Order party trays, hot entrées, desserts, boxed lunches and floral arrangements for your next meeting, party or event! Call 651-313-6870 or visit kowalskis.com.
There is so much to be learned from nature. Spring reminds me of this as the songbirds return and vibrant green fiddleheads uncurl from the earth. Each seed shows us patience, waiting for the right conditions to lay down roots and wake. This homes and outdoor living issue is overflowing with such stories of timing and resilience that I’m eager to share with you, Reader.
As this reaches you, I’ll inevitably be preparing my garden beds, caring for chicks and fussing over the seedlings still indoors under grow lights. It’s a routine I return to, reinvigorated, each year—with one more growing season of hard-earned lessons under my belt. This year, I’m inspired by local gardening guru Michelle Bruhn to embrace succession planting. I’m often guilty of a one-and-done planting strategy, which doesn’t utilize my garden’s full capacity. Her tips on page 26 have guided my planning for this year, and I hope you’ll find a kernel of wisdom there to take into your garden.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to pursue your dream, I hope you’ll look to the story of Kim and Mark Bauer for encouragement on page 8. The pair opened Floristry North last autumn, a testament to how patience and passion can spark something truly special.
And speaking of a dream come true, come along as we step inside the home of Anna and Jens Shroyer, high school sweethearts who found each other and their historic home just in time. The couple worked with Blue Pencil Collective on a renovation that transcends styles and trends, creating an effect that is wholly unique and true to the family of seven. You can find some of our favorite spaces and stories from the home on page 14.
Have a story to share? My inbox is always open at zoe@localmedia.co, and I encourage you to reach out.
Until next time,
Zoe Yates zoe@localmedia.co
CELEBRATING THE WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SINCE 2012.
VOL. 13 NO. 5 May/June 2026
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR Zoe Yates
MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
DIGITAL EDITOR
Madeline Kopiecki
COPY EDITORS
Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Kassondra Burtis, Ashley Cardona, Findlay Drabant, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Alexandra Tostrud and Paige Udermann
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Angie Hong, Cynthia Maya, Rachael Perron, Amelia Reigstad, Katie Tomsche and Kia White
DIGITAL INTERN
Danielle Gallus
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Abigail Larson, Diane Meyer, Kate Thompson and Avery Vrieze
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Staci Andro, Hazel & Goose ; Greg Bartz, White Bear Rotary ; Gloria Drake, White Bear Rotary ; Nathan Reed, Hammer & NER ; and Alice Seuffert, Mahtomedi Public Schools
SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR
Sarah Dovolos
ART DIRECTOR Allison Nolden
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Jamie Klang
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo
LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Emeott
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Brittni Dye
PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Stone
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Mimi Coz
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre and Sara Johnson
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Rochita Chatterjee and Gina Neumann
PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson
To subscribe to White Bear Lake Magazine , please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2026. All rights reserved.
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This beautiful time of year brings coral bells and wedding bells! And, as you know, every wedding celebration starts with a special announcement. We are pleased to announce that plans for our annual wedding issue are underway.
We’re ready to showcase your extraordinary nuptials in our special wedding issue, which will be published in January/February 2027. Your celebration could be featured alongside articles highlighting other premier wedding industry members and details important to other couples planning their upcoming nuptials. Our pages brim with artfully and intentionally curated weddings that stand out and inspire.
Was your wedding (or one you coordinated, hosted or photographed) an elegant celebration? Were guests treated to a black-tie affair, a lavish destination event or a curated soirée? Bespoke décor. Breathtaking venues. Couture looks. One-of-a-kind touches. We’re interested in all of it!
To be considered, wedding submissions are accepted from May 1 through September 1, 2026, for weddings that took place from September 1, 2025, onward.
Visit whitebearlakemag.com to learn more about how to submit wedding galleries for consideration.
Here’s a little secret: There’s not much difference in how we communicate with children vs. adults. The same rules apply. Effective communication thrives on twoway dialogue, active listening, empathy and respect. So, how do we do that when the hustle and bustle (and stress) of parenting can take a front seat?
Here are some communication strategies to remember:
» Set aside distractions so both sides can focus on what is being said.
» Ask good questions and clarify as needed.
» Share positives and listen actively.
» Show interest and be curious about their day-to-day.
As a mom, I am extremely aware of how my communication affects my kids, both positively and negatively. Parents aren’t perfect, and sometimes we need to check in with ourselves. Grant yourself some grace, as there is no rulebook to follow when it comes to communicating effectively with our children. Sometimes, it’s about survival.
Wishing all the parent figures out there a happy Mother’s and Father’s Day!
Amelia Reigstad, Ph.D., is an author, communication consultant and founder of The Women Collective. Learn more at thewomencollective.com.
With an easel planted firmly in meadow grass or lakeshore sand, local plein air painter Suhaila Ihsanullah captures quintessential Minnesota scenes as they unfold.
Painting outdoors is an exercise in staying sharp. “It’s improvisational,” she says. “People walk in and out, and the weather and light can change the entire scene within minutes.” Still, Ihsanullah is always in control, choosing what to include—and what to leave out—from the scene.
Her paintings focus on places and the people who inhabit those spaces.
Working in vibrant color, you can often find her along the waterfront at White Bear Lake. “It’s been a favorite local landscape for years,” she says. “One morning, I started painting sailboats on the horizon when a group of friendly dog walkers wandered down to play in the water. It became one of my most spontaneous paintings.”
Cynthia Maya is the marketing manager at White Bear Center for the Arts. Learn more at whitebeararts.org.
Kim and Mark Bauer realize their dream with Floristry North.
By Diane Meyer
Floristry North, a recent addition to downtown White Bear Lake, is a vibrant hub for creative expression. Owners and area residents Kim and Mark Bauer are sharing their passions and talents with locally sourced blooms, unique workshops and walk-in experiences.
The shop is a dream in the making for Kim, whose journey in the industry began at her family’s floral business more than 30 years ago. In the years since, she’s worked with many notable Twin Cities florists, including Lexington Floral & Boutique. When Lexington closed its doors last year, Kim realized a door had been opened in her own life. The Bauers launched Floristry North last September. “It was an opportunity to branch out and fill in some spots I saw a lack in, at least in the local floral industry,” Kim says. “I wanted to expand my own ideas and offer the style, design and quality that people are looking for.”
Floristry North offers guided floral design workshops led by experienced designers that cover topics like flower selection, and bouquet and centerpiece arranging. Kim shares that these workshops provide a fun bonding activity, and she hopes to host a Mother’s Day workshop that’s ideal for gifting a shared experience.
Floristry North’s do-it-yourself wedding floristry package has become a popular offering. “Brides can come to us with their ideas, and they can choose the level of help they
Top Left:
Kim and Mark Bauer
Top Right and Bottom Left: Floristry North offers visitors many ways to create, including a custom candle making experience.
Bottom Right: Flowers are the focus at Floristry North, and owner Kim Bauer has created unique ways for customers to engage, including a doit-yourself wedding floristy package.
want from me as a designer,” Kim says. Bridal parties have loved the opportunity to craft their bouquets together. “We’ve even had grooms in here making bouquets,” Kim says.
The personal touches are key, and Kim wants customers to embrace the intention behind handmade gifts. "There’s something about [saying], ‘I made this for you,’ rather than ‘I bought this for you.’ I think people appreciate being able to do that, and our space is very intentional to allow people to do it,” she says.
Floristry North’s custom candle experience, available as a private class or for walk-ins, is another of Kim’s inspired ideas. With flowers often appearing in homes via scented candles, Kim created an opportunity for customers to discover and create one-of-a-kind scents. “People can pick three to four different scents that they think would go well together, and then together we go through the process of testing,” Kim says. The result is unique and sustainably sourced soy wax blend candles made by delighted customers.
Kim loves her newfound freedom as a business owner and is embracing the potential to bring people together in the community. “I get to do what I feel that I’m best at, and I hope that other people appreciate it too,” she says.
Mark agrees, “Having so much direct contact with our customers in a welcoming environment is a part of business ownership that I didn’t really take into account before we had the opportunity to experience it.”
Floristry North floristrynorth.com
@floristrynorth
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Resilience and passion underscore Joel Reichow’s successful running career.
By Kassondra Burtis
To win Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth against more than 7,500 runners is an impressive feat. To finish as the top American at the TCS New York City Marathon—and place sixth overall out of over 59,000 finishers—in the same year is, for most, unfathomable. That was Joel Reichow’s 2025.
For the 32-year-old White Bear Lake native, it’s a career highlight years in the making. Reichow joined the Sunrise Park Middle School cross-country team after his physical education teacher noticed his knack for running. Like many kids, he stuck with his sport because he quickly found a passion
for it. His natural talent didn’t hurt, either.
Dan Kovacich, Reichow’s coach at White Bear Lake Area High School, noticed Reichow’s talent from the beginning. Despite Reichow’s minimal training in middle school, Kovacich remembers Reichow winning his first high school race by a large margin. “He
just had what we call an engine,” Kovacich says. “He was gifted, and he is so smart running. He’s just one of those athletes you don’t get all the time.”
Kovacich calls Reichow a “once in a quarter-century” athlete and “easily” one of the best runners he coached in his two-plus decades. Kovacich attributes much of that to Reichow’s resilience and coachability.
Reichow credits all of his coaches and teammates for the success he’s found in the sport. After a solid freshman year performance at South Dakota State University, Reichow was admittedly in a rut for the next two years. Then, he suffered an injury the summer before his senior year, and an altered approach to training made him stronger in new ways. “That was kind of when things took off for me,” Reichow says. “I think part of it was we had to focus a little more on some strength stuff, and then we shifted towards doing a lot of my mileage on single runs. That started to work. By the end of the season, things were clicking.”
For Reichow, running is a practice in presence. “When you’re out there, it’s easy to just kind of let the rest of the world go and just enjoy the moment,” he says.
These days, a payout for what most consider a pastime is a bonus. Reichow’s been able to earn prize money from races and, more recently, signed a sponsorship contract with PUMA. Since 2018, he’s been a member of Minnesota Distance Elite, a nonprofit elite development group for post-collegiate runners pursuing professional running careers.
This summer, Reichow will return for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth. But don’t expect the shorter distance to slow him down. He’s got his eye on other big races, and it’s not something he’s going to stop anytime soon. “It’s something I’m passionate about,” Reichow says. “It’s an opportunity not many people get.”
Minnesota Distance Elite minnesotadistanceelite.org @minnesotadistanceelite
When Dellwood residents Anna and Jens Shroyer drove up to their future home on White Bear Lake on December 27, 2020, it was love at first sight. All dressed up for Christmas, the 1889 lakefront house in the woods made a grand impression. “It’s one of those houses that, as you drive up, you just kind of gasp … I had never seen anything quite like it,” Anna says.
They could’ve (and some say should’ve) torn it down, but the thought never crossed their minds. “We really wanted to continue the legacy of the house,” Anna says. But as time passed, the old home’s needs became apparent. “As I would drive up, I would see all of these reminders of things that needed to be done,” Anna says.
Inside, poor insulation made the bedrooms frosty in the winter and unbearably hot in the summer. Outside, the home’s exterior finishes were in desperate need of repair. For two years, the Shroyers made changes as needed to keep their home livable. “And then we realized, ‘OK. We have to just do it all,” Anna says.
The historic summer home was originally oriented toward the lake, where its first residents, the family of former U.S. Secretary of State Frank Kellogg, arrived by ferry. (F. Scott Fitzgerald is rumored to have played tennis on the property.)
Blue Pencil Collective reoriented the home, and bi-fold windows in the dining room now open to a new facade. The team also adjusted the home’s footprint to accommodate a new lakeside kitchen and living space with an expansion on the second level to ensure each of the five Shroyer kids has their own bedroom.
Throughout the renovation process, Blue Pencil Collective (BPC) respected and complemented the home’s existing, historic elements. The original staircases and fireplaces were restored for beautiful and functional results. In the parlor, the team sandblasted paint to expose the original river rock of the grand fireplace and added character with a dozen unique moldings. “With a historical home, it didn’t make sense to do all new, even if it was custom-designed to make it look old. We wanted to have all of those elements to really create that whole story,” says Regan Nix, BPC co-founder.
The formerly enclosed lakeside porch was torn down and replaced with an expansive outdoor entertaining area, featuring a hot tub and fire pit overlooking the lake. “We do a big Fourth of July party every year, and [the outdoor space] was so much more functional this year,” homeowner Anna Shroyer says. One of her favorite new additions is a serving countertop that extends from the kitchen. “We can open the kitchen windows and actually just serve food right onto the countertop outside,” she says.
Blue Pencil Collective’s curatorial skill is on full display in the kitchen. With walnut cabinets, ornamental molding and a brick fireplace, the space is rooted in the traditional style— yet each contemporary touch contributes to a feeling of timelessness. “We really tried not to do anything that was going to be really obviously 2025 … nothing that’s going to be trendy,” Anna Shroyer says. “I wanted it to be unclear when it was redone.”
To highlight the view of White Bear Lake from indoor spaces, the originally tuckedaway kitchen was moved lakeside, becoming an oasis of light that allows Anna Shroyer to keep tabs on the yard and lake. And the sink is not the only place with a view; windows line the entire kitchen, even behind the range. The room is one of her favorite places to watch the sunset. “We get the most amazing sunsets … it never gets old,” Anna says.
Blue Pencil Collective worked to preserve and foster a distinctive experience in each room. Custom details, carried through each space, bring comfort and warmth to the 6,650-square-foot home. Scalloped and rounded edges feature prominently from pendant lights and ceiling trim to rugs and furnishings. Patterns and textures are repeated in the wallpaper and curtains. In the library, pictured here, the scalloped rug, sourced in Italy, blends beautifully with an Art Deco lighting fixture and deep blue built-ins.
The photo gallery above one of the home’s original staircases was a surprise from Blue Pencil Collective (BPC). Regan Nix, BPC co-founder, recalls watching homeowner Anna Shroyer walk up the stairs with tears in her eyes, taking in the wall and memories made tangible. “Our blended family has been together for five years now, so even feeling like our new blended family has history was really cool,” Anna says.
They entrusted Blue Pencil Collective (BPC), a local full-service architecture and interior design agency, to bring their vision to life. “We were just so excited about them because what they were doing, we felt, was different than everybody else, and their attention to detail was so obvious,” Anna says. BPC founders Kasey Johnson and Regan Nix worked closely with the Shroyers and Robey Construction to create a work of art perfectly suited to the family who calls it home.
Alongside their children, Lucy, 17, Clara, 15, Oscar, 13, Gus, 11 and Sylvia, 7, Anna and Jens are building a love story for the ages in
their dream house. “It feels like a huge weight lifted,” Anna says. “Every time I drive up to the house, I just take a big … sigh of relief. It’s just so beautiful, and I’m still not desensitized to that. I still just drive up every day, like, I can’t believe I actually get to live here.”
Blue Pencil Collective bluepencilcollective.com @bluepencilcollective
Robey Construction robeyconstruction.com
Robey Construction
FLYBOARDING GIVES AREA RESIDENTS A UNIQUE WAY TO EXPERIENCE SUMMER ON THE LAKE.
Written by Paige Udermann
When considering summer water sports, activities like swimming, wakeboarding and water skiing often come to mind. This was true for the Swanberg family until a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2016.
At the beach one day, they came across an opportunity to try flyboarding, essentially a waterpowered jet pack that propels a rider high into the air. Scott Swanberg and his son, Austin Swanberg, decided to give it a shot. They were instantly hooked and decided to purchase a flyboarding setup for the family of six to enjoy upon their return to White Bear Lake. “It’s a very unique sport. It’s fun and exciting and something different,” Scott says.
The flyboarding setup involves a personal watercraft (PWC) connected to the flyboard by a long, high-pressure hose. Water from the PWC is forced through the hose and out of the jets beneath the rider’s feet, creating the lift. A handheld remote controls the throttle via Bluetooth, allowing the rider to increase power to rise higher or ease off to descend. Because the PWC powers the flyboard, it trails behind the flyboarder as they soar. “There’s really no other feeling like it,” Austin says. “You’re up there, able to move freely, quickly darting from side to side. It’s completely different from any other water sport we’ve ever tried.”
The hose measures approximately 75 feet in length, and riders usually fly comfortably up to 30 feet. Austin and Scott report that the view from 60 feet up is stunning, albeit slightly intimidating.
As the family became more invested in flyboarding, they turned to Bruce Haglund, a fellow flyboarder and South Shore resident, for advice. “Bruce was a big help in teaching us more about the tricks of flyboarding, like how to do different moves and the techniques that help you stay balanced,” Austin says. “And if you do fall, he showed us how to do it safely. Things like that made a big difference.”
Haglund has called White Bear Lake home for 15 years and has always had a special love for everything related to water. He’s been flyboarding since 2013 and says it feels like dancing in the air. “The board responds to every movement, wherever you lean or shift your weight,” he says. “At first, you’re just trying to stand on it, kind of like learning to ride a bike. You don’t do anything fancy right away; you just stay steady and let the board do what it’s supposed to. If you try to make too many adjustments, you’ll wobble. But once you learn to relax and keep your balance straight up and down, you can usually get the hang of it in about 20 or 30 minutes.”
Haglund has competed in flyboarding events domestically and internationally, leading to trips to Dubai, France and Vietnam. In past years, he’s performed for neighbors on White Bear Lake and says he especially enjoys the Friday Flight night shows at Tally’s Dockside. On one occasion, Hagland says, “We were able to fly right up next to the crowd, and we could actually touch hands and give high fives to the crowd that was watching, which was pretty fun.”
“There’s really no other feeling like it. You’re up there, able to move freely, quickly darting from side to side. It’s completely different from any other water sport we’ve ever tried.”
Austin Swanberg
Scott has joined Haglund for area perfor mances, including the Fourth of July and White Bear Lake Classic and Vintage Boat Show. “The Swanbergs really got into it, which was cool. It’s just fun to share successes and failures with them, and we’ve worked on back flips and stuff like that together, and it’s fun to watch them out having fun as a family,” Haglund says.
While the Swanbergs still enjoy lake excur sions on waterskis and wakeboards, flyboard ing has become a favorite shared activity. “I think the most fun part is bringing out friends and having them do it for the first time,” says Paige Swanberg, Scott’s daughter.
Part of the fun is trying new tricks. Austin has done backflips, but he really enjoys doing spins and has also taken his girlfriend on a tandem flight. Paige loves dolphin diving. “That’s where you keep going up and down, so your feet stay just above the water,” Paige says. “You’re maybe 5 or 10 feet up, then you dive straight down with your hands and pop back up again. You can keep doing it a few times in a row. It’s so much fun, kind of like being a mermaid.”
Flyboarding is a thrilling summer activity that turns a lake into a playground and rid ers into acrobats who seem to defy gravity. It encourages seeing the water—and each other—from a different perspective. “It’s something that’s brought us closer together as a family,” Austin says.
Bring consistency and vibrancy to your garden with succession planting.
Written by Zoe Yates — Photos by Michelle Bruhn
Each spring arrives with a burst of energy— from the sun and in our own hearts.
Gardeners the world over have spent winter months daydreaming about the last frost date, when the work of growing food and flowers begins.
But how can suburban gardeners sustain that energy? As the bugs, blight and weeds return, it’s a question that will be on our minds come July. “Gardening is only sustainable if you want to go back to it,” says suburban homesteader Michelle Bruhn. “It’s finding that sweet spot between what the plants want to do and how much you want to do, and then figuring it out together.”
Bruhn is the founder of Forks in the Dirt and coauthor of Small-Scale Homesteading
We connected with the White Bear Lake resident to learn more about succession planting and how to extend the growing season and maintain fullness in gardens of all sizes.
What is succession planting?
“Succession planting is planting one thing after another to keep your soil full of growth rather than just sitting there vacant,” Bruhn says. She incorporates this technique in a few ways. In her raised beds, she’ll stagger planting, starting a new row of radishes or lettuce every two weeks. These multiple successions allow her to have a weekly supply of the crop, “rather than 800 radishes all at once,” she says.
Another approach Bruhn embraces is made possible by season extension. By monitoring her soil temperature and planting cold-hardy
plants like bok choy, broccoli and carrots early with low tunnels, Bruhn can facilitate an earlier harvest. In the space left by these plants, she’ll do a second succession of crops that will produce well into the fall.
When is the right time to plant seeds outdoors?
Knowing your area’s last frost date and keeping tabs on soil temperature is key. “Get yourself a soil thermometer or five if you’re like me,” Bruhn says. Analyze seed packets to learn a plant’s preferences. “Each plant has gifts and needs,” she says. By knowing how long each plant takes to grow from seed, gardeners can create a reliable growing schedule that prioritizes ready foods week by week. Amid 60- to 150-day crops, like brassicas, peppers and tomatoes, Bruhn grows a constant supply of “fast foods” like cilantro, lettuce, radish and spinach, which take only 30–40 days from germination to harvest.
What plants are best for urban gardeners?
Bruhn encourages gardeners to grow what they love. That love is what it takes to keep gardeners strong through inclement weather, noxious weeds and pests.
One of Bruhn’s tried-and-true combinations is lettuce and peppers. The pair coexists beautifully. Because lettuce is shallow-rooted and sensitive to heat, it thrives when planted near peppers, which will grow tall and eventually shade its companion from the bright mid-summer sun.
Bruhn often plants four successions of joi choi, a favorite cabbage variety. “It’s super fast-growing, and they just get huge!” she says. She also plants multiple successions of beets, carrots and radishes, and fills gaps in her garden with bush beans. “If I don’t know what I’m going to plant, I’ll just plant bush beans!” Bruhn says.
What are some best practices for soil health?
In her no-till garden, Bruhn practices crop rotation, ensuring heavy-feeding plants are followed by nitrogen-fixing varieties. She also practices “chop and drop” and grows nutrient-rich plants, like comfrey, around her yard to help pull up excess calcium and phosphorus and add nutrients into the soil when composted. “The more nutrients that are in the soil, the more nutrients we have in the food that we’re harvesting. It just makes sense to have the best balance that we can,” Bruhn says.
Bruhn cautions gardeners not to rely only on compost for soil fertility. Research has found that small gardens that add compost year by year often risk an excess of phosphorus. “Getting a soil test is something that really can be beneficial,” Bruhn says. The University of Minnesota’s Soil Testing Laboratory offers tests starting at $22.
The key to succession planting is timing. Here, Michelle Bruhn shares insight into her summer sowing plans.
In mid-June to mid-July , Bruhn direct sows beets, bush beans, carrots and kale. She’ll also start bok choy, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower in pots or trays, protecting them from pests and using a shade cloth when needed; these varieties will be ready to transplant by August.
August is also a great time to start another round of leafy greens, peas and radishes. These plants will thrive as the weather cools.
Even in the first week of September, there’s an opportunity for new life! Bruhn direct sows her last round of arugula, cilantro, leafy greens and radish at this time and often starts some spinach that she’ll overwinter for spring harvest.
Forks in the Dirt forksinthedirt.com Forks in the Dirt
Left: Leafy greens are “fast foods” that only take 30–40 days from germination to harvest.
By starting these plants in movable seed trays, she can protect them from harsh sun and inclement weather.
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Enjoy music and community at the Manitou Days Beach Dance.
Keep the celebration going following the Manitou Days Grand Parade at the annual Beach Dance on June 19 at Memorial Beach Park. The event is sponsored by Explore White Bear (explorewhitebear.org) and White Bear Lake Rotary Club (whitebearrotary.org), and attendees are invited to enjoy live music by Free & Easy and dancing on the lakeshore.
“This popular event not only brings the community together for fun and celebration but also supports local causes,” says Bill Foussard, community volunteer. “Proceeds benefit the White Bear Lake Rotary Club
and their community projects, while Explore White Bear promotes local events to keep the area vibrant and connected.”
All ages are invited to attend the familyfriendly dance, where the Rotary Club will also sell food.
Foussard estimates that last year’s dance included more than 1,000 attendees eager to dance the night away and cap off the Manitou Days festivities. The grand parade begins at 6 p.m., and the Beach Dance will follow at 8 p.m. Entry tickets are $10, when purchased in advance, or $15 at the event.
—Diane Meyer
05.02
Paws to Read
Children ages 5–9 can meet licensed therapy dog Sailor from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Ramsey County Library-White Bear Lake. Take this opportunity to work on reading skills in a safe environment. rclreads.bibliocommons.com
05.16
Craft and Gift Expo
Explore over 100 booths filled with handmade crafts, like candy, embroidery, metal art and woodwork from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at White Bear Lake Hippodrome. facebook.com/perfectlyuniquecraftshows
05.23
Dog Days
Dog owners and their pets are encouraged to walk around downtown White Bear Lake from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. to visit with other dogs and browse vendors with goodies for pets. Rescue groups and vendors will be in Washington Square. downtownwhitebearlake.com
06.10
Ice Cream Social
Join neighbors from 6–8 p.m. at Berwood
Park for activities, free ice cream and live music for all ages. cityvadnaisheights.com
06.18, 06.25
Marketfest
Witness the beauty of downtown White Bear Lake with food, live music and local vendor booths every Thursday from 6–9 p.m. marketfestwbl.com
06.19–06.28
The Little Mermaid
Children’s Performing Arts is performing this season’s big summer production under the sea. Featuring children in grades three to 12 at Hanifl Performing Arts Center. Check the website for times and ticket options. childrensperformingartsmn.org
06.20
Classic and Vintage Boat Show
Enjoy boat displays, a nautical market and cast a vote for the best boat at this annual classic from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at 4391 Lake Ave. S. explorewhitebear.org
Compiled by Abigail Larson and Kate Thompson
To have your event considered: email whitebearlakemag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
Mahtomedi father and daughter Jim and Claire Lane share a passion for photography that encourages them to see the world in new ways—and engage in some healthy competition with the Lens on the Lake photo contest. “This is a photo I’ve been trying to get for a while … I think it captures the joy of a summer day at the lake,” Jim says of the image of his nephew, taken at his in-laws’ home on the South Shore. —Zoe Yates
LENS ON THE LAKE
Photographer: Jim Lane
Title: Summer Swing Equipment: iPhone 13 mini
Location: Family home on White Bear Lake Category: People Award: First Place
To view other Lens on the Lake photo contest winners, visit whitebearlakemag.com.
