Forest Lake Lowdown

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7.17.15

Breathing better in our homes Movers and Shakers

BY CINDY OJCZYK There is a myth, perpetuated by homeowners and industry professionals alike, that kitchen ventilation is an unnecessary expense – especially if you have an electric cooking surface. This myth couldn’t be farther from the truth. The process of cooking food releases unwanted moisture that can harm your cabinets, walls, windows, and attic. It results in the creation of smoke, fine particles and toxins that can irritate lungs and cause breathing problems – especially in infants, children, elderly, pets, and immune-compromised people. Cooking with natural gas and propane can release carbon monoxide and other pollutants.

Fast moving air from a hot pan does not move in a vertical column but fans forward, backward, and sideways as it moves upward. Three options exist to capture this air and

all the unwanted stuff. Under cabinet and wall mounted range hoods are the most effective options because they use the wall to help guide air into the hood. Island range hoods are not as effective since there is no wall to help direct air. The least effective third option for is the downdraft system.

At a minimum a range hood should be as wide and as deep as the cooking surface below. For even better results, use a hood that is 6 inches wider than the cooking surface and centered above the elements. Most hoods are mounted with a distance of 24” to 36”. Raising the hood higher will make the system less effective. Lowering the hood can make it hard to reach into tall pots. Read product warranties to ensure your installation is covered in the event of a problem.

Ventilation fan speed is measured by “cfm” or cubic feet per minute. To truly understand what this means imagine a basketball representing a cube of air (it’s almost that size). A 300 cfm system removes roughly 300 basketballs of air from the kitchen every minute – along with heat, toxins, moisture and odors. A growing number of exhaust systems are rated 600 cfm to 900 cfm. These are commonly found with many modern ranges, downdraft systems and island hoods. These fans will remove 600 to 900 basketballs of air from the kitchen every minute. All of the air will be removed from the average sized kitchen in under 5 minutes. To equalize the loss, air will be drawn into the kitchen from other parts of the house.

Many kitchen ventilation systems in today’s homes should consist of two parts: 1) the ventilation system that

removes bad air and 2) the make-up air system that brings fresh air into the home to replace the air removed. This is part of the building code in many cities. It is a safety measure to prevent ventilation systems from causing carbon monoxide problems with gas/propane furnaces, water heaters, and clothes dryers. Check with your city and get informed before choosing your ventilation system. A make-up air system will impact budget and may impact kitchen design.

Always have the duct work exhaust the moisture-laden air through rigid metal ducts to the outside. Ducts going through attics should be insulated. When at all possible, avoid “recirculating” fans that vent air back into the home.

While a filter can trap some grease and odors, it won’t stop heat, moisture, and cooking toxins from being released into your home.

A ventilation system can’t help your health and home unless you tell it to do so. Turn it on when cooking. Clean grease filters and change charcoal filters as directed by the manufacturer. Get informed so you can speak confidently with the professionals you hire. This will ensure your ventilation system will help you breathe better in your home while protecting your home investment.

—Cindy Ojczyk is a Lino Lakes resident and owner of More Than A Beautiful Home – a free web resource to empower consumers to create better homes without sacrificing beauty. www.morebeautifulhome.com

The Lowdown seeks columnists from our area interested in writing about their hobbies, interests or areas of specialty (not about specific businesses or institutions).

If interested please email Attn: Michelle at lowdownnews@presspubs.com

– Find it –

A r ound t h e L a k E H

ello everyone, we hope you are all enjoying your summer now that it’s finally here! Already half of summer is over but don’t think about it and especially whatever you do, do not look at the school supply aisle at the store! So sit back and enjoy the hot weather and let Tasty Asia do

the cooking for you.

We have something for everyone. Our noodle salads have become very popular since more of our customers have given it a try. Fresh rice noodles, crisp lettuce with cucumbers, bean sprouts and mint with grilled beef, chicken or shrimp; eggrolls or tofu for the vegetarians. Of course, customers come

in regularly for our popular dishes such as sesame chicken, Vietnamese and Chinese chow meins, egg rolls, fried rice and cream cheese wontons just to name a few. If you are a regular at Tasty Asia, then you know not to skip dessert! All of our desserts (cheesecakes, Tiramisu, double layer chocolate cake, Flan, etc) are made fresh by Diana.

Our gluten free menu is pretty

extensive and just by word of mouth we have had a lot of new customers come in for our gluten free items. Thank you to all of our very loyal customers who come in regularly, keep their eyes and taste buds open and give us feedback (both good and bad).

Have a great summer (what’s left of it) and we’ll see you at Tasty Asia!

O ww rder O w.ta nlin stya e sia.c om

26685 Faxton Ave, Wyoming • Phone: (651) 462-1200

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7.17.15 Where: FLAHS, 6101 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake Details: Cast of 66 local actors and 15-20 local musicians.

Contact: Tickets at http:// masquerstheatre.org/ticketinformation/ or 651-464-5823.

North around the lake

MUSICAL ‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS’ When: Through Aug. 16 Where: St. Croix Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, Wis. Details: $13.50 to $26.

Contact: www.festivaltheatre.org or 715-483-3387

‘THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)’ When: Through Aug. 15 Where: St. Croix Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, Wis. Details: $13.50 to $26, Comedic attempt to perform all 37 Shakespeare plays in 97 minutes.

Contact: www.festivaltheatre.org or 715-483-3387

MASQUERS THEATER’S ‘SHREK THE MUSICAL’ When: July 16-19. 23-26

SUNSET CANOE EXCURSION

aways, bouncy house, wacky hair, trikes, silent auction. concessions. Proceeds support Maranatha Missions.

Contact: www.authoritystunts.com or info@maranathabikeshow.org. Video clip form 2012 show at https:// youtu.be/qYhmk16iYmY

SECRET AGENT DAY

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15 Where: Warner Nature Center, 15375 Norell Ave. N. Marine Details: $12. Paddle Lake Terrapin at sunset; maybe hear loons and see beavers.

Contact: Register by July 13 at 651-433-2427 ext. 10 or www. smm.org/warner nature center

When: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18 Where: Wyoming Library, 26855 Forest Blvd., Wyoming Details: Kids complete challenges to receive prize.

Contact: 651-462-9001 or www.ecrlib.org

ANNUAL TASTE!

When: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 18 Where: William O-Brien State Park, Highway 95 near Marine Details: Actor plays part of Martin Mower of Arcola Lumber Mill recruiting for jobs of the 1800s.

Contact: 655-433-0500

When: Thursday, July 16 Where: Stars and Strikes Entertainment Center Details: $25 to $30. Food and drink samples from area eateries. Fundraiser for Forest Lake Area Partnership for Families.

Contact: Tickets at LAYSB Office, Chisago or Forest Lake Chambers, Cornerstone Pub & Prime, Famous Dave’s, Stars & Strikes or www.ysblakesarea. org.

MARANATHA BIKE SHOW When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, July 18 Where: Maranatha Church, 24799 Forest Blvd., Forest Lake Details: $3. Featuring Twin Cities-based bike stunt team Authority Stunts. D.J., give-

Out in the valley PLAY ‘BLITHE SPIRIT’ When: Through July 26 Where: Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, Wis. Details: Noel Coward’s comic fantasy/ghost story. Stars Bruce Bell-Myers and Darcy BellMyers of Stillwater. $15 to $24.

Contact: Tickets at 715-386-8409 or www.

ThePhipps.org.

‘HELP WANTED IN THE 1800S’

When: July 17-19 Where: Downtown Stillwater Details: By The Locals and Discover Stillwater. Events include tethered hot air balloon rides, downhill derby, lumberjack demonstrations, kiddie carnival, bingo kids programming, vendors, chefs’ competition, yoga, beer garden, medallion hunt, live music.

Contact: www.StillwaterLogJam.com or 651-226-5046

OLD FASHIONED ICE-CREAM SOCIAL AND TALENT SHOW When: 4:30 pm Thurs., July 17 Where: Stillwater Historical Courthouse, 101 W. Pine St. Details: Children’s activities, Fantasy Corral

When: 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 21 Where: Vannelli’s by the Lake, 55 Lake St. S., Forest Lake Details: Forest Lake Mayor Stev Stegner discusses future of the downtown.

Contact: Ideas welcome via www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us/ downtown

ANNUAL ‘COMIN’ TO AMERIKA’ DAY CAMP When: July 21 and 23 Where: Gammelgarden Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail, Scandia Details: $35. Elementaryaged campers reenact immigration and new life in America.

Contact: Register at 651-433-5053

ARTS IN THE PARK When: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 (music at 6:30 p.m.)

and oil paintings of Todd Clercx. On display through Aug. 20.

Contact: wyomingcreativearts.org or 651-238-0245

YOUTH IMPROV SHOW ‘HAPPINESS ADVICE FOR US OLD FOLKS’ When: 7 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 22 Where: Wyoming Library Details: By Mary Jo Meadow, Ph.D., author, professor emerita of psychology, meditation instructor and sister in two religious orders.

Contact: Register at 651-462-9001.

WYOMING AREA CREATIVE ARTS COMMUNITY SHOW ‘VISIONS’ When: 6 to 9 p.m. July 23 Where: Hallberg Center for the Arts, 5521 E. Viking Blvd., Wyoming Details: Reception featuring mosaic artwork of Tree Croyle

WASHINGTON COUNTY IN THE CIVIL WAR’

When: July 23-26 Where: St. Croix Festival Theatre, 210 N. Washington St., St. Croix Falls, Wis. Details: $13.50 to $26.

Local youth perform.

Contact: www.festivaltheatre.org or 715-483-3387

SUNSET KAYAK When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday, July 24 Where: Warner Nature Center, 15375 Norell Ave. N. Marine Details: $12. Paddle Lake Terrapin at sunset; maybe hear loons and see beavers. Repeats July 28.

Contact: Register by July 22 at 651-433-2427 ext. 10 or www.smm.org/warner nature center

Ninth Annual Chicago Dogs Chalk Art Contest

When: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 19 Where: Hay Lake Schoolhouse, corner of C.R. 3 and Old Marine Trail N. south of Scandia Details: Free. Presenter is Bob Goodman, co-author of 2001 book “In Their Own Words: The Civil War As Seen by Washington County Soldiers.”

Contact: 651-434-4019

When:

Contest Thursday July 16 noon to 8, judging July 17

Where:

In front of Chicago Dogs, 402 N. Main St., Stillwater

Details: Trophies for first and second.

Three age groups. Register at eatery.

Contact: 651-323-7150 pr www. chicagodogsmn.com

petting zoo, food, frozen novelties, penny candy, beverages and more will be available for purchase. The Amateur Talent Show 6 p.m.

Contact: www. co.washington.mn.us

When: 1 to 4 p.m. July 18 and Aug. 22 Where: Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 St. Croix Trail, Franconia Details: $30. Resident artists help youth 4-18 make big sculptures.

Contact: http://franconia.org/kms.html or 651-257-6668

When: July 21-26 Where: Hudson, Wis. Details: River clean-up, nature hike, Civil War encampment, river paddle, concert, kids’ activities, etc. Celebrating the river.

Contact: www.stcroixriverfest.org or 715-386-0124

SEVEN-TEAM BASE BALL EXHIBITION

SECOND ANNUAL LOG JAM PARADE

NATIVE AMERICAN CELEBRATION

When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday, July 19 Where: Starts at Washington Square Park and ends at Pioneer Park, Stillwater Details: Music by Ruben and Thrift Store Sonata, dancing treats, concessions. Balloon artist/clown at noon. Grand marshals Buzz, Nile and Gary Kriesel.

Contact: Volunteers needed at stillwaterlogjam.com

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 Where: Lakefront Park, Hudson, Wis. Details: Free. Traditional drumming, singing, dancing. Kids make river sticks. Learn about St. Croix Chippewa and Ho-Chunk cultures.

By Phipps Center for the Arts and Hudson Area Library Contact: www.stcroixriverfest.org.

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, July 18 Where: Old Athletic Field, Sixth and Orleans, Stillwater Details: Old-fashioned teams from Stillwater, Afton, Arlington, Chisholm Twin Cities and Menomonie, Wis. Bring chairs or blankets.

Contact: 651-439-5956

QUILT DISPLAY AND OPEN HOUSE PRESENTATION: THE AMERICAN KESTREL

SECOND ANNUAL STILLWATER LOG JAM

MAYOR’S DOWNTOWN STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING

Where: Lakeside Park, Forest Lake Details: City-sponsored summer concert series, craft fair and farmers market. Features 70s soul, funk and jam with The Undergroove Band

When: 7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 18 Where: Lake Elmo Park Reserve, C.R. 10 and C.R. 10 Details: By Warner Nature Center. Free, but parking pass needed.

Contact: 651-430-8370 or www.co.washington. mn.us/parks

When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 19 Where: Arcola Mills, 12905 Arcola Trail N., Stillwater Details: History/architectural tour starts at 1 p.m. Learn about 19th century to modern quilt styles with Wynn Martin of Minnesota Quilters Association.

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SUMMER TUESDAY BALLROOM DANCE PARTY When: Saturday, July 18 Where: Phipps Center for the Arts, Hudson, Wis. Details: $12. Repeats Aug. 15. Dance lesson in first hour. Featured are tango and cha cha.

Contact: 715-386-2305.

ANNUAL ‘KIDS MAKE SCULPTURE’ EVENTS

When: Starts 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 21 and four more Tuesdays through summer Where: Lowell Park, downtown Stillwater (rain location: Charlie’s Irish Pub) Details: Vendor market, live music, movie.

Locally sponsored. Band is Standard Protocol, movie is “Hotel Transylvania.”

Contact: www,summertuesdays.com

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Do you have an event that you would like to see appear in this calendar section? Send the information to calendar@presspubs.com

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7.17.15

Michelle Miron

The Lowdown Editor

EXCHANGE STUDENT IS UNEXPECTED MOTIVATOR We’ll havee no privacy, I grumbled. We We’ll ’lll have to rearrange ourr schedules, scheedu dules, and we’ll wear wear ourselves outt ttrying to negate the stereotype ster reotyype p off th the he Couch Po Pota Potato t to American.

In spite off my curmud curmudgeonly dgeonly l attitud attitude, de, h hosting osting a 16-yearo 16-year-old old ld exchange student udent from Eastern Bloc country coun nttry Belarus for two weeks has been a real eye-opener and a ju just-plain-fun us experience with unforeseen perks. Aleh (pron (pronounced no Ah-LAKE) comes to us through a program called W Worldlink Inc. for students from the Eurasian counties tha that at don’t allow yearlongg academic exchange g p programs. g Spo Sponsored p n by the U.S. Department of State, its goal is “for Americans to learn more about their culture and lifestyle” and “for them to be exposed to the ‘real America.’”

I thought maybe Aleh would be humorless, difficult to entertain and condescending about the shall-we-say-less-praiseworthy aspects of American culture. Turns out he’s a true diplomat with a great sense of humor who embraces experience and is willing to try most anything once (disclaimer: he regrets the sweet potatoes and Flaming Hot Cheetos and is not crazy about corn on the cob, donuts or Mexican food).

Aleh is also crazy bright and self-motivated. His primary language is Russian, but his grandparents taught him Belarusian and Polish. Because he’s driven to improve himself, he’s gone on to learn English, German and French on his own. Without bragging, he explained he studies books about other languages then practices out loud during daily 10-mile walks around his home city of Polotsk, where he lives in a flat with his parents and pet cat. (Here’s where I struggle not to think about how I dropped Spanish in eighth grade, spend my spare time watching Netflix and mostly avoid my treadmill).

During the school year, Aleh’s Saturdays are spent in optional extra lesson time at school or competing in olympiads in history and English. He’s already participated in student exchange programs in the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Germany, Hungary and Bulgaria and traveled with his family to Russia, Italy and elsewhere. Nevertheless, he’s humble about his accomplishments and confided he “feels stupid a lot” when trying to learn. The president of his 600-student school hopes after graduation to attend college in Poland to become an economist.

On the flip side, Aleh is similar to American teenagers in that he dinks around on his Smartphone and the Internet, watches Western-culture TV and movies, plays sports, rolls his eyes over drama by female classmates and highly values time with friends. Even the social structure at his school sounds American; he noted classmates aren’t always friendly to each other, they often gossip and some value looks too highly.

Because he lives under a regime that’s been called “the last dictatorship in Europe,” Aleh is smart enough not to opine on the Belarusian government. But website sources describe what it’s like to live there.

Aleh’s parents must have done a phenomenal job raising him. Rather than letting it deter him that most people worldwide enjoy vastly more freedom, he chooses to focus on learning as much as he can, embracing experience, meeting people and improving himself to the fullest capacity possible.

Talking to Aleh makes me want to step up to the plate and do more with my time here on earth.

The Amazing Aleh goes home by mid-month, but we hope to keep in close touch with him via Facebook, letters and emails.

Over the next decade, we would not be at all surprised to read about Aleh in the media helping solve world hunger, curing cancer, helping fix his country’s economy or otherwise making great strides.

Just remember the little people who introduced you to bacon, karaoke, the water balloon slingshot and Nelson’s Ice Cream, Aleh.

— Michelle Miron is a stereotypical American who likes Cheetos, speaks only English and Pig Latin and is lazy outside of work.

Entrepreneur scouts and sells the best bacon

by Kristine Goodrich WHITE BEAR LAKE — Bacon lover Jon Jakoblich rates each brand of bacon he samples against four criteria: flavor, fat-to-meat ratio, saltiness and shrinkage.

His bacon-reviewing blog has evolved into a multifaceted website where fellow pork enthusiasts can find bacon news and tips and purchase mail orders from four small meat producers.

“I'm educating the public about good-quality meats and connecting them with vendors,” said the White Bear Lake resident.

A custom of stopping at meat markets during his travels inspired Jakoblich to launch baconscouts.com in May 2013. He blogged about the markets he visited and gave each a rating after he tried a few of its varieties. To date he's rated 21 bacon producers across the Midwest on a five-point system in four categories. Bernie's Fine Meats in Port Washington, Wisconsin so far holds Jakoblich's highest ranking.

His blog also contains posts on a variety of bacon topics. The latest entry explains the science of shrinkage. “Bacon that shrinks significantly during cooking is either very fatty or it was cured with high water content,” he wrote.

“High heat during cooking also plays a factor ...”

Another entry recommends baking bacon in the oven instead of frying it in a pan. IIn the h oven iis quicker, i k less messy and tastes better, Jakoblich contends. Baking was recommended to him by Shawn Smith, the owner of Eat! @ Banning and Fifth (a downtown White Bear Lake restaurant).

After trying out a few variations to baking methods, he

posted step-by-step instructions on his blog, including a recommendation not to preheat the oven. “After making my way through many pounds of the delicious meat candy, I've developed a foolproof method to cook bacon to perfection each and every time,” he wrote.

Baconscouts.com also contains a listing of bacon festivals across the country.

Jakoblich has attended a few himself.

The website also has companion Facebook and Twitter pages that alert followers about new content and offers on the site.

Last year Jakoblich began working to make baconscouts.com also an online marketplace. Establishing a Web store that automatically sends purchase orders to his partners was a longer process than he anticipated, he said.

It went live this winter with its first partner: RJ's Meats in Hudson, Wisconsin. Products from Nolecheck's Meats in Thorp, Wisconsin and Woods Smoked Meats in Bowling Green, Missouri were added this spring. A store for new partner, Grand Champion Meats of Foley, was expected to go live this week.

“I've created an online meat mall,” Jakoblich said.

This online mall isn't cheap cheap.

The price tag for bacon is $18 per one-pound or $13.50 per 12-ounce package. That includes shipping if buyers live in the Midwest and order at least two frozen packages from the same company. A half-price discount is offered for the third and subsequent packages in the same order. order

Jakoblich contends that in addition to being much tastier than the much less expensive bacon varieties that can be found at a grocery store, store the bacon on his site shrinks very little.

“You get what you pay for. for Once you try the good stuff you'll back,” he said. 'll never go b k”h id Potential customers need not take just his word that the bacon on his site is some of the best out there, he said, because they all are award-winning companies.

“I won't just sell anything. They have to have a good reputation,” he said.

His site also offers some

Photo by Paul Dols Jakoblich at his White Bear Lake home with newly prepared bacon.

uniquely seasoned bacons, such as raspberry chipotle. The apple cinnamon variety from R.J.'s Meats is the site's best seller.

While bacon is the primary offering, there also are a few other meat items available, including Polish sausage, bratwurst, and snack sticks in multiple varieties such as beer with jalapeno and cheddar.

Jakoblich provides the manufacturers with the containers, gel cooling pack and other shipping materials, which keep the frozen meat cold for up to 80 hours.

The Bacon Scout keeps a cut of each order in exchange for his services. Revenue is growing, but Jakoblich is not a full-time entrepreneur. By day he works as the parish administrator of St. Jude of the Lake Catholic Church in Mahtomedi.

Between taste testing and photo shoots for his website, a whole lot of bacon is baked in the Jakoblich house, located near Central Middle School.

Thankfully, his wife and four sons like bacon almost as much as he does, Jakoblich said. He’d like to feature recipes for some of his family's favorite baconinfused dishes on his blog.

Jakoblich's other goals including having promotional booths at bacon festivals, growing awareness of the site, adding a few more vendors and increasing sales.

-Kristine Goodrich is editor of the White Bear Press and Vadnais Height Press.

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Published Friday by Press Publications, Inc. 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110 www.readthelowdown.com Office Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday Mailed Subscription Rate: In county & zip code 55092: FREE Out of county: $26 for 6 mo.

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10 |

7.17.15

Local specialist: Lyme still misdiganosed NORTHEAST METRO — People with N Lyme disease don't look sick. But for some Ly chronic sufferers of the tick-borne disease, getting out of bed is a challenge.

White Bear Lake restaurateur Kate McKeague is sadly familiar with the debilitating illness; she was diagnosed three years a g o . On the bright side, the Station Pub manager has learned to navigate its symptoms through a strict dietary regimen and longterm antibiotic treatments.

Before the diagnosis, McKeague said, shee could barely function.

"I started getting sick in summer of 2012," 2" McKeague recalled. "I had horrible fatigue, muscle pain and weakness and trouble with my hand motor skills. I had brain fog, which is typical of Lyme disease. I saw different doctors but no one could figure out what was wrong. My blood work looked normal, a test for Lyme came back negative. That's typical for people with Lyme, they're told nothing is wrong with them because we don't look sick. But I couldn't get out of bed."

Her dad recommended she see a physician in Vadnais Heights whom she credits with saving her life. He suggested she be retested for Lyme; it was positive.

McKeague went through several doctors before she found one who she calls "Lyme literate." Sometimes that's not easy.

Why? Doctors aren't listening, according to a Forest Lake-area Lyme expert.

Family practitioner Betty Maloney has probFa ably published more peer-reviewed papers on bl Lyme disease than anyone in Minnesota, including the newest treatment guidelines for the disease.

"Yet when I tried to speak at the Minnesota Family Physicians conference on the topic, of which I belong to that academy, they didn't find the need to hear from me me at all," she said.

Maloney finds the apathy increasingly frustrating.

"I feel like I've jumped through every hoop that mainstream medicine has asked in order to communicate with my colleagues," she stated. "They say 'Show me the evidence about chronic Lyme disease.' When I do, they don't want to look at it. They won't come to the table and talk about it."

Maloney believes the Centers for Disease Control

n(CDC) is worried about a shortage of antibiotics and bacterial resistance. "Lyme me bacteria does not develop resistance, but other bacteria do," she said. "So they basically are throwing the chronic Lyme patients under the bus."

At the local level, she feels physicians have ha received much propaganda about what Lyme is and isn't while being pushed to be good stewards of antibiotics.

"They don't have time to look at the evidence like I have," Maloney said, "so they buy in without thinking. This raMalo tionale has to be examined. In the face of all these pati tients saying they are still sick, and they are not people who want to be sick, it behooves physicians to say, 'Hey, something is not right here.'"

There was a time when physicians were reluctant to prescribe long-term antibiotic therapy for chronic Lyme disease patients because they feared reprisal from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. In March 2010, Maloney was instrumental in convincing the board to put a moratorium on the practice, which meant physicians would not be investigated nor disciplined ned simply because they prescribed long-term anntibiotics. That moratorium was extended lastt November another five years. The resolution passed by the board members specifically stated that the science remains unsettled.

"That was a positive," Maloney noted. "We diddid that with little fanfare. The board had little discussion; some said it was all quackery. But they passed it, so that was good news."

According to the Wyoming, Minn. practitioner, the CDC estimate of 30,000 reported new cases every year is actually 10 times higher. It's more like 300,000, Maloney said. And it's the same for the number reported in Minnesota. If the state has 1,200 to 1,500 cases, you're really looking at 12,000 to 15,000 new cases of Lyme every year. year McKeague is included among those statistics. And like 50 percent of those with Lyme, s h e never noticed a tick bite or the telltale bull’s-eye rash.

She is managing flare-ups through both natural remedies, including probiotics, and antibiotics prescribed by her doctor.

Submitted Photo When engorged, deer ticks swell up to the size of a small bean. Lyme disease symptoms can occur 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and for some who suffer Lyme arthritis, six months to years later.

"I really watch my diet and constantly detox," McKeague said. "I eat paleo-style, no sugar, no gluten, o glut organic. Exercise helps me, as does warm weather. With chronic Lyme, you're always trying something new."

The White Bear woman credits husband, Station Pub co-owner Jake her h McKeague, and restaurant staff with helping ng her McK work, stay active and "use my brain. I have an amazing support system. Our staff is like family. They help take care of me."

Awareness of the disease is something McKeague is eager to spread. She encourages people to learn landscaping tips for evading ticks, to use preventative measures and to always check themselves for ticks. And research the disease. She particularly likes the website TiredofLyme. com.

If people want to talk, McKeague assures she's there to listen.

"It helps to have that camaraderie," she said. "Lyme disease is a horribly dark illness. It affects you physically, mentally and socially. I have good days and bad days but the good days are never what they were before Lyme disease. You never wake up and feel amazing."

-Debra Neutkens is regional editor at Press Publications.

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| 11

1| BELIZE “I like to say there's a physical need and a spiritual need — the pastors are so warm and welcoming and just really appreciative of any help they can get.”

On return trips he began to think about how he might make a greater impact, and by 2003 he was organizing and marketing mission trips to the country by groups across the U.S. and Canada.

In 2008 he established Thirst Missions as an LLC, taking the name from the fact it's always hot in Belize and from John 4:13-14: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”

Because Pfingsten doesn't wish to be dependent on grants or donations, the organization has always been self-funding. It's now the largest U.S. organization — and probably the most experienced — to sponsor missions to Belize, he said.

“Mostly it's my personal bias, (but) I don't want us spending time asking people to donate,” he explained. “What we can do is provide is a service.”

The average group served is made up of 20 people. Though Thirst Missions operates 11 months of the year, two-thirds of its business takes place during the summer when youth are off school.

While Pfingsten originally led every trip himself, he now works from his Forest Lake office to facilitate details and train others to act as leaders. These days 99 percent of that leadership is conducted by the Belizeans who understand their country the best.

“I do love being in the field, but I've been on so many trips that it's nice to step into more oversight,”

he explained. “Now I get more joy out of seeing others succeed. And it's a positive for Belize itself, since bringing teams means hiring cooks and bus drivers, bringing (trade) to local restaurants and hotels, and providing for the local community, pastors and churches.”

He explained most pastors and priests in Belize make minimal or no wages and must work other jobs, including manual labor in sugar cane fields, to support themselves. They tend to be exhausted physically, emotionally and spiritually.

“They (oversee) three or four church services a week, then they're marrying, burying, tending to all the other things that happen and leading men's and women's studies,” he noted. “We bring encouragement to them because they feel alone at times — there's not a great connection between churches there. “ Another issue in the Belizean economy is the young population; in what's called “the Great Brain Drain,” many men and young people of both genders leave the country to make an income elsewhere.

When possible, Thirst Missions encourages U.S. churches to form long-lasting one-on-one relationships with assigned Belizean church, pastors and parishioners. Pfingsten tries to pair Catholics and Protestants with those of similar beliefs, he knows of no Lutheran churches in Belize and only one Baptist church. The intent is friendship and spiritual support, though financial support is also welcome.

“We are not bringing multiple groups to the same church in Belize,” he said, noting Thirst

Submitted Photo Belize, shown at left, is an independently governed country whose top industries are farming and tourism. The primary language is English. At right, Jason Pfingsten with his wife Addie and daughters (from left) Marissa, Julia and Mallory.

Missions will pair 40 to 50 different Belizean churches this year. “We don't want them to be dependent on the group, just a real blessing.”

In many cases the two churches stay connected through letters, phone calls and return visits.

He pointed to a group from Seattle, Washington that will visit its partner church for the seventh time this year, bringing along 50 to 60 participants. The Seattle church has also hosted the Belizean pastor and his wife stateside, Pfingsten noted Americans tend to be so impacted by their experiences that Thirst Missions routinely includes a post-mission advisory session.

“We prepare them to adjust to being in the U.S., because it's been pretty shocking what they've seen,” he explained. “After my first trip to Honduras, I came back to running water in a restroom and it brought me to tears. We spend

time talking about the re-entry process, what's going to change in your life, what you've seen or done there that you can do here.

Pfingsten and his wife Addie moved to Forest Lake from the Anoka-Hennepin School District five years ago to take advantage of the local school system's Spanish immersion program. He said they consider themselves Baptist and attend Eagle Brook Church. Their children Mallory, Marissa and Julia are now 10, 6 and 3.

“I believe Belize is our niche in the world, to try to make a difference,” Pfingsten said of the future of Thirst Missions. “There are 100-plus more churches in Belize we know of right now, who are not getting groups from us and would love to be partners.

Our goal is to continue to grow every year.”

For more info, access www.thirstmissions. org or 651-464-2212

Submitted Photo A 35-member team from Willowbrook Church traveled to Belize with Thirst Missions June 16-23.

ChateauSt. Croix Winery Presenting Chateau Jazz Festival

SSaturday, aturday July 25 25th, 5th 1 12:00 2 00 – 6 6:00pm 00pm 12:00 - 1:30pm - John Raymond Group 2:00 - 3:30pm - Ticket To Brazil 4:00 - 5:30pm - Atlantis Quartet

Enjoy food from local vendors, tour the winery and of course drink delicious Chateau wine. For those guests who prefer beer, we will offer a selection of local craft beers by the glass or bottle. This is the perfect mid-summer event!

Free Admission!

Visit our website for more information: www.chateaustcroix.com 1998 State Road 87 • St. Croix Falls Wi, 54024 • 715-483-2558

18 |

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Carbones Pizza,WBL Now accepting applications. Apply in person 1350 Hwy 96 E GYMNASTICS COACH Looking for a great part-time job with a set schedule? FLIPS is hiring coaches for the 2015-2016 school year session. Paid training begins immediately, positions begin in September. Must be 16 yrs of age or older.

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Little Red Pen Publishing, LLC Professional technical and literary editing

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7.17.15

o

Atten de Stillw es enjoy Photo Sub mi a l the E ter's Tedd ive musi tted c in y C Bea this m FE July onth.

Jubil r Park at ee e arlier

ed Photo submitt d e st o Lake h White Bear in l o ss a To cl n y so m Wil cade r Robotics A the Stillwate ed about rn a le ss a he cl pneumatic last week. T d n lectrical a e l, a ic n a mech robots. At ile building h w s m e st sy shown CAD l, they were machining.

Wilson Too mming and ra g ro p , n g desi

Photo submitted During renovatio ns, staff at the pending new JX Event Venue in Stillwater foun d several histor artifacts to hang ic in the building' s lobby, includin old clippings of g shoe ads. Owne r Judd Sather is transforming th e top floor of th e former Connel Shoe Co. at 12 ly 3 Second St. N. into a conventio and event center n that can accom modate some 90 people.

0

Photo submitted ss on largemouth ba 11, caught this , ttle er Ke at w ar ill ne St le of fishing ho et Aidan Gibbs cr se a at k a kaya his first cast in r.

Rive

Over heard

• New flavor for Stillwater business Three Mad Poppers: salted frost mix, with popcorn, pretzels and M&Ms coated in white chocolate.

Photo submitted • Anton Klochko posted footage of Stillwater's Fourth of July celRevelers dance along to band ebration at https://youtu.be/CrfJwN_wViE. Good For Gary at Vannelli's in • Judd Sather Photography offers on Facebook some cool photo Forest Lake over the Fourth of footage taken by a drone over the Fourth of July weekend.

July weekend.

• Check out the new video Beaudry Filmworks created about Log Jam at https://vimeo.com/132987455.

• Captain Joe Buckley retired from the Stillwater Fire Department July 3 after 30 years of service.

• Stillwater Police Department Chief John Gannaway predicts body cameras will soon be added by the force.

• Blueberries are ready to pick at Blueberry Fields of Stillwater.

See blueberryfieldsofstillwater.com for available picking times.

Photo submitted the Minnesota won team AA The Lake Elmo Baseball 12A d. ken State Tournament last wee

Photo submitted Jake and Sam Bredenbeck of Marine on St. Croix will move on to national co mpetition after winning their divisions of US A Racquetball National Champi onships in May. Jake, 23, will play for Team US A in PAN AM ga mes in Toronto July 10-26,. Sa m, 19, will com pete with Team e Miron USA in the Dominic an Republic this Photo by Michell e Ja November. er ke w nt was Male Athl a restaura ete of the Year er's Luna Ross at Ra w an ill si cq for USA St te ue ar tb nd al hi an l this year. rs past r the cave be tour takes visito ly e ut ed Tour guides fo in os -m pp 15 su , 's ction that nd.The $7 d a caved-in se busy last weeke event space an d un ro rg de un well, an haunted.

Students and youth leaders Photo submitted at Forest Lake recently celebrat 's Crossroads ed the end of th Church e school year wi th goofy games .

d ubmitte Photo s unger o 1 and y r ages 1 mpetition in fo p ta o ce in om nce C third pla cers fr nal Da Earning otlight Natio were 15 dan ow from r Sp cently ottom l at the MO re e Factory. B gham, Isabe , n o s n c in n s p a s Bra o D e T off.

Lake's , Madison M D.J. H Dyer, d n Forest n e s a r a ie te L Bolin p, Juell , left: Ka her, Tierah lenkam agan Arnold u c K a m la y u e a R e ik r Sch , M D s : Fos were m left row fro ren, Mykaela . Not pictured e.

Au ra Tell ly Wies Keira and Cla ealy and Kar ll e B a H Juli ace ski, Gr Kosobu

| 23

Photo submitted s Lake' t Fores from ipants Partic Believers Boxing showed their stuff in the city's Fourth of July parade.

• Forest Lake resident Zdenko Jakisa pleaded guilty July 9 to a list of offenses including killing a neighbor by firing an AK-47 into her window; several convictions for assault and disturbing the peace; and arrests for stealing a cash register and commercial scales. U.S. Officials allege the former Bosnia resident, a soldier in the Bosnian war, lied about the offenses in 1998 to secure a green card so he could come to the U.S. He moved to Forest Lake in 2002 and operated a taxicab company for several years afterward.

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Jakisa faces nine to 15 months in prison under a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

• The seeds for Forest Lake’s Northern Lights Paddle, Yoga and Music Fest Aug. 8 were actually sown by former Parks and Recreation Coordinator Nicole Schossow when she contacted event organizer Randy Johnson about the possibility. The event is slated to include paddle board races for all abilities. Business sponsors are still needed; if interested call the city at 651-209-9723.

• The Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community was able to buy a new headquarters building at 5521 East Viking Blvd. in Wyoming thanks in part to a $100,000 donation from the Hallberg Family Foundation. WACAC Board Chairman Eric Peterson explained the state categorizes Wyoming into an arts district that includes Chisago, Pine Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine counties. “At only 3 years old, the WACAC is the first council in the district to own it’s own center,” he noted. “Kind of cool.”

• The Public Safety Department street dance in Marine raised $10,000 for the department, thanks in part to ribs provided by Forest Lake restaurant Norman Quack’s.

• Kevin Edberg of Forest Lake orchard The Berry Patch told another news outlet his raspberry and blueberry crops this year are among the best he’s ever seen.

• MNDOT released animation showing what the Highway 97/61 reconstruction project will look like when complete.

View it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ww6YQ2DKnI • The new trout pond at Running Aces to be known as “The Trout Air Experience” should be ready for guests to fish in by early August.

• The deck is finished at the new Cherry’s Ice Cream Parlour in downtown Forest Lake.