South St. Paul Voice September 2023

South St. Paul

Back in Time

Page 5

Adult spelling bee makes a comeback

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Returning after a 3-year hiatus is the South St. Paul Sip & Spell, where teams of adults test their word prowess and throw back a few beverages while they’re at it. It takes place at 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at Croatian Hall, 445 2nd Ave. S., and is organized by the South St. Paul Public Library.

Participants are encouraged to develop a fun team name and dress in a manner fitting to that name.

Registration is $30 per team and all proceeds go to Neighbors, Inc. The first two events, in 2018 and 2019, drew around 70 people.

“We are so excited to bring it [Sip and Spell] back after COVID forced us to cancel for two years out of caution, and we were so busy last year celebrating our 100th anniversary,” said South St. Paul Public Library director Honora Greenwood Rodriguez. “Since this is our last year as an independent city library, we wanted to go out with a bang, hosting a community event that has historically been so enjoyed by the community.”

This isn’t the terrifying spelling bee you may remember from your youth, where you stand on a stage, all eyes upon you, facing the embarrassment of elimination if you misspell the word. At Sip and Spell, 12 teams of 2-5 people each sit at a table with time to discuss each word announced by the emcee before writing it on a whiteboard for

Sip and Spell / Page 2

New K9 coming to South St. Paul Police Department

September

City council halts cannabis businesses

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Whileit’s now legal for adults ages 21 and older to use recreational marijuana in the state of Minnesota, you won’t find any for sale in South St. Paul, at least for now, as municipalities are free to restrict the sales and use of cannabis within city limits.

On August 21, the South St. Paul City Council passed an interim ordinance prohibiting the operation of cannabis retail businesses in the city until January 1, 2025. The moratorium gives the city more time to decide if or in what ways it will regulate cannabis businesses within city limits. Not affected by the new city law are products that could be sold legally before July 1 of this year: medical cannabis and other cannabinoid products, such as gummies infused with up to 50 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical in marijuana.

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Axel, the South St. Paul Police Department’s fierce yet friendly K9, will no longer be seen trotting along his handler’s side – at least not while the officer is in uniform that is. In late July, K9 officer Brandon Rogers resigned from the department, and Axel went with him. Since Axel, age 5, was deemed to be over halfway through his career, the police department sold him to Rogers for $8,000. The funds will be put

toward purchasing a new K9 next spring.

Rogers was hired out of college and served the South St. Paul Police Department for 11 years, four as the K9 handler following Axel’s arrival in 2019. He was also a member of the mobile field force, community response team and domestic abuse response team, and was awarded three special service awards throughout his years of service.

With Rogers’ departure, the department must find another officer. Wicke said finding qualified candidates is a challenge right now

K9 / Page 2

The city also set a penalty for public marijuana use, which will be a petty misdemeanor. Legalization took effect August 1 under a set of state laws passed by Gov. Tim Walz at the end of May. Minnesota residents may now legally possess two ounces of marijuana flower in public and two pounds at home; grow up to eight marijuana plants on their property; and use marijuana products in private areas. It is illegal to use marijuana while in a motor vehicle.

Marijuana / Page 3

Community event offers the chance to ‘Train Like a Hero’

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Sample how first responders and military personnel stay fit and prepared for their jobs at the second annual Train Like a Hero community workout, held 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Sept. 9, at Kaposia Landing, 800 Bryant Ave. Organized by the City of South St. Paul Parks and Recreation department, the event will

also feature food trucks, obstacle courses, and the opportunity to meet local police officers, police K9, fire fighters, mounted patrol, South Metro SWAT, and members of the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and National Guard. The event is free, or $20-$25 if you’d like to receive a T-shirt.

“There are two stations,” said South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Supervisor Mercedes Miklya. “You start off

by running to the first station and then do whatever workout is there – whether that be something like a step-up, box jump or pushup – and then you run to the next station and there will be two more exercises. Each heat will do the whole thing twice…. The cool thing is people run in-between the booths on both sides of the sidewalk so everyone can cheer them on to that next station.”

The workout takes about 20 minutes and participants will be matched into heats with about a dozen other people of a similar skill level. The routine was designed by the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office fitness team, who will be there to instruct participants on the exercises before they begin and help tailor the exercises for people of all skill levels. Those who want an extra challenge can do the workout while wearing

a weighted vest or a South St. Paul Police department ballistic vest, which patrol officers must wear for their entire shifts. Brave souls may even don full firefighter gear, including an oxygen tank, while running the course.

“We had a huge youth heat last year,” said Miklya. “We took the weights out of the weighted vests and the kids put them on and felt so cool. Doing the same workout as their hero with a vest

on was like the highlight of their day.”

The Marines will host a pull-up bar station and the Army National Guard may bring a climbing wall if it’s not too windy. The mounted patrol will bring a horse, and South Metro SWAT will bring their BearCat armored vehicle.

Two obstacle courses will

Training event / Page 3

K9 officer Brandon Rogers and Axel

Sip and Spell

from page 1

review. Scoring is point-based and there are six rounds. Teams with the lowest scores after rounds four and five are eliminated, leaving just two teams competing in the final round – on stage. When it’s all said and done, a trophy is awarded to the winning team, as well as the teams with the best outfits and team name. Everybody who participates receives a Sip & Spell pint glass.

The winning word in 2018 was flageolet, also known as a tin whistle, and in 2019 it was nenuphar, a type of water lily.

“I talked a few coworkers into joining a team with me

and we had a lot of fun with it,” said Megan Fournier, a member of the winning team in 2018. “We dressed up in some punk costumes and called ourselves the Punktuators.... It was super fun. You don’t usually think of a library event that’s going to be at a community center and serving drinks.”

Fournier was on the library board when the staff originally brought the idea to them in 2017. She said that Rodriguez, who was the adult services librarian before becoming director at the end of July, helped organize the first event and dressed up like a bee to show her good

humor and support.

Fournier, who served on the library board from 20172022, said this event is just one way in which libraries have evolved over the years.

“I think libraries are changing the way they serve communities, and the services they provide and the type of events they’re putting on,” she said.

“It’s a really great trend to try to get people of all ages interested in library events. A lot of people assume it’s [libraries] just for kids but I like that there are different offerings and ways that adults can get involved as well.”

Teams must register by Sept. 1, and all members must be age 21 or older. For more information, call 651-5543244 or visit southstpaul.org and search “sip and spell.”

from page 1

and that the department continues to focus on hiring community service officers (CSOs) to help keep prospective officers in the pipeline. CSOs are non-sworn-in positions that provide park patrol and animal control,

issue code enforcement violations and more. Each CSO is a college student who is pursuing a degree in criminal justice. Last year at this time the department had six CSOs, and now it has seven. In recent weeks, a former CSO was hired as a police officer by the department.

“Historically, we end up with multiple internal [K9 officer] candidates,” said

Wicke. “The South St. Paul Police Department has a long history with police canines dating back to the 1980s, and each one of those K9 units, including officer Rogers and K9 Axel, have performed admirably. While they [K9s] do come with additional expense, they reduce the need to have so many bodies on the street at any given time. The skillset they

bring to the table and the efficiency in which they can do very specific tasks not only make our community safer but make our officers safer as well.”

The new K9, likely a German shepherd or Belgian malinois, will be purchased from McDonough K-9, the same vendor that supplied Axel. The dog will undergo 12 weeks of intensive train-

ing with its handler. On the job, a South St. Paul K9 officer makes daily patrols like other officers but does not transport prisoners because their squad car has a kennel in the back rather than a seat. They specialize in cases involving locating drugs, criminals and missing people. While off-duty, K9s live with their handler. The new dog and officer will be the department’s 8th K9

team in its history. Dogs are typically between nine months and one year old when they start.

The department is exploring adding a second dog to the force, although it will not be a trained K9. Wicke said the department is considering purchasing a therapy dog that would attend community events and be used to help calm victims who are giving statements at the department.

Former South St. Paul mayor Beth Bauman (left) was emcee of the first Sip and Spell event.

Training event

from

be set up for all ages, just like last year. One is inflatable and the other is a tactical speed course set up by the South St. Paul Police department. In the latter, people will use a light battering ram to smash open a door and then complete several tasks such as dragging a sandbag for a certain amount of time and jumping a small fence.

“It’s about honoring and celebrating the heroes we

have in our community and putting people in their shoes for a second,” said Mikyla.

“Those are the people who are there on your worst day to make it a little bit easier to navigate through. It’s saying thank you, and also giving recognition to fallen soldiers [and other armed forces], police officers and firefighters.”

The event was scheduled

Marijuana

from page 1

Federal law differentiates cannabis plants between hemp and marijuana based on the percentage of THC the plant has. Cannabis plants with .3% THC or less are referred to as hemp, and those with higher percentages are identified as marijuana. The new state laws also automatically expunged the criminal records of people with low-level marijuana

convictions, established a review board to determine eligibility of expungement for high-level marijuana offenses, and created the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to oversee and regulate marijuana businesses in the state.

The OCM is expected to begin giving licenses to businesses to sell recreational marijuana starting in

as close to September 11 as possible as a way to commemorate the first responders and others who served so heroically on that tragic day in 2001. The idea for the community workout was introduced by South St. Paul Police Sgt. Mike Dahl. In addition to military and first responder booths, there will be booths from various organizations that support veterans. Registration is encouraged. For more information, call 651-366-6200 or visit southstpaul.org and search “train like a hero.”

January 2025, and based on South St. Paul’s population of about 21,000, the city can limit the number of cannabis retail businesses to just one. City staff and the police chief have discussed the possibility of having that outlet being a city-owned business.

Currently, retailers in South St. Paul, such as tobacco shops and liquor stores, can get a license to sell THC-infused edible cannabis products. Restaurants can also be licensed to sell edible THC products if they have a liquor license or offer

indoor dining, but they may not serve alcohol and THC products at the same time, and no more than two servings of THC products can be served per hour. Opened THC products may not leave the premises, and a retailer that sells THC products to a minor may be charged with a misdemeanor and have their license suspended or revoked. Businesses selling these products are also affected by the new cannabis law and are required to register with the Minnesota Department of Health by

October 1 and obtain a license from the OCM. Previously, they were governed by the 2022 edibles law, which will be rescinded in January 2025.

CBD and THC are both chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, products with those chemicals may have medical benefits to those experiencing chronic pain, anxiety, eating and sleeping disorders, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disor-

der and other conditions. Likewise, the hemp plant is used by companies to create products such as paper and clothing. Minnesota is the 23rd state in the country to legalize recreational marijuana. The first dispensary to open in Minnesota was NativeCare on the Red Lake Reservation in Red Lake.

Seniors (50 & Older)

Now accepting applications for 1-bedroom incomebased apartments. Our buildings are updated, quiet and in a great neighborhood.

For more details, call 651-288-8159 or 651-288-8163

South St. Paul HRA

Fall Bombers MoonBall

Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack

Copy Editor: Leslie Martin

Staff Writers: Jake Spitzack

John E. Ahlstrom

Marketing Manager: Jake Spitzack

Contributors: Roger Fuller

For questions regarding news or advertising, call 651-457-1177

Submitted photo

Adults and kids can experience the feel of running in a protective vest.

Library events

For more information or to register, call 651-5543240 or visit southstpaul. org/library.

Storytime for 2s-6s , 10:30-11 a.m. each Tuesday, September 5-November 28. Stories and activities to develop early literacy skills for toddlers and preschoolers. Ages 2-6. Siblings welcome. Storytime for Babies , 10:30-11 a.m., Wednesdays, September 6-November 29. An interactive storytime designed for newborns and babies with their caregivers.

Toddlers Takeover, 10-

11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1, 15, Oct. 6, 20. Early literacy activities geared for ages 3 and younger. Siblings welcome.

Fabulous Fall , 10:3011 a.m., Tuesday Sept. 26. Celebrate the fall season with poems, songs and other activities. Award-winning Minnesota author Laura Purdie Salas will read from her books “Lion of the Sky: Haiku for All Seasons” and “Colors of Fall.” Geared toward youth ages 3 and older with their caregivers.

South St. Paul Book Club, 7-10 p.m., Thursday Sept. 14. The title is “The

The Urban Explorer

Few things exemplify a summer evening more than the sound of chirping crickets and the glow of fireflies in the inky sky. As the sun sets, the nocturnal world comes to life and the

Mississippi Park Connection wants to help you experience the wonderment of it all. On Friday, Sept. 15, the nonprofit is hosting Park After Dark 8-10:30 p.m. at Crosby Farm Regional

Chicken Sisters” by K.J. Dell’Antonia. For more details, visit tinyurl.com/SSPbookclub. Geared toward adults.

Fall Landscapes in Acrylic, 6-8 p.m., Monday Sept. 25. Enjoy painting a fall landscape in acrylic while learning how to use value, color and composition to enhance the beauty of your art. Registration required. Geared toward adults.

Meeting dates

The South St. Paul City Council meets at 7 p.m.

Park in St. Paul. This is a rare opportunity to visit the park after sunset and immerse yourself in the wild side of city nightlife. The event features a guided hike by a National Park Service ranger, programs on bats, insects and other creatures of the night, stargazing and a beach bonfire (yes, with s’mores).

On the hike, you’ll discover bats, owls, fireflies and other wildlife that roam the night. Luminaries will light the way and attract an array of moths and other insects

the first and third Monday of each month in the council chambers at City Hall, 125 3rd Ave. N. For agendas and city council member contact information, visit southstpaul.org or call 651554-3284.

The Special School District 6 School Board meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month. For agendas and school board member contact information, visit sspps. org or call 651-457-9400.

The South St. Paul Lions Club meets at 7:15 p.m.

for your viewing. Entomologist Jessica Miller will share her knowledge of the insects fluttering around the lights.

St. Paul Parks educator Mary Henke-Haney will use an ultrasonic detector to do an informal bat survey and discuss how bats support the health of our ecosystem.

Dakota artist Marlena Myles will introduce Dakota Star Knowledge and Native stories found in the stars. Participants will use their cell phones and the app Adobe Aero for an augmented reality experience.

Your community news and information source

the first and third Thursday of the month (September - May). For more information, visit ssplions.org.

The South St. Paul Southwest Lioness-Lions Club meets the second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, 1203 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul. This group of women serves the community through fundraising and volunteering.

Art show at First Presbyterian

The Lake Country Pastel

The event concludes with a bonfire on the beach and s’mores. Backdrop music is provided by Monica Moses Haller, whose ongoing work, Listening to the Mississippi, records sounds of the river, many as heard from below its surface. The sounds include animal, human, machine and water noises.

This is a drop-in event. Free parking is available in the Crosby Farm Park parking lot, 2595 Crosby Farm Rd.

Park After Dark is a joint project of the City of St.

Society is hosting a judged art exhibit through October 1 at First Presbyterian Church, 535 20th Ave. N., South St. Paul. A reception with refreshments is held 11:30a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17. The church building is open weekdays 10 a.m.2 p.m. and the paintings may be viewed during those hours. For groups or other time possibilities, call the church at 651-451-6223 and leave a message for Rochelle LeTourneau. For more information on the Lake Country Pastel Society, visit lakecountrypastelsociety.org.

Paul, National Park Service, Wakpa Triennial Art Festival, and Mississippi Park Connection. For those who prefer exploring nature during the daytime, a Wander and Wonder Walk is offered 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9 at Crosby Farm Regional Park. This ranger-led hike provides insight into birds, wildlife, plants, trees and more. For more information on these and other events, visit parkconnection. org or call 651-291-8164.

Kaposia: the history behind the name

Tim Spitzack Editor

The Dakota Village of Kaposia is more deeply threaded into the tapestry of South St. Paul history than any other prominent person, place or event. The name Kaposia is used to designate the city’s annual summertime celebration, two parks and an elementary school, and the new Dakota County Library branch under construction and set to open in early 2024 at Seventh and Marie. Here’s a primer for those who didn’t grow up in South St. Paul and learn of its history in elementary school.

The word refers to the village of the Kaposia band of the Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota), who lived along the Mississippi river near present-day Kaposia Landing, 800 Bryant Ave. Legend has it that its people

were skilled in the game of lacrosse, which in those days was played on a field a halfmile long. They called the sport Tin-TaTa-Ka-Psi-Ca and took their village name from it. When early European explorers and settlers arrived, they shortened the name to Ka-Psi-Ca or KaPo-Ja, which most closely resembles the iteration we know today.

The village is thought to have been founded on the east bank of the river near Pig’s Eye Lake and was relocated following the Treaty of 1837, which ceded Dakota land east of the Mississippi to the United States government. Proving they were agile in more ways than one, the Dakota swiftly moved to the west bank of the river, where the village grew to 300 people or more. The band lived in tepees during the wintertime and much cooler bark homes in the summer.

They were led by Taoyateduta (His Red Nation) and four of his descendants, all of whom went by the name of Little Crow, given by Europeans after noting that the chief’s ceremonial dress was fringed with the wings of a raven or crow. Chief Little Crow V was the last to lead the band before it was forcibly relocated to a reservation. He was a signer of the Treaty of Mendota in 1851 that led to the sale of about 5 million acres of Dakota land and the band’s eventual removal to the Lower Sioux Agency reservation on the Minnesota river, near present-day Morton, Minn. The Dakota were promised approximately $1.4 million for the land but were gravely shorted. The treaty’s ratification in February 1853 opened the floodgates to settlement and future hostilities between the settlers and Native Americans. Taoyateduta

(Little Crow V) is perhaps best known for his part in the Sioux uprising and the U.S. Dakota War of 1862. Kaposia became the first county seat of Dakota County, organized in July 1853. During the settlement period and as the City of South St. Paul began to take shape following its incorporation in early 1887, remnants of the native vil-

lage and its people surfaced. At one time, skeletal bones were unearthed when Dakota burial grounds were disturbed during excavation, but arrangements were quickly made to preserve them and reinter them near

the village site. The last remains were reinterred in 1958 at a memorial park on Highland Avenue near 11th Avenue North. Today, a stone marker commemorates the burial grounds.

Artwork by Minnesota Historical Society Artwork of the village of the Kaposia band of the Mdewakanton Sioux.

Fitzgerald Theatre

10 Exchange St. E. St. Paul

612-338-8388

first-avenue.com

Andy Summers of The Police, 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 6. Tickets start at $35.

Talking Volumes with Abraham Verghese, 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. Tickets start at $32.50.

Landmark Center

75 5th St. W. St. Paul 651-292-3225

landmarkcenter.org

Jimmy “Primetime” Smith Blues Band , 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, in Rice Park. Free.

Amy LaVere, 7:30-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the

door and include admission to a cocktail hour beginning at 6:45 p.m.

“

Pixar’s Inside Out tured through Sept. 4. Learn about emotions, memory and imagination through interactive and digital expe riences.

“

Zone

Mix dirt and water to create different types of mud, mix up a gourmet muddy meal in the mud kitchen and use catapults and air cannons to launch mud at various tar gets.

Working Together To Get Things Done

A rts & Entertainment

Tickets start at $57.54.

Eunice Kim plays Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, and 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30. Tickets start at $12.

Palace Theatre

17 7th Place W. St. Paul 612-338-8388

first-avenue.com

Tove Lo, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 5. Tickets start at $35. Coheed and Cambria, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15. Tickets start at $39.50.

The Tallest Man On Earth, 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19. Tickets start at $35.

RiverCentre

175 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651- 265-4800

rivercentre.org

Twin City Cat Fanciers CFA Cat Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24. $15 for adults, and $10 for seniors and children.

Science Museum of Minnesota

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

“Exquisite Creatures” is on display through Sept. 4. Explore the planet’s biodiversity by viewing preserved

animal specimens arranged in intricate patterns.

STEM Adventure Saturdays features themed activities and interactive presentations from community members. Themes are: Dinosaurs, through Sept. 1; and Backyard Science, Sept. 2-Oct. 16. Each theme will begin with a kickoff event featuring special activities.

The kickoff for Backyard Science is 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9.

Omnitheater films : “ Wings Over Water ,” through Sept. 4. Follow the migrations of winged creatures as they return home to raise the next generation of

waterfowl.

“ The Arctic: Our Last Great Wilderness,” through October 18. Meet polar bears, Porcupine caribou and people who have called the vast arctic region their home for thousands of years.

Friday Museum Nights features blockbuster movie showings on the Omnitheater screen every Friday night at 7 p.m. through October. Upcoming shows: “A Bug’s Life,” Sept. 1; “Jumanji” (1995), Sept. 8; “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” Sept. 22; and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” Sept. 29.

Stellar Tours Live Digital Telescope Show, Wed.-

Sun. at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Choose your own space adventure and experience the Omnitheater’s new Digistar 7 projection system. Omnitheater tickets are $9.95. Free for ages 3 and under.

Xcel Center

199 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-726-8240

xcelenergycenter.com

Pearl Jam, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 2. From $160.08.

Greta Van Fleet , 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3. From $44.50.

Old Dominion, 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9. From $29.

Eric Clapton, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14. From $46.

50 Cent, 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15. From $40.

Dave Chappelle , 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23. From $64.50.

product tier as of June 20, 2023, as calculated by the FDIC. Certain exclusions apply.

C ommunity

It is never too late to honor a fallen hero.

The South St. Paul community came together 90 years ago this month, and will do so once again, to honor a police officer killed in the line of duty.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on August 30, 1933, the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang pulled off the biggest holdup in Dakota County’s history, netting the equivalent of $595,000 in today’s dollars. Six bandits armed with machine guns held up bank messengers in front of the South St. Paul Post Office, making off with the massive payroll for stockyards

Joe Atkins Dakota County Commissioner

employees. The money had come by train from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank.

It is estimated that there was more cash in the City

Effective and Efficient Legal Representation Since 1975

To reach us, call 651-451-9743 or visit www.TaurinskasLaw.com P. James Taurinskas Attorney, Minnesota & Wisconsin

Luther Memorial Church 315 15th Ave . N . 651 - 451-2400 luther-memorial.com

• St . Augustine ’s Catholic Church 408 3rd St N 651 - 45 5 - 1302 holytrinitysspmn.org

• First Presbyterian 535 20th Ave N 651 - 451-6223 fpcssp.org

• Woodbury Lutheran Wakota Ridge Campus 255 W. Douglas St. 651-739-5144 woodburylutheran.org •

of South St. Paul on any given day in the 1930s than anywhere else in the country, due to South St. Paul being home to the world’s largest stockyards. This is likely why Ma Barker and her Barker-Karpis Gang, who were holed up in a hideout at 1031 Robert St. in West St. Paul at the time, targeted South St. Paul for their record-setting robbery. Although nine decades have passed, we will gather on August 30 for a formal dedication of the post office to remember South St. Paul Police Officer Leo Pavlak, who was killed in the robbery, and Officer John Yeaman, who was injured. In December 2022, President Joe Biden signed legislation to rename the South St. Paul Post Office in honor of Officer Pavlak. The legislation was shepherded through the process by Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

While no one was ever charged with the South St. Paul robbery or the shootings of Officers Yeaman and Pavlak, every gangster alleged to have been involved in the robbery was either

dead or behind bars by 1936.

Speaking of history. It was 103 years ago that women from Dakota County were the first in the nation to vote following enactment of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. On August 27, 1920 – a mere nine days after the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote –87 women in South St. Paul made history when they lined up at 5:30 a.m. to vote on a local water referendum.

Removing racist language. An effort to remove racist language from property deeds is underway in Dakota County. Dating back over half a century, racial covenants can be found in property records in communities across America, including locally in West St. Paul, South St. Paul and Lakeville. These restrictive clauses were inserted into property deeds to prevent people who were not White from buying or occupying land. For example, a restriction on scores of homes in northern Dakota County stipulates that the “premises shall not at any time be conveyed, mortgaged or leased

to any person or persons of Chinese, Japanese, Moorish, Turkish, Negro, Mongolian or African blood or descent.”

Jews were often included in this laundry list of “objectionable” people, too.

While a U.S. Supreme Court case in 1960 held that these racist property provisions cannot be enforced, formally discharging these covenants is important and does more than just send a message. In at least one instance I know of, the Venezuelan husband of a White woman here in Minnesota incorrectly concluded that they were precluded from buying a particular home because of the racial covenant on the home’s deed.

Dakota County is believed to be the first suburban county in the nation to take up this task. My appreciation goes out to the hardworking volunteers making it possible to update these deeds across the county in the coming months.

100 years ago this month. In 1923, Eva Olson, a South St. Paul teacher and principal, spearheaded the first night school courses

that allowed people working full-time to finish high school. Particularly helpful to waves of immigrant families coming to work in the stockyards, Olson and her team of teachers changed lives for generations to come. Through her programs and dedication, immigrant families were able to not only attend school and pass citizenship exams, but find housing, health care and jobs. Olson remained the principal at Central until her retirement in 1948 and, it is said, could still recall every student by name.

145 years ago this month. On September 9, 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes became the first U.S. president to visit Dakota County. President Hayes traveled through South St. Paul and Inver Grove to Hastings, where he spoke to a crowd of thousands at the Dakota County Courthouse. President Hayes spoke of his confidence in paper currency. I did not attend. While we can learn much from history, next month’s column will focus on what lies ahead for Dakota County.

• Clark Memorial United Church

15th Ave N 651 - 451-7278 clarkgraceucc.org

• St . Sava Serbian Orthodox church 357 2nd Ave . S . 651 - 451-0775 www.stsavamn.org

• Saint John Vianney Catholic Church 789 17th Ave. N. 651-451-1863 info@sjvssp.org

• Sf. Stefan Romanian Orthodox Church 350 5th Ave N 651 - 451-3462 sfantulstefan.org

• St Mary ’s Coptic Orthodox Church 501 6th Ave S 651 - 455-8947 stmarymn.org

Neighbors, Inc.

Dawn Wambeke President & CEO

I am pleased to submit my second editorial and share how Neighbors’ work honors this month’s topic of “Culture and Diversity.” I am both humbled and inspired by Neighbors’ highly person-centered services and to see firsthand how the organization has established a warm, welcoming and inclusive culture of belonging that mirrors our incredible diverse community. The agency’s value of culture and diversity are woven into the very fabric of our mission,

vision and core values and are illuminated in our daily work.

Mission: “Providing opportunities for our neighbors to thrive by connecting volunteers to people in need.” Neighbors’ diverse volunteer community brings our mission to life every day. We have volunteers of all ages, from students to one of our beloved founders, Virginia, who is 106. Our volunteers represent diverse lived experiences and professional backgrounds.

Vision: “Transformed communities where all are nourished.” Nourishment occurs throughout the continuum of Neighbors’ services and begins with a solid foundation of being a trusted ally for all. Culture and diversity are embraced in our services including our Hunger Relief Programming, which recognizes the importance of how food represents our diverse and beautiful cultures and is an important aspect of celebrating family and community. Stability Services include public benefits application assistance and connect the community to diverse and culturally appropriate services via our partner organizations. Our Clothing Closet/Thrift Store delivers a boutique shopping experience and ensures that all individuals have access to gently used, affordable clothing. Financial Empowerment Services honor the importance of economic

stability based on each individual’s personal values and goals.

Core values

Respect: “We value all people. Every story matters.” Neighbors staff and volunteers truly get to know each individual whom we are honored to serve and focus on providing “wholistic” services. There is no need too small or too large. There is no length of service too short or too long. We meet each person “where they are” on their journey. We provide caring, compassionate services that value and honor our diverse communities.

Generosity: “Everybody benefits when time, talent and treasure are shared.” We are so fortunate to have the incredible support of our community represented in diverse ways, from our volunteers, to our wide array of sponsors and funders,

to our Holiday Gift program partners, to those who donate food and clothing and beyond. Your support enriches the culture of our organization in immeasurable ways. Neighbors staff have a moto: “find the yes.” At all times, our volunteers and staff seek ways to be stewards of the communities’ generosity, including exploring how we can serve the community better, expand services, and grow our partnerships with the goal of providing the highest quality of services possible.

Inclusion: “Diversity makes communities stronger.” Neighbors strives to ensure that all people are served, volunteers and staff feel valued, included and that they truly belong. For our community served, we understand the importance of providing services in the individual’s first language. Services are offered in both

English and Spanish through our many bilingual staff. For our volunteers and staff, we strive to recognize the diversity of ideas, backgrounds and experiences. We focus on aligning their passions and talents with opportunities to serve the community. This approach ensures that our volunteers, staff and communities thrive. As a part of our upcoming strategic planning process, we will ensure that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging continue to live vibrantly throughout the scope of our work. As always, I’d love to connect. Feel free to reach out to me at dawn@neighborsmn.org, 651-272-1135 or just stop by. I look forward to continue exploring ways to further embrace the beauty of culture and diversity together. Please stay connected with Neighbors latest updates at neighborsmn.org.

It’s hard to believe that in just a few days South St. Paul youth will be heading back to school. Some will return to a familiar setting and others to a new location. We wish all students a great start to the school year.

September is a recruitment month for the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force. We are looking for youth in grades 4-12 to join us. If you are looking for ways to give back to the

community, have great ideas for youth in the community, or need to earn community service hours, the task force is a great group for you. Learn more at our Informational Fair, held 5-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, 1203 Southview Blvd. Pizza will be served. It is free to attend. For more information or to RSVP, contact Deb

Griffith, community affairs liaison, at 651-554-3230 or deb.griffith@southstpaul. org. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing the many ways you can get involved. If you are unable to attend the event, contact Deb for more information on the task force.

Throughout the year, the task force heads up the annual Community Food

Drive, DISCO Bingo, Kaposia Days Kiddie Parade, Fill the Backpack campaign, The Great Halloween Get Together, SSP CommUNITY Grams, and helps with recycling pumpkins, the Senior Citizens’ Thanksgiving Dinner and the annual tree lighting event. As this article was being written, task force members were busy filling backpacks for students in

3 easy ways to support your community newspaper

St.

Our publishing company exists to foster a sense of community through informative news articles, interesting and inspiring feature articles, and valuable advertising. We ask for your support in helping us achieve our mission. Here are three ways you can support your family-owned community newspaper.

1. Subscribe to our FREE e-editions for expanded coverage . When you request our FREE e-editions, you will receive one email a month with a link to our four different publications. We won’t contact you more than that, and your information will not be sold or shared with third parties. Request our e-editions at info@stpaulpublishing.com. This is an easy, no-cost way to show you care about community journalism.

2. Subscribe to our printed editions. Get every issue mailed to your home or business for just $25/year per publication. To subscribe, mail your check to St. Paul Publishing Co., 1643 S. Robert St., Suite 60B, West St. Paul, MN 55118, or call 651-457-1177 with your credit card number. Please be sure to include the full name and mailing address for delivery, as well as your phone number.

3. Make a voluntary contribution. Join the many loyal readers who have made a voluntary contribution of $10 to $100 or more to help us achieve our purpose. Thank you for your support!

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need in the South St. Paul School District. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the campaign by providing school supplies or monetary donations. If your child

attends school in the South St. Paul School District and needs a backpack or school supplies, contact the administration office at your child’s school.

P ostscript

The Power of Music

I’ve never known much about music.

As the first-born, I had no older siblings playing what was popular when I was young. My mother listened to public radio in the morning. My dad played Bach on the piano every Sunday after we got home from church. My parents sang at both services in the church choir, so Mom would make something quick when we got home, often a Swanson pot pie. I somehow got “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” mixed up in my head with pot pies, and I think of Bach’s masterpiece as “The Pot Pie Song”

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

to this day. By the time I was a teenager, I was already behind the curve. I wasn’t popular enough to be invited places where I’d hear new music. I still haven’t caught up.

But, in my defense, I enjoy listening to new musicians and new music. My husband Peter and I go to concerts in the park all summer and hear all sorts of music. Some of it we love. Some of it we’re not so sure about. Sometimes Peter says, “You’re looking tired. You want to go home?” And I’ll say, “Yeah, maybe so.”

We pack up our folding chairs and head home, still listening to the music in the distance. But most of it I like.

Last winter, I went to a concert performed by an old high school friend. I attended with two other old friends and found myself surrounded by people I’d known in high school and hadn’t seen since. They were

all a lot older than I remembered them – or imagined them – to be. But it was fun to be with people who knew all the words to all the songs. I thought about what a powerful thing that was, to have such a strong shared memory with a room full of people.

“Isn’t it weird,” my friend Andy said, “how you can remember exactly where you were when you first heard a song?”

“And exactly how you felt and who you were thinking about?” my friend Clay added. His girlfriend, Lou, nodded knowingly and rolled her eyes. I wondered what she was remembering.

“And then you stop hearing the song completely,” Andy said.

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For developmentally disabled individuals.

“There is some music I don’t need to listen to anymore,” Clay agreed. “It’s burned into my brain.”

I’m not sure if I remember the first time I heard most of the songs I know. But I remember songs that helped me when I was struggling with emotions that seemed too big to handle on my own. Songs tided me over. They gave voice to feelings that were either too powerful or too painful to experience in silence. Songs grounded me when I felt I might fly away or explode. Songs made sense of things, even if I couldn’t explain in words what I learned from them.

They say that music resides in a different part of our brains than other memories do. Some Alzheimer patients

who no longer remember their families can still play the piano. Musicians performing for the elderly see their faces come to life when they hear songs from their youth, many singing along, recalling the melodies and the lyrics. Music buries itself deep within us. When we hear a familiar refrain, we feel the emotion associated with it before we even remember the tune.

The concert finished. The crowd demanded an encore. The musicians complied. The audience erupted in cheers and sang along with the last song.

I thought about what Clay said about the music being burned into his brain. In a literal sense, it was likely true.

H ome Improvement

Must-do fall home maintenance projects

As summer winds down and the days get shorter, it’s time to turn your attention to some projects that will ensure your home survives the winter and that you don’t have any unwelcome surprises in the spring. Here are projects that should be done each fall. There are plenty of videos on YouTube and other online resources to help with the easier projects. For complicated projects, hire a licensed contractor and be sure to check referrals and get contracts in writing, including any change orders.

Roof, siding and gutters - Walk around your home and inspect your roof, siding and gutters. Shingles or siding that are damaged should be replaced to prevent water

from entering your home and creating an even bigger problem. Gutters should be cleaned thoroughly. For your safety, this should be done from a ladder, not sitting on top of the roof and leaning over. You might consider installing gutter covers at this time to prevent debris from entering the gutters in the future. If your home’s exterior, doors or window frames have peeling paint, scrape it, prime it and repaint now. Now is a good time to clean your windows and siding as well.

Windows and doorsInspect windows for cracks and replace damaged weather stripping or caulk around windows and doors. Check for drafts. If you feel air coming through, especially on windy days, it might be time

to start saving for new windows. While it’s a big upfront investment, energy efficient windows will save you money on your energy bills.

Outdoor water faucets

- Never leave a garden hose

Financing help for home renovations

Kirsten Partenheimer

Minnesota Housing

A young St. Paul family was on the hunt for a new home. With two young kids, they didn’t want a fixer upper. But when they saw an old house within their budget in the perfect location, they fell in love. But the house needed a lot of work. The porch was falling apart. Windows were going to have to be replaced. In fact, the entire house needed repair. The couple was overwhelmed by the extent of

repairs needed but was determined to make this old house their home.

This family’s situation is not unique. Fewer houses on the market and rising interest rates mean people don’t always find their dream home right away. Homes for sale may have dream home potential, but repairs and updates are needed first. Minnesota Housing, the state’s housing finance agency, has a Fix Up loan program for home improvements. The program can help homeowners realize the potential in a

house, allowing them to look beyond worn-out carpet or a dated bathroom and instead focus on the great floor plan and ideal location.

With the Fix Up program, homeowners can apply for a secured loan up to $75,000 or an unsecured loan up to $25,000. A secured loan is backed by collateral or assets (like a house) while an unsecured loan is not. The loan can finance a range of eligible projects whether for necessary repairs, structural improvements or other renovations. Projects covered

connected to a faucet in the late fall and winter when temperatures drop near or below freezing. This could lead to a pipe bursting. Some older homes have faucets that need to be drained each

include replacing a water heater, installing a new roof and siding, making energyefficiency improvements and more. Additionally, homeowners can do the work themselves or hire a contractor. The Fix Up program has fixed interest rates, longer repayment terms and affordable monthly payments. Even those with little or no equity could qualify for the loan.

As the St. Paul family weighed their options, they met with a Minnesota Housing participating lender who told them about the Fix Up

fall. This is done by closing the shut-off valve inside the house and opening the faucet to drain the water. Turn off the faucet and repeat the process for each exterior faucet. Drain and store hoses.

If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, it, too, must be drained. On some older homes, it’s a good idea to wrap insulation around outdoor faucets and pipes in unheated garages.

Appliances and fireplaces

- Grass clippings and leaves can accumulate around central air conditioning units. Clean out the debris and rinse off the screens of the unit with water. If your furnace is old or exhibiting erratic behavior, it should be professionally inspected. If you have a wood burning

loan program. With the help of the lender, they were able to close on the house and apply for a Fix Up loan.

The family hired a contractor to rebuild the porch and replace the windows. They tackled the easier repairs, like repainting interior rooms. With Minnesota Housing’s Fix Up loan program, the family was able to turn their house into a home.

To find a Minnesota Housing Fix Up loan program participating lender in your area, visit mnhousing. gov/lender-directory.html.

In connection with Single

fireplace, it should be professionally cleaned every three years, or sooner if it is heavily used. Older fireplaces should also be inspected for cracks and damaged flues. Check for frayed cords and wires on appliances, and clean lint from the dryer vent.

Cement and asphalt - If your driveway and sidewalk are showing their age, fill the cracks to prevent further damage. Consider sealcoating your driveway to extend its life.

Decks and patios - Clean and stain or seal your deck in the fall, and clean patios and repair damaged bricks or pavers.

Lawn - Leaves should be raked, and the lawn mowed before winter. Fall is the best time to aerate the lawn.

Family Division loan programs, Minnesota Housing does not make or arrange loans. It is neither an originator nor creditor and is not affiliated with any lender. The terms of any mortgage finance transactions conducted in connection with these programs, including important information such as loan fees, the annual percentage rate (APR), repayment conditions, disclosures, and any other materials which are required to be provided to the consumer are the responsibility of the lender.

Like Pets?

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Pets Are Inn is seeking good people to care for dogs and/or cats when their owners travel. All pets are pre-screeened and placed based on the needs of the pet and your preferences. Pets are brought to you. Families, couples, and individuals are encouraged to apply!

Call 651-292-8933 petsareinn.com