Musician Harris Mills returned to the Grand Marais Park Board on June 7, 2011, a month after asking for permission to keep his guitar case open for donations while performing in Harbor Park. With board members raising concerns about fairness, quality control, parameters, and precedent-setting, he discussed the issue with other community members, came up with suggested guidelines for all interested musicians, and then offered to help coordinate performances on a volunteer basis.
Park Manager Dave Tersteeg said that to perform for donations, a musician would need to get the permission of the park board and apply for a peddler’s permit from the city. According to City Administrator Mike Roth, the fee is $25 for a four-day period and $100 for an annual permit.
At last month’s meeting, the board had discussed the possibility of getting a booking agent to schedule performances in the park. Tersteeg reported that he had spoken to Maggie Barnard of the Cook County Visitors Bureau (CCVB), who had brought the idea to the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association (GMATA). “Both agree that it’s a good concept and that they would support it and have some funds to market it,” said Tersteeg.
Tersteeg said North Shore Music Association (NSMA) Director Kate Fitzgerald reportedly told Barnard that booking such performances would be a good fit for the NSMA, although she had not had an opportunity to discuss it with the board.
Harris Mills indicated he had envisioned a more informal setup, but he wanted everyone interested in performing to have the same opportunity. “I don’t really see it as complicated at this point,” he said.
New board member Rod Dockan, who used to live in San Diego, said performers there would meet at a certain time every Saturday and Sunday, put their names in a hat, and choose their location from what was available when their name was pulled out.
Walt Mianowski suggested that they just go ahead and give Mills permission and let him pursue a peddler’s permit from there. Tersteeg advised against this, saying “…You’re going to get numerous more requests from other musicians.”
“I would gather that other people would be interested in this, too,” Mills said, although he thought a fee too high might put the kibosh on the idea. “That’d take a pretty big bite out,” he said. “Some people are saying, ‘Say, if you’re doing that, maybe the city should pay!’”
“I would think that this is an opportunity to create something interesting down there,” said Todd Miller. He looked at Mills and said, “Hopefully you’re passionate about this, because there’s still some work.”
The board asked Mills to work with the North Shore Music Association on pursuing the matter.
Community Connection
The board discussed the process of deciding on the design of a walkway into the park, called “Community Connection,” just west of North House Folk School. Three renderings have been put together by the park board and community members in consultation with LHB Consultants.
Dave Tersteeg said he hopes to get written comments from the board and the public over the next 30 days. The renderings can be found on the park’s website, www.grandmaraisrecreationarea.com, by clicking on “City Parks” and then “Master Plan.” Comments can be directed to the park office or emailed to recpark@boreal.org.
Golf report
Greens fees brought in during the month of May were 54 percent less than those brought in a year ago, reported Golf Course Manager Mike Kunshier. “This year’s weather is not cooperating,” he said. “[It’s] pretty slow across the board.” The number of annual memberships is about the same, however. Pool report
Visitations at the pool were up this May compared to a year ago, Head Lifeguard Charles Christiansen reported, all from city and county residents. Forty-seven people are regularly attending the water fitness classes, which are averaging 9-10 people per class.
The pool will have six Incredible Exchange students helping out this summer. Christiansen said he will be “keeping them busy, showing them how to do stuff.” He has clean-up projects for them in the basement and on the grounds outside.
Parks report
A Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant of $5,000 will be used to purchase bike racks that will be placed throughout the downtown area. Tersteeg expressed gratitude to local SHIP coordinator Kristin DeArruda Wharton for her efforts in bringing these grants to the community. A previous SHIP grant enabled the installation of the community garden in the rec park.
Tersteeg commended Edwin E. Thoreson Inc. and Nordic Electric on the excellent work they did installing water, sewer, and electric lines to RV sites between the picnic pavilion and the ball field. Pavement that was removed in the process will be replaced.
Tersteeg reported that the campground’s income last month was up 30 percent over last May because of a discount for early payment of full-season rentals, but occupancy was down 2 percent. Office Manager Samantha Williams said all but two seasonal sites are booked up.
Memorial Day brought fewer people this year than last, most likely because of the cold, rainy weather. That has not deterred everybody, however. Walt Mianowski pointed out, “The bugs are back!”
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