This mulled wine recipe is inspired by that served at W.A. Frost, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. 1 bottle dry red wine 3/4 cup Triple Sec 1 Tbsp bitters 1 cup cranberry juice 1 cup raisins 3/4 oz fresh ginger 6 whole cardamom pods 8 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1/2 cup sugar Zest of…
This article was originally published in the 2001 Ely Winter Times. Perhaps it was a hold over from the Depression, or maybe it was the power of tradition, but picking out a good Christmas tree was one of the things Dad always took care of for our family. One tough winter when an early…
This article originally appeared in the 2006 Ely Winter Times. It is a cold December night in a garage near Ely. Predictions are for twenty-below. Two figures trudge between the house and the garage, lugging heavy pails, taking advantage of these perfect conditions to work on the project that is their gift to Ely…
Richard Willits first started looking at the night sky through a telescope that his twelve year old son purchased at the Minnesota Science Museum. That son is now 55 years old. Willits went on to develop a hobby for deep space astrophotography in retirement. He spent the last seven years learning the technology and software…
Nordlys Ingredients: 2oz Aalborg Jubileums Aquavit 1oz Green Absinthe 1oz spruce tip infused simple syrup—plain is fine too Juice of one fresh lemon 1/2oz Creme de Violet White from one egg Small handful of ice Shaker Fine cone strainer Coupe glass – Place egg white in shaker and dry shake (no other liquids or ice…
Photo courtesy of Jim Brandenburg. This article was originally published in the 1999-2000 Ely Winter Times. One of the northwoods’ winter wonders is the night sky. Away from artificial light sources, the view of the stars and planets is dazzling. The sheer number is awe-inspiring, especially to urban dwellers who have become so accustomed…
Photo courtesy of LynnAnne Vesper, canoe and dogsled guide as well as ricing instructor for the Ely Folk School. When Johnnie first began ricing, she and her husband were on the same lake as Mooney and Mooney’s husband, Joe. Johnnie recalls being in awe of Mooney, who looked so relaxed and barely seemed to…
Brielle’s Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup 2 cups wild rice, cooked (preferably hand harvested – not the dark-colored commercial kind) 4 cups water 8 cups chicken stock 2 lbs chicken – thighs or breasts, cut into bite-size pieces and lightly sauteed ½ pound butter (or combination of butter and olive oil) 1 large onion,…
The above image, Dave & Amy Freeman ricing on Nina Moose Lake, was featured in the 2018 Boundary Waters & Quetico Calendar. The following article was originally published by Raven Words Press in the 1999 Ely Summer Times. In late summer, when the wild rice ripens on the shallow, mucky-bottomed waterways near Ely…