South St. Paul Voice October 2023

Roller derby is back

Page 6

City Hall remodeling nearly complete

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

The $3.6 million remodeling project at South St. Paul City Hall recently faced a minor snag but work is still within budget and staff anticipate completion in late October. Raised in 1953, the building was last renovated in 2007, and the community development department was updated in 2012.

“There were some unknowns for where certain items sitting on the [fire department] roof were,” said South St. Paul city spokesperson Ian Hardie. “If we wanted to do the project the way it was designed, we would have had to reconstruct the ladder room and move the air handler which would have taken City Hall out of commission for two weeks at least.”

The fire department’s crumbling roof was one of the main catalysts for the remodeling project, which launched this spring. It was supposed to be one of the first issues addressed but supply chain issues pushed the timeline back and now it’s the last major piece of work that needs to be completed. South Metro Fire has been closed to the public since remodeling at City Hall began. It has been operating from a 1,440 squarefoot double-wide trailer at the South St. Paul public works maintenance facility.

Work has been completed in several other departments. Office and administrative space in the police department were expanded, the community development and

City Council narrowly approves Bryant’s

Ridge development

Paddling with the pelicans

Page 12

Harvest time at the farmers market

Fourth generation farmer adapts to the times

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Dawn Berg and her ancestors have a long history of supplying fresh produce to area farmers markets, including the one in South St. Paul. Her family’s Inver Grove Heights farm was settled in 1915 by her great grandfather William Lengsfeld and continues to supply the St. Paul Farmers Market satellite locations in Inver Grove and South St. Paul, each bursting with mouthwatering produce this time of year. A look back at her grandfather’s experience shows how times have changed for area producers.

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Development plans to build a new environmentally friendly neighborhood on a former landfill site near the intersection of Concord Street North and Bryant Avenue were recently approved by the South St. Paul City Council by a 4-3 vote. Developer Hopewell360 plans to construct two apartment buildings and a mix of single-family units, each made with “modular construction” which means the buildings are manufactured in a factory in sections then assembled on site. The developer still needs to meet a litany of city conditions –

40 to be exact – before it can break ground on the 8-acre site. If all goes according to plan, that will happen next spring and the homes will be ready for occupancy by the first quarter of 2025.

“My partners have experience with these types of sites,” said Hopewell360 founder and CEO TJ Hammerstrom. “It’s in a key zone of the city that’s definitely going to have a lot of development surrounding it. This would be the catalyst to promote that entire corridor. It’s a tired, old gritty industrial corridor that needs attention. Every major metro city has these corridors. Hopewell

In the early 1900s, William would load his horse-drawn wagon with vegetables and often leave his farm at midnight to reach the downtown St. Paul Farmers Market on time. Those were long, tiring days and on one occasion he fell asleep at the reins and awoke at daybreak to find his horses stopped at the Robert Street viaduct, while other farmers’ wagons had literally left him in the dust.

Today, Dawn operates Rich Valley Farms alongside her parents Gary and Noreen Berg.

“The pandemic was a turning point for us,” said Dawn, who has worked full-time at the family farm for more than 25 years. “We’re no

On the Road Again festival returns Oct. 7

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Sweeping in with the cool autumn air is South St. Paul’s renowned fall festival: On the Road Again. This year’s get-together is held Saturday, Oct. 7, and events run 9 a.m.-6 p.m. along Southview Boulevard and nearby side streets. For those new to the city, the festival was first orga-

nized in 1990 to celebrate the completion of a 2-year street, water and sewer project on Southview Boulevard. Business owners organized the event to thank the community for supporting them during construction. The festival evolved into an annual event. Here’s this year’s lineup. Details were accurate as of press time. For more information, contact Steve at 651-457-2774.

Arts and Crafts Flea Market, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 100 vendors will offer bargains on vintage and handcrafted items.

Booya, 11 a.m. until the last ladle is dished out. Community chefs use secret recipes to prepare a combined 700-800 gallons of stew as they compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. Sample their concoctions then cast your vote. Judging begins at

noon. The reigning champion is the Cro. For more details, contact Brenda at 651-528-8904.

Lions Club Beer Garden and Raffle, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at 9th and Southview. Quench your thirst at the Lions Club beer garden and take part in their raffle at 2:30 p.m., at 820 Southview Blvd.

Pickle Contest, judging begins at 2 p.m. Contestants

will compete in three categories: sweet, dill and hot. To enter the contest, drop off your pickles by 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 at Southview 66, 725 Southview Blvd.

Giant Car Show , 10 a.m.-4 p.m., between 9th and 12th avenues and on side streets. Check out the wide array of vintage cars and trucks that flaunt shiny chrome, custom detailing and other meticulous works

of restoration.

Live music, 1-4 p.m., at 8th Avenue and Southview Boulevard. Vivian Hayes and Lamont Cranston will perform. Food, face painting and other activities will be featured throughout the festival area.

Great Neighbors’ Duck Races, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Heats are held every 15 minutes

City Hall / Page 4

Rich Valley Farms / Page 4

Bryant’s Ridge / Page 3

Developer Hopewell360 plans to construct two apartment buildings and a mix of single-family units using “modular construction.”

On the Road

from page 1

and three winners from each heat will receive a prize. Winners will advance to the final race where they will compete for a night-on-thetown valued at $500. Ducks are available for $5 each and can be purchased at Neighbors, Inc., 222 Grand Ave. W., local businesses or at the

event. The event also features Delbert the Duck mascot, a coloring contest and more. For more information, call 651-455-5000 or visit www. neighborsmn.org.

New this year is the Chalk Art competition, in which 10 artists from around the

The new chalk art competition event is held at 4th and Southview beginning at 8 a.m.

metro area will create chalk art at 4th and Southview, beginning at 8 a.m. There will be two divisions: ages 12-20, and ages 21 and older. The public will cast votes for the winners, and judging will take place from 3-3:30 p.m.

Great Neighbors’ Duck Races FALL

First place winners will receive $350, and second place winners will get $200. The winner of the “festival favorite” design will also get $350. The event features a kids’ zone with complimentary chalk.

Bryant’s Ridge

focuses on those types of opportunities.”

The proposed neighborhood, dubbed “Bryant’s Ridge,” consists of two highend market-rate apartment buildings with 77 units each, 14 townhome buildings, two twin-homes and two single family homes. All will be powered by solar panels and constructed with a new type of structurally insulated panel that has improved thermal efficiency.

“The modular home industry predates 1960 so none of this is new,” said Hammerstrom. “Modular construction causes less neighborhood disruption, it takes about half the time, and you save 20% on construction costs…. Any design you come up with can be built modularly.” The creation of modular apartment buildings has become increasingly popular across the country in recent years.

The Minnesota Archaeological Society will survey the site for Native American remains and bring its findings

to the city and Hopewell360 by early October. Hammerstrom said his company has already completed forensics of the property and is confident no issues will arise. Once the survey is completed, he will turn his attention to tackling the other conditions for development, most of which are common for all development projects. Hopewell360 will preserve 162 of the 395 trees on the property. According to city documents, many of the trees to be removed are invasive Siberian elms that are between 10-20 years old.

Hammerstrom, a Bemidjinative and South St. Paul resident since 2016, has been pursuing the project for over a year. He brought his design concept to the City Council in August 2022 during a work session for feedback then submitted it to the planning commission in February 2023. The commission failed to recommend its approval due to a split 3-3 vote (one member abstained because they live

nearby), and in early April, the city council voted 4-3 to deny the application. Those voting against it cited several reasons: they weren’t sure the land was viable for development, they weren’t in support of more apartments in the city, they wanted to make sure the new apartment projects in the city are complete and fully occupied before approving more, and they were wary of Hammerstrom’s lack of experience with a project of this scale.

Most developers who have an application denied must wait six months before reapplying, but the council waived that requirement allowing Hammerstrom to return about a month later to present additional evidence showing the site is viable for development. The council approved the project in early August.

The site, which has been vacant for more than 15 years, was used by an aggregate mining operation in the early 1900s, then as a demolition landfill, starting in the late 1950s. In 2003, Kamish Excavating, the former property owner, closed the landfill and partnered with KD Homes to redevelop

the site into a small residential neighborhood. Building pads were prepared and sewer and water infrastructure installed, and a model home was built in 2006 at 1235 Bryant Ave. According to city documents, the developer abandoned the project due to the housing crisis of 2007-08 and a study that indicated costly methane mitigation would be needed.

Hammerstrom said methane is not a problem on the site.

“Mr. Kamish did not abandon the project due to methane,” he said. “After building the single family home that currently sits on the site in late 2005, the developer he hired passed away which led to time delays that pushed the project up against the start of our nation’s worst housing downturn ever…. The single family home that was built has not had any issues and the EPA has had monitoring wells on site since 2004.”

Hammerstrom has more than 23 years of experience as a real estate broker and founded Hopewell360 in 2017. In the past three years he has developed two mod-

ular single-family homes in South St. Paul. The $35 million Bryant’s Ridge development is the first in a series of similar projects he envi-

sions developing across the state. For more information, visit placetechnologies.com/ bryants-ridge.

Thanks

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Rich Valley Farms

from page 1

longer members at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. It’s kind of weird because we’ve been there since the 1930s. Now, we’re solely at the South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights markets, and at our home farm stand.”

The family stopped selling at the Minneapolis market when the pandemic hit, partly due to changing protocols and the lengthy commute to get there, but also because they have received abundant support from customers at their home stand. Rich Valley Farms has operated a vegetable stand at both satellite markets for five years and has sold flowers and produce from its home stand at 8894 Barnes Ave., Inver Grove Heights, since 2014.

“South St. Paul has an awesome market and some of the most loyal customers,” she said. This was most evident after they skipped the market one week due to

extreme heat. “It was the second time we’ve ever skipped a market,” she said. “On the following Sunday we saw about half of our South St. Paul customers at the Inver Grove Heights market.”

Their home stand typically opens in mid-April with thousands of colorful petunias, germaniums and other flowers, as well as vegetable starter kits for home growers. The home stand is closed for most of July while Dawn and her parents single-handedly tend to 35 acres of crops. It reopens by August 1 with bountiful supplies of sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower, cucumbers and a variety of other vegetables. Everything is harvested by hand, and Berg noted she recently picked her first pumpkins.

Today, much of the family’s original farmland now contains housing developments, as is the case with dozens of other farms that

Tax Tips From A Tiger

once sprawled across South St. Paul, West St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights. The Berg family, however, has always retained some acreage for growing. In 1974, they bought a nearby farm on Rich Valley Boulevard to supplement their growing space and changed their name to Rich Valley Farms. They also rent neighboring acreage, which they are unable to irrigate, leaving that portion at the mercy of the weather.

Berg said this year’s drought has affected the yields of some crops and that weather is always a concern. In the past few years she has sown her fields a few weeks earlier than usual because she’s noticed a slight shift in the seasons. She’s also keeping an eye on the South, where the thrip, a pest, has been decimating pepper fields. The insect hasn’t migrated north yet, but if it does, Rich Valley Farm and other growers have reason to be concerned.

Their farm has another tie to South St. Paul. Gary would pick up manure from the former South St. Paul stockyards and use it

Sole Member LLC

to create “hotbeds” in his fields to prevent plants from freezing at night. Today, the Bergs have eight greenhouses to protect the plants in the spring.

“My favorite part [of working on the farm] has always been our customers,” said Dawn. “Some of them

City Hall

from page 1

engineering departments were consolidated into one space, the council chambers were outfitted with new carpeting and technology, and the staff lounge and fitness room were updated. The service counter in the main entryway was also reconstructed to increase staff space and improve flow.

“We’re attempting to move as many public facing services to that lower level

as possible,” said Hardie. “With Central Square basically becoming the school’s facility, we needed a place for parks and rec. to have a service counter, and that was accommodated as part of that project.”

The City hired Wold Architects to manage the project, which is being funded by the Capital Improvement Fund.

In other city news, there

I’ve known for generations. I’ve got one who used to come with her grandmother when my dad ran the pickyour-own tomato operation and now she comes with her kids and grandkids. They’re like extended family.... I like the free tan as well.”

The South St. Paul Farmers

Market is open 2-6 p.m., Wednesdays, June through October, at 12th Ave. and Southview Boulevard. The homestead farm stand is open noon-6 p.m., TuesdayFriday, with extended hours in the springtime. For more information, call 651-2061223.

are a few staffing updates, and the city has finalized plans for its next big public works project.

New hires

NowApplicationsAccepting

Accepting Applications

Paraprofessional - Work with students in a classroom assisting teachers, before/after-school child care OR supervise groups of students. Full-time or part-time. Starting base wage $19.63/hr. (DOQ).

Bus Drivers - Safely transport students to and from school. Paid training & CDL certification. Starting base wage $22.90/hr. (DOQ).

Nutrition Services - Prepare and serve breakfast and lunch for students. Starting base wage $16.50/hr.

Custodian - Perform cleaning, event set-up/clean-up, and ensure safety of buildings. Full-time starting base wage $21.76/hr. Part-time and seasonal starting base wage $16.80/hr. (DOQ).

Kids Club Supervisor - Lead a school-age child care program in one of our elementary buildings and supervise paraprofessional staff. Full-time, 12-month. Starting base wage $21.50/hr. (DOQ). For more information and to apply: sowashco.org/careers

In early September, Heather Flock was named recreation supervisor. She succeeds Mercedes Smith who held the position for nearly two and a half years and resigned at the end of August. Flock has a bachelor’s in exercise and sports science and a master’s in sports administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She brings a wealth of experience as a director of athletics, activities and fitness. Previously, she was campus recreation director at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Tory Nelson is expected to begin as a police officer for the city of South St. Paul

in mid-December. She has a bachelor’s in sociology of criminology, law and justice from the University of Minnesota and has worked as a community service officer for the South St. Paul Police Department for about three months. Kevin Gonzalez is the most recent officer to join the force. He was hired in August, bringing the total number of officers to 30. The department is budgeted for 34 officers.

Water main

Our newspaper group reaches over 37,500 homes and businesses in the St. Paul area, as well as the Hispanic market of the Twin Cities. To advertise, call 651-457-1177.

www.stpaulpublishing.com

Work is expected to begin next spring to reconstruct and make utility improvements to 7th Avenue South between I-494 and South Street West. The $5.9 million project includes modifications and improvements to the water main network along and across I-494, which was built in 1939 and has had five documented breaks within the project area since 2003. Design work for the project was completed by Bolton & Menk, Inc. in spring 2022 and a public hearing was recently held to order the improvements and prepare final plans and specifications for the project. Work is expected to be completed by October 2024.

Photo credit Carlo LaManna

Dawn, Noreen and Gary Berg at the South St. Paul Farmers Market.

We reach the market you need to reach.

South St. Paul’s homecoming: now and then

Tim Spitzack Editor

pride will be in full-force on September 29 when the 850-plus students at South St. Paul Secondary celebrate homecoming. The excitement will mount during Friday’s pep fest, where students and faculty alike will gather to cheer on the team for the big game against the Simley Spartans. The game begins at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29 at Ettinger Field. New this year, the homecoming dance will be held on Saturday after the game, as suggested by the student council. Previously, it was held the Saturday prior and kicked off Spirit Week.

While the high school experience can leave a bitter taste in the mouths of some, many are able to look back fondly on those days when they were surrounded by friends and peers. Homecoming festivities celebrate

the best of those times. No matter if you graduated last year or 50 years ago, the experience in South St. Paul is always the same. The days are getting shorter, and the temps are noticeably cooler. Game night is abuzz with activity on the field and off. In the stands, students are talking, laughing and cheering as rousing tunes from the pep band fill the evening air.

Ardent fans are busy discussing the game’s greatest plays and the worst officiating calls. New college students have returned home after a month away at school and other alumni are reminiscing about eras long past.

This collective experience, however, was not shared by the students who attended the high school’s first Homecoming celebration. Interestingly, that event was held in the winter rather than fall. According to the book “South St. Paul Centennial 1887-1987,” the first Homecoming was held Friday, Feb.

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10, 1928, and the game was played on the hardwood rather than gridiron. It was noted that alumni were invited to attend a banquet, basketball game and dance. The school called on its Home Economics Club to prepare the meal. Sadly, the Packers lost the game (opponent and score were not

recorded). While a loss often throws a wet blanket on both player and town pride, the students quickly overcame the defeat. That evening, as the cold winter wind howled outside, students gathered in the school’s “new gym” and danced the night away. Based on a popularity poll, all agreed the first Home-

coming was a great success, as reported in the school’s annual. The report went on to say, “it is probable that it will be made an annual event.”

Indeed, today Homecoming is an annual event. Let’s hope the Packers get a “W” against the Spartans on Friday, and that the dance floor is packed on Saturday with students having the time of their life.

Landmark Center

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

landmarkcenter.org

History Play - War, Resistance, and Protest: The Trial of the “Minnesota 8,” 7-9 p.m., Oct. 5-6, and 2-4 p.m., Oct. 7. This play reenacts the 1970 trial of eight students from the University of Minnesota who were arrested for breaking into draft offices in an attempt to destroy draft records for the Vietnam War. $10.

Japanese Taiko drumming , 1-2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15. Free.

Ballet Tuesday , noon1 p.m., Oct. 17. Ballet Co.Laboratory performs excerpts from its upcoming season. Free.

Eric Peltoniemi & Dean Magraw perform guitar , 7:30-9:30 p.m., Friday, Oct.

20. A cocktail hour with complimentary refreshments and a cash bar begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Consortium Carissimi

Concert: Madrigals of Northern Italy , 3 p.m., October 28-29. This classical music concert will feature a selection of madrigals, a form of secular vocal music composition that originated in Italy during the 14th and 16th centuries. $10-30.

MN Children’s

Museum

10 7th St. W. St. Paul 651-225-6000 mcm.org

“Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out” is featured through Jan. 21, 2024. Experiment with velocity, gravity and acceleration

through interactive stations.

“The Backyard: Mud Zone” is an outdoor exhibit. 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 targets.

Other exhibits and activities include “The Scramble,” “The Studio,” “Creativity Jam,” “Sprouts,” “Our World,” “Forces at Play,” “Shipwreck Adventures” and “Imaginopolis.”

The museum is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturdays, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays. Tickets are $14.95. Admission is free the first Sunday of each month; reservations are required and tickets are limited. The next free date is October 1.

Health Care in Your School

Did you know your student’s health needs can be met directly inside their school? Health Start clinics operate in partnership with ten Saint Paul public schools to serve student health needs.

History Center

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

“The Life & Art of Charles M. Schulz” is featured through June 9, 2024. Explore Schulz’s roots in Minnesota and his role as the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip and its beloved cast of characters.

“Our Home: Native Minnesota” features historic and contemporary photographs, maps and artifacts. Learn how Minnesota’s native communities have retained cultural practices, teachings and values.

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

History Theatre

30 E. 10th St. St. Paul 651-292-4323

Historytheatre.com

“The Boy Wonder” is presented on select dates October 7-29. This musical explores the work and life of Harold Stassen, a progressive leader elected as the youngest governor of Minnesota in 1938, as well as the birth of the United Nations. Tickets start at $30, with discounts for students.

MN Museum of American Art

350 Robert St. N. St. Paul 651-797-2571 mmaa.org

“Colonial Traumas,” is an installation in Skyway 28 over Wabasha Street at 4th Street in downtown St. Paul. Created by Luis Fitch, the mural features colorful, vinyl cut-out skulls that represent the complexity of identity, place and belong-

ing for people of mixed-race descent.

“It’s Okay to Laugh” is an installation in the skyway windows above Robert Street. Created by Jose Dominguez, it features colorful vinyl creatures that play hide and seek with passersby.

“Off the Deep End,” a digital mural printed on vinyl, is on display in the Jackson Street skyway bridge between 4th and 5th Streets through Mar. 15, 2024. The artwork was created by 19 students from the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists and explores the theme of metaphorical rising sea level.

Ordway Center

345 Washington St. St. Paul 651-224-4222 ordway.org

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

Photo by Ron Wilbur

Minnesota Roller Derby opens its season 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Tickets start at $12.50.

S ample St. Paul

Pat Metheny performs

7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct.

4. Tickets start at $74.73.

Behind the Curtain: Ever

After in Concert, 7:30-8:45 p.m., Oct. 6-7. This special concert event features original songs for an upcoming musical that’s based on the film “Ever After.” Tickets start at $39.

Express Concert: Haydn’s Evening Symphony with Abel Selaocoe, 7 p.m., October 12 and 14, and 11 a.m., October 13. Tickets start at $12.

Anthony McGill Plays

Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, 11 a.m., October 20, and 7 p.m., October 21. Tickets start at $12.

RiverCentre

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

Health & Fitness ExpoMedtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend , 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sept. 29, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sept. 30. Free.

Twin Cities Bridal Show, noon-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 8. Tickets are $15. Three time blocks are available: noon-2 p.m., 1-3 p.m. and 2-4 p.m.

Minnesota Roller Derby, 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Tickets start at $12.50.

Immerse Artists Experience dance convention, 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15. $15-25.

Schubert Club

302 Landmark Center

75 W. 5th St. St. Paul 651-292-3268 schubert.org

Museum Mini: Mark Dover (clarinet), 10:30

a.m., Monday, Oct. 2, on the Schubert club website. Learn about the clarinet in this short interactive event. Free.

Stile Antico, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10, at the Landmark Center. $33.

Sphinx Virtuosi: Generations, 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Ordway. Ticket prices were not available as of press time.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano), Lisa Batiashvilli (violin) and Gautier Capucon (cello), 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Ordway. Ticket prices were not available as of press time.

As of this season, kids and students may now attend any concert for free.

Science Museum of Minnesota

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

STEM Adventure Saturdays is a new program featuring themed activities in the galleries and interactive presentations from community members. The theme though October 16 is Backyard Science.

Artist at Pine Needle Gallery is a temporary exhibit featuring work from Jim Grafsgaard, last year’s artist-in-residence at the

Pine Needles cabin on the St. Croix Watershed Research Station property.

Omnitheater films: “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.

The blockbuster “Fantastic Mr. Fox” is featured at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29.

Stellar Tours Live Digital Telescope Show, Wed.Sun. at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Choose your own space ad

venture and experience the Omnitheater’s new Digistar 7 projection system. Omnitheater tickets are $9.95. Free for children ages 3 and under.

Sensory Friendly Sunday is the first Sunday of the month. Visitors can experience a lights-up, sounddown Omnitheater show at 10 a.m. The program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota. Admission is free for personal care attendants when visiting with a client.  Tickets are $9.95.

Take

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

xcelenergycenter.com

Peter Gabriel , 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 3. Tickets start at $65.

Luke Bryan, 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 14. Tickets start at $53.

Rod Wave, 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20. Tickets start at $44.50.

Queen + Adam Lambert, 8 p.m., Oct. 27-28. Tickets start at $109.50. Tool, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31. Tickets start at $54.50.

than

1Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are e ective as of 09/01/2023 and subject to change without notice. Rates may change a er the account is opened. Your actual APY may vary based on your actual account balance and activity during your statement cycle. 2Advertised introductory interest rates and APYs are fixed for 12 months a er the account is opened. A er introductory period, the rate may change. Limit one promotional account per customer. Minimum balance to obtain the APY is $25,000.00. Requires new money not already on deposit with MidWestOne Bank. Matured MidWestOne Certificates of Deposit can be deposited into this account and will qualify as new money. The bank reserves the right to deny deposit accounts over $5,000,000.00. See a Personal Banker for current rates and account terms. Minimum balance to avoid $10.00 service fee is $25,000.00. Fees could reduce earnings. 3National average APY is 0.42% and represents the average of the $2,500.00 product tier as of June 20, 2023, as calculated by the FDIC. Certain exclusions apply.

N ews Briefs

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 in October. Stories and activities to develop early literacy skills for toddlers and preschoolers ages 2-6.

Storytime for Babies , 10:30-11 a.m., each Wednesday in October. An interactive story time designed for newborns and babies under age 2 with their caregivers.

Toddlers Takeover, 10-11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 6 and 20. Early literacy activities for toddlers ages 3 and younger.

Latin Dance for Kids , 10-11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 9. Learn to dance the bachata, merengue and salsa. Geared for ages 2-6 with their caregivers. Registration required.

Sew Your Own Anime

Plushie, 2-4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16. Make a plushie of your favorite anime or manga character or a character of your own invention. Geared toward ages 12-18. Registration required.

Zombie Barbies, 6:308 p.m., Monday, Oct. 23.

Repurpose old Barbie dolls into a creepy decoration using craft supplies. Barbie dolls will be provided or bring your own. Geared toward adults and youth ages 12-18.

South St. Paul Book Club, 7-8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12. This month’s title is “Hour of the Witch” by Chris Bohjalian. For more information, visit tinyurl. com/SSPbookclub. Geared toward adults.

Sand Painting & Rangoli , 6-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 16. Learn about Indian culture, history and celebrations and create stylized Rangoli art designs with flour or colored sand. Registration required. Geared toward adults.

Meeting dates

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

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

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 Society is hosting a judged art exhibit through October 1 at First Presbyterian Church, 535 20th Ave. N., South St. Paul. 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.

Removing racial covenants

Several homes in the South St. Paul Voice distribution area have racial covenants in their deeds that were originally created to restrict people of color and others from owning the property. While these covenants were outlawed by the Fair Housing Act of 1968, they were not required to be removed, and the current homeowners may not be aware they exist. Here’s how to find out if your home has a restrictive covenant, and instructions for removing it.

The University of Minnesota has created a map showing properties with racial covenants. To view the map, visit mappingprejudice.umn. edu. Scroll down to the map and zoom in on your city and neighborhood, or type your address in the search bar located in the upper lefthand corner. If your parcel

is green, your property has a racial restriction. Click on the parcel to view the covenant language, legal description, and source, as well as the date of the document. To remove the covenant from your deed, visit mn.gov/commerce and search form 40.10.1. Fill out the form and return it to Dakota County Property Taxation and Records, 1590 Highway 55, Hastings, MN 55033. For more information, contact Records@ co.dakota.mn.us or 651-4384355.

School trip fundraiser

One South St. Paul youth is getting creative to fund his $2,150 middle school trip to Washington D.C. next March. Jordan Shaw, 12, is willing to do an act of service in the community in exchange for a donation of as little as $10. Under the supervision of his mom Rebecca Potter, he will complete one or more projects of the donor’s choice. This includes cleaning garbage on one city block, mowing the lawn or shoveling snow for an elderly resident or veteran, deliver-

Worship Guide

ing food to someone in need, volunteering at a food shelf or animal shelter, and collecting food donations for a food shelf. Each act of service will be documented and posted on social media. For more information or to donate, visit spot.fund/fbxlvsc.

Bring Your Own Art event

The South St. Paul Arts Council is hosting its monthly Bring Your Own Art event, 6-9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Clark Grace United Church of Christ, 779 15th Ave. N. This month will feature spooky printmaking with the Crafty Hag. Learn the basic skills used in relief printing by carving your own rubber stamps, then use them to print on kitchen towels that you can bring home. Materials are provided and all skill levels are welcome. Free, but registration is required and class size is limited. Geared to teens and adults. To register or for more information, visit the South St. Paul Arts Council Facebook page and go to “events.”

• 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

•

6th Ave S 651 - 455-8947 stmarymn.org

Neighbors, Inc.

Dawn Wambeke President & CEO

Community Events

By Heidi Satre, director of community engagement

Alittle more than 16 years ago, the idea of holding a rubber duck race on the Mississippi River as a fundraising event for Neighbors was born. Since that time, our annual Great Neighbors’ Duck Races event has evolved from one

race down an extremely long chute at the top of the banks of Kaposia Landing down to the river, to a series of races conducted on an oversized tank and chute system at the corner of 9th Avenue and Southview Boulevard during South St. Paul’s On The Road Again street festival.

Throughout the years there have been a variety of

Postscript

Up North with Mom and Dad

I’m staying “up north” with Mom and Dad, and that is always good.

My mom and dad have built a life that is pretty much exactly the way they like it. They have rituals and habits they do almost without thinking. But the amazing thing – to me – is that just about every one of these daily routines ends up giving them a healthier and much happier life.

At this point, my dad would snort, and my mom would say I was making them sound like saints, and

grand prizes – everything from a motorized scooter to a yearlong lease of a Fury Motors Jeep to a destination dinner. There has also been a variety of weather conditions for the big day. While organizing this event, I have worn everything from a tshirt and shorts to a jacket and stocking hat the first weekend in October. (My least favorite weather conditions are when it rains, although I don’t think the rubber ducks mind!)

Delbert, our beloved duck mascot costume, has also undergone cosmetic changes since the event’s inception. When the event first started, the yellow duck costume was bare. We eventually added a logo to it and have performed countless “cosmetic” surgeries to repair his webbed feet, re-paint his

beak and add cooling units to keep him comfortable. Last year, with a generous donation from the Vulcan Charities Council, we were able to replace the original duck costume with an exact match. Delbert will live on for many years to come.

This year, we are making adjustments to our duck tank. The wooden chutes we have used for a dozen years will be replaced by more portable, lightweight aluminum ones. Be sure to stop by and check them out!

Regardless of where the event has been held, what the weather has been or how our racing system has been set up, there has been one constant throughout the history of the duck races: the support of our community and volunteers. I have always been impressed at how the community em-

braces this event as its own and takes pride in explaining it to others. Whenever our mascot Delbert is out in public, he is met with highfives and selfie requests. There aren’t many nonprofits that have as popular a mascot as Neighbors – or even a mascot at all. But what makes this event truly unique is the number of dedicated volunteers who make it happen year after year. Volunteers have done everything from building the duck racing structure to distributing promotional posters to keeping us organized by writing numbers on thousands of rubber ducks. From the beginning, volunteers have played an important role in the success of the duck races and continue to help sustain this event. Some 25 to 30 volunteers make the event happen

each year.

While the duck races are a fun and light-hearted event, it is important to keep in mind why they were created and who they support. The duck races are a fundraiser to support the programs and services that Neighbors provides to our community – including hunger relief, financial empowerment counseling and education, essential needs items such as clothing and household items, and stability services. All proceeds raised from this event are used to support our neighbors in need. Please consider generously buying ducks this year to help us meet the increased need in our community. For more information about the Duck Races, visit: neighborsmn. org/event/great-neighborsduck-races.

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

they’d shake their heads in unison and say that I like to exaggerate, and so I guess you’ll have to take my word for it.

My dad turns 90 at the top

of next year, and my mom isn’t far behind. They still live in the beautiful home they designed and built together more than 30 years ago in the Northwoods. The house isn’t large but it is perfectly suited to them. It sits high above the lake in the woods, so their nearest neighbors are squirrels and deer and raccoons, a variety of birds and the occasional bear. Loons fly over their home and land in the lake. My mother keeps dozens of pots of flowers blooming outside the house. My dad keeps enough wood chopped and split to keep them in firewood all winter, and they are out biking or walking or snowshoeing every single day.

“We don’t eat as much

as we used to,” my mother notes.

But what they eat is healthy. They’ve got a vegetable garden in town, as it is too shady in the woods to grow vegetables. Recently, they picked up fresh sweet corn and a cantaloupe from the farmers market.

And I feel as if this is the part of the story where I should tell you the really amazing thing about my parents. But, as I write this, I realize that the really amazing thing is not any one thing. It is all of it. As their needs and desires have changed, their habits have remained positive and healthy and filled with joy.

I think I’ve known for most of my life that I would

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never be as consistent or disciplined or sensible as my parents. They were this way when I grew up, and they remain every bit as remarkable now that I am getting old. I’ve even thought, from time to time, that it was a lot to live up to. Their marriage, lasting many decades, was not one I could emulate in my first marriage. My moods fluctuate far more wildly. I require regular “reboots” to stay on track.

But I am no longer envious. I am now simply admiring. And I am grateful. I am so grateful they have taken such good care of themselves and so grateful that they are still here with me, active and happy and as practical as ever.

My dad says he’s slowed down a lot, and turning 90 certainly gives a person plenty to think about. But just as I learned how to paddle a canoe and ride a bike by watching him, I now watch him managing the perils of aging with grace and elegance. And I am, once again, learning.

What I’ve just written, my father will dismiss. He’ll say he wasn’t so elegant the other day when he tripped over the doorsill and cut his hand open while bringing the laundry in from the line. He’ll say he’s doing nothing out of the ordinary, nothing worth writing about. And that’s why you’ll have to take my word for it. Till next time.

C ommunity

Dakota County’s 15 oldest restaurants, bars and saloons

With the oldest restaurant in Dakota County about to celebrate 150 years in the same location, I was asked by a local convention and visitors bureau if I could help them identify Dakota County’s 15 most historic restaurants, bars and saloons. Aided by some helpful crowdsourcing from loyal patrons and eager researchers, particularly with respect to the bar and saloon categories, I assembled the list below.

Surviving economic downturns, world wars and even pandemics is no simple task, and you will notice some of these historic businesses have changed names or owners a time or two over the years, but one thing has not changed: the hardearned success and customer loyalty that comes as a result of old-fashioned service, quality, value and hard work. This is particularly true here in northern Dakota County,

where 11 of these 15 local favorites are located.

1. King’s Place Bar and Grill , Miesville (1874). Home to 115 different burgers, King’s operates in an historic building that first housed a saloon and restaurant in 1874.

2. Jersey’s Bar and Grill, Inver Grove Heights (1906). Previously known as Duke’s, this two-time winner of the Twin Cities Burger Battle attracts customers far and wide for great food and live music.

3. Polish National Alliance, South St. Paul (1909). Not just one of the oldest

but also one of the most unusual, this throwback bar is tucked away in a basement and is sometimes referred to as “Dakota County’s best kept secret.”

4. Tapper’s Pub, West St. Paul (1914). One of the bartenders offered this quick pitch for Tappers: “People love the lack of parking, the surly bartenders, the pulltabs, and the homemade pizzas.” The Coney Island Pizza – a combination of sliced-up hot dogs, onion and mustard – has won neighborhoodwide acclaim and is also an Atkins family favorite.

5. Croatian Hall, South St. Paul (1919). Croatian immigrants who settled in South St. Paul founded the Hrvatski Dom, which means Croatian Home. It quickly became the place for social events such as dances, dinners, weddings, and even funerals.

6. Southview Country Club, West St. Paul (1919). Initially called the Louogden Club to recognize South St. Paul meatpackers Lou-

is Swift and Jonathon Ogden Armour, the original 16 members of Southview pitched in both cash and backbreaking work. They built the golf course with their own labor and that of any volunteers they could persuade to pick rocks, rake sand and cut trees.

7. Al’s Corral Bar and Grill, South St. Paul (1922). A proverbial hole in the wall, seekers of cheap beer, good company and solid food will feel right at home at this hidden gem.

8. Wiederholt’s Supper Club , Miesville, (1929). Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Wiederholt’s transports diners back in time at Minnesota’s most old-school supper club.

9. Jameson’s Irish Bar, West St. Paul (1933). Formerly the elegant Cherokee Sirloin Room, this relatively new arrival opened as Jameson’s just in time for St. Patrick’s Day in 2021.

10. Gallagher’s Bar, West St. Paul (1934). Myrtle Gallagher, a widow with three

young children, founded Gallagher’s (a/k/a The White Elephant) in the depths of the Great Depression and grew it into a Twin Cities favorite. It remains in the family to this day. This is also where Grandma Atkins would occasionally go when she was raising three kids as a single mom and needed a break. As the story goes, Grandma would say she was going to pick up some eggs... then come home with no eggs.

11. Axel’s , Mendota Heights (1941). Formerly the Parker House, it became Axel’s when it was purchased by Linda Young and Charlie Burroughs. Linda’s parents, Janette and Axel, both worked at the Parker House.

12. Castle Rock & Roll Bar and Grill, Castle Rock (1944). Good, affordable food, with a great fish fry and limitless popcorn makes it the best restaurant and bar in Castle Rock… and the only one.

13. Vasatka-Goers WWII VFW Post 6680, Mendota

(1946). Founded in April of 1946, the VFW post was named in honor of the first soldier and airman from the area to perish in World War II. The building itself went up in 1950 and provides everything you’d expect –inexpensive beer, a popcorn machine, old-fashioned bar fare, and a friendly bunch of regulars.

14. Bogey’s Lounge , Lilydale (1956). Originally known as Dandy’s then Sibley Lounge, Bogey’s is home to the most impressive wall of police patches in Dakota County and features an impressive blues jam on Monday nights.

15. Bugg’s Bar, South St. Paul (timeless). We could not find the date Bugg’s opened, but it has been around a really long time. Please pop in to these mostly mom-and-pop spots to keep them going, and help ensure that more generations have the chance to enjoy their exceptional quality, value and service.

We’re Listening

Win FREE Chanhassen Dinner Theatre Tickets!

For over 20 years, we’ve been keeping you informed of community issues, business openings, arts and entertainment happenings, residential and commercial developments, and much more. Our community has changed much in recent years and we want to make sure we are addressing the issues that matter most to you. If you have a suggestion for something we should cover, email us your thoughts. We welcome leads on societal issues, local residents with a fascinating background, businesses that are celebrating milestone anniversaries, etc.

Contact us at info@stpaulpublishing.com. Everyone who emails a suggestion will be entered into a drawing for two tickets to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Winner will be notified by email.

Joe Atkins Dakota County Commissioner

H ome Improvement

it’s time to renovate

People renovate their homes for a variety of reasons. Some want to increase the value of their property, or make their home safer or more comfortable. Others want to stay current with design trends or give their home a new vibe. While kitchens and bathrooms often get the most attention, every room and space in a home may need renovation at some point. Here are five things to consider.

1. Age - The National Association of Home Builders says 50% of U.S. homes are over the age of 40. Age alone can dictate a need to renovate, particularly if some materials are original to the home. For example, asphalt roofs typically last 25 to 30 years, while window frames can last 20 to 50 years, depending on how well they’ve been maintained.

2. Inconvenient layout - Living with an awkward floor plan is frustrating and is often a major driver of renovations. Improvements can be made to floor plans but

are often beyond the scope of the do-it-yourselfer. It’s best to enlist the help of a licensed contractor for any project you don’t have the skills, tools or knowledge to do yourself.

3. Outdated look - Because trends change quickly, a home can look dated even if it is a relatively recent build. For example, dark, cherry cabinets that were popular not long ago are out and cabinets in lighter color palettes are in. Following current trends will spruce up your home and help with resale value, if you are looking to sell in the near future.

4. Deterioration - Signs of water, storm or structural damage should be addressed as soon as possible.

5. Efficiency - Escalating utility bills are indicative of an energy-inefficient home. Homeowners should conduct an energy audit and then improve the areas where energy loss occurs, such as windows, doors, siding and insulation.

Here are some renovations that provide a lot of bang for

your buck.

Countertops (and hardware): Replacing countertops and swapping dated cabinet hardware with new hinges, handles and pulls can provide a low-cost facelift to any kitchen.

Paint: Painting a space is an inexpensive improvement that adds maximum impact. Paint can transform dark and drab rooms into bright and airy oases. Paint also can be used to create an accent wall or cozy nooks.

Lighting: Do not underestimate what a change in lighting can do. When rooms or exterior spaces are illuminated, they take on entirely new looks. It’s worth it to invest in new lighting, whether it’s a dramatic hanging light over the dining room table or task lighting in dim spaces.

Weatherproofing: Improving windows, doors, weatherstripping, and insulation in a home can offer visual appeal and help save money. The initial investment may be significant, but the costs will pay off in

energy savings.

Accent updates: Any space, whether inside or outside, can get a fresh look with new decorative accents. Invest in new throw pillows or slipcovers for living room sofas. Use new tile, or paint the brick on a fireplace, then

update the mantel with decorative displays. Artwork can bring different colors into a

room. Change the cushions on deck furniture and buy color-coordinated planters.

Paddling with the Pelicans

Tim Spitzack Editor

ComeOctober, the skies will be thick with migrating birds and waterfowl winging their way south along the Mississippi River Flyway, which follows the meandering course of the 2,340-mile river that bears its name. More than 325 species use the flyway on their annual roundtrip from breeding grounds in Canada and the northern United States to wintering sites near the Gulf of Mexico and points further south. While Canada geese are the most visible and vociferous during the fall migration, it’s the American white pelican that captures my attention this time of year.

I recall paddling the river one recent autumn and seeing nearly a hundred of them in one location, including a pair just yards from the bow of my kayak. It was a cool crisp morning and wisps of fog hovered over the surface of the river. The sun was still low in the sky and duck hunters hunkered down in their blinds in grassy shallows, watching and waiting. After rounding an island and heading into the river’s backwaters, I spotted a pair of snowwhite pelicans in my line of vision. As I neared them, I

expected them to take flight but surprisingly they stayed on the surface until I got within 30 feet. Finally, they exploded into action, and their nearby mates followed suit. I watched in wonder as the two near me raised and flapped their massive wings and hopped along the water’s surface until their momentum pushed them to flight. Once airborne, they glided effortlessly just inches above the water then climbed and soared off into the rising sun with the others.

Unlike flocks of Canada geese, which can resemble an endless stream of slowmoving arrows shooting across the leaden sky, American white pelicans give the appearance they are in no hurry to reach their migratory digs. They simply move south, little by little, as northern lakes and rivers begin to freeze. And they are happy to put on an aerial performance wherever they may be.

Pelicans are gregarious birds that seemingly spend much of their time coasting and soaring among the thermals in beautifully choreographed movements. Their flight appears effortless, relaxed, even playful. Pelican flocks are called squadrons, which makes perfect sense to me as I’ve always thought they resemble B-52 bombers

in flight. However, the only raids these shorebirds make are for nourishment.

Pelicans are easily recognizable in flight by the triangle of black feathers on the tips and lower edges of their wings. They are one of North America’s largest bird species, with bodies up to five feet long and a wingspan of up to 9 1/2 feet. Their most distinctive feature, of course, is their pointed orange bill, which can exceed a foot in length and supports a pouch of loose skin. This gular pouch is used in feeding and can scoop up nearly three gallons of water – and whatever is in it – at a time. Their stomachs, on the other hand, can hold only about a third of that amount, which reminds me of a poem I heard my father recite when I was a child. In a corny dad voice, he said, “Ah the pelican, the pelican. His beak can hold more than his belly can.”

Pelicans feed in shallow water, mainly on rough fish, small and large. While I’ve not experienced it, watching them feed would be a treat. Apparently, they join forces at mealtime by gathering in a line or half-circle, then flap their wings and take turns dipping their bills into the water to drive fish toward the shallows where they are more easily caught. Once fish are

in the pouch, pelicans tilt their heads to empty the pouch of water then swallow the prey whole. An American white pelican eats 4 to 5 pounds of food a day.

Worldwide, there are eight pelican species, two of which are in North America. The brown pelican is the smaller of the two and lives near the ocean and saltwater lakes. American white pelicans inhabit coastal areas during the winter but normally nest inland.

While pelican sightings are common today in Minnesota, it was a far different story a century ago. A survey in 1904 found just one nest in the entire state. Today,

there are more than 12,000 nesting pairs, according to a 2021 census count. However, the American white pelican is sensitive to environmental contaminants, which is one reason it is listed as a Special Concern Species in Minnesota, a designation applied to species that are extremely uncommon in Minnesota or have highly specific habitat requirements. Several nesting sites have experienced substantial declines since peaking in 2011. One factor thought to have affected the decline is the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20,

2010, resulting in the largest oil spill and environmental disaster in U.S. history.

Show some respect Depending upon where they are observed, the pelican is the subject of both disrespect and awe by the casual observer. Some people may snicker when they see one standing on shore or a dock, and admittedly pelicans can look somewhat awkward and dorky while out of the water. But I’ve never heard anyone mock them while seeing them in flight. That spectacle only elicits oohs and aahs, or reverent admiration, as it very well should.

Photo: istock