Author: EPLN Staff Reports

A story on PROP Food’s Keeping Families in Their Homes campaign, which appeared in the Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) on Nov. 29, has inspired a matching donation from Scheels. After reading the article about the unprecedented rise in families needing emergency support to remain housed, Lauren Andrist, the marketing lead at Scheels in Eden Prairie Center, contacted PROP and offered an additional matching gift. PROP announced the gift in a media release on Friday “We saw the incredible story in EPLN of PROP’s campaign to help families stay housed, and one couple’s generous matching gift, and wanted to help…

Onward Eden Prairie received donations this fall from Jamison Optical, celebrating its 10th anniversary, and Veridian Credit Union.

The Wings of the North Air Museum at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie is set to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight with a special event. On Dec. 17, 1903, Orville Wright achieved the first successful flight in a powered, heavier-than-air craft. This groundbreaking event occurred near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright Flyer remained airborne for 12 seconds, covering 120 feet.  Orville and his brother, Wilbur, flew three longer fights on the same day. To celebrate this historic milestone, the Wings of the North Air Museum will open its doors at no charge…

Daniel A Conley, 67, of Alexandria, Minnesota, formerly of Eden Prairie, passed away on Nov. 23, 2023. Daniel was born at Midway Hospital in St. Paul, grew up in Eden Prairie, attended Zion Lutheran Church in Hopkins, and graduated from Lutheran High School in Minneapolis in 1974. He worked in real estate for 30 years, ending his career with Edina Realty. Dan enjoyed riding his motorcycle, deer hunting, and fishing when he was younger. He enjoyed helping others, volunteering on a mission trip to Joplin, Missouri, after the devastating tornado in the spring of 2011. He volunteered at Love, Inc., in Alexandria, for…

Dance Arts Centre’s 2023 event exceeded fundraising goals in support of the organization, which offers programs for children and adults with disabilities.

Having a roof overhead and a warm place to sleep is vital for family stability, especially during the cold winter months. PROP Food reports in a media release that it has witnessed an unprecedented increase in clients needing emergency and short-term housing support, up 25% from last year. With the current high cost of living and the end of pandemic-era rental assistance programs, some residents of Eden Prairie and Chanhassen face critical housing insecurity, being just days away from eviction. To address this, PROP is launching its “Keep Families in their Homes for the Holidays (and Beyond)” campaign in December.…

Eden Prairie Early Childhood PTO’s October diaper collection resulted in a November donation of over 10,000 diapers and 9,000 wipes to PROP.

Sandra Lee Brown (Gammy) passed away on Nov. 5, 2023, at the age of 87. She was born June 26, 1936, in New Richland, Minnesota, to parents Hannah and Rueben Burtness. Sandra was a graduate of St. Olaf College, where she sang in the St. Olaf choir. She married Wayne (Brownie) Brown in 1957 and soon left for Morocco, Africa. For the next three years, while Brownie served in the Air Force, they created many special memories and great friendships. The couple was able to tour the world and gave birth to their daughter, Natalie. Upon their return to Minnesota,…

Starkey honors employee veterans at Vikings game On Veterans Day weekend, Eden Prairie-based hearing aid manufacturer Starkey honored employees who have served in the military by hosting them in its U.S. Bank Stadium turf suite for the Minnesota Vikings Salute to Service game. The group also visited with the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders and former players. Honorary attendees included servicemen and women from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and National Guard. “Supporting and giving back to those who have served our country is an important part of Starkey’s core values, and one of the main pillars of our corporate social…

Expect several months of construction along the western edge of Eden Prairie in 2024. Updated information from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) indicates that a construction project for state Highway 101 is scheduled to begin in June, with an estimated completion date of October 2024. The project impacts Highway 101 between state Highway 5 in Chanhassen and County Road 62/Townline Road in Eden Prairie. It includes resurfacing two miles of travel lanes, improving drainage, reconstruction of a trail on the west side of the road, connecting the trail on the west side of the road with a Twilight Trail…