Author: Stuart Sudak

Update: This story includes information released by the city on Friday afternoon. In the early hours of Friday morning, a fire tore through two neighboring single-family homes in the 10000 block of Lee Drive near Franlo Road. As investigators continue their on-scene work, the cause of the fire remains unknown, according to Eden Prairie Fire Chief Scott Gerber. “That will likely take some time,” stated Gerber. The fire department received an alert about the incident around 12:30 a.m. Upon arrival, fire crews were faced with intense flames already consuming both structures. “Our crews did a great job to try to…

Longtime Eden Prairie residents Nancy Vest and Terry Eggan, who will be celebrating their 48th wedding anniversary in August, first crossed paths at Schooner Days when they were just 13 and 14 years old respectively. Submitted photo Nancy Vest and her husband Terry Eggan began their courtship at the annual Schooner Days about 55 years ago. A young Nancy Vest and Terry Eggan pose in a photo pin taken at the Minnesota State Fair a few years after their meeting at Schooner Days. Submitted photo Reminiscing about that day, Nancy and Terry playfully debate the nature of their early relationship.…

The Eden Prairie Lions Club’s annual Schooner Days will roll into town on Friday at Round Lake Park, 16691 Valley View Road. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 2, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 3, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 4. Activities include carnival rides, children’s games, bingo, a beer garden, and music. A new addition this year is a vendor marketplace featuring specialty foods, juried arts and crafts, and hand-picked retailers. The marketplace will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to…

The Duck Lake Road bridge was completed last year as part of a road improvement project between Duck Lake Trail and Mallard Court. The fishing pier can be seen jutting into the water. Submitted photo Since 1988, Rose Hilk and her husband Ron have made their home on Duck Lake in Eden Prairie, witnessing both the joys and challenges that the lake has faced over the years. Hilk and other members of the recently formed Eden Prairie Duck Lake Association eagerly anticipate the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday for the newly completed 150-foot Duck Lake Road bridge, which reunites two parts…

Katie Qualey stands outside the Cummins-Phipps-Grill House. Named after the three families who resided there, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Photos by Stuart Sudak Seated at the dining room table of the historic Cummins-Phipps-Grill House, Katie Qualey reflects on when her love for Eden Prairie’s history first took root. “I have loved history, and I didn’t know about all our local history,” said Qualey, a freelance graphic artist who has lived in Eden Prairie for 35 years. “Once you’ve kind of learn about it all and share it with others, boy, it really just…

The Viking Squadron Civil Air Patrol posting the colors during last year’s ceremony. File photo by Gillian Holte Are you planning to stay in town for the Memorial Day weekend? If so, here are a few activities you can enjoy in Eden Prairie for the remainder of the weekend. Memorial Day Celebration A Memorial Day Ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial in Purgatory Creek Park, 13001 Technology Drive. Vietnam veteran Gary Nash will be the keynote speaker at Monday’s Memorial Day Ceremony at Purgatory Creek Park. Photo by Jim Bayer The event will…

Serena Haglin rescuing ducklings from a storm sewer drain on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the City of Eden Prairie Serena Haglin, a community service officer for the Eden Prairie Police Department, found herself in a heartwarming rescue mission on Sunday afternoon when a call came in regarding a group of ducklings that fell into a storm sewer drain on Indigo Drive. Upon arriving at the scene at about noon, Haglin didn’t have much time to assess the situation. “Rolled up and right away you can hear the chirping from the sewer cover,” she recalled. “And the lady who called in…

Mark Weber, president of the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, stands at Riley Lake Park, the venue for the Solar Boat Regatta scheduled for Saturday. Behind him are the boats used by the Eden Prairie Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing. That group plays a vital role in setting up the course and ensuring safety during the regatta. Photo by Stuart Sudak Mark Weber, president of the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES), offered a preview of the 31st Annual Solar Boat Regatta, ready to set sail at Riley Lake Park beach on Saturday. Now in its seventh year at the Eden Prairie…

Southwest Christian High School (SWCHS) in Chaska has hired David Flom as the new head coach for its varsity boys basketball team. Flom, who previously coached at Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) for 17 years, stepped down on March 31 following a challenging season that involved his suspension for reading a racial slur to players. The subsequent reinstatement of Flom sparked protests and caused division among players, parents, and community members. The private Christian school made the announcement this week through a news release, which touted Flom’s “significant success in high school coaching, including numerous statewide and national accolades.” In…

“Mount Eden Prairie” now barely rises above the ground. Photos by Stuart Sudak The snowbank that achieved online fame as “Mount Eden Prairie” in the parking lot of Eden Prairie Center is nearing the end of its unlikely journey. As temperatures rise, the once imposing snow mound that dominated the landscape in March has transformed into a modest knoll, caked in a layer of dirt and debris, as of Wednesday, May 17. The difference in size is apparent, as a crow hops from the ground to conquer the snowbank’s low summit, no longer needing to take to the skies to…