St. Paul Voice October 2021 by St. Paul Publishing Co.

The St. Paul New era begins for Humboldt Hawks

Spine-tingling tales Page 8

Page 5

Volume 55 | Number 10

Your Community News & Information Source

Wentworth library has new manager, adapts to needs of the community Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

s libraries across the country were shuttered during the pandemic, Jade Cabagnot was diving into her new role as manager of the Wentworth Library in West St. Paul. In a year unlike any other, she spent much of her time formulating outreach and safety plans and helping the library adapt to the challenges of the times. Cabagnot, who began in September 2020, has helped the library implement new countywide services such as curbside pick-up, home delivery and a program that allows the public to check out a WiFi hotspot and a Chromebook. She said the year was a bit disorienting but that her team adapted well and is now better prepared to move forward. “We’ve adjusted our timeline for events,” she said. “We don’t plan things as far out anymore and are focusing on the immediate needs of the community.” For example, patrons have voiced their desire for the return of in-person story times. The library is hosting two inperson book clubs and a remote one. Virtual story times for kids are available at www.co.dakota.mn.us/ libraries. The library’s Summer Meals program ended last month. The program gave away more than 6,200 free lunches and snacks to youth age 18 Wentworth Library / Page 3

October 2021

Art Crawl blossoms for 30th anniversary Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

t. Paul’s iconic Art Crawl returns this fall, breathing fresh air into a pandemic-weary community and giving artists a much-needed opportunity for promotion. Different than years past, the Crawl includes seven independent events spread out over 12 weeks. Each will be hosted at a different location and organized by its own committee of artists. Most will feature food vendors and activities. The St. Paul Art Collective (SPAC), a volunteerrun organization founded in 1977, has produced the biannual Crawl each April and October since 1991. The Crawl was canceled for the first time in April 2020 due to the pandemic, and last fall organizers attempted a month-long virtual event, which proved to be largely ineffective for the artists. “People are reluctant to buy online unless it’s from an established artist that they know,” said David Evans, SPAC board chair and founding president of the Lowertown

A Friend of the River

Blythe named superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Tim Spitzack Editor

Resilience by Heather Friedli Lofts Artists Cooperative. “In-person is very beneficial for artists.” When the Crawl was yet again canceled this spring, artists began exploring other options to promote their work. Many concluded Art Crawl / Page 6

innesota’s least known national park has a new leader who will soon be rolling up his sleeves and getting to work on helping the park get the respect and attention he believes it deserves. Tucker Blythe was named superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) in mid-August and begins his duties October 4. He succeeds John O. Anfinson, who retired on January 3. Craig Hansen, superintendent of Grand Portage National Monument in northern Minnesota, was interim superintendent. MNRRA is a unit of the National Park Service that encompasses a 72mile corridor along the Mississippi in the Twin Cities. Established in 1988 as a partnership park with state, county and municipal agencies, it has struggled to achieve both local and national recognition. In an interview upon his retirement, Anfinson said the biggest challenges MNRRA staff face are helping guide responsible development along the riverfront and getting people to know that a national park exists in the Twin Cities. Those challenges now fall squarely on the shoulders of Blythe, who is no stranger to the Park Service or the river itself. Over the past 24 years he MNRRA / Page 2

West Side power walker defies father time John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

Eugénie de Rosier

t was in May of 2019 that I noticed my neighbor Eugénie (you-shay-nee) de Rosier (dee-rose-ee-ay) walk out of her house to her garage carrying what appeared to be two ski poles. Considering that it was 70 degrees and sunny, that did not make much sense to me, but I chose to let it go.

After all, mysterious visuals and occurrences on St. Paul’s West Side are a part of our daily life. Little did I know that just three months later de Rosier would capture two gold medals in the sport of power walking at the Minnesota Senior Games in St. Cloud. Competing in the 70-74 year-old age group, she completed the 1500 meter (.93 mile) race in 12:40

and the 5000 meter (3.1 miles) in 44:11. To prove it was no fluke, she successfully defended her title in both events at the 2021 Minnesota Senior Games in Mankato in mid-August. De Rosier is a St. Paul native and a proud graduate of St. Paul Central High School’s Class of 1965. She received her bachelor’s degree in English at Mankato State College in 1969. Pro-

fessionally, the art of communications has been her calling. She has been a writer, an editor and a teacher and has always made physical exercise and proper nutrition an important part of her life. De Rosier is also no stranger to international travel. She served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines from 2006-08 and made treks to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. In 2013, at the

age of 65, she found herself training in western Turkey to swim across the Strait of Hellespont, the international divide between Europe and Asia. Over 600 swimmers from numerous countries gathered at Canakkale, Turkey (the Asian port) and then ferried to the City of Eceabat, Turkey (the European port). Power walking / Page 4

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MNRRA from page 1

has held leadership positions at 10 units of the National Park Service, most recently as superintendent of Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site near St. Louis, Mo. He was attracted to the MNRAA job for several reasons. “The park is different than any park I’ve worked in and I’m looking forward to the challenge it will bring me professionally,” said Blythe in a recent interview. “I’ve had a connection to the river my whole life.” That connection began with his birth and upbringing in the land of blues and barbeque: Memphis, Tenn. Years later, he met a woman from Coon Rapids, Minn., and they married in Brainerd, where her parents now live. The couple is looking forward to being closer to her extended family, many of whom live in the Twin Cities. It seems Blythe’s personal and professional life has never strayed far from the river. One of his many Park Service duties was as acting deputy superintendent at Gateway

Your community news and information source Arch National Park in St. Louis. For the past 2½ years the couple has lived in that city while he was employed at the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site. Blythe has a bachelor of arts in historic preservation from Mary Washington College in Virginia and a master of arts in communication from Wichita State University in Kansas. Over the course of his career, he was also a business owner for nine years, an experience that should benefit him while working with developers and other businesses in the MNRRA corridor. “It wasn’t something that nurtured my soul but it gave me a different perspective on things,” he said of his time as a State Farm insurance agent. “I understand that government work is very much different than private business. I’m always thinking, ‘What would the small business owner be thinking?’” Several projects in St. Paul alone are on the drawing board that will alter the riverfront in the coming years. The biggest proposal is the RiversEdge development, a

Tucker Blythe public-private project that includes housing, office space and a park. Developer AECOM wants to build a roughly $800 million development that features four towers filled with 50 condo units, 350 apartments, 160 hotel rooms, office space, and retail and entertainment venues. A key component of the project is The Park at RiversEdge, a 9-acre park built on a land bridge over Shepard Road and connecting to the river. Ramsey County is seeking $26 million in state

funding for acquisition, design and construction. Also along the riverfront is the proposed 1.5-mile river promenade, often referred to as the river balcony. It’s part of the City of St. Paul’s Great River Passage plan, which was adopted in 2013 and provides guidance for development along St. Paul’s 17 miles of riverfront. The promenade would extend from Union Depot to the Science Museum and feature restaurants, retail shops, gathering spaces, sweeping

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hosts outdoor adventure experiences, would also be a tenant and operate its Canoemobile from the center. Canoemobile is a floating classroom aboard a 24-foot Voyageur canoe, where students learn about science, history, geography and culture. Work is also underway on another interpretive site in the area: the Wakan Tipi visitor center at the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary near Lowertown. The Lower Phalen Creek Project is working with St. Paul’s Great River Passage Initiative to construct a 9,000 square-foot building featuring classrooms, exhibit and gallery space, and a community gathering area. The center will be used to educate people about the ecology of the area, and how the Dakota people once used the land and the nearby Wakan Tipi cave. Wakan Tipi translates to “dwelling place of the sacred” in the Dakota language. It is expected to be completed in the fall of 2022. The Wakan Tipi center will be part of the newly created East Side River Dis-

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views of the river valley, and connections to the river. In September, James Corner Field Operations, a New York-based urban design and landscape architecture firm, was selected to design the balcony. The final design, cost estimates and proposed construction timeline will be completed by June 2022. One of Blythe’s biggest opportunities lies with the creation of the proposed River Learning Center near the Watergate Marina in Crosby Farm Regional Park. The project is a partnership with the City of St. Paul, Mississippi Park Connection (a nonprofit that raises funds for MNRRA), Great River Passage Conservancy and others. The group hopes to have a schematic design by the end of the year, and the center could open as early as 2024. The Park Service would relocate its office there from downtown St. Paul, and rangers would lead environmental and educational programs from the center, including boat trips on the river and bike outings on the nearby regional trail. The nonprofit Wilderness Inquiry, which

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trict, a Great River Passage Conservancy-led project. The goal of the district is to “heal a compromised landscape,” connect people to the river and land, and protect sacred and significant sites. This area of St. Paul currently has both heavy industrial sites and parks and open spaces. It is also part of the Mississippi flyway bird migration route. Blythe and his wife Sandy

purchased a condo along the riverfront in St. Paul and are looking forward to hiking the many trails in the park with their dog Lucy. Tucker also enjoys biking and birding and will be doing those activities when he can get away from his job, which at first will consume much of his time as he gets up to speed on issues big and small. His first weeks and months will include meetings with

the park’s many partners and stakeholders, including the Native American communities. “I’m going to come in and listen and learn,” he said. “I’ll be getting out into the park to learn about the park, and out into the community to learn about the community.” He appreciates the groundwork that has been laid by current park staff — approximately two dozen full- and

part-timers — and those who came before them. He’s also thankful that Anfinson, his predecessor, is still involved in efforts in the park as a volunteer. He’s known him for six years and will draw upon his breadth of knowledge about the park and the Upper Mississippi River. “My long-term goal is to get people to understand that the river [in the Twin Cities] is part of the Nation-

Jade Cabagnot

Monument, Pipestone National Monument, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and the North Country National Scenic Trail. For more information on MNRRA, check out the exhibits or talk to a ranger at the Mississippi River Center, located inside the Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, or visit www.nps.gov/miss.

WSP resident named VP at Lutheran Social Service

Wentworth Library from page 1 and under. Cabagnot, who succeeded Murray Wilson, has a master’s degree in library sciences from the University of Illinois. She worked at the Chicago Public Library before moving to Minnesota five years ago. After relocating she worked as a Youth Services librarian at the Robert Trail Library in Rosemount for nearly five years. She was attracted to the Wentworth branch because it’s a larger library—closer to what she’s accustomed to— and because of the diversity

al Park Service — and what we do to preserve it,” said Blythe. “It’s an important National Park Service site.” Minnesota’s most wellknown national park is Voyageurs, near International Falls. Comprised mostly of water, the park is popular with fisherman and boaters of all types. Other sites in Minnesota managed by the National Park Service are the Grand Portage National

in the community. A native of the Philippines, she enjoys helping provide resources to immigrants. She became interested in library science because it allows her to connect people to the wide array of media and services that libraries offer, including books, movies, and computers and internet use. “The library is an important bridge to information for so many people,” she said. “We serve such a diverse range of people and are always trying to serve the community’s needs.”

Alexis Oberdorfer has been named vice president and chief officer of community engagement and partnerships at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. In this new role, she will lead the company in partnering with other organizations and community leaders. Previously, she served dual roles as president of Children’s Home Society of Minnesota and associate vice president for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Oberdorfer has served in child welfare in public and private sectors for more than 25 years, including positions with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota, Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, and has numerous awards for her work advancing child and family wellbeing. She is an adopted person herself and was raised in a multiracial, multicultural family. She and her husband have three children, two of whom were adopted as siblings.

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 Writers: Jake Spitzack John E. Ahlstrom

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Power walking from page 1 The 600-plus athletes then swam the 3.2 miles back to Canakkale. “I enjoy the training and taking on the physical challenges,” said de Rosier, “and it’s exhilarating to mingle and marvel in the midst of shared experiences with citizens from numerous countries and every walk of life.” Three years later, in 2016, de Rosier signed up to walk the Camino (road) de Santiago from St. Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees Mountains all the way to the Cathedral of Santiago de Copestela in Spain. She departed on that journey on July 31 and arrived in Santiago on August 31. The trip was 478 miles and she traveled on foot an average of 15 miles per day. “There were occasions when I walked side by side among a large group of people and there were times when I was virtually alone,” she recalled. “The overnight accommodations were numerous. There were “pilgrim” houses that served communal dinners, B&Bs, and even

some hotels along the route.” Now we must go back to those ski poles that I thought I saw Eugénie carry to her garage in 2019. They were not ski poles. They were Nordic walking sticks, which are valuable training tools for power walking, a sport that has been part of de Rosier’s life for decades. It was on a PBS channel in early 2019 that she first learned of the Minnesota Senior Games scheduled in St. Cloud. She paid the $45 entry fee and began training for the two power walking races. Nordic walking sticks have nothing to do with skiing, but in terms of the benefits derived from their usage they are similar. The sticks de Rosier uses are designed to ease joint compression, improve balance and strengthen the upper body. Power walking is a monitored event in which the participant can be disqualified for incorrect form and movement. No sticks are permitted in competitions. One foot must be on the

Submitted photo

Eugénie de Rosier (left) enroute to victory. ground at all times and each advancing foot strike must be heel-to-toe at all times. A slightly bent knee is accepted, but a bent knee in a running form is forbidden. “I generally train with the walking sticks around Cherokee Park, about three miles per day five to six days per week,” said de Rosier. “I do not

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increase my training for the Senior Games because I believe my day in, day out training regimen is sufficient.” The two power walking events she entered in Mankato unfolded on Friday, Aug. 13. Her goal was to not only win both races but to improve on the times she posted in 2019. Goal

accomplished. Her winning time in the 1500 meters was 12 seconds faster (12:28 vs. 12:40) and her 5000 meters time was also 12 seconds faster (43:59 vs. 44:11). With those gold medals, de Rosier has automatically qualified to participate in her age group in the 2022 National Senior Games,

scheduled to take place in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., May 10-23. She is currently ambivalent about her plans and sites the high humidity in Florida in late May as a deterrent. If she chooses not to take the trek to Fort Lauderdale, it is likely that you will find her practicing her gig at Cherokee Park.

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s we noted in our September issue, Humboldt High School fielded its first football team in 1911. The school enjoyed its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s while gathering numerous City Conference Championships and representing St. Paul in the annual Twin Cities game at Memorial Stadium. But all good things must end some day and, for Humboldt football 2021 has ushered in a significant change. Football is a numbers game and for the past two decades it has become increasingly difficult for the Hawks to field a full squad worthy of competing in the St. Paul City Conference. In fairness to the student athletes at both schools, it was announced last spring that St. Paul Harding and St. Paul Humboldt would join forces to form a co-op team for the 2021 season. Some avid Humboldt boosters will likely decry the notion that it is a positive move for their school to consent to join forces with a school they have considered their arch-rival for nearly a century. The smoothness with which the transition has been made, however, would suggest otherwise. “Since day one, head coach Otto Kraus and his staff at Harding have treated us like family,” said Larry Deeton, who is one of two Humboldt coaches that were added to Kraus’s staff. “I realize that there has been a lot

of acrimony between the two schools over the years but I think this a great opportunity for our intercity kids to bring the East Side and the West Side together. It could do wonders for the community at large.” Kraus started contacting players shortly after the merger was announced and several Humboldt studentathletes joined the Harding players for summer workouts. That experience, according to Kraus, helped the team adjust and bond. When official practices began on August 16, 45 kids (about 30 from Harding and 15 from Humboldt), showed up and the camaraderie swelled. Humboldt senior Michael Casarez-McCampbell and junior Angelo Wilson, who had lamented how difficult and draining it was to play every down on both sides of the ball last season, are flourishing in their new surroundings. Of course, the cure-all in fostering goodwill among players and coaches is winning. On September 3, St.

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Art Crawl from page 1

that social distancing and current health regulations make the traditional Crawl

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banded together and worked frantically to find dates suitable for their group, and when the dust settled SPAC had a 3-month schedule to promote. “This year reminds me of when I first joined the Crawl in 1991,” said Evans. “It was a free-for-all and people had to bang their fists on the table to set something up.” He thinks the new format will be better for the public as well. “Nobody ever walked the whole thing,” he said. “Spreading out the event might actually be better because people might be able to see more locations.” Historically, the Crawl has included more than three dozen buildings and about 300 artists. The original five buildings — the Jax, 262 Studios, Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative, the Tilsner Artists’ Cooperative and the Northern Warehouse Artists’ Cooperative — were all in Lowertown. This year events run the gamut. Some are one day in length, some an entire weekend. Most will be held outside under tents or in galleries rather than in artists’ studios. An artist

2/22/21 8:27 AM

directory and more information can be found at www. stpaulartcollective.org. A kick-off event featuring live performances was held September 12 at Celtic Junction Arts Center, and an art and cultural festival centered around justice, equity and solidarity was held September 23-25 on Payne Avenue. Upcoming events include: Lowertown art co-ops, October 1-3, Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. View works of artists from the following buildings: • Northern Warehouse Artists, 255 E. Kellogg Blvd. • Lowertown Lofts Artist Cooperative, 255 Kellogg Blvd. E. • Tilsner Artists, 300 Broadway St. N. • Northwestern Building, 275 4th St. E • 262 Studios & Master Framers Inc., 262 4th St. E Art on the Island, October 8-10, Fri. 5-9 p.m., Sat. and Sun. noon-5 p.m., Warehouse 2, 106 Water St. W. An open studio event hosted by more than 20 Harriet Island artists. Includes food trucks, live music, a tango demonstration

and interactive art demonstrations. Parking is free. Art on the Hill, October 8-10, Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. noon-8 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., Virginia Street Church on Cathedral Hill, 170 Virginia St. Features the work of 13 artists and includes musical performances in folk, classical keyboard, rock and jazz. Where Art Lives, October 15-17, Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. noon-8 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., Schmidt Artist Lofts, 900 7th St. W. Artists will have open galleries. Green Line Crawl, October 22-24, Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. noon-8 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. Features art at two locations on the light rail route: Dow Art Gallery, 2242 University Ave. W., and Union Depot, 214 4th St. E. West Side: District del Sol Winter Crawl, December 3-5, Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. noon-8 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., Villa del Sol, 88 Cesar Chavez St. Artists will have open galleries. During the Crawl you’ll also find events at AZ Gallery, Lowertown Underground Art Gallery, Nauti-

lus Music Theater, Dow Art Gallery, Rafferty Gallery, Grand Hill Gallery, Front Avenue Pottery & Tile Co., Friedli Gallery and Studio, Spatial Effects Gallery and the George Latimer Central Library. Here’s a sample of the art you’ll find: Stephen Hadeen is a photographer who shoots landscapes, cityscapes, nightscapes and astrophotography. His favorite part of the Crawl is sharing his behind-the-scenes stories of how he created each piece. Inspiration for his “Images from a Quiet World” series stems from his own hearing loss, which he experienced as an infant. He’ll be at the Union Depot. For more information, visit www.stephenhadeenphotography. com. “Art is important for our mental well-being,” he said. “Art, at least for me, can be a healing salve in a world that is increasingly volatile. Art can bring people together…. Art, in its subjectiveness, can help build a community of peers through thoughtful conversations and show-

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Page 6 - St. Paul Voice - October 2021

A rts & Culture

Photo of Union Depot by Stephen Hadeen ing respect toward differing opinions.” Heather Friedli, whose art appears on the front page, is best known for her contemporary impressionist oil paintings and snow sculptures that depict her family heritage and the land in which she lives. She won

the “Best of Show Award” at the 2019 St. Paul Art Collective Winter Members Show, and her snow sculpting team placed first in the United States national snow sculpting championship in 2019, in Lake Geneva, Wis. Her favorite part of the Crawl is interacting with her audi-

Your community news and information source ence and sharing her art with the world. She creates art to share the beauty and joy of the natural world with others. Recently, she opened her own gallery on West Seventh Street near Keg & Case, and you can find her there during the Crawl. Friedli Gallery and Studio supports local and national artists, offers classes, artist conversations and more. For more information, visit www.friedliarts. com or call 248-660-3771. “My philosophy about art in society is building community,” she said. “Teach, learn, grow, participate — build and be a part of our community.” Natalie McGuire specializes in a mixed media technique known as photozaics, a mixture of a photograph and a mosaic. Each project includes a photo and colorful hand-cut shards of glass that complement it. She hopes her art serves as an escape from the stress of daily life and engages curiosity. Her favorite part of the Crawl is connecting with the public and networking with fellow artists. She especially enjoys inspiring young artists who may lack confidence. She will be at the Schmidt Artists

Poplar N Pine by Natalie McGuire

Lofts. For more information, visit www.nmcguirestudio. com or call 651-470-0872. “In the presence of my art you can open yourself to another plane of conscious-

ness,” she said. “It awakens your curiosity about what lies beyond the frame. What you see is personal to you. The images I create help me connect with you, making

you feel as if you are there with me, as well as give you a peaceful feeling that inspires your imagination to wonder what lies beyond…. I’m here to create art that heals.”

KEEP IT

LO SE Don’t bag your recyclables Place items loose in your recycling cart and keep all plastic bags out. Return plastic bags to retailers. For drop-off locations, visit www.dakotacounty.us, search recycling guide.

St. Paul Voice - October 2021 - Page 7

S ample St. Paul

Fitzgerald Theatre

10 E. Exchange St. St. Paul 612-338-8388 www.first-avenue.com

“Wits” comedy and music show will host a reunion performance with special guests at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1. Tickets start at $35.

History Center 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-259-3000 www.mnhs.org

“Sinclair Lewis: 100 Years of Main Street” - Discover the legacy of Sinclair Lewis, an author from Minnesota whose literary works and social critiques of American life ring true today. “Extraordinary Women” - Walk among extraordinary Minnesotan women who changed their communities. “Our Home: Native Minnesota” - Learn how Minnesota’s Native communities have retained cultural practices, teachings and values, and an essential connection to home.

Your community news and information source

Other exhibits include “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation,” “Then Now Wow” and “Weather Permitting.” The Center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., ThursdaySunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students and $8 for children ages five to 17.

History Theatre

10 E. Tenth St., St. Paul 651-292-4323 www.historytheatre.com

“Not in our Neighborhood! A story of Courage, Faith and Love,” October 14-24. In 1925, Nellie and William Francis, residents of St. Paul’s Rondo neighborhood, purchased a home in the “all-white” Groveland Park. As a result, they found themselves faced with ugly racist protests and KKK-like behavior. Tickets start at $35.

Landmark Center

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History Plays will perform “Obscenity on Trial: The Case Against Dr.

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“Storyland,” featuring children’s literary classics, opens soon; a date wasn’t available as of press time.

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The Great Pumpkin Halloween Festival will take place 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24. This free event features a kids’ DJ, crafts, treats and a costume parade. Adults and older kids are invited to attend the Gangster Ghost Tour, held 6-9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 28. Participants will be guided through the shadowy halls of Landmark Center to hear from the “ghosts” of Police Chief “Big Tom” Brown, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis, Ma Barker and others. Tickets are $10, and space is limited. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling 651-292-3063.

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“Theatre of the Macabre” will bring classic tales of hauntings and horror to Park Square Theatre October 29-30. Other exhibits and activities include The Scramble, The Studio, Creativity Jam, Sprouts, Backyard, Our World, Forces at Play, Super Awesome Adventures, Imaginopolis and the Tip Top Terrace. The museum is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wed.-Sun. Tickets are $14.95.

MN Museum of American Art 350 Robert St. N. St. Paul 651-797-2571 www.mmaa.org

“Many Waters: A Minnesota Biennial” is on display through October 2, installed in the windows on Robert and 4th streets, and in the Ecolab entrance in the skyway.

Ordway Center 345 Washington St. St. Paul www.ordway.org 651-224-4222

Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives will perform at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24. Tickets start at $58. The Home Fires will be performing a pre-show event in the Ordway lobby at 6:45 p.m.

Park Square Theatre

seum tickets are $19.95, with discounts for children and seniors.

“Theatre of the Macabre” will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 29-30. It features classic tales of hauntings and horror, including ghost stories, songs, classic literary scenes, and storytelling from the works of Edgar Allen Poe, William Shakespeare and others.

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Eagles will perform at 8 p.m., October 1-2. Tickets start at $126.

Science Museum of Minnesota

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120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-221-9444 www.smm.org

Days of the Dinosaurs, opens October 21. View dinosaurs and fossils from around the world in brand-new exhibits, movies and the recently expanded Dinosaurs & Fossils gallery. Current Omnitheater films include “Oceans: Our Blue Planet,” and “Volcanoes: Fires of Creation.” “Dinosaurs of Antarctica” begins October 21. Theater tickets are $9.95, with discounts for children and seniors. Mu-

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Dude Perfect will perform at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 29. Tickets start at $25.

“Hocus Pocus,” is presented October 1 at the Como Midway/East Pavilion; “IT” (2017) October 8 at Lake Phalen; and “The Shining” October 15, at Mears Park. Movies begin at dusk and some have pre-show activities.

‘Let’s Go Crazy’

Ballet Co. Laboratory will present “Let’s Go Crazy: A Celebration of Minnesota’s Notable Musicians,” 4-7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 at 276 E. Lafayette Frontage Rd., St. Paul. The production will honor Prince, Bob Dylan, Dessa, Judy Garland, The Jets and more. Tickets are $55. For more details, visit balletcolaboratory.org or call 651-313-5967.

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N ews Briefs DARTS seeks volunteers DARTS, a West St. Paulbased social services agency, is seeking volunteers to help grade-school students 1-2 hours a week with reading, math, science and art. Training is provided. For more information, visit dartsconnects.org/learning-buddies or contact Erin Walloch at 651-234-2227. Volunteers are also needed to rake lawns for senior citizens. Commitment is 1-3 hours. For more information, visit www. dartsconnects.org or contact Angela at volunteer@darts1. org or 651-455-1560. DARTS will host its 10th Annual Party It Forward fundraiser 6:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21. The event will be held online on YouTube. To register, or to participate in the silent auction, visit pif2021.givesmart.com.

Online classes for adults TriDistrict Community Education and ISD 197 are charter members in a new national site that features online classes for adults. The site, which opened in August, includes more than 100 live, online classes from colleges and schools across the nation. To view the classes, visit www.lern.org/more.

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Halloween Extravaganza West St. Paul Parks and Recreation is hosting Halloween Extravaganza 6-8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31 at Harmon Park, 230 Bernard St. W., West St. Paul. This free event for all ages features bonfire rings, free hot dogs, a costume contest, and a trickor-treat trail.

CERT members needed The City of Mendota Heights is accepting registrations for its Community Emergency Response Team, which uses volunteers to support public safety and provide assistance at events and during local disasters. Training is free. Classes are held Thursdays from 6-9 p.m., October 7-December 9, at the Mendota Heights Fire Department. Must be age 18 or older. For more information, contact cert@ mendotaheightsmn.gov or

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Tour de Rec Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation is hosting its Tour de Rec program the first Thursday of every month throughout the school year. It features games, sports and crafts for youth and families. The next event takes place 6-7 p.m., October 7 at the West St. Paul Sports Dome, 1655 Livingston Ave. No registration is required.

Student notes University of Kansas honor roll: Grace Bullard, Erin Cole, Annalyssa Crenshaw, Mary Horttor, Quinn Mack, Ainsley Rosenstiel, Kate Sievert, Molly Tierney, Joseph Waite and Sophie Klinger University of WisconsinMadison graduates: Rachel Farber, bachelor of science, life sciences communication, graduated with distinction; Max Lerman, bachelor of business administration, international business and marketing, graduated with distinction; Matthew Morse, bachelor of science, mechanical engineering; Shefali Mukerji, bachelor of science, computer sciences and economics; Hannah Weintraut, bachelor of science, biology; Nicholas Goblisch, bachelor MERRIAM PARK

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arts in English; Kali Blaeser, bachelor of business administration, health care administration University of Minnesota-Twin Cities dean’s list: Claire Allen, Clare Bann, Lily Byrnes, Eva Doran, Moriah Elkin, Yaren Euceda Mejia, Emma Forouhari, Kathleen Gleason, Nayana Gurung, Andro Khalil, Katira Lutterman, Nicholas Martinez, Oliver McEllistrem, Jenna Osborne, Lucy Pilgrim-Rukavina, Samantha Salmen, Kathryn Sheahan, Laura Skemp, Greta Stifter, Julia Wallace, Michala Zien, Henry Anderson, Abigail Arganbright, Katherine Burke, Hannah Bursey, Keila Cortes, Holly Ann Eastman, Charles Gannon, Cal Johns, Isabel Johnson, Joseph Juliette, Jenna Lewis, Jennifer Malay, Anna Mayer, Collin McEllistrem, Michaela McGough, Liam McManus, Claire Minea, Macy Mingo, Natalie Nachtsheim, Steven Nickson, Alexander Nilles, Adrienne O’shea, Christian Ramirez, Ashley Rascher, Jack Redpath, Andrew Stringer, Brenna Templin, Xander Thomas, Carly Zimmerman, Grant Weis, Da-

vid Bueno, Thomas Conrin, John Cronin, Baird Doud, Noelle Lynch, Awerusioghene Mayo, Hannah Watson, Sarah Wege, Caroline White University of MinnesotaDuluth dean’s list: Carter Henry, Riley Altier, Jonathan Mellor Purchase College dean’s list: AnAva Dubeaux Union College dean’s list: Meredith Killian and Fiona Shyne Drake University graduate: Owen Finn, bachelor of science in computer science and data analytics College of St. Scholastica-Duluth graduate: John Walsh, MBA in leadership and change Hofstra University graduate: Daniel Axelrod earned a Juris Doctor in law Simmons University dean’s list: Frances Zigmund Southern New Hampshire University president’s list: Michael Chhoun Local student actors Luis Matos, Anna Sarakaitis and Clare Wilson will perform in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 19 at Trinity School, 601 River Ridge Pkwy, Eagan. admission is free.

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St. Paul Voice - October 2021 - Page 9

C ommunity

Your community news and information source

Neighbors, Inc. Charlie Thompson President & CEO

he Great Neighbors’ Duck Races are back on October 3 at the On the Road Again festival in South St. Paul. That can mean only one thing: it is time to talk about our holiday gift program. That’s right, the annual gift-giving season will soon be upon us and preparations are already

underway to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of children and seniors throughout our community. To put you in the holiday spirit, I have a story that I believe will bring a little joy to your day. The Thompson household practices the Catholic

Postscript

Taking no chances

The renovations to our new home continue. We didn’t expect to be refinishing the floor, but when we tore up the flooring that was buckling and warping in the summer humidity, we discovered the original parquet, spattered with paint, underneath. A man named Michael showed up with the biggest floor sander I have ever seen, looked disapprovingly at the paint sprayed all over the parquet, and declared that it should sand clean without a problem. My husband, Peter, told Michael he was

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retired, and Michael told us he was retired as well. “What did you used to do?” I asked. “Sand floors!” he said, as if that was obvious. “And now you sand floors

Support Your Community Newspaper! Since 1966, we’ve proudly and effectively covered the issues most important to our community. We ask our loyal readers to consider donating a small amount to help us continue publishing community news that informs, entertains and inspires. Could you send $10 a year...or more? Every dollar helps. To contribute, mail your check to St. Paul Publishing Co., 1643 S. Robert St., Suite 60B, West St. Paul, MN 55118, or call us at 651-457-1177 with your credit card number. Mailed subscriptions are available for $21.50 per year.

faith tradition, so much so that one of my brothers is a priest. At a recent get-together, he was talking with my 6-year-old daughter about St. Nicholas. She was listening intently, taking in every word he had to say. When he finished speaking, she sat back in her chair, took a moment to reflect, and drew her conclusion. “So, St. Nicholas is Santa Claus. That means St. Nicholas is the only living saint in the whole wide world.” The room fell silent as we all contemplated what she just said. The Neighbors’ holiday gift program provides much more than gifts to children and seniors. It helps keep the spirit of the season alive in our community. Our neigh-

bors in need of holiday support receive much more than gifts of toys, sports equipment and essential needs. They receive faith, hope and love. Faith in their community. Hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Love from their family. It truly is a special time of year. In order to provide faith, hope and love, we need you, our community, to help St. Nicholas this year. We need individuals, families, companies and faith communities to sponsor (formally called adopt) children and seniors in need of holiday support. You will join hundreds of people who have helped bring joy to families like this one: “Words cannot explain how grateful my son and I

are for your care this season,” wrote one parent. “A lot of the world is struggling right now, perhaps even you all are facing some challenges. I am beyond blessed to see that there were people who were willing to donate gifts despite all the pain and uncertainty of this year. The gifts my son will open on Christmas day are so accurate, personalized and perfect for him! You all were able to purchase all of his favorites! These items were toys that he would basically have to imagine playing with while watching YouTube, or enjoy when he would go to nursery, etc. So, for making this Christmas amazing we both say thank you. I wish our identities were not hid-

den, but it’s OK because it fuels our belief that you were our Pandemic Season Angels.” If you are interested in becoming a “Pandemic Season Angel,” you can sponsor a family in need of holiday support. Requests to sponsor a family begin October 1. For more information, visit www.neighborsmn. org. Click on Donate, then Holiday Gift Program. If you are in need of holiday support, visit our website, click on Services, then Holiday Assistance. Whether you are giving or receiving this holiday season, know that Neighbors is here to provide opportunities for you to thrive all year long.

in your retirement?” “But only when I want to!” he clarified. Michael was right, and the paint cleaned right up, revealing not oak floors, as we had thought, but an intricate pattern in teak. Michael didn’t finish sanding on that day, which happened to be a Friday, but said he’d be back Monday morning. “Don’t walk on it in bare feet,” he cautioned. “Your feet might have oil on them.” I didn’t think I had particularly oily feet, but I was taking no chances and made sure I had slippers on every time I touched the beautiful raw wood floor. “Peter! You dropped a piece of popcorn!” I scolded, scurrying to retrieve an errant kernel. I tell you all this so you’ll understand how dreadful I felt

about what happened next. We like peanut butter, the kind that’s made with peanuts and nothing else. That kind of peanut butter separates, with the peanuts at the bottom and the oil at the top. You may think you can imagine what happens next, but it’s even worse. When opening a new jar, I use one beater on my hand mixer to stir, but, when I did this on Saturday, the GFCI on the electrical outlet popped. “Darn!” I said. “Try another socket,” Peter said. And so I did. What I didn’t do was turn off the mixer before plugging it in. The jar spun madly out of control and, in a moment, there was peanut oil every-

where — all over me, all over the countertop, all over the cupboards. The only really important thing was that there was peanut oil and peanut butter all over the raw teak floor. I didn’t move for a long moment, hoping what had just happened would somehow rewind and be undone. “Quick! Get a towel!” Peter said, snapping me out of it. I wiped it up and scrubbed it with detergent and hot water. Then I did it again. Then one more time. I turned a fan on and let it dry all night, and in the morning it was every bit as bad as I feared it would be. I tried to imagine what I could have done that could be worse. “Maybe India ink,” I thought. “India ink might be worse.” I was sick

at heart. “Have you ever hated any of your clients?” I asked Michael the next morning. “What did you do?” he asked. I showed him. “It won’t show, will it?” Peter asked. “The polyurethane will cover it, won’t it?” I waited for Michael to reassure us. “I don’t know,” Michael said. “Guess we’ll find out.” And he fired up his sander. A few minutes later he called out, “Come here!” I ran to the kitchen. The oil was gone. “I knew you could do it!” I said, although I had been anything but sure. “Stay off the floor!” Michael yelled. And I did. Till next time.

respectively. Donterris Willis is a starter on the defensive line and senior Sam Smith is the starting center and plays nose guard on defense. “The coaches from both schools have blended well together and whatever trepidation our kids might have felt early on has disappeared,” said Matt Osborne, Humboldt’s athletic director. “We made a bold move and I think we are on the right track.” Team assessment: The Harding/Humboldt Knighthawks, as we like to call them, followed up their stunning victory over Como with a bit of a stinker, a 4316 loss at Columbia Heights. This team will not play in the Twin City game in 2021, but we do expect them to finish at .500 or better. Editor’s note: the Minneapolis Roosevelt game on Sept. 17 was canceled due to COV-

ID-19. It has been rescheduled to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 28 at Humboldt.

Humbolt football from page 5 course of the season as they had in the past, several kids from both schools took notice and showed up to draw equipment. “We have increased the numbers dramatically,” said Brad Novacheck, another Humboldt coach, who now

WOW

that’s interesting! Do you know of someone in our community who has done something noteworthy or has a fascinating background? Let us know. Contact Tim at 651-457-1177 or tim@ stpaulpublishing.com

Page 10 - St. Paul Voice - October 2021

serves as the co-offensive coordinator with Kraus. “We now have 60 kids in grades 9-12 and that will allow us to field a full JV team.” There are numerous Humboldt student-athletes who have played major roles on the team starting with junior Jorge Irizarry as the starting quarterback. “He’s a dual threat,” said Novacheck. “He’s a competent passer and can also use his feet to move the chains or buy time in the pocket.” Receiver Casarez-McCampbell also plays a key role in the secondary. Wilson and sophomore Eh ler Soe are featured running backs and juniors Lakota McConnell and Daquon Muhammed contribute at linebacker and free safety,

Humboldt, OWL Homecoming Humboldt High School and Open World Learning will celebrate Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 2. While it will not include the traditional football game, there will be numerous activities that community members are encouraged to attend. There will be a food truck, games for kids and multiple athletic events to attend. The festivities include a 5K Fun Run commencing on Harriet Island at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m., the boys varsity soccer team will host South St. Paul and the girls varsity tennis team will take on St. Paul Washington. At noon, the girls varsity soccer team will host Trinity High School.

Augustana Lutheran 1400 Robert St. S. West St. Paul 651-457-3373 www.augustana.com Beth Jacob Congregation 1179 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights 651-452-2226 www.beth-jacob.org Cherokee Park United 371 Baker St. W. St. Paul 651-227-4275 www.cherokeepark united.org Community Christ the Redeemer 110 Crusader Ave. W. West St. Paul 651-451-6123 www.ccredeemer.org

Crown of Life Lutheran Church & School 115 Crusader Avenue W. West St. Paul 651-451-3832 www.colwsp.org Faith United Methodist 1530 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-5686 www.faithumcmn.com Holy Family Maronite 1960 Lexington Ave. S. Mendota Heights 651-291-1116 www.HolyFamily Events.org La Puerta Abierta UMC 690 Livingston Ave. St. Paul 651-558-1896

Our Lady of Guadalupe 401 Concord St. St. Paul 651-228-0506 www.olgcatholic.org

St. Anne’s Episcopal 2035 Charlton Rd. Sunfish Lake 651-455-9449 www.saintannesmn.org

Riverview Baptist 14 Moreland Ave. E. West St. Paul 651-457-3831 www.riverviewbaptist.net

St. Elizabeth Orthodox 125 Congress St. E. St. Paul 651-424-0814 seocc.org

Salem Lutheran 11 Bernard St. West St. Paul 651-457-6661 www.salemluth.org

St. George Antiochian Orthodox 1250 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-0854 www.saintgeorgechurch.org

St. Joseph’s Catholic 1154 Seminole Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-2781 www.churchofstjoseph.org

St. Matthew Catholic 490 Hall Avenue St. Paul 651-224-9793 www.st-matts.org

St. Stephen’s Lutheran 1575 Charlton St. West St. Paul 651-457-6541 www.ststephenswsp.org

Spirit of Hope Catholic Community 2035 Charlton Road Sunfish Lake 651-760-8353 www.spiritofhopemn.org

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St. Paul’s United Methodist 700 Wesley Lane Mendota Heights 651-452-5683 stpaulsmn.org St. James Lutheran 460 Annapolis St. W. West St. Paul 651-457-9232 www.saintjameslutheran. com

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N ews Briefs

Your community news and information source

Ordway names new president and director of arts and learning The Ordway Center for Performing Arts has tapped a Motor City arts professional as its 12th president and CEO. Christopher Harrington will begin his duties on November 1. He succeeds interim president Chris Sagstetter, who will resume her previous role as executive vice president and CFO. Harrington has worked with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 2012 and is credited with increasing the orchestra’s presenta-

Christopher Harrington tions sevenfold, growing ticket revenue by more than 300%, and helping attract a more diverse audience base.

He has a master of business administration and a bachelor of music from Wayne State University, and currently serves on the board of the Association of Performing Arts Professionals. Harrington will also represent the Ordway on the Arts Partnership Board of Directors. The Arts Partnership consists of the four organizations that perform regularly at the Ordway: Minnesota Opera, the Ordway, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Schubert Club.

Empowering events and community connections By Tana Douville and Kirsten Partenheimer

or more than 50 years, Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, has worked to provide Minnesotans access to safe, decent and affordable housing and to build stronger communities across the state. They do this in part through their homeownership and home improvement programs that help Minnesotans buy and fix up

homes and stabilize neighborhoods, communities and families. However, just offering the programs alone isn’t enough if the borrowers who need them aren’t always aware of who is eligible, what is available and where can they apply. While Minnesota has one of the highest homeownership rates in the country, there is a large disparity in homeownership by race: Black and Indigenous

households and households of color have a homeownership rate of 44% compared with 77% for white households. However, many homebuyers, including firstgeneration homebuyers and households of color, may feel discouraged by barriers such as credit scores or saving for a down payment. Minnesota Housing works to provide information and outreach through many opportunities, and one that has been vital has been participating

The Ordway also recently hired Maia Maiden as director of arts learning and community engagement. She will manage the annual Sally

Awards program, which recognizes the contributions of Minnesota artists, educators, philanthropists and leaders, and assist with the Ordway’s education programming for K-12 students and educators. For more than a decade, Maiden has run Maia Maiden Productions, a company that provides experiences for hip hop, Black, Indigenous and people of color, women and youth. In 2018, she received a Sally Award from the Ordway for her contributions to Minnesota’s hip

hop industry. She has also been a regular emcee of the annual Flint Hills Family Festival, presented by the Ordway and Flint Hills Resources. The Ordway reopened in September after 18 months of being closed due the COVID-19 pandemic. All people attending performances are required to wear a mask and present proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours before a performance.

in and supporting community events. This year, working safely within state COVID guidelines, our staff have masked up and taken part in 11 community events. Most years Minnesota Housing has a table with brochures at an average of 50 events around the state, and staff spends much of the year traveling to talk to as many Minnesotans as we can about our homeownership and home improvement programs. Most of the time we invite local lenders and real estate

agents to join us to answer questions about the homebuying process. When people stop by at an event, they get answers on how to start the application and qualification process for a home loan, and information on Minnesota Housing Start Up and Step Up home purchase and downpayment and closing cost loan programs, which allow qualified Minnesotans to borrow up to $17,000 to use toward their downpayment and closing costs. Minnesota Housing

event staff are passionate about housing and building stronger communities. They say meeting prospective homeowners is one of the best parts of their jobs. They hope these conversations help people consider that homeownership could be an option for them. So, if you’re ever at an event and you see our bright blue and green logo and energetic staff, stop by and say hi! You’ll leave with more than just a brochure in your hand; you’ll have a vision of your next home in your heart.

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For the past 50 years, Minnesota Housing representatives have participated in community events to share information about homeownership, renovations and refinancing. Let us know about your next event at mn.housing@state.mn.us. Visit our website at mnhousing.gov/LaVoz to learn more about our affordable loan programs.

In connection with the Single Family Division loan programs, Minnesota Housing is neither an originator of loans nor a creditor and is not affiliated with any Lender. To find out if you are eligible, or to apply for a loan, please contact a participating Lender.

Page 12 - St. Paul Voice - October 2021

1407 Robert St. S. West St. Paul