Wander & Wonder

‘Someone’s got to help’: Minnesota volunteers give injured, orphaned animals a chance
Trained wildlife rehabbers work to save injured and orphaned wildlife. Most get no pay. They scrape by on grants and help from local volunteers, doing the work for the joy of giving animals a chance to return to the wild. 
‘Loon lady’ turns passion into action to protect Minnesota’s iconic bird
Sheila Johnston started photographing loons as a hobby. Watching the loons struggle to survive made her a passionate advocate for Minnesota’s state bird, but one experience drove her to action.
 Meet the wedding painter: Minnesota artist captures real-time wedding scenes on canvas
Artist Shanna Cramer uses paint brushes, oils and canvas to capture precious scenes on wedding days. In an era of instant video and photography, she finds young people embracing her old-soul approach. 
Minnesota artist weaves human hair into wearable art, reviving an ancient craft
Artist Karen Keenan discovered she had family ties to the centuries-old practice of turning human hair into art through an intricate process of braiding and shaping. Now she wants to revive the once-popular Swedish art form by teaching it to others.
For these Duluth teens, a diploma, solar panels and life lessons learned
Seven years after a group of Duluth middle schoolers first began advocating for solar panels on their school, they’re graduating from high school. They got it done, but they also learned some lessons on politics, policy and perseverance.
NW Minnesota farmer stays grounded with plans to help a new generation of growers
He’s been a successful farmer for 44 years, but rather than cash out to a corporate interest, Tim Dufault decided to give six young farmers access to his land in Polk County. He hopes to cultivate a new generation of farmers who’ll stay rooted in his community.
Photos: Minnesota theater marquees shine with lights, neon, action
In towns large and small across Minnesota, the bright, ornate marquees of historic theaters still beckon passersby to purchase tickets for a movie, concert or play. Here’s a look at some of the remaining beauties.
Near the Twin Cities, a hermitage invites all to embrace the silence
In the Isanti County woods, austere cabins at the Pacem in Terris center offer visitors silence, solitude and simplicity. Some people have profound spiritual experiences, some struggle with the silence while others simply crash and sleep for hours.
Faith in the water: Minnesota dowser in demand despite no scientific proof 
Jim Kuebelbeck can’t explain it, but he claims to sense the presence of underground water. There is no scientific basis for dowsing, but hundreds of people pay Kuebelbeck to help locate water. 
Young girls often struggle with self-esteem. This Minnesota native is ready to help
Worried about the negative effects of cultural messages on her daughters, Missy Heilman started a nonprofit to teach girls to value themselves. BIO Girls is now active in 120 communities across Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.