Decades ago, I met Alice McDermott after a talk that she gave about being an Irish American writer. She was delightful and pragmatic. That Night had been published to great acclaim. The National Book Award-winning Charming Billy was yet to come. Reading Absolution, McDermott’s latest work, I feel that the arc of her wonderful early novels leads to this very book. In it, two women recall their time in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) in 1963. We meet our two protagonists in the present day. Tricia Kelly is widowed and living in a senior community. Recently-retired Rainey was 7 or 8 years old when she ..read more

“Faces Today” by Sophia Adams. Photos: Edina’s Utility Box Art Competition Utility boxes get a facelift. The end game for Edina’s Utility Box Art Competition was simple—beautify five big unattractive metal boxes. Mission accomplished. The city-sponsored contest was run through Edina’s Arts and Culture Commission and modeled after a similar program in Bloomington. Artists and nonartists alike could submit works from any medium, with a maximum of three designs per applicant. Proposed design concepts included Edina-related art, organics and recycling, sustainable living and student art. The res ..read more

Pexels/Cristian Rojas Over the last few years, tequila has experienced an elevated evolution in the culinary world. In the past, mainstream America may have associated tequila with headaches and sugar-heavy margaritas. Today, top Michelin restaurants and craft cocktail enthusiasts are celebrating this ancient spirit. What exactly is tequila? Tequila is a spirit made from 100 percent Blue Weber agave, a huge succulent that takes seven to nine years to mature. It must be grown in the Mexican state of Jalisco or in certain parts of Guanajuato, Nayarit, Michoacán and Tamaulipas to be classified ..read more

Kamlika Chandla working on Fire and Grit in her studio. Photos: Chris Emeott Artist’s life mission is turning visions into reality. The light gracefully pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows that encase Kamlika Chandla’s art studio. Nestled in the heart of her home, the studio is a treasure trove of sculptures, elegant portraits and breathtaking landscapes. “I have this inherent need to create,” Chandla says. “It doesn’t go away. I can’t turn it off.” The sunbeam highlights her latest work-in-progress, a stunning painting of wild horses. “I call it Fire and Grit,” she says of the 6-by-4 ..read more

Kari Dahlquist. Photos: Chris Emeott Beloved elementary school principal retires. Kari Dahlquist’s journey into the realm of education began when she was a little girl. “When I visited my grandma in this small town, there was this little red schoolhouse right across the street. It was always unlocked, so I’d go and play in the little red school house from a century plus ago,” Dahlquist says. “It became an aha moment for me.” Dahlquist’s life is a series of aha moments that have contributed to her success as an educator. She is retiring after a career that’s spanned almost 40 years, 24 of whi ..read more

Photo: Julie Condon For 70 years, the Edina Garden Council (EGC) has been making our community beautiful by planting, pruning, weeding and caring for the many parks and public spaces that we all enjoy. Composed of five garden clubs, the EGC oversees seeding through planting at sites across the city. You’ve probably seen its work in the urns in front of city hall and the countless accent gardens in our parks. Members start the next summer’s plantings with planning in the fall and greenhouse growing during the winter. “You do not have to live in Edina to join,” says EGC member Maire Katyal. “Y ..read more

iStock/Tony Savino Most of us are looking forward to relaxing in the yard with friends and family. But with the beauty comes the beast—viral plant invasive species. Here are ways you can take an active approach to keeping trespassing plants out. Identification The first step is finding invasive plants. Buckthorn’s life cycle kills native trees including your favorite oaks, maples and pines. It also gives birds diarrhea and poisons fish. Garlic mustard chokes native species by producing chemicals that change soil composition. This inhibits normal growth of plants and helps garlic mustard to r ..read more

Photo: Edina Art Fair A colorful tapestry of inspiration, creativity and connection is coming back to 50th & France. It isn’t officially summer until the Edina Art Fair takes over the streets of 50th & France. The annual celebration of creativity is a vibrant art gallery that showcases a vast array of artistic expression, ranging from paintings and sculptures to innovative crafts, jewelry and photography. Art enthusiasts and even casual visitors will encounter seasoned and emerging artists all in one weekend. Lose yourself in a wonderful maze of carefully curated booths and enjoy liv ..read more

Photos: Centennial Lake Park This park has plenty of fun things in store, from swan-shaped paddle boats to a flower planting extravaganza. Centennial Lakes Park has new experiences and programming to get residents more involved at the park this spring and summer. We spoke with Tiffany Bushland, the general manager of Centennial Lakes, for more information. Currently, the park is open 4–6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and and 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Starting May 4, the park is open every day from 10 a.m. to sunset.  Swan-shaped Paddle Boats These paddle boats are t ..read more

Photos: Candleberry on the Lakes Boutique Visit a seasonal marketplace featuring handmade goods from local vendors. Candleberry on the Lakes Boutique has been around for over 40 years, but 2023 marked its newest chapter. “It started as a collection of friends who were talented crafters in a basement and just kept growing and growing to what it is today,” says co-owner Jillian Kotz. “It’s always been a collection of makers and businesses in the Twin Cities and just continues to evolve as time passes and new owners come in.”  Kotz and fellow owners Krista Vanderveren and Pamela Kadrlik ha ..read more