Articles written by Ann Markusen
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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...
On The Mark: Movies return to the barn
On the evenings of Aug. 20-21, the Dugan and Fisher- Merritt clan will again host the Free Range Film Festival at their heritage barn in Wrenshall. Screening the films ahead of time, I’ve marveled a...
On The Mark: Bright power bill days ahead
After thinking about it for months, my husband, Rod, and I decided to install solar power at our home. Rod researched the options. We chose to go with a small company, Wolf Track Energy of Duluth,...
On The Mark: It's good to have grad parties back
I have thoroughly enjoyed the half-dozen grad parties I attended the last few weeks. It's always sweet to see how the featured grad beams at you and answers your "what's next?" questions. And I love...
On the Mark: Pine Valley master plan has input opportunities
What would you like to see in an upgrade of Cloquet's Pine Valley recreation area? The city of Cloquet recently hired a team of consultants to consider options and survey the public on our...
Art is back on Avenue C
Early this morning, a ruby- throated hummingbird scouted our bird feeders, then departed for sweeter options. I poured sugar into a quart jar, added water and shook, retrieved and filled the feeders... Full story
On The Mark: Cromwell-Wright held fast to in-person learning
Reflecting earlier this month, Cromwell-Wright principal and superintendent Nathan Libbon recounted how he and his teachers, staff, parents and school board members managed to host most of their K-12...
On The Mark: Counterpoint: Yes, raise the minimum wage
Even newspaper owners don’t always agree, and that’s OK. This week I’d like to examine the other side of the argument for raising the minimum wage, in response to my fellow Pine Knot board membe...
