Washington Pines by Pam Hile.
Greetings from the North Shore, where blessings came in white this week. Lots of it. Sugar snows piled on top of each other, perfect for making a quinzee, if you were so inclined. (A quinzee is a snow shelter that is made from a large pile of loose snow which is shaped, then hollowed out. )
We must admit that shoveling was a challenge, as was snow plowing, since we’re running out of places to put the snow, but — it is so beautiful.
That seems like a good place to start this week: beauty. There’s even a hint that the Omicron surge has peaked. Even better.
With the snow come opportunities to enjoy the winter on skis, snowshoes, fat bikes and snowmobiles, or just hiking on packed trails or in town. Visit Cook County has an up-to-date list of the condition of trails throughout the county. To see, click here.
For organized events, the Norpine Fat Bike Classic Tour continues through Friday, Jan. 28. It is family friendly. To learn more, click here.
The Norpine Fat Bike Classic Tour, a family friendly event, continues through Jan. 28.
And Caribou Highlands has organized two events this winter which are open to the public and equipment is provided. Snowshoe Under the Stars, a family friendly guided tour, is held at 5 p.m. on Thursdays through March 31. Snowshoes, trekking poles, hiking pack, headlamp, telescope, and hot drinks are provided. To register, click here.
On Saturdays, a Frozen Waterfall Hike begins at Caribou Highlands at 1:30 p.m. It, too, is a family friendly event and boot cleats, trekking poles, a hiking pack and hot drinks are provided. To find out more, click here.
Indoors, “Dropping Anchor,” an exhibit of the works in the permanent collection of the Johnson Heritage Post and the Cook County Historical Society are currently on view at the Heritage Post Art Gallery. The exhibit, which is a curated collection of art, artifacts and books celebrating the rich history of commercial fishing on the North Shore, continues through Jan. 30.
Net Mender, oil, by Adolph Tofte, is one of the paintings on exhibit at the Dropping Anchor exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery.
The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Masks are required.
Upcoming:
Stories from the Scott Fish House, a Zoom event about the Jim Scott Fish House on the North House Folk School campus, will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m,
The Scott Fishhouse on the campus of North House Folk School.
The event will be presented by North House and the Cook County Historical Society.
According to a press release about the event: There was a time in Grand Marais when the local bank president was also a commercial fisherman. So it was for James (Jim) Scott in the early 20th century, when fish houses lined the western shore of the Grand Marais harbor. Today, few of these structures remain, bringing the question of how to steward those still in existence to the forefront. In 2018, North House Folk School acquired the Jim Scott Fish House with the purchase of the Dockside Fish Market. Since then, in cooperation with the Cook County Historical Society and Minnesota Historical Society, North House has been exploring how to preserve and interpret this historic structure. Along the way, some great stories have come to light. On Jan. 27, Brian Tofte from the Historical Society will tell a few fish stories, and there will be a discussion of the findings of the Historic Structures Report. To register for the Zoom event, click here.
It’s winter festival time in Minneapolis-St. Paul and this year’s event is packed full of interesting things to see and do. Check out this video t0 find out more. To read about it, click here.
Opportunities:
The Johnson Heritage Post has put out a call for artists to apply for exhibits in 2024 and 2025. Artists of all experiences, mediums and inspirations are welcome to apply. Must be able to fill the gallery space. At least 90 percent of exhibition pieces must be available for purchase. Gallery commission is 35 percent. Applications for 2024 close Aug. 23.
The gallery is also accepting applications to be the featured Artist 0f the Month in 2022, as well as a number of other opportunities for artists in the next few years, including participating in an exhibit for the Dark Skies Festival in 2023. To find out more, click here.
Of interest:
The good ship, The Hjordis, the iconic schooner that sails from North House Folk School in the summer, almost sank at its dock a few weeks ag0. Apparently it had sprung a leak and was taking on a lot of water before being discovered, thanks to the vigilant eye of Matthew Brown, its former skipper. The Hjordis was pumped out and then taken out of the water to await repairs.
The Hjordis was lifted out of the water and put in a cradle to await repairs this spring.
To find out all about what happened, click here.
Artists at Work:
“Time and Memory,” acrylic, by David Gilsvik. The painting is at Sivertson Gallery.
A felted piece by Kim Knutson.
Walking the Old Road, the award-winning book by Staci Drouillard, was the No. 1 bestseller at Drury Lane Books this year. Drouillard’s new book, Seven Aunts, comes out in June.
Bryan Hansel‘s latest post is entitled Gloves for Winter Photography. Read it here.
Winter Studio. Studio chair by David Sawyer, by Betsy Bowen.
Self-portrait by Hunter, who is in the 10th grade at ISD 166.
Painting with Light by Chris Artist.
Online Findings:
Big Things:
Here are 30 photos of massive things that are a big “nope” for some. Click here to see.
Birds:
Hawk Owl by Axel Hildebrandt. Check out his bird photography here.
Polar Bears take over abandoned village:
An abandoned meteorological station on Kolyuchin Island in the Chukchi Sea has become a home and playground for curious polar bears. Check out the story here.
Dinosaurs on the North Shore?
Duluth photographer Ron Benson has been making playful photographs of dinosaur toys on frozen beaches with commentary to match.
Ron Benson: Usually I’m just a land and seascape photographer. It’s always a treat when a couple thunder lizards show up. These gentle brontosaurus borealis seemed unconcerned by my presence. I managed to get a few shots before they ambled off. I believe it was a mother and her yearling calf. Great way to start off a year of photography. How will I top this? Lake Superior 1-2-22.
Were there ever mammoths in Minnesota? Yes, though paleontologists say mammoths died out 12,000 years ago. If I can survive a 30 below wind chill so can these woolies. I thought they would be smaller than an elephant. I was wrong. Lake Superior 1-19-22.
Online Music:
Live Music:
Thursday, Jan. 20:
- John Gruber, Moguls Grille and Tap Room, 4-6 p.m.
- Gordon Thorne, Date Night at the Winery, North Shore Winery, 6 p./m.
Friday, Jan. 21:
- Boyd Bump Blomberg, Moguls Grille and Tap Room, 4-6 p.m
Photographs:
Here’s a selection of photographs we found this week:
Wildlife:
Ermine in the wood pile by Meadow Adams.
Saw Whet Owl by the feeders today by Cathy Quinn.
Busting through snow by David Johnson.
After a cat nap by Ryan Pannesi./
“Really?” Photo by John Alexander Kay.
A thoughtful mouse… Michael Furtman found these shelled sunflower seeds in the pocket of his robe in his cabin, put there by a local mouse.
Spruse grouse. Superior National Forest by Thomas Spence.
Snowshoe hare ,or, I know you’re not a lynx by Bill Marchel.
Eagle vs coyote. Check out the coyote’s eyes. It slunk away a few minutes later. Photographer unknown.
This probably qualifies as wildlife:
“I said to the guy, ‘Can you do a flip in the middle of that bit of color in the sky? ‘ He did.” Photograph by Jeffrey Doty.
Three moods:
Harbor Moods 1 by Mark Dobbelman.
Harbor Moods II by Mark Dobbelman.
Harbor Moods III by Mark Dobbelman.
Icy, Snowy Landscapes & Some Boats
Ice sculptures 3 by Paul Sundberg.
Lake Superior icycles by John Keefover.
Probably not Cook County by Mark Moser.
The Edward H and the Missouri pass under the Blatnik Bridge by Jeffrey Doty
That North Shore Glow by Nathan Klok.
Brrrrrrrr by Ron Benson.
Leaves composting in winter by Tom Kasper.
A January morning by Penny Ortman.
Perfect! By Ilena Hansel.
Near Split Rock by Mark Strandjord.
Winter storm by Mary Amerman.
Caught the light on my iPhone by Katie Lestert.
Sunset reflected on the Contemplation Bench in the Rec Park by Don Davison.
Ice and sunrise clouds by Ken Harmon.
The full Wolf Moon by Gil Murton.
Last open water open the Lake Superior’s south shore by Jonas Heinzerling. Photography at Karlyn Yellowbird Gallery in Washburn, Wis.
Time Travel by John Heino.
Ice-coated by Nik Lonke.
Have a great weekend, everyone! Stay warm and stay safe!
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