Written by Kari Sundberg
Jun 17, 2025
Grygla’s Wine Walk returns in style, while two local basketball players hit the court at the Target Center.
In case you missed it, Grygla had a weekend full of good drinks, great company and even a little big-city basketball action.
The Grygla Wine Walk made its return Saturday afternoon, and the weather could not have been more perfect for a little sipping and strolling. Once an annual tradition that ran for five straight years, the Wine Walk had been on a bit of a break. This weekend marked its comeback, and here’s hoping it sticks around.
The afternoon started at The Hound Pub & Dining, where the group kicked things off with a cheese and cracker platter paired with a variety of wines picked to bring out the flavors in each bite. From there, the crew walked over to Michelle Kuznia’s backyard oasis, where they were greeted with a fruity, creamy, wine-infused punch. It was served up alongside tasty appetizers, including a spicy blueberry jelly over cream cheese and a classic chips-and-dip combo.
Next stop was Jackie Stinson’s home, where a sangria-style drink was enjoyed under the shade of a big tree. A few handfuls of snacks were passed around before the group made their way to The Lodge, located in the building formerly known as Diamonds. Owned by Tim and Tami Irlbeck, The Lodge is now a cozy, rustic gathering space that will welcome bear hunters in the fall and host a variety of family events year-round. With a table that seats eighteen, multiple lounge areas with comfy couches, and the bar itself, it’s a space that invites people to stay awhile. That’s exactly what the Wine Walkers did as they snacked on chips and queso, with Chey Irlbeck and Megan Irlbeck pouring a sweet strawberry wine to round out the stop.
(Stay tuned: once The Lodge is ready for a full tour, The Northern Neighbor will be featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the space and the renovation that brought it back to life.)
The group then made their way to Krystle Ruud’s home, where she served white wine paired with a fresh Italian-style appetizer made from olives, cheese, chilled tortellini, tomato and a balsamic glaze. From there, it was just a short hop across the street to Destiny Tinnes’ place for another round of samples.
The walk wrapped up at Molly Holthusen’s backyard, where the patio was all set for visitors. Molly served up mimosas with sparkling wine and frozen fruit, along with a spread of tasty appetizers that made for a perfect ending to a day filled with good food, new flavors and lots of laughs. The Wine Walk offers something a little different for a weekend activity and brings people together in a really nice way.
While the Wine Walkers were making their rounds in Grygla, a couple of Charger basketball players were making memories of their own down in Minneapolis.
Gus Jones and Shay Jacobson, both Charger basketball players and both members of the Bear Busters traveling basketball team based out of Karlstad and coached by Johnathan Pearson, made it all the way to the Championship game at the Target Center. That’s a pretty exciting venue to play in at any level, and the boys took full advantage of the experience. Before hitting the court, the team took in a Minnesota Lynx game, which was a highlight in itself. After a tough battle in the final, the Bear Busters fell to Bismarck, but it was still a day filled with great moments and solid competition. This was a part of the Pacesetter's Tournament.
These summer teams, basketball leagues and various camps give local players a chance to stay sharp and build their skills for the next official Charger season.
Between the basketball and the wine tasting, it was a weekend full of fun for a lot of locals.
