I encountered a road repair crew tending to some major potholes in front of my son’s school.  I asked how I could arrange to have our nearby alley repaired.  They graciously gave me the number to call to get on the St. Paul Public Works “Honey do” list.  It took a couple of weeks, but there was a crew in my alley in early June. 

I feel like a satisfied member of the public right now.  Time will tell how the improvements endure, but for this summer at least, our neighborhood kids have a relatively hazard-free place to skateboard, ride bikes, create some chalk art, etc. 

Thanks to every city employee who took part in this neighborhood village/community investment. 

Susan Zoff, St. Paul

Purse flew.  Contents scattered.  Bonnie and son saved the day

Sainted / On June 15, I left my purse on the trunk of the car.  My husband made a trip to the store, and the purse flew off.  I was frantically looking for it when Bonnie Stone and her 14-year-old son drove in.  They had found it on Highway 36 near Lake Elmo Avenue, the son insisting they stop. 

They proceeded to pick up what they could find, billfold, credit cards, etc.,  and come to my house to return it.  I was so relieved.  I’m sorry I can’t remember the young man’s name, but they were from the Stillwater area, and I live in Lake Elmo, close to where the purse was found. 

There are wonderful people out there, who do such wonderful things, and I can’t thank and praise them enough.  They cared enough to do the very best.  I want to get in touch with them but don’t know how. 

Pauline Halverson, Lake Elmo

Sainted / I would like to saint two members of Stillwater’s Fire Department for helping me load my bike on June 25 in the pouring rain. 

They walked over from the fire station and one took off the front tire and the other figured out how to put the back seats down (I was driving a loaner car and didn’t have a clue). 

They had it loaded in no time but, of course, got soaking wet themselves.  I just want to say thank you very much.  I should have gotten your names, but I wanted to get out of the rain. 

Marla Cadwell, Stillwater

Sainted / I was in a crash at about 7 a.m. on June 8 on Highway 52 north, near the Plato overpass. 

I remember hitting the concrete median a few times.  After I exited my car, I realized I was going to be OK; I was thankful that my 3-year-old son was not riding in his car seat.  I became hysterical. 

You led me into your car so I would not get struck by a passerby, offering to wait until we could reach the police.  You went back to the car to get my keys out of the ignition. 

I will be ever grateful that you chose to stop.  I was out of sorts.  You were very understanding; maybe something similar happened to you. 

Mr. Nice Silver Alero Driver, you are a hero because you simply decided to stop; you made a conscious effort to help me.  I will never forget you.  I wish you well in all that you do and all you will become.  And my hope is that you or someone you love reads this and relays this message of gratitude. 

Emily Steele, Inver Grove Heights

Tainted/Sainted / Tainted: Fellow bicyclists who do not obey the rules of the road, especially in downtown St Paul.  As someone who commutes nearly everywhere by bike during non-snowy months and wants to be safe and courteous, I always try to do the right thing by stopping at all stop signs/stop lights, signaling my turn, wearing a helmet and having proper lighting on my bike at night.  I rarely see others who do these things.  Also, riding on the sidewalks is illegal in commercial districts and is dangerous to both bicyclists and pedestrians. 

Sainted: Thank you to all bicyclists who obey the rules of the road.  I notice, and other motorists likely notice, too. 

Melissa Wenzel, St. Paul

Sainted / While driving down Lake Road in Woodbury around 4 p.m. on June 18, I noticed a car stopped going the opposite direction.  Seeing that the vehicle was stopped for a mother duck and about a dozen 2-inch-tall ducklings headed into my lane, I decided to stop and let them safely pass across the 45 mph road. 

I saw them approach my SUV and waited for them to show up on the other side before proceeding; they never did.  They decided to park themselves underneath my vehicle.  I got out and saw them quacking away in pure distress. 

I scared the mother duck out, but the babies did not follow her.  I did not know what to do.  Within minutes, other drivers stopped; one was a school bus driver who parked behind me (a greater alert to oncoming cars). 

It took numerous strangers to lend a hand to chase after each and every baby duckling (one person even crawled under my car) and safely bring them to the side of the road to the mother duck.  They all lived.  Thank you to everyone who helped. 

Mary Jo Stevenson, Woodbury

Sainted / I would like to saint “Evelyn,” a manager at Woodbury 10 movie theater.  A couple of weeks ago, my sister-in-law and I took our children to see “Marmaduke.”  My 11-year-old nephew got sick during the movie and had to leave the theater. 

Other nice patrons helped my sister-in-law and me get him out of the theater and seated in the hallway.  I went up to the front counter and asked if we could have a glass of water. 

Evelyn responded immediately.  She brought us a bottle of water, a cup of Sprite, damp towels, a paper towel and a clean popcorn bucket.  She was so helpful and compassionate.  She is truly an angel!  She touched my heart with her kindness.  Thank you so much, Evelyn — I hope you read this. ( P.S. My nephew is doing fine now — he just had a touch of the flu.) 

Karen Glancey, Cottage Grove

Sainted / We would like to thank Microsoft, and especially Lisa Hughes, for the wonderful matching grant that allowed the ExploraDome from the Minnesota Planetarium to visit St. John Vianney School.  We would also like to thank the friends and families of St. John Vianney who helped raise the remaining funds. 

The ExploraDome was at the school for the whole day.  The students had the opportunity to explore the universe, view the summer constellations and experience what it would be like to travel in outer space while learning about the planets and other objects in our solar system.  What a way to end the school year! 

Marge Milner, Inver Grove Heights

The writer is a teacher at

St. John Vianney School. 

Sainted / A huge sainted to Ian Ball, who found my wallet near my vehicle.  On June 18, I had launched my boat at the Hudson, Wis., launch and, after being on the water a while, I realized my wallet was missing. 

I called my wife to check the vehicle to see if I had left it inside.  As she was checking both inside and out, a park employee asked her if she was looking for something. 

Ian Ball turned in the wallet (which had a lot of cash in it, since I just went to the bank) to a park employee; nothing was missing.  A big thank you for your honesty and integrity. 

John Zik, Hudson, Wis.

Sainted / A call went out for volunteers for the Festival of Nations, and I contacted the point person to get information about duties.  I was informed that there would be free parking near Broadway and Wall streets and a shuttle bus would pick us up and take us to the RiverCentre. 

I could not find the parking place, so I parked at a $2 lot, only to find that there was no attendant on duty.  I noticed a young woman in front of a board and I approached her about payment.  I was surprised to see the board had slots, and she informed me how this worked.  I did not have $1 bills.  What a lovely gesture when she handed me $2 and proceeded to tell me how to deposit the money. 

Her generosity was much appreciated because my sister and I never got the shuttle, after standing on this corner for 30 minutes.  We had a long walk to RiverCentre on this cold and windy day. 

We enjoyed our volunteer work at the Italian booth and also want to give a big thanks to all the students who came to our booth and were most respectful.  We took the shuttle back to where we should have been.  If we are asked back next year, we will come prepared. 

Grace Schwaab, Stanchfield

Sainted / A big sainted thank you to the Humboldt Senior High School Friendship Club. 

We have many events at the Midway YMCA each year, including a Halloween party and annual Christmas tree lot.  Friendship Club leader Gary Ales and the students are always there lending a helpful hand. 

Without the club’s support and energy, our annual events would not be successful.  Thank you on behalf of our members, staff and community board of directors. 

David Dominick, Minneapolis

The writer is executive director of the Midway Family YMCA. 

Sainted / I left my wallet on the counter at the White Bear Lake post office.  I noticed it was missing as I was driving home.  I immediately returned to the post office, where some honest angel had turned it in.  Thank you. 

B. Swanson, White Bear Lake

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