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SCHOOL BOARD: Unanimously approves 2 long term facility maintenance plans PAGE 7
Tree sale brings the benefits of nature to Vadnais Heights BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
talent, and we were able to utilize it in such a great way,” added Assistant Director Yahaira Nok-Chiclana, a White Bear alumna
“I think that I shall never see a thing so lovely as a tree,” said Steve Jorissen, quoting a classic poem by Joyce Kilmer. Jorissen is a member of the Vadnais Heights Green Team, the community group helping to facilitate the upcoming tree sale that will be available to Vadnais Heights residents. The Green Team is working alongside the city of Vadnais Heights and Tree Trust, a Minnesota nonprofit that works to plant trees in urban areas. Tree saplings can be expensive, but sales such as this one offer trees at a discount rate. Most Vadnais residents can purchase saplings for $60 each, but property owners located in the priority area will be able to buy them for $40. This area is just south of County Road E and stretches roughly from I-35E on the west and Highway 61 on the east. “This is where we would really like to see the landlords, business owners and apartment owners come snap up a whole bunch of these trees,” Jorissen said. “That’s an open area that really needs trees.” Some residents will also be eligible to have their trees planted for free. The Vadnais Heights city website has an order form and link to check eligibility for this service. The benefits of a strong tree canopy are numerous, Jorissen said. One of the most
SEE ‘GREASE’, PAGE 8
SEE TREE SALE, PAGE 24
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The cast of “Grease” practices for their July 23-26 run at White Bear Lake Area High School’s Performing Arts Center. Pictured cener: Oliver Grawe as Danny and Luisa Maruyama as Sandy.
‘Grease’ captures lightning-in-a-bottle talent BY LOGAN GION STAFF WRITER
White Bear Lake Area Schools production of “Grease” rolls into the high school’s Performing
Arts Center July 23-26. While the show’s venue is neat, its threads are hip and its sets are “grinchy,” the main highlight is the show’s stacked cast and crew. “This is the last show
of so many seniors who have been doing shows together since sixth grade,” said director Odelis Garcia Anderson. “We’re having so much fun.” “We have a lot of
Friendship inspires lasting fight against cancer BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
On May 13, 2022, Kari Moore lost her best friend from college to cancer. Since then, she’s joined the mission of fighting back against the disease. “Every time the American Cancer Society finds a new option through research, helps a patient get to treatment, or supports another family at Hope Lodge, that's another family that has a chance that Jenny's family missed out on,” said White Bear Lake Area Chamber Executive Director Kari Moore. “So, when I can support their fundraising mission to fund these critical supports, it makes me feel closer to Jae.”
Moore and her best friend, Jenny (Jae) Vannelli, attended Moorhead State University (now Minnesota State University) together. Jae was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 9. After a bone marrow transplant donated by her younger brother, she went into remission. And that remission lasted until she was about 40 years old. She was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma — a rare aggressive cancer that develops in muscles found in organs. “She spent a couple of years fighting back, feeling good and repeating the cycle. Then she died at age 45,” Moore explained. Jae left behind five children ranging SEE RELAY FOR LIFE, PAGE 12
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Best friends (from left) Kari Moore, Jenny (Jae) Vannelli and Bobbie Bigwood.
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