Bill Tormondsen has retired—again. Probably for the last time. No, he said, “It’s time. Time for me to retire and stay retired.” After all, Bill has a wife, and there’s fish to catch. Then there’s the work on the house and the cabin that’s waiting. And there’s catching up with friends and family. When you have been as busy as... READ MORE >
Grand Portage, Minnesota’s oldest community, was recently the site of an important archaeology find. Bob Walker, an excavator hired to replace the Grand Portage National Park Service dock, dumped a bucket of sludge on his barge, hosed it off and noticed a glint of copper in the muck. The reason Walker was cleaning the aggregate was so that the rock... READ MORE >
The fourth annual Sawtooth Mountain Elementary talent show was a rousing success, filled with singing, dancing, skits and even a karate demonstration. Kicking the evening off were Molly Thomas, Krissy Backstrom, Brooke Sherer and Taylor Hartung performing a well-planned choreographed dance to rock music. Because their music ended prematurely, they came back and finished the program with a full dance... READ MORE >
The Grand Marais Open Tennis Tournament will begin June 16 at the Cook County Public Tennis Courts in Grand Marais, and it’s not too late to sign up. Junior events include (Level 6) for youth (girls and boys) 12, 14, and 16 singles and doubles. Adult events include men’s 50 singles and doubles, women’s 50 singles and doubles, and 50... READ MORE >
In his book Quetico—Near to Nature’s Heart Jon Nelson’s love and knowledge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) sister park is demonstrated to be vast. Note, Nelson is an avid storyteller and fills the book with witty, sometimes whimsical stories of people and legends and tales of animals and birds. But he is also a scientist, and at... READ MORE >
A warm, dry spring has been bad for forests but good for walleyes, noted local Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries expert Steve Persons. And on May 15, Cook County lakes should be flooded with fishermen wielding rod and reel, hoping to load their limits into creels and fish tanks on the opener. “Thisis probably going to be one... READ MORE >
With the fishing opener right around the corner, fishermen start to dream of the “big one that didn’t get away.” The following is proof that a few fishermen’s dreams have come true. Anglers plying Cook County lakes and streams have set some of Minnesota’s best fishing records. Maybe this will be your year to land a fish in the record... READ MORE >
Arbor Day is over but it’s not too late to get trees to plant for the spring. Hedstrom Lumber Company has just received 5,000 white pine seedlings and 10,000 white spruce seedlings. The trees are free to the public and continue a long tradition of Hedstrom Lumber Company’s commitment to replanting the forest. “We have already sent out e-mails to... READ MORE >
A bedrock Grand Marais business has decided to expand its hours, expand its products and improve its services to the community. Arrowhead Pharmacy is in the last stages of wrapping up an expansive (and expensive) three month remodel/ redesign. Gone are the old displays, rows, counters and countertops, and in their place are new flooring, new walls, fresh paint and... READ MORE >
With the advent of an early and much welcomed spring, the 3rd annual Gunflint Green Up couldn’t be coming at a better time. Instead of concentrating on planting trees this year, volunteers will “release” trees on May 7 and May 8. “That’s cutting away the competing vegetation to let the sunshine in,” said Nancy Seaton, event coordinator. “Think of it... READ MORE >
