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VOL. 17 NO. 8 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00
NEW SCHOOLS: Planning underway PAGE 9
Oneka Shores Farm launches supper club, CSA to come HUGO — Picture a group of strangers all gathered around a large farm table, talking about food and farm life all while enjoying a fivecourse meal by candlelight. That’s exactly what happens every six weeks or so at Oneka Shores Farm, located at 7039 165th St. N in Hugo. “We get to share the farm with people. That is really important, because we really care about farming in a way that is regenerative, that takes care of our soil and is putting back as much as we are taking out. We don’t use any chemicals and we use animals in a smart way,” Elizabeth Bauer explained. “We want to share that with everyone that we possibly can that feels familial.” Steve and Elizabeth Bauer moved to the Hugo property in 2016. Before that, Elizabeth lived in St. Paul and Steve in Blaine. Elizabeth grew up on a farm and Steve grew up gardening and helping out on his grandfather’s farm. Steve’s love of plants and animals led him to pursue degrees in biology and chemistry, which ultimately led to a job in ecology that focused on soil health and biodiversity. Even though he
now works in the technology industry, he is still able to get his farm fix at home. Elizabeth was a CPA for many years for a consulting firm that worked with small businesses. One of those businesses was a cooking school, where she said she took as many classes as she could. Elizabeth is currently the president of an international engineering firm, runs a business coaching company and teaches yoga at Aerial Athletics in Lino Lakes. “It was a match made in heaven. We knew right away that we wanted to find a farm,” Elizabeth said. “When we found this site, it was really perfect in that it had the right amount of space, but it had never been a garden, a farm or had animals before, so we really got to set it up. We get to build the vision for what we want it to be. It was also really important for us to raise the kids in a place that they can play in the woods, be outside, get a little gritty. Hugo still has a lot of that rural, hometown feel to it, yet we still have amazing schools and there is a lot of people here, so it is the best of both worlds.” On the 11-acre hobby farm, the Bauers raise American
Future looks ‘very good’ for Hugo BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
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Hugo resident Elizabeth Bauer owns Oneka Shores Farm with her husband Steve. The farm is located at 7039 165th St. N.
guinea hogs and ducks and and children. “If it can be chickens (for eggs). The grown in Minnesota, we farm is also home to “guard” grow it,” Elizabeth said. geese, rabbits, vegetables SEE ONEKA SHORES, PAGE 15 and a myriad of cats, dogs
HUGO — Lions Park, the public works facility, street improvements, development along Highway 61 and White Bear Lake Area Schools were some of the many items Mayor Tom Weidt discussed at the 10th annual State of the City address Feb. 11 at the Blue Heron Grill. The fi rst State of the City address was given by then-Mayor Fran Miron in 2010. The idea emerged from the Business Retention and Expansion program, an initiative led by a large committee of volunteers appointed by the City Council. The committee worked with the University of Minnesota on an extensive project that resulted in recommendations to improve the business environment in Hugo. The fi rst address was delivered in the Oneka Room at City Hall to members of the committee and many others from the Hugo business community. In 2012, the event was moved to the Blue Heron Grill and was hosted by the SEE STATE OF THE CITY, PAGE 11
Council members recognized for 2 decades of service BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
HUGO — Residents Chuck Haas and Becky Petryk say the city has come a long way since they were both first elected to the City Council back in 1998. Both council members were sworn into office the following January in the old City Hall, which was located in Lions Park near where the playground is now. “Finding stability in leadership within any organization that has endured long periods of rapid change is exceedingly rare. Council members Petryk and Haas have helped lead the city during periods of high growth, through natural disasters and through countless controversial proposals,” City Administrator Bryan Bear said. “They have contributed to every difficult decision within the last two decades that has shaped the city of Hugo into what it is today. They are
Becky Petryk Petryk moved to Hugo in 1985. Before serving on the city council, she got her feet wet in volunteer work. She served on the White Bear Hockey Association board and the White Bear Soft Ball Association board, was active in her church and served as a Girl Scout leader. “I became involved (in the council) because of street widths and trees and trying to preserve a lot of the amenities that people move to a place to enjoy. Becky Petryk
SEE COUNCIL SERVICE, PAGE 7
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