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WHAT’S HAPPENING: Manitou Days events in full swing PAGE 7
Local author celebrates Minnesota music legends Andrea Swensson, editor of North Oaks News, has written three books on her own and four additional books for Paisley Park. The North Oaks resident’s book, “Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years” was published this month and chronicles the years since the release of Purple Rain in June, 1984. Her next book, “Deeper Blues: The Life, Songs and Salvation of Cornbread Harris” will come out in August. Press Publications recently sat down with Swensson to learn more about her and her upcoming works.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. A: I have been a music journalist
in the Twin Cities for the past 20 years. I started my career at City Pages, then spent a decade working at Minnesota Public Radio’s The Current. In recent years I’ve shifted my focus to writing books and hosting the official Prince Podcast for Prince’s estate. I also just started working as editor of North Oaks News this year, which has been a great way to get involved in the community where I live.
Q: You contemplated a career as a classically trained concert pianist. What made you shift your focus from performing
music to writing about it? A: As a 19-year-old, the idea of
spending four to five hours a day locked in a rehearsal room with a piano started to sound less appealing than going out to rock shows and interviewing musicians. I fell in love with this work by writing articles for Hamline University’s newspaper, “The Oracle,” and never looked back.
Q: How many books have you written over the years? When was the first one published and what inspired it? SEE MUSIC LEGENDS, PAGE 3
CONTRIBUTED
“Prince and Purple Rain: 40 Years” by Andrea Swensson is a 175 page coffee table-worthy book full of history and photos, and encased in a purple velvet cover.
Longtime fire chief set to retire BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Citizen input sought as Lake Links Trail nears completion CONTRIBUTED
Highway 96 along the north side of White Bear Lake is a vital part of the Lake Links Trail plan. The Lake Links Association will be gathering citizen input from both Ramsey and Washington Counties over the next year. SPECIAL TO THE PRESS MARY HOFF, LAKE LINKS ASSOCIATION
Do you, or would you like to, safely drive, bike, or walk along Highway 96 on the north side of White Bear Lake? Over the next 12 months, Ramsey and Washington Counties will gather citizen input
to guide them in reimagining the corridor between Highway 61 and Stillwater. Washington County, which recently accepted responsibility for its segment of Highway 96, has earmarked completion of its portion of this roadway for improvements in 2028. Ramsey
County is choosing to examine its stretch, fostering a collaborative planning and implementation process. Considerations will include accommodations for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles.
Mahtomedi Fire Chief Terry Fischer is officially retiring on Sept. 20, and the Mahtomedi City Council has started the process of replacing him by approving a recruitment proposal from David Drown Associates (DDA) at the June 18 City Council meeting. Mayor Richard Brainerd urged city staff to start the long process immediately, because Fischer was already counting down the days by the time he submitted his letter of resignation. “I have 2 new grandkids and a cabin,” said Fischer. “I’ll be 65 and it’s just time. And I’m leaving the department in a good place.” Bart Fischer (no relation) will be the city’s contact with DDA, who will charge the city $27,000 for the search. The all-inclusive fee had already been set aside in the 2024 budget, City Administrator Scott Neilson said. Neilson recommended DDA, who conducts many of the city and county executive searches in the state and is experienced with the search and recruitment process. Fischer, who moved to Mahtomedi in 1993, has spent 31 years with the department and was elevated to chief in 2009. He thanked council for all the work done to lead the city to the good place it is in at present. “We accomplished a lot since I’ve been chief, and I have 93 days until retirement,” he said. But he’s not getting out of town before the city holds a community event in his honor. Stay tuned.
SEE LAKE LINKS, PAGE 10
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