Lake Time Magazine - Issue 4 (Summer 2016)

SUMMER 2016

FOR T H E P E OP L E , FROM T HE P EOP L E

MUSIC + BEER

DAVID SALMELA

ORIGINS OF ARCHITECTURE THERE’S NO PLACE

LAKE HOME A YEAR IN THE WILDERNESS

FESTIVALS SAVING THE WHITE PINE

B O U N DA R Y WAT E R S NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORERS

FOSTERING A CULTURE OF EQUALITY AND RESPECT

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It’s in Minnesota’s Nature

PUBLISHED BY be.Media House

PUBLISHER Megan Kellin

letter

EDITOR Christina Monson

from the editor

SALES & MARKETING Kelly Kabotoff ADVERTISING Jillian DeChaine, Kelly Kabotoff, Megan Kellin, Christina Monson CONTRIBUTORS

A+B Productions, Greg Breining, Jim Brandenburg, Christina Brown, Minnesota Brown, Jamie Coffel, John Connelly, Tara Entringer, Explore Minnesota, Dave & Amy Freeman, Kristina Gaalaas, Miles Hanon, Kari Hedlund, Sarah Hokuf, Tara & Nikki Hollerich, Kelly Kabotoff, Lisa Kellin, Greg Lanzo, Charles Marohn, Minnesota Heart Gallery, Wayne Moran Photography, New Life Photography, Dean Pasek, Brian Peterson, Ken Peterson Photography, Park Rapids Enterprise, Melanie Rice, Tom Roster, St. Olaf Magazine, Janna Salmela

Distribution: Marcy Erickson, Scott Sobiech, Shitduck Bertram, Becky Hecimovich

Isn’t it funny how at almost the exact moment that spring arrives we are instantly catapulted into summer mode? The weather continues to disappoint us and our lack of lake play is more than stifling; almost paralyzing to our emotions and excitement for the new season. But the hype always seems to live up to our expectations despite the rude wait. Every day brings new excitement and new emotion with people out and about in the neighborhoods and increased traffic on the roads. We have come alive! And it feels sooo good!

ART DIRECTOR & AD DESIGN Janell Hecimovich COVER IMAGE Brian Peterson, State Of WonderS SUBSCRIBE Visit

us at www.laketimemagazine.com to subscribe to our newsletter, quarterly publications and digital magazine

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2016 Lake Time Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Lake Time Magazine cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in the magazine.

SUMMER! Summer summer summer! Summer is here! The season we live for. The season we crave all year long and mourn when it leaves us with cooler weather and long winters. Summer is here and we are ready! Docks have been in for weeks. Boats are out of storage, meticulously cleaned and launched. Our calendars are nearly filled already and it’s all fun, fun, FUN! We are beyond excited to bring you this issue- our biggest and best yet!

We’ve done our best to incorporate all-things-summer into this issue: music festivals, biking, camping, boating, fishing, waterskiing, farmers markets, community events and festivals.

We have increased our team and are looking forward to being at your community’s summer events! Look for us out and about. Stop by, share ideas and snag some free swag. We can’t wait to be a part of your summer!

Bonus! We’ve added one extra surprise to this issue… a new concept to our lineup- Lake Home Magazine. Intruiged? Would you subscribe? We want to hear from you, Minnesota!

Cheers to SUMMER!

Christina Monson

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HELLO

TRUE GRIT

Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

By Megan Kellin

About a year ago, my family and I changed our address to northern Minnesota with the intent to escape the hustle and bustle; to slow down and give our kids the experience of lake life, wildlife and family life. Our 2nd born celebrated his first birthday the same day this issue was set to go to print. The one year milestones got me thinking about the year past and how much has evolved.

To put it lightly, the last year hasn’t been easy but it’s also been nothing short of amazing.

And the latter part of that is owed completely to the people we live and work with. Now, I think it’s safe to say the past year hasn’t been easy for any of us in the Lake + Co. office (families included). We all have the same story in a way: Recently moved north. Mothers.

DIY’ers, Entrepreneurs. And gritty as hell.

So here we are, four issues into Lake Time Magazine (Yes!) – two issues of Lake

Bride Magazine currently sitting on stands statewide and… launching our newest venture, Lake Home Magazine, in this issue. It’s been quite a trip, experiencing the real life definition of grit; the predictor of success -- not for the faint of heart.

But isn’t this a version of every entrepreneur’s story?!

Every day, entrepreneurs and the stories that come to us restore my faith in humanity.

This may sound grandiose, but it’s not meant to. It’s the feeling of limitless potential and the opportunity to seize what awaits. It’s hope, purpose and the soul of business. It’s GRIT. By definition, grit means, “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.” That oldschool willpower and determination serves as the catalyst to achieve our own personal greatness.

In this issue we feature new ideas and reimagined ways of thinking. We talk about em-

powerment and innovation, risk and reward. We follow global explorers on a mission.

We exercise the tenacity and pride reflected through the mirror of history by our small but strong towns. We highlight the empathy and strength necessary to create a culture of caring through social acceptance, inclusion and love. We build houses and create homes. We break barriers on stigma and celebrate the delicate dance of tradition and innovation.

And when we’re in the process of retrieving these stories from the makers and doers themselves, not only are we completely inspired, but humbled. Infectious optimism is key here, but there’s something more to what drives that spirit. It’s far more important than education, spreadsheets and espresso. Sometimes, in order to cross the finish line you need to rely not on your skill and training but on your sheer will to do so.

It’s that thing that pushes you to the next level despite setbacks. It’s what drives change and creates opportunity. It’s the next story in the next magazine. It’s what compels our contributors and advertisers to strive for the next level.

Like many of the topics we discuss in these pages, the sheer force of will and human spirit breathe life into impossible ideas—sometimes from seemingly impossible circumstances.

Just as editor, Christina Monson, points out in her feature story with Jim Brandenburg, it’s the discipline and resolve to create something sustainable—to have passion and, at the same time, a lasting impact on the world.

We’re talking about drive here, people; risks on your way to triumph and finding the adventure in it along the way. We hope you find it as compelling as we do. Cheers!

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Meet the Team Y o u re r n h t r o n n n e s o t a?

Mi mmer Su

Summer is the stuff of dreams. Infinite fun. Where days last forever and it’s never long enough. It is a time of romance, excitement and an enhanced enjoyment of life. It is always over before we get a chance to fully experience its power. This is true of all things wonderful. We all have a dream or memory that takes us back. Go there. …We are. Happy summer.

Megan Kellin My every memory of summer in northern Minnesota can be easily recalled by one poem or another from a book of Robert Service. The fire pit at the end of a long dirt road to Ole’s Outpost drew all walks of life, from all over the world, but it was the songs of the Yukon, The Cremation of Sam McGee and the Shooting of Dan McGrew that brought us all together… and still does.

Jillian DeChaine Family camping trips. A few weekends each summer we would pack up the tent and explore a new park “up north”.

More often than not, it would rain but we loved it anyway. The weekends were always filled with bonfires, swimming, bike rides, junk food and simple bliss.

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Christina Monson My family has vacationed in the Park Rapids area since I was a little kid. Some of my favorite memories include feeding the ducks from the dock (and occasionally falling in), taking a day trip to cross the headwaters of the Mississippi at Itasca State Park, playing Yahtzee at night and, of course, visiting the downtown candy shops with the allowance money I’d saved! Mmmm.

Kelly Kabotoff 4th of July on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids. The fireworks display is right across from my grandparent’s beachthe perfect view. As kids we would put on costumes and make instruments and have a parade and my grandpa would pop popcorn for all the people sitting on the lawn watching the fireworks.

Great memories that my kids still get to experience today.

Janell Hecimovich Summer Shandy. Totaecatiis is et vellessimus res nemperum que del ipsam quas dolorem evenihi ctorro molorec totatur, si qui ullorepro debis accum ea debis de pa posam dolum recumet la si ventia cuptate voloreste volupta spelest vidit posa ditibus, omni.... The end.

Photography by New Life Photography

92 CULTURE OF CARING

54 DAVID SALMELA

CONTENTS 12

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Alexandria captures this editor’s heart!

Join me on my journey.

Lake Time’s new love: The Voice Minnesota. Follow them on social media

Check out some of the FREE music offered in your community.

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Your quarterly challenge and inspiration from our favorite movement maddam.

Gettin’ hitched? Talk about and plan your financial ever-after.

Duluth turns Hollywood as “Old Lifty” films what hopes to be a keeper.

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Follow National Geographic explorers, Dave & Amy Freeman, on their mission to save the BWCAW.

Small Towns is changing the way America thinks about their towns.

A young mother looks to influences of her youth to raise her child.

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A+B Productions gives new life to the hidden gems around us.

A fascinating find in Bemidji, AirCorp Aviation started with a dream.

Follow 8 simple steps for a new look!

Reader-recommended Arrowwood Resort has something for everyone.

LAKE TOWN

MOVEMENT

TRAVEL

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SHOWCASE Dave and Amy Freeman’s must haves.

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LAKE FAVS: I LAKE THAT

BIZ

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

ART

MUSIC

ON THE SET

UNITED WAY

ENTREPRENEUR

LAKE HOME MAGAZINE invites you in...

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WEE CABIN COMPANY These magnificent MN “MADE” masterpieces can be found in/around Ely.

48 DIY

In the age of HGTV and Pinterest, we bring you a real life DIY Minnesotan.

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SALMELA ARCHITECTURE Form, function and design elements that feel at home in nature.

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SAVING THE WHITE PINE Kudos! To St. Olaf Magazine for supplying this stunning spread on a local Grand Rapids lumber icon.

76 PLAY

Do it. All of it. Get out there and PLAY!

RESURFACE YOUR CABINETS

STAY

38 ENTREPRENEUR

84 JIM BRANDENBURG

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An inspiring organization works toward placing foster children with the help of local MN talent.

In honor of Father’s Day in June, we celebrate dynamic (family) duos who dare to do business together.

A favorite pasttime of childhood ranks at the top of everyone’s summer “to do” list for family traditions.

Almost a blip on the map, this tiny town of taste is back in business.

This summer’s HOTTEST music festivals and events.

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Two do-not-miss businesses.

Wow, folks! Interview of a lifetime here!

National Geographic Photographer spills the beans in Part 1 of our feature; sequel coming in the fall... eek!

Breaking barriers and promoting an uplifting lifestyle of acceptance, we introduce you to Marcus Kellin.

The most anticipated holiday of summer. Get out your grill, boat, floaty devices, sunscreen, shades, and smores!

Party all day and settle down for fireworks at night.

A clever red, white & blue take on summer’s sweet strawberry.

YOUTH

JIM BRANDENBURG

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BOAT HOUSES Classic and vintage boat houses and the stories of their past. Rusted relics create beauty on a northern MN lake.

FAMILY: BUSINESS DUOS

CULTURE OF CARING

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DIGITAL You down with IOT? Yeah you know me!

The Internet of Things... vital to our way of life in lake country.

CAMPING

CULTURE: JULY 4TH

104 RECIPE

Fishing is one of the most popular sports in our area. Learn how to master the art of the fish fry.

Dorset

DRINK

112 LOVE

We’re all about social acceptance here at Lake Time Magazine. The thread of our being is invested in all who love... all things... all people. Period.

SITES & SCENES

REVIEWS

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ON THE RADAR The largest event calendar we’ve ever printed and there’s so much we couldn’t fit!

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LAST LOOK A big announcement for our Lake Time family! Join us in July as we launch our brand new SHOP! 11

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EXPLORE MINNESOTA

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MY LAKE TOWN

ALEXANDRIA

By Christina Monson

F

ull disclosure here, folks…. I had never been to Alexandria before (gasp!). I had only seen the area from online maps and it appeared to have more lakes than land. I set out on a sunny Friday, meandering through farmland on county roads. As I approached the outer limits of Alexandria, there seemed to be a lake on my left and then a lake on my right. Now this is “lake country!” I thought to myself.

well-manicured grounds include a giant chess game, a patio for summer nights of live music, and plenty of charm and outdoor seating spots. The grapes, of course, liven up the land and add that element of intrigue. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the owners are delightful, hard-working people. Carlos Creek Winery is an ideal summer setting for any occassion and a must stop destination for exquisite wine and memorable experiences!

I stayed at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, on the shores of Lake Darling, (see the STAY article) and the hotel was buzzing with guests- nearly a full house. The place was alive and must only begin to mimic the high-traffic summer days of late July and August. It goes to show that this place is a true destination!

I continued my first night in town by going downtown to investigate. There are an intimidating number of dining options around town but I chose the most intriguing name and hoped for the best. Sixth Avenue Wine and Ale, just off of historic Broadway, was the epitome of food. Seriously, folks! Wow! I wandered in to the bistro-like setting and felt comfortable, yet sophisticated simultaneously. Rich paint colors on the walls were a perfect backdrop for the meticulously placed and illuminated artwork. A band called the Cheese Bots played in the corner and the crowd applauded with support. I sat, enjoying a glass of wine but the moment

Just down the road is Carlos Creek Winery, one of the highlights of my weekend. Set behind white picket fences, the winery buildings are classy and white with green rooftops. The

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like the Alexandria Boat Works, History of Chris-Craft, and Grand Hotels & Resorts (and more), there is something for everyone- reminders of olden times and opportunities to open young eyes to the beauty and luxury of a different time in boating and water play.

my order of Beef Medallions served with roasted baby red potatoes and carrots topped in a red wine reduction, hit my lips, I literally gasped. (I’m not kidding.) Pure flavor melted in my mouth. I strategically ate in phases, trying to draw the experience out into eternity. I’ll be back again. Very soon.

The next day, I returned downtown to check out the shops and boutiques that I had heard so much about. Northern Minnesota towns have the most unique downtowns and Alex certainly makes that list. This active downtown is an antique-lovers dream with countless antique shops, all different and deserving individual attention. Amongst the antique stores are bakeries, candy shops, restaurants, and stores that specialize in Scandinavian goods and gifts, women’s consignment clothing, quilt shops, art shops, and boutique clothing stores. My favorite was Kindred People, a unique women’s boutique clothing store with one-of-a-kind jewelry (many made locally) and products that celebrate lake life and the state of Minnesota.

Celebrating its first year of business this year and packed with women on a Saturday, this store was a fantastic find!

One constant that I took note of during my adventures around town was the hospitality and genuine niceness of people. Sure… sure… “Minnesota nice” is a real thing but Alexandria steps it up a notch! Everyone I met was sincerely and superbly friendly and kind. Everyone.

They didn’t know who I was or what I was doing around town. They were just true. I met locals. I met visitors. I met young people who had moved away and returned. All... nice.

On my final night, I returned to the resort, graced by a stunning sunset of orange, pink, and purple. This had been one of the best weekends I’d had in a long time. I love this lake country and this lake town will definitely stay in my rotation for a long time!

The Alexandria area offers much more than great wine, food, and shopping. It’s a recreational haven for all things summer. If you can imagine doing it, it’s available! Boating, skiing and fishing are well matched with the plentiful marine stores and bait shops. Pick up an Alexandria visitors guide for area parks, golf courses, mini golf courses, pools, farmers markets, theatres, sporting events, summer events and festivals, and other community events. The area boasts an active and vibrant arts community and a strong community of musicians of all ages.

The Runestone Museum highlights an array of history including early pioneer life, Native American artifacts, and Norse history, including a Smithsonian replica of a 40’ Viking ship. Be sure to ask about the often analyzed Kensington Runestone, a mysterious artifact with unresolved origin. Just outside the museum are some of Fort Alexandria’s authentic log buildings.

The Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum & Gardens is a beautiful tribute to Minnesota lake traditions and the preservation of antique watercraft and resort memorabilia. With exhibits

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HCCLakeTime_LayoutSpring16_Layout 1 5/2/16 8:17 AM Page 1

Everyone welcome!

Please join us for our Centennial Celebration

Thank you to our sponors!

The Hibbing Foundation | Sterle and Co. | Enich Dental Fairview Range | Security State Bank | Algonquin Club Sellman Law Office | Hibbing Taconite Co. | Blandin Hibbing Public Utilities Commission | Ameriprise Thrivent Financial | Baron's Pharmacy | Walmart Mesaba Country Club | Sullivan Candy & Supply

www.hibbing.edu 1515 East 25th Street | Hibbing, MN 55746

Friday, July 8, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., HCC Commons Prizes | Campus Tours | Barbecue Children’s Activities | HCC Alumni Reunion

Hibbing Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity empoyer and educator. Member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities, consumers with hearing or speech disabilities may contact us via their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service.

OUTSIDE

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Ask any Northern Minnesotan why they choose to make the 218 their home, and their response will most likely express a love for the water. Whether it’s the magnificent swell of Lake Superior, the sprawling path of the mighty Mississippi River, or the laid-back vibe of our lakes, there’s a match for everyone’s water personality.

In Minnesota, we are pros at making the most of our lakes and rivers during all four seasons of the year, but summer is when we fully embrace our favorite element. This got me thinking about my summer bucket list: • Cross it! One of my favorite destinations is the Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park.

Crossing the river is a must-do tradition in every season, but especially on a hot summer day when the clear, frigid water dances around your ankles.

• Explore the BWCA: The Boundary Waters is the perfect place to disappear for a while, and I want to disappear in my kayak. Many will argue that the BWCA is canoe territory, but I love the solitude and independence offered by my own boat. Whatever your mode of water transportation, a true immersion in nature awaits at the BWCA. • SUP Zen: Stand up paddle boarding is quickly becoming a common sight at almost any lake.

If you haven’t tried it yet, imagine standing on top of an aquarium. The view is unlike anything you’ve seen before! I like to merge my love of yoga with my affinity for being on the water and find my nirvana on the lake.

• Lazy (Doggie) Paddles: Ah, the good old paddleboat. This old school watercraft brings me straight back to summer camp, when my hair smelled of bonfire and my hands were sticky with s’mores. The paddleboat is also my dogs’ favorite form of water transportation. On warm summer evenings they beg to be transported around the lake in style.

• Cannonball! Swim season is short Up North, often only two months in length. I want to dig my toes in the sand, feel the sunshine on my face and dive off the dock into as many crystal clear lakes as possible.

What’s on your summer bucket list? Connect with us on Instagram and share your photos using #LTMinMotion. Keep moving Minnesota, and live the life you’ve always imagined!

Tara

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TRAVEL

A YEAR IN THE WILDERNESS

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ADVENTURERS Of the Year in 2014

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Dave and Amy Freeman have traveled more than 30,000 miles by kayak, canoe and dogsled through some of the world’s wildest places, from the Amazon to the Arctic. They are 2014 National Geographic Adventurers of the Year. Their images, videos and articles have been published by a wide range of media sources from NBC, FOX and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to the Chicago Tribune, National Geographic, Outside, Backpacker, Canoe & Kayak and Minnesota Public Radio. Dave and Amy run the Wilderness Classroom, an educational nonprofit geared towards inspiring kids to get outside and explore their world. Wilderness Classroom’s current reach is 100,000 el-

ementary and middle school students, and 3,200 teachers around the world.

Amy and Dave Freeman are spending 365 days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to call attention to the threats that a series of proposed sulfide-ore copper mines pose to our nation’s most popular wilderness. They are sharing their Wilderness Adventures through regular blog posts throughout their Year in the Wilderness on the Beyond the Edge blog.

Learn more about protecting the Boundary Waters, follow them @freemanexplore, and connect kids with the adventure through the Wilderness Classroom.

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The Boundary Waters is one of the most spectacular places in America and a key driver of northeastern Minnesota’s economy.

The Boundary Waters Wilderness is a wild landscape of lakes, streams, woods and wildlife covering 1.1 million acres along the Canadian border.

It is the most heavily visited wilderness area in the United States, attracting more than 250,000 visitors from all over the world and helps drive more than $850 million in economic activity every year which supports over 18,000 jobs.

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Sulfide-ore mining is risky.

The EPA calls sulfide-ore metal mining “the most toxic industry in America,” and a peer-reviewed study of the track record of water quality impacts from copper sulfide mines found that 100% of those studied (which produced 84% of the US’s copper supply) experienced pipeline spills or other accidental releases.

IIn August 2014, the Mount Polley copper and gold mine in British Columbia had a tailings dam breach that released 4.5 million cubic meters of toxic slurry into a lake and river system that was a priceless salmon spawning area.

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Most Minnesotans oppose sulfide-ore mining near the Boundary Waters Wilderness.

Two-thirds of Minnesotans do not want a sulfide-ore mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Pollsters found 61% of those questioned who live in Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District — which includes the Iron Range and Duluth — oppose mines near the wilderness.

Statewide, the poll found 83% of DFLers, 57% of independents and 54% of Republicans oppose mines near the BWCAW.

THINGS

TO KNOW

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Rigorous scientific evaluation shows a high likelihood sulfide mining operations in the proposed location will pollute the Boundary Waters.

A study published recently in the Journal of Hydrology shows that pollution from these proposed mine sites would flow into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness even under the ordinary course of mining operations.

The peer-reviewed study shows that contamination from the mine sites could significantly damage the Boundary Waters and that some areas should not be mined due to the risk to downstream waters.

In the words of the study’s author, Dr. Tom Meyers: “If sulfide mines are developed in the Rainy Headwaters [part of the Boundary Waters Watershed], it is not a question of whether, but when, a leak will occur that will have major impacts on the water quality of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.”

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A locally grown, broad, national coalition opposes sulfide-ore mining in the Boundary Waters Watershed The Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters is a broad coalition of more than 25 partner organizations, including sportsmen, conservationists, veteran’s groups and over 100 local and national businesses. Organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation have passed resolutions opposing sulfide mining in the BWCA watershed and 53 leading scientists in ecology and natural resource-based disciplines signed a letter expressing deep concern over the proposed mine sites.

The Campaign also has the support of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, an official advisory group established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to advise the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture on recreational hunting and wildlife resource issues.

From SaveTheBoundaryWaters.org

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Top 3 things you wouldn't want go without?

Why?

What gear has made your life easier along the way?

There are so many pieces of equipment that are important. Really we have only a few items that are true luxuries that we could easily do without!

Our shelters play a really important role in keeping us happy and healthy. For the first 8 months of A Year in the Wilderness we used a SeekOutside Tipi tent and collapsible wood stove as our main shelter.

It only weighs about 13 pounds, including the stove, pole, stakes, and all the bits and

pieces, and made the cold weather much more enjoyable. We are still using the tipi some of the time in the summer, especially when we have visitors, but now that the weather is getting warmer we are also using a Cooke Custom Sewing Lean, which is very lightweight and helps protect us from the bugs, rain, and sun!

Our 19 foot Wenonah Itasca canoe is our vehicle of choice during the ice free season and during the winter we hauled all of our supplies on two Black River Sled toboggans that were pulled by three sled dogs that we borrowed for the winter from Frank Moe who is a musher in Hovland, MN. A big part of A Year in the Wilderness is sharing this amazing place and encouraging folks to take action and help protect this national treasure from Twin Metals and other sulfide-ore copper mines being proposed along the edge of the Wilderness. We have a couple of small GoalZero solar panels and battery packs that help us keep our camera and communication equipment charged.

One of the luxury items we have that we would not want to give up are our Helinox camp chairs. We have never taken chairs on a wilderness camping trip, but they are so comfortable we would be hardpressed to give them up.

Now that the bugs are out we would not want to go without our Piragis bug shirts.

They make life in a buggy environment much more pleasant!

Our lightweight and sturdy Mitchell Leader paddles are like old friends.

One has already crossed North and South America with us and when you are doing millions of paddle strokes, a good paddle makes a big difference.

Who have been your biggest supporters through your journey and expedition?

There have been so many individuals, organizations and businesses that are helping us, it is really hard to pick a few. Paul and Sue Schurke who own Wintergreen Northern Wear and Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge have provided a bunch of amazing winter clothing that is made in Ely and helped many groups of volunteers bring in supplies by dogsled over the winter.

Levi, who runs Sustainable Ely and works for the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters, is our expedition manager. He organizes all of our food and equipment and coordinates all the volunteers, media, and other folks who join us

in the Wilderness for short periods of time. We couldn't do this without his help and the support we receive from all of the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters staff.

This really is a collaborative effort in every sense.

There are a bunch of local folks who make and dehydrate food for us. Other locals have paddled, skied and snowshoed in with groups of volunteers from across the country or just drop in to surprise us with

a chocolate bar or fresh veggies.

They have brought us roasted chickens with all the trimmings and more than a year's worth of delicious baked goods, which fill our hearts as much as our stomachs.

We have had folks we met out in the Wilderness start to cry as they told us how much the Wilderness means to them and how thankful they are that we are out here. These acts of kindness are powerful reminders of why we are out here and provide motivation when times are tough.

Patagonia employees from their Chicago and Saint Paul stores have volunteered many hours helping to pack and deliver several of our resupplies, Patagonia is helping to fund a film about A Year in the Wilderness, and is helping the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters in numerous ways.

From the coffee we start our day with to the Trailtopia dinners we gobble down at the end of a long day, much of our food has been donated

by businesses who contacted us asking how they could help. Plus, most of our equipment has been donated by businesses who care about the Wilderness and want to support our efforts.

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www.visitgrandrapids.com/blog/

BIZ

Finances for Newlyweds

BY KRISTINA GAALAAS June is a popular month for weddings. If you’re getting married this month, you no doubt have many exciting details to discuss with your spouse-to-be. But after you get back from the honeymoon, you’ll want to have another discussion — about your finances. It might not sound glamorous, but couples who quickly “get on the same page” regarding their financial situation are actually taking a step that can help them immensely as they build their lives together.

As you start talking about your finances, be sure to cover these areas: •Separate or joint checking/savings accounts — Some couples create joint checking and savings accounts, others keep everything separate and still others find a middle ground — joint accounts along with smaller, separate accounts. There’s really no one “right” way for everyone, but whichever method you choose, make sure you’re both aware of where your money is, how it can be accessed, and by whom.

•Debts — Both you and your spouse may be bringing in debts, such as student

loans or credit cards, to the marriage. You don’t necessarily have to do everything possible to get rid of these debts immediately, but you should set up reasonable payment plans that will allow you to lower your overall debt load so you can free up money to invest for the future.

•Spending and saving — Newlyweds are often surprised to discover how different they are from each other in the area of spending versus saving. You don’t have to try to radically change each other, but you both need to be aware that your spending and saving decisions now have greater consequences than when you were both single. To illustrate: If one of you is more of a spender and is used to running up big credit card bills, these actions can clearly affect both of you. To avoid problems of this type, you will need to communicate clearly with each other •Goals — It’s important for married couples to clearly establish their financial goals. Do you want to purchase a house?

If so, when? If you’re going to have children, will you want to help them pay for college? When do each of you want to re-

tire? And what sort of retirement lifestyle do you have in mind? By answering these and other key questions, you’ll be formulating a set of goals. And from there, you can devise a strategy for attaining these goals.

•Investment styles — Both you and your spouse will unquestionably need to invest if you are going to achieve your goals, such as a comfortable retirement. However, each of you may have a different investment style — for example, one of you might be an aggressive investor, willing to take more risk for the possibility of greater returns, while the other is more conservative, ready to accept lower returns in exchange for greater preservation of principal. To pursue your strategy for reaching your objectives, each of you may have to compromise somewhat on your “investment personality.” To achieve this balance, you may need to consult with a financial advisor.

Finances are an important part of any marriage. By communicating regularly and working together, you and your spouse can build a solid financial foundation for your lives together.

23

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

The Growth Ponzi Scheme

By Charles Marohn

24

W

e often forget that the American pattern of suburban development is an experiment, one that has never been tried anywhere before.

We assume it is the natural order because it is what we see all around us. But our own history — let alone a tour of other parts of the world — reveals a different reality. Across cultures, over thousands of years, people have traditionally built places scaled to the individual. It is only the last two generations that we have scaled places to the automobile.

How is our experiment working?

At Strong Towns, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization I cofounded in 2009, we are most interested in understanding the intersection between local finance and land use. How does the design of our places impact their financial success or failure?

What we have found—through research and in town after town across America where we’ve hosted presentations—is that the underlying financing mechanisms of the suburban era — our post-World War II pattern of development — operates like a classic Ponzi scheme, with ever-increasing rates of growth necessary to sustain longterm liabilities.

Since the end of World War II, our cities and towns have experienced growth using three primary mechanisms: 1. Transfer payments between governments: where the federal or state government makes a direct investment in growth at the local level, such as funding a water or sewer system expansion.

2. Transportation spending: where transportation infrastructure is used to improve access to a site that can then be developed.

3. Public and private-sector debt: where cities, developers, companies, and individuals take on debt as part of the development process, whether during construction or through the assumption of a mortgage.

In each of these mechanisms, the local unit of government benefits from the enhanced revenues associated with new growth. But it also typically assumes the long-term liability for maintaining the new infrastructure. This exchange — a near-term cash advantage for a long-term financial obligation — is one element of a Ponzi scheme.

The other is the realization that the revenue collected does not come near to covering the costs of maintaining the infrastructure.

In America, we have a ticking time bomb of unfunded liability for infrastructure

maintenance. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) estimates the cost at $5 trillion — but that's just for major infrastructure, not the minor streets, curbs, walks, and pipes that serve our homes.

The reason we have this gap is because the public yield from the suburban development pattern — the amount of tax revenue obtained per increment of liability assumed — is ridiculously low. Over a life cycle, a city frequently receives just a dime or two of revenue for each dollar of liability. The engineering profession will argue, as ASCE does, that we're simply not making the investments necessary to maintain this infrastructure. This is nonsense. We've simply built in a way that is not financially productive. We've done this because, as with any Ponzi scheme, new growth provides the illusion of prosperity. In the near term, revenue grows, while the corresponding maintenance obligations — which are not counted on the public balance sheet — are a generation away.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, we completed one life cycle of the suburban experiment, and at the same time, growth in America slowed. There were many reasons involved, but one significant factor was that our suburban cities were now starting to experience cash outflows for infrastructure maintenance. We'd reached the "long term," and the end of easy money.

It took us a while to work through what to do, but we ultimately decided to go "all in" using leverage. In the second life cycle of the suburban experiment, we financed new growth by borrowing staggering sums of money, both in the public and private sectors. By the time we crossed into the third life cycle and flamed out in the foreclosure crisis, our financing mechanisms had, out of necessity, become exotic, even predatory. One of humanity's greatest strengths — our ability to innovate solutions to complex problems — can be a detriment when we misdiagnose the problem. Our problem was not, and is not, a lack of growth.

Our problem is 60 years of unproductive growth — growth that has buried us in financial liabilities. The American pattern of development does not create real wealth.

It creates the illusion of wealth. Today we are in the process of seeing that illusion destroyed, and with it the prosperity we have come to take for granted. That is now our greatest immediate challenge. We've actually embedded this experiment of suburbanization into our collective psyche as the "American dream," a non-negotiable way of life that must be maintained at all costs. What will we throw away trying to sustain the unsustainable? How much of our dwindling wealth will be poured into propping up this experiment gone awry?

We need to end our investments in the suburban pattern of development, along

with the multitude of direct and indirect subsidies that make it all possible. Further, we need to intentionally return to our traditional pattern of development, one based on creating neighborhoods of value, scaled to actual people. When we do this, we will inevitably rediscover our traditional values of prudence and thrift as well as the value of community and place.

The way we achieve real, enduring prosperity is by building an America full of strong towns. That’s what we work for at our organization. We spread our message of incremental growth, financial solvency and bottom up action to help strong citizens make their towns and cities better, more productive places to live.

ABOUT STRONG TOWNS Strong Towns is a national media organization whose mission is to advocate for a model of development that allows America's cities, towns and neighborhoods to grow financially strong and resilient.

For the United States to be a prosperous country, it must have strong cities, towns and neighborhoods. Enduring prosperity for our communities cannot be artificially created from the outside but must be built from within, incrementally over time. A Strong Towns approach relies on incremental investments instead of large, transformative projects, emphasizes resiliency of result over efficiency of execution, and is inspired by bottom-up action, not top-down systems.

Strong Towns produces award-winning daily articles and podcasts, as well as events across the country. Strong Towns has members throughout the world.

Learn more at www.StrongTowns.org ABOUT CHARLES MAROHN Charles Marohn - known as "Chuck" to friends and colleagues - is a Professional Engineer (PE) licensed in the State of Minnesota and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). Chuck is the Founder and President of Strong Towns.

He has a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute.

He is the author of A World Class Transportation System, Thoughts on Building Strong Towns (Volume 1) and the forthcoming Thoughts on Building Strong Towns (Volume II), as well as the host of the Strong Towns Podcast and a primary writer for Strong Towns’ web content. He has spoken in dozens of towns and cities across North America, and speaks regularly for diverse audiences and venues.

25

ART

GEMS

O F I TAS CA SHORT FILM

SERIES

By A+B Productions

"I remember when I was a little girl in Fiji, visiting my grandmother in the village. She would tell me stories of Pacific legends and legends of my Fijian ancestors. The stories were vivid and connected me to my identity, to my culture and my people. Since being in Itasca County, I discovered that stories connected people here the same way. I'm passionate about good stories and Itasca County has an abundance of them." – Alisi Styles The powerful combination of film and social media have created an opportunity for one rural community to see its story told in a way it has never seen itself before. This pairing is made even more special in that the story teller is from the other side of the globe, a Fijian-born Australian artist, who joined the community in Grand Rapids (county seat of Itasca County) as part of the 0.44% minority of African or Pacific Islander ethnicities.

Three hours due north of the Twin Cities, where the forests turn extra cozy and the lakes come out in full force, spending time around Itasca County was already unique for Alisi Styles, accustomed to metropolitan life surrounded by Pacific beaches in

Australia. But it was one wintery day, venturing out from the cabin and visiting with locals at a café in Bovey, Minnesota that Alisi started to learn that there was so much more to life in the woods than met the eye.

Twelve months later, Styles, along with co-producer and Itasca County native, Benjamin Braff, unveiled the first eight episodes of the Gems of Itasca short film series, produced through A+B Productions, a partnership between filmmakers Styles and Braff. The series, described by a local reporter as a “love letter” to the county, was a vision to showcase the region’s unique blend of arts, culture, and history as contemporary experiences. It utilizes the community’s own voices yet is presented in a way it seldom considered – with an international appeal.

Created with a small team consisting of Styles, Braff, and two assistants, the initial series was filmed over 50 days across the county, involving 200+ participants and sponsored by the generous leadership of area non-profits and businesses.

What stands out about Gems of Itasca is the intimate style of story telling

and the rich textures of the period re-enactments. These scenes were all filmed over a weekend, utilizing actors from the local theatre group, dozens of business owners, volunteers across the county and additional crew members from Minneapolis.

“We’re excited to have the opportunity to build on these rich stories and are currently developing a feature film based on the picture Grace as told in the Bovey Edition film and based on a story by local playwright John Schroeder.” – Benjamin Braff While driving into “lake country” is a ritual for so many, through these films everyone can get a little closer to the magical allure that lays hidden beneath Minnesota’s nature yet has attracted so many.

Find out more about the series, and see more films, by visiting the official site at www.gemsofitasca.com.

The film series is freely available to watch, share and embed via YouTube at www.youtube.com/gemsofitasca.

“ Fo r t h e c o m m u n i t y , b y t h e c o m m u n i t y .”

26

t h e FA M I LY R E S O R T S E d i t i o n The Itasca County area became well known as a major resort area in the early 1900's and still remains to this day.

We visit two resorts that have been family-owned for generations; with one offering recreational amenities for its corporate and family clientele including a picturesque lakeside golf course, and the other that sits on Wabana Lake equally as stunning with wondrous stories of yesteryear and counting Hollywood stars among their past guests. From there, we glide across Wabana & Trout Lakes and arrive at the historical Joyce Estate - one of Minnesota's unique & historical sites, operated by the Chippewa National Forest. The Joyce family helped pioneer the regional lumber trade in the early 1900's. As you stroll through the majestic

grounds of the Joyce Estate, imagine the roaring twenties, the time of prohibition and women's suffrage. Heir to the family fortune, David Gage Joyce of Chicago built the estate with native logs and stone between 1917-1935. It consists of 4,500 acres of forest, eleven lakes, 26 miles of shoreline and 40 buildings. The estate boasted its own seaplane hangar, nine-hole golf course, clubhouse, tennis court, bathhouse/ sauna, library and advanced amenities for its time like a hot water system, telephone line and electric lighting. The Joyce family was well known for hosting lavish parties with no expense spared, flying out-of-state guests in on the family's seaplanes for the week-long, lively gatherings.

the DINING Edition We accompany a local Itascan caterer on a detailed tour of the local cuisine and dining experiences available in Itasca County. From private sunset dinner events on an alpaca farm to a fine dining experience at a local restaurant and even a sampling of authentic spicy Mexican delights. Hola!

The audience will be taken on a tour of the local farmer's

market to showcase the regional organic and sustainable fresh produce that the area is well known for. To highlight agritourism, we end this episode with a tour of a produce farm owned by the Fideldy family who, other than their apple orchards and blueberry patches, are well known for their delicious and award winning maple syrup.

27

t h e B OV E Y Ed i t i o n Bovey, Minnesota was a historical jewel in the Iron Range and is known for its rich mining history beginning in the early 1900's and as the home of world-famous photograph and Minnesota's official state picture Grace. We profile the history of the Grace photo that was taken by Eric Enstrom in his Bovey studio back in 1918. Bovey was bustling in the early 1900's. A major highway led through the town's center and past the Renaissance Revival designed Bovey Village Hall which still stands today and is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. Opposite Bovey Village Hall was

the Bovey Mercantile store, the biggest hardware store in northern Minnesota at that time. Now known as Annabella's Antiques, the store was discovered to have a couple of underground tunnels which have spawned legends over the decades as to what the tunnels' purposes were. To a backdrop of early 30's speakeasy/jazz styled re-enactments, we interview residents who lived in the area through the Depression era who have a first hand account of the lively happenings in Bovey and surrounding areas.

t h e F E S T I VA L E d i t i o n Summer is a magical time for Itasca County with many events and festivals being held throughout the area. Nestled amongst the trees, by a pristine lake sits the Itasca County Fairgrounds, known as the most picturesque fair grounds in the whole of Minnesota. Annually, the grounds come alive with the Itasca County Fair featuring colorful amusement rides; the sweet smell of cotton candy, hot dogs, the sound of livestock exhibitions and the roar of the stock car races. An equally vibrant town event, Tall Timber Days closes the streets of downtown Grand Rapids for family shows, lumberjack competitions, street dances, and lots and lots

28

of food! Weekend of Wheels roars in at the end of July for over 15,000 vintage car enthusiasts and observers alike. Celebrating community and the wild rice that still grows abundantly in the area's lakes and rivers, the Deer River Wild Rice Festival, the world's largest celebration of the grain, features activities like parades, amusements, live music and the traditional Ojibwe Pow Wow. After 100 years, one of Minnesota's longest-running events, Bovey Farmer's Day, still continues every Labor Day with a vibrant carnival, street dance, live musical entertainment, flea markets and a glow-in-the-dark 5k run!

MUSIC

Free. Free. Free.

You could spend your summer catching live music at no cost, all summer long. Local musicians who are just getting their start, bands that have been featured on the World CafĂŠ (NPR), to seasoned musicians who know how to make you groove.

Check it out.

30

Duluth

Chester Creek Concert Series Tuesdays 7-8:30pm Outdoors at Chester Bowl Park – 1801 E Skyline Parkway 6/14 Teague Alexy (roots rock) 6/21 The Brothers Burn Mountain (blues folk) 6/28 A Band Called Truman (rock) 7/5 Listening Party (folk rock) 7/12 Boku Frequency (funk & soul, blues rock) 7/19 Plucked Up String Band (high energy bluegrass) 7/26 The Adjustments (blues rock) 8/2 Splintertones (zydeco and celtic swing) 8/9 Mama’s Stolen Horses (Americana) 8/16 Mary Bue + The Holy Bones (rock)

Bemidji

Mississippi Music at the Bemidji Waterfront Wednesdays 6-8pm Bemidji Waterfront 7/6 Patty and The Buttons (New Orleans & traditional jazz, early blues) 7/13 The Social Animals (rock folk) 7/20 The Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank (folk roots) 7/27 Erik Koskinen (outlaw country) 8/10 Dead Soldiers (soulful roots rock) 8/17 The Fattenin’ Frogs (revival rock & roll) 8/24 Rich Mattson & The Northstars (cosmic folk) 8/31 Known Only Locally (acoustic folk rock)

Crosslake

Crosslake Outdoor Music Series Saturdays 7-9:30pm Crosslake Townsquare – 35770 Allen Ave 6/18 Chris Olson's Memories of Elvis 6/25 Doug Allen Nash (Johnny Cash & Neil Diamond Tribute) 7/2 Shane Martin (modern country rock) 7/9 Cassie & the Bobs (The Music of Patsy Cline) 7/16 Tonic Sol-fa (a cappella pop trio) 7/23 Decade 7 (music of the 70s) 7/30 Brat Pack Radio (dance pop and R&B from the 80s) 8/6 Romantica (Americana pop folk) 8/13 Church of Cash (Johnny Cash tribute) 8/20 Southside Aces (New Orleans jazz) 8/27 Cactus Blossoms (retro classic country) 9/3 Decade 7 (music of the 70s)

Park Rapids

Pequot Lakes

Bands In The Park Saturdays 7-9pm Trailside Park 6/18 Muddy Waters Band (50s & country) 6/25 Tom Hunter Band (blues & jazz) 7/2 Daybreak (jazz, oldies, rock, country) 7/9 Tim & Cindy (country, bluegrass, cajun) 7/16 Muddy Waters Band (50s & country) 7/23 SOLO (60s, 70s, 80s rock & roll) 7/30 Big Sweet Life (Beatles Tribute) 8/6 Decade 7 (classic 70s rock) 8/13 Rockin Hill Band (classic rock & jazz) 8/20 Tim & Cindy (country, bluegrass, cajun) 8/27 Mike Miller & Friends (rock & roll)

Crosby

Music in the Park 2nd and 4th Thursday evenings 6-9pm Serpent Lake Park 6/9 Seth Doud (singer-songwriter) / Cuyuna Rhythm Band

(60s-90s rock, blues & country) 6/23 Lakes Area Music Festival / Woodblind (acoustic ska) 7/14 Andy Fischer / Benjamin Raye (singer-songwriters) 7/28 Michael Antus (singer-songwriter) / Dariann Wikstrom

(country) 8/11 Brendan Flynn (acoustic Americana) / Emily Hammer

(singer-songwriter) 8/25 Last Call / Version 5 (rock)

Detroit Lakes

Tuesdays in the Park 7pm Detroit Lakes Band Shell (in Pavilion for inclement weather) 6/7 Lakes Area Community Concert Band 6/14 Mr. Jack and Friends 6/21 Bruce Neumann & Tiki D. (Americana/blues) 6/28 Moriya Rufer & Dan Thornby 7/5 Hardwood Groove (funky groovin' folk) 7/12 Doc & the Scrubs (in pavilion) (big band jazz) 7/19 Tim Eggebraaten (one-man band) 7/26 The WoodPicks (bluegrass, gospel, Americana) 8/2 Sky Blues Band (Christian blues and rock) 8/9 Ulen Centennial Band 8/16 Doc & the Scrubs 8/23 Summit Productions One-Act Play 8/30 Lakes Area Community Concert Band

2nd Street Stage Thursdays 6-8pm (unless noted otherwise) 2nd Street between Main Avenue and Highway 71 6/16 Farewell Milwaukee (Americana folk rock) 6/23 Black River Revue (bluegrass & folk) 6/30 The WoodPicks (bluegrass, gospel, Americana) 7/7 Patty & The Buttons (New Orleans & traditional jazz, early blues) 7/10 Bite of Park Rapids Street Fair: Jack & Kitty (11am-3pm)

(organic vaudeville folk) 7/14 The Brothers Burn Mountain (blues folk) 7/21 Useful Jenkins (acoustic jamgrass) 7/28 The 4onthefloor (rock stompin’ blues) 8/4 Kind Country (bluegrass & folk) 8/11 Dead Soldiers (after Water Wars) (soulful roots rock) 8/18 Hardwood Groove (funky jam folk)

31

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DestinationDuluth.com

ON THE SET

OLDLIFTY

By Minnesota Brown

Photos by Miles Hanon 34

S

ome say we’re in the golden age of television, a time when the breakdown of the big networks’ monopoly on production creates new opportunities for smaller, independent artists with good ideas.

That’s certainly the white-capped Lake Superior wave that producers of a new web series based in Duluth hope to catch.

“Old Lifty” is based on a woman who returns home to Duluth from Washington, D.C., after an untimely job loss. Once a mover-and-shaker, she becomes an operator on the Aerial Lift Bridge in Canal Park. She’s surrounded by wacky local characters and the situational comedy that gave us the genre’s name: sitcom.

Directed by Miles Hanon and produced

by Tom Livingston, the web series has ambitions of getting on television some day.

Written by Jean Sramek with Don Monaco credited as executive producer, “Old Lifty” is trying an all-local approach to the art of television.

The concept pilot premiered in May 2016 at the Zeitgeist Cinema on Superior Street in downtown Duluth.

I was able to see an advance copy of the short concept pilot for “Old Lifty.” What follows is my brief review.

This episode runs less than 15 minutes and is really designed to sell the characters and concept more than a specific plot. In fact, you can see several potential episodes covered in passing, like a sort of sitcom training drill punctuated by one liners and sight gags.

The star of the show is its setting. Every plot element and transition crams the screen full of iconic, odd or eye-catching scenes from Duluth. The result is something refreshingly familiar to people from northern Minnesota, but also entirely new for someone used to shows filmed on sound stages in California.

The strength of “Old Lifty,” at least based on the pilot, is its lead actress Cheryl Skafte. Her character, Karlene Anderson, is relatable and versatile, able to be the subject of jokes, or the deliverer of good lines.

Karlene is kind of an early 21st Century ev-

erywoman, affected by a changing economy and both repelled by and attracted to the pull of home. Skafte plays her with whimsical range.

The rest of the cast shows promise, but the short pilot gives little room to develop the characters. We have Karlene’s mom Bev (Ellie Martin), who runs a brewpub. One can see the seeds of a tough lady with a heart of gold, but in this episode she mostly shakes her head at a beer snob who can’t stop talking about European brews. (Which is so hipster Duluth, unaware that serving beer in “flights” is itself beer snobbery of a high order).

The crew at the Duluth Port Authority provides some good laughs. Boss Frank (Dave Orman) has the makings of a interesting paranoid eccentric, but really only gets to yell at a guy who doesn’t want him to lift the bridge and conduct an extremely odd job interview with Karlene. It seems like Frank has another gear that Orman could shift into if there were more time.

Fellow operators Chuck (Adam Sippola) and Norbert (Jonathon Manchester) are comic foils, but between them and boss Frank it seems like the whole crew could use more character definition. All I’ve got to go on is that Norbert is somewhat more funny-looking, and acts accordingly.

Scott (Luke Moravec) is Karlene’s ex, who apparently still has the Bev’s backing, setting up an awkward yet undeveloped scene between the two.

State Sen. Roger Reinert makes a cameo appearance as an angry motorist. He makes the most of his screen time.

“Old Lifty” is a sharp-looking, fun love letter to the city of Duluth and its way of life. I’ll be looking to see if it develops into an exploration of unique northern Minnesota characters and Duluth-specific plot lines.

It’ll be a hard balance between being “local” and “too local.”

Nevertheless it’s tremendous fun seeing television become an accessible art form; something that can be produced and produced well — even in the Zenith City of the Unsalted Seas, crown of the Old Northwest.

35

CAMPUS LIFE S F H parks

By Christina Brown

W

Campus Life is a program for teens in grades 9-12 in Deer River, Grand Rapids, and Greenway

36

aith and

hen Liz Maki joined the Deer River Campus Life program back in high school, she thought it would be a great way to have fun and meet new friends.

She didn’t realize it would become a lifeline.

“It really planted a seed,” said Maki. “Everything I learned there came back to me later.”

Campus Life is a program for teens in grades 9-12 in Deer River, Grand Rapids, and Greenway. It’s part of Itasca Youth For Christ, a faith-based organization, supported in part by the United Way of 1000 Lakes.

Groups meet once a week in a teen’s home for a mix of fun activities, discussion and reflection about important issues like substance use, relationships, and suicide.

In addition, youth have opportunities to take part in mission trips, recreational outings, community events and service projects.

Director of Deer River

ope

Campus Life and Campus Life Alumni, Heather Schjenken, understands that strong, authentic relationships do not happen overnight – they take time, patience, trust and consistency. It was with that perspective that she developed a relationship with Maki.

“The kids really get a sense of belonging,” said Schjenken. “It’s a lot of fun and it is good for them to be connected to a caring adult. That’s what young people like about it. We want everyone to feel good about being there.”

Maki said that having a place to go really helped her navigate everything from her parents’ divorce to teenage relationships, and having developed a foundation with Campus Life staff would be pivotal in her later years.

After graduating from Deer River, Maki moved to Maryland and as she entered her 20s, she struggled to find her place in the world. Maki said it was

then that she hit her rock bottom point.

“I was going out partying and not living a fulfilled life.

I wasn’t happy, or feeling good, but I continued to do it. I ended up finding out that I was pregnant,” Maki said. “It was not a happy situation in the sense that we weren’t going to be raising this child together in a loving and safe environment. I feared I was going to be a single mom. I knew emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially I could not do it on my own.”

She turned to her book of devotions, a practice introduced through Campus Life.

It read, ‘You are not an accident. Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did.’

“Instantly, I knew this was speaking about my little baby growing inside me.”

Maki said. “The message was powerful. God had a plan. We may not be the same color, or share the same beliefs or morals, but we don’t need to feel ashamed. We’re going to be okay.”

It was that moment when Maki knew she needed to change the direction of her life and reached out to Schjenken, her church community and her family for guidance.

“Their support really strengthened me,” Maki said. “I realized that this was not a mistake. It was not planned, but it was not a mistake. This was a blessing in disguise.”

Maki realized she needed to leave Maryland in order to provide her son with a better life.

After a difficult court battle for custody of her son, Maki is now back in Deer River, working as a phlebotomist at Essentia Health and raising Jack who is now 2 years old.

“In these small communities, you matter to each other,” said Maki. “People genuinely care in this town and want to help each other. So many people have helped us get to where we are today from helping create a loving and safe home to caring for Jack.

“Jack is a ball of fire. He is awesome in every way and I cannot imagine life without him. It’s chaotic and wonderful all at the same time. He loves to make people laugh,” Maki said. “I can see why he needed to be in my life. He’s taught me so much about myself. He’s opened my eyes up to so much in life.”

Maki said Campus Life changed her life, and now she wants to give back.

“I was so fortunate to have had that seed planted,” said Maki. “I want to give back to something that impacted me so greatly. If I reached just one person, it could be the difference.”

“Campus Life does not just guide you in your faith journey,” Maki said. “They guide you in life. They open your eyes to things that are scary, but they also show you how to pull the good out of them.”

Schjenken said the United Way of 1000 Lakes’ support of Campus Life allows them to reach more young people in the community.

“Their support shows that Campus Life is valued by United Way and the communities they serve,” Schjenken said. “They trust us to do this work. It’s awesome.”

Photography by John Connelly Since 1963, the United Way of 1000 Lakes has partnered with local nonprofits to identify critical issues, create partnerships, and raise funds to help people in the Itasca area. Mobilizing the caring power of the communities it serves, the organization’s mission, drives work to create a happier, healthier community.

They accomplish this by inspiring collaboration, fundraising, and volunteerism.

United Way supports hundreds of causes to help the community as a whole. One way they accomplish this is by investing in more than 24 local organizations to make the biggest possible impact –independently, and in partnership with each other. This allows donors to make an impact on those around them through one single contribution.

Each year, investments in programs and agencies help onein-three people living in Itasca County and surrounding communities. Joey’s story is one example of the people that have been helped through United Way. Each story is the story of the community and the power of many. Learn more about people helped through United Way at unitedwayof1000lakes.org.

United Way of 1000 Lakes UnitedWayof1000Lakes.org

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ENTREPRENEUR

From 4-H to Warbird Restoration Did you know there is a company in the northwoods of Bemidji, Minnesota restoring WWII airplanes? Not many people would think a company like that even exists—but it’s real and it’s amazing. AirCorps Aviation is this fascinating place in the land of Paul Bunyan, and specializes in the restoration, maintenance and rebuilding of WWII vintage aircraft.

Step inside the door and you’ll instantly feel like you’re a witness to an unknown craft. The sounds of riveting, the sight of green paint drying, old yellowed tags attached to airplane parts from the 1940s, and photos of pilots standing next to their prized possession. Not to mention that big shiny fuselage sitting in the middle of the room, exposing the thousands of wires and

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components that will make this beautiful airplane fly once again. Yes we are still in Bemidji, and not even at the airport. Just a building from the outside, that once held beer, now is the home to one of the most unique and interesting businesses I’ve ever seen.

AirCorps Aviation was started by Erik Hokuf, a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Originally from Bemidji, Erik left for 14 years to live in Minneapolis and Granite Falls, then moved back with his new family to expand his business with three other partners. The company has grown to over 25 people, won many awards, and continues to innovate the industry with new products and processes.

By Sarah Hokuf

So who am I and what do I want to tell you? I’m Erik’s wife, Sarah. I could go on and on about the magical things happening at AirCorps and the awesome airplanes they get to work on like a P-51 Mustang or a Stearman flown by Pres. George H.W. Bush during training at a Naval Air Station in Minneapolis, but that’s not the story I’m going to talk about. I want to give some insight on how your childhood hobbies can turn into a lifelong passion and a career.

“This isn’t work, it’s my life…”

Growing up on a farm in the small town of Pinewood, just north of Bemidji, Erik and his three brothers learned how to build things at a very young age. Build what?

Anything you can think of. That’s the beauty of having an imagination, parents who

weren’t too overprotective, and acres of tools, equipment and exploration. Learning these common sense and do-it-yourself skills can give one a great advantage in life to not rely on others for everything. Hmm, I think I’m starting to see a formula now.

So what fueled Erik’s love of airplanes?

Could be a few things, but one noticeable milestone was a 4-H project involving aerospace. You could build model rockets, plastic models, and radio-controlled airplanes. Now he was really interested in aviation. His oldest brother, Shawn, went to the United States Air Force Academy. He’s now an international airline pilot for Delta.

The next brother, Stefan, now works for AirCorps Aviation running the Reverse Engineering division out of Minneapolis, and has his own passion of restoring Hot Rods.

And finally, his younger brother, Chad, is a part-time airplane mechanic at AirCorps and full-time Bemidji firefighter. Wow. Four talented brothers that now all have a connection to aviation.

Erik now knew that airplanes would be his focus and was driven from a young age. He figured out how to get a job at the airport as a mechanic the summer before his

senior year of high school. Then he worked an on-the-job training program, so the second half of the school day he spent out at the airport getting high school credit and working toward his airframe & powerplant license. Very few people go that route today because it takes 30 months of onthe-job experience before you qualify. Then you take the same FAA test that technical school students do. He got his A&P license when he was 20, and at that time already had three years of experience.

So when did the opportunity to work on the Warbirds begin…

After working for Bemidji Aviation, Erik was employed at a charter company in Minneapolis for about four years. Through connections, he was contacted by Ron Fagen, a Warbird enthusiast with a love for P-40's. In 2004 he moved to Granite Falls and started Warhawks Inc. During his time there he restored and worked on a couple P-40's, P-51, and P-38. The P-40 Aleutian Tiger won Grand Champion at Oshkosh!

Erik had so many goals and dreams that the next step was to leave and start his own company. I had my own freelance

design business for four years at that time so this wasn’t new or scary to me. In 2008 we moved back to Minneapolis to start AirCorps Aviation. We had our first child during all this change and then moved the company to Erik's hometown of Bemidji with three other partners, Mark Tisler, Dan Matejcek and Eric Trueblood, who he knew would help in the success of the company. We’ve been here now for five years, have two kids, two businesses, many more dreams, and are part of a great community of hard-working entrepreneurs.

I want to encourage others that grew up similar to Erik—on a farm, small town, working with your hands, building, crafting—that you have the skills to do great things.

AirCorps Aviation is looking for other talented craftsmen to help with aircraft restoration projects.

To learn more go to www.aircorpsaviation.com/employment.

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SEATS AVAILABLE. SITTING OPTIONAL.

GRAND CASINO MILLE LACS A TRIBUTE TO MERLE HAGGARD July 2

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Garage Mahal and Man Caves… the novelties that seem to hit a nerve with men in the purchase of a home or cabin. That is until both the man and woman see the “boathouse.” Usual reactions are “where do we sign?” As a real estate agent, I have never seen such drastic array of positive responses to boathouses or accessory structures at the lake’s edge- regardless of shape, size or condition.

er den, warming house for hockey rinks or even cooled napping quarters for younger kin. In most cases, building this close to the water’s edge is not permitted. If it isn’t and there is already one in place you’re in luck. Not only did the value of your house increase but you will have a tangible feature that other homes might not have which only positively affects resale, regardless of what your banker or appraiser will tell you.

The history of the boathouse goes way back. The simple idea was a structure that could house a boat from the elements simply by pulling the boat ashore by cable pulley. In most cases in the state of Minnesota, legit boat houses are no longer permitted. However there are many counties, townships and lake associations that allow for maximum square foot structures to be in place. The boathouse pictured here, owned by the Stanley family on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, has a maximum boathouse square footage of 250’.

The DIY, HGTV, Pinterest craze has opened the flood gates on creativity for these throwback style structures.

From tail gate bars with saloon doors to heated warming houses with a tiny house feel. The best part is, the more rustic, do-it-yourself look, the better.

These boathouses range from sheds bought at your big box stores, to fully-staged, architecturally designed penthouses. Pick your poison. Just remember once they are no longer permitted on your watershed or lake you won’t be building a new one no matter what variance you apply for. Pull a permit or buy a house now with an existing boathouse- before your neighbors are inviting you over for a beer in their party shack and not the other way around.

If you’re lucky enough to construct a new modified boathouse or have one existing, the use has probably changed to a glorified bar, storage building, pok-

Written and sponsored by Brett Beckfeld of Coldwell Banker Northwoods Realty coldwellbankernorthwoods.com

Boathouse Profile: Owner: Chris and Cindy Stanley Lake: Pokegama Features: Cantina style gathering area with window for beverages and bar top.

Warming house in winter for hockey rink.

Inspiration: Interior-Pinterest, Exterior- cohesive look with main house.

Township: Cohasset Boathouse Size: 250 sq ft Builder: CN Construction-Marty Niewind Construction: 2 X 6 Ceilings: Vaulted Windows: Anderson windows purchased at Anderson Glass in Grand Rapids Siding: LP Smart Side Interior: Shiplap Heating: Electric Baseboard Plumbing: NA Estimated cost: $16-21K

B O A T H O U S E 43

if you're buyin' or sellin'

call Mitch Kellin

PUBLISHED BY be.Media House

812 South Pokegama Ave | Grand Rapids cell- 218.398.1821 | office- 800.450.3455 mitchkellin@gmail.com www.coldwellbankernorthwoods.com facebook.com/coldwellbankernorthwoods

PUBLISHER Megan Kellin

EDITOR Christina Monson

SALES & MARKETING Kelly Kabotoff ADVERTISING Jillian DeChaine, Kelly Kabotoff, Megan Kellin, Christina Monson CONTRIBUTORS Anna Bailey, Paul Crosby, David Dudley, Lewie Kellin, David Salmela, Janna Salmela ART DIRECTOR & AD DESIGN Janell Hecimovich COVER IMAGE David Salmela Architecture Photography by Paul Crosby

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2016 Lake Home Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion may be duplicated, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy of information or omissions from the material provided. Lake Home Magazine cannot be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services rendered by the advertisers published in the magazine.

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WEE

CABIN COMPANY

BY CHRISTINA MONSON

WEE Thoreau

“I WENT TO THE WOODS BECAUSE I WISHED TO LIVE DELIBERATELY, TO FRONT ONLY THE ESSENTIAL FACTS OF LIFE, AND SEE IF I COULD NOT LEARN WHAT IT HAD TO TEACH, AND NOT, WHEN I CAME TO DIE, DISCOVER THAT I HAD NOT LIVED.” -HENRY DAVID THOREAU

The eclectic town of Ely “draws the most extreme types of people,” Dayna Mase explains.

Some people think it’s quite boring but most want the peace and quiet, to be away from people and one with nature. This is the underlying theme to many residents of Ely and like much of Minnesota, the people of Ely live here for a reason. It’s a place unlike any other on earth that draws the heart and soul of people to stay and live out their days.

The story is the same for the journey of Eric Mase. He recalls watching the Hamm’s beer commercials and knew that someday he’d be destined to live in the “land of sky blue waters.”

Later, as a young adult, he was living in the hustle and bustle of Chicago city life; a self-taught birch bark canoe maker whose canoes are still found in galleries and collections around the country. It was one Chicago gallery owner who encouraged Eric to visit Ely. He did. And at age 38 he never left.

A few years later, Dayna quit her corporate job in Minneapolis, sold her house and possessions, and moved to Ely, not knowing anyone. She was renting near Eric’s house and they first talked

WEE Thoreau 46

WEE Outhouse

“He’s never danced the regular dance of life. He’s an artistic builder. He took all of his artistic parts and the mathematical parts and taught himself to build.” Eric would build his first WEE CABIN, a 10’x15’ charmer with a sleeping loft which he named the “Thoreau.” Exquisite in rustic detail, it has a cozy feel and is instantly welcoming. No detail is spared in this living art. Natural light abounds through the windows, a small wood burning stove dons one corner, while an Eric-made birch bark “kitchenette” with sink dons the opposite corner. A cozy cot and seating is available as well as a murphy table for dining. The base of the walls are made of wood plugs and cement for a truly unique look and feel.

WEE Treehouse

at the waters edge where she was swimming and he was fishing. Dayna was quickly drawn to the beauty of his canoes and the man who made them. Nine months later they were married in Scotland, in the county where Eric’s ancestors were from.

Today, Eric still builds his stunning birch bark canoes in the off season, but focuses primarily on designing and building for the WEE CABIN Company while Dayna runs the business side of things.

To date, the WEE CABIN Company has built over 20 handcrafted structures. Playfully named designs include the WEE CABIN House, WEE CABIN Treehouse (the Mase’s gorgeous future full time residence), The Look Out WEE, Gingerbread WEE, Thoreau WEE, WEE Sauna, WEE Shed and the WEE-WEE Outhouse. Their building model is pretty unique: order several structures and create your own “WEE Hamlet.”

You can pick from these or have a structure custom built to your own size specifications. Designed

by Eric, each structure is constructed using time-honored techniques and both modern and traditional materials. “We pride ourselves in making minimal impact to the environment and building rustic, yet energy-efficient structures that are not only charming, but will last for generations.”

WEE cabins average about $150-300/sq.ft. depending on size and materials. The most common size ordered is 14’x20’with sleeping loft. All WEE’s can be wired with electricity and, if size allows, plumbing can be added, giving owners modern amenities in an upscale, rustic environment. The WEE CABIN Company currently builds within a 45 mile radius of Ely but are able to ship their frames to other locations, to be erected on site and filled in by a local contractor.

These unique structures are more than a place to spend a weekend. They are buildings of art made for a lifestyle of peace and solitude in the woods, and located in an area that continues to be a place of inspiration for so many people.

Photos by WEE Cabin Company

Find out more at www.weecabins.com or by contacting info@weecabins.com

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Anna Bailey is a DIYer to her core. From DIY home projects tackled with her husband and four kids, to pursuing DIY music as a singer-songwriter, she loves the challenge and creative process in doing it herself. This last fall she started her own business, Anna Bailey.ing. Anna either spends her days in the shop (aka, their garage)

designing and building furniture from re-claimed lumber, dreaming up her next DIY project, writing her blog, composing music, and caring for her busy family of six. In the evenings you can catch her at favorite local establishments in Duluth playing and singing her tunes. She also teaches DIY classes to women, helping them learn

to use power tools and build their own creations.

She sells her furniture and home decor at trade shows and a local boutique. Anna loves her city and community dearly and desires to see it grow and develop. So each month, her gig and tip money are given away to support a specific local Duluth community organization.

You can follow her on /annabaileying

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/annabaileying & blog annabaileying.wordpress.com

DIY project: Wood Slice Centerpiece Serving Tray 1.

Find a cured log about 15-18 inches wide.

2.

Cut a wood slice 3/4 - 1 1/2 inches thick (if you don’t have the tools or wood to cut your own, purchase wood slice at a craft store).

3.

Allow to dry out for a few days. Keep away from moisture.

4.

Apply Minwax wood hardener to the front and back of wood slice. Follow directions on the product and allow for dry time.

5.

Sand. This step takes some time and may involve a variety of sanders, depend

ing on what you have. We used a large belt sander with 60 grit paper, and

followed up by using a palm sander with 120, followed by 220 grit sandpaper.

6.

Apply natural colored stain. Follow stain directions.

7.

If needed, sand stain smooth with 600 grit sandpaper.

8.

Apply 2-4 coats of Painters Touch Rust-Oleum Glossy Clear Coat finish. Sand in

between coats with 600 grit to get a smooth finish. This product is food safe

once fully cured.

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RESTORING YOUR CABI NETS 8 STEPS TO SUCCESS You finally have momentum on your mid century reno. The linoleum floors have been covered with hand scraped birch. The gold faux light fixtures replaced by brushed nickel LED trac lighting. The clean lines in the updated bathroom actually make you feel clean after you step out of the shower. But then there is the kitchen… the dreaded kitchen. Countertops, easy. Backsplash, easy. Appliances, easy. The cabinets… we’re going there!

Pricing on a new cabinet elevation can quickly bring any of the momentum you have built up to a screeching halt. No matter what you do to the rest of the house, the dated cabinets and hardware pull you right back into the kitchen time machine. The upside: they are solid and will stand the test of time. So, the question is, to paint or not to paint. And the answer all lies within the process.

I have seen many successful and ‘unsuccessful’ attempts at painted cabinets and the thread is common: PREP. It rings true with every painting project we endure. The tortoise beats the hare when it comes to cabinet restoration.

1.DE-GLOSS:

There are many different products out there that achieve this crucial step, all of which can be found at any local hardware store or big box alike. Klean-Strip and Zinsser, both make a great de-glossing agent.

2.SAND:

Sanding “cleans” the surface by removing stubborn gunk. Using a 120 to 150 grit sand paper, rough up the surface so the bond coat can adhere to actual wood rather than a sub-membrane (dirt, grease, finish coat). Be sure to sand with the wood grain rather than against.

3.CLEAN:

Sanding dust will interfere with the priming/ bond coating process. If you are able, take the cabinet faces outside or into a separate room and spray them off with compressed air. For any dust left behind, a tack cloth acts as a magnet for dust particles. Dampen the tack cloth with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol and wipe the cabinet faces down.

Remember: Successfully painted cabinets look like they were never painted.

4.APPLY BOND COAT:

One coat of primer should be sufficient for this step. Typically an alkyd or acrylic primer is best for setting the foundation for the paint.

However, if you have proper ventilation, oil based primers can set a great bond coat as well.

The primer will set up quicker and in many cases coat more smoothly. Try brands like B-I-N or Zinsser.

5.PAINT:

A great paint job largely depends on how you apply the paint, as well as the quality of the paint you are using. Latex-based paints are less invasive than oil-based paints (odor, easier to clean), but oil-based paints form a harder, more durable finished surface. A sprayed-on finish will be the smoothest, but owning/renting a sprayer may not be feasible. Brushing will leave strokes and pull an uneven coat. If spraying isn’t an option, apply the paint with a 2” Wooster or Purdy brush and back roll with a 4” weenie roller. This will achieve a smooth, consistent finish. Allow the paint to cure at least 24 hours.

6.GLAZE:

If you are aiming for a solid paint color, skip this step but make sure you are using gloss paint. This gloss sheen will serve as the protective coat for cleaning dust, oil, and grime from your cabinet faces. A decorative glaze can give your cabinets the illusion of a factory finish.

7.TOP COAT:

The protective finish should usually be applied in two coats. The clear coat provides durability that will withstand years of abuse. A water-based polyurethane will do the trick. In between coats, sand the cabinets with max grit of 220. Wipe with a tack cloth and repeat.

8.INSTALL NEW HARDWARE:

New hinges and handles that compliment your new kitchen color scheme will really bring everything together. Pick a finish that ties into your countertop or your backsplash, or one that matches your new appliances. Most home improvement centers will have a plethora of themes to choose from.

If you are looking for instant gratification, painting your cabinets may be something you wish to leave off of the home improvement DIY list. But be prepared to open up your wallet if you choose to reface or replace your cabinets. If you follow these steps, and grind out a few hours a day on the project, you can have revived cabinets in just over a week.

When it is all over and you are hosting your first party in your brand new kitchen and a friend asks how much your new cabinets cost, you know your cabinet restoration was a success.

FOR MORE TIPS AND INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.KELLINRECLAIMED.COM 50

7.75 x 5

Brad A Nelson CFP®, RICP®, CLTC® Financial Consultant Crossings Group 350 NW 1st Ave., Ste. H Grand Rapids, MN 55744 218-326-0068 brad.nelson@thrivent.com connect.thrivent.com/brad-nelson

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52

DAVID SALMELA

By David Dudley | Photography by Paul Crosby There's no doubt that the landscape of the northern Midwest has a certain character and composition distinct from the rest of the world. An array of different characteristics derived from nature, history, industry, and culture come together to create a uniquely specific aesthetic quality that we all recognize when we spend time in the region.

This “feel� for the region is perhaps best represented in the architectural designs of our developed spaces.

Whether it be a small farming homestead, an old Victorian house in an industrial-era town, or a vacation cabin, no where else on the planet brings these dwellings together and sets them among forests, prairies, and lakes.

In order to understand how our homes reflect the region we've come to love, it's important to note the historical time line of our housing developments. The first widespread settling of the area occurred with Scandinavian and German immigrants. This settlement brought traditional building styles and techniques from the old country in order to accommodate the self-sustenance farming lifestyle common at the time. The steeply-gabled,

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timber frame houses and barns still dot the landscape and lend a northern European countryside element to our rural communities.

As the industrial revolution ramped up, people moved from the farms to industry towns in order to work in large-scale mining, timber and manufacturing operations. Some of the wealthier beneficiaries of this era built large homes modeled after the ornate, neo-classical style that would later be described as Victorian.

Urban areas around historical mills and ports are especially great places to see these types of houses with the Duluth Hillside neighborhood having some of the more extravagant examples.

Post-war prosperity and the influx of disposable income helped establish tourism centered around the lakes of the region. People now had the means to build lake homes and cabins. Around this same time, the Prairie School of architecture began to gain prominence. People interested in building new homes began to think about how organic designs could allow form and function to fit into the landscape.

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The culmination of our regional architectural history is expressly conveyed by a few masterful designers working today. Horizontal lines and natural building materials evoke the vastness and raw natural beauty of our wilderness. Rectilinear forms and simple, reductive designs reflect the modesty and democratic sensibilities of our Midwestern mindset. Rows of large windows and broad, overhanging eaves extend the living space into the outdoors while deflecting the extreme weather we experience.

All of the design elements combined with the latest energy efficient building methods, produce a home that feels deliberately attuned to the site. Even as striking and noticeable as these modern homes tend to look at first glance, they feel perfectly suited to what we love about our landscape and how we want to enjoy it. It may have taken over a century to distill exactly what it means to live in the northern Midwest, but we can still be thankful we do and we have the homes to help us realize it.

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I'll lead you the

way home.

Molly Tulek

218.360.0945 molly0945@gmail.com 501 So. Pokegama Ave Suite 102 Grand Rapids, MN 55744 itascarealty.net

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This stately white pine on Jack Rajala’s Wolf Lake property is 200 years old, stands 120 feet high, and has a circumference of 12 feet.

“They never stop growing,” he says. P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y B R I A N P E T E R S O N , S TA R T R I B U N E

S AV I N G T H E

WHITE

P NE A LT H O U G H I T FA C E S A N U N C E R TA I N F U T U R E , JACK R A JAL A ’61 LIKES TH E PROSPEC TS OF M I N N E S O TA’ S FAV O R I T E T R E E .

by

GREG BREINING

63

I

N T H E BR I L L I A N T SU N, T H E WA R M I NG SNOW ST ICK S T O OU R

snowshoes, weighing down each step. We are snowshoeing on Jack Rajala’s breathtaking Wolf Lake property, some 5,600 acres north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, with 26 miles of shoreline on 13 different lakes. The hills are covered by birch, oak, fir, spruce, red pine, and — most meaningful to Rajala — mature white pine. The cabins on the property, all with a

view of the water, were built by timber man Guilford Hartley in the late 1800s. Since Rajala (pronounced Rye-a-la) bought the property in 1977, it has been his retreat and, more importantly, the place where Rajala Companies’ sawmills and millworks find much of their timber.

Climbing from Little Wolf Lake, Rajala pauses in a clearing. Bare mature maple and scattered basswood rise starkly toward the sky.

Growing in their shadows are young white pine trees, roughly our height. Each wears a small cap of white paper that Rajala stapled in place to discourage hungry white-tailed deer from munching the top buds and deforming or killing the trees.

“I see I missed a few,” says Rajala. “I did this at night. It’s the best time. The wind is down, and with a headlight I can see the buds better than in the natural light.” Rajala’s nighttime stapling is often serenaded by the howls of wolves. “It sends a chill up my spine. They know exactly where I’m at. They know what I smell like. And after all these years, they’ve decided I wouldn’t taste good.

When Rajala first brought the property, only around 3 million board-feet of pine grew on it. “We have significantly more now because we’ve been growing these trees even bigger and have cut very little of it,” he says. But the forest that now thrives on this land has been hard-won. “One thing you can’t do is just walk away from these,” he says of the young white pines. “You have to stay on them year after year after year until they’re up and going.” “ W E S TA R T E D P L A N T I N G W H I T E P I N E , A N D B E FO R E LO N G , W E H A D A M I L L I O N T R E E S P L A N T E D. A N D G U E S S W H AT ? T H E D E E R G O T 9 9 P E R C E N T O F T H E M . I T WA S S O D I S C O U R A G I N G . ”

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To avoid damage by deer, the terminal bud of a white pine must be protected until the tree is at least five feet tall.

PHOTOS BY TOM ROSTER

65

ack r a ja l a i s a t i m be r m a n,

the third generation of a family of timber men who played a part in cutting down all but a few remaining stands of the white pine forests that once covered central and northern Minnesota. They left little in their wake but stumps, wood slash, and thickets of aspen, what historian and author Agnes Larson — a 1916 St. Olaf College graduate and history professor who chronicled the white pine industry in Minnesota — called a “vast area of wastelands.”

Yet Rajala is also a conservationist, one of the foremost advocates — and practitioners — of returning big stands of white pine to the Minnesota forest. After public foresters had more or less given up on planting the tree in meaningful quantities because of disease and deer depredation, Rajala and his family bought thousands of acres for the express purpose of planting millions of trees, mostly white pine. It’s safe to say Rajala will give the rest of his life to the white pine, with the faith that the trees he plants will grow big enough to enjoy and harvest, long after he himself is gone.

COU RTESY OF TH E R AJAL A FAM ILY

Don Arnosti, who often butted heads with Rajala in the 1990s, when Arnosti was head of Audubon Minnesota, says that Rajala has two distinct sides: On the one hand, he’s a hard-nosed logger and forest-products businessman. On the other, he’s an ardent conservationist and white pine steward.

Arnosti notes that these seemingly conflicting aspects of Rajala’s personality coexist “somewhat uneasily.” He recalls both the political Jack Rajala, who would occasionally testify before Congress and “strenuously argued to increase the harvest of public land,” and the environmentalist Jack Rajala, “a very genuinely committed, long-term-thinking conservationist in the old-fashioned sense of the word: conservative, conserve, save.”

“He always viewed [the white pine] as a long-term investment that was good not only for his family but good for the forest and future generations,” says Arnosti. “The white pines he’s planting — not a one of them will ever personally benefit him. And yet he was a real apostle of that.”

W

h ite pin es grow

TOM ROST ER

fast and straight. The wind whistles through their fine needles, five to a bunch. When mature, the white pine grows more than 150 feet tall, the tallest tree in Minnesota’s forest.

The Rajala family’s logging history in Minnesota began in the early 1900s and continues today.

Perhaps no other tree so defines the image Minnesotans have of their home state.

Whether white pines frame the view from a

lake cabin, grow in untouched stands in Itasca State Park, or rise up from a needle-covered campsite in the Boundary Waters, they are a cherished part of Minnesota.

PHOTO: LOGGIN G IN M IN N E SOTA, C. 1 895, L IBR ARY O F CO N G R E SS

The vast white pine forests that once covered the northeastern United States grew particularly tall and thick in central Minnesota, between the Mississippi to the west and the St. Croix to the east. White pine was one of the most valuable species of tree in the forest, prized for the lightweight, knot-free lumber that built the towns and cities of a growing region. Loggers set upon the forests in the mid1800s, sending the cut timber to mill, first by river, then by railroads, and finally by truck.

Loggers had moved to northern Minnesota by 1900, when Rajala’s grandparents, both native-born Finns, homesteaded their farm near Bigfork, Minnesota. But with only a few cows, chickens, pigs, and horses, says Rajala, “really, their livelihood was the woods.” To earn a living, his grandfather worked for various logging camps every winter.

Most of the loggers, says Rajala, were “men on the run from broken lives someplace.” Many spent their money as they earned it. “Bigfork was once known as the toughest town in Minnesota.”

By then, the biggest timber stands were already gone and the largest timber companies had moved west to find new timber. Bigfork’s remaining mills adjusted to cutting smaller logs.

“Those mills were cutting the remnants of the old forest and pretty well cleaned up by the ’50s and the ’60s,” says Rajala.

White pine was logged extensively in Minnesota from the mid-19th through the mid-20th Centuries.

The sizes and species of harvested trees have since changed — along with modes of transportation.

TOM ROSTE R

Rajala’s father and uncles went into business for themselves, buying the sawmill in Bigfork and setting up their own logging camps. “Until I was five or six years old, I just lived in the wintertime in the logging camps, and in summer I’d live on the farm,” recalls Rajala. “And then my mother got tough with my dad and said, ‘Art, these kids have got to go to school.’

So then we moved into Bigfork.”

Meanwhile, Rajala went off to St. Olaf, following in the footsteps of his brother, Dean ’59, and sister, Delores ’60. The college was a comfortable fit. “St. Olaf was a good place to experience really good English classes, economics, and history,” he says. Starting out as a chemistry major, Rajala eventually got his degree in economics. He also got involved in campus life, playing football with the varsity team that won the 1960 Midwest Conference Championships. When he graduated, Rajala moved to California, worked for a CPA firm, and reconnected with his college girlfriend, Carole Grimsrud ’60.

Before long, they married, settled into warm and sunny California life, and began a family of their own — John, Allison ’85, Katherine, and twins Nathan and Nikolas.

67

Jack Rajala, whose experience is rooted in decades spent observing and learning from the northern forest, is considered one of the most visionary and thoughtful forest industry practitioners in the state of Minnesota.

PHOTOGR APHED BY TOM ROSTER

And then, “My dad got sick, and I said, ‘I think we have to go home for a while, but we’ll come back to California.’ But we never did.” His family said they needed his economic smarts to help run the company. “I went right back into the family business, and I’ve been here ever since.” Jack Rajala eventually became CEO of Rajala Companies.

A

g n e s l a r s o n o n c e w r o t e , “One cannot with impunity rob Mother Nature of her treasures, for truly the sins of the fathers are avenged unto the third or fourth generation.” Rajala and his brothers represent that third generation. By the time they had taken charge of the family business, all the easily accessible pine stands were gone. The remainder were scattered on lake shores or tied up in protected parks or on Indian lands. Meanwhile, the government was making logging tougher. Rajala’s father saw the writing on the wall, telling his sons, “We’re going to run out of timber one of these days. This is not going to go on forever, guys.”

In the wake of logging, the white pine forest didn’t renew itself. Public foresters, hoping to replace the logged white pine forests, were slow to the task of replanting and found the tree difficult to cultivate. “It was a struggle fighting through the blister rust and the tip weevil and deer predation,” says Rajala. He recalls a conversation with a state forester who announced that the state was giving up on white pine management. Rajala was incredulous. “Basically the public agencies said, ‘We’re not going to try to maintain or bring back a white pine forest.’”

R A JAL A I MAG I N E S T H AT W H E N T H E SEEDLINGS HE P L A N T E D A R E R E A DY FOR HARVEST IN

Yet Rajala realized his family played a big part in this tragedy. “Our business was built on white pine,” he says. “We took it for granted that white pine would be there, and it was ours to take. In other words, my family built a fortune on white pine.”

A C E N T U R Y, T H E

Rajala refused to let his family’s story end there. He resolved that, just as they had helped to destroy the white pine forest, they would help to restore it. “I knew that we had to do it on private lands first,” he says. “We had to be the example.”

WA L K I N G T H R O U G H

Rajala’s father hadn’t been interested in buying land, preferring to cut timber from the family’s homesteads and bidding for timber off public land. But Rajala had an undeniable vision, and at his insistence, the family began to buy land. In 1969, Rajala Companies bought 6,000 acres north of Deer River, where they were building a big sawmill. In 1977, the Rajala family bought the 5,600-acre Hartley Estate. Bit by bit, Rajala added land to fulfill his burgeoning aspirations. “I was on a rampage to buy land,” he says. Today, the family owns some 30,000 acres of timberland.

LOG G ER WH O C UTS THEM WILL BE

A FOREST VERY S I M I L A R TO TH E VERY BEST OF M I N N E S O TA 1 0 0 Y E ARS AGO.

Amassing land was one challenge. Getting trees to grow was another, particularly white pines. “We started planting white pine,” says Rajala. “I was compulsive about it, and before long, we had a million trees planted — and guess what? The deer got 99 percent of them. Oh, it was so discouraging.”

Rajala tried spraying seedlings with repellants, foul chemicals, and even pig’s blood, but to no avail. Finally, taking a tip from western foresters who protected young treetops with mesh onion bags, Rajala and his crew hit on the idea of folding a sheet of paper the size of a playing card over each tree’s bud cap and stapling it in place like a Christmas star. “And lo and behold, it worked,” he says. “Little by little, we got good at it.” In a single year, they stapled one million bud caps on trees between six inches and six feet tall. The paper caps proved to be about 95 percent effective.

Rajala and the foresters also discovered they could avoid most problems with blister rust and tip weevil, both common to white pines, by planting seedlings beneath a partial canopy of mature trees. The older trees capture the summer dew and create a drier, healthier microclimate for the young pine. He calls the technique the “Rajala shelterwood system.”

69

Having planted so many seedlings over the years, Rajala now relies on nearby mature pine to seed new areas for him. Still, he, his family, and volunteers bud-cap up to 400,000 trees a year. Meanwhile, Rajala Companies is logging mature hardwoods and some of the original pines from the family’s property to supply up to half the wood consumed in company sawmills in Bigfork and Deer River.

P

isn’t like growing a garden or crop. The harvest may not come in the planter’s lifetime. In those intervening decades, fortunes rise and fall, technologies change, demand for various products ebbs and flows. Competition and outside forces affect the viability of the entire enterprise.

l a nning a n d pl a nting a for est

R A JA L A F O U N D A WAY TO AVO I D P R O B L E M S WITH BLISTER RUST A N D T I P W E E V I L , B OT H C O M M O N TO W H I T E P I N E S , BY P L A N T I N G S E E D L I N G S B E N E AT H A PA R T I A L C A N O P Y O F M AT U R E T R E E S .

THE OLDER TREES CAPTURE THE SUMMER D E W A N D C R E AT E A D R I E R , H E A LT H I E R M I C R O C L I M AT E F O R T H E YO U N G P I N E .

And yet somehow the person who would plant his own forest must anticipate what can grow and what might have value — a century from now. That is Jack Rajala’s gamble, and he is betting on the white pine.

David Zumeta, executive director of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, has worked with Rajala for 30 years. “Jack is one of the most visionary, thoughtful, and knowledgeable forest industry practitioners in the state,” says Zumeta. “His experience is rooted in decades spent observing and learning from the northern forest as well as managing the northern forest. He has strong opinions, but he is also open-minded and willing to adapt to new scientific and management information.”

Adapting is just what Rajala is doing as he waits patiently for his white pines to grow. In recent years, his industry has been racked by tremendous changes. The demand for construction lumber has shifted from local species, such as white and red pine, to western Douglas fir and ponderosa pine. Demand for pulpwood for paper has plummeted. A decision by the forest products and real estate giant Potlatch Corporation to begin specializing in red pine two-by-four lumber drove Rajala’s sawmills out of the dimension lumber trade. A promising business in expensive solid-wood doors disappeared as cheaper labor costs took the manufacturing offshore.

That’s only the half of it. Northern Minnesota is warming — two degrees warmer in the last 30 years compared to the average temperatures before 1980, according to the State Climatology Office. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts temperatures in central North America could rise 4 to 11 degrees by the end of the century. Less certain is how precipitation will change: Will Minnesota become Nebraska or Ohio?

As growing zones shift northward, foresters such as Rajala wonder if trees will spread rapidly enough to keep up. Another concern is whether warmer weather will favor the pests that can devastate fragile young forests. Some foresters are experimenting with seed sources from farther south in anticipation of a warmer climate. Others are even planting more southerly species, such as red maple, near the Canadian border.

University of Minnesota forest ecologists Peter Reich and Lee Frelich have predicted that classic Northwoods “softwoods” such as balsam fir, black and white spruce, and red and jack pine will nearly disappear from northern Minnesota.

None of this is news to Rajala. “For at least the last 15 years, and maybe longer than that, I’ve been convinced that our climate is changing,” he says. “In addition to following that conversation, I’ve purposefully tried to think of what’s going to work best on this site, considering that we’re probably going to have a warmer climate.”

· · · 70

O

Rajala enjoys snowshoeing and fishing with friends and family on his Wolf Lake property, which includes a century-old former logging camp in the woods north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

n t h i s d a y, Rajala takes me on a drive along a trail that winds through glacial hills topped by hardwoods and pine. He stops his Jeep, which long ago surpassed 300,000 miles, and gestures toward the thriving forest.

“Here we put in white pine under red oak very intentionally,” he says. “We’re going to grow these another 90 years at least. We’re doing some guesswork here. We’re postulating that white pine will be more resilient to the change in climate than some of these other species.”

Looking across the snowy hills, Rajala portrays a warmer future.

“You’re going to see less birch and balsam fir. You’re probably going to even see less maple. If we stay the course, we can have more oak. And I think we’ll definitely have more white pine.”

TOM ROST E R

He imagines that when the seedlings he planted are ready for harvest in a century, the logger who cuts them will be walking through a forest very similar to the very best of Minnesota 100 years ago. “I’m thinking [of] that massive white pine forest in the golden triangle — between the Snake [River] to the north, the Mississippi to the west, and the St. Croix to the east. That was the best of the best of the white pine. That climate right now is five degrees warmer than here. I think that is what we’re looking at.”

It’s not lost on Rajala that he’s planning and planting for a future he will never see.

“I’m cutting the trees that God provided many, many years ago,” he says. “We don’t have to harvest the same crop we plant. Somebody else will harvest the crop I planted.”

In his old age, the oldest of the white pines he has planted will be no more than gangly adolescents, at best 75 feet tall. They will be far stouter and more valuable in another century. Still, he says, “I think I’m going to cut one just to have the satisfaction of it.

“But only one.”

G R E G B R E I N I N G is a Minnesota author and journalist whose articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, and many other publications.

This story first appeared in St. Olaf Magazine. Reprinted with permission.

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ARROWWOOD

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ummer is a mystical time in Minnesota and the quaint town of Alexandria and its surrounding lakes area are no exception. Rest and recreational opportunities abound in this area and if you’re looking for a place to stay that encompasses “all things summer”, check out Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center, situated on the shores of Lake Darling and just a few minutes from downtown Alexandria.

The sounds of birds chirping, the waves crashing up on the shoreline, the laughs from yard games and families gathered together and the smell of bonfires, grilled dinners and freshy cut grass are a welcoming experience as you meander around the resort.

Arrowwood is impressive in size, encompassing over 400 acres that include lodging, recreation and lakeshore. Nearly every room enjoys a stunning lake view; the view is pristine, like a grassy courtyard, well groomed and ultimately green. On the grounds between the resort and the lake you’ll find a mini golf course, children’s playground, walking path, tennis and basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, an outdoor swimming pool and a marina.

Your stay at Arrowwood can be as relaxing or active as you wish. Nearly everything you could need for your perfect family vacation, business trip or romantic getaway is on location.

Visit the Darling Reflections Spa for a relaxing massage, facial, mani/pedi or other body treatments. Tucked away in a quiet area of the re-

BY CHRISTINA MONSON

sort, you’ll find friendly staff and comfortable options for everyone in your group. Perfect for a wedding couple, the spa also offers couples packages to top off your once-in-a-lifetime event. Book early as they’re a popular destination and appointments fill up fast!

If your speed is more active, check out the outdoor or indoor pools or really let loose at the Big Splash Indoor Waterpark for the ultimate in water fun. Grab some clubs and hit the greens at the neighboring 18-hole championship Atikwa Golf Club or let the experience of horseback riding transform your memories to a new level at the nearby riding stables.

Launch your own boat or rent a ski, fishing or pontoon boat from Arrowwood’s marina. Paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are also available for rent. The activities are truly endless at Arrowwood! With an Activity Center available from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the kids and the kid in you will have plenty to keep you busy!

Dining options are plentiful at Arrowwood.

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The strong circulation of the physical paper and shopper combined with the unbelievable web presence puts our circulations ahead of

MINNESOTA HEART GALLERY

By Janna Salmela My heart literally jumped when I read my first email from the MN Heart Gallery. They were looking for someone to photograph a local boy in the foster care system. This is a subject close to my heart and I had already been thinking about how I could give back. See, my oldest son started out his life in foster care. I often think about my boys and what their lives could have been like if they hadn’t been placed with us. If taking a small amount of my time could possibly help another child find a forever home, I was all in.

this day to be extra special for the young foster girl. The girls at the salon did a fabulous job on her hair and makeup, they took their time and didn’t rush her through. My studio is just upstairs from the salon so when she was ready we headed up. I wanted to keep it simple. This session wasn’t about an elaborate shoot with tons of photos, clothing and location changes; this was about getting a beautiful shot of a beautiful girl. A picture for her to print and keep forever, something to say, “I’m here and I’m important.” I think we accomplished that!

Recently, I was asked to photograph a local teen in the foster care system. I had worked with Ashley at True North Salon and Spa on previous projects and so I asked if she was willing to donate a makeover. I was thrilled when she jumped at the chance. I wanted

I love being a Minnesota Heart Gallery photographer. Every child that I photograph touches my heart. They help me appreciate my boys and my life with them. By giving to others, I receive so much more in return.

YOUTH

By Minnesota Heart Gallery This act of kindness helped this particular teen to feel so beautiful that day; she was glowing with confidence! For this girl, who has moved from placement to placement, so many of the things that are important to a teenage girl are neglected; simple things like acne medication. When a young girl fails to get this kind of personal care and attention in her day-to-day life, she rarely gets the chance to feel good about herself, or she is left with the feeling that she isn’t even worth caring about. A simple Heart Gallery day makeover followed by a fun, special photo shoot helped her to feel okay again – to feel valued. And now, her new pre-adoptive family will have her picture hanging in their home when she visits for the first time. This portrait in her new home will be a reminder for her of the hope of going forward with a family who cares for her, rather than a reminder of the difficulties and neglect of her past.

ABOUT THE MISSION.

Through Minnesota Heart Gallery, children and teens awaiting adoption see themselves as they never have before, and the community is invited to learn more about the right of every child to a permanent family. Together, youth, photographers and families raise community awareness around adoption, foster care and permanency. Youth in foster care often lack the photos that, for most children, serve as a time-capsule documenting their childhood. Most importantly, these images are used to recruit families for Minnesota's waiting youth, helping them to picture a more hopeful future. Because Minnesota Heart Gallery photos capture the extraordinary spirit of young people, and give real faces to the statistics about adoption and foster care, they inspire families to consider how they might help.

The Process.

Minnesota Heart Gallery works to: • Recruit and support some of Minnesota’s finest portrait/onsite photographers to ensure that every child or teen who is waiting in foster care for an adoptive family to be found has access to a professional photo shoot experience designed specifically for them.

• Provide the high quality images created from the photo shoots to the youth for his or her personal use and to professionals responsible for creating materials used to recruit an adoptive family for that youth.

• Promote the right of every child whose life has been disrupted by abuse, neglect and child welfare intervention care to be restored to a permanent family.

For more information visit www.minnesotaheartgallery.org

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• Magazine Photographer of the Year: by The National Press Photographer’s Association (NNPAi) for his National Geographic work • Kodak Wildlife Photographer of the Year by BBC Wildlife Magazine and the National History Museum-London • Lifetime Achievement Award by the North American Nature Photographers Association (NANPA) • World Achievement Award from the United Nations Environmental Programme in Stockholm, Sweden in recognition of his using nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment • Honarary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, by the University of Minnesota, recognizing individuals who have achieved acknowledged eminence in cultural affairs, in public service, or in a field of knowledge or scholarship • Hasselblad Master, 2002 • Nikon Legend Behind the Lens, 2001 • Canon Explorer of Light, 2005-2008

JIM

BRANDENBURG

A conversation with National Geographic photographer, Jim Brandenburg, at his Ravenwood home in Ely

G

P a r t 1 o f 2 BY C H R I ST I N A M O N S O N

rowing up in Laverne, Minnesota, world-renowned National Geographic photographer, Jim Brandenburg, started life as a typical farm boy in southwestern Minnesota. But when his family moved to town and bought a motel, his life became anything but typical. Their small town motel would become a hub for big name bands like Diana Ross and the Supremes. As a little kid, these bands would play for him and take him to dances. These experiences would later turn Jim on to music and playing on the road. At a very young age, he played with bands like the Everly Brothers and Chuck Berry. By age 19, he burned out, left the music business and got into photography.

work for The New York Times, Time, Audubon, Smithsonian, Natural History, Geo, Modern Maturity, BBC Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, National Wildlife, and Outside. His career with National Geographic would span over three decades and include 23 magazine stories, several television features and many National Geographic books, including Brother Wolf, White Wolf and his highly regarded series where he shot just one photo a day for 90+ days: Chased By The Light, Looking For The Summer (the first digital story in National Geographic history) and his newest title, The Awakening: 93 Days of Spring (the most photographs run in one story in the 128-year history of National Geographic Magazine).

His good friend James Taylor called him up one day and wanted Jim to do his cover photography, a wolf. Taylor traveled to Ely to see wolves and soon after they did benefit concerts for wolves with all of the money going back to the environment. Deeply vested in environmental issues, it only makes sense that he’d go on to be one of the most prestigious wildlife photographers the world had ever seen. He’s done assignment

He’s traveled all over the world and chooses to make Minnesota his home.

C: So where did your passion for the environment come from? Was it before you started taking photos?

J: I started by being interested in prairies. The trees don’t grow there. It’s just grass. But it’s a rich heritage of grass.

300 species per acre. And we have a new Touch of Sky Prairie which is a 1000 acres in Rock County near Laverne where I grew up, about a mile from where I was born. It’s all native prairie.

So I think it came from that. But it probably came mostly by way of the camera. I became interested in photography because of nature and I became more interested in nature because of the camera. So the camera has always led me to these places. To this place (Ravenwood) and travelling around the world. So I suppose it’s a combination of an inner kind of a spirit feeling towards nature. I also felt that nature needed a voice.

And I went into journalism, newspaper work. One of the first things I did after the band. I went to college. I was an art

HIS FIRST CAMERA

“$3. It was used. 828 film. It’s just a real simple ...it has a 'color, clouded and bright' setting.” it. I got to thinking it’s more like the eye. With film, it’s very complex. It’s full of chemicals and this plastic and they have to paint that plastic and put holes in the plastic and then put all of these chemicals on it. And then you have to send it in and it gets processed and chemicals do this and do that. Then you get it back and it’s a transparency and then you have to scan it. Making prints from it was always awkward. major. I left the University to make a movie on the Inuit people, the Eskimo folks up in the far north. I never went back to school. I never got my degree.

But the University gave me an honorary PHD finally for my work. So I’m really proud of that. That’s one of the things I’m most proud of.

I was trained in art but then went into photography and that opened up more and more doors of nature. Some people say that some of the photographs of mine speak to them somehow. Some photographer friends of mine, their work speaks to me. And paintings and music. And so it… you get rewards from that and it takes you to the next step and you get rewards from that and then pretty soon... here you are.

And I’m kind of looking for something new now.

C: Are you?

J: Yeah.

C: You shoot digital now, I assume?

J: You know, I’m a real traditionalist.

At the National Geographic I was very conservative. Before everybody got automatic exposures and automatic focus lenses and the latest cameras, I always stayed with old cameras. I shot less film than, I think, anybody. They would shoot sometimes a thousand rolls of film for a story. I’d shoot a hundred. And a hundred sounds like a lot, doesn’t it?

But Nikon gave me their first digital camera and I kind of thought, “Hmmm." click click and put it up on the computer and something intrigued me about

With digital it was like the human eye to me. The light went to a sensor and then it was out there in the world. Just like the sensor in your eye. And I saw it as more organic somehow. And then I could make my own prints.

But when you’re shooting, “I wonder what that exposure looked like” and you didn’t have to wait for Kodak to process it and come back. There’s a purity to that but no matter how good you are you’re never quite sure. And with digital, you could see, “Ahh, a little overexposed. How about if I raise it up a little bit.” So you’ve got instant feedback. Just like your eye. Your eye compensates for everything. Your eye never overexposes or underexposes.

It’s always automatic. Well then why can’t we just use a tool? The final thing is that I just want a good print. All of these hocus pocus, Kodak and film and chemistry… why don’t I just go direct?

From the camera, straight to the print that I can make myself out here, open up a gallery… and that’s what we have.

Because of digital photography.

But a lot of people resisted that. When we first opened up the gallery, they’d talk about it, “Is this digital? Is this real?

Is this real or is this digital?” It’s digital.

“Oh.” C: Both, right?!

J: I had the first digital story in the Geographic magazine and the response from it… and they talked about it as the first digital story… the response from the readers was rejection. It wasn’t real.

C: Isn’t that interesting, sitting here to-

day, knowing that cell phones and all of the other technology we have to snap a really good quality picture on an iPhone or whatever, and it was so rejected back in the day.

J: When I first started photography, it was Kodachrome 25. That was the ASA, the ISO. But, I’ve got one of these bigger iPhones. One of the newer ones.

The quality of that is probably better.

If I was just going to make a general photograph of you guys, or if I had Kodachrome and do it the old fashioned way… using my cell phone is probably quite a bit higher quality. If you’d have told me that when I started, it’s just… it would have been so much easier. Do you ever use your cameras on your phone as a panorama? It’s unbelievable. I shot one just the other night. I went out to the lake and I had this little camera and I just did it once. It was dark. No way would I have been able to shoot that with Kodachrome. It would have been way too dark. I could have done it with a tripod, maybe. I just went out and I did a quick take.

And that would make a print way bigger than that (motions with arms). A really high quality print. Now that’s almost cheating. And it took no technology, I just raised the camera, pushed a button and painted and came back home. I made one frame. Not like... How can you not be… but it’s also putting us all out of business.

DAY 17 It’s so easy to do now. That those of us who learned to do it the old way, with Kodachrome and film and the complications... you had to be a really good technician. Now everybody can do it.

And that’s good. Everybody’s enjoying it. But there isn’t as much room for us anymore.

C: How did you get into National Geographic and how did you feel when you had your first assignment?

J: Unbelievable... Unbelievable.

C: How old were you?

J: I was 32. How did I feel? I can’t even…

I can’t describe that feeling. It was beyond belief. For someone like me, who was pretty, I don’t want to say I was insecure… I was quiet. Farming, you know, southern MN rural farming community.... The pictures opened up the door for me. Not me. Not my personality. I was shy. The photographs opened the door. Then I gained more confidence. Now I love public speaking.

Nothing scares me. I can walk into any situation. Only because the rewards of people respecting my work and hearing my voice. Not this voice so much but the written word. I love to write. I love to photograph…. well not as much as I used to.

C: You don’t love to photograph as much as you used to?

DAY 73

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DAY 26 J: I don’t know why. I don’t think I’ve ever really said that to anybody before.

It’s dangerous for me to say that. I’ve never said that for print before. I have to explain it.

C: Wasn’t your Chased By The Light project a challenge to get your passion back about photography after being so commercial with National Geographicon assignment and deadlines?

J: That’s a good point. That’s exactly… you read that and saw that and I did it because I was tired of computers and tired of… just a lot of attention. I got out of music for the same reason. I didn’t like all of the attention. You know, to be successful. I liked it but I didn’t like it.

We all want to be loved and respected and recognized, don’t we? But we don’t. It was too much.

So you ask... what’s the right way I can talk about this? Because I haven’t thought about it enough, but I can feel.

I think it’s the sheer numbers of photographs out there now, flying around the internet. The sheer number of photographers that are doing a good job.

There’s a lot of great photography, just go on the internet and type in “Best pictures of the week” or “Best pictures of the day” and you’ll get National Geographic website stuff come in, incredible, unbelievable pictures… and I think I’m becoming overwhelmed with it and I look at photography- the numbers of nature shows and TV shows- I don’t

DAY 74

DAY 36 watch them as much anymore. There are so many of them, I can’t keep track.

When I started, there were three channels and one of them had National Geographic specials on them. And that was pretty much it. And I think I’m overwhelmed and I’m looking… I wish I could reinvent. I did that with Chased

By The Light. I think I reinvented myself a little bit without knowing it.

C: Will there be another book?

J: Oh yeah, several. I have three... four books ready. I have a retrospective on my whole life’s work. I have a prairie book. I have another wolf book. I have the Spring. I have to shoot winter now.

I’ve shot the three seasons- spring, summer, fall and now I have winter so there’s probably four or five books and there’s probably another book.

C: When you do these 90 days… I don’t even know how to verbalize it… it just totally changed my opinion of photography because I’m a shutter crazy person.

J: I can be, too.

C: Yeah? How in the world did you discipline yourself to take one photograph a day? How did you decide what the photo would be?

J: I spent a lot of time in Japan where rituals and discipline are very important. I’m not particularly disciplined; kind

DAY 77

DAY 59 of the opposite. I kind of go by how I feel. I kind of needed that, I thought it would be good for me. I wrote about it in Chased By The Light. And I did it privately and silently. I didn’t tell many people. I just felt I needed it. I needed some discipline and I wanted to do something that maybe hadn’t been done before. Now a lot of people are doing it. A lot of people, I’m proud of that, too.

C: Yeah absolutely!

J: The discipline… it was difficult but not that difficult because that’s what I do. And I was lucky, I didn’t have a job and I could do that. The winter is

DAY 62 Maybe shoot the big view cameras. Just one sheet. 4x5 or 8x10. I’ve thought about doing just one click C: That’d be incredible!

J: We’ll see.

The Chased By The Light story in the National Geographic really changed my life, and the book, Chased By The Light book.

The editor, he called me up.. and I had left the Geographic. I just walked out one day- not angry… just kind of bored, tired. Like I left the rock and roll business. Literally one day

DAY 68 this back to Washington?” I said, “That’s not a National Geographic story, John. There are too many pictures. You’d have to run them all and they’re not that good. It is just a personal diary. They’re not meant to be…” He said, “let me take them back.” I said, “Don’t embarrass me.”

He got back, showed them to the editor and called me up, “Jim, we want to run this as soon as possible as the cover story.” I said, “Don’t joke with me. This is a very personal, kind of a spiritual story for me. Therapeutic.”

He says, “No we’re not kidding. We’re going to do it.” I wasn’t real happy because I didn’t think they were good

Since I was a little boy, I always looked at the magazine with the yellow border. going to be a little difficult… for variety, I think.

C: Do you think you’ll do this coming winter?

J: Probably not. You know, that’s something else that’s interesting…

I don’t plan these things. I think it’s just a few days before, I kind of think, “Maybe I’ll do it this year.” That seems kind of strange doesn’t it? You take 90 days and you hadn’t planned them out. You can’t do anything else but that.

C: Yeah, that’d be tough.

J: I thought I might go back to film.

DAY 83

I just quit. Not in anger just decided to quit. I did the same with the Geographic. Several years later the editor called up and said, “Jim, what are you working on lately? Do you want to do wolves of Yellowstone?” No. “Can I come up? Can I fly out and see you and talk to you?” I said, “Sure.”

I remember he was sitting right there (motions to the couch). He said, “What would you like to do?” Oh I don’t know. He said, “What have you been doing?” Oh I did this funny project. I shot one picture a day. He said, “Can I see it?” And I had small prints of them in the drawer; just a stack of 90 prints. And he said, “Can I bring

DAY 87

enough… I still don’t. There are two, three I like... So that’s how that happened. I don’t remember how this one happened (points to book), this is the Summer story. This is the first digital story in the history of the magazine. I think John just called me up again one day and said, “Now what are you doing?” "Oh nothing,” I said. But I did Summer, the first digital story. So my grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren (flipping through pages)…

I have two things that no one can ever take away- that it's the first digital story.

I'm kind of proud of that. Pioneer. The Spring story is the most number of pic-

DAY 88

85

tures in the history of the magazine. So I got the first digital story and then the most pictures.

But the Spring story… I started to shoot every picture exactly at 12 o’clock noon. I set my iPhone so every day the alarm would go right exactly at 12 and I was going to shoot… click the picture at noon. I did it for 17 days and then I kind of started to go crazy. I thought "I can’t do this." Talk about discipline… I couldn’t do it. So I decided I’m just going to shoot when I see the right picture. I’m not going to shoot … ‘cause noon is the worst time of the day to shoot normally because it’s harsh light and I wanted to get… I got kind of cocky and smart, "well, I can make a picture at noon." (smirks) And I just couldn’t.

Day 17, that eagle was just sitting there.

I kept looking at it... "it’s not a very good picture" and then I decided I can’t do this anymore. He flew and I got the picture and it was like 12:15 or something…

Then I’ve had more fun. (smiles) I’m not giving up photography but I’m shifting into something. I’m more interested in music. I’m playing guitar a lot more. I’ve got a couple movies I’m starting to work on. One for the Bell

Museum of Natural History that just got funded; big 70-80 million dollar museum about natural history of Minnesota – I’ll be making a movie for them. I’ve got the French one.

So I’m not giving it up but it’s... it’s shifting. I wish I had a better answer but I haven’t thought about it enough, but I can feel it. It starts with feelings, doesn’t it? Before we know… when you met your mates, you didn’t KNOW it, you had a feeling first. And then it started talking to you, "oh he’s kind of cute.

He’s kind of nice. What is it about him?"

It came as a feeling. And then it came as a thought. Then it came as action.

I’m kind of in that feeling stage. Creeping towards the thought. And I may...

I don’t know. If National Geographic wanted me to do a story on something, I’m not sure I’d do it.

C: You’re not sure you would?

J: I’ve been asked several times and turned them down. Not lately.

You know, this National Geographic thing you asked about- how did I feel?

Unbelievably ecstatic. Incredibly proud.

Since I was a little boy, I always looked at the magazine with the yellow border.

C: What advice would you give to someone starting out doing photography- wildlife photography or general?

J: To make a living? Or just for enjoyment? If they want to be a professional, I’d say “sell vacuum cleaners and enjoy it and do photography as a hobby.” (smirks) Um, I would say… people think they have to go off to romantic places like Africa or the Arctic… this is my backyard and I’ve done it three times now. Three times 90 is how many pictures? In National Geographic! And they’re all in my backyard. I don’t think they’ll ever be another photographer in the history of the magazine who’ll ever have that many pictures in three stories. And if I do four… And they’re all in my backyard. Places I know really, really well. I’ve been by them a thousand times. And that tells you somethingyou don’t have to be in the sexy places.

You don’t have to. Go to the places you know and love and good pictures will come… and it can change your life. It changed my life.

Check out the fall issue of Lake Time Magazine for PART 2 of our interview with Jim Brandenburg.

BOATHOUSE DISTRICT

By Melanie Rice Quiet morning boat cruises along the shores of Lake Vermilion lend the opportunity to take in the history of the lake. The lake’s natural beauty is dotted with cabins and boathouses, both new and old. Occasionally we spot a traditional in-water boat house, and I have to set down my coffee to pick up my camera. A boat house still housing a boat is a bit of a novelty to see. Most have long given way to covered boat lifts, expansive docks and on-shore storage sheds.

Oftentimes this is because the boathouse itself has just resigned over time, succumbing to the swells and heaves of the big lake. With modern shoreline setbacks, structures don’t often get replaced.

In the 1970s, boat storage structures at below water level were prohibited in Minnesota. This was to ensure that our lakes and waterways were kept public for all to use. In 2006, however, the Minnesota legislature amended the statute to allow existing boat houses, in place since 1979, to be repaired or replaced as long as they met a set of criteria. So although building new in-water boat houses is not permitted, we can still enjoy some of these seasoned structures in various stages of service.

One of our favorite boat trips on Vermilion is a visit to the Stuntz Bay Boathouse District. This menagerie of structures has been in place since the early 1900s. Built by the miners for the miners as a job perk of the Oliver Mining Company, they peaked in the 50’s and 60’s

totaling 151 in-water boathouses. The mining company wanted to reward their miners for their commitment, by giving them the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful gem of a lake that they mined around for over 60 years. They brought their families to barbeque, fish and socialize. The boathouse district became a community of its own.

Today about 140 privately-owned houses still line the shore which is now a part of the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Many of the boat houses are still being enjoyed, often by the descendants of the very miners that built them.

They became protected by the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 thanks to efforts of local residents. Still towering over them is the compressor chimney where it has stood since 1887.

It pulled water from Lake Vermilion to steam-power air compressors that fed into the mining facilities up the hill.

No matter what season or time of day, a trip to Stuntz Bay offers a colorful topsy-turvy display of weathered corrugated steel houses, asymmetrical doorways, and ornate finials on these little pieces of history. Each one has character that I can only hope reflects its inhabitants over the last century – crew or craft.

For more information about the Stuntz Bay Boathouse District, visit the Minnesota DNR Website at dnr.state.mn.us or the Minnesota Historical Society at mnhs.org.

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FAMILY

When Family Means

BUSINESS...

By Kelly Kabotoff

I

n 2004 my father approached me with an offer, would I be interested in moving to Denver, CO to help him launch a new business? While the idea of getting into the printer cartridge business didn’t necessarily excite me, the chance of working for my dad and learning first hand the ins and outs of starting and running a business was something I couldn’t pass up. The next 3 years proved to be an adventure, one not free of challenges, but it was also a business education that, I would argue, rivaled that of any MBA program around.

While my first experience in family business started in Colorado, my dad’s started right here in northern Minnesota, a place that I am discovering has a uniquely rich history in family entrepreneurship. So much so, that we were inspired to launch a series of stories of family business duos.

In honor of Father’s Day in June we decided to start with a father/son duo, Brad & Jeremy Olson from Salon Brad in Grand Rapids, MN.

How long have you been working together?

J: About 8 1/2 years.

say, “I love what I do. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” I am a proud, second-generation hairstylist.

Whose idea was it to go into business together?

What is one thing people don’t know about you?

B: Since the salon had been established for some years it seemed the obvious right decision for Jeremy to join us!

J: It was probably mostly my mom (and I suppose my dad as well) that supported my decision of moving home from Tulsa, OK and getting into hair and helping me get on my feet by offering me a job at the salon. The initial idea was to “get a little experience under my belt” before hitting the road to either Chicago or Minneapolis. But after moving home and finding the love of my life and re-falling in love with northern MN - 8 1/2 years later I’m still working with good ole’ Pop

If you could tell a room full of potential entrepreneurs one thing what would it be?

B: Love what you do! It’s what gets you through the mundane and “dry” times of a career!

J: Do what you love. I remember as a kid talking to my dad about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I honestly cannot remember what I wanted to be at the time, but my dad said, “No matter what you end up choosing to do in life, make sure you love your work. Love what you do. There is nothing worse than dreading going to work everyday.” He then proceeded to

88

B: I hate shopping for clothes!

J: Another passion of mine is music. I play guitar and lead worship at our local church.

Why do business in northern Minnesota?

B: Doing business in northern Minnesota seemed like the best decision being that it’s where I grew up and having such deep roots in the community.

J: Having been born and raised in the Grand Rapids area, it wasn’t until I left home for college that I truly began to appreciate what was here. The values; the lifestyle; the pace; the simplicity; the Minnesota nice. Today, I believe Grand Rapids is on the brink of a renaissance that will draw people far and wide. Our community is filled with vibrant, creative professionals who enjoy a personal experience that’s hard to find in big cities. We feel fortunate at our salon to offer the most relevant techniques and trends in hair. We are passionate to bring our community the very best.

What Minnesota business owners do you look up to?

B: I can honestly say watching Christina and Erik Andersen

through the process of building this INCREDIBLE building, the decisions that they’ve made, where to cut costs, and where to spare no expense has impressed me to no end! These two are truly wise beyond their years and Kim and I feel extremely blessed to have them in our lives! They are AMAZING business owners that I feel so fortunate to have as friends and fellow business owners that are SO extremely helpful with ideas and are GREAT “sounding boards.” I would also like to mention Jon and Pam Miner for their encouragement and support to pursue our next phase of business. Their words of advice and wisdom have proved true many times over!

J: I’d have to say I’m inspired by local business owners I know personally. I love hearing stories of those that have been in business for years; that have experienced the up’s and down’s. I’m enamored at the businesses in our community that have been passed down through generations. The owners I’m probably most inspired by though, are those that are visionaries. With that, it may not come as a surprise that Christina and Erik Andersen are a significant inspiration. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be in company with them.

Do you know a great family business duo?

Nominate them at www.laketimemagazine.com

COLLEGE PURPO VICTORY HOME D A N C E F R ACCEPTANCE CREATING A CULTURE OF CARING Say hello to Marcus Kellin whose courage and never say die spirit is changing the face of Down syndrome‌ It started with his classmates and parents who created a culture of caring 20 some years ago. Today, this popular guy still continues to take the world by storm. With a college degree, a full-time job, and hundreds of athletic metals hanging on the wall, Marcus is putting form to acceptance and dismissing stigmas and opinions that people with disabilities are less capable.

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POSE EMPLOYED MECOMING KING R INDEPENDENCE IENDSHIP

A styled shoot from the creators of Lake Time Magazine Model: Marcus Kellin Photographer: Stacey Olson New Life Photography Location: Central Lakes College

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What makes you happy?

My family, and my nieces and nephews, and riding jetski. And dancing. Oh, and ladies. (as he makes a kissing gesture with a big smile on his face) Ooo, ladies, huh. Do you have a girlfriend?

Oh yeah. She’s hot.

Do you want get married someday.

Um, probably.

Where do you work?

Markie’s Corner and Taco Johns.

Whoa, you have a Corner named after you?

Yup. (Man of many words) What’s your favorite type of music to listen to?

I like bass. The beats.

(This is where we tune into the country radio station and he sings every word.)

Do You Believe in Miracles?

A mother's perspective- By Lisa Kellin

FLASHBACK: 1993

After an uneventful pregnancy my baby boy was born at Itasca Memorial. As he was my fourth child I knew something was wrong when he was not handed to me after delivery. "We believe your baby has Downs syndrome" the doctor said. And so began our journey....

We received blue clothes, congratulations, cards of encouragement and sympathy condolences. My friend said I should have agreed to the amniocentesis test when offered and made the choice for an abortion (92% of Downs syndrome babies are aborted).

In his early years we had extended stays at Mpls Children's Hospital, a wonderful nurse friend for my babysitter, and enjoyed early childhood classes. He was excited to start school at Southwest and with the help of teachers, paras, and parents he made great friends. He was invited to birthday parties, loved Paula’s Daycare, and participated in all the same sports and activities as his older siblings.

The middle school years came and the ac92

ademic gap widened. He could not understand why he could no longer play hockey, baseball, soccer and football with his buddies. We stayed home a lot and watched T.V. He went through three DVD's of his favorite movie "Miracle" and cheered everytime the USA beat the Soviets in hockey. I wondered if it would be better for him to attend a school in the cities with kids "more like him," but his bond with his friends would not be broken. He started and excelled in Special Olympics.

Up to the High School... I prayed the students would be kind to him as he navigated the halls of Grand Rapids High. He drummed in the house band, loved his dodge ball class, went to prom and was excited to finally be a senior!

HOMECOMING: 2011

After an exciting week of sports and activities, the culmination of Homecoming was here. The Grand Rapids Band put on an amazing performance at halftime and the Thunderhawks defeated Duluth East in a nail biter football game. The Homecoming candidates were introduced with

Karley Petersen being crowned the Queen and Marcus Kellin the King.

The current headlines are consumed with stories of teenage bullying. The headline reads different at Grand Rapids High School. The Class of 2012, underclassmen and staff at GRHS have done more than crown a friendly kid with Downs syndrome their Homecoming King, they have set a positive example and created a ripple of acceptance for all students. They have provided hope for other parents who, like myself 18 years ago, prayed that the world would be kind to my son.

The Homecoming King danced until midnight and slept until noon. Exhausted he decided to relax the next day with a movie. He popped in "Miracle" and cheered again when the USA defeated the Soviets and received the gold medal. At the end of the film when Al Michaels exclaims "Do you believe in Miracles?!" I chimed in with Marcus as he shouted back his usual response: "OH YEAH!"

FAST FORWARD COLLEGE

When Marcus graduated from high school, he had the option of staying in school until he was 21, like many kids with special needs. But he was determined to go to college like his friends and older siblings. So began the application process. He and his parents began to investigate colleges, tech schools and programs to find a good ‘fit’ for Marcus. They discovered four programs in Minnesota, of which only two would be appropriate for his abilities. Fortunately Central Lakes College in Brainerd offered an Occupational Skills program which combined entry level college courses with a job internship. Marcus applied and jumped for joy when his acceptance letter arrived in the mail. Soon, he was off to college, living with roommates and would achieve his goal of graduating and earning a diploma.

REAL LIFE

Marcus brought his resume to a resort, interviewed and landed the job . He drove his souped-up golf cart to and from work that summer and has been gainfully employed ever since.

THE WORLD IS A KINDER PLACE

Being crowned Homecoming King has been one of the highlights of Marcus’ life.

But, this honor did not just happen randomly. It began in Kindergarten when children who were raised by compassionate parents invited Marcus to birthday parties, sleepovers and sporting events. He was treated as a friend. Extraordinary teachers made the extra effort to include him. Things like his Phy-Ed teacher surprising him when his entire dodge ball class showed up wearing “End the R Word” t-shirts. It was amazing! They were supporting the Special Olympics campaign to end the derogatory slur “retard” from everyday speech. And boy, did they.

Another example is the Grand Rapids High School football coach hosting “Victory Day” on Homecoming weekend, where the football team practiced drills and touchdowns with kids with disabilities while the cheerleaders cheered and the pep band played the school rouser. These little things mean the world.

YOU CAN DO IT TOO

Our society has come a long way since Marcus was born 22 years ago, yet there is still a long ways to go. It would be amazing to see students with disabilities have the opportunity to receive an education or training for meaningful work. Purpose. We all need it. We can all provide it.

MARCUS CONTINUES TO LEAVE HIS MARK…

the lasting impression on how his classmates view and relate to people with disabilities. The hope would be that these characteristics of acceptance and understanding are passed down to their children and that they too will make sure to invite the kid with disabilities to their birthday party. Or as they start their careers, they will continue to be kind and encouraging to the worker with disabilities. And if they become employers they will interview and hire the applicant with the resume that indicates he or she has disabilities. That is the world we want to live in.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO’S WATCHING

At Marcus’ graduation celebration it was decided to start an annual scholarship for a senior(s) who exhibited unusual kindness. There is no application or GPA review, just a couple of teachers quietly observing students who are exceptionally caring. Each year’s recipients continue to impress and humble us with their exceptional compassion and kindness. Be kind.

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"I believe the world is a kinder place.

I love watching the “feel good� piece at the end of the nightly news broadcast show-

ing the guy with Downs syndrome being crowned Homecoming King. I would love it even more if this becomes so commonplace that the story is not even deemed newsworthy."

-Lisa Kellin

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DIGITAL

Smart Phones, Smart Lakes &

THE INTERNET OF THINGS

By Jamie Coffel

S

erenity, elbow room and the ability to readily disengage the noisy modern world for a connection with the natural one.

That’s why so many people enjoy living or vacationing here.

So, it’s almost ironic that modern technology could be so vital to the sustainability of our way of life in lake country.

Over 50 years ago, Gordon Moore, co-founder of what would become Intel Corporation, predicted that microprocessor capabilities would double every 18 to 24 months. He was right and the concept is now referred to as “Moore’s Law.” From the first microprocessor to today’s most advanced chips, Intel reports performance has improved over 3,500 times while becoming 90,000 times more energy efficient.

This principle has driven a revolution of smart phones and other tech gadgets such as the increasingly popular fitness tracker.

These sleek wristband or watch looking devices are used to track the wearer’s activity, heart rate and other biometric information.

Inside the band are efficient and tiny sensors packaged with low power radios that relay data to an app on the wearer’s smart phone which reports that data to the manufacturer. The manufacturer then crunches the data and provides suggestions designed to help the wearer reach their fitness goals or reminds the more desk-bound users to get up and move at regular intervals.

The fitness tracker is a good example of the “Internet of Things” (or “IoT” if you like acronyms). The wristband is a thing that is connected to the internet. When you take millions of smart phones, cars, weather stations and electronic billboards all connected to the internet, you have The Internet of Things.

Back to the point…

In business and in science, it is often said that you cannot manage what you cannot measure. Given the above technology ad-

vancements, it is now possible to sense and collect data like never before. The U.S. Forest Service is currently working to connect research sites such as the Marcell Experimental Forest North of Grand Rapids as part of the Smart Forests Network. Fast data from this and similar sites has the potential to improve research capabilities and transform the general public’s understanding of complex issues surrounding CO2 and mercury. Modern computing technologies also make it possible to manipulate extreme amounts of data to present information visually and more accurately model “what if” scenarios on a large scale.

Likewise, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), is working to develop real-time methods of water quality monitoring using IoT technology to measure the effects of agriculture and urbanization on watersheds in the future hopes of taking action before issues become disasters.

And in what is being touted as the most ambitious research project of its kind, the Jefferson Project at Lake George in New York is a collaboration between IBM, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the FUND for Lake George. Its mission is to “Establish a strategic partnership that becomes the global model for sustained ecosystem understanding and protection, focusing on Lake George, a world-class natural resource now threatened with permanent degradation from a range of environmental stressors.” By combining wireless sensors, modern communications and advanced analytics the team hopes to assess the impacts of issues created by years of pollution and invasive species to determine best methods for combatting further damage or even reversing the trend.

Being closer to nature is still a big reason to live or vacation in northern Minnesota. But a little technology may be necessary to sustain it.

For more information on the U.S. Forest Service’s Smart Forest initiative, visit: http://smartforests.org/ For more information on the Jefferson Project at Lake George, visit: http://jeffersonproject.rpi.edu/

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How C

to

Camp

the

amping has been a tradition in Minnesota for, well, ever. The 125th anniversary of the Minnesota State Park System reminds us of just how important this tradition is for all of Minnesota. For most of us, camping started in our parents’ backyard.

We’d gather the neighbor kids together, pick whose backyard and start to pitch everyone’s tents. If you happened to be so lucky, like we were, you had a “cabin” tent and everyone could fit in the one tent at one time. This was camping at its finest. Pure luxury, well, to

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NORTHWOODS

a 10 year old it was. These are the types of memories we all hold on to and continue into adulthood.

There are so many types of camping these days. Many still prefer tents but camping has gone more luxury with the rapid growth of the camper/RV scene, but it doesn’t stop there. No matter what style of camping you enjoy doing, Minnesota offers some of the best areas and some of the best summer weather to experience all types of this traditional summer fun.

Photography by Explore Minnesota

SLEEPING ON THE GROUND.

TENT CAMPING.

If you are hiking to your destination or don’t want to mess with a large, heavy tent, you may want to just sleep on the ground. There isn’t a better term for this style of camping other than “roughing it.” Obviously, the set up and take down is quick and simple as there is nothing to carry in and nothing to set up. This method of camping is a way to become “one” with your surroundings. You get amazing views of moon and stars and the overall connection with nature is unmatched in any other form. Everyone should experience this at least once in their life. It’s an experience like no other and can be your gateway to the family tradition of Minnesota camping.

Tent camping is the next step up from sleeping on the ground. The only real difference is you have the safe feeling of a tent surrounding you. Tent camping is the most common form of camping in Minnesota. It’s very easy to head to a campground, state park, or island and pitch a tent. Some people bring camp stoves, chairs, air mattresses, water jugs, along with many other camping items that are available on the market today. Nothing beats setting up your campsite, starting a campfire, grabbing a cold beverage, and experiencing the camaraderie of family and friends like tent camping. The laughs, the sounds, the music, and the amazing temperatures make summer nights in Minnesota perfect for this style of camping. Don’t be shocked if you are having such a good time that you are still awake when the sun comes up.

BOAT CAMPING. Boat camping is just what it sounds like, camping on a boat that is either anchored on a lake or even pulled up to shore.

This can be one of the most relaxing forms of camping. If anchored, the rolling of the waves can bring you back to your youth by gently rocking you to sleep. On shore, the subtle crashing feel and noise brings that sleep-machine sound to real life.

The style of boat you have can match this form of camping to the personality of the people involved. There are fishing boats, sailboats, pontoons, and the popular houseboats. All bring a different level of comfort. Some involve sleeping on the boat floor; others have a deck level just for sleeping, and depending on the model, some houseboats may even offer a separate bedroom.

Boat camping can accommodate large or small groups, so grab some friends and family, tie some boats together, and float the entire weekend away.

RV CAMPING. Camping in a RV is one of the most common sites at campgrounds, as well as on the roadways during summer weekends in Minnesota. The joy of packing up the family and heading out in the RV has become a well known family tradition. Lately, it seems one member of a family buys one first and the others seem to follow to make RVing an entire family affair.

Every Friday night, a new caravan of RVs hits the roads and invades northern Minnesota. These rigs range from the small pop-up pull-behind trailers to the massive, luxury-filled Class-A motorhomes. The most common is the travel trailer. These non-motorized RVs are designed to be towed by a truck or SUV and offer all the luxuries of home, packed into a much smaller floorplan. Units can accommodate sleeping from two to 10 people. With running water, sinks, toilets, showers, and beds, along with the ease of bringing the entire family (even the pets), these RVs are fast becoming the definition of Minnesota camping.

GLAMPING. Glamping is a new form of camping/travel that is simply defined as glamorous camping. Glamping has no tent, no RV, not even a sleeping bag. You “camp” in a yurt, igloo, hut, treehouse, or whatever style of structure you’re looking for; all these can be a style of glamping. Many families love the idea of camping but not the actual camping part of camping.

The main focus of glamping is a way for people and families to experience the camping feel without sacrificing luxury.

This may be the next step for an RV camper who wants to experience outside camping without actually using a walled vehicle. Places that offer glamping have amenities that far exceed anything a recreational tent camper may experience.

These amenities might help those families who wouldn’t normally camp, by giving them the camping experience without having to purchase an entire camping setup.

TREE CAMPING. Tree camping is a fairly new experience for many. This form of camping puts the camper in a hammock or a tent suspended in the trees. The pros of this are that you are off the ground, away from any moisture issues the ground tends to cause, while also giving a feeling of safety by being off the ground. The cons, in my mind, are that you can’t fall asleep next to a fire and you have to climb up into your sleeping area. Depending on where you decide to set up camp, setup can be easy or difficult as you need solid trees that are appropriately spaced apart. Once the setup is done, this form of camping is like no other. Being suspended in the trees gives you a feeling of being free. The comfort of nothing but air below you is the best bed ever made.

The camping options in Minnesota are plentiful and can fit the needs and wants of everyone. The tradition of camping not only brings families and friends closer, but it brings smiles and long-lasting memories that you’ll remember the rest of your life. Ask anyone and camping was and is a memory of their childhood that they will never forget. Northern Minnesota is the spot to keep those family traditions and memories alive and well. Grab a tent and a sleeping bag, keys to the RV, or whatever your style, and head out this summer. You won’t regret it!

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CULTURE

JULY 4TH ON LAKE VERMILION

BY MELANIE RICE

B

ig lake life has been a part of my husband’s family for generations, but it was all new to me when I married into his family, rooted for generations on the east end of Lake Vermilion. Growing up a northern Minnesota farm girl, lake time in our family was tubing in a tractor tube behind our baby blue split-windshield Crestliner on a 300acre lake near our farm. That, along with catching pumpkinseeds and bluegills one after the other, was pure heaven to me. I still relish days on the little lakes, but there’s something special about the tea-colored waters of Vermilion.

While Lake Vermilion is the fifth largest lake in Minnesota, it wins the prize for the longest shoreline: 313 miles. Flat shiny rocks stretch out like chaise lounges, alternating with chunky boulders shaded by white pines, colorful mosses and blueberry bushes. Every finger of the shoreline you come around feels like you are the first one to ever lay eyes on it. It’s what the edge of the wilderness should feel like.

But that’s not the only thing that sets this lake apart. There’s a subculture on Vermilion that is truly unique in the land of 10,000 lakes. Traditions run deep in these parts. Along with the stunning lake homes dotting these shores, you also see spots and spurts of rustic cabins

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in all shapes and sizes, with clever little boathouses and saunas that have lived their days on these craggy shores. Many cabins have been in families for multiple generations. The inhabitants are just as inviting; waving from the end of their docks, invites to a campfire, handshakes and hugs as friends reconnect over the summer. But on the fourth of July each year, there’s an extra buzz in the air that can be felt across the span of this great northern water and the communities around it.

Thousands of people start their day, arriving by boat or car, to flood the little town of Tower. With a population of about 500, this quiet little town comes alive and gallantly hosts the horde of visitors with an old-fashioned pancake breakfast at the Legion, an outdoor patriotic choir concert, and stunning fireworks. But what brings the masses is the parade. Known far and wide as one of the best parades on the Range, Tower never disappoints. I mean good old-fashioned marching bands, Shriners donned with fezzes crammed into tiny cars, a rumbling herd of Harleys, sash-wearing princesses in convertibles, unicyclists, and everyone’s favorite: the Ely Clown band.

There’s no dilly-dallying in Tower once the parade ends. It’s back to the cabin to prep for the floatilla. Boats, pontoons, jet skis, kayaks, and canoes make their way to Big Bay, loaded with buckets of plump

water balloons, super soakers and sometimes high-velocity water hoses. Don’t show up unless you want to get wet. This isn’t for sissies (or people who can’t maneuver their boat in a crowd). It’s an epic water balloon fight between boats. It’s perfectly acceptable to cruise by a boat full of strangers and have your 10-year-old hose them with his super soaker while you peg Grandpa with a water balloon. Once you’ve exhausted your supply, you can pull up to the BayView Lodge and enjoy their expansive deck and tiki bar, complete with live music.

Back at the cabin, the coolers are stocked, the bloody mary bar is open and my husband is hauling the fryer out of the boathouse for his annual fish fry. While Vermilion is known for a comradery between strangers, where EVERYONE waves to each other and it’s expected to show up unannounced at someone’s dock, our cabin neighbors simply follow the scent of beer-battered fish. Nothing tastes quite like fresh walleye- straight from the lake with a light batter and fried to precision. It’s an art form in and of itself, and my husband has spent years perfecting it and the side of fried potatoes he serves alongside it.

No matter how you spend America’s birthday on the lake, everyone comes back together around sunset to light the sauna. Pronounced in these parts, “sow-nah”, this Finnish tradition of cleansing and bathing

was brought to Minnesota in the mid 1800’s. On Lake Vermilion, it’s uncommon to NOT have a lakeside sauna. The true boasting, though, comes with how hot you can get it. Rules are enforced: everyone in and out at the same time so as to not let any heat out; always rinse your feet in the tub before you come in; don’t double dip the loofah.

Most importantly, you MUST jump off the dock. Unless you fall into the category of too injured or too old, walking into the lake or just walking to the end of the dock will earn you a round of heckling. The reward is the crisp sensation of floating in the cool water, skin steaming, being treated to a 360-degree view of fireworks from Cook to Ely, and the dazzling displays from all the docks on your bay.

There are so many other splendid things about Lake Vermilion: hikes with panoramic views, hidden beaches, trophy fishing, world-class golfing, that round out the rest of the days of the summer. In fact, last summer I sat with my mother-in-law at the end of the dock drinking our morning coffee when we both spotted what we thought was a duck making his way across the bay. As it came closer, we realized what we were witnessing was a moose swimming from one side of the bay to the other. It’s moments like these that make this big lake a large part of my heart.

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RECIPE

Friday Night Fish Fry 102

Fish Panko bread crumbs (my preference for walleye, perch, panfish) Eggs Milk Salt Pepper Canola oil Fresh lemon wedges for serving

By Greg Lanzo It's that time of year again where everyone with a boat and a trailer is migrating north to their favorite fishing spot for the weekend. When I was a kid I remember my mom and dad packing up the Impala station wagon with what seemed like way too much stuff for a three day fishing trip. For opener we would head north to "Winnie", arrive in the morning and as we pulled into the public access at the narrows, it looked like we were at the State Fair... except everyone was usually wearing snowmobile suits. People, boats, trailers, tents, and campers were everywhere and not one square inch of the campground went unused. In the water on the "Cutfoot" side of the bridge, boats were stacked so close together that if anyone were to fall out of the boat, they would land in the boat next to them. The cold days of the early season fishing opener yielded nice big fat walleye and lots of them... Things have changed, but one thing still remains as the cornerstone of the fishing season and that's the Fish Fry. Every family has their traditions and every tradition is as different as the coating on their fish... all you need is friends, family, and some fish.

Oh, and don't forget the tartar sauce!

We want to hear from you!

Don't have time to fish or have any fish to fry? Then tell us about your favorite fish fry spot. We are looking for "The Best of Northern Minnesota's Fish Frys" to review.

- Remove the bones and pat dry the fish with paper towels. I also use this time to size the xfilets so that small go with small and larger with larger, which really helps in the frying. I xalso split the thicker filet down the middle to get uniform sizes.

- Mix eggs and milk together at 50/50 ratio - Dip each filet into the egg wash and then immediately into panko, pressing down on xeach side of the filet as you turn it over and drag crumbs up the sides for complete xcoverage. Place filets on a sheet tray with the layers separated by wax or parchment paper.

-Cook fish in canola oil at 350 degrees- but not too long, most people tend to over cook xtheir fish. Run a small test batch to see how fast they are cooking. Be careful not to xovercrowd the fryer or pan which lowers the cooking temp and makes for soggy fish. If xyou don't have a fryer, any sturdy pan will do. I use a square cast iron pan and have used xit in Canada on a campfire, in Texas on a grill and in China on a hot plate to fry fish.

Fish Coating Options -

Corn flake crumbs: give all fish a sweeter flavor; be careful as they tend to burn easily Ritz Cracker crumbs: similar to corn flake crumbs Saltine crumbs: old fashioned neutral option Triscuit crumbs: many flavor options and also great for broiled fish Panko bread crumbs: super crunchy, easy to use, don't add or take away from fish flavor Flour: a light option (note: people tend to eat more fish with less coating) AlCorn Meal: for catfish only; as they say down south, "anything else just ain't right"

Tartar Sauce Recipe -

Mayonnaise: some prefer half mayo and half salad dressing Pickle relish or diced pickles of your choice and cider vinegar Onion, diced (small): if you use red onion soak in vinegar to reduce sharpness Salt and pepper Lemon juice

Suggested sides Baked beans Coleslaw French fries Cheesy potatoes Potato salad Broccoli salad Corn bread Macaroni salad Wild rice salad

Remember that leftovers make for great fish sandwiches!

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EAT

DOREST P O P U L AT I O N 2 2

By Christina Monson

Y

ou’d be hard pressed to find someone whose life doesn’t consist of family and food intertwined with tradition. We often think of Thanksgiving as a time for families to come together, give thanks, and celebrate the bounty of food before them. Most families have traditions around Christmastime and Easter where the gathering, the celebration, is centered around the dining table with family.

This article is not one that follows our conventional “EAT” article style where we talk about the exquisite cuisine of a new or established restaurant. This article centers on the importance of food in our family summer traditions and on the importance of community!

The town of Dorset, MN is a marvel, an icon of quirky characteristics (like an elected three year old Mayor… an entire story in and of itself… and The Dorset Daily Bugle… “Published once a year, whether there’s news or not!”). It’s a town of fun and family memories.

This more recent story of Dorset is one that hits many heartstrings around northern Minnesota residents, longtime vacationers and the employees and owners of the local businesses… this story is one of rebirth and resurgence. This community now has a rejuvenated skip in their step. Hope. Excitement.

Nerves. And this particular summer may prove to be the most anticipated summer tourist season yet!

Dorset is rising from the ashes and the fire ravished effects on the local economy to triumphantly regain its status as “the restaurant capital of the world” with the rebuild of the destroyed Dorset House and Companeros. In the true Dorset fashion of tradition

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Photos by Park Rapids Enterprise

Self-proclaimed as the “restaurant capital of the world”, Dorset boasts four restaurants and a whopping population of 22… that was until 2014 when a devastating fire ripped through two restaurants, destroying the livelihood and dreams of owners, Rick and Laura Kempnich. This fire gained regional, as well as national media coverage and many saw it as the end of an era for the tiny town of taste.

tradition and community, the story of this rebuild is one that mimics the Dorset experience. The new owners who have taken on the task of rebuilding and bringing these two iconic restaurants back to life are Beth and Levi Durgin. The story of these two is as delightful as their present day interaction with each other.

Levi started as a dishwasher in the Companeros kitchen back when he was 14 years old and over the years worked his way up to a cook. Beth was a local teacher when she started working her summers as a waitress at Companeros. They worked together for years and then, as Dorset fate would have it, they would have their first date at the Taste of Dorset in 2004 (an annual celebration in early August) and by November 2004 they were engaged and then married in July 2005.

After the fire, the property was leveled and listed for sale. After no potential buyers came forward, the couple decided that “somebody’s got to do it.” With their hearts bound to the town and “the Companeros family,” they dove in, moved to the area and started the work to rebuild.

Their valuable past experience in the kitchen and with customers would be a great basis and would serve them well. Not only have surrounding communities come forth with support, but the Durgins are working alongside the Kempnichs to learn the ways of the business. In addition, many past employees are returning to work alongside their “family” and some have assisted in the recreation of the look and feel of the Dorset House, as the Durgins worked exclusively in Companeros.

Photos by Christina Monson

The two restaurants are now housed under one roof with one kitchen but are separate restaurants as before. The menus will be essentially the same, with some added improvements. The Durgins are bringing back as much of the experience as they can with great ideas for added perks, like patio seating and modern décor upgrades.

It’s a town of fun and family memories.

If you have never heard of Dorset, add it to your summer vacation routine. It’s a time-honored tradition for thousands of families... my family happens to be one of them! I’ve dined in Dorset since I was a little girl. I have old copies of the Dorset Daily Bugle in boxes containing relics of my youth.

This community and their family of businesses have had and continue to have an immeasurable effect on people. Don’t miss out on this historic summer. Experience Dorset this summer and welcome these vibrant new owners on their journey to give life again to these two very missed dining institutions! You’ll spot my family there in early August- it’s been a long awaited couple of years without our beloved Companeros mexican food!

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DRINK

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Wash strawberries.

STEP 1 Remove stems and core

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STEP 3 Top with whipped cream Serve immediately and eat it whole, all at once. Enjoy!

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LOVE

Real Wedding

SOURCES Wedding Gown Purchased from The Wedding Shoppe

Formalwear Michael Kors Hair & Makeup Tara: Bethany Straub Studios Nikki: Friend Kaitlyn

Caterer Vickie Coonrod Dessert Ice cream from Grand Ol’ Creamery Décor Tables and all yard games, flower boxes, built by the couple - Apres Party Rental for tent and dance floor Shoes Jessica Simpson Wedding Rings Wedding Day Diamonds Floral Vickie Coonrod : Farmers Market DJ Tonto Entertainment

Color Palette

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67

Tell us about your love story. How did you meet?

We met through our mutual friend, Rachel. We had known of each other for a few years but in 2012 we had our first “date.” It wasn’t planned but it was perfect. We ate pizza and drank wine at Tara’s parents house and stayed up laughing until 4am.

What makes you both a perfect match?

We are both even-keeled people. We make the best of life and we do it together. We value each other’s opinions and viewpoints and we go to bat for one another.

How did she/you propose?

It was our closing date on our first home. The whole family was there to help move and Tara was doing her best to keep her cool. Everyone was in the know except for Nikki. Tara made sure to mention that “for closing we need to do a cute photo in front of the sold sign, lets dress up and look cute!”

Nikki on the other hand, in true Nikki fashion, was in the door for four minutes before there was a ladder against the house. With drill in hand she starts removing the shutters from the front of the house. We are now ten minutes in and Nikki has a can of primer open and is ready to paint the ceilings. Tara remained calm and corralled her back in.

We went outside and Tara gave Nikki a memory book. It showcased their memories and talked about the next step in their journey. Nikki, of course, assumed the journey Tara

Our favorite song was playing as we took it all in. Every time we hear our song we go back to that moment!

Did anything happen that you didn’t expect or were your expectations met?

Our expectations were exceeded thanks to our wonderful friend Vicky. She not only was the host of the wedding but planned and served all of the food. She helped with our décor and made all of our flower boxes. The vision we had in mind could not have been more perfect. On the other hand, we weren't going to let expectations ruin anything.

Our guests didn't know what our vision was so it didn't matter if it was perfect.

What about the details? What was your vision/theme? How did you bring it to life?

Our theme was fun and games. We started the whole entire event with a Save the Date of our cat. Those who know us understood the hilarity. Our cat is special. Our wedding invite was a usable board game. All of the playing cards were questions about us and the wedding day details... of course some laughs.

What's the best advice you can give a couple who are planning their wedding?

Do what Taylor Swift does and "Shake it off." No, but really.

When you look back at your wedding you won't remember

normal people with normal families. There seems to be a cultural divide between the generations. The people from older generations will always be taken a little aback when you are a woman and say “my wife,” even if they are totally accepting. Whereas, the younger generation doesn’t seem phased.

It was a beautiful day when Minnesota legislators cleared the final hurdle and senators voted to legalize same-sex marriage; the freedom to marry! Can you elaborate on how this has affected your lives?

For me, Tara, it was the first day in my head I thought, “I want to be the one to propose” because I finally could.

We went to the capitol together to see this happen. It was absolutely beautiful to watch all the love and celebration.

Every single person had a huge smile on his or her face.

Seeing our relationships normalized didn’t change our relationship towards each other, but I think it helped other people understand that it’s more common than they thought.

The momentum for marriage equality certainly has caught speed (finally!) but is it fast enough? In your opinion, would you say the LGBT communities feel supported in achieving legal recognition of their relationships?

The right to marriage is a wonderful achievement, but achieving equality is far from over. The right to legally marry each other is wonderful and necessary to bring our

"I want to be the one to propose" because I finally could. was speaking of was the new home they just purchased.

Not so much. On the last page of the book was a sweet recap of their past. While Nikki read, Tara got down on one knee and flipped the book over to the back page and said will you marry me? Nikki was in shock and said "yes." We later realized that Tara forgot one important word on that last page. "You." It read – “ Nikki Hollerich will marry me."

Thinking back to the day you got married, what made you laugh? Cry? What made your wedding memorable and what part was most memorable?

Laugh- we had our sisters do their bridesmaid speeches during our ceremony. Being the witty humans that they are… they definitely managed to make us both laugh and cry. And laugh until we cried. Everything was perfect and we were both smiling ear to ear the whole time.

The most memorable part of the wedding was how uniquely us it was. We tried to include traditions we loved and modified the rest. Our goal was for our guests to be entertained throughout the whole night. The most memorable part for us specifically was standing on a picnic table as fireworks went off over the Mississippi River. All of our guests were playing with two foot sparklers and our service team brought out keylime martinis for the whole group.

the centerpieces and the bows around the chairs. You will remember laughing, dancing and celebrating your love.

Just try and remember what is actually important. In our opinion…we could have been in a corn field with some water bottles and it would have been memorable.

What's the best thing about being married?

You get to spend every day with your best friend. You have someone you can confide in. Whenever you need a support system your spouse is right by your side. You also get to show your weird, but you also get to see their weird….the side you never show anyone else. It’s like your own secret with each other.

What sort of adversity have you faced together in both your engagement and marriage? With family, friends or co-workers?

Our families are both open-minded, loving and kind, so we are the lucky ones. We don’t have to deal with a lot of struggle, in that sense, on a day-to-day basis. Our friends…. well…they wouldn’t be our friends if they didn’t accept our life. We choose to let people into our lives who completely support us. As far as coworkers go, I think a lot of people who don’t understand our relationship are just not exposed to gay people often. They don’t understand that we are just

community to the lime light. It showed the world that gay people are just people who want to love. Unfortunately, there are issues that still need to be addressed very badly that are not as positive as marriage equality. We are still not a federally protected group, meaning we could be fired -legally- for being gay. For people in many states, being federally protected for things like age, gender, race and religion is critical. We love Minnesota!

There are also other very important issues among the community, like teen suicide, that still need a lot of attention.

Also, for many of us, the first place we feel free to be ourselves and learn about the gay community is at a bar. We hope this changes for future generations. We hope that there are other events and places where young adults and teens can learn about that and feel comfortable with who they are without alcohol being involved.

Advice to a couple in love, looking to tie the knot?

Don’t get caught up in society’s idea of a perfect wedding.

As a gay couple, you chance running into judgment, but there is no need to accept it. Find a venue that totally embarrasses your happiness. Just do you… kinda like Nike.

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It’s Our Biggest Event Yet!

Jammin Country Fest Weekend

Over $5,000 in Cash and Prizes

Team Beer Drinking Trophy

June 17th - 18th

July 21st - 22nd - 23rd

JamminCountry.com

MoondanceJam.com

Thursday Pre Jam: June 16th

Wednesday Pre Jam: June 20th

for 2-Day Ticket Holders Only

for 3-Day Ticket Holders Only

FAREWELL ANGELINA LOST HIGHWAY SHANE MARTIN

ROGER CLYNE AND THE PEACEMAKERS

KILLER QUEEN THE FABULOUS ARMADILLOS Mountain Ash

Friday 17th

Thursday 21st

DIERKS BENTLEY RANDY HOUSER

CHRIS JANSON

GODSMACK BUSH

CHEVELLE

32 BELOW

CHICAGO RICK SPRINGFIELD

JAKE OWEN TRAVIS TRITT

LOVERBOY

CHRIS HAWKEY

MDJ Saloon, Lazy Moon Bar & Grill, and Tiki Bar Stage performances are listed on Website.

FREE 2016

A nniversary Pins!

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FO Moondance Jammin Purchase tickets to both ance Jam from the Country Fest and Moond you will receive a and Moondance Ticket Office The FOM Pass comes s!

Friends of Moondance Pasival and some great perks! with a pre party to each fest sary Pins!

Plus a set of FREE Anniver

FIREHOUSE

Friday 22nd

Saturday 18th

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LITTLE RIVER BAND FOGHAT

Saturday 23rd

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QUEENSRYCHE Blues Traveler ThundHerStruck The Festival That Puts You Up Front MOONDANCE FAIRGROUNDS: 7050 39th AVE. NW. WALKER, MN. 56484 • 6 MILES EAST OF WALKER

4th Annual

Saturday, October 1st The Perfect Fall Outing is All About Fun at Moondance!

The fall colors at Moondance are amazing, and Moondance is all about fun, so we have combined them all into one!

For adults only, the late afternoon beer and wine tasting begins and will host over 150+ selections of unique beers and wines to taste and enjoy

and then vote for your favorite. Great entertainment along with a variety of things to see and do. Make plans with your friends to stay the weekend in our campgrounds. Don’t miss this final opportunity to “Savor the Fall Season” at Harvest Moon located at the Moondance Fairgrounds!

Come all day and stay all night.

Live Entertainment

Timmy Haus

Variety of Great Food Live Music and Dancing Lakes Area Powersports FREE Demo Rides (ATV/Side by Side) Pumpkin Carving/Decorating Contest Homemade Dessert Contest Traveling Art Pub Redneck Olympic Games Artists/Crafters, and more!

Kellogg Duo

Also Featuring

Enjoy the Friday Night “Tasting & pairing Experience” Jump start your Harvest Moon weekend Friday night at participating restaurants in Walker, Hackensack and Brainerd, with the “Pre-Tasting & Pairing Experience”.

Tickets & Camping $

35 Tasting Pre-Buy Thru Sept. 23rd 50 at the Gate $10 Non-Tasting

$

(This is a 21+ Adult Event)

The Fabulous Armadillos, closing in the MDJ Saloon!

Camping available on-site Friday and Saturday or get special Harvest Moon Lodging Packages at Chase On The Lake or Country Inn Walker

For the latest activities and exciting events, visit www.HarvestMoonFestival.net LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOR A CHANCE TO WIN FREE TICKETS!

Also at Moondance and back for a 4th year...

Friday, August 5

th

A very entertaining and fun show where the audience paves the way to a wild and unforgettable night. Also back by popular demand, Timmy Haus.

RESERVE YOUR TABLE EARLY! Camping is available.

6-8PM Happy Hour • 6:30PM Timmy Haus • 8PM Dueling Pianos

Life Is Always Better At MOONDANC E

Walker, MN

GET YOUR TICKETS AND CAMPING NOW! CALL 218-836-1055 OR GO ONLINE

MUSIC FESTIVALS

June 17-18 Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest | www.jammincountry.com Walker

July 15-16 KAXE Mississippi River Festival | www.kaxe.org Grand Rapids

It’s a big year for Walker this year, as it hosts the 10th Annual Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest (and 25th Anniversary of Moondance Jam- see below). There are so many bands to list but get a load of these names: Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Randy Houser, Chris Janson, Neal McCoy, Chris Hawkey, 32 Below and sooooo many more! Well-known names and more recent names in the country music scene perform on the same stage for a must-not-miss country experience!

This isn’t exactly Bonnaroo, but many would argue it’s better. For eleven years, Northern Community Radio (KAXE 91.7fm/KBXE 90.5fm) has put on a music festival in the peak of summer featuring old favorites and up-and-coming artists hailing from local and beyond. The Mississippi River Festival is in the intimate outdoor amphitheater at KAXE studios in Grand Rapids, with the Mississippi River as backdrop.

Take in the grounds of Moondance, partake in the Pre Jam party, meet new friends in the campgrounds or behind stage with your VIP pass. The experiences are limitless. Get out there and join your fellow country fans!

Friday night will include Minnesota funk musician Mayda and the award-winning Wisconsin blues band, The Jimmys. Saturday will be packed with music, sky-high puppets, silent art auction, food and more. The lineup includes: rising Bemidji bluesman Corey Medina, indie rock/ folk group Shel, Minnesota indie rock band Bones & Beeker (Anthony Newes of Villa and BKOne, DJ/Producer from Rhymesayers Entertainment) and David Wax Museum, who channel a Mexo-Americana sound.

Jun 23-25 Lakes Jam | www.lakesjam.com Brainerd Are you a lover of country and classic rock? Then Lakes Jam is YOUR jam! Enjoy the sweet main stage sounds of acts such as Toby Keith, Granger Smith, Chase Byrant as well as Styx, Survivor and 38 Special. Located in the Brainerd lakes area and on the grounds of Brainerd International Raceway, the opportunities for fun are truly endless while being surrounded by beautiful scenery and the camaraderie of camping. Bring your own setup or enjoy the onsite Sunfish Glamping Village for a more unique and upscale camping experience. But the activities aren’t limited to music and camping, Lakes Jam showcases a car show, water cross competitions, bean bag contests and campsite decorating contests. Bring your “A game” and party hard!

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Grab your cooler and a blanket and get your boogie feet ready for a great weekend of outdoor music in northern Minnesota.

SITES & SCENES

July 21-23 Moondance Jam | www.moondancejam.com Walker

Aug 12-14 Bayfront Blues Festival | www.bayfrontblues.com Duluth

Rock on and dance your flip flops off as Moondance Jam celebrates 25 years of epic rock ‘n roll!

This year will prove to be unlike any other with bigger and better bands including the first ever appearance of Chicago, who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year!

The main stage line up will keep you off your seat and dancing in the grass: Rick Springfield, BOSTON, Loverboy, FireHouse, Little River Band, Bush, Blues Traveler, Foghat, Loverboy, KIX, Chevelle, Sixx:A.M., Queensryche, ThundHerStruck and more!

One of the largest annual oudoor music events in the upper Midwest, Bayfront Blues Festival is in it’s 28th year and draws nearly 20,000 fans each year. This festival couldn’t be set in a more perfect Duluth location than Bayfront Festival Park, along the stunning shores of Lake Superior.

Two stages host blues and blues/rock artists like Virgil Cane, Shane Henry, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Southern Hospitality featuring Damon Fowler, JP Soars & Victor Wainwright, Ina Forsman, John Mayall and nearly 24 more bands, including musical jams at each night’s Late Nite Dance Party. Grab your lawn chair and head to the shores of Lake Superior for an unforgettable blues adventure.

Activities are endless at Moondance, be sure to take in the entire experience from the festival comfort of your tent or RV. Join the masses or enjoy in VIP style with royal rock treatment. Don’t miss this anniversary- it’ll be like no other year in Moondance history!

Aug 4-6 WE Fest | www.wefest.com Detroit Lakes No matter your genre of music in Minnesota, you’ve certainly heard of WE Fest! If you’re a country music fan from anywhere in the US, you’ve either been or have been trying to get to WE Fest. Hailed as one of the country’s most premier country music festivals, WE Fest is in its 33rd year! This year’s main stage acts include Eric Church, Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Steven Tyler with The Loving Mary Band, Lee Brice, Montgomery Gentry, Gary Allen and so many more! This epic festival draws 50,000 people to the community of Detroit Lakes and to the grounds of Soo Pass Ranch. If you’ve never been, this outdoor concert venue is like no other. The concert bowl is perfect for concerts and is surrounded by 50+ concessions stands and booths. These grounds are truly developed for the music-going experience and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the comfort and accessibility of whatever you need.

Aug 18-21 Boundary Waters Blues Fest | www.elyblues.com Ely Self-proclaimed “back yard blues party”, the Boundary Waters Blues Fest celebrates 15 years this year and the experience you’ll have here is unforgettable and unique in every way. A short five mile drive from Ely, the stages is set against the much-desired nature of the Superior National Forest with Fall Lake a stones throw away. This years lineup includes Virgil Cane, Chainsaw DuPonte RAMM Band with Paul Mayasich, Brian Naughton, DownTown Charlie Brown, Daina DePrez, Ross William Perry, Kelly Richey, Dealin’ and Larry McCray.

Come for the music, stay for the camping and campfires. A truly unique experience of old friends and new ones.

Campgrounds surround the venue on all sides, some situated on the shores of Lake Sallie and in meadows and woods surrounding the concert bowl. Here you have your camping, your nature and your music… all the ingredients of a perfect concert experience!

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SITES & SCENES

All Pints North Brew Fest July 23, Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth

Blackwaters Brewfest August 13, Portage Park, Cohasset

Are you a craft beer connoisseur? Well, the Minnestoa Craft Brewers Guild will deliver the goods again with its 5th Annual All Pints North Summer Brew Fest in beautiful Bayfront Festival Park. Join fellow fanatics to meander from beer booth to beer booth sampling the state’s finest suds. But tasting is only part of the experiencechat with the owners and brewers, eat local grub, enjoy games and live music and purchase brewthemed goods and apparel. Heck, pick up a free copy of the summer issue of Lake Time Magazine at our booth!

The Grand Rapids Centennial Rotary is excited to announce the 1st Annual Blackwaters Brewfest at Portage Park in Cohasset. Join in this inaugural festival and enjoy unlimited craft beer samples from around the region, local food vendors, games, and nationally-known band, the Dweebs.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Veterans Crisis Fund in and around the Grand Rapids area.

Join Lake Time Magazine as we support this startup in hopes of bringing more craft brew interest to our home town and increased tourism to the area we love!

www.mncraftbrew.org/events/allpintsnorth

www.blackwatersbrewfest.com

Boat-in-Movie July 30, Tioga Beach on Pokegama Lake, Grand Rapids Family-friendly floatilla on Pokegama! Pack your pontoon or boat with snacks, friends, beverages, and sunscreen. Boat up to enjoy a classic blockbuster movie on the big screen while floating away your sultry July evening.

Movie to be announced soon... keep checking FaceBook for “Boat-in-Movie.”

Park Rapids

Uff da! Whether you’re a Park Rapids resident, a regular tourist, or live 50 miles away, make the trip to the Good Life Café! Owner, Molly Luther, and staff serve up outrageously good food with a smile. The café itself is modern, unique, and comfortable. Settle up to the bar or into a funky booth and begin the difficult journey of choosing from the impressive menu. You’ll be back to try other dishes but if you’ve never been there, I highly recommend starting with the Walleye BLT. Wow! Hats off to the chef! www.goodlifecafe.com

Timberlake Lodge

Grand Rapids

Your one-stop shop in Grand Rapids for dining, diving, and deep sleep is Timberlake Lodge. Celebrating its 8th year this year!

Timberlake offers premier dining options with the 17th Street Grill and unbelievable catering for your meeting or event. I recommend the walleye cakes for any (and every) occasion. Take a dip, dive, or dunk in the Grand Splash waterpark or be parent of the year by hosting your child’s birthday party in a pool party room. But the impressive amenities don’t end there. The lodging at Timberlake is top notch and the best in town.

High comfort and luxury await you without the luxury prices. The moment you walk into the grand lobby, you know you’ve chosen the best of the best! www.timberlakelodgehotel.com

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What? We’d be remiss not to mention one of the most coveted and pre-planned summer events… even if it’s not in northern MN. But oh golly… how can we cover it all here? We just can’t. It’d require it’s very own magazine! All we can tell you is go, eat, dance, ride, walk, rest, eat, dance, ride, ride, dance, eat, eat… you get the picture!

The great tradition continues with it’s 157th year of awesomeness! Spend a day. Spend a week.

Create memories that will last forever.

www.mnstatefair.org

REVIEWS Good Life Café

The Great Minnesota Get-Together!

August 25-Sept 5, St. Paul

ON THE

RADAR EVERYTHING THAT’S UP AND COMING THIS SEASON

JUNE

Jun 10 – Jul 1

Jun 15

Salute to the Arts Exhibit, Brainerd

Jun 16-18

Intro to Metalworking- Cold Connections,

Jun 16, 18-19, 24-25

Alexandria

Jun 16, 18, 23, 30

Downtown Day- History Week, Brainerd

Jun 16, 23, 30

Jun 15

40th Annual Grandma’s Marathon, Duluth

Arts Center, Grand Rapids

Live Music at Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais

Jun 18

Grandma’s Marathon Viewing Train, Duluth

Live Music at Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

Jun 18

City Band Concert, Longyear Park, Coleraine

Summer Solstice Celebration, Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais

Jun 15

Organs in Revue, Chisolm

Jun 16, 23, 30

Day Tripper Paddle & a Pint, Duluth

Jun 15

Duke Otherwise, International Falls

Jun 16, 23, 30

Craft Night, Ely Folk School, Ely

Grand Marais

Jun 15

Music- Dark Horse, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Jun 18

Music in the Parks- International Falls

Jun 16, 23, 30

Green Scene Farmers Market, Walker

Jun 18

Community Band, International Falls

Jun 16, 23, 30

Baby Story time at the Library, Brainerd

Jun 18-19

St. Louis County Historical Society’s

Jun 16, 23, 30

Cribbage Tournament, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Jun 18-19

Antique Appraisal, Duluth

Jun 16, 23, 30

Market In The Park, Pequot Lakes

Jun 18, 24-25

Jun 15

Jun 15

Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert, Log Cabin,

Majestic Pines Arts & Fine Crafts Fair, Nisswa Leaf Valley Summer Hummer music, Garfield Live Music at Voyageur Brewing Company,

Pendant Making Class, Lake Superior Art

Jun 17

Alexandria Beetles Reunited Night!, Alexandria

Grand Marais

Glass, Duluth

Jun 17

Wake Up! Alexandria

Jun 18, 25

Live Music at Larsmont Cottages, Two Harbors

Day Tripper Glensheen Kayak Tour, Duluth

Jun 17

Brainerd History Week!, Brainerd

Jun 18, 25, 29

Live Music at Bluefin Grille, Tofte

Jun 17

Camp Confidence Golf Classic, Maddens, Brainerd

Jun 15-16, 19, 22-23, 26, 29-30

Jun 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29

Jun 15-18

Wine Goblet Making Class, Lake Superior Art Glass, Duluth

Into the Brush Painting Experience,

Jun 17

Outdoor Movies at the Campground, Crosslake

Jun 19

Father’s Day

Northwind Lodge, Ely

Jun 17

BSU Annual Gordy Skaar Memorial Golf

Jun 19

Lum Park Day- History Week!, Brainerd

Textile Exhibit, Edge Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Tournament, Bemidji Town & Country Club, Bemidji

Jun 19

Race Day, Bemidji Speedway, Bemidji

Traditional Canoe Building, Ely

Tournament of Par-fection, Hibbing

Jun 19

Carson & Barnes Circus, Walker

Jun 15-25

Jun 15, 21-22, 28-29

Jun 15, 22, 29

Jun 17

Birding with Bill Tefft and Ely Field

Jun 17

Naturalists, Ely

Jun 17-18

Jun 15, 22, 29

Wednesday Night Sailboat Races, Duluth

Jun 17-18

Moondance Softball Tournament, Walker

Lunch, Duluth

Jun 15, 22, 29

Live Music at Moguls Grille & Tap Room, Lutsen

Jun 17-19

Waa Wiye Gaa Maag Pow Wow, Squaw Lake

Jun 19

Father’s Day Special aboard the Vista Fleet, Duluth

Jun 15, 22, 29

Sam Miltich & Friends, VFW, Grand Rapids

Jun 17-19

Peter Mitchell Days, Babbitt

Jun 19-20, 22, 24-27, 29

Jun 15, 22, 29

Beers & Gears, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Jun 17-19

27th Annual Bluegrass Weekend Music in

Jun 19, 26

Jun 15, 29

Jun 16

Live Music-the Wench, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Jun 19

Swedish Midsommer Festival, Bemidji

Special Olympic Rummage Sale, Walker

Jun 19

North Shore Scenic Railroad’s Father’s Day BBQ

Lake History Pontoon Tour, Alexandria

The Pines, Grand Rapids

Fleet, Duluth

Central Lakes Trail Bike Tour: Early

Wooden Boat Show & Summer Solstice,

Service Industry Night, Commander, Pequot Lakes

Jun 17-19

Jun 19, 26

Summer, Alexandria

North House Fold School, Grand Marais

Jun 20

Fagen Fighter WWII Museum & Upper

Jun 17, 24

Cass County Museum Free Friday, Walker

Jun 20, 22, 27, 29

Sioux Park Trip, Alexandria

Jun 17, 24

Live Music, Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors

Jun 16

Jun 16

Grand Tour, Rainy Lake Visitors Center, Int’l Falls Brunch on the Bay with Duluth Grill and Vista

Grand Opening: Art Safari, Trend &

Jun 18

Live Music at Cascade Lodge Pub, Lutsen

Jun 20, 27

Couture, Art & Soul Hair Design, Alexandria

Jun 18

Stamped Jewelry Making, Ely Folk School, Ely

Jun 21 Jun 21

Jun 16

Wine & Art Crawl, Alexandria

Jun 18

Bike Bemidji Loop the Lake Festival, Bemidji

Jun 16

Northern Pacific Center Day- History

Jun 18

Babe City Rollers Roller Derby, Sanford

Author Jason Good, Library, Brainerd North Canoe Voyage, Rainy Lake Visitors Center, International Falls Family Story time at the Library, Brainerd Summer Solstice Dinner of Light 2016, Alexandria Paul Bunyan: Loggin’ Legends & Lore at the Library!, Brainerd

Week, Northern Pacific Center, Brainerd

Center, Bemidji

Jun 21

Tuesday Nite Live, Downtown Ely

Bird Banding, Sugarloaf Cove Nature

Muskie Opener, Lake of the Woods

Jun 21

Get the Scoop: A Mining Series, Hibbing

Jun 16

Jun 18

Center, Schroeder

Jun 18

Boat Demo Day, Alexandria

Jun 21

Take it With You, The Duluth Playhouse, Duluth

Lunch with the History People, St. Louis

Jun 18

Ladies Guest golf-“Swing with Bling,” Alexandria

Jun 21-26

Woodland Chamber Music Workshop, Surfside

Jun 16

County Heritage & Arts Center, Duluth

Jun 18

Camp Confidence Fish Classic, Maddens, Brainerd

Jun 16

Art Night Out, Duluth Depot - Great Hall, Duluth

Jun 18

NE Brainerd Day- History Week!, Brainerd

Jun 16

In & Out of Context Exhibition Reception,

Jun 18

Chris Olson’s Memories of Elvis, Crosslake

Jun 21, 24, 25, 28

on Superior, Tofte Beaver Lodge Canoe Trip, Rainy Lake Visitors Center, International Falls

Duluth Art Institute at the Depot, Duluth

Music Series, Crosslake

Irma’s Kitchen at Cragun’s Grand

Savorfest, Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood

Center, Grand Marais

Jun 16

Jun 18

Jun 21, 28

Kid’s Day, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature

Opening, Brainerd

Jun 18

Edge of the Wilderness Kid’s Fishing Day, Marcell

Jun 21, 28

Family Move time at the Library, Brainerd

Jun 16

Hospice Benefit Golf Tournament, Walker

Jun 18

Children’s Be A Lumberjack, Forest History

Jun 21, 28

Tuesday Summer Concert Series, Grand Rapids

Jun 16

Fly Tying for Beginners, Ely Folk School, Ely

Center, Grand Rapids

Jun 21, 28

Doggie Happy Hour, Fitger’s Courtyard, Duluth

Jun 16-18

Moondance Jammin’ Country, Walker

Great Northern Radio Show, Reif Performing

Jun 21, 28

Chester Creek Concerts at Chester Bowl, Duluth

Jun 18

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ON THE RADAR

Jun 21, 28

Children’s Fishing Contest, Hackensack

Jun 21, 28

Wolves in the Night, Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

Harbors

Jun 21, 28

Jun 21, 28

Jun 22

Becoming a Boundary Waters Family, Chik-Wauk

Museum and Nature Center, Grand Marais

Jun 25

Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors

Hobby Stock Special- Dirt Track Racing, North

Jul 2

Tracks and Tracking, Caribou Highlands

Central Speedway, Brainerd

Lodge, Lutsen

Live Music- Brian Naughton Band, Gull Dam

Jul 2

Ely Farmers & Artists Market, Whiteside Park, Ely

Jun 25

Nature of the Point, Grand Marais

Brewing, Nisswa

Jun 25

Wild Cats of the North Shore, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen

Jul 2

Grandview 4th of July Celebration

Jul 2

School, Ely

Jun 25

Relay for Life BINGO, Alexandria

Jun 25-26

Jun 22

Children’s Day at Split Rock Lighthouse, Two

Birch Bark Conoe Construction, Ely Folk

The Bash, Portage Park, Cohasset

Park Point Art Fair, Duluth

Dam Brewing, Nisswa

4th of July- Red, White & Blue Celebration, Gull Shane Martin, Crosslake Music Series, Crosslake

Jun 22

Music in the Parks- Hooker and Holger, Int’l Falls

Jun 25-26

Lutsen 99er, Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen

Jul 2

Jun 22-26

Red White and Tuna, Bemidji Playhouse, Bemidji

Jun 25-26

Photographing Orchids, Ely Folk School, Ely

Jul 2

Crosslake’s 46th Annual Fireworks, Crosslake

Jun 22, 29

Organs in Revue, Hibbing

Jun 25-26

Vikingland Band Festival, Alexandria

Jul 2

Grand View 4th of July Celebration, Grand

Jun 22, 29

Wildflower Walk, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen

Jun 26

Books and Baseball, Wade Stadium, Duluth

View Lodge, Nisswa

Jun 22, 29

Black Bears, Bluefin Bay, Tofte

Jun 26

Cook County Aquatic Invasive Species, Chik-Wauk

Jul 2-3

Hovland Summer Arts Festival, Hovland

Jun 22, 29

Stars & Meteors, Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

Museum and Nature Center, Grand Marais

Jul 2-4

4th of July Water Carnival, Bemidji

Jun 23

Little Miss & Mister 4th of July Pageant, Brainerd

Jun 27

Author David Oppegaard- Library, Brainerd

Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Jun 23

Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser, MN

Jun 28

Indie Film: Secrets of War, Reif Performing Arts

Discovery Center, Chisolm

Center, Grand Rapids

Crazy Days Sidewalk Sales, Walker

Climb Theater presents The Tortoise and the

Jun 23

Jun 23

Jun 23-24

Jun 28

Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Kick up the Color 5K, Bemidji

Hare, International Falls

Junior Biologist Mini-Camp, Int’l Wolf Center, Ely

Ultimate Fishing Camp, Walker

Jun 28-Jul 1

Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Jun 23-25

Lakes Jam Music Fest, BIR, Brainerd

Jun 29

Tennis Family Fun Night, Alexandria

Jun 23-26

Wild Hearts Yoga Reflective Retreats, McGrath

Jun 29

Oscar Meyer Weinermobile at Elden’s Fresh

Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Jun 23, 30

Fire & Ice, Beach Walk, East Bay Suites, Grand Marais

Foods Alexandria

Jun 23, 30

The Nature of Oberg Mountain, Tofte

Jun 29

Music in the Parks- Sloughgrass Band, Int’l Falls

Jun 23, 30

A Superior North Shore, Eagle Ridge Resort, Lutsen

Jun 29-Jul 2

“The 39 Steps” theatre production, Brainerd

Jun 23, 30

Logging in the Days of Paul Bunyan, Caribou

Jun 29-Jul 2

Red White and Tuna, Bemidji Playhouse, Bemidji

Jun 30

Jul 2, 9, 23, 30 Jul 3

Tracks and Tracking, Caribou Highlands Lodge, Lutsen Nature of the Point, Coast Guard Station, Grand Marais Wild Cats of the North Shore, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen North Shore Scenic Railroad’s Wine Tasting Dinner Train, Duluth Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert, Log Cabin, Grand Marais Grand Opening, Chik Wauk Nature Center, Grand Marais

Highlands Lodge, Lutsen

Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center Fundraiser,Brainerd

Jul 3

Race Day, Bemidji Speedway, Bemidji

Jun 23, 30

City Band, Thomas Owens Park, Two Harbors

Jun 30 Big Top Chautauqua’s 30th Anniversary

Jul 3

Nisswa Firecracker 5k & 10k Run, Nisswa

Jun 23, 30

Jun 24

Market in the Park, Pequot Lakes

Celebration, Duluth

Jul 3

Nisswa Freedom Day Celebration and Parade

2016 Lakes Area Endurance, YMCA, Alexandria

Art on the Edge, 12th Juried Exhibit, Edge

Jul 3

Arts in the Park, Brainerd

Jul 3

Jun 24

Shrine Circus, Alexandria

Jun 24

History Live! In Fort Alexandria

Jun 24

Jun 30-Jul 30

Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Fireworks Display, Crosslake Stars & Stripes Days, Pequot Lakes

Summer Solstice at St. Mathias- Lakes Area

JULY

Jul 3-4

Music Festival, Brainerd

Jul 1

Summer Rainy River Sturgeon Tag Season opens

Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Bug Lite!, Birch Terrace Lounge Patio, Grand Marais

Jul 1

Wake Up! Alexandria

Jun 24

Crosslake Celebrates America: 46th Annual

Jun 24

Portage Band, Grandma Rays, Grand Marais

Jul 1

First Friday Art Walk, Grand Rapids

Jun 24

Amazing Amusing Moose, Chateau LeVeaux,Tofte

Jul 1

Art on the Edge, 12th Juried Exhibit Reception,

Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Service Industry Night, Commander, Pequot Lakes Brunch on the Bay with Duluth Grill and Vista Fleet, Duluth

Jun 24

Forest Fire! Friend or Foe?, Bluefin Bay, Tofte

Edge Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Jul 4

Independence Day

Jun 24

Live Music- The Muddy Water Band, Gull Dam

Jul 1

Show & Shine- Car Show, Baxter

Jul 4

4th of July Celebration, Baudette

Jul 1

Brewing, Nisswa

Live Music- Lee Bone Sherseth, Ernie’s on Gull,

Jul 4

Walker’s Old Fashioned 4th of July, Walker

2016 Brainerd Lakes Susan G Komen Kids Race

East Gull Lake

Jul 4

City on the Bay 5 and 10K, Walker

30th Annual Pleasureland RV Show & Go,

Jun 24-25

for the Cure, Baxter

Jun 24-26

Seussical Jr., Duluth Children’s Theatre, Duluth

Brainerd

Jun 24-26

Jul 1-4

Jul 4

4th of July Pow Wow, Cass Lake

Jul 4

4 on the 4th Run, Miner’s Lake, Ely

Jul 4

BOW- Teen Family Workshop Weekend,

Jul 1-4

Hill City 4th of July Celebration, Hill City

Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais

Jul 1-7

Hat Trick: A Celebration of Hockey and Art,

Jun 25

Awake the Lakes Ribfest, Alexandria

Duluth Art Institute, Duluth

Jun 25

Pitman Races for Fendered Glasses, North

Jul 1-7

Team Spirit, Duluth Art Institute, Duluth

Jul 4

Live Music at Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais

Cass County Museum Free Friday, Walker

4th of July Celebration and Fireworks, Harbor Park, Grand Marais 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks, Tofte Park, Tofte

Central Speedway, Brainerd

Jul 1, 8-10, 14-18, 21-23, 29-30

Jun 25

Color Dash 5K, Walker

Jul 1, 8, 15, 22

Jun 25

Doug Allen Nash (Johnny Cash & Neil Diamond

Jul 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Amazing Amusing Moose, Chateau LeVeaux,Tofte

Jul 4

City Band, Thomas Owens Park, Two Harbors

Tribute) , Crosslake Music Series, Crosslake

Jul 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Forest Fire! Friend or Foe?, Bluefin Bay, Tofte

Jul 4

City of Duluth Forth Fest, Duluth

Jul 4

Tofte Trek, Birch Grove School & Community Center, Tofte

Jun 25

Ladyslippers of Itasca, Douglas Lodge, Park Rapids

Jul 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Live Music, Castle Danger Brewery, Two Harbors

Jul 4

July 4th Celebration, Crosby

Jun 25

Science Saturdays, Soudan

Jul 1, 9, 15, 22, 29

North Shore Scenic Railroad’s BBQ Train, Duluth

Jul 4

Great American Celebration, Brainerd

Jun 25

Jul 4

Jun 25

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Jun 25

5th Annual International Boundary Waters

Jul 2

Pendant Making Class, Lake Superior Art Glass, Duluth

Dragon Boat Festival, Fort Frances, ON

Jul 2

Wine Goblet Making Class, Lake Superior Art

Highland Dance Competition, Fitger’s

Glass, Duluth

Courtyard, Duluth

Moose Hide & Turquoise Jewelry, Ely Folk School,

Jul 2

Jul 4

Jun 25

6th Annual All Makes Car Show, Duluth

Ely

Jul 4, 11, 18, 25

Jun 25

CHUM Rhubarb Festival, Duluth

Jul 5

Jul 2

Ships, Storms, and Split Rock Lighthouse,

Live Music- The Fattening Frogs, Ernie’s on Gull, East Gull Lake Fireworks over Gull Lake, Maddens and Cragun’s Resorts, Gull Lake Family Story time at the Library, Brainerd Live Music- Bruce and Tiki D, Ernie’s on Gull,

East Gull Lake

Jul 8-9

The Hackensack Hot Jazz Festival, Hackensack

Jul 15

Wake Up! Alexandria

Junior Biologist Mini-Camp, Int’l Wolf Center,

Jul 8-10

68th Annual Wild Rice Festival, Deer River

Jul 15

BSU Annual Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tourn.,

Grand Marais Art Festival, Grand Marais

Bemidji Town & Country Club, Bemidji

Movies in the Park, Duluth

Annie Jr., STAGES Theater of Hopkins, Edge

Jul 5, 6, 19, 20

Ely

Jul 8-10

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Children’s Fishing Contest, Hackensack

Jul 8, 15, 22, 29

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Farmers Market & Artists Market, Ely

Jul 8, 29

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Family Move time at the Library, Brainerd

Jul 9

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Jul 15

Music at Voyageur Brewing Co., Grand Marais

Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Jack Williams, Arrowhead Center for the Arts,

Itasca Symphony Orchestra Concert, Edge

Jul 15

Indie Film, Reif Performing Arts Center,

Grand Marais

Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Grand Rapids

Trampled by Turtles Concert, Bayfront Festival

Jul 15

Plein Air Duluth Opening Reception

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Tuesday Summer Concert Series, Grand Rapids

Park, Duluth

Jul 15

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Becoming a Boundary Waters Family,

Timberman Triathlon, Grand Rapids

Jul 9 Jul 9

DSSO’s Beerthoven 2016, Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth

Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center,

Jul 9

Downtown Art Fair, Grand Rapids

Grand Marais

Jul 9

The Great Minnesota Pie Extravaganza, Forest

Brewing, Nisswa

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Jul 15

Live Music- The Beatkeepers, Gull Dam

Kid’s Day, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature

History Center, Grand Rapids

Jul 15-16

91.7 KAXE Mississippi River Fest, Grand Rapids

Center, Grand Marais

Jubilee: Parade Festival on 5th and Street

Jul 15-17

Mii Gwitch Mahnomen Pow Wow, Ball Lake

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Wolves in the Night, Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

Dance, Hibbing

Jul 15-18

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Doggie Happy Hour, Fitger’s Courtyard, Duluth

18th Annual Ride the Range, Eveleth-Chisolm

Jul 16

Jul 5, 12, 19, 26

Chester Creek Concerts at Chester Bowl, Duluth

Jul 9

Red Ore Run & Taconite Trot, Hibbing

Jul 16

Jul 6

Live Music at Moguls Grille & Tap Room, Lutsen

Jul 9

Cassie & the Bobs (The Music of Patsy Cline),

Jul 6

Jul 9 Jul 9

Alter Boyz, Bemidji Playhouse, Bemidji 4th Annual Bacon 5 Course Dinner, Alexandria Babe City Rollers Roller Derby, Sanford Center, Bemidji

Open Mic with Brendan Flynn, The Last Turn

Crosslake Music Series, Crosslake

Jul 16

Tonic Sol-fa, Crosslake Music Series, Crosslake

Saloon, Brainerd

Free Yoga on Tap/The Burn, Gull Dam

Jul 16

Bayfront Raggae & World Music Festival,Duluth

Jul 9

Jul 6

Teen Painting with Cherie Serrano, Int’l Falls

Brewing, Nisswa

Jul 16

Hilltop Hustle Obstacle Fun Run, Duluth

Jul 6

Music in the Parks- Myron Hawrylak and

Jeff Foxworthy, Northern Lights Casino, Walker

Jul 16

Live Music- Inside Straight Blues Band, Gull

Jul 9

Friends, International Falls

Jul 9

Relay For Life, Sanford Center, Bemidji

Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Beers & Gears, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Jul 9

Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, Bemidji High

Lakes Area Music Festival- Prelude Series,

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Birding w/Bill Tefft & Ely Field Naturalists, Ely

School Auditorium, Bemidji

Aitkin Opera House, Aitkin

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Wednesday Night Sailboat Races, Duluth

Jul 9

Fly Tying for Beginners, Ely Folk School, Ely

GRAHA Walleye Shootout, Cohasset-

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Wildflower Walk, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen

Jul 9

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Black Bears, Bluefin Bay, Tofte

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Stars & Meteors, Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Sam Miltich & Friends, VFW, Grand Rapids

Jul 6, 13, 20, 27

Family Movie Night, Public Library, Brainerd

Jul 9-10

Duluth Airshow, Duluth

Jul 7

AAYP July luncheon, Alexandria

Jul 9-10

Grand Marais Arts Festival, Grand Marais

Jul 7

Quilt Show, Park Rapids

Jul 9, 13-15

A Year With Frog and Toad (Theatre),

Wilderness Supply, Grand Marais

Jul 9

Jul 16 Jul 16

Live Music- Mississippi Driftwood, Gull Dam

Grand Rapids

Brewing, Nisswa

Children Be A Naturalist, Forest History

Jul 16

Live Music- Boots and Spurs, Ernie’s on Grand,

Center, Grand Rapids

East Gull Lake

Jul 16

Bigfork Valley Health Expo, Bigfork

Jul 16

BBQ & Brew Fest, Chamber, Deer River

Jul 16-17

North Shore Water Festival, Stone Harbor

Jul 7

21 Poets/21 Seconds, DAI at the Depot, Duluth

Pequot Lakes

Jul 16-17

Art in the Park, Library Park, Bemidji

Jul 7

Brainerd Family YMCA Fundraiser, Brainerd

Jul 9, 23

Science Saturdays, Soudan

Jul 16-17

Accidental Hero (theatre), Alexandria

Jul 7-8

Big Ole SUP-ATHON, Alexandria

Jul 9, 30

Music at Papa Charlie’s Saloon & Grill, Lutsen

Jul 16-17

Jul 7-10

Heritage Days, Two Harbors

Jul 10

Midseason Championship, Speedway, Bemidji

Jul 17

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

City Band Concert, Longyear Park, Coleraine

Jul 10

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

Fire & Ice, Beach Walk, East Bay Suites,

Grand Marais

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

The Nature of Oberg Mountain, Tofte

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

Jul 10-16

A Superior North Shore, Eagle Ridge

Resort, Lutsen

Jul 11

Pioneer Days, Birchdale Lakes Area Music Festival- Prelude Series,

Macro Invertebrates, Chik-Wauk Museum and

Trinity Lutheran Church, Brainerd

Nature Center, Grand Marais

Lakes Area Music Festival- Prelude Series,

Jul 17

Duluth Art Institute’s Outdoor Painting

Crosslake Lutheran Church, Crosslake

Festival, Plein Air Duluth: Paint Du Nord,Duluth

Mushroom Foraging, Ely Folk School, Ely

Jul 17

Navigating w/ Map & Compass, Ely Folk

Jul 17

Race Day, Bemidji Speedway, Bemidji

School, Ely

Jul 17

Annual Bemidji Car Show, Bemidji

Logging in the Days of Paul Bunyan, Caribou

Jul 11

Author Traci Mann, Public Library, Brainerd

Jul 17

Summer 5K Trail Rivet Run/Walk , Duluth

Highlands Lodge, Lutsen

Jul 12

Storyteller Zaraawar Mistry, Library, Brainerd

Jul 18

Sam Miltich & Charmin Michelle, Hot Club

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

City Band, Thomas Owens Park, Two Harbors

Jul 13

Quick Paint, Midtown Park, Lincoln Park,Duluth

Guitar & Jazz, Edge Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

Baby Story time at the Library, Brainerd

Jul 13

Summer History Nights: Movie Night, Ely

Jul 18

Author Faith Sullivan, Public Library, Brainerd

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

Jul 13

Music in the Parks- Don Hughes and Rainy

Jul 19

River Band, International Falls

Cribbage Tournament, Gull Dam

Brewing, Nisswa

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

Market In The Park, Pequot Lakes

Jul 7, 14, 21, 28

Green Scene Farmers Market, Walker

Jul 13

Plein Air Duluth: Quick Paint, Midtown

Park, Duluth

Jul 20

Late Night at the Museum, Dorthy Molter Museum, Ely Professor Marvel’s Magic of the Olympics, International Falls

Jul 8

TimberKids Triathlon, Grand Rapids

Greater Downtown Council’s Sidewalk Days

Jul 20

Music in the Parks- Paper Parlor, Int’l Falls

Jul 8

Art Exhibit Opening Reception- Time and The

Festival, Duluth

Jul 20

Gunflint Trail Canoe Races, Grand Marais

Jul 13-15

Decay of Memory, Brainerd

Jul 13, 20, 27

Live Music at Moguls Grille & Tap Room, Lutsen

Jul 20

Fairlawn Ice Cream Social, Superior

Jul 8

Music- Tom Hunter, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Jul 13, 20, 27

Organs in Revue, Hibbing

Jul 20

Duluth Woman’s Club 49th Annual Tour of

Jul 8

Live Music- Billly Shaffer, Ernie’s on Gull, East

Jul 14

Wine & Art Crawl, Alexandria

Homes and Gardens, Duluth

Gull Lake

Jul14

Park Point 5-Miler, Duluth

Gunflint Trail Canoe Races, Gunflint Lodge,

Iconic Fest Music Festival, The Green Lantern,

Jul 8-9

Brainerd

Jul 14-16

Jul 14-17, 20-24

Jul 20

Nunsense, Chalberg Theatre/CLC, Brainerd

Grand Marais

Rock of Ages, Duluth Playhouse, Duluth

Country Sampler Picnic, Northland

Jul 20

119

ON THE RADAR

Arboretum, Brainerd

Itasca State Park

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24

Jul 20-23

Moondance Jam, Walker

Brat Pack Radio, Crosslake Music Series,

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Jul 20-23

Ely Watercolor Show & Sale, Ely

Crosslake

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Wednesday Night Sailboat Races, Duluth

Jul 20-24

Bike MS: TRAM Ride 2016, St. Joseph

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Sam Miltich & Friends, VFW, Grand Rapids

Jul 30

Chase the Police Triathlon, Walker

Stars & Meteors, Lutsen Resort, Lutsen Live Music at Moguls Grille & Tap Room, Lutsen

Jul 21

Middle School Tennis Jamboree, Alexandria

Jul 30

Blackduck Woodcarvers Festival, Blackduck

Aug 4

AAYP August luncheon, Alexandria

Jul 21

Duluth Street Photographer Opening

Jul 30

International Dance for Beginners, Ely Folk

Aug 4

Baby Story time at the Library, Brainerd

Aug 4

Reception, Duluth

School, Ely

Jim Denomie and John Salhus, Nemeth Art

Bring Out Your Dead Vintage Motorcycle

Jul 21- Sept 30

Jul 30

Center, Park Rapids

Rally, Duluth

Arsenic and Old Lace, Arrowhead Center for

Woman-Made: Marvelous Things by Northland

Jul 21, 23, 29, 31

Jul 30

Aug 4

the Arts, Grand Marais

Women Art & Gift Fair, Duluth

Large Lakes Observatory (LLO)- Science on

Brainerd Town Night- CUB foods, Brainerd

Jul 22

Jul 30

Aug 4-Sep 3

2016 Duluth Kidney Walk, Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth Gull Dam Cribbage Tournament, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa David Richter- Drawings, Edge Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Deck, Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth

Jul 30-31

Powerboat Races, Serpent Lake

Jul 22

Jerry Seinfeld, DECC Symphony Hall, Duluth

Jul 30-31

Art in the Park 2016, Alexandria

the Arts, Grand Marais

Jul 22

Jul 31

City Band, Thomas Owens Park, Two Harbors

Aug 4, 6, 12, 14

Arsenic and Old Lace, Arrowhead Center for

Live Music- Mark Maraz, Ernie’s on Gull,

Races and Power Wheels Derby, Bemidji

Aug 4, 11

East Gull Lake

Raceway, Bemidji

Aug 4, 11, 18

Jul 22-24

Garrison Play Days Festival, Garrison

Wild on the Gunflint Trail, Chik-Wauk Museum

Aug 4, 11, 18, 25

Jul 23

All Pints North Summer Brew Fest, Duluth

and Nature Center, Grand Marais

Grand Marais

Jul 23

The Nature of Oberg Mountain, Tofte

Jul 31

Lake Superior Classic & Custom Boat Show,

Beacon Lighting, Split Rock Lighthouse,

Aug 4, 11, 18, 25

Superior, WI

Two Harbors

Aug 4, 11, 18, 25

3rd Annual Let’s Go Fishing & Boiler Makers

Jul 31

Celebrate 125 Years of Skyline Parkway, Duluth

Jul 31

Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul concert,

Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth

Jul 23

Jul 31

Union Family Fishing Contest, Grand Rapids

Drawing and Walking in Nature, Edge of the

Jul 23

Wilderness Discovery Center, Marcell

Ephemeral Poetry Workshop, DAI Lincoln Center

Jul 23

for Arts Education, Duluth

Jul 23

Decade 7, Crosslake Music Series, Crosslake

Jul 23

Jul 23

Jul 23

Jul 31

Live Music- The Rolling Stoners, Gull Dam

Aug 1

Brewing, Nisswa

Aug 1-7

Lakes Area Music Festival- Prelude Series,

Aug 1, 8

United Methodist Church, Motley

Aug 2

Aug 4, 11, 18, 25

Community Concert- The Lakes Area Music

Festival, Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd

AUGUST

Aug 5

Hibbing Chamber Annual Golf Classic, Hibbing

Aug 5

First Friday Art Walk, Grand Rapids

Aug 5

David Richter- Drawings Reception, Edge

Family Story time at the Library, Brainerd

Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Tim White’s Artist Talk, DAI, the Depot, Duluth

Aug 5

Wake Up! Alexandria

Aug 5

Aug 2-6

Batty about Bats, Soudan

Family Move time at the Library, Brainerd

Aug 2, 9, 16

Movie Night at the Park, Bemidji

Indie Film, Reif Performing Arts Center,

Grand Rapids

Aug 5

Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum 10th Anniversary Celebration, Alexandria Gaelynn Lea Performance, Duluth Art Institute at the Depot, Duluth

School, Ely

Kid’s Day, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature

Aug 5

Deuces Wild Dueling Pianos, Walker

Finnish Music Dance Festival, Hibbing

Center, Grand Marais

Aug 5

Cass County Museum Free Friday, Walker

Chester Creek Concerts at Chester Bowl, Duluth

Aug 5-7

Becoming a Boundary Waters Family,

Jul 23

Aug 2, 9, 16

When Doves Cry- A Party for Prince Rogers Nelson, Franklin Arts Center Resident Artists

Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, Bemidji

Aug 2, 9

Northwoods Vegetable Gardening, Ely Folk

Logging in the Days of Paul Bunyan, Caribou Highlands Lodge, Lutsen

Gallery, Brainerd

Jul 23

A Superior North Shore, Eagle Ridge Resort, Lutsen

Music- Last Call, Ernie’s on Gull, East Gull Lake

Aug 5

Jul 23

Fire & Ice, a Beach Walk, East Bay Suites,

Bridges of Hope Glow On!, Northland

Market In The Park, Pequot Lakes

Arboretum, Brainerd

Jul 24

Scout Night, Bemidji Speedway, Bemidji

Aug 2, 9, 16

Jul 24

Wild Edibles, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature

Aug 2, 9, 16, 23

Tall Timber Days / Grand Rapids Summer Celebration, Grand Rapids

Center, Grand Marais

Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center,

Jul 24

Paddle Battle of Gull, Zorbaz on Gull, Nisswa

Grand Marais

Jul 24

Lakes Area Music Festival- Prelude Series,

Aug 2, 9, 16, 23

Wolves in the Night, Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

Aug 5, 12-13, 25

Live Music at Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais

Salem Lutheran Church, Deerwood

Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Doggie Happy Hour, Fitger’s Courtyard, Duluth

Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

Movies in the Park, Duluth

Author Eric Dregni, Public Library, Brainerd

Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Tuesday Summer Concert Series, Grand Rapids

Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

23rd Annual HCC College for Kids, Hibbing

Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Farmers Market & Artists Market, Ely

LeVeaux, Tofte

Aug 3

Forest Fire! Friend or Foe?, Bluefin Bay, Tofte

120

Jul 30

Jul 25

Jul 25-29

Jul 25-30

Aug 5-7, 12-14

Birchmont Golf Tournament, Bemidji Town &

Music in the Parks- Icebox Radio Theater,

Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

Country Club, Bemidji

International Falls

Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

Tennis Family Fun Night, Alexandria

KISS Freedom to Rock Tour, AMSOIL

Aug 6 Aug 6

Jul 27

Aug 3

Day out with Thomas, The North Shore Scenic Railroad, Duluth

Amazing Amusing Moose, Chateau

Live Music, Castle Danger Brewery,Two Harbors 2nd Annual Bluegrass Festival, Baudette

Jul 27

Crazy Daze!, International Falls area

Arena, Duluth

Jul 27

Music in the Parks- Rainy Lake Community

Moonlight- The Lakes Area Music Festival,

Wing State Park Romantica, Crosslake Music Series, Crosslake

Aug 3

Canoe Days & Fur Trade Encampment, Crow

Orchestra, International Falls

Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd

Aug 6

Jul 28-31

Blueberry Festival, Lake George

Aug 3-6

Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, Bemidji

Aug 6

Jul 29

Live Music- The Muddy Waters Band, Gull Dam

Aug 3-7

Spirit Valley Days, Duluth

Fisherman’s Picnic Weekend, Grand Marais

Aug 6

Floydian Slip, Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais

Wildflower Walk, Cascade Lodge, Lutsen

Aug 6

2nd Annual City on the Hill Music Fest, Bayfront

Brewing, Nisswa

Aug 3-7

Northern MN Swap Meet & Car Show,

Aug 3, 9, 17, 24

Jul 29-31

Great River Energy Mesabi Trail Tour 2016, Virginia to Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids

Aug 3, 10

Organs in Revue, Hibbing

Festival Park, Duluth

Jul 29-31

Onigum Pow Wow, Onigum

Aug 3, 10

Beers & Gears, Gull Dam Brewing, Nisswa

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Jul 29-31

Blueberry Art Festival, Ely

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24

Birding w/Bill Tefft & Ely Field Naturalists, Ely

(DECC) 50th Anniversary, Duluth

Jul 29-31

Itasca State Park Birthday Weekend Festival,

Aug 3, 10, 17, 24

Black Bears, Bluefin Bay, Tofte

Great River Energy- Mesabi Trail Bike Tour,

Aug 6 Aug 6

Grand Rapids

Lakes Area Music Festival, Tornstrom

Wonders of the Night Sky, Forest History

Auditorium, Brainerd

Aug 6

Aug 23

Fun with Music & Rhythm, Marcell Family Center, Marcell

Center, Grand Rapids

Aug 13

Music- Infringe, Ernie’s on Gull, East Gull Lake

Aug 24

Tennis Family Fun Night, Alexandria

Walker Bay Days, Walker

Aug 13

Rainy Lake Triathalon, Ranier area

Aug 25

The Tribute Fest- Country, Bayfront Festival

Aug 6

Aug 6

Bay Days 5K, Walker

Aug 13

Deer Hide Baby Booties, Ely Folk School, Ely

Park, Duluth

Aug 6

Bemidji Lions Fare & BBQ, Bemidji

Aug 13

Real Horse Power, Forest History Center,

North Central Research and Outreach Center

Aug 25

Aug 6

Rummage Sale, Bemidji

Grand Rapids

Visitor’s Day, Grand Rapids

Aug 6

Depot Day, Beltrami County History Center,

Blackwaters Brew Fest, Portage Park, Cohasset

Watershed Foundation Gala, Bluewater

Aug 13

Aug 25

Bemidji

Aug 13

SHTA Guided Hike, Hwy 1 to Silver Bay

Lodge, Walker

Aug 13

Tori Music Festival, Finland

Int’l Falls Bass Championship events, Int’l Falls

Aug 6, 13, 20, 27

Tracks and Tracking, Caribou Highlands

Aug 25-27

Lodge, Lutsen

Aug 13-14

KA Bike Duluth Festival, Spirit Mtn., Duluth

Aug 25-28

National Park Service Birthday

Nature of the Point, Coast Guard Station,

Aug 13-15

Leech Lake Regatta, Leech Lake Marina, Walker

Aug 25-28

Pay It Forward, Walleyefest 2016, Lake of the

Aug 6, 13, 20, 27

Grand Marais

Aug 14

Kids Boxcar Night, Bemidji Raceway, Bemidji

Woods area

Wild Cats of the North Shore, Cascade

Aug 14

8th Annual Bubble Festival, Duluth

Build a Dreamcatcher, Eagle Ridge Resort,

Aug 14

Gunflint & Lake Superior: Ontario’s Private

Lutsen

Aug 6, 13, 20, 27

Aug 26

Lodge, Lutsen

Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert, Log Cabin,

American Railroad, Chik-Wauk Museum and

Grand Marais

Nature Center, Grand Marais

Aug 6, 20

Aug 6, 20

Aug 7

Science Saturdays, Soudan

Race of Champion Qualifier, Raceway, Bemidji

Aug 14

Aug 7

2nd Annual 2.5K Family Bubble Bash

Aug 7

Bedtime Stories- The Lakes Area Music

Aug 14-16

Festival, Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd

Aug 7, 14

Service Industry Night, Pequot Lakes

Aug 7, 14, 28

Aug 15-19, 22-26

Aug 26

Gunflint Woods, Winds & Strings Benefit

Aug 26

Concert, Grand Marais

Aug 26-27

Large Lakes Observatory (LLO)- Science on Deck, Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth Cuyuna Crusher Night Ride, Crosby The Tribute Fest, Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth

The Tall Ship “The Mist of Avalon”, “Mackinaw”

Aug 26-27

Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival, Duluth

in port, Grand Portage National Monument

Aug 26-28

Cha Cha Bah Ning Pow Wow, Inger

North Shore Scenic Railroad’s Murder on the

Aug 26-28

Disoriented Express, Duluth

Aug 27

Embarrass Region Fair, Embarrass Cuyuna MN Mtn. Bike Race Program, Crosby

Brunch on the Bay with Duluth Grill and Vista

Aug 17

Summer Reading Picnic, International Falls

Aug 27

Fleet, Duluth

Aug 17

Music in the Parks- Library Books n’ Boogie

Aug 27

Crosslake

John Perkins, Edge Center for the Arts, Bigfork Cactus Blossoms, Crosslake Music Series,

Aug 8-12

Camp Invention, HCC, Hibbing

Street Dance, International Falls

Aug 9

Putt Fore Dough, Alexandria

Daydreams- The Lakes Area Music Festival,

Aug 28

Lake Country Triathalon Whipple Beach, Baxter

Aug 9

Creativity Tank presents “Flying Words”,

Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd

Aug 28

Cuyuna Mountain Bike Time Trials, Crosby

Aug 17

International Falls

Aug 17-21

Itasca County Fair, Grand Rapids

Aug 28

Youth Outdoor Activity Day, Alexandria

Aug 9

Loony Day, Ely

Aug 18-20

Cajun Fest, Northern Lights Casino, Walker

Aug 28

Season Championship, Raceway, Bemidji

Aug 9, 16

Aug 10

Children’s Fishing Contest, Hackensack

Aug 18-21

Tall Ships Duluth, Duluth

Music in the Parks- Darcy Sullivan and Friends,

Aug 18-21

Art in Bayfront Park, Duluth

Aug 18-21

International Falls

Serenata- The Lakes Area Music Festival,

Aug 10

Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd

Aug 18-21

Hibbing Area Chamber Women Build, Hibbing

Aug 19 Aug 19

Aug 10-11

Duluth Tall Ships Kayak Experience with The Duluth Experience, Duluth World’s Largest Rubber Ducky, Duluth Wake Up! Alexandria

Aug 10-11

Jr. Biologist Mini Camps, Int’l Wolf Center, Ely

Aug 10-14

Beltrami County Fair, Bemidji

Edge Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Aug 11

Crazy Days Sidewalk Sales, Walker

Concert: John Berquist, Minnesota folk

Aug 11-14

Aug 11, 18, 25

Aug 12

Aug 12

Aug 12-13

Aug 20

musician, Ely Folk School, Ely

Green Scene Farmers Market, Walker

Aug 20

Nightmare and Victory- Lakes Area Music

Night Sky of the Northwoods, Soudan

Festival, Tornstrom Auditorium, Brainerd

35th Annual Minnesota State Old Time Fiddle

Aug 20

4th Annual Garlic 5 Course Dinner, Alexandria

Championship, Mountain Iron

Aug 20

Bill & Kate Isles & Band, Edge Center for the

ACR and All Visitors- Open House, Library,

Arts, Bigfork

International Falls

Aug 20

Rampage at the Ridge, Giants Ridge, Biwabik

Aug 20

Aug 12-13

Ranier Days, Ranier

Aug 12-13

Suomi Centennial, Grand Rapids area

Crosslake

Aug 12-14

28th Annual Bayfront Blues Fest, Duluth

Southside Aces, Crosslake Music Series,

Aug 12-14

Pow Wow & Rendezvous Days, Grand Portage

Aug 20

Ride For Vets, American Legion, Walker

Aug 12-14

Tall Ship “The Mist of Avalon”, Grand Portage

Aug 20

Backwoods Bash Color Dash 5K, Blackduck

Aug 12-14

Rendezvous Days, Grand Portage National

Aug 20

Aug 20-21 Aug 20, 26-27

Aug 12, 19

Music at Voyageur Brewing Co., Grand Marais

Aug 13

The Piano Bar featuring the Northern Lights

Aug 13

Gelli Printing, Marcell Family Center, Marcell Art Fair, Forestedge Winery, Laporte North Shore Scenic Railroad’s Elegant Dinner Train, Duluth

Trio, Edge Center for the Arts, Bigfork

Aug 21

Boys & Girls Club Night, Raceway, Bemidji

Church of Cash, Crosslake Music Series,

Aug 21

Lynx Population in Cook County, Chik-Wauk

Crosslake

Museum and Nature Center, Grand Marais

Mini-Golf for the Old Firehouse, Duluth

Aug 13

Britten: A Midsummer Night’s Dream- The

Aug 22

www.dnr.state.mn.us/125/events.html

For more events from Brainerd International Raceway, visit: http://brainerdraceway.com/events/

For more events from North Central Speedway visit: http://racencs.net/ncs/schedule/

Monarch Festival, Soudan

Monument

For special 125th Anniversary Celebration Events visit:

“Artful Cuisine and Wine in the Wilderness,”

Falls High School All Class Reunion, Int’l Falls

Aug 20

DON’T FORGET ABOUT OUR GREAT STATE PARKS!

SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS! Make sure your event is listed by submitting your events to submissions@laketimemagazine.com

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We are very excited to announce the launch of The Lake + Co. Shop.

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ng

The shop will be open for business online at thelakeandco.com in July. We will be featuring our own branded merchandise, as well as offerings from brands we love, such as Hagen & Oats, SOTA Clothing, Hi Little One, and more.

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Lit On

Hagen and Oats

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Be sure to follow Lake Time Magazine on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on this exciting launch.

Hi Litt

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#ilaketoshop #itslaketime

In Minnesota, the best moments aren’t measured in time.

They’re measured in paddles on the lake and pedals throughout the city.

In 130-foot pines and 20-ounce pints. Rock shows and rocks on the shore.

Lighthouses and northern lights. Lost forests and newfound friends.

How will you measure yours?

P L A N Y O U R M I N N E S O T A V A C A T I O N A T E X P L O R E M I N N E S O T A .C O M CALL 1–888–847–4866 FOR MORE INFORMATION