Wildersmith on the Gunflint: April 10

Ten days into April and suddenly it’s hard to tell if spring is going to take hold as easy as it seemed back in March. Area folks have had high hopes, but so far it’s been disappointing, especially with our frosty Easter weekend. Along with a couple sieges of howling winds during the past week, the topper was Easter Sunday at Wildersmith when we awoke to a semi-winter, minus four degrees on the mercury column. Added to the sputtering season at hand, the heavens continue to misfire on moisture over the upper Trail.

In spite of our atmospheric misgivings, life goes on in border country. And, I must say human energies abound with activities scheduled for the coming of summer vacation times. Planning is well underway for the eighth annual Ham Run. The half marathon/5K runts run events through the upper Gunflint Trail Byway Corridor are scheduled for Saturday, May 2. This enthusiastic event serves as a reminder of the tragic Ham Lake wildfire that ignited in 2007 on May’s first Saturday, and devastated many lives and thousands of wilderness acres. Details and registration "info" for the running can be found on the official race website, www.cookcountyymca.org , or call the Cook County YMCA.

Meanwhile, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center is heading toward another Memorial Day weekend opening. My how time flies! Since the awesome historic facility opened its doors on July 5 2010, thousands of visitors have filed through the doors to view and hear the Gunflint story.

Renewed energy springs to life once again in 2015 as a new temporary exhibit highlights the coming season in addition to the usual naturalist programs. This year's display, themed "The Paper Trail," focuses on cultural aspects of celebrated Gunflint Trail pioneers and characters with journals, diaries and writings for hands-on reading and review. The Gunflint Trail Historical Society has recently announced their first museum manager, Ada Igoe, has departed for other career endeavors. Ada created a strong foundation of leadership for the museum operations. Happily, the Society wishes Ada the best while welcoming her replacement, Bonnie Schudy. Bonnie, well known for many years of working at various Trail resorts and outfitters (most recently at Gunflint Lodge and Northwoods Outfitters), brings not only great knowledge of the Trail/back-country life, but also boundless energy and enthusiasm in taking the reins from Ada. Come opening day, area residents and visitors will want to stop out and welcome Bonnie as she kicks off the sixth year of sharing the Gunflint Trail of yesteryear.

On another note, GTHS plans are in the works to celebrate the Chik Wauk Museum's fifth anniversary of operations with a big fundraising benefit/feed. The bash will be held at the end of the Trail Community Center (fire hall #3) on Sunday July 5. I’ll share more details as they become available. Early into June, more Gunflint activity hits the Trail with the first-ever Boundary Waters Expo. Mark calendars for June 12-14 and get online at www.VisitCookCounty.com/BWCAexpo for more "info" on this family-friendly, hands-on event for all ages. The days will be well spent featuring speakers, activities, demonstrations and more!

Further inquiry about life along this historic corridor is renewed once more in a new book release. A snippet of the writing is featured in the newest edition of Boundary Waters Journal, and the article really whets one's appetite to get at the Jack Blackwell work titled, BOUNDARY WATERS BOY—The Alec Boostrom Story. The Alec Boostrom Story is being touted by one publishing enthusiast as the best historical account he has ever seen about this legendary territory. Alec, by the way, is a younger brother of the renowned Clearwater Lake resident, Charlie Boostrom, who in his own right, along with wife, Petra, is an acclaimed Gunflint Trail pioneer. Gunflint Trail historic fanciers will want to get this one when it hits the stands. Perhaps a contact with BWJ at 1-800-548-7319 might provide a potential release time.

The Gunflint Trail Community wishes to thank two members of our local volunteer fire department who have retired. Respecting their wish to remain anonymous, the Gunflint Community nevertheless wants these heroes to know how grateful we are for their commitment and dedication to service over these many years. All "Gunflinters" wish them well in future endeavors!

Keep on hangin’ on, and savor the adventure of renewal in Gunflint border country!