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BIRCHWOOD: Neighbor dock dispute resurfaces PAGE 25
Heartbeat for Hunger to raise funds for, awareness of local food insecurity BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Organizers of Heartbeat for Hunger said they hope an inaugural beach concert, slated for the first Saturday in August, will grow into a longstanding tradition with a lasting impact. Heartbeat for Hunger will take place the evening of Aug. 2 at White Bear Lake County Park. All proceeds will be donated to the White Bear Area Food Shelf. The
food shelf has staffed a booth every week at Marketfest to promote the event, sell tickets and spread awareness of food insecurity. “We want to do this every year. We hope to have it be a capstone of the Marketfest season,” said Executive Director Perry Peterson. A couple of years ago, Peterson spoke at a Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation event. There he ran into White Bear Lake resident Joel Moline, who told him about an idea he had for a beach
concert that would benefit the food shelf and, in turn, the community. Moline, a former Stillwater resident, said the concept for Heartbeat for Hunger was born many years ago. In fall 2005, a group of friends and wine enthusiasts, including Moline and Jeff Morris, were inspired to develop a unique event. They sought to host a tasting of the best wines from around the world and SEE HEARTBEAT FOR HUNGER, PAGE 8
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White Bear Area Food Shelf representatives Mark Miller, Julie Mumm, Executive Director Perry Peterson, June McCarthy and Jim McCarthy were promoting the upcoming Heartbeat for Hunger Beach Concert during a recent Marketfest installment.
Mahtomedi district wrestles with high school league issues BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER
One year later: Mason Fike’s road to recovery
CONTRIBUTED
Nearly a year after St. John’s University senior Mason Fike experienced a near-fatal stabbing near his home in White Bear Lake, the Fike family is sharing their story for the first time.
On the night of July 27, 2024, lifelong White Bear Lake resident Mason Fike was walking with his girlfriend, Katie Klaphake, when an assailant emerged from a nearby house and
applying pressure to his abdomen and talking to him to keep him conscious. On the way to Regions Hospital for emergency surgery, paramedics lost Mason’s pulse four times. “It was a miracle that he
attacked him with a knife, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. First responders arrived at the scene near his home on Southwood Drive to find Mason suffering from 1214 stab wounds. Katie was
SEE ROAD TO RECOVERY, PAGE 7
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“We’re between a rock and a hard place,” said Mahtomedi School Board Director Paul Donna, in reference to the district’s membership in the Minnesota State High School League. He explained that, for the benefit of students in the district, the board wants to continue its longstanding membership. However, board members have ongoing concerns about transparency issues with the league. In the end, the board split 4-2 in approving the 2025-26 resolution for membership. Donna and Director Jenny Peterson opposed. At issue, Donna said, is a persistent lack of answers from the league, which is not helpful for decisionmaking. Primarily, he said, the district has not received clarification on the issue of biological males competing in girls’ sports. Districts must commit to renewing their league
membership by July each year if their students are to participate in high school events outside the district. The activities at stake include sports and many others, such as forensics, academic and music competitions. The board had to approve the resolution at its July 14 meeting or call a special meeting before July 31 to discuss the matter further before timely approval. Board Treasurer Ryan Domin, the district’s liaison with the league, said he supports membership because activities the league oversees enrich the lives of students. “At the same time, it’s important to express concerns about the state law allowing biological male athletes to compete alongside girls,” he said. “I’m also worried that, as a member, the district could be held liable until the issue is settled in court.” “I want all Zephyrs to participate and for the district to have a
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