Maple Grove Gazette—May 2, 2026

Maple Grove's Only Newspaper of Record — Vol. 1 No. 3 — Edited by Mr. Ellison, Town Archivist & Historian

🌿 The Maple Grove Update

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

This editor is pleased to mark the official arrival of spring in Maple Grove, which—as readers of long memory will recall—is determined less by any meteorological measure than by the resumption of youth baseball and softball at Memorial Park.

Early indications are that this year's youth teams are unusually strong. Whether this is a credit to the coaching staff or a happy coincidence of demographics, this editor declines to say. What he can say is that the season is, regrettably, also distinguished by a small but persistent uptick in broken window glass in the homes bordering the park.

In response, Charlene has announced her intention to introduce a motion at the next Village Council meeting calling for protective netting around the park. This editor, who as a matter of long-standing policy declines to take public positions on local civic affairs, finds himself—in this rare and we trust isolated instance—in agreement with Charlene.

Full report below.

📜 POLICE BLOTTER

THE WINDOW PANE INCIDENTS

Wednesday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 28Update—Homes Bordering Memorial Park

Between the hours of 5:30 PM and dusk on three separate occasions over the past seven days, residential window panes on the streets bordering Memorial Park were broken by objects which witnesses, in separate accounts, described variously as "a baseball" and "a baseball, again."

Gordon, who tends to know these things, reports that he has been called out to replace three (3) panes in seven days. He notes, additionally, that he is not in the habit of complaining about extra business, but feels that certain patterns are worth mentioning aloud.

The first window, this editor is told, belonged to a kitchen on Elm Street. The second, a sun porch on also on Elm Street. The third—and most recent—the rear window of a detached garage on Birch Lane, which has the distinction of being the only one of the three the homeowner described, on the record, as "honestly, kind of a great hit."

It has come to the attention of this editor, that Coach Ball’s truck, which has been seen repeatedly parked in the grass next to the ball diamond, is in need of a new windshield. No report has been filed about the windshield.

Officer Markle was dispatched to each scene. In every instance the relevant ball was located and returned to its rightful owner—a young person whose identity this editor declines to publish, both out of professional discretion and because the young person's mother is known to know where this editor lives.

Charlene, who first observed the trend over the weekend, has formally indicated that she will introduce a motion at the next Village Council meeting calling for protective netting around the perimeter of Memorial Park. The motion is expected to pass. This editor, who as a matter of policy declines to weigh in on civic matters, will note—for the record, and only this once—that the proposal is sensible.

Final Disposition: Three window panes replaced. One Council motion forthcoming. Glass on the sidewalk has been swept up. The young person in question has, this editor is told, been encouraged to channel his evident promise toward the outfield fence—a suggestion which has not, as of this issue's deadline, been taken.

📋 COMMUNITY NOTICES

WILSON'S FLORAL—PROM CORSAGE SPECIAL

Mrs. Wilson, proprietor of Wilson's Floral on Main Street, has announced a prom corsage special for the season. The shop's hand-lettered front-window sign—observed in passing by this editor—reads, in part, "Mothers—please budget accordingly," a sentiment the Gazette finds both candid and useful.

Maple Grove High's spring prom is scheduled for later this month. Wilson's is, per Mrs. Wilson, "stocked, prepared, and uninterested in last-minute calls from teenagers who 'forgot.'" The Gazette respects this position.

MEN'S CLUB — ANNUAL SANDBOX FILL

The Maple Grove Men's Club completed its annual sandbox fill at the public park last Saturday. The volume of fresh sand was, by long-standing local tradition, "more than necessary, less than enough." The town's youngsters have responded with the enthusiasm one would expect.

The town's cats, this editor is told, have also responded with enthusiasm—in a manner the Men's Club did not anticipate and would prefer not to comment on at this time. Members are reminded that the matter is expected to be discussed at the next club meeting.

🏛️ HISTORICAL NOTE

This is not the first instance of broken window glass attributable to youth athletics in Maple Grove. In 1989, a series of incidents at the original Memorial Park led the Village Council to relocate Field Two thirty feet to the north—a measure which, according to records this editor has consulted, "did not accomplish what was hoped, but did make it slightly less someone's fault."

In 2011, the same conversation regarding netting was held, briefly, before being tabled in favor of a motion to refinish the bleachers. The bleachers were refinished. The matter of netting was not raised again until this week.

This editor offers the historical record without further comment.

🔍 Fellow Sleuths Worth Following

Just one pick this week, fellow sleuths—and full disclosure, a slightly different lane than my usual fare. If clean, sun-drenched second-chance romance is your thing (or you have a friend whose thing it is), this one is worth a look.

🌅 The Marine Who Came Back — Sadie Greene

A reality dating-show host arrives at a Southern California resort to tell other people's love stories—and walks straight into the Marine ex who left her fourteen years ago, now raising an eight-year-old documentarian and quietly running the place's security team. There's a dog who picks his own people. There are evening walks and rescue attempts. There are reality-TV producers who would absolutely sell out somebody's privacy for a ratings bump. Yes please.

👉 Meet Sadie and grab the book →

🧁 The Main Course

A different season, a different draft.

It's strange the way the calendar runs in two places at once. Outside, the lilacs are out, the youth teams are warming up, and spring fever has definitely sprung at the local schools (prompting dress code reminders to students and parents). Inside the manuscript, it is Christmas. Snow on the church steps. A candlelight service that does not go as planned. A character I have been aching to write for two books.

That's where Book 5 lives right now. I'm finishing the epilogue of the first draft. I know what happens. I also know what won't happen, which turns out to be just as important. Christmas in Maple Grove is going to break some hearts and mend a few others, and there is a scene involving Jenna and a certain someone that I think a particular subset of you have been waiting for since Book 1.

In the meantime, Ghosts Don't Use Blueprints has been out for two weeks now and is finding its readers. Many of you have written to tell me that meeting young Jenna, Lisa, Joe, Dan, and Winston felt like coming home before you knew the house. That is the loveliest thing anyone has ever said about a book of mine, and I will be coasting on it for some time. Given the number of readers who have reached out asking for more of Jenna’s early adventures, there may be more stories involving Maple Grove High School students down the road.

If you haven't read it yet, it's waiting for you.

Get your copy of Ghosts Don't Use Blueprints →

And if you have already read it—please help other readers find it by leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or BookBub. I read every single one. Every one matters more than I can say.

✍️ Behind the Scenes

Charlie has discovered that if she sits directly on my laptop, I will give her attention instead of finishing a scene. She has weaponized this knowledge. I am considering writing my acknowledgments section for Book 5 entirely about her—half affectionate, half cease-and-desist.

Until next time, fellow sleuths. Stay caffeinated. Stay suspicious. And—if you live near the ballpark—keep an eye on your windows.

Willow 🌿

Meet Willow

Author, School Board member, and gluten-free baker. I write the Jenna McGregor mysteries from my home in Michigan, fueled by coffee and Peloton PRs.

Want to stay in the know? Get the Weekly Notebook