New Library Breaks Ground, Beaches Open, State Fair Preparations Begin, Reach for Ralph Results

A ceremony will take place later this week to mark the official ground breaking of Excelsior's new public library. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. Those wishing to attend the ground breaking are asked to park at Excelsior Elementary School. The new library will replace the existing one that has served area residents since 1965.

Both Wayzata Beach and Nocomo Beach in Deephaven are now open for swimming after being closed due to elevated bacteria levels. Nocomo Beach was re-opened less than 48 hours after first being closed due to high bacteria counts; Wayzata Beach opened earlier this week after being closed for eight days due to E coli.

The Minnesota State Fair begins next week, and Lake Minnetonka Patch is looking for local residents who will be entering exhibits, performing or who have an interesting state fair story to share with the community. E-mail jay.corn@patch.com.

The Greater Wayzata Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its regular Wayzata Women in Business Luncheon this week. Wayzata Women in Business (WWB) is a division of the Chamber and exists for all members who are interested in networking, relationship building and growing professionally and personally.

The following was sent by John Estrem, CEO of Wayzata-based Hammer Residences, Inc.: On July 25th, the Hammer community took a step back in time to celebrate 90 years of service at our annual Reach for Ralph summer benefit. Spirits were high and hope was even higher as we featured those we serve, donors, volunteers and staff members.

Together you helped us raise $165,000, far exceeding previous years' totals. Thank you for believing in our mission and supporting yet another successful Reach for Ralph event.

We are grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, planning committee and staff members. A special thanks goes out to Jon Leverentz for sharing his story and beautiful artwork with us.

If you were able to attend, THANK YOU! We would appreciate your feedback. Please click here to complete a brief survey.

Thank you for helping us give the people we serve an opportunity to live life to its fullest.

See it for yourself in these stunning images captured by photographers Phil Rose and Eric Duffert.