Hat's Off, America!

America's Good Stories

Hats Off to Team Tucker!

August 13, 2021

Tucker Helstrom died after a heroic battle with osteosarcoma 5-years ago, but his impact on the City of Hopkins lives on. During his weeks in the hospital, Tucker noticed that some children didn’t have any visitors, and the organization in his memory, PlayLaughLove.org, wants to change that. To honor Tucker’s…

Read More

Cape Cod

July 21, 2021

Hats Off, America traveled to Cape Cod in the Summer of 2021. We flew to Rhode Island, rented a car, and drove to the cape. We took the ferry from Woods Hole out to Martha’s Vineyard for a day trip.

Read More
ICA Your Local Foodshelf

Hats off to 50 Years of the ICA Food Shelf!

June 10, 2021

The ICA Food Shelf is celebrating 50 years of distributing food to those in need in the Hopkins/Minnetonka community. “ICA” stands for Intercongregation Communities Association. The food shelf was incorporated fifty years ago by a coalition of churches in Hopkins and Minnetonka. It started at a house in downtown Hopkins,…

Read More
Hotshots Memorial Trail

Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Trail

May 25, 2021

On June 30, 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire  killed 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. It was one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires. To memorialize the horrific events of that day, the Arizona Public Service Foundation invested in the Hotshot Memorial Trail as a place to remember and heal. As you…

Read More
Looking Out the Train Window at Buffalo

The Terry Bison Ranch Resort

May 24, 2021

The Terry Bison Ranch Resort in Cheyenne, WY is a great bargain adventure with the kids. The train tour of the buffalo is $15 for adults and $7.50 for children. Check the Price List at their website since they can vary seasonally. The Train Ride in Winter We have done…

Read More
The Volunteers in the snow

Hats off to the Saint Croix Band of Chippewa for their Food Giveaway

December 29, 2020

Feeding the Hungry in a Pandemic The dauntless Jennifer Bearheart coordinates efforts for the weekly food giveaway program. As the Aging Unit Director for the Saint Croix Band of Chippewa, she and her colleagues jumped at the chance to coordinate food giveaway for the area. Every Thursday morning, trucks roll…

Read More
Photographer Dick Ketterwell

Hats off to Photographer Dick Kettlewell!

December 28, 2020

Photographing the beauty of the South Dakota Black Hills We never miss a chance to drive through the Black Hills. On this trip, it was a little quiet driving through the Black Hills in December 2020, especially during the pandemic. Traffic was light and most of the area businesses were…

Read More

Making the World Less Scary for Kids

November 17, 2020

Hats off to Kevin Kunkel, author of the children’s book, The World We Choose. How do you explain to children that all of the bad things they see or hear about on the news are not likely to happen to them? How can we make the world less scary? Watching…

Read More
Injured Rattlesnake at Pinnacle Peak

An Encounter with a Rattlesnake While Hiking near Phoenix

March 12, 2020

And Hats off to Steve from Eden Prairie, Minnesota! On March 9, 2020, we had a close encounter with a rattlesnake hiking at Pinnacle Peak, a city park in Scottsdale, Arizona near Phoenix. We were hiking with our good friends, Lyn and Steve, from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. When we started…

Read More
Camelback Mountain from the Northeast at Sunset

Best Hikes in Phoenix for Active Geezers

March 4, 2020

Winter Hiking One of the best reasons to visit the Phoenix area in the winter months is to take advantage of the winter hiking season. December through February, the weather is perfect for hiking, typically reaching highs in the 60s and low 70s. If you are afraid of hiking in…

Read More
Billy Banjo Picnic Park on Oak Creek Canyon

Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, and Meteor Crater

February 10, 2020

Hats off to Northern Arizona! Hats Off America traveled to Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, and Meteor Crater, three stunning places in Northern Arizona. While Arizona is famous for is giant saguaros and the Grand Canyon, there is so much more in Arizona. From Ponderosa forests in the North to the…

Read More
The Barringer Crater in Arizona

Meteor Crater in Arizona

February 9, 2020

Hats off to the Barringer Crater near Winslow Arizona! When driving through Arizona on Highway 40 you may be tempted to skip Meteor Crater. Meteor Crater is located on a very remote stretch of highway, with many miles between towns and rest stops. It is 6 miles from the freeway.…

Read More
chimney rock in sedona

Sedona Chimney Rock Trail

February 8, 2020

Hats off to Chimney Rock Trail We were looking for an early evening hike close to our hotel in Sedona. We simply turned left of off Highway 89 and drove towards the mountain. This short excursion brought us to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead and the Chimney Rock Trail. Arriving at…

Read More
Artwork of owls submitted by children

International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota

August 24, 2019

Hat’s off to the International Owl Center! International Owl Center The International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota is a lovely day trip from the Twin Cities. The Houston area is surrounded by beautiful river bluffs. It is in the scenic Root River Valley, and is a great place for hiking…

Read More
The bison herd in Minneopa State Park

Minneopa State Park in Minnesota

July 13, 2019

Hats off to Minneopa State Park! Minneopa State Park is only an hour and a half from the Twin Cities and so makes an easy day trip. The park is beautiful, as you would expect with any state park. But what makes this one special is the herd of bison!…

Read More

Saint Croix Scenic Riverway

July 7, 2018
Read More

Michael Lanning

January 7, 2018

Hat’s off to Michael Lanning! Michael Lanning fell off of a ladder while putting up holiday lights and sustained spinal cord injuries in 1997. He and his family have faced those injuries with courage as well as ingenuity. In his workshop, Michael enjoys problem solving and creating unique furniture solutions.

Read More

Reach and Restore

December 3, 2017

Hat’s off to Reach and Restore based in Hopkins, Minnesota! Reach and Restore (R&R) provides needy families with resources to provide a sense of hope and be a support to get back on their feet. This may include physical needs such as household items, furniture, locating housing or transportation and…

Read More

The Twin Cities Marathon Wheelers

October 3, 2017

Hat’s off to the wheelers at the Twin Cities Marathon! Date: October 1, 2017 Thousands of people ran in this year’s Twin Cities In Motion Marathon, aided by volunteers, law enforcement and medical personnel. Here’s a Hat’s Off salute to the wheelers!? We spoke with some of them including Matthew…

Read More

September 11 Tribute at Lake Harriet

September 12, 2017

Remembering September 11 at the Lake Harriet Bandshell Visited date: September 11, 2017 Location: 4135 W Lake Harriet Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN There is a beautiful 9/11 ceremony and concert every year at the Lake Harriet bandshell. The planning is by the Minnesota 9/11 Tribute. The highlight is the military marching…

Read More