About Harbor Friends
Harbor Friends is working to preserve the harbor and surrounding area as a multi-use recreational, cultural, economic and environmental jewel that will be a haven for Grand Marais' people and visitors and for wildlife on into the future.
Harbor Friends believes that birds and birders, boats and boaters, educational, recreational, entertainment and economic activity all have a place in the harbor and surrounding area. We believe that good stewardship has to be the guiding principle in allocating fragile and limited Harbor area resources. The community has to always consider future generations and the environment first. Grand Marais has to give the idea of a better harbor for all precedence over immediate economic benefits. Harbor Friends believes Grand Marais needs to focus on what kind of harbor and recreation park it will leave to its grandchildren and on its responsibility to a greater community.
Harbor Friends also believes that no one interest should dictate the future of the harbor or the Recreation Park; that decisions concerning the harbor and Recreation Park should be made by the entire community in a collaborative, open, inclusive and completely transparent manner and that such decisions should always be based on a totality of the best information available.
Mission
Our mission is to work to preserve the Harbor as a multi-use recreational, cultural, economic and environmental jewel that will be a haven for Grand Marais' people, visitors and for wildlife on into the future.
Background
Harbor Friends was founded in March 2005, in Grand Marais as a successor organization to the Alliance to Protect the Historic Harbor. It is a formally incorporated nonprofit as a 501(c)(3), and has taken over the work of the Alliance. Its formation was the response to the need for a more structured group to effectively advocate for the harbor and the Recreation Park and give a voice those citizens who want to preserve the present character and use of the Harbor and public areas near the harbor.
We have 1900 members, including local residents, seasonal residents and concerned tourists.
Harbor Friends is working to preserve the harbor and surrounding area as a multi-use recreational, cultural, economic and environmental jewel that will be a haven for Grand Marais’ people and visitors and for wildlife on into the future.
Harbor Friends believes that birds and birders, boats and boaters, educational, recreational, entertainment and economic activity all have a place in the harbor and surrounding area. We believe that good stewardship has to be the guiding principle in allocating fragile and limited Harbor area resources. The community has to always consider future generations and the environment first. Grand Marais has to give the idea of a better harbor for all precedence over immediate economic benefits. Harbor Friends believes Grand Marais needs to focus on what kind of harbor and Recreation Park it will leave to its grandchildren and on its responsibility to a greater community.
Harbor Friends also believes that no one interest should dictate the future of the harbor or the Recreation Park; that decisions concerning the harbor and Recreation Park should be made by the entire community in a collaborative, open, inclusive and completely transparent manner and that such decisions should always be based on a totality of the best information available.
Board of Directors
The Harbor Friends board of directors includes:
Board Chair
Carah Thomas-Maskell
Carah was born and raised in Grand Marais. She worked and freelanced for the Associated Press and for newspapers in Sarasota and Miami. She is now employed by the Cook County Star. Carah worked with commercial fishermen Tom Eckel in Alaska and in Grand Marais on Lake Superior.
Vice Chair
John Haluska
John is a marketing and project manager for an international forest products corporation, business owner, and consultant. He volunteers for many non-profits, and is a member of the Grand Marais Yacht Club, a board member of the Mississippi Corridor Neighborhood Coalition, Compliance Assistance and the Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund.
Secretary/Treasurer
Molly Hoffman
Molly and her husband Ken started a land surveying business in Cook County in 1980. Both are active volunteers for community non-profits. Molly teaches birding, works as a guide for local birding festivals and produced two birding CDs to benefit local community radio, WTIP.
Vicki Biggs-Anderson
Vicki, a transplant for the Twin Cities, has always been a professional journalist. In her 16 years in Grand Marais, she started as a reporter, became editor of the Cook County News Herald, and recently retired. Without the need to protect her journalistic integrity, she is now very active in community affairs.
Lonnie Dupre
Lonnie, a self-employed home builder, recently completed the first-ever summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean to the North Pole to emphasis global warming. Lonnie received the Rolex Award for Enterprise in 2004, and is a member of the Explorer's Club. He generously shares time and fame to benefit local non-profits and children.
Mark Hansen
Mark, wife Wendy and son Dan moved to Grand Marais in 1980. Mark, founder of North House Folk School, teaches traditional craft classes at the school. Mark owns Hanson Boatworks, and has studied many crafts in Nordic countries and the Arctic.
Ed Hedstrom
Ed was born and raised in Cook County, and is third generation one-third owner of Hedstrom Lumber Mill, where he is the yard manager. He is active in church, on the Maple Hill Fire Department, and as a volunteer whenever someone needs assistance.
Judie Johnson
Judie, former executive director of the Gunflint Trail Association, is active on non-profit boards and committees for five local non-profits. She brings experience from non-profit work at Brek School, Guthrie Theatre and the Courage Center. Her most recent display of baskets and knitting at a local art gallery reveals another of her many talents.
B.J. Muus
B.J. is choir director for the Lutheran Church and yearly organizes and directs an amazing Christmas choral event for the community. B.J. produces and hosts a weekly volunteer radio show on WTIP. He is a retired teacher with a long career in music.
Ann Possis
Ann is a freelance writer and fundraiser. She has worked for Greenpeace U.S. in logistics and fundraising, and served as manager for the One World Expedition -- the first-ever summer crossing of the Arctic Ocean. Ann has extensive non-profit board experience.
Noah Prinsen
Noah is a senior at Cook County High School, an "A" student and National Honor Society member. He is a top-rated cross country runner and Nordic skier. Noah mentors younger art students, and has become a core member of the Art Club, known for fund raisers benefiting the homeless.
Jean Roberts
Jean is an elder of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She was born in an Anishinaabe settlement on the west beach area of the harbor more than 80 years ago. She has been an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society for 35 years, is active in her church, and offers a helping hand to everyone.
Lloyd Speck
Lloyd, born and raised in Cook County, is self-employed as a mason and known for his gifted stonework. He is the county grave digger. As a member of the Cook County Zoning and Planning Commission, he has been outspoken in defining the importance of preserving water quality.
John Wood
John, a physician for 14 years at Cook County's Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, volunteers for many non-profits. John and wife Kim are known for their humanitarian work, generously spending a year in Uganda. They are now the parents of twin boys.
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