Vadnais Heights Press

Crowns

Bills introduced to complete lake trail

BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER

ST. PAUL — Area legislators have introduced bills into the House and Senate to provide $2 million in additional funding to complete the Dellwood section of the Lake Links Trail.

That’s good news for the nonprofit association, which has worked several decades to get a 10-mile trail around White Bear Lake.

The House bill, HF1505, is co-authored by Reps. Patti Anderson (33A-R), Brion Curran (36B- DFL), Elliott Engen (36A-R) and Josiah Hill (33B-DFL). It requests a $2 million appropriation from the bond proceeds fund to the Metropolitan Council for a grant to the city of Dellwood. Money would be used to “design, engineer, construct and equip trail improvements consistent with the completed preliminary engineering along or parallel with the shore of White Bear Lake between the Mahtomedi city limits and the western line of Washington County.”

The appropriation may also be used for the acquisition of permanent easement and right of way.

A companion bill in the Senate, SF1558, is coauthored by Karin Housley (33-R) and Heather Gustafson (36, DFL).

Pioneers of equality: History of a White Bear-area family

BY ALBERT TURNER GOINS, SR. SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

I am a fourth-generation Minnesotan who grew up experiencing being Black in White Bear in the ‘60s and ‘70s. I am now mostly retired from the law, so with the extra time I have, I can think back on growing up in the area.

While I prefer mostly to remember my family as pioneers, who with skill and grit overcame racial prejudice, if I am honest I know that there are many stories to tell of how my family faced the difficulties of navigating America’s lingering racial divide.

As I thought about my past, I know racism existed but the instances of blatant racism in my youth have never been memorable. Maybe I have simply forgotten them.

I do remember an incident from a story told by my grandfather, Nathaniel Walter Goins, Sr.

Grandpa Goins had been a freight clerk at St. Paul’s Union Depot. He saved the extra tips he earned to buy 40 acres of farmland along old County Road D in then White Bear Township. He and older brother Roy bought the land from a farm widow in late 1943.

According to the story, my

light-skinned grandpa was confronted by the widow’s brother because he learned grandpa was “colored.” The man, in apparent anger, declared, “If I’d known you were a (“N- word”), I never would have sold it to you.” My grandpa immediately replied: “Too bad for you.”

The confrontation didn’t keep my grandpa and his brother from enduring mosquitoes and clearing the farmland. As I understand it, they lived and slept in rustic chicken coops and used an outhouse until they could build two small homes in

Lake Links Vice Chair John Carr responded to the proposed bills, saying the association “welcomes the bipartisan legislative support.” The pending legislation comes from a chance encounter between Carr and Rep. Anderson at Dellwood’s January City Council meeting. She was there to introduce herself to city leaders, and Carr was there to support a resolution on the trail. The representative met later that week with Carr and other Lake Links board members, who told her about the challenges in completing the 1.5-mile trail segment along the Hwy. 244 corridor through Dellwood. That’s when Anderson offered to help.

SEE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, PAGE 3B SEE LAKE LINKS, PAGE 2B

CONTRIBUTED

651-653-3802

Bellaire

Dr. Joy Johnson

Dental Care for the Entire Family

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Top local Realtors

recognized

The White Bear Lake office of Edina Realty recently announced that the following Realtors are being recognized for outstanding sales performance, market knowledge and customer service. Executive Circle (top 3%) members are: The Mark Ashby Group, The Craig Group and Kathy & Lisa Madore; Elite Circle (top 7%) members are: The Bacchus-Ecklin Group and Jim Kramer; Diamond Circle (top 12%) members are: Doug Donovan, The PowersLudwigson Group and Erich Young; Platinum Circle (top 24%) members are: Bacchus Real Estate Professionals, Donis Dzialo, Don Joyce, Denise Larson

and Amy Stocker; Crystal Circle (top 37%) members recipients are: Tom Becker, Jason Brown, The Flynn Team, Pat Frucci, Gail Gendler, Bryan Peltier, Tammy Soderlund and Terri Wykle.

Metaphysical shop leaves community

Enchanted Boutique, originally located in White Bear Lake and then Maplewood, has reopened at a location in Richfield. For more information, visit enchantedboutiquemn.com.

Call Roger relocates to new building

Call Roger Plumbing and Drain Cleaning has moved into the historic Auger building at 4760 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear

Lake. The building has been part of family business in the community for more than 100 years. In a written statement provided to the Press, the company said, “This building serves as a symbol of family, friendship and quality business. Call Roger Plumbing and Drain Cleaning is dedicated to uphold those values and continue the White Bear legacy.”

New local insurance agency

Bifrost Insurance is a new woman-owned agency specializing in Medicare insurance. The business is located at 2589 E. Seventh Avenue #303, North St. Paul and can be reached by phone at 651-362-5049.

Green alternative for burial

Mueller Memorial, a funeral and cremation provider in White Bear Lake for 75 years, is offering Interra Green Burial, a new service designed for environmentally aware people who want to plan their own funeral or that of someone they love with a green alternative.

Interra Green Burial offers a true green burial experience that does not use any chemical preservation of the deceased and only uses natural, biodegradable materials. The burial process involves using only easily degradable natural clothing and fibers and a biodegradable casket or

shroud for the deceased. According to owner Scott Mueller, “Interra Green Burial is a new service that caters to people who want to leave this world without leaving a footprint. We are proud to be able to offer this environmentally friendly option to those who care about the planet and want to minimize their impact on the environment.”

For more information on this new service, please visit www.InterraBurial.com or contact Scott Mueller at Scott@MuellerMemorial.com.

From Press release

Saving strategies for young adults

When a person is young, saving money may be the furthest thing from their mind. After all, this may be a time to enroll in college or trade school, make a first big purchase, such as a car, or even get married.

Thinking about establishing a solid financial footing for the future can take a back seat when life is filled with so many significant events.

But it's never too early to start saving—even when saving seems to be an impossible task. Young adults should keep saving in mind and look to various strategies that can set them up for long-term financial security.

Set long-term goals

It's easier to save when saving is attached to specific goals. While some may aspire to retire early, establish an emergency fund or to purchase a home, others may want to save for an overseas vacation. Motivation to save can make it that much easier to do so.

Determine where you spend the most

Saving money on smaller purchases will add up over time, but to really build a robust savings, figure out your biggest expenditures and how you can cut back to pad your savings.

The Logic of Money reports that the average American spends more than 60 percent of their income on housing and transportation. Figuring out how to cut costs in these categories can be a great way to save.

Use cashback apps

Young adults are tied to their digital devices. Why not make them work for you? Free cash back apps give you money back for various purchases. Ibotta and Dosh are just two cashback apps available. Some can be linked directly to a credit or debit card to have passive income deposited directly. With others, you can cash out as a direct deposit or via a payment app like PayPal.

Set aside one-third of your income

Make it a point to put away $1 for every $3 earned into a savings account, advises U.S. News & World Report. That is a good measure for establishing a rainy day fund. If you don't trust yourself to transfer the money, have a set amount automatically deposited from your paycheck into a designated savings account.

Treat credit cards like using cash

The "buy now, pay later" option is an attractive trap to fall into. Using credit cards often is a safer way to pay merchants, because you're risking others' money rather than your own with a debit card. However, using credit can make it challenging to visualize what you're actually spending. Do not purchase more than you can pay off within each billing cycle. Set account alerts on your phone to let you know when you've hit your budgeted credit card spending limit. Resist the urge to open and use too many cards.

Birding for mental health

Although the robin gets folkloric fame for being the harbinger of spring, anyone who watches birds closely will be a little more excited by the species I saw on my drive though the farm fields this weekend—the horned lark.

These little songbirds look like quite a character, with a black face mask, butter-yellow throat and two tiny “horns,” or raised feathers known delightfully as plumicorns.

Getting in Tune

Horned larks are early nesters, and many are in the process of making their northward migration back to their summer grounds in the northern U.S., Canada and as far north as the Arctic Circle. Even though we’re in for heavy snow this week from the sounds of it, it’s an encouraging sign to see these birds, reminding us spring is not too far away.

This time of year is especially rough for many of us. It’s a time when our mental health is often at its worst. Limited daylight and hours stuck inside contribute to seasonal depression, and the effects ripple through the other sectors of our lives.

Recently I’ve been learning a lot about how spending time in nature can benefit mental and physical health. Many people notice they just feel better in natural spaces, but there’s actual scientific research to back it up.

I’ve noticed a lot of mental (and physical) health benefits from my favorite hobby: birding. When I’m stuck in a bad mood or stressed, birding can redirect my attention. It requires close observation of my surroundings, which gets me out of those unpleasant thought spirals in my head. In some instances, it becomes almost like meditation—fully engaging the senses and rooting me in the present moment.

It can also be motivating when you don’t feel like doing much, allowing you to engage in your surroundings in a playful way. Some people even get competitive, keeping extensive lists of what birds they see and where. If you’re new to it, there are many free resources such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Merlin Bird ID app that can help you identify the birds you see.

I’ve enjoyed using eBird, an app that lets you track bird observations and share them to a wider database that is sometimes used for population research. It’s a way to participate in citizen science while also appreciating the beauty in the here and now. The app will even tell you where the “hotspots” are in your community, and what birds have been seen there lately.

Once you have a handle on it, birding adds a new and exciting dimension to anywhere you go. Travel becomes more interesting. Even locations that seem unappealing—sewage ponds, for example—become the scene of intense observation.

It isn’t always easy or accessible to spend time outdoors in the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy nature. Keeping a bird feeder in your yard is one way to keep a close eye on wildlife from the comfort of your own home. Recent research has suggested that even watching a livestream wildlife camera can provide some of the same effects as actually spending time in nature.

If the winter blues are getting to you as we push through these final weeks of winter, take a page out of my book. Take a moment to notice the birds around you. It might change your routine and add some brightness to your day.

Atthe forefront of educational excellence

It’s an exciting time for White Bear Lake Area Schools!

a safe and energetic space to be active. Join us for this free opportunity from 6-9 p.m. each week, Monday-Thursday!

Our facilities plan is focused on our tomorrows, but nods to our yesteryears appear throughout the work.

Movers & Shakers

Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak

And we want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. In 2019, we asked you to invest in educating our young people and updating our facilities. With your support, last September, we opened North Star Elementary in Hugo. This month, incoming kindergarten families across our district are enrolling in our schools, confident that we have space for their children in renovated facilities throughout the district.

In January, our 9th and 10th-grade students at North Campus moved into the newly- constructed high school addition (Phase 1 of our Unified High School project that will be completed in fall 2024). What we imagined in 2019 — a forwardthinking design — is making a difference. As the natural light flows into the building, students and staff report more energy and optimism. Shortly after the new space opened, a parent shared, “My son, a 10th grader, came home Monday and said he felt more awake, focused, and happy!”

We are also excited to open our indoor walking track to community members who want

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At last week’s meeting, the School Board approved a recommendation to change the name of Sunrise Park Middle School when it moves to the current White Bear Lake Area High School - South Campus building in the fall of 2024. The new name, Mariner Middle School, is a nod to our past when the building was opened in 1972 as Mariner High School. The Sunrise building will undergo renovations and become the site of District Center, Early Childhood, Transition Education Center and the Senior Center.

As we envision the future, we are focused on preparing students for careers, some of which don’t yet exist. Who would have imagined students in our automotive shops would need to understand computer science to repair autonomous vehicles? Or that personal finance might require a basic understanding of blockchain or cryptocurrency? I reflect on the content I learned in high school, and I know a student could Google the same facts in seconds today. How, then, must teaching and learning change? How will we challenge students not with facts and memorization but with thinking, synthesizing and communicating what

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they know? What are the 21st-century foundations for success that will stand the test of time? A team of parents, staff, employers and community leaders are actively engaged in these big questions. They will be bringing a framework forward in the coming months.

Our students have persisted even in unusual times, earing $2 million in college credits during the 2021-22 school year. Half of our graduating seniors took advantage of the 55 college-level courses offered at WBLAHS and earned qualifying scores. Enrollment in Advanced Placement, Project Lead the Way (pre-engineering courses), and college classes taught at our high school prepare students for the rigors of college-level work. And for students pursuing a career in the trades, our career pathways program connects them with industry credentials and employers eager to hire them.

Your investments in our students and schools have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the trust that you have placed in us. Our community expects us to be at the forefront of educational excellence, and we are committed to that mission. Our students are the future leaders of our community. We will prepare them to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing world.

Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak, Superintendent White Bear Lake Area Schools

Jackie Bussjaeger is Interim Editor of the Quad Community Press

Jackie Bussjaeger

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS Horned lark in a snowy field.

Disagree with extreme opinions

Local readers opened the opinion section of the Feb. 8 White Bear Press to find an extreme anti-tax position from the publisher emeritus and a campaign of letters filled with misinformation from anti-abortion extremists who would deny half the population the right to live with dignity and decide what happens to their own bodies.

Minnesota is consistently rated as the first- or second-best state to live by publications that are accepted as politically neutral (www.usnews.com/ news/best-states/rankings).

Yes, Minnesota is among the highest-taxed states (the publisher emeritus wrote Minnesota was No. 45 but maybe he meant No. 5?) It’s no coincidence that the states with the highest taxes are also the states rated the best in which to live. Head to Mississippi or Louisiana for low taxes and poor quality of life.

Personally, and I’m among the majority based on the November 2022 elections, I prefer a state that takes care of its residents, has quality health care, maintains environment and infrastructure, has great education options, has good jobs and high employment, supports the arts and recreation, etc. We are willing to pay higher taxes for our quality of life.

The anti-abortion writers try to scare readers into believing the new law is extreme and will result in babies being aborted in the final days of pregnancy, along with other misinformation. The truth is that it simply secures protections and rights that were already in place under Roe v. Wade. Just because amendments restricting those rights weren’t incorporated doesn’t mean the law is extreme.

The majority of Minnesotans trust women and believe every person has the fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about their own reproductive health care. Strange how so many Republicans, who typically oppose government control of our lives, are in favor of government control over women’s personal decisions regarding their own bodies.

George Kimball White Bear Lake

Free school meals make sense

Universal free meals for Minnesota students just make sense. As a teacher, I know that hungry students don’t learn as well. I’ve seen how fast a box of granola bars or bag of clementines will perk up a quiet morning classroom and get ideas flowing.

I know how kids who currently qualify for free or reduced lunch under the National School Lunch Program will go to great lengths to avoid letting others know that their families are poor enough to be part of the program. I know that students sometimes lie, saying they’re “not hungry.” Universal free meals will remove the stigma and ensure all students have the fuel their brains need to learn.

Opponents say that wealthy families don’t need their kids to get free lunches. That may be true, but what is the cost of administering a program to ensure only the needy get free meals? How much would it cost government to track applicants’ income levels? How much does it cost in time for families to apply, when poor families already deal with all sorts of extra government bureaucracy? How much will

busy families of all income levels appreciate knowing that their kids will be able to eat at school, no matter how busy things get?

The simple solution is to just feed all of Minnesota’s students at school. Let’s get this done, Minnesota!

Cathy Crea White Bear Lake

Agree with ‘nice no more’ letter

Regarding “Minnesota Nice no more” in the Feb. 8 edition, as I read Nancy’s letter to the editor out loud to my husband, he piped in after I was done reading asking, “did you write that letter?” We both agreed 100% with everything Nancy wrote and would say that the majority of our citizens in Minnesota feel the same way.

Yes, we need to be in touch with our legislators even though it is like spitting in the wind. The Democrats have the governorship, the House, and the Senate, and all are in lockstep with one another.

Our only hope is prayer. We need to get on our knees and pray for our nation and our precious children, especially those who are waiting to be born and have no voice.

There is a reckoning coming soon, and God is going to flex his muscle and take care of business. We just need to be on the right side of God.

May God Bless America!

Annemarie and Jim Foley White Bear Lake

Legislators should support budget request

As a college educator, I would like to express my support for the Minnesota State system’s biennial budget request to the Legislature for the FY24-FY25 budget years. The Minnesota State system is comprised of 33 colleges and universities, making it the third-largest system of colleges and universities in the United States. Every year, our system educates 300,000 students. Our campuses are essential, because we provide access to education for all Minnesotans and we serve a vital economic role by training an educated workforce.   Public two-year colleges, such as our local Century College, are unique as we provide an open-access pathway to employment and higher education through our technical and liberal arts programs. The quality, affordable education we offer focuses on the needs of residents and employers in our local communities. Our colleges do not receive direct funding from the state—they must rely on legislative funding through the Minnesota State system. Decades of underfunding, however, have negatively impacted our student’s ability to afford and succeed in their education and have reduced our campus’s ability to fully serve our students.

This budget request would freeze tuition for students, provide additional mental health support and increase career services for our student body. These funds would also provide our colleges with the updated equipment, workforce development, and industry sector programming needed to continue offering highquality, affordable education. I urge our state government to fully support Minnesota students, faculty and staff by approving the Minnesota State system’s FY2024-2025 biennium budget request.

Joel Juen White Bear Lake

Kudos to city on new process

I am a board member of the White Bear Lake Economic Development Corporation and want to thank the city of White Bear Lake for having developed and implemented the “concept plan review” in January of this year. This three-step process gives developers a chance to reveal and explain their projects. The neighboring residents, Planning Commission and City Council are involved in each step of this process. Feedback from each group will help the developer adjust its project, if needed, before having to invest a lot in design costs. The new process was used by Ryan from Elements Development for a County Road E and Bellaire Avenue project.

Jeff Meyer White Bear Lake

Carbon-free deadline unrealistic

In her recent letter commending the state government for passing the “blackout” bill requiring carbon free energy production by 2040, Judy Lissick conveniently leaves out a number of facts. Ms. Lissick states that Xcel Energy, labor unions and some businesses strongly support this law. However, she doesn’t state why. Xcel supports the law because it is guaranteed a profit by the state Public Utilities Commission on all capital spending. By building more transmission lines, wind farms and solar panel fields, Xcel is guaranteed a higher profit. Labor unions will thrive because more workers will be needed to construct this infrastructure. Lastly, green energy businesses and manufacturers stand to make out very well supplying product to the energy companies. Currently, there is no proven technology to keep the lights on, furnaces running and tablets charging when the wind stops blowing and the sun stops shining. Battery technology may improve enough to alleviate these problems, but there is no clear path forward currently. One only need to look at California last summer to see how reliance on wind and solar can cause blackout problems.

Ms. Lissick also overlooks the vastly increased demand when electric vehicles overtake the market. It’s a need we can’t meet today, even with fossil fuel-powered electrical generation.

A standard response to those questioning our ability to meet the 2040 deadline is “ Trust technology development. We can do it.” Wishful thinking won’t charge your cell phone or heat your home. Yes, battery technology is improving. However, the technologies being touted as our energy saviors are nowhere near commercial viability, and perhaps never will be.

Ms. Lissick also states that, by law, utilities must provide sufficient electricity to businesses and homeowners so we need not worry about blackouts and brownouts. Many things are mandated by law, and we all know how well that works.

Government meddling in business decisions, mandating winners and losers, rarely, if ever, works as intended. Encourage energy conservation, provide incentives for technology development, but mandating carbon-free by 2040 is foolish.

Leonard Lorence White Bear Township

COPS&COURTS

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

The White Bear Police Department reported the following selected incidents:

• Money was reportedly taken out of a victim’s account in a case of fraud reported Feb. 8 in the 3700 block of Van Dyke Street.

• A n officer took a phone call report Feb. 8 regarding a stolen vehicle, which was considered a breach of trust since the suspect had legitimate access to the vehicle in the past. The incident happened in the 2600 block of Aspen Court.

• O fficers took a phone call about harassment Feb. 8 in the 2100 block of Orchard Avenue. The complainant was advised.

• A storage unit on Feb. 8 was reported to have been burglarized in the 1800 block of Buerkle Road. The incident occurred a couple of months prior. A boat motor and fishing gear were stolen, totaling around $1,800 in loss. No surveillance video is available, and the suspect or suspects are unknown.

• O fficers arrested a 25-year-old Vadnais Heights woman on an outstanding warrant Feb. 9 in the 4900 block of Highway 61. She was booked at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center without incident.

• T heft was reported Feb. 9 when a person didn’t pay for gas in the 4800 block of Highway 61.

• A n officer was dispatched to take a report on Feb. 9 of a burglary that occurred on the 3100 block of Glen Oaks Avenue and involved over $1,000 worth of losses. One suspect remains unidentified.

• A noise complaint was reported Feb. 9 in the 1800 block of Cedar Avenue.

• A noise complaint was reported Feb. 9 in the 4000 block of Bellaire Avenue.

• A M aplewood man was arrested Feb. 9 for fourth-degree DWI near Highway 61 and Cook Avenue.

• O fficers responded to the 4900 block of Campanaro Lane on Feb. 9 for a 911 hang-up. Dispatch advised they could hear yelling in the background of the phone call. Officers arrived and determined there was no crime, however, the male half fled the scene. Additional investigation determined the male has a felony drugs warrant out of Isanti County. He was not located.

• O fficers on Feb. 10 were dispatched to an address in the 1800 block of Birch Street for a complaint of a person who might be outside the address with a

gun.

• A noise complaint was reported Feb. 10 in the 3500 block of Century Avenue.

• O fficers on Feb. 10 responded to the 1900 block of Buerkle Road for a disorderly incident in which a staff member was threatened with violence at a business. A description of the suspect and vehicle led officers to a 39-year-old Minneapolis man, who was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired.

• A d isorderly group of people was reported on Feb. 10 in the 3500 block of Century Avenue.

• A M inneapolis man was arrested Feb. 11 for DWI test refusal near I-694.

• O fficers were dispatched on Feb. 11 to an address in the 4700 block of Centerville Road for a noise complaint.

• Disorderly conduct was reported Feb. 11 in the 2400 block of Orchard Lane.

• F raud was reported Feb. 11 in the 3400 block of Ebba Street.

• T heft was reported Feb. 12 in the 4400 and 4800 blocks of Highway 61.

• A motorist assist that occurred Feb. 12 on the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue found the driver, a 49-year-old Maplewood man, to be impaired by alcohol. He refused to provide a breath sample and was booked at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center on second-degree DWI charges.

• A narcotics call was reported Feb. 12 in the 3700 block of Little Linden Curve.

A n 18-year-old female interrupted a burglary when she arrived home Feb. 13 in the 1700 block of Cheri Court. A family member was implicated as a suspect. Cash and clothing items, totaling $12,300, were found missing.

• T heft of a license plate was reported Feb. 13 in the 1400 block of Park Street.

• Disorderly conduct was reported Feb. 13 in the 900 block of Wildwood Road.

• T heft from a vehicle was reported Feb. 13 in the 4000 block of Highway 61.

• Disorderly conduct was reported Feb. 13 near White Bear Avenue and Orchard Lane as well as near White Bear Avenue and Elm Street.

• T heft was reported Feb. 14 in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road.

O fficers responded to a dispute Feb. 14 in the 4700 block of Campbell Avenue. The dispute was mediated.

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township:

Vadnais Heights

• A suspicious male was reported in the White Bear Mitsubishi parking lot in the 3400 block of Highway 61 without permission Jan. 23 after a video showed him in both parking areas and storage shed.

• A Stillwater man reported a homemade trailer stolen Jan. 23 from the 1500 block of Buerkle Road after close circuit television footage showed the suspect in a gray extended cab Chevrolet Silverado taking the vehicle.

• A St. Paul man, 20, was arrested for shoplifting and obstruction of justice, and a St. Paul woman, 38, was cited for misdemeanor theft Jan. 22 at the Walmart in the 800 block of County Road E after store employees witnessed them under-ringing $58.59 of merchandise at the self-checkout and leaving the store.

A Woodbury woman reported an accident hit-and-run to her vehicle Jan. 23 in the area of Willow Lake Blvd. and County Road E. after an

unknown dark SUV backed into her vehicle and left the scene without exchanging information.

• T hree propane tanks were reported stolen overnight Jan. 2324 from a secure cage of Greater Transportation Service in the 900 block of County Road E.

• A St. Paul man, 27, was mailed a citation Jan. 24 from Walmart after he and two other persons were seen leaving the store with a cart filled with merchandise that was not paid for. Loss prevention personnel were able to recover $395.55 in merchandise before the three thieves fled the scene in a vehicle. After a Keep Our Police Safe (KOPS) alert was issued on the vehicle, the St. Paul Police Department stopped it and identified the driver and passenger/registered owner.

• B eaudry Oil and Propane of Elk River and Ramsey Companies of Minneapolis reported a trailer with a mounted generator and fuel tank stolen from a locked construction site in the 3500 block of Rice Street overnight Jan. 24-25.

• A resident in the 4200 block of Thornhill Road reported a credit account opened in her name Jan. 26.

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Birchwood, Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi and Pine Springs:

Birchwood

• A C edar Street resident reported an unwanted person returning to the home at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 23. The party was suspected of domestic assault, and a Keep Our Police Safe (KOPS) alert had been issued for that person.

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies conducted a traffic stop for expired registration Jan. 25 in the area of East County Line Road and Wildwood Avenue.

• A n explosion reported at 8:29 a.m. Jan. 26 from Oakridge Drive turned out to have been caused by a gas heater malfunction in an ice fishing trailer parked near East County Line. Deputies spoke to the neighbors about their broken windows and distributed WCSO business cards and case numbers for insurance purposes.

Grant

• A resident in the 9000 block of Dellwood Road reported his recycling bin stolen Jan. 23.

• A n unidentified motorist was cited Jan. 26 in the 6000 block of Lake Elmo Avenue N. for failure to display current registration and for misdemeanor possession of false identification cards after being pulled over for tabs that expired in May 2022.

• A n unidentified motorist was arrested for undisclosed offenses at 10:50 p.m. Jan. 27 on Highway 36 following a traffic stop for a burnt-out headlight.

Mahtomedi

• A n unnamed motorist was either cited or arrested for driving after cancellation at 12:11 a.m. Jan. 22 on Stillwater Road at Warner Avenue following a traffic stop for no license plate light. During a routine computer research conducted during traffic stops, deputies discovered his canceled status.

A motorist was cited Jan. 22 on Fir Street and Park Avenue for

The complainant was able to cancel the account before incurring any monetary loss.

• A St. Paul man reported his vehicle’s front passenger window broken in while it was parked in an employee lot in the 1100 block of County Road E during the day Jan. 27 while he was at work. Nothing appeared to be missing.

• A f ront license plate was reported stolen from an automobile parked in the 300 block of Meadowood Lane sometime overnight Jan. 27-28.

• A St. Paul woman, 40, was arrested on two warrants Jan. 28 in the 600 block of County Road D after deputies were dispatched to the scene of a person outside an apartment building crying and asking for help. On identifying the woman, deputies learned of her warrants. Before being transported to jail, the subject said she had smoked marijuana laced with fentanyl but was cleared by Allina medics. Then she was checked out at Regions Hospital for an unsubstantiated ankle injury.

• A St. Paul woman, 35, and a White Bear Lake man, 34, were arrested at 11:45 p.m. Jan. 28 in the area of

speeding 40 mph in a 30 mph zone after northbound deputies on routine patrol on Mahtomedi Avenue clocked him on radar at 47 mph as he raced southbound along the “The Avenue.” When advised of his speed, the driver apologized and said he was listening to his music and not paying attention. Deputies described the driver’s attitude as “good.”

• A resident in the 1000 block of Bryant Avenue at 9:59 p.m. Jan. 22 reported a suspicious vehicle parked in her driveway until she turned her outside lights on. Then the vehicle then evacuated to the street. When deputies arrived, the vehicle was gone.

• A motorist reported criminal damage to the vehicle he was driving in the area of Stillwater Road and Warner Avenue S. on Jan. 22 after the vehicle became the target of a snowball.

• A d river was cited at 11:57 p.m. Jan. 22 on Wildwood Road and Old Wildwood Road for driving after suspension and failure to provide proof of insurance, following a traffic stop for no front or rear license on the vehicle.

• D eputies on routine patrol at 12:26 a.m. Jan. 23 along Century Avenue reported a person in the middle of the road giving them the finger. Deputies picked up the subject for immediate dropoff at the nearest gas station in the area.

• A motorist was cited at 2:54 a.m. Jan. 23 on Century Avenue N. and Woodland Drive for driving after revocation and failure to provide proof of insurance after being pulled over for a front headlight and rear taillight out. Deputies cited a different motorist Jan. 25 on Wildwood Road and Mahtomedi Avenue for expired registration.

• A keyed vehicle was reported Jan. 23 on Long Lake Road. There are no suspects. A n unidentified motorist was arrested for DWI at 1:18 a.m. Jan. 28 in the 1000 block of Hickory Street following a traffic stop for rolling through a stop sign.

White Bear Avenue and Tessier Trail for stealing a package from a vehicle parked in a driveway in the 3700 block of Parkwood Lane after a video of their theft was aired. With suspect information in hand, deputies conducted a traffic stop and found the stolen package in the back seat of their getaway vehicle. The distaff member of the purloining pair was also arrested on outstanding warrants.

White Bear Township

A W hite Bear Township man, 45, was arrested Jan. 25 in the 1700 block of Ridgewood Avenue for domestic assault after deputies responded to the scene of a person not leaving when asked. After interviewing the parties involved, deputies determined that an assault had taken place. The case has been forwarded to the city attorney for consideration of charges.

• A North Branch man, 39, was mailed a citation Jan. 28 in the 2500 block of Taylor Avenue for violating a harassment restraining order. A KOPS alert was issued for the HRO violation.

COMMUNITY BRIEF

Open house set for Highway 12 improvements

Washington County, in partnership with the cities of Mahtomedi and Grant, will host an open house to review preliminary design and receive public comment on the improvements on and along County Highway 12 from East Avenue/Hallam Avenue to Kimbro Avenue. The event will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 1, at the Mahtomedi High School Commons. The high school is

PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF

A friend indeed

A Little Canada man, 29, faces up to five years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000 for felony threats of violence following a Feb. 9 incident in which he threatened to kill his former girlfriend, who lives in Vadnais Heights.

At around 7:02 p.m. Feb. 9, a friend of both parties living in North St. Paul reported to the ex-girlfriend, who had a domestic abuse no-contact order against the defendant, that the subject had just delivered a rant via phone that he was planning to kill her.

The defendant had called the mutual friend out of the blue and told him three times during his tirade that he was planning to go to the victim’s apartment to kill her. The mutual friend immediately phoned the former girlfriend about the phone call to warn her.

The friend told Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office investigators that the suspect had been using meth and other drugs recently and had been in a downward spiral. The defendant had access to guns but is not supposed to possess them, based on prior felony convictions. In his phone call, the defendant told the friend that he had already pointed a gun at the ex-girlfriend and was going to kill her this time.

located at 8000 75th St. N. Community members may stop by for an in-person visit with the project team to learn about the schedule and next steps. There will be no formal presentation at the open house. Those unable to attend the inperson open house can review the material and share comments about the recommended design at co.washington.mn.us/county12 from March 1 through March 15.

A third party present at the friend’s home at the time of the phone call heard the entire rant on the speakerphone, including the three threats to kill the ex-girlfriend.

Later that night, the subject contacted North St. Paul police to request assistance in picking up property from an address in that city. The police responded to that request by arresting the defendant for the threats he’d made earlier that evening. While in the back of the squad, the defendant became agitated and reiterated the threats toward the ex-girlfriend, which then included threats to kill her dog. He also threatened to obtain a female puppy just so he could kill that dog as well.

The defendant was recently charged with second-degree assault and possession of a firearm by an ineligible person following a Feb. 6 incident during which he was portrayed on video pointing a gun at the ex-girlfriend while threatening to shoot her. At his Feb. 8 arraignment, he was conditionally released over the state’s objection.

In the early hours of Feb. 10, the subject phoned the mutual friend from jail to say, “I should have pulled that f---ing trigger.”

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE

OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is:

The Hydrogen Source

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be:

202 N Cedar Ave STE #1

Owatonna, MN 55060

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Kyle Younker

202 N Cedar Ave STE #1 Owatonna, MN 55060

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: February 14, 2023

Signed: Kyle Younker

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 22 and March 1, 2023.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE

OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: NURU

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 3314 Greenbrier St Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Patricia Ayako Amunga 3314 Greenbrier St Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: September 26, 2022

Signed: Patricia A Amunga

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 22 and March 1, 2023.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Sullivan Williams Search

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2520 Simpson St. Roseville, MN 55113

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

John T Garrigues, III 2520 Simpson St. Roseville, MN 55113

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: February 13, 2023

Signed: John T Garrigues, III

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 22 and March 1, 2023.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA

SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDED ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes, the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Touve Construction

2. The address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2557 Beacon Street Roseville, MN 55113

3. The name and address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name. (Only one signature is required by law.)

Note: if the business owner is a corporation, you must list the legal corporate name and the legal Registered Office of the corporation.

Bryce Paul 2557 Beacon Street Roseville, MN 55113

4. This certificate is an amendment of Certificate of Assumed Name number 137384 filed with the Secretary of State on October 15, 1993

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: November 8, 2022

Signed: Bryce Paul

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 22 and March 1, 2023.

CITY OF VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING AND ASSESSMENT HEARING FOR THE TWIN LAKE BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENTS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN of the proposed construction of the 202305 Twin Lake Boulevard Improvements from Vadnais Boulevard to Vadnais Boulevard.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the City of Vadnais Heights, Ramsey County, Minnesota will meet on March 7, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. at the Vadnais Heights City Hall, 800 East County Road E in said City for the purpose of holding a public improvement hearing and assessment hearing on the proposed construction of the 2023-05 Twin Lake Boulevard Improvements for the benefit of the following:

PROPERTIES TO BE ASSESSED:

313022240007

313022140005

313022140004

313022140003

313022130006

The estimated total project cost of said improvement is a maximum of $2,384,300 with the City of Vadnais Heights being responsible for $1,196,280. Said project cost will be further refined and determined following bid opening. The assessment amount for this project will be $1,485 per residential unit and $74.23 per front foot for non-residential properties as detailed in the Assessment Roll. Written or oral comments will be considered. The area proposed to be assessed for the costs includes all benefited lots, tracts, or parcels of land benefited by said improvement based upon the benefit received.

BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Dated this 7th day of February, 2023

Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 22, 2023.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE

OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is:

DEBORAH JUNE DEROSE

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be:

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford NC 00000 United States

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Deborah June DeRose, Beneficiary

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford, North Carolina 00000 USA

:Deborah- June :DeRose., Registered Agent

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British, Columbia 000000 Canada

:Deborah- June: DeRose., Registered Agent

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford, North Carolina 00000 USA

DeRose Deborah June Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 Canada

DeRose Deborah June

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deborah June Schwarze

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 Canada

DEBORAH JUNE SCHWARZE

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford, North Carolina 00000 USA

DEBORAH JUNE SCHWARZE

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 Canada

Deborah June DeRose, TTE

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deborah June DeRose, TTE

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 00000 Canada

Debbie June DeRose

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford, North Carolina 00000 USA

Debbie June Schwarze

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 USA

Debi June Schwarze

Care of: 1947 Healy Raod Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 Canada

Deborah June DeRose, Personal Banker

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deborah June DeRose, Trustee

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deborah Schwarze DeRose

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deborah Schwarze

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 00000 Canada

Deborah June DeRose, Beneficiary

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 00000 Canada

:Deborah- June :Schwarze., Authorized Agent

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 Canada

Deborah June Schwarze, Authorized Agent

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 USA

Deborah Schwarze

Care of: 1947 Healy Road Nanaimo British Columbia 000000 Canada

Deb June DeRose

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deb DeRose

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deborah June DeRose, Authorized Agent

care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford North Carolina 00000 USA

Deborah DeRose

Care of: 500 Westover Drive Suite 12769 Sanford, North Carolina 00000 USA

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: January 28, 2023.

Signed: Deborah DeRose

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 15 and 22, 2023.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF EXISTANCE AND REGISTRATION

I, Steve Simon, Secretary of State of Minnesota, do certify that: The entity listed below has been filed under the chapter of Minnesota Statutes listed below with the office of the Secretary of State on the date listed below and that this entity or filing is registered at the time this certificate has been issued.

Name: TruCourse Advisors

Date Filed: 12/29/2022

File Number: 1359287700042 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter: 333 Home Jurisdiction: Minnesota

This certificate has been issued on: 02/06/2023

Steve Simon, Secretary of State

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 15 and 22, 2023.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Zark Communications

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2527 Edgerton Street St. Paul MN 55117 USA

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Jodi Jenna Zark 2527 Edgerton Street St. Paul MN 55117 USA

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of per-

jury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: February 8, 2023

Signed: Jenna Zark

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 15 and 22, 2023.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION FOR A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

The individual(s) listed below who is (are each) 18 years of age or older, hereby adopt(s) the following Articles of Organization:

ARTICLE 1 - LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY NAME: Danger Solutions LLC

ARTICLE 2 - REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT(S), IF ANY AT THAT OFFICE: 2622 Rivera Court, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

ARTICLE 3 - DURATION: PERPETUAL

ARTICLE 4 - ORGANIZERS: Gary Eugene Danger 2622 Rivera Court, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statues. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

This certificate have been issued on January 2, 2023.

Published two times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 22 and March 1, 2023.

RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA

PUBLIC NOTICE

SOLICITATION OPPORTUNITIES

Ramsey County releases solicitation opportunities on DemandStar as an alternative method of public notice pursuant to Section 331A.03 of the Minnesota Statutes. Individuals may go to the “How to Contract with Ramsey County” section of the “Doing Business with Ramsey County” webpage at ramseycounty.us/ContractWithRamsey to access registration information. If you are new to DemandStar, please follow the DemandStar registration instructions on the “How to Contract with Ramsey County” webpage. Access to all Ramsey County documents is free if the instructions that are posted are followed. You may call 651-266-8072 or email ProcurementTeam@ ramseycounty.us if you need assistance.

Ramsey County is accepting only electronic Request for Bids (RFBs) responses submitted through DemandStar. Public openings are conducted digitally, as a video conference. See the link above for details.

To view current solicitations, please go to: https://bit.ly/3W8XWan

SOLICITATION: RFB-PUBW27482-KB

OPENING DATE: 3/2/2023

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: RAMSEY COUNTY SEEKS CONTRACTOR / SUPPLIER TO FUNISH, INSTALL AND PROVIDE USER TRAINING FOR SELETRON GPS NOZZLE CONTROL SYSTEM ON NEW RTV-X1140. Published one time in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 22, 2023.

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT A DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED MORTGAGE:

1. Date of Mortgage: August 29, 2011

2. Mortgagor: Debra Kinde, a single person, Robert Gotch and Susan Gotch, husband and wife

3. Mortgagee: Bridgewater Bank

4. Recording Information: filed August 31, 2011 as Document No. 4293768

5. Assignments of Mortgage: none

6. Legal Description of mortgaged premises: Lot 4, Block 1, Tyler Paulsen Addition, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Abstract Property.

7. Tax parcel identification number of property: 20-30-22-12-0070

8. Property Address: 1626 Park Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

9. The person holding the Mortgage is not a transaction agent, as defined by Minn. Stat. 58.02, subd. 30. The name of the residential mortgage servicer and the lender or broker, as defined in Minn. Stat. 58.02 is Bridgewater Bank

10. The name of the mortgage originator as defined in Minn. Stat. 58.02 is Bridgewater Bank

11. All pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof.

12.The original principal amount secured by the Mortgage was $160,000.00

13. As of the date of this notice the amount due on the Mortgage is $121,481.11.

14. Pursuant to the power of sale in the Mortgage, the Mortgage will be foreclosed and the mortgaged property will be sold by the Sheriff of Ramsey County at public auction on March 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Civil Process Unit, 25 West 4th Street, Suite 150, St. Paul, MN 55102 to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said property, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law.

15.The time allowed for redemption by Mortgagor or Mortgagor’s personal representatives or assigns is SIX (6) MONTHS after the date of the sale.

16. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE THE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owneroccupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor must vacate the property, if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property redeemed under section 580.23, is 11:59 p.m. on September 29, 2023.

THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OR LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: None

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Dated: February 3, 2023.

/s/ Eric J. Sherburne Eric J. Sherburne (0279389) Eckberg Lammers, P.C.

Attorneys for Mortgagee

430 Second Street Hudson, WI 54016

Telephone: (715) 386-3733

Published six times in the Vadnais Heights Press on February 15, 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023.

Two Silo Winery & Vineyard opens, anticipates events for 2023

BY RANDY PAULSON STAFF WRITER

GRANT — The first day that Two Silo Winery & Vineyard was open for a public event was one of the most nerve-wracking days of Connar Dehnert’s life.

“But everyone enjoyed it,” the 25-year-old winemaker and co-owner of Two Silo said. “They came up to me and said, ‘This is wonderful. We had a couple of our neighbors that are here that came by and said, ‘Thank you guys for finally opening. Now I get to experience it. I get to enjoy your wine.’”

Connar and his older brother, Gavin, officially opened the winery’s tasting room in early February but began doing small-scale wine-tasting and dinner events there late last year.

People can visit the winery from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, though expanded hours and days will gradually be introduced.

The origin of the 22-acre vineyard at 7040 117th St. N. in rural Grant, however, stretches back almost six years ago when they purchased the property from its former owners. Connar and Gavin’s parents, who own Tally’s Dockside in White Bear Lake, previously stored boats at the property too.

Winemaking has been a tradition on their mother’s side of the family going back more than 100 years, from when her grandfather Pappouli immigrated to the United States from his native

Greece. He brought his Greek winemaking knowledge and made wine for his restaurant. Pappouli passed down that knowledge to his descendants.

“My mom always had a desire to open up a winery, so it kind of all came back together as we saw a good piece of property,” Connar said.

After a wine consultant in the area told the family the property would be a good area for a vineyard, Connar — who was still finishing school at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania — agreed to become the budding winery’s full-time winemaker.

He and Gavin started their vintage adventure in fall 2018 and planted almost 700 vines for the first phase of the vineyard in spring 2019. Two more planting phases followed over the next two years.

Two Silo’s existing vineyard inventory is about 2,200 grapes, but another 300 will get planted later this spring. The 2,200 consist of seven grape varieties:

• M arquette.

• It asca.

• F rontenac Noir.

• F rontenac Gris.

• P rairie Star. • F rontenac Blanc.

• L a Crescent.

Connar also brings in some types of unfermented grape juice — or “must” — from California to blend with the vineyard’s homegrown grapes and make additional types of wine.

“My goal isn’t to have a set style of wine; my goal is good variety, good tasting and very enjoyable wine that you can buy a glass, maybe have one or two, and then go home with a bottle,” he said.

Although winemaking involves science — in which Connar has a background through studying environmental science in college — he said it’s also an art. To enhance his knowledge of the craft, he took educational courses through the Viticulture Enology Science Technology Alliance (VESTA).

“The fun thing about winemaking — slash the stressful thing about winemaking — is it’s not like beer, where you can have a bad batch and dump it out,” Connar said.

“You only get one crop a year of vines, so you only get one set of grapes that year, and it’s a lot of time consumed in your life that you want to make sure it’s done right and nothing’s wrong with it and it tastes good to everyone else.”

FARMHOUSE:

Besides the winery and vineyard, Two Silo is also home to a modern farmhouse that operates as a rural resort for vacationers and an event venue.

The two-story house is equipped with a kitchen and dining area, three sitting rooms and five upstairs bedrooms, including a master bedroom with a private bathroom. It can sleep upward of 12 people and offers multiple views of the vineyard.

“We’re going to try and kind of promote it as if you’re going on like a little wine tour adventure, and you want to have an area to stay, you can always start here and have a night to stay,” Two Silo owner Connar Dehnert said.

“Otherwise, we’ve been pretty successful with bachelorette parties, work events that want to do career-building and all that kind of stuff.”

Reservations to stay at the farmhouse can be made year-round by visiting twosilofarmhouse.com.

Connar looks forward to welcoming more people to the winery this year and holding more events, such as tasting tours and “Raise Your Glass” wine and meal programs.

“I’m excited to expand and excited to grow,” he said. “It was very emotional and very fun to open up the first day, and it’s exciting to see everyone enjoy it.”

PATTI CARLSON Winemaker Connar Dehnert recently opened Two Silo Winery & Vineyard in rural Grant. The wine business is a venture he and his brother, Gavin, started almost six years ago.

CONTRIBUTED

A team of helpers at Two Silo Winery & Vineyard harvest grapes off vines.

CONTRIBUTED

Two Silo Winery & Vineyard in rural Grant held a soft opening event Feb. 11 in its tasting room, which was well received by attendees.

‘Survivor’ contestant brings addiction recovery into spotlight

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER INTERIM EDITOR

HUGO — This March, the world will get to see Hugo resident Carolyn Wiger as she lives her dream come true—joining the cast of the reality game show “Survivor.” But at home in Washington County, she is another kind of superstar—the kind that helps people recover from addiction.

As a teenager and young adult, Wiger struggled with addiction. Often, addiction starts as a result of a rough childhood or past trauma— Wiger noted that this was far from true in her case. Her family was always loving and supportive but, nevertheless, things started going downhill as early as middle school. She recalled experimenting with drugs and beginning to fail classes, to the point that a teacher took her aside to warn her that her life might be going down the wrong path.

Things escalated when she left home for college. She was hoping for a fresh start, but ended up transferring schools again and again, only to find the same thing would happen everywhere she went.

“I would start drinking, start using cocaine, I was a disaster,” she said. “Each new school I would tell myself, this is the new you. You’re not going to do anything stupid. But there’s that saying: everywhere you go, there you are. I had the same problems everywhere I went because I never looked at myself.”

The partying led to occasional arrests and a DUI, and her family became increasingly concerned. Wiger remembers her father—former Minnesota Sen. Chuck Wiger— visiting her at school and imploring her to seek treatment.

The idea of never drinking or using

drugs again was difficult for Wiger to swallow at first.

“I’d hear people say they were one year sober and thinking in my head, hell no, that’ll never be me,” Wiger said. “The thing that helped was just to take it a day at a time. I would put a mark on my calendar. At first it felt like a chore, and then it became my life.”

Once she was in recovery, Wiger found herself on a journey of selfdiscovery, learning who she was at the core, and what she truly liked. This year, Wiger is 14 years sober. And her success in turning her life around has, in turn, helped many others in their recovery journey.

“There’s this joke that everybody who goes to treatment wants to become a drug counselor afterward,” Wiger said.

Through her own recovery journey, she found a new passion for helping others, and went back to school to earn a drug counseling license through Century College. For five years she worked in a residential treatment setting, but in 2015 felt drawn to a job opening for a drug counselor with Washington County. She recalled seeing county staff come into the treatment center, and said she always looked up to them and hoped to become one of them someday.

It was another level, where Wiger was able to put her skills and experiences to work in new ways. She started a poster campaign called “Faces of Recovery,” each poster highlighting a different person who had recovered from addiction and celebrating their success. The campaign is a more positive alternative to the scare-‘em-straight public awareness posters that show the grim physical effects of long-term drug use, for example.

Even in her job at the county, Wiger noticed that a lot of people don’t seem to know how to talk about addiction and recovery. The subject is often taboo in social settings, but part of Wiger’s goal is to change the conversation around addiction and erase the stigma.

“It’s hard not have this jaded opinion when here they are again, talking about wanting to use again,” Wiger said. “Deep down, nobody wants to be addicted or keep going to jail. It physically is going to change your brain; that’s what addiction is. The things people who are addicted do can be appalling, scary, frighting, but it’s a disease. I don’t know any other disease that would have this type of judgment or opinions.”

Part of Wiger’s job includes working with patients at the county jail. She coordinates an opiate use disorder program that allows the drug Suboxone to be administered to people suffering from withdrawal. Without this treatment, people who have gone through withdrawal run the risk of fatal overdose if they resume opiate use after they are released from jail.

“We’re helping them not die,” Wiger said. “That’s the main goal, and that’s enough. With addiction, there’s no time for judgment. People are dying.”

It is extremely difficult to break the cycle of addiction, but Wiger wants to give people every chance to come out of it, even if they aren’t in a place where they can accept that kind of help yet.

“I’m not going to stop doing my job because people might use again,” she said. “I set everything up for them to go to treatment. They might not show up, but they might. I’m not going to stop doing my job because somebody may or may not want it. This could help, and that’s enough for me.”

Wiger has lived in Hugo since 2020, where she has made meaningful connections in the community and looks forward to raising her 9-year-old son with her fiancé, who is also in recovery.

Wiger’s friends have arranged a season premiere viewing party of “Survivor” at the Blue Heron Grill at 6:45 p.m. March 1. Whatever this season holds, Wiger has done her best to bring her whole, complex self to the small screen.

“It took me a long time to be in a good place with me, so it’s like take it or leave it,” she said. “I truly went out there on a mission to share my story. I thought, if I get on this damn show, I don’t even care. I am going to be my damn self because I feel like the world needs to see more of that.”

CONTRIBUTED

Hugo resident Carolyn Wiger will be a contender on the 44th season of “Survivor,” which will premiere March 1.

CONTRIBUTED

JAZZ NIGHT CLUB

When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25

Where: WBLAHS-North Campus Commons, 5040 Bald Eagle Ave.

Details: Student musicians will be joined by alumni and The Century Jazz Ensemble. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by music and dancing 7-10 p.m. Proceeds support music education.

LUNCH AND TABLE GAMES

When: noon Wednesday, Feb. 22

Where: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 3676 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights

Details: Bring a bag lunch and play table games with friends. Coffee provided.

Contact: 651-204-6000 or cityvadnaisheights.com/seniors

WINTER SEED SOWING WITH NATIVE

PLANTS

When: 6-7:15 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23

Where: Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 County Rd. F

Details: Learn the steps to kickstart

your seed collection. Limited seeds available. Free.

Contact: 651-204-6070 or vlawmo.org/

events

FISH FRY

When: 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24

Where: Church of St. Pius X, 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Annual Lenten fish fry. Takeout option available.

Contact: 651-429-5337 or churchofstpiusx.org

BEAR LEGACY GALA

When: 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24

Where: Dellwood Country Club

Details: Support students and educators in the White Bear Lake Area Education Foundation annual fundraiser. Event includes dinner and two drink tickets, silent and live auction. VIP tickets available. Contact: wblaef.org/bear-legacy

SAM REEVES CONCERT

When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25

Where: Lakewood Worship Center, 2080 Woodlynn Ave., Maplewood

Details: Well-known Gospel and Jazz pianist performs. Liberian Dinner served following concert; call for reservations.

Contact: 651- 779-9177 or 651-226-4289

PETER MAYER

When: 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25

Where: Mahtomedi High School Fine Arts Center, 8000 75th St. N.

Details: All-ages show with songs about interconnectedness and songs for children. Tickets information online. Contact: wildwoodartistseries.com

ST. PAUL HIKING CLUB

When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26

Where: 645 Warner Ave., Mahtomedi

Details: Hike the Gateway Trail, approx. 5 miles. Chili dinner follows. Park at school across the street. Contact: stpaulhike.com

BINGO

When: 1:30-3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27

Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Ave.

Details: Free afternoon of Bingo and prizes for adults. Drop-in. Contact: 651-407-2018 or communityed. mahtomedi.k12.mn.us

PLANTATION NIGHTCLUB: WHITE BEAR’S GANGSTER HEADQUARTERS

When: 6-7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27

Where: Online-Zoom

Details: Hear how the Plantation Nightclub on the shore of White Bear Lake evolved from a boat works to one of the Midwest’s most popular nightclubs.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

SING-ALONG AT THE DUGOUT

When: 7-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27

Where: Twin Cities song leader Dan Chouinard and St. Andrew’s own Bill Chouinard will lead the audience in familiar sing-along songs for a night of family fun. Tickets information online.

Contact: 651-605-1124 or wildwoodartistseries.com

LAKESHORE QUILTER’S GUILD

When: 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28

Where: Shepherd of the Hills Church, 3920 Victoria St. N., Shoreview

Details: Learn about the first-ever member-owned quilt shop co-op in Minneapolis.

Contact: quiltshopcoop.com

Dear readers,

Have something you are curious about in the community? Submit your questions to the news team.

Send your questions to news@presspubs.com

From,

South Campus stage hosts annual Black History Month Showcase

PHOTOS BY RANDY PAULSON

Candace Yates leads the audience at the Black History Month Showcase in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson wrote in 1900.

Rayshaun Brakes, Josh Doghor, Ja’sean Greene and Jontay Vaulx perform a drum routine using plastic buckets and drumsticks.

Wayne Felton performs slam poetry at White Bear Lake High School South Campus’ Black History Month Showcase.

A father-son duo at White Bear Lake High School South Campus’ Black History Month Showcase play “Higher” by D’Angelo.

Xiaoyun Liang plays a song on a traditional Chinese stringed instrument.

Horsing around on the liquefying lake ice

Above: Ana Barth shows her follow through form while competing in the recent VFW Horseshoes on Ice benefit event for the White Bear Area Food Shelf. Boot cleats, at right, helped players grip the slippery surface.

Could this be an early ice out year for White Bear Lake? The Average is April 14. March 16 in 2016 remains the earliest on record and May 4 (1950 and 2018) are the latest. Go to presspubs.com/site/forms/ to enter this year’s Ice Out Contest.

Above: Billie Novotny uses a slide technique as she tosses her horseshoe low across the slick ice. She said her late father Bud Frogner, a Korean War veteran and VFW member, helped start the tradition of the Horseshoes on Ice event back in the 1970’s.

At left: Competitors soak up the abundant sunshine and above average winter warmth while taking aim with their horseshoes.

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Janelle Luxem, Billie Novotny, Heather Donelan and Justina Collins pose for a group photo after a friendly, family game of horseshoes on ice.

LAKE LINKS: Money, right of way pose roadblock for Dellwood segment

The bills were referred to capital investment committees.

Important to note is the approved 2023 Dellwood resolution that supports the trail, subject to a number of caveats.

The resolution adopted Jan. 10 noted that the city will continue to support the development of a bike trail through Dellwood and will consider donating city-owned property for its establishment. The trail must stay on one side of Hwy. 244, however, with no road crossing allowed at Meadow Lane. The trail also must be placed on existing public right of way and not encroach on private property.

Other stipulations in the Dellwood

resolution included:

• T he city shall not take any legal action such as eminent domain to acquire private property for the trail.

• T he trail must be constructed without financial support from the city, as well as maintained and repaired without the city’s help.

• T he city shall not accept transfer of Hwy. 244 from the state for a city street.

• T he city will work with the state to help facilitate transfer of the $2.6 million grant to MnDOT to establish the trail on Hwy. 244 right of way. In the alternative, the city will work with Washington County to facilitate a transfer. The grant was approved in 2020 by the State

Business owners:

Legislature. The funding expires Dec. 31, 2024.

According to Carr, more Dellwood residents have expressed willingness to have the proposed trail cross their property on former railroad right of way. The crossing would be by way of an easement.

To demonstrate widespread community support for the trail, Lake Links recently initiated an online petition urging collaboration between Dellwood, Washington County and MnDOT to complete the trail. See https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ lake-links-through-dellwood to access the petition. Almost 600 signatures had been collected as of late last week.

Dellwood City Administrator Joel Holstad doesn’t think the grant will

be enough to construct the trail. “That isn’t being discussed,” he said. “Dellwood isn’t a roadblock to the trail. The issue is money and right of way. Current estimates suggest a trail cost approaching $5 million for the link, yet the state has only allocated $2.6 million. Dellwood isn’t able to fund a shortfall. We ask that all stakeholders, including the city, Lake Links, the county and state, meet to find a solution.”

Carr is optimistic there will be cooperation. “We hope areawide support will help the city, county and state jointly collaborate for a safe route through the Hwy. 244 corridor in Dellwood for both pedestrians and cyclists.”

Time is running out to claim your tax credit of up to $26,000 per employee.

Business owners:

Time is running out to claim your tax credit of up to $26,000 per employee.

Easter Brunch

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is one of the best kept secrets around and was recently expanded to benefit more businesses. Even if you received a PPP loan, you can still qualify for this federal Covid-19 benefit. EasyTaxCredits.com

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is one of the best kept secrets around and was recently expanded to benefit more businesses. Even if you received a PPP loan, you can still qualify for this federal Covid-19 benefit.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Resident shares experiences of growing up in White Bear

My great-uncle Homer Goins was one of St. Paul’s first Black policemen. I now know he joined the police force in 1921, and worked at the Rondo substation. A St. Paul paper police beat reporter described Homer Goins as the cop used for the “heavy” cases. “He was first to break down a door and first to go in.”

My own maternal grandfather and my namesake, Albert Turner, was the dean of North Carolina College School of Law (now NCCU), the first Black law school in the state and one of only two in the nation in the 1940s and 1950s.

I grew up hearing and later learned of how the Second World War was the impetus for my father, Nathaniel W. Goins, Jr., to leave his native Saint Paul for Alabama where he served as a Tuskegee airman.

As a child, this was only a matter of fact. Later, as time passed, the WWII squadron was widely heralded as pioneer Black aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps, the predecessor of the U.S. Air Force.

It was in Tuskegee where my father and mother met while my mother was completing her teaching practicum.

My late mother, Jean Turner, was 21 when she returned home to Tuskegee after leaving for the University of Michigan at only age 16. She would earn her master’s degree at Michigan and by the time I was born had earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

By 1947 my parents had married and began their life in Minnesota.

It was on County Road D in my grandmother’s small house that I would see the gathering place that gave meaning to the idea of extended family.

It was there that grandmother Blanche’s cousin, Ralph Johnson Bunche, would visit. He was the first African American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950.

Bunche would visit his Minnesota cousin as often as he could because I think he loved Blanche’s cooking. He came to Minnesota to also visit his friend, former Minnesota Gov. Harold Stassen, with whom Bunche helped to shape the future of the United Nations.

Bunche would later walk with his fellow Nobel recipient, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the head of the civil rights march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery.

discrimination.

Despite her own important work in reading readiness at the University of Chicago, no doors of opportunity ever opened for my mother in the 1950s at the University of Minnesota or beyond public school teaching. Education could not completely stop informal or formal discrimination in America.

She was often mistaken for our neighbor (also Black) at our parent-teacher conferences. But we were taught to brush past passive-aggressive slights.

My father, who was a Macalester graduate, and had been a victim of the polio epidemic of the 1950s, spent his career like so many other African American men working in the Post Office.

As for our family property that was once intended to be just my grandpa’s and great uncle’s farm on County Road D, it remained in our family for over 40 years until construction of an interstate highway divided the land.

And with my adolescence would come the

which to live upon the land.

Ultimately, their dreams of a working farm were thwarted by the death of my great-uncle and a chronic illness that struck my grandpa.

Later, in the early ‘50s, my grandparents gifted an acre of land to my father and mother, who built a house 68 years ago where I grew up.

I have watched that land change from soybeans and corn fields and two-lane country roads to a sprawling commercial complex now divided by a web of four lane roads and an interstate highway. I remember riding my bicycle on the asphalt of White Bear Avenue when it was only two lanes wide. And I saw memorable trees and fields overwhelmed as heavy machinery built a major shopping mall where we once played as children.

Perhaps I was shielded from the possibilities of racism and the ignorance of prejudice in large part because we were living in the countryside.

And while White Bear no doubt had its racial issues in the 1960s, they seem relatively small in hindsight.

They seemed as much born of ignorance and isolation than they were of fear like in other parts of the country that were undoing a legacy of racial injustice.

Where I went to grade school (at the old Gall School) I had had few negative experiences, perhaps in part because of the change America was undergoing, and in part because I was taught to believe that this change was now possible, if not overdue.

My own family’s history in Minnesota might have contributed to the sense of belonging I felt as a child—and to a confidence in place and rootedness.

My paternal grandmother Blanche’s family could trace their lineage in Minnesota to at least the 1880s.

And throughout my childhood, I was taught of a family tree that included a number of ‘firsts’ and a few significant historic touchpoints of African American history.

I still recall 1965 when Dr. Bunche arranged a family tour of the United Nations General Assembly and a visit to the New York World’s Fair.

And I remember how as that trip began in North Carolina, that after our family drove to the carrier USS Kitty Hawk on the North Carolina coastline, we stopped for lunch. It was a stop that reminded us that Jim Crow was still alive in the South.

It was at that restaurant where we waited an unreasonably long time for service. Eventually, the white manager came to our table: “We don’t serve Negroes,” he said.

My father was indignant. “Haven’t you heard of the civil rights act?” he said. The law had passed in 1964.

This was my lesson that segregationists were going to hold on as long as they could.

I also saw as a child that the challenges of racism and “different-ness” were higher and wider than a little county road or an old schoolhouse where I started school.

I learned later that even at a time when America was saying it was committed to equality, that the reality of subtle and overt racism still persisted — even in the North.

My own mother, Dr. Jean Turner Goins, who taught reading in the North St. Paul/Maplewood school district faced her own glass ceiling that was invisibly stenciled with the old language of de facto

changes to the landscape our nation’s whole countryside would undergo—even as the national racial landscape would undergo its own form of unstoppable change.

I think of my father’s cohort: the World War II generation. I believe they were forever different after that war. They would and could never accept living as second-class citizens again.

Their actions would bring changes in America’s racial geography in the years of the ‘50s and ‘60s just as visibly as the changes in the physical landscape throughout our own community and the whole nation.

I only wish that somehow my grandfather, Nathaniel Walter Goins, Sr., could look out today on the old farmstead on County Road D and see how a new world finally followed him out to the country. Retired public defender and civil rights attorney Albert Goins lives in White Bear Lake with his wife Marianne. They have three children.

Albert and his older sister at County Road D around 1957.

Albert Goins attended St. Paul Academy in junior high. He is seated second from left on the floor. His older cousins were the first Black pupils to attend the private school.

Albert’s grandfather and great-uncle raised chickens on their farm along County Road D. The land is now Slumberland and Best Buy.

First Lt. Nathaniel Goins Jr. in 1945. Albert’s father was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen based at Moton Field in Alabama.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

This family photo includes, from right, Albert’s grandmother Blanche Goins, mother Dr. Jean Turner Goins, Ruth Bunche, Ralph Bunche, uncle C. Wm. Goins and standing is Uncle Bert Shannon and an unidentified friend.

OBITUARIES

Karen Leigh Kadel

Age 69, of White Bear Lake passed away on 1/14/2023. Preceded in death by parents, Patricia & Bud Korfhage, sister Susan Korfhage and husband Kent Kadel. She is survived by sister, Megan (Larry) Rickie; son’s, Jerad Kadel, Joe (Amanda) Kadel and Nik (Amber) Kadel; cherished grandchildren, Evelyn Kadel, Brody Kadel, Jayda Munckburg, Jasmyn Munckburg, Lilly Bowie and numerous other family and friends. Karen was the rock of the family, teaching us so much and making sure everyone was taken care of. She loved reading her books and doing puzzles. She will be dearly missed.

Funeral Service 11am on Friday, March 10th at United Methodist Church 1851 Birch Street in White Bear Lake. Visitation 4-6 pm on Thursday, March 9th also at church. MuellerMemorial.com 651.429.4944

Michael Paul Kane, Sr.

Age 69 of White Bear Lake, Beloved son, father, grandpa passed away unexpectedly on February 1, 2023 while on vacation in Argentina. He is survived by children, Mike (Naomi) Kane Jr., Missy (Craig Fisher)Kane; their mother, Anne Kane; grandchildren, Kenadi and Kenzie; mother, Mae Kane; sister, Colleen (Marvin) Shull; extended family and so many friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kim Kane; and father, Al Kane.

Mike spent his career in law enforcement, first with the White Bear Lake Police Department, and then at the Minnesota State Fair for many years. He was a school resource officer, a teacher, a coach, a mentor and friend. Mike always did the right thing, not because he was seeking the spotlight, but because honor and integrity were integral to his very being. He had a huge smile and a contagious laugh, and made each of his friends feel as though they were the most important person in the world. In retirement, he loved traveling and adventuring with Kim; his family is thankful for their heavenly reunion. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support, kind words and love that Mike’s friends have given already. We will gather to celebrate Mike’s life in an open house on his 70th birthday, March 23, 2023 at Vadnais Commons, 655 County Road F East, Vadnais Heights from 4-8pm. All are welcome to wear bright colors in honor of Mike. Memorials preferred to Mayo Clinic Department of Development or Eagle Brook Church.

Arrangements by Bradshaw Funeral Home – 651407-8300.

PET MEMORIAL Lucy Honsa

September 6th, 2011 to December 30th, 2022

Lucy is survived by her mom and dad, Terry Honsa and Wayne Mincke; and her beloved four legged brother, Ricky; and her many friends.

Lucy was well known along Lake Avenue for walking at the crack of dawn, sitting at the bench at Matoska, or swimming at the dog beach. She excelled at obedience and agility. Lucy never met a human or dog friend she didn’t love. She was the best big sister. Lucy lived her best life thanks to the many humans and dogs that cared so deeply about her.

Brydges’ Kenya kids never say ‘never’

Calling her latest update “Never, Never Land,” Nancy Brydges tells a story with a fairytale ending for one of Kenya’s abandoned children.

Birchwood couple Bob and Nancy Brydges travel to Kenya every winter to volunteer at the Brydges Centre, a children’s school outside Nairobi that bears their name. Her email missives to friends and supporters during their stay always carry a special theme or message. The most recent mentioned the word ‘never’ throughout.

“Never,” Nancy said, “means at no time past, present or future. There are many ‘nevers’ here in Kenya. Some are good and some bad, but it’s a real never, never land.”

The word “never” came to mind when a friend visiting the Brydges Centre (BC) was teaching the school’s “Skills” girls to make chili. “We bought cans of corn and beans to expedite the making process,” Nancy recalled. “The girls had never opened a can. They had never heard of food coming in a can.” The girls had also never set a table or used an eating utensil. They are teaching such skills for girls who hope to find employment in catering or restaurant work.

Nancy went on to explain that people often use their hands to eat.

“Our apartment is in a modern area of Nairobi with China Town and Chinese modern buildings all around. A block from us, Gidion’s (one of our drivers) wife runs a hotel. Hotel means restaurant here. When you eat there, you are not given utensils. So it is no wonder these girls rescued from the poverty of various slums around here have no idea of tables being set, use of silverware or cans of food.”

Nancy also shared a heartwarming story about Edwin, a star of the Brydges Centre who was tossed out on Nairobi streets at age 5 by his prostitute mother. “He never should have made it out alive,” she said, referencing her theme. “Even our ‘mamas’ were ready to give up on this tough little boy

whom the police brought to the BC.”

That young man never gave up his dream of being a commercial pilot. “He was told he wouldn’t succeed, being from a children’s home. They never should have said that, because not only did he succeed, he excelled, was at the top of his class and was class leader,” Nancy said. An anonymous donor gave $25,000 for Edwin to earn his commercial pilot’s license.

“This seemed a never-tohappen dream,” Nancy said, adding the expression “never say never” is quite apropos in Edwin’s case. Edwin visited the center recently to have dinner after flying in from the coast. “He was so proud to have his uniform on and tell us about this new adventure in his life,” Nancy noted. “He calls us ‘mom and dad’ and last night we gave him a picture he drew for us as a little boy. He was choked up when he saw this and pictures of his youth. He thought it a miracle someone had preserved something done so long ago.”

Added Nancy, “Perhaps the ‘never never land’ of not having a loving parent will, like Edwin’s story, turn out

White Bear Lake ROTARY ACADEMIC ACHIEVER

Rotary Matters

wblrotary1@comcast.net

The White Bear Lake Area Learning Center is proud to honor Tyler Brock as the Academic Achiever for 2022-23 Tyler is an independent and self-motivated senior who has taken the Diesel Mechanics class at Northeast Metro 916. While at ALC this year, he made the honor roll both quarters. Tyler works at White Bear Honda, and is considering a career as an automotive technician. In addition to his academic successes, he has also demonstrated leadership as the Senior Captain of the White Bear Lake Wrestling Team, and has been on the team since 7th grade.

Sponsored by

to be dreams realized in the BC kids. Rosemary Wafula and staff may not be keeping a scrapbook for each child, but they are giving love, care, encouragement, education, vision and hope for a future like Edwin’s, teaching them to never, never give up.”

There was a “never” for Nancy, as well. She joked that she will “never go sky diving. They say never say never, but I am sure about that one,” she said.

Debra Neutkens

Print & Web

Our creative design department produces advertising & internet materials for our newspapers and regional shopper in East Central Minnesota.

As a graphic designer you will work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Must have the ability to manage multiple projects and the ability to work creatively to conceptualize and design effective ads while meeting our quality standards. You must possess excellent design & communication skills. Desired Skills: A two-year degree in graphic design & experience preferred. Must be proficient with Mac OS and Adobe Creative Suite. Web ad design and newspaper ad/print ad design experience is preferred. We offer a competitive compensation and benefit package.

Send Resume to:

Jeff Andres Kanabec Publications 107 S. Park St., Mora, MN 55051 or email jeff@northstarmedia.net

Tyler Brock White Bear Lake Area Learning Center

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

A Brydges Centre grad named Edwin shows a picture he drew as a young child.

Edwin displays a vest he wears, noting he’s in school to be a commercial pilot.

Cost increases in WBLAS deepen projected deficit for 2022-23

BY RANDY PAULSON STAFF WRITER

WHITE BEAR LAKE — Increased costs due to inflation, as well as enrollment changes, mean the White Bear Lake School District’s revised budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year will have a projected deficit of almost $5 million greater than planned

Although the revenues for the fiscal year 2022-23 general fund increased after the mid-year revision — having gone up from a preliminary amount of $127,224,430 to $128,993,359 — expenditures outpaced them.

Preliminary expenditures for the fiscal year were set at $127,975,183, meaning the district had an initial general fund deficit of $750,753. Expenditures have since grown to $134,586,131 for a projected deficit of $5,592,772.

The district set the preliminary ending balance for this fiscal year at $13,405,310; the revised amount stands at $8,563,291.

Several factors account for the deficit spike, according to Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Tim Wald.

First, market-driven changes such as inflation hiked up special education transportation costs by $1,900,000; utilities by $520,000; and substitute teacher pay by $610,000.

“We were having a hard time getting people to substitute teach for us when, if you make $20 to $30 more a day elsewhere,” Wald said. “When we don’t have subs in our building, then we end up paying an hourly rate to teachers on their

prep, which isn’t a great opportunity for them; they don’t love missing their prep.”

On the enrollment side, Wald noted that more special education staffing has been needed to account for a growing number of special education students. Special education enrollment grew by 8.8% this fiscal year, while total enrollment in the district remained about the same as last year.

The district’s ending fund balance is divided into various categories, one of which is unassigned. After the budget revision, $6,296,155 is unassigned of the $8,563,291. That’s 4.7% of the district’s overall revised expenditures, whereas the previous unassigned amount — $10,142,088 — was 7.9% of the preliminary expenditures.

“Our fund balance policy requires that we maintain a minimum of 8% in our unassigned fund balance, so we need to have a plan to get back up to that 8%,” Director of Finance Andi Johnson said.

“Assuming all of the assumptions that Tim had just gone through, that puts us at $2.1 million dollars in budget adjustments for next school year and then $900,000 for the following school year to get us up to that 8% target fund balance in fiscal ’25.”

The school board will approve budget adjustments at its March work session set for March 27. The preliminary budget for fiscal year 2023-24 will be presented at its work session on May 22, then the board will approve the preliminary budget at its regular meeting June 12.

Wald said the district’s assumptions about its fiscal year 2023-24 and 2024-25

budgets will depend in part on how much the Minnesota Legislature approves for education spending.

According to Gov. Tim Walz’ proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-24, the state’s formula allowance will increase by 4% that year and by 2% for fiscal year 2024-25. The state would, meanwhile, keep the special education cross-subsidy funded at 50%.

“We’re hoping that we’re at least at those numbers and potentially higher,” Wald said. Johnson said legislative priorities for the school district are for the Legislature to fully fund the special education cross-subsidy and to link the education formula allowance to rising inflation.

The school board members voiced their agreement that the cross-subsidy for special education needs to be fully funded.

Board Chair Jessica Ellison urged her fellow board members — as well as community members and students — to contact state Sen. Heather Gustafson (DFL-Vadnais Heights) and state Rep. Elliot Engen (R-White Bear Township) asking them to support the cross-subsidy.

“I have a student who is enrolled in special education services, and he would not make it through his day in school without his team,” Ellison said. “We need to continue to be able to provide the services for all our kids, no matter what their needs are.”

CONTRIBUTED

The White Bear Lake Area School District’s revised budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year would result in a deficit of almost $5 million more than was planned in the preliminary budget.

Bears snag SEC hockey crown with OT win

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS WRITER

White Bear Lake grabbed the Suburban East Conference championship by defeating CretinDerham Hall 4-3 in overtime, with Aiden Welch delivering three goals, including the game-winner.

“Conference champions. Great win for the team. To go into Cretin’s rink and jump out quick was key,” coach Tim Sager reflected about the victory at Highland Arena.

The Bears, who subsequently added two non-conference wins, finished 10-2-0 in the SEC. They avenged an earlier 3-2 loss to the Raiders, who finished 7-2-1 in conference. The Bears (19-5 overall) enter Section 4AA as top seed against Tartan on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Aldrich Arena.

The Bears outshot CDH 7-2 in

Zephyrs’

Wilson makes allstate in Alpine

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS WRITER

Mahtomedi freshman Haley

Wilson placed 18th among 88 entrants in the state Alpine Ski meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, earning all-state status.

“Haley is a skilled ski racer as a ninth grader and skied two great runs,” coach Lisa Gacek said. “It will be fun to see how she progresses the next few years.”

Wilson’s times were 39.39 on the Red run and 41.13 on

the Blue for a total of 1:20.52, on a course affected by some rainfall. The champion was Hill-Murray’s Taylor Voight with 1:15.32.

Wilson said her times were close to normal. “The conditions weren’t awesome. Rain creates lots of different challenges for all skiers. I was fortunate to cross the finish line before it really started raining.”

Wilson, 5-foot-2, said she has been a downhill skier since age 2 1/2. She does mountain biking as pre-season training.

overtime with Welch puncturing the net at 5:18 from a scramble at the net, assisted by Michael Delaney. The Bears are 4-1 in overtimes this season.

“There was a lot of scrambling going in, in front of the net,” Welch said. “I happened to be in the right place at the right time. I tried getting the puck on net as fast as I could, and honestly I didn’t even see where the puck went in. I just saw my teammates erupt, and it was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Welch scored twice early in the first period. Delaney made it 3-1 before the period ended. The Raider goals came from Collin Scanlan and Jake Fischer (two) as they blanked the Bears in the second and third periods and forced overtime. Bear goalie Leo Gabriel made 35 saves and CDH’s Leo Miller made 32. Grady Gallatin notched two

assists.

“Cretin is a quick team that tries to capitalize on neutral ice turnovers,” Sager said. “Our team showed a lot of ‘want to’ tonight. Grit and determination.”

The Bears’ last SEC title was in 2019. CDH won the last three, with the Bears second once and third twice.

The Bears won at Rosemount 5-1 with goals by Joe Belisle (two), Devin Willett, Joe Belisle and Nolan Roed, and 28 saves by Gabriel.

It took the Bears 57 shots to get one past Blaine goalie Caden Bunes but Roed finally delivered the 1-0 victory 3:38 into overtime, assisted by Welch and Grady Gallatin, ending a gallant effort by the Bengals (3-22), who had just 15 shots on goal.

Bear gymnasts 2nd in section; Lehner going to state

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS WRITER

White Bear Lake was runner-up in the Section 4AA meet with a season-best score and three members placing in the top ten all-around. Gracyn Lehner qualified for state in four events.

“It was a great day. A true team effort as they all worked so hard throughout the season to get them to this point,” said coach Kelly Rivers, who was voted section coach of the year while Bailey Nelson got assistant coach of the year.

The Bears racked up 136.625 points, trailing only Stillwater’s 144.525 among nine teams.

Lehner, a junior, placed fourth allaround with a score of 35.625, missing state by one place, but made the cut in all four events by placing fourth on floor (9.375), fifth on vault (9.225), sixth on bars (8.350), and sixth on beam (8.675). She’ll compete at state Saturday morning at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul.

Josie Mlejnek, a sophomore, placed sixth

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Charlie Drage

Mahtomedi Hockey

Charlie Drage is the top scorer on the Mahtomedi hockey team that’s 17-8 and ranked No. 4 heading into sectionals. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior forward has logged 23 goals and 20 assists to lead a balanced Zephyr attack. He has a plus 29 rating for the season. Coach Jeff Poeschl cites Drage as “one of our key players all season” as the scoring leader, an excellent penalty killer, and a team leader. “His speed and play-making abilities set him apart, making him a threat every time he touches the ice.” Drage was the second-leading scorer (18 goals, 26 assists) last year when the Zephrys placed third in the state.

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all-around (33.725), seventh on floor (8.950), eighth on bars (8.175), 14th on beam (8.125), and 17th on vault (8.475).

Addy Mueller, a sophomore, was seventh all-around (33.700), 10th on vault (8.925), 10th on beam (8.375), 11th on bars (7.850), and 13th on floor (8.550). Eighth-grader Grace Mueller, was 10th on floor (8.800), 15th on  bars (7.650), and 16th on beam (8.025).

Zephyr gymnasts win 4A again; five qualify for state

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS WRITER

Mahtomedi captured its 31st section championship and had five members qualify for state individually at Section 4A. The Zephyrs logged a season-best 140.85 points, with Breck (136.975) second among six teams.

Individual qualifiers are Abbey Bush, Margo Bruner, Annika Sturm, Alix Fox, and Erin Steinman. Class A team will be held Friday and individuals Saturday, both 6 p.m., at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul.  Bush, a senior, placed third allaround with 35.950. She was vault champion with 9.375, and placed second on bars (9.200), fifth on floor (8.975), and ninth on beam (8.40).  Steinman, a senior, and Bruner, seventh-grader, tied for the beam championship, each with 9.30. Steinman placed fourth all-around (35.150), second on floor (9.150), and third on bars (8.725). Bruner was eighth in bars (8.225).

Fox, a junior, placed fourth on floor (9.00), fifth all-around (34.100), sixth on vault (8.525), eighth on beam (8.500), and ninth on bars (8.075). Sturm, a junior, was fifth on bars (8.350). Tying for fifth on floor were Bush, senior Madison Moeller and freshman Lucy Otto (all 8.975). Kendall Hines, senior, was 11th on vault (8.40) and 16th on beam (7.750).

JON NAMYST

Gracyn Lehner qualifies for state in four events.

BRENNAN SCHACHTNER

Aiden Welch drilled three goals against Cretin-Derham Hall.

SMUG MUG

Haley Wilson attacks the slopes at Giants Ridge.

BRUCE STRAND

Alix Fox is one of five Zephyr state individual qualifiers.

WHITE BEAR AREA SENIOR PROGRAM

COMMUNITYSERVICES.ISD624.ORG

2484 COUNTY ROAD F E, WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN 55110 · 1.5 MI (651) 653-3121

UPCOMING CLASSES - REGISTRATION

REQUIRED

55+ Defensive Driving Classes

4-Hour Refresher at Sr Center / $35: Mar 8, 5:30-9:30pm | Mar 14, 9am1pm

8-Hour Class, $45: Mar 14&15, 1:30-4:30pm online | Mar 29&30 5:309:30 pm online or Sr.Center

Seated Abdominal Strengtheners online: 2/28 | 6-7:30 pm $30

Knowledge is Power: Financial Strategies for Women online: 3/1 | 6-7:30pm | Free

Chair Yoga: Fri, Mar 3-Apr 14 | 10;10:45am | $35

Learn to Play Mah Jongg: Mar 2-30 | 9:30-11:30am | &65 3/10 | 11am-12pm | $18

History of White House Women: 3/17 | 10am-12pm | $18

National Vietnam War Veterans Day: 3/29 10-11:30am at the Sr Center

confidence by teaching them how to reduce stress, solve problems, and manage difficult behaviors the person with memory loss may display. This program includes meeting 1:1 with Lisa Brown, MSW, LISW, Caregiver Services Program Coordinator either in person, virtual (Zoom), or by phone, typically over 2-3 months. To learn more, call 651-632-5320 or email caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.

Learn about Volunteering with The Gathering in White Bear Lake! The Gathering respite program provides brain-stimulating activities for adults living with memory loss and four hours of respite for their caregiver. If you are interested in learning about volunteering with The Gathering, join us for an information session via Zoom on March 23 at 3:00 PM. Contact us at 651-632-5330 or email communityservices@lyngblomsten. org to get the link to participate in the Zoom call or for more details. Visit www.lyngblomsten.org/communityservices or call 651-632-5330 to learn more about our programs and supportive services. Lyngblomsten Caregiver Services is supported, in part, by gifts made to the Lyngblomsten Foundation and is funded under an award with Trellis as part of the Older Americans Act.

MAHTOMEDI COMMUNITY EDUCATION

ADULT ACTIVITIES AT THE MAHTOMEDI DISTRICT EDUCATION CENTER (DEC)

Meeting: March 28; 5:30-8:30 PM

Bingo: FREE! March 27, 1:30-3:00 PM. Please bring items to donate to the prize table!

THE FOLLOWING REQUIRES REGISTRATION: MAHTOMEDI.CE.ELEYO.COM

Whole Person Wellness Consultations - FREE

March 2, 45-minute appointments available between 9:00AM-1:00PM.

Reservations required.

Everything You Want to Know About Medicare - $10

March 13, 6:30-8:00 PM.

Foundation for Retirement - $49

Two-day course. Session 1: March 9 & 16, 6:30-9:00 PM

Session 2: March 14 & 21, 6:30-9:00 PM.

55+ Drivers Safety 8-Hour Class - $45

Two day course: March 14 & 15,1:00-5:00 PM. Online (virtual) class via

Zoom.

Community Lunch - $10

March 20, Noon - 1:00 PM. Great food (taco bar catered by Red Luna

Seasons) and musical entertainment Michael August Shumacher. Register by March 17.

Alzheimer’s Association - 10 Warning Signs - $10

March 22, 7:00-8:00 PM.

Join us for a $5 Donatelli’s diner at the Sr. Center, March 17.

Monday-Friday, hot or frozen meal delivery. If you are interested, know of someone who may need meals,

We help you get back to living.

1520 Mahtomedi Ave.  All activities are held at the DEC unless otherwise noted.

MONDAYS: Stitchers 1-3:00 PM, 2nd/4th Monday of Month

TUESDAYS: Mah Jongg 9:30-11:30 AM, Cribbage 1-3:00 PM

Therapy services at Cerenity White Bear Lake help you return to what you do best. Our combination of highly trained compassionate staff and the most innovative care in the area make our community your best choice for professional therapy services.

Wine Glass Painting - $60/pair

March 29, 6:00-8:00 PM, Mahtomedi Middle School, Room 273

Easy Partner Dancing - $60

• Aquatic Therapy

Every

WEDNESDAYS: Bridge, 1-4:00 PM

THURSDAYS: 500 Cards, 12:30-3 PM

LYNGBLOMSTEN COMMUNITY SERVICES

REACH: Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health is a proven approach used by trained caregiver consultants to support family and others who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Goals of the program include increasing caregivers

FRIDAYS: Games, 12:30-3 PM; Bridge, 1-4 PM; Book Club, 2nd Friday, 10-11:30 AM Mahtomedi Evening Star Quilters - FREE Sew Day: March 21, 12:30-4:00 PM

We help you get back to living.

Every step of the way.

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy • Speech Pathology

Therapy services at Cerenity White Bear Lake help you return to what you do best. Our combination of highly-trained compassionate staff and the most innovative care in the area make our community your best choice for professional therapy services.

• Occupational Therapy

Thursdays, March 30-April 20, 7:00-8:30 PM, Matoska Elementary & WBL South Campus. (see website for details)

ZUMBA - $75

• Physical Therapy

Fridays, March 31-May 26, 9:00-9:45 AM. District Education Center

Gym.

• Speech Pathology

If you have any questions, please call 651-407-2024.

Call today to schedule a tour: 651-232-1847

• Aquatic Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Speech Pathology

Call today to schedule a tour: 651-232-1847

Sunrise Park Middle School to get new name after move

BY RANDY PAULSON STAFF WRITER

WHITE BEAR LAKE — It was “as a proud graduate of Mariner High School” and former Sunrise Park Junior High student that school board member Scott Arcand cast his yes vote approving the new name for Sunrise Park Middle School: Mariner Middle School.

The rest of the school board followed suit in OK’ing the new moniker for the middle school when it moves into the White Bear Lake High School South Campus in fall 2024.

The name emerged as a popular contender among the 300 submissions the district received from community members, students, staff and parents. More than half the suggestions included the word “Mariner” while about 40 included “Sunrise.”

“Our rationale is that Mariner was the original name of the building from 1972 to 1983. The number of suggestions for the name Mariner demonstrates strong community support, it honors our district’s history and at the same time, Sunrise Park will remain a landmark in

the Sunrise Park neighborhood,” Sunrise Park Middle School Principal Christina Pierre said.

Sunrise Park Middle School opened in 1993, though the district previously had two junior high buildings.

The first junior high — Sunrise Park Junior High — opened in 1959. Before then, junior high students attended classes in a wing of the high school building.

Sunrise Park taught students in seventh and eighth grade as well as some elementary students because “the district was bursting at the seams,” according to Pierre. When Lakeaires Elementary opened a year later, the elementary students were able to move out of the junior high building.

Enrollment at Sunrise Park eventually outgrew the building’s capacity in the early 1960s. That led to the need for Central Junior High, which opened in 1964. Student enrollment continued to fluctuate throughout the next several years until the district no longer needed both buildings. It closed Sunrise Park Junior High in 1981 and proposed it as the site for a district center.

The district’s former Mariner High School, meanwhile, opened in 1972, which was a year that also coincided with surging junior high enrollment. During the high school’s first academic year, it only enrolled freshmen, sophomores and juniors. The first senior class didn’t graduate until 1974.

Mariner High School later became the district’s South Campus building

Cheerleaders find success at National Championship

The White Bear Lake Varsity cheerleaders took home fifth and sixth place honors in the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida.

The Bears competed against 24 other teams in the Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Division I division, taking home fifth place. In the Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Division I Game Day division, the team earned sixth place honors against 36 other programs.

The National High School Cheerleading Championship is the pinnacle of cheerleading competitions for high school cheerleaders across the country. This year’s event hosted 1,125 teams across 33 states. Teams competing at the championship must have qualified at a regional competition in 2022.

CONTRIBUTED

Pictured from left to right:

Front: Angelina Marino, Sammie Sherrick, Keira Keese, Trisha Johnson

Second: Ali Carnes, Hailey Lukas, Tessa Shaffer, Holly Anderson

Third: Presley Manship, Katelyn Kaehler, Addi Andrekus, Kayla Longhenry

Back: Natalie Steensland, Amelia Ahrens, Maddie Hood, Kate Krey

ZEPHYR SPORTS BRIEFS

BOYS BASKETBALL

Mahtomedi won a rare low-scoring game 5439 over Hudson last week, then got back to normal beating Hastings 86-45. The No. 5 ranked Zephyrs are 17-3. At Hudson, Will Underwood notched 18 points, Owen Carlson 15 and Cole Armitage 10. Ben Berkhoff led the hosts (15-5) with 12. Against Hastings, eleven players scored, led by Carlson with 21, Underwood 16, and AJ McCleery 13.

BOYS HOCKEY

Mahtomedi closed the regular season last week beating Delano 6-1 and Woodbury 4-2. The No. 4 ranked Zephyrs (17-8) are seeded first in Section 4A and will open Thursday against St. Paul Johnson at 5 p.m. at Aldrich Arena. Against Delano (13-11), Carter Haycraft and

Charlie Drage notched two goals each, and Corey Bohmert and Jake HoddChlebeck one each. Against Woodbury (11-12-1), David Wosfeld punched in two goals, and Haycraft and Hodd-Chlebeck one each, with Charlie Brandt making 22 saves. Mahtomedi was 7-3 in the Metro East Conference for third place behind St. Thomas Academy and Hill-Murray.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Mahtomedi clinched at least a share of the Metro East championship, scuttling second-place Hastings 83-63. Ella Kletti netted 20 points, Mya Wilson 19, and Sonya Potthoff, Ella Frazier and Anna Greene 12 each.

Potthoff made eight assists. The Zephyrs, ranked 10th in Class 3A, are 17-5 with 10 straight wins. They’re

12-0 in the MEC and beat Hastings (10-2) twice.  The Zephyrs also thumped Tartan 73-37 last week with Greene sinking 19 points, Kletti 15, and Potthoff 13.

NORDIC

Sarah Brings of Mahtomedi finished in the middle of the pack at the state Nordic Ski meet at Giants Ridge in Biwabik. The Zephyr senior was 66th among 112 entrants in a total time of 35:03.4, including 18:38.1 in the classic race and 16:26.0 in freestyle.

WRESTLING

Mahtomedi has a final 12-21 record in dual meets after defeating North Branch 43-36 and losing to unbeaten champion Simley 73-3 in Section 4AA. Getting pins against North Branch

BEARS SPORTS BRIEFS

BOYS BASKETBALL

CONTRIBUTED

for grades 11-12 in 1983, leaving the North Campus to serve grades 9-10.

“We’re looking forward to 2024, when we come back to a unified high school — ninth through 12th grade — and at the same time when Sunrise Park Middle School students will go into the South Campus,” Pierre said.

White Bear Lake went 3-0 last week, starting with a triple-overtime 60-58 win over Maple Grove. The Bears (14-7) are ranked No. 12. Jack Janicki poured in 33 points against Maple Grove, including the game-winner on a floater in the lane with 3.4 seconds left in the third OT. Wyatt Hawks sank 15 points. Hawks, a 6-foot-8 senior, led with 22 points (8-for8 on free shots) in a 64-48 win over Roseville (12-8). Janicki added 15 points, Zach Nelson nine and Jack Misgen eight. The Bears won 56-43 over Woodbury (4-18) as Janicki and Hawks netted 19 points each and Nelson had nine points on three 3-pointers for the second straight game.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

White Bear Lake, ranked No. 9 in Class 4A, rallied from a 33-19 halftime deficit to defeat Roseville 64-59 in overtime. The Bears (19-4) then tripped Woodbury 57-45. Drew Johnston, who scored 24 points for Roseville (13-9), tied the score 55-55 by hitting a 3-pointer with :03 left. Abby O’Brien delivered a 3-pointer early in the OT and the Bears stayed in front on Jordyn Schmittdiel’s two free shots, Addi Post’s layup and Cami Bachmaier’s two free shots. Post tallied 16 points, Blessing Adebisi 12, Heidi Barber 10, and Bachmeier, O’Brien and Schmittdiel eight each. Against Woodbury (6-17), Schmittdiel and Barber netted 11 points each and Post nine.

ALPINE

Angus Levins, White Bear Lake sophomore, placed 85th of 88 entrants at the state Alpine Ski meet at Giants Ridge. He placed 65th in his first run with 42.54 and did not finish the second run.

WRESTLING

White Bear Lake’s dual meet season ended in the Section 4AAA semifinals with a loss to eventual champion Stillwater 66-6. The Bears received a forfeit from Roseville Area, which pulled out due to skin infections, in the quarterfinals. The Bears had a final 13-15 record.  The Bears won two decisions — by Isaac Kolstad, 5-4 over Joe Dauffenbach at 120 pounds, and by Porter Cleary, 8-4 over Keatan Urbanski at 145 pounds. Charlie Woodcock at 170 took a brief lead with a takedown in the final minute but Amrose Spaeth quickly reversed him and won 7-5. Stillwater collected seven pins and one forfeit. Next for the Bears is section individuals on Saturday, Feb. 25, at North St. Paul.

SWIMMING

White Bear Lake lost its dual meet finale to perennial conference champion Stillwater 94-87. Amarre Zalazar won the backstroke (58.37) and 100 freestyle (50.67) after playing the national anthem on his guitar. Benedict Hoefer took the 50 free in 24.07. Calvin Weier and Brayden Kolb finished 2-3 in the 200 free, and Tony Parada Romero was second in diving. Next is Section 4AA Thursday through Saturday at Stillwater.

were Samuel White, Max Faust, Hayden Schaefer, Evan McGuire, Zach Halverson and Max Rice, while Aidan Carlson and Alex Lavalle earned decisions. Top-ranked Simley had nine first-period pins against the Zephyrs, who averted a shutout when Rice won 4-2 at 295 pounds. Section individuals will be held Saturday at North Branch.

When Sunrise Park Middle School moves into the South Campus high school in 2024, it will be renamed Mariner Middle School in honor of the district’s former White Bear Mariner High School.

Donated black Labrador puppy warms the hearts of military family

BY RANDY PAULSON STAFF WRITER

The next time Brian Chaffee goes hunting, he’ll have a four-legged companion to help him fetch his trophy birds.

That’s because the Minnesota National Guard member and his family recently welcomed Dakota, a purebred black Labrador puppy, into their home near Scandia thanks to a donation from a dog breeder one state over.

“I’m retiring from the military on April 30 this year, so I’m super excited to have a little buddy to hang out with,” said Brian, whose military service dates back 23 years.

He said he sometimes has difficulty dealing with things that happened to him during his military deployment.

“For me, just having that dog is super comforting. I don’t know how to put it in words, but it is super calming, and I’m grateful that we were able to get him.”

Brian and his wife, Jen, and their daughters, Madison and Allyson, received Dakota on Christmas Day from Northlake Labradors Kennel, a dog breeder in Napoleon, North Dakota.

Earlier that year, Northlake Labrador

CONTRIBUTED

owners Steve Silbernagel and his wife

Phylis Brotten had contacted the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network in Hugo about their desire to donate a male black Lab puppy to a deserving military member who’s been deployed overseas.

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network assists military-connected families with various needs they might have when one of their members is deployed. The Chaffees have helped the Hugo network’s chair, Chuck Haas, with the organization through the years.

So when Haas found out about the dog

donation, he reached out to Jen — who also is in the National Guard — to see if her family wanted a dog.

The Chaffees initially declined the offer because of their tradition of having female dogs in their family. However, the breeders eventually decided they’d donate two dogs: one male Labrador to a different military veteran and a female Labrador to the Chaffees.

Wires got crossed while the Chaffees visited Napoleon to pick up their puppy, however, and they wound up bringing home a male instead.

“After our eight-hour drive home, we realized that we actually had a boy dog,” Jen recalled with a chuckle.

The Chaffees aren’t complaining, though, and are happy to have added Dakota to their family alongside Daisy, their 6-year-old golden retriever.

“The dog is good, sleeps through the night. He slept the night we got him. Very gentle. Very well mannered,” Brian said of Dakota.

The Chaffees are also touched by the generosity of Silbernagel and Brotten for donating Dakota.

“The breeding is part of their livelihood, so for them to have said, ‘Nope, we’re going to elect to not keep this dog for future breeding’ was pretty amazing,” Jen said.

1. Being around other dogs makes it important to have pest and parasite protection (vaccines) up to date.

2. Don’t bring food or small children.

3. If it’s your first visit let your dog greet other dogs through the fence first to make sure your dog can handle it.

4. Your dog needs to obey commands and will come when called.

5. Always keep an eye on your dog to prevent bad encounters with

Brian’s military career started in February 2000 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. His four-year stint in that branch saw him deployed in the South Pacific to places such as East Timor, Okinawa and the Philippines.

After he got out of the Marines, Brian felt he was “missing something” and decided to join the National Guard.

“Soon after that, I was sent down to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, to mobilize to deploy with the 34th Infantry Division First Brigade, which ended up being that long deployment that everybody talks about,” Brian said, referring to that unit’s 22-monthlong deployment during the Iraq War.

Upon returning home from Iraq, Brian stayed on active duty to train other soldiers who were to be deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

Jen enlisted in the National Guard in May 2002 and marked her 20th year of service last year. Throughout that time, she’s embarked on three deployments overseas: Her first was 2004-2005; her second was January 2006 to July 2007; and her most recent was October 2019 to October 2020.

She remains on active duty with the National Guard and said she has “no planned retirement date yet on my horizon.”

more aggressive dogs and to prevent eating things they shouldn’t.

6. Be careful not to get distracted by texting or phone calls.

7. It’s OK to give your dog a “time out” for a few minutes if they get to excited.

8. When you come inside after a winter walk, check your dog’s pads (feet) to make sure there is no ice or snow lodged in them.

Have confidence in your financial strategy

At the Wellspring Advisor Group of Thrivent, we see money as a tool, not a goal. Our approach is based on helping you prepare for the future, protect the people you love, and live a life rich in meaning and gratitude. Reach out to learn more about how we can help you create a strong financial future for your family.

Wellspring Advisor Group

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Not all team members may be appropriately licensed to provide all products and services or licensed to do business in all states. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states.

Not all team members may be appropriately licensed to provide all products and services or licensed to do business in all states. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

4242978.3

Boat slip on WBL for 22' Premier Pontoon. 651-357-5482

The City of Mahtomedi is accepting Letters of Interest to fill a recently vacated City Council seat. The City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. and occasionally for Work Sessions or Special Meetings. The term of this appointment will expire at the end of 2023.

If you are interested in serving the community in this capacity, please send a Letter of Interest to: City of Mahtomedi, c/o Scott Neilson Administrator, 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115 or email to sneilson@ci.mahtomedi.mn.us. Letters of Interest will be accepted until Friday, February 24, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. with interviews scheduled the week of February 27, 2023. Please direct questions to Scott Neilson at 651-426-3344.

Press Publications in White Bear Lake is se eking a staff writer to join its awardwinning team As a staff writer-reporter you will be responsible for coordinating editorial conten t and layout for our newspapers, website and social media page s. In addition to writing stories, the job will require attending meetings, ta king photographs, assisting with the layout pr ocess, coordinating, writin g occasiona l ed itorial columns and ma intaining a positive relation ship with the commun ity at large. We are lo oking for a ca ndidate who is an efficient writer passionate about local community news and gr eat at time managment. Candida tes sh ould have a degree in journalism (or a relate d field) and have rele vant experience

To apply, please send resume cover letter and three writing samples to quadnews @pressp ubs.com

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PRESS PUBLICATIONS IS SEEKING A MULTIMEDIA REPRESENTATIVE

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If you enjoy meeting people, solving problems and helping businesses grow, this may be the perfect opportunity for you. Press Publications seeks an organized and creative professional multimedia rep to promote and market the business community through our products in print and digital. Sales experience is helpful but training is provided to the candidate who shows the willingness to learn and grow in a fast-paced marketplace.

SEND

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE WORKERS POSITIONS

White Bear Township is accepting applications for Seasonal Maintenance

Worker positions to assist in routine maintenance work including, but not limited to, the following: general maintenance of parks, streets, water, storm water, sanitary sewer, etc. Up to 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 7 am to 3:30 pm (subject to change between Memorial Day – Labor Day).

EQUAL HOUSING 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 discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal custod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity 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

MAHTOMEDI

VOLUNTEER FOR CITY COMMISSION

The City of Mahtomedi is accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the Finance Commission. The Commission serves as an advisory body making recommendations within their areas of responsibility to the City Council.

If you are interested in serving the community in any of this capacity, please contact City Hall at 651-426-3344 for an application form. Applications are also available on the City’s website at www.ci.mahtomedi.mn.us. Applications will be taken through March 1, 2023.

JERENE ROGERS CITY CLERK

Immediate Full-Time and Part-Time

ASSEMBLY

Salary range from $14.00 /hour to $18.00/hour depending on qualifications. A valid driver’s license with a good driving record is essential. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be able to pass pre-employment drug screening.

Applications are available Monday –Friday, 7 am – 4:30 pm, at Township Administrative Office, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110 or online at www.whitebeartownship.org.

Application deadline: Open until positions filled.

Seeking

take pride in their work, have a strong work ethic and can work

Staff Writer

Press Publications in White Bear Lake is seeking a staff writer to join its award-winning team. As a staff writer-reporter you will be responsible for coordinating editorial content and layout for our newspapers, website and social media pages. In addition to writing stories, the job will require attending meetings, taking photographs, assisting with the layout process, coordinating, writing occasional editorial columns and maintaining a positive relationship with the community at large. We are looking for a candidate who is an efficient writer, passionate about local community news and great at time managment. Candidates should have a degree in journalism (or a related field) and have relevant experience. To apply, please send resume, cover letter and three writing samples to quadnews@presspubs.com.

Print & Web

Our creative design department produces advertising & internet materials for our newspapers and regional shopper in East Central Minnesota.

As a graphic designer you will work in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. Must have the ability to manage multiple projects and the ability to work creatively to conceptualize and design effective ads while meeting our quality standards. You must possess excellent design & communication skills.

Desired Skills: A two-year degree in graphic design & experience preferred. Must be proficient with Mac OS and Adobe Creative Suite. Web ad design and newspaper ad/print ad design experience is preferred. We offer a competitive compensation and benefit package.

Send Resume to: Jeff Andres Kanabec Publications 107 S. Park St., Mora, MN 55051 or email jeff@northstarmedia.net

The City of Circle Pines is offering exciting job opportunities this summer.

Golden Lake Concession Stand Attendants

The City of Circle Pines is looking for seasonal Concession Stand Attendants for Golden Lake Park. Individuals will work approximately 20-30 hours per week. Individuals will be responsible for park groundskeeping, selling concessions, operating a cash register, cleaning and stocking shelves. Pay is $16/hr. Must be 16 years or older to apply.

Park Maintenance Worker

The City of Circle Pines is currently looking for seasonal park employees. The individuals will perform various types of manual labor, groundskeeping, operate light equipment, such as lawn mowers, and work on various projects in the park system. Position pays $17/hr. Work hours are Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Applicant must be 16 years or older.

Public Works Maintenance Worker

Centennial Utilities/City of Circle Pines is currently looking for summer seasonal employees for the Public Works Department to perform various types of manual labor and operate light equipment. Applicant must be 18 years or older. Work hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Position pays $17/hr.

Applications for Positions

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Please send applications to Chandra Peterson, Circle Pines City Hall, 200 Civic Heights Circle. If you have questions, please call 763-784-5898 or email cpeterson@ci.circle-pines.mn.us.

Why do we have fish fries during Lent?

For Christians, Lent is a season of solemnity, where people practice self-denial and atonement leading up to Easter, when they commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So how do all-you-can-eatwith-all-the-fixings fish fries at local restaurants and churches figure into that?

The fish fry tradition is most strongly associated with the Roman Catholic community, but churches and organizations of all denominations (or none at all) have participated.

According to Wikipedia, the ritual of fasting during the Lenten season dates back to the first century CE. The practice has changed quite a bit over the centuries, but it started as a fast and was eventually established as a 40-day abstinence from the meat of warm-blooded animals. This form of penance was meant to recognize the suffering and forbearance of Christ’s 40 days in the desert while he was tested by the devil. This year’s Lenten season begins Feb. 22 and lasts until Easter Sunday, April 6.

Fish fries are also a way to celebrate Midwestern roots, since many places in Minnesota and Wisconsin were settled by German and Polish Catholics who did not typically eat meat on Fridays. Proximity to freshwater lakes means that a fish fry might feature fresh walleye, bass, perch, bluegill or even catfish, in addition to the more widespread choices, cod and tilapia.

Press Publications has compiled a list of fish fries in the northeast metro where you can find your own Lenten meal, religious or not. Many local restaurants also offer fish fry meals at this time of year.

KEEP ZIMMER VFW POST 1782, WHITE BEAR LAKE

The VFW serves all-you-care-toeat fish, fries and coleslaw.

Address: 4496 Lake Ave. S., White Bear Lake

When: 4-9 p.m. Fridays through April 14

Cost: $12 per person

Contact: 651-426-4944

Deputy Clerk

ST. PIUS X CHURCH, WHITE BEAR LAKE

St. Pius provides fried or baked fish, baked potato, cole slaw, pasta salad, macaroni and cheese and rolls. Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m. St. Patrick’s Day meal includes green beer for extra charge and Irish music.

When: 4:30-7 p.m. March 31

Address: 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake

Cost: $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 children 12 and under, 5 and under free.

Contact: 651-429-5337

ST. JUDE OF THE LAKE, MAHTOMEDI

Baked tilapia or breaded cod, macaroni and cheese, potato, coleslaw and brownies.

When: 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, March 31

Address: 700 Mahtomedi Ave., Mahtomedi

Cost: $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 ages 12 and under.

Contact: 651-426-3245

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, HUGO

The St. Genevieve’s Men’s Club will serve a menu of Icelandic cod, baby red potatoes, french fries, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, pickles, rolls, cookies and beverages at St. John’s. Children will be able to enter a bike raffle.

When: 4:30- 8 p.m. Fridays through April 7

Address: 14383 Forest Blvd. N., Hugo

Cost: $11 adults, $9 seniors, $7 children 6-12, children under 5 eat free

Contact: 651-426-9796

AMERICAN LEGION POST 225, FOREST LAKE

The American Legion will host its ninth annual fish fry and pie-throwing contest to help raise funds for the annual Fourth of July Parade.

When: 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 24

Address: 355 W. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake, Minnesota 55025

Cost: $10 per person

Contact: 651-464-2600

SEE MORE LOCATIONS ONLINE AT PRESSPUBS.COM

Deputy Clerk

Birchwood Village is hiring a PT Deputy Clerk for 20-30 hrs./wk. at $20-$30 per hr. The position includes PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association) benefits. Job duties include processing financial transactions, permits, and providing administrative support. Bachelor’s degree in finance, business or public administration preferred but not needed. Requires technical ability in bookkeeping and/or accounting, effective communication and customer skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. A full job description and application materials can be found at www.cityofbirchwoodvillage. com. Applicants should complete the Application and Background Check Release and send, along with a resume and cover letter, to info@cityofbirchwood.com or mail to City Hall at 207 Birchwood Ave, Birchwood MN, 55110. EEO

Birchwood Village is hiring a PT Deputy Clerk for 20-30 hrs./wk. at $20-$30 per hr. The position includes PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association) benefits. Job duties include processing financial transactions, permits, and providing administrative support. Bachelor’s degree in finance, business or public administration preferred but not needed. Requires technical ability in bookkeeping and/or accounting, effective communication and customer skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. A full job description and application materials can be found at www.cityofbirchwoodvillage. com. Applicants should complete the Application and Background Check Release and send, along with a resume and cover letter, to info@cityofbirchwood.com or mail to City Hall at 207 Birchwood Ave, Birchwood MN, 55110. EEO The

The city of Birchwood Village is committed to building a diverse, welcoming and respectful workforce. We seek and welcome candidate applications

Weekly Outlook

Weekly Outlook

Weather Tidbits Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com

Weather Tidbits

I warned you about “fake spring” last week and after a relatively quiet February the weather got interesting, starting with last week’s 1 inch rain. The talk over this past weekend was the snowstorm forecasted for Tuesday-Wednesday with predictions of up to 24 inches! First we had to deal with a Monday morning snow squall which quickly messed up the roads and brought down visibilities, making driving difficult. We’ll get through this and soon “real spring” will be here.

Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com

I warned you about “fake spring” last week and after a relatively quiet February the weather got interesting, starting with last week’s 1 inch rain. The talk over this past weekend was the snowstorm forecasted for Tuesday-Wednesday with predictions of up to 24 inches! First we had to deal with a Monday morning snow squall which quickly messed up the roads and brought down visibilities, making driving difficult. We’ll get through this and soon “real spring” will be here.

Note: Will there be another Free Pie Day Weather Calendar special this year. Stay tuned.

Note: Will there be another Free Pie Day Weather Calendar special this year. Stay tuned.

Frank Watson

Frank Watson

MAKE YOUR OFFICIAL GUESS ON THIS OFFICIAL ENTRY— IT’S EASY!

1. You must submit an original entry form from the White Bear Press or online at www.presspubs.com/site/forms/contest/register_to_win/white_bear_lake_ice_out_contest/ (One entry per person)

2. Guess the date of Ice Out 2023 on White Bear Lake

3. Submit your completed entry, drop off or mail to: 4779 Bloom Ave White Bear Lake MN, 55110

4. email to: marketing@presspubs.com

5. Must be 21 or older to enter.

6. Deadline to enter is: March 27th, 2023 at noon.

7. Ice Out

Ice Out Date: _______________________________________________________________________________

Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Email:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What can you win? Grand Prize: $50 other prizes are gift cards donated by these fine Ice Out 2023 sponsors. How do you win? All entries with the correct ice out date will be placed into a drawing. First ticket drawn will be awarded the grand prize. Runners up will be drawn until all prizes are awarded. You must pick up your prize/redemption slip at Press Publications before May 31, 2023. In addition to the Grand Prize, a prize will be awarded from each of the Ice Out sponsors.

Pop-up pizzeria becomes permanent: Melt Pizza Company opens in Stillwater

BY RANDY PAULSON STAFF WRITER

Anthony Gilbert is realizing his dream of making melt-in-yourmouth pizza at his new restaurant in Stillwater.

Melt Pizza Company is open at the former site of Lolito Cantina at 112 Main Street. Melt Pizza is open 4-9 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday for take-out and dine-in.

“Constantly, people tell me it’s the best pizza they’ve ever had, which is the highest compliment that I can ever get,” 31-year-old Gilbert said of the restaurant’s main menu item.

The location is the pizzeria’s first permanent spot since Gilbert introduced the business in late 2021 in nearby Hudson, Wisconsin.

The eatery spent its first year and change operating as a popup restaurant, or “ghost kitchen,” primarily at Pedro’s del Este cocktail lounge in Hudson. It also made occasional appearances at other nearby venues, such as Barrel Theory in St. Paul and Rush River Brewing in River Falls, Wisconsin.

The itinerant nature of Melt Pizza meant it was only open a few days

a week. That has changed with its permanent abode.

“It’ll be nice that people will be able to come get the pizza any day of the week, as opposed to what we were doing before, where people were having to follow us around to find us,” Gilbert said.

The restaurant’s pizza offerings include a mix of East Coast-style toppings — such as fresh basil, hot honey and ricotta, among others — as well as traditional and experimental flavors.

The menu also has traditional Italian items, such as pasta, as well as Filipino dishes that reflect Gilbert’s own Filipino heritage.

Gilbert noted that his grandmother, Cirila Eigenheer, was 100% Filipino. Having immigrated to the United States, she lived in Mounds View. Her dream for Gilbert was that he’d one day own his own restaurant.

“I never really followed that dream, and she unfortunately passed away three weeks into COVID,” he said. “I think it was at that moment in time where I kind of fell in love with this, fell in love with the idea that maybe I should be doing something different with my career, with my path, that I

chose to do this.”

A Shoreview native, Gilbert crossed the St. Croix River to live in Hudson in 1999. His previous professional culinary experience includes working as a cook at The Nova Bar and Restaurant and later as manager of Casanova Liquors.

His career later pivoted to photography. During the six years before he started Melt Pizza, he worked as a professional architectural and wedding photographer.

Gilbert eventually became drawn to making Detroit-style pizzas. That type of pizza is similar to deep-dish but has a rectangular shape and light, crispy crust. The defining feature is the cheese.

“It gets cooked in a pan with cheese all the way to the edges, so that cheese forms a caramelized wall around the whole thing,” Gilbert said.

His homemade pizzas proved popular among his peers. That positive feedback — combined with the fact that Detroit-style pizza is a fairly rare offering in the region — inspired Gilbert to launch Melt Pizza Company.

Gilbert appreciates the positive reception the business has enjoyed

thus far and likes how it’s grown organically from its start as a smallscale, pop-up operation.

“I had to create something and make sure people liked it and get the demand there to get to this next step,” he said.

KYLE LEHMAN | CONTRIBUTED Anthony Gilbert has brought his Detroitstyle pizza business, Melt Pizza Company, to downtown Stillwater. He previously operated it as a pop-up restaurant in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Left to right: Clara Lang, Greta Stanek, Hailey Voigt, Natalie Humbert, Liz Peroutka, Kate Reardon, Taylor Voigt and Lauren Christenson

Back row left to right: Rob Reardon, Mark Lindemer, Justin Voigt, Paul Humbert and Don Shipp. Front row left to right: Greta Stanek, Taylor Voigt, Kate Reardon, Natalie Humbert, Hailey Voigt and Liz Peroutka