silkraven's blog

Winter and the Holidays

Raven’s Wing is on a short break until Christmas week. We will open again on December 22^nd. Last night we had the first snowfall of the winter with about 3 inches of lovely white snow bringing hopes of a snowy holiday season. We are looking forward to New Year’s Eve when there is a party at the Historic State Theatre. The party is sponsored by the Northern Lakes Arts Association and features substantial hors d’ oeuvres, a champagne toast and a great concert. Tickets are available on line at

Fall is coming and so are the bikes

The nights are getting longer, temperatures are lower, bugs are fewer—it must be getting to be fall in Northern Minnesota. This is such a lovely time here at Raven’s Wing in Ely with the patio full of zinnias and marigolds, Hummingbirds still making regular visits, and cool comfy nights to settle in to read a good book or go out for a great dinner.

Ely's Summer Festivals, Concerts, Farmers Markets, July 4th Fun

It is full summer in Ely and there is so much to do! Every Tuesday at Whiteside Park we have our Farmers Market starting at 5:00. There are craft booths, live entertainment, homemade goodies, food trucks, and local folks selling garden produce, canned goods and homemade jams and jellies. Our local Northern Arts Association is offering concerts and musicals with its Broadway in the Boundary Waters series and outdoor concerts. Bright Star is the wonderful musical coming up weekends June 20^th through 30^th. This musical features fantastic perf

Canoeing, hiking, birding, fishing, biking and enjoying spring in Ely

Ely is welcoming its spring/early summer season now and we are seeing canoes on cars and early flowers in our gardens. The Brown Thrasher has returned to our yard and we wake up to its song. The Loons are back too and you can hear their haunting calls from the porch. The fishing opener is coming up May 11^th and folks are looking forward to catching some Walleyes! There is plenty to do on the lakes, trails and in town. New and seasonal restaurants are opening.

Spring ice out and fishing in Ely

We have had a bit of a wild winter ride this year. With no snow and bare ground in January and February and tulips and daffodils popping up in March, it was easy to see a nice slow slide into an early spring.

Winter Festivals in Ely

Now that we have a lovely white snow cover and February is just around the corner, it is time for the festivals to begin! Ely Winter Festival starts February 1st with the park full of giant snow blocks and carvers hard at work making amazing sculptures out of the gleaming white snow. These sculptures will grace the park all through winter until the spring sunshine melts them into the ground. Dog sled rides, cross country skiiing, winter hikes, and wandering the downtown coffee shops and stores make winte