CORRECTION:
In the November 14, 2009 article Northwoods Food Project
studies poultry needs,
an incorrect web site was given. The correct address is: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx? sm=x7vKpngziHEAgXRSkSTRWw_3d_3d Full Story
West End library volunteer needed
The Grand Marais Public Library needs a West End volunteer who can deliver books from the book drop at the Grand Marais State Bank in Tofte to the library in Grand Marais once a week. Full Story
2009 Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count is Dec. 19
Have you ever wondered just how many black-capped chickadees have been flitting around your feeder? Have you noticed an uncommon number of common ravens on your morning hike? If you would like to help record the number of birds sharing our yards and forests, the 2009 Audubon Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has a wonderful opportunity for you! Full Story
Weekly Weather
Local hiking trails are beautiful this time of year, but can be treacherous with light snow and slippery leaves—hike carefully! Full Story
Otis Creek is official
The United States Board on Geographic names has notified Cook County Auditor- Treasurer Braidy Powers that a request to name a stream in Hovland “Otis Creek” has been approved.
The 3.6-mile stream starts in Grand Portage State Forest, 1.2 miles northeast of the point where the Flute Reed River enters Chicago Bay of Lake Superior. Full Story
Mid-Trail citizens express concern over speeding
The county board has received copies of an October 19, 2009 letter to County Engineer Shae Kosmalski from the Mid- Trail Property Owners Association regarding safety on the Gunflint Trail. Full Story
Probation violation brings prison term in criminal sexual conduct case
After serving one year of a five-year probation, Timothy J. Thornton II, 21, was remanded to the state correctional facility at St. Cloud on September 24, 2009, where he will serve 48 months. He had pled guilty a year before on one count of 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim between the ages of 13 and 15 who was more than 24 months younger than him. Full Story
New picnic site proposed for Poplar Lake island
A new picnic table, fire grate, and latrine may be built on a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-owned island on Poplar Lake, courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service. Cook County would sign a lease with the DNR for use of the site, which would be maintained by the Poplar Lake Association.
The island is called Blueberry/Picnic Island. Full Story
Magney State Park considers purchase of adjacent land
Over 85% of Cook County’s land is government owned, and that percentage may be going up just a little.
On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, the county board voted unanimously to support the addition of 120 acres of private land to the boundaries of Judge C.R. Magney State Park (Commissioner Jim Johnson was absent). Full Story
Caribou Lake water quality checks continue
The quality of the water in Caribou Lake has improved significantly over the last five years, but the county board voted Tuesday, November 17, 2009 to continue monitoring the lake for another five years. Full Story
State requires higher charge for excess water use
Residents of Grand Marais may want to start paying attention to how many gallons of water they are using each month. By January 1, 2013, the Public Utilities Commission will have a higher rate for use that exceeds a certain amount. Full Story
Grand Marais continues to fare better in lodging business
Three-quarters of the way into 2009, Grand Marais continues to outpace the West End and the Gunflint Trail in increases over last year’s lodging tax income.
The Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association is down 11.9% from last year.
Gunflint Trail Tourism Association businesses that have submitted their third quarter reports show a 9.8% decrease from last year. Full Story
County to plow Onion River Road
In an effort to support winter recreation and tourism, the county board has voted to keep the lower portion of the Onion River Road plowed throughout the winter.
The Onion River Road in Lutsen is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. It has numerous residences along it, both full-time and seasonal. Full Story
A hearty bowl of soup
The Empty Bowls fundraiser at the Congregational Church Thursday, November 12, 2009 brought 250 people who spent $3,501 on their soup suppers to benefit the Cook County Food Shelf. Full Story
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In anticipation of its 40th season, the Grand Marais Playhouse held a gala celebration at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Saturday, October 24, 2009. Full Story
New life for old Chevy garage
Changes are in the works for the old Lind Chevrolet garage on the east side of 1st Avenue West in downtown Grand Marais. The building’s new owner, Jill Terrill, would like to see it become a gathering space for community members as well as an attraction that could benefit local entrepreneurs. Full Story
36th year for Community Thanksgiving Dinner
All are invited to the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at First Congregational Church in Grand Marais. For 36 years, the church has opened its doors and kitchen to serve a thanksgiving dinner. At 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 26, the Fellowship Hall in the lower level of the church will fill with friends and neighbors who wish to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Full Story
Arrowhead Electric a holiday donation site
Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc. in Lutsen is serving as a drop-off point for the local Salvation Army’s “Merry Christmas for All” program and the Cook County Food Shelf. Full Story
Delightful cast for Playhouse’s Cinderella
The Grand Marais Playhouse is preparing for its next produc t ion—Di sne y ’s Cinderella! The Arrowhead Center for the Arts is abuzz with an energetic young cast learning lines and maybe a little bit of magic with Director Sue Hennessey. Full Story
Fiber Guild Annual Holiday Sale
Mittens, baskets, cards, jewelry, scarves, rugs.... just some of the handmade fiber items that the Northwoods Fiber Guild members have made ready for the Annual Holiday Sale and Open House at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Full Story
Holiday Market at Last Chance Gallery
Warm up with holiday refreshments and music, and find the perfect handmade gifts for the ones you love at Last Chance Gallery’s Holiday Market. Full Story
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For Veterans Day Wednesday, November 11, 2009, Sawtooth Elementary second graders wrote letters thanking veterans for their service to our country. Full Story
Open house held for Birch Grove nature trail
Birch Grove Community School held an open house October 23 for the new nature trail system behind the Birch Grove Community Center. The nature trail conveniently connects to the outdoor classroom also located behind the center. The trail system was finished in August, complete with 10 interpretive signs. Full Story
$400,000 Macalester College scholarship created for local students
Macalester College has announced the receipt of a gift to support a $400,000 scholarship endowment for students from Grand Marais or Cook County who attend the college. Full Story
DNR to offer state lands for metallic minerals exploration
TheMinnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold the state’s 31st sale of metallic minerals exploration and mining leases, tentatively scheduled for January 2010. The lease sale plans are being announced at this time in order to give mining companies, public interest groups and all other interested parties additional time to review the areas under consideration. Full Story
Conservation Partners Grants draw interest
A total of 129 applications were received by the Nov. 3 deadline for the first round of the Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant program. Full Story
Midseason deer report
s
Deer rifle season closes Sunday, November 22, but at press time hunting was still going strong.
Buck’s Hardware in Grand Marais had registered 279 deer. Paul Swearingen of Buffalo, MN, was still in the lead in the Buck’s Big Buck Contest—in two categories, with a buck weighing 233 pounds and with an antler spread of 21.5-inches. Full Story
Survival tips for lost hunters
Even experience hunters can get lost, so people should be prepared for that possibility before heading out for their hunt, according to Capt. Mike Hammer, DNR Enforcement Education Program coordinator.
“Survival is an attitude, but you need to be able to think clearly for that to happen,” Hammer noted.
Hammer offered tips for those heading outdoors. Full Story
2010 Natural Resources Trust Fund projects selected
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has completed its annual process for making recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature on funding for environment and natural resources projects around the state, and is recommending the 2010 Legislature provide a total of approximately $26 million from the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (“Tru Full Story
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