EFS is Turning 10 and You're Invited!

The Ely Folk School held it's very first classes on June 7, 2015 - Songwriting with Joey Kenig and Flatwater Canoeing with Bert and Johnnie Hyde. From a community meeting with an outline of a dream in late November 2014, many dedicated and passionate Elyites spent December 2014 through May 2015 doggedly creating the bones of the Ely Folk School.

Today, 10 years on, EFS has grown into a central gathering place of the community - a place of learning, conversation, belonging, and sharing of heritage.

And now the organization is hitting double digits! Celebrate with us! We have a full weekend of events highlighting the culture of EFS. The big celebration will take place on our official birthday - Saturday June 7 - a potluck here at the Ely Folk School with a special retrospective on the first ten years of the Ely Folk School, plus an exclusive look forward. The weekend also signifies the end of our matching challenge fundraiser - many generous donors came together this spring to offer a true match of $25,000 - if we can raise an equivalent amount by our birthday.

Starting Thursday, June 5th at 5pm we will be moving our usual "Makers Morning" to the evening, for a "Makers... After Hours" event. This is a great event to come to if the idea of crafting in community appeals! Bring a current project or a recently finished one with you can work on or share, and be ready to socialize. We'll share some wine and light refreshments. Feel free to bring something to nibble on as well.

On Friday, June 6th from 5:30-7pm we will be showing off our beautifully handmade birch bark canoe down at Semer's Beach. Folks will be welcome to don PFDs and paddles and take it out for a cruise with us! This will be a great opportunity to learn about the history of the birch bark canoe project at the Ely Folk School, and how that history is inextricably connected with the culture and lives of the Anishinaabe people.

Saturday, June 7th at 6pm will be our official birthday party! All are welcome to this potluck dinner, hosted here at the Ely Folk School. We'll also be sharing a special retrospective video that highlights the founding and early days of the organization, featuring interviews with some very impressive Elyites. 

And finally on Sunday, June 8th from 6-9pm we will be wrapping up our 10th birthday weekend with a community dance. This time around we won't be at the Senior Center... We'll be holding our dance in a real barn! One of our board members, Rosa Oesterreich, has graciously offered the use of her barn to host the gathering. Expect the same calling from Terrence Smith, and the same laughter and enthusiasm, but with a slightly more authentic vibe! No previous experience necessary, $10 donations at the door (youth dance free.) You can drive directly to Ethel's Acres--2231 Robich Road--or convene at the Ely Folk School at 5:45pm to catch a carpool/caravan. And we'll be having another Old Time Strings Jam Session at the Ely Folk School from 4-5pm that same day, so consider bringing your instrument of choice to EFS to jam! 

Coinciding with our birthday this upcoming weekend is the final push for our fundraising campaign. We have a $25,000 match, which means every gift given through our birthday weekend can be doubled! Just like our potlucks, every contribution is meaningful. If you can spare chipping in even $5, $10, or $20 to show that you care about the work we do here--and that you are invested in helping us continue to grow--that would be hugely meaningful in helping achieve our goal. If you haven't yet, please consider making a donation as a birthday gift. 

Birthday Cake at EFS' 9th birthday in 2024