Article



One of two cats that were adopted at the Animal Advocates Silent Auction and Pet Adoption Day on Saturday, December 19 is “Puddy.” His new owner is 11-year-old Molly Thomas of Grand Marais. Molly is delighted with her new friend. In addition to having animals available for adoption, Animal Advocates offers financial assistance to income-eligible pet owners for spaying and […]

Night of the Notorious at the Arts Center



Fifteen famous figures from history will gather at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Monday, January 11 at 7 p.m. As the final project for UMD’s College Writing course, Cook County High School students will don the roles of the characters they researched and answer questions about their lives. The Cook County community is cordially invited to an open […]

Make your own Penobscot Tote



Basket-maker Jane Shinners and Cook County Community Education are offering another delightful basket making class. On Monday, January 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the elementary art room in the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, students may craft a Penobscot Tote. Shinners said this sturdy tote can be used at the grocery store or the mall. There is […]

Healthier school lunches on a budget:

a touch of alchemy needed

How healthy are Cook County school lunches? ISD 166 School Nurse Kristin DeArruda Wharton is using State Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant funds to make school lunches better. In a December 14, 2009 memo to the school board, DeArruda Wharton wrote, “Many support people in schools have felt minimized over the years; certainly our food service workers, or ‘lunch ladies,’ […]

Gitche Gitche Gumee



Unorganized Territory

Sausage stuffing at the Capitol

As the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate prepare to return to Washington in mid-January, I am preparing for the worst. I was completely, thoroughly disgusted with the behavior of the U.S. Senate as the pre-Christmas session wound down. I could not believe the last minute deal making—special breaks for a special few senators who were “holding out” on the […]

Spiritual reflections

A Fresh Start

Much of the power of Christmas and Epiphany lies in their capacity to offer us a fresh start. In the 5th century, Pope Leo the Great observed that the Spirit of God that inspired the birth of Jesus empowers all generations of Christians to be reborn on Christmas “through the womb of the Holy Church.” If this observation is true, […]

Historical Reflections



This 1997 photo from the Cook County Historical Society is of Conservation Officer Connie Tikkala checking fishing licenses at West Bearskin. Publisher Deidre Kettunen had hers! Do you have an old picture or a story from years gone by that you would like to share with Cook County News-Herald readers? Give us a call, or stop by our Grand Marais […]

Down Memory Lane



10 Years Ago · Jan. 10, 2000 • A long-standing agreement between the Grand Marais Rec Park and area churches came under scrutiny last week when the Park Board began discussion aimed at forging a long-term policy. Under the existing arrangement, the North Shore Recreation Ministry is given the use of a campground lot free of charge in exchange for […]

OVER THE HILL

Farewell 2009

No, I wasn’t whooping and hollering and kissing when the New Year arrived. I was peacefully snoring, snug in my warm bed. I forgot to watch the Rose Parade and the thought of making resolutions never crossed my mind. My new year’s activities wouldn’t win “party girl of the year” awards, but a new year does have meaning for me. […]