for the existence of MAiD and the provision of a peaceful, suffering-reduced death for anyone in their situations.—Peter Fergus-Moore

Wherever you go from here, you belong here.

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Zombie Infections

By Hartley Newell-Acero

Actually called latent infections, zombies infections lie dormant in a person’s body, hid ing from the immune system, and often cause no symptoms until they come raging back. They can be difficult, or impossible, to treat.

LATENT VIRAL INFECTIONS

• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) causes sores on or in the mouth or genitals, and is spread through direct physical contact.

• Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and shingles. It’s highly conta gious and can be dangerous, even deadly, especially for babies, pregnant people, or people with weakened immune systems.

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) impacts a person’s immune system and makes them less able to fight off infec tions and other diseases. It can lead to the development of acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome (AIDS).

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted in fection in the U.S. There are multiple strains, and they can cause health issues such as genital warts and cancer.

• Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus that in jures the liver. It can be acute or chronic, and you might not notice symptoms until after the damage is done.

LATENT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS

• Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne bacteria that can cause illness upon infection. If not treated correctly, TB can be serious, or even fatal.

LATENT PARASITIC INFECTIONS

• Toxoplasma gondii is the most common parasitic infection. It can cause serious complications for people with weakened immune systems or babies born to infect ed mothers.

Protecting Yourself from Zombies

For chickenpox, shingles, and HPV, vacci

nation is a safe and effective way to make sure that you or your children don’t have to fight off zombie attackers. The chickenpox vaccine protects kids while they’re young and pro tects them from shingles when they’re older. HPV vaccination slashes the chances of a child ever developing cervical cancer.

There’s currently no vaccine for herpes or HIV. Protect yourself from herpes by avoid ing intimate contact (kissing or sex) during an outbreak. HIV can only spread if bodily fluids are shared, so use condoms correctly and don’t share injection drug equipment. Toxoplasmosis can be prevented by making sure meat is thoroughly cooked and cat lit ter boxes are only cleaned by people that are not at risk for complications.

Not Really Scary at All!

It makes good sense to take preventive measures to protect ourselves and our fam ilies from dangerous zombie infections. On the flip-side are protective things that have gotten an undeserved scary reputation.

DEET

Available since 1957, DEET is the stan dard against which all other insect repel lents are measured. It repels multiple biting insects, including mosquitos, ticks, flies and fleas. When used correctly, there are virtu ally no health hazards from DEET, for either adults or children.

FLUORIDE

This mineral safely helps to build and protect tooth enamel. It’s added to drinking water and dental products. Because these products contain concentrated amounts of fluoride, small children should always be supervised to ensure they don’t eat or drink them while brushing their teeth.

THIMEROSAl

Thimerosal preserves vaccines and pre vents them from becoming contaminated. Its chemical name is Ethylmercury (EtHg). It’s very different from its cousin, Methylmer cury (MeHg). Methyl is poisonous and can build up in our food—that’s why we should

They’re never really gone

limit our consumption of certain types of fish. On the other hand, Ethyl has very low toxicity and is rapidly metabolized and ex creted from our bodies. Its safety has been re searched for decades, and there’s no link be tween its use and any type of health problem.

RECEIVING MULTIPLE VACCINES AT THE SAME TIME

Antigens are foreign substances, such as germs or vaccines, that cause an immune response. We encounter a huge number of

antigens every day just by eating, breathing, and moving around in our germ-covered world. The number of antigens that are in any combination of vaccines is minuscule compared to that. Vaccines are safe and effective, and the approved schedules and combinations have been carefully developed to provide maximum protection.

This is a condensed version of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s “Topic of the Month” newsletter. To read, listen, or subscribe, visit: sawtoothmountainclinic.org.

Sincere thanks to all of our generous sponsors, volunteers and players! Because of you, we raised approx $18,000 for the North Shore Health Care Foundation through the 3rd Annual Golf for the Good event; meaning we can do more to champion health solutions in Cook County! Thank you for your support and Golfing for the Good!

PRESENTING SPONSORS

BORDER STORE

SPONSORS $300+

BIRKEN LAW PLLC BLUE WATER CAFÉ BOAT PAL SERVICES LLC BUCK'S HARDWARE LLC COOK COUNTY WHOLE FOODS COOP COOK COUNTY NEWS HERALD HUNGRY HIPPIES TACOS & HOSTEL MICHAEL VALENTINI PROPERTY SERVICES, LLC RED PINE REALTY MIKE RAYMOND

SKYPORT LODGE & RAVEN ROCK GRILL TOFTE HOLIDAY STATION STORE TUSCARORA LODGE & CANOE OUTFITTERS VISIT COOK COUNTY NAMED SPONSORS $100+

GRAND MARAIS STATE BANK

CHIMNEY SWEEP

BIG DOLLAR, INC LAMB'S RESORT

MARKET PLACE

POINT INC YOUTH CENTER

VOS, MATHISON & VOS, PLLC

NORTH STAR MEMBERS $1,000

DEIDRA SCHLEICHER & JOHN WATT BURNS FAMILY FOUNDATION DWIGHT PETERSON

BALL SPONSOR FRIENDS OF THE FOUNDATION

PRIZE SPONSORS

CARIBOU HIGHLANDS LODGE & RESIDENCES

BEAUTYCOUNTER W/VALERIE ELIASEN COOK COUNTY HOME CENTER

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Northern Trails

Hunting Set Ups: Treestands vs Ground Blinds

By Gord Ellis

Just as there are multiple ways to catch fish, there are numerous ways to hunt large game. Some hunters prefer to wander in the woods, still hunting and using stealth and tracking skills. There is no doubt that stalking game is both an exhilarating and rewarding way to hunt big game. Yet not all hunters have access to large tracts of land and, when pursuing whitetail deer in par ticular, the hunt may be in semi-rural or farming areas where wandering over land is not possible. This is when hunters often turn to either a treestand or a ground blind. Here is a look at the positives and negatives of each technique.

The Treestand

Back in the day, a treestand could be just about anything that allowed a hunter to sit in a tree and wait for animals to appear. These stands were often homemade, and not always the safest. Thinking back on some of the early homemade treestands I sat in, it is amazing that nothing terrible happened. A couple of 2x4s nailed into the notch of a poplar is not the safest thing to stand on. We often climbed to these stands using foot holds that screwed into the tree trunk. Ne gotiating those foot holds with large, muddy boots was scary at best.

The past couple of decades has seen a huge improvement in the safety and design of tree stands and how you can access them. Some folks still construct their own, but general ly these are sturdier and more comfortable as well. Some large treestands are basically enclosed cabins on stilts. These may be the height of comfort, but they are not portable. These types of set ups should be reserved for private land.

The treestands I prefer have a built-in lad der with enough width that you can safely climb up and down comfortably with a pack and large boots. Firearms should always be lifted (unloaded) to the stand by way of a rope. The stand itself is generally a two-seat er, as this allows you to either have anoth er hunter with you, or a place to put your pack, etc. There are treestands that are much smaller, and stands that are “climbers,” which allows the hunter to shimmy up a tree.

I prefer to hang a ladder stand and make sure it’s ultra-sturdy. Hanging a stand often takes more than one person, especially if it is a large stand. A ladder stand needs to be held steady at the base as it is hung and

attached. A treestand should also have a safety strap included, which you should al ways wear when in a stand. I also like to see a safety bar that wraps around the front of a stand.

As a journalist, I’ve covered too many stories of hunters who fell out of treestands for a wide variety of reasons. The lucky ones get to tell the story. Every year, many hunt ers across Canada and the U.S. fall out of stands. Treestand falls are an alarmingly high cause of death or injury when hunting.

A 2016 study out of Wisconsin that looked at hunter falls from tree stands came to this sobering conclusion. If you hunted from a tree stand for only one year, your odds of a serious stand accident are one out of 1,010 hunters. If you hunt for 10 years, your odds go up to one of 100. Hunt 20 years with both

a bow and/or a gun from a stand and your chances of falling are one in 50. The bottom line is you need to wear your safety strap and be very mindful that you are well off the ground. Tree stands can be remarkably effective for hunting, as you have a high view of a hunt ing area. Big game animals rarely look for danger from above. Just be extremely care ful.  Also, dress warmly. There is no place colder than a treestand on a chilly, windy November day.

Ground Blinds

The other side of the sit and wait hunt ing game is the ground blind. Unlike the treestand, the ground blind stays put on the earth. So, the threat of falling is gone. For older hunters, or people who lack good balance, this is a serious consideration. Yet ground blinds are also remarkably effective hunting tools. Most ground blinds are pop up or dome style tents. While they have por

tals for shooting out of, the average ground blind is mostly enclosed, which cuts down on the transmission of odors that may alert game to your presence.

Ground blinds can be used in places where hanging a tree stand is not an option, such as in farm country or in swamps. One of the best reasons to use a ground blind is because in colder weather, a tent will block the wind and can even house a small, portable heater. Propane buddy heaters will take the edge off, but there should be good ventilation. With an open shooting window or two, that usu ally solves the aeration problem.

Ground blinds are also portable and can be set up and taken down relatively quickly. If you are a fidgety person, ground blinds will shield your movements from the ul tra-keen eyes of a buck, bear or bull moose.

The downside of ground blinds is that a strong wind can blow them away, trees or branches can fall on them (and potentially you), and snow can collapse them, breaking the support arms. I’ve had black bears tear ground blinds apart and they’ve even eaten parts of them. So, there are various risks when using a ground blind. However, in the big picture, ground blinds are quite safe, ef fective and relatively inexpensive.

It should be noted, that in some places, there are regulations around where you can and can’t use ground blinds or treestands. So, always check your local regulation and bylaws. Be careful out there and have a safe hunting season.

[ABOVE] Firearms should never be carried into a tree stand; use a rope to lift them in.

| KAIJA KOLEKMAINEN

[LEFT] Ground blinds can be effective in farm country.

| KAIJA KOLEKMAINEN

Staying safe on cold water is everyone’s responsibility

“Nobody expects to encounter a lifeor-death situation when they’re out on the water, but the people who survive such experiences tend to be the ones who are best prepared,” said Lt. Adam Block, DNR boating law administrator.

The easiest and most effective way to stay safe and survive a fall into the water is to wear a life jacket. Having a life jacket “nearby” will not help in an accidental fall. Foam life jackets are the best option when the water is cold because inflatable life jackets may not fully inflate.

As water temperatures drop,

STOCK

ST. PAUL—The Minnesota DNR re minds anyone whose autumn plans in clude spending time on or around the water to keep safety in mind. While more boating-related accidents hap pen during the summer, boating fatal ities are higher during the cold-water season.

activities become riskier.

As water temperatures drop, wa ter-based activities become riskier. A fall into a cold lake, pond or river can result in even a strong swimmer be coming incapacitated quickly. Further, cries for help can go unheard and rescues can take longer than in the warm-weather months when more people are on or near the water.

TWO ISLAND LAKE

BY JOE SHEAD

WHY GO: Don’t believe everything you hear: there are more than two islands on Two Island Lake. However, you’ll definitely find a scenic lake with good populations of smallmouth bass and walleyes, as well as a Forest Service campground.

ACCESS: Two Island Lake is located about 15 miles northwest of Grand Marais. From Grand Marais, head north on County Road 12 (Gunflint Trail) for 3.7 miles. Turn left onto County Road 8 (Devil Track Road) and proceed 6 miles. Turn right onto County Road 27 (Ball Club Road) and take it for 4 miles to the campground on your left.

VITALS: Two Island Lake covers 753 acres and has a maximum depth of 27 feet. A 38site U.S. Forest Service fee campground sits on the east end of the lake. Within it, you’ll find a picnic area and a concrete boat launch with parking for 16 trailers. Sites are avail able on a first-come, first-served basis.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, and yellow perch.

SMALLMOUTH BASS: Anglers will find a very good smallmouth bass fishery here, and there’s plenty of structure to hold bron zebacks. The lake is shallow and rocky, and there’s even some wood in the lake, left over

from logging days. “Our mean weight of smallmouth bass has gone from well under a pound to over 2 pounds per fish now,” said Matthew Weberg, assistant area fisheries su pervisor in Grand Marais. “They are popular with a lot of folks that visit the lake.” Since 1996, the lake has had a special slot limit to protect adult smallies. Originally, the lake had a protected slot from 12 to 20 inches, but that regulation was modified a few years ago. Presently, anglers must release any bass between 14 and 20 inches. One trophy fish over 20 inches may be kept, or anglers may harvest the normal six-fish limit, as long as they measure under 14 inches.

WALLEYE: Walleyes may be overshad owed by the lake’s smallmouths, but wall eyes are worth fishing for in their own right. Weberg said the lake is a high-qual ity walleye lake with consistently strong natural reproduction. Most of the walleyes you’ll find are good-sized eaters, with few topping 20 inches.

NORTHERN PIKE: You won’t find a ro bust pike population, but northerns are still present in decent numbers. They grow faster than average and have the potential to put a real bend in your rod. “It has about average, maybe a little bit below average abundance, but it has some size component—up to 30 inches,” Weberg said of the pike fishery.

BLUEGILLS: Bluegills aren’t common in Cook County, but you may find some in Two Island. “Bluegills were first found in 1989 (in Two Island Lake) and likely came downstream from Pit Lake,” Weberg said. “They’ve kind of hung in there, but in the last three surveys, they’ve started to pick up a little bit. They’re reproducing on their own with decent survival.” Although they’re not

While boating or paddling, peo ple can reduce the likelihood of a fall overboard by distributing weight even ly and abiding by the manufacturer’s weight limits. Changes in weather that result in shifting winds and storms can also lead to a treacherous situation, so it’s vital for anglers, hunters and others recreating on or near the water to keep an eye to the sky.

For more information, including how to survive a fall into cold wa ter, see the DNR’s cold water safety page (mndnr.gov/coldwater).

highly abundant, you may find some keep ers topping 8 inches.

YELLOW PERCH: Perch are found in low numbers. “It’s not known as a great perch fishing lake,” Weberg said, “but there are some quality-sized fish over 9 inches.”

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

(summer) when

on

found a nigig (otter) that had been

the Ancestor’s

by a

pulled off Highway 53 and moved her off the road. Mino-giizhigad

was a beautiful day) with the rich

(blue) of the giizhi (sky) above me. Mizhakwad (the sky was clear). I sat down next to her in the tall grass I placed her in it. I put down aseema (tobacco) to honor her manidoo (spirit). I was struck by her miikawaadad (beauty) and the softness of her fur.

In this painting, I wanted to honor her life, her journey, by placing her on the shores of Gitchi Gami (Lake Superior) at mookise (dawn).

Ripple Effects How We’re Loving Our Lakes to Death

By Ted J. Rulseh

University of Wisconsin Press, 2022, $26.95

The Upper Midwest contains one the world’s greatest freshwater treasures: the upper Great Lakes and the thousands of lakes feeding them, as well as headwaters of the Mississippi River and the Hudson Bay watershed. Author Ted Rulseh defines the many threats and challenges facing this extraordinary water resource. Covering topics ranging from shoreline development to invasive species to climate change, this wide ranging and well researched book is a must read for anyone concerned with or in terested in the future of this ecological gem of the North American continent. Rulseh is not kidding when he says, “We may be loving our lakes to death.”—Shawn Perich

The Sky Watched Poems of Ojibwe Lives

By Linda LeGarde Grover

University of Minnesota Pres, 2022, $15.95

This impactful collection of poetry gives voice to Ojibwe family life and experienc es, from the massacre at Wounded Knee to personal trauma suffered at Indian board ing schools. Written in both English and Ojibwe, The Sky Watched is broken up into four sections in acknowledgment of the significance of the number four in Ojibwe tradition and belief. Each poem reads like a story with vivid imagery and thought-pro voking subjects. This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn more about Indig enous history.—Breana Johnson

Walleye

A Beautiful Fish of the Dark

By Paul J. Radomski

University of Minnesota Press, 2022, $24.95

Any readers of Northern Wilds who have wet a line, most likely have caught a walleye. This delicious fish is common and widely sought throughout our coverage area. Minnesota DNR fisheries biologist Paul Radomski has devoted his profession to the fish and the folks who fish for them. This well-written and deeply researched tome is the benchmark work on walleyes. From fishing to ecology to ensuring the species long term survival, Radomski delves deep into the world and life history of Minnesota and Ontario’s deeply appreci ated walleyes.—Shawn Perich

Norman

NORTHERN SKY

NOVEMBER 2022 By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH

As night falls on November 1, a just-pastfirst-quarter moon hangs below Saturn, with brilliant Jupiter off to the east. The moon continues to wax as it glides between the two planets on the 2nd and 3rd and be low Jupiter on the 4th.

Between and far below the planets shines Fomalhaut, dubbed the “loneliest star” due to being located nowhere near any oth er bright stars. Fomalhaut represents the mouth of Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish, an extremely dim constellation.

November’s full moon undergoes a total eclipse in the early hours of the 8th. The eclipse begins at 3:09 a.m., when the moon starts to enter Earth’s dark inner shadow. Totality lasts from 4:16 to 5:41 a.m., with maximum eclipse at 4:59 a.m. The eclipse ends at 6:49 a.m.

As the moon darkens, the bright winter stars come into their full glory, complete with special guest Mars. The Pleiades star cluster glimmers above the moon, and Al debaran, the eye of Taurus, the bull, shines

to the east of the Pleiades. Aldebaran and Betelgeuse—at Orion’s right shoulder— form a nearly equilateral triangle with Mars; the red planet will be the highest of the three.

Mars rises in the northeast about two and and a half hours after sunset on the 1st and appears earlier every evening. This is a great month to watch Mars, not only because it’s rising in convenient evening hours but be cause it’s rapidly brightening as Earth gains on it in the orbital race. Mars reaches its peak brightness in early December, when Earth finally catches up to it.

The Leonid meteor shower peaks after midnight the morning of the 18th. This can be an exciting shower; however, for most of this year’s show a waning but still bright moon will interfere.

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

BY ERIN ALTEMUS

Old Dogs Just Wanna Run

Fall comes easily this year, the cool nights edging in slowly and yet consistent. We ha ven’t had the wild weather swings of some autumns in the past, such as last year when I recorded the first frost in mid-October. This year we’ve had several nights of frost by mid-October. There are 29 dogs here eager to run, which includes three from our first litter of 2011, now aged 11 and Ringo age 10. There are also five yearlings–the “Goonies,” still learning the ropes but with energy to burn.

Pulling out the ATV, harnessing the dogs, firing onto the trail and watching the dogs settle into a run–this is all familiar. Twelve years of running dogs, watching summer give way to fall, watching the leaves change color as the temperatures drop–this is now a habit, a way of life that we plan for and around. It’s a given that we will rise before the sun on September mornings to take ad vantage of the cool air and send off a team before our daughter wakes. With the team on the trail, one of us gets her off to school. As temperatures cool even more, we will have the freedom to run during any part of the day.

This familiarity is a given for the dogs, too. They seem to know when fall training is about to begin, the energy level rises in the dog yard. They wait eagerly for us to leave the house in the morning and pull out har nesses. None are more familiar than Beezus, Punky and Nancy. Now geriatric, their eyes a little more cloudy with age, their bodies a little more bulky, they are as eager to run as any dog. Beezus, our main leader for a de cade, now lives in the house. He has declared himself a couch dog. We tried to argue, but he insists and one can’t really argue with a dog that has led us to the Beargrease finish over a half dozen times. When it’s time to run, we simply let him outside and he finds his place at the front of the team. Nancy and Punky look as smooth as ever running with the pack, and no one howls more des

perately than Nancy if left behind. Punky, who once chipped my tooth while jumping frantically on the gangline and bashing me in the mouth, can still pack a punch if I’m not careful. Watching these three who have been running with us almost as long as we have been mushing gives me a deeper un derstanding of these animals and their love of the trail. I will not be the one to deny them this passion.

In other news, there are nine young sleddogs-in-training (puppies). Two litters–four boys and two girls–have kept us on our toes all summer and fall. They are escape artists and despite our attempts to button up the kennel, they keep finding their way out. We take them on fast and furious bike rides, but inevitably a couple will stray from the trail. They run in and around the big dogs causing general ruckus. There’s no doubt

they will be fantastic racing dogs but getting knocked down by the puppy mob is not very fun. It won’t be long before we can harness them up, and I see them studying the team as the big dogs run by their kennel.

Our friend and kennel help of the past few years, Anna, has sought a new experience mushing dogs in Alaska this winter. Train ing near Willow and planning to run several of the 300-mile Iditarod qualifiers, she has had to contend with some new challenges including many more moose on the trail, in cessant rain and some impending cold that will require a whole new level of mushing gear. Without any handler help at the ken nel, it will just be Matt and me running the teams. We don’t plan to change up the race roster much. Matt will run the Beargrease marathon team, and I will likely run Can Am. We will squeeze in some shorter races as well.

Perhaps we are getting to be a little like Beezus, Nancy and Punky, eager for the adventure, content to run on the trail with friends, never tired of watching the seasons change.

Nine puppies watch as a dog team returns from a run. | ERIN ALTEMUS

Running at night is exciting for everyone. | ERIN ALTEMUS

Puppy gets a royal ride in the Barbie band van. | ERIN ALTEMUS

Strange Tales Lake Superior’s November Storms and Shipwrecks

By Elle AndraWarner

November storms on Lake Superior can be mighty wicked and dangerous for ships. Well-known is the tragic story of the 729foot lake freighter Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank during a brutal winter storm on November 10, 1975 with the loss of 29 lives.

Ships on Lake Superior in November have faced blinding storm systems, chal lenging the best of mariners. Some lost, some survived, but each one adds to the legend of the lake. Here’s a capsule look at a few of their tales.

One of the earliest ships to succumb to November storms was the 270-foot propeller Algoma , a luxurious steel passenger ship of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Built in 1883 in Scotland, she was called the “pride of the Canadian merchant marine.” On November 5, 1888, she left her home port Owen Sound for Port Arthur (now part of Thunder Bay) with about 400 tons of merchandise. The next day after leaving Whitefish Point, she encountered heavy snow, sleet and strong winds, but she kept on going across the lake.

As she neared northeast Isle Royale, the captain and crew were unaware they were off course when at about 4:15 a.m. the ship slammed onto a reef near Greenstone Is land (now named Mott Island). Battered by rough seas, howling wind and snow, she soon broke in two. Some on board were swept overboard, while others sought safety in the stern lodged on the reef. After a terri fying night, crew members helped the sur vivors reach shore. Fishermen located them and then rowed out into the lake’s vessel lane to get help, flagging down the steamer Athabasca which brought the survivors to Port Arthur. Exact numbers on board have varied, however, a final report indicated 48 lives were lost (35 crew and 13 passengers) and 14 survivors (12 crew, 2 passengers).

Seventeen years later in 1905, a ferocious storm on Lake Superior—with blinding snow and gale-force winds with gusts of more than 100 miles per hour—sunk or damaged 29 vessels and 36 lives were lost. Ships caught in that “Great Storm of 1905” included the 249-foot steel turret steamer Monkshaven British-built in 1882, she was purchased by Algoma Central & Hudson Bay Railway Co. in Ontario’s Sault Ste Marie (“Soo”) and brought to Lake Superior in 1904.

On November 27, 1905, Monkshaven left the Soo and headed for today’s Thunder Bay, while battling the emerging storm. In his

book Shipwrecked: Vessels Meet Doom on the North Shore, author Ronald Wrigley wrote: “Waves such as are seldom seen on the lakes were rolling clear over the Monkshaven tossing her like a cork in rapids. One min ute, she would rise to the crest of a wave, 30 feet or more above the lake, and then next she would plunge down into a trough nearly submerged under the towering waves.”

Near dawn and less than 15 miles from port, Monkshaven grounded on Pie Island. Her 21 crew members reached shore and were stranded for three days. Once the storm subsided, 13 of the crew heroically rowed to the Lakehead to get help and the remaining eight survivors were rescued. A year later, while being salvaged, she wrecked on Angus Island.

In the same “Great Storm of 1905,” the 430-foot bulk carrier steel steamer Mataafa met disaster just outside of the Duluth har bor. Built in 1899 in Cleveland as SS Pennsyl vania, she was purchased by the Minnesota Steamship Company the same year and re named Mataafa

On November 27, 1905, Mataafa and its 24-crew headed out of Duluth with a car go of iron ore and towing the barge James Nasymth. When the ship encountered the Great Storm on the lake, Captain Richard F. Humble ordered Mataafa to return to Two Harbors. When darkness prevented her en try, she made her way back to Duluth. More problems arose—the barge was cut loose so Mataafa could go through the narrow Duluth Ship Canal. Then another problem; heavy storm water struck Mataafa, driving her prow down, smashing the stern against the concrete pier, grounding her in shallow

water, and then breaking Mataafa in two as her stern settled in the water.

On shore, thousands of Duluthians lit a giant bonfire and helplessly watched as the Mataafa struggled in stormy seas. Next day rescue boats brought 15 survivors to shore; the other 9 crew members had died.

Surprisingly, that wasn’t the end of the famous Mataafa. Six months later, Captain Thomas Reid and his Reid Wrecking & Tow ing Company salvaged, refloated and rebuilt the ship. She was back in service from 1906 to 1964 and dismantled in 1965 in West Germany.

Other notable ships lost in November on Lake Superior include some of Lake Superi or’s legendary “Ghost Fleet,” ships that left port and vanished. Like the 245-foot steelhulled freighter Bannockburn and its 20 crew members—it disappeared after leav ing Fort William on November 21, 1902.

Two 143-foot Navarin-class minesweepers newly-built in Fort William for the French Navy, the Inkerman and Cerisoles, went missing after November 24, 1918, with a to tal loss of 78 crew (including two Canadian pilots). Last but not least is the 148-foot Brit ish-built steel freighter Leafield with its 18 crew members, last seen off Angus Island on November 9, 1913.

The EdmundFitzgerald sank during a brutal winter storm on Nov. 10, 1975. | GREENMARS

The Bannockburn vanished after leaving port on Nov. 21, 1902.

| PUBLIC DOMAIN

This is ThisMikeis Mike

IN STEPIN STEP with Mike Larson

BY JAYE WHITE

With the real estate being a hot topic around the country, and especially here in Cook County, we reached out to Mike Larson, Associate Broker at Lutsen Real Estate Group to learn more about what’s going on in his neck of the (north)woods.

Q. It’s been rumored you have retired.

A. Does a chuckle show up in news print? I have learned of that rumor as well and I can tell you that’s not true. I have shifted my focus from lodging and real estate to real estate. After 34 years in the lodging and hospitality business, I am no longer engaged in daily lodging operations at Cascade Vacation Rentals. And sincerely, I can tell you I don’t think I can say I ever had a bad day in the lodging business. I miss it for sure, but change is always good.

Q. So your focus is Real Estate?

A. Yes and more. Real Estate has been part of my business mix for over 30 years. I believe I brought to the table a unique mix of experiences when I first starting working in the hospitality business. I was able to work firsthand with folks who were visiting and lodging here for the first time and helping them find their way in real estate, whether that was a ten year journey or an event that happened in short order.

Q. And the “and more?”

A. Sure...there is more and there should be when you live in Cook County, right? I’m fortunate to have a pretty rich background that extends beyond traditional real estate.

So the more…..yes, I continue to remain engaged in this great community of Cook County in several different capacities. I hope to continue making this an even better place to live and grow for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Q. What makes the Lutsen Real Estate Group different than say other area and regional brokerages?

A. That’s a good question. First of all, I believe Cook County is served by a very good group of local Real Estate professionals overall. We need to start there. But yes, I do believe the Lutsen Real Estate Group is set apart from the rest for several reasons.

Photo courtesy of Sota Clothing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota

First, we are not just a real estate company that operates in a silo when only representing buyers and sellers. I believe real estate is much broader than a single transaction. I believe providing a macroeconomic view on the state of county’s economic health and wellness needs to be considered when buyers and sellers are contemplating often times very large financial decisions. Because I have both an educational and experiential background in small business and economics, my agents and I provide our clients with additional tools for negotiating and setting prices. It’s this broader depth of knowledge that helps make the best real estate decisions possible. It’s a pretty unique background when helping our clients.

Second, our ownership. Lutsen Real Estate Group is owned by Cascade Vacation Rentals and with that comes a “behind the scenes” entire team of tech and marketing professionals, office and administrative support staff and a large reach to vacation guests that simply provides the Lutsen Real Estate Group with significant market exposure benefiting their buying and selling clients that cannot otherwise be found in a traditional brokerage. That is a significant benefit.

And last, but not least, our involvement in the community. Our agents and support staff are actively engaged in many different facets of Cook County...from serving on numerous different private and county related boards, engaged in restorative justice efforts, serving on local housing and small business project initiatives, and more. In other-words, we know this community very well and I believe that transforms into having our clients being well equipped when making important real estate decisions.

Q. You are not the largest real estate company in Cook County, right?

A. That’s correct, we are not. We provide highly specialized and dedicated services to our clients on both the buying and selling side. We’re smart about this area. Do you want to call us a boutique real estate company? I’ve never really thought of it that way, but yes, I think that works.

Q. Any parting thoughts?

A. Yes, three things off the top of my head. One, our business tenure in the area is worth noting. Lutsen Real Estate Group has served this area for over a quarter century and during that time I have never been absent from daily operations. Two, our personal tenure in the area. I live on Caribou Lake with my wife and have for the past 34 years. We feel blessed having the opportunity to raise our three, now grown kids, there. I guess I’m not afraid to say that I know the Caribou Trail, Caribou Lake area and overall Lutsen-Tofte area very, very well.

And three. Are you kidding me…our awesome staff! Not only are they extremely qualified, but they also have a rich history in this area. Although many who live outside of Cook County might not realize, that’s unique for a team of agents in this area. We’re able to give insights for both buying and selling that we wouldn’t be able to give otherwise.

Q. That’s it?

A. Of course not, there is so much more. So, in short I’d say anyone who is interested in real estate should give us a call – I think people will be impressed with our level of professionalism and local knowledge.

SELLING YOUR NORTH SHORE HOME?

CALL OUR AWESOME TEAM

(218) 216-7141

370-2079

STEVE SURBAUGH | Broker

DEERYARD LAKE LOG CABIN

Enjoy this log home with southern sun exposure, wood burning fireplace, outdoor wood

within

Deeryard

&

Main floor

&

Direct

Efficient

the

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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

GUNFLINT HOME – BIG LAKE VIEWS

This year-round, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on Gunflint Lake has views looking down the entire length of the lake. Wilderness access is a short paddle away. The wood floors, stone fireplace, screen porch and other features make this a warm and comfortable lake home. An ideal weekend escape or full-time home. There's a carport and shed for storage. Recently updated septic system, good well. The shore is gradual and the lake bottom is sand! MLS#6105037 $699,000 REDUCED

SUNSETS, PINES AND WILDERNESS

Enjoy amazing sunsets from your private cove, on 2.6 acres with 330+ feet of Wilson Lake shoreline. Wheelchair accessible lake home with gig-speed fiber optic internet. One level, all accessible living offers a large great room, 3 bedrooms with skylights, two accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers, in floor heat, knotty pine, slate and wood flooring, attached heated garage, with a large wood deck and boardwalk down to the lake and fire pit. Whatever your stage of life or physical ability, you can still enjoy living in nature. Enjoy all of your favorite outdoor activities: fishing, swimming, hiking, birdwatching, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, star gazing or skiing - an adventure in every season. MLS#6104282 $679,900

GREENWOOD LAKE LOT

heat the 3-season

combination mechanical/laundry

& 3/4

Detached

spacious

with

MLS#6105008 $625,000

Neighboring

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

PRISTINE

GUNFLINT LAKE

dream lake home on this outstanding lake lot. MLS#6099440 $294,900

EAST BEARSKIN LAKE CABIN

SIMPLICITY, SOLITUDE AND WILDERNESS VIEWS

McFarland Lake cabin sits close to the water's edge with outstanding views of the US Forest wilderness across the lake. Bluffs, cliffs and water make McFarland Lake a gem, and this property takes in the whole show. Simple seasonal cabin with lake water and septic holding tank. Indoor bathroom, full kitchen, and big window to enjoy the stunning view. You'll spend most of your time on the screen porch. Wilderness adventures start from here, the BWCAW access is close by paddle or hiking trail. MLS#6105451 $209,000

WALK OR PADDLE INTO THE

SALE

SALE

in a beautiful cedar, spruce and pine forest w/ high

to the wilderness. There are not many opportunities like this

NORTH FOWL LAKE CABIN

Unique Northwoods escape off the "road" less traveled. The Boundary Waters is your backyard as the western property boundary abuts the BWCA. Accessed by plane, boat, canoe, or a Canadian boat landing. North Fowl is a Border Lake on the 200 mile water border route. Comfortable off-grid seasonal cabin has open floor plan & sleeping loft w/ unique diamond willow rails. Wood heat & appliances run off of propane w/ solar electric. Over 200’ of sandy shoreline w/ beautiful views & gradual slope to lake. MLS#6104291 $150,000

HOMES & CABINS

CHARMING TIMBER FRAME HOME

SALE PENDING

NEW! 2 HOMES & AN APARTMENT – LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

Unique

consists

the

TWO

share a well & a compliant

off of Hwy 61.

have

house (1804)

& 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

attached garage with drain and a separate 2-car garage. MLS#6103486 $765,000

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 $650,000

MLS#6105002 $420,000

LAKE SUPERIOR VIEW HOME

SOLD

Comfortable house conveniently located 3 miles east of Grand Marais. Home is accented w/ aspen paneling & hardwood floors. Ample deck space between house & garage to enjoy the outdoors, grilling or picnicking. Lots to explore w/ hundreds of public acres abutting north side of property and the Devil Track River nearby. Garage has plenty of room for vehicles & tools, includes a workshop area and unfinished studio apt. upstairs for guest room/rental space. MLS#6102062

CARIBOU HIGHLANDS TOWNHOME

Unique opportunity - 1/4 Share Ownership at Caribou Highlands, a well-established ski-in/ski-out resort property in Lutsen. Minutes to golfing, hiking, biking, swimming & snowmobiling.

newer appliances

granite countertop, as well as modern neutral decor and a cozy gas

the deck for grilling or just taking in

COMMERCIAL

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

MULTI-USE PROPERTY HOVLAND

LUTSEN COMMERCIAL SITE

Lutsen "downtown"

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.

DEERYARD LAKE LOG CABIN

Enjoy this log home with southern sun exposure, wood burning fireplace, outdoor wood

within

Deeryard

&

Main floor

&

Direct

Efficient

the

&

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

GUNFLINT HOME – BIG LAKE VIEWS

This year-round, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on Gunflint Lake has views looking down the entire length of the lake. Wilderness access is a short paddle away. The wood floors, stone fireplace, screen porch and other features make this a warm and comfortable lake home. An ideal weekend escape or full-time home. There's a carport and shed for storage. Recently updated septic system, good well. The shore is gradual and the lake bottom is sand! MLS#6105037 $699,000 REDUCED

SUNSETS, PINES AND WILDERNESS

Enjoy amazing sunsets from your private cove, on 2.6 acres with 330+ feet of Wilson Lake shoreline. Wheelchair accessible lake home with gig-speed fiber optic internet. One level, all accessible living offers a large great room, 3 bedrooms with skylights, two accessible bathrooms with roll-in showers, in floor heat, knotty pine, slate and wood flooring, attached heated garage, with a large wood deck and boardwalk down to the lake and fire pit. Whatever your stage of life or physical ability, you can still enjoy living in nature. Enjoy all of your favorite outdoor activities: fishing, swimming, hiking, birdwatching, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, star gazing or skiing - an adventure in every season. MLS#6104282 $679,900

GREENWOOD LAKE LOT

heat the 3-season

combination mechanical/laundry

& 3/4

Detached

spacious

with

MLS#6105008 $625,000

Neighboring

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

PRISTINE

GUNFLINT LAKE

dream lake home on this outstanding lake lot. MLS#6099440 $294,900

EAST BEARSKIN LAKE CABIN

SIMPLICITY, SOLITUDE AND WILDERNESS VIEWS

McFarland Lake cabin sits close to the water's edge with outstanding views of the US Forest wilderness across the lake. Bluffs, cliffs and water make McFarland Lake a gem, and this property takes in the whole show. Simple seasonal cabin with lake water and septic holding tank. Indoor bathroom, full kitchen, and big window to enjoy the stunning view. You'll spend most of your time on the screen porch. Wilderness adventures start from here, the BWCAW access is close by paddle or hiking trail. MLS#6105451 $209,000

WALK OR PADDLE INTO THE

SALE

SALE

in a beautiful cedar, spruce and pine forest w/ high

to the wilderness. There are not many opportunities like this

NORTH FOWL LAKE CABIN

Unique Northwoods escape off the "road" less traveled. The Boundary Waters is your backyard as the western property boundary abuts the BWCA. Accessed by plane, boat, canoe, or a Canadian boat landing. North Fowl is a Border Lake on the 200 mile water border route. Comfortable off-grid seasonal cabin has open floor plan & sleeping loft w/ unique diamond willow rails. Wood heat & appliances run off of propane w/ solar electric. Over 200’ of sandy shoreline w/ beautiful views & gradual slope to lake. MLS#6104291 $150,000

NEW! BEAUTIFUL LAKE SUPERIOR CONDO ON THE NORTH SHORE!

Walk into this condo and curl up in front of the cozy wood fireplace while soaking in the views and sounds of the big lake. Located on the lower level of Chateau LeVeaux you have a great walk out patio, perfect spot to sit with your morning cup of coffee or enjoy the bonfire outside the unit in the evening. The kitchen is fully equipped, easily make all your meals in house before enjoying your adventures on the North Shore. The open floor plan even gives the cook a great view of the big lake! Enjoy the multiple hiking trails, cross-country ski trails or snowshoeing all close by, Not to mention the many State Parks. Your options of things to do are endless! Or stick around the resort and enjoy the amenities they have including a lakeside sun deck, pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, game room, fire pits and grills. Its time to Relax and Unwind on the shores of Lake Superior. Plan your visit today!

balcony, gas fireplace, spacious walk-in closet, large private bath with Jacuzzi tub. A sprawling deck overlooks the yard and shore. An awesome property in the Northwood’s!

NEW! 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!

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!

PEACE, PURE WATER AND ELEGANCE ON DEVIL TRACK LAKE!

Here on a sprawling lot, on the shiny, big water of Devil Track Lake is a class-act home. The home has been well-loved and maintained, nothing to do but move in and enjoy. Two baths, Three bedrooms, Terrific kitchen, all high end and ready 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!

NEW! 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 Jackand-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.

SALE PENDING

SALE PENDING

LIVING WITH CARIBOU LAKE ACCESS!

by a

year

The Gales of November are Here! Enjoy the last days of fall before the snow flies!

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

SILVER BAY TO SCHROEDER AREAS

Affordable parcel in Schroeder! 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

Enjoy the wilderness on 24+ acres! Year round access with electricity at the street! Plenty of space to create your up north getaway! Only 6 miles up the Cramer road from Schroeder you have close access to many inland lakes and trails.

MLS#6101541 $60,000 PRICE REDUCED 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 year-round 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 SALE PENDING

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 SOLD

NEW! Outdoor Enthusiast Dream- 20 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

NEW! 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#TBA $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 Maple Forest bordering Superior National Forest!

Looking for a peaceful spot close to some beautiful inland lakes? This 6+ acres is it! Tucked away in the wilderness but still only 15 min from downtown Lutsen. Close to Christine Lake, White Pine Lake and Barker Lake, you will have plenty of options when you want to go fishing or canoeing. Take the Caribou Trail to the Honeymoon Trail, to Lund Road. The Honeymoon Trail is on the Fall Leaf Tour, beautiful Maples, and this lot has plenty! A mature canopy of trees, including maples, birch trees and pines brings with it a wide arrangement of wildlife and will make a beautiful view to enjoy once you create your getaway. Check it out today!

MLS#6103934 $85,999 SOLD

LUTSEN AREA

8+ acre parcel in the Heart of Lutsen with Lake Superior views!

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 $164,900 PRICE REDUCED

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 SOLD

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 SOLD

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

INLAND LAKE PROPERTIES

pending

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

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

HOMES

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!

26+ acre wooded sanctuary on Cut Face Creek is a phenomenal backdrop to this charming 3BR/ 1BA cabin with a heated “bunk house” and an additional storage shed. Abuts federal land for added privacy.

6105319

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.

6105215

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.

6105371

W Highway 61

Classic elegance with a contemporary feel--light, bright, airy! This 2+ BR home has what you’re looking for in a Lake Superior proper ty--fabulous ledge rock shoreline, natural vegetation, a creek and bridge, large 2.5A lot, and privacy. The location couldn’t be any better-in between the Caribou Trail and Lutsen Ski Area. Imagine dark northwoods skies, stargazing, and ship watching. . . a perfect piece of paradise is waiting for you in Lutsen!

1100 Old Shore Road

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

NEW

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

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 Street

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 $69,900

TBD Cedar Grove Lane

Exceptional 1.44A building site in the EDA Park is waiting for you to build your home just the way you want it, with space to operate your home business as well.

MLS 6105145 $69,900

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 Road

pending

4907 Hwy 61 E

pending

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!

MLS 6103734 $199,900

Gustav Lane

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.

pending

MLS 6104354 $64,900

623X Little Marais Road

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

12XX Highway 61 W

pending

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.

MLS 6102257 $159,900

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

X13 Murphy Mountain Trail

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

MLS 6102645 $129,900

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

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

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principles of the Fair Housing Act and

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CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT

bobcat

I discovered a special area where bobcats frequent; high on a forested mountain top along the North Shore). At the base of a rocky ledge I could see a worn path and scrapes where cats had deposited scent. The spot was evidently a message board of sorts for communication be tween animals. I photographed several different wild cats at this location, including this one, by utilizing a motion-triggered DSLR “camera trap.” The bobcat paused to ponder the setup for a moment before continuing on its way.—Ryan Pennesi

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