The holiday spirit in Grand Marais (including a nice dusting of new snow) is captured in this photo by Stephan Hoglund. (stephanhoglundphotography.com)
Christmas is almost upon us, and I thought I’d send out my post a little early this week so you can plan for the weekend and get that last minute shopping done!
There is a really great gift guide in the December issue of North Shore Highway 61, which can be picked up at area businesses, hotels and restaurants. Here is its list of fun stocking stuffers: Fossilized Walrus Tooth Key Chains (Sivertson Gallery); Spiral Eye needles (Great Gifts of Lutsen); Bananagrams game (Lake Superior Trading Post); Swedish Tomten figurines ( Viking Hus). And this is just a partial listing of all the ideas — something for everyone and more.
There is also a lot of fun stuff to be found in stores and galleries throughout the county. Beth Kennedy, owner of Birchbark Books & Gifts said that the store has lots of different books for every taste, but one category fits the New Year pretty well: “We have great cookbooks to start your new diet,” she said.
The bookstore also has copies of “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. Kelly Dupre will be teaching a workshop this winter through the Grand Marais Art Colony using this book as a guide. (For info about the class, call 387-2737 or visit the Web site at www.grandmaraisartcolony.org.
"Three Cups of Tea" author has writtten another book.
For people who loved reading “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson, consider getting his latest at Drury Lane Books. Entitled “Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” it is already hitting the most-popular-book lists.
For children, there’s always John Grogan’s
“A Very Marley Christmas” illustrated by Richard Cowdry.
Betsy Bowen’s Studio Gallery and the Holiday Art Underground Show will be open on Wednesday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There are some fun stocking stuffers there, too, as well as a great selection of work by regional artists. Another fun gift are those colorful crazy Socks, which can be found at The Attic.
Betsy Bowen has created a number of refrigerator magnets from her arwork.
The Attic has colorful socks with different designs for each foot.
These are just a few ideas from a quick visit to some of the stores in Grand Marais.
In Lutsen, check out the Kah Nee Tah Gallery and Great Gifts. Last Chance Gallery is open by appointment.
In Tofte, the yarn shop, Tales to Tell, always has a great selection of handmade knitted and felted items as well as baskets. Terry Weeks is the featured artist at the Coho Cafe there. In any case, have a great holiday!
This weekend, there’s some good music on tap. Pianist Bert Needham will be playing at the Bluefin Grille in Tofte from 5-7 p.m. on Christmas Day. On Friday, Dec. 26, the Little Big Band plays at the Gunflint Tavern.
Naniboujou’s popular Caroled Dinners with B.J.Muus and Family is set for Dec. 27-28 this year. Reservations are required. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more info, call 387-2688.
James Moors plays at the Apres-Ski Hour at Papa Charlie’s Dec. 27 . Also on Dec. 27, Joe Chvala & the Flying Foot Forum ( a dance troupe) performs a matinee at 3:30 p.m. as well as 8:30 p.m. (Here’s a clip from YouTube.) The Tavern will feature the band, Beauty and Beast with music starting at 6:30 p.m.
The next week is really busy. New Year falls on a Thursday and bands will be playing all weekend, too. Check my early blog next week for all the action.
Speaking of action, Stephan Hoglund caught this moment at the Winter Solstice Pageant Dec. 21 when the Solstice Fire was lit and cheered everybody with its warm light.
The Solstice Fire is lit at the Winter Solstice Festival at North House Folk School Dec. 21. Photo by Stephan Hoglund.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
