Dear Friends,
I am so happy to share that we received a $5,384.00 Legacy Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. This grant money will be used to purchase PastPerfect software and a digital camera. The ultimate goal of the grant is to complete an inventory and catalog of all of Dorothy’s belongings. This was done initially in 1993, but unfortunately some items were tagged incorrectly and the list has been lost. Efforts to find it at the museum, the Minnesota Historical Society, and Ely/Winton Historical Society have been unsuccessful. Mary Parks Brennan, an Ely resident holding a Master’s in Museum Studies, will spear-head the project. We are now shopping for the best value in a high-quality digital camera and setting up times with Mary and volunteers to coordinate the project. This is an important step in starting the process of preserving and protecting some of the most valuable holdings in our collection.
Winter at the museum can be a difficult time. Our reserves from the summer start getting depleted as bills continue to come in but income levels drop. One of the best ways you can help our cause is to do your gift shopping in our online gift store. We have something for everybody! Plus remember, as a member you receive a 10% discount on your order. Just type MEMBER in the coupon code box to qualify for this discount.
The businesses in Ely hosted a fun, family day on Dec. 11th at the Ely Community Center. Mrs. Claus had a rocking chair reading corner, an elf did some silly Christmas dancing, and the kids could make all sorts of crafts and ornaments or decorate a sugar cookie. The museum hosted a table where kids could make a beaded necklace or bracelet. We had snowflake, candy cane, and gingerbread charms along with a crazy assortment of alphabet, wooden, plastic beads and buttons too. The creativity was such fun to watch. Some kids had distinct patterns, some had totally random patterns, and some had so many beads and were so heavy I felt sorry for the parent that might receive it as a gift. The best of all; the entire program was free. The museum spent about $100 in supplies, but I think the goodwill we generated that day with come back to us ten-fold. Each child was given a large placement- sized coloring page with our root beer logo and all sorts of Dorothy’s favorite animals on it too. That evening board members Barb-Cary Hall and Sherry Abts “paddled” our canoe in the Christmas parade while I lead carrying a huge round logo sign. The sign was a gift from Thorpe Distributing out of the Twin Cities. It was used as the banner behind our display booth at their beverage show and was the perfection addition to our parade. It was a beautiful, clear, calm night, perfect for a winter parade. I can’t say we had the crowd we have on the 4th of July but it was still a heart-warming event!
The winner of the Wenonah Canoe Kevlar this year was Gloria Mattakat from Duluth, MN. Thank you to all who purchased tickets. Please remember that your purchase of raffle tickets is considered a charitable contribution- thus deductible on your 2011 taxes! Simply keep your raffle ticket stubs as proof of purchase.
A clipping from Dorothy’s Nursing School Scrapbook
PITY THE POOR LETTER “E”
Someone has decided that the letter “e” is the most unfortunate letter in the English alphabet because it is always out of cash, forever in debt, never out of danger, and in hell all the time. No little credit is due however, in that it is never in war and always in peace. And we are deeply indebted to the little letter since it is the beginning of existence, the commencement of ease, and the end of trouble. Without it there would be no life, and no heaven. It is the center of honesty, and although it starts off in error, it ends by making love perfect.
Root Beer Reminiscing
The museum had another record year in both retail and wholesale root beer sales. It’s exciting to see the popularity of Dorothy’s brand grow, especially in these uncertain economic times. We created another fan this year during the Pagami Creek fire. I will share the response from our new customer.
Hey Guys,
I just received one case of the finest root beer I have ever had.
I was in the Navy and around the world and none can compare.
I live in Penn. and work for the forestry.
This past September I was called to fight wildfires in your beautiful state. Our crew PA-9 stayed in Ely for two days. We had the chance to go out and sample Ely’s night life. We can’t drink alcoholic beverages, so I tried Dorothy’s, WOW! I am hooked and so are the guys on my crew.
We all loved your root beer and your beautiful state.
Thanks Robert Calhoun & the PA-9 crew
Camp Kwitchurbeliakin Summer 2011
Each summer, for 6 weeks in a row on every Wednesday, we hold Camp Kwitchurbeliakin for kids ages 3-12. This past year our theme was the Geology of Minnesota. I described the different rocks of the Ely area and, thanks to a museum member with an old tailings pile on his property, was able to let each child take home a piece of iron ore and Ely Greenstone. Kids say some of the funniest things. The highlight this year came from a 5 year old. When I explained that Ely Greenstone was one of the oldest rocks in Minnesota, she commented, “So it was made in the 80’s then?” Since I was a teenager in the 80’s I laughed at that moment. In her eyes, I was nearly as old as dirt!
CUPCAKES & ROOT BEER
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with cupcakes, several bottles of Dorothy Molter Root Beer and started on his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he saw an elderly woman.
She was sitting on a park bench watching the pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed the lady looked hungry so he offered her a cupcake.
The woman gratefully accepted and smiled at him. Her smile was so wonderful that he wanted to see it again, so he offered a root beer as well. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, without saying a word.
As it began to grow dark, the boy realized how tired he was and wanted to go home. He got up to leave but before he had gone no more than a few steps, he turned around and ran back to the old woman, giving her a big hug. She have him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy arrived home his Mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked, “What has made you so happy today?” He replied, “I had lunch with God.” Before his mother could respond he added, “You know what? She’s got the most beautiful smile in the whole world!”
Meanwhile, the old woman, who was also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face. He asked, “Mother, what has made you so happy today?” She replied, “I ate cupcakes in the park with God.” And before her son could reply, she added, “You know, he is much younger than I expected.”
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring; all of which have the potential to turn life around.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime….Take no one for granted and embrace all equally with joy!
Annual Fundraising Dinner
Saturday, Feb. 11th, 6:00 p.m.
Grand Ely Lodge
Join us for a wonderful dinner, raffles, door prizes, and silent auction with over 50 items.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the way to Knife Lake”
Our theme this year is “HUMOR”
$100.00 cash prize for the best joke told!
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at rootbeerlady.com, WELY, the Grand Ely Lodge or by calling the museum at 365-4451
Ely Winter Festival Bake Sale and Luncheon
Ely Community Center
Saturday, Feb. 4th
10-4
Warm up with a hot bowl of chili or soup while you browse the art fair
Buy yummy home baked goods like cookies, bars, pie, bread, potica, strudel and more!
Find a perfect treat for your valentine!
