The Lowdown

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mike & Kat’s Other Place, a North Hill neighborhood gem

BY MADELINE DOLBY STAFF WRITER

Located in Stillwater’s North Hill neighborhood is a colorful coffee shop and roastery owned by married couple Kat and Mike Duncan.

Mike and Kat’s Other Place opened up in early February 2024 and has been the center of the North Hill neighborhood ever since.

The couple met in the summer of 2007 at a Gear Daddies concert on Harriet Island. Kat Duncan had just exited a relationship and wasn’t looking to meet anyone new—and then she saw Mike. They instantly clicked.

Both had experience in the food industry. Mike was a culinary school graduate and former executive chef, and Kat had worked front-of-house at a couple of suburban restaurants. The couple had always talked about running some sort of café or bistro when they retired.

In 2019, the Chilkoot Café located in the South Hill neighborhood of Stillwater went up for sale, and the couple decided to take a chance. They bought the business and renamed it Coffee Paw Café. They bought it eight months before the pandemic. At that point, they shut down the dining room and only served coffee. Coffee Paw survived the worst of the pandemic. Unfortunately, due to the shop’s prepandemic business model, the couple realized they would be stuck playing a game of financial catch-up.

“The reality was, we said, ‘If we’re gonna show up for our community the way we know how to show up for our community—which is coffee—and building out space for people to gather, that is what we want as a couple, we need to own the building,” said Kat.

The building the café is currently in went up for sale at the perfect time. The couple had been casually looking for a commercial building. They found the building on Fourth Street, just down the road from their house, and bought it in late September 2022.

“We have been driving by this building for years,” said Kat, “and always saying to our neighbors and to each other, ‘it should be a North Hill gathering place; it should be something for the North Hill.’”

It took around 17 months for the Duncans to update the building. Since the building was from 1881, they had to replace the electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems.

“We had to replace every piece of electrical, every piece of plumbing and all of the HVAC,” said Mike. “It used to be knob-and-tube wiring in this building, and old galvanized and lead pipes. All of that is gone, and it’s brand new,” he added. The couple remodeled it to be able to handle everything offered at the café, as well as the three built-out salon rooms for independent stylists to rent in the building.

“My favorite thing about the space is the welcome we’ve received from the North Hill neighborhood has been outstanding and heartwarming, and almost bringing me to tears with their grace and graciousness,” said Kat. “Aesthetically my favorite thing is my pink, fringe pendant lamps that hang in the window,” she added.

Kat also mentioned how she loves all the textiles throughout the space. Mike’s favorite aspect of the building is the ceiling and the bathroom. The ceiling installed is a retro tin-style. The bathroom has vibrant animal-themed print wallpaper and the same retro tin-style ceiling.

Mike roasts all of the beans in-house. He does a craft roast, two pounds at a time, and sells the beans, too. He also makes all of the coffee syrups in-house.

“Our plain old cup of coffee is not a plain old cup of coffee,” said Kat, “so we don’t brew hot coffee. We roast our beans cold.”

Mike will then keg it and hook it up to nitrogen gas. This is an unusual move, but it highlights the lower acidity of the cold-brewed coffee and the smoothness

of running the coffee through a nitrogen tap.

“And pair that with my vanilla (syrup), you’ll never drink another cup of coffee again,” Mike noted.

Mike and Kat’s Other Place has made it a goal to support other small, local businesses in the area. In addition to renting out the salons to independent hair stylists, the couple is working with a small bakery two blocks down the street from the café—Milly’s Kitchen Madness. Milly’s Kitchen Madness will supply the café with scones, cookies and other pastries.

“We worked together early on at our old café,” said Mike, “and she went off to do her own thing. Now we are able to start supporting each other again.” Mike and Kat’s Other Place, located at 807 Fourth St. Stillwater, is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 7:30

Let the dogs out at these local dog parks

BY MADELINE DOLBY STAFF WRITER

The warm weather means it is time to let the dogs out. We have gathered a list of dog parks in the area for you to allow your dog to stretch their legs and burn a bit of energy they might have built up from the months spent indoors.

MAPLEWOOD

Battle Creek Regional Park

Where: 2350 Upper Afton Rd.

Hours: 6 a.m.- 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: The Battle Creek off-leash area is 35 fully fenced acres. The space is large enough for dogs to move around in, and there are plenty of on-site trails for humans and dogs to explore together. Find out more information by calling 651-748-2500.

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Bald Eagle-Otter Lake Regional Park

Where: 5750 Otther Lake Rd., White Bear Township

Hours: 5 a.m.- 11 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: This dog park is on a 12-acre property that provides plenty of space for dogs to run and play. It includes some fenced and non-fenced areas. Find out more information by calling 651-748-2500

MATOSKA DOG BEACH

Where: 4835 Lake Ave.

Hours: 6 a.m.- 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: Complete with a sandy beach and shallow water perfect for fetching. Dogs may swim in a small, separate part of the beach, as long as they do not cross into the public area. Dogs are required to be on a leash at all times and have visible dog tags.

SHOREVIEW

Rice Creek Off-Leash Dog Area

Where: 595 Lexington Ave. N.

Hours: 5 a.m.- 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: The trail is an offleash area of 13 fully fenced acres. Find out more by calling 651-748-2500.

CALENDAR BRIEFS

Croix Chordsmen Chorus presents

The Croix Chordsmen Chorus will present its spring show, “Harmony on the High Seas,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 Fourth St. N., Stillwater. The show will feature the Vocality Quartet, Just 4 Fun Quartet and the Warm & Fuzzy Quartet.

Get tickets online at croixchordsmen.org.

ROSEVILLE

Woodview Open Space

Where: 481 Larpenteur Ave. W.

Hours: 5 a.m.- 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: Designated small dog area for dogs under 30 pounds. For more information call 651-748-2500.

OAKDALE

Bark Park

Where: 4957 Helena Road N.

Hours: 5 a.m.- 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: An approximately five acre dog park. Includes a wood chip walking trail, wooded areas, a pond, four-foot-high fencing around the park, pet waste bags, trash cans and benches and tables. For more information call 651-730-2740

BLAINE

Swanson Dog Park

Where: 9150 Central Ave. NE.

Hours: 5 a.m.- 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

Garden tool swap set for May

As you tackle spring cleaning, hang on to garden and yard tools you no longer use. The Washington County Environmental Center will host a garden tool swap from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. This event is a great way to find “new-to-you” gardening tools and prevent working items from going to waste.

Donate usable garden items at the Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury. The swap is free and open to everyone.

Waiting Child

Lawrence (Larry),14, is a very insightful kid that is extremely likeable. His wittiness, sarcasm, and humor make him a lot of fun to be around. Some of Larry’s favorite things include Transformers, spicy buffalo wings, the Green Bay Packers, the show Friends, and cheesecake! Larry also enjoys being in the water and being around dogs.

If Larry could plan a day of fun, he would want to go to the movie theater. He said “It Is not about the movie. It is more of just the experience of going to the theater”. He would order popcorn and Orange Fanta. If he could go to any concert, he would want to see Fetty Wap or Harry Styles. If he could only eat one fast food restaurant for the rest of his life, he would pick Red Lobster. Larry would want to go to New York City to shop and visit all the touristy areas such as the Twin Towers memorial, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. He also would want to check to see if they have any Friends memorabilia that he could purchase.

According to Larry, he would like to join a family that is not going to put pressure on him, a family that is not going to try and change who he is, a family that is going to take him to try new foods, and someone that will support his relationships with his siblings and birth relatives that live out of state. Following adoption, Larry will need to maintain contact with his siblings. Only Minnesota families are being considered at this time.

More information: Separate, fenced-in areas for large and small dogs. Includes clean bag containers, drinking fountains, picnic tables and a shelter. For more information call 763-785-6164.

STILLWATER

Friends of Stillwater Dog Park

Where: 1900 West Myrtle St.

Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset on weekdays and weekends

More information: The Stillwater dog park has a fenced, off-leash dog park established in 2014 to promote responsible dog ownership through community-based recreation and education. For more information call 651-439-6688.

WOODBURY

Andy’s Bark Park

Where: 11664 Dale Road

Hours: 6 a.m.- 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: Approximately 70 acres. The park is not completely

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Scandia restaurant receives new title

The Grillium, once located in Scandia, has received a new name. The restaurant is located at 21050 Ozark Ct. N., Scandia is now named The Ozark Tavern.

CONSTRUCION BRIEF

County Law Enforcement Center improvements move forward

Improvements to the Washington County Law Enforcement Center will be moving forward.

The Law Enforcement Center was originally built in 1993, and completed an expansion in 2009. Two years ago, a long-range plan was completed. It

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF

Bayport Township resident dies in plane crash near Afton

On Saturday morning, March 2, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received several phone calls from neighbors in the 15000 block of Afton Hills Blvd. S., reporting what sounded like a small explosion. Emergency crews arrived and located a small, fully

How to protect your pets from tick season:

• Talk to your veterinarian about the best tick-prevention products for your dog.

• Know the types of tickborne diseases in your area.

• Check your pets daily for ticks, especially after they spend long periods outdoors to reduce the chances of a tick bite making your dog sick.

• If you find a tick on your pet, remove it right away.

• Reduce tick habitat in your yard. This can be done by using pesticides, but do not solely rely on this method. Other methods can include removing leaf litter, clear tall grasses and brush from around your yard and stack wood neatly in a dry area.

fenced in but includes mowed walking trails with benches, a sheltered area with picnic tables, a pet watering station and pet waste disposal stations with bags.

ST. PAUL

Arlington/Arkwright Off Leash Dog Park

Where: 400 Arlington Ave. E.

Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and weekends

More information: This five acre off-leash park winds through a well-shaded forest and provides wooded trails, open spaces and a large bowl-shaped area for dogs to roam around in.

Dogs must be leashed before entering and when leaving the parks. Dogs also must be licensed and vaccinated. No puppies under four months old or aggressive dogs are allowed in the parks. Owners must clean up after their dogs using plastic bags and provided trash containers. Service dogs, regardless of size, are welcomed in either the small or big dog parks at all times.

All Things Sheared comes to Main Street

All Things Sheared, a collective farm market, will be coming to Stillwater. The market will be located at 125 Main Street. The market includes All Things Sheared, At Soaring Bee Apiary, Eagle Eye Farm and Farmgirl Fab Skincare.

found there was a need to upgrade and replace furniture, replace the life safety systems, update the design of the building and update critical systems, including the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

In 2023, Washington County entered into a contract with Kraus-Anderson Construction for construction management services to oversee the project.

engulfed aircraft that had crashed in the yard of a residence near the attached garage.

Involved in the crash were Kay Zahler, 68, from Bayport and Patrick Moore, 85, of White Bear Lake. Both were found deceased.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

How to keep your pet happy and healthy

NMovers & Shakes

Kiva Rudd

ow more than ever our pets are integral members of our families. We want them to live happy and healthy lives. Vaccines and routine preventative care help protect our pets against preventable diseases. Minnesota has seen an increase in tick borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, over the last several years. The canine Lyme disease vaccine reduces the likelihood of serious symptoms such as joint pain, limping and affected kidney function. Monthly preventatives protect our dogs against fleas and ticks. Oral preventatives like Nexgard and Bravecto work well. Simparica Trio and Nexgard Plus are combination medications that also include heartworm preventive. Topical flea and tick medication, like K9 Advantage II and Frontline, are another option. Seresto, a collar, is the only product on the market that actually repels fleas and ticks. Exercise caution with products that are off-brand, deeply discounted, or available at big box stores. These are not veterinary approved and may end up being

toxic. Fleas and ticks can be found year-round, especially during warmer winters like this year, so giving preventatives year-round is advised.

Fortunately, cats are resistant to most tickborne diseases present in central Minnesota. However, I still recommend monthly prevention to keep cats at their healthiest. Revolution Plus and Nexgard Combo are great topical products that include heartworm preventative. The benefit of heartworm prevention is that it is a broad-spectrum dewormer, which is great for pets that hunt and catch prey. Mice, rabbits and other prey animals can carry worms but are also often infested with fleas, so I definitely recommend keeping up with a flea preventative if your pet is a skilled hunter.

Alongside preventative medicine, a great and simple way to make your pet happy and make your bond stronger is to start a daily habit like a short walk or play session. For dog owners, I recommend something that gets you and your dog outside together. It can be as simple as a loop around the block or a quick session of fetch. Getting outside helps reduce stress for our dogs and us! For cat owners, there are several types of toys to encourage movement and health. Enrichment toys challenge the mind for both dogs and cats, so if you have not taken a cruise down

the toy aisle lately, I recommend you check it out! Favorites at my house are the snuffle mat (senior dogs approved) and the flirt pole (puppies and cats cannot get enough). Keeping this bonding ritual a regular habit is key. You will see that it helps you wind down after a long day and gives your pet something special to look forward to once you are home.

For new pet parents, I encourage you to play with your furry friends’ ears, mouth, and feet. This will build trust and get them used to touching those parts of their bodies so when they are older they are prepared for veterinary care and exams. Targeted training, called cooperative care, involves training pets to say “yes” to treatment. For example, in cases where a dog has allergies with secondary ear infections, they may be nervous or even aggressive when people try to treat their ears, due to pain. This training philosophy can help build trust between a pet and their owner, and hopefully they will be able to medicate their ears more easily.

We all want the best for our furry family members, and the good news is that it is easier than ever to keep our pets happy and healthy.

Dr. Kiva Rudd is a Veterinarian at the Forest Lake Veterinary Hospital.

In 2023, I read a total of 50 books and read a total of 20,000 pages. You can guess by that statement alone that I love to read. My bookshelves are filled with the classics, romance and science-fiction, an odd trio that I have come to love and admire.

Already in 2024, I have read around 20 books. My goal for this year is 27—my favorite number. Most of the books I’ve read this year have been on my Kindle. I recently purchased Kindle Unlimited and it has changed my life. But when I am looking for a hardcopy book, I try to shop locally. When I was on a family vacation in Florida when I was younger, I came across a local bookstore located in Seaside. There was a big front porch leading up to the front door and the floorboards creaked under my feet everywhere I stepped. The shelves were stocked full of authors I had never heard of before. There were books on tables, on floating shelves and even on the staircase leading up to the record store on the second floor. It was dramatically different from Barnes & Noble. It felt more personal.

My favorite local bookstores are Valley Bookseller located on Main Street in Stillwater and Lake Country Booksellers, located in downtown White Bear Lake.

Along the St. Croix River, Valley Booksellers has a small coffee shop located in the back that makes the best chai latte in my opinion. It has a very similar feel to Lake Country Booksellers. Valley Booksellers has their classics selection right beside the science-fiction. I bounce between each section wondering if I should get the special edition of “Emma” by Jane Austen to replace my current edition or Frank Herbert’s “Dune” to match the other five books I have from the series. The bookstore is cozy and everywhere you turn there is a new section of books waiting to be looked at. The staff is always friendly when I go.

Lake Country Booksellers is cozy and always has what I am looking for. They have a variety of books available to purchase from used books on a shelf located on the left side of the store to the classics strategically placed next to the science-fiction section, both genres are my weakness, so I always spend most of my time dancing between the two. There are little staff cards posted in front of their favorite books or recommendations. It is the small things that make this place feel so welcoming and keeps me coming back. During my lunch breaks in the summer, I would walk across the street and browse the shelves for my next read. I always ended up leaving with one even if I was on my self-inflicted book ban.

There is something about local bookstores that makes purchasing a book feel more personal. Madeline

IMAGE COURTESY OF STILLWATER PUBLIC LIBRARY

A photo from 1908 shows traditional baskets, sandwiches and cookies as Selma Holcomb and a group of friends enjoy a picnic near the St. Croix River.

WHATS NEW

FOREST LAKE NEW BUSINESSES

1. Jersey Mikes Subs

What: Sub Sandwich Restaurant

Where: 708 Lake St. S.

Website: www.jerseymikes.com

2. Forest Lake Ford

What: Car Dealership

Where: 508 15th St. SW.

Website: www.ford.com

3. Mister Car Wash

What: Car Wash

Where: 1148 Broadway Ave. W.

Website: www.mistercarwash.com

4. Zoukmaya

What: Latin Restaurant

Where: 131 Lake St N.

Website: https://www.zoukmaya.com/

Sheriff’s Office saves dogs

On Feb. 19, tragedy struck the Gisselquist family in St. Paul Park, as their home caught fire with their beloved dogs trapped inside. A sergeant with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, equipped with a recently issued fire suppression tool (FST) that he had been trained on just days prior, was nearby and ready to jump into action.

Acting swiftly, the sergeant found that the FST proved invaluable in effectively suppressing the fire, which allowed the St. Paul Park Fire

Department to contain the blaze. Thanks to this timely intervention, both dogs were rescued and reunited with their family while their home was saved from further damage.

According to Washington County, this is the first documented deployment of this device in the state of Minnesota. The devices were donated to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office by the Stillwater St. John’s Masonic Lodge.

STILLWATER NEW BUSINESSES

1. Mike and Kat’s Other Place

What: Cafe

Where: 807 4th St. N.

Contact: 651-491-2202

About Us: A charming and intimate espresso bar nestled in the heart of Stillwater’s North Hill Neighborhood.

2. All Things Sheared

What: Farm Market

Where: 125 Main St.

Contact: allthingssheared.com/pages/

contact

About Us: A collective farm market with products ranging from honey to clothing.

3. AR Workshop

What: Art Studio

Where: 233 2nd St. S.

Contact: 651-321-1029

About Us: Offers hands-on craft classes, group activities, private parties and a curated selection of gifts and on-trend home décor.

4. Eating, Elevated

What: Alternative medicine practice

Where: 124 2nd St. S.

Contact: 651-383-4491

About Us: Our mission is to remove what doesn’t belong and to replace what is missing, restoring health and balance to your body.

5. So What Wine

What: Wine bar

Where: 823 4th St. S.

Contact: hello@sowhatwine.com

About Us: We pride ourselves in finding some of the most unique, meaningful, well-made wines on the planet. We offer an ever-rotating curated selection of wines from all over the world, but specialize in figuring out what makes your palate tick with our custom wine packs.

6. Krumm Exteriors

What: Construction

Where: 1940 Greeley St. Suite 108

Contact: 715-260-3584

About Us: Since 1997, Krumm Exteriors and our Wisconsin and Minnesota exterior remodeling contractors have proudly served local residents and businesses.

7. SummerSnow Publications:

What: Multimedia stories

Where: Stillwater, MN

Contact: summersnowpub.square.site/

About Us: A chapter a day in a multimedia way to be enjoyed over coffee, during a workplace break, or unwinding at night over a glass of wine.

6th grade science students are state champions

Christiansen’s sixth grade science class, from Stillwater Middle School, beat out high school students to become the Minnesota champion in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM Competition. The title earned them a cash prize and a trip to the national competition. Their project centers around solutions to reduce light impact on bird migration patterns in the St. Croix Valley. The sixth graders will now compete against the top40 teams in the country, which include high school students

Correct the course in 2024

Some do not know or appreciate our great Country.

It is sad and irritating when people disrespect or do not appreciate the freedom and way of life this Country provides. It’s not “perfect,” yet there’s no Country I would rather live in.

Life is a gift—freedom is a responsibility for those who have fought for it. Freedom has a taste the protected will never know.

As President Ronald Reagan stated,“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it along to our children in

our bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was like in the United States where men were free.”

Yes, there are those who want to

destabilize our democracy.

Yes, we have a choice to correct the course in 2024 and get back to stability and safety for our Country.

Susan Dunn Lake Elmo

Everything you should know about community gardens

BY MADELINE DOLBY STAFF WRITER

What is a community garden? According to the American Community Gardening Association, a community garden can be urban, suburban or rural. Flowers and vegetables can be grown by the community. It can be a large, community plot or an individual plot. Community gardens are where the residents of a community can design, build and maintain spaces in the community. Neighborhoods with successful gardens can combat food security, both in quantity and quality, by growing fresh produce. It can improve community health through better nutrition and increased physical activity, and a community garden can create social capital.

Both Forest Lake and Stillwater have community gardens that offer rental plots to their residents and are easily accessible to the community.

Stillwater

Started in 2012, the North Hill Community Garden is run by a small group of volunteers who meet monthly to plan activities and improvements, tackle management issues and serve as liaisons to the Stillwater community.

Prior to the creation of the garden, the lot was a basketball court. The activity caused a lot of noise in the neighborhood, which made the court controversial within the neighborhood. The city of Stillwater held meetings about the court and decided to remove it. The city had been looking for a good way to repurpose the land, but it went unused for years.

This changed in 2012 when a group of neighbors, led by Jack Roddy, now a board member of the North Hill Community Garden, and Ann DeLaVergne, a community organizer, had the vision to make the space into a community garden.

“It started with a handful of people who wanted to get the garden started,” said Roddy, “walking around the neighborhood and just putting notes that there would be a meeting about starting the community garden. At the first meeting there were about 15-20 people there.” The group then met once a week to come up with the process to get the garden started. There was a committee to

Stillwater

determine the amount of money the group needed and a committee to determine the garden design.

The North Hill Community Garden has 41 plots available to gardeners of all ages.

“For many years there was in-person sign-ups,” said Victoria Bradford Styrbicki, chair of the North Hill Community Garden board, “then COVID changed that. Since then, we’ve been doing online sign ups through email, and we haven’t gone back to in-person.” When the sign-up for plots is open, “we sell out of plots the first day.”

A new gardener is learning under Roddy and taking on the responsibilities of taking care of the garden “She is also introducing a new component, which is education,” Bradford Styrbicki said. “She is working with the local Master Gardeners through the county and River Market to bring some workshops and education opportunities to the garden community.” Classes range from learning about pollinators, compost and seeds.

“It’s just a beautiful place to be and enjoy nature,” said Bradford Styrbicki, “just as a garden space, a park space, it really benefits the neighborhood.”

“There’s people of all ages, all kinds of backgrounds, all throughout the city that are involved,” said Roddy.

“In the past we have kids from the middle school and the high school come help us on our spring workday.”

The community garden also partners with Friends of Stillwater Parks, a volunteer group dedicated to promoting community involvement, civic pride and stewardship in Stillwater’s parks. The garden also works with the River Market Community Co-op, located in downtown Stillwater.

The Northern Hill Community Garden is located at 1004 Martha St. N., in the historic North Hill neighborhood of Stillwater. Plot applications can be found online at northhillcommunitygarden.org. For those who are interested in volunteering, email info@ northhillcommunitygarden.org.

Forest Lake

The Forest Lake community garden is located behind the Forest Lake Senior Center, 767 Fourth St. SW. There are 28 garden plots available for Forest Lake residents to utilize during the warmer months.

The Parks and Recreation Department prepares the plots during the early months of spring. After that, residents are in charge of maintaining, harvesting and caring for their plots through the end of the season. Handmade materials must be removed from the plots by Oct. 31.

“There is access to water right on site for those who are renting,” said Jamie Muscha, Forest Lake parks and recreation supervisor. Muscha mentioned that there are no restrictions on what residents can or cannot plant.

From Muscha’s perspective, the garden “provides the residents, or the community, with access to growing healthy fruits and vegetables.

“We have a fairly large renting population in the community, so if they don’t have the ability to plant at home, it (the garden) is conveniently located to improve access to this opportunity.” The garden also is a good leisure and recreational activity that people in the community enjoy, and it provides seniors an opportunity as well.

Forest Lake residents, or anyone who is interested, can apply for their own plot online on the city’s website, www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us. Plots are available on a firstcome, first-serve basis until all plots are rented.

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

Ethan Stabenow

Stillwater alpine skier, Ethan Stabenow, a senior, placed ninth in the state meet, earning all-state honors, with times of 38.06 on the red course and 39.73 on the blue for a total time of 1:17.79. Stabenow placed 15th at the state meet last year. Despite dealing with a wrist injury that occurred a few days earlier, Stabenow wore a brace, skied aggressively despite the pain and had two good runs.

Parker Lyden

Forest Lake westling

Parker Lyden, Forest Lake senior wrestler,

his career by medaling at the state Class 3A meet for the third time. Lyden placed third at 139 pounds, finished 49-6 and set a team record with 302 takedowns. He placed third at state at 132 as a junior and fifth at 113 as a sophomore, compiling a career record of 160-32. He will wrestle in Division I at Campbell University in North Carolina.

Bailey Holmes

Anna Philipson

Forest Lake gymnastics

Anna Philipson, Forest Lake senior gymnast, had an outstanding state meet, placing second all-around with 38.1375 points, second on balance beam (9.500), third on floor exercise (9.550), third on uneven bars (9.5125) and sixth on vault (9.575). She led the Rangers to fourth place in the team competition. A club gymnast through 10th grade, she took her junior year off, and joined the Rangers for her senior season.

alpine skiing

capped

Nordic skier, Bailey Holmes, a Stillwater senior, placed 18th in the state meet, with times of 15:31.8 in the classic race and 13:32.5 in the freestyle for a total time of 29:03.7. Holmes placed third in the section meet and fourth in the conference meet. Last season, Holmes placed 16th in the state meet.

Stillwater nordic skiing

CONTRIBUTED

The North Hill Community Garden is located at 1004

Main St. N., Stillwater. The Forest Lake Community Garden is located behind the Forest Lake Senior Center, 767 Fourth St. SW.

Best Man = Man’s Best Friend

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“Taz was my best friend of 16 years. I just wanted a picture of him with me in my wedding dress,” sighs Lara Leinen, “but I didn’t want to put my family though all that—or my husband.” A month later, Leinen and her husband adopted another dog. Since dogs and weddings were on her mind, Leinen thought, “What about dogs at a wedding?” Thus the idea for Doggy Social, a service that integrates pets into their owners’ weddings, was born.

“I got tunnel vision,” Leinen remembers, “but it was crystal clear. I had no idea if anyone out there wanted it… It started going pretty fast once I let people know.” Doggy Social now has a staff of seven in Minnesota, and satellite operations have started

in Chicago, Denver, Phoenix and Whitefish. “If the last one sounds weird,” Leinen laughs, “It’s because my sister lives there. She’s really good at it.”

“It” consists of keeping three parties happy during the wedding: The venue, the couple and the pet. “Over the years, my mission has been to connect with vendors,” Leinen explains, though she admits that it took a while before vendors treated Doggy Social seriously. Every location, unfortunately, had horror stories. Leinen reports that many came around when she told them that, “We all want what’s best for the couple.” Now, Doggy Social is preferred at most venues. “We’ve never yet had a situation,” Leinen boasts. “Vendors know they don’t need to worry with us. We stay close with the animals. This is why we exist—so certain timeframes or areas are respected.”

On that front, Leinen credits extensive planning with the couple to ensure everyone is prepared on the day of the ceremony. “Every wedding is custom,” Leinen states, “because every dog and every couple are different… Some people have vows with their dogs in them or have their pup come up to them on their wedding day. By then, we’ve already checked the personality. We know what plans B and C are.”

Leinen emphasizes, however, that Doggy Social is NOT a wedding planner. “Doing that much is ridiculous,” Leinen chuckles. “We definitely connect with the planner, or, if they know us, sometimes the planner connects with us.” To earn such respect in a relatively short time speaks to Doggy Social’s ethic. “I work hard,” Leinen states, “and my

attendants work hard. The biggest piece of feedback we get is ‘We knew going in that Doggy Social was trustworthy, but you went above and beyond.’” Leinen emphasizes that her staff is the reason Doggy Social has a sterling reputation. “Hiring the right people,” Leinen states, “in business, there’s never a better decision than hiring a really special person who gets it and is into it.”

Meticulous hiring practices is one reason why Leinen keeps Doggy Social’s growth controlled. “I want to keep growing organically,” Leinen expresses. “I’d like to keep the quality where it is now. Plus, we’re always learning. Our surveys have requested that we add a video element, so we’re starting to do videos of the dog’s day at the wedding—it’s nuts cute!”

Crossing these T’s and dotting these I’s are what has earned Doggy Social a perfect 5-star rating on Google, an honor which Leinen finds misleading. “‘Perfect’ is not a sentiment we’re striving for,” she cautions. “Wonderful, yes, but ‘perfect’ means no room for life or creativity.” What Leinen believes the 5-star rating truly promises is peace of mind. “Essentially, if you love animals so much that you want your pet in for even a moment or a photo, that can happen,” Leinen concludes. “We make it so much fun—and easy! We work hard so that you (and your pet) are completely carefree on your wedding day.”

To learn more about Doggy Social, visit their website at doggysocialwedding.com or follow them on Instagram @doggysocialwedding.

OUT & ABOUT

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, April 6

Where: Maranatha Assembly of God, 24799 Forest Blvd. N., Forest Lake

Details: Features community businesses and home shows. Includes a variety of family-friendly activities along with the opportunity to learn about many local businesses and organizations as attendees visit each booth.

Contact: 651-464-3200

ONGOING EVENTS

WELLNESS MONDAYS

When: 6- 8 p.m. Every Monday

Where: Local Luxury Medspa, Hotel Crosby, 232 Main St., N., Stillwater

Details: Yoga, wine, hot tub and a certificate for a massage or facial. Grab some friends or a significant other and sign up for some relaxation

Contact: 651-323-2555

TREAT YOURSELF TUESDAYS

When: 5-8 p.m. 2nd Tuesday of every month

Where: Sodie’s Cigar & Pipe, 5946 N. Good Ave., Oak Park Heights

Details: Ladies’ night at Sodie’s Cigar & Pipe. Each month will feature a different cigar and drink pairing. There will be alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, all

designed to bring out notes in the cigar.

Contact: 651-342-0971

CURRENT EVENTS

RETURN TO NORMANDY

When: 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 2

Where: Forest Lake Airport, 20500 Forest Rd., N

Details: Enjoy a left seat view of an amazing adventure as you take the airplane that led the D-day invasion back across the North Atlantic and up the coat of France. There is a small fee to cover the cost of dinner.

Contact: forestlakeairport.org/contact

TOTALLY CRIMINAL COCKTAIL HOUR

When: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 3

Where: Lowell Inn 102 2nd St. N., Stillwater

Details: Meet local mystery writer

Heather Gudenkauf. She is a critically acclaimed author and her book, “The Weight of Silence and The Overnight Guest” is a New York Times bestseller. She will be sharing her newest novel “Everyone is Watching.” Ticketed event.

Contact: 651-430-3385

INDOOR GARAGE SALE

When: Saturday, April 6

Where: Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave. N., Oakdale

Details: Bargain hunters, collectors and families can browse for unique finds at this free event.

Contact: 651-747-3860

A CAPPELLA SHOWCASE

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Where: Chautauqua Fine Arts Center, Mahtomedi

Details: The concert features A Cappella groups from Mahtomedi Public Schools, the community, local colleges and universities. Ticket information online.

Contact: wildwoodartseries.com

BREATHE & RESTORE: CBD 101

When: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 11

Where: Mudita Wellness, 1903 Greeley St. S., Stillwater

Details: Combine the restorative power of yoga with the healing powers of hemp. Learn about CBD and its benefits, enjoy a collagen mocktail, CBD jelly samples and education after the yoga class.

Contact: allissa@muditawellnessmn. com

FOOTLOOSE: THE MUSICAL

When: 7 p.m. April 12, 13, 18, 19, 20; 2 p.m.

April 14

Where: Stillwater Area High School Auditorium, 5701 Stillwater Blvd., Oak Park Heights

Details: Relieve the classic 1980s film. Tickets can be purchased online. Prices vary.

Contact: stillwaterschools.org/tickets

COMEDY SHOWS

When: 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m. Saturday, April 13

Where: Running Aces Hotel & Casino, 15201 Running Aces Blvd., Forest Lake

Details: Two shows in the hotel full house ballroom. Features comedians Chris Barnes and Ellie Hino. Tickets available at RunAces.com.

Contact: 651-925-4600

SPRING MAKERS MARKET

When: 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, April 13

Where: Ravine Landing, Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park, 9653 Keats Ave. S., Cottage Grove

Details: Browse a selection of handcrafted items in the multipurpose room. Welcome spring with family fun activities and a stroll in the woods of the Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. Food trucks will be on site.

Contact: www.co.washington.mn.us/ parks

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

When: 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20

Where: Mahtomedi Middle School, 8100 75th St. N.

Details: One-day event for collection of household hazardous waste and electronics. Document shredding is also available.

Contact: co.washington.mn.us/1942/OneDay-Collection-Events

SUN & STAR GAZING

When: 1- 10 p.m. Saturday, April 20

Where: Hay Lake Park, Scandia

Details: Join the Scandia Parks & Recreation Committee’s Earth Day event with the Minnesota Astronomical Society for some solar observing in the early afternoon. Orion should be visible by 6 p.m. and Jupiter when the sun sets, about 8 p.m.

Contact: cityofscandia.com

How to determine if it's time to downsize

Individuals work hard to save enough money to purchase their homes. And the hard work doesn't end there. Once homeowners settle into a new home, they may set their sights on renovations that suit their individual needs. And even when buyers find a home that needs no such work, maintenance requires homeowners' utmost attention.

All that hard work is perhaps one reason why seniors may be a little reluctant to downsize as they advance through their golden years. In addition to the sweat equity homeowners put into their homes, all the memories they've made within their walls can make it harder to put a home on the market.

Downsizing is a difficult decision that's unique to each homeowner. Seniors who aren't quite certain if downsizing is right for them can consider three key factors to make a decision that's in their best interests.

• Cost: Perhaps no variable affects senior homeowners' decisions to downsize their homes as much as cost. No one wants to outlive their money, and downsizing to a smaller home can help seniors reduce their monthly expenses by a significant margin. Even homeowners who have long since paid off their mortgages can

save substantial amounts of money by downsizing to a smaller home or even an apartment or condominium. Lower property taxes, reduced insurance premiums and the need to pay for fewer repairs are just some of the ways downsizing can save seniors money.

• Take Inventory of Your Belongings

• Sort Through Items Room-byRoom and Minimize Duplicates

• Space: Many people love the extra space that single-family homes provide. But seniors can take a walk through their homes and see how many rooms they still use on a consistent basis. If much of the home is unused, seniors can probably

• Create a Plan to Get Rid

downsize without adversely affecting their daily lives.

• Market: The real estate market is another factor to consider when deciding if the time is right to downsize. A seller's market can help seniors get the biggest return on their real estate investment, potentially helping them make up for meager retirement savings. For example, home prices skyrocketed across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, making that a great time for sellers to put their homes on the market. Seniors selling to downsize may capitalize on such spikes since they won't be looking to turn around and buy larger, equally expensive homes once they sell their current place. If the market is down and seniors can withstand the work and cost a little longer, it may be best to wait until things bounce back in sellers' favor.

Downsizing requires careful consideration of a host of variables. No two situations are the same, so seniors should exercise due diligence to determine if downsizing is right for them.

Preliminary Artist Renderings

2024 Chamber Gala award winners announced

Every spring, the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce hosts the Chamber Gala, an event designated to recognizing individuals and organizations who give back to the community.

Here are the recipients of this year’s esteemed winners:

• Behind the Badge Award: Dustin Kallis, fire chief, Lake Elmo

• Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Jen Rogness, FIT Real Estate

• Educator of the Year: Matt Fosse, Stillwater Area High School

• Large Business of the Year: Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, Stillwater

• Nonprofit of the Year: Summer Tuesdays

• Service with a Smalley Award: Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop

• Small Business of the Year: Mabel’s Ice Cream & Coffee Shop

• Volunteer of the Year: Nicole Bartelt, Stillwater Zephyr Theatre

Registration open for Zephyr

Performing Arts

Registration for summer classes and camps has officially begun at the Zephyr Theatre. This July, the theater is offering weeklong theater classes in the mornings or afternoons for grades Kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade and sixth through ninth grade. There also

will be a production launched specifically for high school students in August.

Classes include storytelling, acting, dance classes and acting intensive workshops for those in high school. Those who are interested can register for classes online at www.stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org/ register.

Zephyr Theatre board elects officer for 2024

The Zephyr Theatre board has elected new officers for the year. The board elects a board chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer for the calendar year. Nicole Bartelt was unanimously reelected to serve another term as the board’s chair. She helped guide the organization through a transitional year.

Alex Eder was promoted to the board’s vice chair. Eric Davis was newly elected as the board’s secretary and Sam Mahn was elected as the board’s treasurer.

Together, board officers serve as the executive committee that coordinates the work of the full board throughout the year.

Zephyr Theatre chosen as MOA Pond Fund recipient

The Zephyr Theatre was chosen as a recipient of the Mall of America Pond Fund. Each month, Mall of America donates the change collected from the ponds and fountains located throughout the mall to a nonprofit organization.

Only 12 nonprofit organizations in the metro area are chosen for this each year. The Zeyphr Theatre received $2,511 from the donation.

Proposal to close behind-the-wheel exam station in Stillwater

The Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) released a recommendations report addressing concerns with the department and put forward a number of proposed solutions. One of their proposals included the elimination of 47 exam stations throughout the state, cutting available exam stations nearly in half.

One of the exam stations proposed to close included the Stillwater location, which was responsible for nearly 1,500 completed exams in 2023 alone. That is three times more than any other proposed closure.

DVS has considered that this plan will require some Minnesota residents to drive farther to take an

exam than they might need to today. This is balanced against the fact that most individuals only need to pass the driving exam one time in their lives.

Applications open for Leadership in the Valley program

The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Foundation is now accepting applications for the sixth class of the Leadership in the Valley (LITV) program.

The LITV program is designed to bring emerging and existing leaders together who welcome the opportunity to expand their involvement in community affairs and want to explore new leadership responsibilities in the community, enhance and grow their personal leadership skills, form beneficial professional relationships and become involved with a community project.

The program is a nine-month commitment, one day a month, with daylong sessions. It requires a personal investment to the community and LITV classmates. Each day session includes themes such as public safety and law, diversity and inclusion, education, business, community and the arts, health and wellness, government, environment and more.

The application deadline is July 15. The program begins September 2024 and will conclude with a May 2025 graduation ceremony. Those who are interested can apply online at greaterstillwaterchamber.com/ leadership-in-the-valley.

Waste Management yard waste collection update

Waste Management will be implementing automated yard waste collection with standardized carts in the Stillwater community. As part of this initiative, every household will receive a 96-gallon green cart with a black lid labeled “yard waste”. There will be no additional cost for this service, as Waste Management will purchase, deliver and maintain the yard waste carts.

Automated yard waste collection will start April 15 and continue until Nov. 30. Carts will be collected on regular garbage collection days. Residents’ carts must be placed at the curb by 6:30 a.m. on collection day. Carts must be placed at least 3 feet apart and 3 feet away from obstacles to allow the automatic arm to lift and empty them.

The 2024 Community Award winners were announced at the 2024 Chamber Gala.

Part-time Public Works Employee

The City of Lexington is accepting applications for a permanent, part-time public works employee to assist the public works department in regular maintenance and repair work associated with the city’s parks, buildings, streets, and utilities. The position is 20-30 hours per week – flexible hours. A high school diploma and a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is essential.

Applications available Monday – Friday,

White Bear Township is accepting applications for Seasonal

to pass pre-employment drug screening.

Applications are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Township Administrative Office, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110 or online at www.whitebeartownship.org. No application deadline; open until positions are filled.

The City of Mahtomedi has openings for up to (4) full time Seasonal Maintenance Worker positions. All positions are for 67 days. Duties include assisting the Public Works Department with street,

SUMMARY: This is a temporary/ seasonal, flexible part-time position, (not to exceed 40 hours per week), and not to exceed 180 days within a 12-month period. Under supervision, the primary purpose of this position is to coordinate the Town’s water conservation program through the Public Works department. Must have commitment to serve public, positive attitude, demonstrate initiative, and have the ability to collaborate with others, work independently and take on new tasks.

WORK SCHEDULE: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 4:30

p.m. Variable in accordance with established Township Ordinance. 2024 COMPENSATION: $27.88 per hour, non-benefit eligible.

APPLY: For more information and to apply, visit the Employment Opportunities section of the Town’s website: www.whitebeartownship. org. Send Resume and Town application by April 12th, 2024.

City of Hugo is Hiring an Administrative Intern

Salary: $18-$20/hour

Application Deadline: April 5, 2024

Job Summary: The City of Hugo, (pop. 15,766) is offering an Administrative and Communications

Intern position to a capable individual who will

RETHINK. RE-DESIGN. RECREATE.

RETHINK. RE-DESIGN. RECREATE.

RETHINK. RE-DESIGN. RECREATE.

RETHINK. RE-DESIGN. RECREATE.

RETHINK. RE-DESIGN. RECREATE.

RETHINK. RE-DESIGN. RECREATE.

RETHINK. RE-DESIGN. RECREATE.

REMODELING

REMODELING

REMODELING

REMODELING

REMODELING

REMODELING

Since 1973 MNBC000001

Since 1973 MNBC000001

Since 1973 MNBC000001

Since 1973 MNBC000001

REMODELING

REMODELING

(651)429-8032

Since 1973 MNBC000001 (651)429-8032

(651)429-8032 www.pra?homes.com

Since 1973 MNBC000001 (651)429-8032

REMODELING

(651)429-8032

Since 1973 MNBC000001 (651)429-8032

Since 1973 MNBC000001 (651)429-8032

www.pra?homes.com

Since 1973 MNBC000001 (651)429-8032

www.pra?homes.com

www.pra?homes.com

www.pra?homes.com

www.pra?homes.com

www.pra?homes.com

www.pra?homes.com

WELCOME TO LAKE ELMO

BY MADELINE DOLBY STAFF WRITER

“We were the first branch of Washington County Library in 1967,” said Karen Rodricks, the senior library services supervisor at the Lake Elmo Library. “The library’s always been here on Lake Elmo Avenue. It’s bounced around. This is the fourth building on this block and a half that it’s been in,” she added.

The Lake Elmo Library is a fullservice library. It offers wireless printing, reservable meeting rooms and personalized reading recommendations. The library also offers community events.

Every Friday, the library offers free story time from 10:30 to 11 a.m. in the children’s area. Story time is available for children of all ages and their caregivers. Saturday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library are set aside for a weekly self-directed game of 500 cards in the Rosalie E. Wahl room.

“We also have for adults a monthly book club,” added Rodricks, “that is a really nice group of about 13-14 people. They are always welcoming new members. You don’t have to buy a book, we can get those books ready for you.”

There also is a monthly “Let’s Make Stuff” program for adults as well.

On April 16, the cart will feature squeegee art. The class is from 6-7:30 p.m. Registration is required; sign up through the Washington County library website.

“We also do a lot of programming around school release days. We are looking forward to the Stillwater Area

Schools spring break, where we will have a drop-in event every day,” said Rodricks. “We have just gotten a new art cart with all kinds of fun supplies, and there will be kind of a theme of what you can do each day.”

Every January and February, the library has Winter Reads for adults. Participants can submit reviews for an incentive prize and then keep adding reviews to increase their chances for a grand prize — a book bundle.

The library has an ongoing book sale and a puzzle exchange. There always is a puzzle going on.

“We are enjoying our outreach and interactions with the public,” said Rodricks. “For downtown Lake Elmo, we participate in the Lake Elmo National Night Out and Light Up Lake Elmo event, which is in December.” Those are two big events in which the library participates.

The library also has a strong relationship with Lake Elmo Elementary School.

“They are in walking distance, so the first graders come in May. Each class comes one at a time; they get a tour and get a library card,” said Rodricks. They also do library card drives with Oakland Middle School.

Everything at the library is free, except for printing.

The Lake Elmo Library is open Monday through Saturday. Hours vary depending on the day. More information can be found online at www.washcolib.org/448/Lake-ElmoLibrary or by calling 651-275-8515.

The library is located at 3537 Lake Elmo Ave. N.