The St. Paul
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Volume 55 | Number 2
Your Community News & Information Source
February 2021
Fireside Reading Series goes virtual
A diverse line-up of readings by Minnesota authors will be presented virtually at 7 p.m., Wednesdays through Feb. 24 as part of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library Fireside Reading Series. This annual series features the work of Minnesota writers who have published a new work in the previous year. To register or receive more information on the following readings, visit www. thefriends.org/fireside. “American Gospel” by Lin Enger, Jan. 27 - On a small farm beside a lake in Minnesota’s north woods an old man is waiting for the Rapture, which God has told him will happen in two weeks. When word gets out, Last Days Ranch becomes ground zero for The End, drawing zealots, curiosity seekers and reporters— among them the prophet’s skeptical son. Enger has published two previous novels, “Undiscovered Country” and “The High Divide.” A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, he has received a James Michener Award, a Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship and a Jerome travel grant. He teaches English at Minnesota State University Moorhead. “How the Streets Were Made: Housing Segregation and Black Life in America” by Yelena Bailey, Feb. 3 - Bailey examines the creation of “the streets” not just as a physical, racialized space produced by segregationist policies but also as a sociocultural entity that has influenced our understanding of Blackness in America for decades. Bailey is a writer, researcher and former professor of Reading series / Page 3
Food delivery for the homebound Tim Spitzack Editor
Artwork by Adam Turman
Winter Carnival returns Jan. 28-Feb. 7 For event details, see page 5
Homebound seniors and others can get food delivered directly to their home through a new service offered by Neighbors, Inc., which runs the food shelf for residents in Northern Dakota County. While the program began in response to COVID-19, it has now become a regular program of the nonprofit. Neighbors began a trial program in March through a partnership with West St. Paul-based DARTS, a nonprofit that provides services for older adults and their families, then began operating the program independently this fall. It has proved to be a safe and effective way to deliver food to those unable to visit the food shelf. According to spokesperson Heidi Satre, about 100 people use the delivery service monthly. All items available for pick-up at the food shelf are available for delivery, including boxed and canned food, frozen meat, fresh produce, milk and hygiene products. The ordering process is identical. Participants place orders in advance then call 651-4555000 to schedule a time to pick up their food or have it delivered. Neighbors currently offers only curbside service at the food shelf, 222 Grand Ave., South St. Paul. All orders are prepackaged. Deliveries are usually made the day after the order is placed. Food packages are placed curbside, with no interaction with the driver. The program
Food delivery / Page 3
A ‘Sass’ Act for 50 years Klondike Kate program commemorates half-century milestone
Tara Flaherty Guy Contributor
T
his year’s St. Paul Winter Carnival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of the Carnival’s most beloved characters, “Klondike Kate,” and all the gaudy ladies who have filled those shoes. The story of the original
Klondike Kate is a rollicking saga of triumphs and tribulations of a long and storied life. Born in Kansas, Kathleen Eloise Rockwell was a feisty, independent-minded young lady who sought show business opportunities in the Yukon during the Gold Rush around the turn of the last century. She was making a name for herself
as a tap-dancer with a great line of patter and dynamic stage presence when she met a struggling bartender and waiter named Alexander Pantages. He assisted her evolution into a full-fledged performer and the two embarked upon a scandalously tempestuous relationship that became legendary in the Yukon. Eventually, he
callously jilted her to marry another, inadvertently enhancing her fame as a “woman-done-wrong.” Pantages would eventually go on to build an empire of Vaudeville theaters across the West and Midwest, including the one in Minneapolis that Klondike Kate / Page 6
Shelley Pabst is the reigning Klondike Kate.
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The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library names new board members The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library has elected Na Eng, Bryce Miller, Deepa Nirmal and Mani Vang-Polacek to its board of directors. The independent
nonprofit supports the St. Paul Public Library through fundraising, advocacy and programming. Eng is communications director for the McKnight Foundation. Miller is a partner in the downtown St. Paul law firm, Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, PLLP. Nirmal is associate vice president, senior training and development consultant for RBC Wealth Management US. Zang-Polacek is human resources director for the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Each will serve a
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3-year term, which is renewable for up to three terms. For more information, contact 651-222-3242 or visit www.thefriends.org.
Tiny Tots installs new air system Tiny Tots and Little Tykes Preschool and Child Care Center in West St. Paul recently installed a medicalgrade air purification system to make its workplace healthier for students and staff. The ISO-Aire system continuously captures and destroys 99.99% of harmful contaminants and airborne pollutants—viruses, bacteria, mold, pollen, dust, etc.—then returns clean air throughout the building. It was developed and manufactured by family-owned Ducts & Cleats and Albers Mechanical, based on the West Side. The childcare business, which received state and federal grants to help fund the new system, offers care and educational programs for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years.
New tenants at T.I. Center Two new sports-related businesses are opening soon in the Treasure Island Center in downtown St. Paul. Former Minnesota Gopher and Indianapolis Colt Ben Utech is opening Conquer Ninja Gyms, and chiropractor James Midboe is opening FinishLine Wellness. Both will share space with the recently opened D1 Training St. Paul, which uses NCAA Division I-style techniques to train high school athletes.
Groups formed for street car line Two advisory committees have been formed to guide the development of a proposed streetcar line that would run between Downtown St. Paul and the Mall of America. The line would use the tracks of both the Green and Blue Line light rail routes and include nine stations along West Seventh Street. The Community Advisory Committee will provide input from the community perspective, and the Station Area Planning Task Force will help guide the development of the stations in St. Paul.
Farmers’ Market The outdoor St. Paul Farmers’ Market at Fifth and Wall streets in downtown St. Paul is open 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the winter. The Market will host
its annual football celebration on Feb. 6 and a special Valentine’s Market on Feb. 13.
Seed scattering The environmental nonprofit Lower Phalen Creek Project is hosting a seed scattering event 10 a.m.noon, Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary near Lowertown. Snowshoes will be available. Pre-registration is required and limited to 20. Register at https://www.lowerphalen creek.org/events.
New clinic opens Allina Health is opening the United Family Physicians clinic at 233 Grand Ave., near the Allina-operated United Hospital. Clinic staff will include 21 family medicine residents. For two decades Allina provided physicians to the United Family Medicine clinic on West Seventh Street but ended that partnership late last year. United Family Medicine continues to provide primary care, and preventative, behavioral and chemical health services.
Fairview closes emergency room M Health Fairview has closed the emergency room at St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown St. Paul and is transferring its 23 specialty clinics to its other hospitals in Maplewood, Woodbury and Edina. St. Joseph’s will continue to house the mental health unit and provide care to COVID-19 patients. Future plans include a wellness center and office space for private healthcare providers.
Student notes University of NebraskaLincoln graduate: Courtney Herber, Doctor of Philosophy Hamline University dean’s list: Nancy Ambriz, Leah McAlees-Callanan, Liam Fay, Lensa Mohammed, Lesly Rios-Escandon, Charlie Rundquist, Manee Vang, Mai Yer Yang, Sarah Ziskin, Chandrika Johnson and Elena Zuniga-Serrano. Rippon College dean’s list: Angela Cotton University of Utah dean’s list: Rudy Peterson Gapinski University of WisconsinEau Claire dean’s list: Mary Schneeman, Isabelle Parnell, Matthew Bachman, Holly Ball, Kali Blaeser, Amanda Keiser, Benjamin Kirkwood and Bree Osborne University of WisconsinRiver Falls dean’s list: Carlie Davies, Mary Fallon and Anne Ganzer
A rts & Culture
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Reading series from page 1
English and cultural studies. She is currently the director of education policy at the State of Minnesota’s Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. “Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify: Essays” by Carolyn Holbrook, Feb. 10 - Holbrook’s life is filled with ghosts—of the girl she was, the selves she shed and those who have caught up to her, the spirits she’s encountered, and the beloved souls she’s lost and those she never knew. She has heeded the call to tell the story of her life and to find among its chap-
ters the lessons and necessary truths of those who have come before. Holbrook is a teacher, arts advocate, and founder of the More Than a Single Story discussion series. She is the recipient of the Hamline University Exemplary Teacher Award, the Kay Sexton Award and many arts fellowships and grants. “Village of Scoundrels” by Margi Preus, Feb. 17 Based on the true story of French villagers in WWII who saved thousands of Jews, this novel tells how a group of teenagers stood up for what was right. They
forged documents, helped smuggle people over the border and carried messages for the French Resistance to aid the refugees. Preus is the New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Honor book “Heart of a Samurai” and other notable books for young readers, including the Minnesota Book Award-winning “West of the Moon.” “Little Big Bully” by Heid Erdrich, Feb. 24 “Little Big Bully” begins with the collective question: how did we come to this? In
answer, this book offers personal myth, American and Native American contexts, and allegories driven by women’s resistance to narcissists, stalkers and harassers. Erdrich has published seven books of poetry and a nonfiction work on indigenous foods. She edited “New Poets of Native Nations,” an anthology for Graywolf Press. Her honors include a National Poetry Series award and two Minnesota Book Awards. Erdrich, who is Ojibwe, teaches at Augsburg University.
Dave Chapman is one of the volunteers who supports the new delivery service.
Food delivery from page 1
is supported by volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles. Many of these drivers are the same people who have provided rides to medical appointments and other critical meetings through Neighbors’ transportation service, which has been temporarily suspended due to social distancing protocol. Neighbors was founded in 1972 and today serves more than 600 families a month. It relies on food and financial donations to serve people in South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Lilydale and Sunfish Lake. Donations can be dropped off at the food shelf between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. To find out which items are most needed, call 651-455-5000.
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The St. Paul Voice is published monthly and delivered to 16,500 homes and businesses in St. Paul’s West Side, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Lilydale & Sunfish Lake. Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Staff Writer: John E. Ahlstrom
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A rts & Entertainment a short interview with playwright Jeffrey Hatcher and a 20-minute post-show discussion with former Vice President Walter Mondale, historian Hy Berman and Hubert’s son “Skip” Humphrey. The play was first produced at the History Theatre in 1997.
Courtroom concert series The Schubert Club will present its popular Courtroom Concert series online in 2021 featuring a mix of full video concerts of new programs as well as archival audio recordings of past concerts held in the historic Landmark Center’s Court-
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room 317. The performances are free and may be viewed at https://schubert.org. Schubert Club ComposerIn-Residence deVon Russell Gray is presented Feb. 11; “Latin America: A Miracle of Faith” by Border CrosSing Feb. 25; Gao Hong, pipa, and Issam Rafea, oud, Mar. 11; Jeffrey Van’s “A Ring of Birds” April 1; PaviElle French April 8; Artaria String Quartet May 6.
“Lo nuestro Ethnic programs es un servicio Landmark Center presents Urban Expedition: Ghana, de sinceridad” beginning at 1 p.m., Feb. 7.
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This free virtual presentaKen B. Peterson tion includes music, dance, Owner-Director crafts and traditions of the people of Ghana. It will be Johnson-Peterson available for 30 days at www. Casa Funeria y Cremación landmarkcenter.org/urban612 So. Smith Ave. expedition/. 651-222-3220 The 2021 Balkan Festival www.johnsonpeterson.com
will be held virtually, beginning at 1 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 21. Presented in partnership with Ethnic Dance Theater, the celebration will bring to life the rich traditions of the Balkan region. The event will be online for one month at www.landmarkcenter.org.
History Theatre at Home The History Theatre is streaming “All the Way with LBJ” through Feb. 4 at www. historytheatre.com. This is a 30-minute audio segment of the full-length play “Favorite Son: The Humphrey Perspectives,” based on the 1968 meeting between Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and President Lyndon B. Johnson just before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill. The recording includes
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Doggie Depot This year’s Doggie Depot will take place virtually on Feb. 6 at uniondepot.org/ doggiedepot. The event features “doga” (yoga with your dog), a visit from local dog influencer, Murrow the Frenchie, the crowning of this year’s Canine King and Queen of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, pet rescue opportunities and information from pet vendors. The event is sponsored by the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota.
Ordway’s virtual concert series Winter Weekends with the Ordway, a weekly concert series featuring five musical
acts, is available for streaming Fridays through Sundays through Feb. 21. Tickets are pay-what-you-wish, including free, per household device. Acts include Grammy-nominated Stray Cats founder and bass player Lee Rocker; a capella group Naturally 7; the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, an internationally renowned rock ensemble of bagpipers, guitarists, keyboards and drummers; Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra, an 11-piece salsa group from New York City; and MOJO and the Bayou Gypsies, with its all-original mojo music. To view the concerts, visit www.Ordway.org.
History Center now open The Minnesota History Center has reopened with a timed entry ticket reservation system. Exhibits include: Then Now Wow, Weather Permitting, Minnesota’s Greatest Generation and Our Home: Native Minnesota. Tickets are $812. To order, call 651-259-
3015 or visit www.mnhs. org/historycenter. A limited number of tickets are available for walk-ups. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 11 a.m.4 p.m. Sunday.
SteppingStone Theatre SteppingStone Theatre is returning to downtown St. Paul. The theater group is in the process of relocating from Grand Avenue to the Park Square Theatre on Seventh Place. SteppingStone, originally based at the Landmark Center, will use Park Square’s stages but remain independent.
St. Paul Saints The St. Paul Saints will play a 144-game schedule in its first year as a AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Although attendance will be limited because of COVID-19, season tickets are now on sale. For more information, visit www.saintsbaseball.com.
Arts groups get boost from Knight Foundation The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded a combined $2.2 million in grants to six St. Paul-based arts organizations. The Playwrights’ Center received $1.5 million to assist with its relocation from South Minneapolis to 710 Raymond Ave. in St. Paul, expand programming, offer stipends to artists, and expand its University Partnerships Programs, which connects undergraduate students across the U.S. to professional playwrights. FilmNorth received $200,000 to expand a program that teaches filmmaking to storytellers from underrepresented communities in St. Paul, and support programs that make the arts more accessible to all communities in St. Paul. Penumbra Theatre received $200,000 to support its residency program for emerging Black artists, the development
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of a repertory festival, and commissioning new works by Black playwrights. Victoria Theater Arts Center received $100,000 for professional development, arts programming, the creation of an Opportunity Fund for new programs and collaborations, and to support its BIPOC Advisory Council. Ordway Center for the Performing Arts received $97,000 to support its pilot year of a musical theater training program for emerging artists of color in St. Paul. Public Art St. Paul received $75,000 to assist it with planning the inaugural St. Paul-Minneapolis Triennial Art Festival, to be held in 2023. Mixed Blood Theatre Company received $50,000 to produce two new works of experimental theater in neighborhoods along the Green Line light rail route.
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St. Paul Winter Carnival returns Jan. 28-Feb. 7 Tim Spitzack Editor
T
he mere fact that the St. Paul Winter Carnival is taking place offers a glimmer of hope that this year will be better than the last. In 2020, the plug was pulled from nearly every event near and far. The Carnival is bucking that trend, which is not surprising since its origin is one of feisty defiance. It began in 1886 in response to reports from newspaper correspondents who visited the city during the winter of ’85 and returned home to tell their readers that St. Paul was “another Siberia…unfit for human habitation.” To prove them wrong, hearty St. Paulites began a winter festival, which this year marks its 135th return. The pandemic, however, continues to wield its influence. In response, Carnival organizers have moved many signature events to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and will present them daily Jan. 28-Feb. 7 at the new Drive-
Thru Ice & Snow Sculpture Park. The entry fee starts at $20 per vehicle, and each pass includes a swag bag filled with goodies and the chance to win prizes through I Spy Bingo. You can also play Winter Carnival Trivia via the Winter Carnival app, and cast a vote for your favorite snow or ice sculpture. The following themed days include special swag bag items with the purchase of a vehicle pass, or some other entertainment. Hours are 4-9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-10 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. To order tickets or for more information, visit www.wintercarnival.com. Northern Soda Days, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5. Receive a 4-pack of locally made Northern Soda along with twisty straws and koozies (insulating sleeves that keep beverages cold). Crayola Experience Family Day, Jan. 30. Receive two passes to Crayola Experience Mall of America, activity packs, two GoGo squeeZ pouches, and other
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snacks. National Hot Chocolate Day, Jan. 31. Receive two mugs, hot chocolate mix, and Milkman chocolate milk. Bring your own thermos of hot water to enjoy the treat. “The Croods: A New Age” Day, Feb. 2. To commemorate the release of the movie “The Croods: A New Age,” goody bags include popcorn, candy and Croods swag. St. Paul Saints Day, Feb. 4. Receive two Saints caps. Also, look for the team’s “ushertainers” and their infamous mascot, Mudonna, along the route. Minnesota Twins Day, Feb. 6. Receive two Twins beanies. Vulcan Torchlight Night (after 5:30 p.m.), Feb. 6. The Vulcan Krewe will entertain with special attractions and performances. Cost is $35 per vehicle; includes one swag bag.
Winter Carnival / Page 7
Photo by Molly Steinke, Nemer Fieger
“Vulcanstein,” created by Royal and Supreme Order of Snow and Sand Sculptors and Shovelers, won the 2020 snow sculpting contest. Team members were Jonathan Baller, Joshua Baller and Curtis Cook.
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St. Paul Voice - February 2021 - Page 5
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Klondike Kate from page 1
bears his name. But it was the miners in the Yukon— who routinely showered the flamboyant dancer with gold nuggets and gold dust when she performed—who nicknamed her “Klondike Kate,” providing the model for the St. Paul Winter Carnival’s beloved “mistress of merriment and song.” Shelley Pabst of South St. Paul is the reigning Klondike Kate. She fell in love with “the Kates” the first time she saw them in the mid-1990s. She had recently relocated from her home state of Indiana and heard them as they passed below the window of her downtown St. Paul apartment, singing from their parade float. “From the very first time I saw the Klondike Kates in the Winter Carnival parade, I knew I just had to be a Kate one day,” said Pabst during a recent visit. Last winter, after auditioning for the third time, her dream came true when a nine-judge panel selected her out of seven contestants to be the 2020 Klondike
Kate. Her reign, along with almost all of last year’s royalty, will extend through 2021 because COVID-19 forced the cancellation of most of last year’s appearance schedule. A Kate may participate in hundreds of events during her tenure, including community festivals and visits to nursing homes, hospitals and other charitable organizations. “A few appearances last less than an hour, but most of them will last longer than that,” said Pabst. Each year, up to ten aspiring Kates are evaluated in an oral interview, which can be a little unnerving for someone like Pabst who considers herself an introvert. “I’m crazy shy,” she said with a smile, a fact that seems counterintuitive, given the ebullient, robust Klondike Kate persona. “They bring you in, all the judges are there around the table, and then it’s just you there, all alone, selling yourself.” What they’re looking for in the ideal Klondike Kate is a sparkling personality, a
Submitted photo
Women inducted into the “Royal Order of Klondike Kates” sign on for a five-year commitment to support the reigning Kate at community events throughout the year. genuine ability to connect with a crowd, and a strong— not necessarily professional—singing voice. The voice is secondary, as it was with the original Kate, who was primarily a dancer. Reigning as Klondike Kate
is not for the faint-hearted. This strictly volunteer position requires a tremendous commitment of time, energy and money. “Each lady is completely responsible for all of her own expenses, and we all create
or purchase our own costumes,” said Pabst.” Their fancy, elaborate costumes generally include extravagant elements like sequins, feather boas, garters, corsets and fancy hats, making them quite costly.
Kates also fund their travel expenses to festivals throughout the five-state area, and occasionally out of the country. Last year, Pabst traveled with the royal court to Winnipeg, Manitoba to appear in the city’s annual
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A rts & Entertainment Festival du Voyageur, a sister festival to the Winter Carnival. The trip happened right before COVID restrictions went into effect. “We do hold fundraisers during the year to try to help out with some expenses, and the reigning Klondike Kate is allowed to have a sponsor,” said Pabst. “My incredible sponsor is St. Croix Hospice, who has committed to me for both years.” For the women inducted into the “Royal Order of Klondike Kates,” involvement is more than a yearlong reign. Each must sign
on for a five-year commitment as an “active Kate” to support the subsequent reigning Kates. For many, five years is only a start. Most remain active with the organization for years. “It’s a full-on sisterhood, like meeting 20 great sisters you never knew you had,” said Pabst. Shar Salisbury, 1997’s Klondike Kate, agrees. “Once a Kate, always a Kate,” she said. “They are a wonderful group of ladies.” Salisbury also fell under the Klondike Kate spell at first sight and determined
Winter Carnival from page 5
Minnesota Made Day, Feb. 7. Enjoy locally made treats.
Citywide events This year’s Carnival will not include the traditional parades or events in Rice Park, and changes have been made to other activities. All events will abide by COVID-19 protocols for social distancing and mask wearing. Most events are free. For a full line-up, visit www.wintercarnival.com. • Family Days will be virtual, featuring entertaining performances, educational seminars, arts and crafts lessons, storytelling sessions and more. All can be enjoyed online from the warmth of your home. • Pop-up concerts will be held in parking lots and establishments around St. Paul. • Securian Financial Winter Run and the Winter Carnival ice fishing tournament are scheduled. • New this year are three scavenger hunts that highlight St. Paul parks, landmarks and other notable attractions. • The fifth annual Fire & Ice Winter Carnival Art Show will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sun-
days through Feb. 7 at AZ Gallery, 308 Prince St. in the Northern Warehouse. The Carnival is organized by the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit that also produces the Cinco de Mayo West Side St. Paul fiesta. The Winter Carnival typically attracts more than 250,000 visitors and infuses $2 million to $3 million into the local economy.
Buy a button Support the Carnival by purchasing a Winter Carnival Button. The cost is $5 each or $19 for a 4-pack. Each purchase allows you to register for prizes, including the grand prize of $1,000 cash. Artist Adam Turman created four designs that reflect the history of the Carnival and winter activities in Minnesota. • The St. Paul Skyline button includes the State Fair arch to commemorate this year’s drive-through event at the State Fairgrounds. • The Klondike Kate on a toboggan button honors the Klondike Kate program, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The toboggan featured on the button was
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Your community news and information source to become one herself. “It was a dream come true,” she said of her reign. “You’ve got to have heart…. It’s all about making that special connection with people.” Many of the Kates had a similar initiation into the magic. “I saw my first Klondike Kate in 1977,” said Darice Koepke, who reigned in 2007. “The royalty had gone by and all of a sudden all the adults started cheering, and here comes this woman dressed like a Gunsmoke Saloon Girl, singing her heart fashioned after one Turman used as a child. • The King Boreas and Vulcanus Rex on snowmobiles button. Turman designed the snowmobiles on this button to resemble the Scorpion snowmobiles made in Crosby, Minn. • The Seven Hills of St. Paul button shows popular winter activities: ice fishing, snowmobiling, sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice hockey. It also features snow sculptures and a moose. Turman is an artist, muralist and printmaker from Minneapolis. He got his start as an artist by making gig posters for bands playing at venues in the Twin Cities, drawing influence from the bold, graphic style of ’80s art and comics. He started his professional studio practice in 2003 and today specializes in colorful art screen prints and commissioned pieces, including logos, illustrations, murals and paintings. His murals can be found throughout the Midwest, and his prints are in private collections worldwide.
out. I specifically recall asking my mom, in absolute awe, who that was. When she told me it was Klondike Kate, I told her that’s what I wanted to be when I grew up.” This year’s virtual staging of some of the traditional Carnival gatherings, like the Klondike Kate Cabaret, has been challenging, but organizers have been nimble and imaginative in their response to pandemic constraints. “The Winter Carnival was created in 1886 to show the world how St. Paul embraces winter,” said Deb Schaber,
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I join you in celebrating the St. Paul Winter Carnival
troupers believe the show must go on. To that end, preliminary plans are in the offing to stage a gala revue later this fall to properly celebrate their 50 years of history, fun and staying power. “Once you become a Kate and meet the ladies that wore the sash before you, you start to see the bricks they have laid to help pave the way for the Kates that came after them,” said Koepke. “It is genuinely an honor to be a part of that legacy, and to continue to help pave the way for new Kates.”
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president and CEO of the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation, which produces the Carnival. “We believe we’ve created a schedule of events for our 135th anniversary that our Carnival creators would be proud of and our current-day fans can enjoy safely. The majority of our 2021 events will be held outdoors and all will abide by COVID-19 required protocols, such as social distancing and mask wearing.” As for the Kates, like their dauntless heroine, these
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I join you in celebrating the St. Paul Winter Carnival St. Paul Voice - February 2021 - Page 7
S ports John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer
With the assistance of eight bright and forthcoming head basketball coaches, we present our 2021 Prep Basketball Preview–four boys teams followed by four girls teams.
Henry Sibley Doug Linton, who has taught in ISD 197 for more three decades, is in his first season as head coach. His resume includes an 18-year stint as the head coach at New Life Academy. The Warriors, who finished 4-22 last season, lost their two leading scorers— one to graduation and one who transferred. Despite that, the Warriors return three starters and four others who got significant playing time last season. Senior guard Ethan Russell, out with a should injury last year, will be the point guard and run the offense. Senior forward Cam Latvis is a three-point threat and will use his athleticism to attack the basket and get to the foul line. Versatile senior forward
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Joe Hazzard also returns. Three juniors will have an integral role in the player rotation. Tre Michaels is a quality defender and threepoint shooter, and the Lail twins, Adam, a post player, and Eric, a wing, will crash the boards at both ends of the court. Freshman Jaden Morgan, who got some varsity time
as an eighth grader, is a star in the making, said Linton, and seniors Isaiah Johnson and Nate Aleligne will play as well. “We will be a work in progress,” said Linton. “The kids are excited to get the opportunity to play and our team chemistry is an asset we hope to exploit. I think we will surprise some people.”
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St. Thomas Academy (STA) Jason Birr, in his fifth season as the head coach, took STA to the state tournament in his first two years at the helm but ran into a buzz saw last season, when the Cadets finished 2-22. “We were a very young team and lost three starters with injuries before the sea-
son started,” said Birr. “We had four freshmen who got extensive experience on the varsity and we’re looking forward to a rebirth this season.” Birr will lean on the leadership of his three seniors. Ryan Chamberlain will champion the inside/outside game. He shoots the three and can also post up under
the basket. The 6-foot-3 John Grismer is a slasher and the team’s best offensive player, and 5-foot-11 Yenika Fondungallah choreographs the offense and is a quality defender.” Birr is expecting a great deal from two juniors. Nate Johnson—out with a broken hand last season—is a virtual clone of Chamberlain and plays above the rim. Grady O’Neill, who had a collarbone injury last year, is an energizer bunny on both ends of the court. Last season’s four freshmen are all fighting for starting roles. Michael Karchner is a pure shooter; Michael Thompson is a crafty passer; Jack Chamberlain is a prolific scorer; and Anthony Bickford loves to mix it up on both ends of the court. “I can already see significant growth in this group,” said Birr. “We must relearn how to win and everything else will fall in place.” St. Croix Lutheran Academy (SCLA) Drew Kock is in his first season as the head coach and has the good fortune of
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S ports seven returning letter winners—all seniors—on a club that finished 13-12 in 2020. “It is reassuring that we have a quality group of kids with valuable experience on our roster,” said Kock. “Now it’s up to me and the players to capitalize on that.” Leading the squad are captains Zach Longueville and Owen Bushaw, who also served as captains last season. “Zach, a three-year starter, averaged 17 points per game last season and is capable of scoring from anywhere on the court,” said Kock. “Owen is fearless and loves to patrol the paint and attack the basket.” Connor Mielke is a strong kid who sets screens and rebounds well at both ends of the court. Marko Jovanovic is a defensive specialist and usually guards the opponent’s strongest player. Austin Lemke is relentless and provides quality off-thecourt leadership. Rounding out the seven seniors are Andy Raasch, whose off-season dedication will pay dividends on the boards, and Lukas Blomquist, a defensive stalwart. Juniors Omarion Miller and Kyle Collignon and ninth grader Jaden Neish are also competing for playing time. “We hope to exploit our experience and our team unity,” said Kock, “but most of all we are thrilled that our seniors are getting the opportunity to play basketball.”
St. Paul Humboldt Augie Garcia is in his tenth season as the Hawks’ head coach. Coming off a 10-15 record in 2020, the team lost 12 seniors to graduation. Despite that, Garcia is looking forward to getting back on the court and will rely heavily on his three senior captains: forward Brian Williams, the lone returning starter who is just 68 points short of 1,000 for his career; forward Keith Pabon, who averaged seven points per game last season; and transfer Xavier Garcia, who is also closing in on 1,000 career points. “Brian can shoot the three and he loves to slash his way to the hole,” said Garcia. “Keith got some valuable experience last season and Xavier is an athletic allaround player. He can score from anywhere on the floor, he hits the boards and is solid on defense.” Two juniors will likely fill out the starting lineup. Michael McCambell is lightning quick and active on the
Your community news and information source full court press that Garcia employs, and Malik Alabi will rebound and do the dirty work in the post. Sophomore Dominic Garcia is an effective ball handler and playmaker and will come off the bench. Three seniors who will also contribute are Antonio Mercado, Demure Larkin and Kamron Terry. “We give thanks that our seniors are getting the opportunity to play,” said Garcia. “We will be competitive, and if we stay healthy we can finish in the top half of the conference.”
Henry Sibley Harry Jenness is now in his fifth season of his second tenure as the head coach of the girls basketball team. The Warriors, who finished 1216 in 2020, return four letter winners. In terms of leadership and experience, three seniors will play key rolls for the Warriors in 2021: Cece Bell, Caroline Anderson and Natalie Parnell. “Cece came on strong in the second half of last season, especially on the defensive end,” said Jenness. “Caroline can shoot the three and also slash her way to the bucket and get to the free throw line. Natalie is our vocal leader and directs the offense and is very aggressive on defense.” Juniors Audrey Pernell, Izzy Nachtsheim and Helina Aweke are also jostling for playing time. “Audrey can play the point or the off-guard position and is a quality defender,” said Jenness. “Izzy is a quality three-point shooter and Aweke had a great off-season and will help us in the post.” Senior Aria Eichoff excelled at the JV level last season and will be a force under the bucket. Freshman Gabi Kirschner is a work in progress and will see action, as will senior guard Monica Brown. “Depending on our opponent, we can go big or we can also play small ball,” said Jenness. “We are thrilled to be on the court and I tell our kids that we must embrace the moment.” St. Croix Lutheran Academy (SCLA) David Mielke, in his 19th season as the head coach of the girls basketball team, has lost none of his enthusiasm for the game or his players. The Crusaders finished 20-8 in 2020 and Mielke is looking for more in 2021. In the history of the program, only eight players have scored over 1,000 career points. The 2021 team will
feature four players who are in their third season as starters and each has an opportunity to reach 1,000 career points. Three are seniors: cocaptain center Lucia Hauge, co-captain guard Juel Skrien and guard Kenna Moon. The fourth is freshman guard Laura Hauge. “Lucia, who is our general on the floor and runs the show, is also nearing 1,000 rebounds,” said Mielke. “Juel is a pure shooter and loves to slash her way to the bucket. Kenna is a speedster, a solid two-way player and often defends our opponent’s best player. Laura has started since seventh grade and was our leading scorer last year as an eighth grader.” Versatile sophomore Ella Avery will likely fill out the starting lineup. Junior Katherine Beekman, out with ACL injuries as a ninth grader and a sophomore, will be the first off the bench. Two quality post players, senior Kendra Valleau and sophomore Haley Orvik, will also be a part of Mielke’s 8-player rotation. “This may be the best team I’ve coached,” said Mielke. “Most importantly I’m thrilled that our seniors are getting a chance to go out the right way.”
to a 21-8 record, the best in school history. As a reward, he was named the City Conference Coach of the Year. Chavez was dealt a gutpunch when he learned that the two leading scorers on last year’s team, Makalya Mapp and Nesa DeLaRosa, both opted out of playing their senior year. “It’s disappointing, but my job is to coach and mentor the kids who show up to play,” said Chavez. “We will go to work with the cards that we are dealt and that’s the way I will approach the season.” Junior Lili Hobday, who averaged 14 points per game last season, is the team captain. “Lili is our team leader,” said Chavez. “She is tenacious on both ends of the floor and her motor never stops. Coaches from multiple colleges in the area have her on their radar.” Two seniors will play key roles for the Hawks: post player Jazlyn Wright, who has improved her game and become a team leader on and off the court, and guard Destiny Randle, a defensive specialist with speed and quick hands. Seniors Hailey Campbell and Jaylyn Wright, junior Haegay
St. Paul Humboldt In his fifth season as head coach in 2020, Tyler Chavez led the girls basketball team
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Soe, sophomores Makenzy Wilson and Jocelyn Mann, and eighth grader Anihya Strowder are also competing for playing time. “All of those kids bring something to the table and it’s on me to coach them up,” said Chavez. “All of them are going to get a chance to play.”
Visitation On Jan. 4, when this scribe attempted to contact the head coach of the Visitation Blazer basketball team to conduct a pre-season interview, the school website indicated that the head coaching position was vacant. That was surprising because practices for prep winter sports commenced that very day. Four days later I learned from Visitation Athletic Director Elisa Ryan
Manny that the new head coach was none other than Faith Johnson Patterson, the iconic girls basketball coach who recorded five state championships with Minneapolis North and three with DeLaSalle. Johnson Patterson was hired on Jan. 4, the first day of sanctioned practices. With the installation of a new system by the new coaching staff, it was far too early for her to offer thumbnail sketches of individual players, but she could not conceal how happy she was to be back in coaching. “I am simply thrilled to be at Visitation,” she said. “Everyone at the school has been so kind and warmhearted and I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
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The Story of the Preschool Teacher and the Big Bad Pandemic At the beginning of the pandemic, we closed our preschool classroom, and lessons went virtual. Preschool teacher Valerie wrote this children’s story about what it’s like to teach our youngest students online. Once upon a time, there was a little teacher who lived in a little house with her husband, son and two cats. Because of the Big Bad Pandemic, the teacher had to stay in her house and teach 22 children from her living room.
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Like children in so many families, my children have been distance learning due to the pandemic. Recently, my 11-year-old son came to me and said, “Dad, I am so distracted.” He then broke down, and we had a moment. I tried to comfort him and learn more about what he meant. It turns out, when he was using his tablet computer
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One morning, the teacher got her lesson prepared and set up her living room for…ONLINE CLASS! The teacher was almost ready but the living room was too bright and sunny, so the teacher adjusted the blinds. Then the living room was too noisy, so the teacher shooed away the cats who were chasing each other. At last, the living room was JUST RIGHT! Time for class to begin. The teachers and children all waved and said hello to each other from their little squares on the computer screen. They were very excited to see one another. They sang the “Hello” song, counted numbers on the calendar, and sang their ABCs. The teacher read the story “Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes,” and when Pete’s shoes turned blue, the children who were wearing blue clapped their hands. When Pete’s shoes turned red the children who were wearing red clapped their hands. Then Teacher Tracy chose children one by one, unmuted their microphones, showed them some shapes, and asked the children to name them. The children were AMAZING— they knew so many shapes! Then it was time for “Show and Tell.” The children had wonderful things to share with their teachers and friends.
Soon it was time to wave goodbye and class was over. The teacher decided to look at her emails. The first email was too long. The next email was an ad, but the last email was JUST RIGHT (and very important), so the teacher decided to answer it. Then it was time for the next class, with another group of students. These children were also happy to see their friends and teachers. They sang “Hello,” counted on the calendar, sang their ABCs, and read “Pete the Cat.” Once again, the time went quickly and soon everyone was waving goodbye. When the screen went dark the teacher sighed. Class was the best part of the week. The teacher wrote down notes about all the things the children said and the shapes they knew. Then the teacher checked her emails and answered the one that was too long. Next the teacher entered an educational website to set up a new assignment for the children. She tried one activity but it was too hard. Then she tried another activity but it was too easy. Then she found one that was JUST RIGHT! The teacher added the activity to the assignment and closed her computer. It had been a busy day, but as Pete the Cat would say, “It’s all good.”
he was getting caught up with the myriad of apps and games available at our fingertips. At the conclusion of our talk, I thanked him for being honest and coming to discuss this challenge. In addition, what I wanted to say is: Welcome to the club. I get distracted, too. Perhaps you can empathize. Modern life has no shortage of distractions. You need not look any further than your smartphone or any other connected device. We are bombarded with notifications, pop-ups and apps, all designed to appeal to our basic instincts. Life has always had distractions, even before we carried around a Super Computer in our pocket. Whether at home, the office or out in the community, opportunities abound to steal away our attention from one task and have us pay attention to something else. During the pandemic, how we interact with each other and the world has changed, and so has the level of distractions. All around us you see evidence of people having more “free” time because of the pandemic. People are tackling at-home projects at an unprecedented rate. Whether it is painting the house, cleaning out the garage or taking up a Handyman Services new hobby, people are finding ways to make the most of the by Merriam Park Painting pandemic situation. Small House Projects Done Right!
Neighbors is no different. Yes, we are busy meeting the needs of our community and we miss having volunteers, clients, customers and others in the building. Simultaneously, the current environment has required us to re-focus our efforts on how we provide services and engage people. You can see it in our enhanced food support programs. In addition to the food shelf, we have added a delivery option and a satellite location. Soon we will add a refrigerated vehicle that will provide us more flexibility in transporting food. Changes in the Clothes Closet also illustrate how we are pivoting to focus on essential needs. Moving forward, we will narrow the items we offer so we can better serve our Neighbors in need. We are making room for more clothing and will now offer items for all seasons year round. Additionally, we have increased the space for dishes, pots, pans and other essential kitchen items. We will continue offering bedding and towels. These changes will streamline our Clothes Closet so that whether you are shopping for low-cost items or are receiving items for free through our certificate program, you will find what you need for home, work and school. Distractions happen all around us. At their best, they are the kind that allow us to build community and engage with one another. The pandemic has given Neighbors opportunities to implement new and exciting ways to serve the community. We look forward to welcoming our neighbors back when it is safe to do so. Until then, be safe and we will see you soon.
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Postscript
Swedish Surprise
My 2021 calendar is hanging from the closet door. Every year I’ve lived in this house, I’ve had a cloth calendar, hung from a dowel. My mother’s mother always had a cloth calendar hanging in the farmhouse kitchen. As soon as the year was over, the calendar would be conscripted into use, usually to cover cinnamon rolls as they rose, to keep them moist until they were large enough to put into the oven. Arriving at the farmhouse and seeing “1963” covering a slew of soon-to-be-baked sweet rolls was a wonderful sight and I will forever associate those cloth calendars with the anticipation of sweet things. I guess that’s why I have one now. It’s good to anticipate sweet things in the coming year. My 2021 calendar is from Sweden. The names of the
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signers responsible for these works of art did not seem to expect anyone to use the calendar for actual reference. I use the calendar to find the date, evidently an antiquated idea. The calendars I found required a strenuous search to locate, say, the month of April amidst all the artwork, and there was no easy way to tell how many weeks there were from April until a date in May. While attractive, the calendars wouldn’t be very useful, until used to cover sweet rolls. Nevertheless, this calendar looked more legible in
months are written in Swedish, surrounded by wildflowers identified in Swedish. My grandmother was a Swede so I thought this was appropriate. But the real reason I ordered the calendar was that it was the only one I could find with legible dates. Apparently, cloth calendars are once again in vogue, and I had more choices than in past years, many in jazzy and colorful patterns. Unfortunately, the graphic de-
Swedish than any I found in English, so I ordered it. It wasn’t until it arrived that the problem became apparent. Instead of seven columns for the seven days of the week, there were eight, with an additional column on the left for half the months and on the right for the rest. Someone finally explained that this column told me what week of the year it was. Saturday is in red, so it is possible to get one’s bearings—but not without considerable effort. Even before the calendar arrived, the year seemed
filled with more uncertainty than any I can remember. There is a careless confidence that comes with the making of plans. In the past, I have looked at my calendar and imagined I had some idea of what would happen in the weeks to come. Because the dates were neatly lined up, I couldn’t imagine life becoming disordered. This year, that whole idea seems a little preposterous, because I never really knew what would happen in the coming week—that was the lesson I learned in 2020. This year, I won’t be nearly so confident as Januari turns
to Februari and then Mars. Of course, I am optimistic, as always. I am hoping this new year will bring sweet things. But now I’m thinking that having my weeks laid out oddly—with the months written in a foreign language, surrounded by flowers I can’t identify— may be an appropriate way to look at the coming year. This year may require some translation. It may require a little study. This whole year is a big Swedish surprise waiting to happen. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Till next time.
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FREE Local Shuttle and Same Day Service on Most Repairs! Page 12 - St. Paul Voice - February 2021