A lot happens in the course of a year. With nearly 62,000* residents in Maple Grove’s 36 square miles, living everyday lives full of the mundane and the adventurous, it’s a revelation to see time in written form: the sum total of another year lived. But, here it is, a sliver reflection of who we are in series of fives (with a bit of fun thrown in).
Babies Born
Taylor Kathleen and Thomas Jonathon Jacobs, born January 2 to Jenna and Tom Jacobs
Avery Alan and Gracelynn (Gracie) Nicholle Johnson, born January 31 to Danielle and Spencer Johnson
Olivia Marie Halland, born February 9 to Rob and Julie Halland
Reese Taylor Remme, born March 3 to Erin and Joshua Remme
Alyssa Leigh Talley born March 28 to Josh and Robin Talley
“All the nurses genuinely took care of me and my husband as if you were part of the family, which was really nice for a first time mom, especially with twins. We had such a wonderful baby experience
at Maple Grove Hospital that it inspired me to work there.”—Danielle Johnson, new mom and Maple Grove Hospital marketing staff member
SOURCE: Maple Grove Hospital
In Loving Memory: 5 People Who Left Us Far Too Soon
“Big Al” Allan Todd Davey — 50, September 16, “Always the first to lend a hand to anyone in need.”
Uwe Kipp — 51, July 31
Curtis L. Anderson — 53, July 25
Susan C. Peterson — 51, April 23
Ann L. Blake — 54, January 31, of Andover, was tragically killed as a pedestrian on the sidewalk near the intersection of Hemlock Lane North and Elm Creek Boulevard. She had been recently widowed and is survived by two young children.
“Polly” Hortense Pahl — 97, August 31, perhaps our eldest resident.
Weather
99˚ Highest temp — July 6
-12˚ Lowest temp — Jan 19
49 mph Wind Gust — July 3
2.06 in. Most rainfall — May 3
3—5 in. most snow — February 29
Source: KARE 11 Weatherman and Maple Grove resident, Jerrid Sebesta
Top Five Things in the Lost and Found at Elm Creek Park Reserve:
- cell phone(s)
- wedding ring
- swim suit
- stuffed pig (with a name taped to it)
- quilt
Source: Eastman Nature Center
Heroes of School Dist. No. 279
Although there are many, here are five:
For significant investment in their own learning—Khalid Abdalla, student/Weaver Lake Elementary. “Often Khalid will come back to school with a comment to share that starts with ‘you know that thing we heard yesterday? Well I checked and …’”
For significant investment in the betterment of education—Jessica Crooker, educator, rebuilt the Reading Intervention program at North View Junior High. Students are carrying books with them to class, they are excited to read, and most importantly, they are growing in their own literacy efforts.
For significant investment in overcoming adversity—Dan Kosanda, student/Osseo Junior High. Despite many absences due to doctors’ appointments and surgeries he has stayed at the top of his class, proven to be a leader and role model in school, and outside of school he is active in adaptive sports.
For significant investment in helping the community—Mitzi Heath, student assistance counselor/Park Center Senior High. Heath has been instrumental in organizing the Youth Food Shelf at Brooklyn United Methodist Church. She has an extraordinary commitment to our area’s homeless youth, as well as in soliciting donations of food, clothing and
toiletries.
For significant investment in modeling for youth—Christy Heroux, student/Fernbrook Elementary. “Her positive attitude and strong character exemplifies respect for herself, her peers and adults.” Heroux is also involved on the student council and in Fernbrook’s Destination Imagination Program.
Five Maple Grove Council Members
Mayor Mark Steffenson appointed to mayor August 2001, re-elected ’02, ’06, ’10; term expires: December 2014; liaison to community center owners’ team
Karen Jaeger elected 1999, term expires: December 2014; park board and lake quality commission liaison
Erik Johnson elected 2009, term expires: December 2016; liaison to arbor committee
Phil Leith elected 2007, term expires: December 2014; liaison to citizens advisory committee
LeAnn Sargent elected 1991, term expires: December 2016; liaison to planning commission
Top 5 Items the Foodshelf Most Needs
Pop-up top canned Goods
Cleaning products
Breakfast
cereals
Peanut butter
Money
You Won’t See These Five Things in M.G.
Car dealerships with outside sales
Overnight parking on public streets (code prevents from 2-6 a.m. and/or 2+ inches of snow)
Inspections required when you sell
your home
Six-hour Council meetings
Light Rail Transit (Yet! Something is scheduled for 2020 in Metropolitan Council plans, a busway or maybe an actual rail—depends on the argument at the last meeting.)
Five Most-Donated Things at C.R.O.S.S. Foodshelf
Macaroni and cheese
Sugary cereal
Spaghetti sauce
Thanksgiving foods during the holidays
Ramen noodles
Needed As well: Canned meats (tuna and chicken), diapers, plain oatmeal (no brown sugar or syrup mixed in), nutritious snacks, popcorn, protein bars, fresh produce, in-season clothing and $$$.
“Think of kids when you are donating.” —Char Lake, foodshelf coordinator, crossfoodshelf.com
Top Five Most-Requested Books at the Maple Grove Library
(as of 11/05/2012)
- The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins
- Fifty Shades of Grey, E. L. James
- Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins
- Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins
- Gone Girl: A novel, Gillian Flynn
Source: Librarian Kathryn Zimmerman
Names of five New Maple Grove Streets?
0
Nope—all street names were long ago predetermined on a grid. Street names run in alphabetical order starting in the east with Kilmer Lane and running through to Brockton Lane. South to north they ascend numerically.
Source: Frank Kampel, City Engineering Department
Top Five Invasive Species
- Buckthorn (In woody areas)
- Garlic Mustard (along roadsides)
- Bird’s Foot Trefoil
- Crown Vetch
- Leafy Spurge
“One other species that has made its way into Elm Creek Park, much to the chagrin of our resources staff, is oriental bittersweet.”—Vicky Wachtler, Interpretive naturalist, Eastman Nature Center
5 Wins
Maple Grove Medallion finder—Wayne Wallace
Maple Grove Days bed race team winner—Senate Republican Dist. No. 32 (runner up Osseo /Maple Grove Hockey Assoc.)
Maple Grove Days Art Fair winner—Craig Richardson
Maple Grove Patch’s MN State Fair Photography Contest—first prize, Sue Jacobsen, who posed with her “favorite hero,” a large picture of the head and neck of her son Tommy, on a stick. Jacobsen’s son is in the military.
MN Music Teachers Assoc. State Piano Contest—Beacon Academy student Elena Romashkov wins the Senior A Level competition against 17- and 18-year-olds. She is 11. Go, Elena!
5 Fails
61-year-old woman charged with death of pedestrian. Driver had blood alcohol level of 0.18. Pedestrian was a mother and recent widow, Ann Blake (see In Loving Memory). The driver was later tested and proven to have dementia. January 31
Maple Grove Senior High was vandalized on the last day of the 2011–12 school year. Suspects used spray paint and cans of paint to damage the building. June 7
Lightning strike caused a fire in a Maple Grove home. Damage made it uninhabitable. Fortunately, no one was harmed. The home was in need of “extensive remodeling.” July 24
Angel of Hope statue in Maple Grove Arboretum Park was vandalized the night before the 2nd Annual Walk to Remember. Memorial bricks were damaged but later cleaned. May 4
The Arbor Lakes AMC theater was purchased by a leading Chinese private conglomerate. September 4
Kudos x5
Maple Grove Hospital was chosen as one of the Top Places to Work by the Star Tribune.
Grandmaster Eui Lee, of World Taekwondo Academy, served as a coach for the U.S. Taekwondo team at the 2012 Olympics.
Maple Grove made CNN/Money Magazine’s list of Top 100 best places to live in America, coming in at No. 22. The main trait noted for the city’s
amiable placement? Shopping!
Keith Marler, Maple Grove resident and morning meteorologist at KMSP, was voted “America’s Favorite Weather Forecaster” in a poll conducted by weatherist.com.
Life Time Fitness personal trainer Kelly Tamm was selected as the top Life Time Fitness personal trainer for the month of September, among all Life Time Fitness nationwide locations.
Five High-Selling Homes
$1,427,583 17134 62nd Ave. N.; 5 beds/7 baths; 5,430 sq. ft.; built 2012
$1,198,038 17308 62nd Ave. N.; 5 beds/5 baths; 6,157 sq. ft.; 2012
$1,127,500 17333 62nd Ave. N.; 5 beds/5 baths; 6,370 sq. ft.; 2011
$1,108,000 17320 62nd Ave. N.; 5 beds/5 baths; 6,318 sq. ft.; 2012
$1,007,437 6404 Merrimac Ln. N.; 6 beds/5 baths; 5,815 sq. ft.; 2012
(No. 6 was the only pre-owned home, $925,000, 7982 Ithaca Ln. N.; 1982)
Source: Jennifer Cutter, Edina Realty and Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota
5 OPENINGS
After a year of construction, the new Eastman Nature Center in Elm Creek Park Reserve.
Freeziac, self-serve frozen yogurt at Dunkirk and Hwy. 30 (some competition for Tutti Frutti and CherryBerry, which also opened this year).
White Castle.
Starbucks Coffee (next door to Freeziac). Finally! You don’t have to detour to the Arbor Lakes area for a good drive-through venti-2 percent-latte, or whatever your fave may be.
Red Stone American Grill (let’s hope they have as good a run as the Boston’s restaurant they replace).
Five Funky Police Reports
Report of an individual stealing a ham from Cub and then trying to return it for a refund. April 2
Vandalism report of cooking oil and sandwich pickles placed on vehicles in driveway. September 16
Report of more than $800 of merchandise shoplifted from Victoria’s Secret. March 31
Report of more than $2,000 worth of flea-and-tick prevention product stolen from PetSmart. November 28
A man’s girlfriend, who was incarcerated in Chicago, reportedly threatened him saying she was going to have someone hurt or kill him because he had another girl on his Facebook page. He shared that she had been violent in the past.
Top Five Complaints Received by the City
Contractors who tell homeowners that they obtained proper permits for work and charge the homeowner for the permits but never obtain the permits.
Residents who leave their garbage/recycling bins visible.
Theft.
Keys locked in vehicles.
“The neighbor’s construction project is taking too long
to complete.” //
* According to city-data.com. The 2012 census says 61,567. The City estimates 2010 at 63,079.
