Local dairy farmer heading to court



Cook County residents and North Shore visitors have been making the drive to the Berglund farm in the Maple Hill area of Grand Marais for decades to purchase locally produced eggs and dairy products. Many were unaware that for the last two years, Lake View Natural Dairy has been quietly waging a bureaucratic battle that has led to potential contempt […]

West End turns out to discuss future of Birch Grove School



Since 1894 there have been elementary schools in one place or another in the west end of Cook County, but that could change if residents of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder vote against continued funding of the Birch Grove Community School (BGCS) at annual meetings on March 10, 2015. “It’s time to fish or cut bait,” said Judy Motschenbacher to the […]

Council hears rain garden update, plans for a new one



Kerrie Berg of Cook County Soil & Water presented an update on the continuing process to develop rain gardens throughout the county to Grand Marais city councilors at their Feb. 25 meeting. Specifically, Berg wanted to know if she should continue her efforts to plan for and earmark some of the available grant funds for construction of a proposed rain […]

Birch Grove Foundation reports to townships



In her first year at the helm as the Birch Grove Foundation director, Caroline Wood has added several new programs to the Birch Grove Community Center and brought new energy and enthusiasm to the position. Wood highlighted some of the progress that was made in the second quarter of operation to the Tofte supervisors at their February 19 meeting. The […]

Spring Forward



Promoting Rosebud




Apparently, we’ve done it. After all the votes were counted in the Budget Travel contest, Grand Marais has been crowned America’s Coolest Small Town. Now when you click on the link to go vote, you see a map of the United States with a little celebratory banner declaring “Winner” on Minnesota’s Arrowhead. Good job everyone, near and far who spread […]

Shouldering didn’t cause accident



In response to the February 28 letter to the editor about shouldering on the Gunflint Trail. I, myself, alone, as in singular, was the first person at the scene of the accident. The shouldering was not the cause. The report stated excessive speed and poor tires. I was also part of the crew that did the shouldering. It was not […]

Townships work well together



Since the early ’80s, when the townships of Lutsen Tofte and Schroeder were brought back into existence, remarkable things have been accomplished. Lutsen has acquired Lake Superior shoreline and is providing a picnic pavilion, volleyball court, and playground for the public. The fire department and EMS are professional and well equipped and well trained. There is a fire station and […]

Is Birch Grove School sustainable?



As a Lutsen township resident I am writing to share information with other taxpayers regarding Birch Grove School’s request for $20,000 from each township (Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder). The amount requested and received last year by Birch Grove School was $8,000 from each township. This new request is a 125 percent increase, that’s a lot. Birch Grove’s enrollment is only […]

Families need Birch Grove Community School



This week we all need to ask ourselves some tough questions. As a community we will decide if we still value the Birch Grove School (BGCS). Does this school contribute to our quality of life? For me this is not a question. Not now and never has been. Three generations of my family have attended BGCS. Now, my daughter is […]