In 1979 the vision of newlyweds Steve and Nancy Piragis led to the founding of what is now the successful Piragis Northwoods Company, home of the Boundary Waters Catalog. As they expanded their small business, they researched each of their purchases and field-tested them before selling to customers. Their commitment to quality lightweight gear has remained consistent to this day. Today in Ely, Minnesota, we have a large retail store that includes outdoor clothing, Northwoods gifts, camping equipment, a full-service bookstore, and an outlet store.

Since 1994, Naturally Superior Adventures has led paddling enthusiasts on guided sea kayak trips on Lake Superior and guided canoe trips on northern Ontario’s rivers. Our programs also include sea kayak instruction and paddling festivals. Join hosts Kate and Mike as they paddle by Voyageur Canoe the trail free wilderness section of Lake Superior. The trip is from Michipicoten Bay near Wawa, westwards through the Superior Highlands Conservation Reserve and into Pukaskwa National Park.

Medica provides healthcare coverage to 1.5 million members, including individuals, employers, third-party administrators and government programs in Minnesota and select counties in Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. Medica’s broadest regional provider network includes 27,000 providers at more than 4,000 offices, clinics and hospitals in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota. In 2009, Medica employees raised nearly $300,000 to support local charities, social services and various health initiatives in the community. The Medica Foundation provides funding to community-based initiatives and programs that address behavioral health issues, healthy living, and disparities related to health care literacy and prevention.

Lake Superior Trading Post is located on Lake Superior's rugged and beautiful north shore in Minnesota, with the harbor of Grand Marais sitting right outside its doors. "We offer a variety of quality clothing and footwear as well as exclusive gifts, books and jewelry. If you're in the area, make it a point to walk through our doors. We will greet you with a welcoming smile and any assistance you may need."

"In each issue of Lake Superior Magazine, we feature full-color beauty and insightful articles about the Greatest of the Great Lakes. We take you to places that you may never have visited. We tell you about people who are making a difference. We show you why this is a unique region of the world, one which will have a profound influence on all of our futures. It's a magazine that will take your breath away!"

The Healthspan Institute is committed to serving as advocates for healthy lifestyle management through every stage of life. Through research funded by the National Institutes of Health and in collaboration with leading gariatrics researchers from the University of Arkansas' Reynolds Institute on Aging and Tufts University Research Center on Nutrition and Aging, the HealthSpan Institute successfully developed a nutritional solution to aid in the management of specific health conditions associated with aging. It is made available as <a href="http://www.gobenevia.com/">Benevia</a>, a good-tasting therapeutic nutrition drink based on specialized protein types and forms several times more effective in strengthening and improving muscle function than other nutritional beverages.

"We are passionate about offering products that are not just creative, but innovative. Creative products have great shelf appeal because they usually come straight from the marketing department, complete with a new buzzword to describe it! To us, innovation is more than just being creative for the sake of market differentiation; it has to actually work better. True innovation starts with the fire of an idea, is tested on the trail, and stands the test of time. We are so passionate about innovation, that we’ve kindled our whole business fire with it. When you travel in the wilderness, shed the marketing department, forget about your gear, and discover something about yourself and how you want things to be."

Anytime Fitness has asked us to contribute a weekly health blog. They are the largest world wide 24 hour coed, fitness center franchise. "At Anytime Fitness, we fit your busy schedule and on-the-go lifestyle. With an Anytime Fitness membership, you can workout anytime of the day or night! Our clubs are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Talk about no more excuses!"