Maple Grove Magazine - November 2022

SALVAGING BEAUTY

The Knotty Elm delivers handcrafted wood pieces

It’s the sticks and stones of everyday life that bring you to TRIA. Like the air-to-fakey that made your wrist go breaky. Whether you’re a professional snowboarder or ride the bunny slope 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.

ORTHOPEDIC URGENT CARE

Open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily Bloomington | Burnsville | Maple Grove | Woodbury

BROKEN WRIST

HOLIDAY HAYRIDES WARM APPLE CIDER

CUT CHRISTMAS TREES

In this issue, we’re celebrating the season of giving back. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” —Audrey Hepburn

DEPARTMENTS

10 — Aging in Comfort

In-home care extends independence.

14 — Salvaging Beauty

The Knotty Elm delivers handcrafted wood pieces for home décor.

18 — Go Green

A local kitchen receives a bold new makeover.

FEATURES

20 — Rising Together  Six inspiring women turn their businesses into a change for good.

24 — Fine Like Aged Wine Omni Brewing creates a new immersive drink concept.

TASTEMAKERS

36 — Sugar and Spice Exploring how one holiday cookie brings people together.

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 — Editor’s Letter

— Noteworthy

— On the Town

— Last Glance

Photo: Chris Emeott

LOVE

Happy Holidays from

Thanksgiving brings loads of festivities, and of course, food. Each November, my immediate family heads to Illinois to spend time in my great-uncle’s basement. A space that is essentially a 1970s-time capsule. Wrapped in chocolate brown paneling and adorned with frilly, paisley curtains in shades of tangerine and mustard, this small entertainment room holds down the fort for over 30 of our other family members come turkey time.

Year after year, we line up to get all the fixings—using the dazzling pool table as a makeshift buffet station for all the juicy turkey, mashed potatoes and heaping servings of savory gravy. (To note: It is all cleaned in record time to start the annual pool tournament.)

Whether we’re there for the food, family or festivities, it is a time that reminds us all of the importance of coming together.

In this issue, we explore the different ways in which our community comes together through shared interests. On page 20, writer Hanna McDaniels talks to the women behind the newest addition to The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Six For Good. This brick-and-mortar location features six brands that support six different philanthropic causes across the Metro.

On page 24, I connect with Zack Ward, one of the founders and head brewer at Omni Brewing, about the company’s new venture into wine. Opening its offerings to another beverage type, the brand wanted to extend its comfortable, laid-back atmosphere to wine connoisseurs with the help of their new location in Rosemount.

Happy Thanksgiving, readers!

On the Cover

The Knotty Elm, photo by Chris Emeott, page 14

See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town! Maple Grove Magazine @maplegrovemagazine @maplegrovemag

The Gift of Warmth

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS is making the community a warmer place through the Coats for Kids winter drive. The annual fundraiser, led by Knights co-chair and Maple Grove resident Paul Greninger, has provided winter coats and snow pants to 13 ele mentary schools in the Osseo School District and local programs for homeless youth and teens. The group also equips first responders with gear to distribute.

The drive is sourced from monetary donations contributed by local businesses and community mem bers. (Clothing donations are not accepted in order to ensure children are receiving high-quality snow gear to keep them warm even on the coldest of days.) Last year, $24,000 in donations was collected, which covers the costs of 1,400 coats and 500 pairs of snow pants.

Though donations are accepted year-round, the distribution of the items occurs in early December.

“Every dime that’s put into this goes out to the com munity,” Greninger says. Since the drive began, the group has raised over $100,000 and provided children with 4,568 winter coats and 2,460 pairs of snow pants.

Greninger demonstrates a great deal of care for the community with his efforts in this initiative, stewarding every step of the process. He accepts donations, pur chases gear, oversees its transportation from places like Grand Rapids, Michigan and ensures it is delivered to community members. —Paige Schuller

For more information about the Knights of Columbus and its charitable efforts, visit kc9139.mnknights.org.

Photo: The Knights of Columbus

Refrigerator Redo

“Everything needs maintenance,” says Lindsey Swan, profes sional organizer and Maple Grove mother of four. “When you have systems in place that work well, getting them back in order is much easier and quicker and more functional.”

We asked Swan for organizational tips that can help implement good habits and make eating easy from the convenience of your own fridge.

ZONING

• Keep fresh produce near the front of the fridge, so you are more inclined to use it first. Any other ingredients or condiments not used on a day-to-day basis can be placed closer to the back on a Lazy Susan for easy access.

• Designate a visible space for leftovers. Making these easily accessible can help reduce food waste and mini mize the impact on your wallet.

• Create a kid’s drawer at eye level filled with simple snacks, such as string cheese, clementines and yogurt.

DECANTING

Providing a visually pleasing, clean line aesthetic, decant ing (the transfer of contents from the original packaging to another container) can also save space and make it easier to identify what ingredients you have within your fridge. However, the logistics behind it depends on the functionality of the household. For Swan, she always removes any excess cardboard or packaging to save space and make it easier for grab-and-go.

Useful agents for decanting include clear drawers for pro duce, glass pitchers and Stasher silicone reusable zip bags.

ONLY THE NECESSITIES

Often, people hesitate when it comes to dumping nonexpired items in their fridge and pantries. However, Swan says to not feel bad about getting rid of anything that is not providing a regular purpose in your life. “If you’re already not using it, then you’re already wasting it,” she says. If throwing things away isn’t your jam, consider donat ing unopened items or offering your ingredients to friends and family—just get rid of it.

Lindsey Swan provides organizing expertise to the greater Maple Grove community. Find more about her services at organizelikelindsey.com.

Feather Fashion

Fashion is particularly fun to think about around the holidays because there are plenty of social gatherings to dress up for. This holi day season, a trend to consider incorporat ing into your holiday attire is feathers.

Feathers bring plenty of added value to any style because of their unique texture, vibrant colors and flamboyant nature. There are plenty ways to incorporate them, but the most popular way to showcase them is through trim. Try feathers on the collar of

a jacket, the cuff of a blouse or the edge of your pants. This use of detail elevates your look and provides a touch of sophistication.

A great way to dress the feathers down is to pair them with denim. You can do this with your favorite jeans, or style them in a subtle way by letting the feathers peek out from beneath a denim jacket. A great way to approach this is to find a strapless top because they are easier to layer, and the feathers will also be more functional from a comfort and visual standpoint.

Nikki Steele is a local stylist. To learn more about her expertise on shopping, fashion and travel, follow @nikkisteelestyle on Instagram.

Photos: Nikki Steele, iStock.com/KatelinKinney

The Violin Conspiracy

Up-and-coming Black clas sical violinist Ray McMillian receives a $5 million dollar ransom note for the return of the Stradivarius violin he inherited from his greatgrandfather. The violin was stolen from his hotel room in New York City on the night of the Tchaikovsky music com petition in Moscow—the most prestigious musical competi tion in the world. The authori ties have run out of leads in the case, so Ray takes matters into his own hands.

Contributed by Laurie Stieg, associate librarian at Maple Grove Library. Read more at hclib.org.

With the death of a loved one comes sadness and grief as well a long list of arrangements that need to be made.

Planning funeral services during this vulnerable time can be disorienting and overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to start. At Kozlak-Radulovich Funeral Chapels, we believe you shouldn’t have to tackle all these details alone.

GIVING BACK

Aging in Comfort

In-home care extends independence.

By Daniel Huss

THE U.S. POPULATION IS GROW

ING OLDER. According to the U.S. Census Population Projections, by 2030, one in every five Americans will be of retirement age. By 2034, U.S. Baby Boomers will outnumber children for the first time in history.

“When I owned my sales and market ing company, I saw the demographics changing and really wondered why none of the retailers and providers of prod ucts and services were paying attention to the fact that our population was about to change dramatically,” says Jennifer Bauernfeind. “It piqued my curiosity as to how our society was going to take care of our elderly ...”

Five years ago, Bauernfeind became part of a local solution. After reaching out to a group called Comfort Keepers (an

organization with about 500 nationwide), she purchased a franchise.

“My grandparents and other seniors in my life were so special to me growing up, that I wanted to be able to have a busi ness that would really make a difference for people like them,” she says.

As its name implies, Comfort Keepers is about keeping comfort. Its mission: Elevating the human spirit.

“It starts when a care coordinator or nurse goes out to a client’s home for a safety assessment [to check their physi cal safety, general needs and home envi ronment],” Bauernfeind says. “We offer a variety of skills to a variety of clients … some of our caregivers are nurses [who can provide nursing assessments], some are CNAs, some are home health aides and some are companions.”

Simple solutions can include the removal of an area rug or the addition of a shower handle. Complex solutions involve caregivers and caregiving.

“The biggest thing seniors fear is losing their independence and a sense of control over their lives,” says Bauernfeind. “I make sure that my clients know that they are ‘the boss,’ and we are all partners in developing a plan to help them stay at home, safely. We’re not there to change everything they do or do every thing for them, but with them ...”

Bauernfeind shares a story of a client couple that wanted to do everything they could to stay in their home. “They were in their late 80s and struggling to get daily things done. I always ask my clients what they wish they could do better or more of or what they miss being able to do on

Photos: Comfort Keepers

their own. Charlotte said she missed cooking her favorite family recipes the most. Her hands were riddled with arthritis, making basic tasks difficult and painful ... Our caregiver, Mary, who loved to cook, would come in and pick a recipe or two from Charlotte’s collection ... Charlotte and Mary would then spend time together, in the kitchen, making the meal. Charlotte couldn’t do a lot, but she could do little things to help and most importantly, recall the stories behind the recipes. After enjoying the meal with Charlotte’s husband,

leftovers went

home-

The Time is Now to

Fitness

When it comes to choosing a workout, why not join a program that is backed by science, supported by technology and delivered by professional trainers and coaches?

“Our mission at Orangetheory Fitness Maple Grove is to be the premier fitness studio in Maple Grove and beyond,” says Jared Gangelhoff, head coach. “To that end, we provide unrivaled care and support to our members and serve as a staple of support for the Maple Grove community.”

“We offer one-on-one consultations with our certified coaches, who are eager to help members reach their goals,” says Jesseah Severtson, manager. “We offer a non-judgmental community that is welcoming to all and work together to be successful.”

Classes are a mix of cardiovascular intervals on a treadmill (walking or running) and strength training using a variety of equipment and are led by highly-trained and experienced coaches. “We offer workouts designed by fitness professionals that work to build muscle, reduce body fat and increase cardiovascular health,” Gangelhoff says.

The staff is committed to getting to know members and deliver group workouts that are individualized to members’ needs or fitness goals, while providing tools that help clients secure results from their efforts. There is a reason

Orangetheory has so many members reaching their mile stones—The program helps individuals overcome any obsta cles to getting fit.

“As a member, you will feel like you are getting a oneon-one training session but at the price of a group class,” Gangelhoff says. “This high level of care and effort toward our members never stops, from their first workout to their next. We are here to help people, and we all love to do it.”

While it’s tempting to put fitness on the back burner as the holidays gear up, now is the ideal time to begin a fitness journey. Severtson says, “We encourage fitness as a life style and not a seasonal commitment.” Staff and clients are equally eager to lend support—inside and outside the studio. She says, “Friendships develop into consistent workout bud dies—daily and weekly.”

Photos: Chris Emeott

FACES

Salvaging Beauty

The Knotty Elm delivers handcrafted wood pieces for home décor.

By Ava Diaz

WHITTLING AWAY AT HIS NEXT MASTERPIECE in the comfort of his own garage is Maple Grove’s Chris Pashina, owner of The Knotty Elm. Handcrafting a variety of unique wood items from bowls to cutting boards, Pashina says he has always enjoyed the creation process—from start to finish.

What started as a hobby in his teen age years has since flourished into so much more. Learning the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur from his father, Pashina says they mastered how to manage and sell their specialty goods together through their own small con struction company that focused on heat ing, ventilation and air conditioning. He translated those experiences into the work he does as a crafter—a skill he hopes to pass down to his two daughters. “I want them to learn how to produce things for themselves,” he says.

Pashina’s children are not the only ones who learn these lessons. As a tech nical education teacher at Columbia Heights High School, he has had the plea sure of teaching wood crafting and wood working for more than 12 years. It’s a role that allows him to showcase his passion, talent and expertise.

Pashina started The Knotty Elm as a way to share his handcrafted products with others. He sells his creations via Instagram and at local markets, and he

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also creates a plethora of custom pieces. Regardless of where or how the items are sold, one element ties them together— uniqueness. “You could have the same tree, piece of wood or provider, and it could be completely different from the next piece,” he says. “You can get two dif ferent things out of the same piece.” And that’s the beauty of the craft. For Pashina, he says he never knows what a piece will look like until it is finished. With a blue print in mind, he lets the wood run its course and drive the creative process.

Typically, Pashina works with wood from maple, walnut and poplar trees. He usually does not have a say in the type of wood he receives because materials are sourced from arborators in Iowa and Utah, who salvage their material from fallen trees. Taking whatever is available, Pashina reclaims the wood to create func tionally beautiful pieces.

In addition to his minimal waste approach to sourcing materials, Pashina also makes his own finishes in-house to ensure safety and durability of his hard wood products. (They do not contain vola tile organic compounds.) “If it has a very strong smell to it, I won’t use it because I want my products to be food safe,” he says.

Though Pashina’s inventory includes smaller items, he hopes to continue experi menting with larger functional items, such as tables and other types of furniture.

The Knotty

Go Green

A local kitchen receives a bold new makeover.

By Ava Diaz

RAISED BY HER GRANDMA, Bobbi Croshaw, owner of Kitchen Tune-Up in Maple Grove, recalls watching her grandma put together outfits and style her home. “She had a passion for mak ing everyone and everything she came in contact with more beautiful,” she says.

However, Croshaw’s love for cre ating didn’t take shape until after taking a psychology of color class in college. It was after the course when she started experimenting in her own home. Conceptualizing ideas for every room type, she found herself gravitat ing toward the kitchen. “The kitchen is the heart of the home,” she says. “It is the place where I spend most of my time making memories and sharing time together [with her family].”

For Plymouth resident and Kitchen Tune-Up client Lydselle Baretto, the kitchen is a space that’s near to her heart. “Growing up, I remember being with my grandma, my mom and my aunt just spending time together in the kitchen and that was always just very important,” she says. “The kitchen is where I feel at home.”

For Baretto, this project was more than just a kitchen renovation. It was a way of reconnecting with her roots. Wanting to make her space feel like her own, she opted to include her favorite hue. “I love green, it is one of my favorite colors,” Barretto says. “I grew up on an island where those blues and greens were everywhere.”

In a sea of stark-white kitchen clients, Croshaw was also excited to try her hand at something new. Adhering to the col ored cabinet trend, she opted for a sooth ing sage green to brighten the room and add a spark of personality to the space.

The former space had deep brown cab inetry and cherry oak floors. As a room with no windows, the colorway only

After

Before

Photos: Kitchen Tune-Up

THE FEATURES

Utilizing what is already there, Croshaw decided to provide a facelift to the preex isting cabinet boxes. The team painted and refurbished the oak boxes, replacing the original doors with larger ridged ther mofoil cabinet doors (cabinets made from a pressed wood cen ter) with a trim to create a shaker style cabinet. The increased overlay on the cabinets reveal less of the boxes to make the doors and drawer faces bigger.

Complementing the colored cabinets is a light gray horizontal picket tile backsplash. This hexagon-inspired pattern is an alterna tive to subway tile and provides a simple, clean approach to design.

contributed to the darkness. Wanting to brighten the space, Croshaw says she turned to lighter, neutral tones (in addi tion to the sage green) to bring new life.

“For the past two years people have been spending more time in their home,” Croshaw says. “They are now looking to their spaces to feel a certain kind of way whether its happy or inspired, they want to feel good about the time they are spending there and color does that.”

Kitchen Tune-Up; kitchentuneup.com Kitchen Tune-Up Franchise System

Rising Together Six inspiring women turn their businesses into a change for good.

Written by Hanna McDaniels

Women-owned, empowered and driven—the Six For Good team has opened its new location in Maple Grove. The store is made up of six different brands run by six different women: Urban Undercover, Hagen and Oats, Thumbs Cookies, Towel Topper, Essence One, and Baubles and Bobbies. The mission?

To create a space that supports the greater good. As a driving force in Roseville’s Rosedale Center since 2019, the women are ready to inspire a new community.

“Maple Grove was a great fit for our mission because of how the city values small businesses,” says Lauren VanScoy,

founder of Essence One. “We were immediately connected with other individuals from the city of Maple Grove, and we discussed how supportive the community is with all businesses in the area.”

Nikki Hollerich, co-founder of Hagen and Oats, says the expanding community provides their business with the opportunity to grow. “Maple Grove is booming, and it was really the perfect spot for our new location,” she says.

Prior to this adventure, the women supported each other at various locations across the Metro. “All of us would take our individual small businesses and

set up pop-up shops at places, like Mall of America. In that environment, we could all really see each other’s brands and what we were all about. We all just connected through being in the small business world,” says Sairey Gernes, coowner and founder of Urban Undercover. When VanScoy was offered a physical location for her brand at Rosedale Center, she opened the opportunity to the other women she met along the way. “There was an immense amount of work that went into putting your brand up in pop-up shops and local shows. So, when I was offered this opportunity for

Photos:

a physical location, I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it alone. All of the women that I asked [now Six For Good] to join me were strong, supportive and vocal,” she says. “There was nothing out there at the time that was representing local women as well as the philanthropic side of our company, so I just knew this combination of women would work.”

From there, Six For Good was born. “There is so much overhead and needs to be met with owning a store, but we all knew we could trust each other. We all knew we were driven by the passion for our brands,” Gernes says.

Through these opportunities, the women are closer than they could have ever imagined. “We’re so lucky to have six women business owners that care so deeply about their brands. It’s like our babies. We recognize that there are going to be a lot of ups and downs in this business, and it really could be a

nightmare, but these women are a group of people you can really rely on. [...] It’s grown into a lot more than just our business,” Gernes says.

The items featured in the shop are products of their personal passion projects–but what really makes them special is their philanthropic approach toward giving back to deep-rooted causes. Each brand donates a part of its proceeds to a partnered organization. “Doing good is literally what motivates this team,” Gernes says.

While the brands have their own philanthropic focus, Six For Good’s mission is to uplift women through the power of community, no matter their path in life. “We’re constantly evolving in our giveback to these organizations. But we really want to be a sign of goodness to this world, and, being six women business owners, we want to be an inspiration and help to other women—especially women

in business,” Gernes says.

Supporting female entrepreneurs, VanScoy says their community-centered store, “showcases that, if you come together as women and as a community, you can accomplish so much more.”

Providing a space where individuals can thrive and succeed, the company also encourages its employees to sell their own products in the stores. “However we can help other women do good in the community is huge to us,” Gernes says.

The women of Six For Good are always looking for opportunities to better their surroundings. “I love the question on what can we bring to the community of Maple Grove because bringing goodness to a community is what’s most important to us and why we are excited to come to Maple Grove,” Gernes says. “Overall, we really want to figure out more ways on how we can help this community. We are looking into bringing networking events to our

Photo: Anastasia Nereson

Lauren VanScoy, Sairey Gernes, Ginger Neilon, Robyn Frank, Anna Hagen, Nikki Hollerich

“Maple Grove was

t

values

mission

businesses.”

Lauren VanScoy

THE BRANDS AND ITS PARTNERED ORGANIZATIONS

Anna Hagen and Nikki Hollerich, founders of Hagen and Oats: Outfront Minnesota, fights for LGBTQ equality and freedom

Lauren VanScoy, founder of Essence One: Bring Change to Mind, raises awareness and changes the narrative of mental health

Ginger Neilon, founder of Baubles and Bobbies: Break Free, empowers survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution through safe housing, effective healing programs, survivor advocacy and worldwide policy change

Robyn Frank, founder of Thumbs Cookies: Students Demand Action, focuses on gun violence

Sairey Gernes, founder of Urban Undercover: Surfrider Foundation, cleans up the ocean and beaches

store, speakers and even just a fun happy hour to meet other people. We want to be an inspiration. We want to uplift other women’s voices, just like the Six For Good Team has done with one another.”

Six For Good, 12241 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; sixforgood.com @sixforgood

the

written by AVA DIAZ

FINE LIKE AGED WINE

OMNI BREWING CREATES A NEW IMMERSIVE DRINK CONCEPT.

Omni translates to “of all things.” Through its beer and comfortable atmosphere, Omni Brewing is a space where craft beer lovers and newbies alike can come together as one. For the owners, it’s all about making a connection.

Founders Justin Walsh and Zack Ward wanted to create a welcoming space for people with similar interests to gather. “Our world today does a lot of things to pull us all apart— both physical and emotional distance,” Ward says. “Taprooms, I feel, are one of the few places you can connect with your neighbor over a shared appreciation.”

The two fell in love with the taproom vibe for the product and the physical space. With an extensive home brewing background, Ward decided to go pro to share his love for bold fla vored brews with others. Operating out of a for mer Schwan’s facility, they worked to revamp the space to create the local laid-back atmo sphere they always dreamed of. “It is different than the bars in college or a cocktail lounge … it is very unassuming,” Ward says. “I like the communal nature.”

Though beer is their pride and joy, the two also share a love for another aged beverage— wine. Opening this December, Maple Grove’s Omni Brewing will expand to Rosemount to feature a new wine-concept venue called Omni Winery and Tap Room. What sparked this ven ture was the realization that not all their cus tomers are “beer people.”

“The reason for doing it is sort of two-fold … our ethos is all kinds of beer for all kinds of people,” Ward says about their mission as a

THE WINE

Omni Winery and Tap Room will start with six wines made from four dif ferent grapes: cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, viognier and a zin fandel three ways (a white, rosé and a classic red).

The process of creating certain varieties of wine not only depends on the type of grapes used (which is where many wines get their names), but also the amount of time the fruit marinates or ferments. Leffin says the process for reds is very different from whites. With white wines, for example, the process starts with destemming, pressing and fermenting.

After destemming, the longer the grapes are allowed to sit before pressing, the deeper the color and the richer the flavor—hence the color ing in a rosé. For reds, the full-bodied flavor and hue derives from the fermen tation process that takes place prior to pressing.

Primarily sourcing their grapes from the West Coast, Leffin says they hope to eventually sell varieties that feature a portion of the fruit they will produce on their own land. (A process that will take at least three to five years to actively grow the best possible product.)

“Fruit will be coming from the West Coast because of the quality and the growing environment available,” he says about the consistency of the resources. “There is a depth, there is a character and a taste that lasts.”

growing brand. “This [second location] will be a nice way for us to extend an olive branch to those who want a laidback, casual experience but just happen to not drink beer.”

The new location will serve an array craft wines (eventually they will produce their own lines), as well as some of the beers already tapped at Omni—the best of both worlds.

In addition to the array of refresh ments, they also hope to provide an environment that is similar to that of the brewery. The venue sits on four acres of land and will be home to a vineyard and green space for visitors to picnic and play yard games in the warmer months.

Having fun is what it’s all about. That is why they also want to make their two locations venues where people are enthu siastic about the products and don’t feel intimidated by the language tied to them. Implementing tastings and dialogue behind each customer interaction is at the forefront of their work, says DJ Leffin, winemaker and operational manager Omni Winery and Tap Room. “The idea of taking something and completely craft ing it into something else but then there is that experience of being able to share it with others and promote education and learning to better experience wine [and beer],” Leffin says. “… There is no such thing as a dumb question.”

OMNI Brewing, 9462 Deerwood Lane; 763.424.6664; omnibrewing.com

OMNI Brewing Co. @omnibrewing

Photos: Chris Emeott

DJ Leffin, Zack Ward and Justin Walsh

SNOW RYEMOVAL

As a brewery that appeals to its clientele, Ward says it is more about following where the market goes rather than to have a lot of beers on tap. Though classic winter beers, like stouts, porters and amber ales, are more commonly consumed during the colder months, he says that, at the end of the day, people want some thing that is easy drinking and light.

Ward shares his winter beer of choice, which just so happens to be one of his favorite beers he has ever brewed: Snow Ryemoval.

Snow Ryemoval is a rye lager. “It is not overly big in body, but it has more of a bolder, malty rye flavor,” he says. Complementing the rich comfort foods of the holiday season—think Thanksgiving dinner. He says it’s the perfect agent to marry with the traditional menu.

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M2 Financial Group focuses on a “Client First” approach.

With praise coming from clients using the phrases, “team approach,” “proactive” and “your team cares,” it’s clear that M2 Financial Group is leading its clients to financial wellness and stability.

“We are full-service, independent financial advisors, who offer retirement, investment, estate, education, income tax and small business financial advice,” says founder Michael Matheson (CFP®, CFS, CRPC, CDFA).

The team of financial professionals partners with clients to navigate their goals along their financial journey. “At our core, we are artists and creatives and love the ingenuity it takes to craft financial plans that are tailored to our clients. Our mission is to be our client’s first call for financial advice, guidance and direction,” Matheson says.

Navigating the path to personal financial wellness isn’t always easy, and it’s important to receive expert advice. “We strongly believe that one of our primary functions is protect ing our clients from the hazards that Wall Street throws in front of them daily,” he says. “It’s a Main Street versus Wall Street world these days, and Wall Street is tricky and does not play fair.”

The team skillfully serves as a sounding board, which is incredibly valuable as it helps clients navigate the confusing

world of personal finance, allowing clients to remain focused on their own lives, families and careers.

“The financial world is ever-changing, and one of our charges with our clients is to make sure they know about changes that impact them before they hear about it in the news,” Matheson says. “Keeping up with the fast-paced world is tough enough, and we take this very important piece of life and make it easier to manage.”

When it comes to financial planning, experience matters. Leveraging insight from Matheson’s more than 30 years of experience as well as over 100 years of total team experience, M2 Financial Group is an invaluable part of clients’ lives.

M2 FINANCIAL GROUP

to see and do in and around Maple Grove

OSSEO MINIDAZZLE

Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer, community and charity.

CELEBRATE THE START of the holiday season with the annual Osseo Minidazzle on December 2 from 6–8 p.m. The festivities will take place downtown where attendees will be greeted with lights decorating Central Avenue. Among the festivities is a roaring bonfire and a parade led by the American Legion Color Guard with vehicles dressed in holiday lights and décor from the Osseo Police Department and the Osseo Fire Department to follow. Santa will also make an appearance in the parade and will be available for visits after the parade at Boerboom Veterans Park. Bring a camera to capture the cheer because the event will be packed

with plenty of photo opportunities.

To spread a bit of holiday cheer beyond the community, the event will be accepting donations for the Cross Services Food Shelf and the Toys for Tots drive.

For those looking to continue the festivities into the rest of the weekend, a holiday lunch with Santa will take place at the Osseo Community Center the following Saturday, December 3 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. —Paige Schuller

For more information about these holiday events visit discoverosseo.com.

Photos: Patty McLean

INDOOR FARMERS MARKET

Escape the cold with an indoor market stocked with fresh goods from local vendors. All ages. Free. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road; maplegrovefarmersmarket.com

LOCAL EVENTS

Lions Holiday Craft Boutique

11/12

Hosted by the Maple Grove Lions and the Seniors Craft Community, the Lions Holiday Craft Boutique features over 65 vendors, providing a wide selec tion of handmade crafts to peruse. All ages. Free. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road; 763.424.2342; maplegrovelions.org

Veterans Day Event

11/11

The Maple Grove Beyond the Yellow

Ribbon invites you to a community event honoring veterans. It features a wreath laying and other activities to pay tribute to those who have served. All ages. Free. 9 a.m. Central Park Veterans Memorial, 12000 Central Park Way; maplegrovemn.gov

Maple Grove Home Show

11/19

The Maple Grove Home Show is packed with new ideas for remodeling and landscaping, with metro area home improvement experts onsite to answer your questions. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road; 952.232.1765; minnesotahomeshows.com

Breakfast and Lunch with Santa

12/03

Santa is in town and will be at the Maple Grove Community Center. Join in for photos, breakfast or lunch and other family-friendly Christmas-time activities. Registration opens November 1. All ages. $5 for breakfast, $7 for lunch. 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road; 763.424.2342; mcgo.org

Sensory Santa

12/11

Those with sensory processing difficul ties are welcome to a special meeting with Santa. The event is designed to cut out the lines and noise that can be over whelming to some, promising a stressfree environment for holiday celebration

All ages. Free. 1–5 p.m. Town Green Meeting Room, 7991 Main St.; maplegrovemn.gov

AREA EVENTS

Twin Cities Heart Ball

11/04

Celebrate the American Heart Association’s cutting-edge technol ogy and science to progress heart health at the Twin Cities Heart Ball. One hundred and fifty communities across the country are united for a program, dinner and music. Ages 21 and over. Prices vary. 6–10 p.m. The Depot Minneapolis, 225 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 952.278.7703; ahaminneapolis.ejoinme.org

Minneapolis Gift & Art Expo

11/04–11/06

Prepare for the upcoming holiday sea son at the Minneapolis Gift & Art Expo. Browse categories, find holiday inspira tion or get your gifts early. All ages. Free. Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall A, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; giftandartexpo.com

Compiled by Hanna McDaniels and Paige Schuller

Family Trail Trekkers 11/05

Take your family on a great adventure of exploration by the Mississippi River. Please register all children participating other than children under 2 years of age. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 2–13. Free. 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Carl Kroening Nature Center, 4900 Mississippi Court, Mpls.; activekids.com

Wedding Fair

11/06

Presented by the Minnesota Wedding Guide, the Minneapolis Wedding Fair features over 100 trusted vendors including photographers, food, flow ers, decor, cake and more. All ages. $15–$20. Noon–4 p.m. Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 763.529.1900; mnweddingguide.com

Winter Yoga at the Arb 11/06

Bring out your inner zen during a win ter yoga session. Classes take place all season, starting on November 6. The class is welcome to people of all ages and levels. With options for attendance on Zoom and in person, everyone is welcome. All ages. Prices vary. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; arb.umn.edu

How the Grinch Stole Christmas 11/12

A beloved holiday classic returns to Children’s Theatre Company start ing with opening night November 12. All ages. Performances run through December. Ticket prices vary. Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.874.0400; childrenstheatre.org

American Swedish Institute Holiday Experience 11/12

Tour the historic Turnblad Mansion,

Thomas J.

adorned with traditional Swedish Christmas decorations and experi ence another holiday installation in the mansion, with a secret twist this year. After you are through exploring, dine off the holiday menu at FIKA Cafe or get some Christmas shopping done in the gift shop, which features a unique selection of traditional Swedish prod ucts. All ages. Admission prices vary. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave., Mpls.; 612.871.4907; asimn.org

Fall Forward Festival

11/13

Witness multiple genres of dance, beloved artists and new dancers. Black Label Movement and Crash Dance Productions will be fea tured. All ages. $30. 2–4 p.m. Goodale Theater, 528 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.206.3600; thecowlescenter.org

Walker Teen Takeover

11/18

Give your teenagers an exclusive night at the Walker Art Center. Live performances, music and giveaways are planned for the event. Students in grades nine–12. Free admission. 6:30–9:30 p.m. Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Place, Mpls.; 612.375.7600; walkerart.org

Turkey Trot St. Paul

11/24

Get out your running shoes and run the Turkey Trot 6K or 10K in St. Paul—dona tions go toward the Open Door Pantry. All ages. Registration fees vary. 10K starts at 7:30 a.m. 6K starts at 8 a.m. Downtown St. Paul, parking at 150 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; turkeytrotsaintpaul.com

Cirque Dreams Holidaze

11/25

Get into the holiday spirit at the Orpheum Theatre with this familyfriendly performance. This play features

a Broadway production with magical lights, original music and a storyline All ages. $33–$103. 4 p.m. Hennepin Theatre Trust, 900 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 800.982.2787; hennepintheatretrust.org

Como Fall Flower Show Through 11/27

Fall is fleeting, so go to Como Zoo before their fall flower show wraps up on November 27. Wander through the bright colors and fall blooms, and don’t forget your camera. All ages. Free. Time slots vary. Como Zoo Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul; 651.487.8200; comozooconservatory.org

Beauty and the Beast

11/30

This holiday season, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts invites you to return to the magical world of an iconic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast Opening night is November 30. All ages. Ticket prices vary. Opening night starts at 7:30 p.m. Ordway, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; 651.224.4222; ordway.org

To have your event considered: email maplegrovemag@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.

Sugar and Spice

Explore how one holiday cookie brings people together.

Written by Ava Diaz

BAKING HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE CARDS for Maple Grove’s 16-year-old Kate Ross of Kate’s Little Bake Stand. Creating a plethora of sweet treats (cakes, cookies and macaroons), Kate says she enjoys experiment ing with different techniques she sees via social media or learns from her grandmothers and great-grandmothers.

“Baking is really special to me because it is a way to connect with people,” she says. “I can share what I like to do with other people in a way that can make them happy and help them celebrate what is special to them in life … I am a part of it.”

And Kate connects with indi viduals far beyond reaching their taste buds. Sharing the holiday spirit, she regularly donates some of her proceeds to Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP), a program she became familiar with during her time at Wayzata High School.

Leveraging its efforts through the help of the community, IOCP’s mission is “to strengthen our com munity by meeting basic needs and equipping individuals and families for ongoing stability.” That can include helping individuals and families secure food, accessible housing, employment services and more—elements that Kate has come to realize are not always readily accessible to her peers.

“I am grateful enough to have a stable income from my parents and be in a situation where I can help

Photos: Kate Ross

Kate’s Favorite Gingerbread Recipe

via Sally’s Baking Addiction

10 Tbsp. unsalted butter

¾ cup packed light or dark brown sugar

2/3 cup unsulphured molasses

1 large egg

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. ground ginger

1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

½ tsp. ground allspice

½ tsp. ground cloves

In a large bowl, beat the butter using an electric mixer on medium speed until it is smooth. Add the brown sugar and molasses; beat until well combined. Add the egg and vanilla; increase the speed to high for two minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and all the spices. On a low speed, gradually mix in the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Mix until well com bined. (Note: The dough will be thick and sticky.) Divide the dough into two

round chunks, wrap in plastic wrap and let them chill in the refrigerator for three hours. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.

To prep the cookies, sprinkle a gener ous amount of flour on the counter and a rolling pin. Roll the dough until it is ¼ of an inch thick. Cut the dough into your desired shapes, and place them 1-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 9–10 minutes. Let cool for five minutes, and enjoy!

people, and that has always been a huge part … giving back to the com munity that has raised me and given so much to me,” she says.

Each year (in addition to her normal custom sales), Kate creates about 20 holiday cookie baskets, filled with dozens of treats to hand out to friends and family. “You are giving a gift. It is a part of the holiday spirit,” she says. Among the treats are chocolate cherry bit cookies, chocolate chip cook ies, chocolate crinkles, chocolate pinwheels, classic sugar cookies, fudge, marzipan strawberries, pep permint sugar cookies, pizzelles and, of course, gingerbread men.

For some, gingerbread is an acquired taste. For Kate, it is something she has grown to love through her exposure to baking. “I used to not like gingerbread,

Kate’s Favorites

Cookie: Chocolate chip Biscoff cookies.

Item to bake: Cake bombs, a name she coined herself that refers to the cake pop-like creations that can be made in any shape, color or flavor.

Cookie cutter shape: Anything holiday related but especially trees and snowflakes, because there are more ways to deco rate them. They are always unique.

Warm or chilled cookies? Warm, because they are more ooey gooey, and they just melt in your mouth.

but we would always make them for the holiday,” she says. “I used to make [gingerbread men] look crazy. I would cover their faces in all sorts of frosting, and we would make tons of fondant that I would use to make hair and full outfits. As I got older, I started to enjoy gingerbread even more … I could literally eat a million of them.”

Incorporating these iconic cook ies in her holiday offerings and cookie baskets, Kate says what sets these cookies apart from the rest begins before the baking ends. “You always know when gingerbread is being made because of the aroma in the whole house. You can smell the molasses, the cinnamon, the ginger and allspice,” she says. “It just puts you in a holiday mood.”

Life is sweeter at The BeeHive!

Locally owned and operated,

Homes of Maple

is a memory care home that has been serving seniors and their families in the original Sun ower Hive for the past three years. We specialize in compassionate care in a smaller setting, where residents feel safe and loved.

are excited to expand our mission and our home to serve even more people who have been a ected by dementia in our second Hive, e Daisy!

SECOND PLACE: CITY LANDMARKS

Maple Grove Library Sunrise

Local captures the city’s natural glow.

“THIS WAS TAKEN SHORTLY AFTER SUNRISE with the colors still dominating in the sky. I was also fortunate that birds were stand ing on the lights, which adds to the photo,” Rod Smoliak says about his image taken at the top level of the parking ramp next to the Maple Grove Library. “I love the lines in this photo. I lined the photo up to keep the fence horizontal and then lights provide an interesting angle.”

Photographer: Rod Smoliak

Title: Library Sunrise

Equipment: Sony A7R4 mirrorless camera with a Sony 200-600mm lens

Location: Maple Grove Library

To view other Focus on Maple Grove photo contest winners, visit maplegrovemag.com.

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