White Bear Lake - July 2026

Best of 2026

Seasonal Abundance, page 26

FROM THE EDITOR

Summer is the best time to celebrate a milestone, though I am definitely biased. I was born during strawberry season, and picking the vibrant fruits at local farms was a birthday tradition throughout my childhood. I have fond memories of kneeling in the sun-drenched rows, navigating the ternate leaves to find rosy fruits, and picking and sampling until my hands were sticky and lips stained red—the quintessence of summer.

Our area is chock-full of berry farms, and we’ve compiled a list of area destinations on page 26. If you missed strawberry season in mid-June, look toward blueberries and cherries in late July or raspberries and blackberries in August. We hope you’ll visit local farms to find the freshest fruits from passionate growers.

Speaking of summer celebrations, we’re excited to share the results of our Best of White Bear Lake readers’ choice poll. The all-new, streamlined voting process went live in February, and we shared the finalists on our website in March. Discover the results of your votes on page 12. Thank you for participating and celebrating the people and businesses that make this community shine!

On that note, I hope you’ll visit page 20 to hear from four creative community members who are sharing their talents on a big stage: The Minnesota State Fair. It’s an annual tradition for many, made all the more fun by participating in a variety of competitions. So, whether you’re a baker, dancer, painter or woodworker, there’s a way to join in the community festivities. Not ready go compete at the state fair? Check out exhibition opportunities at the Washington County Fair, which runs from July 29 to August 2.

Wishing you a summer of abundance!

Zoe Yates zoe@localmedia.co

VOL. 13 NO. 6

July/August 2026

PUBLISHER

Susan Isay

EDITOR Zoe Yates

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

COPY EDITORS

Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

Kassondra Burtis, Ashley Cardona, Findlay Drabant, Emily Gedde, Maura Keller and Alexandra Tostrud

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Angie Hong, Cynthia Maya, Rachael Perron, Amelia Reigstad, Katie Tomsche and Kia White

DIGITAL INTERN

Danielle Gallus

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Abigail Larson and Kate Thompson

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Staci Andro, Hazel & Goose ; Greg Bartz, White Bear Rotary ; Gloria Drake, White Bear Rotary ; Nathan Reed, Hammer & NER ; and Alice Seuffert, Mahtomedi Public School s

SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR

Sarah Dovolos

ART DIRECTOR

Allison Nolden

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Jamie Klang

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo

LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Chris Emeott

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Brittni Dye

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Lisa Stone

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Mimi Coz

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre and Sara Johnson

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Rochita Chatterjee and Gina Neumann

PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson

To subscribe to White Bear Lake Magazine , please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2026. All rights reserved.

A Year of Bestsellers at Lake Country

For the Best of White Bear Lake issue, I decided to take my cue from Lake Country Booksellers’ amazing customers. Here’s a round-up of some of our most popular books over the past year.

Ride of Her Life, a biography by Elizabeth Letts, has been a popular one with book clubs. It follows Annie Wilkins, a 63-year-old woman who sells her farm in Maine after receiving a terminal diagnosis and sets off across the country to see the Pacific Ocean on horseback with her dog. Annie’s story is a powerful reminder of the beauty of human connection.

Allen Levi’s debut novel, Theo of Golden, tells the story of Theo, a mysterious man who sees portraits of community members adorning the walls of a coffee shop and embarks on a quest to gift each one to the person they depict. As he forms friendships with the portrait subjects, Theo reminds us how beautiful life can be when we look for the best in those around us.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans has been impossible to keep on our shelves—and for good reason. The novel is composed entirely of letters to and from our heroine, Sybil Van Antwerp. Through Sybil’s correspondence, we are reminded of the deep pain and soaring joy of the human experience.

Kia White is a co-owner of Lake Country Booksellers. For personalized recommendations, call the shop at 651.426.0918.

Beefed Up Burgers

Ground beef is one of the most popular and versatile items in the Kowalski’s Markets meat department. But ground beef is a blanket term often used to speak about a group of similar products that actually have some key differences: ground chuck, ground round and ground sirloin. Visit whitebearlakemag.com for a Killer Burgers recipe using 85 percent lean ground chuck and a special Killer Burger Sauce.

Ground chuck is a flavorful, juicy choice made from chuck roast, which is why it is beloved for hamburgers. Burgers made with beef that’s 85 percent lean or more

will hold together better than fattier blends. Ground round is tender with a nice balance of beefy flavor and lower fat content. It’s a good choice for heavily seasoned dishes like chili, meatballs and tacos. Lean ground sirloin shines when it’s browned quickly over high heat and crumbled, especially in saucy dishes like spaghetti bolognese and sloppy joes.

Rachael Perron is the culinary and branding director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications.

While voting is complete, there may be questions about how our annual readers’ choice poll operates. This year, we transformed the experience with a new, interactive ballot. Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions.

How are the categories chosen?

Annually, our teams evaluate the categories to ensure our poll is reflective of our local businesses and in tune with our readership’s interests and suggestions.

How did voting work?

From February 1–28, readers voted for their favorite local businesses and service providers by clicking on the business they wanted to vote for or writing in entrants; write-in votes were processed and appeared on the ballot once approved.

Does advertising influence the results?

The poll is managed by our editorial department and is completely independent from our sales department.

Can a winner or finalist be located outside of the magazine’s coverage area?

Absolutely. In order to qualify, each business or organization must be located in the community and/or provide services to area residents.

As a winner, how do I purchase a framed cover?

Winners can request a complimentary digital copy of the Best of White Bear Lake cover design, indicating the winning category and the business’s or organization’s name. Winners can purchase a 14x17-inch black, wood framed award certificate. The cost is $195 per item, including shipping and handling, and can be ordered at localmedia.co/bestofwinner. Note: The Local team does not sell awards, plaques or trophies associated with the Best of White Bear Lake.

Bonfe is still family-owned, and you can feel it. In the way we communicate. In the pride behind our work. And in how seriously we take earning your trust every single day with:

In Full Swing

Easton Fiddle is named to Minnesota’s inaugural junior golf team.

By Zoe Yates

Aspiring young golfers in the state have a new opportunity for training and competition. As part of the United States National Development Program (USNDP), Team Minnesota is the state’s first junior golf team, created to identify and provide critical development to elite high school golfers.

Sixteen-year-old Easton Fiddle of Hugo is one of 24 athletes on the inaugural roster.

A rising junior and varsity golf team captain at White Bear Lake Area High School (WBLAHS), Easton was the top point earner among 12 high school boys in the selection process, following a winning season that saw Easton place second at the Minnesota Boys Junior PGA Championship and qualify for two national tournaments. “Easton showed incredible resilience. He really knows his

game well,” says Holly Noble, captain of Team Minnesota and Minnesota Golf Association women’s golf manager, of the golfer’s 2025 season.

As an athlete on Team Minnesota, Easton has already received equipment fittings and participated in regular team training and a multiday performance summit following the USNDP’s elite training framework. “It’s not

like a traditional team … where you’re practicing every day together. It’s a little bit more elevated, higher-level resource providing and making sure that these athletes have all of the tools that they need to elevate their game and perform at the highest level,” Noble says.

WBLAHS head golf coach Craig Nasvik has come to know Easton as a grounded athlete, leader and teammate with significant growth potential. As a seventh-grade varsity contender, Easton progressed to the state tournament, an achievement that Nasvik says “is practically unheard of.” Easton has returned each year with greater success, and he served as a team captain in his sophomore season. “The kid has checked all the boxes as far as amateur play in the state … It’s no surprise that he’s on [Team Minnesota]. He’s a great representation of the state for golf,” Nasvik says.

When the high school golf season begins each March, it can be all-consuming. Amid a packed schedule of tournaments and varsity practices, Easton does additional training with swing coach Craig Brischke at Tanners Brook Golf Club (where he also works part time) and athletic coach Curt Carbaugh at Acceleration North Sports Training.

One of Easton’s greatest strengths on the green is his mental fortitude under pressure. The soft-spoken golfer exudes a steady calm in every competition. “He knows where he wants to get. He knows what it’s going to take to get there,” Nasvik says.

“You can see the hard work that he puts into it … he’s so passionate about it and just takes it with great stride,” says Jesse Fiddle, Easton’s father. Jesse shares that golf may be Easton’s “third passion,” after fishing and hunting, and Easton has become adept at balancing his hobbies with golf and schoolwork.

As Easton navigates his first season on Team Minnesota, he’s grateful for the recognition and the opportunity to compete at a higher level. “It means a lot to me and my family,” he says.

Team Minnesota

mngolf.org

@teammngolf

Levi Lifts Off

Author Dan Bot shares messages of courage and embracing differences.

By Kassondra Burtis

Dan Bot didn’t set out to be an author. But after losing his stepson, Levi Bensen, Dan knew the endless strength and optimism Levi displayed was a lesson that needed to be shared. Last November, Dan’s children’s book, Levi Lifts Off, was published by Begin Again Books with illustrations by Mae Elizabeth Acuña.

Shortly before his 4th birthday, Levi was diagnosed with Pantothenate KinaseAssociated Neurodegeneration (PKAN), a rare disease where toxic levels of iron accumulate in the brain. The disease took away Levi’s ability to feed himself, speak and walk. But the disease didn’t define Levi; his interests in shows like Blippi and Cocomelon, his love for the family dog and experience playing T-ball were big parts of who Levi was. In Levi Lifts Off, Dan focuses on the beauty in differences and sends a message that children with disabilities shouldn’t be treated differently.

In the book, Levi is portrayed as a superhero. From special glasses that give him super vision to a high-powered wheelchair that helps him get around, the things that made Levi different from other children are the same things that make him special in Levi Lifts Off. At the end of the book, Levi gains his greatest superpower. He grows wings and soars around the Earth and up to

heaven. “It’s really about honoring Levi and how much I was able to learn from him,” Dan says. “From a more tangible standpoint, I wanted to share characteristics that Levi or other children with disabilities have in common with a real superhero.”

By the time Dan met Levi, the disease had taken away Levi’s ability to speak; he communicated through facial expressions, pointing, shaking his head and laughter. Dan hopes that Levi’s positivity through hardship will inspire readers to shift their mindset. Falling and skinning a knee might be a terrible day for an able-bodied child, but to Levi, it would have been the best day ever—because that meant he could walk. It’s a lesson Dan shares when he reads the book at elementary schools and libraries.

Before writing Levi Lifts Off, Dan discussed the idea with his wife, Katie Bot, and Levi’s father, Jeremy Bensen. Both were extremely supportive of the idea. “After experiencing a loss like this, there’s no script on how to deal with it,” Dan says, adding that he found strength in writing Levi’s story. “In the years following, I wanted to honor Levi, support families who have gone through this and raise money to eradicate childhood disease.”

All profits from the book are donated to a variety of charities, including MakeA-Wish and the National Brain Iron Accumulation Disability Association, which funds research for a multitude of rare diseases, including PKAN.

Levi’s grandmother, White Bear Lake resident Pam Tschida, shares that the book has supported the family’s journey to healing. The illustrations include pieces of Levi’s life that those who are close to him will recognize. “I think the book itself is a gift,” Tschida says through tears. “It’s [Levi]. It is him.”

Levi Lifts Off is a reminder that all children are a gift—especially those with special needs. “If you look at the bravery and what they have to endure every day, it is commendable,” Dan says. “We should start looking at them more like the superheroes they are.”

For more information and to purchase a copy of Levi Lifts Off, visit beginagainbooksandgifts.com.

OILS & VINEGARS

SPICES & BLENDS

SPECIALTY FOOD, HOME & KITCHEN CURATED GIFTS

Woodbury 9020 Hudson Ave

White Bear Lake 4770 Banning Ave

olivebranchmn.com

BEST OF WHITE BEAR LAKE

Our annual readers’ choice poll is a guide to community staples.

To be in a community is to belong, a feeling that centers on the people we love, the places we return to and the traditions we hold close. After months of anticipation, it’s time to share the results of our readers’ choice poll, an annual mainstay that highlights the destinations, businesses and service providers that make the White Bear Lake area so special—as decided by you, Readers! From voting in February, announcing finalists in March and finally sharing the winners, we hope you’ve enjoyed this journey to bring attention to some of this community’s brilliant members in over 70 unique categories (including some new ones!) With insight into the community’s favorite things—from salons and pet grooming to financial services and interior design—this poll (and our website!) is your guide to all that’s new and treasured in our communities.

Welcome to your Best of White Bear Lake 2026! Zoe Yates

DINING

Best Bakery

1. Keys Cafe & Bakery

2. 350 Degrees Bakery

3. Cafe Cravings

Best Breakfast or Brunch

1. Keys Cafe & Bakery

2. Brickhouse Food & Drink

3. Cafe Cravings

Best Burger

1. Cabin 61

2. Brickhouse Food & Drink

3. Washington Square Bar & Grill

Best Dessert

1. Cup and Cone

2. Sweets by Brickhouse

3. Orso Bianco Gelato

Best International Cuisine

1. Orchid Restaurant

2. Mizu Japanese

3. Young’s

Best Locally Owned Coffee or Tea Shop

1. The Anchor Coffee House

2. Cajeta Coffee

3. The Wild Bean

Best Outdoor Dining Space

1. Brickhouse Food & Drink

2. Rudy’s Redeye Grill

3. Acqua Restaurant & Bar

Best Pizza

1. Pizzeria Pezzo

2. Carbone’s Pizzeria & Pub

3. Pino’s Pizza & Pasta

Best Plant-Based or Vegan Menu

1. PLNT BSD

2. Nautical Bowls

3. Brickhouse Food & Drink

Best Restaurant

1. Brickhouse Food & Drink

2. Acqua Restaurant & Bar

3. Rudy’s Redeye Grill

Best Winery

1. 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery

2. Rustic Roots Winery

3. Two Silo Winery & Vineyard

ABODE

Best Blinds or Window Treatments

1. Abbott Paint & Carpet

2. Aero Drapery & Blind

3. The Blind Guys

Best Carpet or Flooring Store

1. Abbott Paint & Carpet

2. Suburban Floor Covering Abbey Carpet

3. Sunrise Wood Floors

Best Custom Home Builder

1. LAKESIDE Bespoke Homes By D.T. Carlson

2. Pratt Homes

3. Hagstrom Builder

Best Garden Center

1. Bachman’s

2. White Bear Floral Shop & Greenhouse

3. Costa Produce Farm & Greenhouse

Best Home Décor or Furniture Store

1. The Old Blue Door

2. Haus Theory

3. La Vie Est Belle

Best Interior Design Firm

1. Christina Lynn Interiors

2. Leona Rose Interiors

3. Adorned Homes

Best Landscape Design

1. DreamScapes Landscaping & Design

2. Longville Landscapes

3. Myhra Design Group

Best Remodeler

1. Hagstrom Builder

2. Preferred Kitchens

3. LAKESIDE Bespoke Homes By D.T. Carlson

Best Senior Living Residence

1. Waverly Gardens

2. Cerenity Senior Care

3. St. Andrew’s Village SERVICES

Best Electrical Services

1. Langer’s Electric

2. Aquarius Home Services

3. Bonfe

Best Family or Senior Portrait Photographer

1. Nicole Giefer Photography

2. Amanda Jean Photography

3. Briana Fernandez Photography

Best Financial Services

1. Paladin Financial

2. North Oaks Financial Group

3. Tie: Meridian Financial Partners; Ramsay and Associates

Best Heating and Cooling Services

1. White Bear Heating and Cooling

2. Reibel Heating & Air Conditioning

3. Aquarius Home Services

Best Home Cleaning

1. Sparkle Plenty Cleaners

2. The Cleaning Solution

Best Law Practice

1. Tramm Law Firm, PLLC

2. Sheila J. Kelly Law Firm

3. GDO Law

Best Lawn Care or Snow Removal

1. Ground FX Lawn & Landscape

2. Mow Joe

3. The Upside Down Movement

Best Plumbing Services

1. Paul “The Plumber”

2. White Bear Plumbing

3. Hugo Plumbing and Pump Service

Best Roofing Services

1. Gold Creek Construction

2. Yares Renovation Services

3. Bear Roofing & Exteriors

Best Senior Home Care Service

1. Comfort Keepers

2. Amada Senior Care

3. Joyful Hearts Homecare

SELF CARE

Best Barbershop or Salon With Men’s Services

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa

2. Revive Salon and Medspa

3. The Mane Tease Salon

Best Boutique Fitness or Yoga Studio

1. Studio One Yoga

2. Summit Pilates and Training

3. LifeCore Yoga

Best Hair Salon

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa

2. Revive Salon and Medspa

3. The Mane Tease Salon

Best Manicure or Pedicure

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa

2. Nails&Spa

3. Indulge Salon & Spa

Best Med Spa

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa

2. Revive Salon and Medspa

3. Advanced Esthetics Med Spa

Best Spa

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa

2. Revive Salon and Medspa

3. Indulge Salon & Spa

WELLNESS

Best Audiology Practice

1. Midwest Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists

2. Associated Hearing of Maplewood

3. Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center Maplewood

Best Chiropractic or Holistic Wellness Practice

1. The Carlson Clinic of White Bear Lake

2. Birch Lake Chiropractic Clinic

3. Core Chiropractic & Health

Best Dental Practice

1. White Bear Smiles

2. Isaacson Gentle Dentistry

3. Lake Area Dental

Best Dermatology Practice

1. Dermatology Consultants

2. Advanced Dermatology Care

3. HealthPartners Clinic Arden Hills

Best Family Medicine Practice

1. HealthPartners Clinic

2. Synergy Family Physicians

3. Minnesota Women’s Care

LILIA Flower Boutique liliaflower.com @lilia.designfloral

Best Massage

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa

2. A Little TLC Massage

3. Indulge Salon & Spa

Best Mental Health Services Provider

1. Wild Tree Wellness

2. Joy Street Counseling

3. Acres For Life Therapy & Wellness Center

Best OB-GYN Practice

1. HealthPartners Clinic

2. MetroPartners OBGYN Clinics

3. Minnesota Women’s Care

Best Orthodontic Practice

1. Erickson-Aamodt Orthodontics

2. Signature Orthodontics

3. Henseler & Kocian Orthodontics

Best Physical Therapy Practice

1. Summit Orthopedics

2. OSI Physical Therapy

3. Twin Cities Orthopedics

Best Vision Care Practice

1. White Bear Eye Clinic & Optical

2. Associated Eye Care

3. St. Paul Eye Clinic

LEARNING

Best Dance Studio

1. Inspiration Performing Arts Center

2. 4th Street Dance Centre

3. Larkin Dance Studio

Best Language Immersion Program or School

1. Lakes International Language Academy

2. ISD 624 Spanish Dual Immersion Program

3. Yinghua Academy

Best Music Lessons or School

1. Inspiration Performing Arts Center

2. Minnesota School of Music

3. Peter O’Gorman

Best Preschool Program

1. Liberty Classical Academy

2. St. Andrew’s Preschool

3. My Nature Preschool at Tamarack Nature Center

Best Private School

1. Liberty Classical Academy

2. Heart Learning Collective

3. Frassati Catholic Academy

LEISURE

Best Beach, Open Space or Park

1. Tamarack Nature Center

2. Memorial Beach/West Park

3. Mahtomedi Beach

Best Golf Courses

1. Dellwood Country Club

2. Gem Lake Hills Golf Course

3. White Bear Yacht Club

Best Place for Family Activities

1. Cup and Cone

2. Tamarack Nature Center

3. Dellwood Country Club

Best Place for Kids’ Birthday Party

1. Emagine White Bear

2. Flips Gymnastics

PET CARE

Best Pet Boarding or Daycare Service

1. Goldwood Kennels

2. All Star Pet Hotel & Day Care

3. Oneka Pet Resort

Best Pet Grooming Service

1. Goldwood Kennels

2. Jazzy Paws

3. Christa’s Paw Spa LLC

Best Veterinarian Practice

1. White Bear Animal Hospital

2. Birch Lake Animal Hospital

3. Lake Animal Hospital

SHOPS

Best Florist

1. Hazel & Goose

2. White Bear Floral Shop & Greenhouse

3. Floristry North

Best Gift Shop

1. La Vie Est Belle

2. GoodThings

3. The Farmer’s Daughter

Best Jewelry Store

1. Graham Jewelers

2. White Bear Jewelers

3. Evari Silver & Stone

Best Men’s or Women’s Apparel Boutique

1. GoodThings

2. Mainstream Boutique

3. The Minnesotan

Best Specialty Food or Kitchen Store

1. Kowalski’s Markets

2. EAT! @ Banning and 5th

3. Olive Branch Oil & Spice

WEDDING VENDORS

Best Alterations or Tailoring Service

1. Reyna’s Alterations

2. Sew What!

3. Tony’s Tailors

Best Bridal Hair and Makeup

1. Sunbear Salon & Medical Spa

2. Revive Salon and Medspa

3. Amanda Schaffer Makeup

Best Bridal or Formal Wear Store

1. The Wedding Shoppe

2. Bella Bridal Boutique

3. A.B. Ellie

Best Catering Service

1. Donatelli’s

2. Stonehouse Catering

3. Kowalski’s Markets

Best Wedding Photographer or Videographer

1. Amanda Jean Photography

2. Briana Fernandez Photography

3. Lucie Photos

Best Wedding Planner or Coordinator

1. Katie Boyd at Dellwood Country Club

2. Meaningful Experience by Shanna Lee

Best Wedding Venue

1. Dellwood Country Club

2. 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery

3. Kellerman’s Event Center

Written by Zoe Yates

Photos by Chris Emeott

EDITOR’S PICKS

Area residents showcase their creativity and skill at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

CLINTON SMITH

Intarsia and

Scrolling

Clinton Smith’s blue-ribbon journey began at home, where he honed his woodworking skills over decades through house remodels. His late wife, Cynthia Smith, had a vision of what their home could be, and Clinton worked to make her dreams a reality. Upon his retirement from Ramsey County in 2001, Clinton bought a scroll saw and started learning the fine art of scrolling and intarsia.

In 2012, Clinton’s family encouraged him to enter his creations in the Minnesota State Fair. “I got a ribbon, and then I decided to just keep doing it,” he says. Since then, Clinton has entered two pieces of art each year in the Handcrafts and Work of Senior Citizens categories and been awarded 15 blue ribbons. At 88, the White Bear Lake resident hasn’t been able to attend the state fair in years, but his sister-in-law, Mary Mackey, enjoys standing near Clinton’s displayed pieces and chatting with fairgoers about the technique and hard work that goes into making such art.

Clinton estimates he spends as many as 250 hours on his large intarsia pieces. It’s a labor of love that he’s not ready to quit, as long as he still has the steady hands and focus to continue. “I really enjoy looking at them. That’s why I haven’t quit,” Clinton says.

While researching my ancestry this spring, I came across a newspaper clipping that stopped me in my tracks. My late great-grandmother, Mary Mack, won the style revue at her county fair five years in a row and frequently entered garments in the Wisconsin State Fair along with her sisters. The family received a nod in their town’s paper in 1945, and here I was, 80 years later, discovering this part of her for the first time.

This discovery led me down a rabbit hole on the age-old tradition of Minnesota State Fair competitions— and it’s beautiful indeed to see just how many White Bear Lake area residents enter each year. I’d like to introduce you to a few of these humans, and encourage you to consider getting involved in these vibrant competitions—whether at the state or county fair. I know I will!

Top: Each one of Kelly Carlson’s art pieces is one-of-a-kind, made with botanicals and preserved moss.

Bottom: Kelly Carlson

Page 23: Alice Seuffert, center, stands with her husband, Will Seuffert, and daughter,

for

KELLY CARLSON

Moss and Botanical Art

At an art fair in 2024, a jury member of the Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition discovered Kelly Carlson’s work and encouraged her to enter. The White Bear Lake resident’s piece, Sonder in Blues, made with preserved moss and botanicals over acrylic on canvas, was one of 336 works selected from 2,836 submissions for the 2025 competition. Of seeing her work displayed in the Fine Arts Center, Carlson says, “I walked in, and I got so emotional. I immediately teared up … thousands and thousands of people walk through there every year, and I just had no idea.”

The piece went on to receive a sponsored award from the Info Booth Ladies podcast, and the “whirlwind” experience changed the way Carlson viewed herself and her art. “The only reason I applied was because somebody encouraged me to,” Carlson says. “How wonderful is that? To be a brand-new artist … and to be welcomed so quickly. It’s just been a really lovely, humbling experience.”

Carlson, who sells her art under her business Moss Botanica, has had no shortage of commissions since last year’s fair. She plans to enter the Fine Arts Competition again in 2026 and return to the fair to explore new sights and sounds. “I don’t think I really realized what I was missing for so long,” Carlson says.

At the Fair With Alice Seuffert

White Bear Lake Magazine editorial advisory board member Alice Seuffert is a Minnesota State Fair aficionado. For many years, Seuffert participated in special cooking contests at the fair, leading to a blue-ribbon French Toast Stuffed Pork recipe and even a SPAMsponsored trip to Hawaii. “There’s a fun part of Minnesota culture, of going to the State Fair and seeing so many Minnesotans rally around different things, whether it’s seed art or baking or quilting. You feel a part of a bigger community [by] participating,” she says.

Seuffert’s continued participation in the State Fair cooking competitions led to an opportunity with local TV program Twin Cities Live, where she’s made appearances as a home cook for 17 years. Along with her day job as director of communications at Mahtomedi Public Schools, she teaches cooking classes with Mahtomedi Community Education and leads the Mahtomedi Middle School Cooking Club. “All of that started because I started entering cooking competitions and found that I loved cooking,” Seuffert says.

For people new to entering, Seuffert suggests starting with no more than three categories—and don’t forget to take a picture when your item is displayed. “Tell people, when they go to the fair, where to find it,” she says. “That’s what makes it so much fun, is when you can share that with other people too.”

Testimonials

- Sherry S.

- Sherry S.

“Everyone’s

- Ryan P.

- Ryan P.

- Sherry S. “Thorough and professional” - Joel N.

Fair “Grand Champion” open apple tart.

Bottom Right: Riley Vosooney’s signature unfrosted brownies.

THE VOSOONEYS

Baking

Entering baked goods at county and state fairs has become an annual tradition for the Vosooney family of Grant. When Alex Voosoney, a passionate home baker, won Grand Champion for an apple tart at the Washington County Fair, she decided to up the ante at the Minnesota State Fair.

Now, Alex enters 20 categories, the state fair’s maximum, a process that requires extensive preparation and baking, especially now that her 16-year-old daughter, Riley Vosooney, enters independently. “It’s usually a very busy day of baking for the 36 hours before we go do drop off,” Alex says. To ensure her baked goods are as fresh as possible, Alex will bake all night and into the morning. It’s a worthwhile endeavor, as Alex has placed second, third, fourth, and fifth in multiple categories.

Alex’s husband, Tony Vosooney, is responsible for transporting the delicate pies, sweet rolls and brownies to the fairgrounds on the Saturday before the fair opens. Then, the Vosooneys carefully stack their goods in a wheeled cart and wait in line to drop off. “We do fight over the oven, but it’s great because then we’ll stand in the line and bond. It’s fun,” Riley says.

This summer, the Vosooneys will have three representatives at the Creative Activities Building as 14-year-old Foster Vosooney meets the age minimum to enter. The family has already found a solution for sharing the oven. “I think this year, me and my brother are going over to my grandparents’ house to cook, so [my mom] can have the house,” Riley says.

Written by Hailey Almsted and Zoe Yates

Seasonal Abundance

Satisfy summer cravings with you-pick berries and blooms.

Each month of summer arrives with new delights in the fields and farms across the East Metro. Rows of fragrant flowers and succulent fruits paint the rolling hills with color—ripe for the picking, but only for a little while. Make the most of this seasonal abundance by visiting a you-pick farm. These area growers make it simple to participate in the food system and enjoy a memorable family outing.

Afton Apple Orchard

Hastings

Since 1989, the Femling family has grown Afton Apple Orchard to more than 250 acres, making it one of the largest you-pick orchards in Minnesota. From June to early July, guests can pick strawberries, followed by blackberries in July, raspberries in August, and apples and pumpkins in the autumn. The Flower Festival, where guests can pick sunflowers and zinnias, is slated for late August. aftonapple.com

Arcola Trail Flower Farm

Stillwater

Susan Rockwood began growing cut flowers on her property as an encore career. A decade on, the flower farm supplies retail customers and florists with 75 varieties of organically grown flowers and foliage. Rockwood opens the farm up for private and public you-pick events on select dates from July to October. arcolatrailflowerfarm.com

Know Your Seasons

It’s always a good idea to add a you-pick farm to your summer bucket list! Timing and crop availability vary year to year; make a plan to check in with your favorite growers, so you don’t miss out.

Berry picking began with strawberries in mid-June—these summer fixtures are only available for a few short weeks and provide a beautiful introduction for children to learn how to pick fruits. The plants are low to the ground, with easyto-find ripe fruits and no thorns.

July brings lush blueberries, with plants often at their fullest in late July and early August. Blueberry picking goes quickly, as the small fruits grow in clumps and readily pop off the plant when ripe. Note that blueberries taste sweeter when picked in the

morning and on cooler summer days, and some fields close when temperatures rise above 90 F. This month also brings fresh cherries, currants and early raspberries.

By August, the flower fields are in full bloom. This is a beautiful time to visit a flower farm for a you-pick bouquet. The end of summer will also bring blackberries and raspberries—and the prospect of ripening apples by the end of the month. Keep in Mind: The abundance and availability of you-pick farms, like any agricultural operation, are dependent on weather conditions and happy pollinators. Some seasons will be more fruitful than others. Consider reading up on each farm’s operations and rules, checking social media for updates and calling before heading out.

Blueberry Fields of Stillwater Stillwater

At this peaceful 2-acre farm, owner Summer Kuehn is dedicated to growing fruits without the use of herbicides, insecticides or pesticides. The fields are open based on crop availability during the growing season. Updates are shared on the farm’s Facebook page and voicemail box. blueberryfieldsofstillwater.com

Blue Ridge Growers

Troy, Wisconsin

Three decades ago, Jill and Dennis Berke planted 150 blueberry bushes on their 40-acre farm. Now, Blue Ridge is the oldest blueberry you-pick in St. Croix County with more than 800 high- and low-bush blueberry plants, plus tart cherries. The farm embraces organic (noncertified) growing practices, and customers can visit with the farm’s mixed herd of sheep and donkeys. blueridgegrowers.net

There’s nothing better than a breakfast spread featuring local berries and blooms. Start your day off with mouthwatering waffles, topped with berries and whipped cream, or a berry parfait.

Bowl and vases by Olivia Jenson, oliviajenson.com; Candles by Hilltop Handmade Goods, @hilltopgoodsmn

Pine Hill Flower and Garden Stand

Woodbury

Theresa and Ben Gulsvig started offering you-pick flowers at their Dale Road property in 2024 and added a roadside stand in 2025. Previous cut flowers include cerinthe, cosmos, dahlias, feverfew, sedum, snapdragons, strawflowers, sunflowers, zinnias and various native flowers. The Gulsvigs offer fresh garden produce, premade bouquets, How to You-Pick classes and more.

Pine Hill Flower and Garden Stand

Two Bees & A Bud

New Richmond, Wisconsin

Friday and Saturday mornings throughout summer and fall, this 40-acre property is open for you-pick flowers and picnics, along with classes, community and private events, and venue rentals. The property will also be open for moonlight you-pick on Friday evenings starting in July. A $5 admission fee allows visitors to explore the grounds, which, along with the flower fields, feature beehives, a forest, a Flower Barn shop and a picturesque pond. twobeesandabud.com

White Pine Berry Farm

River Falls, Wisconsin

The Zwald family decided to grow berries in 2012 after four decades in the dairy business, starting with strawberries. They’ve since expanded to offer an array of produce and flowers, including blueberries, cherries, currants, pumpkins, raspberries, sunflowers and zinnias, which are available seasonally for you-pick in a charming country setting. The farm also hosts many events and festivals throughout the season. whitepineberryfarm.com

Wyatt’s Strawberries

Hastings

Veteran Greg Wyatt grew up farming strawberries, and now that small-scale farm features 8 acres of strawberries. From midJune through early July, guests are welcome to bring their own containers or purchase a waxed box at the you-pick patch, and pre-picked berries are available if ordered in advance. Call for patch conditions. Wyatt’s Strawberries

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WHY BE A BEAR?

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• Expanded academic opportunities. Our students explore their interests, excel and design their futures.

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

• Inspiring, nurturing educators. Our educators facilitate learning and challenge students — fostering curiosity and confidence.

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

Red, White Bear Lake and Blue

The Fourth of July boat parade is an annual tradition.

What started as an effort to bring the community together after COVID-19 has transformed into an annual tradition that unites people around White Bear Lake.

In spring 2020, Mahtomedi’s Lindsay Miller was approached by her neighbor, Angie Churchill, with an idea for a Memorial Day boat parade to connect neighbors in a safe, distanced way during the pandemic. Meanwhile, Jon Chase of White Bear Lake had organized a parade on the other side of the lake for Independence Day. In 2022, they combined their networks and launched a new Fourth of July Boat Parade to include residents from all shores of the lake.

Participation has steadily increased each year, reaching around 75 boats in 2025. And the audience has grown too. The docks are filled with people hoping to glimpse the boats decked out in full patriotic display. “It’s not really about the boats,” says Churchill, explaining that the event is about bringing the community together to celebrate lake life and the Fourth of July.

The parade generally begins at 1 p.m. at Mahtomedi Beach and wraps up at Tally’s Dockside and VFW Post 1782, where live music and good company are waiting. Updates can be found on Facebook at White Bear Lake Boat Parade Page. —Abigail Larson

07.02, 07.09, 07.16, 07.23 and 07.30

Marketfest

Experience food, kids’ activities, live music and local vendors from 6–9 p.m. in downtown White Bear Lake. marketfestwbl.com

07.14

Celebrate History

This Bastille Day, learn about the French Canadians who settled in the area from 6–7 p.m. at the White Bear Lake Armory. whitebearhistory.org

07.14–07.15, 07.21–07.22 and 07.28–07.29

Art in the Park

Kids ages 3–12 can take free art classes from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at Spruce Park. explorewhitebear.org

07.25–07.26

Northstar Regional Rodeo

Visit the Dead Broke Arena to experience a weekend with barrel racing, bull riding, goat dressing and more produced by the North Star Gay Rodeo Association. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the rodeo begins at noon each day. nsgra.org

08.06, 08.13, 08.20 and 08.27

Yoga in the Park

Recharge with outdoor yoga every Thursday from 6–7 p.m. at Lake Elmo Park Reserve. Seasonal passes and individual classes are available for purchase. washingtoncountymn.gov

08.16

Vadnais Heights Days

Celebrate the City of Vadnais Heights with a car show, food trucks, live music and more at Community Park. cityvadnaisheights.com

Compiled by Abigail Larson and Kate Thompson

To have your event considered: email whitebearlakemag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

Children’s Discovery is a local, family-owned child care center. Our mission is to serve families through the exceptional care and education of children. Discover the di erence today! Vadnais Heights |

Lens on the Lake

When you look through your photo files, what do you see? Whether it’s a candid moment, an iconic area landmark, a brush with nature or something in between, odds are it captures a glimpse of what it’s like to call the White Bear Lake area home. From July 1–August 31, our Lens on the Lake photo contest is open to shutterbugs of all ages and experience levels. Explore your shots from this past year, and share the spirit of White Bear through your lens. Categories include: Abstract, People, Pets, Places, Seasons and Wildlife.

The Details:

• Submissions are accepted between 8 a.m. July 1–5 p.m. August 31, at whitebearlakemag.com.

• Entrants must live, work or attend school in the White Bear Lake area.

• Entrants may submit up to five photos, with no more than three in any category.

• Photos should be taken in the White Bear Lake area.

• Generally, photos should have been taken within a year of the submission date.

Tom Seedorf of Vadnais Heights enjoys photographing wildlife in his free time, at local parks and even in his own yard. In this awardwinning amphibian photo, Seedorf layered images using a focus-stacking technique. “It’s a very tactile picture that you can almost feel,” Seedorf says. “It really highlights how closeup photos can give you a new perspective on something as common as a frog.”

Photographer: Tom Seedorf

Title: Amphibian Camouflage

Equipment: OM-1 Mark II with a 60mm macro lens

Location: Vadnais Heights

Category: Wildlife

Award: First Place

—Zoe Yates

• Judges reserve the right to recategorize submissions if they feel the photographs are better suited to a different category.

• Readers’ Choice voting is open September 15–30 on our website.

• Winning images could be featured in our magazine, website and social media platforms.

• The results of the contest will be posted on our website by October.

Visit whitebearlakemag.com for additional rules and information. —Editorial Staff

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