Category: The Latest From Forest Lake Times

Amy Doeun
Linwood Reporter
On Tuesday, March 14, the parking lot of the Linwood Township offices began filling early. The Town Board held its regular meeting at 6 p.m., followed by the annual meeting at 7.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Recycling program
Anoka County approached Linwood Township about being a collection site during the month of April for boat plastic — the white or blue plastic used to winterize boats for storage.
“They would park a trailer (in the lot of the township offices) in April. Apparently there is a market for it. We will see what happens,” Supervisor Ed Kramer said. “The shrink wrap has to be certain grade. We can also take the plastic from hay bails. They are the same grade if we can keep it all the same grade then we can recycle it.
“It is an experimental thing the county wants to try and they said that we make the most sense and have the

See Full Post >>

More than 125 community leaders, parents, members and FFA supporters filled Forest Lake High School on March 23 for the Chapter’s 81st Annual Banquet and Awards Program. The event was dedicated to recognizing members for their outstanding efforts during the year.
The FFA members elected staff members Tammy Marshall, Mary Wightman, and Sharon Wilson to Honorary Membership.broadstreet.zone(48036);
FFA members also received recognition for their outstanding achievements. Award winners included Megan Palmer, senior accomplishment; Callie Johnson, chapter star in placement; Rebecca Anderson, chapter star discovery; McKenna Nelson, leadership; Abby Huset, community service; Sydney Parker, most improved member; Megan Palmer and Luke Wallner, cooperation; Brynn Miron, Peri Bell, and Cassidy Laflair, spirit of FFA; Ben Niemczyck, outstanding fundraiser; Kalley Tietje, outstanding first year member; Jenna Skarphol, Abby Huset, and Amanda Zaudtke, letter winners; Megan Palmerm Abby Huset, and Jenna Skarphol, excellence in communication; and Sophie Kies, Brynn Miron, McKenna Nelsony, Madison Hegland, and Megan

See Full Post >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

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 >>

Grace Chambers of North Branch traveled to the Lakes Area Expo March 25 to show some affection for the Easter bunny. The youngster also enjoyed decorating egg shaped cookies with Ashley Bulmer of Big Apple Bagels. Hundreds of people attended the event.broadstreet.zone(48036);

See Full Post >>

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 >>

Yogadevotion will begin a new session on April 15 at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9300 Scandia Trail N., Forest Lake.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Yogadevotion promotes strength, flexibility, and peace in body, mind, and spirit through weekly Saturday morning devotional sessions. Carrin Mahmood, certified and experienced Yogadevotional instructor, leads the hour-long sessions. Women and men of all ages are invited to participate and enjoy this meditation time while enjoying the benefits of yoga. No previous experience is needed as basic yoga will be taught.
The six-week session will run through May 20. The cost is $48, and classes will be held in the Lakeside room at Hosanna, from 9 to 10 a.m. To register, contact Kathy Okeson, tv69oke@aol.com, or 651-206-1676. Payment due by April 9.

See Full Post >>

The Diamond Group, a financial planning firm located in Forest Lake, is announcing the grand opening of Diamond Tax Prep Services, an affiliated company of Diamond Group. The company has decided to open this branch to meet not only its current clients’ needs for tax preparation, but also to benefit the community.
“In conjunction with this grand opening, Diamond Tax Prep is introducing its $69 tax preparation service with the overall goal to create clarity in retiree’s tax implications and future financial security,” Diamond Group representative Alan Schmidt said in a press release.
The $69 is only applicable for Form 1040’s; for certain supplemental schedules, additional charges will apply. Diamond Tax Prep’s fee schedule can be seen at goo.gl/3AIbi2.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Professional tax preparer Helen Kamrowski, who has partnered with The Diamond Group, believes that many people do not have an understanding that they are paying unnecessary taxes on not only their ordinary income but

See Full Post >>