White Bear Lake - July 2023

BEST OF 2023

White Bear Lake Office | Hwy. 61 & 4th St. | 651.426.7172

JASON BROWN 612-834-9229

LINDA POWERS 651-315-4119

THE MADORES KATHY MADORE & LISA MADORE 651-592-4444 | 651-216-1335

PAT FRUCCI 651-470-7807

JUDY CRAIG & JOHN CRAIG THE CRAIG GROUP 651-303-1200 | 651-402-0598

TOM BECKER 651-402-1398

DENISE LARSON 651-271-8560

AMY STOCKER 651-242-1586

651-402-3007 | 651-249-8754

DON JOYCE 651-442-4085

JIM KRAMER 651-247-7484

DOUG DONOVAN 651-261-5544

THE PELTIERS JASON & TRACY

THE FLYNN TEAM NANETTE & LIZ

612-750-1215 | 651-587-7562

MANAGER

GAIL GENDLER 651-210-1699

JOHN MONETTE 612-720-0545

JAN NIEMIEC 651-248-4100

MARK & DANA ASHBY 651-287-4040

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TERRI WYKLE 612-619-5425

THE BACCHUS-ECKLIN GROUP 651-592-8932

RICK GUY 651-247-0634

GRETCHEN LOCKEN 763-370-3197

R SA

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SO White Bear Lake Office | Hwy. 61 & 4th St. | 651.426.7172

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1

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J U LY/A U G U S T 2 0 2 3 “I have only to break into the tightness of a strawberry, and I see summer— its dust and lowering skies.” —Toni Morrison, American novelist

Photo: Josh Driver

PAGE 29

whitebearlakemag.com

DEPARTMENTS 18 — Find Us Together Locals find community and adventure with St. Paul Hiking Club.

20 — Special Deliveries Elevated Boxes brings together local makers.

22 — Dream of Wild Health Local organization works to revitalize Indigenous food practices.

FEATURES 24 — Meet Your Winners Celebrate your Best of White Bear Lake 2023 Readers’ Choice Poll winners and finalists!

29 — Through the Looking Glass A collection of places to explore and people that inspire.

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42 — A Taste of Summer Try recipes from your neighbors this grilling season.

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IN EVERY ISSUE 10 — Editor’s Letter 13 — Noteworthy 37 — On the Town 40 — Gallery 48 — Last Glance

651.762.8040 | CARLSONCHIRO.NET LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN WHITE BEAR LAKE 2130 2ND STREET 9

FROM THE EDITOR

Experience the

W

elcome to the Best of White Bear Lake issue. As you read this, I hope you’re enjoying the best of these long summer days we spend seven months looking forward to—perched on a porch swing with a glass of iced tea, lounging on the beach with your toes in the sand or settled in your backyard taking in the sunset.

My favorite reading spot is a shaded bench in my garden, munching on herbs and drinking lemonade with my chickens clucking away nearby.

Wherever you choose to read and relax, quiet moments like these go by fast, so let me give you a quick preview into the stories within these pages.

First, skip on over to our Readers’ Choice Poll results on page 24. While you’re there, turn to page 29 to read my favorite things about the White Bear Lake area—from bites and books to sights and some seriously cool humans!

We’re headed outdoors in this issue, starting with a hike alongside some Mahtomedi residents who’ve found a community and calling with the St. Paul Hiking Club. Writer Jamie Tjornehoj spent an afternoon with Brock and Sandy Herlick and the rest of the club. Read about their adventures on page 18. Then, read about Hugo nonprofit Dream of Wild Health on page 22.

Writer Ava Diaz connected with current staff and former students to discuss their mission to help Indigenous youth learn about their heritage and regain food sovereignty.

Speaking of food, flip to page 42 for a collection of community recipes just in time for patio season, curated by yours truly. … And there’s so much more! We all have our favorite things to do and see.

Just remember to get out into your community and try something new.

I hope you find some ideas within these pages.

Until next time,

On the Cover Best of White Bear Lake 2023, photo by Chris Emeott, page 24 See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!

White Bear Lake Magazine @whitebearlakemag @whitebearlakemag

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July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

of a Turn-Key Lifestyle in North Oaks

ZOE DEA L — ZOE@LOCA LMEDIA .CO

Come visit us during Marketfest.

VOL. 12 NO. 4 whitebearlakemag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Zoe Deal

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor

CHECK OUT OUR BOOTH FOR FUN & GAMES! At the Corner of Banning and 3rd | July 6th, 13th and 20th.

Local agents with community market knowledge.

Interested in premarket listings or a home anaylsis?

Reach out to us today!

STOP BY OUR OFFICE DURING THE WHITE BEAR LAKE FARMERS MARKET!

Hailey Almsted

digital editor Madeline Kopiecki

copy editors Kellie Doherty Sherri Hildebrandt

staff writers Jody Carey Zoe Deal Ava Diaz Mollee Francisco Emily Gedde Daniel Huss Hanna McDaniels Kristie Smith Josie Smith Jamie Tjornehoj

contributing writers Karen Alnes Christina Miller Brittany Tobin Mrkvicka Therese Sonnek

editorial interns Clare Greeman Nandini Parikh

crushrealestatemn.com info@crushrealestatemn.com 2129 2nd Street Ste 2A White Bear Lake, MN 55110

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editorial advisory board Karen Alnes, Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation Lisa Beecroft, Beecroft Marketing & Events Ellie Fuelling, White Bear Center for the Arts Dylan McDonough, Solid Ground Jackie Reis, Community Volunteer Marisa Vette, White Bear Lake Area Schools

The view’s better from here. Catch some rays with Maui Jim.

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art director Allison Nolden

graphic designer Yaz Lo

junior designer Jamie Klang

lead staff photographer Chris Emeott

production director Brittni Dye

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What you should know about our annual readers’ poll.

BEST OF FAQS Each year, our Best of White Bear Lake poll brings together our readers and social media followers, who look forward to supporting local businesses and service providers with their votes.

If you’re new to the Best of White Bear Lake readers’ poll or just curious about the process, read along to discover the ins and outs, so you’re ready to vote next year!

VOTING RAN ONLINE DURING JANUARY WITH THREE SIMPLE RULES*:

1.

One entry was allowed per person; each ballot needed to include an email address.

2.

Ballots must have been completed by 5 p.m. January 31, 2023.

3.

Voters needed to vote in at least five categories to ensure their ballots were counted.

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

FAQS:

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

We feature an all write-in ballot, so our voters can easily make their top choices. Once voting closed, tabulators determined which businesses were the top vote-getters.

What’s a finalist vs. a winner?

The top vote-getters in each category become finalists and were announced in the spring on our website. (Once votes are tabulated, our editorial team fact-checks the address and contact information for each finalist. If a finalist is no longer a valid selection due to a closed business, etc., the next highest vote-getter(s) moves up to become a finalist.) The top vote-getter is the winner and is announced in July on our website and in our magazine.

Can a business or organization be a finalist if it’s located outside of the magazine’s coverage area?

In order to qualify as a finalist in the survey, each business or organization must be located in the community and/or provide services to local residents.

How can business owners get on next year’s ballot?

We recommend encouraging clients or customers to vote for your business in our next readers’ poll, which goes live on our website in January 2024. (Remind them of the rules, so their ballots are valid.)

I’m a winner! How do I purchase a framed cover?

How do you choose the categories?

Each year, our editorial and management teams evaluate survey categories to include topics our readers find most relevant. Readers provide feedback, which we appreciate receiving, about categories they’d like to see added or eliminated. You’ll notice several new categories this year!

July/August 2023

How does voting work?

whitebearlakemag.com

Winners can request a free digital copy of the Best of 2023 magazine cover design, which also indicates the winning category and the business’s or organization’s name. Winners can also purchase a framed award certificate, which is 14x17 inches and features a black, wood frame. The cost is $110 per item, including shipping and handling, and can be ordered at localmedia.co/awardcertificate. —Editorial Staff

13

N OT E WO RT H Y

l o cal tips, t i d b i t s & i n s ig h ts

FAC E S

Fireworks on White Bear Lake

Every year, White Bear

years! But what’s going on

complex logistics of the event

Foussard, 4701 N Highway 61,

Lake produces a mag-

behind the scenes? It takes

with the City of White Bear Lake,

White Bear Lake, MN 55110)

nificent fireworks display on

year-round work to plan, orga-

area police and fire departments

Independence Day, bringing

nize and raise the funds to

and the Ramsey County Water

together families and friends

make the evening a success.

Patrol to ensure safety.

for a tradition that goes back

This year’s volunteer committee members are Dick

Fireworks Fund began with

people come by land and

Galena (chairman), Bill

the City of White Bear Lake

water to watch the show from

Foussard (fundraising),

and today is a nonprofit that

Optimist Beach.

Gene Altstatt, Pete Carlson,

is totally funded by local busi-

The volunteers who make

Rick Juba, Bill Matschke,

nesses and individuals. Your

this happen every year are a

Kim Perkins, Mark Sather

tax deductible donation of any

very special group and have

and Frank Watson.

size is welcome. (White Bear

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They plan and manage the

Lake Fireworks Fund, c/o Bill

In celebration of the dedicated volunteers that uplift this community, the Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation spotlights a noteworthy citizen or initiative of the White Bear Lake area in each issue. Learn more at gwblcf.org.

July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

Photo: Jay Rendell

The White Bear Lake

generations. Thousands of

been creating this magic for

So, be sure to join your neighbors for this year’s fireworks!

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ories of travels Up North to Lake Superior.

For romance lovers, check out Yours Truly

by Abby Jimenez. She is a local legend for her cupcake shop, Nadia Cakes, and her social media wit. She has really come into

2555 County E Suite 104 White Bear Lake MN 55110

her own as a romance writer. If you have never read her books, start with The Friend Zone. Each of her subsequent novels have spin-off characters, who also have their own stories to tell. Yours Truly follows Bri, a doctor who has a competitive relationship with a new doctor at the Minneapolis hospital where they work, but romance blossoms

Roofing

through letters and texts. Jimenez is at her best with dialogue, characters and plot twists that will make you cry.

How about something for the kids or grandkids? White Bear Lake author David LaRochelle has a fun new picture book called 100 Mighty Dragons all Named Broccoli. Lian Cho’s illustrations bring every

Siding Windows Gutters

silly creature to life as children learn some math concepts through the adventures of these departing dragons until there is only one left. For ages 4–8.

Therese Sonnek is the branch manager of Ramsey County Library-White Bear Lake.

Visit rclreads.org to learn more.

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N OT E WO RT H Y

White Bear Lake Area Schools

Join us!

Why Be a Bear?

Our students benefit from:

• Safe, nurturing and challenging environments.

• Differentiated instruction.

• Hands-on learning.

• World language experiences.

• Focus on academic, social and personal development of all students.

• Career Pathways opportunities and College-level courses.

•

VIEW

Check us out online!

• E-NEWSLETTER - The Community e-Newsletter is sent out weekly, with alternating text and video editions. Subscribe by emailing communications@isd624.org.

• STAY SOCIAL - Join White Bear Lake Area Schools’ social media circles - Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for 624 Fact posts and weekly video share-outs.

651-407-7500 isd624.org /isd624 16

During the March equinox this year, Spirit

prototype, made up of wadded-up news-

Bear, a metal sculpture created by renowned

paper and masking tape, which Tost later

artist Robin Tost, arrived at its new home

brought to a blacksmith friend who made

at White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA).

the larger, hoop-shaped frame out of steel

Tost, who is originally from White Bear Lake,

rods. Tost notes that she spent a great

feels a connection with bears. “I’ve always

deal of time inside the wire frame as she

liked bears,” she says. “I grew up on White

stitched together the creature. Spirit Bear

Bear Lake, and there are lots of them around

stands about 4 feet tall, made from found

where I now live. Occasionally, they spend

metal pieces, including a colander and

time at my house, destroying my bird feed-

fragments of license plates, and threaded

ers and cooling off in my tiny pond.” Tost

together by wire to give a quilt-like appear-

explains that the sculpture is inspired by

ance. The sculpture will be on view at

spirit bears, a rare subspecies of black bears

WBCA for two years.

that have white fur. These bears are revered and protected by the Indigenous people of British Columbia.

Spirit Bear began as a small bear

Karna Holub is the exhibitions manager at WBCA. Learn more about offerings and events at whitebeararts.org

July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

Photo: White Bear Center for the Arts

Spirit Bear

Enrollment info at isd624.org/enroll

STYLE

BEST OF STYLE: THE BLAZER The blazer is a wardrobe classic that comes in a variety of silhouettes, fabrications, colors and prints, and adds a polished, sophisticated feel to any outfit.

The blazer trends may change, but it is a great staple to have in your wardrobe and can be worn in any season. Right now, the trend is oversized blazers paired with skirts, shorts or dresses in the warmer months, and we are seeing these large jackets paired with pants, leggings or joggers in the cooler months. An easy way to try this trend is with a matching set. If you are more into the classics, try a tweed, black or linen blazer for versatility and an easy, classic styling option. Try pairing the blazer with a simple pair of jeans, a white T-shirt and sneakers, flats or sandals this season.

With the blazer being one of the top trends right now, you are sure to find a variety of options out there to try. It is a basic that I am recommending to clients time and time again and styling for not only work outfits, but casually for weekends as well.

iStock.com/golubovy

Alexandra Eve is a local stylist and wardrobe consultant. To learn more about summer style trends, visit alexandraeve.net.

17

ACTIVE LIVING

Find Us Together Locals find community and adventure with St. Paul Hiking Club.

By Jamie Tjornehoj

lifestyle. Or so it is for the St. Paul Hiking Club, a group of Metro area residents that is building community and staying active with twice-weekly hikes.

Among the club’s ranks are Mahtomedi residents Brock and Sandy Herlick.

Longtime lovers of the outdoors, the pair joined the St. Paul Hiking Club five years ago after hearing about it from friends and quickly became proactive members.

“It’s been the best thing that ever happened to me,” Sandy says.

Rain or shine, club members gather at locations around the Metro every Tuesday and Sunday for 3- to 5-mile hikes. They hike on little-known neighborhood trails and beloved lake loops.

Members take turns leading hikes. Often, the Herlicks plan hikes in the White Bear Lake area for the club to enjoy. They’ve led hikes at Sunfish Lake in Lake Elmo, the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail and even one starting at Cup and Cone.

“I would have never known half of these trails in the Metro,” Sandy says. “There are trails in the woods that you would never see driving a car, and you’d never know about. It’s really amazing.”

The club was founded in 1921 by Grace Cummings, a secretary in the St. Paul Parks Department who led a group of 20-somethings on a 3-mile hike near St. Paul. Fast forward more than 100 years, and the club is composed of mostly retired area residents. But don’t be fooled by the sweet smiles of these folks. The St. Paul

18

Hiking Club has endured subzero temperatures and hiked through rain, snow and grueling heat indexes. Year-round, whatever the weather, they’ll be hiking.

As a reward after a strenuous hike, members often stop for ice cream or grab dinner with fellow hikers. “I look forward to Sundays because I know that after I hike 5 miles, I’ll go out to dinner with these people,” Sandy says.

“Staying Fit Sociably” is a club motto.

Members will often host seasonal gatherings, home-cooked dinners and more following a hike; as they walk the trails, friendships are made, laughs shared and memories created. The joy alone is worth the $7 annual membership fee.

After a recent hike, the Herlicks pulled out their computer, looking at club archives recounting adventures over its history. As the couple scrolled through decades of recorded history and memories, Brock paused, putting on his

glasses to read a blurb dated 1931.

“One hike was started in Mahtomedi,” Brock says. “May 17, 1931. Six hikers took the streetcar from St. Paul to Wildwood Amusement Park, and they hiked 20 miles to Stillwater and back.”

While hikes these days are kept shorter to cater to varying ages and abilities, the legacy of community and love for the outdoors remain wholly intact. “That’s what this club was all about. It was a socializing club, but to do hiking too. Our club has continued that,” Brock says.

The St. Paul Hiking Club is open to new members. If interested, visit the club website and join in on a hike. You never know who you might meet or places you might discover. Visit whitebearlakemag. com for a list of the Herlicks’ area hikes.

St. Paul Hiking Club; stpaulhike.com

July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

Photos: Chris Emeott

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VENTURES

Special Deliveries Elevated Boxes brings together local makers.

REMEMBER WHEN you were young

and looked forward to getting a package in the mail? A White Bear Lake dad and his daughter are recreating that excitement by taking things a step further with their own gift box company— Elevated Boxes.

Alan Haskins sources local makers for items that turn a box in the mail into a delightful, purposefully curated gift. Haskins says he focuses on unique products that showcase the talent of small businesses and makers, including those around the Lake Minnetonka and White Bear Lake areas. “All of these makers appreciate every order at every size,” he says.

Haskins says the idea came from his wish to support local businesses around his hometown of Excelsior and White

20

Bear Lake, where he and his family now live. “I decided to do both boxes at the same time,” he says. The White Bear Box ($75) features Annie B’s Caramels, Kowalski’s Original BBQ Sauce, Peaceful Aromatherapy Room and Linen Spray, Premiere Traditional Dark Balsamic Vinegar, ’Sota Crackers Candle, White Bear Lake-themed items and more.

The Tonka Box ($75) is a sampling of local, artisan products from around the Lake Minnetonka area and includes: apple cinnamon peanut butter, Boundary Waters Blueberry Kakookies, eden apples, oatmeal chocolate chip bites, Lake Minnetonka-themed items and more.

Haskins runs his business out of his garage with the help of his daughter, Eva. At 15, she does the assembly and

sometimes recruits friends when the order list gets long. “I pay them, of course, and Eva’s saving her earnings for college,” he says. “She’s been doing this since the beginning.”

That desire to see small businesses thrive was cemented during the pandemic, especially as local creators lost business when they relied on farmers markets as a core of their business.

Haskins had a plan. The Uff Da! Box ($75) was the first to be created. He says he loved Pa’s Barbeque Sauce, but the pandemic meant the maker would have to destroy the extra product he produced for sale at summer 2020 farmers markets. As a result, the sauce became part of The Uff Da! Box, which includes plenty of Uff Da!-themed goodies. Since then, hundreds of that box have been sold.

July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

Photos: Chris Emeott

By Kristie Smith

elevatedboxes.com Elevated Boxes @elevatedboxes

Eva and Alan Haskins

Along came the Love Minnesota Box ($75), which has sold thousands all over the country and includes favorites from around the state, including natural products for the home and delectable treats that taste like homemade.

Haskins’ fifth and the newest of his planned 20 boxes is the Slope Box ($60) Think snowboards and downhill skis for this one. “I’m a bootstrapper. I’ve pared this down to about 18 items after polling groups of passionate snow people to learn what may be most helpful in a box dedicated to their favorite hobby,” Haskins says. The Slope Box includes anti-fogging spray for goggles, cellphone holder, hand warmers, lip balm, neck gaiter, ski and snowboard locks and lots of snacks for before, during and after time on the snow.

21

ENLIGHTEN

Dream of Wild Health Nonprofit works to revitalize Indigenous food practices.

By Ava Diaz

is reclaiming the power of food. As one of the oldest continually operating Native American organizations in the Twin Cities Metro, this intertribal nonprofit has become a vital resource for urban Indigenous youth. Through a variety of gardening, cooking and culture-focused programs, youth as young as 8 years old are provided with the opportunity to learn about their heritage and regain food sovereignty, a concept that recognizes access to healthy and culturally appropriate food as a right of all people.

Education through a hands-on approach is the driving force of the organization. With a 10-acre farm and 20 additional acres in Hugo as the classroom, individuals learn to work directly with the crops from seed to table. The goal is to help youth reconnect with their sacred customs through traditional plants and their culinary, medicinal and spiritual uses.

“You learn how to grow, harvest and cook the bountiful produce from an Indigenous standpoint,” says Nicole Butters, a Dream of Wild Health Garden Warrior, youth scholarship recipient and kitchen and seed intern.

Along with growing and harvesting food participants are already familiar with, the program also presents them with older cultural foods that many have never seen before. This exposure encourages students’ own food growth, stoking an interest in cooking with clean foods raised from regenerated soils.

“We are trying to get the young ones to learn about all sorts of elements of a food system to create and sustain a Native

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Photos: Dream of Wild Health

DREAM OF WILD HEALTH

focus food system,” says Hope Flanagan, community outreach and cultural teacher at Dream of Wild Health. “We are all just a part of this web of life. Every invisible creature in the soil is just as alive as I am, and every plant is just as alive as I am.

I can respect that and … know that the humans were the latecomers.”

Though teaching Indigenous practices and language is at the forefront of its mission, Flanagan says there’s something particularly gratifying about witnessing students connect with nature. It’s about truly digging in. “Get your fingers, get your hands in the soil so that you can connect with our Mother Earth,” Flanagan says.

“It is a healing thing, and people are finding different ways to express it.”

For Dream of Wild Health alum Felicia Galvan, gardening became a means to discover herself. “[The program] really brought out a way to navigate a lot of the stressors I was going through,” she says.

“It was a special way to communicate and connect with community,” Through communing with the land in each of her roles as Garden Warrior, youth leader and seasonal farmer, Galvan says she was able to tune in to her values.

In her position as youth engagement specialist at the American Indian Family Center, Galvan says she often thinks back on the lessons learned in her time at Dream of Wild Health.

“It wasn’t until I was coming to terms with my own Indigenous identity and really delving into food sovereignty [that I came to] understand that it is a way of reconnecting health, not only physically, but mentally,” Galvan says.

“Connecting with land and people makes me feel whole.”

This year, Dream of Wild Health is celebrating its 25th anniversary and plans to grow into the newly added 20 acres of land with construction starting this season. For more information about it's mission and programming, visit whitebearlakemag.com.

Thank you for choosing us to care for your family

Dream of Wild Health, 1308 E. Franklin Ave. Suite 203, Mpls.; 612.874.4200; dreamofwildhealth.org Dream of Wild Health @dreamofwildhealth @DreamWildHealth

YOUR PETS

OUR TEAM

ONE GOAL

5900 Highway 61 North, White Bear Lake 651.426.1381 | info@lakeanimalhospital.com 23

Written by Zoe Deal

Celebrate your Best of White Bear Lake 2023 Readers’ Choice Poll winners and finalists!

MEET YOUR WINNERS It’s that time of the year again! Welcome to your annual Readers’ Choice Poll, White Bear Lake Magazine readers. This January, you showed up in droves to whitebearlakemag.com and shared your top picks in an array of categories—now the results are here.

If you look closely, you’ll see a couple of new additions to this year’s poll, including entirely new categories dedicated to self-care, shopping, services and leisure. We’ve also expanded beyond the White Bear Lake area, so you’ll meet winners from the region and state in our Best of the East Metro and Discover Minnesota categories.

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Without further ado, let’s meet your winners and finalists!

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DINING Best Bakery 1. Grandma’s Bakery 2. Key’s Cafe & Bakery 3. Cafe Cravings

Best Bar, Brewery or Distillery 1. Big Wood Brewery 2. The Alchemist 3. Cabin 61

Best Breakfast or Brunch

Best Landscape Design Service

1. Mizu Japanese 2. Alleycat’s Gourmet Sandwiches 3. Pizzeria Pezzo

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Best Burger

Best Lawn Service

1. Cabin 61 2. The Burger Bar 3. Brickhouse Food and Drink

1. Mow Joe 2. GroundFX Lawn & Landscape, Inc. 3. Comstock & Sons

Tie: Clean Cut Outdoor Services; Longville Landscapes 2. GroundFX Lawn & Landscape, Inc.

Best Chicken Sandwich

1. Key’s Cafe & Bakery 2. Cobblestone Café 3. Washington Square Bar & Grill

1. Cabin 61 2. Alleycat’s Gourmet Sandwiches 3. Brickhouse Food and Drink

Best Desserts or Ice Cream

Best Pizza

1. Cup and Cone 2. Acqua Restaurant & Bar 3. Orso Bianco Gelato

1. Pizzeria Pezzo 2. Carbone’s Pizzeria 3. Pizza Man

Best International Cuisine 1. Mizu Japanese 2. Ban Thai Restaurant 3. Sam Thai Cuisine

Best Locally Owned Coffee Shop 1. The Anchor Coffee House 2. The Wild Bean 3. Cafe Cravings

Best Outdoor Dining Space 1. Acqua Restaurant & Bar 2. Rudy’s Redeye Grill 3. Washington Square Bar & Grill

Best Plant-Based or Vegan Menu 1. PLNT BSD 2. Ingredients Café 3. Brickhouse Food and Drink

Best Restaurant 1. Acqua Restaurant & Bar 2. Brickhouse Food and Drink 3. Rudy’s Redeye Grill

Best Restaurant for a Power Lunch Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Best Takeout or Curbside Service

1. Cabin 61 2. EAT! @ Banning and 5th 3. Brickhouse Food and Drink

Best Locally Owned Hardware Store 1.

Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden 2. Tie: Beisswenger’s Hardware & Power Equipment; North Heights Hardware Hank and Rental

Best Remodeler 1. Lake to Lake Construction 2. Bald Eagle Contracting 3. Tie: Cox Contracting; Yares Renovation Services

ABODE Best Builder

Best Senior Living Residence

1. Lake to Lake Construction 2. Tie: Bald Eagle Contracting; Pratt Homes

1. Cerenity Senior Care 2. St. Andrew’s Village 3. Tie: The Waters of White Bear Lake; Waverly Gardens

Best Carpet and Flooring Store

SELF-CARE

1. Abbott Paint & Carpet 2. Suburban Floor Covering/ Abbey Carpet 3. 651 Carpets

Best Barbershop

Best Garden Center

1. Benny’s Barber Shop 2. Tie: Indulge Salon & Spa; Revive Spa

1. Bachman’s 2. Costa Produce Farm and Greenhouse 3. White Bear Floral Shop & Greenhouse

Best Boutique Fitness or Yoga Studio 1. BearFitness 2. Fitness Focus 3. Summit Pilates & Training

Best Home Decor and Furniture Store 1. Upsy-Daisy 2. Haus Theory 3. GoodThings

Best Med Spa

Best Interior Design Firm

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa 2. Revive Salon 3. Advanced Esthetics Med Spa

1. Christina Lynn Interiors 2. Blue Pencil Collective 3. Adorned Homes

Best Place for a Manicure and Pedicure 1. Nails&Spa 2. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa 3. Lovely Nails

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Best Salon Spa

Best Orthodontic Practice

Best Pet Grooming Service

1. Revive Salon 2. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa 3. Indulge Salon & Spa

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Erickson-Aamodt Orthodontics 2. Signature Orthodontics 3. Great River Orthodontics

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WELLNESS

Best Orthopedic Practice

Best Veterinarian Practice

1. Summit Orthopedics 2. Twin Cities Orthopedics

1. White Bear Animal Hospital 2. Lake Animal Hospital 3. Birch Lake Animal Hospital

1. St. Paul Allergy and Asthma 2. Midwest Allergy & Asthma

Best Chiropractic Practice 1. The Carlson Clinic 2. Soul Chiropractic 3. Tie: Lux Family Chiropractic; WomanWoRX

Best Cosmetic Dentistry Practice

Best Pediatric Practice 1. HealthPartners 2. Children’s Minnesota Primary Care Clinic - Hugo 3. Northern Lights Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

LEARNING Best Dance Studio

1. Lund Family Dentistry 2. White Bear Smiles 3. Orchard Dental Group

1. 4th Street Dance Centre 2. Inspiration Performing Arts Center 3. White Bear Dance Center

Best Dental Practice 1. Lund Family Dentistry 2. Orchard Dental Group 3. White Bear Smiles

Best Preschool Program

Best Dermatology Practice 1. Advanced Dermatology Care 2. Dermatology Consultants 3. Tareen Dermatology

Best Eye Care Practice

1. Preschools of St. Andrew’s 2. Kids Under Construction 3. Tie: Frassati Catholic Academy; White Bear Montessori School

Best Swim School or Lessons 1.

Foss Swim School Vadnais Heights 2. White Bear Area YMCA 3. Goldfish Swim School Oakdale

1.

White Bear Eye Clinic & Optical 2. Birch Lake Eye Clinic 3. North Suburban Eye Specialists

PET CARE

Best Family Medicine Practice 1. Entira Family Clinics 2. HealthPartners Clinic 3. Synergy Family Physicians

Best Dog-Friendly Establishment

Best Holistic Wellness Practice

1. Washington Square Bar & Grill 2. Admiral D’s Waterfront Tavern

1. Synergy Family Physicians 2. Bloom Physical Therapy & Wellness 3. Soul Chiropractic

Best Dog Park 1. Otter Lake Dog Area 2. White Bear Dog Beach

Best OB-GYN Practice

Best Pet Boarding or Daycare Service

1. Minnesota Women’s Care 2. MetroPartners OBGYN Clinics 3. Entira Family Clinics

1. Goldwood Kennels 2. Oneka Pet Resort 3. All Star Pet Hotel & Day Care

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SERVICES Best Accounting 1. Ramsay & Associates 2. Tie: Redpath; Zabel and Co.

Best Family Photographer 1.

Tie: Amanda Jean Photography; Jenna Conlin; Lisa Siddons

Best Law Practice 1. GDO Law 2. Sheila J. Kelly Law Firm, LLC 3. Fleming Law Firm

Best Mortgage Company 1. Bell Bank 2. Tie: Guaranteed Rate Affinity; Title Smart, Inc.

SHOPS Best Apparel Boutique 1. GoodStyle 2. Primp 3. Upsy-Daisy

Best Florist 1.

White Bear Floral Shop & Greenhouse 2. Lakeside Floral 3. Bachman’s

Best Gift Shop 1. GoodThings 2. Upsy-Daisy 3. Haus Theory

Best Jewelry Store 1. White Bear Jewelers 2. GoodThings

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Best Allergy Practice

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food & Supplies 2. Goldwood Kennels 3. Jazzy Paws Dog Grooming

Best Specialty Kitchen or Foods Store 1. Kowalski’s Markets 2. Sweetlife Lane 3. GoodThings

LEISURE Best Park, Open Space or Beach

Best Private School

Best Museum

1. Liberty Classical Academy 2. St. Jude of the Lake Catholic School 3. Frassati Catholic Academy

1. Minneapolis Institute of Art 2. Tie: Minnesota History Center; Science Museum of Minnesota

Best Speciality Athletic Store 1. Strauss Skates and Bicycles 2. Hisdahl’s 3. The Minnesotan

Best Music Venue 1. Xcel Energy Center 2. Tie: Tally’s Dockside; The Dugout Bar

Best Nordic Ski Trail or Alpine Hill

Best Staycation Hotel

1. Memorial Beach 2. Tamarack Nature Center 3. West Park

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Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn 2. Hotel Crosby

1. Afton Alps 2. Lutsen Mountains 3. Tamarack Nature Center

Best Place for a Date Night

Best Summer Camp

Best Resort or Lodge

1. Acqua Restaurant & Bar 2. Brickhouse Food and Drink 3. Mizu Japanese

1.

Best Place for Family Activities

Best Theater Program

1. Grand View Lodge 2. Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior 3. Tie: Breezy Point Resort; Cove Point Lodge; Larsmont Cottages

1. Lakeshore Players Theatre 2. Tie: Ashland Productions; Children’s Performing Arts

Best Wedding Photographer or Videographer

Best Winery

1. Anatoliy D. Photography 2. Tie: Kyra Lee Photography; Lisa Siddons

1.

Tie: Tamarack Nature Center; West Park 2. Tie: Element Indoor Golf; White Bear Area YMCA

Best Place for an Outdoor Adventure 1. Tamarack Nature Center 2. White Bear Lake 3. Tally’s Dockside

Best Place to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks On the water at White Bear Lake 2. Memorial Beach 3. Tie: Optimist Beach; Tally’s Dockside

Tie: Hidden Pines Ranch; White Bear Area YMCA 3. Tamarack Nature Center

1. 7 Vines Vineyard 2. Rustic Roots Winery 3. Tie: Saint Croix Vineyard; Two Silo Winery & Vineyard

Best Wedding Venue 1. 7 Vines Vineyard 2. Dellwood Country Club 3. Kellerman’s Event Center

DISCOVER MINNESOTA

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BEST OF THE EAST METRO Best Golf Course

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

1. Oneka Ridge Golf Course 2. White Bear Yacht Club 3. Manitou Ridge

Best Outdoor Skating or Hockey Rink 1. Mahtomedi Hockey Rinks 2. Podvin Park 3. The District Education Center - Mahtomedi

Best Campground 1. William O’Brien State Park 2. Tie: Afton State Park; Interstate State Park; Temperance River State Park

Best Entertainment Venue 1.

Tie: Dellwood Country Club; First Avenue; Xcel Energy Center

Best Hiking or Biking Trail 1. Gateway State Trail 2. Tie: Brown’s Creek State Trail; Tamarack Nature Center

Best Live Theater 1. Lakeshore Players Theatre 2. Ordway 3. Guthrie Theater

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SPONSORED

BEST OF 2023 WINNER

Liberty Classical Academy paves the way for lifelong success.

“Liberty has given our kids a love of learning, ignited their curiosity, nurtured their faith and blessed our family with great friends,” says school parent Kara. With accolades like this, it’s clear that, for the last 20 years, Liberty Classical Academy has positively impacted students and their families.

The academy’s mission is simple: To classically educate children to be moral leaders who impact the culture for Christ.

“Liberty was established to give families a private school option in the Twin Cities that is as committed to academic excellence as it is to Christ-centered living and learning,” says headmaster Rebekah Hagstrom. It offers preschool–12th grade, with two campuses (Hugo and White Bear Lake) and more than 450 students and 100 staff members.

Classical education builds learning around the natural cognitive development of children and is comprised of three stages.

In the grammar stage, elementary-aged students establish the foundations for learning through memorization and repetition.

In the logic stage, middle school students become increasingly inquisitive, and they apply the information learned in the grammar stage to better understand the hows and the whys of the content. As the name implies, this is the stage where students are introduced to formal and informal logic. Lastly, in the rhetoric stage, upper school students learn to synthesize information, form opinions and defend their position through

debate and persuasion, using the written and verbal skills that are honed in previous stages.

“We have seen that a classical, Christian education not only prepares students for the next stage of learning, but for life— building confident speakers, informed citizens, competent writers, moral leaders and deep thinkers,” Hagstrom says.

Liberty focuses on educating the whole child and offering a comprehensive humanities program that is complemented by advanced math opportunities, robust science-research courses, a full athletics program and extracurriculars, including drama and chess clubs; math and Lego leagues; mock trial; student government and more.

“We raise the bar high and prove that, when you give kids the tools to reach that bar, they can do it,” Hagstrom says.

LIBERTY CLASSICAL ACADEMY 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake 651.772.2777 • libertyclassicalacademy.org

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Through the Looking Glass A collection of places to explore and people that inspire.

Written by Zoe Deal Each year, I’m given the great honor of sharing my White Bear Lake area “picks” as editor. And, each year, it feels more difficult to even begin to hone in on my favorite parts of this beautiful community. Alas, I’ve given it much thought and decided to dig into the places and things that have brought me the most joy this year and in years gone by. While this will include some new favorites, like my best “Bite” and “Must-stop” in the area, I’ll also share a bit about a place that means a lot to me, an organization that is doing important work and an artist whose work has inspired me to embrace a different perspective.

Photo: Chris Emeott

Historic View

The local historic view that means the most to me isn’t a hidden gem, more like a beloved and frequented destination.

Following Sunday brunch at Keys Cafe & Bakery during my childhood, I recall fondly the afternoons spent running across the green grass at Matoska Park with my cousins, exploring the lakeshore and climbing up and down the Erd-Geist Gazebo. Today, when I walk to the park, I’m reminded of these moments and, with additional knowledge, the role Matoska Park and this lakeshore have played through the years for generations of visitors and residents. The gazebo, a symbol of love created by a father for his

Erd-Geist Gazebo

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daughter upon her marriage, once sat on the other side of the lake. It was restored in 1974, 2000 and again in 2021, continuing to reveal its historical importance to this community. Long before that, this land was a hunting and harvesting ground for the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations, with the lake and Manitou Island holding significance in local legend. Each time I visit, I have cause to stop and think about all the people throughout history who have viewed White Bear Lake from the land that is now Matoska Park. It’s a legacy of gratitude and enjoyment that I’m thrilled to be a part of.

Matoska Park, 2345 Fifth St.; whitebearlake.org

Essential Nonprofit

I think something that we can all agree on is the sheer importance of connection in the White Bear Lake area. While each of the communities around the lake has a distinct personality and offering, there’s one local organization that’s taken on the task of sharing all that goodness in one place—led by some folks who have been

monumental resources for myself and this magazine in recent years.

Explore White Bear, spearheaded by Lisa Beecroft of Beecroft Marketing; Bill Foussard of Best Western/White Bear Country Inn and Rudy’s Redeye Grill; and Sara Markoe Hanson of the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, was founded 15 years ago with a mission to promote recreation and events for visitors and residents alike. The organization, which keeps an updated online directory of events, services and things to do, has recently launched a newsletter and sponsors the Manitou Days Beach Dance alongside White Bear Lake Rotary each year. “It’s a great bringing together of different assets in the White Bear Lake community,” Beecroft says. “[Explore White Bear] definitely showcases the pride in our community.”

In the next few years, Explore White Bear hopes to begin offering group packages to help coordinate excursions that feature area services, entertainment, dining establishments and recreation opportunities. “It’s just such a great community to be a part of,” Beecroft says. “Whether you’re exploring it for the first time or you’re just learning

about new things that have been there all along, [Explore White Bear] is a good place to celebrate our community.”

Explore White Bear, 4940 North Highway 61; explorewhitebear.org Explore White Bear @explorewhitebear

Must-stop Book Shop

If it’s not already obvious from my career as a writer and editor, I’m quite the bibliophile. And anytime I find myself on a stroll downtown, Lake Country Booksellers is a highlight of my trip. There’s just something about being there, smelling that paper scent and seeing the rainbow of colorful covers. I also love that, among the roughly 5,000 books on its shelves, you’re bound to find stories of this community or books by members of it.

A women-owned business since its founding in 1980 by five area “founding mothers,” each new generation of owners has brought something unique to the business through varying literary interests and specialties. Current owners Faith Basten, Susie Fruncillo, Roberta Kiemele

Photo: Explore White Bear

Manitou Days Beach Dance

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Photo: Chris Emeott

The owners of Lake Country Booksellers, from left to right: Susie Fruncillo, Roberta Kiemele, Nancy Thysell and Faith Basten

and Nancy Thysell have worked together to build a diverse collection of stories catering to all interests. Though much has changed over the years in the realm of bookselling, Thysell shares that Lake Country is alive and well due to the support of area locals—many of whom have returned to reading in the wake of the pandemic. “For the most part, books are a positive thing for people and make people feel good, and I think for each of us coming to work here, it’s a super positive experience,” Thysell says.

Over the years, Thysell says she’s seen Lake Country become a destination. “It’s a community hub, a gathering spot. It feels like a place people can come and just spend time and ask questions and

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kind of just be,” she says. “It gives a community an identity.” On a recent trip, I was able to get my hands on The Bear, a book by Andrew Krivak that has stirred local programming and conversation as the subject of White Bear Center for the Arts’ NEA Big Reads Grant. And as I moved about the store, listening to delightful conversations between visitors and staff, it reminded me again how wonderful it is to have a small town bookstore to call our own here in White Bear Lake.

Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square; 651.426.0918 Lake Country Booksellers

Inspiring Human

There are many photographers out there—each with a unique way of seeing and capturing the world in a still frame.

In this role, I’ve been so impressed by the area artists I’ve come across. That’s especially true of Josh Driver, a White Bear Lake landscape photographer whose work showcases the natural beauty of this area in crisp detail and from unique points of view. When I first discovered his work on Instagram, it was an image of three maple trees in full color that caught my eye. Since then, Driver’s exploration of water, motion and dronescapes have often stopped me in my tracks.

Driver started photography in 2016; since then, the hobby has taken him on

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Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Dronescape of White Bear Lake, captured by Josh Driver

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Photos: Josh Driver Photography

Pontoons docked in White Bear Lake, captured

by Josh Driver

adventures across the region, particularly along the North Shore. “I’m always just attracted to water. My wife and I moved to White Bear Lake three years ago, almost to the date, so part of me is still in ‘What’s new?’ especially with the camera,” Driver says. “... Generally speaking, a new environment is always attractive. And then, the more you step into the same environment, the more you actually get to see the essence of it.”

In 2022, Driver purchased a drone and recently captured his favorite local photo yet: A panoramic image of White Bear Lake that he plans to share with the public at Marketfest. During the week, Driver works as the executive director of St. Paul nonprofit The Hospitality Center; on weekends, you can find him on local explorations

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with his family and camera, seeking unique perspectives of beloved natural wonders. While Driver never felt the term “artist” suited his work as a photographer, he’s come to terms with the label. “If I don’t create daily or weekly, I go crazy. Photography is a wonderful medium to go and create,” Driver says. “… I’m not a watercolor artist; I’m not a sculptor; I don’t have the patience for that kind of thing. I know that. I just think that this is me going, ‘This is how I’ve been made. This is who I am.’”

Josh Driver Photography; josh@joshdriverphotography.com; joshdriverphotography.com Josh Driver Photography @joshdriver_photography

Bite (or lack thereof)

This may be a controversial pick for reasons of personal ice cream eating habits. Let me start by clarifying, I do not necessarily bite ice cream, but if I was to bite any frozen item it would be the Lemon Sorbetto from Orso Bianco Gelato. If you’ve picked up our last issue, you may have read the piece I wrote on Orso Bianco. It’s a relatively new addition (opened in May 2022) and a very welcome one, with a focus on authentic Italian gelato flavors and techniques.

“There’s a real science to it,” co-owner Mark Schwartz says. “I have an engineering background, so I’m interested in all the details like why is it different from ice cream? Why does it taste like this and why do you do that?”

Having had the opportunity to enjoy

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Orso Bianco Gelato Photo: Chris Emeott

trips to Italy and other European countries, I will say that I deeply missed the distinct gelato and sorbetto that I enjoyed while meandering narrow cobblestone streets. Lemon is a classic flavor in sorbetto, a dairy-free version of gelato. It’s super tart, tastes like summer and is by far my favorite bite in White Bear Lake. My second favorite flavor (by a small margin) is the Orso Bianco signature flavor—a white chocolate stracciatella.

I felt beyond lucky to enjoy these and other spectacular flavors while interviewing owners Cinzia Falcomata and Schwartz. “We like the community of White Bear. It’s just such a nice community,” Schwartz

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says. “... We have two boys that are 10; when we’re not [at Orso Bianco], we’re either swimming, canoeing or snorkeling in the lake, and it’s just a great place to grow up. We wanted to be a part of that community.” To learn more about their story, flip through the pages of our May/June issue, visit whitebearlakemag.com or, even better, stop by in person for great conversation and gelato.

Orso Bianco Gelato, 2216 Third St.; 651.207.4922; orsobiancogelato.square.site Orso Bianco Gelato @orsobiancogelato

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Featuring uniquely refinished furniture, home decor, goods from local artisans, boutique clothing, baby items and more!

Honored, again to be chosen as finalist for Best Dental Practice in the White Bear Lake area.

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You give us a vision and we handcraft it into reality.

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Follow us @UpsyDaisyWBL on Instagram and Facebook for newest furniture arrivals and special events!

Call us and experience the White Bear Smiles Difference.

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A local practice with national respect.

Thank you Jess,Kayla,Mandy,Erica and Rachelle for your commitment to excellence and dedication to our patients.

Our cosmetic and family dental practice is for the patient who appreciates competency, professionalism, and a friendly environment with reasonable fees. It matters who you choose to treat your family. Visit our website to learn more and why your neighbors are switching to Lake Area Dental.

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things to se e and do in and aro und White Bear Lake

TOUR DE BAR BICYCLE BENEFIT Annual event on wheels raises funds for a community member in need.

Photo: Paul Dols, White Bear Press

G RA B YO U R B ICYC LES , funky cos-

tumes and friends! Tour De Bar is back for the 35th year on August 5.

What started as a weekend bar-hopping tradition for a group of local cyclists has turned into a beloved annual benefit, drawing hundreds of participants from around the Metro. “It’s blown up to the point of no return,” says longtime White Bear Lake resident and event organizer Mike Sheeran.

Each year, a committee collects nominations for the individual beneficiary of the event; the only criteria is that the recipient must have a connection to the communities of Hugo, Mahtomedi,

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Vadnais Heights or White Bear Lake.

Last year’s benefit raised nearly $15,000 for recipient Shelly Tripp, a White Bear Lake High School class of 1986 graduate battling an immune system disorder.

“It’s not just the fact that it’s a bike ride, and you’re going from establishment to establishment; We’re hopefully changing the life of somebody that we’re doing this for. That’s the main purpose,” Sheeran says.

The event is free to the public, though riders are encouraged to support the cause with the purchase of a T-shirt or other merchandise and participate in the raffle, which features up to $10,000 in

prizes. Funds are also raised via corporate sponsors and private donations.

In the 16 years since the benefit began, Sheeran says they’ve raised about $140,000 for community members in need.

This year, the event will start with a presentation at 11 a.m. at Macaluso’s Roadhouse, then continue to about 20 different establishments around the lake.

Participants can hop in at any time and visit a few establishments or make it a goal to enjoy the entire day of bikes and brews.

To purchase merchandise, volunteer, donate raffle items or learn more, email Mike and Linda Sheeran at tourdebar@hotmail.com. —Zoe Deal

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O N T H E TOW N Compiled by Hailey Almsted and Clare Greeman

Fillebrown House Tour

The White Bear Craft Fair 08/26 Shop more than 70 local crafters, artisans, creators, vendors and more. All ages. Free.

10 a.m.–3 p.m. Hippodrome Ice Arena, 4855 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake; 763.269.2166; sunriseeventsandcraftshows.com

AREA EVENTS

Red, White and Sangria!

07/01–07/02 Saint Croix Vineyards shares its locally produced, reds, whites and sangrias by the glass or flight. Ages 21 and older. Free entry. Noon–5 p.m. Saint Croix Vineyards, 6428 Manning Ave., Stillwater; 651.430.3310; scvwines.com

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo 07/13–07/16 Corteo tells the funny and tragic story of a clown that highlights the humanity in all of us, told through the amazing acrobatic performances of Cirque du Soleil performers. All ages. Tickets start at $49. Times vary. Xcel Energy Center, 199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; cirquedusoleil.com

Fillebrown House Tour 07/15 The White Bear Lake Area Historical

Relay for Life event hosts special events

3M Open

and activities for survivors and their care-

07/24–07/30

givers and community members. All ages.

This leg of the PGA Tour brings elite

6 p.m. White Bear Lake Area High School South Campus, 3551 McKnight Road N., White Bear Lake; 612.605.3557; acsevents.org

Society hosts tours of the 1879 lakeside cottage—a true example of life

Pops on the Porch

during White Bear Lake’s resort era.

08/10

All ages. $12. 11 a.m.–noon. Fillebrown House, 4735 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake; 651.407.5327; whitebearhistory.org

Celebrate on the lawn of the

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! 07/25 Ladies of the ’80s hosts its Girls Just

golf to the Twin Cities and supports the 3M Open Fund, a nonprofit committed to supporting anti-racist efforts. All ages. Tickets start at $55. Times vary. TPC Twin Cities, 11444 Tournament Players Parkway, Blaine; 763.783.9000; 3mopen.com

Fillebrown House at this annual event, which includes the sounds of the Moonlight Serenaders. All ages.

Free. 6:30–8 p.m. Fillebrown House, 4735 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake; 651.407.5327; whitebearhistory.org To have your event considered: email

Wanna Have Fun! show—a performance featuring the music of fabulous females

Heritage Days

whitebearlakemag@localmedia.co by

of the ’80s. All ages. Free. 7–8:30 p.m.

08/14–08/20

the 10th of the month three months

The City of Vadnais Heights hosts

prior to publication.

Lakeside Memorial Park, 95 E. Broadway Ave., Forest Lake; 763.221.8687; lot80s.com

Heritage Days, a community-wide effort with family activities and enter-

Due to the fluidity being experienced in

Relay for Life

tainment, a car show, food vendors,

the current environment, please note that

07/28

a market experience and more. All

some events/dates and even some busi-

Raise funds for Relay For Life, where donations fund groundbreaking cancer research and patient care programs. Each

38

ages. Free. Times vary. Locations vary.

651.204.6060; cityvadnaisheights.com

ness operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

July/August 2023

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Photo: Chris Emeott

LOCAL EVENTS

SPONSORED CONTENT

Caption if needed xxx xxx

Skyline Electric provides experienced service to the northeast suburbs.

Since 2015, Skyline Electric has set out to be “The Friendly Neighborhood Electrician” and narrowed its service area to the northeast suburbs to ensure clients receive focused attention. “We are also nearby if someone has an emergency,” says owner Jeff Lee. “My vision is also to be a positive pillar of the community. Our company strives to give back to local youth sports and other community events.”

Skyline’s primary core value is customer service with a mission to exceed customers’ expectations. “Almost any electrician can fix their problem, but our focus is the overall experience,” Lee says. The team takes great pride in building its business-to-client relationships. “This is our strength. We enjoy people, and it’s the part of our jobs we enjoy most,” he says. “Our team makes sure to take time with customers to answer questions and educate them about electrical systems. We take immense pride in our business being from over 97 percent repeat and referral customers, and I would credit that to our team’s commitment to customer satisfaction and experience.”

Customers have a lot to say when it comes to working with Skyline: “… Communication is above what I expected; the work was completed quickly and professionally …”

Another client says, “… Great prices, friendly technician, great

work and awesome customer service.”

Aside from standard electrical work, the team notes an uptick for comfort-related additions and elements, including circuits for electric car charging stations, saunas and hot tubs. In addition to remodeling projects, Skyline recommends that homeowners schedule annual electrical check-ups for their homes. “This is a big topic for us right now,” Lee says.

“Electrical maintenance is a huge part of your home’s safety.

Everyone should check smoke detectors, ground fault receptacles and other safety devices, but having an electrician do a yearly panel tune-up identifies and corrects minor issues, including loose connections, moisture and overheating issues before they create costly or dangerous situations.”

SKYLINE ELECTRIC 4771 Bald Eagle Ave Suite 104, White Bear Lake 651.528.4975 • skylineelectricmn.com

GALLERY

BEST OF 2023

Year in Review Here’s to another year of distinctive covers that reflect and celebrate our community! Which is your favorite?

Let us know on Instagram @whitebearlakemag.

40

July/August 2023

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Award Winner

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41

TA S T E M A K E R S

Written by Zoe Deal

Photos by Chris Emeott

A Taste of Summer Try recipes from your neighbors this grilling season.

As much as the summer sun brings us all together, so does the food. True Midwesterners know summer as a time for enjoying family potlucks, berry picking, perusing farmers markets and, of course, patio grilling. This year, we put out a call for locals to share their must-make summer patio cuisine—and boy did we get a response. From unique rib recipes to delicious pies, this community sure does love food; we had a hard time picking just a few to feature within these pages.

As you join in on the foodie fun this season, try one of these tried-and-true hit recipes from your neighbors.

Bánh Mì Bratwurst

each toasted brat bun. Add the brats, and

• 1 clove garlic, minced

“My partner’s cousin, Doug, made the ulti-

top with marinated veggies. Garnish with

• freshly grated zest and juice

mate grilled meal last summer … he made

cilantro and dive in.

bratwurst and topped it with bánh mì toppings—pickled carrots and daikon, cilan-

from one lime • 1/4 cups cilantro leaves, finely chopped

This recipe comes from bevcooks.com.

tro, sliced jalapeños and pâté. Super cool

• 1/2 tsp. salt • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

be pretty dang adventurous in the kitchen,

Coriander Ribs with Cilantro-Lime Butter

and I grew up eating bratwurst at backyard

“I came across this recipe about 10 years

dients in a gallon-sized plastic bag; seal

barbecues and pho and bánh mì at all the

ago in Mastering the Grill by Andrew

and shake until the salt and sugar dis-

local Vietnamese classics in Minneapolis—

Schloss and David Joachim. And with a

solve. For the cilantro-lime butter, heat

[I] never thought to put the two together

description that starts, ‘You have never

butter and garlic in a small skillet until

… I hope that if this recipe gets included, it

had ribs like these,’ I just had to give them

garlic sizzles, stir in lime zest and juice

sparks a restauranteur’s ambition to answer

a try! And boy, oh boy, were they right!

and heat to boiling. Remove from heat

the (read: my) call for more food like this.

I love to cook these for newbies on my

and stir in cilantro, salt and pepper. Set

Bonus points for grilling the bun after

large Big Green Egg with apple wood

aside. Cut racks in half; add to a plas-

spreading the pâté and for adding sriracha

chips for extra smoke and flavor, and they

tic bag with brine; remove air and seal.

and hoisin sauce.” —Michael Stone, water-

have never failed to impress—a perfect

Massage the liquid gently into the meat

front director at White Bear Sailing School

change of pace from traditional barbecue

and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours. Heat the

ribs.” —Doug Niemela, executive director

grill, with indirect medium heat (325–350

at H20 for Life

degrees F). Cook ribs until an instant-

because even though I consider myself to

• 5–8 brats • 5–8 brat buns, lightly toasted

Prepare the brine by combining all ingre-

read thermometer registers 155 degrees F,

• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots

• 2 racks of ribs, St. Louis or baby back

about one hour. Brush with cilantro-lime

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

• 2 1/2 cups cumin, coriander and lime brine

butter, remove from heat and cut into

• 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced

• 1/3 cup cilantro-lime butter

1–2 rib sections; serve.

• 2 tsp. fish sauce

Cumin, Coriander and Lime Brine

Costa’s Kale Salad

• 2 Tbsp. sugar

• 1 Tbsp. ground cumin

Contributed by Karin Costa, co-owner

• 3 Tbsp. white vinegar

• 1 Tbsp. ground coriander

of Costa Produce Farm & Greenhouse

• about 1 cup of torn cilantro

• 2 Tbsp. salt

• a few Tbsp. mayonnaise

• 1 tsp. ground black pepper

• 2 radishes, thinly sliced

• 1 Tbsp. sugar

• 1 bunch of Tuscan kale, ribs removed and cut into bite size pieces

In a medium bowl, combine the carrots,

• 1 cup water

• 1/4 cup red onion

cucumber, radishes, jalapeño, fish sauce,

• juice from one lime

• 1/4 cup red bell pepper

sugar and vinegar. Toss with tongs; let this

• 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries • 1/4 cup fresh or dried mango,

sit as long as you can. Once you’re ready to eat, sear the brats until cooked through and

Cilantro-Lime Butter

nicely browned. Spread the mayonnaise on

• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter

July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

for sweetness • 1/8 cup roasted pumpkin seeds

43

TA S T E M A K E R S

or toasted pine nuts (You can get these already roasted or toasted at the grocery.)

• 1/8 cup almonds, toasted Dressing • 3 Tbsp. olive oil • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice • 4 Tbsp. white balsamic or white wine vinegar • 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar • 3–4 Tbsp. honey • 2 tsp. salt • pepper to your liking • dash of Dijon mustard (1/4–1/2 tsp.)

All of these toppings are optional, or add other ingredients you like. Mix dressing and dress the salad 20–45 minutes before dinner to marinate the flavors and tenderize the kale. Enjoy.

Peach Custard Pie “This recipe is easy and so delicious, especially when you have delicious summer peaches. The cream forms a type of custard that is awesome.” —Gloria Drake, White Bear Lake resident • deep dish pie crust • 5–6 sliced peaches • 1 cup whipping cream • 1 cup sugar • ⅓ cup flour • cinnamon Preheat the oven at 350 degrees F. Fill the pie shell with sliced peaches until even across the top. Blend whipping cream, sugar and flour and pour over peaches. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Enjoy.

Bánh Mì Bratwurst

Red Wine Sangria “This refreshing fruity cocktail is my mom’s favorite on a hot summer evening (or any time of year.) The recipe can be easily adapted depending on what ingredients you have on hand.” —Lisa Beecroft, advisory board member, Explore White Bear board member and founder of Beecroft Marketing • 1 bottle red wine (malbec, merlot, • cabernet sauvignon, etc.)

• 1 cup orange juice • 1/2 cup brandy • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 2–3 cups of fresh fruit, sliced or diced (oranges, apples, pears, strawberries, etc.)

• 12-oz. seltzer or soda (regular or diet ginger ale, Squirt or Sprite. Hard seltzer can also be used for an extra punch.)

44

July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

Mix the first five items in a large pitcher; chill. When ready to serve, scoop out some fruit into each glass and top with sangria mix. Top off with your favorite carbonated beverage. Garish with an orange slice.

Summer Spaghetti “We eat this as a chilled meal during high summer. While some might call it a salad, I see it as more of a base to add other things to; from leftover grilled chicken, some sourdough slathered with pesto … We’ve also added cooked and cooled cannellini beans to this for a protein boost. If you add beans, plan to add more dressing to keep the flavors balanced.” —Michelle Bruhn, local garden expert, author and food blogger at Forks in the Dirt • 1 lb. of your favorite pasta, or 1–2 large summer squash or zucchini worth of “zoodles” veggie noodles • 1 zucchini, chopped (if not using zucchini as noodle) • 1–2 cucumbers, diced • 2 cups tomatoes, chopped, Red Wine Sangria

or halved cherry tomatoes • 2 bell or banana peppers, diced • 1–2 cups snap beans, raw or cooked, the smaller and more tender the better, chopped • 1/4–1/2 cup red onion, finely diced • 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded Dressing • 1 clove garlic, minced, (or 1 Tbsp. Garlic powder) • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 3 Tbsp. dry) • 2–3 sprigs oregano (or 1 tsp. dry) • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 3 Tbsp. dry) • 2 tsp. onion powder • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar • salt and pepper to taste Make dressing. Especially if using dried herbs, let the dressing sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to bring out the herb flavors. If desired, blend herbs for finer consistency. Cook, strain and cool pasta if using, or use a zoodle maker or a mandolin to make zucchini noodles. Chop and mix all the vegetables in a large bowl. Add pasta or raw zoodles and dressing only to the amount you’ll use that night—saving the vegetable mix separately for later use. If desired, save whole herb leaves for garnish.

Costa’s Kale Salad

Best eaten within 2 or 3 days—absolutely tastes best while eaten outdoors with friends with a nice crisp sauvignon blanc.

45

TA S T E M A K E R S

Chicken Shawarma “Chicken Shawarma is a personal and client favorite recipe. I like to make a big batch of the spice mixture, so it is easy to toss with chicken any night of the week. In the summer, I always grill the chicken for the extra smoky flavor and serve it in a hummus bowl with seasonal produce like tomatoes and cucumber, usually with some warm grilled pita or pita crisps to scoop up the perfect bite. This Middle Eastern-inspired chicken is full of flavor. It works well served over rice (or cauli-rice), on top of greens or as part of a veggie and hummus bowl. Leftover chicken is equally delicious cold as it is warm.” —Amber Hanson, owner and nutritionist at Whole You Nutrition Citrus Strawberry Rhubarb Pie and Peach Custard Pie (with added raspberries)

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs • ¼ cup avocado oil • juice of one lemon • 2 tsp. garlic powder • 2 tsp. salt • 2 tsp. paprika • 2 tsp. ground cumin • 1 tsp. ground black pepper • 1 tsp. coriander • ½ tsp. turmeric • ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon • ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper In a bowl combine all ingredients, mixing to thoroughly coat chicken pieces. Marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Heat a grill pan, cast iron skillet or other heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Add chicken and cook 4–6 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 4–6 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. (Tip: Chicken can also be prepared on an outdoor grill over medium heat for additional flavor.)

E DI TOR’S P I C K:

Citrus Strawberry Rhubarb Pie “One of my favorite things about summer is fruit; fresh raspberries from the garden, wild blackberries and picking strawberries at a local farm are essential summer things, and I’ve found the best way to use

46

July/August 2023

whitebearlakemag.com

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This is my absolute favorite fruit pie, with bright, sweet berries bringing an inspired variation to the beloved rhubarb pie. A few years ago, I brought this pie and a tub of ice cream along as my friends and I sat on

Crazy about Strawberries

a rocky beach to watch the fireworks on

Come to Pine Tree’s Strawberry Heaven Season is mid June to early July

Independence Day. It was a memorable evening—and the pie was much enjoyed.

To take it up a notch, make your own all-

(Closed between strawberries and apples).

butter pie crust.” —Zoe Deal, editor of White Bear Lake Magazine • ¾ lb. fresh rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 1 cup ripe strawberries, sliced • 1 cup frozen raspberries, unthawed • ⅔ to ¾ cup granulated sugar (depending on the sweetness of your berries)

C’mon out... This is the place to make you smile.

Apples, Apples, Apples

Apples for Everybody Fresh apples and apple pies available mid August PINE TREE APPLE ORCHARD 651.429.7202 | www.pinetreeappleorchard.com

North of White Bear Lake off East Hwy. 96 See our website for our calendar of events and seasonal hours

• a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice • pinch of salt • 1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour • turbinado sugar Prepare pie crust. If making a lattice or other design for the top layer of crust, cut out pieces; return all crust to the refrigerator. To make the filling, combine all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour into the chilled pie crust. Decorate the pie to your liking. I always love to do a braided lattice. After you crimp the edges, put the pie back in the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare an egg wash by whisking a whole egg with a bit of water, and brush it over top of the pie. Place excess wash in the fridge. Bake the pie for 40 minutes, then apply another quick egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Return the pie to the oven until bubbling and golden brown. Allow the pie to cool, 4 hours to overnight for even slices; or, for my preferred method, enjoy warm with some ice cream.

This recipe is pulled from Style Sweet, with instructions rewritten by Deal. Visit stylesweet.com for more information and a recipe for Deal’s favorite all-butter crust.

47

LAST GLANCE

By Editorial Staff

LENS ON THE LAKE

Welcome New Categories to our Annual Photo Contest

2nd Place Wildlife & Nature Purple Pink Jon Schimnowski

T H R OUGHOUT ITS PAG ES ,

White Bear Lake Magazine showcases our lake community in a multitude of ways, and one of our favorite methods is through our annual photo contest— Lens on the Lake. Photographers of all abilities are encouraged to share their images that showcase fresh and artistic angles of our beloved community.

Previously, we’ve encouraged readers to offer their submissions during the month of August. This year, the photo contest will be open during July and August.

After the contest closes, photos are carefully reviewed and voted on by members of our editorial and art departments. (Runners-up and honorable mentions are selected as the

48

number and quality of photos allow.)

Subject matter, photo quality and reflection of the community are all taken under review.

Winners, runners up and honorable mentions in the following NEW categories receive consideration for photo placement in an upcoming issue of White Bear Lake Magazine and on our website and social media pages.

Photo Contest Rules and Details • Submissions are accepted at whitebearlakemag.com between July 1–August 31.

• Entrants must live, work or attend school in the White Bear Lake area.

• Entrants may submit up to five photos, with no more than three in any category.

• Photos should be taken

1.

Abstract

in the White Bear Lake area.

2.

People

• Generally, photos should have

3.

Pets

4.

Places

5.

Seasons

• Readers are invited to vote online

6.

Wildlife

for their favorite photo submis-

been taken within a year of the submission date.

sions in the Readers’ Choice category between September 15–30.

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