Meet your Cook County Neighbor: Bonnie Schudy
Sep 06, 2025 05:43AM ● By Editor
Images provided
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - September 6, 2025
Bonnie is the Campus Director at Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center
Where do you enjoy escaping to for a day of rest and relaxation when you are not working?
I love heading out on Saganaga Lake fishing with my husband each week or working around our property.
What is your favorite season in Cook County and what do you like most about it?
I love the winter time. The quietness of the Trail, the snow, the people that live up here. I enjoy getting out ice fishing and snowmobiling.
Living in a remote area has its advantages and drawbacks. What are a few that you can tell us about, from your own personal experience?
A drawback was learning how to stretch your groceries and gas, so you don't have to go to town every week or every other week. Plan to take your time driving the Gunflint Trail in the winter, give yourself plenty of time when going anywhere.
Lastly, what is the best advice you were ever given and how did it impact your life?
The best advice I was ever given is to always work your hardest and, if you tell someone you’ll be there, make sure you show up. It has shaped how I approach both work and friendships—by staying dependable and giving my best effort.
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - September 6, 2025
Bonnie is the Campus Director at Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center
Were you born and raised in Cook County or how did you land here?
I came go the Gunflint Trail for the first time in 1990. My boyfriend at the time worked for Tuscarora Lodge. We then came up to live full-time in the spring of 1991 working for the Leed's family (Jim, Ann, and Kerry). Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
My first winter experience in Northern Minnesota was the "Halloween Storm" that dumped over 36" of snow. At Tuscarora, we were stuck a few extra days because the plow truck could not make the sharp turn into the road. It kept getting stuck, so larger equipment was needed to come up to push the snow out of the way. I remember walking from the staff house down to the lodge area and having to rest every once in a while. There was so much snow that our legs would get tired trudging through it, so I was able to just park by butt right on top of the snow and rest. The owner at the time would ski out to get the mail and see if there was any progress getting the road open.
I came go the Gunflint Trail for the first time in 1990. My boyfriend at the time worked for Tuscarora Lodge. We then came up to live full-time in the spring of 1991 working for the Leed's family (Jim, Ann, and Kerry). Originally from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
My first winter experience in Northern Minnesota was the "Halloween Storm" that dumped over 36" of snow. At Tuscarora, we were stuck a few extra days because the plow truck could not make the sharp turn into the road. It kept getting stuck, so larger equipment was needed to come up to push the snow out of the way. I remember walking from the staff house down to the lodge area and having to rest every once in a while. There was so much snow that our legs would get tired trudging through it, so I was able to just park by butt right on top of the snow and rest. The owner at the time would ski out to get the mail and see if there was any progress getting the road open.
As Campus Director for Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, you have thousands of people pass through your door each year. What is your favorite part of your job? Do you have any special memories of visitors that stand out in your mind?
I enjoy greeting each guest and learning if they have a connection to the Gunflint Trail.
I enjoy greeting each guest and learning if they have a connection to the Gunflint Trail.
Not one special memory just meeting the many residents of the Trail. I enjoying hearing their stories of when their family first came to the area, who built their cabin, and special times they have had living here.
The best time is in the spring when the summer residents come back to the Trail and they stop up to say hi to me at Chik-Wauk. I have to have a hug from each one of them.
The best time is in the spring when the summer residents come back to the Trail and they stop up to say hi to me at Chik-Wauk. I have to have a hug from each one of them.
Where do you enjoy escaping to for a day of rest and relaxation when you are not working?
I love heading out on Saganaga Lake fishing with my husband each week or working around our property.
What is your favorite season in Cook County and what do you like most about it?
I love the winter time. The quietness of the Trail, the snow, the people that live up here. I enjoy getting out ice fishing and snowmobiling.
Living in a remote area has its advantages and drawbacks. What are a few that you can tell us about, from your own personal experience?
A drawback was learning how to stretch your groceries and gas, so you don't have to go to town every week or every other week. Plan to take your time driving the Gunflint Trail in the winter, give yourself plenty of time when going anywhere.
Advantage would be the neighbors and friends that I have connected with living on the Gunflint Trail.
Lastly, what is the best advice you were ever given and how did it impact your life?
The best advice I was ever given is to always work your hardest and, if you tell someone you’ll be there, make sure you show up. It has shaped how I approach both work and friendships—by staying dependable and giving my best effort.
