December 2015 White Bear Lake Magazine

In the December issue check out our WBL-themed ideas for everyone on your holiday gift list, meet some philanthropic kids who traveled to Africa to lend a helping hand and drool over the tasty treats and folksy charm of Mahtomedi's Coffee Cottage.

Sending greetings of one form or another over the holiday season may seem commonplace today, but before printing was affordable and postal services were developed, it took much more effort to send those well-wishes.

 

It’s late morning on a Monday, and the clouded sky is sending overcast light through the front bay windows of Mahtomedi’s Coffee Cottage.

 

At this annual event, attendees took to the lawn of the historic Fillebrown House to hear the magical sounds of the Moonlight Serenaders.

 

It was a veritable doggy-palooza at the first annual Dog Days Downtown event, where pups and their owners strolled the downtown streets, learned doggy manners and took in other pet-friendly activities.

 

Solid Ground, the nonprofit organization that aims to reduce homelessness in the area, is once again hosting its annual Santa Shop.

 

White Bear is filled with caring community members who give back and help in any way they can, and we found a few young people who went above and beyond the call of duty. These world travelers helped in communities less fortunate than our own, and learned a lot in the process.

 

If Minnesota gave out prizes for city pride, White Bear Lake would surely win. We love our lakes, we love our town and we love our polar bears. What better way to share this passion during the holidays than to give locally themed gifts?

 

Nothing in 60 years has stopped Jerry Griffith from working with glass. “Once it’s in your blood,” he says, “you can’t get it out.”

 

When the second of Brenda Farrell’s four children left for college in 2013, Farrell struggled with how best to fill the void.

 

Tom Boland and Ryan Widuch first crossed paths in seventh-grade home economics class at Sunrise Park Middle School in White Bear Lake. The pair quickly hit it off, maintaining their friendship following graduation in 1999.

 

Cranberry, Walnut (or Pecan) and Orange Muffins
(Makes 12 muffins)

Ingredients:

 

Jim Brunzell, the White Bear Lake native and World Wrestling Entertainment alum, has written a book. MatLands: True Stories from the Wrestling Road covers 66 years of Jumpin’ Jim’s life journey, mostly pulled from his 25-year career as a pro wrestler. The book was published in June.

 

Rick Dott has a passion for his main hobby—photography—and it translates to his photos, including “Dedicated Bookworms,” which won second place in the City Landmarks category. Every winter, locals dress up the “children” in the statue located a few steps outside the White Bear Lake library.

 

You’ve heard of Santa on his sleigh, but what about Santa on skates?