Woodbury - January 2025 by Local.

THE DRIVE TO THRIVE

South Washington County Schools

superintendent shares what makes the district successful

Coming soon HealthPartners Specialty Center Woodbury

More care, close to home

Soon, you’ll be able to get specialty care for all your needs right down the road in Woodbury. Our specialty center is opening March 2025, with 13 specialties all under one roof. And with our nearby primary care, urgent care, dental and eye care clinics, you won’t have to go far to get care for your whole family.

233 Radio Drive, Woodbury

Opening March 6, 2025

JANUARY 2025

This issue, the first of 2025, is all about education and wellness. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” —C.S. Lewis, British author

Photo: Chris Emeott

A Dash of Wellness, page 38

from the EDITOR

As the calendar flips to January, we find ourselves standing at the doorstep of a new year: A blank slate inviting us to plan and refresh. It’s the time to embrace the energy of starting anew. Whether it’s a creative project, a new routine or small changes that build better habits, January offers the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button.

In this issue of Woodbury Magazine, we’re shining a light on education and the programs that are shaping the future of our community. You’ll find stories about exciting summer camps that bring new opportunities to our students (page 18), a conversation with South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo) superintendent Julie Nielsen (page 20) and a look at the SoWashCo CARES programs that support students beyond the classroom (page 34).

Throughout these pages, you’ll find an additional focus on wellness. This season is about giving yourself grace and understanding that New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be monumental undertakings—perhaps it could be about the small things instead. With insight from expert Sue Moores, R.D., from Kowalski’s Market, we explore the world of spices with potential health benefits and share tips on incorporating them into everyday meals (page 38). This Tastemakers story might inspire you to add flavor and wellness to your routine in the coming months.

I hope this issue encourages you to embrace what feels right for you, Reader. Thank you for welcoming us into your new year. We are excited to continue sharing stories from our community and offering unique inspiration throughout 2025.

Warmly,

hailey@localmedia.co

CELEBRATING THE WOODBURY AREA SINCE 2004.

On the Cover

See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town! Woodbury Magazine @woodbury_mag @wburymag

Photo: Chris Emeott

Hailey Almsted

Julie Nielsen , Photo by Chris Emeott, page 20

Does your bank work hard for you? At CorTrust, we’re committed to providing the products and services you need to get the most out of everyday and every dollar. We work hard so you don’t have to. Visit us today and raise your expectations of what banking should be.

“THANKS FOR YOUR WINNING CARE!” – Jessie Diggins, US Ski Team Athlete, patient of Dr. Renee

VOL. 20 NO. 6 woodburymag.com

PUBLISHER

Susan Isay

Locally Owned

EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

COPY EDITORS

Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle and Rachel Schuehle

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Megan Koren, Amy Leferink, Gretchen McNaughton, Manali Shah, Patty (Stutzman) Paulus and Katie Tomsche

DIGITAL INTERN

Alexandra Tostrud

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Amy Holmberg and Mikayla Vo

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Shawn Hogendorf, South Washington County School; Michele Magistad, Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce; Sue McKeown, South Washington County Schools Community Education, SoWashCo CARES; and Shelly Schafer, City of Woodbury

Dr. Allison Kassen & Dr. Renee Kinney At Our Patient-Centered Practice, We Do Things Differently — For You

2 Generations & 50 yrs Serving Woodbury

“I am genuinely passionate about helping my patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. This is the philosophy of our entire team at Art & Science Family Dentistry and everyone here is committed to that.” - Dr. Renee Kinney

SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR

Sarah Dovolos

ART DIRECTOR

Allison Nolden

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Jamie Klang

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Yaz Lo

LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Chris Emeott

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Brittni Dye

PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Stone

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Mimi Coz

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson and Lauren Warner

PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson

ISOLATION & LONELINESS AREN’T NORMAL PARTS OF AGING BUT THEY ARE THE MOST COMMON CONCERNS.

The e ects have a devastating impact on well-being including: depression, malnutrition, impaired mobility, high blood pressure, cognitive decline and dementia.

Aging-in-place is the biggest cause of senior isolation. Shrinking social circles, poor health, life changes and transportation challenges can conﬁne older adults.

SAINT THERESE IS FOCUSED ON HELPING SENIORS STAY ACTIVE, SOCIAL, INDEPENDENT & HEALTHY.

That’s why we’ve taken even the smallest of details into consideration to ensure every day living at Saint Therese is extraordinary.

Whether looking for a relaxing, quiet lifestyle, one with endless entertainment and social opportunities or something in-between, at Saint Therese, you’ll ﬁnd home.

Congratulate Courtney Lawrence (Poepl), named partner with Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben.

Schwebel, Goetz & Sieben (SGS), a premier personal injury law firm in the Upper Midwest, is pleased to announce Courtney Lawrence as one of its newest partners. With more than 51 years providing personal injury expert legal services, the success of SGS continues with the strength and expertise of the team. Lawrence has been with the firm for nearly 20 years and handles all aspects of personal injury, including automobile and motorcycle crashes, dog bites, product liability, slip and fall cases and wrongful death claims.

Lawrence was raised in Hastings, Minnesota, and is a resident of West St. Paul where she lives with her husband and three children. Lawrence graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2005 and magna cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 2008. Personal injury furthers her passion of connecting with and helping real people. “My mission is to make a difference in lives that have been changed, often tragically, due to unexpected injuries,” she says. “At SGS, we truly care about our clients and zealously advocate on their behalf to make sure justice is served.”

A former client of Lawrence’s says, “… her professionalism and care in handling my case was top tier. She is clearly an

outstanding attorney and far exceeded any expectations I had. She was always available for questions, offered quick responses and updates and kept me informed throughout the process. She is trustworthy and will take care of your claim—while helping you feel at ease during a time that may feel unpredictable.”

Lawrence’s experience is supported by membership with the American Bar Association, the Hennepin County Bar Association, the Minnesota Association for Justice, the Minnesota State Bar Association and Minnesota Women Lawyers. In 2024, she was one of 13 SGS attorneys to be selected as a Minnesota Super Lawyer, which she has been designated since 2021. Additionally, Lawrence was named a Rising Star for eight years from 2012-2020.

BEST OF WOODBURY

WELCOME, Readers, to 2025 and our annual Best of Woodbury Readers’ Choice Poll, which celebrates life in Woodbury. We don’t know of a better way to step into the year than by showing support and appreciation for local businesses, service providers and much more!

Our contest is live January 1 through 31 at woodburymag.com, where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a number of categories. While some of your favorite selections return for another year, our Editorial Team has included a few more categories that highlight additional retail and business communities. Curious? Go online to vote!

To have your vote successfully entered and counted, follow these rules*:

1. One entry is allowed per person; each ballot needs to include an email address.

2. Voters need to vote in at least ﬁve categories.

3. Ballots must be completed by 5 p.m. January 31.

The top three finalists will be announced online on March 1. Our July issue and website will reveal the Best of Woodbury winners and runners-up—along with special features, including the Editor’s Picks and a host of other community highlights.

—Editorial Staff

*Any rule not adhered to may result in entire surveys being discarded, and all results are subject to editorial discretion.

Gingery Orange Soda

Enjoy a sparkling beverage that’s dairy- and gluten-free and vegan. Spices can pack a powerful punch of supposed health benefits. The star of this sparkling beverage is ginger, which is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. Learn more about ginger—plus other staple spices—on page 38.

» 1/4 cup water

» 1/4 cup superfine sugar

» 1/4 cup fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

» 1/4 oz. fresh mint, plus more sprigs for garnish

» 1 cup orange juice

» ¾ cup club soda

» ice

» orange wedges, for garnish

In a small saucepan, combine water, sugar and ginger over high heat. Bring to a boil; stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; add mint and juice. Chill completely. Stir to combine; strain evenly into 2 highball glasses over ice. Top with club soda; stir gently, and garnish with orange wedges.

Rachel Sitko is a marketing assistant at Kowalski’s Market. Sip more at kowalskis.com.

Woodbury Champions

Mike and Lynn Olsen became part of the Woodbury Community Foundation (WCF) in the best way possible: They started by only “writing checks” when they saw an organization in need.

Then, they attended Chef’s Fest, WCF’s annual fundraiser. Mike has experience helping with fundraisers and is a good emcee—encouraging attendees to donate to the causes. About three years ago, they both began helping with the event. Soon after, they were handling everything from coordinating prize donations and grouping attendees at various tables to deciding on the venue and menu. “After all that work, the actual event is fun because people are so happy to participate,” Lynn says.

They also got an opportunity to attend one of the first Champions gatherings organized by current WCF vice chair Jacques Peulen. The WCF Champions volunteer to fill meal packets for a local organization or donate backpacks and other school supplies for local students in need.

“Champions exposed us to the many things that the WCF does,” Mike says. “Champions allow a person too busy in life to help the community, even if they have only an hour to spare.”

Manali Shah is a board member of the WCF and has been volunteering in Woodbury and Washington County for over 20 years. Find more at woodburycommunity.org.

Local Gardens

While I sit here, dreaming about this year’s garden, I find myself transported back into the gardens and landscapes I’ve been fortunate to visit. Some of the best inspiration comes from the gardens you aren’t experiencing daily but the ones that get you thinking outside the box and inspire you to think about what else is possible.

Memorable visits to Longwood Gardens, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, The High Line and the Gardens of Versailles have transported me into new worlds to see what is possible with plants. While I know we can’t all jump on a plane to check out the gardens around the country or the world, we are fortunate to be surrounded by many fabulous public gardens in the Twin Cities.

Spots like the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul and the Eloise Butler Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Minneapolis come to mind. When you start thinking about next year’s gardens, I encourage you to make plans for what you want from your space and where you want to visit. Sometimes, taking a trip through another garden can be the best source of inspiration.

Gretchen McNaughton is the communications and content strategist at Bailey Nurseries. Grow more at firsteditionsplants.com.

Photo: Tracy Walsh

Garden view from the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Live Like Laura

A foundation aims to honor a young woman’s legacy.

By Emily Gedde

IN THE 25 years that Laura Schrankler was on this Earth, her infectious personality gave her a gift for connecting people. And now, two years after her sudden death, she continues to bring people together.

Laura, an avid marathon runner, was perfectly healthy when she went into cardiac arrest on July 14, 2022, eventually passing away five days later.

“We were absolutely shocked and devastated,” says Laura’s mother, Pam Schrankler. “Everyone was.”

While her death turned the world of her family and friends upside down, they were determined to keep her legacy alive. The Live Like Laura Foundation was created as a way to honor Laura and the way she lived life by spreading love and her joy of connecting others. “This was a way we could continue Laura’s legacy,” says Laura’s father, Jim Schrankler. “People with totally different interests would

come together because Laura was that glue. We want that to live on.”

The main goal of the foundation is to provide scholarships to seniors attending Laura’s alma mater, Park High School in Cottage Grove. Successful applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to academics, foster connections among their peers and actively participate in school athletics, clubs and other organizations.

As the family continues to deal with the unimaginable grief surrounding the death of their daughter and sister, creating the foundation offered a way to help themselves and others heal.

Jim, Pam and Laura’s siblings, Peter Schrankler and Jennifer Nelson (née Schrankler), came up with the idea right away. “It was just a few days after her funeral that we were saying we’d like to continue her legacy,” Jim says. Pam says all three of her children attended Park High School and

Minnesota.

CELEBRATE LAURA’S BIRTHDAY

Jennifer Nelson, Laura Schrankler’s sister, says one of the events the foundation hosts is a birthday party in remembrance of her sister. This year’s celebration, which is open to the public, takes place at 3rd Act Craft Brewery, 4120 Radio Drive.

“There will be a lot of opportunities for people to donate to the Live Like Laura Foundation,” Nelson says.

“People can come hang out for as long as they want, have beer, food and celebrate Laura.” A percentage of food and beverage purchases will go toward the foundation.

At the time of this story, a date for the event had not yet been set, but it will take place in February 2025. Visit lauraslightshineson.com for more details.

The Live Like Laura Foundation at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth,

received scholarships as seniors. “This seemed like a wonderful way to give back,” she says.

With the foundation in its infancy in 2023, Pam and Jim funded the first scholarship. In 2024, the support from family, friends and the community enabled the foundation to award two $3,000 scholarships. “The way things are going, we’re going to continue to grow and sustain it for a number of years,” Jim says.

One of the questions on the scholarship application asks students to describe a way they connect others. The family agrees that reading applicants’ responses brings them joy and are confident Laura would love reading them, too. “Laura knew people from all different walks of life,” Pam says. “She befriended everybody.”

The foundation wants to branch out to another organization that was near and dear to Laura, too—Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a youth mentoring program. After her death, the organization let one of Laura’s friends take her place with the child she was mentoring. “We’d like to partner with the program ... and increase opportunities for that organization to bring children to events,” Jim says. “Laura would want that.”

“The foundation helps with the grieving process,” Jim says. “We’ve been overwhelmed with things that have happened and the support we’ve been shown.”

Pam agrees. “A lot of people have said that Laura was always so busy, and it’s almost like she lived a full life in her 25 years,” she says. “She crammed everything in that she could. She had a very strong faith, and as a mom, that gives me comfort. She was an incredible girl.”

lauraslightshineson.com

Laura Schrankler

Get Salty

Awaken for Wellness offers beneficial experiences for all ages.

By Tia Benson

ONE HOUR a day in a room filled with Himalayan salt is said to improve your child’s overall health—such as clearing out the bacteria in their sinuses and lungs—according to Chris Richmond, founder of Awaken for Wellness.

At Awaken for Wellness, previously known as The Salt Room Woodbury, Richmond welcomes families—including kids—to enjoy the benefits of its spaces. “It gives a chance for the parents to relax and let them get salt therapy, [while] the kids get respiratory benefits, as well,” he says. These rooms are privately rented and include small toys for children to play with during their allotted times.

Richmond says people often wonder what a salt room is before experiencing it. “We have salt all around the walls and on the ceiling, as well as on the floor,” Richmond says. “When you’re in that environment, it can give off negative ions, which are actually really good for our cells and our immune system. It can also give you a positive shift in your mood.”

Awaken for Wellness, which also has locations in St. Paul and Hudson, Wisconsin, uses salt machines, called Halo Generators, that crush the sodium chloride—aka pharmaceutical-grade salt—like a blender. A fan then pushes the small salt particles into the air for

participants to breathe into their lungs and sinuses.

“When we breathe it in, sodium chloride has antimicrobial properties,” Richmond says. “It also is anti-inflammatory” Richmond says our cells need sodium, chloride and electrolytes to function—so breathing this into the “nooks and crannies of our lungs” can aid in the removal of allergies, bacteria, colds, fungus, mold spores, sinus irritation and viruses, he says.

Woodbury’s Awaken for Wellness welcomes clients into its salt rooms from 5 a.m. to midnight. “They can come in on their time,” Richmond says. In addition, it also offers breathwork

Just 45 minutes is said to have respiratory benefits, according to Awaken for Wellness founder Chris Richmond.

“When you’re in that environment, it can give off negative ions, which are actually really good for our cells and our immune system.”

—Chris Richmond, founder of Awaken for Wellness

classes, cold plunging, infrared saunas, red light therapy and sound therapy.

For adults, Richmond recommends doing the infrared sauna followed by salt therapy immediately after for the most effective results. He says spending up to 45 minutes in the salt rooms can be a “getaway for a lot of parents,” who may then want to experience other offerings.

Richmond says that clients with chronic or acute conditions would most benefit after using the salt rooms for at least three days in a row. However, it’s beneficial for anyone. “Young and old, anyone can use [the salt rooms],” he says. “Generally, the benefits are in the respiratory system—and the magic of it is [that it helps] almost for all respiratory conditions ...”

The sound therapy sessions are dedicated to healing via singing bowls. The vibrations from the bowls produce healing sounds, all while being surrounded by salt caves and an experienced practitioner. It’s said to balance the body’s chakras, reduce cortisol levels and induce a deep state of relaxation.

Awaken for Wellness, 2110 Eagle Creek Lane #350; 651.436.1725; awakenforwellness.com

This is not intended as medical advice. Consult your primary physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

3004 Edgewater Dr. Woodbury

Happy New Year! Let’s plan your move together!

“I had the pleasure of working with Hyounsoo during my recent home selling process, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the experience.

From the very beginning, Hyounsoo was professional, knowledgeable, and attentive to my needs.

What really stood out was her excellent communication throughout the entire process. Whether I had questions about listings, the paperwork, or the closing process, Hyounsoo was always quick to respond and provided clear, helpful answers. You'll see how seriously she takes her job.

I highly recommend Hyounsoo Lathrop to anyone looking for a dedicated and trustworthy real estate professional.” -Kate Baek communicati proce c looki profess

PHILANTHROPY

Building Future Leaders

American Legion grows its Legionville and Oratorical Scholarship programs.

By Meredith Heneghan

AMERICAN LEGION WOODBURY

Post 501 has been working with local schools to recruit students to two of its newest programs: Legionville Educational Center Summer Camp and the Oratorical Scholarship Program.

Post commander Bob Dolan is passionate about providing new opportunities for young people in the community. “It’s something we’ve focused on for quite a while with the high school level students but never really got into middle and elementary aged kids until this year,” he says. “I wanted to start providing these opportunities to the younger kids, too.”

Legionville Educational Center Summer Camp is located in Brainerd and has been run by the Minnesota American Legion since 1956. The camp is focused on camping skills, first aid, safety training and swimming. Woodbury Post 501 first sponsored a camper last summer, and Dolan received great feedback from the camper’s parent. “She said he had a phenomenal time, he learned a lot and that he was especially excited about learning CPR. It was really important to him to learn this skill,” Dolan says. “He had a life experience that motivated him to learn the things they teach kids in Legionville.”

Spending time at Legionville is a great way for students to enjoy summertime activities while learning life skills, which can add value and purpose to their lives now and in the future. This summer, Post 501 hopes to sponsor two campers.

Legionville activities vary from summer activities, such as games in the sand, to life lessons, such as camping skills, first aid, safety training and swimming.

The American Legion Oratorical Scholarship has been around for more than 80 years. This constitutional speech contest is a way to both develop a deeper understanding of the Constitution of the United States and earn scholarship money in the process. “The oratorical contest is a fairly intense competition because the individuals have to present a five-minute speech on a topic, which they get on the spot, on the Constitution. So they need to be able to speak extemporaneously,” Dolan says.

Post 501 is working with several area schools, including East Ridge High School, Math and Science Academy, Middleton Elementary, Saint Ambrose Catholic School, Woodbury High School (WHS), homeschool groups and the WHS Air Force ROTC Junior Cadets, to gauge interest in the Oratorical Scholarship Program. Dolan thinks that, with a couple of years’ momentum in the program, a student from Woodbury could make it to the next levels of competition, which goes from local to district levels to state and national competitions. “I’d like to have at least three to four individuals [compete]. That way, we have a first, second, third place that we can move up the line to the district competition. We’re leaning on some of the expertise of the district to walk us through the process,” Dolan says.

“Within the American Legion, youth programs are one of the pillars. We view youth programs as probably the backbone of the American Legion because it’s going to be these young men and women who grow up and may get involved in the military, government and politics,” Dolan says. “Some of this information and experiences would be important to them.

“I like working with young kids. It makes my heart happy to see young men and women like this who are smart and have a focus in life,” he says.

STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics

Stepping Stones Early Learning Center’s specially designed STEAM classes teach children how Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math overlap by exploring and testing new ideas with fun, interactive, and hands-on projects.

STEAM Themes include: Catapults & Pendulums, Solids & Liquids, Shadows & Light, Volcanoes, Weather and much more. Your child will have so much fun learning about real world concepts!

Infant/Crawler

Now EnrollingALL age groups!

• Our all-inclusive approach to care includes infant formula, diapers, baby wipes and wholesome infant purees freshly prepared by our on-site chef.

• Baby rooms are the perfect environment for little ones to discover their physical abilities as they learn to roll over, crawl, pull up and eventually walk. We focus on your babies’ growth and development by creating strong bonds and learning through play.

• Screened-in porch designed speci cally for getting infants and crawlers outside to enjoy new sights, sounds and fresh air.

• Over-sized rooms include full sized cribs for each child, gross motor equipment and large windows for maximum amounts of natural light.

• Procare Connect parent app allows for noti cations of diapering, naps, meals and daily photos of your child to be sent directly to your mobile device.

Waddler/Toddler

• Our all-inclusive approach to care includes diapers, baby wipes and wholesome meals and snacks freshly prepared by our on-site chef.

• Sign Language, Spanish, Character Education, LANA & Music enrichment classes included in tuition.

• Individual attention and caring teachers encourage hands-on exploration and social interaction in a safe and engaging environment.

• Our Waddlers & Toddlers progress naturally because they’re constantly encouraged to be creative and curious, to learn and to have fun learning.

• Procare Connect parent app allows for noti cations of diapering/potty, naps, meals, curriculum and daily photos of your child to be sent directly to your mobile device.

Preschool/Kindergarten Readiness

• Our all-inclusive approach to care includes STEAM, yoga, Spanish, LANA nutrition and music enrichment programs; as well as wholesome meals and snacks freshly prepared by our on-site chef.

• Character development, community outreach and off site eld trips round out our academic curriculum.

• Proprietary curriculum designed to nurture the whole child provides a strong academic introduction to literacy, science, math and social sciences while combining social, emotional and physical aspects of development.

• Procare Connect parent app allows for noti cations of naps, meals, curriculum, enrichment programs and daily photos of your child to be sent directly to your mobile device.

To express your interest, or to share resources to help Post 501 reach more youth, email Bob Dolan at woodburypost501@gmail.com. Find more information at americanlegionpost501.org. (651) 998-1661 | www.steppingstoneslearning.org 11253 Eagle

Julie Nielsen

THE DRIVE TO THRIVE

South Washington County Schools superintendent shares what makes the district successful.

WARDROBE BY STATEMENT BOUTIQUE

WRITTEN BY EMILY GEDDE PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

It takes a special kind of person to run a school district of more than 19,000 students, and Julie Nielsen fits that mold.

As the top administrator of the sixth largest school district in the state, Nielsen is a true champion for South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo Schools) District 833 and public education. She has the passion and drive to make the school district grow and thrive. “I absolutely love what I do,” she says.

SoWashCo Schools is home to 16 elementary schools, four middle schools, three comprehensive high schools, an online high school, an alternative school, Early Childhood programs, young adult programming (18–22) and more. “Our staff provides programming from the point of a child being born, perhaps with a disability, all the way up to people getting their GEDs at age 80,” she says.

And while Nielsen is used to the large size of the district she has been with for 28 years, her roots start small.

Humble Beginnings

Growing up on a dairy farm in Fountain City, Wisconsin, a small town of less than 2,000 people, Nielsen was one of six children and one of 21 cousins who all went to school together. Everyone knew everyone by name, and it didn’t matter which side of the street you drove down. “I came from a tight-knit community,” she says.

After graduating high school, she attended Winona State University where she was presented with a plethora of opportunities through both athletics and academics—including playing

women’s basketball for four years and serving as team captain. “I could not have asked for better teachers,” Nielsen says. She graduated with a degree in elementary physical education, developmentally adapted physical education and a coaching licensure.

Next Chapters

With her educational journey taking shape, Nielsen’s next step was student teaching. She had a choice: Teach in a small town like the one she grew up in or go to Grey Cloud Elementary within SoWashCo Schools. “I was a little uncomfortable, but I wanted to hit the big city and see what it was all about,” she says.

Nielsen’s trajectory continued upward. After student teaching at Grey Cloud Elementary and Oltman Junior High, she was hired as a girls’ basketball coach at Park High School and Woodbury High School and a physical education specialist at Middleton Elementary, where she eventually moved into an assistant principal role. Nielsen admits that, due to her love of sports and being an athlete, she always saw herself as an athletic director at the university level. That plan changed once she got into the schools and loved working with younger students. She went on to receive a master’s degree and administrative licensure (principal and superintendent) from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona.

Between 2001 and 2005, Nielsen left the district, serving as principal at Northfield County Schools. “I felt it was time to move on, and there were no principal openings at [SoWashCo Schools] at the time,” she says.

While she admits it was unfortunate to be leaving the district that shaped her, going to Northfield was a fork in the road that Nielsen says really changed her as a leader. “I got to do everything except really drive the school bus,” she says. “There were so many different roles to play as a principal.”

When a principal position became available at Middleton Elementary, Nielsen returned to SoWashCo Schools and served in that role for eight years. She then became an assistant superintendent for six years prior to her current role, which she has held since September 2020. “I really had a natural progression in my journey, which I’m grateful for,” Nielsen says.

Growth Mode

Spending three decades in the district, Nielsen has seen it experience tremendous growth from 11,500 students during her student teaching days to more than the 19,000 today. What makes the district stand out as desirable for families?

Remember, early on in Nielsen’s story, she shared about her roots in a tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone by name. Well, it’s a practice she works to instill in SoWashCo Schools’ culture. Knowing someone by name, as well as their family and community connections, is important to Nielsen and something she encourages in district staff.

“In so many ways, if we can get to know our students, our staff and the people who surround us … It gives us a higher level of compassion and empathy,” Nielsen says. “I think, in our world, those are two traits and qualities we can use more of. Many times, if I connect with someone and share a story, I will remember who they are because they’re meaningful to me.”

The district’s annual theme for the 2024–25 school year is: Be Amazing! Building Our Story. When people take the time to pause, listen and understand someone’s story—even among the chaos—Nielsen says it allows them to recognize the unique outlook of each person, their joys and their sorrows.

“That theme was one [that] our students voiced, and we really believe in the power of our student voices,” Nielsen says. “We want to make sure our schools take time to share stories of students

Top: From left to right: Holly Hins, Julie Nielsen, Sara Hjelmeland, Katie Moeller and Kristin Esboldt during the 2023–24 Staff Welcome Back. Nielsen worked closely with these teachers while she was the principal at Middleton Elementary School.

Middle Left: From left to right: Assistant superintendent Kristine Schaefer, Julie Nielsen, East Ridge High School (ERHS) principal James Smokrovich, assistant superintendents Kelly Jansen and Tyrone Brookins at the ERHS 2023 graduation ceremony.

Middle Right: Julie Nielsen visits with a community member this fall during a senior activities program at the District Program Center.

Bottom: SoWashCo Schools Youth Ambassadors with Julie Nielsen, Kristine Schaefer, Kelly Jansen and Tyrone Brookins.

from other cultures. We want to make sure that whatever we’re doing is reflective of the students we’re serving.”

In addition, the theme also touches on two areas of focus: building and story. Building applies to the $200 million in construction happening within the district over the next three years. Construction includes remodels, additions and increased safety measures at school entrances. Story focuses on literacy and the intense focus on training all staff to be teachers of literacy. Nielsen says statewide and nationwide literacy scores need additional work. SoWashCo Schools staff members are engaged in professional development and professional learning around the science of reading.

“That is for elementary, middle and high school teachers,” Nielsen says. “We have a lot of work to do with literacy, and we’ll continue to focus on that.”

After the Bell Rings

At the end of the day, after the bell rings for the final time, who is Nielsen when she flips the lights off in her office? She says most of her day actually happens before school. She prides herself in getting up at 4:10 a.m., five days a week, to work out at 5 a.m. at Orange Theory Fitness.

“I work out with parents, people in the community, and many times they don’t know who I am,” Nielsen says with a laugh. “In the way of fitness, being active and fit provides me a therapy session. I believe that movement provides me what I need for the day.”

Nielsen says she also enjoys spending time with her husband, Greg, and two grown sons, Parker, who is completing his extended degree in nursing, and Keegan, a fifth grade teacher.

South Washington County Schools, 7362 E. Point Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove; 651.425.6300; sowashco.org

South Washington County Schools @sowashcoschools

Photo: Glen Stubbe Photography

BACKSTAGE PASS

Step into the world of costume design and see how garments tell the story on stage.

WRITTEN BY RACHEL SCHUEHLE

Audience members file into the UnitedHealth Group Stage auditorium, anxiously and excitedly awaiting the start of a show—one with live actors, delightful music and a colorful stage. But most audience members who sit on the plush red velvet-covered chairs are unaware of the amount of tireless work it takes to put on theatrical productions. Yes, there are the rehearsals—but also thought and consideration goes into the lighting, creation of props and organization of the entire cast. For one former Woodbury resident, the behind-the-scenes work is not only her day-to-day job, but her favorite place in the theater.

Emily Jannusch remembers visiting Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) as a child but never made a connection between the art of theater and a career path until she enrolled in a set design course at Century College. While studying at Century, a production of Cabaret was underway, and the crew needed help with costumes. Jannusch harnessed the sewing skills taught to her by mother, Wendy, and grandmother, Winnie, and got to work, jumping in wherever help was needed to ensure the show went on. These initial introductions were instrumental to her future, as she then went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota with a degree in theater.

The Grinch delights as one of the Children’s Theatre Company’s annual productions.

After college, Jannusch interned with the Minnesota Children’s Museum, helping at the box office. “It felt really gratifying and fun to do things for kids,” Jannusch says. “It’s more magical.” So when she was offered a position at CTC in fall 2014, where she could merge her passion for theater and her admiration for kids, Jannusch took on the wardrobe swing role. “It was a happy accident because I like stitching and sewing, but working with the actors behind the stage is really fun and action-packed,” Jannusch says.

Costume director Amy Kitzhaber first worked with Jannusch in 2018 on I Come From Arizona and was instantly impressed by her varied skill set. “Emily is extremely talented as a stitcher in addition to her amazing wardrobe skills,” she says. “She has an incredible depth of talent in costuming. And she also has beautiful carpentry skills for when she does overhire work in the Prop Shop.” Given her expansive reach at CTC and the impact on many aspects of each show, Jannusch is considered a jack of all trades.

With the current season in full swing, the cast and crew are hard at work to make every show a success. For Jannusch, that means her work may consist of fluffing and folding laundry or making repairs on the many countless costumes—but more often than not, she’s part of the well-oiled machine behind the stage that keeps the show running smoothly. Her role is often “helping actors get into costumes, wigs, makeup,” she says. “Prep for wardrobe is like a puzzle. Who gets into which costume, at what time and speed and

Photos: Dan Norman

The Lorax (2018) is one of Emily Jannusch’s favorite productions to have worked on at the Children’s Theatre Company.

“Angela and her team are absolutely wonderful! They are experts in their ﬁeld, quick to respond to our questions, and always so kind and helpful! We would 100% recommend Angela to anyone looking to buy a home in and around the twin cities!”

-Doug & Erin

Photos: Dan Norman

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea circa 2015.

where? The quick changes are what make it action-packed, like a choreographed dance.” The uniqueness and multitude of each show, and the various stages within the theater, all contribute to the speedpuzzling that Jannusch contributes to day-in and day-out.

With each performance, she remembers that theater is more than just entertainment. Each show has the potential to teach young minds important lessons. “Creating stylized period costumes, modern or fantastical costumes can help young audiences learn about different eras and cultures (real or imagined) through visual representation,” Kitzhaber says. Not only does costuming lend itself as an education tool, it is wildly creative, detailed and imaginative.

Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.874.0400; childrenstheatre.org Children’s Theatre Company @childrenstheatrecompany @ChildrensTheatr

Woodbury Senior Living

An avid theater-goer and now staff member at CTC, Jannusch still points to The Lorax as one of her all-time favorite shows. “My dad used to read the book to me every night as a kid,” she says. “It was sweet to work on and see it as a full-circle moment.” In addition, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was a challenging yet rewarding show, given the logistics of bringing audience members through the basement of the theater, which served as the submarine for this experiential show. And of course, The Grinch will always be a fan-favorite, coming back to CTC on repeat to bring holiday cheer to the Twin Cities.

Transitional Care

At Woodbury Senior Living, we serve seniors and their families by encouraging them variety of wellness-focused services and activities while empowering them to live

Transitional Care

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy O ered for those who need to regain strength and independence after surgery, injury or illness and are in transition from home or hospital. Our experienced clinical team provides a spectrum of rehabilitation and therapy services on-site to restore individuals to their fullest potential. Also included in transitional care are customized integrative therapies, wellness and spirituality programs, including social activities, educational and intellectual programs, physical wellness activities, vocational programs and spiritual services. Visit our website for a full list of services and special features included in rehabilitation/therapy!

Memory Care

Integrative erapies to Support the Healing Process

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy

Woodbury Senior Living is pleased to o er a variety of Integrative Therapies to enhance your well being. Integrative therapies, also known as complementary therapies, are a wide array of healing practices that fall outside purely pharmaceutical or surgical treatments but are intended to complement medical care.

Memory Care at Woodbury Senior Living is available in both Woodbury Estates and Woodbury Health Care Center.

O ered for those who need to regain strength and independence after surgery, injury or illness and are in transition from home or hospital. Our experienced clinical team provides a spectrum of rehabilitation and therapy services on-site to restore individuals to their fullest potential. Also included in transitional care are customized integrative therapies, wellness and spirituality programs, including social activities, educational and intellectual programs, physical wellness activities, vocational programs and spiritual services. Visit our website for a full list of services and special features included in rehabilitation/therapy!

• At Woodbury Estates, this living option o ers comfortable, specialized care for individuals with memory impairments such as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, while giving their families support and peace of mind.

A full spectrum of care options in a campus setting for 37 years. • Gives the resident control in a situation

Woodbury Senior Living

Due to their proven results, their use is growing rapidly around the country.

The following therapies are free of charge.

• Guided Imagery: Using your imagination to direct your thoughts towards healing.

• Energy Based Healing Modalities: Gentle, non-invasive treatments that work to restore the natural ow and balance of the body’s energy system. In times of stress, injury or illness this energy system can become congested, blocked or unbalanced.

• Essential Oils: Extracts of plants that are used to restore balance to the body and emotions primarily through the sense of smell. The essential oils used at Woodbury Health Care Center are extracted from high quality, organically grown plants and blended by a certi ed aromatherapist.

Memory Care

• At Woodbury Health Care Center, this living option o ers comfortable, specialized care for individuals with memory impairment as well as complex medical needs.

It includes the same level of support found within our skilled nursing care, with the added bene t of customized activities tailored to memory care individuals.

Each memory care unit is located in a monitored area within the building.

Our licensed sta is trained to understand the unique needs of the memory and work with each resident and their family members to customize a personal plan to maximize both self-motivation and functional independence.

Healing Music erapy

Memory Care at Woodbury Senior Living is available in both Woodbury Estates and Woodbury Health Care Center.

Enhances attention, memory, speech,

• At Woodbury Health Care Center, this living option o ers comfortable, specialized care for individuals with memory impairment as well as complex medical needs. It includes the same level of support found within our skilled nursing care, with the added bene t of customized activities tailored to memory care individuals.

Each memory care unit is located in a monitored area within the building. Our licensed sta is trained to understand the unique needs of the memory and work with each resident and their family members to customize a personal plan to maximize both self-motivation and functional independence.

• Creates an outlet for emotional expression

• Alleviates pain, stress, decrease symptoms of depression, enhances overall well-being

• Motivator and reward for physical activity

SpaceTurtle Construction is a different kind of remodeler.

Inspiration to launch a business can come from unexpected places—or animals! While working in the commercial construction industry, Cody Kupitz adopted Arya, a brown-eyed American Staffordshire terrier with separation anxiety, who motivated Kupitz to open his design-build firm, allowing him to take Arya to the office and job sites.

Kupitz founded SpaceTurtle in 2019 and was joined by Marie Brenden and her fur baby, Juniper. It’s not uncommon for clients in Woodbury, the East Metro and western Wisconsin to see Arya and Juniper alongside their owners, visiting jobsites and conducting business. “We love working with our neighbors,” Kupitz says. “There’s something special about driving by current and former jobsites every day.”

There are many options to choose from when it comes to hiring a home remodeler, but the SpaceTurtle team stands by its unique model. “Our tag line is: In contrast to our peers, we’re a different kind of remodeler, and that’s something we’re proud of,” Brenden says. “We are extremely transparent with our prices and provide full rendered designs and detailed estimates all at no cost. Additionally, a portion of all our profits are donated to the animal humane society.”

For the SpaceTurtle team, business is personal. “We build honest, open relationships with our clients, and we prioritize our clients and quality over the bottom line,” Brenden says. Making that extra effort requires unparalleled teamwork, which SpaceTurtle offers. Experienced project managers excel in planning and coordination. Talented architects and designers bring creative vision and innovative solutions, and trusted skilled trades execute with precision and quality craftsmanship. “The commonality among the entire team is our desire to do right by the customer and deliver exceptional results,” Kupitz says.

Projects extend through multiple phases, which are broken down into creative segments to move clients through the process. The Squirrel Phase finds the team gathering and prepping,

so building elements are ready when needed. Next, the Honeybee Phase builds the structure, much like the building of a honeycomb. Did you know elephants cover themselves in dust? The Elephant Phase is also dusty while floors and walls are sanded in preparation for finishing. Adding hard finishes to a home arrives during the Armadillo Phase. Watching the project take on its unique colors and textures brings the Chameleon Phase. The final stage, when the job comes together in stunning completion, is the Butterfly Phase—the perfect name for the project’s complete transformation.

“As much as we are building things, we are also building relationships with our clients,” Brenden says. Developing relationships is a cornerstone at SpaceTurtle. “We chose to build our design studio in Woodbury because we wanted to get involved in a vibrant community that serves our residents,” Kupitz says. The business sponsors city ambassadors, engages in com

munity fundraising efforts and helps unwanted animals find homes of their own through donating portions of each project to the Animal Humane Society.

“Each year, we tell ourselves we can do more. Give more. Be better,” Brenden says. “We are so grateful to our clients that choose to work with SpaceTurtle because we know that with every new client, we are helping hundreds of animals each year.”

It’s evident that clients experience SpaceTurtle’s dedication on many levels. “I was first drawn to SpaceTurtle Construction for their support of the Animal Humane Society,” Nikki says. “They listened to my wants, and provided options I never thought of!”

“Marie, Cody and their team were intimately involved in our project from inception to final inspection,” say clients Tom and Barb. “The quality and craftsmanship of their work was amazing. In fact, one subcontractor commented that it was the finest work he had ever seen!”

710 Commerce Drive, Suite 170, Woodbury 612.900.3494• spaceturtleconstruction.com

Where Everyone Belongs

An area nonprofit continues to serve students and families in need.

When the Skoolie Too bus comes around, a party is sure to follow.

The beloved bus is part of South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo) Community Education and SoWashCo Community Action Reaching Every Student (CARES). Equipped with music, lights and the desire to fill a need, the bus is a staple of doing good.

“It is really a symbol of the partnership between the school district and the community,” says Cheryl Jogger, community engagement coordinator of SoWashCo Schools and founder of SoWashCo CARES, a communityled nonprofit organization that supports the school district.

The Skoolie Too Bus is owned and operated by SoWashCo Community Education and is a symbol of the partnership between the school district and the community. It allows community education to make programming more accessible for District 833. The bus and its presence create a space that welcomes everyone and gives people a place to belong without barriers.

After its colorful predecessor, the original Skoolie Bus, semi-retired in 2024, Skoolie Too was brought in as a revival. However, the program itself has been active since 2017. “We started the Skoolie program about six years ago as a partnership with the school district, No Kid Hungry and Second Harvest Heartland to provide summer meals to kids in the community,” Jogger says.

Running Monday through Thursday from the beginning of June to the middle of August, Skoolie Too travels to the four corners of the district, landing in parking lots to distribute

food, resources and fun. “We work with local businesses, churches and other organizations to sponsor a free dinner and free activities,” Jogger says. “It really creates a lot of fun and excitement.”

When the program started, the intention was to address hunger needs in the community. Now, however, the efforts of the Skoolie program extends to anyone and everyone. “We found people felt like they couldn’t participate in Skoolie events if they didn’t need help,” Jogger says. “We really rebranded it and reworked it to make it a family fun event. Everyone is welcome.”

Because the Skoolie Too is newer, Jogger says she’s hopeful it will accommodate more programming beyond the summer months.

Community Helping Community

While Jogger jokes that the Skoolie program is like her third child, the entire SoWashCo CARES program is near and dear to her heart. She created the idea for the organization after attending a 2015 event that aimed to address global hunger.

“There was an event [with] Feed My Starving Children that had a goal of packing five million meals to send to kids overseas,” Jogger says. The turnout for the event was incredible. Organizations, church groups, businesses and individuals all came together for the greater good. Jogger says the outpouring of support sparked an idea to create a local initiative with a similar goal.

“That inspired me to think about doing something similar and engage our community

Written by Emily Gedde

—

Photos by Chris Emeott

to meet the needs of our local [residents] right here at home,” she says. SoWashCo CARES was born the following year in 2016.

To understand the extent of local needs, Jogger, who was already on the Community Education Advisory Council, and others visited with district staff to determine how the effort could make the most impact. Jogger says the reoccurring theme was teachers and staff were helping kids who didn’t have snacks, winter clothing and school supplies. In addition, those teachers and staff members were funding the needs from their own pockets.

“Our own staff were paying to meet those needs for the kids, which is incredible, but we needed to do something about that,” Jogger says. “We felt that if the community knew about these needs that people would absolutely step up to help get the kids what they needed.”

To meet needs in real-time, the group created a Facebook page that features requests directly from district staff to SoWashCo CARES volunteers. Community partners see the posts, respond to the need and district staff take it from there. Jogger says the model works so well that, since 2016, “We have been able to meet all the needs with the help of our generous community!

“It’s amazing to see the generosity when people know exactly what the need is,” she says. “We make it easy for people to help, and that really resonates with our community.”

Clothing, Supplies and Snacks

As a well-established organization in the district, Jogger says SoWashCo CARES is best known for meeting basic needs, including school supplies, snacks and winter clothing. She says the school supply drives kicks off in the summer followed by the winter clothing effort in the fall.

“We have such generous support from the community,” she says, noting that last year more than 500 backpacks full of supplies were given away to children at the beginning of the school year.

The winter clothing effort is just as successful. Annually, different individuals and organizations come together to make sure children have what they need to stay warm during Minnesota winters.

Jogger says the space is set up as a pop-up winter clothing shop that is open to people by invitation only. “We always work through school staff to ensure we’re serving those in need,” Jogger says of why the invitation-only

and Sue

who is integral to the Skoolie program and often drives the bus.

Right: Skoolie Family Fun Nights include free food and activities for Woodbury and its surrounding communities of Cottage Grove, Newport and St. Paul Park.

Left: Cheryl Jogger

McKeown,

format is used. “It is so much fun to see these kids try on a new pair of boots or a warm jacket. They’re always so happy.”

In previous years, SoWashCo CARES worked with a Girl Scout troop to start a snack program that helps supplement schools with snacks. Jogger reiterated appreciation for people who help make that effort successful, noting the donation of a box of granola bars goes a long way.

Classroom Grants

As SoWashCo CARES continues to grow, Jogger says it has also taken on a role as an education foundation, enabling thousands of dollars in grants be awarded to district classrooms and projects. She says while the primary focus of SoWashCo CARES is on students, supporting school staff is also important. “We know when teachers and staff feel supported, they’ll be able to better care for students,” she says.

SoWashCo CARES provides funding for classroom needs, as well as activities that recognize the hard work of teachers and other district staff. A newer classroom grant program allows all district staff an opportunity to apply for up to $2,500 for a project or needs twice per year. Last year, more than $10,000

was awarded through the effort. “We really see this growing and becoming something that makes a big impact,” Jogger says. “We support our schools staff, which ultimately helps support our students!”

Building a Community That Cares

Jogger says SoWashCo CARES continues to serve the purpose she originally intended for the organization, which is creating a community that cares. The slogan, “Our community helping our community,” resonates with everyone involved, Jogger notes.

“We have a wonderful SoWashCo CARES community,” she says. “We want our kids to know they’re growing up in a community that cares.”

SoWashCo CARES; 651.425.6600; sowashcocares.org SoWashCo CARES @sowashcocares

South Washington County Schools

Community Education, 8400 E. Point Douglas Road S., Cottage Grove; 651.425.6600; commed.sowashco.org

South Washington County Schools Community Education @sowashcoce

OF W E LLNESS A DASH

Photo: Chris Emeott

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS OF STAPLE SPICES.

AS THE NEW YEAR rolls in, it’s the perfect time to spice up your health routine. Not only do some beloved spices add vibrant flavors, but they also offer a variety of potential health benefits. From fighting inflammation to aiding digestion, these pantry staples are said to be both flavorful and functional. Sue Moores, R.D., a nutritionist at Kowalski’s Markets, shares ways to add more of these spices into your meals—making it simple to embrace a tastier start to the year.

“We all hope for success,” Moores says about setting realistic goals. “There’s definitely a set of ingredients that will hopefully increase your chances of success.”

CAYENNE: This fiery spice is often found in wellness drinks—and for good reason. “It’s amazing and, curiously to me, helpful for digestion,” Moores says. Cayenne works to increase stomach acid, which amplifies the digestion process. She notes that those with GERD, heartburn or other reflux conditions should steer clear of cayenne.

CINNAMON: Achieving benefits might be relatively easy with this warming spice. “A lot of the research has been around inflammation, and it’s quite positive with lowering blood sugar levels and total cholesterol,” Moores says. Reap its benefits by incorporating anywhere from 1/2 to 1 tsp. of cinnamon per day.

GARLIC: This fan-favorite is said to pack a powerful anti-viral punch. “The component in it is allicin, which is also found in onions,” Moores says. Allicin has been shown to have antiviral properties—so if you feel a cold coming on, Moores recommends incorporating garlic into your meals. She notes that, for those with GERD or IBS, garlic can be difficult to digest.

GINGER: “It’s a go-to for a lot of people for nausea and digestion,” Moores says. “Curiously, it’s mixed results … Ginger, in its pristine state or used as an ingredient, has some benefits to nausea and digestion.” To see full benefits, including anti-inflammation properties, Moores recommends incorporating ginger (into tea, for example) for multiple days in a row.

OREGANO: Although less likely to have a highpowered impact, oregano shows a potential effect on digestion and circulation. “It’s a lovely flavor in food, but it would take a lot to get it to be a health win,” Moores says.

ROSEMARY: This winter treasure is said to boast anti-inflammatory, memory and cognitive benefits. “It also has anti-anxiety properties, which I love,” Moores says. It contains compounds that supposedly improve memory and cognitive function—and rosemary might also improve skin, hair and more.

TURMERIC: “It’s really an element within turmeric, and that is curcumin,” Moores says. The curcumin found in this colorful spice has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and boost antioxidant properties. “If you pair it with black pepper, you can increase the absorption as much as 2,000 percent,” she says.

Moores notes that all benefits should be taken with a grain of salt—although multiple studies have been conducted, benefits have been shown to vary. “There’s a resource if you want to get serious,” she says. She recommends ConsumerLab. “It’s like the Consumer Reports for supplement versions of spices,” she says. “They tell you which brands are manufactured to conserve the phytonutrients and the components in it.”

For adding spices for flavor or impact, Moores has a few tips. “Most spices should be used early in the cooking process, so flavors can be released over time,” Moores says, noting one exception to the rule: Fresh garlic should be added toward the end. Moreover, spices add multiple layers of vibrant flavors, which Moores says is a great tool for helping to reduce the sodium content of foods. “That a huge health benefit,” she says.

This information is for general purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your primary physician or another qualified healthcare provider before incorporating new spices, herbs or other dietary changes into your routine, especially if you have preexisting health conditions or are taking medication.

Rachel Sitko of Kowalski’s Markets shares flavorful soup recipes using a few of the aforementioned spices. Enjoy!

CURRIED CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Contributed by Rachel Sitko, Kowalski’s Market

» 5.5 oz. broccolini

» 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

» 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled, diced into 1/2-inch cubes

» 1 red bell pepper, diced into 1/4-inch cubes

» 1 small shallot, minced

» 2 tsp. garlic, minced

» 1 Tbsp. mild curry powder

» 1 Tbsp. brown sugar

» 1 tsp. kosher salt

» 1 tsp. ground ginger

» 1 tsp. ground turmeric

» 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

» 1/4 tsp. peppercorns, freshly ground

» 4 cups chicken broth

» 1/2 lb. (approximately) pulled chicken, fully cooked and lightly smoked

» 12 oz. can evaporated milk

» 6 oz. (approximately) dried noodles, such as Simply Asia Chinese-Style lo mein noodles

» 1 Tbsp. lime juice

» thinly sliced green onions and red Fresno pepper, lime wedges and fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Trim broccolini into 2-inch pieces; discard bottommost 2-inch, or reserve for another use. Set trimmed broccolini aside. Heat oil in a deep pot over medium heat. Add potatoes, bell pepper and shallot; sauté in oil just until potatoes begin to soften (7–9 minutes). Add garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add curry powder, sugar, salt, ginger, turmeric, crushed red pepper flakes and black pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in prepared broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in chicken, milk, noodles and broccolini; cook until soup is thoroughly hot, broccolini is crisp-tender and noodles are al dente (about 6 minutes, or as directed on the package of noodles). Remove from heat; stir in lime juice. Garnish individual bowls to taste.

Curried Chicken Noodle Soup

LEMON CHICKEN SOUP WITH ROSEMARY BROTH

Contributed by Rachel Sitko, Kowalski’s Markets

» 4 tsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for finishing the soup

» 1/4 cup onion, finely diced

» 1 tsp. garlic, minced

» 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus a few small sprigs for garnish

» 1 qt. low-sodium vegetable broth

» 1/2 cup carrot, finely diced

» 1/2 cup celery, finely diced

» 1 oz. fresh kale, chopped and stems removed

» 1/4 cup Israeli couscous

» 30 mini chicken meatballs, thawed overnight in the refrigerator

» 2 Tbsp. (or more to taste) lemon juice, freshly squeezed

» lemon, thinly sliced for garnish

» kosher salt and black peppercorns

» zest of 1 lemon, freshly grated

» pinch crushed red pepper flakes

In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tsp. oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and garlic is very fragrant (about 5 minutes). Add 2 sprigs rosemary and broth; increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low (soup should barely bubble); cook for about 1 hour. Strain onion, garlic and rosemary from broth; discard solids and set broth aside. In a deep pot, heat remaining 2 tsp. oil over medium heat. Add carrot and celery to the pot; cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Add kale and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat kale with oil. Add rosemary broth; increase heat to medium-high, and bring to a gentle boil. Add couscous and meatballs; cook until couscous is tender (about 8 minutes). Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Just before serving, stir in zest and juice. Drizzle individual servings with a bit of oil; garnish with rosemary sprigs and lemon slices.

Kowalski’s Markets, 8505 Valley Creek Road; 651.578.8800; kowalskis.com

Kowalski’s Markets @kowalskis_markets Kowalski’s Markets @kowalskismarket

Lemon Chicken Soup with Rosemary Broth

QUEST FOR PARK TREASURES

Are you on the hunt for the 2025 Winter Medallion?

COIN QUEST returns to the parks for Woodbury’s fifth annual Winter Medallion Hunt. Partnering with Woodbury Public Safety, the City of Woodbury Parks & Recreation invites residents to participate for the chance to win $100 worth of gift cards to local businesses. Additionally, the Woodbury Community Foundation donates an extra $100 to a local nonprofit for each coin that is found. Amid COVID-19 during winter 2021, the Winter Medallion Hunt was created in hopes of unifying the community and encouraging residents to discover new parks. Since its start, city-wide participation has increased, and around 1,000 participants now join in the fun each year.

This year, three acrylic coins will be hidden over three weeks, including the weeks of January 13, 20 and 27. Each week, a new coin will be placed at one of Woodbury’s many parks. There will be three clues to each coin’s whereabouts, which will be posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the City of Woodbury’s website, plus the Woodbury, MN Police Fire EMS and Woodbury Parks & Recreation Facebook pages. —Amy Holmberg

Individuals who find a coin should email anna.kemper@woodburymn.gov or call 651.414.3433 within two hours of its discovery.

Participants of a past Winter Medallion Hunt celebrating their find with a member of the Woodbury Public Safety Department.

Women in Business

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS!

WIB GUEST PASS

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT NETWORKING EVENT

Compiled by Hailey Almsted

LOCAL

EVENTS

Senior Book Club

01/10

January’s book pick for the Senior Book Club is The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang. Free. 10:30 a.m.–noon. R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place; 651.731.1320; washcolib.org

Sip, Savor and Salud

01/16 and 01/18

Taste your way through Spanish and Portuguese wines while learning about their characteristics and the regions they’re grown in. Ages 21 and older. $20. Times vary. Total Wine, 7150 Valley Creek Plaza Suite 210; 651.735.0910; totalwine.com

Midnight Release Party

01/20

Celebrate the release of one of the biggest romantasy books, Onyx Storm, by participating in photo ops and activities, meeting fellow readers and more. All ages. Price TBA. 10 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 375 Radio Drive; 763.204.7344; barnesandnoble.com

These Shining Lives

01/24

slides, caverns and archways, crawl tunnels and visit a polar pub. Opening day is TBD and weather-dependent. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Hoyt Ave. W., Falcon Heights; 866.435.2850; icecastles.com

Winter Lights

01/03–01/05

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s annual Winter Lights experience highlights the beauty of nature. All ages. $10 for members, $30 for nonmembers, free for ages 15 and younger. Times vary. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; arb.umn.edu

Qigong and Tai Chi

01/09

The Minnesota Zoo sets the scene for a qigong and tai chi class. Ages 13 and older. $15. 7:45 a.m. Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley; 952.431.9200; mnzoo.org

Full Wolf Moon Snowshoe Hike 01/13

Enjoy January’s full moon—known as the Wolf Moon at this snowshoe-afterdark event. All ages. $7.50 members, $27.59 nonmembers. 5–8 p.m. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; arb.umn.edu

Winter Play Day

01/25

The first annual Winter Play Day invites you to explore and embrace winter by taking part in several activities, such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, guided hikes, s’mores with Smokey Bear

FREE!

Woodbury Royal Theatre presents the public performance of its one act play, These Shining Lives, which follows the determination of women in history. All ages. Prices vary. 7 p.m. Woodbury High School, 2665 Woodlane Drive; 651.425.4400; whsactivities.org

Women’s networking opportunity—meets on the third Friday of each month from 8–9:30 a.m. at the Cottage Grove City Hall Training Room. Email laurie@cottagegrovechamber.org for more info.

Women in Business 12800 Ravine Parkway, Cottage Grove 651.458.8334 cottagegrovechamber.org

Seussical: The Musical

01/31–02/08

Open Door Community Theatre presents its winter production. This classic musical, based on characters written by Dr. Seuss, showcases the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. King of Kings Luthern Church, 1583 Radio Drive; opendoorcommunitytheatre.org

AREA EVENTS

Ice Castles

Various dates throughout January Visit towering sculptures, and enjoy ice

COMMUNITY AWARDS GALA

JANUARY 24

Celebrate the people, businesses and nonprofits that make a difference in Woodbury. The gala, themed Our Enchanted Garden, also includes a wine pull, silent auction and more. Ages 18 and older. Prices vary. 6–10 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave., St. Paul; 651.578.0722; woodburychamber.org

WOODBURY MAGAZINE: GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR

and more. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Crosby Farm Regional Park, 2595 Crosby Farm Road, St. Paul; wintercarnival.com

Minneapolis Boat Show 01/23–01/26

View a wide selection of boat brands and models, nautical attractions and more. All ages. Ages 13 and older $13 online and $15 on-site, ages 12 and under free. Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.332.1811; minneapolisboatshow.com

To have your event considered: email woodburymag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

Sip, Savor and Salud

Pumpkin Fest 2024

Hosted by The OurTeam and Guardians Real Estate Teams at RE/MAX Results, Pumpkin Fest, taken place on October 26, included fun games and food, seasonal activities such as face painting and family photos, balloon artists, food trucks and more. Nonperishable food, new socks and new/ gently worn shoes were collected for donations.

To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos, contact information and a brief description of the event to woodburymag@localmedia.co.

Photos: Chris Emeott

GALLERY

A Wintry Woodland

Award-winning photograph shows off the beauty of winter.

Amateur photographer Adrian Koo describes woodland photography as difficult. “Because of all the chaos,” Koo says. “After a heavy snowfall, I looked outside, saw everything covered with snow and got excited.” After a short walk, Koo captured this award-winning photograph. “I think the snow accentuates the details of each tree and gives some order to the chaos,” he says. —Hailey Almsted

To view other Focus on Woodbury photo contest winners, visit woodburymag.com.

Photographer: Adrian Koo

Title : Snowblind

Equipment: Nikon D5300 with a 55–200 mm lens

Location: Wilmes Lake

Category: Seasons Award: Second Place

MY REAL ESTATE BUSINESS HAS BEEN BUILT AROUND ONE GUIDING PRINCIPLE

Real Estate is a powerful asset. Deals don’t just happen; they require expert execution. They demand a responsive partner with the right relationships to get the deal done. With Kim Ziton you have that partner. When you need her, she is there. Kim is committed to exceeding your expectations at all levels, by being responsive, prioritizing you the client by always providing the highest level of expertise.

life. at your summit.

At the core of our care lies the profound understanding that you are on a journey to reach your full potential, to realize your goals and dreams, to reach your summit——no matter what that summit may be. It is this understanding that drives us to provide the highest standard of excellence through every injury or aching joint and muscle that may stand in your way.

IMMEDIATE CARE AT OUR ORTHOPEDIC URGENT CARE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE METRO