Travel equals learning

I was very pleased to dream up the possibility and find an organization to volunteer in Nepal this winter.  I was gone about a month. Each day was filled with new experiences.  I enjoy teaching and working with people until they feel the joy of learning.  Working in a different language was a challenge but staff helped and did some interpreting.  I enjoyed seeing cultural sites, mountains, farming areas, and eating the local food.  I stayed with a host family and met other volunteers from many other countries. I recommend that everyone has an international experience and volunteer needs and opportunities are almost everywhere.  Traveling helps us grow. I would love to present a program on this experience to local groups or talk with people who may want to volunteer international.  I went with Volunteer Society Nepal.  They have a school (CBIA), women center, disability center, and orphanage.  I am on a Youtube video through the organization.

I am in year 3 of offering day trips to explore Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin's arts, music, nature, and history.  I am so excited to offer these opportunities.  Five trips are available this spring.  One was on Friday and we went to 3 bakeries and the Delta Diner.  In 200 miles we visited the 4 places. It was a group of 5, mostly women.  More trips ahead with Up North Excursions.

Here are the local art fair dates for the rest of the year:

Woman-Made - July 28, Peace Church, 1111 N. 11th Ave. E.
Get Great Stuff - November 10, Duluth Congregational Church, 3802 E. Superior St.
Get It Local - December 1, Peace Church
Get to the Point - December 8  (tentative) Lafayette Community Building
Each fair is open 10AM-3PM. 
Local artists may apply.

Spring is here.  It's still another month until gardening but it's nice to smell the earth defrosting.

Wendy

Woman-Made and a local Garden Tour - July 22-23 and more day trips

Woman-Made - Marvelous Things Made by Northland Women
Over 20 female artisans will be part of this local art & gift fair.
The fair will be at Somers Lounge, College of St. Scholastica
on July 22 from 10AM-4PM.  Nice variety of items by creative folk.
Contact info: Wendy Grethen 218-525-5098 www.wendyupnorth.com.

Lakeside Garden Tour
July 23, 1-5 pm
Tour 5+ gardens in Lakeside.
Benefit for the Lakeside Lester Park Community Club.
Buy tickets at the LLPCC building at 106 N. 54th Ave. E. from 1-3:30
p.m. on Sunday.  $10 each.
Gardens include diverse plants, beautiful landscaping, water features,
native plants, straw bale gardening example, free plant, and probably
bird and butterfly sightings.


Day Trips:
July 30 (Sun)  
Blueberry/Art Festival in Ely       
This is a wonderful Northland event.  You'll get to hear live music, walk among many artisan vendors, and enjoy a day out where you can enjoy festival food treats, some you guessed it - made with blueberries.   There will be plenty of space for you to bring your purchases back in the vehicle.  You won't need to bother with driving or parking so come along and enjoy a summer day. Depart 9AM from M&H gas station. Return 5PM. Registration deadline Extended to July 22.   9 seats available.
$70 
Seats available 9

Aug 2 (Wed) 
Scenic Boat Cruise on the St. Croix River and stop at Franconia Sculpture Park.  Includes an 80 min boat cruise and stop at Sculpture Park. Taylors Falls.
Depart Perkins West: 10:30 AM. Return 6:30 pm (Boat cruise at 1 pm) .Registration Deadline July 22
$95
Seats available: 8

Aug 13 (Sun) Irish Fair of Minnesota on Harriet Island. 3.5 hours at event.  Music. Storytelling. Dance. Vendors. Along the Mississippi River. 
Depart Perkins West 9AM. Return 6 PM.
Registration Deadline July 28   
$85
Seats available 5

Aug 23 (Wed) 
Shipwrecks, Sea Caves and Lighthouse Boat excursion from Bayfield.  3-hour boat cruise.  Great Lakes Visitor Center stop. Toast with natural spring water.  Depart M & H gas station 11:30 AM.  Return 8PM. Registration Deadline Aug 5.
$125
Seats available: 12
 
Sept 10  (Sun) Little Falls Arts & Craft Fair. 150+ vendors. Lots of food & music.
Depart Perkins West: 8:30 a.m.  Return: 6 p.m. Registration Deadline is Aug 20.
$80
Seats available 8

Day trips from Duluth - arts, music, nature, history

Come on an Up North Excursions' day trip this summer. Eleven trips are lined up.  Boat cruises on the St. Croix River, Irish Music Festival, Blueberry Fest in Ely, Afternoon Tea at Naniboujou, Church Basement Ladies performance and more.  See the full schedule at www.wendyupnorth.com/excursions   Please sign up 2-3 weeks before the event so the trip can be a go for everyone.  Come explore the Northland!

Treasures & Dulcimers

Yesterday was the Treasures of the Earth Green Goods, Craft & Art Fair.  This fair of mine has the theme of things made of recycled or natural materials and there was 25 awesome artists who took on the challenge and even use those materials for all their work.  Pottery, jewelry, plant terrariums, paintings on wood and stone, wooden bowls and cutting boards, driftwood items, and more.  Good job.  Check again next March.

This May 6 is the Dulcimer Day in Duluth festival.  More information at www.DulcimersInDuluth.com.

Check out the 2017 Up North Excursions Bus Trips.  These day trips explore the Northland's art, music, nature, and history.  www.wendyupnorth.com/excursions.

Happy spring!  Cloudy day but the sun will come out tomorrow.   Where have I heard that before?

Fall 2016 Local art & gift fairs in Duluth

The fall is around the corner.
Here are the dates for the upcoming fall local fairs:

November 19 - Get Great Stuff local art & gift fair.
Duluth Congregational Church, 3833 E. Superior St.

December 3 - Get It Local ultra local art & gift fair
Peace Church, 1111 N. 11th Ave. E.

December 10 - Get to the Point Awesome Art & Gift Fair
Lafayette Building, 3026 Minnesota Ave.

Each of the fairs runs 10AM-3PM.
You'll find a nice selection of Duluth area artisans, authors, and organizations.

If you would like to participate as a vendor in one of these fairs , contact me at wendyupnorth@yahoo.com.


Thanks for supporting local artists.

Excited for summer - now offering bus trips - sign up today

The short summer of Duluth is just about here.   This summer I'm starting up a bus excursion business.  Start in Duluth and we'll head to Bayfield, the Iron Range, Hayward, Renaissance Festival, St. Cloud gardens, and more.  Each trip has a nature, art/music, or history connection.  Check the calendar at www.wendyupnorth.com/excursions for more information.  Please sign up at least 2 weeks prior to the trip.  There will be two trips per month in the summer and early fall.

July 14 and July 28 are the first trips.

Also, Woman-Made local art & gift fair will be July 30 (not July 23) at Duluth Congregational Church, 3833 E. Superior St.  Shop from 10AM through 4PM.  Meet the artists and you'll have a special time picking out great gifts.

And - the June/July issue of the Look at Lakeside newsletter is published.  Go to www.LookAtLakeside.com.

Fairs, Poetry and More

I'm an organizer of community events ;

Here are some upcoming ones -

March 26 Free poetry workshop with Sheila Packa, 10AM at the Unitarian Church, 835 W. College St..

April 9 Better World conference - free event.  Social justice for all.  9 workshops.  Topics : compassionate communication, engaging youth into action, strength in diversity, overcoming poverty, affordable health care, and more.  More info at uuduluth.org  or www.betterworld2016.eventsmart.com or email wendyupnorth@yahoo.com


Be sure to come to this year's Dulcimer Day in Duluth festival May 14 at the Coppertop Church, 230 E. Skyline Parkway.  More info at www.DulcimersInDuluth.com

Local art & gift fairs are being set up for the rest of the year
July 23 Woman-Made at Duluth Congregational Church

November 19 Get Great Stuff, Duluth Congregational
December 3 Get It Local, Peace Church
Dec 10 Get to the Point, Lafayette Community Building

Let me know if you'd like to participate.