ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

*Athletes chosen by press staff

Jacob Aho Lexi Karlen

Forest Lake Wrestler Stillwater Basketball

Jacob Aho, Forest Lake senior wrestler, is ranked No. 5 in Class 3A at 120 pounds heading into the post-season. One of the leaders of an 18-4 team, Aho has a 28-4 record and nine pins. He has placed fourth at state the last two years. He holds a career record of 130-28, including 36-6 as a junior. “Jacob’s biggest attributes are his athleticism and speed,” said coach Joe Kunshier.

Lexi Karlen anchors the Stillwater basketball team that’s 20-3 and ranked No. 9 in Class 4A. The 6-foot senior is averaging 16.9 points and eight rebounds, shooting 52%, equally capable at driving, posting up and hitting jump shots. “Lexi plays great defense,” adds coach Tim Peper. “She is able to guard her own girl and protect the rim to cover up any mistakes that we might make defensively.” Karlen averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds as a junior, and 9.6 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore. She has signed with Minnesota-Duluth.

Samantha Ernst Cash Jaeger Forest Lake Gymnastics Stillwater Alpine Ski

Samantha Ernst, Forest Lake junior gymnast, ranks high on the state honor roll heading into sectionals. Her top scores rank fifth in allaround (37.575), fourth on vault (9.6), eighth on bars (9.5) and 10th on beam (9.45). She joined the Rangers this year after competing in the Flyaways club previously. “Vault is probably her strongest event, where she does a layout tsukahara, which has a 10.0 start value,” coach Lindsey Perron said. “Sami is an exceptionally hard worker, always willing to try new things and perfect the skills she already has.”

Cash Jaeger, Stillwater junior, placed second in the state Alpine Ski meet on Feb. 14, with times of 36.13 on the Red run and 38.50 on the Blue for a total of 114.63, just .3 off the lead, at Giants Ridge in Biwabik. He paced the Ponies to a third-place team finish. Jaeger was the Section 7 champion with a time of 1:11.93, also at Biwabik.

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Sunrise Draperies

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CONTRIBUTED

The Science Behind Keeping Our Lakes Healthy

Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake

Details: Join water monitoring experts from the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District to learn about the current health of lakes, factors used to determine that health rating, and various citizen science programs available to residents. Registration required.

Contact: 651-675-7300

ARTIST TALK WITH RANDY HOYT

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 2

Where: ArtReach St. Croix, 224 N. 4th St.,

Stillwater

Details: Discussion with artist of current exhibit “Capturing Time.” Free.

Contact: artreachstcroix.org

WINTER GALA AND AWARDS

When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 3

Where: JX Event Venue, 123 2nd St. N.,

Stillwater

Details: Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce annual fundraising event honors local leaders and includes live music, mingling, silent auction and raffle.

Contact: greaterstillwaterchamber.com

MASON DIXON LINE

When: 3:30 & 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4

Where: Stillwater Zephyr Theatre, 601 N. Main St.

Details: Two shows featuring country music's biggest hits. Ticket information online.

Contact: stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org

DRIVER DISCOUNT PROGRAM

When: 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 8

Where: Community Thread, 342 5th Ave N., Bayport

Details: Four-hour refresher class provides drivers with latest safety information and updates about laws and technology so they can receive a discount on insurance. Registration required.

Contact: 888-234-1294 or driverdiscountprogram.com

NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY

When: 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 8

Where: Zoom

Details: Join researcher Jon Quijano to learn about the people who have called the St. Croix Valley home for thousands of years. Free.

Contact: wchsmn.org

GUIDED BIRD HIKE

When: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 11

Where: Big Marine Park Reserve, 17495 Manning Trail N.

Details: Learn to identify the birds that call the St. Croix Valley home and contribute to citizen science data collection by completing bird count surveys with the guide. Trail conditions vary. Free with parking permit. Contact: 651-430-8370 or co.washington. mn.us/parks

STILLWATER WINTER FARMERS MARKET

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 11

Where: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 Pine St. W., Stillwater

Details: Shop for locally-grown produce, baked goods, artisan foods and confections, and handicrafts.

Contact: facebook.com/ StillwaterMNFarmersMarket

JOHN GORKA IN CONCERT

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 11

Where: Marine Village Hall, 121 Judd St., Marine on St. Croix

Details: Library fundraiser features nationally-touring folk singer. Tickets include dessert; available online. Contact: marinecommunitylibrary.org

COMMUNITY SING A LONG

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 12

Where: Stillwater Zephyr Theatre, 601 N. Main St.

Details: Singer, songwriter Ann Reed and pianist and accordionist Dan Chouinard will lead a community singalong in celebration of the Academy Awards, including a selection of show-tunes and popular music. Free; RSVP requested. Contact: stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org

INTERNET BASICS

When: 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 14

Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest lake

Details: Workshop to help participants navigate browsers, search engines, and websites.

Contact: 651-275-7300 or washcolib.org

FARE FOR ALL

When: 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 14

Where: Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W, Stillwater

Details: Public can purchase food at a discount through a curbside delivery model.

Contact: 763-450-3880 or fareforall.org

CLOVER BEE FARMS PRESENTS: MEET A LOCAL FARMER

When: 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 18

Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest lake

Details: Meet a farmer and learn what it takes to grow the produce you see at a farmer's market in your own garden. Contact: 651-275-7300 or washcolib.org