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‘Mad Men’ moment Rich Sommer set to visit old stomping grounds. P10

Dream cabin Spike Carlsen’s memoir recounts North Shore project. P16

NORWAY HISTORY BOOK LONGTIME QUEST FOR FREQUENT TRAVELER Photo of John Yilek by Paul Dols, historical photos submitted BY MICHELLE MIRON

A mean hair ball

Editor

Stillwater once had own kittenball league. P6

STILLWATER — John Yilek is of half-Czechoslovakian ancestry, but it’s the Norwegian half that’s fascinated him all his life. A fourth-generation descendent of Norwegian immigrants, the retired lawyer has taught the history of his ancestral homeland in multiple venues. He’s traveled to the Land of the Midnight Sun multiple times. And most recently he published a nonfiction book

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— the aptly named “History of Norway” — that’s been a lifetime in the making. He figures the Norwegian types who make up about 12 percent of Minnesota’s population (source: 2009 U.S. Census) might be as lured in as he. To limit the scope of the book, he focused on significant people and events “with the intention of giving the reader a fundamental understanding of Norwegian history in just a few hours of reading time.

“I know I’m biased, but Norwegian history is pretty interesting,” said the Stillwater resident, 65. “If you walk into a bookstore, in the history section there are a lot of books about American, British and German history, and some Russian. But you rarely see anything about Scandinavia, which is kind of strange for this part of the country — so many are of Scandinavian descent in Minnesota and Wisconsin.”

Growing up in Sauk City, Yilek picked up some Norwegian language from his mom, who made sure the family only spoke that language until he was 5. Later he was able to step right into intermediate Norwegian language classes at the U of M, which he followed with more study at 93-year-old Minneapolis church and Norwegian culture center Mindekirken.

SEE YIKEK | 12

5.1.15

Air Plants Gardener s Gardener’s Grapevine BY NANCY HELMS Have a black thumb? You might want to consider an air plant. I know the first time I saw one I had to take a second look. I was certain it was artificial; there was no soil. It looked like an alien life form in a glass bubble. I soon learned that even though they have an ethereal, fairy like appearance, they are alive. The official name for these bromeliads is Tillandsia (tuh – LAND-zee-uh) and there are more than 650 varieties. Air plants are easy to grow because they absorb all of the water and nutrients they need through their specialized leaves. They use their roots only for attaching themselves to a surface. While they are native to rainforests, desserts and swamps, they are becoming easier to find in plant shops and garden centers as their popularity grows. Air plants are warm-weather lovers that can thrive on neglect. They grow differently than most house plants. They are really very hardy, and require much less attention than other house plants. But they can’t live on air alone. Lighting is the key. Give them as much bright, filtered light as possible. Although they love warm weather, they need protection from full sun. An east facing window with a few hours of direct sun is good. A west facing window works as long as the direct sun hits late in the day when it is less intense. If growing

in globes, do not place your globes directly in front of a window where they get direct sun as the glass will intensify the sunlight and the heat. Indirect light is best; some will even grow in low to moderate light in globes. They prefer night temperatures 10-15 es 10-15 degrees cooler than daytime. Most varieties will not survive urvivee at temperatures below 45 degrees. Protect them from frostt by avoiding a drafty window a that ices up in the winter. Constant air circulation is paramount moun nt to keeping your plant happy. If the air in your home is not too dry, these plants ot can survive with misting once or twice a week and the occasional bath. Never use soft ftened d or distilled water. Filtered water that has sat long as enough for the chlorine to dissipate is pate s a good choice, as is rain water and pond d water. Submerge the plant for 2-3 hours ours about every two weeks. Remove from om bath, gently shake, turn them upside de down and allow them to air dry for or 1-3 hours. If placing in a globe or dish, be sure to empty out any waater, as they will not thrive in standding water. It is better to water in the he morning rather than at night. Air ir plants absorb carbon dioxide from om the air at night instead of the day time. me. If the plant is wet, it does not breathe. athe. Unless it can dry quickly at night, t, plan n on morning baths. Have some fun; use as a design gn element element in your home décor. These little le plants plaants are a good solution when soil is not an option and ot space is limited.

— Nancy Helms is a Extension Master Gardener in Anoka County

The Lowdown seeks columnists from our area interested in writing about their hobbies, interests or areas of specialty (not about specific businesses or institutions). If interested please email Attn: Michelle at lowdownnews@presspubs.com

Your local experts | Right at your ﬁngertips

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powerup4kids.org/week Visit powerup4kids.org for a week full of fun events!

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5.1.15 Forest Lake Details: $5 to $7. Solo, duet, trio and team routines from high school team. Also chuck-a-duck fundraiser. Contact: Tickets at door or from team members.

North around the lake

‘THE CRUCIBLE’ When: 7 p.m. May 2 and 8 and 2 p.m. May 10 Where: FLAHS, 6101 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake Details: FLAHS students present Arthur Miller classic about Salem witch trials. $4 to $6. Contact: Tickets at door

FLAHS SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING SHOW When: 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2 Where: Southwest Junior High pool, 943 11th Ave. SW,

TALK DERBY TO ME PARTY When: 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2 Where: Forest Lake American Legion, 355 W. Broadway, Forest Lake Details: Best derby hat contest, liquor raffle.

KENTUCKY DERBY EVENT When: Saturday, May 2 Where: Running Aces, 15201 Zurich St., Columbus Details: Watch and wager on the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby. Contact: For upper and lower tiers, RSVP to 651-925-4514

SPRING SUPPER, SONGS & STORIES When: 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2 Where: Gammelgarden Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail, Scandia Details: $20 includes entertainment by Ross Sutter and Stina Fagertun. Opening of

Out in the valley CONCERT AT BIG PINK

CINCO DE GIVING FIESTA

When: 8 p.m. Friday, May 1 Where: Big Pink, home at 1900 N. Third St. in Stillwater Details: Featuring jazz guitarist Dean Granros of Eau Claire, Wis. and singer/songwriter Carl Franzen of Minneapolis. Suggested donation $10. Refreshments. Contact: Reservations appreciated at 651-439-3362.

When: 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 2 Where: Tent outside Acapulco Restaurant, 1240 W. Frontage Rd., Stillwater Details: Benefits United Way of Washington County-East. Salsa dancing, Mexican cuisine, live and silent auctions. $25 to $30. Contact: www.uwwce.org/ register

‘MACBETH’ When: May 1-3 Where: West Campus Theatre, Century College Details: Shakespeare classic, but set during the Civil War. Student production. $5 to $8. Contact: Tickets at door, or call 651-748-2623.

13TH ANNUAL ARTOPENER STUDIO TOUR When: May 1-3 Where: Ten art studios/ galleries along the St. Croix River; map online. Details: Guest artists sell in multiple mediums. Guests ask questions as artists work. Contact: artopener.com

SPRING DOWNTOWN CLEANUP When: 8:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2 Where: Meet at Tin Bins, 413 Nelson St. E., Stillwater Details: Stillwater’s Watermark Community Church heads up community effort to clean up the downtown area Contact: www.facebook.com/ events/459121390909486

‘MEET YOUR LOCAL HEROES’ When: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3 Where: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 W. Pine St., Stillwater Details: Free. Family event hosted by Youth Service Bureau.

Swedish hand work/immigrant life exhibit. $15 director’s tour available May 3. Contact: RSVP to 651-433-5053

SPRING CHICKEN DINNER When: 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2 Where: Scandia Community Center Details: $8 to $10. Proceeds to Scandia-Marine Lions Scholarship Fund. Also craft beer for sale, silent auction, entertainment by local youth, showing of Kentucky Derby on big screen, Derby Hay contest. Take-out available.

RELAY FOR LIFE-FOREST LAKE BIRTHDAY PARTY When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3 Where: Forest Lake American Legion, 355 W. Broadway Ave. Details: Kick-off of 22nd fundraising season. Cake, games, prizes, vendor fair. This year’s event, including Survivor Reunion, is Aug. 8. Contact: Join or start a team or contribute at www.relayforlife. org/forestlakemn.

CELEBRATION OF WOODY GUTHRIE

ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE/ PLANT SALE

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3 Where: Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, Wis. Details: $21 to $26. Reminiscenses, humor and music featuring Pop Wagner, Charlie Maguire and bluesman Tony Glover. The trip recorded the C.D. “Woody Reflected.” Contact: Tickets at http://festivaltheatre.org or 715-483-3387

When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 8 Where: FLAHS Ag Department, 6101 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake Details: Showcasing of department courses and local ag groups, colleges, businesses. Student exhibits. Greenhouse also open weekdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting May 11. activities. A list of varieties available (at the time of planting) can be found online. Contact: www.ForestLake FFA.org.

ANNUAL SALE BY ROGUE POTTERS When: May 8-10 Where: 33280 Vista Road, a turn-of-the-century kiln farm in Taylors Falls Details: Admission free. Eight area potters sell wares. Contact: www.roguepotters. com

‘STATE FAIR’ When: Through May 17 Where: Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Classic, feel-good Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. $18 to $23

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7 Where: Water Street Inn, 101 Water St. S. in Stillwater Details: $8 to $10. Film featuring fly-fishing guide Robert Hawkins of Bob Mitchell’s Fly Shop in Lake Elmo and his group trip to the Yellowstone. Q and A, cash bar. Benefit for St. Croix River Association. Contact: Tickets at www. stcroixriverassociation.org or Bob Mitchell’s. Trailer at https://vimeo. com/40018160.

23RD ANNUAL ST. CROIX VALLEY POTTERY TOUR AND SALE When: May 8 to 10

SCHOOL PLAY ‘ON THE AIR’ When: May 7-9 Where: Chisago Lakes Baptist School, 9387 Wyoming Trail, Chisago City Details: $8 to $10. Students perform comedy about WWII widow striving to keep a radio station afloat via a talent show. Contact: 651-257-4587

SECOND ANNUAL ST. CROIX FLYAWAY MIGRATORY BIRD DAY When: 9 a.m. To 1 p.m. Sunday, May 9 Where: Warner Nature Center, 15375 Norell Ave. N., Marine Details: Free. By Tropical Wings, a citizen group supporting a sister park partnership between U.S. and Costa Rican national parks. Learn about local migratory birds. Contact: 651-433-4184

The Animals When: 1 p.m. Sunday, May 3 (registration starts at noon) Where: Lent Town Hall, 33155 Hemingway Ave., Stacy Details: Benefits Northwoods Humane Society. Threemile walk, silent auction, concessions, paw print painting, $5 nail trim and ear cleanings, agility course, drawings. Leashed pets welcome. Last year $18,000 was raised. Contact: 651-982-0240 or http://northwoodshs.org/ fundraising-events/walk2015

STAND-UP COMEDY SHOWCASE

DOCUMENTARY ‘WHERE THE YELLOWSTONE GOES’

Contact: LakeshorePlayers. com or 651-429-5674.

What: 17th Annual Walk With

Meet service members, veterans, police, firefighters, mounted patrol, Keylo the Bayport K9, others. Kids make care packages for troops; donated items encouraged. Sit in vehicles, face painting, old jail/courthouse tours.

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 Where: Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, Wis. Details: $10. Students of local comedian Scott Novotny perform, including Austen Nepp, Debra Samuelson, and Carrie Uphus of Stillwater. PG-13. Contact: Tickets at 715-3868409 or www.ThePhipps.org.

Where: Seven pottery studios around the valley. Includes artists Guillermo Cuellar and Connee Mayeron. Details: Tour at your own pace. Free. Contact: www. minnesotapotters.com or 651-674-455

AUTHOR APPEARANCE: ‘FRIENDS:TRUE STORIES OF UNUSUAL ANIMAL FRIENDSHIPS’ When: 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 8 Where: Lake Elmo Library, 3537 Lake Elmo Ave. Details: Reading and autographs with award-winning author Catherine Thimmesh. Contact: lakeelmopubliclibrary.org.

‘EVENING IN RED’ When: 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday,

May 9 Where: Stillwater Art Guild Gallery, 402 N. Main St. Details: Russian art, icons and ballet. Free, but donations accepted for dance scholarships.

‘STARRING RICH SOMMER’ When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 9 Where: Lowell Inn, 102 Second St. N., Stillwater Details: $60. Stilwater native Rich Sommer (Harry Crane on AMC’s “Mad Men”) mingles and is interviewed by Lee Valsvik of Kool 108. Buffet, live auction, cash bar. Earlier event from 5 to 7 p.m. is cocktail party with Sommer ($50). Wear 60s garb. Benefit for Stillwater Library Foundation. Contact: 651-275-4338, ext. 130 or splfoundation@ gmail.com

Do you have an event that you would like to see appear in this calendar section? Send the information to calendar@presspubs.com

MOTHERS DAY BOAT CRUISES When: Sunday, May 10 for brunch, lunch or dinner Where: By St. Croix Boats on St. Croix River Details: Music by Emperors of Jazz. $19 to $23. Contact: 651-430-1234

20TH ANNUAL LLAMA MAGIC When: 10 am to 5 pm, May 10 and 11 Where: Washington County Fairgrounds Cattle Barn, 12300 N. 40th St., Lake Elmo Details: Interact with and learn about llamas and alpacas, see show, take classes, browse vendors. Free. Contact: Tickets at www. eventbrite.com. Info: 715-2465837 or www.llamamagic.com

5.1.15

community bits'n pieces Paul Dols Angle of view

Earth Day origins While the scientists and engineers were intensely focused on their primary goal, another equally, if not more, important and influential discovery presented itself. More than 45 years ago, the Apollo 8 spacecraft carried the first humans out of earth’s orbit and around the moon. In what now seems like an afterthought, it was also the first time humans viewed their home planet in its entirety, a beautiful oasis floating in the vastness of the universe. Although the moon landing garners more attention, some argue, for a variety of reasons, that this reconnaissance mission was the real breakthrough moment in history. After successfully reaching and moving into orbit around the moon, the astronauts concentrated on documenting the surface for future landings. On the fourth orbit, Commander Frank Borman rotated the spacecraft toward the horizon to get a navigational fix. It was then that a small, blueish smudge was first seen rising in the distance. In retrospect, it’s hard to believe that something like this could happen by accident, but at the time the purpose of the mission was focused completely on the moon. In audio transcripts, the astronauts can be heard marveling at the sight and then scrambling for cameras to photograph the fleeting moment, first in black and white and then in color. Bill Anders ended up getting the iconic shot. Using a Hasselblad camera equipped with a telephoto lens, he captured the stark contrast between the monochrome and desolate lunar surface and the Earth’s vibrant color. This “Earthrise” image (taken in 1968) has been cited as one of the most influential photographs ever taken. I’ve read various accounts about the origins of Earth Day. In the United States, using the damage caused by a massive oil spill off the coast of California as a catalyst, Gaylord Nelson (then a Wisconsin Senator) is credited with organizing the first Earth Day in 1970 as a way to educate the public about the environment. That said, I don’t think the awakening of public consciousness inspired by the NASA “Earthrise” image can be denied. Subsequent NASA photographs, including “Blue Marble,” taken by Apollo 17 crew members on their way to the moon in 1972, have also been influential in illustrating the beauty and vulnerability of our planet in contrast with its surroundings. According to a Wikipedia entry, a NASA archivist has speculated that the “Blue Marble” is the most widely distributed image in human history. In the book “Earthrise: How Man First Saw the Earth” by British historian Robert Poole, Apollo 8 crew member Bill Anders is quoted saying, “immediately almost overcome by the thought that here we came all this way to the moon, and yet the most significant thing we’re seeing is our own home planet, the Earth.” Locally, the tradition of Earth Day is recognized with cleanup and other activities at both Tamarack and Wargo nature centers and also in Mahtomedi with the RITE (Really into the Earth) event. These events are encouraging to me because they take a positive approach, presenting activities, educational displays and possible solutions almost everyone can participate in on some level, in response to what could easily be perceived as daunting, unsolvable environmental problems. As we move through our daily lives, furiously texting, searching and checking for updates on smaller and smaller devices with exponentially expanding computing power (the guidance computers used in the Apollo spacecrafts had approximately the same computing power as a modern day calculator), will we have the awareness to find some answers and happen upon discoveries in places we didn’t expect? — Paul Dols is photojournalist/website editor for Press Publications. He can be reached at 651-407-1238 or photos@presspubs.com.

UP NORTH • Representatives of the YMCA-Twin Cities say the new Forest Lake facility will not offer daycare facilities but will provide babysitting for up to two hours for members who remain on site. Memberships will be available later this year for the facility set to open in July, 2016. A pool area called a "natatorium" is slated to include a warm water leisure pool with a water slide and two lanes for swim lessons; a four-lane lap pool; and a whirlpool and sauna. A splash pad, a non-skid children's play area involving spraying and/or splashing water features, will be available outside. • This summer Festival Theatre in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin holds Creativity Camp for ages 5-12 in several locations and Conservatory for Young Performers ages 12–18. Info: 715-483-3387 or http://festivaltheatre.org/ arts-education. • Former religion professor and author Mary Jo Meadow presents the onehour class "What On Earth is

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staff volunteerism. Chakra?" at 7 p.m. • Minnesota Wednesday, May DNR issued a burn 6 at the Wyoming ban for Washington Area Library. A County as of April press release said 14. Spring winds the class "explains are rapidly drythese terms as a ing dead standing profound system grass and brush. of psychological Traditionally, self-understandKass most wildfires in ing." Register at Minnesota occur 651-462-9001. • The Northern Lights during April and May, 95 Writers Group presents a percent due to human erpanel of published writers at ror. Updates: www.dnr.state. 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12 at the mn.us. • Jazz guitarist Dean Wyoming Area Library. • On April 17, Washington Granros of Eau Claire, Wis. County 4-H Clubs show- and singer/songwriter Carl cased skits to compete in Franzen of Minneapolis the annual Share the Fun perform at 8 p.m. Friday, event. The Forest Lake May 1 at Big Pink, the Rangers' performance of prairie-style home at 1900 “It’s a Wonderful Life in N. Third St. in Stillwater 4-H!” advanced it to State (next to Schulenberg Park). Fair competition. Members Suggested donation is $10, refreshments. included McKenzie Adams, includes Zoey Anderson, Olympia Reservations appreciated Her, Olivia Hoekstra, Ally at 651-439-3362. Mark calHoekstra, Chloe Schwieger, endars for the puppet show Kaley Springman, Erin "Tucker's Robot" at Big Pink Sullivan, Megan Sullivan, at 7 p.m. July 10, featuring Tristan Bodin, Faith Open Eye Figure Theatre. • Washington County won Peterson, Danny Westphal, Tony Westphal, Evie Tyler the 2014 Community Partner and Maria Tyler. Director of the Year award from LifeSource, a nonprofit prowas Camryn Jackson. • Christ Lutheran Church moting organ and tissue doin Marine holds a plant sale nation in the upper Midwest. from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 The county uses digital sign and 8 a.m. to noon May 10, boards in licensing centers with proceeds funding youth in Stillwater, Forest Lake and Woodbury to promote orcamps and missions. gan, eye and tissue donations, funded by a grant from the OUT EAST Department of Public Safety. • The St. Croix Valley • The Johnson Terrace at the Stillwater Public Library branch of the League of will be closed for a number Women Voters holds its of days for construction of a next meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20 at shade structure/pergola. • Washington County Boutwells Landing's main Parks will open campgrounds building in Oak Park Heights. at Lake Elmo Park Reserve The topic is the group's and St. Croix Bluffs May 1. open meetings study. Info: Reservations: 651-430-8370 651/493-0686. • The National Parks or 651-430-8240 respectively, or visit www.co.washington. Service holds a prescribed burn at Arcola Prairie somemn.us/parks. • Honored at the April 14 time between April 24 and Washington County meeting May 15. It will improve praiwas Andy Kass, winner of this rie and savanna habitat along year's Outstanding Volunteer the St. Croix and Namekagon Award by the county and rivers. The area involves 125 Community Thread. Other acres adjacent to the St. Croix locals awarded were Vern River east of Arcola Trail. and Edie Hophan of Bayport, Info: 715-483-2274. • Stillwater's annual Lifetime Volunteers; Sandy Gleason of Lake Elmo, Youth Summer Tuesdays celebraVolunteer; and the Let's Go tions are every Tuesday night Fishing captains and crews, at Lowell Park from July 7 Outstanding Group. The through Aug. 18 in Lowell late Dick Olsen of Stillwater Park. The schedule is as folwon the Legacy Award. lows: On July 7 the Movie Susie Danielson, who is vol- is "Tall Tale" (PG) and the unteer coordinator for the music is TBD; On July 14 the Stillwater and Bayport librar- movie is "Despicable Me 2" ies, won the Vi Russell Award and music is by "Thrift Store for Excellence in Volunteer Sonata"; on July 21 the movLeadership. Lake Elmo Bank ie is "Hotel Transylvania" was honored for promoting and music is by Standard

Protocol; On July 28 the movie is “Spaceballs" and music is by Scottie Miller; on Aug. 4 the movie is "Finding Nemo" and music is by Moors & McCumber; on Aug. 11 the movie is "Princess and the Frog" and music is by Hounds of Finn; and on Aug. 18 the movie is "Guardians of the Galaxy" and music is by Ruben. A marketplace and music starts at 4 p.m. each night and movies are at dusk. • A group of poets called "Voices of St. Croix Valley" meets each second Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. at ArtReach St. Croix. Facilitator is River Urke. • Valley Branch Library, 380 St. Croix Trail S. in Lakeland, offers a "Superhero to the Rescue" art class for children from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, May 18. Register at 651-436-5882. • Rep. Kathy Lohmer reported that state representatives debated their first comprehensive budget proposals on the floor of the Minnesota House recently, and both received bipartisan support. • The Road and Bridge Act of 2015 is the major provision within the House Republicans' plan for transportation statewide. The proposal invests $7 billion over the next decade into road and bridge infrastructure without raising taxes. The new approach creates a special fund called the Transportation Stability Fund that collects existing proceeds from alreadycollected tax revenues and deposits them into accounts for roads and bridges, metro capital improvements, small cities, Greater Minnesota bus services, and suburban county highways. Also helping would be trunk highway and general obligation bonds, general funds, and the realignment of MnDOT resources. The plan would repair or replace 15,500 lane miles for all roads and 330 bridges statewide. "To me the House approach is not only common sense but it is also sustainable, and I'm confident it will meet our long-term road and bridge needs," Lohmer said. The House has also approved the omnibus job growth and energy affordability bill. Lohmer said the plan provides mandate relief from 2013 spending and focuses on investing in the private economy and saving money for energy ratepayers, rather than adding more layers of prescriptive legislation.

5.1.15

washington county sheriff reports BAYTOWN TOWNSHIP • A resident in the 44000 block of McDonald Drive Court N. on April 9 reported filing an income tax only to learn his Social Security number had already been used to file a return.

FOREST LAKE AREA • A Forest Lake man, 54, was cited April 11 on First Street SE and 11th Avenue, Forest Lake, for fourth degree DUI.

LAKE ELMO • A resident in the 8000 block of 50th Street N. on April 6 reported fraudulent charges in Texas. • A resident in the 8000 block of 39th Street N. on April 7 reported a letter from the IRS advising him someone had been trying to file income taxes using his and his wife's names. • A Mounds View man, 29, was arrested April 7 on Highway 36 and Manning Avenue N. for driving after revocation, possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia in a motor vehicle and failing to pro-

vide proof of insurance. • A Stillwater woman, 26, was cited April 9 on Stillwater Blvd. N. and Kelvin Avenue N. for using a cellphone while driving.

MAY TOWNSHIP • A resident in the 16000 block of Norell Avenue N. on April 6 reported federal income tax fraud. • A business in the 1500 block of Square Lake Trail N. on April 6 reported tools stolen sometime in January. • A resident in May Township on April 8 reported filing an income tax return only to learn his Social Security number had been compromised and a return had already been filed by an unknown person. • A New Hope man, 47, was cited April 11 in the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. for driving after revocation. • A Scandia man, 68, was arrested on warrant April 11 in the 17000 block of Manning Trail N. — Compiled from county reports by Loretta Harding

police

reports

FOREST LAKE AREA • Forest Lake resident Austin Zembal has been charged with first-degree assault in regard to the March 10 head injury of his 6-week-old daughter. A report indicates Zembal allegedly hit her head on a bed frame after she cried continuously for three hours. The baby almost died. Zembal was to appear in court April 30.

STILLWATER AREA • A 7-year-old boy injured his foot on White Pine Way April 17 after the foot got stuck between a bike and its pedal. • A male with guns was reported on Pine Tree Trail April 20, but it turned out to be high school students playing with Nerf guns. • Criminal damage to property was reported at Abra Auto Body on Curve Crest Boulevard April 20. Three front windows were shot out with a pellet gun. • Suspicious circumstances were investigated on C.R. 5 April 20. A teen was addressed by police for dropping a bag outside Oakridge Community Church containing an e-cigarette and small amount of marijuana. • A Stillwater man reported finding a drone with a recording device outside his house on Edgewood Avenue April 20 • A property damage accident at Sweet Taste of Italy on Frontage Road W. April 20 involved no injuries • A hit and run was reported at Lake Elmo Bank on Greeley Street S. April 20

• Burglary and misdemeanor theft were reported on Main Street N. April 21 • Three yard ornaments worth $200 to $250 were stolen from Pine Street W. April 21 • Shoplifting was reported on Krueger Lane N. April 21 • A suicidal male was reported on Main Street N. and Elm Street April 21 • At McDonalds on Orleans Street W. April 21, police investigated a complaint of three juveniles in a tan Buick shooting at customers using Nerf guns. • Felony warrant arrests were made on Krueger Lane N. in Oak Park Heights April 22 • Threats were reported on 87th Street N. April 22 • Theft was reported on Second Street N. April 22 • Threats were reported at the Stillwater Public Library on Third Street N. April 22 • Suspicious activity was reported at Pier 1 Imports on Krueger Lane N. April 23 • Income tax fraud was reported on Harriet Street S. April 23 • Graffiti and the deposit of a broken TV were reported at and across from Teddy Bear Park on Nelson Street April 23. • Theft of a purse was reported at American Gothic on Main Street S. April 23 • A suicidal female was reported at Americinn on 60th Street N. April 23 • Assault was reported on Bergmann Drive April 23 — Compiled from city reports

May supports potential purchase of Wilder land BY SUZANNE LINDGREN

MAY TOWNSHIP — A possible food forest, bees and educational programming got a preliminary vote of support from the May Town Board last month when the Minnesota Food Association requested approval to buy 600 acres of land from Wilder Forest. Wilder has been looking to shed real estate in May, citing a shift in foundation priorities. The organization planned to sell to the Trust for Public Land for eventual passage to the DNR until it came to light hunting would be allowed on site. That did not go over well with administration at the nearby Lee and Rose Warner Nature Center, which frequently hosts field trips and

educational retreats for children. The MFA is in the early stages

of exploring funding sources for the acquisition, said Executive

Director Hilary Otey Wold. She stressed hunting will not be part of the plan. Joel Kellum, manager of MFA’s Big River Farms, shared tentative plans for the property including perennial agro-forestry with nuts, berries, fruits and mushrooms. He also mentioned beehives, pollinator plantings and educational programming. “We want to enhance the property in such a way that we’re managing it with nature and benefitting it,” he said. "(We're) looking at the long term.” Board members — who have been concerned with what will happen to the land — seemed encouraged by the proposal. It gave written, non-financial support of the purchase, noting if plans

change significantly that approval might be rescinded. The MFA will put together a general concept proposal for May 11. Between May and September it will generate a more detailed plan for management and educational programming. In other township news, the board discussed permitted uses at Arcola Mills, which appears to be hosting an increasing number of weddings. It concluded the historic site and educational retreat center is operating outside the bounds of its conditional use permit, and a board representative will bring the matter up for discussion with staff. — Suzanne Lindgren is editor of the Country Messenger.

5.1.15

Minnesota’s #1 Volume Toyota Dealer! Per Toyota Motor Sale USA 2014

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of the

Ma had a sparkling day on the mound Matt for the Forest Lake baseball team in its Suburban East Conference victory over Su Stillwater. The junior pitched ﬁve scoreless Sti innings, allowing just a trio of hits and zero inn walks in a 12-0 rout. He struck out ﬁve wa and also helped his own cause at the plate an with a triple. Wallner was All Conference wi Honorable Mention last year and also plays Ho Ranger basketball. He holds a GPA of 3.8 Ra and belongs to the National Honor Society. an

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Photo courtesy of CSS SID Infielder/pitcher Paddy Getchell is in the middle of a busy season for the College of St. Scholastica baseball team. The Stillwater High graduate is hitting .288 with 15 hits in 52 at-bats, with 18 runs scored and a dozen RBI. He’s swiped six bases in as many attempts. On the mound the senior is 4-2 in six starts with a 3.24 ERA. He’s allowed 26 hits and fanned 27 in 33 innings. The Saints are 26-9 overall, including 17-1 in conference play.

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Brenk and Rachel Chatwin and Lindsey Crohn, Schoonover and Jessica • FLAHS senior Tim Walker Brennhofer took - Team: Dunrud, Brenk, first in the Personal Rachel Chatwin, Lindsey Financial Literacy Crohn, Schoonover, event at the DECA State Walker, Sardeson and Career Development Mika PetersonApril 23, Conference in last week, raising its Brennhofer Minneapolis last month. conference record to 2-2. Out of 1,600 DECA Senior Andrew Kezar students competing in 42 events, the FLAHS team won his first conference singles qualified five students; seniors match. Sofia Rappa, Anna Wavrin, Taylor • The Ranger baseball team was Thomas and Alyshea Casey, defeated by Cretin-Derham Hall and junior Mackenzie Puleo. 12-7 April 22, dropping its record They’re invited to for the National to 3-4 in conference play and 4-4 Leadership Conference April 24- overall. 28 in Orlando, Florida. • Forest Lake teachers and local OUT EAST businesses hold a book drive • SAHS grad Ben Blankenship, through May 6. Donations should a Gopher All-American and a be appropriate for students K- current Oregon Track Club Elite 12th grade and will be distributed runner, has been named to the to students in summer school. U.S. roster for the 2015 IAAF They can be dropped at the World Relays May 2-3 in Nassau, schools or at American Family Bahamas. He will compete as Insurance in Forest Lake; Scandia part of the mens distance medley Market and Mercantile; Hair Shop team for Team USA. Blankenship in Wyoming or Vannelli’s in was a four-time All-American and a three-time All-Big Ten honoree Forest Lake. • At press time the FLAHS synchro for U of M between cross country team was 6-0 and preparing for an and track & field. He won three Big April 28 meet versus its biggest Ten titles as an individual while competitor, Stillwater. The team helping Minnesota to five Big stages its annual show May 2 Ten team championships. He still (see calendar). Team members holds Minnesota records for the took all the top spots at their indoor mile (3:57.87), the indoor meets in Columbia Heights and 3,000 meters (7:52.52) and the Osseo-Maple Grove. Taking firsts outdoor 1,500 meters (3:39.77). • SAHS students captured the gold were the following: medal in their first-ever SkillsUSA - Solo: Andrea Dunrud welding competition, - Duets: Stephanie Brenk Haley state Schoonover; Dani Sardeson and meeting the highest standards in Catherine Ziegelski (against the welding fabrication contest. Heights); Kiera Waskey and Jake Lueders, Nick Sonnek and Fallon Olson (against Osseo Garrett Stotts created a grill from scratch in a six-hour time frame. Maple Grove) - Trio: Dunrud, Stephanie

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The Pony senior pitched a complete omplete game in an April 15 conference win over Forest Lake, allowing just a pair of earned runs in a 5-4 win. She walked just one, struck out four and helped her own cause at the plate with a double and an RBI. She’s been All Section, All Conference and All Conference Honorable Mention and played on the Ponies ‘ 2012 state championship team. Rachel holds a GPA of 3.74, is on her school debate team and participates in a school mock trial team that’s placed second and seventh at state. Minnesota’s #1 Volume Toyota Dealer! Per Toyota Motor Sale USA 2014

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'Good singer, good person and fun' RICH SOMMER’S LESS-MAD LIFE PRIOR TO ‘MAD MEN’

Photos submitted A recent photo of Sommer and two 1990s shots of Sommer from Stillwater Area High School yearbooks. BY MICHELLE MIRON Editor

Editor's note: The Lowdown was unable to line up an interview with Sommer by press time. In a 2010 interview with Interview Serialoptimist.com, he discussed his high school years as follows: "Our football team won every game my senior year, and I went to every game. They were amazing. I mean, Aaron Runk? Our quarterback? Holy balls. So much fun to watch.I was moderately involved in Stillwater, I guess. I was in a barbershop group with a bunch of dudes that were way older than me. I hosted the airing of our local parade on Public Access Channel 10 when I was 12. I did a play that toured nursing homes. That kind of stuff. Wait, that made me sound like a really good kid. I wasn’t entirely. I lied to a cop once. So there’s that." Sommer told Minnesota Monthly the same year:"We want to get a home in Minnesota, and raise our kid there. That’s our No. 1 goal." STILLWATER — Back in the day at Stillwater High School, most of the 600-student class of 1996 probably at least knew of Rich Sommer. Sommer was gifted in the performing arts, and his entertaining personality often spurred him to do what actors do best — distract their audiences. According to his longtime friend Matt Peterson that gift was not always appreciated by teachers, though serious problems never resulted. Since then Sommer's talent has taken a fortuitous turn. For the past seven seasons the highly trained actor has created the role of morally ambiguous Sterling Cooper employee Harry Crane on mega-hit AMC show "Mad Men," famously set to cap its series May 17. Peterson said his childhood buddy hasn't let fame change him, and the two still get

together several times a year. Peterson has visited Sommer in both Los Angeles and New York, and they'll see each other next at a May 9 Stillwater Library Foundation fundraiser where Sommer has agreed to schmooze (see sidebar). Peterson's not sure what's next on his friend's professional agenda, but said he's handled fame in "a very grounded, levelheaded way. "He's pretty realistic about it," he noted. "He knows that as big a success as 'Mad Men' has been, the gate can turn the other way really quickly. 'Mad Men' is a really unusual, special thing … to be a success on a show like that happens only on very rare occasions, so certainly he recognizes that and feels blessed by that."

SETTING THE STAGE Peterson, most recently of Moorhead, remembered hitting it off with Sommer after he moved to Stillwater from Ohio and the two became third-grade Cub Scouts. They were neighbors on Croixdale Boulevard and spent spare time exploring the neighborhood and playing copious board games. As sophomores they both had one-scene, three-line roles in SAHS' non-music production of "Les Miserables." Still, former Oak-Land Junior High teacher Gloria Halverson remembered Sommer as a “positive, bright, creative student who loved to act. He had the ability to project characterization far beyond his young age.” The friends also sang in the SAHS choir ("Rich had a pretty strong bass," his friend reported) and concert choir the Vagabonds. "Good singer, good person and fun," commented Christensen, who oversaw both groups. "(Sommer) is one of our most loyal alumni. I had no doubt he was going to be

successful … nevertheless I am very proud of the person he is, and his success." The friends were also part of a high school improv comedy troupe affiliated with Minneapolis club Comedy Sportz; team "Slush Puppies" competed with eight or 10 other schools around the metro. "Rich had a way of connecting with people from all sorts of different circles," Peterson remembered. "As the same time, he certainly spent lots of time with the theater nerds and choir nerds. I'd venture to guess just about everybody in our class knew he he was … and in that sense he was a popular person. He was often in trouble with teachers for talking in class, making distractions or trying to make jokes in class … but it wasn't anything serious. "He was interested in so many other things … that schoolwork in some sense fell off his table. But he certainly had good relationships with teachers, so he was able to make that work for him." Before graduation the friends roomed together at Concordia University, where Peterson studied speech, English and communications and Sommer theater. The two formed another student improv group (again called the Slush Puppies), but that one had paid gigs across the region after Sommer acted as booking manager. "I think his passion has been the most impressive thing," said Peterson. "The Slush Puppies would not have happened if not for Rich organizing it, being passionate about it and saying 'Hey, this is something we can do.' I think he learned a lot about what it takes to have a career in acting, that sense of selling yourself or marketing yourself." Sommer also appeared in Concordia productions, taking the lead of Tevye in a popular production of "Fiddler on the Roof" his senior year. "Rich was very interested in learning, but not so interested in homework. remembered David Winterstein, associate professor of theatre at Concordia. "If he was engaged, it was a lively classroom. If he thought an assignment was BS, Rich would either respond with something ridiculous or just not do the assignment. He would not 'jump through hoops' or do busy work; he had to see the relevance of the assignment. "Rich's talent was clear. His Tevye was sensitive and deep — a challenging role for a 22-year-old actor. I am not surprised Rich

has found success and made a career." Sommer also studied at Minneapolis, Brave New Workshop for a time. In 2004 he earned a master's degree from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio where he met his wife, actress Virginia Donohoe Sommer (who is coincidentally from Mankato). The couple moved to New York to pursue acting careers. Sommer's resume includes a stint with improv troupe Upright Citizens Brigade and several commercials, TV show appearances and roles in plays, but Peterson said his first big break was the role of Anne Hathaway's friend in the 2006 Meryl Streep movie "The Devil Wears Prada." The casting director from that production singled out Sommer for the iconic role of Harry Crane in the about-to-be-filmed season one of "Mad Men," which debuted in 2007. In between, Sommer and Peterson attended their 10-year reunion at SAHS. "I remember him talking about filming the 'Mad Men' pilot, and how it was to start airing in the next couple of months," said Peterson. " I don't know that classmates were starstruck then … I think Rich is a very social person and maintains good relationships with people, so I think people were just excited to jump back into a relationship with him like they had in high school." Peterson watches "Mad Men" each week and is as anxious as the rest of the Western World to see how it ends. "The writing is amazing, the story lines are great and I'm really interested to see how it wraps up," he said. "Harry Crane has really gone in a different direction. He was sort of the guy you were rooting for in the first season, and now he took a different direction." These days Peterson sees his old buddy several times a year, with a Christmastime gathering of local friends an annual tradition. Five years ago Peterson visited Sommer on the "Mad Men" set and met his fellow actors Christina Hendricks (Joan Holloway), Robert Morse (Bert Cooper) and John Slattery(Roger Sterling). "In that setting they're at work doing their jobs," he noted. " It's kind of cool to see they're regular people like everybody else. "What I found amazing is, everything's on a soundstage, so this big warehouse building has all the sets inside," he added. "What we picture as a house put together is really a couple of rooms chopped up next to each

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1| YILEK Career-wise, Yilek earned a B.S. in international relations at the U before spending 18 months in the Air Force after the end of the Vietnam War. That allowed him to attend U of M Law School on the G.I. Bill. kicking off a Twin Cities-based law career that lasted 35 years. He also taught law at venues including Concordia University and William Mitchell College of Law. He and his wife Chris moved to Stillwater in 1976. Chris’ family the Goffs date back to 1850s Stillwater and one was among the last three in the storied ‘Last Man’s Club’. Since childhood, John has visited relatives in Norway more times than he can count. “I stay with third to fifth cousins,” he explained. “It’s been 130 years since (my ancestors) came here, but our family never lost touch with family in Norway. They put me up for days, take me around and show me things, then give me gifts when I leave. It’s almost embarrassing, they’re so nice.” Along the way he researched Norwegian history and took notes with an eye toward someday teaching. Retiring from law three years ago, he began to share that knowledge at venues includ-

ing Mindekirken, Stillwater Community Education, Vesterheim NorwegianAmerican Museum in Decorah, Iowa and the St. Paul Sons of Norway lodge. “I thought it was kind of natural with my teaching background to try to step into history,” he noted. “And Mindekirken is probably the leading Norwegian organization in the country, not only in terms of a religious institution but of culture.” He also decided to commit to his book and put in several more months of research. The result is the first comprehensive history of the country by an Englishspeaking author in longer than 50 years, he said, and it incorporates information compiled by others in the past five decades. “The vast majority of publications about Norwegian history are written in Norwegian and inaccessible to almost all readers outside of Scandinavia,” he explained. “Since I read and speak Norwegian, I was able to research those sources and convey the information to the Englishspeaking public.” His greatest challenge? Deciding which theories to follow about Norwegian history before recorded time.

craft beer, silent auction, musical entertainment by local youth

His target audience is anyone of Scandinavian descent, including tourists, diplomats, business people, teachers, students and professors. The father of children Jenny, Amy and Scott (all SAHS grads) and grandfather of five said his five-year plan calls for more teaching, giving presentations and possibly writing additional articles on his favorite historical subject. Two of his children have visited Norway, and he encourages them all to embrace their heritage. That said, he’s a big fan of his family’s traditional lefse recipe, but merely tolerates its lutefisk. “When I was young … our entire house and even the neighborhood had this scent that was, at least for a little kid, almost unbearable,” he remembered of the malodorous tradition. “We’d take a walk or play outside while they were making it, and we never really ate it.” That doesn’t mean it’s not a part of his cherished history. “Many of us (in Minnesota) are now third or fourth generation, and as time goes by probably fewer and fewer who are of Scandinavian descent even think about it or are part of a Scandinavian organization or do anything related to Scandinavia,” he said. “I think it’s important for us, no matter what kind of ethnic group we’re from, to try to preserve it.”

Top photo submitted bmitted , bottom photo by Paul Dols Yilek and hiss book “History of Norway”.

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• •Kathleen Lamey of Lakeland was named District 3 representative to the Washington County Historic Courthouse Advisory Council through 2016. •The county approved a $400,000 contract with Office Depot for 20115 and 2016 which includes a 55 percent retail discount on office supplies. •Ten Automatic External Defibrillators worth

on software to match a grant from Metropolitan Emergency Service Board. •The County Board supports a change in state law allowing in-person absentee voters to place votes directly into an office ballot counter rather than using county administration and supplies for mail voting. •The County Board supports funding Madison’s

$22,900 total were donated to the county by Mark

Place Playground at the Bielenberg Sports

Altmann, a Marine on St. Croix resident. They’ll

Center in Woodbury via the state bonding

be installed in Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles and

program.The finished structure will be worth $1

used in response to medical emergencies.

million and be universally accessible.

•The Sheriff’s Office will begin an $897,500 upgrade to its radio system, spending $48,000

Union Depot TRAIN DAY 2015

— From county reports

21,000 miles of rail possibilities Experience the history & adventure of rail travel at Train Day.

MAY 9, 2015 11am – 4pm

Climb aboard a train, explore an engine, and join in on the fun free entertainment, education, and transportationinspired activities at Union Depot. uniondepot.org/trainday

5.1.15

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Life is short — party on' ROBIN ANTHONY ON THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF EVENT PLANNING BY MICHELLE MIRON Editor

STILLWATER — Last time you went to a really well-coordinated event, it's likely the details were planned by a behind-the-scenes professional. If that event was local, that professional may have been full-time event planner Robin Anthony, a former government worker who's turned her organizational and creative skills into her own business called PartyOnStillwater. Anthony's life hasn't always been so partyoriented, but a life-altering experience five years ago helped reset her priorities. Now she's all about celebrating. “Life is short — party on,” said Anthony, detail guru of record for Arcola Mills and popular area events like Cinco de Giving. “I love to see people happy. If people are having a good time, that's really payment for me.” The St. Cloud native, 51, spent her early career in government positions, 12 with the state and two with Washington county. Those jobs included legislative coordinator for Governor Arne Carlson; Secretary of State election administrator; county director of elections; and manager with the state Pollution Control Agency. For eight years following she worked for a Minneapolis firm that helped clients with organizational effectiveness — a job requiring long hours, significant travel and “high expectations.” Along the way she and her husband had children Tyler and Nicole; they moved to Stillwater in 1990. A tragic event in 2009 changed Anthony's life. She began to question her priorities following the accidental death of her son's close friend, 20-year-old friend Josh Gunderson (read the story of the SAHS grad at www.startribune.com/local/west/123874814.html). “That was kind of a wake up call in regards to how short life is,” she said. “Here I was making a lot of money traveling … but losing a sense of community and relationships while my kids were little. It kind of hit me hard.” After that she took one college entrepreneurial class, studied online and job shadowed others in her field before forming a business plan. Market research showed regional demand for party planning services, and the field fit her Type A personality, her organizational acumen and her innate love of entertaining. She opened in 2011, starting with the sale of promotional products, personalized gifts and gift baskets and segueing into event planning and party supply rental. “I never had to take out any loans,” she noted. “We kind of pay as we go. I do still owe $20,000 on my American Express card.” Her event territory covers the metro east of the cities. She's handled corporate events and

Photos submitted Clockwise from left: Anthony’s professional photo, Anthony clowning with a client on the job and a table setting at a wedding reception she oversaw.

galas that draw hundreds as well as the private graduation and birthday parties and showers that make up 60 percent of her revenues. During the busy warm-weather season she employs up to six part-timers. At press time she'd already booked 25 weddings and several grad parties for this year. “It's nice when people don't have to worry about all the details and can just show up,” she said of the smaller affairs. She also donates time and resources for fundraisers for local nonprofits including United Way, Valley Outreach and Special Olympics. Anthony said her work can be physically grueling, and like her previous job it involves long hours. On a recent Saturday, her wireless Fitbit device that automatically records her daily activity registered 30,000 steps (fitness experts typically recommend 10,000 a day). Weekdays typically involve administrative details and meeting with clients, while weekends may involve the delivery and set-up of tents, tables, chairs and decorations followed by clean-up. “I probably put in, to be honest, 75 hours a week,” she said. “But it's fun work. When I worked for the firm, it was stressful and toxic work because it was so corporate, so cutthroat and intense. It was a great job and had perks, but I couldn't really give back and feel I was making additions to people's worlds and creating memories for them.” Asked about her most challenging booking, she pointed to a 165-guest wedding last year at which the caterer inexplicably showed up late. Anthony's staff had to quickly buy and serve snacks to placate the hungry.

“The challenge is keeping calm when things come up, like pouring rain at an outdoor wedding,” she noted. “There's really no room for error.” Another challenge in her industry is keeping abreast of new ideas presented via sources like Pinterest. Today's weddings tend to be much more creative than they were in the past, she said, and clients often want each detail to be personal and unique. “You have to constantly be doing research,” she said. “Pinterest is a wedding planner's worst nightmare — and the father of the bride's worst pocketbook nightmare — because the brides see all this and want all this. But I was really always outside the box.” The“bridezillas” of which she was forewarned haven't been an issue. “I really haven't come across any,” she said. “But you have to know your audience and listen to what they want. If you're really listening, you don't try to make it about you, but about

them. At the end of the day, it's not about you.” That said, she's chosen not to work with a couple potential clients because “that's the beauty of having your own business.” Among her most moving experiences? Planning a vow renewal for a couple celebrating their 79th anniversary. PartyOnStillwater's five-year plan calls for establishing a rental product showroom in Stillwater and developing a separate division called Party On Weddings. She will probably hire more employees. “It's hard to find someone who has the same passion and drive you have personally, but that quality can make or break you,” she said. “Probably the biggest challenge I'll have is hiring the right people. “I wish I would have started when I was younger,” she added. “I remember when my daughter was 12, I read a book on how to become an event planner. But it's a scary risk to drop your job and go out on your own. It took my friend's son passing for me to realize life is just too short.” For more information about PartyOnStillwater, call 651-206-4882 or access partyonstillwater.com.

Take tea with us & White Bear Lake Authorr Julie Miller at her Book Signing Event: Tues. May 5th from 5 to 8pm You can’t get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. –C.S. Lewis Get a copy of Julie’s latest Devotional, Journeying Mercies… Journeying Mercies is filled with invitations and reminders that touch the reader gently along the many paths of life. The pages speak of life’s ups and downs gratefully lived with God’s loving companionship. Chosen with care to speak to the soul, Julie’s writing is encouraging, helpful, comforting, wise, and securely grounded in the particulars of one life graced by God. Journeying Mercies is a good companion for the journey one day at a time. -Jeannette A. Bakke, Author of Holy Invitations: Exploring Spiritual Direction, teacher, spiritual director. *Want to bless women & children recently rescued from human trafficking (through Women at Risk International)? Please bring a teacup & a few words about its backstory. Teacups will be sent to WAR, Intl. who will sell or take donations for them to finance the women’s continued education & housing. To find out more, visit www.warinternational.org

April 1 – May 16 That’s right, every Saturdayy for six weeks join us for our $250,000 Cars ‘N’ Cash Celebration. Here’s your chaance at a brand new Audi®, BMW®or Cadillac®! Plus, you can win a share of $27,000 in cash!

DRAWINGS

• Grand Casino Mille Lacss Saturdays, April 11, 25, and May 9 • Grand Casino Hinckley Saturdays, April 18, May 2 and 16 • From 6 – 8 p.m., we’ve goot hourly drawings for envelopes containing $10 00, $200, $300, $400 or $500!!

GRAND PRIZE DRAWING G: 9 P.M. Five additional Grand Rewards members will get to choose an envelope containing either $200, $300, $500, $1,000 or a guaranteed BRAND NEW VEHICLE! See Grand Rewards for details, rules, or regulations about this oﬀer.

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Reel talk Don’t Miss!

Good

Worth a Look Forget it

‘Get some skin in the game’ STILLWATER AUTHOR RECOUNTS NORTH SHORE CABIN PROJECT

“THE AGE OF ADALINE” (PG-13) (3) [A SUGGESTIVE COMMENT.]

— When a gorgeous, 29-year-old widow (Blake Lively) becomes immortal after a tragic car accident in San Francisco in 1929 in this intriguing, well-acted, entertaining, romantic, 100-minute film, she keeps her fantastic, unbelievable secret between herself and her grown daughter (Ellen Burstyn) and cocoons herself off from relationships until she meets a smitten philanthropist (Michael Huisman), but then their tenuous relationship is threatened when she meets his scientist father (Harrison Ford) and mother (Kathy Baker) at the celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.

“PAUL BLART: MALL COP 2”

Photos submitted At left are Spike and Kat Carlsen with their children. At right is the cabin the family built in Grand Marais. BY MICHELLE MIRON Editor

(PG) (2.5) [SOME VIOLENCE.]

— When a hypoglycemic, hefty, divorced New Jersey mall security officer (Kevin James) goes to the Security Officers Trade Association convention in Las Vegas with his overprotected daughter (Raini Rodriguez) who falls for a parking valet (David Henrie) in this pratfall, funny, well-paced, wacky, 94-minute comedy, he ends up trying to stop a bad guy (Neal McDonough) and his many henchmen (D. B. Woodside, Steffiana De La Cruz, et al.) from stealing priceless paintings from the hotel with the last-minute help from other officers (Loni Love, Nicholas Turturro, Gary Valentine, Shelly Desai, and Vic Dibitetto) while heading off the unexpected flirtations from the hot hotel manager (Danielle Alonso).

“THE WATER DIVINER” (R) (3.5) [WAR VIOLENCE, INCLUDING SOME DISTURBING IMAGES.]

— After a tenacious, deeply compassionate, widowed Australian farmer (Russell Crowe) loses his despondent, grief-stricken wife (Jacqueline McKenzie) to suicide in 1919 in this intriguing, well-acted, violent, unpredictable, factually based, 111-minute film based on Andrew Anastasios’s novel, he goes to Istanbul to search for the bodies of his missing sons (Ryan Corr, James Fraser, and Ben O’Toole ) who fought in the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915, ends up staying at a hotel where he becomes attached to the widowed hotel manager (Olga Kurylenko) and her precocious 10-year-old son (Dylan Georgiades ), and is reluctantly helped by a Turkish major (Yilmaz Erdogan).

“WHILE WE’RE YOUNG” (R) (3) [LANGUAGE.]

— After a struggling New York City documentary filmmaker (Bell Stiller) and his wife (Naomi Watts), whose father (Charles Grodin) is a famous documentarian, begin hanging out with a manipulative, wannabe filmmaker (Adam Driver) and his ice-cream-making wife (Amanda Seyfried) who make them feel a little bit younger and give them a new spark in their stale marriage in this relatable, well-paced, funny, 97-minute comedy, they neglect longtime friends (Maria Dizzia, Adam Horovitz, et al.) and get a wake-up call when their friendship with the young couple begins to unravel.

WENDY SCHADEWALD The preceding films were reviewed by Wendy Schadewald, who has been a Twin Cities film critic since 1986. To see more of her film reviews, log on to www.shortredheadreelreviews.com.

STILLWATER — The fifth book by local author, carpenter and TV personality Spike Carlsen is a personal, and often humorous memoir. "Cabin Lessons: A Nail by Nail Tale: Building Our Dream Cottage From 2 x 4s, Blisters and Love" draws parallels between the knitting together of his combined family and the three years they spent building their Grand Marais cabin. At the time (about a decade ago), Carlsen and his wife Kat were trying to meld their five kids each from two previous marriages into a workable family. Though their 1850s Greek Revival home was and still is a continual work in progress (it's probably the oldest home in Stillwater) they pursued a lifelong dream by finding a somewhat overlooked property on the shore of Lake Superior and figuring out how to build on it. Following challenges both technical and personal — many comically related in the book — the result was a 600-square-foot dwelling built for less than $40,000. Salvaged materials were used when possible, and the family completed 80 to 90 percent of the work save the electricity and plumbing. "I'm glad people think it's funny," noted Carlsen, 62. "To me some parts are funny … but some were not funny at the time." The greatest challenge of the project was working with a lot which had been rejected by others because of its odd shape and steep angle. "We had to kind wrassle that the whole time," he remembered. "It was hard getting the driveway in, hard building on it, we had erosion problems. We had maybe 50 tons of rock brought in to try to stabilize different parts of the land. But I think we've got at least 50 years of solidity here." Carlsen had no intention of writing about the project at first, but halfway through began jotting notes for a book. The rough draft sat on an editor's desk for years until she recently found and encouraged him to publish it. He cleared the personal anecdotes with his kids and Kat before publishing, and unlike his other books worried a bit about readers' reactions. "Sometimes it stirred up emotions … the sense of things going on when I was growing up and my first marriage. But if you just sugarcoat everything, no one gets anything out of it, so I guess I just felt like being open about certain things." As for the building itself, he can think of little he'd do differently except maybe setting it back from the shore another 15 feet. The small structure has been named "Oma Tupa, Oma Lupa" which means "One's cabin, one's freedom" in Finnish. "We were able to take time and not feel hurried and scurried about it," he noted. "One theme that runs through the book is building a cabin and building a family. For us it kind of happened at the same time, and we learned compromise. It was easy to make mistakes and we learned how to fix them, starting

with a good foundation and working from there." These days his family uses Oma Tupa every few weeks in the summertime and a little less frequently in the winter. "There have been a bunch of honeymoons there, birthday celebrations. It's a getaway and a recuperative kind of thing," he said. "We love it when people go up and come back feeling refreshed. "One nice thing about a cabin is, it if looks really different from your house it has different triggers. At home you have to do the wash and the lawn, but at the cabin there's this different set of triggers that say to relax rather than work." Parts of the book are a sort-of homage to the North Shore; readers will recognize many landmarks. The author also mentions several Stillwater icons. His best advice for other would-be cabin builders? "Have some skin in the game" by completing at least part yourself. And try to have fun along the way. "Some people think you either have to have it built or do it yourself, but there's this whole spectrum from zero to 100 percent," he noted. "You can look at the beams and remember the day you did that, or the decking, the way that went down … and I think you feel a little more invested, maybe, emotionally."

SPLINTERED HISTORY Carlsen's professional history with wood goes back nearly four decades. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1975, but spent 15 years as a carpenter. After that he started freelance writing and found a regular gig as executive editor with Reader's Digest magazine Family Handyman. The work enabled him to travel overseas on an expense account. He became a full-time writer in 2007 and has since written and published multiple magazine articles in addition to his five books "A Splintered History of Wood" (2009); "Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects" (2011); "Woodworking FAQ" (2012); and "The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects" (2014). "It's a little exhausting," he admitted. "Maybe there will be a two-year gap between this book and the next one. But I just enjoy what I'm doing so much. I always carry a scrap of paper with me, and I'm eternally writing." In between all that, he's made several TV appearances resulting from his reputation as a carpenter and writer. He was once the renovator of an ugly kitchen on CBS' "The Early Show" and he appeared on "Modern Marvels" five years ago in an episodes touting the amazing properties of wood. He also frequently presents woodworking projects on Kare 11. Depending on how "Cabin Lessons" is received, he said he may pursue two or three similar books in the coming years. In his spare time he and Kat like to spend time with their five grandkids and traverse local trails on their tandem bike (which he calls "a marriage counselor on wheels.") He also collects and tinkers with vintage radios. On top of that, he's helped his five kids with their home building projects. Not that it's always been easy. "Carpentry, up until you're about 40, helps build your body up and keep you fit," he said. "After 40 it starts beating you up. But I'm a pretty happy guy. I have five grandkids now, and I'm in another phase of life."

| 17

Frank Watson is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station in White Bear Lake. Weather data and observation are from his weather station and trips around the area. Frank can be found on the internet at WeathermanWatson.com.

weather tidbits Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com

WEATHER TIDBIT

SUNRISE / SUNSET Fri May 1

6:01

8:19

Sat May 2

6:00

8:20

May outlook: Temperatures colder than normal. Precipitation wetter than normal. Normals: High 69.5°. Low 48.0°. Rainfall 3.73”.

Sun May 3

5:58

8:21

YEAR AGO THIS WEEK

Mon May 4

5:57

8:23

Tue May 5

5:55

8:24

Wed May 6

5:54

8:25

XApril 2014 ends with a monthly total of 9 inches of snow. April 29 and 30 highs reach only 44 ° . First five days of May colder than normal.

Thu May 7

5:53

8:26

WEEKLY AVERAGES MAY 1-7, 2015 High 66°

sudoku 3 5 9 8 3 6 3 5 4 2

7 4 8

2 9 1 8

6 5 6 9 8 3 4 7 5 2 1 9 6 8

8 1 9 7 4 6 5 3 2

5 2 4 6 7 3 8 9 1

1 7 8 4 9 5 3 2 6

9 6 3 2 1 8 4 7 5

LIKE E N O E M SO WHOLE S S E L N U “ S A ING IS E R A C YOU LOT, NOTH R. AWFUL TO GET BETTEUSS GOING OT.” - DR. SE IT’S N

6 5 2 8 3 9 7 1 4

1. Come into conflict

PCP 0.70”

4 3 6 1 8 7 2 5 9

DOWN

%Sun 56%

7 8 5 9 6 2 1 4 3

1. Cycles/second 4. Fit for cultivation 10. Saami 12. Perceived scent 13. Liberal rights organization 14. Female flying fighters 15. Durham school 16. Ancient Scand. poet 18. Charitable performances 20. Siddhartha author Hermann 21. Letter destination 22. P.S. Buck’s Pulitzer 25. Feel regret 26. Initials of e = MC2 author 27. From a distance 29. Cronies 31. Forty 32. Printing speed measurement 33. Nutty spread 40. White seedless grape 41. Hillsides 43. Inflammation of a bursa 44. Artery 45. Nail polish brand 46. A routine that is hard to escape 47. Indigo plant 48. Owners 50. Animal fluids 51. Mustelid in its white winter coat 52. Communist

2. A collection of things wrapped together 3. Bath spatter 4. Gunsmoke actress Blake 5. Direct to a source 6. Cartoonist Capp 7. Somewhat blue 8. 40 weekday periods 9. El Dorado High School (abbr.) 11. Heartbeat 12. Brit. rutabaga 17. Angle (abbr.) 18. Said as a greeting or wish 19. Festivals 23. Rita ___, singer 24. Belonging to us 27. Skating jumps 28. Building at 175 5th Ave. 29. Parts per billion (abbr.) 30. Atomic mass unit 32. Old Spanish currency (abbr.) 33. Insistence on traditional correctness 34. PBS wildlife show 35. Measuring blocks 36. Don’t know when yet 37. Ancient city from which St. Paul first sailed 38. Breadwinner 39. Go to bed 40. Highest in degree or quality 42. Tossed, potato or waldorf 43. The trunk of a tree 49. Yes in Spanish

Low 44°

2 9 1 3 5 4 6 8 7

ACROSS

d wntime

crossword

5.1.15

PSSST.... FIND OUT WHY THE LOWDOWN WON TWO 2014 MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AWARDS FOR ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING! CALL 651-407-1200 TO SUBSCRIBE.

18 |

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106 Home Improvement

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New Harmony Care Center is a 76-bed skilled nursing facility with a Christian environment. RN/LPN OPENINGS: · E/O wknd 2:30p-11p · E/O wknd 6:30a-3pm NAR OPENINGS: · E/O wknd 6:30a-3p or · Evenings (3p-9p or 4p-10p) ADD’L WEEKDAY HRS AVAILABLE! Apply in person or online at www.elimcare. org/careers or send resume to: Attn: Marsha Scott, 135 Geranium Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55117 Ph:651-488-6658 Fax: 651-488-7587 E-mail: mscott@elimcare.org EOE/AA Employer/Vet/Disabled *A Drug Free Workplace

Home Instead Senior Care is looking for Home Health Aides in Stillwater and surrounding areas. We have a variety of shifts available. Experience preferred but will train the right people. We believe in hiring and keeping the best people in the industry. Come find out why we are the leader in elder care. Apply on-line at www.homeinstead.com/419 or call for an application

763-792-4927

Marketing Coordinator Vadnais Heights, MN

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109

(Part-Time)

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Call Patti at 651-786-2286 **Trailer Mechanic** Mastell Brothers in Columbus is looking to hire semi-trailer mechanics. 40/wk. Full benefits and $1,000 hiring bonus after 90 days. Call Mike @ 651-639-9017. Carpenter handyman Exp'd 651-653-9920 PT Painter needed Must have experience & a reliable vehicle. 651-257-3669

Chisago County 911 Telecommunicator $19.02/hr Chisago County is looking for a PT 911 Telecommunicator/Corrections Ofﬁcer. Responsibilities are: answering and dispatching emergency 911 and non-emergency telephone calls for police/ ﬁre/EMS response for Chisago County. Computer entry/query in national, state-wide and local records systems. QUALIFICATIONS: Type 40 wpm; Must be able to train 3 days per week for 4-6 months AND after training is completed, be able to work one 8 hour shift per week and to cover open shifts as needed. Excellent verbal/written communication and listening skills and excellent listening skills are crucial. Ability to work under stressful work conditions. Must possess good map reading skills and be able to remember instructions.

Deadline is 5/15/2015. Apply at www.chisagocounty.us

Nexen Group, Inc., is seeking top candidates for Marketing Coordinator. This individual will assist sales in a variety of marketing activities including social media management, lead generation in traditional and e-marketing platforms, manage CRM database along with providing support in trade shows, presentations and collateral materials. Works with VP of Sales and Marketing and outside partners to drive marketing communication strategy. Qualified candidates will have a four year degree in Marketing or Communications, or Business Administration and 3-5 years of related industrial marketing experience. Must have strong communication, time management and project management skills, as well as substantial knowledge of market research, advertising, promotions, etc. Must be proficient with computers and especially Microsoft Office, and Adobe software. This is a quick commute to the northern suburbs. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package. If you are interested in joining a dynamic and forward looking company, and have a positive and enthusiastic approach to work e-mail a resume to: mktgcoordinator@nexengroup.com

Nexen Group, Inc. 560 Oak Grove Parkway Vadnais Heights, MN 55127 Equal Opportunity Employer

5.1.15

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5.1.15

| 23

o Students in FLAH S’ Emergency Me dical Technician cla Photo submitted fourth and sixth on sses brought home the state written tea first, second, third m exam Feb. 28 at competition at Ce , the State Emergenc ntury Junior High y Medical Service School. Bringing ho ing 10th overall in s me the written sta the scenario portion te team title and pla were seniors Zach and Nick Peters wh cBoesel, Kallie Larso ile taking second pla n, Soren Peterson ce Alex Hurtley, Mich in team and 14th ov ael Wild and Austi er all we re seniors Danielle St n Kosobuski. Takin niors Paige Shephe ace, g third for team an rd, Alexandria Shea d 18th overall were , Alejandra Rivas place for team and seand Taylor Wahlgr 11th overall were en. Coming in fou seniors Liza Ande Devin Behrends; an rth rson, Marlee Humb d capturing the tea le, Karley Boleen m’s sixth place finis were seniors Kelby an d h and coming in 19 Wagner, Jake Wad th place overall dle, Adriona Spea Wild also took home rs and Katy Gould the individual writt ing. Senior Michae en test champions l hip.

Lakeshore Players’ production of “State Photo submitted Fair” lasts through Ma 4820 Stewart Ave. in y 17 at the theater at White Bear Lake. Tic kets are $18 to $23. Players.com or 651-4 Contact: Lakeshore29-5674.

Photo submitted Volunteer “Gatorade Janie” helped distribute refreshments in Scandia April 25 during the Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride.

Photo submittedd work in Hugo serve Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Net Jeff Loeks and crew helped the Hugo American the April 22 Hamburger Night at s. up 111 burger baskets at an ilie fam ir the l deployed soldiers and Legion, raising funds for loca

Photo submitted artment, presented a Spanish Minnesota Twins Diversity Dep the of ctor il 26. dire os, Ram uel Mig Hedlund at the LILA Gala Apr LILA Executive Director Cam “Twins Territory” banner to

The Warden’s House Museum kicked of its 74th season with tours April 25.

Photo submitted