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Editor:
Having had the occasion to use the local ER and hospital recently, I feel obligated to report that my experience was very positive. Beginning with the EMTs, personnel were competent, caring, and quick to respond.
The ER personnel were exceptional, starting with the ER physician, Dr. Olsen. He made calls to my specialists and ordered important tests. Later when I was in the hospital, the nursing staff showed itself to be equally impressive.
I believe Ely has an impressive response team of whom we should be proud. This is a relatively small remote community with services here one might only expect in larger facilities. We have been a community that has long insisted on quality care despite many challenges. Area residents should feel confident their health care is in good hands despite our size. It is the people here who make the difference.
David Kess
Ely, MN

A special event that has become an Ely baseball tradition is coming up at Veterans Memorial Field.
The Ely Baseball Association will salute local veterans on Tuesday July 27 for its annual Veterans’ Night celebration.
All veterans and military personnel will be admitted free for the Northeast Substate Division II playoff doubleheader at the ballpark, and they’re also invited to take part in the on-field veterans tribute that will occur at approximately 7:15 p.m.
The event has become a staple on Ely’s summer baseball calendar.
“We’ve done the veterans’ tribute the last 15 years or so and it has been very well received,” said Tom Coombe, head coach of Ely’s Legion team and longtime tournament director. “We’ve had some very moving opening ceremonies before our major state VFW and Legion tournaments, and it is something we want to do every year whether or not we are hosting a big tournament. We hope a lot of veterans will come out and participate.”

by Tom Coombe
After a one-year hiatus, a popular fundraiser for Vermilion Community College athletics returns later this summer and will include a special tribute to one of its namesakes.
The AltaZmeja Fundraiser for Vermilion Community College athletics is in its 30th year, although the 2020 event was not held because of COVID-19.
But it’s back and set for Saturday, July 31, and organizers say they’ve lined up an extra special day of fun and activities next weekend.
The golf and fishing outing, named in honor of retired VCC coaches Bob Altavilla and Rudy Semeja, and most recently in honor of former VCC assistant coach and local business owner the late Gary Zaverl, takes place at both the Ely Golf Club and on Shagawa Lake.
Semeja passed away in 2020, and in conjunction with the event is a celebration of life in his honor, which will take place at Zaverl’s Bar.

School Board Meeting Minutes June 14, 2021 (Board approved 7/12/2021)

Study Session
June 22, 2021 (Board approved 7/12/2021)

Study Session
June 28, 2021 (Board approved 7/12/2021)

Special Meeting
June 28, 2021 (Board approved 7/12/2021)

Donald O. Niska, 85, of Ely, a proud U.S. Marine Corp Veteran, passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Margaret “Marge” Swindlehurst, 83, of Silver Bay died on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Carefree Living.
She was born on September 2, 1937 to Michael and Margaret (Matanich) Paun in Ely, MN where she grew up and graduated from Ely High School in 1955. Marge was employed as a secretary for Hunkin for a short time before her marriage to Robert Swindlehurst in 1959. She then worked for Lake Superior School District for over 20 years in various positions.
Marge was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a founding member of the Bay Area Artists. She enjoyed water-color painting, calligraphy, and was a renowned cook and baker.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob in 2013; sister, Ann Levar; brother, Stephen Paun; and niece, Linda Levar Powers.