Noteworthy

… LET’S STEP INTO 2023 with a spirit of gratitude and support for White Bear Lake and the local businesses that have served us all so well over the previous year.

What’s the best way to say, “Thank you,” to your favorite dining spots, service spaces, shopping venues and more? Vote for your favorite local businesses and community venues in our annual Readers’ Poll— this year’s Best of White Bear Lake 2023.

Our contest is live throughout January at whitebearlakemag.com, where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a growing number of categories.

While some of your favorite categories return for another year, our editorial team has included a few more sections that further embrace our retail and business communities. Curious? Go online to vote!

Here’s what you need to know: Voting is live with three simple rules*: 1. One entry is allowed per person; each ballot needs to include an email address. 2. Ballots must be completed by 5 p.m.

January 31, 2023. 3. Voters need to vote in at least five categories to ensure their ballot is counted. 4. The top three finalists will be announced online on March 1, 2023. 5. Watch for our much-anticipated Best of White Bear

Lake in the July/August issue, where the winners and runners up will be revealed—along with Editor’s

Picks and a host of other community highlights.

*Any rule not adhered to may result in entire surveys being discarded, and all results are subject to editorial discretion.

One of White Bear Lake’s creatives has returned to her roots. Artist, ceramicist and business owner Louisa Podlich has turned her entrepreneurial energy toward White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA), where she has recently taught student artists how to add watercolor to ceramics and create a thriving business from their work. Podlich sells original artwork through her company A MANO, which means “by hand.” Her colorful vision can be found in a variety of ceramic creations like dishes, earrings and rainbow ornaments as well as beautiful cloth napkins. Podlich’s work is available at the WBCA retail area and online at weshopamano.com. It is inevitable that Podlich will find more than one way to inspire you!

Karna Holub is the gallery coordinator at White Bear Center for the Arts. Learn more about WBCA offerings and events at whitebeararts.org

It is a new year, and many readers aim to improve their nutrition, get back into the gym and be healthier starting in 2023. At BearFitness we like to say, “Think big, start small and be specific.” What does this mean? Getting healthy is a great goal, but it’s not measurable and can sound overwhelming. Instead, try to begin with a small goal, such as drinking 80 oz. of water per day. Once you feel comfortable with that, move to the next goal, such as incorporating 1 cup of vegetables per day into your meals. The same applies if you want to work out more—start simple. An example could be going on two 1-mile walks per week, and maybe your next goal is participating in two group fitness classes per week. We recommend scheduling time in a calendar to work out and putting goals somewhere you can check them off. Small wins will keep you motivated and feeling accomplished.

Jake Wandersee is the owner of BearFitness, a White Bear Lake fitness center offering results-focused training and CrossFit coaching. Learn more at bearfitnessmn.com

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Breathing. It is something we all do but don’t think too much about. In the awardwinning book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, author James Nestor shares the knowledge he has gained from traveling the world and studying the process of breathing. He discusses, in a very readable, entertaining style, how breathing works, how it has changed over time and in various cultures and how we can improve our approach. This popular book leans into both science and self-help and may be just the boost you need to kick-start a happy and healthy 2023.

Therese Sonnek is the branch manager of Ramsey County Library - White Bear Lake. Visit rclreads.org to learn more about library programs and locations.

We all know winter in Minnesota can be a beautiful sight, but it can also be downright damaging to our skin. Between the subzero temps, frigid winds, dark days and spending more time indoors, it’s common for skin to become dehydrated, irritated and lack luster. Consider some of my top tips to maintain a luminous complexion year-round.

Skincare Regimen » Use a cream-based cleanser in place of a foaming gel cleanser that often strips the skin of its natural oil barrier. » Add dry brushing to your weekly routine to benefit from increased lymph flow and gentle exfoliation. » Try adding CBD into your skin care regimen, as it is a wonderful anti-inflammatory ingredient that can decrease skin

irritation and calm redness. » Always wear SPF 30 or higher on the face, neck, ears and hands. The sun’s rays are magnified by the reflection from snow and ice and can still cause severe burns. » Avoid or limit using products with high levels of astringents or alcohols, as these ingredients are drying in nature.

Diet » Increase your intake of antioxidant-rich foods like kale, berries, avocado, spinach and citrus for extra protection against winter’s harsh elements. Eat foods that are rich in omega fatty acids 3, 6 and 9 to maintain healthy skin cell membranes. » To help balance the microbiome of the skin, try adding probiotics to your morning routine to decrease inflammation and

keep things running smoothly. » Drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you normally run cold, try drinking liquids at room temperature so it’s easier on the system.

Lifestyle » Avoid seasonal breakouts by keeping hats and scarfs clean and routinely laundered. » Run a humidifier in the bedroom at night so your skin can revel in some humidity while resting and repairing.

Jamie Tatreau is the owner of Sweet Mana Natural Botanicals, a sustainable, small batch skincare company based in Maplewood. Learn more at sweetmana.com.

When Peg Black’s youngest son went off to school in 1975, she decided to get herself a job. Cerenity Senior Care, then known as White Bear Lake Care Center, was in the neighborhood. “I thought, ‘Well, I’ll go over there and get a job until I fi nd something I like better,” Black says. Now, 47 years later, she’s leaving Cerenity with a lasting legacy.

After working as a nursing assistant and in the activities department at Cerenity, Black spent 20 years as the volunteer coordinator. When Cerenity embarked on a $17 million renovation and expansion project in 2009, Black was tapped to take on the role of development director. “I thought, ‘Well, I haven’t done that before, but I’ll certainly give it a try.’ And that’s what I’ve been doing ever since,” Black says.

Overall, Black says her time with Cerenity kept her connected to White Bear. “White Bear is a small community in many ways, and there’s almost always someone I know coming in through our transitional care unit, or somebody’s mother lives here,” Black says. “We’re an extension of the community and the community is highly supportive of us.”

In retirement, Black is looking forward to traveling and enjoying time spent golfi ng, sailing and hiking with her husband. The newly minted snowbirds plan to live two-thirds of their year out in California, where their youngest son now lives. “Like many folks, we’re going spend a good part of the year somewhere warm,” Black says.

By Madeline Kopiecki. A full version of this story is available at whitebearlakemag.com.

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Phone 651-461-4770 or visit mnwcare.com/pampersuite Our location 1687 Woodlane Drive | Woodbury, MN 55125