Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane




10 Years Ago · Sept. 20, 2002

The Internet is often touted as a window on the world, but in Grand Marais it has become a window on the community thanks to the member-owned local Internet service provider called Boreal Access. Founded in 1995 by four dedicated people who worked for years to set up affordable Internet access for the entire community, Boreal Access today has 1,710 members. It’s still growing.

The Cook County School Board met in a hastily called special session Sept. 17 in Superintendent Dale Tormondsen’s office and discussed downsizing the administration. Tormondsen told the board that even if a fall referendum passes, “you will still have to make cuts in administration. That’s all that’s left.” Tormondsen said his contract with the district runs until 2004. “But I could get out early. I won’t discuss that right now, but if you eliminate me, you would save a lot of money.”

20 Years Ago · Sept. 21, 1992

A brief but violent storm roared through Cook County last Wednesday evening, downing trees and blocking back country roads. On the Gunflint Trail, dead trees fell across the road in many places, blocking traffic. Despite the efforts of residents armed with chainsaws and bulldozers, the school buses were delayed and children did not get home until 9 p.m. or later.

Cook County commissioners, acting on advice from Economic Development Authority’s financial consultant, authorized the sale of approximately $500,000 in general obligation bonds for building a clubhouse and other facilities at Superior National at Lutsen golf course.

The Schroeder Post Office has received verbal information from the Duluth office of the U.S. Postal Service that the local office will be closed within 120 days. Written confirmation is expected in the near future.

50 Years Ago · Sept. 20, 1962

A blast of nippy air from the Arctic regions torpedoed temperatures to nearfreezing in inland areas Wednesday morning and filled the air with snow. This was a bit early for the white stuff! Eleanor Matsis encountered a heavy snowfall as she drove to Grand Marais early Wednesday. At 9:30 a.m. Rockwood Lodge reported “snow still falling.” The snow melted as it fell.

A cavalcade of 15 house trailers from Silver Bay and vicinity motored to Grand Marais last weekend, encamping in the village trailer park. This may be the first of many successive trips of this kind. Headed by “wagon master” Tom Richard, the group of 67 used the park recreation building as their headquarters and had a fine time. The organization is so new, and so informally organized, that it still does not have a name.

The Vikings and Two Harbors Agates see-sawed their way through a hard-fought game on the newly lighted Grand Marais field Friday night, and a pepped-up Viking offense surprised the visitors 26-19. An estimated crowd of 500 saw the game.

90 Years Ago · Sept. 21, 1921

George Mayhew is on crutches as the result of an accident while helping to load pulp wood.

Norman McPherson, the bus driver, has tomato plants growing in the bus.

William Bally and Anson Blackwell have built themselves a duck boat, the same being painted a bright red, which color a well known authority by the name of Joe Croft says will attract the ducks.

Johnny Carter ran a nail into his foot and was out of school a week in consequence. He has recovered.

Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with the Cook County News- Herald readers? We’d love to hear your Historical Reflections Call (218) 387-9100; e-mail starnews@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.



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