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Mary Shideler, the Kayak Lady, will visit Kitchigami Libaries and Affiliate Libraries during May and June. She will visit the Longville Library on Thursday June 2, at 12:30 p.m. Her book, Mary the Kayak Lady: One Woman, One Kayak, 1007 Lakes, chronicles her experiences kayaking the 1007 lakes in Itasca County over 15 years.

Long on spirit, Mary Shideler did not let her short stature interfere with a quest to paddle all 1,007 lakes in Itasca County. Sometimes with the help of friends, but often on her own, she carried her kayak through brush, trudged across bogs in tall boots, and put up with hordes of mosquitoes and legions of wood ticks. In close-up encounters, she observed birds and animals in their forest and wetland habitats and became adept at identifying wildflowers. Along the way, she learned to trust her own capacity to overcome obstacles, including her fear of being alone. The Kayak Lady is a collection of stories and photos a mix of adventure and fun that documents Mary's experiences over 15 years.[[In-content Ad]]

In addition to her own book, Mary has been published with the written word and/or photos in Minnesota Monthly, Lake Country Journal Magazine, and The Minnesota Conservation Volunteer.

Mary the Kayak Lady's Kitchigami tour is made possible with funding from the State of Minnesota Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For the complete schedule of Mary's visits, visit the Kitchigami Regional Library website at krls.org, select Legacy Events, or visit your local Kitchigami Library.

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