An idea has been simmering at Blue Water Café—what Gene Erickson termed “the headquarters of Grand Marais”—that would honor a deeply loved community member and invite opportunities for others to be honored as well.
Erickson and Park Johnson asked the Grand Marais Park Board Tuesday, July 6, 2010 to consider allowing the Blue Water coffee club to erect a high-quality flagpole in Harbor Park in honor of Dick Joynes, who died in 2001. Joynes spent much of his life making his customers feel welcome at the family store, Joynes Ben Franklin, across the street.
The coffee club has raised $1,300 so far, with more people already willing to donate and Dick’s wife Skip offering to cover any gaps in funding. About 30 men are interested in helping with the project, Johnson said.
Prices for installing a flagpole vary from $1,600 to $3,100 depending on the options chosen. Dick’s friends want a flagpole “of quality, all the way,” Johnson said. One that boaters could see straight ahead as they entered the harbor and lit at night so they see which way the wind was blowing.
“I think it would be a real neat thing to have in the park,” Erickson said, adding that it would encourage patriotism, something he thinks our country needs more of.
The board talked with Erickson and Johnson about options for the flagpole. It could have boulders around it where others could have plaques installed in honor of their loved ones. Money from the sale of the plaques could fund replacement of the flag as needed. Park staff would need to monitor its condition and pay attention to half-staff schedules, Tersteeg said.
The board unanimously passed a motion approving the project and asked Erickson and Johnson to come back next month with more specific design ideas and information.
“Go to work!” said board chair Walt Mianowski.
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