The days of paddling the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are no more.

[Lee Borgersen]

Citizens of Ely react with skepticism, delight, scorn.
 
 LOCAL REACTION TO ANNOUNCEMENT OF IDQBWCAW IS MIXED.


The news today that International Dairy Queen had purchased the naming rights to the BWCAW and was renaming it the "IDQBWCAW" was met with a combination of bemusement, resignation and outright hostility - depending on what part of Ely you were in.

People polled along Ely's main street were confused and startled by the decision of the US Forest Service and the town of Ely to sell the rights. Some were surprised that there had been no public discussion. Others saw it as the natural progression of corporate American slowly buying its way into every nook and cranny of our lives.

A group of Tower residents, in Ely for a weekly lunch gathering, were getting pretty worked up about the announcement. "I don't know how the government can let this happen!" one young woman said between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes. "We work so hard to make this one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and we then we let the guys who sell Dilly Bars name it after themselves?!" However, after questioning, she admitted that she had enjoyed a Dilly Bar the night before - butterscotch, she fondly recalled.

One local resort owner, surveyed at a street corner as he pulled into Ely to buy supplies, was grateful for the influx of money. "This will go a long ways toward preserving this great national treasure. As long as they're not thinking about setting up outposts in the BWCAW selling Peanut Buster Parfaits to hungry portagers, I don't really see the problem," the man said, refusing to give his name. "Most of us will still call it the 'BWCAW' anyway, regardless of what the new name is."


 

 
 


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[Lee Borgersen]

One local resort owner, surveyed at a street corner as he pulled into Ely to buy supplies, was grateful for the influx of money. "This will go a long ways toward preserving this great national treasure. As long as they're not thinking about setting up outposts in the BWCAW selling Peanut Buster Parfaits to hungry portagers, I don't really see the problem," the man said, refusing to give his name. "Most of us will still call it the 'BWCAW' anyway, regardless of what the new name is."

Several high school students, interviewed between class finals, seemed more interested in talking about Spring Break, which begins tomorrow, April 2. One student, however, was planning on attending a rally this evening that was being hastily organized by several area churches and environmental groups.

The Ely Chamber of Commerce office reported record call volumes and reminded people to take a deep breath.

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[MTCOMMER]

WOW, I thought it was a joke at first, but then I googled it.  That is very interesting.  I do agree with the last resident, I will never call is IDQBWCA it will still be the 'BWCA(W)'.  If they are able to increase the preservation I think it will be a good thing, its one of the most beautiful parts of the country (even the world).  -- I dont see a comparison to camping/fishing and hiking to Peanut Buster Blizzards and Cherry dipped Icecream cones.  
Very weird that they would buy the rights.....

[BDub]

I got a call from USFS District Ranger Mark VanEvery the other morning giving me a heads up on this renaming of the BWCAW to IDQBWCAW. I'm really not too keen on making the name longer. I'd rather just have it called the Boundary Waters Wilderness and just keep calling it the 'BDub'.

I know in past the propoganda from the preservationists was that we wanted McDonalds on all the portages.  I sure hope this doesn't give people the idea that we want DQs on the portages instead. Altho, with the closing of the Chainsaw Sisters there isn't anywhere to get that cold refreshment when coming out of the BDub.

We'll just have to see how this plays out.

[Fawkinnae]

I'm horrified. I understand how these corporations work. It starts with just a name change. Next thing you know there will be Dairy Queens at all the access points - then the portages. Before you know it, they will have a drive up delivery to your camp site.

The animals in the forest will become walking billboards. Imagine a moose strolling by with a sandwich board strapped to it. If they could they'd rename the animals too. The pine martin becomes the dillybar marten.

Kiss it all goodbye. There can be no good outcome here.

[thunderpout]

Ummmmmm.......   APRIL FOOLS EVERYBODY!   Remember Ely's All fools days jokes the last few years? I read that today also and nearly choked from laughing.... Good one though!

[thunderpout]

I hope I didnt ruin it for everybody.... I always hated those kids that told the other kids about the easter bunny, santa clause, and the chuppacabra not being real....

[MTCOMMER]

I hope I didnt ruin it for everybody.... I always hated those kids that told the other kids about the easter bunny, santa clause, and the chuppacabra not being real....

  GOT ME.
And the Chupacabra is REAL, I saw it with my own eyes! 

[Fawkinnae]

Clearly Thunderpout is part of this insidious plot! How do you live with yourself!?

[thunderpout]

I plead my innocense!  I swear on bigfoots grave!   I think Lee is in on this with the mayor of Ely, and probably the Ely chamber of commerce to bring a little free advertising and tourism to the fine towne of Ely MN!  I read it in the Trib this morning.... it's getting to be a little like the boy who cried wolf though, pretty soon I wont believe much that comes out of that towne!