Articles written by Ann Markusen
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On the Mark: Artists, photographers share urban views
Travel near and far in the Pine Knot Gallery’s “urban landscapes” exhibit, opening Friday. Our fall exhibit includes unique urban perspectives from a number of area artists, including Rhonda... Full story
On the Mark: A teacher worth fighting for
In the mid-1920s, my grandmother Ruth Lee Markusen began teaching at Cromwell High School. Although she had earned a degree from the University of Minnesota in English and social science (1910) and... Full story
On the Mark: Ode to small town cemeteries
This morning, we had a visitor. Aaron Aho, the son of the recently deceased Wright resident Marvin Aho, came by to speak with husband Rod Walli about the burial site and interment for Marvin’s...
On the Mark: The joy of jazz
Live jazz is a beautiful experience. Last Sunday afternoon, husband Rod and I drove to Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace on West Superior Street in Duluth. My cousin, Beth Wilson – a former choral...
On the Mark: Wrong Days has it all: music, sport and politics
It's impossible to take in every pleasure and message at a community festival. Wrong Days in Wright last weekend was as joyful as ever. Arriving early, I watched some energetic softball as I walked... Full story
On The Mark: Week in Brazil is a thrill
Often, we learn a lot about our own country, state, city and workplaces by sharing experiences with counterparts around the world. In late June, I flew to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, to participate in a... Full story
On the Mark: Cromwell community makeover underway
If you’re driving east or west on Minnesota State Highway 210 between Carlton and McGregor over the next few weeks, you’ll be slowed down going through the city of Cromwell. A major makeover of th... Full story
On The Mark: Music is elixir for gray spring days
It’s been a chilly, damp, dark stretch, from early March through April. The beautiful winter ice for skating melted months ago. Snow for skiing disappeared in bits and drabs. Purple finch and...
On the Mark: Students hit stage with song
It was an exciting night in the Cromwell-Wright school auditorium last Thursday. It began with 11 of our high school choral students singing their hearts out in solos, duets, and ensembles. The solos... Full story
On The Mark: Portraits with a camera
Ivy Vainio's large-scale photo prints of Anishinaabe elders grace our multicolored brick wall at the Pine Knot News office, a striking introduction to a portrait exhibit which opens today, April 8,... Full story
On The Mark: Invasion thwarts democracy
Russia’s current invasion of Ukraine, a peaceful independent nation, can only be explained by revisiting late 20th-century history. I am rusty on much of this, so I’ve spent some time reviewing... Full story
On The Mark: Song and comedy brighten winter days in Cromwell
For two weeks in a row, classmates, parents, grandparents, siblings, and community members were treated to marvelous song — alone and with others — and a sparkling One Act Play at the...
On The Mark: Racism: a persistent American crisis
You may have heard that some school boards and communities in our state are fighting over the oddly named “critical race theory.” Oddly, because if you read what some of the theory’s... Full story
On The Mark: Stay politically engaged
Lately, I’ve been reading about American political history since World War II. Prominent topics include the civil rights movement, the Congress of American Indians (founded in 1944), the women’s... Full story
On The Mark: Music and dancing bring joy to center
Last week, residents of Cromwell's Cardinal Court and Villa Vista care complex were treated to the rousing music of Florian Chmielewski's accordion and his banter between numbers. Lots of laughter,...
On The Mark: Ski programs grow strong at Cloquet's Pine Valley
It was a cold, cold day - even at 1 p.m. - minus 8 degrees with modest winds. The chalet at Pine Valley was crowded with kids and parents. The Cloquet Ski Club's Jenny Barta ably led us through the... Full story
On The Mark: Enjoying a musical challenge
On Monday evening last week, the Cromwell-Wright School gym hosted choral and instrumental performances of young people of all ages. The bleachers on the gym's south side were crammed with parents,...
On The Mark: Economic development thrives in Carlton County
Carlton County workers and businesses are receiving economic development support through funds provided by the State of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED)....
Photographers deck the walls at Pine Knot
The Knot Gallery's current exhibit features two area photographers whose subjects are all "out of doors." Colorful and majestic framed landscapes by retired Raiter Clinic physician Dan Malkovich hang...
On The Mark: A reflection on small towns and urban neighborhoods
After 12 years of living full-time in Red Clover Township, I’m beginning to understand the power of local ties and community. Growing up in an inner-ring Minneapolis suburb, we lived in a house chee... Full story
Making beautiful music
Senior high choir and band members sang and played their hearts out to an enthralled audience Nov. 9 in the Cromwell-Wright auditorium. The full senior high choir kicked off with Walter Rodby's... Full story
On The Mark: Rural counties win in recruiting workers
Some years ago, I reported on the success of Carlton and Aitkin counties in attracting new residents. University of Minnesota researchers found that for the period 2000-2010, these two counties...
On The Mark: Workforce takes a hit from lingering pandemic
It’s been a tough year for most of us. We lost many people, especially among our elderly populations. Many workers lost their jobs. Others had to show up, especially those in our health care...
On The Mark: Hospital navigates Covid storm
Among area enterprises propelled into the Covid hotseat, Community Memorial Hospital must be our local ground zero. Demand for its care and services skyrocketed from the start, peaking in winter...
On The Mark: Reports provide snapshot of local economy
Northeastern Minnesota failed to match the state’s population growth rate (6.3 percent) from 2010 to 2019. The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), using estimates from the...
