Lester Prairie
Lifestyle
A deer sanctuary in central Minnesota might be forced to close its doors after 60 years
HUTCHINSON, Minn. — A long-time deer sanctuary in Hutchinson is at risk of being shut down and a fence might be the culprit. For decades, a 28-acre site in the middle of town has been a destination for people of all ages."We came here a few times, and she gets so excited to see the deer and the ducks and everything," said Carissa McCain, visitor.Deer is the main attraction. They've been on site for more than 60 years. But due to a new law, Gopher Campfire Wildlife Sanctuary is now required to build a second fence around the perimeter, to prevent the...
Native American fare on the menu at next ROAR class
Sharing cultures through food. That is the theme of recent cooking classes hosted by Waconia ROAR (Residents Organized Against Racism). Next Thursday, May 23, the group is hosting a Native American cooking class taught by Waconia resident Don Crofut. Crofut is a full citizen in the tribe of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. His mother’s family has a long history of healing and midwifing on the tribe, and he recalls as...
Drawing for 'life'
Congratulations to the following Zion Lutheran School of Mayer students who placed in the recent Lutherans for Life Carver County poster contest. Autumn Bouma was 2nd place in grade 4; CJ Hart was 1st place in grade 5; Elise Luoma was 1st place in grade 6; Sara Jacobs was 1st place in grade 7; and Boden Niedzielski was 1st place in grade 8. (Submitted photo)
Artists of all ages invited to design next library card
Great River Regional Library invites local creative artists of all ages to participate in a contest to design the next library card. This contest, which will run throughout June, offers a unique opportunity for your design to be printed and available to library users across Central Minnesota, spanning GRRL’s 32 locations. GRRL staff will carefully review all submissions and decide on each age group’s winners. ...
Sisters in shopping
Saturday, May 11 was beautiful for fishing and shopping as the state marked the annual Fishing Opener and the Waconia Chamber of Commerce and participating businesses staged their 20th annual Sister Saturday. Typically held over the Fishing Opener and Mother’s Day weekend, the shopping and entertainment day involved over 30 participating businesses. Pink was the fashion color for the day as these pictures show. (Photos courtesy Waconia Chamber of Commerce)
Association honors Mackenthun’s for Minnesota-grown, hunger initiatives
Mackenthun’s Fine Foods of Waconia was among the honorees at the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) Champions Luncheon held on Tuesday, April 16 at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan. This event showcases from, farm to fork, the Minnesota food industry’s positive impact on our communities. The afternoon highlighted the accomplishments of those engaged in all aspects of the Minnesota food industry. Mackenthun’s took regional honors in the Minnesota Grown program recognizing grocers that bring local products to market. The Waconia family grocer also was recognized with a Bag Hunger Campaign “Silver Plate Award” for community hunger support. The MGA’s 2023 campaign donated more than 1.5 million meals across the state, and in the last 15 years has provided over 44 million meals to hungry families in Minnesota.
Trends and tips to prepare your teen for their senior portraits
CHASKA, Minn. — The school year hasn't even ended yet, and next year's graduating class is already booking their photo shoots for senior pictures.Waconia High School junior Keagan Cruzen is getting his senior photos taken early after hearing that senior year goes by fast."Some of my friends actually were kind of in a rush at the end of the year to get there's done, so now that I've got mine done I don't have to really worry about it at all," Keagan Cruzen said.His mom Angie is already finding her senior-year emotions."I have cried a couple of times today (laughs)!"...
Students’ artwork featured at festival
Mound Westonka High School art students competed in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Visual Arts Festival, the largest regional art competition in the state, April 26 in Shakopee. Out of 18 entries, students earned 11 Superior awards and five Awards of Excellence. “We had a fantastic showing at the festival!” said art teacher Jana Pare. “All the students who participated submitted outstanding work!” Earning Superior awards for their...
Association to host free rain garden planting, design workshop
The Harrisons Bay Association (HBA) has a mission to educate the community on ways that residents can impact the water quality of our bay. One way to do this is through landscaping practices that filter stormwater pollutants and keep that water out of our lake. HBA and the University of Minnesota Extension Education Office will be hosting a free hands-on rain garden planting and design workshop on May 18 at 9 am. Attendees will receive training on plant selection and placement and each participant will...
Middle-schoolers get spooky and kooky
While the Waconia High School theatre department was preparing for its production this week, May 9-11, of Shakespeare in Love, the Waconia Middle School theatre group was staging The Addams Family in several performances the past two weekends. Here are a few scenes of the creepy, crazy cast from that production. Tickets for the high school spring play which was previewed last week can be purchased at ShowTix4U.com. (Photos courtesy School District 110)
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