Exceptional Lake Superior lots! Gorgeous building sites, very private desirable locations, some level to lake, some elevated. Gravel, accessible ledge rock & boulder shoreline, NE and SE facing sites to pick from. 18 miles to Grand Marais, 4 to Brule River for trout & salmon fishing & Devils Kettle Falls, 15 to Isle Royale ferry, 22 to Canada. Beautiful trees, protective covenants, community septic, electricity & survey.
“The
my life.” -Tim K.
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Unplug & Unwind
If you are like me, you struggle to find a balance between the benefits of technology and the hassles, challenges, and changes that technology brings us. We can’t seem to live without our phones these days, but what are the consequences of too much screen time? Navigate without GPS? Forget it.
Here in Cook County, many of us find ourselves at the crossroads of high-tech and low-tech, because we have to be. Our cell phones go in and out of service constantly. Rely too much on that GPS app and you will drive down a snowmobile trail. Don’t believe me? Just ask our local tow-truck service. I’m fairly certain that most of us living up here want to be somewhat oblivious to all that the high-tech world has to offer and I think our visitors do too. Many come to “get away from it all.” You don’t find many (or any?) tablet ordering services at the local restaurants. High tech car washing? Heck, we barely get our car wash service to work half the time. Yes, this is what makes the North Shore great, it’s like going back in time.
Our stories this month focus on low tech, simple things, and maybe these are always the things of the North Shore: Michelle Miller writes about
the Clover Valley Farm Trail, a group of produce farms between Duluth and Two Harbors where folks can drive or bike and buy seasonal fresh produce each week. Chris Pascone writes about poling, sailing and rowing a canoe, and Kalli Hawkins about navigation in the digital age, a skill which I feel certain has gone along the wayside.
In features, we have stories from Pascone about the Nóatún Community, a community of heritage wooden boat builders, now located in Knife River, and a story from Eric Chandler about the Duluth Adventure Company, which is basically a running couple who now takes runners on tours all over the world to get their runner’s high in places like Italy, Newfoundland and Yosemite. I included a story about one of my own running inspirations, Michael Koppy, a 74-year-old ultra-marathoner from Hermantown whose energy, generosity and athleticism keeps me moving.
There are more stories here from Laura Durenberger-Grunow about Abby Tofte’s new store called Lady Superior, a NA bottle shop, the first of its kind in our area, and a piece by Dana Johnson about spongy moths, formerly called gypsy moths. Naomi Yaeger featured
Knife River artist Brad Nelson and his stone mosaics in Creative Space. Check out the pictures, they are impressive.
Last but certainly not least, the catchlight this month may be one of my favorites ever. Paul Sundberg has captured one of the most exquisite birds around, the hummingbird, in a stunning photo.
I think we can all agree that September might just be the best month of the year. Perhaps this is a good time to put away that phone just a little more this month and enjoy the simplicity of the moment.—Erin Altemus
Congratulations to Breana and Cody on the birth of their daughter Paige from all of us at Northern Wilds.
ENTER YOUR PHOTOS AND WIN PRIZES!
CATEGORIES: Landscape, Wildlife, Adventure Lifestyle, and Macro. Prizes will be awarded to the top three photos per category. Winners will be announced in the January 2025 issue of Northern Wilds.
ENTER BY SEPT. 30
WEBSITE: BIT.LY/LOVEOFNORTH
photo contest
Don’t just “take a photo.” Think about and study your subject—you are creating art! Photography is sharing your experience, so make the photo interesting. A photo should tell a story and catch the action. Zoom in if you need to remove clutter, and don’t always shoot at eye level. Getting low from the worm’s eye view can give you some awesome images. But remember, it’s all about searching for the right light. —Paul Sundberg
search of fish, photos and outdoor adventure. His contributions to U.S. and Canadian books, magazines and newspapers have earned him an arm load of national and international awards. He currently resides in Wawa, Ontario with his wife Francine.
David R. Johnson is a photographer from Grand Marais. A fourthgeneration resident of the area, he grew up exploring the area’s vast forests, lakes, rivers, and streams. “I travel the back country all the time taking photos of anything that catches my eye; the northern lights are my favorite, followed by wildlife,” he says.
Sundberg has done landscape and wildlife photography since the early 1970s. Paul and his wife Karla moved to the North Shore of Lake Superior in 1976 managing several State Parks until his retirement in 2010. They currently reside near Grand Marais where Paul continues to pursue his passion for photographing Lake Superior and the Boundary Waters.
James Smedley’s wiry frame regularly labours under a heavy pack of camera gear in
Paul
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Clover Valley Farm Trail
TWO HARBORS—A sure sign of fall is the abundance of fresh produce available at farmers markets and pop-up roadside stands. The Northshore offers a unique option to enjoy a fresh selection of the season’s fruits and vegetables. The Clover Valley Farm Trail (CVFT) is a group of local farmers who have come together to create a conveniently designed road trail that is accessible by car or bike. Clover Valley is a farming community located in or near Clover Valley, between Duluth and Two Harbors.
The concept of creating the trail was the brainchild of fruit grower, Justin Osadjan, owner and operator of Lucky Dog Farm. Originally from Chicago, he says working on a farm has been a lifelong dream of his. “As a child we would go to the coast of Michigan to visit grandpa and pick berries at a fruit farm.” He remembers thinking, this is something he wanted to do some day, especially sharing the peace and serenity he experienced on those trips, with others. A former University administrator, Osadjan bought his farm and moved to Two Harbors in 2014 with the intention of fulfilling his dream of running a berry farm.
He began by growing garden produce while he tended to his young berry crop. “I would drag my trailer down to the end of my driveway to sell my garden produce each season,” Osadjan shares. It took about eight years, and he is now transitioning into being a full-time berry growing entrepreneur. The idea of a produce trail came from a project he heard about in Bayfield, Wis. The Fruit Loop provides self-guided tours of local apple orchards and wineries in the area. He pitched the idea of becoming a collaborative to other neighboring farmers to expand accessibility to a variety of produce and other homemade
products in the same informal, self-guided format. There are now 10 farms that make up the trail, and all are part of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). This is a system that connects producers and consumers within a food system and is a production and marketing model. In this model, a community of individuals pledge support to a farm operation, with growers and consumers having mutual support and sharing risks and benefits of food production.
Each of the participating farms on the Clover Valley Farm Trail function independently and offer their own specialty. The goods available range from homemade herbs, vinegars, eggs, seasonal produce, cheese, and berries. A list of options available are updated each week on the CVFT website and social media. The farmers who prepare their items in home are registered with the state Cottage Foods Program and do obtain a permit to sell. Osadjan’s Lucky Dog Farm is the only self-picking experience on the trail at this time.
Osadjan points out the importance and benefits of buying locally produced food, noting 67 cents of each dollar spent stays local, supporting community small business and ensuring the goods have been ethically produced. Ethically produced food encompasses several key considerations which includes workers welfare and livable wages, environmental sustainability which minimizes negative impacts on ecosystems and humane treatment of animals.
The Farm Trail is open on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. May through October. A comprehensive, easy to follow map is available on their website. All farms are within a 6-mile radius of Homestead Road, 10 miles
north of Duluth off Highway 61. Easy to read yard signs marking each location are also posted along the route. Whether on bike or in a vehicle, the trail is also an opportunity to enjoy a glimpse into the beautiful back roads of the area, especially during the prime color-changing time of the foliage and is en-
[TOP LEFT] Farmer Julie Allen from Sorestad Farm. | SUBMITTED
[TOP RIGHT] Berries available at Farm du Nord. | BLANE & BRIDGET TETREAULT
[LEFT] Clover Valley Farm Trail sign directing guests to Little Chili Farm. | BIANCA SEAY
hanced by the peaceful surroundings. Most locations accept electronic payment and all accept cash. Details and full profiles of each farm are listed on the website. For maps, seasonal products available, and FAQ’s visit: clovervalleyfarmtrail.com.—Michelle Miller
Harvest from Farm du Nord. | BLANE & BRIDGET TETREAULT
Pole, Sail or Row Alternative Canoe Propulsion
DULUTH—Lake Superior looms before you, and you want to go explore it in your canoe. You’re hankering to go island hopping out of Thunder Bay, or check out the Apostles. Are you going to paddle out there? Not a chance. But there’s another way. Rowing your canoe is a faster, more powerful method of traveling long distances on big water. Rowing from a central position in the canoe also provides increased maneuverability and balance on bigger waves. Let’s see how to get started rowing, as well as cover some basics of two other low-tech methods of canoe propulsion: sailing and poling.
ROWING
Some people might not even have thought rowing a canoe is possible. But when they see it being done, all of a sudden they think “Oh, I would love to do that.” Rowing uses two blades rather than a single paddle. Longer oars keep the blades in the water for a greater distance, thus creating greater power. Having blades on both sides of the boat also gives the rower much greater stability, as the canoe can be steered from either side, or both sides, at once.
Chuck Newberg has been perfecting rowing units made by Spring Creek Manufacturing out of Mountain Iron, Minn., ever since his father founded the company in 1985. “If I’m on Lake Superior in a canoe, I’d be rowing, because you’ve got so much power. You time the waves, making your strokes when your blades can be fully immersed in the wave,” explains Newberg.
Spring Creek Manufacturing’s removeable rowing units can be attached to any canoe in seconds. It works particularly well at transforming tandem canoes into stable solo boats, as the weight and steering are both now centered in the canoe. Spring Creek’s canoe rowing unit includes three pieces: a drop-in seat that clamps to the inside of the canoe gunwales, rowing outriggers with bushings and oar pins that also clamp on the canoe, and the oars themselves. The kit is lightweight, stable, and made out of durable aluminum in Minnesota.
What are some more benefits of rowing? One rower can easily keep up with two paddlers, which will definitely make you the envy of your paddling friends. You can also turn on a dime when rowing. This can transform your tandem canoe into a great
river float boat, as long as the river is deep enough for oars to be handled properly. When floating downriver, oars are used for making precision course adjustments that can provide critical help in strong current or around down trees. The river needs to be suitably wide, as the oars have a total wingspan of about 15 feet when mounted in the oarlocks.
Finally, there’s every canoeist’s nemesis –wind. How many times have you been paddling stern in a long canoe, and you just can’t turn the bow into the wind? It’s frustrating, and physically exhausting. If you’re paddling a tandem boat solo, the wind problem is even worse. Your ultimate solution is rowing. The longer oars and the rower’s central position using the drop-in seat give you the turning leverage you need to take on strong wind.
Grant Sega, Vice President of Spring Creek Manufacturing, says all of these factors make the rowing unit a way to gain independence for someone who has a tandem canoe: “You can solo it and get much more efficiently from point A to point B. Chuck and I have always said we put our money on one person rowing a tandem canoe much more effectively and efficiently than two people paddling a tandem canoe. It’s better balanced, and a lot more effective overall.”
SAILING
The horizon keeps calling you, but how are you going to paddle that far? Another way to explore big water in a canoe is by sailing, which can extend the distance one can travel by harnessing the wind.
One simple way to sail canoes, tested by many savvy Northwoods travelers, is to lash two canoes tightly together with rope (or with Spring Creek Manufacturing lashing bars), then hold two tree branches straight up at the bow seats, and tie a bedsheet between the two masts to create a sail. When the wind starts pushing the canoes, and you begin effortlessly traveling down the lake, you are enveloped by a feeling of rapture. This is propulsion using brains, not muscle.
Sailing was one of the earliest methods of canoe propulsion, and was used by islanders in Oceania and the Pacific islands with dugout canoes. Today, reconnecting to the lowtech simplicity of our predecessors provides a tremendous feeling of continuity with the past. Low-tech worked for them, and can
still work now. Again, for easy canoe sailing you’ll need two canoes, and can only sail downwind.
For next-level canoe sailing you’ll want to tack into the wind. To achieve upwind sailing, you’ll need to attach leeboards to the outside of your canoe. Leeboards are fins in the water that reduce side slippage when sailing across or upwind. This means the ca-
noe can move forward more, rather than sideways. One other key piece of equipment will be outrigger pontoons, which can be attached to the canoe to provide more stability when the canoe starts to heel.
For more inspiration and ideas for transforming your canoe into a sailboat, check out the Open Canoe Sailing Group on Facebook.
Harness the wind by sailing your canoe. | CHRIS PASCONE
POLING
Furthermore, paddling can damage the fragile rice plants. Since wild rice grows in water from 6 inches to 3 feet deep, it’s possible for a person to stand up in the canoe and “pole” the canoe along from their elevated position. It’s not fast, and it’s hard work, but poling is as low-tech as it gets.
According to the “Ojibwe People’s Dictionary” (ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/), a ricing pole is a lightweight wood pole of cedar or tamarack. The pole “has a forked end nailed to it made of sumac. The pole is used to propel a canoe when wild ricing in shallow, sandy or muddy waters. The fork is designed so as not to damage rice stalks when poling.”
It’s possible to craft your own push pole, which should be at least 10-12 feet in length. Classes on pole construction have been offered before at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais.
Finally, as per the MN DNR Wild Rice Regulations, “push poles used to propel watercraft for harvesting wild rice must be forked at the end. The forks must be less than 12 inches in length.”
Here again, poling a canoe provides an instant connection to local history and heritage.
Poles were also historically used by Ojibwe to pole up rivers through rapids. Accomplished polers could move a loaded canoe upriver without portaging. Today, canoe poling on rivers is all but a lost art form in the Midwest.
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Perhaps the most low-tech method of all for canoe propulsion is to pole the canoe. Still in common practice today by folks harvesting wild rice, poling is a way of pushing off the bottom of the waterway you’re travelling with a long pole (tree branch). Think of poling when cross-country skiing, but here you’re pushing off of the river or lake bed, rather than the crusted snow.
Poling has been used by generations of indigenous North Americans for harvesting wild rice. Wild rice plants grow as very thick emergent grass, which prohibits paddling.
While paddling will ultimately be the simplest form of canoe propulsion for most to master, rowing, sailing, and poling all have their moments too. Try implementing these alternative low-tech methods for your own canoeing pleasure.—Chris Pascone
Rowing is both efficient and effective. | CHRIS PASCONE
Lady Superior: Grand Marais’ first NA bottle shop
GRAND MARAIS—In the summer of 2023, the North Shore’s first non-alcoholic (NA) bottle shop was nestled in Abby Tofte’s art and gift store, The Big Lake, in Grand Marais. Aptly named Lady Superior Bottle Shop, the store has quickly become a staple for locals and visitors who are looking for a place to purchase NA and THC/CBD beverages, and for those searching for a community that doesn’t focus on alcohol.
Tofte, who has been sober since early 2021, thought about starting Lady Superior after visiting Marigold, an NA bottle shop with locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. There, she was able to try a variety of different NA beverages which is something she hadn’t been able to do before. Additionally, she was looking for a place to build community with others who didn’t drink. While there is a growing trend of people who have gone completely sober or significantly decreased their alcohol consumption, some stigma against being sober exists. “There aren’t many communities for those who don’t drink but fall outside of alcoholic support groups. For those who still actively drink alcohol but want to partake in some NA options, or who are ‘sober curious’,” she said.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Tofte said that after the shop opened, many people shared that they too, were sober or had significantly cut back on drinking, but didn’t know of others like them. People would also come from places like Duluth, to stock up on NA beverages and find community at a place that doesn’t revolve around alcohol. “I knew there was a need in the community for something like Lady Superior, but I didn’t know at what level,” she added.
Tofte started thinking about expansion— something she always hoped would be an option. That reality came to fruition when the store space (formerly the Gunflint Mercantile) next to The Big Lake became available. She purchased that portion of the building and immediately began creating an official home for Lady Superior Bottle Shop. Along with NA and THC/CBD beverages, she also sells hand-curated souvenirs, gifts, and provisions to “commemorate a northern escape” in what she calls Harbortown Goods.
The space opened in May 2024, and consists of Harbortown Goods in one part of the store, and Lady Superior in the other. A small bar sits in the back, open Friday and Saturday evenings, where Abby and her team of knowledgeable, excited, and not-all-sober staff provide tasting flights of NA and THC/ CBD drinks, as well as full pours. Customers can even purchase a can from the floor and enjoy it at the bar or in-store during tasting events. “The tastings have been popular for both visitors and locals. We even have locals who bring visiting friends and family to try different drinks and enjoy an evening out in a non-alcoholic setting,” she said. “We’ve started switching up the tasting menu every couple of weeks so repeat customers can continue trying new items,” she added. Since opening in the new location, Tofte has noticed that a solid community has formed - something that she found surprising. “People come in and tell us they feel welcome and seen. I can’t even count on one hand how many have come in emotional because they find being in a space that
doesn’t revolve around alcohol so validating. It’s something I’ve never seen in other retail locations before.”
Tofte created Lady Superior to be a safe space to ask questions in a non-judgmental setting—whether that’s about NA cocktails, wine or beer, zero-proof spirits, or THC/ CBD beverages. “Many of our customers (and some employees) still drink alcohol and don’t plan on stopping. But some are curious about THC/CBD beverages, or others want to cut back on how often they drink alcohol and are looking for NA alternatives. This is a place where they can come and not be shamed for drinking (or not drinking) and get their questions answered.”
Two months after opening Tofte is already thinking about what the next year will bring. First, Abby and her team are planning to reimagine the bar area, due to the overwhelming popularity of tasting events. Along with that, Tofte hopes to start offering classes, such as how to make delicious non-alcoholic cocktails or mixed drinks.
[ABOVE] Lady Superior Bottle Shop opened in May 2024 providing alternative beverages to alcohol. | LAURA DURENBURGER-GRUNOW
[LEFT] Abby Tofte grew up in Silver Bay and now owns the Big Lake and Lady Superior. | ERIN WATSON
On October 5, Lady Superior will be hosting Dana Thompson, co-creator of the Minneapolis-based restaurant Owamni, who recently created Heti (which means “Home” in the Dakota language), which are “low-dose THC drinks created to give you a sense of place by celebrating the plants around us.” Thompson will be joined by Dawn Droulliard, former Chef of Fabulous Catering, and founder of Buzz Oils, which are THC-finishing oils. Thompson and Droulliard co-founded The Modern Indigenous, which “pushes the boundaries of pre-colonial ingredients and highlights indigenous foods in a fresh and modern way with an emphasis on health and wellness.” They will both be offering samples of Heti and Buzz Oils at the event.
Other planned events revolve around “Sober October,” a 31-day personal challenge to give up alcohol, similar to “Dry January”, where weekly meetings will be held in the space, as well as a book group. “These meetings are for anyone who wants to find community in an alcohol-free space. People don’t have to be completely sober to partake.”
Lady Superior will also be serving NA and THC beverages at North House Folk School’s Unplugged concerts on September 19 & 20.
Find Lady Superior Bottle Shop at 12 1st Ave W. in Grand Marais. Learn more about Lady Superior Bottle Shop on Instagram at: instagram.com/ladysuperiorbottleshop. —Laura Durenberger-Grunow
September in Grand Marais
A BLEND OF ART, MUSIC, AND AUTUMN
September in Grand Marais is rich with events that highlight the town’s vibrant arts and music scene. The Radio Waves Music Festival kicks off the month with three days of music from local and regional musicians. The Plein Air Competition brings artists to town to capture the changing landscapes of the North Shore. The Unplugged Music Festival offers big city music in a smalltown venue. You can also enjoy art exhibits, author book talks, and more throughout the month. Check out our events listings for full details.
As the crisp air of autumn settles in, Grand Marais becomes a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat. The town’s natural beauty is on full display, with the vibrant fall colors providing a stunning backdrop for hiking, biking, and exploring the surrounding area. The quieter pace of September offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenic harbor, take a stroll along the shore, or venture out to nearby trails and parks for a true North Shore experience.
Grand Marais continues to be a hub for creativity and culture in September. The town’s galleries, art colony, and heritage centers offer a variety of exhibits and workshops that draw both locals and visitors. Whether you’re attending a festival, exploring local art, or simply enjoying the town’s laidback atmosphere, September in Grand Marais is the best time of year to appreciate what makes this town special.
The Co-op team is ready for your fall adventures. Drop by between 9am-7pm daily!
Join the fun at The Market.
Why Traditional Navigation Skills Are Essential in the Digital Age
GRAND MARAIS—In an age of satellite messenger devices, hiking navigation apps, and smartphones, using a map and compass might seem like an old-fashioned approach when venturing outdoors.
However, those reliable, old-fashioned tools—and the knowledge of how to use them—remain the best resource for navigating unfamiliar terrain or finding your way when lost in the woods.
At its core, orienteering is the skill of using a map and compass to determine one’s location and navigate to a desired destination. It’s an invaluable skill that many Boy Scouts learned at a young age, and it remains a skill taught in outdoor and college classrooms. Furthermore, orienteering involves problem-solving, situational awareness, and the ability to minimize risk.
For many individuals, navigating from point A to point B is not only a wilderness survival skill but a practical daily life skill. Whether traveling up the North Shore along Highway 61 or running errands in town, it requires an individual to navigate effectively and make informed decisions in a timely manner.
And the same applies when recreating and orienteering in the outdoors.
Whether canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), foraging for mushrooms, or hunting in the remote northern Minnesota landscape, individuals need to plan their routes carefully, understand their surroundings, and assess potential hazards. By doing so, individuals can ensure their safety and have an enjoyable outdoor adventure.
The first step in orienteering begins well before the boots are laced and the backpack is loaded into the vehicle. One of the situational awareness components of orienteering occurs before the adventure begins.
Orienteering is an invaluable skill in the woods.
| THOMAS THOMPSON VIA UNSPLASH
Individuals should plan a route before heading into the woods and familiarize themselves with the terrain’s topography. Depending on the extent of the backcountry trip, this step may take 30 minutes or a few hours. Before heading into the wilderness, it is important to understand what the landscape will look like and how easy or difficult it will be to traverse.
A large swath of the northern Minnesota landscape has unreliable or nonexistent cell service. Even though individuals may study Google Maps for hours and feel confident about their charted route on All Trails, Avenza Maps, or Onx, it is crucial not to rely solely on a device that has limited coverage or battery life. As many who have spent time in the woods know, the outdoors is often unpredictable. Even though the downloaded offline maps are quite handy, it only takes one small unfortunate mishap to lose or damage the handheld lifeline needed to find your way home.
And that’s where a trusty old map and compass stashed in the backpack come into play.
While technology can certainly enhance various aspects of an outdoor experience, it should always serve as a complement rather than a primary reliance. Relying on technology for navigation can undermine the essential critical thinking skills needed to orient yourself and survive in the outdoors if something goes wrong.
Critical thinking and situational awareness skills are crucial in the outdoors, where conditions can change rapidly and help is often far away. Without the ability to read a map, use a compass, or interpret the terrain, a minor mishap can escalate into a serious search-and-rescue situation.
If you would like to sharpen your orienteering skills before your next adventure, there are numerous classes along the North Shore available for individuals. The Minnesota Orienteering Club hosts frequent courses and, most recently, partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in late August to host an orienteering for fun and survival webinar. If you live closer to a metro area, the nearest REI store frequently hosts orienteering classes. Numerous other resources are available by contacting a nearby survival or bushcraft organization.—Kalli Hawkins
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CDC implements new regulations to keep U.S. rabies free
COOK COUNTY—The CDC announced earlier this year that all dogs crossing into the United States would need to meet certain requirements in order to maintain the U.S. status as a rabies-free country, a status which Canada also maintains. At first the requirements laid out by the CDC were quite onerous for dog owners and they have since been revised. Here is what you should know if you plan to bring your dog from Canada across the border:
-You must complete the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) Dog Import Form. The form can be found on the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/importation, and you should complete it several days before crossing. It is for dogs that have been in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the six months before U.S. entry. A receipt will be emailed to you upon submission of the form. You can print the receipt or show it on your phone. It is valid for six months, no matter how often you cross the border.
Your dog will need to be micro-chipped. According to friends who have crossed the border since these new regulations went into place, the border agents are not yet equipped to check for microchips (i.e. do not yet have scanners) and it is unknown as to when they may have scanners to check your dog for a microchip.
Your dog must by six months of age or older. This last rule has been quite contentious for those folks who want to purchase puppies from across the border or take their pup across the border. Vaccinated or not, you are no longer allowed to travel to another country with your young pup.
Dogs are not the only pets allowed to cross the border. Domestic cats have requirements that are similar to dogs. Your feline companion must have a rabies certificate documenting the date of vaccination, product name, lot number, and expiration of the lot.
Canada allows you to bring other pets, some of which may surprise you.
A bird is considered a pet if it is personally owned and cared for. It must be “a species commonly known as caged birds like birds in the parrot family, songbirds, toucans, canaries, finches, and cardinals.”
You are prohibited from bringing pigeons, doves, wild or domestic fowl, and game birds. It’s best to leave those at home.
Do you have a pet rabbit traveling with you? To cross into Canada, you only need proof that the bunny has lived in the United States for 60 days.
Maybe a Ferrett is your traveling companion. Follow the same procedures as you would a cat.— Steve Fernlund
Spongy Moths in Minnesota
LAKE COUNTY—I pulled over on a rural gravel road just west of Duluth on a cool, sunny mid-August day. I could see the bright green, milk-carton style cardboard moth trap from my car, hanging from the tree where I placed it two months prior.
With my staple remover handy, I started making my way through the tall grass to the trap. I was a few feet away when a fast movement caught my eye, fluttering over from a nearby clearing. A spongy moth! I watched as it danced around the trap for a second before swiftly disappearing inside. I noticed there were others moving within the trap as well, not yet overtaken by the pesticide strip.
I carefully collected the moths into a gallon bag, reset the trap, and began walking back to my car. Suddenly something small and soft hit me square in the face! I realized it was another spongy moth as it repeatedly bumped into the left pocket of my orange high visibility vest, where I’d been carrying pheromone strips earlier that day. I cupped my hand around it and added it to my bag, ready to be counted.
I applied to be a spongy moth surveyor through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) last spring because I wanted to work outside in the woods, explore places I’ve never been, and make a positive differ-
| DANA JOHNSON
ence. The United States has been battling this insect for over 150 years, and Minnesota is on the front line of the fight.
Never heard of the spongy moth? You’re not alone. Formerly known as the gypsy moth, the name was changed by the Entomological Society of America in 2023.
“Spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) is one of the oldest and most researched examples of an invasive species we have in North America,” states Natasha Northrop, Spongy Moth Survey Program Supervisor.
“The pest was brought in from Europe to Medford, MA in 1869 to attempt to crossbreed with the silkworm,” Northrop explains. They wanted to make silkworms more cold hardy, but it didn’t work, and the spongy moths escaped captivity. “They realized immediately it was going to be a problem and tried everything to try to contain it.”
The moths moved quickly, their hungry caterpillars defoliating large swaths of forest in the northeast for a hundred years. They can eat over 300 species of trees, leaving them vulnerable to disease. Eventually researchers learned how to detect and man-
Firewise
age the species in order to slow the spread and damage.
A big milestone was learning how to create and produce large quantities of a spongy moth pheromone mimic. A lure containing the synthetic pheromone is placed inside moth traps, and it’s also used as part of the mating disruption management strategy.
“The MDA has been setting early detection traps for spongy moth since the mid1970s,” Northrop states. “The first infestation was found and treated in St. Paul in 1980. Hundreds of start up populations have been detected and treated since then, effectively and significantly slowing the spread into the state and protecting other states west of Minnesota.”
“We now have a national multi-tiered strategy as defined by the USDA National Spongy Moth Management Program to, 1) eradicate isolated populations way ahead of the advancing front, 2) suppress high density populations in the generally infested / quarantined areas, and 3) limit/slow the spread in the transition zone in between.”
Trapping surveys and analysis of data collected determine areas to be treated. Delivered via low flying airplane, treatments come in two forms. One uses the aforementioned pheromone mimic to confuse the males so they can’t locate females. The other utilizes a bacteria found naturally in soil called Btk (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki), which kills young spongy moth caterpillars when they consume it. Neither treatment is harmful to other animals or plants.
This treatment strategy has slowed the spread of this destructive pest by over 60%, and economic analysis shows the program has an impressive benefit-to-cost ratio of 4:1.
Writer Dana Johnson also works as a spongy moth surveyor.
A typical milk-carton style spongy moth trap. | DANA JOHNSON
Male spongy moths can be identified by their feathery antennae, gray-brown coloration with dark zig-zag patterning, and distinctive “comma” markings on their wings that also appear on the underside. They spend their two weeks of adult life flying erratically along the edges of forests and fields searching for females, which are larger and lighter in color with much thinner antennae.
Adult moths do not eat – this stage of their lifecycle is meant only for reproduction.
Though females have wings, they are too heavy to fly. They crawl up a nearby tree, fence, building, or other structure, and wait. Their pungent pheromones can attract a male from up to a mile away. Once mating has taken place, they produce a soft mass containing hundreds of eggs that will overwinter and hatch in the spring.
The tiny larva use a strategy called ‘ballooning’ which allows them to ride a silk thread on the wind to land on a tree and begin feeding. Strong winds can potentially send them over a mile.
The buff colored spongy egg masses are the primary way spongy moths spread, however – transported unknowingly by people. “Outdoor household articles, vehicles, campers, logs, firewood, etc. are all potential vectors for transporting spongy moth egg masses or other life stages,” Northrop says.
Both Cook and Lake counties have been quarantined since 2014, which means the spongy moth is well established, and the movement of many items from the area is regulated. This includes materials like logs and pulpwood, but also Christmas trees and wreaths, nursery stock, and the personal outdoor items previously mentioned.
“It’s the law for people to self-inspect and
remove spongy moth life stages if they are bringing any of these articles from a quarantined county into a non-infested county,” Northrop explains. “A self-inspection checklist is available on the MDA website.”
That means anyone living in or visiting Cook and Lake counties should be inspecting their vehicles and outdoor equipment before traveling out of the area.
“Spongy moth is not yet established in most of Minnesota,” Northrop says. Outside of the quarantine area, the public is unlikely to notice them. “It’s hard to say exactly when the whole state will be considered infested, but we’re doing our best to delay establishment for as long as possible,” she continues. “The goal spread rate is ~5 miles or less per year with the STS (Slow the Spread) program in place.”
If you do notice a spongy egg mass or other evidence of spongy moth activity, please report it using the Report-A-Pest online form from the MDA website, email reportapest@ state.mn.us, or call 1-888-545-6684. Emailing photos is especially helpful!
Please also leave spongy moth detection survey traps in place if you see them, and call the number on the trap with any questions. We are working hard to protect our natural resources from this invasive pest, and the information gathered from the annual survey helps ensure our forests stay healthy for generations to come!— Dana Johnson
National Slow the Spread (STS) Foundation - www.slowthespread.org
Male Spongy Moth. | DANA JOHNSON
Spongy Moth Larva have distinctive red spots. | MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Spongy Moths emptied from a milk carton trap. | DANA JOHNSON
Nóatún Community Wooden Boat Works Low Tech at its Best
By Chris Pascone
The 27-foot Viking-age Ælfinna in Little Trout Bay on the Canadian side of Lake Superior was out for a float in mid-August. | CHRIS PASCONE
“Low tech sounds good, looks good, and smells good,” explains John Finkle, master wooden boat builder, as he admires a hand-built 19th century herring skiff at his workshop in Knife River. John would know – he has dedicated his life’s work to the art of building wooden boats in the most low-tech, heritage ways possible. He and his apprentice, Justin Anderson, are seven years into their nonprofit boat-building community project named Nóatún (Old Norse for “boat home” or “boat enclosure”). Together with community volunteers, Finkle and Anderson build traditional wooden boats that are then rowed, sailed, and paddled on Lake Superior and beyond. Inspired by Scandinavian boat-building heritage, the brainy builders teach community members to do creative work using hand tools. The hand-powered labor being done at Nóatún Boat Works truly does sound and smell amazing. And the resulting boats, such as the formidable 27-foot, Viking-age “Ælfinna” trerøring (Norwegian for boat with three pairs of oars), are an incredible sight to behold on big water.
“It all starts in the tamarack bog,” explains Finkle, recounting the initial steps of wooden boat building. The spry woodsman doesn’t hit up the hardware store or the lumber yard – he goes direct to the source. “It’s my favorite part of the whole process,” says Finkle. “We use all the natural gifts of the tree, such as the tamarack knees (the underground roots that often have a natural bent shape to them). Nordic boats are good at using the strengths of the wood,” Finkle elaborates.
Of course, it’s tough to penetrate a tamarack bog, so Finkle waits until the snow and ice cover are just right. He and his crew pull special logging sleds on the crusted ice deep into the bog. Then Finkle climbs the tamarack, attaches ropes, and he and his team haul it over with block and tackle. Then the many-year process of assembling wooden boats – without power tools – can begin.
Finkle and Anderson have recently moved Nóatún Boat Works from its former location along the Duluth harbor to a promising new space in Knife River, within steps of Lake Superior. It hasn’t been easy to move 20 wooden boats, hand-made looms for weaving verafeldur (historical Icelandic wool travel blankets), and their biggest project of all – a 47-foot, ocean-going longship in the Nordic lapstrake tradition (pointed at both ends, with no transom). Incredibly, Nóatún’s friends and volunteers hauled the heavy wooden ship by bicycle 20 miles up the shore to Knife River, following the same route as car traffic along Superior St., London Rd., and Scenic Highway 61. The stunning feat, complete with smelt fry festivities at the halfway mark for the haulers, epitomizes Nóatún’s low-tech, community-based approach.
One thing that hasn’t changed in the new location is their community build
nights. Finkle’s focus has always centered on involving youth and families in the build process, creating a neighborhood space for “hanging out” and learning.
The Sipilas are one family that frequents the community builds. “Things happen here that we don’t often see in the digital age,” explains Katri Sipila, who brings her preteen twins Leo and Sage to help at the new shop space. “Here you can experience things hands on, and it’s always a team effort,” Sipila adds. “We are all one, working together,” Sipila concludes, as Sage wields the sickle to cut down tansy and plays with the friendly goats that roam Nóatún’s new outdoor workspace.
The Sipilas have also been out rowing on Ælfinna – the ship they helped build the most. “I brought my whole family then,” says Katri Sipila, who has five children.
Justin Anderson says Nóatún is a lot of work. But he has also brought the non-profit to the point where he and Finkle can get paid through grants for their boat work and community organizing. Anderson is the duo’s virtuoso grant writer, and studied fine arts at UMD. “Grant funding for the arts is easier than science grant funding,” explains Anderson, who calls the wooden boats “sculpture.” Nóatún has received grants from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, the Minnesota State Arts Board, the American Scandinavian Foundation, the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, and the Four Cedars Environmental Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. “We can be proud as Minnesotans, because we have some of the best arts funding in the nation,” notes Anderson.
Nóatún’s projects have directly engaged over 700 community members in handson learning experiences over the past seven years. This unique model of collaborative education also produces tangible results that all of the community builders can take pride in. “Boat building has been separated from real life by industry, which makes plastic kayaks, and fiberglass motorboats. There is not a lot of wooden boat building happening around here. We happen to be interested in it,” says Anderson.
Finkle and Anderson embrace a diverse demographic at their workshop, and are taking on increasingly ambitious projects thanks to the passionate feedback they get from participants who find the experiences so valuable. “We get to make this cool model where people can come here and share working in a community space, but also get serious stuff done,” Anderson points out.
If wooden boat building sounds interesting to you, too, head over to www.duluthfaering.org to reach out to John and Justin and get more information on upcoming community builds and wooden boat events around Lake Superior.
John Finkle, master wooden boat builder involves youth and families in the Nóatún Community. | SUBMITTED
Nóatún is Old Norse for “boat home” or “boat enclosure.” | SUBMITTED
74-Year-Old Ultrarunner "Age is Just Relative"
At 74, Hermantown resident Michael Koppy is hardly slowing down. In fact, with nine 200+ mile ultra-marathons completed in the last seven years, he seems to be hitting his stride. But then, he’s been a busy guy with a lot of energy for some time.
In high school he ran cross-country and later worked up to marathon distance running events. Then Koppy started doing triathlons and at some point found that he enjoyed running, biking and canoeing triathlons, completing the Minnesota Border-toBorder Triathlon two years in a row, a 600mile Triathlon event. But what stuck was the running, especially trail running.
“You just put on a pair of shoes and go run,” Koppy said. “I love running the trails. It’s so much easier on your body.”
Koppy did his first ultra marathon in 2000. What qualifies a race to be an ultramarathon is any distance more than 26.2 miles, usually a 50k or more. Unlike traditional marathons, ultramarathons often take place on trails, and often in remote areas with long stretches between aid stations. This past May, Koppy completed the Cocodona 250, an ultramarathon from the outskirts of Phoenix to Flagstaff Arizona. The trail had a cumulative elevation gain of 40,000 feet. Koppy started the race with 320 runners, of which 200 finished. Koppy finished 99th, the first runner over 70 to finish that race ever.
Koppy likes to set goals. One goal he set a few years ago was to set what’s called a FKT or fastest known time, on the Superior Hiking Trail for thru-running the entire trail. He made a first attempt in 2019 but had to end his attempt due to a stress fracture in his leg. He made a second attempt in 2020, finishing the 310-mile trail in 5 days, 3 hours and 44 minutes. Koppy’s attempt was supported, meaning that a crew was able to drop supplies and pace him along the way so that he didn’t have to carry as much with him between road crossings. He continues to hold the record for the FKT of a supported attempt. He lists this as one of his biggest accomplishments, and if you have run or even hiked on the Superior Hiking Trail, you may know it’s not easy. Add in four to five days of extreme sleep deprivation, hallucinations, muscle cramping and exhaustion, and you might wonder how Koppy stays upright. Sometimes he doesn’t. He describes the trail as “roots and rocks the whole way, mud. Concentration. You can’t just shuffle along and daydream.”
One would think that training for these races would be a full-time undertaking, but Koppy has several other full-time passions. Koppy enjoys building furniture, has a large woodshop and employs several young people to help (high school age). He has over 50 species of hardwoods in his shop and says that furniture makers come from all over for the selection of wood. He himself enjoys doing the fussy stuff, inlays and hidden compartments in the wood. One of the projects his woodworking team is working on is to furnish and mill all the lumber for a storage shed for the Wildwoods Wildlife
By Erin Altemus
Koppy can run on just a few hours sleep. Sometimes a nap on the trail does not hurt. | SUBMITTED
Rehabilitation Center. It’s a volunteer project, and Koppy is donating the wood.
While his goals are often personal, there is often an outward larger charitable goal in mind as well. Next summer, Koppy plans to run the Western States 100-mile ultramarathon, one of the oldest ultramarathons in the U.S. and probably the most difficult to get into. First you have to qualify. Koppy qualified a long time ago, and after running his qualifier, he entered the lottery system. Every year you don’t get in through the lottery (there are 8,000 applicants for 365 spots), you can enter again and your lottery tickets double. After the tenth year, if you still don’t get in by lottery, you get in automatically and this will be the case. Koppy knows he is running on his automatic ticket and if he finishes, Koppy says, he will be the oldest runner to ever finish, and he could also be the fastest runner over 70 to ever finish. He hopes to break both of these records.
With all this in mind, he has set up a fundraiser for the YMCA as part of his goal for running the race. When he ran the Superior Hiking Trail FKT he raised $20,000 for the Superior Hiking Trail Association. This time he wants to raise $100,000. Supporters can donate to their local or national YMCA chapters; it will all count. Koppy says he picked the YMCA because he appreciates what an important community organization the Y is, “more than just a pool and a gym,” he said.
When asked what he attributes his ability to do these feats despite the passing years, Koppy replied that he is careful about his training and dedicated to it and doing it right. “I’ve been coached,” he said. “It does take a certain mindset. I stretch myself. I’m a goal-oriented person. I’m willing to push
Continuous mental concentration is part of trail-running—rocks, roots, and mud make for precarious footing most of the time, especially on the Superior Hiking Trail. | SUBMITTED
and sacrifice to reach those goals. I’ve been blessed that my body holds up.”
Koppy also holds a FKT for running unassisted from the Michigan border across Northern Wisconsin to the Minnesota border on the North Country Trail. On the last day running, Koppy tore his meniscus in two places and went in after finishing his run for an MRI. The orthopedic surgeon he saw told him the meniscus tear was the least of his problems. He only had 25% of the cartilage left in his knee, the surgeon told him, and he shouldn’t be doing any weight-bearing.
Another friend who is an orthopedic doctor put things a little differently, “I feel you should do what you feel you can do. You just gotta go until you get a flat tire,” his friend told him.
“Age is such a relative thing,” said Koppy, “I just ignore how I am supposed to feel.”
The donation link for Koppy’s record-setting attempt at Western States in 2025 is set up at www.duluthymca.org/runkoppy He will also be running the Arrowhead 135 Ultra that starts near International Falls at the end of January 2025.
Kim and Andy Holak are hard people to pin down. They had just led two separate trail running tours through Italy in April, one in Cinque Terre and another near the Amalfi Coast. On their way home to Duluth, they took a detour to California to run in the Canyons 100-mile trail ultramarathon. Just days after this conversation about their Adventure Running Company (adventurerunningco. com), Andy took off to lead another trail running tour along the Appalachian Trail. They are definitely two people on the move.
This is the sixteenth season that the Holaks have operated their Adventure Running Company. This year, they will guide eight different tours to places as varied as Mont Blanc in the Alps, Yosemite National Park, and to the nearby Voyageurs National Park where a houseboat is part of the trail running experience. Kim quoted one of their company taglines: “You run! We take care of the rest!” Each trip is a little different, but the main ingredient is trail running while the Holaks move your gear from one lodging spot to the next and square away the meals.
They started Adventure Running Company in 2009 while raising three kids and holding down day jobs. Kim taught Spanish for the school district and Andy worked as the Forest Recreation Specialist for St. Louis County. “We were a very small company and we were really part-time. It’s just Kim and I. We would only do one or two trips a year and use the vacation time for that. My goal
was to someday be able to leave my job and do that full time because that’s what I really wanted to do,” Andy said. Now, Kim works for the school district in a paraprofessional role, but Andy has transitioned to full-time with their Adventure Running Company.
Adventure Running Company was the first in the U.S. to guide trips for trail runners. “Nobody in the United States was doing that. Nobody was doing trail running tours. We kind of pioneered the idea. It’s not unique anymore. There’s a couple companies that grew bigger than we are that are doing it now. So I’m like, okay, that sounds like a cool idea. Let’s try to do it.” They initially modeled their operation on guided mountain bike tours. Andy said, “We did two tours our first year. We did the Maah Daah Hey Trail and the Colorado Trail, and they were both camping. We started out mostly with camping tours.”
This year, their Yosemite trip is their only trip with camping for lodging. The rest of their U.S. trips stay in vacation homes near each night’s stop. Andy said, “On the Appalachian Trail, we’re staying in vacation homes and then a lot of times we have to shuttle to the trail head each day.” Kim added, “The great thing about Mont Blanc is that you run into your lodging every day, boom. You’re going to come running every day right into your lodging. It’s awesome. And those are the best tours where you can run right into your campsite or your lodging or a refugio right up on the mountain somewhere.” Andy said, “In a vacation home,
we’ve got a dishwasher, we’ve got a kitchen, we’ve got showers. Kim and I are getting a little soft.” Soft is hardly the word that comes to mind for these two ultramarathoners.
“I think one thing that is important to point out is that these trips are accessible to anybody. We get people who walk quite a bit of it. We want them to run a little bit because
you don’t want your group to get too spread out. But we always have a lead runner and a sweep that comes. We always have the last runner accounted for,” said Andy.
They are also accessible in price compared to some of the other companies that offer trail running tours. “Our vacation home tours are more expensive than our camp-
A trail-running tour along the Amalfi Coast in Italy. | KIM & ANDY HOLAK
Voyageur’s National Park. | KIM & ANDY HOLAK
ing tours, but our prices are outrageously cheaper than most companies,” Andy said.
Sharon Yung is a trail runner who lives in Duluth and shared her experience with the Holaks on a recent trip. “I was able to be a part of the Fall 2021 Zion-Bryce running trip with Adventure Running Company with a group of friends in Duluth. We were able to see parts of Zion and Bryce that were off the beaten path and enjoyed great chow, spent many miles and hours out in the beautiful parks,” she said. “There is nothing like being able to share the sound of nature and sound of your footsteps with friends and those you love.”
Are you interested in something competitive instead of a guided tour? The Holaks have you covered there, too. They put on two days of races each fall called the Wild Duluth Races (wildduluthraces.com). Four trail running events each October in Duluth including the Terribly Tough 10k, Harder ‘n Heck Half Marathon, and the 100k/50k ultramarathons. They started with the Wild Duluth ultras in 2009, the same year they started the Adventure Running Company.
“When we started building the Superior Hiking Trail through Duluth, I was involved with that through my job with the county so I helped lay out some of the trail. I said, 'Hey, when this trail’s done through
Duluth, let’s put on a race here.' So I followed through and we had our first race in 2009,” Andy said. “We had a hundred people, the 50k and a 100k. And then we had some
would walk during a race. That didn’t make sense. I was like, you can’t walk like that. I was a runner.” Her attitude changed. “Once I did it, I was pretty hooked.” She won her first 50-miler in the Superior races up the shore from Duluth. According to Andy, there was a stretch where Kim won seven ultras in a row.
In the early 2000s, Kim and Andy did well enough to be sponsored by Vasque as part of the footwear company’s trail running team. At one point Kim had an all-expenses paid trip to race in Japan where she came in as the 2nd woman in a race with 2000 people. She was signing autographs there and appearing in Japanese magazines. Maybe even more impressively, in the early 2000s, they were also raising their daughter and two sons. How did they manage to both have jobs while raising three kids and still run ultra-marathons as high-level athletes? Andy said, “It worked really well because we both understood that we needed to run. And that was part of our sanity to get out for a run. We didn’t run for sponsorships and stuff. We ran because we enjoyed it. And that was our way to just decompress and relax.”
friends who were like, 'Hey, it’d be kind of fun to have a shorter race. We want to get involved but we don’t want to run ultramarathons.' So then we added a half marathon in 2010. Last year we had over 900 runners. Four races, two days.”
Andy said that their 50k has historically been one of the top 12 biggest 50k races in the country. “Our race is pretty old school,” he said. “We don’t do a bunch of fancy stuff. It’s like a race that we remember when we started in the early 2000s. The important things to me as a race director are to have a good quality course, have a well-marked course, have a pretty course. I think having a scenic course is important. And then providing aid stations with the basic things you need. Nothing fancy.”
The energy to power all this clearly comes from their deeply held love for the sport of trail running. Kim was a standout runner in high school and college, holding a 2-mile record in St. Paul for many years, but Andy came to the sport of running later. Initially a road cyclist, he got into running around the time they got married 32 years ago. Oddly enough, he was the first to get the ultramarathon bug with his first 50k in 1994.
Andy said, “The main reason I started ultra-running back in the mid-nineties was because there weren’t trail races back then. I wanted to run trails. The only trail races were ultramarathons, like the Voyageur and Western States. Literally you couldn’t find a 10k trail race. Now they’re everywhere. But back in the nineties that wasn’t a thing. It was all road. I think she [Kim] followed shortly after me in ultras.”
Kim ran her first ultra at the Ice Age 50k and then the Half Voyageur. Kim said, “I thought ultrarunning was kind of weird though. It took me a while to get into it because I thought it was really weird that you
When asked about their favorite memories from their guided tours, both Kim and Andy immediately mentioned their Mont Blanc trips. Kim said, “Mont Blanc is just unbelievable. But for me, my favorite tour is actually the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland. That’s amazing, too. It’s very much like the Superior Hiking Trail. Rugged, but gorgeous. It’s rugged and the people of Newfoundland are so cool.”
Andy echoed Kim about Mont Blanc, but struggled to sift through so many other memories. He managed to find one that nicely summed up his sentiment about the Adventure Running Company: “We did the Wonderland Trail for about eight years where we ran around Mount Rainier in four days. Our boys, James and Bryce, came on that trip three years in a row. And I have pictures of them jumping into this lake two years in a row and they look like almost the exact same picture. It’s really cool. So they came and helped a few times and my parents have helped with that one. My parents have actually helped on a lot of our tours driving our support vehicle. I just remember one year towards the last year of running the Wonderland trail. So every year we jump in this beautiful crystal clear, really cold river. And so I was walking from the campsite to meet the runners where we jump into the river and I’m walking through this campground and I’m looking at these giant ponderosa pines, the beautiful campground. And I’m walking through there and I’m looking up at these pines and I just said to myself, this is one of my favorite places in the world. Just all the memories I had there from all the tours, all the people we met and all the friends we made and having our kids with us and having family there and just making new family with all these runners we’ve had.”
Kim Holak running the Tour du Mont Blanc. | KIM & ANDY HOLAK
Andy in the Cinque Terre Italy. | KIM & ANDY HOLAK
By Erin Altemus September
Artwork
September is a month for the changing colors, art festivals and the road trips that go along with these events. The Plein Air Competition, Art Along the Lake and Lake Superior 20/20 are just a few of these. See our events section for more information.
JD Jorgenson and his wife Megan own Maine Prairie Studio in Kimball Minnesota. They will be guest artists at the Frykman Studio during Art Along the Lake. Maineprairiestudio.com | JD JORGENSON
[LEFT] Chris Dillon will show watercolors at the Lake Superior 20/20 and be hosted at guest the site of Christian Dalbec.
| CHRIS DILLON
Pszwaro will be a guest at the Adrea Beres
Grand Marais during the Art Along the Lake. This piece is titled “Influence.” | RUTH
[RIGHT] Britt Malec will have work at the Adrea Beres studio during the Art Along the Lake event. Learn more at brittmalec.com
| BRITT MALEC
Michael Kapsos will have jewelry at the Boreal Bounty Farm during the Lake Superior 20/20 tour Sept. 27-29. | MICHAEL KAPSOS
Susan Hayes will be at guest artist at the Nancy Carlson studio during Art Along the Lake Sept. 27-Oct. 6. This is an 8-inch batik. | SUSAN HAYES
Ruth
Studio in
PSZWARO
Photo Highlights
Below are some of last year’s entries in our photo contest. While these were not the winners, they are beautiful photos and we wanted to feature them. This year’s photo contest is open until Sept. 30. Enjoy the fall colors, snap some photos along the way and enter them here: bit.ly/loveofnorth
[TOP, L TO R]: Aurora over East Bearskin Lake Gunflint Trail. | ANNETTE COZZI; Mayfly in July. | BRODIE KENNA; Tree Frog on Milkweed Plant. | NICOLE BIRCH
[MIDDLE, L TO R]: A Moment in Life. | THOMAS JOHNSON; Colorful Sunrise, Rocky Island and a Rugged Shoreline of Lake Superior. | KEN HARMON; Serious rock hunters on the shore of Lake Superior. | CATHY ROSS
[BOTTOM, L TO R]: Explorers. | PETER MUTSCHLER; Mergansers under Wolf Moon. | LARRY PAULSON; Pollinator. | PETER MUTSCHLER
Brad E. Nelson
Shaping Stones and Stories
Creative Space: By Naomi Yaeger
Along North Shore Scenic Drive, at the intersection of Larsmont Road, an artist lives in a Norwegian stabbur. A stabbur is a small traditional Norwegian storage building elevated on pilings to provide shade beneath the first floor as a cool place for animals and food storage. Around this stabbur are gardens and large decorative barrels of water fountains with flowers and goldfish.
This is the home and studio of Brad E. Nelson, a talented silversmith working in a new medium: creating mosaics from stones and pebbles he has gathered along the shores of Lake Superior.
To listen to Nelson, one would think he had recently arrived from Norway due to the subtle cadence of his speech, but he grew up in Knife River, graduating from Two Harbors High School in 1976. He said his heritage is mostly Swedish with some Norwegian. Still, his family had Norwegian visitors every summer, and he has visited Norway many times. He is especially interested in Norwegian art and culture. He often participates in Scandinavian festivals to sell his Nordic Silver Jewelry. Some Nordic festivals he has participated in include the Norsk HostFest in Minot, ND, the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis and the Vesterheim in Decorah, IA.
COVID-19 disrupted Nelson’s business, forcing him to sell most of his inventory. He now shows his work outdoors on weekends during good weather.
His home and studio are merely three miles from his childhood home in Knife River. “If I had known that dreams could come true, I would have aimed higher,” he joked while entertaining the Northern Wilds reporter and her husband. At the same time, they sat at a table beneath a shade umbrella, enjoying the picturesque surroundings. His stabbur, surrounded by singing birds, blooming flowers, and handcrafted water fountains, provided a picturesque setting.
This summer, Nelson has combed the beaches around Two Harbors and other Lake Superior Shores in search of intriguing pebbles to create mosaics.
“I’m really interested in things that take incredible amounts of time to do,” he said. “The bird mosaic,” he gestured towards the deck. “Took me about six months to complete.” He estimated another mosaic took him about four months. “That’s not even just the time you gather pebbles. I just figure that’s like therapy.”
When he finds an agate—a translucent stone with varied colors—he brings it home but prefers not to polish it too much. He prefers it rougher.
“I like agates tumbled first or second grit, but not to the full polish where they look really glassy. It cheapens them, and they look gumballish, you know, from the gumball machine.”
Nelson creates mosaics by gluing paper to a plywood background and assembling stones.
Once the mosaic is completed, he washes it with acid, allows it to dry fully and cure, and then applies a water sealer. This sealer enhances the colors with a wet look and protects against the elements.
Nelson says his stone mosaics would look nice flanking on either side of a stone fireplace. And hopes to find a buyer for them.
After graduating from Two Harbors High School, he majored in art at the University of Wisconsin, Superior. He fondly remembers his college years, when he learned art and took classes on family ancestry.
A peek at Nelson’s professional Facebook Page, B E Nelson Design Silversmith, reveals many fans commenting and liking his craft.
“Love your work,” fellow artist Jean DeRider commented. “From the time that I met you long ago at UWS, I’ve always thought of you as a Renaissance man/artist,” Penny Clark said. “Everything that you touch is golden, including these spectacular mosaics.”
Nelson has shown his jewelry at Scandinavian festivals nationwide.
He shared a story about adult twin women who showed up at a Scandinavian art festival where he was selling his designs. They each wore a reindeer necklace that he had
created. However, the twins lived thousands of miles apart, and each one’s husband had purchased the necklace for his respective wife at a different event. One had seen the necklace in Boston, and the other husband purchased it at a Midwest event.
The Vesterheim, an American-Norwegian museum in Decorah, IA, purchased one of his Sami-inspired Tin-Thread pieces. Tin Thread is a mixture of twisted pewter and silver sewn onto felt. It resembles Native American beaded patterns on cloth or leather.
Nelson, likening himself to an anthropologist, enjoys studying various cultural traditions and frequently attends festivals to learn and appreciate traditional artwork.
Nelson will attend the Twin Ports Rosemaling Scandinavian Festival on Sept. 21 at St. Luke’s Sports & Event Center. He has also applied to the American Swedish Institute’s Julmarknad from Dec. 6-8, 2024. His studio, B E Nelson Design Silversmith, is located at 583 Scenic Drive, Two Harbors, and is open on weekends during nice weather. For inquiries, call (218) 834-4188.
Brad E. Nelson poses on the deck of his Norwegian stabbur-style home with some of his latest creations—mosaics made from Lake Superior stones. | SUBMITTED
A close-up of the stones used in one of Nelson’s mosaics. | SUBMITTED
This Scandinavian bridal crown was designed and created by Nelson. | TERRY LARSON
n t a G o o d R e a d ? C h e c k o u t o u r b o o ksto r e o n l i n e
Superior and leaving no survivors. This haunting tale looks back to one of the most legendary, mysterious and controversial shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. $15.95
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.
the Edmund Fitzgerald succumbed to gale-force winds, plunging to the bottom of Lake
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
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
A heartfelt story of immigrants to the Gunflint trail filled with local history, old photos, touching anecdotes and adventure of those who braved the wilderness to build a new life. $19.95
Seventeen-year-old
$14.95
Rock paintings, called pictographs, were created by Indigenous people. This book contains a description of every known pictograph site in the Boundary Waters and Quetico, complete with maps and directions to find them. $14.95
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. $16.95
From wilderness waters teeming with trophy walleyes to secluded ponds stocked with brook trout, this guide contains data about fish populations and access for 366 lakes. Contour maps for 68 popular fishing lakes are included. $14.95
Andrew Keith recounts three summer trips, two by canoe and one by kayak-- journeys of adventure and inspiration down the Mississippi, north to Hudson Bay and east to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. $19.95
The Scandinavian lifestyle and job skills wellmatched 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
Sept. 1, Sunday Join the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center for their annual pie and ice cream social, held from noon to 4 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5 per slice of pie, with ice cream, and a beverage. The day also features a silent auction, pie eating contest, an individual pie competition as well as live music from 1-3 p.m. on the front porch by the North Shore Swing Band. All proceeds help with the daily operational costs of the ChikWauk Museum and Nature Center, located on the Gunflint Trail. gunflinthistory.org
HYMERS FALL FAIR
Sept. 1-2 Every year, the village of Hymers, located near Thunder Bay, hosts a true classic country fair. There will be live musical entertainment, various contests and prizes, horse and cattle shows, a farmer’s market, artisan vendors and exhibits, lots of good food, a kid’s zone, and more. The fair will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, and 9 a.m.5 p.m. on Monday. Admission is $10 adults, $5 seniors (age 65+), and $5 (or $1 with a sunflower or zucchini) for kids ages 6-12; ages 5 and under are free. hymersfair.ca
XCM CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Sept. 6-7 The XCM Canadian Championship, presented by Tbaytel and the Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club, is a single-track mountain bike race, held at Kinsmen Park in Thunder Bay. The course will feature a 30k loop that will be repeated several times, if doing the 60k or 90k championship events. Or try the 15k, 27k or 5k mini-miner race for kids. This two-day event starts Friday, Sept. 6 with a race kit pickup. Then, the races start at 11 a.m. on Saturday. After the races there will be music, food, festival games, and a beer garden. Race registration required. xcmtbay.com
SUPERIOR FALL TRAIL RACES
Sept. 6-7 This challenging foot race, held on the Superior Hiking Trail, offers distances of 100, 50, and 26.2 miles. If the distance isn’t challenging enough, the terrain is. It is a rugged, rooty, and rocky trail with near constant climbs and descents. The 100-mile race will begin at Gooseberry Falls State Park at 8 a.m. on Friday; the 50-mile race starts at the Finland Community Center at 5:15 a.m. on Saturday; and the 26.2-mile race begins on Cramer Road in Schroeder at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Each race will finish at Caribou Highlands in Lutsen. Race registration required. superiorfalltrailrace.com
RURAL HERITAGE DAYS
Sept. 6-7 The 91st Annual Rural Heritage Days Slate River Plowing Match, sponsored by the Rural Heritage Agricultural Society, will take place Sept. 6-7 in the Slate River Valley near Thunder Bay (Hwy 130 and Piper Drive). Tractor and farm exhibits and displays, plowing competitions, live music, food vendors, demonstrations, tractor rodeos, a children’s area, an antique tractor parade, antique cars, a $1,000 raffle drawing, and more. Gates open at noon on Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday. slateriverplowingmatch.ca
HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL
Sept. 6-8 Enjoy autumn in Ely with the 30th Annual Harvest Moon Festival, filled with arts and crafts, food vendors, and fun for the whole family. Held at Whiteside Park, there will be over 100 original juried artists and crafters showcasing their work in everything from paintings, turned
on
bowls, and apparel, to pottery, photographs, and jewelry. There will also be a food court with everything from barbecue to blueberry pie. The festival will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. ely.org/harvestmoon
Ontario band, The Great Lakes Swimmers, will play at North House Folk School’s Unplugged Sept. 19-21. | ADAM CK VOLLICK
Trail runners will take
three races Sept. 6-7 on the Superior Hiking Trail from 26-100 miles.
| MIKE WHEELER
Harvest Booya Festival
Saturday, October 5th, 11am - 4pm
RADIO WAVES MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sept. 6-8 Area residents and visitors of all ages are invited to come together for three days of music at Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Rec Park, as part of WTIP’s 17th Annual Radio Waves Music Festival. The music festival will start at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, with musical acts continuing all day Saturday and Sunday. This year’s acts include Saltydog, the Splints, Clearwater Hot Club and the Carpenter Ants. Vendors will be onsite with food and beverages, but outside food and drinks are accepted on the grounds, too. Admission is available online or at the gate; $20 a day, $50 for the weekend, and free to those 17 and under. wtip.org
PLEIN AIR COMPETITION
Sept. 6-14 Plein Air Grand Marais is a 20-year tradition bringing outdoor painters to the North Shore of Lake Superior for a week of painting, competition, learning, and camaraderie. Plein Air Grand Marais welcomes artists of all ages and abilities. The competition class consists of invitational and juried painters, and the open class consists of registered artists. The annual Birney Quick Paint competition at Artist’s Point will take place on Thursday, Sept. 12, and an opening reception for the competition class will be held at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit will be on display until Oct. 6. outdoorpaintersofminnesota.org
|
LAKE SUPERIOR HARVEST FESTIVAL
Sept. 7, Saturday Celebrate the harvest season at the 30th Annual Lake Superior Harvest Festival at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. This free family-oriented event includes artisan vendors, live music, educational demonstrations, and a renewable energy fair. This year the farmers’ tent will showcase the season’s bounty. Shoppers can come early and stock up, and then drop off heavy bags at the “Produce Parking Station” at the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association Info Tent while they enjoy the festival. Festival activities include maypole dancing, petting chickens, a blacksmith, and crafting with Duluth Folk School. Food available will include ice cream, coffee, lots of baked goods, tacos, fried fish, and much more. The festival strives to be a zero-waste event, which means that trash will look differently than at other events. All food vendors will use BPI-certified compostable serviceware, which will then go to Western Lake Supe-
Lojo Russo will perform at this year’s Radio Waves music festival in Grand Marais Sept. 6-8. | LOJO RUSSO
The XCM Canadian Championship bike races will be held Sept. 6-7th at Kinsmen Park in Thunder Bay.
SUBMITTED
rior Sanitary District’s organics recycling to turn into garden soil. The festival will take place from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Admission is free; $10 for parking. sfa-mn.org
TERRACE BAY FALL MARKET
Sept. 10, Sunday The 42nd Annual Terrace Bay Fall Street Market is one of the largest arts and crafts shows on the top of Lake Superior. Held from noon to 4 p.m. at Simcoe Plaza, this event attracts residents, individuals from surrounding communities, and tourists who are passing through Terrace Bay. Featuring unique vendors, com-
munity groups, artists, and artisans from across the Lake Superior region, the Fall Street Market is the perfect opportunity for visitors to experience the many local flavors and cultures of the North Shore region. terracebay.ca
NORTH SHORE INLINE
MARATHON & SKATE FEST
Sept. 13-14 Take part in one of the most iconic inline skating events in the U.S. by joining the 28th Annual North Shore Inline Marathon in Duluth. No matter if you skate, run, or rollerski, the North Shore Inline has
a race for you. This year’s races consist of half and full marathon skating, a 21k and 42k rollerski, a half marathon run and a tunnel 10k run, kid’s sprints, and more. The full Inline Marathon is a 26.2-mile point-topoint course that takes place along the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior, starting in Two Harbors and ending in downtown Duluth. Race registration is required. Other activities include a skate and health expo, a social skate with the Northwoods Band, a skatepark, and a skate cross course, all at the Decc. northshoreinline.com
DULUTH OKTOBERFEST
Sept. 13-15 The 5th Annual Duluth Oktoberfest, held at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, will feature food, games, arts and craft vendors, and fun for the whole family. There will be authentic German bands and musicians performing, as well as local bands. Bring the kids to Der Kinderplatz for inflatables, arts and crafts, cookie decorating, a petting zoo, kids tug of war, barrel rolling, a kids stein holding contest, and more. Other games include corn hole, stein holding contests, barrel rolling, a barrel toss, a dachshund derby, and more. The
Skate, run or rollerski at this year’s Inline Marathon & Skate Fest Sept 13 & 14th. | SUBMITTED
The 5th annual Oktoberfest features cornhole, a dachshund derby and so much more. | SUBMITTED
Every Thursday 5-6:30 pm
Under the Pavilion at the Clair Nelson Center, 6866 Cramer Road, Finland
Vendors: 1st week is free! Fee: $5/week or $50/season
More info or to register call 218-353-0300 or check out our website at
main Bier Hall will feature dancing, live music, and various biers of Bavaria. You’ll also find a variety of authentic food, including brats, sausages, schnitzel, strudel, funnel cakes, and roasted almonds. Tickets can be purchased online. duluthoktoberfestival.com
WAKE THE GIANT MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sept. 14, Saturday Held in Thunder Bay, Wake the Giant is a cultural awareness project aimed at creating a more welcoming and inclusive city for Indigenous people, youth, and their communities. The music festival brings cultures, music, and festival fans together, while promoting Indigenous artists. Held from 11:30 a.m. to midnight at the Thunder Bay Waterfront, the music festival will also include a live art installation, an Indigenous craft market, yummy local eats, cultural experiences, and a kid’s zone. Canadian rockers the Arkells, DJ Galantis, and Indie pop band Walk Off the Earth, are set to headline the 2024 event, joined by War Club Live, Coleman Hell, Chester Knight, Ira Johnson Band, and Thunder Spirit. Tickets can be purchased online. wakethegiant.ca
CLAUDIA SCHMIDT AND SALLY ROGERS AT THE ACA
Sept. 14. Saturday
We are able to accept credit cards, EBT and SNAP www.finlandfarmersmarket.com
We want to offer community learning experiences related to food at the market, so it’s time to get creative. Want to be involved? Have an idea? Contact us! 218-353-0300 or email market@friendsoffinland.org
The North Shore Music Association brings folk duo Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers to the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on September 14. Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers have been weaving their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for decades, complementing a wide array of original, traditional, and contemporary songs. Claudia Schmidt’s performances are a quirky and wonderful hodgepodge of music, poetry, story, laughter, drama, and celebrating the moment. Sally Rogers began her career as a full-time touring musician in 1979, after encouragement from the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Stan Rogers. That was followed by an invitation from Garrison Keillor to appear on A Prairie Home Companion. She appeared more than a dozen times on that show, which launched her performing career. Her gorgeous voice, boundless energy, and good humor are welcomed from coast to coast. The concert
The Roe Family Singers give a free concert for kids and adults alike on Saturday morning Sept. 21 as part of Unplugged at North House Folk School. | JOHN NOLTNER
starts at 7:00 pm on September 14 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 ages 18 and under. northshoremusicassociation.com
UNPLUGGED
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sept. 19-21 Two nights of music on Thursday and Friday feature Canadian band Great Lake Swimmers along with long-time friends Dusty Heart, a family concert on Saturday with the Roe Family Singers, a kids clogging workshop & early morning ice cream from Superior Creamery, and an unforgettable evening celebrating the community of North House hosted by Chef Scott Graden of the New Scenic Cafe on Saturday. Other highlights include an online auction, and a folk artisan marketplace. Tickets can be purchased online. northhouse.org
PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE BWCAW AND EVOLVING LAND ETHICS
Sept. 19-20 The Aldo Leopold Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service will hold a public symposium Sept. 19-20 in Ely to celebrate and advance the evolution of land ethics and conservation. Day one begins at the Vermillion College Campus with a Symposium on the Past, Present and Future of the BWCAW. The program draws upon the Indigenous knowledge and Western scientific understanding of the region as well as the efforts of Sigurd Olson, commemorates the 75th anniversary of Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac and celebrates the 60th anniversary of the passage of the Wilderness Act. Day two’s theme is “Evolving Land Ethics: Advancing Conservation Through Film, Words and Community” at Ely’s Historic State Theater. After an introduction to the Land Ethic Concept, Buddy Huffaker, Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation, short films selected for the Ely Film Festival will be shown. The day concludes with a drum ceremony featuring artists from the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and a social hour at the State Theater. The two-day event is open to the public. Thursday is free and Friday tickets are available at the State Theater for $10. Aldoleopold.org
ELY MARATHON
Sept. 21, Saturday Signup for one of three races in Ely during the Ely Marathon. Races include the 5k Color Glow Run at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 (open to all ages
and abilities); the 26.2-mile Ely Marathon at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday; and the 13.1-mile Highland Bank Half Marathon at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Those wanting a bigger challenge can portage a canoe for the entire marathon or half marathon races. There will also be a kid’s marathon, coined the Dorothy Molter Root Beer run; kids are asked to run 25 miles prior to marathon day. Then, on race day, they will run the remaining 1.2 miles of the course. Other activities include an awards ceremony, food trucks, a beer tent, and a bounce house extravaganza, all at Whiteside Park. Race registration required. elymarathon.com
ART ALONG THE LAKE: FALL STUDIO TOUR
Sept. 27-Oct. 6 Fall in Cook County is a time of tumultuous beauty, so take some time to explore the colors and meet artists during the Fall Studio Tour. Stops include home studios, as well as galleries, with guest artists. All locations will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. This year includes 30 locations participating, such as Neil Sherman Studio, Jo Wood Bead Art, The Wilder Woodshop,, Lou Pignolet Bowls, The North Country, Sannerud Studios, The Big Lake, Betsy Bowen Studio, Joy & Company, North House Folk School, and Frykman Art Studio. A full list of participants and locations can be found online. artalongthelake.com
LAKE SUPERIOR 20/20 STUDIO & ART TOUR
Sept. 27-29 As crisp, fall air fills the atmosphere, you know it’s time for the 13th Annual Lake Superior 20/20 Studio and Art Tour, located at various studios and galleries in the Two Harbors area. This year’s tour will feature over 46 artists at 17 host sites, including four host farms. Artists include Jeff Hall (wood turned bowls), Jen Murphy (ceramic sculpture), Chris Dillon (watercolors), Michael Kapsos (jewelry), and more. The tour runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. A PDF printable map of the tour is available online. lakesuperior2020.com
HECK OF THE NORTH
Sept. 28, Saturday The 16th Annual Heck of the North gravel bike races will start and finish on the East Alger Grade, North Shore State Trail parking lots (north of Two Harbors on Hwy 2). There will be three course options: a 105-mile course, a 55-mile course, and a 18-mile course (perfect for those new to gravel cycling). The races will take place in waves, starting at 8 a.m. with the 105-mile race. The 55-mile race will begin at 8:30 p.m., followed by the 18-mile race at 9 a.m. Race registration is required (riders 18 and younger ride free with an adult). heckofthenorth.com
At the Ely Marathon you can run with a canoe on your shoulders for 26.2 miles if you desire. | SUBMITTED
September
NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thru Sept. 3
After the Burn Exhibition: Matt Kania Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth, glaquarium.org
Thru Sept. 8
Beret Nelson: Quilts Exhibition Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org
Thru Sept. 9
Ukrainian Matrix Exhibit Thunder Bay Museum, thunderbaymuseum.com
Thru Sept. 15
How To Write a Poem: Rhyme, Rhythm, & Repetition in the Permanent Collection Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca
Jim Oskineegish: Keep Yourself Alive Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca
LOoooNLOOONLOONN: Owls, Loons & Birds: Norval Morrisseau Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca
Thru Sept. 22
Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibition Decc, Duluth, decc.org
Thru Oct. 6
Indian Day Schools in Canada: An Introduction Thunder Bay Museum, thunderbaymuseum.com
Thru October 20
Starvation, Adaptation and Survival Insights from the Voyageurs Wolf Project International Wolf Center Ely 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily wolf.org
Thru Oct. 31
The Seeker Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, Schroeder, sugarloafnorthshore.org
Aug. 29-Sept. 2
Duluth Superior Pride Festival Twin Ports, duluthsuperiorpride.com
Sept. 1, Sunday
Old Fashioned Pie Social Noon, Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org
Sept. 1-2
Hymers Fall Fair, Thunder Bay hymersfair.ca
Sept. 1-30
Artist of the Month: Stephanie Irwin Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock
Sept. 2, Monday
Labor Day Holiday
Sept. 3-7
Y Welcome Week: Open House! Come try the YMCA for FREE. duluthymca.org
Sept. 3-Oct. 18
Fire, Earth, Air and Water North Shore Artists League White Bear Center for the Arts whitebeararts.org
Sept. 4-27
‘Open Art’ Artists Exhibit Northwoods Friends of the Arts “Starry Night” and Visions of Cook 210 S. River St Cook nwfamn.org
Sept. 5, Thursday
Unplugged Vibes! Performance by Tommy Wotruba Skyport Lodge and Raven Rock Grill, Grand Marais skyportlodge.com
Ely Area Writer’s Group 6 p.m. Ely Folk School elyfolkschool.org
Sept. 5-28
Arrowhead Artists Exhibition: Margie Helstrom (Reception Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.) Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org
Sept. 6, Friday
Exhibit Opening for ‘Open Art’ Artists Exhibit at Northwoods Friends of the Arts “Starry Night” and Visions of Cook 5-7 p.m. 210 S. River St. Cook nwfamn.org
Marissa Saurer artist reception Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center 7 p.m. friendsoftettegouche.org
Martin Zellar & the Hardways Free Concert in the Park Series Silver Bay 7:30 p.m. rockywallproductions.org
Sept. 6-7
XCM Canadian Championship Bike Races
Kinsmen Park in Thunder Bay xcmtbay.com
Superior Fall Trail Races superiorfalltrailrace.com
Rural Heritage Days Slate River Valley slateriverplowingmatch.ca
Portageland Music Festival Ely Northernlakesarts.org
Sept. 6-8
Harvest Moon Festival Whiteside Park Ely ely.org/harvestmoon
Radio Waves Music Festival Grand Marais Rec Park wtip.org
Sept. 6-14
Plein Air Competition Grand Marais outdoorpaintersofminnesota.org
Sept. 7, Saturday
Lake Superior Harvest Festival Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth sfa-mn.org
Marcie Rendon author reading, discussion and book signing. Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium Drury Lane Books 6 p.m.
Margie Helstrom Opening Reception Studio 21 Grand Marais Art Colony 1-3 p.m. grandmaraisartcolony.org
Sept. 8, Sunday
Terrace Bay Fall Street Market Simcoe Plaza terracebay.ca
Marcie Rendon author reading, discussion and book signing. Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium Zenith Books 4 p.m.
Bev Bright Memorial Pet Walk Lake County Fairgrounds 1 p.m.
Timmy Haus The Courtyard at Caribou Highlands, Lutsen 5-7 p.m. odysseyresorts.com
Sept. 10, Tuesday
The Cult 8424 Tour Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7:30 p.m. tbca.com
Sept. 11
Medicare Information Workshop 9 a.m. Ely Folk School elyfolkschool.org
Sept. 12, Thursday
Pat Eliasen Skyport Lodge and Raven Rock Grill 6 p.m. skyportlodge.com
Sept. 13-14
North Shore Inline Marathon & Skate Fest Duluth northshoreinline.com
Sept. 13-15
Duluth Oktoberfest Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth duluthoktoberfestival.com
Sept. 13-29
Jersey Boys Duluth Playhouse duluthplayhouse.org
Sept. 14, Saturday
Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais northshoremusicassociation.com
Wake the Giant Music Festival Thunder Bay Waterfront 11:30 a.m. to midnight wakethegiant.ca
Joe Friedrichs, The Last Entry Point: Stories of Danger and Death in the Boundary Waters 2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center gunflinthistory.org
Root River Jam Tettegouche Visitor Center Amphitheater 6:30 p.m. Free friendsoftettegouche.org
Spirit of the Times 15th Anniversary of Zeitgeist Fundraiser Zeitgeist Arts Building. 6 p.m. one.bidpalnet/spirit24/welcome
Northshore AgroEcology Center Public Farm Tour Finland 10 a.m. northshoreagroecology.org/events
Murder Mystery Panel with Jess Lourey, Wendy Webb, and Kristi Belcamino Drury Lane Books Grand Marais 6-7:30 p.m. drurylanebooks.com
Sept. 15, Sunday
Kim Gordon batik demonstration 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center gunflinthistory.org
Sept. 16, Monday
International Journalists Forum Elections Discussion Arrowhead Center for the Arts 7-8:30 p.m. mycche.org
100 Things to Do in Minnesota Before You Die Author Talk with Julie Jo Larson Two Harbors Public Library Meeting Room 5-6:30 p.m. twoharborspubliclibrary.com
Sept. 17, Tuesday
International Journalists & Community Potluck at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 6:30-8:30 mycche.org
Books and Brews Castle Danger Brewery Taproom, Two Harbors 6-8 p.m. castledangerbrewery.com
Full Moon Reading with the League of MN Poets and Open Mic to Follow Drury Lane Books Grand Marais 6-8 p.m. drurylanebooks.com
Sept. 18, Wednesday
Lunch & Learn: Building a Stronger Community Through the Ages CCHE & Zoom mycche.org Garden Potluck Ely Folk School 5:30 p.m. elyfolkschool.org
CCHE Fundraiser “Maladies of Monarchs: Why it Matters if the Ling Gets Sick” Johnson Heritage Post 6:15 p.m. mycche.org
Sept. 19-20
Past, Present and Future of the BWCAW and Evolving Land Ethics Ely aldoleopoldfoundation.org
Sept. 19-21
Unplugged Music Festival North House Folk School Grand Marais northhouse.org
Sept. 20, Friday
Extreme with Special Guests Living Colour Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 6 p.m. tbca.com
Geologist Gabe Sweet talks about minerals, helium, and rocks in our area. Larsmont Little Red Schoolhouse. 7 p.m.
Moonlight Music & Market with the Northwood’s Band Two Harbors 6 p.m.
Sept. 20-21
Root Beer & Beer Garden Dorothy Molter Museum Fundraiser rootbeerlady.com
Sept. 21, Saturday
Author Talk with Bart Sutter, Cotton Grass Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais 6-7:30 p.m. drurylanebooks.com
Ely Marathon Whiteside Park elymarathon.com
Chris D’Elia: Straight Outta the Multiverse Tour Thunder Bay Community Auditorium 7 p.m.
Chester Bowl Fall Fest Duluth 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. chesterbowl.org/fall-fest/
Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride Thunder Bay
Harley Davidson 12-4 p.m. tbharley.com
Kim Gordon batik workshop 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $35 for members of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society or $45 for non-members. Email info@ gunflinthistory.org to sign up. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center gunflinthistory.org
Jan Sivertson Once Upon an Isle: The Story of Fishing Families on Isle Royale 2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center gunflinthistory.org
Pig Roast w/Baptism River Barbeque Castle Danger Brewery Two Harbors 5-8 p.m. castledangerbrewery.com
Sept. 21-22
The Wonderful World of Chris Monroe, A Kid’s Comedy Show Zeitgeist Theatre Duluth. 1 p.m. zeitgeistarts.com
Sept. 27
MUSE Opening Reception Studio 21 Grand Marais Art Colony grandmaraisartcolony.org
Sept. 27-29
Lake Superior 20/20 Studio & Art Tour 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday lakesuperior2020.com
Sept. 27th-Oct. 19th
Muse Art Exhibition 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Studio 21 Grand Marais Art Colony grandmaraisartcolony.org
Sept. 28, Saturday
Heck of the North gravel bike races heckofthenorth.com
Bags & Bloodies Hunger Hero Cornhole
Classic Moose Lodge 1463 Two Harbors northshorefcu.org
Family Fun Poker Run Clair Nelson Center
Finland 9 a.m. finlandsnowmobileandatvclub.com
Bally’s Blacksmith & Metal Shop Live Demo Grand Marais 1 p.m. cookcountyhistory.org
Sandra Hisakuni A Haiku Workshop 2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center gunflinthistory.org
Sept. 28-29
The Wonderful World of Chris Monroe, A Kid’s Comedy Show Zeitgeist Theatre Duluth. 1 p.m. zeitgeistarts.com
Sept 29-Oct 12
Gaslight, a Vintage Thriller Magnus Theatre Thunder Bay magnustheatre.com
Sept. 30, Monday
Heck of a New Deal Lecture
Two Harbors Public Library 10-11 a.m. twoharborspubliclibrary.com
WEEKLY EVENTS
Tuesdays
Hillside Farmers Market 2 p.m.
503 E. 3rd St., Duluth, facebook.com/centralhillsidefarmersmarket
Locals Night with Live Music 5 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us Ely Farmers Market & Arts in the Park 5 p.m. Whiteside Park, Ely, northernlakesarts.org
Wednesdays
Happy Hikers: Wednesday Hikes 9 a.m.
Parking Lot near Grand Marais Tennis Courts, visitcookcounty.com/events
Weekly Game Day for Adults 1 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, facebook.com/communitypartnersth
The Hub Parking Lot, Grand Marais, facebook.com/ccfarmandcraft
Two Harbors Farmers Market 10 a.m. 320 7th Ave., Two Harbors, facebook.com/twoharborsfarmersmarket
Free Harbor History Walking Tour 1 p.m. Cook County Historical Museum, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org
Art Demo 1 p.m. Art & Soul Gallery, Ely, elysartandsoul.com
Sundays
Sunday Skates 10 a.m. Marina Skatepark, Thunder Bay, femaleboardercollective.ca
Clover Valley Farm Trail Noon, Two Harbors & Duluth, clovervalleyfarmtrail.com
Weekend Wine Down 3:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us
The North Shore Dish A Bit About Bread
By Virginia George
I think we can all agree that technology has its blessings and curses. There are great things to be said about the connectivity we enjoy and the convenience of information access that comes with the internet, saying nothing about the ability to make purchases and have them show up at our doorstep or be ready at the front of the store for easy pickup. I think technology also has some pretty entertaining ways of highlighting the generation gap.
I very enthusiastically identify as a Xennial. We’re a strange intersection of Gen X and Millennials and don’t quite fit into either category. I read one description that said we had an analog childhood but a digital adulthood. We’ve learned to navigate, operate, and thrive within the digital age, whereas my children were born into it. They’ve never known a life without wifi.
Last week my mom reposted a photo on social media of my grandmother. She died in 2014 at the ripe old age of 95. My daughter and I are both named after her, and her skin-on apple pie is so famous, it has a poem written about it. In this photo, my grandma was wearing a sweatshirt which said www.grandkids.com, and it made me laugh, because I guarantee you that woman never used the internet in her entire life. I don’t even think she ever used a computer on her own.
On the other end of the generation gap, did you know that if you use periods in your text messages with teenagers, they think you are yelling? “Back in my day” we made the claim that people using ALL CAPS were yelling, so imagine my shock and surprise when the simple period, the simplest and most basic of all punctuation, means I’m yelling.
While so many things in our lives can be simplified (or complicated) by technology, there are some bits of baking artisanry that simply cannot be automated, streamlined, or sped up by the use of technology. Bread is one of those things. Sure, there are commercial breads that don’t take a lot of tending to, but a traditional yeast bread still takes time. Artisanal loaves, even more. A good, yeasty bread is biology. It is science.
For the uninitiated, there are two major categories of breads: yeast bread and quick bread. Quick breads make use of baking soda to rise. The baking soda acts as a leavening agent, and when combined with
There is art and science to good bread baking and good homemade bread is one of the better things in life. | VIRGINIA GEORGE
moisture and something acidic, a chemical reaction occurs, producing carbon dioxide (think a smaller baking soda volcano) and tiny bubbles that give the fluffy texture we see in quick breads, cake, and cookies. Yeasted breads rise in an entirely different way.
CONNECTIONS
Yeast are tiny fungi, and yeast is what creates the fluffy texture we think of in most artisanal loaves, but they do this in a very different manner than quick breads. Dry yeast that you find in a store is simply dormant fungi. (Bakers, don’t come at me too hard in my explanations here! If a baker tells you I’m wrong, believe them. I’m definitely an intermediate baker and no professional.) When added to water and given a food source, the yeast come out of dormancy. They eat the sugars and starch found in flour, and… they sort of fart out carbon dioxide, creating the bubbles that provides the lift in bread. I don’t think “fart” is the technical term, but it is this same act of yeast farts that creates carbonation in homebrewed beer and kombucha. In the case of the liquids, this gas gets pushed back into the liquid under pressure, and is released when the pressure is released.
Something has to hold in these “farts” to create the rise, of course, and that is where the gluten comes in. Traditional bread is kneaded for a period of time which works to activate and strengthen these proteins where they hold onto the gas bubbles formed by the yeast farts, thus making the bread rise. Yeast are killed during the baking process, and they add just a hint of protein and a ton of flavor as they develop that yeast. A loaf of bread can rise multiple times as long as the yeast have enough food to rise again throughout the baking process.
These processes cannot be rushed if one hopes to obtain a flavorful and well-textured bread. If a bread rises too long, it may fall in the baking process. If it doesn’t rise long enough, it may end up a dense brick. There is art and science to good breadmaking. And Duluth’s Best Bread and Crosby Bakery have done a heckuva job at providing delicious, flavorful, and well textured bread.
Duluth’s Best Bread, Duluth
If bread is in their name, you know they must be serious about it. Duluth’s Best Bread takes their bread seriously, but themselves… not so much. Owned by brothers Robert and Michael Lillegard, Duluth’s Best Bread is made by hand in a long process with a cold fermentation that takes longer, but provides a depth of flavor different than many others.
Duluth’s Best Bread uses wild yeast, giving their bread a slight “tang” similar to sourdough. They bake their bread in high heat with a high moisture content, which caramelizes the outside of the loaf, leaving the interior moist and dense, while remaining springy and chewy. Their cinnamon rolls were dubbed “best breakfast ever” by the Star Tribune, and their homemade pop tarts are flaky, sweet, and delicious! Stop in for a Duluth Latte, featuring Parable Coffee Co. beans, real maple syrup, and cinnamon, or something with their homemade caramel sauce.
| VIRGINIA GEORGE
With multiple locations in the Twin Ports, Duluth’s Best Bread also provides German-style pretzels to several local breweries, restaurants, and even the Lake Superior Zoo.
Crosby Bakery, Grand Marais
Formerly, the Crosby Bakery served as a wholesale bakery, providing bread and baked goods to local businesses for resale. You may have seen their breads at the Cook County Co-op, and some of their treats at Java Moose, World’s Best Donuts, or Fisherman’s Daughter. Now, however, Crosby Bakery has undergone a move into a storefront in downtown Grand Marais. Owner Hana Crosby has been planning and dreaming this for ages, and was finally able to open downtown at the end of July.
Crosby Bakery will be adding more of their delicious baked goods in the coming weeks, including savory items, but they are already churning out delicious caramel rolls and croissants that will make your mouth water! Stop in for a Danish, coffee cake, gluten free cookies, and report back on what else is in their pastry case.
If you said, “Now Virginia, you just gave us a large preamble on bread, yet here you are discussing pastries with us. What gives?” you’d be right. Pastries and realistic-looking birch tree wedding cakes win my eye every time, but Crosby Bakery does have a pretty delicious lineup of bread as well. Rye, Cranberry Wild Rice, Sourdough. Baked carefully, with care and consideration, and just the right amount of love.
Sometimes, there is value in waiting. Modern conveniences have their place, but with the right moisture, acidity, temperature, and time, you’re sure to be treated to a rich flavor and texture that transcends the convenience of quick recipes and results. In life and in bread.
A chocolate strawberry Danish at Duluth’s Best Bread.
Low-Tech Wellness
By Hartley Newell-Acero
The wellness world is awash with hightech gadgetry: bracelets that tell you how many steps you have walked, rings that tell you how much slept, and even “fitness mirrors” through which ghostly trainers will help you work up a sweat. While some may be fun to use, and others may even be helpful, they are not necessary. Here are some low-tech tips to help you reach new health heights.
Fitness
When you are exercising, how do you gauge if you have hit your target heart rate? The complicated way would be to first determine your maximum heart rate (subtract your age from 220), then decide what percentage of that you want to reach (50-70% of max for moderate intensity activities or 70-85% of maximum for vigorous physical activity), and finally, take your pulse to see what range you’ve hit. The high-tech way would be to buy a fitness tracker that will tell you that information.
Or you can go low-tech and try to talk or sing! If you’re exerting yourself at a level where singing is still possible, then you’re working at low intensity. If you can comfortably talk, but don’t have enough breath to sing, then you’re working at moderate intensity. If you’re so winded that you can no longer easily talk, then you’re working at high intensity. Remember: if you’re just starting to work on your fitness, talk to your health care provider first. They can help you determine if you have any medical issues that impact your choice of activities and level of exertion.
Nutrition
While feeding yourself well may not always be easy, it can be made simpler, no
high tech required. First, shift your focus to fiber. Naturally high-fiber foods should make up the majority of what you eat. Imagine dividing your plate into quarters. Fill two quarters with your choice of veggies and fruits. Put some type of whole grain or starchy vegetable into another quarter. That last quarter is where your favorite lean protein goes.
Secondly, you can use these low tech and very “handy” tips to quickly estimate amounts and serving sizes:
Hold your hand out flat. The area of your palm is about 3 - 4 ounces, or a serving of protein.
Your palm cupped will hold about ¼ cup.
Both hands cupped together will hold about 1 cup (a serving of salad greens or pasta).
A closed fist is also about the size of 1 cup, which is a serving of vegetables, fruit, or grains.
Your thumb, from knuckle to tip is about 1 tablespoon.
Your thumb from bottom joint to tip is about 2 tablespoons.
A fingertip is about 1 tsp (a serving of butter or oil)
Stress
There are wearable devices that will buzz, track your brain waves, warm you up, or cool you down, all in hopes of reducing your stress levels. Luckily you already have built-in stress reduction mechanisms that are highly effective.
Movement, in any form, is a top-notch stress reducer. Getting active causes your brain to release endorphins, the feel-good
Duluth River Train
neurotransmitters that take the edge off a rough day. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit from exercise. Just going for a stroll is helpful, and if you can do that out in a natural setting, the results will be even stronger. Plus, the benefits of physical activity add up over time. When your cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems work better, that protects you from the harmful effects of stress. Getting active can be a type of simple moving meditation that improves self-confidence, lifts your mood, helps you relax, and reduces symptoms of mild depression and anxiety, all while helping you to get a better night’s sleep.
Another built-in stress buster is only a breath away. “Box-breathing” combines the power of your imagination with the power
of your breath. To do it, get in a comfortable position. Think about a square. As you breathe in deeply for a count of four (or whatever feels comfortable for you), imagine moving or tracing along one side of the box. Then, while holding your breath for a count of four, move along the next side. Now exhale for a count of four while you imagine moving along the third side. Finally hold your breath for another count of four as you finish the last side. Repeat for at least one minute.
The wellness industry is full of expensive, high-tech contraptions that promise better health, but most of the time low-tech is all the tech you need.
COUNTRY 10
Along with the change of seasons and colors, we treat an abundance of hikingrelated injuries. For example, these occur when hikers go beyond boundaries, climb over fences, forget to wear appropriate clothing & footwear, or have issues with low blood sugar or dehydration. During “Leaf Peeper” season on the North Shore, we would like to remind locals and tourists alike to please follow safety tips when hiking. If you have a hiking accident, know that we are here to care for your injury. For more informative Hike Smart tips, please visit: www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm
515 5th Ave West, Grand Marais, MN 55604
218-387-3040 / NorthShoreHealthgm.org
Community Access to Compassionate Care
Don’t Let Your Lake Get These Fleas!
Caribou Lake (BWCA)
DevilFIsh Lake,
Spiny water fleas are tiny crustaceans ⅛ - ¼ inch long with a long tail native to Europe and Asia. They were introduced into the Great Lakes by ballast water discharged from ocean going ships.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
PREVENTION IS KEY!
LEARN to recognize spiny water fleas on fishing gear
CLEAN gelatinous material from anchor! ropes and fishing lines, especially where they meet a swivel, lure or downrigger ball connection (plucking the line like a guitar string helps)
DRAIN water before transporting boats, live wells and bait container REPORT new infestations
IMPACTS OF SPINY WATER FLEAS
Spiny water fleas eat small animals called zooplankton that are important food for larval and juvenile fishes. Fish do not feed on spiny water fleas because their sharp spine tends to puncture through the stomach...ouch!
Trout Lake INFESTATIONS IN C OOK COUNTY
For anglers, these invaders can clog the eyelets of rods, damage a reel’s drag system and prevent fish from being landed.
Boaters and anglers can inadvertently spread egg carrying females to new waters because spiny water fleas easily attach to fishing gear. Adults will die out of water, but their eggs remain viable due to resistance to drought, heating and freezing.
Devil Track Lake
Flour Lake
Greenwood Lake
GuNFLint Lake
Lake Superior
Little John Lake
McFarland Lake
North Fowl Lake
Pine Lake
Saganaga Lake
South Fowl Lake
NORTH SHORE CAR WASH
400 WEST HIGHWAY 61
Offering FREE self-serve boat wash abilities with 110°F water. Stop into NAPA during business hours to receive $5.00 towards washing your watercraft.
HOURS:
North Shore Car Wash 400 West Highway 61 7 days a week 8 am —7 pm
NAPA AUTO PARTS
404 WEST HIGHWAY 61
HOURS: Monday — Friday
7:30 am — 5:30 pm Saturday 8 am — 3 pm
Cook County Aqua c Invasive Species Coordinator, Amanda Weberg
amanda.weberg@co.cook.mn.us
Photo: Darren Lilja
Northern Trails
The trials and troubles of trailering boats
By Gord Ellis
If you like to fish the lakes, river and reservoirs of northern Ontario, there is a good chance you have done some boat trailering. Basic tin boats can be put on the backs of trucks, and that saves you the adventure of trailering. However, the majority of modern fishing boats require a trailer. I do a ton of trailering through the spring, summer and fall. Because of this, I’ve had many things happen. Here are just a few of my more memorable trailering adventures, as well as a few tips on how to be ready for the inevitable.
Boat Trailer Truths
Let us get one thing out of the way at the start of this article. Most boat trailers are not really meant for hard, consistent use. The typical boat trailer is used a few times a year at most. That use would be opening weekend, sometime in June, the August long weekend and then labour day weekend. Then the boat and trailer go back under the tarp. For folks who have a camp, the trailer might be used to bring the boat out in the spring, and then back home in the fall. My boat trailers are seeing upwards to a hundred trips a year, or more. Some of those adventures are on dirt or gravel roads. So, keep this in mind when you read these stories.
Paint Pain
Trailering boats means that rocks, boulders and even logs can come flying at your boat from off the roads. This can be hard on paint and cause expensive to fix dents in hulls. When I was doing a lot of tournaments, the boats were trailered all over northwestern Ontario. One time, while heading to Nakina for a bass event with my oldest son, I had an unfortunate incident. We were driving on the highway to Nakina and a truck carrying logs went by. The truck kicked up an enormous boulder and it went flying into the hull of my brand-new Lund Pro V. I stopped to inspect and found a fist-sized dent in the bow of the brandnew boat. It was not a cheap fix. Another time, during a bass tournament near Atikokan, the highway was being resurfaced. This time, millions of split-shot sized rocks were laid down prior to the surfacing. We had to drive 20 km on it and there was a spray of rock the entire time. When we got back to the hotel, the black paint was covered with a hundred or more pock marks. Another expensive fix. In recent years, all my boat trailers have received after market rock
Over 30 years of boat ownership, nearly everything that could break on a trailer of
mine has broken.
| GORD ELLIS
guards. They cost a few bucks up front but have more than paid for themselves.
Tire Trials
Trailers require wheels, and that means tires. Tires are rubber and have the irritating habit of blowing. Back in the good old bad old days of trailering, most tires were simply too small and skinny to take the battering repeated trips dealt. I can remember having both trailer tires blow on the same trip. Leaving a boat and trailer behind on a bush road or highway is not only a pain but leaves your rig open to potential theft. Luckily, I’ve found most anglers and boaters honest and helpful. For instance, earlier this season, I was trailering near the Nipigon River and had a tire blow on the trailer carrying my 18-foot Lund Pro Guide. The tire didn’t just blow, it exploded. The force was so strong it blew off the fender and sent it flying down the road. While I was replacing the tire, nearly every vehicle (mostly anglers) stopped to see if I needed help. Thankfully, I did not. The spare was pumped up, I had a lug nut tool, and the garage jack got the trailer up and tire changed quickly. We were back and rolling in 15 minutes.
The Other Stuff
Trailers have bunks and rollers to hold the boats on. They also have axles and bearings that need to be greased and maintained, lest bad things happen. Over the course of 30 years plus of boat ownership (and nearly 30 different boats), nearly everything that could break on a trailer of mine, has broken.
I’ve had bunks fall off and rollers snap. One time, after a particularly bad trailer on a dirt road, I was parking and another truck pulled up. “Is this yours?” he said. “In his hand was one of the metal guides that keep the boat centred on the trailer. It had snapped clean off.
Maybe my worst trailer incident happened four years ago, and it was easily the least expected. I was heading home on the last day of guiding season, on a dirt road. I took a corner a little tight and the wheel of my trailer dropped into an unseen hole. The whole rig rocked but I popped out. I didn’t hear a tire go, so I thought I was ok. Not so fast buckaroo. The whole axle shifted on the trailer, and both tires - though not blown –were jammed and unable to turn. The problem was I was on the middle of the road, and it was a somewhat well used one. So, I had to back it up to park it safely. Backing up the trailer meant the tires just skidded and both blew. So, there I was, with a large boat, and trailer that could not be towed. A flat bed was ordered up and the next day, the boat was lifted onto the truck and brought back to Thunder Bay. The final bill cut mightily into my profits the previous week.
Despite all that, I still love boating, angling, guiding and, yes, trailering. I just hope for the best and try to be ready for the worst!
Jacks and missing tires are not a welcome sight when trailering. | GORD ELLIS
A Family Tree
By Staci Lola Drouillard and Illustrated by Kate Gardiner Clarion Books, 2024, $19.99
Local author Staci Lola Drouillard has written her first children’s book that captures both the complexity of feeling for a young child moving away from their home and in this case, the ancestral home of Grand Portage and the much larger themes of an entire people leaving their ancestral lands. We, the readers, become attached to the small spruce tree and its survival in the way the child does as well. There is richness here in the characters’ relationships with the land. Adults and children alike will find a tender story here, and for those of us who live in this area, one that we can use to discuss with our children about the people who have lived here for many years before us.
—Erin Altemus
Exploring the St. Croix River Valley:
Adventures on and off the Water
By Angie Hong
University of Minnesota Press, 2024, $34.95
This is a wonderful all-inclusive guide to the St. Croix River Valley watershed, its natural history, as well as the nitty gritty–where to go, what to see, and what to do. Sometimes those of us who live in Cook County want to venture just to the south, an area with navigable rivers such as the St. Croix and the Namekagan and Angie Hong’s guidebook provides a wonderful companion for any trip into this river valley. The colorful pictures and maps add to the information within.
—Erin Altemus
Perennial Ceremony:
Lessons and Gifts from a Dakota Garden
By Teresa Peterson
University of Minnesota Press, 2024, $25.95
This lovely collection of stories, reflections and introspections centers around the garden, its cycles that follow the seasons and Teresa Peterson’s relationship with the land that follows therein. Peterson intersperses her explorations about the garden with poems and recipes. Peterson is Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota and her writing connects her Dakota spirituality with the other spiritual forces in her life. The writing is rich in Dakota language and the recipes make one want to rush out to the garden to harvest and start cooking. —Erin Altemus
Strange Tales Quirky Sayings Have Strange Origins
By Elle AndraWarner
Many of us have used or heard the phrase “Holy Mackerel” when expressing surprise, excitement, wonder or disbelief. But why that fish and not “Holy Salmon” or “Holy Tuna”? According to researchers, the phrase, which was first documented in 1803, has an uncertain origin. Some say it had to with Catholics eating fish on Fridays or that it is a substitution for “Holy Mary.” Another explanation is that the practice of selling mackerel on Sundays in the 17th century led to mackerel becoming known as a “holy” fish. Holy Mackerel!
Mackerel (Scombridae) is from the family of pelagic (open-sea) fishes of class Actinopterygii, which includes tunas, albacores, skipjacks, bonitos and ceras. (The Canadian Encyclopedia)
And what about “Holy Cow”? Interestingly, there’s a connection between that phrase and major league baseball. “Holy Coq” is used as expression of surprise and it dates back to at least 1905 when a letter to the editor of Minneapolis Journal contained the words “Holy Cow.” As early as at least 1913, “Holy Cow” was used by several US baseball broadcasters, including Minneapolis reporter and broadcaster Halsey Hall. Also using the phrase was New Orleans radio announcer Jack Holiday in 1930s broadcast of minor-league baseball; Harry Caray broadcasting for four major league baseball teams; New York shortstop Phil Rizzuto often used “Holy Cow”; and, so did Milwaukee Braves broadcaster Earl Gillespie.
Other “holy” sayings include “Holy Moly” (expression of surprise) and “Holy Smokes” (from the black or white fire smoke to signify voting for new pope).
Ever wonder who ‘Pete’ is in the phrase “For Pete’s Sake?” Apparently it originated in the use of the name of discipline St. Peter as a substitute religious figure to make less offensive “for Christ’s (or God’s) sake.” Also, “For Crying Out Loud” is said to originate from that same expression “For Christ’s Sake” but there’s no reasonable explanation why.
On a lighter note, credit for the origin of the “Good Grief” saying goes to the Charlie Brown cartoon and TV episodes. First spoken in print by Charlie Brown in a Peanuts comic strip published on June 6, 1952, it’s an exclamation used when surprised, alarmed,
dismayed, annoyed, shocked or exasperated in response to unexpected event or situation.
Back 217 years ago in 1807, journalist William Cobbett wrote a fictional article about misleading clues using figurative “red herring” for comparing media’s premature reporting of Napoleon’s defeat to the historic use of smelly fish (e.g. smoked red herring) to distract dogs to lose their scent while chasing rabbits. The “red herring” phrase today applies to a diversion, something that misleads, distracting attention from the main issue.
Ever use the word “copacetic”, like in “Everything is copacetic”? First known use
was in 1919 and became a popular word in the 1960s as a way to say that “it’s all good.” Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “meaning something is very satisfactory.”
And hey, remember those cool “Sock Hops”? Back in my senior years attending Lakeview High School, one of the best memories was attending the lunch-hour “sock hops” where you danced on school’s gymnasium floor. Music was rock-n-roll and we’d jive, twist or do something akin to a jitterbug. It was part of the teen culture of the 1950s and 1960s in both US and Canada. The name ‘sock hop’ came from teens having to remove their shoes and dance in their socks, though I confess I really can’t remember taking off my shoes.
Ah yes – the romance of “Going Steady.” It’s a phrase that hasn’t been used since the 1970s, but it was a big part of the teen culture in the 1960s. Going steady meant you dated one person in an exclusive relationship. News would travel quickly among the teens, “Did you hear that John and Jane are going steady?!” Songs at the time also dealt with the ‘breaking up’ side of going steady, like Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up is Hard to Do”, first recorded in 1962.
Some quirky sayings of the past include “Whale of a Tale” which was used to refer to something on a grand scale, like “Got a whale of a tale to tell you.” The origin is credited to a song featured in the 1954 Disney movie, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” sung by the late actor Kirk Douglas.
Eh? Unique to Canadians is the common use of two letters ‘eh’. By tagging it to the end of sentences, it can turn statements into questions, e.g. “Sure was cold today, eh?” or seek agreements, e.g. “You agree, eh?” In a CBC News article “Origins of eh: How two little letters came to define Canada” (May 17, 2017), journalist Paul Karchut wrote, ”Eh has become such a natural part of our speech that many don’t even realize they’re using it in day-to-day conversation.” Earliest use of eh goes back to an Irish play of 1773 and the first documented eh can be found in Thomas Chandler Haliburton’s book, “The Clockmaker”, written in 1836.
Words can be pretty fascinating, eh?
NORTHERN SKY
SEPTEMBER 2024
By Deane Morrison MN STARWATCH
During September, Mars and Jupiter continue to go their separate ways, widening the gap between them from 9 to 23 degrees.
Both planets are surrounded by bright stars usually seen on winter evenings. Enjoy the beauty just before dawn as these stars and their two planetary guests practically fill the eastern sky. The brightest object is Jupiter, while Mars is the ruddy object to its lower left. On the 27th, Mars forms an isosceles triangle with the Gemini twins Castor and Pollux.
On Tuesday the 17th, Earth’s shadow takes a little off the top of the moon during a slight partial lunar eclipse. The eclipse runs from 9:13 to 10:16 p.m. and peaks at 9:44. At that point, about eight percent of the lunar disk’s upper region will be darkened by Earth’s umbra, or dense inner shadow. The rest of the moon will be in Earth’s outer shadow, the penumbra, in which Earth blocks only some sunlight.
September’s full moon arrives right in the middle of the eclipse, at 9:34 p.m. As the nearest full moon to the fall equinox, it is the harvest moon. It is also a very close, large, and bright super moon.
The eclipsed moon’s nearest bright neighbor will be Saturn. The ringed planet has its own show the night of the 7th, when Earth laps it in the orbital race and it will be up all night.
At nightfall all month long, watch brilliant Arcturus as it seems to drag its kite-shaped constellation, Bootes, the herdsman, down toward the western horizon. Also, turn your binoculars to the south and explore the star fields within the large Summer Triangle of bright stars.
The equinox arrives at 7:44 a.m. on the 22nd. At that moment neither the Northern nor the Southern Hemisphere will tilt toward the sun and Earth will be lighted from pole to pole.
The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. For more information on Duluth, visit: d.umn.edu/planet.
LAKE SUPERIOR
73 Troll’s Trail
Indulge in the panoramic view of Lake Superior and the sounds of cascading waters of the Reservation River from this 2BR/2BA home. Enjoy the park-like setting including 300’ of shared Lake Superior shore.
MLS 6113682 $449,900
LAND
new 45X Casper Hill Road
Remote, yet close! 20-acre lot is surveyed with septic sites identified! Partial driveway off Caspers Hill Road with opening for a possible build site. Enjoy the peacefulness of the area.
Discover your sanctuary among five lush acres of dense forest, located minutes from downtown Grand Marais on an end of road location to increase your privacy.
MLS 6114679 $74,900
REDUCED
235 Clearwater Rd
Hop, Skip, and a Jump to all your favorite Gunflint Trail activities!
This property is conveniently located mid-Trail. Driveway and cleared level area ready for your plans.
MLS 6114831 $84,900
6006 Rollins Creek Road
Rare property for sale for only the 2nd time in 90 years. Where can you find almost 5 acres with 460’ of Lake Superior frontage? Rollins Creek Road, is a premier location in Lutsen, on one of the only paved roads with homes on the lake and right on the Gitchi Gami Trail. Enjoy the recently built 2-bedroom, 1-bath house and the 3-season 3-bedroom, 1-bath vintage guest cabin built in the 1930’s for a wealthy Minneapolis family. Or build your dream home on this spectacular site and use the 2003 house as your guest house. This stunning property offers an unparalleled blend of tranquility, plenty of privacy and exceptionally breathtaking Lake Superior ledgerock shoreline.
MLS 6115081 $1,495,000
pending
2205 W Highway 61
Location, location, location! This phenomenal Lake Superior property near Grand Marais spans 2.25 acres with 200 feet of amazing shoreline. Includes a 2BR/2BA home and a 1BR/1BA cabin. Incredible building sites close to the lake with breathtaking views.
MLS 6115054 $599,900
Bally Creek Rd
Amazing opportunity to own this magnificent 26+ acre lot! You’ll love the privacy and endless acres of State & Federal land. The most significant feature this property has to offer is 400+ ft. of the Cascade River running through!
MLS 6114608 $149,900
78 Troll’s Trail
Affordable Lake Superior! Over 300’ of shared lakeshore and over 7 acres of shared land! Great opportunity to build a cabin or year round home on the North Shore.
MLS 6108596 $119,900
1315 E Highway 61
Incredible commercial opportunity. Current use includes a 3BR rental unit, office, and home! Cathedral ceilings, ample parking and great location!
mls 6104280 $995,000
178 Whippoorwill Lane
Beautiful 2BR/2BA log home with a 2 car attached garage perfectly placed on 40 acres! Overlooking a large pond full of wildlife, you’ll have a front row seat with the expansive southern facing windows. Step inside to discover the spacious interior, natural wood finishes, and cozy up to the stone wood burning fireplace.
MLS 6114189 $729,900
REDUCED 7168 Bayview Drive
Wow! A “Must See” property! Fabulous views of Lake Superior from this well-built 3BR/2BA home! Plenty of space with walk-out basement rec room, large deck, and a detached garage.
MLS 6113814 $499,000
257 Seagull Lake Road
Exceptional Seagull Lake property with tons of privacy and breathtaking views. 10.62 acres with over 480’ of lakeshore ranging from a sand beach to ledgerock outcroppings. Brand new floating dock, camper in mint condition, 960 ft oversized insulated garage with slab floors and electric heat - use as a garage or convert to a cabin, your options are endless.
MLS 6113853 $539,900
122 Railroad Dr
Spacious and versatile home nestled on 1.45 acres of land in the heart of Lutsen, providing both privacy and convenience. With TLC, this 1845 square foot, 3BR/2BA one level home can be ideal for comfortable living.
MLS 6114076 $299,900
780 Arrowhead Trail
This off grid cabin is a hidden gem! Enjoy the peacefulness of the 15 acres of woods and sounds of Carlson Creek.
MLS 6115207 $159,900
tom lake
Discover serenity in your own secluded cove with 242’ of wooded Tom Lake shoreline and 1.2A with a newer driveway.
MLS 6113529 $84,900
5461 Hwy 61 E
Affordable 3BR/1BA home on 8 acres with a view of Lake Superior, 750+ ft. of Carlson Creek, 2 garages with concrete slabs and electric to store your toys. This gem won’t last long!
MLS 6114029 $265,000
Greenwood Lake
Stunning lakeshore lots nestled in majestic pines, birch and balsam, abutting federal land with driveway in place. Power and broadband expansion is slated for 2024/25 adding to the appeal of these already truly desirable lots.
MLS 6114339 - $200,000
1.14 Acres, 200’ Lakeshore
MLS 6114337 – $225,000
1.53 Acres, 240’ Lakeshore
MLS 6114336 – $250,000
1.4 Acres, 265’ Lakeshore & 80’ Greenwood Creek
INLAND LAKE HOMES & CABINS
42 East Bay Lane
Discover your dream lakefront retreat on stunning Greenwood Lake, just a scenic drive up the scenic Gunflint Trail. Nestled amidst 20 acres of shared Association lands, this private property promises tranquility. Enjoy shared access to the pristine waters via a boat launch. Off-grid yet equipped with modern amenities including solar power with battery backup, this spacious log-sided home boasts panoramic lake views, a wood-burning fireplace, sauna, and expansive deck. With electric service and broadband coming soon, this is the perfect opportunity to embrace lakeside living. Don’t miss out – schedule a viewing today and turn your waterfront dreams into reality!
MLS 6114196 $849,900
11 Poplar Creek Dr
Picturesque haven just off the Gunflint Trail offers an exceptional opportunity to own a versatile retreat. This unique property is situated on 7.2 acres of pristine land, with 309 feet of shoreline that abuts the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
MLS 6114875 $599,900
218 Brumbaugh Road
Charming Tom Lake cabin being sold turnkey so all you have to do is show up and start enjoying the lake life!
Situated on a beautiful 2.4A lot with stunning views and approximately 300’ of shoreline.
MLS 6112837 $379,900
185/187 Sag Lake Trail
Discover this exceptional 4BR/3BA home nestled along the scenic Gull Lake, with 467’ of frontage and approximately 5A of land, complete with rock outcroppings, pine trees, stunning views, and plenty of privacy. Ideal for the buyer wanting to enjoy paddling from their dock into the BWCAW. This meticulously maintained property features a back-up generator system, attached heated garage, HUGE spacious heated garage, and workshop along with two charming rustic sleeping cabins. Whether you are desiring a primary home or a 2nd home, you will appreciate the comfort, functionality, and natural beauty, this home, providing an opportunity to embrace end-ofthe-trail lakeside living at its finest.
MLS 6114568 $1,500,000
pending
7885 Gunflint Trail
Awesome 2BR/2BA cabin with 300’ of Poplar Lake shoreline! Classic Mid-Gunflint Trail cabin on one of the most sought-after lakes in the Cook County. Poplar Lake boasts multiple BWCAW access point
MLS 6114939 $459,900
REDUCED 1403A Pike Lake Rd
Escape to your 2BR/1BA cabin on Pike Lake! This charming, year-round retreat offers views of the lake that is mere steps away. Detached garage & workshop with an unfinished upper-level. Shared septic and well.
MLS 6114655 $339,900
LAKE SUPERIOR PROPERTIES
NEW! WILDERNESS PRIVACY LOG HOME & CARRIAGE HOUSE
maple hardwood floors, a charming cobblestone fireplace and huge windows overlooking the lake. Includes a 4-season porch and walk-out boat house. Across the road is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath guest cottage, with a full kitchen and a woodstove.
MLS#6114437 $1,150,000
PRIVACY ON LAKE SUPERIOR – NEW STRUCTURES IN PLACE
Deeply wooded 1.9 acre lot on Big Bay has great views of the lake and hills along the coast. Privacy on 500 feet of shoreline with a long driveway from Hwy 61 and a buffer of state land. Charming guest cottage is just being completed, so you have a place to start while you finish renovation of an old cabin that sits right on the shore by variance from the county. The contractor is ready to go.
MLS#6112175 $515,000 PRICE REDUCED
LAKESIDE SANCTUARY – DEVIL TRACK LAKE
Pristine 39 acres with 4,000+ feet of Portage Lake shoreline at Mid-Gunflint Trail. The only place on the lake, easy BWCA access and surrounded by Superior National Forest. Secluded meandering shorelines, beaver pond, rock outcroppings, and classic boreal forest settings. Charming off-grid log home, powered by solar, with satellite Internet, well and septic. Power and Broadband is planned. Large 2-car garage with workshop, greenhouse, generator room and storage. Carriage House has a garage, shop space and upper apartment.
MLS#6115290 $1,950,000
CLASSIC GUNFLINT LAKE CABIN
Nestled in the towering evergreens is this classic Gunflint Trail cabin that has been enjoyed and cared for y the same family for 50 years! Enchanting inside and outside with impressive fireplaces built of stone directly from Gunflint Lake, 3 levels of living space designed to take advantage of the views along 422 feet of lakeshore and a setting crafted to be an oasis either as a second home or a year-round homestead. Mile O' Pine is plowed by the county for year-round access.
MLS#6114319
ISLAND GET-AWAY ON GREENWOOD LAKE
Get-away to your very own island! Park at the public boat landing and use one of the modes of transportation included in the sale to get to the island: motorboat, pontoon, canoe or airboat, and a 4-wheeler to bring everything to the cabin. The 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin is being sold fully furnished, along with everything needed to maintain the property. You need to see the island to fully appreciate the solitude, the sunrise & sunset views, the 6+ island acres to explore, and all of Greenwood Lake!
MLS#6113672 $589,900
Secluded property features 9.89 acres of land and 255' of level and park-like shoreline on Devil Track Lake. Tucked away among the trees, enjoy solitude and privacy with a bonfire by the lake. Property features a newly-constructed 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom cabin with newly installed septic, well and A/C. Turn-key and fully furnished. Power & broadband connected!
MLS#6113979 $489,000
GULL LAKE CABIN
Own a beautiful cabin on coveted Watters Point near the end of the Gunflint Trail with direct access to the BWCAW. Cabin sits on 1.7 acres on Gull Lake with many other lakes nearby to explore. Cabin features an open concept layout with a spacious loft area, a wood burning stove to take the chill out of the air and a 3-season screened porch.
MLS#6114612 $389,000
SPACIOUS GREENWOOD LAKE LOT
Spacious, wooded lot gently sloping to the waterfront. There are very nice views here of the majestic Greenwood Lake, with 338 feet of shoreline and 3.65 acres. Mature White Pines and a seasonal creek running through set this property apart. The current owners have done significant cleanup of deadfall and have opened up more views of the lake.
MLS#6112437 $299,000 PRICE REDUCED
WILDERNESS RETREAT LAKE LOT
A love for the wilderness created this retreat. You will appreciate the craftsmanship which has provided a few creature comforts. An 8X8 timberframe used as a “hard sided tent”. Workshop/storage shed with hand-crafted canoe rack, picnic area with bear box, tent platform and small deck overlooking the lake. Enjoy trails along 680 feet of shoreline. One of only nine 20-acre lake lots on Lost Lake. Premier location with view of the length of the 70-acre lake.
MLS#6114085
SECLUDED GREENWOOD LAKE LOT
Private and secluded Greenwood Lake lot with spectacular views possible of the Big Bay and islands. There are 2 flat areas the seller cleared a few years ago. A day of brush clearing and you will have a camping area ready to go while you make plans to build. County identified septic sites and a build site in 2008. A pristine 2100-acre lake provides great sport fishing. MLS#6114450 $250,000
Canoer's
SCHROEDER HOME ON 6+ ACRES
Bring your ideas to finish off the inside of this 2-bedroom, 2 full bath home and make it your own.
Here's
MLS#6114935 $325,000
CHARMING TOFTE COTTAGE
Charming cottage in Tofte with seasonal views of Lake Superior. Home was completely remodeled in 2008. Includes 2 bedrooms, office, 1 bathroom, fireplace and a 1-car garage with a studio space. Complete with a creek, a bridge and a fire pit. Adjacent lot to the east included in the sale! New water system and on demand water heater. Owner has made $25,000 in improvements in the last 2 years.
MLS#6112828 $324,900 PRICE REDUCED COZY LOG CABIN ON 83 ACRES
9
MLS#6114539 $45,000 GUNFLINT LAKE CABIN
Come see this 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kit log cabin perched atop 83 acres, bordered by MN State land. Being deep in the woods, it is a treat to catch a glimpse of Lake Superior on a clear day from the bedroom window. Interior is accented by beautiful diamond willow railings and custom ironwork. Propane lights, refrigerator and cooking range reduce utility expenses. MLS#6112373 $279,000 PRICE REDUCED
SPLIT ROCK RIVER ACREAGE
Wooded 25.86 acres on the East Branch of the Split Rock River! An easy drive to many great locations - Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock State Park, Palisade Head and Tettegouche State Park. Joshua Road comes off of Lake County Rd 3 which is maintained and plowed by the county. There is a beautiful possible build site on a small bluff that could allow a view of the creek. Underground electric through the length of the property.
MLS#6113698 $155,000
REMOTE SECLUSION ON SUNDLING CREEK
70-acre tract has varied terrain and variety of forest. Property is split by Sundling Creek which flows into the Cascade River. Easements and Forestry Permits in place for seasonal access. Remote means ATV/UTV-only. It's possible to walk in from the Superior Hiking Trail on the south. Adjoins acres of federal lands. Walk-in easement to Cascade River at Twin Falls. Adjacent 60 acres available.
MLS#6114091 $85,000
MONS CREEK 24+ ACRE PARCEL
Mixed topography of beautiful rolling land with great build sites on 24+ acres. Old growth cedar, spruce, pine and birch. Mons Creek meanders through the south property border where it abuts state land. Near Tom, Chester, Esther and Devilfish lakes and other fishing hot spots.
LAND/BUILDING SITES
mile along Murmur Creek Rd. Great options for access for a home or retreat property. Power and Broadband are accessible. Property has a variety of trees and elevations.
MLS#6114472 $229,000 PRICE REDUCED
NEW! HOVLAND 80 ACRES
This 80 acre property is heavily wooded and remote yet has year-round road access and potential for subdivision and development.
MLS#6115303 $160,000
REMOTE ACREAGE ADJOINING MAGNEY PARK
Secluded "80" acres has high ridge views of the surrounding area and distant views of the big lake are possible. Property adjoins Judge C.R. Magney State Park. You can hear the Brule River nearby, and it's an easy walk to get there. Easement in place for road access on old logging trail. Property has a mixed, mature forest of evergreens and maples, with creek and pond.
MLS#6113513 $129,000
LAND/BUILDING SITES LAND/BUILDING SITES
FIVE ACRES OVERLOOKING LOON LAKE
Great central Gunflint Trail location for a home or recreational cabin. The heavily wooded lot has tall pine and dense evergreen growth. Pick a spot to build with a view looking down the length of Loon Lake. You also have a walking easement to the lake where you can keep a small boat or canoe. Utilities and private road are already there.
MLS#6114927 $125,000
BUILDABLE LOTS IN GRAND MARAIS
Buildable adjoining lots in a perfect Grand Marais location. Close enough to walk to all that the city has to offer but tucked away from it all in a moderately wooded neighborhood. The lots have nice screening from neighbors on all sides. Both lots have a building pad prepped and a driveway, but the culvert is not installed due to needed water and sewer hook ups. Contact the City of Grand Marais for building and utility installation information.
MLS#6114892, 6114894 $80,000 each
SEASONAL LAKE SUPERIOR VIEW LOTS
These 2+ acre lots are located within the old Tofte Airport Plat and have seasonal views of Lake Superior! A great location minutes from Temperance River State Park, hiking trails, and a 15 min drive to the Ski Hill & Golf Course area of Lutsen!
MLS#6111839 $72,000, MLS#6111840 $70,000
DEEP WOOD LIVING CLOSE TO GRAND MARAIS
If you are looking for the feel of being deep in the woods but want to be close to everything Grand Marais city life offers, this 2.34 acre lot is the perfect fit. Big mature evergreens on an association maintained road. Electric and broadband are at the roadside. Well and septic are to be privately installed.
MLS#6114808
TAIT LAKE PINES LOTS
A private and peaceful location flecked with old growth white pine in Lutsen, MN. Complete with its own hiking trails, outstanding views, finely maintained roads, year-round accessibility and access to power and broadband! Take your pick of lots, all with deeded access to Tait Lake!
40 ACRES NEAR FINLAND
Forty acres near Finland ideal for hunting or camping. Partial ATV access at the Rajala Woods Moose Creek site. Those trails will get you to within approximately 100 yards of the northern boundary of the parcel. Adjoins State and Rajala Woods Foundation land. Very close to Cramer, Nine Mile and Crooked Lakes. George Crosby Manitou State Park is four miles to the south.
MLS#6113720
CALL
Give one of our agents a call to learn more about why IT’S A GOOD TIME TO SELL. If you’re unsure if you want to move forward in the buying or selling process, our agents can give you the information you need to make the best decision for you. Sellers are given a FREE MARKET ANALYSIS to learn about:
Trends in property values
Recent sales data for comparable area properties
Local market demand + inventory levels
Valuable insights about the current state of the North Shore real estate market
Through our market analysis, you can gain a BETTER UNDERSTANDING of the potential value of your property, the competitiveness of the market, and the optimal pricing strategy for listing your home for sale. Our hope is to help you identify opportunities and challenges that may impact your selling process, allowing you to make more informed decisions.
This beautiful three bedroom, three bath home has three fireplaces and a three stall attached garage on over 13 acres. The details in the planning of this home by the original and current owners captures Lake Superior views from nearly every room including the large wrap around deck. This home estate is complemented with a private guest home complete with bath and kitchen.
TIMBER TRAIL GOLF COURSE LOT // $165,000
A rare opportunity to own in a highly coveted development! This parcel sits adjacent to the fifth fairway on the River 9. Tall Timber Trail offers the tri-fecta of views: Lake Superior over the fairway in the front, Lutsen Mountains as the backdrop and the Sawtooth Mountains to the west.
CROWLEY Agent
Co-owner
STEVE SURBAUGH Broker and Co-owner
CLAIR NALEZNY Co-owner
COUNTY ROAD 7 // $859,900
TALL
CHRISTINE LAKE HOME
Wind your way through pristine back roads to this quintessential rustic dovetail cabin. Nestled among ancient white pines, this sweet little retreat lets you shed all the unnecessary clutter and enjoy your connection with the natural world.
Relax on the screened porch to the sounds of wind through the pines, the rushing water of Tait River, and the haunting cries of loons. Paddle the quiet waters of Christine Lake or bike the local gravel roads and trails right out your door. The Superior Hiking Trail is just minutes away, and a short drive takes you to Lutsen for skiing, dining, supplies and more.
Simplicity at its best, this cozy cabin has electricity for lights and appliances, and broadband for staying connected. The baseboard heat keeps the space comfortable in mild weather, and the wood stove offers plenty of cozy heat in even the coldest of winters.
MLS 6113388 // $399,900 $359,900
Looking to buy a property for a vacation rental? Through our sister company, Cascade Vacation Rentals, we have gained incredible knowledge about what North Shore visitors are looking for. We are happy to use that information to help guide you in purchasing a property that is not only a good fit for you, but will also increase your chances of high rental income.
NEW! CLARA LAKE RETREAT IN LUTSEN!
Nestled inland from Lutsen in an expanse of pure Northwoods is Clara Lake, and on it a classic 1 bedroom cabin resides in the middle of 400’ of pristine shoreline. From the 3 season porch which is perfect for cribbage games to the living room with lake views and a woodstove to take away the spring and fall chills, you will feel the stress melt away every time you visit. Summers will be enjoyed on the deck or in the water itself, while listening to the sounds of the loons.
Lutsen Mts and Superior National Golf Course about 20 minutes away, Brule Lake and the BWCA 20 minutes the other way - deeper North. Current owners have it all dialed in, just show up, unpack, and relax. Or, if you like to putter there’s always wood to split and whatever else you dream up: stones to arrange just so, lures to sort, build a shed if you like. Make it your place!
MLS#6114713 $399,000
State Park or Tettegouche State Park to enjoy Lake Superior for the day. Visit today and Start the summer off right on the North Shore! MLS# 6114731 $189,000
MLS#6115586 $335,000 SOLD
NEW! LUTSEN LAKE SUPERIOR LAKESHORE BUILD SITE!
199 feet of quality shoreline, some elevated, and some sweet Ledge rock crawling in to the shores of Lake Superior, perfect for toe dipping in the hot days of August! An acre and a half of land, Lakeshore like this is hard to find located off a small frontage road just west of Lutsen, minutes to Grand Marais and all that the “West End” has to offer. Nicely buffered from Highway 61, the land has a nice roll to it, with a “bowl” allowing for creative design and stunning views for your future Lake Superior home! MLS#6115104 $475,000
NEW! DEERYARD LAKE PEACE
Head back in time along a country road that winds through a sweet stand of maples to the peaceful east end of Deeryard Lake. Classic Northern Minnesota Cabin only about 20 minutes from Grand Marais, but the sense and charm are 50 years back… Can’t build ‘em this close to the water these days. The lapping lake sings right out the door, watery scents mixing with pine and cedar. Walleye are plentiful. Tap a few maples in the spring to sweeten the morning cup of Joe. Simple, comfortable lake living. Nothing to do but nap, read, invigorate with a swim, stroll. After a fish fry, play some games of rummy, tell stories by the woodstove, nod off to breezy air soughing through a massive white pine soaring above the cabin, it tints dreams boreal green.
COUGAR TR, THE NAME SAYS IT ALL: SILENCE AND ELBOW ROOM IN THE BEAUTIFUL NORTHWOODS OF GRAND MARAIS! Here’s a home with enough acres that feels like being way out in the woods, yet only about 5 minutes to all the fun and convenience of Grand Marais! 3 bedroom, 3 bath, steel roof, spacious kitchen overlooking the living room – bring the whole gang! Attached and detached garages for all the tools, toys, rigs, etc. needed for country livin’. Surrounded by gorgeous, upland, dry woods, abutting public land. More acreage available. Come get some of the very abundant raspberries!
MLS# 6115065 $539,000
WOODS LIVING, CUSTOM HOME, CLOSE TO GRAND MARAIS!
NEW! LUTSEN’S OZ! YOU’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE… AND THIS DREAM IS REALITY! This 1 bedroom Lutsen home, set in sugar maples, has invigorative views of Caribou Lake. From the Beautiful reclaimed flooring on the main floor to the Cherry-wood kitchen cabinets the home has been carefully curated with vision and purpose. Main bedroom is spacious and light-filled, with entry to the deck shaded by maples and long views to lake and forest. The lower level is partially finished walk-out level just awaiting your vision! 3+ acres to explore and close to my trails!
MLS#6115382 $495,000
NEW! LUTSEN LOG HOME WITH LOFTY
VIEWS! Authentic 1 bedroom
Rocky Mountain Log Home in Lutsen with sweeping views of Caribou Lake. Inside you have the vaulted beam ceilings and an open floorplan giving you views of the forest around you. Outside you have Tall pines surrounding the home which is nestled alongside a grove of majestic cedars giving shade in the Summer. Fall colors are always beyond spectacular here! Within walking distance to Superior Hiking Trail and near numerous lakes for canoeing/kayaking or fishing. Lutsen Mts and XC skiing nearby. As is Superior National Golf Course. Nothing to do, but show up, unpack and live in the cool, purity of Northern Minnesota.
MLS# 6115272
$489,000
When a custom builder creates a home for themselves, get ready for something special. Here is that home! The lot is choice: end of the road, abutting public land, with trails leading up to Pincushion Mt and beyond. 2.2 acres of forest, yard and gardens. A sweet little creek offers music, including a waterfall. Its quiet back here, but not far from all the delight and action of America’s Coolest Small Town –Grand Marais. Inside the home many unique features crafted by a visionary builder: custom kitchen cabinets, tasteful built-ins throughout, kitchen countertops of dyed concrete, cathedral ceilings to name a few. Plenty of space: two bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, and a den or office, up to you. The living room opens to an expansive decking system that ties the studio space above the garage to the main home. Nature lovers check out the solarium! Includes a heated built-in planter, home to an old-growth jade symbolic of the love and life that thrives at this property. The family room has a kitchenette and gas fireplace. Come experience the
car in the winter. Close to Schroeder Bakery and Temperance River State Park. 15 minute drive to Lutsen Mountains and Superior National Golf Course. Visit Today and start relaxing on the North Shore! MLS# 6111108 $250,000 PRICE REDUCED
NEW! COUNTRY LIVING ON THE PIKE LAKE RD! Tucked away on the Pike Lake Road outside of Grand Marais this 3 bedroom home sitting on 12+ acres is surrounded by a Maple, Cedar and Birch Forest! Inside open floorplan gives you plenty
Fall is in the Air!
Enjoy the Magic on the North Shore!
CAMPN’, HUNTN’, FUN GETAWAY LAND, INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE!
LUTSEN AREA
CARIBOU LAKE PARCEL IN LUTSEN! Rare opportunity to acquire a lake lot on the coveted Caribou Lake in Lutsen! Nestled in the quiet Sawmill Bay, this lot offers a unique opportunity to build your dreamy cabin or home. Climb up to the top of the knob to see the views stretch out before you! Work with the layout of the land to create a magical and one-of-a-kind place! Located at a cul de sac, this parcel is accessed by privately year-round maintained road with electricity at the road! 1.71 acres and 242 ft of rugged shoreline can explore the best area for your future dock to enjoy the lake. Plenty of room for you to play and relax!
MLS#6111272 $299,900 PRICE REDUCED
NEW! FANTASTIC LUTSEN LAKE
SUPERIOR LOCATION! Bring your vision and build your Lake Superior Dream on this 1.49 acre vacant land parcel with sweeping views! Build your dream getaway or create a basecamp for your Up North Adventures. Enjoy a morning Kayak or watch the Gales of November roll in on the 199ft of Shoreline. Plenty of space to create your own oasis, all that is missing is you!
MLS#TBA $475,000
FINLAND AREA
ENJOY LAKE LIFE! What a great spot for your vacation getaway cabin!! This lot has great view of Ninemile Lake in the Village at Ninemile planned development. The infrastructure is already there: electricity, shared well and septic, all you have to do is hook up to it. Shared ownership of approx 1800 ft of shoreline on Ninemile Lake, perfect for Summer time fun!
MLS#6113405 $60,000
AFFORDABLE LOT AT NINEMILE LAKE! Lake view lot ready to build, with 1800 ft of shared shoreline on Ninemile Lake! This is a great opportunity to build a lake cabin or home. The Village at Ninemile Lake has all the infrastructure ready to go with shared septic and well, electricity at the lot. County Rd 7 is year round plowed road and the Association plows the roads within the development. Don’t worry the HOA dues are super affordable. Great opportunity for you to build your dream Lake home and enjoy for years to come!
MLS#6113406 $60,000
FINLAND AREA
ENJOY THE VIEWS AT NINEMILE! Start enjoying your Inland Lake Dream! This lot was recently created by combining two lots, so it offers plenty of room to build your dream cabin or home with an amazing lake view and direct lake access! Shared Septic System and Well already in place, 1800ft of shared shoreline on Ninemile Lake- all that is missing is you and your plans for a dream getaway!
MLS#6113407 $150,000
GRAND MARAIS AREA
NEW! DEVELOPER’S DREAM IN GRAND MARAIS! Tucked away in a quiet area of Grand Marais, this parcel was platted for development! City Sewer and City water lines are approx. 200 ft from buildable area. Perfect for a small apartment complex, multi-housing, or cottage development, there is an in city walking trail traversing a beautiful wetland area on this large 3.27-acre parcel. Give this land a look with an eye to developing it in a sensible and economic manner, work with the City of Grand Marais to make this the next housing gem!
MLS#6113807 $260,000
SERENITY IN THE WOODS ON COUGAR TRAIL! 20 acres with the perfect locale for heading off on adventures up the Gunflint, over to Devil Track Lake and the Grade Rd. XC ski at George Washington Pines or keep it leisurely and play 9 at Gunflint Hills Golf Course. Ever explored the Little Devil Track River Canyon? It’s just down the road. The woods are a wonderful boreal mixture and the owners have been good stewards, planting lots of trees, red pines, etc! MLS# 6115077 $129,000
NEW! BUILD YOUR DREAM GETAWAY UP NORTH IN GRAND MARAIS! This nice little build site has access to an in city hiking trail leading through wetlands for fantastic bird and wildlife viewing in the heart of Grand Marais! Designated for NO vacation rentals, this home site is perfect for a year-round resident looking to build a small footprint home with city sewer and city water nearby, just next door to the west! Don’t let this one get away, look soon and get building your home!!
MLS#6113809 $79,900
NEW! 20 AC ON THE COUGAR TRAIL! High, dry land with plenty of elbow room. Deep in the woods feel, but only about 5 minutes to Grand Marais, Maple Hill Area. Power and fiber in the road. Wonderful diversity of trees, including some sweet maples. Plenty of nice build-sites. MLS#6115073 $129,000
GRAND MARAIS AREA
NEW! REMOTE 80 ACRES OFF THE GUNFLINT TRAIL IN GRAND MARAIS! Looking for a truly remote property? Here are 80 acres surrounded by federal land just south of the South Brule River and a bit west of the Gunflint Tr. Crossing the South Brule River is necessary in route to property, No formal access exists currently. Prospective buyers are encouraged to contact the US Forest Service regarding establishing a special use permit for a path once they own the property. Moose tracks are plentiful. Wild, pure forest pulses along here – undisturbed, quiet and beautiful. The northern forty acres rolls and is a mix of upland and some lowlands. Go south, begin to climb, pass some giant ole’ aspens heading to some terrific views! Near to BWCA entry points and the Twins, Kemo and Pine Lakes. Halfway between Grand Marais and Trail Center. Plenty of elbow room to expand the mind and soul. Get away from it all! MLS#6113905 $69,000
NEW! DREAMED OF OWNING YOUR OWN REMOTE WILDERNESS LAND TO BUILD YOUR GETAWAY? Look no further! This Tucker Lake parcel has 18 acres of raw land and 300 feet of shoreline! The icing on the cake is the Tucker River runs through the land. Build your getaway on the Lake and listen to the sounds of the river in the background. Lots of space for a large retreat or a hidden away cabin. lakes and the BWCAW is a hop skip and jump away. $149,000 MLS#6114670
SALE PENDING
NEW! GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PURCHASING OVER 2 ACRES IN THE CITY OF GRAND MARAIS! You don’t have to give up solitude to live in the city of Grand Marais, this is a perfect fit for a home with a great location. The YMCA and school are within walking distance and just a hop, skip and jump to the Gunflint Trail to access numerous trails for hiking, biking and snowmobiling and MANY inland lakes. This property has so many possibilities! Build your dream home, with access to all the comforts of the city of Grand Marais! Visit today and start your dream of enjoying the North Shore! MLS#6114386 $130,000
CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT
Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Hummingbirds can turn on a dime and fly backwards The hardest part in photographing them is to get them in focus when they are constantly moving. It took me several hours over two days to get just a few photos. This hummingbird is six feet from me and the flowers in the background are about 12 feet away. That puts the flowers out of focus and provides a beautiful background color. The photo was taken at 1/1600 of a second and you still see motion blur in the wings. Hummingbirds can flap their wings over 50 times per second and fly over 30 mph. They move so fast that you can hear a humming sound.—Paul Sundberg
