Upcoming Activities
December 4, 6:30-8:00 pm “It’s A Wrap”
“It’s a Wrap” celebration, 424 W. Superior, downtown Duluth (ARAC Conference Room)
DFG members are invited to the final celebration event of our 50th Anniversary year, hosted by the Anniversary committee. Join us for the opening of the 35th Anniv. Time Capsule, see what’s in store for the new 50th Time Capsule, enjoy pictures and stories from the events of the past year, and celebrate with light refreshments. Included in the evening is a short business meeting highlighting the results of the Fiber Fair & Sale, announcements of winter classes and programs, and a member drawing for the coveted Louise Young creation. (You must be a member for the drawing!) There will also be Show & Tell of members’ recent art projects.
**The entrance is locked but there will be a greeter there to let you in. Carpooling is encouraged. Parking is available on the street and nearby ramps.
Previous 2023 Activities
The original Farm Tours have been rescheduled to May 23 and May 24. Both dates you will be able to see alpaca shearing and visit the farm shops (fleece, roving, yarn). The free tours are available for members and the public to drop in during open hours (carpool if possible). This event is held rain or shine; wear appropriate weather and farm attire. There are no bus shuttles for these tours.
May 23, 5:00-7:00 pm
May 24, 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Directions: Take Highway 2 toward Grand Rapids. You want to travel 7.2 miles on 2 from exit 250 on Interstate 35S. Turn Right onto Sandberg Road. Take this 0.7 miles, then turn left onto Maple Grove Rd./County Highway 6. After 0.3 miles, turn right onto an unnamed drive (there will be a sign for Frosty Ridge Alpacas). The farm is 0.1 miles down this road. If you get to Caribou Lake Road, you went too far on Maple Grove Road.
May 27, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Louise Young’s house, 2915 S. Merila Rd., South Range, WI 54874 715-392-1755
This is the day we assemble along the Amnicon River and turn our flax straw into gold – golden fiber, that is, ready to be spun into linen thread! We’ll be braking, scrutching, and hackling beginning at 10 AM, and work until we’re worn out or our flax is all processed – probably at least 3 PM. We will have lots of flax straw to process, but if you have some retted flax, bring it and we’ll put that at the head of the queue! If you have unretted flax, this will be a great chance to talk to people and get ideas on how to ret your flax. And if you want to try your hand at growing flax, we’ll have seeds (and instructions) available. Flax is a wonderfully easy plant to grow, and it is absolutely gorgeous when in bloom – it looks like a piece of the sky has fallen to earth!
Everyone is welcome: flax afficionados, hacklers and hecklers, and those who know nothing about flax except that the seeds give you the runs! It’s a great opportunity to learn how something like looks like plain old straw can yield one of the oldest, most useful, and truly beautiful fibers in the world. It’s also a chance to get out into the country, along the Amnion River in an area filled with spring wildflowers.
To get to Louise’s house, take highway 53 south out of Superior, then take the first exit – Wisconsin 13 — toward Port Wing and Bayfield. When you get to the Davidson Windmill (about 4 miles from highway 53), you’ll drop down to cross the Amnicon River. Immediately after the bridge, turn left onto Merila Road, a dirt road. Follow this for about a third of a mile, then there will be another left – Pukema Road. Turn here and go past a workshop, a big gray house, and, at the end of the road, a large, half log sided garage and a smaller house. Park on the lawn.
The event will be held rain or shine – in case of bad weather, we can open the port doors of the garage and work inside. Contact phone number is 715-392-1755, however, be aware that there is very limited cell phone coverage at the site (and in fact all along the Amnicon). If you like, bring a beverage and lunch – we’ll also have some munchies to keep up the strength and spirits of workers!
We always have a great time at these – there’s nothing like learning and working outside on a beautiful spring day surrounded by friends!
June 5, 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
June 27, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm
July 30-August 18
August 2, 11:00 am
August 6, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
August 19, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
August 20, 9:30 am-11:30 am
Past DFG Presidents Brunch: This is an invitation-only event to honor the presidents of the Duluth Fiber Guild from the past 50 years.
August 29, all day
September 11, 6:30-9:00 pm
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the live Zoom presentation begins at 7 p.m. for about an hour; and questions and discussion follow.
The program is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is requested, due to limited theatre capacity (link here). This 50th Anniversary event is sponsored by Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, Minnesota Legacy funds, and private donations.
September 16, 1:00-4:00 pm
September 17, 1:00-3:00 pm
Children will make fiber projects with Sue Brown & Alison Aune. Register at nordiccenterduluth.org; $5 donation suggested.
September 23, 1:00-4:00 pm
Try your hand at spinning yarn using a drop spindle. Louise Young will be guiding you. Register at nordiccenterduluth.org; no fee.
September 30, 1:00-4:00 pm
Make a wet felted flower with Cindy Ericksmoen. Register at nordiccenterduluth.org; $35 fee; limit of 8 adults.