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Part 3 “The Indigenous presence in Knife River” by Todd Lindahl, a continuation from last week. Reprinted with permission from the KRHCC February 2023 newsletter.

The second round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs is one game away from going into the books, and as always the tourney has been exciting and interesting as can be. As for that one more game, that will take place this eve between the DAL Stars and the second-year SEA Kraken in a Monday Night Seven Heaven. The game will be in the Big D with an invite to the Western Conference Final on the line. What is likely to happen here? The Stars are 4-2 at home during the playoff, while the Kraken is 4-3 on the road. Does anyone hold an advantage there? I can't say. But will having a G7 on home ice help DAL or the road dog Kraken? You might almost prefer to be the road dog for this game. Put as much on the home team's shoulders as you can. There are few things worse than losing a playoff series on your own rink in the National. It is that bad. But when I think of this tilt tonight I think first, that the overmatched Minnesota WILD managed to win a game at DAL. The Kraken has won a playoff game there already. So that establishes the Stars aren't invincible at home. For the two coaches, Pete DeBoer (SEA) and Dave Hakstol, (SEA) I'd have to give DeBoer the slightest advantage in NHL situations like this. He simply has more experience than the Hakker does in this league. Make no mistake though, Hakstol has done an impressive job with this club this season. That's why he is a Jack Adams Finalist. Between the pipes, stats-wise, it's a relatively close call with the Kraken's Phillip Grubauer and the Star's Jake Oettinger. At this very moment, I can say 'Grubs' put up a superior performance over the 'Oetter' in G6. My eyeball test is saying that Grubauer has just a tad bit more game than Oettinger does at the moment. But I also feel that the Kraken are playing better team defense than DAL right now. That never hurts a goalie's efforts. But then, if DAL puts one of their dominant type games on the ice, SEA won't have a chance. I'm just going to have to wait for game time I guess. I do li

The North Shore Adventure Park opens its fifth season on Friday, May 26 with some new offerings and more deals for North Shore and Twin Ports residents. The Adventure Park offers climb and zip experiences and is the only forested Adventure Park in Minnesota. The new axe throwing attraction opened in July 2023 with six lanes that can accommodate up to 24 throwers. “It’s a really fun experience and we provide games so people can get better really fast,” said Alice Tibbetts, president of the North Shore Adventure Park. Guests can come in a group and use as many lanes as they need or can rent just one lane for up to four people. Two axe throwing leagues are planned for early summer: a competitive adult league for ages 16 and up and a social/ family league for ages 12 and up. “We are the only permanent outdoor axe facility in Minnesota, and the only venue on the North Shore. It’s so much more fun to play outdoors and since it is covered, you can even play in the rain,” said Tibbetts. The park offers a discounted Locals Ticket for single visits and season passes for individuals and families. TIbbets says the thing she is most excited about this year is that they are fully staffed. She credits that relatively rare north shore phenomenon to the dedication of their staff, and innovative solutions to housing. “We worked so hard to put ourselves out on every single hiring platform we could find, and I bought two houses in Silver Bay for our staff,” said Tibbets. Staff include international students from Bulgaria and Jamaica, and a shared employment arrangement with the Americinn is another partnership that Tibbets is proud of, calling it a really nice, productive relationship for the students and both businesses.

With so many travelers and tourists coming to the North Shore, locals can easily become complacent with the absolute beauty that surrounds us here in Lake County. But thanks to two locals, Dan Cruikshank and Jeff Knight, over thirty- five years ago, that has all changed considerably. While on a camping trip in the Boundary Waters, the two friends came up with the idea of making better and more durable camping and pack gear. We are grateful they did. Internationally known and purchased, Granite Gear products have traveled the world – literally. From Mount Everest to both the North and South Poles, Granite Gear has answered the call and weathered all kinds of extreme weather and climates like a champ. Additionally, the US military even uses some of their stuff sacks and ultralight packs for maneuvers and missions. Their goal is to provide gear for all outdoor enthusiasts and travelers of any ability or experience. But where they really ‘pack’ a punch is how they give back to the Lake County community. Pick an event, and Granite Gear is there to help support it. From the THHS and WKHS After Prom celebrations to the Chamber Galas, Save the BWCA, the John Beargrease Sled Dog event, VSC Snowmobile efforts, Hartley Nature Center events, to Superior Hiking Trail maintenance, Granite Gear is always there to pitch in.

We are really feeling the blowing winds of change at preschool! The weather has finally warmed, the trees are budding new life, the grass is growing, and the birds are singing. As we take in the beauty of spring, these changes also signal the end of another school year and the beginning of summer term for us at preschool.

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