Fanny Coburn Bertrand Sylvester, 84,



Fanny Coburn Bertrand Sylvester, 84, of Grand Marais died on Friday, November 11, 2011. She was born on November 16, 1926 to Richard and Ann (Gross) Bertrand in Superior, WI. She grew up on a farm in Dairyland and graduated from Central High School in Superior. Fanny married William Junior Sylvester soon after high school and started their family of […]

Howard E. Wellumson,



Howard E. Wellumson, age 80, of Northfield, passed away November 6, 2011. He was preceded in death by parents, five siblings, and one daughter, Susan. He followed Jesus Christ, cherished Mimi Love, his wife and best friend and was devoted to his children and grandchildren. He was a gifted craftsman, fond of the North Shore. Howard is survived by his […]

Tofte hears proposal for assisted living facility



Laura Lokken, administrator and owner of two Golden Oaks assisted living facilities in the Duluth area, came before the Tofte Town Board on November 10 and said she was interested in pursuing building a similar facility in Tofte. Lokken, the goddaughter of the late Sheriff John Lyght of Lutsen, said she and her husband loved the North Shore and when […]

Fatal accident blocks Highway 61 near Gooseberry Falls



A two-vehicle car accident occurred on Highway 61 at the Gooseberry River at 6:02 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011. The accident resulted in two fatalities and blocked the highway until nearly 11 a.m. According to Minnesota State Patrol Sergeant Mark Baker, a 1991 Chevy S-10 pickup was traveling north when the driver, Aaron P. Nelson, 22 of Wrenshall, MN, […]

Grand Marais man struck by tow truck



A Grand Marais man was seriously injured in Hovland on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, when he was struck by a tow truck driven by Gene Raymond Erickson, 75, of Grand Marais. Cook County Law Enforcement received a call at 12:41 p.m. reporting that Erickson had backed over John Edward McElevey, 81, Grand Marais. Erickson and McElevey are friends and McElevey […]

Work delayed at Birch Grove skating rink



Due to the coming winter and the impediments of working in snow, the Tofte Town Board decided to delay work on the new skating rink and warming house until next spring. “We would like to see the [current] skating rink open this winter,” said Supervisor D.C. Olsen, who added, “There would also be a lot of extra expense if they […]

Local utilities offering drop-offs for recycling energy-hogging holiday lights



The holidays are just around the corner, and with them come all the decorations and lights to brighten up the season. But what to do with that tangled clump of holiday lights? Most people just throw them in the trash…well, not anymore! In an effort to encourage people to switch over to LEDs, both the City of Grand Marais and […]

State property tax changes translate into higher taxes



Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers is working hard to help property owners know what to expect after the State of Minnesota changed the way it determines property taxes. In comparison with this year’s bills, our 2012 bills are not going to be pretty. Previously, the state reimbursed counties for each homesteaded property worth $413,800 or less in an amount based […]

It’s for the kids, really!



Mike and I went to a Hallow-scare party two nights before Halloween. He wore a scary mask, a black cape and carried a scythe, like the one carried by the grim reaper. I think he scared no one—but me. The party was for 12-and 13-year-olds and let me tell you, these kids do not scare easily. The host even revved […]

It’s not a UFO: It’s Flash Meridian



Flash Meridian, space traveler, moves in and out of time. He wanders the universe, pondering its mysteries. He picks up friends along the way and they float along together sharing what they are not certain is reality or dream. As a boy, Flash Meridian lived with his parents on a Michigan farm. A contemplative and creative child, Flash always felt […]