White Bear Press by Press Publications

‘Vision and Verse’ puts youth creativity on display

BY LOGAN GION

WRITER

For the past 10 years, White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) has hosted a visual arts competition for northeast metro students grades 9-12. Separately, WBCA’s “WriteNow!” writing competition has displayed local teens’

work for nearly 40 years. Now, the two competitions are being displayed together at WBCA, in an exhibition known as “Vision and Verse.”

Creative Services Director Sara Nephew explained that all submissions were free and anonymous.

Mayor Louismet announces he will not run for reelection

Dan Louismet is not planning to run for reelection.

The White Bear Lake native was elected mayor in November 2021. Prior to his role as mayor, he served on the Park Advisory Commission for five years and the Charter Commission for three years.

The White Bear Lake Press sat down with Louismet to reflect on his time as mayor, learn more about what led him to decide not to run for the seat again, and what his future may entail.

Q. As a lifelong resident of White Bear Lake, why did you want to serve as mayor in the first place?

A. The “why” is simple: I wanted to preserve the history, charm and character of our great city, including stopping the METRO Purple Line (formerly Rush Line) and taking a slow and incremental

White Bear Lake EMS on leading edge of medical care

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

Starting in May, the White Bear Lake Fire Department will likely be the first agency in the state, and certainly in the metro, to treat patients with IV acetaminophen instead of an opioid.

Regions EMS Clinical Supervisor Matthew Cannefax said he wasn’t sure about agencies outside of their coverage area but confirms that White Bear Lake is the first EMS service in the metro to administer an intravenous form of acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic utilized for treating pain and fever.

IV acetaminophen is already used as an option for pain in hospital settings, but Cannefax and

his team learned at a national conference about ambulance services around the country that were starting to utilize it.

“It really kind of piqued my interest. I thought that it would be a very good option for some of the services,” Cannefax said. “We want to have a non-opioid option on our pain medication playlist.”

White Bear Lake was selected for what will likely be a six-month trial.

“White Bear Lake is a very EMS-minded service. The leadership there all has history and experience in EMS, so when we thought about what service would be good to trial this with, White Bear was the first service that came to mind,” Cannefax explained. “They also have a

lot of very progressive paramedics. When I go to do education with them and case review, a lot of times those paramedics already know about the studies that I'm bringing up. They like to push the envelope … They are always trying to get what's new and what's most effective on their ambulances.”

Many ambulance services carry the oral form of the drug, which is either 250 mg or 500 mg. The IV dose is equivalent to 1 gram, or 1,000 mg, a prescription-strength dose.

Fire Chief Greg Peterson says the department is seeing more and more patients who do not want to be exposed to opioids. “Right now, we

CONTRIBUTED

White Bear Lake Mayor Dan Louismet pictured with his wife Molly and daughters Frankie, 9, and Eden, 6.

The “Vision and Verse” exhibit is on display at the White Bear Center for the Arts through May 16.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

DAY OF SERVICE IN WHITE BEAR

When: 9 a.m. Saturday, May 3 (1 p.m. Sunday, May 4 in case of bad weather)

Where: Union Cemetery, Second Avenue, White Bear Lake

Details: In preparation of Memorial Day, the VFW Post 1782 and American Legion Post 168 will join together in a day of service cleaning our veterans’ headstones. All community members welcome. Environmentally friendly cleaning solutions provided though volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, eye protection, etc. Contact: gary.carlberg@hotmail.com or 651-2147086

CURRENT EVENTS

‘ANYTHING GOES’ (2022 REVIVAL VERSION)

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays, April 25-May 18

Where: Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: The SS American sets sail, and two unlikely couples embark on the road to true love aided by a crew of singing sailors. “Anything Goes” is “delightful, delicious and de-lovely.” Contact: 651–478-7427 or tickets@lakeshoreplayers.org

FILLEBROWN HOUSE TOUR

When: 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 3

Where: Fillwbrown House, 4735 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake

Details: Visit the 1879 lakeside cottage and learn about life during the resort era. Tickts online.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org

WHITE BEAR LAKE CLEANUP DAY

When: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 3

Where: 4200 Hoffman Road (former public works site), White Bear Lake

Details: Get rid of unwanted items for a small fee. Household haxardous waste is not accepted. Proof of residentcy required. See list of accepted items and fees online.

Contact: whitebearlake.org

COMMUNITY LUNCH

When: Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 7

Where: Mahtomedi District Education Center Details: Food, conversation, ad live entertainment for residents of all ages. Registration deadline May 2. Contact: communityed.mahtomedi.k12.mn.us

The Peninsula pair are on the nest, with an anticipated hatch around May 17. The geese have taken over the Cove, making life difficult for the Cove pair. The Birchwood nest is up for grabs.

GARDEN TOOL SWAP

When: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7

Where: North Environmental Center, Forest Lake Details: Drop off unwanted garden tools and decor and pick up needed ones. No power tools, plastic planters, dirt or broken items.

Contact: washingtoncountymn.gov/3775/Reuse-andRepair-Resources

MOVING AWAY FROM NATURAL GAS

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7

Where: White Bear Lake Library, 2150 Second St., White Bear Lake

Details: The community forum features J. Drake Hamilton, a nationally respected climate policy expert and the managing director of Science Policy at Fresh Energy. Hamilton, who serves on Governor Walz’s Advisory Council on Climate Change, will explore science-based strategies for transitioning Minnesota away from natural gas and toward a clean energy future.

Contact: olingers25@msn.com or 612-718-6412

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

When: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 8

Where: Podvin Park, 1700 Ninth St., White Bear Lake Details: Come explore a variety of vehicles, meet first responders and have some family fun. Hosted by the White Bear Lake Police Department. Contact: 651-429-8511

Brand new breakfast items: Breakfast Appetizers, made from scratch giant Belgian waffles and more!

ONGOING EVENT

WASHINGTON COUNTY PARKS FREE TUESDAY

When: Tuesday, May 6; first Tuesday of the month

Where: All Washington County Parks

Details: Free entry into county parks all day the first Tuesday of the month.

Contact: washingtoncountymn.gov/parksprograms

Loon Chronicles X: Already On The Nest

Starting with the good news, we are thrilled to report that the Peninsula Loon pair did not waste any time claiming Shannon’s nest. On April 19, we spotted mama Loon on the nest, looking calm and comfortable, while she kept the egg(s) safe and warm. Hatch should take place around May 17. We may have missed the exact day the eggs were laid due to weather. We also spotted papa, whose head is larger and has small battle scar above the bill, taking his turn on the nest. The Cove, on the other hand, is Canada goose Central! We have never seen so many nests in and around the bulrushes. We spotted a goose checking out the Loon nest, more than once. Their noise and racket are insufferable. A

few years ago, the Cove pair ended up taking over an abandoned Goose nest, as a work around. Yesterday, we spotted several geese squawking away near the Peninsula nest. As one goose approached the nest, mama assumed the agitated pose and made a few of her own calls to the errant goose. Suddenly, out of nowhere, papa emerged from the bulrushes, and went after the goose, with his lethal bill extended and wings flapping.

all the geese, in the area, made a loud and hasty exit. Mama resumed a more relaxed pose and papa returned to fishing. Last week, we spotted an Eagle hovering over the bulrushes in the War Zone, and suddenly drop down and snatch a poor, unsuspecting

With the dangling prey in its talons, the Eagle landed on the Lake Avenue shoreline, where it tore the Coot to pieces. The Cove pair continue to spend time with the interloper. A few days ago, we found the trio in Ordway Bay, dipping their bills and circle swimming. Hopefully, the pair will focus their attention on establishing their nest, and soon. Many report seeing another pair fishing, diving, and preening along the Birchwood shore, and hearing territorial yodels and calls at sunset. The other pairs have about ten days to get their act

ELLEN MAAS | SUBMITTED

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a national observance in the United States that began in 1949. It was created by Mental Health America to bring attention to the importance of mental wellbeing. Various organizations and individuals step up during this time to raise awareness of and help address the challenges faced by many living with mental health conditions.

According to The National Council, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by the age of 14, and 75% by age 24. One in five adults experience mental illness each year. One in six adolescents have a mental health condition, but only half of them will receive treatment.

In a previous column I wrote, I spoke about my own mental health journey (“Let’s talk about mental health” The Lowdown, Oct. 2024). During my senior year of high school, I was diagnosed with severe/ moderate anxiety and depression. Thankfully, with the help of insurance, my family was able to afford therapy sessions that I attended twice a month for a year. That year was difficult, and I reflect on that time a lot. It was the year that changed my life. When I was a junior in college, my mental health took a turn for the worst. My grades started to slip, and I had to attend a study hall for three hours a week. I wanted to quit track. I stopped hanging out with friends and doing the things that I loved. That summer, I worked hard on improving my mental health again. I spent less time on social media. I started saying “yes” again. I began to exercise outside more.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI), each illness has its own set of symptoms, but common signs of mental illness in adults and teens can include excessive worrying or fear, problems concentrating or learning, extreme mood changes, avoiding friends and social activities and many more. But remember, symptoms and signs can vary for everybody.

Just when I thought my mental health was on the rise, I got hit with a serious depressive episode about a month into my senior year. My best friend came into my room one night and expressed her concerns for me. We had a long discussion about what I needed to do to improve my mental health. I talked to my parents about attending therapy again and possibly even going back on my medication. Two days later, I asked my athletic trainer to help me set up an appointment with the sports psychologist on campus. I began to attend therapy once a week for five months, then twice a month until I graduated in May. The change in my mental health, and myself, was significant.

Asking for help is scary. Acknowledging that you are not okay is scary. Telling a loved one that you are not okay is scary. When I told my parents that I believed I needed to go to therapy, I was terrified that they would look at my differently. Thankfully, they supported me and continue to support me through my mental health journey. But I know this is not the case for everybody.

For more information on NAMI and to access mental health resources visit www.nami.org or www.health.state.mn.us/people/mentalhealth. The national suicide and crisis hotline number is 988. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Editor Madeline Dolby can be reached at 651-4311226 or quadnews@presspubs.com.

Opportunity to focus on what matters to Minnesotans

It’s been a historic session in a closely divided legislature. With a narrow majority in the Senate and an evenly split House, every bill that becomes law must have bipartisan support. That’s not always easy— but it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to focus on what matters to Minnesotans, and to work together to get it done.

Legislator Lingo

Sen. Heather Gustafson

That’s been my approach this year. I’m proud to be the chief author of a bill establishing an independent Office of the Inspector General—an essential step toward protecting taxpayer dollars and building public trust in our government. This nonpartisan watchdog would be tasked with preventing fraud and misuse across state programs— ensuring money meant for our most vulnerable Minnesotans actually gets to them.

We’ve seen what happens when oversight is too slow or too weak: bad actors take advantage, stealing millions from programs that should be helping people. This bill is designed to stop that.

Politicians often talk about

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bipartisanship—but few actually follow through. It takes more than a press release or a social media statement; it takes trust, relationship-building, and a real commitment to putting the games aside and getting the work done. That’s the approach we’ve taken with the Office of the Inspector General. From the start, this has been a serious, bipartisan effort built on mutual respect and shared goals. That’s how we’ve made the bill stronger—and that’s how we’ll get it across the finish line. That same spirit of cooperation has guided my work on housing policy. I’ve been partnering with local leaders in White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, and Lino Lakes to develop a statewide approach that increases access to affordable housing while respecting the needs of each community. I’ve made it clear that I do not support the current broad zoning reform proposals. Instead, I’ve chosen to stand with my community and advance a solution that helps address our housing challenges without stripping away local control or overriding cities’ comprehensive plans. We can make real progress on housing—but it has to be done in a way that brings communities with us, not forces them into one-size-fits-all mandates.

I’ve also continued to push for meaningful pension reform

for our educators. Before I was elected, I spent over a decade teaching, most of those years at Centennial High School. We ask a lot of our educators, and it’s time we honored their service with a reliable pension that allows them to retire with dignity. That’s not just fair—it's a smart policy that helps make room for the next generation of teachers.

As we near final budget negotiations, we’re also keeping a close eye on developments in Washington, DC. Federal decisions—especially cuts around medicaid, human services, education and veterans services—will have a major impact on the state budget. We’ll do everything we can to protect core services Minnesotans rely on, but federal cuts by President Trump and Congressional Republicans may force us to return sooner than expected to make adjustments. We’ll be ready. And in the meantime, I urge our federal partners to reject cuts that harm our communities.

It’s an honor to serve as your state senator. As always, if you or your family need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office by emailing sen. heather.gustafson@mnsenate. gov.

Minnesota Senator Heather Gustafson represents District 36.

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Madeline’s Mail

Madeline Dolby

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Vilification of DEI

There is growing political momentum to roll back what people refer to as DEI policies (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). I work in special education, and I am deeply concerned by the vilification of DEI. I wonder if the people rejoicing at these changes truly understand the devastating implications to our students.

Diversity is recognizing that others may have different abilities and backgrounds from you. Imagine teachers promoting acceptance and understanding of neurodivergent minds. Are we no longer going to support and invite children with ADHD or autism into our general population classrooms?

Equity is the idea that there should be fair access to resources and opportunities to meet the needs of every individual. Consider students with individualized education plans (IEPs) who receive accommodation to support their learning, such as a fidget to stay focused, extended testing time or a quiet, distraction-free environment to learn, or a child who needs preferential seating to better see or hear the instruction. Are we no longer going to accommodate these children?

Inclusion is the idea that every student deserves a sense of acceptance and belonging. Consider the student who uses a wheelchair ramp, a sound system or a voiceto-text program. Or the child who can only communicate by using an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to share their thoughts and ideas. Do we really not intend to support these children?

Where will the line be drawn?

Rolling back DEI practices is not just a simple policy change; it is a direct attack on students who need these supports to succeed. When we take away DEI, we take away students’ voices. We take away their support. We take away their right to feel included and accepted for who they are.

Jessica FitzSimons Vadnais Heights

Walls are closing in

I’m responding to John Cundy’s letter to the editor from the April 23, 2025, publication. In his response to another letter, he recommended to that person that she “get out and take a deep breath and enjoy the day” and claimed that the sky is not falling.

Now, I’m going to assume that John identifies as a cisgendered white male which, if that’s the case, his response to this woman’s letter is akin to telling a woman to smile more and she’ll look prettier.

John also claimed that Trump, in his first four months of office, is “trying to fix four years where we didn’t really have a president;” referring to Biden.

In my opinion, and one that is shared among many other citizens (not just here in White Bear Lake, but across Minnesota and the rest of the country), Trump really isn’t trying to fix anything. Unless you think stripping people of protected rights, dismantling longheld governmental institutions, going against the Constitution, plunging the economy and driving up prices is “fixing things,” then you’d be right. President Donald John Trump is doing exactly that. Biden, on the other hand, had a better 100-day approval rating than both terms of DJT, was the most pro-labor/ pro-union president of all time, focused on improving education, fought to improve access

to affordable care and many other accomplishments.

The sky may not be falling, but the walls are closing in on all of us. And the oppression of our daughters, sisters, mothers, neighbors and community members who are people of color or are members of the LGBTQ+ community will continue if we don’t stand up and fight. If they can come after the rights of those American citizens, they can come after all of us next.

Brendan O’Shaughnessy White Bear Lake

Save the 4th bur oak

Thank you to Mayer Louismet and members of the White Bear Lake City Council for agreeing to save the three bur oak trees rather than cutting them down to enlarge the parking lot on Banning. I am writing to advocate for saving the fourth tree, closest to the hardware store. At the City Council meeting on April 22, the city engineer presented alternative plans for the parking lot that would preserve all four trees, since removing the fourth tree would only add two parking spaces.

But the mayor is eager to remove the fourth tree. He argues that it’s a safety hazard. Over the last month, I’ve heard several council members talk about “when the tree falls,” as if the way a tree dies is by suddenly crashing to the ground. If falling branches are the concern, an arborist could trim the tree.

As Council Member Edberg noted at the last meeting, “I don’t recall anyone ever being hit by a tree that the city owns anywhere in downtown in 125 years.”

The mayor also argues that since no one knows the hour of the fourth tree’s demise, we should remove it now while we have the funding. He says if it falls in a few months or years, it will be more expensive to remove. At the meeting on April 22, he called saving the three trees and cutting down the fourth “a really good compromise … from commerce and parking to ecology and preserving trees and having a nice big parking lot we can all be proud of.”

I am proud of our community and its leaders. I’ve never looked at a parking lot with pride. Let’s take the time to get an arborist’s recommendations on taking care of all four trees that happen to live next to a parking lot. I know, I know, he said it twice. The mayor is eager to “cut it down and move on.” These trees have been around for 150 years. Why speed any tree’s demise if we don’t have to?

Linda Henry White Bear Township

Why can’t we do it again?

I see an easy cheap solution to our downtown parking issue. Post fourhour parking signs and enforce them. The people who drop their cars here and buddy commute to Minneapolis/St. Paul will stop. The employees will then start to park outside the restricted areas. Folks can still get a hairdo, meet friends for lunch and get some shopping in. It’s been done here before. Why can’t we do it again?

Paula Comstock Downtown business owner

Local Catholics pray in wake of pope’s death

Catholics globally and in White Bear Lake gathered last week to pray for the soul of the Holy Father.

Pope Francis died Monday, April 21, after a 12-year pontificate, leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

More than 115 people assembled on the historic occasion for a special candlelit Mass at 8:30 p.m. April 21 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, both to mourn the pope’s passing and pray for the repose of his soul.

“We honored the legacy of Pope Francis, the 266th pope,” said the Rev. TJ McKenzie, pastor at St. Pius X. “He called us to be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus, so it was fitting he pass away the day after Easter. He also wanted us to recognize and experience the mercy of God.”

With the pope’s death, the church entered a nine-day period of mourning. The funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at the Vatican. Following that, the church will select the 267th successor to the Chair of St. Peter.

“We also prayed for the College of Cardinals who will be getting

MOTHER’S DAY

ready to elect a new pope in the next few weeks,” Fr. McKenzie said.

Press Publications wants to hear from mothers

Currently, Press Publications is working on putting together something special for Mother’s Day and would like to hear from our local moms. We want to know: What is your favorite thing your child(ren) has ever said to you? We would love to hear it! Send us a quote or two along with a photo of you with your child(ren). Please send submissions to whitebearnews@ presspubs.com.

SHANE HOEFER | CONTRIBUTED

A memorial for Pope Francis in the Adoration Chapel at St. Pius X Catholic Church in White Bear Lake.

COPS&COURTS

WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS

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

• Officers conducted a traffic stop April 16 at the intersection of Highway 96 and Otter Lake Road. A male, 68, from Dellwood was found to be operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He performed poorly on his field sobriety tests and was booked at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) on third-degree DWI test refusal charges.

• Police received a call April 16 about a loose dog in the 2100 block of County Road F. The dog was not located.

• Officers took a fraud report April 16 in the 4700 block of Highway 61. Officers attempted to serve a warrant April 16 in the 3500 block of Oak Terrace. The suspect was gone on arrival.

• Officers responded April 16 on a report of a violation of a harassment restraining order in the 5100 block of Long Avenue. Upon investigation, a 64-year-old male from White Bear Lake was arrested and booked at the Ramsey County Jail for misdemeanor violation of harassment restraining order.

• A theft occurred April 16 in the 2600 block of County Road E.

• Police took a report April 16 of a dog bite that occurred in the 5200 block of Northwest Avenue. Officers conducted a traffic stop April 17 at the intersection of Centerville Road and Pond View Court. The driver, a 33-year-old male from Vadnais Heights, was found to be impaired by alcohol. He performed poorly on his field sobriety tests and was booked at the Ramsey County LEC on second-degree DWI charges.

• Officers conducted a traffic stop April 17 at the intersection of Highway 61 and Lake Court. A 32-year-old female from Hugo was found to be impaired. She was arrested and booked at the Ramsey County LEC on third-degree DWI charges.

• Officers conducted a traffic stop April 17 at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and Birch Street. A 28-year-old female from Minneapolis was driving with a suspended registration. Further investigation showed that she had an active Hennepin County

misdemeanor warrant. She was booked at the Ramsey County LEC on the warrant.

A loose dog was captured April 17 in the 2700 block of Spruce Place and turned over to the police. The dog had no tags or chips. A photo was posted on Facebook and secured at the police department. It was later returned to its owner.

• Police took a fraud report April 18 in the 2000 block of Cedar Avenue.

• Officers responded April 18 to a missing person report in the 2600 block of Valley View Place. The person was later located and returned to a safe location.

• A dog was turned in April 18 that was running at large near Highway 61 in White Bear Township. The dog had a microchip and officers were able to reunite the dog with its owners.

• A male was reported in the middle of the road after he approached the caller’s vehicle April 19. Officers arrived and checked the area. The male was gone on arrival.

• Officers helped with an arson investigation April 20 at a trailer in the 3700 block of Hoffman Road. No known suspects at this time.

• Officers arrested a male April 20 in the 3900 block of Hoffman Road on an outstanding felony domestic nocontact order warrant and a new charge for the same violation after they forced entry. Minimal use of force was used to place the male under arrest.

• Officers received a report April 22 of a panhandler at the intersection of White Bear Avenue and I-694.

• Police took a report April 21 of a theft that occurred in the 1700 block of County Road E.

• Officers received April 22 a complaint of a dog barking in the 3700 block of Cranbrook Drive.

• Officers received a report April 22 that a men’s park restroom in the 0 block of Ninth Street was vandalized with graffiti, an estimated $100 in damages. Officers responded April 22 to an animal complaint in the 4000 block of Gisella Boulevard. One owner was cited for city ordinance animal licensing. Officers responded April 22 to a person refusing to leave a business in the 2000 block of County Road E. The party was trespassed from the business, and voluntarily left the property.

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

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

• A homeowner in the 700 block of Clearbook Lane on March 27 reported finding a rifle in the swamp behind his house. Ramsey County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived on scene to take custody of the rifle.

• Deputies on March 28 responded to a report of shoplifting at the Walmart store in the 800 block of County Road E and started an investigation.

• A Plymouth man, 40, was arrested for DUI and for being in possession of a controlled substance March 28 in the 900 block of County Road E.

• A St. Paul woman on March 29 reported fraudulent activity on her bank account in the 100 block of Woodbridge Drive. The case is under investigation.

• A White Bear Lake man, 26, was issued a trespass notice March 29 after he was found driving in circles around the parking lot of an apartment building in the 3500 block of Vadnais Center Drive and harassing people.

RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS

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

Dellwood

• A dumping complaint was registered March 19 on Quail Road and Dellwood Road N., after unknown persons put junk on the streetcorner disguised by an accompanying “free” sign.

• A motorist reported himself on March 20 for hitting a “no parking” sign on Dellwood Avenue. The Washington County Public Works Department was notified.

• A stuck raccoon was reported March 21 in a window well on Augusta Lane. Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies helped the resident remove the struggling raccoon.

Grant

• A Minnesota motorist was cited at 2:22 a.m. March 16 in the 7000 block of Lake Elmo Avenue N. for failure to present a valid driver's license.

• A suspicious pickup truck was reported at 7:08 p.m. and again at 7:13 p.m. March 16 with four people in it who got out to walk around and look inside a new house under construction near Lone Oak Trail N. and Lake Elmo Avenue N. They turned out to be the very people having the home built.

• A suspicious vehicle reported in front of an address in the 8000 block of 80th Street N. at 10:55 a.m. March 19 turned out to be the complainant's sister, who ran out of gas on her way to work at a dentist office in Mahtomedi.

• The last suspicious vehicle reported during the suspicious person series featured this week turned out to belong to two parties sitting in their vehicle having a long chat about their relationship at 9:22 p.m. March 20 in the 11000 block of Ironwood Avenue N.

• The driver of a conversion van was cited for driving after revocation March 21 on Manning Avenue N. and Settlers Way, after deputies conducted a random license plate check of the vehicle and found the driver matched the description of a revoked person.

Mahtomedi

• With ice out only days away, deputies responded to a March 14 report of juveniles walking on White Bear Lake near Lincolntown Avenue. Deputies ensured the juveniles remained off the lake by advising them that ice

• Deputies responding to a report of disorderly conduct March 29 in the 3900 block of Centerville Road. They found two women in a heated dispute and assisted in de-escalating the fight.

• A Maplewood woman, 48, was arrested at 10:39 p.m. March 29 at the Walmart store on an outstanding felony burglary warrant out of Ramsey County, after deputies were called out to the scene of disorderly conduct.

White Bear Township

• Deputies on their way to respond to a call for service at 3:19 a.m. March 23 reported a deer for running into the squad in the 1300 block of County Road H2.

A resident in the 260 block of South Shore Blvd. on March 23 reported her credit card fraudulently used to purchase a laptop computer.

• A deer was reported stuck in a fence on private property near railroad tracks on Otter Lake Road on March 24. The deer had become unstuck by the time animal control officers arrived.

• A St. Paul man, 34, was banned from a business in the 4200 block of Otter Lake Road at 6:53 a.m. March 25 after he was fired, but kept returning to

conditions were no longer suitable for walking.

• Deputies cited a motorist March 14 on Wildwood Road and Century Avenue N. for driving after revocation and failure to insure the vehicle. Another driver along Century Avenue was cited at 12:38 a.m. March 15 for driving after suspension. A third motorist was cited March 15 on Wildwood Road and Birchwood Road for driving after revocation, following a traffic stop for failure to signal a turn greater than 100 feet ahead of the turn. A fourth motorist was cited March 15 on Century Avenue and Long Lake Road for driving after revocation and failure to provide proof of insurance, after being pulled over for a missing license plate light.

• Tools were reported stolen March 15 from a Mahtomedi Avenue address. Deputies conducted a traffic stop at 3:03 a.m. March 16 on Long Lake Road and cited the motorist for expired registration. They cited a second motorist at 6:27 p.m. on Wildwood Road and Lincolntown Avenue for speeding, and a third driver on March 18 on Stillwater Road and Wildwood Road for speeding 58 mph in a 45 mph zone. A fourth motorist was cited at 8:38 p.m. March 18 on Century Avenue and Woodland Drive for an undisclosed moving violation.

• An employee at a men's treatment facility near Quail Street was arrested for DWI March 18, after he turned up at work in an intoxicated state and drove away in a motor vehicle upon being told to leave the facility.

Pine Springs

• Westbound deputies conducted a DWI traffic stop at 2:34 a.m. March 16 on a vehicle westbound on Highway 36 just east of I-694 that was driving slower than the speed limit in a zone where deputies have cited hundreds of vehicles each year for speeding. The vehicle was also swaying within its lane and crossing the fog line multiple times.

• A Woodland Drive resident on March 18 reported the DoorDash driver for delivering a questionable-looking beverage she thought might be laced with fentanyl. Deputies NIK-tested the beverage, and the results came back negative for narcotics. A suspicious vehicle reported outside a Wildwood Road business at 1:24 a.m. March 19 turned out to belong to the tenants living upstairs.

Loretta Harding

the business to threaten and harass his former coworkers. After he was issued the trespass notice, he was escorted off the property. Due to the suspect's retaliatory actions, deputies returned to the site at 4:47 a.m. March 26, in case the suspect returned.

• A White Bear Township man, 46, was arrested for vehicular homicide at 4:22 p.m. March 27, after he failed to stop after causing a fatal accident at the intersection of Birch Lake Blvd N. and White Bear Parkway. He was also carrying a pistol and was under the influence of alcohol when he struck a White Bear Lake woman, 72, as she was crossing the street. The suspect fled the scene but later turned himself in to the White Bear Lake Police Department.

• A White Bear Township man, 45, was arrested March 28 in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive after he was caught slashing a tire on a pickup truck owned by his manager at AutoZone.

• Deputies on March 29 responded to a shoplifting report from the Cub Foods store in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive.

Loretta Harding

Staffing shortage: Police chief says department

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — The police department is currently staffed at 28 sworn officers, but it is authorized for 32.

Twice a year Police Chief Dale Hager provides an update to the City Council.

Mayor Dan Louismet inquired, “We have discussed at length … it is tough out there to recruit and hire police officers, but the last couple of rounds it seems like we are getting more applicants. How would you characterize it?”

Hager said it’s getting “marginally better.” He said the relationship the department has with Century College gives him hope, as the law enforcement classes are getting larger.

“I think the pendulum is starting to swing. I don’t think it has reached the user end yet; we are still in the education end. I don’t know what will happen a year from now,” he said.

A year ago, 300 departments around the state needed officers, and as of last week, that number was closer to 150.

“Things seem to be looking up a little bit,” he said. “The average six years ago was that there were seven departments looking for officers, so we are not out of the woods, but I believe that things are looking better.”

In the most recent hiring process, Hager noted the department had the most applicants it’s seen in three or four years.

Council Member Kevin Edberg said, “(What we

CHURCH BRIEFS

Tour the U of M landscape arboretum

Crime stats: 2023 vs. 2024

• Calls for service increased by 11% from 15,972 to 17,839.

• Arrests increased by 40% from 180 to 301.

• Traffic stops increased by 30% from 2,477 to 3,506.

• DWIs increased by 6% from 101 to 107.

• Assaults/domestic assaults decreased by 27% from 206 to 151.

• Accidents increased by 19% from 451 to 553.

• Animal complaints decreased by 4% from 363 to 350.

• Burglaries decreased by 11% from 67 to 53.

• Fraud decreased by 5% from 158 to 151.

• Theft increased by 5% from 289 to 305.

have heard about the hiring process) is that we have had a persistent gap and have been underdeployed … What is the impact of those vacancies?”

Hager explained that at his last biannual report in October, the department was fully staffed at 32 and by January, the department was down by seven due to retirements, resignations and injuries.

“The reality in law enforcement is that the market is just so rich for employees now, they can go anywhere they want, and they will do better financially … The market has changed now. It is really conducive to people changing departments.”

Hager said the department has to play a “shell game” by making sure its “bread-and-butter” (patrol officers) are on the street, but by doing that, the department suffers in other areas.

Visit the University of Minnesota landscape arboretum on Thursday, May 15, with Redeemer Lutheran Church. The landscape arboretum has 32 displays of specialty gardens, model landscapes and restored wetlands and woodlands. There will be time to walk through the gardens and trails. A box lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m.

Registration is required by Thursday, May 1. Sign up at the Redeemer Welcome Center or call the church office at 651-429-5411. The bus loads at 9:45 a.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church and departs for the arboretum at 10 a.m. The event will end around 4 p.m. Redeemer

“Citizens aren’t going to see a change in police response to their house or police response to crimes, but they might see difference with other duties we ask them to do like investigations and follow-ups (on cases).”

Edberg also wanted to know how being short-staffed impacts the overall morale of the department and what toll that might take on officers. Hager said it manifested itself recently with the departure of two officers from the department to other departments.

“It has taken its toll over the last five years with several people leaving,” Hager explained. From 2020 to 2023 we probably had 10 or more departures, so there has been a lot of changeover.”

City Manager Lindy Crawford added, “We have to keep the streets covered, so that means overtime shifts, that means a little bit more time away from family … We try really hard to hire as often as we can to keep these full.”

Crawford noted that the department is technically “down” six officers, but of those, two of them are currently on administrative duties due to medical restrictions. Hager shared that overtime is never mandatory.

Looking at the bright side, Hager said, it has given younger officers on the department an opportunity to gain some seniority and get into desired positions.

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

Lutheran Church is located at 3770 Bellaire Ave., White Bear Lake.

St. Pius hosts Springfest

The Church of St. Pius will host Springfest from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 4. The event will include chicken dinner (dine-in or take-out), family games, cake walk, pick your pour, horse races,

medallion hunt, bingo, puzzle competitions, homemade goods, sweepstakes and a grand raffle. A total of 300 grand raffle tickets will be sold for chances to win up to $5,000. The Church of St. Pius is located at 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake. For more information, visit https://churchofstpiusx.org/ springfest.

White Bear Lake Area Church Directory

May 11:

& Fallen Man

May 18: Mortals & Immortals May 25: Soul & Body

‘Vial of Life’ program comes back to life

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — The fire department is bringing back a medical information program for seniors that had ceased to exist for several years.

Fire Chief Greg Peterson, who has been with the department for eight years, says the Vial of Life program existed before his time but hasn’t been around since. Assistant Chief Josh Waylander, who has experience with the program while at another agency, wanted to bring it back to White Bear Lake.

“We wanted to do it ourselves,” Waylander said. Peterson added, “It was something we wanted to reinvigorate and reestablish. It's a different format, and it's much more useful the way it is set up now.”

Thanks to a donation from the Lions, the department is distributing bright red pouches to seniors and other high-risk populations around the community to place on their fridge or somewhere visible. Within the pouch is a form that contains personal information like name, date of birth and address as well as medical information such as medical conditions, current medications, medication allergies and preferred hospital. The form also lists an emergency contact and asks about a do not resuscitate (DNR) order and a living will.

“When there's an emergency, the crew can come and find some pertinent important information,” Waylander explained. “If they are unable to relay important things — maybe they are having a medical emergency or can't talk or can't remember — we can get the information we need in this pouch.”

He added, “It just speeds up the care so we can get what these patients need and treat them best in a quick fashion … It just makes the scene and whole

situation go a lot smoother if we can get accurate information.”

Peterson noted within days of the City Council accepting the donation from the Lions, the fire department responded to a call about an elderly woman who wasn’t acting quite right. “It wasn't obvious what was going on. They looked over and saw one of these on the fridge … fortunately, she had written down her information and on there was that she had seizures,” Peterson said. “That was like a light bulb, and they ended up bringing her to the hospital and getting her the proper treatment.”

IF YOU GO

Light in the Well: A Day of Hope

When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, May 5

Where: White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center, 5045 Division Avenue, White Bear Lake Details: An evening of music and stories celebrating people of all abilities. Light in the Well’s signature event — A Day of Hope — is a multisensory event weaving together symphony movements and real-life stories of families who have children with special needs. These families are featured, telling their own stories, and performing as a part of the orchestra. Registration is required. www.eventbrite.com/e/ light-in-the-well-a-day-of-hopetickets-1303375975629.

Contact: www.lightinthewell.com

beauty of diversity. A Day of Hope brings together the school’s students and the Light in the Well community to create a unique orchestral experience, allowing individuals of varying abilities to showcase their musical talents. These collaborative performances will be accompanied by heartfelt stories shared by the participants, showcasing their personal journeys and the strength of the human spirit.

“Light in the Well envisions a world where people of all abilities can come together to learn, appreciate, and support one another,” says Yue Wu, founder and executive director of Light in the Well. “This event is a testament to the incredible talents and voices of people with special needs, and we are thrilled to share this evening of hope, inspiration and unity with the community.”

The program is not a “set it and forget it” tool, as the information needs to be periodically updated to stay accurate. “It does require a little bit of maintenance if something, say a medication, were to change,” Waylander noted.

White Bear Lake residents who would like to “enroll” in the program can visit the fire station and leave with a red pouch. Soon, the department plans to visit senior living facilities to distribute them too.

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

White Bear Lake Area High School, in partnership with Light in the Well, will present A Day of Hope, a transformative multisensory orchestra performance that highlights the talents and stories of individuals with special needs Monday, May 5, at the White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center. The event goes beyond a traditional concert — it’s a celebration of inclusivity, empowerment and the

The students at White Bear Lake Area High School play an integral role in bringing this vision to life, offering both their musical skills and support for the participants of Light in the Well. Their involvement ensures that this event is not only a showcase of talent but also a testament to the power of community collaboration. The performance represents a shared commitment to inclusion and accessibility, where students with and without special needs come together to create something truly special.

For more information about Light in the Well, visit www.lightinthewell. com.

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS Seniors are encouraged to place their medical information in a visible location for first responders.

‘VISION AND VERSE:’ Exhibit puts high school student creativity on

Additionally, the deadline for the competition was in March so that students who did not have an art or writing class in the fall could still have time to grow and learn before submitting. “We really try to allow at least one piece in from every student who submits,” Nephew said, excepting inappropriate content or safety concerns.

For the visual side, three judges viewed the submissions and scored them based on creativity, technical skills, emotional impact and overall presentation. The top three-to-five scorers in each category then were considered for awards.

Nephew mentioned that WBCA looks for innovative ways to showcase the writing pieces so that they have the same impact for visitors to the

exhibition. “We’ve got a projector at center stage with some of the writings, and we have a sound dome that you can sit under and listen,” Nephew said. “We’re really using different forms of technology to bring their voices into the room too.”

Also helping to balance voices are WBCA’s high school interns. They will help with curation and layout as well as organize highlights of the writing competition into the yearly literary magazine, “Repose.”

WBCA Communications Manager

Ellie Fuelling remarked that, no matter the medium, the center’s past and present youth exhibits feature elements of deeper emotion.

“Sometimes the themes are darker, or they’re plumbing those emotions that we maybe forget that we had as a teenager,” Fuelling said.

She also noted that the visual

Visual Arts Contest Award Winners

Best of Show: Jacque Worden, "Unnamed," Ceramic Studio Repose Award: Ella Kraai, "Nightmarish Daydreaming," Gouache on canvas MCAD PCSI Award: Ve Anderson, "Societal Standards," Colored pencil, makeup Judges Choice Award – Karen Chan: Evan Miller, "Looped Teapot," Ceramic Judges Choice Award – Taylor Guntharp: Anton Kastler, "Oil," Digital; Photoshop Judges Choice Award – Erik Pearson: Magdelena Mathews, "Doughy Delight," Acrylic

Honorable Mention: Catherine Paske, "Carolynn's Pomegranates," Acrylic

Honorable Mention: Emma Mahon, "Dogs," Oil

Honorable Mention: Paloma Gibbon-Pena, "Behind the Curtain," Mixed media Award of Merit: Zayne, "Leo's," Photography Award of Merit: Annalise N. Wohlfeil, "Bambi," Ceramic Award of Merit: Hannah Bradley, "One in the Same," Acrylic on canvas Award of Excellence: Evan Carion, "Fragmented Form," Graphite, colored pencil, marker Award of Excellence: AJ Tong, "Natural Relation," Charcoal Writing Contest Award Winners

Best of Show: Esme Roux, "Charlie," Creative Nonfiction

Studio Repose Award: Lennox Tan, "Stars That Fall," Creative Nonfiction Best of Creative Nonfiction: Alexis Surface, "You Are Who You Were" (Creative Nonfiction) Honorable Mention: Ella, Kraai, "The Tree of Knowledge" Best of Persuasive Essay: Clara Blauer, “There’s Too Much Art in the World” (Persuasive Essay) Honorable Mention: Zawa Carney, “Self Description” Best of Poetry: Darriq Grisle, “Puzzle” (Poetry) Honorable Mention: Clara Blauer, “1:31 am” Best of Short Story: Okkoto, “you never really tire of it” (Short Story) Honorable Mention: Emily Alexander, “A Leap”

Best of Spoken Word: Joy Shadrack, “Seldom A Girl” (Spoken Word) Honorable Mention: Cadence Pompilio, “The Pomegranate”

selections feature creative use of materials. “There’s one painting that also includes some pipe cleaners,” Fuelling said, “and another painting that has a speech bubble coming out of it to make it 3D—it’s made of cardboard. There’s a lot of scrappiness and ingenuity with the materials that they use.”

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Legion hosts inaugural golf classic

American Legion Auxiliary Post 168 in White Bear Lake will host its first-ever inaugural golf classic June 13 at Manitou Ridge Golf Course. Four-player teams will play 18 holes. Individual sign-ups are also welcome.

Check in begins at 8 a.m. with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Dinner, awards and prizes will immediately follow the event at Post 168. Proceeds will benefit veterans, active-duty service members and local families in need. For more information, contact Katie at 612-518-2416 or Marta at mhonstadt@gmail.com.

Free compost available

In celebration of International Compost Awareness Week, RamseyWashington Recycling and Energy is partnering with Ramsey County on a free compost giveaway from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the new Environmental Center located at 1700 Kent St. in Roseville. This compost is made from food scraps (organics) and can improve the soil of your yard

“It’s a really powerful exhibition,” Nephew said. “I would encourage people to come see what our youth have on their minds.”

“Vision and Verse” is on display at the White Bear Center for the Arts now through Friday, May 16. For more details, visit whitebeararts.org/ vision-and-verse.

or garden by holding more water, retaining more nutrients, improving water drainage and suppressing many diseases. Can’t make it? Find more compost distribution by visiting www. mncompostingcouncil.org/plate-togarden.html.

May 1 is Loyalty Day in the U.S. The holiday was developed to set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom. The U.S. Congress recognized Loyalty Day on April 27, 1955, when it was proclaimed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and observed for the first time. This holiday was made an official reoccurring holiday in 1958. May 1, 1959, was the first official observation of Loyalty Day.

As this holiday does not have federal status, it is not commonly observed. This is a day to celebrate the heritage of freedom we have and to be in unity as we reaffirm our loyalty to our country and to those who are serving and have served.

Frank Watson is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station in White Bear Lake. Weather data and observation are from his weather station and trips around the area. Frank

Frank Watson

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

A Vision and Verse community reception and awards night was held on April 24.

Council favors concept 1 for Fifth and Banning lot

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — The City Council is expected to approve the final plans and specifications for the 2025 downtown parking lot project May 27. Although the council has yet to make any decisions regarding the fourth bur oak tree, it unanimously favors moving forward with concept 1.

Four parking lots are proposed to be included in the project, scheduled for late summer and fall, including Lot 1 (Third Street and Banning Avenue), Lot 2 (Fifth Street and Banning Avenue), Lot 3 (Fifth Street and Cook Avenue) and Lot 4 (Fifth Street and Cook Avenue).

Lot 2 has been the center of discussion, as there are four mature oak trees. After residents spoke up to preserve the trees, the council directed city staff to move forward with layout options that would preserve the trees. However, there has been some debate on whether the fourth tree, deemed to be in declining health, should be preserved.

City staff prepared two draft layout options for Lot 2 for feedback from the council.

“We looked at many, many different layouts trying to pick our brains as far as what is going to be best for that lot,” said Public Works Director/ Engineer Paul Kauppi. “We looked at one-way traffic, diagonal parking, relocation and closure of entrances … while maintaining traffic circulation.”

Kauppi noted that the layouts are similar to what

Merrick announces new executive director

Mike Greenbaum has been appointed to serve as the executive director of Merrick Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides day services to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Ramsey County.

Ae Board of Trustees statement states, “We are confident that under (Mike’s) leadership, we will continue to make a profound impact in our community and in the disability sector.”

Greenbaum began his career in the disability services field in 2000, when he joined Merrick in a fundraising and CFO role. He left in 2014 to be the executive director of Newtrax Inc., a nonprofit that provides transportation services to adults with disabilities. He will officially start in the executive director role on June 16.

New microschool finds location

Heart Learning Collective has found its home in White Bear Lake. Founded by longtime educators Tamara Morett and Kathleen Amstutz, Heart Learning Collective is a new K-5 microschool designed to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of students in a warm, inclusive environment.

Morett and Amstutz are passionate about helping students rediscover the joy of learning

exists there today; however, they both bring the parking stalls in line with current standards (9-by18-foot stalls) as well as ADA stall requirements. Both layout concepts preserve the cluster of three trees and provide the option for an additional space or two if the council decides to remove the fourth tree.

Concept 1 includes 67 stalls, the same number of spots that exist in the lot today. Concept 2 proposes one less stall for a total of 66 stalls. The main difference between the two layout options is the reconfiguration around the tree island with the three trees. Concept 2 utilizes all the green space north of the trees, whereas Concept 1 utilizes about half it.

Kauppi noted Concept 2 is still outside of the tree’s dripline, but much closer than Concept 1. (A tree's dripline is a ring around the tree canopy on the ground level that receives most of the rainwater shed from the tree canopy.)

“Overall, staff feels that Concept 1 best meets the design goals while preserving the most amount of green space in the lot while maintaining the current level of parking,” Kauppi explained.

Mayor Dan Louismet said he would like to see the council move forward with Concept 1 and remove the fourth tree. “I don’t really know why we are actually spending this much time on the fourth tree when the experts have told us it is in declining health,” he said. “Who knows what the future is

going to hold, but when we have very serious safety concerns, I’m not going to sit here and say ‘let’s see what happens.’”

Council Member Bill Walsh said he would also like to see the council move forward with Concept 1 and remove the fourth tree. “I don’t like the idea of waiting for it to fall … We have no idea what the budget will be whenever that tree falls and to have to cut that out and repave that area doesn’t seem smart, doesn’t seem practical,” Walsh said.

Council Member Kevin Edberg said he also favored Concept 1 but was conflicted about the removal of the fourth tree. “I’m kind of leaning toward leaving it,” he said. “I’m not seeing that as a major risk; is it a possibility? Yes.” Louismet said the fact that the tree is in a high-traffic area downtown is what differentiates it from other trees.

Council Member Heidi Hughes said she was fine with Concept 1 and to leave the fourth tree alone. “I would just keep the tree and let it fall,” she said.

Council Member Steven Engstran said he preferred Concept 1 and suggested the city should remove the fourth tree.

The council did not decide on the removal of the fourth tree but directed city staff to move forward with the Concept 1 and final plan preparation.

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

through personalized instruction, creative exploration and strong relationships. (See “2 teachers look to launch microschool in White Bear Lake,” Feb. 12, 2025.)

The school will be located in the historic Getty building downtown. For more information, visit www. heartlearningcollective.com.

Local McDonald’s owners contribute Shamrock Shake sales

McDonald’s owners and operators of 259 participating restaurants in Minnesota and other Midwest states will donate approximately $159,079 from sales of Shamrock Shakes to nine Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) locations in Minnesota and North Dakota. Owners and operators raised the money during February and March, donating 25 cents from each shake sold to local RMHC chapters. From 2014-2024, more than $901,000 was raised for Ronald McDonald Houses in Minnesota. The Shamrock fundraising event has now eclipsed approximately $1 million in the past 11 years.

Visit Kowalski’s for shred events in April

For Earth Month (April), Kowalski’s and Great River Greening are teaming up with Shred Right, a locally owned document destruction company, to help customers safely shred and recycle their sensitive paper waste and keep it out of landfills.

For a donation to Great River Greening, customers can obtain a special shred bag at their local Kowalski’s. Simply fill it at home with any personal or confidential paper documents (such as old tax filings, bills, medical records, receipts and other sensitive papers) and bring them to the secure shred event in the parking lot of the White Bear Lake Kowalski’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 1. Documents will be shredded on-site by Shred Right and hauled off-site for recycling.

For more information about Great River Greening, visit www. greatrivergreening.org/

BEST OF CONTEST

Nominations open for Best of the

Press Contest

Nominations are officially open for Press Publications’ Best of the Press Contest. Readers can choose from a variety of categories to nominate their favorite business or person. These categories include arts and entertainment, eating and drinking, health and fitness and others. New selections have been added for the eating and drinking, health and fitness, services and shopping categories. Those interested in submitting nominations can do so at www. presspubs.com/white-bear.

The City Council has been presented with two concept layouts for Lot 2 located at Fifth Street and Banning Avenue. The main difference between the two layout options is the reconfiguration around the tree island with the three trees. Concept 2 utilizes all the green space north of the trees, whereas Concept 1 utilizes about half it.

Mike Greenbaum

CONTRIBUTED

Kathleen Amstutz and Tamara Morett will launch Heart Learning Collective in the historic Getty building downtown.

WHAT DO

Efficiency: Air source heat pumps can heat a home at efficiencies of well over 400 percent in cool weather. For comparison, conventional heating systems that run on gas, oil, or propane have efficiencies between 80- 99 percent. In a cold climate, the average efficiency for an entire winter is typically in the 200-250 percent range. That means over a winter, you get between two and almost three times the amount of heat for your house than what you buy at the meter. That translates to dollars saved!

Cooling efficiencies are much higher, too. Cold-climate heat pumps with variable speed capacity typically cool at twice the efficiency of common AC units.

Affordable Technology - Efficiency and Heating

Heat Pumps Are Clean Energy - and Getting Cleaner: If reducing your carbon footprint is a priority, heat pumps are the cleanest option available because of their extreme efficiency. Unlike burning oil or gas, which will always produce carbon emissions, electricity from the grid that powers heat pumps tends to get greener every year. In the chart at right, average equivalent carbon emissions from the heat pump (for the northern US) are significantly lower than any other fuel.5 Moreover, in many areas you can choose “green” energy options from your electric company that may be partly or completely generated by renewable energy or other green technologies.

Costs

97 percent. Burning fossil fuels for heating

reach 100 percent, because some heat will

go up the chimney, along with moisture and other combustion byproducts. That leaves you paying for a lot more “heating potential” than what you actually get in your house. But when the heat pump efficiency is calculated, the useful heat delivered is much larger than the energy you buy at the meter. In a cold climate, the average efficiency for an entire winter is typically in the 200-250 percent range. That means over a winter, you get between two and almost three times the amount of heat for your house than what you buy at the meter. That

A lot of older heat pump models had low heat output and relied on costly electric backup heat. Frequent installation problems led to excessive use of electric heat. Most cold climate heat pumps have high heat output and don’t even have electric backup heaters.

Cooling efficiencies are much higher, too. Cold-climate heat pumps with variable speed capacity typically cool at twice the efficiency of common window ACs.

Remember too that unless you are currently heating with electric baseboards or other electric heaters (such as radiant panels), your electric bill will likely go up in the winter, possibly quite a bit. The heat pump uses electricity to operate; but of course, your fuel bills will also go down. If you start with a full tank of oil or propane, it may take a month or two before you start seeing the heating cost savings that balance out those higher electric bills.

Heating costs: If your existing heat is low-cost natural gas, you may pay somewhat less to heat your house than with an air-source heat pump. If electric rates are lower, and gas rates are higher, that can easily flip. At a range of expected electric and fuel costs as shown in the chart (bottom-right), the heat pump beats any other fuel for heating cost. The degree of savings depends on your fuel and electric prices, so a range is shown for comparison.4

Heat Pumps Are Clean Energy - and Getting Cleaner

If reducing your carbon footprint is a priority, heat pumps are the cleanest option available because of their extreme efficiency. Unlike burning oil or gas, which will always produce carbon emissions, electricity from the grid that powers heat pumps tends to get greener every year. In the chart at right, average equivalent carbon emissions from the heat pump (for the northern US) are significantly lower than any other fuel.5 Moreover, in many areas you can choose “green” energy options from your electric company that may be partly or completely generated by renewable energy or other green technologies.

For those who want the ultimate clean energy heating and cooling system, solar electric (photovoltaic or “PV”) may allow you to generate 100 percent of the electricity needed to operate your heat pump, renewably. If you have a suitable location with solar access, net-zero or close to net-zero annual emissions is possible for many homes equipped with these technologies.

ASHP Myth #2: Heat pumps are expensive

WBLAS COMMUNITY SERVICES & RECREATION

ADULT & SENIOR CLASSES AT THE WB SENIOR CENTER REGISTRATION REQUIRED - 651-653-3121

55+ Driver Safety / $35: May 8, 9am-1pm/Online | May 20, 5-9pm, Sr Center | May 21 5-9pm, Online

Draft Your Own Will: Wed, Apr 30 & May 7, 6-7:30pm, $64, Sr Center

Imperial Faberge: Jeweler to the Tsar: Wed, Apr 30, 1-2:30pm, $15, Sr Center Chair Yoga: Mon, May 5-19, 10-10:45am, $23, Sr Center

Beginner Pickleball Camp: Mon, May 5-Jun 2, 6-7:30pm, $115 Heart to Heart About Aging: May 8, 11am-12:30pm, $5, Sr Center History w/K.Simmer: The Orphan Trains: May 9, 10am-12pm, $18, Sr Center

Understanding Long Term Care Benefits: May 15, 10-11:30am, $5, Sr Center Painting with Vanessas: Rosemaling: May 16, 9am-12pm, $40, Sr Center Can’t Hear on the Phone?: May 16, 10-11am, $5, Sr Center Call us about our Upcoming Day Time Field Trips! 6/25: St Paul Saints, 7/10: MN History Center & Lunch, 8/4: Como Zoo Conservative

30-minute appointment, $55. Call 651-653-3121. Hot or Frozen meals delivered Monday-Friday. If you are interested, know of someone who may need meals, or have questions, please call 651-653-3123.

LYNGBLOMSTEN COMMUNITY SERVICES

APRIL 2025

In-Person Memory Loss Caregiver Support Group: Family and friends caring for someone experiencing Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia are welcome. The group meets at 10:30 AM the third

Therapy services at Cerenity White Bear Lake help you return to what you do best. Our combination of highly trained compassionate staff

• Aquatic Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Speech Pathology

Call today to schedule a tour: 651-232-1847

Wednesday of each month at Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes and is facilitated by Lisa Brown, MSW, LISW. Registration is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome. To register, contact Lisa at (651) 632-5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.

The Gathering enrichment program provides brain-stimulating activities for adults living with memory loss and four hours of respite for their caregivers. Starting in February, participants will be able to attend the program up to 3 days a week at the Lyngblomsten campus in Lino Lakes (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Thursdays). To learn more, contact Lisa Brown at (651) 632-5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org.

Light Up Someone’s Day! Volunteer for The Gathering! Lyngblomsten is looking for volunteers to help adults living with memory loss enjoy stimulating activities and have meaningful interactions. We have two upcoming volunteer training sessions at the Lyngblomsten campus in Lino Lakes: Wednesday, May 28, or Wednesday, 25, from 9:30-11 AM. Training provides everything you need to know to become a valuable team member. Contact Melanie at (651) 632-5499 or mjagolino@lyngblomsten.org to sign up!

MAHTOMEDI COMMUNITY EDUCATION

ADULT ACTIVITIES AT THE MAHTOMEDI DISTRICT EDUCATION CENTER (DEC) 1520 MAHTOMEDI AVE.

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE HELD AT THE DEC UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Mondays: Stitchers - FREE 1-3 pm, 2nd/4th Monday of Month Bingo - FREE. Monday, May 19 1:30-3 pm

Tuesdays: Cribbage - FREE 1-3 pm

Wednesdays: Bridge - FREE 1-3 pm

Thursdays: 500 Cards - FREE 12:30-3 pm

Fridays: Games - FREE 12:30-3 pm; Bridge - FREE 1-3 pm; Book Club - FREE 2nd Friday, 10-11:30am

The following require registration: mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com or call 651407-2024

Everything You Want to Know About Medicare - $5. Wednesday, May 7, 6:30-8 pm

Community Lunch - $12. Wednesday, May 7, 11:30am- 1 pm. Lunch provided by Kirkwood BBQ. Music provided by Folk Revival. Repairs, Renovations & Staging vs. Selling Your Home As-IsFREE. Thursday, May 8, 6-7:30 pm

Wedding Dance Rescue - $39 a person. Saturday, May 10, 10 am-12

Alzheimer’s Association: 10 Warning Signs - FREE. Monday, May 12, 4-5 pm

YouTube Channel Starter Kit- $29. Tuesday, May 20, 12-1 pm. Virtual.

One-Hour Instagram Mastery - $29. Thursday, May 22, 12-1 pm. Virtual.

Therapy services at Cerenity White Bear Lake help you return to what you do best. Our combination of highly trained compassionate staff and the most innovative care in the area make our community your best choice for professional therapy services.

History with Kathy Summer: “Is Vice Nice?” - $18. Tuesday or Wednesday, May 13 or 14, 10 am-12 pm 55+ 4-Hour Defensive Driving Class - $35. Wednesday, May 14, 1-5

Day Trip: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - $79. Tuesday, May 20, 9am-4 pm

Dr. Mark Seeley: Weather Events that Shaped Our History - $25. Wednesday, May 28, 6:30-7:30 pm

• Aquatic Therapy

• Occupational Therapy

Shinrin Yoku: Japanese Forest Bathing - $45. Saturday, May 31, 9-11am. Oakdale Nature Preserve

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Speech Pathology

Mahtomedi Community Theater: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” - Ages 15+. Register for a free audition! Auditions: June 10th to 11th, 6-9 pm

• Speech Pathology

Call today to schedule a tour: 651-232-1847

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: Bolivelle

2. The street address of the principal place of business is or will be: 2040 B Marshall Ave. Saint Paul, MN 55104

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.

Brady Moen LLC

3800 American Blvd. West, Suite 1500 #300-030 Bloomington, MN 55431

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: April 21, 2025

Signed: Brady Moen

Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 30 and May 7, 2025.

CITY OF WHITE BEAR LAKE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Notice is hereby given that the City of White Bear Lake will accept proposals for private Minnesota Paid Family & Medical Leave until 3pm May 27, 2025.

Request for Proposal specifications may be obtained from Integrity Employee Benefits at 866-437-7977, or email integrity@integrityeb.com . The City of White Bear Lake reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive formalities, and to make the award that is in the best interests of the group.

The City of White Bear Lake desires a long-term relationship for this program. Published one time in the White Bear Press on April 30, 2025.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town of White Bear will receive sealed Bids for the construction of the Anderson Lane Street Improvements project, consisting of the following:

800 TONS Bituminous Paving

3550 SQ YD Full Depth Reclamation

2800 LIN FT Concrete Curb and Gutter

1 EACH Furnish and Install Gate Valve & Box Bid forms, contract documents, drawings and specifications as prepared by TKDA, are on file for inspection in the office of the Town Clerk and in the office of the Engineers, whose address is 3311 E Old Shakopee Rd, Suite 300, Bloomington, MN 55425. Complete digital Proposal Forms, Plans, and Specifications for use by Contractors submitting a bid are available at www.questcdn.com. You may download the digital plan documents for a non-refundable fee of $25 by inputting Quest Project No. 9648597 on the website’s Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information.

Contractors desiring drawings, specifications, and related documents for the purpose of submitting a bid may secure them from the Engineers upon a non-refundable payment of $50 for each set. Mail orders for Drawings and Specifications, and orders for Drawings and Specifications will not be taken by the Town.

Every bidder must apply to the Town Clerk at 1281 Hammond Road, Town of White Bear, for a Permit before conducting any subsurface investigation and such bidder shall be responsible to check with the utility companies concerning the location of any buried utility services.

Bids will be received by the Town of White Bear until 10:30am, Wednesday May 14, 2025. For this solicitation, bids will ONLY be received and accepted via the online electronic bid service through QuestCDN.com for an additional bidding fee of $30. Download the bid documents and click the online bidding button at the top of the advertisement to access the electronic bid qualifications and bid worksheet. Bids will be electronically opened and publicly read aloud by representatives of the Town of White Bear. Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or cashier’s check payable to White Bear Township in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid as a guarantee that the bidder, if successful, will enter into a contract with the Owner for the work described in the proposal. This deposit will be subject to forfeiture as provided by law. The deposits for the three lowest bidders will be retained by the Owner until the contract has been awarded and executed but not longer than sixty (60) days. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days following the bid opening.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities or to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, in the best interest of the Owner.

The Town Board will consider award of contracts at a regular meeting to be held on Monday May 19, 2025 beginning at 7:00pm. Patrick Christopherson, Town Clerk

Dated: April 21, 2025

Published to Questcdn.com on April 23, 2025. Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 23 and 30, 2025.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town of White Bear will receive sealed Bids for the construction of the Jenni Lane Area Street Improvements project, consisting of the following:

7800 TONS Bituminous Paving

Bloomington, MN 55425. Complete digital Proposal Forms, Plans, and Specifications for use by Contractors submitting a bid are available at www.questcdn.com. You may

download the digital plan documents for a non-refundable fee of $25 by inputting Quest Project No. 9648593 on the website’s Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information.

Bids will be received by the Town of White Bear until 9:30am, Wednesday May 14, 2025. For this solicitation, bids will ONLY be received and accepted via the online electronic bid service through QuestCDN.com for an additional bidding fee of $30. Download the bid documents and click the online bidding button at the top of the advertisement to access the electronic bid qualifications and bid worksheet. Bids will be electronically opened and publicly read aloud by representatives of the Town of White Bear.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or cashier’s check payable to White Bear Township in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the total bid as a guarantee that the bidder, if successful, will enter into a contract with the Owner for the work described in the proposal. This deposit will be subject to forfeiture as provided by law. The deposits for the three lowest bidders will be retained by the Owner until the contract has been awarded and executed but not longer than sixty (60) days. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days following the bid opening.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities or to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, in the best interest of the Owner.

The Town Board will consider award of contracts at a regular meeting to be held on Monday May 19, 2025 beginning at 7:00pm.

Patrick Christopherson, Town Clerk

Dated: April 21, 2025

Published to Questcdn.com on April 23, 2025

Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 23 and 30, 2025.

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town of White Bear will receive sealed Bids for the construction of the Portland Woods Street Improvements project, consisting of the following:

330 TONS Bituminous Paving

1400 SQ YD Full Depth Reclamation

1100 LIN FT Concrete Curb and Gutter

3 EACH Furnish and Install Gate Valve & Box

1 EACH Remove and Replace Storm Sewer Structure

1 EACH Furnish and Install Rain Guardian Turret Structure

Bid forms, contract documents, drawings and specifications as prepared by TKDA, are on file for inspection in the office of the Town Clerk and in the office of the Engineers, whose address is 3311 E Old Shakopee Rd, Suite 300, Bloomington, MN 55425.

Complete digital Proposal Forms, Plans, and Specifications for use by Contractors submitting a bid are available at www.questcdn.com. You may download the digital plan documents for a non-refundable fee of $25 by inputting Quest Project No. 9648596 on the website’s Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information.

Bids will be received by the Town of White Bear until 10:00am, Wednesday May 14, 2025. For this solicitation, bids will ONLY be received and accepted via the online electronic bid service through QuestCDN.com for an additional bidding fee of $30. Download the bid documents and click the online bidding button at the top of the advertisement to access the electronic bid qualifications and bid worksheet. Bids will be electronically opened and publicly read aloud by representatives of the Town of White Bear.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive informalities or to award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, in the best interest of the Owner.

The Town Board will consider award of contracts at a regular meeting to be held on Monday May 19, 2025 beginning at 7:00pm.

Patrick Christopherson, Town Clerk

Dated: April 21, 2025

Published to Questcdn.com on April 23, 2025.

Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 23 and 30, 2025.

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOLS

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 624

INVITATION TO INTERESTED SERVICE PROVIDERS ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUSES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the White Bear Lake Area Schools (the “District”) are a recipient of a grant for an electric school bus and charger and is requesting proposals from qualified and experienced vendors for the supply and delivery of new, fully electric Type C school buses with a minimum capacity of 77 passengers for daily student transportation routes.

The District seeks proposals for buses compliant with all applicable safety and accessibility standards and compatible with both level 2 and DC fast charging.

Detailed specifications and proposal requirements are outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP) document, which can be obtained from the District’s website at isd624.org/departments/transportation.

Proposals are due no later than May 19, 2 pm CDT and must be submitted to Tim Wald, Asst Superintendent for Finance and Operations, tim. wald@isd624.org. Late proposals may not be considered. Proposals will be open publicly at 2 pm at the White Bear Lake Area Schools, District Services Center, 2399 White Bear Lake, MN 55110

The White Bear Lake Area Schools reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to accept the proposal(s) deemed to be in the best interest of the District. Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 30 and May 7, 2025.

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: November 19, 2021 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $103,790.00 MORTGAGOR: Mark Rignell, A Single Person MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, its successors and assigns TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. MIN#:10071910001359086-2 SERVICER: Nationstar Mortgage LLC. LENDER: CrossCountry Mortgage LLC DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed in the office of the Ramsey County Registrar of Titles on December 10, 2021, and memorialized as Document No. T02719959. CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO: 643253 ASSIGNED TO: CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage dated February 21, 2025, filed on February 27, 2025 and memorialized as Document No. T02790183. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Unit 221, Common Interest Community No. 74, Canabury Square, Ramsey County, Minnesota. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 132 Demont Ave E, Unit 221, Little Canada, MN 55117 PROPERTY I.D: 072922130250 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Ramsey THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: One Hundred Thousand Sixty-Nine and 20/100 ($100,069.20) THAT no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure notice and acceleration requirements of said mortgage, and/or applicable statutes; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: 10:00AM on May 29, 2025 PLACE OF SALE: 360 Wabasha Street N, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102 to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any actually paid by the mortgagee, on the premises and the costs and disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by law for redemption by said mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns is 6.00 months from the date of sale. If Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. Section580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. Section580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on November 29, 2025, or the next business day if November 29, 2025 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: April 9, 2025 CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC Randall S. Miller & Associates, PLLC Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgage/Mortgagee Edinburgh Executive Office Center, 8525 Edinbrook Crossing North Suite #210 Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Phone: 952-232-0052 Our File No. 25MN00035-1 A-4839459 04/09/2025, 04/16/2025, 04/23/2025, 04/30/2025, 05/07/2025, 05/14/2025 Published six times in the White Bear Press on April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7 and 14, 2025.

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE PUBLIC NOTICE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: July 22, 2019 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $209,250.00 MORTGAGORS: Tyler Cruey and Jennifer R. Congdon, Husband and Wife as Joint Tenants MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for JG Wentworth Home Lending, LLC, its successors and assigns TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. MIN#:1001263-0000771544-5 SERVICER: Nationstar Mortgage LLC. LENDER: JG Wentworth Home Lending, LLC. DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed in the office of the Ramsey County Registrar of Titles on February 28, 2025, and memorialized as Document No. T02790259. CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO: 574565 ASSIGNED TO: Nationstar Mortgage LLC by an Assignment of Mortgage dated March 5, 2025, filed on March 17, 2025 and memorialized as Document No. T02791048. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 24, Michael J. Hoffmann Sub., Ramsey County, Minnesota PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1249 Hartford Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55116 PROPERTY I.D: 102823420177 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Ramsey THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: One Hundred Ninety-Six Thousand Seventy-Six and 77/100 ($196,076.77) THAT no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that there has been compliance with all preforeclosure notice and acceleration requirements of said mortgage, and/ or applicable statutes; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: 10:00AM on May 29, 2025 PLACE OF SALE: 360 Wabasha Street N, Suite 111, St. Paul, MN 55102 to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any actually paid by the mortgagee, on the premises and the costs and disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by law for redemption by said mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns is 6.00 months from the date of sale. If Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. Section580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. Section580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on November 29, 2025, or the next business day if November 29, 2025 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: April 9, 2025 Nationstar Mortgage LLC Randall S. Miller & Associates, PLLC Attorneys for Assignee of Mortgage/Mortgagee Edinburgh Executive Office Center 8525 Edinbrook Crossing North Suite #210 Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Phone: 952-232-0052 Our File No. 25MN00013-1 A-4839451 04/09/2025, 04/16/2025, 04/23/2025, 04/30/2025, 05/07/2025, 05/14/2025 Published six times in the White Bear Press on April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7 and 14, 2025. US STORAGE CENTERS – WHITE BEAR NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE SALE

Please take notice US Storage Centers – White Bear located at 1828 Buerkle Road White Bear, MN 55110 intends to hold an auction of storage units in default of payment. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storagetreasures.com on 5/21/2025 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Barbara Roth (2 units); Patricia Barrios; Sarah Kalm; Jonathan Luna; Sean Latham; Jeremy Jacobsz; Alberta Wrancher. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 30 and May 7, 2025.

MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL NOTES WHITE BEAR LAKE CITY COUNCIL NOTES

• The Mahtomedi City Council held a special meeting on April 17 to conduct business that still needed to move forward despite the cancellation of the April 15 meeting due to lack of quorum. Council Member Luke Schlegel served as acting mayor.

The primary reason for the special meeting was to pay the city's bills. Along with the regular bill list, the first bill to be paid was change order No. 1 for $75,773.86 to Northdale Construction for extra work done on Warner Road S. and 72nd Street as part of the Safe Routes to School project. Soil conditions that could not support the storm sewer resulted in extra excavation and $50,000 in added costs. An additional 162 hours in flagging resulted in $24,376 in added costs to the project.

• To start the city's infrastructure work on time, council needed to award contracts in a timely manner, by passing a resolution to award a $542,033.98 contract for the 2025 street and utility improvement project to low bidder OMG Midwest Inc. of Rogers. The engineer's estimate $645,055.30.

• Council also awarded the contract for the 2025 sanitary sewer lining project to low bidder Insituform Technologies USA in the amount of $217,641.86.

• The city will install solar panels on the public works building rooftop, after receiving the Minnesota Department of Commerce Solar on Public Buildings grant. After receiving six different proposals from solar energy contractors, the city will award the contract to Apadana Energy LLC. The total project cost listed in the proposal was comparable to other proposals at $115,503 and valid until June 6. The grant will cover 50% of this cost, or approximately $57,751.50. The project is also eligible to receive a federal tax credit through Direct Pay during the 2026 tax season, which will cover 30% of the cost, or $34,650.90 if the credit is still in existence by that time. If Mahtomedi does receive the federal tax credit, the city will be responsible for $23,100.60 for the entire project. The return on investment will be five years with the federal tax credit and 7 1/2 years without it. The project is scheduled to be completed by Dec. 25, 2025.

• Council approved a resolution and related easement, lot combination agreement and related documents pertaining to the sale of city-owned property to Jason Gates.

The council next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road.

Loretta Harding

• El Pariente Mexican Grill will be allowed to expand its seating outdoors for a special event on Cinco de Mayo (May 5). The business plans to use a portion of its parking lot to put up a tent with additional seating.

• The city will renew its lease with the Ramsey Washington Cable Commission, which has operated Suburban Community Channels (SCC) Television from the city-owned Bellaire Center for over 20 years. Under the new 4-year lease, the commission will pay $5,930.08 monthly with a 3% increase each year.

• The city has amended its joint powers agreement (JPA) with Ramsey County Sheriff's Office Emergency Response Team. The JPA combines the county’s Crisis Negotiator Team, Mobile Response Team and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). Collectively, the teams will be known as the Ramsey County Sheriff Emergency Response Teams (RC-SERT).

RC-SERT will serve to coordinate law enforcement efforts through the joint exercise of police powers to provide joint responses to critical incidents, crisis negotiations, public order events, hostage situations, high-risk warrant service and apprehension, active shooters, domestic violence, special events, natural disasters and other incidents occurring within and outside of the cities’ jurisdictions. The city’s annual fee to be a part of RC-SERT in 2025 is $12,000.

• The city will pay Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation $305,359 for the Lakewood Hills Park trail improvement project. In October 2024,

the council accepted an outdoor recreation grant administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the project. That additional funding allows the city to pursue paving all the trails throughout the park in one year.

• The city will enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization (VLAWMO) and Ramsey County for the Birch Lake water quality improvement project at the White Bear Lake Sports Center. The city approached VLAWMO and the county last spring with the potential partnership project as part of the 2024 parking lot rehabilitation project. All three parties determined that the existing swale on the west side of the south parking lot was a promising location for a water quality improvement project that would treat stormwater runoff from the parking lot and a portion of South Birch Lake Boulevard before entering Birch Lake.

Shoreline Landscaping & Contracting submitted the lowest bid of $167,422. The total project cost is estimated at $192,535, which includes a 15% contingency for any unforeseen costs.

Per the MOU, the city agrees to enter into and manage the shoreline landscaping and contracting contract; the county agrees to contribute $12,952 toward the total project cost through a conservation practice assistance program and to lead construction observation; VLAWMO agrees to contribute VLAWMO funds and state grant funds for 50% of the remaining total project cost up to $89,792.

• The city will pay no more than $30,000 to Rainbow Treecare to treat emerald ash borer this year. In 2018, the city contracted with Rainbow Treecare to complete an inventory of ash trees located on public rights of way, public properties and active park areas. Just over 2,000 ash trees were identified. Since that time, the city has contracted with Rainbow Treecare to educate the public and treat ash trees.

Approximately 600 trees have been treated for emerald ash borer. The treatments have been on a two-year rotation with approximately 300 rightof-way trees in odd years and approximately 300 park and public property trees in even years.

• The city has agreed to once again support Manitou Days by providing public resources for the events. The city will also contribute $7,000 to Marketfest. Manitou Days is scheduled for June

19 through July 4 and Marketfest will be every Thursday from June 19 through July 31.

• The city has satisfied its requirements for its Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) and its MS4 general permit through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

• The council has adopted an ordinance to amend the municipal code regarding dogs. (See “2nd reading scheduled for dog leash ordinance amendment,” April 16, 2025.)

• The council recently held a closed session regarding active litigation (city of White Bear Lake vs. The Estate of Thomas C. Schumann and Jacon LLC). Both parties have agreed to settle.

The next City Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at City Hall.

PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES

STATE OF MINNESOTA, COUNTY OF RAMSEY DISTRICT COURT, SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT FILE NO. 62-PR-25-194

CASE TYPE: INFORMAL PROBATE

NOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

In re the Estate of Ruth Josephine West, a/k/a Ruth J. West, Decedent TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:

Notice is hereby given that an Amended Application filed on April 14, 2025 for informal probate of the above-named Decedent’s Last Will dated June 4, 2013 (“Will”) has been filed with the Probate Registrar, and the Amended Application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Probate Registrar has informally appointed the following: Dean A. West, 23167 Lofton Avenue North, Scandia MN 55073 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative, or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 524.3607, and the court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate, including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate. Any objections to the probate of the Will, or to the appointment of the personal representative, must be filed with this court, and will be heard by the court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.

Notice is also given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four (4) months after the date of this Notice, or the claims will be barred.

Laura J. Stevens, Probate Registrar

Michael F. Upton, Court Administrator

Date: April 14, 2025

Attorney for Personal Representative

JEANNE MARIE ANDERSON

Attorney License No.: 166170

Anderson Legal Services PLLC

105 New England Place, Suite 145

Stillwater MN 55082

Telephone: 651-439-1389

E-Mail: jeannemanderson@stillwater-attorney.com

Published two times in the White Bear Press on April 23 and 30, 2025.

NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT LIEN FORECLOSURE SALE

YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

1. Default has occurred in the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Declaration for Silver Lake Woods Condominium Association, Inc. recorded in the Registrar of Titles for Ramsey County, Minnesota on March 28, 2011 as Document No. 2138790, as amended and supplemented (hereinafter the “Declaration), covering the following property:

Legal Description: Units 30 and G-29, Condominium Number 215, Silver Lake Woods Condominium. Subject to a reservation by the State of Minnesota of all minerals and mineral rights. Subject to encumbrances, liens, and interests noted on CICCT No. 584114

Street Address: 2638 Lake Court Dr, Unit 30, Mounds View, MN 55112

Tax Parcel Identification Number: 07-30-23-14-0577

2. Pursuant to said Declaration, there is claimed to be due and owing as of April 15, 2025 from Neil D. Remme, title holder, to Silver Lake Woods Condominium Association, Inc., a Minnesota non-profit corporation, the amount of $9,645.18 for unpaid association assessments, late fees, attorneys’ fees and costs of collection, plus any other such amounts that will accrue after April 15, 2025 including additional assessments and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of collection and foreclosure which will be added to the amount claimed due and owing at the time of the sale herein.

3. No action is now pending at law or otherwise to recover said debt or any part thereof.

4. All preforeclosure requirements have been met.

5. The owners have not been released from the owners’ financial obligation to pay said amount.

6. The Declaration, referenced above, provides for a continuing lien against the property.

7. Pursuant to the power of sale contained in the same Declaration

and granted by the owners in taking title to the premises subject to said Declaration, said Lien will be foreclosed by the sale of said property by the Sheriff of Ramsey County at the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Civil Process, 360 Wabasha Street N., Ste. 111, St. Paul, MN 55102, on the 20th day of June, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at public auction to the highest bidder, to pay the amount then due for said assessments, together with the costs of foreclosure, including attorneys’ fees as allowed by law.

8. The time allowed by law for redemption by the unit owners, the unit owners’ personal representatives or assigns is six (6) months from the date of sale.

9. The date and time to vacate the property is 11:59 p.m. on December 20, 2025, if the account is not reinstated or the owners do not redeem from the foreclosure sale.

REDEMPTION NOTICE THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

10. THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

Dated: April 15, 2025 Smith Jadin Johnson, PLLC

By: /s/ Aaron M. Brooksby Aaron M. Brooksby (#0402625) Attorney for Silver Lake Woods Condominium Association,

Shannon Granholm

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

City Clerk Caley Longendyke administers the oath of police service to one of the newest members of the White Bear Lake Police Department, Jordyn Sullivan. Sullivan previously worked for the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, the Walker Police Department and the Lakeshore Police Department.

Above: Soloist Ashleigh Berlien sticks a landing during her “Speechless” performance.

At left: Soloist Kenley Novak twirls high above the ice during her “Grease Lightning” performance.

Above: Freestyle2 skaters

Emmeline Anders, Isla Stock and Kennedy Zellmann glide across the ice during the recent Blades on Broadway 32nd Annual Spring Ice Show at the White Lake Sports Center.

At right: Members of the Boys Group scramble into a moving formation during their turn in the spotlight.

Enter your nominations online April 30 - May 18 online at presspubs.com/white_bear/bestof

in the White Bear Press and Vadnais Heights Press area Scan to nominate Contest Categories

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Nominate once per day in one or all categories. The top 5 nominees will be put on the voting ballot.

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

6 51_407_1200

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Inspectors will make $16.50 an hour while working a minimum of 16 hours per week primarily on weekends (Friday-Sunday) with occasional weekday shifts. Additional compensation includes time-and-a-half pay for holiday work, raises for returning inspectors, and season-end bonuses available to all inspectors. Inspectors will work outdoors at Comfort, Bone, and Forest Lakes. They will be able to educate the public about the threats of AIS and meet people that love lakes as much as they do! All necessary training is provided, so no prior inspection or AIS experience is required. A full job description and application form is available at https://clflwd.org/employment/. If you are interested in applying, please e-mail the completed application form to info@clflwd.org or mail it to 44 Lake Street South, Suite A, Forest Lake, MN 55025. Call 651-407-1221

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If every person takes one small step toward being more conscientious of the environment, the collective effort will change the planet.

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S E R V I C E D I R

EMS: 1st in metro to administer IV acetaminophen

FROM PAGE 1

don't have a stopgap. We don't have anything of significance other than ‘here are a couple of Benadryl’ ... The hope is that there will be less dependence on narcotics.”

Cannefax added, “This just gives us another avenue for helping patients with pain. It's a very safe drugs to give patients.”

One of the benefits, is it has fewer side effects. A drug like morphine or fentanyl can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation and cognitive impairment. When a drug like that is administered, patients must be monitored very closely, whereas with acetaminophen, the main thing to watch out for is an allergy.

“When we give someone an opioid, we monitor their respiratory drives. We keep a close watch on their blood pressure and their heart rate, their oxygen saturations,” Cannefax explained. “You don't have to do quite as much of that with acetaminophen.”

IV acetaminophen is a great option for patient experiencing “mild to moderate” pain — say, if a patient is experiencing back pain, but it is not so severe that they are immobile. If a patient has a dislocation or fracture, paramedics could use a multimodal approach: they can use half a dose of an opioid along with the acetaminophen.

“We are leading a new approach to medical care; we are on the leading edge,” Peterson noted.

Assistant Fire Chief Josh Waylander added, “Regions is looking at it more about holistic patient care versus us treating someone's broken finger. We want to take care of their finger, but we want to also make sure that we are treating them to their benefit long term. We can give them some pain control and we don’t expose them to narcotics. It's better, holistically.”

Cannefax expects the trial will go well. “We will probably get a fair amount of data to show that it's a safe and an effective medication for paramedics to be giving.”

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

SCHOOL BRIEFS

Board member requests changes to public forum White Bear Area Schools Board Member Dan Skaar would like to see the public forum section of the school board meetings be extended from 30 minutes to 45 minutes. He also requested it be livestreamed. Currently, each speaker during public forum is allowed three minutes and must submit a written request to speak before 3 p.m. the day of the meeting. This allows for 10 total speakers; priority is given to those speaking on an item included in that evening’s agenda. Skaar’s requests failed due to the lack of a second.

Subsequently, Skaar drew attention to a letter the district received from state Rep. Elliot Engen. The letter claims the district is in violation of Donald Trump’s Feb. 5 executive order, “Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports.” The executive order’s aim is “to promote fairness, safety and the best interests of female athletes by ensuring that eligibility for participation in women’s sporting events is determined according to sex and not gender identity or testosterone reduction.”

Skaar reported that Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak responded to the letter, saying that the school district is in compliance with Minnesota

OBITUARIES

laws, citing Attorney General Keith Ellison. Rep. Brion Curran sent a letter to the district in support of the district’s policy.

Skaar motioned to add a discussion item to have these letters read on record, which the board also denied. “It would be nice if the board had the courage to go on record on this matter,” he said.

During the board forum, Board Member Angela Thompson quoted a presenter she recently saw at a national conference for school board members, “‘Diversity is not a choice, but inclusion is.’ And I will always choose to include all of our students no matter what.”

Logan Gion

District responds to federal funding question

Press Publications reached out to White Bear Lake Area Schools to see how recent cuts to federal funding have impacted the district’s food program. At this time, the funding that has been cut at the federal level is related to future funding sources, specifically two grant funded programs: the Local Food for Schools program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement.

Director of Communications and Community Relations Marisa Vette explained that in the past, the district has received grant funding

Phyllis Jane Gutsche

September 5, 1922February 9, 2025.

Phyllis Jane Gutsche passed away peacefully on February 9 2025, in Santa Barbara CA at 102 years old. The beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother was born in 1922 in Waltham, Minnesota, lived until the age of 12 in Hayfield, MN, when she moved to St. Paul. She was the third of four children born to Opal Kunze Stubstad and Lawrence Porter Stubstad. Strong, determined, and resilient, she survived scarlet fever as a child, the Great Depression as a teenager, a compound wrist fracture while playing tennis in her 50s, and COVID-19 at 100.

Upcoming Games

April 29 - May 4 vs. Columbus Clippers May 6 - 11 vs. Buffalo Bisons

Phyllis met Lyle Gutsche in St. Paul and they were married in Columbia, Missouri in 1943, soon after Lyle enlisted in the Army Air Force. After World War II, they returned to St. Paul and began their family with the birth of Steven in 1946. The

Bear Lake Rotary

Frassati Catholic Academy is happy to announce Nessa Moriarty as its Academic Achiever. Nessa is hard-working, conscientious, and a considerate student. Nesssa’s assignments are of the highest quality. She always has time to help her fellow classmates with their homework and other projects. She is a member of the Frassati Ambassadors, and swim team. She also dances, plays piano, and writes stories.

for Farm to School programs, a federal grant program with monies distributed by the states. Recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget are related to future federal funding planned for FY26.

“These programs have enabled us to build relationships with six different local food producers and purchase a variety of products including maple syrup, fruits and vegetables,” Vette said. “While we are currently assessing our ability to maintain partnerships with the local farms and we hope to benefit from state grant funding, some of the relationships we have forged due to the federal funds may become cost-prohibitive without continued grant support.”

Vette added that in addition to supporting local economies and sustainability, locally grown foods often provide “superior nutritional value.”

“Because they are harvested at peak ripeness and travel shorter distances, these foods retain more nutrients and offer fresher, more flavorful options for students,” she said. “We remain committed to offering nutritious, high-quality meals and will continue to explore funding options that support local sourcing whenever possible.”

Shannon Granholm

family moved to Richmond, CA, where Mark was born in 1949. The family moved back to St. Paul where Gail arrived in 1954. After yet another stint in California, the Gutsches moved to the Village of Birchwood in White Bear Lake.

Phyllis was a master quilter who created dozens of vibrant handstitched quilts for her extended family, each uniquely crafted for its recipient. An excellent cook and baker, Phyllis served Caesar salad, cheese souffle and Orange Chicken to friends and family back in the 70s. Dinner always ended with home-baked cookies, cakes, or pies. Her sweet rolls were legendary.

After Lyle retired in 1982, the couple moved to Borrego Springs, CA, where they spent winters exploring the de Anza Borrego Desert until his death in 1996. Phyllis moved to Santa Barbara permanently when she was 74. She moved to Maravilla in her mid-nineties where she enjoyed playing Bridge and Rumikub. A formidable competitor, she didn’t like to lose and rarely did. When asked at her 100th birthday party what the secret to her longevity was, she replied, “Prayer and wine, in that order, every day.” Phyllis found her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in her later years. The earthly world is poorer in her passing; heaven has gained a faithful servant.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Opal and Lawrence; her brothers Howard and Delbert; and her husband Lyle. She is survived by her brother Bill Stubstad of Denver; her children Steve (Marilyn) of Santa Barbara; Mark (Jean) of Sarasota, FL; Gail of Missoula MT; and six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Contributions in her honor may be made to the Serenity House Hospice, VNA Health Foundation, 509 E. Montecito Street, Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93103.

Cecil C. Van Booven, Jr.

Age 72, of White Bear Lake, MN

Passed away surrounded by family on December 30, 2024. Preceded in death by his parents Cecil Carlin and Leona, and infant son Walter Matthew.

Survived by his loving wife of 52 years Judy; children Leia (Andrew) Swanson, Kelly, and Matthew; granddaughter Kaylee Ritt; sister Joyce Jackson of Odessa, MO; and cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 10, 2025 at CHURCH OF ST. PIUS X, 3878 Highland Avenue, White Bear Lake with visitation one hour before Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements with Honsafamilyfuneral.com, 651-429-6127.

Nessa Moriarty

BASEBALL

Mahtomedi (8-3) went 3-2 over a seven-day stretch. The Zephyrs edged Centennial 2-1 on Peyton Erickson’s two-hitter with six strikeouts and RBI’s by Connor Finn and Nick Pietig. They beat St. Thomas Academy 12-2, led by Nathan Affolter, 3-for-3 (home run, double, four RBI’s) and Isaac Iten, 2-for-3 (double, two RBI’s). Ethan Felling struck out 10 in five innings. Hill-Murray tripped the Zephyrs 3-1 on a two-hitter. Connor Finn and Andrew Sokol pitched and Finn singled home a run. The Zephyrs beat Tartan 22-0 as Felling was 3-for-3 (four RBI’s), Finn 2-for-3 (two RBI’s), Affolter 2-for-3 (three RBI’s) and Jacob Reubish 3-for-3 (three runs). Matthew Mizinski and Winston Wisely pitched. In a 3-1 win over South St. Paul, Wisely slammed a two-run homer while Felling (five innings, 10 strikeouts) and Sokol combined for a two-hitter. Hudson won 7-6 over the Zephyrs, who had just six hits, 10 walks and four hit-by-pitch. Felling was 3-for-3. Reubish had three RBI’s (two-run single, base-loaded walk).

GIRLS LACROSSE

Mahtomedi (2-2) lost to Hudson 13-3 and defeated Hastings 17-0 last week.

BEAR SPORTS BRIEFS

BASEBALL

Olivia Sowada and Annie Tanner each tallied three goals and three assists in the win. Maggie Duea, Brooklyn Kragness and Brooke Berg had two each.

SOFTBALL

Mahtomedi (3-7) beat Totino-Grace 3-0 and Simley 13-7, then lost to Two Rivers 14-2 and South St. Paul 19-8, last week. Malia Erickson allowed just three hits and a walk in the shutout. Ava Sheppeck and Julia Ruzynski had RBI’s. Against Simley, Kristen Johnson was 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles and four runsbatted-in. Adding two hits each were Sheppeck (two runs), Erickson (three runs, RBI), Ruzynski (two RBIs), Maya Dahl (RBI) and Sammie Praml (two runs). Erickson pitched, allowing seven hits.

BOYS GOLF

Jacob Wilson placed second with a five-under-par 68-71-139 in The Preview, an invitational with many of the top teams, at Edinburgh on Friday and Saturday. He was two strokes behind Eden Prairie’s Ryan Cronin. Mahtomedi placed ninth of 16 teams with 609. Tommy Kurn shot

White Bear Lake (7-2) won three of four last week. The Bears beat Park 3-2 with Owen Mortenson allowing no runs in 5 2/3 innings and Owen Farrington finishing. Evan Newlander had a tworun double. Cretin-Derham Hall beat the Bears 3-2 as John Henry Kohorst and Jack Van Gemert held the Bear to four hits. Matt Anderson and Jackson Kolb pitched for the Bears. Blake Eckerle fired a two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over Irondale. Kevin Zollinger delivered a two-run single, stole a base, and scored on Farrington’s single. The Bears nipped Rochester Mayo 5-4, allowing just four hits but seven walks that led to runs. Evan Newlander and Jace Lombardi gave up the runs before Isaiah Weber threw two scoreless innings. Eckerle and Zollinger had RBI singles. Farrington got the go-ahead run as singled, took third on Christian Humphrey’s bunt single, and scored on a ground out.

BOYS GOLF

White Bear Lake placed 11th of 16 teams in The Preview, an invitational with many of the state’s top teams, Friday and Saturday at Edinburgh. CretinDerham Hall (CDH) won with 585. Easton Fiddle of the Bears placed eighth with 70-75-145. The Bears totaled 615. Magnus Benz shot 82-75-157, Grady Gieffer 77-80-157, and Gavin Elgard 80-80-163. On Monday, the Bears tied for second among 10 teams in a Suburban East meet at North Oaks. CDH totaled 287 while the Bears and Stillwater each had 303. Fiddle placed third

76-78-154, Thomas Meader 78-79-157 and Brooks Ashfield 84-84-168. The Zephyrs were third in a Metro East meet on Tuesday. Wilson led the field, shooting 69 and six birdies. HillMurray shot 297, St. Thomas Academy 298 and Mahtomedi 301. Thomas Meader was eighth with 76 and Mark Graff 13th with 77. Tony Kurn and Brooks Ashfield shot 79 each.

TENNIS

Mahtomedi (6-2) defeated Hastings 5-2, Hasting 6-1 and Roseville Area 5-2 last week. Brandon Pham, Luke Roettger, John Aufdehar and Tyler Chesak are the regular singles lineup. The Zephyrs won 1-doubles each match with Zach Burge, Max Milbrandt and Ethan Stout. Eli Hendrickson/Kento Kedrowski won at 2-doubles twice.

BOYS TRACK

Mahtomedi placed fourth of nine teams in the Metro East mid-season meet at home Tuesday. The top four were Hastings 148.5, Two Rivers 133.5, St. Thomas Academy 129 and Mahtomedi 78.5. Placing first were Andrew Russell (high jump, 6-6) and Jaxon Mitchell (triple jump, 42-7).

with 72 and Jack Stanius tied for fourth with 73. Benz and Elgard each shot 79. The Bears were eighth of 16 teams in the East Ridge Invitational on Wednesday. Edina won with 293. The Bears totaled 306. Stanius shot 73 (sixth place), Fiddle 74, Elgard 79 and Thomas Pederson 80.

GIRLS LACROSSE

White Bear Lake (2-4) defeated Irondale 19-5 and lost to Stillwater 16-5 last week. Against Irondale, Cayla Helmberger netted four goals while Grace Castro, Rylin West, Carlie Griffin and Olivia Simpkins had three each, Kylee Lehman two and Olive Holvig one. Scoring against Stillwater (4-1) were Carlie Griffin (two), Simpkins, Helmberger and Holvig.

TENNIS

White Bear Lake lost to Stillwater and Mounds Park Academy (MPA), each by 5-2, last week. Against Stillwater, the Bears (4-3) won at 1-2 singles: Will Fleming 6-1, 6-3 and Andrew Kolenich 4-6, 6-2, 10-8. Mason Voeller/Asher Ludwig at 1-doubles lost 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. Against MPA, Fleming won 6-1, 6-3 and Colton Knutson 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 at 3-singles. Benaiah Matthews of MPA nipped Andrew Kolenich at 2-singles 0-6, 6-4 10-7.

GIRLS TRACK

White Bear Lake won a three-team meet at home

Gamewinner for Zephyrs

Mahtomedi’s Gunnar Sellman fired a shot that got past the New Prague goalie in overtime Thursday evening, giving the Zephyrs (4-0) a 7-6 win in a duel of unbeaten teams. The Zephyrs won again 11-7 at Hastings on Friday. Eight players had goals in the two wins: Ned Whitney four, Sellman and Mason Peterson three each, Oskar Margusson, Seth Erickson and Landon Kruse two each and Sam

Placing third were Evan Miller (pole vault, 10-6) and Ericdarren Daafour (long jump, 20-4 3/4).

GIRLS TRACK

Mahtomedi placed third of eight teams in the Metro East midseason meet Tuesday at home. Two Rivers scored 173, Hastings 149 and Mahtomedi 98. Harlow Berger won shot put with 38-11 1/2. Placing second were Xiaobao Liang (200 dash, 25.95), Olivia Thiele (400 dash, 1:00.33), Adalyn Beulke (1600 run, 5:54) and Kaili Malvey (long jump, 17-10). Placing third were Liang (400 dash, 1:00.87), Elise Aflakpi (100 hurdles, 17.09) and Natalie Jackson (discus, 102-8). Malvey competed in the Hamline Elite Meet on Friday and placed sixth with 17-5.

GIRLS GOLF

Mahtomedi lost on a tie-breaker to Hastings last Tuesday as each totaled 186 and Hastings had a better fifth score. Zephyr sophomore Reagan Juhl was medalist at 42.

Bruce Strand

Tuesday with 89 points. Hudson had 66 and Sauk Rapids-Rice 34. Placing first individually were LysAurele d’Almeida in the 100 (12.88), Piper Heinsohn in the 400 (1:01.63), Grace Laszlo in the 800 (2:35.84), Amelia Nachtsheim in the 1600 (5:27.99), Karen Enow in discus (107-6) and Josephine Mlejnek in pole vault (8-6).

BOYS LACROSSE

White Bear Lake (3-2) beat Irondale 15-4 and lost to Stillwater 12-10 last week. In the two games, Finn Karni notched six goals, Wyatt Raleigh five, Liam Maloy five, Colton Butts four, Ben Lockwood three and Gavin Hunt two. Reid Vickstrom in goal saved six of 10 against Irondale, nine of 21 against Stillwater.

VOLLEYBALL

In their last three matches, the Bears (0-4) lost to Roseville Area, East Ridge and North St. Paul, all 3-0. Keith Houchins leads in kills and blocks. Wyatt Mlejnek, Finn Paulson, Tales Barman’s and Alan Cassady are also getting kills. Nathan Lot had two aces against East Ridge, and an ace and five digs against North.

Bruce Strand

Knapp and Sam Churchill one each. Goalie Jack Stefan made six saves in each game.

MARY ROLLINGER | CONTRIBUTED

MAYOR LOUISMET: Hopes more residents will step up to serve city

approach to “change,” particularly regarding dense housing.

“How” I got into the mayoral race in the first place is a little more nuanced. The previous mayor chose not to seek reelection, though this information was less than forthcoming. Therefore, the “open” mayor’s seat was not widely known. In 2021, as the end of the short two-week window for candidates to file drew near, only one candidate had filed. If you’ve ever wondered why write-in campaigns take root in smaller local elections, it’s because filing deadlines can easily come and go without anyone noticing until it’s too late. If you miss the filing deadline, you cannot be on the ballot.

On the Friday morning before the Monday filing deadline, a few concerned residents whom I respect encouraged me to run for mayor and offered to help with the campaign. I was made aware of the dynamics at play, namely that this was shaping up to be an uncontested election, and it didn’t sit well with me. I thought about it, discussed it with my wife, and ultimately decided it was something I had to do. It is precisely because of how I got into the 2021 election that I want to get the word out now, over a month before the June 3 filing deadline. I want residents that may be interested in running for mayor to have adequate time to think about it. My hope is that multiple residents will step up and the democratic process will have its day.

Q. What ultimately led you to the decision to not run for re-election in 2025?

A. Family. It has been a great honor to serve as mayor of my hometown — the only place I’ve ever called home. If I were in a different phase of my life, there would be no question that I’d be seeking reelection. However, at 39 years old, I have a young family that I want to spend as much time with as possible, and a “day job” that I truly enjoy and want to fully commit to. The amount of time and focus it takes to be the mayor and to do the job well inevitably pulls from quality time with my two young daughters (Frankie, 9, and Eden, 6) and the best wife (Molly) a guy could ever ask for. There will be many school events, practices, games, opportunities to coach, family vacations, etc. over the next four years and I don’t want to miss any of those moments.

Q. What were the most challenging issues you encountered during your time in office?

A. Managing a tax levy that remained flat for 10 years at a time of significantly rising costs for necessary and essential city services. I have supported increasing the tax levy three years in a row. That’s not something I take lightly. I’m fully aware that many of us, myself included, feel like they get taxed from every direction. However, as I’ve said at every annual truth-in-taxation meeting for three years in a row, if there was a proposed marble fountain in our budget, I’d be the first to cut it. We spend our dollars on the core essential services that residents expect from the city. Our tax increases have gone toward better pay (but still comparatively “average” relative to other cities) for police officers, firefighters and public works staff, among other city employees. We’ve completed a long overdue addition and remodel of our public safety facility. We’ve continued and are nearing completion of a decades long citywide street reconstruction project. We stretch a buck in White Bear Lake with the best of them, and I want residents to know that.

Q. Looking back, what do you consider your most significant accomplishment as mayor?

A. I campaigned on stopping the METRO Purple Line from entering our city. Within my first few months in office, we did just that. I may have been the guy holding the gavel when all this happened, but the truth is, it took a tremendous effort from other council members, grassroots volunteers and many residents simply speaking up for common sense. I am grateful to everyone who helped get this done. I am also proud of the new public safety building, though I don’t see this as “my” accomplishment. This project began under the previous mayor and council, was made possible through the taxpayers who funded it, and ultimately became a reality because of the hard work of the many dedicated city staff who worked on the project and amongst the construction.

Q. Were there any initiatives you championed that you feel were particularly impactful?

A. Not so much an initiative, but something I made my own, is the regular interaction I have with the WBLHS students that often attend the

WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOL BOARD NOTES

• White Bear Lake Area High School is doing a partial roof replacement on a section of the building not updated as part of the 2019 Building our Future Bond Referendum. The board awarded the contract to Peterson Brothers for $353,400.

• The board will hold a second reading next month for numerous policies dealing with harassment or violence, acceptance of gifts, video recording on school buses and school-sponsored student publications and activities. Most changes were made for grammatical or clarity reasons. Within the school-sponsored publications and activities policy, however, Board Member Dan Skaar brought attention to a deleted clause that stated, “The school district may exercise editorial control over the style and content of student expression in school-sponsored publications and activities.” Superintendent Dr. Wayne Kazmierczak

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP NOTES

• Residents of Pine Hill Lane, near Centerville Road and County Road H2, are expressing frustration with North Oaks Company and Endeavor Construction. Frequent personnel changes and shifting design plans have delayed a residential development project that began in 2018. “This continues to be so devastating to our neighborhood and for our property,” Homeowner B.J. Shultz told the board. “There’s no screening for the site, period, so we’ve just lived in a construction zone for the past seven years. … I want our kids to play in the backyard.” Town Supervisor Chair Ed Prudhon promised to address the issue

council meetings as an assignment for their government class. As a 2004 grad of WBLHS (Go Bears!), I remember attending a council meeting my junior year for the same assignment, and it made a positive impact. I want to publicly acknowledge and thank Mr. Mahlum for continuing this important class assignment.

At the end of the meetings, I give the students my spiel about the importance of local government and how it impacts our daily lives. From the water we drink to what happens when we flush a toilet, this is all made possible by local government. It may not be glamourous, but it’s essential to our quality of life. I then encourage students to get involved in local government, in some capacity, now or in the future.

Q. What do you believe are the city's most pressing issues moving forward?

A. Funding the ambulance service through a sustainable fee structure is a major problem that all cities across the country will need to deal with. Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement doesn’t even come close to covering the actual cost of providing ambulance services. This problem is heightened in our city because our age demographic is comparatively older than other cities. For every Medicare reimbursed ambulance run we make, the city loses hundreds of dollars. Our ambulance service used to “break even” through the fees collected primarily though insurance. The model is now in such a deficit, through no fault of the city, that the program is heavily subsidized through general taxes, thus adding to the tax levy.

Staff recruitment and retention through competitive wages is an ongoing concern. I don’t want to be on the low side of wages compared to other cities. We used to be, and we’ve made progress toward at least putting us on the higher side of what I call the “murky middle.” However, I can’t support what many cities are doing, which is throwing money around to solve short-term staffing needs. This is not sustainable, and will come to a head for those cities. Competitive but sustainable wage growth ensures financial stability for the city while guarding against the possible future need for staffing or wage cuts.

Aligning the standards, expectations and goals among the city and some of

assured Skaar that the revised policy wording reflects current Minnesota statutes. The five-page policy states elsewhere that faculty advisors and the principal of the building in which the publication is written shall supervise written content. The policy also lays out numerous guidelines prohibiting inappropriate student expression. The board will review these policies again for final approval at its May board meeting.

• After a second reading, the board approved numerous policies including infectious diseases, extended school year for students with individualized education programs (IEP) and fixed asset accounting. Changes were clerical in nature.

• “The Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence has recognized the White Bear Lake Automotive Career Pathway as well as teacher Derek Doescher with the Exemplary Secondary Program of

at the next executive meeting.

• On May 14, the board will advertise for bids for street improvement projects at Portland Woods, Anderson Lane and the Jenni Lane area. The board has approved street improvement plans following multiple neighborhood meetings and an open house where residents could comment and provide feedback. Town Engineer Larry Poppler explained that the Portland Woods and Anderson Lane projects will involve reclamation of the street as well as addition of curb and gutter. Poppler said that the streets in the Jenni Lane area will receive a “mill and overlay,” in which only the top layer of the roads will

our neighboring municipalities that rely on us for contract services like fire, ambulance and police. The city has its own police and fire departments. We will continue to provide and fund a high level of emergency services for our residents and want to continue to do so for all of our contracting neighbors. These services, however, cost a lot of money, as I noted regarding the ambulance service. It is critical that local elected officials communicate with their residents about the cost and need for these services and, most importantly, lead from the front on this issue, just as we have done in White Bear Lake.

Q. What advice would you give to your successor based on your experiences?

A. Listen more than you speak, certainly in your first year. There’s no expectation that a newly elected mayor will be an expert on all the inner workings of city government, at least not at the beginning. That’s okay. Ask questions and grow your knowledge before jumping head-first into every problem. Recognize that the city manager and department heads are the ones that really “run” the city. The mayor and council, together, are a policy board. Operational and day-to-day decisions largely fall to the city manager. Lastly, remember that the mayor of White Bear Lake does not vote at council meetings. Your job is to run an efficient meeting, observe and respect the process, facilitate discussion and influence policy at your discretion.

Q. What’s next for you? Any big plans?

A. Continue to enjoy being a husband, father, and attorney — in that order! I do however have eight months left in my term. There’s still good work to be done, and I plan to finish strong and fulfill my entire four-year commitment to the residents of White Bear Lake.

Q. Any final thoughts?

A. To the residents of White Bear Lake: I offer my sincerest thanks, and humble gratitude, for your trust in me these past 3 1/2 years. To those that may disagree with my policy decisions or leadership style: you’re in luck — the mayor’s seat is open! Perhaps you might try your hand at local government …

Compiled by Shannon Granholm

the Year award for 2025,” reported Kazmierczak. The award highlights exemplary models of institutional support, instructional leadership and programwide excellence. Kazmierczak drew attention to the key partnerships Doescher has cultivated with local automotive businesses as well as collaboration with the Ford Automotive Student Educational Training Program.

The White Bear Lake Area School Board next meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the new District Service Center at Sunrise Park, 2399 Cedar Ave., White Bear Lake, for its monthly work session. The public may also livestream the meeting from isd624.org/ about/school-board/meeting-materials.

Logan Gion

be refreshed. This project also includes improving stormwater catch basins in the area to promote better drainage.

• The township’s utility commission is recommending that a seasonal hold for refuse collection not be put into ordinance but rather be listed as a requirement when the township seeks a new contract in 18 months. The board will follow the commission’s recommendation.

• Prudhon requested the Public Works Department provide a new quote for a vehicle’s replacement. The current request is for a $55,500 Chevrolet Silverado. Town Supervisor Beth Artner agreed. Public Works

Director Dale Reed will collaborate with team members to lower the price by eliminating extras.

• The township board is continuing to litigate the fire contract with the city of White Bear Lake.

The White Bear Township Board next meets at 7 p.m. Monday, May 5, at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road. To view the livestream of the meeting, visit youtube.com/@ WhiteBearTownshipMNOfficial/ streams.

Logan Gion

Local gymnast contributes to NCAA team title

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

A college freshman from White Bear Lake experienced an NCAA Division I team championship and, in fact, played a key role.

Lily Pederson, who joined the Oklahoma gymnastic team this year after a great career with the local Flips club, contributed an almost flawless balance beam performance in the finals in Fort Worth, Texas that helped put the Sooners over the top on Saturday, April 19.

“I was very happy and proud, to put past me what happened in the semifinals, to (perform) one of the best beam routines I had all season,” said Pederson. She referred to a rare fall on beam, her first all season, in semifinals two days earlier, resulting in a 9.275 score, after never getting less than 9.65 previously.

When Pederson got back on beam in the finals, the Sooners needed a return to her peak performance and got it.

The 4-foot-10 athlete cruised through her maze of moves — full turn, back handspring layout stepout, switch kick, switch side, side somie, roundoff double twist dismount — without a hitch.

After sticking her landing, she yelped and leapt with joy, sprinted toward her coach to celebrate and got mobbed by her teammates. Everyone knew she’d gotten them an excellent score, which turned out to be 9.9375 and helped them edge UCLA by 0.4 points for the title.

Oklahoma, coached by K.J. Kindler, captured its seventh NCAA championship in the last 12 years, bouncing back from a bitter disappointment in 2024, when they were top-ranked, seeking a third straight title, but faltered in the finals and finished third with Louisiana State University capturing the crown.

Asked what her mindset was Saturday after Thursday’s slip,

Pederson said, “My coach told me to go out and do ‘angry’ beam, and have fun and show what I can do.”

Kindler told The Oklahoman that she stresses “angry beam” often with Pederson, “because when she does angry beam, when she’s really sharp, and really hard in her finishes, she does better.” Kindler called Pederson’s bounce-back the biggest moment of the night. From there, the Sooners were rolling, she said.

Pederson’s other scores in the finals were 9.8 on uneven bars and 9.8625 on vault. After a mid-season groin injury, she didn’t compete on floor exercise.

The 2024 White Bear Lake graduate’s rooting gallery included her parents Monica and Cory, twin brother Talon and her boyfriend John Nicholson and his family.

The Sooners had three gymnasts finish in the top seven all-around: Faith Torrez, second with 39.675, Addison Fatta, fifth with 39.5125; and

Jordan Bowers, seventh with 39.4875. Pederson ranked 12th with 29.6 despite having just three events.

Oklahoma totaled 198.0125 points, with UCLA, Missouri and Utah finishing 2-3-4.

Pederson, who’ll major in business, committed to the Sooners after her sophomore year as the No. 2 nationally ranked recruit. She joined them following a glittering career with White Bear Lake-based Flips that included individual national championships in allaround and bars. She was a development program national team member for four years.

So how does it feel to be an NCAA champion, Pederson was asked.

“Amazing, incredible. It still feels like a dream,” she said.

“To see all our hard work pay off, especially after the adversity of last year. And to be able to celebrate it with my family and friends there.”

Bears get rolling, enjoy 3-1 week in softball

BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

White Bear Lake softball took a 14-1 lead against Mounds View on Monday and wound up winning three of four games, improving to 4-5 after a 1-4 start. Pitcher Lily Martin allowed just four runs in 25 innings. The final score against Mounds View was 18-10 as the Bears cleared the bench and had some errors. Kendall Kotzmacher belted a three-run homer and an RBI single. Maddie Belisle had a solo home run, single, two walks and three runs. Anessa Pena hit a two-run double and Teagan

Kotzmacher a two-run single. Kendall Roeser was 3-for-5. The Bears beat Irondale 5-1 Tuesday as Martin threw a four-hitter with 13 strikeouts. Belisle and Lauren Elias had RBI hits. Park’s Mackenzie Darsow won a pitchers duel over Martin, 2-0, hitting a two-run homer herself, on Wednesday. Martin allowed just two hits and fanned 10. In a 3-0 win Thursday over Woodbury, Martin spun a two-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts and Kotzmacher hit a tworun homer. Pearson doubled and scored on a single by Lauren Simmons.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ethan Felling

Mahtomedi Baseball

April 30, 2025

Ethan Felling, Mahtomedi senior pitcher/outfielder, is the No. 6 ranked baseball prospect in the state. He signed with the Minnesota Gophers in November. “Ethan is regarded as one of the state’s top left-handed arms,” said Gopher pitching coach Alec Crawford. “I am expecting Ethan to come in right away and compete on our staff.” Last week, Felling, 6-foot-3, pitched 10 shutout innings with 20 strikeouts in two games, and had a pair of 3-for-3 games at the plate. He has made the all-state tournament team in the last two seasons.

BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED

Kendall Kotzmacher rounded third on a three-run homer at Mounds View. She had another homer against Woodbury.

CONTRIBUTED

Lily Pederson’s beam performance in the NCAA finals helped Oklahoma regain the national title.

Help Us Get Nominated!

The Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums (MALHM) is bestowing a Lifetime Achievement Award upon White Bear Lake Area Historical Society Executive Director Sara Hanson. Alliance Coordinator Liz Koele explained that MALHM’s awards committee chooses the award’s recipients for their numerous contributions to Minnesota history.

“As an organization, we don’t always sit back and realize what we’ve accomplished. We just move on to the next thing—nature of the beast and all that,” commentedsaid Hanson. “This means a lot, because it truly is people who get it, who understand it and can truly evaluate that, but also who been there through the process. So, it's humbling.” Hanson added that the term “lifetime achievement” sounded ominous. “You know, I’m not done, and (my staff) won’t let me be done. I’m not going anywhere.”

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CARTER JOHNSON | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

andArts Culture

EMERGING ARTIST: JACOB PASIUK

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Last fall, White Bear Lake senior Jacob Pasiuk received his third consecutive Hennepin Spotlight Trust distinction for Outstanding Overall Technical Team for his work on “Legally Blonde.” He additionally received recognition for Outstanding Technical Leadership. Since 2022, Pasiuk has racked up dozens of lighting and sound design credits from not only White Bear venues, but also Minneapolis and Maple Grove. He has even done lighting tech for corporate events. How does one even get started in such a field? According to Pasiuk, “Curiosity and just watching.” “I started out as an actor actually,” Pasiuk remembered. He explained that his grandmother, a choreographer, got him interested in performing on stage. In third grade, Pasiuk was cast in “101 Dalmatians” in Bluewater Theater

Jacob Pasiuk

Company in Wayzata. “I was always going up to the tech booth and seeing what the technicians were doing. I was like, ‘I want to do that.’” From there, he trained at Bluewater during his middle school summers and began helping with

tech for their elementary school shows. Pasiuk’s decision to pursue lighting design as a career, however, happened during the winter one-act play during his sophomore year. “I was left alone and thrown into the deep end. The technical director, he got a concussion … during that time, that was a huge learning curve,” Pasiuk recalled. During White Bear’s spring play that year, he received mentorship from a Century College lighting student. “After that, I was like, ‘I got this.’” Pasiuk said.

While Pasiuk has faith in his own abilities, he also must collaborate closely with other creative teams. He explained, “If there was a gunshot, for example, you need to work with sound [designers] and the stage manager … when this gunshot happens, there has to be a flash that happens.”

Pasiuk must also work with everevolving technology. Over the past decade, programmable stage lights have

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THEATER PROGRAM IS THE TOPS

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Though the White Bear Lake Area School District standardizes the curriculum, vets the staff and maintains the facilities of all elementary schools, extracurricular opportunities can vary greatly between buildings. Birch Lake Elementary School Teacher Allison Theissen explained, “I had three kids go through Otter Lake [Elementary], and now I’ve been teaching at Birch Lake for about 11-12 years. It’s drastically different, from the way their PTA operates to the amount of money they fundraise.”

To help close the opportunity gap, Children’s Performing Arts (CPA) instituted Theater Outreach Program in the Schools (TOPS). “It is an after-school enrichment program where we rehearse and then perform a 30-minute musical,” explained CPA Education and Programs Manager Maddie Ripperger. “We try to make it as simple for the school and the students who are performing as we possibly can.” This includes picking the show based on teachers’ guidance, creating costumes and props and designing digital backdrops and technical setups. “They get to rehearse in their school,” Ripperger continued, “so we’re removing a lot of the barriers, like needing transportation to a venue outside of your school.”

After a preview for their classmates at the school, the kids get rehearsal time at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center as well as two performance dates on their stage. “For a lot of kids…” Ripperger commented, “it’s their first time being in our building and ever being in a show, period.” Through donations from community fundraising, CPA is able to provide costumes, keep ticket costs affordable and give teachers who work on their school’s show a small stipend. “Teachers volunteer beyond their limits a lot of times,” Allison stated. “CPA actually acknowledges that.” Teachers from every school involved with TOPS have

CONTRIBUTED

noticed a marked growth in participants’ confidence. Said North Star Elementary teachers William Moris, Kelly Counihan and Jenny Storhaug in a joint statement, “We all feel like this program is a great way for our students here at North Star to be able to express themselves … Some of them really enjoy the ability to step out of their own lives and pretend to be someone else twice a week. It is awesome to see the smiles that this program puts on their faces.”

Allison’s husband, Mark Theissen, a teacher at Vadnais Heights Elementary, praised the difference TOPS made for his students during his school’s first year with the program. “The kids that came in three months ago are not the same kids that performed on stage at Hanifl. The confidence that they gained over those three months is life changing,” Mark stated.

The next TOPS show will be a junior version of “The Addams Family,” performed by North Star Elementary students at 6:30 p.m. May 7-8 at Hanifl Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available at the location’s box office. To donate to the TOPS program, visit childrensperformingartsmn.org/support/donate.

A GALA WHERE ‘ANYTHING GOES’

BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER

This year, for the first time ever, Lakeshore Players will attach their fundraising gala to a performance of their spring musical—in this case, “Anything Goes.” This version of the show, about a Wall Street broker turned cruise-ship stowaway who teams up with his nightclub-singer friend to break off an heiress’ engagement, follows the 2022 revival, updating the show’s sensibilities, but keeping its timeless appeal.

“There’s a lot going on in the world right now,” Lakeshore Players Executive Director Megan Pence stated. “We’re really thrilled to have this show on our season right now because it’s light and fun … It’s true escapism and pure entertainment at its best.”

While “Anything Goes” is currently showing at Lakeshore, the May 15 performance will serve as one portion of a grand evening out, with dinner, drinks and fundraising events surrounding the show. Attendees will also be among the first to see Lakeshore’s lineup

for their 2025-2026 season. Pence stated that donations raised from the fundraising gala are essential because Lakeshore is a non-profit. She estimates that ticket sales cover only half of the work Lakeshore does. Said Pence, “We rely on individual contributions to help us close that gap, to make the arts remain accessible and sustainable within your own community.” For tickets and details on “Anything Goes” or the Lakeshore Players Gala, visit www. lakeshoreplayers.org

gotten more affordable, safer and lighter, giving technical designers both more capabilities than ever before. “It definitely makes my art a lot more noticeable,” remarked Pasiuk, using White Bear Lake’s new Performing Arts Center (PAC) as an example. If White Bear’s old theater was 1800s quill and ink, Pasiuk analogized, the new PAC would be a ballpoint pen. “It’s a great help to have technology involved, having all these nice new tools to play with,” Pasiuk remarked. Pasiuk’s experience with equipment new and old will serve him well this fall. He is one of only ten lighting design students selected to attend University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music—a school equal in reputation to Juilliard. Regardless of caliber, Pasiuk’s goal will largely be the same: “I program the lights, I design all the looks and make people shine on stage.”

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THEATER SUMMER CAMPS

All camps take place at Hanifl Performing Arts Center, 4941 Long Ave., White Bear Lake

DARE TO DREAM JR.: A DISNEY MUSICAL REVUE

Grades: 3-5 or 6-8

Dates: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1-4 p.m. weekdays June 9-27

Details: A three-week process where children learn a musical revue show filled with Disney songs and perform it at the end of camp. Great for general performance skills and learning to take wellknown material and make it your own. Register at lakeshoreplayers.org/theatre-education.

WELCOME TO MUNCHKINLAND

Grades: K-2

Dates: 9:30-11:30 a.m., June 9-13

Details: Have your child join a week of creative, drama-based classes. Students will read books, then play games and create crafts that connect to the books. Finally, they will have a chance to act the book out, play different characters and explore different worlds. Incoming Kindergarteners welcome. More information at childrensperformingartsmn.org/ programs.

REVOLTING CHILDREN

Grades: 4-6

Dates: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. June 16-20

Details: A musical-theater camp featuring songs from “Matilda,” “Newsies,” “Oliver” and more. Participants will learn and perform scripted material. Instruction will be tailored to each child’s level of experience. More information at childrensperformingartsmn. org/programs.

PINK GOES GOOD WITH GREEN

Grades: 7-12

Dates: 1-4 p.m. June 16-20

Details: Teens will acquire focused, hard-skill performance techniques while learning and performing songs from “Mean Girls,” “Legally Blonde,” “Wicked” and more. Whether a novice or seasoned performer, instructors will customize the experience for each participant’s needs. More information at childrensperformingartsmn.org/ programs.

YES AND! INTRO TO IMPROV

Grades: 7-12

Dates: 1-4 p.m. June 23-27

Details: Participants will experience the beauty of onyour-feet storytelling! Throughout the week, students will learn the basic tenets of improv, cultivate their improv skills and host their own improv show for friends and family. More information at childrensperformingartsmn.org/programs.

Vadnais Heights students perform “101 Dalmatians” with help from Theater Outreach Program in the Schools (TOPS).