2024 Good Neighbor Award
nominees
Amber Ratner
Amber is a shining example of everything that makes a neighborhood strong. She volunteered her time to make East Bde Maka Ska safer, cleaner and better connected. She led the safety walks over the entire winter and worked with other neighborhoods to help them with theirs. Amber also came through for her neighbors when someone down the street took a serious fall on the steps. She called for help and stayed with them until they were safe.
Anja Curiskis (see below)
Dale Higgs
Dale has been an incredible neighbor since the day I moved to the neighborhood. He is super attentive and is the first to notice and let us know when we've left the garage door open by mistake or have a package by the door. He's a versatile handyman and has helped my wife and I with the many challenges that we first-time homeowners have encountered around the house. I will never forget the first week we moved in (in 2022): we were on the verge of tears trying to assemble furniture when Dale rang the doorbell; he had just come from a party and wanted to share pastries he'd brought home, and when he saw how we were stuck, he knew exactly what tool we were missing and ran back to his house to bring it over. I know Dale does the same for other neighbors. We're so grateful for him and he and his family are one of the best things about the neighborhood!
Jeff Hero
Jeff Hero was a key and reliable member of the July 4 fireworks planning team since Jan. 2024. He attended planning meetings with police and neighbors, joined the Safety Club walks with neighbors from around Bde Maka Ska, contacted neighbors on James Ave S to obtain block party permit for July 4, helped recruit Safety Club walkers, ran safety meetings as needed. He made himself available, carried out organizing tasks with team members, and as they say 'made stuff happen'! As a result, neighbors and residents on the parkway had a peaceful and safe July 4!
Monica Smith
Monica has done so much for this neighborhood. I cannot do it justice. She still makes herself available in ‘retirement’ even after so many years of service.
Sylvia Kafkas
For many years Sylvia was the administrator at St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church. She was alway a great and generous help to both the neighborhood organization and to the precinct political parties for the use of the St. Mary's facilities. Also, she helped a great deal with the annual neighborhood rummage sales. She combined real help with a very gracious manner.
Tim Fontaine & Kate Van Slyck
Tim and Kate are tireless. They are doing something every week for the 'hood. Be it keeping the lakes and sidewalks clean, to wood chipping the trolley path.
Tracy Nordstrom
Nominating her for killing that Buckthorn and supporting great causes. Also provides a fantastic bench for many walkers from all around.
winner: anja curiskis
For many years, Anja has been volunteering and organizing events to bring neighbors together and improve the environment.
She has volunteered countless hours on the board, has led many neighborhood socials, the annual Earth Day event, trolley path work, trolley rides, and more.
She is a Neighborhood Super Sale participant and a champion of the program, encouraging others to participate.
As a volunteer Hennepin Co. master recycler and composter, she educates neighbors to minimize waste. She is a long-time election judge in the neighborhood and South Uptown.
Anja goes out of her way to support local businesses and promote her neighbor's initiatives, like a local pottery sale. She Anja is a great neighbor and friend to many.