Dean E. Smith, 88, died Nov. 25, 2017, at the Watson Fields Assisted Living Facility in Dover, N.H. He was born February 8, 1929, in Mineral Center, son of the late Earl and Myrtle (Linnell) Smith. He grew up in Grand Marais as one of seven children, on a farm that afforded him an education in hard work, honesty, and […]
School board holds busy meeting
The November 15 school board meeting of I.S.D. 166 was, as usual, packed with business over three hours. The volleyball team and boys’ and girls’ cross country teams were introduced and given a warm welcome by the school board. Both were talented enough to represent Cook County at state this fall. “Congratulations on your outstanding season(s),” said school superintendent Dr. […]
Sawtooth Mountain Steering Committee seeks public input
The Sawtooth Bluff Steering Committee is seeking input on possible amenities and uses for the 640-acre publicly owned site located in the city limits of Grand Marais. Based on its location and size, it has the potential to be the center point of a Cook County Trail Hub System and to integrate other types of development. Recently, Cook County sought […]
Propane tanks topic of discussion at city council
A recent inspection of LP (propane) tanks by Grand Marais Fire Chief Ben Silence and Dave Deeson, deputy state fire marshal, led to the discovery of a half dozen LP tanks that are too close to buildings and in violation of a Minnesota 1930s state code. A verbal complaint about one LP tank located too close to a building led […]
Youth in Government fundraiser goes well
Shackled and handcuffed, Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen looked glum until his bail money was paid and he was freed from his YMCA jail. Eliasen joined a dozen community leaders who volunteered to be arrested and then “jailed and bailed” in an effort to help Cook County’s first Youth in Government delegation raise funds so the students could participate in […]
A season to be thankful
Most of us will be gathering together to celebrate fall. I decided to compile a list of all that I am thankful for in 2017, both big and small. It’s a wonderful season to be thankful. 1. My parents—because no matter how old I am, they can still solve any problem. 2. Fireplaces. 3. The local farmer’s market. 4. The […]
Prince on a haunting mission
Neil Diamond’s former road manager was in a ghostly mood. No, not a ghastly mood, but a ghostly mood. He was in Grand Marais looking for possible movie location sites for movies. Haunted buildings were his target, but he was also interested in hearing about local ghosts. And there were some ghosts to hear about. Especially intriguing was the little […]
CCHS starts winter sports season
Cook County High School athletes have just come off one of the school’s best fall seasons ever with cross country girls’ and boys’ teams and girls’ volleyball making state tournaments. The football team came one game away from qualifying for state. Kudos to the kids who participated, but with little to recover, many athletes are transitioning into winter sports. Here’s […]
Grand Marais Art Colony to hold a big birthday bash
In the mid-1960s the Grand Marais Art Colony was a great place for kids to pay an unplanned summer visit. Birney Quick and Byron Bradley were pleasant, happy to let kids in and view what was going on. Quick, who was the first director, and Bradley, who came on board in 1954 first an instructor and then, in 1959 as […]
Grand Marais Playhouse fundraiser set for Dec. 16
The Grand Marais Playhouse fundraiser is set for Dec. 16. Come and enjoy the Curry Cook-off and Broadway showcase at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Not only will there be delicious food but great music as well. Come out an listen to some of the best singers in the area. There may be a couple of surprises too. The […]