White Bear Lake Magazine - March 2022

R E C L A I M I N G SPACE

Women-led architecture firm pursues sustainability through timeless design

AMY STOCKER 651-242-1586

KATHY & LISA MADORE 651-592-4444 | 651-216-1335

DANA & MARK ASHBY 651-287-4040

JIM KRAMER 651-247-7484

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JAN NIEMIEC 651-248-4100

DENISE LARSON 651-271-8560

BRYAN PELTIER 651-353-0388

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THE BACCHUS-ECKLIN GROUP 651-592-8932

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JOHN LUDWIGSON 651-285-4939

BEN STEWART 651-271-0877

TOM BECKER 651-402-1398

ERICH YOUNG 612-220-1191

LAURA WHITNEY 612-387-3052

XIQING (SHIRLEY) LI 612-910-4877

THE FLYNN TEAM NANETTE & LIZ

612-750-1215 | 651-587-7562

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M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 2 2 “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall

DEPARTMENTS 12 — Aging Fearlessly The women ditching dye to embrace their natural gray.

16 — Channeling Aloha Sweet Mana provides clean beauty products for the body, spirit and planet.

FEATURES 20 — More Than a Cup of Coffee A generation gathers at Keys Café each week for coffee and conversation.

25 — Reclaiming Space Women-led architecture firm pursues sustainability through timeless design.

TASTEMAKERS 37 — Pop the Cork on Crémant

IN EVERY ISSUE

PAG E 16

6 — Editor’s Letter 9 — Noteworthy 33 — On the Town 40 — Last Glance

whitebearlakemag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

Lift a glass to spring entertaining and celebrations with this sparkling wine.

Family owned & operated in the Twin Cities since 1951.

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White Bear Lake Area Schools

F R O M T H E E D I TO R

Join us!

Choose from 2 options: - Traditional in-person school - Distance Learning Academy

Why Be a Bear?

Our students benefit from:

• Safe, nurturing and challenging environments.

• Differentiated instruction.

• Hands-on learning.

• World language experiences.

• Focus on academic, social and personal development of all students.

• Career Pathways opportunities and College-level courses.

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Enrollment info at isd624.org/enroll

Zoe Deal, zoe.deal@tigeroak.com

S

pring has always been my favorite time of year. Shedding winter layers for bright colors, watching green buds spring from retreating snow, basking in the warm winds as they usher birds back to my doorstep. It always feels this way. And perhaps it’s just me, but as the weather shifts, I sense a collective inhalation, an embrace of life and change that we each make gladly and with hope in our hearts.

This issue is centered around stories of tuning into the world and oneself.

On page 16, writer Ava Diaz speaks with local creator Jamie Tatreau on her line of organic, sustainably-sourced beauty products that encourage the ritual of self-care. And on page 12, I look into the #GrayHairRevolution, speaking with the women in our community who are embracing their natural gray hair and choosing to age fearlessly.

The featured stories in this issue broach how our connections and beliefs guide the way we live our lives. Staci Perry Mergenthal writes on page 20 about a group of seniors who has spent every Tuesday morning together for the past 40 years and the past 28 at Keys Café. Over coffee and baked goods, the women and men tell their stories of friendship through hard times. It’s a heartwarming piece you won’t want to miss.

Our second feature is centered on a White Bear Lake business that is helping us craft our dream homes and lives. Flip to page 25 to meet the women behind Blue Pencil Collective, a local architecture and design company with roots in sustainable design.

Let us never forget the importance of taking care of our friends, as well as ourselves and our planet. I hope this issue encourages a deep breath for you and that these stories ease you out of winter’s hold and back into the sun’s embrace.

Until next time,

• E-NEWSLETTER - The Community e-Newsletter is sent out weekly, with alternating text and video editions. Subscribe by emailing communications@isd624.org.

• STAY SOCIAL - Join White Bear Lake Area Schools’ social media circles - Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for 624 Fact posts and weekly video share-outs.

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See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!

WHITEBEARLAKEMAG.COM @WHITEBEARLAKEMAG

WHITE BEAR LAKE MAGAZINE @WHITEBEARLAKEMAG

On the Cover Regan Nix and Kasey Johnson, photo by Chris Emeott

March/April 2022

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Photo: Chris Emeott

Check us out online!

VOL. 11 NO. 2 whitebearlakemag.com

publisher SUSAN ISAY

editor ZOE DEAL

managing creative director RENÉE STEWART-HESTER

managing editor HAILEY ALMSTED

copy editor KELLIE DOHERTY

staff writers DAN AMUNDSEN AVA DIAZ DANIEL HUSS MADELINE KOPIECKI STACI PERRY MERGENTHAL

contributing writers HOLLIE BLANCHARD JOHN F. FARRELL III RACHAEL PERRON

editorial interns BRYCE HELMBRECHT-LOMMEL GRACE MASUDA

editorial advisory board Karen Alnes, Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation Ellie Fuelling, White Bear Center for the Arts Jackie Reis, Community Volunteer Marisa Vette, White Bear Lake Area Schools

senior managing art director SARAH DOVOLOS

art director ALLISON NOLDEN

lead staff photographer CHRIS EMEOTT

print production director BRITTNI DYE

digital production director DEIDRA ANDERSON

project coordinators ADRIANNA BLACK BULL, LISA STONE

senior account executives BROOKE BEISE KATIE FREEMARK CYNTHIA HAMRE SARA JOHNSON

circulation and marketing KATIE RINGHAND

credit manager APRIL MCCAULEY

chief operating officer SUSAN ISAY

chief financial officer BILL NELSON

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N OT E WO RT H Y

lo c a l t ip s, tidb its & insights

TAST E

The Spice of Life I’m returning to work this month after a weeklong staycation, and I’ve spent a ton of time inside recently, engaged in activities both cozy and productive. From deep cleaning my washing machine and organizing closets to reading and snuggling by the fire, I made the most of my time off.

I also engaged in a fair amount of culinary therapy—which differs from my day-to-day job in that I’m cooking solely for myself. It’s such a rarity that I’m not “working” when I’m in the kitchen, that at first it felt almost unnatural. But after paging through some forgotten cooking magazines (which I then recycled, of course!) and flipping through old vacation pictures, I started plugging into my own appetite and cravings. At first, it felt odd, but eventually it was amazing; I rediscovered flavors and foods I haven’t enjoyed in years.

SHOP

One day, I came across more than a few bottles of lesser-used, but once-treasured seasonings.

Dogs in Bandanas

Turmeric, cloves, cumin, coriander, cardamom, sumac and fennel were

Give your pup a refresh this spring with this local eco-conscious product.

each purchased for a reason before being buried far back on my shelves.

Photo: FTD Photography

So, I set about to use them up. What

If you’ve struggled to find drool-worthy accessories for your fluffy friend, look no further than North Star Hounds. With a variety of patterns and designs, you can find a paws-itively perfect match for their unique personality. This White Bear Lake business stocks eco-friendly canvas bandanas that are water, dirt and wrinkle-proof along with cotton bandanas with a soft flannel backing.

Owner and founder Nicole Banholzer established North Star Hounds in 2019 after she discovered her passion for crafting bandanas for her three pups, Rosie, Pippi and Flash. In addition to bandanas,

March/April 2022

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North Star Hounds also offers durable leashes and collars suited for every muddy adventure. All online orders are shipped in compostable mailers with minimal additional packaging. The company is also passionate about giving back, and each month 10 percent of profits are donated to a new local nonprofit. Recent donations have gone to Minnesota Newfoundland Rescue, the International Institute of Minnesota and People Serving People.

—BRYCE HELMBRECHT-LOMMEL

North Star Hounds, northstarhounds.com northstarhoundsUS

@northstarhounds

came about was some of the most satisfying and healing food I’ve made and enjoyed in quite a long time—Lebanese-style chicken wings, a Persian rice dish called tahdig and something altogether mixed up that I didn’t know what to call other than “Mediterranean nachos.” (Find the recipe at whitebearlakemag.com.)

Rachael Perron is the culinary and brand director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications.

Find more at kowalskis.com.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

SIP

Simply Entertain

M OV E

A Doggone Good Time North Paws Canine Services prepares dogs for summer adventures.

I love to entertain, whether it’s for a planned dinner or an impromptu gathering of friends. Here are my rules and some go-to wines that make this really easy.

Always have something ready. I keep a bottle of good sparkling wine in the fridge—just in case.

(Consider: Louis Bouillot sparkling rosé)

Buzz and Mandy

I also like to keep good inexpensive wine on hand— just some good under $15

Warm weather and adventure go hand-in-hand,

chunks,” McArdell says. “We slowly and posi-

a bottle reds and whites.

or should we say paw-in-hand? Get your dog

tively acclimate [humans and dogs] to whatever

(Consider: Louis Mar-

ready to explore right alongside you with ad-

the equipment is.” McArdell even follows along

tini cabernet sauvignon;

venture training classes from North Paws Canine

on each client’s maiden voyage.

Fortant chardonnay; or

Services. Trainer Brittany McArdell is focused

Folie a Duex chardonnay)

on helping humans live a cohesive lifestyle with

this past summer,” McArdell says. “So, it’s me

their fluffy friends—but with a fun twist. At North

coaching them how to stay calm, what to do

too. Think: chips and hum-

Paws’ group workshops or private classes, you

with your dog and yourself and how to get back

mus, cheese and bread,

can learn to canoe, backpack or paddleboard

to shore and start over.”

fruit and maybe chocolate.

right alongside your pup.

Keep the food simple,

Enjoy the company, and

McArdell has been training dogs for nine

North Paws also offers basic training classes and one-on-one coaching, as well as canine

don’t let the wine or food

years, since she realized her own puppy’s train-

services such as massage and reiki. To stay in

be in the way! Simple is

ing classes weren’t helping with behavioral

the loop for upcoming workshops, follow North

always better.

issues at home. Now, she helps humans train to

Paws on Instagram. —ZOE DEAL

John F. Farrell III is vice president; sales and merchandising with Haskell’s The Wine People.

Find more at haskells.com.

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their fullest potential and learn to “think like a dog” both outside and at home.

At adventure training, McArdell teaches the humans first, helping them get comfortable with the activity and learn how to be safe alongside the pets. “I really like to break it into bite-sized

North Paws Canine Services 612.716.9619 northpawscanineservices.com northpawscanineservices @northpawscanineservices

March/April 2022

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Photo: North Paws Canine Services

“I had a couple people fall off paddleboards

VIEW

Home Sweet Home

“There’s no place like home,” proclaims Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. Our homes are the foundation of all of our hopes and dreams while exuding a warmth beckoned by the people that inhabit the space. They are a reflection of our hearts, our personalities, our travels, our furry friends and our treasured memories. I love how local artist Ky McDonald exquisitely captures the architectural elements of a space as it unfolds with drama upon the canvas.

My imagination takes off with anticipation as I dream about who will gather to share a story at this table that McDonald paints with a colorful hopefulness.

Home, sweet home.

Artist: Ky McDonald Title: Set Me Free Scale: 36x48 Medium: Original oil on canvas

Contributed by Hollie Blanchard of The Art Girls. Find more at artgirlsmpls.com.

Art Girls Minneapolis @artgirls_mpls

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BEAUTY

Aging Fearlessly Women are ditching dye to embrace their natural gray.

Story by Zoe Deal

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March/April 2022

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iStock.com/jacoblund

CONFIDENT. AUTHENTIC. RISK-TAKER. These are just a few

words Laura Saatzer of Pine Springs uses to describe herself as she sports her new look—salt-and-pepper gray locks chopped just below her chin.

“It’s easy to stay with the norm, color it and keep fitting in,” Saatzer says. “But when you’re confident in who you are, [going gray] is one way to just be your real self.”

Saatzer is one of a growing movement of middle-aged women emboldened by shifting beauty standards in the wake of the pandemic to embrace their graying hair. As celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Andie MacDowell stepped out of quarantine glowing with their naturally silver tresses, the world took note. Gray hair wannabes found their soul-sisters on social media, where hashtags like #GrayHairDontCare, #SilverSisters and #GrayHairRevolution stoked camaraderie and acceptance.

We spoke with Lisa HronskiBlaisdell, a color specialist at Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa, about how she guides clients through the transition and what people can expect when they decide to go gray.

“We’re seeing so much more of [clients moving to gray] in our salon, and so much more of it in our industry,” Hronski-Blaisdell says. Aging fearlessly has become more possible than ever, she continues, as recent advances in silver coloring and toning products level the playing field for all shades of gray.

For women who want to ease into the transition, Hronski-Blaisdell

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explains that colorists can now use foil and toning products to gradually strip past color and achieve a shade that best suits their client’s skin tone and natural gray.

The process takes patience, Hronski-Blaisdell says, as the growout can take more than a year. But for a quicker route, she has also helped many bold women make the

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chop or even buzz, shedding their former cut and color to embrace their gray in one fell swoop.

Niki Eischens of St. Paul chose to go cold-turkey and simply stop dying her hair in her mid-40s. The grow out felt awkward at times, she says, but the result was worth it in the end.

“It’s really easy to get frustrated when you’re halfway through the

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process,” Eischens says. For women looking to switch, she recommends patience in the first six–12 months as hair adjusts.

She says, “You can always go back to dye, so why not give it a go?”

Regardless of how one chooses to go gray, Hronski-Blaisdell presses the importance of an updated hair care regimen. No head of gray locks is the same, but hair naturally becomes more dry, coarse and fine with age. Even the color and gloss can vary widely, from ashy silvers to matte dark grays.

“It’s key when you go home to have a good toning shampoo and conditioner,” Hronski-Blaisdell says.

There are a variety of purple, blue and silver toning products on the market for at-home use. Toning can also be done periodically at a salon to remove unwanted brassiness, while glossing products and hair masks can both smooth and strengthen.

Ann Rooney of White Bear Lake says she has come to love the texture and look of her gray hair, which grew in at 45 following treatment for breast cancer. ​​“[My gray hair] is my crown,” Rooney says. “I earned it. And I’m going to be proud of it. And I’m going to wear it and wear it well.”

Lately, Hronski-Blaisdell has experimented along with her clients, letting her gray grow in bit by bit. ​ “I kind of like the change and the little edgy look,” she says. “I’m not trying to hide being old. I’m embracing it.”

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Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa, 2207 Third St., White Bear Lake; 651.426.5884; sunbearspa.com Sunbear Salon and Medical Spa @sunbearspasalon

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BE WELL

Channeling Aloha Sweet Mana provides clean beauty products for the body, spirit and planet.

By Ava Diaz

16

March/April 2022

whitebearlakemag.com

See all that your community has to offer.

Photos: Chris Emeott

BLENDING A PASSION for healthy

living with a love for nature, Maplewood resident Jamie Tatreau is redefining the beauty industry with her clean beauty product company, Sweet Mana. With her line of natural botanical skin care and apothecary products, Tatreau hopes to make it possible to look and feel beautiful without negatively impacting the planet.

“My whole mission is centered around making people feel healthy and beautiful and trying to educate as well,” Tatreau says.

Mana is a sacred term in Polynesian culture that signifies a life force or a soul’s essence, along with divine power and strength. Tatreau is looking to bring this vital energy to the lives of her customers by crafting products that are effective, affordable and clean for the mind, body and planet.

Crafted from all-natural ingredients, including herbs from her own garden, her line features a variety of regular and CBD-infused lip balms, body butters, candles, aromatic sprays, bath teas and lotion bars. The ritual of creating everything by hand is important to Tatreau.

She says the process brings her a sense of peace, and she finds great joy in experimenting with new scents in the comfort of her own home. By fusing different roots and herbs together, like turmeric and ginger or lavender and jasmine, she is able to enhance her products’ capabilities with the properties derived from each ingredient.

Tatreau has more than 20 years of experience in the spa industry and community health education and is a practicing massage therapist, esthetician, skin care manufacturer, retail vendor and feng shui consultant. She supplements these passions with education and is pursuing a master’s degree in herbalism to better understand the properties of natural elements and infuse them into her own products. Tatreau says her multidimensional background has aided her with the ability to promote a more holistic approach to clean living, both physically and mentally.

Check out our Community Directory!

All of the best resources at your fingertips. whitebearlakemag.com

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Sweet Mana, 303.910.4343; sweetmana.com

Sweet Mana Botanicals

White Bear Lake Marketfest, 4701 Highway 61; marketfestwbl.com

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@sweetmanajamie @ sweetmanabotanicals Marketfest @Marketfest @ marketfestwbl

March/April 2022

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White Bear Lake Marketfest You can find Sweet Mana products online and seasonally at the White Bear Lake Marketfest. Running from mid-June through the end of July, this free downtown festival features live concerts, children’s games and activities, a farmers market, a classic car show and more than 150 art, merchandise, service and food vendors every Thursday evening.

The recipe and design of the Sweet Mana product line are inspired by Tatreau’s time spent living on the island of Maui, Hawaii. “I want [my products] to be like the big breath you take when you finally make it to the beach, like an escape,” she says. “[Customers] can finally sink in and settle and decompress.”

Tatreau prides herself on creating products that support this lifestyle and encourages individuals to consider proactive measures to help the body withstand changes over time. As humans age, Tatreau explains that bodies go through a variety of rejuvenation cycles. She stresses the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent any potential damage to our bodies and counteract the effects of aging.

“People don’t think about [skin] as much even though it is our largest organ,” Tatreau says. “It has a lot of different functions, and it is kind of like our first line of defense and contact from things getting inside of our body, and I think that it is important for overall wellness to take care of that.”

Simple actions like moisturizing can make a big difference. A touch of lotion will hydrate the skin, liven its tone, increase smoothness and decrease the appearance of fine lines.

In the age of COVID-19, Tatreau says many people have realized just how beneficial self-care can be for the body physically and mentally. Taking care of yourself goes beyond exercise and sleep, she says. “It is really about that whole beautification process, not the vanity side of it, but the ritual behind it. It helps with self-esteem and confidence, internally and externally.”

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4750 Washington Square • White Bear Lake, MN 55110 19

A generation gathers at Keys Café each week for a morning sip and conversation.

MORE THAN A CUP OF COFFEE 20

E V E RY TU E S DAY morning at

Keys Café starts the same as it has for decades.

As the staff prepares for opening at 8 a.m., brewing coffee and setting tables, a group of friends enters through the open backdoor.

A whirlwind of chatter and laughter, they settle into two groups— men at one table, ladies at the other—in a familiar rhythm.

“We go back a long time,” Lois Swearingen says, smiling fondly at the women around her. It’s been more than 40 years since the ladies

Story by Staci Perry Mergenthal

Photos by Chris Emeott

Left: Ray E. Richardson

enjoyed their first cup of coffee together and 28 years since they settled on Keys.

Once the men retired and curtailed their tee times, these coffee get-togethers became part of their routine too. Both the men and the ladies meet twice weekly, though the ladies spend their Fridays at Kowalski’s Market. Some come with their spouse, and some are widowed. On a typical day, there are eight ladies and six men, all attendees of Eagle Brook Church in White Bear Lake.

March/April 2022

But it’s far more than coffee and the occasional toast or scone.

“It’s the fellowship, isn’t it?”

93-year-old Virginia Woodbury says, joined by nods of agreement around the table. “There’s nothing like our Christian friends, and it’s a real bond between all of us.”

The group brings comfort and camaraderie to each member.

If one person is missing, they check in, and there’s always room at the table for an occasional guest. Even when the café temporarily closed its doors during the early stages of the

whitebearlakemag.com

Above: Marlene Jensen and Lois Swearingen

pandemic in 2020, the group stayed in touch. “It’s like a support group,” Sue Vogt says. “We share our joys and our sorrows.”

The Keys Café staff has become friends too. Woodbury even recalls a few times café owner Celine Carlson hosted the ladies in her home on special occasions.

“We’ve done some special things, haven’t we, with our group?”

Carlson asks the ladies at the table to resounding smiles.

“The servers and Celine, I can’t say enough about them,” Kate Whitehill

21

says. “They’re like family.”

Dianna Delaney is the youngest member of the group, and the other women often tease Delaney that she’s “with the old ladies now.” In her early ’70s, she’s been given the responsibility of carrying on the tradition, a role she accepts wholeheartedly.

“They’ve been my mentors for almost 20 years,” Delaney says.

“This is what I want to be when I grow up.”

Ron Schilla and his wife, Shirley, were married for 66 years and for many of those years visited their

22

friends at Keys Café together.

“I lost my wife a year and a half ago, so I’d be alone,” Schilla says.

“Instead, I come and I feel very comfortable because I’m part of the guys.”

It helps to continue the routine the couple set together, to find solace in the same group of friends.

Schilla says, “This was her favorite place for years.”

It’s a support system the group has seen echoed in every corner of the country, in their many travels together and apart.

“This goes on in small towns

“ I N S O M E WAY S , IT’S KIND OF A LITTLE PIECE OF RURAL AMERICA,” Dick Locke

March/April 2022

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Left: Wayne Swearingen

Below: Server Erika Kettgen and Virginia Woodbury

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Our 67th year

all over the country,” Wayne Swearingen says, recalling times spent as a stranger at cafés along the way. “Many times …. there’s a group of guys in the corner … solving the world’s problems.”

“In some ways, it’s kind of a little piece of rural America,” Dick Locke says.

And though there are many similar groups, drinking a similar mug of coffee and chatting in towns across world, the importance of the companionship to each person sitting at Keys Café on that morning was felt and seen.

“They are my friends, and when my first husband died …” Whitehill says. “I can’t talk about it even now, 17 years later.”

Whitehill pauses, and the group seems to shift closer as she speaks again, almost at a whisper. “What I can talk about is how kind and generous they were during that time of his illness and afterward.”

Woodbury reaches across the table and takes her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. And around the table, eyes shine in understanding and love.

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B y Zoe Dea l

Photo: Chris Emeott

WOMEN-LED ARCHITECTURE FIRM PURSUES SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH TIMELESS DESIGN.

R EC L A I M I N G S PAC E March/April 2022

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W

hen one considers the term sustainability, odds are the images that come to mind are not stunning modern homes or commercial developments.

But for Blue Pencil Collective (BPC), a women-led White Bear Lake area architecture and interior design group, the two aren’t contradictory. Co-owners Kasey Johnson and Regan Nix have interlaced sustainability into their one-stop-shop business model, educating commercial and private clients alike on ways to incorporate green practices into their builds and design.

Affectionately referred to as “Kagan” by clients and collaborators, the duo has a self-proclaimed “magic” together that was sparked on its first shared project at a large commercial architecture firm a decade ago. As we chat over Zoom, the pair sits side-by-side in BPC’s Third Street office in downtown White Bear Lake. Each shared exchange reveals two distinct personalities and skill sets that have been woven to support an awardwinning company.

Nix takes up the helm of the conversation, her confident and unbridled persona contrasting Johnson’s calm, quiet one as she leaps into a stream-of-consciousness narrative of their company’s approach to timeless design.

“For us, it’s really about using materials that are natural because we want these homes to last … and be beautiful forever,” Nix says. “That’s why we don’t necessarily follow trends.”

Johnson, the soothing moon to Nix’s bright sun, utters each word with care.

Her deep brown waves bob as she takes up Nix’s ideas and refines them, adding weight and resolve to each word.

“We don’t say that to be rebellious,” Johnson says. “We say that because we believe that designing to a timeless architecture and design is truly sustainable.”

S U STA INABLE CONN EC T ION S

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Photos: Spacecrafting

BPC has aligned its mission with action in five years of business, partnering with green organizations, including Minnesota Land Trust, DemCon and TruNorth Solar, to educate clients, reduce waste and give back to the community.

Along with donating one percent of BPC’s annual profits to the Minnesota Land Trust, Nix and Johnson give their

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Photos: Spacecrafting

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time to the Land Trust as “volunteer monitors,” walking through protected properties to make sure they stay healthy and wild.

“It almost goes against everything that our industry represents,” Johnson says. “But we felt like that was the biggest thing we could possibly do for our sustainability goals. We wanted to almost reverse humanity’s footprint … to actually save land versus destroy it.”

When it comes to enacting that mission in their builds and designs, the pair say education has become the crux of their process. They also require their clients to donate old appliances and work with a waste management company to ensure renovation materials are recycled and disposed of properly.

“In a way, the word sustainability has become so generic and … almost greenwashed,” Nix says. “What we feel more comfortable with is providing connections, tools and awareness and letting people know different ways that they can [build with sustainability in mind].”

SOUT H H I L L S O C I A L

Photos: Spacecrafting

Aptly dubbed the “Mushroom House”

by Stillwater locals, the distinct domeroofed home with 360-degree views of the St. Croix River Valley had been on the market for weeks. And for good reason.

“Walking through it, it didn’t take long to realize that this would be a daunting project for many people,” says now-homeowner Lee Stoerzinger. The church-turned-home was nearly a century old and with a history to match.

“The house had been in fires,” Nix says. “The walls were butterflying out structurally, and the top of the walls were starting to fall out.”

But when Nix and Johnson stepped into the dark, out-of-date space, they didn’t balk.

“I remember looking at Regan and hearing her say, ‘We can do this,’” Stoerzinger says.

For BPC, building with green techniques isn’t the only way to practice sustainability.

Johnson and Nix also share a passion for saving structures that many would consider a lost cause.

“Most people would have said it was a teardown, but we just [saw] potential,” Nix says. “We were still able to salvage a ton of stuff in that house versus tearing it down, putting it in a landfill and using more materials.”

The BPC team, in tandem with Todd

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Anderson at Lifespace Construction, rebuilt the Stillwater icon from the inside out, crafting a rustic-meets-modern home using three main materials: wood, stone and concrete.

Many see using limited materials as a hallmark of cold, modern design, Johnson explains, adding, “But when you look at the photos [of the home], it just looks warm and cozy and … inviting.”

BPC focused this welcoming design on the family of three’s mission to have not just a house, but a home, fit to accommodate anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of it.

The double-sided fireplace, able to be felt and seen from every corner of the living space, is central to this intent.

Looking at the finished result, a majestic statement piece featuring irregular-cut stone from Rivard Stone and black finishes, it’s hard to envision the space without it. But when the structural and technical complexities of the piece delayed the project, the homeowner nearly gave up on their original vision.

“They were like, ‘Just forget it. We’ll put a tiny gas fireplace in. We just have to move on,’” Nix says. But BPC didn’t give up. And six months later, the team found a solution. “[Our client] looked at us and they said, ‘thank you,’” Nix says. “And we said, ‘For what?’ And they said, ‘For not letting us forget what our goal was. That fireplace is the central part of our family, of our home, it’s everything.’”

Johnson and Nix light up as they reflect on this and other design challenges they solved within the home, from restructuring the small primary bedroom to working within the odd-ceilinged primary bathroom to fit a walk-in shower, free-standing tub and double vanity.

“There’s going to be challenges, but we say there’s not a challenge that can’t be figured out,” Nix says.

The fireplace isn’t the home’s only statement piece. A fixed bar nestled into the living room promotes recreation and conversation, and just steps away, bi-fold doors open up to a multi-use office space, where a built-in daybed extends from the bookshelf to accommodate guests.

In the intimate kitchen, uncomplicated white cabinets and natural wood shelves divert attention to the breathtaking view of the city and historic lift bridge. And in the center of the space, a broad chiseled rock edge island by Living Stone Concrete is surrounded by chaste stools of raw wood,

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Photo: Chris Emeott

a blank canvas for the creations and conversations to come.

This same satisfying, clean geometry echoes through the home, balanced by curving interior archways and the simple black railing that leads upstairs to the catwalk.

But it’s the hidden reminders of what this space once was that remain one of the pair’s favorite parts. In the home’s past life, the same catwalk led to the priest’s quarters, and the balcony once hosted a lively church choir.

“I love that although it looks completely different … those elements never went away, of what it was originally built for,” Nix says. “There’s still that nod to the history of the house.”

BPC has only called White Bear Lake home for a year, but the pair say

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they’ve already fallen in love with the tight-knit community that holds a similar penchant for history and art.

“White Bear Lake was a place we always saw our business going,” Nix says. “Just that feeling of community and how strong people feel about White Bear Lake is so inspiring.

We’re excited to become more and more involved in this community and see what happens next.”

A celebration of food and flavor.

Blue Pencil Collective, 2150 Third St., Suite 5; 651.968.4487; bluepencilcollective.com Blue Pencil Collective @bluepencilcollective

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Charcuterie boards beautifully curated to please all of the senses.

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O N T H E TOW N

th in g s to se e a n d d o in and aro und White Be ar Lak e

IT’S TIME FOR MARCH MADNESS Catch all the action at these local spots.

B ASK E T B A LL, BEER AND

there are no better words to sum up March Madness. And whether you’re in it for the camaraderie, eats or a favorite NCAA Division 1 college basketball team, there’s no better place to enjoy the games than a local bar or restaurant.

It all begins on selection night March 13 and concludes on April 4 with the championship game.

Enjoy all the month has to offer at a few of our favorite spots that check all three boxes with great food, company and, of course, TVs to watch the madness unfold.

iStock.com/jacoblund

FO O D —

Bear Town Bar & Grill If you’re looking for a traditional sports bar, Bear Town fits the bill.

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Known for chicken wings and signature burgers, this local pub has a cozy feel, with large screen TVs, friendly staff and a plethora of daily deals on drinks and food.

Cabin 61 This quaint pub is a local favorite, with a variety of appetizers and draft beers to enjoy while watching the games. Take a seat at the bar, where you’ll find pull tabs, an e-lottery and a front-row seat to all the action. We’ve also heard the Just Too Gouda to Be True Burger ($14) is true to its name.

Manitou Grill & Event Center For a classic restaurant experience the whole family will enjoy,

head over to Manitou Grill. This White Bear Lake staple has an updated menu that features classic American fare, along with a wide selection of whiskey, scotch and bourbon. For best results, order a slider set and one of the signature lobster rolls.

The Village Sports Bar This spot specializes in sports.

With more than 30 TV’s, you’ll see all the action unfold while trying your luck at pull tabs or enjoying the bar offerings. If you get hungry, the hand-tossed pizzas and garlic pizza fries are fan favorites.

—Bryce Helmbrecht-Lommel

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651.426.8176 bruggemanexteriors.com info@bruggemanexteriors.com 2555 County E Suite 104 White Bear Lake MN 55110

O N T H E TOW N Compiled by Grace Masuda

LOCAL EVENTS

Live Music with Scottie Miller 03/12

Roofing Siding Windows Gutters

Local musician Scottie Miller has a membership in the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame and has toured with blues icon Bo Diddley. Hear his soulful tunes live while grabbing a delicious bite to eat. All ages. 3–5:30 p.m. Washington Square Bar & Grill, 4736 Washington Square; 651.407.7162; scottiemiller.com

Death of a Salesman 03/17–04/03 Head to the Hanifl Performing Arts Center to see Death of a Salesman, one of the most iconic plays of the 20th century. Arthur Miller’s drama showcases the fate of hero Willy Loman, who crumbles under the American Dream. All ages. $23–$28. Times vary.

Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave.; 651.336.8613; lakeshoreplayers.org

Ar-Dale Dancers 04/10 Join this nonprofit square dance club that has been dancing since 1963.

The Ar-Dale Dancers welcome you to their royalty-themed night, and will have Larry Johansen as the caller.

Dress casually, or follow the purple theme. Happy dancing! All ages. Free.

2–4:45 p.m. White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth St.; ardaledancers.com

Hopping Into Spring Craft and Gift Show 04/24 Shop nearly 100 vendors who are showcasing their unique, high-quality products. Handmade crafters, upcyclers and more will be in attendance. All

ages. Free. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Hippodrome Ice Arena, 4855 Bloom Ave.; facebook. com/perfectlyuniquecraftshows

AREA EVENTS

Swing Night at the Caves 03/03 Bring the whole family to the Wabasha Street Caves for a night of music and dancing. This vibrant event features a live

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swing band, dancing and a whole lot of fun. $10 cash only. 6:30–10 p.m. Wabasha

Street Caves, 215 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul; 651.224.119;. wabashastreetcaves.com

MarsCon 03/11–03/13 Join fellow science fiction fans at MarsCon. This high energy convention features an art show, panel discussions, gaming, a charity auction, music and more. Guests must be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID19 test. All ages. Free. Times vary.

Hilton Minneapolis, 3800 American Blvd. E., Bloomington; marscon.org

Women Walking 03/18 and 03/19 The Belwin Conservancy invites you to celebrate the vernal equinox with an afternoon of centering exercises, meditation, walking in nature and a bonfire. Led by Lynette Anderson, interpretive naturalist and restoration specialist, this event is a great way to transition into the spring season.

Women ages 16 and older. $20. 6–9 p.m.

Belwin Conservancy, 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton; 651.436.5189; belwin.org

Discover the Difference

Princess and Easter Bunny Party 03/27 Join the Disney princesses as well as the Easter Bunny for a great Easter celebration! Professional portraits with the Easter Bunny, interactive story time with the princesses, songs and games, royal crafts, pixie wishes and more are on deck. All ages. $20–$40. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Hyatt Regency Bloomington, 3200 East 81st St., Bloomington; eventbrite.com

To have your event considered: email whitebearlakemag@tigeroak.com by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication.

Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

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TA S T E M A K E R S

Pop the Cork on Crémant Let’s lift a glass to spring entertaining and celebrations.

Popping the cork on a bottle of bubbly can fill a room with celebratory spirits. As we move into brunch season and springtime celebrations, let’s take a closer look at Champagne’s lesser-known cousin.

STORY

BY STACI PERRY MERGENTHAL AND DAN AMUNDSON PHOTOS

BY CHRIS EMEOTT

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TA S T E M A K E R S

With the same richness and body of Champagne, crémant (pronounced kruh-maant) brings as much life and effervescence as its counterpart—at a fraction of the price. We spoke with Mike Scharff, general manager and wine buyer at Haskell’s in White Bear Lake, to learn more about this sparkling sensation.

What is crémant?

Crémant, in the most basic of explanations, is sparkling French or, more uncommonly, Luxembourg, wine that is produced outside of the Champagne region. These wines are similarly made and of similar quality but at a much more affordable price.

What’s the production process?

The production process term that is shared with Champagne is méthode traditionnelle.

This is where secondary fermentation occurs inside the bottle instead of a vat or tank. This is said to give the sparkling wine more texture and nuance that we have come to expect from both Champagne or crémant. This creamy mouth texture is how crémant got its name, which literally translates to “creamy.”

Where is crémant made?

Crémant is produced throughout France in eight designated regions: Alsace, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Die, Jura, Limoux, Loire and Savoie. The most commonly found regions here on our shelves would be Alsace, Bourgogne or Loire. Little discussed is the one crémant found outside of France in the area of Luxembourg’s Moselle district. Crémant de Luxembourg is also made méthode traditionnelle like France’s counterparts and is considered true crémant.

Does crémant run sweet or dry?

When it comes to sweet or dry, most often crémant comes in brut dryness like most Champagne offerings. However, like Champagne, the crémant can vary in sweetness with extra brut (very dry super uncommon), brut (dry), to a demi sec (slightly sweet or “off-dry”).

How does crémant differ from Champagne?

We can certainly get into details like atmospheric pressures and dosage requirements, but what truly sets crémant apart from Champagne is the use of more regionally-found grape varietals in addition to

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chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, which we commonly see in Champagne.

We’re talking grapes that many have never even heard of like auxerrois, clairette, mauzac or savagnin, for example. It is because of the wide range of grape varietals that we have these distinct and defined regions throughout France, which can vary from producer to producer.

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How does crémant compare to prosecco?

The methode traditionnelle process is also what separates itself from the Italian sparkling wine prosecco as its secondary fermentation is vatted not bottled. Prosecco also uses the glera grape almost exclusively.

Does crémant have the ability to age?

Champagne is renowned for its ability to age gracefully, while most crémants tend to drink better younger.

Optimal temperature for crémant?

Crémant’s optimal temperature is generally agreed to be between 47 to 50 degrees F. Two to three hours in the refrigerator will do the trick.

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How about food pairings?

Crémant, like so many other sparkling wines, is such a versatile food wine.

Almost anything fruity, oily, fatty or salty is a wonderful complement. We’re talking meats, fish and other goodies from the sea, salads and fried foods. Fruity or sweet desserts paired with a demi-sec crémant are also a good choice. This is a testament that sparkling wines like crémant are not and should not be exclusively enjoyed on celebratory occasions.

Why isn’t crémant as well known?

I think the average consumer is more educated and is becoming increasingly aware of this sparkling gem. Crémant has been asked for by name more and more in our stores each day. Pricing starts midteens and up.

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A few of your favorite crémants?

A couple of my absolute favorites are crémant de Bourgogne from Louis Bouillot. Bouillot comes in brut blanc or brut rosé. This has a bit more pinot noir in the mix.

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Since 1973

Haskell’s The Wine People 1219 Gun Club Road; haskells.com Haskell’s White Bear Lake Custom Offsite Build

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LAST GLANCE

By Bryce Helmbrecht-Lommel

FIRST PLACE: PETS

Ready to Play Winning photo captures joyful dog on dock.

ON A CLE A R SU M M ER EV EN I N G , Craig Drake, who placed first in our 2021 Lens on the Lake Photo Contest, captured this image of his grand-dog, sitting happily at the end of his family’s dock on White Bear Lake. “It was a beautiful day, and we were dog sitting our grand-dog, Tommy. He loves the water and was very happy being on the dock,” Drake says. His favorite thing about the image? He says, “The playful look on Tommy’s face!” Drake is a selfproclaimed “casual photographer” and says he happened to catch Tommy at the right moment.

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Photographer: Craig Drake

Title: Tommy, Ready to Play!

Equipment:

iPhone 12

To view other Lens on the Lake photo contest winners, visit whitebearlakemag.com.

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