Sun Patriot

You have so much to do. Earn a living. Keep the car running, mow the lawn, maintain the house — maybe a boat, a cabin, a snowblower too. Care for children, grandchildren, aging parents. Nurture friendships. Get to practices and tournaments. Clean, shop, do the laundry, squeeze in a workout. The list never actually ends; it just gets set down for a few hours before picking back up again. You’re not imagining the pressure. Work hours are up and sleep is down.

Early this month, the Waconia City Council authorized bids and awarded a construction contract for a new water treatment plant. On Monday, Aug. 17, the council authorized the sale of bonds to pay for it. The approved resolution calls for the issuance of $27.2 million in general obligation water revenue and capital improvement bonds to finance the construction of the new water treatment plant and a companion public works storage building. The resolution also calls for a public hearing on Sept.

More than 180 Waconia area students will start their school year with a backpack full of supplies and hearts and minds full of confidence and hope thanks to Love INC’s school supply event hosted Aug. 21-22 by Waconia Trinity church and school. Several donors contributed school supplies and/or money to buy school supplies. Some 30-40 volunteers assisted with collection, setup and distribution, according to organizers.

Kylie Damasin and her Minnesota Vixen football team accomplished something this summer that the Minnesota Vikings are still striving for after more than 60 years — a football championship. Damasin, a Waconia Middle School phy ed and health teacher, captained and played defensive end for the Vixen in their championship season.

LaVonne L. Kunz, age 87, of St. Paul passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at Boulder Ponds Senior Living in Lake Elmo. Funeral Service held Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (601 E 2nd St) in Waconia with Rev. Duncan McLellan as officiant. Visitation Monday, August 31, 2026 at the Johnson Funeral Home (141 E 1st St) in Waconia from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at church on Tuesday. Interment in the church cemetery.

Lakeview Clinic has announced the addition of two new physicians to its medical team in late August. Laura Bowman, MD, specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN), and Alex Mangan, MD, specializing in Family Medicine, will both begin seeing patients in September. Bowman joins Lakeview Clinic’s robust OB/GYN team, where she will provide advanced, personalized care tailored specifically to women’s unique health journeys.

For generations, Carver’s Riverside Ballroom was a place to dance, celebrate, meet friends and make memories. Coming up Thursday, Sept. 10, Carver On The Minnesota, Inc. invites the community to revisit some of those memories during “One More Night at the Riverside.” The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Village Hall Room at Carver City Hall. Rather than a formal program, the evening is being planned as an informal Riverside reunion and community gathering.

The community of Norwood Young America will once again link its past, present and future when it hosts the 165th annual Stiftungsfest Aug. 27-30. The 2026 celebration will also mark the return of the Stiftungsfest Parade, which is held every five years.

Curt and Mary Wilson, this year’s Stiftungsfest Grand Marshals, are certainly no strangers to the residents of Norwood Young America. Mary was born and raised in NYA, and she and Curt have called the community home throughout their married life. Together, they raised their two children, Sarah and Matt, here and have spent decades giving back to the community they call home.

One of the best parts of a new school year, is the ability to start all over again! No matter how poorly the previous year might have gone, I get to start fresh. What a wonderful gift that is! For those who had a great previous year, they too get the opportunity to set new goals and achieve new heights in their schoolwork as they build towards their future dreams.