Here is the Bugle’s latest Midpoint, a web report on some local news and information since the deadline earlier this month for our May 2025 issue:
‘Great Minnsect Show’
From meeting live insects and playing buggy games to tasting six-legged snacks and winning creepy-crawly prizes, the public is invited to engage in all things entomolog at the University of Minnesota’s Great Minnsect Show.’
The free event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at the university’s St. Paul campus, Student Center’s North Star Ballroom, 2017 Buford Ave., and Ruttan Hall, 1994 Buford Ave.
Parking is available at the Gortner Ave. parking ramp, 1395 Gortner Ave., and local metered and pay lots.
The event will feature fun and educational activities for all ages, including live insects; insect games; insect-themed gifts; door prizes; and interactions with entomologists from academia, industry, government and non-profits.
The Department of Entomology is part of the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences.
Friends of Breck Woods schedule meeting with Lifestyle Communities
Friends of Breck Woods will hold an open community meeting from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7 with Edina-based developer Lifestyle Communities to discuss how to preserve the natural woods, which is in the proposed redevelopment area at Luther Seminary.
The meeting will be held in Room 148 in Olson Center at Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Ave. Developers will discuss the future of Breck Woods to get community input from interested citizens and answer questions.
For those unable to attend but have comments or questions, you can contact Friends of Breck Woods at [email protected].
Seminary officials recently said their board of directors has contracted to sell its lower campus parcel to Lifestyle Communities.
“The purchase agreement covers the entirety of the Lower Campus, which spans parcels in both Lauderdale and St. Paul,” the seminary said in a news release. “The property includes Northwestern Hall, Stub Hall and Breck Woods. A closing date is currently anticipated in 2026.”
University of Minnesota Women’s Club (Art Section)
Spring art exhibit continues through May 25 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave., in the church’s lower level. Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesdays-Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.
The exhibit features 38 artworks by 16 artists. Informal artist talk, 10 a.m. on Friday, May 2 (Chelmsford Street entrance), free. Lunch follows at a local food restaurant (individual cost). U of M connection is not required to join the club: umwc.umn.edu.
St. Anthony Park Garden Club
The Great Peony Adventure, presented by Heather Palmer. 6:30 p.m. meeting; 7 p.m. social time; 7:30 p.m. program on Tuesday, May 6, St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, 2323 Como Ave. Enter the building via the Luther Place door.
May Bugle arriving
The May edition of the Bugle should be now arriving in readers’ mail boxes and at bulk distribution locations in St. Anthony Park, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale and Como Park.
Highlights from our May issue include stories on a new political listserv in St. Anthony Park, winner of the Athena award from Como Park Senior High and an overview on the Philando Castile Peace Garden.
Also, we are conducting a new readership survey, the first one in several years. Look for the survey on page 17. Or you can fill out our survey from the Bugle website.
As an added incentive to participate, all survey responders are eligible to compete in a prize drawing for a $50 gift card from Bole Ethiopian Cuisine.
We look forward to receiving your feedback as we strive to make the Bugle your community newspaper that informs and serves you, helping to turn readers into neighbors.
Midpoint Report is compiled by Scott Carlson, Bugle managing editor, and Bugle freelance writer Kathy Henderson.
Photo cutline: Children and adults leaning in to learn about insects at last year’s Minnsect Show, which returns to the St. Paul campus May 3. Photo courtesy the University of Minnesota.