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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2020 VOL. 125 NO. 4 www.whitebearpress.com $1.00
A PARK FOR EVERYONE: Lions launch major project PAGE 3
ReGrowing our businesses BY KATIE LEIBEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The public health emergency across the nation has hit businesses hard, especially restaurants. As seating capacities have been limited for safety reasons, restaurants have struggled to make ends meet. This has led to a new movement headed by both the city of White Bear Lake and the White Bear Lake Economic Development Corporation (WBL EDC). “There was a general concern about the future of the restaurants in White Bear Lake,” said Reed Vanderzee, president of the WBL
EDC. “When they reopened, they had to adhere to strict rules and regulations. We formed a committee to say, ‘Okay, what can we do to help restaurants amid the pandemic?’” The group reached out to city officials and asked for support in keeping restaurants open through the winter when they expect to be facing the most challenges. “We have a responsibility to advise the city to fi nd support economically,” Vanderzee said. The city gave grant money to help the ReGrow committee with its work and has been supportive of the group’s efforts. The committee began its work by sending a survey
to White Bear Lake residents about their restaurant habits. “We surveyed the community, and I asked them questions like, ‘What is your dining like now? What is your plan in the wintertime?’ The survey got almost 700 responses,” Vanderzee said. The survey found, not surprisingly, that the number one reason for not eating out is fear of COVID-19. One question asked respondents whether they would want to spend more money at their favorite restaurant if they knew its business was suffering. The answer was a resounding yes.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Reed Vanderzee led a committee that initiated efforts to help local restaurants during the pandemic.
SEE REGROW WBL, PAGE 12
A different sort of meals on wheels BY DEBRA NEUTKENS STAFF WRITER
Carry-out delivered weekly to seniors and families in need is not only helping participating restaurants but filling a gap for a White Bear Lake nonprofit transporting the food. When the pandemic hit, Newtrax found itself facing the same challenges many organizations faced: a greatly reduced demand for service, noted Executive Director Mike Greenbaum. Started in 2011 to provide a more efficient transportation system for its founding organizations, Merrick and PAI — which serves adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities — Newtrax grew to serve senior communities, businesses, other nonprofits and local schools to expand services that benefit the community. One of those innovative services is a hugely successful meal delivery program launched just six weeks ago. Credit for the new program goes to Newtrax Transportation Coordinator Scott Olson. He got the idea after working with Loaves and Fishes to deliver 800,000 meals to families impacted by the pandemic through 28 YMCAs. "We thought, ‘How do we do something here with prepared meals to stimulate growth with restaurants and provide meals for seniors in need?’" Olson said. "Local restaurants get an extra boost and
Early voter lineup At right: Election Judge Sue Jeffers checks the situation outside the White Bear Lake library Monday morning just prior to the start of the last day of early voting Nov. 2. A crowd of voters were lined up down at least two blocks along Second Street, above, before being allowed into the facility in small groups, because of COVID-19 precautions that also included the use of masks and social distancing.
SEE NEWTRAX, PAGE 13
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