North Shore News Hour

Eric Monson of Lake Superior Helicopter Tours was at the Wednesday, May 29 Grand Marais City Council meeting to introduce the idea of offering helicopter rides in Grand Marais during this year’s Fisherman’s Picnic.

With Monson were representatives of the Grand Marais Lions Club, Harry Peterson, Gene Erickson and Bob Spry, who have been working with Monson to bring helicopter rides to Fisherman’s Picnic, Thursday through Sunday, July 31 - August 4.
Monson gave a short presentation, sharing information about the history of his company and its fleet and about the various rides and tours it offers.

The council asked questions about Federal Aviation Administration inspections and the company’s safety record. Monson said in the company’s 10 years, they have had only two complaints and those were for noise.

Regarding the noise, Monson told the council that the helicopters used for tours are much smaller than the Lifeflight helicopters and therefore quieter. There was discussion of decibel levels and helicopter flight routes and height, which mitigate some of the sound.

Mayor Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux asked about hours of operation and how many times the helicopter would be taking off and landing, acknowledging that it was dependent on the number of customers. Monson said flights are normally offered with a 9 or 10 a.m. start, finishing at sunset. He said the average flight lasts about five minutes, but some are longer. There is passenger loading and unloading time, so there could be about a 20-minute interval between flights, however, it would likely be much longer.
Monson said rides would likely start on Friday afternoon with Saturday and Sunday being full flight days.

There was discussion of the possible landing zone somewhere in or near Boulder Park on the Coast Guard point.

The council finally agreed to table a decision, asking Monson to bring back more specific details on the location and operating hours. They said City Attorney Chris Hood would also have to review any agreement with the company.
 
Two citizens shared concerns during the public comment at the start of the council meeting about the idea of helicopter tours at an already-busy time in the city.

Councilor Anton Moody said he thought Monson’s presentation was positive and that he had heard from some members of the public that were very excited about the possibility. Councilor Kelly Swearingen said she had also heard from people who want this to happen. However, Moody said he would like to get that further information and give the public time to weigh in—both for and against the idea. 

The council will consider approving permits for the helicopter operation at the next city council meeting, Wednesday, June 12.

Here's more on the discussion at the May 29 city council meeting. 
 

American Legion Post 413 hosted a Memorial Day observance at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 27. Normally the event is held on the manicured lawn of the Cook County courthouse, where a veterans’ memorial stands. However, the event was moved indoors on this Memorial Day, to Grandma Ray’s, which serves as the meeting place for the legion.

Grandma Ray’s was crowded with veterans and their families for a short ceremony. Post 413 Commander Bob Mattson welcomed the audience and introduced Pastor Kris Garey of Trinity Lutheran Church. Pastor Garey gave a short prayer.

The welcome was followed by a lovely, traditional rendition of the National Anthem, sung by high school student Amy Carpenter.

Commander Mattson spoke of the importance of remembering and honoring our nation’s fallen. He shared the sad statistics of the numbers of young men and women who have been lost to war. And he shared his personal experience of visiting Fort Snelling, where his father is buried.

Mattson said while there he has had the honor of witnessing a number of military funerals. He spoke of how moving that is to see and added that he was grateful to those who came to this year’s ceremony in Cook County to also honor the sacrifices made by those now buried at Fort Snelling or at cemeteries around the world.

Commander Mattson went on to read the “roll call,” the list of names of veterans with ties to Cook County, who died in the past year. There were some tears as those community members were remembered.

Pastor Garey gave a prayer of closing, a wish for peace. Taps followed, played by buglers Jack Willis and Jonah Schmidt.

The ceremony ended and a luncheon for veterans began, with the Post 413 Auxiliary, providing free lunches for veterans and spouses. They also served a delicious red, white and blue cake to all.

There was talk of the veterans that have been lost. Bob Spry of Grand Marais mentioned an exhibit about veterans with ties to Cook County at the Cook County Historical Society. He said the historical society wants a complete record of all of the veterans of the county and he encouraged veterans to contact the historical society to be listed. Likewise, the families of veterans who have passed on are encouraged to add their family member’s name to the record. For more information on the exhibit, visit the Cook County Historical Society museum at 8 South Broadway in Grand Marais or call 218-387-2883.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence was at the Memorial Day event and she shares this report.
 

Friday, May 24, was the last day of school for the elementary school students at Oshki Ogimaag in Grand Portage. It’s been a busy and exciting year for Oshki Ogimaag students with weekly trips to an outdoor classroom for nature studies and maple syruping.

This last day of school also included a sixth-grade graduation at the school.

WTIP caught up with Oshki Ogimaag Director Carmen Keyport for an end-of-year interview. She also shared some good advice for summer learning, highlighting the importance of just spending time together as a family.

Here’s WTIP’s Rhonda Silence, speaking with Carmen.  
 

World’s Best Donuts was founded 50 years ago by Merieta Engels Altrichter and Irma Toftey. The women started off with one small donut fryer in a cement building at the base of the then-Gunflint Trail (now part of Dockside Fish Market).  They later moved to a building that is long gone, the Joynes Bargain Barn (now a parking lot).

Irma left the business, but Merieta carried on, bringing her children, Sherrie Lindskog and Donna Wilson, into the fold. The family business moved to its current location at 10 East Wisconsin Street, across from the Beaver House in 1977.

In 2002, the third generation of this Donut Shop family took over, Dee Brazell and Stacy Hawkins. Dee Brazell is currently the sole owner, but she has a team of fourth- and even fifth-generation family members pitching in.

And of course, her mom, Sherrie Lindskog is also still active behind the scenes.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence visited World’s Best Donuts on May 22, the official opening day of the season—of World’s Best 50th anniversary year.

Here’s her report.
 

Although home ownership can be challenging, there is help. One resource for people wanting a house is One Roof Community Housing, which has been the entity behind the Nordic Star development in the city of Grand Marais and the Four Directions apartment building in Lutsen. 

It was not easy to bring these housing projects to fruition. One Roof Housing has a long record of building homes under a community land trust model in Duluth, but working in Cook County brought new challenges. 

Jeff Corey, executive director of One Roof Community Housing, acknowledged that in his message in the nonprofit’s annual report. He wrote, “If it was easy to build affordable housing in Grand Marais, other developers would have done it. 

“If it was easy to lend money to people with low incomes to fix home that are low in value, banks would do it. 

“If it was easy to counsel people with bad credit and mediate tenant-landlord disputes, profit-centered firms would do it,” said Corey. 

He went on to thank the funders, members, donors, sponsors and partners who believe in the One Roof Community Housing mission: Enriching lives and communities one home at a time. 

During a visit to WTIP, Corey added to that, thanking the North Shore community for its support.

With him was One Roof Housing Development Coordinator Julie Petrusha with more information on the local projects as well. 

Learn more about One Roof Community Housing along with WTIP’s Rhonda Silence. 

There will be an open house at the Nordic Star houses in Grand Marais on June 7, 8 and 9. There will be a wine and cheese gathering from 4-7 p.m. on June 7 at 11 Nordic Star Drive. Then on July 8-9, from 9 – 11 a.m., visitors can tour that house as well as 34 Nordic Star Drive. 

School District 166 held its Awards and Scholarship Program on Monday, May 21. Students, teachers, community members and proud parents and grandparents gathered in the Pam Taylor Gymnasium to see Cook County students receive recognition. 

Nearly 40 different awards were given for athletics and academics for a variety of grade levels, but the event primarily announced the many scholarships earned by members of the Class of 2019. Click here to see a WTIP Facebook photo album of the event. 

Principal Megan Myers and Assistant Principal Mitch Dorr welcomed all and expressed pride in the many students being honored on this special day.  Presenters from various community organizations took turns at the microphone then, calling students forward for recognition. See the list below for the overall presentations. 

Of note are two new awards, the “Helping Hands” scholarship from Sue and Bruce Kerfoot. Bruce Kerfoot explained that Cook County has been very good to his family and told graduates, “If you hustle, it will be good to you as well!” 

Kerfoot said he and Sue wanted to give something back to this community and decided a scholarship was a good way to do that. Levi Sheils was the recipient of the “Helping Hands” $5,000 scholarship. 

He also issued a challenge to all of the members of the Class of 2019. He asked them to sit down and calculate the cost of a college (or Vo-Tech) class. He told them to keep that figure in mind on days when they did not feel up to getting to class. That is what would be going to waste, Kerfoot said. 

Another new scholarship was the Wesley J. Morris Memorial Scholarship, given in memory of the former Schroeder resident who passed away in 2017. Presenting the award, to recipient Elsa Lunde, was School Counselor Brad Shannon.

An inaugural award was given this year, the Grand Portage Athlete of the Year Award. Assistant Principal—and Athletic Director—Mitch Dorr presented the award noting the commitment it takes for Grand Portage students to be involved in sports at CCHS. With no late bus, students must arrange transportation for practice and games. The first award, a nice trophy, went to Joe Deschampe. 

The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation once again brightened the future of a number of CCHS graduates with full scholarships to Lake Superior College. On hand were Joan Gardner-Goodno, Rachel Forsyth and Bill Hansen of the Foundation to present scholarships to Dyami Blackwell, Jaymee Dossey, Sophie Eliasen, Luke Johnson, Andrea Larsen, and Cecelia Swader.

Underclass students were not left out—there were awards for Robotics and Envirothon participants, Academic Excellence Awards, sports participation awards and the Zinter Math & Science Awards.

Assistant Principal Mitch Dorr announced the Class of 2019 valedictorian and salutatorian, explaining that those traditional roles are a bit different this year. This year there are two, or co-valedictorians—Leif Anderson and Will Surbaugh. 

Dorr said normally one would be valedictorian and the other, salutatorian. However, they both have taken nontraditional ways to finish their final year of high school Leif Anderson has already completed a full year of college studies. And Will Surbaugh has completed his degree requirements and is graduating a year ahead of time. 

For that reason, Dorr said, School District 166 decided to have them share valedictorian duties and there would be another salutatorian, Jack Peck. He said all three of the graduates deserved that recognition. 

Assistant Principal Dorr said, “We don’t talk about the value and importance of good choices enough.” 

He thanks students for their hard work and for making those hard choices. 

Click here to see the list of scholarship and award recipients. 

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence was there and caught up with some of the graduates after the awards program.
Click below to hear a report. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has issued a notice that burning permit activations are being restricted for Lake and Cook Counties due to the predicted low humidity and winds forecasted for today, May 20 and tomorrow, May 21. 

Variances may still be issued on a case-by-case basis from a DNR Forestry Office, but for now routine burning of debris is restricted.

Anyone with questions may contact DNR Forester Aaron Mielke at 218-387-6031. 

Cook County is currently under a "moderate" fire danger ranking, however that can change. Before considering any burning of yard debris, visit the  MN DNR statewide fire danger information page. 

If a debris fire, or any other fire, does get out of control, people should call 911 immediately.

The DNR cautions that grass fires can be deceptively fast, change direction suddenly, and be challenging to extinguish. Trained firefighting professionals would rather be called in to put out a fire safely than have someone get hurt or lose their life trying to extinguish it themselves.

In the end, prevention is key. Anyone planning to have a campfire this spring should follow the basic safety rules:

• Keep flammable material 3 feet away from the fire.
• Attend to the campfire at all times.
• Have a handy source of water ready.
• Stir the ashes and make certain the campfire is completely out before leaving.

Girl Scouts from Cook County traveled down Highway 61 for a day of adventure on Friday, May 10, a day celebrating all that the scouts had accomplished through the year.

About 30 girls ranging from kindergarten to senior high boarded a tour bus in Grand Marais at 8 a.m. headed to Duluth, first for bowling at the Incline Station. For many of the young girl scouts, it was their first time bowling and they had a great time giving it a try.

After bowling, the bus took the Girl Scouts to Enger Tower Park, where the girls picnicked on the vista overlooking the city. They climbed the steps of Enger Tower for an even more impressive view and enjoyed the lovely Japanese gardens. Each of the Girl Scouts took a turn gently ringing the American-Japanese Peace Bell, a gift from Duluth’s sister city of Ohara-Isumi.  

At the Enger Tower pavilion, the Cook County Girl Scouts held their end-of-year Court of Awards, the formal ceremony at which individual troops recognize the efforts of the scouts. Badges earned through the year and small gifts were presented to the girls in this very non-traditional Court of Awards.

As the girls enjoyed the garden and paths, a news crew from Fox21 in Duluth stopped by and interviewed Cook County Service Leader Chair Arvis Thompson. The scouts enjoyed visiting with reporter Viktoria Capek who told them that she too, had been a Girl Scout. See that interview here. 

The scouts wrapped up the day with a roller skating outing at World of Wheels in Superior. This too, was a new experience for many girls and after a few falls, they got the hang of it and a good time was had by all.

It was a wonderful day of adventure for the Cook County Girl Scouts, who have the benefit of living in our community, with its access to lakes, trails and camping sites—but not bowling or roller skating.

Anyone who would like to learn more about becoming involved with Girl Scouts—there is a great need for troop leaders at this time—please contact Service Unit Leader Arvis Thompson at 218-387-2487 or email [email protected].
 

Over the years, local businesses have come to rely on international workers during the busy tourism season. However, recent changes to the number of workers who can come to the United States to work—as well as the criteria for those visiting workers—has led to staffing shortages.

That workforce crunch led the Cook County Chamber and the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority to turn attention elsewhere to fill workforce needs. That has included reaching out to workers in Puerto Rico, which has been experiencing economic difficulties since Hurricane Maria devastated the island community.

Branson, Missouri has had success bringing Puerto Rico people—who are citizens of the United States—to the mainland to work. Cook County businesses hope to follow that example.

Toward that end, a new position has been created in Cook County. The chamber and the economic development authority applied for, and received a grant, from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, to develop a program to work with the Puerto Rican government to bring workers here.

This week, the Cook County Chamber announced that Laura Muus, of Grand Marais, a Peru native, has been hired to serve in this role.

As someone who came to this community as an international worker to work in the hospitality industry, Laura has an idea what it is like to be a newcomer here on the North Shore.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence sat down with Laura Muus and Chamber Director Jim Boyd to learn more about the Chamber’s new recruiting program in this interview.