Lives Remembered

Planked fish has been around for centuries. Historians widely accept that the first records of planked fish came from the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, where they would attach salmon to cedar planks and cook by a fire. European settlers quickly adopted the practice, incorporating it into their own culinary traditions. As westward expansion brought more people into contact with abundant freshwater fisheries, planked trout dinners became a staple of outdoor gatherings and celebrations. These communal meals fostered a sense of community and shared heritage. It is not uncommon to find cookbooks from the 18th century that include recipes for planked fish, and George Washington held planked shad cookouts at Mount Vernon (shad is a type of fish).

The St. Francis Xavier/ Chippewa City Church has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985, and has undergone previous repairs and studies in the past. One study done was a 2017 archeological survey and inventory conducted by Grand Portage National Monument employees and volunteers within the yard of the church. The twoweek long survey, which included shovel testing, unit evacuation, and metal detecting, was done to determine the state of the church foundation for later rehabilitation and repair, and to locate any potential archaeological remains that can be amended to the St. Francis National Register nomination.

20 YEARS AGO OCTOBER 3, 2003 v There’s no doubt about it – lynx are back. Five have been trapped and radio-collared in the Superior National Forest since a telemetry research project by the Natural Resources Research Institute began in February.

March 4, 1971 Snow Sculpture occupied a special activities period in the Grand Portage School last week. Some rather interesting sculptures resulted: including turtles, snowmobiles, rabbits, and chickens.