Thursday, May 17, 2012
Kathryn Jesperson captured the hearts of many at the St. Michael-Albertville High School Grand March last month. But her life is a triumph over a heart that almost failed her.
Kathryn Jesperson, a senior at St. Michael-Albertville High School, stole the hearts of the audience when her boyfriend of five months, Cameron Johnson, carried her across the decorated gym floor during their trip through the 2012 prom grand march. "It was just one of those things. We were like, 'Should we hold hands? Should he push me through?' And finally, he just decided to pick me up," Kathryn said. But the story of how she wound up here, today, is more inspiring than a grand march could ever be. Kathryn was a protégé of her big sister, Amanda Jesperson (now Amanda Schmidt) back in 2002. She would tag along as Amanda did dance classes, and, as soon as she could, took classes of her own. "There was no way she was going to start at …
45.213593
-93.641592
Dance Impressions
12155 43rd St NE, Saint Michael, MN
/articles/st-michael-albertville-senior-defines-determination
973315
/locations/7052628
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Shawn O'Neill fulfilled two dreams with one trip to Walnut Grove. Check out his amazing photo.
A local shutterbug's eye has landed him on "Capture Minnesota," a collection of distinctly Minnesota images collected by Twin Cities Public Television (TPT). Shawn writes: "My name is Shawn O'Neill and I have been a photographer since 1992. On a trip with my wife to Walnut Grove, MN to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, as we were going through the buildings, I found this image. "I shot this photograph in color and change it monochrome (B&W) to give it an 'old time' feel. "I always have had a special place for that simpler time and the story of Laura Ingalls Wilder I really had a connection with this photograph because of that time and the history. "While searching the internet I found that tpt (Channel 2 ) was putting together a book …
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Irelandrose Langer will make her first-ever trip to her namesake country to take part in International Dance Competition.
It's never easy to talk to a 12-year-old girl. Any parent can tell you that. But you can't help but laugh when speaking with Irelandrose Langer, a student in sixth grade at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West. She never stops dancing. Irelandrose's feet are always on the move. She's hopping, switching feet, kicking and shuffling her way through life. And why not? It's getting her all the way to Ireland this weekend. The daughter of Brad Langer and Sheila Fallon Langer has been dancing since was in first grade and she caught a dance troupe at the Landmark in downtown St. Paul. "I loved the jumps, and all of the stuff they did," Irelandrose said with her dazzling smile. "I thought that really looked fun." At first, Brad and Sheila …
Thursday, April 26, 2012
If you’re looking to get out of the cold and rain this weekend, there’s plenty to do around town.
It’s one of those jam-packed, spring weekends again here in St. Michael and Albertville. Check out just a handful of things that are on tap. The St. Michael-Albertville High School Prom Grand March It’s going to feel a lot like last year’s prom (sorry, girls) out there on Saturday with wind, rain and even snow in the forecast. However, if last year’s indication, the warm smiles won’t be in short supply as the couples parade through Grand March at the high school, which starts at 4 p.m. sharp. Make sure the batteries are charged in the camera. Cost is just a buck. Section 30 CD Release Party Some of St. Michael’s favorite sons are back for the weekend as they unveil their second CD. You can catch the guys on stage from 8:30 p.m. to close at…
45.21014
-93.664296
Liberty Restaurant and Bar
25 Central Ave E, Saint Michael, MN
/articles/weekend-in-st-michael-holds-full-slate-of-events
1909455
/locations/6882553
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The nonprofit, community-run organization SOAR just recently launched and will soon be casting for this summer's production of Willy Wonka.
St. Michael-Albertville may seem to offer a surplus of activities and events for youth and families in the community, but when St. Michael couple Terry and Ellen Beaudry noticed the lack of community theater, they didn't sit back and wait for it, or worse, complain. They took matters into their own hands and decided to start their own organization. They started the organization SOAR Arts [St. Michael, Otsego, Albertville and Rogers]. With hopes of one day being a regional art center, the group has hit the ground running this spring with plans to bring a full community production to stage in July. "I've notived over the years that there are a few options for drama for youth, but nothing for the entire community," Terry said last week. In …
Friday, April 13, 2012
The St. MIchael-Albertville Fine Arts Council hosts their annual Talent Show tonight. Check out some of the best acts the area has to offer.
The St. Michael-Albertville Fine Arts Council will hosts its annual Talent Show tonight at 7 p.m. at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, it's latest showcase of local talent on stage. Singers, dancers, comedians and more have signed up to share their talents with the community, and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the show, which is in the Middle School West auditorium. Money raised will benefit the Fine Arts Council. The cost is $5 each, and more than a dozen acts will be featured, with door prizes for the audience and an opportunity to vote for the Audience Choice Award.
45.224495
-93.657384
Saint Michael-Albertville Middle School West
11343 50th St NE, Albertville, MN
/articles/fine-arts-council-hosts-st-michael-albertville-s-top-talent
973331
/locations/6793571
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The local artist continue to collect accolades for his work, as Keaton's drawing of a unique Bufflehead earned him a spot at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's national competition.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the winners of the 2012 Minnesota Junior Duck Stamp Contest. More than 1,170 entries were received, and The Best of Show artwork was drawn by Keaton Van’t Hull, 17, St. Michael. Van't Hull is a senior at St. Michael-Albertville High School. The Minnesota Conservation Message Winner is Hannah Angell, age 12, Andover. Her statement, "Surrounded by nature, surrounded by opportunity," along with Keaton's Best of Show artwork, a pencil drawing of a Bufflehead, will advance to the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest to be held April 20, 2012 at Patuxent Research Refuge, Maryland. Special Student honors went to Yasemin Yucesan, age 8, Woodbury. Her artwork will be the visual image for promoting the …
45.235233
-93.694794
St. Michael-Albertville High School
5800 Jamison Ave NE, Saint Michael, MN
/articles/st-michael-albertville-s-van-t-hull-wins-duck-stamp-competition
1804056
/locations/6769281
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Renowned Twin Cities rocker G.B. Leighton will be performing at the St. Michael-Albertville Performing Arts Center Thursday night to help raise funds for a local teen fighting a rare disease.
G.B. Leighton, a longtime, popular Twin Cities musician, will perform live at the St. Michael-Albertville High School Performing Arts Center Thursday, March 29. Often voted as one of the Twin Cities' favorite musicians, Leighton is helping the community raise money for the family of Bryce Galvin, a 16-year-old STMA High School student who is battling Multicentric Castleman’s Disease, a rare form of Castleman’s that impacts more than a single group of lymph nodes. It can also attack organs that contain lymphoid tissue, such as the kidneys. The result is a severe infection, which can cause all of the symptom’s Bryce was experiencing prior to his admission to the hospital. Galvin has had to endure a couple of lengthy hospital stays, …
45.235233
-93.694794
St. Michael-Albertville High School
5800 Jamison Ave NE, Saint Michael, MN
/articles/twin-cities-star-g-b-leighton-set-to-rock-st-michael
1804056
/locations/6681733
Monday, March 26, 2012
Also this week: a golf course opening, singer Alison Scott, a sewage lift station, a nearly vacant mall, a diversity summit, a food shelf fundraiser and famous St. Louis Park residents.
Editor’s Note: Every week we will bring you a sampling of stories from Patch sites in the west metro: Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Lake Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Richfield, Shakopee, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. (Click on the headline to read the full story.) Earliest Open in Brookview Golf Course History This year Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley entertained golfers earlier than it has since it opened in 1927. "You don't see this kind of weather in March in Minnesota," Golfer Jason Mord said who came into the clubhouse with sunburn after golfing 18 holes. Ice Out! Freshwater Society Declares Lake Minnetonka Open On Wednesday, March 21, the Freshwater Society officially declared ice-out on Lake Minnetonka. That was a …
Friday, March 16, 2012
This weekend features everything from arts and crafts to green beer and corn beef. Check out these highlights.
It’s not going to be a good weekend to hole up on the couch. The weather’s set to be beautiful, there are plenty of spring projects to tend to, and the calendar is chock full of local events. Here’s a rundown of some of the highlights: The Women of Today Spring Craft Show The annual show and business expo features vendors, creators and artists from around the St. Michael area and beyond. This event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West, it will feature over 125 vendors. It’s almost guaranteed you will find something you want. St. Michael-Albertville-Hanover Library Book Sale People of all ages with all kinds of interests will find it worthwhile to visit the Friends of the Library Book Sale at the St…
45.224495
-93.657384
Saint Michael-Albertville Middle School West
11343 50th St NE, Albertville, MN
/articles/get-out-the-weekend-is-overflowing-with-family-fun-events
973331
/locations/6603363
Mother
10:26 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
I have had the opportunity to be with Kathryn for a few years. I have to say she is as beautiful on the inside as she is strong willed. While I knew Kathryn's story, seeing it on paper in full detail broke my heart thinking that we could have lost her. She inspires me and my family. Her parents have worked so hard to make her dreams a reality and she does not disappoint them. Keep Smiling Kathryn… more ›