Mural grows in length and in beauty


Cook County I.S.D. 166 art teacher Mila Horak once again took the reins of the community paint-by-number mural project that adorns the north facing wall of Birch Bark Books and Gifts and with the help of the community, once again created a masterful piece of art. “This year’s design was inspired by Ojibwe bead art, as a tribute to Norman […]

Photos

The West End Garden Club held its Annual Flower Show on Saturday, July 20. Club members, as well as other area residents, turned Birch Grove Community Center into a colorful garden with their beautiful arrangements. This year’s theme “Painted Garden” led to creative displays of flowers and all things related to art. The Flower Show is always a fun experience […]

Weekly Weather

Is Jesus really the son of God?


In our last installment we talked about the truthfulness of the historic documents (The Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). We have used the tools used by secular historians to determine that the documents tell the truth. One last point on their truthfulness. Many people have died for what they believe to be true, but no one dies for what […]

David Wesley Grage

David Wesley Grage, age 64, entered his heavenly home on July 12, 2019, with his wife and sister, Shelly at his side at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota. God gave Dave three symptom-free years after surgery for a glioblastoma (incurable brain cancer), a gift for which his loved ones are eternally grateful. Only in the last two […]

Historical Reflections

The lucky winner of the grand prize at the 1986 Fisherman’s Picnic was Erik Anderson of Grand Marais, shown here with the keys to his brand-new Chevette. The photo was taken a few days after the actual raffle in downtown Grand Marais—Erik said he wasn’t even in Cook County on the day of the drawing; he was taking a business […]

Down Memory Lane

10 YEARS AGO JULY 25, 2009 Grand Portage State Park will only be open on weekends until mid-August while work continues on site preparation for a new 5,800-square-foot visitor center. For the next two or three weeks, construction workers will be pile driving within 20 feet of the trail to High Falls. Workers will also be operating forklifts, cement trucks, […]

2018 population estimate for Cook County


Based on the Minnesota State Demographic Center, Cook County’s April 1, 2018, annual population and household estimate was 5,390, slightly down from the 2017 estimate of 5,398. Broken down by areas Grand Marais had 1,410 people with a household population estimated at 1,369, with 721 households containing an average of 1.9 people. Lutsen Township had 436 people. There were 226 […]

Northland Constructors low bidder on Two Island River replacement bridge


Cook County commissioners conducted another busy meeting on Tuesday, July 23, with a wide variety of work getting done. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting. Northland Constructors were the low bidders to complete the Two Island River replacement culvert on CSAH 1 in Schroeder for $349,700. The engineer’s estimate was 334,609, but it was noted that the […]

Primum Octavus



One of my favorite aspects of the job is learning from friends and neighbors around town and the county as well as from other commissioners and county staff from around the state. It is wonderful how other people’s experiences can help me see bigger pictures. They can help me see our own challenges from different angles, potentially revealing opportunities or […]