By Joanna Miller, Staff Writer

Suzie Benedict is a familiar face at Snyder Drug in Prior Lake. As a key associate, Benedict has assisted customers as a cashier and in the pharmacy for 15 years.

Benedict grew up in Prior Lake and said the best part of her job at Snyders is getting to know residents and her co-workers.

“You get to see all the same customers,” Benedict said.

When she’s not on duty at Snyders, Benedict works at Mauri’s School of Dance, where she’s taught tap, ballet, jazz, and kick line classes for children for the past eight years.

Benedict just participated in the Dan Patch Days parade in Savage with 65 dance students and said the group is gearing up for Lakefront Days in Prior Lake.

“This year, I can’t believe how many kids signed up,” Benedict said. “We have a couple of little, mini routines we’ll be doing. We’ll have pink bandanas.”Suzie Benedict of Prior Lake
works at Snyder Drug as an
associate and Mauri’s School
of Dance as an instructor.
(Photo by Joanna Miller)

Benedict said teaching dance is a good fit.

“I’ve danced since I was a kid,” she said.

Benedict continued with a minor in dance at Winona State University and later danced with Zenon, a school and dance company in Minneapolis, and at the Fringe Festival.

Benedict has been married to her husband, John, for two years. The couple will be in another parade this summer, but this one will take place in Milwaukee, Wis. and is centered on Harley motorcycles. The couple rode in the 95th annual parade and will now ride in the 105th, she said.

When they’re not out cruising on the bike, she said the most recent addition to their family, a yellow lab puppy, is keeping their other black lab and both of them on their toes.

“He has little, sharp puppy teeth,” she joked.

Q and A with

Suzie Benedict

What is the last good book you read?

Is Vogue considered a book?

What’s your dream vacation?

Going to see the tulips in Amsterdam.

What’s the best part of summer?

Going on the lake.

Who’s your favorite musician?

I like Big Head Todd and the Monsters.

What’s your favorite movie?

 I like Alfred Hitchcock ones.

What’s your favorite food or restaurant?

 El Loro. Yum! I like the “Vegetarian C.”

 Joanna Miller can be reached at (952) 345-6375 or jmiller@swpub.com.