abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home Care In St Paul, MN

Home Care St Paul, MN

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Landmark Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in St Paul, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care St Paul, MN

location Service Areas

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”

Gloria285054

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in St Paul, MN?

lm-check

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

lm-check

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care St Paul, MN

Types of Elderly Care in St Paul, MN

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care St Paul, MN
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers St Paul, MN
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Harriet Island Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care St Paul, MN
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Meritage or visit Burbank Livingston Griggs Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care St Paul, MN

Benefits of Home Care in St Paul, MN

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Request More Information vector

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in St Paul, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care St Paul, MN

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MN's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care St Paul, MN

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in St Paul, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care St Paul, MN

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers St Paul, MN

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Seven Hills Senior Living
  • Iris Park Commons Assisted Living by Episcopal Homes
  • Summit Hill Senior Living
  • The Waters of Highland Park
  • New Perspective Senior Living
  • Highland Park
Home Care St Paul, MN

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care St Paul, MN

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

lm-right-arrow
01

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in St Paul, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care St Paul, MN

Latest News in St Paul, MN

Walz Orders State Workers Back To Office Half-Time, Unions Outraged

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday ordered state employees to work in person for at least 50 percent of their scheduled workdays beginning June 1. Unions affected by the decision have already signaled they plan to fight the move.According to Walz's office, around 60 percent of state employees already work in person and did so throughout the COVID-19 pandemic."This approach balances the flexibility of telework with the workplace advantages of being in office," Walz said. "Having more state employees in ...

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday ordered state employees to work in person for at least 50 percent of their scheduled workdays beginning June 1. Unions affected by the decision have already signaled they plan to fight the move.

According to Walz's office, around 60 percent of state employees already work in person and did so throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

"This approach balances the flexibility of telework with the workplace advantages of being in office," Walz said. "Having more state employees in the office means that collaboration can happen more quickly and state agencies can build strong organizational cultures more easily."

The new policy includes an exemption for employees who live more than 75 miles from their primary work location, which Walz said allows the state to continue attracting top talent from all corners of Minnesota.

The shift is also aimed at boosting the economic health of office districts like downtown St. Paul by bringing more foot traffic to local businesses and public spaces. Officials noted that many major Minnesota employers have also begun requiring in-person workdays.

At least two public employee unions quickly condemned the move.

AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen said, "The [Walz] Administration’s decision to impose sweeping workplace policy changes without engaging our union and labor partners first is not just unacceptable—it’s an act of blatant disrespect."

"I am appalled and disgusted to see Governor Walz attempting to claw back telework agreements under the guise of ‘organic collaboration’ and ‘stewardship of office space," Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) President Megan Dayton said.

"Let’s call this what it really is: This is a unilateral move by a bad boss without consultation or consideration of the very staff he claims to care deeply about investing in."

Dayton continued: "I never thought the same public worker attacks and micromanaging mannerisms of our federal administration would be mirrored in Minnesota. For administrators to unleash this kind of chaos on hard working employees when we’re about to start negotiating our next contract feels, at best, hypocritical, at mid, a strategic effort to erode the progress we’ve made to enhance our working conditions and productivity, and at worst, a short-sighted attempt at engineered attrition."

No specific legal action from either union was announced. But the new policy announced Tuesday sets the stage for a tense showdown between the typically union-friendly Walz and state labor leaders.

Top MN Twins Prospect Hurt Again

The Minnesota Twins made it through Spring Training with a relatively clean bill of health. They still needed to do a bit of roster shuffling at the end of Grapefruit League action due to Royce Lewis and ...

The Minnesota Twins made it through Spring Training with a relatively clean bill of health. They still needed to do a bit of roster shuffling at the end of Grapefruit League action due to Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee being injured, though. They are 0-1 in regular season action after losing on Opening Day.

Earlier in camp, both Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins were slowed by ankle issues. Last year, Rodriguez missed a significant amount of time due to a right thumb injury that end up requiring surgery.

Friday night, the St. Paul Saints kicked off their season in a cold home opener. Rodriguez was cleared, and played in that game. Today, he is already out of the lineup.

Emmanuel Rodriguez scratched from Minnesota Twins Triple-A lineup

Last season Emmanuel Rodriguez finished the year at Triple-A St. Paul for the Minnesota Twins. He played in just 47 games during the year after suffering that thumb injury. Rodriguez went 3-for-4 on Opening Day last night, but now is dealing with a “jammed” left thumb.

Emmanuel Rodriguez is out of the Saints lineup with a jammed left thumb. Jair Camargo will replace him at DH today and bat third. #MNTwins

— Theodore Tollefson (@TheodoreTollef1) March 29, 2025

The severity of Rodriguez’s thumb injury is not known right now. However, he was originally scheduled to bat third as the designated hitter for St. Paul on Saturday. During the 11-0 victory against Indianapolis, Rodriguez had two singles and a double. He did not steal a base, but did break for second (and slid in head first) before being called back on a foul ball. He did not leave the game nor was there any indication of an injury.

Emmanuel Rodriguez 2 run double hit at 113.6 MPH ???? to drive in the first @StPaulSaints runs of the seasonHe is 2-2#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/AvSMPVkb6z

— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) March 29, 2025

Hopefully this is a case of the Saints, and Twins, being cautious with Rodriguez. He is a consensus top 25 prospect across all of baseball. He has the potential to be a difference maker for the Minnesota Twins this season.

St. Paul wound up postponing their scheduled game on Saturday against the Indians. That allows another day for Rodriguez to heal and get back to full strength. It’s possible Sunday’s game sees the same fate, and that would keep Rodriguez on the shelf until Tuesday in Columbus at least.

Across 231 minor league games, Rodriguez has an incredible .457 on-base percentage. He has hit 44 home runs and stolen 49 bases. There is a significant amount of speed to his game, but given the continued issues with his thumbs, Minnesota should think about mandating he slide feet first.

Rodriguez being back in the lineup quickly would certainly be a positive development. For such an outstanding talent, he can’t continue to be unavailable due to injuries.

Mentioned in this article: Emmanuel Rodriguez St. Paul Saints

More About:Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins announce channels broadcasting games this season - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal

The upswing in golf's popularity since the pandemic is well documented, but the profile of players is evolving as well, with more women, youth and first-time golfers hitting the links than ever.The upswing in golf's popularity since the pandemic is well documented, but the profile of players is evolving as well, with more women, youth and first-time golfers hitting the links than ever.During the Covid-19 pandemic, golf was one of the options for outdoor recreation, leading many people to pick up the sport. That growth has conti...

The upswing in golf's popularity since the pandemic is well documented, but the profile of players is evolving as well, with more women, youth and first-time golfers hitting the links than ever.

The upswing in golf's popularity since the pandemic is well documented, but the profile of players is evolving as well, with more women, youth and first-time golfers hitting the links than ever.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, golf was one of the options for outdoor recreation, leading many people to pick up the sport. That growth has continued since then, largely fueled by an increase in golf simulators, the rise of golf social media influencers, and Minnesota's low barrier of access to the sport.

Nationwide data from the National Golf Foundation found the number of first-time golfers was up 32% in 2024 compared with 2019. It also showed that not only are more people playing, but the sport is becoming more diverse and younger.

Across the country, among those who played golf in 2024, 28% were female, up from 23% in 2019, and 25% were Black, Asian or Hispanic, up from around 20% in 2019. Both 2024 figures represent the highest proportions ever recorded for either category. Additionally, the number of golfers aged 6 to 17 has grown 48% since 2019.

Jon Mays, executive director of the Minnesota Golf Association, said he is seeing the same trends in Minnesota.

While the association does not collect demographic data on a local level, Mays said statewide trends typically follow national patterns. Its most recent yearly report on the number of rounds played shows golf's increased popularity. In 2024, MGA reported an average of 27,598 rounds played, up from 26,127 in 2023, and around 20,000 in 2019 — marking the fifth increase in the past six golf seasons.

Also, the Minnesota Golf Association topped 100,000 members for the first time ever in 2024, with around 20,000 of those being youth golf members.

Mays largely attributes the increase in golfers to the rise of golf-focused social media influencers and golf simulators like Topgolf.

“The intimidation factor of stepping up and hitting a ball into a simulator is a lot less than stepping onto the first tee at a green grass facility,” he said. “We see a lot of new golfers go that route to kind of start their golfer journey at a simulator facility and then transition to a green grass facility.”

Golf in Minnesota

The average rounds of golf played at facilities across the state from 2019 to 2024

Source: Minnesota Golf Association

Growing diversity in golf

Not only are more people playing golf in 2024 than 2019, but golfers are also becoming more diverse.

Source: National Golf Foundation

Nationally, the number of people who didn't play on-course golf in the past year but indicate that they are "very interested" in doing so this year is up 8% from 2023 and up 55% from 2019, according to the National Golf Foundation.

YouTube also has reshaped the golf media landscape, with content creators offering ways to watch golf beyond traditional tournaments. For example, the Good Good Golf YouTube channel has 1.75 million subscribers, compared to the PGA Tour’s 1.56 million.

“A lot of these YouTube golfers and other social media stars are making golf really popular on social media, so we're seeing a lot of the younger generation get into the game that way,” Mays said.

Lastly, Minnesota might be the most accessible golf state in the country. According to the National Golf Foundation, 90% of the state’s courses are open to the public — only Alaska, Maine, North Dakota and South Dakota have a greater share of public courses, but Minnesota has more courses than all of them combined. Also, about 91% of Minnesota’s public courses charge less than $80 for a round with a cart, compared to the national average of 74%.

That accessibility has played a role in attracting new golfers, Mays said.

“The fact that all of these new golfers can essentially find a course that fits their needs … points to the rise in popularity and why people are finding a home and really stick with the game,” he said.

The Business Journal talked with three new golfers, including two who developed a love for the game after playing a simulator, and one junior whose passion for the game has been enhanced by social media.

Like many golfers, Krissy Ott, 39, dabbled with golf as a kid, playing periodically with her dad or at a small local course, but it wasn't until after the pandemic that she fully caught the bug.

“I went to a Topgolf outing at work and just completely fell in love with it,” she said. “I really wanted to get back into a sport, and my husband golfsa lot, so I thought, 'What a great opportunity for us to have a hobby together and something we can share with our kids.' ”

After that pivotal Topgolf outing in 2021, Ott said she became obsessed.

“I golfed once or twice in 2021, and then once the weather turned nice in 2022, I went all in. Any free time I had, I was at the driving range,” she said.

Last season, she got her first hole-in-one, highlighting her journey of improvement.

“When I played that first time in 2021, I couldn’t even hit the ball off the tee,” she said. “But we all start somewhere, and I just didn’t give up. I think a lot of people would have been really embarrassed or not willing to get back on that course. But I knew that I was going to fall in love with this game if I could just get the basics down.”

So, she started taking lessons and also started looking online for other women who golf, eventually finding what is now called the Northern Greens Golf Collective, which hosts women's golf outings and other events.

“What's been great about that is I've met other women that are close to me geographically, so we can spontaneously meet up and play nine holes,” she said.

After 15 years abroad, Nicholas Thorngren returned to Minnesota last year and was looking for work. That search led him to meet the owner of Sota Sims Golf in Shorewood, who had noticed the rise in popularity of golf on social media and wanted to capitalize on it.

Despite not being a golfer, Thorngren, 42, was hired to make social media content for the company. Through that process, he fell in love with the game.

“I was shooting videos of these guys golfing, and then I would hit after we'd film the content, then they'd let me play practice holes,” he said. “I just enjoyed being out on the course and being around a group of guys that were not taking the game too seriously, which helped because I was always a little intimidated by the game.”

Without starting at the simulator, Thorngren doesn't know if he would have picked up the sport.

"Going to a course is very intimidating. You're paying the money, and worrying about slowing people down,” he said. “But the simulator is a good, safe place for a new golfer to go and take some cuts and not injure anybody.”

Thorngren is now the digital media manager for the Minnesota Golf Association and plans to document his own golf journey on social media under the username newgolferguy.

“I haven't done much with it, but I'm leaning into that from this season with the MGA, showing the journey for new golfers, getting into golf in general, but also how the MGA can help new golfers,” he said.

About two years ago, Adam Rothstein’s dad signed him up for a golf league at Emerald Green Golf Course in Inver Grove Heights. At the time, he wasn’t too serious about it.

“I wasn't that good at that time, but it was fun just to hang out with people and just play for fun,” he said.

The following summer, Rothstein, now 13, got signed up for Youth on Course, a program offered through the MGA that allows members to play golf for $5 or less at participating courses, enabling him to play more and grow his passion for the game.

“We played quite a lot more than the previous year, and I just started to love the game,” he said. “Then [in 2024], I started improving a lot more and taking it more seriously.”

This season, he is trying out for his high school team and will be playing in theYouth on Course program and an additional golf league.

Pat Rothstein, Adam’s dad, said Youth on Course was helpful in getting Adam more involved with the game, since without the program's discount, course fees can be around $75.

Adam is also a big fan of the YouTube channel Good Good Golf, which he said has gotten him more into the game.

“It draws me into the sport more. It's just fun to see how they change the game in a certain way. They make it really fun,” he said.

Toughest Golf Courses in Minnesota

USGA men's slope rating

RankPrior RankName
12Spring Hill Golf Club
24Hazeltine National Golf Club
36TPC Twin Cities

View this list

After years of waiting, St. Paul residents and United fans cheer small signs of progress for development by Allianz Field

Ahead of a recent Saturday home game at Allianz Field, fans of the Minnesota United arrived slowly at first to the Midway neighborhood, finding spots to park on side streets and trickling out of Green Line trains. Lines of fans formed across the broken ground and pieces of pavement where the team’s owner promises development is just around the corner....

Ahead of a recent Saturday home game at Allianz Field, fans of the Minnesota United arrived slowly at first to the Midway neighborhood, finding spots to park on side streets and trickling out of Green Line trains. Lines of fans formed across the broken ground and pieces of pavement where the team’s owner promises development is just around the corner.

Fans and residents are eager to see something — anything — happen on the bleak blocks of vacant land that surround the St. Paul stadium, something to make the windswept lot more inviting.

And there are finally new signs of progress this winter. A McDonald’s — the last business standing on the block — was demolished, clearing the site ahead of construction starting this summer.

Neighbors have waited more than six years since the silver soccer stadium rose, in place of an old Rainbow Foods and a strip mall with a basement bowling alley, to see something else built up around it.

Hopes for development among the Minnesota United fans lining up that Saturday centered on more places to be together with other Loons supporters.

“Restaurants would be a good thing,” said Justin Baesler of Apple Valley. Just opening the bar in the stadium for away games would be nice, he said, to have that bigger space available to be in community with other soccer fans.

“Right now, I’d like a coffee shop,” or somewhere else to grab a light bite outside the gates, said Courtney Keirnat of St. Paul.

Others said they would be happy with a more inviting outdoor area.

“It would be great to have a nice plaza where people can tailgate,” said Curt Keitzer of St. Paul.

“If they made the lawn space nicer, people could hang out and play soccer,” added Katie Ashpole of Minneapolis.

Empty feels even emptier

A normal weekday is a sharp contrast to gamedays at the future United Village. The empty land around the stadium was almost deserted on a recent day. A handful of shoppers carried groceries from Cub Foods and Target. The silver statue of a loon loomed alone on the corner of Snelling and University, a discarded syringe at its feet. A new playground opened to fanfare last fall, but was unused on this day.

Related Coverage

No Section

Allianz Field 'urban village' in St. Paul to feature apartments, retail, parking

Business

Plans to develop neighborhood around Allianz Field move forward again

No Section

St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood still waiting for renaissance around Allianz Field

“It’s been a parking lot a long time,” said Megan Henning of St. Paul, who lives nearby.

She hopes any new development will bring more business to local establishments.

“Anything that can sustain more restaurants, I’m all for that,” Henning said. She added that she hoped development could bring restaurants and bars more traffic on other days.

Bill McGuire, who owns the soccer team and is leading development at the future “United Village” area, spoke to neighbors at a February community meeting. He said this summer will see construction begin on a 158-room hotel and two restaurants, including an upscale pizza-and-gelato restaurant.

The plan was scaled back significantly from the initial proposal for blocks of apartments and offices with a movie theater, he said. Office space and housing are still possible, he said, but there will be no movie theater.

There are signs of movement. Besides the demolition of McDonald’s, the city also approved using $17 million in tax-increment financing in late 2023 to support the development.

Still, some remain wary of the development to come, and what it will mean for Midway residents and existing businesses.

Midway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chad Kulas said in a letter he hoped the development would mean jobs for Midway residents and opportunities for new and existing Midway businesses. Neighbors echoed these hopes at the February community meeting.

Soccer fans and neighbors all hope something will happen, soon.

John McCauley, a Cottage Grove soccer fan, said he’s been hearing about the development right around the corner for years now, but he is starting to wonder when something will really happen.

“It’s kind of stalled out a little bit,” he said.

Snow, sleet, hail, thunderstorms, record heat across Minnesota

The weather maps across Minnesota look like a bad art project. Two separate low-pressure systems are bringing a wild variety of weather to the state through the upcoming weekend.The first system crosses Minnesota early Saturday morning. On the map below, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NAM 3 km model shows the wintry mix in the north and the potential for a few strong to severe cells to pop up Friday evening just south of the Twin Cities.There is a marginal risk for severe cells from about the Twin C...

The weather maps across Minnesota look like a bad art project. Two separate low-pressure systems are bringing a wild variety of weather to the state through the upcoming weekend.

The first system crosses Minnesota early Saturday morning. On the map below, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NAM 3 km model shows the wintry mix in the north and the potential for a few strong to severe cells to pop up Friday evening just south of the Twin Cities.

There is a marginal risk for severe cells from about the Twin Cities southward Friday evening.

The system is producing snow, sleet, ice and hail across much of northern Minnesota. A rare severe thunderstorm warning was issued for areas south of Duluth Friday afternoon. The storm dumped hail that rapidly covered roadways under the cell.

Even parts of Interstate 35 were hail-covered Friday afternoon.

Farther north, it’s a mix of sleet, ice, and snow. Winter weather advisories cover most of the far northern strip of Minnesota into Saturday.

A winter storm watch covers areas near and south of Duluth:

Carlton and South St. Louis- Including the cities of Duluth 354 PM CDT Fri Mar 28 2025 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT SATURDAY...

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Winter Weather Advisory, freezing rain. Additional ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy snow possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 2 and 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

* WHERE...Carlton and South St. Louis Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Fond du Lac Band.

* WHEN...For the Winter Weather Advisory, until 1 AM CDT Saturday. For the Winter Storm Watch, from Saturday evening through Sunday evening.

* IMPACTS...Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.

In the south, temperatures hit the 80s Friday afternoon with 70s into the southern Twin Cities. Fairmont set a new all-time state record high temperatures for March 28 with 86 degrees Friday. That breaks the previous record of 84 degrees set in Bemidji in 1946.

As of this post time it appears Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has topped out at 74 degrees. That’s just 4 degrees shy of the record high of 78 degrees for March 28 set in 1946.

Storm No. 2 Saturday and Sunday

The second low-pressure system will spread rain and snow across much Minnesota from west to east Saturday. On the map below, the Canadian GEM model shows rain from about the Twin Cities south. To the north it will be snow.

Rain will change to snow late Saturday night into Sunday morning across the Twin Cities area.

Snowfall totals will be heaviest from west-central Minnesota through the North Shore. Here’s a look at the snowfall projection for Minnesota through Sunday:

Here’s a closer look at central and southern Minnesota. We could wake to a couple slushy inches Sunday morning around the Twin Cities. The heaviest snows will fall to the north:

Winter weather advisories include the Twin Cities Saturday night into Sunday.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 254 PM CDT Fri Mar 28 2025

...EARLY SPRING STORM TO BRING SNOW AND ICE TO MUCH OF THE AREA... .

A potent storm system crossing the Upper Midwest will bring a mixture of wintry precipitation to central and southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin. Steady rainfall developing midday Saturday will transition to a mix of snow and freezing rain Saturday evening through much of Saturday night, then change to all snow before ending Sunday evening. Icing amounts Saturday night through Sunday of around a tenth of an inch can be expected, highest of which will be from southwest Minnesota to north of the Twin Cities metro into western Wisconsin.

Snow amounts will range 2 to 4 inches from central Minnesota into western Wisconsin, with lesser amounts over western and southern Minnesota. While some adjustments in the advisory and forecast may be made over the next 24 hours, there is high confidence that an impactful storm system will produce wintry precipitation over much of central and southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin this weekend.

Douglas-Stevens-Pope-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi- Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Ramsey-Washington-Yellow Medicine-Renville- McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Martin-St. Croix-

Including the cities of Minneapolis, St Paul, Madison, Benson, New Ulm, Fairmont, Willmar, Victoria, St James, St Peter, Gaylord, Chanhassen, Litchfield, Granite Falls, Hutchinson, Glenwood, Redwood Falls, Montevideo, Olivia, Alexandria, Hudson, Stillwater, Chaska, Monticello, and Morris

254 PM CDT Fri Mar 28 2025

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM SATURDAY TO 7 PM CDT SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central, southwest, and west central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin.

* WHEN...From 7 PM Saturday to 7 PM CDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

Overall this system will produce 1 to 2 inch precipitation totals across much of central and southern Minnesota.

Temperatures this weekend return to more wintry notes.

Monday looks quiet, but another strong storms with rain and snow looks likely by next Wednesday.

Minnesota’s storm train is running at full speed.

Stay tuned.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.