Loving Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma and SisterMary Lou Neumann, age 82, of Robbinsdale, passed away on December 22, 2016.
Category: The Latest From Forest Lake Times
Rosemary “Nee: Beane” Gaylord
Loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Great-GrandmotherRosemary Gaylord, age 86 of St. Paul, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 30, 2016.
Winnick Supply seeks screening alternatives
Photo by Ryan HowardIn 2008, Forest Lake approved a conditional use permit for Winnick Supply that included a requirement that 45 spruce trees be planted around the edges of the property. Most of those trees have since died.
After a three-hour meeting attended by about 40 people, the Forest Lake Planning Commission voted Dec. 28 to table a conditional use permit amendment request from Winnick Supply regarding the placement of tree screening around the business.
A longtime presence in Forest Lake, the business, formerly called H. Winnick and Company, moved to its current site around 1940 – a planning commission memo and current owner Ben Winnick gave different years for the move date, but they were within a few years of each other. When the business, now a wholesale supply company, first moved to the southeast intersection of what is now known as U.S. Highway 61 and 11th Avenue, the area it
Warner Nature Center January/February Events
Join a Warner naturalist for these fun events for all ages! Wear casual clothing appropriate for the weather and hands-on activities.
Pre-registration is required for all of our programs (except Fall Color Blast and Maple Syrup Open House). Cancellations must be made at least three days prior to an event for a full refund. To register, please call (651) 433-2427, ext. 10.
Snowshoe hike
2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 21
Explore winter at Warner through the ancient art of snowshoeing. Learn basic snowshoeing techniques and hike through Warner’s woods. Snowshoes provided. *Program will be cancelled if there are not sufficient snow levels. (Ages 6+) $7 WNC Friends/Science Museum members; $10 nonmembers
Family snow fun
10 a.m. to noon Feb. 4
Bring your little one for fun in the snow at Warner! Geared towards families with young children, we will do a craft, try out snowshoeing, and end with a campfire. (Suggested ages 2-8) $5 WNC Friends/Science Museum
Hurricane helpers
Submitted photo
The Forest Lake Area High School Student Council collected $385 in 30 minutes through their Hats and Hot Cocoa campaign, which raised money for the victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. The event was held on Dec. 9, and all proceeds will be donated through the WE Day organization.
Sheriff’s office to begin using body cameras
Several law enforcement agencies in the St. Croix Valley plan to begin using body-worn cameras for the first time next year, and they want the public’s input on the policies that govern use of the devices.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office as well as the Bayport and Stillwater police departments are all scheduled to begin using body cameras next year. Oak Park Heights police began wearing them this year.broadstreet.zone(48036);
According to Cmdr. Andrew Ellickson, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has been considering the purchase of body cameras for a few years.
“Since they started becoming readily available, they’ve interested the sheriff,” Ellickson said.
A couple of factors held the county back from the purchase, he said, including the lack of direction from the state on retaining and releasing recordings, as well as the desire to have an all-in-one technology solution that was more than a camera.
Last session, the Minnesota Legislature approved a bill governing
Most read stories of 2016
While The Times picks out the stories we believe were the biggest news in the community this year, that doesn’t always correspond to what gets the most interest. Below are the top 20 most-read stories of the year by visitors to www.forestlaketimes.com. Numbers were current as of Dec. 27.
1. Big rigs ride on Sept. 17 for Special Olympics – Sept. 14, 24,856 views
A preview story for a hotly anticipated semitruck convoy that traveled through the area raising money for Special Olympics Minnesota.broadstreet.zone(48036);
2. High school student killed in crash – June 27, 15,689 views
Catherine “Katya” Loahr, 18, died after being hit while walking on Goodview Avenue at the intersection with State Highway 97. She was returning home from summer school.
3. School board approves labor agreement, cuts sports programs, saves on bond sale – April 8, 8,973 views
Readers responded to this brief roundup of actions taken at the Forest Lake Area School
Alternate perspectives
By the end of every year, The Forest Lake Times has run a lot of photos over the previous 52 weeks, but a lot of good shots are cut because there just isn’t enough room. Here are some of the best pictures that didn’t make the paper when they were originally taken — a sort of alternative look at some of the big and little events in the Forest Lake area this year. All photos by Ryan Howard unless stated otherwise
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On a January afternoon, a bobcat rests in an enclosure at the Wildlife Science Center in Columbus.
Wade Rivard carefully applies some painting tape to a cornhole board in July in his cousin Bill Rivard’s garage — the home of Custom Cornhole Creations.
Joe Houle, Forest Lake’s longest-serving firefighter at almost 60 years of service, puts on a breathing mask during a training June 21.broadstreet.zone(50962);
A judge uses a DoodlePRO toy to
Yogadevotion to begin new session
Yogadevotion will begin a new session at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 N. Shore Drive.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Led by certified yoga instructor Robin Thayer, Yogadevotion begins with scripture that speaks to a practice of faith during the breath work. Reflections on scripture are written by Pastor Cindy Senarighi, ordained pastor in the ELCA. The body of the class is a combination of standing, balance and floor poses. Class closes with restorative yoga, a practice of calm alertness that allows a time of reflection and thanksgiving.
This class is for all levels including beginners. Modifications are offered for all poses. The eight-week session will run through Feb. 23. The cost is $64. To register, contact Joyce Getchell at joyceg@faithfl.org or 651-464-3323. Payment is due by Jan. 1.
YMCA promotes better health in the new year
The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities has several tips to help community members renew their commitment to health and wellness in 2017.
While setting a new year’s resolution can be easy, sticking to it is often more challenging. A 2014 YMCA survey found that less than a quarter of respondents kept their resolutions. More than 71 percent stated that they tried, but fell short of their goals – and 40 percent confessed to giving up within weeks.broadstreet.zone(48036);
“‘Getting healthy’ is not a goal – it’s too broad,” YMCA Senior Director of Fitness Jennifer Menk said in a press release. “You don’t need a dramatic transformation to make a positive impact on your health. Trying to change too many habits at once can easily lead to frustration. Focus on setting multiple, manageable and measurable goals. For example, try adding 10 more minutes of activity per day, then increasing to 20. Make goals