Meet Treehouse Mary

An 0ctogenarian who lives among the birds and the squirrels

Tim Spitzack Editor

Mary Nelson was 75 years old the day she abruptly decided that the towering 60-foot-tall oak tree in her backyard needed a treehouse. The tree, she estimated, had been there long before her home was built in 1930. One day she shared her idea with a friend who happened to have carpentry skills. He told her it was a bad idea at her age. Undeterred, she kept needling him until he agreed to build it. When it was nearly finished, Mary decided the treehouse needed a second level. Her friend took a deep breath and kept building but was soon pulled away by family commitments. Two summers later a neighbor agreed to finish the job.

Fast forward a decade. What does a soonto-be 85-year-old do with a double decker treehouse? Well, she relaxes in it, of course.

I’m not sure I would have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself. After learning about the treehouse, I drove by to take a look. It was quite the impressive structure so I parked my car and rang her bell. To my surprise, the door opened and a friendly woman with kind eyes appeared, not looking the least bit suspicious as to why a stranger was on her doorstep on a sunny summer afternoon. She wore jean shorts and a denim blouse, with a visor covering her long gray hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was advanced in years, thin and spry.

I introduced myself and my intention – to write an article about her treehouse – then asked her name.

“Mary Nelson,” she said. “But I often go by

Nelson on the second level of her treehouse, 25 feet above ground.

Mary Ruth Nelson because I have such a common name.” Then she smiled. “My neighbors call me Treehouse Mary.”

As we continued talking, I quickly discovered that she herself is far from common.

“Do you want to go up?” she asked.

How could I say no.

Mary told me where to find the homemade ladder made of 2x4 lumber and I leaned it against the tree and started climbing. My first thoughts were, is this safe? I was soon at the first level, about 15 feet above the ground. I

Treehouse Mary / Page 2

An up-close look at our national mammal

Page 8

Crasqui brings Venezuelan fare to the West Side

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

South American food will be represented among the many Mexican restaurants on St. Paul’s West Side when Crasqui Venezuelan restaurant opens July 25 at 84 Wabasha St. S., just across the Wabasha Street bridge from downtown in the space formerly home to Catrina’s Cerveza & Mexican Grill. Owner Soleil Ramirez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, and is using her 15 years of experience in fine dining to offer an elegant experience that transports guests to her homeland.

“Crasqui is an island in the Caribbean Ocean, so the theme of all the décor and inspiration is based on that, but forget about tiki bars, it’s not a tiki bar,” said Ramirez. “All the recipes and dishes at Crasqui are based on my ideas, memories and experiences. I have a dessert called My Dad’s Favorite that represents my memories with my dad. I have another dish for my grandma that represents who she was in the kitchen.”

The majority of the menu items include fresh seafood and vegetables, and dishes will rotate seasonally. Guests can try a 6-course menu tasting and al a carte items will also be available. The menu will be in Spanish, so don’t be afraid to ask your server for help if you need it.

“I had the great opportunity when I was little to travel all over, so I really know the food of my country,”

Crasqui / Page 4

Prospective homebuyers see signs of hope as market levels out

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

30% decline in home sales across the Twin Cities and a leveling of listing prices suggest good news for those looking to purchase their first home, and folks seeking larger homes.

Anear

The median sales price of $367,000 in April was down 0.7% from a year ago – the first such decline, however slight, since 2012. The average time on the market increased by nearly two-thirds, to 45 days, and inventory levels shrank 4.5%, to 6,155 units. The Twin Cities market currently has about 1.5 months’ supply whereas a balanced market has four to six months.

Here’s how the market changed in the St. Paul Voice distribution area over the past year. Data is through April 2023.

• Median sales price on the West Side decreased by 11.2%, from $255,000 to $226,500. Time on the market more than doubled, from 20 to 44 days.

• Median sales price in downtown decreased 13.8%, from $174,000-$150,000. Time on the market increased 10.2%, from 147 to 162 days.

• Median sales price in West St. Paul decreased 9.8%, from $305,000 to

$275,000. Homes sat on the market slightly longer, increasing from 27 to 29 days.

• Median sales price in Mendota Heights decreased by 5.4%, from $420,000 to $397,450. Days on the market jumped from 17 to 97 days.

Market trends in the Twin Cities Sales in St. Paul decreased 28.6% while sales in Minneapolis fell 36.4%. Sales of single-family homes fell 31.5%, condos declined 36.1%, and townhomes dropped 14.4%. New construction home sales rose 20% while existing home sales were down 32.9%. The decrease in overall sales in the Twin Cities can, in part, be attributed to significantly fewer listings compared to last year, a decrease of about 28%. Rising interest rates have impacted affordability but those, too, are leveling out. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage in 2022 jumped from 3.22% in January to 7.08% in October. Today, rates are hovering around 6.8%.

Rental properties

Rent for apartments in St. Paul has stayed relatively consistent since April last year. According to a recent