Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | August 01, 2009
Whenever our growing family gets together—sons, wives, and grandkids—at some point we declare "Dog Circus!" and we gather the family dogs to perform their various entertaining tricks. I enjoy being the circus master, lining them up to show off their individual talents. Our dog, Fearless, the fearful golden retriever, has mastered shaking a paw and rolling over. He is... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | July 18, 2009
Like her or not, Sonia Sotomayor was very judgelike this week as she faced days of questioning by United States legislators. During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings regarding her nomination to the US Supreme Court, she has listened attentively to senators as they rambled on and on, expressing their own opinions about why she should—or should not—express her opinion... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | July 11, 2009
Some childhood memories don’t hold up well when they are revisited. TV shows aren’t as funny; special candy concoctions don’t taste the same; snow banks are never as high as remembered. However, last weekend I had the chance to relive a favorite childhood adventure that stands the test of time. I was able to float down memory lane. I was... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | July 04, 2009
It seems fitting somehow that the eight-month controversy surrounding the Minnesota senatorial race ended so near the 4th of July, Independence Day. I am proud of our country and its citizens and the way we handle elections and recounts, whether presidential or for a senate seat. There may be people who disagree with the outcome of an election, but they... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | June 27, 2009
The city of Grand Marais has been discussing and debating an ordinance to end neighborhood conflict over outdoor musical performances for several years. The matter seems to arise every summer as the weather warms and local establishments provide entertainment for customers on decks and patios. I respect the current city council for its determination to resolve this matter—but I... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | June 20, 2009
When I ran into people around town this Monday, they didn’t ask what I did over the weekend. They asked, "Did you break the record?" Folks who know me know where I was on Saturday, June 13. They know I was among the 1,632 all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders who gathered in Silver Bay in an attempt to break... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | June 13, 2009
What happens in Grand Marais… I never found time to write about my Las Vegas vacation at the end of April. Returning to Cook County—and to work—meant playing catch up. I quickly got right back in the work routine and forgot about the wonderful time I had in Las Vegas. As they say, "What happens in Vegas…stays in Vegas."... READ MORE >
Rhonda Silence starnews@boreal.org | June 06, 2009
A few years ago I wrote a column for the parents of the Cook County High School graduates. I didn’t intend to write a column for parents; I started writing to the seniors themselves. But I realized that the students finishing their last week of high school and preparing for commencement exercises don’t really want to hear from some... READ MORE >
There was a really nice turnout for the Memorial Day ceremony on the lawn of the Cook County courthouse on Monday, May 25. The beginning of summer is a very busy time filled with preparation for graduation, family fishing trips, and yard projects. It was nice to see about one hundred people take time out of the busy weekend to... READ MORE >
Many, many years ago, when I worked part-time for the Cook County News-Herald, I attended meetings of the Highway 61 Citizens Advisory Committee. The mission of the group that met monthly with Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) officials was to decide which sections of the Highway 61 corridor most needed reconstruction and enhancement. There were meetings at the Birch... READ MORE >
