Gordon Lindquist made the lumber for these signs from trees he cut on his Devil Track Lake property. Staff Photos/Brian Larsen
Anne Brataas and her Boreal Corps Story Scouts kids have been busy as of late, coming up with ideas to help spread the word about the importance of following safety practices during this pandemic.
Brataas remembered how catchy the Burma Shave signs were that ran across America along the interstate.
If you are old enough, you might remember this one. “With in this vale—Of toil-and Sin—Your head grows bald—But not your chin— Burma Shave.”
Once the idea took hold, adult mentors working with the Story Scouts and the Minnesota Children’s Press composed the health jingles, but now both adults and children are working on jingles and illustrations, said Brataas.
Helping them has been Gordon Lindquist, age 90. Gordon planed the signboards from trees he grew and harvested on his Devil Track Lake property. The first signs were placed on Gordon’s property that adjoins the Gunflint Trail.
Much like the Burma Shave signs of old, these small signs are placed in pairs of four along the road for drivers to read as they motor up the Trail.
David Eckel, standing in the street, stopped by to admire the signs and briefly reminisce about “the old days” before he headed downtown.
Said Brataas, “These are non-threatening health and safety messages that are highly visible, exceedingly charming, and will hopefully provide some friendly coronavirus control for the area.”
One of the jingles says, “Enjoy our lovely—Grand Marais—But try to keep—Six feet away.” Another reads, “An outbreak is—What we are all dreading—But you can help—Keep germs from spreading.” And, “So all stay safe—This tiny ask—For indoor shopping—Wear a mask.”
Even the seagulls get a say, “The gulls up here–All play it smart—They always fly—Six feet a part.”
Because of the limitations placed on working with a group of kids, Brataas has set up a Zoom Room where she can interact with the kids remotely at 3-5 p.m. on Thursdays. Story Scouts is a free program run through the YMCA for kids grades 2-9 who are working together to create and illustrate a children’s book through Batas’s non-profit based Minnesota Children’s Press.
If we all play it smart, maybe Cook County won’t get COVID-19 cases. As of June 3, 2020, Cook County was only one of two counties that had not had a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Brataas suggests our readers take a crack at writing family-friendly jingles and submit them to the newspaper. The best ones will be printed in the paper and may be placed on a road sign by Brataas and her crew. Send your jingles to ccnh@boreal.org.
Even the seagulls help everyone remember to keep their distance at least six feet from one another.
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