Boreal Access

There's still time to get a raffle ticket from the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum.

Only $2 buys you a chance at a morning of commercial fishing with one of our North Shore fishermen (herring or trout); a half-day trip for up to four with Tofte Charters; two rounds of Golf at Superior National with a cart; two nights of lodging and skiing at Lutsen Mountains; one night condo, massage, and $50 Bluefin Grille gift card at Bluefin Bay.

Contact the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum at 218-663-7050, NSCFM@boreal.org or stop in at the museum for a ticket or more information. The museum is at the intersection of Highway 61 and the Sawbill Trail in Tofte. Winners will be notified Sept. 9. Proceeds support a little Cook County non-profit that helps to preserve the memories and the heritage of the North Shore.

Cook County Vikings Football kicks off its season with an away game at Esko on Friday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m. Head Coach Mitch Dorr said this year’s squad has already exhibited two great qualities that every team needs for success: a strong work ethic and great team chemistry.  Dorr said the coaching staff has been impressed with the team’s overall mental and physical effort in practice.

Tune in to WTIP this Friday as Norman Moe and Dick Dorr travel to Esko to bring you a live broadcast of the Cook County Vikings Football game as they face the Esko Eskimos.  The pre-game show starts at 6:45 pm with kickoff at 7 pm.

Good luck, Vikings!

According to the U.S. Forest Service Gunflint Ranger District, Wednesday was another relatively quiet day on the Lizard Lake fire. The fire remains at 52 acres is concentrated to the southwest of Loon Lake off the Gunflint Trail.  No water was dropped on Wednesday. Aircraft reconnaissance will continue to assess current conditions. Today’s weather is expected to remain cooler with a good chance of rain.

The fire continues to be managed to allow its natural role in the wilderness. The confinement goals are to keep the fire south of Dawkins Lake, east of Rib Lake and west of Lizard Lake. Drivers on the Gunflint Trail will see smoke and that volume may increase as the weather dries out. The fire is not near canoe travel routes and does not threaten visitor safety. There are no restrictions or closures as a result of the fire at this time.

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Minnesota's 2010 bear hunting season begins today, September 1. In accordance with Minnesota statutes, which authorize the use of bait, hunters are now stocking bait stations. Baiting is permitted, provided the bait is biodegradable. A person who establishes a bait station must display a sign at the site.

Bear season runs through October 17.

Head cross country coach Chris Hegg reports that 28 girls and boys have reported for cross country practice. The teams’ first home meet is Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. on Pincushion Trails. Hegg expects both boys and girls varsity teams to be very competitive this season, and a trip to state for at least several individuals if not both teams. Come out and cheer on the team!

 Last spring, with a $5,000 State Health Improvement Project Grant and a partnership with the North Shore Food Project, rec park staff created a large fenced garden that was sheltered by a nearby storage building and highly visible in its location next to the swimming pool parking lot.  “Stuff has really grown and grown well,” Park Manager Dave Tersteeg said.

The garden is being used by a combination of seasonal park guests and year-round community residents. Five park guests and three year-round residents have been networking with each other as they’ve tended eight plots of various sizes:  four 10x10 plots, three 10x14 plots, and one 2x14 plot. 

“It’s a happy garden club atmosphere out there,” Tersteeg said.

Some finishing touches will be installed this fall, such as gutters and rain barrels to capture rain for watering the garden and a sign telling about the project.  This year, city water has been supplied to keep the garden watered.  The cost of that water has been minimal, Tersteeg said.

To facilitate fairness in distributing plots next year, the park will hold a lottery on Wednesday, September 1, 2010.  A person can put his or her name in for the plot of his or her choice or can put his or her name in eight times for a chance at any of the eight plots.  (Once a name is chosen, it is out of running for another plot.)  If you want to enter the drawing, sign up today!