Historical Reflections

20 YEARS AGO AUGUST 8, 2003 v The Centennial Fisherman’s Picnic was a great hit this year and featured everything from parades to cute puppies, fishburgers to shrimp boils, and lots of contests to keep everyone satisfied. v At 9:05 p.m.

Meet the new K-12 principal

Josh Belanger and his wife Katie dreamed of living in Cook County, “But we thought it would happen after we retired and the kids were grown,” he said as he sat back in his chair in his K-12 principal office at Cook County School District ( I.S.D.) 166.

Former editor of the Cook County News-Herald passes away

Noted outdoor writer Shawn Perich, 64, died of brain cancer on August 3, 2023. Shawn was a passionate sportsman and conservationist who loved the great outdoors. He was born and raised in Duluth, graduating from Denfeld High School and then attending and graduating from the University of Minnesota Duluth before embarking on a long and successful career. His journalistic journey led him from UMD to working as a writer for Fins and Feathers magazine, Game and Fish Publications, and Minnesota Outdoors, where he served as field editor for almost 25 years.

Bob and Millie Spry named Citizens of the Year

The annual Citizen of the Year award is for an individual or couple demonstrating selflessness and volunteerism while serving the community, making this a better place to live. This is a challenging selection most years because Cook County has quite a few stalwart volunteers, but this year, it was easy. This year, it went to the late Bob Spry and his wife Millie, both long-time Grand Marais Lions Club members.

An apology and a call to action

I apologize (not easy to say) for incorrect information in last week’s Letter’s to the Editor. The date for the public meeting on the Capital Improvement Plan was wrong. It had the August 8 date, but the meeting will be held August 22. Keep that date free and clear and bring your questions.

Two Cook County organizations were awarded grants from the Otto Bremer Trust

The Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Cook County Council on Aging received grants from the Otto Bremer Trust. The Clinic was awarded a $50,000 grant for the Oral Health Task Force program, which provides preventive and restorative dental care for youth aged 0-26, expectant mothers, and low-income seniors in Cook County and the Grand Portage Reservation.