Grand Marais city councilors approved a request from the Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWDC) to use the Office Outpost space for a period of six to eight months, starting in March. The decision was made at the council’s April 8 teleconference meeting. Space is needed for two SWCD seasonal employees, one who will perform culvert inventory for […]
Spring inches its way forward
Spring! From the name, you’d think that spring would, well, spring into being. Up here though, spring is less a spring and more of a 1969 Buick. It starts, coughs, stops, rolls backward down the hill before the gears engage, puts on a burst of speed, and then slows to a crawl. It is an exciting time; you never know […]
Behavioral Health Crisis and Response During COVID-19
Our world has been upended. Although everyone is experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in different ways, we are all being bombarded with constant reminders and guidance on how to protect our physical health. This is all good and necessary; yet, taking in all this information, along with the immense changes that we are experiencing – from job loss […]
Please… Pass it on, it will still stimulate the economy
Don’t need your stimulus payment?A WISE suggestion— from the Women’s Initiative for Service and Education Ann Mershon Too many businesses and members of our community are unemployed and struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic. Well over half of Cook County residents will receive a hefty stimulus payment from the government (hopefully soon), and though an extra thousand dollars is always nice to have, many […]
Returning to Cook County from South American bike tour
A group of five locals recently returned to Cook County from Patagonia, a remote region of southern Chile and Argentina, following a six-week bicycle tour on the Carreterra Austral. The small party included Buck Benson, Jane Alexander and Chris O’Brien, and Lee and Scott Bergstrom. All recently completed two-week self-quarantines because of their recent travels abroad. The idea to pedal […]
April is child abuse prevention month
Preventing child abuse and neglect is a universal societal concern. It also has never had more meaning than now during the pandemic when programs like home visiting and parent support groups are not able to meet. The impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on daily life for parents is extraordinary. Many parents may now find themselves with a lack of […]
Three Businesses destroyed by fire April 13
Bryan Hansel took this picture of the Crooked Spoon in 2012. The popular eatery was known far and wide for its excellent food and fine service.
Wondering ‘61 for food
We have wondered about food shelves in general and Cook County’s food shelf in particular. If we don’t work there or need its help, we probably say, “good deal,” and move on to more sheltering-in these days. Just two blocks up from Highway 61 on every Monday of each week and the first Wednesday of each month, you will discover […]
Oops!
The ice of March has come and gone with a vengeance. I found out the hard way one fateful day when I didn’t wear my Yaktrax. I knew the driveway was icy. I knew a fall could be disabling, but did I listen to that little inside voice of reason? Did I ask my husband to attach my ice grippers […]
Earth Day 2020 celebration marks 50 years
Pandemic or no pandemic, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated Wednesday, April 22. Locally, there is nothing planned for the community because of the governor’s orders to stay in place. That said, several people stated they would use their daily walks to collect litter and refuse on April 22 and continue with their efforts to lobby for […]