Author: Jim Bayer

Hidden in the back of a one-story office complex beneath a mammoth concrete bridge that will one day carry the Southwest Light Rail Green Line Extension, and complete with a sidewalk patio, Flying Dutchman Spirits has something of an urban feel tucked into a suburban landscape. Founded in 2017 by two hobby pilots and joined by a third friend, Flying Dutchman Spirits — known as a small batch craft distillery — offers a menu of 45 cocktails featuring the gin, vodka, rum, and blue agave produced on-site in its Hungarian-made Hagyo still. Co-owners include Brandon Thornton, originally from Eden Prairie…

Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) senior Henry Whittemore was smiling broadly as he sat near the Eagles logo in the middle of the Aerie Stadium football field Tuesday night with his classmate, Abby Hase. They were there to celebrate Senior Sunset with a few hundred of their fellow graduating colleagues. Suddenly Henry turned serious. “It’s sad,” he said. “Emotionally, really sad.” But he was looking forward to graduating and he and Abby are excited to attend the school district’s TASSEL program in the fall, a transition program for students 18-21. “Have a good night!” he said, his smile returning as…

Elizabeth Liu’s dream of becoming an Eden Prairie High School varsity pitcher began at age 11. Her dad, Lou – like all parents of new pitchers – sat on a bucket for hours catching thousands of pitches, bruised legs a constant reminder. That dream was alive and well at the beginning of her junior year in 2022. There were going to be opportunities to back up fellow junior, and starting pitcher, Kari Welter. On April 11 – Elizabeth’s number was called to finish up a game against Chaska. “I pitched the last inning,” she said. “It was the first game…

Eagles head softball coach Dan Rubischko is known for his honesty in post-game huddles. That honesty often includes constructive criticism along with coaching the team up for the next game. This time it was following a season-ending 2-1 loss to Shakopee in the Section 2AAAA championship final. And his observations were decidedly positive. “It was a great game,” he said. “Hats off to their pitcher. We weren’t able to score enough runs to win the game.” He thanked an emotional group of seniors for their contributions, some of whom began playing high school softball in the eighth grade. Game summary…

The South Vietnam jungle was cold and wet in January 1968. As 28-year-old U.S. Marine First Lt. Gary Nash jumped into his rack (military slang for a bed or bunk) on the night of Jan. 30, all he could think about was staying warm. “Everybody thinks (about) the steaming jungles of Vietnam,” Gary said. “It was cold. And I remember jumping in the rack. No boots on, but my full utility uniform flak jacket was next to me. I didn’t sleep with that on but I slept with my utility jacket on. It was so cold.” His Marine unit was…

Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) boys volleyball players were crushed last year when Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) members said no to the sport joining the ranks of varsity sports – by a single vote. Tuesday, the MSHSL voted again. This time the thumbs were up, and the sport becomes sanctioned by the MSHSL beginning in the 2024-25 season. “Amazing, very happy and excited; excited for the boys,” said EPHS boys volleyball head coach Stephanie Chapek. “They’re going to be ecstatic. Last year with the no vote, it was crushing for them, and, you know, I knew they’d be…

Hennepin County District Court has released charges filed against a Rochester, Minn., man accused of stealing merchandise from Scheels, pawning some and returning others for gift cards with the help of a female accomplice. Three other people were charged with DWIs occurring in Eden Prairie. Theft A 39-year-old Rochester man is charged with theft stemming from a September 2022 incident at Scheels in Eden Prairie. According to the police complaint: Police received a report from Scheels about a male and female who entered the store on Sept. 19, stole a pair of boots, and then returned the boots, receiving a…

Editor’s Note: Up-to-date schedules for all Lake Conference events can be found at lakeconference.org. Last week, Eden Prairie Local News featured track and field, softball, and boys and girls golf. This week we feature badminton, baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, synchronized swimming and boys tennis. Badminton Coach: John Becker (24 years) Captains: Shravani Deshmukh (12), Ishani Nandan (12), Rhea Yenubari (11), Olivia Ladegaard (11) Coach John Becker started the EPHS badminton program in 2000, making this the sport’s 24th season. This year’s squad includes 37 girls. The team began the season with a 5-2 win on March 29 over St. Paul Como…

Eden Prairie High School spring sports are underway following a mixed-weather bag. From snow to the 80s, and back to snow again, in just a few days have allowed teams to move out of the Prairie Dome and Activities Center (except badminton, which plays in the main gym, and synchronized swimming, which uses the Oak Point pool) on to their regular playing fields. Today and again next week, Eden Prairie Local News offers previews of the seven varsity sports competing in the Lake Conference. Today, we look at track and field, softball, and boys and girls golf. Next week we…

When Caroline Larsen was 8½, her mom sat her down and told her it was time to start swimming lessons. Now 16 and an Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) junior, Caroline said she loved the water even then, but spent most of her time floating rather than swimming. She agreed to join the Foxjets, a local swim club, joining her older sister and her father, Lloyd, who is the club’s head coach. At the end of the first week at Foxjets, the new swimmers raced one another. “Obviously, you just tried to get away,” Caroline recalled. “And that kind of…