Always
Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110
welcoming new pets!
pawspethospital.com
820957 831488
Book your visit today.
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025 VOL. 22 NO. 10 www.readthecitizen.com $1.00
HONORING OUR HEROES: Recognizing past, present service members. PAGE 7
Spanish immersion academy heads to Hugo BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
FILE
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 26. See calendar of events on page 3 for more details.
Meaning of Memorial Day One of history’s most solemn days, Memorial Day is an American holiday that honors the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. In May 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Union veterans’ group known as the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a decree that May 30
should become a nationwide day of commemoration for the more than 620,000 soldiers killed in the Civil War, which had recently ended. On Decoration Day, as Logan dubbed it, Americans should lay flowers and decorate the graves of the war dead “whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.” According to legend, Logan chose May 30 because it was a rare day that didn’t fall on the anniversary of a Civil War battle, though some histori-
ans believe the date was selected to ensure that flowers across the country would be in full bloom. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May. The American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, then raised to the top of the staff. And since 2000, when the U.S. Congress passed legislation, all Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time.
HUGO — As White Bear Area Schools gears up to offer its Spanish Dual Immersion program at Otter Lake Elementary and Matoska International, a new provider is hoping to offer a “home” for children from birth to pre-K. Agape Spanish Immersion Academy is moving into the Victor Gardens area in Hugo in the former New Horizon Academy/ KinderGardens Child Development Center, located at 14663 Mercantile Drive. “There are no other Christian Spanish immersion schools that we know of (in the area), so we are super excited to be offering something that is not out there,” said Agape CEO Ashley Schaefer, PhD, who owns the business with two other partners. Schaefer has over 14 years of experience in education. She taught a variety of grade levels (K-12) in special education for about nine years prior to moving into administration after she completed her doctorate in educational administration. She previously was a special education director and is currently an assistant principal at a middle school. As a native Spanish speaker, Schaefer sees the value of bilingualism in creating more inclusive and supportive learning environments. Her sons, ages 2 and 8, are bilingual. “Seeing how much they have learned and how much they excel at school, I wanted to be able to give that back (to the community,)” she said. SEE DAY CARE, PAGE 2
Area legislators, commissioners provide updates over breakfast
ANY $5 OFF purchase of $25 or more excludes alcohol
Not valid with any other offers Expires 5/31/25
2023
Gustafson (District 36) For the past year, one of Gustafson’s main priorities has been the creation of an Office of Inspector General, which she compared to an insurance policy on a house. “The reason why we think this is so important is we want to make sure that our taxpayer dollars are protected,” she said. SEE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST, PAGE 10
The Citizen
Pizza & Salad Lunch Buffet
PLAN YOUR
$10.95
M-F from 11am - 2pm
PATIO POTS
GARDENSCAPE
HANGING BASKETS ANNUALS
TODAY!
VEGGIES & HERBS
& PUB
FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1923
2022
of the Press The Citizen
NEWS 651-407-1230 citizen@presspubs.com
PERENNIALS Landscaping
& SHRUBS
FLORAL & GARDEN CENTER
BEST OF THE PRESS
(651) 407-1094 • 7095 20th Ave S • Centerville, MN Voted Best Pizza! CIRCULATION 651-407-1234 ppcirc@presspubs.com
SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron (left) attends a legislative breakfast to share county updates .
BEST OF THE PRESS
of the Press
FLOWERS FOR EVERY OCCASION
16155 Forest Blvd, Hugo (Highway 61) • Visit us On
ADVERTISING 651-407-1200 marketing@presspubs.com
CLASSIFIED 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com
GIFT CERTIFICATES
• 651-488-6707
PRODUCTION 651-407-1239 art@presspubs.com
833148
As the end of the Minnesota legislative session approaches, state senators and representatives are providing updates on what community members can expect to see happen in the next couple of weeks. The White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Breakfast is an annual event that brings together local and state lawmakers, business leaders and community members for session updates and open
ed the event at Tria last week.
conversation around current legislative issues affecting the northeast metro. “It’s a great opportunity to hear directly from elected officials and connect with local leaders in a relaxed, community-focused setting,” explained chamber Executive Director Kari Moore. Rep. Peter Fischer, Rep. Brion Curran and Sen. Heather Gustafson, along with Ramsey County commissioners Tara Jebens-Singh and Kelly Miller and Washington County Commissioner Fran Miron, attend-
833449
BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR