May/June 2020

“There is no teacher equal to a mother, and there’s nothing more contagious than the dignity of a father.”—Amit Ray

Happy Mother’s and Father’s Days!

Editor's note: This issue was finalized as our community, nation and world were in the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak. It was our editorial staff’s sincere hope that, by the time this issue landed in your mailbox, the virus would be contained, and we would have eased back into our daily routines, ever mindful of the lives lost and impact felt by so many around the world. However, due to the quickly evolving circumstances in our community during the creation of this issue, please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. As your community magazine, we will continue to spotlight residents—the cornerstones of this area—and focus on the importance of local businesses in Maple Grove.

The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes hosted Plaid Market on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.  It was curated by Fox Run and featured over 20 local artisans and Omni Brewing’s pop-up taproom.  A portion of the proceeds benefitted The Sheridan Story, fighting child hunger.

 
A woman lounges on an inflatable donut in a pool.

A candid moment captures first place in our Focus on Maple Grove photo contest.

 
A bloody mary from Claddagh's Irish Pub in Maple Grove

Take a sip of some of the best bloody marys in Maple Grove and beyond.

 
The Maple Grove Writers Studio

Who doesn’t love a good group, especially when it’s creative, supportive and publishes its own book?

 
Boating gear from local retailers.

We’ve culled a list of items from area retailers (local and across the Metro) that will help keep your day on the water “on an even keel.”

 
Two HVAC technicians work on a unit.

A college and career specialist at Maple Grove Senior High has come up with a unique way to recognize students opting out of the traditional four-year college route.

 
Kelly and Bob Rodenberg

Kelly Rodenberg was diagnosed in October 2019 with glioblastoma. She chronicled her journey in a humorous and faith-filled book, "There's Something Going on Upstairs."

 
A backyard set up for entertaining.

Making a plan and considering your guests ahead of time will allow you to enjoy the party, too.

 
A thriller in a Thriller, Filler, Spiller container garden.

Let’s look at options for Thrillers, which are plants that provide height and a bit of thrilling interest.

 
A bundle of pink flowers.

This stunning guide features informative summaries, history, growing instructions and more.

 
A woman holds a gin old fashioned.

Instead of bourbon in your old fashioned, use barrel-aged gin.