Waiting Child

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.

Navy had other plans.

“We lived there for three months, and on the first of April Greg was notified of an emergency call back to the ship and it was to depart immediately, although at the time we did not know where the ship was going,” Suzanne said. “The next day, the headline on the front page of the local newspaper read, ‘Saratoga Called To Vietnam!’ and that is how I found out where he was headed. By Monday he was gone.”

Rather than be stuck in Florida by herself for eight months, Suzanne called her father and asked him to come get her and help her move back to Minnesota.

“He came down with my little brother and sister and we went to Disney World using the tickets Greg and I bought for ourselves before packing up and going north,” Suzanne said.

Greg ended his service on Dec. 20, 1972. They moved back to Minnesota and got an apartment in St. Paul. They bought their first house in St. Paul, their second house in White Bear Lake and then their third home in Hugo, where they lived for 18 years.

The couple raised three children — daughters Megan and Ashley and son

Rotary Brief

Stillwater Sunrise Rotary celebrates foreign exchange students

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, local Rotary Clubs — Stillwater Sunrise, Noon and Lake Elmo — hosted two foreign exchange students, Leyre Alonso Ramos from Spain and Kiryu Aoyama from Japan for the 2022-2023 school year. Maria Ferraro Trevis from Curitiba, Brazil will be the 2023-2024 Rotary exchange student. Exchange students typically rotate among three families during the year. That means families will host a student for about three months. The main responsibility is to create a welcoming family environment, provide room and board and exercise the same parental support and encouragement parents would give their own children.

Chris. They have four grandchildren.

Greg worked at the post office in White Bear Lake and continued his service in the Navy Reserves for 20 years.

“Greg was a person that always wanted to move,” she laughed. “We had a really nice place in Hugo, and then we bought 80 acres with a beautiful house and outbuildings in Boynton, Oklahoma. It was in the middle of nowhere and we didn’t know a soul. Greg had his horses and he was crazy about horses.”

While in Oklahoma, the family would celebrate Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving in one weekend and called it “Chrisgiving.”

“We moved back to Minnesota because Greg told our children that when they got married and had a family, we would move back because they were not real happy about us moving,” Suzanne said. “We moved to White Bear Township in 2016.”

Two years later Greg started having symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. “I ended up having to put him in a home because he was just combative, and I just couldn’t handle it,” Suzanne said.

In December 2021 Greg passed away five days before the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary. “We had a big party planned, and it was three days before Christmas.”

Greg got to read some of the letters before he died and even though he had Alzheimer’s, Suzanne said she believed he understood.

“When my daughter found the letters in the attic, I had never looked at them since he sent them to me all those years ago,” Suzanne said. “She brought them to the room where Greg was dying and we read them out loud. A lot of other people were there and everybody was so amazed.”

Forest Lake Map Learn About The Stores

1 About Us | Gold & Ash Salon

Located in the heart of Forest Lake off Highway 61, Gold & Ash Hair Salon provides a range of luxury services from advanced hair color techniques to custom hair extension work. Staff at Gold & Ash salon strive to bring the newest techniques to your experience in order to achieve your dream hair. We look forward to serving you for your next choice in trusted hair experts.

2 About Us | eXp Pinnacle & Goerss Home Team (Merger)

A team knows what it takes to create the best experience for our buyers and sellers every time. Our priority is to sell your home for the most amount of money, in the least amount of time, with the fewest hassles. Our team-based approach ensures that your needs are handled with the highest level of care, every step of the way. Our job is to give you an unfair advantage over the other home buyers and sellers in your area! We believe the true key to a successful real estate transaction is expert advice and exceptional execution.

3 About Us | Collins Law Now Collins & Estrem Law, P.A (New Partner) www.presspubs.com

Our office helps people with planned, and (often) unplanned, transitions in their lives. Julia N. Estrem, Esq. and Robert H. Collins, Esq. can help with simple wills to complex trusts for estate planning and other purposes. With years of experience we can help our clients plan for complex life changes. We can assist people who have lost a loved one and need to navigate the probate process.

4 About Us | Timeless Elements Med Spa & Laser Timeless Elements Med Spa & Laser Center offers non-invasive, non-surgical skin and body treatments and anti-aging therapies. Our goal is to personalize your experience to meet your own personal goals with the best treatment options available in a relaxing environment.

5 About Us | Hospice of the Midwest Hospice is comfort care intended to give those with a terminal diagnosis the best possible quality of life. The goal is to promote a life free of pain and discomfort for the patient, as well as support their loved ones. Hospice care may be provided at patient’s home, a family member’s home, in a skilled facility, an assisted living, board and care, or the local hospital.

6 About Us | Plugz Electric Plugz Electric specializes in residential services. Whether you need a small wiring fix or the installation of state-of-the-art smart home, we get the job done right. We provide a thorough consultation to explain your available options. With that information, you can choose the scope of work that’s right for your home or business and for your budget.

7 About Us | Birkholz Auto Offers full brake service, full synthetic oil change, free inspections and diagnosis.

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

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DAY TRASH DASH

When: 6-7:15 p.m. Monday, June 5

Where: Lowell Park Gazebo, Stillwater

Details: Spend an hour outside collecting litter with other community members. Bring gloves and a garbage bag or bucket. All ages.

Midsommar Dagen

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 24

Where: Gammelgarden Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail N., Scandia

Details: Outdoor Swedish festival includes Swedish music, group folk dancing, children’s activities, arts and crafts fair, and the raising of the Majstång.

Contact: gammelgardenmuseum.org/event/midsommar-dag

WHAT’S THAT PLANT?

When: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, June 1-7

Where: Browns Creek State Trailhead, 575 Main St. N., Stillwater

Details: Stop by for a ¼ stroll with signs marking a variety of plants and flowers. Contact: sustainablestillwatermn.org/ plant-event

BAYPORT CITY WIDE GARAGE SALE

When: Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3

Where: Throughout Bayport

Details: Grab a map at city hall, the Holiday gas station, or Bayport Library and search for treasures.

Contact: bayportcommunityactionleague. com

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

MORNING WETLAND WALK

When: 7:15-9 a.m. Saturday, June 3

Where: Belwin Conservancy, 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton

Details: Hike from pond to pond and see birds, amphibians, and plants. Approx. 2 miles on trails.

Contact: belwin.org/events

Contact: sustainablestillwatermn.org/ trash

Ice Cream Social

When: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7

Where: Bayport Library

Details: Kick-off summer reading with ice cream at this community event for all ages.

Contact: bayportcommunityactionleague. com

DINNER CRUISE TO CELEBRATE MONDALE’S LOVE OF SCANDIA AND THE ST. CROIX

When: 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 8

Where: Taylor’s Falls Scenic Boat Tours

Details: Fundraiser for the Scandia Heritage Alliance highlights the Mondale’s love of the area with a program hosted by friend and colleague Peter Gove. Dinner buffet ad open bar. Contact: 651-233-0267 or scandiaheritage. eventbrite.com

VENDOR MARKET “SUMMER SERIES”

When: 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 9

Where: The Loft at Studio J, 214 Main St. S., Stillwater Details: Market features local artisans, handmade goods, dessert vendors, full bar and kids activities. Contact: 651-342-0176 or one23events.com

GUIDED

Bird

HIKE

When: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10

Where: Pine Point Regional Park trailhead

Where Business And Success Meet

Yetzer Home Store

Yetzer is a third-generation family-owned and operated full-service home furnishing and flooring retail store. They have been serving the Minneapolis metro area since 1941, providing quality brand-name products to transform your house into your dream home. Yetzer

Home Store is a trusted source for lighting, furniture, dining tables, bedding, wall art, window treatments, countertops,

CRUISIN’ ON THE CROIX HOT ROD & VINTAGE CAR SHOW

When: 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 & 28

Where: Lowell Park, downtown

Stillwater

Details: Admire vintage and hot rod cars, food vendors, live music, free familyfriendly festivities.

Contact: cruisinonthecroix.com

OXBOW TRAILS OPENING DAY

When: Dawn to dusk, Thursday, June 15

Where: Oxbow Trails, 2638 St. Croix Trail, Afton

Details: Explore the 1.25 miles of Belwin’s newest trail system. Staff available to answer questions from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact: belwin.org

PEDAL TO THE METAL: TRAVELING FOUNDRY

When: 3-6 p.m. Thursday, June 15

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

Details: Make a small metal sculpture from molten metal with help from professionals. Sculpture can be taken home right away. Registration not required.

Contact: washcolib.org

16TH ANNUAL BEER TASTING

When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, June 17

Where: Hay Lake School, 14020 195th St. N., Marine on St. Croix

Details: Annual fundraising event for the Washington County Historical Society. Tickets available day or event. Contact: wchsmn.org

BLACK & WHITE MOVIE NIGHT: GREAT SILENT FILM COMEDIES

When: 7-8p.m. Wednesday, June 21

Where: Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 S. Greeley St., Stillwater

Details: Assortment of short films featuring famous clowns of the silent era. Free.

Contact: wchsmn.org

LIFT BRIDGE ROAD RACE

When: 7 a.m. Saturday, June 24

Where: Lakeside Park, Bayport

Details: 10 mile, 10K and 5K race through Bayport and the St. Croix Valley.

Contact: runstillwater.com

STILLWATER FLEA & CRAFTER MARKET