Pat Zankman nominated for historical society achievement award



After over 15 years as director of the Cook County Historical Society Museum, Pat Zankman of Grand Marais has paid her dues. Remunerated for only 10 hours a week but giving a lot more, Zankman accomplished a great deal between 1995 and February 2011 when she retired from the job. A lot of local history might have been lost had […]

Volunteer initiatives could help preserve America’s forests



Jane Howard In 2007, biologist Mike Fay spent 11 months walking the length of the redwood forest in northern California as a National Geographic explorerin residence. “He resolved to see for himself how Earth’s tallest forest had been exploited in the past and is being treated today,” a story in the October 2009 National Geographic explains. “He wanted to find […]

Spence named to Great River Energy board



Tom Spence of Schroeder, a member of the Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc. board for eight years, has been named as a director of Great River Energy (GRE). Great River Energy is the power provider for the local electric cooperative based in Lutsen. Spence has also been a member of the Cook County Hospital District board since January 2007. He is […]

County ponders government’s interaction with the public



Just what are a local government’s responsibilities when it comes to remaining transparent to the community? What government information can the public access and how does it do that? What does the Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law say about elected officials interacting with the public during their meetings? These were some of the questions addressed by two representatives of Minnesota Counties […]

Community center on school grounds discussed



Several weeks after the school board issued a resolution regarding its neutral position on whether a new community center should be built into the west wing of the ISD 166 school complex, the school board and the county board met to discuss the issue. Their discussion was in the context of a quarterly joint powers meeting held August 25. Some […]

BWCA: the inside story



In February, our family sat at the dinner table and discussed our summer vacation options. My husband surprised us all by suggesting a Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) canoe trip. Really? I being the only member of the family with camping experience silently groaned. It wasn’t the beautiful views or the thought of canoeing 17 miles—it is the portages. In […]

Historical Society’s Lundie tour a great way to spend a day



Edwin Lundie, architect, 1886-1972. Inspiration for the Schroeder Area Historical Society’s second largest annual fundraiser. At $150 a pop, a tour of homes featuring some of Edwin Lundie’s creations along with a variety of other homes in completely different styles is not a cheap thrill. But it wasn’t hard to fill two school buses for this year’s Lundie tour on […]

Everyone invited to the Playhouse town meeting



The Grand Marais Playhouse ends a very successful summer season thanks to the talented community members who graced the stage in Love Letters, Shout! The Mod Musical, Always, Patsy Cline and Gas and Candles. Behind the scenes, there was another talented group of people that made the shows run smoothly, assisted the performers with sound, costumes and props, then changed […]

It ’s Radio Waves time!



This weekend kicks off the long-awaited music festival hosted by WTIP North Shore Community Radio and the North Shore Music Association. Head on down to Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area for the 4th Annual Radio Waves Music Festival September 10 and 11. This year’s line-up reflects the incredible talent and diversity of North Shore musicians. “It was […]

16th annual North Shore Health Care Golf Tournament is Oct. 2



This is bigger than golf…it’s about health care in Cook County. The North Shore Health Care Foundation’s golf tournament on the first Sunday in October is the foundation’s primary funding source for all the grants it gives — over $426,000 since 1995. This year’s event, the 16th Annual Health Care Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, when […]