White Bear Press

Birchwood committee plans events to strengthen community ties

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

In Birchwood Village, where about 800 residents share winding neighborhood streets next to White Bear Lake, community leaders have decided that knowing your neighbors is just as important as maintaining roads.

That's the idea behind the city's new Connections Committee, a volunteer advisory body that plans to organize events designed

to bring together everyone from young families to longtime residents.

“Our goal is to make connections, to make people feel like they belong here and that it’s a safe place for everyone,” Mayor Jennifer Arsenault said.

The idea for the committee came about two years ago, when Jennifer Arsenault ran for and successfully became mayor.

“I wanted to build a community; infrastructure is always important, but I think

it’s just as important as building community,” she said.

When Arsenault moved to Birchwood from Michigan approximately five years ago, she didn’t know anyone but says her neighbors could not have been more inviting.

“When we moved into our neighborhood, the neighbors who were here couldn't have been more welcoming. They were awesome. And when you go and

CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE, PAGE 7

‘Disney’s Newsies’ helps cast and crew seize the day

BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER

Students have standout theater opportunities in White Bear Lake. Professionals have standout the -

ater opportunities in the Twin Cities. The contrast between the two spaces is as stark as print on newspaper. The path from aspiring to paid actor is not black and white, how-

ever, which can give budding performers uncertainty in an already uncertain industry.

To help young creatives stare down the odds, Children’s Performing Arts (CPA) is

staging “Disney’s Newsies” as its first “Summerstock Intensive.”

“The purpose of this brand-new Summerstock Intensive

SEE ‘DISNEY’S NEWSIES’, PAGE 17

Mural artist comes full circle with Hall of Fame honor

For more than two decades, Mahtomedi artist Tom Stewart has transformed walls into immersive works of art that invite viewers to step into the landscapes, history and stories they depict. With more than 40 murals installed in museums; national and state park visitor centers; and schools and libraries across the country, his work blends careful research with striking realism and a passion for education. Closer to home, residents may recognize his colorful "Flora and Fauna of White Bear Lake" mural in the children's area of the White Bear Lake Library. The Minneapolis native, who has called Mahtomedi home for 22 years, took an unconventional path to becoming a full-time artist. Now, as an independent mural artist, he continues to create large-scale public art. On Aug. 6, Stewart will be inducted into his high school’s Hall of Fame. The White Bear Press recently sat down with Stewart to learn more about his artistic journey, what inspires his murals and the legacy he hopes his work will leave behind.

Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you lived in Mahtomedi?

A. I have lived in Mahtomedi for 22 years. I grew up in Minneapolis, graduated from DeLaSalle High School, and graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Forestry. I worked forestry jobs in Minnesota, Montana and Arkansas. I always took art classes between these seasonal jobs. A major change of heart led me to pursue a

Director Braylon Lane goes over safety protocol with “Disney’s Newsies” cast members on the sets currently under construction onstage at the White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center.

CONTRIBUTED

Birchwood Connections Committee Members Shelley Ross and Ashley Belisle serve up ice cream at a recent ice cream social event.

White Bear Area Food Shelf continues to receive record-breaking numbers of visits

BY GRAHAM JOHNSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Visits to the White Bear Area Food Shelf have quadrupled since the pandemic. In fiscal year 2025, the food shelf received 78,298 visits — up from 14,678 visits in fiscal year 2019. While those numbers reflect unprecedented levels of food insecurity in the community, they also represent a shift within the food shelf’s model toward healthier and fresh foods that require more visits per household, said Perry Peterson, the food shelf’s executive director.

“Those increased numbers are about the model changing,” Peterson said at the White Bear Lake City Council meeting Tuesday, July 28.

Increased need and a changing model

For the first nearly 50 years of its existence, the food shelf would schedule appointments where visitors would receive a week’s worth of food, often of more shelf-stable items such as boxed meals.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the food shelf shifted “to be open to anyone and asoften-as-needed” model that focused on providing healthy, fresher food, said Peterson. The shift came not only because it provided healthier food, but because of food rescue programs where food from local bakeries, delis and grocery stores that would otherwise

be thrown away is donated and distributed quickly.

This change is not isolated, according to Peterson, and represents “a growing trend in the industry.”

While “the need has gone up,” pinpointing just how much it has increased is difficult because need isn’t necessarily reflected in WBAFS’s attendance numbers. Attendance, however, is “just the reality that we can track,” he said.

Factors increasing food insecurity

Food insecurity has increased in recent years, and this has three major drivers, Peterson noted: rising housing costs, rising food costs and reductions to Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, often referred to as food stamps.

Peterson specifically pointed out that rising housing costs eat into family budgets as a key driver of food insecurity as shown through increased attendance: “It really is a realization of that.”

Peterson also pointed out that many of the federal programs that support local food shelves like the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) have received funding cuts in recent years. These funding cuts have forced the food shelf to purchase more of its own food.

The federal government shutdown in October 2025 and the disruption

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FRIDAY SATURDAY

to regular SNAP benefits have highlighted how much community members rely on these programs and are forced to visit food shelves in their absence.

“We saw with the government shutdown, we saw what SNAP and the changes to SNAP are going to affect people.”

In October 2025, the White Bear Area Food Shelf had 8,000 visits that month alone — the highest monthly visit total that year.

Where the food comes from Fifty-six percent, more than half of all food provided by the food shelf, is purchased by the organization. Food shelves are able to buy products below retail pricing, which allows the food shelf to provide up to $6 of food per every $1 donated.

“A lot of the time, we are able to buy food in a more efficient way than you can buy at the grocery store,” said Peterson.

The White Bear Area Food Shelf also receives a significant amount of food from the food rescue program. Food rescue partners include Kowalski’s, Lunds & Byerly’s, Cub, Target and Walmart; volunteers conduct frequent pickups of items that would otherwise be thrown away, sometimes daily.

Eight percent of food distributed at the food shelf comes from federal programs like TEFAP. The amount of support from federal programs has decreased in recent years

with further decreases expected next year.

“We’ve seen that already with some reductions to federal funding but we will significantly see that in 2027,” said Peterson.

The final 6% comes from community donations.

Peterson encourages residents to donate cash, which the food shelf can spend more efficiently. However, certain items like cereal, cooking oils and diapers still cost the food shelf near-retail prices.

A list of currently needed items can be found on the food shelf’s website, whitebearfoodshelf.org. The tens of thousands of volunteer hours and community support are truly what keeps the food shelf up and running, said Peterson. “We are only able to do what we do because of the generosity of our community, and that starts here.”

CONTRIBUTED

In fiscal year 2025, the White Bear Area Food Shelf received 78,298 visits — up from 14,678 visits in fiscal year 2019.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

THE WALL THAT HEALS

When: 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6 - 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9

Where: Polar Lakes park,

Details: Traveling exhibit is a three–quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., along with a mobile Education Center. Special events each day and keynote speaker, General Paul Nakasone at opening ceremony 9 a.m. Thursday.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org/events/the-wall-that-heals-white-bear-township

41ST ANNUAL PINE TREE TENNIS CLASSIC

When: Aug. 6-9

Where: Life Time White Bear Lake

Details: Watch four days of tennis (Open, Masters and Grand Masters) while supporting pediatric cancer research initiatives at Children's Minnesota and around the world. Schedule and ticket information online.

Contact: ptacf.org/2026-tournament

FRIDAYS WITH FIREFIGHTERS

When: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Aug. 7

Where: White Bear Lake South Fire Station, 2240 County Road E

Details: Get outside for activities and fire safety education.

Contact: whitebearlakemn.gov

SUMMER SIGNINGS

When: 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Aug. 7

Where: Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake

Details: Authors Stephanie Hansen and Kurt Johnson sign copies of their culinary romance “Moon Tavern” and Terri Morrison Kaiser signs her historical novel “Wildflowers” during the Farmers Market.

Contact: lakecountrybooksellers.com

BIRCHWOOD MUSIC IN THE PARK

When: 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9

Where: Tighe-Schmitz Park, Birchwood

Details: Cabaret artist and vocalist Jennifer Eckes explored the Great American Songbook and modern classics. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Contact: cityofbirchwood.com

ARMORY PROGRAM: JAIL TALES

When: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11

Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 4th St. Details: Hear some of the incredible stories of heroism and commitment to serve and protect throughout our history. Contact: whitebearhistory.org

LEVITT AMP SCANDIA MUSIC SERIES

When: 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12

Where: Scandia Community Center, 14727 209th Street North, Scandia

Details: Concert series includes vendors and food trucks 3-8 p.m., kids activities, contests, and live music at 6 p.m. by soul and funk group Joslyn & The Sweet Compression.

Contact: scandiaheritage.org/levitt-amp-musicseries

‘WAYS OF LIFE-ROOTED IN TRADITION’ COMMUNITY RECEPTION

When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13

Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Exhibition by Shakin Maheshwari is a curated series inspired by the folk and tribal arts of India. Exhibition runs through Sept. 17. Contact: whitebeararts.org

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14

Where: Parkview United Church of Christ, Fellowship Hall, 3737 Bellaire Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

MOM'S MORNING OUT

When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15

Where: St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 1965 East County Road E, White Bear Lake

Details: Childcare available and fun for children ages 2-9. Meal included. Registration required. Contact: 651-777-1107 or office@ststephenwbl.org

VOCALITY CONCERT FROM THE PORCH

When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15

Where: 4671 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Local a cappella quartet performs a repertoire of classic rock from the ’60s and ’70s, soul-stirring Gospel, show-stopping Broadway hits, and the timeless charm of Barbershop.  Contact: vocalityquartet.com

MUSIC ON THE LAWN: 2 GIRLS AND A BOYD

When: 4-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16

Where: White Bear Lake United Methodist Church outdoor amphitheater, 1851 Birch St. Details: Concert featuring an acoustic lineup playing a blend of folk, pop, acoustic favorites, and vocal harmonies. All are welcome. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Contact: wblumc.org

CONSTRUCTION BRIEF

Otter Lake intersection to reopen a day early

Ramsey County expects to reopen the intersection of Otter Lake Road at County Road J on Aug. 19. The county originally estimated closure of the area until Aug. 20.

Also on Aug. 19, eastbound County Road J and the southbound I-35E entrance ramp will close, weather permitting. During this closure, the entrance to the theater shops and Holiday will be closed on County Road J. Access will be available from Centerville Road and marked via posted detour signs.

OPINION

Immobile

Over the last few weeks, I have a new appreciation for mobility around our communities.

Publisher’s View

The evening of June 13, I stepped off the back of a pontoon and tore my quadriceps tendon. I knew something was terribly wrong right away, as it felt like the tendon rolled up into my thigh, and I couldn't stand up. My wife Amy took me to the emergency room where I was able to get an MRI and learned that the injury would require surgery. The ER at Regions Hospital was busy, yet the staff was amazing and extremely professional. One of the staff who made sure I was kept comfortable throughout the night was Brenda. After 12 hours, I was released with a leg brace to keep my leg completely straight, crutches, medication and a plan to follow up with an orthopedic surgeon. Because of the potential for the tendon and muscle to atrophy, surgery was scheduled five days later to reattach the tendon to my knee. It was a relatively quick outpatient procedure, but they warned me the recovery would be long. I had to be in the leg brace for 12 weeks and would have to go to physical therapy for months. It is also my right leg, so it has been difficult to drive.

Surgery was two days before the Manitou Days Boat Show the Press staff helps organize. Amy rented a scooter for me so that I would be able to go and get around. It was so fun to see the vintage boats. I was pretty medicated, but the scooter enabled me to go for a couple of hours and connect with many of the participants and volunteers.

The past several weeks have raised my awareness about how difficult it is for those with mobility issues. During my short time traveling on a scooter between home and work, I have had a few close calls with vehicles, runners and bicycles. I was even honked at by a guy in a pickup while I was in the pedestrian crossing. I was also on the scene where a food delivery driver hit a young girl on a bike. Scootering around highlights how treacherous streets and sidewalks can be in our neighborhoods. In some areas, sidewalks are so uneven the streets are the only option because the bumps can be jarring and painful. The placement of the crosswalk buttons on poles has been a challenge too. Some of them are right in the middle of the sidewalk and difficult to get around. I have learned that crossing Highway 61 on a scooter is confusing and downright scary. Some streets have unfinished sidewalks that are impassable. It is difficult to open doors on a scooter, and while many people are helpful and friendly, others look at you as if you are someone to be fearful of. A trip to the grocery store was a real eye opener as the upper shelves are untouchable and floor freezers are difficult to see inside. It's hard to open the door to grab milk. I really have an appreciation for the electric scooters with a basket.

Handicap bathrooms are spacious, but I found it more comforting in a tight stall where I didn’t feel like I could fall over. You pay attention to where sinks and paper towel holders are mounted. ADA codes are good, but we also need common-sense flexibility. Overall, the mobility scooter has been eye opening to me and in some ways life-changing these past 6 weeks. The new scooters and batteries are lightweight and can be easily disassembled to lift in and out of a car. One of my co-workers offered her mom's scooter to use and that has reduced the rental fees. Let’s get back to some common-sense planning in our communities and find ways for infrastructure to be more sustainable, practical, affordable and user-friendly. Sidewalks are not needed on all streets, as multi-use bike and walking paths can be marked on the streets. As we navigate around our neighborhoods and local businesses, start seeing walkers, bikers, wheelers and those who are just trying to live and get around safely.

Carter Johnson is publisher of Press Publications.

Talking food safety and cyclospora with

TUniversity of Minnesota Autumn Stoll

hough Minnesota has seen no confirmed outbreak clusters of cyclospora infections, 41 states have reported cases. The cyclospora parasite causes severe intensive gastrointestinal issues including explosive and watery diarrhea.    University of Minnesota Extension Educator Autumn Stoll, who specializes in food safety, shares what consumers can do at home to prevent illness and put their minds at ease.

Q: Should Minnesotans be concerned about cyclospora in Minnesota?

A: As of July 27, the number of suspected cases of cyclosporiasis has jumped to 11,500 in 41 states, with more than 4,000 cases confirmed. Given this surge in cases, it is likely that there are more sources of contamination beyond the iceberg lettuce that was initially implicated. Cilantro and parsley are suspected in some outbreak clusters in North Carolina, but haven’t been confirmed. There may be other sources. Previous outbreaks have been linked to other crops such as snow peas, raspberries, basil, cilantro, bagged spring mix and green onions. Most

of these crops are eaten fresh, not cooked. While it’s reasonable to be cautious, we are hearing reports of people skipping fresh fruits and vegetables altogether or avoiding all lettuce. That isn’t necessary. We recommend people continue enjoying fresh produce while following good food safety practices and monitoring foodborne illness outbreaks via the CDC and food recalls via the FDA. Consumers are advised to continue to use best practices such as washing all produce under running water and cooking produce to 158 degrees to kill potential pathogens.

Q: Are Minnesota-grown crops at risk?

A: In Minnesota, the majority of produce growers use well water to irrigate their vegetables. This well water is far less risky than surface water like ponds or streams, since it is not open to the environment and is not likely to have fecal contamination.

Q: How does this parasite spread?

A: Cyclospora is a foodborne parasite that causes an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea. Fortunately, cyclospora is not spread from person to person. However, the parasite is spread through human feces. Cyclospora spreads when the infectious parasite contam-

U of M

inates food or water that is then consumed by others or used on or around produce. After a person consumes contaminated food or water, it can take up to two weeks before symptoms appear, making outbreaks difficult to trace the source of cyclospora. Certain groups are more likely to develop severe illness or complications, including young children, older adults, pregnant individuals and immunocompromised people.

Q: What can people do to reduce risk?

A: The only reliable way to inactivate cyclospora is to cook contaminated food to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees. Washing produce does not reliably remove all cyclospora, but it can help reduce contaminants. When preparing fruits and vegetables, remove the outer leaves of leafy greens, and then rinse the remaining leaves under cold running water. Scrub the rind of firm produce with a soft brush before peeling.

Keep up-to-date on current foodborne illness outbreaks and food recalls. Keep fresh produce in its original packaging whenever possible. The packaging contains important information such as the brand, lot number, and purchase details, which can help you determine whether a product is included in a food recall.

WHITE BEAR / VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS | ELECTION LETTER GUIDELINES

• Election season is considered to be when filing first begins until the day of the election.

Limited to 350 words. Paid letters running longer will be charged $10 per 30 words after that.

• Letters are free unless endorsing a candidate, party or question on the ballot. Endorsement letters will have a $50 fee. Please call 651-407-1200 to arrange payment by credit card or mail a check payable to Press Publications to 4779 Bloom Ave, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110. Endorsement letters are labeled, “paid letter.”

• Letters for or against a candidate will qualify as paid letters. Submissions must include a full name, address and phone number for verification. Letter-writers must live, work or have another connection to Press Publications coverage area.

Letters are meant to express opinions. If letter-writers include facts, they must attribute those facts to a reputable source.

• Due to space limitations, letters that don’t address local issues are not guaranteed publication. Repeat unpaid letters by the same writer about the same

subject matter will not be published. Repeat paid endorsement letters will be published as space permits. Four weeks (or issues) must pass between publication of unpaid letters from the same writer. Exceptions may be made for rebuttal letters at the editor’s discretion.

Submissions containing libelous or derogatory statements will not be published.

• Letters by campaign managers or candidates designed to champion the candidate’s position on a specific issue will be accepted as paid letters.

• Letters reprinted as part of letter-writing campaigns are paid letters. All letters are subject to editing. We reserve the right to not publish any letter.

• The deadline to submit a letter is 5 p.m. Wednesday the week prior to publication. The last batch of letters to be printed before the Nov. 3 election will be printed in the Oct. 20 issue and must be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct.14. To submit a letter, email news@ presspubs.com or mail/deliver it to Press Publications.

Carter Johnson

EDITORS NOTE

Paid letters relating to the election will resume once again after the primary Aug. 11. As it does with the general election, Press chose to not run paid letters relating to the primary election in the issue leading up to the primary.

Benefits of multi-grade classrooms

As a resident of White Bear Township, I was glad to see that combining grades at the elementary level will be part of the White Bear Lake Area School System. Having a grandchild who is in a local program that combines 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, I have frequently seen the benefits for everyone. Each student gets the experience of being the youngest, middle, and eldest over three years. Much learning happens socially along with the academics in that environment. This is an excellent use of our resources and a wise investment of our tax dollars.

In families with three or more children, there are daily opportunities to learn how to be appreciative, tolerant, creative, responsible, and even humorous. Family members live with the differences and similarities between people each day. With today’s smaller families, there is less opportunity for this at home. Schools with multigrade classrooms provide these experiences. I have witnessed this happening in my grandson’s classroom. The students there are not only learning with enthusiasm and creativity, but they are also looking out for each other, working out problems, and appreciating differences. It is a very healthy environment and community.  It is good to know that many other children will now be getting these opportunities.

Anne Neuberger White Bear Township

Investing in Mahtomedi

Every great community has people willing to dream. Mahtomedi has never been short on those people. We all want the same thing: a community where families put down roots, our schools continue to thrive, children have every opportunity to succeed, and future generations are just as proud to call this place home as we are today.

That spirit is reflected in the conversations surrounding expanded ice opportunities in our community. While there may be different visions for how we get there, they all begin with the same goal: investing in our children and investing in Mahtomedi.

There are few things more Mahtomedi than a winter evening at the rink. Kids race from school to lace up their skates. Parents gather along the boards. Grandparents bundle up to watch practice. Neighbors catch up as the sounds of skates and hockey pucks fill the evening air. Community isn’t something we simply talk about. It’s something we build together. What inspires me most isn’t any one proposal. It’s the people behind them.

Neighbors have volunteered countless hours, raised money, attended meetings, and invested their time because they believe in Mahtomedi and in the generations that follow.

As these conversations continue, I hope we

keep something even bigger than the projects themselves at the center of the discussion: the long-term future of Mahtomedi.

That means asking the questions every community should ask before making decisions that will shape the next generation. Does this investment fit into our long-term vision? Have we planned for the financial, operational, and environmental responsibilities that come with it? Are we making decisions that future generations will thank us for?

The strongest communities don’t simply build projects. They build projects that stand the test of time because they were planned with the future in mind. Strategic planning isn’t about saying “no.” It’s about making sure today’s “yes” is still the right decision twenty years from now.

The projects we build will shape our community for years.

But the decisions we make today will shape our legacy.

Dream big. Plan bigger.

Lilly Melander Mahtomedi City Council Member

Response to letter

I would like to respond to “Letter needs correction” (July 22).

Facts do matter, yes. In the election of 2022, the DFL was in control of the house, senate, attorney general and the governor’s office. During that time all the taxes I listed were enacted by the DFL. The one year relief on vehicle tab taxes was negotiated by leadership in both parties in which all members of house and senate would vote yes. The standalone bill bring vehicle tabs back to 2022 calculations permanently was killed in committee hearings.

The elimination on social security was never passed. The school meal program only effects those with children in schools and is not income based.

In 2023 a new child credit was passed, one time rebate checks were sent out, and expanded social security exemptions. The DFL also increased taxes on earners making over $220,000, a surtax on corporations and raised deduction limits. The property tax relief is income-based and isn't available to the average family of 4 or more due to income limitations.

Ramona Jwanouskos White Bear Lake

Confront danger of e - motorbike riders

White Bear Lake’s paths have long been a refuge—places where neighbors slow down, enjoy the lake breeze, and move at a human pace. But that sense of safety is eroding. More and more, underage kids are racing electric motorbikes and e - s cooters down these same narrow trails, turning peaceful community spaces into high - r isk zones.

Let’s be blunt: this is dangerous, and it’s getting worse.

These machines aren’t toys. Many e - m otors can hit 20–30 mph, and some go even faster. That’s not “fun speed.” That’s collision speed. When a child—often helmetless, unsupervised, and inexperienced—comes flying around a blind

Two injured on Highway 61 crash in White Bear Township

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a head-on crash that left two drivers seriously injured over the weekend.

According to the State Patrol, around 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 a Honda was traveling north on Highway 61, and a Toyota was traveling south when the two vehicles collided near Aspen Lane in White Bear Township. Both drivers were transported to the hospital, and the driver of the Toyota was arrested for suspicion of DWI.

corner on a motorized device, every person on that path is suddenly at risk. Seniors, families with strollers, dog -w alkers, cyclists—none of them stand a chance against a 40 - p ound machine moving faster than a kid can think.

White Bear Lake’s paths were never designed for motorized traffic. They were built for walking, jogging, biking, and community connection. Now they’re becoming unpredictable, stressful, and in some cases, genuinely unsafe. Residents shouldn’t have to brace themselves every time they hear an electric motor whining behind them.

This is not a matter of “kids being kids.” It’s a matter of physics, responsibility, and public safety.

Parents need to understand that giving a child a high - p owered motorized device and sending them onto public paths is not harmless independence—it’s a recipe for serious injury. And city officials can no longer afford to treat this as a minor nuisance. The risk is real, and the consequences will be too.

White Bear Lake must act decisively:

- Enforce age restrictions and motorized -v ehicle rules on public paths.

- Increase signage and visibility around prohibited motorized use.

- Educate parents about the dangers and legal responsibilities.

- Empower residents to report unsafe behavior without hesitation.

We shouldn’t wait for a catastrophic accident to force change.

Ojars Linde White Bear Lake

From a volunteer/activist on social security

After nearly 40 years of hard work, I earned my social security. I paid in with every paycheck. While working I was a frugal spender, foregoing luxuries so I could afford necessities like groceries, housing and healthcare when I retired. My monthly Social Security payments are essential to my financial security.

I’m not alone. Americans across the political spectrum heartily agree on this: Social Security is vital to our financial security. Congress has many tools in their toolbox to find real solutions. Cutting what people have worked hard to earn is not necessary so should not even be on the table.

That’s why I’m paying close attention to what’s happening in Washington. With the OASI Trust Fund now projected to run out in 2032, candidates who win the upcoming primaries and mid-term election in November will directly influence the biggest changes to Social Security since 1983.

This issue isn’t going away, and it’s personal. It’s about being able to live with dignity and independence after decades of hard work. As we head to the polls this election, I encourage older Americans and future generations to pay attention to where candidates stand on this issue. Protecting and strengthening Social Security should be a priority for anyone asking for our vote.

an increase of 0.84”. Smoke from Canadian fires remains high in the upper atmosphere, giving us a milky sky and colorful sunsets and sunrises. Our cooler weather from earlier this week will give way to warmer temperatures this weekend and not much in the way of rainfall.

Doug Craig White Bear Township

Frank Watson is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station

Frank Watson

COPS&COURTS

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected calls for service in Birchwood Village, Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi, Pine Springs and Willernie:

Dellwood

• Patrons of 7 Vines Vineyard on Dellwood Road reported being stuck in the parking lot after closing July 1 due to the gate closing. Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies helped them find another gate through which to escape. Grant

• Deputies received several reports about a male walking northbound on Manning Avenue June 29 in the 95-degree heat. He was described as wearing a black long-sleeved shirt with tan pants and toting a long stick with a bag attached to the end. Callers had noted many other features about the man, and deputies found him easily on Dellwood Road N. and Jamaca Avenue N., still carrying the old-school hobo stick. The male refused help, food, water, a ride or any other resources, despite the heat advisory. It is unknown whether he was training to hike the Camino de Santiago or whether he was looking to hop a freight train out of town.

• A hanglider was reported over the 8000 block of 80th Street N. July 2, as part of an ongoing issue.

• Deputies dispatched out to a 911 emergency call July 2 from Applewood Hills Golf Course contacted the caller who advised them it was a pocket dial and that the only emergency was that he had scored way over par. Because deputies were close to the course, they drove through to confirm that neither the caller, his equipment nor anyone else was suffering any ill effects from the caller’s poor game.

• A motorist was arrested on warrant July 4 on Manning Avenue and Dellwood Road N., following a traffic stop for speeding.

Mahtomedi

• A motorist in the 700 block of Mahtomedi Avenue was cited June 28 for equipment violation, after being pulled over for numerous reasons.

• After responding to the scene of a crash on Mahtomedi Avenue and Birch Street June 29, deputies facilitated the exchange of insurance forms and cited the driver of the striking vehicle.

Deputies responded to a noise complaint from a loud party in the cemetery in the 3000 block of Century Avenue on June 29. They spoke with the occupants at a gravesite who

were celebrating the birthday of a deceased loved one, advised them of the complaint and let them be at peace.

• As it was time to make the nightly rounds to shoo people out of city parks, deputies found a vehicle in Katherine Abbott Park in Lincolntown Avenue at 11:39 p.m. June 29 and issued a verbal warning to the two occupants of a vehicle parked there.

• Indecent exposure was reported at 6:08 p.m. June 30 on Echo Shores Court.

• A Kilbirnie Way resident walked up to deputies’ headquarters in the public works building on Lincolntown Avenue July 1 to report his neighbor for cutting down trees in preparation for an upcoming fireworks show.

• A Gosiwin Avenue resident reported a neighbor punching a vehicle parked in front of his home on July 1, as part of an ongoing issue over cutting down trees. The neighbor had come over to harass the complainant’s workers and pummel the vehicle. The neighbor denied all of it.

• On July 2, one of the Gosiwin Avenue residents involved in an earlier dispute reported that he was working in Gosiwin Park across the road from his house when a female neighbor approached him and slapped the phone out of his hand. Her swinging hand also struck him in the face, causing a small bruise on his lip. No charges were filed, and deputies advised both parties to just keep away from each other.

• Gosiwin Park was also the scene of numerous complaints of fireworks going off July 4. Deputies patrolled the area all evening and saw no signs of fireworks being set off or any other conflicts. The Gosiwin Avenue drama carried over to the July 7 Mahtomedi City Council meeting, where the adversaries used the public forum to air their grievances against each other. Council turned their tree cutting dispute over to the Parks Commission for discussion.

Pine Springs

• Deputies on patrol June 30 on southbound I-694 over Highway 36 observed a vehicle on the shoulder with its hazard lights on and its driver on the opposite side of the lane of traffic. While assisting the driver in crossing the highway, deputies learned that a piece of the driver’s vehicle had fallen off. Deputies helped the driver and his vehicle enter back into traffic.

• A motorist was arrested for DWI at 9:36 p.m. July 2 on Hilton Trail and 62nd Street N., following a traffic stop.

The White Bear Lake Police Department reported the following selected incidents:

• Theft from a vehicle was reported in the 3900 block of Hoffman Road July 22.

• A person was reported missing in the 3500 block of Rooney Place July 22.

• Harassment was reported in the 4900 block of Campanaro Lane July 22.

• A Hugo man was arrested for DWI July 23 after being pulled over for speeding 99 mph on Highway 61 and other traffic violations.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 3700 block of Highland Avenue July 23.

• Criminal sexual conduct was investigated July 23 in the 1700 block of Florence Street.

• Theft was reported in the 4400 block of Lake Avenue S. July 23.

• A disorderly conduct incident was mediated in

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township: Vadnais Heights

• On July 19 at the intersection of East County Road E and Willow Lake Blvd., deputies conducted a traffic stop and arrested a 30-yearold man from White Bear Township for DWI.

• On July 19 in the 800 block of East County Road E, deputies cited a 19-year-old woman from St. Paul for theft after she was caught attempting to leave Walmart without scanning or paying for merchandise at the self-checkout registers.

• On July 19 in the 200 block of Timberline Trail, a 36-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman reported that someone stole the front license plate off their Ford Flex. The incident is under investigation.

• On July 19 at the Intersection of I-694 and Rice Street, deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle that did not stop and eventually arrested its driver, a 22-year-old man who told them he did not pull over because he did not see them. He was arrested for fleeing.

• On July 20 in the 800 block of East County Road E, deputies issued a theft citation and trespass notice to a 40-year-old woman from St. Paul after she was caught attempting to leave Walmart without paying for merchandise.

• On July 21 at the intersection of Greenbrier Street and Belland Avenue, deputies responded to a report of a crash with injuries and located a 13-year-old boy who rode an electric bicycle into a vehicle at 20 miles per hour. He suffered facial and leg injuries and was transported for treatment.

• On July 22 in the 100 block of East Vadnais Boulevard, deputies responded to AFSA High School, where someone broke into the school’s mechanical room. The matter is under investigation.

• On July 22 in the 900 block of East County Road E, deputies responded to Target and collected evidence from employees related to a repeat shoplifter. The incident is under investigation.

• On July 23 in the 100 block of East County Road F, deputies responded to a report of a vehicle break-in at a park, located and identified the suspect after he used a stolen credit card at Walmart, then sent him a theft citation in the mail.

• On July 23 in the 800 block of Greenhaven Drive, deputies

the 4700 block of Sharon Lane July 23. Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3500 block of Century Avenue N. July 23.

• A White Bear Lake woman was arrested for DWI following a traffic stop in the 2400 block of Cedar Avenue July 24.

• A civil problem was reported in the 3700 block of Labore Road July 24. Officers responded to a juvenile incident in the 3600 block of Hoffman Road July 24.

• A fireworks complaint was made in the 2500 block of Homewood Place July 24.

• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 3800 block of Oak Terrace July 24.

• Disorderly conduct was reported in the 4600 block of White Bear Parkway July 25.

• Investigation is ongoing following an assault involving multiple victims and suspects July 24 in the 3200 block of White Bear Avenue.

collected a bicycle that a 68-yearold man found abandoned in the bushes in front of his house and are working to find its owner.

• At 12:08 p.m. on July 24 in the 3200 block of Highway 61, a caller reported the theft of his trailer. The matter is under investigation.

• At 5:58 p.m. on July 24 in the 3200 block of Highway 61, deputies issued a theft citation to a 38-yearold man from St. Paul after he was caught attempting to leave Kwik Trip without paying for merchandise.

• On July 25 in the 3400 block of Centerville Road, the children of a 78-year-old woman reported that she was defrauded by someone pretending to be a Visa employee. The incident is under investigation. On July 25 in the 800 block of East County Road E, deputies cited a 55-year-old man for mistreating an animal after finding his dog left alone in his Chevrolet Silverado while temperatures surpassed 90 degrees.

White Bear Township

• On July 20 in the 5700 block of W. Bald Eagle Boulevard, an 81-yearold man reported being defrauded by a company that installed an elevator in his house. The incident is under investigation.

• On July 21 in the 1100 block of East County Road J, deputies issued a theft citation and trespassing notice to a 36-year-old man after he ordered a smashburger and two shots of Tito’s drinks before leaving without paying for the food or drinks.

• On July 21 in the 5200 block of Otter Lake Road, the parents of an 11-year-old girl reported that their daughter was slapped several times by another child during a youth program at Tamarack Nature Center. The matter is under investigation.

• On July 23 in the 1200 block of S. Birch Lake Boulevard, a 53-year-old man from Cary, Illinois, turned in a rifle for disposal that used to belong to his recently deceased uncle.

• On July 23 at the intersection of Lakewood Avenue and Martin Way, a caller reported being bitten by a stray dog while out for a walk. The dog ran away after the bite and has not been located by animal control officers.

• On July 24 in the 5400 block of E. Bald Eagle Boulevard, a 50-year-old woman reported that someone stole a bicycle out of her truck while she was inside her home sleeping. The matter is under investigation.

• A White Bear Lake man was arrested for trespassing and a warrant in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road July 25.

• An animal complaint was reported in the 2500 block of Oak Court July 25.

• Officers responded to reports of multiple dogs off leash at Matoska Park July 25 and 26

• A vehicle turning right onto Highway 96 from Interstate 35E was struck by a cyclist traversing the intersection on the crosswalk July 25. The cyclist had minor injuries.

• Officers responded to a disorderly customer in the 900 block of Wildwood Road July 25.

• A broken window was reported in the 3400 block of Glen Oaks Avenue July 25.

• Officers responded to a report of vehicles being rummaged through in the 2500 block of Sumac SEE MORE POLICE REPORTS, PAGE 7

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

CONNECTIONS COMMITTEE: Strives to create ‘tighter-knit community’

talk to other people in Birchwood, they don't have that same experience,” Arsenault explained. “If I need something, I have seven or eight people on my street I know I can call on, but I want that for everybody because it really makes a difference in how you view home.”

Committee Chair Jamie Eisele, who moved in about a month after Arsenault, says she had a similar experience.

“Not all streets in Birchwood are created equal; some streets in Birchwood are very neighborly. We're in everybody's business in the best way possible, and then some streets in Birchwood you don’t know your neighbors at all,” Eisele explained. “I'm one of the lucky ones who live on a street where everybody knows everybody, and I want everyone in Birchwood to feel that way.”

The committee is dedicated to strengthening community connections, transparency and civic participation. The committee is made up of four volunteers: Eisele, Nan Drews, Ashley Belisle and Shelley Ross. Arsenault serves as the committee’s council liaison. The committee’s mission is to ensure that residents feel welcome and included in the daily happenings of Birchwood through the creation of

public events, outreach strategies and opportunities for community members to engage meaningfully with each other.

While the committee was forming, a survey was sent out to residents to find out what residents wanted to see from the group, what sort of events they were interested in and what their overall satisfaction was with current neighbor interactions.

“I think the results were interesting and surprising, and not surprising,” Eisele said. “(The survey) showed that we have a broad range of residents … We have new families, and we have residents who have been here for 40-plus years.”

The survey revealed that residents are interested in food-related events and would like to see consistent engagement rather than just one or two large events each year.

Residents are also interested in community outreach beyond Birchwood Village.

“So, we want to host events that have a low commitment factor, where you can pop in and out … easy breezy,” Eisele explained.

The committee recently held its first event, which included an ice cream social and a craft. Neighbors were invited to Village Hall to enjoy a root beer float and decorate a rock. The rocks were then turned into a caterpillar at Polly’s Park. Event organizers say approximately 75

BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

Ridge July 25.

• Mailboxes were hit on Grand Avenue near Valley View Place July 25.

• Officers responded to a loud music complaint in the 3500 block of Century Avenue July 25.

• A disturbance was reported in the 3800 block of Oak Terrace July 25.

• A protection order violation was reported in the 4600 block of White Bear Parkway July 26.

• Mailboxes were rummaged through July 26 on South Shore Blvd. from Hazel Street to Bellaire Avenue.

• Officers responded to a report of a disorderly male in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road July 26.

• Telephone harassment was reported in the 1800 block of Spruce Court July 26.

• A noise complaint was reported in the 4600 block of Clark Avenue July 26.

• Officers responded to a report of 50+ people fighting at the beach in the 5000 block of Lake Avenue July 26. The individuals fled prior to their arrival, and the beach was closed for the rest of the evening.

• A St. Paul man was arrested for a thirddegree drugs offense and tampering with a motor vehicle after officers responded to a business alarm in the 3600 block of Highway 61 July 27.

people attended the event, despite the rain.

The committee is looking into future events that may include bingo and a fall festival. The festival could include things like pumpkin decorating, a chili cook-off or a hot dish bake-off.

“I hope that each event that we host continues to grow, and people continue to show up and strengthen their connections with their neighbors,” Eisele said. Arsenault added, “A year from

• Fraud was reported in the 1800 block of County Road E July 27. Theft was reported in the 900 block of Wildwood Road July 27.

• Two men presented fraudulent pull tabs and swindled a business out of $320 cash in the 2200 block of Third Street July 27. An investigation to identify the men is ongoing.

• Theft from a motor vehicle was reported in the 1900 block of Buerkle Road July 27.

• Officers mediated a verbal dispute between a tenant and contractors in the 4400 block of Lincoln Avenue July 27. Officers responded to

White Bear Lake Area

now, I hope that the young families meet other young families and feel comfortable around each other. I hope that those same young families meet the older residents and think of them as surrogate grandparents and just reach out and help each other. I would like a tighter-knit community.”

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

a noise complaint in the 4600 block of Clark Avenue July 27. A noise disturbance was reported in the 2300 block of South Shore Blvd. July 27.

• Theft from a vehicle was reported in the 3100 block of Manitou Drive July 27. Theft was reported in the 3100 block of McKnight Road July 27.

• A dog owner was issued a citation for dog-at-large in the 2100 block of Camden Court July 27.

• Fraud was reported in the 1900 block of County Road F July 28.

• A Faribault man was arrested following a traffic stop July 28 near Cedar

Avenue and Keri Ann Lane after he was found to have a gross misdemeanor warrant.

• A dog bite was reported in the 1700 block of County Road E July 28.

• A vehicle was stolen in the 1800 block of County Road F July 28. Financial card fraud was reported July 28 in the 4000 block of Centerville Road after a victim left their debit card at a gas pump and someone else purchased gas with it.

• Officers responded to a report of a man bothering customers and drivers in the area of County Road E and White Bear Avenue July 28.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

The committee’s first event included an ice cream social and a craft. Plans are in the works for a fall event.

A couple of young Birchwood residents decorate rocks for a caterpillar that can now be found at Polly’s Park.

Remembering Donna Rask: White Bear Lake’s first female City Council member

BY GRAHAM JOHNSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

If you know anything about White Bear Lake’s first female City Council member Madonna “Donna” Rask, it is probably her sense of humor. From behind the council dais to behind the counter at Ciresi’s liquor store, Donna was known for always having one or five jokes on hand.

“She could have been a standup comedian … I don’t know how she remembered all those jokes. There were hundreds of thousands of them,” said Bill Rask, the youngest son of Donna and her husband, Donald.

Bill recalls that over the course

of his childhood, he would often be lovingly scolded for not laughing at her jokes. “I heard the jokes all the time and just stopped,” said Bill. This was a particular upset for Donna who, according to her son, “thought she was the funniest thing around.”

Donna passed away on July 5 this year at the age of 86.

Donna’s sense of humor came from her family, said Bill. Donna was the 11th of 12 children born to William and Hildegarde Bohr. She grew up south of the Minnesota border in Iowa. “They were all alike: loud, funny, and (they) always got along with everybody.”

Bill recalls that family gatherings were often punctuated with practical jokes, ranging from throwing water balloons to a particularly memorable family photo where just before the lens snapped an uncle was pantsed, which accidentally took his

underwear along, leaving the finished photo a blurry haze of movement.

“It was always something, and of course she was always in the middle of it,” laughed Bill.

Donna moved to Minnesota to work in the burn unit of St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul. There she met and married Donald Rask and moved to White Bear Lake, where they had three children, Donald, Mary and Bill.

While Bill was only in grade school when his mother chose to run for City Council, he recalls that Donald encouraged her to run. Once she made up her mind, however, Donna simply “got some brochures and went door to door to door.”

She won the seat and served for nine years, from 1975-1981.

“People thought she was nuts,” said Bill about the choice.

Decades later, the popular trail remains.

Bill recalls that it was Donna’s time on the City Council that forged her friendships across the White Bear Lake community. “That’s how she got to know everybody,” he said.

One such connection was to Ciresi’s liquor store, whose then-owner she befriended and eventually began working for. Bill recalls his mother quipping about the job something along the lines of “I can do the job; I know everybody there!”

From behind the counter at Ciresi’s, Donna would be known for her quick wit and dirty jokes, while community members stopped by just to say hello.

An issue Donna fought for was the popular walking trail along Lake Avenue. According to Bill, Donna rejected the idea of expanding the roadway there and instead supported turning it into a oneway street and creating a path for pedestrians and bikers.

Donna enjoyed golfing and gardening and making people laugh. She is survived by her three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Rather than flowers, the family asked for donations to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation in her name.

August Calendar 2026

“Amazing

“Amazing

BY RICKA MCNAUGHTON

The Real Dogs of White Bear Lake

A recurring column featuring glimpses into the lives, loves and everyday dramas of random dogs I run into on walks around the White Bear Lake region.

When they were raising a family, area residents Vanessa and Dale Paakkonen had always adopted shelter dogs as pets. In fact, they still have a great one called Kipper, a 9-year-old foxhound/shepherd mix. But about four years ago, on the verge of becoming empty nesters, they wanted to change things up a little. Maybe pick out a purebred dog this time. Maybe a corgi?

They looked at some available puppies online, and one face in particular stood out. It may have been that Vanessa just sensed something in this pup’s bearing and expression. A kindness in the eyes. A certain verve and openness to life’s better possibilities. Maybe that was too much to intuit from a smattering of pixels on a screen. Maybe it wasn’t.

The pup’s name was Pam. She was a “fluffy” Pembroke Welsh corgi with a long, soft, feathery coat, unlike the traditional shorter, coarser corgi coat. The show ring crowd considers this naturally occurring variant a disqualifying factor. But the fluffies hardly lack for fans. And the corgi breed itself was said to evolve from cases of dwarfism in herding dogs. A genetic aberration. Imagine a Welsh farmer hundreds of years ago observing that his dog with the disproportionately short legs was no less a useful herder of sheep and

cattle but also, on account of its low build, it was somehow better at avoiding kicks and injuries when nipping at the heels of aggressive animals. Right, the farmer thinks. Let’s see if we can make some more of these guys. Anyway, thoughts of Pam lingered on Vanessa’s mind. And one day, returning home from somewhere, she walked in the house and heard the sound of something scrabbling across the floor. And poof. Pam appeared, as though manifested from mind to matter. Husband Dale had scooped her up from the breeder and brought her home. Surprise.

Bigger older “brother” Kipper and Pam soon became close. In fact, lying down together, Pam fit perfectly into a space against Kipper’s chest like a neatly placed puzzle piece. She also found her place in the larger Paakkonen menagerie that featured a cat, a couple of pet fainting goats, 20 or so chickens, and a large white fish considered part of the family. (They got him in a little cup from a state fair one year, and he prospered.)

When they got Pam, Vanessa was looking ahead to a life with fewer parental and job responsibilities. And more free time. But Pam, a high-energy dog with a big appetite for life, took a larger bite out of Vanessa’s days than expected. An underground fence gave Pam some run-around room. Yet Vanessa recognized that a dog like Pam still required regular walks for exercise and stimulation.

But the time spent exercising Pam turned out to be healthy for Vanessa, too. And there was something else. Pam’s example of living in the

moment, of relishing small everyday occurrences in a big way, came to color Vanessa’s own thinking a bit about the blessings to be found in

ordinary days. Looking back now, Vanessa saw that giving up more free time to have Pam in her life was by no means a bad bargain.

RICKA MCNAUGHTON | CONTRIBUTED

Vanessa Paakkonen on a walk with Pam, a corgi not short on qualifications that count.

and

to

MAHTOMEDI MURALIST: Transforms public spaces into places of discovery

FROM PAGE 1

career as an artist. I obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting at the University of Alaska Anchorage. My art career began in Alaska, where I created public art and taught. After finding some mural work in Minnesota, I moved back and began working with Split Rock Studios, which is a museum exhibit company. I presently work as an independent contractor painting murals and smaller works. A few years ago, I taught some drawing and painting classes at the White Bear Center for the Arts. My mural painting class has a fruit and vegetable mural hanging in the White Bear Lake Food Shelf.

Q. How did you first get into painting murals?

A. I became interested in painting murals after my many visits to the Bell Museum at the University of Minnesota and seeing the beautiful diorama paintings by Francis Lee Jacques. I really loved the size and the realism. To this day, they are truly a work of science and art. I found that I wanted to create paintings that made you feel like you could walk right into them, with objects that were life-size or even bigger.

Q. How many murals have you created so far?

A. I have created over 40 murals. Many are diorama murals that include a ground form with flora and fauna or other artifacts in front. My murals can be found in museums; national and state park visitor centers; and schools and libraries across the country, with a couple located in the White Bear Lake area.

Q. Tell us a little bit more about your mural at the White Bear Lake Library and DeLaSalle High School. What does it mean to you to be inducted into the DeLaSalle Hall of Fame?

A. The White Bear Lake Library mural, titled "Flora and Fauna of White Bear Lake," serves as a big and colorful learning tool about the plants and animals found around the lake. The children's area in the library was a perfect location for this style of mural.

A fellow classmate provided the idea and funding for the DeLaSalle mural. The theme combines images of "The Sermon on the Mount" (Jesus delivering the Beatitudes), DeLaSalle High School on Nicollet Island, Minneapolis, and St. John the Baptist teaching a group of contemporary students from the school. It will be a great honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 6. I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to create art that is meaningful and that will be a lasting contribution to my alma mater. After graduating 54 years ago, I

feel like I have come full circle. It is a great homecoming for me.

Q. Where do you usually find inspiration for your murals?

A. My inspiration usually comes from the excitement of learning new things and creating new works of art to share with the public.

Q. How do you approach designing a mural that's meant to become part of a community's identity?

A. To design a mural that will become a community's identity, I thoroughly research the mural's subject matter and how it best serves the needs of the museum, visitor center, library, etc.

Q. Is there a project that has been especially meaningful to you, and why?

A. Creating artwork for communities and the

people I am familiar with is especially meaningful to me. Murals for DeLaSalle High School, the White Bear Lake Library, Denali National Park and a local White Bear Lake residence are some that stand out to me.

Q. Are there any dream projects or locations where you'd love to paint a mural someday?

A. I would like to paint something for the St. Paul Cathedral in St. Paul.

Q. When people see your work years from now, what do you hope they remember about you as an artist?

A. I hope that they will see me as an artist who did his research and took his time to create something beautiful, educational and thought-provoking for everyone.

Compiled by Shannon Granholm

White Bear Lake area private residence.

Self-portrait at the White Bear Lake Library.

Tettegouche State Park (in studio), Finland, Minnesota. 2012, acrylic on canvas, 9’x18’.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Wind Cave National Park (in studio, one of two bison murals), Hot Springs, South Dakota. 2024. Murals painted at 40% size then scanned

enlarged

8’x20’ on Dreamscape wall covering.

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Applewood Pointe New Brighton 1900 Rush Lake Trail New Brighton, MN 55112

Mahtomedi School Board praises superintendent in annual performance review

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Judge Judy Sheindlin has often been quoted as saying, “That’s why they keep me around — because I’m good!” To paraphrase Judge Judy, the Mahtomedi School Board said the same thing about Superintendent Barb Duffrin.

Every summer when there’s a timeout from overseeing the academic year, the School Board looks back and reviews the work of its superintendent and presents feedback from the evaluation. The results are then made public.

Board Chair Kelly Reagan presented the board and the community a summary statement of its review of Superintendent Barb Duffrin. Reagan compiled the collective responses from School Board members pertaining to Duffrin’s performance evaluation during the 2025-26 school year and read the summary aloud.

“The board shares a deep appreciation for Superintendent Duffrin’s steadfast leadership, unwavering commitment to Mahtomedi Public Schools, and the lasting impact of her years of dedicated service to the district.

“Duffrin’s longevity as a leader has provided stability through changing educational landscapes, while fostering a culture focused on continuous student success. Board members consistently recognize her thoughtful collective leadership and her ability to balance long-term strategic planning with the day-to-day needs of students, staff, families and the community,” Reagan read.

Recurring themes throughout the summary statement about the benefits Duffrin has brought to the Mahtomedi School district and community include:

• vision for academic excellence

• experience and steady leadership in many arenas

• ability to move ambitious initiatives from planning to successful implementation

• leading the way to improve literacy by implementing LETRS and the Science of Reading

• ensuring that all students have access to opportunities to prepare them for future success

• expanding the rigorous AVID program throughout the middle and high schools

• Chair Bryan DeSmet said he reached out to E.G. Rud and Sons regarding the replacement of the Commercial Bay survey markers but did not hear back. He explained that he will follow up again with a phone call to the company.

• The district will hold a strategic planning meeting before its August board meeting at 6 p.m. Vice Chair Meredith Walburg encouraged all board members to review the 1999 Lake Management Plan along with other documents prior to the meeting.

• The board held an in-depth discussion regarding a study’s findings related to wake boats but did not take an official position on the matter. (See full story in this week’s issue.)

• After discussions with the city of White Bear Lake, the conservation district is in the process of organizing a group to work through the possible permitting process for the renting of personal watercraft. Although still in the preliminary stages, the group will likely include representation from the district, the city, the Department of Natural Resources and Ramsey County.

“We will try to move forward to get some discussion going about how to wrap our collective arms around the

• maintaining Mahtomedi’s strong academic foundation while positioning the district for continued growth

• strategic approach to long-term improvement planning

• applying the same successful framework used for literacy to future science and mathematics initiatives at the secondary level

• financial stewardship with careful management of district resources

• the use of a multiyear budget projection and responsible debt restructuring

• proactive efforts to address rising health care costs through new partnerships and the exploration of self-funded insurance options

• engaging in long-term financial planning by communicating about expenditure trends, cost drivers and the district’s effort to manage expenses responsibly while delivering on its commitments

• successful 2025 operating and facilities referendum through transparent communication, strong community engagement and trust that she has built with stakeholders over many years

• development of the district dashboard that provides valuable data supporting informed decision-making and increased transparency

• forward-thinking leadership by identifying the knowledge, skills and disposition students will need to thrive after graduation through the Portrait of a Graduate intiative

• integrity, professionalism and genuine dedication to the Mahtomedi community

• thoughtful decision-making and a willingness to embrace change while remaining grounded in the district’s values and commitment to excellence

• fostering a culture of collaboration, empowering staff leadership, strengthening community trust and positioning Mahtomedi public schools as a respected leader across Minnesota “While recognizing this is an ongoing multiyear effort, board members look forward to its continued implementation and impact,” Reagan concluded on behalf of the board.

Duffrin said she found the reading of her accomplishments somewhat overwhelming and was quick to share the credit. “I do hope my team sitting in the back or listening from home will recognize themselves in that list of accomplishments, because that was not all me. That was an exceptional team. So, thanks to all of you for the work you do.”

Loretta Harding is a contributing writer for Press Publications. She can be reached at news@ presspubs.com.

rental of personal watercraft on the lake,” DeSmet said.

• As of the July board meeting, the lake level was 922.83 feet, down a couple inches from June. Treasurer/ Secretary Mike Parenteau added that the lake temperature is “pretty warm,” and has increased from 66 degrees in June to 90 degrees in July.

• The final price tag for treatment of Eurasian watermilfoil is expected to come in between $17,000-$18,000. Parenteau said the survey evaluated 545 sites on the lake and located Eurasian watermilfoil at 88 sites. A total of 28.56 acres were treated last week.

• DeSmet asked about how swimmers itch is going this year. Parenteau reported he had not heard from any municipalities who have had to treat for it this year.

• The board approved a fireworks permit for a private event at 10 p.m. July 31 at 16 Neptune Street in Mahtomedi. Director Shari Salzman-Hankins asked why the district needed to approve a permit for the event, and if the district would ever deny a permit for fireworks if it would be harmful to the lake.

Director Mark Ganz explained that if the fireworks were to be shot off

LA28 is coming

In two years, White Bear Sailor and Olympian Lara Dallman-Weiss is hoping to compete in the Mixed Dinghy sailing event at the LA28 games with her new partner and driver, Justin Callahan. It would be her third appearance in the 470 class sailboat at the summer Olympics.

Dallman-Weiss and Callahan, in preparation for their Team USA qualifying run, competed in their first Olympic Class regatta July 19-26 in San Pedro, California, the venue for the Olympic sailing events in two years. Nineteen teams from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, France and others were there.

After 12 races in five days of qualification, Dallman-Weiss and Callahan were the top ranked USA team. Their 10th place standings earned them a spot in the 10 boat final series the next day. Sailing against many of the top Mixed 470 teams in the world, 4th and 8th place finishes moved them to 8th place overall in the San Pedro OCR regatta on Friday.

Next up is boat and gear pack-up in preparation for immediate travel to Enoshima, Japan for their 2026 470 World Championships. This 74-boat fleet will be gathered at the site of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic sailing competition. Most of the hopefuls for the LA 2028 Olympics will be there, including teams from Japan, Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand that didn’t make it to San Pedro. Racing takes place Aug.12-17.

Local water skiers place in competitions

Paul Chapin of White Bear Township placed 9th in his age group (70-74) at the 35+ Sr. World Championships in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on July 26. This is his third trip to the Senior Worlds, held every other year. Locally, Paul placed third in his division at the Midwest Regional Water Ski Championships July 31 at Trophy Lakes Estates (TLE) III in Center City, Minnesota. (The Minnesota State Championships was held at TLE concurrently with the Sr. Worlds).

Chapin’s sister Evelyn Duvall placed first in her division (W7, age 65-69) at both the state and regional tournaments in Center City.

Both will advance to the National tournament taking place Aug. 9-16, also at TLE III. The last time Minnesota held a national water ski tournament was in 1960 and 1965 on Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis.

on shore rather than from a barge in the lake, the organizers would be required to obtain a permit through the city and/or fire department.

DeSmet added that if event organizers didn’t have the required insurance or other necessary permits, the conservation district might not approve a permit.

Attorney Alan Kantrud added that the permitting really comes down to making sure it is a safe event and said there is a big difference between some amateur bottle rockets and a professional fireworks company.

“They go up several hundred feet in the air, explode, and everything burns up. It is paper, so it is biodegradable. There is not too much that is really going to be falling (into the lake),” he said. “The number of outboard motors on the lake is probably doing a lot worse than a couple fireworks shows a year on the lake.”

Ganz added that the Lake Utilization Committee plans to look into ordinances that specify how far the barges have to be from shore. “We will look into it more,” he said.

• The conservation district needs to complete its 2025 audit this year.

After receiving three bids ranging from $15,000 to $7,000, the board chose to go with the low bid from

• The board has agreed to renew its membership for $125 to the Minnesota Lakes and Rivers for 2026. The statewide, membersupported nonprofit advocates for the health of Minnesota waters and represents thousands of lake associations and citizens.

• Director Brian Bonin, who sits on the buoy committee, said the buoys have been purchased for Ordway Bar but some more materials are needed. He will report back to the board in August with final costs. At the June meeting, Bonin shared that Ramsey County Water Patrol Cmdr. Mike Servatka recommended the district add additional buoys.

• Kantrud reported at the July meeting that he was still waiting for the court notice from Ramsey County related to the boating while intoxicated (BWI) incident that he told the board about in June.

The next White Bear Lake Conservation District Board meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 18 at White Bear Lake City Hall. The board will first meet at 6 p.m. for strategic planning and then roll into the regular meeting.

Shannon Granholm

Abdo.

WHITE BEAR LAKE CONSERVATION DISTRICT NOTES SPORTS

CONTRIBUTED

Lara Dallman-Weiss and Justin Callahan racing inside the Port of LA breakwater. Six of the Olympic sailing gold medals will be decided on these waters in 2028

CONTRIBUTED

Barb Duffrin

CLERK’S CORNER – Greetings from the Township! By the time this article has gone to press, the Wall That Heals will have been set up in Polar Lakes Park for a run that will last until August 9. Please check out the Township website for further details, but this is truly an honor for us all. Meantime, with that as a backdrop, the seasonal business of the Township carries on. Road projects are visible to all by now, we are going through our budget processes for 2027, believe it or not, & Township Day & the election season are right around the corner. Enjoy the rest of your summer & watch your water consumption.

THE WALL THAT HEALS – Reminder: The Wall That Heals — a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile education center is coming to Polar Lakes Park on August 6 & will run through the closing ceremony which takes place on August 9

at 1:45 PM. Don’t miss a chance to come view this special event.

REMINDER OF THE TOWNSHIP’S SPRINKLING ORDINANCE – The use of the Town Water Supply System for lawn sprinkling & irrigation shall be limited to the following hours & days for the entire year:

• Even numbered house addresses may use their Water System on even numbered calendar days, & odd numbered house addresses may use their Water System on odd numbered calendar days.

• The watering hours are from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM & 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

• If you have seed or new sod, you may get a 2-week exemption from the restrictions by calling the Township at 651-7472764.

MINNESOTA STATE FAIR FREE PARK & RIDE – The great Minnesota get together is right around the corner!

The first day of the fair is Thursday, August 27th. There is a FREE park & ride located in the Township at Calvary Church – 4604 Greenhaven Drive – to provide transportation to & from the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Parking times on Sundays begin at 1 PM due to worship services. Please watch for NO parking signs in the adjacent neighborhoods. If you are unable to find a parking spot in the church parking lot, you may need to try a different pickup location.

NEW FOOD SCRAP PROGRAM –

Ramsey County, in partnership with Washington County, is offering a new curbside food scrap program that started July 6. Sign up for FREE, receive 60 food scrap bags for FREE, & participate for FREE! Collect food scraps using specialized, county-provided compostable bags & place the food scrap bag inside your trash cart for collection. A food

scrap trial kit can be picked up at the Township Admin Office or you can sign up at foodscrapspickup.com.

MOVIES IN THE PARK: THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE! – Bring your lawn chair or blanket & don't forget bug spray for the next FREE, fun, & family-friendly movie night at Polar Lakes Park, beginning at dusk. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie will be showing August 15. The final movie of the season, Wicked: For Good will be showing on September 12.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• The last day for lifeguards at Bellaire Beach is Labor Day, September 7, 2026. • Township Day is Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at Polar Lakes Park. There will be free admission & parking. Fireworks will begin at dusk. Check our website for updates!

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

CITY OF BIRCHWOOD

Please be advised that the City of Birchwood has duly-passed the following ORDINANCE: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 605 REGARDING DOG LICENSING. The following is a SUMMARY of the Ordinance:

On JULY 14, 2026 the City adopted an Ordinance (2026-01) to amend 605 .021 which serves to revoke/remove the requirements of canine licensing. An additional bit of language has been added to remind residents of the requirement for vaccinations. It is being published by summary due to the fact that most of the text is simply stricken.

PLEASE BE ADVISED, this is not the full text of the Ordinance passed and the published material is only a summary. The full text is available for public inspection at the City of Birchwood, 207 Birchwood Avenue, Birchwood, Minnesota 55110 or delivered upon request electronically or by U.S. Mail.

Summary complies with Minn. Stat. §§ 33 lA.05 subd. 8. & 412.191 subd 4. Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 5, 2026.

CITY OF MAHTOMEDI

ANNUAL DISCLOSURE OF TAX INCREMENT DISTRICTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 TIF 8 REE Mahtomedi Apartments

Current net tax capacity 159,762

Original net tax capacity 10,583

Captured net tax capacity 149,179

Month and year of first tax increment receipt Jul-24

Date of required decertification

Additional information regarding each district may be obtained from: Scott Schaefer, Finance Director, 600 Stillwater Road Mahtomedi, MN 55115; (651) 747-3700; sschaefer@ci.mahtomedi.mn.us

Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 5, 2026.

CITY OF PINE SPRINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Pine Springs will hold a public hearing 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at Mahtomedi Public Works Department, 1250 Lincolntown Ave., Mahtomedi, MN to consider a Conditional Use Permit application to operate a home occupation at 5787 Roscoe Road.

Victoria R. Keating, Administrator

Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 5, 2026.

CITY OF PINE SPRINGS

PUBLIC HEARING

The City of Pine Springs will hold a public hearing 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at Mahtomedi Public Works Department, 1250 Lincolntown Ave., Mahtomedi, MN to consider amending the fee schedule. The proposed ordinance can be viewed and downloaded on the City website (cityofpinesprings.org) or obtained by calling the City at 612-257-9809 ten days in advance of the public hearing.

Victoria R. Keating, Administrator

Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 5, 2026.

CITY OF WHITE BEAR LAKE

NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT HEARING FOR 2026 PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT ON ALLEY / COOK AVENUE / BANNING AVENUE / SECOND STREET / THIRD STREET CITY PROJECT NO.: 26-01

To Whom It May Concern: Notice is hereby given that the City Council of White Bear Lake will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers, 4701 Highway 61, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to consider, and possibly act to adopt, the proposed assessment for the 2026 Pavement Rehabilitation Project against benefiting properties on: City Project No. 26-01

Alley (from Second Street to End)

Cook Avenue (from Second Street to Fourth Street)

Banning Avenue (from Lake Avenue to Second Street) Second Street (from Banning Avenue to Lake Avenue) Third Street (from Cook Avenue to Stewart Avenue)

The total amount of the proposed assessment roll for City Project 26-01 is $269,479.67. The estimated cost of the improvement is $1,890,943.24. Owners may contact the City to review the proposed assessment roll, which is on file with the City Clerk. The amount to be specially assessed against a particular lot, piece, or parcel of land will be mailed to the affected property owner prior to the hearing. Adoption by the Council on the proposed assessments may occur at the hearing. At the time and place fixed for the public hearing, the City Council will give all persons who appear at the hearing an opportunity to express their views regarding the proposed assessments and the City Council will consider all written or oral objections raised before or at the hearing. In addition, interested persons may direct any questions or file written comments respecting the proposed assessments with the City Engineer, at or prior to the public hearing. Please find detailed meeting information on the City’s website at www. whitebearlakemn.gov or call the City Clerk at 651-429-8508 to learn how to attend the public hearing. An owner may appeal an assessment to District Court pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 429.081, by serving notice of the appeal upon

the Mayor or Clerk of the City within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court within ten (10) days after service upon the Mayor or Clerk. However, please note that no appeal may be taken as to the amount of any individual assessment unless a written objection signed by the affected property owner is filed with the City Clerk prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. The City Council may consider any such objection at the hearing or may continue the hearing and request additional information from the staff before acting on the objection.

Pursuant to the authority granted by Minnesota Statutes, Section 435.193 and City Ordinance No. 612, any person 65 years of age or older or retired by virtue of a permanent and total disability owning and homesteading property, and which person meets the qualifications of hardship as defined herein, may apply for and receive deferred payment of special assessment so levied by applying to the City of White Bear Lake, Minnesota in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, Section 435.194. A hardship shall be deemed to exist when the average annual payment for all assessments levied against the subjects’ property exceeds one percent (1%) of the adjusted gross income of the applicant as evidenced by the applicant’s most recent Federal Income Tax return. Deferred assessments shall be subject to interest at the rate of 5.44% per annum of the remaining unpaid balance. The option to defer payment of special assessments shall terminate and all amounts accumulated, including accrued interest, shall become due upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

a. The death of the owner, provided that the spouse is otherwise not eligible for the benefits hereunder;

b. The sale, transfer or subdivision of the property or any part thereof; or c. If the property should, for any reason, lose its homestead status.

Paul Kauppi, P.E.

Director of Public Works/City Engineer

Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 5, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA

SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Marketdirect

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be:

18 Norbert Place St. Paul, MN 55116

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

John Healy

18 Norbert Place, St. Paul, MN 55116

MarketDirect Inc.

18 Norbert Place, St. Paul, MN 55116

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: June 16, 2026

Signed: John Healy, President

Published two times in the White Bear Press on July 29 and August 5, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA

SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is:

Minnesota Directors of Nursing Association

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1611 County Road B W, Ste 315, Saint Paul, MN 55113

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Minnesota Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care 1611 County Road B W, Ste 315, Saint Paul, MN 55113

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: July 17, 2026

Signed: Angela Bong

Published two times in the White Bear Press on July 29 and August 5, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA

SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is:

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 1611 County Road B W, Ste 315, Saint Paul, MN 55113

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

HR Executive Forum 1611 County Road B W, Ste 315, Saint Paul, MN 55113

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had

Dated: July 17, 2026

Signed: Angie Bong Published two times in the White Bear Press on July 29 and August 5, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Neto Literacy & Academic Press

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 3532 Rolling View Dr. White Bear Lake, MN 55110

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Augustine Neto

3532 Rolling View Dr. White Bear Lake, MN 55110

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: July 22, 2026

Signed: Augustine Neto Published two times in the White Bear Press on July 29 and August 5, 2026.

OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes; the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies:

1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Minnesota Standard Electrical Services

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2127 Roth Pl, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, including any corporation that may be conducting this business.

Minnesota Standard Services LLC

2127 Roth Pl, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Andrew Schreiner 2127 Roth Pl, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify that I understand that by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: July 22, 2026

Signed: Andrew Schreiner Published two times in the White Bear Press on August 5 and 12, 2026.

STATE OF MINNESOTA CLEMENCY REVIEW COMMITTEE

LEGAL NOTICE

The following individuals were convicted of crimes in Ramsey County and have applied for relief from the Clemency Review Commission (CRC). The applications will be considered on September 11, 2026, commencing at 8:30 am at 1450 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul, MN: Baron Johnson – 1st degree aggravated robbery; 1st degree murder; Convicted: 3/21/1995 Divine Mohammad – 3rd degree possession; Convicted: 1/17/1995 Divine Mohammad – 5th degree possession; Convicted: 1/17/1995 Jonathan Momoh – Threats of violence; obstruct legal process; Convicted: 5/12/2009

Jonathan Momoh – Violate domestic abuse no contact order; Convicted: 12/11/2013 Timothy Simmons – Terroristic threats; Convicted: 8/23/1988 Timothy Simmons – Drug offenses; Convicted: 9/11/1989 Timothy Simmons – 5th degree drug possession; Convicted: 4/21/2000

Thavysith Sivongxay – 5th degree drugs Convicted: 4/10/2006 Chang Vang – Aid/abet theft of motor vehicle; Convicted: 5/5/1997 Phong Vang – Possession of a firearm by an ineligible person; Convicted: 9/2/2003

Phong Vang – Obstructing the legal process with force; Convicted: 7/28/1997

Victims have a right to submit a statement at this meeting. For more information, contact the CRC at 651-539-2610. Published one time in the White Bear Press on August 5, 2026.

Twins enjoy scavenger hunt downtown for 12th birthday party

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Liv and Kate Walfoort, of White Bear Lake, celebrated their 12th birthday with a scavenger hunt downtown Tuesday, July 14. Liv and Kate, along with their friends Leona Messing, Gracie Klecker, Lucy Bruggeman, Eve Rigstad, Adri Klecker and Riley Knabb, visited 12 stops and searched for painted rocks. Some stops included the gazebo in Matoska Park, the post office, Frattallone’s Hardware, Railroad Park, Anchor Coffee, Naptime Faith & Life Gift Shop, the library, Orso Bianco and Blooming Portraits. After the hunt, the girls took a spontaneous dip in the lake to cool down.

Mahtomedi clay target team had fine season

The Mahtomedi High School clay target team had a successful spring season that included team championships, individual state titles and an individual trip to the nationals.

Six seniors, Mason Amberg, Oliver Gadbois, Ian Walsh, Moses Smetana, Nate Eian and Lincoln Anderson, were praised in a team press release for their “leadership, dedication, and sportsmanship” that have helped shape the program over several years, “leaving

The chicks can now fly, but continue to work on elevation, takeoffs, landings.andThe Loons from up North are becoming regulars, along with the three subadults; Loon Central.

big shoes to fill for next season.”

Mahtomedi earned second place at the State Five Stand Tournament and third place in the State Sporting Clays Tournament.

Amberg captured the Class 2A Skeet State Championship, finished third in Varsity at the State Five Stand Tournament and was the conference champion. He will continue his shooting career at Georgia Southern University.

Gadbois earned second place in the conference for Sporting

Clays and added a third-place conference finish in Five Stand.

In Sporting Clays, Jack Goebel claimed the Novice State Championship with Seth Albrecht as the runner-up.

JD Hughes qualified for the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship in Mason, Michigan, by averaging 23.7 out of 25 targets throughout the spring season.

Contributed by Sara Amberg

UP, UP AND AWAY!

Loon Chronicles XI: Up, up and away

We are pleased to report that the chicks have completed flying lessons with their parents and are practicing on their own. Last week, we spotted Artemis and Apollo taking turns heading into the wind and flapping their wings with all their might, while running across the water, trying to get some lift. The sound of their flapping wings could be heard from several feet away. Elevation remains a challenge, but landings are improving dramatically, as the chicks learn the art of gliding. As predicted, with the chicks now able to fly, their parents are spending less time with them, leaving them

to fend for themselves during most of the day. The chicks’ parents have taught them well. Artemis and Apollo still seek cover in the bulrushes or under older docks, when trouble is near. Thank you to everyone around the lake who has chosen to coexist with the bulrushes and leave them in place. This has become a critical piece in protecting and stabilizing our Loon population. The Loons from up north continue to fly over and/or drop in and gather in expanding water dances, calling to each other, day and night. The ore-stained chests on the visiting Loons make them easy to spot.

Several days ago, I spotted a northern Loon riding some huge waves, with gusts up to 22 miles. The Loon, one of the largest I have ever seen, made it look easy, while the remaining Loons could barely keep their heads above water. During the next few weeks, the chicks should start to mix it up with chicks and juveniles from neighboring lakes and the three subadults, who have taken up residence on WBL. We will keep you posted.

WHY BE A BEAR?

• Student-centered instruction.

We believe all students grow and learn in different ways and at different rates — that all can achieve.

• Expanded academic opportunities.

isd624.org/enroll

Our students explore their interests, excel and design their futures.

• Empowered, supported learning.

Students are agents and owners of their learning in an environment that is safe, supportive and challenging — with high expectations for student success.

• Inspiring, nurturing educators.

Our educators facilitate learning and challenge students — fostering curiosity and confidence.

• Transformative learning.

Our flexible learning spaces and learning studios ignite opportunities for communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

Int’l Baccalaureate (IB) & Elementary Spanish Dual Immersion programs available!

ELEMENTARY BEARS...

The White Bear Lake Area School District offers a choice of K-5 programs:

• Neighborhood schools: Strong academic programs are offered at neighborhood schools located throughout the District.

• International Baccalaureate: Matoska International is available to all students in the White Bear Lake Area School District. The program is an International Baccalaureate (IB) world school. The District provides transportation from any point in the school district for resident students enrolled at this school. Learn more at the Matoska International website.

• Elementary Spanish Dual Immersion: An Elementary Spanish Dual Immersion program is available at Matoska International and Otter Lake Elementary. The District will provide transportation from any point in the school district for resident students enrolled in this program. Learn more at the Immersion page of the website.

Find complete info at isd624.org/ kindergarten

Ellen Maas

ELLEN MAAS | CONTRIBUTED

July 20August 2, 2026

CONTRIBUTED

From left, Coach Brian Amberg, JD Hughes, Mason Amberg, Oliver Gadbois, John Goebel, Coach Bob Goebel.

program is to train young artists to be prepared and ready to walk into the regional and professional audition space,” explained director Braylon Lane. “The ideology of our production is that we’re going to teach them to do hard things.”

Challenges abound when staging “Disney’s Newsies,” a show about the newsboys’ strike of 1899, when juvenile newspaper hawkers in New York united against Joseph Pulitzer’s and William Randolph Hearst’s wage practices. The cast, mainly ages 1525, must learn stage combat, move scaffolding while tap dancing and craft a nuanced character backstory — all at double-time speed.

“At the high school level, the traditional schedule trajectory is seven to eight weeks. At the (professional) level, it’s four to five weeks,” Lane said.

For Leonardo Fay, a recent graduate of Bethel University who plays lead Jack Kelly, the pressure-cooker scenario is providing him with practical experience before he joins a program at Circle in the Square Theatre and School on Broadway.

“I looked into the creative team (for “Newsies”), and I saw that there was a lot of really well-established people there. It’s a preprofessional type of opportunity, and those are pretty rare,” Fay said. “It’s really nice to see that there are things being built that are stepping stones into the industry.”

“It’s brought me more of a view of what it’s like if I wanted to go into regional theater,” agreed Eli Murphy, a graduating White Bear senior and one of Hennepin Arts’ 2026 Triple Threat recipients. “This is another step to what I want to go do.”

This show has also given young creatives insight into areas in which they can excel behind the scenes. Chicago College of Performing Arts student Emily Hubin, for example, plays the show’s female lead and is assistant costumer.

“At first, it was a little bit tricky to juggle and interesting to learn how to do both,” Hubin said, “but I found, as an ADHD person with a brain that can focus on so many different things at once, it's actually been really fun for me.”

Graduating White Bear senior Holly Flood is assistant choreographer. While she’s helped in this area before, the show has given her confidence in an authority position.

“What’s helping me thrive is … I know I’m qualified for this position,” Flood said. “I’m able to use creativity to make it all cohesive.”

Meanwhile, for Ben Storelee, an incoming sophomore at White Bear Lake Area High School who has already been in numerous shows with the district as well as with CPA, “Disney’s Newsies” is an opportunity for growth.

“Something that pushes me to work harder is the people I’m around,”

Storelee said. “I’m starring next to many college students who are trying to get BFAs, degrees in theater. That motivates me to try harder and dive deeper into the role and actions and vocals.”

Storelee is playing Medda Larkin, the owner of and performer at a vaudeville theater. While Storelee identifies as male, Medda Larkin is female. Storelee’s past theater credits include characters with a wide variety of gender identities or lack of identities. He played Belle and the Beast’s son, Prince Ben, in “Disney’s Descendants,” and was the Evan Hansen understudy in this past spring’s “Dear Evan Hansen.” He has also played an enchanted wardrobe in “Beauty and the Beast” and, most recently, Teen Angel in “Grease.”

“In theater, you’re playing a character. The character doesn’t necessarily have to align with who you are,” Storelee said. “Obviously, I’m male presenting, but I play all different kinds of roles.”

Storelee, who wants to pursue musical theater professionally, is grateful for the opportunity to play a part like Medda Larkin.

“As a teenage theater kid who is a boy who loves to play things of all kinds, there are rejections you’ll get,” Storelee said. “There might be a director that’s here for it and there might not be because it’s a female role, and I’m a male.”

Lane explained that he made the Medda Larkin casting choice for a simple reason: Storelee has the best audition.

“When we were having the auditions for Medda, I don’t think I anticipated somebody that is a male in the role. Then, when Ben put it on his audition form and came to a callback, I said, ‘Holy Buckets!’” Lane said. “I thought, ‘Why the hell not?’”

Similarly, multiple women in “Disney’s Newsies” play roles originally written for men. For instance, Kiara Angilne, an incoming senior at Burnsville High School, plays the character Race, a tenor part.

“He’s Jack’s sidekick. He’s kind of

the laid back, chill one,” she explained.

Angilne feels that the workload for “Disney’s Newsies” has challenged her. “I am a very fast learner,” Angilne said. “But some of the dances? I’m like, ‘Whoa, I’m not getting this first time. I’m asking questions, not only for the dancing, but overall, as an actor.”

Bethel University incoming senior Thien-Tam Tang, who plays Crutchie, a character with a disability, is also being tested as an actor, specifically with character creation.

“I don’t have any physical disabilities,” Tang said. “I have to try to be as accurate as possible, representing something I don’t have in a way that’s not offensive … He struggles, but he’s just like the rest of the newsies. He’s one of them.”

Inclusion and self-advocacy are the main themes of both “Disney’s News -

ies” and CPA’s Summerstock Intensive, according to Damyre Perry, a River Falls student who plays Albert, one of the newsboys.

“Living with compassion, living with empathy, living with grace and space for other people — but also standing up for yourself,” Perry said. “If you want happiness, you need to advocate for yourself … No one else is going to be able to read your mind and speak it for you.”

CPA’s production of “Disney’s Newsies” runs Aug. 8-16 at White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center, 5040 Division Ave., Door A. For tickets and details, visit childrensperformingartsmn. ludus.com.

Rat Pack Entertainment Presents: 8 Time Press Pubs Best Vocalist/Best Band Winner

Press

PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

From left, Holly Flood, Eli Murphy, Emily Hubin, Damyre Perry, Ben Storelee, Kiara Angline, Leonardo Fay and Thien-Tam Tang are among the cast members in the upcoming production of “Disney’s Newsies.”

Kiara Angline practices her dance moves before the start of a recent rehearsal.

lineapp/

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MAHTOMEDI & WILLERNIE

St. Andrew’s Village celebrates 25 years

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

St. Andrew’ Village in Mahtomedi is celebrating a quarter century.

The Presbyterian Homes & Services senior living community is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood on East Road, right next to St. Andrews Lutheran Church.

Life Enrichment and Volunteer Director Tammy Medin has worked there for seven years. In honor of the 25th anniversary, Medin did a deep dive into the community’s history. Here is what she found.

The articles for incorporation were filed by the state of Minnesota for St. Andrew’s Village on March 23, 1999; the first independent living resident moved in on Dec. 28, 2000; the first assisted living resident moved in on Feb. 19, 2001; and the grand opening was held in July 2001.

“They had between 700 and 900 people on campus on opening day,” Medin said.

As a florist of over 30 years, Medin said she was searching for a job that would offer health benefits and stumbled upon St. Andrew’s, which happened to be hiring at the time. She says she wasn’t necessarily looking to have a career in senior living but quickly grew to love it.

“I’ve been surrounded by older people my whole life. This was just something that felt easy, and it just became home,” Medin explained. She started out in housekeeping for a couple of years before transitioning to home care coordinator for 2 1/2 years. Since then, she’s occupied her current role as life enrichment and volunteer director. Medin has enjoyed connecting with the residents and their families.

“Every one of them has a story to tell that is so interesting,” Medin explained. “You walk through a door, and every single person is happy to see you because you are the person that they get to spend every day with … You are a part of their everyday journey wherever that journey takes them.”

St. Andrews has several staff members who have worked there since the beginning. In fact, Dan Perron has worked for Presbyterian Homes for 46 years. He worked at a couple of other sites and eagerly applied to the Mahtomedi location when it was under construction, as he lives one mile from the campus.

Up until last November, Perron worked as the environmental services director, but he had to step down from the full-time role due to cancer treatment. He says his cancer is now in remission and once he is feeling a bit better, he plans to

CONTRIBUTED

St. Andrew’s Village recently held a party for residents and their families to celebrate 25 years.

return to help in any way he can at the age of 66.

“Being it is a smaller community, it is more close-knit. It feels like home,” he said. “My family always joked with me that St. Andrew’s was my second home.” Over the years, Perron has had five relatives live within the building, too.

He says the one thing that stands out about St. Andrew’s Village versus other facilities is its welcoming atmosphere. “I’ve visited family and friends at other sites, and when you walk in, it is a cold, uninviting feeling,” he explained. “When you walk in the front door at St. Andrew’s, residents are sitting there chatting and they say hello, good morning, good afternoon,” he explained.

In its 25-year history, a milestone that the community is rather proud of is the addition of a wellness center and a chapel in 2016-2017.

Thanks to the addition of the wellness center, the community is now able to have fitness offerings four times a week.

The community prides itself on offering a variety of activities and still allowing residents to make choices and attend things that interest them.

“We have so many options. We do. A lot (of activities) at the same time, because they still have choices. They can decide what they want to do. We don’t want them to have to do something,” Medin explained. She added that she is always looking to add entertainment to the calendar, including music.

“That’s a pretty big priority for me because it is a very emotional thing,” she said. “It brings you back. You can think of a lot of things when listening to music.”

St. Andrews has an active choir. Every Monday, the choir and residents visit the memory care residents in the Arbor for a singalong. Choir Director Jerry Tonder wrote a song, “Singing in the Arbor,” a parody of “Oh! Susanna.”

During the pandemic, Medin says, it was necessary to change how they operated, from the moment the residents woke up to the minute they went to sleep. However, the staff worked hard to make sure that residents didn’t necessarily realize all those changes.

“Being able to adapt to those changes as a community to provide that care without them knowing we had to change was pretty spectacular,” Medin said. She added that the community invested in iPads so in the thick of isolation, residents could still connect with their loved ones.

Over the years, the community has also become creative in things to do for its residents, including a winter wonderland walk-through as well as a state fair and New Year’s Eve party. St. Andrew’s Village was one of the first Presbyterian Homes to host a murder mystery dinner. Past dinners have included themes like the Great Gatsby, haunted mansion, New Orleans and St. Patrick’s Day.

“We haven’t done them in a couple of years, but those are the things people still talk about,” Medin said.

So, what is the hope for the community’s next 25 years? Medin says she hopes that when residents (and staff) walk in the doors, they still feel the same way they do now, like they are home.

“We are in their home; we are not at our place of work. That is something that we really pride ourselves on here,” Medin said. “For us, senior living is about much more than providing care; it is about creating a community where people continue to laugh, grow, celebrate and make memories together. That’s what makes our building unique and it’s why so many people say it truly feels like home.”

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

MAHTOMEDI SCHOOL BOARD NOTES

• Depending on construction timing, students living on the southern half of the district can look forward to a safe way to cross Stillwater Road (CSAH 12) on the way to and from Wildwood Elementary, the middle school and the high school. The board approved a cooperative agreement with Washington County for the Safe Routes to School Project. ISD 832 plans to construct a new trail along the east side of the Middle School entrance from CSAH 12 to the next intersection to the east, including intersection improvements to facilitate pedestrian crossings, said Tim Erickson, director of finance and operations.

The county plans to build a new trail along the south side of CSAH 12 from the Mahtomedi Middle School entrance to Inwood Way N. in Grant. For non-pedestrians, the 20-foot-wide strip of land along CSAH 12 will accommodate nonmotorized transportation (electric skateboards, scooters and bicycles). There will be flashing pedestrian signs to help slow traffic down. Work will also include some road improvements. The Safe Routes To School grant covers 100% of construction costs, but engineering costs must be covered by local agencies. The total estimated costs are $757,477; the grant covers $598,516. For professional services such as engineering and wetland mitigation, the district will pay an estimated out-of-pocket expense of $59,150.

The project has not yet gone out for bids, so costs could change and could turn the project into a million dollar project, Erickson said. There are still enough grant dollars to cover increased construction costs, but not professional services costs. The timing of construction will also depend on when the bids come in, as well as the contractor’s timetable. “This has been in the works for many years,” Duffrin said. “We’ll finally be able to finish the trail connections on the south side of Stillwater Road to our campus,” she said.

• Every two years, the board routinely opens up an election for new members. School board members are elected every two years at the general election held in even years. For the Nov. 3 general election, three seats for four-year terms will be on the ballot. The terms of Ryan Domin, Paul Donna and Jenny Peterson expire on the first Monday in 2027. The board formally approved a resolution for the election of school board members and scheduling the school district general election.

The board next meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, in the District Center Community Room, 1520 Mahtomedi Avenue.

Loretta Harding

The boys of ’76 look back on state title 50 years later

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

In the fall of 1976, White Bear Lake rumbled to the state football championship, undefeated.

Team member Michael Decagon contacted the Press to suggest a 50th anniversary tribute. He connected us with several members, now in their late 60’s, to reflect on one the school’s greatest athletic achievements.

The Bears pulled out several close games, including the state finals in overtime, to finish 12-0. On offense they had a punishing ground game, and their defensive first team never allowed more than one touchdown in a game.

“Johnny Rukavina was the master of the bootleg play. Teams knew it was coming but still couldn't stop it,” said Deragon, a backup receiver on that team, now living in Texas. “Jeff Dufresne was the best running back in the state and was a punishing runner. Along with an incredible offensive line and a defense that probably was the best in the state, we could control a game.”

“I believe we had the toughest defense in the state,” said linebacker Steve Cartier, a retired businessman lives in Maplewood. “A lot of the points scored against us were when it wasn’t going to affect the outcome of the game.”

“We were never behind In any game in regulation, with one exception,” said all-state lineman Tom Peters, a retired civil engineer who lives in Woodbury. “We trailed Woodbury 6-0 at halftime.”

The first state football playoffs were held in 1972, when the 1976 seniors were eighth-graders.

“We vowed when we were kids that we would win a state championship,” said Rukavina, a territorial sales manager for an industrial gas company, living in Eagan. “We knew when we were very young that if we worked hard we could be very good.

“We started football together in the fourth grade — coached by my dad, Joe Rukavina, who played for the Gophers, and Chuck Prokop.”

The head coach was Fred Konrath, who took over in 1970 and stayed nine years before joining the Gophers coaching staff. Konrath passed away in 2016.

“Fred was a great motivator and great student of the game. The kids liked playing for him,” said Jim Galvin, who was offensive and defensive line coach.

“The players were good kids from good families, what you want to a build championship team with,” said Galvin, who had two more state champ teams as head coach in basketball in the mid1980’s.

The 1976 seniors had gone unbeaten in grades 7-10, quarterbacked by Rukavina. They were a bit miffed, Cartier said, when many of them were playing behind seniors in 1975 and the Bears went 3-6. A senior played QB and Rukavina started at running back.

The Bears were raring to go when their time came. They went 9-0 in the regular season, beating North St. Paul 27-0, Park 34-14, Mariner 25-13, South St. Paul 21-0, Stillwater 14-7, Hastings 17-0, Woodbury 14-13, Henry Sibley 21-14, and Tartan 19-0. In the playoffs, they rolled past Columbia Heights 28-6 and St. Paul Johnson 28-8.

The championship game against Cloquet at Parade Stadium in Minneapolis (game time temperature 19 degrees) was a meat-grinder.

Regulation ended 7-7 with Rukavina scoring in the first half. Cloquet scored in overtime but missed the extra point kick; it was tipped by Dave Dornfeld. The Bears got a six-yard touchdown by Dufresne, Ken Jensen booted the extra point and the Bears were state champs, 14-13.

“I expected we would have a great year,” Tom Peters said. “I knew we had a really good team and there would be some tough games but I couldn’t envision us losing to anyone.”

The biggest game of the regular season was their 14-7 win at Stillwater, with Dufresne scoring two touchdowns, stopping the number one ranked Ponies’ 19-game win streak.

“Stillwater had 110 players run through the goal posts and we had

46,” Rukavina said. White Bear Lake was split into to high schools then, the other being Mariner. The Stillwater game drew about 6,000 fans, a newspaper report said, with the overflow crowd ringing the field behind a wire. “When I got tackled out of bounds, I fell into people,” Rukavina said.

Rukavina and Dufresne each went to the Ivy League. Rukavina played hockey at Brown, and Dufresne, who settled in Colorado, was an All-Ivy running back for Dartmouth. They watched each other play during those years. Tom Peters went on to play offensive line on strong teams at North Dakota State.

The offensive starters were Rukavina, Dufresne, fullback Chuck Lowell, wingback Ted Reeck, center Don Huemoeller, guards Paul Kim and Ken Jensen, tackles Pat Cartier and Tom Peters, and tight ends Scott Peters and Pete Lowell.

Rukavina recalls being a tad faster than Dufresne. “But he was really strong and I could give him the ball 30 times a game, and he’d never even get tired,” said Rukavina, who called the plays. He convinced Konrath to let him call his own plays and did for 11 games. The coach took that duty back in the state finals.

The starting defense had Ken Jensen at noseguard, Tom Peters and Bob Nadeau at tackle, Scott Peters and Lowell defensive ends, Steve Cartier and Mike Granger at linebacker, and defensive backs Dufresne, Dornfeld, Jeff Summers and Reeck. Dave Louismet saw action at defensive tackle and nose guard. Steve Cartier saw action at fullback. An additional strength were the special teams for which many of the reserves were utilized.

“The entire season was not one or two or three all-stars leading the way,” Cartier said. “Our star players always played well, but if they became the focus of another team's strategy, someone else stepped up and made the big plays. This was a total team effort.”

Team members Pat Cartier, Huemoeller, Scott Peters, Joe Prokup, Rick Duell, Pat Norton, and Brian Tice have passed away, Deragon reported.

Three years ago, about 15 of the players got together at a Bears homecoming game against Woodbury and were presented at halftime along with the two living coaches, Jim Galvin and Dick Grochowski. The players also watched videos of 1976 remastered from the old reel-to-reel films.

Rukavina said they intend to get as many players together as they can to commemorate the 50th year, appearing at a game Sept. 25.

Posing three years ago with the state championship trophy were (from left) linebacker Steve Cartier, coaches Dick Grochowski and Jim Galvin, and quarterback John Rukavina. The two living coaches were honored that night with about 15 players on hand.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

Coach Fred Konrath posed with some of his defensive players. Front, from left, Pete Lowell, Dave Dornfeld, Rick Duell and Dave Louismet, Back, from left, Steve Cartier, Mike Granger, Jeff Summers, Bob Nadeau and Bob Thies.

Bald Eagle Lake teen pins sixth place at Junior Nationals in Fargo

BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER

Caden Grenier’s summer vacation is only now beginning. The first half of the season, Caden was preparing to represent Minnesota Storm, the state’s wrestling club, at the 2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals tournament, held July 10-18 in Fargo, North Dakota. Since 1968, the U.S. Olympic Wrestling team has had at least one member from Minnesota Storm.

There, in the 190-pound bracket, Caden placed sixth among competitors from across the country.

“This is my second time going,” Caden said. “Every single state in the country sends a team.”

This tournament is only the latest achievement in his wrestling career, a career that started before school.

“Probably, when kids that are Pre-K go into a sport, it’s because they’re pushed by their parent,” said Caden’s father, Chris Grenier. “I thought he could excel. We have a muscular body type.”

Chris was initially concerned about Caden’s temperament, though. “He’s the kindest kid in the world,” Chris said, “but when he got out on that mat, he was able to have good technique and mechanically figure things out.”

Caden believes that his ability grew while training at St. Michael’s Academy (STMA). “When I was young, I was not the best … but I still got to wrestle with the best in practice, so it was fun.” Caden recalled. “And I think that’s why you get better, when you’re wrestling with the best kids every year.”

As he grew older, Caden stuck with wrestling because he found his own reasons to enjoy the sport.

“It’s not the winning that I like. I don’t mind going to practice,” Caden said. “Obviously, you want to come home with something, but you don’t go to win. You go to wrestling to compete. You’ve got to love that.”

White Bear Lake captures Junior Legion baseball state title

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

A resilient White Bear Lake Junior Legion baseball team won their state tournament championship.

“He practices year round; it’s not a seasonal thing,” Caden’s stepmother, Melissa Grenier added. “He’s just a very hard worker.”

Caden also encourages other young athletes and parents to embrace a similar mindset.

“As a parent, you’ve got to figure out how to make your kid enjoy going to practice,” Caden said. “You’re never going to get far if you push your kid.”

Caden pushed himself to get to the Fargo tournament, and he credits his high placement to aggressive play early in the tournament.

“These brackets are 128-person brackets, so they’re pretty big. You’ve got to win a lot of matches. You have to take it match by match,” Grenier said. “More importantly, I’d say that you go first—first guy to throw is normally the one who scores.”

Because the tournament is doubleelimination with a consolation bracket, Grenier explained that losing early in the tournament puts an athlete on a more difficult path.

“Because you have to wrestle twice as many on the backside, it helps a lot just winning your first few matches,” he said. After that, Caden explained that he trusts his instincts and training. “I think you develop a muscle memory. I don’t think when I’m out there because I’ve done it so many times, my body knows what to do.”

Caden, now an incoming senior, has and will continue to wrestle for Mounds View High School, though he, Chris and Melissa have moved near Bald Eagle Lake.

While he hopes to lead the Mounds View team to a state championship this year, Caden is enjoying the present.

“I hung out with my friends today, and I haven’t seen those guys in a very long time. But that’s what I chose for myself,” Caden noted before shrugging. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to Valleyfair and have fun. That’s the second half of the summer.”

In both the state tournament and the district tournament a week earlier, the Bears (21-10) lost their opener and came all the way back in the sudden-death bracket to place first.

Junior Legion is U17, with most of the players coming off their sophomore year.

At state in Alexandria, the Bears lost to New Ulm 7-6, then defeated Delano 21-0, Eden Prairie 9-5 with Ben Brockman pitching, Eagan 5-1 with Maddox Alexander pitching, and Bemidji 15-3 with Croix Wonka pitching.

In the finals against Alexandria, Will Connors led off the game with a home run, Max Butters pitched

the distance, and Gavin Hawes had three hits, leading to an 8-4 win to force a second game.

The Bears cruised in that one, 13-2 in five innings with Hawes and Wyatt Reilly pitching, Butters rapping three hits and Alexander knocking in three runs.

“What really stood out was how close they were as a group,” coach Carson Cooper said. “Countless times, they got together and picked each other up and gave each other focus. They really care about each other and they are very competitive. A really fun team to coach.”

Butters was named tournament MVP. Joining him on the alltournament team were Connors, Hawes, Reilly and Alexander. The Bears were also awarded the tournament sportsmanship trophy. In the district tournament in Bloomington, the Bears comeback was capped by 8-5 and 9-3 wins over Maple Grove in the finals.

Bear commits to Gophers

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Nash Roed, coming off an excellent sophomore season for White Bear Lake, verbally committed to the Minnesota Gophers last week.

He posted on social media: “I am proud and honored to announce my commitment to further my education and play Division 1 hockey at the University of Minnesota! I would like to thank everyone who has helped me get to this point!”  Roed was recruited by Gopher coach Brett Larson to eventually join the Big Ten team.

It was also announced recently that Roed has been selected to skate for the National Team Develop Program

CONTRIBUTED

Nash Roed

Under 18’s in the 2026-27 season. That Olympic development program is based in Michigan.  Roed is playing juniors hockey for the Waterloo (IA) Black Hawks, who

drafted him in the first round of the 2025 United States Hockey League Phase I Draft. He played in 11 lateseason Waterloo games, producing a goal and three assists.

Roed, 16, led the Bears (13-12-3) with 20 goals and 27 assists as a sophomore. In two seasons he has logged 31 goals and 41 assists in 55 games.

Roed’s brother, Lleyton, recently completed his second season with the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, while another brother, Nolan, enters his second season at St. Cloud State. Their father, Peter, played professionally for six seasons, competing in the ECHL, AHL, UHL and Germany's DEL.

CONTRIBUTED

White Bear Lake Junior Legion (17-and-under) state champions assembled after beating Alexandria in the finals.

CONTRIBUTED

A referee declares Caden Grenier the winner of his match.

Charles Jenkins Moore

May 28, 1936 – July 8, 2026, 90, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on May 28, 1936, in Miami, Florida, Charles spent the formative years of his life in New Jersey, where he developed a deep connection to the Jersey Shore and built lifelong friendships. He was proud of his Hawaiian heritage through his father and carried that connection with him throughout his life.

Charles treasured his family. He found his greatest joy in the people he loved and valued the time spent with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends. His quiet strength, steady presence, and unwavering devotion to those closest to him will be remembered by all who knew him.

One of Charles’s greatest sources of pride was serving 22 seasons as a lifeguard with the Atlantic City Beach Patrol (ACBP) in Atlantic City, New Jersey. During his years on the Beach Patrol, he was credited with numerous lifesaving rescues and earned the respect and admiration of his fellow lifeguards. The camaraderie, discipline, and traditions of the ACBP remained an important part of his life.

Charles was a longtime member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers (OCAW, PACE, United Steelworkers) union. He devoted his professional career to serving working men and women as an International Union Representative.

Christine Mary Swanovich

53, passed away unexpectedly on July 17, 2026 in Lithia, FL. Preceded in death by her mother, Joann McLean (Elias). She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Mark; her children, Zachary and Samantha; her father, Patrick; sister, Colleen (Mike); brother, Tim (Angela); and many relatives and friends. Christy will be remembered for her kindness, beautiful smile, and deep love for her family and friends. Though her life ended far too soon, Christy’s legacy of love, compassion and devotion to family will remain with all that knew and loved her.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4-7pm on Friday, August 14, 2026 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, with a memorial service at 6:00pm. Mueller Memorial, White Bear Lake, www.muellermemorial.com, 651-429-4944

Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and recognitions in appreciation of his dedication, leadership, and service to the labor movement.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Marguerite Lillian (Hasson) Moore and Charles Kekuhaupio Moa (Moore); his sister, Laura Mae; his son, Charles; and his wife, Linda Sue Moore.

He is survived by his children: Deborah (Dave) Manning, Marguerite Pohlig, Charlotte Holloway, Brenda (Joe) Randour-Stickel, Kathleen (Doug Wilson) Anderson, and John (Kelli) Moore; his nieces and nephew, Laurie Pumphrey, Charlie Pumphrey, and Pamela Stanhope; his stepchildren, Jennifer (Carl) Miles-Quist and John (Jodi) Miles; his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; extended family; and many dear friends.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers and hospice team whose compassion and kindness brought comfort during his final days.

Charles’s legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friendships he cherished, the lives he protected, and the workers he faithfully represented. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and never forgotten.

In accordance with Charles’s wishes, he will receive an Atlantic City Beach Patrol (ACBP) lifeguard interment ceremony and be laid to rest at Zion Cemetery in New Jersey, beside his family. In keeping with his deep pride in his Hawaiian heritage, a private family ceremony will also be held in Hawaii, where a portion of his ashes will be returned to the waters that reflected his ancestral roots.

A Celebration of Life for family, friends, and colleagues will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Jimmy’s Event Center, 1132 County Road E, Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, in the Vadnais Room.

Richard “Rick” Clark Niessen, Jr.

Passed away unexpectedly on June 26, 2026, age 57. Preceded in death by sister, Julie Daugherty. Survived by parents, Bev and Dick Niessen; brother, Brian Niessen; nephews, J.P and Danny Daugherty. He was a 30 years employee of US Bank, avid fisherman, downhill skier, loyal friend, loving son, and brother. A celebration of life service was held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, MN. Rick will be laid to rest at Roselawn Cemetery.

CALENDAR BRIEF

VFW hosts 2.2-mile walk

VFW Post 1782 will host a 2.2-mile Veteran Suicide Awareness Walk at 2:22 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The walk will remember the veterans who die by suicide each day and lift up veterans and their families with support and hope. The walk will begin at the VFW Post, travel to Matoska Park and return to the VFW. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/3xppstd7.

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