Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
Scan for deals on page 2
VOL. 22 NO. 17 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00
WHAT’S HAPPENING: Ongoing, upcoming community events PAGE 3
Honoring the messengers this September BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
At Press Publications, a vital role that ensures subscribers get their newspapers on time is performed by the company’s news carriers. Come rain or shine, carriers power through to deliver the news to doorsteps throughout the week. One of them, Eli Schaefer, has been working as a carrier since he was 10. He said he has enjoyed his position ever since. “My older siblings delivered papers, so I followed in their footsteps,” said Schaefer. “It’s easy and flexible, too.” As a news carrier, Schaefer works approximately 45 minutes a week with a planned list of addresses and streets. “You kind of plan your own route,” he said. ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS “Once you pick one, it’s yours. Eli Schaefer The route that you live on is the one that you’re going to be doing. It’s going to be a lot of knocking on different people’s doors and delivering the papers.” Schaefer drops off newspapers year-round, relying on nothing but his own two feet, come rain or shine. “We’re supposed to walk because, as a carrier, you have to deliver it to their front step,” he said. However, dropping off papers isn’t the only joy Schaefer said he gets out of the job. He has even more fun meeting and connecting with the people he delivers to. “It’s a great way to get to know other people. I’ve actually gotten to do lawn work from meeting with them, because they need someone to mow their lawns and do other yard maintenance. That’s been pretty awesome,” he said. That number of connections, according to Schaefer, currently sits at around a dozen. Looking ahead, Schaefer says he already has one college in mind: Northwestern University, located near the heart of St. Paul. Though he hasn’t picked a degree, he says his siblings are a big reason for choosing the university. For those interested in becoming a carrier, Schaefer said it’s easy to do. “It’s not super time-consuming,” he said. “You kind of just do it.”
CONTRIBUTED
New Life Church – Lutheran in Hugo is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. An anniversary event is planned for Sunday, Sept. 14.
New Life Church – Lutheran celebrating 50th anniversary with 50 acts of kindness At the beginning of the year, New Life Church – Lutheran in Hugo set out to accomplish 50 acts of service to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The church only has three to go. “All of our focus has not been on that (anniversary event). Our focus more so has been working on 50 acts of service, and thanks for 50 years,” explained Pastor
and got to work constructing its own building. Les and Dee Winter have been members of the church since the beginning. They once owned a farm on the border of Lino Lakes and Hugo, but recently moved to Forest Lake. Dee said the church was largely built by the members, who chopped wood, constructed the roof, and installed heating and air conditioning.
Tim Heinecke. “So, finding 50 ways to be a blessing to those outside the congregation over the course of this year.” The church got its start in 1973 as a mission plant from South Shore Trinity Church in White Bear Lake. The church started meeting at Hugo Elementary School; in January 1975, it became its own congregation, known as Shepherd of the Fields Lutheran Church. The church purchased the property next door
SEE 50 YEARS, PAGE 5
Volunteers organize first-of-its-kind fundraiser for food shelf BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Jeff Fiedler has volunteered for the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf for eight years. In addition to staffing his regularly scheduled shifts there, he started thinking about ways he — and the community
— could have a bigger impact. “I’ve been passionate about volunteering at the food shelf for a number of years now. I like being able to help our neighbors that utilize our service,” he said. “Our clientele is growing, and our donations are down.”
Grundhofer was interested and ultimately agreed to sponsor the event. Brats, Bags & Baskets is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Lions Volunteer Park in Hugo.
Fiedler, a Packers fan, mentioned the idea of a “brat fest” to Spencer Grundhofer (owner of Grundhofer’s Old-Fashion Meats), a Vikings fan. “(I thought) why not do a brat fest here in Hugo? We have got the baron of brats right here,” Fiedler said.
$11.95 ANY $5 OFF purchase
WE HAVE TREES!
M-F from 11am - 2pm
Not valid with any other offers Expires 9/30/25
2023
2022
of the Press
of the Press
BEST OF THE PRESS
The Citizen
FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1923
BEST OF THE PRESS
The Citizen
Landscaping
(651) 407-1094 • 7095 20th Ave S • Centerville, MN Voted Best Pizza! CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 ppcirc@presspubs.com
SHRUBS & PERENNIALS ON SALE NOW
& PUB
NEWS 651-407-1230 citizen@presspubs.com
840727
excludes alcohol
• National Newspaper Carrier Day is Thursday, Sept. 4. • Press Publications has approximately 80 carriers ages 10 and up. • If you’re interested in becoming a carrier, call our circulation department at 651-407-1246 or visit our office in White Bear Lake.
SEE BRATS, BAGS AND BASKETS, PAGE2
Pizza & Salad Lunch Buffet
of $25 or more
Did you know?
16155 Forest Blvd, Hugo (Highway 61) • Visit us On
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
• 651-488-6707
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 art@presspubs.com
840726
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR