Eh? Don't trust that convict cousin

Don't trust that convict cousin

Well, we warned you Tuesday to be careful if you choose to write a letter to Alabama prison inmate Michael Schumacher, who wrote us a hand-written letter claiming to be a Duluth native in search of family and friends.

We looked him up in the Alabama prison system, and, sure enough, he's listed as an inmate. But we never were able to confirm his claim that he was from Duluth, hence our note of caution.

Turns out we're not the only newspaper that got a letter from Schumacher.

An alert reader found the exact same plea from the exact same guy in the Verona (Wis.) Press. So either he's from both towns or he's from neither town and he's just trying to get people to write to him.

You can't blame the guy for trying, but you can definitely blame him for lying.

Jam with Bea

Even if you think you know a lot, you can never really know enough about rhubarb jam.

And you can definitely learn a thing or two from James Beard cookbook hall of fame member Beatrice Ojakangas.

She'll be hosting two sessions of a rhubarb jam cooking class Monday afternoon and evening at her home kitchen in rural Duluth. The class, "Artisan Rhubarb Jams, Preserves and Condiments," is a fundraiser for CHUM.

A $50 check will reserve your place until there are no places left. Make checks payable to "CHUM" and a note indicating afternoon (2-4 p.m.) or evening (6-8 p.m.) preference and your phone number, address and e-mail contact information and mail to CHUM, Attn: Rhubarb Festival Cooking Class, 102 W. Second St., Duluth, MN 55802.

Info: (218) 720-6521.

Bring one for the bookshelf

The Big Red Bookshelf, a project of United Way of Greater Duluth's Success By 6 program, is looking for picture books, board books and hardcover books appropriate for children up to third grade.

You can help by dropping off books at Super One Foods locations in Duluth until Tuesday. They also could use help with screening books next week. Contact United Way at (218) 726-4770 to volunteer.

Fundraisers