November 2023

Mad Dog Products and Excelsior Brew "Unleash" a Dog Friendly Holiday Gift Idea Supporting Charity
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Excelsior MN brewery teamed up with Mad Dog Products to offer custom logo dog leashes as a holiday gift option that supports the Hennepin County Humane Society.   (Chaska, MN) —  Nov. 29, 2023  — There is big business in being “Dog Friendly” these days with over 65 Million U.S. households owning one or more dogs. However, businesses that welcome dogs also require leashes for their owners “best friends”. Finding

Santa Claus Split Rock Lighthouse
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Free admission for kids and adults with donations December 9 & 16 (Two Harors, MN) — November 28, 2023  – From the North Pole to the North Shore, Santa will be making a few special stops at Split Rock Lighthouse this year! Families can get their photos taken with Kris Kringle in front of an epic wintry backdrop. Santa will be making his stops on December 9 and 16. Kids under

Best Addiction Treatment Centers
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The world-renowned Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California.The org earned the three highest scores among all 360 treatment centers recognized Hazelden Betty Ford’s reputation starts with our demonstrated devotion to treating people with dignity and respect, consistently innovating, and keeping the focus on long-term recovery and well-being.” — Joseph Lee, MD, president and CEO (Center City, MN) –November 29, 2023 — To help patients and families find quality care

Mayo Clinic Redesign Rochester
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(Rochester, MN) —  Nov. 28, 2023  — Mayo Clinic’s Board of Trustees has approved Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester, a multiyear strategic initiative that advances Mayo Clinic’s Bold. Forward. strategy to Cure, Connect and Transform healthcare for the benefit of patients everywhere. It reimagines Mayo Clinic’s downtown Rochester campus and introduces new facilities with a combination of innovative care concepts and digital technologies that will give Mayo Clinic the ability to scale transformation in

B Social by Brick & Bourbon
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  Bloc has officially declared B Social by Brick & Bourbon in St Cloud as the most thrilling new venue opening in Minnesota for 2023. What the team at Brick & Bourbon have achieved with B Social is nothing short of genius. They’ve invested a lot of time and money into this space, especially in the barcade.” — Calum Ward – Bloc (St Cloud, MN) — November 29, 2023 —

Blue Cross and Blue Shield HCMC
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Access now includes all HCMC facilities, clinics in Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs    (Eagan, MN) —  Nov. 22, 2023 — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) has expanded its statewide High Value Network for Medicare Advantage to include all locations of Hennepin Healthcare, including the hospital and hospital-based clinics located on the HCMC campus in downtown Minneapolis. The additions, which are part of a new three-year contract between Blue Cross and Hennepin

CHS Supports FFA
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(Minnesota) — November 14th, 2023 — The CHS Foundation is making a $4.3 million commitment to National FFA over the next three years, the largest gift in the foundation’s 75-year history. The grant will help fund FFA programs in 17 states, provide scholarships for attending conferences and contests, introduce students from all backgrounds to ag careers through the workforce development program, and support the National Association of Ag Educators in

Holiday Train Rolls Into Minnesota
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(Minnesota) — November, 2023 —  All aboard! The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will stop in more than two-dozen Minnesota towns on its annual ride through the northern U.S., bringing live entertainment and Christmas cheer in exchange for donations to local food banks. The Holiday Train will be in Minnesota from Dec. 10-15, 2023. The Holiday Train is a great way to get into the festive spirit. The train is about

Free Park Day
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(Minnesota) — November 24th, 2023 — On four days each year, all 75 Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone – no vehicle permits needed! Here are the fee-free dates in 2024: Monday, January 15, 2024 Saturday, April 27, 2024 Saturday, June 8, 2024 Friday, November 29, 2024 Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there’s a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a

Truterra Sustainable Farming
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Eight Minnesota organizations receive over $550K in one-time funding (Minnesota) — November, 2023 — As part of a continued effort to strengthen support available to Minnesota’s emerging farmers, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced recipients of grant funding for organizations that provide business and technical support to farmers from historically underserved communities. Through the Emerging Farmer Technical Assistance Grant Program, eight organizations have received a total of $554,920

USPA Rescue Missing Teen Girls
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  By allocating 50% of Black Friday Security Guard Service profits to rescue or locate missing teen girls, USPA aims to make a meaningful impact on the lives of these vulnerable individuals” — Daniel Manning, CEO BLOOMINGTON, MN, USA, November 21, 2023  — USPA Nationwide Security, a leading provider of security guard services in Bloomington, MN, is proud to announce their commitment to making a difference in the lives of

Kindred Tales AI Transcription Services
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  Kindred Tale’s introduction of AI Transcription services is a perfect complement to our recently introduced AI Biographer, which is a sign of our commitment to delivering modern, easy-to-use tools.” — Nick Hern (St Paul, MN) — November 21, 2023  — Kindred Tales, a company that helps preserve your loved one’s life story in a beautiful keepsake book, proudly unveils its latest release: AI Transcription services. With the addition of

Jennie-O® Turkeys Pardoned Today by the President of the United States
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Liberty and Bell celebrate 76th annual Thanksgiving presentation with National Turkey Federation   (Willmar, MN) — Nov. 20, 2023 — The makers of the Jennie-O® turkey brand — a trusted brand for turkey products around the world — today announced that two of their turkeys, Liberty and Bell, were presented by the National Turkey Federation (NTF) and formally pardoned by President Joseph R. Biden during the 76th National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation on the grounds

Dr. Rassheedah Watts' 'Black Womb Dialogues': Poetry and Gratitude, from Minnesota to Scotland’s Slavery Apology
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  I like the use of the poetic and art to explore some of the difficult issues. It’s a great way of making it accessible because there’s power in language.” — Mosota, Edinburgh Slavery & Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Chair (Brooklyn Park, MN) — November 20, 2023  — Dr. Rassheedah Watts, an allyship and racial healing expert, embarked on a historic journey that echoes gratitude and empowerment. Her latest book,

Winnebago Industries’ Michael Happe Entrepreneur Of The Year
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(Eden Prairie, MN) — Nov. 14, 2023  — Michael Happe, president and CEO of Winnebago Industries, Inc., a leading outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer, has been named the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2023 National Overall Award winner by Ernst & Young LLP. The award elevates ambitious entrepreneurs and business leaders who think big and act boldly. Happe was recognized for redefining the Winnebago brand from a single brand, product-oriented manufacturer to

Giftster Gift Wish Lists
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(Minneapolis-St. Paul, Mn) — Nov. 15, 2023  — Today Giftster announces the release of the Giftster 6.0 App for iPhone & iPad, a 2-year development effort to give iPhone and iPad users a version of Giftster built just for their devices. Ron Reimann, Giftster CEO says “Apple customers are big fans of Giftster, so we built a dedicated version of Giftster from the ground up, just for them. I’m proud

Humor and Heartbreak Lead to Self-Acceptance in Laurie Boyle Compton's Free Verse Memoir The Denim Diaries
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(Minneapolis, MN) — Nov. 08, 2023 — This November Zest Books™, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group™, releases The Denim Diaries: A Memoir.  This poetic memoir traces Laurie Boyle Compton’s coming of age in rural Pennsylvania and New York City during the 1970s and 1980s. Combating family issues, relationship troubles, and body image insecurities, Laurie finds ways to love and accept herself. Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s was

Care Packages to Deployed Troops
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We are committed to helping organizations like Maple Grove Beyond the Yellow Ribbon send care packages to our troops.” — Michelle Williamson (Forest Lake MN) —  November 14, 2023  — Maple Grove Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Great River Energy, and ShipThrifty have partnered to send care packages to deployed troops. Maple Grove Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is committed to supporting military members and their families with services and support wherever

Paul Metsa "Jack Ruby"
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  “Paul Metsa is America’s answer to Billy Bragg.” – NPR / “Paul Metsa is the other great folksinger from Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range.” – Huffington Post” — NPR / Huffington Post (Minneapolis, MN) —  November 8, 2023  — Award-winning songwriter, musician, author, radio host and cultural historian Paul Metsa is re-releasing his song “Jack Ruby” in conjunction with the 60th Anniversary of the JFK assassination and Lee Harvey Oswald

TopLine Financial Credit Union Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors
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(Maple Grove, MN) — Nov, 14, 2023 — TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, employees have successfully completed Credit Union National Association’s (CUNA) Financial Counseling Certification Program (FiCEP) which provides employees with skills and knowledge to help guide members to sound financial decisions. TopLine employees who complete the course receive the Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors (CCUFC) designation. The program enhances employees’ financial knowledge and

Jostens Women’s Basketball National Championship Ring
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(Minneapolis, MN) — Nov. 09, 2023  — Jostens, the nation’s leading provider of custom, hand-crafted championship jewelry, has designed the National Championship Ring for Louisiana State University’s women’s basketball team. This showstopping ring was presented to the team ahead of today’s opening home game. “This LSU women’s basketball team was captivating to watch, and to bring home the first basketball national championship in LSU history is an incredible achievement,” said

United and Collegeville Institute Celebrate a Nearly Six Decade Connection
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    I chose to join the board of Collegeville Institute because of my appreciation for the time I spent there researching and writing.”    — President Molly T. Marshall     (St Paul, MN) — November 8, 2023  — Founded in the 1960s, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (United) and Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research (Collegeville Institute) have been knitted together throughout their histories. At a

Twin Cities Habitat The Heights
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(St Paul, MN) — November 10th, 2023 — Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is honored to be a major project partner in The Heights, an environmentally friendly redevelopment of the 112-acre former Hillcrest Golf Course in St. Paul’s East Side. The Saint Paul Port Authority (SPPA) is leading the redevelopment, which will include both housing and light industrial redevelopment with a minimum of 1,000 living-wage, low-barrier jobs and 1,000 housing

Golf Achievement Tattoos
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  (Burnsville, MN) —  November 9, 2023 — The Original Achievement Tattoo Co., known for its innovative approach to award-inspired temporary tattoos, is excited to announce the launch of Golf Achievement Tattoos. These enjoyable, skin-safe tattoos are perfect for commemorating both the highs and lows experienced on the golf course. According to the company, golf enthusiasts, along with coaches, parents, and friends, can now award accomplishments and humorous misfortunes of

Experience Life Magazine 2023 FOLIO
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Eddie and Ozzie Awards; Jamie Martin Named Editor of the Year and Life Time Talks is Top Consumer Health and Wellness Podcast (Chanhassen, MN) —  Oct. 26, 2023  — Experience Life, the print and digital magazine from Life Time (NYSE: LTH), the nation’s premier healthy lifestyle brand, was awarded four Eddies and Ozzies as part of the 2023 FOLIO: Awards, the most prestigious recognition program in the publishing community. The awards,

The Christmas City Express
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Weekends November 24th through December 17th   (Duluth, MN) — November 2023 — The Christmas City Express is a storybook experience recommended for families with children under 10 and the young at heart. The performance begins in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, where you’ll be treated to a classic book reading of the new Christmas City Express story, enjoy carolers, and a visit from a special guest! Then climb aboard the

Deer Feeding and Attractant Bans
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Deer harvest numbers available online Hunters, media and anyone interested in deer harvest data can find current deer harvest figures and harvest reports for past years on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ deer reports and statistics webpage. The page also features an interactive map and graph that visualizes the data. 2023 Preliminary deer harvest data   Open Map in a new tab (better for mobile screens)      View tabular data

New Study Reveals Minnesota Electric Cooperatives Contribute Nearly $20 billion to the State’s Economy
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  (Maple Grove, MN) — Oct. 31, 2023  — A newly released economic impact analysis reveals the substantial contributions electric cooperatives make to Minnesota’s economy. Between 2018 and 2022, electric cooperatives injected a staggering $19.6 billion into Minnesota’s economy, fortifying the state’s financial landscape and supporting an average of 20,800 jobs each year. In a new study, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance

Holly Margl Witnessing Grief
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  It is a privilege to be recognized for the tenacity and lifeblood that went into creating Witnessing Grief.” — Holly Margl (St Paul, MN) — November 2, 2023 — Holly Margl is a winner of a First Place Award at The BookFest Awards Fall 2023 for her book titled Witnessing Grief: Inviting Trauma and Loss to Our Coaching Conversations, An Enneagram Perspective. The book is honored in the Nonfiction

Fergus Falls Students Finalists in Fire Prevention Poster Contest
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  (Fergus Falls, MN) — October, 2023 — Nine Fergus Falls students will have their winning fire prevention posters submitted to be included in the Minnesota Fire Chief magazine next spring. The Fergus Falls winners were selected from over 400 entries from our kindergarten through fifth grade classes. It’s a tough job to narrow so many entries down.  Fergus Falls is allowed to advance up to nine students, based on

Mayor for a Day Essay Contest
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  Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders can submit essays by Dec. 12 for a chance to win $100.   (St. Paul, MN) — October, 2023 — The Mayor for a Day Essay Contest, hosted by the League of Minnesota Cities, is now open for submissions. To enter, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders can answer the prompt, “What would you do if you were mayor for a day?” for a chance

Pipestone Chamber Names Fall-tastic Decorating Contest Winners
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(Pipestone, MN) — Oct, 31st, 2023 — Congratulations to the 2023 Pipestone Area Chamber’s Fall-tastic Decorating Contest Winners! Thank you to EVERYONE who entered the contest! Commercial:1st Place:  Pipestone County Home Health & Hospice (309 10th St SW)2nd Place:  PIPESTONE – Helping Farmers (Annex Bldg – 1801 Forman Drive)3rd Place:  Meulebroeck, Taubert & Co. (216 E Main St)4th Place:  Windy Ridge Veterinary Clinic (1309 7th St SE) Residential:1st Place:  Bob Klinsing (727 6th Ave SW)2nd

Dick Bremer Steps Down
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  By Do-Hyoung Park   (Minneapolis, MN) — Oct. 31st, 2023 —  It’s time for one final left-hand toast for the man who was, for so long, the voice of summer in the Upper Midwest. Don’t say that last part to Dick Bremer, perhaps, because he would always insist that his voice shouldn’t be the focus; that should always remain on the team and players on the field. But Bremer’s deep