Andrea and Dereck Hofeldt, owners of Loon Lake Lodge, were thrilled to have the winning ticket for the quilt called Cabin Life that was made by the Mid-Trail Quilters group. Photo courtesy of Maggie Arko
There is nothing I like better than a flea market, auction and running into old friends, so I had a great time at the Mid Gunflint Trail fire station last week.
On August 7, the Mid-Trail Property Owners Association held their annual fundraiser to support the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department (GTVFD) there. The flea market started at noon, and I found some beautiful Franciscan dinnerware for an excellent price while my husband found fishing supplies and minnow traps.
At the Boutique, they had goat soap, jewelry, beautiful handmade quilted and felted items and everything in between. Cary Griffith was there signing his new book, “Gunflint Burning,” and donated half his profits to the GTVFD.
Of course, there was the drawing for this year’s lovely quilt, called Cabin Life, created by the Mid-Trail Quilters group. The lucky winners are Andrea and Dereck Hofeldt, owners of Loon Lake Lodge who were thrilled to have had the winning ticket!
Finally, Michael Valentini was the auctioneer again this year, so it was great fun. Auction items included an eight-hour smoked ham donated by Bruce Kerfoot, gift certificates from many generous businesses on the Gunflint Trail and in Grand Marais, gift baskets, Waterford crystal, pine needle jewelry made by Carol Stockman, wilderness photos by Nace Hagemann, a hand-painted loon donated by the Loons Nest, a rod and reel from the Ugly Baby Bait Shop, as well as many other beautiful items made by Gunflint Trail artists.
At the end of the day, I was tired but delighted to learn that the Mid Trail Association had earned enough to donate $15,500 to the GTVFD.
These firemen and women are our friends and neighbors who drop what they are doing to help us whenever we call. They don’t just drive to our cabin doors, they paddle and portage to help us as well. Our donation will help to pay for a new type 1 F450 4×4 ambulance equipped with a Stryker Power Cot to replace their 19-year-old ambulance that will be donated to Search and Rescue.
If you weren’t there, you missed a great day so mark your calendars for the first Wednesday (August 7, 2019) after Fisherman’s Picnic next year.
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