Scandia students learn what it takes to be master gardeners

Scandia second graders learned everything they could from University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener volunteer in Washington County, Kathy Luoma, on Feb. 23 during a winter gardening activity. Luoma, a former elementary school teacher in the Stillwater school district, and other UMN Extension Master Gardeners demonstrated how to plant various pollinator plant seeds such as milkweed, blazing star, ironweed, joe pye weed, anise hyssop and others into milk jugs. The activity helps students gain an understanding and knowledge of how food is grown while also enhancing the school’s IB program and plant unit where students learn about seeds, plants and the adaptations of plants.

See Full Post >>

Scandia students solve problems through inventions

Fifth graders at Scandia Elementary demonstrated their best inventions for families at an event on Feb. 16. Students have been exploring the IB unit, “How We Express Ourselves,” and have been looking at creative expression in Ancient Egypt through their use of hieroglyphics and in Ancient Greece through myths. They also looked at creativity expressed through inventions during the Renaissance period, which prompted their invention projects.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Students were split into groups of two or three and had to invent something that would solve a problem in the classroom or the community. They were encouraged to incorporate a simple machine into their invention and solve a different problem from the rest of the class. Using various, every day supplies, students created inventions with cardboard, duct tape, hot glue, wood pieces, bottles, cartons and more.
Some of the projects created were: Helpful Hand Sanitizer Dispenser – the purpose was to dispense hand sanitizer before

See Full Post >>

EMT students place in top three at state competition

FLAHS students in the Emergency Management Technician course grabbed second and third place finishes at the 31st Annual Minnesota State Youth EMS Competition on Feb. 25 at Spring Lake Park High School. Forest Lake was up against 32 other teams, and each had to compete in three separate scenarios: HAZMAT complications, a pool/water rescue, and a fire scene in which a victim fell from a couple stories up. Each scenario had the teams work through the proper protocol, assessments, and techniques needed to help save the victim. The students’ overall scores were based on accuracy and completion of each scenario as well as a written test. Forest Lake’s teams were second place finisher Blood Bath and Beyond comprised of Maggie Duffy, Amanda Forlliti, Olivia Hunn and Lexi Welch; and third place finisher Strike Team Delta made up of Benton Fry, Logan Gilbert, Doug Gross and Jackson Dunaski. In addition, team

See Full Post >>

County Board approves Islamic cemetery

On advice of its legal counsel, the Chisago County Board of Commissioners during a special meeting March 15 approved a conditional use permit that allows the establishment of an Islamic cemetery on a parcel of land in the 20000 block of Lofton Avenue in south Chisago Lake Township.
The decision was a reconsideration of the board’s 3-2 Dec. 21, 2016, vote to deny the permit application by Enes Gluhic, representing the Islamic Community of Bosniaks of Minnesota.broadstreet.zone(48036);
At that time, Commissioners George McMahon, Lora Walker and Rick Greene voted in opposition of the application, with Commissioners Mike Robinson and Ben Montzka voting in favor.
The reconsideration decision passed 4-0, with Commissioner Lora Walker absent.
The county’s legal counsel, Paul Reuvers, explained to the board that if it did not approve the permit, it would likely be in violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
“It was signed into law Sept. 22, 2000,”

See Full Post >>

Richard Allen Meyer

Richard Meyer, of Meadowlands and formerly of Stillwater, MN, passed away on March 27, 2017 in Hibbing, MN after a brief, but voracious, battle with lung cancer.
Richard was a Vietnam Veteran who retired from Minnesota Department of Corrections having worked in the industry department at the Stillwater correctional facility.
Celebrations of his life will be held at the Stillwater Eagles on April 8th from 2-6 p.m. and in Toivola, MN on April 22, 2017 at Hope Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. with visitation one hour before. After a light luncheon, there will be a graveside service at Lavell Cemetery in Lavell, Minnesota.

See Full Post >>