News

Fleet Reserve Association awarded Dick Zahn of Ely with a 50 year membership pin and dinner for volunteers at Veterans on the Lake last week. Dick Zahn is awarded for 50 year membership with the Fleet Reserve Association. The members of Viking Branch 136 represented by secretary Gene Jernigan, paid tribute to their shipmate Dick Zahn for his long, loyal and diligent service. Zahn received a 50 year gold lapel pin and certificate commemorating his service since 1968. Photo by Pam Roberts.

by Tom Coombe -

The West Zone of the Superior National Forest continues spring prescribed fire implementation with the Norwegian Island Prescribed Fire Unit on the LaCroix Ranger District. The 9 acre Norwegian Island Unit is located on the western end of Lake Vermilion. It is planned for ignition on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Actual ignition will depend on the fuels and weather conditions.
Depending on wind direction visitors to the Lake Vermilion area may see or smell smoke.

The US Forest Service plans to implement several prescribed fire projects on the Superior National Forest this spring. The actual date of ignition is dependent on many factors including: fuel moisture, relative humidity, temperature, wind, but now is the spring burning season.
Size and Location: Heart Lake is a 132 acre prescribed fire unit just north of Highway 1, between the Spruce Road and the Tomahawk Road in northeastern Minnesota. Legal description: Township 61N, Range 10W, Section 18.
Description: Fire is part of the boreal forest ecosystem. The main objective for this unit is to improve wildlife habitat, with an emphasis on enhancing conditions for marsh birds and water fowl. Fire will reduce tree encroachment and stimulate the growth of grasses, sedges, rushes, and forbs. The unit consists mostly of swamp grass and leather leaf.

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The Vermilion Community College Foundation held its annual Scholarship Awards Banquet honoring scholarship recipients and donors on April 25 at the Grand Ely Lodge. 186 people attended the event to celebrate the generosity of the Foundation’s donors and to recognize the achievements of the scholarship recipients.

In 2004, the VCC Foundation Board of Directors established the Lifetime Achievement Award to annually honor a graduate of Ely Junior College or Vermilion Community College who has made a significant local, regional statewide or national contribution. According to VCC Foundation Executive Director Patti Zupancich, “The award demonstrates the important role Vermilion plays in the academic, career, and civic development of our graduates.”
The VCC Foundation Board selected Lori Scmidt as the recipient of the 2019 award for his outstanding accomplishments and exceptional commitment to the natural resource field. The Lifetime Achievement Award was announced at the VCC Foundation’s annual scholarship awards banquet on April 25 at the Grand Ely Lodge. Lori was in attendance at the banquet to accept the award.

ELY’S PROM had 40 couples and a single attending Grand March in Washington Auditorium and posing for a photo on the steps of the Memorial Building.

Lots more photos from prom in this week’s Ely Echo. Are YOU a subscriber to Ely’s only HOMETOWN newspaper. The Echo is locally owned an has its offices at 15 East Chapman Street! St. Louis County subscriptions just $40 a year, $35 a year by email. Call 218-365-3141

U.S. REP. Pete Stauber (right) and his field representative, Spencer Igo, listen to concerns in Ely on April 26. Photo by Tom Coombe.

Ely was greeted with a fresh snowfall on April 29, but it didn’t matter for the status of Shagawa Lake.
The ice out date officially was declared Monday, April 29 at 6:28 a.m. by Grand Ely Lodge employees Tyler Muhl and Mike Haney.
It was six days earlier than 2018.
Pat Lassi of Babbitt was closest to the mark with her 7:10 a.m. guess and gets the top $100 GEL Gift Certificate prize.
Second prize went to Vicki Nelson of Iowa City, Iowa with her 9:19 a.m. guess. She gets the $50 Ely Echo credit to use on a subscription, printing or photographs.
Third prize ($25 GEL Gift Certificate) goes to Broch Myers of Ely with his 10:30 a.m. entry.
The Echo thanks everyone for entering.