The Roundabout

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^{Newsletter Editors: Pat Mack and Manali Shah | Copy Editor: Beth-Ann Bloom}

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Food Pantry Adds Another Store As Demand Skyrockets

^{By Lyndsay Zadnick}

Ten times as many people rely on Open Cupboard for food now than did just four years ago.

To meet the demand that has soared 1000 percent since 2020, the food pantry is adding a second location in Maplewood near Aldrich Arena. The nonprofit organization’s store, Today’s Harvest, celebrates its grand opening Dec. 17 but has already begun serving shoppers on a limited basis.

The second store should ease wait times at the Oakdale location. The Maplewood spot, in space renovated with support from a Minnesota Department of Human Services grant, will be larger and located near a bus line. Both spots offer fresh healthy produce, meat, and baked goods free of charge. Shoppers make their own selections rather than simply receiving a box of canned goods like the old model food shelves.

Jessica Francis, Open Cupboard’s executive director, said demand has exploded in the last five years. “When I started at the end of 2019 we were serving about 420 households per week, and now we’re serving about 4,800, and that was before we opened this site. At Today’s Harvest in Maplewood, we’re expecting to serve about 700 families a day.”

She estimates 5,000 households per week will be helped at the two locations.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

Click here to learn about volunteering for Open Cupboard.

Garbage Truck Strikes Pedestrian

The Woodbury Police Department has begun an investigation after an accident that neighbors say involved a garbage truck striking a pedestrian Tuesday morning near Autumn Drive. No information about the victim or victim’s condition has been released. Police Commander Tom Ehrenberg said the Minnesota State Patrol will reconstruct the accident as part of the investigation. We’ll update our website when we learn more.

Teen Who Fell Through On Woodbury Lake Ice Dies

The 16-year-old who fell through thin ice on Markgrafs Lake in Woodbury died last week at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center – East Bank, according to a news release from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. Yahye Abdi was under the ice for about 90 minutes before emergency responders were able to find him and rescue him. Click here to read the rest of the story.

Woodbury Residents Receive Lifesaving Awards

_{By Pat Mack}

Woodbury Public Safety presented the Community Member Lifesaving Award to two residents who pulled a man from a pond in October. Pamela Khoury and Gregory Uhls were recognized for their actions at yesterday’s Woodbury City Council meeting.

At about 2:45 a.m. on Oct. 6, Khoury woke when she heard an adult male screaming for help in a pond near her home in southwest Woodbury. She roused Uhls, and as they ran to the pond through the woods she called 911. They found a man in the water about 15 feet from shore. “It was a miracle he could stay above water because it’s very deep there,” Uhls said.

Uhls was able to loop a rope around the man and pull him through the water and thick mud to a spot where first responders were able to enter the pond and bring the man to shore. “Pam’s ears saved a man’s life,” Uhls told the council. “He was probably just minutes from death.”

The man’s clothes were soaked through and the air temperature was 55 degrees. The pond water was even colder. Responders transported him to the hospital where he received additional care. “Pamela and Gregory’s quick and courageous actions saved the male from life-threatening hypothermia,” a city document states.

Mayor Anne Burt thanked both of them. “You were at the right place at the right time and did the right thing,” she said.

Students, Police Make Help Make Season Bright

^{By Manali Shah}

High school spirit and Christmas cheer filled the air last Thursday at the Target on Commerce Drive in Woodbury. The “Heroes and Helpers” event was in full swing.

Since 2022, Woodbury Public Safety has partnered with SoWashCo CARES and Target to host a holiday shopping event. Woodbury Police Department school resource and patrol officers (heroes) and student council members from East Ridge and Woodbury High Schools (helpers) buy gifts for students.

In 2023, when student council members realized some of their peers did not have any money to spend on Christmas gifts, the student leaders decided to donate money to buy presents. Some of the wish lists were simple even in this affluent community. “I want socks and pencils for Christmas,” one girl wrote.

“This had a big impact on the kids. They wanted to help their peers,” said Officer Ashley Kowarsch, school resource officer at Woodbury High School.

The first part of the afternoon saw high schoolers from East Ridge and Woodbury High buying and wrapping Christmas gifts for their peers. Carts were piled high with brightly wrapped gifts. Social workers at Woodbury and East Ridge high schools identified 20 students at the schools who were in need. Their names were kept secret. For an extra layer of privacy, East Ridge shoppers purchased gifts for Woodbury High students and vice versa.

Click here for the rest of the story.

Washington County K9 Unit Wins National Award

The Washington County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit won first place for Department Team in the 2024 United States Police Canine Association National Patrol Dog Field Trials held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in October. It was the second year in a row the unit won that national championship. Click here to read the rest of the story.

Watershed District Provides Free Alternative To Winter Salt

The South Washington Watershed is focused on combatting chloride pollution by offering free chicken grit as an alternative to winter salt this season. Chicken grit does not come from chickens. Rather, it is small pebbles that chickens who are toothless need to eat in order to effectively digest their food. It is usually made from ground oyster shells or rocks, flint and granite most commonly. The grit is chloride free and a non-chemical option to deicing roads, sidewalks, and driveways this winter. In addition to being corrosive to road surfaces and transportation infrastructure, in high amounts, chloride can be toxic to wildlife, pets, and roadside vegetation. Chloride runoff can also impact water and soil quality. While deicers rely on chemical reactions to melt ice, grit provides physical traction on top of ice at any temperature and can be swept up and reused throughout the winter season. Information on where and when to pick up free bags of chicken grit is available here.

Events Of Note 

Holiday Toy Drive continues through Dec. 12. Toys for Tots has drop-off locations for new and unwrapped toys near Keys Cafe at Valley Creek Mall and Talamore Senior Living Woodbury. The drive is sponsored by Talamore Senior Living and American Legion Woodbury Post 501.

Holiday Toy Drive, Option 2, through Dec 18. Kowalski’s Woodbury is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program. Toys are distributed to kids up to 15 years old. Usually, there is a shortage of gifts for infants and teenagers, so these donations are especially welcome.

Holiday Lockdown, Dec. 14, 7 p.m., A Big Blue Theatre and Merrill Arts Center production, at The Loft Stage, 4200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury. A world premiere written by Thomas D. Nelson. It’s Christmas Eve, and Todd is working another long shift with his hard-nosed boss. A special delivery arrives, bringing with it an array of unique customers and the threat of a dangerous art thief. Once everyone is locked down in the tiny bookstore, Todd must work together with Officer Trixie to protect an extremely valuable artifact.

Madeline’s Christmas, through Dec. 15, Merrill Arts Center production, The Loft Stage, 4200 Pioneer Dr., Woodbury. This musical, adapted from Ludwig Bemelmans’ delightful book, is a holiday treat for the whole family.

SoWashCo Schools Hmong New Year Celebration, Saturday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Woodbury High School. Family friendly food, performances.

Woodbury Police K-9’s Holiday Drive for Tubman, Sunday, Dec. 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington County Service Center parking lot. Donate presents, gift cards, for local survivors of domestic violence.

Spirit Song Christmas Concert: Sing We All Noel!, Sunday, Dec. 15, 3 p.m, at King of Kings Lutheran Church. Join Spirit Song Choir for songs of the season, sung by more than 100 singers, and community caroling! The concert is free with a good will offering to support the work of Open Cupboard.

Click here for more events

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