White Bear Press

We are the champions!

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

A little bitterness can be a good thing. That salty emotion helped the Mahtomedi girls soccer team reclaim the state championship this season.

The No. 3 ranked Zephyrs

vanquished No. 1 Holy Angels 2-0 in the finals at U.S. Bank Stadium, on goals by Cecilia Emery and Aynslea Ulschmid, three days after drubbing Mankato East 7-0 in the semifinals.

The Class 2A title was the 11th jewel in the crown for

Exhibition

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Through Nov. 13, White Bear Lake Center for the Arts attendees can feast their eyes on a brand new exhibition featuring unique works of art with a special story behind each.

The exhibition, “Creative Pursuits: An ALS Association Pop-Up,” features 71 pieces from 20 artists from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois and Washington. The pieces, ranging from photographs to paintings to short fiction, are each created by artists with amyotrophic

Mahtomedi and first since a string of four straight wins ending in 2021. The Zephyrs figured that two years away from the limelight — an overtime finals loss to Holy Angels in 2022, and a section

SEE STATE CHAMPIONS, PAGE 18

Otter Lake Technologies affirms transparency

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

“We are committed to doing it the way it needs to be done, the right way.”

At its first-ever community meeting, Otter Lake Technologies President Nathan Prussing says he and his company are ready to commit to transparency and environmental friendliness among White Bear Lake residents. The meeting at Gem’s Lake Heritage Hall Wednesday is intended to be the first in a series of annual meetings the company will hold with residents.

The company acquired certain U.S. assets of Water Gremlin after the latter filed for bankruptcy last November. In doing so,

Water Gremlin retained its past liabilities and responsibility for all claims. At the same time, Otter Lake did not acquire any such liabilities, real estate or fisher sinker assets. “I care a lot about the environment and manufacturing, and there are ways we can do both of them very well,” added Prussing. “We will know if we are getting better.”

During the meeting, accompanied by his wife, Dena, Prussing laid out several critical components of the company that he said would make it more environmentally friendly. One is the company’s use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), large groups of chemicals found

displays talent and hope of artists living with ALS

lateral sclerosis (ALS). This nervous system disease weakens muscles and impacts physical function.

Through the Creative Pursuits Program, an ALS Association-based program dedicated to teaching those diagnosed with ALS various creative endeavors like painting, music and writing, these artists were able to bring their ideas to life for all to see.

“People are trying new media that they would have never explored before,” said Program Manager Liz Stanley. “They’re learning that there’s so many great ways they can continue expressing and challenging themselves in new ways.”

The program is the brainchild of White Bear Lake resident Ken Baltes, who formerly worked in computer technology before retiring in 2015. Post-retirement, Baltes began pursuing different artistic interests, creating acrylic paintings and carving lamps from diamond willow before being diagnosed with ALS in 2020. Baltes became a board member of the local and national ALS Associations, where he pitched the idea of creating a program to allow those living with ALS to pursue their creative side.

Mahtomedi’s state champion girls soccer team joyously rushed toward their fans after completion of the awards ceremony at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Zephyrs defeated Holy Angels 2-0 in the Class 2A finals.

BRUCE STRAND CONTRIBUTED

ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Tom Albin showcases his painting, “A Good Day,” which depicts him playing ice hockey, one of his favorite pastimes.

Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation announces fall grant recipients

BY AMY PETERSON SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

The Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation (VHACF) awarded nearly $4,000 in grants during its fall grantmaking cycle this year. Combined with the grants and scholarships awarded this winter, VHACF has provided more than $14,000 in funds for nonprofit organizations serving the Vadnais Heights area this year.

Grants awarded this cycle will be used to strengthen the community and improve the quality of life for area residents in a wide variety of ways, including:

• Making outings on area lakes accessible to seniors, veterans, members of the military and individuals with disabilities with Bear Boating.

• Expanding Children’s Performing Arts programming into Vadnais

Heights Elementary School, which helps to bring quality theater and learning experiences to all interested youth.

Providing scholarship assistance for students with the White Bear Lake Area Schools’ Week Without Walls program, creating unforgettable learning experiences for middle school students to travel to Costa Rica.

• Supporting Tubman’s Movement for Violence Prevention program, an innovative initiative aimed at helping prevent relationship violence and build safer, healthier communities.

• Providing opportunities for networking, advocacy, support and education around the issues of agefriendly transportation and housing for seniors with the Consortium of Lake Area Senior Service (CLASS).

Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, is a 501(c)

(3) organization that has been providing grants to area organizations working in education, arts and culture and human services since 1979.

In addition to regular grants and scholarships, VHACF, in partnership with Fund for Teachers, provided a grant this year to two local teachers to travel to Alaska. Their fully funded trip provided exceptional opportunities for learning and research that the teachers can bring back to their classrooms and share with students.

VHACF funding is made possible through investment earnings on donations made by community members. More information about VHACF, including how to donate and how to get involved in VHACF by becoming a board member, can be found at www.vhacf.org.

Frank Watson

CONTRIBUTED

Amy Peterson chairs the Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation.

If you’ve taken a trip recently around Vadnais and Sucker Lake, odds are you noticed something ... different regarding the area. A closer inspection may have shown that the water level in Sucker Creek, the channel that connects both lakes, was lower than expected. While this may have caused some confusion among residents, St. Paul Regional Water Services Marketing/PR Manager Jodi Wallin says there is no cause for alarm. The company deliberately lowers the water levels via the lake’s reservoir system to remove zebra mussels that have plagued the area for several years.

Q: How long has this most recent mussel removal been planned at the channel?

A: We have been on a two-year cycle of zebra mussel cleaning at the channel. The decision to do the cleaning was made in May of this year, while the cleaning itself began on October 9. The timing was dependent upon hauling and Hydrovac contractors and water demand from customers. Typically, in late October, our water demands are lower.

Q: Because the channel is located in Ramsey County, do they have any involvement in how it gets cleaned?

A: Typically, they do not. However, this year, we did work with Ramsey County Parks as well as the City of Shoreview on the timing of the cleaning. Ramsey County was working on lead fishing

tackle removal from the channel, and Shoreview was working on some of its infrastructure that is downstream from the Sucker channel.

Q: How long have zebra mussels been a problem in this area?

A: According to the DNR, zebra mussels were first found in Vadnais Lake in 2007, but it was not a problem for us until they began to impact the flow of water into the channel from Sucker Lake to

Vadnais Lake. 2014 was when we first lowered the levels to clean the channel. We would do it again in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

Q: How long did the procedure take, and how was fishing impacted?

A: The removal took three days and has been completed since Oct. 25. We initially stopped running water on Oct. 9 and resumed it on the 25th. The fishing in the channel was already impacted before the cleanout started because of the amount of zebra mussels clogging it. Fishing was able to resume in the creek beginning on the 25th.

Q: Because the levels will remain low during this time, will residents be redirected to fish elsewhere?

A: We will not be redirecting any fishing, as the channel levels should be back to normal already. However, the lake levels will be low for another two to three weeks as it slowly recovers from being drained. The lack of rainfall will also contribute to the lake levels taking time to recover. Fishing will be difficult anywhere in the chain during this time, but fishing opportunities will still be available on Vadnais Lake.

Compiled by Erik Suchy

OPINION

Getting along

Regardless of which candidate ends up winning the national presidential election, we’re still going to need to get along with family members, friends, colleagues, acquaintances and all of the other people we interact with locally on a daily basis. The upcoming holiday season, including Thanksgiving, only adds to the potential anxiety and stress of living in a society that is increasingly polarized.

Political differences in families are nothing new, but the levels of toxic rhetoric and volatility have been significantly cranked up due in no small part to the fragmentation of information on various social media platforms and the growing distrust of scientific and medical experts. It’s extremely challenging engaging in a meaningful conversation when the definition of the truth is in question. Personally, more than 25 years ago, I needed to formulate some coping strategies so that a relationship with a key family member could be maintained following an angry outburst — directed at me — during a discussion featuring a well known politician I’d had interactions with. I was caught by surprise and profoundly bummed out by the incident. A sincere apology followed the next day, which I gratefully accepted, but I vowed to do whatever I could to avoid a similar situation from ever occurring again.

After giving it some thought, I came up with the relatively simple strategy of identifying and avoiding the key catalysts (the mix of alcohol consumption and political talk) that led to the dustup. Quietly, without any announcement or fanfare, I began to cut back my drinking at family gatherings to (at most) one or two beers while also strategically avoiding potentially volatile political topics. To my knowledge, no one seemed to notice any change in my behavior and thankfully many years have elapsed without a similar incident. However, there have been a handful of occasions over the years where, in order to tactfully avoid the possibility of a heated escalation, I needed to firmly assert that I did not want to discuss certain topics. I was also relieved we were still able to have meaningful and varied conversations about a variety of other topics.

While I was looking for information related to the subject of maintaining communication and healthy relationships in a politically divisive society, the contributions of William Doherty, professor emeritus in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota, showed up in a number of articles at various news and information outlets including Time, NPR and Braver Angels (braverangels. org), an organization he cofounded as an effort to help bridge the political divides splitting the country. I’ve always thought of Thanksgiving as one of the most unifying and least stressful of American holiday celebrations, but Doherty and other family counselors are concerned that this year may be even more tricky than the post-election Thanksgivings of the past and are advising some advanced planning and the adjustment of expectations. Because it takes only one person to derail or escalate an already emotional and complicated discussion, Doherty advises against talking about political topics around the dinner table and suggests a host can ask ahead of time that politics are off-limits. He also suggests that you should probably give up on the idea that you might be able to change a family members mind because you enlightened them with a persuasive, thought provoking argument. There are tips and resources available about how to talk to family members about politics, it’s just that the dynamics of a group holiday meal are not ideal. It’s not an easy situation, but we do still have choices. The question that it all comes down to for me is, do we really want to let political leaders and toxic, cynical politics hurt our families?

Paul Dols is photojournalist/website editor for Press Publications. He can be reached at 651-407-1238 or photos@presspubs.com.

Leave (some) Leaves

Let’s follow nature’s lead and settle somewhere in the middle on “Leaving the Leaves”. We can have well-kept lawns while also building soil and providing habitat for native insects.

Movers & Shakers

I’m a homeowner that rakes most leaves off my lawn then uses a mower to mulch the rest into place. I see leaves as an amazing resource for the ecosystem in our backyards. I even gather leaves from neighbors to use in my garden as leaf mold. Leaves provide habitat for native insects, spiders, toads and even turtles.

Fall is the Best Time to Build Soil

There is a principle in nature called the “Law of Return” which states that nutrients taken from the soil should be returned to the soil to keep it in balance.

This means every time we harvest a tomato or head of broccoli, we’re technically messing with nature. This is the basis for the push to

• Limited to 350 words.

“Leave the Leaves” as well. The premise being that the leaves should be left to decompose where they grew to keep the soil life at its healthiest. Luckily, nature is resilient enough to deal with backyard garden harvests, but there is a limit. And for the last century, we’ve been pushing that limit. Think of the large swaths of land conventionally farmed, literally tilled to dust. Many scientists estimate one third of the planet’s topsoil has been lost to erosion in the last 150 years. Another statistic shows that we have about 100 years of soil left if we continue conventional farming practices.

But nature already has the answer to building more soil. We just need to stay out of the way of nature and let the existing soil life get to work decomposing organic matter and building relationships underground.

Healthy soil can hold carbon and reduce our emissions, conserve water and improve water filtration, and even grow healthier, more disease resistant crops.

The average teaspoon of soil has around 1 billion microorganisms in it. They each have their own job to do in decomposing organic matter

to form new soil, and helping new organic matter grow well. It is an ingenious, never-ending cycle – if we don’t remove large parts of the input to the system. I’m not suggesting we let forests take over our yards but remembering that we are all part of nature would go a long way to helping restore our planet’s soil. When we remove the leaves and kill the bugs on our lawn, it might not seem like a big deal. But American lawns cover around 40 million acres. If homeowners started treating our lawns as part of nature – part of the world wide ecosystem – think of the longlasting effects we could have! In fact, there’s a group called Homegrown National Park working to do just that: www. homegrownnationalpark.org. Learn more about our area’s leaf and yard waste drop off options at: www.ramseycounty. us

*Reminder* MN State law prohibits putting yard waste into your regular garbage collection bins.

Michelle Bruhn is founder of ForksintheDirt.com. She’s a local food advocate, educator, and coauthor of the book, SmallScale Homesteading.

WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS | LETTER GUIDELINES

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

Michelle Bruhn

Angle of View

Paul Dols

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

What happened to public service?

On Oct. 15 the Vadnais Heights City Council voted to give themselves a 25% pay raise. They say it was needed because they were paid lower than some of our surrounding communities. Since 2005 council members’ pay has been $6,000 per year, and the mayor’s pay was $7,500 per year. They gave themselves an increase of $1,500, so now council members will get $7,500/year and the mayor $9,000/year. Is this a lot of money? To some people it might be, but it depends on how much time you put into it. The council meets two times per month from 5 p.m. to, let’s say, 8:30 p.m. for a typical council meeting. Let’s say they spend the same amount of time preparing for the meeting of 3.5 hours, making a commitment of seven hours twice a month for 12 months, which is 168 hours a year or $45 per hour for their salary. Not bad to be paid an hourly rate equal to a salary of $93,000 per year, and no previous experience is needed. What happened to the idea of being

a public servant? In the past, patriotic citizens ran for office to serve the public and then returned to their private lives without the thought that they would make elected office a career or that they deserve to be paid highly for their service.

At the Constitutional Convention, Ben Franklin stated his belief that public servants should not be paid a salary, for in paying the civil service, our government would not be made of “the wise and the moderate ... the men fittest for the trust” but instead by “the bold and the violent, the men of strong passions ... in their selfish pursuits.”

Council members said that by paying themselves a higher salary it would attract a greater diversity to these leadership positions. It would also make it possible to hold the office without sacrifice to their income. I would prefer people hold office who are there to improve the community and not worry about how much they earn.

Craig Johnson Vadnais Heights

Add judges to guide

The Voter Guide arrived! I was glad. It always has given me insight into each candidate running for their chosen race. After reading through this information, I was left with a question. Why is information regarding the judges running for their office not included? Judges play an important part in our community. Having this information helps in being a more informed voter—even if running unchallenged. Thoughts?

Diane Bengston White Bear Lake

Need

better coverage

A common taunt from hockey fans upset with the officiating is “Hey ref, you’re missing a good game.”

I have the same feeling lately from the White Bear Press regarding local government reporting. You (and more importantly, your readers) are missing a good game. On Sept. 10, the White Bear Lake City Council held a very contentious debate over next year’s budget and tax levy. Nothing about it in the White Bear Press.

White Bear Lake Area High School culture check:

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When White Bear’s unified high school opened its doors this fall, Principal Russ Reetz proclaimed that the year would be divided into three 60-day segments. Each segment has a question to which, by the end of the 60 days, students will hopefully answer “Yes.” The first question is, “Do I belong here?” Nov. 6 marks the first day of the second quarter for the high school, so how are Reetz and his staff progressing in this goal?

R.O.A.R.

R.O.A.R. stands for Relationships, Ownership, Awareness and Respect. Students know this acronym, and it’s everywhere they look: The student-run merchandise center is called “The ROAR Store,” while flex periods are now called “ROAR Time.”

Reetz explains this is done so that all students and staff have common language and a universal place from which to start. Additionally, Tuesday mornings have a half-hour advisory period. While he envisioned students making up tests or getting help from a teacher, Reetz reports that the “street-level data” shows students largely using the time to “get organized for the coming week.”

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Winter parking rules in effect

‘Do I belong here?’

Dimensions of teaching and learning

Reetz and his administration gain street-level data in two ways.

The first is with “ROAR Walks,” teacher observations that look not to criticize, but rather to check for indicators of belonging. Reetz derived this method from the University of Washington’s Center for Educational Leadership. Their five categories for an effective school include purpose, student engagement, curriculum/ teaching style, student assessment and classroom environment.

Filtered through a lens of student belonging, a successful ROAR Walk might show that a teacher is checking students’ understanding of the learning targets or that students use the learning routines provided to support their classmates.

The second method is using collaborative inquiry teams (CIT), staff groups that meet every two weeks. These teams share experiences and current strategies in their classrooms.

The CIT recalibrates, then sets goals for the next two weeks. Common strategies listed from CIT data collected include:

• Greet students with their name when they enter the classroom;

• Practice breathing techniques … for mindfulness at the beginning of a lesson; and

• Connect with three to five students each day … and make sure they are feeling comfortable in the class.

As of Nov. 1, winter parking rules have officially gone into effect around the city of Vadnais Heights. These rules will be in place until April 1. During this time, no parking is allowed on any street between 1 and 6 a.m. Additionally, no parking will be allowed after 2 inches or more of snow has accumulated until the street is plowed curb to curb. Violators will be ticketed and/or towed.

Vadnais Heights City Hall changes hours of operation

At a recent meeting, the Vadnais Heights City Council approved a permanent change to the hours

Activities and attendance

Each day, students view video announcements, called “The Daily ROAR.” Describes Reetz, “Students hear about what’s going on in our building, what’s possible, what’s coming up.” The goal, he said, is to get “85% of our students finding a co-curricular they’re passionate about.”

Reetz has also implemented a policy in which an administrative staff member checks in with a student when they have had an unexplained absence for one or more periods the previous day. So far, staff has logged over 170 conversations. “(We) talk about their plan both that day and future days,” Reetz said. “I expect to see that number continue to go up.”

The results have largely been positive. Suspensions have been halved, fights are down and Reetz anticipates incoming comparative data showing attendance rates have gone up compared to last fall.

“We’re proactive in our expectations of our students and reactive when we don’t always meet the standard,” said Reetz. “I feel like a lot of this data is a direct reflection of how hard we’ve been working on how our classrooms are welcoming and belonging.”

Beginning in December, Reetz and his staff will shift to the next 60-day instructional segment: “Is this meaningful?”

City Hall is open. The new, year-round operating hours of Vadnais Heights City Hall will be from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7 to 11 a.m. Friday. The new hours take effect this week.

VFW hosts Veterans Day celebration

The White Bear Lake VFW Post 1782 will host a Veterans Day ceremony at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, in Veterans Memorial Park. After the ceremony, there will be a lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All veterans and one guest each are invited to join a complimentary meal from a select menu. Veterans Memorial Park is located next to the VFW, 4496 Lake Avenue S.

On Oct. 22, we had another important discussion about how the city will react to the new recreational marijuana law. Nothing in the Press. And there is a brewing dispute between White Bear Township and White Bear Lake over paying the interest on our new public safety facility. This was fully aired at a recent Township Board meeting. Nothing in the Press.

A reporter from the Press attended each of these meetings and wrote about other smaller issues that were on the agenda, but ignored the bigger and more important debates. Covering local news that affects the lives of readers should be at the top of the priority list for a local paper. As an elected official, I rely on feedback from citizens as we work through contentious issues like the budget and marijuana. But the citizens need to be informed! Looking forward to better coverage in the future.

Letters to the Editor

We encourage readers’ letters and comments. Letters to the editor should be no more than 350 words. All submissions must include the author’s legal name. E-mail letters to WhiteBearNews.com

MIKE MISGEN

Unlike most insurance agencies who only offer coverage from one company, “We can shop” from many for the best coverage and price suitable for your situation

Jovie Ponthan

Birch Lake Elementary School

Bill Walsh White Bear Lake City Council Ward 1

COPS&COURTS

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

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

Dellwood

• Apple Orchard Road residents on Oct. 7 reported a neighbor for verbally harassing them multiple times about political signs in their yard, and now several signs have gone missing. The complainant did want to make a formal theft report, but asked Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies to speak with the neighbor. They did, and the neighbor denied taking the signs, though she knew at least one was missing. She did admit to giving her neighbors the thumbs down gesture once, but that was it.

Grant

• Deputies responded to the report of a turkey on the side of the road in the 6000 block of Manning Avenue N. Sept. 29. When deputies approached the turkey, it got up, gobbled, and ran across to the other side of the road.

• A pole barn in the 10000 block of 66th Street N. was reported burglarized Sept. 29.

Deputies received two alligator sightings during the afternoon of Sept. 29, one from the 8000 block of Dellwood Road N., and the other from the 9000 block of Dellwood Road N. The alligator was not located and remained on the lam.

• A person of interest was arrested for first degree burglary of an occupied dwelling in the 11000 block of Grenelefe Avenue N. at 12:47 a.m. Oct. 3.

• The driver of a suspicious running vehicle parked halfway in the road on Goodview Avenue N. at 117th Street N. at 5:50 p.m. Oct. 10 was arrested on warrant and also for DWI, after appearing intoxicated and failing roadside field tests.

• A suspicious vehicle reported at 9:06 p.m. Oct. 10 along Julianne Avenue N. and 115th Street N. turned out to belong to northern lights gawkers.

Mahtomedi

• After observing an individual pulling vines off power lines Sept. 29 on Wildwood Road, deputies stopped and advised the person to stop immediately.

• FedEx security on Long Lake Road reported discovering drugs at the facility Sept. 30 and turned them over to deputies to be entered into evidence for destruction.

A property dispute reported Oct. 1 in the 1000 block of Warner Avenue N. resulted in deputies advising both parties to each hire their own surveyors and be prepared to go to court over the issue.

• Deputies conducting a traffic stop Oct. 1

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

on Stillwater Road at McGregor Avenue N. cited the motorist for undisclosed offenses. A motorist speeding along Mahtomedi Avenue at Neptune Street on Oct. 2 was mailed a citation for that violation, due to tech issues on deputies’ onboard printer. A third motorist was cited for speeding at 1:52 p.m. Oct. 4 in the 1300 block of Mahtomedi Avenue by deputies who had been on speed patrol for only five minutes. Deputies said no other violations were observed, but then at 3:29 p.m. that day, a fourth motorist was cited on Mahtomedi Avenue at Neptune Street.

A fifth driver was cited at 10:13 p.m. Oct. 5 on Stillwater Road for failing to stop at the stop sign. The Minnesota motorist said he didn’t see the stop sign.

• Park Avenue residents on Oct. 2 reported a male wearing a construction hat and vest, while carrying a red toolbox for wandering around their property. At 9:38 p.m., deputies responded to the 1000 block of Park Avenue regarding noisy construction equipment being worked on. The crew told deputies they were getting equipment set up to repave the Mahtomedi Beach parking lot the following day and would be done shortly.

A short time later, deputies received another disturbance complaint about the workers still being there and returned to the scene and found workers still on site. One of the workers said they were cleaning up and leaving.

• Back at Mahtomedi Beach, suspicious buoys and string reported floating out from the swim area Oct. 4, turned out to be workers pulling out the buoys in preparation for winter at the beach.

• Deputies conducted a welfare check at 6:03 p.m. Oct. 7 on a male living in a pickup truck parked at the former Lakeside Club site and offered assistance. A suspicious person reported at 11:20 a.m. Oct. 9 in Katherine Abbott Park on Lincolntown Avenue turned out to be a woman camping there.

Pine Springs

• A report of shots fired at 2:03 a.m. Sept. 29 on northbound I-694 to the westbound ramp to Highway 36 were confirmed, after the suspect vehicle was verified for leaving the area. Northbound lanes of I-694 around Highway 36 were shut down, and several agencies assisted in the investigation.

• A southbound motorist on I-694, just south of Highway 36 was cited for driving after revocation Sept. 30. That same day, a motorist was cited for expired registration on Hilton Trail N. and 62nd Street, following a traffic stop for the tardy tabs.

Loretta Harding

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights: Vadnais Heights

• A St. Paul man, 54, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 4 in the 1000 block of County Road D, after he violated the terms of an active Order For Protection by contacting the woman who took out the order against him.

• A St. Paul man, 54, reported his ex-wife in the 1000 block of County Road D at 4:18 p.m. Oct. 4 for refusing to return his tools. Deputies advised the complainant about the civil nature of his issue.

• Deputies responded to a theft report from the Speedway station in the 1000 block of County Road E Oct. 4 and collected evidence.

• A resident in the 400 block of Oak Creek Circle on Oct. 4 reported fraudulent activity on his bank account.

A Gem Lake man reported that someone broke into his rented storage unit in the 3200 block of Highway 61 on Oct. 4 and stole his property.

• A Stanchfield man on Oct. 9 reported several tools stolen from a construction site in the 300 block of Sunflower Court at which he was working.

• A license plate was reported stolen off a vehicle parked in the 3700 block of Centerville Road on Oct. 8.

• Deputies on Oct. 8 investigated known suspects for forging documents to register to an address in the 3600 block of Edgerton Street at which they no longer live.

• A Hugo man, 38, was arrested Oct. 9 in the 800 block of County Road D for violating an Order For Protection by contacting a woman who had taken out the OFP against him.

• A resident in the 800 block of County Road D on Oct. 10 reported fraudulent activity on her bank account.

• A suspicious person reported on a roof in the 800 block of Berwood Avenue at 12:46 p.m. Oct. 10 turned out to be a juvenile who appeared to be

hiding out on the neighbor’s roof until her father left for the day

• A Minneapolis man, 38, was reported for punching a woman in the head in the 1000 block of County Road D at 12:12 a.m. Oct. 11 and fleeing the scene before deputies arrived.

• A wedding ring was reported lost from the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive last March on Oct. 11

• A St. Paul man, 20, was arrested on an outstanding warrant at 2:37 a.m. Oct. 13 in the 70 block of County Road E.

• A Vadnais Heights man, 24, was arrested Oct 13 for assault in the 3500 block of Vadnais Center Drive, after he pushed the mother of his child during a custody exchange and a Keep Our Kops Safe (KOPS) alert was issued for him.

• Residents in the 3200 block of Maray Avenue at 10:27 p.m. Oct. 13 reported a group of teens knocking on windows.

White Bear Township

• A resident in the 4400 block of Otter Lake Road on Oct. 10 reported a vehicle for damaging his mailbox and driving away without stopping.

• A White Bear Lake man, 45, was reported Oct. 12 for sending threatening messages to a woman in the 4000 block of White Bear Parkway. Deputies documented the threats and collected thousands of rounds of ammunition, three guns and tactical vests that the complainant no longer wanted in her house.

• A resident in the 5300 block of West Bald Eagle Blvd. reported his political campaign sign stolen Oct. 13. A resident in the 5400 block of West Bald Eagle Blvd. reported her political campaign sign stolen. A resident in the 5800 block of Hobe Lane reported his political campaign sign stolen from his front yard on Oct. 19. Loretta Harding

The White Bear Lake Police Department reported on the following incidents:

• Theft was reported in the 4900 block of Wood Avenue Oct. 13.

• Officers responded to a disorderly conduct situation un the 1800 block of Cedar Avenue Oct. 14.

• Officers assisted deputies with a motorcycle vs. vehicle accident on Wildwood Road in Mahtomedi Oct. 14. Officers assisted Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies in detaining a domestic assault suspect near the intersection of Highway 96 and Highway 61 Oct. 14.

• Theft from a vehicle was reported in the 4800 block of White Bear Parkway Oct. 14.

• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road Oct. 15.

• Officers responding to a report of a missing person in the 1900 block of Sixth Street Oct. 15 located the person within minutes.

• A St. Paul man was arrested for obstruction with force and domestic assault Oct. 15 in the 2000 block of County Road E.

• A Dellwood woman was arrested for DWI in the 2000 block of Garden Lane Oct. 15 following complaints of an erratic driver.

• Officers resonded to a complaint of a barking dog in the 1900 block of Clarence Street Oct. 16.

• An order for protection violation was reported in the 2100 block of Orchard Lane Oct. 16.

• Officers mediated a disorderly conduct situation near the intersection of Lake Avenue S and White Bear Avenue Oct. 16.

• Officers respoded to a domestic incident in progress in the 2500 block of Manitou Island Oct. 16. Disorderly conduct was reported Oct. 16 in the 2600 block of Bellaire Avenue.

• Officers responded to dispute in the 2200 block of Eighth Street Oct. 17.

• A homeless encampment was reported Oct. 17 near Interstate 694 and White Bear Avenue.

• A Mahtomedi man was arrested for DWI in the 1500 block of Birch Lake Blvd. N Oct. 17.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 2200 block of Randy Avenue Oct. 18.

• A Gem Lake business reported check forgery resulting in a $900 loss Oct. 18.

• Criminal damage to property was reported in the 2600 block of County Road E Oct. 18.

• A St. Paul resident was arrested for DWI Oct. 19 near the intersection of Highway 61 and Willow Lake Blvd.

• Officers responded to a disorderly male in the 4600 block of Bald Eagle Avenue Oct. 19.

• Officers responded to a report of a disorderly man vandalizing a business in the 4000 block of Highway 61 Oct. 19. Officers located him after he fled the scene, and then arrested him for 2 outstanding felony warrants, felony 3rd degree burglary, and financial transaction fraud.

• Officers responded to a fight between members of a household in the 2400 block of Elm Drive Oct. 19. Narcotics were reported in the 4500 block of Centerville Road Oct. 19.

• A St. Paul man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop at County Road E and Jerry Street.

• Officers responded to a criminal damage to property incident in the 3700 block of Hoffman Road Oct. 21. A rock was thrown through the window of a business in the 4700 block of White Bear Parkway Oct. 21.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 1700 block of Fourth Street Oct. 21.

• Officers assisted an individual with a dispute involving a purchase that was made in the 4700 block of Otter Lake Road Oct. 21.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

WHAT’S HAPPENING

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8

Where: St. John in the Wilderness Church, 2175 1st Street.

Details: Sponsored by the Rotary Club of White Bear Lake; schedule appointment online. Contact: 800 RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org

DERBY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

When: 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9

Where: North Star Scouting Museum, 2640 E. Seventh Ave., North St. Paul

Details: Grown-up version of the Pinewood Derby race, with food and refreshments, silent auction, and prizes. Fundraiser for museum programs. 21+; register online. Contact: nssm.regfox.com/2024-derbynight-at-the-museum

VETERANS DAY PROGRAM

When: 10:45 a.m., Monday, Nov. 11

Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 4500 Lake Ave. S, White Bear Lake Details: Join us in honoring the men and women who served our country. Hosted by VFW Post 1782 and Auxiliary.  Contact: infovfwpost1782@gmail.com

VFW 1782 AND AUXILIARY VETERANS APPRECIATION EVENT

When: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 11

Where: VFW Post 1782, 4496 Lake Ave S, White Bear Lake Details: All veterans and one guest are invited to enjoy a free lunch from a special menu. Veteran resource material will also be available. Contact:  infovfwpost1782@gmail.com

10TH ANNUAL SOS LUNCH FOR VETERANS

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11

Where: American Legion Post 39, 2678 E. 7th Avenue, North St. Paul

VETERANS DAY ICE CREAM SOCIAL

When: 1:30-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8

Where: White Bear Area Senior Center, 2484 E. County Road F.

Details: Veterans and families invited to enjoy ice cream and socializing. Call to register. Contact: 651-653-3121

Details: An SOS lunch of chipped beef on toast, which was served in military mess halls, will be available free for veterans. Family members may order off regular menu. Conact: 651-777-3708

MAHTOMEDI VETERANS DAY CEREMONY

When: 5-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 Where: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Mahtomedi Details: Join the American Legion

Kramer-Berg Post 507 and other veterans and family members for a celebration honoring service men and women.  Contact: 651-426-6598

WBLAHS WRESTLING PASTA DINNER FUNDRAISER

When: 4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 Where: White Bear Lake Area High School Cafeteria Details: Enjoy a pasta meal catered

by Donatellis and support the high school wrestling program.

CAR SEAT CLINIC

When: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12

Where: Mahtomedi Fire Hall, 800 Stillwater Road

Details: Certified car seat technicians are on hand to properly install children’s car seats. Free; appointment required by e-mail. Contact: cpsdiana@hotmail.com

TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE ARMORY

When: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12

Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 4th Street.

Details: Local-themed trivia, drink specials, and prizes for top teams. Teams of up to 6. Free. Contact: whitebearhistory.org/events/ trivia-night-at-the-armory

CARD CRAFTING CLASS

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14

Where: White Bear Lake Community Health Club, 1430 Highway 96 E. Details: Make handcrafted crds. Registration required online. Contact: https://form.jotform. com/241824710545151

OF, BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE, RESTORING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

When: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14

Where: Maplewood Library board room, or Zoom

Details: Don Arnosti, longtime environmental consultant and leader, will report on a new coalition of over 16 communities and other groups from different parts of Minnesota called “People Not Polluters.” Event hosted by the League of Women Voters- White Bear Area. Register online.

Contact: lwv-wbla.org

UNSPLASH PHOTOGRAPHY

ART EXHIBIT: Those living with ALS showcase their ‘Creative Pursuits’

“He had taken classes at the White Bear Center for the Arts and got a lot of joy out of that creativity,” said Baltes’ widow, Dorothy Elion. “He tried to think of what would help ALS patients if they could be involved in some kind of program that would give them the resources to be creative.”

Before he could see his dream come to fruition, Baltes passed away from the disease in 2022. However, determined to follow his plan, the association successfully created the program and officially launched it last September. Through the program, those living with ALS nationwide typically take classes held on Zoom while also doing in-person tours of various art museums. These museums include local attractions such as the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Institute of Art, as well as the Chazen Museum of Art in Madison, Wisconsin, and the St. Louis Art Museum in St. Louis, Missouri.

CONTRIBUTED

The Creative Pursuit Program, taught through the ALS Association, was brought to fruition by White

resident Ken

who died from the disease in 2022.

One participating artist is Hampton resident Mark Mueller, who was diagnosed with ALS the previous year and began participating in the Creative Pursuits program shortly after. Mark began developing a fondness for writing poetry and memoirs through the classes. “He’s probably been an artist all his life in some way, shape or form,” said Mark’s wife, Anita. “He really didn’t get into the creative side until he was diagnosed with ALS.”

Two of Mark’s pieces are currently included in the exhibition: a short poem called “Casting and Beyond” and a drawing called “Closer To Home, No Holds Barred.” The latter, which depicts a piece of rope next to a mountain range, is based on a six-word story that Mark had written as part of a series. Mark primarily cited “meditation” as the inspiration for his pieces.

Another featured artist is Shoreview resident Lisa Lind, a former professional French hornist

and part-time pianist until her ALS diagnosis the previous year. In addition to being a musician, Lind also worked as a technical writer, though she still cites the former as her primary artistic passion. “I’m pretty much always listening to it,” said Lind. “Both of my kids are musicians, and they’ve turned me onto a lot of current music. It’s constantly going into my ears.”

Through classes in the Creative Pursuits program, Lind began developing her own musical compositions using a special app for iPads and smartphones. “It’s kind of like GarageBand,” said Lind. “You can select different options, put them together and then they’re recorded. I have about three or four compositions that are being featured.”

Lind also pursued writing more often through the classes, using a speech-recognition software called Dragon NaturallySpeaking. “I was so surprised at the stories that came out of my brain that I never knew anything about,” said Lind. “Much of my life was dedicated to journalistic or how-to technical writing; it was never like ‘I’m going to write a story.’ This is new to me and opened up a new part of my creativity.” In addition to her compositions, Lind has two short stories featured in the exhibition, “Wanda” and “Miles”.

Minneapolis resident Tom Albin, who was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, prefers not to classify his talents with any one kind of artistic medium. “I’m more of a consumer of art,” Albin joked. “I’ve done some paintings in color and gray and attended a few comedy classes. I’m just a guy!” Despite his sentiment, Albin concentrated heavily on painting and creating music during his classes at the Creative Pursuits Program. He collaborated with Lind on one such musical composition that is featured at the exhibition. “She’s a real musical person,” Albin said of Lind. “I’m more of a listener than a doer.”

One of Albin’s paintings, titled “A Good Day,” is also featured at the exhibition. It depicts him playing ice hockey, an activity Albin considers one of his favorite pastimes. “I’m all about creativity,” said Albin. “Every day, when I look at the world, I try to look at it creatively. Even when I’m lying down to nap, I’ll just picture stuff and try to paint some of it.”

To learn more about the Creative Pursuits program, visit the ALS Association website at www.als.org/support/programs/creative-pursuits-

program. Those interested in learning more about Baltes and his work can visit his

kenbaltes.com.

Then and now: Aspiring flower girl has her dream come true

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

After 80 years in the making, a Vadnais Heights resident has finally achieved her childhood dream.

Marianne Baumgarten fulfilled that dream when she became a flower girl for her newly-acquainted friend Elizabeth Judd’s wedding. The wedding, which took place at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, represented a fulfillment of Baumgarten’s dream and a sense of closure after losing the opportunity to be one during her youth.

Baumgarten, who grew up in Mount Forest Township, Michigan, said she was fond of dressing up for different celebrations as a child. When she was 8, a new opportunity presented itself: Baumgarten was to become a flower girl at her dad’s cousin Anne’s wedding. “I was so looking forward to that!” Baumgarten reminisced with enthusiasm. “As the date drew closer, I became more and more excited.”

Then, just before the wedding, tragedy struck: Baumgarten became sick with measles, forcing her to bow out. “As a little girl, I was brokenhearted,” said Baumgarten. “It was going to be the highlight of my childhood. Anne was like a sister to my dad, and she meant a lot to me.”

As Baumgarten grew up and

began focusing on pursuing a career in nursing, her flower girl desires dwindled completely. “Life goes on,” Baumgarten admitted. “I still thought about it often, but it wasn’t something I became torn up about.” Baumgarten moved to St. Paul to pursue a nursing degree at Charles T. Miller Hospital (which later merged with Saint Luke’s to form United Hospital in 1972), and graduated in 1959. After graduating, Baumgarten moved back to Michigan, working on the medical surgical floor in a city hospital before eventually moving back to Minnesota permanently. Baumgarten would go through different nursing jobs, including working at the Red Cross

and Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, eventually marrying her husband Bill. Still, Baumgarten admits that nowhere did the desire to reachieve her flower girl dreams come to her. “You don’t think about being a flower girl once you’re married and have kids of your own,” Baumgarten admitted. Come 2020, that would all change. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Baumgarten lived alone in Vadnais Heights and frequently used Instacart to deliver groceries to her house. Although Baumgarten had been a frequent shopper at Trader Joe’s, the latter was unavailable through Instacart, requiring her to use the NextDoor app to find

someone to make the trip for her. Soon, Baumgarten received a reply from Shoreview resident Elizabeth Judd to assist. As time went on, the two began to become friends.

“Eventually, we got to know each other more,” said Judd.

“After my daughter, Willa, was born, we decided it was time to meet in person, especially after the restrictions were lifted and we got vaccinated.”

As they spent more time together, Judd invited Baumgarten to attend her wedding to her then-fiancé Andrew, leading Baumgarten to relate to Judd about her missed flower girl opportunity.

“At that point, I said to her, ‘I think we have an obvious answer,” said Judd.

With both Baumgarten and

Willa chosen as the wedding’s main flower girls, the two practiced and rehearsed for the special day. “It was adorable and fun,” said Judd. “They got to train each other on how they were going to both go down the aisle. More than anything, I think a lot of the preparation was seeing the two of them have fun with each other. She (Baumgarten) became one of my best friends and a part of the family, too.”

To this day, Baumgarten and Judd remain as close as ever, visiting each other’s houses weekly and visiting different attractions, such as the Bell Museum in downtown St. Paul. Though retired from nursing, Baumgarten has frequently volunteered at Tamarack Nature Center for 25 years, a position she still holds today.

website at www.

ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Hampton resident Mark Mueller is among the 20 artists who are featured at the White Bear Center for the Arts’ “Creative Pursuits: An ALS Association Pop-Up” exhibition. He is pictured here with his drawing, “Closer To Home, No Holds Barred.”

ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Lisa Lind of Shoreview poses with her short story, “Miles”. Lind wrote her piece using the Dragon NaturallySpeaking program, which uses speech recognition to create and format stories.

Bear Lake

Baltes,

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Vadnais Heights resident Marianne Baumgarten recently achieved her childhood dream of becoming a flower girl for a wedding .

Baumgarten became a flower girl for her newly acquainted friend Elizabeth Judd’s (right) wedding the previous month. Pictured here are Judd’s husband Andrew (left) and daughter Willa (center).

Baumgarten poses with her friend Elizabeth Judd’s then-newborn daughter, Willa

Adopt-A-Drain Program celebrates 10 years with local accomplishments

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

This year marks a significant milestone for the Adopt-A-Drain program: its 10th anniversary.

The program was envisioned in 2014 as a collaboration between the Hamline University Center for Global Environmental Education and Metro Watershed Partners, a coalition of more than 70 public, private, and nonprofit organizations in Minneapolis and St. Paul dedicated to protecting water quality through education and outreach. “They saw a need for a program that took a step further in engaging people to take action instead of just giving them information,” said Sophie Wicklund, assistant program director for Adopt-ADrain.

Originally a pilot project for St. Paul, the program has since expanded to include 10 other states in addition to Minnesota: Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Florida, Louisiana, Utah, California and Washington.

“It’s very exciting to see how far we’ve come,” Wicklund added. “Our program is based on a lot of behavior change research. We look into how we can motivate people to take action and see themselves as stewards of the environment. We want to help people shift their identities so that they’re not just doing one action and forgetting about it, but they can stay engaged over time.”

Additionally, the Water Environment Federation

MAHTOMEDI SCHOOL BOARD NOTES

The Mahtomedi School Board conducted the second reading, with no action taken, on policies under review due to Minnesota School Board Association legislative updates. These policies are: Policy #208 – Development, Adoption and Implementation of Policies; Policy #506 – Student Discipline (annual review); Policy #524 – Technology and Cell Phone Acceptable Use and Safety Policy; Policy #507 – Corporal Punishment (annual review) and Policy # 721 – Uniform Grant Guidance Policy regarding Federal Revenue Sources. A policy up for annual review only, Policy #806Crisis Management, also received its second reading.

• The Mahtomedi Area Education Foundation (MAEF) fundraiser is now underway until Nov. 21 with fundraising goals of $51,000 and 100% participation from MAEF board members, said Mara Winke, who presented the MAEF update. The MAEF Fall Drive is a major district fundraiser, with goals to provide $98,000 for district initiatives; $51,000 for classroom grants that provide teachers with new tools, tech and techniques to enhance teaching; $49,000 for student scholarships to assist 30 students in pursuing post-

Now, almost five and monthsone-half old, Eloise is right on schedule for a migrationssuccessfulsouth. We will miss watching Eloise on the lake and wish her a safe and swift flight to her next stop along the way.

awarded the program the Public Community & Outreach Program Award at its annual Awards and Presidential Celebration Ceremony, which was held on October 7 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

According to the Minnesota Adopt-A-Drain website, volunteers have cleaned 777,321 pounds of garbage from 24,811 adopted drains across the state since the program’s inception, with a total of 14,301 adopters. White Bear Lake, which officially joined the program in 2019, has 290 adopted drains maintained by 181 residents and two businesses. Volunteers have removed 8,554 pounds of debris so far. The city ranks third for the total number of adopted drains among medium-sized cities with populations between 10,000 and 100,000, boasting a rate of 12 drains adopted per 1,000 residents.

Although Mahtomedi is not an official partner with Adopt-A-Drain, the Ramsey County Watershed District funds the program in the community.

“They provide us with the locations of the drains so that it’s easy for people to look them up and find which ones they want to adopt,” Wicklund said. Mahtomedi has 161 adopted drains that are maintained by 110 residents and one business. Volunteers have removed a total of 1,626 pounds of debris as of 2024.

One effective way to encourage participation in the Adopt-A-Drain program, according to Wicklund, is through neighborly promotion. “When people sign up for the program, we send out signs that they

secondary education; $21,500 to help students and families in need and $7,500 for student enrichment.

• The board toasted this year’s Teacher of the Year, Ryan Collins. Collins has been teaching in the district since 2001 and is well known for teaching Grade Six Ancient Civilization, as well as Minnesota Studies. He has also taught Grade Seven U. S. History. In addition to classroom work, Collins has coached, advised, chaperoned and attended conferences for the committees in which he takes part. He recently received an award for Outstanding Leadership. “I appreciate the recognition, and am proud to represent the teachers of Mahtomedi,” Collins said.

• In her report, Superintendent Barb Duffrin congratulated this year’s Student Cabinet, the student advisory committee for the superintendent. The cabinet recently its held first meeting, where students received an overview of adult leaders throughout the district, as well as their job descriptions.

• The district-wide Zephyr Service Project has kicked off and will run through Nov. 30 to provide gift assistance for students in need at Mahtomedi Public Schools. Early Childhood and Wildwood Elementary

can put in their yard,” she said. “It’s a great way for them to promote it to their neighbors and teach them about the importance of cleaning a storm drain.” Wicklund emphasized White Bear Lake’s involvement in the program as an example of regional collaboration. “Because White Bear Lake is part of the Twin Cities metro area, where we all got started, I think it’s important to have that kind of regional collaboration,” she said. “What makes our program unique is the partnerships that span large and small organizations covering many overlapping areas. We take a lot of pride in keeping our lakes clean.”

The Adopt-A-Drain Program officially turned 10 this year, and was recently recognized with the Public Community & Outreach Program Award by the Water Environment Federation.

students and staff will provide new children’s and young adult books.

O. H. A. Students will provide toys and puzzles, and the middle school will receive financial donations with which students will shop for clothes, pajamas, blankets and non-toy needs. The high school and Passages students and staff will provide gift cards for young adults, and districtwide staff will provide gift wrap and gift bags.

• For the second year in a row Mahtomedi High School earned the Gold Advanced Placement Award, Duffrin noted. This means that 68% of Class of 2024 students took an AP exam (Gold Award), 56% of those students scored three or higher on an AP exam (Platinum Award) and 10% of the Class of 2024 took five AP exams during high school with at least one taken during Ninth or 10th Grade (Gold Award).

• The next Zephyr Showcase, where each building displays an example of student creativity, skills, passion and academic success will be held Nov. 12, immediately prior to the start of the next school board meeting at the District Education Center.

• Mahtomedi Theatre will present A Midsummer Night’s Dream from Nov. 15-17.

During Homecoming Week, 150 girls took part in powder puff flag football this year, compared with 90 girls last year and 50 girls the previous year, said Student Representative Max Newcome. Athletes from the Class of 2025 visited the elementary schools, as well. The Fun Run met fundraising goals with $27,000 in contributions raised. Sign up for the senior all-night party by Jan. 1 and receive a discount. Wildwood Elementary will hold Card Sharks Nov. 4, which is not gambling, but a good use of strategic skills, Newcome said. The O. H. Anderson strategy games will take place from Oct. 30 to Nov. 6. The Middle School STEM Club has started. “I joined it, and it led to my pathway in high school,” Newcome said.

• The last two school board meetings of 2024 will be Nov. 12 and Dec. 16 , at 7 p.m. at the District Education Center, 1520 Mahtomedi Avenue, after the board unanimously approved the school board calendar for next two months. The board also unanimously approved the academic calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. The next first day of school will be Sept. 2.

Loretta Harding

Chronicles IX: Bon Voyage Eloise!

October 21November 4, 2024

With the extended gorgeous weather, we postponed taking our boat off the lake for the winter and enjoyed another two weeks of watching Eloise, sans jackets, hats, scarves, and mittens! Eloise continues to spend most of her time diving and fishing, with a juvenile and two other chicks. Finding Eloise remains a challenge, because she seems to be under water more than on the water. A few days ago, Eloise popped up right next to our boat and just stared at us. She has done this before, but this time was bittersweet, because she will be leaving the lake soon and we may never see her again. Eloise and her crew will not leave, until the lake starts to freeze. The timing of their migration is important because Loons do not molt their flight

feathers at the same time as they replace their body feathers. Loons lose their flight feathers, all at once, leaving them flightless for 4-6 weeks. This usually happens between January and April, after the Loons have migrated to their wintering grounds, where it is safe for them to be flightless, while their feathers grow back. When lakes stay open longer, Loons are at risk of not being able to start or complete their migration because of the timing of their molt. Hopefully, some ice will start forming on the shoreline before Thanksgiving; a critical cue that cannot be missed. While most of the other birds and waterfowl have moved on, the Coots, on the other hand, are everywhere. Easily spooked and dashing every which way, they

continue to keep the Eagles busy and away from the Loons. We will close out Loon Chronicles IX, later this month, with a retrospective photo montage and things to consider as Eloise makes her journey south and both sets of Loon parents return next Spring. Len and I hope to learn more about Loon wintering behaviors in late March, when we join Dr. Jim Paruk’s research team, as field volunteers, to study Spring migration on Lake Jocassee, SC. We wish to thank the White Bear Press, once again, for the privilege of sharing the story of WBL’s Loons with you. Ellen Maas

Loon

ELLEN MAAS | SUBMITTED

BON VOYAGE ELOISE!

CLERK’S CORNER – Greetings from the Township! Summer is finally coming to an end as we sweat our way through October! Never thought I would type that sentence!  Public Works is in the final stages of seasonal prep around the Township as November ushers in the start of the holiday season as well as winter.  Again, a big thanks to all our residents for putting up with a sizable & pervasive road construction season! Every one of these Township-sponsored projects worked out great, & we look forward to implementing the next phase of our 10year street management in 2025. Happy Thanksgiving from us all as well.

UPCOMING TREE SALE THIS SPRING

– White Bear Township will be offering a limited quantity of trees for sale at wholesale prices.

• Township residents ONLY

• Limit of five (5) trees per household

• For planting on private property in the Township; planting in the boulevard is not permitted •No refunds or warranty

Ordering can be made by mail or in person with cash, check, or credit card. Order forms can be found on our website or at Town Hall. Orders close March 1, 2025. All credit cards will have a 3.95% processing fee added. No online ordering.

Trees will be available for pick up at the Township Public Works garage for two (2) weeks after trees have been delivered. Pick up will be M-F 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. as well as for two (2) Saturdays once trees have been delivered from 10:00 a.m. – noon. Exact dates to be determined based on tree delivery by wholesaler; participants will be notified. If trees are not picked up within this time frame, residents forfeit their trees without refund.

Trees being offered are 5’ – 6’ tall & are branched out. They will consist of Princeton American Elm, Greenspire Linden, Sunburst Locust, Prairifire Crabapple, & Japanese Lilac. The price range is $32.51 –$43.75.

WATER EFFICIENCY REBATES ARE STILL AVAILABLE – Water Efficiency

Rebates are available to White Bear Township utility customers who replace existing products with specified water efficient products now through June 30, 2026, or until the remaining $48,637.01 is depleted.

The rebate is for 100% of the pretax cost of the item, up to the maximum rebate amount allowed on eligible water efficiency products. A minimum investment of $75 for homeowners or $200 for Commercial / HOA’s is required on the Irrigation Audits.

Residents can get up to a maximum of $150 for Energy Star washers; $200 for Energy Star Certified Dishwashers; $200 for WaterSense toilets; $75 for WaterSense Showerheads; & $200 for WaterSense irrigation controllers; & up to $500 for Irrigation Audit by a WaterSense certified professional.

Commercial / Homeowners Associations can also get rebates for irrigation improvements visit www.whitebeartownship. org/165/water-efficiency-rebate-program for more information about the Water Efficiency Rebate program.

BULKY ITEM PICKUP REMINDER –Republic Services customers receive free pickup of THREE (3) bulky items each calendar year. Use them before the end of December.

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA

SECRETARY

OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDED ASSUMED NAME

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

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

LoriNP Art

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

1320 Tiller Lane, Arden Hills, MN 55112

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

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

Lori Needels Purdy

1320 Tiller Lane, Arden Hills, MN 55112

4. This certificate is an amendment of Certificate of Assumed Name number 1493818500022 filed with the Secretary of State on 09/23/2024.

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

Dated: October 24, 2024

Signed: Lori Needels Purdy, Owner

Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 6 and 13, 2024.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: The Garage of New Brighton

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

2350 PALMER DR NEW BRIGHTON MN 55112

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

NB Garage Inc.

2350 PALMER DR NEW BRIGHTON MN 55112

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

Dated: October 29, 2024

Signed: Erin Carlson

Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 6 and 13, 2024.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

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

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

946 PIERCE BUTLER ROUTE STE 100

SAINT PAUL, MN 55104

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

946 PIERCE BUTLER ROUTE STE 100

SAINT PAUL, MN 55104

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

Dated: October 12, 2024

Signed: Terry Commerford Published two times in the White Bear Press on October 30 and November 6, 2024.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

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

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

Puck’d Hockey

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

1808 HYACINTH AVE E SAINT PAUL MN 55119

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

Frank W Manders

1808 HYACINTH AVE E SAINT PAUL MN 55119

Jeffrey Michael Manders

1808 HYACINTH AVE E SAINT PAUL MN 55119

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that

Published two times in the White Bear Press on October 30 and November 6, 2024.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 832

MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115

MINUTES SEPTEBER 28, 2024

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Education of Mahtomedi Public Schools was held September 23, 2024, beginning at 7:00 PM.- CALL TO ORDERMeeting was called to order by Chair Stacey Stout at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL OF ATTENDANCE- Present: Ryan Domin; Paul Donna; Jenny Peterson; Kelly Reagan; and Stacey Stout. Lucy Payne was not present. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA- Domin motioned, Peterson seconded; Approval of Agenda. Carried 5-0 ACTION ITEMS – A.) Approval of Donations/Grants from August 2024 Totaling $20,969.79. Regan motioned, Domin seconded; Approval of Donations/ Grants from August 2024 Totaling $20,969.79. Carried 5-0. B.) Approval of Refinancing- Tim Erickson, the Director of Finance, introduced Matthew Hammer from Ehlers Inc. to discuss a resolution for refinancing the 2014 Bonds. Hammer explained that after meetings with the Finance Committee, they identified a refinancing scenario that could save approximately $1 million, with a true interest cost of 3.51%. He outlined the timeline for the bond sale, aiming to present to the market on October 14, take bids on October 23, and seek ratification at the School Board meeting on October 28, 2024. Donna motioned, Domin seconded; Approval of Resolution stating the Intention of the School Board to Issue General Obligation School Building Refunding Bonds, Series 2024A, in the Aggregate Principal amount of Approximately $22,360,000: and taking other actions with Respect Thereto. Carried 5-0. C.) Approval of District Education Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Project Bid -Tim Erickson, Director of Finance, and Adam Gemuenden, Building and Grounds Supervisor, reviewed the District Education Indoor Air Quality Bids. Cool Air Mechanical, Inc. was awarded with the project after being verified through SitelogiQ. Domin motioned, Peterson seconded; Approval of District Education Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Project Bid. Carried 5-0. D.) Approval of Preliminary 2024 Pay 2025 Levy Certification -Tim Erickson, Director of Finance, asked the School Board to approve the Preliminary 2024 Pay 2025 Levy Certification. Erickson explained the timeline of having the proposed property tax levies to the home county auditor by September 30 and the deadline for school districts to certify the final adopted levies to the home county auditor and to submit the Certificate of Truth-in-Taxation Compliance to the Department of Revenue by December 28, 2024. Erickson then asked for approval for full statutory authority for the levy, and then Erickson will present the Truth in Taxation, at the December 16, 2024, School Board Meeting. Peterson motioned, Donna Seconded; Approval of the Preliminary Tax Levy at the Maximum allowable for taxes payable 2025. Carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT - Reagan motioned; Peterson seconded; adjourned. Carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. Submitted by Kelly Reagan, Clerk. A full version of the minutes are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us.

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 6, 2024.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 832

MAHTOMEDI, MN 55115

MINUTES OCTOBER 14, 2024

A Study Session of the Board of Education of Mahtomedi Public Schools was held October 14, 2024, beginning at 5:30 PM.- CALL TO ORDER- Meeting was called to order by Chair Stacey Stout at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL OF ATTENDANCE- Present: Ryan Domin, Paul Donna, Jenny Peterson, and Stacey Stout. Lucy Payne and Kelly Reagan were not present. Also present: Barb Duffrin, Superintendent; Alice Seuffert, Director of Communications; Jennifer Reichel, Director of Teaching and Learning; Justin Hahn, Principal, Mahtomedi High School; Jackie Collins, Principal, Mahtomedi Middle School; Susie Prather, Principal, O.H. Anderson Elementary; Scott Briske, Principal, Wildwood Elementary; Leslie Lovas, Executive Assistant to Superintendent & School Board. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA- Peterson motioned; Donna seconded; Approval of Agenda. Carried 4-0. Kelly Reagan entered the meeting at 5:34 p.m. DISCUSSION/INFORMATION ITEMS – A.) Continuous Improvement - Principal Presentation Dr. Jennifer Reichel, Director of Teaching and Learning, discussed with the School Board that Continuous Improvement report, building from her presentation at the September 23, 2024, Regular School Board Meeting. Reichel reviewed the Satellite, Map, and Street-Level Terminology along with the MCA scores and how each school principal will outline specific actions aimed at improving these scores. Lucy Payne entered the meeting at 6:56 p.m. B.) Engagement -Superintendent Barb Duffrin explained to the School Board that dates were picked out for Coffee and Conversations along with School Board walks. Duffrin asked the School Board to advise Leslie Lovas of the dates they will be able to attend. C.) First Reading of Policies- Superintendent Barb Duffrin presented the first reading of policies to the School Board, some due to MSBA Legislative Changes and one on annual review. These policies have already been reviewed with the Policy Committee and are now here for questions or concerns. Duffrin explained that Policy 208- Policy 208 – Development, Adoption, and Implementation of Policies have added language to pass policies with legal changes in one reading. Duffrin explained that Policy 506 – Student Discipline language under VIII. Removal of a student from class had language about advising parents when a student was removed more than 10 times; the parents would then the parent would get a call. The updated language removed that language and added that the district would notify the parent or guardian if significant or repeated behavior resulted in the student’s removal from class. School Board Member Paul Donna still feels it needs more clarification and will come up with an idea. Policy 524- Technology and Cell Phone Acceptable Use and Safety Policy, Duffrin advised it added language that buildings must have a Cellphone Policy and how each building is tasked. The School Board had questions on how the School Board Directs the Superintendent and school districts administrators to establish the rules. Several questions are still pending with this first reading.

Policy 507 – Corporal Punishment was centered around the new SRO language and an update from MSBA. Policy 721 - Uniform Grant Guidance Policy Regarding Federal Revenue Sources is a Policy that will need to be reviewed

yearly per Tim Erickson, Director of Finance. Policy 806 – Crisis Management had updated language on active shooter drills. Duffrin had reviewed this with our SRO, and no drills with done students or staff are present. The active shooter drill language is something that should be considered to be added with additional language on how Mahtomedi does not conduct these. Duffrin will work on a statement for Policy 806 that will be added to the second reading. Duffrin asked the school board to review the policies and come back with questions at the second reading. ADJOURNMENT - Reagan motioned; Peterson seconded; adjournment. Carried 6-0. Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Submitted by Kelly Reagan, Clerk. A full version of the minutes are available at www.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us. Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 6, 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 11/20/2024 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Wanda Thomson; Deborah Busse; Mindy Simonette; Michael Bambery; David Ault; Anja Gridley; Alberta Wrancher; Victor Gomez; David Anderson. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. Published two times in the White Bear Press on October 30 and November 6, 2024.

WEST OAKS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

NOTICE OF INTENT

RUNNING OF AN AERATION SYSTEM ON BALD EAGLE LAKE

The West Oaks Homeowners Association hereby gives notice of its intention to install and operate an aeration system in public waters located a their dock site situated on the northwest side of Bald Eagle Lake starting on or about December 21, 2024 until ice out.

Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 6 and November 13, 2024.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON REQUEST FOR A MINOR SUBDIVISION IN THE TOWN OF WHITE BEAR, RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Town Board of the Town of White Bear, Ramsey County, Minnesota, will meet at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, in said Town on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., to consider the issuance of a Minor Subdivision in an area located at 2655 Stillwater Street, Parcel ID 123022410107 legally described as: Lots 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, Block 25, WHITE BEAR BEACH, Ramsey County, Minnesota. and to hear and pass upon objections and recommendations, if any, and to conduct any and all business incident thereto.

Given under my hand this 25th day of October, 2024.

PATRICK CHRISTOPHERSON, Clerk-Treasurer

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 6, 2024. STATE OF MINNESOTA, RAMSEY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICAL DISTRICT COURT FILE NUMBER: 62-PR-24-742

CASE TYPE: INFORMAL PROBATE

NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS In re the Estate of Jonnie Lynne Hauswirth, Decedent TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:

Notice is hereby given that an Amended Application filed on October 15, 2024 for informal probate of the above-named Decedent’s Last Will dated February 3, 2022 (“Will”) has been filed with the Probate Registrar, and the Amended Application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Probate Registrar has informally appointed the following: Jeffrey M. Hauswirth, 975 Mallard Ponds Drive, White Bear Township, MN 55110, as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative, or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-607, and the court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate, including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate. Any objections to the probate of the Will, or to the appointment of the personal representative, must be filed with this court, and will be heard by the court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Notice is also given that, subject to Minn. Stat.§ 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four (4) months after the date of this Notice, or the claims will be barred.

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Merle J. Richter

a beloved husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2024, at the age of 72. Service information and memorials can be sent to Wulff Funeral Home. Wulfffuneralhome.com

Mike Widmer

Age 72 of White Bear Lake passed into Glory on October 25, 2024 surrounded by family. As a longtime member of Redeeming Love Church the IBEW Local 292 Union, Mike was a faithful servant serving with a smile and joy in his heart. Mike leaves behind his wife of 50+ years, Bette Widmer; his “girls”, Mikki (Dalon) Schmidt; Terasa (Paul) Mayercak; and Vanessa Widmer (Jesse); Grandchildren Elizabeth, Paul, Zachary, Sam Mayercak, and Asher Schmidt; sisters, Ann (Rod) Wangerin and Donna Gummerson; Sisters-in-law Kathy (Larry) Myers, Gloria (Al) Newton, Barb (Melissa) Peterson; Brothers-in-law Dave (Pam) Mills, and Dan (Leigh) Mills; many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Service were held Nov 1st at RLC, 2425 White Bear Ave., Maplewood.

James W. Sampair

Age 93 of Mahtomedi, “SAM DIED” peacefully at home with family at his side October 26, 2024. He is preceded in death by son Scott. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Susan. Children Pete (Marta), Steve (Laura) , Tony (Laurie), Sandy, Nick (Irina) and Jim (Bridget). 18 grandchildren; 19+ great-grandchildren; brother Tom; and many other beloved relatives. Jim donated his body to the U of M Anatomy Bequest Program thus there will be a memorial mass November 6, 11:00 am at St. Jude’s Catholic Church. Donations preferred to St. Jude’s Catholic School, 700 Mahtomedi Ave, 55115.

John C. Walker, Jr.

Born April 26, 1933, passed away on October 11, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Walker; father, John C. Walker, Sr.; and his son, Christopher Walker. John is survived by his loving wife, Jean C. Walker (Johnson), and his loving children: Dede (daughter) and Del Koenekamp, Tom (son) and Dawn Walker, Elizabeth (daughter) and Randy Lehs, Patricia Gatewood (daughter), Brad (son) and Joan Walker, and Susan Walker (Chris). He also leaves behind his sister, Margaret (Micki), and her husband, Ron Hoduski, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

a fulfilling, and sometimes chaotic life, adopting six children, which brought adventure into their lives while raising them in White Bear Lake.

In addition to being a dedicated father, John served in the military; was a scout master and served on the Boy Scouts of America head council for many years. He was actively involved in singing in barbershop quartet, his passion that brought happiness and fulfillment. He worked at West Publishing for most of his career and eventually began traveling the world with Jean. He enjoyed tinkering with his models and train set and enjoyed engaging the grandchildren in his hobbies.

John will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A visitation will be held on November 15, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Cremation Society of MN, 1979 Old Hudson Rd, St. Paul, Mn 55119. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lutheran Social Services https://www.lssmn.org/get-involved/donate.

1948 – 2024

Passed away peacefully Oct. 26th with family at her side. Upon retirement from government service in Wash. DC, her home was in Vadnais Heights. She is predeceased by her parents, John and Alice Cincotta. She is survived by her brother Chris, 6 siblings, and her stepmother, Carol Cincotta. She was an aunt to 14 and gr-aunt to 15.

Cremation with services Nov. 7, 11 a.m. Mass followed by internment in St. John’s Cemetery, Little Canada

Born in Elk River, John spent his early years helping at the grocery store owned by his parents. He later attended Hamline University, where he met his future bride, Jean. Together, they embarked on

White Bear Lake Area Church Directory

Linda Marie Cincotta

CLASSIFIEDS

WHITE BEAR LAKE SCHOOL BOARD NOTES

• High school Principal Russ Reetz gave an update about how staff and students were adjusting to the new year. According to Reetz, instructional focus has revolved around student engagement, classroom environment and school culture. Professional training highlighted these areas as well during development days on Oct. 26 and Nov. 5.

• Reetz presented student behavior statistics, which included over 70 cell phone referrals, a consequence in line with the new statewide restriction on cell phone use in the classroom. When Board Chair Jessica Ellison asked if the student representatives had any thoughts about the cell phone policy, junior Thomas Reese responded, “(Cell phone use) definitely isn’t a problem like it was last year. … You see people on their phones a little bit, but it’s not like—” Reese then pretended to scroll his phone with total disengagement. “I think it’s gone over pretty well.” Senior Lydia Kleinhans said, “My

ATHLETE

teacher’s more lenient to juniors and seniors. He said, ‘I could enforce it, but you guys are 17-18.’ I think it’s good for the underclassmen.” A PSEO student, Kleinhans added, “I’m not in the classroom enough to really know.”

• Lakeaires Elementary Principal Cary Krusemark updated the school board on changing demographics and policies in the school. Serving Pre-K through fifth grade, Lakeaires houses 395 students, 46% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch. Students of color now make up 10% more of the body since the 2021-2022 school year.

The number of multilingual students, meanwhile, has doubled in the same time period.

• The White Bear Lake Area School Board next meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12. Attend at 4855 Bloom Ave. or livestream the meeting from isd624. org/about/school-board/meetingmaterials.

Logan Gion

OF THE WEEK Silvie Graetzer

White Bear Lake Volleyball

Silvie Graetzer is a key component on the Mahtomedi volleyball team that’s playing in the state tournament for the third time in her three years as a starter. The 6-foot-2 senior co-captain and middle blocker leads the Zephyrs (254) with 345 kills, .388 kill efficiency, and 85 stuff blocks (23 solo). She’s also an efficient server (92 percent) and digger. This season, with the Zephyrs dealing with multiple injuries that required offensive system adjustments, Graetzer has been “a consistent force that the team can rely on,” said Dana Pederson, assistant coach. Graetzer has signed with Colorado State University.

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in building materials such as paints, lacquers and adhesives. Short-term exposure to these chemicals can cause health issues like headaches, dizziness and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure can lead to liver and kidney damage and sometimes even cancer. Prussing stated that the company’s use of the chemicals would be well below the 326 tons/year limit allowed in the air. The company also commits to using nonemitting technologies such as ultraviolet coating.

Prussing stated that the company’s die-casting machines are equipped with air filtration systems, which, he noted, have a 99.95% efficiency rate. According to Prussing, all of the exhaust from the machines will be pushed through an additional filtration process before it is released. The Environmental, Health, and Safety Department will also conduct daily routine inspections of the company building. “White Bear Lake is my backyard, and this is also our community,” added Prussing.

Numerous residents attended the meeting, many of whom have been part of the White Bear Area Neighborhood Concerned Citizens Group. Formed in early 2019 and encompassing residents of White Bear Lake, White Bear Township and Gem Lake, the group is a grassroots organization created to “understand complex environmental, human health, regulatory and legislative/ local government issues that impact our community,” according to its website.

Prussing answered questions during the meeting, some of which were submitted in writing. One submitted question read, “For training employees who don’t speak English as their first language, how do you ensure their understanding of your hazardous waste protocols?”

“We utilize several translators in the facility,” Prussing responded. “Some are in leadership positions and are active on the shop floor. When we do all the initial training, we do a lot of translation with our other bilingual employees.” Prussing also noted that several instructions in the

facility are color-coded for employees to better understand them.

“Does OSHA regulate your lead exposure, and are they doing inspections?” asked one resident.

“There is a health division of OSHA that will come in to put monitoring systems on our employees,” said Prussing. “These systems will monitor the area that they are exposed to. When dealing with certain things, they have to suit up in respirators. This monitoring helps ensure no problems are associated with any of these tasks.”

Prussing also addressed concerns that the company would seek to expand beyond its current location in White Bear Township. “We have no plans at this point to expand,” said Prussing. “We’re focused on operating by permit and refining our lead procedures. Our focus has been more on the EHS side, while on the business side, we’re making the parts that customers have been ordering for a while.”

Prussing also stated that the company would reduce harmful chemicals in its batteries as efficiently as possible. “As an industrial engineer, I care about the efficiency and productivity of things,” said Prussing. “We will be focused on developing procedures and processes that can help us reduce or use our VOCs. Our other focus is making our machines more efficient.”

Weekly Outlook

Frank Watson

ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Otter Lake Technologies, run by Nathan Prussing (left), held its first-ever community engagement meeting, detailing their company goals and taking questions from the audience. Prussing is pictured here with his wife Dena (right).

STATE CHAMPIONS: Mahtomedi girls add another soccer title in shutout tourney

finals upset against TotinoGrace 1-0 last year — was long enough.

“It’s tough to motivate a team that’s won four state championships in a row,” quipped Mahtomedi coach Dave Wald. “It’s a lot easier to coach a team that’s bitter. And we were bitter this year.”

Emily Muetzel, who quarterbacks the vaunted Mahtomedi defensive corps, seconded that.

“Losing in section finals last year was, like, huge,” said Muetzel. “We have 11 seniors on this team, and all of us wanted it so bad. We knew the pain of losing last year. We didn’t want that to happen again.”

Wald added that a section loss like last year makes you “realize that you’re mortal as an athlete and to take each moment and make the most of it. And these guys did.”

The sweetness returned after a championship match that was a duel of two immovable objects. Each team finished with 17 shutouts. Mahtomedi (19-2-1) gave up just seven goals all year and Holy Angels (20-2) just eight goals.

“Our defense is special. We played our style,” Wald

acknowledged. “We knew that they have great players, but we’re going to run multiple players at you. We’re gonna hustle. We’re gonna be physical.”

Emery got the Zephyrs on the board when she took a perfect pass from Olivia Thiele about 25 yards from the net in the middle, and, in stride, scorched it over the goalie’s reach. It was her third goal of the season, in the 25th minute. “She (Thiele) took a touch and looked up and we made eye contact,” said Emery. “I knew I had to run across the field and just get to the ball. Holy Angels did a good job of defending so it was a foot race.”

Mahtomedi nursed the 1-0 lead comfortably as the game wore on and Ulschmid put the game virtually out of reach late with an unassisted goal in the 65th minute. Ulschmid broke through the defense, found herself one-on-one with goalie Téa Opitz from the left side, and punched her ninth goal of the year. “I felt no defender on me so I took a touch to turn and face the goalie,” Ulschmid said. “I could see her coming out, so, I like, blasted it, and it went through her legs and into the net.”

The Zephyrs permitted just one strong shot on goal by Holy Angels, a blast by Ellen

Neuharth, a Gophers recruit with 24 goals this year — on which 6-foot-3 goalie Harlow Berger stretched out her long arms to snag the ball right under the bar. “Ellen put it right up there under the crossbar,” Stars coach David Marshak said. “And, six foot three, she (Harlow) plucked it like it was nothing. That was kind of an eye-opening moment.”

Berger was not the only tall athlete to frustrate the Stars. “They have a big, physical back line that just cleaned up everything we threw at them,” Marshak said, adding that they are “well coached, well organized, very technical.” He mused that the game was like “trying to stay in a prize fight where the other fighter had an extra five inches of reach.”

That Zephyr defensive corps includes Muetzel, Sophia Peer, Alli McCleery, Presley Albers and Faith Peper, a Miss Soccer finalist. Just seven goals allowed (with Harlow and Jacque Warden alternating in goal) is an amazing stat, Wald said. “Against the opponents we play, most of them triple A, bigger schools.” They lost to Class 3A’s top-ranked White Bear Lake and No. 4 East Ridge and tied No. 3

Woodbury.

Mahtomedi had shutouts in all six playoff games including 2-0 over Totino-Grace in the section finals, then 3-0 over St. Francis and 7-0 over Mankato East at state. Against Mankato East, the Zephyrs led 2-0 at halftime as Muetzel drilled a shot from 20 yards and Sophia Peer touched the ball into the net off a corner kick. Thiele turned it into a rout with three straight goals early in the second half, including a highlight-reel header off a pass from Kayla Poirier. Allie Rippentrop notched a goal and assist, and Peer netted her second goal.

Four Zephyrs were among 16 named all-tournament: Emery, Ulschmid, Thiele and Peper. Wald credited assistant coach

Brad Gudenkauf for operating a “very focused” strength program that’s crucial to the team’s success. “Everybody loves it,” Wald said. The Zephyrs consistently win balls in the air and 50-50 balls because “that mentality is just instilled upon everybody to not be afraid of contact.” Wald added that since Gudenkauf has been with the program injuries are down 80 to 90 percent.

The 2024 state title is added to those earned in 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018,  2019, 2021. In Wald’s 19 seasons as head coach, the Zephyrs have seven titles, two runner-up finishes, and a 30856-24 record. He was assistant on two of Mike Redmond’s state champs before that.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

The Zephyrs hoisted the state championship trophy.

SPORTS

Two Bears all-state in cross country

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

A pair of White Bear Lake runners earned allstate status in the Class 3A state competition in Falcon Heights.

Bear senior Vaughn Larson placed 13th in 15:55.6 while junior Max Popp was 23rd in 16:12.4 at the University of Minnesota Golf Course. The top 25 state qualifiers make all-state.

It was Larson’s fourth state meet. He placed 27th last year, just missing all-state. Larson reflected that 13th at state was “a good placement” but not entirely satisfactory. “I was hoping to medal in the top ten.

I think I had a little more left in the tank at the end of the state race than I did at other races this year.”

Larson ran in the 12-13-14 spot the whole race. He said his extensive state experience was helpful. “Not only knowing what the calibre of competition will be, but how they are going to act in the race.”

Popp made a huge improvement from 72nd last season. “Being a year older and stronger certainly helped me be faster than I was last year,” said Popp, who lowered both his conference and state times by 23 seconds from 2023. “Every year I seem to figure out how I can push myself a

little bit harder.”

He was able to run in the top 30 after the first mile while still saving enough for the rest of the race. “From then on it was about maintaining contact with the pack of runners in the low 20s, and then closing fast in the last kilometer to catch as many people as I could.”

Edina edged Wayzata 106 to 112 for the state team title, while Robert Mechura, Roseville senior, repeated as individual champion in 15:03.7.

The Bears had four state qualifiers after placing a close third in the Section 4AAA meet behind Stillwater and Two Rivers, who placed

sixth and seventh at state. Bear seniors Isaac Kolstad and Andrew Greene ran together and placed 71st and 72nd, in 16:42.3 and 16:42.6, respectively, among 161 runners.

While the Bears were disappointed not to advance as a team, coach Dan Kovacich called it a good year. “We had a really tough section,” he elaborated. “At conference, we beat Roseville by 30 points and they placed eighth in the state.” Just for fun, Kovacich and assistant Patricia Percival calculated what the state team scoring would have been with four runners. “We would have finished seventh of 16 teams,” he noted.

Zephyrs storm back to state volleyball tournament

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Mahtomedi will play in the state volleyball tournament for the third consecutive season after crushing Hill-Murray 25-18, 25-17, 25-16 in the Section 4AAA championship match.

“I’m excited for the state tournament, and ready to work hard and try and get our first win there,” said  Silvie Graetzer, who’ll make her third state trip. The Zephyrs have gone 0-2 at state the last two years.

Kaili Malvey rattled off 14 kills, Graetzer 13 and Louisa Tarnowski 11 against HillMurray. Katie Hergenrader made 44 assists. Hergenrader aced three serves and Tarnowski two. Graetzer made six blocks. Nora Bonifas-Johnson served 16-for-17 with an ace and made five kills.

The Zephyrs, ranked No. 9 in

Class 3A, are 25-4 after beating three section opponents with losing records. Seeded No. 4 in the state tournament by the coaches, Mahtomedi will open against No. 5 Alexandria on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Graetzer and Kaili Malvey were starters as sophomores on Mahtomedi’s first-ever state tourney team that went 25-7. The rest of the lineup graduated. With mostly new players year, the Zephyrs started 3-8 but finished 17-15. This year, it’s a veteran, senior-led team.

“I had a lot of confidence this year with most of our starters back,” Graetzer said. “We kind of picked up right where we left off. We had adversity in the middle of the season with some injuries but we were able to persevere and I’m really proud of that.”

Malvey will be making her sixth state trip, counting three in trackand-field as a long- and triple-

White Bear girls place 13th in state XC

The White Bear Lake girls placed 13th of 16 teams in the state Class 3A cross country meet, after winning their first section title since 2017. Logan Bailey, Bear freshman, placed 29th of 160 runners in 19:03.9 at the University of Minnesota Golf Course. The top 25 are all-state.  The Bears top five also included seventh grader Isla Bloomquist placing 91st in 20:08, senior Amelia Nachtsheim 115th in 20:32, sophomore Clara Kolstad 121st in 20:36 and sophomore Erika Milhofer 134th in 20:50. Wayzata was team champion while Forest Lake’s Norah Hushagen repeated as individual champion in 17:32.

Bruce Strand

jumper and hurdler. Malvey was spraying kills in all directions against H-M. ”That’s something that I’ve been working on. I used to only be able to hit one shot.” By moving the ball around she can avoid getting blocked, she said.

Coach Tia Schlundt, who played in national tournaments for perennial powerhouse ConcordiaSt. Paul, said the dynamic among the girls is what she likes most about this group. “It’s rare to find a team where they are friends on and off the court. That’s the difference,” she said. “Yes, we have a lot of physical talent, but if you don’t have that team cohesion, you’re not going to get very far.”

She likes the team’s depth, too. Mahtomedi lost outside hitter Sahar Ramaley with a torn ACL early in the season and Hergenrader missed six weeks with a shoulder injury. “We moved players around and brought up some younger kids from the JV,” Schlundt said.

The Zephyrs’ top servers are Tarnowski and Claire Crothers, each with around 50 aces, and Malvey with about 40. Crothers leads in digs with over 300. Hergenrader averages 5.5 assist per game as does backup Ashley Moeller. Graetzer has almost 350 kills with kill efficiency of .388,which is very high, and over 80 blocks. Malvey has about 270 kills and Tarnowski about 200.

ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS

CROSS COUNTRY

Three Mahtomedi runners competed in the state cross country meet. Matthew Johnson, Zephyr senior, placed 83rd in the Class 2A boys race in 17:04 at the University of Minnesota Golf Course, while junior Matthew Studenski was 140th in 17:57. In the girls race, freshman Vanessa Rogosheske placed 128th in 21:47. There were 160 runners in each race. The Zephyr trio qualified at the Section 4AA meet a week earlier.

GIRLS HOCKEY

The Roseville/ Mahtomedi girls hockey team will open with road games against Duluth on Saturday and Mounds View/ Irondale on Tuesday. The Marauders, coached by Craig Rosenthal, were 17-9 last season. Returning starters include goalie Lily Peterfeso. Three of the top four scorers graduated. Top scorers back are Addison Andre (16 goals, 21 assists), Olivia Martin (3-20) and Sophie Martin (8-12).

VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul

Quarterfinals Wednesday 1-Delano vs. 8-Hermantown, 5 p.m. 4-Mahtomedi vs. 5-Alexandria, 5 p.m. 2-Marshall vs. 7-Monticello, 7 p.m. 3-Stewartville vs. 6-Cretin-Derham Hall, 5 p.m.

Semifinals Friday, 9 and 11 a.m.

Third place Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Championship Saturday, 3 p.m.

Consolation semifinals Friday, 9 and 11 a.m.

Consolation finals Saturday, 8:30 a.m.

RON ENGH | CONTRIBUTED

Vaughn Larson (left) placed 13th and Max Popp (right) 23rd at the state cross country meet.

BETH DONAHUE | PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED Mahtomedi players and coaches assembled after beating Hill-Murray for the section crown.

BY ROY HEILMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Opening day for Minnesota’s firearms deer season is getting close: Saturday Nov. 9. Tens of thousands of hunters now count the hours until they could encounter the buck of a lifetime. With a bit of luck, some will.

For those who want to know exactly how their trophy measures, a dedicated group of people are on standby to help. Organized in the mid1990s, Minnesota Official Measurers have scored many thousands of deer, elk, and moose antlers. They make themselves available year-round, at shows like the Minnesota Deer and Turkey Classic, at taxidermy shops, and by appointment in other locations. M.O.M. members are all

volunteers. There is no charge, other than if an animal scores high enough to be included in a record book and the hunter wishes to have his or her trophy entered.

Washington County resident Jeff Olson is one of a few dozen active members of the Minnesota Official Measurers. As he scored a whitetail rack last week, Olson explained that he became a measurer almost by accident. Someone talked a friend of his into taking the M.O.M. class, and he said, “I’ll do it too, I guess.”

That was 2008. Olson became a M.O.M. measurer in 2009. His dedication has only grown in the years since. In addition to being M.O.M. certified for fifteen years, he has been certified by Pope & Young since 2012, and by Boone and Crockett since 2014.

“To be Pope and Young, I had to go to Chatfield [Minnesota] for three days.

To be Boone, I had to go to Missoula for five days. Now they teach the Pope and Boone classes together, but it’s still five days. So it’s a commitment,” he said. “Minnesota is a one-day class. You take the measuring class, and you become an apprentice. And then we ask that you do one deer classic and three small shows in three years.”

As a coordinator of the training classes, Olson has further insight into M.O.M. membership. He said there are typically four to six students in a class. That would tend to add up over the years. However, he said many took the class only to be able to measure their own sets of antlers, and didn’t participate further. M.O.M. made some changes to help weed out those who aren’t interested in measuring for the public.

For his part, Olson measures around 20 to 30 deer racks a year. Typically, a handful of those occur at his home. Most of the rest are at shows, he said, where he interacts with the public and instructs M.O.M. apprentices.

Mentors like Olson pass on a great deal of insight. While following

antlers differently.

“There’s a lot more to this than you think,” he said. Olson explained that measuring moose antlers presents routine difficulties. Likewise, he said whitetailed deer antlers are more difficult to measure than mule deer or elk. “The whitetail is the hardest one to measure, because there’s no two that are alike. Mule deer and elk are structured, so they’re always the same. A whitetail—they throw the book out.”

In addition to providing measuring services free of charge, M.O.M. is the keeper of Minnesota hunting records, and publishes the official record book.

the rules and general mechanics of measuring, experience sometimes proves invaluable. After partly measuring the rack last week, for example, Olson determined he needed to classify (and thus, score) those

Entering a deer into the Minnesota record book (if it qualifies) costs only $20. Olson said the record book can be purchased through the group’s website mnmom.com or directly through M.O.M. measurers.

Elementary by her grandma, Jody Lessard, on the back of her horse, Raven. — Contributed

1. Resident Greg Christenson went all-out with his haunted house attraction, located on the corner of 10th Street and Lake Avenue. In its 12th year, Christenson reports another successful run full of ghosts, spooks and plenty of free candy for attendees to enjoy. — Erik Suchy, Press Publications

2. Young trick-or-treaters receive some delicious candy from senior residents of the Waters of White Bear Lake from the latter’s trick-or-treat trail. — Erik Suchy, Press Publications

3. Leticia Landaverde (left), her daughter Francisca Rangel (right), and grandson Luis Castillo (center)

Minnesota Official Measurers like Jeff Olson stand by, armed with clipboard and various measuring tools, to score the biggest of this season’s deer harvest.