Labor Day Pie, Oh My!
As the state fair kicks off down south, folks on the Gunflint Trail hold out for “summer’s last stand.” In many ways, Labor Day weekend serves as the last hurrah in these parts before families return to busy school schedules. This week marks the last week of summer naturalist programming at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center and next week we’ll hold our beloved Old-Fashioned Pie and Ice Cream Social – more on that later on in the post.
It may be the last days of summer (at least by the social calendar), but oddly enough, we’re experiencing a bit of a heatwave this week. The warm temperatures and sunny skies make it easy to trick ourselves into believing that we’re in the midst of endless summer. The fact that autumn is just around the corner provides us with all the more reason to soak up the gorgeous weather.
The Gunflint Trail Historical Society held the first-ever Gunflint Woods, Winds and Strings Benefit Concert on Saturday, August 17. Musicians Bill Beckstrand (piano), Philis Anderson (oboe), Paul Dykstra (piano), Paul Jacobson (baroque flute), Judy Ranheim (flute), Barb LaVigne (flute), Erika Ternes (soprano), Laura Popkes, (soprano) performed selections of chamber music to a sell-out crowd at the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Hall #1. A social hour in the Schaap Community Center followed the concert. The event was lauded by those who attended and we hope to hold a similar event in the future to accommodate all those who were unable to attend this year’s event.
Now it’s time for the annual Pie and Ice Cream Social to tie the final bow on the busy summer season of activities and special events. Please plan on attending an Old-Fashioned Pie and Ice Cream Social on Sunday, September 1st from 11 am – 4 pm at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center.
Eat pie for a good cause; this event is a fundraiser for the Gunflint Trail Historical Society and Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center. Savor the flavors of a slice or two of delicious homemade pie and ice cream. All of your old-fashioned favorite pies will be there.
Authors John Henricksson (The Gunflint Cabin, A Wild Neighborhood, and Gunflint: The People, The Stories), Tim McDonnell (the newly released The Whole Forest for a Backyard) and Nace Hagemann (author of You’ve Gotta Get Out of the Woods and the award-winning Another Year) will be on hand to chat and sign their books. You can bet some old-fashioned stories will be filling the air.
Shop for some old-fashioned bargains at the annual museum sidewalk sale. Visit the museum, explore the exhibits (especially this year’s temporary exhibit on the Boostrom Family of Clearwater Lodge), and hike the nature trails.
Come and enjoy greeting old friends and neighbors and welcome newcomers and guests. See you there!!