Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish. Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning experience. The Elpis ice fishing program is open to youth from fourth grade and up at area schools. They learn how to identify species, as well as fishing regulations and cold weather conditions. “They are taught heater safety, hook safety and hole safety,” Erickson said. Sixth-graders from Sejong Academy experienced ice fishing on Lake Como on Feb.13, 2023. Vanessa Jesci caught one of the larger fish (above). Police cadets from the St. Paul Police Activities League assisted students at Como Lake.

Winters can be frigid in Minnesota, but Karl Erickson, the woodworking program manager at Elpis Enterprises (2161 University Ave.) can find ways to make the cold weather both fun and a learning … more

By Jan Willms | 3/9/23

Changing of the guard at state fair

After more than 50 years with the Minnesota State Fair and 27 as CEO, Como resident Jerry Hammer will retire this spring. Stepping in as CEO will be Renee Alexander. Alexander has more than 20 years … more

3/9/23

Come out to clean up Como, Orchard Rec

The D10 Como Community Council would like to thank everyone who came out to our Feb. 4 Blizzard Breakfast at North Dale Rec Center. We couldn’t have done it without our partners at the Parks … more

By Shevek McKee, Executive director, district10@district10comopark.org | 2/8/23

A focused effort by the Como girls’ basketball team resulted in a 88-63 victory over Central and extended the program’s conference remarkable winning streak. (Photo by Eric Erickson)

Como girls set St. Paul City record

With another undefeated season in the St. Paul City Conference in the books, the Como girls basketball team earned their ninth consecutive conference championship.The last time the Cougars lost a … more

By Eric Erickson, Social studies teacher | 2/8/23

Eugene Johnson and his children (Angelic, age eight, and Angelica, age nine) appreciate the experience they’ve had through Shop with Cops. Johnson told Midway Area Chamber of Commerce members about it during a fundraiser on Nov. 30, 2022. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

Happy tidings from Shop With Cops

Last year, Christmas was looking pretty bleak for the Eugene Johnson family.Johnson fell off a second story building onto a fence, and was hospitalized for weeks. Then he spent time in a wheelchair. … more

By Tesha M. Christensen | 12/13/22

Como students and staff posed together after competing in a friendly volleyball tournament. (Photo by Diego Guevara)

Athletes earn state honors

State swimmerCougar freshman Aleia Lueck entered the Section 4A girls swimming meet on Nov. 11, 2022 with a goal of setting a personal record in the 50-yard freestyle. When she touched the wall with … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 12/12/22

Como resident William Kent Krueger said, “I try to challenge myself in some way with every book. I want to be engaged. If I am engaged, the reader will be engaged.”

19 books into Cork series, and author says he’s still growing

There are some notable differences in William Kent Krueger’s latest book in the Cork O’Connor series, “Fox Creek.”His readers are familiar with Cork, the Irish-Anishinabe … more

By JAN WILLMS | 11/9/22

City Landscape Architect Mary Norton (at right) explains the city’s findings about tree loss that would happen when constructing the bike lanes. The city is working with the Forestry Department of St. Paul and will continue throughout the process. (Photo by Chloe Peter)

Community divided over better bike lanes on Summit Avenue

The city’s proposal to remove mature trees and parking along Summit Avenue to create a bike trail is creating controversy throughout the Twin Cities. More than 150 people attended an open house … more

By CHLOE PETER | 11/9/22

Be part of Como curb clean-up

Como Community Council is partnering with Capitol Region Watershed District for the 2022 Como Curb Clean-up.When it rains, leaves on streets release nutrients into the water that flows into storm … more

By SHEVEK McKEE Executive director district10@ district10comopark.org | 11/9/22

Development update November 2022

ALATUS PROJECT MOVES FORWARDLexington Station is chugging along, with excavation this fall and much more work to come for the next several months. The Union Park District Council (UPDC) land use … more

By JANE McCLURE | 11/9/22

Business award winners named in St. Paul

St. Paul’s 6th annual Business Awards winners have been announced. The awards recognize local businesses that provide critical services, contribute to the city’s community, invest in … more

11/9/22

Como’s award-winning Marine Corps JROTC program. (Photo courtesy James C. Kirkland)

MCJROTC earns national honor again

The Marine Corps JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) at Como has been recognized as a Naval Honor School Program for a seventh time. The award is reserved for the top 20% of all MCJROTC … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 11/9/22

WHAT IS THAT THING?

Don McCall estimates that he’s been asked that question more than 5,000 times since he bought his velomobile in 2017. The most memorable encounter was with the St. Paul Police, who pulled him … more

By Sonjie Johnson, Como resident | 11/9/22

A GLIMPSE INTO COMO PARK

This summer students and faculty from the St. Catherine University Summer Scholars program teamed up with community members to complete 10 oral history interviews of longtime Como Community members. … more

Submitted by Laura Oyen | 11/9/22 | 1 comment

PLAN IT November 2022

HOLIDAY CONCERT NOV. 18Four local composers will present their latest works at a concert of new vocal music. The concert will be on Friday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 1697 Lafond Ave., … more

11/9/22

As a young mother, Robin Sherritt Gadban, now 69, often packed a picnic and brought her kids to Como Lake for the day. In the 1990s, she began exploring the locations of early park attractions. The Banana Walk, the Floral Parteer Gardens, Cozy Lake, the original Japanese garden – all gone. Intrigued, Robin began sifting through postcards of Como Park at antique stores. Today, Robin has a binder of more than 75 vintage postcards that portray the history of Como Park, from the late 1880s to early 1900s. Her postcards depict most of the early attractions she sought to find. Her collection earned a blue ribbon at the state fair. (Photo by Terry Faust)

A POSTCARD HISTORY OF COMO PARK

As a young mother, Robin Sherritt Gadban, now 69, often packed a picnic and brought her kids to Como Lake for the day. She dreamed of living in Como Park, and one day her dream came true. In the … more

By Sonjie Johnson Como resident | 10/12/22

A community pollinator garden is installed at the Orchard Rec Center, and cared for by community members. (Photo submitted)

Join the Saint Paullinator team

On April 14, 2022, Como Community Council was awarded the Lawns to Legume Demonstration Neighborhood Grant through the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Funding is provided by the Environment … more

By SHEVEK McKEE Executive director district10@ district10comopark.org | 10/12/22

Seniors from the Class of 2023 (left) pull a team of juniors across the line in a tug-of-war contest at the Como Homecoming Pep Fest. (Photo by Eric Erickson)

HOMECOMING CELEBRATION

Spirit week and homecoming funComo students celebrated their school spirit during the last week of September with thematic dress up days, a pep fest to end the school day on Friday, and a full slate … more

By Eric Erickson Social studies teacher | 10/12/22

TIDBITS October 2022

YMCA LAUNCHES GEORGE WELLBEING INITIATIVEThe YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, and Penny and Bill George and the George … more

10/12/22

District 11: a place where your voice matters

What does a district council in St. Paul do? The answer is as varied as the people who live in district, Como resident Sarah O’Brien has discovered in the last year since she was hired to … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 9/18/22