My name is Rebecca Schwirtz and I have lived in Minnesota all my life and I don’t see myself ever leaving. I grew up in Aurora, MN, or as I lovingly say, “On the Iron…

Hello! I’m Gwen Toppe. My parents and 3 siblings lived in several different areas of the country. When I was younger, we lived in Oregon where my father grew up and then we moved to…

My name is Nicole Spangler and my family and I have lived in Big Lake for 14 years. I grew up in Saint Louis Park, MN and graduated from the University of MN with a…

Hello! My name is Hanna Klimmek. It’s an honor to be selected as a “Face of Big Lake!” This project is incredible! Since April of 2022, I have served the wonderful City of Big Lake…

Hello, I am Tracy Brings Gruwell. I have called Big Lake my home for my entire life. I am a licensed family child care provider. It a true passion of mine. I love spending time…

My name is Kelly Dilger. I moved to Big Lake in 2005 with my husband, who I met at Charleston Southern University, Charleston, SC in 2001 and were married in 2005. I am not originally…

Hi, I’m Melissa Kroll and I have lived in Big Lake since 2000 and love remaining a part of this community where my husband and I can now raise our kids. I have worked in…

Hi I’m Lauren Eid and I’m a Reading Intervention teacher at Liberty Elementary. I’ve been at Liberty teaching full time since 2013 and I love being a part of the Big Lake school family. My…

Hello! I’m Teresa Smock-Potter and I’ve called Big Lake home almost my entire life. I loved growing up here and I’m so grateful my husband and I can raise our kids here as well. I…

Matthew and I live in Orrock and we own Ember Coffee, located on Highway 10. Elisa manages the store and homeschools our boys, while Matthew works in Cybersecurity and does work for Ember on the…