by Lars Swensen

The temperature in Bunyan Bay hit 18 below zero yesterday marking the 8th day in a row below zero. There are two seasons in northern Minnesota, winter and road construction, and we have clearly moved into winter. As confirmation, Kanute Gunderson, owner of Kanute’s Camping, Canoeing and Fishing Stores got his tongue stuck on the town hall flagpole again. Some people never learn. The good news is, Kanute won’t be able to talk for a week.

Bernice Lundstrom won the Bob Dylan trivia question this week with her answer, “blowing in the wind.” It is rumored that Bob Dylan, who grew up in nearby Hibbing, once visited the local bar, The Bunyan. At least that’s what co-owner, Gunner Johnson, would have you believe. Some people think he made up the story to score points with his wife, Clara.

Congratulations to 94 year old Mayor Swensen (no relation) for winning his re-election. Swensen has been Mayor since 1942 enacting such legislation as “Softer food at the Piggly Wiggly,” and “Shut up, you darn teenagers.” This was his narrowest victory in years, barely beating write-in candidate, “Anyone Else.”