Author: Stuart Sudak

Artist Jerry Carlson hopes a blend of curiosity and delight stops people in their tracks as they come across his Elf House along the Purgatory Creek Park trail in Eden Prairie. There is something whimsical about Carlson’s tiny structure that crouches low to the ground across the water from the park. Amid the wetlands and the trees, this is the perfect natural setting for an immersive art exhibit. Carlson has a simple motive for its creation. “I hope it gives people something to smile about,” he said. The Elf House Carlson’s traditional Icelandic-style Elf House has taken up residence along the…

For his many contributions to the community over 40 years, Mark Weber will be honored with his own day in Eden Prairie. During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Ron Case proclaimed June 21 as Mark Weber Day in Eden Prairie. Weber is retiring at the end of the month after serving as the Eden Prairie Community Foundation executive director since 2013. His Eden Prairie ties go back to 1979 when he began his long affiliation with the Eden Prairie News. Case and other council members praised Weber, who was in attendance, for his contributions to the city. “Mark Weber, you…

A man parachuting onto the Olympic Hills Golf Club course as part of a private event on Monday sustained non-life-threatening injuries after landing roughly, an Eden Prairie police spokesperson stated. Police were called to the golf club, 10624 Mount Curve Road, at 12:02 p.m. on June 13. The injured man was in stable condition and transported by ambulance for additional treatment. According to media reports, the private event at the club was a charity golf tournament for Tee It Up for the Troops. This non-profit based in Burnsville raises funds to support veterans from all branches.

Despite a few raindrops, Purgatory Creek Park bustled with activity early Saturday morning, as more than 1,000 people gathered there to participate in the ninth annual Stop the Trafficking 5K Walk/Run for Justice. Hosted by Grace Church, the City of Eden Prairie, and the Eden Prairie Police Department, the event brought the community together to create awareness of human trafficking. From a participation and fundraising standpoint, it was a record-breaking year for the 5K. Over $50,000 in proceeds will be donated to the following Minnesota organizations: ACT United, Corrie’s House, Breaking Free and Terebinth Refuge, plus Shear Love in Thailand. Before…

Eden Prairie police officers are taking a neighborly approach to build relationships with the community. A recently launched police program called Neighborhood Police Officers (NPO) aims to help officers and residents get to know each other better, hopefully making it easier to work together and solve neighborhood issues. “It’s trust with the community; rapport with the community,” said Police Lt. Jess Irmiter, explaining the program’s objective. “Humanizing police officers. Getting out and actually listening to what the neighbors have to say. One-on-one is the best way to hear what a neighborhood issue is.” The program had been in the works…

An Eden Prairie man severely injured in a hazing incident at a University of Missouri fraternity in October 2021 is back home but still not recovered from his injuries, an attorney for his family told a Missouri TV station. Danny Santulli, a freshman at the college at the time of the incident, sustained alcohol-induced brain injuries during a pledge party at the now-closed Mizzou chapter of Phi Gamma Delta (also known as Fiji) house. David Bianchi, the Santulli family’s attorney, said in a June 3 KMIZ story that Santulli is blind and cannot communicate or walk. The 2021 Eden Prairie High…

Organizers of the first Schooner Days in 1964 had an ambitious motive for setting up the event, complete with a parade, skydiving, carnival rides and hootenanny music, in a pasture east of Flying Cloud Airport. “Not many people know where Eden Prairie is,” Lions Club member Larry Wilson told the Minneapolis Star in a June 4, 1964, story. “We’re trying to put it on the map.” Though what part Schooner Days played in putting Eden Prairie on the map is hard to measure, one thing is unmistakable. Over the years, Schooner Days has grown into a much-beloved early-summer tradition for…

Hennepin County crews begin prep work Wednesday, June 1, for a major repaving of Flying Cloud Drive (County Road 61) between Interstate 494 and Charlson Road in Eden Prairie. According to a Tuesday county traffic alert, this initial work will take three to four days to complete. It will result in lane closures that will move throughout the construction area. No detours or access issues are expected. Work on the actual month-long repaving project begins in mid-June and will cause road closures and detours as needed. Crews will start the work with directional closures of Flying Cloud Drive between Pioneer Trail (County…

Nate Gibbs has been named principal of Eden Prairie High School, effective July 1. Gibbs currently serves as the principal of Chaska Middle School West and has previously served as an assistant principal of Minnetonka High School. An announcement was made in a Tuesday email to EPHS families. He will replace Robb Virgin, who is moving into a new position with the school district on July 1. Virgin, who has been principal since 2018, will become executive director of personalized learning. “Mr. Gibbs is an outstanding educational leader with a spirit of continuous improvement,” said Eden Prairie Schools Superintendent Josh Swanson.…

LeRoy Wien, 102, passed away peacefully at his residence in The Waters of Eden Prairie on May 20. He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters and his beloved wife, Margaret. Survived by his three daughters, Linda (Stephen) Levering, Kristi (Theodore) Hansen, and Terry Gerlach; grandchildren, Todd (Stacey) Levering, Tina BaDour, Brian Levering, and Scott Gerlach; five great-grandchildren, and sister, June Sykes. Roy was best known for his moves on the dance floor and his great love of family, faith and golf. He lived a life of kindness and gratitude. He was a World War II veteran who…