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Visit Cook County came and surprised Sue St. John with a reward for her extraordinary hard work as head chef at the Birch Terrace Supper Club. From L-R: Carah Thomas-Maskell, Steve Larsen, Evalyn Larsen, Sue St. John, David Larsen and Linda Jurek. Staff photo Brian Larsen
For the third year in a row, Visit Cook County has asked local business owners and managers to nominate staff members who exemplify extraordinary hospitality service within their organizations.
Typically, this award is announced during the annual Fall Gala celebration that Visit Cook County co-hosts with the Cook County Chamber. Unfortunately, the 2021 annual Fall Gala that was scheduled to occur on October 30 at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. However, it was overwhelmingly agreed that it was important to continue the recognition of the individuals who work so hard to keep our local economy moving forward. Great service creates guest loyalty, something that is clearly the case in Cook County.
“Kudos to all of the nominees,” says Linda Jurek, executive director of Visit Cook County. “In reading through the nominations, it is apparent that our community is full of incredible individuals who take a lot of pride and are really good at what they do.”
Hospitality award winner Tami Engren flanked by Linda Jurek and Sarena Nelson. Photos courtesy of Kjersti Vick
Each year, numerous glowing nominations are submitted. The following individuals were nominated for this year’s award:
Charlotte Smith – Bearskin Lodge
Sue St. John – Birch Terrace
Sean Henkenius – Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts
Michele Scuderi – Caribou Highlands Lodge
Tami Engrenn – Cascade Vacation Rentals
Erika Ternes – Grand Marais Public Library
Rachel Andrus – North House Folk School
Garrett Eckman – North Shore Winery
Terri Goettl – North Shore Winery
Rich Metzger – Raven Rock Grille at Skyport Lodge
The entire beer tending crew – Voyageur Brewing Company
Kjersti Vick, Marketing and Public Relations Director, and Linda Jurek Executive Director, of Visit Cook County arranged surprise visits to present the recipients with their award. Here are the winners of the 2021 Heart of Hospitality:
Charlotte Smith – Bearskin Lodge (Gunflint Trail)
Sue St. John – Birch Terrace Supper Club (Grand Marais)
Linda Jurek presented Bob McClouhan and Charlotte Smith with a Hospitality award.
Tami Engrenn – Cascade Vacation Rentals (Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder)
You can watch the videos of the award presentation on our website: blog.visitcookcounty.com/heart-of-hospitality-awards-2021
Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber were unable to host the Fall Gala in 2021. The celebration, which celebrates the end of a busy summer season, certainly has been missed the last two years. Over 200 of our business and community friends typically join together for a night of celebration and recognition of achievements. However, Visit Cook County feels strongly about recognizing our hospitality employees and did not want to forego the Heart of Hospitality Awards. In 2019, Visit Cook County launched the new award and in September 2021 launched a new Hospitality Coffee Break program with plans to expand throughout the season to celebrate the hardworking hospitality workers.
About Visit Cook County
Visit Cook County encompasses the northeastern Minnesota communities of Lutsen, Tofte, Schroeder, Grand Marais, the Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage, commonly referred to as “the Arrowhead” and the “North Shore of Lake Superior”. Grand Marais, Minn., has earned several national accolades — most recently it was named USA Today’s Best Midwestern Small Town, Outside Magazine’s The 16 Best Places to Live in the U.S. 2016, and Budget Travel’s 2015 Coolest Small Town in America. Rekindle your sense of adventure by exploring the Superior National Forest or paddling through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Discover what makes the communities of Cook County, Minn. “Naturally Unforgettable.” Connect on social media using #donorthmn, Twitter @CookCoVisitors, Facebook, or Instagram @ donorthmn. Learn more at www.visitcookcounty.com.
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