Lanesboro Decked out in Snow

Schedule your two night winter getaway at the Hillcrest Hide-Away B&B or Anna V’s Bed and Breakfast.  We’re ready to help you with your winter getaway.  Cedar Valley Resort rents cross country skis and snow shoes.  Enjoy a horse drawn sleigh rides in the bluff tops. Savor a couples massage at the Prana Healing Center.  Chef Brett from the Pastry Shoppe has his smoker going on weekends at the “Smoky River Barbeque”.  It is a quaint joint near the river that has received rave reviews. You can check trail conditions at: http://www.lanesboro.com/lanesboro-rootrivertrail.php

In February Lanesboro begins to wake up from its winter hibernation.

Feb 4: 20th Annual Whalen Candle Light Ski - The Root River Trail is lit with candles for a mile with bonfires at both ends.

Feb 4: Flamenco, Pure and Strong at the St. Mane Theatre, with dancer Deborah Elias and guest singer Vicente Griego - feature raw, soul-baring solos, lustrous and spirited company dances and driving guitar rhythms.

Feb 4: Dinner on the Bluff Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center hosts dinner and and a presentation by Gene Merriam, of the Freshwater Society sharing the status of the protection, enhancement and restoration of our freshwater resources.  Dinner menu include: strawberry-orange salad, roasted red pepper & tomato soup, trout, wild rice stuffing, roasted asparagus and cheesecake with assorted fruit topping.

Feb 10 7PM. Over the Back Fence - locals call this Lanesboro’s version of A Prairie Home Companion, An hour and a half of fun entertainment plus 30 minutes of pre-show live music.

Feb 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 The Old Village Hall features a special four course dinner with optional wine pairings to share with your special Valentine.

Feb 27, 28: Lanesboro Community Theatre presents: “Moon Over Buffalo”-upIt’s 1953 and a washed up acting duo, George & Charlotte Hay, are touring New York.. BUFFALO, New York.  They just one shot at leading roles in a film by THE Frank Capra, and he’s coming to see today’s matinee!  Everything goes wrong – with hilarious results!  This plan is nothing less than a love letter to live theatre.

Lanesboro is a quiet destination for your winter getaway.  Comfortable inns, great food, and beautiful scenery all await your visit.

Despite the cancellation of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in Duluth, dog sled racing will still take place at the end of January – in Grand Marais, one of the state’s only snow-covered spots.

Before the first running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in 1978, there was the Gunflint Mail Run. On Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31, 2012, locals plan to revive the race in Grand Marais – one of the only snow-covered spots in the state.

“When the Beargrease race was cancelled due to lack of snow, the mushers here were really disappointed,” said Jack Stone, owner of Grand Marais-based Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. “So the Cook County Dog Mushers and I started thinking: Why not invite the mushers north? We have snow and the conditions are great. So, we put the word out – and they can’t wait.”

The last time this happened was in 2007, when the Beargrease race was also canceled due to lack of snow. For this year’s version, Stone Harbor teamed up with The Landing at Devil Track, the Trail Center, the Cook County Dog Mushers, and the Cook County Ridge Riders snowmobile club to create the race route. It will include the opportunity to experience winter camping at Devil Track, similar to the Sawbill Winter Camping Village that would have taken place during the Beargrease event.

All of the Gunflint Mail Run events are timed to ensure that spectators and participants are still able to take part in the Beargrease-related events that have not been canceled. “It was important for us to make sure we aren’t taking anything away from that outstanding event, which we look forward to sponsoring every year,” said Stone. “We just want to give the mushers a chance to compete, since that is what they love – and what they have been training for.” According to Stone, almost all 16 of the available race spots were filled by mushers from Cook County within days of announcing the race.

The race will begin at approximately 4 pm on Monday, January 30, with an expected finish before noon on Tuesday, January 31. Mushers will travel from Devil Track up the Gunflint Trail, and then to the Trail Center, where they will have a five-hour layover. After that, they will make their way back down to Devil Track, for a total route of approximately 100 miles.

“Most people think there’s been nearly no snow in Minnesota this year, but there has been plenty of it up here on the Gunflint Trail,” said Sarah Hamilton, owner of the Trail Center. “We really enjoy being the turnaround point for the Beargrease each year, and are excited to hear that our musher friends will still be stopping by mid-race.”

Spectators are welcome to join in the festivities at the Trail Center, or at Devil Track. Winter camping at Devil Track will begin on Sunday evening and continue Monday night, with heated tents and other gear supplied by Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply. There will purse and other prizes for racers to win, plus a whole lot of fun for racers and spectators alike. If the weather allows, snow kiting demos, Marquette ski demos, and other winter activities will also be available on site, courtesy of Stone Harbor.

Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply is Northern Minnesota’s premier outdoor retailer, offering gear, tours, and rentals for all seasons. More information can be found at stoneharborws.com. The Landing offers fine dining at Devil Track Resort, a family-owned and operated resort located at Devil Track Lake in Grand Marais. More information can be found at deviltrackresort.com. The Trail Center has been a landmark on the Gunflint Trail since 1938. Originally built as a logging camp, it is now a full service restaurant, gas station, specialty foods, gift store, grocery shop, information center with cabins and a small motel. More information can be found at trailcenterlodge.com.

Note- on the way to Poplar Lake and upon the return from Trail Center musher will run along the road leading to Poplar Guesthouse B&B.

Contact: Jack Stone, Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, 218-387-3136

]]> http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/2012/01/mushers-move-north-and-bring-back-the-gunflint-mail-run/feed/ 0 http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/2012/01/1886/ http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/2012/01/1886/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:47:42 +0000 bct http://www.minnesotabedandbreakfasts.org/blog/?p=1886 You will find great skiing along the Gunflint.  The entire 41 kilometer Banadad Trail system is now tracked and open for skiing.  Located at the eastern end of the Banadad is Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B. The guesthouse also operate’s the Banadad Yurts and two ski-in cabins along the trail. According to skiers just returning from completing the entire Banadad, “the trails are in great shape!”

On Sunday, December 11th, 2011 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, the Duluth Historic Bed & Breakfast Inns will be opening their doors to share their history and beauty, while adorned for the holiday season.  Each inn will offer visitors a unique and festive décor, along with holiday music and refreshments.

This year net proceeds will benefit the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank.  Duluth’s B&Bs provide a unique dining experience to thousands of guests each year. This event will help provide meals to many of those less fortunate during the holiday season.

Duluth has some of the finest inns in the state of Minnesota, so seize this opportunity to experience the grandeur of the season! Indulge yourself in the historic and timeless beauty of Duluth’s elegant inns dressed in their season’s finest. Taste some wonderful treats while you take in the splendor of some of our city’s grandest homes.  Take pleasure and joy in this holiday season by gathering your friends, family, and co-workers for this unique event.

Tickets to view all seven inns are $25 in advance ($30 at the door).  Tickets are available by calling the A.G. Thomson House at 218-341-0140.

The popular Lanesboro Holiday Inn Tour is coming soon, and this year it comes with a special twist.  The Tour welcomes people to visit the Bed & Breakfasts and inns that have made Lanesboro the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Minnesota.

Bed & Breakfast Decorated for the Holidays

This year the Tour will happen over two days: November 19th and 20th.  Six inns will be open on Saturday November 19ths and six more on Sunday the 20th.  Each inn will be decorated for the holidays and will offer a warm welcome to their special homes.   The Old Village Hall Restaurant and Pub will also be serving Amuse Bouche (bite-sized appetizers) to all ticket holders as part of the tour.  Visit the inn tour web site to purchase tickests and see the inns participating in the tour.  The times of the tour each day are 2-6 p.m.

Tickets purchased in advance are $20 for a one-day visit, $35 for two days.

Guests who are staying at any of the sponsoring inns that weekend will receive half-price inn tour tickets.

Enjoy the charm of Lanesboro and the beauty of the decorated B&Bs as a way to begin your holiday festivities.   For more  information, call 800-944-2670 or 507-467-2696.  Tickets—which are limited—can be purchased online at or in-person at the Lanesboro Visitor Center in downtown Lanesboro.  Advanced ticket purchase is recommended.  Tickets purchased on the day of the tour are $30 for one day and $45 for two days.

Make your visit to Lanesboro complete by dining downtown and attending the holiday play “Parfumerie” at the Commonweal Theatre.  See you at the 3^rd Lanesboro Holiday Inn Tour!

FREE Goody Bags to the First 30 Girls – collect from Creative Cottage
Complimentary Wine Tasting at Swirl Wine Bar
Free Chair Massages from Calla Lily Day Spa
Discounted Feather Hair Extensions and Free Hand Treatments at Bisou Bisou Salon
10% off all items in the store at Chelsea Rose Antiques
$5 Hair Tinsel, 10% shopping discount, Health and Beauty Tips/Demos plus Prizes at Baglio’s of Afton
Half-price Appetizers at the new CURRENT Restaurant
Live Music, ½ price drinks and appetizer specials at Sail Away Café
20% off an item of your choice at Squire House Gardens
Complimentary Refreshments and $10 off an Art Class at Creative Cottage
Stay the night at the Historic Afton House Inn and receive 50% off your room stay for that night. Just mention this promotion.

Oct 7th & 8th  

STILLWATER HARVEST FEST AND GIANT PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF

Giant pumpkins, chili cook-off, pumpkin carvers, kid games, bake-offs, bluegrass music, a pumpkin drop and a pumpkin regatta on the river and more! In 2010, the 1,810 pumpkin won a Guinness Book World Record. FAMILY FUN! Lowell Park.

OCTOBER 7 -
· Street Dance, Food Vendors
· Minute to Win It Tournament 4:00 to 6:00 

 Parking lot next to the Water Street Inn

Scrapegoat Skin & Bones Trio
un-traditional acoustic

guitar, banjo, mandolin, vocals, bass & percussion
5:30PM-6:30PM 

Les Izmoore
funky – fun – rock ‘n roll

7:00PM-10:00PM

OCTOBER 8th – North Lowell Park

Food Vendors and Market Vendor start at 11:00

1. Harvest Market & Kids Activities: 11am-4pm
Pumpkin Decorating, Face Painting, Art Activities, Cake Walk

2. Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off – 11AM-3PM

3. Cake & Pie Walk – 11:00AM – 12:00PM

4. Proclamation by Mayor Ken Harycki – 12:00PM

5. Kid’s Costume Parade – 12:00PM

6. Chili Cook-off Tasting – 12:00PM – 3:00PM

7. Micro Brew & Wine Tasting – 12:00PM-4:00PM

8. Live Music – 12:30PM – 4:00PM
Performed by the Galactic Cowboy Orchestra

9. Kid’s Tractor Pull – 12:00PM – 2:00PM

10. Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest – 2:00PM

11. Pumpkin Regatta – 2:00PM – We will be doing four heats this year

12. Giant Pumpkin Drop – 4:15PM

Sunday, October 9th, 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Fall Colors Cruise and Dinner to Support the Lion’s Club
· Silent Auction/Raffle items
· Barbary Coast Dixieland Band Will Entertain During the Cruise
· Cost: $56 per person 

· Tickets for the tastings and Lions event http://www.stillwaterharvestfest.evenbrite.com

Learn more at:

http://harvestfeststillwater.com

 For information on these and other events visit

 www.discoverstillwater.com