Pine Knot News - A hometown newspaper with a local office, local owners & lots of local news

On Tuesday, Cloquet set aside time to celebrate its senior citizens with free treats and prizes, music, food, shopping, shared knowledge and a glorious day at the park. Nearly 40 different vendors set up awnings and tables at Veterans Park. They shared information about services available to older residents, senior health care and living options, employment, beauty tips, entertainment and even local reading materials such as the Senior Reporter magazine edited by Cloquet resident Burton Laine (below). And the seniors came, their numbers growing throughout the day, as they walked from booth to booth, signing up for free giveaways, getting their blood pressure checked, dancing (like Gene and Kay Bates, right) to polka music, enjoying the sunshine and meeting friends they hadn't seen since the onset of the pandemic. Organizer Starr Marshall (bottom right) awarded Florian Chmielewski a lifetime achievement award and named him "entertainment king," as the 94-year-old musician took a quick break from playing with his daughter, Patty, and granddaughter, Katy, in the picnic shelter Tuesday. "I think this is a great way to let seniors know about resources and services to help them stay safe and healthy at home," said Kelly Church, of Carlton County Public Health and Human Services. Find more photos at pineknotnews.com.

Jana Peterson