St. Croix Valley Magazine - February 2023

A TALE OF WANDERLUST

Minnesota Public Radio host

Kerri Miller offers guided adventure trips

It’s the sticks and stones of everyday life that bring you to TRIA. Like the blocked shot that made your knee go pop. Whether you’re a professional athlete or play pond hockey on the weekend, you’ll receive the same expert orthopedic care and attention you need to get back in the game. It’s why you’re treated and how you’re treated by TRIA.

TORN

“My overall experience was great. I love the window, and from sales to scheduling, the experience was very good. The installers are highly skilled professionals and I would recommend Renewal by Andersen to all my contacts.”

LYNN F. | RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN CUSTOMER

This issue is all about travel and fashion. “Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening,” —Coco Chanel, French fashion designer

DEPARTMENTS

16 — Shining Stars

Miss River Valley Scholarships honor young women making a difference.

18 — Curating

Connections

Two friends team up in boutique that supports handmade makers.

20

—

Creating Place Out of Space

The Airport Foundation MSP’s art program invites travelers to pause.

FEATURES

22 — A Tale of Wanderlust

Minnesota Public Radio host Kerri Miller offers guided adventure trips.

26 — Female Founders Stillwater’s Main Street is home to a community of woman-driven businesses.

TASTEMAKERS

36 — Deep Roots Scandia couple creates a family-friendly destination for wine lovers.

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 — Editor’s Letter 12 — Noteworthy 33 — On the Town 40 — Last Glance

Photo: Chris Emeott

FROM THE EDITOR

HAILEY ALMSTED — HAILEY@LOCALMEDIA.CO

The first time I went on an airplane was in ninth grade during a school trip to New York City. I was 14 years old, had only visited three other states aside from Minnesota (Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana) and was petrified of flying. After I made it through the initial terror that was TSA (What if I forgot to take my shoes off? What if my liquids were too large or the bag didn’t zip?), I felt a sigh of relief. And, once I saw the whimsical and beautiful clouds from the sky, it was love at first flight.

Since that first flight, I’ve had a desire to see as much as I can. Although COVID-19 may have slowed my travels, I still have many trips on the proverbial books. At the top of my list to visit? London, England; Banff, Canada; Reykjavik, Iceland; Sydney, Australia.

In this travel-themed issue of St. Croix Valley Magazine, my colleague Amy Overgaard and I had the pleasure of talking with Airport Foundation MSP and Arts@MSP—two, intertwined nonprofits working to create memorable moments through arts, music, film and more throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Read Creating Place Out of Space on page 20.

Also in this issue of St. Croix Valley Magazine, we’re welcoming a couple of new columnists—join me in our Noteworthy section on page 12 for our Grow and View columns. In Grow, Hudson Flower Shop owner Shelli Erck shares her gardening and landscaping tips and experiences; and in View, Stillwater Art Guild Gallery owner and photographer Bob Lyksett shares beautiful artwork with us.

Share your spring break travels and more with us, readers! Tag us on Instagram (@stcroixvalleymag), or use the hashtag #StCroixValleyMagazine to be featured. Happy traveling!

On the Cover

Kerri Miller, photo by Chris Emeott, page 22

See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town!

St. Croix Valley Magazine @stcroixvalleymag @scvmag

Photo: Rachel Nadeau

Dr. James Erlandson

Dr. Marc Roehrich

EARLY MORNINGS

What’s my inspiration behind this photograph? I crave situations where the lighting can change dramatically during a shooting session. The combination of early morning light and fog always present a challenge because both change so fast and independently!

Artist: Bob Lyksett

Title: Perch Lake Morning

Medium: Canon 1 Dx Mark II, 24–70 mm L2.8 lens, printed on canvas set in black floating frame

Bob Lyksett is a photographer in the St. Croix Valley region and owner of the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery. Find more information at artguildgallery.com.

Photo: Bob Lyksett

Function to Fashion

Personal flowers, also known as “flowers to wear,” have had importance and place throughout history. Early in history, personal flowers served a practical function.

Evidence of personal floral adornment was found in the ancient artifacts of Egyptian civilization, often using personal flowers as offerings in religious ceremonies and festivals. Ancient Greeks had a love affair with flowers and famously adorned themselves with wreaths and floral crowns.

The Renaissance period of the 15th and 16th centuries gave way to more widespread use of personal flowers and were viewed as contemporary art. Many believed that the flowers could ward off evil spirits and illness.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, people wore personal flowers not just as adornment but as a way of disguising offensive body odor. The 18th and 19th century Romantics had passion for naturalism that encouraged the common folks to dress a button hole with a simple bloom.

Boutonnieres, flowers worn by men, and corsages, flowers worn by women, symbolized gentrification, awareness and societal achievement for the lower and middle class.

While trends in personal flowers have evolved through the years, they remain an important part of artistic expression and ceremony. While many of the traditional personal flowers are still very fashionable, current trends represent powerful individual style and personal expression.

Many brides are exchanging their veils and jeweled headpieces for regal floral crowns and halos. These designs are as unique as the wearer. A full body floral crown can make a bold high fashion statement, reflecting the self-confidence of the bride. A simple demure halo can reflect the shy innocence of the wearer, while a couture asymmetrical design creates an image of a playful and coy personality. Whether corsage or boutonniere, wreath or crown, styles are varied and endless; elegant to Bohemian, formal to wildflowers, oversized to delicate.

Shelli Erck is the owner of Hudson Flower Shop. Find more at hudsonflowershop.com.

TASTE

Love is in the Air

BUNA BIKE

Buna means “coffee” in Amharic, but for Megan Lee, it represents much more. “We have gained many friends who are Ethiopian or Eritrean immigrants,” says Lee, who started her mobile coffee cart in July 2022. “They do a coffee ceremony in their house for friends and family, so I learned a lot about coffee from them.”

The White Bear Lake resident was considering starting a coffee business after 15 years as a part-time barista and mother of two boys. “I just love making and learning about coffee,” Lee says. She became interested in accessibility and offering coffee in convenient ways, much like a summer lemonade stand. “I thought, I need to do a coffee stand in the winter,” she says.

Lee serves her espressodriven coffee—from St. Paul’s True Stone Coffee Roasters—with homemade syrups, matcha, homemade teas, speciality drinks and more in downtown Stillwater, and is licensed in both Washington and Ramsey counties for private events. She also brings her electric bike-powered cart to area events.

Buna recently earned a gold rating from Sustainable Stillwater’s Green Business Director & Awards. To book events and to find more information, visit bunabike.com. —Nicole Berglund

My husband learned early on in our relationship that I had serious skills in the kitchen. I learned early on that he loved any pasta dish with chicken in it. This Valentine’s Day, our 31st together, I plan to make him this internet favorite, and serve it with a simple green salad and a bottle of buttery chardonnay. Whether you call it by its popular name, Marry Me Chicken, or not, you’re sure to fall in love with this dish. Serve it over a bed of imported Italian linguine for soaking up all the delicious, creamy sauce.

Rachael Perron is the culinary and brand director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications. Find the recipe for Marry Me Chicken at stcroixvalleymag.com and more at kowalskis.com.

Kowalski’s Markets

Photo:

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Gártha

When it comes to marking St. Patrick’s Day, some folks enjoy a spirited sip to toast the celebration. Need suggestions?

Wine: Try Perseverance zinfandel. (While this is a California maker, the label’s Celtic cross makes it work.) Serve it with lamb, stew or corned beef and cabbage.

Beer: Being a purist, I recommend stout. Guinness, “the mother milk” of the Emerald Isle, is a must. Also consider Wexford or Murphy’s. For lighter beers, try Harp Lager or Smithwick’s (pronounced smiddicks).

Cider: Magners is the most popular and easiest to find.

Irish Whiskey: You can’t have a true St. Paddy’s Day without a bit o’ whiskey. There are many to choose from, and any of the following are great selections: Bushmills, Jameson, Paddy’s, Powers, Redbreast, Red Locks, The Irishman and Tullamore D.E.W. Each variety features aged, flavored and standard whiskeys.

John F. Farrell III is vice president of sales and merchandising with Haskell’s The Wine People. Find more at haskells.com.

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Shining Stars

Miss River Valley Scholarships honor young women making a difference.

By Hanna McDaniels

PAGEANTS ARE MORE THAN JUST BEAUTIFUL GOWNS, outstanding talent, sleek sashes and pretty crowns. These competitions let women showcase their confidence and skills that encourage community growth and improvement. At the Miss River Valley competition, executive director Sammi Massie says that this program is the epitome of excellence.

The Miss River Valley Scholarship is held annually in January to foster competitors’ success and confidence. “This competition is a scholarship affiliated with the Miss America organizations. Miss River Valley specifically serves primarily the Twin Cities and is all about empowering women to utilize their skills, leadership, communication and community service,” Massie says.

Leading up to the Miss River Valley competition, the women will prepare and train on their own to compete in interviews, a talent portion, on-stage questions and the red carpet event. After the winners are crowned, Massie then prepares the women to compete in Miss Minnesota, which is held in June.

Miss River Valley is an open competition, which means that any woman can qualify if they are a resident of Minnesota in the age range of 19–26 years old.

“What I tell the judges of the Miss River Valley Scholarship before their private interviews with the competitors is that I want the winner to be well-spoken, and passionate about their service initiative, and I want them to be extremely genuine and authentic,” Massie says. “I want them to truly be themselves and not act like anyone else other than who they truly are.”

Massie herself has competed in pageant competitions when she was younger and notes how important this experience is for young women. “I got so much out of competing. Even though I never won, I gained public speaking skills and leadership skills, and I had the opportunity to refine my passions,” Massie says.

The Miss River Valley Scholarship

Photo: Sammi Massie

Rachel Weyandt and Rachel Eron

is more than just a beauty pageant— the initiative leads women to greater success in their education and future careers. Massie also notes that competitors are not judged on their beauty, but instead who they are as a person and their passions.

“My titleholders for 2022, Rachel Weyandt and Rachel Eron, earned a total of $13,000 in scholarships together from Miss River Valley, Miss Minnesota and local competitions. I’m very proud of them,” Massie says.

Weyandt, who graduated in 2020 with a degree in music, has pursued her music career since receiving the crown. “[The Miss River Valley and Miss Minnesota Scholarships] have given me more motivation to continue in my studies and be a stronger woman. I received college scholarships and personal and professional mentors, and it’s how I decided on pursuing music as a career,” she says. “They also have helped me solidify my excitement about working with the foster care community and becoming a foster parent in the future. I started these programs at the age of 15, and I am so glad I grew up doing this.”

Eron is now a quality engineer II in Eden Prairie, working directly with the creation and production of intravascular medical devices. She says she gained self-assurance from the Miss River Valley and Miss Minnesota programs. “Competing for Miss River Valley and Miss Minnesota has not only given me over $8,000 in scholarships, but the confidence to walk into any room and speak my truth. The community surrounding the organizations is truly unlike any other; we are diversely talented women, who support each other in every way. I am truly grateful for the connections I have made across Minnesota and America and everything I have learned from my ‘sisters,’” says Eron.

Both of the past titleholders encourage young women to take this leap and compete—be yourself and do not be afraid to be who you truly are. You might be crowned for it.

This year’s competition was held at Woodbury High School on January 14. For more information and to meet the winners, go to stcroixvalleymag.com.

VENTURES

Curating Connections

By Susie Hopper

MANY WOMEN DREAM of opening their own business. Few imagine it and open a brick-and-mortar store in less than 45 days. Natalie Krause and Autumn Hill, both mothers of three young children, each with a thriving handmade maker business, did just that in summer 2022.

The duo founded Beloved Makers and Company in downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, turning a former pizza parlor into a light-filled, stylish maker boutique that features home décor, kitchenware, jewelry, body care and more.

The two became acquainted through Mother of Pre-Schoolers in fall 2021. “We chatted about goals and dreams,” Krause says. Both had ideas about opening a storefront someday and had their own thriving business.

Hill, 28, from Hammond, Wisconsin, started Autumn Rose Co., a tee and sweatshirt screenprinting operation. “I wanted a creative outlet in early motherhood,” she says. She taught herself to screenprint and her business, focused on whimsical Wisconsin state designs, was going strong. She sold through her website, an Etsy store and wholesale.

Krause, 30, had recently learned to sew, taught by her mother-in-law, a sewer, who made beautiful clothes for Krause’s three girls. Her sister-in-law embroiders and quilts, and Krause was inspired to make special occasion children’s clothes. They started Eliza Bee Boutique on Etsy using three old sewing machines inherited from their family matriarch.

In spring 2022, they both participated

Photos: Beloved Makers and Company

Two friends team up in boutique that supports handmade makers.

in an outdoor maker’s market. Krause helped Hill prep for the sale.

“I had to find a new location for my screenprinting, and I had an idea about a storefront,” Hill says. Krause had an opportunity for a quilt shop and found a spot but ultimately turned it down. “That brought up a spark of excitement to open a store together,” Hill says.

The concept: A local retail space for handmade makers from Wisconsin and Minnesota, one that would create a com munity for small businesses and support women like them.

“By July 1, we’d taken over this space [the 127-year-old E.E. Gatchell Building], and we opened August 13,” Krause says.

Both worked day and night with their extended families, kids in tow. Floors and ceilings were redone, walls were torn down and plumbing and electri cal were fixed. Legalities, inspections, design choices, everything had to be accomplished in the shortest six weeks of their lives.

The core of the business, getting mak ers on board, had to happen simultane ously. They secured 42 vendors for the opening. “They took a risk on a new store and trusted us with their products,” Hill says. One was Tanya Gerald, a Stillwaterbased, hand-stamped jewelry maker, who loved the concept of the shop. “It’s great to shop handmade local goods and bring them home that day,” Gerald says.

The shop, now more than six months old, is working well, and customers are becoming repeat buyers. Krause and Hill hope to have more open hours, hire staff and add vendors and special events. The duo staffs the shop, depending on family needs, and their kids are often in the store with them. “We have a store baby, not a store cat,” Krause says.

They started Beloved Makers and Company as acquaintances but had to be in constant communication and developed a respectful process for decisionmaking. Now, the dynamic duo are “best friends, pursuing a dream,” Hill says.

“We want to encourage other women. You can be an amazing mom and have your own dreams,” Hill says.

Beloved Makers and Company, 212 Locust St., Hudson, Wisconsin; belovedmakers.com belovedmakersco @belovedmakersco

DESTINATION

Creating Place Out of Space

The Airport Foundation MSP’s art program invites travelers to pause.

By Amy Overgaard and Hailey Almsted

The Aurora by sculptor Jen Lewin, a 29-foot-high glass and metal sculpture that soars from baggage claim to ticketing, changing colors with the seasons and local weather conditions.

AN AVERAGE PERSON TRAVELING through the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) may not notice the extensive collection of art scattered throughout the two terminals. But slow down and you may begin to notice something beyond the bustling travelers or rolling suitcases.

When you arrive at the airport, you’re greeted by murals and installations in the parking ramps, like Interrupted Landscapes of the Incomer by photographer Steve Ozone, which features immigrant portraits displayed through punched metal panels. Walk into Terminal 1, and you’ll discover The Aurora by Jen Lewin. Throughout the airport, some bathrooms are enhanced with colorful mosaics. You may also witness live performances from local musicians.

All of these experiences are available thanks to Arts@MSP, a partnership between the Airport Foundation MSP (AFMSP) and the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC). Program director Ben Owen says he seeks to “create place out of space,” using art installations, music and film to create memorable and meaningful moments throughout the airport for travelers to enjoy. Some of the art is commissioned and part of the airport’s permanent collection, while others are submitted into rotating exhibitions.

This program supports the mission of AFMSP, a nonprofit which seeks to serve the MSP community, to enhance the experience, exceed traveler expectations and support the aviation community.

AFMSP, which is the only foundation of its kind globally, was started in 1982 by leaders of the corporate hospitality and aviation industries who wanted MSP to be a leading hub for major airlines—and one way to do that was to enhance the customer experience.

Stillwater resident, AFMSP president and CEO Jana Webster says, in the beginning, the foundation simply paid for landscaping, signage and art in the airport and funded scholarships for aviation schools. “The foundation evolved as the airport grew—and the airport [has] grown a lot in 40 years,” she says.

Photo: Jen Lewin

Webster started working with AFMSP nearly 25 years ago and has been grateful to work with such a diverse group of individuals. “I have my private pilot’s license [although is no longer licensed to fly], and when this job came up, I had never heard of an airport foundation, and I couldn’t imagine what they did … But it’s been spectacular,” she says.

Pre-COVID, the foundation saw over 600 volunteers. Today, the foundation utilizes a relatively small staff and more than 460 volunteers to run its operations—which include the Travellers Assistance program, tourism support, gambling operations, an animal ambassador program, and an arts and culture department. “I think it’s one of the most comprehensive, robust arts programs of any airport in the world,” Webster says.

Arts@MSP rotates 15 to 20 exhibits annually, which translates into approximately 400–600 pieces of fine art created by local and regional artists.

“Having the ability to create programs and services that impact millions of people every year and that are so beneficial not only on a global level, but also on a local level is so great,” Webster says. “And to create and help, especially Minnesotans, have a sense of pride about this airport … It’s amazing.”

Paul

4300 Glumack Drive Suite D2040, St. Paul; airportfoundation.org

Airport Foundation MSP @airportfoundationmsp

Jana Webster

A Tale of Wanderlust

MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO HOST KERRI MILLER OFFERS GUIDED ADVENTURE TRIPS.

WRITTEN BY MOLLEE FRANCISCO

There is a saying that travel broadens the mind, but Kerri Miller takes that notion a step further. The Hudson resident and long-time Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) host offers a unique travel experience for women that combines small group tours of beautiful locales with a curated reading list tailored to each location.

“The goal is to align a sense of curiosity with book lists that elevate that,” Miller says.

Miller, an avid reader who has made a career out of interviewing authors and discussing books both on the radio and through the popular live discussion series, Talking Volumes , previously spent some time guiding custom travel experiences for listeners at MPR. “It was exciting,” she says. “We went to some fantastic places.” Those trips always included a reading list and book discussions, Miller says, but she dreamt of offering her own take on book-led trips. “I wanted to see how creative I could get with a reading list,” she says.

Miller launched Siren Sojourns in summer 2019, leading an all-female group at a lake house built for reflective retreats with room for 10 in northern Minnesota. They spent the weekend discussing two books Miller had selected for the occasion. “It was wonderful,” she says.

“There was a remarkable amount of bonding,” Miller says. “People were telling their own stories, and there were all these impromptu conversations.”

Miller says that, although many of the women did not know each other, by the end of the weekend, they had formed friendships. “I could hear the women making plans to get together after,” she says. “It was all happening organically without me.”

Opening Up

Since that first trip, Miller has witnessed the same phenomenon occur in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin and up near the Canadian border on Rainy Lake. “It’s so fulfilling,” she says. “It’s what living is all about for me.”

By day, Siren Sojourns groups are busy with activities that allow them to explore an area via hiking, canoeing, sightseeing, etc. “All trips have an adventure piece to them,” Miller says.

The end of the day is reserved for relaxation and reflection, as they gather to dine and talk about books.

HOSTING MPR

Miller has been in broadcast journalism for 30 years. She was the political reporter at KARE-11 until she joined MPR in 2004. Miller hosted the daily morning news program at MPR for 17 years, covering current events, science and literature. In September 2021, she debuted a new weekly book show for MPR called Big Books and Bold Ideas. It can be heard each Friday at 11 a.m. Miller also hosts Talking Volumes, a live literary discussion series held each fall at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul.

Photos: Kerri Miller

Miller personally selects a specific reading list for each trip. In some cases, the books may be set in the same area, but in other instances, the books speak more broadly to a concept related to the location. When she took a group of women on a long weekend houseboat excursion through Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park last fall, Miller chose a trio of books designed to give participants “a new lens with which to savor the beauty of the North,” she says. The reading list included The Voyageur’s Highway by Grace Lee Nute, The Mason House by T. Marie Bertineau and The Long Shining Waters by Danielle Sosin.

She also asked the women to read a 2017 New York Times essay by Pamela Paul entitled Why You Should Read Books You Hate. It turned out to be an excellent

jumping off point for their nightly book discussion when half the group admitted that they didn’t like one of the books. “The conversation took on depths,” Miller says. It was everything she could have dreamt of for the trip, which had been delayed by several months due to flooding in the area.

“The book conversation is the doorway,” says Miller, explaining that it provides an entry point into the conversation and allows participants to feel comfortable opening up to the group.

“Through the dimension of the book, we are revealing ourselves, learning about values,” she says. “What is important to them? What do they love?”

Miller says the location only adds to the experience. “The routine is gone, the senses are alive and curiosity is on fire.”

MILLER’S BOOK PICKS

Favorite childhood book I loved all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books as a kid

A book that affected you profoundly Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

The best book read last year

I can’t choose just one! So, Bewilderment by Richard Powers and The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

A book you recommend Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell and The Round House by Louise Erdrich

A book you are looking forward to reading Anything coming next by Ann Patchett and/or Louise Erdrich

Favorite book of all time Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Dream author interview (past or present) Charlotte Brontë

It all comes together to create a “circle of intimacy” that allows people to get to know each other in a very profound way and makes for an unforgettable trip.

Challenging Adventures

Heidi McClure had a front row seat to witness the magic unfold on the houseboat trip. A guide for the last decade, McClure has partnered with Miller on three trips and is planning two future trips with her to Iceland and Uganda. “Kerri has a great ability to make people feel comfortable,” McClure says. “It’s fun to see.”

McClure first worked with Miller on a September 2021 trip into the BWCA. “We had a phenomenal time,” she says. “It was nine ladies and a lot of fun challenges.”

McClure applauds the locations Miller

Chris Emeott

Photo:

has selected and the way in which she challenges people to get out of their comfort zones. “It helps that she’s not picking plush adventures,” she says. “She has a willingness to get dirty.”

That’s very useful when things don’t go as expected—which is almost a guarantee with this type of adventure travel. “Things never go exactly as planned,” McClure says.

Navigating mishaps and working together only serves to bring a group closer though. “When we work together, we bond together,” McClure says. “It’s a really sweet process of people coming together.”

The World Awaits

So far, Miller has targeted her Siren Sojourns trips toward women and couples. “It’s been half all women and half couples,” she says, noting that trips are

not only for women, unless designated.

Most of the trips have been in the Midwest, but with the pandemic easing and international travel picking back up, Miller was finally able to take a group to Bhutan in south Asia in November. in November. It was the first international trip Miller had ever planned for Siren Sojourns, but the pandemic forced her to put the trip on hold since 2019. “I knew the first trip would be Bhutan,” she says. “It’s a place that people wouldn’t go on their own, but it’s also very spiritual.”

Now, Miller is preparing trips to Iceland in August, Uganda in November and a return to Bhutan, plus Greece and Turkey in 2024. That trip has a sevenbook reading list that runs the gamut from a handbook on Greek mythology to a book discussing the power of myths to

two different takes on Homer’s The Iliad.

Miller says she tries to be as creative as possible with her reading lists to not only generate good discussions, but also to hit different reader tastes. That’s another big goal for her trips. “You can love to read anything, and there’s a place for you,” she says.

With other trips in the works, Miller continues to fill out her wish list of fascinating places to take people. At the top of her list are trips to the Dolomites in Italy and the Galapagos Islands. “It would be a magical, magical trip,” she says. “And there are such good books to pair up with that.”

sirensojourns.com @sirensojourns

Photo: Kerri Miller

FEMALE FOUNDERS

STILLWATER’S MAIN STREET

WRITTEN BY HAILEY ALMSTED . PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

In the hustle and bustle of downtown Stillwater, visitors can get a cup of Joe or a green juice; shop for a new outfit or decor; stop in for a bite to eat or a sip; or get into conversation and learn of the astonishing things that the area’s female business owners are doing.

“In conversation with some other local business owners … We collectively came to the realization that a large majority of the Stillwater downtown area is made up of female-owned and led businesses,” say Melissa Parkos and Emily Iannazzo, co-owners of The Goodery, a fresh-pressed juicery, and Good + Well Consulting. “... We were just caught off guard and amazed as we started looking at all of the shops on Main Street specifically that are now owned by ladies.”

The historic downtown side streets are composed of clothing boutiques, art galleries, culinary and specialty shops, gift stores, home decor spots, antique shops, cafes, nightlife venues, inns and more. And on Main Street and the surrounding areas, many of the businesses are female owned and driven.

Jenn Hovland, owner of Studio Louise Flowers, says, “I hadn’t thought about … how many of the businesses are female owned. Then I did, and I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, it is predominantly women owned down here, and that is amazing.’”

Noting the changing dynamic of downtown Stillwater and the opening of new boutique hotels, Parkos says, “We’re always a destination, and we’re on board for it. People want to come here for the day, but they’re also staying, which is helpful for all the businesses. So it’s up to us to feed off each other,

make recommendations and do events together. A lot of it is word of mouth.”

“It’s really boots on the ground, popping in stores to chat with the owners,” Iannazzo says. Both Parkos and Iannazzo note that the connection between all the business owners has matured to a friendly community.

Hovland was welcomed into this community without hesitation. She saw an open building on Main Street during COVID-19 and wanted to expand her floral design business; she took the leap and opened her floral studio downtown. “I love being on Main Street. It’s super vibrant,” she says. “The community of Stillwater has embraced me … I’ve made a lot of connections with the other businesses, and I’ve gotten to know the other ladies who are running the businesses, and we can support each other just by providing references and bringing business to each other.”

Jill Kaufenberg, owner of Lift Bridge Cowork and more recently Chopper Mill, has known Parkos since Parkos owned Jori and June in downtown Stillwater and has always respected entrepreneurs. She majored in entrepreneurship in college and worked in medical device sales for 15 years before taking a chance on opening her own business.

In 2019, similarly to Hovland, Kaufenberg was driving down Main Street to take her children to piano lessons, and she saw a historic building for sale. “I thought it would be neat to redo the building [and] thought it would be an amazing addition to downtown Stillwater,” she says. “I told my husband that we should buy it, redo it and bring it back to its original glory from 1885.”

IS HOME TO A COMMUNITY OF WOMAN-DRIVEN BUSINESSES.

Jill Kaufenberg, Lift Bridge Cowork and Chopper Mill

Emily Iannazzo and Melissa Parkos, The Goodery and Good + Well Consulting

lationship

Now, post-renovation, the building is home to the female-owned Mon Petit Chéri bakery and Kaufenberg’s own business, Lift Bridge Cowork. “The women in Stillwater and the women business owners in Stillwater are very supportive, very loyal, and anybody would do anything for anybody on Main Street,” she says. “It’s really incredible, and the most rewarding part of my job, and I think for many small businesses … it’s those relationships and the supportive acts of kindness that make our Main Street so special.”

Nearly four years after opening Lift Bridge Cowork, Kaufenberg found herself looking into another project—now known as Chopper Mill—and she attributes the starting of that business to the support she received from the local female business community (and her kids, who consistently lost their mittens!). “Had it not been for Main Street and its supportive women, I may not have started Chopper Mill, and it’s the most fun I’ve had in my career to date,” she says. Chopper Mill is an e-commerce platform specializing in mittens for kids. It features a unique re/PAIR Plan, where the first single Chopper Mill mitten that’s lost is replaced for free, as well as a single replacement option. “I’m so thankful for all their support, and I can’t be more excited about their businesses,” she says.

Stillwater High School class of 1983 graduate Chris John, owner of Whatnot Boutique, also noticed a vacancy on Chestnut Street during the pandemic. She’d previously owned boutiques in New Hampshire, where she and her family lived for 15 years, a mobile boutique truck in the Twin Cities, plus boutiques in neighboring communities. The Chestnut Street location of Whatnot Boutique has been open for two-and-a-half years, but her latest location (she also has a storefront in White Bear Lake) opened April 2022.

“I feel that the last three years have been my time to blossom,” she says. “I had cancer three years ago—I’m in remission now, thankfully—then COVID hit hard … As great as it’s been on Chestnut, deep down, I always wanted to be right on Main.”

In the business community, John says, “It has been great to get to know

LYNN

other women business owners in town who are all interested in promoting the same vision. Real things, including opening hours, downtown events, where we’re doing well and what we’re struggling with. We talk openly and most importantly see how we can improve even more!”

Although having a female-led business is inspiring in itself, many of the women note it’s an example for their children—showing them what hard work is, teaching them leadership and communication skills and more.

Parkos says, “It’s hard because I believe women, especially those with children, have an expectation of taking care of the kids, the doctor appointments and all the other things, that a lot of people are discouraged to go into business for themselves because it’s like, ‘How can I even do that?’ It’s hard and stressful trying to manage a household, kids and a business, but it’s important to show to other women that you can do it. It won’t be easy, but you absolutely can do it.”

Kaufenberg agrees. She involves her children in as many aspects of Chopper Mill as possible. “I really want to set an example for my kids about work ethic, hard work and building something from the ground up,” she says. Her children, ages 12, 10 and 7, joined her at a festival booth this past year where they sold mittens, and they are learning customer service and communication skills. “At the end of the day, you can tie back into these lessons when you’re a women-owned and a mother-owned business, and even though it is another entity to run, it’s actually more efficient [when] instilling those values into your kids,” Kaufenberg says.

Iannazzo says, “Our favorite part is knowing how hard it is and finding ways to lift up other female entrepreneurs, and connecting to make it easier for all of us, collaboratively, is huge for all of us.”

It’s a sentiment that’s shared. “You can’t be successful on your own,” John says. “Being involved in my hometown makes me feel that I am right where I am supposed to be—in the best town and working with great, like-minded people!”

Chopper Mill 612.601.1118; choppermill.com Chopper Mill @choppermillinc Chopper Mill @choppermill

The Goodery

402 Main St. N.; 651.346.8335; thegoodery.co The Goodery @thegoodery

Lift Bridge Cowork

310 ½ Main St. S.; 651.300.4952; liftbridgecowork.com Lift Bridge Cowork @liftbridge_cowork @liftbridgework

Studio Louise Flowers

210 Main St. S.; 651.327.0644; studiolouiseflowers.com

Studio Louise Flowers / Fleur de Louise Flower Studio @studiolouiseflowers

Whatnot Boutique 223 Main St. S.; 612.231.3131; whatnotboutique.com Whatnot Boutique @whatnotboutique

Jenn Hovland, Studio Louise Flowers

Chris John, Whatnot Boutique

Budget Blinds of Stillwater/ Lake Elmo can transform your windows into beautiful views. With 1,000’s of options available to us, including; motorization, shutters and drapery, we are sure to transform any room or window in your home!

Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo 651.351.7620 budgetblinds.com/stillwater

One of the area’s finest collections of fine art and contemporary craft, featuring the work of over 150 local, regional and national artists.

Live Art. Love Art. Give Art. Grow Art.

SEASONS Gallery 401 Second St., Hudson, Wisonsin 715.381.2906 seasons-gallery.com

The right school makes all the difference.

Come and visit Trinity Academy preschool-8th in downtown Hudson 715.386.9349 or Trinity Early Childhood Academy 6 weeks through 6 years 715.381.1414.

Trinity Academy 1205 Sixth St., Hudson, Wisconsin 715.386.9349 trinityacademyofhudson.org

Katie Clymer

things to see and do in and around St. Croix Valley

A MAGICAL WEEKEND

The popular winter festival has returned to the St. Croix Valley.

THE HUDSON HOT AIR AFFAIR winter ballooning festival is back for another great year. This annual family-friendly event combines the joy of hot air balloons with community spirit in a variety of locations throughout Hudson and the surrounding areas. “The theme will be ‘magic,’” says Hot Air Affair’s president Michelle Webb.

An enchanted torchlight parade featuring prizes will march on Friday, February 3 to kick off the event in downtown Hudson at Main Street. Saturday will begin at the EP Rock School grounds with the first balloon launch that is set to include over 30 hot air balloons, followed by a pancake breakfast in downtown at Masonic Lodge. After, there will be geocaching, a marketplace with food and crafts and events, such as the St. Croix River Dunk. There will also be plenty of fun competitions including the wacky Smoosh Board competition. “Teams can dress up for our theme,” Webb says. “You get [to see] some really crazy outfits.”

Saturday night will conclude with the Moon Glow if conditions are right, or the cozy Field of Fire at the EP Rock School grounds. Sunday will begin with the last balloon launch at school grounds followed by a fat bikes race and a kids’ ice fishing competition at Perch Lake. Throughout the weekend, local vendors will be on-site or around town with promotional deals. —Nicole Berglund

Find more details and information at hudsonhotairaffair.com.

LOCAL EVENTS

Midwinter Family Fun 02/04

Stargaze with members of the Minnesota Astronomical Society, take night hikes, and snack on s’mores by a campfire. All ages. $10 per car. 5–7 pm. Belwin Conservancy’s Hilltop Classroom and Joseph J. Casby Observatory, 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton; 651.436.5189; belwin.org

Live Music 02/04

Saint Croix Vineyards, Thor’s Hard Cider and Aamodt’s Apple Farm present live music. All ages. Free. 2–5 pm. Saint Croix Vineyards, 6428 Manning Ave. N., Stillwater; 651.430.3310; scvwines.com

Family Days at The Lumberjack 02/05–02/26

Bring the kids to this axe-throwing entertainment restaurant. Kids throw free every Sunday. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. The Lumberjack, 123 Second St. N. #102, Stillwater; 651.705.6005; thelumberjackmn.com

Live Music at Hop & Barrel

03/03–03/31

Enjoy drinks and live music every Friday. Ages 21 and over. 6–8 pm. Hop & Barrel Brewing, 310 Second St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715.808.8390; hopandbarrelbrewing.com

Wellness Mondays at Local Luxury Medspa 03/21, 03/28

Enjoy all the amenities, including wine, yoga, a hot tub and a massage or facial. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Local Luxury Medspa at the Hotel Crosby, 232 Main St. N., Stillwater; 651.323.2555; localluxurymedspa.co

Photo: Jacki Bradham

Compiled by Nicole Berglund and Megan Hegenbarth

Something Rotten! The Musical 03/24–04/08

Set in the 1590s, this musical follows Nick and Nigel Bottom, two brothers who end up writing the world’s first musical while learning what it means to be true to themselves. Ages 13 and over recommended. $15 for youth under 18, $20 regular, $30 premium. Times vary. The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715.386.2305; hudsonwi.org

AREA EVENTS

St. Paul Winter Carnival 02/01–02/05

Bundle up and have fun at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. There will be scavenger hunts, an ice fishing tournament, snow and ice sculptures and parades. All ages. Free. Times vary. Rice Park, 109 W. Fourth St., St. Paul; 651.223.7400; wintercarnival.com

WinterFest 02/04

Grab your hats and gloves and join the winter celebration at Loring Park. There will be s’mores, hot cocoa, a bonfire, music, face painting and much more.

All ages. Free. 1–3 p.m. Loring Park, 1382 Willow St., Mpls.; minneapolisparks.org

The Little Prince Through 02/05

Based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this play follows a young boy as he tells a stranded pilot about his intergalactic adventures. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary.

Midwinter

The Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Mpls.; 612.377.2224; guthrietheater.org

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 02/09–02/12

Experience the magic live with the Minnesota Orchestra. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 612.371.5656; minnesotaorchestra.org

To Kill a Mockingbird 02/19

Based on the book by Harper Lee, this classic tale is performed live on stage. Ages 12 and over recommended. Prices vary. Times vary. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org

Monster Jam 02/19

Witness a spectacular show with athletes and their 12,000 pound monster trucks. All ages. Prices vary. 3–5 p.m. U.S. Bank Stadium, 401 Chicago Ave., Mpls.; 612.777.8700; usbankstadium.com

Shen Yun 02/24–02/26

This vibrant display of classic Chinese culture returns to Minnesota. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org

Winter Beer Dabbler 02/25

Try beer samples from breweries across the country. Ages 21 and over. Prices vary. 3–6:30 p.m. Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St. Paul; 651.288.4400; beerdabbler.com

To have your event considered: email stcroixvalleymag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication.

Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, 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.

Deep Roots

SCANDIA COUPLE CREATES A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESTINATION FOR WINE LOVERS.

Written by Josie Smith

Photos: Chris Emeott, Greg and Andrea Sandager

Greg, Andrea and Howie Sandager

“TAKE COMFORT. DRINK WELL.”

This warm and welcoming phrase can be found on the label around every bottle of wine sold at Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia. Here, you’ll find a family-owned business with deep roots in the St. Croix Valley. Their story is filled with hopes and dreams, hard work and a unique family treasure that found its way back home.

Owners Greg and Andrea Sandager met as upperclassmen at Forest Lake Area High School. After attending college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, they got married and took over the family business, Abrahamson Nurseries in Scandia. The garden center, which is located along St. Croix Trail, has been in Greg’s family for the past 50 years. (Greg has worked at the

nursery his entire life and started full-time post graduation.)

Fast forward to 2019, when a property boasting 80 acres came up for sale across the street from their garden center. The Sandagers immediately started putting their heads together.

“Greg was thinking about how do we get more people to the area if we want to grow our business and kind of anchor tourism. What are some options to make Scandia more of a destination?” Andrea says.

They debated a few ideas, such as a corn maze, a pumpkin patch or another type of fall festival. Finally, after spending an enjoyable afternoon in Alexandria, Minnesota, at Carlos Creek Winery, they made a decision. Rustic Roots Winery

would soon be coming to Scandia.

At the time, the Sandagers didn’t know the first thing about growing grapes or making wine. Because of this, Andrea was feeling hesitant about their newest endeavor. She says, “Not that I wasn’t sure it would work out, but more so, I was concerned we didn’t know everything that it takes to start and operate a vineyard and winery.”

But their plans did work. In fact, it all came together quite beautifully, just as the Sandagers had hoped. Rustic Roots serves a variety of red, white and rosé wines, hard cider (Its Heritage Hard Cider is made in-house with apples from Pine Tree Orchard in White Bear Lake.), beer from Uncommon Loon (a brewery

Photo: Greg and Andrea Sandager

Family History

Nearly everyone who comes through the gates at Rustic Roots Winery feels compelled to get a picture next to the family’s vintage 1928 Ford Model AA pickup truck. Greg’s great-great grandfather, Nels Sandager, bought it when it was only a few years old. At one point, he ended up selling the pickup truck to someone else, and it left the family.

Then, about 25 years ago, Greg’s uncle, Erik, found a vintage truck for sale in the Alexandria area. He was looking for a project to work on over the winter, so he brought it to the shop at Abrahamson Nurseries to tinker with it. That’s when Greg’s grandfather stopped by, recognized the truck model and started reminiscing

about a similar pickup truck he used to drive on the family farm years ago. He tells of a time when he was 15 years old and ran into the back of a combine with the family’s pickup truck. He ended up crushing its right fender and grill.

Once Greg’s grandfather and uncle started examining this truck a little further, they happened to notice that repairs had been made to the right fender and grill. Then, they pulled the seats out and found some feedbags dated 1942. They appeared to be from Hills, Minnesota, where their family farmed decades ago. Sure enough, the family had once again come into possession with the same truck that Nels had purchased nearly 100 years ago! Now, it’s a permanent fixture at Rustic Roots Winery.

Emeott

Photo: Chris

Rustic

located in Chisago City), from-scratch root beer and other nonalcoholic options.

From its wine menu, customers can choose from a selection of five whites, two rosé and six reds. The La Crescent, a semi-sweet wine, is their best seller on the white wine list. It features floral aromatics and inviting flavors of ripe peach and pineapple.

For a wine that’s less sweet, featuring something crisp and refreshing, look no further than its Roots White. It has notes of fresh lemon, lime and pear with hints of white flowers.

If a rosé is more your style, try the

newest one on the wine menu, River Day Rosé. Greg describes it as a dry rosé. “On paper that doesn’t sound appealing, but it’s good, easy drinking,” he says. “It’s real fruit-driven, refreshing. It’s fun to show it to people and have them try it.”

Roots Red is the top-selling wine at Rustic Roots. Produced from Minnesotagrown Frontenac grapes, it’s full-bodied, semi-sweet and offers flavors of plum and cherry with finishing notes of sweet milk chocolate.

And don’t be afraid to try something new. The Sandagers encourage visitors to sample grenache from its red wine

Howie’s Hotdogs

If you time your visit just right, you’ll get a chance to meet the Sandager’s 10-year-old son, Howie. He’s in charge of his own hot dog stand at the winery— and Andrea says the idea was 100 percent Howie’s creation.

When the gates first opened in fall 2020, Howie helped out by delivering charcuterie boards to guests. He would often receive tips, which, over time, allowed him to save up enough money to purchase the supplies he needed to open Howie’s Hot Dogs.

“He spent the winter researching various roller dog machines and then spent his own money to buy the machine and other supplies that he needed for his business,” Andrea says.

By spring 2021, he officially opened Howie’s Hot Dogs at Rustic Roots Winery. Andrea says it’s been a great experience for him.

“He’s learned a great deal about customer service, managing inventory, managing money, etc.,” Andrea says.

They also offer a variety of meats and cheeses and other light snacks inside the tasting room and have a rotating schedule of food trucks, too.

list. This grape tends to be more popular out West, so that’s why you don’t see it as often on wine menus in the Midwest. It’s described as drier, fullerbodied and smooth but not overly fruity. Plus, it pairs well with steaks and roasts.

Rustic Roots Winery is open yearround—in the winter, guests are welcome to grab their snowshoes and check out the trails, or bring a sled for a ride down the sledding hill on the grounds. You can be sure they’ll have a glass of wine or a mug of hot chocolate waiting for you.

FIRST PLACE: COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

A Picture on Perch Lake

Hobby photographer captures the beauty of St. Croix County.

WHILE SHOOTING A

BEAUTIFUL

DECEMBER SUNSET, hobby photographer Lucy McNellis captured this image of ice fishermen on Perch Lake, who added “an element of life and activity to the winter landscape,” she says. As for her inspiration, McNellis says, “The light, sky and scene itself. It was right around the winter solstice when the days are remarkably short.”

Photographer: Lucy McNellis

Title: Ice Fishing on Perch Lake, St. Croix County Equipment: Nikon D3300 Location: Perch Lake

To view other Lens on St. Croix Valley photo contest winners, visit stcroixvalleymag.com.

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