Beargrease photographers’ show goes on



The announcement that the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon had been cancelled was met with disappointment all up and down the North Shore. Few people were more disappointed than the dedicated photographers who follow the race, braving frozen fingers and batteries to capture the action. The good news is that although the 2012 race will not take place, the John […]

Bump & Barbara Jean featured on The PlayList



With a focus on urban street life across our globe, John Salminen shares his extraordinary watercolor talent. With exceptional voice and acoustic instrumentals, Bump and Barbara Jean bring their unique folk/rock sound live to The PlayList, which premiered Jan. 19 and will be repeated Saturday, Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 22 at 1:30 p.m. on PBS North. […]

Vikings earn three wins in tough contests



Too much. The Vikings had too much offense, too much defense, too much rebounding and too much hustle to allow the Greenway Titans to make any kind of a game of it last Thursday night, January 12, in the gym at Cook County High School. They were also too selfless, passing first and helping each other on defense all night […]

Geography lessons learned at Geography Bee



For the 10th year, students and family members gathered in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts to watch contestants in Jeopardy!-like competition—the National Geographic Geography Bee. Nine Cook County Middle School students took the stage on Friday, January 6 to take on challenging geography trivia questions. Teacher Dorie Carlson facilitates the Geography Bee, which begins with written tests and classroom […]

Alex Ditmanson earns Eagle Scout award



About 30 friends and family members of Alex Ditmanson were on hand at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grand Marais on Saturday, January 7 to see Boy Scout Troop 167 Leader Dan Baumann present Alex as the troop’s newest Eagle Scout. It was a joyous day for the Ditmanson family. Alex’s father, Pastor Mark Ditmanson, gave the invocation and benediction. […]

Artsy sledding




We finally have some beautiful snow, and there are so many great things to do outside in it! The trick is to stay comfortable by dressing in lots of layers for warmth. Once dressed, hop on a pair of skis, some snowshoes, or skates. Go ice fishing, snowmobiling or how about building a few snow people, snow angels, or a […]

After loss to Mesabi, Vikings come back with three wins



The Mesabi East Giants came to Grand Marais last Thursday night, January 12, and—despite not being very tall—played like Giants against a Viking team that just couldn’t get going. It wasn’t for lack of effort. The Vikings played hard, but were a step too slow, always half an inch away from coming up with a key rebound. It was just […]

Inconsistent ice



Fishing on thin ice was the hot topic this trout opener on the Gunflint Trail. Many anglers hit the hard water this weekend with trout on their brains and dangerous ice under foot. Lakes were ranging from 24 inches of good clear ice down to 3 inches, and everything in-between. Gunflint has only been frozen over for a few weeks, […]

Where are the fish biting?



This week’s report from Jon at Buck’s Hardware Hank: Over in Birch Lake the splake were pretty nice. Not a bunch but as usual in Birch, some really nice ones. Don’t all rush over at once, word was splake were hitting in 8 to 15 feet of water though the fish were suspended about 4 feet beneath the ice. Other […]

Happy Trails



At press time, local ski and snowmobile groups provided the following snow report: Banadad Trails Jan. 14 report: On the east end of Banadad and adjoining trails, skiing is excellent. The west end of the Banadad is fair: more snow needed. Snow depth in the woods is 13-14 inches. Snowshoe trails are also open. For the latest conditions, see boundarycountry.com […]