LA
BUY, SELL, TRADE FIREARMS
THE
TR S
KE
NY
Permit to Carry & Basic Pistol Classes Private Lessons • Ammunition & Accessories Range Gun Rentals • Range Memberships
ST. CROIX VALLEY AREA
The pulse of Washington County
95 8th95 Ave Lake, Lake MN 55025 8thSW, AveForest SW, Forest Next to Music Connection
VOL. 03, NO. 37
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. #640 STILLWATER, MN
651-464-7251 www.LakesTradingCo.com
Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
COMPA
SHOOTING RANGE & GUNSHOP
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
IN G
FOR POSTAL CUSTOMER
AD
WWW.READTHELOWDOWN.COM
Friday, June 26, 2015
TURN THE PAGE
FOUR VALLEY communities doing bang-up job for
Hills are alive Stillwater Community Theatre creating “Sound of Music”. P16
Nectar of the gods Strawberry Fest ripening in Afton. P15
JULY 4 Photo by Paul Dols BY MICHELLE MIRON Editor
ST. CROIX VALLEY — In keeping with tradition, four different valley communities — Stillwater, Marine on St. Croix, Afton and Hudson, Wis. — are offering up their own flavors of entertainment to celebrate Independence Day this year.
Quack of the century? Locals swarmed for secret salve. P5
STILLWATER
e rib c s sub
07.1 651.4
200
In Stillwater Friday, July 4, residents and visitors (including boaters) can experience tens of thousands of dollars worth of fireworks over the river at dusk, choreographed to a soundtrack to be simulcast on KBBL (1220AM). At press time the city was still hoping
to arrange live music beforehand and funding for the setting off of Civil War cannons. Funding for the show comes from city tax dollars and donations each year. Fireworks rain date is Saturday. A boat traffic lane will be maintained on the St. Croix River at all times during the show. For those wanting a more private experience, the Stillwater Public Library Foundation is again hosting its Light a Spark fundraiser from 7 to 10:30 p.m. on the library’s Johnson Terrace at 224 Third St. N., one of the best fireworks viewing spots in the city. The event usually sells out. For a cost of $44 (adults) or $20 (children; those younger than 5 are free) families can enjoy
music by D.J. Kailen Nelson, kids’ activities, performances by magician Matt Dunn, catered treats, cakewalks featuring local bakeries and a cash bar. Info: stillwaterpubliclibraryfoundation.org. Register at www.lightaspark.org or 651-2754338 ext 130. The Water Street Inn invites diners to watch the show from its deck, while guests can watch from their private decks. The Stillwater American Legion at 103 Third St. S. offers live music from 4 to 8 p.m. , with free burgers, hot dogs and chips served at 3 p.m. And the Freight House Restaurant offers a celebration from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 4 with parking lot games, a BBQ trailer and an excellent view of
the fireworks. St. Croix Boat and Packet in Stillwater offers a paddlewheel buffet dinner cruise on the St. Croix from 7 to 9:30 p.m. July 4. Guests stay on board upon its docking to watch the fireworks while the bar remains open. Info: 651-430-1234. From 8 to 11 p.m. July 4, Afton Hudson Cruise Lines offers a paddlewheel dinner cruise from Hudson overseeing the Stillwater fireworks ($39/adults, $25/kids 10 and younger, see stcroixrivercruises.com). Another boat at the same time takes out passengers who are served hot dogs and chips instead ($23/adults, $14 kids 10 and younger).
SEE 4TH OF JULY | 14
Shop, Dine, Relax, Stay in Downtown White Bear Lake
Marketfest! www.DowntownWhiteBearLake.com
~ Thursdays June 18 - July 30 Over 200 Shops & Businesses in a Beautiful 14 Block Area