Perfect day at Grandma’s Marathon


Temperatures in the low 50s and a tailwind made the 43rd annual running of the Grandma’s Marathon ideal for both athletes and spectators. Boniface Kongin, a very likeable 29-year-old Kenyan crossed the half way point in 1:02:51, slightly ahead of 2:06 pace and was way ahead of the 2:09:06 course record set by his fellow country man Dominic Ondoro in […]

Receiving dimes from heaven


My cousin’s Grandma, Elsie, died on Monday, March 15, 2009. (I give you the date for only one reason… since her death I have received many reminders that she looks down on me and my sister cousin from heaven at least twice a week.) Born on October 23rd, 1905, she lived to be 104 years and five months. Grandma Elsie […]

MMA says leave fireworks to the professionals this summer


Once again, the Minnesota Medical Association is urging Minnesotans to leave the lighting of fireworks to the professionals this Fourth of July. “Every year more and more Minnesotans are ending up in the emergency department when they get hurt setting off fireworks,” said MMA President Doug Wood, MD. “We’d prefer that they leave these often-unpredictable devices to the professionals.” According […]

Tara Austin’s artwork to be on display at the JHP—

Preparation for a new art exhibit by local artist Tara Austin titled “Boreal Ornaments II” is under way at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. The exhibit will have a grand opening on Friday, July 5 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. Stop by and talk with Tara about her recent creations while enjoying some refreshments.

Sign up now for the Tofte Trek


Join the fun and be a part of history as we celebrate the 40th Annual Tofte Trek 10k Run/Walk on July 4, 2019, in Tofte, at Birch Grove Community Center, Tofte. After the race, join the fun in Tofte with games, vendors, and a parade. Jan Horak started the Tofte Trek race in 1980, creating a way for local people […]

Children’s summer science program— TOUCH, SEE, WRITE, DRAW


Lake Superior Science Story Scouts meet for the first time this summer on the Grand Marais Library lawn. We are a free, drop-in, pop-up science, writing and illustration lab for kids entering grades k-12 held on Wednesdays, July 1-August 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. WHAT: In this hands-on, eyes-focused, feet-walking, arts-infused science writing workshop we joyfully explore Lake Superior […]

Community Calendar

Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5 – 6:30 p.m., $20 (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church. You will be amazed at all the food you get at the Community Center. No financial or other qualifications—this is surplus food for all! Cook County Higher Education Career training and college courses […]

Helping Minnesota’s moose

New state funding enables multidisciplinary researchers to track the top disease threat to moose survival—brainworm

With new funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, researchers from the University of Minnesota, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Virginia Tech University are collaborating to improve moose survival and health by mapping brainworm transmission in northern Minnesota. Five years of data (collected and analyzed by the same collaborators from 2013–2018) reflect that brainworm is […]

Where are the fish biting?

Tyson at the Beaver House said fishing is picking up inland and on the big lake. Recent rain has boosted the water in the streams and area rivers to a thunderous rush, making fishing for brook trout more of an adventure than it usually is at this time of year. “Walleyes are biting good on Devil Track, Two Island, Elbow, […]

Conservation Officer Tales

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked anglers and ATV operators throughout the week. The area was quiet, with many anglers heading to the Canadian side of the border. CO Mary Manning (Hovland) contacted numerous ATV operators. One couple had gotten turned around. They had a map but they had no idea where they were and had not stopped at the […]