Tribute to Civilian Conservation Corps At 3 State Parks

Michigan-based author and songwriter Bill Jamerson will present the “Dollar a Day Boys” program, a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps, at Itasca, Buffalo River and Lake Bemidji state parks over Memorial Day weekend.

Jamerson has presented at CCC reunions around the country and at dozens of state and national parks. The presentation includes storytelling, reading excerpts from his novel and performing original songs with his guitar. 

“The program is as entertaining as it is important; as honest as it is fun,” said Jamerson. “It is about people both ordinary and extraordinary, with stories of strength, wit and charm.”

Program schedule:

• Itasca State Park (Park Rapids) - Friday, May 26, 7 to 8 p.m., at the Forest Inn.
• Buffalo River State Park (Glyndon) – Saturday, May 27, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at park picnic shelter.
• Lake Bemidji State Park (Bemidji) – Sunday, May 28, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., at the amphitheater.

A question-and-answer period and book signing will follow the presentations. People are encouraged to bring CCC photo albums and memorabilia if they have any.

Jamerson will also present a 45-minute children’s lumberjack show at Lake Bemidji State Park on Sunday, May 28, at 10 a.m. at the park Dining Hall. With guitar in hand and dressed in costume, Jamerson will tell stories about the lumberjack experience in Minnesota and sing traditional songs about working in the woods, living in a bunkhouse, work ethics, hardships of river drives and the importance of camp food.

The Civilian Conservation Corps was a federal works program created by President Franklin Roosevelt in the heart of The Great Depression. During its nine-year run from 1933-1942, 2.6 million men enrolled across the country including 86,000 in Minnesota. An average of 51 camps operated in Minnesota each year with a total financial obligation of $85 million.

Itasca State Park was a site for one of the many CCC camps. The “C”s planted more than 180 million trees in Minnesota, fought hundreds of forest fires, released several billion fish in rivers and lakes, built hundreds of dams and bridges and constructed thousands of miles of roads.

Other state parks constructed by the "C"s include St. Croix, Lac qui Parle, Gooseberry Falls, Whitewater, Interstate and Flandrau. Camp Rabideau in Blackduck, north of Bemidji, is still standing and contains many original CCC buildings. It is one of the finest camp restorations in the nation.

Aside from his songs, Jamerson has written a book and several articles on the CCC, as well as produced 11 PBS films.

For more information visit mndnr.gov/state_parks, or visit Jamerson’s website at billjamerson.com.

Work on Enbridge pipeline along Highway 197 begins Aug. 4

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists on Highway 197 in Bemidji will experience lane shifts and closures beginning Aug. 4 as crews do maintenance work on the Enbridge pipeline.

The work will occur along a ¼ mile stretch of 197 south of Carr Lake Road. Flaggers will be present, with lane shifts creating a short two-lane section of traffic flow. There will be an 11-foot lane width restriction in the area.

Work is anticipated to be complete by the end of August.

MnDOT asks drivers to slow down in work zones. Motorists who speed through a work zone or do not obey flaggers’ traffic directions will be fined $300 beginning Aug. 1, under a new law passed during the 2014 state legislative session.  

For statewide travel information, visit www.511mn.org.

New traffic signal is a first for Bemidji

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists at the Highway 197/Paul Bunyan Drive stoplight in Bemidji soon will encounter a change to the existing traffic signal that features a flashing yellow arrow for left-hand turns. This is the first time a flashing yellow signal has been used in Bemidji.

The change will go into effect in early to mid-June.

When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow allows waiting motorists to turn left off westbound 197/Paul Bunyan Drive after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The revised traffic signal still will use the traditional red, yellow and green arrows, with an additional flashing yellow arrow section. Flashing yellow arrow signals have been shown to help drivers make fewer mistakes and minimize unnecessary waiting for motorists by allowing more opportunities to make a left turn.

After extensive testing, the Federal Highway Administration authorized use of flashing yellow arrows nationwide in 2009. The flashing yellow arrow is now part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s standard design of traffic signals. MnDOT has installed more than 60 systems throughout Minnesota to date. Some Minnesota cities and counties also are installing the new signals.

A study conducted by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program determined that drivers had fewer crashes with flashing yellow left-turn arrows than with traditional yield-on-green signals.

MnDOT plans to install the new flashing yellow arrow systems on most future traffic signal construction projects. Retrofitting existing signals to include flashing yellow arrows can be costlyand will be done on a limited basis. 

To read more about the new flashing yellow arrow signals, visit www.mndot.gov/trafficeng/signals/flashingyellowarrow.html. 

Bemidji Downtow Development Authority Establishes Fund with NMF

Bemidji, MN – April 2, 2013 – In an effort to further enhance the strong business presence in downtown Bemidji, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has established a new fund with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) that will offer loans up to $5,000. The mission of the revolving loan program is to assist businesses in either locat ing downtown or expanding their downtown business.

The loans are available to any business looking to locate or expand in downtown Bemidji. “This is an excellent opportunity to increase awareness about the Downtown Development Authority and our important work,” said DDA President Ken Cobb. “We already have a great downtown, and we are always working to make it even better. Our mission is to promote and enhance our vibrant downtown, and this loan program will encourage businesses to locate and expand here.”

Loans can be used for building improvements, equipment, inventory, supplies, and working capital. The business must maintain (DDA) membership throughout the term of the loan. “This is a great partnership opportunity with NMF and the DDA,” said Business Development Officer, Diane Morey. “In some cases, a DDA loan can be paired with a loan from our own in-house microloan program. This leveraging can bring more options and flexibility to the business owner, which was a priority in this partnership.”

The DDA Loan Committee will meet as needed to approve applications. Businesses must reflect and complement the character of downtown Bemidji, as interpreted by the committee. Applications can be found online at www.nwmf.org under Business Development on the Entrepreneur Development Program page.

Permanent pavement markings on Highway 197/71 begins Tuesday, May 15

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Motorists in the Bemidji area will encounter some minor delays as crews install the final ground-in pavement markings on Highway 197 and Highway 71 from Carr Lake Road south to County Road 2. 

The work begins Tuesday, May 15, and is expected to be completed May 22.

The permanent pavement markings were delayed because of last year’s state government shutdown.

Motorists are advised to be alert for slow moving equipment and possible lane closures.

For updated road conditions and construction around the state, call 5-1-1 or click on www.511mn.org.