Three Ely area residents - and a local organization were recognized as winners of annual awards sponsored by the Ely Chamber of Commerce.
The April 9 “Celebrate Ely” event at the Grand Ely Lodge included the announcement of this year’s award winners - including two from the Ely Echo.
Nick Wognum, Echo publisher and longtime community volunteer was named the winner of the Jackpine Bob Cary Community Spirit Award.
Over the span of several decades, Wognum has “continually promoted Ely as a destination location” and volunteered for numerous groups and local causes, Chamber officials said.
Most recently, Wognum has been extremely involved in the Ely Events Group with events such as Rock the Park and the Fourth of July Parade. He is also very active in the Prospectors ATV Trail Club, trails issues as a whole, and he is a longtime co-chair of the Fun Run, plus he is one of the leading people behind the preservation and use of the Pioneer Mine Miners Dry and complex via the Ely Arts and Heritage Center Committee. He is a dedicated Ely historian.
In the past, Wognum has served on numerous city committees including chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission and as a coach and sponsor of Ely’s Little League baseball program. He is also actively participated in the Ely Hoop Club, Ely-Winton Historical Society, Ely Area Development Association, ATV Minnesota, and the St. Louis County Historical Society.
Wognum won an award named for the late Jackpine Bob Cary, an author, illustrator and outdoorsman and former Ely Echo editor and larger than life character who was featured many times in national publications and media.
Another Echo representative, general manager Cam Weisert was also recognized that night as winner of the Chamber’s Excellence in Customer Service Award.
Weisert, who has worked for the Echo since 2014, facilitates numerous Echo activities from print jobs to photos.
In recognizing Weisert, the Chamber said “This year’s recipient is a wellversed individual who excels at everything they do. One of his co-workers noted, “That if he isn’t at work, boy are we in trouble.” This person rarely takes a break and if needed drops what he is doing to help out a co-worker or customer. He loves traveling on trips into the Boundary Waters, which is really the only time he definitely gets a break. He is extremely patient with everyone and always gives each customer the time needed to answer questions or complete a project.”
Peggy Stolley was named the winner of the Good Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award for her work with the Ely Community Health Center, Boundary Waters Care Center and Carefree Living facilities.
The Chamber noted that Stolley is deeply committed to the Ely Community Health Center. She has provided dental hygiene services and restorative dental referrals for the center’s clients. Since the Ely Community Health Center did not initially provide dental services, her involvement was instrumental in obtaining all the dental equipment, recruiting licensed dentists and hygienists, finding the clinic’s current locations, and so much more. She provided information on clinic grant funding and researched how to apply “best practice” principles for an outreach dental practice.”
Stolley’s work is not confined to the ECHC. She also does outreach dental care at the Boundary Waters Care Center and Carefree Living facilities. She has assisted the Ely school nurse with dental screenings, performed classroom education at the Ely school, and initiated a sealant program at the school in coordination with the Minnesota School Sealant program.
A lso r ecognized l ast week was Ely Flower and Seed, named the 2026 winner of the Good Neighbor Business Award.
The award honors businesses that support through community through their time, financial sponsorship, and staff.
Hailey Myre of Contented Critters nominated Ely Flower and Seed for the award, writing: “I would like to nominate the Ely Flower and Seed for the Good Business award. First off, they are such lovely humans, they all have huge hearts, and are always jumping in willing to help. For us at Contented Critters they are always offering their greenhouse to host our events, offering supplies, and going above and beyond for us. We do our meet and greets there and they’re always so happy to see the critters and meet the adopters too. Bonnie is the light in Ely, she is a special gal who lights up the town with not only her personality but her beautiful work with flowers. I could go on all day about how special the Feed store is in our little small town. They do so much that goes unnoticed.”
