North Shore Morning

The Grand Marais Public Library offers activities for all ages. WTIP volunteer Yvonne Mills spoke with library director Steve Harsin on North Shore Morning.

More information on events and activities at www.grandmaraislibrary.org/
 
 

Care Giver Coffee get-togethers and volunteer training are some of the offerings at Care Partners this fall. WTIP volunteer Yvonne Mills spoke with Kay Grindland of Care Partners on North Shore Morning. 

More information on Care Partners activities/event at 218-387-3788 or www.northshorehealthcarefoundation.org/carepartners.php
 

 "Speak up, even when your voice shakes!" is the topic of tomorrow’s Brown Bag lunch sponsored by the Violence Prevention Center. WTIP volunteer Mary Manning talked with the Center’s Jodi Yuhassey on North Shore Morning.

BROWN BAG LUNCH WITH SPECIAL GUEST SUE HAKES
Brown Bag Lunch on Wednesday, October 7, from 12-1 pm at East Bay Suites, Stone's Throw Room
Special Guest Speaker Sue Hakes, on leadership

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL OF HOPE AND REMEMBRANCE
October 8 in the Harbor Park at 7:00 pm

CONTACT: Violence Prevention Center
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: (218) 387-1262
 

Fungi are an important part of the earth’s scheme of decomposition. But do they hunt and kill? WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with naturalist Chel Anderson about predatory fungi.

‘Stage Door’ takes us behind the scenes at the Grand Marais Playhouse. It’s a chance to meet the artists involved in our local theater…in addition to the people involved in production at the Playhouse.
 
Stage door is produced by Tina Krauz for the Grand Marais Playhouse and WTIP. 

Potential students can get help with the tools needed for application to college and training programs. WTIP volunteer Randy Eastlund talked with Cook County Higher Education's Kelsey Rogers Kennedy on North Shore Morning. 

For more information contact Cook County Higher Education at  (218) 387-3411.
 

‘Fishing Through the Ages’ is the theme of this year’s annual Storytelling Dinner sponsored by the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum. WTIP volunteer Yvonne Mills talked with the Fishing Museum’s Virginia Reiner on North Shore Morning. 

Sixth Annual Storytelling Dinner
Friday, October 9 at Lutsen Resort
Social hour begins at 5:30, Scandinavian Dinner at 6:15; dessert and program at 7:15 
Call Lutsen Resort at 218-663-7212 for reservations by noon on October 9

(Photo courtesy of North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum)

Recognized as innovative and  intelligent, folksinger/songwriter John Gorka will perform at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Saturday, October 10. WTIP volunteer Yvonne Mills spoke with the North Shore Music Association’s Kate Fitzgerald on North Shore Morning. 

Concert is on Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 pm.  Tickets on sale in advance and at the door.  For more information visit northshoremusicassociation.com.
 

After a quick run to Iowa for a visit with kids, we Smiths are back on the Trail. It’s great to be home as fall (Tagwaagin in Ojibwe) opens up in full array.

Our color show around Wildersmith could peak this weekend while this scoop comes your way. With the exception of wintertime's fresh snow adornments in the forest, autumn in these parts is simply the most beautiful of all possible seasonal characters.

Spicy aspects of fall have engulfed this neighborhood. Last weekend, the deciduous forest was lit up like the nightly Vegas Strip. Bright sunny skies beamed through yellow, orange and red leafy compounds in a mind boggling blur through granite uplands.

At ground level, the landscape shows early departing leaves building up along back country roads windrowed by local traffic and occasional leaf peepers. Simultaneously, the coniferous forest is not to be outdone and is contributing its annual layering of elder needles to the cushy wilderness carpet.

Added to this nostalgic happening are the faint fragrances of damp ground and the onset of decaying foliage. This aroma of the forest is dispersed by soft fall breezes and suddenly, outdoor lovers are captured by the aura. If we could only bottle this sachet!

It’s hard to concentrate with so much natural magnificence all around, but time is whizzing by. Last minute “getting ready for winter” chores are piling up like fall leaves. There are not many docks left on Gunflint Lake. In fact, I might have been one of the last one to take in my summer observation planks and the boat. Thanks to a great neighbor and his son, this “to do” item is now checked off my list.

I’m now onto stacking more firewood, readying the snowblower, mounting the snow blade, wrapping baby trees with deer protection, draining hoses and other numerable winterizing tasks that go along with living at 48 degrees north. Tedious, yes, but the adventure, mystique and anticipation of this magic transformation from warm to cool and then cold is well worth it to this old guy!

Tales of bear encounters continue throughout the territory. It seems as though most reports come from places where concentrations of people are high. Obviously, bears have figured out people can be an easy touch due to careless habits with appetizing nutritional items (in other words, garbage).

In the meantime, Wildersmith has not been bothered by the marauding critters. Now just wait, since I’ve made this statement, we’ll be paid a “Bruno” visit. It never fails, but any curious Ursa stopping by will not find any temptations.

Getting ready for winter continues on at a hectic pace for red squirrels and their rodent chipmunk cousins. The other day one of the feisty seed fetchers got so excited for a hand-out it accidentally got under one of my size thirteens. It didn’t get squashed, but did get its toes pinched. The little guy/gal scrambled off giving me the devil. In a matter of seconds, it was back after me, only this time keeping a more reasonable distance.

Alas, after all the hoopla of this month's “super” full, wild rice moon, such was a flop out this way last Sunday evening. Blue daytime heavens gave way to late day clouds and by the time we should have been enjoying the splendor of this lunar extravaganza, rain drops were falling on our heads. So we’ll try again in another 18 years.

In the meantime, the “falling leaves” moon, of segment ten, will be spinning its fall yarn near ghosts and goblin time. Timing for this one is a spooky coincidence.

In lieu of sadly missing the “super” man in the moon, on a happier note, one of our favorite upper Gunflint neighbors is celebrating a milestone birthday. Long time seasonal resident, Ken Rusk, turns 98. Think of all the things he has seen and been a part of in his lifetime. He’s a walking, talking Gunflint history book. Happy 98^th, Ken!

This is Fred Smith, on the Trail, at Wildersmith! Come on along and enjoy the miracles in Gunflint color.

Hi.  I’m Mary Ann Atwood, administrative support assistant on the Gunflint Ranger District, with this week’s edition of the National Forest Update - information on conditions affecting travel and recreation on the Gunflint and Tofte Districts of the Forest.  For the week of October 2nd, here’s what’s going on in the Forest.

Fall Colors
Looks like this will be a fabulous fall color weekend on the forest. Those who predict such things believe we are at or near peak color…perfect timing to get outdoors and drive, hike or paddle your way through the forest.
While leaf-peeping, be aware of slow moving or stopped vehicles and choose safe spots to pull over with plenty of room for other vehicles to pass.
Autumn brings fall color, shorter days and various hunting seasons.  If you are spending time in the forest, wear an orange vest or hat.  This time of year, orange is definitely the new black. 

Logging Operations
Timber operations have somewhat slowed on the Tofte District.  There will be log trucks on The Grade and Sawbill Landing, (otherwise known as Trappers Lake Road), but there are no other operations. 
On the Gunflint district, there is much more activity.  You may encounter trucks on the following roads: Murmur Creek, Caribou Trail, Bally Creek, Greenwood, Old Greenwood, Firebox, Shoebox Lake, South Brule River, Lima Grade, and the Gunflint Trail. 

Fire News
Fire danger in the woods is currently low to moderate.  Taking advantage of this fact, our fire crews are burning slash piles.  Don’t be surprised to see some smoke as piles are burned.  You can call district offices for details. 
If you are planning to burn a brush pile, be sure to get a burn permit.  Permits can be acquired at the district offices or on the DNRs web site.

Additional Autumnal Alterations
As of October 1st, district office hours have changed.  We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30 pm, closed on weekends.
Also as of October 1st  free self-issue permits are all that is needed for day or overnight visits to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  Self-issue permits are available at all entrée points and district offices.
The water systems on Superior’s campgrounds get shut down sometime this month – the timing is weather dependent. Garbage service also comes to an end.  Our campgrounds are open year round, visitors just need to plan a little differently…bring water and pack out your trash.   Campground updates will be posted on Recreation.gov until November, that’s www.recreation.gov.  With this comes good news and bad news.  The bad news is: once the water is shut off, you can no longer reserve a campsite.   The good news is you don’t have to pay a camping fee. 
Keep in mind; while the Chicago Bears can’t win a game, the Superior’s bears are still awake.   Follow the “Leave No Trace” guidelines paying close attention to food and garbage storage.

To quote Lauren DeStefano author of Wither, "Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale."   Savor the Superior this season.
Until next week, this has been Mary Ann Atwood with the Superior National Forest Update.