BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER
At last, we can thank the COVID-19 pandemic for something.
During the pandemic lockdowns when people had nowhere to go, they stayed home and feathered their nests.
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Hugo resident Kelly Erickson prides herself in making custom desserts that all people can enjoy, even those with allergies.
Around seven years ago, Erickson’s business Cake by the Lake came to fruition. She specializes in tree nut- and peanut-free desserts.
“My oldest, who is now almost 17, was diagnosed with a tree nut allergy when he was 5, so he was never able to have fun desserts and birthday cakes from bakeries,” she explained. She started making cakes and desserts that not only her son could enjoy, but also family. Slowly, as she taught herself more skills, people started
They baked bread, they built decks, they cleaned out their closets. Others took up the guitar, while others strived to get better at chess or learn a little more about opera.
Amanda Carrara of Mahtomedi started a parentcoaching business. Her parent-coaching business started out online and now offers various learning
formats from virtual learning to in-person or a combination of both.
Carrara started the business while spending the three pandemic years in Costa Rica.
“The country was extremely locked down due to the lack of infrastructure, such as hospitals and ventilators that were so vital to them,” she said. Carrara’s family grew lonely
very quickly.
To occupy her mind, Carrara found and enrolled in an online parent-coaching course to boost her resume.
Carrara already held a master’s degree in education and was a kindergarten teacher and literacy specialist.
“My mom had always told me CONTRIBUTED
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FROM PAGE 1
requesting cakes and other desserts and a full-time business was born.
The business’ name was inspired by Egg Lake in Hugo, where she resides with her family. She is known for her custom cakes, cupcakes and royal icing cookies, and bakes for special occasions including weddings, birthdays and parties.
“I love creating custom designs for my customers. I get to use my artistic abilities with desserts,” Erickson said.
Up until recently, Cake by the Lake was Erickson’s full-time job, but she now bakes and decorates part time because she works for the White Bear Lake Area Schools in nutrition services.
For more information about Cake by the Lake, visit “Cakebythelake29” Facebook page or email Erickson at cakebythelake29@gmail.com.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@presspubs.com.
The district’s most recent four-year graduation rate, recently released by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), shows the district’s rate tops the state’s graduation rate of 83.6% by almost 5.5 percentage points. In White Bear Schools, 89.1% of 2022 seniors earned their diploma within four years.
The 2022 graduation rate at White Bear Lake Area High School - South Campus, which does not include students from the district’s Area Learning Center (ALC), Distance Learning Academy or Transition Education Center (TEC) programs, is 95.7%. The Area Learning Center recorded the second-highest graduation rate compared to ALCs in our surrounding area, with a four-year graduation rate that increased by 12.5 percentage points, from 51.4% in 2021 to 63.9% in 2022.
“White Bear students are earning their diplomas in four years at a rate that exceeds the Minnesota graduation rate,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “We are proud of the efforts our students are making as they design and create their own future, and we are committed to helping them grow and continue to succeed.”
Twelve designated student groups within the district exceeded the statewide average, ranging from 1.7 percentage points above state average for students not receiving free/reduced meals to 16.9 percentage points above state average for students receiving special education services. MDE does not publicly report graduation percentages for student populations of fewer than 10 students; therefore, our Other Indigenous
Peoples and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander student groups are not available as distinct student groups but are included in overall district and building data.
Notably, White Bear Lake Area High School - South Campus topped the state average in all areas, with rates 20 percentage points or more above the state average in the following student groups: Hispanic or Latino (89.7% compared to 69.3% state average); two or more races (100% compared to 79.2% state average), English learner (86.7% compared to 65% state average); and those receiving free/reduced price meals (91.5% compared to 71.1% state average). WBLAHS - South Campus students receiving special education services were 19.8 percentage points above the state average (85.3% to 65.5% state average).
WBLAHS - South Campus’ graduation rate (95.7%) compares favorably to other area high schools: Mounds View High School (96.5%), Mahtomedi High School (96.2%), Stillwater High School (96.2%), Centennial High School (95%), Irondale High School (92.3%), Roseville Area High School (90.1%), Forest Lake Area High School (86.2%), Tartan High School (86.2%) and North Senior High School (83.5%).
Those students who do not graduate in four years have the opportunity to continue on in the district through alternative programs at the Area Learning Center. Most students who do not graduate in four years generally end up earning their diploma at the Area Learning Center. The Transition Education Center also provides young adults, ages 18-21, with specialized
programming designed to meet their post-secondary transition goals as they earn their diploma.
“Supports we have put in place that help students cross the finish line and graduate include specific programs that ensure student success through rigorous curriculum and efforts to close the achievement gap. Schoolwide programs focus on building relationships with students to better help understand where they need support to succeed,” said Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak. “We will continue to implement programs like these that help every student find success.”
Bear Lake Area Schools
Rowan Shaw, a junior at Centennial High School, serves as a junior member of the Centerville City Council. Press Publications caught up with him as he shares a few personal tidbits and thoughts so that the community can get to know him better.
Q: What have your classmates said to you, when they found out you help run the city?
A: They're usually surprised at first that I chose to take on that responsibility and they ask what made me choose to. I told them because I thought it would be an interesting thing to do. They're very curious about what I do and ask me what changes I plan to make, to which I explain that I am non-voting, so cannot directly make changes. But I add my input to matters brought to the council, and they take my perspective into account when making decisions.
Q: What attracted you to being interested in local government?
A: The U. S. federal government is something I have always found interesting and kept up with, newswise. But I realized that I haven't really kept up with any smaller state or local government, or paid much attention to it in the past. I saw this position as a great opportunity to educate myself on the inner workings of small local government and fill this gap in my governmental knowledge that I realized I had.
Q: How long have you been interested in government?
A: My interest in government and politics probably goes all the way back to elementary school, in maybe fourth grade? I remember having mock presidential elections in class and talking about the elections/presidents and such.
Q: What made you decide to become a junior council member?
A: I really just thought that it would be a great opportunity for me to gain some insight into my local government, see how it runs, and contribute to some change or discussion along the way.
Q: What are your duties as a junior council member?
A: My duty as a junior council member is to attend City Council meetings twice a month and give my input and perspective on the various matters the council discusses, so as to diversify the points of view immediately available to them. I read the same agenda packet that is sent out to all of the council members prior to each meeting, and familiarize myself with what we will be discussing so that I can come to each meeting prepared and ready to give my opinion.
Q: What do you like best about being a junior council member?
A: I like that I get to sit at the dais with everyone else and really be a part of the council. Even though I don't have the power to vote on anything, I still feel like the council acknowledges me and gives me a voice.
Q: Tell us what types of discussion you like best (for example: budget, new developments around town, water and sewer issues, road construction . . .) when you are at a City Council meeting?
A: I enjoy things that have to do with budget/taxes because I find our city's economics interesting. I like hearing about how taxes have changed over the years and learning why these changes may have occurred.
Q: Do you think the city population should grow a lot more, or would you like to see Centerville remain a more quiet, less-dense community?
A: I personally enjoy the city as a small, less-dense and more quiet community. That is one of the things I've appreciated about Centerville over the years: that it's a quiet, comfortable place. It's peaceful, and overall just a nice place to be. However, growth could be a good thing for our city as well, and bring it more attention.
Q: What does the city need to do to be a better city?
A: We could always use more public input, as the council acts as an extension of the public and makes decisions on their behalf. I think that engaging our citizens in our local government and encouraging them to participate in city events, such as attending City Council meetings, is something that there is always room to improve on.
Q: How do you think being a junior council member will help you in your future?
A: I think that being a junior council member will help my future by giving me a better understanding of government, especially on a local level, so that I may have a better understanding of how my government works and what I can do to become involved in it.
Q: Do you think you’ll ever run for City Council when you are eligible?
A: I could maybe see myself running for City Council. The position as a junior council member gives me a good chance to observe the responsibilities and roles of the council members and figure out if it is something I’d like to do myself. I am still unsure if running for a council seat is something I would like to do, but the prospect of running for a council seat sometime in the future is intriguing to me. I think I still need more time to observe the responsibilities of the council and get a feel for what being a council member would actually look like for me before I can say for sure.
Q: Is there anything you’d like people to know either about yourself or your city, Centerville?
A: Centerville is a fantastic, welcoming city with a council that I greatly respect. I have a lot of faith that they have been and will continue to do everything they can to make informed and rational decisions that are to the benefit of the community. I personally am honored to be a part of this council and represent the younger generations of Centerville, and I hope that throughout my year in this position, I can serve the council and the people of Centerville well and make a positive impact on the community.
William McKnight is a big name in our area. I never met him, but I have read a lot about him. He had a great ability as an American businessman and philanthropist.
He joined the 3M company in Duluth in 1907 as an assistant bookkeeper and rose quickly to become president in 1929 and chairman of the board in 1949.
One of the key points of his management style was to delegate responsibility and encourage the men and women to exercise their initiative.
The booklet of rules that McKnight used and gave each employee was how to make greater profits and results. It was often referred to as the magical dozen if applied.
I think it has an application for all businesses.
Here they are:
1. Improving the quality of products.
2. Reducing mistakes to a minimum.
3. Constant efforts toward reducing costs.
4. Eliminating lost time and delays.
5. Better planning of each job.
6. Avoiding waste and spoiled work.
7. Saving materials and supplies.
8. Developing more efficient methods.
9. Better care of equipment and tools.
10. Increased individual effort.
11. Completing each job promptly.
12. Continuous study and training.
Their 17,000 square ft. home in Dellwood was built in the late 1800s in the English Tudor style.
Actually, the McKnights took over the home in early 1940s and did extensive remodeling. Eventually the home was razed and the property divided.
This year the summer solstice occurs on June 21, marking the start of summer in the northern hemisphere. It is also the longest day of the year.
In the northern hemisphere, the solstice occurs when the sun travels along its northernmost path in the sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern half of the globe, and the opposite in the southern hemisphere.
In May, millions of young college students celebrate their graduations and move forward into the world of jobs, family and civic responsibility.
President Ronald Reagan in 1989 offered the nation’s young people a lesson about America.
“And let me offer lesson #1 about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table. So tomorrow night in the kitchen, I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven’t been teaching you what it means to be an American, let ‘em know and nail ‘em on it’. That would be a very American thing to do.”
• QI is the most commonly played word in Tournament Scrabble. It’s pronounced “chee” and means “life force” or “energy” in Mandarin.
• There is one and a half times more caffeine in milk chocolate than in Coca-Cola.
• Boring, Oregon has become a “sister community” with Dull, Scotland.
• The Greek national anthem has 158 verses, but only two of them are ever sung.
• When a Navajo baby laughs aloud for the first time, the family throws a party. The person who made the baby laugh provides the food.
Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.
We all stay connected with the world and get our news in different ways. We read our local newspapers (like you are right now), watch news programs on TV, read articles online, Facebook, Twitter, and so many other ways.
Tim HeineckeMaybe you like to stay connected and are very up-to-date on current events.
Maybe you like to just “catch the highlights”
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and focus on what interests or affects you.
Regardless of how much or little attention you pay to current events, we can all agree on one thing: we would like some more good news. Negativity and bad headlines grab people’s attention and can sometimes overwhelm us.
Thankfully, there is plenty of good news out there. People are helping one another, going out of their way, and supporting one another. When we hear this good news, it encourages us and can even inspire us to help others.
The Apostle Peter knew this as he said, “You know the message God sent to the
at least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.
• Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication.
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people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36)
The best and most inspiring good news is that Jesus loves us, forgives us, and is here for us no matter what. This is some beautiful Good News we all need as we help one another, go out of our way, and support one another.
• Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.
• Submissions containing facts not previously published in The Citizen must be accompanied by factual verification.
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of the week prior to publication.
• To submit a letter, e-mail it to citizennews@presspubs. com, fax it to 651-429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.
FROM PAGE 1
to go to school for something, so I went to school for teaching,” Carrara said.
After Carrara and her husband moved from Pennsylvania for his job with Boston Scientific, her new village became Hugo. Early indications that being the head of a parenting business was in her future started with her leadership of the group of moms who met up at the playground and set up play dates. The gathering evolved into book clubs and took on a spiritual component, with God supporting the group members and their families, Carrara said. The gathering of families then grew to meals together and spending holidays together. “Truly living life together and supporting each other with the ups and downs of life,” she said.
After quickly turning around roles and becoming a parent coach while still in Costa Rica, Carrara learned how comfortable people were with the virtual format. She coached parents from all over the world on line. Her clients came from the U. S., Costa Rica, and even as far as South Africa.
In the early days of coaching, Carrara discovered that parents wanted a band-aid solution to fix their kids. But she doesn’t provide a quick fix to fix kids. “I do offer a rolodex of tools, because no one size fits all,” she said. “Children’s needs evolve, so that no one tool will do the job all the time.”
Rather than coach her clients on how to solve a particular problem, Carrara is goal-based and coaches her parents to think in the long term -with the end in mind. Carrara asks parents to ask themselves, “when the kids leave the house, what kind of people do we want them to be?”
For example, kids will talk back. Shape that communication, Carrara said. Make your home a safe place to use their voices. Show them when it’s appropriate to speak up. “That is the training ground for recognizing that there are nuances in communication.”
You want your children to be kind? Show them kindness – model how it’s done. “Kids will learn from the example that we set much more than the lesson we try to teach them,” Carrara said.
Children need boundaries and need to know what’s expected, Carrara said. That is what the parent provides. “Kids thrive in predictable, consistent homes. They want to know what’s expected of them.”
You don’t set about toughening up the kids for the real world, she added. “The world is tough enough already. The goal is to provide a safe place at home to work through issues and to be prepared for that tough world.”
Another important lesson parents learn is that we can’t control our children; we can only control ourselves as parents,” she said. This is important because parenting starts from within the parent, as Carrara learned and now teaches. Therefore, the changes we seek in our children also must come from within us, the parent. “We can’t expect our children to have the skills and resources that we don’t have for ourselves yet. This is why parenting begins within ourselves first,” she said.
An important change parents can make within themselves is to become curious, Carrara said. “First we become curious about what we as the parents
need; then we become curious about what our children need.”
Though they are little, children are full human beings and deserving of respect, Carrara said. Their behaviors, both difficult and welcome, are a form of communication. “We, as parents, act as detectives to interpret what the children are communicating. Curiosity and empathy are the best resources we have, as we try to find out why kids are behaving in a certain way and what they could be needing.”
So, no formulas in Carrara’s class, but rather a philophy based on scripture and backed by science. “For my clients, I can listen and support,” she said. Her clients, in turn, take up that baton to listen and to support their children.
Now a certified parent coach, Carrara has designed a 12-week online parenting course, called Revival Parenting that incorporates the 12 most common topics of concern for parents. These topics deal with emotions; past parenting patterns; ages and stages; tantrums; self care; communication; rules; discipline; routines; forgiveness; sibling dynamics and the importance of play. Her clients range from a mom pregnant with her first child to an empty nester. Her students are also military parents, diverse parents, foster and adoptive parents.
Parents have four ways to take the Revival Parenting course. Option 1 is self-paced with access to videos and a virtual work book, where clients work through the material on their own. Option 2 includes private sessions, called side-by-side parenting. Moms and dads parenting together are encouraged to choose this option. “It is a powerful thing when both parents share a common vision, values and mission for their home, along with common language and tools to support themselves and their children,” Carrara said. Option 3 is a virtual group that has been taught with just moms, so far. “That is special, though, because the walls come down, everyone hears of everyone else’s struggles and gives grace,” Carrara said. Option 4 is an in-person class comprised of both moms and dads that meets for 90 minutes every Tuesday night for 12 weeks. Free child care is provided.
As a parent, Carrara has set boundaries for herself first. She avoids being caught up in the hustle culture. “I work one night a week all year,” she said. Tuesday nights are for the in-person classes during winter. In the summer, Thursday nights are for meeting with private clients. “Running ourselves into the ground will not support our families,” she cautioned.
Although they have lived in Minnesota for 20 years, Carrara, along with her husband and three children, are building a home in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica to live in part-time. “We have friends and family in Minnesota, so there will always be a piece of us here,” she said. “But each winter becomes harder, not easier.”
As for her business, “I have the flexibility of working from home the majority of time,” she said. We can thank COVID for that as well.
For more information about Carrara’s parenting course, visit her website at www.amandacarrara. com/revival-parenting/.
Wilmer is a young boy, just about a year old, but he is already housetrained and crate-trained. He is a good, sweet boy, and is eager to find a forever home where he can be a happy member of a loving family. Wilmer is a black Labrador/ border collie mix, and he currently weighs about 36 pounds. He is a rescue transfer from Arkansas. Wilmer is social and does well with other dogs, but he does need slow introductions.
When it comes to his people, he is a loverboy to everyone he meets. He loves to be with his people and likes show his affection with kisses. Wilmer also keeps himself entertained with his toys and chewies when his people are busy.
Wilmer knows some of
Blessing of the bikes is back. Ride through the Maranatha campus in Forest Lake to get you and your bike blessed Sunday, June 4. Church services will be held at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. Breakfast will be
Samuel H. Sylvester, 26, of Lino Lakes, was operating an ATV in a Ramsey County nature preserve when he crashed and died.
According to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the Fish Creek Natural Area in Maplewood around 3:45 p.m. Monday, May 22. Once
his basic commands, but he is a smart guy and eager to please, so continued training should be easy.
According to his foster, someone will be very lucky to welcome Wilmer to their family. If you are interested in learning more about Wilmer or adopting him, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.
served from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. and vendors will open at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the blessing of the bikes beginning at 12:30 p.m. Maranatha is located at 24799 Forest Blvd North. For more information, visit www. realchurch.org.
on scene, deputies located Sylvester trapped beneath the ATV.
Sylvester was an employee of Native Resource Preservation, a company that was under contract with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation to conduct a controlled burn in the nature preserve, the sheriff's office said. Investigators are looking into the accident.
Saturday at 4:30 pm Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site 14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo
Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville www.stgens.org 651‐429‐7937 761757
Masses:
• The League of Minnesota Cities will have a special portrait of Centerville, “Centerville Spotlight,” hanging in its offices in recognition of the service of Mayor D. Love as president of the league for the past several years. The artwork is a montage of what the city looks like. Each past president of the league receives a portrait of their city to hang in the league’s offices. Love will soon be stepping down from his term as president of the league.
• The Parks and Recreation Committee has received grant funding in the amount of $8,500 to offset the cost of installation and equipment purchases for two hydration stations and bike repair stands costing $31,819. That still leaves $23,319 for the city to pay through park dedication fees. The grant was made available through the Anoka County Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) in the interest of increasing opportunities for physical activity — especially walking and biking. The city has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Anoka County. The drinking fountains will receive up to $6,000 in funding, and the bike repair stands up to $2,500. Per Parks and Recreation Committee recommendation, the city will buy two water fountains and a bike repair stand and enter into a contract with Hugo Plumbing & Pump Service Inc. for the installation of appropriate water lines and fittings. The bike repair stand will be installed by public works maintenance staff.
• Council gave city staff the go-ahead to apply for two $15,000 Anoka County predevelopment grants. Each community in the county is allowed two. The city also authorized staff to pay the extra $100 that the grant won’t cover for one of the studies it has planned. One application is for a hotel market study to determine the feasibility of a hotel on the site north of NorBella Senior Living. The second application is for environmental phase one and geotechnical studies on 1737 Main Street and environmental analysis of Block 7. The quote for this second study exceeds $15,000 by $100, and the city
A Home Enhanced, located at 7095 Centerville Road in Centerville, has been sold. Owner Laurel McGinnity, who has owned the location for 10 years, recently announced that new owners Tiffany Downing and Evonne Bisson will assume ownership on June 1.
“I have so loved this store, these customers, and the many friends I have made here over the years. But as with all good things, they eventually must end …
will cover the remaining $100 for completion of the studies described in the application. The $100 will come from the general fund or from the EDA.
• Several months ago, the Economic Development Authority (EDA) commissioned a downtown redevelopment market study. The EDA selected the firm, LOCi, to conduct the market analysis and prepare a written report for EDA and council review. The study includes market potential for various real estate categories such as townhomes, condominiums, rental housing, senior housing and retail space, as well as development priorities. LOCi Consultant Grant Martin presented the final report of the study, which includes input from Centerville residents and the EDA at its most recent meeting.
• According to the Federal Clean Water Act, Centerville is authorized to discharge stormwater into receiving waters, such as lakes and rivers, through the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program/Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (SWPPP/MS4) permit. One of many requirements to hold this permit include an annual presentation of the program and an opportunity for public input on the city’s program. A copy of the SWPPP/MS4 annual report is available for review at City Hall.
• Assistant City Administrator Athanasia Lewis ll witake over the duties of city administrator after City Administrator/Engineer Mark Statz requested an extended leave of absence for up to five weeks starting June 1. City Clerk Teresa Bender, Public Works Director Paul Palzer and other city staff will share administrative duties while Statz is on leave.
• The Anoka County Radio Club will hold its annual ACRC/ARRL Field Day 2023 from June 23-25 at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park, now that council has issued a special event permit.
• The St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church Annual Parish Festival, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 20, was given the green light to hold raffles, bingo and pull tabs, as well as sell liquor. Council issued a special event permit to hold the festival. The church
” McGinnity wrote in part. “They are the perfect partnership pairing. We are all confident these two along with the continuing support of our wonderful team of vendors will steward the store successfully into an even brighter future.”
Humble Roots Boutique plans to open its doors at the end of July. The boutique will have carefully curated and handmade home décor, gifts, clothing and more. For more information, visit http:// humbleroots.boutique.
also received a gambling license and temporary liquor license for the event.
• The Amazon site will be able to post additional direction-finding signs on premises now that council approved a variance request from Ryan Companies on behalf of Amazon.com Services LLC for two additional signs. At its most recent meeting, the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the request for a variance to allow two additional signs to be placed at entrances to the Amazon site to help drivers know which entrance to use when returning to the site. The first sign will be just south of the northern entrance to the site from 21st Avenue and the second will be located just west of the eastern access to the site from Fairview Street. Both signs will benefit public safety.
• F ive property owners who weren’t notified of the Jan. 25 assessment public hearing for the 2022 thin mill and overlay project have another chance to provide input, now that council has passed a resolution calling for a second public assessment hearing for that project. The four new property owners on Dupre Road and the one new property owner on Widgeon Circle will be heard at the special assessment hearing at 6:30 p.m. May 24 at City Hall.
• Another vacancy has opened up on the Parks and Recreation Committee following the resignation of Jessica Kubat. Council formally accepted her resignation. Kubat has served on the committee since August 2021.
• Linda Broussard-Vickers has temporarily returned to the Planning and Zoning Commission after council appointed her to fill one of the two current vacancies until the end of the year. She requested to serve through December, after being seated in June or July. She also noted that she would step down immediately should two candidates step forward to fill the two vacancies.
Week of May 14 – 20, 2023
Editor’s note: Visit www.presspubs.com to read the full versions of these most-visited stories
1. ‘Survivor’ contestant brings addiction recovery into spotlight. White Bear Press > News
2. Former gambling manager plays discrimination card. White Bear Press > Columns
3. White Bear Lake School District plans to open new spirit store at high school. White Bear Press > News
4. Washington Square under new ownership. White Bear Press > News
5. White Bear Lake Police Reports. White Bear Press > Police Reports
CONTRIBUTED
A Home Enhanced has changed hands to Tiffany Dawning and Evonne Bisson.
See Press Publications’ website www.presspubs.com for stories from the White Bear Press, The Citizen, Vadnais Heights Press, Shoreview Press, Quad Community Press, The Lowdown-Forest Lake Area and The Lowdown-St. Croix Valley Area.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents:
• A suspicious male reported at 3:55 a.m. April 21 in the 16000 block of Ethan Court N. turned out to be a friend of the homeowner spending the night, who was outside trying to round up his dog that ran away.
• A resident in the 4000 block of Evergreen Drive N. at 8:27 a.m. April 21 reported being advised by the state of Minnesota of a blocked attempt at unemployment fraud in his name. The complainant noted that no monetary loss had occurred, but the state was requesting an ICR number to clear up matters.
• A motorist was arrested for DWI at 1:38 a.m. April 22 on southbound Forest Blvd. N. and 152nd Street N. after Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies on routine patrol observed the vehicle driving with its high beams on. When deputies turned around on the vehicle, they then noticed the driver fail to signal a turn 100 feet before turning. On contact, deputies believed the driver to be under the influence and conducted standard field sobriety tests before taking the driver into custody.
• A 911 call deputies took at 11:01 a.m. April 22 in the 5000 block of Farnham Drive N. turned out to be a accidental pocket dial.
• A resident in the 15000 block of Falcon Circle N. at 5:37 p.m. April 24 reported receiving a scam phone call, but didn’t give out any information or money to the scammer.
• A n order for protection (OFP) violation was reported at 6:43 p.m. April 24 in the 14000 block of Hyde Avenue N. Another OFP violation was reported at 5:37 p.m. April 25 in the 4000 block of 162nd Street N.
• Deputies at 4:36 p.m. April 25 arrested a motorist on a warrant in the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N.
• A n unidentified motorist was cited at 10:03 p.m. April 25 in the area of 147th Street N. and Forest Blvd. N. for undisclosed violations.
• A resident in the 15000 block of French Drive N. at 9:29 a.m. April 26 reported online credit card fraud, after the complainant noticed money taken out of her account. The bank flagged the account, and the money was refunded back to her account.
• Harassment was reported at 1:43 p.m. April 26 in the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N. The complainant was in possession of documents regarding unwanted messages, and deputies gave advice about steps necessary in taking out a harassment restraining order (HRO).
• A suspicious powdery substance that fell out of a package received in the 5000 block of 129th Drive N. at 6:47 p.m. April 26 turned out to be a dehumidifier filter with residue on it.
• A resident in the 15000 block of French Drive N. at 1:51 p.m. April 27 reported an order for protection violation after she received several calls from blocked numbers as part of an ongoing issue.
• Deputies issued a written warning for speeding at 5:11 p.m. April 27 in the area of 170th Street N. and Henna Avenue N.
• Management at the Kwik Trip in the 14000 block of Victor Hugo Blvd. N. at 5:58 p.m. April 27 reported a male they wanted kicked off the premises. Deputies facilitated in getting a trespass order issued through the U. S. mail.
• Gunshots were reported heard at 6:26 p.m. April 27 from the 14000 block of Homestead Avenue N., and a resident reported their neighbor for shooting a rifle at a freezer, with bullets ricocheting past their head.
• A suspicious burglary reported at 10:10 p.m. April 28 in the 4000 block of Education Drive N. turned out to be a civil matter, and deputies advised the complainant to file an HRO.
• Tenants moving their belongings into a rental unit in the 15000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 2:17 a.m. April 29 reported damage to the door of the property, concerned that someone may have broken into the property prior to their arrival. Management confirmed that the door was damaged prior to the new tenants’ arrival and replaced the broken part of the door.
7:48 a.m. April 29 was reported for trying to throw a female’s belongings out onto the street and kick her out of the home after they had gotten into an argument about cheating. The male himself left before deputies arrived on scene.
• T wo Roku cameras were reported found at 5:56 p.m. April 29 in a yard in the 15000 block of Ethan Avenue N. Deputies were able to return the property to the owner as soon as they were made aware of the circumstances. It turns out that the cameras were thrown out of a car by a disgruntled ex-boyfriend, following a breakup.
• A suspicious disturbance resulting from an argument in the 14000 block of Flay Avenue N. at 11:02 p.m. April 29 turned out to be an amicable gettogether and not at all about people arguing.
• A f ight involving 10 people was reported at 11:13 p.m. April 29 in the 15000 block of Europa Avenue N.
• A resident in the 15000 block Foster Drive N. reported the back window in his truck broken in sometime overnight April 29-30. Deputies provided the case number for insurance purposes.
• A resident in the 5000 block of Farnham Drive at 7:10 a.m. April 30 reported receiving phone calls from a blocked number she suspected came from a male against whom she had a domestic abuse nocontact order.
• A suspicious unconscious individual with a likely severe medical crisis reported at 6:31 a.m. May 1 in the area of Empress Way N. and Heritage Parkway N. turned out to be a person asleep in the vehicle before getting ready to go to work.
• A n out-of-town motorist was issued a verbal warning at 9:37 p.m. May 1 in the area of Everton Avenue N. and Victor Path after Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop for failure to signal prior to two turns. Deputies suspected the driver might be lost and, indeed, he was. When deputies made contact with the elderly driver, he was frantically trying to find his daughter’s house on the next street.
• Deputies took two calls from the 14000 block of Homestead Avenue N. regarding possible illegal shooting, both of which amounted to no violation.
bullets were not ricocheting as reported.
• P roperty damage was reported at 5:53 a.m. May 3 in the 6000 block of 137th Street N.
• Residents in the 4000 block of 126th Street Court N. at 12:44 p.m. May 3 reported fraudulent charges to their credit card.
• A male was arrested on a warrant at 2:40 p.m. May 3 in the 15000 block of Forest Blvd. N. after a Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert was issued.
• Deputies were dispatched out to the Blacksmith Lounge in the 17000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 5:55 p.m. May 3 to ban a trespasser from the bar. When deputies tried to speak to the trespasser, they were unsuccessful, because the party requested to be taken to the hospital.
• A male in the 14000 block of Geneva Avenue N. at
At 9:46 a.m. May 5, deputies answered another complaint and found no violation, noting that the
• Deputies joined multiple agencies in a vehicle pursuit at 11:16 p.m. May 3 in the area of Forest Blvd. N. and 165th Street N.
• A M innesota motorist was cited at 8:17 a.m. May 4 in the 5000 block of 148th Street N. for displaying registration tabs that expired in September 2022, after deputies conducted a rolling computer check of a license plate that had expired in 2021.
• T he owner of Mottaz’s Bottle Shop in the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N. at 4:48 p.m. May 4 reported shoplifters taking two bottles of liquor from the shelf and leaving the store without paying for them. The owner provided video surveillance footage of the theft.
• A suspicious unoccupied vehicle spotted by deputies on patrol at 1:24 a.m. May 5 in the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N. turned out to belong to someone cleaning the business at that location.
• Deputies conducted a traffic stop at 12:44 p.m. May 5 in the 14000 block of Forest Blvd. N. on a revoked driver who was pulled over for semaphore violation.
• A fraud reported at 4:51 p.m. May 5 from the 15000 block of Ingersoll Avenue N. turned out to be a civil matter.
• A domestic verbal over parenting was reported at 5:57 p.m. May 6 in the 4000 block of Rosemary Way N. The couples agreed to separate — not permanently, but temporarily until the dust settled.
Loretta HardingJune
the following regular meetings:
Rescheduled City Administrator Review from June 5 to June 12 at 6 p.m.
Rescheduled the City Council meeting from June 5 to June 12 at 7 p.m.
Canceled the City Council meeting for June 19 at 7 p.m.
Rescheduled July 3 City Council meeting to July 10 at 7 p.m.
Rescheduled July 17 Council meeting to July 24 at 7 p.m.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hugo City Hall will be closed on Monday, July 3, and Tuesday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
Michele Lindau,
June
At 1:11 p.m. May 2, deputies had to advise the reporting party that the shooter was shooting legally on her own property.
MHealth Fairview arrived to transport the party, so deputies never had the chance to have that chat and find out what it was all about.
still remember the day I got an email confirming I had been accepted, and I remember freaking out while I sat at the lunch table at school,” Sarah Lesch says. The email was sent to her five years ago, at the end of her eighth-grade year— an invitation to join Forest Lake High School’s Sinfonia Orchestra, their top-level ensemble normally reserved for grades 10 through 12, as a violinist.
That moment is when Lesch realized she really loved music. “I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment…I realized that I could accomplish so much more and in doing so, I could show everyone else my passion for music.”
Now a Forest Lake senior on the cusp of graduation, Sarah is the Sinfonia Orchestra’s concertmaster and plays as a member of the school’s elite Chamber Strings group. With a score of noteworthy achievements in her ledger, one might think Ms. Lesch was born holding a bowstring. She started, however, in sixth grade, and the violin wasn’t even her first pick!
“Initially, I wanted to play the saxophone, but I instantly fell in love with the violin after trying it out,” Sarah recalls.
“I was amazed because, even though maybe I didn't sound too great, I could already play a couple notes.”
Seven years of practice at anything is impressive, but a musical instrument takes particular dedication. Lesch, though, approaches her craft with a different attitude. “Playing music gives me an outlet that allows me to relieve any and all emotions that would otherwise be bottled up. It's something I can always turn to when feeling something extreme, no matter if it's good or bad.”
Of course, musical excellence isn’t the only thing orchestra has taught Lesch. “Becoming Concertmaster of Sinfonia Orchestra has also given me excellent leadership experience.” Sarah adds, “I have had to learn how to coordinate and communicate with an entire group all at once…helping all the members of my section practice and perfect the pieces we were preparing.”
Preparation will be a constant in Sarah’s life looking ahead. She plans to attend Century College this fall to earn an associate arts degree and hopes to join their chamber orchestra. She’ll also be playing in the pit orchestra for Hanifl’s Beauty and the Beast later this summer. Rest assured—though her schedule may be busy, Lesch will keep a measured pace. That’s because the most important lesson Sarah has learned from playing violin is self-kindness. “You aren't always going to be perfect the first time you try something,” Lesch imparts, “In fact, that's perfectly normal. It has taught me to have patience and forgive myself for messing up occasionally. If I can walk away knowing I truly put forth my best effort, that is absolutely something to still be proud of.”
Clue
White Bear Lake Area High School’s spring production, Clue is a riff off of both the cult-classic 1985 movie and the whodunit board game. Join familiar favorites Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, and more as they attend a murderous dinner party where the main course is red herring and the topic of conversation is how many bullets can be fired from a six-shooter.
Director Braylon Lane is especially excited for the community to see his students perform, saying their “dedication to making theatre happen in our current situation is spectacular.”
19th Annual 10-Minute
Play Festival
Lakeshore Players Theatre continues their platinum 70th season with their perennial fan-favorite 10-minute plays. How many plays are staged during the program? Why, 10, of course! These shorts were selected from playwrights around the world and ALL of them are premiering here. Vote for your favorite 2023 play at the end!
The Children’s Performing Arts early-teens advanced performers are about to show how Peter Pan actually came to be. An island
Explore upcoming Avenue of the Arts events with CPA, LPT and WBCA CLUE
Location: Century College’s West Campus Theatre, 3401 E County Line N
Date: Shows start nightly at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, and go through Saturday, June 3. A matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday is also showing. General admission for Clue is $10, though seniors over 60 get in free. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/wblboxoffice
THE 19TH ANNUAL 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL
Date: June 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 7:30 p.m. June 4, 11 at 2 p.m.
Ten short, never-before-seen plays are presented. Watch each show, and then cast your ballot for your favorite 10-Minute Play of 2023!
BLACK ARTISTRY EXPLAINS AMERICAN HISTORY
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts
Date: 4 Thursdays, June 8-June 29, 7-8:30 p.m.
Join distinguished historian James Stewart and artists from the group AHHA! (Artistry. Honesty. Healing. Action!) as they interpret American history through images of the Black experience.
SANDCASTLES & CREATURES CONTEST
Location: Memorial Beach, White Bear Lake
Date: Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m.-Noon
yet to be called Neverland, a pirate yet to be called Captain Hook, and a trunk of magic sand yet to be called Pixie Dust—Peter and the Starcatcher will light up your inner child and make you believe kids really can fly.
Heathers
An adaptation of the “so very” dark comedy film, Heathers is the Children’s Performing Arts premiere late-teens summer show. Veronica Sawyer suffers abuse from the reigning clique, the Heathers, in order to achieve social clout. Transfer student and resident bad boy J.D., however, appeals to Veronica’s darker nature, making her feel powerful and accepted. So when Queen Bee Heather Chandler takes our heroine for granted yet again, Veronica and J.D. decide to smash Westerburg High’s social order with a metaphorical croquet mallet. With venomous dialogue and a killer plot, audiences will be keeled over laughing, asking the characters, “What’s your damage?”
When asked about how the production
was coming together, Sharon Hanifl-Lee beamed with pride: “This is a bold, risky show—something difficult for our upperaged students to tackle. They rose to and surpassed that high bar, creating a show that I think will floor audience members. Like, ‘Our local theater can do this? The talent is out of this world!’”
Lakeshore Players, Children’s Performing Arts, and White Bear Center for the Arts team up on 4th Street for a night of visual and performance pieces both celebrating current exhibits and previewing upcoming attractions. This display is “a collective umbrella,” says Lakeshore Players Managing Director Megan Pence. “We’re all together over on Long Avenue, so we want to show the community what the Arts District is all about.”
Nothing motivates a kid to try out a new activity
quite like seeing their sibling do it. Jessica Thompson was initially a little nervous to be on stage, but when she saw her twin sister, Justine perform, “any nerves she had were gone,” says their dad, Rick Thompson. “If Justine can do it, so can I.”
When Rick’s daughters took their final bow at Lincoln Elementary, however, he began wondering where his girls could continue acting. Enter Children’s Performing Arts [CPA]. “We saw them put on Music Man, so we got interested and got involved.”
Rick laughs recalling Justine and Jessica’s first roles in a CPA production as street urchins in
Little Shop of Horrors. That’s one area where Rick wishes he’d been more aware of the resources available. “Some of CPA’s shows, like Beauty and the Beast [premiering later this summer], need kids of all ages, but many of the shows are for specific age groups. Even K-2 has mini-legacy shows, like a junior Mary Poppins that’s only 20 minutes. In that case, it’s just about getting their feet wet.”
This summer is an excellent time for kids to get involved because CPA has camps geared towards various skills. “The age ranges vary for those,” Rick explains. “CPA’s really good about knowing which ages will get the most out of which skill.”
When a child does get in a show,
Rick stressed that it’s not the clichéd, cutthroat experience one sees portrayed in movies and on TV. “CPA really believes that every part is important. That has been constant throughout every show my girls have been in. They show each child how their participation is making a difference. I cannot stress that enough.”
Once kids are a bit older and want to work, Rick says that Lakeshore is more than willing to show them what to do. For instance, both Jessica and Justine helped backstage with Lakeshore’s spring production of La Cage aux Folles. Jessica and Justine, now 15, have learned numerous lessons from being involved in theater.
“Confidence is an easy one to say,” Rick laughs, “but I think that confidence also comes from a sense of accomplishment. Like, ‘I did that.’ Of course, the girls have also made amazing friends, but WITH those friends, they made something that they can be proud of.”
So is theater for everyone? “No,” Rick cautions. “But I encourage parents to let their kids try it out. And I don’t think that every kid even has to be good. And that’s the point. Let them experiment and have fun.” After all, that’s why kids want to be in activities in the first place. That, or their sibling is doing it.
Everyone is invited to Memorial Beach on June 17 to build a sand sculpture, and vie for one of the prizes! This contest, hosted by White Bear Center for the Arts, is free and fun for the whole family to participate in or watch.
HEATHERS
Location: The Hanifl Arts Center hosts on the Main Stage at 4941 Long Avenue
Date: Evening showtimes are at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23 while matinee showtimes are at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25.
“DIRT: A MATTER OF REVERENCE” COMMUNITY RECEPTION
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sandra Menefee Taylor’s work is propelled by the deep interest she has for matters of land, body, and spirit. See her work on display in the Ford Family Gallery in her exhibit “Dirt: A Matter of Reverence,” and celebrate the show at the Community Reception.
JUNIE B. JONES, JR.
Date: June 30 at 11:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m.
The Summer Youth Players present this fun musical adventure! Join Junie B. and her friends on their first day of first grade where many changes are in store.
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Location: Black Box Stage within the Hanifl Arts Center at 4941 Long Avenue
Date: June 15-18
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• The North Star Gay Rodeo will host a regional rodeo July 29-30 at the Dead Broke Arena site, located at 5676 170th St. N.
• The Hopkins Schoolhouse and Heritage Center (HSHC) will enter into a 15-year lease for the premises to restore, manage, preserve, use and otherwise interpret the site for historical, educational and other compatible purposes for fiscal years 2023-2038. The site would be occupied by the HSHC and the Forest Lake Historical Society. The lease involves no payment of rent, but confers responsibility for repair and maintenance of the site to the society and the HSHC with clear mileposts and requirements for progress on updating the site to be determined and specified in the lease (subject to later council approval).
• Due to an increase in public nuisance violations involving dogs, city staff has determined that there is a need to revise the city’s procedure for dealing with dog nuisance violations. The proposed ordinances would revise Chapter 10, Article II, Section 32 of the City Code to remove the notification
of authorities, second complaint, and failure to correct subsections relating to reporting dog public nuisances. Chapter 10, Article II, Section 39 would also be revised to classify violations of any section underneath Chapter 10, Article II as misdemeanors. The intent of these revisions is to simplify the violation process while allowing for higher enforceability.
• The city continues to pay its bills for the downtown improvement/Lions Park project. Most recently, the council signed off on pay voucher No. 9 for $157,733 to Peterson Companies Inc. The voucher covers the cost of the installation of the fence around the playground and along the retaining wall within the playground. Punch list items on the project are ongoing.
• The city is looking for a public works utility lead worker. The city was hoping to fill the position with an internal candidate, but that did not happen.
• For a cost of $9,294, WSB will provide hydrology monitoring and soil investigation from May through September. WSB previously completed a draft prospectus for North Star Wetland Bank, which is awaiting a decision from the
technical evaluation panel. WSB has recommended the city purchase data loggers in lieu of renting them, as it is likely that monitoring will be required from now through potential construction and maintenance phases. Purchase of six Rugged TROLL 100s is estimated to cost $3,260.
• The city is ordering the repair or removal of a hazardous building located at 14197 Forest Blvd. N. On Sept. 21, 2022, there was a structure fire at the property and the house was substantially damaged. City Planner Rachel Juba explained that an inspection revealed holes in the floor and roof, damage to support systems (walls, floors, foundation) and damage to the HVAC system. The structure was deemed uninhabitable and labeled unfit for living. Juba added that there have been some break-ins on the property. City staff members have been in contact with the owners about the hazardous and nuisance state of the building, but have not heard back on how the property owners plan to abate the violations and remove the hazardous building.
Minnesota state statute provides cities authority and a process to deal with hazardous buildings. This process allows the city to order a property owner to repair and remove a hazardous building. Identifying the house as hazardous and adopting an order for its repair or removal is the first step in the process to deal with the hazardous building. If the owner does not do the work, the court can grant the city authority to remove the hazardous building and charge all the costs against the property as a special assessment on the owner’s property taxes.
• The City Council will hold one meeting in June on June 12. The change comes as the state will likely declare Juneteenth (June 19) a state holiday.
• The city is considering using some of its American Rescue Act (ARPA) funds to repair some roads that were damaged in the freeze-thaw cycle this spring. Many of the damaged roads are in worse condition than roads included in the city’s capital improvement plan (CIP). The city received a total of $1,668,411 in ARPA funds. The city will use ARPA funds to fund the Birch Tree Ponds improvement project and then the remaining CIP budget can be used on the other unexpected projects. The council will review an updated CIP at its meeting in June.
• Hugo resident Kayte Barton is hoping the city of Hugo will become a more transportation-friendly city for people with disabilities and seniors. She recently visited the council to share some of her research, which found that 13% of Hugo’s population has some sort of disability (including seniors). She requested the council consider options like Metro Mobility or NewTrax. The council directed city staff to continue to work on options with the new Metropolitan Council representative.
• City Administrator Bryan Bear’s performance review has been rescheduled from 6 p.m. on June 5 to 6 p.m. on June 12.
• City Hall will be closed on Monday, July 3. According to the city’s personnel policy, each regular, full-time employee who has worked for the city for one calendar year is allowed one day of their choosing as a personal holiday. Staff collectively requested to use their personal holiday on July 3.
• Some changes will be made to the council’s July meetings. Instead of the regularly scheduled July 3 and July 17, the council will meet July 10 and July 24.
HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS PLAY ‘500’
When: 12:45 p.m. Thursday June 1 and 15; and the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, east end of Hugo Public Works building, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Games begin at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments and coffee served. All senior citizens from the area invited. Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
HUGO SENIOR CLUB
When: 1 p.m. Monday, June 19; the 3rd Monday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, east end of Hugo Public Works building, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Monthly meeting followed by afternoon of games. Refreshments served.
Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
CRIBBAGE
When: 12:45 p.m. Monday, June 26; the 4th Monday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, east end of Hugo Public Works building, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Senior citizens from Hugo and surrounding area are invited to an afternoon of cribbage. Coffee and refreshments served.
Contact: 651-429-4413
DROP-IN 55+ FITNESS CLASSES
When: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
Where: Rice Lake Centre, east end of Hugo Public Works building, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Free fitness classes for Hugo-area adults 55+ by Live 2B Healthy. Class designed for seniors to help improve balance, strength, and flexibility in a group setting. Periodic fitness tests so participants can track their progress.
Contact: Barb @ 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
‘CLUE’ HIGH SCHOOL EDITION
MURDER MYSTERY
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday May 31, Thursday, June 1 and Friday, June 2; 2 & & p.m. Saturday, June 3
Where: Century College, West Campus Theatre, 3401 E. Century Ave. N., White Bear Lake
Details: White Bear Lake Area High School presents comedy whodunit inspired by the classic Hasbro game. See ticket information online.
Contact: bit.ly/wblboxoffice
EATING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: HOW A PLANT-BASED DIET CAN HELP FIGHT THE CLIMATE CRISIS
When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 31
Where: Shoreview Library, 4560 Victoria St. N.
Details: Guest Speaker is Michelle Courtright, former owner of Fig + Farro, serves as a United Nations delegate to COP24 and consulting for Billie Eilish’s Support + Feed. Join inperson or via Zoom.
Contact: bit.ly/NEMCA0531
“19TH ANNUAL 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL”
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays, June 1-11
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: See 10 never-before-seen plays from around the world performed by Lakeshore Players actors.
Contact: 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
When: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Where: Forest Lake Transit Center, 19987 Fitzgerald Trail N.
Details: Recycle and dispose of electronics and household hazardous waste.
Confidential document shredding.
Contact: 651-430-6702 or co.washington. mn.us
WARGO NATURE CENTER PROJECT RESTORATION DAYS
When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 3
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Help remove invasive species, clean up wildflower gardens, and gather native plant seeds. Free; registration information online.
Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com
CAMPFIRE TALKS: CAMPFIRE SONGS
When: 7-8 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve; 7373 Main St, Lino Lakes
Details: Join a naturalist at the campground amphitheater for a campfire, interactive activities, and presentations. Free.
Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com
BIRCHWOOD MUSIC IN THE PARK
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Sundays, June 4 through Aug. 20
Where: Tighe-Schmitz Park, Birchwood
Details: All are welcome to bring a lawn chair or blanket, picnic and beverage and listen to a different performance each week. Artrio on June 4, Harmonic Relief on June 11, Any Day now on June 18, Amy and Adams on June 25.
Contact: cityofbirchwood.com
SUNDAY BBQ DRIVE THRU
When: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Where: Forest Lake Masonic Lodge. 119 8th Ave. SE
Details: Two choices for pork sandwiches support Dragon Divas, an organization for breast cancer survivors.
Contact: forestlakemasons.com
CONTRIBUTED
The Forest Lake Masons will host a BBQ drive thru Sunday, June 4. See calendar listing for more information.
TURTLE PICNIC
When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 10
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Children 5+ can learn about turtles, find them on the trails, meet live turtles and celebrate with a turtle ice cream cake. Bring a picnic cloth and lunch. See registration information online.
Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com
FAMILY FISHING
When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, June 10
Where: Lake Elmo Park Reserve fishing pier, 1515 Keats Ave.
Details: Learn how to set up a rod, put bait on the hook, cast like a pro, and take fish off the hook. Also, learn about different kinds of fish and different ways to catch them. Equipment provided. Free park entry and fishing license not required.
Contact: co.washington.mn.us/parks
MIDWEST SKI OTTERS SHOWS
When: 6 p.m. Sundays, June 11 through August
Where: Little Goose Lake
Details: White Bear-based team of 120 amateur skiers performs weekly throughout the summer.
Contact: skiotter.com
MN RIDES FOR GUIDES 4TH ANNUAL CAR
SHOW
When: 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, June 11
Where: Blacksmith Lounge, 17205 Forest Blvd. N., Hugo
Details: All makes and models welcome; same day registration. Proceeds benefit Guide Dogs of America.
1-2. Girl Scout Troop 58303 recently stopped by the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf to make a donation of $100 plus two boxes full of cookies. During their visit, they learned more about how the food shelf works. — Contributed
3. Residents from Good Life Senior Living in Hugo sat outside, enjoyed the weather, listened to music and watched the cars go by during “Honk for Good Life.” — Shannon Granholm, Press Publications
4. The annual Memorial Day car show at Blacksmith Lounge and Boaster in Hugo saw well over 500 cars in attendance. — Shannon Granholm, Press Publications
Send us your photos for possible inclusion in Spotted Around Town. Please email your best shot to citizennews@presspubs.com. Please include information about when and where it was taken and who is in the photo.
White Bear Lake’s new boys basketball coach is Aaron Turner, who has coached the Bears basketball, football and baseball programs for six years while serving in the school administration.
“Aaron brings an abundance of coaching experience with him but more importantly, his coaching philosophy aligns with the White Bear Lake Area Schools community,” said Brian Peloquin, activities director. “Aaron is a passionate coach,
GIRLS GOLF
Mahtomedi placed second in the Metro East tournament at Highland National with 360, behind Two Rivers with 327. That wrapped up second place for the season, also behind Two Rivers. Lexie McGrane shot 86 for sixth place, Reagan Juhl 87 for eighth and Mya Wilson 91 for 10th. Maggie McCarty and Sadie Stembridge added
community-centered and relationship-based.”
Turner was sophomore team coach under head coach Gregory Burke the last two seasons. Burke resigned after two seasons, in large part due to the daily travel from Wayzata, where he is dean of students. Burke’s senior-dominated team placed fifth in the state this past season.
“The players moving up will have big shoes to fill. It’s a huge jump,” said Turner, whose 2023-24 team will be all rookies. “The good thing is, I’ve coached these guys. They know what my
expectations are. We won a lot of games, too.”
Turner is also the Bears assistant baseball coach and ninthgrade football coach. At the school, meanwhile, he has “worn a lot of hats” including student supervisor, distance learning, and currently Academic Achievement Specialist.
“Aaron believes that his purpose is to foster a positive transformation of his players by helping them grow as individuals and to create a culture of welcoming, belonging and leading,” Peloquin said.
Turner, whose son Anthony
will be one of the Bears’ seniors next year, was a three-sport high school athlete at Kenosha, WI, and played basketball and baseball at Hibbing Community College, where he also met his wife.
Turner pledged that his basketball program will be one which “families can unquestionably trust has the best interest of their child in mind” and will be dedicated to “building meaningful relationships.”
97’s. Earning all-MEC honors were McGrane, a freshman, and eighth-graders Juhl and Wilson. Molly Moffitt, sophomore, got honorable mention. Next for the Zephyrs is the sectional at Goodrich in St. Paul on June 1-2.
BOYS LACROSSE
Mahtomedi won their last two regular-season games, over Minnetonka 7-6 and
Hemr, Kayler Whiteworth, and Kylie Bergwald one each. Centennial tied for third place among 12 teams. The top five teams were Maple Grove 12-0, Champlin Park 11-1, Centennial 9-3, Andover 9-3, and Armstrong 7-5. The Cougars take a 9-3 record into Section 7A starting June 1.
Centennial defeated Coon Rapids 20-0 on Monday in their next-to-last conference game and finished with an 11-9 win over Rogers on Wednesday. Against Rogers, Ella O’Hearn netted three goals, Lillian Brausen and Anna Jarpy two each, and Callie Cody, Noelle
Centennial held seventh place among 13 teams in the Northwest Suburban Conference with six of seven meets done. The finale was held Thursday (after press deadline). Their top finishes have been fourth place once and fifth place twice. Hayden Frank, a senior, leads the Cougars with a 36.1 average, followed by junior Harper Searles 37.4, freshman Cooper Daikawa 38.2, junior Tanner Youngbauer 38.9, senior
Darian,14, is talkative, outgoing, helpful and funny. He enjoys cooking, playing video games, dodgeball, fishing, dirt biking, and four-wheeling. Darian would like to live in a rural community with a “country style” atmosphere. He loves animals and has a dog that he is hoping to take with him to his adoptive home. Darian would do best in a home where he is the only child. Following adoption, Darian would need to maintain contact with his siblings and birthparents.
Shakopee 8-4. The Zephyrs are 10-4 entering Section 4 playoffs starting Wednesday.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Mahtomedi lost its regularseason finale to White Bear Lake 17-7. Evi Cegielski had three goals, McKenna Cunnington two, and Reese Saenger and Anne Tanner one each. The Zephyrs are 8-5 entering Section 4 playoffs
Hunter Ubel 39.1, eighth-grader Brady Zins 39.4, senior Peyton Blair 39.5 and junior Kaden Flint 42.4. Centennial’s section tournament will be held May 30-31 at Bunker Hills.
BOYS LACROSSE
Centennial beat Rogers 16-4 in their final conference game Wednesday evening. The Cougars finished third among 12 teams in the Northwest Suburban. The top three teams were Maple Grove 11-0, Armstrong 10-1, and Centennial 9-2. Four teams tied for fourth place with 6-5 records. The Cougars take a 9-4 overall record into Section 7A starting June 1.
Centennial won its Section 5AAAA opener, over Irondale 9-2, on Tuesday. The Cougars (12-8) played Champlin Park
starting Wednesday.
BASEBALL
Mahtomedi lost to Hudson (WI) 8-6 in the regular season finale. The Zephyrs take a 14-6 mark into the Section 4AAA to be held at Northwestern University in Roseville. Defending champions and top-seeded, they have a first-round bye and face North St. Paul or Como Park on
on Thursday (after press deadline). Riley O’Connell threw a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts. Jordan Lemire was 2-for-4 with a double and knocked in three runs, giving the senior first baseman 26 RBI’s for the season. Also punching two hits were Celsi Burn (two RBI’s), Peyton Corbin, Adrianna Thomas, Allison Hemming (two runs), and O’Connell.
Will Whelan led Centennial to a 2-1 win over Anoka in their Northwest Suburban Conference finale on Tuesday. The Cougars finished 8-4 in the NWSC, tying for third place among 12 teams. Champlin Park was champion with a 10-2 record. Whelan threw four shutout innings (no hits, four walks, six strikeouts), picking up his fifth win against one
Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. The No. 2 seed is St. Anthony Village.
Mahtomedi picked up one section win before its season ended in the section tournament. Mahtomedi lost to Totino-Grace 5-2, beat St. Paul Johnson 10-0, and lost to Hill-Murray 6-2. The Zephyrs finished 4-17.
loss, and knocked in both runs with a double. Aidan Lieser finished with three innings (one run, three strikeouts). The Cougars (12-9 overall) will start Section 5AAAA on Monday.
In the Northwest Suburban Conference track meet Tuesday, Timmy Ball of Centennial placed second in the shot put with a throw of 500. Abigail Wood placed eighth in the 3200 (11:56). The Cougars had nobody in the top eight in six other finals. Most of the finals were held Thursday, the second day of competition. (The Quad Community Press had an early deadline this week due to Memorial Day. Other conference results will be in next week’s paper.)
Bruce StrandSean Oslund, a Centennial tennis starter since eighth grade, turned in his third all-conference season this spring, posting a 13-2 record through the section team tournament at No. 1 and 2 singles, losing only two a pair of top-ten players. He was one of the leaders of a 12-3 team that placed third of 14 teams in the NWSC and reached the section semifinals. Oslund, who’s collected 50 career wins, will continue his career at Wartburg College in Iowa. Longtime coach Dan Haertl cited Oslund as one of the smartest, most coachable and inspirational players he’s had in the program. “He loves to play the game,” Haertl said, “and has spent hundreds of hours over the years in the off season to improve.”
Hello good neighbors, friends and lovers of Golden Spike St. Valentine, Urho, Patty’s gone, and Easter/Lent Winter lest spring are over, time to walk and hunt and bike
To readers’ Best Festival and Outdoor Event!
Follow law and rule, stay left of the great Hay Lake School Our neighborhood is far south of a very Big Wood Veer north of Oakies’ cakes, and right at the chain o’ lakes Hugo Lions – this brood is again up to some good!
On your Golden Ticket you must get all of the brands Remember when Hugo was just Plain ol’ gravel Sand? We don’t! But it’s true and please don’t dig where it’s unplanned Will you find the treasure lonely or need you more hands?
No damage be done, stop the raging Chicago fire Stop before you get to Milwaukee water desire Below Summit Avenue is where St. Paul stagecoaches stopped This railroad went overland and here a stop plopped What have Lions and clue writer got up their sleeves?
May a sweet Union for you, at a great park – stoppeth you! Same rules, great prizes, good fun, and some teases Credit the Heartland for all of these clues
The 47th annual Good Neighbor Days will return Friday, June 9, through Sunday, June 11.
This year’s theme is “The Place to be in 2023! … Hanifl Fields.” The event will once again be held at Hanifl Fields Athletic Park (located at 7032 137th St. N.), but the festival will likely return to Lions Volunteer Park for 2024.
Many Good Neighbor Days staples will return, including carnival rides, food trucks, pony rides, music and fireworks. This year’s parade, scheduled for 11 a.m. June 10, will boast a “Back to the ’50s” theme. The cornhole tournament and vendor craft fair, put on by Makerspace, will also return.
After staging the event at that location last year, the Lions realized parking was quite a challenge. This year, in an effort to help that, the Hugo Knight Riders Snowmobile Club will offer $5 parking all three days of the event, right across the street from Hanifl Fields
Athletic Park. Approximately 500 to 600 vehicles will fit on the 10-acre property, owned by Erica and Grant Whitaker. In addition to having two parking attendants and two security guards at all times, there will also be a police officer to help escort families across the street safely. The parking will be located at 7195 137th St. N. Motorists should look for signs directing them where to go.
“People seemed a little hesitant to come out last year,” Lions Vice President Jerry Torgerson explained. “Hopefully, this year more people will come out and enjoy it.”
With the addition of the parking, only one shuttle will run from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Pickup locations will be at the Blue Heron Grill; 147th Street N. and Finale Avenue N. (Lions Park); 147th Street N. and Geneva Avenue N; 145th Street N. and Goodview Avenue N. (Diamond Point); and Goodview Avenue N. and Egg Lake Road.
This year’s Good Neighbor Days will have a few more things for children, including a balloon artist,
caricature artist and a face painter. Music on Friday night will feature Gen X Jukebox, a high-energy stage performance that will deliver everything you love about the 1990s in one show. The show will include all of the radio hits (pop, dance, rap, hip-hop, rock, grunge and country) from the 1990s in full costume. Characters like Courtney Love, Scary Spice, Britney Spears, Marky Mark and Garth Brooks will all make appearances.
Saturday night, Six to Midnight will play. The cover band plays everything from the ’60s to the ’80s to Justin Timberlake. “No gimmicks, no costumes, just a bunch of music-loving guys in jeans with some really bad jokes.”
For more information, visit www.goodneighbordays.com.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citzennews@presspubs.com..
The University of Minnesota Raptor Center will perform a free show from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 11 at Hanifl Fields. The presentation-style program will feature three raptors
(likely an owl, a hawk and a falcon). Learn about each bird one-by-one and what makes them unique. Don’t miss your opportunity to see the birds up close.
SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
The secret’s out! This year’s Hugo Good Neighbor of the Year’s identity — or, rather, identities — have been revealed.
Hugo Lion Katie Riopel explained that Hugo brothers Jimmie and Rick Gregoire were selected to represent the title for 2023.
“Hugo is very familiar with these two … they do a lot for so many,” Riopel explained. “They both do not like to toot their own horns. They see or hear about someone needing something, and they do what they can.”
The Gregoires grew up in the Hugo area and have many memories of attending Good Neighbor Days over the years. When they were little, they enjoyed playing the “mouse game” and attending the carnival. As they got older, they looked forward to the beer garden. Now they look forward to helping out where they can.
For many years, Jimmie has helped out with the
Good Neighbor Days parade. He also assists the Hugo Knight Riders Snowmobile Club. Rick has served on the Hugo Fire Department for almost 10 years. Jimmie works at Kersten’s Auto Sales, while Rick is a machinist.
The brothers were shocked to learn about their nomination for Good Neighbor of the Year. When asked why they think they were nominated, they both replied “I have no idea.” Rick said, “I’d like to know why.”
Jimmie says the title means even more, since his brother will be by his side.
“There are many people who are more deserving,” Jimmie said.
Look for the Gregoire brothers in this year’s parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@presspubs.com
