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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2017 VOL. 122 NO. 3 www.presspubs.com $1.00 Daylight Savings begins on Nov. 5
DOWNTOWN: Burger joint eyeing vacant building PAGE 9A
Four generations smelling the roses at White Bear Floral BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR
When Henry Wohletz started growing flowers in 1932 on Hoffman's Corner, it was the height of the Depression and times were tough. He was 49 years old, renting a house from Henry Hoffman for $25 a month and shuttling back and forth to the St. Paul farmers market in the wee hours to sell products from his greenhouse. Eventually, White Bear Lake grew enough to support both his flower business and family of four, so Wohletz stayed put. As his daughter tells it, Hoffman, for which Hoffman's Corner is named, is the one who invited the grower to start a shop in the area. Called White Bear Greenhouse, Wohletz later changed it to White Bear Floral Shop & Greenhouse. Eighty-five years later, the business is still in the family. Wohletz's two daughters, Lorraine and Esther, took over the floral shop from their dad, growing the business and catering to the who's who of wealthy summer dwellers in the area. Word has it even F. Scott Fitzgerald stopped in occasionally while taking up residence in Dellwood. Following in Lorraine's footsteps was third-generation owner Johnny Birkeland, who bought the business in 1993. Johnny grew up in the business run by his mom and dad, the late Arthur Birkeland. Arthur was a charter member of the White Bear Lions Club. Like his mother and aunt, Johnny is a White Bear High School grad, class of '66. His role is both grower and delivery driver. Family members joke that Johnny never forgets an address. Johnny said he never forgets who owns big dogs. Clientele are spread all over the metro area. Today, the business has expanded to 11 greenhouses and 50,000 square feet. Johnny's wife Darlene, also a White Bear grad, class of '68, joined the business full time two years ago to help daughter Melanie Kasel (the fourth generation) with marketing. Darlene left a professor position at Century College where she taught dental assisting. “We wanted to expand the business, SEE FLORAL SHOP, PAGE 8A
Renovated ice rink glides along on schedule BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR
WHITE BEAR LAKE — Already, contractors are clamoring for the Sports Center renovation project. Even before City Council approved the plan and advertisement for bids, City Engineer Mark Burch was getting calls. “There is a lot of interest,” Burch reported. “We think we'll get competitive bids.” Prior to approval Oct. 24, the city engineer updated the council on renovation plans for the building. Originally purchased by the city in 1989, the Sports Center was converted from a tennis facility to an ice
SUBMITTED
This is the latest architectural drawing of how the remodeled Sports Center will look.
arena. The existing building and refrigeration system are now at the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. A design team from Kraus-Anderson Construction Company prepared plans and specifications for the renovation project, which are now
complete. The next step is to seek bids for construction, anticipated for spring 2018. The construction contract will be awarded at the Dec. 12 council meeting SEE ICE RINK, PAGE 9A
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
A little walk on the wild side Alex Donaldson, 4, along with his mother Kristen and sister Rosa, 2, make their way along the prairie loop trail at Tamarack Nature Center during the annual trick or treat event Saturday, Oct. 28. A light covering of snow didn’t deter nature center visitors as they encountered costumed characters handing out treats along the trail route. Find more Halloween photos on page 1B.
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