“Let’s pack a lunch and go on an expedition tomorrow,” I told Vikki.
Joan Farnam: NorthShore ArtScene
August Arts!
Festivals, art shows, music and more are on the calendar for August and this year, so the heart of summer on the North Shore should be exciting.
Shawn Perich: On the Shore
There and back on a springtime expedition
“Where are you taking me?” was all she asked.
“Let’s try to find some brook trout for dinner,” was my reply.
Trout Stocking Cuts Symptom of Deeper Fiscal Woes
The Minnesota DNR recently announced cutbacks to trout stocking in lakes and streams and the partial shuttering of the French River Hatchery as the Kamloops rainbows formerly raised there are moved to another facility. To learn how stocking cutbacks may affect the average angler, I called Steve Persons, the DNR fisheries manager in Grand Marais. Within his work area are dozens of lakes stocked with stream trout. I wondered if the stocking reductions would reduce fishing opportunities.
Conversations
A Conversation with Braidy Powers
Beginning April 1, Cook County businesses were required to collect an additional one percent in sales tax from their customers. The new tax was authorized by county voters last November and is intended to be used for local projects. The current sales tax rate in Cook County is 7.875 percent.
Welcome to our Table
Through the Donut Hole
At World’s Best Donuts in Grand Marais Grandma’s influence is clear—Grandma being the one who started this four-generation North Shore institution 41 years ago. The donut recipe is still the same old standby Grandma used, the Donut Winners Club is still going strong, and employees still wake up to make the donuts at the crack of dawn.
Health and Wellness
Gitchi-Gami Trail Gains Three Miles in the West End
The Gitchi-Gami State Trail gained three more miles of paved bike trail this summer. The new stretch now runs from the Onion River Road to Cook County Road 34, extending a stretch of existing trail between Tofte and Lutsen.
Tips for: Successful Outdoor Entertaining
Outdoor entertaining is all about getting together with friends and family. Whether you spend the day cooking, eating, chatting or pitching a game of horseshoes, there are some basic items needed for a successful outing.
Life Long Learning
District Considers Four-Day School Week
Grand Marais--The Cook County school district (ISD 166) is considering the option of a four-day week and the effects of such a scheduling change on student education.
Presently, four Minnesota districts, MCCRAY, Blackduck, Warroad, and Ogilvie, have four-day week schedules. Minnesota schools implementing the four-day week report positive experiences from parents, students and staff. All four districts plan to continue with the four-day week calendars.
Home and Property
Replace Your Roof Before it Begins to Leak
The most obvious sign that you need to have your roof inspected is when leaks appear in the attic, ceiling or interior walls, but you should also pay attention to a sudden rise in your heating bill and watch for sagging or rotten soffits. If you catch these signs early you may just need a repair, but you will need to replace it eventually, so here are a few things to consider.
Siding Selection.Know your Options
Putting new siding on your home can be a daunting and expensive task, but knowing what materials are available and choosing the right contractor will help make the project flow smoothly. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of siding material, including cost, ease of installation and maintenance requirements.
Hwy61 Business
Grand Portage—Cook County's Largest Employer
The adage that a rising tide lifts all boats is certainly true on the Grand Portage Reservation. Just over 20 years ago, Grand Portage was one of the first Minnesota reservations to become involved in tribal gaming. Since then, the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino has become one of the North Shore’s most popular destinations and an economic catalyst for the reservation and Cook County.
Other Features
Primary Questions: Commission Candidates Respond
In the August 10 primary, voters in District 3 and District 5 will vote to narrow the field of county commissioner candidates to two per district for the November election. What follows are the candidate’s answers to four questions related to current, county issues. As the only media source mailed to every Cook County household, North Shore Highway 61 is proud to provide this information to you.
Share a Ride on the Shore
North Shore Ride Share, a free service connecting drivers and riders for travel, carpooling, and package pickup/delivery is available online at www.boreal.org/rideshare.
Rendevous Days Celebrate the Past
Grand Portage is the place to be on August 13-15 for Rendezvous Days and the Celebration Pow-wow.
Dragon Boat Races July 29-Aug. 1
Hundreds of people will crowd into Grand Marais for the 7th annual North Shore Dragon Boat Festival July 29-Aug. 1. The fun-filled weekend is a paddling adventure and a weekend community celebration that is one of the highlights of the summer. It’s also a fundraiser for three non-profits in the county: WTIP Community Radio, the North Shore Health Care Foundation and North House Folk School.
Festival Fun in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay, Ontario offers a host of summertime cultural and arts activities. The first celebration of the month is Canada Day, July 1, and Marina Park is the place to be. There is live music on two stages, lots of family activities, food and fireworks start at 11 p.m. Events run from 5:30 -11:30 p.m.
Birch Bark Canoes
Erik Simula has spent every summer for the last 15 years building traditional birch bark canoes. It’s a practice that allows him to continue a Native craft that was nearly lost in modern times. It also keeps him immersed in the woods he loves.
