Celebrate Spring
After enduring a wet, cold April, it’s finally May, which means it should officially feel like spring—though I have a hard time believing the lakes will be open and that snow will be melted up the Gunflint by fishing opener. Who knows, maybe we’ll skip spring this year and jump straight into summer. Either way, we’re optimists around here, so cue our spring stories on gardening, hiking and walleye fishing.
This month’s issue was themed around foraging and living off the land, starting with an Along the Shore story on Round River Farm owners David and Lise Abazs in Finland. Round River Farm supplies vegetables to farmers’ markets, operates a seed farm, and even works to help protect the future of the North Shore’s forests. Rae Poynter wrote a feature story on foraging through the seasons, covering everything from wild leeks, fiddleheads and mushrooms to blueberries, maple syrup and hazelnuts. She also teaches us how to properly compost. Michael Furtman introduces us to the invasive buckthorn plant and what we can do to stop it from spreading. Last but not least, Chris Pascone tells us the history of the Duluth Rose Garden, which boasts more than 2,500 roses and 12,000 non-rose plantings.
The month of May is known by many for two major things: Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 8) and fishing opener (Saturday, May 14). Chris Pascone has a story about both, aptly titled Fishing with Mom. In his Northern Trails column, Gord Ellis teaches us all about wading and the different types of waders. Joe Shead covers Temperance River in this month’s Fishing Hole.
We couldn’t write about spring without including a feature story on waterfalls. Eric Weicht rounds up a few of the must-see waterfalls on the North Shore, though there’s plenty more to explore. While you’re out and about, check out some of the events occurring this month, including a smelt parade and party in Duluth, a couple of foot races, music festivals and hikes. Afterwards, go get some ice cream—dining columnist Virginia George has the scoop on a few great locations.
Across the border, Peter Fergus-Moore interviews Magnus Theatre’s artistic director, Thom Currie, on how they were able to keep live theatre going during the pandemic. Elle Andra-Warner has a story on the International Friendship Gardens of Thunder Bay. This is no ordinary garden—it’s a collection of 18 distinct garden areas and monuments representing a mosaic of cultures of the city’s immigrant residents.
In other news, as of April 1, fully vaccinated travelers are no longer required to provide a pre-entry covid-19 test to cross the border, making things a lot easier. Anyone entering Canada will still need to use the ArriveCAN app though.
Here’s hoping for many sunny, warm days this month, with summer just around the corner.—Breana Johnson
The latest issue for May 2022 is out!
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