Save the Date!!!
Sunday, June 23rd, 2013, 1-4 pm
Partial funding for the event is provided by the Ely Area Early Childhood Coalition and the Ely Area Community Foundation.
A women’s guided canoe trip to the Isle of Pines on Knife Lake August 21-24 will be offered this summer as a collaboration between the Dorothy Molter Museum and Kathleen Anderson of Wintermoon Summersun.
It is a great coincidence that both entities are celebrating their 20th anniversaries. So, in honor of these milestones, we will be offering this women’s guided canoe trip to the Isle of Pines on Knife Lake. Kathleen and Sarah Guy-Levar (Executive Director) will co-lead this special group of women. To learn more about Kathleen please visit her website www.wintermoonsummersun.com
The trip is scheduled for Aug. 21-24. This fully-outfitted trip is available for 4 women interested in a great wilderness experience. The cost is $475 per person and includes all permits, gear, gourmet food, and transportation. To register please contact Kathleen Anderson at 218-848-2442.
The Dorothy Molter Museum is proud to join the list of Blue Star Museums.
The Blue Star Initiative is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums in all 50 states that offers free admission to active military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If this discount applies to you, please let us know when you visit the Museum!
According to Dorothy’s Christmas letter of 1961 (written by Louie the Loon), the first loon of the season landed on Knife Lake on April 26th and the ice wasn’t completely gone until May 6th.
Well, I think we will surpass those dates this spring! As of today, April 18th, 2013, Knife Lake has about 30” of ice. We are expecting another snow storm this afternoon with predictions of 4-7” of new accumulation. Although we are weary, there is an upside. The snow provides much needed moisture for areas experiencing severe drought. (Update- the Ely area received 14-20 inches of snow on one day in mid-April!)
Louie the Loon’s letter goes on to describe an ice phenomenon on Otter Track Lake, a lake just to the northeast of Knife. The lake is long and narrow with high rock ridges on the north and south.
The ice was nearly all gone on May 6th, but long after that, you could see “icebergs” here and there on the south shore of a few lakes where it was sheltered from the sun. The water rolls down from some little pond or swamp on the hill, and freezes. During the winter this becomes a mass of ice, and from a distance, it looks like a waterfall, with foaming white water. Otter Track is a good place to see these “icebergs.” You may see three or four, or more of them there. One year –that long hard winter we had — I forget what year is was — about 1950, I think, when the ice didn’t go out until May 30th (Dorothy calls it the year of the two winters), well anyhow you could still see these “icebergs” in July.
Local fishermen would seek out the “frozen waterfall” areas in the late spring and early summer to harvest ice to keep their fish cold. I bet this year’s anglers will be able to do the same and I might have to send a party or two out to Otter Track Lake in search of icebergs this July!
According to Paul Huttner, meteorologist for Minnesota Public Radio:
As we all slog through what is hopefully the ‘last worst” week of “spring in Minnesota” keep one thing in mind. Our weather pattern can, and probably will change for the better… and warmer soon. Even in what seems like a series of extremes, nature has a way of balancing things out. The snow will melt. The lakes will thaw. Birds will sing and flowers will bloom.
Eventually.
Thanks for the encouraging words Paul.
On a more positive note, we are not letting the weather slow us down.
You will see big improvements at the museum this summer. Starting off, we are in the process of remodeling the Interpretive Center. Our growth has made it necessary to remove the theater portion of the Interpretive Center.
The film will now be shown as part of the new exhibit in the Point Cabin. Kara Polyner of Border Country Sign Company will be “upcycling” the dismantled wall as part of the materials used to create the new exhibits. This provided cost saving measures and also prevented a trip to the landfill. We are excited about Kara’s willingness to use this resource.
Mary Parks and Kara have been working together to create a phenomenal new exhibit. Kara was the genius behind our new signage a few years ago so we expect very positive results.
Speaking of Mary Parks, I am very happy to report the board of directors overwhelmingly approved to add Mary to our staff as curator.
Mary’s position will be three-quarter time on a year-round basis. Mary has proven herself to be a serious asset to the museum. Her knowledge of museum practices, grant writing skills, and programming ideas are boundless.
If you are in the area this summer, please take the time to stop by and welcome her. It is so important we acknowledge her efforts in making the Dorothy Molter Museum not just a roadside attraction, but a sustainable, truly legitimate, historic, educational facility.
We have also added a new tour guide to replace Cynthia and Moriah Barker. We will miss the Barker mother/daughter combo but are excited to add Andie Mattei to our line-up. Andie is a smart, vivacious “Ely girl,” just finishing up her freshman year at Concordia College. Andie’s intelligence combined with her theatrical talents will make her a very informative and entertaining tour guide.
And finally, I want to share with you a special goal for this summer. Dorothy typically had around 7,000 guests a summer stop by her cabins. The museum averages around 5,000. Now, what’s wrong with this picture? Dorothy’s islands were 15 miles from the nearest road … and she had more visitors than we do???!!!!
Our goal this summer? 7,000 visitors! So stop in and see us! Looking forward to YOUR visit as we celebrate 20 years of remembering and honoring Dorothy Molter.
Fondly,
Sarah Guy-Levar
Executive Director
Over the winter we have been very busy getting ready for the museum’s 20th anniversary season. Just a few of the projects we’ve been working on in the areas of collections and programming are listed here.
This spring we are proud to introduce the museum’s latest publication: The Dorothy Molter Coloring Book. This 36-page book provides the museum’s youngest visitors with a sense of place, ownership in the area’s history, and a relationship with Dorothy Molter, one of our area’s most inspiring cultural icons. Through games and illustrations by artists Bob Cary, Laura Young and Nora Wildgen, the coloring book gives children a take-away learning opportunity to enjoy at home or in the classroom. Funding for the project was provided by the Ely Area Community Foundation (EACF) and Lake Country Power, through their Operation Round Up program. The illustrations for the book were generously provided by the artists; Mike Tincher of TDesigns also donated his services for the project.
This summer we will be presenting our new Point Cabin exhibit, Dorothy Molter: Living in the Boundary Waters. By combining objects and photographs from the museum’s collection with quotes and clips from the 1987 documentary film of the same name, this exhibit illustrates how Dorothy Molter embodies the spirit and inspiration of the northwoods wilderness. Funding for the exhibit was provided through a grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), as well as through generous private donations.
On Sunday, June 23rd the Museum will host a free Dorothy Day for children and their families. During the event, the museum will offer tours of Dorothy’s Cabins, guided hikes of the Museum’s interpretive trail, an interactive naturalist presentation, nature crafts for children, and more. To carry out Dorothy Day, the museum is collaborating with Wild Within, an Ely-based children’s program specializing in outdoor education. Volunteers from the Ely Field Naturalists will also help staff the event. Through fun, hands-on activities, Dorothy Day participants will gain an understanding of how the ecosystem and culture of the northwoods are an important part of our area’s past, present and future. Partial funding for the event was provided by the Ely Area Early Childhood Coalition, as well as by the Ely Area Community Foundation.
Behind the scenes at the museum, our focus during the past several months has been on improving storage conditions for our collection. New shelves have been installed and many objects have been transferred to archival-quality storage containers. Long-term preservation of the collection through the use of professional museum practices is an ongoing priority for the Museum. The current storage improvements were funded by a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant through the Minnesota Historical Society.
Moving forward, we are focusing on completing the Museum’s Disaster Plan, as well as on creating a Collections Management Policy and a Collections Plan. The Disaster Plan will ensure that the Museum is equipped to respond in an organized and productive manner in the event of an emergency or disaster.
The Collections Management Policy will formally lay the groundwork for all of the Museum’s collecting activity – defining areas of collection, setting standards for collections care, and guide decisions on how the collection will be used. The Collections Plan will formalize the Museum’s collecting priorities for the next several years, detailing what is to be collected and why. All of these projects are funded by Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants through the Minnesota Historical Society.
Thank you to everyone who has helped with these exciting projects! With your contributions, the Museum’s 20th anniversary season is bound to be one of our best.
Sincerely,
Mary Parks
Curator
Read the new Strategic Plan for the Museum.
Happy New Year on behalf of the board of directors and staff of your favorite museum honoring the memory of the legendary Dorothy Molter. You may have noticed a new mission statement at the top of this newsletter.
This past fall, our new curator, Mary Parks, facilitated the creation of a five-year strategic plan as well as a new mission and vision statement. Volunteering to help with the process were guides Peg Rosett, Bob Niewierowski, Nancy McReady, JoAnn Bird, and Edye Ruoho. Board members Patti Crager and Sherry Abts, along with Administrative Assistants Terri Schocke and Theresa Johnson, also joined in the fun.
Our first meeting consisted of one hour of serious brainstorming followed by a potluck and viewing of the PBS special, “Rare Finds”. This documentary featured ten historic attractions in Northeastern Minnesota. The Dorothy Molter Museum was the last museum featured (I guess they saved the best for last!). Judy Hadel Morrissey, the original film maker of the DVD that we show at the museum(Dorothy Molter: Living in the Boundary Waters), was the videographer assigned to the story. It was a sentimental and tender day for her re-visiting the cabins and reminiscing about her time spent up at the Isle of Pines in the 1980′s. The video was very well received and we have heard many nice comments about the film.
Edye Ruoho was kind enough to host our second meeting. Her house was charmingly decorated for Christmas and many people brought treats. It was hard for us to settle down to work in such a festive atmosphere but Mary did a great job of reigning in our energy.
Once Mary compiled all the data, she and I met at A Taste of Ely (a local restaurant and new museum business member) to hammer out the final plan. After coffee, lunch and two and a half hours we had the finished product ready to present to the board. The Dorothy Molter Museum Strategic Plan was adopted by the board of directors at the annual meeting held Dec. 11th, 2012. I hope you will take some time to look at our plan and give us feedback on the project priorities we have identified.
Our primary motivation for creating the plan was to fulfill a requirement for applying for IMLS grants. Following this message Mary will describe in detail where we are at with grant opportunities.
As always, your commitment to supporting the museum means so much. May 2013 be filled with joy and appreciation for the good things in life.
Sincerely,
Sarah Guy-Levar
Executive Director
Dear Members,
I am very pleased to announce that the museum has received a $6,300 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society (MSH), as well as a $5,000 grant from Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).
The MHS grant was awarded to improve storage conditions at the museum. With this money, we were able to order archival storage supplies and are now in the process of storing objects in their new homes. Some of the objects being re-housed include photographs, newspaper articles, Dorothy’s original guest registers, journals, and Christmas tree ornaments. By the time the project is complete, approximately 10% of the museum’s collection will have upgraded storage environments.
The $5,000 from IRRRB was awarded to make improvements to the Point Cabin exhibit. A generous lifetime member provided a $5,000 match for the project. We are currently planning the new exhibit and will be moving many of the items currently on view to storage. We will also be adding new signage to the display. The end result will be a more-spacious and informative exhibit which will be rotated on a regular basis to ensure the long-term preservation of the collection.
With those projects underway, we are now in the process of applying for two additional grants: another grant from MHS to write a formal Collections Management Policy and Collections Plan, as well a Grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to create an interactive kiosk featuring digital copies of Dorothy’s original guest registers. Look for updates on these grants in our next newsletter.
In the meantime, keep an eye out for the museum’s newest publication: a Dorothy Molter children’s coloring book featuring artwork by Bob Cary, Laura Young, and Nora Wildgen. During “Give to the Max Day,” the museum raised $475 towards the printing of the book. Lake Country Power also contributed $250 through their “Operation Round Up” program. We are still working to raise funds for this project – please contact the museum if you are interested in contributing.
Finally, don’t miss Dorothy Molter’s first display in the Ely Art Walk. Each year during the annual Winter Festival, the city of Ely is transformed into a series of mini-art galleries exhibiting work from more than 150 artists in downtown shops and windows. This year, from February 1-10, a selection of Dorothy’s handmade Christmas ornaments will be featured in one of the windows. To find out exactly where you can find Dorothy’s display, pick up a copy of the Art Walk map, or visit Ely Art Walk.
Sincerely,
Mary Parks
Curator
Dear Friends of the Dorothy Molter Museum,
Hope this letter finds you with a cool, shady spot to sit and read! My oh my, what a hot summer we have had!
For the sixth year in a row, the Dorothy Molter Museum is offering a weekly program for children ages 3-12. This year camp is offered on Thursdays from 3:00-4:30 p.m. Camp Counselors, Edye Ruoho and Tyler Potter help the kids learn skits about the experiences Dorothy had with different animals she happened upon. A tour of the cabins, a scavenger hunt and snacks round out a fun afternoon of programming. Kids perform the skits for their parents and take away some prizes including prints by Bob Cary donated by www.jackpinebobcary.com The cost is $10 per child. Lifetime museum members Roger and Claire Bock have generously provided scholarship funds for families that might have a hard time paying but would like their children to attend. For more information or to pre-register call 218-365-4451.
The museum is very fortunate to have Mary Parks working on our inventory and cataloging program. Three days a week Mary has been diligently recording and taking pictures of every item we have that belonged to Dorothy. Mary has a BA in Art History from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Arts in Management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. A previous large project she has completed included the processing and re-housing of the Jan Zach Collection which was comprised of 32 linear feet of books, personal papers, photographs, ephemera and other archival objects. With a card table and lap top computer in hand she marches out to the cabin each day with a great attitude. Mary has become of part of our “Dorothy Molter Family” and is happy to answer visitor questions. She has heard bits and pieces of every tour offered so I’m sure could step in as a tour guide if we really needed her to! Most importantly Mary is identifying potential projects for both conservation and interpretation to improve our visitor’s experience. Later this week Mary and I will be meeting to outline and determine project priorities. Once we have determined those priorities based on our Conservation Assessment and Interpretive Plan we will seek out grant opportunities to accomplish these great projects and keep this very talented woman on our staff. Mary is also a very talented fiber artist. Her work can be seen at www.skrapyram.com.
Sunday, June 24th was a very special day for the Dorothy Molter Museum. That day, we celebrated the Grand Opening of the Bob Cary Office now holding a permanent place in the Cady Cabin on site at the museum. Bob’s article published in the Chicago paper, highlighting Dorothy’s potential eviction from her beloved Isle of Pines, was instrumental in helping garner national public support for her right to remain on her property. It is so fitting that his desk, typewriter, and art supplies should find a final resting place at the museum. Bob’s daughter Barb Cary-Hall serves on the Board of Directors and has been a tireless volunteer. Barb and her husband Steve were also recognized at the Open House as “Dorothy’s Angels.” Their names will be added to the plaque that hangs in the porch of the Winter Cabin honoring those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in helping to preserve the memory of Dorothy.
Enjoy summer!
Sarah
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.
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.
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
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!
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!
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 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!
Click the image to download the PDF version
Planning a visit to the museum with your kids? Download our guide, filled with fun pre-visit projects for home or the classroom. The 16-page guide for 4th-6th graders can be used during a museum tour, or back in the classroom as a follow-up. It even includes a recipe for brewing your own root beer just like Dorothy did!
The guide, funded by a grant from Lake Country Power, was professionally created by Hollister Creative in Wynnewood, PA, a company that specializes in the development of museum curriculum and other projects supporting the museum industry.
Click on the image at left to download and PLEASE! let us know what you think!
The museum just completed our site visit with the MN Historical Society. We have met the standards of our grant for Interpretive Planning. Kudos to the grant staff at the MHS. Over the past 18 months they have assisted over 450 grantees with their projects. They handled approximately 8 times the normal amount of material with the same number of staff. Their Minnesota work ethic came shining through. Now, time to get started on those Interpretive Plan Projects!
Dear Friends,
A lot of news to share so we’ll get right to it! In the last newsletter I explained that we did not get the grant to have the cabin foundations and boardwalk railings replaced. I stated that one way or the other we would find the resources to make that happen. And wouldn’t you know, just a few days later, a contribution to cover the projects came in the mail. What’s interesting to share is that this person, at the time, was not a member of the museum and did not know of our need. Like she said when I told her about the coincidence, “God works in mysterious ways!”
In other good news, Nickerson Construction, a local contractor, has volunteered to repair the foundations free of charge. Frontier Log Railings, also a local contractor, is replacing the railings at a 40% discount. The museum is very blessed to have such support from local businesses. These cost savings allow the museum to use the remaining funds for special projects such as the one I am about to tell you about.
In the process of completing our Interpretive Planning Grant we received some very good news. The consulting firm had enough funds remaining to digitize Dorothy’s register books. This Herculean task will be accomplished using the latest in technology. We will have the comfort of knowing the documents will be preserved and also in a format that will be accessible to future generations. Our next goal it to create a rustic looking kiosk with software that will allow our guests to search the digitized register books. It would also allow a guest to sign in to the museum in a digital (yet similar) style as the way Dorothy had her guests sign in. The scariest part of the project was mailing all of Dorothy’s priceless register books to the St. Paul office of the consulting firm. How does one insure something that is priceless?
Our new website should be up and running on May 1st. New features will include an expanded gift shop, online membership renewal, an online newsletter and blog entries to keep you updated on what is happening at the museum.
We have applied again for a Lake Country Power grant to create an 8-page education guide for school groups visiting the museum. Dorothy’s multi-faceted story is an excellent way to teach kids about the science of making soda, environmental science, and Minnesota and Women’s history to name just a few subjects. We will know the outcome of that grant in late May or early June.
The museum had a very successful winter of fundraising events. We had record attendance of 110 people at our annual dinner and silent auction. We were open both weekends of the Ely Winter Festival and did a good business in gift shop items and donations. Our annual rummage sale was held again in March. The museum made over $700 and got a much needed (nearly new) crock pot too! Special thanks to the volunteer crew of Peg Rosett, Bob and Barb Niewierowski, Lois Carlson, Terri and Terry Schocke, Linda Fearn and her 4 strong boys (Peg’s grandkids-it’s wonderful what they will do for their grandma), Theresa Johnson, Jane Hicks, Mary Archaumbalt, and board members Ray Plantz and Sherry Abts.
I am grateful for this competent bunch as I had to be in Brainerd for a beverage trade show at Rohlfing’s Wholesale Distributing. Rohlfing’s carries our brand and gives us a free booth space worth $350.00. It’s a good way to expose not only our root beer to a new crowd, but it’s great advertising for the museum and Ely overall. I picked up at least two new customers so we are slowly, but surely, breaking into that market. Our distributor in Duluth has been picking up new accounts as well. Duluth Pack in Canal Park on Lake Superior has done really well with our northwoods brand of root beer.
Spring Cleaning has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 18th. We need to scrape and paint the trim and upper eaves of the interpretive center so any help would be greatly appreciated. It’s a big job but many hands make light work. Please bring any painting supplies you might have. We also need a tall, extending ladder to reach the eaves of the west side of the building. (And a body brave enough to use it!!)
And last, but certainly not least, a new book, entitled Dorothy Molter, The Root Beer Lady, will be released by Adventure Publications of Cambridge, Minnesota in July of this summer. The book, written over the past 18 months by Terri Schocke and myself, is a combination of biography, photo essay, and Boundary Waters history. Included in the scrapbook style book are many never seen photos from the Molter family and the museum’s collection. Excerpts from her early vacation journals and Christmas letters are also included. A portion of the royalties and museum gift shop profits will be a good revenue source for the museum. Copies at a discount can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com. The cover, however, that you see online, was only a working cover and is similar, but not actually the same as the cover that will be on the final book. (The final cover looks even better!)
As always, we are indebted to you for your steadfast and dedicated support of the work that we do at the museum. There are 5 full weekends in July this summer. Enjoy them all.
Sincerely,
Sarah Levar
Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Wanda the deer here and greetings from the great white north. Things have been kind of hard here with the deep snow, reports around Knife Lake show depths of 22-28 inches. It’s hard for us to get around but it’s hard for the wolves too so we have been holding our own. We’ve seen a few mushers heading in for some trout fishing but its tough going for them too with all the slush and more snow on top of it. Well, enough about the weather, let’s talk about what’s happening at the Dorothy Molter Museum.
The internet has been a great thing for the museum. According to Sarah, Terri and Theresa they sent out a record number of gift-shop orders and many, many cases of root beer this past Christmas. These sales really help out the museum at a time when not a whole lot of money is coming in. So, please remember if you need a special gift for someone we have great choices on our website at www.rootbeerlady.com.
Speaking of websites we received a grant to totally remodel our site and that should be up and running soon. The site will allow you to renew your membership online, order merchandise and upload photos from your own collections. Eventually we will be able to have our photo collection and individual items from our collection available to view online as well.
A special thanks to the following people who contributed to our penny drive:
Linda Anderson
Lois &Roger Carlson
George & Kari Lottes
Gina DaSilva
Sharon Sullivan
Our Give to the Max Day on GiveMN.org generated $590 and with the match brought in a total of $1,180 to be used in shoring up the cabin foundations and getting new railings. Sadly, we did not get the Iron Range Resources grant to help defray the costs of those projects. We are confident though that we will come up with the resources to finish these important projects.
This past fall Sarah applied for a grant from Lake Country Power to have an 8-page study guide created for visiting school groups. We did not get the grant as the power company trust board was funding more humanitarian aid projects such as holiday food baskets, food shelf and heating assistance programs. The board did say that it was a very well written proposal and that we should apply again. This is very encouraging.
The 106 Group continues to move along with our Interpretive Planning Grant. We will hear their first presentation on Wednesday, January 26th. It will be exciting to see what they have come up with for helping us improve on how we tell Dorothy’s story.
And finally, don’t forget to take in some of our events during the Ely Winter Festival. They are list elsewhere in this newsletter and more information can be found at www.elywinterfestival.com
Best wishes for a happy 2011.
Wanda
The Dorothy Molter Educational Guide, perfect for 4th-6th graders. Use in the classroom or pre-visit to the Museum.