North Shore News Hour

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The North Shore News Hour includes up-to-the minute weather, North Shore happenings in local news, sports and entertainment, as well as a variety of features from WTIP staff and volunteers. If you miss the North Shore News Hour at noon, tune in for a replay Monday through Thursday beginning at 5:00 p.m.

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The mystery seed packets have an international return address and unusual care instructions. Photo MN Dept of Agriculture

WTIP learns more about mysterious seeds received by Minnesota residents

Rhonda Silence-

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) sent out a notice this week that Minnesota residents, like people in a number of other states, have been receiving unexpected packages appearing to come from abroad. The international packages appear to be coming from China.

There have been reports of these odd parcels arriving on the North Shore. MDA says it has heard similar reports from Louisiana, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Any Minnesotan receiving a package of seeds they did not order should not plant the seeds and should contact the MDA.

Minnesotans should do the following if they have received unsolicited packages of seeds:

Do not throw away the package or its contents.

Do not plant the seeds.

Contact Arrest the Pest line at 1-888-545-6684 or [email protected] and provide your name, contact information, and the date the package was received.

MDA officials will coordinate shipping the packaging and contents to the MDA Seed Program.

The MDA is working with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance Program on identification and destruction of the seeds.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Minnesota Department of Agriculture Senior Communications Director Allen Sommerfeld to learn more about this situation.

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North Shore News Hour

A Grand Portage conversation on COVID-19, social justice

Rhonda Silence-

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WTIP has been speaking with local government officials on a regular basis.

On July 22, the day that Cook County saw its second resident with a diagnosis of the coronavirus, WTIP’s Rhonda Silence checked in with Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chair Beth Drost. Here’s their conversation.

WTIP Community Radio · Part 1 - Grand Portage Update Beth Drost 07 - 22 - 20

Rhonda Silence also spoke with Grand Portage Tribal Chair Beth Drost about some social justice issues. See a related interview with Tribal Council member John Morrin here.

WTIP Community Radio · Part 2 - Grand Portage Update Beth Drost 07 - 22 - 20

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North Shore News Hour

COVID-19 derails Lions Club plans for "Mini Fisherman's Picnic"

Rhonda Silence-

The activities planned for August 1-2 in what was dubbed the "Mini Fisherman's Picnic" are for the most part canceled.

Fisherman's Picnic 2020 was canceled back in May because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were some Lions Club members and community members who wanted something to happen that weekend. Spearheaded by Lion Bob Spry, a group began plans for a smaller event--no log saw contest, loon calling, rock skipping, fish toss or the other traditional events.

Instead, the Lions proposed having music on a small stage in Harbor Park, opening the fishburger stand, setting up a table for a Lions Club 50/50 raffle, and having a fireworks display on Saturday night.

The proposal included setting up a small stage in Harbor Park with a list of musicians performing solo or in duos. The public would have been invited to attend, bringing their own chairs to observe physical distance guidelines and advised to wear masks if near others.

It was thought that fireworks would not be a problem, as that is an outdoor activity with ample space for social distancing around the Grand Marais Harbor.

However, in a Grand Marais Park Board meeting this morning, a motion was passed to deny the permit request for music and fireworks. The motion was made in light of Governor Tim Walz's executive order limiting the numbers of attendees at events.

In the meeting, Grand Marais Parks and Recreation Manager Dave Tersteeg told the park board and Lion Bob Spry that he had just received an update regarding the number of participants allowed at outdoor events. Tersteeg said it appears events can now allow up to 250 people. However, Spry and the park board members acknowledge that more than that would surely come out for fireworks.

There was some discussion as to whether there is enough spacing around the bay to disregard that directive. However, City Administrator Mike Roth said even if that was determined to be the case, a COVID-19 preparedness plan would have to be in place before fireworks took place. That would include details on how the Lions would manage the crowd. Roth said it was doubtful such a plan could be created by Aug. 1.

The same concerns were raised regarding the music at Harbor Park, although it was acknowledged that it is seldom that there is a crowd of 250 in the park. But again, Roth said a plan would have to be in place.

It was Lion Bob Spry himself who said he could not see all that coming together in time to have fireworks and music. However, he said the Lions would still like to open the Fishburger stand for those two days and set up a small raffle tent.

The park board agreed that the Fishburger stand is like any other food trailer operating in the city and would be required to follow the same masking and physical distance requirements. Administrator Roth said there would still be a requirement for a COVID-19 preparedness plan, but noted that was less wieldy than a plan for fireworks or music.

Likewise, a tent and table for the sale of raffle tickets should be more easily managed. Park Board Chair Sally Berg said the primary concern for that activity would be the use of pens. She said pens should not be reused.

Administrator Roth said the Lions Club could ask for assistance from Cook County Public Health, which has been working with local businesses on their COVID-19 preparedness plans.

After a discussion of how it could work, the park board said it would defer to public health on the logistics of following COVID-19 guidelines. Approval for fireworks and music was not approved, but a motion passed to allow the Lions Club to set up the Fishburger stand and a raffle table, contingent on completion of a COVID-19 preparedness plan.

Bob Spry noted that the July 4th fireworks went off without any problems, but seemed resigned to the park board decision. He said he doesn't want anyone to get into trouble.

Spry thanked the park board for that advice and said he would reach out to Public Health. However, he added that whether or not the Fishburger stand opens is still up in the air. He said it now comes down to whether there are enough volunteers to staff the stand.

If anyone would like more information about the Fishburger stand, they can contact Bob Spry at 370-0445 or email the Lions Club at [email protected]

In related news, the park board rescinded its approval of a snowmobile water skipping event on Saturday, Aug. 1. Parks Manager Tersteeg said the organizer had missed two deadlines to provide insurance information. The park board noted that the water skip event would also need a COVID-19 preparedness plan and it was unlikely the organizer would be able to put that together in such a short timeline. A unanimous motion was passed to rescind the approval granted back in February.

As the meeting ended, Park Board Chair Sally Berg said she hopes that other event organizers are paying attention and realize that COVID-19 preparedness plans will be part of parks use requests for the indefinite future.

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North Shore News Hour

Joe Swanson and Pipasu Soni are the new owners of the Bluefin Bay Family Resorts. Submitted photo

Getting to know the new co-owner of Bluefin Bay Resorts

Rhonda Silence-

In early July an announcement was made regarding the iconic West End resort, Bluefin Bay.

The original Tofte resort, as well as Temperance Landing, and Surfside on Lake Superior had been sold to a former Silver Bay resident, Joe Swanson, and his business partner, Pipasu Soni.

Bluefin Bay founder Dennis Rysdahl will stay on at the resort for a while in an advisory capacity, with plans to retire in 2021-2022. Rysdahl has been operating what is now known as the Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts for 36 years.

During Rysdahl's tenure, the resort properties grew from the first condos at Bluefin Bay in 1984 to Temperance Landing in 2006, and Surfside on Lake Superior in 2008. Combined, the three lakeside resorts have 229 bedrooms and can host up to 704 guests across a collection of guest rooms, suites, condos, and townhomes.

Also included in the sale were the resort’s three restaurants: The Bluefin Grille, Coho Café, and Bakery, Waves of Superior Café, as well as Waves of Superior Spa. In addition, the resort properties include indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, fitness centers, tennis courts, ice rinks, children’s play areas, and wedding and event venues.

Rysdahl sought to find a buyer who he felt would carry on the Bluefin Bay tradition and who he believed would work well with the Bluefin Bay staff, owner partners, and the local community.

Rysdahl said, "I knew when I saw Joe Swanson’s name on the list of potential buyers that he was one of us. He shares a history here, as well as our core values and commitment to the community."

Swanson, who is now a 401(k) and business advisor in the Twin Cities, was familiar to Rysdahl as he worked at Bluefin Bay during high school and college, learning the ropes in housekeeping, dining, and maintenance positions.

Rysdahl added that Swanson's partner, Pipasu Soni’s resume was also exceptional. Soni is the CFO of the coach and transportation company, New Flyer.

Rysdahl said, "I’m confident we’ve selected an ownership team that is deeply committed to continuing the Bluefin Bay tradition of creating memorable vacation experiences for guests for years to come."

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Joe Swanson about his ties to the North Shore, about his interesting business partner, and about becoming the co-owner of the Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts.

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North Shore News Hour

Musician Derek Smith, formerly of Grand Marais, is making his living with music in New Zealand - Submitted photo

Grand Marais musician Derek Smith in New Zealand on COVID-19

Rhonda Silence-

Derek Smith grew up on the North Shore and is well known locally for his musical talents. In fact, he has been a guest performer on WTIP. Hear his latest interview in 2016, with WTIP music director Will Moore here.

In recent years Smith has been living in New Zealand, a country which has been credited with "crushing the curve" with its success in preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, three days after WHO declared the cornavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, New Zealand enacted disease prevention measures.

The country, led by Jacinda Ardern, continues to be vigilant, however most restrictions have been lifted and life is returning to normal.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Derek Smith about what life was like in New Zealand during its "lock down" period and now.

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North Shore News Hour

Minnesota State Patrol image courtesy of MN Department of Public Safety

Grand Marais woman involved in crash at Lake County construction area

Rhonda Silence-

A Grand Marais woman was injured when she crashed into vehicles stopped for construction on Highway 61 in Lake County near the Manitou River.

Josie Freeberg, 23, was traveling north on Highway 61 in a 2018 Dodge Caravan, when she came upon a line of vehicles stopped for construction at milepost 68. Freeburg crashed into a 2019 Jeep Cherokee, which set off a chain reaction involving a 2006 Nissan X-Terra and a 2016 Jeep Cherokee were hit.

The 2019 Jeep was driven by a 21-year-old man from Delano, Minnesota. The Jeep had one passenger, a 22-year-old female from Marquette, Michigan.

There were several occupants in the Nissan X-Terra, including the 46-year-old driver, and three teenage girls and one teenage boy, all from Owatonna, as well as a 17-year-old male from Chanhassen.

The 2016 Jeep was driven by a 39-year-old male from Hutchinson, Minnesota. There was also a 38-year-old female passenger from Hutchinson.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Freeberg suffered non-life-threatening injuries, as did the passenger in the 2019 Jeep and two passengers in the Nissan.

In addition to the Minnesota State Patrol, responders from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Lake County Search and Rescue responded to the accident.

Program:

North Shore News Hour

Summer Theater Camp was held outdoors this year - Photo courtesy of the Grand Marais Playhouse

Grand Marais Playhouse moving back to office as lease negotiations continue

Rhonda Silence-

The Grand Marais Playhouse is moving its operations back into the front office of the Arrowhead Center for the Arts--for now, at least.

The lease agreement between the Grand Marais Playhouse and School District 166 for use of the Arrowhead Center for the Arts has been up in the air for some time. In mid-June, negotiations became contentious, leading to the Playhouse hiring an attorney to attempt to halt what it deemed a violation of its lease.

Current lease negotiations were started in the midst of reconstruction and roof repair at the ACA in 2018. In mid-June, ISD 166 sent the Playhouse a letter telling the organization that it must move out of the large office space to a smaller space at the back of the Arts Center.

At that time, Grand Marais Playhouse Director Sue Hennessy described this action as a “death sentence looming over our head,” noting that the space in question was much more than office space for the Playhouse.

Hennessy said as access to other areas of the ACA has been reduced--the elementary art room, the Jane Mianowski Conference Center, and storage space due to mechanical equipment for an air exchanger--the front office has accommodated those needs. It is used currently used for storage of Playhouse archives, for meeting,s and sometimes for rehearsals. The space also serves as the box office for ticket sales and pick up during productions.

Many supporters—students, and parents of School District 166, actors and stage workers, theatergoers and other supporters spoke up, distressed to see the possible end of the community theater that is celebrating its 49th year of service in 2020.

In the face of those mounting concerns, School District 166 School Board Chair Dan Shirley and Superintendent Bill Crandall each issued statements of reassurance that the school district wanted to continue its partnership with the Grand Marais Playhouse, noting that "The Playhouse is an asset to our community and our students."

Board Chair Shirley explained that the discussions of the Playhouse lease were overdue, as a lease update had not been done for over a decade. He noted that the consideration of the request for the Playhouse to move was routine. In a statement he wrote, "Due to the changing demands on the school, the District has been working with the Playhouse to move office spaces, down the hall, and still within the facility. The shuffling of rooms and offices is a regular occurrence at the school in order to best accommodate the needs of our students as they change over time."

Since WTIP's last report, School District 166 rescinded the letter asking the Grand Marais Playhouse to vacate the front office of the ACA. The Playhouse is in the process of moving its office materials, library, and storage back into the office.

A lease, however, is still pending. Hennessy said she is "hopeful" that an agreement can be reached.

In the meantime, Hennessy is proceeding with an ambitious summer program, which includes more theater summer camps, a social studies project in collaboration with Sawtooth Mountain Elementary, and a community one-act play, Remarkable Susan, based on the life of famed women's voting rights advocate Susan B. Anthony. Plans are in the works to live-stream the play.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Director Hennessy about the status of the Grand Marais Playhouse lease and about those upcoming programs in this interview.

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North Shore News Hour

Lions International - File image courtesy of Grand Marais Lions

Special Grand Marais Park Board meeting on Friday to consider Lions Club request

Rhonda Silence-

Despite concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grand Marais Lions Club is moving ahead with plans to host a "Mini Fisherman's Picnic," to include the traditional Fishburger stand, a raffle, possibly fireworks and an outdoor music concert in Harbor Park. The events will be held August 1-2. Hear an interview with Grand Marais Lion Bob Spry on the plans for the event here.

In May, the Lions Club announced that it was canceling the historic Fisherman's Picnic because of COVID-19. This year's event would have been the 91st anniversary of the celebration.

Events such as the concert during this "Mini Fisherman's Picnic" held in Harbor Park must be approved by the Grand Marais Park Board.

The park board will discuss the event permit application at a special meeting this Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m. Most Grand Marais government meetings are shared online on the city's webpage and that is the likely the case for this meeting as well.

WTIP's Rhonda Silence spoke with Parks and Rec Manager Dave Tersteeg about the proposed "Mini Fisherman's Picnic" being held despite the COVID-19 pandemic

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North Shore News Hour

The first affordable home constructed by Hamilton Habitat. Photo courtesy of Anna Hamilton

Hamilton Habitat planning for the future

Rhonda Silence-

Sisters Anna and Sarah Hamilton have made their mark on Cook County as entrepreneurs. They have founded businesses and sold them to new owners—My Sister’s Place, Gunflint Mercantile, and Hungry Hippie Tacos. Sarah continues to operate Trail Center Restaurant and Lodge, as well as Camp Chow.

They are very busy people who are not slowing down at all. They have now turned their attention to the need for affordable housing here on the North Shore with a nonprofit organization, Hamilton Habitat.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence learns more about their work to develop affordable housing and the future of Hamilton Housing in this interview.

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North Shore News Hour

Cook County announces second resident case of COVID-19

Rhonda Silence-

Cook County received notice of its second resident case of COVID-19 this morning, as reported by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) as part of its daily update.

The infected resident is a female in her 20s.

Although this is the second positive COVID-19 result for a Cook County resident, it is the third positive test for North Shore Health. As WTIP previously reported on July 3, a male in his 50s who is not a resident of Cook County sought care locally and was found to have the coronavirus. See the related story here.

After a person tests positive for COVID-19, local public health officials conduct a case investigation interview and subsequent contact tracing. Contact tracing is the process of reaching out to high-risk contacts of a person with lab-confirmed COVID-19 and encouraging them to quarantine for 14 days.

“The time delay between our first and second resident cases is a testament to the vigilance of our residents and visitors in maintaining public health best practices,” said Emergency Operations Center Incident Co-Commander Grace Grinager.

“Continuing to follow public health best practices is the best way we can take care of one another as the pandemic continues,” Grinager stated. “Cover your cough, wash your hands frequently, stay six feet apart from others in crowded places, and wear a cloth face mask in public spaces where it is difficult to socially distance from those outside your household. If you are feeling ill, we ask you to please stay home.”

Anyone with clinical questions about the COVID-19 virus, including symptoms or testing, should call the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic at 218-387-2330.

Program:

North Shore News Hour