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Document - Historical information/data - The Lone Oak Tree - 1/1/1984OVER THE YEARS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE DAKOTA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY JANUARY VOL. 24, NO. 1 1984 r- ell r_Br..,. Johnson r(wr 3u �l'roar 4lbar 5.30 6. nAelnal "AN try' 40 -- 29 1l..If. L'lul'f'lin. e 239.5 ff.1 jb'orton AO mn i . s. eV( Th. worth r» IPn7lett tot r 41 • 41,1 raf PA XVII is yl Ms Ells n�`ir•rr- __ ;•� nil 4-�--- 71 ■ a z. 4,, `' i - ' 72 i ' r- - - — h'. rI t.: E. iSiinmig •_ _ t rennaliAlten, i \40 )ler, WW1 Warner & Foote Map 1879 The Gardner Mill was located in Bridgeport at the time this map was publish- ed. Mr. N. Winchell also reports that "At Bridgeport is the Gardner Mill with a capacity of 500 barrels per day...The Joe Ennis Mill is about a mile above Bridgeport..." Mr. Harrington in one of his writings stated that at one time "there were four mills along the Vermillion river within two miles of each other. Now only one survives..." map shows four. (Winchell story elsewhere). LONE OAK TREE = A UNIFIED BODY OF INDIVIDUALS The symbolic Lone Oak Tree still stands, although its days are numbered, in the median strip at the in- tersection of County Road 26 or Lone Oak Road between Highways 55 and 49 in northeast Eagan. The late A.B. Smeby, former editor of this bulletin, wrote that "In bygone years, a township law provided that public notices be posted in three pro- minant places and one of these was always the aforementioned Lone Oak Tree for Eagan." The tree was not the only tree in the area but it grew up in the 'right spot' so it served as a landmark. It was at the junction of the old Mendota -Hastings Road and the early Dodd Road with other well -traveled roads nearby. Some say that Eagan posted public notices on this important Bur Oak tree since the time the township was form- ed in 1861. A church was built in this convenient -to -reach crossing, later a school was constructed. Still later, the Lone Oak Tree was used as an "ad- dress" by farmers where they left their milk cans for pick-up by delivery vehicles from area creameries. (This was discontinued when bulk milk deliveries started in 1858). Public notices were placed on the famous aged tree until about three years ago. Eagan clerk, Mrs. Theodore Bolke, posted notices in the following places from 1948 until the year ending 1981: 1. Town Hall, 2. Lone Oak Tree, 3. First at Hillside Inn on a telephone pole, then at Cedardale Shopping Center. Holly Duffy, at Eagan City Hall, stated that notices are now posted at: 1. City Hall, 2. In the official Eagan newspaper, Eagan Chronicle, 3. Sometimes at the Police Station. Arnold W. Walther, son of Rev. C.F. Walther pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church, a stones -throw from the 'posting tree', wrote a weekly column about Mendota and Eagan for the West St. Paul Booster newspaper in the 1920s. Mr. Walther, who now resides in Minneapolis, told the writer in a telephone conversation that he was not too familiar with Mendota people but he did know Eagantown so he made arrangements with the newspaper to separate his news into two columns. Joe Kennedy took over the Mendota news. Walther decided to call his new column Lone Oak Cross• ing. This title, however, proved to be too long to head his reports so he drop- ped the 'crossing' and named it Lone Oak News. In his first newly named column, June 13, 1924, Walther wrote that the tree and all the community around it would henceforth be called Lone Oak to distinguish it from Mendota just to the north. Arnold W. Walther, the man who named the area 'Lone Oak'. (Incidentally. Willard Rahn mused that Arnold Walther was studying jour- nalism at the university and thought the column was good experience, but he did not go into that field and used it for a minor degree). And Lone Oak the area became. Perhaps natives used the term before, but this time it was recognized as such by the county. However, County Road 26 did not become Lone Oak Road officially until 1961. The first time it appears in the telephone directory is 1963. Gregg Reich of the County Highway Depart- ment stated that this road was former- ly Gas Tax #10, and is shown on Coun- ty maps now as County Road 26. City or Townships are responsible for ad- ding local names and erecting such signs. Trinity Lutheran Church and Trinity School added Lone Oak to their names a few years later, although they had many Lone Oak organizations in the activities of the church, school, and area, since Walther had started his new column. Progress causes changes. The old highways became a freeway, and there stood the Lone Oak Tree, too close to the state highway that was about to be widened. Highway planners attached a yellow ribbon to the tree in June, 1974, with the intention of "buzz -sawing it in- to oblivion." Pastor Krenzke of the nearby church talked the foreman into delaying the tree -cutting. Then the attack was launch- ed. Students made signs, Highway department officials, Eagan Mayor, and State Representatives were contacted and the tide was turned. The district engineer's office explained that it did not know the significance of this particular oak tree. It was not cut down. On April 30, 1976, a Bicentennial Arbor Day was observed in many cities throughout Minnesota. At this time the Lone Oak Tree was dedicated as a Heritage Tree. Minnesota heritage trees are either of champion size or have historical significance. The Eagan tree is a historical landmark. It was our First state heritage tree. Shortly after, the City of Eagan really became aware of the Lone Oak Tree as a symbol of strength in the community, it was adopted as a logo for city sta- tionery. The Trinity Church also uses a similar logo honoring the significance of the nearby tree. The battle over the tree erupted again in the fall of 1982. Construction had brought the blacktop of the new highway to within a foot of the tree. Officials thought the tree was in the way and they were not careful in regard to its safety. Rumors were that they were deliberately bumping against it. It must go. A new deal was made. The tree was going to die anyway, so they would plant a new one to perpetuate the Lone Oak Tree and its heritage. The city council refused to allow them to cut down the old tree but they did consent to the new tree plan- ting. The ceremony in May 1983 for the new tree to be planted did not run smoothly. It was as though the protest helped to push the special heavy machinery off the road and it became 'stuck in the mud' while on its way to transplant the 30 year -old 'new Lone Oak Tree.' Children were given fertilizer to sprinkle around the new tree that was planted in the church yard nearby. The tree is of the same species as the old one it will replace, bur oak. The mighty Lone Oak Tree has served well in keeping the old community united and has gradually engulfed the entire Ci- ty of Eagan by creating a feeling of togetherness. The Lone Oak Tree...The Symbol of Strength and Growth in Our Community. This is Eagan's logo. Credit to the tree is deserved. 2 GARDNER MILL IN 1892 Mrs. Paul Groskopf (Agnes) presented this photograph of the Gardner Mill in Hastings, dated 1892, to the Dakota County Historical Society. Her grand- father, Francis Hubbard, worked in the white stone cooper Shop that is directly under the elevator, left of the tree. Otto Groskopf also worked here. (Hus- band Paul's father). The Vermillion river can be seen in front of the buildings. Ver- million Falls is at the extreme right of the white building. When barrels were used instead of cloth sacks, men fashioned the shipping and storage containers by hand, at the old stone shop. According to the story told to the Hastings Gazette, coopers were paid piecework. They started at four in the morning and toiled until dark. The average workday was 12 hours. A good cooper could make about 15 bar- rels a day. Maximum salaries were $15.00 weekly. Standard barrels weighed 196 pounds. Why this odd number? A trip to the dic- tionary gave the answer. (A barrel holds 3.28 bushels. Wheat weighs 60 pounds per bushel. Total = 196.8 pounds.) Charles Epenschied who was married to Gardner's daughter, told of the time he listened to complaints about the odd poundage in barrels and the New York Produce Exchange attempts to change the weight in the barrels to an even 200 pounds. He went along with the 'reform movement' and "shipped my 200-pound bbls. eastward with the satisfaction which come to a man who feels he has cut loose from a troublesome and useless tradition." He found that he was the only miller in the country who followed the Exchange Photo donated by Mrs. Paul Groskopf, of Hastings, MN. suggestion. His flour was "not only lone- ly, but friendless." He had violated and upset traditions and trade habits of years. No one would buy his flour. They thought he had thrown in the extra weight because of lacking quality. He had to sacrifice the flour to get rid of it. He resolved no more attempts to upset ancient and time-honored tradition. Barrels were made with hickory wood hoops, staves of oak, and heads of basswood. A man was paid twenty-five cents for each barrel made. The lumber was brought to the cooper shop as logs and the crew there did everything necessary to form it into bar- rels except to cut the logs into lumber. The barrels were then rolled over to the mill. About 225 barrels a day could be made by the crew during rush times. When business was slow, the cooper shop was closed down. The men were never sure of steady employment. Agnes Groskopf was the only daughter of Amos and Alma Bacon. She was born in Hastings in the old In- gram house back of the Cooper shop near the Cooper school house. Her mother died when she was three years old so she shared her growing up years with both grandparents, Francis and Lucy Hubbard, and Frank and Agnes Bacon. Agnes said that Bridgeport, which was across the Vermillion river, began losing its identity when downtown Hastings began to enlarge and started deliveries to that area. ~• h This is one of the paper clips that can be hung on a nail to hold bills and receipts. These can still be found at house sales and flea markets. This type of advertising giveaway was handed to customers from 1898 to 1912 when Seymour Carter owned the Gardner Mill. His principal brand name of AXA flour was derived from the abbreviation of his wife's first name Achsah. He took the Greek letter equivalents of the name as given. John Klein came to Eagan in 1955 and lives on Lone Oak Road. He was on the Eagan Town Board when the Lone Oak Road was officially named. He said that three names were presented for accep- tance. One he did not remember and the other was a "steamboat something," but the long used Lone Oak name was a shoo-in. While commenting on all the road building that is taking place in the coun- ty, Mr. Klein remarked that the Interstate Highway system was started by Presi- dent Eisenhower in 1955 for national defense in efficient movement of the military and people with limited access for swift and uninterrupted speed. Ques- tioned as to why some of the existing roads should not be used, such as Highway 110 and Highway 12, he said it would not be fair to the businesses that have been established along these roads. They would be forced on service roads and would lose the 'road trade' because of difficult limited entry paths. Family Four years ago, board member Jack Kennelly published a history of Brunsville's Kennelly family. While researching his project, he made the decision to publish the book even though many facts were missing. After the book was issued in 1980, Jack set his undertaking aside until just recent- ly when records of his unknown great - great -grandfather 'appeared out of the blue.' While at the county seat, he noticed an index book and of course automatically skimmed through the pages for his family names. There was Eagan's Thomas Kenneally willing land to his wife Mary in 1861. This led to the discovery that this man was his long lost paternal great -great- grandfather. This is the earliest record Jack has school in Dakota County A short time ago, research was car- ried on at our library for rural schools in this county. One -room schoolhouses have not been in existence in Dakota county since 1960. That ;year the last one -room schoolhouse "faded into obscurity" when its door was closed on October 4. Voters of School District 436 favored the acceptance of the in- debtedness of the consolidated neighboring School District 199 (Pine - Bend -Inver Grove) in September by a 27 to 19 margin. The vote was taken at the Inver Grove Town Hall near the one -room schoolhouse on Highway 55. As a direct result of this vote, 16 children in grades one through six were transfered to Pine Bend Elemen- tary School in October 1960. Trees found. The will showed Richard Ken- nealy (Eagan spelling) and Walter Ken- nelly (Burnsville spelling) as two of their children. Walter was Jack's great- grandfather. Another coincidence along this line is that last year Frank Newell wrote from Chicago seeking information on the Newell family from Burnsville. He said that his grandfather's mother was Johanna Dunn. he thought she might be related to the Kenneallys. No record about the relationship was found at that time but this find of a 123 year -old will did show that Thomas and Mary Keneally had two daughters named Bridget and Johanna Dunn. Thus, patience in research sometimes finds the missing links in unexpected places. Burnsville, 1907 Photo of Walter, Lill, Rose, back row. John, Florence, and Loretta Kennelly, front row. Jack Kennelly's grandfather is Walter and his father is John. The last One -room DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE 1884-1984 A century of News Happy Birthday to the Dakota County Tribune. (The history of this paper has ap- peared in one of our past Over the years.) One hundred years ago, come March 6th, when the first issue was published, The Editor, C.P. Carpenter, stressed in his salutatory that his "prime object was the publication of a local paper in the true sense of the term." Attention would be paid to the proper State and National news, but there would be no neglect in matters of more local affairs. Another statement in the form of a pledge was that; "In politics, the Tribune will be independent — pledged to no par- ty, man or faction." However, Carpenter still planned to express his own opinions "as the occasion requires." Colonel Robert Sample Donaldson had the honor of being the first person to pay for a year's subscription to the Dakota County Tribune. The cost was $1.00 if paid for before April 7th. Our Civil War expert, Director Ron Zastrow, said that at the end of the war Donaldson held the 3rd highest rank in Dakota County. And speaking of bad roads and snow, read the following bit of news that ap- peared in the first issue: "Last week Bruno Penschel made a trip to St. Paul, and to give an idea of the roads, states that he was just eight hours going from Lakeville to Rosemount." Mr. Carpenter remarked that the out- side of his paper was printed in St. Paul and he was not going to be responsible for any blunders it might contain. A few excerpts from the first issue of the paper — to give our readers 'the feel of the times': By the March apportionment of public school money, Dakota County gets $1,616. being thirty-nine cents for each scholar. ... Wm. Cherry will build a barn the coming season, 32x50 with 18 foot posts. ... The winter term of the public school will close one week from tomorrow. We end with the humor of the day: The latest thing in decorative art is for bald gentlemen to have a rabbit painted on the top of their heads. The rabbit is chosen because of the resemblance to a hare. ... Editor Carpenter announced that "The Tribune is here to stay." If anyone had any doubts they were to visit the office and look over the new equipment that had been purchased. That should convince anyone that such an investment would not have been made without "an abiding faith of the enterprise." We are glad you stayed. 4 OEW yEi&R.'S BILL, 11 Qn I Iriae. 12. Pell: I . 1::. (; n l l l illt•. 1 \i neruni•I: 1S I'• 111. (lun'II l'e. 17. oper.i Neel. 1 :i,•In•t ri-'IIe. 1..)- Qn:,1611e. 2') Califn•nin Quadrille. n1,7. i_'. lbw lri1e. 1 %'TC i:'11(O Y. Dancing to commence at S o'clock A Day at Our Research Center A young high school student from Far- ' mington called last month. She wanted help on a special project in one of her courses. She had come across some old papers and hoped to plan a topic using them as primary sources. The writer visited her and an outline was organized. She was brought up to our research center for a full day of searching through county histories, checking for locations on township maps, learning about the xerox copier, and using the newspaper and census microfilm reader -printer. All necessary information was found. On the trip back home she expressed her ap- preciation remarking that she really learned many things on this day. (Her presentation was excellent at school). Invitation to the Dance One of the items that our young researcher thought rather special was a New Year's Invitation to the Ball that was held in Farmington in 1872. (It was Leap Year just as 1984 is). We had check- ed the names of the people mentioned in the invitation. Charles Rowell was the recipient of our invitation. His grandson Lloyd has just passed away. Survivors had been contacted and we had visited with Glenn Rowell, who is quite a historian in Castle Rock, which is really part of Farmington. In fact the county fairgrounds are located in Castle Rock. —AT- -�j te, II.1 Jlit(l %(tt29l(;zl tin. ON NEW YEAFO EVE, J&H'Y f, 1872 ��zcl Siiy)y»r nl Cil1' hole!, Under the Direction of - • 7 -'' F. F. PHILLIPS. 2Jolu'sr// and _'/u1Gl nee l/1.altoef/'izL/y. �lizt it.r�• Floor -Managers: II. L'1:ItI 1NS, i 11n. LANE. .111(srr—by the Grey Grope Full Wand. T IGtCETS FOR THE BALL AND SUPPER• • • •$2.00 PER COUPLE. Charles Rowell was 29 when he and his wife Sybil (Childs) received their in- vitation. he was mustered out of the Civil War in 1865 and bought land in Castle Rock in 1868. They were living in a log cabin he had built that year. Son Loren was born the next year, 1869. The Rowells were one of more than 60 couples who enjoyed a delicious dinner at the City Hotel and then gathered at Stowell Hall where they danced merrily until the small hours of dawn. Stowell Hall Dancing commenced at 8:00 P.M. There were 10 different dances on the program. Some had just been in vogue within the last 20 years in America, such as the Varsovienne. The Portland Fancy was brought to America by the Scottish granite workers who settled in Vermont. The Moneymusk was a lively dance. Beth Polman wrote in her book, Country Dance (1937) that this step could make a corpse want to shuffle his feet in his cof- fin to the speedy fiddle music: (Moneymusk was a Village Green on the River Dun in Aberdeen Shore.) Theodore Phillips of Farmington is a direct descendent of Edmund Phillips. The latter was the manager of Stowell Hall where the New Year's Ball was held. Theodore is a relative of the Rowells through marrige. When your editor thought this was a coincident, Mr. Phillips remarked that during the horse and buggy days people did not travel very far. Courting was carried on within a few miles of home. FA'tMINOTON PRESS PRINT. The Stowell Block was burned in December of 1876 after several earlier at- tempts had been made to destroy it. The origin of the fire was a mystery. A month before, someone had attempted to fire the Block but it was discovered in time. Mrs. Stowell, Hastings, who owned the block had not one cent of insurance. The Peat Question Newton H. Winchell's series of books on geological surveys of Min- nesota has been referred to many times for information concerning our county. Did you know that the need for more adequate fuel resources in peat or coal measures (it was not known at that time that Minnesota had no coal) was one of the considerations that caused the Legislature in 1872 to pass an act directing the university to make a geological survey of the state? This is the first time that the university was recognized as an institution of public service as well as of education. The board of regents designated N.H. Win- chell, geologist, to make the survey. His 24 years of service had great value not only because they yielded hand- somely to pure science but because they prepared the way for many later economic activities and for a fuller utilization of the state's natural resources. His first field work was in the southern part of the state exploring for peat. 5 DAKOTA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 130 3rd Avenue North South St. Paul, MN 55075 Tel: (612) 451-6260 Address Correction Requested 3 T (6,f Non -Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 45 South St. Paul, MN KUDOS A year ago our Over the Years featured important events that had taken place in 1982. We listed four books that had been published and a slide program for presentation on the history of Burnsville. All are excellent. This year, we are proud to announce that, last fall Leslie Guelcher and the Nininger Chapter of the Dakota County Historical Society were awarded a Cer- tificate of Commendation for author Guelcher's fine work, The History of Nin- inger — More Than Just A Dream, that was published by the Chapter. The American Association for State and Local History does not present these awards unless the recipients have pass- ed stringent requirements. Competition comes from over the United States. Leslie has not been backward about her praise for those who took part in assisting and supporting her in her five- year -plus assignment. All her facts are documented and all credits are given where due. William Benjamin was the in- stigator of this Nininger history when the Chapter formed. He appointed the pro- per committee members and they in turn selected the qualified person to write the book. Congratulations to all. Over the Years is published quarterly for members of the Dakota County Historical Society, 130 - 3rd Avenue North, South St. Paul, MN, phone (612) 451-6260. Contributions are solicited. Letters and articles to the editor for publica- tion are welcome. We reserve the right to edit. Please limit letters to one topic. The Dakota County Historical Society is chartered by the State of Min- nesota as a non-profit corporation. It is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by its membership. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Robert Kuehn, President, West St. Paul; Tom Kaliszewski, Vice -President, South St. Paul; Jack Kennelly, Secretary, West St. Paul; Mervle J. Norman, Treasurer, South St. Paul; Edwin Hulin, Past President, South St. Paul; Luella Nystuen Jarvis, West St. Paul; David Nys- teun, Inver Grove Heights; Ann McGree, Hastings; Martin Otto, Burnsville; John Schwartz, Mendota Heights; Ronald L. Zastrow (Board Member), Director; Frances L. Miller (Board Member), Curator -Editor; Mildred Smith, Secretary; M. Lucille McKenna; Kathryne Kuhns; Hazel Jacobsen, Research Associate, Hastings. COME ONE —COME ALL The Veterans' Historical Society Inc. is holding a spaghetti dinner on 12 February 1984 from noon to 4:00 P.M. at the VFW Post #295, 111 South Con- cord Street in South St. Paul. All you can eat. Tickets will be available at the door. This dinner is a fund raiser for a per- manent Veteran's exhibit to be located at the Dakota County Historical Socie- ty. A silent auction will be held. Bring your friends. The public is invited. The price is right. Adults $3.50, Seniors $3.00, children under 12 pay $2.00. Another Veteran of 1812 Found There have been two known War of 1812 Veterans buried in Dakota Coun- ty, one in Waterford and one in Castle Rock. Recently an obituary was found for another veteran. Daniel Cadwell, one of the oldest settlers in this county at the time of his death at his home in Vermillion on 15 May 1876, was one of the few survivors of the War of 1812 in this vicinity. He was 87 years old and rests in Lakeside Cemetery, Hastings. A notation was written in Benjamin Duane Cadwell's diary that his father Daniel "died last night" (May 16) and "was buried today" (May 17, 1876). For many years B.D. Cadwell was in partnership with Theodore Gardner and Mr. Ramsey Operating the Town Mill. Later, he operated a feed mill. He also was for several years with Wm. Le Dric and Stephen Gardner in the Gard- ner Mill. Eagan's Lone Oak symbol is no more By Ellen Foley Staff Writer Part of Eagan's heritage was uprooted Monday when the Lone Oak tree, a symbol of the city's growth and strength, fell to a buzz saw. The 200-year-old tree showed signs that it was dying recently and state transportation officials said they wanted to remove the tree to improve Hwy. 55. "I felt like I was going to a funeral (Monday) when I went over there," said Mayor Bea Blomquist. The tree was a gathering place for residents since the area's farming days. Farmers dropped cans for mail pickup and delivery at the tree, and township officials began posting official notices on it in about 1860, said Alyce Bolke, former city clerk. Bolke said the posting practice continued during her years as clerk -treasurer from 1961 to 1980. She said that in the late 1970s, the tree became the city's logo and inspired its motto: "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength and growth in our community." Resident groups opposed plans in the early 1970s by state highway officials to cut down the tree, Bolke said. They tied yellow ribbons around it, and schoolchildren protested, she said. However, last year the tree produced few leaves and no acorns, Blomquist said, and city officials agreed that its days were numbered. Bolke said it was sad to see the tree removed, but she didn't think it was appropriate for the city's symbol to stand in the way of progress. Staff Photos by Charles Bjorgen The lone oak tree that inspired the Eagan city motto fell to a buzz saw Monday. The 200-year-old tree near Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. was the spot where Eagan homesteaders posted official notices In the late 1800s. City officials hope to keep the spirit of the tree alive by preserving the trunk in the form of a sculpture in the city library. "Some of the old things just have to go," she said. Blomquist agreed that the tree's removal was inevitable. It stood in the median strip at the busy intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. and couldn't get proper nutrition because its roots were covered with asphalt and they were being poisoned by road salt, she said. Federal officials also insisted that the tree be removed if federal funds were to be used for the road's improvement, city officials said. Blomquist said Eagan hopes to keep the spirit of the tree alive by transplanting its trunk in the form of a sculpture in the city's library. The city council is working out details. Holly Duffy, administrative assistant to City Administrator Tom Hedges, said their office has received several letters from residents who want to use the wood to make commemorative items, such as clocks. She said most of the requests are from longtime residents for whom the tree has special significance. Blomquist said the tree will be saved and branches, branded with a special oak tree insignia, will be given to donors who contribute money for preservation of the tree's wood and toward the cost of a possible sculpture. In addition, she said, the city will place a plaque near a living memorial to Lone Oak tree, a young oak planted last year by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It is about a block away, at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. en • e iver safe water to Askov The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) said Friday that tests of water from the city's two wells showed that benzene and dich- loroethane, which had been detected earlier, now exceeded drinking -wa- ter standards. The agency said mon- ey from the state's hazardous -waste "superfund" would be used to pro- vide safe water temporarily. Gov. Rudy Perpich approved use of the Guard, which sent a 1,000-gallon tank truck and a 400-gallon tank trailer on a two-hour drive from Camp Ripley, near Little Falls, to Askov, a little past the midpoint from Minneapolis to Duluth. Askov officials soon began filling one -gallon plastic bottles provided by the MPCA, and by noon yesterday about 300 of the 500 bottles had been taken. "The water hasn't been real good in this town for a long time," said Mi- chElaine (Mike) Rippentrop, who runs the bakery -cafe with her moth- er and sister, "and most people aren't afraid of it. The figure they'll have it fixed in three-four weeks .... Most people are pretty amused by it. "I myself was raised on a farm and drank well water," Rippentrop said. "Heaven only knows what you're drinking." The MPCA knows what Askov was drinking, although it doesn't know why. A gasoline leak is suspected; the city has one gas station and sev- eral sites where there may be aban- Ball Rippentrop doned underground tanks. Until an answer is found, the city will contin- ue to get drinking water with MPCA assistance — first from the tank trucks and then, in about a week, from the city's underground supply filtered through granular -activated carbon. "It's probably the best thing that could happen," said Ken Nelson, the school janitor who claimed to avoid drinking Askov water because he can't tolerate the heavily chlorinated taste. Askov spent $12,000 in 1982 to re- build its filtering system, but it's not capable of stopping benzene, Ball said. Ball said that finding the leak and proposing a long-term solution will be up to the MPCA; who will pay depends on the situation, he said. The interim carbon filtration system isn't really cost-effective; filters will have to be changed periodically, and the method is expensive. Staff Photo by Donald Black Vince Miels and Kathy Walker filled containers with water from the National Guard truck. Marines, U.S.; claims injuries to son mental anguish and loss of personal property after he was "assaulted, battered, falsely imprisoned, threat- ened and tortured" on April 7, 1982, in the embassy compound in Mos- cow. She is acting as special adminis- trator of her son's estate. Richard Turcotte was shot by a dep- uty sheriff on Dec. 20, 1982, after he allegedly was involved in a crime spree in Oliver, Wis. In the two hours before he was shot, he allegedly robbed two bars, took a man hostage at gunpoint and com- mandeered his van, and told at least two people that he was looking for a shootout with police. "I think he wanted to be dead so bad he finally succeeded," his mother said at that time. Family members had said Turcotte was a heavy user of drugs and alco- hol. He had been discharged from the Navy in 1981 because of epilep- sy. Turcotte, a student at the University of Wisconsin -Superior, was on a stu- dent tour and, he said, was invited into the embassy by two Marines. He said they drank some beer and got into a fight; then, he said, the Ma- rines cut his hair, choked him and threatened to stab him with scissors. The Marines later sent a letter of apology and were transferred. In her suit, Florence Turcotte alleges that the government was negligent in that it failed to supervise employees and to make the embassy sate for U.S. citizens. She seeks $250,000 in punitive damages from Marines Ron- ald J. Timbo and Gilbert A. Rouse. She is also seeking more than $1 million from the two Marines and the United States of America. A claim for damages was denied by the Department of the Navy, and another filed by the Department of State has not been resolved, the com- plaint said. Richard M. Turcotte row power co-op in midst of upheaval Brainerd, Minn. Ten days after its general manager resigned, the Crow Wing Cooperative Power and Light Co. has lost its act- ing manager, fired two directors, re- placed its president and is consider- ing a petition to recall five other directors. Louis Polasik, 67, a former general manager who was called out of re- tirement to become acting manager, resigned Monday. "I didn't want to be further in- volved," he said in a telephone inter- view. Conditions at the cooperative are "fluid, not very stable," he said. Former Manager Charles Kletten- berg had suspended two employees last month with board approval. Af- ter they complained that Klettenberg used company equipment and em- ployees for his own benefit, the board placed him on unrequested leave with pay, and reinstated the two employees. A Brainerd lawyer, Steve Van Drake, organized a drive to oust seven of the nine board mem- bers, and Klettenberg resigned two weeks later. The electric utility serves 23,000 members in Crow Wing, Cass and Morrison Counties. In an emotional speech Saturday, Polasik had warned about 1,200 member -customers against making drastic changes in the company. He urged members and the board to "shake hands," saying that "the sooner you heal this up, the better." • But the members: ■ Voted out of office Directors How- ard Peterson and Milo Buehler, who were up for reelection this year. Di- rector Herbert Thiesse was re-elect- ed. Peterson and Thiesse are Crow Wing County commissioners. • Directed the board to set up a special meeting after being told that the cooperative had not had time to validate a petition with about 2,760 signatures seeking removal of seven of the nine board members (all ex- cept Thiesse and President C. Leslie Carlson). ■ Created an advisory group to Power continued on page 13B i Around Minnesota Ivanhoe/Steven Jenkins prosecutor asks that evidence not be admitted The prosecution in the Steven Jen- kins murder trial has asked the judge not to admit into evidence a personality assessment of Jenkins' father, James, based on the hand- writin in . .ursorted suicide note. were necessary." But in a motion filed with Judge Walter Mann, the prosecution ar- gues that a graphology report, which attempts to determine per- ndwriting analy- A lone oak tree stands at the crossroads of Lone Buzz Magnuson/Pioneer Press, root of controversy for years between Eagan resi- Oak Road and Highway 55. The tree has been the dents and the state Department of Transportation. ernise of symbolic tree chops Eagan's tie to memorable roots By Lucy Dalgllsh Staff Writer Eagan's gnarly Lone Oak tree doesn't look like an historical land- mark. Limbs have been knocked off, the trunk is riddled with nail holes, and the 200-year-old burr oak is sur- rounded on three sides by highway. To Eagan residents, however, the weathered tree symbolizes the past, a time before the sleepy farm commu- nity exploded in the 1970s to become the metropolitan area's fastest grow- ing suburb. To the Minnesota Department of Transportation, it is a traffic hazard at the intersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. The city and state have been bat- tling over the tree for at least eight years, and it has survived the wood cutters chain saw. But now the tree appears to by dy- ing, and Eagan officials concede its days are numbered. With that in mind, the city last week agreed to let the highway department chop down the tree after it produces another batch of acorns. The state agreed to help plant one of the acorns nearby so the city can keep part of its symbol. But memories die hard, and Eagan . residents are not resigned to losing the Lone Oak. An editorial by publisher Mary Ziegenhagen in a recent Eagan Chronicle is an example. "If that tree dies, those guys who lean on their shovels and supervise wet concrete will have this town to answer to," she wrote. "And, fair warning, that will not be a happy day for them." Over the years, a county road, a school and a Lutheran church have been named for the tree, which be- came Eagan's logo. "We call it the symbol of strength," said Ted Wachter, a city councilman who used to farm near the Lone Oak. Wachter remembers when the tree was Eagan's favorite gathering spot — sweethearts sat under it and neighboring farmers deposited milk cans next to it to await the dairy wagon. And until four years ago, the city posted official notices on the tree. The highway department has made several attempts in the last eight years to chop down the tree, but each time crews were thwarted. In 1974, school children from Trini- ty Lone Oak Lutheran Church launch- ed a successful letter campaign to save the tree. In 1976, residents and the Minnesota Horticultural Society got the Lone Oak designated as a bi- centennial heritage tree. And authors Charles Randall and Henry Clepper commemorated the tree several years ago in their book "Famous and Historical Trees" pub- lished by the American Forestry As- sociation. . Until recently, the tree seemed in- destructible. "It's as stubborn as can be. It's been hit by semi's and cars and that darned tree continues to bloom every year," said city administrator Thom- as Hedges. Highway department spokesman John Sandahl said a forester exam. ined the tree when the department was planning to expand Minnesota 55 from a two to four lane highway in 1979. The forester said the tree wouldn't live more than five years, even without the highway expansion. The Eagan city council and the state agreed in 1979 to let the tree die naturally. Highway department blue- prints routed new construction around the tree, despite concerns it would still present a hazard. But after the highway project was completed this fall, Mayor Bea Blom- quist discovered that pavement came within one foot of the tree trunk — closer than blueprints had shown. She asked Sandahl to appear at a recent city council meeting, and the meeting spurred negotiations that led to the acorn agreement from Eagan's Past.... THE LONE OAK TREE A bur oak tree, located at the junction of Mendota -Hastings Road and early Dodd Road, was used as a posting spot for public notices by Eagan township. The tree served as an official posting place from 1860 to 1981. The site is at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. In the mid 1920s, Arnold Walther, columnist for the West St. Paul Booster, wrote news about Eagantown and called his column the Lone Oak News. He said that the but oak tree and area around it would be called Lone Oak. And so it was. For over 120 years the Lone Oak Tree was an official posting spot for Eagan township and Eagan city. In 1961, County Road 26 officially became Lone Oak Road. Trinity Lutheran Church and school added Lone Oak to their names in the mid-1960s. As Eagan grew, the need for wider streets and highways also grew. The Lone Oak Tree was soon boxed in by a widened Highway 55. The Minnesota Highway Department ordered that the tree be cut down in 1974. However, the highway department did not know the significance of the Lone Oak Tree. School children, city and other state officials successfully rallied support to save the tree and the highway department rescinded its order. For a few years, things went well for theLone Oak Tree. In 1976, it was named a Minnesota Heritage Tree. The City of Eagan adopted as its motto, "The Lone Oak Tree is a symbol of strength and growth in our community". By 1982, however, it was clear that the Lone Oak Tree was dying. Blacktop was just a foot away from the tree. The highway department said the tree was a hazard which should be cut down. The department offered to ,and did, plant a new bur oak tree on the grounds of the Trinity Lone Oak Church. Still, the City was reluctant to eradicate the tree despite the fact that the proximity of Hwy 55 and Lone Oak Road was choking the life from the tree. In 1984, the Highway department again approached the City Council and asked to remove the tree. On April 9, 1984, the 200 year old bur oak was cut down. The symbolism of the Lone Oak Tree lives on. The Lone Oak Tree is part of the City's motto and logo.The Lone Oak Years is the history book of Eagan. Lone Oak Road is the address for a growing commercial -industrial community. The new Lone Oak Tree is thriving. The Lone Oak Tree will forever be an integral part of Eagan's past and its future. • Highway Department asks to cut down Lone Oak Tree by Linda Hanson Cut down Eagan's Lone Oak Tree? Not on your life. That was the City Council's response to a state Department of Transportation (MnDOT) request ^• c"nan's Lone Oak Tree at Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. to get rid of the historic tree at 1 one Oak Road and Highway 55. The tree has served as an official city posting place for much of Eagan's past and has been MnDOT asks to cut down Lone Oak Tree The Lone Oak Tree was decorated with a large yellow ribbon when the hostages were released from Iran in 1981. TREE: from p. 1A designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree. "We'd like to see the tree go down as soon as possible. It could be a traffic hazard," said John Sandahl, a MnDOT representative. "Are you asking to remove the tree?" Mayor Bea Blomquist asked in astonishment. "Yes," he said. "There's not a one of us on the council who'll say you can. Or anyone in the city," she said. "We're not asking if you want it, we're asking for permission," he said. Blomquist had asked Sandahl to the meeting to discuss how to keep the tree alive as long as possible. She recently discovered that during highway construction work at Lone Oak Road and Highway 55, blacktop was laid within a foot of the tree trunk. The council was upset because when it approved plans for the highway project, it specified that the tree be kept from harm. Sandahl said he recently had a forester look at the tree and the forester gave the tree about two years to live. He added that about five years ago he had a forester examine the tree and the forester then said it would live about five years. Councilmember Tom Egan said, "It appears to me the Highway Department is doing everything it can to kill the tree. Covering up its roots with blacktop is very detrimental to it. There's a lot of �us�an Chi'on*c. II- 15-%a TREE: top, 20A sentimentality attached to that tree." Blomquist asked if MnDOT could remove some of the blacktop near the tree and "let the roots breathe and at least give the tree another year." She said she would like to keep the tree alive so that next year they can get acorns from it to plant a second generation. She added, "There's no way an oak tree can live like this. It looks like MnDOT deliberately killed the tree....You're putting it in its grave before it's ready to go there." She suggested that MnDOT also put up a little fence to keep cars from hitting the tree. "Obviously we'll have to if the tree stays," Sandahl said. aid in a memo presented Monday night o the school board that district policy hould not automatically exclude veryone, but should be flexible to allow exceptions. "...On rare occasions, a middle .chool athlete may be so physically and !motionally mature, as well as athletically gifted, that consideration nust be given to allowing that par- ticular student to...compete at the senior high level," the memo said. The board may consider the issue at its Nov. 22 meeting. Eleven of 16 metro districts studied ave some provisions for exceptional iddle school athletes' participation at igh school level. "Several of the school istricts that didn't allow this...felt... heir policy might change in the near uture," the memo said. "The school districts that allowed his movement felt that their policies ere very effective and served to meet he needs of their students." Only a few seventh- and eighth- raders each year would probably be ble to compete at such an advanced evel, but athletic gifted programs r-- LAKEVILLE TIMES JULY 3, 1974 Eagan Landmark Battle Ends The Lone Oak of Eagan still stands thanks to sentimental residents who battled the State Highway Department to preserve the old tree. Highway planners a few weeks ago attached a yellow ribbon to the tree, planning to buzz -saw it into oblivion because it's too close to a state high- way about to be widened. Rev. Richard Krenzke, pastor of nearby Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, talked the foreman into de- laying the tree cutting. He contacted the church school's principal. It wasn't long before 20 students made signs and marched to the tree to demonstrate. Meanwhile, Pastor Krenzke contacted Highway Department Officials, Eagan Mayor Herbert Polzin and State Rep. Ray Kempe. That turned the tide, and now the district engineer's office says the tree will stand. "We just didn't know the significance of this particular oak tree, " explained Kermit MacRae, assistant engineer. Residents figured it was significant that the tree may be 100 or 200 years old. More than that, the church, its school and a road are named after the Lone Oak. The church uses a sketch of the tree on its letterhead. And its rough trunk has served as a bulletin board for posting public notices, including official meetings and mort- gage foreclosures. Pastor Krenzke says Lone Oak was so named in about 1910 by the son of a former minister at the church. AAU Swim Meet This week's A.A.U. Swim meet was held at Prior Lake on Sat. June 29 and Sun. June 30.. Dana Curry, swimming in her first meet, received a heat ribbon and 5th place in the So yard freestyle and moved into "B" time with 52.5 seconds. Beth McCaghy, swimming 50 yard back stroke for the first time, received a heat ribbon and achieved "B" time with 56.5. Kelly Beaumaster received a heat ribbon in the 50 yard freestyle and Julie Nielson received a second place in the 50 yard backstroke, and fourth place in 100 yard freestyle . M rk Muenchow received a heat ribbon and first place in the 100 yard back and achieved "B" time with 1:1 9.0. Steven Lane finished fourth in the 100 yard back Loren McCaghy, Scott Tenne- ssen and Mel Simon received heat ribbons in the 50 yard freestyle and Mel achieved "B" time with 39.0. The 200 yard free relay placed second. This team included: Bob Lane, Scott Tennessen, Loren McCa- ghy and Mel Simon. Mel Simon received a 5th place in the breastroke and Chris Nielsen took a heat ribbon in 100 yard freestyle, and 1st place in breastroke (SO yard) . Since the Senior Men's and 15-17years were combined and had a very difficult time competing with the college students. Summer Recreation Program un er's ie Id July 15 - Senior Citizens Night at the Twins' Game. Twins vs. Milwaukee. Bus leaves Lakeville Elementary School at 6:15 p. m. Cost $2. 00. (Please re- gister in advance if possible - 469-4461) July 25 - Field trip to Ft. Snelling. A guided tour through historical grounds. Bus leaves Lakeville Elementary School at noon. Cost $1. 50. (Over 65 and under 16, 504) (Please register in ad- vance if possible) Aug. 3 - Knothole Gang Twins Game. Twins vs. Oakland. Bus pick-ups at Lakeville Elementary (noon); Orchard Lake (12:20 p. m.) Cost $1. 00 (under age 14); $1. 50 over age 14. (Register in advance if possible) Lakeville Student Named Resident Assistant Ron Giles, son of Mr. Cletus Giles of 8820 Upper 208th St., Lakeville, was named Resident Assistant at St. John's University, school officials announced. Resident Assistants are students whose records have demonstrated their maturity and dedication to the purposes of St. John's University. Working in cooperation with the Student Activities Director and the Co- ordinator of Residence Programs, these men act as leaders in their house or dormitory floor and are responsible for Art Fair Entry Deadline To Be July 3rd July 3rd is the deadline for entries in the Village Art Fair to be held in Lakeville on July 13 & 14 during Pa Prog. The Fair is sponsored by the Little House Art Guild. Open to all original arts & crafts, there is a $5. 00 entry fee. Hours of the fair will be from noon to sunset. Those who wish to register, send f to Mrs. Rachel Helkenn, 17805 June Path W., Lakeville, Mn. 55044. F further information, contact Sharon Balfany, 435-6154. Kiddie Parade Lakeville's Disney on Parade is this year's theme for the Pan-O-Prog Kiddie Parade, which will be held Saturday, July 13th. The time will be 10:30 a. m. You may enter as groups or individ ual. Decorate your bike, wagon or anything else to ride. Be thinking of some ideas for the up -coming day set aside for the youn er set between the ages of 2 -12. Prizes will be given for the most original costume. Pan-O-Prog Pet Show The annual Lakeville Pan-O-Prog Pet show will be held on Thursday, July 11, at 1:00 p.m. at Antler's Park. In case of rain, it will be held ins the .avillion. EAGAN'S LONE OAK, located at the intersection of Highways 49 and 55, was designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree during ceremonies at the site on Friday afternoon. Several officials, local residents, and school children participated in the event. Eagan's Lone Oak named a Minnesota Heritage Tree In ceremonies conducted Friday afternoon, April 30, Eagan's Lone Oak was designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree, one of three such de- signations made thus far in the state. Participating in the dedication ceremony at Eagan Lone Oak were Herbert Polzin, Mayor of Eagan; Ray Kempe, State Representative; The Rev. Richard Krenzke, pastor of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church; Glenn H. Ray, secretary -treasurer of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society; and Arnold Walther, a member of Trinity Lone Oak Church. Music for the occasion was pro- vided by band members from Met- calf Junior High School in Burnsville. THE EAGAN Lone Oak, which stands at the intersection of State Highway 55 and County Road 26 (Lone Oak Road) in Eagan. was scheduled to be cut down by highway crews who were unaware the tree was a community landmark and pro- vided the name for the nearby Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church and school and Lone Oak Road. Under the Minnesota Heritage Tree Program being launched by the Minnesota State Horticultural Soci- ety. trees of outstanding merit will be identified and preserved. THESE WILL include trees like the Eagan Oak, which have cultural or historical significance, and trees of champion size. A Register of Herit- age Trees will be published and kept up-to-date by the Society. BAND MUSIC appropriate to the occasion was provided by musicians from Metcalf Junior High School during ceremonies last week during which Eagan's Lone Oak was designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree. far the only trees to receive Heritage Tree designation. Residents throughout the state are being asked to search their regions for outstanding trees and nominate them for recognition. THE MINNESOTA Heritage Tree Program is co -sponsored by the Min- nesota Department of Natural Re- sources. The program is partially supported by grants from the Minnesota American Revolution Bicentennial Commission and from the Charles K. Blandin Foundation, Grand Rapids. Also in ceremonies on April 30, the Mankato Lincoln Park Elm, one of southern Minnesota's oldest elms and a valued community treasure, was named a Minnesota Heritage Tree. THE ELM " tates division, will hold an eight -day rade show and business seminar in my at the Radisson South Hotel in loomington, the association an- ounced this week. Sports legend Willy Mays will be a hree-day guest of the show. Planning the event are theater wners Harry Greene of Hopkins and erry Carisch of Wayzata. League Times Available - Men & Women For Information 445-3575 From Shakopee ... 5 miles So. on Scott Co. Rd. #1 7, Left 1/4 mile on #81. From Prior Lake ... Take Hwy. #1 3 to #12 to#81 then West. New Green Giant Bake n Serve Vegetables. 1100 Something deliciously different to get your mitts on. For a great change of taste, try one of the Giant's tasty new frozen Bake 'n Serve Vegetables. He's really put a lot into them. There's Broccoli in a rich cheese sauce. Creamed Peas with a crisp bread topping. Spinach Souffle made with fluffy whole eggs. Plus Cauliflower, and two kinds of great new potato dishes. Vegetables with special ingredients that bake and blend together for a deliciously different taste. All ready for your oven. Bake n Serve 'n Save NM Ell NMI Mill MIMI� Baken Sent CUT BROCCOLI au,e Bake'n Save POTATOES VERMICELLI --Ell MIN — NMI INN OM IIII 104 Bake n Serve CAUURDWER • DEALER: As our agent, redeem this coupon for 10.0 on the pur- chase of any one package of Green Giant Brand Bake 'n Serve Vegetables. Mail this cou- pon to Green Giant Company, Box 90, le Sueur, Minnesota 56058. We will then pay you 101t plus 50 handling. This offer void in any state or locality where taxed, prohibited, or restricted by law. Fraud Ciause: Any other application of this coupon con. stitutes fraud. Invoices proving purchases within 90 days of suf- ficient stock to cover coupons presented for redemption must be made available upon request. Cash value: 1/20 of le. Offer ex- pires October 30, 1976. Offer limited to one cou- pon per package pur- chased. 3 2 -481 1 1 1 1 tot ficially dedicated as the Min- nesota State American Revolu- tion Bicentennial Tree. The tree has been donated by the Min- nesota Nurserymen's Associa- tion. Minnesota heritage trees. eight -foot ash trees, will be pre- sented to student representatives of 100 participating metropolitan - area schools for later planting at individual ceremonies. Other Arbor Day projects en- dorsed by the Minnesota Bicen- tennial Commission are "Green Survival." and "Clean -Up Time July 1976." Green Survival is a nationwide program encouraging citizens to plant flowers, bushes. and trees. A ril 29, 1976 Lone Oak Tree Vo Be Named `Heritage Tree' A Bicentennial Arbor Day will be observed in many cities throughout Minnesota Friday, April 30. Dakota County ob- servances will include Eagan, West St. Paul, Rosemount and Randolph events. The Lone Oak Tree in Eagan will be dedicated as a heritage tree at 2 p.m. Friday. The ceremony will be conducted un- der the ridrection of the Min- nesota State Horticultural Socie- ty and a committee from the Lone Oak area, headed by Rev. Richard Krenzke, pastor of Trinity Lone Oak Church. The Lone Oak Tree is located in the highway median near the junction of Highways 49 and 55. Minnesota heritage trees are either of champion size of have historical significance. The Eagan tree is a historical landmark. Another Eagan event is a Bicentennial tree planting at city hall at 4:30 p.m. 4-H club mem- bers will be taking part in this ceremony. The Randolph High School band will play at a tree planting ceremony by the Randolph Fire Hall about 2 p.m. Friday. In West St. Paul, 13 trees will be planted, representing the first 13 states. Rosemount Mayor Leland Knutson proclaimed April 30 Arbor Day, and that city will also have a tree -planting event. At Mears Park, Sixth and Sibley, downtown St. Paul. a 12- year-old, 20-foot-tall native sugar maple will be planted and of- SHOWING OFF their handmade colonial hats are second graders, seated from left, Debra Tate, Brenda Thurmes and Amy Zimmer; standing, Tom Fellows, John Stang, and Steven Mitchell. s n n d d r b a n Thinking of Selling?. Don't Make A Choice Before Calling 0 0 894-5600 Removal of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree ends an era By JEFF BURRILL For 200 years, the Lone Oak Tree has been part of Eagan's history; now it's truly history. Early Monday morning, April 9, the state transportation depart- ment work crew removed the landmark, which was situated on a median at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. The tree was cut down because it was showing signs of dying and because of its adverse location. "There have been too many drivers who have run into the tree," Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) public affairs director Bob Vockrodt ex- plained. "So for safety's sake — and because it was dying -- we decided to remove it. But we've made a number of arrangements to carry on the tradition of the tree, which is of great impor- tance to the history of Eagan and Dakota County. Mn/DOT's initial effort to preserve tradition was instituted last May when a "new" Lone Oak Tree was transplanted on the grounds of the 95-year-old Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Bea Blomquist, city coun- cil members, Mn/DOT officials, and students and teachers from Trinity Lone Oak School. Now that the tree is down -- and in storage -- city officials are con- sidering having a sculpture made from the trunk and perhaps plac- ing it in Eagan's new library. Holly Duffy of the city ad- ministrative staff stated that pieces of the tree are available to the general public. "We've received phone calls from people wondering how they can acquire pieces of the tree," Duffy said. "So to help defray the cost of a possible sculpture, pieces of the tree are being of- fered for sale. Branches branded with a special oak tree insignia will be given to donors who con- tribute money for a sculpture. Letters of request may be sent to city hall." The city is also expected to place a plaque near the "new" Lone Oak Tree. The Lone Oak Tree achieved landmark status through 200-plus years of service to the citizens of Eagan. In the "olden days" the tree was used as a place to post notices and billboards, a tradition which was carried on for years. The tree was also used by farmers as a spot to leave their milk cans for pick-up by delivery wagons from area creameries. In the ensuing years, County Road 26, the street which passes east and west near where the tree stood, was renamed Lone Oak Road. The church and parochial school located on Highway 49 are also namesakes of the tree. In 1974, the Lone Oak Tree ap- peared destined for the woodpile. However, a group of students from Lone Oak School staged a protest the very day the tree was scheduled to be cut down. Seventh -and eight -graders tied a yellow ribbon around the tree, then paraded with signs ad- vocating its existence. The ploy worked and the tree was spared. "What they did was revamp the highway construction plans to ac- commodate the tree," Vockrodt said. "At that time, the highway department wasn't aware the tree had landmark status." When Mn/DOT again decided - in 1982 - to remove the tree, it was once more met with opposition. This time from the Eagan City Council. But realizing the tree was dying, while encouraging the transplanting of the "new" Lone Oak Tree, the council relented. EAGAN'S LONE Oak Tree wasn't really so alone. In its latter years, it found itself situated on a median at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. opinion An overdue, but hearty welcome The opening of a hospital in Burnsville has caused a fuss from the beginning. After six years of challenges, Fairview Ridges Hospital will officially open May 1, under budget and ahead of schedule. The need for a hospital to serve the south suburban area was recognized as early as the 1960s in a study conducted by Lutheran Deaconess Hospital (before its association with Fairview Community Hospitals). As the communities in the primary service area con- tinue to show the fastest growth in Dakota and Scott counties and, more significantly, the entire metro- politan area, a hospital becomes increasingly vital. The concern over opening a new hospital at a time when many hospitals are struggling is legitimate. But the redesign of the hospital, favorable construc- tion bids and creative financing will positively affect costs to patients. Fairview's guarantee to maintain an 80 percent oc- cupancy rate within its system proves that it is willing to do its part in solving a problem that is far more com- plicated than just the opening of a hospital. state legislators Congress tackles deficit reduction, other issues (Editor's note: The following is reprinted from "Washington Newsletter," the communique of Minnesota's Third District Con- gressman, IR Bill Frenzel. The majority of Dakota County, in- cluding Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan and Rosemount, is includ- ed in the Third District.) Deficit reduction: a sense of possibility In the deficit reduction game, you can't tell the players without a scorecard. And you can't foretell the outcome without a crystal ball. After the president asked for a "downpayment" on deficit reduction in his state -of - the -union speech, a group nicknamed the "deficit reduction commission," representing both Houses, both parties and the president, has met four or five times without making real pro- gress. But, as that group meets, other individuals and committees of both Houses are at work trying to move the process along. There is a sense here that a modest deficit reduction package is possible this year. In the Senate, the movers and makes sense. The execution of that concept so far, has been a disappointment. In the House, no grand strategy has emerged. However, there is movement. The principal players are Ways and Means Chairman Rostenkowski and Budget Chair- man Jones. Rostenkowski and his committee, weary of lack of pro- gress in the deficit commission, have passed a bill providing the $50 billion in new revenues. It will not be passed if spending cuts are not approved. That action shifts responsibili- ty to Chairman Jones, who now says his committee will produce a budget by the first part of April. The House still lacks a concept, but it is beginning to make pro- gress. Ways and Means proposal: new taxes in 1984? The Ways and Means -passed tax bill would raise $50 billion in new revenues over three years. The committee is pledged not to move its bill unless there is assurance of substantial spen- ding cuts. The bill itself does not touch the tax ra almost certain passage In 1982, Congress passed an in- centive bill giving extra highway safety funds to states which had tough drunk driving laws. A 21-year-old drinking law was one of the criteria for state qualifica- tions. Now a House committee has passed a bill that would en- force a nationwide 21-year-old minimum drinking age. Twenty-nine states permit some alcohol consumption under age 21. The National Transporta- tion Safety Board and the Com- mission on Drunk Driving favor the 21-year-old limit, but prefer the states do it themselves. The committee's bill, however, is moving swiftly and seems almost certain to pass. Interstate funds re- leased: four -month impasse broken Congress must approve in- terstate cost estimates for highway projects before states can be allocated funds. Because a House -Senate conference com- mittee has been snarled since last fall, Minnesota was in danger " -r j -n - 11 -T -7 - - ! w 'w ' -W 'W - - - - S÷,-41:0-( r-Ots5 pc1-4-c 6- `Pik cikee _ 9,.31, (q 2- 1,eghborhoodsiS For years, a battle has been raging be- tween Eagan townsfolk and state De- partment of Transportation officials over this historic Lone Oak Tree. Townsfolk like the tree and want to keep it. But highway builders have wanted to chop it down to make way for highways. So far, Mike Barrett the townsfolk have been winning. The other day beneath the ancient oak, Ted Wachter, a pro -tree Eagan councilman, and his wife, Leone, happily were swing- ing their 4-year-old granddaughter, Heidi Klein. She's the daughter of Thomas and Cat ma Klein, also of Eagan. Eagan is waging fight to save historic tree By Mike Barrett Staff Writer Children have climbed it and couples have strolled by it. Officials used to post town meeting notices on it while errant motorists have hit it. For years, citizens and state Department of Transportation officials have been battling over it. And if Joyce Kilmer knew it, he might have written about it. It's Eagan's historic Lone Oak tree. Amid cars zipping by, the tree stands in quiet dignity near Trinity Lutheran Church where con- gregation members in the 1920s changed the name to Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. Today, the bark doesn't appear as healthy as it once was. But if you were more than 200 years old, as this ancient is said to be, then you might not be so fresh either. Furthermore, in recent years, the tree's breathing room has shrunk with the construction of Highway 55 and 149 lanes on two sides of it, Lone Oak Road on a third side of it and utility lines around it. The other night beneath the tree, Eagan Coun- cilman Ted Wachter and his wife, Leone, were swinging their 4-year-old granddaughter, Heidi. Peering upward for a moment, Wachter said, "It looks like the tips of the branches are drying out. The salt must be taking its toll, the salt the state crews sprinkle on the road to melt the win- ter snow and ice." Nevertheless, city crews each spring hose the tree down to keep salt damage to a minimum. This tree means a lot to the com- munity. —Ted Wachter Wachter said he has been one of many townsfolk who have been fighting a periodic bat- tle against state highway officials who want to remove the tree. "This tree means a lot to the community," he said. The tree used to be a central gathering place where town meeting and election notices were posted. Years ago, for instance, farmers Louis Des Lauriers, Harry Darsow, Willard and August Rahn, among others, used to tote their cans of milk and put them in a big wooden tub under the tree so a hauler could drive the milk across the bridge over the Minnesota River to the Twin Cit- ies. The tub would keep the milk cooler in the sum- mer than leaving the cans standing under the sun and warmer in the winter than sitting in the wind. In the last century, the hauler used a horse- drawn wagon which gave way in this century to a truck. According to Lisa Fleming at City Hall and Frances Miller at the Dakota County Museum in South St. Paul, reporter Arnold Walther decades ago coined the term "Lone Oak" for his local Please see Tree / 2S eer Press spatch Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1982 Tree • Continued from Page 1 S news column in the West St. Paul Booster and Dakota County Globe. In 1974, state transportation officials planned to remove the tree to allow for the construction of a turn lane. But, as Wachter recalled, the Rev. Richard Krenzke and youngsters from the church mount- ed a letter -writing campaign to various officials, including the governor, to "Save Our Tree." Wachter and other city officials also fought the transportation department. In time, the City Council declared the tree a historic one in an ef- fort to save it. All that activity had the result of stopping the destruction plan but only for awhile. In 1976, officials designated the Lone Oak as a heritage tree in cooperation with the Minnesota Horticultural Society and authors Charles E. Randall and Henry Clepper commemorated the tree in their "Famous and Historical Trees" pub- lished by the American Forestry Association. Recently, artists Juanito Acosta and Carlos Menchaca have been painting a historical mural featuring the tree and other subjects for the county museum. Wachter, a former farmer turned contractor, said when he builds homes he tries to locate them to avoid harming trees. "He's a tree -lover," said Mrs. Wachter. In more recent times, transportation officials again tried to remove the tree but were beaten back, Wachter said. At City Hall Administration. Thomas Hedges said even though transportation officials have failed to remove the tree. they did demand that city officials stop posting notices by it because this created a safety problem for slowing traffic. At the state Department of Transportation. Robert Dobbin, a construction engineer for Eagan projects, said, "I can understand why peo- ple want to save the tree. It's a nice oak tree but it's a physical danger to stray cars. "We would like to see the tree removed. On rural roads such as this, we ordinarily remove trees within 30 feet of the roadway and this one is closer than that." With public sentiment as it is, though, Dobbin admitted that his department is presently pledged to preserve the tree. Dobbin said, "It says right on our work plans, 'do not disturb the tree'." However, the tree is about to have more com- pany. Soon, department workers will build a blinking four-way stop light at the intersection. To all this, the Lone Oak tree hasn't been heard to comment. Yet at night when the traffic is light and the breeze stirs some people say they can hear the murmur of the leaves. Teachers • Continued from Page 1S Grove Heights District 199, says she hasn't given up hope that she'll be called back at some time during the year. But she's been combing the want ads and checking in regular- ly with Job Service. where Vega says counsel- ors don't pressure teachers very much about finding a job. "The field is not too wide open," she said wryly. "I haven't really sat down and sorted it out — I really thought I would get called back. I'll have to sit down and do some serious think- ing, I know that." Even teachers who get called back this year know they will be vulnerable to cuts again next year. Ali, Pletsch, an elementary school teacher for South St. Paul District 6, was laid ff four times and called back each time. This ear, when he was again called back, he in- stead took the district's job seminar and then five years' leave. "The good thing the workshop did was make me sit down and look at the fact I would have to do something besides teaching, after 15 years," Pletsch said. Unfortunately, he said, "someone who's been teaching spelling to fourth -graders doesn't transfer too well." But as part of the District 6 workshop, Pletsch and others were told to find employers who would give them an "informational inter- view." Pletsch picked someone he knew — the president of S & T Office Products in Maple- wood — and at the end of the interview was offered a job. Pletsch took a test, did well, and is selling office products. Sales, notes Pat Theis of South St. Paul, is something everyone says teachers could be good at. But Theis, who resigned this summer from St. Peter's in North St. Paul after 18 years teaching math in parochial schools. says she doesn't have the heart for it; she's looking into such jobs as technical writing and teach- ing computer workshops. Being out of a job by choice, Theis has taken the plunge from the cloistered life of parochi- al -school teaching into the dismal job market with relish. "I said to myself, 'There's all kinds of things you can do with your math background, Pat! Go out and do it!' " Theis said. She hasn't had any luck, but she's still having a ball looking. She's taking a seminar from Working Opportu- nities for Women, and thinking of taking class- es this fall. "Let me tell you, it's been a busy two months," she said. "It's been exciting, it's been an adventure, I've met so many interesting people. I do have my down days, like dropping off resumes on Monday mornings after the Sunday paper. "But I've learned so much about business in such a short time," she said. "I just hope some- one will let me use it." Photography contest focuses on aging An "Images of Aging" photo contest is being held by Dakota Area Referral and Transporta- tion for Seniors (DARTS) and Photo Fair of Color Lab, Inc. First prize is a Ricoh EFM 35mm camera. Entries will be divided into MEWS MISSES • BOY'S two categories, for photogra- phers under 60 and photogra- phers 60 and older. First, second and third prizes will be awarded in each category. Winning and other selected photos will be printed in the DARTS paper and shown throughout the county. Photos are sought that capture the vitality, wisdom and experi- ence of older people. Entry forms are available at Photo Fair stores in Hastings and Apple Valley or at the DARTS office. All entries must be received by Nov. 30. Call 437- 6290 or 432-3600 for more infor- mation. BONiUS Txon. re. sev � I, 3 DAYS ONLY:.' FANS Community 'v/f Minneapolis Star and Tribune Wednesday December 28/ 1983 6B • � Lone Oak Tree, Eagan city symbol, to come down Staff Photos by Art Hager The dying Lone Oak Tree, Eagan landmark and public -announcement post, soon will be removed from its spot at Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. By Diana Ettel Gonzalez Staff Writer Eagan soon will lose a landmark when the Lone Oak Tree is removed from the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. The bur oak, which is at least 200 years old, gained its status during Eagan's early days when it was a post for announcements. "People would check the tree to see when the town supervisors were going to meet or when the church fellowship was to be held or when farmer Johnson was going to have a barn -raising effort," said Ken Vraa, director of parks and recreation. The city adopted the tree as the symbol for Eagan's growth and strength. But officials say the tree is in such bad shape that the city agreed to have the Minnesota Department of Transportation cut it down and send the wood to city hall. The tree will be removed in a few weeks, said Bob Vockrodt, public information director for the Department of Transportation. The state considers the tree to be a traffic hazard. The tree's proximity to the intersection also is the reason for its health problems. All the blacktop has kept it from getting adequate nutrition. "Trees and asphalt don't mix so well," Vraa said. "We've done everything we can to try to make it survive. In the spring, we go out and wash as much of the salt away as we can. We've taken special efforts to fertilize it. We've pruned it back so much that the tree has lost its shape as a magnificent oak," Vraa said. The tree's name was popularized by a newspaper column called "Lone Oak News," in which reporter Arnold Walther wrote about Eagan - area residents, according to Francis Dembroski, chairman of the Eagan History Committee. It's been three years since anyone has seen a Lone Oak Tree acorn, and this year, the tree made a token effort to survive by producing a few leaves, Vraa said. The council will decide what to do A young oak was planted near the old one last May at the city's request. with the remains of the Lone Oak 4 Tree. "There has been a number of possibilities discussed to immortalize the tree. We've talked about trying to save major portions of the trunk and put them in city hall. We've talked about taking some of the limbs and making a bench in front of city hall," he said. Last May, the Department of Transportation, at the city's request planted a young oak to replace the lone oak, at least symbolically. But residents regret the demise of the battered oak, Vraa said. "Everyone hates to see the tree being cut down because it has survived these many years. Unfortunately, for the last several years, it's been very difficult to keep it alive," Vraa said. JUNIOR SKI PACKAGES '/a PRICE Benner GT 46 Ski (130, 140, & 150 cm) $85.00 Tyrolia 80 Bindings with Brakes 65.00 Mounting and Tension Adjustment 15.95 $165.95 -_ SPECIAL PRICE $79.99 DOLOMITE JUNIOR SKI BOOTS $29.99 Most sizes junior 10 thru size 6 SAVE ON CROSS COUNTRY PACKAGES TOO Mon. -Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sun. Noon-5 p.m- FRIDLEY 6319 Central Ave. N.E. 571-6850 RICHFIELD 6443 Lyndale Ave. So. 861-6268 Major Credit Cards Accepted Offer limited to stock on hand Minneapolis Star and Tribune Wed., Dec. 28, 1983 • 5B Teacher pay gains appear nearly even with revenue gains By Gregor W. Pinney Staff Writer Teachers in Minnesota appear to be getting almost as much in pay in- creases this biennium as the school districts are getting in revenue in- creases. That is a marked contrast with the bargaining season two years ago when salary settlements exceed- ed expected revenue increases. In 97 districts where contracts have been settled so far, teachers have received salary -and -benefit raises averaging 13.9 percent over two years, according to the Minnesota School Boards Association. Meanwhile, the state's 435 school dis- tricts are receiving an adjusted aver- age increase of 15.5 percent per pu- pil unit in their main revenue sources, according to new calcula- tions by the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. The calculations were based on final estimates by the state Department of Education on increases in state aids and property tax levies available to school districts. Those estimates and calculations, which are useful in gauging the relative size of teacher salary settlements, are not otherwise prepared by official agencies. So it appears that teachers are get- ting nearly as large a share of school operating budgets as they did last year. But not entirely. School districts may be using the 1.6 percent difference to restore pro- gram cuts made last year instead of spending the entire share of the in- crease on teacher salaries. Or they may be socking away some money in case the state once again cuts aid that has been promised. Or they may not have levied all the taxes they are authorized because they want to lighten the burden on their property owners. Or it could mean that the first 97 settlements in this biennium, which began July 1, 1983, are low and that later ones will equal or exceed the 15.5 percent average in income. The full explanation will not be known until the books are closed on the biennium after June 30, 1985. Two years ago, settlements averaged 26 percent while revenue increases were expected to be about 19 per- cent. Some of the expected money never arrived, making the differ- ence even wider. first stew in making the calcula- aids and levies is roughly the same as was reported two months ago on the basis of preliminary estimates by the education department. At that time, several superintendents object- ed, saying their revenue was increas- ing only about 10 percent. So department officials scrutinized their data and decided that adjust- ments should be made. And by that time, they had final aid -and -levy esti- mates. It all worked out to the adjust- ed average figure of 15.5 percent. The 15.5 figure comes closer to the superintendents' figure, but does not close the gap entirely. The 15.5 figure still has one notable flaw, said Gary Farland, director of state aid for the Education Depart- ment. It is based on the 1982-83 school year when school revenue was cut considerably below what schools originally expected when they agreed to salary contracts. In- deed, if last year's promised -but -nev- er -delivered money were used as a base, this biennium's new money would amount to only a 12 percent increase. Another way to look at it is that if all school boards used their new money first to restore programs, they would have about 12 percent left for pay increases. But the Star and Tribune stuck with the calculation that produced the 15.5 percent result because it was based on money actually available to the schools. Further, that method parallels the one used for calculating salary increases, so the two can be compared. Hearings will focus on whether to retain some state offices Associated Press An eight -member task force appoint- ed by Gov. Rudy Perpich has sched- uled hearings Jan. 7 and 14 to take public testimony on whether to abol- ish one or more state constitutional offices. Both hearings will he at 10 a.m. in Room 15 at the state capitol. The governor has asked the task force to make its recommendations by early February. A constitutional amendment, which must be approved by the 1984 Legis- lature, would be required to abolish or merge any of the offices. Holiday Hangover Sale! It's Holiday House Cleaning time. Time for you to save up to 76% on thousands of home furnishings & accessories. KROWN WAREHOUSE & SALES COMPANY - ONE OF AMERICA'S LARGEST FURNITURE ORIENTED LIQUIDATION COMPANIES - SPECIALIZING IN LIQUI- DATING FACTORY OVERSTOCKS, CLOSE OUTS, NON -DELIVERABLES, EX- CESS INVENTORIES AND MARKETING OF NEW PRODUCTS. EVERY PUR- CHASE AT KROWN IS COVERED BY A WRITTEN GUARANTEE THAT._ PROTECTS YOU FOR ONE YEAR AND BEYOND. KROWN HAS OVER 60 SHOWROOM AREAS UNDER ONE ROOF WHERE YOU CAN SAVE 45% T47760/0 EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. CHECK OUT THIS WEEK'S FEATURED `ITEMS. Tables -Tables -Tables; - of all sizes -shapes -styles -finishes. End -Coffee -Bunch -Cocktail -Sofa-' Commode -Hexagon -Nesting -Book End -Curio -Drum Values of $49.95 to A299.00 NOW ONLY $1850,0 $ 14850 r Custom hand crafted, hand rubbed solid wood sofas, love seats, chairs and tables —plaid or stripe nylon covers. 1000's of desks - bookcases - pictures - lamps - bunk beds - bedroom - mattresses - wicker - curios - etageres - statues - and acccessory items. 4,47 Air YOUR CHOICE 3 styles • 3 sizes 6 pc. group. Reg. $1850.00. no 1/ By HELYN DUFF Staff Writer EAGAN -- Their spirits were not dampened despite the rain that came down on the group that gathered for the Lone Oak Tree "Heritage" designation at Eagan Friday. The gathering included dignitaries. boys and girls from Lone Oak Lutheran School nearby. a group of instrumen- talists from Metcalf Junior High. along with friends and neighbors of the area. The Lone Oak Tree was named the first Heritage Tree in the Bicentennial year. This honor was granted it by the Minnesota Horticultural Society. represented by its secretary - treasurer Glen Ray and Rev. Richard Krenzke who was in- strumental in saving the tree from destruction two years ago. when a highway project was go- ing to eliminate the tree. Also named at the dedication was the nominator. Mrs. Glenda Holz of Eagan. A man who popularized the name of the tree and area as Lone Oak also was on the pro- gram held under the tree at Highway 49 and 55 junction in Eagan. Arnold Walther. a long- time resident of the area. lived near the dedication spot in the 1920s when he was a reporter for a West St.' Paul paper. At that time. he said. he had a column that took the Lone Oak designa- tion and he often reported on the doings of the area that made many references to Lone Oak. He told the group that there was once a ball team called the Lone Oak Acorns. and a group called LOFA ( Lone Oak Female An- tagonists) that didn't last too long. because there weren't suffi- cient antagonists to annoy the (Continued to Page 2A) Dennistoun and the school bo gave him a salary raise. The custodians have been w ing fora contract to be sett since last June 30. For a months they were offered a raise contract. Now they are ing offered a 25 cents an h raise and the head custodi part wages taken away. W custodians have to apply for f stamps to help make it thro the month we think it's time school board be checked into. Mr. John Bristol has b given in two years almost $8. raise in salary. plus other fri benefits which are a car tha owned by the school dist which does not have tax empt license plates. he also u tax tree gas from the school trict. Why doesn't the car h. any markings on it showing t it is the property of School 1 trict 196. is he ashamed to s where he works'' His other fri benefits are medical and den coverage. plus a term life surance under the District P at five times his salary whic right as of now $41.000 annua Mr. John Bristol's salary raise more than some custodi salary a year. Why with these figures are the teaching staff. cooks custodians so underpaid? What does it take to motiv. the district of 196 school?. Awareness?? MARY JANE FRANZEN. Ap Valley SHARON WHITE. Apple Valle SHARON J. WOODS. Api Valley MARY MARTIN. Apple Valley CLETUS SCHUELLER. Ap Valley Ambulance Service April22, 1976 CULTURAL TREASURE OF EAGAN -- Lone Oak Tree Designated first State Heritage Tree THE MIGHTY Lone Oak Tree at Eagan stood tall and proud at the rainy Arbor Day program making it Minnesota's first "Heritage" tree of cultural significance. The tree will now have a bronze plaque attached to its trunk which will read: The Lone Oak, a Bur oak, Quercus Macro- porpo, Cultural Treasure of Eagan, Minnesota 1976,.(Photo. by Helyn Duff). 1 i 9 Months $6.25 9 Months $7.25 12 Months $8.00 12 Months - - - - $9 00 Servicemen anywhere $8.00 one year Main Office and Plant at Farmington - 463-7884 Branch Offices Lakeville Burnsville Apple Valley -469-2000 890-2530 `432-4646 cil meeting Advance refunding involves re selling bonds at lower interes rates and repaying the bon holders who originally bought th Rosemount 423-2636 bonds at a higher rate of interest. Steve Mattson of Juran an Moody, Inc. the city's bondin consultants, advised that th market is now right for the city t go out for bids to advance refun seven or eight separate bond is sues. The city council voted to re ceive bids at 2 p.m. May 26, an to enter into a contract with Firs National Bank of St. Paul to ac as escro agent in handling th sale of bonds between the cit and the successful bidder. The bonds that are included i the bids, Richard Asleson, cit administrator. said presently ar at interest ranging from 5.85 t 6.7q. Mattson hopes to be able t sell seven issues at 5.90ei interes or eight issues at 5.85``- interes Eight issues, however. would b a total of $6,295.000 in bonds t sell and Mattson is not optimisti about sellig such a large amoun He estimated that by re-sellin the bonds at a lower interest rat and by shortening the maturit schedule. the city can sav roughly $400,000. Mattson cautioned that it i possible if the 'market move off," that the city will receive n bids May 26. He added, it is als very possible that the city will r ceive only one conglomerate bi as bonding houses often joi together to bid on such a large i sue. The council reviewed plans f numerous housing developmen at the April 28 meeting. The pr liminary plat for Diamond Pat Third adddition was approve Formerly planned as a clust development. the addition w ;approved as a standard sing i family residential plat with 8 foot lots. The council gave concept proval to the preliminary plat Domestic Gardens, a Vis Development plat at t northwest corner of Cedar Av and 138th St. The plat will ha to go to the Dakota County pl ting commission since it has a cess to a county road. The p ject would be residential clust with four additions planned f single family homes and an o lot A on Cedar Ave. that is not part of the plat. but will probab be used for multiple dwelling u its. The first addition of Domest Gardens would have 27 lots. T council authorized the city st nes+men. .merchants and any to begin preparation of a develo Editorial A Lesson From History .. . The presentation of an official Bicentennial flag to the Farmington schools last week was more than just a good public relations stunt for Minnesota's Lieu- tenant Governor and other officials. Lt. Governor Rudy Perpich told the youngsters what happened to Minnesota's early industry, for example the fur -traders, the lumber -cutters, and the commer- cial fishermen. In each case, they went too far, the fur -traders slaughtered the animals in wholesale manner until there was nothing left, the tree -cutters were promis- cuous about what they cut, sawing down everything in sight, until the industry was at a standstill. Then there's Lake Superior. "We killed that lake," Perpich said. Referring to the natural resources, he said, "Will we have these things forever? No, we won't, unless we really start taking care of them," he said. ... And the kids seemed to listen. Lt. Gov. Perpich then stated the state had a program to supply seedlings to plant trees, and has a progra.n to remove old cars (300,000 so far), from the state's roads, and they are greatly interested in removal of dilapidated buildings. "It's working," he said. We think this is the best place to talk about conserva- tion of resources -- in front of the youngsters. They might want something left of the earth later in life. EUGENE CLAY Editor Zettexitofftereletot Letters to the editor not be considered publication without writer's signature and dress. will for the ad - Why A Raise? May 3. 1976 To the people of School District 196: We are writing in regards to \lr. John Bristol and the school board of District 196. Why doesn't Mr. John Bristol have to follow a contract'' He was not to have a raise in salary until 1977. He was on a two year con - „} ta7� 77i h„t Mr. Ro li Health Care Center. Why don't the local governing councils look into this service? There is also no extra charge made to people living out of the subsidized area. Sincerely. MRS. ROSEMARY O'HARA 16268 Florida Way Rosemount Successful Event To the Editor: The members of the Dakota County Mental Health Chapter are grateful to all the busi- a nrn;n Living without Lone Oak People particularly well -tuned to na- ture go through the world loving par- ticular trees. Perhaps they love a stand of pine soaring in remote wilderness, whose image called to mind gentles the most difficult day. They may love a stretch of birch and maple cascading spendthrift October color along some lucky river bank. Some love a single tree. A delicate flowering dogwood. Or a mountain ash, sporting bright berry clusters like some jolly Christmas waistcoat. Such trees are lovingly planted to mark the birth of a child, or to celebrate the end of a life sweetly lived. The people of Eagan loved the stur- dy symbol of their community, the tree they called Lone Oak. For as long as residents can remember, the city clerk had nailed to that tree -turned -institu- tion the town's official messages, like Caesar's notices posted in the public square of ancient Rome. The 200-year-old dignitary came down yesterday, doomed by a highway improvement project. Its supporters, watching it slowly sicken from road salt, finally conceded that the battle to save it no longer made sense. To its credit, the Department of Transportation planted a new oak near the site where the ailing giant had stood. But it will be a long, long time before those who travel that way can pass by without a twinge. s grandfa- 85, was se- d to have ontrolled paper was at loyalist eh Ibrahim day revolt, ay and was o days. eported to- ommunica- estored, as ffic across, ational air - me domes - Yaounde, rom Abid- ident Paul is besieged fashions, including a unique assortment of raincoats, suits, blazers, jackets, and sportswear. • No Close -Outs • All Top Lines • Only This Season's Merchandise • 7-Day Return Policy on All Items The Coat You Want Is At Now There Are Two Hopkins • St. Paul On Shady Oak Road In Hopkins 933-4335 In Mc Midway Shopping Center. St. Paul University & Snelling 644-6366 Mon., Tues.,Wed.. Thurs., Fri. 10am to 9pm Eagan finally cuts memorable roots By Lucy Dalglish Staff Writer When Alice Bolke started as Eagan city clerk in 1961, her job description required her to post all city notices on the Lone Oak tree along Minnesota 55. Bolke retired in 1980, but not before she had instructed her replacement to do the same. Eagan may be the fastest growing city in Minnesota, but tradition runs deep in the suburb that used to be a community of dairy, onion and potato farms. "The tree's always been one of the city's distinctive landmarks," Bolke said. Always ... until today. Minnesota Department of Transporta- tion crews plan to cut down the dying tree today to clear the right-of-way at the in- tersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. The oak, perhaps 200 years old, will be cut into pieces for souvenir hunters and its trunk will become a sculpture for the city of Eagan, putting an end to a tree that has been an important symbol of this Dakota County community. A county road and Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church were named for the tree and the old oak has been incorporated into the city's logo. It also appears on city stationery and fire trucks along with the legend, "The Lone Oak Tree — The sym- bol of strength and growth in our commu- nity." For perhaps the last 120 years, the tree has been a place where residents could meet neighbors for a visit or where youths could begin a courtship. And folks are expected to gather again today for the tree's demise. The old oak has been threatened nu- merous times in the past 10 years as im- provements have been made on Minneso- ta 55, but residents always were able to postpone the inevitable. City residents and government officials finally agreed last year, however, that the tree, which has been heavily poisoned by road salt over the years, must come down. Liz Hafalia /Pioneer Press Tara Butler and Adam Pettengill of Mendota Heights bid farewell to Eagan's old oak tree. "It's not a matter of saving the tree," said City Administrator Thomas Hedges. "It has to come down because of federal highway funds. (Federal highway offi- cials) told the state that a tree in the mid- dle of a median does not fit regulations." Last May, the highway department planted a young oak tree in Trinity Lone Oak Church's courtyard, within easy walking distance from the original tree. The city is planning to place a plaque near the new tree commemorating the old Lone Oak, Hedges said. taxes wi .rop rom to $7,766. The same couple would get a $366 reduction — from $4,024 to $3,658 — if their annual pay was $50,000. With yearly income of $25,000, they'd get a $143 tax cut. Roemer said that in preparing the new withholding tables — and saying that increased take-home pay should be noticeable in May — he is assuming the Legislature won't make any other changes af- fecting the state income tax. The repeal, according to an agreement between Gov. Rudy Perpich and top legislators, will be retroactive to Jan. 1. So if a person first gets benefit of the repeal on a paycheck received in, say, mid -May, the tax- payer will still be due to receive about 4/ months of tax reductions otherwise, Roemer plans to change the withholding tables to simply reflect repeal of the surcharge on the effective date of the law. There will be a balance due taxpayers for the period since Jan. 1. "They will get that when they file their tax re- turns next year," Roemer said. Self-employed Minnesotans pay estimated taxes quarterly, starting Jan. 15, and they can revise their payments to reflect the tax reduc- tion. The surcharge was enacted as fi- nancial problems repeatedly struck the state because of the economy's poor condition while Gov. Al Quie was in office. While enactment of the surcharge, and other tax changes, hurt Quie politi- cally, the repeal is also being felt politically. Projects help St. Paul to All -America status By Don Ahern Staff Writer St. Paul is one of nine All -Ameri- ca Cities named Friday by the Citi- zens Forum on Self -Government of the National Municipal League. South St. Paul was among nine others to win honorable mention. The winners were chosen from more than 100 entries ranging in population from 15,516 to 19.2 mil- lion. • St. Paul won because of recent development, both downtown and in neighborhoods. The award cited downtown proj- ects including Town Square, Lowertown redevelopment and the energy -efficient downtown district heating. Neighborhood projects cited included the mixed -use indus- trial and residential area in the Midway area known as Energy Park, and a neighborhood develop- ment program focusing on small business, housing and public im- provements. Mayor George Latimer, in- formed of the city's win by a re- porter, said: "Isn't that nice. It's a tremendous statement about com- munity participation, both neigh- borhood and the way we work to - DFLers to repeal tive to January. started on the opt 1984 Legislature. DFLers say the because they are ing the surcharge ty votes they have Senate. Regardless of surcharge will be St. Paul, the Citizens Forum said, like many other older cities, "was faced with the flight of busi- nesses, residents and industry to the suburbs; an aging housing stock; plus long, cold winters. "Downtown urban renewal had created a `wasteland' on some city streets, which had to be relieved. Through commitments from major businesses, Town Square was de- veloped, with office towers, the Radisson Plaza Hotel, a new de- partment store and an indoor park. In little more than two years, this cooperation created more than $750 million in redevelopment." r 5B Tree ■ Continued from Page 1 B place where residents could meet for a visit or young people could begin a courtship. The old oak has been threatened numerous times in the past 10 years as improvements have been made on Minnesota 55, but resi- dents always were able to postpone the inevitable. In fact, any negative govern- ment action even remotely con- nected to the Lone Oak has been fiercely fought by local residents. Longtime resident Martin Shields remembers when officials tried to name the county road his neighbors always had called Lone Oak Road. "They tried to give it some fancy name," Shields said. "But we in- sisted on using it (the tree's name) for our addresses. Exasperated, officials gave up. City residents and government officials finally agreed last year, however, that the tree, which has been heavily poisoned by road salt over the years, must come down. Last May, the highway depart- ment planted a young oak tree in Trinity Lone Oak Church's court- yard, within easy walking distance from the original tree. The city is planning to place a plaque near the new tree commemorating the old Lone Oak, City Administrator Thomas Hedges said. The city plans to use part of the trunk for a sculpture to be located in the county library in Eagan, Hedges said, and dozens of Eagan history buffs have written city offi- cials requesting parts of the tree. City officials, Hedges said, are considering branding each piece sold to the public with the legend "Lone Oak Tree — City of Eagan, 1984." "If you get one that's branded, then you'll know it's authentic," he said. ntertainment 50—Autos For Sale IC DANCING ONT CLUB sity Ave at Dale 51 ance Contest ev- ight . 5100 in cash St Paul, MN Entertainment F DIAMONDS * ntertainment IC DANCERS ideo Games -Pool PM-1AM Sat 5-1 for info & dir. I, Excursion, Etc. way*339-1211 our car anywhere to Missouri, Any d trip. 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Eagan may be the fastest growing city in Minneso- ta, but tradition runs deep in the suburb that used to be a community of dairy, onion and potato farms. "The tree's always been one of the city's distinctive landmarks," Bolke said. Always ... until today. This morning, Minnesota Department of Transpor- tation crews began cutting down the dying tree to clear the right-of-way at the intersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. "This is sort of like going to a funeral. It's not enjoy- able at all," Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist said as workers cut off limbs and dropped them to the ground, where they disintegrated into small chunks. Despite a cold wind and drizzle, about a dozen spec- tators showed up to take pictures of the tree being cut down. "Throughout history, they'll never see another Lone Oak tree like this," said city Councilman Ted Wachter, a local expert on the tree's history. The oak, perhaps 200 years old, will be cut into piec- es next year for souvenir hunters and its trunk will become a sculpture for the city of Eagan, putting an end to a tree that has been an important symbol of the Dakota County community. Old-time Eagan residents knew they always could find election notices and city council pronouncements posted on the bulletin board nailed to the tree. A county road and Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church were named for the tree and the old oak has been incorporated into the city's logo. It also appears on city stationery, cars and fire trucks along with the legend, "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength and growth in our community." For perhaps the past 120 years, the tree has been a Please see Tree/5B Shorts Islanders not ready to die yet Associated Press They are champions. It is as sim- ple as that. And champions do not surrender their titles easily. That as much as anything else explains why the New York Island- ers, four -time Stanley Cup kings, still are playing hockey today, still in the drive for number five. They were as good as done in the first round of the playoffs Sunday night. They had lost two straight games to their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers, shut out 3-0 in their own rink Thursday and then embarrassed 7-2 Saturday. And they were trailing the fourth game 1-0 after two periods. The Rangers were rolling and so was their crowd. Madison Square Garden is a routinely raucous building with the non-stop noise starting around "the home of the brave," part of the Star Spangled Banner. On this night, the Garden crowd started roaring at "Oh say can you see." It would have been easy for the Isles to lose their poise in all that noise, which was, of course, the whole idea. And with the score 1-0 for the Rangers and just one period left, the Garden was jumping. Clearly, this was not the best of times for the Islanders, but veter- ans on this team will tell you it was not the worst of times, either. In 1982, the defending champions had blown a two -game first -round lead against Pittsburgh and then trailed the Penguins 3-1 with about five minutes left in the fifth game. That was the worst of times. They made it through that crisis. They would make it through this Associated Press Chi Sta de By Charley Hall Staff Writer CHICAGO — Pla Gordie Roberts th Minnesota North S defensive mistakes to the Black Hawks Stadium. With the best -of tween the Norris Di the teams will me Tuesday night at Me Roberts, easily M man in this series, second period for a man involved in an a Even without Ro with eight minutes tied the game by st at 12:52 after a cr Savard. "I slid across th with my pads," Beaupre said. "But Brea will By Charley Hall Staff Writer CHICAGO — The Chicago winning 4- players and coaches the fifth game to Tuesday night. "I expect anothe, said Minnesota coa, .lavMw LONE OAK DAYS Lone Oak Tree rooted in city's past, present, future By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Eagan's symbol of strength is a 200- year-old burr oak tree that stood as the community's meeting place. The tree stood at what later became the intersection of Lone Oak Road and Highway 55. Long before the two World Wars and prior to the Civil and Spanish American wars, a seedling began to grow in Eagan. It weathered years of Minnesota winters — many decades before this land became a state. The Lone Oak Tree, now the city's logo, was an important feature to the early farming community. Election notices were posted on its trunk. School children would wait under its branches for the bus. Farmers would tote their milk cans under the tree where the branches would shade the milk from the hot sun until a hauler took the milk to market. . The township grew. The horse and buggy were replaced by the automobile and the state highway department wanted to chop down the tree when constructing Highway 55. In the 1970s, a fierce battle ensued be- tween the townspeople and the state. The lone tree stood tall in the median, a pillar for all to see as they entered the city. Students from Trinity Lone Oak School demonstrat- ed against the tree's demise. During the Bi- centennial year, the tree was dedicated as a Heritage Tree and a plaque was added to the nail -ridden trunk where hundreds of notices had been posted. In the end, the hard fought battle was decided by the tree itself. Progress had encroached to within a foot of the tree and it began dying. "It was a slow death," said Coun- cilmember Ted Wachter. In 1979, the City Council and the state `I was there when the tree was cut down. The public, they were resentful for some time.' — Ted Wachter City Council member agreed to let the tree die naturally. Then on April 9, 1984, the tree got the ax. "I was there when the tree was cut down. The public, they were resentful for some time," Wachter said. Small cuttings of its limbs were re- quested by city and state government of- ficials and residents for whom the tree had special meaning. A large slice of its trunk is preserved at City Hall in a dis- play case outside the council chambers. Then mayor, Bea Blomquist, was given an artist rendering of the tree be- fore it came down. "It has a place of honor in my living room. It's one of my possessions I cher- ish," Blomquist said. Students in Rosemount High School's industrial technology class made clocks from cross sections of the tree. Eagan High wasn't yet built, so Eagan children attended Rosemount High. After all these years Blomquist still says, "It didn't have to happen." The Minnesota Department of Trans- portation gave the city a 30-year-old oak tree taken from a nearby location. It was planted near Trinity Lone Oak Church to perpetuate the tree's importance. At its planting in May 1983, students from Lone Oak School gave the tree a hearty welcome by throwing fertilizer at its base and cheering its continued legacy. 9n Monday, April 9, 1984 • Eagan finally cuts memorable roots By Lucy Dalglish Staff Writer When Alice Bolke started as Eagan city clerk in 1961, her job description required her to post all city notices on the Lone Oak tree along Minnesota 55. Bolke retired in 1980, but not before she had instructed her replacement to do the same: Eagan may be the fastest growing city in Minnesota, but tradition runs deep in the suburb that used to be a community of dairy, onion and potato farms. "The tree's always been one of the city's distinctive landmarks," Bolke said. Always ... until today. Minnesota Department of Transporta- tion crews plan to cut down the dying tree today to clear the right-of-way at the in- tersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. The oak, perhaps 200 years old, will be cut into pieces for souvenir hunters and its trunk will become a sculpture for the city of Eagan, putting an end to a tree that has been an important symbol of this Dakota County community. A county road and Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church were named for the tree and the old oak has been incorporated into the city's logo. It also appears on city stationery and fire trucks along with the legend, "The Lone Oak Tree — The sym- bol of strength and growth in our commu- nity." For perhaps the last 120 years, the tree has been a place where residents could meet neighbors for a visit or where youths could begin a courtship. And folks are expected to gather again today for the tree's demise. The old oak has been threatened nu- merous times in the past 10 years as im- provements have been made on Minneso- ta 55, but residents always were able to postpone the inevitable. City residents and government officials finally agreed last year, however, that the tree, which has been heavily poisoned by road salt over the years, must come Liz Hafalia /Pioneer Press Tara Butler and Adam Pettengill of Mendota Heights bid farewell to Eagan's old oak tree. "It's not a matter of saving the tree," said City Administrator Thomas Hedges. "It has to come down because of federal highway funds. (Federal highway offi- cials) told the state that a tree in the mid- dle of a median does not fit regulations." Last May, the highway department planted a young oak tree in Trinity Lone Oak Church's courtyard, within easy walking distance from the original tree. The city is planning to place a plaque near the new tree commemorating the down. old Lone Oak, Hedges said. KEY PEOPLE who hod much influence in making the Lone Oak Tree of Heritage status, spoke of their experiences at the program in honor of the occasion. From the left are Arnold Walther, Rev. Richard Krenzke, Rep. Ray Kempe, Glen Roy of the State Horticultural Society, and John Dealer, a student tape recordin the event. LONE OAK TREE ... -: (Continued from Front Page) lathes in the area. There was also a Lone Oak Walther League that put on plays that were quite a hit because they used the names of local residents when they 'portrayed" their roles on stage. Ray Kempe. state represen- tative for the Eagan area. said he had been called by Rev. Krenzke when the tree was about to be cut down by the highway department in May, 1974. In less than an hour's time a "reprieve" had been granted the tree. He used Joyce Killmer's "Trees" as part :of his presentation to the au- dience. Glen Ray said that the tree ; symbolizes the importance of a Heritage Tree program, and its dedication was appropriate on Arbor Day, 1976. Rev. Krenzke spoke of the day he was on his way to work and -saw the workman about to cut down the tree. He decided to "take the matter up with others to see if they felt as he did --that - the tree should not come down. - With the help of the state highway patrol. Mayor Herb - Polzin, Ray Kempe and the seventh and eighth graders of the Lone Oak School, who formed a human barrier around the tree. the tree was saved in a very dramatic event. Mayor Herb Polzin brought out ;the community use of the tree in his comments. He said since 1860 tit had served as a posting place t for town developments and ii-notices that included recording mortgages by the clerk. Laurence E. Foote of the Division of Environmental Services from the State Highway Department was also a guest .speaker at the dedication ceremony. The tree was dedicated as a Cultural Treasure of Eagan. All the while the program was taking place, the speakers com- peted with the heavy traffic .noises behind them on the ',highway, the airplanes above, land the rain. t The tree is believed to be from 1100 to 300 years of age, and the plaque presented in dedication Dotes it is a bur oak tree. KEY PEOPLE who hod much influence in making the Lone Oak Tree of Heritage status, spoke of their experiences at the program in honor of the occasion. From the left ore Arnold Walther, Rev. Richard Krenzke, Rep. Roy Kempe, Glen Ray of the State Horticultural Society, and John 1 Dexter, a student tape recordingghe event. I LONE OM( TREE ... (Continued from Front Page) ladies in the area. There was also a Lone Oak Walther League that put on plays that were quite a hit because they used the names of local residents when they ••portrayed" their roles on stage. Ray Kempe. state represen- tative for the Eagan area. said he had been called by Rev. Krenzke when the tree was about to be cut down by the highway department :in May, 1974. In less than an hour's time a "reprieve" had 'been granted the tree. He used Joyce Killmer's "Trees" as part of his presentation to the au- dience. Glen Ray said that the tree symbolizes the importance of a +leritage Tree program, and its dedication was appropriate on Arbor Day. 1976. . ik Rev. Krenzke spoke of the day be was on his way to work and taw the workman about to cut own the tree. He decided to take the matter up with others to see if they felt as he did —that 11the tree should not come down. With the help of the state .highway patrol. Mayor Herb 'r Polzin. Ray Kempe and the seventh and eighth graders of the Lone Oak School. who formed a human barrier around the tree. tthe tree was saved in a very dramatic event. the Mayor Herb Polzin brought out community use of the tree in 'his comments. He said since 1860 it had served as a posting place nd Spring scene This stately egret perched over this pond on Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. Photo b y D.rM Sege? EAGAN HRON/CLE a Current newspaper SECTION A — _ _ — �M 1. V,Ns 16, Monday Aprlt 16, 1904 "ladling red Ilia way d ese people. t . n.iphborboods and business et Eagan Eagan's historic Lone Oak tree comes down by David Siegel The Lone Oak Tree, a historical sym- bol of Eagan, succumbed quickly to woodcutters' saws Monday. With its upper limbs removed, the huge trunk crashed to the ground. When it was removed, all that remained were twigs and a stump. "1 suppose we've lost part of our heritage now," said Alyce Bolke, former city clerk -treasurer, sadly. The gnarled, nail -riddled bur oak has dominated for more than 200 years what is now the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. But it was near death, its roots covered with asphalt and its sap poison- ed by road salt. "As its limbs fell, some of them would...just disintegrate. Even the up- per limbs were rotted through. It was really getting pretty bad," said Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist. "I was even surprised," agreed Park and Recreation Director Ken Vraa. In the upper branches "normally you'd find a supple small green bud." Vraa and City Forester Tom Schuster found "pale yellow -green dry buds. 1t may not have even leafed out this year," Vraa said. EATURES: _'State of the City Wigan's Mayor Bea Blomquist described the state the city in one word — growth. Page 5A_ -foods The new Cub food store south of the river is one of the largest grocery stores in the midwest. Page Photo by David Sege! Wayne Bedman paints a sealant on a branch of the Lone Oak Tree to preserve 11. Bolke, who was city clerk from 1961 to 1980, said the tree was historically a gathering place for residents. Farmers left their milk cans there for pick-up by area creameries. Township officials have used the tree as a place to post of- ficial notices since 1860, she said. "1 guess in the early days, it was the one way of knowing what was going on," she said. The practice of posting notices con- tinued up until six years ago. "We had an old bulletin board that was on it. 1t was like a piece of plywood." A glass - covered posting board was later put up. Examining the felled tree. Schuster pointed out nails imbedded almost halfway into the trunk that are pro- bably 100 years old. As the tree grew, a wire became imbedded in its upper branches. Parks Department staff say they've heard a horseshoe is preserved somewhere in its trunk. Semitrucks and cars have struck the tree, which sat only a few feet from the blacktop, leading the Minnesota Department of Transportation to con- sider it a traffic hazard. In 1974, the highway department tied a yellow ribbon around the tree inten- ding to remove it so the highway could be widened. Members of nearby Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church talked the foreman into delaying the tree cutting. Students then made signs, state legislators were called and MoDOT INSIDE: Editorials State Capitol ,BA School District 196 .....12A M Seniors 17A ultttty line .. ,, 22A LONEOAK:top.14A 6A • This stump, above, is all that remains at the corner of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, where the Lone Oak Tree stood. Eagan City Forester Tom Schuster clips small branches of the Lone Oak Tree after its removal. 11A _ .. Photos ayDagkSuysr Above, Wayne Beckman, left, holds a bucket with preservative while Scott Eppen dips a branch o1 the Lone Oak tree. All open branches and cuts in the tree, which was removed April9, were treated. The city plans to make a sculpture out of the trunk. The branches will be given to sponsors. Left, the site of the treat with stump remaining. Lone Oak Tree Eagan's historic symbol of strength falls LONE OAK: from p.1A decided to perserve the tree. In 1976, residents and the Minnesota Historical Sue icty had the Lone Oak designated as the state's first heritage tree. 1t was also written up in "Famous and Historical Trees" by Chula Ran- dall and Henry Clepper, published by the American Forestry Association. The tree had become of symbol of Eagan representing strength and growth, according to Blomquist. Ar- nold Waltba wrote a weekly column about Eagan area residents for the West St. Paul Booster, and selected the name Lone Oak News. His first column wits in 1924. The Fue Department was the first to use the tree as a symbol on its truck and it later became the official city symbol. The Trinity Church and Lone Oak Road later adopted the symbol. But, last year the tree had few leaves and no acorns. City officials conceded its days were numbered. "It's barer to an it down" so it can be preserved, said Bkxn9uist. in addition, federal funding for im- proving the road rests on removal of the tree, Blomquist said. The City Council is considering hir- ing an artist to create a sculpture out of the trunk. The carving would occur in the Eagan library where the sculpture would remain. The tree branches will be saved and branded with an oak insignia. These can be given to donors who con- tribute to a fund to preserve the wood and pay the sculptor. Holly Duffy, administrative assistant to City Administrator Tom Hedges, said most calls Monday were about the tree. Many requests tor yieces have been received, she said. Without the tree, "the corner looks so lost," said Blomquist. The massive oak cannot be replaced. But a living memorial to it was planted last year at Trinity Lone Oak Church. A plaque commemorating the tree will be placed on the young oak by the state highway .. department. "The logo says it's a symbol of -atrength and growth and 1 guess it was :the growth that finally did it." n..esurrompowoilloWsroomm • Eagan's historic Lone Oak tree comes down by David Siegel The Lone Oak Tree, a historical sym- bol of Eagan, succumbed quickly to woodcutters' saws Monday. With its upper limbs removed, the huge trunk crashed to the ground. When it was removed, all that remained were twigs and a stump. "I suppose we've lost part of our heritage now," said Alyce Bolke, former city clerk -treasurer, sadly. The gnarled, nail -riddled bur oak has dominated for more than 200 years what is now the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. But it was near death, its roots covered with asphalt and its sap poison- ed by road salt. "As its limbs fell, some of them would...just disintegrate. Even the up- per limbs were rotted through. It was really getting pretty bad," said Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist. "I was even surprised," agreed Park and Recreation Director Ken Vraa. In the upper branches "normally you'd find a supple small green bud." Vraa and City Forester Tom Schuster found "pate yellow -green dry buds. It may not have even leafed out this year," Vraa said. Photo by David Siegel Wayne Beckman paints a sealant on a branch of the Lone Oak Tree to preserve it. Bolke, who was city clerk from 1961 to 1980, said the tree was historically a gathering place for residents. Farmers left their milk cans there for pick-up by area creameries. Township officials have used the tree as a place to post of- ficial notices since 1860, she said. "I guess in the early days, it was the one way of knowing what was going on," she said. The practice of posting notices con- tinued up until six years ago. "We had an old bulletin board that was on it. It was like a piece of plywood." A glass - covered posting board was later put up. Examining the felled tree, Schuster pointed out nails imbedded almost halfway into the trunk that are pro- bably 100 years old. As the tree grew, a wire became imbedded in its upper branches. Parks Department staff say they've heard a horseshoe is preserved somewhere in its trunk. Semitrucks and cars have struck the tree, which sat only a few feet from the blacktop, leading the Minnesota Department of Transportation to con- sider it a traffic hazard. In 1974, the highway department tied a yellow ribbon around the tree inten- ding to remove it so the highway could be widened. Members of nearby Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church talked the foreman into delaying the tree cutting. Students then made signs, state legislators were called and MnDOT LONE OAK: to p.14A FEATURES: State of the City Eagan's Mayor Bea Blomquist described the state of the city in one word - growth. Page 5A. Cub foods The new Cub food store south of the river is one of the largest grocery stores in the midwest. Page 23A. Card sharks. Page 19A. Editorials 6A State Capitol 8A School District 196 12A Seniors 17A Community line . 22A 1,4';.l0it;k. A. MARCH 30, 31, & APRIL 1 STOP BY AND GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL MERCHANTS AND REALTORS — HOURS — Mon:Fri. 9-9 Sat. 9-6 Sun. 11-5 1 1 'Hwy. 13 - Prior Lake"iall THE LONE oak tree stands at the intersection of Hwys. 55, 49 and Lone Oak Rd. The well-known community landmark was saved from the highway department's axe by area resi- dents five years ago and then was designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree in 1976. By JOAN WALI)OCK Staff Writer EAGAN -- It isn't every tree that is as much a part of the com- munity as this one. But the Lone Oak tree isn't just any old tree. The huge oak stands serenely at the intersection of Hwys. 55, 49 and Co. Rd. 26. No one knows ex- actly how long it has been there, but some say one or two hundred years. (Today, the large oak contrasts to the surrounding area, con- sidering the steady stream of traffic that whizzes past. In fact, some drivers probably don't even give it a second glance. But if anyone had any ideas about re- moving the tree, they probably wouldn't get too far, at least not without a fight from' area resi- dents. The tree is the namesake of nearby Trinity Lone Oak School, Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church and Co. Rd. 26, more commonly called Lone Oak Rd. In 1974, the State Highway • Department tried to remove the tree while doing some road work 4..ity ui i..ag.ui µ l k . u a logo for city stationery. The words read "Lone Oak Tree...a symbol of strength and growth in our community." Enrollment Drops In Shakopee SHAKOPEE -- Student enroll- ment at Shakopee Junior High School has dropped by over 100 the past three-year period. Because of that, the school board recently decided to cut about 31f2 teachers from the staff next year. Budget considerations and the population decline made the cuts necessary. The school will main- tain a teacher -student ratio of 1-19 according to its long range plan. FASHION MERCHANUISINts AND RETAIL MANAGEMENT 14 month program with internship. Classes begin April, July, Oct., Jan. NEXT CLASS OPEN - APRIL 2nd •Fashion Buying •Store Operation •Supervisory Techniques •Advertising and Promotion •Store Analysis •Retail Salesmanship •Security • Marketing •Retail Internship DAKOTA COUNTY AVTI ROSEMOUNT, MINN. CaII 612-423.2281 LET'S TALK NOW! BROOKSVILLE SHOPPING MALL COAST TO COAST HARDWARE NORLING LIQUOR ENGGREN'S WOMEN'S APPAREL TERI JO'S FLORAL HAUSER'S SUPER VALU UNITED FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN BROOKSVILLE BEAUTY SHOP HIGHLANDER CLEANERS &LAUNDRY YEN YEN CHINESE CAFE & LOUNGE CASSEM'S MEN'S CLOTHING LILA'S HALLMARK & GIFTS PRIOR LAKE MERCHANT'S fol..w+E,00� 0�`'4%�t*S80 2ND ANNUAL MER CHANTS SHOW `s-Pyjlts BARBARA'S INTERIORS BEN FRANKLIN VARIETY BROOKSVILLE BARBERS ENCLOSED MALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 0 THISWEEK March 27, 1979 aaroad aq1 uo luawaaaSe luau lolanap e 3o uopeaedaad ut2aq 01 els Alp all pazuoglne tlaunoa U. -s;o} Lz aney p}nom suapae' 1saw0Q 3o uotllppe rap atu, 'sli n Sutl}amp aldptnw ao3 pasn aq gegoad Iltm lnq ';ejd atn jo led lou st -imp 'and sepap uo V l0I �o ue pue sawo4 Attuie3. ai2uts .3 pauue}d suotltppe ano3 tilt n Isnla ter;uap!saa aq Ptnom par aqi, -peon dlunoa a o1 ssaa e seq 1! aauts uotsslwwoa 2u11 eid AlunoD o2 01 e4 111m 1e}d au,l, iS 418Ei Pue . . —Ay ny aepap 3o aauaoa ;samquou -.sal le 1e}d luawdo}anaQ s!A a 'suapaeO atlsawo( 1eld Aleutwt}aad ay; o; tenoad ;daauoa ane2 1launoa ail, =' I -slot 3o3 wpm leld iefluaptsaa it!we3 SUts paepuels a se panoadde _. -_gem uotllppe alp 'luawdo}anap �+a;snla a se pauue}d S}aauuo,4 -"Janoadde sem uollrpppe part!, led puowe1Q ao3 leid Leulw!1 mad aqj '2upaaw 8Z Italy agl1e .tp+uawdolanap Sutsnoy sn0aaumu •3 sued pamatnaa Itaunoa ail, 'a —ans aSae} a tans uo ptq of aaglaSol for ualjo sasnoy Sutpuoq se . tq aleaawoISuoa auo Alm antaa a film Alp a411ey1 alcossod riaan Ste s! 1! 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SutpunJaa aauenpdpa -8uaw Ira unoa 8Z Iudd a41 le paptaap sem sks ate se s Power Com- d for an 11'� e increase ltnnesota mmission. The generate $48.5 s on an annual effective for fter June 2, un- sal. NSP would e subject to re final PSG de more revenue is Aata Ito increased cos- Enzas one County Unit I �• which went into loth is one exam- {irman David F to Page 2A i Jo jE s,alE tam WE A taming d Qmm ssaj T , M� — A car owne <<`a�[Lon containin, PP ammunition bout1:25am ul21. -slut Itlur siap -Jatu aid letiM -n is 0) to front of his 425 Third St., 'ith the equip - the theft. He 'Ped into the was found 0 Aril., b tY Dea oad 86 on. The the car of am- rso,nal e car 9e9t 00 6$ SVLS 00•9$ inu- The er nOEAAN--dampened heir spirits were that came down on tdeshe groite pe rain 3 gathered for the LoneOak Tree that designation Friday. The gathering n i l Eagan dignitaries, boys and g included nels from arby. Lone. Oak LutherangtrSc•hool nears froma group of instrumen- talists 'Metcalf Junior High of the area th friends and neighbors T the hfirst Lone Oak Tree was named Bicentennial Heritage Tree in the was year. This honor granted it by the Minnesota Norticulturai Societe represented by its secretary - treasurer Glen Ray and Rev. Richard Krenzke who was strumental in saving tree m destruction g the go- ing highway projecto as go - eliminate the trPe go- named at the ded- Also 92ps when he was spot in the a West when h as a reporter for a e. htr' all Paper_ At that that took she had a column andothee oLone Oak designa- tiondotngs of the reported on the many references to Coa rneal made told the group that Oak. aHe s once a ball teamthere was Oak Acorns. and a called the Lone LOFA (Lone Oak Female caAe- tagonists( that didn't last too long• because there weren't suffi- cient antagonists to annoy the (Continued to Page 2A) nominator. 'cation was the Kagan. irs. Glenda Holz of A namemant who Popularized the Lone of tree and area as Oak heldal� was on the pro- gram Highway 49 under the tree at Eagan. Arnold 5 junction in time resident of Walther. ar, a long - near the dedication area, lived 1 INDEX ✓Business, S & 6C � ✓iness Bus15C Service Directory, ✓Church, 8 & 9C ✓Classified Ads, 11 thru 14C ✓Court Page, 15A v•Fomi3e, 2 & 4C ✓Form128 ✓Obituories, 5Ablic 1S �choolNotices, 13 thruA 2 thru 11B brts, 13 thru 15B Y.. n +quo 9 Staff Writer • 3 is ID 44l Pis PP till JUL' .'I gual E i all n !P3 47uow bl gtuow 6 quo 9 IT CULTURAL TREASURE OF EAGAN -- Lone Oak Tree Designated First State Heritage Tree THE MIGHTY Lone Oak Tree at Eagan stood toll and proud at the rainy Arbor Day program snaking it Minnesota's first "Heritage" tree of cultural significance. The tree will now hove o bronze plaque attoched to its trunk which will read: The Lone Oak, o Bur oak, Quercus Mgcro- porpo, Cultural Treasure of Eagan, Minnesota 1976. (Photo by Helyn Duff). 8y HELYN DUFF Staff Writer EAGAN -- Their spirits were not dampened despite the ram that came down on the group that 2 gathered for the Lone Oak Tree 'Heritage" designation at Eagan PRIOR LAKE -- Brooksville Mall will be the scene of the second annual Brooay April 1. Theemalal'sts 15how Friday, busin businesses will dhave and March displays, and merchants Lone Oak Surveys Busy Scene THE LONE oak tree stands at the intersection of Hwys. 55, 49 and Lone Oak Rd. The well-known community landmark was saved from the highway department's axe by area resi- dents five years ago and then was designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree in 1976. By JOAN WALDOCK Staff Writer EAGAN -- It isn't every tree that is as much a part of the com- munity as this one. But the Lone Oak tree isn't just any old tree. The huge oak stands serenely #44A etthe interseettett of,Hwys. 65,"49- traffic that whizzes past. In fact, some drivers probably don't even give it a second glance. But if anyone had any ideas about re- moving the tree, they probably wouldn't get too far, at least not without a fight from area resi- dents. The tree. Is the namesake 4t • - ' 4 r , rInIr Qnhnnl in the area. When students at the nearby school found out, they quickly made signs, banners and formed a protest group. Then they marched down the busy'in- tersection and formed a ring around the tree. Eagan police, highway patrol and other officials soon arrived on the scene, along with more, students and area residents. Legislators and highway de- partment officials heard about the situation, and the tree was spared. The highway department said it was not aware that this wasn't just another tree, or that it wasa community landmark. They probably didn't know that the tree has been used as one of the City of Eagan's official post- ing places for more than 80 years, or that the tree was once a site for area farmers to leave their milk cans for pick-up to be taken to the creameries. But they saved it anyway. Two years later, in October 1976, the tree was officially designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree. The City of Eagan adopted the tree as a logo for city stationery. The words read "Lone Oak Tree...a symbol of strength and growth in our community." Enrollment Drops In Shakopee SHAKOPEE -- Student enroll- ment at Shakopee Junior High School has dropped by over 100 the past three-year period. Because of that, the school board recently decided to cut about 31 teachers frQrn tte staff next vpnr throughout the city will sponsor booths to display their goods and services. Built 10 years ago, Brooksville Mall is located on Toronto Ave. off So. Hwy. 13. SLAPS?' I X WHAT'S THE INOCULATION for tax lilts? HELLO! LET'S TALK FASHION CAREERS TODAY! PHONE NOW! FOR INTERVIEW WITH OUR FASHION INSTRUCTORS FASHION MERCHANDISING AND RETAIL MANAGEMENT 14 month program with intemship. Classes begin April, July, Oct., Jon. NEXT CLASS OPEN - APRIL 2nd •Fashion Buying •Store Operation •Supervisory Techniques •Advertising and Promotion • Store Analysis • Retail Salesmanship • Security • Marketing • Retail Internship , Mcwug't $ dinu�nc. DAKOTA COUNTY AVTI RAREMOUNT; MMgi"r^+ Eagan wins fight to save Lone , By NANCY PAULU • Minneapolis Star Staff Writer Eagan's "Lone Oak" may not be the old- t or the -biggest tree in Minnesota, area sidents agree, but few attract stronger ntimental attachment. Residents of the Dakota County city have much regard for their oak that they've aged friendly but forceful battle with the innesota Highway Department to save it and have succeeded. Highway department officials, initially a surprised at the powerful community re- onse from Eagan, now admit a certain con- rn for the tree themselves: "It's not going to be cut down," says Kermit MacRae, assistant district engi- neer in the' department's Oakdale of- fice. "We just didn't know the signifi- cance of this particular oak tree." The Lone Oak is a 50- to 60-foot tree in Eagan on the median strip of Hwys. 55 and 49 at Lone Oak Rd. It's about 4 miles southeast of the Mendo- ta Bridge. Estimates of its age vary from "probably 100 years or older," (from the Rev. Richard Krenzke, pastor of the nearby Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church) to "probably 200 or even 300 years old" (from Herbert Polzin, Eagan mayor). Whatever its age, residents agree that the, \\\XW\; \Ck\ tree has become "quite a landmark: for the community," Polzin says. So much so, in fact that: It has a church, a road and a church school named after it. The church uses a picture of the tree on its letterhead. Public notices, including official meetings and even mortgage foreclosure notices, have been posted on it since the early days of Ea- gan Twp. The tree, Krenzke says, was named the Lone Oak in about - 1910 by the son of a for- mer Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church pas- tor. The church then had no "Lone Oak" in its title, but soon after changed its name... Early in May Krenzke`notice'd a ribbon ("yellow, in fact") attached to the old oak tree one morning.. . ` Checks with workmen in- the :,area dis- closed that the Lone Oak, along with several other trees close to the highway, was about to be cut to widen the road. Krenzke says he talked the foreman into delaying the tree cutting and quicklycontacted the church school's principal, who dismissed about 20 7th- and 8th-grade students. The students made signs and marched out TREE: Spared Continued from Page 1A to the tree to stage an orderly demonstra- tion, he says. In the meantime, Krenzke says, he called highway department officials, the Eagan mayor and state Rep. Ray Kempe, West St. Paul DFLer, to complain. The same morning, orders came back from the highway depart- ment to delay the cutting. More phone calls and a letter from the mayor to the highway department followed, Polzin says. Within a week, word came back that the tree would remain. - The tree originally was to be removed as part of a safety improvement project, McRae says. Hwys. 55 and 49 and Lone Oak Rd. are close to the tree, he says. The trees won't be removed, McRae says, . but in return the highway department has asked Eagan residents to attend a meeting at the church at 7:30 p.m. today where a highway official will "show the residents there is more than one side to the issue. The representative will discuss the impli- cations of hazardous objects near highways —which highway officials still believe the tree maybe. TREE Turn to Page 4A Tree • Continued from Page 1 B place where residents could meet for a visit or young people could begin a courtship. The old oak has been threatened numerous times in the past 10 years as improvements have been made on Minnesota 55, but resi- dents always were able to postpone the inevitable. In fact, any negative govern- ment action even remotely con- nected to the Lone Oak has been fiercely fought by local residents. Longtime resident Martin Shields remembers when officials tried to name the county road his neighbors always had called Lone Oak Road. "They tried to give it some fancy name," Shields said. "But we in- sisted on using it (the tree's name) for our addresses. Exasperated, officials gave up. City residents and government officials finally agreed last year, however, that the tree. which has been heavily poisoned by road salt over the years, must come down. Last May, the highway depart- ment planted a young oak tree in Trinity Lone Oak Church's court- yard, within easy walking distance from the original tree. The city is planning to place a plaque near the new tree commemorating the old Lone Oak, City Administrator Thomas Hedges said. The city plans to use part of the trunk for a sculpture to be located in the county library in Eagan, Hedges said, and dozens of Eagan history buffs have written city offi- cials requesting parts of the tree. City officials, Hedges said, are considering branding each piece sold to the public with the legend "Lone Oak Tree — City of Eagan, 1984." "If you get one that's branded, then you'll know it's authentic," he said. ST. PAUL DISPATCH Monday, April 9, 1984 / 1 B at• officials begin chopping an Eagan's Lone Oak tree, Bun Magnuson which has been a community sym- bol for more than 100 years. Eagan history uprooted; Oak is axed By Lucy Dalglish Staff Writer When Alice Bolke started as Eagan city clerk in 1961, her job description required her to post all city notices on the Lone Oak tree along Minnesota 55. Bolke retired in 1980, but not before she had in- structed her replacement to do the same. Eagan may be the fastest growing city in Minneso- ta, but tradition runs deep in the suburb that used to be a community of dairy, onion and potato farms. "The tree's always been one of the city's distinctive landmarks," Bolke said. Always ... until today. This morning, Minnesota Department of Transpor- tation crews began cutting down the dying tree to clear the right-of-way at the intersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. "This is sort of like going to a funeral. It's not enjoy- able at all," Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist said as workers cut off limbs and dropped them to the ground, where they disintegrated into small chunks. Despite a cold wind and drizzle, about a dozen spec- tators showed up to take pictures of the tree being cut down. "Throughout history, they'll never see another Lone Oak tree like this," said city Councilman Ted Wachter, a local expert on the tree's history The oak, perhaps 200 years old, will be cut into piec- es next year for souvenir hunters and its trunk will become a sculpture for the city of Eagan, putting an end to a tree that has been an important symbol of the Dakota County community. Old-time Eagan residents knew they always could find election notices and city council pronouncements posted on the bulletin board nailed to the tree. A county road and Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church were named for the tree and the old oak has been incorporated into the city's logo It also appears on city stationery, cars and fire trucks along with the legend, "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength and growth in our community." For perhaps the past 120 years, the tree has been a Please see Tree/58 20A [ MnDOT asks to cut down Lone Oak Tree The Lone Oak Tree was decorated with a large yellow ribbon when the hostages were released from Iran in 1981. TREE: from p. 1A designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree. "We'd like to see the tree go down as soon as possible. It could be a traffic hazard," said John Sandahl, a MnDOT representative. "Are you asking to remove the tree?" Mayor Bea Blomquist asked in astonishment. "Yes," he said. "There's not a one of us on the council who'll say you can. Or anyone in the city," she said. "We're not asking if you want it, we're asking for permission," he said. Blomquist had asked Sandahl to the meeting to discuss how to keep the tree alive as long as possible. She recently discovered that during highway construction work at Lone Oak Road and Highway 55, blacktop was laid within a foot of the tree trunk. The council was upset because when it approved plans for the highway project, it specified that the tree be kept from harm. Sandahl said he recently had a forester look at the tree and the forester gave the tree about two years to live. He added that about five years ago he had a forester examine the tree and the forester then said it wouldlive about five years. Councilmember Tom Egan said, "It appears to me the Highway Department is doing everything it can to kill the tree. Covering up its roots with blacktop is very detrimental to it. There's a lot of sentimentality attached to that tree." Blomquist asked if MnDOT could remove some of the blacktop near the tree and "let the roots breathe and at least give the tree another year." She said she would like to keep the tree alive so that next year they can get acorns from it to plant a second generation. She added, "There's no way an oak tree can live like this. It looks like MnDOT deliberately killed the tree.... You're putting it in its grave before it's ready to go there." She suggested that MnDOT also put up a little fence to keep cars from hitting the tree. "Obviously we'll have to if the tree stays," Sandahl said. M .W.JONNSON CONSTRUCTIO Winner of 3 Minneapolis Parade of Homes Awards 132nd St. � u° a _ N Cliff Rd. Save our Lone Oak The Minnesota Highway Department is out to get our Lone Oak Tree—Eagan's historic symbol. They want to cut it down, to make way for traffic. They call The Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard. This might be a good time to reprint a tribute to oak trees that appeared in a recent edition of the Minnesota Valley Audubon Society's Newsletter, "The Trumpeter," and ponder all the memories we have of the Lone Oak. Remember when the Iranian hostages were returned to the United States so- meone tied a yellow ribbon around the Lone Oak? Remember when it stood beside the road instead of in the middle of a highway? Remember when it look- ed more alive than dead? If that tree dies, those guys who lean on their shovels and supervise wet con- crete will have this town to answer to. And, fair warning, that will not be a happy day for them. Letters to the editor on this subject are invited. --Mary Ziegenhagen A traffic hazard? SECTION A EAGAN HRONJCL E a Current newspaper Vol. III, No. 46, Monday, November 15, 1982 Bringing you the news of the people, the neighborhoods and business of Eagan TWO SECTIONS Highway Department asks to cut down Lone Oak Tree by Linda Hanson Cut down Eagan's Lone Oak Tree? Not on your life. That was the City C ouncil's response to a state Department of Transportation (AtnDOT) request Blacktop comes within a foot of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree at Highway 55 and Oak Road. to get rid of the historic tree at l one Oak Road and Highway 55. The tree has served as an official city posting place for much of Eagan's past and has been TREE: top. 20A cusses gifted athletes by Laura Zahn Exceptional athletes in the seventh grade or above should be allowed to compete on the varsity level, according to a recommendation made by a District 196 task force studying gifted athletes and the district's policies. District policy bars middle school students from participation in high school -level athletics. But the task force, made up of 45 parents, teachers and administrators, said in a memo presented Monday night to the school board that district policy should not automatically exclude everyone, but should be flexible to allow exceptions. "...On rare occasions, a middle school athlete may be so physically and emotionally mature, as well as athletically gifted, that consideration must be given to allowing that par- ticular student to...compete at the senior high level," the memo said. The board may consider the issue at its Nov. 22 meeting. Eleven of 16 metro districts studied have some provisions for exceptional middle school athletes' participation at high school level. "Several of the school districts that didn't allow this...felt... their policy might change in the near future," the memo said. "The school districts that allowed this movement felt that their policies were very effective and served to meet the needs of their students." Only a few seventh- and eighth - graders each year would probably be able to compete at such an advanced level, but athletic gifted programs should exist for them just as academic programs exist for those who excell in classes, according to Bill Demaray and Larry Larson, two district staff members who co-chaired the task force. The proposed change in policy in- cluded these provisions: • The situation in which a seventh- or eighth -grader could compete would have to be "unique," that is, his or her special needs cannot be met at the mid- dle school level; • Request may be initiated by the stu- dent, parent or middle school coach, but not be any senior high staff member; • If the parents and student agree, the student's physical, emotional and social growth levels will be investigated by the middle school principal. Pro- gram offerings and transportation will also be considered; • A committee of the middle school principal, athletic director, head coach, senior high principal, athletic director and head coach would vote, with four or more votes required to pass; • The superintendent would review and make a final decision. Some staff contacted by the task force listed objections, such as the vast developmental differences between a seventh- and 12th-grader, and the four years of high school competition oppor- tunity. Also, some believed opportunity would be taken away from a high school student whom the gifted younger stu- dent would displace. String musicians offer concert Nov. 22 The District 191 Community Services Elementary String Orchestra, under the ., munity and is free. The program includes "Jingle Belts" " Lone Oak Located in the northeastern part of Eagan where Highways 49 and 55 temporarily merge, Eagan's "Lone Oak" tree grew long before there were any townships or roads in this region. The bur oak was estimated to be between 200 and 300 years old. The Lone Oak was used since early township days as a spot for the posting of official town notices, and later notes and advertisements from Eagan residents. During Eagan's dairy farming days a big wooden tank of water was built in its shade; farmers would leave their milk cans there to stay cool until the milk hauler picked them up and delivered them to the creamery. The tree's name is extended to the Lone Oak Road (County Road 26) as well as Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. The name "Lone Oak" came into popular use during the late 1920s when Arnold Walther, a reporter for a West St. Paul newspaper, wrote a regular column called "Lone Oak News" about the activities of residents of this area. The tree's fame spread in 1974, when the Highway Department, not realizing its historical significance, intended to cut it down. Reverend Richard Krenzke and school children of Trinity Lone Oak Church rallied community support to prevent the tree's destruction. On Arbor Day, April 30, 1976, the Lone Oak Tree was designated a Heritage Tree under a bicentennial program sponsored by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society. It has also been listed in a book, "Famous and Historic Trees," published by the American Forestry Association. Time, traffic and pollution eventually took their toll on the Lone Oak. Due in part to poisoning from road salt and obstruction of its growth by the blacktop of Highway 55, the tree began to die. In 1983, residents and Eagan officials reluctantly agreed to allow the state highway department to cut the tree down. On April 9, 1984, spectators gathered to see the demise of the original Lone Oak Tree. In May 1983, when the fate of the tree had been determined, the highway department planted a young oak on land belonging to Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. A plaque was placed there to commemorate the first Lone Oak. Although the original tree is gone, the symbol of the Lone Oak continues to serve Eagan. The tree appears on city stationery and newsletters with the legend, "The Lone Oak Tree —The Symbol of Strength and Growth in our Community." 20A tsl Vember 1 ) `jam: I cut down nnMnDOT asks to Lone Oak Tree The Lone Oak Tree was decorated with a large yellow ribbon when the hostages were released from Iran in 1981. TREE: from p.1 A designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree. "We'd like to see the tree go down as soon as possible. It could be a traffic hazard," said John Sandahl, a MnDOT representative. "Are you asking to remove the tree?" Mayor Bea Blomquist asked in astonishment. "Yes," he said. "There's not a one of us on the council who'll say you can. Or anyone in the city," she said. "We're not asking if you want it, we're asking for permission," he said. Blomquist had asked Sandahl to the meeting to discuss how to keep the tree alive as long as possible. She recently discovered /hat during highway construction work at Lone Oak Road and Highway 55, blacktop was laid within a foot of the tree trunk. The council was upset because when it approved plans for the highway project, it specified that the tree be kept from harm. Sandahl said he recently had a forester look at the tree and the forester gave the tree about two years to live. He added that about five years ago he had a forester examine the tree and the forester then said it wouldlive about five years. Councilmember Tom Egan said, "It appears to me the Highway Department is doing everything it can to kill the tree. Covering up its roots with blacktop is very detrimental to it. There's a lot of sentimentality attached to that tree." Blomquist asked if MnDOT could remove some of the blacktop near the tree and "let the roots breathe and at least give the tree another year." She said she would like to keep the tree alive so that next year they can get acorns from it to plant a second,generation. She added, "There's no way an oak tree can live like this. It looks like MnDOT deliberately killed the tree....You're putting it in its grave before it's ready to go there." She suggested that MnDOT also put up a little fence to keep cars from hitting the tree. "Obviously we'll have to if the tree stays," Sandahl said. • • • N IIJr`1 H eCLI s S7"i4 Ari? _ BC ti Staff Photos by Charles Bjorgen The lone oak tree that inspired the Eagan city motto fell to a buzz saw Monday. The 200-year-old tree near Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. was the spot where Eagan homesteaders posted official notices In the late 1800s. City officials hope to keep the spirit of the tree alive by preserving the trunk in the form of a sculpture in the city library. • • • Ivanhoe/Steven Jenkins prosecutor asks that evidence not be admitted The e uaior • the kins 0,1 t ILA, 'he judge not to admit into ev dence a personality assessment of Jenkins' fthnr i...r,er. tiara an tha hgAd_ were necessary." But in a motion filed with Judge; Walter Mann, the prosecution at- ouPC that a oranhnlnov rennrf' 'New' Lone Oak Tree dedicated DEDICATION OF the "new" Lone Oak Tree was held May 22 during a warm, windy ceremony at Trinity Lone Oak Luth- eran Church in Eagan. The "new" Lone Oak was transplanted in May, 1983, to replace the original 200-year-old Lone Oak Tree, which was removed from the in- tersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road April 9 of this year. The dedication ceremony, which was emceed by Eagan Councilman Ted Wachter, featured re- marks by Rev. Don Wilke of Trinity Lone Oak Church, Assistant Mn/DOT Commissioner Larry McNamara, Dist- rict Engineer Kermit McRae and Mayor Bea Blomquist. Children from Trinity Lone Oak School also sang a selec- tion. Besides the dedica- tion, a plaque honoring the Lone Oak Tree was unveiled and Mayor Blomquist was also pre- sented with a colored photograph of the original Lone Oak Tree to hang in city hall. In the top photo, Rev. Wilke said a prayer over the "new" Lone Oak 4A MAY 28, 1984 THISWEEK Tree, while students from the school looked on. In the middle photo, Mayor Blomquist, center, read the plaque flanked by McNamara, left, and Wachter. In the bottom right photo, Lone Oak students took their turn at the plaque, while in the bottom left photo, Blomquist and McNamarar are seen with the colored picture of the original Lone Oak Tree. Photos by Jeff Burrill Ad Prices Effective Thru Saturday, June 2, 1984 we reserve the right to limit quantities SHOPAND SAVE IN. EAGAN AT R. C. DICK'S IGA 3945 Sibley Memorial Highway Cedarvale Shopping Center EAGAN HOURS: 8-10 MON.-SAT.; 9-9 SUN. R. C. DICK'S IGA R. C. DICK'S IGA 30 South Fairview WE ACCEPT USDA FOOD STAMPS 374 Bernard Ave. (Dodd Rd.) WEST ST. PAUL ST. PAUL HOURS! 8-9 M-F; 8-8 SAT.: 10-6 SUN. OPEN 24 HOURS ARMOUR STAR SLICED BACON 12 oz. pkg. 99c wlcoupon Armour Star _ $ 129 Smokies 1P89 �zZz__z_zzz=_z=zz_s---zzzu__ BUDGET FAMILY PAK FRYERS cur-uv L8.63 04 04 04 �N.....NN-KNN...1,1.• •• $ WILSON SLICED S CHOPPED 1 HAM ••99 •• • LB. am&. (EAGAN STORE ONLY) $ REG. $289 EACH S DELI i PIZZAS i : FOR SLICED . i AMERICAN s •CHEESE• • $219 LB. I • 's f •• •NM• N•�N��'N.•�•1N�N •�••.N • •-S MESA' — — —— — s HILLSHIRE POLISH LINKS • • • $238 LB. (EAGAN STORE ONLY) RASPBERRY S CHIFFON SALAD 11OFOR99 i PINT 1 POTATO S CAKES 9C! •• • WHILE THEY LAST! ALL FLAVORS Reg.'Y' KEMPS ROUNDS 'h GAL. '259 SAVE 30c EACH 1 TUNA FISH 3 - DIAMONDS BRAND Oil or Water Pak 59c LIMIT 2 Chuck Roast Lb. USDA Choice Clwcic let�K $139 Lean $1 39 Ground Beef Lb. Klement s - Fresh Italian Sausage or Bratwurst Lb $1 59 Armour Star - Boneless Turkey Fresh Cauliflower Fresh Homegrown Green Top Each Radishes BunCh Campbelrs Mushrooms Pkg. Fresh Broccoli Lb. 5-Lb. $ 1 5 9 Pkg. 119 Lb. Lb. $149 Armour Star $1 Franks or Smokies Pkg 7 29 USDA Choice - Ann Cut Chuck Roast Clausen - whole or Icicle, Kosher $ 1 A Y 9 Pickles 3Jaz. Extra Lean Ground Beef Jumbo Lb. $159 Cantaloupe $159 3/$1 99c Lb. Honeydew Melons Each 59Jumbo c ry Tomatoes Pints 9 9 c CherRomaine, Red 6 Green Leaf /1 /� Lettuce Bunch 99 V California Lettuce 5 9 c California Celery HEALTH & BEAUTY AIDS Usterine 21s-0_. $ 2 3 9 Mouthwash Btl. Eveready - Economy Flashlight 501 $E og Each Hi Drl - Asst. 894 Paper Towels r— B" N HI-DRI 1-R0II Pkg. 2/89c Expires 6-2.84 LargezenEggs Do —; 7 9 c ofr: Expires 6-2-84 505 Crystal Farms - Grade A Butter 1-Lb. Solid $1p54e9 , 1IIIIli� Each Head With Coupon 69 J co E L I Available only at stores with on -premise dell. Wilson - Continental Reg. or Dutch Old Fashion Loaf Lb. $249 Fresh $ 1 29 3-Bean Salad IGA - Sp1It Top Wheat Bread 1 Y -Lb. Loaf 694 502 411111 sklppy - Creamy & Chunky tliiao Peanut Butter 18-oz. Jar $119 Expires 6-2-84 504 California Lettuce Head 29C Expires 6-2-84 Armour Star OMuteunrir 506 gE Sliced Bacon 12-0z. Pkg. _ 99c Expires 6-2-84 All IGA Stores will be open Memorial Day - Monday,. -May 28. THISWEEK - MAY 28. 1984 3A, Eagan's history is uprooted as Lone Oak tree gets the ax By Lucy Dalglish Staff Writer When Alice Bolke started as Eagan city clerk in 1961, her job description required her to post all city notices on the Lone Oak tree along Minnesota 55. Bolke retired in 1980, but not before she had in- structed her replacement to do the same. Eagan may be the fastest growing city in Minneso- ta, but tradition runs deep in the suburb that used to be a community of dairy, onion and potato farms. "The tree's always been one of the city's distinctive landmarks," Bolke said. Always ... until today. This morning, Minnesota Department of Transpor- tation crews began cutting down the dying tree to and growth in our community." For perhaps the last 120 years, the tree has been a place where residents could meet neighbors for a visit or where youngsters could begin a courtship. And folks gathered again today for the destruction of the tree. The old oak has been threatened numerous times in the last 10 years as improvements have been made on Minnesota 55, but resi- dents always were able to postpone the inevitable. In fact, any negative govern- ment action even remotely con- nected to the Lone Oak has been fiercely fought by local residents. Longtime resident Martin Shields remembers when officials tried to name the county road his neighbors always had called Lone Oak Road. "They tried to give it some fancy name," Shields said. "But we in- sisted on using it (the tree's name) for our addresses. Exasperated, the officials gave up. City residents and government officials finally agreed last year, however, that the tree, which has been heavily poisoned by road salt over the years, must come down. Last May, the highway depart- ment planted a young oak tree in Trinity Lone Oak Church's court- yard, within easy walking distance from the original tree. The city is planning to place a plaque near the new tree commemorating the old Lone Oak, Hedges said. The old tree was dismembered branch by branch because of its fragile condition and to accommo- date souvenir hunters. The city plans to use part of the trunk for a sculpture, City Admin- istrator Thomas Hedges said, and dozens of Eagan history buffs have written city officials requesting parts of the tree. clear the right-of-way at the intersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. The oak, perhaps 200 years old, will be cut into piec- es for souvenir hunters and its trunk will become a sculpture for the city of Eagan, putting an end to a tree that has been an important symbol of the Dakota County community. Old-time Eagan residents knew they always could find election notices and city council pronouncements posted on the bulletin board nailed to the tree. A county road and Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church were named for the tree and the old oak has been incorporated into the city's logo. It also appears on city stationery and fire trucks along with the leg- end, "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength Please see Tree / 5B 1= E i RO Pot-i r9/6 News Li- q- 8'/ ul, see tor yourself. d on our show floor 11,700 L MOTORS, INC we Ave 645-0741 Century 4 door -a very clean mid- t wheel drive with tory power, tilt ruise control --sale 40. )SEVILLE 81 Buick Riviera Soft sandalwood tan with matching velour interior. Only 31,000 low, low miles! 81 Buick Riviera Looks and drives brand new! Sharp arctic white exterior with luxury velour int. Loaded with options and only 38,000 Low, low miles! , • • • November 18, 196 Lone Oak Tree Listecl In 'Famous Tree' Book By HELYN DUFF Staff Writer EAGAN -- The Lone Oak Tree in Eagan. at Hwy. 49 near Hwy. 55, has been listed in a new book published by the American Forestry Association. The book, titled "Famous and Historic Trees," has just been published by the association. ac- cording to one of its members, Frank Haas of Eagan. The information about the now - famous tree was taken from articles written in the Dakota County Tribune, which were sent to the association by Haas. along with some pictures of the tree. The book out just this month gives a synopsis of the history of the Lone Oak Tree under the chapter head "Trees associated with development of the nation." Haas said the Lone Oak Tree story is the only one from Min- nesota. Haas said the book can be purchased from the American Forestry Association (a non- profit organization, and perhaps the oldest forestry association in the United States.) Cost of the 96-page book is $3.50. The address is 1319 18th St. W., Washington. D.C. 20036. Haas said the book has dif- ferent classfications, such as trees associated with notable people; educators and institu- tions; with literature and music; church and religion: forestry and conservation; and trees on the aesthetic scene as well as the un- usual. Haas, who lives at 1589 McCarthy Rd. in Eagan. retired as a vice president of IDS after 41 years. He is still pursuing his hobby of growing trees on a 360- acre tree farm near Clam Falls, WI. His interest in trees covers a wide span of years, with a tree farm purchase in 1965. Some 35,000 seedlings have been planted by Haas and his son, whom he credits with taking care of it for the most part. His membership in the American Forestry Association is long standing. He indicated that each year his group has a special project and puts out a book. Some have been "Know Your Trees," and "How to Plant Trees." They do things to further forestry, and the book "Famous and Historic Trees" was a natural in the Bicentennial year. Haas was very pleased to see that the Lone Oak Tree articles were accepted for publication. He wondered, however, why there were not more trees nominated from Minnesota, a state well known for its forests and forestry industry. He chuckled when he noted that there were several from the state of Kansas -- which he described as a prairie state. The Lone Oak Tree is now in the archives of the United States with the publication of its history in this book, Haas said. grocer doesn't 's Dog Food yet dog fctod at a price. • Year Buy ` SAFE IIISTMAS TREE $I9.8up SPLAY! NINETY-NINTH YEAR DAKOTA C Sinyl. Copy 50C Y TRIBUNE FARMINGTON, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 12,1983 147240 Eagan gets a new 'Lone Oak Tree' STUDENTS FROM Trinity Lone Oak School did their best to make sure Eagan's "new" Lone Oak Tree will grow straight and strong. Following a ceremony to celebrate the transplanting of the tree, the children welcomed it by dispersing fer- tilizer around its trunk. The new tree has been designated to carry on the tradition of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree. REV. REUBEN Meissner, pastor of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, conducted a short ser- vice before the trans- planting of a burr oak to replace Eagan's Lone Oak Tree. By JEFF BURRILL The "Lone Oak Tree" of Eagan isn't really so lonely. As a matter of fact, being located on a median at the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. affords the 200-year-old landmark plenty of company in the form of passing vehicles. But it's because of this location that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has decided to remove the tree come fall. "There have been just too many drivers who've ended up hitting the tree," Mn/DOT public affairs director Bob Vockrodt plained. "So for safety's sake, we feel we have to remove it. Also, the tree is rapidly dying a natural death. But we've made a number of arrangements to carry on the tradition of the tree, which we feel is important to the history of Eagan and Dakota County." Mn/DOT's approach to the Lone Oak Tree has met with its share of opposition, however. For instance, last fall when Mn/DOT district engineer John Sandahl decreed Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard and requested it be cut down, Eagan Mayor Bea Blorn- quist was upset. Yet, despite her protests, the tree's days appear to be truly numbered. But then again, that also seemed the case back in 1974 when the Lone Oak Tree was destined for the wood- pile. dt was a group of students from trinity Lone Oak School which gave the tree a new lease on life by staging a protest against its removal on the very day it was scheduled to be cut down. The seventh and eighth graders tied a yellow ribbon around the tree, then paraded with signs advo- cating its existence. And just like in the movies, the `victim' was rescued in the nick of time. "What they did was revamp the highway construction plans to ac- .commodate the tree," Vockrodt said. "At that time, the highway department wasn't aware the tree had landmark status." The Lone Oak Tree achieved its `landmark status' through its 200-plus years of service to the citizens of Eagan. Back in the "olden days" the tree was used as a place to post notices and bill- boards, a tradition which was carried on for years. The story also dictates the tree was used by farmers as a place to leave their milk cans for pick-up by delivery wagons from area creameries. In the ensuing years, Co. Rd. 26, the street which passes east and westerly near the tree, was renamed Lone Oak Road. And the church and parochial school located on Hwy. 49 are also name- sakes of the tree. "It's because of its history that we're doing what we can to preserve the tradition of the Lone Oak Tree," Vockrodt said. Mn/DOT began its restoration process Wednesday, May 4, by transplanting a "new" Lone Oak Tree on the grounds of the 95-year-old Trinity Lone Oak Church. Yet, like the process of considering the fate of the original tree itself, the ceremony had its hitches. Mayor Blomquist, Rev. Reuben Meissner, Mn/DOT officials, members of the local press and various interested onlookers gathered to observe the planting of the new Lone Oak Tree. The ceremony featured a short ser- vice by Rev. Meissner and a welcoming speech by, Blomquist. But there was no tree to welcome, as the new Lone Oak became more than just fashion- ably late. So there everyone stood, staring into a nine -foot wide, 102-inch deep hole. It was at that point Vockrodt received word the tree mover being used to transport the new oak was stuck in the mud. So, just like in the movies again, everyone hopped into their cars and headed out to the removal site near Blue Gentian NUMBER ELEVEN Photos by Jeff Burrill AT SUMMER'S end, Eagan's Lone Oak Tree will be removed from the median at the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. The highway was built around the 200-year-old tree in 1974, but according to Mn/DOT officials, the Lone. Oak now presents a traffic hazard. A "new" Lone Oak was planted May 4 at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, just a glance away from the site of the original tree. Rd. Here all were treated to an impressive display of machine dictating nature. The huge tree mover, describ- ed by a Haifa Nursery represen- tative as the "world's largest" such machine, was soon unstuck and hard at work. After careful maneuvering, the tree mover surrounded Eagan's newest land- mark and with a single gulp, lifted it from the ground, soil and all, and transported it to the church. Awaiting arrival of Lone Oak number two were students from the Trinity school, who cheered the transplant proceedings. Each student then dispersed a handful of fertilizer on the new addition. According to Vockrodt, by us- ing Halla Nursery's tree mover, transplanting costs were held to $400. This is a savings of $1,100 over the purchasing and trans- planting of a tree through conven- tional methods. The new Lone Oak Tree, like its predecessor, is a burr oak, which is a variety known for its stability and longevity. It has already sur- vived over 30 years. "We'll also be preserving the original tree by collecting its acorns and planting them on the grounds of the new Eagan City Hall," Vockrodt said. "And there are also plans to turn the tree into park benches." So, it would seem that while the Lone Oak Tree may soon be up- rooted from its home of 200 years, it will continue to Thrive in various forms while maintaining its historic significance to the Ci ty of Eagan and Dakota.County. PAGE 2A 1/11Av1A COUNTY TRIBUNE •MAY 12, 1983 readers' opinions Disappointed in Sen. Wegscheid To the editor: Senator Darril Wegscheid's disappointing performance on the superfund bill in the Min- nesota Senate April 26 demon- strated to a shocking degree that he represents not the people of District 37 who elected him, but rather the executives of 3M who employ him. Again and again he spoke against providing protection for people who might be injured by hazardous wastes, and instead of- fered amendment after amend- ment to protect 3M from respon- sibility for the hazardous waste dump sites such as the one in Oakdale which 3M created. In between offering his amend- ments for 3M, he was filmed by Channel 5 news while conferring in the hall with the 3M lobbyists. Sen. Wegscheid clearly had an enormous conflict of interest on this issue, but chose not to do the Supports Evans To the editor: Director Phyllis Evans of the District 191 School Board should be reelected _ May 17. She has served our community well. In observing her over We -Pik two years, I have noted her con- cern for reflecting the values and priorities of the community. She has made a concentrated effort to keep a dialogue going between all segments that have an interest in and concern for education. Mrs. Evans is a fiscal conser- vative with the knowledge and expertise to keep a balance bet- ween quality and economy. To fail to take advantage of her ex- perience would be a loss for District 191. Phyllis Evans deserves your vote May 17. ANN SCHLUTER 13015 Girard Ave. S., Burnsville Supports Phillips To the editor: In this time of educational change in the Rosemount -Apple Valley School District, it is par- ticularly.crucial that community members express their opinions about the directions this change will take. May 17 represents a prime opportunity to express these opinions as voters take to the polls for school board elec- tions. Over the past two years I have had the pleasure of working with Dave Phillips on the long range plan task force for District 196. He has been a hard-working, con- scientious worker of extraor- dinary vision coupled with good common sense, as we have drafted a five-year plan for the district. In my opinion, no one is more suited to make decisions about the education our children will receive in the future. I want to urge your readers to reelect Dave to the board of education so that we can insure level-headed leadership through the changes ahead. Very truly yours, KAREN B. ROGERS 14004 Whiterock Rd., Burnsville ethical thing and disqualify himself (like Sen. Mike Freeman did). His shallow conduct answers the question I asked myself : who does he represent, me or 3M? DENNIS P. RANDALL 4577 152nd St., Apple Valley Vote for Smith To the editor: I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Bill Smith as a candidate for the school board in Rosemount School District 196. I have known Bill Smith for six years and have found him to be an involved, concerned and ac- tive parent and citizen. I believe that he is an open-minded leader with the highest integrity. I fully support Bill Smith's posi- tions favoring low class size, special education and programs for gifted students. His creden- tials as a certified public accoun- tant also afford him the critical ingredients to help insure a sound fiscal policy for our district. In summary, I believe--Bill---the smith to -"be an active; well- informed, responsible school board member and I encourage my fellow citizens to support him. - in the upcoming school board election. ROSEMARY O'MEARA CAR- RAHER, 13014 Eveleth Ave., Apple Valley Disputes new plan To the editor: The Minnesota Legislature is. talking about starting a state -run insurance company as a part of a proposed settlement to our work comp problem. This state fund would cost $3 million to get going. It would compete with private in- surance companies. Do we really think that the government is going to do a good job of running an insurance com- pany? The real problem in Workers' Compensation- is the benefit structure and the fact that we have too many lawsuits and overly high medical costs. But those are problems created by government. Let's all encourage our legis- lators to keep Minnesota out of the insurance business. We need real work comp reform, not some hare -brained acheme to make government bigger. Minnesota doesn't have $3 million to waste on an idea like this one. Sincerely, VICTOR J. KOHLNHOFER, President, Kohlnhofer Agency, Inc., Lakeville Thanks from ARC To the editor: I would like to thank you for the article and picture of John LeMay featured in the April 21 issue of the Dakota County Tribune. Our association relies on volunteer involvement and public recognition serves as a boost to volunteer andultimatelyour association _. Thank you for your continued interest in the ARC/Dakota Coun- ty! Sincerely, MARIANNE REICH, Administrative Assistant/News- letter Editor, ARC, Dakota County Tax Freedom Day delayed in state (The following article is from the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, a non-profit, non- partisan research organization.) Minnesota taxpayers celebrated Tax Freedom Day Wednesday, May 11 - nine days laterthan the typical taxpayer nationwide; according to the Min- nesota Taxpayers Association.._ Tax Freedom Day is the day when the typical worker would owe no more taxes if, from Jan. 1, 1983, every dollar of income earn- ed was used to pay federal, state and local taxes. After this date the workers are free to spend the remaining income as they choose. The U.S. Tax Freedom Day calculations are .made by. economists of Tax Foundation Inc., a nationally recognized research organization. The foun- dation reports that with the ex- ception of the last two years, the trend has been relentless - more and more time on the job, just to keep the tax collector away. The good news for the average U.S. worker is that Tax Freedom Day falls one day earlier in 1983 than the revised date in 1982. In addi- tion, the 1982 date was four days earlier than the date in 1981. The foundation attributes the respite for taxpayers to "the im- pacts of the Economic Recovery federal government for one hour and 44 minutes, and for state and local governments for another hour and 7 minutes. "Average wage earners don't start working for themselves un- til lunch time. The same amount of work time is spent earning money to_pay_taxes as is spent working to pay_ for the three basic necessities of life-- food, clothing and shelter. Only 20 minutes are spent working to enjoy the fruits of labor," Paterick concluded. The eight hour workday breaks down as follows: Federal taxes, 1 hr. 44 min.; state and local taxes, 1 hr. 7 min.; housing, 1 hr. 34 min.; food and beverage, 1 hr. 7 min.; Transportation, 43 min.; medical, 35 min.; clothing, M min.; recreation, 21 min.; all other, 27 min. For more information call Min- nesota Taxpayers Association at (612) 224-7477. Domestic dispute triggers incident Support -for Smith Program equality To the editor: Please vote for Bill Smith in ISD 196, this Tuesday. Bill Smith has been a dedicated citizen working on behalf of education of students in District 196 for many years. Bill's dedica- tion has been exemplified in his activities in chairing citizens committees to look at the building requirements of the school district, a study that was begun five years ago _ and culminated in the program which built Scott Highlands, Thomas Lake Elementary, Echo Park Elementary, and the addition to Apple Valley High School. As can be seen from our census figures today, and projections for the next six -to -eight years, Bill Smith led the committee to the right conclusion, which was to build this much space and then wait and see. Bill Smith has been actively in- volved in citizens committees related to the discretionary fund levy that was passed two years ago. State funding for education is a very complex issue. Bill Smith, with the help of many able citizens, worked hard to get understanding of the issue. The final vote showed strong support in record margins for elementary and secondary education within the Rosemount School District. Bill and Deb's oldest child is now a kindergartner in District 196. Their three children face more than 12 years of education. If you look at all the factors: Bill's education, lis school board experience, his financial train- ing, his long association with our schools, his awareness of and in- sight on the issues, and finally his dedication as exemplified through years and years of volunteer work within the school system, you would conclude, as we do, that Bill Smith should be elected to the one-year term in District 196, and should continue in his role as a school board direc- tor. CAROL AND DARRIL WEGSCHEID, 14374 Genesee Ave. Apple Valley questioned by parents To the editor: A group of parents in District 191 is concerned that students who have difficulty learning at the junior high level are not given the same basic services as in our elementary schools or at the senior high level. Students in the elementary schools are grouped into "levels" in reading and math. They are taught to their "level" and in groups with others of near their ability. In our senior high school, there are many programs and classes geared to the students who have difficulties. But, at Metcalf Junior High, on- ly one grouping or class is offered in ninth grade math, although there are special groups or classes for the gifted in math, social studies and science. At Nicollet Junior High, there are special classes for the gifted in nath, social studies and science, )ut no low groups in any subjects !xcept seventh and ninth grade nath. Just this year, the low ;roupings in English were drop - fed in seventh, eighth and ninth trade at Nicollet, - --_ Most metropolitan school listricts recognize the fact that here are students who are one to wo years behind their Iaasmates and to best service hem offer "basic" or• "skills" ourses in at least two subject reas at the junior high level, usually in math, English, social tudies, or science). This results . each such subject area being ffered to three "levels," (low, Average and gifted), and in separate classrooms. ' Eight out of the 12 districts we Oled provide this service. They tre: Bloomington, District 271; napkins, District 270; St. Louis lark, District 283; West St. Paul- endota-Eagan, District 197; innetonka, District 276; ichfield, District 280; White fear Lake, District 624; Anoka- Fennepin, District 11. _ When district administrators are questioned as to why "basic" oa "skills" classes aren't offered to the low group at junior high level in our district, they said they have a problem getting teachers to teach these classes IN ASSAULT CASES •• due to more than the normal amount of discipline problems. Other districts take "behavior problem students" to a separate area. Also, when we asked if a teacher could refuse an assign- ment, they said no. Ad- ministrators also say that a class offered to the low group of students needs to be kept at 20, so other classes get somewhat larger. Why can other districts manage this? Why should a large number of lower students be plac- ed with their average and above average classmates? It is a frustrating experience when they are asked to do and be something they are not capable of due to a numbers game. Even in these budget -cutting times, other districts offer ability level classes for the lower group. It doesn't have to cost the .district money. If you feel that you would like District 191's services at the junior high level increased by of- fering special "skills" classes in at least two subject areas, please sign our petition, (by calling one of the following people). We feel this will directly affect parents in our school district who have a student in the lower reading and math groups in elementary school, a learning disabled student in elementary or junior high, an EMH student who - can be mainstreamed, or any stu- dent who is having difficulty lear- ning. It also effects parents of normal students who are unable to progress as fast as they could without the "basic" students in their classroom. If you are a concerned parent, please come to the school board meeting Tuesday, May 17, at 8 p.m. in the administrative ser- vices building, 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville., Remember, we need your signature on our petition before May 17_. Please call one of the following: Jay and Lynn LaDue, 890-2671; Ken and Scotty Adams, 894-5436; Mike and Dodie Phillips, 435-8714. Police seek suspects COMPOSITE DRAWINGS of three males sought in recent assault cases have been released by the Burnsville Police Department. Anyone who has information about these suspects should call 890.4100 or 890-2460. BURNSVILLE -- Four sexual assault cases have been reported in recent weeks to the Burnsville Police Department. The depart- ment has charges pending in one possibly a two -door. A 24-year-old female reported she was sexually assaulted April 29 about 3 a.m. in her apartment at Chancellor Manor. should be forwarded to the department at 890-4100 or 890-2460. A 26-year-old male suspect has been identified in an April 25 inci- Dist. 196 restructures community education By SANRA FORSMAN- Action taken by District 196 Board of Education Monday, May 9, restructured and redefin- ed the community education department. In addition to main- taining the present programs, ac- tivities and events, the depart- ment will become the "umbrella for all the institutional change ac- tivities, programs and events." Restructuring includes the position postings for a director of community education, director of strategic planning for education system and a new secretarial position. The three coordinator positions will be terminated and two district supervisor positions, recreational and adult education, will be posted. All positions are effective July 1. JoAnne Ellison, director of research and census, has been the acting director of community education for the past year. Superintendent Dr. Ruth Ran- dall's recommendation passed unanimously with three amend- ments. They are: the position of director of strategic planning will be a one-year position to June 30, 1984, with an option to extend; top of the salary range for director of community education was lowered to $36,000 from $40,000; and salaries listed on- postings are for 1983-84 with the exception of the director of strategic plann- ing. Lloyd Krob, director, proposed a salary range of $38,000-$42,000 for the director of strategic plan- ning instead of the $40,000-$45,000 recommended. Bill Smith, direc- tor, disagreed, stating, "We need a heavyweight someone with clout." • - Randall stated the position also calls for someone with technical" - ability. Both Smith and Krob agreed it would take the superintendent to get the job (institutional change) done. Randall's recommendation said the institutional change aspect of community education will have its own funds apart from the general fund as com- munity education does now. However, the new position will not be self-sustaining the first year. Krob's amendment was defeat- ed by a 4-2 vote. Dave Phillips, director, voted with Krob. Direc- tors . Don Westerhausen, Smith, Beverly Albee and Dick Boucher voted nay. Terry Joyce was ab- sent. The board voted unanimously to join a cooperative venture with the Burnsville, Farmington and Lakeville school districts to offer adult literacy programs in north- west Dakota County.: _ The cooperative called 'thee' Adult Basic Continuing Educa- tion (ABCE) consortium will of- fer English as a second language, adult basic education, general education development and the high-schooldiploma program._—_ The district has been offering these services through its com- munity education department. Joining with the neighboring school district will save the district approximately $3,000, ac- cording to the report presented to the board. Eagan replats portion of Eagandale Park By JEFF BURRILL EAGAN -- At its May 3 meeting, the Eagan City Council approved the replating of approx- imately 45 acres of Eagandale In- dustrial Park. This will allow the main entrance of the industrial park to be located on Pilot Knob Road, while a new entrance will be accessible from a road north of Avalon. The council also granted a building permit for a business complex on the replatted portion of the industrial park. Along with the replatting per- mit, however, the developing company, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, was re- quested to pay Eagan's new in - Bale of straw lands on car FARMINGTON -- It was the straw that broke the auto's front. Actually, it was a bale of straw that buckled the front end of the 1978 Chevrolet Diane Sherman, 20295 Donnelly, was driving. Sherman was eastbound on Hwy. 50 near Easter Ave. about 3:40 p.m. Saturday, May 7 when she met a pickup truck carrying a load of straw bales. As the two vehicles passed, two bales fell from the truck. One struck the front end of Sherman's car, caus- ing over $1,300 damage. Sherman was not injured and dustrial and commercial park dedication fee. This is a fee which is to be paid at the time of final plat approval or at the time of site plan or building permit ap- proval. As the council implemented this fee requirement Iast December, the Eagandale developers are the first industrial or commercial developers to be assessed. IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNCIL: APPROVED a rezoning and preliminary plat request for Woodhaven Addition at Rahn Rd. and Beau D'Rue Dr. One of the two acres in the development was rezoned from community shopp- ing center to apartments, while the other acre was already zoned for apartments. The development will be comprised of two 17 dwelling apartment buildings. APPROVED the preliminary plat of Sunset Addition in southeastern Eagan. The five - acre development site will con- sist of 14 single 'family homes. APPROVED plans and specifications for the Diffley Rd. construction project between Nicols and Blackhawk roads. APPROVED plans and specifications for construction of Lexington Rd. from Cliff Rd. to just north of Diffley Rd. APPROVED a grading permit for the property on the northeast corner of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. Roadway jeopardizes • Eagan Lone Oak Tree By DONNA GILSON Staff Writer EAGAN -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) asked the city council at its Tuesday, Nov. 9 meeting for removal of the Lone Oak Tree. It was rebuffed. John Sandahl of Mn/DOT came before the council to ask for the removal of the tree, saying it presents a traffic hazard because it is too close to the roadway. The recent construction work at the intersection of Lone Oak Rd. and Hwy. 55 brought the roadway within about a foot of the tree's base and piled additional blacktop on the root system. Sandahl said Mn/DOT avoided the tree horizontally by paving around it, but was unable to avoid it vertically with the additional surfacing. He added that a forester told him the tree had, at best, two years of life left. The council answered him by going on record in opposition to the removal of the tree and to any hastening of its death. In addi- tion, it asked that some of the blacktop be removed to, allow the "roots to breathe so that tree can live another year," as Mayor Bea Blomquist stated. Councilman Theodore Wachter said, "It really appears to me that the highway department is doing everything it can to kill it." Councilman Thomas Egan agreed. Referring to Mn/DOT's "Cavalier attitude toward that tree according to the city's plan," Egan said the roadway was un- safe because the department built it that way, knowing the tree would die as a result. Then it could be removed, eliminating the safety hazard. Blomquist said she felt betrayed by the Mn/DOT when she first saw the results of the repaving and widening project. "You're putting it in a grave before it's ready to go there," she said. The council passed a second motion advising Mn/DOT the city would like a second oak planted in the same area but farther from the roadway. Blomquist sug- gested acorns from the Lone Oak Tree be gathered to plant elsewhere in the city, but there may not be any if the tree does not produce next year. "I went to look for acorns and there was nothing on the ground but an empty pop can," she said. In another action, the council found Naegele Outdoor Advertis- ing Company in violation of the city's sign ordinance. The sign in question is located on Cedar Ave. near River Hills Ninth Addition. Residents there have complained about the height of the sign. A representative from Naegele said the company acted in good faith, interpreting the ordinance to mean that the sign height should be measured from the lot level. The sign stands on a hill above Cedar Ave. The council said the 40-foot maximum height was to be measured from the roadway or, if the sign were set in a depression, from the lot level. (See Lone Oak, page 11A) Dick Decker, president of Park East Neighborhood Association and a resident of River Hills Ninth Addition, was present to ask the council to place the group on a future agenda to discuss the Naegele sign and to redefine the sign ordinance. He questioned the number of times his association has felt it necessary to appear before the council for various problems. "Why are all these things happening in our neighborhood?" he asked. "We don't understand why we've been here so often ... it's not that we're paranoid people." IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNCIL: ESTABLISHED a bond sale date Dec. 8 at noon to sell $965,000 of general obligation city hall bonds and $2,500,000 in general obligation improvement bonds. A special meeting to consider the bids was set for Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Ernie Clark, a bond consultant, said he was optimistic about the potential interest rate, but added there is an influx of bonds into the market right now because after Jan. 1, 1983 all bonds will have to be registered. APPROVED tax abatements for Northwestern Mutual Life In- surance and the Shell station on Diffley and Nicols roads. The in- surance company has mistakenly been taxed since 1969 on land it sold to the state for I-494 then. An abatement can only go back three years, however, and that amount was estimated to be $2,500 to $3,000. The service station had a $90 change in assessed valuation because of land lost to Diffley Rd. AUTHORIZED the city to enter in a cooperative purchasing agreement with the state. DECIDED to place no -parking signs on Nicols Rd. between Cliff Rd. and the south property line of Durning's Restaurant and to police the area. REQUESTED Mn/DOT to remove the no -left -turn sign on Cedarvale Blvd. at Silver Bell Rd. and not enforce the restric- tion until comment is received from Mn/DOT. APPROVED five consent items. HELD public hearings on the final assessment for Blackhawk Lake Outlet, ordinance codifica- tion, and housing plan modifica- tions. The council closed the public hearing on assessments for all but two property owners, who have protested their assessments. It approved final printing of the ordinance codification, which updates and organizes ordinances into chapters. A meeting was set for Dec. 7 to consider the proposed Dakota County HRA program to provide mortgage money for senior citizens and first-time home buyers. APPROVED a setback variance to Bradley Hanson so he can build additional garage space and expand his family home. Hanson presented a petition sign- ed by his neighbors approving the action. The advisory planning commission had recommended thz�enr�31,ePdi' dhP�%ft� Fourth Addition and Safari Reservoir and for construction of the reservoir. The council voted to approve joint access on the reservoir road with an adjacent property owner. APPROVED reapportionment of special assessments for Canterbury, Wedgewood and Oakwood Heights additions and extended the completion date for street surfacing in the Ridgecliffe First Addition. DcJ OtG co Tr' bu.ne ga August-3T __" t 82 Eagan is wagingfight to save historitree By Mike Barrett gg Staff Writer This tree means a lot to the com- Children have climbed it and couples have munity. strolled by it. Officials used to post town meeting notices on it while errant motorists have hit it. For years, citizens and state Departmencof Transportation officials -have been battling oter it. And if Joyce Kilmer' kriw it, he might have written aboptit t ; 7( • I Oak tree. It's Wachter —Ted . - a Wachter said; he has been one of many townsfolk who hove been fighting a periodic bat- - tle against state 'highway officials who want to Eagan's historic Lone `remove the tree. • to the , "This tree means a lot community," he Amid cars zipping a h stands m quiet ,.,. dignity near Trinity Lutheran Church where con -$aid. gregation members in the 1920s changed the. :.The tree used to be a central gathering place name to Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church Today, the bark doesn 't app once was. But if you were more than 200 years . old, as this ancient is said to be, then you might not be so fresh either,. - . Furthermore, in recent years, the tree's breathing room has shrunk with the construction of Highway 55 and 149 lanes on two sides of it, Lone Oak Road on a third side of it and utility lines around it. , ' . . The other night beneath the tree, Eagan Coun- cilman Ted Wachter and his wife, Leone, were swinging their 4-year-old granddaughter, Heidi.. . Peering upward for a moment, Wachter said, I"It looks like the tips of the branches are drying out. The salt must be taking its toll, the salt the state crews sprinkle on the road to melt the win- ter snow and ice." Nevertheless, city crews each spring hose the tree down to keep salt damage to a minimum. SAyGOODBYE.TO THE 6-MQNTl PREMIUM CRUNCH. :where town meeting and election notices were ear as healthy as it ''posted. Years ago, for instance, farmers Louis Des Lauriers, Harry Darsow, Willard and August Rahn, among others, used to tote their cans of ilk and put them in a big wooden tub under the m tree so a hauler could drive the milk across the bridge over the Minnesota River to the Twin Cit- ies.. , The tub would keep the milk cooler in the sum- mer than leaving the cans standing under the sun and warmer in the winter than sitting in the wind. In the last century, the hauler used a horse- drawn wagon whith gave way in this century to a truck According to Lisa Fleming at City Hall and Frances Miller att.he Dakota County Museum in South St. Paul, reporter Arnold Wa ago coined the, term "Lone Oak" for his local Please see Tre9/2S Say goodbye to those 6 and 12 • i>oirihli premiums that can be bigger, than your checkbook balanc . With the MSt Budget Plan all your premiums are payed month, a little at a time And 'your bank handles the'[.. paperwork for you. So say hello to premium payments that are practically pain- less. See us for ail the de- tails. t 1 STEVE IOEDING ROGER FRANZMEIER 450-1954 457-9104 ..__ alum V Iao/F1 ®tAD1 C FOR LEASE fession yet. _ Roberts took dized by the dist. of Teachers, bi resumes helpful math was one t key into jobs w tries, such as 31, Data. But Roberts d Park is Cc By Mike Barrel Staff Writer There can be than rocks and ri Spending $1.2` velop the 2,00( Hills Regional Eagan -Apple Vi border is the lat the Dakota Coun Kenneth Red tan Council spell money is part o: state bond pr from the counc gional parks in area during 198: At the state Finance, Peter that interest bonds would ar tional $ 12.5 mi cent interest ra Last week, county park di RIVERVIEW INDUSTRIAL AT LAFAYETTE fREEW. "OFFICES"--3000 SQ. FT. WITH WAREHOUSE. 3000 SQ. FT./W OR NEW BUILDING-4800 WILL FINISH OFFICES AND/OR WAREHOUSE TO SUIT YOUR N inky 47€ p� Commercial lnvestn Contract Propert\ Lea>i, fT�f•'�i�'LJ.r TScul Pioneer Press :. j, �:••' �:+.•+��Paul Dispatch est in- ib- ta r�- th •.+d. ita- ta 15, Y��,�•. • of du- • Wtaz�� ota led in a - le ,:vs r >;1 .4 1,> Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1982 ■■ ree ■ Continued from Page 1S news column in the West St. Paul Booster and Dakota County Globe. • In 1974, state transportation officials planned to remove the tree to allow for the constructioh of a turn lane. �� But, as Wachter recalled, the Rev. Richard Krenzke and youngsters from the church mount- ed a letter -writing campaign to various officials, including the governor, to "Save Our Tree. Wachter and other city officials also fought the transportation department. In time, the City Council declared the tree a historic one in an ef- fort to save it. All that activity had the result of stopping the destruction plan but only for awhile. In 1976, officials designated the Lone Oak as a heritage tree in cooperation with the Minnesota Horticultural Society and authors Charles E. Randall and Henry Clepper commemorated the tree in their "Famous and Historical Trees" pub- lished by the American Forestry Association. Recently, artists Juanito Acosta and Carlos Menchaca have been painting a historical mural featuring the tree and other subjects for the county museum. „Pi Wachter, a former farmer turned contractor, said when he builds homes he tries to locate them to avoid harming trees. "He's a tree -lover," said Mrs. Wachter. .f •' In more recent times, transportation officials again tried to remove the tree but were teaten back, Wachter said. _ •. ; ; :. , At City Hall Administration, Thomas Hedges said even though transportation officials have failed to remove the tree, they did demand that city officials stop posting notices by it because this created a safety problem for slowing traffic.. At the state Department of Transportation, Robert bobbin, a construction engineer for Eagan projects, said, "I can understand why peo- ple want to save the tree. It's a nice oak tree but it's a physical danger to stray cars. ,R•, "We would like to see the tree removed. On rural roads such as this, we ordinarily remove trees within 30 feet of the roadway and this one is closer than that." - , With public sentiment as it is, though, Dobbin admitted that his department Is presently pledged to preserve the tree. Dobbin said, "It says right on our work plans, 'do not disturb the tree'." However, the tree is about to have more com- pany. Soon, department workers will build a blinking four-way stop light at the intersection. To all this, the Lone Oak tree hasn't been heard to comment. Yet at night when the traffic is light and the breeze ,stirs some people say they can hear the murmur of the leaves. Teachers • Continued from Page 1S Grove Heights District 199, says she hasn't given up hope that she'll be called back at some time during the year. But she's been combing the want ads and checking in regular- ly with Job Service, where Vega says counsel- ors don't pressure teachers very much about finding a job. "The field is not too wide open," she said wryly. "I haven't really sat down and sorted it out — I really thought I would get called back. I'll have to sit down and do some serious think- ing, I know that." Even teachers who get called back this year know they will be vulnerable to cuts again next year. Al l'letsch, an elementary school teacher for South St. Paul District 6, was laid off four times and called back each time. This year, when he was again called back, he in- stead took the district's job seminar and then iron +n�re' ln+..rn t*:111" 1 • president of S & T Office Products in Maple- wood — and at the end of the interview was •••nr offered a job. Pletsch took a test, did well, and ..ry is selling office products. ' roz Sales, notes Pat Theis of South St. Paul, is something everyone says teachers could be 'A 'r good at. But Theis, who resigned this summer . , from St. Peter's in North St. Paul after 18 ' years teaching math in parochial s,hools, says she doesn't have the heart for it; she's looking • •`i1 into such jobs as technical writing and teach- ing computer workshops. Being out of a job by choice, Theis has taken , n the plunge from the cloistered life of parochi- ;"i ;lla al -school teaching into the dismal job market tr , with relish. ' f ' �z, ..41, - - "I said to myself, 'There's all kinds of things ; 4 3 - you can do with your math background, Pat! Go out and do it!" " Theis said. She hasn't had any luck, but she's still having a ball looking. 1'' She's taking a seminar from Working Opportu- ; nitinc fnr Wmmen nnf1 ihinkinc* of t;lkinr rlacc-' .t,1'" - •. 1 he Dispatch-' • • • i • • ',. i • • 4 ••• , t. .;. 1, 4..,_,,,I • ' • ,1,,, , ; ,. • • ' , n •''` • j ' . • ,,... Mike Barrett For. yes battle battle has been raging be- , the townsfolk have been winning. The 6 iikeen Eagan townsfolk and state De-, other day beneath the ancient oak, Ted partment of Transportation officials over 'Wachter, a pro -tree Eagan councilman, this historic Lone Oak Tree. Townsfolk .and his wife,,.L,eone, happily were swing - like.. the, ,itree Amd,',.yittiq, 0, keeni4.4.,, 14irt.Ji1.1.1)-elf-44,Yeair-.9,14.,tir01;14Natightert Heidi $ highway builders have wanted tO CHO it Klein. She s the daughter of Thomas and • ogi.* lein vi of agepi.licv-Aor' l'J t rti- vs;9-' n t ..,..: down to make way,fehighway • - , $4, .• ,':., ...te I'M':st,..15, .. i-,:1 ., ' '' '' .n ag 4, k .! ,, “Atii:t." f ' s e So far, Carma a • . is Ori E n p w ti w a tt a ci Si al 111. ct of of in Jc ar hi m he K( ra ac re 1 of tF at ni di • of re TIM LORE OAK TIME This is the Lone Oak tree in Eagan, For years it was used as a bulletin neighbors to read. Advertising was ings to buy, sell or trade. The picture presents dissidents citizens well over 100 year old. board. News was posted tacked on the tree, th- of Eagan, reb- eling, because the Minnesota Highway Department was about too cut the tree down. The citizens won. Years ago the farmers placed a big wooden tank with water in under this tree. Farmers would bring their milk to the tank in milk cans, set them in the water to keep cool and in the shade. Later in the morning John Rahn would pick up the cans and deliver them to the creamery. The Lone Oak Tree was given a plaque for its faith- ful uaefullness. ReF. Edwin Ohmann Leonard Garrity Francis J. Dembroski DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUt4E KEY PEOPLE who had much influence in making the Lone Oak Tree of Heritage status, spoke of their experiences at the program in honor of the occasion. From the left are Arnold Walther, Rev. Richard Krenzke, Rep. Ray Kempe, Glen Ray of the State Horticultural Society, and John Dexter, o student tope recording the event. LONE OAK TREE ... (Continued from Front Page) ladies in the area. There was also a Lone Oak Walther League that put on plays that were quite a hit because they used the names of local residents when they portrayed" their roles on stage. Ray Kempe. state represen- tative for the Eagan area, said he had been called by Rev. Krenzke when the tree was about to be cut down by the highway department in May, 1974. In less than an hour's time a reprieve" had been granted the tree. He used Joyce Killmer's "Trees" as part of his presentation to the au- dience. Glen Ray said that the tree symbolizes the importance of a Heritage Tree program, and its dedication was appropriate on Arbor Day, 1976. . Rev. Krenzke spoke of the day he was on his way to work and saw the workman about to cut down the tree. He decided to take the matter up with others to see if they felt as he did --that the tree should not come down. With the help of the state highway patrol. Mayor Herb Polzin. Ray Kempe and the seventh and eighth graders of the Lone Oak School, who formed a human barrier around the tree, the tree was saved in a very dramatic event. Mayor Herb Polzin brought out the community use of the tree in his comments. He said since 1860 it had served as a posting place for town developments and notices that included recording mortgages by the clerk. Laurence E. Foote of the Division of Environmental Services from the State Highway Department was also a guest speaker at the dedication ceremony. The tree was dedicated as a Cultural Treasure of Eagan. All the while the program was taking place. the speakers com- peted with the heavy traffic noises behind them on the highway, the airplanes above, kand the rain. The tree is believed to he from 00 to 300 years of age. and the aque presented in dedication tes it is a bur oak tree. TT'� F 7'TF��irr'T-"1'ls ► R'f Ire ram-'--r r T�1�r♦ sKOTA PRESS RUN 13,165 Minnesota's Largest Rural Weekly NINETY-SECOND YEAR Single Copy 25c FARM AT FAIRGROUNDS .. . Final Plans Approved For Extension Building By GERRY DREWRY Staff Writer FARMINGTON -- Members of the Dakota County Extension staff hope to be able to move into a new building on the fairgrounds next year. Final plans for the WITH DISSENTING VOTE -- Voting Machines Lakeville e Scrambled Eggs... EAGAN -- A semi trailer trucl rolled over May 3 about 9 a.m near Eagan's historic Lone OW tree at the intersection o Highways 49 and 55. The truck contained 60,00( eggs. Four tow trucks were needed to move the truck. Highway patrol and Eagar police aided at the scene. The driver of the truck was re portedly unhurt in the mishap. Eagan Voi Down Bon Eagan voters Tuesday turtle( down a $2.3 million bond electior which would have financed swimming pool. ice arena. an activities room by a vote of 209 to 514. A gymnasium, on a separat ballot for $300.000 was also d feated 1840 to 459. Individual precinct votes we as follows: SWIMMING POOL Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 4 GYMNASIUM Precinct 1 Precinct Precinct 3 Precinct4 A number of blank ballots we recorded on the gymnasium issu There were 31 in Precinct 1.253 i Precinct 2.15 in Precinct 3. and 8 i Precinct 4. One blank ballot cam out of Precinct 4 on the swimmin pool issue. Clerk Alyce Bolke reported 3 new voters at Precinct 1 alon Yes N 204 10 38 2 156 5 116 189 33 130 107 ELIMINATING 5' ADMINISTRAT, • CVI.I April 15,• 1976 rY TRIBUNE State Honors Lone Oak Tree In Eagan By HELEN HUNTER Staff Writer EAGAN -- The Lone Oak tree in Eagan has now officially been given the distinction of obtaining Heritage Tree status in Min- nesota. Glen Ray, secretary -treasurer of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, said Tues- day that the Lone Oak, tree located at the near intersection of Highway 55 and 49 in Eagan was selected for its cultural significance as a Heritage True. A ceremony is being planned for April 30 in conjunction with Arbor Day in Minnesota to de- dicate the tree at its Eagan site. Ray said details of the dedication ceremony are being handled jointly through Rev. Richard Krenzke, pastor of Trinity Lone Oak Church (named after the tree) and the state Horticultural Society. 'f'he tree was nominated by Eagan residents after the Horticultural Society announced it was looking for Heritage Trees in Minnesota's part of the Bicen- tennial year. Some 300 trees have since been nominated in three categories throughout the state to the society for this considera- tion. Only one other tree has re- ceived Heritage status at this point, Ray said. It is a Champion Red Pine in Itasca State Park selected because it is the largest (Champion) pine tree in the state and a former national champion. The Eagan Lone Oak tree was selected on the basis of its cultural heritage importance. The third category for Heritage Tree status seeks a tree of his- torical significance. Ray said the Lone Oak tree could well have been both in some respects. He pointed out a community had named itself after the tree, that Eagan town meetings were connected with its early life, and notices posted on it for town meetings. He referred to the incident several years ago when school children formed a human barrier to save it from highway workers sent to cut down the tree. not knowing its special meaning to area resident. He said he felt "in a sense, it is ymbolic for being the tree that ignifies the importance of the eritage Tree problem in the te. The fact that people cared save this tree. It is perhaps the ning point in our attitude ards some trees of excep- I merit." ring j the lake are underwater. s IBM ?4,374 Handgun Found Belonging To Murder Victim HASTING -- A handgun whic' belonged to murder victim Jar Alt Jr., of rural Hastings. v found April 11 about two m from the location where bodies of he and his wife discovered last month. Ihkoodhue County At, a e d n h 3 1 a b e a h d n B v TRINITY LONEOAK LUTHERAN CHURCH - LONE OAK YEARS In the first 100 years of its existence, Trinity Lone Oak Church recorded 1704 baptisms, 1128 confirmations, 456 marriages and 438 funerals. Lutheran church services in Eagan were first held in the home of John Rahn in 1880. They were conducted by Rev. E.H. Volkert, pastor of Emmanuel Church of Inver Grove (and great-grandfather of City Councilmember Ted Wachter). During 1880, services were held either in private homes or in a public schoolhouse in Mendota. In February 1881, Trinity Lutheran Church was organized. August Nachtigall donated one acre of a two -acre site on which the original church was built (now the site of the cemetery). The church was a simple 26-by-16 feet frame building and cost about $1470. It was dedicated in January 1882 and served the congregation for 20 years. In 1901 it was struck by lightning; a bucket brigade failed to save it from burning and it was damaged beyond repair. More land was purchased for the building of an enlarged church, 36 by 54 feet, with an added chancel. In addition to their time-consuming farm duties, members hauled rocks in their wagons for its foundation. The church presently stands at 2950 Dodd Road. The church has operated a school since 1883. All members were required to pay 75 cents a month for school maintenance, out of which the teacher, received $10. per month plus board. The first separate school was built a few years later on a 3-acre site purchased for $600. Later another addition was put on for lower grades. Peak enrollment in the school's early years was 86, but by 1940, dropped to 27. Another period of growth necessitated the building of a new school in 1954 and the older school was sold. In 1971 a brick building with five classrooms, a meeting area and a full basement for future expansion was constructed. About 1920, the church's name was officially changed to Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, commemorating the community symbol which grew on the edge of the church's property. In 1983, when the death of the original tree was imminent, a young oak was planted by the highway department on church property to serve as a commemorative symbol. Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church celebrated its centennial in 1980, marking its place as the oldest church in Eagan. • • • Eagan's historic symbol of strength falls LONE OAK: from p. decided to perserve the tree. In 1976, residents and the Minnesota Historical Society had the Lone Oak designated as the state's first heritage tree. It was also written up in "Famous and Historical Trees" by Charles Ran- dall and Henry Clepper, published by the American Forestry Association. The tree had become of symbol of Eagan representing strength and growth, according to Blomquist. Ar- nold Walther wrote a weekly column about Eagan area residents for the West St. Paul Booster, and selected the name Lone Oak News. His first column was in 1924. The Fire Department was the first to use the tree as a symbol on its truck and it later became the official city symbol. The Trinity Church and Lone Oak Road later adopted the symbol. But, last year the tree had few leaves and no acorns. City officials conceded its days were numbered. "It's better to cut it down" so it can be preserved, said Blomquist. In addition, federal funding for im- This stump, above, is all that remains at the corner of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, where the Lone Oak Tree stood. gfi G7413 �RU�rGL� 24--)ce -shy proving the road rests on removal of the tree, Blomquist said. The City Council is considering hir- ing an artist to create a sculpture out of the trunk. The carving would occur in the Eagan library where the sculpture would remain. The tree branches will be saved and branded with an oak insignia. These can be given to donors who con- tribute to a fund to preserve the wood and pay the sculptor. Holly Duffy, administrative assistant to City Administrator Tom Hedges, said most calls Monday were about the Eagan City Forester Tom Schuster clips small branches of the Lone Oak Tree after its removal. tree. Many requests for pieces have been received, she said. Without the tree, "the corner looks so lost," said Blomquist. The massive oak cannot be replaced. But a living memorial to it was planted last year at Trinity Lone Oak Church. A plaque commemorating the tree will be placed on the young oak by the state highway department. "The logo says it's a symbol of strength and growth and I guess it was the growth that finally did it." The Eagan CHRONICLE, Aprli 18, 1984 15 exp. disc $2.79 IDeveloped and Printed _ Coupon expires April 25, 1984 Bring in any WE WILL MAT( I retailer's coupons OR BEAT IT BURN -VALLEY ERICKSON DRUG DRUG INC. 1040 East Co. Rood 42 20751 Holyoke Ave. We Burnsville, Minn. Downtown Lakeville 432-2080 469-2064 YANKEE VALLEY RIDGE DRUG 1446 Yankee Doodle Rood Eagan. Minn. 452-1900 DRUG 2101 West Burnsville Park Burnsville. Minn 890-2030 • • • cendIl. Illy. .gugc uo.cu ...c ..,y. ,, ........_,. 1982, executed by Robert T. Laddusaw and Yvonne J. Laddusaw, husband and wife, as mortgagors to Production Credit ASSOC iation f River Falls, a corporation under an act of 'ongress known as the Farm Credit Act of 1971 and all amendments thereof. as mor- gagee, filed for record in the office of the 'ounly Recorder in an°t for the County of akota, State of Minnesota on the 22nd day f July, 1982, at 3:00 o'clock P.M., and ecorded' as Document No. 604550, the )riginal principal amount secured by said :nortgage being Sixty Six Thousand, Six Hundred Fifty One ($66,651.00) Dollars; Thal no action or proceeding has been in - it ituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that here is due and claimed to be due upon said norlgage, including interest to the date iereof, the sum of Eighty Nine Thousand. Nine Hundred Forty and 70/100 ($89,940.70) Dollars and that pursuant to the power of sale therein contained, said mortgage will be foreclosed and the tract of land lying and be- ing in the County of Dakota, State of Min- nesota, described as follows, to -wit: The South one-half of the Southwest Quarter (S.z of SW.4( of Section Seven- teen (17 (, Township One Hundred Thirteen 1113(, Range Twenty (20), excepting therefrom the East one-half of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (E.z of SW' 4 of SW' 4 of SW' 4 ), and also excepting therefrom the West one-half of the Southeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (Nu z of SE'4ofSW'4ofSW.4): will be sold by the sheriff of said county at public auction on'the 20th day of June, 1984, at 10:00 o'clock A.M., at the Dakota County Sheriff's office in the old courthouse, 4th and !Vermillion Streets, in the City of Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota, to pay the debt ' secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and attorney's fees and costs and all other disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by the law for redemption by the mortgagors, their personal representatives or assigns, is twelve- (12) months from the date of such sale., , Dated: April 16, 1984. PRODUCTION CREDIT ASSOCIATION OF RIVER FALLS Mortgagee G. M. GORGOS Attorney for Mortgagee 427 Third Street Farmington, Minnesota 55024 548 8-15 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That default has occurred in the conditions of that certain mortgage, dated the 31st day of December, 1980, executed by Erwin—K. Wiese and Gladys E. Wiese also known as Elvira Wiese hu• sband and wife, as NEAPOLIS, NORTHFIELD AND SOUTHERN RAILROAD. EXCEPT THAT PART THEREOF LYING NORTH- WESTERLY OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED LINES: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF SAID NW's; THENCE NORTH89°59'08" WEST, ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID NW'4, A DISTANCE OF 1268.99 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE LINES TO BE DESCRIBED; THENCE SOUTH 25°23'25" WEST, A DISTANCE OF 239.49 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 59°40'15" WEST, A DISTANCE OF 177.73 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 28°44'48" WEST, A DISTANCE OF 121.94 FEET, MORE OR LESS, TO, THE EASTERLY RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF THE M.N. AND S. RAILROAD AND THERE TER- MINATING. AND EXCEPTING THAT PART THEREOF DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT 1636 FEET EAST AND 890 FEET SOUTH OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER THEREOF, SECTION 2, TOWNSHIP 112, RANGE 20, AND RUNNING THENCE EAST 139 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 195 FEET, THENCE EAST 160' FEET, THENCE SOUTH 20°33', EAST A DISTANCE OF 85.5 FEET, THENCE EAST 20 FEET, THENCE NORTH 10°08' EAST A DISTANCE OF 284.5 FEET, THENCE SOUTH 399 FEET, THENCE WEST 399 FEET, THENCE NORTH 399 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, CONTAINING 2.5 ACRES. (THE COUN- TY OF DAKOTA SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT OF INGRESS -TO AND EGRESS FROM SAID PIT ACROSS THE OWNER'S PROPERTY BY THE SHORTEST, PRACTICABLE ROUTE TO THE PUBLIC ROAD LYING ALONG THE NORTH EDGE OF THIS SECTION, SAID TRAVELED ROUTE NOT TO BE IN EX- CESS OF THREE RODS IN WIDTH.) SUBJECT TO EASEMENTS OF RECORD. AND PUBLICROAQS. Will be sold by the sheriff of said county at public auction on the 26th day of June, 1984, at 10:15 o'clock A.M., at the Main Entrance of the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, 4th and Vermillion in the City of Hastings in said county and state, to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and attorney's fees and disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by law for redemp- tion by the mortgagors, their personal representatives or assigns is twelve months from the date of said sale. Dated: March 16, 1984. NORWEST FINANCIAL (Formerly Dial Finance Of 11inneseta-No 1-f, Mortgagee- 7986 University Avenue N.E. Fridley, Minnesota 55432 SCHMITZ & OPHAUG By: JOHN M. OPHAUG Attorneys for Mortgagee 220 Division, P.O. Box 237 Northfield, Minnesota 55057 587 9-16 uaKoia..ounty,ivunnesuiu,lying rrre.e..y of Trunk Highway 35W right-of-way line and Northerly of a line drawn parallel to and 143-feet (measured at right angles) Northerly of the South line of said Outlot One (1), according to the plat thereof now on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder within and for said Coun- ty and State. will be sold by the Sheriff of said County at public auction on the loth day of August, 1984, at 10:00 o'clock a.m. in the Sheriff's main office, Old Courthouse, Fourth and Ver- million, in the City of Hastings, in said state and county, to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorney's fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within six (6) months from said date of sale by the mortgagor, his personal representatives or assigns. Dated: April 20, 1984. LUMBERMEN'S INVESTMENT CORPORATION Mortgagee O'NEILL, BURKE AND O'NEILL, LTD. By LAWRENCE A. WILFORD Attorneys for Mortgagee 800 Norwest Center St. Paul, MN 55101 (612) 227-9505 673 11-18 PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That default has occurred in the conditions of that certain mortgage, dated the 3oth day of July, 1982, executed by John S. Dague and Janice K. Dague, husband and wife, as mortgagors to United Mortgage Corporation, as mor- tgagee, filed for record in the office of the Registrar of Titles in and for the County of Dakota, and State of Minnesota, on the loth day of August. 1982, at 3:00 o'clock P.M., and recorded as Document No. 123829 on Cer- tificate of Title No. 60738, the original prin- cipal amount secured by said mortgage be- ing $58,750.00; that no action or proceeding has been instituted al law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof, that there is due and claimed to be due upon said mortgage, including interest to date hereof, the sum of Sixty-seven Thou- sand Six Hundred Forty-eight and 20/100 $67,648.20) DOLLARS, and that pursuant to the power of sale therein contained, said mortgage will be foreclosed and the tract of land lying and being in the County of Dakota, State of Minnesota, described as follows, to - wit: Lot 16, Block 2, Cobblestone Manor, accor- ding to the plat thereof now on file and of record in the office of the Registrar of Titles within and for Dakota County, Min- nesota, together with the benefits and sub- ject to the burdens of that certain Declara- tion of Covenants Restrictions and Easements, Torrens Document No. 121592; said mortgage being upon registered land; will be sold by the sheriff of said county at p the city council meeting Monday, June 4, at 7 p.m. is: 1. Roll call. 2. Staff announcements: attorney, engineer. administrator. 3. Citizen comments. 4. Consent agenda: a. Approval of the minutes of the May 21 council meeting. b. Approval of the minutes of .the May 30 special council meeting as the board of review. c. Approval of the claims for payment. d. Receive the minutes of the following ad- visory committee meetings: planning com- mission May 31: cable TV board May 16. 5. Application of the City of Lakeville for rezoning property at the southeast corner of 207th Street and Holt Avenue from R-5 to R-7, multiple high density residential, and for a conditional use permit/planned unit develop- ment to allow construction of a 24-unit senior citizen apartment building and a senior citizen center government building, variance from the off-street parking re- quirements for each building and for ad- ministrative division of the lots into two new lots for the two projects. 6. Public hearing to consider the installa- tion of a storm sewer project on Jacquard Avenue between 208th Street and 210th Street. 7. Approval of the final plat of McDonald's Corporation, McStop Addition, and approval of the development agreement and develop- ment stage planned unit development. 8. Application of Suburban Builders for a subdivision to be known as Rock Ridge, located on 173rd Street and Ipava Avenue, and also for a minor comprehensive plan change to include it in the 1990 planned urban service area. 9. Approval of the final plat and develop- ment agreement for Woodridge Estates Se- cond Addition. 10. Approval of the application of Dallas Development Company for the preliminary re -plat of lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, block 2, Argonne Park Addition, and the concept plan/PUD for Southfork Center between Juniper Path and 176th Street West near Highway 50. 11. Approval of 13 property assessment abatements as recommended by the Dakota County Assessor. 12. Adoption of an ordinance granting Min- negasco, Inc. a non-exclusive franchise for 25 years. 11 Recommendation from staff for storm drainage improvements to Dakota Heights Park, and authorization to prepare plans and a change order for the work on the project. 14. Resolution approving the plans and specifications and setting the bid date for pumphouse number seven near the intersec- tion of Kenrick Avenue and County Road 64. 15. Approval of a bingo license for the Lakeville Lions Club. 16. Any other business. 17. Adjourn. at oulity nouu ru aim 1-.10 cuu $1,000 damage to a 1979 '1'o) driven by Greg McLe Lakeville, and $125 damage 1980 Dodge pickup driven Michael Gross, Elko. McL and his passenger complains minor pain. A 1977 Hornet owned by Pat. W. Butler received $1,500 data about 12:40 a.m. May 22 wilt was parked at 16574 Florin. R Braun, no address listed, was driver of the second car, a Oldsmobile owned by Juditt Olson. It received $900 dama Dudley R. Krohn, Minneap was taken to Fairview Rit Hospital, Burnsville, after a car collision about 12:30 May 23. Krohn's vehicle sus ed about $1,500 damage, a: the second vehicle, driven by G. Waldron, Buffalo. The dent happened near Highwa and 1-35. A vehicle driven by Robe: McDonald, Apple Valley, ret ed $3,000 damage about 1 a.m. May 26 when it went it ditch and hit a tree at 17oth St and County Road 31. There were no injuries in a car accident about 10:35 May 26 in the 19000 block o chard Trail. A vehicle drivE Christopher M. Johnson, 1 sville, sustained $2,500 dam Jacob H. Rosholt, St. Paul taken to Fairview Ridges M after a two -car collision 9:10 a.m. at Highway 50 Dodd. He suffered laceratio his left arm. His 1981 M received $6,000 damage. A 1977 Chevrolet pickup d by Thomas C. Siebenaler, Galaxie Ave., received damage. There were no injuries M in a two -car collision about 2 • • • Mayor Bea Blomquist hopes Eagan continues to grow with the new tree. Photos byrfmO'Donnell Cr9(_› /9-/) 5 i/ 9ref Budding giant replaces city's strength symbol by Tim O'Donnell "The sound of the chainsaw a couple of weeks ago was a note that a giant was about to fall." The Rev. Don Wilke of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church reminisced aloud Tuesday about the falling of Eagan's giant — the Lone Oak Tree. But his hindsight was brief. People gathered in the church yard came not to hear of the 200-year-old giant's demise and eventual removal from where it anchored Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. It was time to look ahead, for a new giant, and to dedicate the new Lone Oak Tree. "As the oak tree stands for strength, may the new oak tree be an ever present symbol of life and strength," said Wilke. The new tree, which was planted at the church a year ago, already has about 25 years of life in it. Its supple buds bloomed into a covering of leaves in recent weeks — a healthier showing than its predecessor, which was felled April 9. Lone Oak School students Tined up around the new tree and sang "God Bless America" during Tuesday's dedication ceremony. • Something is missing at the corner of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, Mayor Bea Blomquist told the crowd of about 50 attending the dedication. "But we still have a tree growing and we will continue to grow with that tree," she said. "We hope the new young oak will grow and represent the strength and unity of Eagan," said Larry McNamara, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) assistant commissioner. After the Lone Oak School students sang "God Bless America," McNamara and Kermit McRae, a MnDOT district engineer, helped Blomquist unveil a plaque commemorating the new and old Lone Oak Trees. The old tree grew just a few feet from the blacktop, which MnDOT officials considered a traffic hazard. And until the tree was removed, federal funding to improve Highway 55 was withheld. Efforts to save the tree began some 10 years. But last year it had few leaves and no acorns. Some speculated that it would not leaf out this year. However, the old giant is not gone and forgotten. A branding iron is on its way to burn the city's Lone Oak logo into small plaques to be cut from the tree's limbs. Sale of the plaques will help pay an artist to carve a sculpture in the main trunk that will be displayed in the Eagan library. Blomquist said a preservative was applied to the trunk to keep it from splitting. It cannot be carved for about a year, she said. N4P414ESCISF. 1+.ECiSSi4M 3CSFE. TN£! L0'04% 0PtlC Si" OAK EARAP! tMNPOSA 19"x6 � Blomquist and Larry McNamara, assistant commissioner of MnDOT constructed this commemorative plaque several feet from the new tree. MnDOT, hold a photograph of the old Lone Oak Tree, which MnDOT donated to the city. R class offered in R eight hour cardio- imonary resuscitation PR) class will be ednesdays, June 6 and June 6 to 10 p.m. at the Rosemount ire Hall, 14425 Brazil Ave. W. ost is $5 for Rosemount esidents and $6 for non- residents. Continu are ava course.A which is r by June 437-6492. That Just Bec Major Discount Maternity Packa Divine Redeemer Memorial Hospital, South St. Paul, is offering significant discounts for non complicated utlivcry of your baby and experienced nursing care afterwards. We've set fixed rates for maternity and nursery care for hospital stays of one, two, or three days. Here's What's Included: • Labor room' • Delivery room • Post partum care • Normal newborn nursery • Anesthesia, if required • Choice of alternative birthing room or traditional setting for delivery • Private rooms for post partum patients • An elegant dinner for mother and guest in the maternity unit's privacy How to Register: The special discount maternity packages have been arranged .-DIVINE REDEEMER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL l.IdJ3GJ ac vt•uic •%cvccuf.I am. a,., under the care of a Divine Redeemer medical staff physician. Physician charges are over and above the cost of the maternity packages. Find out and compare: By calling 450- 4500 and asking for the BABY -LINE, you will be pleasantly surprised to learn of the important reductions for the Divine Redeemer Maternity Package. We'd like to serve You. During those first important days of your baby's life, it takes experienced medical personnel to make birth a pleasant and memorable experience. We do that at Divine Redeemer, as many mothers can tell you. We look forward to your stay with us ... and in sharing in the beauty of the moment when you first meet your newborn. (612) 450-4500 724 19th Ave. North, South St. Paul • An American Health Care Management Hospital haircutting & styling from expert stylists who are trained LISTENERS, to make certain you receive the kind of cut or style you want. WE GUARANTEE IT! HAIRCUT & STYLE DRY includes shampoo Appointments Accepted But Not Necessary 64cl/on/tab, by eadlines For Men & Women Eagan — 4170 Pilot Knob Road 454-0577 Bloomington —10514 France Ave. So. 884-9394 i • /14/ 2 'New' Lone Oak Tree dedicated DEDICATION OF the "new" Lone Oak Tree was held May 22 during a warm, windy ceremony at Trinity Lone Oak Luth- eran Church in Eagan. The "new" Lone Oak was transplanted in May, 1983, to replace the original 200-year-old Lone Oak Tree, which was removed from the in- tersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road April 9 of this year. The dedication ceremony, which was emceed by Eagan Councilman Ted Wachter, featured re- marks by Rev. Don Wilke of Trinity Lone Oak Church, Assistant Mn/DOT Commissioner Larry McNamara, Dist- rict Engineer Kermit McRae and Mayor Bea Blomquist. Children from Trinity Lone Oak School also sang a selec- tion. Besides the dedica- tion, a plaque honoring the Lone Oak Tree was unveiled and Mayor Blomquist was also pre- sented with a colored photograph of the original Lone Oak Tree to hang in city hall. In the top photo, Rev. Wilke said a prayer over the "new" Lone Oak Tree, while students from the school looked on. In the middle photo, Mayor Blomquist, center, read the plaque flanked by McNamara, left, and Wachter. In the bottom right photo, Lone Oak students took their turn at the plaque, while in the bottom left photo, Blomquist and McNamarar are seen with the colored picture of the original Lone Oak Tree. Photos by Jeff Burrill Ad Prices Effective Thru Saturday, June 2, 1984 We res6 to Ilmi SHOP AND SAVE IN EAGAN A R. C. DICK'S IG 3945 Sibley Memorial Highwal Cedarvale Shopping Center EAGAN HOURS: 8-10 MON.-SAT.; 9-9 SUN. R. C. DICK'S IGA R. C. D 374 Bernard Ave. (Dodd Rd.) 30 So WEST ST. PAUL Sl HOURS: 8-9 M-F; 8-8 SAT.: 10-6 SUN. OPEI I BUDGET FAMILY PAK FREERS 1 1 1 1 1 1 WILSON SLICED CHOPPED HAM D (EAGAN REG. 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 PI; FOR HILLSHIRE POLISH LINKS L. $238 (EAGAN RA CH 54 PINT • • • ALL FLAVORS Reg. $289 KEMPS ROUNDS 1/2 GAL. WHOM - LVmRKev. ur f BEAUTY AIDS Old Old Fashion Loaf Le. Llsterine Mouthwash Eve►easy - Economy Flashlight 501 HI Orl - Asst. 24-OL Bel. Each $239 894 su Paper Towels 1-Roll Pkg. og 2/89C Expires 6-2,64 Fresh 3-Bean Salad IGA - SDBt Top Wheat Bread Lb. 1' -Lb. Loaf Z`ly $129 69c ExpireS 84 ' I 505 Crystal Farms - Grade A Butter 1-Lb. S011d =$y $ 1 4 9 E S EAPlres 6-]84 '� HIP 1111111 `, aduI will° California Lettuce Head 2 9 c Expires 6-2-84 506 12-0z.Pkg. Armour Star Sliced Bacon 9Expir9c All IGA Stores will be open Memorial Day - Monday, May 28. TI I ICIAI 84Ayr� info • • removal of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree ends an era By JEFF BURRILL For 200 years, the Lone Oak Tree has been part of Eagan's history; now it's truly history. Early Monday morning, April 9, the state transportation depart- ment work crew removed the landmark, which was situated on a median at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. The tree was cut down because it was showing signs of dying and because of its adverse location. "There have been too many drivers who have run into the tree," Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) public affairs director Bob Vockrodt ex- plained. "So for safety's sake -- and because it was dying -- we decided to remove it. But we've made a number of arrangements to carry on the tradition of the tree, which is of great impor- tance to the history of Eagan and Dakota County. Mn/DOT's initial effort to preserve tradition was instituted last May when a "new" Lone Oak Tree was transplanted on the grounds of the 95-year-old Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Bea Blomquist, city coun- cil members, Mn/DOT officials, and students and teachers from Trinity Lone Oak School. Now that the tree is down -- and in storage -- city officials are con- sidering having a sculpture made from the trunk and perhaps plac- ing it in Eagan's new library. Holly Duffy of the city ad- ministrative staff stated that pieces of the tree are available to the general public. "We've received phone calls from people wondering how they can acquire pieces of the tree," Duffy said. "So to help defray the cost of a possible sculpture, pieces of the tree are being of- fered for sale. Branches branded with a special oak tree insignia will be given to donors who con- tribute money for a sculpture. Letters of request may be sent to city hall." The city is also expected to place a plaque near the "new" Lone Oak Tree. The Lone Oak Tree achieved landmark status through 200-plus years of service to the citizens of Eagan. In the "olden days" the tree was used as a place to post notices and billboards, a tradition which was carried on for years. The tree was also used by farmers as a spot to leave their milk cans for pick-up by delivery wagons from area creameries. In the ensuing years, County Road 26, the street which passes east and west near where the tree stood, was renamed Lone Oak Road. The church and parochial school located on Highway 49 are also namesakes of the tree. In 1974, the Lone Oak Tree ap- peared destined for the woodpile. However, a group of students from Lone Oak School staged a protest the very day the tree was scheduled to be cut down. Seventh -and eight -graders tied a yellow ribbon around the tree, then paraded with signs ad- vocating its existence. The ploy worked and the tree was spared. "What they did was revamp the highway construction plans to ac- commodate the tree," Vockrodt said. "At that time, the highway department wasn't aware the tree had landmark status." When Mn/DOT again decided - in 1982 - to remove the tree, it was once more met with opposition. This time from the Eagan City Council. But realizing the tree was dying, while encouraging the transplanting of the "new" Lone Oak Tree, the council relented. C,fAN !�(-}-15Z-36K - gLi EAGAN'S LONE Oak Tree wasn't really so alone. In Its latter years, it found itself situated on a median at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. opinion An overdue, hearty welco The opening of a hospital in Burns fuss from the beginning. After six years of challenges, Hospital will officially open May 1, ahead of schedule. The need for a hospital to serve tr area was recognized as early as the conducted by Lutheran Deaconess H association with Fairview Communi As the communities in the primary tinue to show the fastest growth in counties and, more significantly, I politan area, a hospital becomes inc The concern over opening a new I when many hospitals are struggling But the redesign of the hospital, fE tion bids and creative financing wil costs to patients. Fairview's guarantee to maintain cupancy rate within its system provf to do its part in solving a problem the Above, Wayne Beckman, left, holds a bucket with preservative while Scott Eppen dips a branch of the Lone Oak tree. All open branches and cuts in the tree, which was removed April 9, were treated. The city plans to make a sculpture out of the trunk. The branches will be given to sponsors. Left, the site of the tree with stump remaining. Lone Oak Tree CAA N GNRo►J►CLE —/c4— gy 4eRlence ce FREE DOOR PRIZES with ANDY GEORGE July 4-18. Explore Athens, Classical Greece, 4-day cruise to Greek Islands and Turkey. Many meals. $1725 pp, dbl. Tour limited to adults 18 yrs. & older unless accompanied by parent/guardian. Join us for an EXPERIENCE GREECE evening, Tuesday April l7th, 7:30-9:00 PM at the Burnsville Howard Johnson's. Hwy. 13 & I-35W. Meet Andy, view film, discuss tour. Cash Bar. For further information call: 612-426-3238 White Bear Travel Service 1 ■ w� sNomw w gni \ School Distri Teachers' a by Kevin Gutknecht Trips overseas or to national educators' conferences may be some of the ways teachers in District 196 will grow profes- sionally in the future. Those opportunities will be provided by a professional growth plan, presented to the District 196 Board of Educa- tion April 9. Chuck Ogee, a Valley Mid- dle School teacher and chair of the committee that put the plan together explained it to the board that evening. The plan is necessary accor- ding to the contract signed by the school district and the t1 y s O 1 0 t. g s f ti 0 • • • Eagan's historic Lone Oak tree comes down by David Siegel The Lone Oak Tree, a historical sym- bol of Eagan, succumbed quickly to woodcutters' saws Monday. With its upper limbs removed, the huge trunk crashed to the ground. When it was removed, all that remained were twigs and a stump. "I suppose we've lost part of our heritage now," said Alyce Bolke, former city clerk -treasurer, sadly. The gnarled, nail -riddled bur oak has dominated for more than 200 years what is now the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. But it was near death, its roots covered with asphalt and its sap poison- ed by road salt. "As its limbs fell, some of them would...just disintegrate. Even the up- per limbs were rotted through. It was really getting pretty bad," said Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist. "I was even surprised," agreed Park and Recreation Director Ken Vraa. In the upper branches "normally you'd find a supple small green bud." Vraa and City Forester Tom Schuster found "pale yellow -green dry buds. It may not have even leafed out this year," Vraa said. Photo by David Siegel Wayne Beckman paints a sealant on a branch of the Lone Oak Tree to preserve it. Bolke, who was city clerk from 1961 to 1980, said the tree was historically a gathering place for residents. Farmers left their milk cans there for pick-up by area creameries. Township officials - have used the tree as a place to post of- ��iGf31J RorJ�c_� ficial notices since 1860, she said. "I guess in the early days, it was the one way of knowing what was going on," she said. The practice of posting notices con- tinued up until six years ago. "We had an old bulletin board that was on it. It was like a piece of plywood." A glass - covered posting board was later put up. Examining the felled tree, Schuster pointed out nails imbedded almost halfway into the trunk that are pro- bably 100 years old. As the tree grew, a wire became imbedded in its upper branches. Parks Department staff say they've heard a horseshoe is preserved somewhere in its trunk. Semitrucks and cars have struck the tree, which sat only a few feet from the blacktop, leading the Minnesota Department of Transportation to con- sider it a traffic hazard. In 1974, the highway department tied a yellow ribbon around the tree inten- ding to remove it so the highway could be widened. Members of nearby Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church talked the foreman into delaying the tree cutting. Students then made signs, state legislators were called and MnDOT LONE OAK: to p.14A s orir Friday, , During each fashion sh • • • The cated on a median 'ed in the fall. To at Fta Department of preIf a new "lone oak" Trar rer left) carried a rJecfthe nearby Trinity O ,y parochial school Lonhoping it will grow welby Jeff Burrill) tocu.Ir,,ti.- ThiSwe. 5-16- g3 • • • The Lone Oak Tree The 200-year-old Lone Oak Tree (upper left), located on a median at Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd., will be removed in the fall. To preserve the tradition of the tree, Minnesota Department of Transportation officials arranged the planting of a new "lone oak" recently. Special tree -moving equipment (lower left) carried a 30-year-old burr oak tree to the grounds of the nearby Trinity Lone Oak Church. Children (right) at the nearby parochial school welcomed the tree with handfuls of fertilizer, hoping it will grow to carry on the well-known tradition. (Photos by Jeff Burrill) FRANCES SATHER works on a handwriting the kitchen of her West St. Paul home. Each takes about two hours. The person whose signature ap- pears above learned from a hand- writing analyst that she has good rhythm, enjoys dancing, is fond of animals, is efficient, com- petitive, and prefers bright col- ors. Pretty standard perceptions for that type of thing. It was not particularly impressive either to J PUBLISHERS Joseph R. Cloy - Daniel H. Clay MANAGING EDITOR Jonet Greenslit THLSWEEK EDITOR Lea Guenther ADVERTISING MANAGER John Swennes CLASSIFIED MANAGER Arlyne Olson PLANT SUPERINTENDENT Duane Hansen Offices APPLE VALLEY 15010 Glazier Ave. Volley 42 Building 431-7047 BURNSVILLE-LAKEVILLE Diamondhead Mall 272 W. Burnsville Pkwy. Burnsville 890-2530 FARMINGTON 420 Third St. 463-7884 (Advertising' Office) ROSEMOUNT Ken Rose Shopping Center 423-2636 learn the person was trip." Aren't most 1= all? But then the analy "an old injury on the How could a handwr tell a stranger in V about an inch -long s many years ago in f York State? How could that know that the sub fluenced more by than her father; more sleep than a she was tired or del the sample was true)? After the analy, Sather shared with 1 skeptic only a few secrets. A fat loop "I" meant one thing the letters another, on the paper from t something else. Sather is an amat gist (handwriting began analyzing h few years ago as a h spoken before Am groups in the A Rosemount area. "I went into this she said. "I had ai my two sons were wanted somethin€ time." In her American Legion aux- iliary group, she said, people put on style shows, luncheons, and the like. At one meeting, Myrna Wittenberg, a graphologist from S. Paul, spoke to the group. After the presentation, Sather said, she thought about it for a long time. "Finally I called her and said I wanted to do the same thing. I asked her if she would teach a class at my home." Wittenberg agreed, so five years ago, Sather and a few students met in her home to learn the art of handwriting analysis. It took 10 classes of very intensive • • Four Varlet, Barbecue Sauce open 18 oz. 1 1 1 1 18 pz. Vr 1 jar r This LimitOneCoupon With Customer. ush 1g83. 1 One Th Sat., May � Good A plebaumsa• "Eagan gets a new 'Lone Oak Tree' STUDENTS FROM Trinity Lone Oak School did their best to make sure Eagan's "new" Lone Oak Tree will grow straight and strong. Following a ceremony to celebrate the transplanting of the tree, the children welcomed it by dispersing fer- tilizer around its trunk. The new tree has been designated to carry on the tradition of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree. REV. REUBEN Meissner, pastor of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, conducted a short ser- vice before the trans- planting of a burr oak to replace Eagan's Lone Oak Tree. By JEFF BURRILL The "Lone Oak Tree" of Eagan isn't really so lonely. As a matter of fact, being located on a median at the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. affords the 200-year-old landmark plenty of company in the form of passing vehicles. But it's because of this location that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has decided to remove the tree come fall. "There have been just too many drivers who've ended up hitting the tree," Mn/DOT public affairs director Bob Vockrodt ex- plained. "So for safety's sake, we feel we have to remove it. A?so, the tree is rapidly dying a natural death. But we've made a number of arrangements to carry on the tradition of the tree, which we feel is important to the history of Eagan and Dakota County." Mn/DOT's approach to the Lone Oak Tree has met with its share of opposition, however. For instance, last fall when Mn/DOT district engineer John Sandahl decreed Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard and requested it be cut down, Eagan Mayor Bea Blom- quist was upset. Yet, despite her protests, the tree's days appear to be truly numbered. But then again, that also seemed the case back in 1974 when the Lone Oak Tree was destined for the wood- pile. It was a group of students from Trinity Lone Oak School which gave the tree a new lease on life by staging a protest against its removal on the very day it was scheduled to be cut down. The seventh and eighth graders tied a yellow ribbon around the tree, then paraded with signs advo- cating its existence. And just like in the movies, the `victim' was rescued in the nick of time. "What they did was revamp the highway construction plans to ac- commodate the tree," Vockrodt said. "At that time, the highway department wasn't aware the tree had landmark status." The Lone Oak Tree achieved its `landmark status' through its 200-plus years of service to the citizens of Eagan. Back in the "olden days" the tree was used as a place to post notices and bill- boards, a tradition which was carried on for years. The story also dictates the tree was used by farmers as a place to leave their milk cans for pick-up by delivery wagons from area creameries. In the ensuing years, Co. Rd. 26, the street which passes east and westerly near the tree, was renamed Lone Oak Road. And the church and parochial school located on Hwy. 49 are also name- sakes of the tree. "It's because of its history that we're doing what we can to preserve the tradition of the Lone Oak Tree," Vockrodt said. Mn/DOT began its restoration process Wednesday, May 4, by transplanting a "new" Lone Oak Tree on the grounds of the 95-year-old Trinity Lone Oak Church. Yet, like the process of considering the fate of the original tree itself, the ceremony had its hitches. Mayor Blomquist, Rev. Reuben Meissner, Mn/DOT officials, members of the local press and various interested onlookers gathered to observe the planting of the new Lone Oak Tree. The ceremony featured a short ser- vice by Rev. Meissner and a welcoming speech by Blomquist. But there was no tree to welcome, as the new Lone Oak. became more than just fashion- ably late. So there everyone stood, staring into a nine -foot wide, 102-inch deep hole. It was at that point Vockrodt received word the tree mover being used to transport the new oak was stuck in the mud. So, just like in the movies again, everyone hopped into their cars and headed out to the removal site near Blue Gentian Photos by Jeff Burrill AT SUMMER'S end, Eagan's Lone Oak Tree will be removed from the median at the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. The highway was built around the 200-year-old tree in 1974, but according to Mn/DOT officials, the Lone Oak now presents a traffic hazard. A "new" Lone Oak was planted May 4 at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, just a glance away from the site of the original tree. Rd. Here all were treated to an impressive display of machine dictating nature. The huge tree mover, describ- ed by a Halla Nursery represen- tative as the "world's largest" such machine, was soon unstuck and hard at work. After careful maneuvering, the tree mover surrounded Eagan's newest land- mark and with a single gulp, lifted it from the ground, soil and all, and transported it to the church. Awaiting arrival of Lone Oak number two were students from the Trinity school, who cheered the transplant proceedings. Each student then dispersed a handful of fertilizer on the new addition. According to Vockrodt, by us- ing Halla Nursery's tree mover, transplanting costs were held to $400. This is a savings of $1,100 over the purchasing and trans- planting of a tree through conven- tional methods. The new Lone Oak Tree, like its predecessor, is a burr oak, which is a variety known for its stability and longevity. It has already sur- vived over 30 years. "We'll also be preserving the original tree by collecting its acorns and planting them on the grounds of the new Eagan City Hall," Vockrodt said. "And there are also plans to turn the tree into park benches." So, it would seem that while the Lone Oak Tree may soon be up- rooted from its home of 200 years, it will continue to thrive in various forms while maintaining its historic significance to the Ci- ty of Eagan and Dakota County. MnDOT gives Eagan by Linda Hanson Mayor Bea Blomquist and Min- nesota Department of Transportation officials buried the hatchet last week as MnDOT gave Eagan a new "Lone Oak Tree." Blomquist was incensed last fall when MnDOT district engineer John Sandahl called Eagan's Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard and asked to cut it down. The burr oak tree at Lone Oak Road and Highway 55 has served as • • an official posting pia early days and has bet Minnesota Heritage T The tree is not expe much longer, but Blo City Council do not v before its time. Blom before the tree dies st acorns from it to plat Although the City to allow the Lone Oa down, it did request that MnD plant a new Lone Oak Tree to i $1099 This offer not valid with any other discount or coupon Sales tax charged where applicable. Offer good at participating Rax Restaurants only. Coupon expires 5/22/83 REST KWtS East of Cedar Eale e tree was stuck in the 'nu—. Ea art G1rrn1ivt2 5- 1-g3 $: his offer not . iscount or cc here applicz ... at partik ' estaurants c oupon expit N hopr MnDOT gives Eagan new 'Lone Oak Tree' by Linda Hanson Mayor Bea Blomquist and Min- nesota Department of Transportation officials buried the hatchet last week as MnDOT gave Eagan a new "Lone Oak Tree." Blomquist was incensed last fall when MnDOT district engineer John Sandahl called Eagan's Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard and asked to cut it down. The burr oak tree at Lone Oak Road and Highway 55 has served as an official posting place since Eagan's early days and has been designated a Minnesota Heritage Tree. I'he tree is not expected to live much longer, but Blomquist and the City Council do not want it cut down before its time. Blomquist hopes that before the tree dies she can get some acorns from it to plant at City Hall. Although the City Council refused to allow the Lone Oak Tree to be cut down, it did request that MnDOT plant a new Lone Oak Tree to Above, the equipment is moved in to transplant the tree. Above right, the tree is lifted out of the ground and onto the track. At far right is a :lose•up of the machine. Below, the crew works to unload the tree, and at bottom, students at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran School put fer- tilizer around the new landmark. perpetuate the tree's heritage. Last Wednesday morning, Blom- quist, MnDOT officials, the press, the Rev. Reuben Meissner from Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, and half a dozen others gathered to watch the planting of the new tree near the church. The time for the tree to arrive rolled around, but the tree didn't. It turned out that the special heavy machinery required to transplant the 30-year-old tree was stuck in the mud. Lone Oak Tree TREE: from p.1A unstuck, the operation got underway. The mammoth jaws of the equipment were carefully positioned around the tree, then the equipment dug into the ground and lifted the tree into the air. Renting the crew and equipment from Halla's Nursery cost MnDOT $400, a MnDOT spokesman said. Pur- chasing and transplanting a tree of that size normally would cost about $1,500, he added. Once back at the church, about 75 children from Trinity Lone Oak School came outside and watched in amazement as the equipment lowered the tree into the ground. They cheered when the job was done. Before returning to class, the children welcomed the tree with hand- fuls of fertilizer, provided by MnDOT. Because of the delay, and because @n empty hole with no tree in it does not make for good photographs, the whole entourage traveled about two miles to where the new tree was awaiting the transplant. When the group arrived at the site on a MnDOT right of way near Blue Gentian Road, they found Eagan's newest landmark waiting patiently. As soon as the equipment was IThis offer not valid with any other discount or coupon. Sales tax charged where applicable. Offer good at participating Rax Restaurants only. Coupon expires 5/22/83 RESTACrww►s iloommommum IThis offer not discount or c( Iwhere applice good at partii Restaurants c &Coupon expir EAGAN East of Cedar Vale Shop r )istrict 197 election :our candidates are running for the two ;chool board positions up for election May 17. Information on polling places and on the )istrict 197 levy referendum will be in next Neek's Eagan Chronicle. roger Garske Linda Hanson Roger Garske of West St. aul said he's running for the istrict 197 Board of Educa- on because he wants to make ire that the children in the istrict get the best education ossible. Garske strongly favors the .44 mill levy referendum. You can't put a price tag on a ild's education," he said. He added that if he's elected, e'Il be a "real watchdog" over the levy funds. Garske said he grew up i District 197. He attende school in the district when didn't have its own high scho and he had to attend South c Paul High School, he said. "Schools are a lot differe today than they were then," said. "I think we should g back to the basics —the thr R's. They've lowered t standards and they havet done these kids justice. Tice DeBlauw y Linda Hanson Alice DeBlauw, who is runn- g for a second term on the istrict 197 Board of Educa- on, believes that parents need become more involved in eir children's education. "It takes all of us to make a etter school district —parents, chools, administration, udents," she said. She believes parents should Iso take more responsibility in disciplining their children. "We as a school district have firm rules, but we need more support from parents." she said. She would also like to see more computer literacy skills stressed in the curriculum, as well as more emphasis on writing skills. DeBlauw favors passage of the levy referendum "to main- tain the standards of education orothy Uhler y Linda Hanson Dorothy Uhler of West St. aul is running for the District 97 Board of Education ecause she wants to be involv- d in the community. Since her and her husband's hree sons have graduated rom high school, she believes he can offer the school board different perspective. "I have the experience of aving seen my children hrough the school system," he said. "I feel all the old pro - rams shouldn't be discarded ary Andler y Linda Hanson Mary Andler of West St. aul said her concern for hat's going on in the schools rompted her to run for elec- on to the District 197 Board f Education. Andler supports the .44-mill levy referendum. We have to come up with in- vative and creative ways to programs and maximize use the dollars we have," she id. She also believes the board ould work to increase the If -esteem of both students d staff. As a 'result • of budget cuts, we're accustorneu w. "The district is still in a declining enrollment stage, with decreasing state aid. But I think if you give the district three more years with the new administration, we'll have an excellent school district," she said. Although being a board member is time-consuming, she said, she's enjoyed meeting a lot of people and working She and her family have liv- ed in District 197 for 15 years. She is a past president of the Garlough PTA and the Area Council PTA. She was the District 197 ice cream social general chairman for five years, and was also a member of the South Branch YMCA board. She has been active in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and she worked on the senior class She is currently a homemaker, a member of the Garlough PTO, and the Sibley Parent Advisory Council. She and her husband, Mel, have one child at Garlough Elemen- tary, one at Sibley, and three who have graduated from Sibley. and new programs shouldn't be jumped into." Uhler favors retaining remedial and gifted programs. "Children learn in different manners and we have to help them," she said. The major issue in the school district is finances, she said. She supports the $1.5 million levy referendum which voters will decide May 17. "Some people believe that since the district has fewer students, it needs less money. But there is still the upkeep of the buildings and inflation to consider," she said. She added that the district needs to do long-range plan- ning instead of reacting to each crisis. Population trends should be studied before schools are closed, she believes. Uhler is currently a volunteer helping with German classes for junior high students at Inver Hills Community Col- lege. She was previously on the Title 1 parents advisory board in St. Paul for St. Matthew's School and Cherokee Heights School. She was also a teacher's aide and substitute teacher at St. Matthew's. She and her husband have been members of the Min- nesota Association for Children with Learning Disabilities for 14 years. She is also a member of the advisory board of HERS, a women's resource group, and is a master gardener with the agricultural extension service of the Univer- sity of Minnesota. She works as secretary to a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the state ser- vices for the blind. She has an Associate of Arts degree from Inver Hills Community Col- lege, a junior business ad- ministration certificate from the University of Minnesota, and is working on a business administration certificate at the University of Minnesota. she said, some teachers find themselves teaching in dif- ferent subject areas. She said the district can help them by making use of in-service train- ing. "It's really important for the school board to work in con- structive ways. We should be proud of the positive things go- ing on in the district," she said. Andler said that over the last few years she had been con- cerned about the previous district administration's decision -making process. She believes the new administra- tion has improved it. `sOn too marry issues in the past, the public didn't have the feeling that they had any input on decisions. The new ad- ministration is much more ac- cessible and I'm encouraged by that," she said. Andler has been active in ad- vocating the district's high potential program, but she said that isn't her only interest. She said she supports high quality education for all students and believes the district should have a computer literacy pro- gram for all students and staff. Andler was chairman of the 1983 and 1984 state conference of the Minnesota Council for the Gifted -kid Talented which drew 750 participants. She is also chapter director of the District 197 Chapter for the Gifted and Talented. She said she believes strongly in volunteerism and her background reflects it. She has been a volunteer reading tutor at an elementary school, preschool volunteer, room mother and a tour guide at the state Capitol. She helped design the cur- riculum for the St. Paul public schools to accommodate the influx of Hmong students. She also trained day-care providers in Ramsey County to provide creative activities for children. She said she has lobbied at the Legislature on issues affecting children, is a member of the League of Women Voters and a member of the Somerset PTA. She currently works as a con- sultant to Children Are People, a chemical dependency preven- tion program used in Distict 197. She has an associate of arts degree from the University of Minnesota. She and her hus- band, William, have two children in elementary school. • • • • • Photo by DavidSiegel The Lone Oak Tree, a symbol of Eagan, is expected to be removed soon. The wood will be given to Eagan. Eagan's Lone Oak Tree will be removed soon TREE:from P. 1A new City Hall. One suggestion is to mark the rings with a significant event that happened that year, said Ken Vraa, director of Eagan's Parks and Recrea- tion Department. No one knows the exact age of the tree. Estimates put it beyond 200 years, Vraa said. The age will be determined when it is cut down. "In early years, people passed by and put up notices," he explained. The first Town Hall was built in 1893 on Michael Shield's farm near the in- tersection of Pilot Knob and Lone Oak roads, according to city records. The Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, organized in 1881, is located near the tree. A replacement for the Lone Oak Tree was planted this summer on the prop- erty at the church. The expected removal of the tree in about two weeks (the exact date hasn't been set) is no surprise. It is dying and has long been recognized as a traffic hazard, Bockrodt said. MnDOT is having a historical plaque made that will be presented to Eagan and placed on the site. When the plaque is done, the date for removing the tree will be set, Bockrodt said. by David Siegel It is called the lone oak tree. Marred by the metal of misdirected vehicles, scarred by the countless nails and tacks that held community notices, it stands alone at the intersection of Lone Oak Road and Highway 55. It's closest neighbor is blacktop. The tree is no longer pretty. It barely leafs out in the summer. It hasn't had acorns on it in years, but it remains a symbol of the community. Eagan's symbol will be cut down in a few weeks At least for two more weeks. Then the Minnesota Department of Trans- portation plans to remove the tree and give the wood to Eagan. There will be some grieving for the tree, and officials of MnDOT know it. "We respect that importance. It's very sensitive down in Eagan," said Bob Bockrodt, public information of- ficer for MnDOT. City Council members will decide what to do with the wood from the tree. It probably will be used somehow in the TREE: to P. 2A H i✓: /A C�? fa fll , C � E Eagan's Lone will be remove rc TREE: from P.1A T oI new City Hall. One suggestion is to tr mark the rings with a significant event that happened that year, said Ken Vraa, w, director of Eagan's Parks and Recrea- er tion Department. No one knows the exact age of the at tree. Estimates put it beyond 200 years, be Vraa said. The age will be determined h� when it is cut down. h� "In early years, people passed by and put up notices," he explained. m The first Town Hall was built in 1893 ar on Michael Shield's farm near the in- is tersection of Pilot Knob and Lone Oak wi New Lone Oak Tree dedication set The city of Eagan and the Minnesota Department of Transportation will have a dedication ceremony for the Lone9't k Tree at 3 p.m. Tues- day, May 22, at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, High- way 55 and Lone Oak Road, Eagan. The 200-year-old Lone Oak Tree came down Apri19. During its heroic past the tree played a significant role in the develop- ing history of Eagan. It was a focal point or meeting place as well as a "bulletin board" for many decades. In 1976 it was designated as the state's first "heritage tree." It was also written up in "Famous and Historical Trees" by Charles Randall and Henry Clepper. It had become a traffic hazard, however, and after several vehicle accidents, com- bined with its age, it was decid- ed that the tree should be removed. In its place Mn/DOT trans- planted a young 25-year-old oak in the Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church yard. - The dedication will include remarks by Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist, the Rev. Don Wilke of Trinity Lone Oak Church, Assistant Mn/DOT Commis- sioner Larry McNamara and District Engineer Kermit - McRae. The children of the nearby Trinity Lone Oak School will sing. The dedication will be emceed by Eagan Council - member Ted Wachter. , For more information about the program, call 7794162, Bobs' Vockrodt. 7-1 A66 C� i2 t iLLB, MA/ 1, /c/ry Living without Lone Oak People particularly well -tuned to na- ture go through the world loving par- ticular trees. Perhaps they love a stand of pine soaring in remote wilderness, whose image called to mind gentles the most difficult day. They may love a stretch of birch and maple cascading spendthrift October color along some lucky river bank. Some love a single tree. A delicate flowering dogwood. Or a mountain ash, sporting bright berry clusters like some jolly Christmas waistcoat. Such trees are lovingly planted to mark the birth of a child, or to celebrate the end of a life sweetly lived. The people of Eagan loved the stur- dy symbol of their community, the tree they called Lone Oak. For as long as residents can remember, the city clerk had nailed to that tree -turned -institu- tion the town's official messages, like Caesar's notices posted in the public square of ancient Rome. The 200-year-old dignitary came down yesterday, doomed by a highway improvement project. Its supporters, watching it slowly sicken from road salt, finally conceded that the battle to save it no longer made sense. To its credit, the Department of Transportation planted a new oak near the site where the ailing giant had stood. But it will be a long, long time before those who travel that way call pass by without a twinge. J I • F91>L i s -Pi yc 1.4 ��_, F— �y Eagan's Lone Oak symbol is no more By Ellen Foley Staff Writer Part of Eagan's heritage was uprooted Monday when the Lone Oak tree, a symbol of the city's growth and strength, fell to a buzz saw. The 200-year-old tree showed signs that it was dying recently and state transportation officials said they wanted to remove the tree to improve Hwy. 55. "I felt like I was going to a funeral (Monday) when I went over there," said Mayor Bea Blomquist. The tree was a gathering place for residents since the area's farming days. Farmers dropped cans for mail pickup and delivery at the tree, and township officials began posting official notices on ft in about 1860, said Alyce Bolke, former city clerk. Bolke said the posting practice continued during her years as clerk -treasurer from 1961 to 1980. She said that in the late 1970s, the tree became the city's logo and inspired its motto: "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength and growth in our community." Resident groups opposed plans in the early 1970s by state highway officials to cut down the tree, Bolke said. They tied yellow ribbons around it, and schoolchildren protested, she said. However, last year the tree produced few leaves and no acorns, Blomquist said, and city officials agreed that its days were numbered. Bolke said it was sad to see the tree removed, but she didn't think it was appropriate for the city's symbol to stand in the way of progress. "Some of the old things just have to go," she said. Blomquist agreed that the tree's removal was inevitable. It stood in the median stri,.. intersection of l Oak Rd. and co nutrition becau. covered with as being poisoned said. Federal officaa the tree be rem funds were to b improvement, c Blomquist said keep the spirit o transplanting its of a sculpture in The city council details. Holly Duffy, ad assistant to City Hedges, said the received several, residents who w to make comme such as clocks. She said most of from longtime r the tree has spec Blomquist said the u cc will oe saved and branches, branded with a special oak tree insignia, will be given to donors who contribute money for preservation of the tree's wood and toward the cost of a possible sculpture. In addition, she said, the city will place a plaque near a living memorial to Lone Oak tree, a young oak planted last year by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It is about a block away, at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran '1 f/JNE"f} PUL/ 5 6-773R gwJ T Church. Eagan's Lone Oak symbol is no more By Ellen Foley Staff Writer Part of Eagan's heritage was uprooted Monday when the Lone Oak tree, a symbol of the city's growth and strength, fell to a buzz saw. The 200-year-old tree showed signs that it was dying recently and state transportation officials said they wanted to remove the tree to improve Hwy. 55. "I felt like I was going to a funeral (Monday) when I went over there," said Mayor Bea Blomquist. The tree was a gathering place for residents since the area's farming days. Farmers dropped cans for mail pickup and delivery at the tree, and township officials began posting official notices on It In about 1860, said Alyce Bolke, former city clerk. Bolke said the posting practice continued during her years as clerk -treasurer from 1961 to 1980. She said that in the late 1970s, the tree became the city's logo and inspired its motto: "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength and growth in our community." Resident groups opposed plans In the early 1970s by state highway officials to cut down the tree, Bolke said. They tied yellow ribbons around it, and schoolchildren protested, she said. However, last year the tree produced few leaves and no acorns, Blomquist said, and city officials agreed that its days were numbered. Bolke said it was sad to see the tree removed, but she didn't think it was appropriate for the city's symbol to stand In the way of progress. "Some of the old things just have to go," she said. Blomquist agreed that the tree's removal was inevitable. It stood in the median strip at the busy intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. and couldn't get proper nutrition because its roots were covered with asphalt and they were being poisoned by road salt, she said. Federal officials also insisted that the tree be removed if federal funds were to be used for the road's improvement, city officials said. Blomquist said Eagan hopes to keep the spirit of the tree alive by transplanting its trunk in the form of a sculpture in the city's library. The city council is working out details. Holly Duffy, administrative assistant to City Administrator Tom Hedges, said the'.r office has received several letters from residents who want to use the wood to make commemorative items, such as clocks. She said most of the requests are from longtime residents for whOm the tree has special signifleanee. Blomquist said the tree will be saved and branches, branded with a special oak tree insignia, will be given to donors who contribute money for preservation of the tree's wood and toward the cost of a possible sculpture. In addition, she said, the city will place a plaque near a living memorial to Lone Oak tree, a young oak planted last year by the .� Minnesota Department of Transportation. It is about a block away, at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. Pc)L/s s7 3R / J;J guAJE r Lone Oak Tree to be removed Eagan's Lone Oak Tree is scheduled for dismantling Tuesday, April 10, and Wed- nesday, April 11. The removal project will be conducted by District 9 of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the city of Eagan. The tree, which is located at Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, is being removed because of its age and fragile condition. It will be dismantl- ed branch by branch and taken to a location yet to be determined by Eagan city of-' ficials. The Lone Oak Tree is esti- mated to be nearly 200 years old and has long been the sym- bol for the City of Eagan. In an effort to retain the "life" of the tree, the city is considering a policy for its restoration, perhaps in the form of a sculpture. Last year, Mn/DOT and Eagan joined forces in trans- planting •a new "Lone Oak Tree" on the property of Trini- ty Lone Oak Church. 10RKv7A Save our Lone Oak The Minnesota Highway Department is out to get our Lone Oak Tree—Eagan's historic symbol. They want to cut it down, to make way for traffic. They call The Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard. This might be a good time to reprint a tribute to oak trees that appeared in a recent edition of the Minnesota Valley Audubon Society's Newsletter, "The Trumpeter," and ponder all the memories we have of the Lone Oak. Remember when the Iranian hostages were returned to the United States so- meone tied a yellow ribbon around the Lone Oak? Remember when it stood beside the road instead of in the middle of a highway? Remember when it look- ed more alive than dead? If that tree dies, those guys who lean on their shovels and supervise wet con- crete will have this town to answer to. And, fair warning, that will not be a happy day for them. Letters to the editor on this subject are invited. --Mary Ziegenhagen AA traffic hazard? AUGUST 28, 1975 DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE Local Tree Makes Good ... By HELYN DUFF Staff Writer • EAGAN — Historic old trees are getting the attention of citizens of Minnesota as a search for trees of historical significance are being sought in observance of the nation's Bicen- tennial celebration. Frank Hawes, 1585 McCarthy Road, Eagan, has nominated the famous Lone Oak tree in his community for the honors. Hawes is looking for factual evidence about the tree's long history. One of its notable features had been to serve as the city's early day bulletin board. He recently visited with Mayor Herb Polzin about the famous tree, which just last year was saved from oblivion by the stu- dents of the nearby Trinity Lone Oak School on Highway 3 at 55. At that time workmen of the State Highway Department were about to remove the tree from a Median trip, in the name of road improvement and progress. Children of the school learned of the proposed cutting down of the tree and formed a human chain around it to call attention to its early history and a plea to pre- serve it. The tree was saved, after a number of phone calls between city and state officials, a senator or two, and the pastor and prin- cipal of Trinity Lone Oak Church and School, Rev. Richard L. Krenzke. Hawes said in addition to these episodes, he is looking for more background about the tree. If anyone can supply him with addi- tional "documented" type in- formation he would appreciate hearing from them. The Minnesota State Horticultural Society has de- veloped the Heritage Tree pro- gram as part of the nation's Bicentennial observance. Ac- cording to Glen Ray, director of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, the organization is look- ing for trees of unusually big size or of cultural or historic significance. A committee will screen the nominations and select the state's outstanding trees. Each will be identified with a plaque placed either near or on the tree. The plaque will be inscribed with the name of the tree's owner, the nominators, and the significance of its nomination. FRANK HAWES of Eagan, has nominated the Lone Oak tree in the Heritage Tree program as part of the Bicentennial. The sponsoring organization, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, is seeking trees of cultural or historic significance. Lone Oak to be removed April 9-10 Eagan's landmark Lone Oak Tree is scheduled to be remov- ed April 9 and 10. The tree is estimated to be 200 years old and has been the symbol of Eagan. However, the tree's life expectancy is less than two years. It's precarious location at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road has subjected it to traffic accidents and salt. The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to remove the tree branch by branch. There is a possibility Eagan will hire an artist to create a sculpture out of the tree. In May 1983 MnDOT planted a young oak tree in the courtyard of Trinity Lone Oak Church as a replacement for the original tree. Eagan has received nume- rous requests for pieces of the historic tree, but the council has not decided what it will do with the wood. Those who wish a piece of the tree, if made available, should contact Tom Photo by David Siegel Eagan's Lone Oak tree will be taken down April 9.10. Hedges, city administrator, Eagan, 454-8100. A ceremony honoring the newly planted lone oak tree with a plaque commemorating the old one will be scheduled. Eagan's Lone Oak Tree falls today Eagan's historic Lone Oak Tree will be coming down to- day (April 9) and April 10 and the Eagan City Council is con- sidering ways to -use its wood. City Councilmember Ted Wachter and City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges told the council Tuesday they visited one woodcarver who has suggested .Sculpturing a piece for the library. Thee carver indicated he would work`' on the tree in the library where the public could see it take shape. The Lone Oak Tree has represented strength and growth and the sculpture would symbolize those characteristics and unity too, Wachter said. The small bran- ches of the tree could be cut and sold to the public, with a branded symbol of Eagan burned into them, Wachter said. Councilmembers suggested contacting residents and businesses for money to pay ' for sculpturing the tree 1n'the meantime, councilmembers approved purchase of an inex- pensive chemical paste to preserve the tree after it is cut down until its future is decided. /•J C.. Hg_vNiC- 41— 9- Ty HAUGE, SMITHI, FIDE. & KKIE.I.I.EIi, P. A. ATTORNEYS AT LAW CEDARVALE PROFESSIONAL BUILDINGS 3900 SIBLEY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55122 PAUL H. HAUGE BRADLEY SMITH KEVIN W. EIDE DAVID G. KELLER Mr. Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN 55122 Dear Tom: March 28, 1984 AREA CODE 612 TELEPHONE 454-4224 You have asked for written requests from persons who are interested in acquiring part of the Lone Oak Tree as being removed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. By this letter I wot}ld request a portion of the residue wood from the tree if there is any available. Very tp4y yours, aul . Hauge City Attorney - City of Fagan skk AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE APR 2 ? - A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA ; Dakota Dakota 4100 2; Farmin (612) 4 April 20, 1984 Thomas Hedges, Administrator Eagan City Hall 3795 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Minnesota 55122 The Dakota County Extension Office would like to request one or two crosscut sections of the Lone Oak Tree. A branch about 18 inches by 24-28 inches, about 12-2 inches thick would do very nicely. The 4-H clubs and the Homemaker Study Groups are interested in pre- senting it as a special recognition plaque from Dakota County to the President of the Unversity of Minnesota, Peter McGrath. I was told to make a special request to you in writing. We will be awaiting your reply. Thank you. Sincerely, s.) Elaine K •ng-.iel County Extension Ag-t, Home Economics/Family Living EK/sc UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, AND MINNESOTA COUNTIES COOPERATING UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN STOUT MENOMONIE WISCONSIN 5 4 7 5 1 April 4, 1984 Tom Hedges, City Manager 3830 Pilot Knob RD Eagen, MN 55123 Dear Tom: It was a pleasure to talk with you about Eagen's Lone Oak Tree and its' historical significance. It is a shame that it must be removed. Your plans to preserve some of it in a sculpture and other ways are commendable. I am enclosing information on treating wood with polyethylene glycol, as I described on the phone. Also included is a list of sculptors who you might contact for your project. Please contact me if I can be of further assistance. Thank you. Sincerely yours, James A. Bjornerud, Director Center for Craftsmanship JAB/rib enc UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN•STOUT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION UNIVERSITY. Polyethylene Glycol-1000 The New Wood Stabilizer Now Available to Hobbyists in Small Quantities Pioneering research on polyethylene glycol- 1000 was done by Government scientists working at the U. S. forest Products Laboratory. This world -famed research institution is maintained by the Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, at Madison, Wisconsin, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin. They have published complete information on the use of polyethylene glycol in various technical journals. Copies may be obtained free of charge by writing the Forest Products Laboratory. If interested, we suggest that you obtain this technical literature, and that you also look up the numerous popular articles on the subject listed on the next page. When freshly cut green wood is soaked for an appropriate perioa in a 30 to 50 percent (by weight) water solution of PEG- 1000, the wood does not shrink appreciably when dried. Equally important,wood thus treated and then dried swells very little when exposed again to high humidities. This stabilizing treatment attacks the problem at its very roots by bulking the microscopic, lattice -like structure of the individual wood -fiber walls. Heavily treated wood is thus permanently restrained from shrinking, swelling or warping regardless of atmospheric humidity. Polyethylene glycol is non -toxic, non -corrosive, and non- explosive. Moreover, SOLUTIONS CAN BE REUSED IN- DEFINITELY by periodically replacing the small amounts of chemical taken up by successive batches of treated wood. Treatment has slight effect on the color, gluing, or the physical properties of wood. However, according to the Forest Products Laboratory, "of the finishes tested, only certain polyurethane resin -base finishes and a special Danish oil -type finish proved entirely satisfac- tory" when applied to the rather waxy surface of sta- bilized wood. Also, these are the only finishes known that permanently lock the large molecules of the stabiliz- ing agent in the wood. For the hobbyist, we have formu- lated the recommended finishes, and supply them in the quantities shown on the next page. CraneCreek shrink -swell -and -warp -proof rifle stocks are an example of the high level of dimensional sta- bility attainable by heavy treatment with polyethylene glycol. Recent tests have shown that high -quality bolt action rifles fitted with stabilized stocks will maintain their zero ( that is, their fine accuracy 1 whether used in the arid Southwest, where ordinary stocks shrink until their metal fittings loosen, or following complete immersion in water for over a week. ‘Wood hobbyist I' red Ihlentelcl of Jefferson. AWisconsin, display's two large cross sections from a box elder burl that were stabilized with polyethylene glycol and then seasoned in a home -built kiln. They are flawless, except for some ingrown hark, and were later made into king-sized coffee tables. Treated cross sections can also be air seasoned with equal success. Polyethylene glycol-1000 may also be used as a chemical seasoning agent. Research has shown that relatively light treat- ments will effectively prevent seasoning degrade in green -wood carvings, cross sections of logs (see picture), turnings, totem poles and similar craft items. In this application the objective is simply to get enough polyethylene glycol into the outer shell to prevent splitting and checking during drying, rather than to obtain a uniformly high level of dimensional stability in the finished product. For best results, it is necessary to develop treatment schedules (solution concentration, temperature, period of soak) specifically tailored for a particular product, wood species, end use requirement, and with a definite objective in mind. We urge you to study the available literature carefully, and to consult your U. S. Forest Products Laboratory. ee &red Cfu#t Sead ed(404111t, Tads P. O. Box 268 Waseca, Minnesota — 56093 117-119 Second Ave., N. E. PEG-1000 is a white, waxlike chemical that resembles paraffin. It is a solid at room temperature, melts at 104 degrees F., Sas an average molecular weight of 1000, dissolves readily in warm water, is nontoxic, noncorrosive, and has o very high (580 degrees F.) fire point. Price List Polyethylene glycol PEG-1000 Standard package 4.46-Ib. package2 Two or more 4.46-Ib. packages, each 10 lbs. Two or more 10-Ib. packages, each 50 lbs. 100 lbs. Price per standard package Prepaid East $ 7.00 parcel post West1 S7.00 6.00 6.00 10.68 11.98 9.18 10.48 F.O.B. Waseca shipped motor freight collect 35.00 65.00 1 Idaho, Utah. Arizona. and States \Vest thereof. 2 Dissolved in 5 quarts Of water makes 7 quarts of 30', by weight i solution. POLYURETHANE FINISHES POLYURETHANE RESIN -BASE FINISH. —For the hobbyist, we have formulated the special finish recommended by the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory for use on stabilized wood. It is available in the following quantities: 1/2 pint, $2.00; 1 pint, $3.50; 2 or more pints, $2.75 each. Sent prepaid parcel post any place in U.S.A. This finish is easy to use, keeps fairly well when stored at low temperatures, and is recommended for general use on stabilized wood. TYPE B POLYURETHANE FINISH. —This type of polyurethane finish sets up with exposure to atmospheric moisture. It is re- commended for especially difficult finishing applications, suc:-1 as end grain (disks, etc.) , very heavily treated wood, and moist surfaces. Amounts available, and prices, are the same as for our regular polyurethane finish (above). This finish is thicker, sets up more rapidly, and is more difficult to use than our regular finish. It also tends to deteriorate fairly rapidly in storage. So keep in refrigerator, and order only the amount needed at a given time. Despite these disadvantages, it is the best known finish for difficult applications, such as the end grain of stabilized disks, burls, and highly figured wood. OIL FINISH We have formulated a Danish oil -finish that also works well on stabilized wood, including heavily treated end grain. It is available in the following quantities: 2 ounces, S1.00; 1/2 pint, $2.00; 1 pint, $3.50. Sent prepaid parcel post any place in USA. PRECISION HYDROMETER A suitable hydrometer is a must for keeping at full strength PEG solutions that are used continuously to treat successive batches of green -wood bowls, carvings, disks, etc. Our economy -priced precision hydrometer is especially designed for determining the specific gravity of PEG solutions. A 30 % (by weight) PEG solution has a specific gravity of 1.05 at 60 degrees F. A 50% solution has a :pecific gravity of 1.093 at 60 degrees F. Price of hydometer: $5.00, prepaid parcel post any place in U.S.A. CATALOG Send 75c for the 20-page illustrated catalog (No. 3) that describes our full line of chemically stabilized sporter and target rifle stocks. LITERATURE AVAILABLE Look up the following authoritative articles on the use of polyethylene glycol-1000, the new wood stabilizer and chemical seasoning agent: October, 1959 Forest Products Journal; December, 1959 Popular Science; December, 1959 Forest Products Journal; March, 1960 Precision Shooting; April, 1960 American Rifleman (Dope Bag) ; May, 1960 American Rifleman (tech- nical evaluation); November, 1960 Wood and Wood Products; January, 1961 Forest Products Journal; March, 1961 Popular Mechanics (p. 209); June, 1961 Home Craftsman; June, 1961 Industrial Woodworking; Forest Products Laboratory Report No. 2245 (April, 1962); June, 1962 Precision Shooting; October, 1962 Forest Products Journal; February, 1963 Forest Prod- ucts Journal; March -April, 1963 Home Craftsman, May, 1963 Guns and Hunting; September, 1963 Forest Products Journal; June and July, 1964 The Shooting Industry; September, 1964 School Shop; September -October, 1964 Home Craftsman; January, 1965 School Shop; and June, 1965 Industrial Arts and Vocational Education. We urge you to look up and read these fact -packed articles on wood stabilization by the top technical experts in the field. Wentwort, Kim Route 2 Box 209 Arkansaw, WI 54721 Woodcarver Buckman, Tom & Jan Route 1 City, WI Woodcarver/ Fiber Artist Torbergs R. R. 2 Box 233 Maple Plains, MN 55359 Woodcarvers Vanasse, Ted Rt. 1 Spring Valley, WI 54767 Woodcarver Olson, Mr. $ Mrs. David Route 1, Box 277 River Falls, WI 54022 Woodcarver/Fiber Artist Parker, Ted Route 1 Box 167 Beldenville, WI 54003 Woodcarver ECONOMICS LABORATORY, I N C. OSBORN BUILDING, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT April 9, 1984 Thomas Hedges City Administrator City of Eagan 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN 55122 Dear Tom, As you know, Economics Laboratory was one of the very first firms to take up residence on Lone Oak Road back in 1969. We would like very much to secure a part of the tree for display in our foyer. We appreciate your consideration of this request. Respectfully yours, ECONOMICS LABORATORY, INC. John E. McCall, Director Chemical Engineering Center 940 Lone Oak Rd. Eagan, MN 55121 (612) 452-1460 JEM: aj s April 9, 1984 TO: Mr. Tom Hedges City Administrator FROM: Mrs. Dorothy Trost SUBJECT: "Lone Oak Tree" As suggested in the newspaper article, I tele- phoned your office regarding my request for a piece of the "Lone Oak Tree". I am writing as to why I would like a piece of the tree. As a youngster, I attended the TLO Parochial School which at that time was located up the hill on Lone Oak Road. Some of my classmates and myself periodically would take our bags of lunch and sit in the shade of the Lone Oak Tree and enjoy our lunches. These are very special memories for me. In addition, I have, all my life, been a member of TLO Church which has been instrumental in the popularity of the "Tree". Thank you. -mu.. Z-.. y `7A...0Z Mrs. Dorothy Trost 3240 So. Lexington Ave. Eagan, Minnesota 55121 Telephone: 454-6172 IFederal Land Company • Suite 202 • Eagan, Minnesota 55122 • Tel. 612-452-3303 OLK-44., 7444., /04457/ if tm 2 g q exisif .tv c- - xe, TWM/ap ator conversation regarding the future of the review of our discussion. ?rested in a portion of the Lone 0ak )lic. 'se of action to be taken with the tree. L, (c) (e7"-` `} 06 LA (.c) Poe_ es-r . PAlu L_ 16,6 mc_. W s CPU i-t\N .0., c\tlyA LL`7, C�Nivo ( Wy2it�. WELL. \AU C-C=- April 9, 1984 Dear Mayor Blomquist, I would be interested in securing some wood from the Lone Oak Tree that has been cut down. Hopefully the wood pieces would be large enough in size to make perhaps a plaque, or similar object. Your office instructed me to put into writing my request for part of the tree. Thank you, Jane Dunn 3909 Palisade Way Eagan, MN. 55122 Telephone: 454-4170 or 431-6599 Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church and School LCM5 2950 Dodd Road • Highways 149 and 55 • Fagan, Minnesota 55121 April 6, 1984 Mr. Thomas Hedges City Administrator 3838 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN 55122 Dear Mr. Hedges: I realize this is late and it may not even reach you in time, but, I was wondering if it would be possible to get a piece of the Lone Oak Tree to have something carved out of it to keep as a momento at the church. One of our teachers does this sort of work and would be willing to do it if we could still get some of the wood. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Lois Sell, secretary DAKOTA CITY Dakota County Fairgrounds Farmington, MN 55024 April 3, 1984 Tom Hedges City Administrator Eagan Municipal Center 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Mn. 55122 Mr. Hedges: Located on the Dakota County Fairgrounds in Farmington is a growing museum and collection of items of historical interest to the county. We know that the Lone 0ak tree is soon to be taken down. We feel that it would be fitting to have a cross section of the trunk to put on display in our museum. Historical dates and events of Eagan Township and Dakota County could be pinpointed to the particular annual ring in the cross section. If this fits in your plans for the distribution of the tree please call the Dakota County Fairgrounds at 463-8818 or Tonete Jensen, President of the Dakota City Pioneer Village Committee, 469-2541. Sincerely, Tonete Jensen, President Dakota City Pioneer Village Committee u ` ila, 9, /9.,F Pc / -Cep--�tt &AA) c7LA, ez y ple4t€A-a-t -1.44Lt c2/4 ��yc.,2 7/ 7 / a7/ �� �````�`�✓ Lc- . 'Toy* Hedges eit y fed rain i Deal- N. c. g es I we Ix Id very rn vc k 114e -� have ari'ece a-F " LOWE OAK tree w"i II he-112.W e, r. d o IA/ art-. 9-)b. ( fr rlet )�i c 1° q /"ICKee 5-1-, 5S-1z► a Ick s,4-- firvoL- We_ vwQ�" - S?) trv•_a— &OA- 5 w� A• `c 151 g c-ok.Q kci ssi�l 0-?) Xtp /S 10I ec eS e-tcs- id r, IS cafe / , , r 4 r1 Gc G 7 / v e-- a A, V Pee_ 0/ Z"J e_ 74rE� Cr e e_. Car-, cue✓^�' See_ a va /e z1d rY, rV, cc = Ae r t -e e..--,. T A o cz Z AG.- 74r -.- 171S e i Cetv--) )-, .e __"<"_--r-- bc_ r- -e le I et c..e.e0 1 Ile., 1,--, v i-, --6-y- t IFS 64 t hi S T a rd r O G,-e UC // v-e----' O jar e t, ..f" le, r --L At. t. Q'e er / e c54 4 - C o Y_r+ r--, h t 71:x . Ccr, p /e C O l..s Tar r4e, i_(,c..Q or's f� \‘Le,n Da e .13 o clew ( 1 c / am . -r c of a o ra pce ck- P /e cep o i fS' "iLr cl h /� SQ µe a S 1 Lb'e / ''t e k c-S t e-dC) l �_ rn It h G-- C ,o , LL e/ ror -Z kPith ► c i/O Ji0' 7Z /1 Q s a. " L. l• bra? Q s ''LaC G(or)--) Y''1 M t ht l T� %e �rSp a� � fok- L7T Cpctkh / rCStec(' / . 4/S Qr/ es toji �- r , - r&Side�ti�s zza ,ram r op a S JD tt L.4.4*-7":„.4.3 »-S/cleh c+�- o 174 ///e-POry r//// EVA ill /tin • 6.5 2. Wm. H. O. Kroll & Associates Consulting 9n acoustics and Communications %stems 5217 WEST MILL. ROAD M I N N E T O N K A, M I N N E S O T A 5 5 3 4 3 2 April 1984 The Eagan City Hall Eagan municipal Center 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN. 55122 For mayor Beatta Blomquist Honorable mayor: 934-1300/612 I read with some sorrow in the Minneapolis paper about the Highway Department planning to cut down the Lone 0ak on the 9th and 10th of April. If you really cannot stop them, please try to save some seedlings or acorns. The small seedlings are inconspicuous in the grass and are often mowed with the grass. Young oaks have a terrible mortality rate so it would be extra good to let the LONE OAK reproduce itself for posterity. The paper talks about its being carefully cut down and pieces made available to interested parties. Sections from trunks usually crack and the bark falls off because the wood proper, made up of waterfilled cells, shrinks more than the bark upon drying. There is a way around this and that is to, right after cutting, soak the wooden sections in a chemical solution that replaces the water in the cells and thus prevents all problems with cracking, shrinking and warping. This product is called PEG which stands for polyethyleneglycol. PEG is a harmless, non —toxic, waxy —like chemical that comes in a bulk industrial grade and also in a bulk high —purity grade which is so clean that it could be safely eaten as a dressing for breakfast corn— flakes. You warm the PEG to melting, mix with water and soak the freshly cut wood in it for 60 days. I have nothing to sell! I am an engineer who owns a small but quite successful consulting firm and derive my income from professional fees. I do, however, come from 5 genera— tions of people in the timber business and grew up immersed in woodcutting and sawmills. It's in my blood. I have worked in wood or sawmills already on three continents. My whole family is taught to love and respect trees as wonderful living things but meant to serve mankind as building material and heat as a genuine form of stored sun energy. To offset my indoor desktime, we, as a family hobby, spend time outdoors cutting wood. Though better equipped than many professionals, it is strictly a hobby and physical fitness 240 W. Wentworth Apt. 306 W. St. Paul, Minnesota 55118 March 29, 1984 Dear Sirs: I would like to receive a piece of the Lone Oak Tree. Thank you. c1Sincerelyy,� . Lone ieftr • 1 _.�:c co tac' o - :-:o L.o_:c Yc- RECEIVED J U L 1 6 r t cr oET. —oo, ,;i on of r. Momra _ledccs City,- Administrator =30 Pilot Knob Ropd 19E.4 Derr kr.He.- es, I wo,.ld to ottsin a piece of the Lone Oak Tree. I Live on Lone Oak Roed and have redided it tris address for ?0 years. Borie Strand 142; LonE Oak Fi jed Eagan MN. 55121 Thenk you, PS: My hirthday is April llth. .vo,�M1JiTrP T* 1N\ wt/V•.. S S 1 2 1 s �r c, o r < <rv1 4 t, Lo Y\ . n o�� W a✓O r tc en". k-y C . V OWY1 .-\ct\ir G\i . (2t_loo 6" - a .trey r -F + v O 3- a A_ r \ Z O..w. u., uJo4d Wor"Ker \ As-w Gar,r.A}Vv v-\a.�wv41m_Lt (� `o-r+-j CI • S. Wol)`cAr.o.r `car (� \ c).` \� .u�� . 1 Th-c,) 4 -P42,14e_y_s6, \o\ ..,`i+-o 0-0 ems, t l '(\11 \n.\n" SS ll3 y - (-ta.3 VIaw,� e/ctlo — OS36 vwo+-\` Mn/DOT DISTRICT 9 NEWS CHISAGO DAKOTA RAMSEY WASHINGTON Counties 0 NNESJ). DISTRICT 9 PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE PHONE (612) 779-1162 DATE: March 27, 1984 TO BE RELEASED: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! Removal of Eagan's %OIV£ (OAK ZRi`£" OAKDALE AND EAGAN -- District 9 of the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the City of Eagan jointly announce the long-awaited removal of the old Lone 0ak Tree located at Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road (County Road 26) in Eagan. 0n April 9th and loth, Mn/DOT will be dismantling the tree. Because of its age and possible fragile condition, the tree will be dismembered branch by branch and taken to a location yet to be determined by the City of Eagan. Its age estimated at nearly 200 years, the Lone 0ak Tree has long been the symbol for the City of Eagan. In the City's emerging history the landmark tree has been a focal point for town and community meetings. In the recent five years the tree has given evidence of dying. In addition, its location in a precarious position. may have further hastened was planted in the church In fact, its life expectancy is now less than two years. at the intersection of the county and state roads places it As a result, many traffic accidents have occurred, which the aged tree's demise. In May, 1983, a young oak tree courtyard of the Trinity Lone 0ak Church --within easy walking distance of the original site of the Lone 0ak Tree. The young tree is a symbol of the ongoing strength of the City of Eagan. Numerous requests have come to the City for "token branches" or "cross sections" of this lauded historic tree. At this time the City has not developed a policy for distribution. There is a possiblity that the City may hire a sculptor to produce a historically -significant artifact from a large portion of the tree. In addition, there will be a ceremony at the site of May. Mn/DOT will present a plaque to part in the developing history of the citizens of how it intends to dispose For further information contact: Tom Hedges Administrator, City of Eagan 454-8100 the newly -transplanted Lone 0ak Tree in late the City commemorating the Lone 0ak Tree and its City. Also at that time, the City will inform of the branches of the old tree. ############### Bob Vockrodt Public Affairs, Mn/DOT 779-1162 city of ecigcin ) city of eac�an 3830 PILOT KNOB ROAD. P.O. BOX 21199 EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121 PHONE: (612) 454-8100 November 18, 1985 MR KERMIT MC RAE, P E MNDOT DIST 9 3485 HADLEY AVE N, BOX 9050 N ST PAUL MN 55109 Dear Kermit: BEA BLOMQUIST Mayor THOMAS EGAN JAMES A. SMITH JERRY THOMAS THEODORE WACHTER Council Members THOMAS HEDGES City Administrator EUGENE VAN OVERBEKE City Clerk Saturday was a hugh success to say the least and you helped make it so. I wish to thank all of those in District 9 and others in the Department of Transportation for all their help and support. It was a great pleasure to receive the cross-section of the "Lone Oak Tree." The Lone Oak Tree was very special to Eagan and you were so thoughtful to prepare the plaque with its cross-section. I must say it is the largest plaque we have ever received! After everyone left the hotel on Saturday, I took time to study the plaque and enjoy it by myself. It is wonderful! The City of Eagan will enjoy it forever. On behalf of the Council and staff of the City of Eagan, thank you for a great gift and a great day. Warmest regards, n Bea Blomquist Mayor cc: Dick Braun Bob Vockrodt BB/kf THE LONE OAK TREE ... THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY city of eagan 3830 PILOT KNOB ROAD, P.O. BOX 21199 EAGAN, MINNESOTA 55121 PHONE (612) 454-8100 September 12, 1984 MR CHRIS EFFRAM WOOD-CARVER 3056 EXCELSIOR BLVD MINNEAPOLIS MN 55416 Re: Lone Oak Tree/1984 Branding Iron Dear Mr. Effram: BEA BLOMQUIST Mayor THOMAS EGAN JAMES A. SMITH JERRY THOMAS THEODORE WACHTER Council Members THOMAS HEDGES City Administrator EUGENE VAN OVERBEKE City Clerk I recently discussed with your son, George, general specifications for ordering a small branding iron for the purpose of stamping "1984 Lone Oak Tree" on cross sections taken from the Lone Oak Tree. George advised me to send a specific proof to be used for the branding iron. We have developed the proof, a copy is enclosed for your use. Please regard this letter and submission of the proof as an order for a branding iron to the specifications we discussed. Please notify this office if there are any problems confronting the ordering of the branding iron as we have desired. Sincerely, Thomas L. Hedges City Administrator TLH/jj Enclosure THE LONE OAK TREE ... THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY 1984 LONE OAK TREE MEMO TO: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION FROM: CITY ADMINISTRATOR HEDGES DATE: MAY 9, 1985 SUBJECT: LONE OAK TREE SOUVENIRS I am certain you are aware of Rick Bertz' ongoing illness resulting in his inability to meet with the Celebration Committee. Rick is Chairman of the Lone Oak Tree Committee and was in the process of coordinating a request for proposal for sculptures and preparing souvenirs for sale at the July 4th Celebration. The souvenirs are intended to be cross-section pieces of the Lone Oak Tree. City Councilmember Wachter and I were discussing the matter this morning and feel we should proceed with cutting various limbs of the Lone Oak Tree and making as many cross -sections as possible to be sold as souvenirs. Both City Councilmember Wachter and I are aware of all the park work that is scheduled this spring; however, if possible, could you delegate one or two persons on rainy days to perform the actual cutting of the cross -sections in the barn. The other choice would be to take the limbs to the Public Works garage and actually perform the cutting at that facility. I will make arrangements for someone else to actually perform the woodburning that officially recognizes the Lone Oak Tree once the cross -sections are prepared by your Department. If you have any questions regarding this special request, please feel to contact me at any time. r' City Administrator cc: City Councilmember Wachter TLH/kf Minnesota State Horticultural Society 161 ALDERMAN HALL, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, ST. PAUL, MINN. 55108 TELEPHONE (612) 373-1031 THE MINNESOTA HORTICULTURIST OFFICIAL PUBLICATION MINNESOTA HERITAGE TREE DEDICATION EAGAN LONE OAK Intersection, Minn. State Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road (County Road 26) April 30, Arbor Day 1976 Remarks: Glenn H. Ray, Secretary -Treasurer, Minnesota State Horticultural Society Rev. Richard Krenzke, Pastor, Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church Representative Ray Kempe, Member, Minnesota House of Representatives, District 53A Herbert Polzin, r.ayor, Eagan, Minnesota Presentations: Glenn Ray and Patrick Nelson, Pinnesota Heritage Tree Committee Dr. Lawrence E. Foote, Director of Environmental Services, Minnesota State Highway Department Mrs. Donald (Glenda) Holz, Eagan, Nominator Rev. Richard Krenzke Music: Band Members, John Metcalf Junior High School; Leo Bedard, Director. Garden for BEAUTY — HEALTH — ENJOYMENT * Use Minnesota ORNAMENTALS — FRUITS — VEGETABLES — HONEY MEMO TO: TT -CMS L. HEDGES, CITY ADMINISTRATOR FROM: DALE S. PETERSON, BUILDING INSPYL'1UR DATE: MARCH 19, 1979 SUBJECT: CITY POSTING BOARD ON LONE OAK THEL The attached letter will explain the absence of the Eagan Bulletin Board on the Lone Oak Tree. If the City wishes to apply for a special permit, I could pursue it further. Respectfully submitted, /". e 5. Peterson Building Inspector DSP:tlp Attachment IV e4Es°4Minnesota Department of Transportation District 9 r.of TaP�3485 Hadley Avenue North, Box 2050 North St. Paul, Minnesota 55109 (612) 770-2311 March 14, 1979 Mr. Dale Peterson, Building Inspector City of Eagan Eagan, Minnesota 55121 In reply refer to: 319 C.S. 1909, T.H. 49/55, M.P. 202.52 North side of Lone Oak Road in T.H Median City of Eagan Bulletin Board Dear Mr. Peterson: This is a letter you requested concerning the said bulletin board we discussed during our conversation on the telephone on March 13, 1979. I informed you that I had the bulletin board removed because it was in violation of Minnesota Statute 160.27 and Chapter 173 Section 173.15 (4) & (5). The Statutes pro- hibit the placing of signs on State highway right of way and the placing of signs on trees, shrubs or utility poles. I was aware that there used to be a small 12"xl8" board on the tree and ignored it because I heard it had some sentimental value to the neighborhood. I was not aware the said bulletin board was placed there by the City of Eagan. My present information from the Historical Society does not list the small bulletin board as a historical site. We do have the said sign and you may pick up the bulletin board at our• District Office. However, the bulletin board cannot be placed on the highway right of way nor on the tree. Your bulle- tin board can be located on City or County right of way or on private property. If you have any further questions, you may reach me at 770-2311, ext. 226. Sincerely, M. Mayeda District Advertising Control Agent An Equal Opportunity Employer „,Y O MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 161 Alderman Hall, University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus St. Paul, Minnesota 55108 (612) 373-1031 Dear Mrs. Bolke and City of Eagan: This is to notify you that our ^ffice has registered the Sugar Maple and Norway maple tree planted by Dakota Ramblers 4-H Club and City Council atEagan City Hall as the City of Eagan American Revolution Bicentennial Tree. Thank you for your help in making the Minnesota Heritage Tree program a success. With timely care and some luck these trees will be fine living monuments to those who will be celebrating the nationts 300th birthday. Sincerely, Glenn H. Ray Secretary -Treasurer GHR:mr p.s. Would you kindly contact your local newspaper for a glossy print if this article appeared in your local paper after your special planting. Thank you. 2A Eagan's Lone Oak Tree will be removed soon TREE: from P. 1A new City Hall. One suggestion is to mark the rings with a significant event that happened that year, said Ken Vraa, director of Eagan's Parks and Recrea- tion Department. No one knows the exact age of the tree. Estimates put it beyond 200 years, Vraa said. The age will be determined when it is cut down. "in early years, people passed by and put up notices," he explained. The first Town Hall was built in 1893 on Michael Shield's farm near the in- tersection of Pilot Knob and Lone Oak roads, according to city records. The Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, organized in 1881, is located near the tree. A replacement for the Lone Oak Tree was planted this summer on the prop- erty at the church. The expected removal of the tree in about two weeks (the exact date hasn't been set) is no surprise. It is dying and has long been recognized as a traffic hazard, Bockrodt said. MnDOT is having a historical plaque made that will be presented to Eagan and placed on the site. When the plaque is done, the date for removing the tree will be set, Bockrodt said. CHRONICLE 1209 E. Cliff Road • Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 890-4456 Member, Minnesota Newspaper Association & Suburban Newspapers of America President & Publisher Mary Ziegenhagen Vice President & Advertising Manager Joanne Shiebler News Editor David Siegel Sports Editor Robert Roth Distributed to every household & business in Eagan every Monday. Subscription copies mailed. Controlled circulation permit pending at Burnsville, MN post office, 55337. Office Hours 8am-5pm Mon -Fri Voluntary Subscriptions $12 Per Year Mailed Subscriptions $16 Per Year fir \ / I1'S 1HE PEREECI GIFT! LLeyfairI season•pass $3495 Available at all t)avton'. Ticket Outlets. How soft it is! e Lone ak Tree NI Photo by David Siegel The Lone Oak Tree, a symbol of Eagan, is expected to be removed soon. The wood will be given to Eagan. EAGAN HRONICLE by David Siegel It is called the lone oak tree. Marred by the metal of misdirected vehicles, scarred by the countless nails and tacks that held community notices, it stands alone at the intersection of Lone Oak Road and Highway 55. It's closest neighbor is blacktop. The tree is no longer pretty. It barely leafs out in the summer. It hasn't had acorns on it in years, but it remains a symbol of the community. Eagan's symbol will be cut down in a few weeks a Current newspaper At least for two more weeks. Then the Minnesota Department of Trans- portation plans to remove the tree and give the wood to Eagan. There will be some grieving for the tree, and officials of MnDOT know it. "We respect that importance. It's very sensitive down in Eagan," said Bob Bockrodt, public information of- ficer for MnDOT. City Council members will decide what to do with the wood from the tree. It probably will be used somehow in the TREE: to P. 2A SECTION A Vol. IV, No. 50, Monday, December 12, 1983 Bringing you the news of the people, the neighborhoods and business of Eagan TWO SECTIONS "LONE OAK TREE" Its age estimated at neaney 200 years, the Lone Oak tree haz tong been the symbol Aon the City o4 Eagan. In the CLty's emeng-Lng history, the landmark tree has been a Aoca2 point Aon town and community meetings. In the recent 4ive years the tree has given evidence o4 dying. In {pact, this spring, .its tie. was in question as Aonester4 saw the new bud6 d.uscotoned and unhealthy. In addition its Location at the intersect .on o4 the county and state ,Loads, placed it .in a precarious position. As a Aesw t, many accidents occult/Led, which served to Aunthe& hasten the aged tnee's demise. In 1976, Aesident4 oA Eagan and the Minnesota Histotical Society had the Lone Oak tree designated as the state's Ainst heritage thee. It was, in {pact, wn.i tten up in "Famous and Histon,Lcat Trees" written by Chances Randat2 and Kenny Cleppen, published by the American Foresthy Association. Oven the yeaAs the tree had become the symbol oA Eagan, Aepnesent.ing strength and growth, according to Mayon Beatta Btomgwtlt. Annotd Ua?.then wrote a weekly column about Eagan area Aes.idents for the west St. Paue BoosteA, and selected the name ob his column "Lone Oak News". KL6 4iAzt column was .in 1924. As o4 May 22, 1984, the old Lone Oak tAee is gone. In May 1983, a young oak tree was planted £n the church courtyard o4 the Trinity Lone Oak Chwcch- wLth.Ln easy walking distance o4 the orig,Lnat site oA the Lone Oak .thee. LONE OAK TREE DEDICATION MAY 22, 1984 3:00 P.W. TAi.ni y Lone Oak Lutheran Chwcch Eagan, Minnesota Masten o,( Cevemonies TED WACHTER Eagan City Councie Remarks By REVEREND DON WILKE PastoA - Tni.ndty Lone Oak Lutheran Church BEATTA BLOMQUIST Mayon o¢ Eagan LARRY McNAMARA A44 L4tant Comm,i2s.Lonen Mn/DOT KERMIT McRAE D-ustrict Engineer Mn/DOT Song "God Bless America" CHILDREN OF LONE OAK SCHOOL Pete Belcgwann, Principa.e Unve t ng LONE OAK TREE Commemonat.Lve Pta.que ssssssssss IIII ISMEAD KEEPING YOU ORGANIZED No. 10334 2-153L FO STTRY sNABLE mitt RECYa ED INITIATIVE CONTENT 10% Carufi.d F6.r Sourcing POST -CONSUMER vwrw..fiprogno.org MADE IN USA GET ORGANIZED AT SMEAD.COM 16milimisIL 1 www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current Wednesday, May 16, 2Q01 19A Oak From Page 1A when they remove trees from a site and is earmarked for replacing trees in the community to make up for those trees re- moved during the development. The first step in seeking that contri- bution from the city came May 14 when Brown -Gustafson went before the Parks Advisory Committee to seek its recommendation on the plan. The com- mittee's recommendation will then be passed onto the City Council for a final decision. Included in the donations already re- ceived for the project is a $1,000 donation from 2001 graduating class of Eagan High School as part of their senior gift, according to Eagan High School Assis- tant Principal Polly Reikowski. The grad- uating class also donated money to plant a tree on the Eagan High School campus. In addition to moving the tree, the total cost will cover the cost of a Grand- father Tree Society bench bearing the names of those people or groups who have. donated $5,000 to the effort. Plans also call for a bronze plaque designed to resemble an open book with thendmes, of all, donors that.will be placed next, to the tree. "We wanted to do something special in the community of ; .Eagan," Brown- - Gustafson said. "Our basic purpose is bringing people together in the commu- nity and this tree represents the history of the city and is a symbol of thecommu- nity" City forester Gregg Hove first noticed the -tree's -predicament when reviewing the grading plans, for the central park site. While the road leading into the site had been shifted in --such away to avoid eliminating many, trees, the big bur oak *'is right in the way of the road. • "The road alignment was changed and that preserved more trees, but it became clear there was still one particular tree that was still too close to the road," Hove said. Original plans for the road would have taken out a couple dozen trees, but the new alignment for the road will take out only four to six trees, Hove said. "This is obviously a big improvement," Hove said. "It wouldn't have been able to happen without the cooperation .of many people." The other trees that will eventually be removed to make way for the road are not candidates for relocation, Hove said. For a tree to be moved the conditions have to be just right, he said. "The other trees are more woods trees, not standing alone like the one that will be moved," Hove said. "We wouldn't move any other ones because you need to have a unique situation, which this tree has, in order to move a tree." Before deciding to move ahead with the project, the Eagan Foundation "did every bit of research" on moving the tree, Brown -Gustafson said. What Founda- tion members discovered was that de- spite a tree of this size never having been moved in Minnesota, in other parts of the country moving similar trees is not rare. The Foundation contacted National Shade Tree Inc., a Texas firm that spe- cializes in moving large trees, to deter- mine how best to move the tree. The com- pany is one of only two companies in the country that moves "super trees" — more than 24 inches in diameter, Hove said. National Shade Tree will spend about two weeks in Eagan, starting May 29, to move the tree. "It really is a small tree for them," Brown -Gustafson said. "They are used to moving huge trees." Still the process to move the tree is a complex one. The tree, which is 27 inches in diameter, will involve digging a hole about 30 feet in diameter that goes down . an average of 4 feet, Hove said. The tree's roots and the soil surrounding them will then be wrapped with burlap and wire and a platform formed from steel pipes will be used to lift the tree by hydraulic jacks onto a trailer. The whole package, which will weigh more than 240 tons in- cluding the tree, soil and the pipes, will move at a walking speed to its new loca- tion. Hove and Brown -Gustafson said the project is a perfect way to remember the Lone Oak Tree, which has become a sym- bol of the community since it was cut down in 1984 after state officials de- clared the dying tree a hazard to mo- torists on nearby Highway 55. The tree, which was estimated to be more than 200 years old, is now the city's official logo. "Rarely do we get an opportunity in any' community to get this kind of pro- ject together," Brown -Gustafson said. "It's an opportunity to retain part of the city's heritage, provide a symbol of the city for generations to come and build a sense of community through a shared spot." • Donation's for the Grandfather Tree Project can also be mailed to Grandfather Tree Project, in care of the Eagan Foun- dation, 1960 Cliff Lake Road, Suite 112, Eagan, MN 55122. Project rooted in Eagan's Lone Oak history. Eagan Foundation seeking $55,000 to move tree on central park site By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers Echoes of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree reverberate in an effort to save a 40-foot tall bur oak standing in the way of a new road leading to the city's future community center. The Eagan Foundation is seeking donations for the "Grandfather Tree" project. The root of the Foundation's plans is to move the tree about 450 yards from the path of the new road leading in from Yankee Doodle Road to a spot across the Lock- heed Martin parking lot closer to the community center. "The spot it will be moved to near the community center is what the design has designated as focal point for the city of Eagan and the community cen- ter as visitors approach the building," said Kay. Brown - Gustafson, an Eagan`Founda- tion member. "What could be a better focal point for the city than an oak tree." The tree would be the oldest and largest tree to ever be moved in the state, Brown - Gustafson said. Moving the tree to save it is especially important because of the tree's historical value since it was originally on the Wachter farmstead, one of the first settlements in what be- came Eagan. However, before breaking the ground around the tree the Foundation is seeking to raise the $55,000 cost for moving the tree. The Foundation has so far raised $20,000 of the $35,000 they seek from private. sources. They hope to raise another $20,000 from the city's tree mit- igation fund. The tree mitigation fund comes from fees developers pay OAK: To Page 19A New road threatens 150-year-old oak AMY SHERMAN STAFF WRITER Atree grows in Eagan, with a yellow ribbon freshly tied to its thick trunk. The bright bow is a sign that this big old tree is going places. In fact, it's going about 450 yards. If the community can raise enough money, the 40-foot tall bur oak will be raised from one corner of Central Park and put down roots in another spot in the park. The tree must get a move on to make way for a new road. City forester Gregg Hove estimates that the tree is between 140 and 160 years old, which is con- sidered middle age for a bur oak. Moving an oak that measures 27 inches in diameter with a crown of 45 feet is a "tree- mendous" undertaking. A company from Hous- ton, Texas, called National Shade, which spe- cializes in moving large trees, will spend about two weeks here starting the last week of May. The Eagan Foundation is soliciting donations to foot the $55,000 bill and has about $13,000 TREE CONTINUED ON 7A CRAIG BORCK/ PIONEER PRESS The nonprofit Eagan Foundation,' hopes to raise money to move this 140- to 160- year -old oak tree. Working on the project are from left, Gregg Hove,. Chelsea Luse, Kay Brown -Gustafson and Barbara Luck. 4a $AINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS 05 y'05 — O ` -=Tree ,trr1 CONTINUED FROM IA far. The nonprofit will soon ask „f3 the City Council to contribute r7about $20,000 from developers' fees that are earmarked for tree projects. Some council members expressed mixed views on whether ,it'sworth it to spend that much on a lone tree, although they said they need more information. .' ' If the project comes together, how the tree will be moved: ' the crew will dig a hole 30 feet in -1 "diameter and about 5 to 8 feet '`,'.',deep and wrap the tree's ball of with burlap and wire. Steel pipes will then be placed under- -.'",neath the chunk to create a lifting "'platform. Using hydraulic jacks iT'i" and steel beams, the tree will be '0" Gifted onto a trailer and stood up- right. The tree, soil and pipes com- ' > bined will weigh about 250 tons, or 'about the same as 34 empty school buses. Traveling at about walking • "speed, the trailer will amble across the adjacent Lockheed Martin parking lot to the tree's • " new home. David Cox, general manager at National Shade, has been moving trees of this size and larger since 1994. Cox has moved about 100 giant trees, and reports that he --has yet to lose one. The process ,,:allows the roots to regenerate, :_.which is why the trees survive, he said. Large trees have been moved • ...for many years in other parts of the country but it's a unique pro - To help A tax-deductible donation to the Grandfather Tree Pro- ject can be made by send- ing a check to the Eagan Foundation, 1960 Cliff Lake Road Suite 112 No. 215, Eagan, MN 55122. Seven people or organizations that give $5,000 or more will have their names on a com- memorative bench. For more Information, call Kay Brown -Gustafson at (651) 454-6755. ject for Minnesota, said Gary - Johnson, an urban forestry profes- sor at the University of Minnesota. Eagan's city forester started to think about the tree's precarious future last fall when he noticed that maps showing the develop- ment of a new road would take out some trees. A path was chosen that would take out the least amount of trees — about five — but Hove wondered if one that stood alone could be rescued. Hove talked to tree experts and did some tests to determine the condition of the tree, which is in good health. The Eagan Founda- tion became involved because it wanted to plant a tree in the park. Last year, Eagan bought the land for a park and plans to build a community center along with oth- er amenities on the site. Kay Brown -Gustafson, a founda- tion member, sees this project as FROM PAGE 1A a way to honor the history of the Lone Oak Tree, an Eagan land- mark that was perhaps 200 years old when it was cut down in 1984. For many years the tree was used as a spot to post official town notices; farmers used to store cans of milk in a tub under the tree so a hauler could pick them up and deliver them to a creamery. The Minnesota Transportation Department considered the tree, which was dying from years of road salt, a hazard to motorists. The city told the state it was bark- ing up the wrong tree, but eventu- ally the relic had to go. The Lone Oak tree is now the city's official logo and a slice of the tree is on display at City Hall. A bronze plaque made to resem- ble an open storybook will be placed by this tree at its new loca- tion and tell the story of the Lone Oak Tree in addition to listing the names of the donors. A bench will also be put near the tree listing the names of big donors. Like all suburbs, Eagan has lost many trees to development, so Hove sees this as a rare opportuni- ty to save a tree. "I see too much destruction nowadays. It's nice to see some preservation." Amy Sherman, who covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, can be reached at asherman@ploneerpress.com or (651) 228-2174. New road threatens 150-year oak tree (5/05/2001) Page 3 of 3 Help News Archives Feedback Back to Top donors. Like all suburbs, Eagan has lost many trees to development, so Hove sees this as a rare opportunity to save a tree. "I see too much destruction nowadays. It's nice to see some preservation." Amy Sherman, who covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, can be reached at ashermanC ..pioneerpress.com or (651) 228-2174. <� 2001 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press / TwinCities.com- All Rights Reserved copyright information http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/sat/news/docs/028369.htm 5/8/01 New road threatens 150-year oak tree (5/05/2001) Page 2 of 3 lot to the tree's new home. David Cox, general manager at National Shade, has been moving trees of this size and larger since 1994. Cox has moved about 100 giant trees, and reports that he has yet to lose one. The process allows the roots to regenerate, which is why the trees survive, he said. Large trees have been moved for many years in other parts of the country but it's a unique project for Minnesota, said Gary Johnson, an urban forestry professor at the University of Minnesota. Eagan's city forester started to think about the tree's precarious future last fall when he noticed that maps showing the development of a new road would take out some trees. A path was chosen that would take out the least amount of trees -- about five -- but Hove wondered if one that stood alone could be rescued. Hove talked to tree experts and did some tests to determine the condition of the tree, which is in good health. The Eagan Foundation became involved because it wanted to plant a tree in the park. Last year, Eagan bought the land for a park and plans to build a community center along with other amenities on the site. Kay Brown -Gustafson, a foundation member, sees this project as a way to honor the history of the Lone Oak Tree, an Eagan landmark that was perhaps 200 years old when it was cut down in 1984. For many years the tree was used as a spot to post official town notices; farmers used to store cans of milk in a tub under the tree so a hauler could pick them up and deliver them to a creamery. The Minnesota Transportation Department considered the tree, which was dying from years of road salt, a hazard to motorists. The city told the state it was barking up the wrong tree, but eventually the relic had to go. The Lone Oak tree is now the city's official logo and a slice of the tree is on display at City Hall. A bronze plaque made to resemble an open storybook will be placed by this tree at its new location and tell the story of the Lone Oak Tree in addition to listing the names of the donors. A bench will also be put near the tree listing the names of big http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/sat/news/docs/028369.htm 5/8/01 Eagan's new Lone Oak Tree is on the move Page 2 of 2 The chosen oak stood directly in the path of construction for the new road to the Community Center and would have to be cut down. Gustafson immediately took to the tree, amazed at its resemblance to the original Lone Oak Tree that was cut down in 1984 to make way for a highway. After contacting National Shade, the Eagan Foundation set about raising $55,000 to cover the cost of the move, and also to pay for a bench to be placed by the tree that will honor contributors. The back of the bench will consist of seven branches with the name of each contributor inscribed on the branches. Gustafson said that the foundation is still $6,000 short of its goal but is hoping to raise the rest by next week. Groups that have already contributed to the project include Lockheed Martin, Northwest Airlines, Unysis and the 2001 senior class of Eagan High School. Representatives from these groups were on hand at the end of May for a ceremonial "first dig" at the site, and each was given a copy of the book "The Lone Oak Years," which chronicles the history of Eagan. "The generations of your families will know that you had a part in preserving something so special to the community," Gustafson said to the group. Last Wednesday, the first day of the move, brought out many spectators, including City Administrator Tom Hedges and City Council Member Paul Bakken. Also in attendance was one of Eagan's first council members, Ted Wachter, whose cousin Norman used to own the land upon which the tree stood. "This is a worthwhile community effort," Wachter said. "And it will be a real focal point for the Community Center.' Wachter, a lifetime resident of Eagan, still remembers when the original Lone Oak was cut down. This, he said, is a much happier experience. "This is far more gratifying," he said. "It's something that will never be forgotten by the people that have seen it." ©Thisweek Newspapers hup://www.thisweek-online.com/2001/June/8oak.html 6/ 11 /2001 Eagan's new Lone Oak Tree is on the move Page 1 of 2 News Sports Classifieds Business Directory Links Our Company Contact Us TIEWSPAPERS Monday, June 11, 2001 Eagan's new Lone Oak Tree is on the move Posted 6/8/01 by Erin Johnson Staff Writer A massive effort was undertaken last week as Eagan's new Lone Oak Tree was moved, intact, 450 feet to its home in front of the future Community Center. During the final phase of the Eagan Foundation's "Grandfather Tree Project," the 150-year-old oak was lifted, roots and all, and transported across the Lockheed Martin parking lot to its new location. The National Shade Tree Company, a tree -moving company based in Texas, handled the move. The oak is the largest tree ever to be relocated in Minnesota. Kay Gustafson, a member of the Eagan Foundation, said that when she contacted National Shade, which has moved trees as large as sequoias, she was concerned they wouldn't be able to move the tree. "But when they looked at it they said, `That's a little tree!' " she said, laughing. Little, maybe, but a major undertaking nonetheless. In May, crews began cutting a 30-foot circumference around the tree and dug an eight -foot deep hole with shovels to avoid damaging the roots. On Wednesday, June 6, the tree and the 30 feet of ground covering its roots were lifted onto a platform and, over the course of more than two hours, moved only a fraction of the distance. Crews began working again early Thursday morning to move the tree the rest of the way, and Thursday afternoon was spent placing the tree in its new hole. The entire process started months ago, when Kay Gustafson and the Eagan Foundation decided it would be nice to have an oak tree as the focal point of the new Community Center. She contacted Gregg Hove, Eagan's supervisor of forestry, who said to her, "I have just the tree." http://www.thisweek-online.com/2001/June/8oak.html 6/11/2001 Tree/Continued "It's a beautiful specimen of a bur oak tree. It's in excellent con- dition," she said. "It sits out all alone, so it is a lone oak tree." Gustafson said the city has been lacking a living symbol to mirror the one that is featured on signs throughout the city. "The original Lone Oak Tree was cut down a number years ago, and I think a lot of people felt badly because it was cut down," she said. "We've been missing a big, old, lone oak tree for a num- ber of years. We have nothing that symbolizes the city in that man- ner." Gustafson said that the tree sits on a historic piece of property that used to be the Rahn family farm. The tree is estimated to be 140 to 160 years old, and is expected to live to be about 300 years old. "It's an old tree by our stan- dards, but a young, middle-aged tree by tree standards," she said. When Gustafson heard that the tree would be cut down, she asked if there was any way to relocate it without damaging it. She said that Gregg Hove, Eagan's supervisor of forestry, researched whether the tree could be moved successfully. He even- tually directed her to the National Shade Tree Company in Texas, the only company they knew of that could move that type of tree. Representatives of the company came to look at the tree and decided that they could move it without causing any harm. According to Gustafson, this will be the oldest and largest tree ever relocated in Minnesota. The process of moving the tree 450 yards is a major one. Huge equipment will be used to move the tree in the same manner a house is moved. The roots of bur oak trees spread wide instead of deep, so workers will cut a 30-foot circum- ference around the tree and dig a hole about eight feet deep. The entire tree will then be lifted out �„c pagan rounaation hopes to move this old oak tree to the new Community Center by June. Photo by Erin Johnson of the ground and placed on a flatbed truck, which will transport it to its new home. The tree will be placed on the upper level of the Community Center grounds so that it's the first thing visitors see when they arrive. "As people drive into the Community Center, there's the symbol of the city," Gustafson said. "It's a real symbol of com- munity." The chances of the tree surviv- ing are very good, she said, and the tree company assured that her incredible care will be used to move the tree. The new site will even be prepared with the same conditions the tree is living in now, including soil, drainage and orientation to the sun. There is a certain urgency to this project, as road construction ect, which Gustafson called not a grassroots effort, but rather a "tree -roots effort." They named it the Grandfather Tree project after Gustafson remarked that the tree looked like something her grandfather would have planted in his front yard. "You honor your relatives, and we need to honor something this old and this beautiful," she said. Spearheaded by Gustafson, the foundation has embarked on a fund-raising campaign to raise the $55,000 needed to move and replant the tree. Money raised will also be used to construct a bench recognizing donors, and to put together a book that tells the story of the Lone Oak Tree. The foundation's goal is to raise $35,000 from private contri- butions, and they will ask the City Council to contribute $20,000. Gustafson made it clear that this project will in no way cost tax- payers. The money they are requesting would come from the city's tree mitigation fund, which is contributed to by developers and contractors when they must cut down trees during construc- tion. So far, the foundation has raised $20,000, including a See Tree, 8A is set to begin mid -summer. "The prime time to move the tree is when the leaves harden out, and before the root system grows," she said. "The last week in May and the first week in June is prime tree -moving time, so we have between now and the 28th of May to get enough money, and hopefully the city's support, to move this tree" The Eagan Foundation, a non- profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the commu- nity, decided to take on the proj- 743 Wet K Og - I 2- 25 DI Grandfather Tree project attempts to move old oak to new Community Center by Erin Johnson Staff Writer The Lone Oak Tree has long been the defining symbol of the city of Eagan. Now the city has the chance to bring a real, live lone oak tree to the new Community Center through the Eagan Foundation's Grandfather Tree project. The tree in question current- ly stands directly in the path df the future road to the Community Center, next to the Lockheed Martin property. Because of the road's design, the oak tree would have to be cut down to make way for con- struction. Kay Gustafson, project chair and Eagan Foundation board member, said the goal of the project is to move the tree to the entrance of the Community Center to act as a focal point for the, new building. See Tree, 7A "T\ueu3&L n 1- 2b - Zoo Z Eagan Foundation earns award for Grandfather Tree The Eagan Foundation was recently awarded the Treescaping Award from the Minnesota Arboriculture Society for its Grandfather Tree project, which saved a 150- year-old oak tree from destruc- tion by moving it to the new Community Center. The award was presented at the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture Winter Meeting and Awards event Dec. 5 . in Minneapolis. The society's purpose is to foster awareness and apprecia- tion of urban trees, stimulate interest in preserving trees and encourage public participation through education. Eagan Foundation member Kay Gustafson -Brown accepted the award on behalf of the founda- tion. The award will be dis- played in the new Community Center. Cocurl, - O-�1;0�� 2A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, May 30, 2001 www.mnSun.com • Grandfather Tree project branches out to other communities Process to move tree on Eagan central park site will begin May 31, last two weeks By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers With an effort planted in Eagan but with roots extending across the Twin Cities, the Eagan Foundation has suc- cessfully raised enough to uproot and move the "Grandfather Tree" on the cen- tral park site. "This is just a real gift to the city to have this lone oak tree there next to the community center," said Kay Brown - Gustafson, an Eagan Foundation mem- ber. "It really turned out to be a great community project and the tree will be a focal point for generations to come in Eagan." The root of the Foundation's plans is to move the tree, which has been dubbed "The Grandfather Tree," about 450 yards from the path of the new road leading in from Yankee Doodle Road to a spot across the Lockheed Martin parking lot closer to the future community center. National Shade Tree Inc., a Texas company that specializes in moving large trees, will come to Eagan Thursday, May 31, to begin the two -week project. The tree, which is 27 inches in diame- ter, will involve digging a hole about 30 feet in diameter that goes down an aver- age of 4 feet. The tree's roots and the soil surround- ing them will then be wrapped with burlap and wire and a platform formed from steel pipes will be used to lift the tree by hydraulic jacks onto a trailer. The whole package, which will weigh more than 240 tons including the tree, soil and the pipes, will move at a walking speed to its new location. Brown -Gustafson said the actual mov- ing of the tree will begin around June 6 and last about a full day. The public will be able to follow the project from an observation area near the tree or by logging on to the city's Web site at www.cityofeagan.com for updates on the project. The observation area will also include a kiosk with brochures on the project and daily updates will be post- ed near the observation area every after- noon during the move, Brown -Gustafson said. The Foundation has raised close to $21,000 and has commitments for other funds and donations including apart- ments and food for the workers that total about the same amount. A local group called "Ladies Who Do Lunch" will provide a daily picnic lunch to workers moving the tree to help lower the costs of the project, Brown -Gustafson said. That leaves the $13,000 to be raised by the Foundation, but gave organizers enough to sign a contract with National Shade to move the tree. Part of the dona- tions includes the city's commitment to pay for a plaque and a bench next to the tree's new location as well as assisting with site preparation. The Grandfather Tree Society bench will bear the names of those people or groups who have donated $5,000 to the - effort. The bronze plaque will be designed to resemble an open book explaining the history of the Lone Oak Tree, Eagan's of- ficial symbol. Brown -Gustafson said she has been amazed at not only how the community has taken to the project, but by the num- ber of people outside Eagan who have contributed. "The general thought is that you get lost in the suburbs and there Can't really be a community feeling in the suburbs," she said. "This shows that Eagan is a real com- munity and has always been a communi- ty. This lets people know a suburb can be a home and a community, as well." The tree will be the oldest and largest tree to ever be moved in the state, Brown - Gustafson said. The tree, estimated between 140 and 160 years old, came to city forester Gregg Hove's attention while he was reviewing grading plans for the central park site. While the road leading into the site had been shifted in such a way to avoid elim- inating many trees, the big buroakwas right in the way of the road. S1OO OFF DEL. & INSTL. With New Play Systems Purchase yard Jere June ate, 2001 -FREE Telescope, With New Play Systems Purchase vaho ihru June ale, 2001 FREE Steering Wheel With New Play Systems Purchase vald reru June RM, 2001 Original plans for the road would have taken out a couple dozen trees, but the new alignment for the road will take out only four to six trees, Hove said. Brown said the project is a perfect way to remember the Lone Oak Tree, which has become a symbol of the community since it was cut down in 1984 after state officials declared the dying tree a hazard to motorists. The tree, which was esti- mated to be more than 200 years old, is now the city's official logo. For more information on the Grandfa- ther Tree Project, contact Brown - Gustafson at 651-454-6755. Donations for the effort can also be mailed to Grand- father Tree Project, in care of the Eagan Foundation, 1960 Cliff Lake Road, Suite 112, Eagan, MN 55122. 20 models from $1,000 — 2,000 25 models from 53,000 — 6,000 SAVE up to S500 SAVE up to 51,300 20 models from $2,000 - 3,000 10 models from 56,000 and up SAVE up to 5700 SAVE! SAVE1 SAVE! NEW EXPANDED WEEKEND HOURS! FRIDAY: 9.9 • SATURDAY: 9.6 • SUNDAY: 10.6 1-800-RAINBOW 952-884-4040 952-884.4040 HOURS: Monday thru Thursday: 9.9 • Friday: 9.9 IPRING SALE Over 100 Options & Accessories! RAINBOW PLAY SYSTEMS ieThe Swingset Store's" 900 west 80th St. 194 to Lynere Sa kw right on 790 SI. 1 block on kh. • Sloaligta • Saturday: 9.6 • Sunday: 10.6 rU2 re ss LOCAL NEWS Eagan offers small amount to help move tree 1MY SHERMAN strut WRITER The Eagan City Council will support an oak tree being relocated in Central Park, but not to the financial extent that organizers wanted. That means the Eagan Foundation Deeds to raise more money from other sources. The community nonprofit has raised about $20,000 toward its goal of $55,000 to transplant an oak tree from one part of Central Park to another. If the 40-foot-tall tree isn't moved, it will be cut down to make way for a new road. The foundation had hoped to get $20,000 from the city's tree mitigation fund, but many council members felt that was going a little too far out on a limb. There is about $118,000 in the fund, which is money from developers that can only be used for tree projects. Instead, on Tuesday, the council agreed to ray for a bench at the site of the relocated ree and pitch in with some landscaping and c ;ate work The city's contributions will equal w ibriut $7,000 meta g labor. - Peggy Carlsoo, who said the tree could be a 'oval point for Central Park, was the only ?ouncil member to support giving more money. • )ther council members said they liked the pro- ject, but did not believe the city should spend $20,000 particularly since the request was short notice and didn't leave much time for public input. 'This is a worthy project," said Mayor Pat Awada, who offered to help with fund raising. "I will probably support it personally but there are a lot of people out there who think this is nuts." The city could plant thou- sands of trees for that amount of money, Awada said. The council also suggest- ed the passibility of lending the Foundation money, but didn't vote on the idea because Kay Brown - Gustafson, 'chair of the Grandfather Tree Project, said Foundation would have to dise.xs that. Brown -Gustafson said that this eflort isn't just about saving a tree, but recreating a com- munity symbol. A plaque will tell the story of ♦L_ T n. Tn..... 't.. 1.. UM LAW31C .Jolt i coc — o CDiiuuwurJ uQa DETAILS To make a tax- deductible donation to the Grandfather Tree Project, send a check to the Eagan Foundation, 1960 Cliff Lake Road Suite 112 No. 215, Eagan, MN 55122. For more Information, call Kay t3rown- Gustafson at (651) 454- 6755. which was torn down in 1984. Longtime resi- dents are nostalgic for the tree, where resi- dents posted official notices and farmers stored their milk to be picked up by a hauler. If the Eagan Foundation can raise the money, National Shade out of Houston, Texas will come to Eagan to move the tree starting at the end of May. The job will take about two weeks and includes digging up a substantial root ball and slowly transporting the tree about 450 yards to its new tome. The tree is located near Pilot Knob and Yan- kee Doodle roads on the edge of the Lockheed Martin parting lot near the site of the future community center. The bur oak is estimated to be between 140 and 160 years old — middle- aged for this type of tree — and has a 27-inch diameter. The tree must be moved now because work on the road is scheduled to begin soon. The city planned the road project in a way to minimize tree Loss but couldn't design a route that would save all trees. About five trees will be rived. Amy Sherman, who covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount. can be reached at ashenna * pMIaar a .Vary of (551) 22 -2174. Fading supplies imperil metro area road projects DOUG PETERS STAFF WRITER cth metro -area supplies of gravel, sand and limestone dwindling and being covered over by development, the Twin Cities could face tough choices about • future road projects, a Metropoli- tan Council researcher told a council work group Wednesday. Twenty years from now, trans - the seven -county region, said Gene Knaff, research economist for the Met Council. Under Knaff s projections, the annual cost of aggregate, which makes up about 25 percent of road projects' price tags, could jump by as much as $3$0 million because of the cost of importing the material from outside the region. could force governments to cut back on the number of projects undertaken each year, Knaff said. Knaff's report came as part of a Met Council Rural Issues Work Group meeting an the status of months of discussions on the region's sand, gravel and lime- stone supply and what the council should do to safeguard metro -area reserves. nesota Geological Survey showed that the metro area's aggregate supply was running out fast According to the geological sur- vey, the region was on pace to run out of aggregates by 2028. But the Met Cotmcil's Marcel Jouseau said rapid development and thousands of acres of agricultural preserve land further limits the supply. Jouseau has said that, unless DAKOTA COU SOUTH ST. PAUL Dinner benefit for wildlife set Minnesota Wildlife Haven, a non profit group that works to retur injured and orphaned animals t the wild, will hold a benefit dime from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Rom Cooking Cafe Too, two miles scut of Interstate 494 on Concor Boulevard in South St. Paul. Tick ets for the buffet dinner, whic will include entertainment, are $2 in advance or $30 at the door an are tax-deductible. Dinner reservations are require and times will be assigned. Cal (952) 997-6430. nM CAI EY, STAFF WRITE DAKOTA COUNTY Dakota City opening. A 1900-er baseball game will be the highligb of Dakota City's opening event Pancakes and a Whole Lot Mort en Snnday at the Dakota City He! itage Village on the Dakota Count Fairgrounds in Farmington. Breakfast will be served from a.m. to 1 p.m. in the m.useinr with two baseball games featurin the Quick Steps from St. Paul an the St. Croix of Stillwater, schec uled to start at 10 a.m. and noo on the . field south of the museua Free horse-drawn trolley rides, le by a narrator, will also be avai able during the day. Food ticket are $5 for adults and $3 for chi dreg, with proceeds benefiting th village. Call (651) 460-8050. - TIM CJ REY. STAFF WRITE EAGAN Surplus, unclaimed property ui for auction: Eagan's annual eit auction of surplus and unclaimc property will begin with biddin M LIN yr ,TEL-6516814612 -> CITY OF EAGAN 6514523504 New road threatens 150-year oak tree (5/05/2001) Page 1 of 3 My home is worth HOW much? $0 { 1 0 GET A FREE HOME VALUATON NOW iomeGoin 'K)VEERPIJtNF STORY OPTIONS . E-mail to a friend . Print this article Today's Pioneer Press • PioneerPlai et:_front • News • Business • Sports • Entertainment Travel • Living • Tech • Health • Water Cooler • Siosial Reports • Classified Ads Site index ■ FIFO A CAR MI FIND A CAREER • FIND A HOME TwinCities•com Published: Saturday, May 5, 2001 New road threatens 150-year oak tree AMY SHERMAN STAFF WRITER Atree grows in Eagan, with a yellow ribbon freshly tied to its thick trunk. The bright bow is a sign that this big old tree is going places. In fact, it's going about 450 yards. If the community can raise enough money, the 40-foot tall bur oak will be raised from one corner of Central Park and put down roots in another spot in the park. The tree must get a move on to make way for a new road. City forester Gregg Hove estimates that the tree is between 140 and 160 years old, which is considered middle age for a bur oak. Moving an oak that measures 27 inches in diameter with a crown of 45 feet is a tree-mendous undertaking. A company from Houston, Texas, called National Shade, which specializes in moving large trees, will spend about two weeks here starting the last week of May. The Eagan Foundation is soliciting donations to foot the $55,000 bill and has about $13,000 so far. The nonprofit will soon ask the City Council to contribute about $20,000 from developers' fees that are earmarked for tree projects. Some council members expressed mixed views on whether it's worth it to spend that much on a lone tree, although they said they need more information. If the project comes together, here's how the tree will be moved: the crew will dig a hole 30 feet in diameter and about 5 to 8 feet deep and wrap the tree's ball of soil with burlap and wire. Steel pipes will then be placed underneath the chunk to create a lifting platform. Using hydraulic jacks and steel beams, the tree will be lifted onto a trailer and stood upright. The tree, soil and pipes combined will weigh about 250 tons, or about the same as 34 empty school buses. Traveling at about walking speed, the trailer will amble across the adjacent Lockheed Martin parking http://www.pioneerplanet.com/seven-days/satlnews/docs/028369.htm 5/8/01 ruiliviabV Vii M7v.7 LiV uicij McVeigh's execution Timothy McVeigh is scheduled to be exe- cuted on Monday. Defense says it will appeal decision today From News Services DENVER — The federal judge who presided over Timothy Mc- Veigh's trial rejected a plea Wednesday by his lawyers to postpone his execution, saying nothing in newly disclosed FBI documents would change the fact that he was the "instrument of death and destruction" in the Oklahoma City bombing. While U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch said "it was shocking" that files had been withheld from the defense until six days before McVeigh's original execution date, he also expressed contempt for McVeigh's crimes. He surprised some analysts who had predicted that he would grant at least a short reprieve. McVeigh, 33, is scheduled to be executed by injection Mon- day. But his lawyers said they would file an appeal today with the loth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "We are extremely disap- pointed in the court's ruling," said Bob Nigh, McVeigh's lead attorney. McVEIGH continues on A24: — If his appeal fails, the case could go to the Supreme Court ALSO INSIDE > A Justice Department study has found no racial bias in federal death penalty cases. A25 Trunk packed, tree makes its move is a 150-year-old bur oak inched along in Eagan on Wednesday, 3-year-old Peter Celatka looked on with part of his family tree: his dad, Peter, of Minneapolis, and his grandmother Carolyn Thurston, of Eagan. The 40-foot-tall oak was in the way of a new road, so S50,000 In private money was raised to cart it a quarter -mile to a spot near a planned community center. If all goes well, the tree could last another 150 years, said Gregg Hove, Eagan supervisor of forestry: "It's Just going through Its midlife crisis." voted to strike. The Minnesota Nurses Association revealed Tuesday that during a recount of votes for Abbott Northwestern regis- tered nurses, 25 "no" ballots were acci- dentally counted as 'yes" votes. When a agreed. Union leaders tried to explain what happened at three meetings held at Abbott Northwestern's South Minneapolis campus. "It was wall-to-wall people," said Jim meeting said they got an adequate rendi- tion of what happened. "We got an explanation as to where the error occurred, and they went into great MOVING DAY NURSES CONTINUED ON 4B ► RICHARD MAR "It's sad, seeing it moved. I Just think it ought to stay put," said Drew Engen, 10, of Eagan, who with his mom, Bonny, watched the Grandfather' Wednesday from Central Park in Eagan, adjacent to Pilot Knob Road, where it has grown for 150 years. After Bonny explained to Drew that the trF to save it, Drew decided that the move Is a good Idea after all. The city of Eagan acquired acreage to develop Central Park and a new communit oak tree would have to be moved to make way for an access road. A nonprofit organization called "The Grandfather Tree Project" raised 550,0 move. The 249-ton tree and roots were moved about 450 feet to their future site near the new Eagan Community Center using hydraulic Jacks, s trailer and will be replanted In an 8-foot hole, 30 feet In diameter. Raffle will let someone take home Charlie Brown statue Statue to be `equalizer' ...� L -- -- " tr TIT Tr1T1%T1TIC1fl INSIDE BUSINESS Profit falls at HP 28 S THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2001 LOCAL NEWS Eagan offers small amount to help move tree AMY SHERMAN STAFF WRITER The Eagan City Council will support an oak tree being relocated in Central Park, but not to the financial extent that organizers wanted. That means the Eagan Foundation needs to raise more money from other sources. The community nonprofit has raised about $20,000 toward its goal of $55,000 to transplant an oak tree from one part of Central Park to another. If the 40-foot-tall tree isn't moved, it will be cut down to make way for a new road. The foundation had hoped to get $20,000 from the city's tree mitigation fund, but many council members felt that was going a little too far out on a limb. There is about $118,000 in the fund, which is money from developers that can only be used for tree projects. Instead, on Tuesday, the council agreed to pay for a bench at the site of the relocated tree and pitch in with some landscaping and site work. The city's contributions will equal about $7,000 including labor. Peggy Carlson, who said the tree could be a focal point for Central Park, was the only council member to support giving more money. Other council members said they liked the pro- ject, but did not believe the $20,000 — particularly since short notice and didn't leave much time for public input. 'This is a worthy project," said Mayor Pat Awada, who offered to help with fund raising. "I will probably support it personally but there are a lot of people out there who think this is nuts." The city could plant thou- sands of trees for that amount of money, Awada said. The council also suggest- ed the possibility of lending the Foundation money, but didn't vote on the idea because Kay Brown - Gustafson, chair of the Grandfather Tree Project, said the Foundation would have to discuss that. Brown -Gustafson said that this effort isn't just about saving a tree, but recreating a com- munity symbol. A plaque will tell the story of the Lone Oak Tree — a community landmark city should spend the request was DETAILS To make a tax- deductible donation to the Grandfather Tree Project, send a check to the Eagan Foundation, 1960 Cliff Lake Road Suite 112 No. 215, Eagan, MN 55122. For more Information, call Kay Brown - Gustafson at (651) 454- 6755. which was torn down in 1984. Longtime resi- dents are nostalgic for the tree, where resi- dents posted official notices and farmers stored their milk to be picked up by a hauler. If the Eagan Foundation can raise the money, National Shade out of Houston, Texas will come to Eagan to move the tree starting at the end of May. The job will take about two weeks and includes digging up a substantial root ball and slowly transporting the tree about 450 yards to its new home. The tree is located near Pilot Knob and Yan- kee Doodle roads on the edge of the Lockheed Martin parking lot near the site of the future community center. The bur oak is estimated to be between 140 and 160 years old — middle- aged for this type of tree — and has a 27-inch diameter. The tree must be moved now because work on the road is scheduled to begin soon. The city planned the road project in a way to minimize tree loss but couldn't design a route that would save all trees. About five trees will be removed. Amy Sherman, who covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, can be reached at ashermane ploneerpress.com or (651) 228-2174. Fading supplies imperil metro area road projects DOUG PETERS STAFF WRITER With metro -area supplies of gravel, sand and limestone dwindling and being covered over by development, the Twin Cities the seven -county region, said Gene Knaff, research economist for the Met Council. Under Knaff's projections, the annual cost of aggregate, which makes up about 25 percent of could force governments to cut back on the number of projects undertaken each year, Knaff said. Knaff's report came as part of a Met Council Rural Issues Work Group meeting on the status of nesota Geological Survey showed that the metro area's aggregate supply was running out fast. According to the geological sur- vey, the region was on pace to run out of aggregates by 2028. But the DAKOTA SOUTH ST. PAUL Dinner benefit foa Minnesota Wildlife profit group that w injured and orphan the wild, will hold a from 2 to 8 p.m. Su Cooking Cafe Too, t' of Interstate 494 Boulevard in South ets for the buffet will include entertail in advance or $30 a are tax-deductible. Dinner reservatior and times will be (952) 997-6430. - TIM CAI DAKOTA COUNTY Dakota City openin baseball game will b of Dakota City's o Pancakes and a Wh on Sunday at the Da itage Village on the 1 Fairgrounds in Farm Breakfast will be a.m. to 1 p.m. in with two baseball go the Quick Steps from the St. Croix of Stil uled to start at 10 on the field south of Free horse-drawn trc by a narrator, will able during the day. are $5 for adults an dren, with proceeds village. Call (651) 461 TIM1 CAR EAGAN Eagan's transplanted oak inspires book Kay Gustafson has made a point recently of driving daily past Eagan's "Grandfather Tree," a 150- year-old oak that was trans- planted nearly a year ago to be- come a centerpiece of Eagan's , new community center. "I just want to make sure the leaves show up," she said. It will be a few weeks before the tree reveals how it weath- ered the winter. But Gustafson, a board member of the Eagan Foundation, which raised $50,000 to move the tree, hasn't waited for inspiration. She has written a children's book about a woman who is told in a dream that it is her duty to protect a certain tree. The book will be illustrated by Minnesota artist Tom Maakestad, Kay Gustafson who paints landscapes of rural areas on the brink of de- velopment. Proceeds will sup- port the foundation and an environmental scholarship. Osseo: Kountering Krispy Kreme Wednesday was Day Two of the Krispy Kreme Era in Maple Grove, and at 10 a.m. cars were still lined up for several hun- dred yards for doughnuts. But a mere 2 miles to the east, there also was a steady run of customers at the Osseo Bakery, a main -street anchor for 70 years. Debbie Youngbauer, who has owned the bakery for seven years with her husband, Ron, said Krispy Kreme is just an- Metscape Bill IVIcAultffe A compendium of news, people and events from around the metro area other in a long line of chal- lenges, including supermarket and convenience -store com- petition and the rerouting of Hwy. 169 from downtown (though Central Avenue still carries 17,000 cars a day past the bakery). She is confident the shop will remain strong. For one thing, she said, she also has a broad clientele; she has sent her julekage — Scandinavian Christmas bread — to a cus- tomer in Texas and her pack- aged pancake mix to Ely, and she daily serves commuters from all over the metro area. For another, she said (her disdain mounting), you won't find things like breads, buns, eclairs, turnovers, quick breads, cakes and pies, bagels and bagel chips, purple -iced dinosaur cookies called "Ar- mes," Russian and Cuban tea cakes or fruitcake at that new shop from North Carolina. And you can park at the door. Richard Sennott/Star Tribune Debbie and Ron Youngbauer, who own the Osseo Bakery, laughed with a customer during a morning lull. "People are saying, `I can come here, get what 1 want, it tastes good, and I don't have to wait in line,' " Debbie said. Her customers seem to agree. Linda Gaffney of Maple . Grove said she'll visit Krispy Kreme once the crowds die down. But she had come to the Osseo Bakery for date bars. "I will say the glazed raised here are pretty good," she added. Roseville: Conference of young mayors Defenders of the open - meeting law might cheer Rose- ville's recent notice that a quo- rum of its City Council may be gathering at 6 p.m. Thursday — in Anoka. The event is actu- ally a fundraiser for Anoka's Bjorn Skogquist, the 23-year- old mayor who has become pals with Roseville's 30-year- old mayor, John Kysylyczyn. Kysylyczyn is expected to bring fellow Council Members Tom Kough and Greg Schroe- der to the event. But official business is unlikely. Plymouth: Revising Paul Bunyan While some in Eagan are celebrating trees in develop- ment, Steve Gardner of Plym- outh is taking a different tack. Gardner, 42, produces one - hour programs for cable televi- sion showing nothing but trees being cut down, snapped off, uprooted, carried off and oth- erwise removed to make room for development in Plymouth. The video is accompanied by poignant orchestral music, creating an effect that, frankly, might merit a TV-14 rating. "It goes on for an hour, but people only watch it for two minutes, if that," Gardner ac- knowledges. Plymouth City Manager Dwight Johnson says he hasn't heard much reaction to the show, which is shown random- ly on Channels 19 and 20 in the northwest sub- urbs. But he said that Plym- outh has strong regulations for tree preserva- tion and re- placement. Recently, Gardner taped a clearing operation in Hopkin$, and he hopes to break into that cable -access market. (To see a video clip, go to - ` http:/ /www.startribune.com /metro) Lakeville: Just say `Whoa' Booming Lakeville has ap- - proved a moratorium on most' residential development, on ' - commercial development at the busy intersection of Hwy. - 50 and Interstate Hwy. 35, and` even on gravel mining. But the city isn't slamming the door on growth. The "time- outs," as CityAdministrator Robert Erickson calls the mora- toriums (there have been oth- ers), will allow officials to keep_ new projects in line with long- term plans, and let them catch up with existing applications. Lakeville has 42,000 resi- dents, with plans for 70,000 by 2020. Voters last week agreed to build a second high school for $59.9 million. But in a re- cent survey, when given 14 choices about what they liked least about living in Lakeville, 32 percent of respondents chose growth and crowding. — Tell us about the people,: issues and events in your neighborhood at metscape@ startribune.com or 612-673- " 4600. Steve Gardner k 1 I\ 1 Council requests second 'Lone Oak Tree' The City Council has requested the Minnesota Department of Transporta- tion (MnDOT) to plant a new oak tree near the entrance road of Trinity Lone Oak Church on Highway 55 near where the Lone Oak Tree is located. The council also hopes to put up a plaque near the new tree. The existing Lone Oak Tree has blacktop within a foot of its trunk and isn't expected to live more than a year or two. MnDOT believes the tree is a traffic hazard and would like to cut it down, but the City Council wants to keep it alive as long as possible. The tree was a posting place for notices in Eagan's ear- ly days. Mayor Bea Blomquist is hoping she'll be able to get acorns from the tree next year and that a second generation of the tree can be planted. //7J/ /3/1,-- trnsville ice is acated Apple r the two trict 191 e Marvin oken of e, Dennis Peach of umbent ville. rt Alpers nda budget ertain the nding of Ives of the eking alter- ng for co- esent a pro- ction. education at ill hear a rouping at the The process of choosing a police chief to replace Martin DesLauriers is underway and could be completed sometime in July, according to City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges. DesLauriers' last day on the job was Friday. Jay Berthe is. acting police chief. Advertisements for the posi- tion will appear this month in state police professional jour- Ne `Lone Oak Eagan will be getting a new Lone Oak Tree, courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Transportation n(MnDOT). MnDOT officials and the Ci- ty Council will have a tree plan- ting ceremony for the new Lone Oak Tree at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. The tree which will be Timetable set new Eagan poliCe c nags and a pu League of Minnea Hedges said. The last date for ap,. tions is June 1.. Hedges sai. will screen the candidates in June and present a list of final candidates to the council pro- bably in early July. If all goes well, the council could name Eagan's new police chief in July, Hedges said. Tree' planting Set planted is about 30 or 35 years old, according to a MnDOT spokesman. Eagan's existing Lone Oak Tree at Lone Oak Road and Highway 55 has been a landmark since Eagan's early days. Although it is still standing, the tree has been deteriorating the last few years and is not ex- pected to live much longer. Plans forms and _. be seen at the Eagan, Minnes Bonestroo, Associates Engineers, 2335 St. Paul, Mn. 5511 Each bid shall be bidder's bond na Eagan as obligee, payable to the Cle Eagan or a cash d: least five percent ( of the bid, which the City in the fails to enter i The City Co retain the - bidder days op- SECTION A by Linda Hanson Weeks since Although it's been two a team of Pilot Knob School sixth - graders won the Sate FUtUare tostProblem Solving Bow, the bubbling over with elatlionPr oa h Photo Spring at last n- ts e d a It, cy ias ter a ii.l- ad- ges ant wo ere in - of de- •ief rict 6. St. Paul Dispatch 1 en admit slaying chi Regional digest 3 get Norway honor Norway's King Olav V has be- stowed the St. Olav Medal on three Twin Cities men in recognition of their work in connection with the Scandinavia Today Minnesota ex- hibit and programs from Septem- ber 1982-May 1983. The recipients are Ross D. Smith, University of Minnesota De- partment of Concerts and Lec- tures; Liviu Ciulei, artistic direc- tor, Guthrie Theater, and Richard C. Magnuson, board of trustees chairman, Minnesota Museum of Art. They will receive the medals to- day from Norwegian Consul Gen- eral Harald Lone at a reception in Wayzata. The medal was established in 1939 by the late King Haakon VII of Norway . to further bonds be- tween emigrants from Norway and the home country. New, Loan Oak Tree Eagan's new "Lone Oak Tree" will be dedicated in ceremonies at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. The original Lone Oak Tree, esti- mated to be 200 years old, was cut down April 9. The tree had served as a community bulletin board and symbol of the area's pioneer heri- tage. Age and traffic accidents had taken their toll on the tree, leading to the decision to remove it. The replacement oak, donated by the Minnesota Transportation Department, has been planted in the church yard, not far from the original intersection. Speakers at the dedication will be Eagan Mayor Beatta Blomquist, the Rev. Don Wilke of Trinity Lone Oak Church, and Larry McNamara and Kermit McRae of the Trans- portation Department. Set +� A use o lizer been in the Cente Rel : itan Contr to P( elect( to at, are c tentia probl(j Thi sched WHY PAY We are F at p MAt A{ INK CLI 4024 E. 46th St., MpIS. 24 YEARS IN BUSINESS 724-2468 lust Across Ford Bridge 5C proposal look plans won't be needed. The nsid- Some commission members tate have said that if there is going to oing be tax reform there must be con- pend- trol of state expenditures. Others g to have noted that some state taxes are spent to reduce other taxes, specifically local property taxes. ether ve to A study by the commission staff ause shows that the bulk of expenditures ding from the state's general fund are s de- actually dollars sent to local gov- arch ernments. 'ereo Cassette/Receiver 2% SCR-3000 by Realistic® 1 Start Your summer steeping out ahead of the crowd Summertime White in Dressy or Casual adie Ihaek r channel, minimum rms into 8 ohms 7 with no more than 0.1% THD Save On the Only Port Computer With 5 Built Programs Th * Apple Volley * Burnsville * Rosemount * Inver Grove Heights * Mendota Heights • MAY 16, 1983 wee * Shakopee * Eagon * Savage * Lakeville * Formington * Prior Lake * Sunfish Lake * Hampton Distributed Every Monday This Week and Every Week The Lone Oak Tree The 200-year-old Lone Oak Tree (upper left), located on a median at Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd., will be removed in the fall. To preserve the tradition of the tree, Minnesota Department of Transportation officials arranged the planting of a new "lone oak" recently, Special tree -moving equipment (lower left) carried a 30-year-old burr oak tree to the grounds of the nearby Trinity Lone Oak Church. Children (right) at the nearby parochial school welcomed the tree with handfuls of fertilizer, hoping it will grow to carry on the well-known tradition. (Photos by Jeff Burrill) * Castle Rock * Lilydole * Coates T.M. * New Market * Elko * Randolph 612-463-7884 Handwriting: a window to your mind FRANCES SATHER works on a handwriting sample in the kitchen of her West St. Paul home. Each analysis takes about two hours. The person whose signature ap- pears above learned from a hand- writing analyst that she has good rhythm, enjoys dancing, is fond of animals, is efficient, com- petitive, and prefers bright col- ors. Pretty standard perceptions for that type of thing. It was not particularly impressive either to PUBLISHERS Joseph R. Clay - Daniel H. Clay MANAGING EDITOR Janet Greenslit THISWEEK EDITOR Leo Guenther ADVERTISING MANAGER John Swennes CLASSIFIED MANAGER Arlyne Olson PLANT SUPERINTENDENT Duane Hansen Offices APPLE VALLEY 15010 Glazier Ave. Volley 42 Building 431-7047 BURNSVILLE-LAKEVILLE Diamondhead Mall 272 W. Burnsville Pkwy. Burnsville 890-2530 FARMINGTON 420 Third St. 463-7884 (Advertising Office) ROSEMOUNT Ken Rose Shopping Center 423-2636 MAY16, 1983 THISWEEK learn the person was "planning a trip." Aren't most people, after all? But then the analyst alluded to "an old injury on the right knee." How could a handwriting sample tell a stranger in West St. Paul about an inch -long scar incurred many years ago in far away New York State? How could that analyst also know that the subject was in- fluenced more by her mother than her father; she requires more sleep than average; and she was tired or depressed when the sample was written (all true)? After the analysis, Frances Sather shared with the converted skeptic only a few of her trade secrets. A fat loop in the capital "I" meant one thing, the slant of the letters another, the pressure on the paper from the pen meant something else. Sather is an amateur grapholo- gist (handwriting analyst) who began analyzing handwriting a few years ago as a hobby. She has spoken before American Legion groups in the Apple Valley - Rosemount area. "I went into this just for fun," she said. "I had an empty nest; my two sons were grown and I wanted something to fill my time." In her American Legion aux- iliary group, she said, people put on style shows, luncheons, and the like. At one meeting, Myrna Wittenberg, a graphologist from . Paul, spoke to the group. After the presentation, Sather said, she thought about it for a long time. "Finally I called her and said I wanted to do the same thing. I asked her if she would teach a class at my home." Wittenberg agreed, so five years ago, Sather and a few students met in her home to learn the art of handwriting analysis. It took 10 classes of very intensive teaching. Sather said she spent hundreds of hours practicing. After the classes, she bought books to sup- plement what she had learned. Although Sather does it just for fun, the subject is treated very seriously in some areas. In Europe, handwriting analysis is accepted almost as a science, Sather said. "Four quarters of handwriting analysis are re- quired to receive a psychology degree at a university in Europe," she said. "Some Europeans are so ad- vanced they can tell how many stitches a person had in an opera- tion," she added. Some American firms analyze prospective employees' hand- writing, and handwriting analyses are sometimes in- troduced as evidence in criminal court cases. Sather emphasizes .that hand- writing analysis is not akin to for- tune telling. "I'm not a psychic and I can't tell the future in hand- writing," she said. "I can't tell when a person might die, but I can tell if they're preoccupied with death." It is basically character analysis. "The way we write tells more about us than the way we shake hands, laugh or walk," she said. "It's a picture of how our minds work." She usually picks out events from a person's past. "If I can tell someone they had a broken rib sometime in the past, it gives some credibility to what I am tell- ing them," she said. Such a tactic silenced at least one man's skepticism, she said. "He didn't believe I could tell anything about him, so his "" Tab, Sunkist, Diet Coke or CO— -12.12 ot• cola� A�f rinds friends asked him to submit a sample of his handwriting." He wrote only a couple of words, but Sather saw an outstan- ding trait in the small sample. "I asked him if he was a dancer," she said. Such a suggestion seemed preposterous since the man was middle-aged and walked wiTF—i a limp. "He just laughed and his friends said, 'how true; the woman used to line up to dance with him'." He conceded she was right. - Sometimes Sather is close to seeing something unusual but can't quite nail it down. She was analyzing a woman's hand- writing and "something" con- sistently showed up but she (Continued on page 9) Enjoy Shopping Applebaums Apple Valley and Cedarvale�■�■■■!�■ �� Stores (T N Tpiet Coke or CO Ca c:ala II Briquets Tw Briquets KingsfordI 1 Easy fighting Briqu bag �nl� I 5y1 I 12 0z. 1 1 12 n. 1 1 it One With This Coupon. Customer. I • One Coupon Per May �' 1983. 1 I Good Thru lebaumSlr■I ars•App 0Twri All Grinds 5001 1 TWN Coffee Ouse 1 I IMaX1g 6 1 1 2II• Coupon I 1 With This I 1 LimitOne One Per Y em1983 I • lebaum Ear■ 501 Lighting r �'COa 1 Cha 1 1 bag • is Coupon. 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Dairy farmers used to leave milk cans in its shade to keep them cool until they could be picked up by the milk wagons. The Lone Oak Tree was the center of communication during the early periods of Eagan history because of this it became the symbol of our community. Age, nearby traffic, and pollution caused the tree's death and it had to be cut down in 1983. A cross-section of the tree now hangs in the Eagan City Hall outside the council chambers as an icon meaning "strength and growth" for the City of Eagan. �e IQ11 e Oak sei ed the Eagari, community fo{125 yZ ai j aj a posting location, fot' o� f� ficial town, notices, special notes of irI,tefe5t, and adrertisen1en,t5f offebidegtb. IrL daily fa(ni,ing days a large wooden, taril fob' ltioldiri ovate(was built in, its shade; faii,e would lease their milk califs these to stay cool until the rriilkhaule(picked then , up foi" deliArefy to the ciean1e(y. Eventually time, traffic, and pollution, took theta toll ori, the 200 - 300 ,yeas' old bu(oak and iri,1984 Eagari, officials and Cesiden,ts feluctaritly agreed to allow the state highway depar'tnieri,t to cut it down,. Although the oiigin,a1 tree is gone, the symbol of the lon,e Oak cori,tinues to sefVe Eagan,: "Me ton,e OakTfee — symbol of strength and Growth hi, oui' Coniniunity" Me tiee's rian1e is extended to Rorie Oak Road as well as to Tfiriity lori,e Oak Chu1ch. Lone Oak Tree A bur oak tree has stood on the property of Trinity Lone Oak Church long before the area was organized - probably 200 - 300 years. The tree stood another 115 years in the church yard and served as the public bulletin board for official town notices and, later, advertisements. Dairy farmers used to leave milk cans in its shade to keep them cool until they could be picked up by the milk wagons. The Lone Oak Tree was the center of communication during the early periods of Eagan history because of this it became the symbol of our community. Age, nearby traffic, and pollution caused the tree's death and it had to be cut down in 1983. A cross-section of the tree now hangs in the Eagan City Hall outside the council chambers as an icon meaning "strength and growth" for the City of Eagan. THE LONE OAK TREE — 1974 —Staff Photo SPARED TREE STANDS ON MEDIAN STRIP OF HWY. 55-49 AT LONE OAK ROAD Residents Fought Battle With Highway Department to Save Oak * * LANDMARK BATTLE ENDS Eagan Residents Won't Bow Save Oak From Buzz Saw Associated Press The Lone Oak of Eagan still stands thanks to sen- timental residents. who battled the State Highway Department to preserve the old tree. Highway planners a few weeks ago attached a yel- low ribbon to the tree, planning to buzz -saw it into oblivion because it's too close to a state high- way about to be widened. REV. RICHARD Krenzke. pastor' of nearby Trinity Lone Oak Luther- an Church, talked the foreman into delaying the tree cutting. He contacted the church school's principal. It wasn't long before 20 stu- dents made signs and marched to the tree to demonstrate. Meanwhile, Pastor Krenzke contacted High- way Department officials Eagan Mayor Herbert Polzin and state Rep. Ray Kempe. That turned the tide, and now the district engineer's office says the tree will stand. 1 Fri., June 28, 1974 "We just didn't know the significance of this particular oak tree," ex- plained Kermit MacRae, assistant engineer. RESIDENTS FIGURED it was significant that the tree may be 100 or 200 years old. More than that, the church. its school and a road are named after the Lone Oak. The church uses a sketch of the tree on its letterhead. And its rough trunk has served as a bulletin board for posting public notices, ng official meet- ings and mortgage fore- closures. Pastor Krenzke says Lone Oak was so named in about 1910 by the son of a former minister at the church. DAKOTA C NINETY-NINTH YEAR sbrsl. co,r 50e riY TRIBUNE FARMINGTON, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 12,1983 147240 NUMBER ELEVEN Eagan gets a new 'Lone Oak Tree' STUDENTS FROM Trinity Lone Oak School did their best to make sure Eagan's "new" Lone Oak Tree will grow straight and strong. Following a ceremony to celebrate the transplanting of the tree, the children welcomed it by dispersing fer- tilizer around its trunk. The new tree has been designated to carry on the tradition of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree. REV. REUBEN Meissner, pastor of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, conducted a short ser- vice before the trans- planting of a burr oak to replace Eagan's Lone Oak Tree. By JEFF BURRILL The "Lone Oak Tree" of Eagan isn't really so lonely. As a matter of fact, being located on a median at the intersection of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. affords the 200-year-old landmark plenty of company in the form of passing vehicles. But it's because of this location that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has decided to remove the tree come fall. "There have been just too many drivers who've ended up hitting the tree," Mn/DOT public affairs director Bob Vockrodt ex- plained. "So for safety's sake, we feel we have to remove it. Also, the tree is rapidly dying a natural death. But we've made a number of artangements to carry on the tradition of the tree, which we feel is important to the history of Eagan and Dakota County." Mn/DOT's approach to the Lone Oak Tree has met with its share of opposition, however. For instance, last fall when Mn/DOT district engineer John Sandahl decreed Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard and requested it be cut down, Eagan Mayor Bea Blom- quist was upset. Yet, despite her protests, the tree's days appear to be truly numbered. But then again, that also seemed the case back in 1974 when the Lone Oak Tree was destined for the wood- pile. It was a group of students from Trinity Lone Oak School which gave the tree a new lease on life by staging a protest against its removal on the very day it was scheduled to be cut down. The seventh and eighth graders tied a yellow ribbon around the tree, then paraded with signs advo- cating its existence. And just like in the movies, the `victim' was rescued in the nick of time. "What they did was revamp the highway construction plans to ac- commodate the tree," Vockrodt said. "At that time, the highway department wasn't aware the tree had landmark status." The Lone Oak Tree achieved its `landmark status' through its 200-plus years of service to the citizens of Eagan. Back in the "olden days" the tree was used as a place to post notices and bill- boards, a tradition which was carried on for years. The story also dictates the tree was used by farmers as a place to leave their milk cans for pick-up by delivery wagons from area creameries. In the ensuing years, Co. Rd. 26, the street which passes east and westerly near the tree, was renamed Lone Oak Road. And the church and parochial school located on Hwy. 49 are also name- sakes of the tree. "It's because of its history that we're doing what we can to preserve the tradition of the Lone Oak Tree," Vockrodt said. Mn/DOT began its restoration process Wednesday, May 4, by transplanting a "new" Lone Oak Tree on the grounds of the 95-year-old Trinity Lone Oak Church. Yet, like the process of considering the fate of the original tree itself, the ceremony had its hitches. Mayor Blomquist, Rev. Reuben ivieissner, Mn/DOT officials, members of the local press and various interested onlookers gathered to observe the planting of the new Lone Oak Tree. The ceremony featured a short ser- vice by Rev. Meissner and a welcoming speech by Blomquist. But there was no tree to welcome, as the new Lone Oak became more than just fashion- ably late. So there everyone stood, staring into a nine -foot wide, 102-inch deep hole. It was at that point Vockrodt received word the tree mover being used to transport the new oak was stuck in the mud. So, just like in the movies again, everyone hopped into their cars and headed out to the removal site near Blue Gentian Photos by Jeff Burrill AT SUMMER'S end, Eagan's Lone Oak Tree will be removed from the median at the intersection or Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. The highway was built arouna the 200-year-old tree in 1974, but according to Mn/DOT officials, the Lone Oak now presents a traffic hazard. A "new" Lone Oak was planted May 4 at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, just a glance away from the site of the original tree. Rd. Here all were treated to an impressive display of machine dictating nature. The huge tree mover, describ- ed by a Haifa Nursery represen- tative as the "world's largest" such machine, was soon unstuck and hard at work. After careful maneuvering, the tree mover surrounded Eagan's newest land- mark and with a single gulp, lifted it from the ground, soil and all, and transported it to the church. Awaiting arrival of Lone Oak Landowners protest watershed assessments By CATHY PAGE Landowners in the County Ditch No. 2 watershed will be assesed $40,000 for repairs and for redetermination of benefits. The Dakota County Board decid- ed Tuesday, May 10, that the assessments will be payable over 10 years with a 7% interest charge. About two dozen owners attend- ed a recent public hearing on the matter at the government center. Tuesday's session was a con- tinuation of the April 6 hearing. Castle Rock residents did not receive notification of the earlier hearing. At issue was how to fairly divide the $40,000 bill. Those who testified during the hour -and -a - half session wanted the assess- ment based on whether or not the property involved was lowland or upland. The county attorney's of- fice wanted the assessment based on increased property values. County Ditch No. 2 serves a watershed in Waterford, Green- vale, Sciota, Castle Rock and Eureka townships. About $20,000 was spent by the county to clean the ditch. Another $12,000 was spent for engineering consul- tants. About $7,000 was used for the expenses of three county - appointed viewers. A final $1,000 was used to pay miscellaneous expenses. The area covers approximately 170 parcels and affects about 150 owners. Those owners were sent notices of how much the county planned to assess them. In response to those notices, several of the owners hired at- torney Raphael Miller, Gaylord, to voice their protest Tuesday. "I've never seen it done like this," said Miller, who said he had 20 years experience with ditch assessments. "There were major areas where errors were made." Miller outlined four issues: assessments were based on the value of the land; benefits were set at 100%, 50% or 15%; not all the owners were contacted; and not all benefiting land was includ- ed in the viewers' report. "Lands which benefit most are on the bottom," said Miller, "and would not be farmable without the ditch." Miller told the board he wanted the viewers to go back and redo the redetermination. (Benefits were originally determined in 1906; this is the first time they have been redetermined.) Commissioner Gerald Hollen- kamp estimated that redoing the viewers' work would cost $30,000. "Do you want that?" asked Hollenkamp. Miller replied that his clients don't accept the viewers' report. "Are they willing to pay for a new one?" asked Hollenkamp. Commissioner John Voss observed that the owners who spoke Tuesday seemed most con- cerned with how their assess- ments were determined. He told Miller, "What you are really arguing with is the method of assessing." "The theory is wrong," replied Miller. David Fortney; county civil at- torney, explained that assess- ment was based on how much the ditch contributed to property value. Commissioner Joseph Harris sided with the owners. "We miss- ed the boat," he said. "Land that benefits most pays the least," argued Harris, "and land that benefits least pays the most." Harris told the board that the viewers' report could be amend- ed by changing the method of assessing to make it separate from property valuations. No new fieldwork would be needed, noted Harris. Viewer Edward Gergen responded to the charge that viewers had not contacted all the (See Watershed page 5A) School elections will be Tuesday Area school districts will elect board members • Tuesday, May 17. In six of the ten districts, can- didates will compete for a limited number of seats, most of them three-year terms. In four districts, the incumbents are the only candidates. Districts 191 (Burnsville - Eagan -Savage), 196 (Apple Valley -Rosemount) and 200 (Hastings) have the largest slates of candidates, with many. challengers joining incumbents in the race. Following is a list of polling times, places and candidates: DISTRICT 191 (Burnsville -Eagan -Savage) Voters may cast their ballots from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at five poll- ing places. Polling places are: Precinct 1: Savage Elemen- tary School, 4819 W. 126th St., Savage; precinct 2: Vista View Elementary School, 13109 Co. Rd. 5, Burnsville; precinct 3: Sioux Trail Elementary School, 2801 River Hills Dr., Burnsville; precinct 4: Cedar Elementary School, 2140 Co. Rd. 30, Eagan; and precinct 5: Gideon Pond Elementary School, 630 E. 130th St., Burnsville. Seven candidates have filed for three-year terms now held by Phyllis Evans and Robert Alpers. Evans, 11007 Territorial Dr.,. Burnsville, has filed for reelec- tion. Other candidates are Mar- vin Levake, 4349 Madary Ave., Eagan; Jean Loken, 1844 Taconite Tr., Eagan; Douglas Peach, 12609 Portland Ave. S., Burnsville; Gerri Schinkle, 3005 McLeod St., Burnsville; and Den- nis F. Anderson, 12917 Portland Ave., Burnsville. DISTRICT 192 (Farmington) Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. at Farmington Middle School, 510 Walnut St., Farm- ington. Mary Jo Bell, 201 Maple St., and Eugene Hildreth, 601 Linden St., have filed for reelection to the two three-year terms open. Both are Farmington residents. DISTRICT 194 (Lakeville) Voting will be from noon to 8 p.m. at three polling places: Precinct 1: Orchard Lake Elementary School, 16531 Klamath Tr., Lakeville; precinct 2: McGuire Junior High School, 21220 Holyoke Ave. W., Lakeville; and precinct 3: Elko Community Building, Elko. Incumbents Marge Traiser, 9845 Oakshore Dr., and Louis Besser, 8420 Lower 208th St. W., both of Lakeville, have filed for reelection to the two available three-year terms. Both are Lakeville residents. DISTRICT 195 (Randolph) Polls in the Randolph School cafeteria will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Dan Wilson and Mary Gerken, both of rural Cannon Falls, are the candidates for the seats they now hold. Both are three-year terms. DISTRICT 196 (Apple Valley -Rosemount) Voters will cast their ballots at the elementary school in their at- tendance areas from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Polling places are: Thomas Lake Elementary School, 4350 Thomas Lake Rd., Eagan; Nor- thview Elementary, 965 Co. Rd. 30, Eagan; Rosemount Elemen- tary School, 3155 144th St. W., Rosemount; Parkview Elemen- tary School, 6795 Gerdine Path, Rosemount; Echo Park Elemen- tary School, 14100 Co. Rd. 11, Burnsville; Southview Elemen- tary, 1025 Whitney Dr., Apple Valley; Westview Elementary School, 225 Garden View Dr., Ap- ple Valley; Greenleaf Elemen- tary School, 13333 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley; Diamond Path Elementary School, 14455 Dia- mond Path, Rosemount; and Cedar Park Elementary School, 7500 Whitney Dr., Apple Valley. Candidates seeking the one- year position completing Darril Wegscheid's term are appointee William Smith, 848 Greening Dr., Apple Valley; Ronald Short, 1725 96th St. E., Inver Grove Heights; and Moonyeen Bongaards, 4905 Safari Ct., Eagan. Incumbents Terry Joyce, 16419 Genesee Ct., Rosemount; Dave Phillips, 13404 Arden Dr., Burn- sville; and Richard Boucher, 14732 Dory Ct., Apple Valley, are candidates for reelection to their three-year terms. Other candidates for the three openings are James Bodin, 4052 Rahn Rd., Eagan; Donn McLellan, 13645 Everton, Apple (See Elections page 5A) number two were students from the Trinity school, who cheered the transplant proceedings. Each student then dispersed a handful of fertilizer on the new addition. According to Vockrodt, by us- ing Halla Nursery's tree mover, transplanting costs were held to $400. This is a savings of $1,100 over the purchasing and trans- planting of a tree through conven- tional methods. The new Lone Oak Tree, like its predecessor, is a burr oak, which is a variety known for its stability and longevity. It has already sur- vived over 30 years. "We'll also be preserving the original tree by collecting its acorns and planting them on the grounds of the new Eagan City Hall," Vockrodt said. "And there are also plans to turn the tree into park benches." So, it would seem that while the Lone Oak Tree may soon be up- rooted from its home of 200 years, it will continue to thrive in various forms while maintaining its historic significance to the Ci- ty of Eagan and Dakota. County. Rabies shots for boy unless cat is found FARMINGTON -- Nine -year -old Matthew Johnson will undergo a series of painful and expensive rabies shots beginning Friday unless police locate the cat that bit him. Matthew, the son of Thelma and Terry Johnson, 508 Heritage Way, was scratched and bitten about 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 3. He was in the 600 block of Heritage Way at the time. His mother told police she only wants to have the cat tested for rabies. She does not intend to take any legal action against the cat's owner, if it has one. Matthew said the cat is "butterscotch" in color, striped, with fairly short hair. Neighbors said they believed the cat had been in the area before. If police do not find the cat by Friday, the boy will have to begin the shots in case the cat was rabid. His mother said the serum alone for the shots (about seven) costs $400. The shots are administered in muscle tissue and are sometimes painful. Anyone with information about the cat is asked to call the Farm- ington police, 463-8677. on the inside ... ✓ Business ✓ Business Service Directory 9B ✓Church 9B ✓ Classified Ads .... 8-9B ,..Court News 13A 7B ✓ Food - Entertainment 3B vObituaries 4A ✓ Police News 3A ✓ Proceedings .... 12-13A ✓ Public Notices .. 10-12A ✓ Family 2B School 4-5B ✓ Farm 6B ✓ Senior Citizens 4A ✓Sports 6-9A PAGE 2A ultriui A COUNTY TRIBUNE 'MAY 12, 1983 readers' opinions Disappointed in Sen. Wegscheid 1'o the editor: Senator Darril Wegscheid's disappointing performance on the superfund bill in the Min- nesota Senate April 26 demon- strated to a shocking degree that he represents not the people of District 37 who elected him, but rather the executives of 3M who employ him. Again and again he spoke against providing protection for people who might be injured by hazardous wastes, and instead of- fered amendment after amend- ment to protect 3M from respon- sibility for the hazardous waste dump sites such as the one in Oakdale which 3M created. In between offering his amend- ments for 3M, he was filmed by Channel 5 news while conferring in the hall with the 3M lobbyists. Sen. Wegscheid clearly had an enormous conflict of interest on this issue, but chose not to do the Supports Evans To the editor: Director Phyllis Evans of the District 191 School Board should be reelected May 17. She has served our community well. In observing her over the past two years, I have noted her con- cern for reflecting the values and priorities of the community. She has made a concentrated effort to keep a dialogue going between all segments that have an interest in and concern for education. Mrs, Evans is a fiscal conser- vative with the knowledge and expertise to keep a balance bet- ween quality and economy. To fail to take advantage of her ex- perience would be a loss for District 191. Phyllis Evans deserves your vote May 17. ANN SCHLUTER 13015 Girard Ave. S., Burnsville Supports Phillips To the editor: In this time of educational change in the Rosemount -Apple Valley School District, it is par- ticularly crucial that community members express their opinions about the directions this change will take. May 17 represents a prime opportunity to express these opinions as voters take to the polls for school board elec- tions. Over the past two years I have had the pleasure of working with Dave Phillips on the long range plan task force for District 196. He has been a hard-working, con- scientious worker of extraor- dinary vision coupled with good common sense, as we have drafted a five-year plan for the district. In my opinion, no one is more suited to make decisions about the education our children will receive in the future. I want to urge your readers to reelect Dave to the board of education so that we can insure level-headed leadership through the changes ahead. Very truly yours, KAREN B. ROGERS 14004 Whiterock Rd., Burnsville Benefit was a success To the editor: We wish to thank all the many individuals, businesses, chur- ches, and organizations who have helped with the fund-raising benefit for Sue and Tom McMur- chie. The spaghetti dinner and bake sale was a great success, thanks to the efforts of so many of you. With the matching funds available from Aid Association for Lutherans, the funds raised will go a long way towards cover- ing the medical bills that they have accrued. It is heartwarming to know that we live and work in a community that cares enough to support so generously those in need. Committee for fund-raising benefit for Sue McMurchie, JULIE OLSON, Publicity chairman Apple Valley Supports candidate To the editor: I have served on a task force committee in School District 196 for the past year and in working on that committee I have become acquainted with Bill Smith. Bill is a sincere, dedicated person and I believe him to be an excellent candidate for the school board position in our district. LINDA O'BRIEN 4434 Oak Chase Rd., Eagan ethical thing and disqualify himself (like Sen. Mike Freeman did). His shallow conduct answers the question I asked myself: who does he represent, me or 3M? DENNIS P. RANDALL 4577 152nd St., Apple Valley Vote for Smith To the editor: I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Bill Smith as a candidate for the school board in Rosemount School District 196. I have known Bill Smith for six years and have found him to be an involved, concerned and ac- tive parent and citizen. I believe that he is an open-minded leader with the highest integrity. I fully support Bill Smith's posi- tions favoring low class size, special education and programs for gifted students. His creden- tials as a certified public accoun- tant also afford him the critical ingredients to help insure a sound fiscal policy for our district. In summary, I believe Bill Smith to be an active, well- informed, responsible school board member and I encourage my fellow citizens to support him in the upcoming school board election. ROSEMARY O'MEARA CAR- RAHER, 13014 Eveleth Ave., - Apple Valley Signed letters to the editor are welcomed and will be printed as space permits. We reserve the right to edit letters and request that they be kept short. Disputes new plan To the editor: The Minnesota Legislature is talking about starting a state -run insurance company as a part of a proposed settlement to our work comp problem. This state fund would cost $3 million to get going. It would compete with private in- surance companies. Do we really think that the government is going to do a good job of running an insurance com- pany? The real problem in Workers' Compensation is the benefit structure and the fact that we have too many lawsuits and overly high medical costs. But those are problems created by government. Let's all encourage our legis- lators to keep Minnesota out of the insurance business. We need real work comp reform, not some hare -brained scheme to make government bigger. Minnesota doesn't have $3 million to waste on an idea like this one. Sincerely, VICTOR J. KOHLNHOFER, President, Kohlnhofer Agency, Inc., Lakeville • Thanks from ARC To the editor: I would like to thank you for the article and picture of John LeMay featured in the April 21 issue of the Dakota County Tribune. Our association relies on volunteer involvement and public recognition serves as a boost to the volunteer and ultimately our association. Thank you for your continued interest in the ARC/Dakota Coun- ty! Sincerely, MARIANNE REICH, Administrative Assistant/News- letter Editor, ARC, Dakota County Tax Freedom Day delayed in state (The following article is from the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, a non-profit, non- partisan research organization.) Minnesota taxpayers celebrated Tax Freedom Day Wednesday, May 11 -- nine days later than the typical taxpayer nationwide, according to the Min- nesota Taxpayers Association. Tax Freedom Day is the day when the typical worker would owe no more taxes if, from Jan. 1, 1983, every dollar of income earn- ed was used to pay federal, state and local taxes. After this date the workers are free to spend the remaining income as they choose. The U.S. Tax Freedom Day calculations are made by economists of Tax Foundation Inc., a nationally recognized research organization. The foun- dation reports that with the ex- ception of the last two years, the trend has been relentless -- more and more time on the job, just to keep the tax collector away. The good news for the average U.S. worker is that Tax Freedom Day falls one day earlier in 1983 than the revised date in 1982. In addi- tion, the 1982 date was four days earlier than the date in 1981. The foundation attributes the respite for taxpayers to the im- pacts of the Economic Recovery Tax Act, which was enacted by Congress in 1981. On the minus side however, the foundation points to the impacts of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 which imposed $98 billion in revenue hikes. This enactment prevented Tax Freedom Day from being even earlier in 1983. In past years, Tax Freedom Day was acknowledged quite a bit earlier: In 1930 the date shared the calendar with Valen- tines Day; in 1960, Tax Freedom Day fell on April 18; and in 1970, the date was April 28. Since 1976, U.S. average workers have been celebrating around the first week in May. In Minnesota, the average worker has historically labored on the job a bit longer. According to Don Paterick, ex- ecutive director of the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, "tax- payers here will have to stay on the job until May 11, or nine more days than the average U.S. worker, due to a higher than average state and local tax burden." MTA estimates show that the burden is an estimated 20% higher in Minnesota. Major recent tax increases effective in 1983 include a "temporary" 10% income tax surtax, and an in- crease in the sales tax rate to 6%. "Based on the tax bills in both the House and the Senate, and the Governor's recommendation, it looks like Minnesotan's will be saddled with the 10% surtax at least until 1985, and the sales tax rate is likely to. remain 6% per- manently," Paterick said. "In addition, the Senate bill would •eliminate indexing which has compensated taxpayers for in- crease in taxes which are due on- ly to inflation." Another way to view the Tax Freedom Day concept is from the average worker's eight hour day viewpoint. According to MTA calculations, in Minnesota, tax- payers are working for the federal government for one hour and 44 minutes, and for state and local governments for another hour and 7 minutes. "Average wage earners don't start working for themselves un- til lunch time. The same amount of work time is spent earning money to pay taxes as is spent working to pay for the three basic necessities of life -- food, clothing and shelter. Only 20 minutes are spent working to enjoy the fruits of labor," Paterick concluded. The eight hour work "day breaks down as follows: Federal taxes, 1 hr. 44 min.; state and local taxes, 1 hr. 7 min.; housing, 1 hr. 34 min.; food and beverage, 1 hr. 7 min.; Transportation, 43 min.; medical, 35 min.; clothing, 22 min.; recreation, 21 min.; all other, 27 min. For more information call Min- nesota Taxpayers Association at (612) 224-7477. Domestic dispute triggers incident BURNSVILLE -- Burnsville of- ficers responded to a domestic/ assault incident Saturday, April 30 about 10 p.m. at a residence on Loop Rd. A 23-year-old female told of- ficers that, following an argu- ment, a 22-year-old male friend that was in the house loaded several weapons and threatened to shoot her and himself. She fled the residence and reported hear- ing two shots from the house prior to the arrival of the officers. In addition to Burnsville of- ficers, police from Apple Valley, Lakeville and Savage secured the area around the home. Camera crews from KSTP and WCCO were on the scene. There were reports of tension between the police/ambulance attendants and the cameramen, but all par- ties involved have reached an agreement in future incidents. Officers were able to success- fully take the male into custody at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. No further shots were fired and no injuries were reported. The incident is under investiga- tion by the police department, with possible assault or weapon violation charges pending against the male. Planners change meeting time FARMINGTON -- The planning commission has changed its regular meeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The commission's next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 in city hall. The first item on the agenda will be a public hearing on a proposed townhouse development at the corner of Spruce and Division streets. Support for Smith Program equality To the editor: questioned by parents Please vote for Bill Smith in ISD 196, this Tuesday. Bill Smith has been a dedicated citizen working on behalf of • education of students in District 196 for many years. Bill's dedica- tion has been exemplified in his activities in chairing citizens committees to look at the building requirements of the school district, a study that was begun five years ago and culminated in the program which built Scott Highlands, Thomas Lake Elementary, Echo Park Elementary, and the addition to Apple Valley High School. As can be seen from our census figures today, and projections for the next six -to -eight years, Bill Smith led the committee to the right conclusion, which w.as to build this much space and then wait and see. Bill Smith has been actively in- volved in citizens committees related to the discretionary fund levy that was passed two years ago. State funding for education is a very complex issue. Bill Smith, with the help of many able citizens, worked hard to get understanding of the issue. The final vote showed strong support in record margins for elementary and secondary education within the Rosemount School District. Bill and Deb's oldest child is now a kindergartner in District 196. Their three children face more than 12 years of education. If you look at all the factors: Bill's education, his school board experience, his financial train- ing, his long association with our schools, his awareness of and in- sight on the issues, and finally his dedication as exemplified through years and years of volunteer work within the school system, you would conclude, as we do, that Bill Smith should be elected to the one-year term in District 196, and should continue in his role as a school board direc- tor, CAROL AND DARRIL WEGSCHEID, 14374 Genesee Ave, Apple Valley To the editor: A group of parents in District 191 is concerned that students who have difficulty learning at the junior high level are not given the same basic services as in our elementary schools or at the senior high level. Students in the elementary schools are grouped into "levels" in reading and math. They are taught to their "level" and in groups with others of near their ability. In our senior high school, there are many programs and classes geared to the students who have difficulties. But, at Metcalf Junior High, on- ly one grouping or class is offered in ninth grade math, although there are special groups or classes for the gifted in math, social studies and science. At Nicollet Junior High, there are special classes for the gifted in math, social studies and science, but no low groups in any subjects except seventh and ninth grade math. Just this year, the low groupings in English were drop- ped in seventh, eighth and ninth grade at Nicollet. Most metropolitan school districts recognize the fact that there are students who are one to two years behind their classmates and to best service them offer "basic" or "skills" courses in at least two subject areas at the junior high level, (usually in math, English, social studies, or science). This results in each such subject area being offered to three "levels," (low, average and gifted), and in separate classrooms, Eight out of the 12 districts we called provide this service. They are: Bloomington, District 271; Hopkins, District 270; St, Louis Park, District 283; West St. Paul - Mendota -Eagan, District 197; Minnetonka, District 276; Richfield, District 280; White Bear Lake, District 624; Anoka - Hennepin, District 11, When district administrators are questioned as to why "basic" or "skills" classes aren't offered to the low group at junior high level in our district, they said they have a problem getting teachers to teach these classes IN ASSAULT CASES due to more than the normal amount of discipline problems. Other districts take "behavior problem students" to a separate area. Also, when we asked if a teacher could refuse an assign- ment, they said no. Ad- ministrators also say that a class offered to the low group of students needs to be kept at 20, so other classes get somewhat larger. Why can other districts manage this? Why should a large number of lower students be plac- ed with their average and above average classmates? It is a frustrating experience when they are asked to do and be something they are not capable of due to a numbers game. Even in these budget -cutting times, other districts offer ability level classes for the lower group. It doesn't have to cost the .district money. If you feel that you would like District 191's services at the junior high level increased by of- fering special "skills" classes in at least two subject areas, please sign our petition, (by calling one of the following people). We feel this will directly affect parents in our school district who have a student in the lower reading and math groups in elementary school, a learning disabled student in elementary or junior high, an EMH student who can be mainstreamed, or any stu- dent who is having difficulty lear- ning. It also effects parents of normal students who are unable to progress as fast as they could without the "basic" students in their classroom. If you are a concerned parent, please come to the school board meeting Tuesday, May 17, at 8 p,m. in the administrative ser- vices building, 100 River Ridge Court, Burnsville. Remember, we need your signature on our petition before May 17. Please call one of the followings Jay and Lynn LaDue, 890-2671; Ken and Scotty Adams, 894-5436; Mike and Dodie Phillips, 435-8714. Police seek suspects COMPOSITE DRAWINGS of three males sought in recent assault cases have been released by the Burnsville Police Department. Anyone who has information about these suspects should call 890-4100 or 890-2460. BURNSVILLE -- Four sexual assault cases have been reported in recent weeks to the Burnsville Police Department. The depart- ment has charges pending in one of the cases, but the remainder are, as of yet, unsolved. The incidents are not related, according to Fred Rau, lieute- nant of investigation for the department. A 23-year-old Burnsville female reported she was sexually assaulted April 23 about 1:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Burn- sville Bowl. Her assailant was described as a white male, 25-27 years old, 5'8" - 5-11" tall, 170 pounds, shoulder - length hair that was sandy brown and stringy, and had a thin mustache and facial acne. (Com- posite., left) _ At the time of the assault, the suspect was driving a newer model Oldsmobile Cutlass• or similar vehicle with a dark blue exterior, light blue velour in- terior with bench seats. It was Geronimo flew the (zoo) coop APPLE VALLEY -- A northern raven named Geronimo flew away from a Minnesota Zoo training session Saturday, May 7. Zoo personnel would like to hear from anyone who sights the bird. The male, two- to three -year - old bird is black, looks like a crow, but is about one-third larger. It has been "imprinted on people," which means it may come close to a home or to peo- ple. Nancy Gibson, zoo public rela- tions manager, said the raven will not harm you, but "it may try to steal your lunch." The zoo conducts free flying bird shows to entertain and in- form the public about the birds, The training session was being conducted outside. The very win- dy day may have contributed to the bird's taking off. Anyone who sees the bird is asked to call the zoo, 432-9010. possibly a two -door. A 24-year-old female reported she was sexually assaulted April 29 about 3 a.m. in her apartment at Chancellor Manor. Her assailant is described as a white male, 20-25 years old, 5'11" tall, 175-180 pounds, muscular build, light brown wavy hair in a shag style and dark eyes. (Com- posite, center) It is believed the suspect entered the apartment through a sliding patio door. A 21-year-old female reported she was sexually assaulted April 30 about 1 a.m. in the underground garage of the Burn- ingham Apartments. Her assailant is described as a white male, 26-27 years old, 6' tall, 160 pounds, slender build, dark brown frizzy hair with a receding hairline, thin mustache and beard and wearing gold wire rim glasses. (Composite, right) All three of these cases are under investigation by the department. Any information about the incidents or suspects Task force is appointed Several area people have been named to a new advisory task force to represent communities with areas selected or proposed by the Minnesota Waste Manage- ment board as "preferred areas" for hazardous waste processing facilities. They will also advise the board on the state's long-range policies for managing hazardous wastes. Members were appointed by Robert Dunn, chairman of the waste management board, on recommendation of local govern- ments Those named to the group in- clude Jim Robinette, public works director at Lakeville; Paul Burns, city planner at Hastings; Sheila Tatone, Inver Grove Heights council member; and Leroy Houser, building inspector at Shakopee. should be forwarded to the department at 890-4100 or 890-2460. A 26-year-old male suspect has been identified in an April 25 inci- dent in which a 21-year-old Min- neapolis female reported she was sexually assaulted about noon at Connelly Estates Apartments. The case has been turned over to the Dakota County Attorney's of- fice for criminal prosecution on charges that are pending. Dist. 196 restructures community education By SANRA FORSMAN Action taken by District 196 Board of Education Monday, May 9, restructured and redefin- ed the community education department. In addition to main- taining the present programs, ac- tivities and events, the depart- ment will become the "umbrella for all the institutional change ac- tivities, programs and events." Restructuring includes the position postings for a director of community education, director of strategic planning for education system and a new secretarial position. The three coordinator positions will be terminated and two district supervisor positions, recreational and adult education, will be posted. All positions are effective July 1. JoAnne Ellison, director of research and census, has been the acting director of community education for the past year. Superintendent Dr. Ruth Ran- dall's recommendation passed unanimously with three amend- ments. They are: the position of director of strategic planning will be a one-year position to June 30, 1984, with an option to extend; top of the salary range for director of community education was lowered to $36,000 from $40,000; and salaries listed on postings are for 1983-84 with the exception of the director of strategic plann- ing. Lloyd Krob, director, proposed a salary range of $38,000-$42,000 for the director of strategic plan- ning instead of the $40,000-$45,000 recommended. Bill Smith, direc- tor, disagreed, stating, "We need a heavyweight someone with clout." Randall stated the position also calls for someone with technical ability. Both Smith and Krob agreed it would take the superintendent to get the job (institutional change) done. Randall's recommendation said the . institutional change aspect of community education will have its own funds apart from the general fund as com- munity education does now. However, the new position will not be self-sustaining the first year. Krob's amendment was defeat- ed by a 4-2 vote. Dave Philips, director, voted with Krob. Direc- tors Don Westerhausen, Smith, Beverly Albee and Dick Boucher; voted nay. Terry Joyce was ab- sent. The board voted unanimously to join a cooperative venture with the Burnsville, Farmington and. Lakeville school districts to offer' adult literacy programs in north- west Dakota County. The cooperative called the Adult Basic Continuing Educa- _ tion (ABCE) consortium will of- fer English as a second language, - adult basic education, general education development and the high school diploma program. The district has been offering these services through its com- munity education department. Joining with the neighboring school district will save the district approximately $3,000, ac- cording to the report presented to the board. Eagan replats portion of Eagandale Park By JEFF BURRILL EAGAN -- At its May 3 meeting, the Eagan City Council approved the replating of approx- imately 45 acres of Eagandale In- dustrial Park. This will allow the main entrance of the industrial park to be located on Pilot Knob Road, while anew entrance will be accessible from a road north of Avalon. The council also granted a building permit for a business complex on the replatted portion of the industrial park. Along with the replatting per- mit, however, the developing company, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, was re- quested to pay Eagan's new in - Bale of straw lands on car FARMINGTON -- It was the straw that broke the auto's front. Actually, it was a bale of straw that buckled the front end of the 1978 Chevrolet Diane Sherman, 20295 Donnelly, was driving. Sherman was eastbound on Hwy. 50 near Easter Ave. about 3:40 p.m. Saturday, May 7 when she met a pickup truck carrying a load of straw bales. As the two vehicles passed, two bales fell from the truck. One struck the front end of Sherman's car, caus- ing over $1,300 damage. Sherman was not injured and managed to stay on the road, her husband said later, but the hood of the car was "almost destroyed." The windshield was not broken, however. The pickup was owned by D.L. Peterson Trust, a Maryland com- pany. Police are trying to find out who the driver was. Gone fishing dustrial and commercial park dedication fee. This is a fee which is to be paid at the time of final plat approval or at the time of site plan or building permit ap- proval. As the council implemented this fee requirement last December, the Eagandale developers are the first industrial or commercial developers to be assessed. IN OTHER ACTION, THE COUNCIL: APPROVED a rezoning and preliminary plat request ° for Woodhaven Addition at Rahn Rd. and Beau D'Rue Dr. One of the two acres in the development was rezoned from community shopp- ing center to apartments, while the other acre was already zoned for apartments. The development will be comprised of two 17- dwelling apartment buildings. APPROVED the preliminary plat of Sunset Addition in southeastern Eagan. The five - acre development site will con- sist of 14 single family homes. APPROVED plans and specifications for the Diffley Rd. construction project between Nicols and Blackhawk roads. APPROVED plans and specifications for construction of Lexington Rd. from Cliff Rd. to just north of Diffley Rd. APPROVED a grading permit for the property on the northeast corner of Hwy. 55 and Lone Oak Rd. APPROVED plans and specifications for the reconstruc- tion and rehabilitation of streets in Cedar Grove First and Second Additions. AUTHORIZED city ad- ministrator Tom Hedges to hire intern workers and temporary-_ personnel. Photo by Gary Kubat BURNSVILLE -- Inspired by the McDonald's commercial, Kim and Louise Thyr, 520 Harold Dr., have informed their neighbors why that side of the house hasn't been completely painted yet. The dark orange house is visible from northbound 35W, just before the Burnsville Pkwy. exit. A r< E p ty re 191 Je Jen the w pam du - the quo foot re Sur He agi join Wa rhur some of th all p to pi - by st wate! of a then , wate MO Plann author Profes Ayes: Nays: Ther vacanc Depan presse* ment c ty, etc all con cornm advert, MOT Willarc commi resea for the vacanc Ratzlaf! Counn and up Clean I that th, project up com City. Police authori: training through Balance County. MOTI Chief's expendi' training Jensen,' Fire C:JJ and reco, mobile 4 • • 1 CilkONICLE a Current newspaper SECTION A Vol. III, No. 46. Monday, November 15. 1982 Bringing you the news of the people, the neighborhoods and business of Eagan TWO SECTIONS Highway Department asks to cut down Lone Oak Tree by Linda Hanson Cut down Eagan's Lone Oak Tree? Not on your life. That was the City Council's response to a state Department of Transportation (NInDOT) request Blacktop comes within a foot of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree at Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. to get rid of the historic tree at Lone Oak Road and Highway 55. The tree has served as an official city posting place for 1111101 of Eagan's past and has been TREE: top. 20A Students propose `place to go' on weekends by Jim Bayer Some Burnsville High School (BHS) students think they've come up with a way to liven up Friday nights south of the Minnesota River. "That's one of the problems of living in the suburbs," said senior Jamie Graf, the idea's originator. "There's no place to go, other than hanging out at PDQ, partying or going to a movie." A "place to go" is what Graf and about 20 of his BHS peers, who met on a cold, wet afternoon last week, hope to create. "It would be a place for kids to hang out," he said. "A positive kind of place for kids to go." Students are focusing on the junior high schools or the high school as the center's location. Originally, the empty Cedar Elementary School building was thought to be the best location, but has been all but dropped because of the cost of hiring janitors and other incidental costs, Graf said. While the idea is still in its infancy, raf and friend, Mike Dunford, vision weekend dances, parties, orting events and video games —all It supervised. "The idea is to get the students to e there instead of PDQ or sitting ome," he said. r lack of an organized hang-out, DQ convenience store at 12600 let Ave., has acted as unofficial 'tute, Graf said. "There are when I've counted more than 100 kids there," he said. "The parking lot is full of kids. They're not really doing anything, they're just kinda there." "It's been a problem," PDQ supervisor John Keenan acknowledged Thursday. Keenan said the concept of a teen center is good. "The kids definitely need someplace to go." Keenan declined to discuss specific problems, but said PDQ was working on a solution. He declined to elaborate. Others at last week's organizational meeting at BHS said some less -than - innocent parties began out of the boredom of having nowhere to go and a central place to go might solve that problem. Dave Scherf, youth pastor at Faith Covenant Church, doesn't agree with that theory, but likes the idea of a teen center. "I think it's an exciting idea and 1 have great hopes that it'll happen," he said. "It's like anything with potential, it could turn out to be the greatest thing that's ever happened or the worst disaster." The deciding factor will be the kids themselves, Scherf said. "It depends on how the kids make it a cool thing within their culture," he said. "If they continually beat the drum at the high school, it could make it. If the kids don't think it's cool, it won't be." Scherf predicts that a segment of the community will react negatively to the idea regardless of the supervision provided. "Some people will say the drug pushers will hang out there...but the programs I've seen die more from neglect than anything else. The kids just stop coming." But those programs were initiated and run by cities or school districts, Scherf said. "The biggest thing this Soccer champs has going for it is that the kids are organizing it —it's theirs." Graf, student representative on the Community Services Advisory Council (CSAC), broached the idea to Community Services Director Tom TEEN CENTER: top. 4A An elated Burnsville soccer coach Ted Seidel, right, celebrated with some equally happy players, following the team's 1-0 win over Kellogg last week to win the state title. Details on page 24A. 2A 196 School Board discusses giited athletes by Laura Zahn Exceptional athletes in the seventh grade or above should be allowed to compete on the varsity level, according to a recommendation made by a District 196 task force studying gifted athletes and the district's policies. District policy bars middle school students from participation in high school -level athletics. But the task force, made up of 45 parents, teachers and administrators, said in a memo presented Monday night to the school board that district policy should not automatically exclude everyone, but should be flexible to allow exceptions. "...On rare occasions, a middle school athlete may be so physically and emotionally mature, as well as athletically gifted, that consideration must be given to allowing that par- ticular student to...compete at the senior high level," the memo said. The board may consider the issue at its Nov. 22 meeting. Eleven of 16 metro districts studied have some provisions for exceptional middle school athletes' participation at high school level. "Several of the school districts that didn't allow this...felt... their policy might change in the near future," the memo said. "The school districts that allowed this movement felt that their policies were very effective and served to meet the needs of their students." Only a few seventh- and eighth - graders each year would probably be able to compete at such an advanced level, but athletic gifted programs 9th annual /NA\ DIAOADHEAD ov.18 •19• 16111t tzr, . �,\. ` � �(';•-._ bell a 0 thURS. f"Rt, IOam-9pm sat. lOarr5pm east of 3514), on the BUR 5 Itle PaR)ay '1EAD MALL 75 aRtist's CRaft5r9eq The Eagan CHRONICLE, November 15, 1982 should exist for them just as academic programs exist for those who excel! in classes, according to Bill Demaray and Larry Larson, two district staff members who co-chaired the task force. The proposed change in policy in- cluded these provisions: • The situation in which a seventh- or eighth -grader could compete would have to be "unique," that is, his or her special needs cannot be met at the mid- dle school level; • Request may be initiated by the stu- dent, parent or middle school coach, but not be any senior high staff member; • If the parents and student agree, the student's physical, emotional and social growth levels will be investigated by the middle school principal. Pro- gram offerings and transportation will also be considered; • A committee of the middle school principal, athletic director, head coach, senior high principal, athletic director and head coach would vote, with four or more votes required to pass; • The superintendent would review and make a final decision. Some staff contacted by the task force listed objections, such as the vast developmental differences between a seventh- and 12th-grader, and the four years of high school competition oppor- tunity. Also, some believed opportunity would be taken away from a high school student whom the gifted younger stu- dent would displace. String musicians offer concert Nov. 22 The District 191 Community Services Elementary String Orchestra, under the direction of Robert Carney, will present a concert 7 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, at Diamondhead Mall lower level. The performance is open to the com- MICHAEL E. MOLENDA ATTORNEY GENERAL PRACTICE OF LAW No fee for Initial Consultation Evening and Weekend Appointments Available Apple Valley Office Centre Suite 101 7373 West 147th Street, Apple Valley 431-7117 munity and is free. The program includes "Jingle Bells", "The Catalog Aria from Don Giovanni" by Mozart and "Marcato" by Vaclav Nelhybel. The orchestra consists of 20 district students representing seven elementary schools and one junior high school. There are 15 violin players, three viola players and two cello players. For more information, call 887-7214. Corrections Eagan runner Sharon Mordorski was omitted from the list of those who com- pleted the Twin Cities Marathon in the Nov. 1 issue of the Chronicle. Her time was 4:08:05. BURNSVILLE COUNSELING CLINIC, INC. •Individual, Marriage & Family Counseling -Psychological Evaluations -Child & Adolescent Services -Psychiatric Services -Grief Therapy -Hypnotherapy -Women's Support Therapy -Chemical Dependency Assessment SUITE 205 1103 W. BURNSVILLE PKWY BURNSVILLE, MN 55337 (612) 894.5450 STAFF Richard J. Oberehaw, MSW. ACSW Director Robert C. Barron Ph.D., L.C.P. Director Louts Flynn M.D. Patrick Doyle Ph.D. Candidate Karen Levenberg Ph D. Robert Denardo MSW., ACSW Linda Flies -Moffat M.A. Nickey Larson C.C.D.P. State of Minn. approved Mental Health Clinic CHRONICLE 1209 E. Cliff Road • Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 890-4456 Member. Suburban Newspapers of America Publisher Mary Ziegenhagen Managing Editor Advertising Manager Joanne Shiebler News Editor Jim Bayer Linda Hansor Distributed to every household & business in Eagan every Monday Subscription copies mailed. Controlled ci culation permit pending at Burnsville. MN post office. 55337. Office Hours 8am-5pm Mon -Fri Voluntary Subscriptions $12 Per Year Mailed Subscriptions $16 Per Year St. Paul Pioneer Press St. Paul Dispatch age Center" . In real life, of Litchfield. alley Road. ospel Ar- er- d 5S Battle to save historic Lone Oak Tree resumes The battle over Eagan's his- toric Lone Oak Tree erupted again last week. Construction workers for the state Department of Tiansporta- tion have raised the level of Min- nesota 55 and blacktopped to about a foot away from the giant oak at the corner of 55 and Lone Oak Road. The work is in con- nection with widening Highway 55 from two to four lanes. John Sandahl, transportation department engineer, asked the City Council for permission to remove the tree. He said his staff has tried to design around the tree but a department forest- er indicates the tree probably will die in a few years`, anyway. "The tree is too close to the road and could be a hazard to traffic," Sandahl said. Expanded Medicare explained Persons eligible for Medicare can learn about a government - endorsed health care program for the elderly that expands Medicare benefits while saving them money at 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. John's Hospital, 403 Maria Ave. The program, Senior Health Assurance, was developed by MedCenter Health Plan, a Twin Cities health maintenance organ- ization, at the request of the U.S. alth Care Financing Adminis- on. For further information ervations call Lorraine 'or health specialist 7-3481. But council members refused. Later, Mayor Bea Blomquist said, "We feel strongly about trying to preserve the tree but they just don't want it there. They could have worked around it." She said the council has asked the transportation department to remove some of the blacktop from around the tree. Blomquist said, "I may get out there with a shovel myself." Throughout the history of Eagan, the tree has been a meet- ing place where announcements were made, business transacted and courtships conducted. Years ago, city officials desig- nated the Lone Oak as a heritage tree in cooperation with the Minnnesota Horticultural Soci- ety, and authors Charles E. Ran- dall and Henry Clepper com- memorated the tree in their "Famous and Historical Trees" published by the American For- estry Association. If the tree thrives during the next growing season, Blomquist said, one possibility is getting some acorns from it to plant an- other Lone Oak Tree. Ski lessons offered at golf courses Two St. Paul golf courses, Phalen and Highland, will be- come cross-country skiing areas Saturday, weather permitting. Both Phalen, off Larpenteur Avenue and Arcade Street, and Highland, at Hamline and Mon- treal avenues, offer lessons, rentals, group rates and chalet food service. Each will offer a free introduction to cross-coun- try skiing at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 30 and Jan. 27. For more informa- tion, call St. Paul parks and rec- reation at 292-7400. INVER GROVE HEIGHTS STARTING AT s17,500—FLEXIBLE TERMS 6S St. Paul Pioneer Press St. Paul Dispatch Events in brief Spaghetti dinner The eighth grade class of Holy Trinity School, 745 Sixth Ave. S., South St. Paul, is sponsoring a spaghetti and meatball dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the VFW Club, 111 South Concord St., South St. Paul. Also, the Men's Club of the school will hold a turkey raffle at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the school. Picnic, puppets A picnic lunch for parents and children aged 3-6 will be held 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednes- day at the West St. Paul library, 40 E. Emerson Ave. Children should bring lunch, a favorite stuffed animal, and a blanket. Preregister by calling 457-8497. Large puppets will perform fairy tales at the library from 2 to 2:45 p.m. Saturday. Free tick- ets are available. Films The Dakota County Library in West St. Paul will present free films from 3:45 to 4:45 p.Fn. Wednesday, including "Most Marvelous Cat," "The Strange Story of a Frog Who Became a Prince," and "Magician." The address is 40 E. Emerson Ave. Open house District 197 Community Edu- cation will hold an open house 6- 9 p.m. Wednesday at Grass Jun- ior High in West St. Paul. More than 30 mini -classes, refresh- ments, open swimming, chil- dren's stories and films will be presented. Vital statistics Births Information compiled by Regina Memorial Hospital, Hastings, Sanford Memorial Hospital, Farmington and Divine Redeemer Memorial Hospital, South St. Paul. GIRLS BORN TO: PAUL and LISA FEIFAREK, St. Paul. JOHN and BEVERLY KLUG JR., South St. Paul. VINCENT and DEEINN MEYER, West St. Paul. JOSEPH and PATRICIA MEYERS, Inver Grove Heights. GARY and CYNTHIA OWENS, Lakeville. GARY and DORIS SCHMIDT, Farmington. KHAMMONG and PONGSAK THAMMA- KHANTY, Eagan. KATHLEEN and DAVID REUTER, Hastings. ROY and DIANE JONES, Hastings. THOMAS and MARILYN MAHER, Hastings. STUART and KAREN JOHNSON, Hastings. RICHARD and DONNA MCBROOM, Hast- ings. BOYS BORN TO: SHERYL LUSK, St. Paul. LIAM DOERFLER, Lake- '9RAEDER, STEVEN W. CRAPPS and GENEVIEVE L. CRISP-CRAPPS. LAWRENCE M. NOGLE and KAREN A. NOGLE. DAVID 5. BONDESON and DEBORAH J. BONDESON. LUVERNE D. SWEEP and BABARA J. SWEEP. KEITH R. DOMEK and PATRICIA L. MILES- DOMEK. JOSEPH R. KOMAREK and LINDA J. KO- MAREK. CHARLES A. PORTER and BETTY J. POR- TER. JEFFREY W. LEISHER and DONNA L. LEISHER. MICHAEL D. BELLOWS and CAROLE M. BELLOWS. MARK S. KOWALSKI and PEGGY A. KO- WALSKI. RANDALL L. GERDES and RENAY J. GERDES. JOHN M. SHIELDS and BARBARA L. SHIELDS. ROBERT L. SEIDL and SHEILA R. SEIDL. RICKY A. SKEES and PATTI J. SKEES. DAVID E. CLOSE and STEPHANIE M. CLOSE. LARRY V. SAFRATOWICH and MYRA M. SAFRATOWICH. GORDON W. KAHLSTORF and MARGARET KAHLSTORF. Comedy South St. P present the p p.m. Thursda in the schoo' Second St. N. and $1.50. Farm fest' A Fall Farr ing cider -ma ping, butter-c spinning de hayrides, will p.m. Saturday ture Center ii Tickets are Y make reserv< 4531. Fund -raise The Inver Hockey Associ annual Thanks, Seniors The South St. Paul Chapter of the American Association of Re- tired Persons will discuss insur- e ance problems at 1 p.m. Wednes- day at the Senior Center, 100 Seventh Ave. N. Education St. Paul Community Educa- tion will present choral groups, gymnastics, crafts, dance and exercise exhibits 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday on the upper level of Town Square in down- town St. Paul. Immunizations An immunization clinic will be held 4-7 p.m. Thursday in the lobby of Hastings Senior High, 11th and Pine streets. Sheriff warns about phone dialer alarms Automatic telephone dialer alarms being marketed in the Twin Cities metro area leave something to be desired, says Washington County Sheriff Jim Trudeau. Some of the alarms are de- signed to dial pre-set telephone numbers at the push of a button, then deliver a recorded message. "Most of the advertising mate- rial suggests that the devices be programmed to call the local public safety agencies," the sher- iff said. "But the use of recorded messages for requesting asp- ance during a police, fi medical emergency is ceptable substit"' oice comp- 6A Editorial/opinion We cannot ignore child abuse All the Presidential nice -talk about returning responsibility to the local level turns sour in the face of Dakota County's budget cuts of two staff peo- ple in the Child Abuse unit. If govern- ment cannot respond to the cries of bat- tered children, then what in the name of democracy is local government for? Federal policies put the brakes on in- flation with such shocking speed that more than 10 million Americans find themselves unemployed. A goodly number of them apparently go home and beat up their kids in frustration, anger and alcoholic fury. The caseload of abuse continues to grow, and the fewer jobs reduce the in- come taxes that used to support social service programs. The spiral finally leads to a fist in the face of a child and perhaps a phone call to an overworked, emotionally -drained social worker who has tried to deal with all too many cases this day, this week, this month. Someone observed that child protec- tion workers should be expected to work no more than a two-day week, just to keep their own sanity in the midst of such sordid realities. What Dakota County is about to do is increase their load, not lessen it. State law requires that all child abuse complaints be in- vestigated within 24 hours, so the workers will have to do whatever per- functory job keeps them from violating the law. But it's likely to be no more than that, with hundreds of cases and no downward trends in sight. There must be somewhere else to cut the county budget. And, for sure we know where the money is going. The giant military stockpiles and projects grow ever larger, at the expense of human suffering. We think that is hard- ly what the nation's founders had in mind when they united the colonies for "a common defense." Where is the defense for battered children and their parents who need not feel so hopeless if only they could just get some help. --Mary Ziegenhagen Save our Lone Oak The Minnesota Highway Department is out to get our Lone Oak Tree—Eagan's historic symbol. They want to cut it down, to make way for traffic. They call The Lone Oak Tree a traffic hazard. This might be a good time to reprint a tribute to oak trees that appeared in a recent edition of the Minnesota Valley Audubon Society's Newsletter, "The Trumpeter," and ponder all the memories we have of the Lone Oak. Remember when the Iranian hostages were returned to the United States so- meone tied a yellow ribbon around the Lone Oak? Remember when it stood beside the road instead of in the middle of a highway? Remember when it look- ed more alive than dead? If that tree dies, those guys who lean on their shovels and supervise wet con- crete will have this town to answer to. And, fair warning, that will not be a happy day for them. Letters to the editor on this subject are invited. --Mary Ziegenhagen A traffic hazard? Letters from readers To the Editor: I wish to thank the many supporters throughout the area. As the newly elected state representative from District 38B, I will do my best to repre- sent all the residents and to be respon- sive to your legislative concerns. If any resident has a legislative pro- blem which I may assist with, please write or call me at either the State Capitol or my home at 454-5588. Art Seaberg Mendota Heights This newspaper welcomes let- ters to the editor, expressing opi- nions, ideas and positions on public affairs. The most useful letter is short and deals with only one issue. Letters must be original; copies of letters (mimeographed or Xeroxed, for example) will not be used, nor will letters submitted to other newspapers. All letters are verified by telephone and, therefore, must in- clude the signature, address and phone number (home and office) of the author. The newspaper reserves the right to edit letters for length. When let- ters are edited, care is taken by the editor to preserve the letter's main ideas. Dial -a -bird, Dial -a -star Did you know that last weekend dozens of rare whistling swans flew over Blackdog Lake and the Twin Cities area? That's only part of what I learned from the taped message on the Rare Bird Hotline, a service sponsored by the Minneapolis Audubon Club and the Minnesota Ornithologist Union. Another information line we enjoy is STARWATCH, out of the astronomy department at the University of Min- nesota. It describes the night sky and clues as to what special effects one might see, with and without binoculars and telescopes. Both lines are fun and educational, and we urge readers to try them. Rare Bird Hotline 544-6016. STARWATCH 376-5587. Oaks provide color, shelter for many creatures byJack Mauritz As autumn becomes winter and trees shed leaves, Minnesota's hardwoods become their brightest, before becom- ing rather dull in the landscape. The last burst of color comes in those parts of the state where oak forests are found. The rusty and bronzy reds, yellows and browns of oak leaves stand out with a quiet glow all their own. Unlike the brief flaming sunburst of maples and birches, so quickly lost to the wind and rain of October, many oaks hold their leaves and some of their color until spring's buds push them off the branches. This is the time of year when the yearly "mast" of the white oaks provide a rich and tasty food supp- ly. In the "good" years, usually every other one, these are supplemented by enormous supplies of bitter but palatable acorns from the red oaks. Hunters quickly learn that success comes from finding productive oak ridges where deer and squirrels concen- trate for the rich food supply. I well remember my surprise the first time on a walk through a lakeside burr oak grove, I flushed wood ducks as thick as grasshoppers from the early acorn sup- ply. If you are a grouse hunter, you'll recall your astonishment when, on cleaning one of those first birds, you found a crop full of acorns, apparently swallowed through a pencil -sized throat and still to be forced somehow, pro- bably by magic, into a "gizzard" for grinding and then digestion. Oaks provide shelter to an astonishing list of creatures. As they mature, they are hollowed by woodpeckers (often following an earlier insect excavation). These holes are later adopted, sometimes enlarged, by animals that fly in, crawl in and climb in. You know many already; think of squirrels, mice, raccoons, flying squir- rels, weasels, mink, hawks, owls, skunks, mergansers, woodducks, chip- munks, chickadees and nuthatches. Most Minnesota oaks, except the scrub or jack oak of the sand barrens, are large, slow -growing trees which eventually form big trunks of dense, tough hardwood. They resist wind well, for that reason, and because they nor- mally develop a stout taproot that resists windthrow. That, and their fire resistance, is why oaks are large, pro- ductive and successful at our prairie edges, on the hot south facing ridges and in the droughty sandy soils. County to reorganize police training department 5A lair Wh work? "She'll shut." • "I hay. said one tea, membership do with feeli "I'm ne` up front for t' pret C ase by Linda Hanson The County Board's decision to reorganize the county's police training department and cut its budget by $10,000 prompted Eagan Police Chief Martin DesLauriers to question whether police training would "be watered down." "If that happens, cities such as Eagan, Burnsville and Apple Valley would be better off providing the train- ing themselves," he said. During the recent budget discussions for 1983, the board decided to cut $20,000 from police training and emergency services (about $10,000 from each) but didn't specify how it was to be cut. The board asked the program directors to specify where cuts could be made. The board approved the recom- mendations last week. The police training budget was cut $10,772 by giving up a half-time ,.secretary and trimming supplies, ser- vices and capital outlay. No funds for direct training activities were cut. The emergency services budget was reduced through not filling the position of Emergency Services Director Dale Grimes who recently resigned, eliminating a secretary and using the police training secretary half time. It also calls for eliminating payment to Civil Air Patrols and cuts funds for ser- vices, supplies and capital outlay. The cuts will save the county $21,694. About $11,000 of the money saved will be transferred to community health ser- vices. DesLauriers, who is also president of the Dakota County Law Enforcement Association, will work with other area police chiefs and county administrators to form a long-term plan for providing and funding police training. The report is expected to be presented to the board and area city councils before next April. DesLauriers said he was opposed to having police training administered by the county attorney's office or the county sheriff's office because they are political offices. "It upset me that there were 10 alter- natives listed for cutting services without anyone contacting the users to see if they were satisfied with the pro- gram. I don't think you'd do that in human services or welfare," DesLauriers said. Commissioner Russell Streefland said the board is committed to pro- viding police training but funding it was the problem. He added that municipalities sending officers for training weren't paying the full cost of the training. Human services budget cuts Commissioners were also asked to ex- plain why they cut two child protection workers from the 1983 budget when cases are increasing. Lori Clayton, business representative of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 306, presented the commissioners with a statement objec- ting to their decision. Education plans topic of meeting The Rosemount Apple Valley Association for Children with Learning Disabilities meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, at Scott Highlands Middle School cafeteria. Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) will be discussed. For more informa- tion, call Muriel Stevenson, 454-5915. Monday, November 15, 1982 She wrote that the child protection workers must respond to reports of child abuse within 24 hours and to reports of child neglect within 72 hours. "Failure to comply could result in lawsuits against the worker and the county, not to mention the suffering and tragedy in loss of human life that could occur if there is no follow-up to a complaint," she wrote. Clayton suggested the board familiarize itself with what child protec- tion workers do. "These workers have to live with what they do every night," she said. "They're concerned that you really don't know what they do. It's easy for the board to make decisions...." "No it isn't," Commissioner Russell Streefland said. "Don't get that impres- sion. It's not easy." Clayton also accused the commis- sioners of making a policy decision to de-emphasize child protection, which they denied. Human Services Board Chairman Gene Atkins said, "I quarreled with the decision (to cut two child protection workers). But I don't think any one remark makes a policy decision. A policy change generally says so." The board directed staff to prepare a policy on child protection to clarify the issue. Commissioner John Voss added that the board set up a contingency fund which would be used where needed. "At this point we're not ready to capitulate, but we will listen." BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER! TWIN CITY ALL- WEATHER WHITE VINYL REPLACEMENT WINDOW No Other Window Holds a Candle Toff! Up to 92 U I installation and full screen extra yoIMILka u'll pp Pr SAVP°Re IINGGS$$ TANT Gn Fuel Bill $S Save Money On Fuel Bills. Rigid Vinyl is almost a perfect insulator. Insulated glass reduces heat loss in winter and keeps the house cooler in summer. Maintenance Free Finish Never needs painting. Never Discolors. Will not rot. warp or swell like wood. It's Maintenance Free! ■ Easy to Clean Tilt -In Design allows safe. easy cleaning from inside the room. • EASY TERMS •IMMEDIATE FINANCING • CALL NOW FOR HOME DEMONSTRATION TWIN CITY STORM SASH CO. 927-6534 2641 Louisiana Ave. S. Mpls. $180,000 CHURCH BUILDING BONDS ANNUAL YIELD 14% $250.00 Minimum Bearer Bonds ANNUAL YIELD 15.9% $500.00 Minimum Friendship Baptist Church of Prior Lake is adding a Christian Education ad- dition. Financing of this addition will be through the sale of Five and Ten Year Bonds at 14 and 15.9% respectively. Call or Write for Prospectus FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH Prior Lake, MN 55372 447-8282 TO: Church Treasurer Friendship Baptist Church 17741 Fairlawn Avenue Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 Please send me a prospectus on your 14% and 15.9% Annual Yield Building Bonds. Name: Address: Burnsville Current -Countryside -Eagan Chronicle LONE OAK DAYS ' Lone Oak Tree rooted in city's past, present, future By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications Eagan's symbol of strength is a 200- year-old burr oak tree that stood as the community's meeting place. The tree stood at what later became the intersection of Lone Oak Road and Highway 55. Long before the two World Wars and prior to the Civil and Spanish American wars, a seedling began to grow in Eagan. It weathered years of Minnesota winters — many decades before this land became a state. The Lone Oak Tree, now the city's logo, was an important feature to the early farming community. Election notices were posted on its trunk. School children would wait under its branches for the bus. Farmers would tote their milk cans under the tree where the branches would shade the milk from the hot sun until a hauler took the milk to market. The township grew. The horse and buggy were replaced by the automobile and the state highway department wanted to chop down the tree when constructing Highway 55. In the 1970s, a fierce battle ensued be- tween the townspeople and the state. The lone tree stood tall in the median, a pillar for all to see as they entered the city. Students om Trinity Lone Oak School demonstrat- again:t the tree's demise. During the Bi- pnnial year, the tree was dedicated as a thgt. free and a plaque was added to netl-ridden trunk where hundreds of ha. ad been posted. In the end, the itself'.ht battle was decided by the tree foot dress had encroached to within a "It Fee and it began dying. cilmemla slow death," said Coun- In 197'd Wachter. e City Council and the state `I was there when the tree was cut down. The public, they were resentful for some time.' — Ted Wachter City Council member agreed to let the tree die naturally. Then on April 9, 1984, the tree got the ax. "I was there when the tree was cut down. The public, they were resentful for some time," Wachter said. Small cuttings of its limbs were re- quested by city and state government of- ficials and residents for whom the tree had special meaning. A large slice of its trunk is preserved at City Hall in a dis- play case outside the council chambers. Then mayor, Bea Blomquist, was given an artist rendering of the tree be- fore it came down. "It has a place of honor in my living room. It's one of my possessions I cher- ish," Blomquist said. Students in Rosemount High School's industrial technology class made clocks from cross sections of the tree. Eagan High wasn't yet built, so Eagan children attended Rosemount High. After all these years Blomquist still says, "It didn't have to happen." The Minnesota Department of Trans- portation gave the city a 30-year-old oak tree taken from a nearby location. It was planted near Trinity Lone Oak Church to perpetuate the tree's importance. At its planting in May 1983, students from Lone Oak School gave the tree a hearty welcome by throwing fertilizer at its base and cheering its continued legacy. Apple Valley girl reigns a By Mike Cook Minnesota Sun Publications Brains, personality, classroom perfor- mance, and community involvement are just some skills that have equated to a title for an Apple Valley teen. Chelsea Kasai, 15, was named Miss Teen Minnesota at the 1997 Miss Teen of Minnesota Scholarship and Recognition Program. Eighty-three contestants vied for the crown from July 17-19 in St. Cloud. This was the 14th year of the pro- gram. Chelsea had two goals entering the program: to have fun and finish in the top 12. She finished in the top 10 at one pre- vious Miss Teen and one Miss Pre -Teen competition. "When they announced the Honor Court (top five) and I heard my name I kept thinking I would be happy with any position. Then they announced the fourth, third, and second runners-up and I hadn't yet heard my name. When it was down to Jessica (Kimball of Bloomington) and me, I was thinking 'This is great, I'll be first runner-up.' They then dragged it out a little bit and when I heard she was first runner-up I just shook and the tears began to roll. It was such a wonderful feeling. There is nothing like it." "The Miss Teen of Minnesota Program is not a beauty pageant," said Craig Heitkamp, one of the state directors. "Rather, each candidate is scored in six areas: scholastic record, achievement and service to school and community, per- sonal development of talents and skills, general awareness written test, person- ality projection in formal wear, and judge's interview." The first five cate- gories are worth 15 percent each while the judges interview accounts for 25 per- cent of one's score. "Our contestants are between the ages of 13 and 18, with the majority between 15 and 17," Heitkamp said. "A 15-year- old title holder is pretty young." Each contestant had to submit three resume forms listing all their achieve- ments, activities they are in, skills and talents. "That could range from being an all -conference volleyball player or all - state gymnast to teaching Sunday School, or being a top cookie -baker." Heitkamp said. In terms of scholastic achievement, Chelsea, a member of the A Honor Roll, ranks 17th among 583 students in Apple Valley High School's Class of 2000 with a 3.97 grade point average. "I got two A - last year and the rest were all A's," she said. "Luckily, I'm a good student and I know it will all pay off for me later." Her goal is to attend Harvard Law School and study law and political science. Judges also look at the nature of class- es a contestant takes. "I'm in Advanced English, Accelerated Biology, A.P. Social Studies, Accelerated Spanish, and Ad- vanced Dance," Chelsea said." Chelsea is very involved at AVHS and in her community. She is a member of the AVaires Danceline and Beta Student Ad- visory Board. She also headed up a flood relief campaign and was involved in Armful of Love. In middle school, one of her many activities was student govern- ment. She hopes to get involved at AVHS this year. Chelsea also teaches Sunday School at Grace Lutheran Church and teaches dance at Monique School of Dance in Apple Valley. Under the personal development of skills and talents category, Chelsea fo- cused on dancing, which she has done since age 3. Through her career she has performed at the Super Bowl, was name Lake Conference Honorable Mentir was AVaires Rookie of the Year, and i' the top dance team at Monique Sche Serving Your Neighborhood for almost 50 years Hoyt Home Improvement "Let us earn your trust by stopping by or calling us for an in home consultation on your window and siding projects. Large or small we will give you our Lone Oak Tree Eagan's historic symbol of strength falls LONE OAK: from p. 1A decided to perserve the tree. In 1976, residents and the Minnesota Historical Society had the Lone Oak designated as the state's first heritage tree. It was also written up in "Famous and Historical Trees" by Charles Ran- dall and Henry Clepper, published by the American Forestry Association. The tree had become of symbol of Eagan representing strength and growth, according to Blomquist. Ar- old Walther wrote a weekly column about Eagan area residents for the West St. Paul Booster, and selected the name Lone Oak News. His first column was in 1924. The Fire Department was the first to use the tree as a symbol on its truck and it later became the official city symbol. The Trinity Church and Lone Oak Road later adopted the symbol. But, last year the tree had few leaves and no acorns. City officials conceded its days were numbered. "It's better to cut it down" so it can be preserved, said Blomquist. In addition, federal funding for im- f proving the road rests on removal of the tree, Blomquist said. The City Council is considering hir- ing an artist to create a sculpture out of the trunk. The carving would occur in the Eagan library where the sculpture would remain. The tree branches will be saved and branded with an oak insignia. These can be given to donors who con- tribute to a fund to preserve the wood and pay the sculptor. Holly Duffy, administrative assistant to City Administrator Tom Hedges, said most calls Monday were about the tree. Many requests tor pieces have been received, she said. Without the tree, "the corner looks so lost," said Blomquist. The massive oak cannot be replaced. But a living memorial to it was planted last year at Trinity Lone Oak Church. A plaque commemorating the tree will be placed on the young oak by the state highway department. "The logo says it's a symbol of strength and growth and I guess it was the growth that finally did it." The Eagan :.MRONtCLE. April 1 110 & 12624 exp- $369 35mm Color Rolls 12 exp.. $209 24 exp. s379 36 exp. 5549 15 exp. disc $2.79 Developed and. Printed Coupon exEires April 25, 1984 Bring in any retailer's coupons BURN -VALLEY DRUG 1040 East Co. 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RIDE THE BUS FROM YOUR COMMUNITY CALL 1-800-222-7077 Within MN CALL 1-800-822-4529 Outside MN TWIN CITIES "HOT UNE" - 642-1859 Saturday, April 28 S50 NIGHT $40,000 in cash & prizes must go! MON.-THURS, ONLY Coupon not valid with any other package on daily special. One Coupon Per Customer Name Address -- Phone Good thru April 30. 1984 Not valid with S12 or $18 packages.. to I MN M BM MI =II NM Goece FREE DOOR PRIZES with ANDY GEORGE July 4-18. Explore Athens, Classic& Greece, 4-day cruise to Greek Islands and Turkey. Many meals. $1725 pp, dbl. Tour limited to adults 18 yrs. & older unless accompanied by parent/guardian. Join us for an EXPERIENCE GREECE evening, Tuesday April l7th, 7:30-9:00 PM at the Burnsville Howard Johnson's. Hwy. 13 & I-35W. Meet Andy, view film. discuss tour. Cash Bar. For further information call: 612-426-3238 White Bear Travel Service LAS VEGAS NIGHT Saturday, April 21 7:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. FOOD & REFRESHMENTS rol "1 Post 1776 Apple Valley American Legion 147th & Pennock Apple Valley 432-9080 JANITROL AIR CONDITIONING 24, BTU 30, BTU 8.0 SEER includes 'Condenser, coil 25' Lineset INSTALLATIONS AVAILA3LE VALUABLE COUPON Kodacolor Rolls Lin p ,tee ... School District 196 Teachers' growth is plan by Kevin Gutknecht Trips overseas or to national educators' conferences may be some of the ways teachers in District 196 will grow profes- sionally in the future. Those opportunities will be provided by a professional growth plan, presented to the District 196 Board of Educa- tion April 9. Chuck Ogee, a Valley Mid- dle School teacher and chair of the committee that put the plan together explained it to the board that evening. The plan is necessary accor- ding to the contract signed by the school district and the teachers' bargaining unit, the Rosemount Federation of Teachers, Sept. 12. The agree- ment provided for develop- ment of a teacher incentive program. The plan would provide grants to teachers to take part in programs that would help them develop more as profes- sionals, according to Ogee. He recommended $1,000 per grant. Superintendent William Force recommended that the program be funded at $50,000 this year, and at $100,000 next year. Funding could cover travel to conferences, payment for study abroad, or helping a teacher put into use some kind of curriculum change on a local level. Use of the grants is limited only by the teachers imagina- tions, and approval of a com- mittee that will administer the grants, Ogee added. The committee, called the PGP committee, will have seven members. There will be four elected positions, and three appointed, according to Ogee. Elected members will in- clude one each from an elemen- tary school, a high school and a middle school, and one will be elected at -large. The appointed members will include a prinicipal, a district office administrator and a board member. These people will probably be appointed by the superintendent and the school board, Ogee said. For a teacher to win a grant, he or she must submit an ap- plication. The application will be reviewed by the committee, which rec or disap superintende The comifi tithes annu grant applic are scheduled November, and May. It took the committee months to work outNhe plan, Ogee said. Teachers he's talked to have been enthusiastic about the plan, so far, he added. If there is dissatisfaction, Ogee noted the plan allows for change in the committee's structure. In other business, the board: • awarded -furniture bids of $94,445 and audio-visual equipment bids for $47,419. • heard from Board Member Donn McLellan that the company contracted to conduct a district survey con- cerning space needs had a rough draft of questions. McLellan -S&-tli tiir<04rd would have to check the ques- tions for accuracy. "Our main task is to make sure that this questionna:ce covers the key areas that we want it to cover," he said. 0 This stump, above, is all that remains at the corner of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, where the Lone Oak Tree stood. Photos by David Siegel Above, Wayne Beckman, left, holds a bucket with preservative while Scott Open dips a branch of the Lone Oak tree. All open branches and cuts in the tree, which was removed April 9, were treated. The city plans to make a sculpture out of the trunk. The branches will be given to sponsors. Left, the site of the e with stump remaining. Lone Oak Tree to be removed Eagan's Lone Oak Tree is scheduled for dismantling Tuesday, April 10, and Wed- nesday, April 11. The removal project will be conducted by District 9 of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the city of Eagan. The tree, which is located at Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, is being removed because of its age and fragile condition. It will be dismantl- ed branch by branch and taken to a location yet to be determined by Eagan city of- ficials. The Lone Oak Tree is esti- mated to be nearly 200 years old and has long been the sym- bol for the City of Eagan. In an effort to retain the "life" of the tree, the city is considering a policy for its restoration, perhaps in the form of a sculpture. Last year, Mn/DOT and Eagan joined forces in trans- planting a new "Lone Oak Tree" on the property of Trini- ty Lone Oak Church. td pendant in our diamond, -ollection. Regularly 30.00 .00. Available in the Tu'in ry and Watches. Ask about nd complimentary cluded. AY; 9:30 AM TO 6 PM SATURDAY; N00N TO 5:30 PM SUNDAY Lone Oak Tree to be removed Eagan's Lone Oak Tree is scheduled for dismantling Tuesday, April 10, and Wed- nesday, April 11. The removal project will be conducted by District 9 of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and the city of Eagan. The tree, which is located at Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, is being removed because of its age and fragile condition. It will be dismantl- ed branch by branch and taken to a location yet to be determined by Eagan city of- ficials. The Lone Oak Tree is esti- mated to be nearly 200 years old and has long been the sym- bol for the City of Eagan. In an effort to retain the "life" of the tree, the city is considering a policy for its restoration, perhaps in the form of a sculpture. Last year, Mn/DOT and Eagan joined forces in trans- planting a new "Lone Oak Tree" on the property of Trini- ty Lone Oak Church. Montgor By GARY KUBAT When Robert Montgomery was a child, he used to pretend that a potato masher was a micro- phone. "As a little kid, I knew what I wanted to do," Montgomery recalls. "I wanted to communi- cate." And communicate he has. The Burnsville resident is nationally recognized as a leading authority in listening, memory training and public speaking — skills which have made him a key figure in the world of sales, as well. Montgomery attended South- west High School, where he em- phasized debate, drama and English. After graduation, he joined the Marines. He didn't see much action (World War II ended just a few weeks later), but did become involved in the Marines' speech program, introducing the Marine Corps Band. He attended the University of Wisconsin -Eau Claire and graduated from Notre Dame. During school, he began dabbling in radio. Montgomery's full-time radio career began in 1953. He worked .. a Lone Oak to be removed April 9-10 Eagan's landmark Lone Oak Tree is scheduled to be remov- ed April 9 and 10. The tree is estimated to be 200 years old and has been the symbol of Eagan. However, the tree's life expectancy is less than two years. It's precarious location at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road has subjected it to traffic accidents and salt. The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to remove the tree branch by branch. There is a possibility Eagan will hire an artist to create a sculpture out of the tree. In May 1983 MnDOT planted a young oak tree in the courtyard of Trinity Lone Oak Church as a replacement for the original tree. Eagan has received nume- rous requests for pieces of the historic tree, but the council has not decided what it will do with the wood. Those who wish a piece of the tree, if made available, should contact Tom Photo by David Siegel Eagan's Lone Oak tree will be taken down April 9-10. Hedges, city administrator, Eagan, 454-8100. A ceremony honoring the newly planted lone oak tree with a plaque commemorating the niri nna mill ha crhPrinlaii o listen to suburban concerns rmula should be een heard in the ew joint House has been named nd make recom- t session. Metropolitan n should be an officials do. planning board ative transit for arly light rail, g• move this along by voting the planning money for a light rail system. Sen. Don Moe, chairman of the Senate Government Operations Committee, must give this transit reorganization bill a hearing this ses- sion. For years, suburban officials have complained that they didn't have enough of a voice in whom the governor appointed to the Metropolitan Council from their districts. Perpich agrees, and told this newspaper he will consult with the mayors, the county commissioners and the legislators and appoint whomever they recommend. The governor claims he's neutral when it comes to dishing out such plums as a trade center, a convention center and an arts academy. He does, however, think about the central cities first and the suburban communities se- cond. We welcome the signs that he's giving suburban officials and legislators higher priority in his listening and his actions. itan News Buzz Magnuson which has been a community sym- bol for more than 100 years. Monday, April 9, 1984 / 1 B Eagan history uprooted; Oak is axed By Lucy Dalglish Staff Writer When Alice Bolke started as Eagan city clerk in 1961, her job description required her to post all city notices on the Lone Oak tree along Minnesota 55. Bolke retired in 1980, but not before she had in- structed her replacement to do the same. Eagan may be the fastest growing city in Minneso- ta, but tradition runs deep in the suburb that used to be a community of dairy, onion and potato farms. "The tree's always been one of the city's distinctive landmarks," Bolke said. Always ... until today. This morning, Minnesota Department of Transpor- tation crews began cutting down the dying tree to clear the right-of-way at the intersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. "This is sort of like going to a funeral. It's not enjoy- able at all," Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist said as workers cut off limbs and dropped them to the ground, where they disintegrated into small chunks. Despite a cold wind and drizzle, about a dozen spec- tators showed up to take pictures of the tree being cut down. "Throughout history, they'll never see another Lone Oak tree like this," said city Councilman Ted Wachter, a local expert on the tree's history. The oak, perhaps 200 years old, will be cut into piec- es next year for souvenir hunters and its trunk will become a sculpture for the city of Eagan, putting an end to a tree that has been an important symbol of the Dakota County community. Old-time Eagan residents knew they always could find election notices and city council pronouncements posted on the bulletin board nailed to the tree. A county road and Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church were named for the tree and the old oak has been incorporated into the city's logo. It also appears on city stationery, cars and fire trucks along with the legend, "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength and growth in our community." For perhaps the past 120 years, the tree has been a Please see Tree/5B A. moll State officials begin chopping down Ea gan's Lone Oak tree, r Sports The Islanders not ready to die yet Associated Press They are champions. It is as sim- ple as that. And champions do not surrender their titles easily. That as much as anything else explains why the New York Island- ers, four -time Stanley Cup kings, still are playing hockey today, still in the drive for number five. They were as good as done in the first round of the playoffs Sunday night. They had lost two straight games to their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers, shut out 3-0 in their own rink Thursday and then embarrassed 7-2 Saturday. And they were trailing the fourth game 1-0 after two periods. The Rangers were rolling and so was their crowd. Madison Square Garden is a routinely raucous building with the non-stop noise starting around "the home of the brave," part of the Star Spangled Banner. On this night, the Garden crowd started roaring at "Oh say can you see." It would have been easy for the Isles to lose their poise in all that noise, which was, of course, the whole idea. And with the score 1-0 for the Rangers and just one period left, the Garden was jumping. Clearly, this was not the best of times for the Islanders, but veter- ans on this team will tell you it was not the worst of times, either. In 1982, the defending champions had blown a two -game first -round lead against Pittsburgh and then trailed the Penguins 3-1 with about five minutes left in the fifth game. That was the worst of times. They made it through that crisis. rou • h this By Charley Hall Staff Writer CHICAGO — Pla Gordie Roberts th Minnesota North St defensive mistakes to the Black Hawks Stadium. With the best-o tween the Norris D the teams will m: Tuesday night at M Roberts, easily man in this series, second period for man involved in an Even without R with eight minutes tied the game by st at 12:52 after a c Savard. "I slid across the with my pads," Beaupre said. "But Brea will By Charley Hall Staff Writer CHICAGO — Th Chicago winning 4- players and coach the fifth game to Tuesday night. "I expect anoth said Minnesota co Metropolitanh News Theni�patc Monday, April 9, 1984 / 1 B State officials begin chopping down Eagan's Lone Oak tree, Buzz Magnuson which has been a community sym- bol for more than 100 years. Eagan history uprooted; Oak is axed By Lucy Dalglish Staff Writer When Alice Bolke started as Eagan city clerk in 1961, her job description required her to post all city notices on the Lone Oak tree along Minnesota 55. Bolke retired in 1980, but not before she had in- structed her replacement to do the same. Eagan may be the fastest growing city in Minneso- ta, but tradition runs deep in the suburb that used to be a community of dairy, onion and potato farms. "The tree's always been one of the city's distinctive landmarks," Bolke said. Always ... until today. This morning, Minnesota Department of Transpor- tation crews began cutting down the dying tree to clear the right-of-way at the intersection of Minnesota 55 and Lone Oak Road. "This is sort of like going to a funeral. It's not enjoy- able at all," Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist said as workers cut off limbs and dropped them to the ground, where they disintegrated into small chunks. Despite a cold wind and drizzle, about a dozen spec- tators showed up to take pictures of the tree being cut down. "Throughout history, they'll never see another Lone Oak tree like this," said city Councilman Ted Wachter, a local expert on the tree's history. The oak, perhaps 200 years old, will be cut into piec- es next year for souvenir hunters and its trunk will become a sculpture for the city of Eagan, putting an end to a tree that has been an important symbol of the Dakota County community. Old-time Eagan residents knew they always could find election notices and city council pronouncements posted on the bulletin board nailed to the tree. A county road and Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church were named for the tree and the old oak has been incorporated into the city's logo. It also appears on city stationery, cars and fire trucks along with the legend, "The Lone Oak Tree — The symbol of strength and growth in our community." For perhaps the past 120 years, the tree has been a Please see Tree / 5B r Sports Theisryntch Islanders not ready to die yet Associated Press They are champions. It is as sim- ple as that. And champions do not surrender their titles easily. That as much as anything else explains why the New York Island- ers, four -time Stanley Cup kings, still are playing hockey today, still in the drive for number five. They were as good as done in the first round of the playoffs Sunday night. They had lost two straight games to their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers, shut out 3-0 in their own rink Thursday and then embarrassed 7-2 Saturday. And they were trailing the fourth game 1-0 after two periods. The Rangers were rolling and so was their crowd. Madison Square Garden is a routinely raucous building with the non-stop noise starting around "the home of the brave," part of the Star Spangled Banner. On this night, the Garden crowd started roaring at "Oh say can you see." It would have been easy for the Isles to lose their poise in all that noise, which was, of course, the whole idea. And with the score 1-0 for the Rangers and just one period left, the Garden was jumping. Clearly, this was not the best of times for the Islanders, but veter- ans on this team will tell you it was not the worst of times, either. In 1982, the defending champions had blown a two -game first -round lead against Pittsburgh and then trailed the Penguins 3-1 with about five minutes left in the fifth game. That was the worst of times. They made it through that crisis. Thav wnnl�i m�4n i t roueh this Monday, April 9, 1984/ 2B * 5B Tree • Continued from Page 1 B place where residents could meet for a visit or young people could begin a courtship. The old oak has been threatened numerous times in the past 10 years as improvements have been made on Minnesota 55, but resi- dents always were able to postpone the inevitable. In fact, any negative govern- ment action even remotely con- nected to the Lone Oak has been fiercely fought by local residents. Longtime resident Martin Shields remembers when officials tried to name the county road his neighbors always had called Lone Oak Road. "They tried to give it some fancy name," Shields said. "But we in- sisted on using it (the tree's name) for our addresses. Exasperated, officials gave up. City residents and government officials finally agreed last year, however, that the tree, which has been heavily poisoned by road salt over the years, must come down. Last May, the highway depart- ment planted a young oak tree in Trinity Lone Oak Church's court- yard, within easy walking distance from the original tree. The city is planning to place a plaque near the new tree commemorating the old Lone Oak, City Administrator Thomas Hedges said. The city plans to use part of the trunk for a sculpture to be located in the county library in Eagan, Hedges said, and dozens of Eagan history buffs have written city offi- cials requesting parts of the tree. City officials, Hedges said, are considering branding each piece sold to the public with the legend "Lone Oak Tree — City of Eagan, 1984." "If you get one that's branded, then you'll know it's authentic," he said. w tertainment C DANCING ONT CLUB ity Ave at Dale St ance Contest ev- ght . 5100 in cash 5t Paul, MN ntertainment F DIAMONDS * ntertainment C DANCERS deo Games -Pool PM-1AM Sat 5-1 86 for info 8 dir. I, Excursion, Etc. way*339-7211 our car anywhere o Missouri, Any trip. Lou 771-5173 Resort/ tion Guide S open for inspec- week-end, Sat 8 $450 per season, 42 Rosedale (NW on o Big Lake, N on ke Rd 1/ mi to IVER CAMPSITE) -1546 eves. 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RIDDER JR., Chairman DAVID HALL, Executive Editor 'i HOMAS L. CARLIN, President/Publisher DEBORAH HOWELL, Managing Editor JOHN R. FINNEGAN, Vice President/Editor W. F. CENTO, Associate Editor RONALD D. CLARK, Editorial Page Editor Firmness needed on lottery Polls showing that nearly seven of 10 Minnesota adults favor creating a state lottery are impressive and add considerable pressure on legislators wavering on whether to submit the question to voters this fall. But public opinion has never been the sole factor in legislative decisions, nor should it be. Moreover, if the Legislature were to be swayed by heavy public pressure for a lottery, then what excuse is there for not succumbing to broad public support of other proposals, such as re- ducing the size of the Legislature, boosting the drinking age to 21 and im- posing a refundable deposit on bottles and cans? Legislators who bend to the public's wishes on some issues and spurn it on others engage in a double standard. The Northstar Poll conducted jointly for the Pioneer Press and Dispatch, WCCO-TV and WCCO-Radio showed that 68 percent want a Minnesota lot- tery. Similar figures came out of a re- cent Minnesota Poll of the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. Although a November lottery vote was sidetracked by a Senate commit- tee last month, supporters are expect- ed to try to revive it before the session ends April 20. While it would be a seri- ous mistake for the State of Minnesota to operate a lottery anytime in the fu- ture, the current push seems especially ill-timed for two reasons. First, with a projected surplus of Editorials $900 million, the state is not in finan- cial trouble. Second, with the state's first parimu- tuel horse racing track soon to be un- der construction in Shakopee and ex- pected to open in 1985, there is a risk of sanctioning too much gambling in the state at once. What impact would a Minnesota lottery have on the opera- tions of the Shakopee track, around which the state hopes to develop a new industry? Legislators ought to ask that ques- tion of W. Brooks Fields, president and chairman of Minnesota Racetrack Inc., which will own and operate the Shako- pee track, before voting on the lottery question. If they did, Mr. Fields would tell them he believes a lottery now would be a mistake. "It would be un- fortunate if they did this (authorized a lottery) before we had a chance to see what the public acceptance of the race- track will be," he said in an interview. State -sponsored gambling is a sleazy substitute for equitable taxation of all the people. It preys on those who dream of easy money, tempting them to invest at nearly hopeless odds. It carries with it burdensome social ills. It reduces the image of the state to that of a numbers runner. Minnesota's state government need not resort to this artifice to finance its operations, nor does it need to pander to the basest wishes of its citizens. In doing so, the state would only bring a loss of respect upon itself. Blocking a state lottery is one of sev- en goals of the Dispatch and Pioneer Press Editorial Board for 1984. Living without Lone Oak People particularly well -tuned to na- ture go through the world loving par- ticular trees. Perhaps they love a stand of pine soaring in remote wilderness, whose image called to mind gentles the most difficult day. They may love a stretch of birch and maple cascading spendthrift October color along some lucky river bank. Some love a single tree. A delicate flowering dogwood. Or a mountain ash, sporting bright berry clusters like some jolly Christmas waistcoat. Such trees are lovingly planted to mark the birth of a child, or to celebrate the end of a life sweetly lived. The people of Eagan loved the stur- dy symbol of their community, the tree they called Lone Oak. For as long as residents can remember, the city clerk had nailed to that tree -turned -institu- tion the town's official messages, like Caesar's notices posted in the public square of ancient Rome. The 200-year-old dignitary came down yesterday, doomed by a highway improvement project. Its supporters, watching it slowly sicken from road salt, finally conceded that the battle to save it no longer made sense. To its credit, the Department of Transportation planted a new oak near the site where the ailing giant had stood. But it will be a long, long time before those who travel that way can pass by without a twinge. a 7A of $255 a welling ad- " must be ns created s would be o put it fig - ice desk to xperiments ine how to ion of the omy, they om a more ing institu- on whether itburo had major per - on der st (AP) — leading the Cameroon st as dipl'o- undreds of ere killed ng. viewed on radio said esidential country its `warfare in rred to the the streets , where sol- in burned - were dam- onte Carlo orts saying 'tizens were g the rebel- eroon-born nnick Noah h's grandfa- t 85, was se - ad to have controlled spaper was hat loyalist leh Ibrahim -day revolt, ay and was wo days. reported to- communica- restored, as affic across national air- ume domes- Y. in Yaounde, from Abid- esident Pattl his besieged "I can go WHERE?... for WHAT PRICE?" JAMAICA $99 WAY One way airfare via Sun Country charter. Leaves Minneapolis/St. Paul Tuesday, April 24, 8:15 am, arrives Montego Bay 2:30 pm. 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Fri. 10am to 9pm Removal of Eagan's Lone Oak Tree ends an era By JEFF BURRILL For 200 years, the Lone Oak Tree has been part of Eagan's history; now it's truly history. Early Monday morning, April 9, the state transportation depart- ment work crew removed the landmark, which was situated on a median at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. The tree was cut down because it was showing signs of dying and because of its adverse location. "There have been too many drivers who have run into the tree," Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) public affairs director Bob Vockrodt ex- plained. "So for safety's sake — and because it was dying -- we decided to remove it. But we've made a number of arrangements to carry on the tradition of the tree, which is of great impor- tance to the history of Eagan and Dakota County. Mn/DOT's initial effort to preserve tradition was instituted last May when a "new" Lone Oak Tree was transplanted on the grounds of the 95-year-old Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. The ceremony was attended by Mayor Bea Blomquist, city coun- cil members, Mn/DOT officials, and students and teachers from Trinity Lone Oak School. Now that the tree is down -- and in storage — city officials are con- sidering having a sculpture made from the trunk and perhaps plac- ing it in Eagan's new library. Holly Duffy of the city ad- ministrative staff stated that pieces of the tree are available to the general public. "We've received phone calls from people wondering how they can acquire pieces of the tree," Duffy said. "So to help defray the cost of a possible sculpture, pieces of the tree are being of- fered for sale. Branches branded with a special oak tree insignia will be given to donors who con- tribute money for a sculpture. Letters of request may be sent to city hall." The city is also expected to place a plaque near the "new" Lone Oak Tree. The Lone Oak Tree achieved landmark status through 200-plus years of service to the citizens of Eagan. In the "olden days" the tree was used as a place to post notices and billboards, a tradition which was carried on for years. The tree was also used by farmers as a spot to leave their milk cans for pick-up by delivery wagons from area creameries. In the ensuing years, County Road 26, the street which passes east and west near where the tree stood, was renamed Lone Oak Road. The church and parochial school located on Highway 49 are also namesakes of the tree. In 1974, the Lone Oak Tree ap- peared destined for the woodpile. However, a group of students from Lone Oak School staged a protest the very day the tree was scheduled to be cut down. Seventh -and eight -graders tied a yellow ribbon around the tree, then paraded with signs ad- vocating its existence. The ploy worked and the tree was spared. "What they did was revamp the highway construction plans to ac- commodate the tree," Vockrodt said. "At that time, the highway department wasn't aware the tree had landmark status." When Mn/DOT again decided - in 1982 - to remove the tree, it was once more met with opposition. This time from the Eagan City Council. But realizing the tree was dying, while encouraging the transplanting of the "new" Lone Oak Tree, the council relented. EAGAN'S LONE Oak Tree wasn't really so alone. In its latter years, it found itself situated on a median at the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. Eagan Your Community Newspaper opinion An overdue, but hearty welcome The opening of a hospital in Burnsville has caused a fuss from the beginning. After six years of challenges, Fairview Ridges Hospital will officially open May 1, under budget and ahead of schedule. The need for a hospital to serve the south suburban area was recognized as early as the 1960s in a study conducted by Lutheran Deaconess Hospital (before its association with Fairview Community Hospitals). As the communities in the primary service area con- tinue to show the fastest growth in Dakota and Scott counties and, more significantly, the entire metro- politan area, a hospital becomes increasingly vital. The concern over opening a new hospital at a time when many hospitals are struggling is legitimate. But the redesign of the hospital, favorable construc- tion bids and creative financing will positively affect costs to patients. Fairview's guarantee to maintain an 80 percent oc- cupancy rate within its system proves that it is willing to do its part in solving a problem that is far more com- plicated than just the opening of a hospital. Fairview Ridges Hospital is not some whim of subur- bia. Its presence is long overdue and we offer a hearty welcome. GARY KUBAT Power lines state legislators Congress tackles deficit reduction, other issues (Editor's note: The following is reprinted from "Washington Newsletter," the communique of Minnesota's Third District Con- gressman, IR Bill Frenzel. The majority of Dakota County, in- cluding Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan and Rosemount, is includ- ed in the Third District.) Deficit reduction: a sense of possibility In the deficit reduction game, you can't tell the players without a scorecard. And you can't foretell the outcome without a crystal ball. After the president asked for a "downpayment" on deficit reduction in his state -of - the -union speech, a group nicknamed the "deficit reduction commission," representing both Houses, both parties and the president, has met four or five times without making real pro- gress. But, as that group meets, other individuals and committees of both Houses are at work trying to move the process along. There is a sense here that a modest deficit reduction package is possible this year. In the Senate, the movers and shakers have been Majority Leader Baker, Finance Chair- man Dole and Budget Chairman Domenici. Enough proposals have been advanced so that the rough outline for a potential strategy can be perceived, but there is no real consensus yet. That outline could be broadly described as follows: 1) $50 billion in new revenues (addi- makes sense. The execution of that concept so far, has been a disappointment. In the House, no grand strategy has emerged. However, there is movement. The principal players are Ways and Means Chairman Rostenkowski and Budget Chair- man Jones. Rostenkowski and his committee, weary of lack of pro- gress in the deficit commission, have passed a bill providing the $50 billion in new revenues. It will not be passed if spending cuts are not approved. That action shifts responsibili- ty to Chairman Jones, who now says his committee will produce a budget by the first part of April. The House still lacks a concept, but it is beginning to make pro- gress. Ways and Means proposal: new taxes in 1984? The Ways and Means -passed tax bill would raise $50 billion in new revenues over three years. The committee is pledged not to move its bill unless there is assurance of substantial spen- ding cuts. The bill itself does not touch the tax rate schedules. It won't mean much to the average taxpayer, but important interests will be affected. The government cannot take more taxes out of the economy without disruption. Extension of consumption taxes (cigarettes and telephones), loophole clos- ings and deferral of some tax reductions create most of the new revenue. The major heartburn is trial revenue bonds, almost certain passage In 1982, Congress passed an in- centive bill giving extra highway safety funds to states which had tough drunk driving laws. A 21-year-old drinking law was one of the criteria for state qualifica- tions. Now a House committee has passed a bill that would en- force a nationwide 21-year-old minimum drinking age. Twenty-nine states permit some alcohol consumption under age 21. The National Transporta- tion Safety Board and the Com- mission on Drunk Driving favor the 21-year-old limit, but prefer the states do it themselves. The committee's bill, however, is moving swiftly and seems almost certain to pass. Interstate funds re- leased: four -month impasse broken Congress must approve in- terstate cost estimates for highway projects before states can be allocated funds. Because a House -Senate conference com- mittee has been snarled since last fall, Minnesota was in danger of losing an entire construction season. The impasse was broken March 2 when both Houses pass- ed a compromise releasing half of the 1985 funds. That problem was that the House inserted a number of special "pork barrel" projects in- to its version which were rejected by the Senate. The biggest piece of House lard was a $2 billion tun- nel in downtown Boston which the EAGAN HRON/CLE a Current newspaper SECTION A Vol. V, No. 16, Monday, April 16, 1984 Bringing you the news of the people, the neighborhoods and business of Eagan Eagan's historic Lone Oak tree comes down by David Siegel The Lone Oak Tree, a historical sym- bol of Eagan, succumbed quickly to woodcutters' saws Monday. With its upper limbs removed, the huge trunk crashed to the ground. When it was removed, all that remained were twigs and a stump. "I suppose we've lost part of our heritage now," said Alyce Bolke, former city clerk -treasurer, sadly. The gnarled, nail -riddled bur oak has dominated for more than 200 years what is now the intersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. But it was near death, its roots covered with asphalt and its sap poison- ed by road salt. "As its limbs fell, some of them would...just disintegrate. Even the up- per limbs were rotted through. It was really getting pretty bad," said Eagan Mayor Bea Blomquist. "I was even surprised," agreed Park and Recreation Director Ken Vraa. In the upper branches "normally you'd find a supple small green bud." Vraa and City Forester Tom Schuster found "pal_e yellow -green dry buds. It may not have even leafed out this year," Vraa said. Photo by David Siegel Wayne Beckman paints a sealant on a branch of the Lone Oak Tree to preserve it. Bolke, who was city clerk from 1961 to 1980, said the tree was historically a gathering place for residents. Farmers left their milk cans there for pick-up by area creameries. Township officials have used the tree as a place to post of- ficial notices since 1860, she said. "I guess in the early days, it was the one way of knowing what was going on," she said. The practice of posting notices con- tinued up until six years ago. "We had an old bulletin board that was on it. It was like a piecd of plywood." A glass - covered posting board was later put up. Examining the felled tree, Schuster pointed out nails imbedded almost halfway into the trunk that are pro- bably 100 years old. As the tree grew, a wire became imbedded in its upper branches. Parks Department staff say they've heard a horseshoe is preserved somewhere in its trunk. Semitrucks and cars have struck the tree, which sat only a few feet from the blacktop, leading the Minnesota Department of Transportation to con- sider it a traffic hazard. In 1974, the highway department tied a yellow ribbon around the tree inten- ding to remove it so the highway could be widened. Members of nearby Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church talked the foreman into delaying the tree cutting. Students then made signs, state legislators were called and MnDOT LONE OAK: to p.14A� • - , ,..........,...,i&,,,,,,,z,,:,,,,,,,,,A.,,...4.*,,• ............. • '''''''' ?'''''''''''''''' ..,...: — .... .,,,,,,- ,'./,.:,,,,,,, :::>,..-5- • ' :._. • ..., .::::::,,, ,, ..5,ki%K.:?k,X0.%.k.03/0.4...;.;.....i. ..,...., *.i.*Wi02,4 , -- ::::,..i.,;;;•§Z,A,./ .,.4./..*e.f...4XCAOSZt. ..... ... . .. • -, ,,:owi.,,,,,:;»,:s.,??.6:44,200y4,71.49,,,,i, ' • - . ' ....r.r.r./44Wip:MMONP~4,40159,-.:M.: '• . .,. ....;:....,:,,,,,:,,,,,,,,OA, ;;' .i.',X4:40..;.*;i7.4%//,' '. ' • ' ..... 4.. ' ' - — ' :A.y?'".'•!]' ' .. 'WA •:' ....,%.6tWAW /ea r 4s,,,ww.414,Y ..e4W • ' ..0,,,,W . ' • ' . .,..,,,,....,,,,:::::,,..::::5040%Kkw 4,7,PPYASt.i.e 4 s s :". •,,60:*. 46,.,..4039tow,:, 4,, 'Ai .,,,i.e.e.440(.4 ::::x,,,,~;,,.."4:x4,m, Anfos,f,y...t6.Se4 04 a ',WO '0&61'70;6, . • . „1.4" We, ageON; 00,iWirW"- • , .4. • Wi4 " " .".69;44W4.K.0./ • W? • : • .** j;""1"".;if.,44: • 4W„4.,„.0:71:. • . . • Men s Fashion bemandt s. Hat Powers, Dress Peck & Peck oring Fashion Show Friday, April 20-7 p.m. & Saturday, April 21-1 p.m. Register to Win a Free Spring Jacket from Peck & Peck n4 ' Iiite '171' During each fashion show, fill out the entry blank in the fashion show program and enter our Spring Jacket contest, $100 gift certificate door prize at each show! 6ett., 11A This stump, above, is all that remains at the corner of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, where the Lone Oak Tree stood. Eagan City Forester Tom Schuster clips small branches of the Lone Oak Tree after its removal. Photos by David Siegel Above, Wayne Beckman, left, holds a bucket with preservative while Scott Eppen dips a branch of the Lone Oak tree. All open branches and cuts in the tree, which was removed April 9, were treated. The city plans to make a sculpture out of the trunk. The branches will be given to sponsors. Left, the site of the tree with stump remaining. Lone Oak Tree Eagan's historic symbol of strength falls LONE OAK: from p.1 A decided to perserve the tree. In 1976, residents and the Minnesota Historical Society had the Lone Oak designated as the state's first heritage tree. It was also written up in "Famous and Historical Trees" by Charles Ran- dall and Henry Clepper, published by the American Forestry Association. The tree had become of symbol of Eagan representing strength and growth, according to Blomquist. Ar- nold Walther wrote a weekly column about Eagan area residents for the West St. Paul Booster, and selected the name Lone Oak News. His first column was in 1924. The Fire Department was the first to use the tree as a symbol on its truck and it later became the official city symbol. The Trinity Church and Lone Oak Road later adopted the symbol. But, last year the tree had few leaves and no acorns. City officials conceded its days were numbered. "It's better to cut it down" so it can be preserved, said Blomquist. In addition, federal funding for im- proving the road rests on removal of the tree, Blomquist said. The City Council is considering hir- ing an artist to create a sculpture out of the trunk. The carving would occur in the Eagan library where the sculpture would remain. The tree branches will be saved and branded with an oak insignia. These can be given to donors who con- tribute to a fund to preserve the wood and pay the sculptor. Holly Duffy, administrative assistant to City Administrator Tom Hedges, said most calls Monday were about the tree. Many requests tor pieces have been received, she said. Without the tree, "the corner looks so lost," said Blomquist. The massive oak cannot be replaced. But a living memorial to it was planted last year at Trinity Lone Oak Church. A plaque commemorating the tree will be placed on the young oak by the state highway department. "The logo says it's a symbol of strength and growth and 1 guess it was the growth that finally did it." The Eagan CHRONICLE, April 18, 1984 12A eRl°*1ce with ce ANDY GEORGE cAtee July 4-18. Explore Athens, Classical Greece, 4-day cruise to Greek Islands and FREE DOOR PRIZES limited Many meals. $1725 pp. dbl. Tour limited to adults 18 yrs. & older unless accompanied by parent/guardian. Join us for an EXPERIENCE GREECE evening, Tuesday April 17th, 7:30-9:00 PM at the Burnsville Howard Johnson's, Hwy. 13 & I.35W. Meet Andy, view film. discuss tour. Cash Bar. For further information call: 612-426-3238 White Bear Travel Service LAS VEGAS NIGHT Saturday, April 21 7:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. FOOD & REFRESHMENTS Post 1776 Apple Valley American Legion 147th & Pennock Apple Valley 432.9080 (North End of The Big Apple) JANITROL AIR CONDITIONING 24, BTU 30, BTU 8.0 S'EER $480t,6472* $521.890-3685 includes •Condensor, coil 25' Lineset INSTALLATIONS AVAILA9LE Kodacolor Rolls I11O&12612exp t.. . $99 1 Uiio & 126 24 exp. $3fi9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 L 35mm Color Rolls l2exp.. . 5209 24 exp. $379 36 exp. $549 15 exp. disc $2.79 Developed and Printed Coupon ex2 res April 25, 1984 Bring in any retailer's coupons BURN -VALLEY DRUG 1040 East Co. Road 42 Burnsville, Minn. 432-2080 YANKEE DRUG 1446 Yankee Doodle Road Eagan, Minn. 452-4900 WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT IT ERICKSON DRUG INC. 20751 Holyoke Ave. West Downtown Lakeville 469-2964 VALLEY RIDGE DRUG 2101 West Burnsville Parkway Burnsville, Minn. 890-2030 1 1 1 1 .1 1 1 1 School District _1.9 6_ Teachers' growth is plan's goal by Kevin Gutknecht Trips overseas or to national educators' conferences may be some of the ways teachers in District 196 will grow profes- sionally in the future. Those opportunities will be provided by a professional growth plan, presented to the District 196 Board of Educa- tion April 9. Chuck Ogee, a Valley Mid- dle School teacher and chair of the committee that put the plan together explained it to the board that evening. The plan is necessary accor- ding to the contract signed by the school district and the teachers' bargaining unit, the Rosemount Federation of Teachers, Sept. 12. The agree- ment provided for develop- ment of a teacher incentive program. The plan would provide grants to teachers to take part in programs that would help them develop more as profes- sionals, according to Ogee. He recommended $1 ,000 per grant. Superintendent William Force recommended that the program be funded at $50,000 this year, and at $100,000 next year. Funding could cover travel to conferences, payment for study abroad, or helping a teacher put into use some kind of curriculum change on a local level. Use of the grants is limited only by the teachers imagina- tions, and approval of a com- mittee that will administer the grants, Ogee added. The committee, called the PGP committee, will have seven members. There will be four elected positions, and three appointed, according to Ogee. Elected members will in- clude one each from an elemen- tary school, a high school and a middle school, and one will be elected at -large. The appointed members will include a prinicipal, a district office administrator and a board member. These people will probably be appointed by the superintendent and the school board, Ogee said. For a teacher to win a grant, he or she must submit an ap- plication. The application will be reviewed by the committee, which recommends approval or disapproval to the superintendent of schools. The committee will meet five times annually to consider grant applications. Meetings are scheduled for September, November, January, March and May. It took the committee 21/2 months to work out the plan, Ogee said. Teachers he's talked to have been enthusiastic about the plan, so far, he added. If there is dissatisfaction, Ogee noted the plan allows for change in the committee's structure. In other business, the board: • awarded furniture bids of $94,445 and audio-visual equipment bids for $47,419. • heard from Board Member Donn McLellan that the company contracted to conduct a district survey con- cerning space needs had a rough draft of questions. McLellan said the board would have to check the ques- tions for accuracy. "Our main task is to make sure that this questionnaire covers the key areas that we want it to cover," he said. Pmirie UP TO NGO IN PRIZES EVERY NIGHT VISA OPEN EVERY NIGHT MasterCard WARM UP 6-7 PM REGULAR SESSION 8 PM EARLY BIRDS 7-8 PM NIGHT OWLS 10:30 PM PACKAGES START AT $12.00 • VISA, MASTERCARD AND CHECKS ACCEPTED • PULL TABS -EARLY BIRD SUPER SUNDAY SPECIAL COME BEFORE 6:00 & RECEIVE $10.00 OFF COME BEFORE 7:00 & RECEIVE $5.00 OFF Not valid on $12 or $18 package Offer expires April 30, 1984 Must bring ad to receive discount. IDE THE BUS FROM YOUR COMMUNITY CALL 1-800-222-7077 Within MN CALL 1-800-822-4529 Outside MN TWIN CITIES "HOT LINE" - 642-1859 WINNERS CIRCLE Diamond Jubilee Prize Drawing April 26th MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL 62 (crosstown) 35W Burnsville Center • 52 i Conveniently located off County Road 18 just 15 miles south of Hastings, Minnesota, approximately 30 minutes from St. Paul. ISLAND BINGO 316 61 To Red Wino Saturday. April 28 S50 NIGHT $40,000 in cash & prizes must go! 1 1 1 1 1 1 L $500 MON.-THURS. ONLY Coupon not valid with any other package on daily special. One Coupon Per Customer Name Add ress Phone Good Ihru April 30, 1984 Not valid with $12 or $18 packages. INN f• MI N I 1 1 1 1 1 1 What's in a name? Eagan cares ya By Diana Eitel Gonzalez Staff Writer Eagan, the city that brought you Yankee Doodle Rd. and Galaxie Dr., will soon consider changing the names of two of its parks to Robbers' Ravine and Barley Corn. The names are among several suggested by the city's Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission, which spent a year and a half looking at the names of city parks, said Ken Vraa, director of parks and recreation. New names would need Eagan City Council approval. Until now Eagan's parks have been named informally during discussions with developers on land dedication issues, Vraa said. But he said park officials believe that naming a park after a housing development often is meaningless, and park names should instead reflect other city characteristics. The commissioners decided on some criteria for a park name: It should, for exampie, be easy for a child to say, be acceptable to Eagan residents and fit geographical or historical characteristics of the area. They researched the history of the two parks they wanted to rename, took a look at their topography and went to work. "It started out to be a fun thing. and it got to be an awful lot of work," Vraa said. "But the commission got a kick out of it, particularly when tney started to look into the historical aspects.'. Take Barley Corn Park. Barley and corn, said Vraa, have at least one thing in common: Both are used by distillers to make moonshine. Commissioners would like to change tie name of Donnywood Park to Barley Corn Park in remembrance of a still, Vraa said. "I forgot who owned the still — you'll just have to accept there was a still there. We had come up with Revenuers; Corn Woods; Distillers' Park. We picked Barley Corn," he said. How about Robbers' Ravine, now called Ches Mar? "(Before) Jesse James and his gang robbed the Northfield bank, it was reported he spent some time in the east side of Eagan. On his way to the bank robbery he went through this area of parkland. There is a ravine there, so that's how we got Robbers' Ravine," Vraa said. Park commissioners also found that Telesphore LeMay, a stonecutter who helped build St. Peter's Church in Mendota, settled near what is now Coachman Park. Commissioners suggested changing the name — to Stonecutters' Park, because Telesphore Park would be a mouthful. Other names reflect park topography. Capricorn Park is in a development where many of the streets are named after stars and constellations, but officials said the park's name could be contusing to residents because Capricorn Circle has no access to the park. The solution? "The sign for Capricorn is the goat," said Vraa. "A large part of the park has a steep slope. Hence Goat Hill Park." The commissioners decided to keep the names of several established city parks and the names of some parks named for nearby roads, Vraa said. Other recommendations include changing Northview Park to Downing Athletic Fields, Deboer Park to O'Leary Park, Hill Top Park to Berry Patch Park, Wedgewood Park to Walnut Hill Park, Windtree Park to Wescott Station Park, Cinnamon Ridge Park to Cinnamon Park, Country Home Height Park to Country Home Park, Hi Line Park to Loggers' Trail Park and Schwanz Lake Park to Trapp Farm Park. in Luther King birthday, which was Sunday, will become a nation - ay in 1986. Yesterday marked the last day of ac- including a food shelf collection, voter registra- tion drive, the showing of a film on King's life and special church services, to mark the birthday of the slain civil rights leader. Teachers in Appleton become third group in state to strike By Gregor W. Pinney Staff Writer Public school teachers in Appleton, went on strike Monday morn - about 20 miles from the South Dako- ta border, 53 members of the Apple- ton Education Association struck af- ter a bargaining session on Sunday was unsuccessful. The school board nd-benefit c anges occur in the rates P mne- sota's generation of hazardous waste, 232,800 tons of it will be generated by the year 2000. It also establishes a goal of reducing total annual hazard- ous -waste generation in Minnesota from the current 174,000 tons to 159,900 tons by 2000, with 36,300 tons requiring final disposal. The state law that requires the board to prepare a certificate of need out- lining the types of hazardous -waste facilities needed through the year 2000 also requires the establishment of at least one commercial hazard- ous waste facility in the state. Officials from private industry at the hearing generally supported the hoard. But Ronald Rich, an Edina consul- tant for the St. Louis County group assigned by the governor to review the plan, was among a number of speakers who questioned the as- sumptions used in arriving at the future volume of hazardous waste. He said the studies used were based on national averages and argued that Minnesota is much lower than aver- age in the generation of hazardous wastes. Joan Berkowitz, vice president in charge of hazardous waste manage- ment consulting at Arthur D. Little Corp. of Cambridge, Mass., who was retained by the board to assess its plan, contended that the board was "very optimistic" in its estimates of how much hazardous waste will be reduced at the source of generation. 14A Photos by Tim O'Donnell Mayor Bea Blomquist hopes Eagan continues to grow with the new tree. Budding giant replaces city's strength symbol by Tim O'Donnell "The sound of the chainsaw a couple of weeks ago was a note that a giant was about to fall." The Rev. Don Wilke of Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church reminisced aloud Tuesday about the falling of Eagan's giant — the Lone Oak Tree. But his hindsight was brief. People gathered in the church yard came not to hear of the 200-year-old giant's demise and eventual removal from where it anchored Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road. It was time to look ahead, for a new giant, and to dedicate the new Lone Oak Tree. "As the oak tree stands for strength, may the new oak tree be an ever present symbol of life and strength," said Wilke. The new tree, which was planted at the church a year ago, already has about 25 years of life in it. Its supple buds bloomed into a covering of leaves in recent weeks — a healthier showing than its predecessor, which was felled April 9. Lone Oak School students Tined up around the new tree and sang "God Bless America" during Tuesday's dedication ceremony. twatmEsmtk ,AERi lkcie Si3TcE. rns wol. COSAC SOP [MK rr f. rI O.AN Nii.3t. ClCA� 4970 Something is missing at the corner of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road, Mayor Bea Blomquist told the crowd of about 50 attending the dedication. "But we still have a tree growing and we will continue to grow with that tree," she said. "We hope the new young oak will grow and represent the strength and unity of Eagan," said Larry McNamara, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) assistant commissioner. After the Lone Oak School students sang "God Bless America," McNamara and Kermit McRae, a MnDOT district engineer, helped Blomquist unveil a plaque commemorating the new and old Lone Oak Trees. The old tree grew just a few feet from the blacktop, which MnDOT officials considered a traffic hazard. And until the tree was removed, federal funding to improve Highway 55 was withheld. Efforts to save the tree began some 10 years. But last year it had few leaves and no acorns. Some speculated that . it would not leaf out this year. However, the old giant is not gone and forgotten. A branding iron is on its way to burn the city's Lone Oak logo into small plaques to be cut from the tree's limbs. Sale of the plaques will help pay an artist to carve a sculpture in the main trunk that will be displayed in the Eagan library. Blomquist said a preservative was applied to the trunk to keep it from splitting. It cannot be carved for about a year, she said. Blomquist and Larry McNamara, assistant commissioner of MnDOT, hold a photograph of the old Lone Oak Tree, which MnDOT donated to the city. Eagan Chronicle -Week of May 29; 1984 MnDOT constructed this commemorative plaque several feet from the new tree. CPR class offered in Rosemount Pig roast planned in Rosemount An eight hour cardio- pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) class will be Wednesdays, June 6 and June 13, 6 to 10 p.m. at the Rosemount Fire Hall, 14425 Brazil Ave. W. Cost is $5 for Rosemount residents and $6 for non- residents. Continuing education credits are available through the course.Advance registration, which is required, must be done by June 5 by calling Debb at 437-6492. Dakota County Veterans Historical Society is sponsoring a pig roast noon to 6 p.m. Sun- day, June 3, at the Rosemount American Legion grounds. That Just Became Less Expensive Major Discount Maternity Package. Divine Redeemer Memorial Hospital, South St. Paul, is offering significant discounts for non -complicated delivery of your baby and experienced nursing care afterwards. We've set fixed rates for maternity and nursery care for hospital stays of one, two, or three days. 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Served with drawn butter, french bread, cole slaw or tossed salad, com on the cob and french fries. $10.95 Wednesday 5-9 p.m. Chicken & BBQ Rib Dinner All the chicken or BBQ ribs you can eat. Choose one or both. Ser- ved with french bread, cole slaw or tossed salad, com on the cob and french fries. $6.95. CHILDREN UNDER 12 HALF PRICE. r Taking Reservations for Banquets, Groups, Wedding Receptions, Parties, Etc. 612-447-2266 County Road 8, Prior Lake, MN Public Trap Shooting From 12-3:30 Sundays Only For A Great Haircut, Everytime! Get high quality, custom -styled haircutting & styling from expert stylists who are trained LISTENERS, to make certain you receive the kind of cut or style you want. WE GUARANTEE IT! HAIRCUT & STYLE DRY $1150 includes shampoo Appointments Accepted But Not Necessary ofellonitabr by qtatilinCS For Men & Women Eagan — 4170 Pilot Knob Road 454-0577 Bloomington — 10514 France Ave. So. 884-9394 1 Eagan,Chrenka�—Week of'May 28, 196 EAGAN New Lone Oak Lone Oak School students gaze at the plaque com- memorating the new Lone Oak Tree, which was planted in the Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church yard and dedicated Tuesday. Please see story and more photos on page 14A. Photo by Tim O'Donnell HRONICL E a Current newspaper SECTION A Week of May 28, 1984 Vol. 5, No. 22 Bringing you the news of the people, the neighborhoods and business of Eagan TWO SECTIONS 1 Eagan voters approve parks referendum by Tim O'Donnell Eagan voters last week ap- proved a $4.4 million bond referendum that will finance improvements to existing city parks and develop new parks to meet needs through the 1980s. In a voter turnout of about 10 percent, 769 persons agreed the city should spend $3.3 million to develop neighborhood and com- munity parks. There were 614 persons voting against that question. daultonh for air 2nd place upper midwest AMBBA Women's Division Apprentice. L INTRODUCING ERIC $2.00 DISCOUNT Eric would like to introduce himself by offering a special $2.00 discount off of a mens' or womens' style cut. Not valid with any other coupon. Good until June 30th, 1984. Other Salon Services include: •Contemporary Hair Designing •Hair Coloring •Full line of nail services •Permanent waving LAKE PLAZA - 35W & Hwy. 50, Lakeville Just two short minutes south from Burnsville Ctr. across from End Zone Restaurant 435-1040 Tues.-Fri. 9-6:30 Sat. 8-4 The voters approved the se- cond portion of the referendum — to spend an additional $1.1 million for acquisition and development of parks — by a narrower margin, 691-671. Ken Vraa, Eagan's parks and recreation director, measured much support for the referen- dum before the May 22 election day and anticipated there would be 1,800 to 2,000 voters. He said he was surprised that only 1,383 voters went to the polls. The election signals the time for the city's Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission to Parks election results Question 1 Question 2 Precinct Yes No Yes No 1 27 64 26 63 2 58 21 54 24 3 27 50 25 52 4 31 43 28 44 5 56 22 51 27 6 56 29 54 30 7 36 59 32 62 8 56 51 50 52 9 95 65 86 70 10 139 76 120 93 11 188 134 165 154 Total 769 614 691 671 "change gears" and begin to set priorities for park projects, Vraa said. The commission will decide which projects can be done first and will group similar projects, such as tennis court construction, to get the best bids possible, he said. "I would really hope we'd be able to get a couple of the pro- jects under contract by this fall." Vraa said. Many people want better play equipment in neighborhood parks and Vraa said those re- quests might be met this fall in four or five parks. Grass seeding also could be done in several parks instead of waiting until next spring, he said. "We want to move quickly, but not so hastily that we make poor economic decisions," he said. The city will sell general obligation bonds to finance the park projects. Annual property taxes that are now $1,000 will in- crease by about $32. Change in school hours possible next year in 197 The District 197 Educational Policies Committee has recom- mended that the secondary school day begin earlier next year. They have expressed con- cern about the number of class hours missed by students com- peting in athletics and other ac- tivities that necessitate their leaving school before the end of the school day. Proposed school hours for the 1984-85 school year are: Grass 7:40 to 2:10; Sibley, 7:45 to 2:15; Pilot Knob and Somerset 8: 35 to 2:50; Moreland and Garlough 9 to 3:15. The school board will discuss the changes at its meeting June 5. All are welcome to attend this meeting to discuss the proposed changes. 'New' Lone Oak Tree dedicated DEDICATION OF the "new" Lone Oak Tree was held May 22 during a warm, windy ceremony at Trinity Lone Oak Luth- eran Church in Eagan. The "new" Lone Oak was transplanted in May, 1983, to replace the original 200-year-old Lone Oak Tree, which was removed from the in- tersection of Highway 55 and Lone Oak Road April 9 of this year. The dedication ceremony, which was emceed by Eagan Councilman Ted Wachter, featured re- marks by Rev. Don Wilke of Trinity Lone Oak Church, Assistant Mn/DOT Commissioner Larry McNamara, Dist- rict Engineer Kermit McRae and Mayor Bea Blomquist. Children from Trinity Lone Oak School also sang a selec- tion. Besides the dedica- tion, a plaque honoring the Lone Oak Tree was unveiled and Mayor Blomquist was also pre- sented with a colored photograph of the original Lone Oak Tree to hang in city hall. In the top photo, Rev. Wilke said a prayer over the "new" Lone Oak Tree, while students from the school looked on. In the middle photo, Mayor Blomquist, center, read the plaque flanked by McNamara, left, and Wachter. In the bottom right photo, Lone Oak students took their turn at the plaque, while in the bottom left photo, Blomquist and McNamarar are seen with the colored picture of the original Lone Oak Tree. Photos by Jeff Burrill 4A MAY 28, 1984 THISWEEK USDA Choice - Blade Cut CD CIS * Chuc9c Ad Prices Effective Thru Saturday, June 2, 1984 We reserve the right to limit quantities. SHOP AND SAVE IN EAGAN AT R. C. DICK'S IGA 374 Bernard Ave. (Dodd Rd.) WEST ST. PAUL ST. PAUL HOURS: 8-9 M-F, 8-8 SAT.; 10-6 SUN. OPEN 24 HOURS WE ACCEPT USDA FOOD STAMPS 3945 Sibley Memorial Highway Cedarvale Shopping Center EAGAN HOURS: 8-10 MON.-SAT.; 9-9 SUN. R. C. DICK'S IGA R. C. DICK'S IGA 30 South Fairview ARMOUR STAR SLICED BACON 12 oz. pkg. 9 9 C wlcoupon Armour Star c� 1r] r1 Smokies 1P 9= $ 2 9 • BUDGET FAMILY PAK FRYERS CUT-UP Lg.63 Si N N N 14 1 04 j j WILSON SLICED i CHOPPED HAM $ • •$ 99 •S • LB. S4•�1.11NN1.N11N.b.WM^. (EAGAN STORE ONLY) j REG. $289 EACH S DELI % PIZZAS $499 FOR 0 SLICED i AMERICAN 0 CHEESE $219 S LB. 0 • •• • I• t OWWhr�N 0��..�� ♦ ft, • HILLSHIRE POLISH LINKS d S $• 2381 • LB. VCiLE (EAGAN STORE ONLY) , RASPBERRY CHIFFON SALAD • PINT POTATO CAKES C: FOR WHILE THEY LASTS TUNA FISH 3 - DIAMONDS BRAND Oil or Water Pak 59c LIMIT 2 s l Fresh Cauliflower Fresh Homegrown Green TOP Radishes Boneless Chuck Roast Lb. USDA Choice ChuCK S*aIc S 19 Lb. 39 USDA Choice Arm Cut Chuck Roast u,. $149 Lean $ 3 Armour Star $ Ground Beef 1 Franks or Smokies 129 2 9 Klement - Fresh Itallan Clausen - WhOle or Icicle, Kosher Sausage or Bratwurst Lb.$1 59 Pickles $149 Armour Star - Boneless [•1 7 $ A Extra lean $ 1 59 Turkey Pkg Ground Beef Lb N Each Bunch Campbell's Mushrooms Pkg. Fresh Broccoli Lb. Jumbo Cantaloupe 1-Lb. Pkg. 32-02. Jar $159 3/$1 99C HEALTH & BEAUTY AIDS Lb. Jumbo Honeydew Melons Each 5 c Chem Tomatoes Pints 9 9 Romaine, Red & Green Leaf /� /• Lettuce Bunch 9 V California 'Lettuce 59c Listerine Mouthwash _- Itr239 Eveready - Economy Flashlight 501 $E California Celery DELI Each Head With Coupon 69c, Available only at stores with on -premise deli. Wilson - continental Reg. or Dutch Old Fashion Loaf Lb. $249 Fresh 3-Bean Salad Lb. $129 Each 89C WheatPBread 10-iCA Split To 69C Hi Drl - ASST. Paper Towels �"-1N1 HI-DRI 2 1-R011 Pkg. Expires 6.2,84 Expires 2 8� Ift 505 Crystal Farms - Grade A gE Butter _ a 1-Lb. Solid $1 49 1111111. Expires 6-1-84 �, 9 • 502 Skippy - Creamy & Chunky 11 Peanut Butter ! 18-Oz.Jar I moo .�,lof 411110 it $119 Expires 6-2-84 504 California 3E Lettuce Head Syys 29C 'E Expires 6-2-84 - Armour Star Sliced Bacon 1111 12-0z. Pkg. . - 99c Ex8lres 6-2-84 All IGA Stores ,Mill be open Memorial Day - Monday, May 28. THISWEEK MAY 28, 1984 3A he Lone ak Tree Photo by David Siegel The Lone Oak Tree, a symbol of Eagan, is expected to be removed soon. The wood will be given to Eagan. £AGAN HRON/CLE a Current newspaper by David Siegel It is called the lone oak tree. Marred by the metal of misdirected vehicles, scarred by the countless nails and tacks that held community notices, it stands alone at the intersection of Lone Oak Road and Highway 55. It's closest neighbor is blacktop. The tree is no longer pretty. It barely leafs out in the summer. It hasn't had acorns on it in years, but it remains a symbol of the community. Eagan's symbol wilrbe cut down in a few weeks At least for two more weeks. Then the Minnesota Department of Trans- portation plans to remove the tree and give the wood to Eagan. There will be some grieving for the tree, and officials of MnDOT know it. "We respect that importance. It's very sensitive down in Eagan," said Bob Bockrodt, public information of- ficer for MnDOT. City Council members will decide what to do with the wood from the tree. It probably will be used somehow in the TREE: to P. 2A SECTION A Vol. IV, No. 50, Monday, December 12, 1983 Bringing you the news of the people, the neighborhoods and business of Eagan TWO SECTIONS Eagan's Lone Oak Tree will be removed soon TREE: from P. 1A new City Hall. One suggestion is to mark the rings with a significant event that happened that year, said Ken Vraa, director of Eagan's Parks and Recrea- tion Department. No one knows the exactage of the tree. Estimates put it beyon 00 years, Vraa said. The age will be determined when it is cut down. "In early years, people passed by and put up notices," he explained. The first Town Hall was built in 1893 on Michael Shield's farm near the in- tersection of Pilot Knob and Lone Oak roads, according to city records. The Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, organized in 1881, is located near the tree. A replacement for the Lone Oak Tree was planted this summer on the prop- erty at the church. The expected removal of the tree in about two weeks (the exact date hasn't been set) is no surprise. It is dying and has long been recognized as a traffic hazard, Bockrodt said. MnDOT is having a historical plaque made that will be presented to Eagan and placed on the site. When the plaque is done, the date for removing the tree will be set, Bockrodt said. CHRONJCLE 1209 E. Cliff Road • Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 890-4456 Member, Minnesota Newspaper Association & Suburban Newspapers of America President & Publisher Mary Ziegenhagen Vice President & Advertising Manager Joanne Shiebler News Editor David Siegel Sports Editor Robert Roth Distributed to every household & business in Eagan every Monday. Subscription copies mailed. Controlled circulation permit pending at Burnsville. MN post office, 55337. Office Hours 8am-5pm Mon -Fri Voluntary Subscriptions $12 Per Year Mailed Subscriptions $16 Per Year IT'S THE PERUE( GIFT! vaLLeyfair season -pass $3495 Available at all Daytons' Ticket Outlets. 8605 Neighborhoods/South The Disp Ich For years, a battle has been raging be- tween Eagan townsfolk and state De- partment of Transportation officials over this historic Lone Oak Tree. Townsfolk like the tree and want to keep it. But highway builders have wanted to chop it down to make way for highways. So far, Mike Barrett the townsfolk have been winning. The other day beneath the ancient oak, Ted Wachter, a pro -tree Eagan councilman, and his wife, Leone, happily were swing- ing their 4-year-old granddaughter, Heidi Klein. She's the daughter of Thomas and Carma Klein, also of Eagan. Eagan is waging fight to save historic tree By Mike Barrett Staff Writer Children have climbed it and couples have strolled by it. Officials used to post town meeting notices on it while errant motorists have hit it. For years, citizensand.,: to Department ,614 Transportation, officials have. been battling over it. And if Joyce Kilmer knew it, he might have written about it. It's Eagan's historic Lone Oak tree. Amid cars zipping by, the tree stands in quiet dignity near Trinity Lutheran Church where con- gregation members in the 1920s changed the name to Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church. Today, the bark doesn't appear as healthy as it once was. But if you were more than 200 years old, as this ancient is said to be, then you might not be so fresh either. Furthermore, in recent years, the tree's breathing room has shrunk with the construction of Highway 55 and 149 lanes on two sides of it, Lone Oak Road on a third side of it and utility lines around it. The other night beneath the tree, Eagan Coun- cilman Ted Wachter and his wife, Leone, were swinging their 4-year-old granddaughter, Heidi. Peering upward for a moment, Wachter said, "It looks like the tips of the branches are drying out. The salt must be taking its toll, the salt the state crews sprinkle on the road to melt the win- ter snow and ice." Nevertheless, city crews each spring hose the • tree down to keep salt damage to a minimum. !V This tree means a lot to the com- munity. Ted Wachter ei Wachter said he has been one of many • townsfolk who have been fighting a periodic bat- tle against state highway officials who 'want to remove the tree. "This tree means a lot to the community," he .said. The tree used to be a central gathering place where town meeting and election notices were posted. Years ago, for instance, farmers Louis Des ' Lauriers, Harry Darsow, Willard and August Rahn, among others, used to tote their cans of milk and put them in a big wooden tub under the tree so a hauler could drive the milk across the bridge over the Minnesota River to the Twin Cit- ies. The tub would keep the milk cooler in the sum- mer than leaving the cans standing under the sun and warmer in the winter than sitting in the wind. In the last century, the hauler used a horse- drawn wagon which gave way in this century to a truck. According to Lisa Fleming at City Hall and Frances Miller at the Dakota County Museum in South St. Paul, reporter Arnold Walther decades ago coined the term "Lone Oak" for his local Please see Tree / 2S SAY GOODBYE TO THE 6-MONTH PREMIUM CiNCH. Say goodhye to those 6 and 12 month premiums that can be bigger than your checkbook balance. With the MSI Budget Plan all your premiums are payed once a month, a little at a time. And your bank handles the a erwork for So say you. hello to premium payments that are practically pain- less. See us for all the de- tails. St1 STEVE IOEDING '"'s"uai ROGER FRANZMEIER 450-1954 457-9104 PEOPLE HaPING PEOPLE FOR LEASE . . ■ Sports / 3S ■ Cable TV / 7S Tuesday, August 31, 1982 / 1 S Charter Commission backs code of ethics for council By Beth Gauger Staff Writer A recommendation that a code of ethics be established by each new West St. Paul council and provisions for recall elections were approved by a 12-0 vote of the city Charter Commission last week, accompanied by the whirr and bright lights of a television camera. "I was quite shocked when I turned around and saw a camera at my neck," said commission chairman Jim Kennedy. Alderman Larry Josephs' dis- satisfaction with the commission and the council was aired on WCCO's 10 p.m. news after the Monday meeting. A permanent code was needed, he said, be- cause the whole council is guilty of neglect of duties and because of conflict of interest, "peddling influence" and bribery by some. Josephs also distributed a letter and a cartoon that portrayed himself as a knight, other alder- men as ostriches with their heads buried in sand, and Mayor Ken Kube as a man with "Igno- rance of Facts" emblazoned across his spectacles. In the letter, Josephs wrote that the commission's decision to recommend not a permanent West St. Paul code of ethics but instead that each council review and if neces- sary adjust a code "leads one to believe someone is either in- volved in something illegal at the present time, or is planning on getting involved in such misconduct in the future," West St. Paul, he wrote, has "elected officials guilty of mis- demeanors, conflict of interest (and) conduct unbecoming of elected officials." Josephs filed a complaint with the county attor- ney in April alleging that Kube had misused his influence as mayor (it was later ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge Kube), and in June he accused Alderman John Jakway of "irresponsible criminal ac- tions" as chairman of the city Summerfest activities. Last spring Josephs submitted a code of ethics to the Charter Commission, whose members are appointed by a district court judge. The commission consid- ered Josephs' code, Kennedy said, and "discarded" it. But it did decide to draw up some guidelines and hired attorney Dan O'Leary, who between April and June put in more than $2,000 worth of work for the commis- sion. "We're just a citizens' group trying to do what's best for the city," Kennedy said. "We act upon anything any citizen, or- ganization or alderman wants checked out." The commission, however, got caught in a political crossfire. Some aldermen and commission members felt the adoption of a code of ethics in the wake of Josephs' criticism of Kube and Jakway would be "bad timing," and resented Josephs' implica- tion that the city needed a code. So an ad hoc committee of alder- men and commission members met and compromised. "I don't think anyone on the council is against a code of eth- ics," said city attorney Arnold Kempe. "The fight ongoing is a personality fight, not substantive at all." But Josephs says he doesn't understand why the council has opposed a permanent code, un- less members are afraid he will try to apply it retroactively. "I don't understand what the big hullabaloo is," he says. "Their attitude against it causes Please see Ethics/2S Laid -off teachers plunge into a tough job market This week, the first week of school, will be harrowing for dozens of schoolteachers laid off last spring. A few teachers may still be called back, but the odds will decrease each day. Those who are not called must make a tough decision: whether to look for another teaching job in a market clogged with teachers, or begin pre- paring for work in another field. "I'm still committed to teaching," said Carol Roberts, who for seven years taught math and social studies at Sibley High and Grass Junior High in District 197. "I haven't accepted the idea that I have to leave the pro- fession — yet." Roberts took the job -search seminar subsi- dized by the district and Minnesota Federation of Teachers, but found only the session on resumes helpful. Her background in teaching math was one that until recently was a pass- key into jobs with the more cerebral indus- tries, such as 3M, Sperry Univac and Control Data. But Roberts doesn't particularly want to use South wind by Beth Gauper ,41111111111111 her math background. If she has to do some- thing besides teaching, she says, she'd rather get into something like community relations for a corporation. "I definitely am not interested in a job," she says with distaste, "where it's me and a com- puter, or me and bookkeeping." Those intangible assets generally referred to as "people skills," a teacher's strongest suit, are in demand. But the supply is such that an employer can choose someone with not only strong people skills but also one, even two spe- cialized degrees. Alice Vega, who taught Spanish for Inver Please see Teachers/2S Park development spending is County Board challenge By Mike Barrett Staff Writer There can be more to a park than rocks and rills. Spending $1.25 million to de- velop the 2,000-acre Lebanon Hills Regional Park on the Eagan -Apple Valley -Rosemount border is the latest chore before the Dakota County Board. Kenneth Reddick, Metropoli- tan Council spokesman, said the money is part of $12.5 million in state bond proceeds flowing from the council to various re- gional parks in the seven -county area during 1982-83. At the state Department of Finance, Peter Sausen estimated that interest charges on the bonds would amount to an addi- tional $12.5 million at a 10 per- cent interest rate over 20 years. Last week, Charles Lowery, county park director, said, "We RIVERVIEW INDUSTRIAL PARK AT LAFAYETTE FREEWAY "OFFICES"-3000 SD. FT. WITH WAREHOUSE. 3000 SO. FT./W DOCK OR NEW BUILDING-4800 SQ. FT. WILL FINISH OFFICES ANO/OR LITE WAREHOUSE TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS t�y 457-6338 Commercial. Investment Real Estate Contract Property Management Leasing Dakota County are recommending to the county commissioners that the $1.25 million be used first to develop Schultz Lake into a swimming lake in the northeast corner of the park near Cliff Road and Dodd Boulevard." Lowery said a second recom- mendation, if enough money is left over, is to develop a recre- ational vehicle campground on the east edge of the park near Galaxie Drive and 120th Street West. This area lies just east of the Minnesota Zoological Garden in Apple Valley. Lowery said a third recom- mendation is to develop Saca- jawea Youth Day Camp in the south central part of the park near Pilot Knob Road and 125th Street West. Future phased development of the park over several years could cost $5.5 million above the $1.25 million grant and the original $5.5 million already spent on accumulating property parcels for the park, he said. A park master plan provides for such possibilities as cleaning Please see Park/2S 2 2 USE THE LUMBER THAT WON'T ROT! FOR YOUR DECKS GARDENS FENCES This All Weather Wood can be stained or painted, is easy to work, and will last a lifetime. Saves money and does a wonderful job. 25° 2:4 0satese Treated, Per Ft . . . 34 :i 0swese Treated, Per Ft .. . 49° �I hi Osuese Treated, Per Ft . , . 654 8!a 3":6":1' ( :10 OmenTreated, Per Ft... 89� YES! WE HAVE REDWOOD LUMBER TOO! MOM -WED TDE THD•FRI 81145:30 SAT0R0AY 8:00-3 00 1:0 Onus* Treated, Per Ft, , . 4:4 0swese Treated, Per Ft,.. 65c asd Thin'wY ers . . 925 2:12 Osmess Treated, Per Ft. , 1870 English St. Maplewood 114-8455 Lumber Mart r-- r _- r-r- _-_ _ .--►-.- r ..-.,- People Eagle Thomas Maresh, 18, 1 E. Lo- gan Ave., West St. Paul, has received the Eagle Scout Award. For a commu- ,. nity safety project, Maresh im- proved night- time safety by putting reflec- tive paint on driveway curbs at Southview Nursing Home, Dakota's Chil- dren Home and St. Joseph's Maresh r r w r Church. He is the son of Al and Margaret Maresh and a member of St. Joseph Troop 198. Award Archibald Leyasmeyer of 10707 Cedar Heights Trail S., Hastings, has received the 1982 Horace T. Morse -Amoco Founda- tion Award for outstanding con- tributions to undergraduate edu- cation at the University of Minnesota. He is an associate professor of English in the Col- lege of Liberal Arts and serves as the faculty director of the University Without Walls, a pro- gram of University College. St. Paul Pioneer Press St. Paul Dis ch Five area youths in the Dance Ensemble of the Estyre Brindle Dance Theater of St. Paul re- cently won first place trophies at the National Symposium Contest in Rochester. The dancers in- cluded: Kathy Kimmel, 15, Sib- ley High School, Mendota Heights; Corinne Pfender, 15, and Debbie Meisinger, 16, both from the Convent of the Visita- tion High School, Mendota Heights; Gail Millerbernd, 15, Archbishop Brady High School, West St. Paul; and Maureen Cal- lahan, 18, a recent Brady gradu- ate. Burnsville restricts gun shooting By Mike Barrett Staff Writer No more will guns roar in Burnsville. Recently, the City Council unanimously adopted an ordi- nance to ban the carrying or shooting of firearms. Not that this was a "Wild West" town, but some folks used to the days not long ago when this was primarily a rural area Park ® Continued from Page 1S excess vegetation from the 14- acre, 15-foot-deep Schultz Lake and developing a swimming beach. Other features might in- clude a building with a life- guard's office, first aid quarters, concession stand, clothes chang- ing areas and toilets. As Barbara Schmidt, assistant county park director, noted, "There are few swimming facili- ties in the central part of the county." If and when Schultz Lake is developed, Lowery said swim- ming would be banned at nearby Holland Lake which he terms dangerous due to its steep slopes and 90-foot depth. People swim in Holland each summer without county permission. So far, though, the commis- sioners haven't decided if they agree with the recommendations of Lowery and Schmidt. After hearing proposals by representatives of three engi- neering -architectural firms bid- ding on the contract to develop the park, the commissioners di- rected Lowery to get more spe- cific financial details from the bidders. "We need more specifics," said F.W. Joy Jr., the county ad- ministrator -human services di- rector. As one of the bidders, Paul Fjare, president of Brauer & As- sociates Ltd. Inc., Eden Prairie, has stated, "A park system is a group of interrelated elements Ethics • Continued from Page 1S me to believe there's something going on." Under the final recommenda- tions, which will go before the council Sept. 13, each new coun- cil would be required to review, adjust if desired, and approve a code of ethics within 90 days af- ter it takes office. That flexibili- ty will allow each council to adapt to new developments, says Kempe, and the required reviewd will force each councilor to be-! come familiar with the code. The provisions for recall elec- tions now recommended by the commission, said city Manager Tom Hoban, are "watered down considerably." The previous draft would have required the number of signatures on a recall petition to equal at least 30 per- cent of the votes cast at the last general election. Now 15 percent of the regis- tered voters in a ward would have to sign the petition. Since only about 25 percent of regis- tered voters vote, Hoban said, Neighborhoods Editor: Rouben Chanco Copy editor: Norm Visner Sports coordinator: Arno Goethel Staff writers: Jim Broede and Scott Carlson, East; Mike Barrett and Beth Gauper, South; Jim Nagel, North Deadlines: Noon Thursday for Tuesday sections; noon Tuesday for Thursday East Telephone: 222-501 1 frequently would hunt deer along the Minnesota River bottoms. Now, however, the only time that hunting will be allowed is when a special situation exists requiring wildlife management as determined by the state De- partment of Natural Resources. According to City Manager James Spore, the ordinance means that shotguns, rifles, air rifles, BB guns, and handguns may not be carried or fired in town. Lowery Schmidt that serve six basic purposes: recreation, conservation, natural resources protection, manage- ment and interpretation, orna- mentation, culture and reserve capacity:" Fjare noted that he and his as- sociates, Robert Lee Morgan of The Adkins Association, St. Paul, and Donald G. Brauer, president of the Brauer Group, Eden Prai- rie, have about 20 years experi- ence developing numerous parks and recreation projects, includ- ing swimming beaches and campgrounds. "We're concerned with the en- vironment and we have the skills to work with it," Fjare said. Their bid fee was not to exceed $72,500. A second bidder, Gary M. Tushie, the regional director of Saunders-Thalden & Associates Inc., Eden Prairie, said, "Parks are our specialty. We do a lot of parks each year. We don't just create a plan. We help you devel- op it. We're site -sensitive." Tushie, whose team includes the signatures would be much more difficult to obtain. In addi- tion, the number of days allowed to collect signatures would be re- duced from 90 to 30. "Somebody would really have to scurry to do this," Hoban said. "For someone to put forth this kind of concerted effort he would have to be really convinced someone has committed a grave wrong." Hoban said he spoke as a pri- vate citizen at a Charter Com- mission meeting in favor of a code of ethics each council could control — if a councilors behave irresponsibly he can vote them out, he said, but the Charter Commission answers to no ohe except the district court judge. But the ordinance does permit bow and arrow hunters to stalk deer, bird or other game along the river. Furthermore, the ordinance permits disassembled or encased firearms to be transported through the city. In this northwestern Dakota County community, records show the population has boomed about 13 times from 2,716 in 1960 to about 37,000 today. engineer Gregory R. Hailing of Israelson & Associates Inc., Bloomington, said his firm has developed everything across var- ious states from camp sites and trails on a 10,000 acre tract to a 2'7e-acre park. His group's bid fee was listed at $77,800. The third bidders, Robert Rosene and Robert G. Schunicht of Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates Inc., Roseville, pointed out that they are famil- iar with Lebanon Hills because their firm drew the park master plan. Moreover, their firm is a consultant to Eagan and Apple Valley. Their team would include Joseph Shapiro, a University of Minnesota professor and special- ist in lakes and ponds; Damon Farber Associates Inc., land- scape architects, and Shea Ar- chitects Inc., Minneapolis. Rosene warned, "We must be careful about stirring up the bot- tom of Schultz Lake because of the algae problem." The Rosene group bid fee was up to $75,000 plus up to 2.5 per- cent of the budget for additional staking and inspections. However, the commissioners said it wasn't clear if the bids were comparable because the various company representa- tives discussed different aspects of the project. Meanwhile, Commissioner John Voss declared himself ineli- gible to vote because his plan- ning company has worked with the Rosene group. If the recommendations are approved, West St. Paul will be- come the only home -rule, metro - area city with a population of over 10,000 that has recall provi- sions for councilors who serve only two-year terms. "Recall is not a practical tool for two years," Kempe said. "Its big value may be that it's there. It may make some people reflect on some of their foolishness." The Charter Commission's recommendations must either be approved by a unanimous vote of the council or approved by the electorate in November. But Kempe said he "wouldn't be a bit surprised" if the council not only approves the recommendations but adopts a code of ethics be- fore the next election. YTA • Number 1 • in long life • in fewer repairs • in lower repair costs • in nationwide preference (Based on a national survey ask- ing consumers which brand of I washer they'd like to own) Mon: Wed. 9:30-8:00, Thurs. & Fri. 9:30.6:00, Sat. 9:304:30 HEAVY DUTY WASHER MAYIAG • 455.01899 70th & Cahill, Inver Greve Heights Haul 'em Away 39700 A110 AMIN TV 30-60-90 DAY SAME AS CASH! Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1982 Tree • Continued from Page 1S news column in the West St. Paul Booster and Dakota County Globe. In 1974, state transportation officials planned to remove the tree to allow for the construction of a turn lane. But, as Wachter recalled, the Rev. Richard Krenzke and youngsters from the church mount- ed a letter -writing campaign to various officials, including the governor, to "Save Our Tree." Wachter and other city officials also fought the transportation department. In time, the City Council declared the tree a historic one in an ef- fort to save it. All that activity had the result of stopping the destruction plan but only for awhile. In 1976, officials designated the Lone Oak as a heritage tree in cooperation with the Minnesota Horticultural Society and authors Charles E. Randall and Henry Clepper commemorated the tree in their "Famous and Historical Trees" pub- lished by the American Forestry Association. Recently, artists Juanito Acosta and Carlos Menchaca have been painting a historical mural featuring the tree and other subjects for the county museum. Wachter, a former farmer turned contractor, said when he builds homes he tries to locate them to avoid harming trees. "He's a tree -lover," said Mrs. Wachter. In more recent times, transportation officials again tried to remove the tree but were beaten back, Wachter said. At City Hall Administration, Thomas Hedges said even though transportation officials have failed to remove the tree, they did demand that city officials stop posting notices by it because this created a safety problem for slowing traffic. At the state Department of Transportation. Robert Dobbin, a construction engineer for Eagan projects, said, "I can understand why peo- ple want to save the tree. It's a nice oak tree but it's a physical danger to stray cars. "We would like to see the tree removed. On rural roads such as this, we ordinarily remove trees within 30 feet of the roadway and this one is closer than that." With public sentiment as it is, though. Dobkin admitted that his department is presently pledged to preserve the tree. Dobbin said, "It says right on our work plans, 'do not disturb the tree'." However, the tree is about to have more com- pany. Soon, department workers will build a blinking four-way stop light at the intersection. To all this, the Lone Oak tree hasn't been heard to comment. Yet at night when the traffic is light and the breeze stirs some people say they can hear the murmur of the leaves. Teachers ® Continued from Page 1S Grove Heights District 199, says she hasn't given up hope that she'll be called back at some time during the year. But she's been combing the want ads and checking in regular- ly with Job Service, where Vega says counsel- ors don't pressure teachers very much about finding a job. "The field is not too wide open," she said wryly. "I haven't really sat down and sorted it out — I really thought I would get called back. I'll have to sit down and do some serious think- ing, I know that." Even teachers who get called back this year know they will be vulnerable to cuts again next year. Al Pletsch, an elementary school teacher for South St. Paul District 6, was laid off four times and called back each time. This year, when he was again called back, he in- stead took the district's job seminar and then five years' leave. "The good thing the workshop did was make me sit down and look at the fact I would have to do something besides teaching, after 15 years," Pletsch said. Unfortunately, he said, "someone who's been teaching spelling to fourth -graders doesn't transfer too well." But as part of the District 6 workshop, Pletsch and others were told to find employers who would give them an "informational inter- view." Pletsch picked someone he knew — the president of S & T Office Products in Maple- wood — and at the end of the interview was offered a job. Pletsch took a test, did well, and is selling office products. Sales, notes Pat Theis of South St. Paul, is something everyone says teachers could be good at. But Theis, who resigned this summer from St. Peter's in North St. Paul after 18 years teaching math in parochial schools, says she doesn't have the heart for it; she's looking into such jobs as technical writing and teach- ing computer workshops. Being out of a job by choice, Theis has taken the plunge from the cloistered life of parochi- al -school teaching into the dismal job market with relish. "I said to myself, 'There's all kinds of things you can do with your math background, Pat! Go out and do it!' " Theis said. She hasn't had any luck, but she's still having a ball looking. She's taking a seminar from Working Opportu- nities for Women, and thinking of taking class- es this fall. "Let me tell you, it's been a busy two months," she said. "It's been exciting, it's been an adventure, I've met so many interesting people. I do have my down days, like dropping off resumes on Monday mornings after the Sunday paper. "But I've learned so much about business in such a short time," she said. "I just hope some- one will let me use it." Photography contest focuses on aging An "Images of Aging" photo contest is being held by Dakota Area Referral and Transporta- tion for Seniors (DARTS) and Photo Fair of Color Lab, Inc. First prize is a Ricoh EFM 35mm camera. Entries will be divided into two categories, for photogra- phers under 60 and photogra- phers 60 and older. First, second and third prizes will be awarded in each category. Winning and other selected photos will be printed in the DARTS paper and shown throughout the county. Photos are sought that capture the vitality, wisdom and experi- ence of older people. Entry forms are available at Photo Fair stores in Hastings and Apple Valley . or at the DARTS office. All entries must be received by Nov. 30. Call 437- 6290 or 432-3600 for more infor- mation. ............••••••••••••...•••••••••••• MEWS MISSES • BOY'S BONUS TMUII. FPI. 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