North Shore Morning

The Grand Marais Playhouse production of "Dix Tableau," directed by Susan Kelnberger, opened on Thursday, August 22, and will run through September 1.  (Click on audio mp3 above to hear a short feature about the production.)

"Dix Tableau" is the story of a friendship between two women in their sixties, played out over the course of ten years, with each year representing another reunion for Beverly Duggins and Addie Spool, two participants in a series of annual "tableaux" sponsored by the Museum of Dix, in a small city in the South.
 
Dix Tableaux was commissioned by the Community Theatre League in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as part of  author Mark Dunn's long association with the theatre through his playwright's residency there.  It premiered on January 21, 2005.
 
Tickets for this production available in advance at www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com or at the door one hour before the performance.
 
Performances are August 22- 25 & 29 - Sept. 1. Thursday - Saturday at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Friday August 23 is Food Shelf Friday. Buy one ticket and get the second ticket of equal or lesser value for free when you bring 5 useable items or make a $10.00 donation for the food shelf.  Sunday, August 25 is Donation Day. Pay any amount for your ticket to this matinee.
 

            After a few weeks of pre-autumn weather, Mother Nature hath taken it away. The earlier part of this segment has seen the north woods atmosphere returned to more seasonal times, warm and sticky.
            Our regular delivery of moisture has also been withdrawn by her “highness.” Here at Wildersmith, we have measured a measly 5/100ths over the past 10 days. 
So the forest floor is getting somewhat crunchy underfoot. And as we are drawing down on vacation season under a waning full “blueberry moon,” everyone should be cautioned to use care and common sense with regard to campfires throughout Gunflint realm.
The Trail was alive with the “Sound of Music” this past Saturday, as the first ever classical chamber music concert took center stage on the Gunflint Community activity calendar.  With the site being no Carnegie Hall, one would never have known it as all were consumed by stunning performances in the Gunflint woods at the Schaap Community Center facility, mid-Trail.
Enough cannot be said for the wisdom of some dedicated Gunflint Trail Historical Society members in conjuring up such a wonderful idea of bringing classical music to un-organized territory. Special thanks are extended to all involved in putting this splendid fund raising event together for the Society.
A sell-out crowd of some 150 (the facility would hold no more) was wowed by eight superbly gifted professionals. Several local artists were joined by others from both the Twin Cities and Chicago. Virtuoso performances engulfed the simple hall as calming breezes caressed attendees on a spectacular north woods afternoon.
 With a long line of professional performing credits, these musicians donated their time and talents to add a touch of class to our tough as nails wilderness surroundings. Both the Society and an enthusiastic crowd of area friends and neighbors are grateful for these highly skilled folks making this a marvelous border country experience. Hopefully this event will not be a one-time shot!
If this great happening wasn’t enough from the energetic GTHS folks, they will be holding their annual pie and ice cream social Labor Day weekend, Sunday, Sept. 1. As usual the sweet tooth event is happening on the grounds at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and is a fundraiser for continuing Chik-Wauk operations.
This is a great time for a trek up the Trail to catch some early leaf peeping.  It’s also an opportunity to pay a visit to the museum for a look at the new temporary Boostrom pioneer exhibit and the new little theater production. And, along with viewing other attractions that might have been missed on a previous occasion, maybe do a little hiking too.
Any Gunflint resident willing to volunteer assistance in setting up the facility or better yet, donate your favorite pie creation, should give Sally Valentini a call at 388-0900 ASAP.
Fall is a time of gathering for all species. The first animals in this northern part of the universe seem to be getting at the ritual early.
 The rodent folks around the yard have already begun the harvest process. My gnawing red-coated friends are busy cutting both white and red pine cones from high in the forest, and are also trimming those succulent seed clusters from our white cedars.
 Meanwhile, their striped chipmunk cousins are doing their thing as well. It seems they are picking up the dropped scraps from the squirrels and scurrying off for storage bunkers wherever on a never-ending basis.
It’s a busy time around the Wildersmith nectar station for the hummingbirds too.  Guess they must be building up for the coming departure from border country international airport on to the next chapter of their jet-set lives.
One more thought comes to mind on another member of our wild neighborhood.  We’d all better be paying attention to the Brunos. They will soon be scavengers of unsecured garbage nooks as their fattening up time commences. So humans beware!
Keep on hangin’ on and savor a north woods venture!
 
 
 

 
Construction has begun on the rebuilding of Highway 61 in the east end of Lake County.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation is resurfacing 5.3 miles of the highway between the Manitou River and Kennedy’s Landing.
 
We should expect intermittent delays and single lane flagger-controlled traffic.  There is a temporary single lane bypass that will be used from Sept. 3 until Nov. 1 while a new bridge is built over the Little Marais River.
 
This week, there will be a detour up County Road 6 to Finland and down Highway 1 while they replace culverts and construct a retaining wall.  This will add a half hour or so to the trip to and from Duluth, so plan accordingly.
 
The project will not be finished this fall, so we can expect a slower than normal trips up and down the shore until it wraps up early next summer.  This is inconvenient, but that stretch of road is in truly horrible shape right now.  Part of the reconstruction is to expand the shoulders to a 5-foot width, which will be a significant safety improvement.
 
The Sawbill Trail is in tough shape these days.  In the last few days we’ve had two people report broken brake lines, several people have lost all four of their hubcaps, a couple of roof racks have fallen apart and a camping trailer broke its springs. This is all due to brutal washboard that forms when the traffic exceeds the capability of a gravel road.
 
Wherever people accelerate or put on the brakes, washboard patterns form on the road.  Once they start, they deepen quickly and pretty soon they cause your vehicle to pound itself into teeth shattering oblivion.  Back in the day, the county used to grade the road every two weeks or so, which kept the washboard to a reasonable level.  I guess budget cuts must be taking their toll because we only see the grader once or twice a summer now.
 
Last winter, the county engineer told me that he was planning to pave another 14 miles or so of the Sawbill Trail next year.  There was a time when I thought it would be nice to keep the Trail gravel, but with the reduced maintenance schedule, paving is clearly the way to go.  According to the Cook County News Herald, the plan for paving of the Sawbill Trail has been delayed and reduced, so I don’t know what will happen now. 
 
Meanwhile, the current state of the road is keeping local mechanics very busy, so I guess there is a silver lining in everything.
 
Are you wondering how climate change will affect the forests of the North Shore?  Will there still be white pine?  Will the weather be wetter or drier, colder or warmer? Hilarie Sorensen, Minnesota Sea Grant climate change educator, will be at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center Saturday, Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. until noon, talking about what scientists think the impact of climate change will be here in the West End.  The program is free. Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center is located at milepost 73 on Highway 61, about 6 miles south of Schroeder.
 
Congratulations to Taylor Baham of Lutsen on his recent graduation from UMD and commission as an officer in the U. S. Air Force.  Taylor is a graduate of Birch Grove Elementary School and Cook County High School.  He was a popular kid and a standout athlete all through his formative years here in the West End.  He is currently enrolled in flight school at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas.  Taylor’s parents are Jeff and Christy Baham of Lutsen.
 
The most dramatic nature moment of the last week here at Sawbill was the discovery of a large garter snake in the act of swallowing a big toad – head first.  By the time a camera arrived to document the grisly, yet fascinating scene, a much smaller garter snake had arrived and was intently watching the larger snake slowly swallow the toad.  I have no clue what that behavior was about – jealousy, hoping for scraps, moral support? – who knows what a snake ponders as it watches its species-mate devour a good meal?
 
For WTIP, this is Bill Hansen with the West End News. 

{photo courtesy of Cindy Hansen}

            It’s pleasing to be back at the keyboard in border country.  It sure is great to be home in unorganized territory after two weeks of spending time in Iowa with family.
The hubbub of civilization surely makes one appreciate the magic we have up here in the wilderness. The solitude of looking out into the marvelous natural world around us far exceeds the best urban life has to offer. In spite of metropolitan proximity to 21^st-century amenities, the culture shock of countless people driving vehicles in uncountable directions and house after house after house is way too consuming any more for this old duffer. Guess I just belong in the woods!
I can’t help but reflect on the recent blog post of our Trail neighbor, Sue Ahrendt, over at Tuscarora. Her articulation about lost life in the nearby BWCA forest, coupled with the loss of a good Gunflint friend and neighbor over the past weeks, puts into perspective the precious experience of savoring life in the wilderness. Our hearts reach out to the loved ones and friends as they agonize with this sadness.
On a happier note, our return to Wildersmith and the Trail corridor found us easing into fall. The onset of my second favorite time of the year (winter is always number one) has me energized with anticipation of the Technicolor show about to unfold.
An initial sign of the season comes as the dogbane has taken on its golden glow. I also noted that a couple immature maple trees have recognized the dwindling number of daylight minutes and are sporting some early autumnal foliage.
Although we will likely have some warm Indian summer days ahead, a couple nights where the temps dipped into the high 30s have added accent to what the flora is telling us. The splendor of autumn along the international border is peeking over the horizon with yet a month remaining until the calendar declaration.
A gal down the road is sputtering about the cool trend as she can no longer stand the temperature of the lake water for her daily dip. Water temps here on the Gunflint Gal are falling through the 60s. So it really gets one’s attention upon that first entry.
With two weeks of month eight into the books, it’s a “berry” good time of year. Added to the glorious blueberry crop, raspberries, thimbleberries, service berries, high bush cranberries and the like are coming on fast. Another sign of the times are those magnificent scarlet rosehips. Patches of those red ovals stand out like holiday decorations along back country roads while clumps of mountain ash tree fruit are rapidly gaining their ripened hue.
A visit to a swell friend down the road, who might be the Queen of blueberry pickers, found us coming home the other day with a fine pouch of those blue pearls. This gift of blue-black jewels may not quite equal winning the recent $425 million Power Ball, but a bit of blue heaven nonetheless.
The annual Mid-Trail fund raiser on behalf of the Volunteer Fire and Rescue crews was reported as a huge success last week. The flea market, gift boutique and auction resulted in a fine donation of some $10,000 to the Volunteer coffers. Congratulations and thanks to the organizers, donors and community members for their hard work and ongoing commitment to this worthy cause.
 By the way, the quilt raffle associated with the event found a local gal holding the winning ticket. Judy Ross, who has a cabin on Little Ollie Lake, took home the Mid-Trail Quilters work of art. Congrats to Judy!
            This Saturday the 17^th marks the first chamber music concert ever on the Trail. Earlier in this week, I was informed the musicale is a near sell-out with only a few tickets remaining. 
If any folks are still interested in being audience to this special event, it would be well to call the Chik-Wauk Museum ASAP, 388-9915, as only hours are left before the performance.
            The Gunflint Woods, Winds & Strings program will commence at 4 p.m. in the Schaap Mid-Trail Community Center. A “Meet the Artists” reception will follow.
            Keep on hangin’ on, and savor the autumnal preview!

{photo by Angelo Juan Ramos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons}

Invasive species are arguably one of the biggest—and most expensive—issues facing Lake Superior and the Great Lakes today. In recent years, significant progress has been made to curb the many different ways that invasive species enter and travel around the Great Lakes, including regulating ballast water discharge from ships. This is the water that ships pick up or release as their loading or offloading cargo—and it’s been a vector for species such as round goby and zebra and quagga mussels to enter into the Great Lakes and wreck havoc on the ecosystem. In this edition of the Lake Superior Project, we speak with Dale Bergeron, maritime transportation expert for Minnesota Sea Grant in Duluth, and Beth Gawrys of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency about the recent update of MPCA State Disposal System Ballast Water Discharge General Permit and what it means for shipping and invasive species on Lake Superior.

Learn more or comment on the MPCA's State Disposal System Ballast Water Discharge General Permit.

I can’t stop talking about the blueberries this year.  It has to be one of the best years in history for both the quantity and the size of the fruit.  A couple from Minneapolis, Pat Nash and Katie Nulicek, camped at Sawbill for just over 24 hours this week.  Right after they set up camp, they headed for the blueberry patch and picked an incredible three gallons in just four hours.  They said the berries looked like large blue flowers on the bushes when viewed from a distance.
 
When you head out to pick berries, throw a compass in your pocket and make sure you pay attention to which side of the road you are on as you head into the woods.  It is very easy to get turned around when you wandering in circles with your head down and your eyes focused on delicious blueberries.  I’ve been seriously lost four times in my life and it is not a fun experience.
 
I’m a little behind the curve on mentioning the ongoing Brimson Market.  This lively farmer’s market is in Brimson on Highway 44 next to Hugo’s General Store.  It features fresh produce, baked goods, other treats and local arts and crafts.  Live music is also featured, to round out a fun small-town experience.  Their motto is “Taste the Northern Summer” and it is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon through Sept. 7.
 
It was interesting to read an article this week about the 40th anniversary of the iconic Time Magazine cover that featured a picture of Gov. Wendell Anderson holding up a northern on a stringer with a bold headline proclaiming “The Good Life in Minnesota.”  It was that article that coined the term “Minnesota Miracle,” referring to a progressive legislative agenda that was quickly improving the quality of life for most Minnesotans.
 
Some might say that it was the last time that Minnesota had such a thoughtful and bipartisan legislative agenda.  No matter what your politics are, you have to look back wistfully to a time when compromise was the watchword, as opposed to the gridlock that is so prevalent in recent years.
 
The timing of that magazine cover anniversary is meaningful because Schroeder resident Tom Berg has recently written a memoir of that period, called “Minnesota’s Miracle: Learning From the Government That Worked.”  As I mentioned last week, Tom will be presenting a talk about his book and his years in the legislature during a time that is still being held up as an era of good government some 40 years later.  Tom had a ringside seat and has many interesting insights to share.
 
The talk will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Cross River Heritage Center in Schroeder.
 
While we’re on the subject of books, we are on the brink of a publishing event that is bound to make big news here in the West End.  Next month, the University of Minnesota Press is publishing an English translation of a popular Norwegian mystery novel called “The Land of Dreams” by Vidar Sunstol.
 
The book, which is set in our very own West End, won the Riverton Prize for best Norwegian crime novel a few years ago.  It is the first of a trilogy that is set here in the West End.  The books have been out for a while, but have never been available in English until now.
 
I originally heard about “The Land of Dreams” from a Dutch friend who read it in the Dutch translation several years ago.  She called me because there is a character in the book that is basically me.  The character has my exact name, lives at the end of the Sawbill Trail and operates Sawbill Canoe Outfitters with his family. 
 
My first concern when I heard this news was whether or not I was the murderer.  I was relieved to learn that I am a minor character and commit no crimes.  I did get in a little trouble from my wife, Cindy, when she learned that my wife in the book is named Barb.  My ex-wife’s name happens to be Barb, so this did not sit well with Cindy.
 
It will be interesting to see if I survive in the translated edition, but in any case it should be fun for West End residents and visitors to read about dark fictional crimes happening in our own backyards, and try to recognize who the local characters are based on.
 
I’ve had a few hints that the publisher plans some publicity when the book is actually released, so we should be hearing much more about this in the near future.

For WTIP, this is Bill Hansen, international man of mystery, with the West End News.

Deane Morrison is a science writer at the University of Minnesota, where she authors the Minnesota Starwatch column.

This month, see the full sturgeon moon, Venus in the west, and the star Vega.

Read this month's Starwatch column.

The Cook County Invasive Team (CCIT) is sponsoring two Invasive Plant Control and Tree Planting Workshops in Cook County this week; on Wednesday, August 14 at the Cook County Community Center and Thursday, August 15 at the Hovland Town Hall.  (Click on audio mp3 above to hear a short feature about local efforts to combat the spread of terrestrial invasive species.)

Workshop participants will learn to identify and control Canada thistle, common tansy, spotted knapweed and other invasive plants. There will also be information on herbicide application techniques, planting and restoration.
 
The workshops are funded in part by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Presented by the Cook County Invasive Team,Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association, and the University of Minnesota Extension.

Workshop times and locations:

August 14 – Grand Marais: 5:30 pm at the Grand Marais Community Center
August 15 – Hovland: 6:30 pm at the Hovland Town Hall
 
More information from Angelique Edgerton (Cook County Invasive Team), 218-387-3772, or Mike Reichenbach (MN Extension),  218-726-6470.
 
http://www.co.cook.mn.us/index.php/invasives-species-team

The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA), Kootasaca Community Action, and Lakes & Pines Community Action Council are pleased to announce the "Home Energy Improvement Program." (Click on audio mp3 above to hear an interview with AEOA Director of Housing Services Scott Zahorik.)

Well, this is hardly news, but if you’ve just arrived in the West End, or if you live under a rock, the blueberries are ripe, plump and plentiful.
 
It’s an ancient tradition to keep your favorite blueberry picking spots classified at the same level that the C.I.A. uses for its most sensitive classified intelligence.  Even immediate family members can lose their “need to know” status if they fall under suspiscion of being a blabbermouth.
 
At the risk of turning myself into a traitorous whistleblower, I can say that right now, in the West End, you can go to almost any clearing, and you will find blueberries.  Look for clearings that have lots of low ground cover and abundant sunshine.  Berry pickers are reporting harvests of more than a quart per hour, without even trying.
 
Long story short, if you have any spare time at all, get out there and pick.
 
There are a lot of fun activities scheduled in the next couple of weeks around the West End:
 
The North Shore Stewardship Association at Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder is offering a two day exploration of North Shore geology, on the weekend of Aug. 17. 
 
The Sugarloaf Cove is home to what most geologists would say is the best place on the North Shore to explore basaltic lava flows and all their features. The class will begin with a good look at these world famous lava flows, learn the basics of recognizing the different local rock types, then expand beyond Sugarloaf to recognize features seen at other fascinating locations along the Shore. 
 
Pre-registration is required and the class size is limited.  You can get more information and register by putting “Sugarloaf North Shore” in your Iinternet search engine, or by calling 218-525-0001.  As always you can contact WTIP for full contact details.
 
The North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum in Tofte will be dedicating their new Grindbygg-style timber frame boat shelter Saturday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.  The new world’s leading expert on Grindbygg-style timber framing and foreman of the construction crew of this beautiful building, Peter Henriksen, will be on hand to talk about the amazing history of Grindbygg-style building. 
 
Refreshments will be served.  Call the museum at (218) 663-7050 if you need more details. 
 
Schroeder’s annual festival, John Schroeder Lumberjack Day, is coming up Saturday, Aug. 17.  As always, there will be a number of fun events for the whole family. 
 
A pancake breakfast at the Schroeder Town Hall kicks things off from 8 to 10 a.m.  Vendors and kids activities will be found at the Heritage Center in downtown Schoeder. Skip Lamb will be leading his famous walking history tours of Schroeder starting at 10 and 1.  A sawmill tour and demonstration will be hosted by Tony and Deonn Cicak at 11:30 and 2. 
 
Also at the Heritage Center in Schroeder, the next weekend, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m, part-time Schroeder resident Tom Berg will be speaking about his recenly published book, “Minnesota’s Miracle – Learning From the Government That Worked.”
 
Tom was an influential legislator back in the ‘70s when Minnesota was renowned for its effective and productive bipartisan law making.  Much of what is best about Minnesota’s government was put in place during his tenure in the legislature.  In this day of legislative gridlock, Tom has many suggestions for good government.  Tom’s experiencce and personality make him an engaging speaker, so don’t miss the chance to hear this important presentation.
 
Of course, there will be lots of good food, fun and conversation at both Schroeder events.  If you have questions, call Susan at the Heritage Center, 663-7706 or look for the posters that are scattered around all the public spaces in the West End.
 
Many people will have heard of the best selling author, Barbara Kingsolver.  She is one of the best contemporary American authors, both in fiction and non-fiction. 
 
What many people don’t know is that she used to vacation in the West End with her parents when she was growing up.  After she left the nest, her parents, Dr. Wendell and Virginia Kingsolver, continued to camp at Crescent Lake Campground for two weeks every year.  
 
Avid birdwatchers, they enjoyed becoming experts on the habits of northeastern Minnesota’s feathered wildlife. They have also been good friends to many other campers at Crescent Lake and to the extended Sawbill family.
 
I am saddened to report that Ginny Kingsolver passed away July 1 after being diagnosed with lymphoma two years ago.  She was 83 years old.  Ginny led an incredibly full life and was one of the most cheerful and generous people that I’ve had the pleasure to know.
 
She took great pride in the accomplishments of all her children, but of course was most often asked about her famous daughter, Barbara.  Ginny told me that she wished the parent figures in Barbara’s books were portrayed in a better light, because most people assume that the novels were at least somewhat autobiographical.  Barbara’s reply was that happy childhoods don’t make for compelling plots, but she assured her mother that her own childhood was happy and fulfilling.  Knowing Ginny and Wendell, I have no doubt of that.