‘Ol’ Split Toe’ Tells a Folktale of History and Nature

By ANGELA KELLOGG-HENRY

Cleaver Managing Editor

HARRISON-Author Dan Ellens charmed and intrigued an audience of readers at the Harrison District Library on Saturday, April 11 speaking about his new book “Forest Legend The Tale of Ol’ Split Toe.” Ellens introduced himself and his lifestyle, which he describes as one foot in the 1800s and one in 2026.

Ellens lives in southern Michigan with his family but spends about 150-200 nights at his rural Winterfield Township property which is off the grid. His Clare County property, Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary is the inspiration for the tale of Ol’ Split Toe and where he wrote his first draft of the book in just six weeks. The property includes a tree house and guest cabin, both built by Ellens.

Fascinated by nature and observing nature on his own land led Ellens to write about that natural order of mother nature before and after human intervention from the view of Split Toe, a deer chosen at birth to witness 200 years of changes in his environment.

Over the course of the story Split Toe witnesses northern Michigan’s natural changes and people such as Ojibwe hunters, loggers, to modern day farmers and even a hint of what might happen in the future. While a fictional story, the historical changes in the landscape and environment are real.

Ellen’s deep respect and fascination for the land are evident in his talk and in his book. His immersion in nature without electricity or many modern conveniences gives him a unique perspective and reading his blog gives insight into his micro-observations the rest of may miss.

While Forest Legend is a young adult title, the magic of the story is for all ages. While Ellens denies he’s the character of Split Toe he admits there is little of himself in all the characters. Fitting for an author who understands and lives in relative harmony in the lifestyle of several different centuries.

Ellens has written several non-fiction titles about his outdoor adventures with his children and his experiences building dwellings and living in nature at his sanctuary property.

Ellens will be presenting his new book from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on May 11 at the Gladwin County District Library.  Other Clare County dates include July at the Pere Marquette District Library and at Jay’s Sporting Good in October. In all, he has 32 dates booked to speak about his book. For more information about Ellens and event details, including his blog, visit his website at www.danellens.com.

“Forest Legend The Tale of Ol' Split Toe” (ISBN 978-1968761073) is available through the publisher Mission Point Press at www.missionpointpress.com or on Amazon. It is also available to check out at the Harrison District Library.