Political leaders should be relentlessly critical



Months ago someone suggested I run for office. I smiled thinking “a fart in a tornado has better odds.” But others repeated the suggestion. All my instinct says bad idea. I have respect for the business of government, but for things “political” my emotion is disappointment to disgust. There is too little common between me and political persons. Have I […]

Cook County Republicans meet to select officers



While the politics were decidedly local, Republicans attending the party’s Cook County precinct caucuses on Tuesday, February 4 heard some somber national news from Republican Co-Chairs Garry Gamble and Mark Breitsprecher. Since President Barack Obama took office 19.4 million Americans have enrolled in the food stamp program, 10.4 million Americans are currently unemployed, 7.8 million Americans that would like to […]

Correction:



In the February 1, 2014 story Gitchi Gami Trail to extend through Tofte Township, it was incorrectly reported that the trail through Tofte could be completed this summer. It is anticipated that the 1.1-mile section of the Gitchi Gami bike trail through Tofte will not be completed until 2017. Only the design work for the trail will be completed in […]

Weekly Weather



Giving back to the Giver



While in Haiti a couple weeks ago, I visited my friend, John, at home. John’s family lives in the cinder block home his mother built just before she died in December. John shares the home with his older sister and her two boys, and with his older brother, a severe diabetic. The home is unpainted. There are block walls surrounding […]

First Congregational Church says farewell and welcome



On Sunday, January 26, 2014 a joyful, but bittersweet service was held at the First Congregational – United Church of Christ in Grand Marais. The congregation bid farewell to Interim Minister EvaLyn Carlson and welcomed Reverend Beth Benson as its new pastor. EvaLyn came to First Congregational as its interim pastor in July 2011 to help with the transition between […]

New Arrivals



James L. Hastings,



James L. Hastings, age 90, of Grand Marais, and formerly of Duluth, passed away January 25, 2014 in Duluth. James was born in Two Harbors to Samuel and Sophie Hastings. He graduated from Two Harbors High School, University of MN – Duluth, and was a World War II veteran. James is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene “Buddy” […]

Rolf Edward Sartorius



Rolf Edward Sartorius passed away on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on January 15, 2014. He was born in Upper Montclair, New Jersey on August 25, 1939. He attended Montclair High and the University of Pennsylvania where he graduated Phi Betta Kappa. He earned his PhD. in philosophy from Princeton University at the age of 25 as a Woodrow Wilson […]

Irma Lorraine Toftey



Irma Lorraine Toftey passed away on Saturday February 1, 2014 at Cook County North Shore Care Center at 91 years old. She was born November 13, 1922 to Thomas and Aleda Marie (Lindberg) Joynes in Grand Marais. She graduated from Cook County High School (Grand Marais High School) in 1940, and was baptized and confirmed in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. […]