South St. Paul Wrestlers finish strong
Backyard Bounty
Page 4
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Volume 17 | Number 4
Your Community News & Information Source
City to revise parking ordinance to attract more development
Closed door brings Open Window
Amy Johnson Staff Writer
S
outh St. Paul has some large commercial parking lots that could be better utilized for future developments, according to city staff. With that in mind, staff are working to revise the city’s parking ordinance, which hasn’t been updated in more than a decade. They will particularly examine parking lot requirements to make them more equitable for developers. Ryan Garcia, they city’s economic and community development director, said the ordinance is being revised to help steer future development in the right direction. Michael Healy, the new city planner, is evaluating off-street parking requirements for businesses and housing developments. He said South St. Paul is one of many American cities that apparently adopted standardized parking ordinances in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s without much thought for each city’s unique needs. He said South St. Paul’s current parking requirements seem to be suited to a more suburban or rural city that has fewer mass transportation options. This adversely affects new developments in South St. Paul because each business must have a certain number of off-street parking spaces based on square-footage or number of amenities. Because many South St. Paul residents use mass or shared transportation, these requirements tend to result in unused parkParking ordinance / Page 2
Overcoming adversity, Open Window Theatre finds new home
Founder Jeremy Stanbary and Creative Director Cole Matson Tara Guy Contributor
I
n a time of political rancor, scary viruses and deep national division, a quiet moment of hope can be like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds. Many such moments can now be found at a new professional theater that recently opened in the Salem Square Center near I-494 and South Robert Trail. Billing itself as a “professional, multi-generational theater with a redemptive mission
in the arts,” Open Window Theatre is bringing its own brand of hope and inspiration to the southeast metro. The company’s opening production was the regional premier of Keith Bunin’s allegorical “The World Over,” which ran from mid-February to mid-March. “‘The World Over’ is filled with affirmations that life is worth living even in the midst of great difficulties and challenges,” said Jeremy Stanbary, the company’s founder and artistic director. Of its “multi-generational” focus, Stanbary Open Window / Page 3
Library proposal goes to Dakota County Amy Johnson Staff Writer
S
ome progress has been made on the future of the South St. Paul library. At its Mar. 2 meeting, the South St. Paul City Council unanimously approved a proposal to ask Dakota County to take over the library’s services. On Mar. 9, the Library Board also approved the proposal, which is now being sent to the
April 2020
County for consideration. The proposal addresses two options concerning the library’s possible renovation and expansion, or relocation. The first is to make needed facility upgrades to the existing building such as better handicapped accessibility and technology services, larger community meeting and program areas, a new teen area, underground parking and improved security, and possibly expand to the
adjacent building housing the Lawshe Museum, operated by the Dakota County Historical Society. However, at the council meeting City Administrator Joel Hanson said the museum’s relocation is “far from a certainty.” He also reminded the City Council that simply expanding the current library to 17,000 square-feet on the existing site, an option discussed in previous meetings, would make for a tight fit on
that lot. According to Executive Director Matt Carter, the Historical Society, “has not made any announcement or plans to leave our current building in South St. Paul. Dakota County owns and maintains the Lawshe Museum building and we will continue to work with them regarding future plans for renovations, or alternate locations should that decision be made in the future.”
Census Day is April 1 Amy Johnson Staff Writer
I
t’s time to be counted. By now, everyone should know that April 1 is Census Day 2020, when the U.S. Census Bureau ramps up efforts to get a complete count of residents across the nation. Participation in Minnesota is especially important because the state is in danger of losing a member in the House of Representatives because of declining population in recent years. Census figures are used to determine the number of representatives each state has. Minnesota currently has eight—five Democrats and three Republicans—representing 5.7 million people. The count, which occurs every 10 years, is also used to determine allocation of federal funds. In addition, cities use census data to determine the need for schools, new highways, housing developments and more. St. Paul teamed up with Ramsey County to form a committee to make sure information about the census is accessible to all residents. Last year, the City budgeted $30,000 to market and promote the census to historically marginalized members, such as minorities and low-income households. In 2020, the City budgeted another $30,000 for this effort. According to Census Bureau data, 79 percent of St. Paul residents participated in the 2010 census. This year, getting counted is easier than ever. You can use a mobile phone or personal device, or a public computer like the ones found Census Day / Page 2
The second option is to close the historic structure on 3rd Avenue North and build a new library at 7th and Marie on land owned by both the city and the South St. Paul School District. If this occurs, Hanson said a traffic study would be conducted to see how it impacts both the library and the school. Residents weighed in on the process via a community survey, which ran through late January. The survey garnered 753 responses, with
60% of participants finding favor with substantial upgrades to the library and 49% in favor of the library joining Dakota County Libraries. Of the 35% who hope the library remains city-owned, a little over half said it needs a significant renovation. Only 3% said they wanted a completely new library. Those who want a city-owned library were also asked if they would support a $6-$8 million bond referendum for facility upgrades, and 43% said yes.
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Parking ordinance from page 1 ing spaces. Healy plans to revise the minimum requirements, which would still allow businesses to construct bigger parking lots, when necessary. He said updating these requirements could also lead to the creation of more walkable commercial districts, such as those
along Southview Boulevard and Marie Avenue. These corridors exist because they were grandfathered into the parking ordinances decades ago. Healy would like to see more districts like these and believes they could positively impact the city’s tax base by spurring redevelopment.
Census Day from page 1
at a library, to complete an online questionnaire. Visit my2020census.gov and click “Start Questionnaire.” Log in using your census I.D., which you should have received in the mail or had dropped off at your door. You’ll need to confirm your address, provide your name and phone number and complete the questionnaire in one session. You may also respond by phone, or to mailings being sent in late March and April.
A census worker may stop by your home in April to conduct a quality check interview or drop off census materials, and in mid-May to collect responses. They may also ask for responses to the American Community Survey, an ongoing survey by the Census Bureau that gathers detailed demographic information. To verify the representative is a Census Bureau employee, make sure they have a valid
I.D. badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark and an expiration date. Employees may also carry Census Bureau bags and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo. If you still have questions about their identity, call 312-579-1500. This spring, the bureau will determine which residents have not submitted their forms or didn’t complete all the questions. Census workers will work through July to contact those people and collect the information. Census Bureau photo
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dark world. “We don’t shy away from the ugliness of the human condition, but we also want to provide a vision of hope for something better,” said Stanbary. The theater was founded by Stanbary and his wife Sarah in 2011, after years of touring together in oneman and small cast shows as Epiphany Theater Productions, the parent company of Open Window. Like “Adam,” the everyman protagonist in “The World Over,” the company itself wandered in the wilderness for a time in recent years, overcoming one obstacle after another in its quest to find a new home. Reflecting upon that journey, Stanbary said it was “painful but purifying…agonizing, yet full of grace.” “We were originally located in a rented space in Minneapolis, where we’d built up a really successful company with a growing fan-base and many loyal patrons,” he said. They were so successful, in fact, that they needed to expand the physical space to
at Lincoln, and wife Sarah has a dual degree in theater performance and arts management from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Managing director Cole Matson also has impressive credentials, including a Ph.D. in theology, imagination and the arts from St. Andrew’s University, a B.A. in theology from Oxford and a B.F.A. in drama from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. When asked how they met, Matson recounted that he was working on his doctoral thesis on the Rhapsodic Theater (a company founded by Karol Wojtyla—later Pope John Paul II—when he was a young actor quietly resisting the Nazis in Poland in the early 1940s) when he stumbled upon an article Stanbary had written on the topic. “I paid five dollars to download it, and actually cited it in my paper,” he said. Curious about Open Window and Epiphany, Matson asked his east coast friends about them and learned they were both well-known and highly respected. Stanbary heard Matson
on a “Catholic Creatives” podcast a year ago and contacted him to see if he could recommend someone for the theater’s new managing director position. Matson, then between jobs, jumped at the chance. The chemistry that resulted has already generated praise and acclaim from Twin Cities theater critics and audiences alike. During a Saturday matinee in early March, the theater was nearly full, and the audience was engaged, enthusiastically applauding the drama and lightning-fast changes of costume and character among the cast of eight. Despite a loyal patronage that helped keep them afloat during their hiatus, Stanbary acknowledges, “We have some audience rebuilding to do after a four-year absence.” He added, “We’re a destination theater. People will drive to see us, but we also want to get to know and welcome our new community.” Toward that end, their outreach will include renting their space for community events, implementing a K-12 theater program and possibly offering future
fitness training and ballroom dance classes. In addition, Stanbary and his family will be building a new home in South St. Paul this summer to be closer to the new venue. “We’re excited about the move,” he said. The theater’s next production is the U.S. premier of Ron Reed’s play “Tolkien,” which examines the deep and complex friendship between J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis (running April 17 through May 17). Stanbary and Matson invite the community to come and get acquainted with the theater and its mission of bringing hope to the world. In a final reflection on the arduous journey to find their new home, Stanbury smiled, then borrowed a line from Bunin’s play. “Sorrows and losings and fools there are plenty. But there are wonders here, too, and resurrections. You must not despair of this place.” Open Window Theater is located at 5300 S. Robert Tr., Inver Grove Heights. For more information, visit www.openwindowtheater. org or call 612-615-1515.
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explained, “There are not many theaters that consistently perform works that reach a really broad audience. Many people are too intimidated to go to the theater, not knowing what the content will be, so I think the fact that we are doing high-quality professional theater that is thoughtprovoking and inspirational—but without explicit content—will provide that assurance. People should know that they can breathe easy in bringing the kids and the grandparents to our shows.” He stressed, however, that Open Window is not a children’s theater. “The plays are intellectually challenging,” he said. The company’s goals, which are many and bold, center on uplifting the world by seeking the divine through the beauty of the arts. Although Stanbary himself is Catholic—a member of St. Joseph’s Church in West St. Paul—and the production content is deeply spiritual in nature, the theater is unaffiliated with any specific religion. “We’re not tied to any particular faith tradition,” said Stanbary. “We want to reach people of every faith, and those with no faith at all.” Instead of proselytizing, the group focuses on a redemptive vision of the arts. The concept of redemption is core to the company’s ethos; the word itself appears repeatedly in their literature and social media. For the group, “redemption” means the restoration of hope in a
accommodate growing audiences. A planned expansion led to permits, inspections, code compliance and occupancy troubles—the usual host of problems that pop up when bringing old buildings into compliance with modern codes. A tangled snarl of conflicts ensued with both their landlord and the city, requiring the theater to close, prematurely ending its 2016 season and leaving it literally on the street. The disputes were eventually negotiated and resolved but the litigation caused a near fouryear period of dormancy for the theater. Following an intensive search, Open Window found the Salem Square space, signed the lease last October and promptly commenced construction on the interior. “It’s a terrific space,” said Stanbary. “We have great landlords and were able to negotiate really good terms…and we have tons of parking.” Even in brief conversation, it becomes evident that Open Window Theater is comprised of serious theater professionals. Stanbary has a theater degree from the University of Nebraska
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Packer grapplers make state for second time in school history John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer
D
uring his 18-year tenure as head coach of the South St. Paul High School wrestling team, Don Nihart has developed a program that year in and year out is ranked in the top 20 in the state. The key to his success is the passion he brings to the sport. Nihart has schooled numerous wrestlers from their introduction to the sport in preschool through their varsity careers. The program reached its zenith in 2018 when the Packers advanced to the team competition in the Minnesota State Wrestling Tournament for the first time in school history, and also qualified ten wrestlers for the individual portion of the state tournament. “Nine of our kids who wrestled in the 2018 state tournament were seniors,” recalled Nihart. “Seniors are crucial in developing a sports program, and we haven’t had many the last couple of years.”
The Packers easily won the 4AA team sectional competition to advance to state. Despite their lack of senior leadership, the Packers have continued to put a strong and competitive team on the mat. Last year’s team compiled an impressive 21-4 dual meet record, and six
wrestlers—five of them underclassmen—qualified for the individual state tournament. Gavin Christoffersen, the lone senior, finished in third place in the 170-pound weight class. He earned a
bronze medal and finished his career with 141 victories, the seventh most in school history. For many youngsters, the South St. Paul wrestling pipeline to the varsity begins in preschool. From Dec. 1 to Mar. 1, kids in
Pre K through first grade practice twice weekly from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m., and kids in grades 2-5 from 7:20 to 8:30 p.m. The practices take place at the senior high and, on most nights, Nihart and an assistant and two varsity captains work with the aspir-
ing grapplers. “We also get a great deal of help from our parents,” said Nihart. “Many of our dads fell in love with the sport themselves and are eager to teach and encourage their kids to follow in their footsteps.” As usual, more than 50 wrestlers in grades 7-12 reported for the 2019-20 team’s first practice on Nov. 18. The team enjoyed another successful regular season, compiling an 18-4 record, including wins over Roseville, Centennial, St. Francis, Eastview and St. Thomas Academy. Eighth-grader Nate Berchtold, juniors Quinn Christoffersen and Roman Cortez and senior Kaleb Barnes earned East Metro All-Conference laurels, while sophomore Will Nihart and senior James Johnson earned Honorable Mention. The 2020 team captains included Barnes, Johnson, Christoffersen, Cortez, Nihart and junior Jarod Stroud. The lineup in the 14 weight classes entering the post-season included three seniors, five juniors, four sophomores, one ninth-
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S ports grader and one eighth-grader. At the Feb. 15 sectional tournament, the Packers dominated from start to finish, defeating St. Paul Como 78-6, Cretin 57-24 and St. Paul Washington 76-6 to advance to the state tournament for the second time in school history. For the second season in a row, junior Max Beeler wrestled at 106 (30-11 season record) and represented the Packers in the individual portion of the state tournament. “Max has been great for us in that slot,” said Nihart. “We’d like to have him move up a couple notches next year to make room for some promising kids in the lighter weights.” Berchtold (31-12), who started his career at age four, was a Section 4AA champion at 113 and, according to Nihart, is already on his way to becoming an elite presence in his lineup. Will Nihart (28-16), the coach’s son, made his second trip to the state tournament at 120 and won all three of his matches in the state team competition. He also carries a 4.016 GPA. Junior Micah Diaz at 126 (14-12) had to work through some injuries this year but came on strong and he, too, won all three of his matches in the state team competition. Cortez at 132 (39-11), a two-time state qualifier, was
Your community news and information source SPV-MM_Apr2020V-Eng.qxp_Layout 1 the victim of two very close and gut-wrenching losses that prevented him from making his third consecutive trip to the individual portion of the state tournament. Barnes (36-11) represented the Packers at 138. “Kaleb (Barnes) wrestled at 160 for us in 2019,” said Nihart. “He worked so hard to get his weight down to 138 and had a great regular season, but a heart-breaking loss in the section semifinals also eliminated him from the state individual competition.” Sophomore Nixon Stroud at 145 (10-18) was all over the lineup during the year. “He took some lumps as a fill in for us at several weights,” said Nihart, “but he has two years left and we expect him to become a big contributor down the road.” Johnson had a strong season at 152 (32-14) but suffered a disheartening loss in his last sectional match, preventing him from going to the individual tournament. Sophomore Jorge Garcia at 160 (15-18) is in just his second year of competitive wrestling and is progressing very quickly. According to Nihart, he spends a lot of time in the weight room. Christoffersen at 170 (293) started the season hobbled by a football injury but came on strong in the post-season, including a 3-0 run in the state team competition where he recorded two pins
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and one technical fall and was named to the Class AA All-Tournament team. “Quinn is a great wrestler and a great leader,” said Nihart. “He surpassed his brother Gavin’s career total of 141 wins and now sits at 145 with another year of competition ahead of him.” Senior Caleb Binman at 182 (19-22) was not seeded in the Section 4AA tournament but finished in third place and earned a bronze medal. Jarod Stroud at 195 (28-8) pinned all three of his opponents in the Section 4AA tournament to advance to the state tournament but was eliminated after sustaining a loss in his first match. Ninth-grader Malachi Belmares at 220 (7-12) won several JV matches at 182 and had to gain two pounds to get to 184 in order to wrestle at 220. “Malachi is a very good athlete,” said Nihart. “He has a bright future and we look forward to having him for another three years.” Sophomore Caleb Johnson at 285 (19-12) and his twin brother Jordan are also in their second year of wrestling. Caleb qualified for the state tournament with a second-place finish in Section 4AA. “Caleb and Jordan both weighed about 350 pounds at the start of the season,”
said Nihart. “Caleb lost 65 pounds and got down to 285 mid-way through the season. We think Caleb might lose another 65 pounds to get down to 220 next year and that would allow Jordan to wrestle at 285.” In the team competition at the state tournament, the Packers lost in the first round to Simley, the eventual state champion. They rebounded with a convincing 45-28 victory over Dassel-Cokato-Litchfield before losing in the consolation final to Hutchinson. Although the Packers failed to earn a medal in the individual competition at the state tournament for the first time in many years, Nihart remains upbeat about how his team competed. “I thought it was a great year. We qualified for the state team competition for just the second time in school history and finished in 6th place,” he said. “Jose Trevino, who has been with me for nine years and is an awesome piece of the puzzle for our program, received the Section 4AA Assistant Coach of the Year Award and, perhaps most importantly, we received Team Academic All-State Honorable Mention at the state tournament.” With just three seniors in this year’s post-season lineup, it’s not surprising
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that Nihart is already excited about next season. The 2020-21 team will include five seniors who have accumulated ten trips to the individual competition of the state tournament. According to Nihart, that is the sort of senior leadership that invites success.
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South St. Paul Voice - April 2020 - Page 5
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Concord Street project to exceed $32M Amy Johnson Staff Writer
Changes are coming next year to one of South St. Paul’s busiest thoroughfares. In February, the City Council gave the green light to the Concord Street reconstruction project, which includes concrete pavement rehabilitation from I-494 to Armour Avenue, a fully reconstructed bituminous roadway from Armour to Annapolis Street and other improvements, including pedestrian trails or sidewalks along with shoulders. Construction will occur in 2021 and 2022 and affect 194 properties along the corridor, 63 of which are
publicly owned parcels. Access will be maintained to the properties but detours will happen around construction zones. Total project cost is estimated at $32 million and will be financed through federal, state and city funds. According to City Engineer Lee Elfering, $25.5 million in state and federal funding has already been secured. Most of the funds will go toward roadway and construction costs. The rest will cover storm drainage, sanitary sewer, a watermain, engineering, administration and easement acquisition. MnDOT will contribute $13.7 million plus $4.3 mil-
lion in “turnback” funds. These funds state that Concord Street will be turned back to Dakota County between I-494 and Grand Avenue, and to the City of South St. Paul between Grand Avenue and the northern city limits. Federal funds will total $7.5 million and the City will contribute $6.5 million. This year work will take place on a final design and land acquisition. The City Council will request bids in January and plans to award a contract by Mar. 15. A neighborhood hearing on the project will be held in March and construction will begin in May.
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Plant sale and garden tour Mark your calendars. The South St. Paul Garden Club is hosting the 29th Annual Plant Sale 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, May 15, and 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, May 16. The sale will be held at the Alleva Gardens at 2024 Third Ave. N. The sale will feature hundreds of plants grown and donated by Garden Club members. You’ll find hybrid lilies and heritage Hosta, shrubs, rhubarb, horseradish, ground covers, garden art and more. Proceeds will benefit the South St. Paul Educational Foundation and local children. The Garden Club donates funds that allow South St. Paul kindergartners to visit Dodge Nature Center annually to learn about nature and horticulture. The 14th annual South St. Paul Community Garden Tour will take place Sunday, June 28. It will feature eight to 10 area gardens that are noted for their design, beauty and creativity. Gardeners will be on site to answer questions and offer advice. Advance tickets and tickets for seniors
age 65 and older are $6. Day of tickets are $8 and may be purchased at 2101 Wentworth Ave., South St. Paul, beginning at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, June 28. The gardens will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, visit www. sspgardenclub.org.
Giant Egg Hunt The South St. Paul Lion’s Club and South St. Paul Parks & Recreation are hosting the annual Giant Egg Hunt 9-10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 11 at Kaposia Park, 1028 Wilde Ave. Children ages 1-8 are invited to participate in this free event, which features candy, prizes, a petting zoo and a visit with the Easter bunny (9-10 a.m.). The egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. sharp.
Memorial flyover The Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing, located at Fleming Field in South St. Paul, will participate in a flyover at Arlington National Cemetery on April 16 during a memorial service for Lt. Col. Richard Cole, a co-pilot for Jimmy
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Community gardens The City of South St. Paul is accepting registrations for community garden plots. For more information, call 651-366-6200 or visit Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave. N., South St. Paul.
Fare for All Express Fare for All Express will be held 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, April 28 at the Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave. N. This cooperative food-buying program offers up to a 40% discount on monthly groceries, including packages of fresh fruits, vegetables and frozen meat. For more information, call 651-366-6200 or visit www. southstpaul.org.
Summer Youth programs The city of South St. Paul is accepting registrations for summer youth programs, including Summer Playgrounds (now offered five days a week), youth trips and day camps. For more infor-
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Doolittle during the famous WWII Doolittle Raid. Cole, who died on April 9, 2019, was active with the South St. Paul Wing for many years.
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Spring fashion show The South St. Paul Senior Center is hosting the Annual Spring Fashion Show at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 28 at Central Square Community Center at 100 7th Ave. N. The event features food, clothing and accessories. Taylor Marie’s Apparel will offer seasonal apparel, jewelry, handbags and more, and senior center members will model current fashions. Lunch is catered by Magnolia’s. Cost is $13. Register by April 20. For more information, call 651-366-6200 or visit www.southstpaul.org.
Rummage sale Luther Memorial Church, 315 15th Ave. N., South St. Paul, is having its annual rummage sale April 16-18. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. For more information, call Shirley at 651-455-5820 or the church at 651-4512400.
Student notes Minnesota State-Mankato dean’s list: Louis Garibay Boston University dean’s list: Natalia M. Wendlandt
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MN FoodShare campaign ends April 12 Those wishing to contribute to the Minnesota FoodShare campaign may make food or monetary contributions through April 12. To donate directly to Neighbors, Inc. food shelf, call 651-455-5000 or visit www. neighborsmn.org.
Vote for Quilts The Dakota County Star Quilters is presenting its 25th annual quilt show, “Vote for Quilts,” through April 3, in conjunction with the Hastings Spiral Piecemakers, at the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 3rd Ave. N. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturdays. A donation of $5 is encouraged to support the museum. In addition to members’ quilts on display, the show includes a small-quilt auction and quilting-related items for sale in the museum gift shop.
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B ack in Time
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Minnesota’s first Swedish settler Jacob Fahlstrom: fur trader, mail carrier, missionary Amy Johnson Staff Writer
A
plaque near the corner of Robert and Kellogg pays homage to Jacob Fahlstrom, the first Swede ever recorded to step foot in what is now Minnesota. What it doesn’t reveal is the harrowing journey that began in his native Sweden and ended here in St. Paul, and how he abandoned his ancestry when he assimilated with native tribes.
Fahlstrom was a true frontiersman and blazed the trail for the flood of Swedish immigrants that flocked here between 1850 and 1930, about three decades after he arrived in 1818. He was born in 1795 in Stockholm, Sweden, with an adventurous spirit. At age nine, he boarded his uncle’s ship as a cabin boy, and at 14 found himself shipwrecked off the coast of England. Afterward, he journeyed to London, where he joined Lord Sel-
kirk’s expedition to Hudson Bay. This was a turning point in Fahlstrom’s life; it was here he fell in love with the New World. Soon after the ship touched shore, Fahlstrom ventured out to explore the North American wilderness. During one excursion, he became lost for about eight days. He endured a devastating rainstorm, which soaked his gunpowder. Unable to hunt, he resorted to eating rotten fish to survive. He
finally came across a Chippewa tribe, which generously took him in. After living with them a few years, he married one of their own. Fahlstrom abandoned his Swedish heritage entirely and took up the Chippewa way of life, even dressing in native clothing. Those in his tribe called him “Yellowhead” because of his blond hair, and European settlers called him the “Swede Indian” because he was fluent in several native languages,
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Jacob Fahlstrom, courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
including Ojibwe, Dakota and Iroquois. Fahlstrom’s linguistic skills—he was also fluent in Swedish, English and French—helped him greatly in his job as fur trader for the Hudson Bay Co. and American Fur Co. Early in his career, Fahlstrom grew restless and left his wife. He followed the fur trade to Lake Superior, working with the American Fur Co. While in that region, he met and married Marguerite Bungo, daughter of the leader of the Lake Su-
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perior Chippewas. She bore him nine children. He and his family eventually drifted south in 1827 to the newly built Fort Snelling. There, he found work as a U.S. Government mail carrier, and landed a contract to supply firewood to the fort. Fahlstrom lived in the Cold Spring region by Fort Snelling, where light rail trains now zip along Hiawatha Avenue. His mail route was vast. He delivered parcels to Prairie du Chien, Wis., along the St. Croix River and to the Lake Superior region. A man of many interests, he also experimented with blacksmithing. Fahlstrom lived in this manner––taking odd jobs, venturing into the wilderness and lazing around whenever possible––for 13 years before he stumbled into Camp Coldwater and a makeshift church near Fort Snelling established by Methodist missionaries. Although raised Lutheran, he became Methodist after observing a powerful sermon delivered by a passionate preacher who actually broke
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B ack in Time the pulpit during his homily. It inspired Fahlstrom in his Christian faith and he later became a licensed preacher himself, in 1840. He took up this newfound calling with vigor and became known as “Father Jacob.” Fahlstrom served as missionary and translator to the Native Americans in the area and ministered to Swedish immigrants, who later came in waves, and to lumbermen at camps in the north woods.
Your community news and information source Eventually, his wanderlust subsided. He reportedly said he was so tired of being asked by the U.S. Government to relocate that he “pledged to walk east all day until the sun dropped behind him,” which would take him off government land. Fahlstrom eventually settled in St. Paul and owned 80 acres in what is now the city’s business district. He later sold the acreage because he thought it was too
hilly and moved to White Bear Lake, but he frequently returned to the city, often walking roughly 17 miles to lend support to the newly established Swedish church in St. Paul. In 1841, Fahlstrom relocated to Afton, where he farmed and continued his missionary work. He experienced Minnesota’s official statehood in 1858, about one year before his death. He is buried in Afton in the Fahlstrom Cemetery.
Fahlstrom was a polyglot, postmaster, blacksmith, translator, missionary, farmer and fur trader. In 1948, Prince Bertil of Sweden dedicated the afore-
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mentioned plaque in St. Paul in his honor. A painting of Fahlstrom hangs in the Swedish Institute at 2600 Park Ave. in Minneapolis. While it depicts him with
a frowning countenance, he is recorded as being “kindly, sincere and devoted,” despite displaying a few rascally habits throughout his younger years.
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Neighbors, Inc. Charlie Thompson President & CEO
Growing up in small town Minnesota, I was fortunate that I could walk to most anywhere I needed to go. We lived across the street from the high school and most activities I was involved in took place there or nearby. I worked for my dad at a local convenience store less than five blocks from home and could always walk to work. Even visiting friends in the area did not require much effort from a transporta-
L I B R A R Y
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Healthy Cooking for Everyone, 10:30-noon, Wednesday, April 1. Learn about healthy eating, planning meals and working together in the kitchen. Participants will help prepare a dish; ingredients provided. All ages and abilities welcome. Registration required. Poetry Tea, 10:30-11 a.m., Friday, April 3. Come enjoy
Page 10 - South St. Paul Voice - April 2020
tion perspective. I got my first car in high school and have owned one ever since. Even so, at various points in my life I have lived in larger cities where bus and light rail were a reliable option. I have commuted on bike, and for one job where a shower was readily available, would put on my running shoes and backpack and run to work. Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to have access to reliable transportation or have not needed a mode of transportation besides my own two feet. Many of our neighbors are not so fortunate when it comes to reliable and affordable transportation. That is why Neighbors and other organizations offer volunteer drivers throughout Dakota County. Neighbors’ transportation program provides rides for a number of reasons, including medical, dental and mental health appointments. Our volunteer drivers transport people to Dakota County offices and healthy food locations. We are able to provide this service because of a grant from Dakota County and the generosity of volunteer drivers, who use their own vehicles to provide curb-to-curb service. They drive passengers to their appointments, wait for them
and take them home again. Last year Neighbors provided 1,136 rides. If you or someone you know needs this service, request a ride by calling 651-306-2143. Please contact us at least one week in advance of the appointment. For more information, call 651-272-1133 or email info@neighborsmn.org. We always have more requests for rides than we can provide, so we need more volunteer drivers. Drivers receive training and are eligible to be reimbursed for the miles driven. To learn more about becoming a volunteer driver, visit www.neighborsmn.org and click on volunteer, or call 651-272-1133. Reliable and affordable transportation unlocks access to many opportunities, including medical appointments and other services, work, school and more. It’s easy to take it for granted when you have transportation readily available. I am grateful for the volunteers who make it possible for many of our neighbors to receive the transportation they need. The need persists. Please consider becoming a volunteer driver and help us unlock opportunities for even more people today.
Each year, the City of South St. Paul hosts a Mayor for the Day essay contest in March. Youth in grades 4-8 write a letter to our mayor telling him what they would do if they were mayor for a day. This year’s winner is Cole Arrigoni, a fourth-grader at Lincoln Center. Cole will receive an official SSP Mayor for the Day T-shirt, be picked up at school by the mayor and community affairs liaison for a private tour of City buildings, have dinner with the Mayor, then open a City Council meeting and share his essay with the community. He will also help lead a community service project with city staff. While Mayor for the Day activities normally take place in March, they have been delayed due to the coronavirus and will be rescheduled. Here is Cole’s letter. “Dear Mayor Francis. If I were Mayor for the Day I’d put my Lego League City Shaper mission into action; which is a community garden! The area is Seidls Lake Park. The reason for that is that the lake is polluted and there are no good trees. There is also dead grass everywhere. Me and my group hope to fix that. I would also get free McDonalds and I’d gladly wear a bow tie!” Thanks for the letter Cole. We are looking forward to working with you.
Picking a winner was tough again this year because all the essay letters were great. Here are some of the reasons why other youth wanted to be Mayor for the Day. Maggie, 4th grade, would make room in the city budget to save the library and give a pay raise to the librarians, as well as fire fighters. Alana, 5th grade, would help the elderly and encourage all residents to help those in need. Kori, 5th grade, would help with food drives and go to the library to help kids with reading. Malaya, 5th grade, wants to create “Recycled Craft Day” to encourage people to collect recyclables in their homes and turn some of those items into whatever their minds imagine. Harper, 4th grade, wants to create a family fun night and used toy sale, with funding going to street lights, stop signs, or a clothing and food drive for pet shelters. We invite all youth to join us in our upcoming events, including cleaning the Mississippi River, cleaning and planting in the parks, the annual food drive and the Fill the Backpack campaign. Congratulations to Cole for being selected 2020 South St. Paul Mayor for the Day. We look forward to working with Cole and his Lego League on his community project.
a spot of tea and poetry. Prepare a poem or two at home to read or recite to the group. Bring your favorite books to recommend. All ages. Peeps catapults, 1-2 p.m., Saturday, April 4. Construct a working catapult capable of flinging sweet treats. Registration required. Ages 8-14. Rock, Rattle and Rhyme, 6:15 p.m., Mondays, April 6, 13, 20, 27. The event uses books, music and movement to teach social skills, listening comprehension and the foundations of reading. Ages three and under. Storytime, 10:15 a.m., Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 28. Hear stories and participate in activities that develop early literacy skills. Ages 2-6. Stories at Lawshe Memorial Museum, 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, April 21. The Dakota County Historical Society and South St. Paul Public Library are collaborating for a special storytime for toddlers and preschoolers. Ages 2-6. Meditation for Inner Peace, 6-8 p.m., Monday, April 6. Join meditation instructor Arvind Naik to learn a simple, yet powerful technique that will be explained and practiced during the session. Registration required. Book Club, 7 p.m., Thursday, April 9. “Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate will be discussed.
How to Write a Will, 6-7:30 p.m., Monday, April 20. Get free advice on how to write a will from estate planning attorney Ryan McLaughlin of McLaughlin Law. The presentation covers wills, power of attorney, health care directive, trusts, guardianship and more. Q & A to follow. Author presentation, noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, April 14. Author Marion Dane Bauer will discuss “Little Dog, Lost” and “Little Cat’s Luck” and answer questions. Ages six and up. Spring Book Sale, April 20-25. Children’s and adult materials will be available for purchase and the stock will be replenished throughout the week. The sale features a $1 bag sale. Día! Celebration, 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, April 23. Listen to stories and songs in Spanish, create papel picado and more at this celebration of children and books. Ages 3-12. Where History Meets Mystery, 6-8 p.m., Monday, April 27. Join mystery authors in exploring the darker side of Minnesota. Discover how historical events inspired their writing, the challenges they encountered when researching the past and how they balance mystery and history when writing. Wiggle and shake, 11-11:45 a.m., Wednesday, April 29. Jump, wiggle, shake and giggle in this movement-based early literacy program. Ages 2-6.
LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE Church of St. Matthew, 510 Hall Ave., St. Paul The Church of Saint Matthew invites you to join us in this season of Lent and the joyous season of Easter. We welcome you to come celebrate with us the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. If you desire information about us, please visit www.st-matt.org or call 651.224.9793. LENT Weekend Masses are celebrated on Saturdays at 4:15 p.m. & Sundays at 10:15 a.m. Daily Masses are Monday, Tuesday & Friday at 8:00 a.m. Thursday Mass at Community of Saints Regional Catholic School at 9:10 a.m. Mondays, March 2-April 6 Stations of the Cross: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 Ham Bingo 5-8 p.m. Fish Fry - Fridays, February 28-April 10 from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Individual Reconciliations Saturdays, March 7, 21 & April 4 & Sundays, March 8 & 22 Reconciliation after Masses Scripture Study-St. Matthew-Passion and Resurrection Saturday, March 28 from 9;15-11 a.m. Free will offering; registration requested Thursday, March 31 Chrism Mass–St. Paul Cathedral: 7:00 p.m. Sunday, April 5 Communal Penitential Service: 3:00 p.m. HOLY WEEK Palm Sunday Services Saturday, April 4: 4:15 p.m. & Sunday, April 5: 10:15 a.m. Easter Triduum Celebration Holy Thursday Mass: April 9, 7:00 p.m. Good Friday, April 10 Good Friday Service: 3:00 p.m.; Stations of the Cross: 12:00 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 11 Easter Vigil: 7:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 12 Sunrise Mass of the Resurrection: 7:00 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection: 10:15 a.m.
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Backyard Bounty
SSP has a long tradition of backyard gardeners Lois Glewwe Contributor
A
s spring arrives in Minnesota, it’s appropriate to reflect on how South St. Paul homeowners over the years have turned their backyards and vacant lots into massive gardens to grow produce both for their own families and for sale to others. Many current residents have likely heard of Victory Gardens, cultivated by Americans during World War II, but South St. Paul’s fourth-through-sixth-grade students were becoming gardeners long before. Bernie Beadle, who came to South St. Paul in 1928 to teach agriculture, biology, science and school gardening, established large gardens at Washington and Roosevelt schools, the high school and on a lot on 15th Avenue North, where Luther Memorial Church is today. The young farmers were allowed to take the produce home, which helped many families keep food on the table
during the Great Depression that spread across the country from August 1929 through the early 1930s. Beadle showed off the students’ best produce at the State Fair each year, and he and his wife, Ivey, took many a carload of kids to the Fair to see the agricultural and other exhibits. In addition to these large school-run gardens, many families planted corn, potatoes, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, turnips, parsnips, green beans, rhubarb and berry bushes in backyard plots or vacant lots. I grew up on 15th Avenue South, and my grandparents, Joe and Lena Rands, lived across the street. Their tiny house was on a 40-foot lot with a vacant 40-foot lot on either side. They moved there in January 1951 and that spring planted large vegetable gardens on both vacant lots. The northern plot was mostly corn and potatoes, and the southern lot was other vegetables. My grandparents, who had
been wheat farmers in Canada many years, had a small garden when they lived on Sidney Street on St. Paul’s West Side, but now they could really indulge in their favorite pastime. My entire family was blessed with an abundance of fresh produce from spring to fall, and with canned goods from Grandma’s root cellar in winter. My parents carried on the city farming tradition, although our backyard wasn’t big enough to grow much more than some tomatoes and rhubarb. My sister and brother-in-law followed suit. They purchased a home on several acres in West St. Paul and soon put in an extensive vegetable garden. I remember not being thrilled when we all piled in the car after supper on spring and summer nights to go help weed those gardens. But for a kid like me, it all seemed normal. Many of my dad’s cousins, the Glewwes and Hildebrandts, had huge market farms in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights. It just
Today, local gardeners are more likely to garden in a rented plot in one of the many community gardens provided by the city and area churches, such as this one at First Presbyterian Church. seemed that growing things was in our family’s DNA. As South St. Paul residential neighborhoods expanded in the late 1950s and early ’60s, most of the vacant lot farming plots disappeared and folks had to downsize their backyard gardens to accommodate for driveways,
garages and alleys. By the 1970s, however, communities across the Twin Cities began establishing new community gardens. Many of those gardeners were newly arrived Hmong immigrants from Laos, and they raised produce for the St. Paul Farmers’ Market. Over
the years, local churches have also provided space for garden plots, and the city continues to have garden plots for rent. Many of the gardeners donate their extra produce to the food shelf at Neighbors, Inc., allowing other families to enjoy fresh produce all season long.
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Low cost powerful vacs, too!
Saturday, April 18 Noon–3 p.m. Central Square Community Center 100 7th Ave. N. South St Paul
www.dakotacounty.us search fix-it clinic 952-891-7557
Know how to fix things?
Use your skills at a Fix-it Clinic. Volunteer at www.dakotacounty.us, click jobs & volunteering.
Page 12 - South St. Paul Voice - April 2020
At these prices you can wash daily for the price of one drive-thru wash!
Big Splash Car Wash
351 Robert St. S. St. Paul
2 Convenient Locations!
1407 Robert St. S. West St. Paul
April Showers Won't Clean Your Car! Wash With Us.