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THE WALL THAT HEALS: Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica coming Aug. 6-9 PAGE 3
Softball tournament uses growth to raise funds for Alzheimer’s BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER
FILE
Kids cool off in spray from a fire truck during Night to Unite.
Neighbors step outside to strengthen community BY SHIVAM VASHISHTHA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For one evening each summer, driveways become gathering places and culde-sacs become filled with lawn chairs. Neighbors, who may have spent the past year
exchanging little more than a wave, finally have the chance to sit down and talk to each other. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, that simple idea remains the heart of Night to Unite, as neighborhoods across Anoka, Ramsey and Washington counties pre-
pare to host hundreds of block parties that are designed to bring residents together while also strengthening relationships with law enforcement, firefighters and other public officials. SEE NIGHT TO UNITE, PAGE 7
From July 30 to Aug. 2, Minnesota Softball will oversee the ninth annual Monsta Championships 12U at Lexington Memorial Park in Circle Pines, Sunrise Park in Lino Lakes, Rice Creek Fields in Shoreview and Otter Lake Elementary School in White Bear Lake. Ninety-six fastpitch softball teams from Minnesota and Wisconsin will compete. This year, Rice Creek Fields will bring back their omelet and dirty soda bars. Both Lexington Memorial Park and Rice Creek Fields will also host a team parade at 8 p.m. July 31. This year, though, the host sites are adding a fundraising element. Proceeds will benefit the
CONTRIBUTED
From Left: Kim and Tom Bye.
Alzheimer's Association and support Alzheimer's research and education. The fundraising idea began after Kim Bye, wife of USA Softball Northern Region JO Commissioner Tom Bye, passed away from Alzheimer’s disease last November. Tom and Kim became involved with softball when their then-8-yearSEE SOFTBALL FUNDRAISER, PAGE 2
Lions Club cultivates garden of vendors at farmers market BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER
The Circle Pines-Lexington Farmers Market is not large, yet each vendor brings a unique ingredient to the table. As Circle Pines-Lexington Lions Club member Karen Gregory looped around the market recently, she explained that each vegetable vendor, baker and craft maker provides a different flavor. “These people come every week, and look at the beautiful produce. They picked it this morning,” said Gregory, pointing to Vang’s Vegetable Farm. “This is their backyard and their livelihood.” Turning around, Gregory pointed to Svihel Vegetable Farm, the market’s other vegetable vendor. “This vegetable farm, they have stands all over Minnesota. They go to Duluth … Buy from where you feel most comfortable, you know?” As Gregory continued, she contrasted the market’s two main bakers, Kingdom Baking and
Little Bit of Sunshine. “When we opened, (Kingdom Baking) was new in town, and nobody knew Circle Pines had a bakery. It’s right on Sunset,” Gregory said. “Last week, they sold out all of their breads, and most times, they sell out of their baguettes.” Little Bit of Sunshine, meanwhile, makes all of her products without wheat, gluten, dairy or eggs. “For people who have extensive food allergies, there’s just not a lot out there,” said Little Bit of Sunshine’s owner, Alicia Theisen. “People go to weddings, but they can’t have the wedding cake. In the office, people bring in donuts, and you’re just—you’re really left out of that … it’s such an emotional thing tied to big events.” Theisen believes providing a little bit of sunshine, the little bit of inclusion her customers receive, is her ministry. Moving along, Gregory highlighted Judy Cin’s maple syrup, tapped from trees in Blaine and fused with distinct flavors like blueberry, jalapeño and
LOGAN GION | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Produce from Vang’s Vegetable Farm, a frequent vendor at the Circle Lex Farmers Market.
bourbon. Cin and her son originally created and infused her maple syrup as a hobby, but word began to spread. “People started wanting it, and so we thought, SEE CIRCLE LEX FARMERS MARKET, PAGE 6
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