Reporter | Carver and western Hennepin Counties

Read has also written for Salon, Real Simple, Working Mother, Minnesota Monthly, the Chicago Sun-Times, The Toronto Globe and Mail and other publications. Her essays have been published in several anthologies including "Fearless Confessions: A Writer's Guide to Memoir." She has won a Minnesota State Arts Board grant and multiple literary awards, as well as four fellowships for journalists on aging. She is a Minnetonka native and a University of Minnesota graduate. Her most exciting hobbies include working (very slowly) on a memoir, cruising the internet and walking her dog.


16 Minnesota volunteers discuss the rewards of giving time

During March, the Star Tribune explored the various elements of volunteering, from how to find opportunities to how helping others can make your life better. Each week, four volunteers explained how they give back and why they volunteer.


'Isn't that cool?' White Bear Lake artist's autism helps shape his futuristic work

Michael Engebretson's paintings and drawings reflect his fascination with advanced technology and other universes.


Minnesota volunteers discuss rewards of medical outreach and other roles

Chris Niederer Registered nurse, Minnetrista, 56 Volunteer rolesLittle Hospice in Edina, Westwood Community Church youth ministry in Chanhassen, SoleCare for Souls in Minneapolis…


Volunteers say helping others helps them, too: 'It's a two-way street'

When you improve other people's lives you might wind up improving your own.


As numbers decline, the nature of volunteerism is changing

The pandemic opened new avenues for serving while closing others.


Minnesota volunteers discuss rewards of foster grandparenting and other roles

Sando Cooke Minneapolis, 79 Volunteer RolesFoster grandmother at Catholic Charities Northside Child Development Center Volunteer challenge During the month of March, The Star Tribune will…


Minnesota volunteers discuss rewards of animal rescue and other roles

Leah Anderson Brand Manager, Robbinsdale, 29 Volunteer RolesDog foster parent and adoption event volunteer for Midwest Animal Rescue since May 2022, started with another animal…


Minnesota volunteers say they get more than they give: Take our annual reader challenge

This year's installment of our annual Reader Challenge series invites you to join the 35.5% of Minnesotans (more than 1.5 million) who volunteer.


Minneapolis nurse turned lawyer fights on behalf of children injured at birth

In evaluating cases, Teresa McClain uses knowledge acquired as a labor and delivery nurse.


Eden Prairie company organizes trip to build school in Guatemala out of plastic bottles

Employees of Eden Prairie-based Lifetouch, accompanied by educators, helped expand a school using pop bottles stuffed with discarded plastic bags.