A new season for the St. Andrew Cancer and Extended Illness Support Group begins from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.

Kick-off speaker for this monthly group is Ruth Bachman, a St. Andrew member and member of the Eden Prairie community.

By John Molene

With a pickle-on-a-stick in one hand, and a Pronto Pup in the other, Joel Fuller of Eden Prairie was well on his way toward achieving his state fair dreams.

“My goal is to eat at least one of everything that’s on a stick,” said Fuller, 17.

A noble goal, and Fuller wasn’t alone. Each year thousands of Minnesotans head for the annual food-on-a-stick festival, also known as the Minnesota State Fair.

The Eagle Band will hold a preview night at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2. The event is open to the public and will be held at Aerie Stadium. The event is sponsored by the Band Parent Organization (BPO).

Wildfire (3020 Eden Prairie Center, Eden Prairie) will feature Summit Brewing Co. and its founder Mark O. Stutrud at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17. The beer dinner will include four courses of food and craft beer by Summit.

Eden Prairie News spoke with Jill Rasmussen and Mary Morgan, two stay-at-home moms from Eden Prairie who will be among more than 100 women age 50 and older taking the “Martini Jump” Saturday. The event, a record-breaking sky dive in Wisconsin, will raise funds for Cornerstone, a local organization that works to prevent domestic abuse. The event is being organized by a company called “Aging but Dangerous,” and will include a party on the ground where the parachutes land. The public is invited to attend the event, scheduled to run all day Aug. 28 in Baldwin, Wisc.

Sam and Charlie Bradley of Eden Prairie held their eighth annual Bradley Backyard Carnival last week to raise money for The Foundation for Retinal Research (www.TFRR.org) in honor of their friend Mary Rose Bushland, according to a news release. The carnival raised $1,020, which “will be used to help researchers find a cure for those afflicted with retinal type blindness.”

Mark your calendar for “Vino Classico: Eden Prairie Uncorked,” a popular wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser that will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Eden Prairie Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road in Eden Prairie.

The Eden Prairie (A.M.) Rotary Club organizes the annual event to raise more than $20,000 for its many community, national and international programs, including student scholarships, missions to Honduras, the well-known Golden Eagle Award, student mentoring, and an annual recognition banquet for Eden Prairie High School behind-

A press release from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

WHO: DNR Fish & Wildlife Division staff

WHAT: Outdoor fish pond and indoor fish tanks at the DNR's State Fair exhibit will be stocked. Approximately 45 different species of fish ranging from minnows to paddlefish will be added to the exhibits.

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 25. The best photo and video opportunities will be from 10 a.m. to noon.

WHERE: South side of DNR building on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds,
1740 Carnes Ave.