Maplewood State Park Drive to become more streamlined

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Trails Division will convert the scenic Park Drive in Maplewood State Park from a two-way traffic road to a one-way road on May 24.

“We expect this to be a seamless transition,” said Don Del Greco, Maplewood State Park manager. “This fulfills a long-term Park Master Plan goal, and more importantly, promotes a simpler, safer and more streamlined traffic flow pattern through this beautiful section of the park.”

Since 1963, this park drive has been a highly-traveled, two-way gravel road. The conversion will provide improved traffic flow, creating a safer trip for visitors to enjoy the forests, multiple lakes and wildlife in the park. Visitors will now enter through the main entrance at the park office and travel to the western access of the park to begin the trip along Park Drive.  read entire story. . . .

The Hairy Man of Vergas: Local Science Fiction TV interview date postponed, rescheduled time pending

PHOTO:  One of the widely circulated pictures of "Big Foot," photographed in California.

‘Paranormal professionals’ will come to investigate legend of lakes-area man-beast;
interviews with Vergus area residents who've
experienced "close encounters" with Hairy Man planned soon

( For YouTube video on "Hairy Man of Vergas"  go to this link:    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOvyLCcU8eI   )

By Louis Hoglund

Over there...walking upright in the forests of Vergas....Is it human?...Is it a bear?...Is it a gorilla?...Is it Big Foot...?
No...it is the legendary “Hairy Man of Vergas.”
Stories of an abominable snowman-like creature, living in the backwoods of the Vergas area, have been circulating since at least the 1960’s, and now, a squad  of paranormal researchers from the SyFy (Science  read entire story. . . .

County to help make intersections safer

Highway 4, 31 junction north of Pelican, near Crystal-Lida set for lighted signals

By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent

Highway intersections in various parts of Otter Tail County will be lighted, making those roadways safer. This comes about from the federal government picking up 90 percent of $148,000 for the projects.  read entire story. . . .

A heart-felt  memorial to Paul

With fanfare, sledding hill dedicated in memory of longtime Pelican teacher Paul Pfeifle–complete with giant, blue heart

By Louis Hoglund

Hundreds of Pelican Rapids High School and Viking Elementary students gathered Friday, May 11, forming an immense heart-shaped memorial to the  late teacher Paul Pfeifle.
Students, faculty, friends and family of the beloved teacher assembled at the sight of a “living  read entire story. . . .

Pelican city weighs in on Pelican Valley detachment issue

By Louis Hoglund

The Pelican Rapids City Council will put its position on the Pelican Valley Hospital District on the record.
The council voted May 8 to submit a letter that states, in effect, that it opposes the Dunn and Scambler Township proposal to withdraw from the district.
Councilmembers concluded that allowing two townships to withdraw from Pelican Valley would be  read entire story. . . .

A presidential visit to one of Otter Tail lake country’s prized parks

Eisenhower, Nixon visited Glendalough in the 1950’s
This state park photo at the information kiosk shows future President Dwight Eisenhower at the Glendalough game farm on Sept. 8, 1952. Eisenhower was elected president two months later. At left is gamekeeper Alex Johnson and at right is John Cowles, Sr. At that time, 60 years ago, the land was owned by the Minneapolis newspaper.
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By Tom Hintgen
Otter Tail County Correspondent

The year 2012 is special in the history of Glendalough, which became a state park in 1992. Sixty years ago, in 1952, future president Dwight Eisenhower visited the property when it was owned by the Cowles Media Company, owners of the Minneapolis Tribune.
Eisenhower, fondly known as Ike to most Americans, visited Glendalough two months before being elected president of the United States. It was a historic day when, on Sept. 8, 1952, Ike toured the  read entire story. . . .

Banded swan lands on Lake Lida

‘International appreciation’ goes to Lida bird enthusiast who photographed, reported sighting to wildlife officials

By Louis Hoglund

Lake Lida’s Les Langseth has the distinction of earning recognition at an international level–from the Canadian Wildlife Service.
A retired North Dakota State University engineering professor, Langseth enjoys shooting birds–photographically–as a hobby.
The eagle-eyed bird-watcher spotted a trumpeter swan; and captured a photo that was well-focused  read entire story. . . .