White Bear Press

Relief organization hosts fundraiser for Ukranian soldiers

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Russia’s large-scale invasion and war in Ukraine have taken a catastrophic toll throughout the country. With devastation

continuing to rise, relief efforts that support those most affected by the conflict’s lingering effects have received daily emphasis.

The Protez Foundation looks to be one such light of hope.

The foundation was established

in 2022 by Yakov Gradiner and Yuri Aroshidze. Gradinar moved to the United States in 2007. Gradiner was initially an orthopedic surgeon in

Ethnic studies history option looks to past, future

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

In 1828, Washington Irving published “A History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus.” Historians of the 1820s were aghast that Irving invented details within the biography, including the claims that medieval Europeans believed that the Earth was flat and that Columbus discovered the American continents. Nevertheless, countless classrooms in the United States have since taught these embellishments as fact—ignoring Viking maritime skills, Greek mathematical contributions, and millennia of Native American cultural existence.

“How can you discover what’s already there?” quips White Bear Lake School District American Indian Affairs Coordinator Vincent Patton. “There’s been a shift in how we teach history,” he continues, “It’s not ‘his’ story, ‘her’ story—it’s all stories.” Such is the aim of the Ethnic Studies US History and World History options at White Bear Lake Area High Schools.

Tenth grade Ethnic Studies US History teacher Mark Domschot says, “Everyone needs to see themselves in history. That way, students feel valued.” Domschot’s class does this by relying entirely on primary accounts and documents. “The kids really like critical thinking,” Domschot reports. “They’re digging

After the fire: Realtors’ post-lawsuit takeaway

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Swift changes are coming to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

It comes after years of lawsuits from various homeowners arguing that the company enforces unfair practices. The homeowners said these practices have led to high commission rates between a seller and a buyer’s agent, forcing them to pay unnecessary fees to buy a house.

The NAR agreed to pay $418 million to settle the commission lawsuits. Additionally, they abolished their Participation Rule, allowing sell-side agents to offer compensation to buyer brokers.

Larry Mahoney, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Vadnais Heights, and Justin Larson, branch manager for Summit Mortgage Corporation in Lino Lakes, both pushed back on what they considered misreporting by the media on realtors’ business dealings.

“Realtors will need to step up their game,” said Mahoney. “They need to continue to be professional and clear about the services they provide clients.”

He rebuffed media-led accusations that the industry engages in “predatory behavior” regarding client interactions. “This is just not true,” said Mahoney. “While the average Realtor makes a lot per year, it only comes when they make a deal to sell

or buy a house. Even then, the Realtor will work long with a client before a deal is finished. This can take several months. Sometimes, the client changes their mind and walks away. But to suggest that commissions are non-negotiable is just not the case.”

Mahoney also argued against claims that increased housing prices was due to commission pay.

“Home prices are high because of a national housing shortage. It has nothing to do with commission pay. The average compensation for a realtor is $95,000. For comparison, an insurance salesman makes $103,000, and an auto salesman makes $98,000. There’s no evidence of price gouging whatsoever.”

Larson remains hopeful about the

state of the industry. He shared slight concerns about transparency from realtors.

“Local realtors will have to be very clear on their conversations regarding buyer’s rep compensation,” said Larson. “In the future, they’ll have to negotiate that into the purchase contract and figure out who’s doing what.”

Like Mahoney, Larson disagreed with the media’s view that unfair commissions were the sole reason for increased housing prices. “Housing prices are where they are because of supply and demand,” said Larson. “If you have 30 people looking at the same house in the same school

APRIL 25 – MAY 1, 2024 | ALL BRANDS | LIMIT 8

Olexsander (left) had been a student at the University of Kyiv and Roman (4th from left) was a truck driver prior to being drafted in the war. They visited with Rostyslav Borovyk, Nelia Nosachova, and Joe Hinderer at a gathering at the Hinderer’s White Bear Lake home.

City receives donation to enhance public safety gym

The Front Line Foundation, whose mission is to provide first responders with tools and equipment not included in city budgets, has donated $3,600 to the White Bear Lake Police and Fire Departments for fitness training equipment. The gift will will update and replace gym equipment in the workout facility shared by the police and fire

departments. The new equipment will be used daily to prepare first responders for the rigors of their work, and will also be used to help in rehabilitation when police officers or firefighters are injured. It is also noted that the enhanced gym will become a place where first responders can congregate and decompress after an intense call.

I opened my dog grooming business in March of 2022 and revenue was steady for the first three months.

We spent most of our advertising dollars in the local White Bear Press from the day we opened. Once we achieved a little repetition and recognition in the Press our revenue began to spike in the fourth month (doubling from month three!).

We achieved and exceeded our customer base and revenue targets in the first six months and exceeded them going forward.

While there are many factors that contribute to revenue growth it is vitally important for a new business to connect with the local community.

The White Bear Press was the perfect platform to accomplish awareness and educate the local community about our services.

The staff at the White Bear Press took care of designing our ads and recommending how we focus our advertising. Their guidance was very effective and instrumental in our success!

Thank you from all of us at Haute Dog Spa!.

– Dennis Countryman, Haute Dog Spa 651-492-1888

for the truth.”

One truth, according to District Student, Family & Community Engagement Coordinator Briana Santoscoy, is that “many communities of people—Latino, for example—experienced events in very different ways.” Therefore, Santoscoy believes the Ethnic Studies History option can even be healing. “When students don’t learn about themselves, there can be identity issues…” she describes, “It’s healing and open for students because ‘the experience my ancestors had is valid.’ It’s not just a sub-chapter or a paragraph. Everyone is central.”

Students who have taken Ethnic Studies US History at White Bear enthusiastically vouch for the option. “Instead of memorizing dates, it’s more projects, analyzing, and going in,” says Junior Mary Brooks-Evans, “It’s not just words on a page. It’s made more tangible and real. It’s something that still exists.” Sitting next to Brooks-Evans, 11th grader Kinzie Kubas exclaims that she “loved it. [Brooks-Evans and I] talked about it every day.” Next to Kubas and BrooksEvans, Senior Wylie Miles complains, “I just had regular US history. Your guys’ class sounds way more fun!”

As of this year, Minnesota State Law now requires an Ethnic Studies option for high school History, yet the

Students dig for truth

White Bear district began exploring the option back in 2017. “This option was made because of what students were saying,” states WBLAHS Principal Russ Reetz, “What do they want, and how do they learn?”

Reetz also explains that Ethnic Studies is applicable to more than just history. “It’s solving problems in core areas. ‘What’s the counter narrative?’ ‘How do we fill in the gaps?’ Learning is more meaningful when students can see who they are.”

One thing Ethnic Studies does not aim to do, however, is divide. Patton advises, “Be alright with messing up. That’s how we develop skills on how to have discourse.” Santoscoy adds, “There’s a lot of unpacking… but pitting White against BIPOC? It’s not about that. It’s about being honest about where we come from.”

“Actually, the highest demographic enrolled (in the class) by choice is White,” adds Domschot. “There’s a mutual respect. It’s not hierarchal. It can be uncomfortable sometimes, but we go forward.”

“We’re not responsible for our country’s past, but it is our responsibility to know and learn from our history,” adds Reetz. Brooks-Evans shakes her head, stating, “We did not dive into race theory at all. It’s real people with real experiences. You can tell someone who thinks that never sat in on an Ethnic Studies class at all.”

NAMES IN THE NEWS

The White Bear Lake Lions recently elected new officers to its board of directors: Jim Anderson, Kea Behnke, Jim Francis, Kate Hunt, Ann Jacobson, Pat Johnson, Noreen Shepard, John Tomlinson, Carisa Vermeersch, and Scott Wilson.

White Bear Lakebased Wilson Tool International, the largest independent manufacturer of tooling systems for punch presses, press brakes, and punch and die components for the stamping industry, recently announced the appointment of Jason Semerad as chief commercial officer (CCO).

Gov. Tim Walz has reappointed Melissa Schaller of White Bear Lake to the Board of School Administrators as a Special Education Director Representative. The Board of School Administrators licenses school administrators across the state of Minnesota. Her term expires Jan. 3, 2028.

River Valley Riders

people with special needs connect with horses and experience life-changing benefits.

would like to volunteer, please contact www.rivervalleyriders.org – at River Valley Riders.

Drop off medication at Take Back events

Area police departments will work with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. Minnesotans are

to bring in there unneeded or expired prescriptions for safe disposal. To locate a collection site, visit www.dea.gov/takebackday.

Treat mom to something special with 20% off all stock items at Leona Rose Interiors. Claim a FREE 3-piece stem when you bring in this coupon.

It takes a crisis to learn

When you spend more than you earn, you are inviting a crisis, whether it’s in a business, government, school district or family. The cash shortfall causes an uncomfortable experience. Sometimes we learn from it and sometimes we don’t.

About the

Gene Johnson

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many changes in our society, from healthcare and education interruptions, to a shortfall of employees in business, industry, education and government. Hindsight now is telling us we perhaps did not have to shut down the economy. I don’t know all of motives behind it and I’m sure there were good intentions in order to save lives. Little did our leaders weigh the harm it would cost to our economy, education, institutions and government services. Now it is a difficult time climbing out of this current high inflation. There are a lot of factors that have been affecting our economy, including education, lifestyles, communities, and family relationships. I don’t have all of the answers to it, but I know we have to do something about it.

I don’t think our state and federal governments can continue spending money like they are.

I don’t think we can pay for the cost of higher education with student loans that burden families beyond what they can afford. Not every student can expect to receive a college education and many jobs don’t require one. Families have to prepare in advance and start saving when the children are young. Children need to have skin in the game and help their parents with the costs. This also helps them appreciate the education and training they receive.

We need more people in vocational education. There are many jobs open for people in the trades and they are good paying jobs.

The reports are coming in daily that bankruptcy is up in Minnesota 54% this year over last year. Credit card debt in Minnesota is an average $3,700 according to the New York Federal Reserve. Interest rates are up for mortgages, credit cards and car loans. Automobiles cost more and the interest rates are high there as well. Installment programs for automobiles and trucks are up to five years. Thirty years ago we never thought of having a loan more than 36 months. Groceries are higher. Prepared meals cost more, but are a time saver. Prices of fuel like gasoline and diesel are higher. Electricity prices are going to rise with the demand for electric vehicles.

Growing up, when things weren’t going right here in the country, my parents would say, “There’s something rotten in Denmark.” It turns out William Shakespeare is to blame! Today I would say there’s something wrong in D.C. The government is divided. It appears to me many elected officials are there to gain wealth and power instead of solving problems in the best interests of the American people. The government keeps growing with agencies and departments and there are a number of agencies that can’t keep up with their own workload because government has grown so large. They need to learn and practice compromise.

Both political parties, to me, are in chaos. Come November, I don’t know who I’ll be voting for. We can’t ignore, forget, or set aside our Constitution.

We can't just can’t talk about it, we need to talk to our legislators. Write, email and call to tell them what we see and what we are feeling.

World history tells us that nations will rise and fall. We see from our own experience people who are corrupt, self-serving, and feel that success is getting rich quick, no matter how you do it. That is not in everyone’s best interest.

Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.

Taking schools' public notices out of newspapers will

hurt public

Asignificant discussion is taking place at the state Legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month.

Movers & Shakers

Sarah Stultz

Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites.

We believe the proposal, which is backed by the Minnesota School Boards Association, is a knee-jerk reaction made too quickly after the announcement about the southwest metro newspapers and does not take into consideration possible solutions.

While there is a possibility some of these newspapers could still be purchased, there is also a law already in place that says if you don’t have a legal newspaper in your county, those notices can be placed in a newspaper in an adjoining

• Limited to 350 words.

• Submissions must Include a full name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

• Letter writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.

county. In the case of these newspapers, there is also the possibility of printing notices in the Star Tribune.

We believe that any time you start messing with public notices and government transparency, it gets the ball rolling, and we have no doubt it could trickle down to other local government public notices as well.

Public notices are essential in not only helping residents make informed decisions but also in holding local governments accountable for decisions made.

Government entities should not be placing their own notices on their websites for transparency’s sake, and it’s especially important to point out that the reach of these sites is often substantially less than those of newspapers.

In addition to the print edition, the Tribune and all newspapers that print public notices publish them on their websites in front of the paywall so that any person interested in looking through the notices can do so free of charge. People don’t have to buy a newspaper and they don’t have to have a subscription to view them. And they are archived there forever so if someone needs to go back and look through several notices, they will be able to find them.

• Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and at least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.

• Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication.

• Repeat letters by the same writer about the same subject matter will not be published.

The notices are also uploaded to mnpublicnotice.com, where the public can search for all of the public notices throughout the state.

We urge the Senate Conference Committee members to work with the Minnesota Newspaper Association, which represents the state’s newspapers, on a possible solution to this situation.

The Minnesota School Boards Association and MNA collaborated in 2022 to modernize the state’s public notice laws, and we believe a solution can be reached in this case as well.

The House version of the bill, with the help of Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, has come up with a possible solution that the newspaper association could support that would offer a narrow, time-limited exception to the required newspaper publication requirements for school district legals to address the situation taking place in the metro.

We ask legislators to keep in mind the importance of transparency for the public. Don’t put residents across the entire state in the dark with this decision.

• Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.

• Submissions containing facts not previously published in the Press must be accompanied by factual verification.

• All letters are subject to editing.

• Deadline is 5 p. m. , Thursday of the week prior to publication.

• To submit a letter, e-mail it to whitebearnews@ presspubs.com, fax it to 651429-1242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779

MN 55110.

Town

Sarah Stultz, Managing Editor, Albert Lea Tribune

Vote Red

I say, vote for President Trump if you want to save this country. Forget the so-called mean tweets you say he spews. Well, what about Biden and his constant attacking of Republicans saying they will destroy democracy? He is the one that is and will continue to do that. Save America — VOTE RED.

Mary J. Moehrle White Bear Lake

Vote according to policies

Regarding his letter to the editor of a few weeks ago, Mr. Kimball and I are in partial agreement. I am not thrilled about certain aspects of Mr. Trump’s speech patterns.

However, Mr. Trump is not the only one with a burdened record. I received copious mailers during the last election cycle, all with the same message that (former) Sen. Roger Chamberlain was an extremist. This was nothing more than a smear without substance, as Mr. Chamberlain is an honorable man who did honest work representing the district. Disagreement on issues is no cause for character assassination. The literature had a return address of DFL headquarters in St. Paul. So, would Mr. Kimball eliminate those candidates as well from his list of electoral options?

Which leads to the heart of the matter ... shouldn’t candidates and parties run on their philosophy of governance, their platform and policy positions and their stewardship of public trust? Shouldn’t we as the people be examining platforms, policy positions and incumbent performance, and vote accordingly? Is Mr. Kimball studying the various issues that impact us as citizens, and encouraging others likewise, or is he a one-issue voter?

I trust that we can set a high standard through this election cycle in communicating our differences so that we don’t wind up practicing what we preach against.

James

Failed expansion

The White Bear Schools School Board and the city of White Bear Lake need to consider the effects this expansion of the White Bear High School North Campus has had on the local community.

As a member of the neighborhood adjacent to North Campus, I have watched homes demolished, neighbors driven away, and the appeal of a once-decent neighborhood nosedive in less than five years. The light and noise pollution, the constant traffic and the clear disregard for any nearby residents has destroyed the charm the northside neighborhoods of White Bear had.

The biggest issue overall comes from a lack of parking control on Bald Eagle Avenue. A brand new, massive parking lot has been built for students, staff

and extracurriculars of White Bear. Yet, at least 25 parents or more every evening are parked up and down both sides of Bald Eagle Avenue. This street already has narrow shoulders and even narrower lanes. This, of course, causes unnecessary traffic backup for an hour when school lets out, and for an hour when extracurriculars and athletics finish. The narrow nature of Bald Eagle Avenue forces traffic to essentially become a one-way street where cars need to alternate to pass each other. This, coupled with the reduced visibility from parked cars all along the roads, has led to many near misses with children trying to cross the street and adults getting into said parked vehicles. With the incoming transition to a 9-12 school here, these problems will only be magnified.

Parking on the shoulders of Bald Eagle Avenue during the hours of 3-6 p.m. needs to be modified to encourage the use of the parking lots provided. More care to the safety of the intersection of Ninth Street and Bald Eagle Avenue needs to be provided. Whether it is an all-way stop sign, a crossing indicator for pedestrians,or other means of infrastructure, this area needs to be modified.

With this expansion comes the responsibility of the powers that be of White Bear Lake to safely and efficiently enact this change.

Please Act.

Associates with criminals

For any voter living in the real world, here is a summary of the criminals associated with Trump: Allen Weisselberg: two counts of perjury, helped run tax fraud scheme for Trump

Steve Bannon: contempt of Congress

Peter Navarro: contempt of Congress

Michael Cohen: violated campaign finance laws, lied to Congress

Paul Manafort: bank and tax fraud; provided polling data and campaign strategy to Russian suspected of having ties to Russian Intelligence, who then gave it to Russian spies; was Trump’s campaign director (and Russia did interfere with the 2016 election). Pardoned by Trump.

George Papadopoulos: lied to investigators about Russian contacts. Pardoned by Trump.

Roger Stone: obstruction of justice, lied to Congress, witness tampering. Pardoned by Trump.

Rick Gates: conspiracy, lied to FBI

Potential Trump associates under indictment: Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Mark Meadows, Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, Jeffrey Clark, Jenna Ellis and Trump (88 counts).

Trump: found guilty of sexual battery, defamation and civil fraud by a jury of his peers.

For those buying the right-wing talking point of how much better it was under Trump, four years ago we lost over 1 million Americans to COVID (way more than any other country) while Trump abdicated an effective national response, leaving governors to

deal with it. He also pushed ineffective “treatments,” such as ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine and bleach. Inflation subsequently occurred worldwide due to the pandemic, and the U.S. has had the best recovery under Biden. At the end of his presidency, Trump fired several inspectors generals, appointed people to highlevel positions so they wouldn’t need Senate approval and sent out unmarked “police” to round up American citizens, similar to what happens in Russia. If you think this is better, perhaps you’re living in the wrong country. Trump broke his vow to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” His refusal to peacefully transfer power shows he would not intend to ever leave should he become president again.

Louise DiCesare Mahtomedi

Upcoming Games

April 23 - 28 vs. Rochester Red Wings

April 30 - May 5 vs. Louisville Bats

Nash White Bear Lake

Jack Barett White Bear Lake

Township supervisors hear public safety update

The Board is recognizing May 12-18 as National Police Week. Representing the matter was John Eastman, Commander of Special Projects for the Ramsey County Sheriff Department. “Given the climate nowadays, we just wanted to thank you for all you do for the town.” Chair Ed Prudhon said. Prudhon broadened his statement to give gratitude to the local fire department and police officers as well.

Town Supervisor Steve Ruzek revisited a matter that a citizen broached at the annual meeting regarding an “illegal racetrack” on 35E. “In the last couple weeks, it’s picked up again. Is there going to be increased presence with you and the state patrol to try and curb that racetrack?” Ruzek asked. While Eastman could not comment on state patrol, he remarked, “Starting May

PUBLIC

CITY OF GRANT

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

1 and running all the way through Labor Day, we will be doing speed enforcement. The state of Minnesota increased our budget. That’s overtime funds for traffic enforcement and, specifically, speed enforcement.”

As part of his duties, Commander Eastman coordinates the “zero death” campaign in Minnesota based on the National Highway and Transportation Administration. The campaign focuses on the largest sources of traffic fatalities. “The month of April, right now, is distracted driving enforcement. We are actively going after distracted drivers with cell phones in hand.” In addition to distracted driving and speeding, Ramsey County also collaborates with the Minnesota State Patrol to lower impaired driving, lack of seatbelt use, and inattentive lane changes.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the City Council of the City of Grant, Washington County, Minnesota shall hold a public hearing on the 7th day of May 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Town Hall located on Kimbro Avenue. Information regarding participating via Zoom can be found on the City’s website at www. cityofgrant.us. The purpose of the hearing is to consider an application for a Preliminary Plat to subdivide approximately 194 acres into 18 rural residential lots and a variance from the maximum length of a cul-de-sac. The subject properties are generally located south of CSAH 12, west of CSAH 17 and north of the Indian Hills Golf Club, Grant, MN. Kim Points, Administrator/Clerk City of Grant, Minnesota Published one time in the White Bear Press on April 24, 2024.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on May 8, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit public response to a request from John Redpath, on behalf of the Victoria K Redpath Rev. Liv. Trust at 63 Pine St., for variances from lot width, lot area and impervious surface coverage requirements for the purpose of constructing a new home. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council, for their meeting to be held on May 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Those persons having an interest in said meetings are encouraged to attend.

If you have questions about this notice or if you would like further information regarding the project described above, please contact Hannah Rybak, Mahtomedi City Planner, at 612-269-3684. Written comments may be submitted to City Hall, or via email at hrybak@wsbeng.com.

Scott Neilson, City Administrator

Published one time in the White Bear Press on April 24, 2024.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on May 8, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit public response to a request from AMAROK LLC, on behalf of property owners, FedEx Ground Packaging Systems LLC, Echo Lake LLC, and State of MN & Behalf of Higher Education, for variances for the purpose of adding a battery powered security system inside of the existing FedEx perimeter fence at the properties located at 7 Long Lake Rd., 3050 Echo Lake Ave., and 3300 Century Ave. N. Variances are needed for the system to be 10 feet in height, and because the system meets the definition of an “electric fence”. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council, for their meeting to be held on May 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Those persons having an interest in said meetings are encouraged to attend.

If you have questions about this notice or if you would like further information regarding the project described above, please contact Hannah Rybak, Mahtomedi City Planner, at 612-269-3684. Written comments may be submitted to City Hall, or via email at hrybak@wsbeng.com.

Scott Neilson, City Administrator

Published one time in the White Bear Press on April 24, 2024.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on May 8, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit public response to a request from Cathy Hilby, on behalf of Church of St. Jude of the Lake at 700 Mahtomedi Ave., for variances to allow a playground to be located in front of the principal structure and closer to the side lot line than the principal structure. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council, for their meeting to be held on May 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Those persons having an interest in said meetings are encouraged to attend. If you have questions about this notice or if you would like further information regarding the project described above, please contact Hannah Rybak, Mahtomedi City Planner, at 612-269-3684. Written comments may be submitted to City Hall, or via email at hrybak@wsbeng.com.

Scott Neilson, City Administrator

Published one time in the White Bear Press on April 24, 2024. US STORAGE CENTERS – WHITE BEAR

NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE SALE Please take notice US Storage Centers – White Bear located at 1828 Buerkle Road White Bear, MN 55110 intends to hold an auction of storage units in default of payment. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storagetreasures.com on 5/15/2024 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Joshua Kropp.

Ruzek also asked, “In regard to distracted driving, what’s the fine for that?” Eastman chuckled, explaining, “They used to send out a fee schedule. Now, I just point to the back of the ticket and let people know that all the explanations and all the instructions… are included.”

Other action taken by the Board of Supervisors:

• Town Engineer Larry Poppler addressed the board regarding the street improvement project of the Mallard Ponds neighborhood adjacent to 120th Street as it becomes Portland Avenue. “We have two resolutions for you,” Poppler explained. “One, approving the plans and specifications, and two, authorizing advertisement for bid.” Between neighborhood meetings

& Box 1 EACH

and Install

Bid forms, contract documents, drawings and specifications as prepared by TKDA, are on file for inspection in the office of the Town Clerk and in the office of the Engineers, whose address is 444 Cedar Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101.

Complete digital Proposal Forms, Plans, and Specifications for use by Contractors submitting a bid are available at www.questcdn.com. You may download the digital plan documents for a non-refundable fee of $25 by inputting Quest Project No. 9082327 on the website’s Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information.

Contractors desiring drawings, specifications, and related documents for the purpose of submitting a bid may secure them from the Engineers upon a non-refundable payment of $50 for each set. Mail orders for Drawings and Specifications, and orders for Drawings and Specifications will not be taken by the Town.

Every bidder must apply to the Town Clerk at 1281 Hammond Road, Town of White Bear, for a Permit before conducting any subsurface investigation and such bidder shall be responsible to check with the utility companies concerning the location of any buried utility services.

Bids will be received by the Town of White Bear until 11:00am, Wednesday May 15, 2024. For this solicitation, bids will ONLY be received and accepted via the online electronic bid service through QuestCDN.com for an additional bidding fee of $30. Download the bid documents and click the online bidding button at the top of the advertisement to access the electronic bid qualifications and bid worksheet. Bids will be electronically opened and publicly read aloud by representatives of the Town of White Bear.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or cashier’s check payable to White Bear Township in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid as a guarantee that the bidder, if successful, will enter into a contract with the Owner for the work described in the proposal. This deposit will be subject to forfeiture as provided by law. The deposits for the three lowest bidders will be retained by the Owner until the contract has been awarded and executed but not longer than sixty (60) days. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days following the bid opening.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities or to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, in the best interest of the Owner.

The Town Board will consider award of contracts at a regular meeting to be held on Monday May 20, 2024 beginning at 7:00pm.

Patrick Christopherson, Town Clerk

Dated: April 15, 2024

Published to Questcdn.com on April 24, 2024 Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 24 and May 1, 2024.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town of White Bear will receive sealed Bids for the construction of the Mallard

and feasibility studies, Poppler felt that the affected community had been heard and that they would not be surprised by the project. The improvement project will reclaim and repave the roads as well as remove unnecessary medians. Both resolutions passed, and Poppler felt that bidding prices for this spring would be favorable for the township.

• Separately, Poppler also brought forward bid resolutions for approval of reclaiming the street and loop of Parkview Court, also along Portland Avenue. This project will be more intensive, needing complete gutter and storm drain renewal in addition to the street improvements mentioned in the Mallard Ponds project. The board also passed these resolutions.

Logan Gion

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or cashier’s check payable to White Bear Township in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid as a guarantee that the bidder, if successful, will enter into a contract with the Owner for the work described in the proposal. This deposit will be subject to forfeiture as provided by law. The deposits for the three lowest bidders will be retained by the Owner until the contract has been awarded and executed but not longer than sixty (60) days. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days following the bid opening.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities or to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, in the best interest of the Owner.

The Town Board will consider award of contracts at a regular meeting to be held on Monday May 20, 2024 beginning at 7:00pm.

Patrick Christopherson, Town Clerk

Dated: April 15, 2024

Published to Questcdn.com on April 24, 2024

Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 24 and May 1, 2024.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

LEGAL NOTICE — BIDS WANTED

BIDS DUE: 10:00 A.M., May 9th, 2024

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received, publicly opened, and read aloud by representatives of the Town of White Bear, Minnesota, in the Administration Conference Room of the Town Administrative Offices, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110, in said Township at 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 9, 2024, for furnishing all work and materials for the construction of Replacement Playgrounds at Mead and Otter Park, Town Project PM-24-01: Replacement Playgrounds at Mead and Otter Park

Unless otherwise specifically indicated under the item description of the legal advertisement, all bids shall be subject to the following:

No bids shall be withdrawn for a period of thirty-five (35) days after opening of bids. The Town reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive technicalities, and award bid in the best interest of the Town.

Bidding documents, including proposal forms, specifications, plans, etc., may be obtained from: Mailed Pick-up Administrative Offices Administrative Offices WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP 1281 Hammond Road 1281 Hammond Road White Bear Township, MN 55110 White Bear Township, MN 55110

Proposals must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “BID FOR REPLACEMENT PLAYGROUNDS AT MEAD and OTTER PARK” and addressed to the Town Clerk/Treasurer, White Bear Township, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110.

Bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of a cash deposit, a Bid Bond or certified check payable to the White Bear Township in the amount of at least 5% of the Base Bid amount.

Patrick Christopherson, Town Clerk/Treasurer Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 10 and 24, 2024.

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT CASE TYPE: CIVIL, OTHER COURT FILE NO.: 62-CV-23-4504 NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE UNDER JUDGMENT AND DECREE (REAL PROPERTY)

n’ Close, Inc., Plaintiff, vs. Marissa Goodsky, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Defendants.

IS HEREBY GIVEN that under and by virtue of a Second Amended Judgment and Decree entered in the above-entitled action

Washington County attorney visits Mahtomedi City Council

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The April 16 Mahtomedi City Council meeting turned out to be public safety night at City Hall. The Mahtomedi Fire Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and Washington County Attorney’s Office were all in attendance and on the agenda.

The city of Mahtomedi has City Attorney Bridget Nason to advise the city on municipal law and prosecute misdemeanor offenses. The city also uses the Washington County Attorney’s Office to advise its law enforcement deputies and prosecute felonies.

Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson attended the meeting to introduce himself and to answer questions. Magnuson, who grew up in nearby Lake Elmo, succeeds longtime Washington County Attorney Pete Orput.

The Washington County Attorney’s Office currently has 60 people on staff,

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL NOTES

30 of whom are attorneys, Magnuson said. “We are a solid office with good people who care,” he said.

Magnuson described his office as committed to reform, but not at the expense of public safety. “We can do both,” he said. As is not the case in some counties, Washington County has a good relationship with its law enforcement partners, he said.

When the WCSO submits cases to the county attorney’s office for charging consideration, the county attorney has made it a policy to act on the cases within 14 days, Magnuson said. “We make the charging decisions at that time and explain why we’re not taking up a case, so that WCSO deputies will feel their work is not in vain,” Magnuson said. “We are committed to having a good dialogue and an open door with our law enforcement partners,” he said.

Two deputies from the WCSO, the law enforcement partner of the Washington County Attorney’s Office, were in

• Deputies in attendance addressed council member concerns about speeding on the city’s major byways. Council Member Luke Schlegel noted recent speeding on Mahtomedi Avenue. Acting-mayor Jane Schneeweis said that a resident living on Mahtomedi Avenue had emailed her saying she had to cross the road to get her mail, and it was tough. “The sheriff’s office did a great job catching speeders on Long Lake Road and Lincolntown,” Schlegel said. Deputy Henry noted that there is a white board down at the station listing all the requests for extra patrols.

• Mahtomedi Fire Department members outnumbered everyone else in council chambers as they came to support their two new full-time firefighter/medics Kayla Tesch and Nick Linder, who were sworn in.

• For the 32nd straight year, Finance Director Scott Schaefer and his staff have received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).The award is for the city’s annual comprehensive financial report

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

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

Dellwood

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop March 18 on Dellwood Road and Yellow Birch Road and cited the motorist for speeding 45 mph in a 35 mph zone.

Grant

Deputies conducted a traffic stop March 17 on Highway 36 on a motorist with an instruction permit and cited the motorist for violating the Ted Foss Move Over law for failure to move over for emergency vehicles on the shoulder.

• Another motorist was cited for speeding at 4:07 a.m. March 23 on 60th Street N. and Keats Avenue N.

Mahtomedi

• A motorist pulled over for speeding March 17 in the 1200 block of Dunbar Way was also cited for driving after revocation. A different motorist pulled over later that day on Lincolntown Avenue and Forest Trail for expired license plate registration was cited when deputies discovered that he or she did not have valid insurance.

• Property damage was reported March 18 on Long Lake Road.

• Two dogs were reported found March 19 on Dahlia Street and

attendance at the meeting and also introduced themselves. “The county attorney is huge in helping us,” said Deputy Henry. “Their partnership helps a ton. None of us is worrying about doing our job on the road. It helps to know we don’t have a target on our back,” he said.

Magnuson’s office is focused on managing chemical addiction and treatment, ending human trafficking and helping its victims, and ending illicit massage parlors. Magnuson credited the city of Mahtomedi for spearheading the movement to enact ordinances prohibiting these shady massage parlors.

“Now that the COVID-19 crime bubble has simmered down, you have all types of cameras and digital data to catch the bad guys,” Magnuson said. Since COVID, his office has seen a dramatic increase in cases that involve fleeing from law enforcement. In 2019, fleeing cases amounted to 46, but in 2023, there were 120 fleeing

(ACFR) for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 2022 and is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Schaefer gave credit to the city’s financial staff. “It’s a nice honor, and it’s my job not to screw it up,” he said. “We’ll wrap up the audit and start the process all over again.”

• Before Century Avenue/STH 120 is rebuilt and turned over to the county, the city is looking toward installing a monument sign at the entrance to the city on the southeast corner of Century Avenue and Wildwood Road. The city will pay no more than $13,500 to a WSB designer, who will also handle bidding and construction administrative services. The sign is expected to be a simple brick structure, similar to the entrance sign in the city of Hugo, Public Works Director Bob Goebel said. Council unanimously approved this project.

• The Public Works Department has hired three seasonal employees, with the blessing of council. The city will pay two second-year employees $19 per hour and a first-year employee $18 per hour from its enterprise funds. Cities used to sealcoat their streets regularly, but

turned over to animal control officers.

• Deputies were called out to a Wildwood Road address March 19 to ban an individual from the property. The individual left before deputies arrived.

• A Mahtomedi Avenue resident reported a confirmed scam attempt March 19 that resulted in no monetary loss.

• A resident in the 200 block of Edgecumbe Drive reported the recycling bin stolen from the bottom of her driveway overnight March 21-22. The theft was captured on Ring camera.

• With a snowstorm expected, deputies cited three vehicles March 22 for violating the overnight winter parking ban – at 3:35 a.m. on Wedgewood Drive and Loretta Lane; at 4:06 a.m. on Windsor Lane and Ashley Lane and at 4:17 on Dunbar Way and Berwick Lane.

In the era of terminated employees returning to the job site to cause havoc, a business on Long Lake Road preempted such a report March 22 by alerting deputies they had terminated an employee.

A resident in the 1000 block of Wildwood Court on March 23 reported an attempted scam through Venmo. No money was lost.

Willernie

• A resident in the 400 block of Dartmoor Road on March 17 reported a family member for withholding mail.

charges. Magnuson related an incident where a motorist was pulled over and had handed deputies his driver’s license, along with the pot he had in the vehicle. Then he suddenly raced away in his vehicle, leaving the deputy standing there with the means to locate the fugitive still in hand.

In 2023, most of the 18 auto theft charges involved criminals from outside the county who were driving through Washington County, Magnuson said. Most of the auto thefts came about because a key fob was left in the car, he noted.

Magnuson said that the fear that keeps him up at night is the fentanyl epidemic. “We are going after dealers, because that’s a third-degree murder charge (if someone overdoses and dies),” he said, “as the mental health situation continues to deteriorate.”

Meanwhile, Mahtomedi citizens enjoy dedicated service from their sheriff’s office deputies who know their legal partner has their back.

many have now found a new method that does a better job. Mahtomedi used Reclamite the last two years and requested its use again this year. On city staff recommendation, council approved the contract with Corrective Asphalt Materials to apply Reclamite on four streets around town this summer. The streets involved are Glendale Alley from Wood Street to Glendale Avenue; Maple Street from Warner Avenue to TH 244; Locust Street from Warner Avenue to TH 244; and Warner Avenue from Stillwater Road to Maple Street. The total cost of $19,672.60 will be budgeted from within the public works budget.

• The city has received a number of requests from residents at the southern end of town to install additional crosswalks on Long Lake Road to access the trail on its south side. One of the requested locations was at Ledgestone Drive and the other opposite Southwest Park at Dunbar Way and/or Berwick Lane. Council discussed the options and directed city staff to conduct a pedestrian study at these locations.

The council next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road.

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

The White Bear Police Department reported the following selected incidents:

• A person who was reported missing in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road April 10 was later found in Minneapolis.

• White Bear Lake officers assisted with an officer involved shooting incident in Minnetonka April 10.

• A trailer was stolen from a business in the 1700 block of Commerce Court April 10.

• Officers mediated a dispute over an order for protection in the 1500 block of Goose Lake Road April 10.

A White Bear Lake man was arrested for assault following a report of a domestic disturbance in the 4700 block of Campbell Avenue April 11.

• Criminal damage to property was reported in the 3500 block fo McKnight Road N. April 11.

• A woman passed counterfiet currency at a business in the 2700 block of County Road E April 11.

• Officers mediated a civil issue in the 4700 block of Bald Eagle Avenue April 11.

• A Richfield woman was arrested for possessing a BB gun at a business in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road April 11.

• Officers responded to a civil problem in the 1800 block of Kathy lane April 12.

• Harassment was reported in the 3800 block of Hoffman Road April 12.

• Harassment was reported in the 4600 block of Bald Eagle Avenue April 12.

• A catalytic converter was stolen in the 3600 block of Highland Avenue April 12.

• Officers assisted Washington County Sheriff’s deputies with a fight in the 300 block of Stillwater Road April 12.

• Animal complaints were reported in the 1900 block of Webber Street, the

1600 block of Birch Street, and the intersection of 11th Street and Wood Avenue April 13.

• Property was recovered but no suspects identified in a theft incident in the 3900 block of Linden Street April 13.

• Breach of trust was reported in the 4500 block of Lake Avenue April 13.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 2200 block of County Road E April 13.

• Officers responded to a civil problem in the 3900 block of Van Dyke Street April 13.

• Harassment was reported in the 2000 block of Spruce Place April 13.

• Officers assisted another agency with an investigation in the 3100 block of McKnight Road April 13.

• Officers responded to a civil problem in the 1900 block of Eugene Street April 14.

• A car was fraudelently purchased with a stolen identity at a Highway 61 address April 15.

• Officers responded to civil issues regarding social media in the 2000 block of Fifth Street April 15.

• A man was arrested for DWI in the 3100 block of Karth Road April 15.

• Two women were cited for theft in the 2700 block of County Road E East April 15.

• Officers attempted to serva a warrant in the 1500 block of Park Street April 15.

• A man was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant in the 3100 block of McKnight Road April 15.

• A Vadnais Heights man was arrested for an outstanding warrant in the 3500 block of Montmorency Street April 15.

Local couple pursues active holidays

BY DEB BARNES

Randal and Deb Barnes have lived in Hugo since 1985. They’ve had bicycling adventures in Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic (Czechia), Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Slovenia, as well as in various places in the U.S., over the past decade. Some people enjoy cruises; Deb and Randal love to see the world go slowly by from the seats of their bikes. This is part 1 of a series.

Part I: We stumble onto adventures

It wasn’t until our youngest was preparing to take his last final at the University of Minnesota in 2014 that we realized our Subaru Outback was just begging to go on a trip with our two hybrid bicycles mounted on the back. We’d owned bikes for years, but were usually pulling a child in a cart, accompanying younger children around a campground, or running errands around Hugo and Lino Lakes. We decided to drive to take a loop through the Southwest before heading home via Tennessee to visit family.

We blame what happened next on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, where we rode our bikes for 13 miles out to the Hermit Trailhead. It was really fun. It was really spectacular. And it was really hot. It was there, after enjoying an ice cream cone at the snack bar, that we discovered there were bike racks mounted on the front of the Grand Canyon Village

ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS

shuttle buses. Imagine: you are too tired to ride back from whence you came — and for a dollar or two, you can clip that bike onto a rack and ride in air-conditioned comfort!

We 58-year-olds were on to something.

It was later on during that trip while we were driving on the Natchez Trace, the nation’s longest (444 miles) and narrowest (about 800 feet) national park, when we realized we were doing it all wrong. We should have been on our bicycles! The Trace has two narrow paved lanes and winds along a beautiful, historic route through Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. It would have been a marvelous bike ride, and we could have camped or stayed in lodges along the way. An idea was born. Maybe we should plan a vacation around our bicycles!

We were of one mind, however: we wanted backup. My husband and I are not particularly handy at fixing damaged bicycles, and had no intention of becoming a casualty of a broken spoke or bad bicycle bearing out in the middle of nowhere. So the research began.

We decided to plan a biking adventure in Canada. Randal had never been to the Canadian Maritimes; I had visited Quebec on a family vacation way back in 1973 and remembered that it was really beautiful. What’s more, we could drive there and camp along the way. Prince Edward Island, a province in its own right, was our choice (as a girl, I had read the entire “Anne of Green Gables” series). The island sounded flat...

BOYS LACROSSE

Mahtomedi (0-2) lost a close game to Hudson (WI) 7-6. Eric Buttke netted four goals and Oskar Magnusson and Gunnar Sellman one each. Goalie Alex LaValle made five saves as the defensive unit led by Drew Marchant and Sean Crothers held Hudson to 12 shots on goal and Sam Churchill was 15-for-16 on face-offs. Mahtomedi’s first game was a 14-9 loss to Edina.

BASEBALL

Mahtomedi rode stellar pitching to three

There was an “outfitter” that Randal found in Nova Scotia that ran bike tours on the island. It would book all of our accommodations and (oh joy) would carry our luggage for us so we didn’t have to. What’s more, we could choose the “self-guided tour” option, which meant we could ride at our own pace but had backup if we ran into any trouble. Joining athletic-looking people in pelotons drafting down the road at 40 miles an hour did not appeal to us — we were overweight and pushing 60. We just wanted to take a scenic bike ride!

We drove across the bridge to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where we spent several days: we sampled the best seafood chowder we have ever had at the Water Prince Corner Shop, went to see the “Anne of Green Gables” stage production, and enjoyed sea chanteys in the park.

On the first day of our six-day ride, Ian, our tour minder, transported the eight tour guests by van to the North Cape Light on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where our ride would begin. We had brought our own hybrid bikes and helmets; otherwise, the outfitter would have furnished them. The downside? They weren’t e-bikes.

Since we had selected the tour along the coastline rather than along the Confederation Trail, which runs along the interior spine of the island, we were going to be biking along the saltwater and tackling the ups and downs of the headlands along the coast. We expected

(five innings, eight strikeouts) and Peyton Erickson (two innings, two strikeouts). Carter Schmidtz was 4-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI’s and three runs. Felling went 2-for-4 (double, RBI) and Donna 2-for-3 (RBI, two steals).

GIRLS GOLF

to have to walk our bikes up hills sometimes, and we did. But that was okay. Daily rides were 45 to 85 km (28 miles to 53 miles) in length. Ian called hills “undulations,” something that made us laugh.

Along the way, we visited the Bottle Houses — small houses built entirely of recycled glass bottles; the 1872 Green Gables House in Cavendish, the real name of Anne’s fictional Avonlea; and Prince Edward Island National Park. We stayed at Dalvay-by-the-Sea, where the Prince and Princess of Wales visited on their royal honeymoon tour. We swam in the gulf. But the real joy was found in slow motion on our bikes: the tangy smell of the saltwater; the conversations with the lobstermen along

the road (“Can’t they get out of the trap?” “Only the smart ones get out”); the buzzing of the bees in the wild roses along the path; the sight of the expansive mussel and oyster beds in the bays; the sound of seasoned fishing boats creaking and rocking in small harbors.

Ian handed us our “Tipto-Tip” certificates when we completed our island ride at East Point Lighthouse in time for the van ride back to Charlottetown. We’d made some new friends. We’d also made up our minds: Europe was next.

Deb Barnes is a former managing editor for Press Publications. You can contact her at news@presspubs.com or call 651-407-1200.

conference wins last week, allowing just one run. The Zephyrs (5-1) beat Simley 5-0 as Max Strecker threw six scoreless innings (Josh Donna finished) and stroked two hits. Ethan Felling delivered a two-run single and Jeff Erickson a two-run double. The Zephyrs beat Hill-Murray 3-1 as Winston Wisely pitched the distance, striking out 10. Strecker blasted a two-run homer and Ethan Felling tripled home a run. Their 9-0 win over South St. Paul was pitched by Jeff Erickson

In their first two meets, Mahtomedi won a dual at Hastings 173 to 213 and tied for second in a Metro East meet. Against Hastings, Lexie McGrane had the low score, 38. Reagan Juhl shot 42, Lily Carlson 46 and Sadie Stembridge 47. In the seven-team MEC met Inverwood Hills, Two Rivers shot 178 and HillMurray and Mahtomedi each had 184. Simley’s Reese McCauley and Two Rivers’ Briana Simek led with 39’s. Juhl was sixth with 44. Stembridge and McGrane tied for seventh with 46’s.

BOYS TRACK

Winning three of the four relays, Mahtomedi placed first of eight teams in the Kunz Invitational. Top three were Mahtomedi with 160, St. Francis 150 and Big Lake 120. First-place relays were the 4x200 with Alec

Mahoney, Michael Barry, Samuel Thein and Eric Daafour (1:38.69), the 4x400 with Evan Carion, Jonah McCormick, Barry and Hudson Otto (3:37.86), and 4x800 with Carion, Otto, William Lieberman and Caden Hallin (8:58.43). Also winning were McCormick (110 hurdles, 14.41, and 300 hurdles, 39.45), Carion (800 run, 2:09.89) and Barry (triple jump, 42-11). Placing second were Matthew Studenski (1600, 5:13), Evan Miller (pole vault, 8-6), and Mahoney (long jump, 19-7 1/2. Placing third were Barry (100 dash), William Lieberman (3200), and Andrew Russell (high jump).

GIRLS TRACK

Mahtomedi placed third of eight teams in the Kunz Invitational. Top three teams were South St. Paul 147, St. Francis 127.5 and Mahtomedi 108.5. Zephyr event winners were Kaili Malvey in high jump (4-10) and long jump (16-6 1/4), Olivia Thiele (400 dash, 1:00.99) and the 4x400 with Ella Prose, Breanna Elbers, Amber Schaefer and Thiele (4:24.36). Placing second were Gabby Fox (3200 run, 12:16) and Natalie Jackson (shot put, 29-11). Schaefer was third in the 400.

Impressive week for Zephyr tennis

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS WRITER

The Mahtomedi tennis team faced three of the top teams in the state last week and acquitted themselves well.

The Zephyrs (7-1) were nipped 4-3 by Wayzata, the defending state champion. The Zephyrs beat Edina 5-2 and Orono 6-1. Mahtomedi won 1-2-3 singles against Wayzata as Sam Rathmanner prevailed 6-4, 6-3, Brandon Pham 6-0, 6-4, and Jack Allaben 6-0, 6-1. Wayzata won 4-singles and all three doubles decisively.

Wayzata’s 4-0 mark includes a 6-1 win over Mahtomedi’s section arch rival Mounds View.

Against Edina (5-2), the Zephyrs got a singles sweep from Rathmanner, Pham, Allaben and Will Lieberman, while Luke Roettger/Reese Nelson at 3-doubles got the fifth point. The same five won against Orono (3-1) along with Aiden Wald/Zach Burge at 1-doubles. Max and Eli Hendrickson lost a close 3-setter at 2-doubles.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

In 2015, Randal and Deb Barnes began their first bike tour on Prince Edward Island, Canada, at the North Cape Light on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It would be the first of many such adventures.

MARY ROLLINGER | CONTRIBUTED Eric Buttke (9) maneuvered before scoring the first of his four goals against Hudson.

Brandon Pham uncorked a serve during his 2-singles win against Wayzata.

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 1 Cribbage Tournament 6:30-8:30 p.m. Rustic Roots

May 1 Muskc: Grace notes 5:30-8:30 p.m. 7 Vines Vineyard

May 2 Music: Noah Burnett 4-7 p.m. Belle Ame Vineyard

May 2 Corn Hole 6-7:30 p.m.

May 4 Derby Viewing Party Noon-6 p.m.

Belle Ame Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

May 4 May the 4th Be With You All Day White Bear Meadery

May 4 Music

Two Silo Winery & Vineyard

May 5 Cinco de Mayo Open Hours Dancing Dragonfly

May 5 Hudson Community 11 a.m.- Belle Ame Vineyard

Wine Tasting 3:30 p.m.

Succulent workshop bee craft Noon-3:30 p.m.

Belle Ame Vineyard

May 7 Yoga in the Vineyard 6-7 p.m. Rustic Roots

May 7 Trivia with Ryan 6:30-8 p.m. Rustic Roots May 8 Music: Gary LaRue 5:30-8:30 p.m. 7 Vines Vineyard

Music: Sten Carlson 4-7 p.m.

Puzzle Night 6-8 p.m.

Farmers

Belle Ame Vineyard

Belle Ame Vineyard

VADNAIS HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL NOTES

• The council approved the sale of a 2006 Rosenbauer fire engine and its equipment from the city’s fire department. The 2023 model is replacing the 2006 truck, which is no longer needed for the fire department emergency apparatus fleet. The city will work with Brindle Mountain Fire Apparatus to sell the engine. The company will provide all necessary services to follow through with the sale. All proceeds from the sale will go to the city’s capital improvement fund.

• The city will install a trail section south along Edgerton Street from Koehler Road to Carol Drive. The trail extension is part of the city’s Safe Routes To School program. This allows for safe travel along the corridor and provides access to both Vadnais Elementary School and the larger regional trail network. As part of the project, the council purchased an easement on Edgerton Street

from Carol Krey, the owner. Additionally, the city purchased the property for potential roadway reconfigurations, a trail connection and stormwater mitigation for the surrounding area. All funds for the purchase were distributed from the city’s surface water fund.

• The city will install a light in the west parking lot of Berwood Park. The city has long voiced concerns about suspicious activities after dark in the park’s lot. Although the park already has a light in the middle of its field, the parking lot still needs one. The park’s existing light cannot illuminate the lot itself. In comparing Berwood Park to Kohler Park, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office noted that Berwood had 40% more calls regarding questionable after-dark activities than Kohler. Kohler Park has its own security light on the premises. The city will work with Collins Electric to oversee the light installation.

To

SOLDIERS: Prosthetics enhance lives

Ukraine, then trained as a prosthetist after relocating to Minneapolis. Not long after, he met Aroshidze, a businessman and Belarusian immigrant living in the Twin Cities. Both men decided to open up the organization, headquartered in Oakdale. The organization’s mission is to provide high-quality prosthetic limbs to soldiers who have lost them on the battlefield.

The Protez Foundation hosted a special fundraiser at the Ukrainian Baptist Church in Hopkins. The event raised money for more advanced prosthetics for two soldiers, Roman and Olexsandr. Both had lost limbs on the battlefield before coming to the United States.

“These people are just so grateful to be alive,” said volunteer and White Bear Lake resident Jeanna Hinderer. “Roman always has a perpetual smile on his face. Also, how these guys can still maneuver and get around is amazing.”

Roman had previously been a truck driver and had been in the National Guard before the war started. During a combat mission, Roman lost both legs and an arm after being caught in a mine explosion. The foundation successfully constructed an arm/ hand prosthetic that helped him perform basic functions.

Roman is also an artist, and hopes that his soon-to-be-improved prosthetics will help him continue his work. “I’d like to get something more sophisticated to help me continue my artwork,” said Roman.

Like Roman, Olexsandr, too, came from humble beginnings before the war. He had just completed a degree in ecology from the National University of Kyiv. Olexsandr is also a musician, playing piano and guitar in his spare time. During a mission, he lost both legs and an arm after a drone dropped an explosive. The foundation was able to construct a prosthetic arm for him to use. Currently, he is studying to become a computer programmer.

“Olexsandr is a really smart person,” said Nelia Nosachova, a physical therapist at the foundation. “When we’re doing therapy, he’ll casually tell us he needs to break for an hour to do his lessons. We’re proud of how well he keeps his life balanced while here.”

Nosachova is no stranger to witnessing the horrors of war up close. She and her family previously resided in Donetsk before losing their home during Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea. She then emigrated to Germany with her family. However, she moved to the United States alone, as her family stayed in Europe to help others who were fleeing the war.

Nosachova stayed with a sponsor

family for a while in Minnesota before leaving due to inadequate home space. She and Hinderer met when the latter hosted a dinner for Ukranian doctors and physical therapists at their house last July.

“My husband Joe and I saw her sitting on our porch, calling her family,” said Hinderer. “She was worried she had nowhere to go. She was going to lose her bedroom at the soldiers’ home where she was staying.”

CONTRIBUTED

Hinderer offered for Nosachova to stay at their home, an offer that the latter was initially hesitant about. “It took her months to accept that,” said Hinderer. “She was like, ‘Why would you do that? Why are you being so nice?’ She had difficulty accepting that it was just kindness to help her. We told her that it was because you help people. That’s how the world is supposed to work.”

As Nosachova continued to see the Hinderers at different events, she became more accepting of their offer. Not long after, she moved into their White Bear Lake home, where she has remained since.

Roman and Olexsandr share an apartment in Oakdale. The two live with Roman’s nephew, Rostyslav Borovyk, who acts as a caretaker for both men and assists them in carrying out daily tasks.

“I like to think that every Ukrainian has their own frontline,” commented Nosachova. “When they stand on the frontline with Russia, they fight and risk losing part of themselves. Here in Oakdale, we have our frontline to give them a new opportunity.”

The Protez Foundation hosted a fundraiser for Roman and Olexsandr, two Ukranian soldiers who lost arms and legs on the battlefield.

Local school to undergo expansion

Due to an increase in enrollment, the White Bear Lake Montessori School plans to undergo a significant expansion. Additions will include two large classrooms, a storm shelter, a home economics kitchen, and other features. The project is anticipated to be funded through conduit debt financing, which allows private companies, nonprofit organizations and public entities to raise capital via tax-exempt

municipal bonds to fund projects beneficial to the public.

Celebrate middle school at Sunrise Sunset event

When Sunrise Park Middle School students and staff move into the current South Campus building at the start of the school year this fall, the middle school building will become the new home of the White Bear Lake Area School District offices, Early Childhood program,

Transition Education Center, and the Senior Center.

The public is invited to celebrate the transition at the ‘Sunrise Sunset’ open house event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May

2 at Sunrise Park Middle School, located at 2399 Cedar Avenue. Attendess will learn about Sunrise Park’s history, view student perfomances and information booths, sip refreshments, and have an opportunity to share middle school memories.

WBLAS COMMUNITY SERVICES & RECREATION

ADULT & SENIOR CLASSES AT THE WB SENIOR CENTER REGISTRATION REQUIRED - 651-653-3121

55+ Defensive Driving Classes

4-Hr Refresher ($35) /Online: 4/23,12-4pm & 6/4 9am,-1pm | Sr Center: 5/29, 5-9pm

8-Hr Class ($45): Online: Apr 23 & 24, 12-4PM Online/Sr Center: Jul 16 & 17, 1:30-5:30pm Vinyasa Yoga: 4/30-5/28, 5:30-6:30pm, $60, Sr Center Run! History of Presidential Elections (K.Simmer): 5/17, 10am-12pm, $18, Sr Center Bingo 5/17, 1-2:30pm, $5, Sr Center

SR. CENTER WEEKLY ACTIVITEIS: Call for details

MONDAYS: Ukulele Bears, Duplicate Bridge, Cribbage, MahJongg, Readers Chat

TUESDAYS: Coloring, 500 Cards, Painters

WEDNESDAYS: Wood Carvers, Guys & Gals, Contract Bridge, Pinochle\

THURSDAYS: Dominos, Cribbage, Yarn B’s, Mah Jongg

FRIDAYS: Mugs & Musings, In Stitches Fri, Apr 26 | 11 AM - 2 PM | Free | WB Senior Center Looking for guidance on how to live comfortably in your next phase of life? Do you or your parents need help finding information about Senior Housing communities in our area? Join us to meet Senior Facilities Reps, Moving Experts, Realtors, Senior Services Experts, Speakers, and more. Hot or Frozen meals delivered MondayFriday. If you are interested, know of someone who may need meals, or have questions, please call 651-653-3123.

For more information or to receive “The Voice” newsletter, call us

Lyngblomsten Caregiver Services

LYNGBLOMSTEN COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Gathering enrichment program provides brain-stimulating activities for adults living with memory loss and four hours of respite for their family caregivers. The Gathering is offered on Wednesdays at Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes and on Thursdays at St. John in the Wilderness Church in White Bear Lake. To learn more, contact Lisa Brown, Caregiver Services Program Coordinator, at (651) 632-5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.

Are you or someone you know helping an older adult and looking to connect for support? Our staff provide ongoing, individualized support and resources to family caregivers over the phone, in person, via email, and virtually. Give us a call. We can help you navigate the journey. Connect with us to learn more about: Local Resources; Memory Loss Caregiver Support Groups; Educational Opportunities; and Respite Programming. Lisa Brown: (651) 6325320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.

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)

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

WEDNESDAYS: Bridge, 1-4:00 PM

THURSDAYS: 500 Cards, 12:30-3:00 PM

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: Tuesday, May 21, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Meeting: Tuesday, May 28, 5:30-8:00 PM

Bingo: FREE! Monday, May 20, 1:30-3:00 PM. Please bring items to donate to the prize table!

The following requires registration: mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com  Alzheimer’s Association: Healthy Living for the Brain & Body: FREE Wednesday, May 1, 7-8:00 PM

Food Truck Friday! Friday, May 3, 5:00-7:30 PM @ District

Education Center

Food Trucks: Kirkwood BBQ, Parrillas Express, MikMart Ice Cream treats

Live Music from Zephyr Students: The Rhythm Crew!

Cooking Class: Traditional Southern Dinner - $35 Friday, May 3, 6-9:00 PM, White Bear Lake High School South

Campus

History with Kathy Simmer: I Like Ike: $18

Monday, May 6 OR Thursday, May 9, 10:00 AM-Noon

Expand Your Horizons by Aging with Gusto - $20

Thursdays, May 9-23, 10:00-11:30 AM, Normandy Park Ed Center, White Bear Lake

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.

55+ Drivers Safety 4 Hour Refresher Course - $35

• Aquatic Therapy

Wednesday, May 15, 9:00 AM 1:00 PM

May Community Lunch - $10

• Occupational Therapy

Thursday, May 16; Noon. Lunch catered by Kirkwood BBQ, Music by Folk Revival

• Physical Therapy

55+ Drivers Safety 8 Hour Basic Course - $45

• Speech Pathology

Tuesday, May 21 & Wednesday, May 22, 1:30-5:30 PM

Register at mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com. If you have any questions, please call 651-407-2024.

White Bear Lake Dental

White Bear Lake Dental

Dental care for the

White Bear Lake Dental Dental

White Bear Lake Dental

Students share moments in the spotlight

Above: Family members and friends gather in the gym at Mahtomedi High School as students dressed in their finest make a series of stops at decorated stations during the annual prom Grand March.

At right: Mason Schneider gave his little sister Lily a spontaneous aerial spin outside the high school after the Grand March.

Above: Ian Landgren and Alyssa Terry’s formal wear featured his shoes and tie color coordinating with her dress.

At left: Students board the Avalon for an evening prom cruise, the first of the season for the St. Croix Boat & Packet Company.

White Bear Lake Area High School’s prom is May 4.

Connie Jean Johnson

(nee Mueller), 63, of White Bear Lake, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Connie and Al; brother, Mark; and sister, Debbie Shambo.

Connie is survived by her husband, Kurt; daughter, Hannah (Alvaro) Garcia; grandchildren, Amy and Pepe; siblings, Todd (Michelle), Craig (Patty), Scott (Heidi), Keith (Jennifer), Dan (Pam), and Julie (Regina); in-laws, Tamera (Carrol), Doreen (Robin), Janel (Richard), and Todd (Kelly); Connie’s beloved companion, her dog, Quinn; and many nieces, nephews, and intimate friends.

Raymond Thomas Slomkowski

Raymond Thomas Slomkowski, “Ray”, age 86, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on April 9, 2024. Ray was born in St. Paul, graduated from Cretin High School, pursued advanced education at St. Thomas University and subsequently served both the Navy and Marines. Survived by his wife Judy of 49 years, they lived happily in Rochester, Arden Hills, Shoreview, and White Bear Lake.

Richard J. “Dick” West

A long-time resident of White Bear Lake, died April 13 at the age of 97.

Born in Nebraska in 1926, Dick’s family moved to Minnesota in the 1930s and he was a graduate of Murray High School in St. Paul.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served near the end of World War II.

After the war, he attended Hamline University, where he met his wife of nearly 75 years, Ruth Bohn.

Connie was a dedicated partner and fundraising consultant for Kurt Johnson Auctioneering. She was a chair member for the National Auction Association and the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association, was head of many conferences, and won many awards, including the golden gavel award. Connie had a deep love and commitment for her family- especially her grandchildren. She was a fierce friend to many and was a passionate community supporter of Arts, Education, and Social Services. Her tenacity, humor, and love will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at White Bear Lake-United Methodist Church, 1851 Birch St, with visitation from 4 PM to 8 PM on Monday, April 29, 2024 at Mueller Memorial- White Bear Lake, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, and at 10:30 a.m. at the church on Tuesday. Interment will take place at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to The Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities; https://boysandgirls.org/give/; Bridging, https://bridging.org/donate/#donatenow; or Home for Life, https://www.homeforlife.org/ donate. Mueller Memorial- White Bear Lake, 651429-4944, www.muellermemorial.com

Charlie Tubman

Age 74 of White Bear Lake. Loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother and Uncle passed away peacefully on April 10, 2024. Preceded in death by wife, Susan; parents, James & Val; brothers, Jim, Roger. Survived by daughter, Jessica (Bill) Rowe, grandchildren, Brandon, Abby, Augie, Max; brothers, Jerry (Ruth), Rex (Bonnie), Bill, Rick; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & many friends.

Charlie was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He and his six brothers grew up on Lake Owasso in Shoreview, MN. After meeting his wife Sue, they moved to White Bear Lake where they would raise their daughter, Jessica. Charlie and Sue were married for 42 years, and together they nurtured friendships that enriched their lives with laughter and genuine connection. He was known for having sweet, smiling eyes as well as his loyalty, humor, gentle, easy-going demeanor, and was hard-working with a caring nature.

When he wasn’t driving a city truck, he was fishing, playing pool, watching NASCAR, at a Car Show, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings or just tinkering around in his garage. Charlie was a lover of classic cars, Harley motorcycles, and a proud owner of a 1957 Chevy Nomad.

Charlie’s life will be celebrated with a SendOff from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, May 2nd with a service starting at 6 p.m. at Kellerman’s Event Center, 2222 4th St, White Bear Lake. Private interment at St. Genevieve Catholic Cemetery, Centerville. www.sendoff.co, 612236-0141

Rhetorically gifted, Ray influenced others by instructing pilots, motorcycle riders, marksmen, hunters by setting high standards and leading by example. With a life defined by loyalty, humor, selfimprovement and loving companionship, Ray was an inspiration to all who knew him. Ray survived a severe stroke 24 years ago. Overcoming many obstacles, he found new meaning and motivation in life, particularly through his grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his loving wife Judy, sons Richard, David (Debra), and John Allen, stepsons Steve Fortman, Mark (Kris) Fortman, twin brother Dick (Bonnie), sister Becky (Dell) Hoffer, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ray will be missed every single day.

Private interment at Fort Snelling at a later date. Memorials preferred to White Bear Lake United Methodist Church music program or donor’s choice.

Donna Marie Landsverk

Age 94, of White Bear Lake, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2024. Survived by husband, Donald Landsverk; daughters Kathryn (Paul) Nelson, Karen (Tom) Schofield, and son, David Landsverk; 4 grandchildren, Matthew (Kenza) Nelson, Kristin (Greg) Kottcamp, Jonathan Schofield, and Joel (Samantha) Schofield; 7 great grandchildren.

Donna graduated, in 1952, from the University

Wis.- Stout with a B.S. Degree

was a teacher in the White Bear

for 21 years. A Memorial Service will be held at ST. ANDREW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 11 a.m.. The visitation will be at St. Andrew’s one hour prior to the service. Private interment. Memorials preferred to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Foundation and American Parkinson Disease Association. Arrangements by Honsa Family Funeral Home. 651-429-6172.

Dick was a salesman at Paper, Calmenson & Co. and at St. Paul Steel for nearly 40 years. After retirement, he was a popular face behind the bar at St. Croix Vineyards and Northern Vineyards in Stillwater. He loved music and had a tremendous sense of humor, which he shared with family and friends until his very last days.

The greatest joys in Dick’s life were his wife and the family they built together. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; three daughters, Susan (Thomas) Bracken, Barbara (Eldon) Marier, and Katherine (Clint) Waller; a son, John (Debra); 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Dick was a proud supporter of the University of Minnesota’s Anatomy Bequest Program. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

George “Skip” St. Germain

Age 84, of Dellwood, passed away peacefully April 10, 2024. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 62 years, Judy; children, Lori Gunasekera (Sid) and John St. Germain (Cheryl); grandchildren, Garrett (Sydney), Claire, and Aidan; step-sister, Wendy Reese; other family and friends.

Skip was a graduate of Mahtomedi High School and Hamline University. He worked at Applebaum’s and then at Jerry’s Foods where he worked for over 27 years. He was a fixture of White Bear Lake and was on the WBL Conservation Committee. His family was known for owning and running the Boat House, a landmark on White Bear Lake for over 70 years. George loved his work, his family time, his hunting trips, and a very good cigar.

Special Thanks to the staff at St. Andrew’s Village and Lyngblomsten for their loving care.

of

in Home Ec. Ed. She

Lake School District

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

Vadnais Heights

• An Arden Hills woman reported that someone smashed the window of her vehicle and stole her wallet March 23, while she was walking in Vadnais Lake Park in the 4500 block of Rice Street.

• A St. Paul man, 46, was arrested March 23 in the 800 block of County Road E, after deputies responded to a domestic assault report and learned the subject had a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO) out against him.

• A resident in the 3500 block of Highway 61 reported seeing a male trying to steal a vehicle overnight March 24-25.

• A resident in the 200 block of Sunflower Court on March 25 reported that a phone she’d ordered through Xfinity never arrived, although she received a notice from the company that it had been delivered.

• Loss prevention employees at the Marshall’s store in the 900 block of County Road E on March 25 reported two women for walking into the store and stealing merchandise, before running to a waiting Chevrolet

sedan. The fleeing sedan sported a folded over license plate to prevent identification.

• A New York woman, 21, was arrested March 25 at the Walmart in the 800 block of County Road E for being in possession of stolen property, after she was caught by loss prevention personnel for walking out of the store with unpaid for merchandise, only to return a short time later to try and return it for cash.

• A vehicle was reported rummaged through March 26 while it was parked in the 900 block of County Road E. The thief absconded with a pair of prescription Coach sunglasses and a pile of change.

• A St. Paul woman, 27, was arrested March 26 in the 3700 block of Edgerton Street for violating an Order For Protection (OFP), after she visited the address from which she was prohibited from entering.

• A Maplewood man, 58, was arrested March 26 in the 3500 block of Labore Road for receiving stolen property, after deputies responded to the report of a trailer loaded with snowmobiles left in a parking lot where it should not have been left. On further investigation, deputies learned that the man in possession of the trailer had stolen it and the snowmobiles. He had parked the vehicles in the lot after a tire on the trailer blew out.

• A resident in the 600 block of Clearbrook Lane on March 27 reported being scammed out of personal information March 27 by a person who locked her computer and demanded personal information and money before unlocking it. The complainant gave up a small amount of personal information, but no money.

• Deputies were dispatched out to a retail business in the 900 block of County Road E at 8:49 p.m. March 27, after employees reported a woman for coming into the store, loading up with stolen merchandise and leaving the store before realizing she’d “misplaced her cell phone during the plundering”. When she returned to the store to retrieve her phone, she became verbally abusive.

A woman, 30, was reported March 28 for harassing her boyfriend in the 1200 block of County Road D Circle E.

White Bear Township

• A White Bear Township woman, 25, was arrested for assault March 24 in the 2600 block of South Shore Blvd., after deputies responded to the report of a disturbance and learned she had physically attacked her boyfriend, leaving scratches, small cuts and red marks on his neck.

Celebrate with robotics team

See robots built by White Bear Lake High School and middle school students at a team celebration and public open house Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at South Campus, room 210. Visit with team members, coaches, and mentors, and learn how to get involved. For more information, e-mail delroy. nyren@isd624.org.

Ethan Tawah is a natural leader among his peers, with strong academic habits, and keen interest in sports. He is a member of the Water Warriors group at school, which is leading a schoolwide student initiative to encourage responsible local use of water, and supports efforts overseas in communities facing water scarcity issues. Ethan is a member of our school patrol that helps students in younger grades. He is a well liked peer and the guy everyone wants on their team whether it is football, basketball or any other game that may get underway, when students go out on breaks.

Ethan Tawah Matoska

Saloon owner brings distinctive design to expansion

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

If someone in White Bear Lake knows how to evolve a business, it would be Terry Kellerman. Since 1999, he has owned his own namesake event center on Fourth Street downtown. The building also houses the Alchemist, a craft cocktail bar Kellerman runs on its ground floor. Saturday, April 13, brought something new and unique to the building’s lineup. Kellerman officially opened the 4 Deuces Saloon, a new bar that replaces Big Wood Brewery. But to Kellerman, this newly refurbished drinking hole means something else. It is an opportunity to show off his habit of building industrial and steampunk designs throughout the saloon. “I see these designs as being my own interpretation,” said Kellerman. “I wasn’t even really into it until I started building some of the doors.”

During remodeling, Kellerman began collecting scrap metal for the saloon‘s interior. These include machinery wheels, chains and old tools that Kellerman has hung up throughout the building as decor. Most of the parts Kellerman collects are from local, secondhand sources.

Kellerman made some of the saloon’s furniture using these same scrap pieces. These include bar tables fashioned from axles and wheels of old horse carriages. Other components, such as its various wooden/steel-hybrid doors, were created by hand without scrap metal.

Other parts of the saloon are currently undergoing construction. Kellerman is developing a new kitchen with a wood-fired oven in a previously unused storage room. Kellerman noted that the new kitchen will help serve the saloon and Alchemists’ customers. “Our original kitchen was designed only to

serve the Alchemist, which doesn’t seat many people,” Kellerman continued. “With 4 Deuces, we’ve doubled our seating, and with our outside

deck, probably even more than that. We haven’t quite doubled our capacity to sell food, but it’s coming.”

More additions will include modifications made to the saloon’s service. “There’s going to be service that goes out to our seating outside in the garden,” said Kellerman. “It’ll also extend to the patio seating on top. That way, it’ll be easy for someone to pick it up to go.”

Kellerman is also working on getting a liquor license covering the saloon and the event center’s bar upstairs. While the saloon has a license, Kellerman said a license covering both areas would allow customers to order drinks the former does not carry. “We’re a beerthemed bar, but we don’t carry anything fancy,” said Kellerman. “We want to do it so that if you come here

with your friends and want a cocktail, you can order one from upstairs and bring it back into the bar. It would help turn this whole building into one 16,000-foot bar.”

Additionally, Kellerman said he wants to see the saloon extend its outreach across town. One of these plans is to be more involved in community-led events. “We’re going to do some community stuff during Marketfest,” said Kellerman. “We’re applying for a permit to expand our footprint out back.”

For more information on 4 Deuces and what drink options are available on tap, visit its website at www.4deucessaloon. com.

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@presspubs.com.

Local church shows love through community outreach

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

One dream, one desire to give back to a loving, hopeful community. That is the goal of Redeemer Lutheran Church and its outreach programs. As the year rolls on, it remains an influential objective members hope to keep pursuing.

The church has been operating a trust fund for several years. After the COVID pandemic, the church’s trust fund board created a budget for donating money to the community. From there, applications were sent to various White Bear Lake residents with ideas for positively impacting the community. After determining which areas were best suited to the church’s values, the church was awarded a grant totaling $30,000 for different projects. An extra $20,000 was also approved for 2024 alone.

Redeemer Lutheran has identified five pillars of outreach ministries to help the community. These are community connection, educational support, environmental stewardship, food ministries and social justice.

Through community connection, Lundberg said that the church focuses on creating better engagement

with families and schools.

“We do these through a few different ways,” said outreach team member Mike Lundberg. “Sometimes we try to bring families together for holidaythemed events like Easter egg hunts. Other times, we host community meals at the church to help connect and unite others.”

One such community event involved a church-organized Ukrainian picnic. The event involved Ukranian students attending White Bear High School through its exchange program. “This was a good opportunity to put together food, games and a sense of community for these students,” said Lundberg. “It was a great time of fun and connection for everyone involved.”

Through educational support, the church helps to fund after-school tutoring at elementary schools and reading buddy programs.

According to Lundberg, longterm plans will be involved for environmental stewardship. However, outside of rainwater reclamation projects around the church’s grounds, all ideas are still in the planning stages.

Church food ministries have involved partnering with organizations such as Solid Ground and the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation.

The church provided meals for homeless individuals and families through working with Solid Ground. The church also provided six different luncheon events for the VHEDC. This helped local nonprofit leaders connect and learn about developing leadership skills and marketing.

According to Lundberg, the church focuses on social justice to help combat and explore implicit bias. “We are a congregation helping to walk with many different people,” said Lundberg. “There are issues where people feel underrepresented or mistreated because of their gender or sexuality. At Redeemer Lutheran, we evaluate our system to ensure we are as inclusive to others as possible.”

At the end of the day, Lundberg is grateful for the church’s desire to help those around White Bear Lake. “We want to do things that rethink and revitalize how our church shows love to others,” said Lundberg, “something that highlights the givings we offer outside the church’s walls.”

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@presspubs.com.

PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

4 Deuces Saloon has officially opened its doors to the public.

Owner Terry Kellerman shows off one of the saloon’s doors, which he built himself.

Most of the saloon’s decorations are from scrap metal that owner Terry Kellerman has collected over time.

PHOTOS

Some organizations that Redeemer Lutheran Church has partnered with include the Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation.

Redeemer Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake has helped fund different outreach programs for kids and adults alike

andArts Culture2024

EMERGING ARTIST: SOPHIA SAGERER

White Bear Lake High School

Senior Sophia Sagerer’s fashion is best described as making pajama chic work. “These Ugg boots were the first thing I found on the way out today,” Sagerer confesses, pointing to a splotch of clay on the toe. “So fashionable,” she deadpans. Conversing with Sagerer is a delight, her tangents ranging from umbrella mishaps to stressing about past literature assignments. Her accomplishments are equally sprawling, with a Scholastic silver key, a Minneapolis Institute of Art exhibit, and a professional logo-design gig already under her belt. Just what is this style of Sagerer’s that attracts so many?

“Psychedelic propaganda is what people say,” Sagerer offers tentatively. Unsettlingly, Sagerer’s pieces combine wartime structure and authoritative messaging with kaleidoscopic detail. “This one says ‘Just quit!’ right at the top,” Sagerer explains of a canvas painting. The words, however, are surrounded by a halo just out of reach of an addict in agony.

More disturbing are Sagerer’s 3-D forays. “Ooh, I’ll show you my closet! …it’s super creepy,” she chimes cheerily. She’s not kidding. Among her sculptures lie a melted Eldritch horror of grocery-store prescription bottles

and an ouroboros wheel of decaying faces that show the sobriety journey of a person close to Sagerer.

Though Sagerer does not use drugs (minus caffeine), drug abuse is the focus of much of her work. “I’ve had close friends and family members use drugs in front of me and need to go to treatment. It’s made me look at how much drug depiction is in our culture,” Sagerer explains. She mentions current young stars—Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, and Jacob Elordi—all of whose careers were supercharged by Euphoria, a show about teens abusing substances. “A guy I sat next to in class the other day just reeked. I know he vapes charges in the bathroom every day,” she continues.

Sagerer’s art also avoids preachiness because it’s based on real details and experiences from people in her life. “Here’s a self-portrait I did of mood swings,” Sagerer warns before showing a painting of rapid-fire, gladmad-sad emotions inked in grimy black outlines. “I put them so close together to show how fast a person on drugs can change—‘I need my vape right now!’—something in them just goes.”

Clearly, Sagerer uses her art as an outlet. Therefore, her goal is to get a master’s degree in art education. “I’m doing art as a career, but there’s

therapy in it,” Sagerer says, “I find myself expressing what I’m feeling in multiple ways. Art gave me something that people connect to no matter what.”

Those interested in connecting with more of Sagerer’s art can do so at an Empowerment Seminar at the

South Campus High School Theater on May 10th from 3-4pm, to which Sagerer contributed the visual design. They can also buy merchandise from Caydence Records & Coffee, for which Sagerer is designing this summer’s logo and T-Shirts, at caydencemn.com

DIRECTOR DETAILS DAZZLING “DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS”

In “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical”—the Central and Sunrise combined middle-school show—children of infamous villains are suddenly thrust together with children of royalty. Chaos ensues. While one might think a production with 71 middle-school children would be equally chaotic, director Odelis Garcia Anderson says her production is engaged and focused.

“Egos are not an option,” Garcia Anderson explains, “We are as strong as our weakest link… Everyone has room to grow on day one.”

Part of this mentality involves using particular language to foster cohesion between different departments. “We have a cast and crew, obviously,” Garcia Anderson describes, “but I refer to them all as ‘production.’ …We don’t have a ‘cast party;’ we have a ‘production party.’ We’ve had years where the crew

gets costumes for scene changes to help immerse the audience.”

Audience immersion is one of Garcia Anderson’s top priorities for the upcoming show—behind the children’s wellbeing, naturally. “I’m known as a ‘warm demander,’” Garcia Anderson offers, “…My job is both director and educator… I want these kids to reach their full potential and recognize that. What we do, though, it’s external. We also need to produce quality, so the audience will be entertained.”

That said, Garcia Anderson’s expectations don’t block anyone from participating. She marvels, “This collaboration is the most inclusive I’ve been a part of—racially, gender, ability… This space includes everyone. It gives students an opportunity to love what we do and learn to do it together.”

Even more impressive is the price tag

a family must pay for their students’ involvement: $0. “We are 100% donations, and we put ads in the program,” Garcia Anderson emphasizes, “Students do not pay. Seven or eight years we’ve been doing that.”

With so many magical elements gathered, “Disney’s Descendants” looks to cast quite the spell. What, though, is that spell’s effect? “When you’re up there,” Garcia Anderson exclaims to her kids, “I want you to feel like you’re glowing!”

“Disney’s Descendants: The Musical” has performances on April 25th and April 26th at 7pm as well as April 27th at 2pm at the District Auditorium next to Central Middle School. For tickets and details, visit https://central.isd624.org/ families/communications

PIECING TOGETHER HISTORY—FOR PRIZES!

“The puzzle-race craze is sweeping Minnesota!” Allison Lincoln, Community Engagement Director for the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, declares. Those wishing to begin or continue to hone their competitive jigsaw skills will have an opportunity to do so at The White Bear Lake Armory on May 4th with “Puzzling History”! “It’s a great new event,” Creative Director Dan Jones adds, “It’s your chance to get a customized White Bear Lake Area Historical Society puzzle!”

While Lincoln divulges that the puzzle will be 500 pieces with a local connection, contest rules forbid her from

giving any more information. What she can say is why the Historical Society has decided to edge into the puzzle-race trend. “We want to capitalize on new and exciting ways to attract different members of the community,” Lincoln explains, “It’s a different historical avenue. Yes, it’s White Bear Lake history, but it’s active.”

The puzzle-race event, then, aims to break attendees’ interlocked view of what history can be. “Many people are still stuck on history being about dates,” Lincoln admits, “History is fun; there’s a social aspect to it.” Part of that sociality will come after time has been

called—with a puzzle swap! “Bring your old puzzles and trade them with other people,” Lincoln encourages.

“Registration starts at 10am,” Lincoln announces, “with a start time of 10:30. We’ll call the buzzer at 12:30. There will be prizes for first, second, and third. Registration is $60, teams of four, no more.”

When asked if teams can be fewer than four, Lincoln chuckles, “I guess, but you’re paying for four people. You might as well bring them.”

Full details for “Puzzling History” can be found on whitebearhistory.org.

APRIL/MAY EVENTS

Explore upcoming Avenue of the Arts events with CPA, LPT and WBCA

HIGH SCHOOL VISUAL ARTS & WRITENOW! COMMUNITY RECEPTION

Location: White Bear Center for the Arts

Date: April 25, 6-8:30 p.m.

Come celebrate young writers and artists during this community reception! WBCA hosts two annual high school competitions: the High School Visual Arts Contest and the WriteNow! High School Writing Contest. This year, the results of the contests are united into one gallery exhibit.

BRING OLD PAINTINGS TO BACK TO LIFE

Location: White Bear Center for the Arts

Date: Thursday, May 2-30, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Come revisit old paintings that need some sprucing up. This class with Frank Zeller will critique paintings that are considered done, but need another option for improvement.

GO FIGURE! SELF-DIRECTED LIFE DRAWING STUDIO

Location: White Bear Center for the Arts

Date: Thursday, May 2 & 23, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Explore figure drawing while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded artists. Draw from a live model in poses ranging from 3-30 minutes.

GIRLS LACROSSE

White Bear Lake (1-2) lost conference games last week to Cretin-Derham Hall 17-7 and Park 9-4.

CDH was powered by Sofia Watts with eight goals. Zoe Timmons had three goals and Beverly Peterson two for the Bears against CDH.

BOYS LACROSSE

White Bear Lake lost its opener to Eden Prairie 8-6, then beat Cretin-Derham Hall 12-7 and Park 16-2.

Preston West has tallied 11 goals, Ben Lockwood six, Wyatt Raleigh six, Charlie Woodcock five, and Finn Karni three. Goalkeeper Reid Vickstrom has faced 44 shots and saved 27.

BASEBALL

White Bear Lake (2-2) beat Roseville Area 11-5, lost to Woodbury, and beat Duluth East 10-1.

Against Roseville (2-3), Evan Newlander notched two hits, three RBI’s and two runs; J. Berg a double and three RBI’s; Owen Farrington an RBI single and two walks; and Kevin Zollinger a single, three walks and two runs. Owen Mortimer, Tyler Almshouse and Blake Eckerle pitched. Against Woodbury (4-1), Roman Lachmeyer pitched three scoreless innings and Jackson Kolb two scoreless innings. Colin McMonigal was nicked for two runs. Woodbury’s Gavin Dahl limited the Bears to three hits and

one run in six innings.

TENNIS

White Bear Lake nipped Park 4-3 and lost to perennial conference champion Mounds View 7-0. Winning for the Bears (2-2) against Park were Will Fleming 6-2, 6-3 at 1-singles, Andrew Kolenich 6-0, 6-0 at 3-singles, Jack Fleming 5-4 (retired) at 4-singles, and Joseph Karls/ Chris Herr 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 at 3-doubles. Park won close duels over Joshua Hess 7-6, 7-6; Colton Knutson/ Mason Voeller 6-7, 6-2, 6-0; and Everett Moravec/ Keenan Griffin 7-5, 2-6, 7-6.

SOFTBALL

Park (4-3) handed White Bear Lake (4-1) its first loss, 4-3, on a two-run homer by Ava Youngquist in the top of the seventh in the Bears’ only game last week. Maddy Belisle drove home all three runs with a double. Bear pitcher Lily Martin struck out 14 while yielding nine hits (three by Addison Cornish) and one walk. Park’s Mackenzie Darsow (six innings) and Stella Fritsch held the Bears to six hits, two by Heidi Barber.

GIRLS TRACK

White Bear Lake placed third of eight teams in a meet at home. Top three teams were Roseville Area with 235.75, CambridgeIsanti 128.25 and the Bears 108.75.  The Bears won the 4x100 relay with Sophia Haley, Alyssa Hamlin, Autumn Maki, and Lys-aurele D’Almeida (51.39) and the 4x400 with Grace Bailey, Gabrielle Bohrer, Brooke Johnson and D’Almeida (4:31.29). Josephine Mlejnek won high jump (5-0). Placing second were D’Almeida (100 dash, 12.88), Hamlin (200 dash, 27.58), Rosalie Sommars (800 run,

LAWSUIT: Local Realtors discuss

state of industry

district because they want to be there, it will naturally push up prices because that’s the only house for sale. It’s the rule of supply and demand.”

Riding out on a level of optimism, Larson said he does not feel any drastic change will

2:38.65), Clara Kolstad (3200 run, 12:38), and Karen Enow (discus, 97-0). Placing third were Grace Bailey (200) and Grace Laszlo (800).

BOYS GOLF

White Bear Lake in their first two outings placed seventh of 30 teams in the Early Bird Invitational with 300 at Bunker Hills, and 11th of 48 teams in the Whistling Straits Invitational with 316 and 311 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Wyatt Peterson is averaging 74.5, Easton Fiddle 75, Jack Stanius 77, Ethan Kindsvater 79, Thomas Pederson 79, and Anders Samec 81.

GIRLS GOLF

White Bear Lake

come to the housing market. “There are still people out there who want to buy houses,” said Larson. “However, listings that offer buyer’s compensation are going to be of more interest versus those compensating the buyer’s agent. This is because it’s going to cost the buyers less

opened with a thirdplace finish among 10 team in a conference meet hosted by

money to get into the house in closing costs.”

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. To reach him, contact him at 651-407-1229, or email at whitebearnews@ presspubs.com.

Woodbury, scoring 366 at the Prestwick course. Ivory Drusch led the Bears with 86. Cami

Bachmeier and Bailey Eddicus each shot 93 and Lainey Eddicus 94. Bruce Strand

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jeff Erickson

Mahtomedi Baseball

Jeff Erickson’s hitting ledger for Mahtomedi so far is 5-for-19 but that includes a home run, triple and double that have knocked in eight runs for the Zephyrs (5-1). The senior pitcher/third baseman has also taken the mound for one start and two relief appearances, allowing one run in seven innings with 11 strikeouts and one win.

“Your Financial Partner”

61 | White Bear Lake

Jeff Erickson

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED Zoe Timmons eyed the net while carrying the ball. She had three goals against CretinDerham Hall.

WHITE BEAR LAKE GRADUATE EXPANDS BUSINESS INTO WHITE BEAR LAKE

Jeff Dougherty, a 1982 White Bear High School graduate, is proud to announce that he is expanding his home services business, Aquarius Home Services— based in Little Canada, Minnesota—by merging with Roger Vadnais Plumbing in White Bear Lake.

Jeff Dougherty and John Vadnais, the owner of Roger Vadnias Plumbing, discovered they share very similar core values and are both proud to be familyowned businesses. They decided to combine forces to provide expanded services for the White Bear Lake area and beyond, from skilled, courteous professionals who provide fast, efficient customer service and overall field support in all areas of their business, including premier water treatment, HVAC, plumbing and electrical services.

Their mission is “Earning the Right to be Recommended,” always striving for world-class customer service for all of their customers.

John Vadnais and his team have worked hard in the White Bear Lake area for many years, earning customers’ business and trust. John and his entire team will be an important part of Aquarius Home Services and continue to serve their valued customers. Their joint goal is to provide amazing service that makes customers happy to recommend them to their family and friends. To help demonstrate what this great new partnership will bring, they invite everyone to stop by their Customer Appreciation Open House event May 3-5 at their Little Canada office, near 35E and 694. There will be food, fun and prizes for everyone! See the ad at the right for more details.

Jeff said, “This new partnership is especially exciting for me as I was raised in White Bear Lake and am so proud to have such a close tie to this amazing community. We all look forward to providing you the service you deserve for years to come!”

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