Reid Harmsen is a familiar face around the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. For the last two years, the 26-year-old has worked in the box office, earning a pay check while feeding his love for theater.

Last Friday, Harmsen busted out from behind the scenes to make his debut on the theatre’s main stage in the new Elvis-themed production of “All Shook Up.”

Each year, tens of thousands turn up at auditions around the country with a single dream: to be the next American Idol. This year, Chaska’s Elle Tarman was one of those dreamers hoping to join the ranks of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and reigning champ Lee DeWyze.

The 15-year-old took advantage of a recent rule change that lowered the minimum age for those trying out from 16 to 15. She and her dad Al made the trek to Milwaukee last week to audition for the show.

By Unsie Zuege

It all started with a manicure.

Wendy Biorn, executive director of the Carver County Historical Society and Museum, was having her nails done at a local shop, and as part of the salon chatter, she learned that the woman across from her was an actress at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.

“She said, ‘You should see my show,’” Biorn recalled. “She said, ‘Come early, and I’ll give you a tour behind the scenes.’ That’s when I met Kris Howland [CDT’s public relations director] and we started talking.

On a muggy June afternoon, one by one, tall glass bottles were filled with golden liquid.

Once full, nimble hands topped them with foil caps and sent them down the line to be dressed in labels. At the end of the line, they slid neatly off and into the capable hands of Jen Antila, who wiped the condensation off the bottles and carefully placed each one in its own cardboard padded slot. With all 12 slots occupied, the box was closed and whisked away to give the newly bottled liquid time to recover from bottle shock.

Laura Greene is on a mission. Like First Lady Michelle Obama, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and television talk show host Dr. Oz, Greene wants to get people eating better, and she’s starting with the youngest members of the population.

“The food industry has turned into a shame – a crying shame,” said Greene. “I think now is the time for a change.”

We are not alone.

For many, Chaska is familiar as the name of the city they call home. But around the world, “Chaska” can be found on everything from endangered bears and Navy tugs, to guitarists and candy.

Around here, Chaska was the Dakota name generally given to a first-born son. (Winona went to first-born daughters.)

On an unusually warm April evening, Chaska residents may have been surprised to stumble upon a blanket of fresh snow near the flood diversion channel on Hickory Street. Turns out it wasn’t a cruel joke by Mother Nature, but a movie set.

Word spread quickly that night and the curious onlookers rapidly multiplied, all anxious to catch a glimpse of the action.

But for some, seeing film crews in the area is becoming a bit of a regular occurrence. In the last six months alone, at least three films have used the southwest metro for their backdrops.

She was only the third author ever to have her book selected as one of Oprah Winfrey’s Book Club selections. And while there are plenty of authors that would kill for that honor just once in their lifetime, Jane Hamilton is one of a handful of writers that have experienced “The Oprah Effect” not once, but twice.

“She gave me a million readers for each book,” said Hamilton in a phone interview. “Not even God can do that.”