Longfellow Nokomis Messenger

#1) “Garden of Iron Mirrors” installation by Andrea Stanislav

By SUSAN SCHAEFER Much has been written about the benefits of exercise and being outdoors to beat the blues. According to a recent report from the American Psychological Association, “There … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 1/8/22 | 1 comment

I'm taking the plunge – will you join me?

Imagine that we are standing on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is in fact a few blocks east of where I live in south Minneapolis. Imagine with the writing of this column, I am leaving the … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 1/1/22

This year, anniversary activities were complicated by COVID-19 that restricted indoor gatherings. The banquet was postponed, but a walk was organized. (Photo by Terry Faust)

Becketwood celebrates 35th anniversary with walk down parkway

A month earlier, the West River Parkway had been filled with throngs of runners during the Twin Cities Marathon. But on a breezy November morning, another group of outdoor enthusiasts moved down the … more

By Iric Nathanson | 11/30/21

Linda Kjerland was a Garden for Wildlife mentee in her first year of developing a backyard habitat for wildlife. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Longfellow Garden for Wildlife Yard Tour 2021

Linda Kjerland moved to her Longfellow home 10 months ago, from a condo in St. Paul. Over the course of the winter, she started thinking about how to expand her garden and turn her lawn into … more

By Margie O’Loughlin | 9/3/21

End of Day: Practicing Stillness

Kevin Morgel rests on a bench along Lake Nokomis, observing the sunset. “I have three goals: try to exercise everyday, to take at least one picture of the sunset, and to do a little writing. I … more

7/28/21

Louie Moore has been president of the Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota for 22 years. He is a tireless advocate for cycling: promoting the sport in communities of color, and improving biking conditions across the city for all. Club rides meet at his home near 48th Street and Columbus Avenue in South Minneapolis. Moore was the first Black person to buy a home on his block, and has lived there for 57 years. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

Major Taylor Bicycling Club promotes cycling geared towards African American riders

The Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota has been bringing diversity to Twin Cities cycling since it started in 1999. Co-founded by Louie Moore and Walter Griffin, the nonprofit … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 7/28/21

Shawnte Jensen, Anja Standly, and Katie Lindholm

Volunteers assist veterans as part of neighborhood revitalization project

Rebuilding Together Twin Cities helped veterans secure housing as a part of neighborhood revitalization projects in the Morris Park and Minnehaha neighborhoods. On May 25 and May 26, in partnership … more

6/30/21

Jesse and Marion Dunbar of Happy Earth Cleaning sold their businesses to their workers when they moved back to Seattle, Wash.

So, you want to retire...

Business owners who want to retire have two options. They can sell or just shut down.Christina Nicholson of Nexus Community Partners (2314 University Ave. Suite 18) told those gathered at a joint … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 5/26/21

"Going to Dunwoody at age 38 was like doing a polar plunge - super shocking, hard to explain, an extremely hard experience, and also exhilarating and eye opening," said Longfellow resident Cathy Heying, who is executive director at The Lift garage, a low-cost option for those at 150% of federal poverty guidelines. (Photo by Carina Lofgren, Portraits from 6 ft)

From social worker to auto tech

How does a social worker and pastor end up running an auto garage?The path between the two isn’t as far apart as one might think, according to Cathy Heying.“When I was working at St, … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 2/24/21

Linda Grieme (left) and Gregg Kelley (right) have been members of the NSSTC for decades. They’re drawn to others who love and value silent sports. They bought their home, in part, because of its proximity to the Hiawatha Golf Course – where they’ve already skied a few times this year. (Photo by Margie O’Loughlin)

North Star Ski Touring Club embraces silent sports

To a cross country skier, there are few sounds more magical than the swoosh of their skis on a freshly groomed trail – and Minnesota has no shortage of these.According to Gail Lundeen Brand, … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 1/1/21

When Wendy Wolff and her family returned from a year working at the Holden retreat center, she found herself helping friends and family move. "People wanted to hear about why we left, what it was like, and how we changed," recalled Wolff. "They listened as I told them that the most significant shift we made as a result of our time at Holden was thinking more intentionally about what we brought into our home and what we let go of by donating, gifting or purging anything we did not love or need." She quit her job working for Minneapolis Public Schools as a therapist, and Blissworks was born. (Photo submitted)

Letting go to live blissfully

Helping people let go of things to focus on a new season of life is what Blissworks is all about.Wendy Wolff launched Blissworks, Beautiful Living in Simplified Spaces, in 2019. The company merges … more

By TESHA M. CHRISTENSEN | 11/25/20

How are seniors adjusting to COVID-19 pandemic?

Tanya Welch of Hiawatha Suites Senior Living Seniors at Hiawatha Suites Senior Living, 4140 Dight Ave. S., watched as Irish dancers … more

By CHLOE PETER | 8/28/20

Church adapts

In touch through video calls, telephone, email, and postal mail By IRIC NATHANSON Joy and Randy Nelson keep in touch online with their fellow members at Holy Trinity Church. (Photo by Terry Faust) … more

By IRIC NATHANSON | 5/26/20

Dig in, try something new and get inspired

The Hennepin County Master Gardener’s annual tour may be cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean these gardeners don’t still have tips and tricks to offer. Three … more

by JAN WILLMS | 5/26/20

Hope for the Heartbroken

Angela Woosley of Inspired Journeys Over the past month, the Coronavirus pandemic has upended our lives, and many of us are struggling to adjust to the new normal. Unemployment, job insecurity, … more

By Angela Woosley, 651-300-0119 www.inspiredjourneysmn.com | 5/4/20

‘There’s science in every thing’ says Bonnie Everets

SELF International founder aims to close achievement gap by organizing hands-on science programs By STEPHANIE FOX When Bonnie Everets was only four years old, her family bought a vineyard and fruit … more

3/8/20

Longfellow climate activist walks the walk every day

Standing in front of her electric Chevy Bolt, Jean Buckley said, “I use my buying power to make an environmental statement. I believe in making educated, responsible choices.”(Photo by Margie … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 12/1/19

Virtual Passport Programs opens doors for people unable to travel

Chris Mangold said, “Remember the old View Master, where you could see the world at the push of a button? This program is similar, but uses new technology.” (Photo by Margie … more

12/1/19

Informal networks promote community building at Becketwood

Members of the Cat Consortium around 19-year-old Tally the Cat include: (left to right) Linda Kusserow, Bonnie Porte, and owner Clare Fossum, who relied on the other women during a recent time away. … more

12/1/19

Neighborhood mail carrier retires after long, satisfying career

Jay Morgen hung up his mail bag at the Minnehaha Station for the last time on Friday, Aug. 31. After nearly 20 years with the US Postal Service, the veteran mail carrier retired. During … more

By MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN | 12/1/19