All photos by Laura Durenberger-Grunow

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 27, 2023


Up Yonder was packed on Thursday, October 26 with Cook County community leaders, local business and restaurant owners, State Representatives, and community members for the 12th annual Fall Gala, hosted by Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce. 

 Charcuterie boards from Fisherman's Daughter

The event included a cocktail and social hour with heavy appetizers from Up Yonder and charcuterie boards from Fisherman's Daughter. The program portion of the evening started around 6:30, and included short presentations from a variety of people, some of which included Visit Cook County staff and board members, Cook County Chamber of Commerce board members and staff, Lobbyist Judy Erickson, Minnesota Senator Grant Hauschild, Representative Roger Skraba, and Commissioner Ida Rukavina. 

The Awards Ceremony wrapped up the evening, starting with Visit Cook County's Heart of Hospitality Awards. 

 Nominees for the Cook County Chamber Community Business Leader of the Year Award pose for a photo. Dee Brazell, World's Best Donuts was the winner for this category

The categories and nominees are listed below, with the winner in bold:

Grand Portage Area Tourism (all from Grand Portage Lodge and Casino):

• Jasmine Coatie, Event Coordinator (tie)
• Jackie Leopold, Floor Manager/Casino Admin Asst.
• Marcus Logan, Island View Dining Room (tie)
• Rick Rankin, Slot Attendant
• Brett Turner, Grand Portage Lodge Manager

Gunflint Trail Association:

• Maddy Frawley & Clay Wharburton, Managers - Voyageur Canoe Outfitters
• Carson LaRocque, Outfitting Assistant Manager - Gunflint Lodge
• Christian Semon, Cook - Trail Center

Grand Marais Area Tourism Association:

• Amy Behto, Bartender - Gunflint Tavern/Sales Associate - The Big Lake
• Adam Roen - Arrowhead Transit
• Autumn Sturm, Barista - Java Moose

Lutsen/Tofte Tourism Association:

• Tabitha Blanchard, Barista - Fika Coffee
• Martha Finley, Social Media Marketing - Cascade Vacation Rentals
• Sue Johnson, Manager on Duty & Gift Shop Manager - Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts
• Dakota Marshall, Front of House Manager - Moguls Grille & Taproom
• KatieClaire Schuler, Guest Services Director - Caribou Highlands

The Cook County Chamber Chamber Annual Business Awards followed. Linda Jurek, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Visit Cook County, told the attendees that over 110 Chamber members voted this year. The Awards Ceremony was celebrating its 10th year in 2023. 

The categories and nominees are listed below, with the winner in bold:

Chamber Business of the Year

• Cook County Co-op
• Fisherman's Daughter, Parker & Katie Slanga
• Joy & Company, Jill Terrill
• Up Yonder, Cassidy Gecas & Britt Zieroth
• WTIP Community Radio

Community Business Leader of the Year

• Dee Brazell, World's Best Donuts
• Cassidy Gecas & Britt Zieroth, Up Yonder
  
• John Fredrikson, Gunflint Lodge
• Kat Meyo, Cook County Local Energy Project
• Parker & Katie Slanga, Fisherman's Daughter
  
• Jordan Plummer, SHOOK Smoothies

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Satinder (Sam) and Sara Bains, Taste of India & Marathon Gas
• Alex Beebe-Giudice & Christine Sayler, Superior Creamery
• Thom & Jelena McAleer, Jameson Grace Hospitality
• Abby Tofte, The Big Lake
• Brooke Youngdahl & Kelsi Williams, The Sweetwater Co.

Norman Deschampe Community Service Award

• Steve Surbaugh
• Shele Toftey

After the program and awards ceremony, attendees enjoyed mingling and listening to must by Timmy Haus. 

 Live music by Timmy Haus closed out the event