The 41st Gunflint Trail Canoe Races event on July 18 was a huge success. With a lot of help and contributions from many volunteers, along with visitors who came and bought raffle tickets, supper and bid on our auctions, we were able to donate more than $24,000 to the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department’s ongoing efforts to protect and serve us.
I especially want to thank the 2018 GTCR steering committee, including Gunflint Lodge owners John and Mindy Fredrickson. Arden Byers was race coordinator; Vi Nelson headed marketing. Cindy Imsdahl Ceo, along with John and Rose Schloot, made the Food Tent the place to be. Sally Valentini supervised the kayak raffle and silent auction, while Michael Valentini served as races MC and auctioneer. Our thanks too, to Fran Smith, our intrepid treasurer of the Gunflint Lake Property Owners Assn.
We also received lots of support this year from Visit Cook County, WTIPNorth Shore Radio, Coca-Cola, Upper Lakes Foods and Wenonah Canoe, for which we are certainly grateful.
And finally, we all want to thank the residents up and down the Trail and in Grand Marais who volunteered their time, energy and financial resources to make the 2018 Gunflint Trail Canoe Races our most successful.
Bob Baker Sr.
2018 Gunflint Trail Canoe Races chair
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