The Centennial School District is inducting three new members into the Hall of Fame. Pictured, from left, are Erik Aus, Jan Kreminski and Colleen McMorran Salay. The district’s Hall of Fame recognizes its alumni and members of the community for their professional accomplishments and commitment to youth and the Centennial communities.
Centennial Students for Change (CSC) has been diligently planning, organizing and getting ready for the culture fair for eight months.
The event was held for the first time last year, and will return this year from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Centennial High School (west building).
CSC officers Galjer Yangwaue, Yanet Getachew, Sumaya Ahmed, Naasifaayee Bula, William Kalvin and Michelle Li, all seniors, have planned every aspect of the fair.
“Our main point that we were trying to get this year is a lot of diversity,” Ahmed explained. “We have a really diverse
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The culture fair is scheduled for May 20.
group, which is what I really love. I love seeing a bunch of different cultures.”
The fair will feature approximately 20 cultural booths where attendees SEE CULTURE FAIR, PAGE 9
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
The White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) and the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility are teaming up with a Minneapolis-based author to provide programming to a population that traditionally has limited access to the arts.
It’s all a part of a grant the WBCA secured from Arts Midwest GIG Fund.
WBCA Outreach Coordinator Karen Parkman said when they were looking for the “perfect project” to apply for the grant, she knew author Marcie Rendon would be it.
“She just seemed like such a perfect fit, both her amazing work as writer to the work she has done for underserved communities,” Parkman explained. “It was really a way to build off of Marcie’s incredible experience working with these communities, and also a way to engage people who have limited access to the arts and do so in a way that speaks to the themes that
she writes about in her books.”
Rendon is an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, author, playwright, poet and freelance writer. As a community arts activist, Rendon supports other native artists, writers and creators to pursue their art, and is a speaker for colleges and community groups on Native issues, leadership and writing.
She is an award-winning author of a new murder mystery series, and also has an extensive body of fiction and nonfiction works. The creative mind behind Raving Native Theater, Rendon has also curated community-created performances.
Rendon and Diego Vazquez received
a 2017 Loft Spoken Word Immersion Fellowship for their work with women incarcerated in county jails. Rendon was recognized as a 50 over 50 Change-maker by Minnesota AARP and POLLEN in 2018. Rendon also received the McKnight Distinguished Artist Award in 2020, an award that recognizes artists who have made significant contributions to Minnesota.
As a part of the grant, the WBCA has to host at least two activities at the center along with at least one activity that reaches an audience that has limited access to the arts.
On May 17, the WBCA will host
SEE ART IS HEALING, PAGE 8
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Over the past 30 years, a lot has changed at Rice Lake Elementary (RLE), but one thing remains the same — “The original three.”
Kelly Kuzel, Patty Nelson and Linda Drilling are three of the original teachers who continue to teach in the building today. When the building opened, more than 1,000 students were enrolled in the school; today, that number is 680.
“A lot has changed,” Nelson explained. “Technology has really changed our jobs with communication from parents, staff and administration. Also, with technology comes training for both computers and smart boards,” she added. “When Rice Lake opened, staff didn’t have a computer or smart board. We had two computer labs, a hanging TV, chalkboards and chalk.”
RLE will celebrate its 30th birthday with a carnival Sunday, May 21.
History of the school site
The Centennial School District purchased the 55-acre RLE school site from Harold Lehman and Irene and Hugo Jorgenson in 1991.
Before the land was settled, the wild rice, lakes and large number of animals attracted Native Americans, who camped on the shore of Rice Lake and hunted, fished and harvested the rice.
The Lehman property was homesteaded by Charles and Maria Lehman in 1877. They raised 10 children via blacksmithing and farming.
The farming tradition established by Charles and Maria was carried on by their son, August, and his wife, Eva LaBelle. They added 173 acres to the homestead. They had four children. Harold, their youngest, farmed until 1985. In 1991, he sold nearly 40 acres of the farm to the Centennial School District and kept 3 acres, including the 1893 brick farmhouse for his home.
The Jorgenson property, which is now the east side of the school site, was settled by Karl Wenzel in 1853. His oldest son, Anton, married Henritta Nekerich in 1863.
What: 30th birthday & carnival
When: 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 21
Where: Rice Lake Elementary School, 575 Birch St. Lino Lakes
Details: Celebrate Rice Lake’s 30th birthday with a carnival featuring a dunk tank, food trucks, games, prizes and a silent auction.
Together, they raised seven children on their farm. Their home also served as a community gathering place during this time. In 1885, they deeded land south of the present school site for Centennial's forerunner, School District 52, and to the Rice Lake Methodist Church and Cemetery. They enlarged their farm by the end of the century to 806 acres.
The farmland was leased out after Anton Wenzel's death in 1914. In 1923, Wenzel's grandson and wife, Anton and Mary Rehbein, purchased the farm. Anton was the son of the oldest Wenzel child, Pauline.
One of their two daughters, Irene, married Hugo Jorgenson in 1949, and they continued the farming tradition of raising crops and vegetables. In 1991, the district purchased 19 acres from the Jorgensons.
“One thing families and our staff always hear me say is that we have a great building on one of the most beautiful pieces of land, but that isn’t what makes it great,” explained Bryan Carlson, who has served as the school’s principal since 2014. “It’s about what happens on the inside with students and staff connecting with one another — that’s the beauty!”
The original 3
Drilling taught at Golden Lake Elementary, Nelson at Centerville Elementary and Kuzel taught in another district before joining the RLE family. Kuzel and Nelson both currently teach second grade; Drilling teaches first grade.
The three agree that what has kept them at RLE all of these years is the supportive nature of the other staff and the community at large.
“It’s a pretty close community … the staff, students, parents and administration,” Nelson explained. “I have made some lifelong friends here at Rice Lake.”
Carlson added, “The success of Rice Lake is built on relationships and connecting with one another.”
The original three also agree that what makes their job so enjoyable is the students. “They make every day interesting and fun,” Kuzel said.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 18
Where: St Geneive's Community Parish Center, 6995 Centerville Road, Centerville
Details: Free fair includes vendor booths, health screeings, food vendors, prescription/sharps collection and lot of prizes.
Contact: www.quadareachamber.org
HUGO SENIOR CITIZENS PLAY '500'
When: 12:45 p.m. Thursday May 18; June 1 & 15; and the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, east end of Hugo Public Works building, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Games begin at 12:45 p.m. Refreshments and coffee served. All senior citizens from the area invited.
Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
HUGO SENIOR CLUB
When: 1 p.m. Monday, June 19; the 3rd Monday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Monthly meeting followed by afternoon of games. Refreshments served.
Contact: 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
CRIBBAGE
When: 12:45 p.m. Monday, May 22; the 4th Monday of every month
Where: Rice Lake Centre, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Senior citizens from Hugo and surrounding area are invited to an afternoon of cribbage. Coffee and refreshments served.
Contact: 651-429-4413
DROP-IN 55+ FITNESS CLASSES
When: 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
Where: Rice Lake Centre, east end of
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Hugo Public Works building, 6900 137th Street N.
Details: Free fitness classes for Hugo-area adults 55+ by Live 2B Healthy. Class designed for seniors to help improve balance, strength, and flexibility in a group setting. Periodic fitness tests so participants can track their progress.
Contact: Barb @ 651-592-0369 or barbconnolly1958@yahoo.com
'LA CAGE AUX FOLLES'
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays, April 28-May 21
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Comic play performed by Lakeshore Players Theatre. Tickets $10-$30.
Contact: 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org
ANOKA COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS
PLANT SALE
When: 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 17
Where: Anoka County Fairgrounds
Details: Purchase Minnesota-grown plants including native plants, sun and shade perennials, annuals, vegetables, and flowers for pollinators. Also opportunity to ask gardening questions. Plants discounted from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday. Contact: anokamastergardeners.org
LUNCH WITH A NATURALIST: FISH OF MINNESOTA
When: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 17
Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Free monthly naturalist-led program for those 50+. May include trail hike. Registration not required; equipment provided.
Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com
VEHICLE FAIR
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18
Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave.
Details: Free family event hosted by Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) where young kids can explore a variety of big trucks and vehicles. No registration required.
Contact: 651-407-2441 or communityed. mahtomedi.k12.mn.us
LAKESHORE PLAYERS THEATRE GALA
70
When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18
Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Annual fundraising event for Lakeshore Players Theatre, celebrating it's 70th season, includes cocktail hour, dinner, benefit concert, auction, and piano bar after party. Cocktail attire encouraged.
Contact: 651-478-7427 or lakeshoreplayers.org
YOUTH IN YOUR LIFE
When: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, May 18
Where: Parkview United Church of Christ, 3737 Bellaire Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Workshop for parents, family members, educators, and friends who want to learn to support and understand LGBTQ+ kids in a safe space. Register online. Contact: drmsky.us/5waysregister
SHOREVIEW COMMUNITY GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, May 19
Where: Shoreview Community Center, Haffeman Pavilion, 4580 Victoria St. N.
Details: Wide variety of nursery-grown annuals, member-grown perennials,
and herbs.
Contact: 651-484-4341
CANINE CARNIVAL
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 20
Where: Wildlife Science Center, 22830 Sunrise Rd. NE, Stacy
Details: Learn about dogs and their wolf relatives, meet dog related service providers, visit with vendors , and enjoy dog demonstrations. Food and beverages. Dog on leashed welcome. See cost details online.
Contact: wildlifesciencecenter.org/upcoming-events/canine-carnival
Plant sale and garden expo
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, May 20
Where: Washington County Fairgrounds, Highway 5 and Manning Ave.
Details: Shop for a variety of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, herbs, annuals, perennials, prairie plants and grasses and landscaping decor while supporting Washington County Master Gardeners. Visit with Master Gardeners and other experts on gardening topics.
Contact: washingtoncountymg.org
PARKING LOT SALE
When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 20
Where: White Bear Senior Center, 2484 E County Rd F
Details: Individuals and vendors can set up a garage sale in the parking lot for a fee; shoppers can attend to find treasures. Also Craft Corner gift shop sale. Contact: 651-653-3121 or communityservices.isd624.org
EAA CHAPTER 745 PANCAKE
BREAKFAST
When: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 20
Where: Benson Airport, 5860 Highway 61 N., White Bear Lake
Details: Fly-in breakfast also open to the public. Contact: chapters.eaa.org/eaa745
BIRD WALK SERIES
When: 5-7 p.m. Monday, May 22
Where: Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, 7373 Main St., Lino Lakes
Details: Walk through the park with an experienced birder and hear 20-60+ species of birds. All ages and abilities. See registration and cost information online.
Contact: 763-324-3350 or anokacountyparks.com
Ihave known and have accepted the fact that Minnesota is a strong DFL state. However, I have also recognized that over the years they have been fiscally responsible and progressive in areas of social welfare.
This session, with no balance to the DFL-controlled Legislature, it appears to be out of control. With a $17.5 billion surplus, I don’t see any reason taxes have to be increased $9.5 billion.
Salaries in Minnesota and most of the nation have not kept up with the inflation rate. Groceries, for example, are 8% more this year than last year. Inflation is not in check. Families are hurting and a lot of this is driven by ineffective policies of the federal government.
People have worked hard and have paid into Social Security to help their retirement income. Now that is even being taxed here in Minnesota as well as ten other states in the nation. Prior to the last Minnesota election, most candidates promised they would not have a tax on Social Security, but somehow they seemed to have changed their minds.
The paid leave mandate on all businesses for 24-weeks will be very difficult to absorb. What it means is small businesses which have not been providing paid leave like the large corporations will likely have to reduce staff. Staffs have already been impaired by lack of revenue and qualified people to fill positions.
Running small community newspapers in the state, in order to try to keep our labor costs under 40%, we have had to close two offices and merge staffs together. And, we will have to find a way to pay for the new mandate when it goes into effect. The annual cost will be more than $1.5 billion for the paid leave mandate on all businesses, as well as an additional $2.3 billion of tax increases during the next four years.
Besides all of that, the House is proposing $2.3 billion in additional tax increases. If passed, the income tax rate in Minnesota would be the fourth highest in the nation at 10.85%.
I know you may feel like I feel that tax increases are out of control and you can’t do anything about it. Well, don’t give up. Contact your legislators. Many of our papers have a list of who to contact based on where you live. Take time this week to reach out to your legislators before it’s too late.
Funerals are more celebrations of life today than what I have experienced in the past. There are personal touches showing up more and more, as well. Recently I attended the funeral of my sisterin-law, Shirley Christian, in Grand Forks, ND. She was married to my brother Roy.
After Roy’s death, she moved to East Grand Forks, MN where she was closer to her son and daughter.
Shirley was a reserved, quiet lady of Norwegian heritage. She took care of her family, was active in her church, and was known by family and friends as being one of the best bakers of cinnamon rolls and lefsa.
She was cremated and the urn was a replica of a rolling pin. Following the service at Sharon Lutheran Church, the immediate family stood shoulder to shoulder outside the church front door and passed the urn from one to another, each kissing it, hugging it and holding it before they passed it to the next family member. Meaningful, personal and remembered.
I understand mortuaries now have a wide selection of urns that will match many hobbies, interests or sports.
Gene Johnson is the publish emeritus of
My dad served his country and today is 91 years young. His primary doctor is within the Veterans Administration Hospital system. He will often praise the doctors at the VA for what a good job they do and tell me what good people they are; but the VA hospital system has a practice that causes many military families additional grief when a loved one passes.
The practice is to not sign a patient’s death certificate if the primary VA doctor has not seen the patient within 120 days. While grieving, our family would not be able to plan a funeral, close bank accounts, access life
insurance or military benefits, cash out 401k’s, or transfer real estate, just to name a few issues.
This delay could last for up to six weeks while the county coroner’s office tracks down medical records so they can determine cause of death and sign a death certificate. As you can imagine, the entire extended family will not understand why they must wait so long to pay their final respects.
This VA practice is a huge problem for Anoka County’s Coroner’s Office since we service half of the counties in Minnesota and many counties in Wisconsin. However, this is not just a problem in Minnesota but is a problem for millions of military families in every state across the nation.
While in Washington D.C. last February, I lobbied all our Federal elected officials on this topic. They support and are listening,
but action needs to take place now. We need to make fixing veterans’ problems a priority. This should also be an easy fix because it won’t cost taxpayers a dime.
It involves using simple language that we have already supplied to our legislators and adding it to another Veterans Bill to solve the problem. All we are reasonably asking is in the case of a veteran passing of natural causes, that the VA Hospital clinician sign their patient’s death certificate within 72 hours.
I would ask anyone who reads this letter to contact your legislator and ask them to support and “act” on resolving this issue. Military veterans and their families deserve better.
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matter will not be published.
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• The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) will continue to work on Ditch 53-62 longer than expected. City Administrator Patrick Antonen explained that the project is not going as well as they had hoped. Most of the work was supposed to be done over the winter, but work will likely continue on the ditch through late summer or early fall. After the project is done, Antonen said RCWD plans to plant some native grasses along the banks of the ditch and will have to continue to treat for buckthorn on a yearly basis so it doesn’t take over the areas around the ditch that used to be covered by trees.
• The Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD) plans to hold more Coffee with a Cop events in Centerville and Circle Pines. More details to come.
• CLPD Chaplain Joel Heckman will retire from the position after about 12 years. CLPD will be searching for a replacement.
• Come the end of May, CLPD will be fully staffed for the first time in a long time, according to City Council Member Dean Goldberg, who serves on the Police Governing Board.
• Going forward, the formula that determines how much the cities of Lexington, Circle Pines and Lexington pay for police services from CLPD may change. Goldberg explained that currently, the formula is based on the average number of calls over three years, the city’s population and the severity of calls. Some possible changes to be included in the formula could be the value of properties, the physical size of the community, the amount of road miles within the city, etc.
• Circle Pines will have to pay an additional $1,400 so that the Centennial Fire District can use a new record management system. The software was recommended by the Anoka County Fire Protection Council, Council Member Matt Percy explained.
• Ordinance No. 162 regulating cannabinoid products will go into effect after the City Council decided to waive the second reading and order a summary publication of the ordinance. The council previously discussed the ordinance at length at its first meeting in May, but made a couple of changes before adoption.
One change was aligning the penalties to be the same as alcohol penalties; the first violation will be a minimum of $1,000, second violation $1,500, and third violation $2,000.
Another change is that businesses will not be required to have both an alcohol/tobacco license and a cannabinoid license, but can have one or the other depending on the business.
Antonen explained that both the state House of Representatives and the Senate have signed off on a cannabis bill, but nothing is set in stone just yet.
“This is a stop gap until the state gets all their ducks in a row. This ordinance might be on the books for a couple months, it might be on the books until the end of this year, but once the state releases their guidance, we will marry up with their state statutes and make sure we are following the law,” Antonen said.
Council Member Steve McChesney said it would be important for existing businesses to be grandfathered in and not get hit with a violation right away; Antonen explained that there would likely be a 90-day grace period once the ordinance goes into effect.
• Residents who live along Golden Lake may now be able to have a fence that they weren’t allowed to have before after the council made some changes to its shoreland overlay district ordinance (No. 163). The ordinance, which hasn’t been updated since 1988, did not allow for a structure/fence within 75 feet of the shoreline. Antonen explained that he looked at a model shoreland overlay ordinance from the Department of Natural Resources, which allows fences as long as they don’t encroach upon the “shore impact zone.”
“If the structure is 100 feet away from the shoreline, the shore impact zone is 50% of the structure setback, so you could have a fence up to 50 feet from the structure,” Antonen explained.
• The city recognizes May as Building Safety Month. Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role of communities’ largely unknown protectors of public safety, local code officials, who assure safe, sustainable and affordable buildings that are essential to prosperity.
The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, at City Hall.
Shannon Granholm
• Bradley Kaye, a representative from Legacy Restoration, can now travel from door to door offering exterior renovations for roofing, siding, windows and gutters, now that a solicitor’s license was approved. Residents can find a complete list of solicitor’s licenses on the city’s website.
• Blue Heron Elementary School will host Family Fun Night Friday, May 19. The event will include a DJ, food trucks, craft vendors and bounce houses.
• Rice Lake Elementary is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The school plans to host a spring carnival Sunday, May 21. (See full story on page 2 for more information.)
• Michael Carlson is the city’s newest paid on-call firefighter. Carlson’s hourly rate of pay will be $15. The city also has a new community service officer, Adam Crowl. His hourly rate of pay will be $23.88.
• Lyngblomsten has been given the okay to use motorized golf carts and maintenance carts on Blanchard Boulevard. Lyngblomsten plans to use
golf carts to transport prospective residents throughout the campus as an efficient means of transportation when showing the campus property. Additionally, Lyngblomsten would like to use motorized maintenance carts to conduct utility and maintenance work throughout its properties. Per city ordinance, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are prohibited from operation on any city street unless a specific area is approved by council by resolution.
• WSB will get started on phase I of a prospectus for $33,742. The prospectus is the second step of three as the city establishes a wetland bank on property located east of I-35E and north of Main Street. The complete prospectus is expected to cost $76,269.
The next City Council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, at City Hall. There will also be a work session immediately beforehand at 6 p.m. in the Community Room.
Shannon Granholm
A Home Enhanced, located at 7095 Centerville Road in Centerville, has been sold. Owner Laurel McGinnity, who has owned the location for 10 years, recently announced that new owners Tiffany Downing and Evonne Bisson will assume ownership on June 1.
“I have so loved this store, these customers, and the many friends I have made here over the years. But as with all good things, they eventually must end … ” McGinnity wrote in part. “They are the perfect partnership pairing. We are all confident these two along with the continuing support of our wonderful team of vendors will steward the store successfully into an even brighter future.” Humble Roots Boutique plans to open its doors at the end of July. The boutique will have carefully curated and handmade home décor, gifts, clothing and more. For more information, visit http:// humbleroots.boutique.
• It’s that time of year when motorists are dodging potholes. Council Member Kim DeVries said he has received several complaints from residents and wanted to know whether the city would patch the potholes. City Administrator Bill Petracek said that that the asphalt plant in Blaine is not open yet but should be soon. He said one of the biggest priorities in the city right now is patching potholes and that crews will
start on it as soon as they’re able to.
• The city continues to monitor its water quality. Petracek was asked a question about whether the water quality has been tested recently. He said that the city’s gross alpha is within normal limits and noted that the naturally occurring isotope is in the water in every city in the northwestern suburbs. While Lexington’s level spiked a few years ago, he said they’ve been deal-
ing with it since then but that the Minnesota Department of Health is still requiring the city to provide notice to residents because it’s on the edge of normal limits.
The Lino Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents:
• An officer responded to a park in the 6600 block of West Shadow Lake Drive on a report of a person sleeping in a car May 2. Contact was made with the vehicle occupant, and no problems were found.
• An officer was dispatched to a business in the 7900 block of Lake Drive on a report of theft May 2. The investigation is ongoing.
• An officer responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle in the 7900 block of Highland Drive May 2. The officer found the driver of the vehicle was having mechanical problems and was going to leave it parked at the location overnight.
• Officers were dispatched to a call of a possible medical situation involving a female in a vehicle who was unresponsive in the 7000 block of 21st Avenue South May 3. The female was subsequently arrested for second-degree DWI.
• An officer was dispatched to a motor vehicle property damage crash at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Lilac Street May 4. The officer documented the incident and the parties involved were provided with a case number.
• An officer responded to a call reporting a theft of gas in the 7000 block of 21st Avenue May 4. The incident is under investigation.
• An officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple traffic violations in the 8200 block of I-35E May 4. The male driver was arrest-
ed for third-degree DWI and later booked into the Anoka County Jail.
• An officer stopped a vehicle for illegal driving conduct in the 8300 block of I-35E May 5. An adult male was cited for possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle.
• An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding in the area of I-35E and 80th Street May 6. The adult female driver was arrested and charged with fourth-degree DWI, alcohol concentration 0.08 or more within two hours, and speeding.
• An officer stopped a vehicle for equipment and lane use violations in the area of Main Street and Sunset Avenue May 6. The driver was subsequently arrested for second-degree DWI and was later booked into the Anoka County Jail.
• An officer took a delayed phone call report from the 6500 block of Hokah Drive regarding a motor vehicle that was tampered with May 6. The complainant reported nothing was stolen but requested the incident be documented. Officers received another report of motor vehicle tampering that same day in the 6200 block of Red Fox Road.
• An officer responded to a report of a theft from motor vehicle in the 6800 block of East Shadow Lake Drive May 7. No suspects were located and no additional information was available.
• An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding in the 8000 block of I-35E
May 7. The adult female driver was cited for speeding, underage drinking and driving, and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle. An adult male passenger was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of an open bottle. An adult female passenger was cited for underage consumption.
• An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding and illegal driving conduct on I-35W near Main Street May 7. An adult male was arrested and booked at jail for third-degree DWI, alcohol content 0.08 or more within two hours, speeding and no Minnesota driver's license.
• An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding in the 800 block of Birch Street May 8. The driver was arrested for third-degree DWI and later booked into the Anoka County Jail.
• A community service officer assisted in removing baby ducks from a storm drain in the 700 block of Apollo Drive May 8.
The Centennial Lakes Police Department reported the following incidents:
• Fraud was reported in the 300 block of Evergreen Lane in Circle Pines May 3.
• Officers responded to the 1800 block of Main Street in Centerville on report of a suspicious vehicle May 3. No problems were found.
• Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Firebarn Road and Lake Drive in Circle Pines May 4
for a personal injury accident. Officers assisted in treating a single victim and gathered information for a crash report. The victim was transported to the hospital via ambulance for further evaluation and treatment.
• A male located in the 1500 block of Peltier Lake Drive in Centerville May 4 was arrested on an outstanding warrant. The male was transported to jail.
• Extra patrol was requested in the 3800 block of Lovell Road in Lexington May 5.
• Officers were dispatched to the 9400 block of Lexington Avenue in Lexington May 5 for a theft. The caller advised that two handguns were taken within the last few months. There are no known suspects at this time.
• Several incidents of motor vehicle tampering were reported in the 1600 block of Hunters Trail in Centerville May 7.
• A vehicle in the 7200 block of Mill Road in Centerville was reported stolen May 7. The case is under investigation.
• Officers responded to the 0 block of Oak Leaf Lane in Circle Pines May 9 for found drugs.
• Police received a phone call from a resident in the. 8900 block of Syndicate Avenue in Lexington May 9 regarding a theft.
Lino Lakes’ environmental, parks and fire departments recently collaborated for a controlled burn near Fire Station No. 2, located at 1710 Birch Street.
“Historically, native plant communities in this area were dependent on fire,” said Environmental Coordinator Andy Nelson. “Today, we use prescribed fire as a management tool to maintain these native plant communities by keeping woody vegetation and invasive weeds from taking over certain prairie, savannah, and wetland areas. When we collaborate between departments, there is a definite training benefit as well that can aid in future wildfire response.”
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages Minnesotans to contact the state duty officer if they see evidence of a fish die-off in a lake or stream. Fish dieoffs can result from a variety of natural and human causes.
“People can help by reporting fish die-offs right away,” DNR Limnology Consultant Tom Burri said. “These reports alert state agencies to the situation and help us determine appropriate next steps.”
To report fish die-offs, people should call the Minnesota duty officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 (the officer line is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week). An early report allows timely water and fish sampling or other response actions, if needed. It’s especially helpful to know what sizes and types of fish people see in a fish die-off.
In early spring, the retreat of lake and stream ice can sometimes leave behind fish that died during ice cover, commonly referred to as winterkill. When snow and ice cover a lake, sunlight that reaches aquatic plants is limited. The plants, in turn, reduce the amount of oxygen they produce. If vegetation dies from lack of sunlight or other cause, the plants start to decompose, which uses the limited oxygen that is dissolved in the water. If oxygen depletion becomes severe enough, fish die.
In midspring and summer, fish die-offs are often the result of warming water and opportunistic infections that spread in fish populations that are already stressed after the spawning season. Species commonly observed in these die-offs include sunfish, crappies and bullheads and, occasionally, largemouth bass and northern pike.
When die-offs of wild fish are the result of disease issues, the affected fish tend to be of a single species and size range. By contrast, when die-offs include multiple species and size ranges, human activity is more likely to be the cause.
Human causes of fish kills can include water discharged at high temperatures; discharges or spills of toxic chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers; manure runoff; and low oxygen levels in a lake resulting from stormwater that runs off urban or rural landscapes. Often, there are multiple causes that contribute to fish deaths.
More information on fish kills is available online at mndnr.gov/fisheries/fishkills.html.
“Reading and Open Studio with Marcie Rendon.” Participants can hear about Rendon’s novels, “Cash Blackbear” and “Sinister Graves,” and then spend some time creating artwork while having a conversation with Rendon about her work.
On June 1, the WBCA will host “Crime and Corrections: Arts as Healing.” Rendon will talk about her own relationship with crime fiction, her work with people in correctional facilities, and the intersection between corrections, trauma, art and healing. She will also share poetry inspired by these topics.
On May 19 Rendon will visit the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility for a reading during the day and then a poetry workshop in the evening. The WBCA provided approximately 25 inmates with a copy of Rendon’s novel
What: Reading and Open Studio
with Marcie Rendon
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 17
Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: At this immersive and interactive evening, participants are invited to hear Marcie Rendon read from her new “Cash Blackbear” novel, “Sinister Graves.” She will then spend the remainder of the session in an open studio environment, creating artwork will discussing her work.
What: Crime and Corrections: Art As Healing
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 1
Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave., White Bear Lake
Details: Marcie Rendon will talk about her own relationship with crime fiction, her work with people in correctional facilities, and the intersection between corrections, trauma, art and healing. She will also share poetry inspired by these topics.
Charley is a handsome, 1-yearold basset hound/ Labrador retriever mix. He weighs about 30 pounds, and he is a little social butterfly. Charley is a friendly boy who loves everyone he meets and likes to play with other dogs. In addition to his social schedule, Charley likes baths, swimming, car rides and downtime with his people. He is affectionate and always enjoys a good belly rub.
“Sinister Graves.” The hope is to also have the inmates join in the June 1 event remotely.
Randall Bergman, education director at the Lino Lakes Correctional Facility, explained that many of the inmates were interested in a visit from a local author, as many of them desire to become authors themselves.
“We are excited to have a local author come. It is a bonus that she is Native American and going to talk about a crime novel with our population,” Bergman said. “We have read the novel and are excited to talk to her and have her share her gifts … It’s a real blessing for us.”
Rendon said she is excited
to get back into the prison, as her work was halted amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I just think that there is so much important work to be done within the correctional field and facilities because incarceration is supposed to be about rehabilitation, and so if we can give people a creative opportunity, I think that it is useful,” Rendon said. “Art is healing. As long as you are creating you are not destroying.”
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-4071227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
Charley is still working on his obedience training and house training, but he is a quick learner and with consistent, patient guidance, he will be a complete success. Charley arrived at Ruff Start Rescue as a transfer from Texas. He is a loving, goofy, playful dog who will be a wonderful addition to an active, welcoming family. Charley has a happy-go-lucky personality that will instantly melt your heart.
If you are interested in learning more about Charley or adopting him, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue.org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.
Partners in Policymaking is taking applications from Minnesotans with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Participants become effective advocates for themselves, their children and others with disabilities.
The monthly two-day sessions are held on Fridays and Saturdays, from September to May (with no session in December). Sessions are held at the Crowne Plaza Aire, at 3 Appletree Square in Bloomington, near Mall of America and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Limited to 35 Minnesotans, participants are selected by a panel of Partners graduates and representatives of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Applications can be found at bit.ly/partnersapplication and are due by July 14. For more information, contact Brenton Rice at brenton@togevents. com or 651-242-6589.
can learn more about each culture. As they stop at each booth, they can get a stamp on their passports to turn in for a chance to win a prize.
“When they walk away, they can have a whole new experience of what that culture is. It’s a cool way for them to see what they have done at the end of the day,” Bula said.
The event will also include local vendors, food trucks, games and activities, as well as a photo booth and fashion show. There will also be a variety of performances from student groups and professional groups.
CSC officers hope the event will bring everybody together and demonstrate that Centennial is welcoming of all cultures.
“In the past there have been times when people from different schools have seen Centennial in a negative light if there was a racist scandal or people spreading hate,” Yangwaue said. “We want people to see that Centennial is more of an inclusive space by growing a community of people who want to promote their culture.”
Ahmed added, “We want our school to understand that we have many different students of many different backgrounds, and each one should be appreciated. Each one should be comfortable representing who they are. It is the idea of acceptance. That’s what we are trying to get through with the culture fair.”
During the event, there will also be a pie fundraiser for CSC. For $5, attendees can throw a pie at some guests of honor, including CHS Principal Tom Breuning. Funds raised will go to support one of CSC’s initiatives, equipping CHS bathrooms with menstrual products.
CSC officers hope that the culture fair will be a catalyst for similar events at the middle school and elementary schools, as well as schools from other districts.
“Having the culture fair is a step towards youth understanding that it’s
okay to represent your culture,” Ahmed said.
Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or quadnews@presspubs.com.
What: Culture fair
When: Noon to 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 20
Where: Centennial High School West Building
Details: Join Centennial Students for Change for its second annual culture fair. The free event will feature cultural booths, vendors, live performances, food trucks, games and activities, photo booth, a fashion show and more. For more information, find Centennial Students for Change on social media.
Ages
Grades K - 12
5 to 11 Years
2 to 12 years
3 to 18 years
2 to 18 years
Grades 1 - 12
May 16
10 a.m. Boys golf at Loggers Trail Golf Club
4:30 p.m. Softball vs. Andover at Centennial High School
4:30 p.m. Baseball vs. Andover at Centennial High School
May 17
9 a.m. Girls golf at Brainerd – Maddens Resort
4:30 p.m. Baseball vs. Duluth East at Duluth East High School
4:30 p.m. Softball vs. Tartan at Centennial High School
7 p.m. Girls lacrosse vs. Totino-Grace at Centennial High School
7 p.m. Boys lacrosse vs. Totino-Grace at St. Antony Village High School
May 20 Noon Baseball vs. Mahtomedi at Centennial High School
3 p.m. Boys lacrosse vs. Benilde – St. Margaret’s at Benilde – St. Margaret
May 22
7 p.m. Girls lacrosse vs. Coon Rapids at Centennial High School
Cougar netters turning in another strong season
The Cougars went 10-2 in the regular season and placed third of 14 teams in the Northwest Suburban Conference with a 9-1 mark.
Last week, Centennial won their NWSC finale over Park Center 7-0 Monday, then beat Armstrong 6-1 Wednesday in the conference crossover match of second-place teams in the two divisions. Maple Grove (which beat Centennial 6-1 in conference) topped Elk
Start the golf season with the right swing
What matters most in the golf swing is the impact zone. Start with a 7or 8 iron and tee the ball up. Put an alignment stick outside of your right and left foot so they match your stance line. The goal of this drill is to make contact with the ball in the center of the face of the club.
BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTED Sean Oslund plays 1 or 2 singles for the Cougars.
River 5-2 for the overall championship.
Centennial is seeded fourth in Section 4AA behind Mounds View, Mahtomedi and Stillwater. The Cougars will host No. 13 St. Paul Washington Tech on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to quarter-finals Friday against Roseville or Como Park.
The team’s six seniors, coach Dan Haertl said, “all worked quite hard in the off season
BASEBALL
I’d like to challenge you to look at it in reverse.
The important piece is starting your forward pivot first. You’ll need to establish a good tempo, and have a dedicated pause at the top of our backswing. If done correctly, the ball flight should be a slight draw. Once you get that shot pattern, extend your swing to a ¾ swing. You certainly could work through other clubs in your bag (not the driver at first) but I wouldn’t go any farther than a ¾ backswing. This is a great first day practice session at the range.
developing the skills necessary to compete effectively.”
Captains are Sean Oslund and Zack Chaffey, who alternate at 1-2 singles, and Joaquin Bliss, who teams with brother JJ at 1-doubles. “We have good captains. Sean, Joaquin and Zack have been very helpful,” Haertl said.
Centennial has gone 20-2 in conference the last two years, both losses against Maple Grove. The Cougars were 16-3 last year and have mostly the same group this year, with a shorter season due to weather cancellations not made up.
Haertl has coached the Cougars for 15 seasons, posting a 174-74 record and only two losing seasons. “That is a solid record,” he said, “that indicates that we have had some talented athletes playing
tennis for Centennial.”
Against Park, the Cougars won 84 of 90 games with a lineup of Chaffey, Oslund, Jesse Simso and Ian Gangl in singles, and the Bliss brothers, Trevor Allen/Brody Johnson and Andrew Abraham/Ander Julson in doubles. Winning against Armstrong were Oslund, Chaffey, Simso and Gangl in singles, and Bliss/ Bliss and Abraham/Julson in doubles. Allen/Johnson lost 3-doubles.
Tee Time
You’ll start with a half swing. On the take away make a slight pivot back. Make sure the clubhead is slightly outside of the alignment stick, with the clubhead partially closed. This is definitely different than what most of you are doing. Once the club is parallel with the ground, start your forward pivot first then your downswing. Finish with the club parallel off your left foot. Doing these two moves will start your swing from the inside which is exactly what you want. When you use your torso to swing, the clubface will automatically square up at impact. Most players I see are more concerned with their arm swing than what their body is doing, and
The hardest thing for most players is taking a new move to the course. I’ve always preached play like you practice and practice like you play. Try to play 9 holes twice a week with this ¾ swing and don’t keep score. You’re trying to ingrain a new move, and it’s true it takes 1500+ repetitions to form a habit. I’d really like to hear back from readers what they think of this and if it worked for them.
I’m teaching New to the Game and Game Improvement Clinics this spring and summer. Please contact me if you’d like more information.
Betsy Larey is an LPGA Professional who has taught adults and junior for 25 years. She teaches at Keller Golf and Chomonix Golf in Lino Lakes. You can reach her directly at betsylareygolf@gmail.com or 651.470.2297
Zack Chaffey, Centennial senior tennis co-captain, is one of the leaders of the Cougar squad hat won 11 of 12 matches in the regular season. Chaffey went 4 -1 at No. 1 singles and 4-1 at No. 2 singles, while winning once at 1-doubles, for a 9-2 overall mark. Chaffey will pick up his second straight all-conference award.
BOYS LACROSSE
GIRLS LACROSSE
SOFTBALL
Corbin and Jordan Lemire each had a double and two RBI’s. O’Connell tossed a two-hit shutout (seven strikeouts, four walks) as Centennial won 2-0 over Spring Lake (9-9) there Tuesday. Lily Renslow belted a solo home run. Lily Gilmore hit a double and scored the other run. Centennial lost 5-4 to Armstrong (7-7) at home Thursday. O’Connell was nicked for eight hits, three walks and five runs (two earned), striking out six. Maggie Olson singled home two runs in the last of the seventh and was thrown out going for a double. Lily Cummans was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
GIRLS TRACK
BOYS TRACK
SEE SPORTS BRIEFS, PAGE 12
Do you have any Nautical themed items to sell? Join the Nautical Market at the WBL Boat Show on June 24th, 2023. Call 651-407-1200 to reserve a table
Register your classic or vintage boat in the 16th Annual White Bear Lake Boat Show fo r a chance to win a trophy or other prizes Registration is free. The show is on land Ju ne 24 at the White Bear Lake sh opping center Register at presspubs.com or call 651-407-1200
Explore the lakes and rivers with a kayak. Two older tandem fiberglass ka yaks with padd les fo r sale Must be handy please no first timers They are fun, stable an d pretty fast with fo ld ing seat Sit in or sit up like a canoe. $1 75 each or $300 for the pair 612599-172n ine
Vintage John Deere 20 Pedal Tractor (Model 65). W agon not included. Call 651-235-5904.
SAFE STEP North Americas #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Topof-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower pa ckage and $1,60 0 off for a limited time! Call today! Finan cing available. Call Safe Step 833/966-3882
EQUAL HOUSING
ANNANDALE SCHOOLS Is hiring a PT Custodian, exce l-
Imag ine cruising the St Croix River this spring in a 25.5' Bayliner Cruiser. The Saratoga will make memories! Grill steaks or impossible burgers, the sky is the limit!
Boat has Refrigerator Sink Grill, 2 batteries, Marine radio, hardtop, full canvas,new power 26 0hp, 5.7 MerCruiser $6500. Located at Wolf's Marina in Stillwater Must se ll due to ski accident
612-599-1729
Fireplace Cord $150 Ca mp Fire Cord $200 Full Cord $450 Ca ll 651-214-0718
WANTED: ALL 19 70 S MOTORCYCLES Ru nn ing or not Titled or not Will pick up. Ca sh in e xchange. Sell now before prices fall. Call Da n at 612/720-2142
OPPORTUNITY all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preferen ce, limitation or discriminat ion based on race co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such preferen ce limitation or discriminat ion.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal cu stod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real esta te which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal opportunity basis To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777. The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-92 75
Yacht Club Boat Trailer Restored, Heavy Du ty 3500 lb Axel $875. 65 1-429-1264
WBL 2BR/2BA Duplex $1550 No Pet/Smoke 651-442-0738
SPORTS BRIEFS
FROM PAGE 10
Bolkcom, seventh, pole vault (10-4); Berg, eighth,1600 (4:46.17); Lukas Andrie, 11th, 300 hurdles (44.35); Liban Ahmed, 12th, 1600 (4:51.27); and Logan Huss, 12th, discus (126-11).
Chomonix Golf Club reported its first hole-in-one of 2023 last week. Dave Holvig aced the 116-yard No. 6 hole with a pitching wedge on May 8. It was his first.
Bruce Strand
We avoided near disastrous weather this past weekend for two of the most important days of the year..... Fishing Opener and Mother’s Day. The forecast for Saturday was pretty bleak (rain). It was wet very earlier but the majority of the daytime was dry. Mother’s Day forecast was for nicer weather but it stayed wet until midday as showers moved south of the Metro and we were left with a very pleasant afternoon and evening. We have really greened up in one week. I’ve even mowed my lawn. Fields of dandelions look very colorful before they start seeding. Have a great week and this weekend looks dry!
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Mark and Barbara Letourneau were born and raised in White Bear Lake. We reside here, and are raising our family here. We work in a small radius around the White Bear Lake area. This helps to ensure great customer service to our local customers.
Letourneau Landscaping, Inc. was the winner for several years in “Best of White Bear Lake” for Landscape Design. We also write articles for White Bear Lake Magazine. We are proud members of the Minnesota Landscaping and Nursery Association. You can simply go to Services & Estimates page on our website, and enter your contact information, or call us at 651-426-0410
Peace - A United Methodist Community Church (Peace) is bringing a Little Free Library to the community.
Administrative Assistant Cindy Tidball and Bonnie Clebecheck, members of Peace’s COSROW group (Commission on the Status and Role of Women), volunteered to chair this endeavor and have brought it to fruition.
“The Little Free Library was an idea that took root when two ideas merged,” Tisdale explained. “The first was that, as found in a study several years ago, people in our Shoreview community were not aware that Peace was even here. The second was that Peace, being all about ‘reconciling and growing for everyone,’ believes in (among other things) free access to a wide variety of books as an agent for furthering literacy, education and intelligent citizenship.”
She added, “The Little Free Library is an outreach tool that tells people who we are, because in addition to books that find their way into our library from community members, we will also ‘seed’ it with books featuring authors and characters from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, genders, ages, abilities, (and) interests — including books often banned in schools and libraries across the country.”
A ribbon-cutting for the Little Free Library (LFL) will be held after the 10 a.m. worship service on Sunday, May 21, at Peace, 5050 Hodgson Road in
Shoreview.
“At the end of the service (approximately 11 a.m.) everyone will be asked to take a book from the Little Free Library collection as they leave the sanctuary and move out the doors facing Hodgson Road,” said Quita Bertelsen, lay leader. “The Little Free Library is going to be planted in the gardens along this entrance. There will be a reception of cookies, punch, Little Free Library/Peace bookmarks and balloons for the kids.”
Bertelsen noted that a member of Peace built the Little Free Library,
and others designed the bookmarks, decals and stamp and are putting it in the ground. “Many hands have helped to make the Little Free Library a reality,” she said.
“We want to make sure that youth in our community have access to books where they are going to see themselves represented, whether that’s the LGBTQ+ community, the Indigenous community or our black and brown members of our community,” Pastor Jason Steffenhagen said. “We really want to make sure that kids see themselves
and hear stories they can relate to. As a white male, it was easy for me to grow up reading books that I could see myself in.”
There are currently over 950 titles on Peace’s list of books it wants to include in the Little Free Library from a wide variety of sources.
“One family from Peace is donating 20 books to our Little Free Library in honor of a relative who was a librarian,” Bertelsen said. “Other individuals have chosen a book from our wishing tree, purchased and donated it to the Little Free Library.”
Each book in the Little Free Library will be stamped with “Always a Gift, Never for Sale” with the Little Free Library logo and Peace’s name and address.
Peace welcomes anyone who would like to donate money, buy specific books from its list or donate gently used books to the Little Free Library.
“Not only do we want to initially put books in there that are well-rounded and represent our community, but we want to have a bank of books with diversity in the book titles,” Steffenhagen said. “We want our library to have a distinctness to it. Not just whatever gets put in it from the community, which we encourage, but we also want to ensure that we’re keeping some of the books in there that they might not find elsewhere.”
For more information, go to peaceumc.com.
Shoreview Editor Noelle Olson can be reached by emailing shoreviewnews@ presspubs.com or calling 651-407-1229.
Rowan Shaw, a junior at Centennial High School, serves as a junior member of the Centerville City Council. Press Publications caught up with him as he shares a few personal tidbits and thoughts so that the community can get to know him better.
Q: What have your classmates said to you, when they found out you help run the city?
A: They're usually surprised at first that I chose to take on that responsibility and they ask what made me choose to. I told them because I thought it would be an interesting thing to do. They're very curious about what I do and ask me what changes I plan to make, to which I explain that I am non-voting, so cannot directly make changes. But I add my input to matters brought to the council, and they take my perspective into account when making decisions.
Q: What attracted you to being interested in local government?
A: The U. S. federal government is something I have always found interesting and kept up with, newswise. But I realized that I haven't really kept up with any smaller state or local government, or paid much attention to it in the past. I saw this position as a great opportunity to educate myself on the inner workings
of small local government and fill this gap in my governmental knowledge that I realized I had.
Q: What are your duties as a junior council member?
A: My duty as a junior council member is to attend City Council meetings twice a month and give my input and perspective on the various matters the council discusses, so as to diversify the points of view immediately available
to them. I read the same agenda packet that is sent out to all of the council members prior to each meeting, and familiarize myself with what we will be discussing so that I can come to each meeting prepared and ready to give my opinion.
Q: What do you like best about being a junior council member?
A: I like that I get to sit at the dais with everyone else and really be a part of the council. Even though I don't have the power to vote on anything, I still feel like the council acknowledges me and gives me a voice.
Q: Tell us what types of discussion you like best (for example: budget, new developments around town, water and sewer issues, road construction . . .) when you are at a City Council meeting?
A: I enjoy things that have to do with budget/taxes because I find our city's economics interesting. I like hearing about how taxes have changed over the years and learning why these changes may have occurred.
Q: Do you think the city population should grow a lot more, or would you like to see Centerville remain a more quiet, less-dense community?
A: I personally enjoy the city as a small, less-dense and more quiet community. That is one of the things I've appreciated about Centerville over the years: that it's a quiet, comfortable place. It's peaceful, and overall just a nice place to be. However, growth could be a good thing for our city as well, and bring it more attention.
Q: What does the city need to do to be a better city?
A: We could always use more public input, as the council acts as an extension of the public and makes decisions on their behalf. I think that engaging our citizens in our local government and encouraging them to participate in city events, such as attending City Council meetings, is something that there is always room to improve on.
Q: How do you think being a junior council member will help you in your future?
A: I think that being a junior council member will help my future by giving me a better understanding of government, especially on a local level, so that I may have a better understanding of how my government works and what I can do to become involved in it.
Read more online at presspubs
1. Centennial Preschool/Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) received a $6,000 grant from PrairieCare Fund to support a fall 2023 staff development conference. The conference will focus on early childhood mental health and include speakers and experts in the field. The purpose of PraireCare Fund’s Mental Wellbeing in Schools grant is to support mental health innovations in education, services and research. Today’s preschool-age children born during the COVID years missed out on social emotional learning. The conference opportunity will help staff and community partners learn how to support our youngest learners. Centennial Preschool and ECFE also received a $1,000 grant from the Centennial Area Education Foundation to support the conference. Pictured are Sara Ison, Centennial Preschool coordinator, Nancy Burton, executive director of PrairieCare Fund and Sarah Holmboe, Early Childhood Family Education coordinator, along with preschool students. — Contributed
2. Rice Lake Elementary recently held its annual truck day event. — Contributed
3. Colleen McMorran Salay, a 1985 Centennial graduate, has been a teacher in the district for 30 years and was named Centennial Teacher of the Year in 2018. Her father, Robert McMorran, is also a member of the Centennial Hall of Fame. — Paul Dols, Press Publications
4. Erik Aus has been a physical education teacher and coach at Centennial High School for 32 years. Aus is currently an assistant coach of adapted sports, bringing home the state championship title in floor hockey in 2015 and 2016 and softball in 2015. Aus himself is a champion, named the 2004 Section 3AA Coach of the Year and Minnesota Coach of the Year, and in 2009, was the recipient of the 3M Excellence in Coaching Award. — Paul Dols, Press Publications
5. What else says it’s spring than spotting a robin in a blooming crab apple tree? — LeAnn Michael, contributed
Send us your photos for possible inclusion in Spotted Around Town. Please email your best shot to quadnews@presspubs.com. Please include information about when and where it was taken and who is in the photo.
