Members of the public from across the Iron Range are invited to weigh in with ideas on how to recharge Iron Range communities and the economy at the Recharge the Range forum on Monday, June 6, at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. 

The event is the fourth in a series of forums aimed at generating momentum around new and existing projects and ideas to help improve quality of life and diversify the economy of Iron Range communities. Community and business leader forums were held in February along with a Cool and Creative Get Together in April. 

More than 350 people have participated in Recharge the Range events to date. This public session is open to anyone who wants to take part in shaping the future of the Range. 

Ideas focusing on existing and new business development, arts, culture, natural resource development, tourism and recreation, education, talent development, rebranding the Iron Range, local food, and other subjects were topics at the earlier forums.  

“Community and business leaders have already suggested hundreds of great ideas to improve quality of life and grow the regional economy,” said IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips. “We’re anticipating a large turnout and even more bold ideas to come from the June public forum.” 

The forum begins with networking and refreshments from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Guest speakers and action group breakout idea sessions are from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Leading ideas derived from the forums will be moved forward by forum participants who are willing to serve on topic-specific committees.  

IRRRB, ALLETE, and Range Association of Municipalities & Schools are hosting the forums. 

Registration for the forum is due by noon on Thursday, May 26.

Register for the forum.

Iron Range students enrolled in the Applied Learning Institute (ALI) have helped North St. County Habitat for Humanity complete another home in Hibbing.

The home, at the site of the former Brooklyn School in Hibbing, will be dedicated at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 10. 

It is the eighth and final Habitat for Humanity home to be built at the site known as “Brooklyn Block.”

Students in ALI’s construction trades program at Chisholm and Hibbing high schools partnered with Hibbing Community College and local construction trade unions beginning in September to build the home.

Applied Learning Institute is a technical education program in northeastern Minnesota that provides experiential, hands-on training and technology to approximately 1,700 students across the region.

Twenty northeastern Minnesota school districts and the Northeast Higher Education District are ALI members. 

IRRRB is a sponsoring partner of ALI.

Pictured above: ALI students help construct a Habitat for Humanity home.

“Curling Night in America” television broadcasts filmed this winter on the Iron Range have helped sweep the sport to new heights.

The international made-for-television curling event December 3 through 5, at Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, attracted nearly 2 million viewers to NBC Sports Network broadcasts of the event.

That compares to about 745,000 viewers last year, the first year of “Curling Night in America.”

“It was a great continuation of what we started last year,” said Rick Patzke, USA Curling director. “The competition couldn’t have been scripted better. It came down to the last shot and the competing teams were really pleased with the quality of the ice and all the people who hosted them in Eveleth.”

From January through March, NBC Sports Network broadcast nine episodes filmed in Eveleth during the December competition. Broadcasts also included clips featuring the United States Hockey Fame of Fame in Eveleth, the Hippodrome, a mine blast at ArcelorMittal Minorca, and hockey legend John Mayasich of Eveleth.

“It was certainly a pleasant surprise to hear that the ratings were so good,” said Phill Drobnick, chairman of the Eveleth event. “I was able to speak with NBC Sports and the World Curling Federation, and they were both pleased with Curl Mesabi and the Iron Range. To be able to showcase Curl Mesabi and the Iron Range was really neat.” 

World Curling Federation and NBC Sports Network officials meet later this month to finalize “Curling Night in America,” broadcast plans for the next two years, said Patzke.

View the first episode. 

Filming was supported in part by IRRRB.

A big screen movie filmed in northeastern Minnesota is coming to a cool theater in northeastern Minnesota. 

“After the Reality,” a film shot at Nelson’s Resort in Crane Lake and at locations in Virginia, Minnesota, screens at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Sunday, June 5, at the Comet Theater in Cook.

The screening is free and open to the public.

The 110-seat Comet is Minnesota’s oldest, longest continuous-running theater. 

“I think it’s great,” said Carol Carlson, who co-owns the theater with husband John Metsa. “Anytime we can do a first showing and do something for the community, it’s great.” 

The film made its world premiere April 21, at Newport Beach Film Festival in Newport Beach, California. David Anderson, producer and director of the film, said the movie would also screen in northeastern Minnesota.

As a youth, Anderson spent time on Lake Vermilion near Cook.

The one-hour, 25-minute film is about a contestant on a bachelorette style reality show whose life is thrown into turmoil when the sudden death of his father forces him to quit the series prematurely and reconnect with his estranged sister at the family cabin.

While scouting locations, Anderson and his crew stopped at the Comet for coffee and fell in love with the theater.

“It represents what a 21st century theater should be,” said Anderson. “A place not only of storytelling, but also a cozy place to catch-up with friends, with cool and unique gifts and of course great coffee and popcorn. `After the Reality,’ wouldn’t have been a reality without the people of the Range,and I can’t wait to share it with them at such an exceptional theater.”

Filming in northeastern Minnesota was supported in part by IRRRB.

Read the full article.

The Iron Range Tourism Bureau (IRTB) is partnering with area attractions to offer "I Make Mesabi Magic," two stand-alone customer service sessions for Mesabi Iron Range hospitality staff.

Each free session features a one-hour training, "The Four Pillars of Customer Service" by corporate trainer and professional speaker Ted Schick (pictured). Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about area attractions and the IRTB. Pizza and pop will be served at both sessions. 

"The purpose of this training is to bring hospitality staff together before the summer season starts and get them enthusiastic about serving our guests, and knowledgeable about everything there is to see and do on the Mesabi," said IRTB director, Beth Pierce. "It will be a great customer service refresher for staff and a fun time to meet others in the industry." 

The title of the workshops, "I Make Mesabi Magic" plays off the IRTB's marketing campaign Mesabi Is Magic. 

Customer service staff from Mesabi Range hotels, motels, restaurants, stores and attractions will receive an Attractions Ticket, good for two free admissions at numerous area attractions.  

The first session is Tuesday, May 17 at The Lodge at Giants Ridge, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The second session is May 19, 5-7:30 p.m. at Hibbing Community College. Register by calling 218-749-8161 or emailing beth@ironrange.org. 

Giants Ridge recently garnered a new top Golf Digest accolade, being named in its Editor's Choice Best Golf Resorts in the Midwest. “It is a great honor for Giants Ridge to be the only Minnesota facility to receive this award and to be one of only five named in the Midwest,” said Linda Johnson, managing director.  

Giants Ridge also received another top accolade, this time from Golfweek. The Quarry at Giants Ridge was named #1 in Minnesota in Golfweek’s Best: State-by-State Courses You Can Play, 2016.  

The Quarry golf course at Giants Ridge opened for play on Friday, April 29. The Legend will open Friday, May 6. Giants Ridge is offering a special spring rate of $52, Monday through Thursday and $62 Friday through Sunday. The offer is valid through May 26.

In addition, junior golf programs will be held this summer. Boys and girls ages 7-12 are welcome to sign up. Cost is $89 per three-day program. Clinics run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. Dates are June 20-22, July 18-20, and August 1-3.

For tee times and program registration, call the golf shop at 218-865-8030.

Learn about additional golf deals, including a Mother's Day special.

If you enjoyed The Ranger, be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest IRRRB news!