20 YEARS AGO SEPTEMBER 19, 2003 v Wish lists and harbor maps were unfolded at the Safe Harbor Advisory Committee meeting on Monday as members continued discussions about the possibility of developing a full-service marina in the Grand Marais harbor. Any development of a safe harbor and/or marina will require months, if not years, of work as well as the go-ahead by the city council, the U.S.
Many moons and several columns ago, we wrote about oddities of Cook County law enforcement. Law violations were few, and we smiled a little about fishing with illegal minnows.
20 YEARS AGO OCTOBER 10, 2003 v Environmental groups filed suit last week in U.S. District Court challenging a federal decision lowering the status of the gray wolf from endangered to threatened in the continental United States.
When did Service go out of fashion? I’ve always been impressed at the volunteerism in this community, but I fear it may be waning. Ruby’s Pantry had up to 90 volunteers— astounding.
As I write this column, I am on my very last day in my 50s. Tomorrow, I will be 60 years old. I never imagined myself at this age. I remember being nine years old, just waiting to turn ten. I lied all summer, saying I was already ten until my sister-cousin Dawn called me out. I wanted so bad to be 19. Not because I wanted to go to bars and drink….I just wanted to go to the Polar Bear in Lutsen and dance! 30 I was a new mom to Zoe and felt like a raccoon on roller skates! It took a while to get my balance. By 40, I had three littles and had just moved to Annandale: new house, new friends. My 50s have been a blur. I used to roll my eyes when Grandma Isabelle said time flies as you get older. Now I know just what she meant.
The Hayride Many traditions abound in October. Most, it seems, circle round in anticipation of Halloween.
Recently, the University’s Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics magazine featured one of the school’s alums in its magazine. This inspired me to add another type of column to Wondering 61—Sixty-One Personalities.
Minnesotans who receive tax credits through MNsure will spend 5% less on health insurance premiums next year, on average Starting November 1, Minnesotans who need health insurance can sign up for 2024 coverage through MNsure, Minnesota’s official health insurance marketplace, where they can easily find, choose and purchase health insurance. MNsure’s open enrollment period begins November 1, 2023, and will run through January 15, 2024.
Castle Danger Brewery of Two Harbors graciously hosted the well-attended MPR Rural Voice forum on Affordable Housing in Minnesota, expertly moderated by Kerri Miller. Audience participation was great, and a number of problems and solutions related to our affordable housing crisis were discussed. However, one important element was not addressed; affordability and accessibility of homes also depends on their annual energy costs.
It looks like it will be next spring before shovels will be in the ground for the 51 apartments being built by Switchback Village, LLC in Grand Marais. Bids were opened and tabled for further review on July 28 for Phase 1 of the project located on 5th Avenue West in Creechville on about 12 acres of land sold to the developers for $1 by the City of Grand Marais.