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
58 episodes
Boundary Waters Catering with Chris Glaser and Tad Drechsler
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with our Ely, Minnesota friends and neighbors Chris Glazer and Tad Drechsler, the team behind Boundary Waters Catering, a new venture in town. Together Chris and Tad have over 45 year...
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Episode 57
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50:10
April & May 2025 Event Round Up Featuring Megan Wind
The What’s Up Ely Podcast is growing and evolving! We are expanding to produce four episodes per month, with two dedicated solely to rounding up a selection of Ely-area events, and two episodes dedicated to Ely-area-in...
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Episode 56
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29:21
Functional Fitness & the Studio 54 Party with Michelle Moore
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with our Ely, Minnesota friend and neighbor Michelle Moore. Michelle is the owner of Functional Fitness, a 24-hour gym located in the new Ely-Area Community Hub building. Functional F...
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Episode 55
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47:45
International Mosquito Museum & April 2025 Event Round Up
The What’s Up Ely Podcast is growing and evolving! We are expanding to produce four episodes per month, with two dedicated solely to rounding up a selection of Ely-area events, and two episodes dedicated to Ely-area-in...
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Episode 54
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19:10
Wine Tasting with Dale Beers
In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with our Ely, Minnesota friend and neighbor Dale Beers. If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of wine at Northern Grounds on the corner of Central and Sheridan Street in Ely, Minnesota...
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Episode 53
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1:06:23
Ely Area Event Round Up -- Late March / Early April
The What’s Up Ely Podcast is growing and evolving! We are expanding to produce four episodes per month, with two dedicated solely to rounding up a selection of Ely-area events, and two episodes dedicated to Ely-area-in...
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Episode 52
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21:11
Arrowhead Regional Transit with Dominick Olivanti & Holly Bachschneider
Join Lacey in conversation with Dominick Olivanti and Holly Bachschneider of Arrowhead Transit. Arrowhead Transit is the primary provider of public transportation in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. Dominick and Holly give us an inside sco...
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Episode 51
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55:35
Ely Area Event Round Up -- Early March 2025
The What’s Up Ely Podcast is growing and evolving! We are expanding to produce four episodes per month, with two dedicated solely to rounding up a selection of Ely-area events, and two episodes dedicated to Ely-area-inspired inquiry and conv...
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Episode 50
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32:00
Adaptive Wilderness Within Reach with Sean & Jill Leary
In this episode Lacey will have a conversation with Sean and Jill Leary. Sean and Jill are the founders of Adaptive Wilderness Within Reach, and owners of North of North Resort on Birch Lake. Adaptive Wilderness Within Reach is a nonprofit o...
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Episode 49
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58:26
Happy Days Learning Center: Conversations with the Kids
Lacey and Brett take this episode on the road to Happy Days Learning Center in the newly renovated Ely-Area Community Foundation Hub. Listeners will be in conversation with director Kathleen Floberg, as well as a handful of very s...
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Episode 48
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1:16:48
Ely Film Festival with Jacob White & Nina Wray
This episode listeners hear from Aaron Kania, the District Ranger for the Kawishiwi District of the Superior National Forest. Ranger Kania will share the details of a comment period for the proposed Fernberg Project. Next we’ll have a conversat...
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Episode 47
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1:29:23
Winter Recreation, Rentals, & Guided Trips with Timmy B
On this episode of the What’s Up Ely Podcast, listeners will join host Lacey Squier in conversation with her friend and neighbor (and returning guest!) Tim Barton. Tim is an Outfitting Manager at Piragis Northwoods Company, and he specialize...
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Episode 46
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1:29:55
Christmas in Ely featuring Bill Erzar
On this episode of the What’s Up Ely Podcast, listeners will join host Lacey Squier in conversation with Bill Erzar, a born-and-raised Elyite. Bill is the grandson of a Slovenian immigrant who arrived in Ely in 1909 and worked underground fo...
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Episode 45
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1:19:21
Loving Life in our Tourist Town with Scott Stowell
On this episode of the What’s Up Ely Podcast, listeners will join host Lacey Squier in conversation with Scott Stowell, author of Back Road Grace.Back Road Grace is a collection of essays, memoirs and short fiction about the culture, Wil...
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Episode 44
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1:24:45
Facilitator, Community Builder, & Comedian Abby Dare
Abby Dare is the owner of The Meadows Gallery & Studios on Sheridan Street. She also serves on the Parks and Recreation Board for the City of Ely. Through all of her endeavors she is committed to fostering meaningful relationships, making t...
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Episode 43
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1:26:46
Tales from the Trail with Ozzie Reif
While walking 70 miles through the BWCAW on the Kekekabic and Border Route Trails, Ozzie Reif had the opportunity to test the gear he made from natural materials. Along the way he learned a lot about this gear and spent a significant amount of ...
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Episode 42
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1:31:34
Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm with Bridgit Maruska
Join the conversation as Lacey chats with her new friend and regional neighbor, Bridgit Maruska. Bridgit is the Parks, Trails, & Recreation Director at the City of Chisholm. Her work involves fostering vibrant recreational environments and ...
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Episode 41
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1:05:51
Working from Home, Homesteading, and Halloween with Sarah Vogl
Join the conversation as Lacey chats with her friend and neighbor, Sarah Vogl. Sarah is a relatively new Elyite who made the journey from South St. Paul to Ely, from suburban cubicle to self-employment in the woods. She is also actively learnin...
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Episode 40
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1:15:45
Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic with Buddy Huffaker and Bonus Content with Special Guest Ian Lah
Join the conversation as Lacey chats with a new friend, Buddy Huffaker, the Executive Director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation. They’ll be chatting about Aldo Leopold’s land ethic, made famous via his book A Sand County Almanac. This conversatio...
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Episode 39
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1:12:01
“Writing the Book You Want to Read” with Lou Wiggin and Kes Ebbs
Join the conversation as Lacey chats with her friends and neighbors, Kes Ebbs and Lou Wiggin. Kes and Lou are affiliated with the SAGE Foundation, an Ely-based nonprofit that aims to uplift First-Gen and BIPOC education by offering mentorshi...
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Episode 38
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1:20:07
Taking a Chance on Ely: Rotary's Casino Night & More
Join the conversation as Lacey chats with her friends and neighbors, Tom Moore and Susan Polege. Tom and Susan are members of Ely’s Rotary Club which is hosting a Casino Night at the Miners Dry House on Friday, August 16. Discussion t...
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Episode 37
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1:08:26
Ely’s Braver Angels Alliance with Nick Wognum & Johnnie Hyde
Listen in on Lacey’s conversation with her friends and neighbors, Nick Wognum & Johnnie Hyde. Nick Wognum is the owner and editor of the Ely Echo, Ely’s newspaper of record. Johnnie is the owner of Raven Words Press, which publi...
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Episode 36
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1:11:13
Sigurd Olson & Listening Point Foundation with Freja Alioth
Listen in on Lacey’s conversation with her friend and neighbor, Freja Alioth. Freja is the executive director of Listening Point Foundation, “where introspection and conservation meet.” The Listening Point Foundation is a non-profit dedicated...
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Episode 35
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1:09:43
Busy Summer for Arts in Ely with Ian Francis Lah & Molly Hill Fuller
Listen in on Lacey’s conversation with her friends and neighbors, Ian Francis Lah and Molly Hill Fuller of the Northern Lakes Arts Association, often affectionately referred to as NLAA. They’ll talk about how the arts are TRANSFORMATI...
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Episode 34
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1:32:20
