Sundog Sport, more familiar to some as Kondos Outdoors, was born in Ely in 1980, while Dan and Vicki Kondos were active in the mushing sport and saw a need for quality, dependable mushing equipment. With a roll of fabric, some thread, and the determination to craft the best gear, Dan and Vicki Kondos started Kondos Outdoors. For 35 years, Kondos developed the gear that has been tested on the Iditarod, the Scandinavian Arctic, and races worldwide.
In 2015, I took on the task of carrying that legacy forward. I grew up venturing into the Boundary Waters from age three and spent much of my formative years exploring the Ely wilderness. In 2017, I married my wife, Corissa, who had been guiding BWCA trips for seven years and has been the director of Rock Ridge Christian Camp since 2015. We enjoy being able to take our personal experiences and knowledge and incorporate that into how we design and build products for Sundog Sport.
By bringing in state-of-the-art cutting and sewing equipment, implementing continuous improvement philosophies, researching the best materials, and having a 1.4 million acre test lab to vet our products, we strive to craft for you the toughest gear that will last you and the next generation a lifetime.
From our families to yours,
Michael and Corissa Larson
Shop online for: Dog Harnesses, Dog Booties, Dog Jackets and Gear, Dog Sled Equipment, Collars and Leashes, and Joring gear!
Ely’s Rock Shop! Gift Shop with the Flavor of Rocks! Naturally Beautiful Stone Creations. Decor items, jewelry, agates, gemstone beads, findings, books, lapidary equipment, tools, supplies.
From calendars, greeting cards, fine art prints on metal & canvas, along with a line of jewelry, the Root River Photography team is bringing you the best we have to offer. Located in northern Minnesota, Heidi, Tom & Jason each have different ways of capturing intriguing photographs you’ll want to admire for years to come. Their northern lights, wildlife and landscapes will have you longing for more. View their collections in the Gallery of Images, and follow along on social media. Their work is sure to keep you captivated!
Brandau Plumbing & Heating is a family owned and operated business established in 1989. The owner, Mike Brandau, has a Master Plumber’s license and is a certified Uponor Wirsbo installer. He oversees all the plumbing and heating operations.
Jeremiah Brandau holds a Master Plumber’s license as well and handles bidding for various projects. Jeremiah is also a Certified Wirsbo Installer.
Richard Moravitz is our third master plumber. Brandau Plumbing and Heating has been in business for over 28 years.
Let’s start with a proper introduction. We’re the Ott family – Gene, Jane, Nick (son) and Danielle, (daughter in law) and we acquired the property in 2000. Originally from Northeast Iowa, we had been scout leaders and Boundary Waters Minnesota camping enthusiasts for several years when the opportunity arose to make a lifestyle change that simply delighted us. Since that time, we have built an outfitting service that, we believe, is one of the best in the area. In addition to outfitting services, we have authentic log cabins, right on Fall Lake for non-campers to experience great fishing and conveniently explore the Ely area.
Our cabins and lodge (with bunkhouse) have an amazing history. The cabins were originally built and located up on Pipestone Bay on Basswood Lake. When Congress declared “The Wilderness Act of 1964, all buildings needed to be either moved or burnt to the ground, restoring the natural wilderness. Shortly after, each log was labeled, deconstructed, floated up through Newton Lake to Fall Lake and put back together, like a complex jigsaw puzzle. Can you imagine the planning and the work to accomplish this?
We’re honored by every guest that chooses Packsack and promise to make every effort to build a wilderness experience that best matches your wishes.
The Ely Echo is the weekly newspaper known as the voice of the North Country, which was founded in 1972 by Miles Aakhus. Ownership passed to Anne Wognum Swenson in 1977 after she had worked for the paper for three years. At that time the editor was Bob Cary, a Chicago, Illinois writer.
The Echo has been fortunate in attracting excellent journalists, photographers, designers and artists during its existence. It prides itself in welcoming all sides of any issue. It has had a diverse group of employees over the years. Currently, ownership is shared by Publisher Anne Swenson (thepub@elyecho.com), General Manager Nick Wognum (elyecho@aol.com), Editor Tom Coombe (tcoombe@aol.com) and Ad manager Lisa Vidal (ads@elyecho.com). Together they bring over 100 years of skill, service and training to Ely’s hometown newspaper. Their familiarity with Ely’s rich historical past gives the Echo insight into the changing times along the Canadian border.
Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). Ely was also the Coolest Small Town in the USA in 2010!
The Paddle Inn Motel in Ely, Minnesota! Open Year Round and Just Seconds Away From The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), located on the East end of town in beautiful Ely, MN.
Our mission is to enrich the quality of life for our members, the community, and the surrounding area through support and development of the visual, literary and performing arts.
Story Portage is a non-profit, centered in Ely, Minnesota, created to foster the art of personal narrative and to promote literacy and reading here in the Northwoods. Current and future projects include:
Ely, Minnesota Chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets
The Maud Hart Lovelace and Star of the North Children’s Choice Book Award Program
Random Acts of Poetry
VCC Visiting Writers Program
Visit our website and take a look at our current projects to learn more, and contact us if you’d like to be part of Story Portage’s future!
Story Portage
P.O. Box 286
Ely, MN 55731
