Author: Gretchen Haynes

Local photographer captures trumpeter swans with newly hatched cygnets near Flying Cloud Drive in Eden Prairie.

Excitement filled the air as Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) seniors gathered Friday at the high school to take buses to their graduation ceremony at 3M Arena at Mariucci, located on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. Eden Prairie Local News photographer Gretchen Haynes captured the event, which showcased a mix of anticipation and camaraderie among the graduates. This year marked a significant milestone as the EPHS Class of 2024 graduated, coinciding with the school district’s celebration of 100 years since the town consolidated its four one-room schools in 1924. About 700 seniors, dubbed the “Century Club” by school…

Eden Prairie’s Memorial Day Ceremony honored military heroes with heartfelt speeches and music, highlighted by Lt. James Rasmussen’s account of his WWII service.

Under a sky ignited by a rare geomagnetic storm, the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, unfurled a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors Friday night, drawing awe and cameras upward. Eden Prairie Local News photographer Gretchen Haynes captured the extraordinary celestial event, which she described as the most intense Aurora Borealis display she has ever witnessed. The flares are astoundingly active,” said Haynes, who tracked the Kp index – short for planetary K-index, a scale that measures geomagnetic activity from 1 to 9 – as it soared to a remarkable peak of 9. This intense solar activity painted the heavens with an array…

Eden Prairie’s Gretchen Haynes captures the delicate beauty of frozen bubbles, blending art and science in the winter cold.

While chronicling the fall scenery at Riley Lake Park last week, Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) photographer Gretchen Haynes, using her iPhone 14 Pro Max, encountered a poignant moment amid the natural beauty. Haynes often turns to her iPhone, valuing its convenience. She makes a point of using it several times per week to ensure comfort and to capture the best photos. “After all, I always have my iPhone,” Haynes said. “I do not always have my Sony camera!” During her visit, she photographed a 10-year-old golden retriever named Stella with her owner, Isomi Tomari of Minnetrista. They paused their…

Attendees at the City of Eden Prairie’s Harvest to Halloween event on Oct. 14 had time for a bit of outdoor fun at Riley Lake Park before the clouds opened up and started pouring rain. At that point, people began seeking shelter in buildings like the Riley-Jacques Barn, where a sale of old costumes from the Eden Prairie Players was being held. The historic Dorenkemper House at the park was also open for tours at the event. Kids were encouraged to wear their costumes and collect candy or treats from participating local businesses and organizations at Harvest to Halloween.

Eden Prairie residents had the opportunity to witness a partial annular solar eclipse on Saturday, Oct. 14. The event, documented by Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) photographer Gretchen Haynes, showcased two moments of the eclipse. Haynes captured her first photo at 11:27 a.m. as the eclipse approached its peak despite the haze caused by the clouds. She quickly snapped her second photo at 11:45 a.m., just three minutes before the eclipse reached its peak overhead. “At its peak, the partial eclipse was at about 46%,” Haynes said. “This photo is interesting because the water crystals in the clouds created a…

Prairie Sky Girl Scout troops participated in a community initiative called “Chalk the Walk,” leaving colorful messages outside local schools to express gratitude to teachers and staff as they prepared for the upcoming academic year.

After three weeks of hard work and dedication, the Eden Prairie Players Children’s Theatre Workshop performance of “Princess King,” a children’s play written by Jeff Fluharty, opened on Friday to laughter and cheers. In its 18th year, the Children’s Theatre Workshop teaches children theater performance, choreography, staging, and set design. Part of the Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Department, auditions are held every March, and children ages 9 through 15 are welcome to sign up. Performances will continue at the Riley Jacques Barn, 9100 Riley Lake Road, through the weekend, with shows at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, and…