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STABBING: College student on road to recovery after assault PAGE 6
Miniature golf course coming to Gem Lake
Annual ‘Night to Unite’ to take place in August
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
For the first time ever, Gem Lake Hills Golf Course will get its own miniature golf course. Although the addition is part of a broad remodeling project, General Manager Matt Greer believes the proposed miniature course will be its most unique feature. “We’re going to set it apart from most traditional miniature golf courses,” said Greer. “We’re building a miniature course that is more of an actual golf course, shrunken down into putting only. We hope this will reach golfers of all abilities and age levels.” According to Operations Manager Steve Nasvik, the idea of building a miniature golf course at Gem Lake first came in 2022. At the time, Nasvik and Greer saw that one of the course’s pre-existing areas, the Cage, was deteriorating. The Cage, built in the 1980s, was initially used as a driving range. In the 1990s, Gem Lake converted it into a golf cart parking and storage area. While the Cage has been used for several purposes since then, its now-weakened state prompted Nasvik and Greer to act. SEE MINI GOLF, PAGE 6
First woman to coach Bear boys team
PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Neighborhood residents gather outside during a Night to Unite gathering in White Bear Township, hosted by Liz Tauer and Deb Hruby last August. The event featured food, games, live music and visits from area law enforcement officials.
Night to Unite, also known as National Night Out, takes place the first Tuesday in August throughout local communities and statewide. This year, Night to Unite will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at various parties and events in the White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Mahtomedi and surrounding communities. National Night Out is a statewide event that builds and fosters community bonds between citizens, businesses and public safety organizations, such as the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office. Neighborhoods and public safety personnel get
Night to Unite Goals:
• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness. • Generate support and participation in crime prevention and community policing programs. • Strengthen neighborhood spirits and public safetycommunity partnerships. • Let criminals know that you are committed to keeping your neighborhood safe.
Activity Ideas:
• Simple refreshment: Bring your favorite snack, minidonut stand, watermelon, lemonade and cookies.
SEE NIGHT TO UNITE, PAGE 5
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Taking over the White Bear Lake boys soccer team this year is Taelynn Gittins, a Mahtomedi native who was a goalkeeper in college for St. Scholastica. It’s a unique hire in a couple of respects. Gittins never played a varsity game in high school. And she is a woman coaching a boys team. Gittins, 24, a teacher in the district, has spent two years on the boys soccer staff, as the goalie coach for
• Group conversations and mixers: “Neighbor of the year” award, have an icebreaker, skill swap, photo contest and scavenger/ medallion hunt. • Activities for youth: Bicycle parade, chalk art, face painting or a coloring contest. • All-ages Activities: Book exchange, parade, singalong/karaoke, talent show and garden tour on the block. • Contribute to your community: Collect for a food shelf, plan a fall clean up or volunteer at an animal shelter.
SEE COACH, PAGE 17
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Taelynn Gittins never made the Mahtomedi varsity soccer team but was a starting goalie in college at St. Scholastica.
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