10 Years Ago
Feb. 27, 2004
Downtown business owners concerned about loss of parking places with the proposed “streetscape” redesign in Grand Marais got their wish this week. In a work session before their regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday, the council members agreed upon a plan which would increase the city lot parking by 21 spaces.
While the 22nd annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon has a record number of halfmarathoners registered this year, there’s another record-breaker in the works. Former Minnesota Vikings All-Pro linebacker Matt Blair is running the half-marathon, too – the first professional football player and the first African- American man. The famous football player, who has never stood on a sled behind dogs before this winter, was brought into the race by local mushers Mark and Mary Black and Special Olympics Minnesota to try his hand at mushing.
20 Years Ago
Feb. 28, 1994
Acting Gunflint Ranger Larry Dawson recently withdrew a Forest Service decision to extend the North Shore State Trail across Superior National Forest land. Instead, the USDA Forest Service will enter into a joint analysis of the trail with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The two agencies had been negotiating with landowners, snowmobilers and mushers on possible trail locations and issues such as safety and effects on natural resources, the economy and society. Dawson’s decision was prompted in part by plans by the DNR to review management of Judge Magney State Park. The review will consider whether the North Shore Trail and the resulting snowmobile use should be allowed into the park.
Lance Cpl. Wade Schlienz, who is stationed in Italy, spent the last weekend of January with Antonia and Donna Krotz-Paudice in Mondragne, Italy. The big mountain behind their home is in the shape of a dragon. Wade said he was treated royally by his Italian relatives and friends. They fixed a special spaghetti dish made with clam, squid, octopus and tomato sauce. He said it was a treat after eating Marine mess hall food!
50 Years Ago
Feb. 27, 1964
The death of Andrew Powell, 91, of Saganaga Lake, last Thursday marks the close of an era in the early trapping and exploring history of the borderlake area between Ely and Saganaga. He was the last of the early trappers and explorers.
The second annual snowmobile trip from Saganaga Lake to Ely went off on schedule Saturday and Sunday and despite cold weather the second day, the participants were enthusiastic about the whole trip. Fifty snowmobiles and about 60 people participated. Ten machines came from Duluth, four from Rosseau, two from Ely and one from Two Harbors. The remainder were from Cook County.
The new system of reporting fires was used for the first time Monday, when a furnace at the East Bay “blew.” There were no flames, but the soot caused considerable damage. A false alarm whistle blew at noon yesterday when someone dialed the fire number by mistake.
90 Years Ago
Feb. 28, 1924
Owners of cars and trucks are advised by J.E. Smith, county engineer, not to drive in the ruts this spring. To prevent the forming of deep ruts will be a great saving to the roads. People in the east end of the county are advised to do their hauling before the frost goes out of the newly graveled road. There will be a week or more that it will be very hard to get through.
William Carlson of Colvill was in town Saturday for the first time since Christmas.
Chas. Croft, J.G. Scott and Fred Sjoberg are all busy harvesting the annual ice crop. Some years the ice is not put up until March. The lake water doesn’t get real cold until it is about time for it to begin to get warm.
The patriotic program at the schoolhouse last Friday night was largely attended and much enjoyed.
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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