Lost in translation




Regular readers know that I end Unorganized Territory each week with a quotation from a famous or notorious or insightful person. I try to find something that “fits” just right. Sometimes a quote is found quickly in one of many wonderful quote reference books that I own. Sometimes it takes book after book or an hour or more spent surfing […]

Chili cook-off a spicy blast of fun for a good cause



The Second Annual Cook County Chili Cook-Off was a rousing success, bringing in about $2,500 for the Cook County Food Shelf and Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit hunger relief organization. Twenty-two (more than twice as many as last year) competed on Saturday, March 19 at the community center and 4-H building for top honors in both a judges’ category […]

Weekly Weather



Cook County – Arizona Picnic an enduring tradition



The 12th annual “Cook County Picnic” was held at the El Dorado RV Park clubhouse on Meridian Drive in Apache Junction, Arizona on Saturday, Feb. 26. Forty-eight folks gathered at the clubhouse— former Cook County residents, snowbirds and other friends and families. All enjoyed the potluck organized by Jean Malner, with help from Chuck and Ruth Ann Tice, Dwight and […]

Our prayer, our answer



The fiery furnace and the lion’s den were yesterday’s news when the Old Testament prophet, Daniel, found a precious answer to a heart wrenching question. The question was one many of us have asked at one point or another, perhaps in a moment of weakness or hopelessness or discouragement or despair. It is the question of slaves who know no […]

Cook County Community Fund offers grants to enrich community



The Cook County Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation, is accepting grant applications through May 1, 2011. The Cook County Community Fund supports projects in the areas of arts, community development, education, environment, human services and youth. Since being formed in 2003, the Community Fund has provided grants to WTIP Community Radio, Cook County […]

Lois Yvonne (Vonnie) Lennon



Lois Yvonne (Vonnie) Lennon, 78, of Clackamas, Ore., and Mesa, Ariz., passed away Jan. 9, 2011 after major strokes in October 1997, July 2010 and December 2010. Her husband, Gale, was superintendent of Cook County schools in the 1970s. Vonnie was active in Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Grand Marais. She was born May 31, 1932 in Renville County, Minnesota, to […]

Lois G. Zimmerman



Lois G. Zimmerman, 84, former resident of Grand Marais, died March 12, 2011 in McAllen, Texas. Lois is survived by her husband of 65 years, Perry Zimmerman and three children: Cheryl Howell of Lincoln, California, Gary Zimmerman of Royalton, Minnesota and Richard Zimmerman of Sumner, Washington along with six grandchildren, Carrie, Jackie, Kyle, Jessica, Nicole, and Conner and two great […]

Historical Reflections



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 office. We’d love to hear your Historical Reflections. Call (218) 387-9100; e-mail starnews@boreal.org; or stop by our office at 15 First Avenue West.

County approves assistant highway engineer position



Upon receiving notice of Engineering Technician Bill Parish’s intent to retire on the first Friday in June, Cook County Highway Engineer David Betts began thinking about the best way to replace him. At the March 23 county board meeting, Betts asked the board to create a new position, an assistant county engineer/ project manager, to fill the void. The person […]