Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Adult and Home & Community Based Services Supervisor, Martina Williams, presented on adult maltreatment to county commissioners at the Human Services Board meeting on July 18, 2017. Williams informed the board that she chose to present information on adult maltreatment annually in July, as it marks the anniversary of the roll-out of […]
PUC considers solar options
At its August 2 meeting, the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission received four options listing pros and cons for the city to participate in a variety of community solar programs. The PUC has spent more than a year discussing the possibility of developing solar power locally or joining with Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA) and share in the cost […]
Twin Cities man kayaks across Lake Superior
A 56-year-old Prior Lake resident successfully paddled from Grand Portage to Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, a journey of 72.5 miles across Lake Superior, in a kayak. At times Mike Stout, who owns a marketing firm, found the experience exhilarating. At other times it was harrowing. Stout, an experienced open water kayaker, began his trip on the evening of July 18 and […]
Three locals participate in Point La Pointe swim
Three Cook County residents, all members of the YMCA Masters swim program, participated in the 2.1-mile Point La Pointe swim from Bayfield, Wisconsin to Madeline Island on July 29. Lynne Wiitala finished in 1:15:32, placing 10th in her age group. Dave Nonnemacher hit the beach at Madeline Island in 1:07:06. Ann Bellman finished in 1:12:37, placing fourth in her age […]
Strangfeld wins first round of biggest blueberry contest
Robin Strangfeld won the first round of the Gunflint Trail Biggest Blueberry Contest with the submission of her 20.05- gram blueberry. That big beautiful berry was almost twice as big as a typical wild blueberry. The contest is three rounds, with one winner in each round. There is no cost to enter, and even if your entered berry isn’t the […]
Summer Snippets: North Shore Style
Summer in the Northland is a late arriving, early departing guest and those of us who call this our home relish every tiny slice of summer we can get, no matter how trivial. Here are some snippets of summer I’ve especially enjoyed this year. It’s been a good year for toads. Toads are some of my favorite people. Early in […]
Mural going up at Birchbark Books and Gifts
In keeping with the existing theme, the new mural that is being placed on the north outside wall of Birchbark Books and Gifts is called “Imagine the Northwoods.” It adjoins the 2016 mural that depicts a young girl resting against a birch tree reading a book. Plans are to build a mural every summer until the wall is eventually covered. […]
Find your “French Connection” at the annual Rendezvous and Pow Wow
Load up your canoe and prepare to embark on an historical adventure! August 11 – 13 marks the annual Rendezvous Days and Pow Wow at Grand Portage, Minnesota. Voyageur songs, Ojibwe drums, and Highland bagpipes mix as the Montreal canoe brigades, native peoples, fur traders, and North West Company partners gather for their annual rendezvous and traditional Ojibwe Pow Wow. […]