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Soprano and alto singers rehearse the Star Spangled Banner under the direction of Sarah Mason for the 2018 Patriotic Choir. Photo by Jessica Kellogg.

A quiet sound from distant hill, as dawn awakes the earth is still.
From every soul breathes amity, we sing a song of harmony.
From sea to shining sea, from every shore, a drifting tone we’ve heard before.
From God, one true tonality, a common cause of unity, our common cause is unity.
Lest we forget our common bond, deep in our hearts, it’s never gone.
For living in our memory, we sing a song of harmony.
(Lyrics adapted from an Abraham Lincoln speech by John Jacobson)

by Jessica Kellogg -

by Tom Coombe -

by Tom Coombe
The school year comes to an end this week - with its usual fanfare - at Vermilion Community College.
Commencement ceremonies for VCC’s Class of 2018 are slated for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the school’s gymnasium.
About half of the 170-member graduating class, will take part in the graduation event.
Following recent tradition, Vermilion will turn to a recent graduate to deliver the commencement address.
Anna (Keenan) Wiebelhaus, a 2015 graduate of the school’s fisheries and wildlife biology program, is set to return to campus and speak to this year’s graduating class.
Since taking part in Vermilion’s commencement as a graduate just three years ago, Wiebelhaus graduated from Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in wildlife ecology and research management.

On Thursday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at Ely’s Senrior Center, Seraphine Rolando will speak on Ely’s Mining History.

Recently, the following letter to the Editor in regard to Rolando was received:

The Ely school year is ending: Prom is over and Graduations at Ely Memorial and Vermilion Community College are next! Summer is on its way and soon the lakes will open soon. Minnesota Fishing Opener is May 12.

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by Tom Coombe -

REWRITE THE STARS was the theme of this year’s Grand March for Ely Memorial High School’s prom. Pictured on the school steps were the 33 couples.

Lots of prom photos in this week's Ely Echo. On newsstands today and area homes tomorrow.

Ethan Hasz is about to join elite company.
Sunday, the high school senior will officially be awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. He’ll be inducted in a ceremony set for 1:30 p.m. at the Ledgerock Community Church.
Hasz is Ely’s first Eagle Scout in six years and part of an exclusive group. Only 2.2 percent of boys who enter the scouting ranks ever climb to become an Eagle.
His induction caps a journey that has taken about a dozen years and rising through the ranks including Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and eventually becoming part of Ely’s Boy Scout Troop 4170.
Hasz also had to earn 21 merit badges, complete service projects and learn numerous scouting skills that cover everything from care for the U.S. flag and tying knots to cooking over an open fire and responsible internet use.
To become an Eagle Scout, Hasz had to complete a major service project.

WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY third grade students made a trip to Vermilion Community College to learn about water with the VCC Water Resources students. Submitted photo.

Red Flag Warning - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Duluth MN

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS NORTHEAST MINNESOTA...

The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Red Flag
Warning for low relative humidities and gusty winds, which is in
effect from noon today to 7 PM CDT this evening.

* Affected Area...In Minnesota, North St. Louis, Northern Cook/Northern Lake, Central St. Louis, Southern Lake/North Shore, Southern Cook/North Shore, Carlton/South St. Louis and Pine.

.Dangerous fire weather conditions are expected over northeast Minnesota this afternoon. Northwest winds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts to around 25 mph are expected as humidity values drop to between 15 to 25 percent.