‘Cover Stories’ Archives
Norway House: A new place for gathering and a new landmark
By JOSEPH GR∅DAHL Director of Programs and Events, Norway House Clad in wood, the new pedestrian-friendly Franklin Avenue entrance to Norway House was designed to be reminiscent of a Norwegian stave church. For the October Grand Opening, visitors lined the red carpet leading up to it, hoping to get a glance of Queen Sonja. Source: Coppersmith Photography This past October, Norway House welcomed 1,200 visitors and supporters, as well as Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway, to its East Franklin Avenue location for a Grand Opening dedication ceremony on a new 18,000-square-foot addition, including a new Innovation + Culture Center. Norway House, with its mission to connect the United States with contemporary Norway through arts, business, and culture, has built the new center to be a welcoming place for all, with space for receptions, conferences, and meetings. The Sundet Family Aula (Hall) in the Innovation + Culture Center is an open, airy space with plenty of natural light [...]
Museum exhibit presents one woman’s journey of discovery exploring her family’s past
Postcards from the early 1900s provided valuable clues about Debra George's ancestors. Some of the postcards are in the collage shown here, one of twelve collages on exhibit now at Hennepin History Museum. Photo: Provided by the Hennepin History Museum. By ROSELLA DePIETRO, Hennepin History Museum It began by sorting through cardboard boxes that had been sitting in her parents’ basement for years. When the time came to clean out their parents’ home, local artist Debra George and two brothers divided up the boxes. In one of the boxes Debra opened, she found two small vases she recalled seeing atop her grandmother’s writing desk when Debra was a little girl. She began to wonder not only about the origin of these vases, but about the unknown history of her ancestors as well. What Debra George discovered about her family is the subject of an exhibit, Family in Pieces, on now through Spring of 2023 at the Hennepin History Museum. Created by Ms. George, Family in [...]
Prepare for Higher Heating Costs this Winter
By CITIZENS UTILITY BOARD Rising energy costs have been big news across the world this year. As Minnesotans enter the heating season, it’s a concern here too. We’re not fans of sharing bad news, but many of us should expect noticeably higher heating costs this winter. Below are some highlights from the Winter Fuels Outlook provided by the U.S. Energy Information Agency. We’ve summarized forecasted propane, electricity, heating oil, and natural gas prices mostly specific to the Midwest. During the 2021/2022 heating season, some fuel prices were the highest in 7 years, so when we talk about increases this year, it is on top of the higher prices many experienced last year. First, let’s start with the not-so-bad news. Propane prices are not expected to change much compared to last year. Approximately 11% of Minnesota households, primarily in rural areas, use propane. Though the price isn’t projected to rise this year, propane is significantly more expensive than [...]
