Inspired
July 19, 2019
June Fremont proudly saluted in the finely fitting Marine Corps uniform. For the annual Marine birthday ball in 2017, she wore a friend's jacket (thou

Meet a 97-year-old Woodbury resident who was one of the first female Marines

June Fremont joined up during WWII, shortly after the Marine Corps authorized a Women's Reserve in 1943.
Inspired
July 19, 2019
Ned Crosby.

Twin Cities philanthropist sees our best hope for common ground in Citizens Juries

For 45 years, Ned Crosby has randomly selected a microcosm of the population to gather and listen to and learn from experts on pressing societal issues before respectfully brainstorming solutions.
Inspired
July 19, 2019
Max Fesenmaier, with his mom, Laura, has collected more than 4,000 tennis balls to be retrofitted for walkers used by seniors.

Sartell High graduate serves elderly by collecting 4,000 tennis balls for their walkers

Max Fesenmaier is an ace at serving seniors.
Inspired
July 19, 2019
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN- JoDee Winterhof, left, Human Rights Campaign SVP for Policy and Political Affairs, takes a photo with HRC

LGBTQ 'hero's' nonprofit helps other students fulfill their college dreams

A 19-year-old created a nonprofit, with a $25,000 donation from Ellen DeGeneres, to help other kids in need to attend college.
Inspired
July 12, 2019
Nawal Noor, is the developer and general contractor for the remodel of Hosmer Library in South Minneapolis. ] GLEN STUBBE • glen.stubbe@startri

Somali American is trailblazer in a construction field with few women, people of color

As a developer and general contractor, Nawal Noor is leading efforts to diversify the industry.
Inspired
July 12, 2019
Driveway Tour photo by Mark Vancleave

Twin Cities' theater brings magical, free, puppet shows to backyards and parks

For 17 summers, the driveway tour has been roving through the Twin Cities to perform.
Inspired
July 12, 2019
New nonprofit Let Grow urges parents to land those helicopters and let kids be kids

New nonprofit Let Grow urges parents to land those helicopters and let kids be kids

How do we let go? Minnesota native Diane Redleaf has a suggestion: Practice.
Inspired
July 12, 2019

Senior walkers embrace idea of coming together for a common purpose

The groups drew inspiration from Moai, a tradition that began in Okinawa, Japan.
Inspired
July 12, 2019
World War II veteran Dan Rankin, 95, shares a laugh with Maria Baker, manager of Dueling Irons restaurant in Post Falls, on Friday, May 10, 2019. Cust

Diner patrons treat WWII veteran to hearty breakfast every day

Patrons have been regularly paying for the 95-year-old's meal to thank him for his service.
Inspired
July 5, 2019
Since 1985, 83-year old Sally Brown has volunteered with Road to Recovery and the American Cancer Society to drive patients to and from their medical

Minn. volunteer hits the road to get cancer patients where they need to be

Road to Recovery's Sally Brown has been a driving force for more than two decades
Inspired
July 5, 2019
Lisa Mer leads the Twin Cities chapter of Sidewalk Talk, which offers free listening sessions.

Something on your mind? Volunteer Twin Cities group will listen without judgment

Sidewalk Talk Twin Cities brings a nonjudgmental ear to public spaces.
Inspired
July 5, 2019
Kate Hersey, executive director of the Minnesota Tool Library showed off some of the tools available in the St Paul location.

Minnesota Tool Library offers savings by sharing 5,000 tools

The nonprofit, among the Twin Cities' best-kept secrets, offers classes to the public as well.
Inspired
July 5, 2019
Ana Garcia Cowan, 45, fought off nerves and won first in the novice division in her first competition.

It took her 22 years, but soldier-turned-body builder finally reached her goal

It all started with an old journal entry.
Inspired
June 28, 2019
Cassie Bonstrom holds a picture of her grandmother, Nancy Jack, who died in 1989.

Two nursing students' lives are linked by controversial death 30 years ago in Edina

The two students discovered that their families are connected through an alleged "mercy killing" from decades ago.
Inspired
June 28, 2019

After years raising her dead sister's five disabled sons, she's gifted with a new minivan

Sixteen years after taking in sister's five disabled sons, she's given new ride.
Inspired
June 27, 2019
Headwaters Relief Organization's Dr. Roshan Khatri.

Golden Valley-based Headwaters offers disaster relief with children's books

Storytelling can be a powerful tool in disaster recovery.
Inspired
June 21, 2019
Susan Gethin shared an embrace with Norman Irving as they arrived in the visitation area at the state prison in Red Wing. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaro

Once homeless and now in prison, this Minnesotan still has his mentor from years ago in his corner

After landing in prison for aggravated robbery, Norman Irving is trying to turn his life around with the help of an old friend.
Inspired
June 21, 2019
Pianists Noah Johnson (left) and Brandon Leu practiced one of their songs as teacher Diana Bearmon watched and listened. ] Shari L. Gross • sha

MacPhail musicians, one who is blind and one with autism, hit just the right note as a duo

They play off each other, creating "electricity between them."
Inspired
June 21, 2019

When 90-year-old's house caught fire, teens rushed in to save her

Homeowner couldn't find door through three-foot-high flames and smoke.
Inspired
June 17, 2019
Residents of Pelican Rapids, Minn., rallied around a newspaper after it published a column defending the local immigrant community from a racist Faceb

Small-town Minnesota newspaper praised for defending immigrant community

A racist Facebook comment left on a photo of young graduates prompted an outpouring of support for Pelican Rapids' immigrant population.

Variety

Entertainment, arts and lifestyle news, commentary and features, including things to do and reviews from Minneapolis, St. Paul and Twin Cities venues.