Community

Local youth artists Kim Wehrenberg and Essence Isensee designed and painted a mural that is aimed at making people at the Bluehaven Shelter more comfortable.The large-scale artwork was done at Northern Lights Drop-in Center during the months of January and February, after Servants of Shelter applied for a Shelter Beautification grant from Open Your Heart in September 2023.“We are so grateful for the opportunity to employ local youth artists to create a large-scale art piece to welcome guests to our Bluehaven Shelter,” said Ariana Daniel, executive director of Servants of Shelter of Koochiching CountyThe “Welcome to Bluehaven” mural project brought much joy and inspiration to our Drop-in Center in the darkest months, she added.The artists were inspired by Anisinaabe botanical beadwork designs and were able to incorporate words of welcome in English, Spanish, Aniishinaabe-mowin, and Ukrainian into their design.The Bluehaven Shelter houses individuals, couples and families that are experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence and facing other challenges such as mental health and substance use.

The first of six Inclusion Learning Cohort, or ILC, workshops is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12.The workshop runs from 5:30-8 p.m.

Part 1 of “Entertainers with Dog Tags,” a documentary by Rick Holen about he and his fellow soldiers’ service in the United States Command Military Touring Shows in Vietnam, will be presented at noon March 16 at Cine 5, in International Falls.The three-part documentary was presented locally in February.

March 815 years agoLittlefork-Big Falls closed the regular season at home Thursday with a balanced, 67-54 victory over Greenway.

Koerter’s Amoco, Rainy Lake Medical Center, Borderland Humane Society and Ronna MacKay will be recognized at International Falls Chamber of Commerce Annual Award Gala March 22.The chamber announced this week that awards will be presented to:• Koerter’ s Amoco - Small business of the year.• Rainy Lake Medical Center - Large business of the year.• Borderland Humane Society - Non-profit/civic organization of the year.• Ronna MacKay - Citizen of the YearNominations for the awards closed March.

After a three-month winter pause, the International Falls Ruby’s Pantry is returning to service.

March 115 years agoThe Falls Broncos moved closer to a home playoff game Friday night by virtue of a 69-60 win over Duluth Marshall at the Falls High gym.

The Borealis Bards, a program of Backus Community Center, will present the musical “Is There a Doctor in the House?” as its spring production May 23 and 24.Auditions for the musical will be from 3-5 p.m.

“This is you having fun!” exclaims Minnesota artist Mary Mulari in the instructional video for the upcoming Library Card Record Book Take and Create Art Kit, available throughout March at the International Falls Public Library, and other regional libraries.Mulari has just glued on a quotation from provided clip art onto a vintage-style library book pocket.