There was a lot happening on the West End of the county on Tuesday, October 22 as ground was broken for two major projects— the installation of a water pipeline from Lake Superior to Lutsen Mountains for the Lake Superior Water District and the reconstruction of Superior National at Lutsen golf course. George Nelson, who gifted the Cook County-Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create the golf course, broke ground and tossed a shovelful of golf course sod. Taking part are (L-R) Senator Tom Bakk, Representative David Dill, IRRRB Commissioner Tony Sertich, Patty Nelson, George Nelson, EDA Chair Mark Sandbo, Golf Course Architect Jeff Brauer, and Cook County Commissioner Bruce Martinson.
Vehicles caravanned from place to place in Lutsen on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 to celebrate a number of significant changes coming to Cook County. Members of the Cook County-Grand Marais Economic Development Authority, Cook County Chamber of Commerce and Cook County Visitors Bureau joined forces to break ground on two significant projects and to honor community business leaders.
Superior National fulfilling the vision
Although visiting dignitaries Minn. Senator Tom Bakk and Representative David Dill started their day at the meeting of the Cook County commissioners and followed that with an appearance at the Cook County Higher Education Business Network Luncheon, the cameras didn’t start clicking until the celebration convened at the Superior National at Lutsen golf course clubhouse. Joining Senator Bakk and Representative Dill was Iron Range Resources Rehabilitation Commissioner Tony Sertich.
Government officials and golfers gathered to hear a progress report on the $4.2-million improvements planned for Superior National. Before heading out to the nearest green to break ground on the project, the group paused to hear from the man who gifted the land to Cook County to use to develop a world-class golf course, George Nelson.
For the first time ever, the Cook County Visitors Bureau and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce gathered for a celebration of tourism in Cook County on Tuesday, October 22. At the event held at the Summit Chalet at Lutsen Mountains, a number of business awards were presented to (L-R, front) Jeff and Sarah Lynch of Sawbill Outfitters, Scott Harrison of the Cook County- Grand Marais Economic Development Authority. (L-R, back) Ed and Cindy Straub of Harbor House Grille, Hal Greenwood of the EDA, Grand Portage Tribal Chairman Norman Deschampe, Jennifer Stoltz of Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, and Jack Hedstrom and Howard Hedstrom of Hedstrom Lumber Company.
Nelson spoke of his family’s ties to Lutsen and of the challenges of his World War II military service with the Army’s famed 10th Mountain Division. Of those challenges, came something good, said Nelson, noting that it was in the military ski patrol that he realized that Lutsen was the perfect location for a yearround resort. When he came home to his beloved North Shore, Nelson said he shared his vision with his father, who told him, “Lutsen has been good to us. We need to be good to Lutsen.”
Nelson said he was very proud of all the people who had worked so hard to bring about the enhancements to Superior National at Lutsen and the water pipeline that will serve the ski hill, as well as homes and businesses. He said the groundbreaking this day was the culmination of years of hard work and he was happy to be a part of it.
Senator Tom Bakk then had the honor of presenting the Cook County Chamber “Visionary” award to Nelson in recognition of that long ago vision of a four-season recreation area on the beautiful North Shore.
There were other speakers then. John Bailey, whose father was George Nelson’s partner as things got under way in Lutsen, noted, “They conjured up some fun projects!”
Jeff Brauer, the architect for the golf course renovation and the contractor doing the work, Rick Boylan of MidAmerica Golf, both said they were honored to play a part in George Nelson’s vision. Brauer said, “I’m having the time of my life. We’re upgrading and modernizing, but fulfilling the tradition of this course.”
It was outside onto the course then, not for golf, but to make a major divot in the manicured green. It was almost painful to turn that first shovel of dirt, but soon all were laughing as George Nelson tossed a shovelful of dirt and announced that the golf course renovations were under way.
Above: At the groundbreaking celebration for Superior National at Lutsen, Senator Tom Bakk presented George Nelson with a Cook County Chamber of Commerce “Visionary” award. (L-R) Senator Bakk, George and Patty Nelson. Left: At the groundbreaking for the Lake Superior Water District pipeline, David Dill spoke of the environmental benefits of the new pipeline versus taking water out of the Poplar River.
Work on water district pipeline begins
Some people lingered at Superior National, enjoying the fabulous fall scenery and socializing, but many loaded into vehicles to head to the spot where the work will soon begin on a 12,000-foot pipeline from Lake Superior to the top of Lutsen Mountains.
Visitors were met by Dustin Waldo of RJS Construction Group, LLC of Superior, Wisconsin, who was ready with three shiny shovels for another groundbreaking. Waldo said work would begin in a few days. He said he expects to be finished in August 2014.
Before tackling the somewhat rocky soil, Tom Rider of Lutsen Mountains shared some information on the water line project. Rider said when the pipeline is up and running it will be able to pump 7,500 gallons per minute to the Lake Superior Water District. Water will be used for snowmaking, irrigation of Superior National at Lutsen, as a water source for local fire departments and eventually for drinking water.
Speeding down the bike trail, up the mountain
The group dispersed then, some heading up Moose Mountain in the Lutsen Mountain gondolas for a gala evening event with the Cook County Chamber and the Cook County Visitors Bureau. Others stopped at the base of the Ski Hill Road to check out the latest segment of the Gitchi Gami Bicycle Trail. A few others joined Charles Skinner for a quick tour of the recently installed high-speed chair lifts.
At the Summit Chalet at the top of Moose Mountain, everyone came back together, with the addition of more than a hundred local business community members for the joint Chamber and Visitors Bureau event. There was music by North Shore favorite Joe Paulik and a delicious dinner. There were speakers— Paul Pepe, manager of Thunder Bay tourism and John Edmond of Minnesota Tourism—who both commended Cook County for its efforts to grow business in Cook County.
Visitors Bureau and Chamber directors Linda Kratt and Jim Boyd shared emcee honors and kept the program going, including the presentation of seven awards for 2013—with a tie for Entrepreneur of the Year. Boyd noted that the Cook County Chamber could have given out “literally dozens” of awards to local business owners who have given their “life’s blood to their business and the community.” However, he said they couldn’t give out that many awards in one evening. He added, “Please know however that these awards represent how very much we value the toil and sacrifices that make businesses in Cook County work.”
Recognized by their peers and receiving a beautiful “Northern Lights” bowl crafted by Joan Farnam of Grand Marais were: .
Entrepreneur of the Year: Jennifer Stoltz, for her outstanding performance managing the $2.3 million reconstruction of the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op building, while simultaneously, and successfully, moving and operating the business in a temporary location for an extended period. .
Entrepreneur of the Year: Jeff and Sarah Lynch, for reconstruction of their business, Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, into a beautiful, expanded establishment with outstanding Highway 61 presence that adds significantly to the economic and physical appeal of Tofte. Jeff Lynch also invests in his community by providing significant volunteer time, energy and vision to the Sugarbush Trail Association. .
Business of the Year (established): Jack and Howard Hedstrom of Hedstrom Lumber Company, for a century of providing jobs for Cook County residents and income for county businesses. Through effective management, Hedstrom Lumber has survived dramatic changes in its industry that have destroyed many larger companies. Cook County has benefitted and continues to benefit greatly from Hedstrom Lumber’s longevity. .
Leadership Award: Chairman of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Norman Deschampe for decades of extraordinary personal service to enhancing the economic vitality, and cultural and political integrity of his community. .
Lifetime Service Award: To Hal Greenwood of Grand Marais for decades of diligent, selfless, unheralded and frequently underappreciated service to the Cook County civic and business communities. In ways and roles too numerous to list, supporting, connecting, arranging and advocating, Greenwood always seeks to improve opportunities for all of Cook County’s residents. .
New Business of the Year: Ed and Cindy Straub of Harbor House Grille have worked hard, long hours and invested significant capital to give life to their vision for Harbor House Grille—and to sustaining that vision through the inevitable difficult years that confront every new restaurant operation. .
Volunteer of the Year: For outstanding service to the Cook County business community in many volunteer endeavors, but especially as a member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Marais – Cook County Economic Development Authority, Scott Harrison of Lutsen Resort.
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