Author: Mollee Francisco

Jane Froiland can trace her love of performing all the way back to Sharon Papic’s second grade class at Eden Prairie’s Eden Lake Elementary. “I had a very generous teacher who let me perform skits,” recalled Froiland. Froiland took advantage of Papic’s generosity and performed as often as possible. Soon, other kids were asking to get involved and Froiland found herself not only writing and acting, but casting and directing as well. “I realized it was a good way to get positive attention,” she said. “I took that and ran with it.” That run has brought her all the way…

Avaneesa Iyer may have just reached double digits in age, but the Eden Prairie resident — who goes by Ava — already has two world records to her name. Last summer, Ava became the Kids World Record holder for both the longest hair among girls 7-9 years old and the longest tree pose among any gender 7-9 years old. Kids World Records (KWR) is a website that tracks accomplishments among children between the ages of 4 and 16. KWR provides a platform for kids to explore their interests with enthusiasm and creativity while working towards a concrete goal. “We believe…

When Giang Nguyen decided he was ready to marry Elizabeth Leppert, he knew that the proposal would need to include two things: a Miniature Schnauzer puppy and a return to the place where they met. It took more than a year of planning (mostly due to the puppy), but 24 years after first laying eyes on Leppert, Nguyen got down on one knee on the grounds of Eden Prairie’s Oak Point Elementary School. Leppert said yes, but didn’t immediately realize the significance of the location. “It didn’t click until the next day,” she said. Meet cute Nguyen and Leppert met…

At Department 56, it all begins with a story: A young couple celebrating the purchase of their first home, an iconic toy store ready to amaze and delight customers with a magical experience, a little boy who simply wants a Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle for Christmas. These are the stories that Christmas village collectors can’t get enough of, and many of these stories originate at the Department 56 headquarters in Eden Prairie. “Every house has a story,” said Rick Jackson, managing director of product development for Department 56. “We get the piece — the story…

As Florida braces to potentially be hit by a rare November hurricane, Eden Prairie Fire Chief Scott Gerber is still processing his recent trip to Florida to help with response efforts following the massive and destructive Category 4 Hurricane Ian. In late September, Gerber was deployed to DeSoto County, north of Fort Myers, as part of the Minnesota All Hazards Incident Management Team. “This is state-to-state mutual aid,” explained Gerber. “The state has great resources, great people to deploy,” he noted, adding that Minnesota sent upwards of 80 individuals to Florida to offer help. This was Gerber’s fifth such deployment.…

Blake Sorensen didn’t start a business to make money. He started a business to solve a problem. Four years later, that business — Blake’s Seed Based — is taking off and making life easier, and tastier, in the process. Sorensen, now 34, was just two years old when his parents discovered he had a nut allergy. “I’ve grown up my entire life avoiding certain snacks,” he said. So when the 2007 Eden Prairie High School grad was tasked with solving one of his own problems while working toward his MBA at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, he looked to…

Patrick Donohue’s first foray into entrepreneurial life began with a few pieces of paper, a small table and a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade. Today, Donohue has traded the lemonade for words of wisdom as he offers valuable lessons to budding entrepreneurs trying to build a successful business with his new book “Breakout Valuation.” Published by Houndstooth Press on Sept. 20, “Breakout Valuation” represents the culmination of decades of Donohue’s business experience. The 45-year-old Eden Prairie resident currently serves as CEO and managing partner of Hill Capital Corporation. He is also actively involved with local entrepreneur organizations 1 Million Cups Eden…

It may be hard to imagine today’s bustling Eden Prairie as a quiet little hamlet of just a couple thousand residents, but for longtime residents like Barb Eigen, Bill Holte, Roger Dressen and Jack Kortz, it was once just that. “Saw it go from a quiet little idyllic place to the Eden Prairie that is now,” said Kortz. “I remember Eden Prairie being … it was an Eden to live there; it was just so beautiful.” Kortz is the latest interview to be posted as part of an oral history project that aims to gather and share stories about the…

At 43, Adam Bartley is carving out a nice space for himself in the world of character actors in Hollywood. The Eden Prairie native and 1997 Eden Prairie High School grad’s most recent role is in the captivating new sci-fi/drama series “Night Sky,” now streaming Season 1 on Amazon Prime. “Night Sky” follows retired couple Franklin and Irene York (played by J.K. Simmons and Sissy Spacek) as they unravel the secrets surrounding a mysterious chamber buried in their backyard. Bartley plays Byron Albemarle, a nosy neighbor who has noticed strange things happening at the York residence and won’t rest until…

Pickleball may seem like a silly name for a sport, but it’s no laughing matter to the millions of players across the country. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, including in Minnesota. And Eden Prairie has been leading the charge in the southwest metro to provide ample opportunity for enthusiasts to get their fill of the racket sport. The city currently has nearly two dozen courts with the hope for more as demand for the sport surges. Invented on a whim in 1965 by a trio of dads trying to entertain their bored kids, pickleball…