by Madeline Kopiecki | Sep 1, 2025 | Photo Contest
Photographers bring our communities into focus. Over the past year, residents have been cataloging local life around Apple Valley, Lakeville and Prior Lake. This summer, these same shutter bugs shared some of their favorite shots in our Focus on Cities South photo...
by Mollee Francisco | Aug 25, 2025 | Education, Shops, Sports, Style
A sports mom creates unique apparel to support local teams. Ally Kubalak had a problem. As her school-aged sons started getting into sports, the Minnetonka mom found herself on the sidelines cheering them on while simultaneously scanning the crowds for school gear...
by Editorial Staff | Aug 15, 2025 | Photo Contest
From June 1–July 31, we invited you to submit your photos of Apple Valley, Lakeville and Prior Lake. Now, it’s time to vote for the Readers’ Choice! Scroll through our image gallery below and vote for the images you like best by checking the box. Voting is...
by Liz Potasek | Aug 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
“Focus on capabilities instead of limitations.” This sounds like a phrase that could grace a cheesy inspirational poster, but it’s actually a theme I noticed time and again as I put together this issue. There’s the travel agent who’s helping people find the perfect...
by Emma Souza | Aug 1, 2025 | Arts, Shops
Shop artwork and goods made by local youth. The annual Youth Art and Craft Market is back for its 10th year on August 14. Hosted by Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) Community Education, the market features various goods created by local children and teens ages 5...
by Scarlett Larson | Aug 1, 2025 | Arts, Noteworthy
Set on the scenic grounds of the Lakeville Area Arts Center, the annual Lakeville Art Festival offers an intimate setting to shop unique works of art while enjoying live performances, artist demonstrations and a community art project. The festival in downtown...
by Jennifer Pitterle | Aug 1, 2025 | Book Club, Education, Local Makers
Around the world in a few bites. Sarah Lang never planned on becoming a professional chef. The Lakeville resident didn’t attend culinary school, nor did she grow up envisioning herself in a restaurant kitchen. Yet her love for food inspired a career that connects...
by Kathy Dawson | Aug 1, 2025 | History, Noteworthy
In 1928, Tom Simpkins, the owner of Green Heights resort on Prior Lake, built a 35-foot by 116-foot wooden water slide. Small toboggans were used to slide down the ramp into the lake, and Bernice Lange was the first person to use it. However, the lake level began to...
by Jennifer Pitterle | Aug 1, 2025 | Senior Living, Travel
Travel agent Cheryl Leitschuh helps clients plan meaningful, comfortable trips in their 60s, 70s and beyond. “Travel is like a puzzle,” says Cheryl Leitschuh, a local travel agent. “You want to have all of the pieces come together so that you can have as smooth an...
by Grace Olson | Aug 1, 2025 | Arts, Noteworthy
Lakeville North High School senior Fiona Hamer’s self-portrait earned an Honorable Mention at the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards last spring. “I worked on this piece over the course of a few months, starting with a sketch, then focusing on the eyes and filling out...
by Katie Tomsche | Aug 1, 2025 | Noteworthy, Recipes
Getting out the door in the morning for work, school or otherwise can present some challenges, and it’s important to fuel up for the day ahead. Lunds & Byerlys’ Katie Tomsche has some suggestions. “Smoothies are not only a wonderful, healthy way to start your day...
by Emma Souza | Aug 1, 2025 | Photo Contest
Hobbyist photographer Mark Dobbelmann captures a Green Heron searching for its meal. If there’s one similarity between photography and birding, it’s that patience is key. The green heron is one of Mark Dobbelmann’s favorite birds. When he spotted one on McDonough...
by Liz Potasek | Aug 1, 2025 | Education, People
When we asked local high school administrators to nominate incoming high school seniors who are making a positive impact in their school community, they sure delivered. Our editorial team selected these four students to represent the creativity, intelligence and...
by Emma Souza | Aug 1, 2025 | Local Makers, Noteworthy, Outdoors
From First Kiss to Snow Sweet, apples abound from late August through October at Applewood Orchard. Since it opened to the public in 1999, the family-run orchard has offered apples and seasonal activities each fall, and last year, a new family took over the business....
by Liz Potasek | Aug 1, 2025 | Giving Back, Sports
The Koenigs could see the problem clearly in their own family: They had two kids, and one had an abundance of opportunities to pursue activities, hobbies and sports, and one didn’t. It was an issue of accessibility and inclusion. “There’s a lack of awareness,” Drew...
