Northern Wilds June 2026

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Tails of the Northland

Okay, I know not everyone is a pet person, but you’ve got to admit—our latest cover is pretty darn adorable. Shoutout to photographer and writer Kalli Hawkins for sharing her photo of Cooper with us. He was the perfect candidate to represent our pet theme this month.

Cooper isn’t the only cute critter in this issue. In Along the Shore, Anne Graybeal introduces us to Contented Critters Animal Rescue in Ely, where they rescue not only cats and dogs, but farm animals, too. The story comes with plenty of adorable photos. From there, we head to Thunder Bay, where Sleeping Giant Dog Sports will host dog agility trials at Chippewa Park this summer. Whether you’re participating, volunteering, or spectating, you’re bound to have a good time. Then, Victoria Lynn Smith shares tips for hiking and camping with canine companions.

In our first feature story, Dana Johnson explores pet wellness in the Northland, from veterinary care and chiropractic treatments to grooming and spa services—everything pampered pets need to stay healthy and happy.

Our second feature moves from pets to paddleboards as Victoria Lynn Smith gets us out on the water with North Shore SUP on Barker’s Island in Superior. The business rents stand-up paddleboards, offers lessons and activities, and sells paddleboarding equipment. It sounds like the perfect way to go cool off this summer.

Prefer your water activities a little drier? Gord Ellis recommends jigging for walleye, a favorite among anglers on both sides of the border, while Joe

Shead highlights fishing opportunities at Tom Lake in Cook County.

After all that time outdoors, you’re probably going to be hungry. Be sure to check out our 2026 Restaurant Award winners on page 36 for dining inspiration. Or follow North Shore Dish columnist Virginia George into the flavorful world of phở, the Vietnamese soup pronounced “fuh.” She highlights authentic options at Lucky’s Restaurant in Thunder Bay and Phởholic in Duluth, which took first place in our Ethnic Fare category. Keeping with the theme of cultural connection, Michelle Johnson previews the Global Food Picnic at the Moose Hall in Thunder Bay on June 14. Summer is officially in full swing, and the calendar is packed with events, including Grandma’s Marathon, the Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival, Lutsen 99er, Chum Rhubarb Festival, Thunder Bay Mining Day, Larsmont Summer Days, and the Park Point Art Fair. Be sure to check out my Spotlight section for a look at some of this year’s featured artists.

There’s much more tucked between these pages, but I’ll let you discover the rest for yourself. And when you’re not reading, get outside and enjoy the long summer days while they last.

Breana Johnson Editor editor@northernwilds.com

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Elle Andra-Warner, Josie Cooke, Gord Ellis, Virginia George, Anne Graybeal, Jennifer Janasie, Dana Johnson, Michelle Johnson, Michelle Miller, Deane Morrison, Hartley Newell-Acero, Chris Pascone, Joe Shead, Victoria Lynn Smith, Naomi Yaeger, Marie Zhuikov, Sam Zimmerman

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The Hard, Hopeful Work of Animal Rescue

Contented Critters in Ely

ELY—“Animal rescue is tough,” said Michelle Greener, board president of Contented Critters Animal Rescue in Ely. “There are animals in need everywhere.”

That reality shapes nearly every part of the organization’s work. From cats with complex medical needs to calves rescued from neglect, Contented Critters has become a hub for animal care across northeastern Minnesota. But for Greener, the work is also about building something sustainable: a rescue model that protects not only animals, but the people caring for them.

“Veterinary care work is very hard emotionally. You burn people out really, really quickly. We’re seeing it across veterinary practices, rescues, and shelters. There’s not enough. We’ve really tried to look at setting up practices that are going to be good for staff in the long term,” Greener said. “Not just for us, but maybe for other rescues, as well.”

Contented Critters began in McNair before relocating to Ely after the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the rescue operates

through foster families and a partnership with the Myre family property, where farm sanctuary animals are cared for while the organization works toward a major next step: creating a public-facing rescue facility in Ely.

“Our supporters are looking for a little bit more access,” Greener said. “It’s really hard to adopt a dog when we don’t necessarily have a facility where you can come and meet the dogs or play with the cats.”

The organization is currently working with the City of Ely on purchasing property for a future rescue center. Greener describes the process as complicated but exciting, involving rezoning meetings, fundraising, and long-term planning.

That growth reflects how much the rescue has changed in recent years under Animal Rescue Director Hailey Myre, who also works closely with the Ely Veterinary Clinic. Greener credits Myre, the “fearless leader” of Contented Critters, with reshaping the organization and building strong partnerships within the veterinary community.

Greener arrived at Contented Critters almost accidentally. During the pandemic, her family was isolating to protect her adopted daughter Emma, who has significant medical needs. Greener hoped to find an outlet for her daughter Liv that was compatible with the family’s desire to limit contact with crowds.

Liv began volunteering with the rescue. Before long, Greener was helping transport animals, joining the board, and eventually agreeing, somewhat reluctantly, to serve as president.

“One day it was, ‘Can you join the board?’” Greener said. “Then within a few months it was, ‘Well, we just need a president for one year.’ Well, it’s been three years now.”

She laughs about how quickly the role expanded, but also speaks openly about why she stayed.

“I love what we’re doing,” she said. “I’m passionate about this work.”

That work includes not only cats and dogs, but a growing collection of rescued farm animals at the sanctuary. There is Lou-

is, a steer with neurological issues who was not expected to survive beyond six months. Now several years old, he has become one of the rescue’s most well-known animals.

“You can tell he’s still a little off,” Greener said. “But shockingly, he really is doing well.” There is also Elmer, another steer rescued while critically ill. Now Elmer is thriving, though still unusually small from the effects of early illness. The sanctuary also houses pigs, goats, and the rescue’s newest arrival, a calf named Henrietta who may have bovine dwarfism.

“We’ll see if we can help her out,” Greener said. “And if not, then we’ll have to make the tough decision to give her some peace.”

Those difficult decisions are a constant part of rescue work. “We’re not in the business of creating suffering,” she said. “Euthanasia is really hard, but I always tell our staff we’re giving them a gift.”

That perspective has shaped the rescue’s broader philosophy around care, burnout, and emotional sustainability.

“If you don’t find small ways to do some

self-care, you’ll burn out or break down really fast,” Greener said.

The organization works closely with the Ely Veterinary Clinic, which provides care for rescue animals and partners with Contented Critters on a low-cost spay and neuter program. The clinic also helps support emergency medical cases through what the rescue calls its Angel Fund, which assists families struggling to afford compassionate euthanasia or urgent veterinary care.

“When those come across, if we can fundraise for it, we’ll post on social media,” Greener said. “The money always goes straight to the vet, and we make sure that the animal gets the vet care.”

For Greener, one of the rescue’s biggest priorities is preventing future overpopulation.

“We can’t keep up,” she said. “There aren’t enough homes.”

The rescue encourages people to spay and neuter pets as early as possible, a message Greener jokingly compared to Bob Barker’s longtime signoff on The Price Is Right.

Beyond rescue work itself, Contented Critters has become deeply woven into the Ely community. Staff and volunteers bring animals to Carefree Living, an assisted-living home, for bingo events and therapy visits.

Veterinary technician students assist with clinics and gain hands-on experience working with animals and the public.

Despite the challenges, Greener remains deeply proud of the organization and the culture surrounding it.

“We do good work at Contented Critters,” she said. “I’m so grateful to get to be a part of it.”

After a pause, she added the thing that seems to drive nearly everyone involved with the rescue.

“It is tangible,” Greener said. “You feel like you’re really accomplishing something, even though there’s so much more to be done.”

Adoptable animals are featured on the rescue’s website (contentedcrittersmn.org ) and Facebook page.— Anne Graybeal

OPEN DAILY

Weaving Community Through Food Thunder Bay’s Global Food Picnic

Tuesdays Starting June 23 Kids’ Day All Day

Fridays Starting June 19 Nature Hikes 1-2pm

June 21 Cary Griffith Blowdowns, Wolves, & Bears! 2-3pm, Nature Center

June 24 Kelly Dupre Community Printmaking Workshop 3-5pm, Schaap Community Center

THUNDER BAY—The Global Food Picnic is built on a simple idea: Food, smiles, and laughter are some of the most reliable ways people connect. On June 14, Tapestry International Women’s Network, in partnership with Roots Community Food Centre, will bring flavours from around the world together for an afternoon that feels less like an event and more like a shared table.

In 2019, the two organizations joined forces to organize Thunder Bay’s first Ethnic Food Picnic, inviting women home chefs—not commercial vendors—to share dishes from their cultures. It was created to celebrate cultural diversity, build friendships in an informal setting, and give newcomer and immigrant women a visible place in the community. Now known as the Global Food Picnic, the gathering continues to give people, who may never have met, a chance to discover they have more in common than they think.

Last year, about 20 home chefs from various regions and countries took part, offering dishes to about 500 guests that reflected their cultures and culinary creativity. Organizer Roopa Rakshit said this year’s picnic will follow the same model: Guests can also expect henna and nail painting, face painting, jewellery and crafts, cultural artifacts, and African hair braiding—small touches that add to the welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

A NETWORK BUILT ON HEART

The picnic is just one example of how Tapestry International Women’s Network brings people together. Since 2018, the volunteer-driven group has been creating spaces where newcomer women, families, and long-time residents can connect through culture, conversation, and shared experience. As the group’s background notes, “Tapestry

is built on trust, lived experience, and human connection. It operates as an evolving network—deeply embedded in the community.”

Over the years, Tapestry has hosted cultural events, community talks, and fundraisers, donating to local charities such as Elevate NWO, the Underground Gym, and Isthmus. “With limited resources and unlimited heart, we have created spaces where we women can feel seen and heard,” Rakshit told supporters at a recent gathering.

A GRANT THAT STRENGTHENS THE FOUNDATION

On April 22, Tapestry shared some exciting news: The group had been selected by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants as one of 22 organizations across the province to receive funding—and notably, the only unincorporated group among them. “This is especially a very feel-good moment because unincorporated grassroots [organizations] like us have very limited options for funds,” Rakshit said.

The grant will help Tapestry strengthen its foundation in practical, long-needed ways. The group plans to hire two part-time coordinators to support program delivery and operations, easing the load on volunteers who have long met in coffee shops and borrowed spaces. Governance

Last year, about 20 home chefs from various regions and countries took part in the Global Food Picnic.

| SUBMITTED

and leadership development are also priorities, along with building stronger systems, roles, and policy frameworks, plus improved communications tools—including a long-awaited website and social media platforms.

At the heart of the project is the continuation of Tapestry Circles— small, action-oriented groups where, as Rakshit explained, “learning, mentorship, and leadership can come together.” The circles focus on helping women build financial confidence, find academic and career pathways, learn about Canadian workplace culture, micro - entrepreneurship, health and wellness, and foster a sense of belonging through cultural and community engagement, including volunteerism.

FOOD AS A UNIVERSAL CONNECTOR

Food has always been one of Tapestry’s most reliable tools for building relationships. “Some of the best connections and conversations have happened over a shared plate,” Rakshit said.

Roots Community Food Centre’s Erin Beagle sees the same thing in their shared programming. She described a Culture Kitchen session where a

Don’t forget to bring food containers to the picnic—you’ll want to grab leftovers.

mother and daughter from Iraq and a woman from Ukraine—each speaking very limited English—cooked and ate together. As they shared borscht made

from a grandmother’s recipe, the Iraqi mother and daughter suddenly burst into tears, remembering that the same soup had been served to them in one of the camps they passed through on their refugee journey. It was, Beagle said, “a way for these women to have a heartfelt connection,” even without a shared language.

Thunder Bay is a fitting backdrop for a celebration like the Global Food Picnic. According to the 2021 Census, 8.6 percent of residents are immigrants, and 7.5 percent identify as visible minorities—a reminder that the city’s cultural landscape is broader and more vibrant than many people assume.

JOIN THE TABLE

The Global Food Picnic takes place Sunday, June 14, from 12-4 p.m. at the Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Road. Admission is $5, and kids under 12 are free. As Rakshit urged the crowd at the April gathering, “Please come and bring your friends and families.” And don’t forget containers— you’ll want to take something home.

Michelle Johnson

Open for Dining

Breakfast: Tuesday - Saturday seating is at 8am, set menu BY RESERVATIONS ONLY

Dinner: Monday - Saturday seating is at 6pm, with an early beverage service at 5pm BY RESERVATIONS ONLY

Celebrate Two Harbors Heritage Days A Summer Festival Tradition

TWO HARBORS—City celebrations are a traditional summer activity along the North Shore, and Two Harbors continues this local tradition with the annual Heritage Days held July 9-12. There has been some version of a celebration in Two Harbors since the 1960s, settling into Heritage Days during the 1990s, and continuing again this year.

The four-day festival kicks off Thursday, July 9, with the Dairy Queen-sponsored medallion hunt, with clues posted each day until the medallion is found. A kiddie parade is also scheduled Thursday evening, along with an ice cream social, and, back by popular demand, the Bubble Party Extravaganza will be held in Thomas Owen Park following the parade. The Heritage Stage will open Friday morning with free live entertainment throughout the weekend, located off South Avenue in the community center parking lot.

Located on Highway 61 just

Gift Shop Open: Tues - Sat, 9am -5pm Superior Superior

Organizers say there is a packed schedule this year with something for everyone, and festivalgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs to enjoy the shows. Each year, the event grows and offers something new while keeping the favorites. The long-standing, popular lutefisk toss will return this year. It is a friendly competition, pitting the Norwegian and Finnish heritages against each other in a game of tossing fish, held on Friday, July 10.

bands, the Shriners’ scooters, horses, and local businesses. A fun component of the Two Harbors parade is the participation of high

the parade, will be announced prior to the start of the parade. Registration is free for all floats, and applications are accepted up

Helicopter rides are just one of the many activities offered at Heritage Days. | SUBMITTED

said this successful weekend helps sustain them for the rest of the year.” This event is sanctioned and partially funded by the City of Two Harbors, in addition to individual donations, grants, and Lovin’ Lake County.

The Heritage Days committee is made up entirely of volunteers. Sundstrom says, “We have been doing this together for so long, we all know what tasks need to be done, and it runs like a well-oiled machine, but we are always looking for new ideas.” The group responded to feedback from local residents saying that, other than music, there was not much available for people in their 20s and 30s. This year, a cornhole tournament will be offered, beginning right after the Saturday parade. There is an entry fee that will cover cash prizes, and teams can sign up on the Heritage Days Facebook page. Participants provide their own bags.

The annual Friday night street dance is returning with national headliner country music legend Sammy Kershaw. This is made possible by Lovin’ Lake County, a nonprofit created more than five years ago to oversee the distribution of lodging tax collected from the county. More than $400,000 is granted each year to support events and festivals throughout the area. Any group or organization in the county is eligible to apply, and grants are open until funds are gone.

Lovin’ Lake County Executive Director Janelle Jones says large events like Heritage Days and Bay Days receive larger grants because “they are a large tourist attraction and a way to say thank you to the locals.” The street dance begins at 6 p.m., welcoming Two Harbors musician Ricky Carl. At 7:30 p.m., up-and-coming touring artist Rafe Carlson hits the stage, and Sammy Kershaw performs at 9 p.m. Jones says she is “thrilled to bring top-notch entertainment to Two Harbors and is excited Lovin’ Lake County can be part of

The Friday night street dance will once again feature country music legend Sammy Kershaw. | SUBMITTED

this amazing weekend tradition.”

Attractions running throughout the festival include nearly 60 food and artisan vendors set up along the parking lot by the Depot, helicopter rides, and free horse-drawn carriage rides. In addition to nonstop music all weekend, visitors can also enjoy the fireman’s pancake breakfast and a classic car show. Businesses near the festival grounds host sidewalk barbecues and special events throughout the weekend. The full schedule of events can be found on the Two Harbors Heritage Day social media pages.

Michelle Miller

Dog Agility Trials in Thunder Bay Adventure and Bonding for Dogs and Owners

THUNDER BAY—Dog owners interested in spending time with their dogs in a unique way should consider checking out the niche hobby of dog agility. Human handlers train their canine partners and then enter them into various competitions called classes, such as jumping or speedstakes, which emphasizes speed and removes all contact-based equipment.

A dog agility club in Thunder Bay called Sleeping Giant Dog Sports is running three

seven years, and the UKI venue for the last

“All of us agility enthusiasts here in Thunder Bay, when we first started running trials, there was only one in town (with the North American Dog Agility Council). We would have to go to Winnipeg, Sault Ste. Marie, or to the States,” says Williams.

Since then, the club started from scratch with fundraising, equipment, and obtaining judges to run its trials.

One of Williams’ favorite things to share about the dog agility world is that, “Any dog can do it. We have a lot of mixed breeds and a lot of rescues,” she says. For example, the AAC is dedicated to the inclusion of all handlers and dogs, without regard for pedigree, as long as the participating dog can demonstrate the required agility, control, and skill needed for the various tests, according to the organization’s website.

AAC’s overall philosophy is that the challenge and competition of dog agility should be enjoyed by all participants, including dogs, handlers, and spectators. “There is always a lot of connection between you and your dog,” says Williams. “And we welcome lots of spectators; you do have to stay a certain distance from the fence, though—even further away if you have a dog,” she emphasizes.

“Chippewa Park is just beautiful; it’s close to a campground too and you can walk right over. And we are right on the water,” says Williams. The setting adds to the event’s appeal, especially since both organizations emphasize fun and accessibility. The UKI strives to “create a friendly and relaxed environment for dogs, handlers, families, and spectators,” according to its website. Chippewa Park also hosts several other family-friendly summer events, such as a Kite Festival and a Children’s World Festival in June, and details can be found on the park’s website.

Another way to get involved with the dog trials is by volunteering at one or more of the events. “We could always use volunteers, helping with things like setting courses and equipment, sitting in the ring, and going out

to set bar heights, etc.,” says Williams. The club can even sign off on required forms for high school volunteer hours. People interested in volunteering can email the club at: sleepinggiantdogs@gmail.com.

Competitors must jump through a series of logistical hoops to prepare for the trials. “To compete, you must register yourself and your dog, and you both have to be members of and registered with the particular venue organization,” says Williams. “And dogs have to be trained—you can’t just enter them without training,” she adds. There is

a lot of training involved, according to Wil liams. “I run a local school where dogs can train on agility equipment—the club runs an agility training yard,” she says. Her enthu siasm for agility trials shines through. “The more people who want to play, the more we get to play!” she says.

This summer’s dog agility trials should offer plenty of opportunities for dog lovers to participate, compete, volunteer, or simply enjoy the sport.—Jennifer Janasie

Birch Grove Clinic

Behavioral Health

High in the Sky: Treewalker Services Redefines Tree Care

GRAND MARAIS—Philip Klobuchar is an owl. Or is he an osprey? Klobuchar works in tree canopies for a living, trimming out tree “windsails,” taking out dead limbs, or simply pruning trees at heights the rest of us would call “for the birds.” But here’s the extra catch—Klobuchar’s techniques are so low-tech, so quiet, and noninvasive—he’s like another one of the natural critters that inhabit tree tops. That’s because Klobuchar doesn’t use cranes, lifts, or other power tools commonly associated with tree removal. Instead, he uses old-school know-how— it’s called physics. Here’s how Treewalker Services is providing alternative tree care in Cook County.

“Just use a little bit of adrenaline, a little bit of brains, and go real slow.” That’s the formula Klobuchar employs in his daily work hanging out 80 feet above the ground in a harness tied into a rope. “Mistakes have to be nonexistent,” he adds.

The first step? Learning your trees. Klobuchar’s work starts with science because he needs to know which weight loads each tree species can bear, how each tree species recovers from injury, and what sorts of risks each tree species presents. “It’s important to be able to calculate those risks; I really enjoy the challenge behind it,” Klobuchar notes. “My work is mentally stimulating that way; I feel like I’m always learning new things about tree biology and the physics of what’s going on.”

Klobuchar has certification with the International Society of Arboriculture. He credits the organization for his continuous professional development. Last year, Klobuchar attended a workshop on the “physics of windsail.” This is an arboricultural technique that takes the “sail” out of a tree’s crown by trimming out overgrown foliage. The wind can thereby pass through the tree’s canopy more easily, minimizing potential storm damage.

“A lot of the arborists in Minnesota are adventurous types, but there’s science and education behind our work too, which is really fun,” says Klobuchar.

Klobuchar learned his trade from apprenticing with other arborists: “I was lucky—

one of the earlier arborists I helped out was a very small operation. He did everything with ropes. He had a chainsaw for some bigger cuts, but mostly we used hand saws.”  Now that Klobuchar is out on his own, he’s keeping this small-scale tradition going in his own practice. He sees his profession’s roots as overlapping with sailing: “It’s an age-old sort of practice with rigging and ropes. It goes back to nautical endeavors. Just two or three sailors could handle incredible amounts of weight with the right friction devices and an understanding of rigging techniques.”

Klobuchar got out on friends’ sailboats while growing up on Lake Superior and did some rock climbing at Wolf Ridge as a kid, but it wasn’t until he moved out west that Klobuchar became so enticed by the idea of climbing massive trees using ropes: “I had a friend who worked in redwood trees. I was

Klobuchar has certification with the International Society of Arboriculture. | SUBMITTED

doing wildfire suppression and construction out west at the time, but would pitch in as one of his ground crew cleaning up. Watching him, seeing the majesty of those titans, was enough for me to decide tree maintenance was the way to go.”

Treewalker Services is generally a one-person team, but Klobuchar also recruits help when there’s a lot of debris or cleanup that needs to happen. Rigging the devices is also best done with two people, Klobuchar explains: “It’s good to have someone on the ground who understands how the lowering devices work. Someone who knows what’s going on with the knots, knows the forces at work, and understands how the branch is going to swing.” Someday, Klobuchar says he would love to expand Treewalker Services and have one or two people who are regular helpers, but typically he’s swinging solo in the branches.

Klobuchar's work at reducing/pruning tree canopies stimulates inner growth, providing fresh life to large or old trees. This will keep trees alive and stronger over time. For Klobuchar, his work is all about preserving and saving the mature giants.

So how does Klobuchar get up in a tree without a ladder or lift? “You start out with a very thin line that has a weighted bag on the end. And much like getting your bear bag up for camping, you throw that line up into the canopy. Based on the way that you sling it, you can actually get it 80-plus feet up in the air.”

Klobuchar aims for a specific union of branches for the rope to lie on, what he calls his “central tie-in.” When the weighted bag falls through that union, Klobuchar then manipulates the way that it falls back down through the canopy to isolate a certain spot: “You can fish with the string until that weight falls through the path that you want it to take.” That way the line isn’t draped over a bunch of other branches or tangled all over the place. Once Klobuchar has his line

JUNE 19-20 AT NORTH HOUSE FOLK SCHOOL CELEBRATE SUMMER ON THE HARBOR

in place, he ties a rope to it and pulls the line to get his climbing rope over the union. He then ties the climbing rope to the tree trunk using a running bowline. Climb on!

Klobuchar has several mechanical ascend ers that he employs. They capture his prog ress ascending the tree, so they’ll slide up, but when pressure is applied downward— say, during a fall—they lock. Klobuchar sits in a harness/saddle called “TreeRex.”

“I’ve never found a tree I couldn’t get into, but I have certainly found a few that were incredibly frustrating,” recounts Klo buchar. Once he’s completed his ascent, he can get to work on his pruning cuts. He then employs friction devices to lower heavy limbs gently.

Sometimes the canopy sways so much in the wind that Klobuchar can feel the sway even back on ground: “It’s kind of like when you’ve been on a boat for the day and then feel the waves even back on shore. There are nights when I’ll lay down and I still feel that wind in the tree.”

One good thing about being so high up on windy days? No mosquitoes. “I don’t deal with ticks, and I don’t see mosquitoes very much,” laughs Klobuchar. “What I do worry about is bees.”

Klobuchar has done a lot of work in Cook County with maples, whether they be sugar maples, Norway maples, or autumn blazes. He also does a lot of structural pruning on birch trees that people want to keep around. He’s also worked on apple trees, crab apples, and white spruces, reducing the tree’s profiles.

Whether you have a decaying tree, an overgrown one, or you’re just concerned for the safety of your buildings and property, Philip Klobuchar has the solution. As he says, “It’s incredible what can be accomplished using physics alone.” You can reach Klobuchar by phone at 530-739-3754, or by email at treewalkerservices@gmail.com.

Chris Pascone

Camping with Canine Friends

NORTH SHORE—A basset hound climbs the wooden stairs with his pet parents at Cascade River State Park. Perhaps it’s the dog’s floppy ears or sad droopy eyes or just the idea that a basset hound is hiking, but the dog is a star. Hikers stop and ask questions. The dog’s name is Earl, he likes to be petted, and he loves camping, which he’s been doing since he was a puppy.

The Minnesota DNR estimates 11 million people visit Minnesota state parks every year, and 1.1 million of those visitors will overnight camp. They don’t count canine visitors but hiking and camping with dogs is popular. All Minnesota state parks allow dogs, as do many private parks.

Dr. Louise Beyea, a retired veterinarian, likes camping with her dog Shade. She says, “He’s part of the family and well behaved.” Lynn Watson takes her dog Lutey camping because, “She loves new smells, and it’s stimulating for her.”

Before hiking or camping with dogs, pet owners should consider their needs. Beyea says, “Dogs are situational, and immersing them in new experiences could make them anxious and make their next experience more stressful.” Puppies usually adapt quickly, but an older dog may need a gradual introduction to camping. When Marie

Zhuikov and her husband decided to tent camp with their adult dog Buddy, they didn’t know if he’d like it, so they pitched a tent in their backyard. Buddy, who wasn’t allowed in their bed at home, loved the tent because he could sleep next to his two favorite people. But some dogs may never like camping. Planning is important. Ticks thrive in the woods and tall grasses, so dogs should be

given tick prevention. They should wear comfortably snug collars with current ID tags. To avoid digestive problems, it’s best to bring their regular food, which is securely stored so wild animals can’t access it. Collapsible food and water dishes are lightweight and convenient. Even on short hikes, a dog’s paws can blister from walking on hot or rocky trails. Booties protect their paws. While it may never be needed, a first aid kit for dogs is essential. An internet search will recommend items to include in the kit, such as phone numbers for nearby veterinarians.

In order to protect dogs, people, and wildlife, dogs in Minnesota state parks must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and with a human at all times. If a dog doesn’t meet the Americans with Disabilities Act definition of a service dog, it can’t enter state park buildings. Some parks limit the number of dogs a person can bring. Also, dog waste must be bagged and disposed of properly by pet owners. Private campgrounds have similar rules.

People may be tempted to let their dogs off leash, believing they’ll have more fun. But that can be dangerous. Beyea worked 15 years as an emergency vet. Occasionally, she treated dogs who sustained injuries while hiking or camping, many of which

could’ve been avoided if the dogs had been leashed. Dogs have the maturity level of a 2-year-old, and Beyea says, “Just as you wouldn’t let your toddler run ahead of you on a trail or wander off in the woods around a campsite, a dog shouldn’t either.” Beyea has treated dogs that tumbled down hills while pursuing animals through brush. She once heard about a dog that died after falling off a cliff.

Dogs who roam freely are more likely to startle wolves or bears. While these creatures usually run from humans, they tend to hold their ground when confronted by an unaccompanied dog, especially if the dog becomes aggressive. Wolves and bears have sharp teeth and claws that can inflict deep wounds, sometimes with lethal results. Encounters with porcupines are more common, and while rarely fatal, they are painful and require prompt medical attention by a veterinarian.

If a camping trip includes a canoe, kayak, or motorboat, the dog should be comfortable on the water and in the boat. Dogs should wear flotation gear, just like their humans. Extra caution is needed when a dog rides in a motorboat. “Some of the most traumatic injuries,” Beyea says, “are caused by dogs being hit by propellers.”

Hot, sunny weather is problematic because dogs can suffer heatstroke. Dogs overheat faster than humans because they don’t sweat. If a dog is breathing hard and fast, or their tongue is enlarged and hanging out, or they’re frothing at the mouth, they need shade, rest, and water immediately. Dogs can overheat on a boat if the sun beats down on them, especially if their coats are dark. Dogs with thin or light-colored coats can sunburn. T-shirts that block the sun are available for dogs.

While hiking or camping, dogs face new experiences. Beyea says, “Your dog may have no trouble walking across a bridge in a city but may refuse to cross a bridge that spans a river or a ravine.” Beyea recounts the time she and her dog Snappy, who was on a leash, climbed 600 stairs to the top of a fire tower. Although her dog willingly climbed up, when it was time to descend, he looked down and refused to move. He weighed 75 pounds, and Beyea had to carry him down.

Dogs have different quirks and needs. Some dogs eat almost anything. Beyea once treated a dog who ate some cold charcoal briquettes soaked with hamburger grease. Watson’s dog Lutey is fearful of thunderstorms, so she packs medication for the dog. Plus, when it storms, she drapes a towel over

head, which comforts the dog. Dogs who detest rain may appreciate a waterproof jacket.

Hiking and camping with canines can be a wonderful experience if people plan ahead, follow the rules, and understand the needs of their dogs.—Victoria Lynn Smith

For the Love of Labs

By Brandi Rupard

When their beloved Labradors needed surgical care, Joe and Kirsten Stasney turned to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center time and time again. Now, they’re giving back in hopes of saving lives and advancing the field.

Black Labradors are woven into the fabric of Joe and Kirsten Stasney’s lives. Over the years, they have welcomed seven Labs into their home. Now retired and living on Minnesota’s North Shore, their dogs are constant companions inside the house and out on the area’s hiking trails and shorelines.

Two of their dogs in particular, happy-go-lucky Gizzi and mischievous Jager, sparked a special bond between the family and the University of Minnesota. Both Labs underwent surgical procedures at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center during their lifetimes. The compassionate care provided to their pets by staff and students at the hospital inspired the Stasneys to give back in a way that they hope will save pet lives and help the next generation of veterinarians.

They have set up a gift in their will that will support student scholarships as well as small-animal surgery educational opportunities and research. They see it as paying forward the gift of the improved health and quality of life that Gizzi and Jager received from their respective surgeries.

The Stasneys first came to the Veterinary Medical Center in 2016, when Gizzi tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in one of her hindlimbs. Her injury was successfully treated by now-retired veterinary surgeon Betty Kramek, DVM, MS. Then two years later, the ACL in her other hindlimb tore, and it was back to the hospital, where Kramek performed the same surgery.

In the six years she lived after the second surgery, Joe Stasney says, Gizzi never experienced another issue with either knee.

In 2018, the Stasneys found themselves at the Veterinary Medical

Center again—this time with Jager, their other Lab at the time. Medical imaging showed a mass the size of a softball on her liver. Once again, the family was under Kramek’s care.

Kramek led a team of surgeons and students through a complicated procedure to remove the mass. During the procedure, the team discovered another mass on Jager’s adrenal gland; it was successfully removed in a follow-up surgery.

When planning their estate gift, the Stasneys spoke at length with Kramek, who advised on where funds would have the greatest effect on student scholarships, clinical experiences, and research opportunities.

Gifts such as these heavily impact the ability to innovate and train the next generation, says Wanda Gordon-Evans, DVM, PhD, of the Veterinary Medical Center.

“What many donors don’t realize is how much their gift is a catalyst for the students and specialties that receive the gift,” she says. “These veterinarians continue to pay it forward in knowledge and expertise, benefiting future veterinarians and their patients.”

c Pampered Paws and Preventative Care: Pet Wellness in the Northland

By Dana Johnson

Pets are family members we choose, and they become fixtures in our daily routine. They are here to celebrate our wins and comfort us through hard times. This profound bond between humans and animals has inspired a growing commitment to keep our pets healthy and happy by treating them similarly to how we treat ourselves.

Though they may look and behave differently from us, our pets share many of the same health needs and desire for “creature comforts.” From routine veterinary care to specialized therapies and even spa treatments, pet guardians are greatly improving their animals’ quality of life.

c Visit Your Veterinarian

When you bring a new pet into your life, the first thing seasoned pet keepers recommend you do is schedule a visit with a veterinarian. This is especially important for cats and dogs, but it’s beneficial for all pets to receive a basic health check.

In both Minnesota and Ontario, all cats and dogs over 3 months of age are required to be vaccinated against rabies, with a booster a year later and additional boosters every one to three years afterward, depending on the vaccine type. Other vaccinations are recommended to prevent your pet from contracting serious diseases such as feline and canine distemper. Your vet can also prescribe preventative medication to fight fleas and ticks and make dietary recommendations based on your particular pet’s needs.

Just like seeing your own care practitioner, regular veterinary checkups for your pet can offer early detection of diseases or other conditions. Unlike people, our pets can’t communicate as easily when they’re not feeling well, but veterinarians have the knowledge and tools to give our pets the best chance at living a long, healthy life.

Obtaining veterinary care in rural areas of the Northland can be more difficult in some ways and easier in others. Rural vets often have shorter wait times for appointments— sometimes weeks sooner than vet clinics in Duluth—though some pets may need to travel longer distances to receive care, which can be stressful for animals uncomfortable with car rides. Leaving your pet’s travel carrier in their living space a few days before the trip and enticing them with treats, a cozy bed, and familiar scents can help.

Difficult cats can also be wrapped in a blanket or towel before being placed in a top-loading cat carrier, which provides easier access than carriers with smaller front doors. Your vet may be able to prescribe anti-anxiety medication ahead of time for especially nervous pets.

If you’re seeking rural veterinary care, consider Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic and

Dr. Mindy Bichel with her dog, Mabel. | SUBMITTED

Sawtooth Mountain Mobile Vet in Grand Marais, Ely Veterinary Clinic in Ely, and both Two Harbors Veterinary Clinic and Lake County Veterinary Clinic in the Two Harbors area. For equines and farm animals, Medicine Woman Veterinary Clinic is based on the Iron Range.

c Animal Chiropractic Care

Pet health and wellness starts with veterinary care, but it doesn’t end there. Our fuzzy family members can benefit greatly from additional treatments, just like when we receive a doctor’s recommendation to see a specialist.

Animal chiropractic practices have been around since the early 1900s, though healers have been performing adjustments on animals for as long as they have on humans. In 1987, Options for Animals Foundation began as a school for both veterinarians and chiropractors to learn the art and science of the practice.

“The concept of chiropractic is the same for humans and animals,” says Dr. Mindy Bichel, DC, CVSMT at Solstice Animal Chi-

ropractic. “We use our hands to assess the joints in the spine, extremities, and associated soft tissue.”

Bichel’s love for animals originally led her to veterinary school at the University of Minnesota, but after a while she decided it was the wrong path. Later, she earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, but it wasn’t until she merged the two practices that she found her perfect niche. “Now, I couldn’t be happier with the work I get to do and am incredibly grateful for the winding road of varied experience that led me here,” she says.

Though there are many different techniques, Bichel mainly uses chiropractic adjustment. “This is a fast but gentle impulse at a very specific location and in a very specific direction,” she explains. “The goal is to restore mobility in restricted joints and to positively influence the nervous system, helping the body shift to a more optimal place to encourage self-healing.”

“I have found that the adjusting techniques used in animal chiropractic are gentler and more subtle, but the impact and improvements are often quicker and more profound,” she says.

This pup is ready for a glow-up! | SUBMITTED

By law, the State of Minnesota requires Bichel to receive a veterinarian’s signature to perform chiropractic adjustments on your pet, but your pet does not have to show signs of discomfort to benefit from care.

“Animals are excellent at hiding when something is wrong, as masking pain or vulnerability was crucial for survival before domestication,” Bichel says. “Often, there are underlying areas of vulnerability that lead to injury or accelerated degeneration. These could be prevented, or at least slowed down, if addressed before we see the signs.”

Many of the new patients Bichel sees are referred because of behavioral differences, such as a reluctance to jump onto or off furniture or vehicles, flinching when being pet-

ted, or difficulty squatting. She also works with canine and equine athletes to keep them in top shape for competitions, and she readies hunting dogs for days in the field.

“Most of the animals I see are dogs, but cats love chiropractic too,” Bichel shares.

“They respond really well to being adjusted, which is often a big surprise to their guardians.”

Unlike some veterinary offices that seem cold and uninviting, Solstice Animal Chiropractic has cultivated a calming, peaceful space for animals and their people to relax and heal. “Many guardians have shared how surprised they are by how comfortable and relaxed their normally anxious pets feel in our space,” Bichel says.

If your pet has never received chiropractic care before, you can expect your first appointment to take a little longer to discuss your animal’s history and determine treatment, but the adjustments only take a few minutes to perform.

In addition to practicing in a shared office space “with two other brilliant animal healers”—Karina Roth and Dr. Mari LaMoore, DVM, CVA, CVTP—at Celestial Pathways Animal Healing Center in Grand Marais, Bichel offers mobile appointments all along the North Shore, monthly trips to the Iron Range, and practices in the Twin Cities as part of Chiropractic for Everybody. She also provides practice relief for Animal Kingdom Chiropractic in Duluth.

“I am so passionate about our animals and all that we can do to help them live long and happy lives with as much vitality as we can,” Bichel says. “Sometimes the improvements are drastic, and sometimes they are more subtle, but the thank yous I get from the animals are consistent and so rewarding.”

To get in touch with Solstice Animal Chiropractic, visit: solsticeanimalchiropractic.com.

c Grooming and Spa Treatments

After getting healthy at the clinic and adjusted at the chiropractor, your pet is ready for a relaxing spa day. Many pets enjoy being pampered just like we do—with a warm bath, nail trim, and fresh hair cut—though these professional treatments play a bigger role than just simply making your pet look and smell nice.

Mobile pet groomer Jess Sarracco, based in Two Harbors, knows exactly what kind of transformative power a session can have.

“I was grooming a 14-year-old dog who hadn’t been groomed in at least two years,” she shares. “I spent three hours shaving him down and removing every single mat. When we finished, I brought him outside and set him on the ground, and this old dog got the zoomies and was running laps around me. You could see just how good he felt in that moment, and it definitely made me feel like I made a difference for him.”

Regular grooming is important for many pets, both for health and hygiene reasons and for general comfort. “Many breeds of dogs and cats grow hair that gets matted, and this often causes health issues such as skin irritation and infection, and it harbors parasites,” Sarracco explains. “The mats and compacted hair constantly pull on the skin underneath and make everyday living very uncomfortable.” In some cases, a thorough grooming session may be all that is needed to increase a pet’s mobility and quality of life.

Sarracco grew up loving animals and always desired a career that helps them. After grooming dogs for friends and family for many years, she officially opened for business in March 2024 by grooming in a spare room in her home. Her hobby grew into a passion, and she chose to go mobile.

Mobile grooming allows Sarracco to offer her services along the North Shore and surrounding areas. “I can go wherever I’m needed,” she says. “Right now I regularly haul my trailer all around Two Harbors, Knife River, Silver Bay, and Brimson. I am excited for the opportunity to expand my services into the Grand Marais area and get to know the community.”

Sarracco says her most memorable grooms are those that make her feel like she’s made a difference. Services include haircuts, baths, nail trims, blowouts, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. She provides a judgment-free zone for pet keepers who want to help their animals feel their best.

Currently, Sarracco doesn’t keep a specific schedule, so if you’re interested in booking services for your dog or cat, text 218-4910806 or visit Peer Pampering Pet Grooming on Facebook.

North Shore Stand-Up Paddleboarding: Connecting Nature and Community

By Victoria Lynn Smith

I stand on a bright canary-yellow board, paddling to the left, then to the right. Silently, I glide over water resembling old, wavy leaded glass. I’m headed toward a small inlet, which the locals call Pickle Pond. Today, the water inside the pond is as smooth as a mirror. Crowds of yellow flowers blooming on a nearby hill reflect upon the water, painting buttery, impressionistic dabs across the surface. In 2021, I learned to paddleboard at North Shore SUP, and every time I’m on the water, I experience something amazing.

History of North Shore SUP

From June through August and into September, North Shore SUP, located on scenic Barker’s Island in Superior, rents stand-up paddleboards, gives lessons, offers activities, and sells paddleboard equipment. Garrett Russell and Heather Holmes opened North Shore SUP in 2013 with a vision to provide fun, affordable, and safe water experiences for adults and youth. Holmes and Russell located their busi-

ness in the Twin Ports because they fell in love with the area and Lake Superior. They felt paddleboarding would provide a chance for individuals to come together, get out on the water, and enjoy nature.

North Shore SUP was originally located on Park Point, and while Holmes and Russell enjoyed that setting, they needed a site with easier access for customers. Barker’s Island, with its natural beauty and changing scenery, was a perfect fit. The island, located in Superior Bay and protected from Lake Superior’s rougher waters by Minnesota Point, is a good place for beginners, families, and recreational paddlers to enjoy nature. Additionally, paddling around the island, which takes the average paddler 60 to 90 minutes, gives people a specific destination and a sense of accomplishment.

Joys and Benefits of Paddleboarding

Watchful paddlers may see cormorants, otters, great blue herons, ducks, geese, belted

kingfishers, turtles, eagles, mink, muskrats, dragonflies, or a fish leaping out of the water. Paddlers who circumnavigate Barker’s Island are invited to sign their names on a board. For each additional trip around the island, they may add a tally mark next to their names.

When the water in Superior Bay reaches the right temperature, mayflies hatch. Lucky paddlers who are on the lake during one of the hatchings are treated to a spectacular moment as swarms of mayflies erupt from the water. Within moments, hungry waterfowl and birds arrive to snatch the hatchlings out of the air. Holmes has experienced mayfly hatchings numerous times and says, “No one has been hit by birds or been pooped on, as yet.”

If windy conditions make the water in Superior Bay too choppy, people can paddle on the leeward side of Barker’s Island, where there is plenty to explore, like Pickle Pond, a recently restored wildlife habitat. Accessible via three entry points, Pickle Pond is a great place to glimpse turtles sunning on logs along the shore or to watch water-

fowl feeding and gliding through the water, often with their young in tow. In July and August, white water lilies with vibrant yellow stamens bloom amid clusters of green lily pads. After exiting the southern entry of Pickle Pond, paddlers can admire boats docked in the Barker’s Island Marina.

People of all ages and fitness levels reap health benefits from paddleboarding. A low-impact exercise, it improves balance and strengthens upper-body and core muscles, while providing a cardiovascular workout. The endorphins released in the brain reduce stress and lift mood. Rhythmically moving the paddle from left to right as one skims across the water becomes a form of meditation.

Paddleboarding for Everybody

The uninitiated may assume it’s too difficult to stand on a board in water and paddle, but taking a lesson quickly builds a beginner’s confidence. North Shore SUP offers a 90-minute Intro to SUP class, which provides attendees with the necessary equipment, including personal flotation devices. The class covers the fundamentals of board design, safety, and stretching. People learn to stand on a board, paddle, and get back on if they fall off.

SUP for the Family is an excellent class for families who want to learn to paddle together. People who wish to learn to paddleboard with their dogs can take SUP w/your Pup, which includes the use of a canine flotation device. Holmes and Russell have their own paddleboard-loving dog, Huckleberry, a Seppala husky with a quiet manner and sparkling blue eyes.

North Shore SUP provides a variety of experiences, such as SUP Yoga with a certified instructor, guided tours of Wisconsin Point and other locations along the North and South Shores, youth programs, and off-site rentals. Sunset, full moon, and Light’SUP paddles take place as daylight

fades to dusk. Boards outfitted with lights radiate a warm and serene but practical glow, as all watercraft must have lights at night. To celebrate special occasions, Holmes and Russell have helped customers arrange birthday parties, bachelor parties, and bachelorette yoga parties.

Every July, North Shore SUP, in collaboration with Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, celebrates Lake Superior Day, which takes place all along Lake Superior. As part of the event, North Shore SUP organizes Paddle for the People, a recreational 4K race around Barker’s Island. Some paddlers partake for fun, but others compete for awards. Canoeists and kayakers are also welcome to participate. For several years, Marie Zhuikov wished she could paddle in the 4K race. Newly retired in 2025, she competed for the first time. She took second place in her age category, earning a silver medal. When asked what

made the race special for her, Zhuikov said, “Knowing I could do it at my age. It was my first race, and I was competitive.” This year, the 9 th annual Paddle for the People 4K Race will be held on July 19. Racers can register on North Shore SUP’s website.

Connecting with Community

Holmes and Russell strive to encourage a love of the outdoors through time on the water for everyone. Over the years, they have worked with many organizations throughout the Twin Ports to provide various opportunities, especially for youth, underrepresented groups, and at-risk groups. Some of the organizations they have assisted over the years are Life House, CASDA, Project Reach Out, Safe Haven, Positive Energy Outdoors, Superior Parks & Rec, Duluth Parks & Rec, and the City of Superior. Through these programs, both youth and

adults receive free lessons and an opportunity to be on the water. Holmes says, “The immersive recreational experience is often a positive transformative moment for young people who might at first be wary, then find themselves having a good time.” Furthermore, after completing lessons through one of these programs, participants may return and paddleboard for free—as funding allows—in what Holmes and Russell call their “Continuing Ed Program.” People wishing to support these programs can donate to their nonprofit organization, Paddle It Forward, through North Shore SUP’s website. North Shore SUP also works with Girls on Boards and LiveWell Northern Wisconsin. Girls on Boards is an international program, which holds a special place in Holmes’s heart. She has a leadership role in the organization, which seeks to build confidence and a positive body image for preteens, teens, and adult females. Girls on Boards provides an immersive experience. Along with learning to paddle, participants engage in directed conversations about building confidence, having confidence in the outdoors, and trusting their core strength.

LiveWell, sponsored through Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being at University of Wisconsin-Superior, is a mental health organization that provides BetterTogether activities throughout Douglas County. North Shore SUP teams with LiveWell by offering paddling get-togethers to give people a chance to connect with others.

If you’re looking for an activity that builds strength, balance, and confidence while relaxing in nature, consider paddleboarding. And don’t worry about your athletic ability. If I can learn, you can learn. Warm-hearted and welcoming, Holmes and Russell make it their mission to ensure each person has a good time while mastering the basics of paddleboarding.

For more information, visit duluthsup. com or call 218-343-1308.

By Breana Johnson Park Point Art Fair

The 54th annual Park Point Art Fair will take place June 27-28 in Duluth. The festival features 110 local and regional juried artists of all types, displaying and selling their work. See the events section for more information.

Rita Morris, co-owner of Burdock Ceramics in Duluth, is the artist behind this great grey owl platter. For more handmade pottery from Morris, follow Burdock Ceramics on Facebook. | RITA MORRIS

This painting, titled “Woodland Steward,” was created by GreyFoxArtworks owner Lauren Hefty. Hefty specializes in natural landscapes, surrealism, and avians. To learn more about Hefty, visit: greyfoxartworks.net. | LAUREN HEFTY

Located in Minneapolis, Mary Pow’s art is divided between mediums: soft pastels and fiber. This pastel painting is titled, “Summer’s Fermata.” To see more work from Pow, visit: marypow.com.

| MARY POW

JMML Designs owner Jenny Levernier creates striking sterling silver jewelry featuring hand-selected stones. This piece is titled “Celestial Circle.” | JENNY LEVERNIER

Emily Graf of The Sheepish Ewe uses traditional wet felting techniques to create one-of-a-kind wearables and décor pieces, such as this hanging felted succulent. To see more from Graf, follow The Sheepish Ewe on Facebook. | EMILY GRAF

Epiphanies Afield:

Tanya Beyer Paints the Northland’s Quiet Revelations

Creative Space: By Naomi Yaeger

The artist’s paintbrush tips use hues of watercolors to capture the nuanced colors of Northland birds and plants.

The artist is Tanya Beyer, and she specializes in wildlife art of northern Minnesota. I caught up with her at a Duluth Treasures of the Earth Art and Gift Fair in March.

Beyer grew up in rural Indiana; however, her family vacationed along Lake Superior’s northeastern shore in Ontario. Those experiences left a lasting impression.

That sense of discovery still shapes her work today. Now living about 80 miles north of Duluth, between Virginia and Tower, Beyer paints the flora, birds, and wildscapes of northern Minnesota—images rooted in observation, but often carrying a deeper emotional or environmental resonance.

Her business name, Epiphanies Afield, dates back to the 1990s, when she began selling handmade cards at art fairs. The phrase captures both the spark of recognition—an epiphany—and the act of being outdoors, “afield,” wandering and noticing.

“That’s always been the draw,” she said. “Finding something I didn’t expect to see, something rare or just… marvelous.”

Though she was born in Indianapolis, Beyer’s connection to the North began early. Her family spent summers along Lake Superior’s northeastern shore in Ontario.

“We were more and more northward-directed,” she said. “When I had the chance, I moved.”

After earning a degree in English from the University of Western Ontario, she returned to the United States and spent more than two decades in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. Even then, she sought out nature whenever she could, visiting nearby state parks, sketching, and observing.

“I always had to get out of the city,” she said. “That’s what kept me going.”

In 2010, she made the move to Duluth and later settled deeper into the boreal forest with her husband. Their property, she said, offers a microcosm of the region, with high ground, swamp, and shoreline, showing both cultivated and untouched land.

“You can see what this part of Minnesota looked like,” she said, “and how similar it is to Ontario across the lake.”

Beyer began painting as a teenager, first in oils before shifting to watercolor. A set of professional-grade paints given

by her teenaged sister as a Christmas gift changed her approach.

“They were more portable, cleaner,” she said. “And I liked the delicacy.”

Today, she works primarily in watercolor and gouache, often incorporating pen and ink or colored pencil for fine detail. Her pieces are intricate, layered, and patient— qualities that mirror the way she encounters the natural world.

“I like delicate detail,” she said. “But it’s laborious. You have to stay with it.”

That patience extends beyond technique. Beyer recalls spending an entire day searching for a cerulean warbler in the Twin Cities area, straining her eyes

through binoculars, tracking movement in treetops, and trying to catch a glimpse of the bird’s bright blue coloring.

“I saw it,” she said. “But not as clearly as I wanted. It was a lot of effort for just a moment.”

While much of Beyer’s art is rooted in realism, some pieces veer into the surreal. Misshapen trees, unusual light, or unexpected compositions can create a sense of something just beyond explanation.

“You see something and think, what was that?” she said. “Even if you know it’s a tree stump, it feels like more.”

In other works, the message is more direct. Themes of climate change, habitat loss, and development appear in her work, where natural scenes are subtly altered to reflect human impact.

“I like to think of it as environmental commentary,” she said. “Not all of it, but some.”

She hopes her work contributes, in some small way, to a broader appreciation for the natural world.

“Maybe it helps people value what’s there,” she said. “Maybe it keeps those places in people’s minds.”

Beyer shows her work at several regional art fairs each year, primarily in the warmer months and around the holidays. Through those events, she’s found a receptive audience—people who, like her, feel drawn to the wild. As of now, she is scheduled to appear at the Blueberry Festival in Ely July 24-26 and at the Turtle Town Art Fair June 27 at Salem Lutheran Church in Longville near Brainerd. To see more of her work, visit: epiphaniesafield.com.

Weaving Within the Fibershed, Using Local Wool and Linen

Behind the Craft: By Josie Cooke

As a weaver, you make choices about which materials to use. This is usually determined by what you are trying to make. Soft, thick towels need a lofty cotton; hardwearing rugs might use heavy linen; warm blankets will take a next-to-skin soft wool. Often, my project centers around the material, as I am curious to find out what different fibers are like. Years ago, when I made baskets, this meant different kinds of bark: birch, cedar, ash, willow, and so on. In my current practice, it means I weave cotton, cotton-linen blends, hemp, wool, and linen. All are natural fibers, meaning they will biodegrade, and some even improve soil—like wool, which assists in carbon sequestration.

Quite often, ordering thread and yarn to weave with means it comes from far away— cotton from Canada, linen from France, wool from just about anywhere. Tracing the source of the material can be somewhat difficult, as consumers don’t generally demand that level of transparency. As I continue exploring, I am trending toward more local, sustainable, and ethical material choices.

About five years ago, my search led me to Fibershed, an organization that promotes building fiber economies by connecting shepherds, farmers, mills, dyers, and makers. In 2023, I knit a sweater through funding provided by the local affiliate, Three Rivers Fibershed. The wool for the sweater was sourced regionally, combining wool from five different sheep breeds to demonstrate the array of natural colors. I then washed, combed, spun, plied, and knit a colorwork sweater based on the pattern Sea Glass by Wool & Pine.

Enlivened by this experience, I began to pursue the possibility of bringing local yarn into my weaving practice. A recent commission I am working on involves weaving fabric for two tote bags using wool

from Patti Dougherty of Holly Ridge Farm in Ellsworth, Wisc. She hopes that having woven items available to see and touch at wool festivals will encourage people to use local wool, particularly from breeds like her Leicester Longwool sheep, which is on the Livestock Conservancy’s threatened list. I hope the experience of this project will lead to further work with the region’s many locally available but underappreciated fiber sources—perhaps using bison down yarn from a farm just outside Duluth, alpaca from the local Grumpelstiltskin mill, or the many shepherds raising Shetland, Icelandic, and Corriedale sheep.

Another project I will be participating in promotes the use of linen: a strong, durable material that is moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, breathable, and pleasant to touch. Linen had an abbreviated history in the United States, being overtaken by the cotton industry, and only recent efforts have begun to revive it. Flax, the plant from which linen is derived, is a very sustainable crop, using little water and no irrigation, growing quickly without pesticides or genetic modification, and producing no waste, with byproducts used for everything from insulation to tennis racket composites.

The project is called “Living Lineage: Linen in Scandinavian Folk Art and Modern Innovation,” a joint venture between the Three Rivers Fibershed and Weavers Guild of Minnesota, funded by a grant from the American-Scandinavian Foundation. The project will use both locally grown and nationally sourced flax. Flax “strick”—the semi-processed stage between plant and yarn—will be spun by members at the Weavers Guild in Minneapolis. With the resulting yarn, I will weave fabric, using it to sew an Överdel, a traditional Swedish woman’s shirt. The shirt, as well as other

pieces made by participating artists, will be on display in December at Open Book, an art center in the Twin Cities.

As awareness of the benefits of materials like wool and linen grows, I hope these budding industries will flourish. I look forward to using them in my own weaving and sharing the joy of these won-

derful local materials in my spinning and weaving classes.

Josie Cooke is a fiber artist in the Artisan Development Program at North House Folk School, where traditional craft is taught on the shore of Lake Superior.

POLLINATOR MARKETPLACE

June 6, Saturday Join the Duluth Monarch Buddies for the annual Pollinator Marketplace, held at the Hartley Nature Center in Duluth from 10 a.m. to noon. Shoreview Natives, from Two Harbors, will be selling milkweed and other native pollinator plants. There will also be monarch-themed merchandise for sale, free resources on pollinator plants and gardening for monarch butterflies, a native pollinator garden tour,

informational booths, experts on hand to answer questions, and more. This is a free event, but donations are appreciated. duluthmonarchbuddies.org

SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL

40TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

June 6, Saturday Come celebrate 40 years of the Superior Hiking Trail, starting with a trail-wide hike. The goal is to have folks on every section of the trail, so get your crew together to traverse your favorite section or explore somewhere new—just be sure to register for your preferred area ahead of time. After your time on the trail, celebrate with the Superior Hiking Trail Association at one of four epic birthday parties, hosted by local businesses (no sign-up necessary). There will be SHT-themed sweet treats and free drink tokens (as supplies last), giveaways, 40th anniversary SHT merchandise for sale, guest appearances by some SHT legends, and more. Parties will take place from 4-7 p.m. at Voyageur Brewing in Grand Marais, Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte, Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors, and Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth. superiorhiking.org

KITE FESTIVAL

June 7, Sunday Get ready to soar at the annual Kite Festival—a family-friendly celebration filled with colourful kites, outdoor

fun, and exciting activities. Held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chippewa Park in Thunder Bay, there will be amusement rides, kite flying areas, temporary tattoos, local food vendors, booths from local organizations, artisans, and indoor and outdoor games and activities for all ages. Admission is free. thunderbay.ca/kitefestival

PRIDE CELEBRATION

June 13, Saturday Presented by the Cook County Pride Committee, the annual Pride Celebration in Grand Marais, titled Pride is Protest, will feature a variety of family-friendly events throughout the day, all in support of the LGBTQ+ community. There will be free yoga in Harbor Park with

Consciously Carly, an arts and crafts social hour at The Hub, a drag story performance by Drag Story Hour MN, a pride rally and march, a writing session with Brian Malloy, free dinner by Double D’s Catering and Angry Trout Café, a DJ dance party at Up Yonder, community dancing, singing, and music making, and more. In the event of poor weather, Harbor Park activities will be held at the Cook County YMCA. More information can be found online. cookcountypride.org

THUNDER BAY MINING DAY

June 13, Saturday Held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Marina Park, the 11th annual Thunder Bay Mining Day offers fun for the whole family with games for the kids, ca-

reer information for big kids, and education for all. This free event consists of a variety of exciting demonstrations, interactive activities, vendor booths, prizes, and mining/ exploration exhibits. Mining Day is held rain or shine. thunderbayminingday.com

GRANDMA’S MARATHON WEEKEND

June 18-20 Tie up your shoelaces for the annual Grandma’s Marathon race, held on Saturday, June 20. Totaling 26.2 miles,

showcasing the latest products, services, and technology in the athletic industry. The expo will run from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. Admission is free; open to everyone. Grandma’s Marathon weekend will also include live music Friday and Saturday with Rock the Bayfront Festival in Bayfront Festival Park. This year’s lineup includes GB Leighton, Hippo Campus, Charlie Parr, Soul Asylum, Emily Haavik & the 35s, Boxcar, and more. grandmasmarathon.com

the race will start at 7:35 a.m. near Two Harbors and end in Canal Park in Duluth. The Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (13.1 miles) will also take place on Saturday, and the William A. Irvin 5k and youth Whipper Snapper races (free: ages 14 and under) will take place on Friday. Other weekend events include the traditional Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner at the Decc from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the Decc June 18-19. View over 100 vendors

Enjoy games, demonstrations, vendor booths, prizes, and more at Thunder Bay Mining Day. | SUBMITTED On July 13–17, fun activities plus cool prizes and freebies await more than 12,000 Shining Examples at each of our eight branch locations. More at: northshorefcu.org/member-appreciation Join in. Shine on.

SUMMER SOLSTICE & WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

June 19-21

Held at the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, the Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival features a bit of everything. There will be handmade and unique watercrafts on display, family drop-in crafts, a pop-up craft market, live music, a Boats to Tools Auction, a poetry celebration, a family and community contra dance, a Lions Club BBQ, guest speakers, mini courses, family games and activities, craft demonstrations, an Empty Bowls fundraiser with chowder, and more. On Saturday, June 20, don’t miss the free Summer Solstice Pageant with the Good Harbor Hill Players, starting at 8 p.m. This family-friendly presentation features larger-than-life handmade puppets and live music. northhouse.org

CHUM RHUBARB FESTIVAL

June 27, Saturday The annual Chum Rhubarb Festival in Duluth is fun for all ages. This free event, held at Asbury United Methodist Church, offers your favorites like rhubarb brats, pies, crisps, beverages, and sweet treats. Alongside the food will be live music and entertainment, arts and crafts, booths, competitions, kids’ activi-

LUTSONG LUTSONG

LUTSONG LUTSONG

JULY 9-12, 2026

Poliça • Humbird • Stonebridge Singers • Weary Ramblers

David Huckfelt’s Mystery Lights • Dan Rodriguez • LaPlant Road

David Huckfelt’s Mystery Lights • Dan Rodriguez • LaPlant Road

Poliça

Poliça

Ryan Trio

Humbird

Luke Callen

Emily Haavik & the 35’s

Clayton Ryan Trio • Luke Callen • Emily Haavik & the 35’s

David

David

Laura Hugo • Nobody From Nowhere

Almost Brothers

Laura Hugo • Nobody From Nowhere • Almost Brothers

The Original Timmy Haus

Clayton Ryan Trio

Breanne

The Original Timmy Haus • Breanne Marie & The Front Porch Sinners

3rd 4th 4:30 MITCHELL HALL 6:30 DEAD COWBOYS 8:30 LADIES OF COUNTRY 12:30 MOONSHOT 2:30 8FOOT4 4:30 AFTERSHOCK 6:30 DUST N BONES 8:30 RICHRATH

& The Front Porch Sinners International Treasures

Laura Hugo

RLB

The Scarlet Goodbye

International Treasures • RLB • The Scarlet Goodbye

Christopher David Hanson • Sarah Morris hike-in concert

Lutsong Burn with Greg Mueller Yoga with Mary Bue

ties, games, a bake sale, and more. Rhubarbara the mascot will also make an appearance. The festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. chumduluth.org

LUTSEN 99ER RACES

June 27, Saturday Held at the Superior National Golf Course, the annual Lutsen 99er is an ultra-marathon mountain biking event in Lutsen. Riders can choose between four distances: a 29-mile, 45-mile, 59-mile, or 99-mile race. The course consists of snowmobile and ski trails, Forest Service roads, and a bit of pavement and single-track. The first race will start at 7:30 a.m. and a post-race party will start at 6 p.m. outside Caribou Highlands, followed by an awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. A Finish Festival will also take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For those not racing, Fika Coffee and Lockport Marketplace & Deli will offer breakfast options and watch parties. And don’t miss the festivities on Friday, June 26, at Superior National, including live music, vendor booths, food and drinks, and the Little Niners races at 5:30 p.m. (registration required). lutsen99er.com

HIGH NOON 24-HOUR TRAIL RACE & RELAY

June 27, Saturday The annual High Noon 24-Hour Trail Race and Relay will take place at Kamview Nordic Centre in Thunder Bay. The goal is simple: Challenge yourself to cover as much distance as you can in 24 hours. Your final

distance is up to you. Run, walk, or crawl. This is your race and a chance to test your true grit in a welcoming and fun place. Starting at 8 a.m., choose between the solo category or relay team. Then, follow a 3.38km loop on cross country trails with rewarding views. Portions of the course will be unlit, so when the sun sets, have your headlamp ready. New this year is a six-hour and 12-hour option for solo runners. If you’re age 17 and under, you can participate in a four-hour solo race. Registration required for all races. upriverrunning.com

Celebrate Canada Day in Thunder Bay with an unforgettable day at Marina Park. | SUBMITTED

PARK POINT ART FAIR

June 27-28 An iconic community event, enjoy a free weekend of original arts and crafts in a stunning setting near Lake Superior in Duluth. Held at Park Point Recreation Area, the 54th annual Park Point Art Fair will feature 110 juried artists from the Midwest region displaying and selling fine arts and crafts, including photography, ceramics, prints, paintings, metal, glass and wood sculptures, jewelry, fiber, and more. There will also be live music, food trucks, free art making activities, demonstrations, and more. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. parkpointartfair.org

LARSMONT SUMMER DAYS

June 27-28 Head to the Larsmont Trading Post in Two Harbors for the Larsmont Summer Days outdoor music festival. Enjoy two days of live music, yard games, artists and vendors, food and drinks, and more.

Saturday’s entertainment lineup features The Retrofiers, Delicious, Sydney Hansen, and the Northeast Timberland Band. Sunday’s line-up features Squid City Slingers, and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples. Tickets are available for presale ($15 for one day or $30 for two days), or at the door ($20 for one day or $40 for two days).

Tickets for kids ages 5 and older are $5. facebook.com/larsmonttradingpost

CANADA DAY ON THE WATERFRONT

July 1, Wednesday

Celebrate Canada Day in Thunder Bay with an unforgettable day at Marina Park. Held from 3-9 p.m., there will be live entertainment for all ages, food vendors, arts and crafts, a variety of indoor and outdoor games and activities for the whole family, and more. Admission is free. thunderbay.ca/canadaday

4

4 4 TOFTE’S

TH OF JULY TH OF JULY TH OF JULY

Celebrating the 250th A nniversary of the

United States

TOFTE TOWN HALL

Live Music - Fabulous Food - Beer Garden Bingo - Art & Craft Show - Minnow Races

11:00 am Craft Fair, Bingo, Food Vendors and Bouncy Houses open

1:30 pm Line up for the parade in the Tofte Forest Service Station

2:00 pm Parade

3:00 pm Citizen of the Year Award

5-7:00 pm Dinner at Zoar Church

10:00 pm FIREWORKS Tofte Town Park

The Annual Tofte Trek

BIRCH GROVE COMMUNITY CENTER

Join in the fun of this famous annual event!

8:00 am Registration 9:00 am Races Begin Breakfast Pizzas available at Birch Grove 8-11 a.m.

Visit www.sugarbushtrail.org for more information

*If raining or stormy the fireworks will be held on July 5th SAT. JULY 4, 2026

All events will be held rain or shine!

J une

NORTHERN WILDS CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Thru June 14

PAGM 2025 Winner Logan Hudson Exhibition Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Thru June 15

Sophia Bartholomew: House Holding Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

Thru June 21

Natalie King: Built, Not Inherited Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

A Strong Law Bids Us Dance Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

A Gang of Green Exhibition Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Thru June 27

Gender Joy Art Show Zeitgeist Arts Building, Duluth, ywcaduluth.org

Thru June 30

Nudibranches: The Soft Sculptures of Anna Faye Crockett Ely Area Community Hub, northernlakesarts.org

Thru July 10

2026 Annual Member Show Duluth Art Institute, duluthart.org

Thru Aug. 29

Summer Exhibition: Play Studio 21, Grand Marais, grandmaraisartcolony.org

Thru Oct. 11

Small Scale: Tall Tale Exhibit Thunder Bay Museum, thunderbaymuseum.com

May 29-June 7

The Comedy of Errors 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sun.) Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

May 29-Oct. 4

Quinn Hopkins: Hyper Woodland (Reception on May 29 at 6:30 p.m.) Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

June 1, Monday

ALS Bookmobile 4:30 p.m. McQuade Small Craft Harbor, Duluth, alslib.info

June 1-30

Photography & Art at the Rock: Voyageur Artists Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

June 2, Tuesday

Community Sing 6 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

Tommy Horricks 7:30 p.m. Polish Combatants Association Branch No. 1, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/tbay55pluscentre

June 2-6

Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 7 p.m. Paramount Theatre, Thunder Bay, theparamountbuilding.ca

June 3, Wednesday

Creature Connections: Reptile Experience

10 a.m. Ely Public Library, alslib.info

June 4, Thursday

Wiigwaasi-Jiimaan (Birch Bark Canoe)

Community Paddle 5:30 p.m. Semer’s Park Beach, Ely, elyfolkschool.org

Learn From a Lamprey 6 p.m. Neebing Weir, Thunder Bay, lakeheadca.com

Thunder Bay Talks 6 p.m. Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre, visitthunderbay.com

The Splints! Benefit Concert for Care

Partners of Cook County 6:30 p.m.

Up Yonder, Grand Marais, carepartnersofcookcounty.org

June 5, Friday

River Birding Hike 6:15 a.m.

Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors, mndnr.gov/gooseberryfalls

Hidden Valley Hammer MTB Races Series

5 p.m. Hidden Valley Recreation Area, Ely, elynordic.org

Ely Folk School Birthday Potluck 5 p.m.

Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

Open Fire Dinner on a Stick 5:30 p.m.

Why We Burn Blueberries: Free Presentation

7 p.m. North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

June 5-6

10x10 Short Play Festival Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, magnustheatre.com

Andrew Packer Campfire Comedy Club, Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

June 5-7

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend Throughout Minnesota, mndnr.gov/takeakidfishing

June 5-30

Artist of the Month: Jean Kirwin (Reception June 5 at 7 p.m.) Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay, mndnr.gov/tettegouche

June 6, Saturday

Up North: Craft & Vendor Extravaganza

8 a.m. Babbitt Municipal Gym, Babbitt, Facebook: Babbitt Public Library

Gunflint Clean Up 9 a.m. Schaap Community Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflintcleanup.wordpress.com

Animal Allies Walk for Animals 9 a.m. Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, animalallies.net

“Open Doors for a Cause” Historical Home Tour 10 a.m. Ely, ely.org/events

Pollinator Marketplace 10 a.m.

Hartley Nature Center, Duluth, duluthmonarchbuddies.org

Pride Parade & Festival Noon, Friendship Gardens, Thunder Bay, thunderpride.ca

Old Time Strings Jam Session 4 p.m. Ely Folk School, elyfolkschool.org

SHT 40th Birthday Celebration 4 p.m.

Various Locations, superiorhiking.org

Community Barn Dance 7 p.m. Ethel’s Acres, Ely, elyfolkschool.org

Tangled Up In Bob 7:30 p.m.

Italian Cultural Centre, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

June 7, Sunday

Kite Festival 11 a.m. Chippewa Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/kitefestival

Trans Joy Fest 11 a.m.

Park Point Recreation Area, Duluth, facebook.com/transnorthland

Family Art Days 1 p.m.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery, theag.ca

A Taste of Ireland 4 p.m. Decc, Duluth, decc.org

June 8, Monday

Sounds of Superior Chorus Spring Concert 7 p.m. Hilldale Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay, soundsofsuperiorchorus.com

June 9, Tuesday

NSFCU Hunger Hero Golf Scramble 4 p.m. Gunflint Hills Golf Course, Grand Marais, northshorefcu.org

June 10, Wednesday

Arrowhead Cooperative Annual Meeting 3 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, arrowheadcoop.com

Trivia Night 6 p.m. Lake Superior Zoo, Duluth, lszoo.org

June 11, Thursday

Creature Connections: Reptile Experience 10 a.m. Silver Bay Public Library, 3:30 p.m.

Two Harbors Public Library, alslib.info

BlackHawk with Rafe Carlson 7:30 p.m. Decc, Duluth, decc.org

June 11-13

International Brick Collectors: Great Northern Get-Together 2 Grand Marais Rec Park & Campground Pavilion, Grand Marais, visitcookcounty.com/events

June 12, Friday

Creature Connections: Reptile Experience 1 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, alslib.info

Hidden Valley Hammer MTB Races Series 5 p.m. Hidden Valley Recreation Area, Ely, elynordic.org

Film Screening: The Dance Is Not Over 5:30 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, grandmaraislibrary.org

A Little Night Music 7 p.m. UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center, Duluth, facebook.com/loonopera

Women in Theatre: New Play Festival 7:30 p.m. Duluth Playhouse, duluthplayhouse.org

June 12-13

Duluth-Stämman: Folk Music & Dance Festival Nordic Center, Duluth, nordiccenterduluth.org

Descendants: The Musical Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/allthedaze

Jason Rouse Campfire Comedy Club, Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

June 12-14

SheRides Mountain Bike Clinic Lutsen, superiorcycling.org

Pride Celebration Grand Marais, cookcountypride.org

Rock N’ Gem Show 10 a.m. CLE Coliseum, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

June 13, Saturday

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

CSM John S. Werner Memorial 5k Run & Walk 9 a.m. The Other Place Bar & Grill, Duluth, tinyurl.com/wernerrun

Electronic Recycling Collection 9 a.m. Cook County Recycling Center, Grand Marais, retrofitcompanies.com

June Classic 5k or 10k Race 9:45 a.m. Boulevard Lake, Thunder Bay, metreeaters.ca

Thunder Bay Mining Day 10 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbayminingday.com

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

Starbeam Community Craft & Bake Sale 10 a.m. Ely Community Center, ely.org/events

Drag Story Hour 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

June 13-14

Shrine Spectacular Circus Amsoil Arena, Duluth, decc.org

June 14, Sunday

Global Food Picnic Noon, Moose Hall, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

Ely Miners Memorial Unveiling & Dedication

2 p.m. Pioneer Mine, Ely, facebook.com/elyartsandheritage

A Little Night Music 3 p.m. UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center, Duluth, facebook.com/loonopera

June 18, Thursday

The Jolly Pops 1 p.m. Duluth’s Mount Royal Branch Library, 6 p.m. West Duluth Branch Library, alslib.info

June 18-19

Essentia Health Fitness Expo 4 p.m. (10 a.m. Fri.) Decc, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

June 18-20

Festival Bonjour Waverley Park, Thunder Bay, festivalbonjour.com

June 18-28

Oklahoma! Vermilion Fine Arts Theater, Ely, northernlakesarts.org

June 19, Friday

Juneteenth Day

Free: Morning Shakeout Run 9 a.m. Duluth Running Company, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner 11 a.m. Decc, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

William A. Irvin 5k 1 p.m. Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

YAF Festival & Whipper Snapper Races for Kids 2 p.m. (Races at 3:30 p.m.) Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

June 19-20

Rock the Bayfront Festival Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Kris Labelle 8 p.m. Campfire Comedy Club, Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

June 19-21

Summer Solstice & Wooden Boat Festival North House Folk School, Grand Marais, northhouse.org

Peter Mitchell Days Babbitt, Facebook: Peter Mitchell Fun Days

June 19-July 12

Emily Donovan Exhibition (Reception July 19 at 5 p.m.) Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

June 20, Saturday

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon 5:50 a.m.

Scenic Highway 61 to Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Motorcycle Ride for Dad 7:15 a.m. Superior Inn Hotel & Conference Centre, Thunder Bay, ridefordadtbay.ca

Grandma’s Marathon 7:35 a.m.

Two Harbors to Duluth, grandmasmarathon.com

Superior Vistas Gravel Race 9 a.m. Washburn, WI, northcoastcycling.com

Children’s Festival 11 a.m. Chippewa Park, Thunder Bay, chippewapark.ca

Invasive Species Brewery Event: Mystery Snail Edition 2 p.m. Voyageur Brewing, Grand Marais, facebook.com/cookcountyinvasives

Summer Solstice Puppet Pageant 8 p.m.

North House Folk School, Grand Marais, facebook.com/goodharborhillplayers

Queer Prom 8 p.m. Loud Women Collective, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/loudwomencollective

June 20-21

License-Free Family Fishing in Ontario Throughout Ontario, ontariofamilyfishing.com

Olympus: The Greek Rock Musical 1 p.m. Arrowhead Center for the Arts, Grand Marais, grandmaraisplayhouse.com

June 21, Sunday

Father’s Day

Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day

Summer Solstice

National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration 8 a.m. Anemki Wajiw, Thunder Bay, facebook.com/nadtbay

WCB 70th Anniversary Celebrations 10 a.m. Wilderness Canoe Base, Gunflint Trail, visitcookcounty.com/events

National Indigenous Peoples Day 10 a.m.

Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

Kisselgoff Motorcycle Museum

Grand Opening Noon, Kisselgoff Motorcycle Museum, Thunder Bay, kisselgoffmotorcyclemuseum.com

Cary Griffith: Blowdowns, Wolves, & Bears

2 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

WEEKLY EVENTS

Mondays

Free Nature Presentations (Starts June 15) 1 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

Dawson Diner Monday Night Cruise-In 6:30 p.m. Dawson Diner, Thunder Bay, Facebook: Lacc807

Live Music 8 p.m. Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Tuesdays

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

Wednesdays

Game Day 1 p.m.

Two Harbors Public Library, facebook.com/communitypartnersth

Duluth Farmers Market 2 p.m. Duluth Farmers Market, duluthfarmersmarket.com

June 22, Monday

The Jolly Pops 1 p.m. Duluth Public Library, alslib.info

ALS Bookmobile 4:30 p.m. McQuade Small Craft Harbor, Duluth, alslib.info

June 23, Tuesday

Kids Day: Free Admission 11 a.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

June 24, Wednesday

Storytime on the Irvin 9:30 a.m. William A. Irvin, Duluth, decc.org

Kelly Dupre: Community Printmaking Workshop 3 p.m. Schaap Community Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

June 24-27

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella 7:30 p.m. Trinity Hall Theatre, Thunder Bay, applauzeproductions.com

June 25, Thursday

The Jolly Pops 3:30 p.m. Two Harbors Public Library, alslib.info Northwoods Partners Black & White

Masquerade Party 5 p.m. Miners Dry, Ely, ely.org/events

Cookies on Tap 5 p.m. Clyde Iron Works, Duluth, bit.ly/cookiesontap2026

June 25-28

Poutine Feast 11 a.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, visitthunderbay.com

June 26, Friday

The Jolly Pops 10 a.m. Silver Bay Public Library, 3:30 p.m. Grand Marais Public Library, alslib.info

LLO Science on Deck 11 a.m. Pier B Resort, Duluth, bit.ly/scienceondeck

Creature Connections: Reptile Experience

1 p.m. Duluth Public Library, alslib.info

Lutsen 99er Expo & Little Niners Race

2 p.m. (Race at 5:30 p.m.) Superior National Golf Course, Lutsen, lutsen99er.com

“Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder Tour 8 p.m. Amsoil Arena, Duluth, decc.org

June 27, Saturday

Lutsen 99er Races 7:30 a.m. Superior National Golf Course, Lutsen, lutsen99er.com

High Noon 24-Hour Trail Race & Relay

8 a.m. Kamview Nordic Centre, Thunder Bay, upriverrunning.com

Rhubarb Festival 9 a.m. Asbury United Methodist Church, Duluth, chumduluth.org

Carolyn Olson Book Signing: Pearl’s Garden 1 p.m. Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, mnhs.org/splitrock

Author Talk: Dick Dorr: Chasing Justice 2 p.m. Johnson Heritage Post, Grand Marais, cookcountyhistory.org

Author Talk: Meg Gorzycki: Remember the Main 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

June 27-28

Larsmont Summer Days

Larsmont Trading Post, Two Harbors, facebook.com/larsmonttradingpost

Geraldton Walleye Classic Geraldton, Ontario, gcfi.net

Park Point Art Fair 10 a.m.

Park Point Recreation Area, Duluth, facebook.com/parkpointartfair

June 27-July 5

License-Free Family Fishing Week Throughout Ontario, ontariofamilyfishing.com

June 28, Sunday

Dorothy Day Open House 10 a.m. Dorothy Molter Musuem, Ely, rootbeerlady.com

Nipigon Market Collective 10 a.m. Nipigon Community Centre, nipigonmarketcollective.ca

VegFest 2026: Rooted in Wellness 11 a.m. CLE Coliseum, Thunder Bay, vegfest2026.eventbrite.com

June 29, Monday

Full Moon Poetry 6 p.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

June 30, Tuesday

Kids Day: Free Admission 11 a.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

July 1, Wednesday

Canada Day

Canada Day Celebration 10 a.m. Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, fwhp.ca

Canada Day on the Waterfront 3 p.m. Marina Park, Thunder Bay, thunderbay.ca/canadaday

Thunder Bay Country Market 3:30 p.m.

CLE Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca

Live Music 8 p.m. Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Thursdays

Art Counter Projects 3 p.m. Joy & Company, Grand Marais, facebook.com/joyandcompanymn

Grand Marais Farmers Market (Starts June 18) 4:30 p.m. Community Center Parking Lot, Grand Marais, facebook.com/grandmaraisfarmersmarket

Finland Farmers Market (Starts June 11) 5 p.m. Clair Nelson Center, Finland, finlandfarmersmarket.com

Date Night with Live Music 6 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

Open Mic Comedy 7:30 p.m. Campfire Comedy Club, Thunder Bay, campfirecomedy.ca

Fridays

Guided Nature Hike (Starts June 19) 1 p.m. Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center, Gunflint Trail, gunflinthistory.org

Community Gaming Night 7 p.m. Clair Nelson Center, Finland, friendsoffinland.org

Live Music 8 p.m. Bluefin Bay, Tofte, bluefinbay.com

Renegade Late Night Improv 10 p.m. Zeitgeist Arts, Duluth, zeitgeistarts.com

Saturdays

Thunder Bay Country Market 8 a.m. CLE

Dove Building, Thunder Bay, tbcm.ca

Duluth Farmers Market 8 a.m. Duluth Farmers Market, duluthfarmersmarket.com

Cook County Market 10 a.m. The Hub Parking Lot, Grand Marais, facebook.com/ccfarmandcraft

Two Harbors Farmers Market 10 a.m. Seagren’s Home Hardware Outdoors, Two Harbors, facebook.com/twoharborsfarmersmarket

Children’s Story Hour 11 a.m. Drury Lane Books, Grand Marais, drurylanebooks.com

Rocking the Rez 2 p.m. Crossroad Music, Fort William First Nation, crossroadconcertseries.ca

What’s for Dinner? 7 p.m. International Wolf Center, Ely, wolf.org

Sundays

Clover Valley Farm Trail Noon, Two Harbors and Duluth, clovervalleyfarmtrail.com

Weekend Wine Down 3:30 p.m. North Shore Winery, Lutsen, northshorewinery.us

The North Shore’s Favorite Restaurants

Thank you to all who participated and to the restaurants that helped promote the contest. We’re pleased to announce that Steve K. of Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin, was the winner of the $75 gift certificate. He chose to redeem his prize at the dining room at Cove Point Lodge in Beaver Bay.

2026 2026 Winners Which restaurant has the best:

Appetizers

1st Poplar Haus

2nd Voyageur Brewing Company

3rd Gun Flint Tavern

Steak

1st Trail Center

2nd Pickwick Restaurant and Pub

3rd Raven Rock Grill

Burger

1st My Sister’s Place

2nd Poplar Haus

3rd Cascade Restaurant & Pub

Fish

1st The Fisherman’s Daughter

2nd Angry Trout

3rd Northern Waters Smokehouse

Pizza

1st My Sister’s Place

2nd White Pine Lodge

3rd Sven and Ole’s

Soup

1st The Fisherman’s Daughter

2nd Angry Trout

3rd Gun Flint Tavern

Salad

1st Angry Trout

2nd Cascade Restaurant & Pub

3rd Borderland Lodge

Breakfast

1st South of the Border Café

2nd Coho Café & Bakery

3rd Duluth Grill

Baked Goods

1st Crosby Bakery

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The North Shore Dish

Phở the Love of Flavor

By Virginia George

Since the early 1900s, America has often been referred to as a great “melting pot.”

The idea is that cultures and ideals from around the world have all been poured together into one big mixing pot and melted into a new culture containing shadows and influences of the cultures that came before it. Here, a blended culture called “American” emerges, where everyone belongs and can find a place to fit in. At least, that’s how I’ve understood it.

The problem with this theory is that it requires us to shed our cultural and ethnic identities in favor of a new, more muted one. It demands a level of assimilation that doesn’t leave room for people to retain their cultural practices and the traditions that bind them together. Some of these traditions are ethnic, some are geographical, but all are meaningful practices that keep us grounded in who we are and where we came from. Rather than being a melting pot, where our differences are expected to melt and merge together, maybe we should be more like a bowl of soup, simmering side by side and adding flavor, texture, variety, and spice to one beautiful human race.

Phở is a Vietnamese soup, pronounced as “fuh.”

Perhaps the analogy is an oversimplification of hundreds—or thousands—of years of human development and the perceived threats that something different might present. Politics probably doesn’t have much place in a food column, but a deep appreciation for variety, spice, and nuance of flavor certainly does. And if you’re lucky, you’ll find just that in a good bowl of phở. Phở is a Vietnamese soup, pronounced as “fuh.” I take a lot of pride in accuracy in nuance—pronouncing and spelling people’s names correctly and being precise with language. My very limited understanding of Vietnamese is that the language has 12 vowels instead of English’s five—and a “sometimes” sixth—which means various accent marks, or diacritics, are added to the Latin alphabet to distinguish vowel sounds. In the case of phở, the letter “o” is notated with what Wikipedia describes as “a horn and a hook above.” My deepest apologies to our Vietnamese friends if I get this wrong or miss the mark—diacritics are like marks, get it?—in honoring this delicious contribu-

tion to cuisine. But what is it?

Generally speaking, phở is a brothy noodle soup—a sort of “beef stew.” Specific recipes will vary from place to place, but you’ll frequently find slow-cooked beef bones, rice noodles, and toppings such as Thai basil, jalapeños, and bean sprouts added to taste. There are other variations, of course, including vegan phở with tofu.

Thankfully, there are several places to find what many would consider authentic phở here in the Northland, including two standouts: Lucky’s Restaurant in Thunder Bay and Phởholic in Duluth.

Lucky’s ThunderRestaurant, Bay

Thunder Bay boasts a variety of ethnic restaurants that provide residents with plenty of options for a good meal, but Lucky’s Restaurant appears to have won the hearts—and stomachs—of many locals for its phở, specifically its broth.

The phở at Lucky’s is described as lean beef in a rice noodle soup garnished with bean sprouts, cilantro, and lime. Nothing too fancy, but the reviews suggest Lucky’s phở is worth writing home about. Options include lean beef and beef balls, but Lucky’s offers much more as well, including spring rolls, vermicelli noodles, and other favorites.

Lucky’s extensive menu also includes Cantonese dishes such as lo mein with shrimp, barbecue pork, chicken, mixed greens, and egg noodles, along with egg rolls and egg foo young. Their online menu is divided by cuisine, with sections for Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai dishes, thus making it easier to find exactly what you’re craving. For larger gatherings, Lucky’s

Restaurant also offers family dinner packages that accommodate parties of up to six and include a variety of signature dishes, appetizers, and fried rice.

Phởholic, Duluth

Phởholic achieved enough success in Duluth that it opened a second location in 2025 facing Lake Superior on London Road. The original storefront continues to thrive farther up the hill on Central Entrance. Built on hard work and family values, each location has a slightly different menu. This maintains individuality between stores, but rest assured that phở is a prominent menu item at both places.

True to its name, Phởholic serves phở at both locations with rich beef broth, rice noodles, and a generous plate of bean sprouts, thinly sliced jalapeños, basil, and cilantro on the side. Their phở soup options include sliced beef, chicken, oxtail, and vegetable varieties, to name a few. The Special Combination phở features sliced beef brisket, tripe, and meatballs.

In addition to phở, both locations offer Vietnamese sandwiches, spring rolls, and ramen. Phởholic even grows some of its own herbs in-store, so their toppings are fresh and delicious. If you’re in the mood for a boba smoothie, you might try mango, strawberry, or coconut flavors, with or without a generous amount of chewy tapioca pearls.

Even if you don’t regularly wax poetic about soup or find metaphors in simple dishes, I think you should give phở a try if you haven’t already. Like humanity, society, and our own communities, phở is vibrant, full of flavor, and open to a fair amount

of interpretation. There aren’t strict rules when it comes to phở. Add the ingredients you love—the crunch of bean sprouts, the spice of jalapeño, or the complexity of a

Thai basil leaf—and leave the rest behind. When those ingredients come together, they create a rich and flavorful meal you won’t soon forget.

Never

The Joy of Animal Companions

By Hartley Newell-Acero

If you’ve been lucky enough to have an animal that you adore in your life, you’ll understand why I hesitate to use the word “pet” to describe them. It somehow feels insufficient. I’ve had a few; the first was a hefty, golden-eyed, gray-furred cat named Bogie that adopted my family when I was a teen. He was not only sweet and affectionate, but his presence was healing. Sometimes, when I was sad, he would climb into my lap and put a gentle paw on my cheek. I believe that he loved me. I know that I loved him, and I also know that love was good for me.

The possible benefits of having an animal companion in one’s life are many and measurable.

Mental Health

Pet lovers can attest to the mental health benefits their animal companions bring. Research shows that having a beloved pet may:

• decrease feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress

• lower blood pressure

• increase feelings of unconditional love

• create a sense of calm

• offer a sense of purpose for the people who care for the animals

Physical Health

All dogs need some form of daily exercise for their well-being, and providing that can be a chance for their humans to get some physical activity, too. Walks, runs, and hikes can provide some of the movement needed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, increase muscle strength and balance, and reduce the risk of many diseases—for both pets and their people.

Social Connection

Dog parks are wonderful “third spaces” where pups and people can connect with others. Fans of other types of pets often find each other through in-person or online affinity groups. Pets themselves can reduce their owners’ feelings of loneliness and isolation simply by being around.

Other Surprising Perks

• Studies have found a link between having a dog and higher survival rates for people who have experienced a heart-related emergency.

• Pet ownership has been associated with building and maintaining sharper attention, faster cognitive processing speeds, and better memory.

• Children who are regularly exposed to pets before their first birthday have a lower risk of allergies and asthma by age 5.

Will having a pet benefit you? Maybe, but keep in mind that many of these benefits are potential, and there are possible downsides to pet ownership:

• Pets can negatively impact sleep by moving around, hogging the bed, and waking you earlier than you want.

• They can require expensive veterinary care, especially as they age.

• For people with reduced mobility, car-

ing for some types of pets can be difficult—think about lifting heavy bags of dog food or litter, picking up poop, etc.

• Some pets can get underfoot and trip you, or jump on you and unintentionally knock you down.

If you don’t already have an animal companion, here are some questions to ask yourself before taking on that multiyear emotional and financial commitment:

• Why do I want a pet? Understanding the underlying motivation will help you choose one that’s a good fit. Do you want a running buddy or a cuddle buddy? A riding-in-the-truck friend or a hang-out-in-the-office co-worker?

• Do I have any restrictions that impact this choice? This includes both rental

restrictions and physical limitations. For instance, a high-energy dog isn’t the best choice for folks who aren’t able to provide all the exercise it needs.

• Can I honor the time commitment good care will require—both on a dayto-day basis and throughout the animal’s lifetime? All animals need time and gentle attention, and providing for them takes effort. This means everything from brushing, to play, to potty training. At the end of their lives, their care may become more demanding.

• Will getting a pet impact others in my household? Will they be helping with pet care? Is everyone clear about expectations? Do they have allergies to, or fears about, a pet? What about other

pets you may already have? Will they be positively or negatively impacted by another animal?

• Can I afford to provide good care? There are many costs that come with pets: adoption and licensing fees, supplies, food, boarding or pet sitting while you travel, veterinary costs, medications, training, grooming, and more. Are these expenses in your budget?

Having a pet can be a real gift—for some people, at some times. If you’re not one of those folks, or if the time isn’t right, don’t worry. There are other ways to experience many of these benefits—without having to scoop poop.

• Finn Pancakes • Hot Sandwiches • Homemade Soups • Friday Night Pickerel Dinner Special • Large Selection of Homemade Desserts • Licensed • Shop our Locally Made Giftware and Souvenirs, that feature locally sourced Amethyst

Northern Trails Jigging for Walleye: A Primer

By Gord Ellis

Walleyes are the favourite fish of anglers on both sides of the border between the United States and Canada. They are fun to catch, relatively widespread, and very good to eat. There are many ways to catch walleye, but no technique is more basic—and consistently effective—than jigging. Here is a look at the basics of jigging for walleye.

Jig Head Basics

The traditional jig head is a ball of lead with a hook protruding from it. The round jig head works very well in many conditions and is especially effective in lakes or low-current areas. Bullet-head jigs are more streamlined and track more easily in current and through grass and weeds. Stand-up jigs have a flat bottom that allows them to sit on the lake floor while the bait is presented on the hook above it. Banana-head jigs have an erratic flutter when jigged and are also good for dragging.

Some jig heads incorporate a small spinner that rotates when jigged. This adds extra vibration to the jig. The Whistler jig is the best-known commercial version of a spinner jig, although there are many others. Vibrating or rattling jig heads work especially well in dark or stained water.

Vertical Jigging

The most straightforward form of jigging is done vertically, usually below a boat. This technique works both in current and in lakes. It is effective for deep fish and when they are shallow.

The basic vertical jigging technique requires anglers to drop a baited jig—either live bait or plastic—to the bottom, then give the jig motion by lifting the rod tip up and down. Less jigging action is generally better than more, but the fish will let you know what works best. Start with a gentle lift-anddrop motion and work toward something more aggressive if needed. There are times when vigorous jigging action will trigger walleye, but more often a subtle presentation works best. Sometimes, just sitting in a rocking boat on a lake or river will impart enough action to the jig.

A 1/4- or 3/8-ounce ball-head jig is the standard for most walleye jigging. Longer-shank hooks work well on jigs with plastics, while shorter-shank hooks on jigs—like the Northland Fireball—get the nod for live bait. A lighter jig is better in shallow water. Heavy jigs are used where the current is strong and you need to reach the bottom fast.

Keep in mind that walleye suck in a jig, and the heavier the weight, the more force

[ABOVE] Jigs come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours.

| GORD ELLIS

[LEFT] A walleye caught on a jig.

| GORD ELLIS

A Smeltinator jig and 4-inch Berkley Power Minnow. | GORD ELLIS

required to inhale it. Heavy jigs can equal missed strikes, especially with smaller fish, as they sometimes can’t quite get it in.

You can use a variety of rod-and-reel combinations for vertical jigging, from short ultralights to longer medium-action rods. Some walleye anglers prefer monofilament for vertical jigging because the stretch of the line adds a little cushion. If you use braided line, I highly recommend adding 18 inches of monofilament or fluorocarbon line as a leader. This allows some strike absorption and flex while fighting a fish.

Bait or Plastic?

The most basic presentation a walleye angler can make is live bait on a jig head. Minnows are generally the go-to bait. The bait will last longer when hooked through the nose and will have the most action.

Walleyes are the favourite fish of anglers on both sides of the border between the United States and Canada. They’re fun to catch, relatively widespread, and good to eat. | GORD ELLIS

Worms are very effective for walleye, especially as the water warms. A full nightcrawler can be used by hooking it directly onto the jig through the centre of the body. This allows both ends of the worm to wriggle enticingly. Pieces of worms can also be added to a twister, grub, or other plastic. Leeches are fished with the hook point directly through the sucker end, providing

maximum wiggle from the leech.

The classic twister body has never gone out of style when jigging. The body section is threaded onto the hook, allowing the tail to roll and vibrate. Some anglers are unsure whether the twister “curve” of the tail should be above or below the hook point. Although

TOM LAKE

Esther Lake Road. Head west for 2.1 miles, then turn left onto Tom Lake Road. Head south on Tom Lake Road for 3 miles, then turn right onto Brumbaugh Road. Proceed about a quarter-mile and turn left into the boat ramp on the northern tip of the lake. There’s a concrete slab ramp, a dock, and parking for about seven trucks and trailers.

VITALS: Tom Lake is 404 acres with a maximum depth of 35 feet. The lake does have some cabins but isn’t very busy.

GAME SPECIES PRESENT: Walleye, yellow perch, lake whitefish, and burbot.

WALLEYE: “Tom Lake is a cookie cutter walleye lake,” said E.J. Isaac, DNR area fisheries supervisor in Grand Marais. “It’s a classic Canadian Shield lake. It’s not an outstanding walleye lake, but it’s fairly consistent.” The 2023 DNR survey found walleyes up to 27 inches, with a mean of 14.3 inches. Growth was slower than the area average. Isaac said the lake does have some good structure, which will help anglers pinpoint fish. And anglers won’t have to worry about pike biting off their lures, because northern pike abundance is very low. “We used to pick up northern pike in our surveys in low abundance,” Isaac said. “We’ve done three surveys now when we haven’t caught any pike.”

YELLOW PERCH: Yellow perch numbers have been on the rise in the last few DNR surveys and are now much

there is no wrong way to rig it, having the curve above the hook can sometimes lead to the tail getting fouled on the hook. Minnow-imitating plastics have become a huge part of the walleye fishing game. There are a remarkable number of minnow baits to pick from, and they all have an application. Straight minnow- or shad-style baits don’t have much inherent action, but they have the correct profile. Paddle tails have a wobbling action that works best when cast and retrieved steadily.

I prefer a larger-gap, high-end hook and a jig head with a realistic eye. The Northland Smeltinator head has been my go-to for some time. If I were forced to choose one fishing presentation for all species, it would be a scented rubber Berkley Power Minnow and a 3/8-ounce Smeltinator with a 3/0 or 4/0 long-shank hook.

Does Jig Colour Matter?

Jig-head colour is something a lot of walleye anglers take quite seriously. Even a quick glance at a tackle store wall shows that bright colours are top sellers. Chartreuse, flame red, orange, pink, yellow, and fire tiger dominate the market. You will also see a lot of glow or UV paint on jig heads, which work especially well in dark water. In clear water, I tend to use more silver and gold- or bronze-coloured heads. Have a selection of colours, and don’t be afraid to experiment.   Jigging is a key part of any walleye angler’s arsenal. Use these basic guidelines this summer, and you may find yourself eating fried walleye a lot more often.

higher than average for the lake type. And they’re not just dinks. There are enough keeper-sized perch to be of interest to anglers. “We’ve seen a little increase in perch in recent surveys,” Isaac said. “We did catch perch over 10 inches. The lack of northern pike may help perch, although walleyes certainly prey on them.

LAKE WHITEFISH: Few anglers specifically fish for lake whitefish, and there is no fall netting season for them on Tom Lake. But you may hook one by accident. If you do, it will likely be of good size. “The lake is kind of unique in that it does have some coldwater fish,” Isaac said. “There’s a good number of adult spawners (whitefish) out there.” It’s not uncommon for whitefish to reach 20 inches or more. The last DNR survey found average numbers of whitefish with an average weight just shy of 3 pounds. A whitefish would be a nice bonus for walleye anglers and would be a real treat on the table.

BURBOT: Burbot, or eelpout, are found in low numbers in Tom Lake, but they turn up in every DNR survey. Like whitefish, these odd-looking fish prefer cold water and are infrequently targeted. Only a single burbot was caught in the last survey, although they have been more abundant in previous surveys. While you’re not likely to catch one, if you land an odd-looking fish with barbels and long fins on its back and belly, that’s what it is.

That Time I Lost a Canoe in the Boundary Waters

By Marie Zhuikov

It was August 2003, and my friend Sharon and I decided it would be fun to do a mother/children canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. At the time, my boys, Hunter (4 years old) and Logan (11 years old), had been camping, but I don’t think they’d been in the wilderness yet.

We planned to stay on Clearwater Lake, which I became familiar with years ago when I was a volunteer wilderness trail crew member for the U.S. Forest Service. I had fond memories of the clear water and impressive rock ledges on the campsites there. After my volunteer stint, I ended up working for the Forest Service in public affairs and had been in the wilderness many times, so I was quite comfortable taking my children there in our red Old Town canoe without their dad.

Sharon brought along her two girls, Sierra and Savannah, and their dog. I can’t recall exactly how many days we camped—maybe two or three. The weather was great, and the water was warm enough for swimming. A submerged log lay not far offshore from our campsite and provided endless hours of entertainment for our children as they swam. They could stand and bounce on it, which made it seem like a wilderness theme park ride. A downed tree near our campsite also fascinated them.

gery to get the hook out, and all was well. That was, until I noticed a red canoe floating across the lake.

We spent evenings around the fire regaling each other with tales of our wilderness exploits and prowess. One afternoon, we decided to canoe to a campsite farther down the lake that I recalled was a good fishing spot. A large rock ledge with a deep dropoff was also the perfect place for a picnic lunch. We beached our canoes on the shore at the empty campsite, and the festivities commenced.

Later, Logan caught a fish. As Sharon was trying to unhook it for him, the hook went into her finger. I performed minor sur-

“Huh, that canoe looks the same as mine,” I said to Sharon.

She looked at the beach where her canoe sat all by itself. “That IS your canoe!” she said. What I, Miss Wilderness Expert, didn’t count on was the wind switching. Part of my canoe had still been in the water, enough so that it floated away.

I panicked. Losing a canoe in the wilderness is like losing your car in the city— maybe worse than losing your car because there’s no public transportation in the wilderness. I was ready to swim out and grab it.

I’m not sure why I didn’t think of paddling to it in Sharon’s canoe with one of my children and having them hold on to the canoe so we could tow it back. Anyway, swimming was what made sense at the time. And time was of the essence before the canoe drifted farther away.

I was preparing to jump into the lake when a couple in a motorboat happened by.

Although motors are not allowed in most of the BWCAW, there are a few lakes, like Clearwater, where they are allowed. I think it’s because there’s a resort on this lake.

“That your canoe?” one of them asked.

When we responded in the affirmative, they followed up with, “Want us to get it?”

That earned an enthusiastic “Yes, please!”

They grabbed the canoe, no problem, and

brought it back to us. We thanked them profusely, and I made sure that sucker was totally out of the water when I beached it this time.

Over the years, Sharon has made sure I don’t forget this incident. We trotted it out recently when having lunch with a new co-worker who wanted to know how long we’d been friends.

Although it was incredibly embarrassing at the time, losing my canoe was a good lesson about not getting too complacent in the wilderness or in life. You never know when the wind might switch.

Following the Ancestor’s Steps

Gichigami-ziibi Name St. Louis River Sturgeon

By Zhaawanoogiizhik / Sam Zimmerman

I haven’t shared a monthly article in a few months, as  imbaabaa (my father) has returned home to our ancestors. I often walk along the Gichigami-ziibi (St. Louis River) to think and spend time with our animal, bird, fish, and plant relatives.

With  biboon (winter) over and the  mikwam (ice) melted, I have begun to walk along the niibi (river) again. But now I carry the grief of missing  imbaabaa (my father). In the past, after my walks along the ziibi (river), I would share with  imbaabaa (my father) the different relatives I had met while out walking, and he would share different stories or his own memories outside along the nibi (water).

During a recent walk, a migizi (bald eagle) was flying above me, crossing from one side of the ziibi (river) to the other. This piece celebrates this recent experience— the beauty of the ziibi (river) and our  giigoonh (fish) relatives that call it home. The name (sturgeon) represents our fish relatives and is often referred to as the king of the fish nation. I added 342  anangoog (stars) as a way to honor imbaabaa (my father ’s) birthday, and all of our great conversations about the Gichigami-ziibi (St. Louis River).

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

NORTHERN SKY

JUNE 2026

By Deane Morrison, MN STARWATCH

Nights may be short in June, but this year they pack plenty of astronomical action.

The month opens with Jupiter plummeting toward Venus above the sunset horizon. The planets pass each other between the 5th and 8th, but come closest on the 9th. Nearby are the Gemini twin stars Pollux and Castor. On the 16th and 17th, a thin young moon appears close to Jupiter and Venus, respectively. Continuing on eastward, the moon waxes as it glides by Regulus, in Leo, the lion; then Spica, in Virgo, the maiden; and Antares, the red heart of Scorpius.

Now high in the south at nightfall, brilliant Arcturus shines down on the moon and planets. Above Arcturus, the body of its constellation—Bootes, the herdsman—looks like the sail of a kite bearing its radiant cargo across the night sky.

In the east, the large Summer Triangle of bright stars is gaining altitude.

Brightest of the three is Vega, in Lyra, the lyre. The other two are Deneb, in Cygnus, the swan; and, at the lowest point of the Triangle, Altair, in Aquila, the eagle.

In the morning sky, a last quarter moon shimmers before dawn on the 8th. On the 10th, the moon appears above Saturn.

Summer arrives with the solstice at 3:25 a.m. Sunday, June 21, when the sun reaches a point above the Tropic of Cancer. At that moment, the sun appears to pause before reversing course and heading south. This phenomenon gave rise to the word “solstice,” which comes from the Latin for “sun standing still.” If we could observe this solstice from space, we would see Earth lighted from the Antarctic Circle up to the North Pole and beyond to the Arctic Circle on the dark side of the planet.

June’s full moon rises in twilight on Monday, the 29th. Round and lovely, it traces a low arc across the night sky.

The University of Minnesota offers public viewings of the night sky at its Duluth and Twin Cities campuses. For more information on Duluth, visit: d.umn.edu/planet.

Strange Tales Saving Seeds for Global Food Security

By Elle AndraWarner

It’s that time of year when Northern Wilds gardeners are buying seeds, planting them, or placing already sprouted plants in their gardens. Speaking of seeds, did you know that on a remote frozen island 800 miles (1,287.4 kilometers) from the North Pole, the world’s largest collection of seeds is stored as a backup against the loss of seeds due to global catastrophes like natural disasters and wars?

The facility is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, sometimes referred to as the Doomsday Vault or Modern Noah’s Ark. It opened on February 28, 2008, and in early April 2026, there were 69.2 million seeds deposited in the Vault, contained in 1,385,898 seed samples (each sample holds about 500 seeds). The Vault has the capacity to store 2.25 billion seeds covering about 4.5 million varieties of crops. Both Minnesota and Ontario seeds are represented.

The Seed Vault is located 430 feet (130 meters) above sea level on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, part of the Svalbard Archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. The Vault is owned by the Kingdom of Norway and managed by Norway’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Norway Genetic Resource Center (NordGen), and The Crop Trust, an international organization dedicated to safeguarding the world’s crop diversity for future food security.

The Vault’s tunnels extend approximately 330 to 426 feet (100 to 130 meters) deep inside a sandstone mountain and lead to three ice-covered rock caverns where the seeds are stored. Designed by architect Peter W. Soderman, it was built by the Norwegian government at a cost of $8.8 million in 2008. The structure is about 3 miles (5 km) from Svalbard’s capital city, Longyearbyen, which has a population of 2,700 from 50 countries and is the farthest north a person can fly on daily scheduled flights.

So, what’s the purpose of the Seed Vault? Well, around the world, there are about 1,700 international, regional, and national seed banks that store seeds for food security. They send duplicates to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault as a safeguard in case their seeds are destroyed. Kind of like an insurance policy against loss. In the article “Saving Seeds for the Future” in Ontario Grain Farm Magazine (August 2025), writer Mary Feldskov quotes Dr. Cary Fowler, an agriculturist who is considered the “father” of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. “It operates like a safety deposit box at the bank. Depositors send a duplicate copy of their seeds. The Seed Vault protects those seeds free of charge. And if anything happens to the original copy …

Seeds are stored in airtight aluminum bags inside storage boxes placed on multiple shelves in rooms kept at -18°C (-0.4°F).

| PUBLIC DOMAIN

they can be returned to the depositor. Nobody else has access to them.”

The seeds are stored in three-ply airtight aluminum packages and placed in containers on multi-shelved racks. Storage rooms are kept at a constant temperature of -18°C (-0.4°F). Even if electricity fails, the permafrost surrounding the Vault keeps the seeds frozen. Seeds in these conditions can be kept for hundreds, some even thousands, of years. Interesting side note about seeds: the

About 3 miles (5 km) from Longyearbyen, the Seed Vault entrance features the award-winning art installation “Perpetual Repercussion.”

oldest seeds ever to be brought back to life (2012) were 32,000-year-old Silene stenophylla (narrow-leafed campion) seeds buried 124 feet in the Siberian permafrost. Indigenous communities have also deposited seeds. In 2015, the first Indigenous deposit was made by the Quechua farmers from the Peruvian Andes, who travelled

6,835 miles (11,000 km) to bring 750 seed samples of sacred potato varieties. Then in 2020, the Cherokee Nation made history when they were the first Native American tribe to deposit their rare traditional heirloom seeds that predate European settlement in North America, including their most sacred Cherokee White Eagle Corn.

MARIA KHOREVA

And in 2024, a group of Indigenous Taiwanese leaders, including members of the Paiwan and Bunun communities, deposited 170 varieties of traditional millet seeds.

While the Seed Vault’s main mission is to protect and conserve plant seeds for food security in the event of a doomsday event, there’s also an artistic and cultural element to the facility. The primary art feature is the illuminated entrance portal by Norwegian artist Dyveke Sanne. The award-winning art installation on the entrance roof and upper facade is named “Perpetual Repercussion” and is a striking, iconic landmark visible from a distance. The work features a blend of triangular, highly reflective pieces of acid-free stainless steel, mirrors, and prisms that reflect polar light during sum-

mer. In winter, 200 fibre-optic cables create a beautiful tapestry of muted greenish-turquoise and white light.

The Vault project was the inspiration for the children’s opera Children of Ginko, set in the future and aimed at raising ecological awareness. Other children’s books about the Vault include the fairy tale adventure The Garden at the End of the World and Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Documentaries include Seeds of Time (2013), Seed Battles (2013), and Seed: The Untold Story (2016).

Because of strict security, visitors cannot go inside the Seed Vault; however, they can take a taxi or organized tour to see the exterior, or take a virtual tour online at: seedvaultvirtualtour.com.

185 Sag Lake Trail

Discover a rare luxury retreat at the very end of the Gunflint Trail on pristine Gull Lake. This four-bed, three-bath home sits on five private acres with 467 feet of shoreline, offering unmatched tranquility, world-class fishing, and direct BWCAW access. Enjoy a gourmet kitchen, lakeview dining, a spacious living room with stone fireplace, and a sunlit deck. The main-floor primary suite features panoramic views and a spa-style bath. Two additional bedrooms, a bonus room, two rustic guest cabins, heated garages, and a large workshop complete this exceptional Northwoods property—an extraordinary and scarce lakeside opportunity.

MLS 6123462

$1,399,000

NEW 41 S Bearskin Road

Perched above West Bearskin Lake, this well-maintained year-round cabin offers breathtaking panoramic views and immediate access to Northwoods adventure. Featuring 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and a cozy sleeping loft, the cabin is designed for comfortable lake living in every season. A spacious deck provides the perfect spot to relax, entertain and enjoy the scenery. Located near the BWCA and surrounded by pristine lakes, the property offers easy access to paddling, fishing, hiking, skiing and snowmobiling. Paddle to Rose Falls, dine at Hungry Jack Lodge, or hike Honeymoon Bluff. Includes storage shed and heated 10x16 shed.

MLS 6124820

$699,000

NEW 92 Erickson Trail

Hand-hewn log cabin retreat on 10 private acres with 450+ feet of shoreline on secluded Pancore Lake near Tofte. This timeless Northwoods property features a main log cabin with lake views, two sleeping lofts, native stone fireplace, pine floors and spacious deck overlooking the water. A second log cabin offers flexible guest, studio or office space, while a separate bathhouse supports comfortable off-grid living. Enjoy exceptional splake fishing, star-filled skies and frequent northern lights displays. Surrounded by forest and near BWCAW access, Lake Superior and endless trails.

MLS 6124626

$759,900

E Hwy 61

Rare Lake Superior view property on 1.17 acres near Grand Marais featuring a spacious 4-bedroom main home, private apartment and charming guest house with stunning lake views. This versatile property offers multiple living spaces ideal for hosting, multigenerational living or rental income. Bright interiors, expansive decks and walls of windows showcase breathtaking views throughout. The main home includes generous gathering spaces, private primary suite, large laundry room and flexible lower-level rooms for hobbies or recreation. Guest and apartment spaces offer privacy and comfort with separate entrances.

6124556

NEW 969 Devil Track Road

Stunning 3+ bedroom, 3-bath home on 5 private acres featuring open-concept living, expansive windows, bamboo floors and warm Alder cabinetry. The main level includes a spacious primary suite, home office, laundry and cozy woodstove for year-round comfort. The finished lower level offers a large family room, two bright bedrooms, full bath and flexible recreation space. An attached garage and generous utility room provide excellent storage. The insulated and heated 24x40 outbuilding includes a full bath and studiospace, ideal for a workshop, guest quarters or rental income opportunity.

Bluefin Bay Unit 30 is a stunning Lake Superior retreat featuring breathtaking shoreline views, a custom wood-burning fireplace and beautifully updated interiors. Enjoy cooking with panoramic lake views, relaxing in the double whirlpool tub and unwinding on the lakeside deck. This tastefully appointed unit comfortably hosts family and friends with a pull-out couch and access to resort amenities and activities.

80-acre retreat with Lake Superior views, maple forest, wildlife trails and exceptional privacy—ideal for camping or an off-grid cabin.

Red Pine Realty

Locally

and

REALTORS®: Sue Nichols, Broker • Jake Patten, Assoc. Broker • Jess Smith • Melissa Gregg • Mike Raymond Rebecca McAllister • Casey O’Brien • Alice McFarlane, Office Administrator

NEW! UNIQUE LAKE SUPERIOR QUALITY

This beautiful timber-frame home sits on gently sloped ledgerock shore, with coves, and spectacular views to the Grand Marais harbor. Privacy and pristine beauty on 3+ acres and 230 feet of shoreline, just a short walk to town. Uncompromising quality and charm, the 5200 sqft home has reclaimed timbers from the "world's largest railroad roundhouse” of early1900's Proctor. Masterfully crafted into a stunning private "lodge" with soaring ceilings and expert joinery showing the character of massive douglas fir timbers. Stone fireplace, wood and tile floors, professional kitchen, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, office, sitting room, cedar sauna, rec room, workout room, and more. Designed maximum energy efficiencies. Attached 3-car heated garage. There's privacy on the expansive ironwood deck with outdoor fireplace. Plus, a 40x30 shop building with the same timber-framing, high ceilings, bathroom, kitchen and lounge area.

MLS#6124739 $3,760,000

DEVIL TRACK LAKE CABIN

4-season, turn-key, furnished 2-bedroom cabin on Devil Track Lake features an open concept floor plan with vaulted ceilings and a large wall of windows letting in ample light. Enjoy views of the lake from the living room and the spacious loft. Current owner updates include connecting to power and broadband; a new dock; a wood burning stove; and a 3-season screened in porch.

MLS#6125101 $599,000

NEW! LAKE SUPERIOR SERENITY HOME

Experience the pinnacle of North Shore living with this spectacular, sprawling 3-bedroom, 4 bath home. Tucked away on a pristine, wooded 13.59-acre lot, this property offers unparalleled privacy, breathtaking views and a magnificent 400 feet of Lake Superior frontage. The main home is designed for comfort with a beautiful stone fireplace, open concept floorplan bathed in natural light, and perfect for entertaining. Guests can enjoy their own space in the fully equipped apartment designed for comfort located above the detached 26'x34' garage. An additional 54'x40' Morton building offers immense space for projects, storing boats and additional parking. Whether you're looking for a serene year-round residence or an exceptional retreat, this rare gem is a must see.

MLS#6125026 $2,300,000

NEW! FINLAND ACRES & CABIN

6.74 acres just a couple miles from Hwy 61, an opportunity to create your own retreat near Lake Superior. Property features a partially completed 13' x 12' cabin and a shed, giving you a head start to finish the space and expand over time. Power and a drilled well are in place. A driveway is established with private gated entry. Property sits off a maintained road for yearround use.

MLS#6124627

$158,900

NEW! GRAND MARAIS LOT WITH LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS

Lots of options with this Lake Superior view lot! Build a house, a duplex, or an apartment. Plenty of outdoor parking and a 936 sq ft garage. There's room to build a small house across the driveway from the garage. Or build a large house after relocating garage doors to the west end. Or build an apartment with a conditional use permit. Or split lot into 2 parcels. Electric on site. Water/sewer in adjacent street.

MLS# 6124734 $160,000

NEW! 20 ACRES OFF OF COUNTY RD 6

20 acres of high and dry land with Monker Creek running through. Federal Land to the North and West of the property. Easement is in place, but you will need to build a road in to access the property or hike in. Approximately 3200' off County Rd 6 along the power line and an easement to access.

MLS#6125127 $80,000

RUSTIC CABIN WITH ACREAGE

Outdoor paradise on 19.62 acres! Rustic cabin about 100 feet from Judge Magney State Park. Great hunting retreat or dog sled adventure stop. ATV or snowmobile access currently, with legal access in placeto build a driveway. Electricity/broadband coming to the road this year!

MLS#6124300 $100,000

DEERYARD LAKE COTTAGE

Set on 2.11 acres within a quiet HOA, this stone cottage rests along 200ft of Deeryard Lake shoreline. Cottage features 2 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms with a few unfinished spaces, including a kitchen, laundry area, bathroom, and bedroom, ready for your finishing touches. A detached 2 stall garage with a workshop provides room for projects.

MLS#6123425

$549,000

TOM LAKE LOT

Buildable lot nicely prepped for your future plans. Driveway, parking area and a building site all ready to go. Electric and fiber optic are available at the roadside. From the building site there is a gentle slope to the waters edge that leads to a small bay with southern exposure. Special assessments in property taxes for Wilderness Trail snow plowing and county solid waste fee.

MLS#6124856 $125,000

SEA GULL LAKE RETREAT

Charming Cape Cod-inspired lake home, outstanding views of the lake and surrounding BWCAW wilderness. Rock outcroppings and pines, great privacy, 252ft of accessible shoreline, 3.5 acres. Floating dock and great swimming. Two bedroom, 2 level home shows exceptional quality. Expansive windows and screen porch, plus upper-level deck. Home is set up for simple living. Composting toilet, outhouse, lake water system, with plans for a bath house/ sauna not yet completed.

MLS#6124149 $595,000

NEW! LAKE SUPERIOR CLASSIC ROCK IN LUTSEN! Classic Cascade Beach Road, Lutsen Cabin perched on 128ft of Lake Superior ledge-rock. One bedroom but you may as well add a pull-out in the beamed cathedral living room because sleeping there will be everyone’s favorite: wave lullaby, sunrises over the endless blue! Timeless charm folks! There’s a deck overlooking the comings and goings of Gitche Gumee, warblers, and ore boats. Keep rolling like the current owners with septic holding tank and Lake Superior water system or consider other options. Lutsen Mts Ski Resort and Superior National Golf Course are very close. All the fun of Grand Marais is about 15 minutes away. Stroll or bike along the Cascade Beach Rd for exercise – very peaceful, ol’ country road. Become a steward of this property. Loving it up like it has been for many years! Your turn. MLS# 6124905 $670,000

NEW! ENJOY THE GOOD LIFE ON THE BAPTISM RIVER IN FINLAND! A few miles outside of Finland Minnesota, 1225 ft of frontage on the West Baptism River flows happily and peacefully through 13+ acres of iconic Northwoods Real Estate with two classic cabins. The main cabin is a log home expertly built and lovingly maintained. The guest cabin is a charming hybrid of log and stick frame building spacious enough to hold a whole crew. Best part is each is year round with two bedrooms and full baths. Lots of room here, paths to walk on your own land, snowshoe, ski. Life flows like the river, effortlessly and pristine. Visit now and enjoy life on the river. MLS# 6124974 $650,000

PADDLER’S DREAM CABIN ON TAIT LAKE IN LUTSEN! Enjoy South facing views on Tait Lake, while listening to the Tait River meander its way in to the lake! 190ft of shoreline on Tait Lake, and the river frontage is a bonus for wildlife viewing! Large lake lot, nearly 3 acres allows for plenty of elbow room. The cabin interior is recently renovated with sweet upgrades, and a new oversized two car garage makes this a must-see lake cabin at this price! Tait Lake is about 15 minutes from downtown Lutsen, and just a few miles from the Boundary Waters Brule Lake entry point, the best of both worlds! MLS#6124017 $565,000

TANGLED UP IN VIEW! Mountain top living in Lutsen, this home exudes Views! Both of Tait Lake in Lutsen as well as the ridgeline to Murphy Mountain and Cut Face Creek toward Grand Marais! Built onto the ledge rock of a ridge almost as high as Eagle Mountain! The Main floor features a great room with large stone fireplace and open concept kitchen/dining/family room space, along with a main floor bedroom, laundry room, and don’t forget the screened porch for the bug season! Upper level is all about the views, with primary en suite bedroom and den space. As part of the Tait Lake Association, owners can utilize the two canoe launches for day trips on the lake in the summer or to launch your fishing boat for a day on the lake. No vacation nor commercial rentals are allowed as part of the Tait Lake Association, so you need not worry about noisy neighbors! Tait Lake is all about environmental awareness and living at peace with the wilderness and your neighbors! MLS# 6122990 $575,000

10th Annual Lutsen Block Party!! July 17th 5-7pm. All are welcome! Let Us Show Our Appreciation! LIVE MUSIC! FREE FOOD!

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

TOFTE AREA

GRAND MARAIS AREA

RARE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON 120 ACRES OF MANICURED FOREST LANDS AND EXPANSIVE LAKE SUPERIOR VIEWS!

There’s a rough road accessing the property from Bally Creek Rd, just ten minutes west of downtown Grand Marais! Views from the TOP of Murphy Mountain are astounding, not only overlooking Lake Superior, but looking toward the North as well! Gate on property, shown by appointment only. MLS#6122477 $1,200,000

NEW! EXPERIENCE THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME ON THIS PRIME, READTO-BUILD LOT IN TOFTE! Ideally situated in one of Minnesota’s most scenic locations on the North Shore, this 2.28 acre property offers potential for Lake Superior views, particularly from a second-story vantage point. Nice and leveled building site is started, and year-round access with the Association plowing the main road. Fiber and Electric are located just across the road. With this accessible terrain, you can move forward confidently and turn your vision into a reality! MLS#6125078 $89,000

WELCOME TO YOUR FUTURE GETAWAY ON THE NORTH SHORE IN TOFTE! You have plenty of space to build your dream cabin or year-round home on this 2+ acre lot. Views of Lake Superior. Located right in the middle of Tofte, you have access to bike trails and snowmobile trails and tons of inland lakes! Visit today and start your next adventure! MLS# 6121512 $119,000 PRICE REDUCED!

LUTSEN AREA

OUTDOOR LOVERS LOOKING FOR A GREAT BASE IN LUTSEN TAKE NOTICE! TUCKED AWAY IN A GENTLY SLOPED MAPLE FOREST, THIS 5 ACRES HAS A DRIVEWAY IN PLACE LEADING TO A CLEARED BUILDING SITE AREAREADY FOR YOUR IDEAS AND DREAM HOME! Year-round access thanks to the Association makes it convenient for all the seasons. Electricity and Fiber are at the road! Enjoy a tranquil woods lifestyle with no noisy vacation rentals allowed as part of this association. A fantastic Lutsen location, don’t miss out on this opportunity! MLS# 6124429 $125,0000

LUTSEN DEVELOPMENT LAND! Located on the corner of the Caribou and South Caribou, this land is high ground and magnificent in the Fall with the mature maple forest. A Syruper’s DREAM property, make this your own homestead or develop it utilizing the new County zoning ordinance for denser development surrounded by Green Space! Year round access via County roads, and electric and fiber at road. MLS#6120783 $499,000

LUTSEN AREA

40 ACRES A STONES THROW TO THE BRULE LAKE BWCAW IN LUTSEN! Sweet views of surrounding lakes from the highest point of this 40 in an excellent location along the Grade Rd. Year round access, and electric and fiber are along one side of the Grade Road. Great location for a Fishing Camp and eventual home or development! Minute’s to the Caribou Trail in Lutsen, or keep on going to the Ball Club Road to Devil Track Rd to Grand Marais! Mature forest, great spot. 40 acres too much? Seller’s will sell the East 20 for $169,000!

MLS#6120782 $299,900

“John was a pleasure to work with. He thoroughly addressed any concerns and made the whole process as stress free as possible. We would highly recommend his services to anyone looking for residential property in the area.”

-Realtor.com

CATCHLIGHT CATCHLIGHT

BEARS

My dog tends to quietly growl whenever we have a wild critter outside, so I was aware something was out and about. I opened our side door to peek outside and I saw a mama bear and her two cubs. I spooked them when I opened the door, so they quickly climbed the nearest tree. Their mom had scurried back into the woods, but not far. I quickly

then went back inside. They

LARGE CAPACITY FRONT AND TOP LOAD BUILT TO TACKLE THE LARGEST LOADS AFTER FAMILY VISITS

STRAPPED FOR TIME? THE QUICK WASH AND DRY CYCLES GETS CLOTHES DONE IN UNDER AN HOUR

No Matter your laundry needs we can help!

Isak Hansen Home and Hardware in Lutsen has been selling major appliances for over 50 years and has recently expanded to offer all brands of appliances. Whether for your new cabin or updating your existing home, we can deliver, install, and even recycle your old units. Stop in and we will be ready for you!