A free energy efficiency workshop for Cook County Homeowners will be held on Tuesday April 12th, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., at the North House Folk School Blue Building.

This workshop will be presented by the Duluth Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP), a new regional program helping homeowners save money, conserve energy, and lessen impacts on the environment.

The workshop is sponsored by the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP), in partnership with the Cook County/Grand Marais EDA and the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA).

A first step in learning how to reduce energy bills is in understanding energy performance.  DEEP will help by providing a free home energy score.

The workshop will cover what home improvement options to consider first and how to use home energy-efficiency dollars for the greatest impact and highest return on investment.  It will offer systematic and sensible steps for whole-house energy efficiency, including air sealing, insulation, heating, appliances, lighting, safety, and more.   In addition, DEEP works to connect homeowners with incentives, loans, and grants to reduce the overall cost of home energy improvements, increase home energy efficiency, and decrease the impact of home heating costs.

For more information contact George Wilkes: (218) 387-2137.
 

Several lakes and rivers along the Minnesota-Ontario border in Cook County will be closed to fishing at the start of this year’s season to protect concentrations of spawning walleye from potential over-harvest.

Walleye may be vulnerable to over-harvest during what is expected to be a year with relatively late ice-out and delayed spawning.
Closures, which are done in cooperation between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, affect both sides of the border. All areas closed to fishing will be posted.

The following areas were closed to fishing on April 1:

•    Sea Gull River from Sea Gull Lake through Gull Lake to Saganaga Lake approximately 1/3 mile north of the narrows will be closed through May 27
•    Saganaga Falls on the Minnesota Ontario border where the Granite River enters Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31
•    Maligne River (also known as Northern Light Rapids) on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake will be closed through May 31
•    Channel between Little Gunflint and Little North Lakes on the Minnesota Ontario border will be closed through May 31
•    Cross River (inlet to Gunflint Lake) from the Gunflint Trail to Gunflint Lake will be closed through May 27.

The following areas will be closed to fishing from Saturday, May 14, through Friday, May 27:

•    Tait River from White Pine Lake to the Forest Road 340 crossing, including a portion of White Pine Lake
•    Junco Creek from the first log dam above County Road 57 downstream to Devil Track Lake, and including a portion of Devil Track Lake near the river mouth.

Only fishing is affected by these closures, travel is permitted through the areas.
Direct questions to the DNR office in Grand Marais at 218-387-3056 or to Steve Persons, Grand Marais area fisheries supervisor, at steve.persons@state.mn.us.

The upcoming spring thaw signals wet, soft road and trail conditions, which prompt the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to close some state forest roads and trails to vehicle traffic temporarily. Those closures are expected to begin in the next few weeks.

“The spring thaw leads to soft soils, which may be susceptible to damage,” said Richard Peterson, acting recreation program coordinator for the DNR’s Division of Forestry. “We expect temporary closures to begin within the next couple of weeks, depending on local temperatures, precipitation and soil conditions. Generally, all roads and trails in a particular forest will be closed, but not always. Those that can handle motor vehicle traffic will remain open.”

Signs will be posted at entry points and at parking lots in state forests, but the DNR urges forest users to check on road and trail conditions before planning trips to avoid being surprised and disappointed by temporary closures. Road and trail condition information is updated every Thursday by 2 p.m. at mndnr.gov/ trailconditions. This information is also available from the DNR Information Center, 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646‑6367, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

What is so special about the North Shore of Lake Superior? Over 60 artists examine how its rocky shores and glistening lakes nurture their souls in an upcoming spring theme exhibit at the Grand Marais Art Colony, April 10-24, daily 9 a.m. to 4p.m. The exhibit captures why the North Shore is a powerful landscape as artists explore the intersection between the North Shore environment and the inner spiritual terrain in the media of their choice.The opening reception at 12:30 p.m. April 10 includes a musical and spoken word performance by award-winning poet and essayist Gary Holthaus and internationally acclaimed musician Lauren Pelon titled, "The Story of Music, Stories from Home."

This program offers unique perceptions of the natural world while celebrating a sense of place, community and home.The exhibit is curated by the Grand Marais Art Colony and Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church, an unusual annual collaboration dedicated to using art to express the intangible.

The Creative Community Club at The Garage in downtown Grand Marais continues to offer a creative outlet in an interesting and inspired way. Each month the club’s creator, Jill Terrill, owner of The Garage and Threads, introduces a new word for club members to ponder and from which to produce…whatever their creative souls come up with!

Then, as the month ends or the next begins, club members gather for the “Reveal” at The Garage to show and share with others their interpretation of the word. Club members gathered for the March Reveal on April 1. The March word was simple.

Stop by The Garage to see what the Creative Club has created!

And, consider joining the club yourself. There are no membership dues and no obligation. If you would like to be added to the e-mail list to learn more about the club, simply clip the coupon in the April 2 issue of the Cook County News-Herald and drop it off at The Garage or Threads or contact Terrill at (218) 387-2691 or by e-mail at uncommon@boreal.org .

The April word, fittingly, is MUD!

The Cross River Heritage Center in Schroeder has found a fun way to beat cabin fever. Anyone who is interested is invited to “Cribbage Night” at the center. A group of folks met last Monday, March 21 and Art Anderson was the winner for the night.

Anyone is welcome to play, said Judy Gregg, a Heritage Center board member. “We really just play for fun, but we do keep score,” she said.

There are card and board games available as well. Gregg said they have had some Scrabble players joining the fun. Last week Margaret Carlson won the Scrabble game.

The next Cribbage Night at Cross River Heritage Center is Monday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m.