July 2022

When does a quiet playground and picnicking area become a sea of tents, live music, and high spirits? Bike MS (Multiple Sclerosis), the largest fundraising cycling series in the world, sends nearly 75,000 cyclists and more than 6,000 teams out to ride together each year to change the world for people with MS. As in past years, the “Ride Across Minnesota 2022” included an overnight stay in Two Harbors on the evening of July 22. Riders number 325 biked in from the north and popped up their tents all over Lakeview park. Kathleen O’Donnell, Upper Midwest Chapter President of the National MS Society, says that many of the cyclists come year after year, including families that use this ride as a family reunion. Coming from as far away as Texas, each rider or team raises pledges for MS for each mile biked. In this case the ride was five days and 291 miles long, began and ended in Proctor, and took a spin up through Chisholm and Biwabik before descending to Lake Superior. The mission of the NMSS? To cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives.

The NHL and sports wagering I distinctly recall being in the third grade and early into a new school year. A new Minnesota Vikings football season was upon us too.

Summer Storms. The old sentinel stood alone in the pasture, a single white pine that had survived the pine logging frenzy of the late nineteenth century for some reason, and had witnessed its immediate surroundings slowly transformed into a sea of grass and alfalfa.

Editor’s note: We will return to the exploits of the reluctant editor, Tony’s Underwater Limousine Service, Hell Yes! and the Old Pilot soon. With the news that the Northshore Mine will be shuttered until at least next April, it is imperative that the Great March for Community Newspapers heads to Silver Bay to help all those unemployed miners and their families.

Two Harbors 14U third baseman Ashlyn Cavallin is an elite defensive player and major offensive threat each time she steps up to the plate. “Ashlyn’s improvement this summer has been phenomenal, both in the field and at the plate,” said Coach Ori Scherer. Photos courtesy of Howie Hanson

Pitcher Raegan Hogenson has been a rockstar pitcher for Two Harbors’ 14U and 12U softball teams this summer. “Raegan has pin-point pitching accuracy and keeps her defense engaged,” said Coach Ori Scherer. “She has a great attitude, even when pushing through difficult innings.”

Lakeview National golf course in Two Harbors has had a history of struggling to make a go of it, and in recent years has been able to turn around its financial situation. Miranda Pietila, Two Harbors finance director, says the city owned golf course experienced a huge revenue increase between 219 and 2020, from $197,000 in 2019 to $408,000 the next year.