10 YEARS AGO
DEC. 29, 2006
The Minnesota Bomb Squad was in Grand Marais this week. The squad was here to explode containers of ether that Jeff Kern had saved since the seventh grade and wrote about in the News-Herald a few weeks ago. The ether met its demise when it was exploded with another device in Thoreson’s gravel pit on Tuesday. The bomb squad was summoned after it was learned that ether turns explosive after extended storage.
More people than ever attended the Winter Solstice Pageant this year and were really offered a treat. Instead of a puppet show, the Good Harbor Hill Players staged a shadow-puppet play on the grounds of North House Folk School with a story which is close to everyone’s heart – the passing of one of the North Shore’s favorite fishermen, Tommy Eckel. Eckel, who died Nov. 6 at the age of 81, worked out of a fish house on the folk school’s property and was a favorite of all with his cheery smile, twinkling blue eyes and funny quips.
20 YEARS AGO
DEC. 30, 1996
The Grand Marais City Council felt the heat of criticism and the warmth of support from citizens who attended the Dec. 23 council meeting. The subject at issue was a proposed agreement between the city and the Minnesota Land Trust that seeks to protect the conservation values of city-owned property on the harbor and west of the municipal campground and recreation park.
According to a letter from the Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association to all lodging properties in Cook County, the 5 percent in administrative fees that could have been taken from the collected taxes over the past few years amounts to $126,706. Instead, the county has taken only $8,715.
50 YEARS AGO
DEC. 29, 1966
With skis on top of their car, the Robert Bierbaums left Friday to go to Washburn, Wisconsin for Christmas with Mr. Bierbaum’s father and for skiing at Ashwabay near Bayfield.
The First Congregational Church of Grand Marais held its regular Sunday morning service Christmas Day at the Cook County Nursing Home. About 35 members joined with the residents and nursing care staff in a special Christmas service of scripture and carols. The choir sang four Christmas songs.
90 YEARS AGO
DEC. 30, 1926
Frank Kimball is now cook at Forsythe’s camp, north of Reservation River.
Our village marshal is under the doctor’s care with a broken thumb this week.
Charles Croft has been wearing the star while the marshal is on the mend.
There was a small blaze at C.H. Quick’s residence Tuesday morning, the fire starting around the stove pipe. Chemicals extinguished the flames.
Mrs. Alice Mitchell is quarantined with scarlet fever.
The Grand Marais Fire Department will return the fire whistle which was recently purchased for one that the people will have no difficulty in hearing.
George Eliasen of Hovland was in town Monday on his way to Duluth, where he will be put in a hospital. His right lung is destroyed with tuberculosis and his chances for recovery are poor.
Owing to the deep drifts between the Lutsen school house and Tofte, the bus was not able to make its daily trip Tuesday.
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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