Editor's Notebook

Becoming Santa

Patch Editor James Warden got a shot at playing Santa during the Hopkins Activity Center’s Thanksgiving Celebration.

I’m not a hugger. But Santa is. I’m not someone who can make small talk with dozens of strangers. I’m not comfortable being the center of attention. But Santa is. So when Hopkins Activity Center Receptionist Sharon Nelson waved me into the gym, I chimed my bell and gave the crowd a hearty, “Ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas!” I’d been invited to be Santa for the Activity Center’s annual Thanksgiving Celebration on Tuesday. Apparently, it’s not that easy to find someone willing to play the part. Still, I was thrilled—if a little nervous. I even practiced my “ho-ho-ho” while my wife was at work. There are a lot of niggling logistical details you don’t really think of until you’re the one in the velvet suit—things like what to wear underneath. Do I …

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Hopkins Historical Society Names Historic Homes Winners

James and Paula Beauchene and Deb Decker will be honored Sunday for their ‘lovingly cared-for and beautifully restored homes.’

The Hopkins Historical Society has selected James and Paula Beauchene and Deb Decker as the winners of the 2012 Hopkins Area Historic Homes Award. The society honored the Beauchenes, of 123 Eighth Ave. N., and Deb Decker, of 13 Van Buren Ave. S., for their “lovingly cared-for and beautifully restored homes,” the organization announced.  The historical society will honor the winners during a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hopkins Activity Center. Immediately after the ceremony, historical society President Dean Empanger will speak about the 40th anniversary of the group’s founding in 1972 and “How We Became the Guardians of Hopkins History.” The historic society invites the public to help celebrate the anniversary. Refreshments will be…

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Hopkins Activity Center Proposes $1.8M Renovation

The redesign would make the space more open, efficient and attractive.

The Hopkins Activity Center is dreaming big, but those dreams come with a cost—about $1.8 million and the relocation of the Hopkins Historical Society. Activity Center Coordinator Susan Newville and Alanna Carter, the environments for aging director at RSP Architects, presented a redesign to the City Council on Tuesday that would make the center more open, efficient and attractive. Carter said the current design doesn’t work well for those who use the center. Visitors enter the building through a narrow corridor. They can’t easily wait for buses, and receptionists can’t easily watch seniors while they wait for buses to ensure they’re safe. Within the building, sightlines are limited and it’s not always easy for seniors to travel between …

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(VIDEO) Hopkins Activity Center Regulars Share Their Love Stories

Valentine's is the perfect opportunity to reflect back on romantic memories.

Do you remember your first love? Maybe you remember the first time you met your one true love. Love stories are as varied as the people who share them. Patch visited the Hopkins Activity Center to talk with regulars there about their most-romantic memories. Their stories are proof that fairy tales exist right here in Hopkins.

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Hopkins Activity Center

8:43 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Some very special people with some special stories. Thanks for telling them.   more ›

Historical Society Invites You To Listen to Local Veterans' Stories

The organization is hosting a conversation with two local World War II veterans Nov. 20.

Veterans Day may be Nov. 11, but honoring America’s servicemen and women doesn’t have to stop after that. The Hopkins Historical Society is hosting a conversation with two local World War II veterans Nov. 20. Merrill Burgstahler served with Gen. George Patton during the Battle of the Bulge.  His 777th anti-aircraft battalion shot down 111 Luftwaffe planes. Floyd Dahl was captured and imprisoned in a German POW camp. Everyone is invited to come hear the veterans’ stories and honor them for their service. The event takes place at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Hopkins Activity Center. Refreshments will be served.

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