What's Up Ely
Ely, Minnesota is a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness -- the most visited Wilderness in the United States and a hub for outdoor recreation. But Ely is not merely a gateway to the Boundary Waters; it is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene, as evidenced by a plethora of events that are actively welcoming of visitors.
Indeed, all roads lead to Ely, Minnesota, a delicious little slice of Americana. This What’s Up Ely Podcast helps people near and far deepen their connection to this special little town.
There is truly always something fun to do and so many places to find belonging in Ely! With an abundance of opportunities for social engagement and adventure in Ely, how is one to know where to start? Let us help!
New episodes of the What's Up Ely Podcast air twice a month. Each episode features an engaging conversation about 'what's up' in Ely, whether that be an upcoming event or a lifestyle. Each episode also includes an event round up -- a list of upcoming events that are relevant to tourists and locals alike.
Episodes
83 episodes
Modern Mysticism in Ely with Johannah Scarlet
Join Lacey in conversation with her friend and neighbor Johannah Scarlet. Joh is the creative force behind Sacred Saturdaze Outpost, through which she offers mystical musings on the seasonal wheel of the year, insights about the zodiac, the ...
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Episode 82
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1:08:15
December 2025 Event Round Up
What’s Up Ely is a podcast that celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Boundary W...
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Episode 81
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26:54
Everything and the Ely Folk School Kitchen Sink with Anna Heil
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Anna Heil, Program Director at the Ely Folk School. Anna Heil is the Program Director at the Ely Folk School, where she works with instructors, volunteers, and students to build ...
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Episode 80
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1:07:57
November 2025 Event Round Up
What’s Up Ely is a podcast that celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Bou...
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Episode 79
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28:21
Outdoor Recreation’s Impact on Ely’s Economy with Randolph Briley
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Randolph Briley, Deputy Director of Outdoor Recreation for Explore Minnesota. Randolph leads Minnesota’s Outdoor Recreation Partnership. The Outdoor Recreation...
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Episode 78
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56:56
Late Fall 2025 Event Round Up
What’s Up Ely is a podcast that celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Bou...
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Episode 77
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30:22
Scents of the Season with Heather Magee of Five Pines Candle Co
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Heather Magee, founder and owner of Five Pines Candle Company. Show NotesEmail Lacey with your ideas and feedback: podcasts@visitelymn.org
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Episode 76
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59:21
October-November 2025 Event Round Up
What’s Up Ely is a podcast that celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Bou...
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Episode 75
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44:52
Soundscapes of the Boundary Waters with Matt Mikkelsen
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Matt Mikkelsen. Matt is a sound recordist, audio engineer, and documentary filmmaker based in Duluth, Minnesota. He has worked as a sound designer, director, and producer on seve...
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Episode 74
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53:12
Another Fall 2025 Event Round Up
What’s Up Ely is a podcast that celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Bou...
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Episode 73
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39:03
Dishing About Ely with Stephanie Hansen
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Stephanie Hansen, the author of the True North Cabin Cookbooks (volumes one and two), and host of “Taste Buds with Stephanie” on Fox. Stephanie is the host of her own podca...
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Episode 72
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1:02:16
Fall 2025 Event Round Up
What’s Up Ely is a podcast that celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Bou...
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Episode 71
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35:23
Rural Arts Education with Kelly Chick & Karl Kubiak
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with her friends and neighbors Karl Kubiak and Kelly Chick. Karl is the band director and Kelly is the art teacher for Ely’s independent school district number 696. We’ll discuss why ...
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Episode 70
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50:17
August & September 2025 Ely, MN Events
What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wild...
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Episode 69
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42:11
Entrepreneurial ✨Spirit✨ in Ely
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with her friend and neighbor, Emily Roose. Emily is our local business advisor with Entrepreneur Fund, as known as E-Fund. E-Fund has two priorities: support entrepreneurs to start an...
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Episode 68
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53:12
August 2025 Event Round Up
What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe...
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Episode 67
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35:52
Reading is What's Up in Ely
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Jordyn Stocks, the manager of the Piragis Northwoods Company bookstore, which recently moved to the ground level on the corner of Sheridan and Central in downtown Ely....
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Episode 66
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38:15
July & August 2025 Event Round Up
This episode features a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in July and August.What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – a small town on the edge of the ...
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Episode 65
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39:48
Baseball -- America's Pastime in Ely
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Frank Ivancich and Tom Coombe. They’ll be discussing Ely’s strong tradition of baseball excellence. This conversation is happening in the midst of an exciting season, and in anti...
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Episode 64
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42:00
July 2025 Event Round Up
This episode features a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in June. What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – a small town on the ...
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Episode 62
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29:15
Introducing Ely to New Dutch Friends
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Bert Kuizenga, an actor, reality TV show host, travel show host, and artist from The Netherlands. Bert, his wife Astrid, and a Dutch cameraman named Mourtis are in Ely as part of...
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Episode 62
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54:38
June 2025 Event Round Up
This episode features a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in June. What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – a small t...
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Episode 61
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29:24
Introducing Youth to the Wilderness with Rachel Hedlund
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Rachel Hedlund, the Northern Education Coordinator for Friends of the Boundary Waters. Rachel’s work includes collaborating with other organizations to guide Boundary Water Canoe...
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Episode 60
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56:25
