Elk Riverians, Elk Riverites Elk River Citizens....that's sound better.  The Taste of Elk River will be this Thursday,  May 17 from 5 to 9 p.m. in Lions Park.  So you need to move fast.  Music will be provided  by Steve Blexrud, a singer/songwriter/guitarist from Minneapolis. He is lead guitarist/vocalist for the Twin Cities band “Thunderheads” and is also an accomplished solo artist. And, the food, beer, wine and spirits will be situated on top of the parking lot at Lions Park Center.  So, come hungry and thirsty.  Listen to some great music or take part in the karaoke will be back so that you can embarass yourself in front of your friends, neighbors and family.  (Don't say I didn't warn you!) A good time should be had by all with a record-setting number of food vendors.   This is the ... 05/14/2012

We were hiking through the woods the other day, and like oftentimes, we came to one of nature's great forts. It's one of those spots that you want to take and explore and enjoy. In this case it was a few fallen trees leaning against one another... making a perfect play spot. In other cases it could be fallen logs, weeping willows, a giant pine with crawl space qualities. Recently in our house we've been talking, dreaming, planning and on the lookout for great tree house ideas. The kiddos have figured out that climbing is loads of fun and want a fort. We've looked at everything from platform style to grand beautiful house-like tree houses. I'm sure that our end product will look completely different from any of the thousands of ideas that we are dreaming up, but half the fun is in the pl... 04/28/2012

Here in Elk River, sometimes things get a little slower than in some of the other northern suburbs.  But, recently Elk River has been on the map in some great ways.  The races held recently were a huge success, and I will talk more about those later. A blog has been created (www.poweredbynature.blog.com) and a website is under development (www.poweredbynature.com). Additionally, two videos are on YouTube that feature local residents and business owners talking about the brand. One video is called “Elk River is Powered by Nature” and the other is called “Doing Business in Elk River.” More than 30 businesses and organizations are using the brand in some way, shape or form in their marketing materials, Wilfahrt said. The community employs the brand in a variety of ways including on billboa... 04/27/2012

A select group of Elk River High School students will be competing in the Nationals of the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation.  That is exciting!  The nationals will be held on April 27 - 29 in Baltimore, and the winning students are.......drumroll, please......Tori Newbauer, Emily Coomer, Stephanie McGuire and Joshua Walbolt.  These kids know what they are talking about.  Their instructor, Kathy Ellefson, known as "Miss Ellie" has taught them well, and they have had the expertise of some of the best chefs around, James Beard winners in some instances, to fine tune their skills.  Some of the adjunct instructors have been Tom Kavanaugh of Kavanaugh's on Sylvan Lake in the Brainerd area (he was a national judge last year, and could have been this year, but chose instead to coach t... 04/16/2012

This weekend Elk River Area Toastmaster and Active Rains own Michael Bolton competed in the Prairie Division Speech contest for a chance to go to the District 6 contest next weekend.  He did an awesome job and took second place! (Read about it on his blog). I was not a judge but if I was it would have been a close call between the winner and the runner up.  Two very well done and well prepared speeches!  It was a great contest and I look forward to more work from Mr. Bolton in the future! Here he is with District 6 and Prairie Division Dignitary's getting his award! Congrats Michael! 04/16/2012

Elk River High School  art students picked up 13 awards in the Visual Arts Minnesota regional, currently on display at Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud, announced their teacher, Rana Nestrud. This is a great achievement for the students and the high school, along with their instructors.    Getting first-place honors were senior Molly McLain (works on paper), senior Samantha Phillips (mixed media), junior Nicole Smith (jewelry), senior Nikole Anderson (drawing) and senior Abigail Wright (painting). Second-places were earned by junior Nate Myhre (ceramics), senior Ashley Holst (jewelry), senior Ryan McDermond (painting) and Michelle Botts (sculpture). Placing third were Nikita Skorykh (ceramics), Kelsey Laugen (jewelry) and Morgan White (sculpture).   There were photographs of some of the w... 04/14/2012

We live in this great little town called Elk River, Minnesota. The home of Lake Orono (swimmable or not) and some smaller ponds like Twin Lakes (in neighboring Nowthen). The home of 44 parks with a great system and activity roster that satisfies the needs of seniors and children.... but not much in between. So, the question asked? What's there to do for the middle people. Those guys that go to work all day and come home and want to enjoy a little close to home entertainment. Hmmmmmm...... If you don't like parks and you don't like fast food and the water park and YMCA just don't fit your entertainment needs? You could take up gardening as there are a boat load of greenhouses (that are always busy). Seriously, there is a great cry going out to the community. Our citizens want more. The y... 04/11/2012

There are 44 parks in the Elk River parks and recreation website. Can you tell which one this photo belongs to? If you can't guess it right away take a peek at the three clues I've left behind... and then check back tomorrow for the answer. If you can't figure it out? Well, then maybe it's time to turn off the computer and television and head out see what our fine community has to offer! Let me have it... your best guess.... 1. This walking path leads over two 'bridges' and into a one mile loop of grasslands bordered by trees.2. Entering this park you will find a playground settled into the trees in only what one could describe as a "Robin Hood" type setting. 3. You will find this park in the middle of one of our fine housing developments and though parking is on road only... the... 03/31/2012

There's a new sheriff in town...in a way.  Thanks to a new speed-measuring device provided by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety, law enforcement officers in Elk River are better equipped to identify vehicles driving at illegal and unsafe speeds. The Elk River Police Department is one of only nine law enforcement agencies in Minnesota being awarded a Kustom Signal, Pro Laser III, LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) unit for participating in the Towards Zero Deaths enforcement effort (formerly known as Safe & Sober) that took place during the month of October. “It’s impossible to tell exactly how many or whose lives are saved when we emphasize traffic enforcement,” Elk River Police Chief Brad Rolfe said, “the result is a death or injury that doesn’t happ... 03/30/2012

Tonight the Area 63 Speech Contest were held at the United Methodist Church in Elk River, MN.  Contestants were competing in either the Table Topics Contest or the International Speech Contest. The Table Topics contestants were ask the question, "What makes you feel good about the future of our Country?" Each contestant had to then have an impromptu response speaking for 1-2 minutes.  Judges placed ballets on the top speaker in this contest and the results were: First Place: Sherry Newman - Rogers Toastmasters Second Place: Thomas Palm - Smooth Talkers of Elk River Third Place: Kelly Fournier - Smooth Talkers of Elk River Next was the International Speech Contest.  The contest winners typically put together an inspirational or motivational speech lasting 5-7 minutes. The results: First ... 03/29/2012

  The market will be located in the parking lot next to Elk River Meats.   The goal is to finish the parking lot by opening day of the Farmers Market — June 28.   The Farmers Market had been located in the parking lot of Westbound Liquor in Elk River.   That should mean more traffic to downtown businesses which sometimes get overlooked with all the activity along Highway 169.  The Farmers Market will also have new hours, from 2-6 p.m. Thursdays. It will run weekly through Oct. 4 with the exception of July 5.   The city is still accepting vendors of fresh fruit and vegetables and homemade goods. For more information, download a Farmers Market packet on the city website at www.ci.elk-river.mn.us/parksandrec.   The Farmers Market is sponsored by The Bank of Elk River.    So, come downtown ... 03/22/2012

Don Henizman has been named the City of Elk River’s Volunteer of the Month for March. According the Elk River Star News:  "Heinzman, retired editor of the Star News, chairs the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program in Elk River. He is a board member and past president of the Elk River Rotary Club, helped organize and is a charter member of the Three Rivers Community Foundation and is a charter board member of the Elk River Boys and Girls Club. He also is a founding member of the Elk River Citizens League, served on the Community Education board, is a Chamber of Commerce member and is involved with the Friends of the Oliver Kelley Farm. “In his spare time, he volunteers for CAER (the Elk River-based food shelf),” Mayor John Dietz said in recognizing Heinzman at the March 19 City Council meeti... 03/21/2012

Last year, CAER served 1,647 households. That was an increase of 512 households from 2010. Jennifer Gray, executive director, says the number has increased every year since 2008. If you click on the link above, you will find a wonderful, heartwarming story of a family who needed help and found it, with dignity.  This is one of the best ways you can help your community.  Donate to CAER: give food, give money, give time.  This area was among the hardest hit with the housing downturn.  And, even if you think the family next door is starving, how do you know?  Most people will never tell you that they are hungry.  And, as a matter of pride, that is all right.  As a matter of practicality, it is not.  The children could be malnourished along with the parents.  And, we know that the parents i... 03/18/2012

Normally, I don't highlight the accomplishments of the competition, but you should check this out.   Elk River Area Arts Alliance’s first annual Oil Painting Exhibit features 60 works from 20 member artists. The exhibit began March 7 and will continue through April 7, Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the alliance gallery at 312-314 Jackson Avenue. The reception for the artists. open to the public, will be held Saturday, March 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. Participating artists are Kirsten Anderson Clouse, Frieda Bruck, Joan Campbell, Mark Caselius, Linda Croteau, Amy Cunningham, Roxanne Current, Brenda Edmonson, Nancy Gongoll, Donn Granros, Mark Haglund, Lori Harter, Jessica Henry Davis, Jean Orr, Jan Oxendale, Joan Ruprecht, Marilyn Schroeder, Erik Soule, Bruce Strand, and Su... 03/15/2012

  The Wright County Historical Society’s History of Tractors program focusing on Allis-Chalmers tractors will be presented Tuesday, March 20. Two identical presentations will be held at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Wright County Heritage Center Activity Room, 2001 Highway 25 N., Buffalo. This event is free and open to the public.   Lon Saeger of Elk River, an avid collector, will be presenting.   Numerous displays and tractors will be on site for the event.   For more information contact Sally Stevens at 763-682-7323 or 800-362-3667, ext. 7323; online at http://www.wrighthistory.org/ or email at wrighthistory@me.com.   03/14/2012

The 2012 lineup for the Riverfront Concert Series in downtown Elk River has been announced. These freeperformances each Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at River’s Edge Commons Park are sponsored by Bank of Elk River and organized by the Parks and Recreation Department.     June 7 – Brat Pack (pop, 80’s) June 14 – Deuces Wild (dueling pianos) June 21 – Church of Cash (Johnny Cash tribute) June 28 – Sound of Simon (Simon & Garfunkle tribute) July 12 – Mooseknuckle Bros. (local band, blues rock) July 19 – Rockin Hollywoods (rock and roll) July 26 – The Medicine Show (showbiz variety) Aug. 2 – Rockie Lynne (national country rock artist) Aug. 9 – Balladiva (pop, high energy dance band) Aug. 16 – Minnesota Go-4’s (barbershop quartette) Aug. 23 – Belfast Cowboys (Van Morrison tribute) Aug. 30 – Sel... 03/13/2012

The Elk River Area School Board will consider adding an election district once the city and county have finished drawing their new wards and districts. The way it stands, the district has two election districts and the rest of the seats are decided by an at-large vote. The election districts were added after a citizen got a petition circulated to force the question onto a ballot question for District 728 voters. Now that there has been a redrawing of the  congressional, legislative, county districts and city wards, the Elk River Area School District must alert the state if they have any intentions of changing the number of election districts. The Elk River Area School Board took the matter up at its March 5 work session, and there was some discussion about whether to leave things as is ... 03/11/2012

The Elk River Public Library relocated to it's new spot across from the City Hall and Lake Orono in October of 2007. At the grand opening event we were amazed at the size, the eco-friendly atmosphere and the children's section that ensued from the move. There was some 'concern' to the distance it sat from our true downtown areas and whether this spot was a good choice or not for the community library.  Truthfully, I was skeptical in the beginning as well. But, I quickly learned, and have greatly come to appreciate it's new location. Yes, it's twice the distance from any of the local schools and across a major highway from most things local, but there is much to be thankful for. The library building that once was has turned into a senior 'hub' that is rocking the city. They are busier th... 03/04/2012

  Sabinkske & Associates proudly presents                  13278 Riverview Drive NW, Elk River Minnesota - $229,900. This home features over 150 feet of Mississippi River frontage with an island view.  Kitchen, formal dining room, living room, family room with wood-burning fireplace, 18x18 sunporch with floor to ceiling windows facing the river on three sides with a gas-burning fireplace and a half bath with a main floor bedroom with inside ¾ bath and a walk-out to the back yard. The second floor has four good-sized bedrooms and full bath and a studynook/hobby area at the head of the stairs.  The lower level has a walk-in cedar closet and huge family room and laundry room with extra storage areas.  Beautifully landscaped and a three car garage on a dead end road.        What more could ... 02/17/2012

Girl Scout Camp Elk River helped kick off what will be a yearlong celebration of the Girl Scouts’ 100th anniversary.  More than 200 area scouts from 24 troops took a “Step Back in Time” at the winter encampment in Zimmerman that was designed to bring the girls back to the early days of Girl Scouting.     A Little History on the Girl Scouts:  Juliette Gordon Low spent several years searching for something useful to do with her life. Her search ended in 1911, when she met Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, and became interested in the new youth movement. Afterwards, she channeled all her considerable energies into the fledgling movement. Less than a year later, she returned to the United States and made her historic telephone call to a friend (a distant co... 02/13/2012