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 Want to know what’s going on around our Rush Creek Neighborhoods? Find out here on the Community News page!
Three Additional Sources of Local Community News Include:
Find Local Shopping, Dining, and Lodging Info Here:
Maple Grove Guide
Maple Grove Magazine - check them out at:
www.MapleGrovemag.com
Check out:
Osseo-Maple Grove Press News
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Maple Groves's Music Mayor
Posted on: 2010-01-07
Sporting a striped button up and navy cardigan with neatly combed hair, 87-year-old Dick Reimer appears dapper as ever in his cozy home office in Maple Grove. A true renaissance man, Reimer has developed entire cities, played drums with the likes of the Andrew Sisters and Peggy Lee, served in the U.S. Navy, and raised a family of five. Reimer sits today tapping his toes as he watches the Classic Big Band, with whom Reimer has played drums for a number of years. A smile spreads across his face as the band strikes up a favorite Glenn Miller tune, “In the Mood.”
Reimer grew up in Minneapolis, where he realized his first love—music—at age 6. A dynamic drummer, Reimer shined in the North High School swing band. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy, where he toured from 1942 to 1946.
When Reimer returned from the war, he went directly back to his music-man ways. Among other local gigs, he drummed along on famous broadcast journalist Cedric Adams’ popular WCCO radio show Stairway to Stardom every Saturday. It wasn’t long before Reimer realized it was difficult to make a steady income with a show here and there. “In those days, a three-hour job only paid $12,” Reimer says with a chuckle. Coupling this epiphany with future aspirations of owning a house, Reimer took up a day job at Fireside Realty, moving his music gigs to the evening hours.
Reimer retired from real estate in 1965; he eventually launched Reimer Construction, which built nearly 50 homes in Brooklyn Center and New Hope. Two years before his entrepreneurial venture, he was elected to Maple Grove’s city council. (The role of chairman of the planning commission in the early 1950s was his first position of leadership with the city.) “When I ran my first planning commission meeting, I turned to the person next to me and asked, ‘What do you do? I never ran a meeting before,’” Reimer says.
In 1965, yards were littered with little yellow signs: “Elect Reimer for Mayor.” The race declared Reimer the winner by just 13 votes. As mayor, Reimer raised Rice Lake, formerly a 63-acre swamp, in an effort that took seven years (or as he humbly states, farmers drained it, dammed it and made it a lake again). “What we did is put it back to the way God made it,” Reimer says of the lake that was drained during the Great Depression as farmers looked for water sources.
The start of the Maple Grove police department, fire department and Elm Creek Park Commission can all be credited to Mayor Reimer. “I was always proud of our city. Even with all of our development, at the end of the year we always had money left over and always came out with a surplus,” Reimer says.
Reimer resigned as mayor in 1980 after serving 15 years. Since then, a lot of changes have been seen around Maple Grove. “Since I’ve been mayor, there’s been fantastic growth, especially with Arbor Lakes,” Reimer says. “There was no way I could even imagine we could have that kind of development. But it’s growing and working!”
Maple Grove, once home to sprawling farmland, is now a mecca of development and commerce. And Reimer, the town’s original leader, spends his days actively involved in the Lion’s Club (he’s a 43-year standing charter member), and he’s even donated much of his mayor memorabilia to the Maple Grove Historical Society. But with years of accomplishments, plaques and honors, Reimer says, “I’m most proud of my family. Through it all we were there for each other, and everything seemed to turn out right.”
Website: www.metromag.com/0p174a3930/mgs-music-mayor/?currentPage=1
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| Maple Grove Hospital: The Doctor is in
Posted on: 2010-01-07
After a decade of talk, years of construction, and weeks of ceremony, Maple Grove Hospital is open for business.
Area dignitaries showed up for an official ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the new facility. Many area elected officials were on hand for the event, including U.S. Congressman Eric Paulson, State Senators Warren Limmer (Maple Grove), Ann Rest (Plymouth) and Linda Scheid (Brooklyn Park); and the two State Representatives who serve Maple Grove, Kurt Zellers and Joyce Peppin. They joined Maple Grove Hospital CEO Andy Cochrane and North Memorial Medical Center CEO David Cress to cut the ribbon and officially open the doors.
'It's rewarding seeing the hard work of so many people finally come to fruition,' explained Andy Cochrane, Maple Grove Hospital CEO. 'And most importantly, the community is finally able to access health care close to home.'
The hospital staff filled the lobby, and posed for group pictures. Nurses, doctors and the support staff cheered as the ribbon was cut. As soon as the ceremony was done, the staff dispersed to their posts as the facility opened. Many patient procedures were on the day's agenda. The hospital's first baby was born about 10 a.m. via C-section.
'This hospital was created to meet the health care needs of those in the fast-growing area of the northwest Twin Cities and today we're open and ready to provide care to this community and will continue to grow with them,' stated Cochrane.
Website: pressnews.com/articles/2010/01/07/osseo-maple_grove_press/news/1mghospitalribboncutting.txt
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| Maple Grove Town Green
Posted on: 2009-11-10
What is the Town Green?
The Town Green is a new urban park being developed along Main Street in down town Maple Grove. The park provides a distinctive community gathering place with its main focus on the performing arts. The landmark feature of the park is the bandshell with a dramatic wing-like roof canopy located at the water’s edge. Check out the Architectural Design Photos and the Master Plan.
Three pavilions will provide the necessary amenities for special events or for daily park use. The pavilions include a concession space, restrooms and a rentable meeting house for small gatherings or parties.
The Town Green will host numerous summer time performances of music, dance, and theater programmed by the Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Department. Seating for 300 is incorporated into a classic terraced bowl shape with ample space beyond for visitors to spread out and enjoy the park.
The Town Green plaza along Main Street will provide a relaxing setting for daily park activities. Another distinct feature of the park is the peninsula which will be a great spot to experience the lake or host a small event.
Where is the Town Green located?
The Town Green is located on Main Street between the Maple Grove Government Center (12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway) and the Community Center (12951 Weaver Lake Rd).
When will the Town Green be completed?
The park is tentatively scheduled to be completed by June 2010. For questions regarding the project or construction updates, please email Chuck Stifter, Park Planner.
When is the first performance?
Parks and Recreation staff will be developing the performance schedule for the inaugural concert season this fall. The first performances will be scheduled for the summer of 2010 starting in June. Interested in being on the mailing list for the Town Green updates and concert/events schedule? Email us your name, address and phone number.
Interested in being added to the talent contact list for performers and artists? Email your name, address, phone number, name of band/group, type of music or performance.
How is this project being funded?
City officials have been planning and saving for the Town Green for over ten years. The economic downturn has proved to be an excellent time to seek bids on public projects. As a result, the city was able to secure very good bids from quality contractors thus maximizing public dollars.
How was the bandshell design developed?
City officials directed an extensive design development process that included the study of various concepts and architectural styles. Through multiple revisions the design molded to a subtle and simple form. The architectural theme of the bandshell canopy meeting the sky is meant to have multiple associations with nature: an abstract grove of trees, the delicate and curved maple seedpod, and clouds. The 105-foot wide white concrete canopy is supported on six narrow concrete columns and gently arcs toward the sky in an acoustically-formed shape. The concrete canopies of the three adjacent pavilions repeat this curved language casting lively shadows on the building walls. The walls of the buildings relate to the geology and quarry history of the site through the technique of creatively formed earthen colored concrete highlighted with local aggregate.
Website: www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us
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| Temple ceremony celebrates 'Divine Gateway'
Posted on: 2009-07-07
As reported in the Osseo-Maple Grove Press, the Temple has celebrated a grand opening -
The Raja Gopuram, a sculpted 65-foot high tower, functions as a ceremonial gateway to the temple. A three-day Raja Gopuram Mahotsav celebration marked the consecration of the tower and featured elaborate rituals, cultural programs and community events. Leo A Daly was the design architect for the temple. Byron Byraiah served as the project manager and director of electrical engineering. Photo by Peggy Bakken
Nearly three years after first opening its doors in July 2006, the Hindu Temple of Minnesota is finally celebrating the consecration of the Raja Gopuram, a sculpted tower that arches over the main entryway of the temple.
There was a three-day Raja Gopuram Mahotsav celebration Friday through Sunday, June 26 through 29, at the temple site in Maple Grove (just east of County Rd. 101 near the Corcoran/Hassan Township and Dayton border), marking the formal completion of the temple's main construction.
More than 5,000 guests attended the festivities.
Available for visitors were religious events, cultural performances, a global market, fireworks, raffle and helicopter ride.
Members of the Hindu Society of Minnesota say the 43,000-square-foot temple could well be the largest in the United States.
See the link for the full article
Website: www.pressnews.com/articles/2009/07/07/osseo-maple_grove_press/news/1hinducutlines.prt
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| June 27 Osseo Marching Band Festival spotlights local student musicians, long-time ISD 279 instructo
Posted on: 2009-07-07
As reported on the ISD 279 Website -
The third annual Osseo Marching Band Festival takes place on Saturday, June 27. Hosted by the Osseo Band Boosters, the festival is a family-friendly event featuring a parade-style marching band competition between high school marching bands from Minnesota and Wisconsin, including our system’s own Osseo, Park Center and Maple Grove High Schools. See the performance schedule.
Support the future of this festival by stopping by for a Breakfast Buffet Fundraiser beginning at 7 a.m. at Osseo Junior High School. For only $8 per person, enjoy waffles made to order, breakfast sausages, eggs, cereal and other breakfast fare (kids under 5 eat free).
The festival and marching band competition kicks off at noon in downtown Osseo. Click here for a detailed map of the parade route.
Cheer for your favorite marching bands at the awards ceremony, held at 3 p.m. in the Osseo Senior High School outdoor stadium where first, second and third place awards will be given in three classes (A, AA, AAA).
For more information about the Osseo Marching Band Festival, including a, visit www.osseobandfestival.org
Officiating as Grand Marshall for this year’s Osseo Marching Band Festival is long-time ISD 279 music instructor Paul Schierenbeck. Paul began his music career in 1970 as a student teacher at Osseo Senior High. After graduating from St. Cloud State in 1971, he joined the Osseo Music Department where he taught band to students at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. From 1975 to 2001, Mr. Schierenbeck lead concert bands, pep bands, jazz ensembles, and marching bands at Osseo Senior High. He was also the National Honor Society advisor.
Paul’s well-deserved status as 2009 Grand Marshall puts him in good company: Grand Marshal for 2007 and 2008 were Jason Davis from KSTP Television and Stacie Matthews from KS95 Radio, respectively. “I feel very honored to be the Grand Marshal for the 2009 Osseo Marching Band Festival, Paul said. “It is a very humbling experience for a recently-retired band director to join a local television personality and a local radio personality as past Grand Marshals of this event.”
In addition to teaching music, Paul has been an adjudicator for the Minnesota State High School League for the past 27 years, a clarinet coach for the Minnesota All-State Band, Metro Representative for Elementary Band in the Minnesota Band Directors Association, and Director of the Brooklyn Community Band. He is currently working as a student teacher supervisor for the University of Northern Iowa.
See the link for full details
Website: www.district279.org/DistrictNews/Archive/2009/0624_OsseoBand.cfm
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| Local Real Estate Leader Selected to be on HGTV Show!
Posted on: 2008-02-08
Jarrod Peterson, a leading Twin Cities Realtor and the Rush Creek Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Leader has been chosen by HGTV Productions as a leading real estate professional to appear on the popular television show 'Sweat Equity.' This show provides assistance to home owner(s) who wants to make home improvements to their home but are unsure if the improvements will warrant a return on that investment for resale purposes. That is where Jarrod will assist with his vast knowledge of the local marketplace and what buyers want to see for updates in a home they are considering purchasing.
Jarrod and his business partner, Holli Reichow, will begin filming their episodes in February 2008 - so watch for more information!
Website: www.AskJarrodHeKnows.com
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| Rachael Harrison says Thanks Rush Creek Neighbors!
Posted on: 2007-07-04
On May 19th, a benefit fundraiswer was held for fellow Rush Creek Neighborhood Mom (see related news stories), Rachael Harrison. She says thanks in the following letter. Pics of the event are on Community Pictures:
To all of the kind people at Rush Creek,
Thank you all so much for making my benefit such a success, and so very
enjoyable and memorable. So many people went to so much work to make that
special day happen for me and my family, and I am forever grateful and
indepted to you all. The money that was raised has put a huge dent in my
medical bills that keep rolling in. It lifted a very heavy weight off of my
shoulders to know that I can afford to continue to get the medical services
I need to continue to get stronger and healthier as the days go on. It is a
battle everyday for me to keep my spirits up and stay positive about my
health condition, and seeing all the kind and giving people at the benefit
rallying together to help me out in any way really boosted my mental state
and touched my heart. There really are no words that can describe how that
day made me feel inside, but I want you all to know that it was one of the
best days of my life thus far, in the midst of this tough battle I am going
through. I cannot thank you all enough for all of your kind words,
donations, time, and commitment that went into that day and many other days
throughout the last year. I am still going through some very tough times
right now with my lyme disease in particular, but I am trying to stay
positive and strong mentally to get through and hopefully get to some easier
days physically. I hope that all of you that helped me out in any way, or
joined us the day of the benefit enjoyed yourselves as much as I did. A very
kind friend of myself sent me some pictures of the benefit that I am
attatching with this letter so those of you that could not make it can see
what a wonderful job everyone did and see how happy and successful that day
was. The Rachael L. Harrison Benefit Fund is still open at TCF Bank and at
Wells Fargo (at any of those banks anywhere) if any of you wish to donate in
the future. I am using the money daily to pay medical bills and to help pay
for all of my many antibiotics I take on a daily basis. All of you helped in
raising around 14 thousand dollars on the day of the benefit, which went
towards paying off bills that had accumulated for over a year for out of
state doctors that were not covered under insurance and for other medical
bills that keep coming every week. I also use some of the money to help pay
for my food, which is very expensive due to my celiac disease, and to help
pay for my infusion home care services for my iv medications. Thankyou again
for all of your help, kindness, support, time, and donations. It means the
world to me, and has truly been a life saver for my family and myself.
Much thanks and gratitude,
Rachael L. Harrison
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Hunger Awareness Day - Social Event at Thistles June 5th!
Posted on: 2007-05-20
Join us on Hunger Awareness Day and enjoy the distinctive local flair at Thistles.
Kick back to musci provided by local blues legent, James 'cornbread' Harris. Meet our special guests and emcee and experience Chef Andy's opulent Martini Luge.
Meet our winning Artwork for Tummies artists and see their artwork on display! Artwork for Tummies greeting cards will also be available for purchase!
Read more about this at the Community Calendar Page on June 5th!
Website: www.emergencyfoodshelf.org
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