SUPPORT THE ALLIANCE

A Letter from Garry – October 28th, 2025

Dear Ashwabay Alliance Community,

Mt. Ashwabay has been buzzing with activity over the past couple of weeks. Hikers, bikers, and dog walkers have been making their way to the top of the hill to catch the autumn leaves at their peak. Red maples, yellow aspens, and rusty orange oaks spill color across the Pike’s Creek valley. Add the deep blue water of Lake Superior behind it all, and it’s pure eye candy!

As the seasons shift, our focus turns to three celebrated community events: 

These events remind us how vibrant our community is when everyone onstage, on the trails, or behind the scenes comes together.

That same spirit of connection and generosity carries us into November as we launch our End-of-Year Giving Campaign: From the Stage to the Summit—Your Gift Keeps the Lights On and the Trails Groomed. 

Your continued support—whether you volunteer, attend, donate, or simply spread the word—fuels everything we do. Thank you for being part of this community!

Respectfully,

Garry Schalla 

 The SLAshwabay Haunted Trail: Spooky, Spirited, and Built by the Community

The woods at Mt. Ashwabay are taking on a new look. Construction for the Haunted Trail began last week on October 22, as volunteers grabbed their tools, paintbrushes, and props to build a winding, one-of-a-kind experience. Each year, hand-crafted sets get a little bigger, a little creepier, and always full of community spirit.

The fun kicks off October 30–November 1 with two levels of fright each night:

Tickets are $10 for ages 13+ and $5 for ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the XC Trailhead before entering the woods.

After your walk through the trail, warm up in the Chalet and enjoy hot and cold drinks, food, and plenty of candy. Stick around to swap stories and celebrate the community that makes it all happen.

Need a ride? BART Bus Shuttle service is available each night with convenient pick-up locations:

*Return shuttle departs Mt. Ashwabay at 8:30 PM

The Haunted Trail is made possible by more than 550 volunteer hours and generous support from Xcel Energy. A true community effort.

Join us for an unforgettable night of fright!

Mt. Ashwabay Ski Swap: Gear Up for the Season

Before the snow flies, Mt. Ashwabay becomes a hub for winter gear during its annual Ski Swap on Saturday, November 8th. It’s a fun, affordable way to gear up, give back to the hill, and support the trails.

Last year, Ski Hut rolled in with a great selection of snowboards, downhill gear, and helmets—plus a few surprises like snowshoes, ice skates, and winter clothing. You can count on a solid mix of downhill and cross-country gear for all ages, but snowboard gear tends to be limited, so come early if that’s what you’re after.

But before you shop, there’s work to be done! Gear drop-off runs November 5–7 from 10 AM–5 PM (or by appointment). It’s your chance to pass along gently used gear and help someone else hit the slopes this season.

To make the most of the swap, keep these quick tips in mind:

A portion of all sales (20%) supports Mt. Ashwabay’s outdoor education and recreation programs, keeping the community on the slopes all winter long.

Learn more at mtashwabay.org/swap.

A Director’s Note: Liz Woodworth on Guys & Dolls

For longtime director Liz Woodworth, the stage has always been a place where community and creativity meet. After three decades directing shows at StageNorth and Big Top Chautauqua—including many of the original house productions from the ’90s and early 2000s—she’s thrilled to bring Guys and Dolls to StageNorth. “I’ve directed it before at the high school level,” she says, “but never with adults—and I can’t believe we haven’t done it here yet!”

Directing a musical is always more complicated than a straight play because there are so many moving parts. This production features a 16-piece orchestra, directed by the astounding Chris Hulmer. “Chris and I have worked together before—most recently on Jesus Christ Superstar—and I absolutely love her approach,” Liz shares. “The cast has been working hard on their vocal parts and dance moves, and it’s really coming together in a lovely way.”

What excites her most about this production is the cast. “We have a few veterans, but so many are making their StageNorth debut,” she says. “Watching new performers step into the spotlight and grow into their roles has been such a joy.”

Even though Guys and Dolls is an older, well-known musical, Liz believes modern audiences are going to love it. “The songs are fabulous—true earworms. The jokes still land, and the plot is fresh and fun,” she says. With choreography by Micaela Hall and costumes by Liesl Settgas, the show is as colorful and energetic as the story itself.

Another highlight is the set design by Scott Burchill. Because Guys and Dolls moves through so many locations—New York streets, the Hot Box Club, a mission, Cuba, and even a sewer—the team is using a rotating turntable to bring those transitions to life. “We’re lucky to have such a great tech team handling lights, sound, and set changes,” Liz says.

Above all, she hopes audiences feel the joy that’s been built into every rehearsal. “We’ve really focused on creating joy throughout this process,” she says. “If folks are looking for a chance to escape to 1940s New York, laugh for a few hours, and celebrate local community theater, this show is for them.”

Step into 1940s New York—reserve your seat at fourthwalltheater.org

From the Stage to the Summit—Your Gift Keeps the Lights On and the Trails Groomed

As we close out 2025, the Ashwabay Alliance is celebrating a year of connection—from melodies drifting beneath the Big Top to fresh snow falling on Mt. Ashwabay’s trails. Every shared song, every ski lesson, and every moment of community happen *because* of you.

Your end-of-year gift—of any size—helps sustain what makes this region special: live music, outdoor adventure, and the joy that connects us all. When you give, you’re helping pay the artists and groom the trails. You’re keeping the lights glowing under the tent and the warmth alive on the hill.

For those able to make a leadership gift of $500 or more, we invite you to join the Stage to Summit Community of Stars—a circle of supporters whose generosity shines across every corner of the Ashwabay Alliance.

From rising stars to legendary ones, *everyone* shines brighter because of you.

Give today and help ensure the magic continues all year long

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