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Orono High School stages ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’
Orono High School will perform “The Play That Goes Wrong” as the school’s spring play, with shows slated April 18-20. “OHS students have been working hard to bring this show to life, and have had a blast getting to work on a show that is part murder mystery, part comedy. From learning to sword fight to rigging props that break on cue, this show has presented a fun challenge for the drama department. We hope you come see the hard work these kids have put...
WeCAN seeks board members to shape nonprofit’s future
WeCAN (Western Communities Action Network), is a small but mighty community nonprofit that provides support services to empower and equip individuals and families to reach stability and self-sufficiency. For 35 years, WeCAN has served low-income residents in the 12 cities of far western Hennepin County and acts as a safety net when people are in crisis and have nowhere else to turn. As the new fiscal year approaches on June 1, WeCAN is looking for candidates who would like to join a group of decision-makers...
Chaska, Chanhassen newspapers among media closures
The media landscape in the southwest metro will change later this month with the closure of newspapers in Carver County’s two largest cities. Southwest News Media announced on April 4 that it would be shuttering both the Chanhassen Villager and Chaska Herald, with the final editions of both newspapers being delivered on April 25. Southwest News Media will also end publications serving Jordan, Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Savage by the...
Longtime Spring Park mayor, marina owner dies
The Lake Minnetonka community is mourning the loss of Jerry Rockvam, former sitting Spring Park mayor and founder of Rockvam Boat Yards, Inc. Rockvam died March 17 following a short battle with cancer. Rockvam served several terms as mayor of Spring Park and counted the approval of Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge, a controversial project at the time, as one of his most enduring accomplishments. He is remembered as being...
Construction to close Wayzata Blvd.
Beginning April 15 through fall, County Road 112 (Wayzata Boulevard) will close in both directions between County Road 6 and Willow Drive. Local access to Wayzata Boulevard businesses will be maintained on the east side of the project area at Willow Drive. Access to Susan E. Lurton Park will be maintained on the west side of the project area at County Road 6. ...
Orono garden provides space to grieve
Having spent four decades as an obstetrics nurse caring for patients with high-risk pregnancies, Nancy Sawyer understands the immense difficulty families face in dealing with the loss of a loved one, particularly an infant. Through her experience in providing comfort and support to grieving families, she recognized the ongoing need for a space where they could remember, reflect, and heal. “I envisioned a sanctuary where families could find solace not just in the immediate aftermath of loss, but in the days, weeks, months, and years...
Ridgeview earns high marks for patient experience
Ridgeview has announced that it has been recognized as a 2024 Outstanding Patient Experience Award recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor. This distinction places Ridgeview among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient experience, according to Healthgrades, the leading marketplace that connects people with the right doctor and hospital. “To be recognized once again as one of the nation’s top performers for patient satisfaction is extremely rewarding and confirms our promise that ‘You Matter Here’,”...
Mound council gets update on water needs
Three years after high levels of manganese were first identified in Mound’s water supply, the city has made slow but steady progress toward securing the $36 million in funding needed for a new water treatment facility. Brian Simmons, city engineer, provided the annual “State of the Water” update at the March. 26 Mound City Council meeting, reiterating that the city’s ultimate goal is to provide Mound residents with safe and affordable drinking water. ...
Donation helps fund law enforcement fitness center
Minnetrista Police Department has partnered with Lifetime Fitness to build an onsite fitness facility, a step in promoting the health and well-being of law enforcement personnel. A very generous anonymous donation of $200,000 earmarked for police officer wellness from a Minnetrista resident helped to financially support this endeavor. The project kicked off in late 2023 and included the completion of approximately 2,640 square feet of unfinished space within the existing...
Westonka coaches, former players making names in hockey world
There have been even more great accomplishments for Mound-Westonka hockey program! Although the Minnesota High School hockey season has come to an end, honors continue to roll in for the Whitehawks and as always, hockey never stops! Both Westonka girls hockey coach Larry Olimb and first year boys hockey coach Jeff Degree took home District 2 Coach of the Year awards. ...
Westonka swim team celebrates season
The White Hawks boys swim team celebrated a great season at their annual awards banquet on March 17 at the Medina Entertainment Center. Coaches Ben Hanson and Izzy Kalb spoke about each swimmer individually and recognized their best swims of the season. The top two swimmers for the 2023-2024 season were senior captain Bryce Helms and Sophomore Sean Dolder. Byrce finished 1st this season with an individual point total of...
Night divides the day
Just as the days are getting brighter, it will get darker next Monday, April 8. That’s the date of a complete solar eclipse in many parts of the country when the moon passing in front of the sun will cast a shadow on the Earth darkening the sky as if it were early morning or late evening. While the sun will be only 75 percent obscured here starting Monday afternoon, some local libraries and school classes are marking the rare occasion with special events and...
Brownies give back
Westonka-Orono Brownie Troops 18618 and 18759 recently donated 12 birthday bags to WeCAN in Mound to celebrate Girl Scouts of America’s birthday week. After winding down annual cookie sales, the Scouts spent the afternoon filling bags of birthday supplies with cookie money that was earned. The next events planned are FMSC on April 6 and Unite for Earth Day activities at the Orono Nature Center on April 22. Is you are interested in Scouting please join at GirlScoutsRV.org/Join. (Submitted photo)
Breazeale throws hat into ring for District 45A seat
Minnetonka Beach city council member Tracey Breazeale has announced her candidacy for the Minnesota House in District 45A. Breazeale is a former business executive with decades of experience managing diverse teams in client service. After leaving the private sector to raise her four children, she now uses her expertise in finance and business strategy to support her community as a city council member. “Having managed both boardrooms and a busy family of six, I know what it takes to work together to get things done,”...
Boys and Girls Club expands Westonka presence
Westonka parents seeking enriching after-school activities for their children now have an exciting new free option with the launch of a Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities site at Voyageur Environmental Center (VEC) in Mound. “BGCTC has owned and operated the Voyageur property for decades conducting mostly residential and overnight camping experiences for youth K-12,” said Shannon Mattson-Campbell, vice president of development and communications. “In recent years we’ve also started conducting programming year-round on the property and now, as of January 2024, we...
Spartans swimmers, divers celebrate successful season
The Orono Spartans Boys Swim & Dive team celebrated their season at their annual awards banquet on March 17 in Medina. Coaches Ben Hanson, Isabelle Kalb and Chad Johnson (Diving) recognized all the athletes individually and handed out awards as voted on by the team. Eighth grader Henry Parks won the Hardest Worker award, eighth grader Hunter Ratfield was voted Most Improved, Freshman Gideon Fish took home the Most Valuable Diver award and Senior Walter Royal was voted Most Valuable Swimmer. For the fifth straight year Senior Caden Barnes won the Team Spirit award. ...
Westonka laces up dancing shoes for ‘Footloose’
“Footloose,” the Broadway musical that features music and lyrics by Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford and Kenny Loggins, is coming to the Westonka Performing Arts Center April 11-21, with shows at 7 p.m. on April 11, 19 and 20; and 2 p.m. on April 14 and 21. Produced by Mound Westonka High School Theatre, “Footloose” is about dancing, community, and family. A toe-tapping musical, “Footloose” will have audiences dancing in their seats. The show features 61 MWHS students in the cast, pit and crew. ...
Westonka names Miner as Athena Award winner
Mound Westonka High School has named senior Natalie Miner as the 2024 recipient of the Athena Award. Candidates for this “outstanding female athlete” award must demonstrate excellence in individual or group sports. Westonka has been celebrating the top female athlete since 1973. “Natalie Miner is an outstanding student-athlete and a great representative from Mound Westonka as the 2024 Athena recipient,” said Activities Director Jeff Peterson. “Natalie has an unmatchable drive to be the best she can be in everything that she tackles. Congratulations, Natalie!” ...
Orono students focus on history
Under the leadership of Brian Kafura, the Orono seventh grade class participated in National History Day in Minnesota. Students, in partnership with their social studies and English teachers, put together projects based on this year’s theme of “Turning Points in History.” The students have worked for four months to demonstrate their knowledge on a topic of their choice under the theme. A large variety of topics were presented on from the clean indoor air act, Title IX to the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. ...
North Shore gymnasts soar at state championship
The top gymnasts from the North Shore Gymnastics Association’s Optionals and Xcel Gold-Sapphire teams headed to the Minneapolis Convention Center this past weekend for the 2024 Minnesota State Championships. Over 1,500 gymnasts and 53 gyms from around the state were in attendance for the event. To accommodate the hundreds of competitors participating in the meet, the divisions were broken down into groups of 20-25 athletes. Gymnasts must have achieved a qualifying score for their respective competition level during the regular season. ...
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Laker Pioneer serves the Mound, Minnetrista, Spring Park, Navarre, Long Lake, Orono, Maple Plain, Independence and Minnetonka Beach communities. Published Saturdays by APG of East Central Minnesota since 1974. 24/7 local coverage found online at www.lakerpioneer.com
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