Author: Gretchen Haynes

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…

Near the corner of Pioneer Trail and Flying Cloud Drive, just east of a Speedway gas station, Eden Prairie residents have access to one of the city’s three community gardens. The individual garden plots at Pioneer Trail Gardens, as well as Duck Lake Trail Gardens and Pioneer Park Gardens, are available on a first-come, first-served basis through the Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Department. These plots can be leased for a small annual fee and are accessible from May through October. (All garden plots across the three city gardens have been sold out for the 2023 season.) Gretchen Haynes, a…

On Saturday, the Party for Pride event hosted by the Eden Prairie Community Center took place at the Staring Lake Amphitheatre, showcasing support and unity for the LGBTQIA+ community through a celebration of movement, wellness, and inclusivity. Participants had the opportunity to take part in free fitness classes, activities, and enter giveaways and prize drawings. The festivities culminated in a dance party. Attendees were encouraged to showcase their loudest and proudest pride gear.

On a warm, sunny Monday morning, the annual Memorial Day Ceremony unfolded at the Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial in Purgatory Creek Park. As in previous years, attendees set up chairs around the memorial to watch the ceremony. The event is hosted annually by the Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial Committee, which played a vital role in financing the memorial’s construction (dedicated in 2008) and contributing to its design. The ceremony pays homage to the courageous men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Gary Nash, featured in a recent EPLN story, was the keynote speaker, sharing…

Decked out in suits and dresses, Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) students gathered at Excelsior Commons along the shores of Lake Minnetonka on a sunny Saturday for photos ahead of the school’s prom at U.S. Bank Stadium later that evening. Traditionally, EPHS students would gather for pre-prom photos at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, located about halfway between Eden Prairie and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. However, the bandshell is temporarily unavailable due to renovations. EPHS students were not alone in choosing the location for their pre-prom photos. Students from such other schools as Minnetonka and Wayzata also flocked to the…

The Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) hosted its 31st Annual Solar Boat Regatta on Saturday at Riley Lake Park in Eden Prairie. A total of 11 boats, sporting names such as Dragon Avalonus, Ghost Rider, TYTANIK II, and S.S. America, took to the waters of Lake Riley. These watercraft were crafted by middle and high school students, as well as adult participants, hailing from various regions across Minnesota. “The names are so colorful, and the boats are so colorful that we always say this is the most photogenic event,” said Mark Weber, president of MRES, last week in a EPLN…