At Animal Voice Advocacy, founder Julia Tice seeks to help fight for wild and domesticated animals worldwide and give other animal nonprofit organizations a platform. Of its primary objectives, AVA is committed to raising awareness for said groups and securing funding to support their work in helping animals in need. The company’s future plans aim to raise funds to help combat Australian wildfires, as well as fundraising for flood relief. Tice also hopes that AVA will create its own outreach programs for nonprofits to aid in relief efforts.
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF
Golf carts, ATV/UTVs allowed for public street use
The Forest Lake City Council has passed new ordinances permitting all-terrain/ utility task vehicles and golf carts to be operated on designated public streets within city limits, provided they adhere to specific requirements. Drivers must ensure their vehicles have at least one headlight and taillight. Both lights must meet the minimum candlepower as prescribed by state rules. Drivers must also conform to standards prescribed by the public safety commissioner. ATVs and UTVs must be registered with the Minnesota Department of Human Resources, and golf cart owners must obtain permits through the city.
Those looking to register their vehicle with the city can do so at www.tinyurl. com/mr48sudu. A copy of these ordinances and a map of allowable roads for these vehicles can be found online at www.tinyurl.com/6uydhwvf.
COMMUNITY BRIEF
Washington County Libraries kick off all-age summer programs
Washington County Library’s summer programs for kids, teens and adults have officially begun and will run through Saturday, Aug. 16.
Through the Summer Adventure program, kids ages zero to 11 can read, learn, listen and explore with an alien friend, Zorb. The program can be tailored to each child’s interests and learning needs. Teens ages 12 to 18 can “Level Up!” their summer with a video game-themed program promoting different types of literacy, including reading, crafting, cooking and gaming.
Through the 10,000 Experiences at Your Library program, adults can check out librarian-recommended reads, explore the community and take home a prize. Participants can complete activities on a game card for each program and return it to the library to collect a reward. Each person who completes a game card is entered in a drawing to win grand prizes.
Popular performers set to visit the libraries include The Bazillions, A Touch of Magic, Bill the Juggler, Miss Nina, F1rst Wrestling and others. All programs are open to the public; some require registration.
A complete list of programs and events can be found online at www.washcolib.org.
SEE MORE COMMUNITY BRIEFS, PAGE 11
The Lowdown Person of the Month
Name: Bridget Peelman Residency: Stillwater
Q: What brought you out to Stillwater?
A: I came out to support my friend, Julia Tice, and her group, Animal Voice Advocacy.
Q: What’s the best life advice?
A: Travel; take in different cultures, and learn about the world!
Q: What is your spirit animal?
A: Tiger
Compiled by Erik Suchy
Bridget Peelman
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
LILA fiber arts unit offers hands-on fun for students
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
At Lakes International Language Academy in Forest Lake, there’s a new and fun way middle school students can dive into the world of fiber arts — and it’s all brought to them by its teacher, Anna Light.
“I think I have the best job in the whole school,” said Light, “like teaching junior high kids, A, to do practical things, but B, why this matters in our world. It’s really amazing.”
The fiber arts unit is part of the academy’s seventh grade family and consumer sciences classes, where students also learn about cooking, careers and business. In introducing the subject of fiber arts into the curriculum, Light says its inspiration is the result of a simple, practical reason: she, herself, is one such artist.
“I am a fiber artist; that’s the medium I enjoy. I have sheep at my house, so I shear them and make art out of their wool. When you teach visual arts at LILA, you also have to teach a design class. So I asked, ‘Can my design class be family and consumer sciences? And then the kids can learn hands-on skills.’ That’s why I designed this class, because I wanted to give
COUNTY BRIEF
graders Ellis
them hands-on learning.”
Students first learn the basics of sewing, such as threading a needle, sewing on a button and doing forward and backward stitches. The next part of the unit focuses on how to use sewing machines and learn hand weaving. “We do weaving on cardboard looms,” said Light, “so they get to weave coasters and learn how to do some weaving on other things.”
According to Light, one of the most special parts of the unit is when students learn about quilts. Not only do students learn how to make them, but they also learn about their historical significance.
“Students can bring in any quilt or blanket that’s been handmade for them. It’s important to do a quilt
Big Marine Reserve Park receives habitat restoration grant
Big Marine Reserve Park has received a legacy grant to restore woodland throughout the area. The grant is part of the Outdoor Heritage Fund, one of four funds established by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.
The $250,000 grant will go toward restoring 50 acres of woodland habitat. The restoration is taking place in a mixture of oak woodland, mesic hardwoods and wet-
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Forest Lake Parks and Recreation announces new partnership
The city of Forest Lake Parks and Recreation Department has announced a new partnership with Forest Lake Ford to support the city’s Arts in the Park summer series. Through this collaboration, Forest Lake Ford will help contribute to the series to offset music-related expenses and enable the department to invest more into the event.
“We are thrilled to partner with the city of Forest Lake,” said Bryan Okubo, general manager of Forest Lake Ford. “Forest Lake Ford is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has supported us. “This free, summerlong event aligns perfectly with that mission. Sponsoring Arts in the Park is a natural fit and allows us to give back to Forest Lake in a meaningful way.”
“We’re grateful to have local businesses like Forest Lake Ford
PHOTOS BY ANNA LIGHT | CONTRIBUTED
A new fiber arts unit at Lakes International Language Academy allows students to learn more about sewing and stitching. Here, sixth graders Will Lillemo and Dylan Herann work on weaving on cardboard looms.
show and tell. Then, we talk about how people used quilts to communicate with freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. They gave out codes based on how they displayed their quilts on their front porches.” For the unit’s final project, students make their own potholders.
Because LILA is seen as an inquiry-driven school, Lights says this aspect gives her students more freedom to make their own creations. “If, in my unit, a kid wants to make a pillow while we’re working on the assignment, I’m going to say, ‘Absolutely, go ahead and
do that.’ It’s not graded or part of the curriculum, but it’s just extra special things they can do as they’re working.”
Light further notes that the fiber arts unit fits well into the academy’s IB Design Framework. IB, which stands for “International Baccalaureate,” is an internationally recognized curriculum framework for primary, middle and senior school students.
“That means certain things about our curriculum,” explained Light. “IB schools also have design classes in addition to visual arts. The first thing we’re learning is how to identify a problem and develop ideas to solve it. Then we create the solution and evaluate it. With our design curriculum, we’re creating solutions to problems we identify. The assignment that I’m going to have students do at the end for the sewing machines is, ‘If you were in need of giving someone a gift for a birthday, how would you use the skills you learned in this assignment to solve that?’”
Future concepts Light hopes to introduce involve teaching students how to “repurpose” their clothing. According to Light, repurposing when students add new designs onto their clothes, such as sewing new patterns
land complex between the main park road and County Road 4 (170th Street) where invasive shrubs, such as common and glossy buckthorn, are invading the plant community. The grant will also help pay for contracted services to cut and treat common buckthorn and thin undesirable trees, follow-up treatment of common buckthorn resprouts, and supplies for native seeds and plants.
A 10% in-kind match is required for the grants and will be provided by staff time to plan and implement the project.
step up and support our parks and events,” said Parks and Recreation Coordinator Kyle Young. “Their involvement helps us build stronger community partnerships and reinforces our vision of making Forest Lake ‘As Good As It Sounds.’” Arts in the Park takes place Tuesday evenings from June through August at Lakeside Memorial Park, featuring live music, a farmers market, food trucks and local vendors. More information on the series can be found at www. ci.forest-lake.mn.us/192/Arts-inthe-Park.com.
Local venue launches new community-driven music/ social club
Stillwater venue Loft 214 - Venue on Main has launched Club 214, a brand new, membership-based music and social club that offers public events and member perks. The club will feature an ongoing lineup of concerts, cultural gatherings and
or colors into shirts and pants. “That’s the skills and confidence I want them to get from this unit.
If they have a sewing machine at home, they can do something cool to their clothing because they’ve learned the skills in my class, and now have confidence or are willing to be risk-takers and do that at home.”
Staff Writer Erik Suchy can be reached at 651-4071229 or lowdownnews@ presspubs.com
CALENDAR BRIEFS
Weekend at the Wetlands invites public to tour new site
Belwin Conservancy is inviting the public to check out its new “Education Site” on June 7 and 8. The event will include guided hikes and a tour of the new Peter J. King Family Foundation Wetlands Center. “This is one of the metro area’s most biodiverse nature preserves,” said Belwin Executive Director Katie Bloome. “We’re thrilled to offer this rare opportunity for the public to explore it.”
The site is an ecologically diverse area featuring miles of trails through prairies, pine and mixed hardwood forests, ponds and wetlands. Half of the area’s trail is hard-surfaced, allowing for wheelchair access and greater ease for all-age visitors. Typically, the area has been reserved for school and community programs.
“We know so many kids in our community come to Belwin for outdoor science education,” says Bloome, “but they don’t often have the chance to come back to this site with their families. As we open up to even more students in our community, we want to give everyone the chance to know and explore this unique resource and discover how they can access other parts of Belwin too.”
The conservancy is located at 15551 Division St. in Afton. Those interested in attending can sign up at www.belwin.org/events/.
artOPENer Tour returns with new local artist pieces
The annual artOPENer Tour is returning to the St. Croix Valley, featuring more than 40 artists at 19 locations across the area. The tour will extend along both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the St. Croix River.
This year’s featured artists are Emily Anderson and Katy Helt of Marine Village Art Studios, a woman-owned working studio and occasional gallery space in Marine on St. Croix. Anderson was recently commissioned to commemorate Wisconsin’s Interstate State Park’s 125th anniversary through a series of acrylic paintings. She will release prints of the paintings for the first time during the tour.
creative programming to strengthen the local community and expand downtown’s cultural landscape. Club programs will include social mixers, chef dinners, workshops and classes available to members and the public. Members will be given early access, special pricing and unique experiences throughout the year. They will also be able to use their benefits for discount tickets on intimate concerts at the loft and larger concerts at JX Venue.
“We wanted to create a way for people to plug into live music, local culture and community energy in a way that gives them some sense of ownership and belonging,” said Club Founder Judd Sather. “We knew the answer was to make an inclusive club. Club 214 will give members a reason to stay connected and to gather for a good time.”
Loft 214 - Venue on Main is located at 214 S. Main St. Those interested in learning more and becoming a club can visit its website at www. one23events.com/club214.html
Helt will debut a new collection of hand-cut stained glass and mirror mosaic artwork, including decorative wall-mounted canoes. “This event is the perfect way to get out and enjoy a beautiful weekend of art and fresh air. I hope folks will take a walk down the hill behind our studio to dip their toes in the river that has inspired so many of the talented artists involved in this event.”
The 2025 tour will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 6, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8. More information can be found at www.artopener.org.
Rev your engines for Corvettes At Stillwater
The St. Croix Valley Corvette Association will return with its 24th Annual Corvette Show, hosted by Cornerstone Chevrolet Stillwater. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the dealership, located at 5900 Stillwater Blvd. N. The show will feature an on-site food truck, a charity raffle and prizes. The first 100 registered participants will receive a free T-shirt. Trophies will be awarded for Best in Class from C1 to C8. A $15 entrance fee is required to enter a Corvette in the show. For more information, contact the dealership at 651-439-4333 or leads@cornerstonechevroletstillwater.com.
Seventh
Ross and Vaughn Stevens use sewing machines during class.
OUT & ABOUT
ONGOING EVENTS
BINGO AT THE CURRENT
When: 2 - 4 p.m., every Sunday
Where: Afton House Inn, 3291 St. Croix Trail S.
Details: Play Bingo and win cash prizes. Contact: 651-436-8883 or info@aftonhouseinn.com
TREAT YOURSELF TUESDAYS
When: 5 - 8 p.m., Second Tuesday of every month
Where: Sodie’s Cigar & Pipe, 5946 N. Good Ave., Oak Park Heights
Details: Ladies’ night at Sodie’s Cigar & Pipe. Each month will feature a different cigar and drink pairing. There will be alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, all designed to bring out notes in the cigar. Contact: 651-342-0971
LAKE ELMO ROTARY CLUB MEETING
When: 7 - 8 a.m., 1st, 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of every month
Where: Lake Elmo Inn, 3442 Lake Elmo Ave. N.
Details: Join for the Lake Elmo Rotary Club’s meeting every Wednesday. Please RSVP your attendance to Liz Niehaus, Secretary (lmjohnson3@hotmail.com) the Monday prior to the meeting. Contact: lmjohnson3@hotmail.com
DATE NIGHT
When: 4 - 9 p.m., every Wednesday
Where: Swirl Wine Club inside the Afton House Inn, 3291 St. Croix Trail S. Details: Wednesdays are Date Night at Swirl. Two salads, one flatbread, two truffles and a bottle of wine. Contact: 651-436-8883 or info@aftonhouseinn.com
BETTER BREATHERS CLUB
When: 1 - 3 p.m., 4th Wednesday of every month Where: Lakeview Hospital, 927 Churchill St. W., Stillwater
Details: Better Breathers Club offers the opportunity to learn ways to better cope
When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday, June 28
Where: Gammelgården Museum, 20880 Olinda Trail N., Scandia Details: Swedish festival celebrating the beauty of summer. Featuring a vendor fair, historic building tours, exhibits and food to enjoy. Contact: 651-433-5053
with chronic lung disease while getting the support of others who share in your struggles. Family members, friends and support persons are welcome. Register at www.healthpartners.com/about/ classes-events/. Contact: 651-430-4786 or jenny.j.kratochvil@lakeview.org
FREE WINE TASTINGS
When: 6 - 8 p.m., every Friday Where: Swirl Wine Club inside the Afton House Inn, 3291 St. Croix Trail S. Details: Free wine tasting. Contact: 651-436-8883 or info@aftonhouseinn.com
WILD RIVER RUNNING
When: 6 p.m. every Tuesday and 6:30 a.m. every Friday
Where: 224 Chestnut St. E., Stillwater Details: Group runs from Wild River Running. All paces and abilities welcome with distances typically ranging three to six miles. Tuesday evening will occasionally rotate locations.
Contact: 651-342-2741 or info@wildriverrunning.com
STROLLING ACCORDION
When: 8 p.m. every Friday - Sunday Where: Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter, 8390 Lofton Ave., Stillwater Details: Enjoy strolling accordion performances through the Gasthaus dining rooms every weekend throughout the year.
Contact: 651-439-7128
TOTALLY CRIMINAL COCKTAIL HOUR
When: 5 - 6 p.m., 1st Wednesday of every month
Where: The Lowell Inn, 102 2nd St. N., Stillwater Details: Chat local favorite mystery authors. This month’s featured author is Toni Halleen of “The Good Samaritan.” Tickets can be purchased online at www.tinyurl.com/brz37dnk. Presented by Valley Bookseller. Contact: events.valleybookseller@gmail. com
CRIBBAGE TOURNAMENT
When: 6 - 7:30 p.m., every other
Wednesday Where: Rustic Roots Winery, 20168 St. Croix Trail N., Scandia Details: Open to players of all levels. Format will be singles, three players per game. Prizes awarded for first and second place. Players must bring their own board and a deck of cards. Contact: 651-433-3311 or info@rusticroots.wine
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
When: 5:45 p.m., June 5 - 7, June 12 - 14
Where: The Grand Banquet Hall, 301 2nd St. S., Stillwater Details: A comedic play featuring the “King” going missing. Cash bar and Grand Pizza will be available for purchase. Tickets can be bought at www. tinyurl.com/yeta463b. Contact: 651-430-2376
CURRENT EVENTS
JUNE MEMBER MIXER: WOW 1 DAY PAINTING & JJ’S AUCTION SERVICE
When: 4 - 6 p.m., Thursday, June 5
Where: Invisible Wounds Project, 840 S. Lake St., Forest Lake Details: Presented by Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (FLACC). Join fellow members to meet potential business associates and mix with old friends. Register at www.tinyurl.com/bdenhhbv. Contact: 651-464-3200 or chamber@ flacc.org
SUMMER FAMILY FUN DAY
When: 10 a.m. - noon, Saturday, June 7 Where: 51 Judd St., Marine on St. Croix
Details: Join for a fun, family-friendly start to the summer. Featuring Parents’ Choice award-winning musical guest Miss Nina and a scavenger hunt. Prizes will be awarded for the latter. Contact: info@MarineCommunityLibrary.org
BBQ DRIVE THRU
When: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Sunday, June 8
Where: Forest Lake Masonic Lodge, 119 Eighth Ave. SE., Forest Lake
Details: Barbecue drive-through hosted by the Forest Lake Masons. Sandwich choices include Savory Smoked Italian Pork or Smoked Pork Mac and Cheese. All proceeds will go towards the Forest Lake Historical Society. Contact: 651-395-0918 or victom1@hotmail.com
INDECENT PROPOSAL CONCERT
When: 6 - 9 p.m., Friday, June 13
Where: The Freight House, 305 Water St. S., Stillwater
Details: Join Duluth-based cover band Indecent Proposal for an evening of live music, good vibes and summer energy. Contact: 651-439-5718
Summer monitoring keeps waterways healthy
In the summer season, the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD) runs several monitoring programs to keep tabs on the health of its lakes and wetlands. Lake health is evaluated by many different metrics, including water clarity, presence of aquatic invasive species and the density of nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, and chloride.
CLFLWD staff, engineers and volunteers will spend time in this field over the next few months collecting this important data. Below are some of the monitoring initiatives that are already underway in 2025.
CAMP and Lake Monitoring
CLFLWD participates in the statewide Community Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP), organized by the Metropolitan Council. Every other week, volunteers or monitoring staff will set out by boat and anchor at the deepest spot on a designated lake. They will fill out basic information about the environmental conditions, such as water level, temperature, and weather, and reach elbow-deep into the lake to fill a large sample bottle with water from the site. The sample is then pumped through a small paper filter, which captures algae and provides a measurement of chlorophyll in the lake.
The CAMP program can lend some insight into when and where high levels of nutrients are occurring. Data from this program helps determine which lakes should be included on the State Impaired Waters List, and which are healthy enough to be removed. CLFLWD and its many partners celebrated a major success in 2024 when Bone Lake was officially removed from the Impaired Waters List after water quality improvement efforts over the last 10 years. In addition to the CAMP samples that will be tested by the Metropolitan Council lab, CLFLWD collects additional data about the health of the lake. During a bi-weekly lake profile, staff use a specialized probe to measure the temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, and chloride levels in the water.
Community Assisted Tributary (CAT) and Diagnostic Monitoring
Members of the Community Assisted Tributary (CAT) volunteer force are on call and ready to mobilize when the next big storm is on the horizon.
This program involves the help of volunteers around Forest Lake to collect water samples from streams and tributaries during and after rainfall events. Rainfall washes sediment and nutrients downstream, making it a good opportunity to investigate which areas might be sources of excess nutrients.
Sample sites may include ditches, culverts, and streams. Once the sample is collected, CLFLWD staff will test it for phosphate levels. High phosphates usually come from the presence of decomposing organic materials. Phosphates occur naturally in all waterways but can be inflated by the presence of fertilizer or organic waste that has run off or been dumped nearby.
This data is used to determine which areas contribute higher amounts of nutrients and to design any future water quality improvements. Aside from the volunteer sites at Forest Lake, CLFLWD staff might also be seen with sample bottles and grabber sticks in hand,
monitoring tributary sites around Comfort, Shields, and Moody Lake.
Zebra Mussel Monitoring
Most of the large lakes in the area have already been impacted by the spread of zebra mussels, a widespread aquatic invasive species (AIS). Zebra mussel volunteers use metal sampler plates that hang off the end of their docks. Over several months, mussels will begin to use these plates as habitat. At the end of the season, the plates will be retrieved, and the mussels will be counted to estimate the density of population. The size of the mussels can also indicate the availability of nutrients in the water.
Prevention is the best tool to halt the spread of AIS such as zebra mussels. CLFLWD employs a team of watercraft inspectors each summer. Inspectors are stationed at major boat launches, where they will meet with boaters, discuss the threats of AIS and conduct an inspection to make sure each boat is uncontaminated when it enters and leaves the lake.
Automated Lake Level Loggers
During the 2024 field season, CLFLWD installed automated lake level monitoring equipment in its three largest lakes—Forest, Comfort, and Bone. These devices record hourly data about the water level and temperature, which is then uploaded to the CLFLWD website every six hours. Lakes that rise above the Ordinary High Water Level may be subject to wake restrictions for boaters, since powerful wakes can cause damage to shorelines when the water is too high. Anyone can check the current lake levels by visiting the CLFLWD website and navigating to the “Lake Info” dropdown and selecting the “Lake Levels” tab. More information about the monitoring programs can be found at the CLFLWD website. Visit https:// clflwd.org/monitoring-and-data/ to learn more and find contact information.
COMFORT LAKE-FOREST LAKE WATERSHED DISTRICT | CONTRIBUTED
CLFLWD Office Manager Tori Phillippi uses an underwater probe to collect data about lake conditions.
VINTAGE VIEWFINDER
A photo credited to John Runk and labeled Blackfeet Indians of Glacier National Park visiting Lowell Inn in Stillwater Minnesota is part of a collection of vintage postcards. The photo is undated, but the Blackfeet ceded mountainous areas of land in 1895 to the Federal Government that later became part of Glacier National Park when it was officially established on May 11, 1910. The purpose of their visit is unexplained, but the Great Northern Railway connected Minnesota to the park and the hotels and alpine chalets the railroad constructed for visitors.
Plant intensively
IGardener’s
Grapevine
Crystal Crocker
f you are like me, you’ve been busy planting in the garden! And that’s a good thing. We need to keep the garden full of sprouting seeds, thriving plants, beds lined with herbs working to deter pests and flowers to attract the pollinators. What we don’t want to see is the soil. I am not saying we don’t need soil, I’m saying something is going to grow in the space between the plants (like a weed), so why not make it another plant that fills the gaps? This is what’s called intensive planting. If you are like me, you’ve been busy planting in the garden! And that’s a good thing. We need to keep the garden full of sprouting seeds, thriving plants, beds lined with herbs working to deter pests and flowers to attract the pollinators. What we don’t want to see is the soil. I am not saying we don’t need soil, I’m saying something is going to grow in the space between the plants (like a weed), so why not make it another plant that fills the gaps? This is what’s called intensive planting. We are gardeners, not farmers who plant in long rows, so when the plant tag says “space three to four feet apart,” it’s talking to
farmers who will have 40 or 60 feet in each planting row with space allowing a tractor tire in between. We are gardeners and when planting a kitchen garden, I suggest breaking the plant spacing rules. When plants are spread way apart with nothing in between, there is a lot of soil left exposed to the elements. Bare soil dries out more quickly and is much more difficult to manage. I would rather water and harvest another plant than pull weeds. Intensive planting is a work with nature method. Next time you are visiting a nature center or national park, notice how nature’s plants grow close together, creating their own ecosystem. So instead of planting one garden bed with just one type of plant, I plant a variety of large, medium and small plants all together in every single bed. This means after the plants are established, I hardly have to water, rarely find a weed and I don’t need to continually fertilize. Plants prefer being together and were never meant to grow the way we were taught.
For example, in a small fourby-four-foot bed using the plant spacing on the tag for tomatoes, you would only be able to plant four or five plants in that bed. With intensive planting, you are able to fill the bed with that and so much more. Follow this plan to fill a four-by-four bed with 13 to 15 different plants. Plant the entire edges of the bed with loads of herbs such as rosemary, basil and
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sage and mix in flowers such as marigolds, zinnias and calendula. Next, add a ring of large greens such as Swiss chard and kale, tuck some garlic in between. Working your way toward the middle, add another ring of leaf lettuce, which will benefit from the shade of the Swiss chard and kale. Then plant four tomatoes in the center to grow up an obelisk trellis; add peppers and bush beans around the obelisk outside of the tomatoes. Follow the plant spacing rules and wait 3 months to get just a few tomatoes or follow this plan and get daily harvests from a variety of plants.
This year, I began planting the cool-season plants in midMarch, and now I am harvesting peas, kale, leaf lettuce, spinach and radishes. As the warm season has kicked into gear, I am pulling the spent plants and filling in the many gaps with warm and hot-loving plants such as peppers, eggplants, squash, beans and trellising cucumbers and tomatoes. When you plant intensively, there are so many benefits, but the greatest benefit is more plants to provide a bigger harvest. Contact me at goodenergygarden@gmail.com for help planting your garden intensively!
Crystal Crocker is a Stillwater resident and longtime gardener. If you have gardening questions, reach out to her at 952-240-4648 or GoodEnergyGarden@gmail.com.
THE LOWDOWN | letter guidelines
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Putting the ‘slam’ in poetry slam
Irecently tried something that I, as a writer, had always wanted to do, but lacked the courage to commit to. That experience was writing my first slam poem and attending my first “slam event” to do it.
Suchy’s Scoop
Erik Suchy
For those unfamiliar with it, slam poetry is not like poetry in the regular sense. Whereas the latter varies in length and comes in multiple, abstract styles, slam poetry relies more on traditional storytelling coupled with rhythm. Think of someone talking about their first girlfriend or their frustrations about the state of the world. Rather than being broken up into stanzas or dotted with abstract comparisons, a slam poem would structure this topic like a short story that tends to be heavy on metaphors, but is never quite as abstract as free-verse or traditional poetry. Two great examples to read are “21” by Patrick Roche and “Complainers” by Rudy Francisco. My piece, ironically enough, was called “I want to be a writer.” In composing this poem, I wanted to capture my “beginner’s writer mindset” during my first few college years; a mindset where I wanted to make an impact as one of the best writers the world has ever seen, yet was still struggling to perfect my craft. As such, the piece’s first half discusses how I want my work to change those who read it, and the second half discusses how terrible my writing was at the time. To quote myself: “I want to be a writer, and these are my dreams. But right now, my creative flair is trapped in a hell that it did not ask for.”
My performance occurred at Moon Palace Books, a Minneapolis-based bookstore hosting “Buckslam,” a monthly poetry slam on the second Wednesday of every month. I was chosen from twelve other aspiring poets to perform their work there. While I unfortunately did not receive a high enough score to advance into the second round, I still couldn’t be more excited about this experience overall.
To me, shifting my focus from writing short fiction to slam poetry represents a major shift in how I want to present myself as a writer. One of my old college professors, Suzanne Nielsen, has always told me she has seen me more as a performer than a writer. In the past, I’ve tried to take these comments to heart, but have always felt torn between these identities: do I want to be remembered as someone who creates excellent stories, or someone who performs excellent stories with raw emotion in front of others? Finding the strength to do the latter, and the sense of joy it gave me to do so, has struck me as my new calling. As of now, I have several ideas on deck for future poems that listeners can easily relate to. I am also still looking for other open mics outside Buckslam to perform “I Am A Writer” around the metro area. Additionally, I plan to perform one of my (hopefully finalized) future pieces at next year’s Midwest Poetry Mash-Up competition, which is held in Minneapolis from April 25 to 26.
While I don’t want to give up my hand at writing short creative fiction, I would like to put it on the creative back burner for now. For now, I would like to dedicate 2025 as the year of becoming “Slam Poet” Erik Suchy versus “Aspiring Creative Writer” Erik Suchy. See you all on the performing circuit soon!
Erik Suchy is a staff writer at Press Publications. He can be reached at 651-407-1229 or email at lowdownnews@presspubs.com.
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IMAGE COURTESY OF ST. CROIX COLLECTION
Eat Local
Red Luna Seasons
Authentic Mexican 114 Mahtomedi Ave Mahtomedi
Rudy’s
Redeye Grill
Upscale Steakhouse, Pan Fried Walley, Drunk ‘N Dirty Pork Chops, Bull Bites and Martinis
Bella Leonhart, a Forest Lake senior golfer, is a four-time state qualifier who has placed 19th with scores of 80-78-158 and 29th with 85-77-162 in the last two state meets. She recently shot a 69 to earn a medal at the 12-team White Bear Lake Invitational at Oak Glen and shot a 72 for second place in the 14-team Grand Preview at Grand National. She has signed with North Dakota State.
Howie Johnson
Howie Johnson, a Forest Lake junior, committed to the Minnesota Gophers for football, is one of the state’s top throwers in track and field. In the Hamline Elite Meet, he was second in discus with 170-0 and shot put with 58-10. At state last year, Johnson placed third in shot put with 56-9 3/4. Currently, he is second on the state honor roll in shot with 58-10 and fourth in discus with 174-4.
*Athletes chosen by press staff
Maya Schroeder
Maya Schroeder, a senior center fielder, on the No. 3 Stillwater softball team (17-3), is batting .397 with a .450 on-base-percentage, 21 runs and 15 stolen bases. Coach Angie Ryan regards Schroeder as a team leader and a key to both their offensive and defensive success. Last year, she batted .558 with six homers and 30 RBI’s for a state tournament team and was named the Ponies’ MVP. She has committed to Colorado Christian University.
Liam Neis
Liam Neis, a Stillwater track and field senior, was the Ponies leading scorer when they won the state Class 3A trueteam championship on May 16 in Eden Prairie. Neis won the pole vault with a personal best of 15 feet (which ranks sixth in the state currently) while placing sixth in long jump with 20-8 and 13th in high jump with 5-10. His top high jump is 6-2.
Forest Lake Golf
Stillwater Softball
Forest Lake Track and Field Stillwater Track and Field
Animal Voice Advocacy helps find voice for other nonprofits
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
At Animal Voice Advocacy, founder Julia Tice seeks to create a shared space where everyone can make a collective impact, all while raising awareness for domesticated and wild animals.
“If you truly care about animals and you’re an advocate, we want to create an arena where everybody can collaborate and feel like we’re bigger, louder and better together. Our goal is to make AVA as big, as wide and as steep as we can throughout the region, nation and then globe.”
Based in Stillwater, AVA is a newly formed nonprofit dedicated to fighting for both wild and domesticated animals worldwide. However, it’s not just helping animals that AVA has in mind with its top goals. Two more of its key objectives are raising awareness for other animal nonprofit groups, as well as securing funding to support their work in helping animals in need.
“We want donors and supporters to be able
to go to our website and say, ‘Look at what they’re doing to help the bears in the wild or to help these puppies that came from a mill,’” explained Tice. “We want to share these stories.”
While AVA caters to domestic and wild animals, Tice says there is no concern over finding a “balance” between both needs. “If you are an animal lover, you’re going to love them all. We respect them and believe they bring so much good and joy to the world. Whether it’s your dog or a majestic animal you’re seeing on the National Geographic Channel, we believe in supporting animals in the animal kingdom everywhere.”
While her background is rooted in marketing, Tice said the decision to create the group was born from a passionate commitment to animal welfare. Because of its newness, she admits that AVA still has a long way to go in establishing itself, both in advertising and finding more partners.
“Looking through the eyes of a nonprofit, there are so many
things that you need to know. There’s a lot of expenses with attorneys, building your website and getting your brand, just as you would build any business. We are still building the box for this nonprofit. Publicity is going to be a big thing and so is having the right donor program.”
Although AVA’s current goals remain finding more nonprofits to promote and work with, its long-term objectives have a significantly larger, worldwide scope. These include raising funds to help combat Australian wildfires and fundraising for flood relief. Tice says she hopes for AVA to establish its own outreach programs for nonprofits to aid these relief effors.
“It’s going to be more than just, ‘Here’s your $5,000 that we raised on your behalf this year; spend it and let us know all the animals who benefited from it.’ We do want to help with flood relief, brush fires and more ‘catastrophic’ scenarios we can provide funding for. In the future, I do see more outreach programs where we can physical-
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ly go and help some of these organizations be a part of that.” AVA is currently partnering with KS95 Hubbard Broadcasting to promote its organization, which Tice hopes will expand to future promotional opportunities.
Those interested in learning more about AVA and donating can
visit its website at www. animalvoiceadvocacy. org/. Nonprofits interested in signing up to work with AVA can do so at www.animalvoiceadvocacy.org/ ava-application/.
Staff Writer Erik Suchy can be reached at 651-407-1229 or lowdownnews@presspubs.com
Booze Brothers: Crafting moments, 1 sip at a time
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
If you’re someone looking to rediscover how to enjoy your alcohol, you might want to give Booze Brothers a try.
Booze Brothers is the brainchild of Forest Lake High School grad Jordan Oberholtzer, specializing in whiskey smoking kits, beer caramelizers and other accessories designed to embrace the joys of drinking and having a good time. “Being able to make that experience better is pretty rewarding,” says Oberholtzer, “but seeing how we’ve grown has been awesome.”
The company’s roots begin during Oberholtzer’s freshman college year at St. Olaf College — a time marked by turbulence due to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I was at home, talking with my uncle, a big whiskey head. He was talking about how there’s no whiskey smoking kits out there that have everything included — the torch, wood, fuel and glasses, even. So I went, looked at it, and came up with this product based on how my grandpa used to smoke his whiskey glasses.”
That product became the first official development under the Booze Brothers brand: the Whiskey Woods Glass Smoking Kit, which features two drinking glasses, one shot glass, a torch, three different wood flavors and a hand-crafted baseboard piece to hold both the shot and drinking glass.
Oberholtzer relied on a personal $2,000 investment and
50 sold units to launch the kit. After pitching it at the 2023 St. Olaf’s Ole Cup (the college’s annual student entrepreneurial pitch competition), Oberholtzer secured a first-place prize of $10,000 and a motivational push to continue developing Booze Brothers.
Since its launch, the company has held tastings around the Twin Cities Metro Area, including Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia, Argyle Moose in Hugo and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Taste of Generosity in Minneapolis. Newly developed products include a beer caramelizer, butane torch and refill tins with hickory, oak and alder woods.
The company includes executive advisors Andrew Tjernlund, Anita Messal and Bridget Conzemius. “He’s been my business mentor for four years now,” said Oberholtzer of Tjernlund.
“He’s awesome, has tons of experience in e-commerce and owns multiple brands.” Oberholtzer’s dad, Brian, carves the company’s signature baseboard pieces from his home woodshop.
From an enterprise perspective, Oberholtzer admits that growing his brand is not without difficulties. Mostly, he says, this is based on comparing in-person sales to social media follows.
“From a business standpoint, the better one would be the in-person events, where people get to try it. They know it enhances the flavor of their drink, and they enjoy and buy it. On social media, however, we can get 2,000 views on one video, and it’s like, ‘Okay, maybe one sale,’ whereas in person, 10 people see it and there’s a sale. The conversion ratio is much better when people are able to see the product. The brand awareness is much higher, but the sales aren’t there.”
In the wider view of the craft service industry, Oberholtzer remains hopeful to keep up with its evolution. Most of this, he says, comes from its post-pandemic boom. “The trends are huge! Halfway through COVID is when I came up with this. Whiskey glass smoking was hardly existent. Within the last five years, it’s absolutely blown up. You see all these accounts on TikTok that are copying each other with the glass smoking kits. That’s why we came up with the beer caramelizer about three years after the kit. We saw a different brand doing something similar, and we’re like, ‘Oh, that’s a great idea!’ so we went out and made our own. Right now, that would be the trend that we’re trying to jump on. We’re always ready for whatever there is to come.”
Booze Brothers will host a Whiskey Woods tasting at the Minnesotan in White Bear Lake on Thursday, June 12, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. They will also appear on select days at Rustic Roots Winery throughout the summer. Oberholtzer says an appearance at White Bear Lake’s Manitou Days festival is in the planning stages, though it has yet to be confirmed.
To learn more about Booze Brothers and shop for their products, visit their website at www.shopboozebrothers.com.
Staff Writer Erik Suchy can be reached at 651-407-1229 or lowdownnews@presspubs.com
ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
AVA Board Member Laura Langevin (far left), Stillwater resident Nicki Wellmann (center left), Tice (center right), and Stillwater resident Bridge Peelman pose for the AVA Happy Trails Animal Walk.
Forest Lake High School grad Jordan Oberholtzer is the founder of Booze Brothers, which offers products designed to enhance customer’s drinking experiences.
PHOTOS BY ERIK SUCHY | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The Whiskey Woods Glass Smoking Kit is Booze Brother’s signature product, featuring drinking glasses, wood flavors and more.
Chisago County is hiring!
Corrections Officer
Provides care and supervision of inmates housed in the jail facility, transports inmates, juveniles, and mentally ill; performs all intake procedures for incoming prisoners; supervises the daily housing area and periodically must subdue prisoners. Must be willing and able to work a variety of assigned shifts. Must be able to perform CPR and emergency first aid. $26.83 to $35.34 DOQ. Apply online at www. chisagocountymn.gov. Open until filled.
Chisago County is hiring!
Engineering Technician
Senior
Reviewing construction plans, conducting engineering inspections and investigations, and reviewing the work of contractors for conformance to approved specifications. Independently monitors and inspects the progress and construction methods to ensure construction projects meet approved specifications. $38.07 to $50.13 DOQ. Apply online at www.chisagocountymn.gov. Open until filled.
Sales Representative Base + Commission
GreenGuard Construction | Full-Time or Part-Time | Multiple Locations Are you
Vacant spots open for Stillwater Energy Action Commission
Vacant seats are available on the Stillwater Energy Action Commission for those interested in helping advance the city’s environmental and community goals. The commission, responsible for implementing the objectives outlined in the city’s Energy Action Work Plan, consists of five members who meet at 10:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at City Hall.
The city encourages residents to share their talents and perspectives by serving on the commission. In return for their time and effort, commission members have the opportunity to help shape local policies, actions and progress. Citizen involvement helps improve both the quality and responsiveness of public decision-making and offers an opportunity to be actively engaged in city government. Residents interested in being appointed to the commission can apply online at www. tinyurl.com/5n97sye3. Evaluation criteria include personal and professional experience relevant to the board’s subject area, knowledge of the community and city government and experience with similar appointments. Applications are due by noon Monday, June 16. For more information, contact City Clerk Beth Wolf at 651-430-8800.
Carol T. Hisdahl
passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025, at the age of 93, surrounded by family at Parmly Assisted Care in Chisago City, Min nesota.
Carol was preced ed in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Donald Leevon Hisdahl. Together, they built a life rich with love, creativity, and dedication to their family and community.
A true entrepreneur and creative spirit, Carol founded Viking Lettering Services and Hisdahl Trophy, now known as Hisdahls. Her talents extended far beyond business: she was a gifted artist, cake designer, dressmaker, hat creator, and monogramming expert. Carol brought beauty into the world with every stitch, brushstroke, and decoration.
She was one of the original organizers of the Winter Carnival World’s Softball Tournament on Ice and a tireless advocate for veterans, serving as Auxiliary President of the Keep-Zimmer Post 1782 in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.
Carol spent 20 joyful years in retirement in Arizona before returning to White Bear Lake to live above the family business and later moved to independent senior living in Wyoming, Minnesota.
She is lovingly remembered by her children, Mark Hisdahl (Stephanie), Dee Hisdahl Nelson (Dean), Carolyn Cagle (Gary), Keith Hisdahl (Cheryl); grandchildren, Dustin, Alan, Jessica, Grant, and Rachel; great-grandchildren Gracelynne, Evelynne, Astrid, Autumn, Karter Kay (“KK”), and Jay; many other family and friends.
A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on at 2:00 p.m., June 13, 2025, at Mattson Funeral Home in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Immediately following the service there will be a barbecue and gathering at Gary and Carolyn’s home, 4460 Echo Lane, Stacy, MN 55079.
Carol’s life was marked by creativity, service, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
Tuesdays Beginner Yoga Flow Class 6p-7p Rustic Roots Winery
Wednesdays Ongoing – Trivia Night 7p – 9p White Bear Meadery
Wednesdays Keychain Kash All Day Big Wood Brewery
Thursdays Trivia Mafia 6pm River Siren Brewing Co
June 1 Music: Flannel Brothers 3p-6p Rustic Roots Winery