It’s sort of a case of history making history in the City of Jenkins. Over a hundred years of settlement, livelihood and transportation history has been and continues to be collected from interested residents who have direct memories and/or family ties to the stories. 

What’s a Scenic Byway worth to its local communities, both socially and in dollars and cents? Byways across the nation are asking, and the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association (PBSBA) wanted to know too.

The novelty tee shirt featuring the theme, ‘Paul Bunyan Camps With the Corp’, will be available for purchase beginning this summer. It debuted at the November, 2009, Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association’s annual meeting and was an immediate hit.

Last week several longtime residents met to share memories of their early years in Jenkins.

The discussion centered around a short pamphlet, published in the mid-'70s by a group of women calling themselves The Jenkins Booster Club and written by Mary Dropping, now deceased.

The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association (PBSBA) has always been known in the area as an energetic organization, but this summer they may have surprised even themselves with the number of projects done since the snow finally melted in late spring. 

• The Historic Mailcarrier Interpretation for Byway Visitors project is nearing the end of its first year of implementation. By the end of the 2007 season, nearly a dozen live performances by the By-The-Way Players will have been presented.

The Pine River Chamber has received approval from the City of Pine River to construct a pair of Paul Bunyan's baby boots near the Information Center this summer. The boots will be fourteen feet long, twelve feet high and ten feet wide and will be constructed by Pine River-Backus art instructor Wayne Shilson.

BY DIANE MCCORMACK

diane.mccormack@pineriverjournal.com

Carol Ottoson and Rod Nelson, Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Association Members, awarded door prizes at the byway dinner. Photo by Diane McCormack

• The second series of original oils will feature Seasons of the Byway.  Crosslake artist, Tom Ottoson, has completed the winter scene and is currently nearing completion of the fall scene.
• Production and printing for the second set of playing ards is again being fully funded by Grand Casino Mille Lacs. Art is being provided by Pine River-Backus art students.

• As of December 13, 2006, the Wetlands Walk, at Veterans Walking Trail now has four interpretive panels installed along the Walk. Thanks to Dave Badger, Bob Joens and Darrel Skallet for installing the panels and Mike Holst for assembling the panels and posts.