Lift Bridge Nutrition

Jon and Tina Ransom, owners of Lift Bridge Nutrition in Stillwater, cut the ribbon at a chamber welcome celebration April 6.

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Lift Bridge Nutrition offers shakes, wellness

The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce welcomed Lift Bridge Nutrition to the community with a ribbon-cutting celebration April 6 with owners Jon and Tina Ransom, chamber members, ambassadors and staff.

Lift Bridge Nutrition moved into its space in Oak Park Heights a little more than a year ago. The business offers nutritional shakes and teas along with personal wellness coaching, weight loss challenges, wellness workshops and sports nutrition. Lift Bridge Nutrition provides a quick healthy breakfast, lunch or snack on the go with partners Herbalife Nutrition along with a results-driven team of wellness coaches.

“Nothing makes up happier than hearing the positive impact that we have made on a customer,” Jon Ransom said.

Lift Bridge Nutrition is located at 1431 Stillwater Blvd., N. in Stillwater. For more information, go to liftbridgenutrition@gmail.com.

First State Bank and Trust announces promotions

First State Bank and Trust in Bayport is pleased to announce the following staff promotions: Lyz Carlson was promoted to retail manager offi cer; Nichole Cherrier to trust offi cer; Shawn Glaser to vice president – bank services director; Stephanie Johnson to service manager offi cer; Katie Kranz, J.D., AEP to vice president – trust; Angie Laska to vice president – credit risk manager; and Peter Matzek to vice president – chief fi nancial offi cer.

First State Bank and Trust, founded in 1914, offers fullservice banking, trust, mortgage and insurance services at four branches in the St. Croix Valley, including Bayport, Oak Park Heights and Stillwater in Minnesota, and Hudson, Wisconsin. The bank also offers limited service at two senior living facilities in the area. The bank’s trust department is one of the largest community bank trust departments in the Midwest, with assets exceeding $3 billion.

WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD BRIEFS

Washington County will receive grant to support recycling

Washington County will receive almost $250,000 in a local recycling development grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to support recycling programs in the county. The funds come from a landfi ll surcharge on metropolitan landfi lls. According to state law, the grants are provided to metropolitan counties for implementing new or enhanced activities in recycling or yard waste composting. The county primarily uses its funds for recycling grants to cities and townships and other assistance. The county uses money from county environmental charge (CEC) funds for the local grant match.

Sheriff’s Offi ce receives grant for speed enforcement

The Sheriff’s Offi ce will receive a $22,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Offi ce of Traffi c Safety, to pay for extra enforcement for speed and aggressive driving from Feb. 15 through Sept. 30. The program combats increased speeds and the rising number of speed-related traffi c fatalities on Minnesota's roads. This grant requires a local county match of $4,200 that will be funded by levy dollars.

Farney Creek Dam will be rebuilt in Lake Elmo park

Minger Construction Companies Inc. will reconstruct the Farney Creek Dam and outlet in Lake Elmo Park Reserve, after county commissioners approved a $279,965 contract with the company April 6. The dam is in the remote western part of the Lake Elmo Park Reserve in the city of Lake Elmo. The dam was constructed in the 1980s to prevent fl ooding of Farney Creek. Since that time, a larger repair/ maintenance project is needed to restore functionality and replace the failing outlet and piping. The dam was inspected in 2016 and the pipe was in poor condition. Removal was determined not to be an option. A 2019 inspection showed that the pipe was failing, the dam was washing out and signifi cant sediment was accumulating behind the dam. A plan to replace the dam was created, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a permit for the plan. The work will be paid for with County Program Aid and is anticipated to be completed before the end of June.

Board accepts 1st-quarter donations

Commissioners accepted donations made to the county during the fi rst quarter of 2021 on April 13. The county’s Library received donations of $1,640.61 during the fi rst quarter. Most donations were in memory of Sandra Heikkila and Bonnie Prokosch; the remainder was from donation boxes at the libraries. Other donations of $104.50 were for the Historic Courthouse and trail enhancements in county parks.

Board receives annual report from MMCD

Commissioners received the annual report from Stephen Manweiler, executive director of the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, on April 13. Mosquitoes are major carriers of diseases that can be fatal to humans. They live in water bodies that may be permanent, caused by cyclical fl ooding or in human-made containers.

The mosquito control district provided a number of services to Washington County in 2020. They included: • 6,420 sites inspected for larval surveillance • 14,588.44 acres treated for larval control • 1,438.16 acres treated for adult mosquito control • 23,475 catch basins treated for disease prevention • 1,753 tires collected and recycled for disease prevention • 354 customer inquiries responded to for information or service.

One of the diseases carried by mosquitoes is West Nile virus; in 2018, there were 63 cases in the state, with two fatalities. In 2019, there were three cases, with no fatalities. No cases were reported in 2020.

La Crosse encephalitis is another disease that is carried by mosquitoes, as well as Jamestown Canyon virus, Eastern equine encephalitis and Zika virus.

The mosquito control district fi ghts the insect in three ways: killing the larvae, killing the adults and reducing larval habitat. The district also works to control black fl ies and surveys for ticks that carry Lyme disease.

The district uses precautions to assure that good insects, such as bees, are not killed during mosquito control operations.

Board moves to delay some property tax payments until June

Commissioners agreed April 13 to provide additional time to pay 2021 fi rst half property taxes without penalty for certain property owners.

As set by state law, the due date for the fi rst half of annual property tax payments for most property owners is May 17.

Property owners who continue to feel the impacts and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and have non-escrow properties listed will be allowed to pay current property taxes due by or before June 15, 2021, without the imposition of penalty.

This affects: • Commercial/industrial properties with a total 2021 total tax due of $100,000 or less • Residential properties • Agricultural/rural vacant land properties

Residential properties include both homesteaded properties and non-homesteaded properties.

Property tax payments made by lending companies, banks or mortgage companies of funds collected via escrow payments from property owners are not eligible for this extension and payments are expected to be made on or prior to the May 17 deadline.

All property owners who are able to pay their fi rst half property taxes by the due date are encouraged to do so to help support county, school and city operations and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

14 WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS

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JAKE GUST Centennial High School I’m so proud of you!

— Love Mom THEN -&- NOW ELISABETH BECKER Mahtomedi High School

We are so proud of you and your accomplishments! We love you. — Mom & Dad and Will & Katie

MOM & DAD!

THEN -&- NOW

Congratulate your Graduate in the paper with a then childhood photo and Now Graduate photo for a Fun Keepsake to remember.

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MOM & DAD!

YOUR GRADS ARE ALL GROWN UP, LET’ S TAKE A LOOK THEN -&- NOW KATELYN MEYER White Bear Lake Area High School

Congratulations Katelyn! We are so proud of you and all that you’ve accomplished - can’t wait to see what the future holds for you! Good luck at UNW! THEN -&- NOW — Love Mom, Dad and Jordyn

SAMUEL SCHOELLER White Bear Lake Area High School

Mom, Nana and Papa are so proud of you. We love you. We can’t wait to see what comes next for you on your life adventure. — Love Mom, Nana and Papa THEN -&- NOW

ETHAN ANDREKUS White Bear Lake Area High School

Ethan - You did it! It’s been an honor to watch you grow into the incredible young man you are! Congratulations on your graduation. — Love, Dad & Holly

THEN -&- NOW

LUCAS PROKOSCH White Bear Lake Area High School

So proud of you!!

— Love, Mom & Dad and Grandma & Grandpa

THEN -&- NOW

THOMAS RODRIGUEZ JR. White Bear Lake Area High School THEN -&- NOW Thomas Rodriguez Jr. is graduating from White Bear Lake Area High School. Thomas was a starting Face-Off Midfielder for the Varsity Lacrosse team for what would have been 4 years. Thomas was also a Captain for Junior and Senior year. Thomas plans to attend Albany UniversitySUNY in the fall to play Division 1 Lacrosse. He plans on majoring in Political Science with plans to become a lawyer and someday a judge. Thomas, your passion, drive and willingness to help others are amazing qualities that will take you far in life! — We love you! Mom, Dad, Marina, Ezra and the fur babies!

ALLIE WALDVOGEL White Bear Lake Area High School

SARA RAJTAR White Bear Lake Area High School

We’ve watched in amazement as you’ve grown into the person you are today, and we’re watching with anticipation to see what you will become. We are so proud of you! — Love Mom and Dad THEN -&- NOW

ELISABETH BECKER Mahtomedi High School

We are so proud of you and your accomplishments! We love you. — Mom & Dad and Will & Katie

THEN -&- NOW

KAYLA ANDERSON White Bear Lake Area High School

Congratulations to our sweet girl! We love you and are so proud of you and the amazing woman you’ve become!— Love, Mom and Dad

THEN -&- NOW

MARINA RODRIGUEZ Magna Cum Laude

Marina Rodriguez graduated Magna Cum Laude in Special Education from Mankato State University. We could not be more proud of the woman she has become and the compassion and determination she possesses! We love you so much! THEN -&- NOW — Mom, Dad, Thomas, Ezra and the fur babies!

KYLE REANEY White Bear Lake Area High School

Congrats Kyle! Your journey awaits. Never compromise your integrity, always work hard & embrace life. You’re going places! We couldn’t be prouder. THEN -&- NOW — Love Mom

BRENDAN BAUMAN St. Paul Johnson High School

Congratulations to our 2020 Senior Graduate! We are so Proud of you and wish you the World! LOVE YOU LOTS! “You can’t move Forward without saying Good-Bye to the Past”

Congratulations on graduating! Chase your dreams. Live life to the fullest. We are so proud of you and hope all your dreams come true. — Love Mom and Dad. THEN -&- NOW THEN -&- NOW

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Washington County recognizes outstanding volunteers

Washington County Commissioners recognized local individuals and businesses with 2021 Community Involvement Awards at their April meeting. Bryan Ring received the Outstanding Volunteer Award. Ring is a husband, father of fi ve, grandfather of eight, and owner of Ring Lawn Care in Stillwater.

In June 2020, while on an errand for his business, Ring showed an employee where he grew up in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood in Minneapolis. They observed devastation, hopelessness, and children living in dangerous conditions. Ring found himself easily connecting with these people because of his own life experiences living on the street and struggling with alcohol and drug dependency. Immediately, he was moved to do something to “bring love and dignity to people who deserved it.”

Ring returned home, nearly emptied his own closet, and posted messages on Facebook and NextDoor asking for donations. At the suggestion of his wife, Ring started a Facebook fundraiser to help bring in food and supplies. Individuals in the community set up clothing drives, schools collected items, while others arranged discounts on coats. Some people even donated stimulus checks. The garage at Ring’s home overfl owed with tents, tarps, water, blankets, pillows, shoes, socks, underwear and other priorities.

By mid-July Ring was making 10 to 15 trips a week delivering supplies, most of which came from Stillwater and Washington County donors. Because of Ring's example, the community became aware of ways to volunteer along with the encouragement to get involved. Christina Arndt received the Lifetime Volunteer Award for the many hours each week she spends volunteering with organizations in Washington County.

After moving from Sweden to Stillwater, Arndt’s volunteerism began when invited to be on the board of the League of Women Voters. She also joined the board of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and became active with the Stillwater Mrs. Jaycees.

In 1985, Arndt became involved with the Family Violence Network in Lake Elmo.

“Without Christina, we would not have been able to reach the number of victims of violence that we did,” said a spokesperson from the organization. Arndt also spent time as a board member for both the Family Violence Network and Tubman.

She also served the Community Health Clinic and the Lakeview Auxiliary. In 1997, she started volunteering at Community Thread driving clients to appointments. She continues to volunteer in support roles and special projects.

The Legacy Award was presented to Edward “Eddie” Simonet. To the people who knew him, Simonet was “Mr. Stillwater.”

Simonet’s extensive list of community involvement included his longtime commitment to Canvas Health. He volunteered on many board committees and offered legal assistance on issues affecting the agency. Always thinking of the client, Simonet advocated for having counselors present in court, and he helped develop a chemical treatment program for prisoners in the Washington County Jail.

Simonet also worked with the Veteran Law Program. He always believed in treating people with dignity and kindness in his volunteer roles with Restorative Justice, the Stillwater Soccer Club, Sunrise Rotary, the high school program STRIVE, the American Heart Association, and the Lucy Winton Bell Soccer Complex, or giving free legal advice.

Simonet's wife Anne said, “Not a day went by when he didn’t do something for someone. Whatever he was asked, he’d fi nd time to do it. He never turned anybody down.”

The Hickerson Family from Forest Lake received the Outstanding Group/Family Award.

In April 2015, their son Tim died by suicide. Motivated to do something so that others would not have to experience the same excruciating pain and loss, the family put together a team of family and friends and participated for the fi rst time in the annual Stomp Out Suicide (S.O.S.) 5K Run/Walk, which supports Canvas Health’s suicide prevention programs.

For the Hickerson family, volunteering has been important for a long time. Through their efforts, they have brought enthusiasm, purpose, comfort and encouragement to many individuals, organizations, and communities, something that has inspired and energized them as well.

The Exemplary Employer Award was given to DiaSorin. The company takes pride in supporting Washington County on a regular basis through volunteerism, a program that has grown signifi cantly over the last four years.

DiaSorin supports employee participation in volunteer opportunities, including Community Thread initiatives such as Stuff the Bus when they collect, purchase and organize school supplies that are distributed to students.

According to DiaSorin spokesperson Jennifer Theisen, “DiaSorin has been in the community a long time and the leadership wants the community to know we are here as a supporter. The Exemplary Employer Award is an honor, and reminds me of why we get involved.”

COME TASTE OUR FAVORITE PICKS FROM MIDWEST VINEYARDS & BREWERIES

We’re brewing up a Storm in Willernie! Stop in for a fl ight of our House-made beers on tap this week!

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Wine and Canvas Painting Party

Sunday, April 25 | 3-6 pm Celebrating Cinco De Mayo

May 1-2 | Noon-5 pm Mother’s Day Weekend

May 8-9 | Noon-5 pm Wine + Mini Massage = Fun & Relaxation Stillwater, Minnesota Since 1992 Open Fridays-Sundays 10am-6pm scvwines.com 697509

MAY EVENTS

*Note: Events are subject to change or be cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis. Please call or visit the websites or Facebook pages, for the most up-to-date information.