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2012 Sal LoBaido Volunteer Service Award
The Star Boreas in conjunction with the St. Paul Festival & Heritage Foundation, the proud producers of the St. Paul Winter Carnival are thrilled to honor...
Steve Frattalone
Pat Mogren
2012 Sal LoBaido Volunteer Service Award Recipients
The Sal LoBaido Award, established by the Wintertainment Foundation, is awarded annually to a living or deceased Winter Carnival volunteer who has demonstrated, through action and word, a spirit or continual commitment to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Steve Frattalone
Steve Frattalone has been a “Winter Carnival Kid” since he was nine
years old and appointed Prince of the Osman Shrine Temple’s unit in 1963. Growing up in Little Canada as part of a large
extended family, he remembers attending the Carnival Parades and clinging
to his mother’s knees as the crazy Vulcans invaded the crowd.
A few years later, he joined that elite Krewe as Baron Hot Sparkus in 1989.
He enjoyed his year as one of the “red guys” and remembers fondly the
many appearances and good natured rivalry with Vulcanus, Marv Levine
and King Boreas, Dick Barbari. Steve has been active in many Vulcan
events to the present day – planning the Victory Dance, volunteering on
the Snow Sculpting crew, and participating in the Carnival Week activities.
Steve was asked to consult with the planners of the 1992 Super Bowl Ice
Palace in his role as an audio and lighting professional. In undertaking this
immense task, he helped orchestrate one of the largest and most significant
Ice Palaces of modern times. Steve was responsible for all aspects of the
lighting and sound system—from initial design to the final disassembly.
He closed his business office for three months to devote his efforts to the
palace construction project, assuring that the huge crowds of visitors
would be delighted by the high-tech music and light show each evening.
In 2004, Steve committed his considerable talents once again to collaborate
on the Ice Palace design. Giving of his time and talent, he not only
assisted with the planning, but also recruited skilled production volunteers
from many other cities and states, including Canada, and solicited
donations of equipment valuing millions from various lighting
manufacturers. Once again, the Winter Carnival was known internationally
for its spectacular lighting display...a feat made possible by Steve’s team.
Steve has lent his professional skills for many Carnival events. He
has provided sound and lighting for the Klondike Kates, Rice Park
Ice Sculptures, Carnival Snow Slides, Coronation, and many other
events spanning the past 22 years. Steve has served on the Vulcan Board
of Directors, as well as chaired many committees.
For a lifetime of participation, volunteerism, and commitment
to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, we salute Steve Frattalone!
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Pat Mogren
One of the most popular events of the St. Paul Winter Carnival is the Snow
Sculpting Competition, and Pat Mogren should be proud of that. Since 1990, he
has been on the scene creating his own masterworks with his team, and eventually taking on the role of Artistic Director and Organizer.
Pat is one of twelve brothers, growing up in Maplewood. He remembers
attending many Carnival events as a boy with his family. He always loved the
snow and cold, and found an outlet for his considerable artistic talents in
carving the white stuff. Since his first creation in 1990 at the State Capital
grounds, he has entered and frequently won many awards. After many years of
competing, Pat decided it was time to take on the leadership of the event.
Leading a competition of such complexity is no small task. His duties include
not only running the actual competition, but also securing sculptors,
site planning and preparation, and creating the signature pieces. The
equipment and number of volunteers needed to bring in and pack the snow is
amazing—Pat coordinates with the Vulcan Fire and Brimstone Organization
to see that is completed. He can frequently be found at the site, in his
baseball hat, constantly checking to make sure all is in place. He has spent
years encouraging other competitors and tutoring them in the finer points of
snow sculpting. Those who work with him are amazed at his dedication and
love for the Carnival. Even a serious health problem didn’t stop Pat, he was present and ready to work despite his illness.
Pat’s unselfish devotion to this very visible Carnival event has helped it to grow
and flourish. Ever the Winter Carnival ambassador, Pat has made it a tradition to
carve the Carnival snowflake logo somewhere on every sculpture his creates. He
will continue that tradition when he competes in the internationally
renowned snow sculpting competition in Harbin, China next year!
Pat resides in Maplewood with his wife, Denise, and children Joe, Maggie, and
Katie. He was recently recognized as an outstanding volunteer at his children’s
school. He is active in his church, and sings in the choir. He is a Merit Badge
counselor for the Boy Scouts. One of Pat’s loves is the theater, and he has been
active in community theater for 30 years—even performing with his entire family
in “Fiddler on the Roof.” He has assisted the cities of North St. Paul
and Ham Lake in starting their own snow sculpting events.
For all his dedication and tireless efforts in the Winter Carnival Snow
Sculpting Competition, and many community achievements, we say thank you, Pat, for your many years of commitment... Let it snow!!
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