7/14/26 – With the recent closure of the BWCAW, day to day life here at Sawbill has begun to look a little different. For information about the closure you can look at the blog post from 7/13/26.
Here at Sawbill we had our 70th anniversary over the past weekend! Clare and Dan hosted over 200 former crew, family friends, and Sawbill enthusiasts to celebrate the legacy of Sawbill and the positive impact the Outfitter has had on all those whose path has led them here!
We began the celebrations on Friday with a gathering at the Log House for drinks, good food, and fabulous recollections of the past. With the party in full swing, it was time for the annual Dome Dance! The Dome Dance is a Sawbill tradition that includes a live band, line dances called famously by Terrence and Laura, and a whole lotta fun. The night ended with a pizza party at the Log House, hosted by the one and only Dan Shirley.
On Saturday, we started the day with a pancake breakfast that will go down in the annals of history. With three generations of Hansen women working alongside current crew members, we were able to raise $2,000 for the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic! After the pancakes were eaten, people gathered in front of the Sawbill store to hear a talk from Bill Hansen on the history of Sawbill–antedotes were shared, wisdom was imparted, and reunion goers and customers alike learned 70 years of BWCAW history through the story of Sawbill.
The celebration continued with Dragonboat racing down by the landing. An expertly crafted tournament produced 72 paddlers, 18 boats, and four champions; Sawyer Laird, Paul Ryda, Kari Anderson, and two time reunion champion Lindsey Price!
We then headed back to the canoe yard for a barbecue dinner before the penultimate program of the weekend. Former crew and family packed into the Square Dome for speeches from Bill, Cindy Lou, Clare, Adam, and Kit. Following the speeches, current crew–introduced by Clare–reenacted a day in the life of a Sawbill crew member before the entire crowd participated in a Sawbill themed round of Jeopardy. A tough competition was had but in the end Team ‘Roll n’ Put’ prevailed as the champions of Jeopardy.
After the program, everyone gathered in the canoe yard for campfire songs led by “The Legends”; Kathy Heltzer, Carol Winter, Phil Higley, John Schrag, and Ward Freeman. To end the night reunion goers dispersed for night swims, foosball tournaments (shoutout Mikey and Meg) and final goodbyes.
As we navigate BWCAW closures here at Sawbill, we feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such a wonderful community of former crew, customers, and wilderness enthusiasts. This past weekend we celebrated 70 years of business–serving customers, creating friendships, and helping people enjoy the beauty of the BWCAW. To everyone who came to the reunion or has been a member of the Sawbill family–thank you for 70 amazing years!
-Lea