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Mary Thoemke, Writer
Mary Thoemke, a lifelong resident of St. Paul, lives in the North End neighborhood. Now working as a freelance writer, Mary is retired from the St. Paul Public Schools. She also served as editor of the North End News, a community newspaper.
Sweet St. Paul
If you want to surprise your mom with a very sweet gift on her day, St. Paul offers locally-made chocolate and candies. Here are three shops that I explored this week, each of them delightful in their own way. MORE »
West End neighborhood pride
The West End of Saint Paul has always been a solid working class community with a strong sense of neighborhood pride. Over the years that pride was bruised as the neighborhood changed and residents moved away, leaving the West End as a place to pass though rather than a place to be. Population patterns changed as Interstate 35E was cut through the neighborhood in the 1970s causing the permanent loss of many homes. MORE »
Mississippi Market moving south
Mississippi Market, one of the oldest natural foods co-ops in the Twin Cities metro area, recently announced plans to build a new store at the Victoria Park development, located at the intersection of West 7th and Otto Streets in Saint Paul. The new store will replace the Mississippi Market store at 1810 Randolph Avenue. MORE »
Book note: A controversial satire of a controversy
Open Line is a satirical novel written by Ellen Hawley, a native of New York who now divides her time between Minneapolis and Cornwall, England. The story unfolds at breakneck speed as Hawley spins the tale of Annette Majoris, a young late-night radio talk show host in the Twin Cities. On a slow night, after listening to a Vietnam war veteran, Annette responds with a preposterous statement: She suggests that the Vietnam War never happened. Immediately all of the incoming lines light up, and Annette becomes an instant celebrity. MORE »
One-stop shop for homeless people
Nearly 2000 people who are experiencing homelessness are expected to participate in the April 28 Minneapolis Project Homeless Connect (PHC), a semi-annual event billed as a “one stop shop” where people can receive services and connect up with resources that they need, according to organizers. Some 1000 volunteers will be available to assist them. Nearly100 service providers, businesses and faith communities come together in partnership with the city of Minneapolis and Hennepin County to put on the event. MORE »
