ELY – Julie Sheehy sees it in their expressions.

Veterans on the Lake Resort in Ely, the only resort of its kind in the nation, helps veteran’s physical and emotional well-being in respects that are hard to describe. 

“The reward is seeing the looks on their faces,” said Sheehy, business manager at the 25-acre non-profit resort on the shores of scenic Fall Lake. “They’re so happy be here. When they arrive, they hit the ground running – they want to get out fishing right away.”

Founded in 1982, Veterans on the Lake Resort offers a barrier-free outdoor experience for disabled veterans, non-disabled veterans, active military, and their families.

Activities include fishing, roll-on pontoons, boats, canoes, paddle boating, horseshoe, basketball, shuffleboard, board and yard games, a library room, and an outdoor swimming pool. With assistance from an IRRRB Culture & Tourism grant, the resort recently bought an adaptive kayak and increased its marketing outreach. 

Nine of the resorts 26 cabins are fully equipped to accommodate disability needs. All cabins have fully-equipped kitchens. 

“It’s nice to have that many cabins,” said Sheehy. “We just had a group of 86 veterans here from Iowa City, and we were able to handle them.”

Veterans who have stayed at the resort appreciate the solitude and rugged beauty, said Jeanette Cox, a Veterans on the Lake Resort board member. 

“It’s a departure from the frenetic pace,” said Cox. “It’s wilderness therapy.”

About 80 percent of veterans who stay at the resort are disabled, said Sheehy. About 20 percent are able-bodied veterans. The resort also accepts reservations from disabled general public and the general public if the resort has vacancies.

As the only resort in the nation specifically designed for veterans, Sheehy said the facility is working hard to spread the word about its availability and to raise operating funds. Scholarships are available to veterans who may need help in paying for a stay at the resort alone or with their family, she said

“I think it’s an emotional getaway,” said Sheehy. "It’s the beauty of the area. It’s the serenity.” 

Learn more about Veterans on the Lake Resort.

Pictured above: Julie Sheehy, Veterans on the Lake Resort business manager, shows the resort's recently acquired adaptive kayak.

Business North

Minnesota’s Iron Range is no stranger to up and down economic cycles. With a local economy driven largely by mining, this most recent downturn left more than a thousand out of work and put a pinch on vendors dependent on mining companies.

This mining low has revived discussion about what Iron Range communities can do to improve their own fortunes – namely diversification of the region’s economy.

Recent diversification conversations, sponsored in part by the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, have included the “Strong Towns” community discussions. Through a series of mid-May forums, Strong Towns’ co-founder Charles Marohn (pictured) facilitated talks among residents across the Iron Range, as well as a “curbside chat” held in Duluth on May 20.

Building on the economic development principles known as economic gardening, Marohn suggested that rather than focusing efforts on replacing hundreds of jobs lost when a Stage 3 company closes its doors (Stage 3 is defined as a company with more than $50 million in annual revenues), efforts should instead focus on growing the economic base already in existence in any given community. 

Economic development “tends to put a whole lot of effort into growing Stage 1 companies (generally defined as companies with fewer than 10 employees and less than $1 million in annual revenues) and attracting Stage 3 companies,” Marohn told a group of community stakeholders in Virginia on May 19. “But if you look at places that are successful, that’s not at all what they do.”

The model Marohn advocates focuses on Stage 2 companies, which are already established, usually stable and in growth mode. It’s an economic development initiative of the Edward Lowe Foundation, which champions entrepreneurship and land stewardship enterprises.

Read the full Business North article.

The Northern Lights Music Festival, a three week classical music performance program and music school, returns to the Iron Range July 2-23. 

Founded twelve years ago by concert pianist and Aurora native Veda Zuponcic, Northern Lights brings together award winning students and internationally known performers and teachers in a unique program that includes daily lessons, chamber music coachings, masterclasses and numerous performance opportunities.

With the addition eight years ago of the Northern Lights Festival Opera, the festival now includes fully staged professional operas featuring internationally known opera stars and a roster of rising young performers. Under the guidance of Musical Director Gavriel Heine of St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theatre, the opera has become the cornerstone of the festival. 

This year's opera production will be Puccini's Madama Butterfly, sung in Italian with English super-titles. One of the most performed operas, Puccini's tragic masterpiece has been recorded hundreds of times. Madama Butterfuly opens Friday, July 15 in Aurora, with performances in Chisholm on Sunday, July 17 and Ely on Monday, July 18.

Barbara Baldrica, Northern Lights board president, commented, "These events contribute greatly to livable communities in our area​."  

View a complete schedule of events and get ticket information.

The Giants Ridge golf courses in Biwabik continue to receive statewide and national attention.  

Golf Advisor, the leading source of golf course ratings and reviews by golfers, for golfers, named the 17th hole at the Legend one of the best iconic par 3s in North America.  

Giants Ridge was also featured in Mpls. St. Paul magazine in an online article entitled "The State of Golf." 

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