Doing Good

2024 Sesquicentennial Farm

(Minnesota) — April 23rd, 2024 — The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is pleased to recognize 44 recipients of the Sesquicentennial Farm award for 2024. Since the program began in 2008, 559 families have received the honor. To qualify, a family farm must be in continuous family ownership for at least 150 years, be 50 acres or larger, and currently be involved in agricultural production. A commemorative certificate signed by

Darci Martini Nationals

(Pequate Lakes, MN) — April 23rd, 2024 — Nine year old Darci Martini, daughter of Shaun and Lisa Martini, took 1st Place at the Regional Elks Hoop Shoot in Iowa! It’s now on to the Nationals April 18-21 in Chicago. The last time that the Brainerd Elks had a National Competitor was 9 years ago when Darci’s sister, Kelsi, made it to Nationals taking 4th place in the national competition

Mountain Boy

Minneapolis – MOUNTAIN BOY, a live-action family adventure film is set to grace the screens of the upcoming Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) at The Main Cinema, Screen 5, 115 SE Main Street on April 20 at 1:45 p.m. and April 22 at 7:00 p.m. “We’re thrilled to be screening the magic of MOUNTAIN BOY at MSPIFF,” says Nancy Paton, writer and producer of the film. Director Zainab

Four Minnesota Teams Heading to Destination Imagination Global Competition

(Minnesota) — April 19th, 2024 —   Four Minnesota teams of Destination Imagine students are heading to global finals.  Two teams from Rosemount, as well as one Osseo, and one from Minneapolis, have qualified for the Destination Imagination Global Finals in Kansas City, Missouri May 22-25. Destination Imagination is a project-based, kid-driven program that teaches kids to be innovative problem solvers. Using STEAM, teams of students collaborate, think outside the

Arcadian Bank’s REACH team

(Albert Lea, MN) — April 3rd, 2024)  —  Arcadian Bank’s REACH team wrapped up our annual Pack the Trailer-Community Food Drive event for 2024.  We invite and challenge other local businesses to participate by collecting nonperishable food, personal care items, and paper products with either their employees or their customers.  This year we had 15 local businesses join us in collected 4,400 pounds of donations that were split and delivered

Congratulations to Skingevity Med Spa Founder on the feature in Vogue Magazine

    Vogue featuring CEO of Skingevity Med Spa Amanda Lemmage – Jana Noonan Photography Announcing Skingevity Med Spa CEO and Owner’s feature on Vogue Magazine. It’s a testament to the dedication and care she’s committed to patients. There’s a younger you inside. We take the worry out of Longevity and bring you Skingevity. Skingevity offers a comprehensive array of cosmetic, laser, and aesthetic services.” — Amanda Lemmage (Spring Park,

Newsweek Magazine Names Winnebago Industries as One of the Most Trustworthy Companies in America 2024

(Eden Prairie, MN) — April 03, 2024  — Winnebago Industries, a leading outdoor recreation product manufacturer, has been named by Newsweek to its 2024 Most Trustworthy Companies in America list. The respected ranking focuses on a holistic view of trust that considers three pillars: customer trust, employee trust, and investor trust. Newsweek’s Most Trustworthy Companies list recognizes the top 700 companies in the United States, with a revenue of over

Twin Cities PBS 2024 Gracie Awards

 Photo Credit: TPT The live performance-driven music series STAGE wins the “TV-Local” category prize from the Alliance for Women in Media.  (St. Paul, MN) — March 28, 2024– Twin Cities PBS (TPT) is thrilled to announce that the original, local music show STAGE has won a 2024 Gracie Award in the “TV-Local” category. Given by the Alliance for Women in Media, the annual awards program honors and celebrates a diverse mix of media made

Jeanine Thompson INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD

“911 from your Soul” by Jeanine Thompson inspires a 2024 Independent Press Award. (Minneapolis, MN) — March 19, 2024   — “WHEN LIFE SPEAKS … WILL YOU HEAR THE CALL?”, Jeanine Thompson asks in publishing her newly awarded book “911 from your Soul”. The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, one of the most prestigious book award programs globally for independent authors, publishers, and illustrators, recognized “911 from your Soul” as a 2024

Minnesota Hospice Recognized

  5-Star Medicare Rating and National Recognition as the Top 25% of Hospice Agencies Affirms Minnesota Hospice as a Leader in Compassionate Hospice Care. Being in the top 25% nationally for hospice caregiver satisfaction is an honor for our team because it’s a reflection of our empathy, deep love, and commitment to the families we serve at life’s end.” — Ken Haglind, CEO and co-founder, Minnesota Hospice (Lakeville, Mn) —

Teen YouTuber FHK Shatters World Record with 12-Foot French Fry Surprises Top YouTuber Matthew Beem

  17-yr-old FHK breaks world record with a 12-ft French fry. Challenge by YouTuber Matthew Beem, documented on FHK’s channel, inspires with creativity & ambition. (Minneapolis, MN) —  March 27, 2024  — In a remarkable display of culinary innovation, Frank Kamish, a 17-year-old Minneapolis high school junior and rising YouTube sensation known as FHK, has successfully set a new world record by creating the World’s Largest French Fry, measuring anawe-inspiring

Women In Trucking 2024 Trailblazers

(Minneapolis, MN) —  March 27, 2024  — TA Dedicated announced today Caitlin Powell, Director of Communications & Marketing and Hannah Koury, Sr. Customer Success Manager as recipients of Women In Trucking Association’s “Top Woman to Watch in Trucking” award. This recognition celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing the trucking industry, particularly in promoting gender diversity and inclusion. The “Top Woman to Watch in Trucking”

TopLine Credit Union Foundation Scholarships

TopLine Credit Union Foundation assist students with costs of higher education locally and globally (Maple Grove, MN) —  March 19, 2024  — In its ninth year, TopLine Credit Union Foundation has awarded $29,000 in scholarship money to 29 TopLine members who are continuing their education. Additionally, the foundation awarded $1,500 in scholarship funds to support post-secondary educational needs and goals of students in Nigeria through partnership with African Education and

Lakes Area Professional Women

(Alexandria MN) — March 23rd, 2024  — The Lakes Area Professional Women (LAPW) hosted its 30th Anniversary Gala on March 21, 2024, at the Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. This prestigious event will commemorate three decades of recognizing and celebrating the remarkable achievements of women entrepreneurs and businesses in the Lakes Area. Also honored at the Gala, were the 2024 winners of three distinguished awards. The

2024 Glampy Awards

(Portland, Or) — March 19, 2024  — The Dyrt, the No. 1 app for camping availability, photos and reviews, has announced the winners of the 2024 Glampy Awards. Now in its third year, the Glampys recognize and honor the most unique and innovative glampground destinations throughout the United States. Glamping may have started out as niche, but it has quickly gained momentum as a fast-growing segment of the camping industry. According

NMDP Awards 25th Annual ‘Amy Scholars’ Grant, Furthering Post-Transplant Research

Bruce Manasevit (L) joins NMDP’s Dr. Jeffery Auletta (R) to award Nicoletta Cieri, MD, PhD the Amy Scholar research grant (Minneapolis, MN) —  March 06, 2024 — NMDP℠ announced two recipients of its Amy Strelzer Manasevit Research Program grant, one of the largest and most coveted grants in the transplant and cellular therapy field. The award is given to early-career researchers investigating preventions or treatments to life-threatening complications following all

Innovative Community Action Programs

(St. Paul, MN) – March 6th, 2024 — Four Community Action Agency programs dedicated to eradicating poverty and enhancing community well-being received Best & Promising Practices Awards on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, from Minnesota Community Action Partnership (MinnCAP). The Best & Promising Practices Awards Ceremony provides an invaluable opportunity to acknowledge our most impactful and innovative Community Action programs across the state. A distinguished review team from the University of

Alasan Ann Team Gambia Taekwondo 2024 Olympics

(Osseo, MN)— March 5th, 2024 — Alasan Ann, a Minnesota native, is poised to make history as he steps onto the world stage to represent Team Gambia in the sport of Taekwondo at the 2024 Olympics. His journey has been one of resilience, determination, and unwavering support. A Dream Since Childhood Alasan Ann, raised right here in the heartland, attended Fernbrook Elementary, Osseo Middle, and Maple Grove High School before

CO of the Year

(Alexandria, MN) — March 4, 2024 —  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Mitch Lawler has been named the 2023 DNR Conservation Officer of the Year, an annual award presented to an officer for outstanding overall career performance. Col. Rodmen Smith, director of the DNR Enforcement Division, presented awards to Lawler and four other officers last month at Camp Ripley. Lawler works the Alexandria station, where he’s been since

Rainfall Monitoring Network

Participants provide important data about precipitation, climate trends (Minnesota) — March 1, 2024– The Minnesota State Climatology Office is seeking rainfall monitors for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4-inch diameter rain gauge. Participants submit their precipitation reports online. The data from backyard rain gauges are a critical source of information

Mill City Museum

Minnesotans showed their support for the museum in an online contest   (Minneapolis, MN) —  February 23, 2024 – Mill City Museum has won the honor of being named among the best history museums in the nation. Online voters chose the Minneapolis museum as the fifth place finisher. The recent contest included 21 sites from around the country, which were nominated by an expert panel for USA TODAY’s 10 Best Readers’

TruStone Financial Newsweek

(Plymouth, MN) — Feb. 21, 2024  — TruStone Financial was recently recognized as one of America’s Best Credit Unions by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. Additionally, TruStone Financial is ranked in the top 1% of credit unions nationwide by Rising Above Enterprises. Newsweek’s survey of more than 35,000 individuals included 140,000+ reviews of 9,440 regional banks and credit unions. In addition, data included more than 1.3 million social media reviews

Children's Minnesota 100 years

Governor Tim Walz proclaimed Feb. 13, 2024, “Children’s Minnesota Day” at a centennial celebration of the largest pediatric health system in the state. (Minneapolis and St Paul,MN) —  Feb. 13, 2024  — This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Children’s Minnesota which first opened its doors in a small house in St. Paul in 1924. The organization commemorated its centennial with a celebration attended by staff and Governor Tim Walz, who proclaimed Feb. 13, 2024, as “Children’s

Lerner Publishing Group Receives Eight American Library Association Youth Media Awards

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jan. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KAR-BEN PUBLISHER JONI SUSSMAN WINNER OF THE SYDNEY TAYLOR BODY-OF-WORK AWARD NEARER MY FREEDOM BY MONICA EDINGER AND LESLEY YOUNGE NAMED A YALSA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN NONFICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS FINALIST A POCKETFUL OF STARS BY AISHA BUSHBY, THE BEAR AND THE WILDCAT BY KAZUMI YUMOTO AND ILLUSTRATED BY KOMAKO SAKAI, AND THE MOON IS A BALL BY ED FRANCK AND

Leo Dworsky Autism and Disability Services

  Leo Dworsky, a U of M junior, and the K.A.H.R. Foundation are being honored for their support of people with autism, disabilities and mental health issues. I first thought was there are so many other people that deserve the award. Then I thought, singing at the benefit, fundraising and the advocacy work I do; I guess I can see how it happened.” — Leo Dworsky, Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award

Minnesota's Most Romantic Restaurants

Last year, 52% of reservations were made at least 6 days out – book before February 9th for the best shot of securing your favorite table7 (San Fransisco) —  Feb. 7, 2024   — According to a survey commissioned by OpenTable, Valentine’s Day is no longer just for couples:1 Americans will consider dining out with family (18%) or friends (15%) this year. This trend is backed by OpenTable data: last year, nearly ⅓

Topline Financial Credit Union

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Jan. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, was honored with two marketing awards from the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN). The Minnesota Credit Union Network Marketing Awards acknowledges the outstanding programs credit unions have created to grow brand awareness and market to members and nonmembers alike. TopLine was recognized in two categories: Design and Digital Advertising. In

Sica Dawn Go Red for Women

MINNEAPOLIS HAIR STYLIST SICA DAWN STYLES FOR CENTER STAGE BACKSTAGE AT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION’S RED DRESS COLLECTION CONCERT IN NYC TO GO RED FOR WOMEN To help raise awareness for Cardiovascular Disease – which kills more women each year than all forms of cancer combined – is an amazing gift.” — Sica Dawn (Minneapolis, MN) — February 2, 2024  — On this year’s Go Red for Women Day, recognized

Matt Kamm Navistar’s 2023 Technician of the Year

(New Ulm, MN) — February 1, 2024 – Matt Kamm, who is employed as a Diesel Technician by North Central International (NCI) in New Ulm, MN, has won Navistar’s 2023 Technician of the Year Award, in the Veteran category.  This is a great accomplishment in that Matt was up against many other talented technicians from International truck dealerships from all over the United States and Canada. Matt has worked for

The 2024 James Beard Awards Semifinalists

(Minnesota) — January 30th, 2024 — The 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists for the James Beard Awards® presented by Capital One have been announced.  There are seven semifinalists from Minnesota including: Daniel del Prado, Porzana, Minneapolis, MN for Outstanding Chef. Oro by Nixta, Minneapolis, MN for Best New Restaurant. Marc Heu, Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris, St. Paul, MN for Outstanding Pastery Chef or Baker. Meteor, Minneapolis, MN for Outstanding

Jostens Epic School Revamp Contest

(Minneapolis, MN) — Jan. 26, 2024   — Jostens is excited to announce Warren High School in Warren, Ark. as the first-place winner and recipient of their inaugural Jostens Epic School Revamp grand prize package, valued up to $150,000. On Jan. 9, elementary to high school-aged students gathered for a pep rally in Warren High School’s new gymnasium, where principal Tiffany Gathen announced their school’s entry to the contest. Moments

Center-Mounted Twin-Engine Innovation Award

(Bristol ID and Minneapolis, MN) — Jan. 18, 2024  — Barletta Pontoon Boats, one of the fastest-growing pontoon boat makers in the segment and a wholly owned subsidiary of Winnebago Industries (NYSE: WGO), a leading outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer, has been recognized with the 2024 Discover Boating® Minneapolis Boat Show® Innovation Award by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Boating Writers International (BWI) for its center-mounted twin-engine pontoon boat,

Cargill Wins Two 2024 BIG Innovation Awards

The company was recognized as an innovative organization for its work to advance the agriculture industry, and for Cargill and BAR Technologies’ ground-breaking project, WindWings, designed to decarbonize commercial shipping   (Wayzata, MN)  –January 10, 2024 — Cargill has been recognized for its innovation and R&D leadership with two 2024 Business Intelligence Group (BIG) Innovation Awards . The company’s efforts to harness the power of what’s possible to deliver lifechanging solutions that positively impact the

Rob Greer “Empathy and Understanding In Business”

  (Oakdale, MN) —  January 13, 2024 — Rob Greer, an accomplished entrepreneur, has collaborated with renowned author Chris Voss and other accomplished professionals worldwide to co-author the highly acclaimed book, Empathy and Understanding In Business, published by SuccessBooks®. The eagerly anticipated book made its grand entrance into the literary world on January 4th, 2024. Following its release, Empathy and Understanding In Business swiftly climbed the ranks on Amazon’s best-sellers

Healthsource Solutions Healthiest Employers® Award

We are excited that HealthSource Solutions won second place in Minnesota in the Healthiest Employers award! (Minneapolis, MN) —  January 10, 2024  — HealthSource Solutions is excited they won second place in Minnesota in the Healthiest Employers award! This prestigious accolade acknowledges the dedication of organizations that have a people-first approach to the health and wellbeing of their organization. These companies prioritize the welfare of their employees as a fundamental

Bolander Marks a Century of Excellence in Heavy Civil Construction

  Your Specialty Contractor of Choice In a momentous milestone, Bolander celebrates 100 years of excellence in the earthwork, utilities, demolition, and deep foundations industry. (St Paul, MN) —  January 8, 2024  — From its humble beginnings to becoming a cornerstone in civil construction solutions, Bolander‘s journey is one of resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment. Bolander, a leader in heavy civil construction, commemorates its 100th year of operations. The company

Mayor Norton City of Rochester

(Rochester, MN) — December 28th, 2023 — The City of Rochester and Mayor Kim Norton announce the completion of the 2023 Move with the Mayor (R) (MWTM) Fall Fit Challenge and celebrate success in achieving the Gold Level in the Step It Up! Success Roadmap, the highest level of achievement. Rochester was one of thirty cities that participated in MWTM fitness challenges this year, contributing to the more than 60 events held

Life Time Fitness Survey

Survey adds 36% would give up social media forever to lose 10 pounds (Chanhassen, MN) —  Dec. 28, 2023  — With 2024 nearly here, Life Time, the nation’s premier heathy lifestyle brand, has compiled the results from its 2024 annual consumer health and wellness survey. Among nearly 3,000 respondents, notable findings included: At a time when people are blending their personal and professional lives more than ever, workouts are considered

NGPA Announces 2023 Scholarship Cycle Recipients

  2022 NGPA Scholarship recipients on stage in Palm Springs, CA The NGPA announces the distinguished recipients of the 2023 Scholarships.   (St Louis Park, MN) — , December 22, 2023  — NGPA – The Worldwide LGBTQ+ Aviation Community proudly announces the distinguished recipients of the 2023 Scholarships. This year marks a historic milestone as the 25th anniversary of the NGPA’s scholarship program. This summer, NGPA received an unprecedented 430

GrayMatter Robotics Innovator of the Year Award

Innovator of the Year: GrayMatter Robotics Earns Recognition from Cirrus Aircraft for Innovation in Automation, Following Multiple Awards at FANUC’s ASI Conference. (Duluth, MN) —  Dec. 21, 2023  — GrayMatter Robotics, a promising disruptor in the automation industry, has achieved yet another milestone by receiving commendation from Cirrus Aircraft for its groundbreaking innovations in automation and strategic partnership. This recognition comes on the heels of the company’s impressive performance at FANUC’s

Tips on Supporting Loved Ones in Early Recovery or Still Using Substances During the Holidays

By prioritizing self-care and fostering open communication, families can create a supportive environment that promotes healing, help-seeking and long-term success.   (Center City, MN) —  December 21, 2023  — At its sites around the United States, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation often sees an uptick in substance use and mental health care admissions after the holidays—an often-stressful time quickly followed by the motivating promise and hope of a New Year.

2024 Retailer of the Year

(Minnesota) — December 5, 2023 — Seven Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2024 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). This year’s winners include: Northwest: Hugo’s Family Marketplace, East Grand Forks Northeast: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone West Central: Elden’s Fresh Foods, Alexandria Southwest: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia Southeast: Nilssen’s Foods, Zumbrota Twin Cities: Kowalski’s Markets,

Jostens Super Bowl LVII Ring

(Minneapolis, MN) — Dec. 06, 2023  — Since 1959 the Clios have been regarded as one of the most recognizable international advertising awards, honoring innovation and creative excellence in advertising, design and communication. Jostens and the Kansas City Chiefs are proud to have been awarded a bronze-level distinction at the 2023 Clios for their collaborative work on the Super Bowl LVII Ring. “From the very beginning we knew that the

Mad Dog Products and Excelsior Brew "Unleash" a Dog Friendly Holiday Gift Idea Supporting Charity

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

Best Addiction Treatment Centers

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

B Social by Brick & Bourbon

  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 —

CHS Supports FFA

(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

Dr. Rassheedah Watts' 'Black Womb Dialogues': Poetry and Gratitude, from Minnesota to Scotland’s Slavery Apology

  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

(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

TopLine Financial Credit Union Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors

(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