People milling about the Coast Guard parking lot on Saturday, January 2, looked on helplessly as a whitetail deer ran past everyone and jumped into the Grand Marais harbor on Lake Superior, starting what would be a long struggle for survival. One eyewitness said the deer “appeared very frantic” before it leaped into the frigid water a little after 2 […]
Planning your 2021 vegetable garden with Zoom workshops
This month, Sally Berg and Gine Meisner, University of Minnesota Extension Cook County Master Gardeners, will conduct two gardening workshops through Zoom on Tuesday evenings. The workshops are on January 12 and January 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The first workshop will focus on the considerations to make when planting a vegetable garden, including what supplies you need […]
Cook County ISD 166 winter coaches
With the governor allowing indoor sports to be played this winter, basketball will soon be underway. The Vikings’ boys’ and girls’ basketball teams should begin practice on January 11. Heading up the boys’ basketball team will be Andy Feddema. For the last few years, Andy has been an assistant basketball coach for the Vikings. Andy will take the place of […]
Cook County Community Center outdoor skating rinks open
The Cook County Community Center Outdoor ice skating rinks in Grand Marais are now open, with plans to have the warming house open every other day. Open skating hours through the holidays are 1-6 p.m. It costs two dollars to rent skates each time you come to skate, and skate sharpening is five dollars, but both services are only available […]
Here comes the snow
Parachuting from the sky are thousands upon thousands of snowflakes. Primordial skeletons of early stars, Ancient in their song, Angelic in their falling grace, cathedrals, prisms of light, translucent and slight, they capture small breezes like hobos capture rides on trains to unknown destinations. When I was young, there could be no better thing than to play in the snow. […]
DNR surveys for statewide Off Road Vehicle Master Plan
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking the public to take a multiple-choice survey and offer comments about developing a statewide off road vehicle master plan. Working with the DNR is the Minnesota Four Wheel Drive Association (Mn4WDA). The two groups held a virtual summit with the public on November 18, 2020, to kick off the master planning […]
DNR wants to increase access to wildlife areas for people with disabilities
Anyone interested in improving access to wildlife management areas (WMAs) for people with disabilities can share their ideas online with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “We want to hear how we can improve recreational opportunities and reduce barriers on WMAs,” said David Trauba, southern region wildlife manager. “Public lands are for all Minnesotans, including those with disabilities.” People can […]
Isle Royale National Park announces availability of commercial use authorizations
Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) are a permitting tool used by the National Park Service (NPS) to allow private business to be conducted within a national park for up to two years. The type of service provided by a CUA holder must be considered appropriate by the NPS, such as chartered fishing trips and various types of guiding services. Operators are […]
A New Year in the great outdoors
The final weeks of December and the first of January are a time to reflect on the year passed. So I will not bother with that. I will bother with looking forward to another calendar year in the Arrowhead of Minnesota. To fishing trout in cold lakes under the two-foot ice, stocked rainbows or naturally-reproducing lake trout, who can be […]
Peace and Quiet
As I pulled my vehicle onto the South Shore Drive, a loud dinging noise split my eardrums. I’d forgotten to fasten my safety belt, which set off an alarm. The sound was annoying, and I quickly buckled myself in, happy to be done with the noise. Is there any place on this planet where one can find peace and quiet? […]