Breaking News

Frank Edward Delak, 88, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019. Frank was born on April 26, 1930 in Ely, MN to Frank and Mary (Leustek) Delak. He graduated from Ely High School in 1948 and was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the Operating Engineers Local 49.
Frank enjoyed working on projects in his garage and could fix anything. He was very hard working and shared his knowledge and skill of mechanics, carpentry, electrical and plumbing with his son and son-in-law. His generosity to his children and grandchildren knew no bounds.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ruth (Tanttari) Delak, children: Mary (Rob) Mattson of Ely and Rich (Melissa) Delak of Ramsey; two grandchildren: Trevor and Erika Mattson and two grand dogs: Frankie Delak and Finley Mattson; one sister Dorothy Barclay, one nephew and four nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Klun.
Per Frank’s request, there will not be a funeral.

Entry 1
My name is Susan Cook. I grew up in Ely, Minnesota, and I am halfway through my sophomore year of college at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota.

This semester I am studying abroad in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and I will be periodically sharing stories of my time here.
I received very mixed reactions from my friends and family when I told them I selected this location for my semester abroad. Some people thought it was really cool that I was doing something so outside of the study abroad norm, but many were quite skeptical of my decision.
However, these occasional negative reactions did not dampen my excitement in the slightest. My desire to travel has always been strong and I knew I wanted something completely different from the small town Minnesota life I’m so accustomed to.

by Tom Coombe -

TRAIL STOP - Evan Wognum, Nella Foy, Mary Wognum, Bev Groteboer, Brad Pearse, Steve Groteboer and Kelsey Pearse take a break along the trail system in the Crane Lake to Ash River area.

The debacle that is the U.S. Forest Service trying to finesse the BWCA permit system and turning it into a major SNAFU has one option that hasn’t been considered. Let’s go one year without having to reserve permits.
That’s right, everybody gets a permit to explore our national treasure. We’ve got one million acres out there but fewer and fewer people. This one year trial run could revitalize our local economy and is super simple to implement.
When you get to a BWCA entry point you fill out a permit, tuck it in the box and go and enjoy a trip in the Boundary Waters.
We can hear the outcry from the Twin Cities already. “This can’t be done! The place will be ruined!” Poppycock. The permit system didn’t even exist until 1966.

Donald E. Church, 87, of Ely, passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 1, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Biddeford Pool, Maine, on January 4, 1932. Don was a retired U.S. Navy veteran who proudly served aboard the USS Oglethorpe during the Korean Conflict. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1985. Don was a member of the Ely Masonic Lodge, Shriners, American Legion and the VFW.
Don was pre-deceased by his parents, Enid and William, and his grandparents, William and Marguerite, and brother-in-law, Lynn. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances; children, Elaine (Wayne) and Edward (Margie); grandchildren Sara (Ben), Emily (Mike), Zachary (Gretchen) and Dylan; great-grandchildren Carter and Caylee; sisters Mary, Shirley, Roberta (Cliff) and Lucille (Bob); and several nieces and nephews.

by Anne Swenson
In 2018, It might have been a bit late when Shagawa Lake was officially declared open, but it made it in time for that Saturday’s fishing opener. The date officially was Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 1:16 p.m. as declared by Grand Ely Lodge employees.
The Ely Echo Shagawa Lake Ice Out Contest is official when a boat could leave Grand Ely Lodge’s dock and cross to the north side of the lake, chunks of ice notwithstanding.
Off by one hour, 27 minutes on April 14, but nonetheless the winner for the second year in a row was Jack Hautala of Winton, taking the 2018 first place prize of $100 in a GEL Gift Certificate with 10 a.m.
Second place went to Julie Faltinson, Eden Prairie, MN which gained her a $50 Ely Echo Gift Certificate. James Hedin, Duluth took third place and the $25 GEL Gift Certificate.

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING
For construction of the Mesabi Trail™ Segment from
the Highway 1/169 Underpass to the City of Ely, MN.

PUBLIC NOTICE
Town of Morse
Notice of Annual Meeting
and Election of Officers
Notice is hereby given to qualified voters of the TOWN OF MORSE, County of St. Louis, State of Minnesota, that the Annual Election of Town Officers and Annual Town Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. In case of inclement weather, the meeting and election may be postponed until the third Tuesday in March, announcement regarding the election will be aired on WELY.
The Election Poll hours will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at which time the voters will elect:
1 (One) Town Supervisor‚ Three year term
For an Absentee Ballot, contact Clerk Nick Wognum at 218-343-2019 or write to: Town of Morse, P.O. Box 660, Ely, MN 55731.
The Annual Meeting will commence following the election results and Board of Canvass to conduct all necessary business prescribed by law.
The Annual Election and Meeting will be held at the following location:

TOWN OF MORSE
The regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors
for the Town of Morse has been changed from Tuesday, March 12 to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 4 at the Morse Town Hall.
Nick Wognum, Clerk
Town of Morse