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February 2025 Vol. 13 No. 2

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Stories of Survival

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

MOBILE SAUNAS

DRONE COMPANY

BRAIN INJURY SUPPORT GROUP | 3

OPPORTUNITY FOR REJUVENATION | 6

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Around every corner are tales of those who have gone through seemingly unconquerable odds to get to where they are today. Some, such as Chisago City resident Michelle Lang, have faced adversity in the form of a stroke. However, through a combination of physical and occupational therapy, as well as forming her own brain injury/stroke support group, Lang has overcome her setbacks to spread awareness and connect with others like her. See the full story on page 3.

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CONTRIBUTORS

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What helps you “seize the day”?

SHANNON GRANHOLM Managing Editor | whitebearnews@presspubs.com Iced coffee!

ERIK SUCHY Staff Writer | lowdownnews@presspubs.com Knowing that I have the power to make my day good or bad.

LAURIE ERICSON Designer | art@presspubs.com Caffeine.

PAUL DOLS Photojournalist/Website Editor | photos@presspubs.com Focus on activities and tasks that require attention and being in the moment.

Publisher

Staff Writer Erik Suchy

Laurie Ericson

General Manager

Production Manager

Photojournalist

Carter Johnson Patty Steele

Mary Peterson

Designer Paul Dols

Managing Editor

Shannon Granholm

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Brain injury survivors find comfort in support group

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Trauma comes in many forms, and sometimes, what we need is a tight-knit community of those with whom we can all relate. That is where Michelle Lang has those individuals covered.

Lang leads the Stroke & Brain Injury Support Group at the M Fairview Health Clinic in Wyoming, which meets on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The group, founded by Lang for those recovering from different forms of brain trauma, is one she describes as a safe environment for attendees to open up and discuss their struggles.

“I think everyone feels very comfortable with each other there,” said Lang. “We are all a family. We’re all very close.”

The group’s origins are rooted in Lang’s own history of brain trauma following a stroke in April 2023. “I spent about a month in acute rehab,” she explained. “I was in a wheelchair to begin with.

“I was also with a walker and a cane, so I worked my butt off to get to where I was.

Eventually, I found that when I went to an exercise class, it made me realize how much in friendships I had lost as a result of the stroke. People don’t know what to say or what to do, so it’s easier for them to walk away or just ignore the whole situation.”

In finding a location to hold group meetings, Lang chose the M Fairview Health Clinic in Wyoming due to its proximity to her residence (Chisago City) and its familiarity. “The closest groups were either up in Duluth or down to the cities,” she said. “I think that a lot of it was because I was there all the time, too. I talked with the administration, and they were willing to give the space free of charge. It seemed like a natural choice.”

Enlisting the help of her daughter, Anna, to create and spread group flyers, Lang began hosting the first meeting in December of that year. Though attendance was initially minimal, participation steadily increased through Facebook and different neighborhood group websites.

By May 2024, the group had 31

Dr. Haitham Hussein, a neurologist with M Health Fairview, has been a featured guest speaker at several group meetings.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The Stroke & Brain Injury Support Group is a safe haven for stroke and brain injury survivors to connect and support one another.

Group founder Michelle Lang leads a discussion during one of the group’s meetings. The group meets on the first Saturday of every month at the M Fairview Health Clinic in Wyoming.

members from cities including Hugo and Forest Lake.

Among the first few who joined were Hugo couple Marie and Dennis Knieff. Dennis had previously suffered a malformation-induced brain bleed in 2022, which required emergency surgery.

“We’d been coming here for occupational and physical therapy,” said Marie. “I was a little apprehensive just because I’ve never done anything like this, but when I got to know Michelle, it felt like going to your neighbor’s house. She kept us grounded and positive, and it just felt really at home. It’s nice to know it’s getting bigger and bigger all the time.”

After previous groups closed due to COVID-19, Forest Lake couple Carolyn and Douglas Schulette found Lang. “As soon as the pandemic came, it left

us,” said Carolyn, who had attended a St. Paul-based brain tumor support group with Douglas. “When I saw another group that had to do with brain functioning, I thought it would be a good one to have some other people that he (Douglas) could relate to.”

The group has featured a number of notable guest speakers at certain group meetings. Among them is Dr. Haitham Hussein, a neurologist with M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota Medical School, whom Lang herself has seen as a patient.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into starting a support group like that,” said Hussein, “sustaining and keeping it going. Michelle really singlehandedly did that. It isn’t just that she had the motivation; she also had the perseverance to find resources and figure out how to keep things going.”

In his role as guest speaker, Hussein said that his goal is not to discuss any one single topic but to see it as an opportunity to spend time with individual stroke/brain injury survivors.

“I get to learn more about their everyday struggles beyond the medical aspects,” explained Hussein, “which tends to be the focus when they come to the clinic. In the medical field, we have tools to measure stroke recovery developed based on the doctor’s opinion about what is helpful for a person surviving a stroke. But there is a different point of view when you hear the patient.”

FAST

• One of the key ways you can identify someone about to have a stroke is through the “FAST” warning signs, which stand for: – F: Face drooping – A: Arm weakness – S: Speech difficulty – T: Time to call 911 • Different types of stroke include an ischemic, which happens when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a blood clot; a hemorrhagic, which occurs when a blood vessel in or on the brain ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissues; and a transient ischemic attack (TIA, also called a “warning stroke”) which is caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to the brain.

• One in four stroke survivors is at risk for another stroke.

Source: American Stroke Organization stroke in urban settings versus rural settings. It is helpful for me to be in these meetings so I can understand the everyday struggles at home with stroke recovery.

“I am grateful to this support group for inviting me and me to go multiple times. That has always been a fun and lovely experience for me.”

The next group meeting will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 1, at the M Health Fairview Clinic, 5200 Fairview Blvd., Wyoming.

To learn more about stroke symptoms and treatments, visit the American Stroke Association website at www. stroke.org/en/.

Hussein said that spending this time helped him understand more about himself as a doctor and the group members’ recovery process.

“For example, we think that if someone is able to walk, that’s good,” said Hussein.

“But maybe you hear from the patient, ‘No, that’s not good enough because I want to be more independent or I want to go back to riding my bike.’

“Sometimes, what is important for stroke survivors and their caregivers might not be what a doctor is looking for or what the medical community thinks is a good or bad outcome,” Hussein said. “I also learned from the stroke survivors, when they go to a rehab facility, what ones are good and what are not very good. We can find, for example, more sophisticated therapists to help people recover from

Erik Suchy is a staff writer for Press Publications. To reach him, please contact him by email at lowdownnews@presspubs.com or by phone at 651-407-1229.

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OUT & ABOUT

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FEBRUARY 2025

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GAME NIGHT

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STILLWATER WINTERFEST

When: Feb. 19 - 24 Where: Throughout Stillwater Details: Community-wide celebration with a variety of events including the fictitious University of Stillwater Contact: one23events.com/winterfest

ONGOING EVENTS BINGO AT THE CURRENT

When: 2 - 4 p.m. Sundays Where: Afton House Inn, 3291 St. Croix Trail S. Details: Play Bingo and win cash prizes.

Contact: 651-436-8883 or info@ aftonhouseinn.com

TREAT YOURSELF TUESDAYS

When: 5 - 8 p.m. 2nd Tuesday of every month Where: Sodie’s Cigar & Pipe, 5946 N. Good Ave., Oak Park Heights Details: Ladies’ night at Sodie’s Cigar & Pipe. Each month will feature a different cigar and drink pairing.

Contact: 651-342-0971

FREIGHT HOUSE HAPPY HOUR

When: 4 - 6 p.m. Monday - Thursday Where: Freight House, 305 Water St. S., Stillwater Details: Discount on all draft beer and select apps. Available both inside and patio.

Contact: 651-439-5718 or info@ thefreighthouse.com

LAKE ELMO ROTARY CLUB MEETING

When: 7 - 8 a.m. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesday of every month Where: Lake Elmo Inn, 3442 Lake Elmo Ave N. Details: Join the Lake Elmo Rotary Club’s meeting on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Please RSVP your attendance) the Monday prior to the meeting.

Contact: Liz Niehaus: lmjohnson3@ hotmail.com

DATE NIGHT

When: 4 - 9 p.m. Wednesdays Where: Afton House Inn, 3291 St. Croix Trail S. Details: Wednesdays are Date Night here at Swirl. Offer includes two salads, one flatbread, two truffles and a bottle of house wine.

Contact: 651-436-8883 or info@ aftonhouseinn.com

​​BETTER BREATHERS CLUB

When: 1 - 3 p.m. 4th Wednesday of every month Where: Lakeview Hospital, 927 Churchill St W., Stillwater Details: Better Breathers Club offers the opportunity to learn ways to better cope with chronic lung disease while getting the support of others who share in your struggles. Family members, friends and support persons are welcome.

Registration is free.

Contact: 651-430-4786 or jenny.j.kratochvil@lakeview.org

WINERY WONDERLAND AT 7 VINES VINEYARD

When: 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21; Saturday, Feb. 22, Friday, Feb. 28 Where: 7 Vines Vineyard, 101 Hwy 96 E., Dellwood Details: Presented by Wahoo Adventures.

Snowshoes, ice luminary trail through the vineyards and private state room available for live music and bingo for prizes. Online pre-registration only. $59 per person includes snowshoes, luminary lit trail, mulled wine, live music, bonfires, s’mores, cider, cocoa and bingo/prizes.

Contact: 651-478-6300 or info@7vinesvineyard.com

​​

BIRD HIKE

When: 5 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; Saturday, Feb. 22 Where: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 West Pine St., Stillwater Details: Enjoy a fun-filled evening of games and friendly competition at the Washington County Historic Courthouse.

A variety of board games will be available to play.

Contact: 651-275-7075

When: 9 - 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 Where: Pine Point Regional Park, 11900 Norell Ave. N., Stillwater.

Details: Learn to identify the birds that call the St. Croix Valley home. Hike will go through turf, gravel and paved trails depending on conditions.

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

WINE TASTINGS

When: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 Where: Forest Lake Public Boat Ramp #1, 111 Lake St. S. Details: Open to fishermen of all ages and experience. Tickets can be purchased online and in person. All proceeds go towards veterans and first responders.

Food trucks, vendors and a raffle drawing will be on-site.

Contact: 651-272-5474 or IceContest@ Fuhrent.com

When: 6 - 8 p.m. Fridays Where: Afton House Inn, 3291 St. Croix Trail S., Details: Come on down to the Swirl Wine Club for a night of free wine tastings, family and friends.

Contact: 651-436-8883 or info@ aftonhouseinn.com

WILD RIVER RUNNING

When: 6 p.m. every Tuesday and 6:30 a.m. every Friday Where: 224 Chestnut St. E, Stillwater Details: Group runs from Wild River Running. All paces and abilities welcome with distances typically ranging three to six miles. Coffee and cold cereal served after Friday morning group runs.

Tuesday evening will occasionally rotate locations.

Contact: 651-342-2741 or info@ wildriverrunning.com

MOVIES AT MATT’S

FOREST LAKE ICE CLASSIC

WINE BOTTLE PAINTING CLASS

When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 Where: Hallberg Center for the Arts, 5521 East Viking Blvd., Wyoming.

Details: Learn to hand-paint your own wine bottle. Artists will be able to choose from several durable and scratchresistant all-surface paints. Registration deadline is 12:55 p.m. on the day of the class.

Contact: 651-272-5122

SOLO PIANO CONCERT

When: 6:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday Where: 413 Nelson St. E., Stillwater Details: Nostalgia movies shown at the lounge at Matt’s Basement. Movies announced on social media the week prior. All tickets come with free popcorn with variety of seating options available.

Contact: www.instagram.com/ mattsbasement/

When: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 Where: Christ Lutheran Church, 150 5th St., Marine on Saint Croix Details: Come for an evening of music featuring pianist Denis Evstuhin. Postconcert refreshments provided. Tickets can be purchased online.

Contact: 651-341-9355 or candlelightseries@gmail.com.

STROLLING ACCORDION

HUMAN FORM DRAWING CLASS

When: 8 p.m. every Friday-Sunday Where: Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, 8390 Lofton Ave., Stillwater Details: Enjoy strolling accordion performances through the Gasthaus ​​ dining rooms every weekend throughout the year.

Contact: 651-439-7128

CURRENT EVENTS FREE PARK ENTRY DAY

When: All day, Tuesday, Feb. 4 Where: Washington County parks Details: Visit any Washington County Park for free, no vehicle permit required.

Contact: www.washingtoncountymn.gov

FAMILY FUN NIGHT AND PJ STORYTIME

When: 5:30 - 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 Where: Marine Village Hall, 121 Judd St., Marine on St. Croix.

Details: Join for fun, games, and pizza. All ages are welcome to wear their pajamas, bring their favorite blanket and stuffed animal friend for stories and games.

Contact: info@marinecommunitylibrary. org

When: 6 - 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10 Where: Hallberg Center for the Arts, 5521 East Viking Blvd., Wyoming Details: Learn how to draw the human form with a live model. Artists will work with a professional model to create poses from which they can draw. Class will be self-led. An optional 20-minute discussion/show-and-tell may be held afterward. Participants 18+.

Contact: 651-272-5122 or Surelle@ wyomingcreativearts.org.

FULL MOON FOREST BATHING

When: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 Where: Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 1515 Keats Ave. N..

Details: Join for an ancient, immersive and meditative Japanese forest bathing experience (Shinrin-Yoku). Registration required.

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

CALENDAR BRIEFS Stillwater Public Library features local artists in new exhibit

CONTRIBUTED

A new exhibit featuring the work of three local artists will be on display at the Stillwater Public Library through the end of the month.

Throughout the month, the Stillwater Public Library will feature the work of three local artists, Laura Albertson, Cathryn Peters and Kay Hoskins, in the exhibit “Bound by Nature: Antlers, Clay, Stones, Sticks.” The show will explore the artists’ deep connections to the natural world and feature various mediums, including pottery, basket and stick sculptures. These pieces will be on display at the library’s art gallery.

To learn more about these artists and follow them on social media, visit Albertson’s Instagram page at @strings_sticks_stones or view Peters’ work at www. artworkarchive.com/profile/cathryn-peters. Hoskins can be reached at hoskins.k@gmail.com.

Stillwater Public Library holds public reading challenge

Until February 28, the Stillwater Public Library is hosting a winter reading challenge for adults. To participate, readers must submit book reviews in person

at the library or through Beanstack at www.stillwaterbayportlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365. Each review will be entered into the library’s end-of-February drawing for book bundles.

RPAW to host monthly vaccine clinic

RPAW Animal Wellness Center will offer a monthly vaccine clinic one Saturday each month. The first one will kick off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.

During the clinic, dog and cat owners from the public can get their pet’s annual vaccines at a lower cost.

Vaccines include distemper, Bordetella and rabies.

Nail trims and microchip services will also be offered.

Advance registration is required. To register, email rpawwellness@gmail.com. RPAW is located at 15161 Feller St. NE, Columbus. dedication and passion, we wouldn’t have made it this far.”

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V I N TAGE V I EW F I N DER

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IMAGES COURTESY OF MINNESOTA DIGITAL NEWSPAPER HUB

In 1929 the Stillwater Prison Mirror dedicated February front pages in recognition of the birthdays of presidents Washington and Lincoln along with a Valentine’s Day centerpiece. According to the Minnesota Historical Society website, The Prison Mirror is the newspaper of the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Stillwater, and claims to be the longest, continuously published prison newspaper in the country. It was co-founded by brothers Cole, Robert, and James Younger, members of the James-Younger Gang who were serving life sentences after taking part in a raid in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1876.

Initially a weekly publication, it is currently published monthly.

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Reviving the victory garden

id you know that during WWII, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed in a fireside chat that “victory gardens were of direct benefit in helping relieve manpower, transportation, and living costs as well as addressing the food problem.” Victory gardens became patriotic and helped sustain the food supply in the difficult years during the war.

Unfortunately, we have lost that fervor for growing our own Gardener’s food, relying on the Grapevine rather produce readily available at local Crystal stores. Now with modern Crocker food production methods, our produce travels thousands of miles covered in plastic and has lost much of its flavor and nutritional value by the time it arrives home to our tables.

Today we do not have a food supply problem but rather a food nutrient and energy problem.

My dream of bringing kitchen gardens to every backyard stems

from the magical childhood memories of watching seeds develop into plants and plants grow into food. However, as an adult who developed an autoimmune disease, my reasons have shifted to include an urgency for improving the health benefit of our food. Our food no longer possesses the nutrients needed to sustain good energy and health at the cellular level.

Dr. Casey Means, author of the book Good Energy, states, “As a nation, we are experiencing a health crisis which is a reflection of a destroyed ecosystem. The world we are living in is crushing the very way that our human body and our cells can transmit food energy to life energy and cell energy.” I highly recommend reading her book. By adopting the Good Energy name, my hope is to educate gardeners as well as other consumers that growing our own food is not just about a few fresh tomatoes in the summertime; it is about longterm health.

Good Energy Garden intentionally points to the need for gardeners, farmers and the greater food industry to provide healthier food through better supply chain delivery, healthier growing methods

and elimination of chemicals.

While Minnesota is a major food producer, the produce is still wrapped in plastic and sits in a warehouse waiting to be delivered to the store. The more local the better but there is nothing better than growing in your own backyard.

Growing a kitchen garden puts you in control of the health of the soil and plants. We teach you how to become the master gardener for producing the freshest nutrient dense food which you can eat within minutes of harvesting. Kitchen gardens could revive president Roosevelt’s ‘patriotic victory garden’ sentiment however this time the emphasis is on the health and wellness for you, your family and even your community. The time is now to start planning your kitchen garden so come springtime you are ready. Contact me for a brief discovery call or consultation through my website at goodenergygarden.com.

Crystal Crocker is a Stillwater resident and longtime gardener.

If you have gardening questions, reach out to her at 952-240-4648 or GoodEnergyGarden@gmail.com.

Farewell, Grandpa

s it wrong to say that ‘I have no response’ is a response?”

Those were the first words I texted back to my dad when he informed me my grandpa had passed away on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 9, at the age of 94. I had chosen not to be in the hospital when the doctors took him off life support because I couldn’t handle the emotional turmoil that would have come with witnessing this.

It’s true that people process grief in very different ways.

When I was much younger, my emotional response to familial passing was far more intense.

When my grandma Joan died in 2008, I was unable to control my tears during the funeral, so much Suchy’s so that I had to isolate myself in a Scoop separate room because the pain was too overwhelming. When Erik Suchy we had to put down Shadow, our beloved Black LabradorRottweiler mix in 2013, I remember almost physically shaking from the level of heartache I experienced.

Now, after facing another death in the family, I could only take the news in and let the grief crash over me, not knowing if it would lead to more tears or not. In the following days, I kept telling myself the same thing: “I have no response.”

That was until I realized my true response deserved to be written, not kept inside.

Every memory of my grandpa has never been a bad one. He was a pure definition of a simple, loving man. Someone I could talk to for hours and never find a dull spot in any conversation. I have never met a sweeter man who took nothing for granted and asked for little in return. Most of all, he always took his days one step at a time. Regardless of whatever happened, good or bad, his vitality to live in the moment always spoke volumes.

Even as he was battling more and more oncoming health issues, I never once saw any sign that his physical decline was causing a shift in his mood.

He was just alive; he didn’t even need to always have a smile on his face to illustrate this. Even well into his 80s, he could still drive his van to and from wherever he needed. Perhaps this is what I will miss the most about my grandpa: his perseverance.

He always had that special quality on his side, even until his last day. And missing is always the hardest part about losing a loved one — especially when that loss becomes lost in translation after it hits you.

For me, being on the autism spectrum has always had its challenges when it comes to perceiving emotion. Some days, I cry harder than most when I lose something special to me, such as a friendship or a pet. When it comes to comforting others, I often don’t know how well-meaning I need to be to guarantee that my reassurance impacts them. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care or know how to be hurt.

And in the advent of my grandpa’s passing, I am still feeling pain. The pain of familial loss; gone too soon and too hard to digest to this day.

Goodbye, grandpa. On behalf of the entire Suchy family, we will miss you.

Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. he can be reached at 651-407-1229 or email at lowdownnews@presspubs.com.

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• Letter writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.

• Letter writers are limited to six letters per year and at least four weeks must lapse between publication. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters.

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STILLWATER NEW BUSINESSES

1. St. Croix Event Center What: Event center Where: 5880 Omaha Ave. N. Contact: 651-605-5784 or tricia@

stcroixeventcenter.com

About: Multipurpose event center with

ballroom and cabernet room. Perfect for hosting wedding receptions, corporate

FOREST LAKE NEW BUSINESSES 1. North Environmental Center - Forest Lake What: Recycling Center Where: 6065 Headwaters Pkwy.

Contact: 651-275-7475 or Environmental-

Center@co.washington.mn.us About: Washington County operates two Environmental Centers in Forest Lake and Woodbury for the collection of household hazardous waste, electronics

and more. Open to residents of Washington, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Scott counties.

2. Aztek Countertops Forest Lake What: Countertop Store Where: 708 Lake St. S. Suite C Contact: 651-285-7383 or info@aztekcountertops.com

About: Family-owned company that

banquets and galas, fundraisers and business networking events.

2. Gold & Eight What: Jewelry store

Where: 324 Main St. S. Contact: www.goldandeight.com About: Sells high-quality, affordable gold-filled permanent jewelry.

specializes in installing and fabricating kitchens, vanities, bars and stone top needs. Over 45 years of experience combined.

3. Mike’s Discount Foods What: Grocery Store Where: 840 Lake St. S., Unit A. Contact: www.mikesdiscountfoods.com About: Discount grocery store.

4. Legacy Home Revive What: Remodeling/Handyman Services Where: Forest Lake Contact: 651-248-2796 About: A home improvement business

that specializes in handyman services and remodeling projects.

Wood-fired sauna offers opportunity for ‘rejuvenation’

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

The temperature is below zero in the dead of winter. You step inside a 14-by-7-foot mobile trailer and are greeted with a temperature of 160 degrees and the smell of fresh cedar. All you can hear is the occasional clinking of a stove. Looking out the window, you are greeted with the serene view of a nature center.

This winter, Amy Ogren launched Driftwood Sauna, a mobile, wood-fired sauna that can seat up to eight people.

“It’s a really restful experience. It is quiet, and the cedar smells so good,” Ogren explained. “It is a little oasis in the ‘burbs.”

Ogren, who grew up in Shoreview, taught middle school and high school English for around 25 years but she was ready for a break. “I was just ready for a different pace,” Ogren shared.

While listening to the radio one day, Ogren heard a story about “saunapreneurs,” a new trend happening on the North Shore and nationwide. Ogren and her husband own a small cabin on the south shore of Lake Superior.

“I was driving to work, and I thought we need one of these in Cornucopia, Wisconsin,” she recalled.

From May through October, Driftwood Sauna will be parked by the lake in Cornucopia. From November through March, the trailer will primarily be located at Tamarack Nature Center, but you may also find it at other pop-up events, including Franconia Sculpture Park.

Driftwood Sauna was custom built by Forge Saunas in the St. Croix River Valley and features a Kuuma wood stove, which was manufactured in Tower, Minnesota. Sauna users can have the sauna to themselves (one to eight people) by booking a private session; community sessions are also available for up to six people.

Julie and Kevin Grove, of White Bear Township, recently tried out Driftwood for the first time and are hooked. “We are booking again,” Julie said.

The two were looking for saunas close to home and stumbled across the new business in a Google search.

“The location is great, and we love Tamarack Nature Center,” Kevin said. Julie explained that it is nice for the two to sneak away for a bit while their

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Kevin and Julie Grove try out Driftwood Sauna for the first time.

PHOTO BY SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Amy Ogren is the founder of the new wood-fired sauna.

1-1/2-year-old daughter is still at day care during the week.

“You feel so good after,” Julie explained. “It is so cold, but you get nice and warmed up.”

Kevin added, “You feel rejuvenated, and it has health benefits.”

Sauna bathing, an activity that has been a tradition in Finland for thousands of years and is mainly used for relaxation, is becoming increasingly popular in many other populations. According to the Mayo Clinic, emerging evidence suggests that beyond its use for pleasure, sauna bathing may be linked to several health benefits, which include reducing the risk of vascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive diseases. It also tackles nonvascular conditions such as pulmonary diseases as well as conditions such as arthritis, headache and flu.

The Groves expect they will use the sauna once to twice a week.

Ogren encourages others to give it a try.

“It is a way to take some time for yourself. You have quiet; a little break from the routine and the hustle and bustle.”

For more information about Driftwood Sauna, visit driftwood-sauna.com.

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com.

CONTRIBUTED

Driftwood Sauna was custom built by Forge Saunas in the St. Croix River Valley and features a Kuuma wood stove, which was manufactured in Tower, Minnesota.

FEBRUARY 2025 www.presspubs.com

THE LOWDOWN

7

Car dealer opens up on finding strength, resilience after brain injury

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

Richard Herod III’s life changed in the blink of an eye on May 3, 2021. A horrifying car accident at Highway 61 and Willow Lake Boulevard brought him to the ER, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury and long-lasting effects that forced him to leave his public life as one of the most recognizable car dealers in

CONTRIBUTED White Bear Lake.

Despite no longer working full“My doctors have told me that I’ll never time in the auto industry, Richard Herod III still plans to give back to be able to do that the community as much as he can. again,” said Herod, who for years owned the Bear Lot dealership in Mounds View and the White Bear Mitsubishi dealership. He is also wellknown for his role in commercials with the White Bear Mitsubishi mascot. “I don’t have the same patience, temperament, enthusiasm and energy as I used to. Many months, I drive in excess of 2,000 miles to get to all my doctor’s appointments and treatments. I have to take one or two naps a day just to get through the day.”

But the setbacks have not discouraged Herod.

Today, he is committed to living life as best he can and retaining the same caring, community-oriented persona that different local communities still know him by.

“I believe that my reality is permanent, and I’ve accepted that,” said Herod. “But given that it is permanent, I’m still going to do the best I can with it. I’m not sure exactly what the future holds for me, but being a community fundraiser, advocate and public speaker

NAMES IN THE NEWS Library employees retire

After years of dedicated service, Lori Houston and Cindy Selness have retired from Stillwater Public Library.

Houston began working at the

are all possibilities for me. I’m looking for purpose in what my reality is.”

Recently, Herod began working with the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, launching a fundraiser called “Richard’s Challenge.” Both the alliance’s Board of Directors and its key donors committed to helping Herod match up to $10,000 in donations. By the time the challenge concluded, Herod had successfully raised over its $10,000 goal in donations from 117 different donors. “In about four days, we were able to get over ten grand in contributions and donations,” said Herod of the challenge’s success. “Then, that ten grand turned into twenty. I actually got a letter from the Minnesota Brain Injury Association saying that this was one of the most successful donor-led campaigns in their history, which blew my mind. It was an honor that my first real attempt at anything community-enrichment-focused had such an amazing result.”

Although he is no longer able to work full-time due to his injuries, Herod maintains a close association with Walser Automotive by serving as a community ambassador. “The specific goals of my partnership are to enrich the partnership with Walser and the White Bear Lake community,” said Herod, detailing multiple objectives regarding his current role. “The second goal is to enhance further Walser’s already significant efforts in the LGBTQ+ community. The third and final effort is to make the car-buying process easier for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in the Twin Cities.”

Outside of Walser, Herod also acts as a “car concierge” for friends, family and social media followers in selecting their preferred car. “If a friend of mine was curious about a Mazda or a Chevy, I can help meet them at both stores and introduce them to a customer specialist that will allow them the chance to pick the best out of those three.”

Through these partnerships with Walser and the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, Herod said his goal is to “find happiness in sadness,” including spreading more understanding and awareness of brain injuries.

“The number of people that have reached out to me with similar stories is overwhelming,” said Herod.

library as a page while in college before joining the circulation department in 1984, later becoming department head. Selness, who spent 23 years as an ESL teacher, joined the circulation department just over five years ago.

The library thanks Houston and

Selness for “their unwavering commitment to customer service and their warm, welcoming presence at the library” and says that while their contributions will be missed, they have left “an indelible mark on our library and the community we serve.”

Brain injury facts: • In Minnesota alone, there are more than 8,000 cases of hospital-treated traumatic brain injuries which are reported annually.

• Over 100,000 Minnesotans live with a disability as a result of a traumatic brain injury.

• Americans are more likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury than to be diagnosed with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS and breast cancer combined.

Source: Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance

“I’ve learned that communities impacted by brain injuries have so many stories, and I want to make sure they get heard. I want people to know that those with brain injuries want to have a normal life. They want to be good friends, partners with people and good family members.”

Of his injuries, Herod said that he is also committed more to helping his husband, Charles, and the rest of his family helping redefine his new, post-accident life.

“It’s deeply altered the course of my marriage and the relationship with the rest of my family,” said Herod.

“What I’ve realized most recently is that while I suffered a dramatic loss, my entire network of friends and family also suffered a loss. They lost the Richard that was. Now, I need to rebuild and redefine myself, and I’m starting to realize I need to give my family space for them to grieve because they lost something.

But I’m still hopeful. I pray that my family and friends will be able to better understand.”

To learn more about the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, visit www.braininjurymn.org. To find out more about Herod’s current car concierge business, you can visit “Car Guy Concierge” on Google Maps, or contact him at 651-422-7489.

Erik Suchy is a staff writer for Press Publications.To reach him, please contact him by email at lowdownnews@ presspubs.com or by phone at 651-407-1229.

Longtime Stillwater Public Library employees Lori Houston (left) and Cindy Selness (right) have retired.

CONTRIBUTED

ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

*Athletes chosen by press staff

Maverick McKennon Forest Lake hockey

Maverick McKinnon, an eighth-grader, leads the Forest Lake hockey team in scoring with 16 goals and 17 assists in 16 games, including four goals on power plays and two shorthanded. In the last four games, the 5-foot-7, 160-pound forward had a goal and assist in a 3-2 win over Duluth, two assists in a 5-3 loss to Roseville, three goals in a 6-3 win over Mounds View and two goals in a 6-0 win over Cambridge-Isanti.

Kendal Damon Forest Lake basketball

Kendal Damon is averaging 13.7 points for Forest Lake and recently had a 30-point game, helping the Rangers post an 8-7 record. The 5-foot-10 junior guard/forward has stepped up her game from a promising sophomore season when she averaged 8.2 points. She has a smooth outside shot, hits the boards, scores off rebounds and plays solid defense.

Zach Cody Stillwater swimming

Zach Cody is a fifth-year member and leader on the Stillwater swimming team.

“He’s a great motivator and inspiration for the team,” Coach Brian Luke said.

Cody made all-conference last year and received the team’s Workout Award this year. He posted a career-best performance at the recent sectional true-team meet, recording personal bests in the 200 freestyle (fourth place, 1:55.83), 100 butterfly (second place, 57.77), and 400 freestyle relay split.

Liana Buckhalton Stillwater basketball

Liana Buckhalton, Stillwater 6-foot senior wing, is a thousand-point scorer and tenacious defender for the Pony basketball team that’s 10-3. Buckhalton is scoring 15.4 points per game this year after averaging 13.3 as a junior and 11.3 as a sophomore. She has committed to Eastern Illinois. “She plays hard and is a solid defender,” said Eastern Illinois University (EIU) Coach Marqus McGlothan. “Her length and speed can make her a very impactful player in the OVC.”

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For application visit City Hall or online at www.centervillemn.com AGE 55+ WORKERS needed for part-time custodial work at rest areas in Minnesota.

Apply online at greenviewmn.com or call 651/639-1913 City of Centerville NOW HIRING Rink Attendant to start immediately.

Job duties include opening and closing warming house, light shoveling, light custodial work and communicating with city staff.

Hours are evenings, weekends and holidays, through the outdoor ice season. For application visit City Hall or online at www.centervillemn.com SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST Assistant Long Term Sub. New LondonSpicer Schools. Required AAS Degree from an accredited SPLA Program. See www.nls.k12.mn.us/e mployment for more information.

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Help Wanted

City of Centerville Now Hiring Rink Attendant – Centerville

The city of Centerville is hiring rink attendants to start immediately. Job duties include opening and closing the warming house, light shoveling, light custodial work and communicating with city staff. Hours are evenings, weekends and holidays, through the outdoor ice season. Applicants must be 16+. For a complete application, visit City Hall or online at www.centervillemn.com

Public Services Technician

The city of Centerville is hiring a Public Services Technician. The position is a general labor position within the City’s Public Works Department. Duties include maintenance of sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure, plowing snow on city streets, maintaining public buildings and parks, and other related tasks. Sewer and Water system operator licensure, as well as a commercial driver’s license is required or may be obtained within one year of employment. For a complete application and more details on the job requirements, visit City Hall or online at www.centervillemn.com

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Rentals/ Commercial EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or an intention, to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777.

The toll-free number for hearing impaired is 1-800-927-9275.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER INDEMNIFICATION: The Newspaper shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of the advertisement. The Newspaper shall not be liable or responsible for any error in any advertisement except to give the Advertiser credit for so much of the space occupied by the advertisement as is materially affected by the error; credit shall be by refund or republication of the advertisement at the election of the Newspaper.

Such credit shall not be given for more than one incorrect insertion unless the Publisher is notified in writing of the error before the repetition of the insertion. When the Advertiser wishes to correct or change copy submitted as a "proof," the Newspaper shall not be liable for the changes or corrections unless they are received by the Newspaper within a reasonable length of time before the deadline for publication. If an advertisement is requested to run after copy deadline, the Newspaper will not honor an adjustment request if an error occurs. No specific page or position shall be guaranteed. The Advertiser or Agency shall indemnify the Newspaper for any attorney 's fees incurred in defending against claims, pay any judgments against the Newspaper, and pay associated expenses and losses that are caused by the publication of any advertisement submitted by or published at the direction of the Advertiser or Agency, including claims for libel, copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy.

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DNR BRIEF

Minnesota State Forest Nursery seeking pine cones for treeplanting

The Minnesota State Forest Nursery is in need of both jack pine and black spruce cones, as well as decidious and coniferous tree seeds. These cones and seeds play a vital role in the reforestation of state forests, parks and private lands, and collecting them helps grow trees adapted to the state’s climate and produces more resilient forests.

To participate, residents should check the seed and cone collection map on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website to identify drop-off locations in their area. Residents should also call the area’s forest office drop-off location and ask what kinds of cones and seeds they need and how many. They should also follow seed-collecting guidelines to collect clean, viable seeds that will grow into seedlings.

Seeds and cones must be kept in a cool, dry, breathable container and delivered to a dropoff location as soon as possible. Please note that the nursery will not accept low-quality seeds or cones. Residents must make sure they know where the seeds and cones were collected and the date, as this information will be recorded when they drop them off at the area office. Once the seeds and cones have been checked for quality at the offices, a receipt and a check will be written based on the price list and the number of bushels collected. Prices for seeds range from $20 to $150 per bushel, depending on the specific tree species.

A complete map of seed and cone drop-off locations and a price list for different cone and seed types can be found online at www. dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/nursery/cone-seedcollection.html.

Deadline for Classified Line and display ads Thursday 4pm | 651-407-1250 | classified@presspubs.com

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Washington, Ramsey counties take on ‘Plastic-Free February’

The Lowdown Person of the Month Name: Alice Abbott Residency: Stillwater Q: What brought you out to Stillwater today?

A: I’m heading out to lunch.

Q: What helps you “seize the day”?

A: I usually have myself

on a bit of a schedule to get a few things done, but I’m just glad to be here and get up every morning.

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

Q: What is the best life advice?

A: Embrace the day.

In Minnesota, only about 10% of the 656,420 tons of plastic that gets thrown out becomes new products, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

From the bag you go shopping with, to the cup you drink your coffee out of to how you cover your leftovers.

Plastic is everywhere.

For the second year, Ramsey and Washington counties are joining forces with Hennepin County for the Plastic-Free Challenge this February.

Hennepin County launched the challenge in 2021. “(Hennepin County) invited us to join last year and we thought it was a super cool initiative. We don’t usually have many of our programs cross and touch paths, so it was a cool opportunity,” explained Ramsey County Health Educator Kaija Schlangen. “We tried (the challenge) for the first time last year and we had some great participation from residents from all three counties and wanted to continue to provide it this year as an opportunity for residents in all of our counties to learn more about their plastic usage.”

The eco-challenge gives residents the tools and inspiration to reduce their impact on the planet and contribute to a healthy and sustainable future. Last year, 1,755 people from all three counties participated in the challenge.

This year, the hope is that those participants will return, and more will join in.

“Plastics are all around us, especially single-use plastics.

There is a lot of work that needs to continue to go on more upstream with governments and businesses taking more of a role with single-use plastics,” Schlangen said. “There is a lot of work that individuals can take as well to just notice how much plastic plays a role in our everyday lives and how making these small swaps at home can add up to some big impacts.”

This year, one thing Schlangen wants to focus on switching from

ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Alice Abbott

Compiled by Erik Suchy

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Snap Fitness Forest Lake is dedicated to helping our community stay active, healthy, and strong. With 24/7 access, state-of-the-art equipment, and a variety of fitness programs, Snap Fitness makes it easy for members to achieve their wellness goals on their own schedule. Their supportive

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plastic wrap to reusable containers or beeswax wrap.

Residents can sign up for the challenge by joining an existing team, creating a team or “competing” as an individual.

Washington County Environmental Specialist Jess Hall says the challenge is meant to “empower residents to reduce plastics in their own lives” while advocating for change within their communities.

“It is sometimes difficult to understand how our individual actions matter, but when taken together, you can see the larger impact that reducing plastics can have,” Hall explained. “This challenge can help educate residents on different ways that their consumption habits contribute to our waste.”

Challenge participants to commit to various actions in eight categories, including Plastics 101, At Home, Food, On-the-Go, Personal Care, Community, Kids and Pets. Actions range from watching a documentary, ditching disposable cleaning wipes, buying unpackaged produce, using a reusable mug, buying reusable bathroom products, picking up plastic litter, making the change to cloth diapers or preparing homemade dog treats.

“The goal with this challenge isn’t that you end the month and you are completely plastic-free and you’re not using plastic at all in your life. I think that would be very difficult to achieve in the world that we live in today, but the goal is that you become more aware of the plastic that’s being used in your life and notice some simple swaps that you didn’t think of before,” Schlangen explained.

The Plastic-Free Challenge runs the entire month of February, but the hope is that its impacts reach far beyond the month. For more information, or to join, visit https:// tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org/.

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THE LOWDOWN

11

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Xelas by El Sazon is opening a new location in Stillwater on Frontage Road. The restaurant, initially founded in an Eagan convenience store in 2022, was expanded by owners/chefs Cristian de Leon and his wife Karen to Minneapolis in October 2023.

According to Cristian, this new

location will feature a blend of Guatemalan dishes from his childhood and the restaurant’s standard, customer-loved meals, including quesabirria, burritos and birria ramen.

Other menu items will be an ode to Cristian’s mother’s cooking, including seafood, with a unique twist.

The restaurant is located at 1180 W. Frontage Road. For more information, including hours and a complete menu, visit www.elsazonmn.com/xelas.

Forge and Foundry Distillery announces closure

Stillwater’s Forge and Foundry Distillery has officially closed its doors. Located on Main Street across from Hotel Crosby, the distillery had remained in business since opening its doors 4 1/2 years ago. Although no reason was given for the closure, the business owners thanked customers and workers for supporting them since

COUNTY BRIEFS Washington County swears in new commissioner

Bethany Cox, elected to serve a four-year term on the Washington County Board of Commissioners for District 3, was sworn into office. Before being elected, Cox worked as the director of development at the Wild Rivers Conservancy of the St. Croix and Namekagon from 2019 to 2024. Cox also served on the Stillwater Planning

CONTRIBUTED Commission from 2022 to Bethany Cox of Stillwater 2024 and the Stillwater has been newly elected to serve as Washington County Public Library Board Commissioner for District 3. of Trustees from 2018 to 2022. Cox will represent the cities of Afton, Bayport, Baytown Township, Lake Elmo, Lake St. Croix Beach, Lakeland, Lakeland Shores, Oak Park Heights, St. Mary’s Point, Stillwater, Stillwater Township and West Lakeland Township.

New capital improvement plan will oversee different projects

The Washington County Board of Commissioners will oversee various projects and programs throughout the county in a newly approved capital improvement plan (CIP) that will run through 2029. The CIP includes $399 million in community investment through 90 of these projects and programs and outlines plans to maintain current

infrastructure and construct new roadways, buildings and park facilities. The latter projects are to address both county population and service demands.

The plan calls for 81% of the funds to be spent on roads and bridges, 15% on public facilities and 4% on parks and land. These same funds will also pay for the maintenance of 294 miles of county highways, including separated trails, intersections, signs, culverts and roundabouts. Park projects planned for 2025 will include improvements at Square Lake Park and Point Douglas Regional Park, Central Greenway Trail wayfinding and pavement preservation.

Among the different road projects planned for next year include the 58th Street and County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 15 connection project in Stillwater. Additionally, the plan will include more than $16.6 million in investments through 15 projects in the county’s parks. These projects include design, construction, maintenance and improvements to the regional trail system and pavement preservation for parks and trails. Other projects include designing and reconstructing the play areas at Lake Elmo Park Reserve pavilions; Square Lake Park improvements to trails, stormwater infrastructure, the boat launch and fishing pier; and campground improvements at St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park.

In addition, $61.4 million will go toward public facilities in the county, such as the construction of the Emergency Housing Services Building in Stillwater and improvements to the Law Enforcement Center in Stillwater. The plan also calls for improvements to the county’s South Shop and North Shop, which house the maintenance facilities to serve the county’s highways.

the business was founded. “You’ve celebrated your milestones with us, brought your friends and families here, and supported us through thick and thin,” the owners stated in a Facebook post. “Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for the amazing staff who have poured their hearts and souls into making this place what it is.

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PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF

Washington County is sharing tips and guidelines for sharing trails with others throughout its parks.

Because not all modes of transportation are allowed on all trails, trail users are recommended to check that their chosen activity is allowed in the park they plan on visiting. Trail users can also call the park offices or visit www.washingtoncountymn.gov to see winter trail maps.

Cross-country skiers must travel in the right direction, know who has the right of way and be sure to fix any divots they accidentally create from falling. Other skiers rely on the same tracks, and missing segments may cause them, as well as others, to crash. Skiers should use the loose snow from their fall to fill in the holes and smooth out the surface. If the divot is in the tracks, they must press down on the loose snow with their skis.

Snowshoers are recommended to stay out of ski tracks and yield the trail they are on, as uphill travelers have the right of way. If they need a break, snowshoers should move off the trail, and if they are on a multiuse trail, they must listen to other users who may be behind them. While snowshoeing is allowed on multiuse trails, it is not allowed on ski trails.

Fat tire bikers must never ride on ski tracks. If riding on a groomed trail, where these bike types are permitted, they must stay in the middle of the open groomed run and never ride across the ski tracks. Bikers must not continue to ride if their bike is sinking, as groomed trails need time to set, and sometimes the snow is too soft to ride on. If bikers still find themselves sinking after lowering their tire pressure, they are encouraged to return on a different day. Like snowshoers, bikers must yield to all users on a multiuse trail. Fat tire biking is also allowed on multiuse trails, but not on ski trails.

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12 THE LOWDOWN

FEBRUARY 2025

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Stillwater drone company takes photography beyond the skies

BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER

“Elevate your visual storytelling with high-resolution drone photography, capturing stunning images from above.”

This sentence can be found on the website belonging to ScenePhoto360, a Stillwater-based drone photography company. Founded in 2022 by Earl Bakke, an FAA-certified pilot with 10 years of photography experience and seven with flying, ScenePhoto360 works to provide high-quality images for legal and litigation firms, real estate, landscaping and construction/contractor businesses.

But outside of his business, Bakke has brought his aerial photography skills to other meaningful ventures. In several missing person cases, Hakke has lent a helping hand by aiding different police departments in their searches for these individuals, bringing his drones front and center to their investigations.

“I’m trying to grow a little bit, but I’m going to stay a very small business,” said Bakke, who worked at the Palm County Sheriff’s Department in Florida before moving to Minnesota in 2014. “I tell all my clients when they call me, ‘Hey, active missing persons always come first.’ I’m hoping they understand that ‘he’s out there giving probably 50% back to the community. Maybe I should see if I can support his business.’

“Know that when you’re paying for my services, that money is getting turned around and used for additional equipment and technology to help law enforcement.”

One case was the disappearance of Madeline Kingsbury, who was reported missing in March 2023 after failing to

ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Earl w/ Drone: Earl Bakke, co-founder of Stillwater-based drone photography company ScenePhoto360, has helped use his skills to assist in missing persons cases around Minnesota.

show up for work at the Rochester Mayo Clinic. Bakke contacted Mark Edwards of Texas Equusearch and offered to use his mapping drones to aid in Kingsbury’s search.

“They had flown him up here,” said Bakke of Edwards. “He took a helicopter out, but they didn’t have a drone program or pilot. So we connected, and I went down three times and probably captured over 17,000 data images.” The search, according to Bakke, was hard on him because Kingsbury, who was found deceased, was discovered just outside of one of the several areas he had mapped out on his drones.

“It was a learning process,” noted Bakke. “Every case I help with, I learn

from every one of them what to do differently and what to do better for the next one.” Kingsbury’s estranged partner, Adam Fravel, was found guilty of premeditated first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole in December 2024.

Another case involved the disappearance of Pine County resident Gerald Knapp, who vanished on Jan. 28, 2024.

Upon hearing of the case, which was then ongoing, Bakke emailed the county police department, offering to use his drones to help locate Knapp, who had been struggling with dementia. To aid in the search, Bakke relied on programming specific colors, taken from the last known clothes Knapp had

been wearing, into his mapping drones to make locating him easier.

“I was able to program the color red and start scanning data images,” said Bakke. In addition to colors, he also relied on other information from the sheriff’s department to program the drones. He noted that when people with dementia go missing, they are typically attracted to water and follow straight lines.

“So I take that information, where his car was located and other personal items, and map it out.”

Upon taking 4,000 to 5,000 data images across six areas, Bakke was able to locate Knapp with his drones. Tragically, Knapp had died from exposure by the time Bakke and the department were able to determine his location. “It was a sad outcome,” noted Bakke, “but it was great closure for the family.”

Bakke said that he hopes to lead classes in different police departments on how to use drones, particularly thermal drones, in the future. “I want to start doing some free training for law enforcement,” he said. “I would like to offer them because they don’t really have the budget. But if I can give them an hour of more advanced thermal training, I think that will help them a lot.”

To learn more about Bakke and Scene360, visit the firm’s website at www.scenephoto360.com. ​​Erik Suchy is a staff writer for Press Publications. To reach him, please contact him by email at lowdownnews@ presspubs.com or by phone at 651-4071229.

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