10 Years Ago
Dec. 23, 2005
Buses taking students from Grand Portage to the Grand Marais campus are too crowded, say members of the Grand Portage Band who spoke to the school board at its Monday meeting. “The way it is now, it’s unsatisfactory to the community,” said John Morrin, a member of the Grand Portage Tribal Council. “There’s no room on the bus.” The 84-passenger bus picks up students on the reservation and then picks up other students on the way in to school.
For the North House Folk School, 2005 included a variety of significant events, according to the recently released annual report. Notably, North House welcomed over 5,800 participants to its special events and courses, rebuilt the historic Eckel fish house, and hosted many special guests. In all, students from 31 different states journeyed to the school to participate in coursework.
20 Years Ago
Dec. 25, 1995
A tax that, according to a spokesperson for the Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce, provides approximately $89,000 of their yearly operating revenue, will expire next week. A so-called “sunset clause” in the state statute allowing the city to collect a tax on lodging, states “A tax of 3 percent shall be imposed through Dec. 31, 1995. This article shall be repealed effective Dec. 31, 1995.” The expiration of the taxing capacity caught the city council and Chamber by surprise when it was brought before council Dec. 20. In order to re-instate the tax, public hearings must be held – a process that could take up to two months.
The Cook County board passed a motion supporting the idea of promoting construction of a bikeway along the Highway 61 right of way. They made no monetary commitment to the project, and do not anticipate any future expense to the county.
In a graphic example of “too much of a good thing,” the city of Grand Marais had to wait a week to admire the annual snow sculptures, due to be carved, painted and judged by Dec. 16. Snow, in some places one foot deep, rearranged many plans when it fell relentlessly on Dec. 13. For the next two days, most county residents had all they could do to get to work and back home again. No snow sculpturing anywhere but driveways and sidewalks!
50 Years Ago
Dec. 23, 1965
A car accident near Grand Marais took the life of a 43-year-old local bricklayer early Sunday morning. His death became the sixth in traffic deaths in Cook County this year. Officials believe the accident happened about 2 a.m. when the pickup left the highway and went into a rather steep ravine in Croftville.
Someone with “long fingers” and mechanical ability stole a barrel of gasoline from the state last weekend. The highway maintenance men reported the loss. The gasoline was stolen from state highway storage sheds at the Temperance River gravel pit just east of Old Temperance. The locks on two sheds were torn off and the buildings entered. The small hand pump was used to pump the gasoline and was also taken. And so were two small cans of oil. Sheriff Emerson Morris said whoever did the stealing knew how to operate mechanical equipment because they used a loader to handle the barrel.
90 Years Ago
Dec. 24, 1925
Friday night the Grand Marais bachelors entertained at a carnival dancing party at the Wigwam. About 150 guests, coming from all parts of the county, were present. Caps, confetti and curlers were passed around. The hall was prettily decorated.
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Backlund are confined to their beds with pneumonia. They have been very sick, but are improving slowly.
A very successful Christmas program was given by the Maple Hill Consolidated School Thursday evening, Dec. 17. The children received the highest praise for the excellent manner in which they performed their parts in the different plays and drills. Finally, Santa Claus appeared in full uniform to the great delight of many little tots.
The U.S. Forestry men came in Saturday from their timber cruising and will be here till after New Year’s.
The home of Hokan Ojard at Hovland was destroyed by fire last Friday night. Total loss.
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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