By Henrylito D. Tacio

“THERE’S a land that I heard of,” so goes a line of a song. “And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true,” says another line.

Of course, you probably know the title of the song – “Over the Rainbow.” Unfortunately, not too many know that it was Judy Garland (the mother of Liza Minnelli) who sang the original song, which was featured in the classic, “The Wizard of Oz.”

The truth is, my dream has finally come true. I am now in Grand Rapids – no, not in Michigan, but Minnesota – where Judy Garland herself was born and grew up. In fact, there is a museum built in her honor by local artist Jackie Dingmann.

Located adjacent to the restored home where she – then known as Frances Ethel Gumm – spent her formative years, the Judy Garland Museum features some mementos from the aforementioned movie: the carriage, the young star’s test dress for the movie, the winkie sword, and the “Over the Rainbow” gold record presented to her, and the emerald city bell-bottom coat.

In addition, her special Tony statuette and the original work permit (issued to her to allow her to perform her vaudeville act at the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco, California when she was only 11 years old) are on display.

More than 100,000 people have visited the museum, according to the person in-charge with the museum. An award-winning festival is held each June to celebrate Garland’s life and talents. During the festival, you can mingle with the original Munchkins, guest celebrities, collector’s exchange and seminars.

The Old Central School

If you happen to visit the Judy Garland Museum and have children, don’t forget to bring them to the Children’s Discovery Museum. Inside the 15,000 square foot museum are a series of hands-on exhibits that are both fun and educational for the family. There is Exchange City, a child-scale town of 10 shops where can be on both sides of the counters. Then, there’s the River Water Table, an exhibit that brings a replica of the Mississippi River up close, allowing children to control water flows with dams and see their effect.

Just a couple of minutes away from the Judy Garland Museum is the historic Old Central School. Built in 1895, the school is designed in the Richardonian Romanesque style. It was in use until the 1970s. In the 1980s, it was turned over to the city government and was renovated. Today, Central School houses the Heritage Museum, maintained by the Itasca County Historical Society, as well as a number of unique shops with a distinct and friendly local flavor.

The Mississippi River

Grand Rapids, which was ranked 49th in the Prentice Hall publication, “The 100 Best Small Towns in America,” is the place where the grand Mississippi River – the second-longest river in the United States after Missouri River – starts. (The rapids in the river reportedly gave the town it's name.) Actually, the water comes from Lake Itasca. In 1832, Henry Schoolcraft determined that the lake is the river’s source.

The Blandin Paper Mill, which is nearly as large as the town itself, dominates the downtown of Grand Rapids. Pick up a magazine or catalogue you have lying around the house – ‘Newsweek,’ ‘Time,’ ‘JC Penny,’ etc. – and examine the good quality coated paper it’s printed with. Chances are that paper was made in Grand Rapids. The front entrance to the mill is right in the middle of downtown Grand Rapids.

“Papermakers,” a statue located across the street from the mill's main entrance, is a tribute to the trade and it's practitioners that has always been Grand Rapid's primary reason for existence.

Logging house at the Forest History Center

Grand Rapids began as a logging town in 1870. History records showed that in 1891 the town was incorporated and in 1902 the Itasca Paper Mill went into production. That mill has operated continually ever since and is now called Blandin Paper Company. It employs about 850 people, with another 2,000 jobs indirectly attributable to the company's local operations.

Not far from the downtown is the Forest History Center. Here, you can step into pages from the past and discover the history of the logging era. Use your power of imagination to experience life as it was in December 1900. Walk back in time to Northwoods #1, an authentically recreated white pine logging camp complete with cook shack, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, office wanigan, filer's shack and horse barn. Stop and visit with the cook, clerk, bull cook, blacksmith and other lumberjacks who may be in camp. Try your hand at sawing and pet the Percheron draft horses.

Board the 1901 Log Drive Wanigan, a floating cook shack used when the men and logs headed downstream. Sit on the porch of a 1934 Forest Service Patrolman’s cabin. Climb the 100-foot fire observation tower; the view from the top will amply reward your effort.
Lastly, explore the visitor center's interpretive museum, which houses pictorial displays and exhibits to forestry and logging.

Blandin Beach in Minnesota

Grand Rapids serves as the southern gateway to the Chippewa National Forest, where nature's finest awaits in the towering pines, diverse wetlands and pristine waters (which are good for swimming, particularly during the summer months!). Catch of glimpse of bald eagles soaring in flight in this, the home of the largest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The Lost Forty also awaits, a majestic stand of old-growth white pine ignored by lumber companies during the logging era.

The Chippewa National Forest is also home to a portion of the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway -- awarded the status of National Scenic Byway in 1996 – and Suomi Hills, a semi-primitive non-motorized recreation area. Suomi Hills features kilometers of hiking, biking and Nordic skiing trails running through rolling forests and calm lakes.

If you love fishing, the Grand Rapids area is a fishing mecca. Fishing season begins just after the early spring warm-up and fishing opener in May, through summer and on to autumn when fish go on a feeding binge in preparation for freeze-up. However, the fishing doesn't get put on hold with the thickening of lake ice during winter. Ever heard of ice fishing?

If hunting is your main thing, then Grand Rapids is the place to visit. White tail deer hunters can find a prime location within a short drive of the city. The mixed hardwood forests and numerous lakes provide excellent habitat for white tail deer. Steeped in rich tradition, deer hunting opener weekend is practically a holiday of its own in Grand Rapids.

Nothing enhances your vacation like great food! People here provide a full menu of dining experiences, from gourmet cuisine to finger food and everything in between! Round up the whole family or group for pizza, escape with your sweetheart to a table for two, kick back and watch the game or dine al fresco, overlooking a lake. From pastries to seafood, wild rice to creme brule, fast food to fine dining, the choices keep everyone in the group well-fed! Among Asians, there’s a Chinese buffet in the heart of the city, where my sister and her family usually visit.

Located just over three hours from the Twin Cities (Saint Paul and Minneapolis), Grand Rapids is an easy drive from the metro area. If flying is your preference, local charter service is available. Commercial airline service in the nearby cities of Hibbing and Duluth is also an option.

Visit, see and have fun at Grand Rapids, Minnesota!

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