People

Many of history’s greatest inventions have been the result of accidents. Penicillin, the microwave, potato chips and even Leslie Grant’s award-winning “Sweet Garden Crunchers” pickle recipe.

She has been called quirky, unforgettable, a scene stealer, and even “one of the great moms of American fiction,” but to Shannon Olson, she’s just Flo.

It was a moment that seemed to drag on forever, as Jim Dircks waited for auctioneer John Barber to call out that one magic word every bidder waits anxiously for.

“Sold!” the auctioneer’s voice finally boomed.

From his perch on the fourth floor of the Hazeltine Gates building in northern Chaska, Julius “Jules” Smith looks out on a city vastly different from the one he grew up in.

When it comes to bragging rights, James and Pat Gans have most parents beat. That’s because their son Joe was one of just 78 mushers to complete the 2008 Iditarod.

The 1,049-mile dog-sled race kicked off in early March, and after 12 days on the trail, the 23-year-old rookie was the 57th musher to cross the finish line in Nome, Alaska.

An improbable smile spreads across baby Emma Kissock’s face, and it’s enough to melt the coldest heart. Nearly a year old, Emma has plenty of reasons not to smile, but despite it all, she remains an insufferably happy baby.

“She doesn’t have a care in the world,” said mom Robin Kissock, a 1994 CHS grad. “She’s so happy-go-lucky.”

Barbara Bach is looking for love. But rather than put an ad in the paper or sign up with an online service, Bach is using her business’s sandwich board sign to try and catch the eye of a passing motorist.

In addition to advertising her self-proclaimed “best malts in the county,” the chatty redhead’s sign reads “Looking for a great relationship. Inquire within.”

Since graduating from Chaska High School in 2000, Nichole Klatt has immersed herself in science.

She is currently a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania, researching the human immunodeficiency virus, which results in AIDS.

She recently presented her research at one of the largest HIV conferences in the world.

Lori and Mark Jesberg, of Victoria, won $100,000 with a "Deal or No Deal" scratch off ticket from the Minnesota State Lottery.

According to a press release, Lori scratched 22 of the 24 briefcases on the ticket before realizing what she stood to win.

“I got down to $10 and $100,000. I thought, ‘I know what it’s going to be,’” she said, expecting to win $10. Jesberg was shocked after revealing the dollar amounts under the remaining briefcases and “it said $10 and left the $100,000!” the press release stated.