Cure for the Winter Blahs

George Chley on left jams with fellow musician, Jim Swartz on Bonsai Tea open stage this afternoon.
Today, as I sat in Bonsai Tea (411 Grant Ave., Eveleth)Mark McCarty (welcomebackanytime.com) was showing us the Eveleth dvd he has made complete with musical background by his son, John McCarty. Meanwhile, on the open stage, Jim Swartz, Eveleth, was entertaining all of us with his beautiful electric guitar playing. Later, Twain Woodruff took to the stage and read some of his original poetry. This was followed by George Chley joining Jim in a guitar jamming session. By the time I had to leave, Jim Boyd arrived with guitar in hand to also sit in on the musical collaboration. Needless to say, I am going to return to Bonsai in the future for more live music.
If you also love to listen to live, local music, on Sat. March 14, Bonsai open stage will feature blues music from 12-4 by Blew Reed and Lil Dicky Window (Ely Blues Fest). The Bonsai open stage is open to performances on the 1st and 3rd Sat. every month so what's the excuse for sitting at home? If you have talent to share, stop in and introduce yourself to Les and Barb the owners of this unique, local tea/coffee house.
I suspect many of you, much like myself, have been suffering from cabin fever in this much too long winter! Are you looking for more homegrown community fun like the Laskiainen? Well, you're in luck because March 13/14, Eveleth will enliven the doldrums of winter with fun for the entire family through "PUCK DAYS". Beth Peterson and Eveleth Horizons heads the event and a complete schedule is posted at:http://eveleth.blogspot.com/2009/02/eveleth-puck-days-2009.html
What sort of fun awaits? Well, there will be sliding, hot chocolate,a chili cook off, hotdogs, a bonfire, live music, a snowmobile parade, demonstrations, booths,and children's events to name a few. Recreation, arts, culture, history, and education will all be represented. The Heritage Committee will be on hand and one reading event to look forward to is Harry Lamppa (Virginia Historical Society) reading "How Finland Was Saved From The Grasshopper by St. Urho".
Many community members, businesses, and organizations have come together to create a fun, educational time for all. No excuses now, as even the Arrowhead Transit will be on hand to offer free rides to the various events. Well, you can hole up inside and succumb to looking at four walls and mind numbing boredom or venture out to Eveleth for family fun and friendship to brighten up your winter days before spring arrives.