Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane




10 Years Ago
Feb. 28, 2003

Traps have been set out for the two remaining wolves in a mangy wolf pack that has been sighted close to homes and vehicles in Lutsen this winter. “The Fish and Wildlife Service gave me permission to try to capture the remaining wolves in Lutsen,” said Bill Paul, assistant state director for Wildlife Services, an agency for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “We got a special exemption…normally we aren’t allowed to take wolves in that zone. But when a wolf gets used to people or becomes bold, it can pose a possible threat.”

After hinting for months about leaving his job sooner than expected, Cook County Schools Superintendent Dale Tormondsen asked the school board this week to help him do just that at the end of this school year. The board needs to agree to a memorandum of understanding; under the terms of his contract with the district, Tormondsen is not eligible to retire until June 2004.

This past month, the oldest resort on the North Shore received a coveted award. Lutsen Resort on the Poplar River and Lake Superior was named “Property of the Year” in its category, over 100 rooms, by the Minnesota Association of Innkeepers.

20 Years Ago
March 1, 1993

Security State Bank, a Minnesota chartered bank, received unanimous approval from the Grand Marais City Council granting a building permit for the new bank on the 99-by-132-foot lot at the corner of Wisconsin Street and Broadway. Contractor Larry Krause told council the building will have 2,000 square feet on each of two stories, and four teller stations. Maximum height will be 28 feet.

Two artists from Grand Marais formed half of a northern Minnesota snow sculpture team which represented the United States in Winnipeg last month. Tom McCann and Mike Schelmeske joined two Ely artists in the Le Festival Du Voyageur International Snow Sculpting Symposium. The event drew snow sculptors from France, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, Hong Kong, Cuba, Mexico and a Native Inuit team. The four northern Minnesota sculptors were the only U.S. entry.

50 Years Ago
Feb. 28, 1963

Northwestern Bell Telephone Company announced plans to change remaining two-letter, five-numeral telephone numbers in Tofte to seven numerals next year. P.E. Larsen, manager, said the changeover will coincide with the issuance of the 1964 directory next January. Present two-letter, fivenumeral numbers will change in appearance only, he said. “We will merely translate the two-letter prefixes into their corresponding numerals on the dial.”

Nineteen snowmobile owners became charter members of the newly formed Cook County Snowmobile Association Friday night. The organizational meeting was held at Midway Service Station with Kenneth Skoog, Tofte, as temporary chairman. Another meeting will be held tonight at Midway to elect permanent officers. Non-members who are interested in joining the new club may do so at this time. Sherman Benson, one of the promoters of the new sport, estimates that there are 100 snowmobile owners in the county now, 15 of them in the Tofte area alone!

J.C. Willcox is very ill at their home. He fell, and although there are no fractures, he is being kept in bed for a time.

90 Years Ago
March 1, 1923

John Malinoski and Theodore Tofte motored to Tofte Sunday and spent the day skating.

Mr. and Mrs. A.V. Johnson entertained a number of young people Friday night. The evening was spent at dancing, singing and 500. Lunch was served at midnight and the guests departed at 1 a.m.

An Armstrong Super- Regenerator Radio Set has been built for John V. Nelson. It is being installed at Mr. Johnson’s house for the present.

Mrs. E. Luick has been called to Iron River, Wis. by a long distance call announcing the serious illness of her mother. She left on the stage Tuesday morning.

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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