South St. Paul Voice December 2022

South St. Paul

Voters approve school levy

Tim Spitzack Editor

It was a narrow margin of victory, but Special School District 6 was successful in getting voter approval for more funding for public edu cation. The district placed a levy request on the ballot of the Nov. 8 general election asking voters to replace the existing levy (passed in 2017), which annually provided $792 per student through property taxes, with a new levy that provides $900 per student. That passed by just 25 votes, with 3,798 voters saying yes and 3,773 saying no. The extra funding will allow the district to avoid budget cuts affecting class sizes, staffing, programming and extracurricular activities. In a sec ond ballot question, the district asked for another $250 per student on top of the $900 per student to be used toward academic and mental health support, expanded programming, and increased career and college readiness opportunities for students. That measure passed by 194 votes, with 3,754 in favor and 3,560 against. Under the new levy, the owner of a median-valued home of $275,000, will pay an ad ditional $444 in property taxes. In related news, four members were elected to the school board from a field of 22 candidates. The top vote-getters were Tim Felton, Wendy Woods Felton, B.E. “Bernie” Beermann and Anne Claflin.

Light up the Square

Light up the Square, South St. Paul’s annual kick-off to the holiday season, begins at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27 at Central Square Community Center. Mayor James Francis with be joined by Santa, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s elves, Frosty and others in sharing cocoa, candy canes, and leading carols around the community tree. The countdown to lighting the tree begins at 6 p.m.

SSP City Council to adopt budget December 5

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

The South St. Paul City Coun cil will adopt its 2023 budget at its Dec. 5 meeting. The proposed budget is $23.68 million, about $1.19 million more than 2022. The biggest increase comes from the police department, which added about $525,000 due in part to hir ing three new officers. Other top increases are for street maintenance ($138,607) and parks facilities and maintenance ($89,593). The parks department will use some of the ex tra funding for the removal of trees infected with emerald ash borer. If approved as-is, the owner of a me dian valued home of $279,905 will pay $1,599 in city taxes, $172 more than 2022.

Election results

The most wonderful time of the year has arrived and along with it a wide array of festive events that will help you experience the magic of the season – all just minutes from your home. Our annual Holiday Event Guide helps you make the most of it. Frosty fun begins here.

Holiday Event Guide / Page 5

Come January, the South St. Paul City Council will have a new face in the council chambers: Matthew Thompson, who garnered 17.1% of the vote in the November 8 Gen eral election. The other top votegetters were incumbents Tom Sea berg (24.6%) and Joe Kaliszewski (22.3%). Each will serve a four-year term. The 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 agen das and city council member contact information, visit www.southstpaul. org or call 651-554-3284.

City faces another leadership change

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

In the past year, many longtime departmental leaders for the City of South St. Paul have retired, forc ing the city to add, remove and combine leadership po sitions – even entire depart ments – to keep up with the turnover. The most recent shift came in early Novem ber when Public Works Di

rector and City Engineer Sue Polka resigned. She held the role of city engi neer for more than two and a half years and the role of public works director for about five months.

“Sue has been a transfor mational leader for South St. Paul in her two plus years with us, so her departure will leave a really big hole in our organization,” said South St. Paul City Administrator

Ryan Garcia. “Her depth of knowledge and expertise about engineering standards and practices, her strategic planning to set us up with a long-range infrastructure plan, her ability to simul taneously manage complex programs and projects, and her guidance and mentoring of engineering and public works staff have been sec ond to none. We will miss her and we have incredibly

huge shoes to fill.”

In her letter of resignation, Polka alluded to the staffing challenges the city is facing.

“While I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the City of South St. Paul, the staffing situation is such that I can no longer perform the duties of my position to the level that is necessary,” she wrote. In a later interview, she said she is retiring.

In August, the engineer

ing and public works depart ments merged following the retirement of former public works director Pat Dunn.

Polka offered to take on the extra responsibility because she assumed the city would have a hard time finding a quick replacement for Dunn.

Following the merger, Polka managed two full-time em ployees in engineering and 19 in public works. Her departure comes at a time

when the city is involved in a few major public works projects, including recon struction of Concord Street, design work for water treat ment well No. 3 and design work for the replacement of the watermain crossings un der I-494 and the watermain under 7th Avenue South.

With Polka gone, the en gineering and public works

Girls Packer hockey honored

departments have been sep arated for the time being. Picking up the slack in pub lic works is superintendent Howard Steenberg. He was promoted to the newly cre ated position in August. He has worked with the city for more than three years and was previously the parks department lead worker. In early November, the city

council approved a contract with Elfering and Associates to fulfill its city engineering needs while it searches for candidates to take on the combined role of city engi neer/public works director. Elfering and Associates will work 25-30 hours a week at a rate of $140 per hour. The city also recently approved an assistant city engineer po sition and hopes to fill that

position next year.

Here’s a brief recap of the leadership positions that have changed hands this year: April - Police Chief Wil liam Messerich retired. For mer patrol division com mander Brian Wicke was promoted to succeed him.

Recreational supervisor Shannon Young was named Parks and Rec director, a position that was eliminat ed in 2020 due to a budget shortfall and brought back this year.

Longtime City Clerk Christy Wilcox retired. Deanna Werner, former elections administrator for Lakeville Area Schools, was hired to succeed her.

June - Public Works Di rector Pat Dunn retired. City Engineer Sue Polka picked up his duties.

City Administrator Joel Hanson retired. Former Eco nomic Development Direc tor Ryan Garcia moved into that role.

South

Seniors

Paul HRA

Library events

100th Birthday Party re ception, 2-4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1. Former staff, board members and volunteers will be honored. The community is invited to enjoy cake and live harp music, and share memories of the library.

Book Club , 7-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1. The title is “Love Medicine” by Louise Erdrich. For more informa tion, visit tinyurl.com/SSP bookclub.

Winter Bird Watching, 7-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5 on Zoom. This virtual bird talk covers birding basics, identification of local birds, how to set up a bird feeding station, and information on Project FeederWatch. Regis tration required.

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 con tact information, visit www. 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 con tact information, visit www. sspps.org or call 651-4579400.

The South St. Paul Lions Club meets at 7:15 p.m. the first and third Thursday of the month (SeptemberMay). For more information, visit https://ssplions.org.

Parks and Rec.

South St. Paul Parks and Recreation is hosting two holiday events in Decem ber. For more information, call 651-366-6200 or visit southstpaul.org.

Skate with Santa , 2-3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4 at Doug Woog Arena, 141 6th St. S. Skate with Santa and his elves, help decorate a holiday tree and enjoy hot chocolate. The event is free. Skate rental is free with a nonperishable donation for Neighbors, Inc.

Breakfast with Santa , 9-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 at Lincoln Center Elemen tary, 357 9th Ave. N. Enjoy

Volunteer In Your Community

Lutheran Social Service of MN is seeking volunteers age 55+ in your area to provide companionship to older adults or mentor school-age children. Volunteers commit to regular weekly hours for a tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement. Please contact Jacqueline James at 651.310.9455, or Jacqueline.James@lssmn. org for more information and to make an impact in your community.

breakfast with Santa, served by the South St. Paul Lions Club, and make a unique gift item at the holiday craft station. Breakfast is $6 for adults, $4 for students and free for ages six and under.

Letter to the Editor

I am writing in reference to the October 2022 piece, “Disengaged.” The onus of the article appears to be on

the feckless volunteers who no longer appreciate the value of free labor, namely theirs, in the face of over whelming need for their ser vices across the land. What the piece did not focus on are the many difficulties and complications and skeins of red tape most volunteers have to deal with initially. The process of volunteering [at some places] is intense,

invasive, complicated and hostile. People with crimi nal records, no matter how frivolous the conviction, are automatically barred from volunteering at most shel ters, both animal and hu man. The problem, as I see it, is the uptight nature of the individuals in charge of these organizations.

Max Alberts South St. Paul

In-home Foot Care

St. John Vianney Church would like to wish you a most blessed and peaceful Christmas. Please join us in celebrating this holy season.

MASS SCHEDULE: Christmas Eve Mass December 24 at 4 pm Christmas Day Mass December 25 at 8:30 am & 10:30 am Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God January 1 at 8:00 am

St. John Vianney Church 840 19th Ave. N, South Saint Paul 651-451-1863 | www.sjvssp.org

Christmas at Grace

Grace

Lutheran Church

8th Ave. S., South St.

651-451-1035 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 10:00 p.m. Christmas Day Celebration 9:00 a.m. New Year’s Eve 6:00 p.m. “He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Lace ‘em up

It’s our annual Packer girls hockey preview

John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

Right on cue, Old Man Winter is taking cen ter stage. Temperatures are dipping, snow flurries are filling the air, daily activities at Doug Woog Arena are ramping up, and with 586 victories – the most in the history of prep girls hock ey in Minnesota – Coach Dave Palmquist is revved up and ready to go. Add it all up and it’s time for our annual South St. Paul High School girls hockey preview. Before we turn our atten tion to this year’s squad, it is appropriate to reflect briefly on the 2021-22 season. Due to COVID-19, it was the first season since 201819 that teams were able to play full schedules. As usual, Palmquist did not shy away from scheduling games with Class AA teams. His reason for doing so is his belief that you can best prepare for the post-season when playing against quality opposition. That notion bore fruit

in 2022. After completing a 24-game regular season schedule with a 12-10-2 record, the Packers were at the top of their game as they began play in the Section 4A tournament. They defeated Two Rivers/St. Paul (5-1) and Chisago Lakes (4-2) to advance to the Class A State Tournament.

In doing so, they earned their record-breaking 16th trip to the State hockey tour nament. They opened with a 3-1 victory over Luverne in the quarterfinals before suc cumbing to Warroad 5-0 in the semifinals and losing 5-2 to Orono in the third-place game.

Overall, it was another fine season orchestrated by Palmquist, his coaching staff and the players who wore with pride the Packer sweater. Last year’s team in cluded a large and quality junior class and Palmquist is excited about that group forming the nucleus of his 2022-23 squad.

“We’ve got nine seniors on the team and I don’t think

we’ve ever had that many,” said the head coach. “Senior leadership plays a key role in any athletic team endeavor and we will have no shortage of that this season.”

The presumption by most hockey pundits is that the most important position on the ice is the goaltender. Senior captain Delaney Nor man is now in her fifth sea son as the starting goalten der and is on the precipice of breaking almost all of the school records. These are her numbers entering the 202223 season with the current record in parenthesis: games played 97 (103); wins 58 (65); shutouts 24 (new Nor man record); save percent age: 91.9 (92.6); and min utes played 5058 (5267).

“You run out of superla tives when talking about Delaney,” said Palmquist, who considers her a Division I prospect. “She’s a marvel ous goalie and a wonderful softball player, too. I hope we can give her an appropri ate send-off.”

If the goaltender is indeed

the most important player on the ice, perhaps coming in as a close second would be a seasoned and quality first line. The Packers have one of those, too. Senior Captain Sarah Wincentsen centers the first line with sophomore Bailey Vesper on her left and eighth grader Paige Johnson on her right.

“Sarah is a marvelous leader and skater, brings her great energy to practice and to games and is marvelous on the penalty kill,’ said Palmquist. “Only a sopho more, Bailey is in her third season on the varsity. She has breakout speed and can really shoot the puck. Paige is young but already has a strong feel for the game. She is an intelligent passer and can also finish at the net.”

The second line is centered by junior Eva Beck with se nior Alyiah Danielson at left wing and senior Kylie Sten gel at right wing.

“Eva is tenacious and very physical as well,” said Palmquist. “Alyiah is not very big, but she is a fireball with a great attitude. Kylie’s work ethic has paid huge dividends and she has earned her spot on the second line.”

Ninth grader Addi Barone centers the third line and, ac cording to Palmquist, is one of the fastest skaters on the team. Her linemates are se nior Ruby Joswiak, who is in her first year on the varsity, and senior Lauryn Buchan, who blocks shots and does the dirty work in the corners.

The first defensive pair ing includes sophomore Lily Pachl and junior Annie Felton.

“Lily is only a sophomore, but she is already a D-I pros pect who loves the game and plays it well,” said Palmquist. “Annie is the ultimate team player and we’ve moved her to defense. Our second defensive pairing includes seniors Inga Oelerking and Kylie Evazich. They are both tall and rangy and love to mix it up in the corners.”

The Packers opened the regular season with a 4-0 vic tory over New Ulm. Appro priately, Delaney Norman pitched a 14-shot shutout in the opener.

Team assessment: Once again, Coach Palmquist has a fine blend of seasoned vet erans and youth. He is par ticularly pleased with the fire power potential of his first

line, and the second line as well. As a D-I prospect, Pachl will lead the defense and make huge contribu tions on both ends of the ice sheet. It’s inevitable – the Packers will be firmly in the hunt for their 17th trip to the State hockey tournament in February.

Home Schedule

Doug Woog Arena, 7 p.m. unless noted Nov. 29 - Dodge County

Dec. 3 - Hill-Murray (2 p.m.)

Dec. 6 - North St. Paul/Tartan Dec. 9 - Hopkins/Park Dec. 16 - Hastings Dec. 26-28 - Kaposia Classic

Jan. 6 - Orono

Jan. 17 - White Bear Lake

Jan. 21 - Red Wing (3 p.m.)

Jan. 24 - Two Rivers/ St. Paul Jan. 27 - Simley Jan. 28 - Minneapolis (3 p.m.)

WOW!

That’s interesting...

Do you know of someone in our community who has done something noteworthy or has a fascinating background? If so, we want to hear from you. We enjoy sharing the stories of residents in downtown St. Paul, the West Side, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Lilydale and Sunfish Lake.

If you have a tip for a feature article, contact Tim at 651-457-1177 or tim@stpaulpublishing.com.

The girls hockey team and about 100 others gathered at Stockyards Tavern and Chophouse on November 10 for the unveiling of a new display honoring the history of the girls program.

oliday Event Guide

GLOW Holiday Festival

CHS Field will be trans formed into a winter won derland Nov. 23-Jan. 1. The GLOW festival features more than a million lights, a 60-foot-tall tree, Charity Flame, and much more. Vis itors can hang out at sElfie Plaza, enjoy a 150-foot tube slide, play on the Penguin Playground, navigate the Reindeer Run maze, roast up a tasty treat at Smores Stations and more. Some activities have an additional cost. Tickets are $20.75 for adults, $12.75 for children ages 5-12, and must be pur chased in advance at glow holiday.com. Entry times are reserved every hour starting at 5 p.m. each night. Ticket holders can enter at any time within the allotted hour and stay as long as they like. The last reserved entry time is 8 pm. GLOW closes at 9 p.m., Sunday-Thursday, and 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday.

James J. Hill House

Holidays on the Hill tours are held Nov. 25-Dec. 31. Check out both floors of the 1910 Gilded Age man sion of railroad titan James J. Hill. Admission includes self-guided access to holi day-themed exhibits and a 60-minute guided tour high lighting holiday stories and memories from both the Hill family and their staff. Tours start every half-hour, 10

a.m.-3:30 p.m. $18; free for ages 4 and under.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Holiday Flower Show, Dec. 3-Jan. 8, in the Sunken Garden. This year’s show will feature a white poinsettia accented with other handselected plants.

Ice Castles

Ice Castles return to New Brighton this year. Visi tors can enjoy ice slides, ice sculptures, an ice bar and more. Tickets go on sale Nov. 28. For more informa tion, visit icecastles.com.

Germanic American Institute

Christmas in Germany is held 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 3-4, 301 Summit Ave. Free. This is the institute’s annual open haus, but with a new name. Guests can experi ence some of the traditions of German Christmas. Taste Lebkuchen cookies baked by the GAI Damenklub, drink Haus brewed Glüh wein (mulled wine) and lis ten to German carols sung by the Minnesänger Chorus and 4Winds quartet. Season al goods will be sold outdoors by various vendors, Weih

nachtsmarkt style. For more information, visit gaimn.org and search “Christmas.”

Christmas in Germany dinner is held 5-8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10. Enjoy a holiday program and a multi-course dinner catered by Lake Elmo Inn. Tickets are $80.

Stammtisch Christmas Lunch is held 11:30 a.m.noon, Tuesday, Dec. 13. $15, registration required. Attendees can register dinein or curbside pick-up. There will be a short Christmas program with readings and songs for those dining in.

Schmidt Lofts Holiday Market

At least 30 artists will be selling their work from booths 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Nov. 25-26, and 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 27, in the Brewhouse of Schmidt Artist Lofts, 900 W. Seventh St.

St. Paul Hotel

“It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” is pre sented Dec. 1-23. The clas sic 1946 Frank Capra film has been adapted into a radio drama for the stage. The performances feature actors and sound effects to

help guide the audience’s imagination. Tickets start at $89 and include a 3-course meal. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, and 5 p.m. Sunday. To reserve tickets, call 651-228-3860 or visit www.saintpaulhotel. com.

Holiday Afternoon Tea, 1-3 p.m., Wed.-Sun., Dec. 1-30. Events feature a tea time fashioned after Eng land’s afternoon tea, a sea

sonal chef-inspired menu and live piano music. The event will not take place Dec. 24 or 25. $60.

Art House North

Sara Groves Christmas Show, 7:30-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9 at Art House North, 793 Armstrong Ave. W. Sara Groves and her band will play music from her Christmas records, among other originals and cov

ers. Complimentary Brake Bread desserts and decaf Dogwood coffee are served. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $45 through Nov. 28, and $55 on later dates. VIP tickets are avail able for $75 and includes 45 minutes with Sara beginning at 6 p.m., additional dessert, cider and coffee, and a Sara

Holiday events / Page 6

The GLOW festival will transform CHS Field into a winter wonderland Nov. 23-Jan. 1, 2023, with festive displays.

204 Randolph Ave., St. Paul. presents “The Nutcracker,” 7 p.m., Dec. 2, and 2 and 7 p.m., Dec. 3. Pay what you can; sug gested adult donation of $35.

Katie McMahon presents 2022 , 7:30, Friday, Dec. 9. Enjoy traditional Christmas carols, stories and lively Irish dance. McMahon will be joined on stage by her band, singers and the Rince na Chroí Irish presents “The Classic Nutcracker,” 7 p.m., Dec. 16, and 2 p.m.,

Union Depot, 214 4th St. E., St. Paul, is hosting the following Hub for the

European Christmas , Nov 25-Dec. 18, on the East Plaza. Visitors can shop for handmade crafts from more than 20 local vendors, drink Glüh wein (spiced mulled wine), taste European inspired

Tree Lighting and Movie Night is held Dec. 3, at the Union Depot.

delicacies, and participate in family friendly activities. Admission is free. The event is based on the festive openair Christkindl Markets that spring up in Germany, Austria, and other European countries during the Advent season. Hours are 4-9 p.m., Fridays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat urdays, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sundays.

Tree Lighting and Movie Night, 5-9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. Attendees should gather in the waiting room at 5 p.m. for free cider, craft stations, light-up wand give aways for kids, the St. Paul Winter Carnival 2023 but ton reveal and more. The Mistletones will present a holiday concert at 5:30 p.m. Tree lighting is at 7 p.m. in the North Plaza, followed by fireworks and a holiday sing-along. The movie “Elf” is presented at 7:30 p.m., in the waiting room. Visi tors are encouraged to bring blankets for seating. Free.

Holiday Bake Sale, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, in the waiting room. Shop from more than 30

local bakery and food ven dors and enjoy musical per formances. Free gift bags are given to the first 200 people to arrive.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, 5-8 p.m., Monday, Dec. 12. The train shows up at 7 p.m. and pres ents a 45-minute concert. Arrive early to shop and view model trains. Visitors will have a chance to receive giveaways.

The North Pole Express, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Dec. 2-4 and 8-11. Take a short train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa and his elves. Tickets are $36 for adults and $26 for children age 12 and under.

St. Paul Parks & Rec.

Holiday events take place at rec centers across St. Paul Dec. 10, 13 and 15. All events are free, but registra tion is required for most. For more information, visit stpaul.gov and search “win ter events.”

Dinner with Santa, 5:307 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at Duluth and Case Recre

ation Center, 1020 Duluth St. Families can enjoy food, crafts and a visit from Santa.

Santa’s Workshop, 5:308 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Battle Creek Recreation Center, 75 Winthrop St. S. Kids ages 6-18 may purchase and wrap gifts for their par ents, siblings or friends. All gifts will be under $1. Limit of $10 per child; cash only. Parents must stay in a wait ing area while their child is in the workshop.

Community Holiday Dinner, 6-7:30 p.m., Tues day, Dec. 13, at Hazel Park Recreation Center, 645 Ha zel St. N. Families can enjoy

a light dinner (while food supplies last) and holiday activities.

Winter Wonderland , 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 13, at North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 St. Albans St. N. Ages 12 and under. Visi tors can take part in activities and enjoy a visit from Santa.

Once Upon a Holiday Movie Night, 6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, at Phalen Recreation Center, 1000 Wheelock Parkway E. Visi tors may wear their pajamas and bring their blankets. Hot chocolate and snacks will be provided.

Fitzgerald Theatre

10 E. Exchange St. St. Paul 651-370-2953

First-avenue.com

The Jinkx & DeLa Holi day Show Live , 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6. Tickets start at $49.

History Center

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

Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition is featured through April 2, 2023. Visi tors can learn about areas of forensic science and engage in interactive crime-solving exercises. Original manu scripts, period artifacts, and investigative tools influenced and used by Sherlock Hol mes are on view.

Our Home: Native Min

nesota includes historic and contemporary photographs, maps and artifacts. Visitors learn how Minnesota’s native communities have retained cultural practices, teachings and values.

Other exhibits include “Minnesota’s Greatest Gen eration,” “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

“A Servants’ Christmas” is presented on select dates Nov. 19-Dec. 18. Set in 1899, a young immigrant woman is hired to serve as

“a second girl” following the death of Mr. Warner’s wife.

The young woman fears that she may be dismissed from the job if Mr. Warner – a strict Christian – learns about her Jewish heritage.

The play is a humor- and joy-filled musical. Tickets start at $48, with discounts for seniors, those under age 30 and students.

Landmark Center

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

Old-Fashioned Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m-7 p.m., Dec. 1-2, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 3. Shop for jewelry, paintings and other hand crafted items by local art ists. $5.

Virtual Christmas Sto ries with J.B. Eckert, Dec. 4. Available online for one

Advent and Christmas Schedule

Church of Saint Matthew • 510 Hall Avenue, St. Paul www.st-matts.org • (651) 224-9793

Here the love of Christ shall end divisions. All are welcome.

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 24 – 9:00 am (livestreamed)

Saint Paul Civic Symphony Concert Sunday, December 4 – 3:00 pm

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Vigil, Wednesday, December 7 – 7:00 pm Thursday, December 8 – 7:00 pm

Christmas Bake Sale, Boutique and Tea

Saturday, December 10 – 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Sunday, December 11 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Santa Breakfast Sunday, December 11 – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Communal Penance Service Sunday, December 18 – 2:00 pm

Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 – 4:15 pm (in-person)

Christmas Day Sunday, December 25 – 10:15 am (in-person and online)

Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God Vigil, New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31 – 4:15 pm (in-person) New Year’s Day, Sunday, January 1 – 10:15 am (in-person and online)

You may participate online: Facebook (www.facebook.com/churchofstmatthew) or YouTube (www.youtube.com/churchofstmatthew)

The Church of St. Matthew is a Catholic community that is a visible expression of God’s love.

month. Free.

“A Servants’ Christmas” is presented on select dates Nov. 19-Dec. 18 at the History Theatre.

Santa’s Workshop, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 11, at Musser Cortile. Free

Threads of Freedom Artist Talk, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8, at the North Gallery. Free.

Star of the North Band Holiday Concert , 7:30-9 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 14. Free.

Barley Jacks, progressive bluegrass and original roots band, concert 8-10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets include admis sion to a cocktail hour from 7-8 p.m.

MN Children’s Museum 10 7th St. W. St. Paul 651-225-6000 mcm.org

The Amazing Castle is the featured exhibit through Jan. 8, 2023. Travel back in time to a magical place where medieval storybook characters come to life. Ex plore eight themed areas and get to know the characters that make the castle a com munity.

Imaginopolis now fea tures Nature ReMix. Visi tors are transported into a se cret forest where everything is recognizable, but has a whimsical twist. Pretend to bake sweet treats in a squir rel’s house, create a home from oversized leaves and fish scales, and more.

Other exhibits and activi ties include The Scramble, The Studio, Creativity Jam, Sprouts, Backyard, Our World, Forces at Play, Super Awesome Adventures, and the Tip Top Terrace.

The museum is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Tickets are $14.95. Admis sion is free the first Sunday

of each month; reservations are required. The next free date is Dec. 4.

MN Museum of American Art

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

“In Our Minds” is on dis play in the museum’s window space through Jan. 8, 2023. Presented in partnership with Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, this ex hibit celebrates art-making as a form of research, improvisa tion and play.

“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 March 15, 2023. The artwork was created by 19 students from the St. Paul Conservatory for Perform ing Artists and explores the theme of metaphorical rising sea level.

Ordway Center

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

ordway.org

“Beauty and the Beast” is presented at select times Nov. 30-Dec. 31. Tickets start at $41.

Christmas with Cantus: Into the Light, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16. Tickets start at $25.

Park Square Theatre

20 W. 7th Place St. Paul 651-291-7005 parksquaretheatre.org

“The Snowy Day” is presented Dec. 1-23. Cel ebrate the joy of the seasons through a child’s eyes in this new, ensemble-driven production that explores

connections to water and the changing of the seasons. Ticket pricing varies based on date.

RiverCentre

175 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651- 265-4800 rivercentre.org Minnesota Hmong New Year 2022-2023, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Nov. 26-27.

St. Paul Ice Fishing & Winter Sports Show, 1-8 p.m., Dec. 2; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 3; and 9 a.m.4 p.m., Dec. 4. Shop more than 190 exhibitors. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12 and free for children five and under. Minnesota Roller Derby, 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Roy Wilkins Auditori um. Tickets start at $12.50.

Schubert Club

302 Landmark Center

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

KidsJam: Journey through Afro-Brazilian Music with Ticket to Bra zil, 10:30 a.m., Nov. 29-30, at the Schubert Club Music Museum. Tickets start at $5.

Harpist Bridget Kibbey, Schubert Club’s 2022-2023 featured artist, and Alexi Kenney, violin, will perform at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 1, and 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2, at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. Tickets start at $28.

Museum Mini: Kevin Newton, 10:30 a.m., Mon day, Dec. 5. Kevin Newton of Imani Winds will play the French horn and teach about how it works. This is a vir tual event. Free.

Accordo concert , 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Tickets start at $28.

ample St. Paul

Songs of the Season: Car ols by Minnesota Compos ers, noon-1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15 at the Landmark Center. Free.

Digital concert series: A performance of Anne Sofie von Otter and Kristian Be zuidenhout will be featured on the Schubert Club web site at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15. Tickets are $10.

Science Museum of Minnesota

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

Nature All Around Us is presented through January 22, 2023. Discover the hid den worlds and rich ecosys tems within familiar places and explore how trees cool neighborhoods, how streams

carry storm water away from homes, how spending time in nature keeps people healthy, and more.

Omnitheater films“Backyard Wilderness” is presented through January 31, 2023. Peek inside dens, nests and ponds to meet the creatures that live there.

“Dream Big” is presented through December 31. Ex plore engineering marvels

P ostscript

Shelley’s Hats

Recently we attended the memorial for my husband Peter’s oldest sister, Shelley. Shelley went through a long battle with cancer, and Peter lost his second sister in two years.

Shelley’s husband died at the beginning of the pan demic and she moved 900 miles across the country to live near her kids. Almost immediately she learned that she was gravely ill. She moved in with her son, Joel, and daughter-in-law, Dani, and never left.

Shelley had several opera tions that did not go well,

then chemo, which did not make her feel better, and fi nally she died peacefully, sur rounded by the family who loved her so much. Mean while, all the things she had

packed up in the moving van remained in a storage unit.

Shelley was a woman of style, a striking beauty all her life. She dressed in bright colors, coordinating every outfit with care, and whenever the occasion called for it, she wore a hat. So, I thought I’d wear a hat to her memorial.

I am not generally a hatwearing person, but I like to dress up, and a day dedicat ed to remembering Shelley seemed like an occasion that called for it. I ordered a fancy black hat.

Peter liked the idea, and emailed Dani.

“Did Shelley have some other hats you could bring to the service that people could wear if they wanted?” he wrote.

from around the world and learn how engineers push the limits of innovation in unexpected ways.

Omnitheater tickets are $9.95. Free for children age 3 and under.

Sensory Friendly Sunday is hosted the first Sunday of the month. Visitors can ex perience a lights-up, sounddown Omnitheater show at 10 a.m. The program

He got no response. This was unlike Dani. Dani has the biggest heart of anyone I know. When Shel ley was in the nursing home for several months, Dani organized it so that Shelley had a visitor every single day she was there. Dani planned parties for Shelley’s birthday, took her to all of her doctor appointments and cooked for her every day.

“I screwed up,” Peter said. “I didn’t mean to make more work for Dani.”

I decided to wear my hat, regardless. I knew that Peter’s ex-wife planned to attend, which caused me a twinge of concern. She is a reserved and sensible person – two adjectives rarely applied to me – and was unlikely to show up in headgear the size

was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota. Museum tickets range from $9.95-$34.90, with discounts available for those with limited incomes.

Xcel Center

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

of a hula hoop. No matter, I thought. Shelley would have liked it.

On the day of the me morial, we walked into the funeral home and saw Dani wearing a hat. Next to her was her daughter, also in a hat. As I entered the lobby, I saw hats on the back of the chairs, over the lamps, sitting on the tables. They were everywhere, and they were all Shelley’s hats.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to do it,” Dani confessed. “That’s why I didn’t answer you. They were all in storage. But one day, I had a couple of hours, and I said, ‘what the heck!’ I had to empty about a third of the storage unit until I got to this huge washing-machine box. It was

Disney On Ice presents “Find Your Hero,” 7 p.m., Dec. 8; 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 9; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m., Dec. 10; and 1 and 5 p.m., Dec. 11. Tickets start at $20.

Trans-Siberian Orches tra, 3 and 7:30 p.m., Fri day, Dec. 23. Tickets start at $49.50.

filled with hats and hatboxes. I started to empty it, but I couldn’t reach the bottom. So, I climbed in and kept emptying it. Then I couldn’t get out!”

Dani didn’t tell us how she eventually got out of the washer box. It was ap parently not dignified. But the result was magnif icent. Every woman wore a hat. Everyone took their hat home as a memory of Shel ley, and I can only imagine how delighted she would have been.

Funerals tend to end up looking alike, and we all go to too many of them. But no one will ever forget the sea of colorful hats, a little bit of Shelley in every one. Till next time.

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Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

Neighbors, Inc.

Charlie Thompson President & CEO

Virginia Milbert, a founding member of Neighbors, Inc., recently shared her favorite story from the past 50 years of our organization. Early on in our history, she was volunteering in the Clothes Closet. A parent came

in with two sons. The older boy was wearing a pair of worn-out shoes. In fact, they had cardboard attached to the bottom of them. The younger boy did not have shoes at all. The parent inquired about shoes for the boys and Vir ginia went to work.

day traditions celebrated by many. Traditions have a strong place in our hearts and are an essential part of how we celebrate. We hold on to traditions because they add meaning to our celebra tions and help us better con nect with our families and community.

They were able to locate shoes for the older boy. The younger boy initially thought that he was going to have to wear his older brother’s shoes (the ones with cardboard in the bot tom). Virginia assured him that she would find him a pair of shoes. She asked what size and the parent replied “Three,” and the boy said he wanted cowboy boots.

Virginia went to the back room to find the boy a pair of size three cowboy boots. She saw a pile of women’s shoes then she saw a slightly smaller pile of girls’ shoes. She looked in the small box of men’s shoes and the even smaller box of boys’ shoes.

She thought to herself that she was not going to find any shoes his size, let alone cow boy boots. She went back to the men’s box of shoes and dumped them out. There she saw a pair of small cow boy boots. She looked closer: size three.

Having found what the boy wanted, she went back to where the family was waiting. The boy’s eyes lit up as she presented a pair of nearly new, size three cow boy boots.

After 50 years of service, Virginia has never forgotten that experience. That story exemplifies our mission: Providing opportu nities for our neighbors to

thrive by connecting volun teers to people in need.

As we finish our 50th year, I want to thank everyone for being part of the Neigh bors’ community. Whether you are a volunteer, donor, community partner or staff member, your time, talent and treasure is what makes Neighbors possible. You are all a part of – as the first minutes read on January 13, 1972 – “the Association for Personal Help.” You are Neighbors.

This year has offered us many opportunities to share stories, welcome back vol unteers and staff from years gone by and, above all, serve our neighbors in need. The

need for Neighbors is as im portant as it has ever been. We are experiencing record numbers in our hunger re lief program. Our Financial Empowerment Program is seeing more and more peo ple in need of services. Our Clothes Closet is selling and giving away essential items five days a week.

As we look to our 51st year, we do so during chal lenging times. We also do so knowing that our commu nity will continue to support our work. To that end, here’s to Neighbors and here’s to our community. Thank you for always being there to help a neighbor during their time of need.

Baking colorful cookies, hanging ornaments, attend ing special gatherings, and taking trips to see lighting displays are just a few holi

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

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

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

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

• South St. Paul Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist 140 6th Ave N 651 455-0777

• Grace Lutheran Church 1 49 8th Ave S 651 451-1035 grace-ssp.org

The community of South St. Paul has a variety of holi day traditions. Who is not excited to see the snowflakes and snowflake banners go up on Southview Boulevard? How many have bundled

up and visited the South St. Paul Lions Club Tree lot to pick the perfect Christmas tree, or attended the Lions Club Breakfast with Santa to enjoy delicious pancakes and share their most wishedfor gift with Santa? And who hasn’t strapped on skates at the Annual Holiday Skate or gone sledding down the Jef ferson Hill or skated at an outdoor rink?

For many in South St. Paul, the holiday season be gins with attending the an nual lighting of the holiday

tree ceremony at Central Square Community Cen ter. This year, Light Up the Square will take place at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 27. There will be caroling, cocoa and lighting of the holiday tree at 6 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Frosty will be there, along with elves (the Mayor’s Youth Task Force) handing out treats for the little ones. It’s a great way to kick off the holidays in South St. Paul.

A new tradition that be gan last year is Jingle Grams,

designed to spread positive messages to people living in South St. Paul. Jingle Grams are placed in a festive holiday bag and delivered with some tasty holiday treats. Jingle Grams are a great way to share a message of encour agement, happy news, or simply to wish someone a good day or a happy holiday.

Jingle Grams forms are avail able at www.southstpaul.org (events calendar), at South St. Paul City Hall, 125 3rd Ave. N., or by contacting Deb Griffith, Community

Affairs, at deb.griffith@ southstpaul.org or 651-5543230. Return forms to City Hall, along with the dona tion to the Mayor’s Youth Task Force. Task Force elves will deliver the Jingle Grams on Saturday, Dec. 17. All proceeds will benefit activi ties hosted by the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force throughout the year. Happy Holidays! We hope you make many wonderful memories and enjoy your own traditions this holiday season.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church Catholic church 749 6th Ave . S . 651 455-1302 holytrinitysspmn.org

• Clark Memorial United Church 779 15th Ave . N . 651 451-7278 clarkgraceucc.org

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

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

Worship Guide

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

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

Lois Glewwe Contributor

The Christmas of 1943 was difficult for many families around the world as World War II raged on in Europe and the Pacific. Still, families gathered as they were able, and children happily opened gifts and thanked Santa for this special time.

For my family, 1943 was cel ebrated as Christmases had been for many years, with a Glewwe family breakfast on Christmas morning. My dad’s 11 brothers and sisters and their spouses and chil dren met with their mom to enjoy Christmas fruit breads, cookies, punch, cof fee and desserts. Each child received a gift (names had been drawn earlier, assigning a child to each family).

My dad, Reuben Glewwe, had a big part in this celebra tion because he had built two beautiful dollhouses for two little girls, Kathleen Stassen and Mary Jill Knospe. Kath leen was 15 months old when her father, Minnesota Gover nor Harold Stassen, resigned his office in April 1943 and

joined the U.S. Navy. He was on the staff of Gen. William Frederick “Bull” Halsey Jr. and was instrumental in the surrender of Japan in 1945. Harold was married to my dad’s sister, Esther Glewwe, and was able to be home for Christmas in 1943, which was celebrated at Minnesota’s first Governor’s Mansion, at 744 Stewart Lane. Mary Jill was the daughter of my dad’s youngest sister, Zelma “Sal” Glewwe, and her husband Reynold Knospe. She was two years old that Christmas and her cousin Kathleen would turn two that January.

My dad wrote in his daily diary on Christmas Eve, 1943, “Had to finish the dollhouse tonight – went to bed at 2:30 a.m.” On Christ mas Day he added: “Drove to Esther’s for breakfast – all sisters, brothers, wives and husbands there except Wesley who was in Milwaukee. The two dollhouses were placed on either side of the tree and made quite a picture.”

Over the next several years, the Christmas dollhouses be came a much yearned for gift for young Glewwe girls. In

1944, Dad built a dollhouse for Karen Kloss, the daugh ter of his sister Alma and her husband Frank Kloss. His Christmas contribution the following year was to remodel Kathleen’s dollhouse, and in 1946 he built a dollhouse for Marion Stassen, who wasn’t related but whose father was Harold Stassen’s brother. The next year, he built a dollhouse for Gayle Patet, the daugh ter of my mom’s sister, Alyce Patet. In 1948, Dad built yet another one, this one for Marion Glewwe, the daugh ter of Dad’s first cousin, Bill Glewwe.

All of the dollhouses were of similar design, two floors with an open front and each room beautifully decorated. My mom did most of the wallpaper work and Dad and my brother Rollie built the tiny furniture. Each house is an example of classic 1940s architecture and design. Nowhere in his diaries does Dad record what he was paid for the houses. I suspect it wasn’t very much. He en joyed building them, but did comment once, “Working on Kathleen’s dollhouse all day –

more work than a real house it seems.”

It wasn’t until 1954, after I’d come along, that Dad built my dollhouse, a true masterpiece of mid-century modern design. It was a onestory rambler with big win dows, a fireplace, carpeting, flocked wallpaper, electric lights and accessible only by removing the roof. I played with that dollhouse for years and years. After my parents sold their homestead and downsized, I gave the doll house to my dear friends in

Milton, Mass., who had twin girls. Those girls loved it as well. In 2010, my friends sent it back to me, which was a total surprise and a delight to relive those childhood memories.

Dad still wasn’t done, how ever. In 1978, for a surprise wedding gift, he built my niece Rae Marie – his first grandchild – a dollhouse. Rae was overjoyed. She had missed out on having one as a child and she absolutely loved receiving one for her wedding. Her own kids and

grandkids grew up playing with her dollhouse, which is still in the family.

As I gathered information about Dad’s dollhouses, it brought back many memories of him and my mom, and of happy Christmases with fam ily gathered around. Today, many of our traditions are gone and we don’t see each other as much, but the memo ries are rich and lasting.

Wishes that your family has such memories to trea sure. Happy Christmas!

This photo, taken this fall, shows a dollhouse built in 1948.