Breaking News

A strong wind storm blew into Ely Monday night and by Tuesday morning, Shagawa reached ice out.
The Ely Echo/Grand Ely Lodge official ice out on Shagawa Lake was Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 6:40 a.m. as called by Tammy Kisch and Joy Fedders.
Winning this year’s contest and $100 in Grand Ely Lodge Guest Bucks was Nancy Kirkpatrik of Saybrook, IL who picked May 10 at 10:10 a.m.
Coming in second place and winning a $50 Ely Echo gift certificate was Bernard Brula of Franklin Park, IL who guessed May 10 at 2:10 p.m.
Lindi Zemke of Ely took third and won $25 in Grand Ely Lodge bucks for picking May 9 at 2:30 p.m.
The Ely Echo Grand Ely Lodge 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.
Thank you to everyone who entered and to Grand Ely Lodge for all of their help. Get your guesses ready for 2023!

by Tom Coombe
The 100th commencement at Vermilion Community College packed them in Tuesday night at the school’s gymnasium.
Dozens of graduates were joined by school faculty and staff, family members and friends, fellow VCC students and others in both a historic and “return to normal” commencement.
Provost Chris Koivisto noted the many changes that have taken place since Vermilion’s founding in 1922 as the former Ely Junior College, including name changes, consolidations and relocations.
Another change is in store this fall, when Vermilion becomes part of the newly-formed Minnesota North College, yet the campus will maintain both its identity and its niche outdoor-related programming that has attracted students from the upper Midwest and beyond.
Both two years ago and again in 2021, the commencement ceremonies were held virtually, and the campus was closed for several months two years ago.

by Tom Coombe
Republicans in House District 3A will gather again - this time in Ely - to endorse a new candidate in their bid to seek DFL incumbent Rob Ecklund.
Bob Wolfe, who won the endorsement last month at Cook, has since pulled out of the race and district Republicans will gather at 7 p.m. Friday, at Ely’s Senior Center, for a second endorsing conventions.
Ely Mayor Roger Skraba ran second to Wolfe at the earlier convention and actually tied the Loman resident in total votes, with Wolfe gaining the nod on a weighted point system.
But Friday’s event in Ely may not be a formality for Skraba.
Another candidate, Blain Johnson of Bigfork, is seeking the endorsement. He did not participate in the earlier convention at Cook.
Candidates must notify party officials they are seeking the endorsement by Wednesday, and no nominations will be taken from the floor.

Did you know that ketchup can clean copper and that mustard can be used as an exfoliating face mask? Also, they’re both really good on hot dogs.
And did you know that you can keep carryout pizza warm on the way home by setting it on the passenger seat and turning on the seat warmer? If you have a passenger and they resent having to sit in the backseat just tell them the pizza called shotgun.
These are all valuable tips I learned in an online article called 200 Hacks to Make Life Easier. If you waste as much time online as I do, you’ve noticed that what we once called “tips” or “hints from Heloise” are now called hacks. And there are a lot of them. There are life hacks, travel hacks, cooking hacks and personal finance hacks. There are car maintenance hacks, ballroom dancing hacks and rock climbing hacks. And there are hacks to burgle proof your home, hacks to prevent your computer from being hacked and writing hacks to keep you from being a hack.

The news arrived Tuesday and it was welcome: finally, Shagawa Lake was open.
But the winner of the Ely Echo’s annual Ice Out contest wasn’t the only one happy.
Those planning to wet a line this weekend or counting on the arrival of visiting anglers were joined by others with smiles on their faces.
After a long, cold and snow-filled winter, and an April that had a never-ending combination of more cold, and more snow, the open waters were more than just a sign that spring hard arrived.
It was much more symbolic than that.
We’d like to think it was a sign of better things to come.
Winter seemed to hang on for dear life in the Ely area, and even the most optimistic among us were beaten down in April.
Even those who love winter have to admit that enough was enough.
An open Shagawa Lake, and the sunny skies and warm temperatures that have finally arrived in Ely, are the portent of things to come.

by Tom Coombe
Ely’s high school girls track team piled up points in numerous events, but field events remained their strength Tuesday at Aurora.
The Timberwolves were second among four teams at a meet hosted by Mesabi East, but the Wolves had two of the top-three places in two field events and top-three outings in three others.
Senior Ande Visser won the discus with a personal record throw and was second in the shot put, while her younger sister Sarah was second in the triple jump and third in the long jump.
Ely’s Kellen Thomas, Natasha Fulkrod and Audrey Thomas also had top-three finishes in field events.
The Ely lineup had strong contributions all around for the day, with ninth-graders Raymus Cavalier and Anna Dunn giving the Wolves a one-two showing in the 3,200 meter run.
In the hurdles, senior Lauren Olson (300) and junior Morgan McClelland (100) had runner-up showings and Ely had four second-place relays.

The Vermilion Ironwomen’s season came to an end over the weekend, but one of its top players was lauded by the Minnesota Community Athletic Conference.
Centerfielder Riley Roden was named MCAC North Division Player of the Week for her efforts.
The freshman from Monticello, who was one of the state’s top hitters all sesason long, went a sizzling 12-for-22 for the week with a .545 batting average.
Roden’s tear included two home runs, four doubles, 10 runs scored and 10 runs batted in. She added three stolen bases for good measure.
To top it off, Roden had a pair of victories in the pitcher’s circle as VCC closed out its season with a record of 7-13 in the division, and 7-16 overall.
Roden got the pitching victory May 5 in Ely, as Vermilion downed Hibbing 8-7 in the opening game of a division twinbill, which turned out to be the team’s only home outing of the season.

POSITION OPENING
Ely Public Schools
Assistant Volleyball Coach

Ely Public Schools is looking for an Assistant Volleyball Coach for the 2022 fall season. Background check required.

Qualifications include:
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred;
• Previous coaching experience preferred;
• Must be available for several practices/
games per week from August through
October, including some weekends and
during school break periods.

Application available at: www.ely.k12.mn.us

A complete application must include the following:
• District Application
• Resume

Mail materials to: Ely Public Schools, Attn: Superintendent, 600 E. Harvey St., Ely, MN 55731 or email mwognum@ely.k12.mn.us

Stipend: $3,920

Deadline to apply: June 1, 2022; open until filled.

Ely Echo May 14, 21 & 28, 2022

POSITION OPENING
Ely Public Schools
Head Nordic Ski Coach

Ely Public Schools is looking for a Head Boys and Girls Nordic Ski Coach for the 2022-2023 winter season. Background check required.

Qualifications include:
• Bachelor’s Degree;
• Coaching licensure or ability to obtain
(certification required to be an MSHSL
head coach prior to the start of the 2022-
2023 season);
• Previous coaching experience preferred.
• Must be available for several practices/
ski meets from early November through
mid-February, including some weekends
and during school break periods.

Application available at: www.ely.k12.mn.us

A complete application must include the following:
• District Application
• Resume
• Copy of credentials declaring appropriate
License (per M.S. 122A.22)

POSITION OPENING
Ely Public Schools
Temporary Summer Skills Paraprofessional
(2 Positions)

Ely Public Schools is accepting applications for two Temporary Summer Skills Paraprofessionals; background check required.

Qualifications include:
• Associate’s Degree/equivalent or Para
Pro Certification
• Preferred experience working with
school age children
• Evidence of ability to work cooperatively
and communicate effectively in a
collaborative setting.

Application available at: www.ely.k12.mn.us

A complete application must include the following:
• District Application
• Resume
• College Transcripts
• 2 letters of recommendation

Return materials to: Ely Public Schools, Attn: Superintendent, 600 E. Harvey St., Ely, MN 55731 or email mwognum@ely.k12.mn.us