Neighbors, Inc. hostscelebrationanniversary
Due to an increase in the num ber of students being bused to school, South St. Paul Public Schools has created a wait list for its pay-toride program for students living outside of the district’s designated transportation zone. As a result, sec ondary school students who are on the wait list won’t know if they have a seat until early October. To be eli gible for district bussing, elementary students must live at least one mile from their school, and secondary students at least 1.5 miles. Pay-to-ride applicants will be ac cepted based on the order in which applications were received, and only if seating is available. Elementary school applicants will be filled first. To register, visit sspps.org and search “transportation.”Ridershiphas increased for eli gible students, possibly due to high gas prices, said South St. Paul Pub lic Schools Transportation Specialist Erika“AnyRyan.student eligible for districtprovided transportation will have a seat on a bus,” Ryan said. “It’s helpful when families turn in daycare and al ternate address forms and pay-to-ride applications in a timely manner so that we can look at all possibilities and route changes that need to happen. We can’t make major timing changes once bus passes are mailed out.”
School inaddressesdistrictrisebusridership
Student resource officers
“The majority of people in the community can be stabi lized through other commu nity-based support systems, but when crisis support is needed, it [transitional liv ing spaces] is a place to go,” said Shug. “City and county mental health providers have all been talking about the shortage of those types of places. There’s also a lot of focus on how full the hospi tals are, and how they don’t want people to end up in jail because they don’t have
Jake Spitzack Staff Writer
Schmitz named SRO at public schools
Volume 19 | Number 9 Your Community News & Information Source September 2022 South St. Paul Mental Health / Page 2 Buses / Page 2 SROs / Page 2
Jake Spitzack Staff Writer
County relocates mental health crisis center
“Those buildings have served the community well for many years, but they have old designs that don’t comply with current best practices,” said Emily Shug, deputy director for Dakota County Social Services. “They have steep stairs, and some of the bathrooms and bedrooms aren’t easily acces sible for people struggling with mobility. Some of the bedrooms are shared.”
The current buildings are residential homes that have been converted and modified over the years to provide liv ing and programming space. They are owned by Guild, the County’s service part ner on the project. Together they have 15 beds. The new one-building facility will be owned by the County. It will have 16 bedrooms and of fer 10-day and 90-day pro grams. A design firm is ex pected to be named by early September, and construction completed by the end of 2024. The County’s mental health advisory council will seek community feedback on the design this fall. The location is yet to be deter mined but the preferred site is Dakota County’s North ern Service Center campus at 1 Mendota Road. Ad ditional funding will come from the State of Minnesota, American Rescue Plan, pri vate contributions and other county funds.
PREVIEWPREPPage8 St.SamplePaulEventGuidePage6
Special School District #6 recently brought back a second school resource officer (SRO) to help keep its schools safe. Chad Schmitz, a 20year veteran with the department, will begin his new duties the first week of September. He joins Mellis sa Cavalier, who has been an SRO for six years. Both will work with students in the secondary school, both elementaries, and the South St. Paul Community Learning Center.
Mellissa Cavalier and Chad Schmitz
Neighbors / Page 3 Jake Spitzack Staff Writer
The Dakota County Board of Commission ers recently received a $3.5 million grant from the De partment of Human Servic es to support a new $8 mil lion crisis recovery center in West St. Paul. The building will provide transitional liv ing space and programming for those who have experi enced a mental health cri sis. The facility will replace three outdated buildings in South St. Paul that have been used for this purpose for more than 30 years.
“Our expectation is that they will serve as mentors first and foremost to the students in the buildings,”
Jake Spitzack Staff Writer Neighbors, Inc. will culminate its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with a community event held 4-7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17 at 222 Grand Ave. W., South St. Paul. On Friday, Neighbors is bringing its classic summer happy hour event to its home turf. The Backyard Band will perform 5-7 p.m., and the Lion’s Club will dish out free hot dogs and sell beer. Saturday events include train rides for children, carnival games, a performance by the Baron of Bubbles from 1:30-3 p.m., trivia, food demonstrations and speed vol unteering. Both days will include a historical slideshow, guided tours of Neighbor’s, Inc. and the chance to submit written memories about Neighbors, which may be archived. “I Y Neighbor’s” t-shirts will be available for $5. Customers may visit tie dye stations to make them look groovy and reminiscent of the 1970s, when Neighbors was found ed.Neighbors has come a long way from its origins of operating food shelf locations at local churches, including St. John Vianney and St. Augustine’s in South St. Paul, and Augustana Lutheran in West St. Paul. Two years after its inception, the organization held its first Christ mas gift distribution at the West St. Paul Armory, providing gifts for 170
from page 1 Your community news and information source
ommunity said South St. Paul Chief of Police Brian Wicke. “There’s a clear delineation between the school district rules and society’s rules, and our SROs lock the bridge between those and help guide these young men and women as they transition from their teen years into adulthood.”
School resource officers re spond to violent situations, enforce laws when illegal activities occur, work highattendance school events, help maintain school crisis and emergency plans, and coordinate safety efforts with staff, students, parents and community members. Spe cial emphasis is placed on addressing gang and drug activity in and around the schools and investigating unregistered visitors at the schools. SROs also assist with social service calls and speak to students on topics such as personal and internet safety.“Breaking up fights be tween students is probably the most common inter action with violence they have,” said Wicke. “Some times we do get former stu dents who are not welcome that will show up at football games or other events, and our SROs, based on their knowledge and relationship with school staff, will quickly locate those individuals and escort them from the proper ty…. Intruders to the school campus itself are very rare.”
Page 2 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 SROs from page 1
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Become a Join.ReadingandMath.orgTutor! AcademiaCHARTERCesar Chavez 1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul www.cesarchavezschool.com651-778-2940 St. Paul City School PreK-12 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul www.stpaulcityschool.org651-225-9177 COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES St. Paul College 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul 651-846-1600 https://saintpaul.edu St.PAROCHIALCroixLutheran Academy 1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul www.stcroixlutheran.org651-455-1521 Education That Suits Your Student SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose a school that best fits your student's and family's needs. I do painting, repairs & cleaning of homes and HANDYMANapartmentsMR.LARRYFORHIREWindowWashingGutterCleaningandRepairs Insured 651-399-4304 I do painting, repairs & cleaning of homes and HANDYMANapartmentsMR.LARRYFORHIREWindowWashingGutterCleaningandRepairs Insured Insurance651-399-4304 1560 Livingston Ave. Suite 101, West St. Paul Home, StremskiSTATEFinancialBusiness,Auto,Services651-457-6348FARMAgency StremskiSTATEInsuranceFARMAgency 1560 Livingston Ave. Suite 101, West St. Paul SeguroAutomóvilHogardeVida651-457-6348 FOR RENT Find your place with us! We're At Home Apartments with locations through out the Twin Cities metro area. Call 651-224-1234 or availabilityAtHomeApts.comvisitforofanapartmentortownhome. Equal Housing Opportunity. 651-248-7274Call EquipmentTurntablesRecords,Vintage&Stereo WANTED
Buses from Health
Two SROs had worked in the district since 2010, but the second position was eliminated in 2020 in response to decreased atten dance due to distance and hybrid learning caused by COVID-19. This year the District expects in-person attendance to be similar to pre-pandemic years. The first SRO position was created in 2001 by a federal grant. To day, the program is jointly funded by the school district and the police department. Cavalier is a South St. Paul High School graduate who had a positive relationship with an SRO while attend ing school. That relation ship is a big reason why she became a police officer and wanted to return to the school as an SRO. Last year, the police de partment began a program to award a scholarship to one secondary student pursuing a career in criminal justice. The scholarship has been funded by donations from more than 10 South St. Paul police officers, all of whom graduated from South St. Paul schools. The most re cent scholarship, awarded in May, was for $1,000.
The District has con tracted with Safe-Way Bus Company for more than 15 years to serve students within city limits. This year, as last year, seven busses will be used to transport students in all grades. While each bus can fit about 77 students, the District aims to keep the number down to about 60 for elementary students and 50 for secondary students. In the past two years, CO VID-19 protocols reduced bus capacities to 25, but that restriction was lifted going into this school year. SafeWay is projected to transport 1,125 students this year in South St. ElementaryPaul students not taking the bus may take ad vantage of Kid’s Choice, a before- and after-school pro gram at Kaposia Education Center and Lincoln Center. The program opens at 6:30 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Registration is required. For more information, call 651306-3631. access to mental health care. We’re really excited to have this opportunity to create a new safe place for people to go for healing, and to con nect with other services that are so important for longterm recovery.”
• Free dance lessons from TC Swing at 7 p.m. • Dance 8 p.m.-midnight featuring music by the Roseville Big Band. • Vintage clothing contest with prizes for best WWII-era clothing Food Truck: K-Town Street Foods • Food and Fun! Serving Pre-K-12th graders in St. Paul Metro • New state-of-the-art facility • Free public charter school • Small class sizes (25 or fewer) • Full day pre-school and kindergarten • Emphasis on community • Environmental Ed / Experiential Learning programs • Free school busing in St. Paul for Pre-K-12th grade • Free breakfast & lunch available • Special education services • English language learning services • School culture that emphasizes relationships, community building, leadership and character growth. A New Year. A New Facility! We are excited to begin the new school year in our new building, located one block west of the capital at University Ave. W. and Marion St. We now have Pre-K through grade 12 under one roof! The new building features state-of-the-art classrooms, gymnasium, green space/playground, cafeteria, community space, and a community center. We're now enrolling. Call today or enroll online! To learn more and schedule a tour Call 651-225-9177 or visit www.stpaulcityschool.org St. Paul City School 215 University Ave. W., St. Paul 651-224-4759 712 S. SMITH AVE. ST. PAUL, MN • LIC. 059432 Over 100 Years of Personal Service! Since 1912 www.rascherplghtg.com Ask us about saving money on your energy and water costs. FREEBIDS BOND.LIC.INS. MERRIAM PAINTINGPARK Call Ed. www.mppainting.com651.224.3660 Nowinteriorbookingjobs Locally owned and operated since 1985 More than 3 500 5 star reviews More than 235 000 customers served Experienced installers, sales associates and staff to serve your needs today and tomorrow A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau www greatgaragedoor com West St Paul 651 454 4522 St Paul 651 486 0000 GET A NEW 16x7 Raised Steel Panel or Carriage House $2095 RECYCLING OF OLD DOORS EXTRA WINDOWS EXTRA INCLUDES FREE perimeter weather seal hardware upgrade and a 5 year applied hardware warranty We repair springs cables tracks photo eyes door adjustments operators on ALL brands! Call us for your repair needs today! G d h gh 9/26/22 INSTALLED
“When I first moved to the area, I started abso lutely from scratch,” said Rose, who benefitted from Neighbors’ services and went on to volunteer with them. She wished to remain anon ymous. “I had previously shared an apartment with my sister and had recently retired, so I had to find re sources quickly. I found a lot of affordable things in the Clothes Closet to help me fill my apartment, and I got my food monthly.
South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 - Page 3 Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Staff Writers: Jake Spitzack John E. Ahlstrom Contributors: Lois RogerGlewweFuller Delivery: Independent Delivery Service The South St. Paul Voice is published monthly and distributed to 8,500 homes and high traffic businesses in South St. Paul. ST. PAUL PUBLISHING COMPANY 1643 So. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN 55118 651-457-1177 | info@stpaulpublishing.com | www.stpaulpublishing.com The South St. Paul Voice assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors and for the validity of claims or items reported. Copyright South St. Paul Voice 2022. All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978. For questions regarding news or advertising, call 651-457-1177 Your community news and information sourceC ommunity families. Milestones were reached in 2009, when more than 1,000 volunteers served at Neighbors, and in 2015, when food donations ex ceeded one million pounds for the year. Additionally, Neighbors has received the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit of the Year award, and the South St. Paul/Inver Grove Heights Rotary Club’s Service to Others Humani tarian Recognition award.
$20 at the door, $18 online Proceeds benefit the Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing, a non-profit WWII Aircraft museum 10
Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing 310 Airport Rd., South St. Paul www.cafmn.org 651-455-6942
Additional testimonials from pastors, AmeriCorps alumni and other volun teers can be found at tosary.honorandSchulzegrantceivedinterviews.borsmn.org/news/historical-neighInlateJuly,Neighborsrea$50,000matchingfromtheRichardM.FamilyFoundationananonymousdonorinofits50thanniverItiscurrentlyworkingraisefundstomeetthe match. The money will go toward Neighbor’s Endow ment Fund to help secure the nonprofit’s future. The organization was founded in 1972 by six lo cal churches with the goal of helping people who needed food and clothing. Today it serves communities in northern Dakota County with food and other hunger relief programs, clothing and household items, finan cial counseling, holiday gift programs, and a financial empowerment program to help people address the root causes of poverty. For more information, call 651-455-5000 or visit neighborsmn.org.“Neighborshas been able to serve the community the past fifty years because the community supports its neighbors during their time of need,” said President and CEO Charlie Thompson. “Neighbors is a place where the community comes to gether to give and receive programs and services. Neighbors will continue to provide opportunities to thrive for as long as the need exists, thanks to the generous community sup port through giving of time, talent and treasure.”
Neighbors from page 1
Submitted photo Neighbor’s, Inc. relies on volunteers like Monica Spier to prepare items for their food shelf, which serves northern Dakota County.
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Fall Bombers MoonBall Saturday, Sept.
Neighbors was so helpful to me. They were my lifesavers. One of the times I was us ing the food shelf, there was another Spanish-speaking person who didn’t speak English, so I volunteered to help interpret. That led to a volunteer position in the food shelf and then I transi tioned to volunteering in the Clothes Closet. I’m adding more days to my volunteer schedule because it gets me out of my apartment. The people I volunteer with are so awesome and I just love it.”
briefs
LAWN SERVICE Total Lawn Maintenance Large or LandscapingSmallProjects Office: 651-207-5396 Cell: 612-328-6893 Since 1984 / Major Credit Cards Accepted www.kernlawnservice.com LANDSCAPING MidWestOne Bank 930 Southview Blvd. 451-2133 • State ChristopherFarmKisch 625 Southview Blvd. 455-9700 Metzen Realty and Associates Co. 412 Southview Blvd. 455-2214 • South St. Paul Voice Your community news & advertising source 457-1177 Wishing you the best this year! Now Accepting Fall Registrations Classes start September 6 222 N. Concord Exchange South St. juliannesdancecenter@gmail.comPaul 651-455-9159 "A Classic Performing Arts Studio" Celebrating our 43rd year! Open RegistrationsHouse4-8p.m.Aug.30,31,Sept.1Toregister,stopinatoneofouropenhouseeventsorcallthestudio.Toreceiveournewfallschedule,callusoremailusyourhomeaddress. Find us on Need Tax Help? From tax returns to accounting to tax planning, we can help. We are credentialed tax professionals and work year-round so you can depend on us. McFarren Tax & Accounting, LLC DBA EQUI-TAX 1870 East 50th St. Inver Grove Heights (Babcock Trail and 50th St. E.) www.equitax.net Bookkeeping for small businesses Certified Quickbooks Online ProAdvisor For a FREE consulation, call Call 651-773-5000 Federal and all states | Individual and small businessIRSproblems|Estates,trusts,planningpreparationreturnwithe-filingFree Felicia McFarren, AFSP felicia.mcfarren@equitax.net 50% OFF First 2 Month's Rent 1200 North Concord St. • www.minikahda.com For any unit 10'x10' or smaller FREE DISC LOCK WITH ANY RENTAL! New rentals only. Not valid with other offers. Expires 10/31/22. Call 651-450-1202 CONTROLLEDCLIMATEHEATEDINDOOR To advertise, call 651-457-1177 Quality brickwork & tuck pointing of buildings, stone foundations and chimneys licensed, bonded, insured ROGERS MASONRY Since 1976 651-224-6985 www.rogers-masonry.com From left to right, JJ, Molly, KennedyAudreyand
community news and information sourceN
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.TheSpecial 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.
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Page 4 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2022
South St. Paul Parks and Recreation is hosting Train Like a Hero, 9 a.m.-noon, Sunday, Sept. 18, at Kaposia Landing, 800 Bryant Ave. The free event features food trucks, an obstacle course, smoke house from the South Metro Fire Department, and a community workout. Registration is required to participate in the workout program. Cost is $20 on or before Sept. 12; $25 there after. For more information, call 651-366-6200 or visit southstpaul.org.
Skaters from Blades n Mo tion Skating School fared well at the Ice Skating In stitute’s World Recreational Team Championships, held Aug. 4-7 in Bensenville, Ill. The team, which had just four skaters, earned 20 gold medals, two silver and one bronze. The competition featured nearly 750 competi tors from 15 states. The team practices at Doug Woog Are na and is coached by Nata lie Fredricks. From left to right, JJ Spier, 11, took first in spotlight, beta program, ensemble, production and jump/spin; second in beta compulsory. Molly (last name withheld), 14, took first in ribbon; FS3 program; ensemble, production and jump/spin; third in spot light. Kennedy McCann, 11, took first in spotlight; ribbon, interpretive, jump & spin; ensemble and pro duction; second in footwork; third in FS3 program. Au drey Fredricks, 7, took first in spotlight, delta program, ensemble and production; third in delta compulsory; fifth in jump/spin. For more information, contact www. bladesnmotion.com.
The new playground at Kaposia Landing is open. It features slides, climbing structures, swings and other interactive play equipment. Ka posia Landing features river overlooks, nearly two miles of paved trails with benches, ballfields and a 6.3-acre off-leash dog park. A permit is required to use the dog park. Cost is $20 for residents; $30 for nonresi dent. Permits may be purchased at City Hall, 125 3rd Ave. N.
Skaters take gold at ISI World Recreational Team Championships
Student notes St. Lawrence University’s dean’s list: Cameron Buhl Northern Michigan Uni versity: Madeleine Murray earned a bachelor of science in biochemistry
South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 - Page 5 LutherChurchMemorial 315 15th Ave N 651 luther-memorial.com451-2400 • St . Augustine ’s Catholic Church 408 3rd St N 651 45 5 holytrinitysspmn.org1302 • First Presbyterian 535 20th Ave N 651fpcssp.org451-6223 • WakotaWoodburyLutheranRidgeCampus 255 W. Douglas woodburylutheran.org651-739-5144St. • South St. Seventh-dayHispanicPaulAdventist 140 6th Ave N 651 455-0777 • GraceChurchLutheran 1 49 8th Ave S 651 grace-ssp.org451-1035 Holy CatholicTrinityChurch Catholic church 749 6th Ave . S . 651 holytrinitysspmn.org455-1302 • ClarkUnitedMemorialChurch 779 15th Ave . N . 651 clarkgraceucc.org451-7278 • St . Sava OrthodoxSerbianchurch 357 2nd Ave S 651 www.stsavamn.org451-0775 • Saint John Vianney Catholic Church 789 17th Ave. info@sjvssp.org651-451-1863N. • Sf. OrthodoxRomanianStefanChurch 350 5th Ave N 651 sfantulstefan.org451-3462 • St Mary ’s Coptic Orthodox Church 501 6th Ave S 651 stmarymn.org455-8947 WorshipGuide
“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. “In Our Minds,” is on display in the museum’s win dow space through October 16. Presented in partnership with Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, this exhibit celebrates artmaking as a form of research, improvisation and play.
FitzgeraldTheatre 10 Exchange St. E. St. 612-338-8388Paul first-avenue.com “Talking Volumes” fea turing Karen Armstrong is presented at 7 p.m., Wednes day, Sept. 14. Tickets start at $32.50. Ninja Sex Party per forms with special guest Su per Guitar Bros at 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15. Tickets start at $42. “Juicy Scoop Live” with Heather McDonald is pre sented at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16. Tickets start at $29. History Center 345 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. 651-259-3000Paulmnhs.org “Our Home: Native Minnesota” is an exhibit featuring historic and con temporary photographs, maps and artifacts. Visi tors learn how Minnesota’s Native communities have retained cultural practices, teachings and values. Other exhibits include “Then Now Wow,” “Minne sota’s Greatest Generation,” “Grainland” and “Weather Permitting.” The Center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thurs day-Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students and $8 for children ages five to 17. L andmark Center 7 5 5th St. W. S t. Paul 6 landmarkcenter.org51-292-3225 “Summer Nights in Rice” presents two free con certs 4-7 p.m. in Rice Park. Pete Whitman & Missis sippi perform September 8 and International Reggae All Stars perform September 22. The Schubert Club is launching its 140th season. It will have an interactive musical instrument made up of illuminated build ing blocks at the Landmark Center cortile 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24. Visitors can explore, play and create music with the sound sculpture. Addition ally, a concert featuring cel list Michelle Kinney, spoken word artist Alexei Casselle and DanceSTRONGmovementCompanyispresent ed at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m, Sunday, Sept. 25. Tickets start at $33. MNMuseumChildren’s 10 7th St. W. St. 651-225-6000Paulmcm.org “Shipwreck Adventures” features a sunken pilot house and 20-foot-long decaying ship hull based on a real sunken ship, a diver train ing area and interpretation of the natural landscape of Lake Superior’s north shore. Other exhibits and activi ties include The Scramble, The Studio, Creativity Jam, Sprouts, Backyard, Our World, Forces at Play, Su per Awesome Adventures, Imaginopolis and the Tip TopTheTerrace.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 Sept. 4. MN Museum of American Art 350 Robert St. N. St. 651-797-2571Paulmmaa.org
O rdway Center 3 45 Washington St. S t. Paul 6 51-224-4222ordway.org
Nachito Herrera and the Havana Jazz All Stars perform 7:30 p.m., Satur day, Sept. 24. Tickets start at $37. Palace Theatre 17 7th Place West St. first-avenue.com612-338-8388Paul Phoenix performs with special guest Porches at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6. Tick ets start at $49.50. ParkTheatreSquare 20 W. 7th Place St. parksquaretheatre.org651-291-7005Paul
Page 6 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 Your community news and information sourceS ample St. Paul
“Twin Cities Bridal Show” is held noon-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 25, featuring more than 100 exhibitors. Tickets start at $15.
Nachito Herrera and the Havana Jazz All Stars perform 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts.
Join us in 50thNeighbors'celebratingAnniversary! Sept. 16 & 17 Free and open to the public Off-site event parking available – follow signs FRI., SEPT. 16, 4-7 PM Live band, food, beer & more! SAT., SEPT. 17, 10 AM-3 PM Family fun games and activities, tours, Menu Makers demonstration, speed volunteering project, food trucks & more! Neighbors, Inc. 222 Grand Ave. W., South St. Paul Landmark Center 2022 Fall Concert Series September - December Cocktail Hour @ 7 pm Concert @ 8 pm Tickets: $20-70 F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium SEPT. 16 NOV. 18 DEC. 16 OCT. 21 Ray Bonneville Annie Mack Turn Turn Turn LandmarkLIVE Barley Jacks 11thseason! For more information and tickets, visit www.landmarkcenter.org/landmark-live or call 651.292.3063 Presented by Minnesota Landmarks with support from:
“The Humans” is pre sented Sept. 14-Oct. 9. Both funny and chilling, the play follows the three-generation Blake family as they assem ble for Thanksgiving and navigate the challenges of everyday life. Tickets start at $27. RiverCentre 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651rivercentre.org265-4800
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Founded in 1976 ASSE International Student Exchange Program is a Public Benefit, Non-Profit Organization. For privacy reasons, photos above are not photos of actual students
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South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 - Page 7
S ample St. Paul “Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Health & Fit ness Expo” is held 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30. Visi tors can explore running and fitness gear and learn nutri tion tips. Free. Science Museum of Minnesota 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. 651-221-9444Paulsmm.org “Summer of Space” features exhibits, movies and experiences showing the beauty and extremes of space, as well as the science that brings people there. “Journey to Space” is the featured temporary exhibit on display through Sep tember 5. Learn about the extraordinary conditions of space travel and the chal lenges and rewards of life on the International Space Station. See relics from past decades of space exploration, including Neil Armstrong’s gloves from Apollo 11. “Cardboard City” temporary, interactive exhib it offered through November 13. Visitors may build with cardboard. “Science Superheroes” a temporary exhibit on dis play until September. Learn about the science museum’s scientists, see projects they’re working on, and get a sneak peek at items from the mu seum’s collection. “Real STEM Stories” is an online exhibit. Learn about professionals working in the STEM field.
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Regions
With Joe Atkins as our County Commissioner, Dakota County has paid off all county debt, making one of the only debt-free counties in the nation. Dakota County has also been named the best county in the nation for public safety and public health, beating out 3,000 counties nationwide.
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Omnitheater films - “A Beautiful Planet” is pre sented through September 8. See the beauty of earth and the evidence of climate change through the eyes of astronauts aboard the Inter national Space Station. “Into America’s Wild” is presented through October 14. Ex plore fantastical wild places and the human connection we all share with the natural world. Theater tickets are $9.95, with discounts for children and seniors. 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 guest Roddy Ricch, 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11. Tickets start at $115.50. Panic! At the Disco with special guests Beach Bunny and Jake Wesley Rogers, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14. Tickets start at $56.50. My Chemical Romance with special guests Thursday and The Homeless Gospel Choir, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15. Tickets start at $176.50. The Killers with special guest Johnny Marr, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20. Tickets start at $35.50. at One Bank
Packer
ingCasarez-McCampbellSincerewaitinthewings.“At5’10”and175pounds, Elijah has a strong arm and has the temperament to get the job done,” said Spreigl. “Sincere, at 6’1” and 185, is very athletic and his time will come. Meanwhile he will start as a safety in our secondary.”Thestarting running backs are seniors Malachi Belmares and Matthew Lee. Belmares, 6’ and 200 pounds, was also featured at running back as a junior. Lee, at 6’1’ and 210 pounds, will play on both sides of the “Belmares’ball. combines speed with power,” said Spreigl. “Lee was our unof ficial 2021 MVP and will have to play as such this year as a linebacker and running back.”The wide receiver corps will include juniors Cam Miller and Izaak Burk. Ac cording to Spreigl, Miller has made great progress in sharp ening his running routes, and Burk, who also started as a sophomore, is not only effective as a receiver but a fierce blocker on the edges. Junior Bruce Doeren re turns as the starting tight end and will also serve as the long snapper for punts, field goals and PATs. The tackles are junior Gage Museus, (6’2” and 250 pounds) and junior Andrew Bonk (6’ and 200 pounds), and the guards are senior Anthony Samuel (6’2” and 215 pounds) and senior Sam George (5”10” and 200 pounds). The cen ter is junior Anthony Aden (6’1” and 190 pounds).
Football Preview
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Page 8 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 Your community news and information sourceS ports 550 Vandalia Street· Suite 170·Saint Paul, MN 55101 · 651-224-5153 www.spnn.org/ctep * Teach digital literacy at non-profits & community centers across the Twin Cities * Earn $1,300 per month before taxes * Earn the Segal Education Award of $6,345 toward your Federal student loans * Health and dental insurance * Assistance with housing, transportation, child care, energy bills and more! * Professional development training all year long Join the AmeriCorp Community Technology Empowerment Project Applications accepted until November 10, 2022 APPLY now! Help Bridge the Digital Divide in the Twin Cities South St. Paul HRA • Utilities paid • Elevators • Secured entries • On bus line • Pet friendly • On site laundry • Close shoppingto • activitiesResident • servicesResident • Views of the river For more details, call 651-288-8159 or 651-288-8163 Now accepting applications for 1-bedroom incomebased apartments. Our buildings are updated, quiet and in a great neighborhood. Seniors (50 & Older)Affordable LivingPetFriendly! GoodPackers!Luck Belde MaintenanceBuildingCorp. South St. 612-251-3279Paul In memory of Packer booster AL BELDE ChanhassenDT.com 952.934.1525 800.362.3515 “GLORIOUS!” Star Tribune “Amust-seejoyous,show!” Pioneer Press SPV-FLJuly2022V-Eng.qxp_Layout 1 John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer It has been a mostly quiet and mundane summer for local sports fans. The Minnesota Lynx bid a fond farewell to future Hall of Famer Sylvia Fowles but failed to garner a spot in the playoffs for the first time in a dozen years. The Twins teased their fans by leading the Central Division for the first three months of the season, but now find them selves mired in a desperate three-team tussle with the Guardians and the White Sox.Meanwhile, more than 12,000 jubilant student-ath letes on 362 football teams in Minnesota, from Austin to Zimmerman, are donning their pads and preparing to play another full season of prep football. With the aid of our crystal ball and the cooperation and insight of Packer head coach Manuel Spreigl, we proudly present our twelfth annual Packer FootballSpreigl,Preview.amember of the South St. Paul High School Class of 1998, played foot ball for St. Olaf College and was enshrined in the St. Olaf Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. After his gradua tion in 2002 he returned to South St. Paul and landed a job teaching seventh grade American History. He will begin his 21st year in that role in September. He has been on the Packer foot ball staff for 20 years and was named head coach in Feb ruary 2021. He succeeded Chad Sexauer whose 13 season resume as the Packer head coach (2008-2020) is second to none. “I have the utmost respect for Chad Sexauer. He has been like a big brother to me and he was always there for me,” said Spreigl. “My first stated goal as head coach was to maintain what Chad had worked so hard to establish.” The 2021 season was not what Spreigl had hoped it would be. The Packers had slipped some near the end of Sexauer’s tenure, com piling a 12-15 record from 2018-2020. Football pow erhouses St. Thomas Acad emy, Mahtomedi and Holy Angels were on the schedule that debuted in 2021 and the Packers finished the sea son at “We2-7.definitely had a tough schedule last season and, let’s face it, we have the same schedule in 2022 and we are looking forward to those challenges,” said Spre igl. “Since November 2021, my focus has been solely to grow and make our program one that allows kids to feel like they belong, to challenge them and help them grow as people. If we do that, the wins will take care of them selves.”With the graduation of Branden Ogren and Alonzo Dodd, junior Elijah Bryant is the heir apparent to take over as starting quarterback, with ninth grader
Senior Matthew Lee pulls double duty for the Packers – a featured run ning back on offense and a vicious tackler as a linebacker on defense. S. Robert St. St. Paul 651-455-9048
“Overall, they are a great unit,” said Spreigl. “They compliment each other and take pride in getting the job done. Anthony, especially, has a great attitude that the others feed off from.” The defensive line is in flux. Two positions are se cure. Junior Carmine Karas (5’10” and 180 pounds) is the nose tackle and sopho more Dillon Stanton (5’10” and 190 pounds) is the other tackle.“Carmine is fast, quick, strong, powerful and annoy ing,” chirped the head coach. “Dylan is young, dedicated and learning how to shave.” The linebacking crew is likely to include sophomore Reid Jelks, the rough and ready Matthew Lee, junior Dante Mendez and sopho more Noah Chandler. The secondary is young, but not short on athleti cism or football savvy. The cornerbacks are junior Bray len Wicks and ninth grader Terry Carter and the safeties are junior Andrew Ritter and ninth grader Sincere Casa rez-McCampbell.“It’squiteagroup,” said Spreigl. “Braylen is physical like a linebacker. Terry is extremely quick. Andrew is a true athlete and also a receiver who likes to score touchdowns. And Sincere’s athleticism belies his age.” Team assessment: Spreigl is in full control of the foot ball program. His attention to detail and to his players and their parents is a gift. The 2022 schedule is dif ficult, but the Packers are a young team on the rise. Nu merous underclassmen will get valuable experience and 2023 might signal a return to the glory years.
South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 - Page 9 Your community news and information sourceS ports Celebrate Civil WeekendWar $8-$10Admission1010thSeptember&11tham-5pm1629VermillionSt.Hastings,MN DakotaHistory.org651-438-8480 New Frame Shop Now Open 404 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul 651-340-0314 • (c) facebook.com/frameshopssp651-353-5021•@FrameShopSSP Over 28 years of custom picture framing experience CLIP & SAVE 10% Off Your FramingNextProject
2022 Schedule all games at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 - at St. Thomas
mediOct.Oct.tonOct.Sept.Sept.AngelsSept.Sept.Academy9-Tartan16-atHoly23-Simley30-Hastings7-atBloomingJefferson14-Hill-Murray19-atMahto
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I’ve decided that I’m good enough.Irecently had a big birth day and it got me to think ing – as big birthdays will – about what would change and what would stay the same in the decade to come. I found my list of self-im provement chores much shorter than in previous years.Iused to exhaust myself with these lists. I would write them down and then worry I’d forget them – and how could I become a better person if I didn’t have my goals in mind every moment? Every day, I’d review my lofty goals of being more productive and more mindful and eating better and exercising more and accomplishing all the things I dreamed of. But this year I made lists of all the ways I liked my life and, surprisingly, all the ways I liked myself. Just as I am. In fact, I woke the morning of the big birthday and felt that I was good enough. Of course, I’m not per fect. There isn’t a day I don’t waste valuable time, or miss an opportunity to be kind, or generally fall short of be ing the person I could be. But perfection is a terrible goal to set for oneself. I was never meant to be perfect and really, now that I think about it, perfect sounds a bit dull. Instead, I’m going to be grateful that I am good enough.“Good enough” encom passes everything. It covers the moments of overwhelming bliss that blindside me: walking down the street and seeing a shop filled with yellow flowers, or a small girl dancing in a dirty green onesie, or a giant furry dog pounding its feet on the ground, or the sun reflecting perfectly on a shiny piece of stone on the sidewalk. It’s all the moments I catch –just in time – that cause my heart to swell and make me wonder how so much beauty could be around me so much of the time, and I am lucky enough to see it. “Good enough” also cov ers the times when I feel alone and ignored. When friends don’t write back and no one seems to notice my writing and I wonder if I might be delusional, typing away every day with no one reading my novel. It cov ers when I am tired and a little sore and I don’t feel like taking my walk or doing my pushups or finishing the cleaning or the paperwork that seems overwhelming at that moment. “Good enough” covers it all. And while I have always enjoyed articles about selfreinvention, I discover (with surprise) on this big birth day that I’m not really inter ested in reinventing myself because I like the self I’ve invented pretty well. Sure, she’s got a few issues. But I’m used to her issues and none of them will get her arrested. She’s good enough for me. I realize (with a little disappointment) that this philosophy will probably not allow me to write a self-help blockbuster. “You’re Good Enough: Get Over It” prob ably wouldn’t make its way up the New York Times bestseller list. And that’s OK, too. I used to think I had a lot more advice for other people than I have to day. Today, I think it’s good enough to manage my life as best I can and let others do the same. They are good enough as well. It will be interesting to approach a new decade with fewer lofty goals and more kindness toward my self. I wanted to finish this column with words worthy of the occasion. I’ve decided this is good enough. Till next time. Classon
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GoodommunityEnough
Page 10 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 Your community news and information sourceC
P ostscript Carrie
The 50th anniversary of most anything is celebrated in our society. It could be a birthday, anniversary or founding. My family cel ebrated one such fiftieth this past year, my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. They were married not far from here in 1972. To com memorate this milestone, all seven of their children and their spouses, and 20 grand children came together for a weekend-long celebration. It included games, golfing, reminiscing, food, drink, pictures and an open house celebration with additional family and friends. The planning for the cele bration began many months ago. The actual celebration, though, was years in the making, we just did not know it at the time. Over the past 50 years, my par ents experienced triumphs and challenges. They leaned on each other, their family and their community. They gave to and received help from others. They laughed and cried. They changed and adjusted to the needs of the day. Most of all, they loved each other and their family. Two people celebrating 50 years together is no small feat. Hundreds of people cel ebrating 50 years together is monumental. That is exactly what is happening at Neigh bors this September. People from all the communities we serve will come together to commemorate five decades of helping our neighbors in need.Fifty years ago, volunteers from six churches came to gether and were determined to help their neighbors through a crisis. They set up shop in churches and homes. They gathered food and clothing and gave it away. They gave gifts at Christ mas to children who other wise would have had none. They called their neighbors to check in and see how they were doing. Neighbors grew into a larger organiza tion with a wider reach. We began expanding our ser vices including providing rides to medical and other essential appointments. We sponsored social events for people with disabilities. We celebrated together at events and luncheons. Neigh bors grew some more and through it all exemplified one of the founding organi zational principles: love thy neighbor as Throughoutthyself.its history, Neighbors has evolved to meet the needs of the day. While we are taking time to celebrate, it is also important to recognize that the need for Neighbors still exists. One of the ways we are currently tackling the root causes of poverty is by investing in our newest program, Finan cial Empowerment. Through the program, we hope to improve the financial wellbeing of the people we serve. We also continue to focus on hunger relief and providing essential items through our Clothes Closet Thrift Store.
Charlie Thompson
Your community news and information sourceC ommunity
Wednesday,
We invite you to join us on September 16, 4-7 p.m., and September 17, 10 a.m.3 p.m., for an open house at our building at 222 Grand Ave. W., South St. Paul. On Friday we will have live music, hot dogs and a beer garden. On Saturday we will have food trucks, a fashion show and games for kids and adults. Tours of our build ing will be held both days to showcase our remodeled food shelf, new Financial Empowerment Center and the unveiling of a mural commemorating 50 years of Neighbors. Each day will be filled with reminiscing with volunteers and staff from to day and yesterday. It will be a community-wide celebra tion. I hope you can join us.
Culinary
President & CEO Neighbors, Inc. Business Wednesday,
Hello September…and new task force mem bers.It’s hard to believe that in just a few days South St. Paul youth will be heading back to school. Some will return to a familiar setting and others to a new location. We wish all students a great start to the school year. September is a recruitment want to earn community ser vice hours. We are hosting an informational get-together 5:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 20 at Angelo’s Italian Restau rant, 1203 Southview Blvd. Pizza will be served. This free event is a great way to learn more about the task force. For more information or to RSVP, contact Deb Griffith, community affairs liaison, the task force heads up the annual Community Food Drive, DISCO Bingo, Ka posia Days Kiddie Parade, Fill the Backpack campaign, The Great Halloween Get Together, SSP CommUNI TY Grams, helps with recy cling pumpkins following Halloween. the Senior Citi zens’ Thanksgiving Dinner and the annual Holiday Tree District. Thank you to ev eryone who contributed to this campaign by providing school supplies or monetary donations. Your help ensures that every student starts the school year out right. If you have a student in the South St. Paul School District who needs a filled backpack or school supplies, contact your school’s administration
Page 12 - South St. Paul Voice - September 2022 Your community news and information sourceB ack in Time
Lois Glewwe Contributor When I was a kid in the mid-fifties and early sixties, summers seemed to last forever. Days were filled with riding my bike to the library, reading un der a shady tree, swimming at the Northview pool and playing with friends on my block. But every summer there came a day when the morning air seemed a little crispier and a bit cooler. The skies were a deeper blue and a few trees were already showing off their yellow, orange and red leaves as they prepared for autumn. That change in the weather meant one thing: it was time to think about going back to school. In my day, there were no student shopping lists of supplies for parents to pur chase. There was no Target store, no office supply aisle at South St. Paul’s Gericke’s Drugstore, no notebooks on display at Glewwe’s Grocery. All of our papers and pencils were provided to us by our teachers on the first day of school. What we did have to purchase, though, were new school clothes, includ ingThingsshoes. began to get se rious when my mom an nounced we were going to Schulz’s Shoes on the cor ner of 7th and Marie to buy saddle shoes, which I’d wear for the entire school year. Jerry Schulz would measure my feet and Mom would tell him to choose a pair one size bigger than I needed to make sure they would fit me all year. I’ll never forget the wonderful smell of new leather that arose from the shoebox when he brought out a few pairs for me to try on. Mom would have me put on both shoes and then walk around the store, making sure there was plenty of room for my feet to grow inside the beautiful footwear. The shoes would remain un worn until the first day of school.Inmy family, new school clothes meant my grand mother sewing dresses, skirts and blouses for me. I don’t remember ever having storebought clothes. Grandma would sew my fall outfits in lightweight cotton since Sep tember schooldays could still be very warm. Then she’d re cycle a few wool skirts from my older sister or cousins and make me a wool jumper or pleated skirt that I’d wear with wool knee-high socks and a crisp white blouse. By far the most excit ing part of heading back to school arrived on the day the South St. Paul Daily Report er published photographs and articles of all the new teachers in the South St. Paul School District. Each teacher was pictured next to the class she’d be teaching – almost all elementary teachers were women in those days. There were usually two teachers for each grade, so I’d pore over the photographs and articles of the two possible teachers for my grade, reading every word about them and won dering which one I’d get. Students never knew where they were assigned until the first day of school. It was then you’d meet your teacher for the first time. When the first day fi nally arrived, I’d put on my new saddle shoes and dress Grandma had made and head out the door and walk to school. In my case, it meant walking up South view, then a dirt road, to Jef ferson School at 21st Avenue South. There was no need to bring a lunch. Everyone went home for lunch each day and then back to school for afternoon classes. On the first day of school, a panel of teachers were wait ing to sign in students and let them know to which teacher’s class they should report. Students would head down the hallway to the as signed room and walk in with fingers crossed that at least some friends would be in the same classroom. It was then you’d meet your teacher and be assigned a desk. Before long, everyone was present and the teacher wel comed us. The class would stand and face the American flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance in one united voice. It was the beginning of what would be our daily life for the next nine months. As today’s children head back to school – after two strange years of the pan demic – I know things will be very different, but I hope the excitement about begin ning a new year is as strong for them as it always was for me so many years ago.
Come join the UniFirst family! 2922UniFirst.Com/CareersW.SERVICEROAD, EAGAN, MN 55121 UniFirst is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. OUR MINNEAPOLIS, MN LOCATION IS EXPANDING! SEVERAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE: SERVICE PRODUCTION SALES MAINTENANCE We offer a competitive salary, M–F schedule, full benefits, 401k, tuition reimbursement, opportunities for growth, work/life balance, and employee incentives. CAREERS THAT ALWAYS DELIVER. HIRING!ISUNIFIRSTNOW Downtown Saturdays 7 am-1 pm, Sundays 8 am-1 pm 290 5th St. E. West St. Paul - Signal Hills Fridays 8 am-noon 1225 S. Robert St. South St. Paul Wednesdays 2-6 pm Southview & 12 Ave. In September, the market is brimming with the most produce of the year! Join us for the Daniel Cleary St. Paul Farmers' Market Culinary Competition, live music and great deals on the freshest food in town. Saturday, September 25 Downtown Market | stpaulfarmersmarket.comFEST There's no time like
For the author, the beginning of each school year meant going to Schulz’s Shoes to pur chase saddle shoes. Her mom insisted they be a size too big so they would last all year.
Remembrances of my first day of school
