The Laker

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN

THE

L KER

Vol. 4 • No. 3 • September 1 - December 31, 2026

LAKESIDE PROPOSAL PAGE 5B

Also Featured ARTHUR JOHNSON REGATTA • ORCHARD AVENUE HOME • LASER LOONS

Press Publications

Another White Bear Lake Estate SOLD!

40 Dellwood Ave, Dellwood

Photos contributed Sandhill cranes spotted on a dock.

At Rathmanner & Co., White Bear Lake isn't just a market we serve; it's our specialty. Unmatched local expertise in the White Bear Lakeshore market Tailored marketing designed to showcase your home's unique value Concierge-level service for a refined, personalized selling experience Our proven 3 Steps to a Successful Sale recently helped our sellers at 40 Dellwood Ave in Dellwood close quickly, and thanks to a flexible move-out arrangement, they were able to stay in the home until their new one was ready. Thinking about selling? Let's talk about how we can position your property for maximum exposure and top value. A record number of boats turned for this year’s Fourth of July boat parade on both White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake to celebrate the 250th anniversary.

A beautiful sunrise over White Bear Lake made several people stop to admire the view along Lake Avenue.

Curious about your home's current value? Call Marty at 651-485-1555 or scan below for a complimentary Home Valuation Consultation.

Send THE LAKER your lake photos Email to whitebearnews@presspubs. com with subject line "Laker"

651.485.1555 www.martyrathmanner.com

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FALL26

Stay on board We’d like to hear what you think about The Laker. Comments are welcome via email.

The Cargo Manifest

LAKE DOG BELLA'S TALE p. 6A

Welcome to the fall issue of The Laker!

SHORE LEAVE BALD EAGLE ART CRAWL p. 9A

We all contemplate that bittersweet day when the boats and docks come off the water. The beautiful homes are revealed around our lakes as the trees shed their leaves. It’s a spectacular time to be on the water as summer comes to an end. So grab a sweatshirt and enjoy those last cruises and paddles around the lake. It’s an exciting time to view migrating waterfowl and enjoy a bonfire. In this edition, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office shares some jet ski safety tips to keep in mind before you hit the water. You won’t want to miss the glimpse inside retired teachers Brett Smith and Jody McCormick’s Bald Eagle home on Orchard Avenue. This issue also provides you update on Bear Boating and dives into a new nonprofit, MNFISH, which aims to improve the state of fishing throughout the entire state of Minnesota. Have you ever heard of a Secchi disc? Learn more about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency volunteer who helps measure water quality on White Bear Lake. Looking for something to do this fall? Check out the Laker calendar. The White Bear Lake Sailing School is gearing up for its 15th annual Arthur Johnson Regatta Oct. 10-11. The regatta will welcome competitors from neighboring communities such as Mounds View, Minnetonka and Mahtomedi, as well as sailors from the broader Midwest like Chicago and Milwaukee. Before you mouse-proof your boat with dryer sheets and shrink wrap for winter, remember to send us some photos and story ideas for next year’s issues at ppinfo@presspubs.com. We hope you enjoy this issue. Enjoy fall, because winter will be here before you know it!

Cover photo by Lizzy Fasching Photography | Contributed

THE LAKER Staff

SHORE LEAVE NATIVE PLANTS p. 2C

RIGGINGS MARINEMAX p. 7C

Publisher - Carter Johnson General Manager - Patty Steele Managing Editor - Shannon Granholm Copy Editor - Amy Johnson Production Manager - Mary Peterson Lead Designer - William Peter Photojournalist - Paul Dols ©2026 The LAKER is proudly published by Press Publications. 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110 The LAKER will return January 2027.

SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE LAKER

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RIGGINGS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

JET SKI SAFETY STARTS BEFORE YOU HIT THE WATER Summer doesn’t last long in Ramsey County. That’s why it’s important to make every day on the water count. Especially if you’re riding a personal watercraft (PWC), often called a jet ski. They’re fast. They’re fun. And if you’re not careful, they can quickly put you in a dangerous situation. “You might call it a personal watercraft, PWC, jet ski, or something else,” said Commander Mike Servatka, who oversees the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol Unit. “But the laws you have to follow are the same.” Servatka says crashes involving personal watercraft are relatively rare, but the rules are designed to keep everyone safe on the water. Here are a few of the most important ones: • Life Jackets: Everyone riding a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. • Hours: PWCs may only be operated from 9:30 a.m. until one hour before sunset. • No-Wake Zones: Stay at least 150 feet from

Contributed Before you hit the water make sure you know the rules of the lake you are visiitng.

shore, docks, swimmers, rafts, non-motorized watercraft, and any moored or anchored boat, except when launching or landing. • Age: No one under 12 years old may operate a PWC, even with an adult on board. • Towing: If you're towing a skier, tuber, or anyone else behind a PWC, an observer is required. Servatka adds that chasing wildlife, operating through emergent or floating vegetation in a way that creates a wake, and reckless operation are also prohibited. “Some lakes in Ramsey County also have local restrictions,” he said. “Before you head out, make sure you know the rules for the lake you’re visiting.” More information, including local lake ordinances, is available on the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office website. ◼ Ramsey County Sheriff's Office

CONFESSIONS OF AN UNSAFE PADDLER By Chris Moberg Special to the Laker

Summer is a great time to be out on the water with your kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard. But did you know that according to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating statistics, paddle sports are responsible for almost a third of all recreational Contributed boating deaths? Chris Moberg Many of these fatalities could have been avoided with some boating safety education. Five years ago, I purchased a lowend recreational kayak. While I had a life jacket with me when I went out on the water, I did not wear it. The bulkiness of the life jacket made it difficult to paddle, so I strapped it to the back of my kayak instead. I went kayaking when it was hot outside,

not paying attention to the water temperature. I never considered the possibility of getting into any kind of trouble requiring me to signal for help, nor was I prepared in case I was caught out on the water after dark. I did not realize that it was unsafe to travel far from shore in a kayak that had no air-tight compartments to keep the water out and the kayak buoyant in case it became swamped or capsized. Then I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary. One of the requirements for joining this organization was to complete a safe boating class. While I knew that I was required by law to have a life jacket on board my kayak, I didn’t consider that accidents happen too quickly to put on a life jacket before going into the water. Once in the water, if you happen to be lucky enough to be conscious and uninjured, cold-water shock can still cause you to involuntarily gasp under water and drown. Besides that, it is nearly impossible to put on a life jacket once you are already in the water. It is no wonder that the Coast Guard

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reports that 87% of drowning victims in boating accidents were not wearing life jackets, even though in most cases life jackets were readily available on board their vessels. But what about my objection that life jackets are too bulky to paddle with? It turns out that there are paddle sports life jackets, which allow for a full range of arm motion and have high foam backs designed to clear the seatback of a kayak or canoe. The safe boating class also taught me the importance of paying more attention to water temperature than to air temperature due to the increased risk of hypothermia in water, and to dress according to the water temperature rather than the air temperature. According to the U.S. Coast Guard cold water safety guidelines, water temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit can cause cold-water shock and impaired coordination. In these water temperatures, you should wear a wetsuit or drysuit to ensure safety. The class also emphasized the legal requirements to carry a whistle or

other sound-producing device and to carry a white flashlight for use at night or in bad visibility. However, it was not until I joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlecraft program that I found out how unsafe my kayak was. As part of the qualification process, I had to swamp my kayak in deep water, use a pump to manually remove the water, and then re-enter the kayak. Since my kayak had no air-tight compartments, it nearly sank. While I could have purchased a new kayak with compartments, I chose instead to buy a sit-on-top kayak that cannot be filled with water and is thus virtually unsinkable. Since joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary, I have taught many safe boating classes. These classes include important information about paddling safety. Even though Minnesota does not require safe boating classes for non-motorized watercraft, I highly recommend them. ◼ Chris Moberg is the vice flotilla commander for the Twin Cities Metro North Flotilla with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

INFORMATION FOR LAKE USERS, AREA RESIDENTS, AND LAKESHORE PROPERTY OWNERS

2026 Eurasion Watermilfoil (EWM) treatment Starry Stonewort

2027 WBLCD Permits:

Starry Stonewort, an invasive macroalgae, remains a large threat to WBL. It is bright green, bushy and stringy with small, white, starshaped bulbil. Please help us by checking the area around your dock, boat or boat launch. Please Paul Skawinkski check anything you launch (floats, paddleboards, kayaks, fishing gear, lifts, etc) into the lake for any plant fragments. Check, Snap a photo if you see anything suspicious, Send the photo to the WBLCD.

Permit applications will be available on our website by September 4th. Permits are due by October 15th.

Manitou Days Lake Clean Up

Cattail Chronicles

Thank you to all the volunteers that participated in the Manitou Days Lake Clean Up.

Ducks and Geese Watching ducks and geese on the lake can be enjoyable but large numbers of waterfowl can create challenges for lakes and human health. Increased numbers of ducks and geese mean increased droppings. Droppings contain nutrients, like phosphorus, which can fuel algae and weed blooms in the lake. Large numbers of geese and ducks also increase the risk of swimmer’s itch and higher E.coli concentrations.

Map (above) shows the 2026 Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM) treatment areas. EWM was treated on July 28th, 2026. Over 500 locations on the lake bottom were checked for EWM and these locations were chosen for treatment due to density of EWM and the likelihood of the invasive weed reaching the water surface.

Three ways you can help protect WBL now 1. Check the area around your dock or boat launch for starry stonewort.

Please send us a photo if you see anything suspicious.

2. Don’t feed ducks or geese. 3. Submit your permit applications by October 15th .

There are a few effective ways to discourage ducks and geese from gathering on your property:

1. Never feed ducks or geese. This leads to more waterfowl over time. 2. Create a barrier between the lake and your property- grass right up to the water is an invitation for waterfowl. A good barrier is a physical or visual obstacle that they must navigate like stakes and a rope, fishing line, or reflective tape. A better barrier is a line of perennial plants or woody shrubs. 3. Don’t use a mechanical de-icer in the winter. Open water during winter attracts waterfowl.

LET’S CONNECT:

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or check out our website Website: wblcd.org Facebook: “WBLCD” www.facebook.com/ WhiteBearLakeConservationDistrict

Instagram: WBL Conservation District YouTube: WBL Conservation District Click on the 'Live' tab New E-Mail: wblcd25@gmail.com

wblcd.org | wblcd25@gmail.com | 651.429.8520

SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE LAKER

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LAKE DOG | RIGGINGS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

BELLA’S TALE: A lake life, well played By Ricka McNaughton

Bald Eagle Yacht Club races to the Frostbite Series

Special to the Laker

There’s an individual living on Bald Eagle Lake who may hold the record as the most enthusiastic angler in her entire shore community never to catch a single live fish. Not once in all the years she’s been doing it. She has managed to haul in the odd dead one now and then. Yet, her lifelong love of the sport never wavers. Nor should it. Many fellow anglers would agree with her demonstrated position that it’s not so much about what you catch, but the dopamine-releasing pleasures of the sport itself. This includes the places you visit, and that pleasant kick of pure hope you get every time you do it. This local angler is well known for her extreme doggedness. It’s pretty much baked into her brain. On account of she’s a dog. Meet Bella. Bella is a 10-year old silver Labrador retriever to whom much has been given, and therein lie the foundations of her belief that life is a beach. Those who play well, stay well. Bella’s owners, Janel and Quinn Woods, bought their home on Bald Eagle Lake in 2022 with no small thought for Bella’s happiness. After several years of keeping an eye out, they felt lucky to find a property in a sweet little cove where both work and fun could be conducted. It was no problem that the house needed a little hands-on re-imagination and expansion for both purposes. Even though it came with a rather mucky-bottomed, deadbranch-studded shoreline full of weeds, what you’ll see now is a nice, clear sandy beach. It might surprise you to know who did that shoreline reclamation work. Bella did. That’s no lie. Apparently, what Bella lacks in fishing success she has more than made up for in the great sport of stick gathering. No branch or sizeable twig of any kind in or near the water has escaped her grasp. Even the fairly well-buried stuff. Not many dogs care to submerge their entire heads under water, but Bella will, to no ill effect. She has wrestled branches from the lake bottom’s grip and deposited it on shore, to be chewed on a bit for good measure, before her humans cart it away. Bella’s excavations over time have also uprooted and discouraged invasive plant growth. In this way, Bella built her own beach. And what you build, you must sometimes defend. The Woods’ relatively large, flat yard abutting the shore is attractive to geese, who by reputation never, ever clean up after themselves after a beach gathering. When the neighbors spot the birds first, they text the Woods: “Send down Bella!” And Bella streaks down the long stone-

Logan Gion | Press Publications The Bald Eagle Yacht Club Frostbite Series takes place 1 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, Sept.12 through Oct. 18, on Bald Eagle Lake.

By Logan Gion Staff Writer

Ricka McNaughton | Contributed Janel Woods and presumptive zero fish “record holder” Bella, at their Bald Eagle Lake home.

lined path to the water, which sends the geese packing. Unharmed. Bella can also tell you when it’s 4 p.m. with the accuracy of an international atomic clock. That means she can now expect Janel and Quinn, who both work from home, to call it a day and get busy doing lake things. Bella’s a typical Lab in many ways, but her tawny, silvery-tipped coat is considered a rare “dilute” version of a chocolate Labrador. To produce this coat, both parents must have the recessive gene. Even then, only about 25% of the puppies will turn up silver. Bella’s also the gentlest of dogs when greeting all, with the exception of any delivery people pulling in the driveway with a large truck. For them alone she reserves her mean, tough-dog bark. But not to worry. It’s a performance. The drivers all know and like Bella. They come bearing treats, and it’s all good. Possibly Bella figures that this is just how things work with these delivery people. Give them holy crap and you get treats! We may not set out to teach our dogs certain things, but rest assured they are always learning. As a senior dog, Bella hasn’t slowed down much in the gathering of sticks or the maintaining of her “0 for 0” fishing record. If she could, she’d probably say that you do not cease to do what you love because you get old. You get old when you cease to do what you love. ◼

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Just because the warm season is winding down does not mean racing season is. The Bald Eagle Yacht Club (BEYC) is continuing their weekend races through mid-October with the Frostbite Series. Unlike during the regular season, where boats compete against other in their class (scows, Hobie-16s, Hobie Waves or Lasers), Frostbite Series races are open to all boat classes. “Everybody competes against everybody,” said lifelong BEYC member Annette Jagger. “The Lasers are competing against the Waves are competing against the E’s are competing against the (Hobie) 16s,” she said. “You can play for first, even though you’re not the best,” Ted Jagger, Annette’s husband and fellow longtime BEYC member added. Fellow longtime BEYC member Kevin Chase explained that, to balance these races, BEYC implements "Portsmouth Yardstick." This is a handicap scoring system in which race times are multiplied by 100, then divided by a boat class’s special number. Faster boat classes have a lower number, so their adjusted time will be longer than slower boat classes. “If you’re (lighter), you’re much more competitive because there’s less hull in the water,” Annette explained. “We use handicap numbers because then everybody can compete, and it’s

not just a big weight thing.” Chase added that the Frostbite Series also scores race times head-to-head within each class. Chase usually races using a Hobie 16, a catamaran with a consistent design that leaves little room for modification. “My boat is 31 years old,” Chase said, “and if you put that side-by-side with (my neighbor’s boat), which is two years old, you’d be hard-pressed to see much of a difference in the boats.” BEYC’s focus on open races speaks to their larger attitude of inclusivity. Members can be as casual or competitive as they want. Ted, for instance, was ranked fifth in the nation in the late 1980s. Both he and Annette will compete at the HCANA World Championship this September, held in Mississippi. “We are so old, we get to be in the—not just Masters, not just Grandmasters—but Great Grandmasters class,” Annette chuckled. The club’s attitude toward competition, however, keeps the social aspect in mind. Chase said, “We have this thing in common, this love of sailing. You like to see friends do well with things, so you help each other out.” “Be competitors, but be better friends,” Ted stated. “It’s fun to be in the pack,” Annette added. “If you win by a leg, then it’s boring.” The BEYC Frostbite Series takes place 1 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, Sept.12 through Oct. 18, on Bald Eagle Lake. ◼

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ RIGGINGS

ONE MAN, ONE DISK: How one volunteer tracks White Bear Lake’s water quality By Erik Suchy Contributing Writer

The next time you’re out on White Bear Lake, you might notice something peculiar. Most likely, you’ll see a volunteer from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) lowering a circular disk into the water to measure its clarity. Additionally, there’s a good chance that volunteer will be Nick Temali, who is one of the more than 1,400 volunteers across the state that help measure water quality. The object in question is called a Secchi disk. Roughly 10 inches in diameter and divided into alternating white and black quadrants, it is mainly used to measure transparency in lakes and oceans. When used, it is mounted onto a pole or tape measure and lowered into the water until it’s no longer visible below the surface. This measurement is referred to as "Secchi depth.” As an MPCA volunteer, Temali is now in his third year of recording water quality measurements on White Bear

Lake. Readings typically start in May and are conducted twice a month through October. His work takes place in two separate spots on the lake. One spot is in the main bay, where the depth reaches 70 feet. The other spot in the north bay, located halfway between the White Bear Lake Yacht Club and Manitou Island, where the depth is roughly 40 feet. “I go out on a sunny, calm day, find the spot and put down an anchor so I’m not drifting,” explained Temali. “I lower the disk twice on each side of the boat and record the date, the time I’m doing the measurement and the reading to the nearest half foot. I then have to rate the physical condition of the lake on a scale of five levels that range from crystal clear to severely high algae. The MPCA also has me rate the lake’s recreational sustainability,

which has five levels ranging from beautiful to nearly impossible due to algae levels.” Finally, the water’s color and temperature are recorded separately, along with any other notes taken during this time, including air temperature. The MPCA typically avoids taking readings after rainstorms, since rainfall can cloud the water and skew clarity readings. Despite the disk’s reliability in making accurate measurements, Temali said several external factors can impact the water quality it measures. Notably, when seasons transition into fall, leaves and pollen frequently blow off trees. After landing in the lake, they decompose quickly, leading to poorer water quality. Temperature changes can also lead to visibly darker lake water, as can chemicals

from fertilizers carried through storm sewers into the lake. However, Temali said he doesn’t see these issues on White Bear Lake, crediting the work of the White Bear Lake Conservation District to keep it safe for boaters and swimmers. At the end of the day, Temali said it’s his job to determine how safe White Bear Lake is for boaters and lake enthusiasts, but it’s up to those same people to keep it safe for recreation. “When you think about what contributes to poor lake clarity, there are some things you can’t do a lot about, including leaves and pollen. But what you can do is focus on how much fertilizer you’re putting in your lawn, or how much salt you’re putting on the streets during the winter. For a homeowner who lives on or even near a lake, the more polluting agents you can keep out of the stormwater stream, the cleaner your lake is going to be.” Those interested in finding out more about the MPCA can visit their website at www.pca.state.mn.us. ◼

RED, WHITE AND BOATS

Photos by Paul Dols | Press Publications Expanding on a recently revived tradition, dozens of boaters gathered for an Independence Day parade on White Bear Lake. The decorated boats assembled near Mahtomedi Beach before starting their journey along the south side of the lake. Area residents could view the celebratory procession from docks and the shoreline.

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Ruthless Lakefront Rehabilitation

TAKE BACK YOUR LAKE Overall, weeds are important to the health of any lake ecosystem, but too many can be a bad thing for homeowners and lakes alike. Our mission at Ruthless Lakefront is to find the line between homeowners enjoying their property and ensuring the health of the lake is unaffected and help you TAKE BACK YOUR LAKE. If you are having any trouble with weeds on your lakefront property or are concerned about the health of your lake feel free to reach out for more information.

FAL26

Ruthlesslakefront@gmail.com

FAL26

FAL26

(612)-260-6100

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◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ SHORE LEAVE | EVENTS

LAKER CALENDAR SEPTEMBER Summer Signings

Contributed

BALD EAGLE LAKE ART CRAWL When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 Where: Various locations around Bald Eagle Lake Details: A one-of-a-kind, outdoor art experience featuring 62 local artists, crafters, and musicians spread across several host sites around Bald Eagle Lake. Trolley rides between sites, food trucks, and interactive art expereinces for all ages. Contact: www.belarts.org

ONGOING EVENTS Mahtomedi Farmers Market

When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays through Sep. 26 Where: Veterans Memorial Park Contact: www.whitebearlake.org/ ourcommunity/page/farmers-market

White Bear Lake Farmers Market

When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Fridays through October 30 Where: Clark Avenue between Second and Third Streets Contact: www.whitebearlake.org/ ourcommunity/page/farmers-market

'Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy' pop-up exhibit When: Sept. 7-Oct. 2

Where: White Bear Lake Armory. 2228 Fourth Street Details: In celebration of the USA's 250th birthday, The White Bear Area Historical Society is bringing a new pop-up exhibit from The Gilder Lehrman Collection. The exhibition uses primary sources to illustrate how Americans and people across the world have been inspired by the Declaration in their pursuit of equality and self-determination. Contact: whitebearhistory.org

Pumpkin Patch

When: Oct. 3-25 Where: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Road, Dellwood Details: Pick-your-own pumpkins from a 6-acre patch and go through the corn maze. Contact: pinetreeappleorchard.com/ Calendar

Register by Sept. 9 to guarantee a T-shirt. Contact: 651-407-5310 or iwhitebearfoodshelf.org

When: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 4 Where: Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake Details: Mary Logue will sign the third Brigid Reardon mystery, “A Wasp in the Beehive;" Martha Harding and Gary Noren will sign their children's book “Fam: The Remarkable Story of a Canada Goose Adopted by Sandhill Cranes;" and A.W. Powers will sign “Sacrificial Lamb”, #12 in the psychic guardian angel series. Contact: lakecountrybooksellers.com

Township Day Celebration

26th annual Bear Water Run

One Last Tri

Taste of White Bear Lake

Polka and Pumpkins in the Park

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 Where: Ramsey County Beach, 5050 Lake Avenue, White Bear Lake Details: Ten-mile and 20-mile courses available for runners circling White Bear Lake in this USATF certified event. Proceeds go to the Lions Club’s community efforts. All finishers get a race medal. Contact: whitebearlions.org/bear-waterrun When: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 Where: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Road Details: Sample food and beverages from local establishments while supporting White Bear Lake Rotary programs. Music, silent auction, games and more. Contact: tasteofwhitebearlake.com

'Come Back'

When: Sept. 12-27 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center Black Box Theatre, 4941 Long Avenue, White Bear Lake Details: In a quirky, heartfelt comedy, Sky sets off on a road trip to honor a dear friend’s final wish. Unexpected detours, unlikely companions, and tender moments of grief and joy create a witty, touching journey about love, loss, and finding your way forward. Contact: 651-478-7427 or tickets@ lakeshoreplayers.org

Gloria’s 14th annual Shortest Marathon When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 Where: Bald Eagle Avenue between Second and Third Streets, White Bear Lake Details: Join this one-block run to raise money for the White Bear Area Food Shelf. Treats before and after the race.

When: 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 Where: Polar Lakes Park, 1281 Hammond Road, White Bear Township Details: Experience live music, community demonstrations, vendor market, car show, BINGO and more. Food and refreshments available for purchase. Fireworks at dusk. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Contact: 612-616-0711 or whitebeartownship.org When: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 Where: White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Avenue Details: Minnesota’s final triathlon of the season, featuring Olympic and Sprint distances, Aqua Bike options, and relay teams. Routes through local horse farms and vineyards, and along the lake. Registration information online. Contact: www.mmraces.com/one-lasttri

When: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 Where: Railroad Park, Washington Square and Fourth Street, White Bear Lake Details: Celebrate beginning of the most colorful season in Downtown White Bear Lake with DJ Polka music at the gazebo and pumpkin painting for kids. Contact: downtownwhitebearlake.com

OCTOBER White Bear Lake Cleanup Day

When: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 Where: 4200 Hoffman Road (former public works site), White Bear Lake Details: Get rid of unwanted items for a small fee. Household hazardous waste is not accepted. Proof of residency required. See list of accepted items and fees online. Contact: whitebearlakemn.gov/cleanup

The Elizabethan Syngers

When: 1:30-3:30 Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 Where: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Road, Dellwood Details: Live musical performance by strolling troubadours in Renaissance costume. Contact: pinetreeappleorchard.com/ Calendar

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SHORE LEAVE | EVENTS ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

LAKER CALENDAR 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Electrifying concert captures the heart, soul and unmistakable sound of Bruce Springsteen and the legendary E Street Band. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org/2627concert-series

Bald Eagle Half Marathon

GANGSTER BUS TOUR

Contributed

When: 10 and 11:30 a.m.Saturday, Oct. 24 Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth Street Details: An adventurous outing explores the hideouts and haunts of the 1930s era gangsters who laid low in the cottages around White Bear and Bald Eagle Lakes. Contact: 651-407-5327 or office@whitebearhistory.org

Stories from the Stones

When: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth Street Details: Program explores the history of the cemeteries in the area, and more about some of the people buried in them. Contact: whitebearhistory.org

Minnesota Jazz Chamber Orchestra

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: All new show “Celebrating Crooners & Divas” featuring Dakota Anderson and Katia Cardenas as they sing big band favorites. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org/2627concert-series

Walk and Run for the Apples

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 Where: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Road, Dellwood Details: Five mile walk/run on the trails through the apple orchard, strawberry fields and pumpkin patch. Proceeds of the race fund scholarships for high school students in the Strive Scholarship program. Contact: whitebearrotary.org

'Up, Up, and Away'

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Hit-filled musical journey through the unforgettable sounds that defined a generation, celebrating the golden era of

AM radio and the smooth sounds of yacht rock. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org/2627concert-series

Ladies of the Lake Quilting Show

When: 12-4 p.m. Oct. 17 & 18, and 24 & 25 Where: Pine Tree Apple Orchard, 450 Apple Orchard Road, Dellwood Details: This display of quilts is made by members of a local guild. Contact: pinetreeappleorchard.com

Scare in White Bear

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Oct 24 Where: West Park, Memorial Beach, 4958 Lake Avenue, White Bear Lake Details: Torch-lit 5K and fun run along the lake, decorations, spooky photo booth, and kid-friendly trick or treating. Costumes encouraged. Registration information online. Contact: mmraces.com/scare-in-whitebear

Candy Crawl

When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 Where: Railroad Park, 4749 Washington Square, White Bear Lake Details: Trick or treat your favorite downtown businesses. Costumes encouraged. Contact: downtownwhitebearlake.com

Mick Sterling Presents: Born to Run When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center,

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When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 Where: Bald Eagle Recreation Area, 5767 Hugo Road, White Bear Township Details: Scenic fall race is a 13.1 mile loop arounf the lake and countryside, with a pancake breakfast at the finish. Registration information online. Contact: mmraces.com/baldeaglehalf

Gazebo Lighting and Holiday Open House

When: Nov. 18-19 Where: Railroad Park, 4749 Washington Square, White Bear Lake Details: Kick off the holidays by watching the gazebo light up at Railroad Park from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by an evening of shopping and dining locally at downtown retailers and restaurants on Wednesday and Thursday. Contact: downtownwhitebearlake.com

‘White Christmas’

When: Nov. 20-Dec.13 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Irving Berlin’s beloved holiday musical filled with timeless songs, romance and winter wonder. Contact: 651-478-7427 or tickets@ lakeshoreplayers.org

Fast Before the Feast

When: 7-9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 26 Where: White Bear Lake County Park, 5050 Lake Ave. Details: Thanksgiving Day 10K, 5K and Turkey Dash that accommodates competitive runners as well as families pushing strollers and running with dogs. A portion of the proceeds for this race goes to local food shelves. Contact: mmraces.com/fast-before-thefeast

WBCA Members’ Exhibition Community Reception

When: 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: WBCA members ages 16 and up display their work in a non-juried show— 2D and 3D media submissions included. Exhibition runs Nov. 16-Dec. 19 Contact: 651-407-0597 or wbca@ whitebeararts.org

Saint Paul Ice Fishing and Winter Sports Show

When: Dec. 4-6 Where: St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. Details: Nearly 200 exhibits geared to ice fishermen and winter sports enthusiasts. Contact: stpaulicefishingshow.com

Winterfest

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12 Where: Railroad Park, 4749 Washington Square, White Bear Lake Details: Meet Santa and his elves, go on carriage rides, listen to holiday carolers and shop and dine downtown. Contact: downtownwhitebearlake.com

Jingle Bear 5K

When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 Where: West Park/Memorial Beach, 4958 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Dress festive and wear jingle bells for a 5K along the lake. Registration information online. Contact: mmraces.com/jingle-bear-5k or 651-440-9625

Debbie O'Keefe with Century Jazz Ensemble When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Lively 17-piece band brings favorite Christmas tunes and holiday classics to life with big band style and energy. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org/2627concert-series

Don Irwin: A Steinway Holiday

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Award-winning pianist Don Irwin spreads seasonal cheer with the help of Lakeshore’s resident Steinway piano. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org/2627concert-series

Chase and Ovation’s New Year’s Eve Tribute to Prince

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Hailed by Prince’s own inner circle, this high-energy concert brings his legendary music to life with authenticity and passion. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.org/2627concert-series

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L KER Vol. 4 • No. 3

SECTION B

Paul Dols | Press Publications Bald Eagle homeowners Brett Smith and Jody McCormick say they often have to pinch themselves to remind them that this is their home.

FROM DREAM TO DOCK: A lake home that became the center of their lives By Shannon Granholm Managing Editor

On any given day, Brett Smith and Jody McCormick might be sailing across the lake, tending the gardens, quilting, making music or simply watching the water from their favorite chairs by the window with a newspaper in hand. Drawn to the water Their Bald Eagle Lake home on Orchard Avenue isn't just where they live — it's the center of a life shaped by all four seasons on the lake. “We are both water babies. Once you live on a lake, it's hard not to live on a lake,” Jody explained. Jody grew up on a lake in Storm Lake, Iowa; Brett’s

family had a lake cabin in Annandale. “We loved being on the water, and Jody had a strong desire to make it happen, but I was really nervous about how we were going to come up with the money,” Brett recalled. “We took a leap of faith and things were able to work out.” Back in the 90s, the two lived in a home on Northwest Avenue in White Bear Township, but kept their eyes open for a lakefront home. They were looking at White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle, but the tight-knit culture of Bald Eagle Lake captivated their attention. “This is a very social and connected group,” Brett explained. “It’s like one big neighborhood around the lake through the sailing community.” A house with potential One day while Jody was biking, she stumbled upon

the for-sale sign. “It was a house on the lake, and that did it for me,” she said. “I was on the quest to find a lake home, and it was a more affordable lake home than what we were seeing.” She says the home’s curb appeal “didn’t do it justice,” but once they walked inside, they were both struck by the windows. “My first impression was there's more to this house than meets the eye. I saw potential, and of course my heart was immediately hooked,” Jody said. Brett was particularly struck by the outdoor space and the possibilities for garden space and four-season opportunities. “It was more what the outside offered than the inside,” he said. CONTINUED ON 2B

SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE LAKER

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PORT OF CALL ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ORCHARD AVENUE HOME | FROM 1B

Contributed For about six months, Brett and Jody lived in a camper on the property during an extensive renovation in 2004.

Making it their own Brett and Jody moved into the 1939 home in 1996. They both grew up sailing as kids and were eager to join the sailing community once again. Over the years, they started to add their personal touches to the home. In 2003, they were able to expand their house’s footprint after their neighbor, Margaret Bruggeman, passed away. Margaret told her heirs to allow the neighbors the opportunity to expand if they wanted to. “This was a tight, narrow, long lot. They approached us with that opportunity and the stars lined up

Paul Dols | Press Publications Jody and Brett start each morning in these chairs together reading the newspaper (and The Laker) from cover to cover.

in many ways,” Brett explained. “By purchasing 10 feet, that gave us a chance to add the screen porch, the garage and expand the upstairs.” For about six months, the couple lived in a camper during the remodel. Most of the work was done by Leo Delonais, but Brett Smith created a lot of the stone and wood finishes. One of the more unique features of the remodel is a two-level porch off the back of the home equipped with seating on the main level and a sleeping porch upstairs. “In good weather, it is like sleeping in a tree house,” Brett explained, pointing

Contributed Brett and Jody recently hosted a crowd of approximately 60 for a Bald Eagle Yacht Club social.

out that spot is one of his favorites in their home. Jody says her favorite spot in the home changes depending on the season. In the summer she loves the screen porch; in the winter she loves the two chairs by the window that look out at the snow globe scene. A home filled with music and art Brett and Jody have several things in common, including their love of lakes, sailing and music. Brett and Jody are both retired music teachers. Brett retired in 2018 after a 33-year teaching career. Thirty-one of those years were in

the Mahtomedi district. Jody taught for 30 years, most recently in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale district. “There's not a hot place in this house that we don't occupy daily and love dearly,” Jody explained. “We love every portion of it.” Every space in the home is used, and no space sits around collecting dust. The upper level features a master bedroom and a his-and-hers studio space. Brett uses his office space as a studio equipped with a variety of instruments, and Jody uses her space CONTINUED ON 4B

Photos by Paul Dols | Press Publications Many of Jody’s quilts hang in the stairway of the home.

2B THE LAKER | SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026

Brett Smith plays the marimba in his studio.

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Preparation 5. Pour off excess fat, leaving about 1 teaspoon in the pan. 6. Deglaze with white wine, scraping up the fond. 7. Add chicken stock and reduce by one-third. 8. Add sausage and cherry peppers; simmer 1–2 minutes. 9. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. 10. Whisk in cold butter until glossy. 11. Finish with parsley and return chicken to baste.

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Lemon Parmesan Risotto Yield: 8 Servings Ingredients • 1 lb Acquerello Carnaroli Rice • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided • 2 large shallots, finely minced • 1 cup dry white wine • 2½–3 quarts hot chicken stock • 1 cup freshly grated 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano • ¼ cup mascarpone • Zest of 2 lemons • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice • Kosher salt • Freshly cracked black pepper • Chopped chives or Italian parsley (optional) Preparation 12. Heat olive oil with 1 tablespoon butter; sweat shallots. 13. Toast the rice 2–3 minutes.

14. Deglaze with white wine. 15. Add hot stock gradually, stirring until creamy and al dente (16–18 minutes). 16. Fold in remaining butter, Parmigiano, mascarpone, lemon zest, and lemon juice. 17. Season and adjust consistency with warm stock if needed. Plating • Spoon 3 oz Lemon Parmesan Risotto onto a warm plate. • Arrange 2 crispy chicken thighs over the risotto. • Top with 2 oz fennel sausage, 1 oz hot cherry peppers, and about 4 oz Scarpariello pan sauce. • Finish with grated Parmigiano Reggiano, chopped parsley, and extra virgin olive oil.

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PORT OF CALL ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ORCHARD AVENUE HOME | FROM 2B mainly for sewing and quilting. Throughout the home, it’s hard not to spot a new detail everywhere you look. On the main level, a stainedglass window captures your attention behind the Kawaii baby grand piano. The fireplace is made from stone brought back to Minnesota from Brett’s father’s property in Big Sky, Montana. The stones are pieces together to create a Hobie16 sailboat in the center. On top of the fireplace mantel is a Schwibbogen, a German three-dimensional art form, featuring local scenes from all seasons around Bald Eagle Lake — sailing, sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing. Going up the stairs, many of Jody’s quilts are on display, and Brett’s craftsmanship can be noticed in a blue heron carved into the wooden railing. Heading downstairs, the renovated guest room offers a Northwoods cabin feel.

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Gardens in bloom Jody credits Brett with all the garden spaces around the home. Right when you enter the driveway, you are greeted by an abundance of flowers featuring a trellis shaped like a fire tower you would see in Montana. Art is scattered throughout the gardens, featuring recycled instruments like a French horn, trombone, tuba, trumpet, timpani, clarinets and saxophones. Brett’s favorite is “an elephantaphone,” an elephant made out of various brass instruments. In addition to the flower gardens, Brett tends to a vegetable garden, growing peppers, cucumbers, kale and arugula. Jody helps to gather seaweed from the lake, which they use as mulch

Photos by Paul Dols | Press Publications

throughout the property. At the center of the backyard is a waterfall surrounded by stone and gardens. The water from the lake is recycled and fills a cistern below the falls. “If you are out on the lake, it's hard to really see the house. It blends into the space,” Brett explained. Jody added, “It blends with nature.” Brett and Jody often pinch themselves to remind them that this is their home. “We do often say out loud, ‘How do we get to be this so incredibly fortunate?’” Jody asked. “We use the lake 12 months out of the year … It defines us.” ◼

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Jody and Brett are retired music teachers. Jody credits the home’s beautiful gardens to Brett, who gets his love of gardening from his father.

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ SHORE LEAVE

FROM BOAT DAY TO FOREVER Managing Editor

Emmie Wiedemann, whose favorite color is white, wore white for two months every weekend leading up to her proposal just in case. “It was challenging to keep a surprise from her because she was guessing nonstop, but we managed to pull it off,” said Lynn Dierking, who made sure her dock was available and looking perfect the day of the big surprise. Lynn’s son, Dylan Dierking, and Shayne Frost, Emmie’s now fiancé, are friends who graduated from Mahtomedi High School in 2017. Emmie met Dylan while they both attended the University of St. Thomas. Shayne and Emmie met during a summer boat day at the Dierkings home on White Bear Lake.

One week before the proposal, Shayne called up Lynn and asked to use her dock. She approved, and the two started scheming. Lynn says Shayne had all the details planned out and knew exactly what he

wanted to do. They assembled white roses, balloons and a table filled with white-framed photographs in white frames from Emmie and Shayne's six years of dating, along with a bottle of sparkling champagne. Many have seen the videos of a proposal where someone drops the ring and it falls through the dock into the water. “He wanted a white towel to kneel on so it wouldn’t fall through the dock, and I said, ‘We are not doing a towel,’” Lynn recalled. Lynn immediately purchased a white rug online. The day of the proposal, everyone pretended it was just another 'boat day,' but a photographer was hiding behind a tree outfront. When Emmie arrived and didn’t see Shayne in the house, she started asking questions. “We told her that Shayne was already down at

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Photos by Lizzy Fasching Photography | Contributed Emmie Wiedemann and Shayne Frost recently got engaged where they met, on White Bear Lake.

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the dock because he got sick of waiting for Dylan, who was cooking food … We told her to go down to the dock and we’d bring the stuff down,” Lynn said. “I walked toward the front door with her, and she walked out and things started clicking in slow motion. She saw the balloons across the street and Shayne halfway down the dock. She spun around and looked at me, and I (just kept telling her), ‘Go to the dock, Emmie.’” Lynn said the proposal could not have gone any better and described it as “the most perfect thing.” Emmie and Shayne think the wedding will be in summer 2028. “Being able to make this all happen at the lake where we met and have had so many great memories was perfect,” Shayne said. “White Bear Lake will always have such a special place in our hearts.” ◼

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◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ LOON LANDINGS

LIVE, LOVE, LASER LOON By Angie Hong Special to the Laker

Minnesotans love loons. With eerie calls that float through the air on summer evenings, red eyes, sharp beaks, and an impressive ability to swim underwater, loons capture our hearts and fascinate our minds. For years, most people assumed that loons were related to ducks, grebes, or mergansers because the birds look similar and share freshwater lakes as their habitat. When scientists sequenced loon DNA and compared it with DNA from other birds in the mid-2010s, however, they were surprised to learn that loons are actually most closely related to penguins. Like penguins, loons’ bodies are stream-lined and designed to swim underwater with ease. They can dive 200-250 feet deep and stay underwater for one to five minutes. Unlike their Antarctic cousins, however, they actually aren’t able to walk on land. Loons spend their summers in deep, clear freshwater lakes in northern states like Minnesota and

Wisconsin, and overwinter along the Gulf Shore and inland lakes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. Though they are considered “serially monogamous” they don’t actually mate for life. Instead, they keep the same mate for five to seven years and usually return to the same lake year after year. Loons are perhaps best known for their strange and haunting calls, which many people associate with warm summer evenings, canoeing, and spending time up north with family and friends. In fact, loons make four different kinds of sounds. Hoots are used to locate family nearby, whereas a wail is used to locate family far away. Their alternating tremolo is used to signal alarm to other loons, and the yodel is a defense call only used by males. The loon has been recognized as Minnesota’s official state bird since 1961, and holds a firm place in our regional pop culture, alongside hot dish, ope, and uff-da. The “laser loon,” created by designer Frederick de Ruiter during the 2023–24 state flag contest, has become a popular symbol of

state pride and was featured on a limited-edition St. Paul Public Library card. More recently, artists have created several different variations of a rebel loon, inspired by the emblem of the Star Wars Rebel Alliance. Since we love them so much, there are also a few simple things we can do to make loons lives better. The first is to stop using lead fishing tackle and instead switch to tackle made with tungsten, tin, steel, bismuth, or glass. A shocking 20-25% of adult loon deaths are caused by lead poisoning, which happens when the birds eat fish that have lead in their stomachs, grab bait or fish from your fishing line, or scoop up lead sinkers at the bottom of a lake when gathering pebbles to aid in their digestion. Lead also poisons raptors, swans, and some mammals and causes a slow, painful death. Loon lovers who are lucky enough to live on a lake or own a cabin should also be sure to leave a portion of their shoreline un-mowed, with native vegetation, in order to give loons a

Contributed Scientists have found that loons are most closely related to penguins.

place to nest and lay their eggs. Male and female loons use reeds and grasses along shorelines to build their nests and take turns incubating the eggs. Chicks take about a month to hatch and will stay close to shore with their parents while they are young. Surveys conducted by the Minnesota Loon Monitoring Program show that adult loon populations are stable but juvenile populations are declining by 0.03% per year. Shoreline development is a major stressor contributing to this decline. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers numerous resources for lakeshore landowners, including a “Score your Shore” tool and

information about landscaping with native plants: www. dnr.state.mn.us/lakescaping. In addition, shoreline owners can request a free site visit and connect with watershed grants and other support to restore and protect shorelines. In Ramsey County, contact Brian.Olsen@ ramseycountymn.gov; in Washington County, sign-up online at mnwcd.org. ◼ Angie Hong coordinates the East Metro Water Education Program, a local government partnership with 30 members in Chisago, Isanti and Washington Counties - www.mnwcd.org/emwrep. She can be reached at 651-796-2210 or angie.hong@mnwcd.org.

Photos by Ellen Maas | Contributed

LOON LANDINGS Top left: Artemis and Apollo were spotted taking off and landing all over Ordway bay on July 25. After running with all her might, Artemis had a perfect take off, heading into the wind. Top middle: In a matter of seconds, Apollo rose above the water and started paddling frantically, as he erupted into the iconic Penguin dance. Top right: After several crash landings, Apollo finally figured out how to glide and execute a flawless landing. Bottom: Apollo and Artemis showing off their big wings in synchronized wing flaps.

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THE

L KER Vol. 4 • No. 3

SECTION C

Contributed Van (left) and Marion (center) Johnson hand out the first-place prize to White Bear lake students during the 2024 Art Johnson Regatta.

Jay Rendall | Contributed The 15th annual Arthur Johnson Regatta will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10-11 on White Bear Lake.

WHITE BEAR SAILING SCHOOL TO HOST 15TH ANNUAL ARTHUR JOHNSON REGATTA By Sarah Bakeman Contributing Writer

A good sail trip needs a few things: a clear route, cooperative crew, wellprepped boat and fair weather. While White Bear sailors can plan for the first three, Minnesota’s often unpredictable October forecasts add excitement to the annual Arthur Johnson Regatta. The twoday sailing event has taken place on White Bear Lake at the White Bear Sailing School for the past 15 years, and student sailors are currently making the most of the fleetingly unfrozen lake in preparation for the fall sailing season. This year’s Regatta will be Oct. 10-11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. WBSS Marketing Director Jill Lein has been to the past six regattas since her son, Haaken, started sailing in middle school. Now her son is entering his senior year,

and year after year Lein has seen the excitement a forecast can bring. Some October weekends are sunny and calm – perfect for pulling up a lawn chair and binoculars to watch tactical races. Other years, Lien remembers event attenders, both seasoned sailors and curious residents, jumping up and down at the end of docks in excitement. Whipping winds made for races full of clashing hulls, splashing white water, and capsized boats. “No two races are ever the same because the wind is constantly changing, so you’re always adapting,” Haaken said. “Having to make split-second decisions while maintaining a long-term strategy is something you don’t find to the same degree in most other sports.” Beyond just exciting races, Lein sees the Regatta as a chance to celebrate local history. WBSS has taught young sailors to

navigate the waters of White Bear Lake for 70 years. “This lake is what our community is built around. We want people to see and learn how sailing is a part of its history,” Lein said. The Regatta is named for Art Johnson, whose family’s company, Johnson Boat Works, had a large part in forming the sailing and boat culture of the city. When John O. Johnson emigrated from Norway in 1896, he came to White Bear Lake and founded Johnson Boat Works. In the company’s 100 years of operation, the Johnson family produced thousands of boats, established modern scow classes that dominate Midwest regattas and innovated flat-bottomed hulls with centerboards. For Minnesota sailors, the company is something of a legend. For more casual observers, the Johnsons can be thanked for many

of the picturesque sailboats that dot the lake. Regardless, John’s legacy endures in White Bear Lake and active fleets across the country – many of its wooden and fiberglass hulls are still competing in 2026. Art Johnson had a big hand in keeping WBSS’s doors open. The mid-1960s were a hard time for WBSS – just 10 years after its founding, the program was starting to fade. That’s when Art and his wife, Marion, stepped in and ran the program out of their home in Birchwood Village. Art passed in 1989 at the age of 62. When the school felt ready for a signature regatta of its own in 2011, the name Art Johnson felt fitting. Marion, now 95, is still involved in the city’s sailing culture alongside her son, Van. “[My parents] rebuilt it with the kind of CONTINUED ON 7C

SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE LAKER

1C

SHORE LEAVE ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

NATIVE PLANTS: Library, watershed district offer tips for lakeside yards By Logan Gion Staff Writer

Caring for a lawn and gardens can be a lot of work—more so for lakeside homes. Lakeside homeowners must contend with stormwater runoff. Lawns can get soggy patches or miss the rainwater and its nutrients altogether. A homeowner must then use fertilizer treatment on the lawn to keep it green, which leads to chemical and water-quality concerns. “‘I have to do yard work. I have to mow. I have to do all these things.’ You don’t actually have to do that. There are alternatives,” said Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) Communications and Outreach Manager Kendra Sommerfeld. The solution to all of these problems? Native plants. “They’ve been here for thousands of years. They’ve evolved with the local ecology, our local pollinators,” Sommerfeld said. Because native plants have lived in Minnesota so many generations, they are more drought tolerant and resist disease and invasive vegetation. One type of native plant that Sommerfeld believes is especially helpful for yards with shoreline is the sedge. More than 100 types of sedges are good for Minnesota yards, and they thrive in wet spots. “Sedges will clump really nicely, so they’re really good border plants.” Sommerfeld said, adding that sedges can give a lawn an ornamental, manicured aesthetic. An easy way to tell the difference between sedges and grass is to feel the stems with one’s fingers. Because sedge stems are triangular, one can easily feel the ridges. “Sedges have edges,” Sommerfeld said. She also recommended bulrushes for homeowners who favor a more wild look to their shoreline. Native plants can also ease work and add variety to gardens. Native grass varieties, like Canada Wild Rye, are so hardy, they will survive hungry wildlife and even the first few snowfalls. “When they die off in the fall, grasses are known for becoming these really pretty orange, brown, red colors,” said Sommerfeld, adding that the material is still there during the winter and will regrow come spring.

Colorful Minnesota native plants: • Canada Anemone—Full sun or partial shade, blooms from MayJuly, unfussy ground cover, can handle some foot traffic • Tall Goldenrod—Full sun or partial shade, blooms late JulyOctober, important fall pollinator and source of nectar • Heath Aster—Full sun or partial shade, blooms August-October, loves steep slopes and pond edges, multiple shades of white

Local flowers—like Virginia Wildleaf, Wild Bergamot and Heath Aster—are resilient yet showy, giving homeowners bright, pollinatorfriendly gardens from May to October. Because these plants thrive in their native soil, Sommerfeld recommends occasionally taming more eager plants. By definition, native plants cannot be invasive, but some can be aggressive. “I recommend digging it out or cutting it down,” Sommerfeld said. “It’s your garden. It’s not a bad thing if (aggressive plants) are spreading around, but if you don’t like it, take them out and try something else.” Native plants, however, still need some care—comparable to a perennial garden—the first few years they are in a yard. “Most of the time, you have to water them at the very beginning because sometimes we don’t get rain. But after the second or third year, when they’re adult plants, they should have the root system to survive longer periods of drought,” said Sommerfeld. ”In general, it’s easier to maintain because it should taper off. You don’t have to mow every week. You don’t have to fertilize or weed.” To help homeowners get started on a native-plant lawn, RCWD offers mini-grants for projects like turf alternatives and pollinator gardens. Visit ricecreek.org/grants for more details. Many local libraries, like Washington County’s Hardwood Creek branch, also regularly provide programming and workshops for interested

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Contributed Rice Creek Watershed District and Blue Thumb put on a rain garden maintenance workshop.

homeowners. The Hardwood Creek Library also has a seed library where growers can drop off excess seeds and new gardeners can take new seeds home to try out. “We started it in the spring of 2024,” said Librarian Cristina deSobrino. “We do have native plants and do seed-saving workshops.” Washington County Master Gardeners are putting on the next seed-saving workshop at 5 p.m., Oct. 8. The Hardwood Creek Library often hosts programs about local gardening and ecology. “As information changes, it's great to be able to have professionals that we can put in front of the public,” said deSobrino, “so that they can feel empowered to create the changes … in their local environment with the best information that's possible.” “We have a cabin on Big Marine,” said Washington County Master Gardener Mary Voss, who has found Hardwood Creek Library programs helpful. “I’ve been transforming plants over there that were non-native. I like the sedges. I’ve been adding sedges along the water for erosion.” Sommerfeld also recommends bluethumb.org for homeowners looking for native seeds. The site has a list of local native-plant nurseries and seed suppliers.

Logan Gion | Press Publications Canada Anemone

“It’s so fun watching the plants change and grow, adding species and seeing pollinators show up,” said Sommerfeld. For more information on RCWD projects and resources, as well as ways to get involved, visit ricecreek. org or contact Kendra Sommerfeld at ksommerfeld@ricecreek.org. ◼

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MN-FISH: BUILDING A BETTER PATH FOR TODAY’S AND TOMORROW’S ANGLERS By Erik Suchy Contributing Writer

For many Minnesotans, fishing isn’t just a hobby. It’s a legacy passed down through generations that requires hard work and dedication to preserve it for the next generation of anglers. That’s where MNFISH comes in. “Our goal is to improve the state of fishing throughout Minnesota for existing anglers and anglers of the future," said MN-FISH Vice President Kevin Kerkvliet. “We also want to be an example for the rest of the country of what can be done to make sure our fisheries are in pristine condition.” The organization currently operates through two entities to accomplish its goals. The first is the MNFISH Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to strengthen fish populations, and maintain shore fishing areas and boat ramps for angler access. They collaborate with both the Department of Natural Resources and industry leaders to protect the state’s fisheries. The second is the MN-FISH Coalition, a 501(c) (4) advocacy group that Kerkvliet says ensures the organization’s voice is heard within state

Photos contributed For several years, MN-FISH has worked to protect lakes and fishing traditions throughout Minnesota. The organization recently received a donation from Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited.

One project under MN-FISH’s belt is an ongoing study that analyzes the lake’s muskie population, including its growth, behavior and survival rates.

government. The group advocates for laws that support outdoor businesses and Minnesota anglers. The group also pushes for infrastructure investments that keep lakes accessible to everyone who wants to use them. The coalition scored several notable wins in 2025, including $6 million and $600,000 in upgrades from the Minnesota Legislature to the Waterville and Crystal Springs hatcheries, respectively. An additional $1.8 million was allocated to improving public water access at Otter Tail Lake. Currently, the coalition is collaborating with the DNR and Bemidji State University on an ongoing study of Leech Lake. During the next two years, the study will examine how muskies grow, survive and behave in the lake, using advanced telemetry to gather data on survival rates. According to the MNFISH website, this data will provide the DNR with crucial information to better manage muskie habitat and stocking programs. One project of particular importance, Kerkvliet said, is an effort to allow Minnesota to accept bait imported from other states. “We’re one of two states in the country that do not allow bait to cross state lines. Spottail shiners, for example, have been very hard to get over the last couple of years

because of environmental conditions and a lack of spawning conditions. We’re working with the state to understand how to get this across so we can start importing bait when necessary.” Other projects aim to improve additional hatcheries and landings. These include improving building conditions at the St. Paul Hatchery and fixing multiple boat landings along Lake Vermilion. Through partnerships with the DNR and various lake associations, MN-FISH is also working to raise awareness of the dangers posed by invasive species in Minnesota lakes. Over the next five years, Kerkvliet said he hopes MN-FISH’s role in the state remains as crucial as it is now, and that the group’s ongoing work will matter even more in the long run. “We’re hoping to get the declining angler population turned around to where we have more people buying fishing licenses. The next step is to ensure these fisheries and hatcheries continue moving forward. We also want to get an educational facility put together where kids in the schools can truly understand how we do things in the state of Minnesota for our fishing industry.” Those who want to learn more about MN-FISH can visit their website at www.mn-fish.com. ◼

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SAILING SCHOOL HELPS LAUNCH 2 LIFELONG SAILORS

Photos contributed Josh and Toby Sullivan grew up sailing on White Bear Lake and recently traveled to Italy to race in the Melges 15 European Cup.

intensity of racing: Fighting for space on a crowded starting line, reading the wind, and pushing through

challenging conditions. Josh’s day job is at Total Wine. For Toby, sailing offers something

equally powerful: Freedom, friendship and the satisfaction of improving as a team. Racing has taken him to new places and introduced him to new friends, but the relationships built along the way remain the most meaningful part. Toby’s day job is as an engineer. Both brothers credit White Bear Sailing School with giving them more than sailing experience. It gave them a community. In a small club where everyone knows each other, young sailors grow up together, challenge one another and celebrate each other’s progress. That shared support helped shape Josh and Toby’s sailing journeys — and it continues to define the spirit of the sailing school today. The Sullivan brothers are proof that sailing can begin close to home and lead anywhere in the world. Whether you are a child stepping into a boat for the first time or an adult ready to try something new, White Bear Sailing School offers a place to learn, grow, compete and connect. Explore youth and adult sailing opportunities at whitebearsailingschool. com and get out on the lake. ◼

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For the Sullivan brothers, sailing was never just a summer activity — it was part of family life from the very beginning. Long before they were old enough for formal classes, they were already out on the water: aboard their grandparents’ keelboat on Lake Pepin, sailing a Sunfish on Gull Lake, and learning the rhythm of wind, water and teamwork. As they grew older, White Bear Sailing School became the place where that early love of sailing turned into skill, confidence and competition. Today, Josh and Toby remain deeply connected to the sailing school, having served in roles including coach, board member, executive director, marketing liaison and more. Most recently, they represented the White Bear sailing spirit on an international stage, racing in the Melges 15 European Cup on Lake Garda, Italy. Ask Josh what keeps him coming back to sailing, and he points to both the precision and the pressure. He loves the technical side of the sport — learning the boat, fine-tuning it, and discovering how small adjustments can make a big difference. But he also thrives on the

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Photos contributed Bear Boating, a nonprofit organization that provides boating and fishing excursions to seniors, active duty military, veterans and people with disabilities, has 135 volunteers who help ensure the trips are a positive experience.

BEAR BOATING MARKS ANOTHER SEASON OF SERVICE By Shannon Granholm Managing Editor

Bear Boating of White Bear Lake is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) group offering boating or fishing excursions to seniors (60+), active duty military, veterans and people with disabilities. Since 2015, Bear Boating has been providing weekday two-hour fishing or sightseeing excursions, on White Bear Lake from June through August. Thanks to donations from individuals and the community, the organization can offer trips free of charge. In 2023, Bear Boating passed the 10,000-passenger threshold. In 2024, the organization offered four trips per day and hosted 1,751 passengers on 251 trips. In 2025, 21 captains and 103 mates completed 225 trips, taking out 1,819 passengers from 97 senior living facilities. Although the 2026 season is still in motion, Bear Boating President Dave Ryan said this year’s unpredictable weather, including rain, high winds, extreme heat

and poor air quality, forced them to cancel approximately 30 trips. “The good news is that we have successfully completed over 100 trips,” he said. Ryan explained that to make the most of their season, they completed routine maintenance in July that was originally scheduled for August. “By completing these tasks early, we added a full day back to our schedule, which had been reserved for maintenance, allowing us to run an additional four trips. Currently, every single seat on our schedule is completely booked,” he explained. A highlight this season was the free boat rides the organization offered during the Classic & Vintage Boat Show, an official Manitou Days event. Other highlights include outings with the Special Olympics, as well as two trips with wounded Ukrainian soldiers, women and children through the Protez Foundation. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides prosthetics free of charge to Ukrainian children, civilians and soldiers

who have lost limbs as a result of the war. Bear Boating has 12 volunteers in noncrew support roles, bringing the total to 135 volunteers. There are no paid staff. Bear Boating’s pontoon can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests and three crew members. They routinely accommodate wheelchairs. You can find them operating near the city

fishing pier on the north side of the VFW. Ryan says the White Bear Lake Senior Center has been a valued partner for many years. They assisted the nonprofit in scheduling 28 trips this year for individuals and groups of less than six passengers. For more information on scheduling a trip, visit www.bearboating.org. ◼

Getting you ready for summer on the lake. A family-owned business proudly

Contributed Bear Boating has successfully completed over 100 trips this season despite unpredictable weather.

651-335-8226 SEPTEMBER 1 - DECEMBER 31, 2026 | THE LAKER

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serving the White Bear Lake area.

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10-YEAR FISH MONITORING REPORT RATES THE HEALTH OF MINNESOTA’S LAKES Every lake tells a story through its fish. The mix of species and their abundance can reveal the health of a lake and how the lake changes over time. A new report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), documents that healthier lakes tend to have lower phosphorus from runoff or drainage, less disturbance of land in the watershed and better shoreline habitat. The report compiles results from the 1,444 fish-based index of biological integrity (IBI) surveys conducted between 2006 and 2025 for 908 lakes across 47 Minnesota watersheds. “This report conveys the massive undertaking of more than a decade of studying fish populations specifically to assess the baseline health of lakes across the state,” said Derek Bahr, DNR fisheries research scientist. “Ultimately we can use these results to enable state and local partners to better protect, or if necessary, restore Minnesota’s aquatic habitats.” Across these IBI surveys, the DNR sampled more than 3.7 million individual fish encompassing 89 different species, including 25 species that are considered intolerant to stressors and five that are considered species in greatest conservation need. Of the 808 lakes with sufficient data for assessment, DNR and MPCA staff found that 77% fully support aquatic life for fish biodiversity. They classified 23% as not supporting aquatic life for fish biodiversity, also called impaired. Impaired lakes generally exhibited higher phosphorus concentrations, greater proportion of watershed disturbance and lower shoreline habitat quality compared to lakes that fully support aquatic life. The MPCA uses IBI assessment data and recommendations from the DNR to formally decide whether to include lakes on a list of the state’s impaired waters. The latest report from the DNR conveys trends, whereas the MPCA issues separate reports on the impaired waters lists. Lakes with exceptional fish communities had the highest shoreline habitat quality, and the lowest phosphorus and disturbance. Minnesota’s exceptional lakes also support more diverse, balanced food webs. They are significantly more likely to sustain naturally reproducing populations of cold-water species, species in greatest conservation need and fish that anglers tend to seek out, like muskellunge, northern pike and walleye. “This is great news to share on fish biodiversity in Minnesota,” said Leya Charles, impaired waters list coordinator for the MPCA. “Trend reports like this one show how many waterbodies are being protected, and that 77% of our state’s lakes assessed for fish biodiversity are meeting standards.” The public and the agencies that serve them can

Each map illustrates the proportion of lakes within each watershed that fully supported aquatic life (left) and the proportion that contained exceptional fish communities (right) during the first round of monitoring and assessment.

Photos by the Department of Natural Resources | Contributed The DNR Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment program, in coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, surveys and evaluates the condition of aquatic life in lakes across Minnesota.

use the results of the report in conjunction with related watershed-specific reports to inform efforts to protect all lakes. This includes the highest quality lakes, and the lakes that are on the verge of becoming impaired, allowing intervention with shoreline habitat or watershed management improvements. They can also use these reports to help address stressors like shoreline development and nutrient runoff, with

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support from local partnerships. These partners often find cost-effective early interventions that preserve biological diversity and enhance recreational opportunities. The report is available online at mndnr.gov/waters/ surfacewater_section/lake_ibi/index.html. The research and report were funded by the Legacy amendment’s Clean Water Fund. ◼

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ RIGGINGS ARTHUR JOHNSON REGATTA | FROM 1C steady, hands-on commitment that turns a small community effort into a lasting local tradition,” Van said. In 2024, the White Bear Lake team won the regatta, and Marion and Van were there to present the trophy. Haaken, who was a sophomore in high school at the time, remembers the win as a highlight of six-year sailing career. Van recounts seeing his mom enjoy the regatta as one of his favorite sailing memories, even after a lifetime on the water. Each year, Van brings his pontoon over and takes parents of students out on the water so they can see the racing up close. Many of them have never sailed before, and Van gets to see the boats, strategy, and energy of the regatta like it’s the first time through their eyes. “No matter a person’s age or experience, there is a place for them on the water,” Van said. “The White Bear Sailing School continues to give new generations a way to discover that for themselves... Sailing is a lifelong sport.” As he prepares for his final season on the White Bear High School Sailing Team, Haaken is also teaching younger kids to sail at WBSS. Most of the kids have never touched a sailboat at the start of the week-long camp. “Seeing a kid who was nervous on Monday confidently sailing and having fun on their own by the end of the week is one of the most rewarding parts of the job,” Haaken said. The interest in sailing goes beyond just young kids. About 20 years ago, before she moved to White Bear Lake and started a family, Lein lived with a roommate who owned a 27-foot Chrysler sailboat in the St. Croix River. The cruiser was a far cry larger than the 10-foot boats students usually learn on, but that’s where Lein learned the sport. Now that Haaken is finishing out high school, Lein has joined a crew for the first time and reintroduced herself to sailing after decades away from the rudder. WBSS is also expanding its adult class offerings in response to local demand. The Art Johnson Regatta will welcome competitors from neighboring communities such as Mounds View, Minnetonka, and Mahtomedi, as well as sailors from the broader Midwest cities like Chicago and Milwaukee to compete on the water. Haaken is hoping to bring home a final win, as well as pass down a vibrant crew community to incoming teammates. As for the forecast, he’s hoping for the best weather anyone could ask for in mid-October: temperatures in the 50s with a steady breeze around 10 knots. The public is invited to come watch the races from shore. Visitors are encouraged to bring a chair and binoculars to take in the action. ◼

If you go 15th annual Arthur Johnson Regatta When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11 Where: White Bear Sailing School, 56 Dellwood Ave #1401, Dellwood Details: The Art Johnson Regatta will welcome competitors from neighboring communities as well as sailors from the broader Midwest cities to compete on the water. Contact: www.whitebearsailingschool.com

MarineMax helps families make the most of lake life By Shivam Vashishtha Contributing Writer

Many Minnesotans like to measure summer not by the calendar but by the first day they get back on the water. Whether it’s an early morning cruise, an afternoon of wake surfing or a quiet evening anchored with family and friends, boating has long been embedded into the culture of communities surrounding White Bear Lake and Bald Eagle Lake. MarineMax believes buying a boat should be the beginning of that experience – not the end of the transaction. With locations in Rogers and Excelsior serving boaters across the Twin Cities, MarineMax has built its business around helping customers through every stage of boat ownership. They take care of you from selecting the right model and securing financing to maintenance, storage and learning the skills needed to enjoy life on the water. This full-service approach has helped MarineMax grow into the nation’s largest recreational boat retailer while maintaining a strong emphasis on local relationships and customer support. “We pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop,” said TJ Ortmann, general manager of MarineMax. “When someone comes in, we’re not just helping them buy a boat. We’re helping them find the right boat for the way they want to enjoy the water.” That process begins with understanding how customers envision using their boat. Some families are looking for a pontoon to spend leisurely afternoons cruising the lake. Others are interested in tow sports, fishing or entertaining larger groups. Around White Bear Lake, Ortmann said wake surfing has become increasingly popular, driving demand for Nautique boats, while Sea Ray bow riders and Harris pontoons continue to be favorites for families looking for relaxed days on the water. Those changing preferences reflect broader trends across the boating industry. “Boating has evolved from cabin cruisers to day boats,” Ortmann added. “People want to get family

Contributed MarineMax prides itself on being a one-stop shop for all things boats.

and friends together for the day or the weekend – whether that’s wake surfing, tubing or simply dropping anchor and spending time together.” The emphasis, he said, has shifted toward experiences. That philosophy also shapes how MarineMax works with first-time buyers, many of whom arrive with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. “People can find boats intimidating because they think they won’t know how to operate one,” Ortmann said. “We make that easy.” Every new owner receives a standard delivery orientation that covers boat operation, docking, trailering and onboard systems before heading out on the water. MarineMax also offers ongoing support through certified service technicians, mobile repair services, winter storageand parts and accessories. These options allow customers to continue working with the same team long after the initial purchase. Ortmann believes affordability is another misconception that often keeps prospective buyers from exploring boating. “A lot of people don’t realize boat ownership can be more affordable than they think,” he said. “With financing options and a dealership that’s there to help along the way, it opens the door for many families.” MarineMax also invests heavily in educational and community programs designed to make boating more accessible. Its Women on Water classes introduce new boaters to operating and docking with confidence in a supportive environment. Kids in Boating classes encourage younger generations to safely enjoy Minnesota’s lakes, while demo days

and on-the-water boat shows allow prospective buyers to experience different models before making a decision. The company’s Getaways program brings groups of boat owners together for organized trips that help build friendships as much as boating skills. These events are part of MarineMax’s broader focus on creating a boating community rather than simply selling products. “In our industry, selling boats is important,” Ortmann stated. “But it’s really about showing people how to have fun on the water, teaching them how to use their boats and being advisors (to them) throughout ownership.” That long-term relationship is especially meaningful in Minnesota, where lakes have shaped community life for well over a century. White Bear Lake, in particular, has attracted visitors since the late 1800s, helping establish the area’s enduring connection to recreation on the water. Ortmann hopes that connection continues to grow. “Whether someone has bought a boat from us or not, they’re always welcome to attend our events,” he said. “We want people to come out, experience what MarineMax is all about and discover how much fun life on the water can be.” For many Minnesota families, a boat becomes more than a weekend pastime. Rather, it becomes the setting for birthdays, sunset cruises, fishing trips and traditions passed from one generation to the next. MarineMax’s goal, Ortmann said, is to help make those moments possible - and to be there long after the keys change hands. ◼

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