A few years ago, in a moment of fascination and a bit of boredom, I flipped on the TV show Tidying up with Marie Kondo. It was well past the show’s height—when Kondo’s method permeated daily conversation. I was late to the game and, I think, too late to really understand the hype. Yet, in the one episode I watched, Kondo’s mantra to “discard everything that does not spark joy” struck a chord. So, while I don’t file fold my socks (and probably never will), I do find myself pursuing joy and delight, both in my closet and on a daily basis. In this issue, we’ve compiled a joyous array of stories ..read more

This time of year always puts me in the mood for books that feed the excitement to spend as many hours as possible outside again. Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane is an informative and heartfelt memoir of an “accidental ornithologist” whose path led her from investigative journalism (which is evident in her writing) to becoming an environmental studies professor. O’Kane artfully weaves personal stories with scientific knowledge and social justice commentary to chronicle the powerful connections that can be forged from a shared love of birds. The issues surrounding conservation can ..read more

Michelle Lussky and Lucy, a rescue from the Animal Humane Society. Photo: Scruff Life Photography Photographer has devoted her career to capturing pets and their humans. Photographer Lauren Joarnt often has her hands full with her clients. They must be on a leash. They sometimes drool, and they’ll even occasionally let out a bark. But they’re the most loveable subjects. Joarnt, owner of Scruff Life Photography, specializes in capturing the bond between people and their pets. As an animal lover herself, she knows how precious time with pets can be, which inspired her to offer a unique service ..read more

Photos: Tracey Tischler Tracey Tischler shares her van life adventures to inspire the over-50 crowd. Tracey Tischler is embracing life’s second half in a big way: on the road. In late 2021, the then-56-year-old White Bear Lake resident left behind suburban life and embarked on an adventure in her live-in van, traveling across the country and making her home in just 19 square feet. “I had been thinking about van life for a while,” Tischler says. She watched YouTube videos of people—mostly in their 20s—who opted for the vagabond lifestyle, renovating their vans in real time for their followers ..read more

Photo: Chris Emeott Create a beautiful cut flower garden with the help of local growers. Flowers are a summer delight, bringing color and whimsy to any environment. There’s something so exciting about a bright bouquet sitting on your kitchen table for no reason other than your own enjoyment or bringing a jar of blooms to a friend’s house for dinner. Starting a cut flower garden might seem like a big commitment—gardens need tending, and not everyone has a lot of extra time. But what if creating a small space with some exciting flowers wasn’t that intimidating after all? We reached out to loca ..read more

Photos: Chris Emeott Add some sparkle to your Mother’s Day brunch with a collection of crowd-pleasing Mimosas and Bellinis. On Mother’s Day, many families around White Bear Lake will gather for that quintessential springtime meal: brunch. And nothing goes better with eggs benedict, French toast and omelets than a fizzy, fruity bevvy. Enter the Mimosa, darling of the brunch cocktail menu and—we’d argue—springtime in a flute. “Brunch beverages are arguably the most fun part of the meal,” says Katie Tomsche, content manager at Lunds & Byerlys. We asked Tomsche to share some of her favorite ..read more

Photo: Lisa Beecroft Theme weeks bring a unique element to Marketfest. Marketfest is nearly here! Starting in early June, each Thursday will bring a dazzling display of vendors, activities and entertainment to downtown White Bear Lake—with a unique thematic twist on Fourth Street. “There are sponsorship opportunities to have a dedicated theme on Fourth Street during Marketfest each week,” says Marketfest director Lisa Beecroft. “You plan whatever is happening on the street that night. It can be demonstrations; it can be booths; it can be entertainment.” The theme weeks activate Fourth Street ..read more

Photo: Belén Fleming of Belu Photography Make Mother’s or Father’s Day brunch extra special with these over-the-top burgers inspired by the classic cocktail. The flavor-packed patty provides the perfect foil to the best part of a Bloody Mary: an impressive skewer of tasty garnishes. Bloody Mary Burgers Makes 4 burgers Preparation time: 30 minutes 1 pound ground beef ¼ cup onion, diced ¼ cup blue cheese-stuffed olives, chopped 2 Tbsp. ketchup 1 Tbsp. Lunds & Byerlys Bloody Mary Seasoning 4 brioche buns, for serving Bloody Mary garnishes, for serving, such as cheese, celery, beef sticks ..read more

Off the Edge Dragon Boat Team at the 2023 Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival. Photo: Geri Miller, Minocqua Dragon Boat Festival Local dragon boat team pursues paddling synchronicity. A four-person rowing shell and a 20-person dragon boat are each 40 feet long. Oars propel rowing shells; paddles move dragon boats. Biggest difference? “You face forward in a dragon boat, and you can see where you’re going,” says Karen Anderson, coach and pacer for the White Bear Lake-based Off the Edge Dragon Boat Team. Dragon boats and dragon boating are said to have originated in China some 2,000 years ago. Legend ..read more

Over the course of January, we invited readers to vote for the very best the White Bear Lake area has to offer. The reader poll is closed and the votes are tallied. Now, it’s time to meet the finalists (listed in alphabetical order) for Best of White Bear Lake 2024.  Stay tuned for our Best of White Bear Lake 2024 issue this July, when the winners will be revealed. Dining Best Bakery Cajeta Coffee GoodThings Café Keys Café & Bakery Best Bar, Brewery or Distillery Big Wood Brewery The Alchemist Washington Square Bar & Grill Best Breakfast or Brunch Bear Town Bar and Grill Cob ..read more