11/23/11 – We’ve added a couple of popular gifts to our online store in time for the holiday gift season. We also have quite a few used canoes left for sale if you are looking for that special gift.

Sawbill pint beer glasses were our most popular store item last summer. Each glass purchased entitles you to vote for which lake will be featured on next year’s glass. Alton and Cherokee are currently running neck and neck with a few other lakes within striking distance.

Sawbill “Cup of Coffee” combo can remind you of Sawbill every morning.

11/22/11 – Here is a short video of Cindy Hansen and her dogs making their first foray onto the ice of Sawbill Lake, 11/21/2011.

11/21/11 – Winter has arrived – it seems like for good – here at Sawbill. Sawbill Lake officially froze over on Friday, November 18th. It had been more or less ice covered for more than a week, but it isn’t official until it is more than 90% frozen. We have about 5″ of snow on the ground, the ice is thick enough to walk on and the low temperature last night was 3 degrees – all signs that the season has turned. – Bill

The store hunkers down for the winter.

Looking west, from the store toward the canoe landing.

Cindy, Roy and Phoebe venture out on the ice for the first time this season.

Looking north from the Sawbill Lake canoe landing.

11/17/11 – Here is the latest edition of the Cook County West End News from WTIP, North Shore Community Radio.

11/10/11 – Sawbill Lake froze over yesterday and today we had our first accumulation of snow – about 2″ so far. – Bill

The skim ice reflects the gorgeous sunset. Photo by Carl Hansen.

Looking north from the Sawbill Lake canoe landing. Photo by Carl Hansen.
Here is the latest Cook County West End News from WTIP, North Shore Community Radio.

11/7/11 – It’s a sad day here at Sawbill. We lost our beloved golden retriever, Homer, today. He basically died of old age and his passing was as laid-back and gentle as his life. Rest in peace old friend. – Bill

9/30/08

Homer joins Kari and Jessa at a picnic in ’07. He’s looking for his plate.

Ice out, 2007.

“Take away the drool and the smell and you have the world’s most perfect dog.” – Max Wilson

11/2/11 – Here is a short film, “Sawbill Stars” by Sawbill’s own Carl Hansen.

10/31/11 – Here is a happy Halloween gift. Back in September, Mountain Stage, the long running, syndicated public radio music performance show, recorded two shows at North House Folk School in nearby Grand Marais. This was a very exciting event for our little community and especially meaningful for those of us that enjoy performing home-made American music. The first of the shows is being played at various times around the country this week and the second show will air next week. You can find broadcast times on the Mountain Stage website. After each week of broadcast, the shows can be listened to on the website archive section any time.
My band, The Splinters, warmed up the crowd for the first Mountain Stage show and my other band, Unnamed Stream, warmed up the crowd for the second show. We didn’t make the recording, but the national musicians who did appear on the main stage were very complimentary and kind. – Bill

10/31/11 – Here is the latest edition of the Cook County West End News from WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

10/23/11 – Fire operations have mostly shut down in Ely, and crews are being sent home. With so many crews using gear from so many outfitters, it is a logistical nightmare for the Forest Service to attempt to return everything to its rightful owners. When crew members Luke Opel and Jessica Hemmer went on a mission to pick up some of our canoes near Forest Center, they got a chance to drive roads that have been closed since the fire ran its course. The barren landscape shows how powerful mother nature can be, and serves as a reminder that things in the wilderness are always changing. It will be interesting to see these areas become green again in the years to come! -Liz

Luke holds a sign burned in the fire

No green to be seen