10 Years Ago · May 7, 2001
Cook County officials last week set the wheels in motion for the implementation of an ambitious longrange program aimed at maintaining — and in some cases, improving – the water quality of area lakes. By unanimous vote, the county board adopted a “Lakeshore Compliance Program” which calls for the upgrade of failing septic systems along five lakes over the next 10 years. If the program is deemed successful at the end of that period, it will be continued for another decade, with another five lakes targeted for clean-up.
The first annual meeting of the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association (GMATA) was held April 30. Approximately 15 business people and interested citizens attended, and were given explanation about what GMATA does and how it goes about its business. GMATA was formed in October of last year after it was decided that the goals of the Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce were more oriented toward business than tourism promotion. GMATA was formed, not to compete with or step on the toes of the Chamber, but rather to promote the Grand Marais area for tourism. Similar to the Lutsen/Tofte Tourism Association and the Gunflint Trail Association, GMATA uses lodging tax funds to advertise and promote Grand Marais and to encourage visitors to come to the city.
20 Years Ago · May 6, 1991
Excerpt from “On the Gunflint Trail” by Justine Kerfoot: “Here we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Cook County News-Herald. Having spent 64 years of that time on the Gunflint Trail it is interesting to note the changes that have taken place. The thing that stands out in my mind was that the “Paper” was printed, written and distributed from one little building. Although there were no doubt others involved it was Ade Toftey and Bertha, Alma Olson and Dick Gilbertsen that seemed to be the spark plugs. They provided the news, kept the press rolling, took care of all the mailings and did all the typesetting.”
An anticipated increase in the number of students at Grand Portage led school superintendent Warren Rolek to recommend the school board purchase a larger, 84-passenger bus. The board is planning to buy two buses to replace ones in its fleet. The school district levies to purchase buses. The money does not come out of the general fund. Rolek was asked if the new buses could have seat belts by a member of the audience. He replied that there were pros and cons to seat belts in buses. He wasn’t sure if bus seat belts were legal in Minnesota, but said he would check into it.
50 Years Ago · May 4, 1961
During 1960, total landing of fish at Minnesota ports on Lake Superior amounted to 2.6 million pounds valued at $135,000. According to a report issued jointly by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries and the Minnesota Game and Fish Division, lake herring topped the list with 1.8 million pounds valued at $93,000. Lake trout, including siscowets, accounted for only 2,249 pounds of the total catch, testifying to the scarcity of this desirable fish in Lake Superior. Largest landings were in the area generally between Grand Marais and Grand Portage.
A new Distressed Area Project started today at Cascade State Park. The work will consist of brushing, tree planting and other improvements to the park. There will be work for 10 men and the project is expected to last approximately four months. Men who have been unemployed for six months or more and who have five or more dependents will receive priority for these openings but the positions will be filled if necessary with men who have been unemployed less than six months and who have less than five dependents.
90 Years Ago · May 5, 1921
Charles Lorenson and Adolph Carlson, the two genial bachelors of Howard’s Bay, motored to Grand Marais Friday of last week in their new car.
An artistically rendered card of regrets, in memory of the cats that were dissected in the laboratory, was presented to the zoology class by Mrs. Blackwell last Friday. The card itself was very clever and humorous. Several cats made from pussy willows crouched on a board fence, while above this was written: “Lest auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind — in memory of the poor pussies.” It reminded the class of “An Ode on the Death of a Favorite Cat Drowned in a Jar of Goldfish” by Thomas Gray.
Dan McDonough was appointed policeman by the Village Council Tuesday night. The city fathers are after the speed autoists, the drunks and moonshiners or bootleggers. People who are intoxicated are warned not to show up on the public streets, for they will be locked up in the village bastile.
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