by Mollee Francisco | Nov 1, 2025 | Drinks, Local Makers, Restaurants
The Maple Grove mixologist explores how to mix and match cocktails this holiday season. Grant Lavrenz describes himself as “the world’s okayest bartender,” but don’t let his humility fool you. Lavrenz is always reaching for the stars in his quest to give his customers...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2025 | Book Club, Gift Guides
Open up a world of experiential gifting, learning and living. Make gift giving easier this season by leaning into a specialty theme or carefully curated focus. With experiential gifting maintaining its holiday footing and the inclination to eliminate clutter remaining...
by Mollee Francisco | Nov 1, 2025 | Book Club, People, Restaurants
Media personality Jason DeRusha discusses taking on new challenges and expanding his audience. Jason DeRusha laughs as he recalls how clear his career path always was. “I was obsessed with game shows, local news and talk radio,” he says. “I was walking around the...
by Jennifer Pitterle | Nov 1, 2025 | People
A former teacher launches retreats and coaching sessions to help clients find fulfillment. When Ryan Hennessey walked away from teaching in the middle of the 2024–25 school year, it wasn’t an impulsive decision—it was a carefully orchestrated “escape plan” that set an...
by Madeline Kopiecki | Oct 1, 2025 | Photo Contest
Photographers bring Maple Grove into focus. Over the past year, residents have been cataloging local life around Maple Grove. This summer, these same shutter bugs shared some of their favorite shots in our Focus on Maple Grove photo contest. We can’t thank you enough...
by Editorial Staff | Sep 15, 2025 | Photo Contest
From July1–August 31, we invited you to submit your photos of Maple Grove. Now, it’s time to vote for the Readers’ Choice! Scroll through our image gallery below and vote for the images you like best by checking the box. Voting is open from 8 a.m. September 15–5 p.m....
by Susan Isay | Sep 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
Welcome, readers, to our 20th anniversary as Maple Grove’s premier community lifestyle magazine. We couldn’t be prouder of our long-standing roots in and commitment to this community. A lot has changed over the course of two decades, but we look back with pride and...
by Kate Wodtke | Sep 1, 2025 | Education, History, Noteworthy
It’s time to go back to school! Since the mid-1800s, Maple Grove’s dedication to education has been well documented. In 1858, the children of early settlers gathered at the home of Phineas Newton (1812–1887) where classes were taught by his wife, Mercy Jane Champlin...
by Emma Souza | Sep 1, 2025 | Photo Contest
“I had seen the same egret on two separate visits to the reserve … Every time I raised my camera to take its photo, the egret would fly away,” says wildlife photographer Esmail Harunany. After crawling out of sight on the third trip, Harunany was finally successful....
by Teri Iverson | Sep 1, 2025 | Arts, Noteworthy
“This vibrant composition captures the energy of an untamed forest, where bursts of yellow, emerald and cobalt play across the canvas like sunlight filtered through leaves,” artist Julie Miller says. “There’s a raw freedom in the brushwork—ideal for modern interiors,...
by Hailey Almsted | Sep 1, 2025 | Interior Design, Renovate
Homeowners bring the great outdoors indoors with a full remodel. Eighteen years ago, Mitch Johnson of J Brothers Design – Build – Remodel completed one of his first projects: a home on Maple Grove’s Fish Lake. Nearly two decades later, Mitch and his wife, Carrie...
by Hailey Almsted | Sep 1, 2025 | Education, People
There is one word to describe the youth of Maple Grove: accomplished. From perfect ACT scores and accelerated classes to being a business co-owner, our annual Senior Spotlight illuminates the remarkable things these students have achieved. Now, we get to share that...
by Gabrielle Clark | Sep 1, 2025 | Book Club, Noteworthy
According to Booklist from the American Library Association, these are the Top of the List adult fiction winners from 2005–2024. 2005 The March by E.L. Doctorow 2006 The Road by Cormac McCarthy 2007 Falling Man by Don DeLillo 2008 Lush Life by Richard Price 2009 Too...
by Emma Souza | Sep 1, 2025 | Entertain, Noteworthy
Maple Grove is home to Minnesota’s first indoor dry-slide and air court park, Slick City, opened by co-owners Mike and Annie Kelly. Its 43,000-square-foot facilities offer a variety of thrilling activities. Slides include the Fast Lane, the Royal Flush and the Mega...
by Hailey Almsted | Sep 1, 2025 | History, Noteworthy
In 2005, Maple Grove Magazine launched as a small community lifestyle magazine—two decades later, we are proud to be deeply rooted in this wonderful community full of life and joy. Join us in taking a stroll down memory lane by viewing some of our most iconic covers...
