North Shore News Hour

The September 7 meeting of the Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) started with a transition—and cupcakes.
As new EDA Executive Director Beth Drost officially opened her first board meeting, there was a pause for refreshments and recognition of retiring EDA Executive Director Mary Somnis.

EDA Board members thanked Somnis for her five years of service, noting that under her tenure much had been accomplished. But, perhaps more important, said Board Member Scott Harrison, the reputation of the EDA had been improved. Harrison said before Somnis became director the EDA had “a black eye,” but is now a respected entity in the community.

Board Member Bev Green agreed, adding that she would not have applied to serve on the EDA board if it had not been for Somnis’ leadership.

EDA President Howard Hedstrom said it has been an honor to work with Somnis and presented two gifts. One is a cheerful floral watercolor, painted by Bonnie Gay Hedstrom. Board members said the gift was of flowers that wouldn’t die. Hedstrom also presented Somnis with a plaque crafted from the wood from the elms in downtown Grand Marais. The plaque, with an etching of Minnesota’s Arrowhead, said “With appreciation for your committed & dedicated service” and “You made a difference.”

Somnis thanked the board and said she believes they are in a good position as Drost takes the lead. She said she was glad to follow the Girl Scout's rule of “leaving the campsite a better place.”

Drost also thanked Somnis, noting that she feels well-positioned because of the assistance given so far. And, Drost noted, Somnis will continue to share her knowledge for a few more weeks—and then has promised to be just a phone call away.

After refreshments, the EDA got down to business, talking about an upcoming Cedar Grove Business Park lot sale to Voyageur Brewing Company and a request for Business Development funding, and more.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with new Executive Director Beth Drost about all of that. Here’s their conversation. 
 

 Twenty years ago, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 changed that date on the calendar from an ordinary fall day to one of the most painful moments in the history of the United States.

Whether we were on the East Coast where the attacks took place, or here in the relative safety of the North Shore, most of us have vivid memories of where we were when we heard that there had been an attack on the World Trade Center in New York; the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and of a crashed plane in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

In this special program, 20 Years Later: North Shore Memories of 9/11, WTIP Community Radio reached out to a number of community members to learn where they were on that day and how they heard the news of the attacks.

Again and again, as WTIP spoke with people for this program, we heard phrases like “surreal” and “unbelievable.” It seems that many of us here on the remote North Shore felt somewhat removed from the horror unfolding in New York, Washington D. C., and Pennsylvania.

We’ll hear thoughts like that, but we’ll also hear the story of some North Shore residents who were abroad at the time of the attacks.

We’ll hear from some community members who were quite young at the time of the attacks and from a local emergency medical responder.
Twenty years later, it only takes the question, where were you? to bring memories flooding back.

In memory of the 2,996 people who perished, and with the hope that we all work toward a more peaceful world, WTIP Community Radio offers this look back with 20 Years Later: North Shore Memories of 9/11. 
 

Tracy Benson is returning to the Grand Marais City Council.

Benson was appointed during a meeting of the city council Wednesday, Sept. 8. Benson previously held a seat on the council but resigned several years ago when she moved to the Twin Cities area.

Now a full time resident of Grand Marais once again, Benson is filling a seat that became vacant when former City Councilor Kelly Swearingen resigned in July.

At that time, Swearingen told WTIP that this was not a decision that was made lightly. Swearingen explained that she had some health issues that she needed to take time and focus on. She said she hoped to be able to once again participate in local government in some way in the future.

Benson was previously appointed to the city council in 2016 to fill a vacancy created when Councilor Jan Sivertson was elected to the Cook County Board of Commissioners.  She was subsequently elected to the council and served for most of her term, resigning in February 2018 because she was moving.

Benson has since moved back to the city. In her application, Benson explained that she wants to continue work on projects that were started during her previous time on the council. She said she would also reach out to former Councilor Swearingen to learn her main objectives.

The other applicant, Tina Krauz, said she would like to serve the city and her focus would be increasing worker housing and building community.

As the motion passed to appoint Benson to the council, Councilor Anton Moody noted that this position will be on the ballot for the next election, along with other seats. He said he hopes both Krauz and Benson will still be interested at that time.

Benson’s appointment creates another vacancy, on the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission. Benson is the citizen representative on that board. Craig Schulte is the council representative and only one councilor can serve on that board. At the next meeting, the council will need to decide who will continue to serve on the PUC. The council will also need to appoint another citizen representative.

The city still needs someone to fill the vacancy on the Grand Marais Planning Commission, which had been filled by Swearingen.

In addition, at the Wednesday meeting, when Councilor Craig Schulte gave his report from the Grand Marais Park Board, he said that board also needs a citizen to serve. Board Member Rita Hinchman has resigned from her seat.

Anyone interested in the Grand Marais Park Board, the Planning Commission, or the Public Utilities Commission may contact City Hall at 218-387-1848 for more information.

And stay tuned to WTIP Community Radio, we’ll have an interview with new City Councilor Tracy Benson soon! 
 

WTIP likes to share news of local businesses -- new businesses, new owners, milestone achievements. In this interview, we hear the story of a business with a novel approach to physical therapy. 

Elizabeth “Elunia” Steckelberg, PT, DPT, has opened Superior Movement Physical Therapy in Cook County. Her practice offers an interesting option for physical therapy. Instead of coming to Steckelberg’s office—she comes to the patients.

After a first visit/evaluation, there are options to have virtual therapy sessions as well.

Learn more about Steckelberg and her new business on the Superior Movement Physical Therapy website.

If you know of North Shore business owners who should be featured, give us a call at 218-387-1070 or email: [email protected]. WTIP would love to tell their story!
 

Aaron Mielke, a firefighter and forester with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, is one of WTIP Community Radio’s “go-to” sources for information on fire conditions and fires.

We checked in with Mielke to learn whether the recent rains received have been enough to relieve the drought conditions here in Cook County.

Mielke confirms that the rain is good news for the hundreds of people fighting the fires in the region. However, the lightning that came along with it can be concerning. Mielke said fires started by lightning are not an immediate concern, but such fires can smolder and flare if weather conditions change. The DNR closely tracks and monitors lighting strikes.

WTIP also talked to Mielke about containment lines; communications; the equipment used on wildfires (like the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources J-5, pictured above); and regrowth after the fires.

Here’s WTIP’s Rhonda Silence with Firefighter and Forester Aaron Mielke. 
 

All of our local schools have been working with Cook County Public Health to determine their plans for returning to school. Will students and staff be required to wear masks? What sort of social distancing will take place? And is there a plan for distance learning if coronavirus cases increase in the community?

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence checked in with Great Expectations School Director Rachael Lehman to learn about the policies at GES as the new year begins.

Here’s their conversation. 
 

On Saturday, September 4, northlanders will once again be able to enjoy a campfire in some situations. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources just announced that changes will be made to wildfire-related restrictions to allow campfires at homes, cabins, campgrounds, and resorts in Cook and Lake counties.

These fires must, of course, be attended and in established fire rings.

Campfires are not allowed in the three state forest campgrounds in Grand Portage State Forest due to the remote nature of these campsites. The campsites with a campfire ban still in place are Devilfish Lake Campground, Esther Lake Campground, and McFarland Lake Campground.

No campfires are allowed for dispersed or backcountry camping on all state, county, or private lands. Camping stoves are permitted.

The U.S. Forest Service has announced that most of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will reopen Saturday, Sept. 4, but that does not mean that campers—in or out of the wilderness—can have fires.

At this time the campfire ban that has been in effect since early July will still be in effect when the BWCA reopens Saturday.

Of the 65 fires reported across Superior National Forest in 2021, nearly half, or 29, have been caused by humans. To minimize risk of human-caused fires, fire restrictions remain in place across all of Superior National Forest. Open flames are not allowed, including campfires and charcoal grills. However, visitors may use propane or gas-powered devices with on/off switches, according to the Forest Service.

The DNR reminds the public that though conditions have improved with recent rain and cooler temperatures, wildfire risk has been reduced—but not entirely eliminated. Extreme caution is advised with any sort of fire at this time. 

To check the latest Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fire restrictions, click here. 
 

There has been a lot of curiosity about what is happening at the building that was formerly the American Legion lounge and then Grandma Ray’s in downtown Grand Marais. The nonprofit organization North Point purchased the building in January 2021. Since then there has been extensive remodeling and the building is now opening as the home of North Point Youth.

Brad and Brooke Shannon are leading the development of North Point. They sat down with WTIP Community Radio and answered questions about the organization and the plans for use of the building.

Brad told WTIP that North Point is a new nonprofit, giving credit to his wife, Brooke, for maneuvering through the bureaucracy of creating a nonprofit. He said the goal of North Point is to end hopelessness among teens. 

One of the community questions has been—how have the Shannons been able to purchase a building and do all the remodeling that has been done? Brad Shannon replied to that by saying, “The short answer is individuals that care about kids.”

Brad Shannon said that like most nonprofits, North Point has been funded to date by generous donations from people who believe in the goals of North Point.

Asked about those goals, Brooke Shannon points to the sign hanging alongside artwork and motivational messages. The sign reads: Truths we want every teen to believe: I am lovable, capable & worthwhile. I am loved without strings & never alone. I have a future.

The goals are borrowed from Treehouse, another nonprofit that has been working with teens since 1979. Treehouse is based in Minnesota and works to build resiliency in teens through “grace-based programs.” Learn more about Treehouse here.  

To reach those goals, North Point is inviting local youths in with ideas. The building won’t be open all day every day, but instead will have some after-school “drop-in hours.” The building will be open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for 8th – 12th graders. Wednesdays are reserved for 6th-8th graders. All after-school hours are from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

During those times, kids can play pool or Foosball, do homework, or just sit in comfortable chairs or hammocks and visit with friends.

The times were selected in part to give youths a safe place to hang out after school, before games, or other activities. An example of the use of the space was a recent gathering of the Cook County High School volleyball team. The team prepared for the first home volleyball game by using what was once the American Legion bar counter to craft school spirit signs.

There is defined programming such as what North Point has dubbed “Support Group” on Tuesdays, from 6 -7:30 p.m. This is described as “a time when teens give voice to the struggles they’re facing and talk about what is going on in their lives.” The hope is to create a time and place where teens feel safe and receive support from peers and adult leaders. That group will first meet on September 7.

As Brad Shannon has a ministerial background, there is a spiritual aspect of North Point. Starting on October 4, on Mondays, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. there will be a Community Youth Group that offers teens a chance to “learn more about our God-given purpose, develop spiritual and personal life skills.” It is also described as a time for teens to unwind and have fun.

The Shannons stress that teens do not have to participate in either the Support Group or Community Youth Group. If they want to just come and observe, or use the North Point building as a safe haven, that is encouraged.

Also encouraged are suggestions from teens for what they would like to see happen at North Point, whether it is something like Karaoke or outdoor adventures. Brad and Brooke Shannon both note that the goal for North Point is that it be youth-driven.

To learn more about North Point, visit the website: North Point. To see photos of what the remodeled space looks like now, click the slideshow above. 

WTIP's Rhonda Silence visited the North Point building to talk to Brad and Brooke Shannon of North Point. Here's their conversation. 
 

There is always a lot to be done before the doors open to students in a new school year. That is complicated once again this year by the COVID-19 pandemics. WTIP checked in with Oshki Ogimaag School in Grand Portage to learn about the school’s policy on masks.

Oshki Ogimaag Director Carmen Keyport said students and staff will be asked to wear masks. The social distancing policy has loosened a bit for the coming year. The school will work to have students three feet apart, instead of six feet as was required last year.

Keyport said parents and community members have been accepting of the fact that masks will be required. She notes that the goal for everyone is to be able to have students in school for the entire year.

Keyport said staff is working in the building and they are excited about the new year. There is an Open House for students and families today, September 2, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Families are invited to come to meet teachers and check out classrooms.
WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Director Carmen Keyport about the school year ahead. Here’s their conversation. 
 

Two local businesses with the same need—consistent and quality commercial laundry service—recently joined forces to form North Shore Laundry Services. Cascade Lodge and Cascade Vacation Rental worked with the Cook County-Grand Marais Economic Development Authority to obtain business development funding and to purchase a lot in the Cedar Grove Business Park.
 
North Shore Laundry Services received $23,000 from the EDA’s business development fund, as well as the EDA’s support for an Iron Range Resources infrastructure grant.
 
The businesses purchased two lots in the business park for the commercial laundry and construction is underway, with footings for the 40’ x 60’ building in place.
 
In addition to serving as the laundry for their own businesses, North Shore Laundry will offer services to other North Shore lodging establishments. They believe the laundry will create about a dozen jobs.
 
The business partners hope to have the laundry open for business before January 2022.
 
WTIP’s Rhonda Silence visited the owners onsite at the Cedar Grove Business Park as they celebrated the start of construction. In the photo above, with the traditional groundbreaking “golden shovels,” is Jelena McAleer and Thom McAleer of Cascade Lodge and Sarena Nelson, Clair Nalezny, and Steve Surbaugh of Cascade Vacation Rental.  

Here's Rhonda's report.