“Look at ships…”



Several years ago, large sailing ships spent a week in Duluth, open for tours. I went just to look at ships…and learned lots. Sails, lines, hulls, decks and all the paraphernalia can be made with ancient or modern materials, but vessels old and new still share much. My favorite quip of insight was this: You can tell when the pilot […]

Marian Hedstrom



Marian Hedstrom passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 29, 2012 at age 91. Marian Margie Robinson was born to Alonzo and Stella Robinson on July 26, 1921 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and grew up with her six siblings. Art and Marian met at Northwestern Bell Telephone in Grand Rapids when he worked there temporarily after a huge ice […]

Elizabeth Jane Marie Krueger Olson (Betty Olson)



Elizabeth Jane Marie Krueger Olson (Betty Olson) age 92 ½ formerly of Grand Marais, passed away on Monday, September 10, 2012, at her home at Southview Senior Living in Inver Grove Heights, MN. Mrs. Olson died from congestive heart failure. Mrs. Olson was born on March 18, 1920 in Minneapolis, MN to Lillian and Ray Krueger who built the North […]

Karen Mae Ranum



After 68 years of “niceness,” as her grandson described her, Karen Mae Ranum passed away peacefully in Grand Marais, MN, from renal cell carcinoma diagnosed in 2008. Born March 1, 1944, Karen lived a full life in the Twin Cities, Lincoln, NE, Chicago, Buffalo, NY, Tucson, and Grand Marais. Karen was known for her warm smile and love of family, […]

EDA amends housing contract for more services, increased cost



At the Tuesday, September 11 meeting of the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) board members approved an increase to the EDA’s housing program budget and debated the EDA’s obligation to pay the Cedar Grove Business Park bonds. New motion made for housing program increase Nancy Grabko of Community Fundraising Solutions (CFS), the company that provides housing […]

Commercial rehab projects wanted, applications due Oct. 1



An economically strong and vibrant downtown business district is vital to the local economy of communities— especially downtowns such as Grand Marais that are tourist destinations. The Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority’s housing and redevelopment program obtained funding to help two local businesses in 2012—The Garage and the Cook County Senior Center. The EDA, through the Grand Marais Downtown […]

Forest Service and MN DNR issue fire restrictions



In light of continued dry and windy conditions, the Forest Service has implemented campfire restrictions in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Superior National Forest. Campfires, charcoal or wood-burning camp stoves will be allowed only between 7 p.m. and midnight within the entire BWCAW. Use of gas and propane cook stoves is allowed at any time of […]

Busy summer for Grand Marais Parks Department



“We had a very busy August,” Grand Marais Recreation Area Office Manager Samantha Williams told the park board on September 4, 2012. The campground was full every weekend. People were calling from Texas and Missouri wanting to get out of the heat, she said. The marina has gone through three fuel loads this summer, whereas they went through only two […]

Historical Reflections



Down Memory Lane



10 Years AgoSept. 13, 2002 The Lake Superior All- American Road Planning Council unveiled newly designed route markers for the nationally designated North Shore Scenic Drive at five presentations along the shore Aug. 29. The presentations were held at Duluth, Two Harbors, Split Rock Lighthouse, Grand Marais and Grand Portage. The route marker unveiling was also a celebration of the […]