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CIRCLE PINES: Council member retires. PAGE 5

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Mary Grace Hedgers high-fives Santa at the Lino Lakes “Breakfast with Santa” event Dec. 12.

Santa appears in Lino Lakes

BY SARA MARIE MOORE STAFF WRITER

LINO LAKES —

Santa is in town.

Children met Santa at the Lino Lakes Parks and Recreation

Department sponsored “Breakfast with Santa” event Dec. 12. Children and their parents

SUBMITTED

Deb Noren prepares plates of cookies for Gethsemane’s 24th annual gourmet cookie sale.

Cookies galore fund ministry

enjoyed a continental breakfast in the SEE SANTA APPEARS, PAGE 2

BY SARA MARIE MOORE STAFF WRITER

Library trains young Jedis

BY JOLENE FRID CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JOLENE FRID | SUBMITTED

Luther, 6, and Olaf, 5, Watts enjoy their lightsabers.

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CIRCLE PINES — The Force is strong … with your local library.

Children and parents of many ages enjoyed a variety of activities at the Centennial Public Library Dec. 16. The event, titled “Jedi Academy,” was created by library staff members as a way to bring kids into the library, provide a learning resource and get them to read.

Mary Healy, library branch

JEN LUTGEN

manager, said she loves the collaboration of her staff in brainstorming special events like this one. Matt Youngbauer and Heather Sandahl, library staff members, were the primary creative minds behind this as well as other events, she said.

“When Matt and Heather come to me with ideas I give them a lot of creative rein,” said Healy, a 10-year veteran of the Anoka County library system.

The library was

alive with the chatter of kids and their families around a full-size cardboard cutout of “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader, myriad “Star Wars” books and related materials.

A station in the kids’ reading area was available with directions and models on how to create origami versions of characters C3PO and R2D2.

A Jedi Rescue station was housed in the meeting

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SEE COOKIES, PAGE 2

SEE YOUNG JEDIS, PAGE 3

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LINO LAKES — Fifty dozen rosettes all in one place — it's part of the tradition of Gethsemane's cookie sale.

Gethsemane United Methodist Church of Lino Lakes held its 24th annual gourmet Christmas cookie sale Dec. 12.

This year the church raised $2,000, which will go toward the mission and ministry of the church: church improvements, youth activities and missions.

The cookie sale is a joint effort among many members of the church.

Before the sale, the leaders post 100 various recipes around the church.

Members can take

whichever recipe they want and commit to baking six dozen of that kind of cookie for the sale. Recipes include eggnog truffles, fudge and buckeyes.

The church also held a decorating day after a Sunday service a week before the sale.

“After church we all get together and decorate cookies with frosting,” said Susan Drabek, who has overseen the event for five years.

Older adult members and youth came together to decorate already baked cut-out cookies. A member who worked at a bakery taught participants how to elaborately decorate with frostings.

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A moment in history: James Elwell in the newspaper As we have discussed for the past couple of articles, the issue of transportation through the sandy and boggy terrain of Anoka County presented some challenges for those who came forward to improve the routes.

James Elwell built what is known as the Elwell Grade, now Lexington Avenue, but also owned several thousand acres of land which he used as stock farms. During this time, Elwell was often in the news. Below are selections made by researcher Stephen Lee from the Anoka County Union during the 1880s: February 22, 1886 Mr. Elwell of the Oak Leaf Farm is having lumber hauled from Anoka for a large barn, work on which is to be commenced at once. Rumor states that he intends to put a thousand head [of] cattle on his farm the coming summer.

March 31, 1886 A Monstrous Land Deal—From Major A.M. Fridley we learn that Mr. J.T. Elwell of Minneapolis has purchased of the Manitoba railroad all of their lands in Ham Lake, Linwood,

& c in all accounting to about twenty thousand acres. This will give Mr. E nearly thirty thousand acres of land in Anoka County.

June 17, 1886 Mr. Elwell of Oak Leaf farm is making extensive improvements on his different tracts of land and has quite a corps of carpenters and other workmen engaged at Oak Leaf. A large barn, 50 x 100 feet is being built and a house will be built before winter we understand.

Workmen are already at work on a house on section 36, designed for a tenant we presume. Mr. Elwell has lately added a fine herd of Holsteins to his stock, which now numbers about five hundred head. We hope success will attend his venture.

August 4, 1886 Work has commenced on Mr. Elwell’s new road running from Coon Lake to Minneapolis. Ditches are being cut on both sides of it, and the cost of the road when completed is estimated at $1,000 a mile. As we understand it this is a private road build for the express accommodation of Mr. E’s extensive farm operations, but we are not sure

that we are correct as to its being private…

June 8, 1887 J.T. Elwell is pushing the work on his new road to Minneapolis and expects to open it to travel by July 4th. The grading is being done by Mr. Parks of Minneapolis. A party of ditchers are also at work, and as the road is to be fenced on each side its entire length, it would seem that Ham Lake would soon be a suburb, so as to speak, of Minneapolis.

August 29, 1888 J.T. Elwell has laid a telephone from “Oak Leaf” to “Golden Farm” and can now oversee his businesses at both places himself. He has also purchased a large flock of sheep, a long step in the right direction.

December 26, 1888 We are sorry to hear that Mr. Elwell is about to lose his farm, as he is the only man who has ever improved this place, and we would like to see the good work go on.

August 14, 1889 A Generous Act—John K. Dawson of Bethel, writing to the Union in

regard to Jas. T. Elwell of Minneapolis, proprietor of Oak Leaf Farm, giving two thoroughbred bulls to each town in Anoka County, which are being distributed by M.E. Dawson, says Mr. Elwell’s idea of making the munificent gift is to improve the grade of cattle and to allow the poor as well as the rich the advantage. The generous contribution is highly appreciated by the citizens of Anoka County.

Elwell advertised his herd of colorfully named cattle, including Peg Doe, Faust and Levi P. Morgan, for their large frames, heavy bones, and docility as well as milk yield. Next week we will read a few selections of the business events that occurred at Elwell’s farms, including daily chores and home remedies for ailing animals.

SANTA: A chance to sit on his lap FROM PAGE 1

SUBMITTED

Above left: Roman Olson enjoys his moment sitting in Santa's lap.

Above right: Ambassador Rachel Marcello allows a child to be "princess" for a moment as she shares her crown.

presence of Santa. Children also made holiday crafts, decorated gingerbread cookies and had their pictures taken with Santa.

Lino Lakes Ambassadors Bernadette Hanson, Delaney Warren and Rachel

Marcello assisted with coloring and cookie decorating. They also let children try on their crowns.

COOKIES: Sold by the pound — except for Scandinavian delicacies FROM PAGE 1

SUBMITTED

Above left: Church members bake dozens of diverse cookies for the gourmet cookie sale.

Above right: The church sells 50 dozen rosettes made during a rosette baking day at the church building.

A rosette baking day is also held a few days before the sale. One member donated all of the batter for 50 dozen rosettes. Other members came together to make the traditional Scandinavian treat, which is deep-fried. 12 dozen krumkake were also made.

On the day of the sale, the homemade and hand-decorated cookies usually sell out within half an hour. This year,

people started lining up at 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. sale. But Gethsemane had so many cookies on hand this year that there were leftovers, which were all sold on Sunday.

“Last year because we ran out so quickly people baked more,” said Drabeck. “We had a lot more cookies than we had last year.” She also noted that there were new members who were

excited to join in on the baking and people also tried a lot of new recipes.

Cookie buyers are each given a clear plastic container in which they can put as many of any type of cookie they like.

“They can custom-make their own Christmas cookie tray that way,” said Drabeck. Cookies — except for the rosettes and krumkake, lightweight and popular Scandinavian sweets sold

in separate containers — are sold for $8.50 per pound.

Drabeck's favorite part of overseeing the sale is watching people in the community come together. She enjoys watching people reconnect as they drink coffee while they wait for the sale to start.

“It has gotten to be one of those traditions,” she said.

DECEMBER 22, 2015

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JEDIS: Fun at the library FROM PAGE 1

JOLENE FRID | SUBMITTED

room, where the curious could discover how to “free” a plastic Han Solo from his “carbonite,” made of ice mixed with baking soda.

Other activities included a treasure hunt and a station for crafting “lightsabers” using long balloons and paper towel tubes.

The tall cardboard cutout of Darth Vader

presented a photo opportunity for Brittney Watts and her sons, Olaf, 5, and Luther, 6.

Watts said she found out about the event on the Anoka County Library website. Olaf’s favorite activity was the Jedi Rescue.

The next special event at Centennial Public Library will be a “Noon Year’s Eve Party” held

from 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 31. Activities will include singing songs, reading stories and a kid-friendly toast to ring in the New Year. Families are welcome. For more information, visit anokacountylibrary.org.

Heather Sandahl, Mary Healy and Matt Youngbauer enjoy brainstorming to create special events for youth.

JIM PEARSALL|| SUBMITTED

The Pipistrel ALPHA Trainer is one of the planes available to rent for those who have a earned a sport pilot license.

LEIF ERICKSON O | SUBMITTED

Leif Erickson is one of five instructors who preps the class for the knowledge exam.

EAA prepares pilots to take flight in 2016

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

Chapter 54 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) recently announced its private/sport pilot ground school course at Lake Elmo Airport for 2016. The course begins in February, offering instruction for the intensive knowledge exam required to obtain a sport or private pilot's license.

Taught by a staff of five—a mix of certified flight instructors and knowledgeable EAA volunteers—the course is rigorous. Chapter 54 president Jim Pearsall compared it to a threecredit college course, incorporating complex elements of trigonometry and algebra, as well as a working understanding of physics.

EAA education director Leif Erickson will also be one of the class instructors.

“Algebra and trigonometry are the basis behind navigation,” Erickson said.

“You need it to know how to calculate wind speed, fuel burn, wind correction angle, etc.”

The inclusion of a sport pilot emphasis into the program is a relatively new feature. Interest in obtaining a sport license—which has fewer requirements than a private license—has spiked in the past few years. The EAA noticed that older students are often interested

in the sport license because it does not require the same type of health exam as the general private pilot's license. However, the sport pilot license has a few limitations—pilots are allowed to fly only during the day, in a craft with only two seats, and they are limited to smaller engines.

Unlike private pilots, they are not allowed to fly over international borders. The sport license is also less expensive than private, making flight instruction more economically accessible.

“It's a cheaper way to get into aviation for people who just want to have some fun flying,” Pearsall said.

Pearsall added that the EAA has recently acquired more light sport aircraft, and that one of them, a Pipistrel ALPHA Trainer, can be rented out. According to Pearsall, it has seen quite a bit of use thus far.

“I took the class six years ago, so I used it to get the knowledge to take the written exam,” Pearsall said.

The process of obtaining a pilot's license is arduous—once applicants have completed the comprehensive knowledge exam, they are subjected to an oral exam with a certified flight instructor. This is often accompanied by the in-air flight test immediately afterward. Pearsall said that winter is an ideal time for ground school classes, which take place in the EAA building

at Lake Elmo Airport.

“There's less traffic, [fewer] people flying in winter, so it's more conducive to training because there are less distractions,” Pearsall said. Even so, many of the pilots-in-training take flight lessons concurrently with the knowledge course, enabling them to obtain their license more quickly.

While many young students have shown interest in the class, Erickson clarified that the course is offered for people aged 16 and up. He suggested that interested students can begin their studies by choosing school courses relevant to flying.

“A lot of math is involved, and an understanding of physics is very helpful,” Erickson said. “I recommend that kids take math classes.”

Erickson also said that more women are becoming interested in the course.

“Flying is gender-neutral,” he said. “It doesn't require any special kind of strength.

The group of people interested in getting a pilot's license is diverse.” He said it is common for couples to attend the classes together— some of them are both seeking to be licensed, and some spouses are there just to show support and interest in the process.

Erickson said that the class is a little more comprehensive than classes taught elsewhere.

“We're able to provide a richer curriculum than

from a commercial basis,” Erickson said. “They'd have to speed through it much quicker because volunteers help teach the class.”

Pearsall said that the EAA embraces a mission of education.

“The EAA was initially formed for people who were building their own aircraft, but has expanded to people who are generally interested in aviation,” Pearsall said.

Proceeds from its annual pancake breakfast go to Farnsworth Elementary, a magnet school in St. Paul.

The EAA also offers academy scholarships and a summer weeklong camp for future pilots in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Pearsall advised that anyone interested in the course should go to Lake Elmo Airport and contact a flight instructor before signing up.

“Go fly around for four or five hours to see if you like it before you make that investment,” he said. “If you're at all interested, come on out and talk to a flight instructor and take a ride.”

Registration is open until the class begins on Feb. 4. Classes take place on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. through May 2, and it costs $100 to enroll.

Visit www.eea54.org for more information.

Private License vs. Sport License Private License: Requires 20 hours of flight time instruction

Requires 10 hours of solo flight time Requires a medical exam and certificate Can fly at any time of day or night License is recognized by foreign countries; pilots can fly over international borders Can fly aircraft of varying sizes Can fly at unlimited speeds Can transport more than one passenger With additional training, can become qualified to fly in bad weather, fly with two engines and or/fly professionally Costs more than a sport license ($9,900 on average) Sport License: Requires 15 hours of flight time instruction Requires 5 hours of solo flight time Does not require official medical exam or certificate Can only fly during daylight hours License is recognized only within U.S. borders; pilots cannot fly out of the country Can fly only light sport aircraft (LSA) Can fly at only 138 miles per hour or under Cannot fly aircraft with more than two seats With additional training and medical certificate, can upgrade to private license Costs less than a private license ($4,400 on average) Facts from Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

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DECEMBER 22 2015

Season of lights

T

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

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

Not to be outdone, her younger brother is working on the perfect French toast.

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

On Christmas morning, Amy makes monkey bread.

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

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

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

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

Carter Johnson is publisher of Press Publications.

A

Charity still starts at home

merica is a giving nation.

In fact, it ranked second overall in 2015’s World Giving Index. We say we’re blessed and show it by sharing.

Seventy-two percent of charitable contributions come directly from individuals.

I got to thinking about this as my husband and I sat down to talk about our year-end donations. We have a couple of rules thumb. First, Legislator of help family and friends. Then, Lingo help organizaLinda Runbeck tions where we have a first-hand personal connection. Finally, help organizations directly involved with our local community.

We’ve found that in giving, when you “keep it local,” everybody benefits. The recipient receives tangible forms of assistance but also benefits from positive relationships, role models, and a support network. The giver has the assurance of knowing their contributions are assisting real people with identified needs.

And the community benefits because resources are expended in the immediate area.

So, in putting our giving plan together, my husband and I started with our local church (nationally, around 33 percent of donations are to religious organizations). Then we turned our attention to other organizations in our area that are valuable

community assets. Everybody has their favorite organizations, but in our area, I’d like to mention a few standouts.

• Chain of Lakes YMCA – Our local Y is making big investments in our community. It’s on track to raise $100,000 in 2016 so needy kids and families can go to camp, take swimming lessons, take classes and work out.

• Education foundations – Our school districts, Centennial, White Bear and Forest Lake each have a non-profit arm that raises money for scholarships for graduating seniors, for youth leadership training programs, and so much more.

• Youthway Ministries – This locally-founded organization in the Centennial area gives kids a wide range of support programs, from homework help to giving and repairing kids’ bikes.

• Service clubs – Our local Rotary and Lions Clubs are longstanding service clubs whose fundraising is the backbone of civic engagement.

• Food Shelves and Yellow Ribbon Networks– The Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf and Yellow Ribbon Network do outstanding work. Likewise, in Anoka County, the Centennial Food Shelf and the new Lino Lakes Yellow Ribbon Network are blessed with dedicated volunteers.

There is no substitute for local charities such as these. They connect people in our communities, they raise and spend local dollars on local projects and help in short-term situations where people are in need.

Their role contrasts dramati-

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Carter C. Johnson .........................Publisher cjohnson@presspubs.com

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Rep. Linda Runbeck represents District 38A in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

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cally with state public assistance programs. State programs, while providing a necessary safety net function, are not charities.

They lack the ability to connect people to their communities or to altruistic volunteers; they are ill-equipped to regularly determine recipients’ true need; the assistance comes without a personal touch which generates in the long-term recipient an attitude of entitlement rather than gratitude.

Indeed, individual charitable giving is one of key distinguishing feature of our generous American society. And yet, it’s sometimes overlooked because we think someone else (governments or mega-charities) are taking care of it.

Christmas is the best time to reconsider our charitable giving – starting with non-profits at the local level. The holidays have a way of increasing the strain many citizens feel in making ends meet and any contributions we can make are very much appreciated. Minnesota is among the nation’s leaders in charitable contributions, so join a cause, set an example for young ones and feel grateful for the blessings we share. And remember, if you can’t afford to give money, you can donate time to assist those who need a hand.

Happy holidays, and please be safe as you travel to spend extra time with family and friends.

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The Lino Lakes police department reported the following incidents: • A 20-year-old male from Andover was cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, possessing a small amount of marijuana, and no driver's license in possession in the 7900 block of Lake Drive at 10:38 p.m. Dec. 11.

• A 53-year-old female from Centerville was arrested for for DWI in the 8100 block of I-35E at 2:47 a.m. Dec. 12.

• Theft from auto occurred from an unlocked vehicle parked on the street in the 6600 block of Sandhill Drive at 12:11 p.m. Dec. 12. There is no suspect information at this time.

• Theft from auto occurred from an unlocked vehicle parked on the street in the 6700 block of Sandhill Drive at 12:11 p.m. Dec. 12. A Tom Tom

DECEMBER 22, 2015

GPS was stolen. There is no suspect information at this time.

• An 18-year-old female from Circle Pines was cited for the semaphore violation, no proof of insurance, possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, and possession of drug paraphernalia at the intersection of Lake Drive and Town Center Parkway at 1:25 a.m. Dec. 14.

• A 33-year-old male from Lino Lakes was arrested for 2nd degree DWI, fleeing on foot and obstructing the legal process, after being reported as an impaired driver in the 8000 block of Lake Drive at 10:35 p.m. Dec. 14. Officers located the vehicle and the suspect at his residence • A 27-year-old male from Lino Lakes was arrested for 5th degree domestic assault in the 6800 block of Lakeview Drive at 8:14 p.m. Dec. 15.

• An accident which caused injuries occurred in the 800 block of Birch Street at 8:51 p.m. Dec. 15. A 48-year-old female from Lino Lakes was arrested for 2nd degree DWI, possessing an open bottle and gross misdemeanor criminal vehicular operation.

• A 24-year-old male from White Bear was cited for 4th degree DWI and speeding in the 800 block of Main Street at 11:37 p.m. Dec. 15. After processing, the male was released to a sober friend.

• A 20-year-old male from Lino Lakes was arrested for obstructing the legal process, possession of drug paraphernalia, underage consumption, and underage possession of alcohol in the 300 block of Ash Street at 11:48 p.m. Dec. 16.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

SUBMITTED

Daughters of the American Revolution members, of the Shoreview-based Harriet G. Walker Chapter, honor fallen veterans with wreaths at the Incarnation Lutheran Cemetery in Lino Lakes Saturday, Dec. 12.

Fallen veterans honored with wreaths On Saturday, Dec. 12, the Shoreview-based Harriet G. Walker Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) held a wreath-laying ceremony at Incarnation Lutheran Cemetery in Lino Lakes. The purpose was to honor all veterans laid to rest there by placing a wreath on their plot. The Hugo American Legion

Honor Guard presented the American flag during the ceremony.

DAR was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. DAR members volunteer

millions of service hours annually in their local communities, including providing support to active duty military personnel, veterans and students.

DAR has 180,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally.

The Shoreview-based Harriet G. Walker Chapter was organized in June of 2013 and has 41 members.

SUBMITTED

Lino Lakes firefighters receive training at the city’s new fire station Sunday, Dec. 13.

Lino Lakes fire station begins service

55+ driver program offered

Fire personnel began responding to newly constructed Lino Lakes Fire Station No. 2 for all fi re calls in Lino Lakes Monday, Dec. 14 at 7 a.m.

A conditional certificate of occupancy was issued for the station, located at the corner of Birch Street and Centerville Road. Public safety staff members will continue to work with Jorgenson, the contractor, and CNH Architects on all remaining punch list items.

The Minnesota Highway Safety Center will offer a 55+ driver improvement course on various dates in January.

The course is open to the public; advance registration is required. Participants will be provided with the latest information on driver safety, new laws and vehicle technology. The fee for the fourhour refresher course is $20; the eight-hour fi rst-time course is $24.

Persons age 55 and older who complete the course qualify for a 10 percent discount on their auto

insurance premiums for three years, according to Minnesota law. Firsttime participants must complete the initial eight hours of training and a four-hour refresher class every three years to maintain the discount.

For dates and information or to register, visit www.mnsafetycenter.org or call 888-234-1294

SCHOOL BRIEFS

SUBMITTED

Erin Chapman, left, and Chris Kopp, right, are recognized by TIES Executive Director Mark Wolak for their accomplishments in engaging students' learning with technology.

Centennial teachers recognized by TIES Erin Chapman and Chris Kopp, teachers in the Centennial School District, were recognized as TIES Exceptional Teachers at the TIES 2015 Education Technology Conference Dec. 15.

The award recognizes teachers who model the best practices in their

classroom and engage students in learning with technology.

Erin Chapman is a fourth-grade teacher at Rice Lake Elementary.

She embeds technology into her classroom every day to challenge, engage, excite and create a love for learning. Chapman focuses not just on having the devices and

technologies, but on what she wants students to learn, and determines what technology can best be used to support the learning.

Chris Kopp is a math teacher at Centennial Middle School. Kopp and his peers successfully investigated a hybrid flipped classroom model. They developed a technology-based learning environment that provides some of the best aspects of the flipped classroom, while also supporting families at home through access to tools such as Khan Academy. Kopp has developed ways in which students benefit from integrated technology, such as handheld devices, as they learn concepts in both algebra and intermediate algebra.

Celebrations Wedding Announcement Weiman ~ Bean

Vicky Weiman and Daren Bean were united in marriage on Saturday September 26, 2015. Their ceremony and the reception were held at the Grands at Mulligans in Sartell, MN. Vicky is the daughter of Randy and Joan Weiman of St. Cloud, MN. Daren is the son of Scott and Carol Bean of Lino Lakes, MN. Vicky is a graduate of Tech High School and St. Cloud State University. She is employed as the accounts payable and accounts receivable clerk at Minnesota Twist Drill in Chisholm, MN. Daren is graduate of Forest Lake High School and North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND. He is employed as a diesel mechanic at Ziegler Inc, in Buhl, MN.

Celebrations Prices White Bear/Vadnais Heights Press, Quad Community Press, Forest Lake Lowdown, St. Croix Valley Lowdown, & bi-weekly in the Citizen and Shoreview Press.

Package A: $10 Text Only - Limited to 50 words.

3.25" x 2.5", entries subject to edit.

Package B: $25 Text + Photo 5" x 3" space

Package C: $37 Text + Photo 5" x 4.5" space

Additional Options: Extra Photo $11* • Extra 50 Words $8 • *All extra photos will be same size or smaller than the rst.

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DECEMBER 22, 2015

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QUAD AREA EVENTS NOON YEAR’S EVE DANCE PARTY

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

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

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

55+ DRIVER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 4 HOUR REFRESHER

When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 8 Where: Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Sq. Dr. NE, Blaine Details: Get the latest information about driver safety, new laws, and vehicle technology.

Participants must complete the initial 8 hour course and a four hour refresher class every 3 years to maintain a 10% discount on auto insurance.

Contact: 888-234-1294 or mnsafetycenter.org

SENIOR DAY TRIP

When: 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 13 Where: Old Log Theatre; meet at Lino Lakes Senior Center, 1189 Main St. Details: See the

performance, “The Wedding Singer’.

Registration open until Dec. 28; $59.

Contact: 651-982-2440 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

Ongoing BABY STORYTIME

When: 10:15-10:45 Tuesdays Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines Details: Stories, songs and fingerplays for children birth-24 months and a caregiver.

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

Contact: 651-982-2440 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

OPEN VOLLEYBALL

When: 6:30-9:45 p.m.

Fridays through March 18 Where: Centennial Middle School Details: Players wishing to separate by skill level can play on different courts. No advance registration requires; $5 per session.

Contact: 651-982-2440 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

MINNESOTA TOPS CHAPTER 1126 LINO LAKES

When: 8:30-10 a.m.

Thursdays Where: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Room 23, 171 Em St., Lino FAMILY STORYTIME Lakes When: 10:15-10:45 Details: Lose weight a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m. with portion control.

Thursdays Local chapter of TOPS Where: Centennial (Take Off Pounds Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines Sensibly) invites men Details: Stories, songs and women to weekly meetings. and fingerplays for Contact: 651-483-6340 children of all ages and a caregiver. No registration required. Closed BRIDGE AND CRIBBAGE Thanksgiving Day. When: 12:30 p.m.

Contact: 763-717-3294 Thursdays or anoka.lib.mn.us Where: Lino Lakes Senior Center, 1189 Main St. QUILTING CLUB Details: Seniors When: 9:30 a.m. 2nd can play bridge and and 4th Tuesdays Where: Lino Lakes Se- cribbage.

Contact: 651-982-2440 nior Center, 1189 Main St. or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us Details: Seniors can work on quilting projects.

FILE | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Winter Recreation Camp WHEN:

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28, weather permitting.

WHERE:

Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St.,

Lino Lakes

DETAILS:

One day camp for kids in grades 3-6 includes cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kicksledding winter

games and more. Preregistration required; $25/person.

CONTACT:

651-429-8007 or anokacounty.us

NEIGHBORHOODS NEARBY RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINES

When: 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 23 Where: Shoreview Library, 4570 N. Victoria St. Details: Transform everyday objects into a crazy, bell-ringing machine. For kids in grades 3-6 and families.

First-come, first-served.

Contact: 651-724-6006 or rclreads.org

FAMILY NEW YEARS EVE PARTY

When: 6-8 p.m.

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

Register by Dec. 30.

Contact: 651-490-4700 OPEN CHESS When: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, or shoreviewcommunity center.com Dec. 27 Where: Shoreview Library, 4570 N. Victoria St. GRIEF RECOVERY Details: Beginner and SUPPORT GROUP intermediate level chess When: 3:30-5 p.m. players can learn to play Tuesdays, Jan. 5or improve their game.

March 8 All ages. First-come, Where: Redeemer fi rst-served.

Lutheran Church, 3770 Contact: 651-724-6006 Bellaire Ave., White or rclreads.org Bear Lake Details: GriefShare is a seminar that MINECRAFT provides support for When: 2 p.m. people grieving the loss Thursday, Dec. 31 of someone close, with Where: Shoreview Library, 4570 N. Victoria others who understand and can offer comfort St. Details: Children ages and encouragement. $15 for workbook, pre7-12 can play Minecraft registration required. with friends at the Contact: 651-429-5411 library. Use library’s iPads or Xbox stations, or bring a device.

ADVICE FOR Contact: 651-724-6006 YOUR DEVICE or rclreads.org When: 7-8 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 7

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

Registration required.

Contact: 651-462-9001

HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CPR

Cunningham, founder of YogaHotDish.

Draws on time-tested techniques from ancient civilizations. Register by Jan. 6 Contact: shailayoga@ gmail.com

basic Nordic ski skills; intermediate students will build on skills.

Grades K-5. Pre-register, $44/4 week series.

Contact: (651) 4075350 or parks.co.ramsey. mn.us/tamarack

ANNUAL VICTORIAN TEA

SNOWSHOE LESSONS

When: Noon-2 p.m.

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

Contact: 651-275-7075

When: 9 a.m.-2 .m.

Saturday, Jan. 9 Where: White Bear Lake Fire Station 2, Corner of McKnight Rd. and County Rd. E, White Bear Lake Details: American Heart Association certified class for health care professionals includes adult, child, and infant CPR, AED, bag valve mask use and foreign body airway obstruction.

Contact: 651-429-8568 or cvoss@whitebearlake. org NORDIC SKI CLUB

YOGAHOTDISH

When: 2-3:15 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 10 Where: North Oaks East Rec. Bldg., 5 Mink Ln, North Oaks Details: Free crashcourse on stress management for teens, 8th grade-college, presented by Shaila

FOR KIDS

When: 1-3 p.m.

Sundays, Jan. 10, 24, 31 and Feb. 7 Where: Tamarack Nature Center, 5287 Otter Lake Rd., White Bear Township Details: Beginners will learn how to put on equipment, dress for safe skiing and learn

When: 1-2:15 p.m. and 2:30-3:45 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 10-Feb. 21 Where: Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 1515 Keats Ave. N Details: Lesson includes a one mile hike led by a naturalist.

Participants must be 9 or older and accompanied by an adult. Pre-register, $5 includes equipment rental.

Contact: 651-430-8370

Arts STUDIO COFFEE & OPEN STUDIO: ARTIST TO ARTIST

When: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Fridays Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave. Details: Come for coffee and discuss art, artists, techniques and trends; stay for open studio and make art.

For adults, experienced beginner to advanced.

Free with registration.

Bring snacks.

Contact: 651-407-0597 or whitebeararts.org

‘WHAT’S HAPPENING’ GUIDELINES Anyone in the community may send us news of an upcoming local event. The calendar is reserved for secular community events in or adjacent to Press Publication’s coverage area. Priority is given to free or affordable events that are likely to appeal to a broad audience. Due to space limitations, there is no guarantee whether, when or for how long submissions will be published. Submissions are subject to editing.

Please include date, time, location, cost, brief details, and contact information for each event submission.

Submission deadline is Wednesday prior to the following weeks’ publication. Call 651-4071226 with questions.

Email: calendar@ presspubs.com Mail: Press Publications Attn: Calendar 4779 Bloom Ave. White Bear Lake, MN 55110

8

AND OUTDOORS QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

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DECEMBER 22, 2015

SCOT MATSON | SUBMITTED

Matt Wiege flies in 100 Butterfly The Cougars lost to the Elks and placed sixth at the Blaine Invitational.

The Cougars had a busy week with swim competitions. The Centennial boys swim and dive team competed against Elk River in the second dual meet of the season losing 96 to 85 on Dec. 17.

The Cougars started by placing second (Luca Baufield, Ivan Newham, Aaron Brouillet, Skye Matson) in the varsity 200 medley relay. The squad had a strong showing in the 200 free with a third (Newham), fourth (Lev Deshitsa) and sixth (Jonah Carlson).

The cougars took second (Baufield), fifth (Reece Gulbrandson) and sixth

(Andrew Tran) in the 200 IM. In the varsity heat of the 50 free, Centennial captured fourth (Matt Wiege), fifth (Charley Swanson) and sixth (Charlie Sylvester).

The Cougars three divers took first (Luke Welsch), third (Riley McNamara) and fourth (Ryan Shafer).

In the 100 Fly, Centennial took first (Brouillet) and third (Wiege). The Cougars then swam the 100 freestyle taking second (Baufield), fourth (L Deshitsa) and sixth (Swanson).

In the 500 free distance event, Centennial won fourth (Brouillet) and fifth (Trent McIntire). The boys followed that with a first place (L Deshitsa,

Swanson, Wiege, Matson) and fourth (Sylvester, Carlson, Tran, Dema Deshitsa) in the 200 free relay.

In the 100 back, the Cougars placed second (Matson) and fourth (Carlson). In the 100 breaststroke, the boys grabbed second (Newham), fourth (Gulbrandson) and sixth (Ethan Anderson).

The Cougars finished the night taking first (L Deshitsa, Matson, Newham, Baufield) and fourth (Gulbrandson, Anderson, Sylvester, Brouillet).

The swim competition continued on Saturday, Dec. 19, when the Cougars placed sixth while competing against 11 teams at the Bengal Invite. The

Cougar’s team finished in the top eight for the following events. Seventh place in 200 medley relay (Matson, Newham, Brouillet, Baufield). Sixth in the 200 free (Baufield). Seventh in the 200 IM (Newham). First place (Baufield) and fifth (L Deshitsa) in the 100 free. The Cougars took sixth (Baufield, Swanson, Wiege and Matson) in the 200 free relay. Newham placed third in the 100 breast. The team earned 183 team points.

The Cougars will compete at the Grand Rapids Invite on Dec 28th in Grand Rapids.

Brian Poellinger

Gymnasts face narrow loss at home opener Centennial Girls Gymnastics hosted Champlin Park for their home opener on Friday, Dec. 18. The meet was a tight contest, with the Cougars coming up short for a narrow loss to the Rebels in Varsity competition 134.725—133.475. The Cougars performed well against the Rebels who are currently ranked 9th in the state by the Minnesota Gymnastics Coaches Association. The Cougar Junior Varsity struggled against the Rebels, losing 117.6—105.35. Three rookie Cougar gymnasts made their first appearances of the season: Lexie Mercado on Beam and Floor, and Alex-

is Beaupre and Sarah Tyson on Floor Exhibition.

Varsity scores: Vault—1st place (Andrea Gessner 9.475), 3rd place (Kylie Binder 9.075), 5th place (Madison Dorn 8.45); Bars—1st place tie (Gessner 9), 4th place (Binder 7.925), 5th place (Dorn 7.85); Beam—2nd place (Gessner 9.05), 3rd place (Binder 8.85); Floor—2nd place (Gessner 9.325), 3rd place (Binder 9.3), 5th place (Dorn 8.425). In All-Around Competition Gessner was 2nd at 36.85; Binder 3rd at 35.15; Dorn 4th at 32.75; and Co-Captain Amy Marrah 5th at 27.725.

Junior Varsity scores: Vault—5th place (Emma Fest Wilson 7.8); Bars—4th place (Maddie Baker 6.7); Beam—5th place (Emma Pierson 6.8); Floor—1st place (Fest Wilson 7.65), 2nd place (Hannah Pieffer 7.5). In All-Around Peirson was 2nd at 25.9; Savanna Driskell 3rd at 23.75; Marcie Baker 4th at 23.55; and Co-Captain Brigid O’Fallon 5th at 21.05.

The Cougars also had a home meet against the Coon Rapids Cardinals on Monday, December 21, 2015 after press time.

Pioneers stop Cougar streak After putting together a six-game winning streak, and downing seven of their last eight games, the Centennial girls’ hockey team was blanked by non-conference foe Hill-Murray last Friday night at Aldrich Arena.

The touted Pioneers had a big 42-14 advantage in shots-on-goal. They scored once in the first period, and upped their lead to 3-0 after two frames. It was the fourth

consecutive shutout win for Hill-Murray (10-0).

In conference action, Maple Grove (5-0-2, 8-2-2) is alone on top the Northwest Suburban, followed by Elk River (9-1-2, 10-1-2), Blaine (6-2, 9-2), and Centennial (6-3, 8-5).

Laura Anderson had a pair of goals for Hill-Murray. Anne Juergens had 37 saves in the Cougar nets.

Centennial is set to play Buffalo on Dec. 29, and Lakeville North the following day in the Blue Division of the Schwan’s Cup Tourney at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

Mark Aquirre

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SUBMITTED

Above: The Centennial girls hockey U12A team held a Hockey to Fight Hunger food drive Dec. 10-13 and collected 1,102 pounds of food.

Right: The hockey team set up drop boxes at the Centennial Super Chili Girls tournament Dec. 10-13 at the Schwan Super Rink.

Hockey team fights hunger Centennial girls hockey held a food drive and collected 1,102 pounds of food.

The Centennial U12A team, in cooperation with Thrivent Financial’s Action Team program, sponsored a Hockey to Fight Hunger food drive during the Centennial Super Chill Girls tournament Dec. 10-13. Collected items benefit the local Centennial Community Food Shelf.

The girls went door to door in their neighborhoods and set up drop boxes, which were placed at various locations throughout the Schwan Super Rink. The girls collected nearly 1,300 items weighing 1,102 pounds. They concluded their project on Dec. 14 by volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, where the team made enough meals to feed 15 children for an entire year.

10

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DECEMBER 22, 2015

DECEMBER 22, 2015

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

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HONORING OUR HEROES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Teagan Anderson National Gaurd Airman Duluth Air National Guard Base

Daniel Arcand

Eric Ascheman Navy LCDR Joint Base Andrews, MD

Ray Bean

Justus Bibeau

William Burrows

Leo Buettner

Andrew Casci

Wayne Dirksen

Terry DuRei

Ben Grambush

Alexander Green

Marine Corps Staff Sargent Twentynine Palms, CA

Navy Quartermaster WWII 7th Fleet

Navy BM3 USS Gunston Hall (LSD44)

Navy CPO Midway Island

Army World War II, Pacific Theater

Marine Corps Major Okinawa, Japan

Army Air Corp Flight Officer WWII

Air Force Security Squad

Marine Corps Sargent Fort Snelling

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Fort Snelling

William Hart

Joshua Jensen

Michael Kaske

Peter Laramy

Charlie Lundgren

Eric Neutkens

Julia Neutkens

Nicquie Neely

Anthony Olson

Anthony Osterkamp

Easton Perron

Alison Route

Army SFC Korea-Vietnam

Navy Chief Petty Officer Norfolk, VA

Navy Served from 2005-08 Deceased

Air Force 1952 Sargent Retired

Army Staff Sargent E6 Ft. Jackson, SC

Army Captain Hawaii

Army Veteran

Army SSG Flight Medic Charlie Company 1- 171st

Marine Corps Lance Corporal Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Marine Corps Lance Corporal White Bear Lake, MN

Navy Airman Pensacola, FL

Army Private Hawaii

Andrew Sivanich

Neal Sivula

Don Sonsalla

Clement Stine

Muriel Stine

Jesse Thiel

Jacob Thielbar

Francis Wald

Abigail White

Army Captain Fort Carson, Colorado

Army Captain Savannah, GA

Army Corporal Wounded in Korea 1951

Army Rand TEC 4 WWII

Navy Machinist Mate WWII

Army Staff Sergeant Forest Lake

Army Sargent 1st Class Fort Hood, TX

Army

Navy Lieutenant Commander Great Lakes

WWII

To honor your hero in our next section, send photo, name and rank to marketing@presspubs.com

To those who courageously gave their lives and those who bravely fight today, we honor you.

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WE ARE PROUD TO HONOR OUR LOCAL HEROES!

12

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DECEMBER 22, 2015 www.presspubs.com

Santa Claus lives double life during holidays

BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR

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

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

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

Of course, he had to buy a fake belly after losing 50 pounds, but Santa Rick does a pretty good job convincing tykes he’s the real deal. The red velvet suit was “made with love”

by his sister and he spent a few extra bucks — dollars, not reindeer — to upgrade the white hair and beard.

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

“They let me keep the suit over the holidays, so I went house to house handing out toys to families of Naval officers.

I was hooked,” Gwynn said. “When I got out, I bought my own suit.”

Forty years later, Gwynn is still holding children, both naughty and nice, on his lap

DEBRA NEUTKENS| PRESS PUBLICATIONS

JULIE MICHELLE PHOTOGRAPHY | SUBMITTED

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

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

to hear their wish list.

And now, he has Mrs. Claus along to give moral support to toddlers who find Santa a little scary.

“It’s nice having Mrs. Claus here,” he said.

“Some kids are afraid

of Santa. I think it’s the beard and long hair. Mrs. Claus has a bubbly face and looks normal so little kids will sit on her lap.

That’s fine. We want them to be happy.”

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

“Here was this local gal with a pretty face who lived in White Bear Lake.

We sent a few emails and met at Bear Town for taco night. We’ve been together ever since.”

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

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

“It’s a lot of fun,”

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

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

So it’s a healthier Santa who takes requests, all gratis, from the Yellow Ribbon Network and other military connections.

He’s been doing the New Brighton gig for four straight years. Toys are supplied by a volunteer group called Toys for Military Kids. “They’re nice toys, too,” Gwynn said. This year the event was in memory of a local Marine killed in Iraq.

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

Gwynn and his late wife Diane did not have children of their own.

When she died last year of breast cancer, he faced his first Christmas without her.

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

Gwynn said he takes the Santa role seriously.

“I love kids. We have a lot of fun. They are concentrated on Santa and really act like themselves.

Every time, at least one of them ends up being my buddy.”

For the nonbelievers out there, Gwynn said he likes to remind people that we all need something in life that is make-believe.

“Why not have it be Santa Claus?” he asked. “He makes you smile and he brings you something.

You can pretend he’s real.”

Happy Holidays from the Ron Mikolai Home Team!

ron@iknowthisarea.com

651-483-2001

julie@iknowthisarea.com

DECEMBER 22, 2015

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

www.presspubs.com

13

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Above left: The distinctive S-shaped pattern beneath the bark indicates the presence of larvae within the tree.

Above middle: The emerald ash borer is tiny and difficult to recognize at first; the best way to determine whether it is in the area is to report it to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as soon as possible.

Above right: Emerald ash borer in its larval and adult stages.

Efforts begin to “Arrest the Pest”

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

Washington County hosted two informational sessions last week on the emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine. The quarantine went into effect after the invasive insect was fi rst spotted in October in a trap near I-90 The quarantine restricts not just ash, but all hardwood, from leaving the county unless it has been treated and approved by the Department of Agriculture. It also bans people from moving the insect itself, whether in its adult or larval stage, outside of the county.

The presentation was meant to educate Washington County communities, and especially individuals who have ash trees on their property, about the measures they can take to slow the spread of this invasive species.

The emerald ash borer has been steadily destroying U.S. ash populations since it was fi rst discovered in Michigan in 2002. EAB larvae burrow inside the trunks of trees and disrupt the flow of nutrients, slowly killing the tree. The adult insects also feed on ash leaves.

With nearly a billion ash trees in the state of Minnesota, there is a lot at stake if the spread of the insects continues.

Kimberley Thielen Cremers, pest mitigation and biocontrol unit supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), spoke about identifying the insect and affected trees.

“Looking at an ash tree, it’s really difficult to tell if it has EAB,”

Cremers said. “The bark cracks a couple years in, and you might notice woodpeckers pecking but they’re not digging real deep. Our staff is getting really good at identifying visually by those white flecks that woodpeckers leave.”

However, by the time these signs are noticed, it is often too late to save the tree from infestation.

“Sometimes it’ll be four years into an infestation before you notice, and by five or six years, those trees are dead,” she said. “It happens pretty fast.”

Jeff Hahn, a professor from the University of Minnesota Department of Entomology, suggested that ash owners treat their trees preventatively before the insects have time to move in. He said that a general rule of thumb is that if you live within 10 to 15 miles of a known EAB reporting, you are at a higher risk for invasion and should begin treating your trees.

He outlined four options for ash tree owners in Washington County: remove the tree, treat it with insecticide, do nothing, or wait and make a decision later.

“Not taking immediate action is a possibility, but it’ll probably come down to one of those two things,” Hahn said. Since not taking action will eventually result in a dead tree, the options left are removal or treatment. The decision is not an easy one to make, depending on several factors. If the canopy has less than 40 or 50 percent decline, it may still be possible to save the tree with insecticides.

“But maybe it doesn’t

look so great, and that can be a factor in your decision to remove it,” he said.

Ash trees are a low-maintenance tree, and the benefits of keeping them are sometimes a matter of aesthetics, which can lead to increased property values.

The shade and shelter provided by the trees can also help in reducing energy costs, and the root systems can decrease water runoff.

“There’s a lot of advantage in keeping a healthy tree around,” Hahn said. “If you want to protect your tree, don’t wait until [EAB] is right next door or actually in your tree.”

Treatment can work either preventatively or curatively, and there are several insecticides available. Some are available for residents to purchase, and some can be applied only by licensed services. These treatments are applied through trunk injections, bark spray or soil injections, which spread insecticide throughout the tree. The poison targets adult insects that eat the leaves.

The cost for treatment depends on the diameter of the tree at chest height (or 4 feet 6 inches), and Hahn said it often costs around $3-$6 per diameter-inch. For example, treatment of a 15-inch diameter tree could cost between $45 and $90. The trees also require multiple treatments, sometimes every year, and sometimes once every few years.

“If you do it for two or three years and then stop, you leave it vulnerable to EAB,” he said. He also reminded residents that there are strict penalties for using

pesticides incorrectly.

“A pesticide label is actually a legal document,” he said. “A lot of times we have incidents where the label isn’t followed, so keep that in mind if you’re going to do it yourself.”

Ash wood becomes very brittle when dead.

“Baseball bats are made of ash,” he said. “And if you’ve ever seen one break, you know it doesn’t just break—it shatters.” This makes removal of dead trees a hazardous and expensive procedure.

Hahn also said that he has heard many concerns about the effect of insecticides on the larger environment. This is still under investigation, but he said that woodpeckers that feed on EAB larvae have remained largely unaffected. While ash is mainly wind-pollinated, honeybees also visit ash blossoms in early spring, and it is unknown what effects treatment may have on their populations.

Cremers said that the biggest threat of spreading EAB is through moving fi rewood.

Larvae can live hidden beneath the bark for up to two years, meaning that even dead wood that has been sitting in the yard for months can carry the insect.

“If fi rewood is moved illegally, that’s a violation of the quarantine, and there will be a penalty: potentially $7,500 a day,” she said.

She said that tree removal services adhere to the quarantine requirements, depositing dead trees within the county or chipping them down to within in acceptable size to move elsewhere. Hardwood

fi rewood can be disposed of or burned as long as it stays within the county, and Cremers recommended buying fi rewood close to the place where customers plan on burning it.

Some stores sell fi rewood stamped with a state or federal Department of Agriculture shield on it, which certifies that the wood has been treated and is allowed to be transported beyond quarantine boundaries. All other hardwood fi rewood is subject to the quarantine.

Both experts emphasized the importance of reporting signs of EAB as soon as possible.

“Homeowner reporting is so critical,” Cremers said. The MDA encourages residents to “Arrest the Pest” by reporting whatever signs may indicate the presence of EAB. She suggested taking pictures and notes, capturing the insect if possible, or taking a sample of the plant and reporting to the MDA immediately.

She also mentioned a smartphone app called Great Lakes Early Detection Network—any reports about invasive species go directly to a state verifier.

“And we do follow up on every single one of those reports,” she said.

“The more information we have, the better off we are.”

Washington County is one of several counties in the metro area to enact a quarantine.

There are also several

counties in southeastern Minnesota that have been quarantined, in addition to one isolated spot in Park Point in Duluth. Thus far, western Minnesota has been untouched by the infestation, and quarantines such as this one aim to keep it that way.

Even with the county’s best efforts, it looks as though the pest is here to stay.

“It moves around too well for us to eradicate,” Hahn said. “We can slow it down, we can mitigate it, we can learn to live with it, but we’re never going to eliminate it.”

Cottage Grove has been anticipating the arrival of EAB since it was fi rst discovered in St. Paul in 2009. The city’s efforts to control the spread of the insect have included setting and regularly checking traps, treating boulevard trees, offering to treat certain residential trees, and diversifying the species of trees planted in public spaces.

“Diversity of trees is so critically important,” Hahn said.

It is up to each city to decide how to manage the threat, but measures such as these are recommended.

For more information about EAB and treatment options for ash trees, or to report signs of EAB in your neighborhood, visit mda.state.mn.us/ arrestthepest, or call 1-888-545-6684.

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

Weather tidbits Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com SUNRISE / SUNSET

Wed

Dec 23 7:49 4:35

Thu

Dec 24 7:49 4:36

Fri

Dec 25 7:50 4:36

Sat

Dec 26 7:50 4:37

Sun

Dec 27 7:50 4:37

Mon

Dec 28 7:50 4:38

Tue

Dec 29 7:51 4:39

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

7. Tree gnarl sp.)

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

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

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

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

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

WEEKLY AVERAGES DEC. 23 TO 29, 2015 High Low %Sun PCP 25° 10° 40% 0.33”

Fun Fact

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

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

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

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

1. Centennial dance team kicks off Outback Bowl.

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

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

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

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

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QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

DECEMBER 22, 2015 www.presspubs.com

AROUND TOWN

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1.Swans swim at the ice edge on Bald Eagle Lake. — Submitted by Andrew Townshend

2.The winning house for Lexington’s holiday lighting contest is located at 8996 Lexington Avenue. — Submitted

3.Tim, Leanne, Nicole and Andrew Abraham perform in the “Perfect Christmas,” a drama performed by members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Dec. 12. —Submitted