In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with her friends and neighbors Karl Kubiak and Kelly Chick. Karl is the band director and Kelly is the art teacher for Ely’s independent school district number 696. We’ll discuss why arts education is essential to student success, what makes rural arts education unique, and more. 

Karl teaches 3-12 general music and band at the Ely Public Schools. Additionally, he performs with many regional orchestras and as a full time member with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, serves as the board president for Northern Lakes Arts Association and as board secretary for the Northeast Minnesota Band Directors Association, and teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Superior as their bassoon instructor. 

Kelly teaches K-12 art in the Ely Public Schools.  Teaching a wide range of ages and art mediums is what Kelly enjoys the most about teaching art in Ely.  Outside of the classroom she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially riding bikes.   

Show Notes

• Email Lacey with your ideas and feedback: [email protected]
• Visit Ely Adventure Guides 
• WUE-Pod Ep 15: Bar-Trivia-for-a-Cause, Ely City Band, & August Event Run Down
• What’s Up Ely Facebook Group 
• Explore Minnesota
• Forest North Podcast

What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounded by the Superior National Forest.

There is truly always something fun to and someone fascinating to meet in Ely! With an abundance of opportunities for social engagement and adventure, how is one to know where to start? Let us help! 

This episode features Karl Kubiak who joins us for a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in August and September, 2025.

• Quick PSA: EMAIL ME – [email protected]

Show Notes Links

• Ely Adventure Guides 
• Brainstorm Bakery Live Music Events 
• History You Can Taste: Rootbeer Making
• Reflections Dance Company website
• Ely for Ely 
• Ultimate Kids Adventure Night
• Pop Rocks at the Ely Watercross 20th Anniversary Celebration 
• Pickup Truck Opera at Whiteside Park
• Heritage Fest – August 16
• Northern Lights Glow Run 5K
• Ely Marathon
• Fest du Nord
• Forest North Podcast 
• The Trade Post with Trader Craig is BACK! 
  • Monday–Friday, 9-10am on WELY
  • 1450 AM • 103.9 FM • WELY.fm or stream it on the Civic Media app!
  • Got something to sell? Text or call 218-365-4444 or email [email protected]
• Listening Point Foundation Annual Northwoods Dinner

In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with her friend and neighbor, Emily Roose. Emily is our local business advisor with Entrepreneur Fund, as known as E-Fund. E-Fund has two priorities: support entrepreneurs to start and grow small businesses that would create steady incomes for themselves and others, and to renew the entrepreneurial culture in the region. Emily also happens to be an Ely City Councilor AND a fellow dance party enthusiast.

Show Notes

• Email Lacey with your ideas and feedback: [email protected]
• Visit Ely Adventure Guides 
• WUE-Pod International Mosquito Museum - Episode 54
• Owl Forest Farm
• Semer’s Park Pavilion  
• Aaron Brown Star Tribune Editorial Columnist Tuesday Group presentation 
• What’s Up Ely Facebook Group 
• Explore Minnesota
• Forest North Podcast

What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. It also just so happens to be a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounded by the Superior National Forest.

There is truly always something fun to and someone fascinating to meet in Ely! With an abundance of opportunities for social engagement and adventure, how is one to know where to start? Let us help! 

This episode features Emily Roose, who joins us for a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in late July and August, 2025.  

• Quick PSA: EMAIL ME – [email protected] 

Show Notes Links

• Ely Adventure Guides
• The Sectionals 
• Sister Act – NLAA Musical 
• Brainstorm Bakery Live Music Events 
• EFS Wet Felted Sauna Hat (morning class)
• EFS Wet Felted Sauna Hat (afternoon class) 
• History You Can Taste: Rootbeer Making
• Reflections Dance Company website
• Ely for Ely 
• WUE-Pod Reflections Dance Company, Molly Olson, & More – Episode 1
• WUE-Pod Looking Ahead to Blueberries, Blueberry Pie, & Blueberry Art Festival in Ely – Episode 10
• WUE-Pod Tofte Lake Center, Liz Engelman, & More – Episode 12
• Motherhood Walk and Talk – Questions? Call Paula 218-606-3082
• Ely Pickleball Club
• Plastic People film – July 30 
• Heritage Fest – August 16
• Fest du Nord
• Raven Words Press Reflections on Ricing
• Raven Words Press When Rice is a Verb
• Forest North Podcast 

In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Jordyn Stocks, the manager of the Piragis Northwoods Company bookstore, which recently moved to the ground level on the corner of Sheridan and Central in downtown Ely.

Show Notes

• Email Lacey with your ideas and feedback: [email protected]
• Visit Ely Adventure Guides 
• Piragis Bookstore
• Ely Public Library
• Ely Community Resource
• Art, Culture, & Awe in Ely – Episode 5
• What’s Up Ely Facebook Group 
• Explore Minnesota
• Forest North Podcast

This episode features a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in July and August.

What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounded by the Superior National Forest. In addition to being a gateway to great outdoors, Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene.

There is truly always something fun to and someone fascinating to meet in Ely! With an abundance of opportunities for social engagement and adventure, how is one to know where to start? Let us help!

• Quick PSA: EMAIL ME – [email protected] 

Show Notes Links

• Ely Adventure Guides
• Reflections Dance Company, Molly Olson, & More – Episode 1
• Looking Ahead to Blueberries, Blueberry Pie, & Blueberry Art Festival in Ely – Episode 10
• Tofte Lake Center, Liz Engelman, & More – Episode 12
• Indigenous Drumming in Whiteside Park – July 11 
• Nature Writing with Listening Point Foundation 
• Sister Act – NLAA Musical 
• Brainstorm Bakery Live Music Events 
• Pickleball Tournament - July 19
• Motherhood Walk and Talk – Questions? Call Paula 218-606-3082
• Ely Pickleball Club
• Plastic People film – July 30 
• Heritage Fest – August 16
• Forest North Podcast 

In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Frank Ivancich and Tom Coombe. They’ll be discussing Ely’s strong tradition of baseball excellence. This conversation is happening in the midst of an exciting season, and in anticipation of Ely hosting the 2025 Division II Senior State Baseball Tournament that will take place July 30 through August 2. 

Tom is the athletic director at Ely’s Memorial High School, the head baseball coach for Minnesota North Vermilion Iron Hawks, as well as the team manager for Ely’s Legion team. 

Frank is the head coach of the Ely Timberwolves baseball team, and assistant Legion Coach, and a leader of the Ely Baseball Association, which runs the entire summer program, as well as the Junior High program.  

Show Notes

• Email Lacey with your ideas and feedback: [email protected]
• Visit Ely Adventure Guides 
• Ely Legion Baseball
• Ely Little League 
• Minnesota North - Vermilion Iron Hawks baseball 
• What’s Up Ely Facebook Group 
• Explore Minnesota
• Forest North Podcast

This episode features a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in June. 

What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounded by the Superior National Forest. In addition to being a gateway to great outdoors, Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. 

There is truly always something fun to and someone fascinating to meet in Ely! With an abundance of opportunities for social engagement and adventure, how is one to know where to start? Let us help! 

Show Notes Links

• Ely Adventure Guides
• Ely Dog Park Fundraiser 
• Motherhood Walk and Talk – Questions? Call Paula 218-606-3082
• Volunteer for Sister Act  
• VEMA
• Fifth Annual Iron Range Juneteenth Community Celebration 
• Northwoods Summer Fun Run (& Jump into the Lake!!) 
• WELY live stream 
• Summer Solstice Power Word & Wood Burning Class 
• Awaken Your Purpose 
• Ely Wellness Collaborative
• Ely Pride Instagram 
• Fourth of July in Ely
• Forest North Podcast 

In this episode listeners will join Lacey in conversation with Bert Kuizenga, an actor, reality TV show host, travel show host, and artist from The Netherlands. Bert, his wife Astrid, and a Dutch cameraman named Mourtis are in Ely as part of a trip to Minnesota in collaboration with Explore Minnesota Tourism. To that end, we also have with us here today Jen Schak, the Global Marketing Manager for Explore MN. 

Show Notes

• Email Lacey with your ideas and feedback: [email protected]
• Visit Ely Adventure Guides 
• What’s Up Ely Facebook Group 
• Explore Minnesota
• Ron Reizen (Dutch Travel Program)  
• Forest North Podcast

This episode features a round up of events happening in or around Ely, Minnesota this summer, with an emphasis on events in June. 

What’s Up Ely celebrates the spirit of Ely, Minnesota – a small town on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and surrounded by the Superior National Forest. In addition to being a gateway to great outdoors, Ely is a vibrant community with a rich history and a dynamic arts and cultural scene. 

There is truly always something fun to and someone fascinating to meet in Ely! With an abundance of opportunities for social engagement and adventure, how is one to know where to start? Let us help! 

Quick PSA: EMAIL ME – [email protected] 

Show Notes Links

• Ely Adventure Guides
• National Trails Day Hike
• Ely Folk School 10th Birthday Celebrations (June 5-8) 
• Ely Dog Park Fundraiser 
• ArtisticEly Arts in Action Workshop: Felted Landscapes 
• Motherhood Walk and Talk – Questions? Call Paula 218-606-3082
• Holding Space: A Director’s Reflections on Next to Normal 
• Volunteer for Next to Normal
• Volunteer for Sister Act  
• VEMA
• Fifth Annual Iron Range Juneteenth Community Celebration 
• Northwoods Summer Fun Run (& Jump into the Lake!!) 
• WELY live stream 
• Summer Solstice Power Word & Wood Burning Class 
• Forest North Podcast 
• Hidden Valley Hammer MTB Race Series 
• Team Borealis 
• Fourth of July in Ely