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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016
VOL. 120 NO. 34 www.presspubs.com $1.00
BOATING SAFETY: Intoxicated person rescued from the lake PAGE 7A
Little Bar no more Now closed, new owners plan extensive remodel for July opening BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Early summer sweet spot Ashley Kockelman and Keith High enjoyed ice cream treats while taking in the evening view over White Bear Lake Thursday, June 2 from a couple of the Adirondack rocking chairs lining the boardwalk near the city marina. They were part of a noticeable spike in activity on and around the lake that corresponded to nearly perfect weather conditions last week.
Members of the Ski Otters are the new owners of Don's Little Bar. Only it won't be called The Little Bar anymore. The new name on the new sign of the newly remodeled restaurant and bar will be Cabin 61. Dan Laughlin, a longtime member of the waterski club and silent partner in the venture, said the mostly female group wanted a venue for banquets and a place to eat after ski shows on Little Goose Lake. Plans call for an extensive makeover both inside and out with a large patio for outdoor seating. They chose the name, he said, due to the proximity of Highway 61 and the fact there were cabins on the lake in the 1940s. Patrons of Don's Little Bar at 4150 Hoffman Road will be pleased to know the new owners retained rights to intellectual property, Laughlin said, so the Wimpy burgers will remain on the menu. "We want to keep the family feel going, and food is a big part," Laughlin noted. "We're not looking to change what they've done there." Laughlin, a Realtor with Rich's Realty in Champlin, brokered the deal, which closed June 1. His father, Mark Laughlin, also has ties to White Bear Lake; he was general manager of the Best Western Country Inn for about a decade. Co-owners are Melissa Martini Laughlin, Dan's wife; Kristie Skillings; Carrie Berg; Lindsey Carpenter and Paul Rumpza, the only non-Ski Otter in the partnership. SEE NEW OWNERS, PAGE 8A
Beach to remain closed For the eighth straight year, the beach at Ramsey County Park will remain closed this summer. Despite a slight rise in lake level since last year, the county feels it is still unsafe to operate the beach, noted Jennifer Fink, recreation services supervisor for Ramsey County. Fink provided a chart of historical lake levels from the Department of Natural Resources that shows a lake level close to 923 feet at each of the “opening days� of 2007 and 2008. "As summer progresses, there is an inevitable seasonal drop that occurs," Fink said. "At this time, because of that anticipated drop
in level, the county feels it is still unsafe to operate Ramsey County Beach. The lake needs to come up significantly in order for us to open." A figure provided previously by the county Parks and Recreation Department show a preferred level of 924.75 feet for the beach to open, although Fink said a specific water level has not been identified. "I would agree with that specific level," she said. "It makes sense based on what I have seen on site and the historical numbers." The lake is currently at 921.95 feet. Debra Neutkens
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