Understanding the Death of Christ



Of course we can’t. Understand the death of Christ, I mean. Just as our limited human minds cannot understand God, they can never encompass something as mysterious and boggling as God in human form dying. Augustine said, “If I think I have understood God, then what I have understood is not God.” We could as easily say, “If I think […]

Commissioners question revenue from government land



The value of land could be perceived quite differently depending on how it will be used, and on February 28, 2012, County Commissioner Fritz Sobanja raised a question about who gets to determine that. The issue came up when Cook County Land Commissioner/Assessor Mary Black reported on progress toward a land exchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the county. […]

Historical Reflections



Chik-Wauk project gets $4,733 state grant



The Gunflint Trail Historical Society is among 40 organizations in 27 counties which received grants from the Minnesota Historical Society this year. The award, $4,733, is designated for conversion of Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center history films to DVD. Dozens of organizations across the state continue to build Minnesota’s cultural and historic legacy with grant funds for history and historic […]

Historical Society collections now online



The Cook County Historical Society museum’s collections catalog is now online. Search information about the entire collections of obituaries, paper files, and oral histories. Also searchable are a couple of interesting photograph collections (see Maude Small Toftey collection), as well as audio and video clips. This project is a work in progress. Collections will continue to be added as they […]

Down Memory Lane



10 YEARS AGO · APRIL 8, 2002 On March 14, Gov. Jesse Ventura signed a bill into law that will allow the Cook County Board of Commissioners to transfer land, specifically the Mineral Center cemetery, to the Grand Portage Tribal Band. Small in size but historic in nature, the cemetery has been taken care of by the band for some […]

Commissioner advocating for re-opening of docks at Taconite Harbor



What is the real reason the docks at Taconite Harbor are not operating? Commissioner Bruce Martinson told the county board on March 13 that the previous week had had attended an informational breakfast meeting hosted by Cliffs Natural Resources at which he asked Global Business Executive Vice President Don Gallagher if the company has any plan to re-open the loading […]

West End Seniors hear housing update



Last week 26 West End seniors attended a presentation by Nancy Grabko of the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) who talked about the housing rehab program and other housing programs available in Cook County. f Birch Grove Foundation Director Patty Nordahl ainformed the seniors that the township of Tofte has treceived a grant from Lloyd K. […]

Spring Fever at the Care Center



Spring is in the air and it sure is welcomed by the residents at North Shore Care Center. Our early spring weather has lifted everyone’s spirits and kept folks busy planting seeds, filling eggs for the community egg hunt, and making Easter crafts. The April calendar of activities included an outing to the Spring Chorale Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, […]

Construction ahead for Senior Center



The Senior Center will soon be getting some much-needed improvements. Smith Construction has been awarded the contract for all of our improvements. These improvements will include many much needed energy efficiency improvements. Soon we will have some new energy efficient windows, new entry doors (the old ones leak like a sieve), and insulation along our roofline walls and Director Bev’s […]