Community
Silver Bay Veteran’s Home wins energy conservation award
In December of 2023 the Silver Bay Veterans Home received special recognition: the State of Minnesota’s Energy Conservation Award. The facility, located on the shores of Lake Superior just north of Duluth, is home to 57 Minnesota Veterans or their spouses.
Ski Hill Cabins and Saunas business opens in Lutsen
With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality business McCabe Plaas and Patrick Kindler used their knowledge to develop a small family-owned resort in their favorite place on the North Shore.
Superior National Forest’s Employee Awarded with new Memorial Award for excellence in coordinating partners for shared land management and conservation work
In 2023, the Superior had over 1,000 volunteers, contributing over 6,000 hours of project work. Outstanding partnership coordination by Superior’s recreation and wilderness staff was celebrated by honoring Jon Benson, receipt of the Inaugural Michael Manlove Memorial Award by the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee The Superior National Forest’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) at over 1 million acres contains 2,000 wilderness campsites,1,200 miles of canoe routes, and 12 hiking trails.
Celebrating the Impact of Public Arts Funding with MN Citizens for the Arts and Minnesota State Arts Board
“Cook County and Grand Marais are recognized across the state as leaders in the arts,” said Sue Gens, Executive Director for the Minnesota State Arts Board. “The arts, as a portion of your economy, is only behind St. Paul and Minneapolis. What this community has accomplished is remarkable.” This affirmation of the work of local artists and arts organizations opened the morning’s public listening session, which was attended by a number of local artists as well as staff from Visit Cook County and North House Folk School. Caroline Taiwo from the McKnight Foundation and Joe Bagnoli, Lobbyist for MN Citizens for the Arts, were also in attendance.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Ruby’s Pantry Cook County Ruby’s Pantry, 2nd Tuesday of the month food distribution 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., $25 (cash only) Sponsored by Spirit of the Wilderness Church.
Johnson Heritage Post Public Art Project survey
The Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery and Historic Cook County are reaching out to full or part time residents of Cook County to participate in a survey. We have begun working with artist Sam Gathje to create a Site-Specific Public Art Project that will occupy the center space of the JHP courtyard.
Boys fall to McGregor
The Cook County Boys' varsity basketball team traveled to McGregor last Friday, January 12, and lost to the McGregor Mercs 61-49. It was a winnable game that got away from the Vikings.
Community Center ice rinks and warming house are now open
The ice rinks and warming house at the Cook County Community Center were opened for the season on Saturday, January 13. The warming house is open and staffed daily from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Skate rentals cost $2/pair, or a season pass of skate rentals for individuals is $20. Skate sharpening services are available for $5 per pair. The warming house also has concessions including popcorn, snacks, and hot cocoa and coffee.
Cook County Nordic Invite
The scene was festive at the Pincushion trails on Tuesday morning. Buses filled the parking lot; colorful team tents dotted the stadium, the finish-line flags flapped in the breeze while spectators cheered throughout the course. At the beginning of January, it was unclear whether our annual home meet would be able to be held. But the stars aligned - we had enough snow to groom our Snowman loops and West Overlook, and the cold temperatures moderated enough to race safely.