There is always exciting action at Lutsen Mountains Ski Hill—in the winter there is skiing and snowboarding; in spring, summer, and fall there is the Alpine Slide and Gondola Rides. But on Friday, September 20, 2013, there was an altogether different thrill. Anyone in the vicinity of the ski hill that day was treated to the sight of a helicopter […]
Oberstar headlines Moving Matters Kickoff
When Jim Oberstar speaks, the rubber hits the road. And never more so than when he talks about biking and hiking, two sports he has enjoyed his entire adult life. Well, sport maybe isn’t the right word— Oberstar hikes and bikes for transportation as well as recreation. Looking dapper and fit, the 79-year-old, 18-term former Minnesota 8th District U.S. congressman […]
County resident continues to seek access to property
Cook County resident and property owner John Scheef just can’t seem to gain access to his property. He owns 80 acres on the hillside just north of County Road 7 that is locked in by U.S. Forest Service land, county land, city land, and private land. Over the last several years, he has made several requests of the county regarding […]
County board labors to reduce 2014 expenses
If all the 2014 budget requests department heads submitted to the county board this summer were granted and the fund balance was not touched, the county tax levy could have been set to increase by over 11 percent next year. That’s not going to happen, however. The board decided to cap any potential levy increase at 2.9 percent. On September […]
Looking for leaders
There are so many ways to be a volunteer in Cook County that it can be overwhelming at times. I recently had the pleasure of attending a meeting of the Grand Marais Lions Club and they almost talked me into becoming a member. The Lions are an amazing organization and they do many good works— but my schedule is already […]
Honesty appreciated
There still are honest caring people around. A couple weeks ago I was at the post office. Shortly after, a man came to the museum and asked if I had dropped a $20 bill. He had found it where I had been standing and wasn’t sure if it was mine or his. Just the thought of bothering to find me […]
On the Ninth Commandment
For two years, a couple of wellknown people have been spreading the outrageous allegation that I pilfered funds from Arrowhead Animal Rescue, a charity that I helped found. I have given over $1,000 in cash, and money from the sale of my artwork and household items, to AAR. I have put in over 100 hours at the city pound taking […]
Rethinking rumble strips
Rumble strips were installed on several new stretches on Highway 61 (the North Shore Scenic Drive) over the last two years, either as centerline rumble strips or on the shoulders. The noise level from vehicles hitting the rumble strips can be heard several miles from the actual roadway and impacts the quality of life for residents and visitors in the […]
Superior Zipline Adventures under construction
Matt Geretschlaeger of Grand Marais introduced the idea of his new business, Superior Zipline Adventures, over a year ago. It took a while to find a location and funding for the $825,000 project, but Geretschlaeger broke ground on the zip line along the Gunflint Trail, overlooking Grand Marais and Lake Superior on August 14, 2013. Geretschlaeger said everything is going […]