The Ely Echo

The Eagles Nest Fire/ EMS Auxiliary (ENFEA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, presented a check for $30,000 at the Eagles Nest Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Sept. 16. The donation was made possible by the support of private donations from the community, local businesses and from the auxiliary fundraising events held during the summer. “The outpouring of support for our fire department is a true community effort” said Auxiliary president Bernice Gehrls.

Forty years ago, a team of explorers, including Minnesotans Will Steger, Paul Schurke and Ann Bancroft, reached the North Pole after enduring 56 days and a thousand zig-zag miles across fractured, shifting Arctic Ocean sea ice in temps that dipped below -70F. This epic ski and dogsled trek with an eight-member, 49-dog crew was the first confirmed trek to reach the Pole without resupply.

Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA) has welcomed Lily Stanley as its new director of outreach and education. Stanley will work with community members, teaching artists, volunteers, and partners to shape art education and outreach in Ely. Stanley moved to Ely in 2023 after years of seasonal work in Alaska and Wisconsin. Drawn to the outdoors, she began participating in NLAA productions and other local arts events.

Back from the road. After more than a week and a half in Chicagoland, we have returned to find the sunflowers in full bloom and more cucumbers than most zucchini harvesters care to give away. The time away afforded Jen some quality time with her dad who was going through some much needed physical therapy after a complicated end to his summer. We got him squared away and they got to spend many hours a day walking, talking and playing cards.

PLEASE NOTE: Your free event news can be posted on the Ely Echo newspaper’s Community Calendar. Send your info to: elyecho@aol.com. The Ely Community Choir will hold its first Rehearsal on Sept. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Ely Memorial High School Choir Room and will hold ongoing rehearsals. The Unforgettables Dementia Friendly Choir will hold 10 week semesters with a concert in December and meets on Fridays, starting Sept. 25 through Dec. 6 (no rehearsal Nov. 27).

For people who live in an Unorganized Area north of Ely, voting will be a bit different going forward. The problem is the first notification of the change was not well received. Most of these people live along the Echo Trail and during the fires this summer they were in a designated evacuation zone. Because of that, the U.S. Post Office did not deliver their mail. So if St. Louis County sent them a letter explaining the change to being a mail ballot precinct, it’s possible they didn’t receive it.

If you run a nonprofit or a club in Ely, this one’s for you: two tools I’ve set up for nonprofits again and again, because they work. Right now I’m setting them up for a snowmobile club and an ATV club. I’ve done the same for other local nonprofits before. Every one of them wanted the same thing: more mileage out of every dollar their supporters contribute. The first tool is Google for Nonprofits, and it actually covers two things.

Many of us know of older Finnish ladies who still make cardamom bread (biscuit to some) and perhaps a few others who weave rag rugs on a loom. Joann Luhta does both of these to perfection at age 95. Still drives her Subaru, often 50 or more miles from Ely, MN to Meadowlands, where she is soon to move into a new house, with a place for her looms and a new oven. For some years, Joann has lived in Ely, Minnesota. She has buried two husbands, but that has not hampered her active lifestyle.

Ely High School student Tracy Thibodeaux recently wrapped up her year abroad in Italy, sponsored by the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Now, she’s back in town and told stories of life overseas to a Tuesday Group audience on Sept. 21. The exchange program runs throughout the entire academic year, with students attending high school in the locale of their placement. Thibodeaux stayed with three families across three Northern Italy cities.

Every aspect of life derives development in the context of environment. Reflecting on the Little Sioux Fire and recent fires last week brought thoughts of fire and the many roles it plays in shaping environments and living both past and present. Fire exists in some places more than others and, like many aspects of life, has greater interest and influence when experienced firsthand.