Updated: Happy 2008 - Northland Quick Poll

Updated:
Did you make a New Year's Resolution?
Take the Quick Poll posted on the right side of this page.

NEW - Tuesday Is Family Night At NCC

Family-Style Dining is coming to Northland in 2008

Beginning on Tuesday, January 8, a new and exciting night of dining will be available for members of Northland and their families - as always, guests are also welcome - family style dining will begin.
Chef Mike Schueller has developed a new series of menus just for Tuesday nights. If you click the menu above, you'll be able to view the January menu full screen.
The cost for family-style dining has been set at only $15 for adults, $5 for children under 10 years of age. There will be no charge for children under age 5. Reservations are encouraged, but are not required.

New Year's Eve Menu Released

Here's the menu developed for presentation at Northland on New Year's Eve. Just click the image to view it full screen. Reservations are encouraged. However, reservations will not be taken for service past 10:00pm.
As a reminder, Northland will not be open on New Year's Day. Full service will continue on January 2. Watch this site for an exciting new menu addition in 2008.

Large Gathering For Christmas Brunch

Here's just a few photos from Christmas Day when many members, their families, and guests enjoyed the two fabulous brunches prepared by our culinary staff.

Merry Christmas From NCC

Breakfast With Santa Photos

Almost 230 Northland members gathered at the club this morning for the annual Breakfast With Santa. Here are just a few of the photos that were taken, including the one above with Santa and his helpful elves from Girl Scout Troop 84. Almost 100 children attended with their parents, and most of the children shared a moment with Santa before receiving a gift from one of the elves.

What's New With The Turfgrass Crew?

Wondering what the turfgrass management crew at Northland is up to during the winter months? Check out today's posting here at the Northland Grounds blogsite written by Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh.

Christmas Day Buffet Menu - Reserve Today

Here's the menu for the fabulous Christmas Day Buffet at Northland. There are still openings for both the 11am and 1pm seatings. However, reservations are requested at 525.1941. Click the image below to view it full screen.

Breakfast With Santa SOLD-OUT

The annual Breakfast With Santa at Northland event scheduled for this Saturday, December 22, is completely sold-out. Almost 230 parents and children are expected to attend the event which begins at 9:00am.
There will be a bountiful breakfast buffet, and children will each have an opportunity to get their photo taken with Santa.
Santa and his special assistants will also have a special gift for each child. This year's attendance marks the largest gathering in the history of the annual event.

Pro Shop Open For Last Minute Gifts

You still have time to finish your holiday shopping by stopping in at the Northland Pro Shop. Director of Golf Joe O'Connor has a nice selection of gift ideas from which to choose, with many last minute specials. The Golf Shop will be open Thursday thru Saturday from 11:00am to 5:00pm.
There's plenty of Savings, Selection and Convenience all in one stop. And, the pro shop will even wrap your gifts for you.
Stop in and take a look.

Northland Grounds: Composting At NCC

Composting comes to Northland

The following post appeared on "Northland Grounds", the new blog created by Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh:

On the recommendation of the Northland Country Club "Green House" committee, the kitchen has begun a composting campaign.

In conjunction with this campaign Northland Golf Course Technician, Rob Tripp, has built two composting bins. These bins will be placed in the area near the Stuart Cabin. The bins were built with removable panels on the front to allow easy access to the composting through out the process. The items to be composted in the bins include, fruit and vegetable scraps, paper towels, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, and newspapers. The compost created will then be used in flower beds, and on the golf course.

Here are some links to websites with info about composting.

http://www.css.cornell.edu/compost/worms/basics.html

www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_soil_water_mulch/article/0,,HGTV_3634_1378480,00.html

compost.css.cornell.edu/Outdoorcomposting.html

This Week's Dinner Specials

You can click the image above to expand it to full screen.

Stay tuned for exciting new menu options in January.......

UPDATE: With Warming Trend, Consider Tuesday Morning Ski At NCC

Membership Director Ann Robertson provides the following:

Last Tuesday, four NCC members and I met up in the members’ entrance at 9am to set out on our inaugural cross-country group ski outing.
Tanya Wick and Celeste-Curly Black arrived fresh from getting the kids off to school. And Bill and Connie Dinan arrived fresh from the top of the hill where they reside. I arrived fresh from digging my ski gear out of storage. I was pleased to at least have found some wax conducive to the rather balmy conditions.
It was a picture perfect winter morning in Duluth – the kind of day that makes you want to skip out of work to ski……..(just ask your fellow member Renee Appel Mattson about this).
It was a little like the “blind leading the blind” as we set out (from near the maintenance shed) on Chris Tritabaugh’s six miles of brand new trail. Sure, Bill and Connie Dinan know the course like the back of their hand, but none of us had really anticipated falling down as we flew out of the track on the first sharp turn that featured some downward gravity. No one was hurt with snow deep like a feather pillow. We quickly brushed off our egos, poled our way back to standing and headed in the general direction of the clubhouse. Our plan was to pick up anyone who might arrive late due to morning commitments.
After a few exhilarating loops around the lower course (and more than a little snowplowing through a downhill bridge or two) we made the trek to the upper course trails. For the next hour, we traversed back and forth -- all the while enjoying the course vistas that our NCC golfers know and love.
Please feel free to join us next Tuesday at 9 am as we set out for another great go around. Call ahead or just show-up. If you need any gear, see member Tracy Link at Continental Ski. Or just Google.
Hope to see you then!

PS We also have a weekly snowshoe group heading out from the Pro Shop at 6am Fridays. It's a little early, but a great way to experience the sun rising over Lake Superior.

And, keep in mind, the NCC trails are always open to anyone wanting to sled, snowshoe, ski, or walk the dog.

UPDATE: We've posted a new quick poll on the right side of the screen about the ski and snowshoe trails. Your input is welcomed.

Vikings - Bears At NCC

If you haven't made plans to watch the Minnesota Vikings take on the Chicago Bears Monday night, consider coming to Northland.
The club will have specials on pitchers of beer and some great football snacks to enjoy during the game.
Game time is 7:30.
To read more about the match-up, here's a scouting report link through ESPN.

Non Resident Member Promotion

Here's a first look at an advertisement that will appear in two upcoming issues of Minnesota Golfer, the official magazine of the Minnesota Golf Association.

Menu Features For This Week

Click on the menu above to view it full screen.

Ladies Luncheon Tomorrow

Over 115 Northland members and guests are expected at tomorrow's annual Northland Women's Holiday Luncheon.
The event begins at 11:30am with a social hour, followed by lunch at 12:30.
You still have time to call the office at 525.1941 to register. Remember, you can bring a guest. The cost for the event is just $20.
Don't forget to select your choice of entree:

Artichoke & Feta Stuffed Chicken
Plum Glazed Salmon

New Golf Member Promotion Unveiled

Here's a advertising flyer that will soon be distributed locally in an attempt to add more resident golf members at Northland. There are other parts of the promotion that will serve as an additional benefit. If you know of someone who in interested in becoming a member of NCC, please have them contact Membership Director Ann Robertson.Very shortly, we will also unveil a new initiative to attract additional non-resident members.

In The Family.....

Northland Club Manager Gary Schneider's daughter Stephanie (seen at the right with Barb Klatzky during her recent visit) recently opened a bar/restaurant in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, and had quite the weekend visitor. The Huckleberry Bar has received favorable reviews from critics (click here for many reviews). Stephanie's brother Aaron did much of the design and construction work within the bar. Stephanie had worked for the finest restaurants and chefs in New York before launching her own operation.

This past weekend, Barbara Bush, daughter of President Bush visited the bar. She was there attending a friend's birthday party. The story about the bar visit appeared in today's New York Post. You can click here to see the printed version of the newspaper.

Hitting The Trails At 6AM

Membership Director Ann Robertson was out early this morning and reports the following....

A group of three ladies, one dog, and I – met this morning at 6am sharp at the pro shop. We donned on our snowshoes and went for one hour around the course. It was knock down gorgeous in the early dawn light. Member Jenny Carlson not only organized the outing, but was our fearless leader. We followed in her tracks although we could see pretty well. It was one of the most unique and fun outdoor experiences I have had in the Northland. The quiet and calm of the course was appreciated. Even with the cold, we all fared very well and stayed warm with the heat we produced while trouncing around the trails. We decided to do this every Friday morning (at 6am) – provided that it is close to or above zero degrees. Any member is welcome.

Golf Shop Holiday Sale

The golf shop at Northland is now open from 11 to 5 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday for your holiday gift shopping. The shop has a nice selection of clothes and golf equipment with savings up to 50 percent on much of the merchandise. Director of Golf Joe O'Connor has added many new items for the holidays. Free gift wrapping is also available.

President Fryer & New World Record

Northland Country Club President Cameron Fryer was part of a new world record event recently. While visiting his brother, Cameron was in the helicopter that flew the world's biggest banner. Cameron's brother is the helicopter pilot. The video is now on YouTube. You can click here or on the image to view the video.

Trails Are Open - Ladies Group Ski Planned

The cross country ski trails at Northland were groomed again this morning and are in excellent condition - of course, snow is still falling this afternoon.
The base that was packed yesterday hardened very nicely overnight so the trails are nice and firm today. The trail system has been groomed wide to allow for tracks and snowshoeing side by side. If you're snowshoeing, please try to avoid the tracks.
Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh says the trails will typically be groomed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All trails will also be groomed the day after any snowfall, with the exception of the weekends.
Skiing or snowshoeing Northland gives you a new appreciation for the elevation changes on the course.
After the on-course experience, take some time to stop by the clubhouse for a snack or hot beverage. The grounds crew is also keeping the fire pit shoveled so the area can be used all winter long.

Ladies Ski Outing
Plans are underway for a fun and informal cross country ski group ski on Tuesday, December 11. The group will gather in the front office near the member's entrance area at 9am, with the group planning to head out around 9:15 or 9:30. If you're interested, you're certainly welcome to join in. You can sign up by calling Membership Director Ann Robertson, the main office, or you can just show up. If there's enough interest in these ski outings, it's possible the group may also plan on having lunch following the activity.

90-Day Forecast - Above Normal Temps

Here's what the National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting for Duluth between now and the end of February. According to NWS, there's a 38 percent chance our temperatures will be above normal - the average is 13.5 degrees. If you click here or the map below, you can then click the map at any location to learn more about the temperature forecast. Now, if you want to trust someone other than the National Weather Service, here's what The Old Farmer's Almanac has to say about our weather for the winter...you can actually get the forecasts all the way through October 2008. Just click the link above or the image on the right to go to the site. If you thought this past summer was a little dry, read the Almanac's forecast for the summer of '08.

New Blog - Northland Grounds

There's a new blog for Northland members to keep updated about the golf course; Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh today launched "Northland Grounds" which is designed to provide members with updates on course conditions and work activities. You can click the link above or here for a look at the new site. We've also added a permanent link on the right side of this page.

Northland News - Ski Trails To Open; Holiday Buffet; Santa Breakfast; Christmas Buffet; New Year's Eve

Due to the 10-plus inch snowfall over the weekend, the member-cleanup scheduled for this week has been canceled, but there are many other activities going on at Northland this week. First off, let's just remind you of the winter hours when food service is available:

11am to 9pm ... Monday thru Thursday
11am to 10pm ... Friday & Saturday
11am to 7pm ... Sunday Beverage Service Only

To book the banquet hall or a second floor private room, please call Events Director Jennifer Kolenda at 525.1941 - ext 118. Jen is available to assist with breakfast meetings, luncheons, holiday parties or special gatherings.

Cross-Country Ski Trails Set To Open:
Crews began grooming the cross country ski trails today. Because this is the first time the trails are being groomed, it will take a little time to pack the snow for a good base - all this means is that it will probably be Tuesday or Wednesday before the trails are in really good shape. According to Superintendent Chris Tritabaugh, he's going to try to use the trail map that has been around for a few years now as his guide (just click the image to view it full screen). Chris says he will be grooming the trails double-wide, with half for Nordic style skiing (with tracks) and the other half groomed for snowshoeing, skate-style skiing or walking. Following your exercise, stop down at the clubhouse for a get together around the fire pit or in the club for a hot chocolate or other beverage.


Northland Ladies' Holiday Luncheon
The annual holiday event will be held Wednesday, December 12 with a social hour beginning at 11:30am, followed by the luncheon at 12:30pm. Please remember that guests are welcome to attend. The cost for the luncheon is just $20 (inclusive). There are two entrees from which to choose:

Artichoke & Feta Stuffed Chicken
Plum Glazed Salmon

Please call the office to make your reservation and to select your choice of the entree.

Breakfast With Santa
Come enjoy this Northland tradition that is perfect for all the generations in your family. On Saturday, December 22, beginning at 9am, you will be treated to a wonderful breakfast buffet followed by a visit from Santa and his merry band of elves. Each child will get some private time with Santa. After promising to be good until Christmas, each of the children will receive a gift from one of the elves. Parent - please be sure to bring your cameras. We promise, you will not be able to stop smiling. We're also hoping to have sleigh rides or hay rides available following the breakfast. The cost for the event is just $9.95 for children and adults.

Christmas Day Holiday Buffet
With delicious action stations and Northland's famous Chocolate Fountain, Christmas Day at Northland is too good to miss! There is going to be something to delight everyone's appetite. Northland's culinary team is putting the finishing touches on the menu. Look for additional details as Christmas Day approaches...just 22 days away. We will have two seatings on Christmas Day - 11am and 1pm.

There will not be a special New Year's Eve party at Northland this season, but the NCC culinary team is developing a special menu featuring elegant fare - and some of your traditional favorites. If you haven't made dinner plans yet, please call the office today at 525.1941 to reserve your table for fine dining to ring in the new year.