Ssp dec 2015

December 2015 Volume 12 Number 12

Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com for expanded coverage!

New pharmacy to open soon on Marie Avenue Mary Diedrick Hansen Staff Writer

Local author releases new book on the city’s history

W

hen Pro Pharmacy closed its doors at Marie and Fifth Avenue in June it marked the end of a 92-year run of having at least one pharmacy in South St. Paul. But that is about to change. Another independent pharmacy is planning to open at 621 Marie Ave., just across from Central Square.

Pharmacist Matt Hutera, owner of three independent pharmacies, is working to open his fourth by the first of the year. It will be located near Marie Avenue and Seventh Street, just down the street from the former Pro Pharmacy site. He is still working on a name, which may simply be South St. Paul Pharmacy.

For a while his plans were in jeopardy because the City’s planning commission and staff urged denial of the drive-through window that Hutera said he needs to be competitive. Staff and planning commission members are supportive of a pharmacy at that site but concluded the drive-through window would pose a threat to pe-

Mary Diedrick Hansen Staff Writer

S

Remodeling is underway for the new pharmacy at 621 Marie Ave. destrian safety, specifically students and others walking to and from the high school, just one block away.

The objection centered on the Seventh Place intersection that crosses Marie and leads to Central Square Community Center and the high school. The intersection is categorized as a high pedestrian area.

At the Oct. 16 City Council meeting, City

Planner Peter Hellegers told the council that the Southview/Marie long-range plan designates this part of the city as a pedestrian-friendly area and that creating additional traffic would run counter to that vision. The drive-through would eliminate one of two crosswalks in that area.

Pat Nelson, who lives nearby, expressed concern for the students’ safety.

“They are texting or have their ear buds in and aren’t paying attention,” she said.

She is especially concerned about the Marie and Seventh Place intersection, which is filled with pedestrians when school lets out at 2:30 p.m.

Hutera said the amount of traffic using the window will be low and made Pharmacy / Page 3

outh St. Paulites love their history. For proof, just stop by the Coop restaurant at 157 Third Ave S. On the large bulletin board near the checkout counter is a list of criteria that set seasoned residents of South St. Paul apart from others. It’s entitled “We know you’re from South St. Paul if…” and includes the following: • Your parents had the same teachers you did.

• You know what the GFN and PNA stand for.

• You know someone who hangs out at the “Cro.” • You have attended the state hockey tournament 25 times or more.

• You can properly pronounce words like “Kaposia,” “Wakota” and “Glewwe.”

• At your class reunion you see all of your neighbors.

• You know the difference between “the Co-op” and “The Coop.”

• You didn’t think it was odd that the gas stations were called “Bunny’s,” “Nipp’s,” or “John’s.”

• Winds from the east, and the subsequent odor, did not bother you.

• You know why our high school teams are called South St. Paul history / Page 2

The Holidays are Here...

I More than 60 animated displays are featured in the Holiday Lights event, held Nov. 24-Jan. 2, 2016 at Phalen Park in St. Paul.

f you feel like the holiday season arrives a bit earlier every year, you’re not alone.

A few telltale signs prove you’re right. For example, this year it was possible to pick up Christmas wares at some retailers at the same time you purchased Halloween candy. Christmas trees arrived on retail lots a full week before Thanksgiv-

ing, and Black Friday news has been in the headlines for weeks.

So here we go, the holidays are here. A chill is in the air, lights are twinkling around the city and music is reminding us to be merry during this time of festivities, giving and remembering what’s important. Our holiday event guide offers

many ways to enjoy the season.

Holiday lights Holiday Lights in the Park is held Nov. 24-Jan. 1, 2016 in Phalen Park, 1615 Phalen Dr. E., St. Paul.

From 5:30-10 p.m. nightly, the park is transformed into a wonderland of lights, featuring more than 60 holi-

day sculptures and animated displays. Tickets are $8 per vehicle online or $10 per vehicle at the gate. Net proceeds go to the Union Gospel Child Development Center, the St. Paul Police Foundation and the St. Paul Parks Conservancy. To Holiday Event Guide / Page 6

P eople

Your community news and information source

South St. Paul history from page 1

the Packers.

• You know someone who knew when the John Dillinger gang was in town.

• You bought your clothes from Mary Adams, Gerkovich’s or Jean Iverson.

Need more proof? Check out a Facebook page started in 2014 called “Conversations of History in South St. Paul.” Contributors from all over the world have posted hundreds of photos, memories and opinions about South St. Paul and the unique characteristics that make it a special place.

When someone wrote on the page, “It’s a shame Lois Glewwe isn’t with us or she could answer that question,” Glewwe, who is definitely still “with us,” decided to dive into the conversation.

Glewwe is the go-to gal for questions about city history. She earned the title of town historian after tackling the enormous task of putting together a 528-page book for the city’s Centennial in 1987. It contained vast amounts of informa-

tion, included more than 1,000 photographs and went into five printings of 1,000 copies each.

Coincidentally, the post about Glewwe’s “passing” overlapped with another South St. Paul history project she began in 2013. A literary agent from the History Press in South Carolina had contacted her about producing a book about the days when traffic on Concord Street was bumper-tobumper nearly around the clock, and when the stockyards, packing plants and related industries employed more than 12,000, many fresh off the boat from Europe.

Glewwe’s first thought was “what would be different about this book than the Centennial book?” The agent, whose grandmother was from South St. Paul, suggested going more indepth about urban renewal and the fallout from the meatpacking plants and the stockyards closing.

The rise of South St. Paul as an industrial center was

Historian and author Lois Glewwe covered in depth in the Centennial book but not its fall. Glewwe said readers of the Centennial book were interested in their roots and poring over pictures of early pioneers and families that settled the area. Although the book included city history up to 1987 it didn’t

cover in detail the closing of the Armour Packing Plant in 1979. Armour was the largest meatpacking plant in the world when it opened in South St. Paul in 1919, and at its peak the South St. Paul complex had 4,000 employees. When it closed its doors, the effects

on businesses and families in the City were devastating.

“Ten thousand people lost their jobs at the stockyards over a decade, and the spillover effect on other businesses in town was terrific,” said Glewwe.

In addition, urban renewal in the 1970s took a toll when 136 buildings on Grand and Concord were demolished.

“The theory was to tear down and rebuild,” said Glewwe. “The buildings that were demolished did not have the beautiful facades like those in Northfield or Stillwater. But there was no conversation about preservation back then. In fact, some of the City leaders were concerned with too much traffic in the City.

That’s why Marie Avenue was never connected to Robert Street.

“A Brief History of South St. Paul,” a 160-page paperback with 75 photos, covers the last 25 years of city history in more detail.

“It has stories that I think people will love to see,” said Glewwe. “It is an attempt to tell South St. Paul’s story

to a new generation of residents, many of whom cannot recall the days when the smell of manure from the (stock)yards, the stench of the rendering plants and the odor of the sewage from the adjacent Metropolitan Waste Control plant caused the rest of the Twin Cities metropolitan area to make fun of ‘Cowtown.’”

Those were the days when the streets, bars and parlors of South St. Paul were populated with cowboys, packers, buyers and stockmen, and the untamed Mississippi River flooded its banks during spring thaw.

“Newcomers are moving in,” said Glewwe. “They love the affordable housing, fabulous school district, homes that are in good shape and prime location.

But if they ever want to get involved in politics and run for office they need to know the back story of how the City got to where it is today.”

That’s something Glewwe has had an opportunity to delve into over the last several decades as town historian, but she didn’t begin her career as a history writer. continued on next page

A Challenging Education for a Diverse Population

Affordable Living Seniors (50 & Older)

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

ENROLL NOW FOR 2015-2016!

Call 651-225-9177 to arrange a tour.

St. Paul City School Pre-K-5: 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul Grades 6-8: 643 Virginia St., St. Paul www.stpaulcityschool.org

Why Choose St. Paul City School?

• Free public charter school • Grades Pre-K - 8 • STEM science programs grades 3-8 • All day kindergarten • Small class sizes (25 students or fewer) • Free busing in St. Paul • Free breakfast & lunch available • Special education services • English language learning services • Multi-lingual staff & teachers • Respectful, safe environment • Emphasis on character education

The South St. Paul Voice is published monthly and distributed to 8,500 homes and high traffic businesses in South St. Paul.

Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Reporter: Mary Diedrick Hansen Advertising Manager: John E. Ahlstrom Contributor: Lois Glewwe Home Delivery: Independent Delivery Service Bulk Delivery: SC Distribution 651-285-1119

Now accepting applications for 1-bedroom incomebased apartments. Our buildings are updated, quiet and in a great neighborhood.

• Utilities paid • Elevators • Controlled entries • On bus line

• Pet friendly • On site laundry • Close to shopping

• Resident activities • Beauty salon • Views of the river

For more details, call Debbie at 651-554-3270

South St. Paul HRA CREMATIONS STARTING AT $1,295.

BURIALS STARTING AT $3,495.

Options THAT

COMPLETE BURIAL & CREMATION WON’T BREAK THE BANK.

Simple Traditions by Bradshaw offers meaningful tributes at a much lower price than other funeral homes in the area. With a range of burial, cremation and ecofriendly green cremation choices, we specialize in simple yet classy tributes.

Contact us today for more information.

St. Paul Publishing Co.

1643 So. Robert St., West St. Paul, MN 55118 Phone: (651) 457-1177 sppc@stpaulpublishing.com www.stpaulpublishing.com The South St. Paul Voice assumes no responsibility for the opinions expressed by contributors and for the validity of claims or items reported. Copyright South St. Paul Voice 2015.

All rights reserved in compliance of Federal Copyright Act of 1978.

Page 2 - South St. Paul Voice - December 2015

Simple Traditions

FUNERALS & CREMATIONS by

BRADSHAW

488 Humboldt Avenue Saint Paul, MN 55107 671 South Snelling Avenue | Saint Paul, MN 55116

651-767-9333

SimpleTraditions.com

©adfinity

P eople

Your community news and information source

She left South St. Paul in 1969 to pursue a degree in art history at the University of Minnesota, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she specialized in Southeast Asian art. She lived in India for a year, where she earned her post doctorate certification, then returned to Pennsylvania in 1976 to work at the Philadephia Institute of Art. Glewwe returned to South St. Paul for what was to be a short visit, but her roots embraced her and she

has been here ever since.

Her cousin J. Robert Stassen (who recently passed away) was head of the Centennial committee and asked her to coordinate the event.

“It was so South St. Paul,” recalled Glewwe. “You go to your family and they find you a job and help you out.

I’m (Stassen’s) family but I hadn’t seen him in years. I had no experience in event planning.”

But it was a good fit because she loved history. As a second-grader she longed to be a pioneer after reading

a pamphlet about the Hartnagel log cabin on 11th Avenue North. She coaxed her mom into driving by it every day, and read a pamphlet on the cabin until it fell apart.

As Centennial coordinator, Glewwe learned that the Dakota County Historical Society had been collecting photos and other information for many years and wanted to produce a book to commemorate the city’s history. Glewwe was hired as editor, and drew on her writing experience at a monthly newspaper in

Pennsylvania and her days as editor of the South St. Paul High School yearbook.

“I continue to owe a huge debt of gratitude to the South St. Paul Chapter of the Dakota County Historical Society, which hired me as the editor and designer of the 1987 Centennial History of South St. Paul,” said Glewwe. “It changed my whole world around.”

She went on to write the “History of West St. Paul” and the “History of Inver Grove Heights” for their Centennial celebrations,

followed by “Trails of Tears: Minnesota’s Dakota Exile Begins” and “The History of the Glewwe Family.” For the past 11 years she has written a history column for the South St. Paul Voice.

Most recently she was a consultant for the current “Suburbia” display at the Minnesota History Center, and secured a featured spot in that exhibit for her kindergarten class from Jefferson Elementary school.

Glewwe will be signing copies of “A Brief History of South St. Paul” 11 a.m.-

2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 Third Ave. N., South St. Paul, and 8:30-9:45 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 13 at First Presbyterian Church, 525 20th Ave. N., South St. Paul. The Dec. 13 event will include a PowerPoint presentation highlighting South St. Paul history.

The book, published by Arcadia Books/The History Press of Charleston, S. C., will be available at major bookstores and online by Dec. 7. Price is $21.99.

Pharmacy

The drive-through would eliminate that anxiousness.”

Hutera estimates just one car per hour will use the window.

“It may seem light but it has heavy business implications,” he said. “When you consider eight customers each day of the month, it adds up to 240 different consumers.”

Customers will enter a parking lot behind the pharmacy from Seventh Street and follow a lane to reach the window. To exit, they must turn right onto Marie Avenue. Hutera noted the space between the buildings bordering the drive-through lane is 22

feet, which he says is more than adequate to eliminate driver blind spots. Nonetheless, he plans to add mirrors so drivers can see pedestrians approaching the lane. He also plans to repaint the building to help “rejuvenate the area.”

“Areas like South St. Paul need a local independent pharmacy because we can deliver medication to homes and senior living sites and do more customized service than the (corporate owned pharmacies),” he said. “We need everyone in South St. Paul on board to make it go.

I tried to buy out Pro Pharmacy and get into that location but Walgreens outbid,

and apparently the School District wants the space for something else. First and foremost we need to take care of the community and pay the bills. I want to bring jobs back to the community that were lost when Pro Pharmacy shut down.”

Councilmember Tom Seaberg reminded everyone that Marie Avenue was once a thriving business area, and that the City needs to start encouraging businesses to move in.

Council member Marilyn Rothecker said residents need to take responsibility for their own safety and believes that middle school and high school students are

able to take care of themselves. She made a motion to approve an Interim Use Permit for a drive-through, and it passed with five in favor. Dan Niederkorn abstained. The approval

comes with an addendum that City Planner Peter Hellegers work with Hutera on ensuring that precautions are taken to alert both pedestrians and drivers about oncoming traffic.

from page 1

it clear to the City Council that if the drive-through was denied he would not open in the city.

“It’s what the competition is offering,” said Hutera. “If we are going to make it we need to be competitive. Plus a drive-through helps patients tremendously. What if you have a mom with two crying sick kids in the car?

She doesn’t want to take them out of the car and go into the pharmacy. Many elderly are afraid to walk in the winter. They would have to walk from the parking lot to the front door on Marie Avenue. What if they fell?

Down in History Tours Presents the

Winter Lights Tour December 5, 12 and 19 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

$25

Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking two-hour motor coach tour of the Capital City and surroundings in all their splendor while our holiday guides entertain you.

Call 651-292-1220 For reservations

St. John Vianney Church wishes you a Christmas filled with God’s blessings.

Please join us in celebrating the Advent & Holiday Season.

Mass Schedule

Dec. 8 ... Feast of the Immaculate Conception @ 7:30am Dec. 9 .......................... Parish Penance Service @ 7pm Dec. 24 ..................Christmas Eve Mass, 4pm & 10pm Dec. 25 .......Christmas Day Mass, 8:15am & 10:30am Dec. 31 ..........................Solemnity of Mary Vigil, 5pm Jan. 1 .............................Solemnity of Mary Mass, 9am

NOW HIRING

Managers A nationwide provider with over 30 years of experience has opportunities for program managers and an operational manager in the Metro area. If you can work independently, multi-task and have a desire to serve others with a variety of disabilities, Dungarvin is the company for you! You would manage multiple sites serving individuals with disabilities and training staff to the highest quality. If you have the desire to join a great team and the drive to make a difference working in the metropolitan area, apply today! Competitive pay and benefits, great 401(K) and PTO package.

Apply at www.dungarvin.com today!

AA/EOE

Bring Christ Into Your Christmas

St. John Vianney Church

840 19th Avenue North, South St. Paul 651-451-1863| www.sjvssp.org

www.wabashastreetcaves.com

Feeling Overwhelmed?

I can help. I have 26 years experience in working with: • Eating, mood, anxiety and adjustment disorders • Women’s and infertility issues

Call 651-769-6200 to schedule an appointment Norma Cox, MS Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Behavioral Health Services 3460 Washington Dr., Ste. 200, Eagan

Season's Greasings!

FREE BRAKE INSPECTION with tire rotation Offer expires 12/31/2015

Southview "66" 725 Southview Blvd., South St. Paul 651-457-2774

Holiday worship at Grace Lutheran Church

149 8th Ave. S., South St. Paul 651-451-1035 Advent Wednesdays Dec. 2, 9, 16, 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Children’s Service, 4:00 p.m.

Candlelight Service, 10:00 p.m.

Christmas Day 10:00 a.m.

New Year’s Eve 6:00 p.m.

South St. Paul Voice - December 2015 - Page 3

S ports The Legend of Jim Carter

Your community news and information source

Part 2 of 3

John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

A

s the stunning statistics generated by Jim Carter on the gridiron continued to mount during his senior season in 1965, so too did the number of college coaches from across the country that traveled to South St. Paul in hopes of persuading him to play football at their respective schools. Carter eventually whittled the list down and made official recruiting visits to Notre Dame, Florida State and Minnesota.

As the 18-year-old and his parents, Bob and Louise, processed all of the data related to a college choice, the notion of Jim someday pursuing a professional football career was never a part of the conversation.

A keen businessman, Bob Carter convinced his son that the visibility his son would gain playing for the hometown Gophers would serve him well in a business career in the Twin Cities

following college.

There were two auxiliary benefits attached to his decision to enroll at the University of Minnesota. In addition to football, Jim was still intrigued with the idea of playing hockey at the Division I level. By attending Minnesota, that option remained a viable one should he choose to pursue it. And with Memorial Stadium and Williams Arena no more than 20 minutes from South St. Paul, Bob and Louise, his siblings, friends and a host of Packer fans could continue to follow his college career up close and personal. In hindsight, Jim said: “I made the right choice and I have never regretted it.”

During the 1960s, the NCAA rule prohibiting freshmen from playing on varsity athletic teams was still in force. There was also no freshman football schedule.

“We were the ‘greenies,’” said Carter. “Every week we made up the ‘scout team’

and the varsity would line up and unload on us. Sometimes it got a little nasty but as the season progressed I more than held my own and I was comfortable that I would be ready to play Big Ten football when my time arrived.”

Carter learned early on that Head Coach Murray Warmath, like his high school coach Steve Silianoff, was a firm disciplinarian and in total control of his football team, but that is where the similarity ended.

“Warmath could be very intimidating,” Carter recalled. “He was a smashmouth football coach. He was demanding and would not hesitate to get in your grill. Work hard, hit hard and play tough is what he expected. We got along very well from day one because that is the way I liked to play, too.”

The 1966 Gopher squad, without Carter playing a single down, finished the season with a record of 4-51. At the conclusion of the

Flanked by 1968 captain Noel Jenke and Head Coach Murray Warmath, Carter becomes the captain of the 1969 Gopher football team. season, Carter accepted an invitation from the new Gopher hockey coach Glen Sonmor to shed his cleats and lace up his skates. The freshman team practiced separately from the varsity and the closest they got to game conditions were intrasquad scrimmages.

“Sonmor hired Lou

Nanne to be the freshman coach,” said Carter. “Louie had been an All-American defenseman for the Gophers. He was young and enthusiastic and it was a treat playing for him.”

Carter returned to the campus in the fall of 1967 poised and eager to spend Saturday afternoons on the

field. It did not take long for the sophomore to earn the starting fullback position. He led the team in rushing with 519 yards and played an instrumental role in a turn-around season for the Gopher football program.

After absorbing a tough 7-0 loss to Nebraska in late

YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT Another reason Y SPECIAL OFFER

ONLY $1 enrollment through November 30, 2015 NO DUES UNTIL JANUARY 2016* *restrictions apply

YMCA in West St. Paul 150 Thompson Ave. E., West St. Paul, MN 55118 [P] 651 457 0048 [W] ymcatwincities.org/weststpaul

School Choice Directory Academia Cesar Chavez 1800 Ames Ave., St. Paul 651-778-2940 www.cesarchavezschool.com St. Paul Preparatory School 380 Jackson St., Ste. 100 651-288-4606 www.stpaulprep.org

St. Croix Lutheran 1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul 651-455-1521 www.stcroixlutheran.org St. Paul City School PreK-8 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul 651-225-9177 www.stpaulcityschool.org

Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice.html for a link to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose a school that best fits your student's and family's needs.

Page 4 - South St. Paul Voice - December 2015

Thompson Trucks and Parts, Inc. 316 Malden St. 455-9300 • Midwest Fabrics 1226 S. Concord 451-6289 • Mayor Beth Baumann • Sanimax 505 Hardman Ave. S. www.sanimax.com • South St. Paul Voice 651-457-1177 www.stpaulpublishing.com

Central Square Community Fitness Center “Where South St. Paul comes together” 100 - 7th Ave. N. 306-3690 • Central Bank 835 Southview Blvd.

451-2133 • Metzen Realty 412 Southview Blvd.

455-2214 • State Farm Christopher Kisch 625 Southview Blvd.

651-455-9700

S ports September, the Gophers reeled off four consecutive Big Ten wins (Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and Iowa) before suffering a road loss at Purdue.

They bounced back with a big win over Indiana and closed the season with a 2114 victory over Wisconsin.

The Gophers finished the Big Ten schedule with a 6-1 record (8-2 overall) and shared the conference title with Purdue and Indiana.

In the process they brought home all three rivalry trophies: the Little Brown Jug (Michigan), the Floyd of Rosedale Pig (Iowa) and Paul Bunyan’s Axe (Wisconsin). Their reward: zilch.

In those days, there were just seven bowl games, not the 40 that are in play today and serve mostly to water down the post-season.

In 1967 only the Big Ten champion was eligible to compete in a bowl game.

The Rose Bowl was regarded as the “Big Daddy of Them All” and Indiana was selected to represent the Big Ten based on criteria that they had gone the longest without making the trip to Pasadena (the Gophers had last been there in 1962 and Purdue in 1966).

Nearly a half-century has elapsed since that Big

Your community news and information source Ten championship season.

Those of us who are lifelong Gopher fans (I was 16 when I watched the 1962 Rose Bowl on the only color television set in St. Peter, Minn.) are stuck with the realization that the 1967 team was the last to win or share a Big Ten title. Little wonder that Jim Carter still proudly wears his championship ring.

Carter rejoined the Gopher hockey team at the end of November. It would be his only season on the Gopher varsity. The rugged defenseman played 25 games during the 196768 campaign, scored three goals, added two assists, and to no one’s surprise spent nearly an hour (54 minutes) in the penalty box.

“That was the end of my hockey career,” he said. “I had planned on playing again as a junior but Coach Warmath asked me to take a leadership role in organizing the winter workouts for the football team. I always thought that if I had given hockey as much time and energy as I did football I might have had a chance to play in the National Hockey League, if nothing else in the role of ‘enforcer.’”

The 1968 Gopher football team enjoyed another

solid season. The team lost four games but only narrowly – to Southern California 29-20 (in O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy winning season), Nebraska 17-14, Michigan 33-20 and Iowa 35-28. They finished the season with convincing wins over Purdue and Indiana, the two teams with whom they shared the 1967 Big Ten title. Carter rushed for 423 yards and scored 10 touchdowns as the Gophers finished in third place (5-2).

During that era the annual end-of-the-season Gopher Football Dinner, with players and coaches nattily attired in suits and neckties, was a well-attended affair and received considerable coverage from the local press. The highlight of the evening came at the end of the program when the reigning team captain would pass the torch to the new captain, who was selected by a vote of his teammates.

Noel Jenke of Owatonna was captain of the 1968 team. He was a rare threesport letterman (football, hockey, baseball) at the University of Minnesota and was an All-Big Ten linebacker as a senior. Carter cherished their friendship and lauded Jenke’s commit-

ment and leadership ability.

“It was certainly one of the great moments in my athletic career when it was announced at the football dinner that I would be the captain of the 1969 football team,” said Carter. “It was made even more special by the fact that the torch was passed to me by Noel Jenke.”

Carter’s senior season got off to a nightmarish start. The Gophers lost to Arizona State and Nebraska and were fortunate to salvage a 35-35 tie with Ohio University in the non-conference schedule. Then followed three consecutive Big Ten loses that left the Gophers at 0-5-1.

In a salute to their determination to salvage something from the season, the Gophers closed with four straight Big Ten victories, including road wins at Iowa and Michigan State and a 35-10 shellacking of Wisconsin in Carter’s final game in the historic Memorial Stadium. For Carter and the Gopher faithful there was some comfort in the realization that Paul Bunyan’s Axe would reside for a third consecutive year in the Gopher trophy case.

Following practice each day, the football team and

most of the coaches ate together at Coffman Union.

After dinner it was common for Warmath to offer his team captain a ride and drive him to his apartment a few blocks off campus.

“Those were special times for me,” said Carter. “We were able to talk one-onone about football and about a lot of other things, too. He became a very special person in my life and we remained very close until his death at the age of 98 in 2011.”

When assessing Carter’s career statistics, it must be emphasized that he was a fullback and spent more of his time as the lead blocker than he did as a ball carrier.

He was the starting fullback all three of his varsity seasons and never missed a game. Over the course of 30 starts he rushed for 1,457 yards (4.1 yards/carry), caught 32 passes for 253 yards and scored 22 touchdowns.

Carter had never given much thought to playing pro football, despite receiving a call from Jerry Reichow, director of player personnel for the Minnesota Vikings, who told him that the team might draft him. What he didn’t know

was that the Green Bay Packers had serious interest as well.

“Warmath and Vince Lombardi had coached together at West Point and were good friends, and Phil Bengtson, the defensive coordinator, was a Minnesota native,” Carter recalled. “In addition, a former Gopher, Gale Gillingham, who had been drafted in 1966, was already a Pro Bowl guard.

In hindsight, I am certain that it was those relationships at work that paved the way for me to get drafted by the Packers.”

On January 27, 1970 at the Belmont Plaza Hotel in New York City, with no ESPN cameras there to document the occasion, Jim Carter was drafted in the third round (68th overall) by the Green Bay Packers.

“Up to that point, I had talked to no one from Green Bay,” Carter said. “After my selection I got a phone call from Pat Peppler, the director of player personnel. He congratulated me and told me another thing I was not aware of. He said the Packers were going to turn me into a linebacker.”

Next: Carter’s tenure with Green Bay and his life after football.

The Packers make their first-ever trip to the Prep Bowl

Photo by Bill Raymond

Dan Pietruszewski rushed for 1,357 yards.

John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

Our football preview in the September issue of the South St. Paul Voice concluded this way: “In midOctober, the Packers will attempt to defend their Section 4AAAA title with the ultimate goal of earning a trip to the Prep Bowl championship game scheduled for 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13 at TCF Bank Stadium.

Mark your calendars.”

That bit of clairvoyance came to fruition because of the hard work of head coach Chad Sexauer, his staff and

especially the young men who don the uniforms. It failed to end in the storybook fashion the Packer faithful had hoped, but the team leaves behind an indelible imprint on the fabric of a glorious and proud tradition.

For the first time in school history, the Packers advanced to the Prep Bowl.

In the process they won 11 games and amassed four post-season victories, both school records. Their only regular season loss was a heartbreaker. Trailing 21-0 to Park, the Packers roared back, only to lose 28-27

when they failed to convert a two-point conversion in the waning moments of the game. Among their 11 victories was a 28-21 victory in Mendota Heights against St. Thomas Academy, the Class 5A State Tournament runners-up.

The post-season run was spectacular. The Packers opened the playoffs on Oct. 20 with a 49-0 win over St. Paul Johnson and followed that up four days later with a 27-7 victory over Simley in the Section 3AAAA championship game. They won their first state tournament game in school history in impressive style, 37-14 over Fridley, and punched their ticket to the Prep Bowl with a hard fought, hard-nosed 19-14 win against Rocori on Nov. 7.

South St. Paul got blindsided early and often in the early going of the title game against Becker and trailed 28-0 at halftime, but as is the trademark of any great team there was no hanging of heads, but rather a resolve to stay the course. They responded enthusiastically to the challenge Sexauer issued at halftime to “go out

and play in a manner that will make our community proud.”

They scored two touchdowns, won the second half 14-7 and walked off the field with heads held high and silver medals draped around their necks. They carried the runners-up trophy to their waiting legion of fans – seemingly half of the City of South St. Paul was in attendance – who cheered them on as the

champions they certainly are.

Dating back to 2010, the Packers have posted a record of 57-11, a remarkable winning percentage of .838.

In the span of those six seasons they have won three conference championships, four Section 3AAAA titles, made four state tournament appearances, and now a trip to the Prep Bowl. This year’s team has left a significant and lasting legacy.

Senior quarterback Dan Pietruszewski, who led the Packers with 1,357 yards rushing and 945 yards passing (accounting for 37 touchdowns) summed it up this way: “What we did this year was establish a foundation for future success.

Those of us leaving the program hope that this team can build on that, take the next step and win a state championship.”

Season’s Greetings!

FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT CENTRAL BANK.

835 Southview Blvd • South St. Paul, MN 55075

651.451.2133

Equal Housing Lender

www.centralbnk.com South St. Paul Voice - December 2015 - Page 5

H oliday Events

Your community news and information source

Holiday Event Guide

www.wellsfargowinterskate. com or call 612-749-0435.

purchase tickets, visit www. saintpaulpolicefoundation. com.

Down in History Tours offers motor coach tours of holiday lights in St. Paul 7:30-9:30 p.m. the first three Saturdays in December. Cost is $25. For reservations, call 651-292-1220 or visit www.wabashastreetcaves.com.

Historic holidays

from page 1

WinterSkate The WinterSkate outdoor skating rink is now open at West Fifth and Market streets. The rink offers a warming house with hot chocolate and snacks and is

set amidst the festive backdrop of the Landmark Center and Rice Park, which features the city’s holiday tree, nutcracker figures, angel statues and other holiday décor. Skating is free with your own skates, or rent skates for $4. The rink is open through Feb. 7, 2016.

Skating is offered 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Wednesday.; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., ThursdaySaturday; and 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday. A Christmas Eve Skate is offered 10 a.m.3 p.m., Dec. 24, and a New Year’s Eve Skate 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Dec. 31. The rink is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

For more information, visit

UD Hub Ad_The Voice Qtr Ad_Final.pdf

WinterSkate at Rice Park 1

11/11/15

Hill House Holidays Costumed actors give a dramatized portrayal of servant life and holiday preparations at the James J. Hill mansion at 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul. The script is based on letters and oral histories of people who worked for the Hill family during the first decade of the 20th century.

Half-hour tours are offered 1-3:30 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday in December.

Tickets are $12, with discounts for students and seniors. To preorder tickets, call 651-259-3015.

Victorian Christmas stories are offered 6-8:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 20 at the Hill House. Costumed actors bring warmth and humor to readings of 19th and early 20th century Christmas literature, including works by Charles Dickens, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, Hans Christian Anderson and others.

Victorian Christmas Carols will be performed at 6 PMand 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2612:27

27 at the Hill house. These hour-long concerts trace the rise and popularity of seasonal holiday songs from the 19th and early 20th century. Costumed singers, a pianist and a narrator will present a broad selection of period tunes.

A Victorian Christmas at the Alexander Ramsey House - Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of a Victorian Christmas Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 2016 (closed Christmas Day) at the Alexander Ramsey House, 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul.

Step back in time to the Christmas season of 1875 and taste homemade cookies fresh from the woodburning stove, listen to popular holiday music of the era played on the family’s Steinway piano, and view original family ornaments and Christmas gifts.

Discover how the Ramsey family and their friends, neighbors and servants prepared for and celebrated the Christmas season. Christmas gift items are available in the Carriage House gift store. Tickets are $11, with discounts for students and seniors. To preorder tickets, call 651-259-3015.

A Victorian Christmas at the Ramsey House

Holiday concerts and events Nicholas David will perform a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul.

Attendees are encouraged to bring toys or gift cards, which will be donated to patients at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Tickets are $25.50-$40.

Sounds of Blackness will perform “The Night Before Christmas-A Musical Fantasy” at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul. This familyfriendly musical brings San-

ta, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph the Rappin’ Reindeer to life through song and dance.

Tickets are $22.50-$42.50.

Cantus vocal ensemble will present an a cappella performance of Christmas songs at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18 at the Ordway Concert Hall, 345 Washington St., St. Paul.

“It’s A Wonderful Life A Live Radio Play” is presented December 10-20 at the Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market St., St. Paul. Matinee shows feature a threecourse lunch, and evening shows a three-course dinner. Cost is $65 for matinee performances and $85 for evening performances. For more information, call 651-

South St. Paul: A Brief History Book Release Join the Dakota County Historical Society for the release of a new history of South St. Paul, available just in time for the holidays!

Author and historian Lois Glewwe and other contributors will be on hand to sign books and talk about the city’s fascinating history.

C

M

Y

CM

The book sells for $23.55, $21.20 for Dakota County Historical Society members a great time to become a member, too!

MY

CY

CMY

K

WHEN: WHERE:

Page 6 - South St. Paul Voice - December 2015

Saturday, December 12 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Lawshe Memorial Museum 130 Third Ave. N. South St. Paul 651-552-7548 www.dakotahistory.org

H oliday Events

Your community news and information source market will feature local artisans and craft-brewers, bakers, distillers, street performers, artists and musicians. Tickets are available at www.uniondepot.org/ bakesale.

Santa’s Train Shop is presented 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the first three Saturdays and Sundays in December at the Jackson Street Roundhouse, 193 Pennsylvania Ave. E., St. Paul. Participants may visit Santa, do some holiday shopping, take a train ride, and view the decorated historic roundhouse. Tickets

are $12 for adults, $10 for ages 5-15 and seniors, and $5 for ages 2-4. For more information, call 651-2280263 or visit www.trainride.org.

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold” is presented at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul.

It’s “CSI: Bethlehem” in this holiday mystery extravaganza as Sister takes on the mystery that has intrigued historians throughout the

ages: what happened to the Magi’s gold? Tickets are $29-$61.

South St. Paul’s annual tree lighting ceremony will take place 6-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 29 at Central Square, 100 7th Ave. N. The event will feature a visit from Santa, caroling, prize giveaways and refreshments. The community is encouraged to bring hats and mittens to place on the tree as decorations. The items will be donated to Neighbors Inc. and South St. Paul schools for those in need.

The Classic Nutcracker at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium 228-3860 or visit www. saintpaulhotel.com.

Ballet Minnesota is presenting “The Classic Nutcracker” December 18-20 at The O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul. Experience the magic as the Nutcracker Prince escorts Clara through an enchanted snow-covered forest and on to his Kingdom of the Sweets where Clara accepts the throne from the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Tickets are $30-$44, with discounts for seniors and students. For more information, contact Ballet Minnesota at 651-222-7919 or visit http://oshag.stkate. edu/event/nutcracker.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr., St. Paul, will host its annual Holiday Flower Show Dec. 5-Jan. 3, 2016 in the Sunken Garden. The show features hundreds of poinsettias. A holiday tea is offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10. The event includes a 3-course tea service in the North Garden and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Conservatory. Tickets are $40 ($45 after Nov. 26).

Union Depot in downtown St. Paul kicks off the holiday season Friday, Dec. 4 with the European Christmas Market, a tree-lighting ceremony, live musical entertainment, fireworks, the North Pole Express train, and the first in a series of free holiday movie nights.

The holiday events are: • Dec. 4: The Holiday Tree Lighting celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Waiting Room with entertainment and holiday activities. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

The Holy Rocka Rollaz musical performance begins at 6:30 p.m. At approximately 7:15 p.m. guests will move outside to the North Plaza

for the tree lighting celebration, followed by a short fireworks display.

• Dec. 4-6 and 11-13: The European Christmas Market in St. Paul moves from West 7th Place to Union Depot this year for a two-weekend event. The market is based on the traditional and festive open air Christkindlmarkts in Germany, Austria and other countries during the Advent season. It will feature unique, handmade holiday gifts and decorations from local vendors, Glühwein (spiced mulled wine), and European-inspired food and delicacies.

• Dec. 4-6 and 10-13: The North Pole Express steam engine and vintage train cars will be featured at Union Depot. Guests will experience a one-mile steam train ride to the “North Pole,” a visit from Santa and his elves, holiday activities and refreshments. Tickets are $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for children, (age 3 and under free).

• Dec. 4 and 18: Free holiday movies will be shown on a large screen in the Waiting Room. Visit www. uniondepot.org/events for titles and show times.

• Dec. 11: The CP Holiday Train will stop at Union Depot at approximately 6:45 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, with musical performances by Kira Isabella and Doc Walker. Proceeds benefit Keystone Community Services Food Shelf.

• Dec. 12: The 3rd Annual Holiday Bake Sale will host the top Twin Cities bakeries for a day of cookie and candy shopping. Admission is $5 and includes a free tote bag. Seniors and kids under age 12 are free.

New this year, attendees will get a sneak peek at Lowertown Pop, a pop-up market coming to Union Depot April 9, 2016. The

Choose well Fresh choices in health care are here. UCare Choices® are affordable new health plans from a leader in Minnesota health care, with coverage for young adults, families, empty nesters and everyone in between.

Find out more at UCareChoices.org, and look for us on the MNsure health insurance marketplace. Choose well. Choose UCare Choices.

South St. Paul Voice - December 2015 - Page 7

N ews Briefs

Your community news and information source

Senior Center Open House

Pancake breakfast

The South St. Paul Senior, located in Central Square Community Center at 100 7th Ave. N., is hosting an open house 10:30 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Dec. 9. Holiday treats and coffee will be served.

The South St. Paul Lions Club is hosting a pancake breakfast 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 12 at Lincoln Center Elementary, 357 9th Ave. N., South St. Paul. The event includes a visit from Santa, photos with Santa for a nominal fee and the chance to shop at the Southwest Lioness’s Santa Store. Cost is $3 for adults. Children under age six eat free.

Winter break field trips South St. Paul Parks and Recreation is hosting a snow tubing trip for ages 7 and older to Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls on Tuesday, Dec. 29. Cost is $25.

A trip to Grand Slam Sports in Burnsville is offered to ages 7 and up on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Cost is $30. The trip includes laser tag, bumper cars, batting cages, mini golf, arcade games, lunch and a movie.

Both trips depart from and return to Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave. N., South St. Paul. For more information, call 651-306-3690.

Community Ed programs TriDistrict Community Education is hosting a program on understanding the 2016 Presidential election, 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10 at Henry Sibley High School, 1897 Delaware Ave., Mendota Heights.

This class will include discussion of the primaries, conventions, the Electoral College, and the role of the media and money in politics. Cost is $10. To register, call 651-403-8300.

A Holiday Lights Tour is offered 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 17. This 2-hour coach bus tour of holiday lights in the Twin Cities includes hot cocoa and treats. It departs from Central Square Community Center, 100 7th Ave. N., South St. Paul.

Cost is $20. To register, call 651-403-8300.

Fare for All Express The Fare For All food program is selling Holiday Packs for $30 at Central Square Community Center 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Each Holiday Pack includes a 7-9 lb. spiral-cut hickory smoked ham, whole chicken, beef sausage ring, turkey breast, sausage, mixed vegetables and a Dutch apple pie. For more information, call 651-306-3690 or visit www.southstpaul.org.

Holiday programs at Neighbors, Inc. Applications to receive gifts from the Neighbors, Inc. Love Your Neighbor program are accepted through Dec. 9. This program offers holiday gifts to

children and seniors in the community. For more information, call 651-272-1101 (English) or 651-272-1100 (Spanish). To purchase gifts or donate to the program, call 651-306-2152.

Neighbors, Inc. will be the recipient of a fundraising performance of “It’s A Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play,” held at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9 at The Saint Paul Hotel. Tickets are $30 each and can be ordered at www.neighborsmn. org/events.

Winter clothing drive Sportsman’s Guide is partnering with the South St. Paul Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee for its 5th Anniversary Winter Clothing Drive to benefit Minnesota soldiers and their families. Donations of new and gently used jackets, boots, mittens and scarves can be dropped off at the Sportsman’s Guide Retail Store at 490 Hardman Ave., South St. Paul, through Dec. 2. For more information, call South St. Paul City Council Member Marilyn Rothecker at 651451-6007.

Do You Have Tax Issues?

From returns to audits to appeals, we can help.

We are licensed to practice before the IRS and work year-round to resolve issues.

Stevens Tax & Accounting, Inc. DBA EQUI-TAX

1870 East 50th St. Inver Grove Heights (Corner of Babcock Trail and 50th St. E.)

John Stevens, EA

www.equitax.net

Bookkeeping for small businesses Certified Quickbooks advisor

IRS problems | Estates, trusts, planning

Free e-filing with return preparation

Federal and all states | Individual and small business

For a FREE consulation, call Call 651-773-5000

JOIN THE FUN! Polish National Alliance Lodge 1033

L I B R A R Y

E V E N T S Call 651-554-3240 or visit www.southstpaul.org/library

Book discussions - The title discussed in December is “We Are Called to Rise” by Laura McBride. Set in Las Vegas, this novel features a former military man, a middle-aged woman on the brink of divorce, a young immigrant from Albania, and a volunteer children’s advocate. In one shocking instant their lives become intertwined, but their struggles have just begun. Meetings are held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9, and 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10 in the library meeting room. Information packets are available at the library and at www. southstpaul.org/library, under the Adult Book Discussion Groups page within Programs and Services.

Winter Interludes - Celebrate winter at the library at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3 with music provided by librarians Amy Commers (flute) and Kathy Halgren (Celtic harp) by the fireplace. Selections range from Gaelic to classical to holiday tunes. Toys and non-perishable food items will be accepted for Neighbors, Inc. Refreshments will be served.

Library closures - The library will be closed Friday, Dec. 4 for an in-service day, and Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 in observance of Christmas. It will close at 5 p.m., Dec. 31 and be closed Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day. Rock, Rattle and Rhyme is offered 3:30-4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 2 and 9, and 6:15-7 p.m., Monday, Dec. 7 for children age three and younger and their caregivers. The events feature rhymes, songs, sign language, books, and play time that teaches early literacy and socialization skills. ECFE staff will provide child development information and weigh babies.

Family storytime is held at 10:15 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1 and 8. These 30-minute programs include books, music, rhymes and more. Some storytimes may be followed by a short craft project (all supplies provided).  IRSMitten, problems The 11-11:45 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 3. Kids  Federal and to hear a reading of “The Mitten” ages 2-5 are invited all states

by Jan Brett, learn about knitting and create a mitten  Individual and storysmall prop.business Registration is required.

Winter Wonderland, JohnSaturday, Stevens, EA Dec.  Certified Quickbooks1-2:30 p.m., 12. All ages are invited to celebrate winter through advisor Stevens Tax & crafts, games and activities.  Estates, trusts, Accounting, Allplanning about the Bells, 11-11:45 a.m., Wednesday,Inc. Dec. DBA EQUI-TAX  Free ages e-filing 16.

Kids 2-6with are invited to complete an obstacle 1870aEast return prep course without ringing any bells, make bell50th tota,St. paint Inver Grove Heights  Licensed to practice with bells and participate in a jingle-filled story.

(Corner of Babcock Trail and 50th St. E.) before the IRS Countdown to Noon, 11:30 www.equitax.net a.m.-12:15 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 31.

All ages are invited to this dance Call 651-773-5000 today for an appointment! party, and to join in a count down to watch a glittery ball drop.

Snow Globes, 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. Youth ages 8-14 are invited to create snow globes using found objects and glass jars. Registration is required.

TAX SERVICES

622 1st Ave. S., South St. Paul

651-451-7258

PULL TABS License #02824-008

NEW EARLY HOURS!

Now open at 4 p.m. Tues.-Fri. & noon Sat.-Sun.

Daily Specials!

Drink specials 8-11 p.m. • Happy Hour 4-7 p.m.

Meat raffles & food and drink specials during all Vikings games Tues-Wed 4-11 pm, Thurs. 4 pm-12 a.m., Fri. 4 pm-1 am, Sat. Noon-1 am, Sun. Noon-11 pm

Page 8 - South St. Paul Voice - December 2015

HANDYMAN

HANDYMAN NOW

I do painting, repairs & cleaning of homes and apartments

I do painting, repairs Snow Shovelers for & cleaning of homes the Winter Season and apartments

MR. LARRY FOR HIRE

Window Washing Gutter Cleaning and Repairs

Insured

651-399-4304

HIRING:

MR. LARRY FOR HIRE

Good work rewarded Window Washing with good pay!

Gutter Cleaning and Repairs

Mike McPhillips, Inc. South Insured St. Paul, MN 651-399-4304 651.451.4030

S ample St. Paul

Your community news and information source

On the Town History Center

Ordway Center

“Suburbia” runs through March 20, 2016.

Firsthand accounts and multimedia displays will help visitors understand why so many people moved from cities to suburbs in the last half of the 20th century.

“The Sound of Music” is presented Dec. 10-Jan. 2, 2016. This beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical tells the story of the musical von Trapp family. Tickets are $30$126.

345 W. Kellogg Blvd.

St. Paul 651-259-3000 www.mnhs.org

History Theatre

10 E. Tenth St., St. Paul 651-292-4323 www.historytheatre.com

“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” is presented through Dec. 20.

This musical is a look at the meteoric rise and tragic death of Rock ’n’ Roll legend Buddy Holly. Tickets are $25-$45, with discounts for students and seniors.

Landmark Center 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul 651-292-3225 www.landmarkcenter. org

“Creative Works about the Metro Transit Green Line” is presented in the Ramsey County Historical Gallery through Dec. 27. This is an exhibition of artwork created about the Green Line construction phase, grand opening and beginning of operation.

345 Washington St. St. Paul 651-224-4222 www.ordway.org

Children’s Museum

10 W. Seventh St. St. Paul 651-225-6000 www.mcm.org

“The Amazing Castle” exhibit is featured through Jan. 24, 2016.

Participants can travel back in time to a fanciful medieval village filled with opportunities for problem-solving, storytelling and imaginative play. Tickets are $9.95 for ages 1 and older.

“Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol” is presented Dec. 9-20. Ebenezer Scrooge’s old business partner Jacob Marley travels from the Jaws of Death to the Gates of Hell in hopes of saving himself.

Accompanied by a pesky little demon, he embarks on a surprising and touching journey for salvation. Tickets are $27-$60.

Science Museum 120 W. Kellogg Blvd.

St. Paul 651-221-9444 www.smm.org

“Sherlock Holmes and the Clocktower Mystery” is featured through Jan. 3, 2016. This interactive murder-mystery exhibit will test your

“Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” is presented through Dec. 20 at the Minnesota History Theatre. powers of observation and deductive reasoning.

“Humpback Whales” is showing through Jan. 7, 2016 in the Omnitheatre. A team of researchers unlock the secrets of the most acrobatic of all whales.

Museum tickets are $13 for adults and $10 for children and seniors.

Omnitheater tickets are $8 and $7 respectively.

Xcel Center

199 W. Kellogg Blvd.

St. Paul www.xcelenergycenter.com

Disney on Ice “Dare to Dream” is presented Dec. 10-13. Tickets are $19.50-$72.50.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform at 3 and 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 30. Tickets are StPV-SisterDec2015_Layout 1 11/9/15 $35-$75.

“Breathlessly cheerful!”

– Newsday

A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY

Park Square Theatre

20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul 651-291-7005 www.parksquaretheatre. org

“The Snow Queen” is presented Nov. 27-Dec. 27. Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved fairy tale receives a musical treatment that reminds us of what’s beautiful in ourselves and in one another.

Tickets are $27-$60.

Through February 27

On the Main Stage Regina Marie Williams

952.934.1525

ChanhassenDT.com

Join the Mayor's Youth CONDUCTORES Task Force annual...

DRIVERS – CLASS A CDL AND YARD

IT'S TIME TO CHANGE LANES TO McLane & JOIN A STRONG AND GROWING TEAM! CDL A DRIVERS - *$7,500 Sign-On-Bonus MEDICAL BENEFITS on DAY 1. 401k WITH COMPANY MATCH, $65k+ in your FIRST YEAR. GUARANTEED PAY & MORE! Eligible CDL Applicants: 21 years of age, high school diploma, 50,000 safe driving miles YARD SPOTTER - start in yard $15.70/hr. + shift This position will be a training position for those with a CDL A license, but with little or no miles, or those with a strong desire to become a full time CDL A McLane driver. Could be 2-7 months as yard spotter, then F/T driver. New McLane drivers can make in excess of $65,000 in your first year!

Email resume: mnhr@mclaneco.com or Call Hollie Now! (507) 664-3038

CON LICENCIA PARA CONDUCIR COMERCIAL A (CDL A) - bono de $7,500 al firmar We are accepting donations

Hat and Mitten Drive

¡ES HORA DE CAMBIAR DE of hats, mittens CARRIL A McLane Y UNIRSE and gloves A UN EQUIPO FUERTE Y EN for Neighbors, Inc. at City CRECIMIENTO! Hall through December .

• PRESTACIONES MÉDICAS desde EL DÍA 1 • 401k CON Please PARTIDAthink DE about your LA COMPAÑÍA neighbors this holiday season.

Mayor Beth Baumann • $65k o más en su PRIMER AÑO!!!

PaidYfor by the Baumann Volunteer Committee • ¡PAGO GARANTIZADO 440 9th Ave. N., South St Paul, MN 55075 MÁS! Solicitantes elegibles de South St. Paul Voice - December 2015 - Page 9 licencia para conducir comercial (CDL):

11

R iver Connections

Your community news and information source

Legends and Lore of the Upper Mississippi

Lost and Found on the River

The courageous journey of the Rev. Robert T. Hickman Tim Spitzack Editor

I

t’s a brisk autumn afternoon and I’m standing in front of Pilgrim Baptist Church, an imposing tan brick structure on Central Avenue West in St. Paul.

I’ve arrived not to attend a service but rather to get a glimpse of the legacy of a man who led 75 slaves on a courageous journey to freedom more than 150 years ago. I tilt my head and slowly examine five stained glass windows perched high on the western wall. One depicts the image of Robert T. Hickman, the man who masterminded the escape and is credited with being the first spiritual pillar of the black community in St. Paul.

At age 32 Hickman took stock of his life and decided that something had to change so he devised a radical plan that he believed would slowly tip the scales of justice in his favor. Perhaps the notion first came to him while splitting logs for the rail fence of a plantation, or possibly it came by divine intervention while he prepared a sermon to deliver to his fellow slaves. However it arrived, his idea stuck in his craw and gnawed at him until he formulated a strategy to rescue his wife and children from a neighboring plantation, build a raft and escape with 75 other slaves. That dangerous plan eventually brought him and his followers to St. Paul but it wasn’t before they experienced a harrowing flight down the turbulent Missouri River and up the Mississippi. They made the journey in 1863, when the country was embroiled in civil war and attitudes Branch and Bough Tree Service and Landscape Care

Tree Care

Rope and Saddle Climbing Specialists

651.222.4538

andy@branchandbough.com www.branchandbough.com Fully Licensed and Insured ISA Certified Arborists

Call for a Free Estimate Today!

Landscaping

Landscape Design and Installation

Arboriculture Rooted in Excellence Committed to Sustainable Landscapes

varied sharply over the social status of blacks.

Hickman was born Jan. 1, 1831 and raised on a plantation in Boone County, Mo., located on the Missouri River midway between Kansas City and St. Louis. The county’s earliest settlers were slaveholders who migrated from Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. They were attracted to the rich, fertile land of the river valley and set down roots there, using slave labor to till the land and plant and harvest hemp and tobacco. Their Southern ways and traditions soon pervaded the region, prompting it to become known as “Little Dixie.”

Missourians, however, had mixed social and political views. In the mid-1800s Missouri was one of just four states – since named the Border States – that allowed slavery but didn’t secede from the Union during the Civil War. The ideals of many Boone County settlers were pro-Confederate yet a dichotomy existed among some of the county’s plantation owners.

Apparently, Hickman’s master was one who recognized the humanity of slaves. He taught Hickman to read, which was frowned upon by many for fear that it would empower the slaves, and when he discovered his deep spirituality he encouraged him to share the Gospel of Christ with other slaves on the plantation, which Hickman did for a dozen years, starting at age 20. The work Hickman provided on the plantation made his arms and back strong but his followers recognized that his true strength came from within and regarded him as a man of deep morals and sharp intellect.

His desire for social justice surely deepened after learning of President AbraMERRIAM PARK

PAINTING Make your home bright for the holidays!

Call Ed. 651.224.3660 www.mppainting.com

FREE BIDS

LIC. BOND. INS.

ROGERS MASONRY

Quality Brickwork • Chimney Repair Fireplaces • Tuckpointing Brick & Stone Steps

Since 1976 licensed, bonded, insured

651-224-6985

www.rogers-masonry.com

Page 10 - South St. Paul Voice - December 2015

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

The Rev. Robert T. Hickman ham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, which became an executive order on January 1, 1863, Hickman’s 32nd birthday. However, the Border States were exempt from the order, which granted freedom to more than three million slaves.

The first of January and birthdays have one thing in common. They are a day to review the past year and make resolutions for the future. With both occurring at the same time for Hickman it is likely that his 32nd birthday solidified his resolve to take the biggest risk of his life, a risk that threatened him, his family and his devoted followers.

There are two accounts of how they escaped but both agree it happened on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. One says they were smuggled aboard the steamer War Eagle and brought north to help ease the labor shortage caused by the Civil War. The prevailing theory – at least the more romantic one – is that they built a

raft and floated their way to freedom.

Assuming that scenario, Hickman and his followers surely knew their likelihood of success was slim. First, the raft had to be very large to hold 40 men, 26 women and 10 children. It would have been a large endeavor to build, let alone conceal during construction. Also, the distance they intended to cover was vast, and rafting is not a quick or covert method of travel. It was at least 150 river miles to the confluence of the Mississippi, just north of St. Louis. An Underground Railroad route started there so it is plausible they hoped to make it that far by raft and then travel across land through Illinois to Chicago, relying on the benevolence of those operating safe houses.

Much like the Mississippi, the Missouri is a wide river that accommodated much steamboat traffic in those days. The water level was likely high when they

NILLES Builders Inc.

651-222-8701

www.nillesbuilders.com

Pilgrim Baptist became the first black church in St. Paul when it was chartered on Nov. 15, 1866. To celebrate, the congregation returned to a sacred place for its founders – the banks of the Mississippi – and held a baptismal service there.

Hickman continued his clerical education and was licensed to preach in 1874, and ordained in 1875.

He became Pilgrim’s first black minister in 1878 and served until his retirement in 1886. He died 14 years later, on Feb. 6, 1900.

Today the church is located at 732 Central Ave. W., in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, a tight-knit community that was ripped in two in the 1960s by the construction of Interstate 94. The neighborhood is still feeling its consequences, and Pilgrim Baptist continues to shine its beacon of hope there. It hosts several social ministries, including the Pilgrim Community Garden and a food shelf, as well as other spiritual programs, including Men of Courage, a name that indirectly pays homage to the church’s brave founders.

Immediately following my visit to Pilgrim Baptist I witnessed an interaction between two men near the on-ramp of I-94 near Dale Street. One was standing in the median with a sign asking for help. The other pulled next to him in a shiny car, rolled down his window and gave him some money. I couldn’t help but wonder if the benevolent man was related to one of the founders of Pilgrim Baptist Church and if the other man was a descendent of one of those angry dock workers.

Fact leads to fiction - For a fictitious account of Hickman’s arrival in St. Paul, visit www.timspitzack.com/ hickman

Insurance

Insurance Now is the time for window STATE FARM Stremski Agency replacement!

20 Thompson Ave. E.

STATE FARM

Stremski Agency

Mn Lic# 4690

ADDITIONS REMODELING ROOFING CONCRETE GARAGES SIDING

departed due to melting snow and spring rain, making the current swift and more difficult to navigate.

Fortunately, luck – or Providence – was on their side.

By the time they reached Jefferson City, the state’s Capitol, their prayers were answered. The Northerner steamboat pulled alongside them and offered to tow them to St. Paul.

On the trip they began referring to themselves as Pilgrims because they knew they were journeying to an unfamiliar land. Surely their thoughts were mixed with fear and excitement as they churned nearly 650 miles on the Mississippi to St. Paul, arriving there on May 5.

Unfortunately, word of their pending arrival reached the landing before they did. A large group of dock workers who feared they would lose their jobs to the new migrants whipped themselves into frenzy and started a riot that prevented Hickman and the others from disembarking. To avoid an unpleasant confrontation, the Northerner pilot steamed ahead a few more miles and dropped the pilgrims in Mendota.

Some, including Hickman, made their way back to St. Paul and others settled in nearby communities.

Hickman continued as their spiritual leader and led home services for St. Paul’s fledgling black community.

That November his group rented rooms at the Good Templars Hall near Third and Market streets and began holding services there.

The next year they applied for and received mission status to organize their own congregation.

However, since Hickman was not ordained, it was organized under the First Baptist Church of St. Paul and was served by a white minister.

Located in South St. Paul ~ Serving entire Metro Area ~ Lic. # BC630527

No job too big or small.

Call today to schedule your project. FREE ESTIMATES! View our craftsmanship at

www.shr-mn.com

20 Thompson Ave. E. West St. Paul

Home, Auto, Business, Financial Services 651-457-6348

Stay warm thisPaul winter West St. & save on energy costs

Hogar Automóvil Seguro de Vida

Call 651-256-1061

Viking Exteriors www.vikingexteriors.com 651-457-6348 BC# 003773

C ommunity Columns

Your community news and information source from helping others.

Many of the encounters took place as the deputies spotted a car that looked like it had seen better days. To the surprise of the driver, instead of receiving a citation they were handed a crisp, new $100 bill. The usual reaction was disbelief, followed almost instantly by tears, tears of joy.

Hartman asked Secret Santa what he hoped the deputies would get out of this and his one word answer was “Joy.” He said law officers have to be tough people, but that he believes they all have big hearts. He hoped this experience would bring a little bit of joy into their lives.

One of the encounters was quite memorable. The woman pulled over was quite upset, and as the officer approached her you could hear her say into her phone, “I don’t know.

He just looked right at me and then he pulled me over.”

“How are you doing, ma’am?” said the officer.

“Well, I was doing fine until you pulled me over.” The officer handed her a $100 bill through the window.

“Well, Secret Santa wants you to have this.”

The stunned reaction turned to tears, and when she was able to talk again she told the officer she had been struggling to figure out how she was going to buy her kids anything for Christmas. Now she could.

In a way, this is what the Neighbors’ Christmas program is about; bringing joy to people who might otherwise not experience it during the holiday season. Our program gives everyone in our community the opportunity to be Secret Santa to someone they don’t know, just for the joy of giving. While we don’t collect and hand out $100,000 in $100

bills, we do collect and distribute more than three quarters of a million dollars worth of toys, clothing, games and household items that generous Secret Santas in our community donate to us to distribute to people in need.

This year we will serve around 1,000 families in our Christmas programs. Perhaps 25 to 30 percent will be adopted. The rest will be served through our Love Your Neighbor program. Thanks to a generous community of Secret Santas, the children in these families will have a far more joyous Christmas.

If you haven’t already adopted a family or a senior for this Christmas, there is still time. I can tell you from experience that your own Christmas will be much more joyous when you think about the people who unwrap the gifts you provide, and the happiness your act of love will bring to them.

For those unable to adopt a family or senior but who want to help, we need thousands of toys, games, clothing items – gift items of all kinds – to serve the hundreds of families who will be part of our Love Your Neighbor program. When shopping, consider picking up a gift or two for the program and bringing them, unwrapped, to Neighbors for us to distribute on your behalf.

For most of us Christmas is a time of great joy. That joy can be magnified by reaching out in love to someone else, someone you don’t know and may never hear of again. In doing so, you will make their Christmas a little more joyous as well.

T

his year the River Heights Chamber of Commerce is participating in the sixth annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28, and we will continue to promote it

throughout the holiday season to support small businesses in South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights. Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday and the Neighborhood Champion program celebrates the small businesses that support neighborhoods. Small Business Saturday has been embraced as part of the holiday shopping tradition, and each year shoppers, businesses and public officials come together to “Shop Small” and show their neighborhood pride.

Understanding the important contributions small businesses make to our communities, the River Heights Chamber of Commerce is pleased to participate in the Neighborhood Champion program. Local businesses can stop by our office during the holiday season to receive “Shop Small” giveaways, like tote bags, buttons and balloons. American Express created the program to help communities rally around shopping local and is working alongside numerous

business organizations to support celebrations across the country. Participating organizations include the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the American Independent Business Alliance, the International Downtown Association, The Latino Coalition, the National Main Street Center, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“The River Heights Chamber’s vision is not only to be the premier advocate for small business but also to be the small business champion of promoting the local business community,” said Kelton Glewwe of Roadware, Inc., 2015 chairman of the River Heights Chamber of Commerce.

Small business owners can learn more about the program and download free marketing materials at www.shopsmall. com.

“#THEYSAY” We’re Selfish. Lazy. Stubborn.

They say we’re a lot of things that we’re not! This was just one of the topics highlighted at WE Day MN 2015, a celebration of youth making a difference in local and

the task force has earned its way to WE Day. Words like “awesome,” “inspiring” and “so cool” were heard throughout the day.

You cannot buy a ticket to We Day. You have to earn it by completing local and global projects. The task force’s local project was organizing the South St. Paul community-wide food drive in March, and the global project was raising funds to support a school and community in Kenya.

Equipped with wrist bands and #THEYSAY tshirts, task force members ventured to the event. Taking the stage were some new faces and some returning favorites. This year the talent included Ciara, Darren Criss, Chelsea Clinton, Lily Collins, Nico & Vinz, Natalie La Rose, Rowan Blanchard, Marlee Matlin, Dr. Mae Jemison, Henry Winkler, Kenyan Boys Choir, Kardinal Offishall

ever before and fund-raised more than twice as much in donations for charities in their community. She said it was exciting to see so many youth giving back to their communities and told the crowd that their actions are making a positive impact in the world around them. She shared the following data comparing this school year to last.

• More than 197,000 youth are engaged in service programs, up 204 percent.

• Participants volunteered 695,000 hours for local and global causes, up from 167,861 hours.

• Students raised $836,000 in support of local and global organizations, up from $378,250.

(The task force sent nearly $1,000 to Kenya for chickens, goats and clean water.)

• 180,000 pounds of food were collected and donated to local food shelves, up 13 percent. (South St. Paul’s

Neighbors, Inc.

By John Kemp Executive Director

L

ast December, in the middle of the chaos that swirls around as we scurry about preparing for “The Day,” CBS News reporter Steve Hartman did a piece on a man in the Kansas City, Mo. area who is known simply as Secret Santa. For the last few years this successful businessman has handed out $100 bills to people in need of a little extra help at Christmas. He reportedly has been giving away about $100,000 a year.

Last year Secret Santa did things a little differently. Instead of handing out the money himself he enlisted the aid of the Jackson County Sherriff’s Department. At the beginning of each shift Secret Santa gave each deputy ten $100 bills and asked them to give them to people who looked like they needed some extra assistance. CBS News went along for the ride and the resulting story was emotional, heart-warming and a great lesson in the joy that comes

Jennifer L. Gale, president

global communities.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, members of the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force joined 18,000 youth from across the state at the Xcel Energy Center for the event. This is the third year

and favorite Spencer West.

WE Day co-founders Craig and Mark Kielburger also shared their passion for change and international experiences, and energized the crowd with unforgettable motivational speeches.

As part of the #THEYSAY” campaign, it was said, “Our generation of problem-solvers and action-takers are making it our mission to change the world.

Our way. So forget the labels. Doing good starts young. Whether you’re putting a dent in world hunger, tackling a community issue or simply standing up for what’s right, let’s hear about it.”

To reinforce this statement, Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius shared data revealing that a record number of youth are participating in service to their community.

Students logged in more hours volunteering than

campaign raised more than 55,075 pounds.)

It was truly a wonderful and inspirational day. Gov. Mark Dayton attended and proclaimed Nov. 3 as We Day in Minnesota. He had it right when he said, “There is no room more powerful than this room and there is no place that I would rather be.”

The task force wishes to thank everyone for partnering with us on our local and global projects. We could not have done it without you. Thank you! We can’t wait to see what is in store for 2016. For photos of WE Day MN 2015, visit and “Like” the South St. Paul Mayor’s Youth Task Force Facebook page. For more information on the task force, contact Deb Griffith, community affairs liaison, at 651-554-3230 or deb. griffith@southstpaul.org.

South St. Paul Voice - December 2015 - Page 11

B ack in Time

Your community news and information source

Recruiting in Romania Lois Glewwe Contributor

O

tto J. Schumacher and Mitchell Choban, one a Mason and a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in South St. Paul, and the other a founder of St. Stefan’s Romanian Orthodox Church, are examples of the kind of ethnic and professional relationships that are such an important part of the city’s history. They were among the earliest promoters of South St. Paul, taking opportunities from South St. Paul and Drover’s Bank to banks and organizations overseas.

In 1912 Charles Clark

opened Drover’s Bank in what was then the O’Brien Building on the northwest corner of Grand and Concord. Schumacher, a successful Chicago banker who worked at St. Paul’s Capital National Bank, became the bank’s president in 1913.

In 1920 Choban was hired to be Drover’s manager of the Foreign Exchange and Travel Bureau. Choban emigrated from Romania in 1913 and went to work in the packing plants in South St. Paul. He also served the United States on the Mexican Border Patrol during World War I. He spoke seven languages and was an invaluable resource to the

QUALITY CARE. STYLISH COMFORT.

Two very unlikely colleagues and friends, Mitchell Choban, a Romanian immigrant, and Otto Schumacher, a Chicago-born successful banker, became Drover’s Bank’s emissaries to Romania in 1923. Pictured here at Drover’s Bank in 1925 are, left to right, Carl Temple, Otto’s son Joe Schumacher, Al Nelson, Mitchell Choban, Harold Sloan, a Mr. Olson, George Woessner, Carl Trout, Mabel Yackel, Art McCoy, Lillian Ringberg, Olga Forester, Abi Pagenkopf, Will Green and Herbert Swanson. Seated are Warren Miller, left, and Otto Schumacher. hundreds of immigrants pouring into South St. Paul to work at the packing plants.

In 1923 Schumacher and Choban embarked on one of the most remarkable journeys of their lives.

Schumacher was 38 and Choban just 24 when Drover’s Bank sent them to Europe for three months to establish business connections to aid in the recruitment and immigration of people to South St. Paul. Choban had been in the U.S. for 10 years, and the trip brought him back

home to see friends and family in Romania. Schumacher, born and bred in Illinois, recorded the sights, food, experiences, weather, travel difficulties, astonishing landscapes and people they encountered as they traveled across the U.S. and Europe in the years between the two World Wars.

His grandson, also named Otto, sent me a copy of his grandfather’s journal earlier this year, with permission to share it with the South St. Paul community.

What is perhaps most fascinating about that business

Ayudando al Lesionado Helping the Injured

It’s time to give senior living a whole new look.

YO PROPORCIONO REPRESENTACION LEGAL DE ALTA CALIDAD Antonio Tejeda EN LAS AREAS DE COMPENSACION LABORAR Y ASUNTOS DE VETERANOS. • Private memory care • Chef-prepared suites & more meals • Modern amenities • Engaging activities NOW LEASING! SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY: 1 West Water Street, Suite 275 ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE St. Paul, MN 55107

PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND VA DISABILITY APPEALS

Se Habla Español 1 West Water Street Suite 275, St. Paul

651-326-6502

744 19th Avenue N, South St. Paul, MN 55075

Llame al 877.544.3164 www.vistaprairie.org/river-heights

Antonio Tejeda

www.tejeda-guzman.com

Call 877.544.3164

trip is the friendship and professional relationship that made it possible for these two men of such different backgrounds to become colleagues and friends.

Both men played vital roles in the civic and community organizations of South St. Paul during the city’s formative years. Schumacher was the first president of the South St. Paul Library Board and led the countywide distribution of Liberty Bonds during World War I. He became the first president of the South St. Paul Kiwanis in 1920 and donated the children’s wading pool on the site of today’s Central Square. It was the first public swimming pool in the city. Schumacher was also a Master of the Mizpah Lodge, president and board member of Southview Country Club, and an active member of the South St. Paul Commercial Club, the forerunner of today’s River Heights Chamber of Commerce.

Choban went on be an officer in dozens of civic organizations, including the South St. Paul Charter Commission, the Chamber of Commerce and the Boy

Scouts of America Council.

He was also a member of the South St. Paul Kiwanis and served as its president and as an officer for many years. During World War II, Choban was the chief air raid warden for Dakota County and later became a successful realtor in the city.

Perhaps most interesting is that he was the Minnesota representative at the first atomic detonation in Las Vegas in 1953, and again in 1955.

Schumacher died in an automobile accident at Concord Street and Annapolis on June 18, 1930.

He was just 45 and his funeral at St. Andrew’s was one of the largest ever in the community. His wife Corinne and children Joe and Ruth remained in the family home, and both Joe and Ruth Schumacher Barrett became well-known members of the community. Choban passed away on October 29, 1975 at age 77. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren remain a vital part of the parish at St. Stefan’s Romanian Orthodox Church.

Senior Rental Housing in South St. Paul The Dakota County CDA’s Senior Housing Program provides affordable, independent living rental housing for adults age 55+.

For more information, visit www.dakotacda.org To request an application, call 651-675-4440

Dakota Heights Short waiting list for 2-bedroom

River Heights Terrace Short waiting list for 2-bedroom

Thompson Heights Short waiting list for 1 & 2-bedroom

Each senior housing development features 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, a community room with kitchen, laundry facilities, emergency call system and underground heated parking.

A Senior Nutrition Program service with noon meals is available weekdays at Dakota Heights.

Thompson Heights is a smoke-free campus.

INCOME LIMITS:

Page 12 - South St. Paul Voice - December 2015

1 person household: $46,100 No income limits for Premium Units

2 person household: $52,650