The 2023 Columbia Heights Jamboree will be held from Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25. The medallion hunt starts Wednesday, June 21, with clues posted twice daily, 11 am and 5 pm at Tasty Pizza and on their Facebook page. The carnival opens Thursday, June 22, and Friday, June 23 is the Jamboree Parade from 6 – 8 pm. Fireworks, Saturday night, at dusk, and the pancake breakfast on Sunday morning. More details at https://www.columbiaheightslions.com/2023-jamboree.
Mary Tholkes was selected by Mayor Amáda Marquéz Simula as Heights’ 2023 Outstanding Citizen. A resident of the city for more than 40 years, she started the community gardens that turned vacant lots into a verdant corner that supplies fresh produce. Tholkes herself gardens two plots and donates the harvest to the SACA Food Shelf. She also chaired the former Community United Methodist Church’s outreach team and helped with the church’s refugee resettlement program.
Roger Rogne, 16, was this year’s choice for Outstanding Citizen in the youth category. One of the founding members of the Columbia Heights Youth Commission, he champions marginalized groups and teaches Sunday School at First Lutheran Church. He serves as treasurer of the student council at Lionsgate Academy, Shoreview, and wants to become an art teacher after he graduates.
Columbia Heights has named Rapid Graphics & Mailing, 4016 Central Ave., as its first-ever Business of the Year. Rapid Graphics has operated at that location for 52 years; Warren Kapsner has helmed the operation since 1985. Since then, he’s brought the business from a more manual way of printing into the digital age. His holiday diorama depicting different religions and beliefs from around the world, with an emphasis on inclusion, highlights the spirit of Columbia Heights. The Business of the Year award is set to be an annual honor.
Mary Tholkes, Roger Rogne. Provided photos.
