Winter 2021-22 Hometown Messenger

PARKS & RECREATION

Shakopee family honors loved one with Little Free Library T here’s a new Little Free Library in town and for one Shakopee family, it holds extra special meaning. The library was donated to the City of Shakopee’s Glacier Park, 8550 Portage Lane, by Shakopee resident Karoline Warner in memory of her husband Dave Warner, who died suddenly in May 2021.

Dave Warner was a school counselor in Prior Lake and had a lifelong love of books. His daughters —Maiya, 14, and Esme, 8 — came up with the idea to donate a Little Free Library in his honor. “Books and sharing those with kids was always important to him,” said Karoline Warner. “With my own kids, he loved to read to them. He was the guy with the puppet theater.” Maiya designed the look of the library and collected the first set of books to put in it. Her grandparents, Dave Warner's parents, helped find a builder for the little library and facilitated communication between Maiya and the city to arrange the donation. The library's inside is lined with aged book pages and Star Wars stickers to reflect a few of Dave Warner’s favorite things. During open hours, warming houses are open, rinks are lit and an attendant is on duty. Bring your skates, as rentals are not available at the outdoor rinks. Park Maintenance maintains the rinks, flooding and sweeping as needed throughout the skating season. More info: www.ShakopeeMN.gov/outdoorskating. SKATING RINK LOCATIONS Green Meadows Park 3100 Thrush St. Southbridge Community Park 7101 Southbridge Parkway Westminster Park 801 Valley View Dr. E. Lions Park 1103 Adams St. (no warming house) WARMING HOUSE HOURS Monday-Friday 5:30-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 1-8 p.m. *Warming houses may have special holiday hours or be subject to close in the event of a public health emergency. OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS OPEN IN DECEMBER Shakopee Parks and Recreation's outdoor skating rinks are open mid-December through late February, weather permitting.

Dave Warner's wife Karoline Warner, left, and his parents David and Gloria Warner stand next to the library after its installment in September.

COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTING DROP-OFF FOR SANTA LETTERS This just in! We received special notice from the North Pole that a mailbox will be put at the Shakopee Community Center just for your letters to Santa! Be sure to include a short list of presents you’d like, and maybe leave Santa a nice note for all the hard work he, his elves and his reindeer do each year! Please include a self addressed stamped envelope for Santa to send you a special message! Santa’s mailbox will be at the Community Center Dec. 1 – 11. Your child will receive a letter from Santa the week of Dec 19.

Le ers to Santa

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