Meet your Cook County Neighbor: Taryn Manthey
Aug 23, 2025 07:51AM ● By Editor
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A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - August 23, 2025
Taryn works as the Water Quality Technician for Grand Portage Natural Resources and Trust Lands.
What is your favorite part about living and working in Cook County?
I grew up in Grand Portage and have always loved living here because it is peaceful with nature and Lake Superior all around. Working here is also great because my office for half of the year is outside!
Your work in testing the water at the local beaches to ensure a safe swimming experience is so vital to the community. Can you tell us a little more about that? How often do you test? Do you often get unfavorable results?
Part of my job as the water quality technician at Grand Portage Trust Lands and Natural Resources is monitoring swimming beaches for the community. This year we monitor 15 sites once a per week. We do so by collecting water samples and collecting data such as water temperature, wind speed, wave height, air temperature, wind direction, and turbidity. The water samples are then tested for E.coli and if any sites are above our standard of water quality for safe swimming, we let the community know via physical signs posted at the beach(es) and social media posts stating that it isn't recommended to swim at the beach(es). Most of the time exceedances occur after a major rain event.
Where is one of your favorite go to spots in the County when you get a day off to relax?
One of my favorite spots to relax at when I have time is Red Rock Beach on the reservation. I like to lay on the beach and listen to the waves while my dog, Mimi, runs along the shore.
What is a surprising fact about you that many do not know?
A surprising fact that many do not know about me is that I have never broken a bone!
What is one family tradition that you look forward to doing?
My family doesn't really have any traditions that are upheld each year, but a few of us cousins like to take time to have a meal and celebrate our Grandma Sylvia when it is her birthday. The usual go-to spot is Sammy's Pizza in West Duluth, it was her favorite restaurant.
If you won an all-expense paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I won an all-expense paid trip to anywhere in the world, I would honestly go to Oklahoma to visit my family that I haven't seen in a while. Spending time with loved ones is more important than sightseeing to me.
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - August 23, 2025
Taryn works as the Water Quality Technician for Grand Portage Natural Resources and Trust Lands.
What is your favorite part about living and working in Cook County?
I grew up in Grand Portage and have always loved living here because it is peaceful with nature and Lake Superior all around. Working here is also great because my office for half of the year is outside!
Your work in testing the water at the local beaches to ensure a safe swimming experience is so vital to the community. Can you tell us a little more about that? How often do you test? Do you often get unfavorable results?
Part of my job as the water quality technician at Grand Portage Trust Lands and Natural Resources is monitoring swimming beaches for the community. This year we monitor 15 sites once a per week. We do so by collecting water samples and collecting data such as water temperature, wind speed, wave height, air temperature, wind direction, and turbidity. The water samples are then tested for E.coli and if any sites are above our standard of water quality for safe swimming, we let the community know via physical signs posted at the beach(es) and social media posts stating that it isn't recommended to swim at the beach(es). Most of the time exceedances occur after a major rain event.
Where is one of your favorite go to spots in the County when you get a day off to relax?
One of my favorite spots to relax at when I have time is Red Rock Beach on the reservation. I like to lay on the beach and listen to the waves while my dog, Mimi, runs along the shore.
What is a surprising fact about you that many do not know?
A surprising fact that many do not know about me is that I have never broken a bone!
What is one family tradition that you look forward to doing?
My family doesn't really have any traditions that are upheld each year, but a few of us cousins like to take time to have a meal and celebrate our Grandma Sylvia when it is her birthday. The usual go-to spot is Sammy's Pizza in West Duluth, it was her favorite restaurant.
If you won an all-expense paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I won an all-expense paid trip to anywhere in the world, I would honestly go to Oklahoma to visit my family that I haven't seen in a while. Spending time with loved ones is more important than sightseeing to me.
