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Laura
Laura Durenberger has a busy job, well two really if you count being a mother and a wife. As the editor of Boreal Access News, she compiles a wide-ranging amount of reading material for folks to peruse, as well as writes some terrific stories. So, who is Laura Durenberger? The Cook County News-Herald reached out, and, yes, she’s as interesting as the news she provides.
Q- Where did you grow up? And what was your childhood like?
I grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota. My family lived on a cul-de-sac, and lucky for us, there were a number of other families with kids my age. The families would have block parties in the summer (unofficially closing off the entrance to the cul-de-sac) that went late into the night. I remember spending a lot of time outside, playing games with the neighborhood kids, riding my bike, and doing other “kid” things. My parents had a huge flower and vegetable garden – something that I now enjoy as an adult.
I also had a lot of entrepreneur type of endeavors. Of course, the typical lemonade stand; but my friends and I also held a car wash, hosted a “carnival”, and my best friend and I started a dog-poop scooping business when we were about 9 or 10. We went door to door handing out flyers, with exception to the houses where I knew kids from school lived. We actually got hired by one person and charged $5 to come three times a week. Each endeavor was admittedly short-lived, but it sure kept me busy.
Q- Did you go to college? If so, where? What was your major? Minor?
After high school, I started my college journey at Inver Hills Community College and got my Associates of Arts degree. From there, I went to the University of North Dakota, because I wanted to be a meteorologist. After realizing how much math I’d have to do (a subject that’s not my strong suit), I realized that major wasn’t for me. After a year there, I came back to the Twin Cities and went to the University of Minnesota, where I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Geography.
After that, I was accepted into a graduate program at Hamline University. There, I got a masters-level certificate (basically you finish all of the classes in the masters program, but you don’t complete the thesis) in Natural Science and Environmental Education.
Q- What did you do before moving to Cook County? And what prompted you to move to Cook County?
While I was taking classes at the University of Minnesota, I got a part-time job at Northrop Auditorium in the Ticket Office. I ended up working there for almost 17 years in various positions within the department. Before I left in 2022, I was one of two people managing the U of M Events Calendar.
My family and I moved to Cook County in November 2021 for my husband’s job (Ahren Grunow – General Manager at the Co-op).
Due to the pandemic, my position with the University of Minnesota had already been virtual, so I was able to continue working in my position for a while after moving.
Q- How did you get into community journalism? The large salary and the glamor?
My journey into community journalism just sort of happened. I’ve always enjoyed writing, and ran my own nature photography ‘how-to’ blog for almost five years after college. I never considered myself a writer though.
In fall of 2017, I was coming out of a tough season of post-partum anxiety and depression after having my son. I was finally in a position where I could be proactive about my mental health, and my therapist had recommended mindfulness. I decided to start a blog about mindfulness – mainly to hold myself accountable.
It was around that same time that I was accepted into Hennepin County’s zero waste program. It’s a nine month-long program where you learn about the major areas your household is producing waste, and a County liaison helps you along the way. Throughout the nine months, our household reduced our waste by 35-40lbs a week. My family and friends were really interested in our zero-waste journey, and so I decided to start writing about our process in the mindfulness blog.
Fast forward to today, and the blog has transformed into a guide in helping people live with less, sustainably, and I write resource guides on various environmental topics. I also now freelance write for various clients – my “niche” being in sustainable and climate crisis related-topics. I also have a podcast where I interview experts on raising kids who care about their mind, body, community, and planet.
My experience from those activities led me to apply for the digital content editor position at Boreal Community Media.
Q- What are some of your hobbies?
I really enjoy being outside: cross country skiing, walking/hiking, biking, camping, and especially gardening. I am passionate about creating native landscapes for pollinators, as well as growing food. Back in the Twin Cities, I started a seed library in my neighborhood which was such a great experience. I really believe that anyone who wants to grow their own food should have the means to. I was so happy to learn that there is a free seed library at the Cook County Community Center after moving up here.
Q- Married? Kids? Pets?
I am married to Ahren Grunow, General Manager of the Co-op. We have one son, Ethan, who is seven. We also have three cats. It’s as bonkers as it sounds – they’re like a pack of beasts.
Q- Favorite things about Cook County?
I feel like my answers are very typical for people living in Cook County, but the proximity to Lake Superior and other natural areas definitely top my ‘favorites’ list. The community is also wonderful. I’ve never lived in a small town before, so wasn’t really sure what to expect. Everyone has been very welcoming to our family since moving in 2021, and I just want to say thank you for that. It truly has made a difference in our big life transition.
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