Cook County News Herald

Down Memory Lane


10 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 26, 2009

In recent weeks, motorists on Highway 61 have seen large rock cairn signs at six locations. On Sept. 22, members of several scenic byways groups and local government officials celebrated the completion of the first phase of the North Shore Scenic Drive Project. The dignitaries traveled from Grand Portage to Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder. From there the trek continued to the next rock cairn in Two Harbors and ended at Brighton Beach in Duluth. The five-year project was made possible through a National Scenic Byways grant, with a local match from each community. The cost of each sign was different, but the average cost per sign was $22,000, for an overall project cost of $117,000.

At the request of sheriff ’s deputy Leif Lunde, the county board authorized the purchase of over $90,000 in equipment. The purchase is funded entirely through an Operation Stonegarden grant from the Department of Homeland Security and the equipment will be used to assist the work of the Border Patrol. Items purchased include night vision equipment, GPS units, binoculars, listening devices, zoom-capable digital cameras, computers, a surveillance DVR recording system, and a hand-held infrared camera.

20 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 27, 1999

Directors of the North House Folk School told Grand Marais City Council last week the facility needs a long-term lease and commitment from the city if the nonprofit educational facility is to continue to thrive. North House co-director Mark Hansen said, “Longevity is the key here, and we need to have a secure home. We’ve already seen that people believe in this and are willing to work for it.”

It would cost approximately $21,400 to run a comprehensive summer school program in the county, according to information presented at the Sept. 20 meeting of the Cook County school board. The estimate includes salaries for teachers in all grades ($18,010), supplies ($1,400), texts, workbooks and miscellaneous items ($2,000). Board chair Jane Mianowski said that whatever the board decides to do next year, she believes efforts must be concentrated in the lower grades. “We have to solve the problems early,” she said, adding that if a solution is required summer school, then so be it.

50 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 25, 1969

Mark Pederson, 8, is in the local hospital because of burns he received when he tried to put out a fire Sunday just as his family was about to leave North Fowl after an outing at their cabin. Some gasoline ignited as the boys were using matches, which their father said they shouldn’t have had. They became excited when the flames spread. Warren LaPanta flew the injured boy to the hospital in his plane. The rest of the family followed.

John Twiest reported seeing a group of killdeers at his place on Colvill recently. He said in Michigan they used to see them often on the plowed fields, but this is the first time he has seen them here.*

The Hedstrom sawmill has undergone repair and changes for the past three weeks. They resumed sawing last Monday.

90 YEARS AGO
SEPT. 26, 1929

The Lutsen school has been closed temporarily because of a spread of measles throughout the town. The school will be closed for a week at least until authorities may see how the situation develops. A meeting will be held Friday night at Lutsen at which this matter will be taken up and discussed.

Peter Happy of Lutsen escaped possible death Wednesday when his car plunged over the river bank near the Lutsen gas filling station and lodged against a tree 50 feet below. Mr. Happy asserts that he is unable to explain how the accident happened. He is bothered by eye trouble and hence he may not have realized how near the edge he had ventured until it was too late to check the car. He was helped from the badly damaged car through the broken windshield and aided in the steep climb up the bank. He was then taken to Dr. Nolan. Aside from severe bruises about the face Mr. Happy is not considered to be in serious condition.

“Dick,” the faithful and intelligent watch dog owned by John Nelson of Maple Hill, which died suddenly one afternoon about three weeks ago, has been succeeded by another pup. The new dog was purchased from John Alnes of Schroeder and it, too, has been named “Dick.”

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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