St. Croix Valley Lowdown by Press Publications

5.15.15 Details: Classic, feel-good Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. $18 to $23 Contact: LakeshorePlayers. com or 651-429-5674.

North around the lake

UNEXPECTED COMPANY CHORUS CONCERT When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15 (repeats 3 p.m. May 17 at Chisago Lakes High School) Where: Forest Hills Church, 1790 11th St. SE, Forest Lake Details: $8 to $10. Spring concert “Gotta Sing!” Area adult chorus presents mix of serious and popular songs. “Sound of Music” singalong.

‘STATE FAIR’ When: Through May 17 Where: Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake

‘FOREST FAIRIES AND PIRATES’ When: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16 Where: Warner Nature Center, 15375 Norell Ave. N. Marine Details: Children 3 to 9 create pirate and fairy houses, hunt for treasure, hear stories, do crafts. Dress up encouraged. Parents welcome. $15/family. Contact: Register at 651-4332427 ext. 10 or www.smm.org/ warner nature center

JEWELRY MAKING: SPARKLING CHARM NECKLACE Saturday, May 16, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake Details: Teens 10 to 17 create enamel-look necklace. Contact: RSVP to 651-275-7300.

WYOMING POLICE DEPARTMENT BIKE

Out When: Noon Friday, May 15 Where: In front of Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 W. Pine St., Stillwater Details: Honors fallen officers. Multiple government officials attend. Refreshments follow.

ANNUAL SPRING INTO SERVICE When: 9 a.m. to noon May 16 Where: Throughout Stillwater area Details: Local nonprofit Community Thread organizes individual and group volunteers for multiple purposes. Picnic follows with free food and prizes. Contact: www. communitythreadmn.org or 651-439-7434

CONCERT BENEFIT ‘SCCS ROCKS!’ When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16 Where: St. Croix Catholic School, 621 Third St. S., Stillwater Details: Individuals $10 to $15, families $30 to $45. Family event billed as “like the

When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16 Where: Wyoming Elementary, 25701 Forest Blvd., Wyoming Details: Free. Learn bike safety, go through obstacle course, enter raffles. Free helmets first 50 kids. Contact: 651-462-0577

FAMILY DANCE: MAD COW BAND, GYPSY MUSIC When: 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 16 Where: Taylors Falls Community Center, 312 Government St. Details: Dance series is multicultural and multigenerational. Sponsored by local businesses. $5 to $8; 18 and younger free. Concessions. Contact: 763-2453894 or http://events. discoverstillwater.com

AFTER SUPPER STROLL FOR BIRDS AND BLOOMS When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16 Where: Interstate State Park, Milltown Road, Taylors Falls Details: Naturalist leads milelong hike with stops. Free, but parking permit needed.

WOMEN’S WILDFLOWER ID HIKE When: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17 Where: Interstate State Park, Milltown Road, Taylors Falls Details: Naturalist-led hike pointing out plant info. Free, but parking permit needed.

FOURTH ANNUAL ‘IMMIGRANT FOR A DAY’ When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 24 Where: Gammelgarden

Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail, Scandia Details: Free. Families learn about life as a Minnesota immigrant via various activities.

BENEFIT FOR JESSE GARCIA III When: 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 25 Where: Jimmy’s Event Center, 3565 Labore Rd., Vadnais Heights Details: Garcia is a 24-year Minneapolis Police Dept. veteran and hockey dad whose son Jesse played for FLAHS. Taco bar, beer, silent auction. Contact: cory. hendricksen@co.ramsey.mn.us

FOREST LAKE CEMETERY CEREMONIES When/Where:

Scandinavian Cemetery on South Shore Drive (10 a.m.); Cedar Hills off North Shore Drive on Heath (10:30 a.m.); Calvary on Everton Avenue (11 a.m.); Oak Park on West Broadway (11:15 a.m.) and Victor Hill by Coon Lake (11:45 a.m.) Details: Local Color Guard presents colors, rifle salutes, Taps and short eulogies.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY When: 9 a.m. Where: Lakeside Park, Forest Lake Details: By local VFW and American Legion. With local Marine Steve Storkan, local pastors Linda Friesen and Bob Headley. Music, rifle salute, playing of Taps, presentation of colors. Dedication of 16 new pavers at Veterans Memorial.

‘WOMEN’S GEOCACHING FOR FUN AND SPORT When: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16 Where: Interstate State Park, Milltown Road, Taylors Falls Details: Ages 15 and older learn GPS use. Free, but parking permit needed. Contact: www. BrewersBazaar.com

BOOK SIGNING WITH ROB BIGNELL

in the valley 21ST ANNUAL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

RODEO

Basilica Block Party.” Band High & Mighty at 8 p.m., with dancing. Food by Acapulco Restaurant. Contact: Tickets at www. stcroixcatholic.org or ekflisle@comcast.net.

SECOND ANNUAL BARK FOR LIFE FUNDRAISER When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16 (turn west at library off Hwy. 95) Where: Barkers Alps Park, Bayport Details: Bring dogs. Organized by Friends of Stillwater Area Dog Park. Benefits American Cancer Society. $20 to $25. Noncompetitive walk, games, contests, demonstrations, concessions. Last year’s event drew 200 and raised $5,000. Contact: Register at www.relayforlife.org/ barkstillwatermn.

NINTH ANNUAL BREWERS BAZAAR When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16. Where: Avalon Riverboat, Stillwater Details: $45. Fundraiser for Stillwater Sunrise Rotary featuring samples from 22 area brewers. Cheese from Bass Lake Cheese Factory, music by Thundermen. Raffle. Sells out early.

When: 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16 Where: Valley Bookseller, 217 Main St. N., Stillwater Details: Hudson-based author of “Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix River National Scenic Riverway” (2014, Atiswinic Press). Read the Lowdown story at http:// tinyurl.com/m5cn7qf .

MORE TISHANS CONCERT When: 8 to 11 p.m. May 16 Where: Stillwater Eagles 94 Details: Benefits Valley Outreach. Bring food donations. Contact: www. moretishans.com

BIKE SAFETY RODEO / OPEN GYM When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 16 Where: Wildwood Elementary School, 55115 8698 75th St.s N., Mahtomedi Details: Free through PowerUp 4 Kids. Contact: powerup4kids. org/week.

18TH ANNUAL SHEPHERD’S HARVEST When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 Where: Washington County Fairgrounds, 12300 N. 40th St., Lake Elmo Details: $5. Info, products, 25 demos and 35 classes related to fiberproducing animals. More

What: Millstream Day When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17 Where: Burris Park, Marine on St. Croix Details: Picnic featuring grilled rainbow trout, brats, hot dogs. Exhibits. Ribbon weaving of maypole at 2. Morris Dancers and Brian Wickland perform.

Contact: 651-431-8308 than 130 vendors. Contact: www. shepherdsharvestfestival.org

stcroixscenicbyway.org

TONIC SOL-FA ACAPPELLA CONCERT

When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17 Where: Six miles north of Stillwater off Highway 95 Details: Historic site. Walk trails, watch birds, take mansion tour. Free.

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 17 Where: Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St., Hudson, Wis. Details: $19 to $26. Famous male trio on tour. Contact: Tickets at 715-386-8409.

FIFTH ANNUAL EARTH DAY CONFERENCE When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17 Where: St. Croix Falls Library, 230 S. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, Wis. Details: Free. Discussion of threats to area waters and government solutions. By St. Croix Scenic Coalition and St. Croix Scenic Byway. Two documentaries, speaker Kathy Bartilson of WI DNR. Contact: Registration encouraged at conference@

ARCOLA MILLS OPEN HOUSE

PANCAKE BREAKFAST When: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17 Where: KC Hall, 1910 Greeley St., Stillwater Details: $4 to $8. By Knights of Columbus. Also benefits American Cancer Society and Relay for Life-Stillwater event. Bring food shelf item. Contact: 651-430-3274.

ANNUAL AREA HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION When: Closing reception 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17 Where: Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St., Wis.

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

Details: Original work from students at schools including SAHS and Oakland Junior High. Contact: 715-386-2305, ext. 103.

WINE INN STYLE When: Sunday, May 18 Details: Self-guided tour of five area inns and bed and breakfasts; food and wine at each. Contact: 651-351-1187 or www.stillwaterbb.com

PAINT NITES AT SHANGHAI BISTRO When: 7 to 9 p.m. May 18, June 8, June 3, June 22 Where: Shanghai Bistro, 324 Main St. S., Stillwater Details: $45. Instructor guides participants through features painting in two hours. Includes supplies, music. Food and drink available. Contact: Tickets at paintnite.com; use code “SEEYOUSOON2015” for $20 off. Info: 952-255-9064

5.15.15

community bit'n pieces Carter Johnson From the Publisher

Fishing opener

Publisher Pu ub b sher

Fishing is a state sport in Minnesota. With more than 1.5 million licensed anglers and more than 11,800 lakes in the state, the fishing industry makes up more than $2.3 billion of our economy and provides thousands of jobs. For years I watched as my father loaded up the rods and tackle boxes to fish with a group of newspaper buddies. I have had experiences going on fishing trips with friends to Canada, where you’re wiped out by the end of each day from catching one walleye after another. Recently my dad has taken the boys in our family, my 8 year-old son and father-in-law included, on a fishing trip to Lake of the Woods in June. We spend three days trying to catch walleye, making bets on who can catch the first fish, first walleye, biggest fish and biggest walleye. The real treat is getting back to the rustic cabin each evening to recount our fishing stories of the day and enjoy a gourmet walleye dinner prepared by my brother, Cameron. While opening weekend has a focus on catching walleye, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports the real sought-after fish in the state is panfish like crappies, sunfish and bluegills. These fish are plentiful in our local lakes and easier to catch from a dock or along the shoreline. With thousands of lakes to choose from within a days drive, plan a Sunday afternoon or a week-long fishing trip of your own. Start a fishing tradition with your children or grandchildren and you will likely have a great bonding experience and make lifelong memories, as well.

MOTHER’S DAY Anna Jarvis came up with the idea of Mother’s Day in 1914, only to become disappointed in the commercialism it spurred. She died in 1948, reportedly exhausted from trying to undo what she helped create. While I don’t really embrace the “Hallmark holidays” either, Mother’s Day is a good excuse to honor the women who brought us into the world and those who enrich our lives as the mothers of our children. As our family gathered at my parent’s house for brunch on Sunday, it was fun to see how the dynamics are changing. My oldest sister, Julie, was there with three of her five little grandkids. My nephew, Blake, introduced us to his new girlfriend. My own superhero mom, who has entertained hundreds of guests over the years at the dining table, now delegates much of the meal preparation to the rest of us, because having that many people over has become overwhelming. With Grandma no longer around, my mom is now the matriarch of the family. Looking around at the new and aging faces in my family was a realization that life goes on and families are constantly changing. It’s a good thing we have people like moms to hold us all together. And you don’t have to wait until next Mother’s Day rolls around to make a big deal about your mother – it’s never too late to send your mom a note or a card, invite her over for brunch or send flowers. — Carter Johnson is the publisher of Press Publications

UP NORTH • In conjunction with the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers Association, Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau offers a free youth horseshoe league from June 9 to Aug. 11. Games are Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30pm at the VFW Post, 556 SW 12th St. in Forest Lake. Instruction, prizes. Bring own horseshoes. Register at www.ysblakesarea. org or 651-464-3685. • The ComfortLake Forest-Lake (clflwd.org) and Carnelian-MarineSt. Croix Watershed Districts (cmscwd.org) are offering incentive cost share grants of up to $5,000 to motivate shoreline owners to install buffers of native vegetation on their property. Contact www.mnwcd.org or 651330-8220 to learn more or schedule a free site visit. Lakes considered impaired in Washington County include Forest Lake, Bone Lake, Goose Lake, Sand Lake, Hay Lake and others. • Northern Lights Writers, the local chapter

CARTER JOHNSON Publisher

WADE WEBER CEO

MICHELLE MIRON Editor

PATTY STEELE Director of Sales & Marketing

NEIL WEST Production Manager

GREG WORKMAN Circulation Manager News

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Circulation

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© 2015 Material may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form whatsoever. Published Friday by Press Publications, Inc. 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110 www.readthelowdown.com Office Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday Mailed Subscription Rate: In county & zip code 55092: FREE Out of county: $26 for 6 mo. The Lowdown is direct mailed through the US Postal Service for guaranteed delivery.

The Lowdown is a continuation of the Forest Lake & St. Croix Valley Press.

of Romance Writers of America, presents a workshop on pitching to an editor from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16 at Giese Memorial Library, 26855 Forest Blvd., Wyoming. Optional breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Village Inn in Wyoming. Info: www. northernlightswriters.org • The Forest Lake American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Garage Sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 28-30 at 355 W. Broadway Ave. in Forest Lake. Donations accepted through May 25 (no electronics or exercise equipment please). Info: 651-464-2600 • Home-schooled sixth grader Olivia Nienaber of Scandia has won a Disney Friends for Change Youth Grant through Youth Service America. She's using the money to organize other members of the Soaring Eagles 4-H Club into creating a “Barn Quilt” trail encompassing four biking routes through Scandia, Marine and May Township. Six wooden squares meant to resemble quilt blocks will be posted along the routes, with information presented to seniors from a local nursing home.

Norwich Pkwy. in Oak Park Heights (north side Gables entrance). • Washington County sponsors a free guided bird hike from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16 at Big Marine Park Reserve. Data will be collected for a survey. Info: www.co.washington. mn.us/parks or 651-4308370. $5 parking pass needed. • Washington county offers a free guided fitness hike for participants 13 and older from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday, May 21 starting from Lake Elmo Park Reserve's Nordic

Center. The event repeats June 4 and 18; July 2, 16 and 30; Aug. 13 and 27; Sept. 10 and 24; and Oct. 8 and 22. $5 parking pass needed. • Minnesota author Glenn Ickler discusses his book "Fishing for a Killer" from 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at Valley Bookseller, 217 Main St. N. in Stillwater. • The Washington County Fair seeks food and commercial vendors for this year's fair July 20 to Aug. 2. It also needs adults willing to sell tickets to earn money for their organizations. Info: www. washingtoncountyfair. org or 651-436-6009. • The Washington County Fair seeks nominees 70 and older (by June 1) with strong community service backgrounds for this year's Outstanding Senior Citizens. Must be county residents. Info: 651-439-0293. • The St. Croix Base Ball Club, a vintage base ball club that plays by the rules of 1860, will begin the 2015 season with an open practice from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday May 17 at the Old Athletic Field (corner of Orleans and Sixth Avenue S.) in Stillwater. Info: 651-439-5956 or www.wchsmn.org/events/ vintage-base-ball/.

OUT EAST • The St. Croix River Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at Boutwells Landing, 5600

HAVE THE SCOOP FOR THE LOWDOWN? Please email news stories, briefs, tips, photos, letters and miscellaneous gossip to Michelle at lowdownnews@ presspubs.com, or if desperate call her at 651-407-1229.

5.15.15

Some more Sommer: Stillwater party-goers mingle with 'Mad Men' star BY MICHELLE MIRON Editor

STILLWATER — Yes, former Stillwater resident Rich Sommer looks pretty much in person what he looks like on AMC's "Mad Men." But Sommer's personality seems much more humble than that of his character Harry Crane, the morally ambiguous TV department manager who tried to use his power this season at the expense of Don's ex-wife Megan Draper. At a Stillwater Library Foundation fundraising dinner at the Lowell Inn in Stillwater Saturday night, the amiable Sommer deflected praise about his tenure on the hit TV show and told self-effusing stories about his early life in Stillwater and his career to date. No spoiler alerts went on record, though — as he told the crowd, he'd kept the May 17 series finale secret and only had eight more days to keep his mouth shut. In one of the best anecdotes drawn out of him by interviewer Lee Valsvik of local radio station Kool 108, he recounted figuring out as a teen how to borrow several library books about sex without checking them out; since he spent so much there he knew all the employees and didn't want them to discover his choice of reading material. Another great story centered around his trials prior to landing the Harry Crane role. He was feeling very down after completing 30 auditions (mainly for comedies) during pilot season without getting a single callback. In fact, he said, one casting director contacted his agent and asked him not to send him on more auditions. He learned he had the "Mad Men" role hours before the first cast table reading of the script, finding out later he was not first choice for the role. Another highlight of the evening was when Mayor Ted Kozlowski stepped up to read a proclamation declaring May 9, 2015 Rich Sommer Day in Stillwater. Sommer seemed stunned to see his former Stonebridge Elementary classmate, noting when he'd talked to Kozlowski earlier he failed to mention he'd become mayor. Close to 170 people attended the nearsold-out dinner event, while others mingled with him at an earlier onsite cocktail party that was sold out. An estimated half of the combined crowd showed up in 1960s-era garb as requested. Sommer mentioned during his interview that his in-laws but not his wife Virginia were in the crowd. Event planners headed up by Anne Young had added themed details to the event such as candy cigarettes from Stillwater's Candyland at place settings, name tags referencing locales mentioned on the show, 60sthemed programs and a slide show featuring Sommer. Cocktails themed to the show included Joanie's Ginger Julep (“red, just like everyone's favorite office manager”); Sterling's Martini (“Roger can't decide — Mona? Jane? Joan? He does know to stick to clear liquors”) and Pete's Stinger (“Not the insult that led to an Irish boxing duel between Campbell and Price”). Adding to the fun was a live auction of related items including collector dolls resembling Don Draper, Roger Sterling and Joan Harris. Kozlowski got into a heated bid-

ding war to win a package featuring an inperson viewing of a KOOL radio show of his choice, while reporter Alicia Lebens of the Stillwater Gazette paid $300 for the Draper doll. Someone else won the chance to help create and name their own cocktail at local restaurant LOLO. Sommer passed out some of the prizes himself. Valsvik mentioned she'd met Sommer when he was a fifth-grader ("He was almost like a kid intern") hanging around the radio station to observe what on-air personalities did. At one point in the interview, she presented him a gift card good for 20 sliders from Stillwater's White Castle in a nod to a "Mad Men" episode in which Crane got high at a Rolling Stones concert before downing 20 of the burgers.

IN OTHER HIGHLIGHTS FROM VALSVIK'S INTERVIEW WITH SOMMER, HE: • Mentioned his next project, a role in the upcoming Netflix miniseries "Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp" which will serve as a prequel to the 2001 cult classic movie. It launches in July and features much of the original star-studded cast including Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Pine, Jason Schwartzman, David Hyde Pierce and Janeane Garofalo. • Talked about the "Midwestern contingent" working on "Mad Men" that included Minnesota natives Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell) of Apple Valley, executive producer Scott Hornbacher of Moorhead and one of the makeup artists. He pointed out Hamm is from Missouri and January Jones (Betty Draper) is from North Dakota. • After being asked about his favorite moment related to the show, recalled sitting in the "Saturday Night Live" audience when Bobby Moynihan, with whom he had acted in professional improv group Upright Citizens Brigade, spoofed his character in a "Mad Men" skit starring host Jon Hamm. Later Moynihan and Sommer had a good cry together about how far they'd come in their careers. • To mock groans from the audience, mentioned that his character started out to be "a good guy" but eventually misused his power because he was "so indispensable he thought he could do whatever he wanted." • Remembered spending a lot of time in the Stillwater library after his parents divorced and he lived part-time with his dad in an apartment next to the library. When his high school friend Matt Thueson suggested he be part of a library fundraiser, he wondered why he hadn't though of it himself, he noted. • Recalled working as needed at Minneapolis improv center Brave New Workshop and being paid $100 a week. • Discussed his board game collection, which now numbers more than 800. He said he'd been successful in getting "Mad Men" cast members, including Hamm and show creator Matt Weiner, to play certain games during down times on set.

Top photo by Paul Dols, bottom two photos by Michelle Miron, Above, Sommer is interviewed by Lee Valsvik of Kool108. Below, many attendees wore 1960s clothing, hairstyles and makeup in keeping with the theme.

5.15.15

washington county sheriff reports FOREST LAKE AREA • A Newport woman, 44, was arrested April 20 in the 12000 block of Mayberry Avenue N., Scandia, for fifth-degree controlled substance possession. • A resident in the 19000 block of Orwell Court N., Scandia, on April 22 reported a motorcycle stolen from Marine on St. Croix.

LAKE ELMO • A Lake Elmo man, 29, was arrested April 18 in the 4000 block of Lily Avenue N. on an outstanding warrant. • A White Bear Lake man, 34, was cited April 21 on Inwood Avenue N. and 10th

Street for driving after revocation and failure to provide proof of insurance. • A White Bear Lake man, 40, was cited April 21 on Highway 36 and Manning Avenue N. for driving after cancellation and failure to provide proof of insurance. • Numerous toys and games were reported stolen April 22 from a metal storage container in the 10000 block of 10th Street N. • A can of juice was reported stolen April 24 from Oak-Land Junior High School on Manning Avenue N. A juvenile has been referred to the Youth Services Bureau. • A Minneapolis man, 24, was cited April 24 on Highway 36 and Demontreville Road for driving without a valid Minnesota

driver's license. • A resident in the 9400 block of Lake Jane Trail N. on April 25 reported eggs thrown at the property. There are no suspects. • A St. Paul man, 21, was arrested on warrant April 28 in the 9300 block of Ideal Avenue N. and cited for driving after revocation and no proof of insurance.

STILLWATER • A New Hope man, 30, was cited April 21 on Highway 36 and Greeley Street N. for driving after suspension. • An Anoka man, 24, was cited April 28 in the 13900 block of Highway 36 for careless driving, driving after revocation and no insurance.

STILLWATER TOWNSHIP MAY TOWNSHIP • A Forest Lake man, 26, was arrested on warrant April 25 on Manning Avenue N. and 150th Street N. and cited for driving after revocation, speeding and no driver's license in possession.

• An Eveleth man, 21, was cited April 22 on Stonebridge Trail N. and Oakgreen Avenue N. for driving after revocation. — Compiled by Loretta Harding from county reports

police • Washington County conducts a household hazardous waste and electronics collection from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 16, at the Lily Lake Arena, 1208 S. Greeley St. in Stillwater. Document shredding will be available. If you miss the date, the Washington County Environmental Center, 4039 Cottage Grove Dr. in Woodbury, offers free disposal for household hazardous waste, electronics, and recyclables year round. • The county seeks resident participation at community forums on the future of the county library system. One is from 7 to 9 p.m. May 27 at the Cottage Grove Service Center, 13000 Ravine Parkway S. in Cottage Grove and one is 7-9 p.m. June 4, at the Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N. in Stillwater. A committee is reviewing the county’s model for providing library systems and developing a strategic plan. Info: www.co.washington. mn.us/libraryplanning. • Aaron Erdes, Stillwater, will serve on the Washington County Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program Citizen Advisory Committee. • The Hardwood Creek and Cottage Grove service centers have received the Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Certification due to measures implemented in 2012 and 2013. The buildings required 35 percent less energy and generate 35 percent fewer greenhouse gases than traditional buildings. • The county board conducts a public hearing at 9 a.m.

reports

May 26 to receive comments on the issuance of some $12 million in bonds to finance the Piccadilly Square senior housing project in Mahtomedi. Location: Government Center, 14949 N. 62nd St., Stillwater. The

project

will

provide

affordable, independent living options for seniors in a 79-unit, three-story building. Rents will be affordable to seniors with incomes from 50 to 60 percent of the area median income — about $30,000 for a one-person household or $34,000 for a two-person household. •

The

board

amount

approved

tax

the

credits

available to private developers for

investments

construction,

new

substantial

rehabilitation and preservation of affordable housing in the county. The 2016 allocation is estimated at $549,092. • The county and the city of Stillwater were honored by the St. Croix River Association April

preserving

for

their

work

St.

Croix

River

shore land by purchasing the Aiple property just north of downtown Stillwater. The city plans a park on site. County Commissioner called

the

Gary

Kriesel

opportunity

purchase the property “a oncein-a-lifetime

opportunity

preserve land” along the river. The county gathered funding from

the

Citizen Minnesota

state

Legislative-

Commission

Resources

and

county funds from the votersupported

Land

and

Water

Legacy Program. — From county reports

Sushi on Main Street N. May 1. An intoxicated couple left without At press time May 11 paying their $10 bill. The authorities had captured male has committed two of three inmates similar offenses at the who escaped from the restaurant. minimum-security St. •A fight was reported Croix Correctional Center at PD Pappy’s on in New Richmond, Wis. Mulberry Street E. May Fairley May 6. None are considered 2. Police were unable dangerous. Kyle John to locate the offenders. Peterson was captured in •A fourth-degree DWI arrest was Whitewater, Wis. and Andre Lee made on Main Street S. May 2 Vance in Madison May 8. Police after a two-vehicle accident. are still searching for Jesse • Possible theft was reported Jamal Fairley, 26. Those with info at Washington Square Park on are asked to call 715-386-4704. Greeley Street S. May 2 • Fifth-degree domestic assault and interference with 911 were STILLWATER AREA • Suspicious vehicles were reported at Myrtle and Center reported at Wells Fargo on streets May 2. • A juvenile complaint involving Northwestern Avenue April 30 • A two-vehicle accident was property damage was reported reported at Nelson’s Ice Cream at Parkwood Lane in Croixwood May 2. A house was egged and on Olive Street S. April 30 • An injured hawk was reported a thrown jar of jelly broken in a driveway. on Churchill Street W. April 30 • A drunk male was reported at • Theft was reported at Rafters Lucky’s Station on Main Street N. on Main Street S. May 4 • An intoxicated driver was April 30 • A suspicious situation was reported on 34th Street N. in reported at America’s Best Value Lake Elmo May 4 Inn on Frontage Road W. May 1. • Credit card fraud was reported A guest requesting a refund said at Seventh Street S. May 4 a man behind the hotel counter • A 15-year-old male was reported appeared to be drunk. Police for possession of an e-cig at talked to the manager who was Stillwater Junior High May 6 • An arrest warrant was addressed not intoxicated. • A naked male was reported at on Greeley Street S. May 6 Norell Avenue N. in Oak Park • Gas drive-off was reported at Settlers Way gas station May 6 Heights May 1 • Threats were reported at • An arrest warrant was addressed Stillwater Junior High on Marsh on Martha Street S. May 6 • A fourth-degree DWI was Street W. May 1 • An IRS scam was reported on reported on Chestnut Street E. May 7. The subject refused a test. Greeley Street S. May 1 • An intoxicated and suicidal • Reports of child maltreatment male was reported on Greeley on both Osman Avenue N. and Curve Crest Boulevard May 5 Street S. May 1 • An IRS scam was reported on turned out to be unfounded. • A drunk male was reported at Eagle Ridge Trail May 1 • An intoxicated driver was Harbor Bar on Owens Street N. reported on the Stillwater Lift May 5 • A fire was reported May 6 in a Bridge May 1 • Suspicious activity was planter on Main Street S. south reported at Marx Wine Bar on of Myrtle Main Street S. May 1 — From city reports • Theft was reported at Osaka

FAIRLEY STILL MISSING

5.15.15

Head shot and photo courtesy U of Nebraska SID Former FLAHS star Dusty Boyer went 21-12 in singles this season for the Nebraska mens tennis squad, including 14-8 in the spring. He played all but one match at No. 1 singles and earned First Team All-Big Ten honors, as he did last season as a sophomore. Boyer finished the year winning seven of his final eight matches. The junior was at No. 1 doubles for a vast majority of the season with a 13-17 record. The team tied for ninth in the conference with a 3-8 record, and finished 10-13 overall.

Pony girls lead SEC tory over Cretin. Remi Larson added three goals and an assist, and Ellie Anderson finished with two goals and a trio of helpers. Pony goaltender Katie Lottsfeldt picked up the win, facing five shots and saving two. Stillwater dominated Woodbury 18-1 with Lottsfeldt and Brittany Pooley sharing time in the nets. Sanderson had four goals,

Claire Haws aws

and Anna Carman three goals. Larson, Anderson and Natalie Crepeau had a pair of goals apiece in the route of the Royals. Stillwater (5-0, 7-1) is alone on top the SEC standings, followed by Park-Cottage Grove (5-1, 8-2), Roseville (4-2, 5-3), East Ridge (3-2, 6-3) and Cretin-Derham Hall (3-2, 4-4). — Mark Aguirre

ST. CR

OIX V ALLE

aff

Stillwater synchronized zed swim

os thletes ch en by press st

Athlete

of the

Week

A pair of lopsided victories kept the Stillwater girls lacrosse team unbeaten in Suburban East Conference play. The Ponies dusted off Woodbury and CretinDerham Hall last week to give them a 5-0 SEC mark. They've won six games in a row and are 7-1 overall. Stillwater got four goals from Carter Sanderson in a 14-5 vic-

Claire was second in solos in her team’s 25-21 conference win over rival Forest Lake. She’s competed at state six times and been ranked All State, All Conference and All Conference Honorable Mention. She also swims for a club synchro team and the Pony swim team. Claire holds a weighted GPA of 4.19, belongs to NHS and has been Academic All American for swimming. Minnesota’s #1 Volume Toyota Dealer! Per Toyota Motor Sale USA 2014

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Auto skills contest they OUT EAST undertook in February. They • The Ponies Touchdown placed third in the hands-on Club hosted its Second portion of competition. Annual Ponies Football • FLAHS track team member Alumni Gathering April 30 at Abby Buesseler is now 10th The Heights Hall and Club, on the school’s all-time triple drawing players dating back jump rankings with a recent to the class of 1948 and as jump of 34’4. Chloe Foster recently as 2007. The bulk of has moved up to seventh the present coaching staff Jacobson in 300 meter hurdles with a was present as well as past time of 48.68 coaches including George • The FLAHS boys tennis Thole, Jerry Foley, Donn Drommerhausen, Mike Pavlovich, team blanked Woodbury 7-0 May 6, Steve Forseth and Tom Rasmussen. then went on to win its seventh straight Speaking were club president Eric dual match with wins over Andover Olson, club Alumni Chair Eric Thole and Cambridge May 9. and Head Coach Beau LaBore. • The Ranger baseball team beat Former coaches Thole and Foley Stillwater 2-0 last week, then beat Park 3-2 May 8. presented a skit. • Oak-Land Junior High student Luke Wallner pitched a complete game Jasmine Johnson, 14, was honored shutout. A couple of key defensive by the Washington County Sheriff’s plays by Joe Rydel and Cody Huset Department for helping save a woman’s kept the Ponies from scoring. On May life. After smelling gas coming out of a 6 Forest Lake went on to beat White house last fall, she entered the house, Bear 7-1. turned off the gas, called 911 and tried • LILA kindergartners recently met award-winning Minnesota author and to pull the woman out. • SAHS alum Ben Blankenship (Class of illustrator Nancy Carlson as part of 2007) is all over YouTube after setting their unit on expressing themselves a world record in the distance medley through writing. relay at International Association of • The FLAHS girls lacrosse team beat Athletics Federations Relays May Roseville 15-14 May 4. 3. Blankenship anchored Team USA • LILA sixth-grader Strom Norcross with a last leg of 1600 meters to best and his sister Aria Norcross, a LILA alum, took first at the State History previous record-holder Kenya. •2010 SAHS alum Jack Swanson is Day competition at U of M recently. living in Florence, Italy to pursue work Their project featured a dramatic as a professional opera singer. Hear presentation on the founders of the Mayo Clinic for this year’s theme him sing on YouTube. • SAHS student Fiona Montie won “Leadership & Legacy in History.” The a 2015 college scholarship through Scandia residents advance to national Twin Cities In Motion, which runs competition in Washington, D.C. June the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. 14-18. Montie holds a weighted 4.1 GPA, • Forest Lake Schools are requesting has logged 255 hours of community staff and community member feedback service and volunteer work and is in an 11-item quality survey lasting captain of the SAHS girls track and through May 26. Results will be part of field team, through which she’s been a report submitted to the Minnesota named All State. She developed a Department of Education in October. nutrition education program at United To access the survey, go to http://goo. Family Medicine Health Clinic in St. gl/9Sfyhc, contact 651-982-8104 or Paul for Spanish-speaking patients. cramberg@flaschools.org or contact a She plans to attend the University of building principal for a print copy. Wisconsin this fall to study biological • LILA kindergartner Alexandra Wenzler of Forest Lake was one of sciences or neuropsychology . 10 winning artists selected for the Scholastic Reading Clubs’ “Picture UP NORTH She and her • John-Paul Jacobson, now a principal A Story” contest. with the Shakopee School District, is classmates listened to a story in new Century Junior High principal as Mandarin then drew a picture based on of July 1. He replaces Ben Lewis, who their understanding. retires in June. Jacobson’s previous • LILA sixth graders raised more jobs included elementary teacher, than $1,000 for organization Free math teacher and dean of students at the Children as part of the We schools in Nevada. By 2007 he was Create Change program, a monthassistant principal with Northdale long challenge to help children in Middle School in the Anoka Hennepin developing countries attend school. School District, and in 2010 he joined • The FLAHS FFA was named a top 10 the Shakopee District, spending chapter at the 2015 Minnesota State some time on special assignment as FFA Convention at U of M April 26director of technology and evaluation. 28. It now qualifies for judging at the He holds a Masters of Education National FFA Convention & Expo in in educational leadership from the Louisville, Kentucky Oct. 28-31. University of Nevada-Las Vegas and • MnDOT was to present video is working on a Doctor of Education clips and show layouts about this degree in educational administration summer’s Highway 61 and Highway 97 reconstruction project at FLAHS from Bethel University. • FLAHS students Sam Stachel and May 14. The work will include a Luke Favreau placed first statewide roundabout at each intersection and a on the written portion of the Ford AAA pedestrian bridge.

& locker rooms Boyer All Big Ten

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M Maddy’s tidy round keyed her team to a recent conference team win at Highland re National Golf Course in St. Paul, ﬁring a N 40 to medal. The Rangers bested runner4 up Stillwater by 4 strokes. Maddy played u at state last season after taking third at a sections, earning All Conference two se yyears to date and lettering four times. SShe has also lettered in Ranger hockey, holds a GPA of 3.7 and participates in h DECA. D Minnesota’s #1 Volume Toyota Dealer! Per Toyota Motor Sale USA 2014

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5.15.15

LABA CELEBRATES The Lakes Area Business Association of Forest Lake recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Elected as directors were John Freed of Forest Engineering (treasurer); Richard McNamara of McNamara Insurance (president); and Dick Tschida of Electric Cords (vice president). Karen Freed is secretary. The group works to reduce the cost of doing business in the Forest Lake, Columbus, Linwood, Scandia and Wyoming area; schedules speakers; sponsors public forums for city and school board elections; and makes donations for area needs. It meets each Wednesday at noon at Vannelli’s at Lake St. and Broadway Ave. in Forest Lake. Info: 651-464-5390. RUDDY TO D.C. Chris Ruddy, owner of Ruddy’s Rental Inc. in Forest Lake, joined colleagues from the equipment rental industry and American Rental Association on Capitol Hill recently to discuss industry issues with elected representatives and staff. NEW OFFICE The Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce attended a ribbon cutting to to celebrate the new office of Daniel Chrzanowski, a financial advisor with Edward Jones GENERAL STORE UPDATED The Marine General Store has a new website, www.marinegeneralstore.com, and has added the Marine General Food Club to its offerings. The club allows customers to buy foods from specialty vendors not regularly carried by the store. SHREDDING DONATION Security Victor Insurance Agency held its Seventh Annual Shredding Event in Wyoming April 18, shredding more than 6,200 pounds of documents. The agency collected $10 for every bag or box shredded, donating $1,675 to the Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau. NEW CHIROPRACTOR A new office called Total Family Chiropractic has opened at 15226 W. Freeway Dr. NE in Columbus. Owners Dr. Ashley Rath and her husband Tyler recently moved to Forest Lake from Belgrade. Rath specializes in pediatrics and treating pregnant women. The business will also offer free health talks on various topics. Info: 651-6532190 or www.TotalFamilyChiropractic.net.

COMING SOON TO DOWNTOWN WHITE BEAR LAKE THIS SUMMER... More information published in future issues!

FLAHS grad speaker: 'Students give me a sense of purpose' BY MICHELLE MIRON Editor

FOREST LAKE — Chosen by graduating seniors to speak at this year's Forest Lake Area High School commencement ceremony June 5 is Dan Koch, a FLAHS social studies teacher who has also assistant coached the school's football program. The Lowdown asked the Blaine resident, 33, about his background and his thoughts on the impending speech. Q: What do you plan to talk about in your speech? A: This is where my anxiety starts to spike ... because I'm not really sure yet. I've thought about something related to being present in the moment and enjoying the journey of life rather than always just looking to the future, but I don't really have it worked out yet and it might change. I gave the NHS induction speech a few years ago and as Link Crew coordinator I have to talk to the entire incoming sophomore class every year at orientation, but this is definitely a much Submitted photo larger (and more intimidating) scale. FLAHS social studies teacher Dan Koch, with his son Gavin, gives a nod to Captain Q: What do you know now that America. you wish you would have known Q: To you, what's the most diffiincluding coaching football, advising back in high school? A: To appreciate the little things for Link Crew, creating and advising cult part about teaching? A: One of the first that comes to mind in life. There is no grand secret to the school Open Minds Club, being happiness. Life is what you choose social studies department chair, be- is grading papers, and all the other to make of it, so be true to yourself ing on the Teaching and Learning work we have to do outside of "contract and find your passion. Without that, Team, and this year being a part-time hours." Teachers can never really "leave work at work" literally or figuratively, everything else is hollow. No matter Peer Coach . Q: Have you always been a big jock? and it's frustrating when it takes away how appealing they may seem, no A: I played football in high school, from my time with my family. amount of money, awards or prestige Q: The most rewarding? but certainly didn't have the ability can fill that void. A: The students. It's the reason we Q: What's been your education level to play at UW. I basically see coaching as a nice change of pace put up with all of the challenges and and career history? A: I'm originally from Wausau, from the rest of my day and a differ- frustrations that come with the job. Wis. I graduated from the University ent, fun way to connect with students. They inspire me, they energize me Q: What made you want to be a and they give me a sense of purpose. of Wisconsin-Madison in 2005 with Q: Tell us about your family. a triple major in psychology, history teacher? A: My wife Gayle and I met in colA: Originally I planned to work education and broad field social studies education. I earned an M.A. In in academia doing psychological re- lege in 2002 and we've been married education from Hamline University search or possibly be a therapist. But since 2007. We live in Blaine with our in 2010 and have been working on when I thought about the people who son Gavin, who is 3. Q: What's in your five-year plan? additional graduate-level courses really made a difference in my life, A: Honestly, I don't have any othsince then. I worked at Farmington outside of my family, I realized my High School for one year before tak- (high school) teachers really had a er career ambitions. I'm a teacher at ing the job here in 2006. At the high profound impact on me. I wanted to heart, so I'm already doing what I love. Q: What's on your bucket list? school I have taught AP psychology, be able to make a difference, to imA: To live a meaningful and happy psychology, U.S. history, world his- pact the lives of others, and I know of tory and Contemporary Social Issues. nothing (besides being a parent) that life. Everything else will work itself out. I've also had a number of other roles does that more than teaching.

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5.15.15

1| UTECHT Their mother Henrietta — known locally as “Blondie” — was unusually entrepreneurial for a woman of her time, buying and opening a drive-in restaurant and motel along 95 as well as a 15-unit apartment building in downtown Bayport. Locals may remember the St. Croix Motel (later known as the Lake Air Motel) and the Lake-Air Drive In which employed local girls as carhops. “At the time there were no hotels around here, in Stillwater or White Bear or anywhere,” Warren noted. “And the drive-in was (established) before Dairy Queen.” “She was way ahead of her time,” Jim added. “She knew everybody.” All three boys were drafted into the service after high school, though Ralph remembered most guys his age volunteering to go. He served in intelligence at Camp Rucker, Ala., Fort Benning, Ga. and Camp Roberts, California and toward the end of his service helped process soldiers preparing to serve in Korea. “I never got overseas, which was probably a blessing,” he noted. “But we more-less grew up,” Jim, barred from active duty due to a gunshot wound in his foot sustained as a youth, worked primarily in a heavy mortar unit driving tanks at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. “I’m mostly pretty proud of what I did,” he said of his service. “But it was kind of a picnic. I was doing everything I wanted to do.” Warren said his military work “was basically fun because of my field.” For two years he served active duty, primarily driving vehicles for the D Battery 49th Anti-Aircraft

Submitted photos From left, Warren Utecht in the service, Jim Utecht at age 15 with a truck owned by Utecht Rendering and Ralph Utecht in the service.

Artillery Gun Battalion. He was stationed in Illinois before transferring to the Stillwaterbased Guard for another year. After his service, Warren became a bulldozer operator and has since lived in Bayport 50 years. He worked for a Bayport and Hugo construction firm that designed and built 30 regional golf courses, including Oak Glen in Stillwater. Jim previously owned three metro-area laundromats and worked for a company specializing in moving houses. He now owns a firm that services light poles in the Twin Cities area. Ralph ran his own mink farm in Bayport for 15 years, founding a regional distributor called the Midwest Fur Producers Association and at one point raising 4,000 mink and selling fur all over the world. When that market

slowed he worked for Andersen Corp. for 20 more years. He’s spent 50 of his adult years in his hometown. Warren and Ralph remain married. Jim has three children, one grandchild and one greatgrandchild; Ralph three children, five grandchildren and one bonus great-grandchild and Warren four children and 10 grandchildren. Many of their offspring graduated from or now attend Stillwater Schools. These days Warren spends spare time pontooning, fishing and “fixing things” while Jim (who moved to Shoreview several years ago) enjoys golfing, fishing and traveling. Ralph has been an avid horseman for 25 years. Ralph attributed his longevity in Bayport to happy lifelong memories and the beautiful landscape surrounding his hometown. “See why we never left?” he asked, point-

ing to the view of the St. Croix from the picture window of Warren’s home. “It’s like the Florida of Minnesota.” Ralph has belonged to the Bayport American Legion 48 years, Warren 47. Warren has walked in most Bayport Memorial Day parades, while Ralph marched for several years and played trumpet for the Legion Drum & Bugle Corp. “I don’t think I’ve ever missed a Bayport parade,” added Jim. On May 25, the Utechts will be riding at the front. Though none have been able to locate their original uniforms, Warren will be wearing his original American Legion hat. “All three have just been really active in the community,” noted Bayport Legion Commander Wayne Peterson. “We just said ‘Why don’t we honor all three together?’”

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5.15.15

Voters: Yes to $97.5 million tax-neutral school bond STILLWATER — By a 58 percent margin, voters in the Stillwater Area Public School

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pand student opportunities in a special election May 12. The bond will pay for an addition and renovations at the high school, construction of a new elementary school and a variety of improvements to facilities across the district. It will also change grade configuration by moving to preK-5 elementary schools, 6-8 middle schools and a 9-12 high school. With existing debt falling off in the coming years, the bond will not increase taxes beyond what residents currently pay. “Our community clearly saw the advantages of this plan and the unique opportunity to make needed changes for our students,” said Superintendent Tom Nelson. “We’re thankful to the staff and community members who created a long-range facilities plan that makes sense for our students and our residents, and to the many staff and volunteers who worked to share the plan with our community. We look forward to getting started.” District staff will now turn their attention to

designing and planning for the various construction projects. Obtaining a site for a new elementary school will be one of the first priorities, and a decision is expected yet this spring. Committees of staff and parents will begin work next week to finalize designs for the high school addition and begin designing the elementary school. Architects will also meet with staff in other district facilities to plan necessary renovations. Planning will take place over the summer and fall, and bidding for projects will take place this winter. Groundbreaking for the high school addition and a new elementary school will take place in the spring of 2016. All construction will wrap up over the summer of 2017, and the grade configuration change will be in place for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. More details about how bond proceeds will be invested can be found at www.stillwaterschools.org/Bond2015. — Compiled from a press release

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5.15.15

Reel talk Don’t Miss!

Good

Worth a Look Forget it

“5 TO 7”

Stillwater historians, MnDOT spar over bridge book editing INITIAL AUTHORS RELEASE OWN BOOK ON ST. CROIX RIVER CROSSING

(R) (2.5) [SOME SEXUAL MATERIAL.]

BY MICHELLE MIRON

— When a struggling, 24-year-old, Jewish writer (Anton Yelchin) in New York City begins an affair between 5 P.M. and 7 P.M. with a beautiful married French woman (Bérénice Marlohe), who has two well-mannered children and an open marriage with her wealthy husband (Lambert Wilson), to the surprise of his parents (Glenn Close and Frank Langella) in this quirky, low-key, original, 95-minute, 2014 film, his life is profoundly affected by their relationship and the people, including a publisher (Eric Stolz) and an editor (Olivia Thirlby), he meets in their social circle.

Editor

“THE D TRAIN” (R) (2) [STRONG SEXUAL MATERIAL, NUDITY, LANGUAGE, AND DRUG USE.]

— When a Pittsburgh executive (Jack Black), who has a wife (Kathryn Hahn) and two children, heads to Los Angeles with his clueless boss (Jeffrey Tambor) on the pretense of closing a muchneeded business deal but he really wants to convince a once-popular classmate (James Marsden) turned actor to attend their upcoming high school reunion for the class of 1994 in this dark, occasionally painfully funny, unpredictable, surprising, 97-minute film, the aftermath of the trip has potentially dire consequences.

“HOT PURSUIT” (PG-13) (2.5) [SEXUAL CONTENT, VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE, AND SOME DRUG MATERIAL.]

— A corny, humorous, over-the-top, unpredictable, entertaining, 87-minute comedy in which an overzealous, bythe-book, diminutive Texas cop (Reese Witherspoon) finds herself on the run from two crooked detectives (Matthew Del Negro and Michael Mosley) and two menacing Columbians (Michael Ray Escamilla and Benny Nieves) while trying to protect a curvaceous, uncooperative, widowed, Columbian witness (Sofia Vergara) along with a U.S. marshal (Richard T, Jones) when her boss (John Carroll Lynch) assigns her the job to get the sultry witness to a Dallas courtroom to testify against a drug lord (Joaquín Cosio).

“THE SURFACE” (NR) (3)

— An engaging, intense, well-acted, 90-minute thriller in which a bright, sunny day does not go as planned for a grieving, despondent, guilt-ridden, Milwaukee warehouse employee (Sean Astin), who blames himself for the tragic accidental death of his father (Robert A. Smith), when he takes his dad’s old 1970s boat out to the middle of Lake Michigan with the intention of committing suicide and then by chance rescues a severely injured drug courier (Chris Mulkey), who has a wife (Mimi Rogers) and two teenage children, after he crashed his floatplane, which ends up changing the course of both their lives.

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

STILLWATER — The author of a local book on the $668 million St. Croix River Crossing says MnDOT is wrongly censoring a government-funded project. MnDOT representatives contend the Washington County Historical Society and the authors it hired for the project are contractually obligated to allow MnDOT to edit the copy to its standards. Either way, longtime Stillwater historian Donald Empson and co-author Kathleen Vadnais have published their own version of the book and turned over the entirety of the $50,000 MnDOT project to the WCHS. The Stillwater couple's version of the book entitled "Crossing the St. Croix: The 45-year Struggle to Build a New Stillwater Bridge and Save the Historic Lift Bridge" is now available directly from Empson (see sidebar). "They (MnDOT) are basically using $50,000 of taxpayer money to burnish their image using the names of respectable historians and the WCHS," Empson said. "Two of their historians have said in meetings with us their job is to make MnDot look good, and that's what they're trying to do.” The story started last year when MnDOT contracted for the book with the WCHS. The WCHS then arranged for Empson and Vadnais to write part of the content free of charge (the other part was to be written by WCHS Executive Director Brent Peterson and local historian Nancy Goodman) with the understanding the $50,000 for the finished product would go to the society itself. Payment was to come from the millions of dollars in mitigation funding set aside by MnDOT to compensate for effects from the crossing project. Empson said he realized the state agency planned to omit or heavily edit content after he submitted segments of his rough draft to check facts. He called the significant content changes that ensued a misinterpretation of the contract, which lists the WCHS as publisher with final content approval. Empson produced emails discussing information the government agency wished to omit. That information include references to three local architects who devised an original crossing design; costs of cultural resource studies related to the crossing; the specific lift expectancy of the Lift Bridge and the fact the Lift Bridge was once slated to be removed from MnDOT jurisdiction and funding once the new crossing was built. On the grounds it couldn't be substantiated, MnDOT also objected to an anecdote about a former bridge tender who was allegedly drunk. MnDOT St. Croix Crossing Project Coordinator Todd Clarkowski said the society and its authors are simply not following the original agreement. He said they're contractually obligated to "work interactively and iteratively with MnDOT and the Minnesota State Historical Preservation Office, all in a transparent process." The contract dictates the society and MnDOT must both be satisfied with the content before payment, he said. "MnDOT has provided comments

to WCHS on their description of historic events (railroads and tribal issues), the alternatives studied, and the selected Preferred Alternative Package as part of the St. Croix Crossing Project, “he wrote” MnDOT comments have yet to be incorporated into the book.” Now another version of the book is slated for completion by Peterson and Goodman this December so the WCHS can retain the funding. Peterson said the WCHS is contractual publisher, but MnDOT maintains it has editorial rights for the book to be titled "The Stillwater Lift Bridge: The Ups & Downs of a Community Icon." MnDOT has already rejected a first draft, according to Peterson. "MnDOT has removed items historically correct because they feel it hurts the image of MnDOT," he stated. "At every point in our discussions … MnDOT has threatened termination of the contract if we do not submit to their changes of the manuscript."

Clarkowski responded that MnDOT's comments on the latest version of the text remain unaddressed. "We have not yet agreed on the current version," he wrote. "MnDOT is awaiting WCHS to incorporate MnDOT comments." As for Empson and Vadnais' book, Clarkowski has asked that neither he nor MnDOT be among those credited for reviewing its content. “It gives the false impression that MnDOT is supportive of your book, when we have not read it or provided you any comments or indicated any level of support,” he told Empson in an email. Professional historian Empson, 73, has lived in Stillwater since 1993. He started writing about local history in 1975, including “The Street Where You Live; A Guide to the Place Names of St. Paul” (2006, University of Minnesota Press). Prior to that he was an instructor at the University of Iowa Library School and a librarian at the Minnesota Historical Society. Vadnais, his wife, is a journalist who's written for a number of newspapers and edited a national magazine.

Empson, who said he has mixed feelings about the River Crossing itself, became interested in the story of the crossing as a member of River Town Restoration, a group dedicated to preserving Stillwater history. He also incorporated the non-profit Stillwater Lift Bridge Association and was part of a 20022006 crossing stakeholders group which included representatives from 28 government and environmental agencies. "I think (the crossing) is the most significant event in Stillwater’s history," he explained. "When else has the name of Stillwater been used by two presidents (Clinton and Obama), at least six cabinet secretaries, a dozen or more congressmen from both parties and several state governors? This was a dispute played out at the national level." He said he collected related research for longer than a decade and started writing his book about 18 months ago. "Too often historians wait 100 years before they consider an event 'historical,' and by then much of the information has been lost," he noted. "I considered it a writing challenge to try and take this very complicated process over 45 years and make it readable and interesting to the general public." His finished product, he said, was read by "several stakeholders from MnDOT, Sierra Club, NPS, FWHA and others" to offer a balanced perspective. He and Vadnais spent $1,800 of their own money on the printing. The biggest surprise during his research, he said, was "How convoluted the whole process was, and how dedicated MnDOT seemed to be in wanting to build the new bridge." The most intriguing element? "In the end, it was the Coalition for St. Croix River Crossing along with Senator Klobuchar who pushed the bridge through Congress. One coalition board member, Louanne Berg of J. & L Steel, got a $63 million dollar contract out of the bridge project. It's not illegal, anybody can lobby … but I think that's the way things work." Other than disagreements with MnDOT, Empson said his greatest challenge was adding color to the text. "I used a lot of colorful quotes, and what I thought were humorous illustrations," he explained. "But it is not like writing about George Washington where you have hundreds and hundreds of other sources to consult. The other challenge was finding good documents. I filed a couple of Freedom of Information requests from federal agencies and have received nothing to date. I also filed data privacy requests from the state, but got very little. Fortunately, former Oak Park Heights Mayor David Beaudet had accumulated a number of documents which he shared with me." Empson said he remains "extremely frustrated" about the issue with MnDOT but will continue to work on other writing projects, though none are immediately pending. "I am 73," he said. "I don't even buy green bananas anymore, much less have a fiveyear plan."

| 17

5:43

8:36

Sat May 16

5:42

8:37

I spotted a few firsts this past week on Peppertree Pond: first sighting of goslings and baby mallards. Dandelions are beginning to seed.

Sun May 17

5:41

8:38

YEAR AGO THIS WEEK

Mon May 18

5:40

8:39

Tue May 19

5:39

8:40

A cool period with highs ten degrees colder than normal. Big rain May 19, 2.12 inches.

Wed May 20

5:38

8:41

WEEKLY AVERAGES MAY 15-21, 2015

Thu May 21

5:37

8:42

High 70 °

Low 48°

%Sun 60%

PCP 0.75”

sudoku

5 6 3 4 1 9 8 7 2

4 7 2 3 8 6 5 1 9

9 8 1 2 5 7 6 4 3

CE E I P A , SION IS NOT U L L I N IS A T YOU SEE G N I T N I “PA GIC, SO WHA SEE.” OF MA WHAT YOUGUSTON - PHILIP

2 3 8 6 4 1 9 5 7

5 1 6 4 3 9 8

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

1 5 7 9 3 2 4 8 6

3. Plural of os 4. Young goats 5. “Peanuts” creator’s initials 6. State in NE India 7. Type of TV program 8. Shoulder adornment 9. Meat-roasting rod 10. Protective floor pad 11. Anger 12. Spread over 14. Blackthorn fruit 15. Commingle 17. Affirmative 22. Horse used to set the pace 23. Appeals 24. British thermal unit 25. Complex red organic pigment containing iron 26. Bura 28. Languages of Sulu islands 29. Raise with great force 32. Dried-up 36. Scientific research workplace 38. Purplish red 40. NYSE symbol TEN 43. Secure 44. Commercial-free TV station 45. Macaws 46. Open and sincere 51. Oldest Swiss Un. (alt. sp.) 54. Very high frequency 55. Name for ancient Syria 56. NFL’s “The Big Cat” Leon 57. Jai __, sport 58. Actress Blanchett 59. Cords 60. Not or 64. Constitutes

Fri May 15

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1. Digestive fluid 2. Capital of Norway

WEATHER TIDBIT

SUNRISE / SUNSET

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Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com

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1. Library furnishings 10. A major N. Am. river 12. Music for a narrative poem 13. A set of steps 15. Shooting stars 16. Keenly perceptive 18. -__, denotes past 19. “3:10 to Yuma” actress Gretchen 20. Old English 21. Sami 24. Brake horsepower 27. Interlocks 30. Twofold 31. Green, iced and Earl Grey 33. Maddie and ___, singers 34. Bridge-building degree 35. Flat-topped flower cluster 37. A waterproof raincoat 39. A way to ingest 41. Tayra genus 42. Birds 44. 3.26 light years 47. Confederate soldier 48. Body fluids 49. Atomic #35 50. Seize 52. In event that 53. Grassy plain 56. Enzyme in milk 61. Rags 62. Actress May 63. In a way, aided 65. Humilities

weather tidbits

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ACROSS

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.

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5.15.15

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

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5.15.15

150 Help Wanted

Public Works Maintenance Worker White Bear Township, in Suburban Ramsey County, is accepting applications for a Maintenance Worker. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to water, sewer, street, park, building and equipment operation and maintenance activities. Applicants must be able to obtain a Class B CDL driver’s license within 6 months of employment and a have good driving record. Starting wage is $21.89/hr plus benefits. The application and complete job description is available for pickup at the Township Office located at 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110, or by calling 651-7472750, or on the Township’s website at www.ci.white-bear-township.mn.us Applications will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2015.

Career Opportunities in Construction

- Inventory Specialist -

Seeking experienced inventory specialist. Prefer construction/building materials experience.

- Framers -

Seeking entry level to experienced carpenters for residential and commercial construction. Please apply online at JLSchwieters.com or call 612-290-5452. Top Weekly Pay, Full Time, Benefits, Metro jobsite locations, Year round employment. FOREMAN TO LEAD utility field crews. Outdoor physical work, many positions, paid training, $20/hr plus weekly performance bonuses after promotion, living allowance when traveling, company truck and benefits. Must have strong leadership skills, good driving history,and able to travel in Minnesota and nearby States. Email resume to Recruiter6@ osmose.com or apply online at www. OsmoseUtilities.com. EOE M/F/D/V Help Wanted-Drivers CDL TRUCK DRIVERS Join our 5/2 fleet! Weekly home time. $1000 per week average. Call 800867-8172 for details. EEOE/AAP www.drive4marten. com Licensed Dental Assistant/Front desk person for 2 1/2 days a week. Downtown WBL. Dental experience a must. Call 651-426-9499 Fax 651-429-6255. LINSMEIER TRUCKING a MN based company is now hiring Company Drivers and Owner/Operators to pull hopper bottom in the upper Midwest. Home weekends. Call 320/382-6644 NEW WEIGHTLOSS and Fitness Company Seeking Local sales Executive! Minneapolis Based. Needed ASAP. Experience good but not required. 17k/PT 63k/FT. Call or Text 612-840-1869

NOW HIRING company OTR drivers. $2,000 sign on bonus, flexible home time, extensive benefits. Call now!!! Hibb's & Co. 763/389-0610

Now Hiring! Private Golf Club Stillwater Area Kitchen Pos PT/FT line cook & prep cook, $13+ based on experience. Apply jeff@ihgolf.com or in person; 6667 Keats Ave N Stillwater North of Hwy 36

PT Direct Support Professional positions available White Bear Lake group homes w/ men or women! Exp. preferred. M/H valid DL, clean driving record, proof of ins & pass background check. Call Carrie for info (651) 426-3517. $1000 Retention BONUS offered!

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Help Wanted

Education

Part Time

For Sale

Lawn & Garden

Miscellaneous

North Suburban Grounds Maintenance Co. In search of reliable men & women for FT seas & yr round opportunities. Entry level & experience positions available Good driving record req. M-F. No weekends $10-15/hr. Call Bill @ 651-490-9755 to schedule appointment E-mail amilawn@aol.com

MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED Train at home to process medical billing & insurance claims! No experience needed! Online training at Bryan University! HS diploma/GED & computer/internet needed. 877/259-3880

Great Part Time opportunity delivering Pioneer Press newspaper. WBLK Maht Shvw Arden Hills & Hugo Areas. Profit $500-$1000 every 4 wks. Paid bi-weekly, get great exercise,early morning hours. For more info call the White Bear Lake Center and ask for John 651-426-0639

SPACE HEATERS Portable space heaters Lakewood 120V (2) available $17/each 651-407-1200

HUSQVARNA 2013 Garden Style Lawn Mower. GT52 XLS, 24 horse Kawasaki engine, 52” deck. Three leaf bags. Only 24 hours on odometer. Nearly new! Stored inside. $3200 651-808-4040. Hugo, MN

Registered Dental Hygenist with experience. 2 days per week. Downtown WBL. Call 651-426-9499 Fax 651-429-6255 Sales Deck Rehab, Water Proofing & Sealer Top Pay and Car Expense. Call Dennis at 612-701-3849 Schwieters Co. hiring Interior Trimmers. Great Benefits! Call Tracey at 612-328-3140 or apply online at www.finish carpenters.com Seeking school psychologist or intern in northeastern South Dakota for 2015-2016 year.Open until filled. For more info visit www.north eastcoop.org or call 605/783-3607 Website /Database Manager BCWN & Assoc. Work in Shoreview office, 10 -15 hours/week. Skills required: reporting in MS Access 2003 or higher; strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, PHO, jQuery, MySQL. Familiar with Dreamweaver. Send resume with cover letter to bcwn@comcast.ne. Woodworking/ Customer Service FT/PT General woodworking and customer service work . Some experience with woodworking/ customer service is desireable. Some flex in work schedule. Call Dennis at 651-486-7194 Mouldings, Doors & More

PT TEACHERS AIDE 2015-16 school year. MWF a.m. hours, Christian Preschool. Mpmoutrie@ saintandrews.org, subject PS Aide

160 Hire Me House Cleaning/ yard work/ errands, reasonable rates call Tim 651-323-7045

157 Part Time PT Cleaners needed Car necessary & must be willing to drive 651-426-2959

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Full Time

157 Part Time

Van Delivery Driver Thurs. up to 7 hrs. per day. Consistent route dropping papers to local businesses in the Stillwater/St.Croix Valley Area. Must have clean driving record. Call 651-407-1241. Please leave a message or email ppcirc@presspubs.com. Press publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White bear Lake, MN 55110

340 Thrifties GE stove deluxe white works $100 cash only 651-271-1335 New Snowblower 651-429-3492 Older Maytag white washer & dryer $75 each or both $100cash only 651-271-1335 Pride Lift Chair, green, Like New, $500 Cash 651-426-5946 Sports Plaques 651-429-3492

Animal Hospitals

WEDDING ITEMS *70+ clear cylinder vases *blue & green decorative rocks *full box of silk white roses, green Lilies * Also included is an unused cake cutting set & guest book brand new, never used. Items are being sold as a group. 651-497-8587 $300 or BO

DISH network Get more for less! Starting $19.99/month (for 12 mos.) plus Bundle & save (Fast internet for $15 more/month) 800/297-8706

367 Sporting Goods 2 adult City bikes purchased 2008 ex condition/21 gears $940 651-341-2110

RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE RECYCLE

355 Furniture 2 Oak Swivel Bar Stools w/cushions Excellent condition 30” H $40/each bjoslin74@gmail. com or call 651-213-0547

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The pulse of Washington County

Pet Groomers/Stylists

5900 Hwy. 61, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

(651) 426-1381

www.forestlakepetgrooming.com 651-464-2764 407 S. Lake St. • Forest Lake, MN “In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog.” –Author Unknown

Pet Sitting / Boarding / Walking Self Service Wash or Full Service Wash and Grooming

5930 Lexington Ave. N, Shoreview, MN intersection of Lexington and Hamline

CALL 651-784-7532 | www.youdirtydogmn.com

“For All Styles”

PETSTYLES Grooming Salon All Breed Professional Pet Grooming Shop Providing EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY & CARE to your pet for 25 years Certiﬁed Groomers - 75+ years experience combined

YARD WORK NEEDED Looking for young male to help with light to heavy yard work in White Bear area 651-426-2950

Steel Buildings Must Go 1-60'x101', 1-75'x125' 1-103'x250' May Split Call Today & Save Thousands !!! 1-800-411-5866

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150 Help Wanted

Classifieds

MJ The Critter Sitter

Professional Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Services Owned & Operated by a Veterinary Technician with 20 years experience in animal care MJ The Critter Sitter - Insured & Bonded - Veterinarian Recommended -References available 612-807-7850 Let us give your pets the love & attention www.mjthecrittersitter.com they deserve while you’re away!

651-464-6996 www.petstylesmn.com

143 North Lake Street Forest Lake Day & Eve Appts.

7 days a week

KENNEL HELP DESCRIPTION: Seeking Full-time Kennel Assistant in Hugo • If you are dependable • Able to lift 50 pounds • Can work on your feet • And seeking a long • Good with all breeds term job with growth of dogs potential SHIFT: F-M 11am - 9pm $12/hour Please email your resume to: info@mndog www.mndogtraining.com training.com

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ADVENTURE DOGS

Dog Walking Pet Sitting/Boarding LEASE WITTENBERG B Birchwood • 651-214-1863

For more information or to place an ad, call 651-407-1222 or e-mail: classified@presspubs.com

5.15.15

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Over heard On May 2 the FLAH Photo submitted S synchronized swim team performed two shows (with 27 routin es each) to full hous es at the Southwest Junior High Commun ity Pool. Recognized were graduating seniors Adrianne (Bear) Dreher, Kelsey Sewa ll, Jessica Walker, Stephanie Brenk, Lin dsey Crohn, Jessie Dison, Anna Faffler, Laura Ziegelski, Jo rdyn Templeton, Ca therine Ziegelski, Ra chel Chatwin, Haley Schoonover and Rach ael Springman. The section meet was Ma y 15 and 16 in Stillw ater and the state meet is May 21-22 at U of M.

Photo submitted Anton Wickr grade Lino Lakes Elementary thirdt live wax recen a at Abe st enheiser depicts Hone graders thirdty Seven l. schoo the at event museum chosen their of dressed up and presented scripts historical figure.

The FLAHS month.

Photo submitted Mixing it up at the Cinco de Caring fundraiser at Acapulco Restaurant in Stillwater May 2 were Tim Nelson, Sen. Karin Housley, KSTP Anchor Bill Lunn, Natalie Fedie, Sarah Keenan, Melanie Sullivan and owner Sam Leon.

Photo submitted earlier this ssic Cla y Fill girls track team won the

LILA students sho

Photo submitted it recently. spir d Wil wed off their Minnesota

Photo submitted Lake recently est For in y dem Aca Students from North Lakes Day state event. attended a Minnesota History

Photo submitted the Life held a birthday party at The Forest Lake Relay For American Legion May 3.

Photo submitted ir post-secly wore garb celebrating the

• Forest Lake was slated to hold a big Kids’ Night at City Center May 13, featuring a scavenger hunt for the Easter eggs saved from the cancelled egg hunt in April. The local Masons were to dedicate a cornerstone and tours of the building and its emergency vehicles were to be offered. • Afton Alps now offers footgolf on the first nine holes of its golf course. The sport combines soccer and golf and is played with a regulation No. 5 soccer ball on shortened holes with 21-inch diameter cups. Rules largely correspond to those of golf. Reserve a tee time at 651-436-1320 or get more info at www.aftonalps.com/ about-afton-alps/footgolf/footgolf. • Forest Lake Mayor Stev Stegner looks completely different now that he’s shaved his mustache. • LILA Director Shannon Peterson recently returned from recruiting teachers in Spain for Minnesota schools, through a teacher exchange program arranged through the Embassy of Spain. • A recent event for Feed My Starving Children at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Forest Lake resulted in the packing of 1.03 million meals, enough to feed 2,812 children for a year.

• Many thanks to Anne Young and her cohorts at the Stillwater Library Foundation for the swingin’ time at the “Starring Rich Sommer” event at Lowell Inn May 9. So many fun people. • New organizers of Stillwater’s Cruisin’ on the Croix summer vintage car shows are Tom Brewitz of Cornermark and Frank Fabio of Maple Island Brewery. Volunteers and advertisers are still needed. Contact Brewitz at tbrewitz@cornermark.com • Unusual local product of the week: Chocolates at St. Croix Chocolate Co. in Marine garnished with real hand-picked and candied violets. • People around here must be really nostalgic about the former Trout Air fishing place, restaurant and concert venue in Forest Lake. A Lowdown Facebook posting set records for numbers of hits. • Washington County Attorney Pete Orput and Sheriff William Hutton were among officials statewide slated to speak at a May 12 forum in Rosemount entitled “Engaging Men to Prevent Violence to Women” organized by the East Metro Crime Prevention Coalition. • Stillwater singing sensation Jonah Marais recently donated 81 pounds of food to Valley Outreach that he gathered at one of his concerts. • The new bathrooms opened May 2 at Lowell Park in Stillwater. Visitors are asked to stay off the surrounding seeded grass. • The Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for it Fourth Annual Chamber Pig Out on the Point at Mallards on the St. Croix restaurant May 20. • Three Mad Poppers popcorn is now sold at Ultimate Belleza Salon, 150 Third St. S. in Stillwater. • Downtown Stillwater was packed the evening of May 9 with decked-out kids celebrating their proms .

SAHS seniors recent ondary education plans.

Photo submitted this ly posted thi tl ent rec n Afto in Selma’s Ice Cream Parlor pic of its building circa 1913.

Photo submitted lwater and Stil in Church Volunteers from Watermark earlier this ter lwa Stil wn nto elsewhere cleaned up dow month.

Photo submitted ent district rec ly collected Ten schools in the Stillwater 223 for the Valley Outreach 8,513 pounds of food and $3, participating Stillwater Jufood drive. Shown here are nior High students.