Ryan Patchin
Meet Lavender’s 2021 Cover Contest Winner – Sarah McPeck
Sarah McPeck was raised with one foot in the city, the other planted firmly in rural Northwestern Wisconsin. Feeling isolated and needing to find like-minded people, McPeck found herself looking toward the city—where she quickly found new footing. “I married my high school sweetheart… I moved back to the Twin Cities after I came out…
Paisley Park Museum: A Deep Dive into the Life and Legacy of the Purple One
Photo by Ryan Patchin I’d driven by the place hundreds of times; I’d always wondered what was happening within those walls. Wonder no more. For nearly five years, Paisley Park has served as a museum and dedicatory space for its founder and longtime occupant. Guests are treated to an intimate glimpse into the mysteriously fabulous…
Inn-Town Stay: The Elliot Park Hotel
Photo by Ryan Patchin A proper getaway doesn’t always have to involve putting many miles between you and your home. Sometimes, all you need is a neat space with different windows to look out. A chance to look at your city from a new angle—at different altitude. For me personally, I needed a place where…
QUEERSPACE Collective: Creating “Space” for LGBTQ+ Youth To Feel Safe and Empowered To Be Their True Selves
Sometimes you just need a place you can go, or someone you can talk to. For LGBTQ+ youth especially, that can a tough proposition; it’s hard to know who you can trust. QUEERSPACE collective is an organization that is creating space for LGBTQ+ youth to feel safe and empowered to be their true selves. QUEERSPACE…
North Shore Quarterly: Visit Duluth
In need of a weekend away? Set your navi north, toward Duluth. Following a year’s worth of canceled events, I spoke with Visit Duluth’s President/CEO Anna Tanski, to see what summer 2021 will look like. What classic summertime events are being this year (being that so many weren’t in 2020)? We’re very excited to say…
From the Editor: 2021 Pride Edition – Back to Pride
Not long ago I was researching the early days of Twin Cities or Minneapolis Pride, and I came across some articles written by Lavender’s own Steve Lenius. In one piece, Steve described the initial Pride celebration as a picnic. Humble beginnings for what would grow into one the largest, annual celebrations of identity—on the planet….
Twin City Bicycle Pit Stops
Minneapolis loves bikes. Often considered “the best cycling city in America,” we have a long, storied relationship with our two-wheeled friends. For residents of the Twin Cities, the comingling of two and four wheels is nothing new; we were sharing the road before it was fashionable. Within Minneapolis alone, there are 44 miles of bike…
The Wheels of Summer
Summers are spent on wheels. Eight; two; four—each new set of wheels leading to the next. A new, extended dose of autonomy and freedom arriving with each set. Polyurethane Roller-skates? Rollerblades? Skateboard? Whatever your flavor, these were likely the first wheels you scooted down the driveway or up the block. A skinned knee, or a…
Lakewood Cemetery: The Haven in the Heart of the City
Construction of Lakewood’s Memorial Chapel was completed in 1910. Photo by Ryan Patchin 150 years of history spread over 250 acres of pristine lakes-area real estate; Lakewood Cemetery is the haven in the heart of the city. Beyond memorial and burial services, Lakewood Cemetery serves as an unassuming host to some of the most incredible…
From The Editor: Making a Home Away From Home
Photo courtesy of BigStock/IvanSpasic Hitting the road in 2020 proved to be a desolate, self-driven experience. I loved every minute. More than in most years, I made the road my home in 2020. I’m easily talked into a road trip, usually restless, and I love a good drive. Certain, global events tried to put a…
