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SECRET SANTA: Hugo VFW Commander leads double life Kris Kringle. PAGE 2

2015 Year in Review

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

In 2015, the city of Forest Lake embraced its artistic spirit while committing itself to community.

Locals rallied to support Officer Max Boukal when his position

Maxillofacial Surgery. Construction on the new Ycontinued, slated to be completed in 2016. While decades-old celebrations and traditions continued, many local residents expressed their individual spirit in daring, new creative ways that benefitted the community. The invasive emerald ash

was on the line, and expressed their disappointment when city council decided to terminate his position.Construction on new outlot buildings near the City Center is well underway, providing future housing for Keller Williams, Thrifty White Pharmacy and Maplewood Oral and

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borer was discovered in the county, threatening the health of the area’s ecosystem, and Washington County began a new initiative to halt human trafficking in its tracks. See pages 8-13 to read more about these and other highlights of the year that is nearly behind us.

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DECEMBER 25, 2015

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Santa Claus lives double life during holidays

BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR

By weekday, Rick Gwynn is commander of the VFW in White Bear Lake. By weekend, he goes by another name: Santa Claus.

His Santa gigs are mostly military, the Hugo resident doesn’t do malls, but the mission is the same: to bring joy to children.

“I get enjoyment out of seeing the expressions on the kids’ faces,” said Gwynn, who resides not in the North Pole but on the north end of Bald Eagle Lake.

Of course, he had to buy a fake belly after losing 50 pounds, but Santa Rick does a pretty good job convincing tykes he’s the real deal. The red velvet suit was “made with love” by his sister and he spent a few extra bucks, dollars not reindeer, to upgrade the white hair and beard.

The Navy veteran started playing Santa in 1975 while stationed on the USS Midway in Japan. Gwynn raised his hand when a request was made for volunteers to dress as Santa and hand out gifts to Navy dependents living in Yokuska, Japan, and two local orphanages.

“They let me keep the suit over the holidays so I went house to house handing out toys to families of Naval officers. I was hooked,” Gwynn said. “When I got out, I bought my own suit.”

Forty years later, Gwynn is still holding children, both naughty and nice on his lap to hear their wish list. And now, he has Mrs. Claus along to give moral support to toddlers who find Santa a little scary.

“It’s nice having Mrs. Claus here,” he said. “Some kids are afraid of Santa. I think it’s the beard and long hair. Mrs. Claus has a bubbly face and looks normal so little kids will sit on her lap. That’s fine. We want them to be happy.”

Gwynn, who was widowed in January of 2014 at 61, met Mrs. Claus, aka Carla Halverson, online. The site, ourtime.com, is for people 50 years and older.

“Here was this local gal with a pretty face who lived in White Bear Lake. We sent a few emails and met at Bear Town for taco night. We’ve been together ever since.”

The couple was recently engaged, making Mrs. Claus a Mrs. Gwynn and plan to marry April 9 at St. John in the Wilderness where Rick is a member.

Halverson quickly took to her new holiday persona, he said. She made a matching red dress and white shawl to go with the cap Gwynn’s sister made from leftover material.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Halverson said. “I wear sparkly rhinestone jewelry and red patent leather flats. I use very little makeup except for red lipstick. It takes Santa a lot longer to get dressed than it does me.”

Beneath Santa’s red suit is a leaner Gwynn who decided it was time to lose weight for health reasons. He followed a high protein, low carb regiment that resulted in a 40-pound weight loss in 18 weeks. He dropped another 10 on his own after the program ended and no longer requires medication for hypertension and diabetes.

So it’s a healthier Santa who takes requests, all gratis, from the Yellow Ribbon Network and other military connections. He’s been doing the New Brighton gig for four straight years. Toys are supplied by a volunteer group called Toys for Military Kids.

“They’re nice toys, too,” Gwynn said. This year the event was in memory of a local Marine killed in Iraq.

A Vietnam veteran, Gwynn moved to Hugo in 2000. He recently stepped down after serving eight years on the Planning Commission and is now fully retired after quitting his job driving a school bus in the Mahtomedi district. He had a 21-year career at Eastman Kodak until the company closed its doors in Minneapolis.

Gwynn and his late wife Diane did not have children of their own. When she died last year of breast cancer, he faced his first Christmas without her.

“Honestly if I didn’t have the Santa gigs, I don’t know if I would have gotten through the holidays,” he recalled. “I didn’t forget about her, but I had so much enjoyment with the children. It got my mind on something else.”

Gwynn said he takes the Santa role seriously. “I love kids. We have a lot of fun. They are concentrated on Santa and really act like themselves. Every time at least one of them ends up being my buddy.”

For the non-believers out there, Gwynn said he likes to remind people that we all need something in life that is make believe. “Why not have it be Santa Claus? he asked. “He makes you smile and he brings you something. You can pretend he’s real.”

DEBRA NEUTKENS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Above: Carla Halverson, aka Mrs. Claus, and Rick Gwynn at the White Bear Lake VFW. He is the club’s current commander.

Right: Santa and the Mrs. wait for children of military personnel in the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade next to a Huey helicopter at Holman Field. The elves show up later to help distribute toys to about 200 children.

JULIE MICHELLE PHOTOGRAPHY | SUBMITTED

Above: From the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion, Army Reserve in New Brighton.

DECEMBER 25, 2015

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Holiday Tea at the Historic Lowell Inn

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

It seems as if the water isn’t the only thing that is standing still in downtown Stillwater—during the holiday season, the town feels as if it has frozen in time. It offers historical tours, costumed carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and at the Historic Lowell Inn, transports guests decades into the past with its elegant four-course traditional tea service.

In the Victorian era, high tea was so much more than a paper bag of dried herbs suspended in hot water.

The term high tea is often used to describe afternoon tea, such as the Lowell Inn offers, but in the Victorian era meant tea served with dinner, at the high dining table. A smaller afternoon tea was served between lunch and dinner, which offered small dishes and desserts.

However, the Lowell Inn Holiday Tea is really suited to each customer’s taste. Each person can choose from a variety of teas, supplied

by Twin Cities-based Farmer Brothers. Owner Judy Anderson explained the details of the meal, which she says many couples, groups and families enjoy as a special occasion.

“There’s a whole box—lemon, orange, black, chai. And they can even choose more than one, if they want to sample something different,” Anderson said.

The fi rst course offers warm scones served with cinnamon-vanilla butter, followed by a cup of the signature Lowell Inn cream of mushroom soup—a dish that Anderson said has not changed since she fi rst started working there in the ‘60s. A third course consists of the chef’s choice of specially prepared canapés, followed by a choice from an assortment of mini-desserts, to end the meal on a sweet note. Anderson noted that the kitchen is very accommodating of dietary requirements, and can modify the menu to best suit the needs of guests.

Lowell Inn actually offers this tea service year round, but fi nds that it is most popular around the holidays, when the historic building is decked in festive holiday decorations.

“I think it really lends itself to the Christmas decorations,” Anderson said.

The teas take place in the George Washington room, but the inn sometimes becomes so busy that customers are placed in the Garden Room to handle the overflow.

Anderson said that the best window of time for the teas is after the lunch rush ends at 2 p.m., but some parties actually substitute the tea for lunch.

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER, PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Above: The spacious Garden Room, featuring an indoor fountain, serves as the setting for many of the afternoon teas.

Right: Catie Goodmanson, Nanc Goodmanson, Mary Veneman and Renee Veneman in the Garden Room.

Below: Anne Lewerer of Stillwater, Karen Sherburne of Woodbury Patti Dailey of Woodbury come together to enjoy a holiday tea on Dec. 19.

If You Go What: Victorian High Tea Where: Historic Lowell Inn, 102 North Second Street, Stillwater When: Saturdays in December Reservations are required; cost is $17 per person Phone: 651-439-1100 “There’s four courses, so it’s definitely enough to fi ll you up,” Anderson said.

Over the years, Anderson has noticed that the same groups tend to return year after year, dressing their best or even in costume to spend an afternoon dining like the elite of years gone by. The teas are popular with wedding parties, mother-daughter events and even just couple’s days out. The atmosphere inside the Lowell Inn is expansive and serene in its garlanded winter greenery—an ideal setting for a relaxed afternoon of conversation and light cuisine.

The Lowell Inn will soon be holding a four-course fondue dinner on New Years Eve, held in the Swissthemed Matterhorn Room. The dinner costs $40 per person and also requires an advance reservation.

Relatedly, the Oakdale Library will be hosting a “Downton Abbey”-themed tea on Jan. 2 to celebrate the kickoff of the fi nal season of the popular BBC program.

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DECEMBER 25 2015

Season of lights

T

his is the season I most enjoy my short commute home from the office because of all the homes that are sporting decorations. As we drove to Wild Mountain last weekend I thought about my days as publisher of the Sun and Country Messenger newspapers in Osceola, Wis. and Scandia, respectively. We did a lighting contest where local residents could enter their home and we would go out and take photos to publish in a special section of the paper. I remember it seemed we always went out on the most bitter and freezing nights to take the photos. David Denn always had the best decorated home in Marine on St. Croix. The Denn’s said they have been decorating their since they were married. They Publisher’s home have not counted how many lights they hang around their property, as View they thought if they did they might Carter Johnson stop decorating. I appreciate those of you who put up Christmas lights and other decorations. With no snow on the ground or ice on our lakes, it is fun to drive around and take in some of the best-decorated homes in our area. If your family has a lull between the morning madness and evening get-togethers, pile in the car, turn on some holiday music and check out the displays in and around our neighborhoods.

Breakfast Shapes Our 40-year-old Farberware griddle, a hand-medown from my in-laws, has been put to good use over the years. Since we had kids I have tried to make at least one meal a week, which is usually breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The kids used to love making exotic-shaped pancakes, and it was a challenge to come up with new and exciting creations. Now they don’t care so much about the shape, it’s more the consistency, texture and flavor that we are trying to perfect. One of our kids loves them thick fluffy and nearly cake-like; the other prefers a Swedish-style, thin with slightly crunchy edges. A few years ago we woke up early to clanging and the smell of something burning – I ran downstairs to fi nd our then 8 yearold daughter making pancakes on the griddle. As she excitedly watched us choke down undercooked pancakes loaded with syrup, we gave a lot of praise and a few suggestions. Today, many mornings she is the one making the pancakes with fresh-ground nutmeg, a pinch of cinnamon, a tablespoon of vanilla and a little sugar. I occasionally squeeze a little lime juice into the batter when she’s not looking. Not to be outdone, her younger brother is working on the perfect French toast.

The smell of bacon and cinnamon jogs memories of my childhood. At Grandma’s house, I remember the blender grinding away at the pancake mix and the smell of the hot pan as I walked in the kitchen with my one-piece footed pjs. She could float those pancakes and I loved the thin crispy edges, and it was a real treat if they included blueberries. If it was up to my dad we would be in the Hardee’s drive-thru ordering cinnamon rolls with and without raisins. I also loved it when my mom would deliver hot cocoa to our snow forts.

On Christmas morning, Amy makes monkey bread.

This sweet, gooey treat has become a tradition we look forward to having once a year- mostly because it is so loaded with fat and sugar that it shouldn’t be eaten more often than that. I am hopeful the smells and tastes of our family breakfasts will jog happy memories for our kids someday.

This week, create your own special holiday memories and traditions – whether they be food-related or not. Involve kids in preparing holiday meals, or making cookies for Santa. If it snows again, step your bare feet into it or go out and make a snow fort or snowman.

Encourage kids to play away from the edge of the streets were snowplows go by and remind them about falling icicles and playing on frozen lakes and ponds.

To all our readers, I wish you a Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!

Carter Johnson is publisher of Press Publications.

Heart attack on a plate? ’Tis the season…

I

t’s certainly the lump of coal among all the presents!

Research shows that the death rate from heart attack and stroke tends to spike around the holiday season. The numbers include both fatal and non-fatal heart attacks, as well as a less serious, alcohol-induced condition called “holiday heart syndrome” that causes the heart to beat irregularly.

Movers and Holidays aren’t so joyful Shakers for the heart: Dr. Kurt Belk One study from the University of California-San Diego shows cardiac deaths rise nearly 5% on Dec 25, Dec. 26, and Jan. 1. That’s an estimated 2,000 extra deaths annually. What’s even more surprising about the research is the role of food, particularly overeating and heavy meals during the holidays. It is the top trigger, more dangerous than emotional stress, colder weather, changes in routines and skipping out on regular exercise.

The science of how overeating affects your heart: You have to consider the science. When you eat a lot of food at once, your stomach expands with your digestive system requiring more blood.

If you have coronary heart disease or are at risk for it,

overeating (a big Christmas dinner can top 5,000 calories) can have serious consequences.

Triglycerides—a type of fat in the blood after a large meal— can cause coronary artery inflammation, commonly a prelude to a heart attack. Large amounts of food and alcohol can also cause the release of adrenaline-like substances that can cause a fatal abnormal heart rhythm.

Binge drinking during the holidays is also dangerous for the heart. When you drink in excess, alcohol can weaken the heart muscle and put you at greater risk for arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation.

Heart attack symptoms: Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack and getting immediate medical treatment is vital. One-third of people suffering a heart attack die before getting to the hospital.

Here are the top signs of a heart attack, though these may vary between men and women and patient by patient.

• Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back • Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain • Shortness of breath • Cold sweat • Fatigue • Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness A healthier (heart) holiday: Planning is your best weapon against overeating

Kurt Belk is ER physician and medical director of The Urgency Room in Vadnais Heights.

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during the holidays. Here are a few simple tips to help you and most of all, your heart: • SNACK. Don’t go to a holiday party or sit down for a holiday meal famished. Eat a high-protein snack beforehand.

Try peanuts or a couple slices of cheese to take the edge of your hunger.

• MAKE CAREFUL CHOICES. Watch what you eat. Did you know traditional eggnog is high in cholesterol, fat (20 grams) and calories (400)? It’s like eating two glazed doughnuts. Even green bean salad can be a top offender!

Factor in the fried onion topping, butter, and cream, and you’ve got a dish with more than 750 calories per batch and more than 4,000 milligrams of sodium. That’s twice the daily limit recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

• EXERCISE. Keep up with your regular exercise routines and consider increasing your schedule to burn off some of the extra holiday calories. Another walk around the block can go a long way in terms of protecting your heart during the holidays Certainly we all love the delicious dishes and treats that come with holiday celebrations. The key is to enjoy in moderation, don’t over-indulge. Your heart will certainly be thankful that you did.

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UP NORTH TOUR OF WILDLIFE SCIENCE CENTER

When: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays, including Dec. 26 Where: Wildlife Science Center, 5463 West Broadway Ave., Columbus Details: One hour tours every Saturday, rain or shine, no reservation needed. $8/ adults; $6/children 4-12; 3 and under free.

Contact: 651-464-3993 or wildlifesciencecenter. org

FAMILY STORYTIME

When: 10:30-11 a.m.

Saturdays (including Dec. 26) Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake Details: For children ages 2 and up and their families. Stories, songs and fingerplays.

Contact: 651-275-7300

SUPER STORYTIME

When: 10:30- 11:15 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake Details: A craft or other activity expands Preschool Storytime into Super Storytime! Stories, songs, fi nger plays, and more to encourage the development of early literacy skills.

For children preschool through kindergarten age and their caregivers.

Siblings welcome.

Contact: 651-275-7300

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a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays (including Dec. 30 and 31) Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake Details: Children preschool through kindergarten age and caregivers hear stories, sing songs, and watch finger plays to encourage early literacy skills.

Contact: 651-275-7300

Where: Hallberg Center for the Arts, 5521 East Viking Blvd., Wyoming Details: Art show features 52 paintings that reflect the artist’s 55 years as an artist, painter, and teacher in Roseville.

Contact: (651) 462-5023 or wyomingcreativearts. org

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE - FOREST LAKE

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE - STILLWATER

When and Where: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2 at Forest Lake Senior Center, 767 4th St. SW; 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 11 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1250 South Shore Dr., 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan 14 at VFW Post 4210, 556 12th St. SW, Forest Lake.

Details: All blood types needed; see website for more information and to make an appointment.

Contact: 800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood. org

ADVICE FOR YOUR DEVICE

When: 7-8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 7 Where: Wyoming Area Geise Memorial Library, 26855 Forest Blvd., Wyoming Details: Learn how to download library eBooks or eAudiobooks on a smartphone, tablet or eReader. Ages 12+.

Registration required.

Contact: 651-462-9001

SENIOR DANCE

When: 1-4 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 15 Where: Forest Lake NEW YEAR’S EVE American Legion, 355 W. GLOW SKATE Broadway When: 7-8:30 p.m.

Details: Enjoy mature Thursday, Dec. 31 Where: St. Croix Valley music and comaraderie at the dance, held the 3rd Rec Center Blizzard Friday of every month. rink, 1675 Market Dr., $6/person includes Stillwater lunch. Cash bar. Public Details: Wear shiny, welcome. sparkling and glowing Contact: 651-464-2600 outfits to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the ice rink. $5/skater.

MERLEN CLERCZ, Contact: PAINTING stcroixreccenter.com RETROSPECTIVE When: 4-8 p.m.

Fridays; noon-4 p.m.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME Saturdays, through Jan. 16 When: 10:30-11

DECEMBER 25, 2015

OUT EAST When and Where: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26 at Kowalski’s, 5801 Neal Ave. N., Oak Park Heights; 1-7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 7 at Community Thread, 2300 Orleans St. W. Details: All blood types needed; see website for more information and to make an appointment.

Contact: 800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood. org

FILE | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Snowshoe lessons

FAMILY COLORING CLUB

When: 3-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 30 Where: Stillwater Library, storytime room, Details: Coloring tools and pages appropriate for children and parents/caregivers provided.

Contact: stillwaterlibrary.org

ST. CROIX VALLEY KIDS ART CLUB

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1; Tuesday, Jan. 6; Thursday, Jan. 8 Where: ArtReach St. Croix, 224 N. 4th St., Stillwater Details: Friday night art club for kids led

by April Mehls and Deb Chial explores watercolors, pastels, basic drawing, rock painting and more. $28 per class includes pizza and snack. $12 supply fee.

Contact: 651-497-5877 or artreachstcroix.org

TEEN BOOK CLUB

When: 4-5 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 4 Where: Stillwater Library, conference

WHEN:

1-2:15 p.m. and 2:303:45 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 10-Feb. 21.

Weather permitting

WHERE:

Lake Elmo Park

room, Details: For teens in grades 7-9. Bring a recently-read book and see what others are reading. Also activities and games. Pre-register.

Contact: stillwaterlibrary.org

WOMEN’S BUSINESS BRIDGE

When: 7:30-9 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 8 Where: Mallards at Bayport Marina, 101 5th Ave. S., Bayport Details: Chambersponsored event for local women in business to connect and network.

Contact: wbbconnect. com

ANNUAL VICTORIAN TEA

When: Noon-2 p.m.

Reserve, 1515 Keats Ave. N

DETAILS:

Lesson includes a one mile hike led by a naturalist. Participants must be 9 or older and

Sunday, Jan. 10 Where: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 W. Pine St., Stillwater Details: Program is ‘Old, New, Borrowed, Blue-Victorian Weddings’ led by the Minnesota Historical Society. Event includes music, holiday decorations, beautifullyset tables, finger sandwiches, scones, desserts and tea. Tickets must be purchased in advance, $40.

Contact: 651-275-7075

LEARNING TABLE LUNCHEON

When: 11:30-1:30 Wednesday, Jan. 13 Where: Pub 112, 112 Main St. N., Stillwater Details: Networking

accompanied by an adult. Pre-register, $5 includes equipment rental.

CONTACT:

651-430-8370

lunch event for community leaders to share successes.

Jan. event includes a panel of Stillwater restauranteurs who will share challenges and successes.

Contact: greater stillwaterchamber.com

MAD LAB WITH THE TEXTILE CENTER

When: 1-3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan 16 Where: Stillwater Library, storytime room, Details: Design and create an monster stuffed animal by drawing with dye transfer crayons and sewing, stuffi ng and embellishing. Ages 5-10; registration required.

Contact: stillwaterlibrary.org

NEIGHBORHOODS NEARBY ‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

When: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 26; 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 27 Where: Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington St., St. Croix Falls Details: Performance of the traditional Dicken’s classic. $26/ adult, $13.50 youth ages 5-25.

Contact: festival theatre.org

Dec. 27 Where: Shoreview Library, 4570 N. Victoria St. Details: Beginner and intermediate level chess players can learn to play or improve their game.

All ages. First-come, fi rst-served.

Contact: 651-724-6006 or rclreads.org

Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes Details: One day camp for kids in grades 3-6 includes cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kicksledding winter games and more. Preregistration required; $25/person.

Contact: 651-429-8007 or anokacounty.us

WINTER RECREATION CAMP

‘A 1940’S RADIO CHRISTMAS CAROL’

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28 Where: Wargo Nature When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday,

OPEN CHESS

When: 6 p.m.-1 a.m.

Thursday, Dec. 31; 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2;

and noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3 Where: St. Croix Off-Broadway Dinner Theatre, 1616 Crest View Drive, Hudson Details: A 1940’s-era “contemporary” take on Dicken’s ‘A Christmas Carol’. Dinner prior to performance. $62/person; $30/kids ages 6-12.

Contact: 715-386-2394 ext. 333

FAMILY NEW YEARS EVE PARTY When: 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 31 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N. Details: Games, crafts, facepainting, and light and music show at Tropics Indoor Waterpark.Ring in the New Year with a balloon drop at 7:45 p.m. $10 youth; $8 adults.

Register by Dec. 30.

Contact: 651-490-4700 or shoreviewcommunity center.com

NOON YEAR’S EVE DANCE PARTY

When: 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Dec. 31 Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Circle, Circle Pines Details: Preschool age children can dance the noon away at the library.

Sing songs, read stories, and share a kid-friendly toast.

Contact: 763-717-3294 or anoka.lib.mn.us

2015

DECEMBER 25, 2015

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MARCH CONTINUED FOREST LAKE A local funeral home is among the first in the state to offer the option of home DNA storage to families of the deceased.

Last month Roberts Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Forest Lake began offering DNA collection services through Canadian company DNA Memorial, a division of CG Labs Inc. that caters to funeral homes. Clients can easily store DNA at room temperature indefinitely at home alongside other family documentation in a safe-deposit box or file cabinet. Other technologies require less cost-effective and accessible cryogenic conditions.

“No one else in the world at this point has room-temperature storage, so this is a very big biotechnological breakthrough,” said Brad Marsh, DNA Memorial’s brand manager.

Roberts Managing Partner Kelly Roberts said he believes it’s a funeral home’s responsibility to help preserve genetic records, since cremation destroys DNA and disinterment can be costly. Once DNA is analyzed, medical doctors can suggest preventative measures to lower the risk of hereditary diseases like Lou Gehrig’s disease. The service is also relevant to those in dangerous professions, he said; when there are few remains after death, a scientist can sometimes match them to genetic records. DNA also helps to trace ancestry, which can be helpful for adoptees.

FOREST LAKE The city approved a planned unit development for a 11,000-square-foot commercial outbuilding in front of City Center, slated to house Thrifty White Pharmacy and Maplewood Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

The two businesses will vacate their present Forest Lake locations to move to the development known as City Commons.

Keller Williams was announced as a third tenant, while a second 8,000-square-foot office building is slated to be added to the complex. Both buildings are slated to open in early 2016.

An early draft of what the outlot buildings might look like upon completion.

MARINE ON ST. CROIX To their shock last September, the former Linwood residents Joe and Rhonda Meath won Minnesota’s $11.7 million Hot Lotto jackpot. Since then they’ve picked up a few other fun things (a motor home, new towels, patio furniture, a German shepherd puppy), left sizable tips for good service, hired financial experts for investments, left their Linwood place for a Marine on St. Croix mansion and starred in an HGTV show about home-shopping lottery winners. A trip to Alaska is next, perhaps followed by jaunts to Hawaii and Disney and maybe a cruise.

That said, it’s clear from talking to Rhonda, 52, that she hasn’t changed her basic values.

The 1981 White Bear Lake Area High School grad still holds her long-term job as a server at Lake Elmo Inn, she and Joe still debate every purchase and she still loves a bargain as much as the next person.

Meath said the lottery has thus far resulted in no hidden downsides, no obnoxious friends or family members asking for handouts, no whack-os coming out of the woodwork. The only real annoyance to date: their name was used for an apparently fruitless email scam.

“We’re the same people — we just have a bigger house,” she said. “We don’t treat anybody differently. We still have the same core friends.

We were worried people would change around us, but we can’t control that if they do.”

APRIL HUGO A fugitive on Ramsey County’s Most Wanted list was apprehended in Twin Pines Mobile Home park around 6:30 a.m.

April 9. Washington County’s SWAT team joined Ramsey County, Washington County and federal law enforcement officers at the park after receiving credible information that Michael James Hardy, 43, was inside a home in the area of 15057 Forest Blvd. N. Hardy has two active warrants for his arrest; one was for a federal probation violation out of the Department of Corrections and the second was for first-degree controlled substance with a weapon out of Ramsey County. Washington County Sgt. Wayne Johnson said he’s known Hardy for a long time. “I chased him around a lot back when I was a young Lake Elmo deputy. I was the investigator when he did the Wolf Den firearms burglary. He got 15 years in federal prison for that. He gets out in August and screws up again. This time he got caught selling meth in Maplewood with a firearm. So he has the Ramsey charge and the federal boys revoke his probation. We’ve been looking for him for about five weeks.”

STILLWATER Local Stillwater personality Scott Zahren passed away unexpectedly on April 1. The Stillwater community was heartbroken by the loss of such a beloved and well-known figure in the town. He was the executive director of local nonprofit Hope House and owned downtown art store Alesci Gallery for several years. But he may have been better known for his energetic involvement in area events and causes. Among his roles were board positions with the Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce, the city’s Heritage Preservation Commission and the Red Ribbon Ride (a bike ride for HIV/AIDS agencies). Several years ago he co-founded “Cruisin’ on the Croix,” the weekly hot rod and vintage car show that’s now a tradition in downtown Stillwater every summer. His obit reports he was also instrumental in founding the Stillwater Car Show.

“I’m more of a big-picture person than a detail person,” he told the Lowdown in a 2011 feature.

“I’ve learned to pretty much let things happen, but I want to see things move along. I’m impatient with the decision-making process.

Let’s get it done.”He told the Lowdown he didn’t see himself retiring, ever.

For all his love of art, he said he had little artistic ability himself. His talents clearly ran more toward promoting the achievements of others.

“I’ve been doing stuff like this all my life and I just get a kick out of it,” he said. “ I have fun doing it, and it’s kind of anticlimactic when events are over with.”

In a May 19 Stillwater City Council meeting, the month of May was declared as Scott Zahren month.

THE LOWDOWN

42 Years

FOREST LAKE Carney Insurance Services was thrilled to announced their move in April, when they purchased space at a new location.

The business is now located at 944 Lake Street S in Forest Lake. Carney Insurance Services is one office in the Atlas Insurance Brokers chain, spread throughout Minnesota with a couple of offices in Arizona.

MAY STILLWATER

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41 Years

The Washington County Historical Society agreed to buy the Boutwell home in Stillwater last week for $600,000, with plans to renovate the 19th-century structure and add it to the National Register FLOORING & BLINDS of Historic Places. Society Executive www.thomcocarpet.com Director Brent Peterson said the group Forest Lake (next to Pizza Hut) is taking out a loan for the building and hopes to raise $300,000 to $400,000 in further renovation costs.

“This is the mission of the WCHS,” noted 40 Years its board chairman David Lindsay. “If we cannot save one of the most historically significant sites in the county, why are we here?”

21438 Forest Blvd. N The pioneer home of Rev. William T. Boutwell on Boutwell Road dates to 1870.

Forest Lake Earlier this spring it was nearly demolished before Nicole Curtis of HGTV’s “Rehab Addicts,” stepped in front of the backhoe and paid off the demolition crew to stop. After that, negotiations between the owners and Curtis stalled before the 36 38 Years Years WCHS stepped in.

Boutwell was an early pioneer in what would later become Minnesota. He’s known for discovering the source of the Mississippi River, Lake Itasca, with Chippewa Agent Henry Schoolcraft in 1832.

He was also the first minister to hold a worship service in what is now Stillwater.

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FOREST LAKE Looks like the Forest Lake School District is keeping its pool.

In March, the pool’s fate seemed debatable after the city rejected district plans for an expanded YMCA pool, and plans for a Nov. 3 bond question didn’t address pool needs at all.

Finance Director Larry Martini came to the rescue at the May 7 board meeting with a plan to keep both the district pool and bond questions as they are.

He and his financial staff crunched numbers and moved around plans to allow for the 30-year-old pool to stay if the bond passes as-is.

“You won’t have to truck in sand to fill in the pool,” Martini said.

Martini said the district could modify plans for $7.9 million in heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades to include funding to heat the pool. Based on square footage, the pool would represent around 10 percent of that funding. The filtration system is working fine, so any upgrade costs would occur down the road.

STILLWATER Dana Erickson of Thrivent Financial, a 1989 SAHS grad (maiden name Olson) was named Business Woman of the Year May 20 by local nonprofit the Stillwater Women’s Business Bridge. The Lowdown got the scoop on her life and career. She has worked at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater as director of senior high youth, after attending UW-River Falls for a degree in accounting/business administration. After graduating she was introduced to the financial services industry and started in 1998 with Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent Financial).

STILLWATER Nonprofit director and community organizer Scott Zahren is remembered for his influential role in the Stillwater community.

9

Stillwater native and “Mad Men” actor Rich Sommer socialized with locals from his hometown at a ‘60s-themed event at the Lowell Inn. Back in the day at Stillwater High School, most of the 600-student class of 1996 probably at least knew of Rich Sommer.

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28 Years

MAY CONTINUED 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,” which capped its series last May. 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. Peterson’s not sure what’s next on his friend’s professional agenda, but said he’s handled fame in “a very grounded, level-headed 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.”

DECEMBER 25, 2015

JULY

FOREST LAKE It features a lovable green ogre, it’s filled with catchy songs and its central message is about accepting differences in others.

With 66 cast members ranging from age 5 to 60, up to 20 orchestra members, some 180 costumes and a budget of $23,000, Masquers Theatre’s upcoming “Shrek The Musical” is also its biggest and most expensive undertaking ever. The extravaganza of fairy tale fun was set to debut July 9 at FLAHS. “Casting the show was very hard because we had over 90 people audition,” noted Director Rachel Lexvold, a Forest Lakebased veteran of several past Masquers’ productions. “I’m just blown away by the talent of these people. Sometimes you have really good leads and the chorus is OK, but this cast is just so strong across the board it’s amazing. The chorus is all fairy tale creatures with their own fun characters, and everyone has a solo and a line in the show.”

28 Years Masquers put on their biggest production ever with “Shrek: The Musical” this summer.

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18 Years Years 19

STILLWATER Former Forest Lake Schools social worker Sara Meslow founded Camp Odayin for children who have had heart complications after coping with heart issues herself. Youth whose hearts are less than perfect can feel perfectly normal at this camp. Its administrative offices are in Stillwater while the camping locations themselves are in Crosslake and West St. Paul as well as Amery, Wis. Named for the Ojibwe word for “heart,” Camp Odayin offers residential, day, family, and winter camp programs for children with heart disease. Its founder knows firsthand what the kids and their families are going through.

“This is a place where they feel accepted because they might be a little bit different, they might have some scars,” said camp Executive Director Sara Meslow.

“This is something they get to do because they have heart disease, it’s not something they can’t do. It’s a place where these kids belong — they get to be part of our ‘heart family,’ as we call it.”

Century Junior High Principal Ben Lewis retired at the end of this school year after 16 years in the same role. The Lowdown caught up with him to hear his parting thoughts about his career. The Wisconsin native, who holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and education, previously taught ninth-grade physical science in the Anoka-Hennepin District and at Blaine High School. He was assistant principal at Centennial Middle School before joining Century 16 years ago. He said that the most rewarding part about his career in education was “working with kids and helping them learn and grow up. As an administrator I will treasure the times working with teachers instituting new programs to help kids.”

MARINE ON ST. CROIX Whether or not you’ve heard of Marine resident Shane Coen, you’re probably familiar with his work.

The landscape architect’s firm, Coen + Partners, designed Jackson Meadow in Marine, the cluster of homes surrounded by sweeping prairie. It also planned the area surrounding the Minneapolis Central Library, integrating diverse elements, natural and manufactured, into a connected whole.

Based on these projects and others — local, national and international — the Minneapolis-based firm has earned this year’s National Design Award for landscape architecture from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Worldwide there is just one more significant honor, the international Pritzker Architecture Prize.

The accolade is based on Coen + Partners’ entire body of work and its potential to create awareness of and expand ideas about design and landscape architecture.

JULY

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For the fourth consecutive year, Special Olympics Minnesota’s summer games came back the valley when Stillwater Area High School hosted the statewide event.

FOREST LAKE Invasive species zebra mussels were discovered in Forest Lake July 2 during routine lake inspections, the MnDNR confirmed.

The number and distribution indicate a population is likely established and natural reproduction is occurring in Forest Lake, such that treatment would not be effective and is not planned.

Forest Lake is the third Minnesota lake with a newly discovered zebra mussel population this year.

MARINE ON ST. CROIX Cheryl and Gordon Arcand weren’t struck by inspiration the instant they found out Marine’s General Store was for sale. But eventually, the couple decided to buy it. Additions and improvements are in the works. Initially, the couple planned to add public restrooms to the building, but power outages caused by storm damage during the ownership transition changed their priorities.

“The first week we were open the power went out twice,” noted Gordon Arcand.

“By the end of the week we’d been out for 17 hours, so we lost product and had to make an insurance claim. That’s a big step backwards and our finances will be tied up with insurance for awhile.”

Now, a generator tops their list of improvements, which would keep essentials like coolers and the cash register running when the electricity fails.

In his first few weeks as head buyer, Gordon added organic produce, whole food cereals and other breakfast fare to the aisles. He’s also trying out natural body-care products such as fluoride-free toothpaste. Though the store is small, the couple has identified a few opportunities for expansion. They’re hoping to extend the deli’s product line and to include wholesale and custom cake decorating through the bakery.

STILLWATER Back at Stillwater High, fellow students probably didn’t associate soccer jock Frankie Peterson with music.

That’s likely to change now that their classmate (now known as Frankie Lee) signed a worldwide contract with British independent record label Loose Music.

He performed for Log Jam on Friday, July 17 at Lowell Park before he got started on the next big phase of his career — a new record release and a planned promotional tour. The announcement was so new during a July 9 interview the blues and alt country singer hadn’t been apprised of all details. The signing isn’t likely to make him wildly rich, he said, but does fulfill one of his dreams: bringing his music to a wider audience.

LA POINTE, WIS. Life back in Forest Lake wasn’t always a cakewalk for Regina M. LaRoche, but she overcame adversity to find her groove excelling in the arts.

Since graduating from FLAHS in 1980, LaRoche has become a professional storyteller, actress, vocalist, dancer and spiritual leader who uses her skills to address social issues. This spring, the performer was inducted into the 2015 Forest Lake Arts and Athletics Hall of Fame.

“My peers voted me ‘most likely to succeed,’” remembered Laroche, 53. “I smile at how my assessment of success has changed.”

For the past 15 years LaRoche and her family have lived on Madeline Island in Wisconsin, where they’re trying to establish a retreat center that combines spiritual, agricultural and environmental elements. As part of their philosophy on sustainable living, they live in a home without running water, heat with wood and grow as much of their own food as possible.

2015

DECEMBER 25, 2015

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17 Years

JULY CONTINUED FOREST LAKE Brad Madison’s 6-year-old son thinks dancing is for girls.

That’s something of a kick for the 37-yearold Chisago Lakes native, who has spent the past 19 years as a professional dancer on Broadway, in England and Germany and throughout the U.S. in touring productions. One of his most high-profile gigs? Appearing in the first Broadway production of “Footloose.”

Fortuitously, the longtime athlete took up dance on a whim at age 15. Now he’s back in his hometown running his own photography business, teaching kids’ classes at Dance Tech in Forest Lake and raising two young children with his wife, another professional dancer.

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Todd Streeter stepped down as executive director of the Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber board is searching for a new director while also filling the role of a marketing/ sales/communications manager. All scheduled chamber activities will proceed as planned. “The board will take this to be an opportunity to revitalize the chamber,” read a press release. Streeter joined the chamber in 2011 after four months in an interim role.

12 Years

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FOREST LAKE By quietly practicing at the local VFW, a former Ranger softball standout has “staked out” a world title in her field.

Forest Lake resident Helen Hawkinson-Mike, 50, recently retired as a local softball pitcher to pitch horseshoes competitively. After only three years in the sport, she managed last month to bring home the title in her division at the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Horseshoe Tournament in Topeka, Kansas. She won 14 of 15 games and bested 15 opponents, starting with a ringer percentage average of 29.25 (out of 40 throws) and ending with an average 34.17.

MARINE ON ST. CROIX A needle carved from bone, a bead of rolled copper, stones sharpened into points and decorated shards of pottery.

That’s a partial list of items found during a four-week archaeological field session near the St. Croix Watershed Research Station in June and early July.

10 Years 95 years

Stillwater sisters’ homemade dough proves popular.

The University of Minnesota class was led by Ed Fleming, curator of archaeology at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Fleming has been excavating remains of an Oneota village in the St. Croix Valley since 2013.

The area known as the Sheffield site, which sits near the St. Croix River in May Township, is the only known Oneota village in the area. Evidence of the culture is typically found more abundantly in southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin and Iowa.

Fleming trained the students — six undergraduates and one grad student — in excavation at the site for three weeks.

In one find, the crew meticulously unearthed what was likely a 700-year-old fire pit.

STILLWATER Becky Biederman of Stillwater and her sister Beth Aarness might be soon be rolling in the dough—literally.

The sisters opened their frozen certified-organic pizza dough business True Dough three years ago. Revenues doubled between 2013 and 2014, with the seven-variety product line now sold out of 70 stores in six states.

That growth has somewhat stunned the owners, who started selling at farmers markets on a lark after being dissatisfied with the additives in other frozen doughs on the market.

“We didn’t ever think we’d become this big,” noted Biederman, 38 Even though we’re still really small, it feels big to us.”

SEPTEMBER FOREST LAKE Forest Lake hosted some of the best speedboat competitors in the U.S. on Sept.

12-13, drawing 5,000 spectators to Lakeside Park. The Fifth Annual Ron Baker Senior Memorial Regatta, a national competition organized by the Twin City Power Boat Association and sponsored by local businesses, started at noon each day, rain or shine. The final races culminated with the crowning of American Power Boat Association national champions in two of seven classes (Formula 150 and Modified Unlimited) which range from novice to best-of-the-professionals. Some $6,000 in prize money was at stake.

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STILLWATER Emily St. John Mandel, the award-winning author responsible for the dystopian novel “Station 11,” spoke on Oct. 12 at the Stillwater Public Library. The novel is being made into a movie and miniseries by producer and former Stillwater resident Scott Steindorff; it begins filming in March 2016.”Everyone should read ‘Station 11,” he told the Lowdown. “It’s one of the best books of our time.”

This shard of pottery is one of several items that were discovered at a dig site in Marine on St. Croix.

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12 THE LOWDOWN

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SEPTEMBER CONTINUED WYOMING Thanks to a $695,000 grant from the state’s Job Creation Fund, Polaris Industries Inc. planned a $5.78 million expansion of its research and development facility in Wyoming that will add 90 jobs. The jobs are expected to pay an average of $36.02 per hour, according to a press release.

NEW YORK NEW YORK SAHS grad and professional Brendan Kane has spent the last year at his dream job.Since last fall, the 33-year-old double bass virtuoso has been a staff musician with one of the world’s most skilled and best-known orchestras — the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, known commonly as The Met. Joining North America’s largest classical music organization was a dream come true that will be hard to top, Kane said in an interview last month. The former Pony beat out about 100 other highly skilled contenders to snag the coveted six-figure position.

OCTOBER WASHINGTON COUNTY Washington County underwent an emergency quarantine for the emerald ash borer since the Minnesota Department of Agriculture found an adult insect and nearby tree tunneling at the St. Croix Rest Area on I-94. The quarantine limits the movement of items that may be infested with EAB, including ash trees, ash tree limbs and all hardwood firewood.

STILLWATER The city of Stillwater officially opened a new fire station 1t 250 Maryknoll Drive North.

DECEMBER 25, 2015

HUGO A complaint from nearby residents led Washington County deputies to what patrol Sgt. Wayne Johnson described as “ditch weed.”

It all started when homeowners on Green Avenue noticed teenagers parking on their street, then running in and out of the trees lining Oneka Boulevard. When deputies checked it out, they discovered hundreds of unattended pot plants. The weed was growing wild on private property along the road and would easily have gone unnoticed if not for observant neighbors.

Johnson and members of the narcotics unit proceeded to pull more than 300 plants one day in early October and about 130 the next.

OSCEOLA, WISCONSIN In its first year as an official nonprofit organization, Wheels and Wings has had to deal with a very hot topic: charging admission.

Still, many think $8 to $10 is a reasonable price for the popular annual festival, which featured some 800 classic cars, many classic motorcycles and an extensive airshow.

“We set out to ensure admission will be as modest as possible,” noted Bob Wolf, the new nonprofit’s president.“One of the very first things we did was create a mission and goals. It was easy for us to choose to continue an event that attracts visitors to Osceola, raises awareness of aviation and automobiles, and raises funds for the community.”

New this year were displays of motorcycles in the “wheels” portion and a memorial skydiving event featuring 25 skydivers in the “wings” portion.

The memorial points to a tragedy at the airport 24 years ago when two small planes collided and fell on a Sunday in early February. Seven died, including five members of the St. Croix Valley Skydivers Club. One, Jon Quist, was from Osceola. The reason for the crash never became clear.

STILLWATER A dozen motivated parents and football coach Beau LaBore founded the registered nonprofit the Touchdown Club in 2012 as a way to counter statewide budget cuts for extracurricular activities — and to reboot pride in the long, accomplished history of Pony football. Since then the club has spent some $75,000 on equipment, financed several other improvements, built an elaborate new website detailing program history and news and held several commemorative events.

FOREST LAKE During Ron Moore’s adventures as a traveling engineer, he’s met the natives of some 60 countries.

None have touched him as much as the people he met in Haiti, now considered the world’s poorest country. These days he’s spending what might normally be retirement years trying to improve Haitian lives through his nonprofit Haitian Advanced Learning Opportunities, or HALO. But the longtime Forest Lake resident, 72, wants more than just a Band-aid solution. The engineering firm owner envisions Halo as a way to employ 350 Haitians throughout the country in the next 10 years via a self-sustaining publishing company that will distribute educational and spiritual books in the most common native language, Creole. Such books are sorely needed by those trying to improve themselves in the country still devastated by the effects of the massive 2010 earthquake, he noted. These days Haiti faces a 55 percent illiteracy rate and 79 percent unemployment.

“I’ve traveled all over the world, but never in my life seen anyplace like Haiti,” he explained.

“I’ve spent years studying and trying to figure out what the answer is. Education is just a small step in the right direction… this gives them jobs.

We want to give them security.”

Various stages of invasive emerald ash borer.

STILLWATER The second annual Feed the Valley Cook’s Challenge, a “Chopped”-style cooking competition modeled after the popular Food Network show, took place Friday, Oct. 23 at the Grand Banquet Hall in Stillwater, hosted once again by KSTP Evening Chief Meteorologist Dave Dahl. Proceeds benefitted Valley Outreach.

“Last year we had such a great response, people loved the event,” said event coordinator Kristin Kroll. “It’s super high-energy. They loved the entertainment piece of the cooking.”

The live competition features culinary arts students from Hennepin Technical College, tasked with creating a dish from mystery ingredients that pleases the judges — with 200 sets of eyes watching. Some are young students looking for the right vocation, while others are more seasoned cooks embarking on a second career, Kroll said. Three teams of two students competed.

They had have no idea what the ingredients will be until the competition began.

FOREST LAKE A new women’s clothing boutique opened in Forest Lake in October.

Opening a franchise of the Apple Valley-based Mainstream Boutique is Inver Grove Heights resident Kellee Nightengale, who most recently worked in sales and event management for the beauty industry.

“I’ll carry unique merchandise you’re not going to find in chain stores,” she said of her product mix, which includes both accessories and clothing (sizes small through XL). “I’d say it’s going to be more fun — merchandise you can wear to all kinds of different things. It’s more fashionista type.”

The 48-year-old entrepreneur said the 2,400-square-foot store will be one of the largest franchises in the state, partly because she saw the new space next to Starbucks at 2009 W. Broadway Ave. as ideal. Market research conducted with the franchisor recognized area demand for more women’s clothing vendors, she said. The store marks her first self-owned business.

TWO HARBORS 62-year-old Lori Mildon of Stillwater was rescued by county officials during a hike in Two Harbors Oct. 6 after she dislocated her hip and was unable to walk. The rescue was somewhat complex because Mildon was stranded in a rocky area.

COLUMBUS For the last couple of years, Running Aces Casino & Racetrack has been reinventing itself.

Sure, the privately owned casino still caters to the adults who enjoy the gaming element. The card room remains by far the greatest revenue-producer for the business (biggest jackpot last year: $226,000).

But President/CEO Taro Ito explained owners are trying to re-brand it as an entertainment center for customers of all ages as it starts an uphill trajectory from its tough start during the recession. In the past 11 months, it’s seen double-digit sales growth — a pattern he expects to continue in 2016.

Nowadays, its live harness racing is being touted as a family attraction. A successful outdoor concert last summer (Blues Traveler) has spurred a new series of four undisclosed concerts for next year. And the installation of a catch-it-yourself trout pond and eatery featuring fresh, original-recipe trout dishes is drawing patrons nostalgic for the Trout Air restaurant and concert venue that occupied the site from the mid 60s through the 90s.

On-site entertainment options like 5Ks, car shows, comedy shows, arts and crafts fairs, trivia nights and the Nightmare Hallow-Scream attraction are becoming routine, and some parts of the facility can be rented for special events. It’s all smoke-free, and most is family friendly.

“I think the original owners (saw Running Aces) as a Las Vegas destination, a high-end, kind of classier destination,” explained Ito. “What it needs to be is a local entertainment option for the North Metro. People look at I-694 as the demarcation line … we really should be the (entertainment) hub.”

2015

DECEMBER 25, 2015

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OCTOBER CONTINUED FOREST LAKE To help online buyers and sellers, the Forest Lake Police Department established an official Swap Spot, located in front and in the lobby of the Forest Lake City Center. Detective Ashley LaValle is the came up with the idea to establish a public space for exchanges after noticing similar locations at the Anoka and Hennepin County sheriff ’s offices, as well as the Lino Lakes Police Department. The sign in the City Center parking lot was erected in late October, although some locals had been using the area as a meeting place even before then, according to Officer Matt Smith.

NOVEMBER STILLWATER Washington County is battling the human trafficking trade with a new approach: by sharing information between several state departments, the process of uncovering illegal operations, bringing perpetrators to justice and providing assistance to the survivors will be more efficient than ever before.

Spearheaded by Orput, this initiative will unite attorneys, law enforcement and social services to simultaneously handle cases from different angles.

Orput joined a large panel of speakers including Sheriff Hutton, CEO of Tubman Family Crisis & Support Service Jennifer Polzin, Public Health and Environment Director Lowell Johnson and numerous others on Nov. 18 to announce the details.

DECEMBER FOREST LAKE Despite numerous protests from Forest Lake citizens, the city council voted to cut on costs by eliminating an officer from the police department.

Three out of four City Council members voted to remove Officer Max Boukal from the Forest Lake Police Department at a Dec. 7 budget hearing. Boukal, whose salary and benefits total a net worth of $90,000, has worked for the FLPD for two years, and will remain on the force until the end of December. The city plans to allocate this money for other city needs, such as road seal coating.

Arcola Mills is bing researched for evidence of an artist colony that may have resided there.

MARINE ON ST. CROIX Arcola Mills, a historic house on the St. Croix River, received a grant to research the period when it was owned by the Van Meiers. Yvette Oldendorf is the Vice President on the Arcola Mills Board of Directors. According to her, there is reason to believe that the nine small structures that stand on the grounds of Arcola Mills may have once housed a thriving community of artists, guests of the Van Meiers during the 1920s and ‘30s. A recent Minnesota Historical Heritage Grant of $5,000 from the Minnesota Historical Society will go toward researching this possible colony, about which very

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little information currently exists.

The Van Meiers were connected with several notable figures at the time, including the husband of Katherine’s sister Eleanor, Sherwood Anderson.

Anderson was an author and publisher who was best known for being one of the first to publish the works of Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway, as well as contributing to the formation of the American short story genre.

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15

HONORING OUR HEROES FOR THE HOLIDAYS To honor your hero in our next section, send photo, name and rank to marketing@presspubs.com

Teagan Anderson National Gaurd Airman Duluth Air National Guard Base

Daniel Arcand

Eric Ascheman Navy LCDR Joint Base Andrews, MD

Ray Bean

Justus Bibeau

William Burrows

Leo Buettner

Andrew Casci

Wayne Dirksen

Terry DuRei

Ben Grambush

Alexander Green

Marine Corps Staff Sargent Twentynine Palms, CA

Navy Quartermaster WWII 7th Fleet

Navy BM3 USS Gunston Hall (LSD44)

Navy CPO Midway Island

Army World War II, Pacific Theater

Marine Corps Major Okinawa, Japan

Army Air Corp Flight Officer WWII

Air Force Security Squad

Marine Corps Sargent Fort Snelling

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Fort Snelling

William Hart

Joshua Jensen

Michael Kaske

Peter Laramy

Charlie Lundgren

Eric Neutkens

Julia Neutkens

Nicquie Neely

Anthony Olson

Anthony Osterkamp

Easton Perron

Alison Route

Army SFC Korea-Vietnam

Navy Chief Petty Officer Norfolk, VA

Navy Served from 2005-08 Deceased

Air Force 1952 Sargent Retired

Army Staff Sargent E6 Ft. Jackson, SC

Army Captain Hawaii

Army Veteran

Army SSG Flight Medic Charlie Company 1- 171st

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Marine Corps Lance Corporal White Bear Lake, MN

Navy Airman Pensacola, FL

Army Private Hawaii

THANK YOU!

Bayport American Legion Post 491

We proudly support our

Andrew Sivanich

Neal Sivula

Don Sonsalla

Clement Stine

Muriel Stine

Jesse Thiel

Jacob Thielbar

Francis Wald

Abigail White

Army Captain Fort Carson, Colorado

Army Captain Savannah, GA

Army Corporal Wounded in Korea 1951

Army Rand TEC 4 WWII

Navy Machinist Mate WWII

Army Staff Sergeant Forest Lake

Army Sargent 1st Class Fort Hood, TX

Army

Navy Lieutenant Commander Great Lakes

WWII

troops!

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The American Legion The World’s Largest Veterans Organization FOREST LAKE, MINNESOTA

We Wish Past & Present Heroes Happy Holidays From Us to You & Your Families

355 W. Broadway Forest Lake 651-464-2600 www.post225.com

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• Camrose Hill • Candyland • Capture Salon • Carriage Realty • Charlie’s Restaurant & Irish Pub • Collaborations • Cooks of Crocus Hill • Cover Park Manor • Darn Knit Anyway • Dock Café • Enchante • Forget me Not • Gaalaas Jewelers • Gammy & Gumpy’s

• Gondola Romantica • Healing Within Acupunture • JJ’s Nails & Massage • Johnny’s TV • Kari’s Create and Paint Studio • Kathe Wohlfhart • Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop • Liftbridge Brewing Co • Lion’s Main • Mama’s Happy • Maple Island Brewing • Matt & Nates • Maybe, Maybe Not • My Sister’s Cottage

• Nellie Bellie • Northern Vineyards Winery • Party On Stillwater • The Pole Barn Studio • Purefex Salon • Rafters • Reclaiming Beautiful • Reve 324 • River Market Co-Op • Sash Clothing • Simply Chic • Smalleys • Spice & Tea Co • St. Croix Valley Lowdown

• Stillwater Art Guild Gallery • Stillwater Boat Club & Rental • Stillwater Montessori • Stillwater Trolley • Stokes Jewelry/Katydid’s • Studio One Yoga • Tamarack Gallery • Tin Bins • Tremblays • Valley Bookseller • Water Street Inn • Wedge g & Wheel

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FRESHEN UP YOUR DIET IN 2016

DECEMBER 25, 2015

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DECEMBER 25, 2015

Beaver lodges and civilization

JIM MORTWEDT | SUBMITTED

Beavers stay warm for the winter in the lodges at William O’Brien State Park.

Past the visitor’s center, I crested Wedge Hill at William O’Brien State Park and not long after spotted the beaver lodges in the nearby pond. The sturdy structures don’t dam anything there.

There are two of them, all wattle and branch, with submerged entry under a thin crust of soft ice. Not at all a typWoods ical December, disconcerting for some, but as & Water a Minnesotan I invoke my right to be pleased Notebook by mild weather close Jim to Christmas.

I wonder as I wander Mortwedt around the pond if the delegates at the climate change conference in Paris wouldn’t benefit more from a walk around a beaver pond than nightclubbing on the Champs-Elysees?

Wondering to yourself is made better in the outdoors, regardless of the season. But I decided I’d focus my thoughts on the beaver this day. I know that around those lodges under the surface, the beavers have caches of succulent cattails and assorted plants, many kept green and fresh for months.

These animals are part of what might be considered the great middle class of the animal kingdom: they are storied for their industry. The males and females pair up for life, a life that can extend into their mid-twenties. They have an extra set of eyelids, translucent and protective. Beaver teeth grow back after wear. They will defend their modest territory to the full measure but are peaceable rodents, given to family life. In fact, they allow their 1-year-olds to hang around until the next spring, a costly generosity not universal in the animal kingdom.

The beaver will be somewhat active throughout the winter; they don’t hibernate. On a cold day, you might see vapor from their breath rising from the peak of the lodge like smoke from a teepee.

Native Americans, very sensibly, have a good opinion of the beaver. They know that short of man, no other creature has the impact on the environment that the beaver has. Beaver are ecologically mighty! From valleys with nothing more than a rivulet, they create ponds and waterways.

Beaver certainly aren’t often romanticized. Take the mess they’ve created in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego National Park. They have badly overpopulated, as creatures will when they have no natural predators. Of course they were introduced, so it’s not their fault.

Walking up Wedge Hill, I saw some scat with clear evidence that it belonged to a carnivore: deer hair stippled the specimen. I suppose it was probably from a coyote, but maybe a wolf. And wolves, to be sure, will take a beaver giv-

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en the opportunity. So unlike Argentina, the beaver in William O’Brien certainly have the possibility of getting eaten.

It’s not well known, but there was a time in Paris when matters concerning the beaver in North America rose to that government’s attention. The key to the story—incredibly—is a ways upriver on the St. Croix, just a little to the north of what is now Solon Springs, Wisconsin. In Paris, in the days before Englishman Jonathan Carver first explored the upper Mississippi including the St. Croix, it was thought that voyageurs heading west on the Great Lakes to Superior, might find a Northwest Passage by traveling upriver and south on the Bois Brule to a short portage, and then down the St. Croix. Mind you, this was geopolitics back then! A Northwest Passage would have been a very big find and decades later Lewis and Clark were still looking for one. For that matter, it was no small deal to have found the Bois Brule-St. Croix water route to the Mississippi. Except for one thing: the Bois Brule was so clogged with beaver dams, the passage was dismissed by anyone with moccasinson-the-ground experience. Dynamite had yet to be invented.

But we all know that the beaver not long afterward became prized for its pelt and played a big role in the opening of this country. Hats made from beaver felt became insanely popular in the capitals of Europe, Paris notably included, but no less so in London, Hamburg and Copenhagen, and New York in this country. The fashion nearly doomed the beaver in North America and literally led to a new form of craziness. Here’s why: Beaver felt hats rose in popularity in large part because they could be readily shaped for dandies on an urban stroll, military men in jaunty uniform, or anyone. In fact, the rage cut across all social classes of the early 1800s.The hatmaking process of the day used mercury nitrate, which had a toxic effect on the hatmakers’ health. It caused a dementia.

In the U.S. hatmaking capital, Danbury, Connecticut, the hatmakers’ tremors came to be known as the “Danbury Shakes.” In London, Lewis Carroll of “Alice in Wonderland” fame named his fuzziest-thinking character the “Mad Hatter.”

It makes you pause. Just what does the beaver hold for civilization in the future? The answer might best be what the Mad Hatter said when asked to provide the answer to a riddle he’d posed to Alice. “I haven’t the slightest idea,” he said, from under his hat, so flamboyant it would have had to have been fashioned with mercury nitrate.

It’s a lot of baggage for the beaver — though a hardy creature — to have to carry, I thought. I’m glad these beaver aren’t bothered day to day with civilization and instead can go quietly about their lives under the December pond ice.

17

Hunters register 128,000 deer Minnesota firearms hunters registered 128,174 deer through the third weekend of firearms deer season, up from 112,715 from the same period in 2014, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. So far this year during special hunts and the archery, early antlerless and firearms seasons, hunters have harvested 145,383 deer, up from the 2014 to-date harvest total of 128,134. Preliminary numbers show that the number of deer registered rose 13.5 percent from 2014. Buck harvest during the firearms season was up 18.4 percent from last year, indicating that the population has in fact grown from its low point two springs ago. Zone 1 total firearms harvest was up 11 percent, Zone 2 was up 15.5 percent and Zone 3 was up 7.7 percent. Buck harvest was up significantly in all zones. The DNR has projected the 2015 total deer harvest to be between 140,000 to 155,000 deer.

The 2014 total harvest after last year’s conservative season was just over 139,000. In much

of Minnesota, the last day of the firearms deer season was Nov. 15. The northern rifle zone season continued through Nov. 22. Additional deer will be harvested during the late southeastern season, which runs Saturday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 29; the muzzleloader season, which begins Saturday, Nov. 28, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 13; and the archery season, which runs through Thursday, Dec. 31. Final numbers from all deer

seasons will be available in January. New this year, hunters can preview an interactive deer information tool being developed by the DNR at www.mndnr.gov/deermap. This map is the first step toward launching an online application that delivers useful information hunters need and want.

Hunters are encouraged to take a look at the application, discuss it and provide the DNR with feedback.

DNR press release

Celebrating 70 Years!

We Have Winners!

Thank you all who entered our 70th Anniversary drawing! Pictured here are the first prize winners of a $1,000 Abbott gift certificate Roberta and Bill Kolesar of White Bear Lake with Dave Abbott (left) and Steve Abbott (right). Other winners not pictured include Carole Hitt of Stillwater who won $500 credit at Abbott and Janet Cass of North Oaks winning $250 credit.

abbottpaint.com

St. Paul 651-698-5518 White Bear Lake 651-429-3316 Stillwater 651-439-9695

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DECEMBER 25, 2015

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Reel talk Don’t Miss!

Good

Worth a Look Forget it

“ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD CHIP” (PG) (2.5) [SOME MILD RUDE HUMOR.]

—

An entertaining, family-oriented, well-paced, star-studded (Belle Thorne and voiceovers by Kaley Cuoco, Anna Faris and Christina Applegate), 96-minute comedy in which three rambunctious, mischievous, jealous chipmunks (voiceovers by Matthew Gray Gubler, Justin Long, and Jesse McCartney) leave Los Angeles and follow their high-strung “dad” (Jason Lee) to Miami in an attempt to stop him from proposing to his heart surgeon girlfriend (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) while being bullied by her teenage son (Josh Green) and doggedly pursued by a nerdy, angry air marshal (Tony Hale).

“STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS”

(PG-13) (4) [SCI-FI ACTION VIOLENCE.]

— Witty humor, imaginative aliens, nonstop action, and terrific special effects punctuate this fast-paced, riveting, entertaining, star-dotted (Simon Pegg, Lupita Nyong’o, Kenny Baker, Warwick Davis, Max von Sydow and Billie Lourd), 135-minute episode VII of the “Star Wars” franchise in which a brave stormtrooper (John Boyega), a scavenger (Daisy Ridley) and resistance fighters (Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Oscar Isaac, Ken Leung, Greg Grunberg, et al.) band together to crush the supreme leader (Andy Serkis) and the First Order and to protect a droid when dark-side followers (Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline, Christie, et al.) desperately try to find a map that may lead to the whereabouts of Jedi warrior Luke

ERICA OESTERREICH | SUBMITTED

Chamber Ambassadors celebrated with Stacey Blacker, owner of Pour Wine Girl, LLC, at the ribbon-cutting for her new business, which took place at Reve Bistro in Stillwater.

Handcrafted wine-at-home company opens in Stillwater The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of new business, Pour Wine Girl, LLC, at a ribbon-cutting on Dec. 3.

Pour Wine Girl is a shop-fromhome wine company. Owner Stacey Blacker is an independent senior wine consultant for a Napa Valley winery called WineShop at Home. Headquartered in Napa, California, WineShop At Home focuses on exclusive, handcrafted wine. Stacey launched Pour Wine Girl during the summer of 2015; although WineShop at Home was founded in 1995, it launched its at-home sales model in the spring of 2005.

“I bring the wine country to you with private, in-home wine tastings, Wine of the Month clubs, gift baskets, personalized wine labels, and fundraisers! Our wines are handcrafted with grapes from all corners of the world, and are not available in restaurants, stores, or any other tasting room,” Blacker said.

With 40 exclusive wines on their menu and four new wines released each month, there is something for everyone. These are small-lot artisan wines, so they usually sell out in a few months, but there are always new wines to rotate in. A normal vineyard would produce four to eight wines per year, but WineShop at Home produces about 48.

For home parties, Pour Wine Girl offers up to 16 guests at a host location an opportunity to learn about, experience and buy exclusive, limited-production artisan wines. For $30, hosts and their guests enjoy a 5-bottle wine tasting sampler valued at over $120. This sales model allows hosts to enjoy a fun, unique and educational wine-tasting experience with their friends within their own home.

Pour Wine Girl also offers personalized wines with custom labels, gift baskets, gift boxes, a wine club, stemware and accessories.

Pour Wine Girl may be reached at 503-706-1517.

Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

“SISTERS”

(R) (1.5) [CRUDE SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT, AND DRUG USE.]

— After a divorced Atlanta nurse (Amy Poehler) and her unemployed nail technician sister (Tina Fey), who has an estranged teenage daughter (Madison Davenport), learn that their parents (James Brolin and Dianne Wiest) are selling their childhood home in Miami in this wacky, overthe-top, groan-inducing, 118-minute comedy, the two irresponsible, distraught sisters invite a hunky neighborhood handyman (Ike Barinholtz), a muscle-bound drug dealer (John Cena), and former high school classmates (John Leguizamo, Maya Rudolph, Rachel Dratch, Bobby Moynihan, et al.) to a nostalgic party which predictably soon gets totally out of control.

“JOY”

(PG-13) (3) [BRIEF STRONG LANGUAGE.]

— Terrific acting dominates this factually inspired, offbeat, down-to-earth, star-dotted (Bradley Cooper, Isabella Rossellini, Elizabeth Röhm, Melissa Rivers and Donna Mills), love-it-or-hate-it, 124-minute comedic drama based on Paolo Sorrentino’s novel “Joy” in which no-nonsense, strong-willed, tenacious airline ticket counter clerk turned inventor Joy Mangano (Jennifer Lawrence), who has her three children, divorced parents (Robert DeNiro and Virginia Madsen), ex-husband (Édgar Ramírez), and grandmother (Diane Ladd) living with her in Long Island, New York, struggles to deal with her dysfunctional family while trying to launch a startup business in her father’s auto shop after designing the Miracle Mop.

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.

©1986 through 2015 by Wendy Schadewald

ERICA OESTERREICH | SUBMITTED

Chamber Ambassadors celebrated with ModernRoots at the Grand Opening of the new location with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

ModernRoots offers homegrown goods On Dec. 9, the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of ModernRoots, a new retailer on Main Street Stillwater.

ModernRoots offers natural soaps, and body care products created by owner Meg DiMercurio. “I grow, harvest and create my products based on my own model that is naturally free of parabens, sulfates, corn, soy and canola. Everything is created by hand.

I grow about 60% of the ingredients; foraging for 10% of that and growing 40% of my own herbs for steam distillation (essential oils)” DiMercurio said.

ModernRoots began with Meg attending farmer’s markets and selling online in 2011. She opened her first store in Buffalo, Minnesota in 2014 and within a

few years had such a strong demand, she moved to a larger location in Buffalo. Meg has been shipping every other week from her Buffalo store to customers in the Stillwater area. After being asked over the years to start a store in the area, she finally has and is excited to expand and create products out of Stillwater.

In fact, she has already done just that with her soap “Mermaids of the St. Croix,” which utilizes sand from the shores of the St. Croix River.

ModernRoots is located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Stillwater. Business hours are Wednesday through Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and weekends 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Find more information at www.modernroots.org or by calling the store at 612-723-9266.

DECEMBER 25, 2015

Crossword

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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 SUNRISE / SUNSET

Fri

Dec 25

7:50 4:36

Sat

Dec 26

7:50 4:37

Sun Dec 27

7:50 4:37

Mon Dec 28

7:50 4:38

Tue

Dec 29

7:51 4:39

Wed Dec 30

7:51 4:40

Thu

7:51 4:41

Dec 31

Sudoku CLUES DOWN CLUES ACROSS 1. Used for insect 1. Russian rulers (alt. sp.) sterilization 6. Swedish krona 2. Arabian coffee cup 9. Apothecaries’ unit 3. Culture medium & a food 13. MN 55121 gelling agent 14. Longer forearm bone 15. Prosperous state of well- 4. Finger millets 5. Tin being 6. More guileful 16. Largest Czech city (alt.

7. Tree gnarl sp.)

8. Force into place 17. Moss genus larger than 9. Drawn Bryum 10. Sudden attack 18. ____ Marie Presley 11. Donkeys 19. White native of Cape 12. George Gordon __ Province 21. Took the same position 14. Behaving in an artificial way 22. About Sun 17. Moundbird 23. Respectful (abbr.)

20. Orange-brown antelope 24. Southeast 21. Flocks of mallards 25. Rocket launching 23. Hall of Fame (abbr.) platform 25. Golf score 28. Stake 26. Friends (French) 29. Innermost parts 27. Pickling herbs 31. Bowfin genus 29. In a way, dwelt 33. Past it’s prime 30. Pierces forcefully 36. Valleys on moon 32. Estranges 38. Cheer 34. Shooting marble 39. Abrupt response 35. Amounts of time 41. Leave in disgrace 37. Register formally 44. Israeli politician Abba 40. Explosive 45. Of an ecological sere 46. Former Kansas Sen. Dole 42. Kanza people, ____ Nation 48. Very fast airplane 43. Symbolize Shakti 49. Blood group 47. Burdock seed vessel 51. This moment 49. Wild sheep of central 52. Body cavity Asia 54. Patrician 50. Am. naturalist Charles 56. Exposing to ridicule Wm. 60. Beowulf’s people 52. A fencing sword 61. Gooseberry genus 53. Romanian city 62. Ali __ & the Forty straddling the Cibin Thieves River 63. A French abbot 55. Small talks 64. In a way, nailed 56. Not well 65. His equation predicted 57. Astronomer Sagan antimatter 58. Overgarments 66. Smaller quantity 59. Twist together 67. Danish krone 61. Radioactivity unit 68. Heartbeat 65. Double play

WEATHER TIDBIT Wednesday, December’s 16 storm had it all.

Rain, thunder, hail and snow. We’re nearly 14º warmer than normal this month. Our recent “coldsnap” should bring that down a bit.

YEAR AGO THIS WEEK Christmas day brings light snow and a high of 35°. December 26-27 snowfall totals 5.12 inches.

WEEKLY AVERAGES DEC. 25 TO 31, 2015 High Low %Sun PCP 25° 11° 40% 0.32”

Fun Fact

Due to international time zones, Santa would actually have 31 hours to deliver presents to the children of the world.

Reginald the Red-nosed Reindeer Rudolph was almost named Rollo or Reginald. Reginald the Red-Nosed Reindeer doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.

Top 5 at PressPubs.com: Week of Dec. 13 – 19

Editor’s note: Visit www.presspubs.com to read the full versions of these most-visited stories

1. Centennial dance team kicks off Outback Bowl.

Quad Press > News 2. Vadnais getting sporting goods store. White Bear Press > Briefs 3. Construction officially underway for new Cub Foods in White Bear Lake. White Bear Press > News 4. Smashed windows reported in WBL and Vadnais.

White Bear Press > News 5. Sandwich making provides food for thought.

White Bear Press > Featured See Press Publications’ website www.presspubs.com for stories from the White Bear Press, The Citizen, Vadnais Heights Press, Shoreview Press, Quad Community Press, The Lowdown-Forest Lake Area and The Lowdown- St. Croix Valley Area.

“Remember, this December that love weighs more than gold.“ Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

19

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DECEMBER 25, 2015

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SCHOOL BRIEFS Two Century Jr. High teachers receive TIES Awards Two teachers from Forest Lake’s Century Junior High School, Kimberly Jones and Tracy Larson, were recognized as TIES Exceptional Teachers. The presentation of their awards took place on Dec. 15 at the TIES 2015 Education Technology Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis he TIES Exceptional Teacher award recognizes teachers who model best practices in technology in their classrooms and engage students in learning.

The teachers are chosen for the award by

their superintendents.

Jones has taught mathematics at Century Junior High School since 2006. A few years ago, Jones made the decision to “flip” her classroom and engaged teaching colleague Larson to do the same.

Flipping the classroom allows students to watch lectures at home and get oneon-one homework help in the classroom.

This allows every student to work at their own pace, re-watching difficult parts of the lecture.

For the last three school years, Kim has worked collaboratively with Tracy to flip instruction of Algebra 8 coursework.

Larson has taught mathematics at Cen-

tury Junior High School since 1993. As a teacher, Larson has served as the secondary mathematics district department chair, as well as building department chair. She has worked to implement best practice strategies in her classroom as well as ensuring an alignment of elementary and junior high math instruction.

Although perhaps working with a less than ideal situation, their planning and implementation demonstrates how to effectively utilize technology to increase student achievement without the benefit of a one-to-one program.

School districts participating in the TIES Exceptional Teacher award pro-

gram are members of TIES, an education technology consortium of 47 Minnesota school districts.

Trap team informational meeting Forest Lake High School will host a parent/student information night in the High School Media Center at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12. Registration for the clay target season will begin on Friday, Jan. 15. and end on March 15, following the mid-winter break. For additional information call Coach Spears at 651-982-8535, or email him at dspears@flaschools.org.

WASHINGTON COUNTY BRIEFS The following actions were taken at the Dec. 15 Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater: County board sets 2016 budget, levy The Washington County Board of Commissioners set the county’s 2016 budget and levy on Dec 15.

The board certified a proposed levy Sept. 15; after that, the board could reduce the proposed levy, but not raise it. The board certified a tax levy of $93,871,900, a Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority levy of $4,601,000, and a Washington County Regional Rail Authority levy of $750,600.

The county’s operating expenditures for the year will be $158.3 million, an increase of 3.12 percent, with capital expenditures of $44.5 million, including bond-funded projects, which will total $20 million.

Archives of the webstreamed meetings at which the board members discussed the budget are archived on the website at www.co.washington.mn.us. Budget presentations may also be viewed on the website by searching the word “budget.”

Plant purchase makes progress Commissioners also approved a loan agreement and a transfer of funds for capital expenditures, which moves along the process of the Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy Board purchase of the resource recovery facility in Newport.

The resource recovery facility processes municipal solid waste into refuse-derived fuel which, in turn, feeds Xcel Energy plants in Red Wing and Mankato. The two county boards made the decision on purchasing the plant earlier this year, and the purchase closing will be at the end of the year.

Special project fund During the 2016 budget process, six projects were identified and recommended by the county administrator for funding through the county’s mission directed budget (MDB) savings program. These projects, totaling $484,600, use the previously unallocated funds in the countywide MDB pool, leaving a balance of $82,000 for future projects: Attorney I special project, two years, $166,800: This position will backfill the assignment of a senior attorney to a major crimes prosecutor position. Having a dedicated prosecutor assigned outside of the daily case assignments will provide an opportunity to focus on organized and sophisticated criminals. The prosecutor would also serve as a liaison to task forces involved in cross-county investigations of sophisticated, organized and complex offenses affecting Washington County.

Microsoft/email and office licenses, $86,800: Funding will allow the county to transition to licensing that presents better value and the potential to reduce hardware and support costs.

Computer hardware, $77,000: Funding will provide for the periodic replacement of equipment which is necessary to ensure the county computer network is maintained at a sufficient level for cost-effective operations and reliability.

Security software and anti-malware, $36,100: Funding for security software products, including anti-malware, is needed to safeguard the county’s critical information infrastructure. Keeping the county’s systems and data secure is a priority to prevent data breaches, private information disclosure and data loss.

WebEx upgrade, $17,900: WebEx is a software tool which allows users to access the Web for meetings, conferences, training, and events. Funding will provide additional licenses and access to all modules provided

by WebEx. Statewide radio upgrade, $100,000: The Public Safety Radio System is integrated with the statewide radio infrastructure that the Minnesota Emergency Communication Network (ECN), a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, oversees and manages.

The ECN is planning a systemwide upgrade that will require Washington County to upgrade its local subsystem to stay aligned with the overall system. Total cost for the upgrade will be $500,000; anticipated funding needs from MDB will be $100,000 a year for the next five

years.

State grant supports healthy families The Washington County Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program will continue after the county board agreed to a contract with the state Department of Health to receive a continuing grant. The $424,100 grant will run through Feb. 28, 2017.

Goals of the program include school readiness, reduced child abuse and neglect, improved parent/child attachment, healthy pregnancies and normal child growth and development.

The county uses the Healthy Families America home visiting model, and is eligible to receive funding through the Minnesota Department of Health to continue the program, with an expansion to allow an additional 25 families to be served at a given time.

Sheriff’s Office receives portable robot The board also accepted a gift of a robot from Hale Outdoor Products Inc. for the Sheriff’s Office.

The MotoShot Elite Target System is a remotely operated, highly mobile, portable robot designed for tactical, combat and moving target training. The mobile target will enhance range training sessions, as it can move in any direction creating random, lifelike movements of running or charging.

Work on Highway 97, C.R. 91 ahead The board approved an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the construction of turn lanes at Highway 97 and County Road (C.R.) 91.

The project includes the construction of dedicated left and right turn lanes on Highway 97 at the intersection with CR 91 and Lofton Avenue in Scandia. There are now shared left turn/through lanes and shared right turn/bypass lanes on Highway 97, both eastbound and westbound. The proposed left turn lanes will divert stopped vehicles from through traffic, therefore reducing the potential for rear-end crashes at the intersection.

It is estimated that the project will cost $659,828, with $593,400 coming from state funds and $66,428 coming from the county. The county was selected to receive funding for a portion of the project cost through a cooperative agreement. With the agreement, MnDOT has the authorization to participate in the cost of construction and construction engineering associated with the project.

Purchase of equipment planned Washington County will use $263,000 in state aid road maintenance funding to purchase equipment for upkeep of county roadways. The board agreed to the use of the funds Dec. 15.

The money comes from the state gasoline tax, and is used for highway operations, rather than construction. The money will be used to purchase: two half-ton 4x4 pickup trucks with extended cab long box; three 3/4-ton 4x4 pickup trucks with extended cab; a skid loader-mounted stump grinder; a portable dewatering pump; a rubber tire compaction roller; and two tractor-mounted snowblowers.

Barr Engineering will address LEPR swim pond Barr Engineering will perform engineering design and construction management for the Lake Elmo Park Reserve swim pond renovation project.

The project involves upgrades to the facility for safety and to extend the life of the swim pond. Funding for the project is from Metropolitan Council grants totaling up to $1.16 million from a combination of state and Metropolitan Council general obligation bonds and parks and trails fund appropriations.

The design is scheduled to be done by February, with bids accepted in March. Work will be done from March to June, with a substantial amount of the work completed by June 3. The swim pond will not open until then.

In addition, it is expected that further work will be needed to renovate restrooms, the concession stand, lifeguard station and parking lots and picnic areas around the swim pond.

County will add to visitation program contract Washington County will add $20,000 to a contract with Community and Family Services (CFS), which oversees supervised visitations with parents with a parent education component. The funds come from savings from a personnel vacancy.

CFS staff members directly supervise the visitation between parents and children for child protection placement cases that are referred to them by county staff.

CFS staff members document the parent/child interaction and client case plan progress, assist with medical assistance applications and obtain health and school records as needed.

This service has been used extensively in 2015, requiring an addition to the contract with the agency.

Correctional facility aid JPA planned Washington County will enter a mutual aid joint powers agreement with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. The state is in need of officers and professionals from Washington County and Minnesota Correctional Facility – Stillwater to extend their services beyond their respective jurisdictions. Officers and professionals from both parties will provide assistance to each other in emergencies to enforce state laws.

Services provided during the initial 24 hours of an emergency will be provided without charge. The term of the contract is from Dec. 1, 2015 through Nov. 30, 2020.

Libraries continue to share services The two libraries preceded the creation of the Washington County Library, so are not part of the county’s library system. However, the libraries and Washington County Library have had contractual arrangements since at least 1975 to share services.

Washington County provides support services, such as cataloging, to the libraries, and shares access to its collection to residents of Stillwater and Bayport at no charge. The County Library also offers the libraries the option to participate in the purchase of certain services, such as electronic databases.

Both libraries reciprocate by providing Washington County residents access to their collections.

This contract also makes Stillwater and Bayport associate members of the Metropolitan Library Service Agency, an alliance of more than 100 public libraries in the seven-county Twin Cities metro.

Library will receive mini-grant The board accepted a grant for $4,903.72 from the Minnesota Department of Education to provide library-based programs, services, activities and resources that engage students in learning. It is to help them stay engaged in school and graduate on time, and to help young adults transition to college and/or careers.

Library donations The board also accepted two gifts Dec. 15: one for $1,000 and one for $30,000, to be used for library services and materials.

The RAFT Foundation donated $30,000 for library services and materials, which it has done annually for several years. Delores Sundbye donated $1,000 to purchase books and materials as part of Many Hands Together.

Board approves plats in Baytown, Denmark townships The board approved two plats for Miller Farms in Baytown Township and a plat for Jager Acres in Denmark Township.

The first was a 12-lot plat of Miller Farms 4th Addition for 9.82 acres owned by DCCI Investments, LLC. The second was a plat of Miller Farms 5th Addition. The 5th Addition is a 16-lot plat, 14.91 acres also owned by DCCI Investments, LLC. The board also approved a plat for Jager Acres in Denmark Township. Jager Acres is a two-lot plat of 40 acres owned by Robert Jager and Carol Jager.

From press release

&

DECEMBER 25, 2015

www.presspubs.com

THE LOWDOWN

21

Police station and City Hall to be remodeled City to start first phase immediately

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Now that the Stillwater Fire Department has moved into its new facility to the west of town on Myrtle Street, the fire engine bays at the former fire station — located at 216 N. Fourth St. — can be transformed to hold squad cars.

To convert the former fire department space into a user-friendly space for the police department, the Stillwater City Council gave unanimous approval Dec. 15 for the redesign process to begin.

As the 2016 budget was developed, the city decided to fund the first phase of the police station remodeling project in the upcoming year.

In addition, council approved a number of City Hall improvements, including a building access control system, security cameras, security upgrades for council chambers, emergency generator upgrades, foundation waterproofing, an employee entrance canopy, clock tower roof rehabilitation and parking lot lighting.

Construction on City Hall and the police station improvements will be combined.

Total project costs to fund the police station and City Hall remodeling are estimated to be just under $2.5 million. The police station remodeling and expansion will cost close to $2 million, with the rest of the money used to fund the City Hall upgrades.

A police station expansion study was conducted in 2013 to “identify operational deficiencies and project space needs” for the next several decades, during which the population of Stillwater was projected to reach 21,300 by 2020.

The study found inadequacies in locker rooms, evidence storage and processing space, patrol and investigation spaces, conference and interview rooms and vehicle storage. For the next 20 years, approximately 21,000 square feet will be needed, the study said.

The study committee recommended that conference space and interview rooms be made secure, confidential and separated from public spaces, which they are not currently. Evidence intake and storage rooms will be enlarged and no longer separated from each other.

At present, there is no dedicated indoor squad parking, which is vital to

The Forest Lake Police Department reported the following incidents: Arrest/Citation •

•

The police department received a report of suspicious male in the 23000 block of Havelka Court N. on Dec. 15. When they arrived, witnesses directed officers to where they had last seen a 55-year-old Forest Lake male moving through • the thick woods. Officers attempted to stop the man and identified themselves as police, but the suspect would not immediately comply with their directions.

After a short pursuit, police took him into custody and sent him to the hospital for injuries.

The man was tested for intoxication and results came back with a .312.

A 21-year-old St. Paul man was arrested when

prevent degradation of sensitive mobile equipment located in parked vehicles left outside in the elements, the study said.

In addition to the three primary areas of need, according to the study, many other details will be updated, such as a more natural workflow operation and a “comfortable work environment which staff take pride in.”

The city plans to issue a request for proposal (RFP) on Dec. 21, with design proposals due by email at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Respondents will be required to attend a pre-proposal meeting on Jan. 11 to tour the facility and to ask questions. Council expects to award a contract at the Feb. 16 meeting and approve the design by the May 17 meeting. Construction bids are expected to be solicited in late July or early August.

Construction is due to start next September and last five months until the early part of winter, Community Development Director Bill Turnblad said. “By then we’ll have gone through the 2017 budget cycle, and we’ll know how much will be available for next phase,” he said.

In other action, the council: Approved the second reading of Ordinance 1084 amending city code Chapter 29, Sewers and Chapter 32, Nuisances and summary for publication. The changes will bring the city into compliance with current MS4 general permit requirements in dealing with non-stormwater discharge into the system.

Following a discussion about mitigating the loss of 10 parking spaces at municipal parking lot 19, gave conceptual approval to Veterans Memorial Board plans to increase the size of its memorial grounds at lot 19 to create more area for its paver program. Issues over who would pay to mitigate loss of parking spaces are yet to be resolved.

Tabled action on a proposed joint powers agreement (JPA) with the City Board of Water Commissioners for part-time use of the city’s IT Department employees.

The proposal included infrastructure upgrades. The board would pay the city $6,000 for 2016 and re-evaluate the figure for 2017. The Water Board approved the JPA at its Dec. 10 meeting.

Designated Oppenheimer as an additional depository for 2016.

Approved a $22,980.21 Laserfiche upgrade to Laserfiche Avante for the MIS

police pulled him over and found that he had • been driving intoxicated and without a license. The driver also admitted to stealing the vehicle and was taken to the Forest Lake Police Department, where he tested .18 in a breath test. He was then transported to Washington County Jail.

Theft

Department with funds from the 2016 capital outlay budget.

Approved carryover capital outlay items for MIS, police, fire, library, plant city hall, recreation center and public works (streets, sewer, and parks) for ongoing projects that were not completed in 2015.

Approved the 2015-16 labor agreement with the LELS Police Officers Local 257. Changes include a 3 percent wage increase for 2015 and 2016, and a $20 increase in the employer contribution for the family health plan for 2016.

Extended the 2014 annual mowing and snow removal contract with C. Hassis Snow Removal and Yard Services LLC and cleanup services contract with MSP Outdoor Services. Both contracts will be valid through 2017.

Established the Bergstein Reuse Plan Committee to partially rehabilitate the interior of the warehouse, fully rehabilitate the interior of the mill and fully restore the exterior of both buildings.

Preapproved the $5,000 contract through 2017 with Summit Envirosolutions Inc. for historic studies related to demolition requests.

Approved the Wolf BierCycle annual license. Wolf has been operating the Wolf Tour Cycle without complaint or public safety issues for the past three years. The operator will use a single parking space by the pedestrian walkway for $3 per day.

Approved the 2016 Fee Schedule, with changes to reflect resolutions passed in 2015.

Approved an engagement letter for auditing services.

Approved the first amendment to the solid waste and recycling agreement.

Approved the contract with the Sand Creek Group Ltd., for employee counseling services.

Accepted work and ordered final payment to Hardrives Inc. of $16,858.98 for downtown parking improvements and passed a resolution accepting work and ordering final payment of $13,771.04 to Hardrives Inc. for the 2014 street improvement project.

Improved a 2 percent increase to the railroad lease payment of $8,831.85. In 2000, the city assumed the railroad’s interest in a lease with St. Croix Boat and Packet.

Accepted the $58,606 Minnesota Ama-

Other A man came into the police department on Dec. 14 to report that he had been receiving scam phone calls from an outof-state number. He said that the calls claimed to be different agencies (such as the IRS and insurance agencies) and the voice was male and sounded like it might be from out of the country.

Police advised that the man avoid answering when he received such • calls, and contact his phone carrier to possibly block the number.

Officers were called to an unoccupied residence on the 100 block of Lake Street S. by a repairman on Dec. 14. When the repairman arrived, he found the door barricad- The Stillwater Police Department reported the ed and heard an alarm following incidents: clock ringing inside the residence. A 43-year-old Shooting Forest Lake man was discovered inside and • On Saturday, Dec. 19, a arrested for burglary 35-year-old Stillwater and possession of a conman was shot twice in trolled substance. his home in the 1100

•

•

block of Meadowview Drive. A dog was found dead at the scene, and the man was taken to the hospital for his injuries. The police are investigating possible suspects, but no arrest has been made. They • do not believe there is a danger to the public.

The police department is • currently investigating the shooting.

Arrest/Citation An individual with a warrant out for arrest was taken into custody on Mulberry Street W. on Dec. 7.

A 4th degree DWI was issued to an individual on Olive Street W. on Dec. 8.

A juvenile concern was reported to police at Delano Court on Dec. 9. An individual at the scene was booked with 5th degree possession of

teur Sports Commission Mighty Ducks Grant.

Approved a request to roll over $70,000 from the 2015 professional services budget and $75,900 rolled over from 2012 through 2014 to the Community Development Department budget for 2016. The Planning Department has been budgeting funds for several years to pay for consultant services associated with several pending comprehensive plan projects, Turnblad said. Added to the $20,000 approved in the 2016 budget, the department will have $165,900 available for consulting services.

Purchased two snow blowers for the Fire Department in the amount of $1,258 with funds from the department’s 2015 capital outlay budget.

Purchased a $36,583.40 sewer televising camera from Flexible Pipe Tool Company of St. Joseph for the Public Works Department with funds from the 2015 and 2016 sewer CIP. Purchased three Surface Pros totaling $4,290 for the MIS Department with funds from the 2015 capital outlay budget.

Purchased two scanners totaling $1,864 for the Finance and Police departments with funds from the 2015 capital outlay budget.

Purchased a one-year subscription to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software for city computers at a cost of $1,397. Switching to the new antivirus protection will pay for itself, MIS Specialist Rose Holman said.

Purchased $1,688 in additional Adobe Acrobat licenses for the MIS Department with funds from the 2015 capital outlay budget.

Heard a report from Public Works Director Shawn Sanders that the DNR will groom the Gateway Trail this winter after all. The city is looking to discuss sharing responsibility for winter grooming in the future. The winter status of the Brown’s Creek Trail is unknown, although the city will talk with DNR representatives and private groups about clearing the trail this winter and during future winters.

Acknowledged donations to the Stillwater Christmas Tree.

The council next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 at City Hall.

a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle at the • scene and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Theft A commercial burglary was reported on Second • Street N. on Dec. 9.

A gasoline drive-away was reported at the Kwik Trip on Settler’s • Way on Dec. 11.

Other

•

•

•

• On Dec. 7, police received a report of criminal damage to property on 62nd Street N. in Stillwater.

On Dec. 7, an accident with an unknown injury • was reported at Herbergers on Washington • Avenue.

Police were called to investigate a violation of a domestic abuse no-contact order at the

Stillwater Recreation Center on Dec. 8.

A dog bite was reported on Dec. 8 on Fifth Avenue S. Police investigated a report of an out-of-control female on William Street N. on Dec. 8.

Police received and investigated a report of fraud originating from Second Street N. on Dec. 9.

Police responded to a report of computer hacking at a location on Cottage Drive on Dec. 9.

Police investigated a report of harassment, including unwanted calls and texts, at Marine Circle in Stillwater on Dec. 10.

Attempted fraud was reported at Myrtlewood Court on Dec. 10.

Police received a report of a fight taking place in front of a location on Third Street S. on Dec. 12.

26

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The Lowdown visited Marcus Oakdale Cinema to catch up with “Star Wars� fans who turned out in force for the premiere of Episode VII on Dec. 17.

1. (From left to right) Aaron Longnecker, Josh Gaetz, Melissa Evans and Tyler Reich from Stillwater embody both sides of the Force.

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