White Bear Press by Press Publications

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE

— Whether the city should continue to offer a dog beach in 2025 will be determined early next year.

The Lake Avenue dog park was approved in 2007. It's located between Sixth and Seventh Streets and is accessed by stairs from the Mark Sather Trail. Dating back to 2016, there have been several discussions and debates as to whether the dog beach should close.

At the request of City Manager Lindy Crawford, the Park Advisory Commission was tasked with making several visits to the dog beach

Lake Avenue dog beach future up in air, again

and gathering data about what sort of impacts the recent improvements have had, if any.

“We were asked to provide an update along with any proposed changes for 2025,” said Parks Advisory Chair Bill Ganzlin.

In February 2023, the council approved improvements for the dog beach, including better signage stating that dogs must be leashed; a permanent fence between the dog beach and swim dock; a buoy system to separate the two beaches; and gates at the top of stairs accessing the beach from Lake Avenue.

Over the last two years, Ganzlin explained, park

commission members have made approximately 100 visits to the dog beach.

“Our observations were mainly positive this summer,” he said. In general, he noted dog owners, and their dogs, were wellbehaved, and that dog owners kept dogs “in good control” while using the park. Overall, he said the buoy seemed to work, as only one incident was witnessed where a dog tried to cross the buoy and enter the swimming area.

“There were only a few instances where a dog mess wasn’t cleaned up,” Ganzlin recalled.

From June 1 to Sept. 12, 10 police calls were made regarding the dog beach

— one lost dog report, one barking complaint and eight off-leash reports.

“The actual policy of having dogs onleash at the dog beach doesn’t follow the city’s ordinance,”

Bill Ganzlin Parks Advisory Chair

Ganzlin said Police Chief Dale Hager also indicated that city ordinance allows dogs to be off-leash in designated areas. “The actual policy of having dogs on-

leash at the dog beach doesn’t follow the city’s ordinance,” he explained, adding that it made it difficult for police to enforce the on-leash rule. Some complaints from nearby residents on Lake Avenue were also received, mainly related to dogs being off-leash or barking. Ganzlin said there were also some concerns relating to dog beach users parking along the neighborhood streets and letting their dogs out of the car before leashing them up.

Over the summer, city staff tested the water 11 times, and all of the tests showed “very little” presence of E. coli.

“There were no advisories or

SEE DOG BEACH, PAGE 24

• Town Attorney Chad Lemmons presented a revised joint powers agreement between the township and North Oaks for the latter’s water utility usage. The board agreed that utilities will be sold to North Oaks at the standard rate of 125% of what the township pays. Additionally, North Oaks will be responsible for the construction of large-capacity water meters, although White Bear Township will be responsible for their maintenance. According to Lemmons, the North Oaks City Attorney has begun reviewing the agreement. The current water utility agreement between the two municipalities will expire Jan. 1, 2025. The board approved the language of the new agreement.

“I am very pleased to report,” continued Town Clerk Patrick Christopherson, “that there is movement going on with securing an employee

to provide maintenance to the North Oaks water system.” Town Supervisor Chair Ed Prudhon asked if there was someone from North Oaks who would monitor water usage readings. “Otherwise,” Prudhon wondered, “we would have to pass it on to whoever is supposed to be doing that in the time being?” When Christopherson said that was correct, Prudhon responded, “I just hate being the middleman because, if something gets dropped, then we’re—.” He finished by pulling his collar. “It’s not going to be a clean break,” Christopherson explained. “We are going to be helping them along for a certain amount of time so that we’ve got comfort on both ends, and it is okay to let go.” Town Supervisor Steve Ruzek requested that this matter be discussed further during this month’s executive meeting, “because this should not be a never-ending thing. They’ve

Friends of the White Bear

WBL Lions Club, Lion Rheanna O’Brien welcomes, Officer Tracy Mlynarczk to speak about the importance of the D.A.R.E program to our school children.

White Bear Lake D.A.R.E. Officers teach a ten week Drug Abuse Resistance Education curriculum to approximately four hundred 5th grade students each year. The D.A.R.E. program teaches kids how to recognize and resist the direct and subtle pressures that influence them to experiment with alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs. Students are also taught the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model to assist them in problem solving and making wise decisions.

Big Thank you from the Lions for your great service to the Community.

had how long? Two years.” Christopherson added it to the executive meeting agenda for Friday, Nov. 22.

• Scott Montgomery, on behalf of Isabelle Montgomery, sought approval for a minor subdivision at 2655 Stillwater St., splitting the land into one developed and one undeveloped parcel. TKDA Engineer and Town Planner Evan Monson affirmed that this split left enough room to build a home on the undeveloped land while meeting all wetland and flood-level structure setback minimums. While the board approved the request, Interim Town Supervisor Tom Riedesel wondered if the setback ordinance requirements regarding alleys needed to be revisited. The board requested that the town planner study the issue and report their findings to the Planning Commission.

• The board approved final payment regarding for 2022’s Gilfillan Area Street Improvement project to Bituminous Roadways for $11,737.99. Board members also approved final payment for 2020’s Peterson Road Street Improvement project to Kuechle Underground Inc. for $43,314.23.

• Many businesses brought forward liquor licenses to be renewed, including both Applebee’s and Cub Foods on Meadowlands Drive, both MC’s Taco & Tequila and Emagine Theaters on County Road J, as well as Red Luna Taco Factory on Highway 61. The board granted all license applications. Licenses are valid through the end of 2025.

• Dean Jensen will fill an unexpired, or remaining, term on the Utility Commission until Apr. 30, 2027.

The White Bear Township Board next meets at 4200 Otter Lake Road at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2. The White Bear Township Board will also meet for a special annual budget meeting at the same location at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3. To view the livestream of either of these meetings, visit youtube.com/@ WhiteBearTownshipMNOfficial/streams

Logan Gion

OPINION

Birthdays,

Turkey Trot and Thanksgiving

Happy Fall everyone! This time of year is my absolute favorite. The leaves are beginning to change color, it is just cold enough where you need a light jacket to go outside and everyone is getting ready for Thanksgiving.

This is a busy month for my family. On top of making Thanksgiving plans, it is me and my dad’s birthday month. We were born one day a part, which means we usually have a combined birthday celebration with family.

A few years ago, we went to Nashville to celebrate my 21st. My sister and I both brought our best friends with. We rented a house 10 minutes away from downtown and spent the weekend taking in the live music. Last year, my dad and I went back to catch a Wild versus Predators hockey game for our birthdays.

I have always made a large deal about birthday celebrations. In college, my roommates and I would throw one another a birthday party the weekend after each other’s birthday. On the actual day, we would surprise each other with a birthday cake and celebrate just the four of us in some sort of fashion, typically watching the birthday girl’s favorite movie.

I am the same way with my family. I love celebrating my friends and family whenever I can.

This year, I am sadly not going back to Nashville. Some of you may know from my previous columns, but Nashville is one of my favorite places ever. Everything about it just oddly feels like home.

At the end of the month, we will get together with family and celebrate Thanksgiving.

We did not have a traditional Thanksgiving last year. On Thursday morning we woke up around 6 a.m., drove down to St. Paul and did the Turkey Trot. It was a lot colder than I was expecting it to be, which made it even harder to participate in the race. For the whole race I could see my breath and my hands were permanently frozen into fists. My mom wore a winter parka to the race it was so cold. But I am glad we did it because it meant I got to eat an extra slice of pie or two at dinner.

This year, we are not doing the Turkey Trot again. I cannot tell whether I should be jumping up and down with joy or disappointed. It was nice to challenge myself after being out of a competitive sport for so long, but my body will also be silently thanking me for not waking up so early and facing the cold.

Around this time of year, I always begin to reflect on the past year. I try to pinpoint the “best moments” and remember who was there with me.

Thanksgiving is not only about waking up early and doing your local Turkey Trot, but it is about being grateful for the people in your life. Within the last year, I have strengthened relationships with old college friends and met new people that I cannot imagine not having in my life. They all have played a large role in who I am today.

Thank you to all of those who continue to support me, and thank you to readers for allowing Press Publications to continue to share bits and pieces of our communities with you.

Madeline Dolby is editor of the Quad Community Press. She can be reached at 651-407-1226 or quadnews@ presspubs.com.

Donating to the White Bear

is investing in

We are longtime residents of White Bear Lake, and as members of this compassionate community, we want to emphasize the importance of supporting the White Bear Area Food Shelf (WBAFS). Over the years, we’ve come to deeply value this organization and its crucial role in helping our neighbors. As retired business leaders, we’ve seen firsthand the positive impact nonprofits like WBAFS can have. Inspired by the dedication of our wives to local volunteer work, we decided to join the Food Shelf Board and contribute to this vital work.

Visits to the food shelf have increased by 60% since just two years ago. Every month 6,200 visitors pick up fresh groceries from WBAFS programs like Curbside Pick-Up, the Community Market and Mobile Pop-Ups at senior apartments. There are many reasons why people struggle to afford groceries: job loss, medical bills, car repairs, disability, or wages that don’t cover basic living expenses. WBAFS helps people through hard times, whatever the cause. Everyone, no matter their situation, can feel overwhelmed or ashamed when faced with the inability

WHITE

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Area Food Shelf

our community

Movers & Shakers

Dan Wachtler and Dave Swanson

to provide food for themselves or their families. WBAFS offers a welcoming, supportive environment where individuals can receive healthy, nutritious food without judgment. To provide this high level of compassionate service, the WBAFS needs a high level of support this year. Over the past two years, WBAFS has faced a 50% increase in expenses to maintain its operations. To continue this essential service, WBAFS needs our support. It is we, the community, who play a vital role in funding this safety net, ensuring it remains available for those who need it most. Will you help support our neighbors?

A local business has offered

at least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.

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a matching grant of $30,000 for all new or increased donations through Dec. 31. If you haven’t contributed before, now is the time to give. If you have, would you consider increasing your donation? With the match, your contribution will have double the impact.

We are fortunate to have such an important resource right here in our community, and it’s up to us to sustain it. One neighbor shared their gratitude, saying, “The food shelf allows me to keep my home—the money saved on food allows my family to have a place to live and eat.”

As we grow older, we understand how vital it is to support the people and organizations that sustain us— our families, our community and the nonprofits that make a difference. As we approach this holiday season, we invite you to join us in supporting the White Bear Area Food Shelf, so that it’s available for everyone when it’s needed most. We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

Dan Wachtler and Dave Swanson, Board of Directors, White Bear Area Food Shelf

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

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Madeline’s Mail

Madeline Dolby

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Local candidates should be considered

I am writing on behalf of our amazing first responders and talented EMS and fire professionals who have served our community and risked their lives for our own safety, only to be shunned by the city when it comes to hiring a new fire chief. Mahtomedi Fire Chief Terry Fischer has officially retired after serving the community for 30 years, leaving big shoes to fill and a prestigious fire chief position. I am sad to say no internal candidates are being considered, despite several qualified candidates who have served the community for anywhere from 10-30 years.

Instead, a hiring process that could have been handled internally, or at least locally, has been outsourced to DDA Human Resources Inc. that has never before hired any fire chief position for any fire department, for an astronomical cost of over $40,000, to be paid by the city! Furthermore, that company is not giving our own community members and longtime public servants an interview. That seems like a ridiculous amount of money to spend on hiring a stranger to our community to whom we will entrust our lives.

Let’s stand behind our current Mahtomedi Fire Department first responders and show them we appreciate them and their dedication to our community. Thank you to all of the current Mahtomedi firefighters, paramedics and EMTs for saving our lives and keeping our community safe.

Deb Kipp Dellwood

City requests residents fill out water service survey

WHITE BEAR LAKE — Residents in White Bear Lake have likely received a letter by now about the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) LCRR require public water systems to complete an inventory of all service connections in their distribution system to support development of actions to reduce lead in drinking water. In Minnesota, this program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Under this program, every public water system in Minnesota is required to submit a service line inventory.

The city of White Bear Lake has completed and submitted its service line materials inventory to the MDH. As of this summer, the city’s inventory contains one lead and 20 galvanized service connections that require replacement, along with 6,085 unknown material and 1,808 non-lead service lines.

The service line inventory is publicly available, and you can check the materials for your service line by visiting the lead inventory tracking tool (LITT) at https://maps. umn.edu/LSL.

To complete the service line inventory, city staff reviewed utility record plans and property files for information on the material of all water service lines. Due to the age of some of the utilities and homes

in White Bear Lake, city staff were unable to determine the material of all of the water service lines in the city.

When you visit the LITT map, you will find a colored dot on your property. They indicate: Blue: The city has records indicating that the whole water service line to your property is non-lead (i.e. copper, plastic, etc.).

• Red: The city has records indicating that part or all of your

water service is lead or galvanized steel.

• Gray: The city does not have record for any, or part of your water service line.

If your property has a gray or red dot, visit the city’s website at whitebearlake.org/WaterService and complete the survey to help the city determine or verify the material of your water service. Contact waterserviceinfo@ whitebearlake.org with questions.

White Bear Lake Area Schools raises the BARR

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bad freshman year? According to Education Week Magazine, the ninth grade point average (GPA) is highly predictive of later high school performance. It’s also correlated with graduation rates, college enrollment and college retention rates.

The weight of that reality is hefty to put on a 14-yearold, especially as students continue to fill in their COVID-19 learning gaps. “We have to get our ninth graders transitioned to high school right away, because there's no time to waste,” said White Bear Lake Area Schools Assistant Superintendent Tim Wald. “They can't take a semester to adjust. We've got to get them supported right away.”

In response, ISD 624 implemented the BARR program—Building Assets, Reducing Risks—in a pilot classroom of freshman in 2020. The results were so successful that, in 2021, the district expanded BARR through both middle schools and down to the Pre-K level, becoming the second school district in the nation to do so. As of 2022, Willow Lane, Vadnais Heights and Lakeaires elementaries use the program.

In 2023, Associate High School Principal Joseph Held testified before the state Legislature, reporting, “Our passing rates have gone up and our behavior rates have gone down. This has nothing to do with new content or new curriculum …” Later that year, a bipartisan bill granted enough funding to introduce BARR to 18 more schools in Minnesota.

What is BARR, and why is it so successful?

BARR founder Angela Jerabek began creating this method when she was a ninth grade counselor in St. Louis Park in 1998. BARR Center’s Deputy Director Rob Metz explained that when the program was started in the original BARR school, “it was thought of as a way to build assets in young people. … The more assets you have, the better you’ll do.”

The flip side is minimizing bad outcomes. “If you pass all your ninth grade classes,” Metz continued, “you're almost always going to graduate in four years.” Metz noted that BARR relies on two pillars: relationships and data. Data about each student is collected and presented at weekly staff meetings. Metz says that the way teaching is done now can be “siloed off” or isolating.

“If a student takes seven different classes in ninth grade, they have seven different teachers. Those teachers never meet and talk about the student …” Metz explained. “(BARR) changes that all around, so that teachers are meeting in multidisciplinary teams, discussing students and what's going to make them be successful.”

District Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Alison Gillespie believes the effects of

the BARR teams are far-reaching. “This collaborative approach benefits our entire school community, fostering a culture where students, families, and staff work together to achieve greater student success,” she said.

Held attested to this personally while speaking on the April 27, 2022, episode of the “Most Likely to Change the World” podcast. He gave an example of a freshman transfer student on whom the district didn’t have much information. Within the first week or two of the year, the boy’s language arts teacher noticed he wasn’t finishing his reading assignments. “She just said, ‘You know, I'm not overly concerned right now because I don't really know him very well, but I'm just wondering if anybody else … noticed it too,’” Held recalled.

“Well, in that meeting, our science teacher said, ‘I actually just had a conversation with that student's parent … he struggled with reading his science textbooks at his old school.’”

From there, Held reported that the team brought in a guidance counselor and reading specialist. Within a few weeks, the student had all A’s and B’s in his classes; his parents said it was the most success he’d had since grade school. “That's the power of BARR,” Held said. “We didn't have to wait for things to become a crisis. You can be proactive.”

Regardless of grade level, resolving students’ classroom issues involves “multi-tier support systems.” Lakeaires Elementary Principal Cary Krusemark describes three intervention levels. If a student “exhibits a need or skill deficit,” the child’s teacher brings it up in small-block meetings, where colleagues discuss strategies. Six weeks later, if those strategies have not worked, the student’s issue gets pushed to big-block meetings, where more teachers, specialists and administration weigh in. If there’s no forward progress after another six weeks, the teacher hosts a “Community Connect,” where the child and their parents meet with the teacher, the special education team and appropriate outside resources. Krusemark stresses that usually, multiple strategies are tried before a solution is found: “Nothing is ever a straight path. We might like it to be that, but we have curves and hills and valleys throughout.”

Using BARR as a road map ultimately positions a child’s education team to see the student as a whole person. After all, it’s a whole person who walks across the stage to receive their diploma.

In 2017, 87.7% of White Bear students graduated within four years. In 2023, 93.5% did so. That means, even with COVID-19, almost none of the pilot BARR students had a bad freshman year.

The city owns and maintains the watermain, and the service lines are owned and maintained by property owners.

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS | CONTRIBUTED

Lakeaires Elementary’s Multi-Tier Support System using the BARR program identifies the various levels of intervention needed when dealing with student behavioral issues.

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Fire department seeking full-time fire captain

The Vadnais Heights Fire Department is seeking applicants for a full-time fire captain position to work 24-hour shifts. This position will supervise onshift firefighters and participate in emergency and nonemergency operations. Responsibilities will include performing all fire and EMS-related functions and ensuring that all assigned

activities are performed according to department policies. The fire captain may serve as the incident commander on emergency scenes. The captain will also act as the shift training officer and perform related fire prevention activities, facility maintenance and housekeeping functions. Applications will be accepted through 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, and can be submitted online at www. cityvadnaisheights.com/jobs.

Bruce Rabe

September 26, 1936 –November 17, 2024

Bruce Otto Rabe, a longtime resident of White Bear Lake passed away on Sunday Nov. 17th, at the age of 88. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Rose Rabe. He is survived by his wife and best friend of more than 54 years Betty Rabe (Johnson), sister Carol Christopherson, son Travis (Meghan), and grandchildren Owen, Nora, and Bryn. Bruce was born in Prairie Farm, WI, served in the US Navy, and was a graduate of the UW Stout. His life was centered around his family and his faith, and he worked his entire career at 3M Corp as a design engineer. Bruce was an avid outdoorsman; but loved fishing most of all and spent countless hours enjoying fishing and being on or near the water.

Many Faces requests feedback for festival

Many Faces of White Bear Lake plans to host a multicultural arts festival in Spring 2025. Input from the community on ideas they would like to see incorporated into the festival can be shared via an online survey at bit.ly/ ManyFacesFestival (English) or bit.ly/FestivaldeArteManyFaces (Spanish).

It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Ellie. She was a cherished wife, sister, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend, whose presence illuminated every room and whose love touched the hearts of all who knew her. Ellie left a profound legacy, one built on love, compassion, and an unshakeable belief in family. Preceded in death by husband, Ronald. Survived by children Kyle Van Guilder and Leah (Michael) Van Guilder Berkland and grandchildren Zilya Van Guilder and Peyton, Whitten and Yanna Berkland and sister Kathie (Bryce) Erickson. There will be a Celebration of Life on December 3rd, please email Leah.vanberk@gmail.com for details. Arrangements by Honsa Family Funeral Home. OBITUARIES

Eleanor “Ellie” Van Guilder

COPS&COURTS

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

• Officers responded to a dispute in the 3500 block of Jerry Street Nov. 13.

• License plates were stolen in the 1400 block of County Road E Nov. 13.

• An assault was reported in the 4800 block of Bloom Avenue Nov. 13.

• Officers responded to a harassment restraining order violation in the 4700 block of Highway 61 Nov. 14.

• Identity theft was reported in the 4000 block of First Avenue Nov. 14.

• Officers responded to a domestic situation in the 3700 block of Little Linden Curve Nov. 14.

• Online theft was reported in the 3600 block of Bellaire Avenue Nov. 14.

• A disorderly conduct incident was reported in the 4500 block of Centerville Road Nov. 15.

• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 4700 block of Centerville Road Nov. 15.

• Officers responded to a civil dispute in the 3700 block of Highland Avenue Nov. 16.

• Officers responded to a civil dispute in the 3200 block of Karth Road Nov. 16.

• Officers gave a warning to a reckless driver in the area of County Road E and White Bear Avenue Nov. 16.

• A Milwaukee man was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the area of Interstate 694 and Highway 61 Nov. 17.

• Theft from a vehicle was reported in the 1800 block of Seventh Street Nov. 17.

• Officers responded to a dispute in the 1600 block of Birch Lake Avenue Nov. 17.

• Three backhoe chains were stolen in the area of Eighth Street and Highway 61 Nov. 18.

• Officers arrested an individual for a no contact order violation in the 1900 block of County Road F Nov. 18.

• Bank cards were stolen Nov. 18 in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue and used to make purchases at multiple locations.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

When: Through Dec. 15

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave.

Details: Classic holiday story performed by Lakeshore Players. Tickets available online. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org

STILLWATER NUTCRACKER

When: 2 and 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 & Saturday, Nov. 30; 1 & 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Where: Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd.

Details: Dancers from St. Croix Ballet performs the classic ballet choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky. Tickets online. Contact: stcroixballet.com

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

When: 9-11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Where: Hugo American Legion, 5383 140th St. N.

Details: Annual family-friendly event hosted by Hugo American Lehion Auxiliary Unit 620. Donations acceptedfor Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf.

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1

Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center, 1515 Mahtomedi Ave.

Details: Families can have their picture taken with Santa. Event hosted by Kramer-Berg Legion Post 507.

INTERNET SAFETY CLASS FOR SENIORS

When: 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3

Where: White Bear Lake United Methodist Church, 1851 Birch St.

Details: AARP Fraud Watch Network presents “The Scam Landscape: Staying Safe” to help seniors compat fraud and identity theft. For seniors and others interested in protecting loved ones. Contact: 651-429-9026 or wblumc.org

MEMBERS EXHIBITION RECEPTION

When: 3:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5

Where: White Bear Center for the Arts

Details: Stop in to visit with artists, listen to live music and view artwork. Open to the community. Contact: whitebeararts.org

FAST BEFORE THE FEAST

When: 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28

Where: White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Ave.

Details: Thanksgiving Day 5K,10K and Turkey Dash with courses along White Bear Lake and through downtown. Registration information online.

Contact: mmraces.com

PJS WITH SANTA

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

Where: Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 E County Road F

Details: Photos with Santa, games, treats and more. Parents must accompany children. Wear pajamas, cameras encouraged. Calming room available. Pre-registration by Nov. 27 required. Contact: cityvadnaisheights.com/266/ PJs-with-Santa

TREE OF LIGHT AND REMEMBRANCE

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6

Where: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Mahtomedi

Details: 24th annual tree lighting ceremony. Purchase a light for the tree to remember or honor a loved one. Proceeds benefit the Mahtomedi Area Food Shelf.

Contact: 651-395-5352 or stjudeofthelake.org/mahtomedi-areafood-shelf

JINGLE BEAR 5K AND KIDS FUN RUN

When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

Where: White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Ave.

Details: Run for all ages and abilities.

Community foundation taps new director

The Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation (GWBLCF), in partnership with CommunityGiving, recently announced that Meredith St. Pierre has been chosen to serve as the organization’s executive director.

“I am honored to step into this role and to deepen my involvement in our community,” said St. Pierre. “Over the coming weeks, I look forward to connecting with foundation board members, fundholders, nonprofit organizations and local leaders to learn more about the foundation and the many ways we can serve our community together. I’m excited to engage with each of you and to be part of all the inspiring work we’ll continue to do to make our area a better place—today and for generations to come.”

St. Pierre previously served as the director of development for Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota, and as development officer at Great River Greening. Prior to that, she was the associate director of alumni relations at Hamline University, leading alumni engagement initiatives and serving as a mentor for first-year students. St. Pierre has lived in White Bear Lake for over a decade and appreciates the community’s vibrant downtown, arts and culture, and access to green space and parks.

“With a proven record of leadership and a passion for our community, Meredith is poised to guide us into an exciting future,” said Tim Torgerson, GWBLCF board chair. “We look forward to the positive impact she will bring to our organization and the community.”

Registration includes jingle bells for shoes. Holiday costumes, dogs on leashes and strollers welcome.

Contact: mmraces.com

WINTER MARKET AT 21 ROOTS FARM

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8

Where: 21 Roots Farm, 10361 110th St., Grant

Details: Support participants with developmental disabilities by purchasing their handmade items including, soaps, lotions, dryer balls, honey, artwork, ornaments, cards and more. Door prizes, giveaways and hot food and drinks.

Contact: 21rootsfarm.org

WINTERFEST

When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 & 14

Where: Downtown White Bear Lake

Details: Community festival has included horse-drawn carriage rides, visit with Santa, strolling carolers, specials at local shops and restaurants.

Contact: downtownwhitebearlake.com

FESTIVAL OF TREES OPEN HOUSE

When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 & 14

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

Details: View trees decoratied by community businesses and organizations and warm up with cocoa, treats, and activities. Sanya sighting possible. Display open to the public select hours WednesdaySunday through Dec. 21.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

THE ELVES WORKSHOP

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7

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

Details: Local Girl Scout Troops and the Senior Center Craft Corner are teaming up to create a holiday shopping experience featuring a variety of handmade crafts, gifts and baked goods. This festive event will also include a special visit from Santa.

MAHTOMEDI COMMUNITY LUNCH

When: Noon-1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9

Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center, Room 103

Details: Food, conversation and live entertainment by MMS Glee Club for residents of all ages. Register by noon Dec. 5.

Contact: mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com

Meredith St. Pierre

Zephyrs mat star headed for Gophers

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Mahtomedi wrestler Evan McGuire committed last week to the Minnesota Gophers. "We're thrilled to have Evan join our program," Gophers coach Brandon Eggum stated. "As a local talent with an impressive arc of development, he represents the grit and tradition that Minnesota wrestling is built on. We're excited to see him continue to grow and make his mark on Minnesota wrestling tradition." McGuire, a senior, was state Class 2A runner-up at 189 pounds last year and placed fourth at 182 as a sophomore. MatScouts rates McGuire as the No. 99 overall recruit in the class and No. 12 at 197 pounds.

The 6-foot-1 athlete was a USA Wrestling Junior Freestyle All-American this summer, placing fifth in nationals at Fargo. He placed eighth in the U.S.

Championships. McGuire was a member of the goldmedal-winning Team USA at the Pan Am Games in June, where he was 4-0 with three pins in Greco-Roman and 2-1 in Freestyle. He qualified for the national team while wrestling for Pinnacle Wrestling Club of Roseville.

Wrestling is one of the U of M’s strongest programs. Since 2000 the Gophers have won three NCAA titles and eight Big Ten titles.

White Bear Lake Area Church Directory

PAUL DOWNEY| CONTRIBUTED

White Bear Lake goalie Marcie Marsden faced 38 shots from Stillwater and stopped this one by Audrey Hackler (27) but the Ponies beat the Bears 6-1. Grace Bailey (16) was back on defense. Amanda Smythe scored for the Bears (13) in the third period with assists by Kendall Rosier and Talia Domschot. Sienna Barthelemy had two goals for the Ponies.

Marauders top Park 3-1

Roseville/Mahtomedi girls hockey won a conference game over Park 3-1 in Cottage Grove. Scoring for the Marauders (3-1) were Rylee Bogren on a power play (assisted by Evelyn McMahon and Olivia Martin), Olivia Hartman (assisted by Adele Steele) and Sophie Martin with an empty net (assisted by Bogren and Martin). The Marauders outshot the Wolfpack 38-18.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Levi Arvig

White Bear Lake Football

Levi Arvig was the leading tackler for the White Bear Lake football team, making 67 stops at middle linebacker, 14 of them solo, with 12 tackles for loss. He also forced three fumbles. The Bears used Arvig offensively in shortyardage plays and he scored three touchdowns. “We loved Levi’s leadership and fearlessness,” said Dustin Holman, defensive coach, adding that the 5-foot-11, 200-pound athlete “improved a ton” from his junior to senior year in his football IQ and consistency as a playmaker. “He was definitely our rock in the front seven; we could always count on him to communicate through adjustments and get his teammates in the right spots.”

Arvig

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA | CONTRIBUTED

Evan McGuire sported Minnesota Gopher colors during signing.

Levi

FINANCIAL PLANNING

The basics of financial literacy

A financial safety net can help people navigate the ups and downs of life. Developing that safety net requires a measure of financial literacy that anyone can nurture.

What is financial literacy?

The United States Department of Education defines financial literacy as an understanding of how to earn, manage and invest money. That recognition can increase the chances that individuals make sound financial decisions, thus setting them up for long-term success and stability.

What makes financial literacy so important?

The benefits of financial literacy are not limited to theoretical notions such as the ability to understand money makes individuals more likely to make sound decisions regarding their finances. Indeed, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) notes that financial literacy has been proven to produce positive results. In its National Financial Capability Study released in 2022, the FINRA found that respondents who exhibited higher financial literacy were more likely to make ends meet than those without such knowledge. Sixty-five percent of respondents

with higher financial literacy were able to set aside three months’ of emergency funds at higher levels than respondents with lower literacy levels. The study also linked financial literacy to long-term stability, as more than half of respondents (52 percent) with higher financial literacy

calculated their retirement savings needs, an important step that fewer than one in three (29 percent) with lower literacy levels had taken.

What are some additional benefits of financial literacy?

Individuals are often confronted

with a host of options when making financial decisions. That includes choices regarding bank accounts and credit cards, which are two variables related to financial literacy that individuals encounter every day. Individuals with financial literacy can pick a bank account that most suits their needs, whether that’s standard accounts like checking and savings or something more unique like a high-yield savings account. Knowledge of financial basics also can prepare individuals to choose the right credit card, which can be a more difficult decision than choosing a bank account given the number of different cards available. Low-APR, no-APR, travel rewards, cash-back cards, and balance transfer cards are some of the options consumers can choose from when picking a credit card. Financial literacy increases the chances consumers pick the card that best suits their short- and long-term needs.

Financial literacy can help people navigate challenges that periodically arise during the course of everyone’s life. Taking time to learn some financial basics can set people up for long-term economic health.

andArts Culture2024

EMERGING ARTIST: EVELYN RIVARD

WBY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hite Bear Lake Freshman Evelyn Rivard defines the “emerging” part of “Emerging Artist.” Case in point, Rivard was attracted to the role of Imogen Herdman in Children’s Performing Arts’ production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” because she “hadn’t done a play yet and thought that was really fun.”

Far from cavalier, Rivard gives this response with an undertone of excitement. Rather than planning out her Tony Award acceptance speech 20 years from now as theater kids tend to do, Rivard is rapidly absorbing a new interest, remaining open to all possibilities.

Though Rivard has been singing and dancing in musical theater since third grade, this is her first role in a play. To her surprise, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” has made her like acting more than singing and dancing. This is partially because Rivard has been used to ensemble or chorus parts, which tend to be monotonously rousing. “When you’re singing, you’re just in your own kind of mood. You’re happy, you’re dancing, you’re having fun,” Rivard explains.

“But when you’re acting, it gives you more possibilities to open up and be like somebody else.” As a fledgling actor, Rivard believes that her strength is that she has range. “I could go from being

CBY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

a very rude person to a very sweet person,” she explains. Rivard admits, though, that she’s currently working to “pronunciate,” a theater term that combines “pronounce” and “enunciate.”

Rivard is also learning how her character is both similar and different from herself.

“I’m very in the lead,” Rivard compares. “I like to be the first in everything. I’m very loud. I’m not exactly a rude person, though, and I feel like Imogene’s got some brattiness to her.”

In future roles, Rivard hopes to further explore more outsized roles. “I think fun, out-of-world kind of stuff gives me an opportunity to be somebody else,” she says, giving The White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland”

A DIFFERENT BEST “PAGEANT” EVERY TIME

hildren’s Performing Arts ran into unexpected competition with its production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”—the movie theater. While a new cinematic version of Barbara Robinson’s 1972 children’s novel hit cineplexes last month, seventh grader and CPA cast member Harriet Erickson believes there’s room for both versions. “If you watch a theater production, it’s always gonna be different. Whereas if you watch a movie, it’s always gonna be the same thing no matter how many times you watch it.”

Every version of the story revolves around Beth Bradley’s experience of her mother, Grace, taking over the church Christmas pageant just as local hellions, the Herdman children, audition for the

DIRECTOR

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

When approaching “A Christmas Carol,” Director Kivan Kirk of Lakeshore Players was struck by a scene in Charles Dickens’ book in which Ebenezer Scrooge revisits his exfiancee, Belle, and she brings up their shared impoverished past. Scrooge responds, “This is the even-handed dealing of the world!” [Scrooge] said. “There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty…” To understand Scrooge, then, Kirk connected with his own painful past. “I grew up incredibly poor, and I moved all the

DECEMBER EVENTS

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

CALLS

show, attracted by free Sunday School refreshments. The resulting chaos that ensues tests the Bradley family and the entire community’s sanity. As the Bradleys learn more about the Herdmans, however, they discover, as Erickson puts it, “The magic of Christmas isn’t just putting on a nice show. It’s about getting together as a community and celebrating your differences.”

Director Evan Heil promises that CPA’s version of “Best Christmas Pageant” has “a lot of unique choices that, if you’ve seen the show before, this is gonna be a different take.” Heil tempers that statement, however, with nostalgia for the source material. “I read the story as a kid. My parents read the story…” Heil relates. Beyond the book, however, he’s purposefully avoided watching any staged or filmed version of the material. “I’m trying not to let

as an example. She has also noticed how theater is helping her grow to be more communicative. “I feel like I’m more friendly after doing theater for so long. I’ve just kind of learned to bond with people,” Rivard states.

In a world where teenagers are pressured about their future, their dreams, and their life plan, Rivard’s personal goals and observations regarding theater are refreshingly concrete. She is letting curiosity drive a newfound passion without an end goal necessarily in mind. Ironically, though new to acting, Rivard clearly has one of the hardest fundamentals of the craft already mastered— being present in the moment.

that influence my opinions of things,” he explains, “I don’t imagine that it’ll be exactly like any other [version] because how can it be?”

Whatever the final version looks like, audiences will be sure to enjoy this version of the story because of the effort and work the cast is putting in on a much shorter timeline than the movie had. Comments Erickson, “In theater, it’s not always professional actors and there’s no like special effects. They can’t edit stuff out. So if something happens, it happens, and we just roll with it.”

That attitude sounds like the one Grace Bradley had to adopt.

CPA’s production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” runs Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15 at LILA Performing Arts Center in Forest Lake. For more details, visit childrensperformingartsmn.org

UPON PAST GHOSTS TO PRESENT LAKESHORE’S “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

time,” Kirk shares. “One of our actual sources of income was my stepfather and I going to the dumpster behind a Casey’s and pulling out all the cans and water bottles…” He explains that his upbringing left him with anger and arrogance to overcome: “If I can rise, if I can work 40 hours a week on top of high school, and I can manage to save enough money and I can do this, why can’t you? … And I think that’s a lot of what Scrooge feels.”

Kirk, however, had modern-day resources to combat “those pathways of fear running through my head on a daily basis.” Given the bleak reality of Victorian England, Kirk states, “It’s understandable to see where

MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION COMMUNITY RECEPTION

Location: White Bear Center for the Arts

Date: Thursday, December 5, 3:30-8:30 PM

Details: Celebrate WBCA members at the Members’ Exhibition Community Reception where you can view the artwork, visit with artists, listen to live music, and have fun. All are welcome to this free, open-house-style event.

Scrooge got where he got—not that it’s something we can condone—But also, people like Scrooge are the natural consequence of severe poverty.” This production of “A Christmas Carol,” then, is about “detangling these things that went into creating this traumatized human.”

Such a journey promises spectacle, as Kirk’s team plans to lean into the fantastical elements of shackled spirits and time travel. “We want to give the sense that we’re traveling over London at great heights, right?” Kirk states.

“It’s not just like, ‘Hey, let’s go deep into your past and talk about who you are.’ But he goes on this epic journey too.” The crew is especially excited to

WINTER OPEN HOUSE

Location: White Bear Center for the Arts

Date: Saturday, January 11, 1:00-3:00 PM

Details: WBCA’s Winter Open House is a free, family-oriented afternoon full of art activities, sled dogs, snow painting, ice carving, and more.

show off projection technology to evoke the eeriness of Scrooge’s experience. Kirk asserts that the spooky elements are traditional, but they won’t overshadow the enduring appeal of Charles Dickens’ story. “Knowing how so many people were hurting, [Dickens] took that, and he made something beautiful. …” Kirk remarks, “I think there’s something to be said for the kind of pathway to a better self and a better humanity.”

“A Christmas Carol” is running at Hanifl Performing Arts Center now through Dec. 17. For more details, visit lakeshoreplayers.org.

YOGA IN THE GALLERY

Location: White Bear Center for the Arts

Date: Tuesdays, December 3-January 14, 12:00-1:15 PM

Details: This unique class blends mindful, purposeful movement with deep meditative practices, offering a powerful reset for your body and mind during the lunch hour. Register at WhiteBearArts.org

Explore the outdoors on Black Friday

For those who prefer to spend time outdoors on the busiest shopping day of the year, Washington County is offering free entry to all parks on Friday, Nov. 29. Free entry is available at all 10 county parks and regional trails, including Big Marine Park Reserve in Marine on St. Croix; Hardwood Creek Regional Trail in Forest Lake; and the Historic Courthouse, Pine Point Regional Park, and Square Lake Park in Stillwater. Additionally, visitors to Lake Elmo Park Reserve can embark on a Spot the Gnome scavenger hunt. For more information about county parks, visit WashingtonCountyMN.gov/ Parks.

Northwoods host winter auction

The Northwoods Humane Society will host an online auction from 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28, through 11:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Auction items include gift items; handmade, decorative, or vintage items; themed gift baskets; gift certificates; and more. Be sure to check out the “buy now” items available to purchase for a set price; no bidding required! Don’t forget to keep checking back, as auction items will keep being added. Visit https://www.32auctions.com/WWA24After to bid on items once the auction goes live.

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:

Mission Prep Teen Treatment

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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: Erik Idoni

Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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:

Mission Prep Healthcare

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

Dated: October 18, 2024

Signed: William Mara Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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: Mission Prep

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

Dated: October 18, 2024

Signed: William Mara

Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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:

Mission Connection Healthcare

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

Dated: October 18, 2024

Signed: William Mara Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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: Mission Connection

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

Dated: October 18, 2024

Signed: William Mara Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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 Minne-

sota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

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

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

Dated: October 18, 2024

Signed: William Mara Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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:

A Mission for Michael

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

Dated: October 18, 2024

Signed: William Mara Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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: AMFM Mental Health Treatment

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

30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

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.

Lakeside Health Solutions, LLC 30310 RANCHO VIEJO RD SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CA 92675

Dated: October 29, 2024

Signed: Erik Idoni Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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: ZS floral gifts

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1377 Arcade St Saint Paul, MN 55106

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. sha sha aung 132 Star Cir Saint Paul, MN 55127

Dated: October 30, 2024

Signed: sha sha aung Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 20 and 27, 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: SWELL Marine

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: STE 101 2330 LEIBEL ST SAINT PAUL MN 55110

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.

SWELL Ventures LLC STE 101 2330 LEIBEL ST SAINT PAUL MN 55110

Dated: November 18, 2024

Signed: Adam Moore

Published two times in the White Bear Press on November 27 and December 4, 2024.

CITY OF BIRCHWOOD VILLAGE

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

REGARDING APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION

DECEMBER 10, 2024

NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:45 pm on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, to take comment from the public and any interested parties to inform the public record on the following

appeal of an administrative decision: Case No. 24-02-AP: An administrative appeal regarding the issuance of the building permit at 483 Lake Ave.

Comments concerning this appeal may be presented at the public hearing or filed with City Hall (651-426-3403) until 12:00 p.m. the day before the hearing. A copy of the written appeal is available at City Hall.

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

CITY OF BIRCHWOOD VILLAGE

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING PROPOSED ORDINANCE

DECEMBER 10, 2024

NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Birchwood Village is proposing changes to its city code and will hold a public hearing, second reading, and final vote of the following Ordinance: ORDINANCE 2024-11-01: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SUBSECTION 302.055 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED “LAND DISTURBANCE ACTIVITY STANDARDS” IN SECTION 302 OF THE CITY CODE TITLED “ZONING CODE: REQUIREMENTS AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS”.

The public hearing will be conducted via the regular December 2024 City Council meeting set to begin at 6:45 pm on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 A copy of the text of the ordinance is available on the City’s website, or by contacting the City Administrator at 651-426-3403 to request a physical copy. Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

CITY OF BIRCHWOOD VILLAGE NOTICE OF TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARING

DECEMBER 10, 2024, 6:45 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Birchwood Village is conducting its Truth in Taxation Hearing on December 10, 2024 at 6:45PM to finalize the 2025 budget.

The public hearing will be conducted via the regular December 2024 City Council meeting set to begin at 6:45pm on Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 A copy of the preliminary budget is available on the City’s website, or by contacting the City Administrator at 651-426-3403 to request a physical copy.

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

CITY OF GEM LAKE

RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR PRELIMINARY BUDGET

November 20, 2024

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Gem Lake, Minnesota will hold a Truth in Taxation hearing for the 2025 proposed budget and property tax levy. Cities with a population over 500 must hold this meeting. This meeting must be after November 24 and no later than December 28 and held at 6:00 p.m. or later. There will be a public hearing on December 17, 2024 during the City Council Meeting. The City Council meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at 4200 Otter Lake Rd, Gem Lake.

Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Mayor

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m. the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit public response to several proposed Ordinance amendments related to cannabis businesses. A complete list of the sections to be amended include: Section 11.01, Subd. 7.0 Definitions

Section 11.01 Subd. 9.0 Specific Use Standards

Section 11.01, Subd. 11.1, Table 11.0 A Land Use Table

The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council for their meeting to be held on December 17, 2024, 7:00 p.m. Those persons having an interest in said meetings are encouraged to attend.

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

Scott Neilson, City Administrator

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024. CITY OF WHITE BEAR LAKE PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF A TRUTH-IN-TAXATION HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of White Bear Lake will hold a truth-in-taxation hearing on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers located at 4701 Highway 61 N. The purpose of the truth-in-taxation hearing is to take public comment into consideration of the 2025 City of White Bear Lake budget and proposed property tax levy for taxes payable year 2025. All persons who desire to be heard on the matter will be given the opportunity at this meeting, or people may submit written comment to clerk@whitebearlake.org.

Lindy Crawford, City Manager

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 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 12/18/2024 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Donald Ingram; Kelly Brunner; David L Anderson; Brittney Randolph; Sean Latham; Brandon Kerr (2 units); Mike Adams; Jeremy Jacobsz; Dorothy Smith; Yasmine Hunter; Katrice Stoehr; David Nyaosi. 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 November 27 and December 4, 2024.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the rezoning of two properties.

The property located at 999 Arcwood Rd. is currently zoned A – Agricultural and is proposed to be rezoned to R1-B - Low Density Residential.

The property located at PID: 29.030.21.42.0036 is currently zoned C –Conservation and is proposed to be rezoned to R1-D Low Density Residential.

The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council for their meeting to be held on December 17, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

Scott Neilson, City Administrator Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

NOVEMBER

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

PUBLIC NOTICES

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-06

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ALLOWABLE SIGNAGE FOR THE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT ASSOCIATED WITH ST. ANDREW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH LOCATED AT 900 STILLWATER RD., PID: 31.030.21.14.0003

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAHTOMEDI HEREBY ORDAINS

AS FOLLOWS:

Section One. PUD Overlay Zoning District for St. Andrew’s Church. The original Planned Unit Development Overlay District for St. Andrew’s Church was approved and recorded with Washington County as Document 3172964 on July 12, 2001.

Section Two. PUD Overlay Zoning District for St. Andrews ChurchAmended. The original Planned Unit Development Overlay District for St. Andrews Church was amended per City of Mahtomedi Ordinance 2008-05, adopted April 15, 2008 and City of Mahtomedi Ordinance 2018-07, adopted December 18, 2018.

Section Three. Amendment for Campus Identification Sign – St. Andrew’s Church PUD. The St. Andrew’s PUD Overlay Zoning District, as previously amended by Ordinances No. 2008-05 and 2018-07, is hereby amended as follows:

1. The installation of the proposed campus identification sign, as shown on the plans submitted with the PUD Amendment application, shall be permitted on the subject property. The applicable requirements of Section 11.01, Subd. 10.7: Signs, shall be adjusted as follows:

a. The requirement that the sign be located a minimum of 10-feet from the Stillwater Rd. right-of-way line shall be waived.

b. The “V” shaped sign shall be allowed to contain an electronic sign cabinet on each side of the “V”. There shall be no additional electronic signage permitted on this sign, and each electronic cabinet shall be single-sided.

Section Four. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and publication as provided by law.

Passed in regular session of the City Council on the 19th Day of November, 2024.

Attested: Jerene Rogers, City Clerk

Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

11.0 A: Land Use Table of the Mahtomedi City Code is hereby amended as follows. The struck-out text shows the deleted wording: (SEE TABLE BELOW)

Section Two. Amendment. Chapter 11, Section 11.01, subd. 11.1, Table 11.0 B: Zoning District Standards Table of the Mahtomedi City Code is hereby amended as follows. The struck-out text shows the deleted wording: (SEE TABLE BELOW)

Section Three. Amendment. Chapter 11, Section 11.01, subd. 11.2 A – Agricultural District of the Mahtomedi City Code is hereby amended as follows. The struck-out text shows the deleted wording:

Section Three Amendment. Chapter 11, Section 11.01, subd. 11.2 A –Agricultural District of the Mahtomedi City Code is hereby amended as follows. The struck-out text shows the deleted wording: 11.2 A – Agricultural District

A. Intent. The intent of the A - Agricultural District is to recognize areas within the City where agriculture remains as a current use and / or where urbanization has not yet occurred. This district is intended to preserve said land in agricultural usage and in large parcels until such time that the land is required for urban expansion, and the capital funds for the extension of urban facilities and services become available. The raising of domestic farm animals is restricted due to close proximity to urban areas.

B. Uses.

1. Permitted Uses. Permitted uses in the A – Agricultural District, can be found in table 11.0 A: Land Use Table, located in Subdivision 11.1

2. Conditional Uses. Conditional uses in the A – Agricultural District can be found in Table 11.0 A:Land Use Table, found in Subdivision 11.1 and are subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit as specified in Subdivision 8.21: Conditional Use Permit and pursuant to all applicable specific use standards.

a. Residential Uses.

(1) (Group family day care facility serving more than fourteen (14) children.

(2) State licensed day care facility serving thirteen (13) or more persons.

(3) Accessory Dwelling Units

b. Other Uses

(1) Accessory buildings, if the building exceeds the pertinent standards specified in Subdivision 9.6, A: Accessory Buildings.

(2) Temporary structures.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-07

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-07

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01 RELATED TO THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE A – AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING MAHTOMEDI CITY CODE CHAPTER 11, SECTION 11.01 RELATED TO THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE A –AGRICULTURAL ZONING DISTRICT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAHTOMEDI HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS: Section One. Amendment. Chapter 11, Section 11.01, subd. 11.1, Table

(3) Other uses not specifically listed in this Ordinance, but for which the Zoning Administrator or other Authorized Agent of the City has determined that the use is consistent with the intent for conditional uses in this district.

(4) Essential services facilities.

3. Interim Uses. There are no interim uses associated with this District.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MAHTOMEDI HEREBY ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:

4. Accessory Uses. The following are allowed as an accessory use to a permitted or conditional use in the A – Agricultural District, pursuant to all applicable specific use standards.

Section One. Amendment. Chapter 11, Section 11.01, subd. 11.1,

A: Land Use Table of the Mahtomedi City Code is hereby amended as follows. The struck -out text shows the deleted wording:

a. Accessory buildings, pursuant to Subdivision 9.6, A: Accessory

Buildings b. Animals: Keeping of domestic animals pursuant to Chapter 3 of the City Code

c. Fence, pursuant to Subdivision 10.6: Fences

d. Home occupation, pursuant to Subdivision 9.1, B: Home Occupation

e. Off-street parking, loading, and access drives, pursuant to Subdivision 10.3: Parking and Loading f. One antenna or tower that projects less than ten (10) feet above ground level, if ground mounted and screened pursuant to Subdivision 10.4: Landscaping, Buffers and Screening, or one (1) antenna or tower that projects less than ten (10) feet above the elevation at which it is affixed to a structure, if mounted on another structure. g. Patio, deck, terrace, and similar uses, pursuant to Subdivision 9.6, E: Patio, Deck, Terrace, and Similar Uses h. Signs, pursuant to Subdivision 10.7: Signs i. Solar equipment, pursuant to Subdivision 9.4, B: Solar Equipment and Solar Rights j. Sport court or play equipment for private recreational use, pursuant to Subdivision 9.6, F:

given that on December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit public response to a request from Joshua Hanson, for a minor subdivision resulting in two lots at the property located at 165 Hickory St. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council, for their meeting to be held on December 17, 2024, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Those persons having an interest in said meetings are encouraged to attend. If you have questions about this notice or if you would like further information regarding the project described above, please contact Hannah Rybak, Mahtomedi City Planner, at 612-269-3684. Written comments may be submitted to City Hall, or via email at hrybak@wsbeng.com.

Scott Neilson, City Administrator Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

An on – site sanitary sewer system shall be provided for dwellings and other buildings in conformance with City Code regulations. Except for single –family dwellings, other buildings for human habitation and use such as schools and churches shall be served by municipal sanitary sewer and water facilities.

Section Four. Amendment. Chapter 11, Section 11.01, shall also be amended to remove all other references to the A – Agricultural District throughout the chapter, upon the adoption of this Ordinance. Section Five Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and publication as provided by law.

Passed in regular session of the City Council on the 19th Day of November, 2024.

Attested: Jerene Rogers, City Clerk Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024. CITY OF MAHTOMEDI WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. 2024-08

Section Two. Amendment. The Mahtomedi Zoning

Section Three. Zoning Map The Official Zoning Map of the City of Mahtomedi referred to and described in the Mahtomedi Zoning Ordinance and incorporated by reference in Chapter 11, Section 11.1, D is hereby amended to reflect the rezoning described above. The Official Zoning Map shall not be republished to show the aforesaid rezoning, but the Clerk shall appropriately mark the said Zoning Map on file in the Clerk’s Office for the purpose of indicating the rezoning hereinabove provided for in this Ordinance and all of the notations, references, and other information shown thereon are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Ordinance.

Section Four. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its publication as provided by law.

Passed in regular session of the City Council on the 19th day of November, 2024. Attested: Jerene Rogers, City Clerk Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a comprehensive plan amendment (future land use map) related to the property located at PID: 29.030.21.42.0036, an undeveloped city-owned parcel on Glenmar Ave. The proposed future land use map amendment would reguide the subject parcel from Park/Private Open Space to Low Density Residential. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council for their meeting to be held on December 17, 2024, 7:00 p.m.

Scott Neilson, City Administrator Published one time in the White Bear Press on November 27, 2024.

Above: Following a countdown, White Bear Lake Mayor Dan Louismet pushes a plunger and lights the Gazebo in Railroad Park during a recent early evening ceremony. The inaugural event was held in conjunction with a downtown holiday open house.

At right: Santa joins a student choir from Mariner Middle School during the event.

Above: Sisters Lydia and Ella were easy to spot in the crowd

blinking lights

At left: Rotary Club Members Patty Hall, Carol Nelson, Pam Bowers, Teresa Dupre and Gloria Drake reported serving

Jersey

Mike’s

acquired by Blackstone

Jersey Mike’s Subs is being acquired by Blackstone, a private equity firm.

Private equity funds managed by Blackstone will be used to acquire majority ownership of Jersey Mike’s. The deal is “intended to help enable Jersey Mike’s to accelerate its expansion across and beyond the U.S. market” and aid ongoing technological investments, the companies said. According to the Wall Street Journal, the

transaction will value Jersey Mike’s at around $8 billion.

The acquisition of the private company is expected to close in early 2025. Under terms of the agreement, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO Peter Cancro will continue to lead the business.

Jersey Mike’s is located at 925 County Road E, Vadnais Heights and 2645 White Bear Ave., Maplewood.

St. Andrew’s updates sign

St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church has been given the green light from the city of Mahtomedi to install a new sign on its property located at 900 Stillwater Road. City Planner Hannah Rybak explained that the original sign had to be removed due to the recent road project on Stillwater Road and Hilton Trail, which expanded the right of way.

The church plans to install a V-shaped monument sign that will include one electronic cabinet (screen) on each side so it is visible from all directions to motorists that pass by the church. The sign meets most of the city’s requirements, but the city had to grant some flexibility related to setbacks from the right of way. Rybak explained that signs are required to have a 10-foot setback from the right of way, but in St. Andrew’s case that setback is not possible due to wetlands on the site.

CONTRIBUTED

The new sign for St. Andrew’s is a V-shape monument sign.

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Mahtomedi group turns Streetcar Park into natural beauty hub

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Within Mahtomedi, one location has drawn the attention of many residents and volunteers — a location that most would say deserves a chance to let its natural beauty shine for all to see. That spot is none other than the city’s own Streetcar Park. The park is located along Tamarack Road, Quail Street and Briarwood Avenue close to the Mahtomedi District Education Center. Since 2019, these residents and volunteers have undertaken the task of reconstructing the park by growing native plants and perennials and bringing new features to the area that they say will make it a fantastic destination for all passersby.

“One of my favorite parts of working on this project has been seeing how excited everyone has been to come together,” said resident Lindsay Buck. “When people show up and see us working, they always stop and talk about how excited they are to see how far the park has come along in the last couple of years. That’s always really encouraging.”

This group of volunteers began forming in 2019 when residents Heidi Bennett

and Cindy Rasmussen met and joined forces to remove invasive plants such as buckthorn and wild mustard that had been growing in the park for some time.

Rasmussen stated that she initially saw most of them growing underneath the sign to the park itself.

“I almost couldn’t stand to look at it,” said Rasmussen.

“So one day, I thought, ‘I’m going to go take my rake, tools, and clean up under that sign. That’s when Heidi came along within hours and was back helping me clean up around the sign.”

As more residents joined, the group continued to clean

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL NOTES

• Girl Scouts from Troop 58350 have requested to use space at City Hall once or twice a month for meetings. The going rate for the rental is $140 per event, but the Scouts (and their leaders) are hopeful the city and troop can work something out.

Mayor Richard Brainerd thanked the Girl Scouts for visiting the council and said the council will consider the request. He did mention that the council has to be careful because if it allows it for the troop, the city will more than likely be approached by other nonprofit groups who want the space for free or a discounted rate.

up around the park, removing rocks so city workers could mow grass and placing wood chips around the park’s covered bridge to plant native flowers. The group collaborated with Public Works Director Bob Goebel on these endeavors.

In 2022, the group recruited Buck as its landscape architect to design layout plans, pointing out where certain native plants and wildflowers would be grown. “She was the person who could put pen to paper and help us draw the plans we could bring to the City Council and (Park Commission),” said

• The city will apply for a 2025 inflow/infiltration grant from the Metropolitan Council by Dec. 15. The Met Council program grants cities money for the replacement or upgrade of private sewer lines. An amendment has

Rasmussen of Buck. “She’s used her experience in her job to make plans and cost estimates on plants, as well as how to plant, monitor and give enough water for them. That was all her expertise, and we could not have come nearly this far without her.” The plants in question included Eastern white pine trees, grey dogwood and chokecherry, among others.

In 2023, Lake Links Association Safety Coordinator Ian Harding contacted Rasmussen about helping contribute to the ongoing project. Rasmussen knew Steve Wolgamot, a former Mahtomedi City Council member, and his family. After Wolgamot passed away from brain cancer in 2022, a trail enhancement fund was established in his name to support enhancements to the ongoing Lake Links Trail, including benches, signage and landscaping. The association remains the current holder of all donations put through the fund, called the Wolgamot Lake Links Trail Enhancement Fund.

This year, the Mahtomedi Garden Club, the Wolgamot Fund and the city contributed various amounts of funding to the project. These funds

will go toward the planned planting of native shrubs, perennials, and trees, tree removal and replacement lawn, and pollinating wildflower meadows around the area. The amount will also allow the group to install picnic tables, benches and interpretive signage, as well as the construction of a large natural play area that is set to be complete by next year.

Rudy Racks, a bike rack manufacturing company based in Steven’s Point, Wisconsin, donated one such rack to the park as well.

The group has also seen volunteers come from not just their hometown, but also White Bear Lake, Grant and Pine Springs.

“Two things come to mind,” said Mahtomedi Garden Club President Mary Kiel on her most favorite thing about seeing the park grow. “The volunteering and ability of a group to accomplish wonderful big things when they set their mind to it. There have been so many people that have been appreciative and helped out this group.”

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. He can be reached at 651-407-1229 or lowdownnews@presspubs.com.

been made to a contract between the city and the Washington County Conservation District for the Wildwood Park shoreline and streambank protection project. The original project cost was estimated at $33,023 and the final project cost came in at $37,971. The city still owes $13,123 for the project.

• The city continues to update its zoning districts to comply with its comprehensive plan. Rybak explained that city staff recommends abolishing the Agricultural District (A). “We noticed that the agricultural zoning district doesn’t really fit the city anymore,” she said.

Removing the A district will affect three areas — two now, and one at a future meeting.

The Xcel Energy substation, located at 3050 Echo Lake Avenue, will be rezoned to Industrial/Business Park (IB).

Sixteen lots along Ideal Avenue will also be rezoned to Rural Residential (RR).

“There will be no impact here to them. We are just bringing the zoning map into conformance with the comp plan,” Rybak noted.

• Public Works Director Bob Goebel, who sits on the lake level lawsuit work group, provided an update to the council. He said the group has already met a handful of times since it was incorporated, most recently earlier this month.

“We haven’t met very regularly, but that is not saying nothing is getting done,” he said, adding that the group awarded three $500,000 contracts to engineering

firms to complete various studies and technical services. In addition, another firm was awarded a $200,000 contract to keep track of the group’s finances.

“We are very preliminary in the studies, so we have a lot of work to do,” he said.

The next work group meeting will be Feb. 4.

City Administrator Scott Neilson said another meeting is planned for residents who live along Birchwood Road who approached the city about roadway flooding after Jan. 1. “They asked us to look at different solutions and we ran them past the (Department of Natural Resources),” he said.

• Neilson also provided an update on the

Highway 244 turnback project. He noted that the city of Dellwood has not yet made a decision, but is expected to consider it at the next City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10.

• Some council members may attend a training Feb. 21-22 hosted by the League of Minnesota Cities.

• The City Council plans to invite area representatives from the Legislature to introduce themselves and provide updates in early 2025.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at City Hall.

Shannon Granholm

MAHTOMEDI SCHOOLS | CONTRIBUTED

Mayor Richard Brainerd presents a plaque and letters of congratulations to team members and their coach.

CONTRIBUTED

Funds will be used in Streetcar Park to plant native shrubs, perennials and trees; tree removal, replacement lawn and pollinating wildflower meadows around the area are also planned.

MAHTOMEDI SCHOOLS | CONTRIBUTED

The Mahtomedi City Council made a proclamation honoring the Mahtomedi High School 2024 Class AA Girls State Soccer Champions. Pictured from left are Aynslea Ulschmid (Class of 2025), Head Coach Dave Wald, Emily Muetzel (Class of 2025) and Cecilia Emery (Class of 2025).

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DOG BEACH: Final decision awaits

closures recommended for the dog beach,” Ganzlin explained.

Council Member Heidi Hughes said, “Dogs are pooping in the water, and the kids are swimming in it.”

Parks Commission Member Anastacia Davis said, “People shouldn’t be urinating or defecating in the lake either, and we have had that problem at Memorial Beach.” She added, “There is a need to make sure that we are all being good stewards of the lake water.”

Ganzlin added, “We haven’t seen overwhelming evidence that there is a major problem between the dog beach and the swimming beach.”

Hughes added in addition to the human health concern, residents are being growled at and barked at. She also said dogs are going on docks, and some dogs have wandered through the neighborhood.

“This is good for maybe five dogs. We are trying to make it Otter Lake Dog Park, and it is not. It is 40 feet of lakefront … I just don’t think the dogs fit in there,” Hughes said.

Parks Commission Member Bryan Belisle said if the dog beach closes, it could cause problems elsewhere. “People want to be able to use lakes, and where are they going to go? Are they going to go to the boat launch area with their dogs? Are they going to go to the sailboat area with their dogs? Are they going to go to Memorial Beach with their dogs? Possibly,” he said.

Council Member Bill Walsh wondered about what was driving the park commission’s opinion that the dog beach should remain open.

Parks Commission Member Victoria Biehn said, “I’m not a dog owner, but I can go and sit up on that hill and be entertained by the dogs … Even though I’m not a dog owner, it is an amenity for the folks that don’t live on the lake

but live in the city and can use a small piece of the lake and feel like it is theirs.”

Belisle brought up what he called the have in the room. “Would this even be addressed every year if we didn’t have a council member living across the street from the beach?”

Mayor Dan Louismet said the council was going to take this up “one final time.

“We are either going to close it, or we are going to put our best foot forward, realizing that it might not be perfect, and we are going to have to continue to improve it each year,” he said.

Louismet said the council will decide sometime in early 2025 after holding a public hearing for residents to weigh in on both sides of the issue.

If the dog beach stays open, the council will also have to consider the Park Advisory Commission’s recommendations for 2025, which include:

• Removing the leash requirement to better align with city code.

• Revise the signage to better reflect that dogs need to be leashed up while walking to and from the dog beach but, once on the dog beach, leashes are not required.

• Utilizing a seasonal, part-time “lakeshore” community service officer to patrol the area from Memorial Beach to Lions Park to help educate the public.

• Extend the buoy an additional 50 feet.

“The one thing I think we all observed in our summer reviews in 2023 and 2024 is the number of people that enjoyed being at the dog beach with their dogs — both for their dogs to socialize with other dogs and (other dog owners),” Ganzlin said.

“This is a unique space … it provides a great amenity to the city and the community.”

The Real Dogs of White Bear Lake

BY RICKA MCNAUGHTON SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

A column about the everyday lives, loves and existential concerns of dogs I’ve had the pleasure to meet, walking around White Bear Lake.

Meet Finn, a Black Lab mix, with maybe a dash of Pointer. His origin story is cloudy. Only Finn could tell you how he first came into the hands of a rescue organization in Alabama. Had he gotten irretrievably lost? Was he a hunting dog, dumped for failing to be what he was supposed to be? One thing Finn was “supposed to be” was a Yellow Lab.

About seven years ago, a Yellow Lab listed on an adoption website caught the hopeful eye of Elaine Delavy. She’d lost her own Yellow Lab the year before. Wouldn’t you know, that dog was taken. However, the rescue people said: Hey, we have this Black Lab-ish dog who’s being held in foster care in southern Minnesota. Potential adopters just seemed wary of big black dogs. Would you just give him a try? Elaine and Roger, her then soon-to-be-husband said, Hmm, OK. They were given two weeks to see how things worked out.

After picking him up, they learned that Finn had a few core competencies. He knew not to jump on furniture uninvited or snatch food from tables or countertops. He was eager to make friends with people of all ages, as well as other dogs and, essentially, any creature that didn’t flee from his exceedingly cordial advances. They did note, however, all the ways in which Finn did not conform to breed expectations, as follows:

He seemed to know as little about retrieving things as a duck knows about playing chess. Finn believed that any form of wild game that visited the property – deer, turkeys, what have you – had come expressly to play with him, as though they were merely malformed dogs. His first dive off a dock at a family

cabin, following another dog’s lead, left him somewhat stupefied about how swimming actually works. And frankly, he didn’t care for it. So trips to the White Bear Lake dog beach, offering shallow splashing amenities, were a huge hit. You know where this is going. Finn wasn’t a swimmer, but who could resist his unsinkable joie de vivre. He wasn’t a Yellow Lab, but the Delavy family fell for Finn’s heart of gold. Finn was in. It’s something of a paradox that, in times of loss and despair for the future, we draw our focus down to the small stuff worth celebrating. Call it a dog’s-eyeview. Heading into this holiday season of gratitude and sparkle, Finn would like you to know that he is thankful to have traveled the crooked road that led him from Alabama to the Delavy’s open arms seven years ago, where in his mind, every day is now the greatest day of his life.

Ricka McNaughton is a writer living in White Bear Lake. She loves all animals.

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RICKA MCNAUGHTON | CONTRIBUTED Elaine Delavy and non-conformist, Finn.