Open or closed? PineKnotNews.com knows

Are they open?

In this time of social distancing and myriad governor’s orders, don’t you wish there was a place to find out — or to communicate — which businesses in Carlton County are open, and which ones are not?

There is.

Our small staff can’t possibly cover everything, but the Open or Knot app on our website is an easy way for the community to “crowdsource’’ and consolidate this useful information in one convenient reputable place: http://www.pineknotnews.com.

It’s free. Free for business owners and organizations to upload their own up-to-date information and free for users to find out if and when a business is open, and how — curbside, delivery, by appointment or other arrangement — in a world where the only constant is change.

And there’s the option of adding features such as logos, downloadable menus, links, special discounts and more for a small monthly fee.

We aim to be useful to readers here at the Pine Knot News. We live and work here too, and figured, why not promote as many other businesses, groups and organizations as we can during this economic downturn? Please, if you’re a local business owner, manager or civic leader, take a few minutes and add your listing to Open or Knot. Then sit back and relax, knowing that people browsing will be able to find your information quickly.

That’s not all we’re doing for the community. In addition to our stellar and ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic — from basics such as symptoms, where to get tests, to effects on local business — we are also publishing two special keepsake graduation sections this month. On May 22 we will feature a photo of every senior graduating from Cloquet High School, and on May 29 we will feature seniors from Carlton, Cromwell-Wright, Esko, Fond du Lac and Wrenshall.

Family and friends are invited to buy an ad congratulating their senior, but they don’t have to. No matter what, those seniors will be pictured, because they deserve something a little extra.