THECELEBRATEOUTSTANDINGCLASSOF2023 SeniorSpotlight
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4 maplegrovemag.com DEPARTMENTS 12 — Gold Star Academics Birch Grove Elementary students learn through active creativity. 14 — See Us Coming Together Former resident contributes to the creation of the first Asian American Muppet. PAGE 14 FEATURES 18 — Senior Spotlight Celebrate the outstanding Class of 2023. 24 — Tile and Tone A bathroom gets a timeless, clean and chic update. TASTEMAKERS 36 — From Farm to Table Experience everything tomatoes have to offer this peak season. SchoeningSierraPhotos:
5 Individuals & Families Estate Planning & Probate Elder FamilyLawLaw & ConservatorshipsCustody Businesses Business & Corporate Law Real Estate & Nonprofit Law Employment Law Litigation & Dispute Resolution “Understanding Your Needs, Protecting Your Rights” Service – Integrity – Leadership 763.560.5700 | hennsnoxlaw.com 6900 Wedgwood Road, Suite 200, Maple Grove Congratulations to our 2022 Minnesota Super Lawyers honorees Steve Graffunder Banking Tifanne Wolter Family Law Susan Peterson-Lerdahl Estate Planning Mark Steffenson Business Litigation Jeffrey Berg Family Law Craig Dokken Business Litigation James Snoxell Business Litigation 20+ YEARS 15+ YEARS 15+ YEARS 10+ YEARS 15 YEARS
On the Cover Samantha Longenecker, photo by Chris Emeott EmeottChrisPhoto: I n the pile of plushies in my family’s former basement playroom, lay my older sister’s cherry-red Tickle Me Elmo, an iconic toy box staple for children in the mid to late ’90s.
I recall the screws of his hidden battery pack having a faint dusting of orange rust over them. They were crusted on so tight, it was almost impossible to open the compartment. What was remarkable was, that in all the years we had him, the batteries were never changed. However, his laugh still lived on for what seemed like forever. His mighty cackle is something that will always be engrained in my brain. A sound that is everlasting, just like the memories I have from spending hours in that playroom as a child. Known by my friends for my loud, unforgiving laugh, Elmo’s roar was something I could strangely relate to. The sound of pure joy. Though this stuffed animal was a miniscule morsel of my younger years, it is amazing to see the impact that certain characters can have on our lives. On page 14, I spoke with Maple Grove Senior High School alumna Liz Hara about her incredible career as a writer, puppeteer and puppet builder. Striving to create a world where young viewers can see themselves represented in media, Hara was one of the founding creators behind the recent debut of Sesame Street’s first Asian American Muppet character,ContinuingJi-Young.thelegacy of the Maple Grove community are four outstanding 2023 seniors on page 18. After a two-year hiatus of our Senior Spotlight feature, writer Madeline Kopiecki honored some local students, who have accomplished so much in these tumultuous years. Cheers to a new season of growth and discovery. Until next time, readers!
6 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com
See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town. MAPLEGROVEMAG.COM MAPLE GROVE MAGAZINE @MAPLEGROVEMAGAZINE @MAPLEGROVEMAG
Ava Diaz, ava@localmedia.co FROM THE EDITOR
7 VOL. 18 NO. 5 maplegrovemag.com publisher Susan Isay Maple Grove Magazine is published 6 times a year. Rates $18 for 6 issues. Back issues $8.95. To subscribe, please visit: localmedia.co For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co or call 612.208.6248. ©Local, LLC 2022. All rights reserved.
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local tips, tidbits & insights NOTEWORTHY SIP FLAVORFORFALLIN’ Rosemary Pear Mocktail » 1 oz. lemon juice » 1 oz. rosemary simple syrup (see recipe online) » 4 oz. pear juice » soda water, to top » fresh rosemary Pour the lemon juice, simple syrup and pear juice into a shaker, and fill it ¾ with ice. Shake the contents for about 15 seconds. Strain mixture into a separate glass, and pour in the “dirty” ice from the strainer. Top the drink with soda water. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary, and enjoy! —AVA DIAZ For more autumnal cocktails, visit maplegrovemag.comEmeottChrisPhoto: September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com
Contributed by Kay Drache, librarian Maple Grove Library.
10 NOTEWORTHYSeptember/October 2022 READ WindsorTheKnot
It’s 2016, and at Windsor Castle, preparations are underway for the Queen’s 90th birthday. After an evening soiree, a Russian pianist is discovered dead. While at first glance it appears to be accidental, it is soon clear he was murdered. While MI5 leaps to the conclusion that a sleeper agent on the Windsor staff must be responsible, the Queen enlists assistant private secretary Rozie Oshodi to help determine the real cause and killer. Oshodi is amazed to learn that the Queen has been looking into crimes since she was a teen, using her keen observational skills, acute character judgement and quick wits to ferret out clues, and discretely point official investigators in the correct direction. Vivid character development, especially of the Queen, keeps the story lively, and Bennett cleverly interweaves her mystery into the actual events of April 2016. Cozy mystery lovers and royal followers will be delighted with this first book of the Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series.
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Founded in 1923, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards encourages teenagers to explore their creativity through painting, drawing, writing or photography. (Notable alumni of the project include author Stephen King and visual artist Andy Warhol.) Brar was among 25 other students in the Osseo area to receive recognition for their work, and she rose above more than 260,000 other entries nation wide. Honors were awarded to those who exemplified Scholastic’s core val ues pertaining to originality, the emer gence of personal voice, vision and technical skill. —EMILY
BrarSharnPhoto: VIEW See Me Osseo Senior High School alumna, Sharn Brar, debuted her photography at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June as a part of the Scholastic Art Awards program. Her piece, See Me, a black-and-white portrait of Maryan Farah, a fellow student at Osseo Senior High School, was awarded the National Gold Medal from the Scho lastic Art and Writing Awards. “The portrait is a result of a class portraiture project,” says Jennifer Peterson-Cramer, Brar’s art instructor at Osseo Senior High School. “I was so moved by the portrait. I encour aged her to enter the competition. Participating in art competitions allows students to show their talent to a wider audience and be validated and recog nized for their creative skills.”
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WALK INTO A SECOND-GRADE MUSIC CLASSROOM at Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts and you might see students learning fractions during lessons on quarter and eighth notes, or listen down the hall to hear fourth graders singing in math class.
In a time when arts education is decreasing in many schools, students at Birch Grove are thriving in a creative learning environment where compre hension extends beyond understanding the core concepts. “With full arts integration, we are doing two things at the same time,” says Ronald Salazar, principal at Birch Grove Elementary. “Teachers are teaching two standards—the standard, like language arts, math, science or social studies, and at the same time, they are teaching the standard for the arts.” Teachers integrate music, drama, dance and visual arts with any core subject, and the art teachers integrate ENLIGHTEN
12 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com
ElementaryGroveBirchPhoto:
Birch Grove Elementary students learn through active creativity.
Gold Star Academics
Fourth and fifth graders use pottery wheels as a part of the Art Troupe program, which is available for elementary-aged students.
By Staci Perry Mergenthal
Minnesota Department of Education report cards show Birch Grove’s atten dance rates are higher than the district and the state. “Get them engaged, and you get them in school every day,” Vleck says. Arts-integrated lessons involve all sens es and fully engage the brain. It’s not about everyone building the same clay pieces. “Our philosophy as an arts school impacts the way we think and see the world differ ently,” Salazar says. “It involves the entire person. We all tend to learn and think in different terms. It’s not about more of the same, but we have to do more of some thing different.”
Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts 4690 Brookdale Drive, Brooklyn Park; 763.561.1374; bg.district279.org
13 core subjects into their curriculum. For example, the drama teacher uses language arts in the curriculum to enhance vocabulary, and the science teacher uses visual arts to teach les sons on the life cycle of a plant. The students are exposed to all areas of curriculum, having more choices and options for learning, even within classrooms.Startingin first grade, students take art elective classes, like drawing, paint ing, gymnastics or learn how to play the recorder. Second graders can audition for performing troupes, like drama, choir, visual arts and media arts. The media arts troupe live broadcasts (with running audio and cameras) morning announce ments and weather reports on Birch Grove TV (BGTV) and does the lights and sounds for the school shows. In third grade, students can take orchestra and in fifth grade, band. Kids in grades first through fifth can audition to be part of the spring musical, which typi cally involves 60–70 students. Birch Grove’s curriculum integration coordinator Stephanie Vleck says the number one impact of arts-integrated teaching is student engagement. “Anytime you allow students to connect on a per sonal level to their curriculum and to show who they are—their values, beliefs, personal background—they are complete ly engaged in what they’re doing.”
Birch Grove Elementary School for The Arts
“I think it is so important for younger audiences to have this visibility and really kind of shape the way kids see the world and show the world in a way that we want it to be, so that they can grow up to help make that a reality,” she says. Hara’s journey to creating began when she was young. Lifelong friend and for mer neighbor Jennifer Vesely recalls the countless summer days spent eat ing ice cream, learning to sew, crafting and playing Trivial Pursuit at Hara’s house. Bonding over “being equally nerdy,” she says the two became best pals after their involvement with a creative, problem-solving program for kids called Destination Imagination (formerly known as Odyssey of the Mind). The group
14 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com FACES See Us Coming Together
Former resident contributes to the creation of the first Asian American Muppet.
By Ava Diaz “IT REALLY IS TRUE that if you see it, you can be it,” says Liz Hara, Maple Grove Senior High School alumna (2000). For many kids across the nation, Hara is making this dream a reality. As a writer, puppeteer and puppet builder, she has fed into her creative side out of a pas sion for generating spaces for the under represented in media.
15 encouraged building, skit writing and creating costumes—skills Hara would unknowingly use later in her career. In high school, Hara began interning at local theaters and was a part of a men tor connection program that paired her with a set designer, where she worked on set with props and created her first proto puppet. However, she didn’t fall inHymanZachWorkshop,Sesame©2022Photo: BEFORE AFTER REFACING Kitchen AgainL e Y r Refacing & Redooring Cabinet Painting New Cabinets WoodAndRestorationMore612.508.9696 ©2021 HFC KTU LLC. All Rights Reserved. Kitchen Tune-Up is a trademark of HFC KTU LLC and a Home Franchise Concepts Brand. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Stunning remodels for as little as $99 - $249 a month! kitchentuneup.com ad rtise th MAPLE MAGAZINEGROVE @ Contact Sara Johnson sara@localmedia.co612.927.3008
The welcoming nature of puppetry is something Hara embraces. That is why she strives to create characters that view ers can see themselves in and connect with. “It has always been a part of its mission to promote diversity, but, growing up, I, personally, always felt a lack of repre sentation in the media. I am half Japanese and half white, and, quite frankly, I never saw a half Japanese woman on television until I was 37 years old,” she says. Following the death of George Floyd, Sesame Street reflected on how it could effectively meet the movement. Looking at the show’s content and diversity led to the creation of See Us Coming Together, a multi-year initiative addressing how to talk to kids about cul ture, race and ethnicity. The result was the creation of Tamir, the show’s first Black Muppet character, and Ji-Young to help talk about subjects of racism. “We are so excited about it because rep resentation is so important, and it validates why your stories matter if you can see your self on television,” Hara says. “I don’t think a lot of people understand what that means unless they have felt a lack of it.”
SchoeningSierraPhotosw:
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love with the magic of puppetry until she was a production runner for Improbable Theatre Company’s traveling rendition of Shockheaded Peter at Theatre de la Jeune Lune in Minneapolis. “It is a totally bon kers German nursery rhyme play where the kid dies at the end of every story. It is this hilarious, creepy gothic fairytale and I just thought the puppets were amazing and the story telling was so absurd … I was absolutely hooked on puppets from then on. That was when I realized what I want ed to do for the rest of my life,” she says. Despite studying American culture and interning at an attorney general’s office while in college, Hara still found ways to create in more ways than one. During her junior year, she landed a sum mer internship building props alongside Martin Robbins, the man behind Sesame Street’s Mr. Snuffleupagus and the pup pet designer for the Broadway version of Little Shop of Horrors with The Jim Henson Company in Los Angeles. Immersing herself into the world of puppetry, she says she fell in love with the playfulness of the art. “Things come to life, and you just got to play with them and work with them to create this illu sion … There is just a beautiful relation ship between the audience and the pup pet,” she says. “That is still the thing that is most exciting thing about puppetry. Every performance is an invitation to the audience to come play.”
Hara poses with Grover's cookie costume and the Count's astronaut costume that she created.
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17 JI-YOUNG Making her debut in November 2021 on the See Us Coming Together special, Ji-Young became the first Asian American (Korean) Muppet character on Sesame Street. As a rock-and-roll loving, sporty, conception,Throughoutaofcharactermeaning,”work“IandcharacteristicstheJi-YoungMoreandshehigh-energyskateboarding,7-year-old,embodiesconfidenceaboldpersonality.importantly,Harasaysdoesn’tfallintostereotypicalpan-Asianofbeingquietstudious.amsoluckynowthatIcanonprojectsthathaveHarasays.“ThisisgoingtobeaparttheStreetforever,anditispartofthelegacy.”theprocessofthe
Sesame Street team (producer Janet Kim, director Alan Muroka and codirector Mat Vogel) strived to create a new character that was also culturally accurate. Working with a culture trust team to ensure validity of her characteristics, they also had Kathleen Kim, Ji-Young’s pup peteer, who is also Korean American, weigh in. Continuing her efforts in diversifying media for children, Hara is also work ing on creating Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur for Disney. The cartoon series will follow a 13-year-old Black girl super genius living in the Lower East Side of New York City with her interdi mensional dinosaur. “It is important for all of us to see ourselves represented in places where we can dream to go as adults, and [Hara] does that for underrepresented groups,” Vesely says.
An all-star
September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com
ofshowcasinglineupsomethecommunity’soutstandinghighschoolseniors. SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
WRITTEN BY MADELINE KOPIECKI PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT
PITZNERDREW Heritage Christian Academy
IN DREW’S WORDS: What was a defining moment of your high school career? My defining moment of high school is receiving the All-State Soccer Award. It was an exciting experience to step on the stage and receive the award after play ing soccer since I was [6 years old] and putting a lot of time and hard work into it. What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork? Maybe not surprisingly, soccer is my top passion. I like to get out and practice when I can, and I enjoy refereeing. Besides soccer, I enjoy reading books and working out.
Maple Grove seniors shine in many ways, and athletics is certainly one of them. After a two-year hiatus, Senior Spotlight is back, and this year, the light shone on not only students who were outstanding athletes, but community leaders to boot. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of these out standing Class of 2023 graduates.
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“Andrew is a great representative of Heritage Christian Academy [HCA]. He always seems to be in the center of all the action at the school. He is involved in everything. He is a student men tor, student tutor, member of the HCA Honor Society and is always willing to help someone in need,” says Scott Thune, the middle and high school principal at HCA.
Drew Pitzner
LONGENECKERSAMANTHA Osseo Senior High School “Samantha is a thoughtful, posi tive student who not only gives her best, but also gives back to others. She’s the epitome of servant lead ership, someone who has both the confidence and problem-solving skills to handle Osseo Senior High’s most challenging classes, as well as a rigorous schedule outside of school,” says Megan Thompson, a social studies teacher at Osseo Senior High School.
What did you want to be when you grew up? How about now? I’ve pretty much always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to own a business.
What was a defining moment of your high school career? My first full 5K in my junior cross-country season. My sopho more season ended early with an injury that left me in a boot and on crutches and prompted seven months of physical therapy and training. I missed my track season and had to modify my summer training. I was unsure if I would be able to successfully finish a 5K … much less retain my competitive position. I was very nervous to run, but once the gun went off, I settled back into racing mode with ease. I remember feeling stronger than I ever had while running, and as I finished the race, my coaches, friends and family were all lined up at the finish line with big smiles on their faces. I laughed as I crossed the finish line, unbeliev ably happy that all my hard work and sacrifices had paid off, and I Longenecker
Samantha
IN SAMANTHA’S WORDS:
21 was able to be back in the environment I loved.
JOHNSONMAX Maple Grove Senior High School
What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork? Most often … I’m found running. I joined cross country in my seventh-grade year, after many years of playing softball, and I felt right at home. I’ve always felt the cross country team to be my second home.
“Max is a great individual wres tler, but he’s far more than that. He’s a tremendous leader for the team and a promoter for the pro gram. He has helped create a fam ily atmosphere within the Maple Grove wrestling program, and his influence extends beyond just his teammates with the high school program,” says Troy Seubert, the head wrestling coach of Maple Grove Senior High School.
September/October 2022
Max Johnson
What did you want to be when you grew up? How about now? I was in second grade when I was hospitalized the first time for pancreatitis. Then, during my sev enth-grade year, I was hospitalized again for my gallbladder and ended up staying about 11 days for other problems that occurred along the way. It was these experiences that got me interested in the medical field. I was in awe of the way my doctors and nurses made me feel cared for and comfortable, and I thought there was no better way to spend my life than doing the same thing for others. As such, it’s been a dream of mine ever since I was that little 7-year-old to work as a pediatrician in a hospital.
September/October 2022 Koral Horstman
IN MAX’S WORDS:
What was a defining moment of your high school career? A defining moment of my high school career was placing third in the state wrestling tournament. At that moment, years of hard work and experience felt like it paid off. The whole season had been coming together, and I was improving rapidly, leading to the biggest accomplishment of my high school career (so far). What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork? Outside of school, I like to do just about any activities with my friends and family. Whether it’s driveway basketball or ping-pong, tennis or pool, I love to compete in anything I do. What did you want to be when you grew up? How about now? When I was growing up, I wanted to be a professional football play er. As I grew up, I realized this was not a realistic dream. Now, I am looking to go to college and be successful in anything I choose to pursue.
HORSTMANKORAL Providence Academy “Koral’s academic and extra curricular achievements are no doubt impressive and wide reaching. She is so much more than what you would gather on paper. Koral is exception ally bright, inquisitive, thought ful and driven. She has been
23 a student at Providence since kindergarten and has shined throughout that time,” says Paige Von Bank, a college counselor at Providence Academy. IN KORAL’S WORDS: What was a defining moment of your high school career? I’d say the defining moment in my high school career so far was seeing the Providence softball team place fourth in sections my sophomore year. It was the furthest the team had ever gone in the postseason, and I’ll never forget how it felt to be a part of that group. I was also awarded allsection as a catcher that season, a position that I had never consistently played, and I loved being able to contribute in that role. What can you be found doing outside of school and schoolwork? When I’m not at school or doing homework, I’m usually at softball. Whether it’s for the Providence team, my summer club team or volunteering for youth organizations, I love to be around the game. Volunteering with younger kids is special to me because growing up around a college program changed my perspective about softball, and I like sharing that with others, along with giving back to the game I grew up loving. What did you want to be when you grew up? How about now? Even when I was younger, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in STEM. In recent years, I’ve narrowed that down to the neuroscience field, as I am interested in learning how the brain works and applying that knowledge to new discoveries. maplegrovemag.com
A Brooklyn Park bathroom underwent a modern transformation with the help of Kaitlyn Stokes, a former designer with Crystal Kitchen + Bath, and now designer at Belle Kitchen. Her creativity helped trans form this outdated early 2000s space into something rich, welcoming and remarkable.
Tile
Tone&
24 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com
HILLARY STREITBERGER
The former space featured basic off-white cabinetry, crumbling slate tile and tones of natural stone that suffered from water dam age. “Everything was in the same position. We did not move anything. We just upgraded everything. It was formerly your typical builder-grade bathroom,” she says.
The homeowners were focused on creat ing an open space because their shower was enclosed, and the vanity space was not optimal in terms of size. While the layout of the bathroom essentially stayed the same, the client did want specific changes. After removing the shower walls, Stokes says the written by
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ANDTIMELESS,SPACEBATHROOMGETSACLEANCHICUPDATE.
26 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com SpacecraftingPhotos:
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27 homeowners knew that they wanted drop-in bathing tub, larger mirrors and more functional cabinetry. “I think that it has a grander feel to it than other bathrooms I’ve designed even though we didn’t change the layout at all. I think it shows homeowners that there is a lot of potential in their homes they may not see,” she says. The defining features might just be the HD-printed porcelain slabs that mimic calacatta marble—featuring large warmtoned veining patterns. The homeowners settled on porcelain because they wanted a seamless look without the hassle that comes with cleaning grout lines in materials like tile or natural stone. This elegant approach also requires less main tenance during installation because it is lighter in weight and does not require any sealing agents. As for the porcelain upkeep, the pristinely-smooth surface allows liquid to slide right off instead of absorbing into the material. (The excess fluid could potentially cause deteriora tion of the material.) Other key design elements include the natural cherry wood cabinets in a deep chocolate stain and the inclusion of black hardware and fixtures. “The client knew that she wanted to do black fixtures right away,” Stokes says. “We wanted to bring in another element that would add contrast and then added another natural element, the wood cabi nets, which brought out golden veining in the porcelain.” Chosen by the clients, the neutral tones in this space provide a sense of warmth—a vibe that is emulated throughout the rest of their home.
Crystal Kitchen + Bath, 3620 Winnetka Ave. N., Mpls.; 763.544.5950; crystalkitchen.com Crystal Kitchen + Crystal@crystalkitchenbathBathKitchen+Bath
Comfort Keepers® is here to help seniors thrive safely while living independently at home. Our empathetic caregivers are specially trained to provide uplifting care and support. We’re here to help! Comfort Keepers 524 Central Ave. N., Osseo comfortkeepers.com763.273.4207 LIFE CHANGING COMMUNITY Surrounding yourself with people who will be there for you creates lasting change. Together, we charge forward to change the conversation about fitness. At Burn Boot Camp, we build each other up. Burn Boot Camp 14500 Weaver Lake Road burnbootcamp.com/maple-grove-mn651.600.1517 A Card My Yard greeting is the perfect gift for birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and celebrations of any size. We are a full service yard sign rental company—you book the order and we take care of the rest. Card My Yard Maple cardmyyard.com/maple-grove509.499.1143Grove Offering in-home, customizable, private partner dance lessons for couples and parties. Be wedding ready in as little as one lesson! Community group classes also available. Proudly introducing Minnesotans to the joy of social dancing for over 70 years. Constantine Dance Classes Serving all the Metro area and surrounding constantinedance.com612.240.8329suburbs DanceConstantineClasses
Donato’s Floral is a family owned business. We have been a part of this community for over 35 wonderful years. We deliver daily joy with natural botanicals. Donato’s Floral 10200 73rd Ave. N. Suite #102 donatosfloral.com763.416.0488 DONATO’S FLORAL EST. 1988 Full service interior design. Creating livable spaces with design that reflects your style. Best of Maple Grove 2022 Winner “Love where you live!” Designs By D Maple designsbydmn.com763.639.3573Grove Device Pitstop is your one-stop tech shop! Shop, sell, repair and recycle Apple, Windows and Android-based computers, cell phones and tablets. Satisfaction guaranteed. Device Pitstop 13732 83rd Way N. devicepitstop.com763.568.7578 K/\LL/\ LILY salon and spa Be part of something beautiful! We are a family owned salon and spa serving our community for 15 Years offering hair, facials, hydrafacials, massage and waxing treatments. We are passionate and committed to providing you an extraordinary experience. Thank you for keeping it local! Kalla Lily Salon and Spa 9851 Maple Grove Parkway N. 763.478.5510kallalily.com Helping you buy/sell/invest 1,460+ thrilled clients Voted #1 Realtor in Maple Grove We look forward to serving you! Jarrod Peterson Real Estate Group 7767 Elm Creek askjarrodheknows.com763.258.4400Blvd. Family owned and operated with a selection of 2000 + frames + sunglasses. Six doctors are in office 7 days a week! We Know Eyes at Maple Grove Pearle Vision. Maple Grove Pearle Vision 13195 Weaver Lake Road maplegroveeye.vision763.420.5112
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SilvaSaraPhoto: THE CITY OF MAPLE GROVE will glow purple this October to shed light on Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Organized by the City of Maple Grove, the lights will be lit on the exte rior of the Department of Public Safety building and the Town Green every night of the Themonth.Maple Grove Police Association also ordered purple patches (available for purchase) to show its commitment to taking preventative action against domestic violence. “We believe that healthy relationships among families in our community translate to healthy and safe communities,” says Eric Werner, Maple Grove’s chief of police. Working with the city to enact pri mary prevention of domestic abuse is Maria’s Voice. In honor of 28-year-old Maria Pew, who lost her life to domestic violence in 2020, the local organization focuses on spreading awareness, educa tion and safe action responses. “Maria’s Voice recognizes that Maria’s story is, sadly, one that could resonate with any one in the community. The reality is, we all know someone who has experienced domestic abuse, whether we are aware of it or not,” says Sara Silva, executive direc tor and Pew’s cousin. Join the conversation at a vigil at the Town Green amphitheater from 6–7 p.m. October 6. Alongside live music and guest speakers, patrons can also purchase a $100 plaque to keep in honor of a victim of domestic violence. These plaques will be displayed along a path at the vigil to form a “memory lane.” For more information about domes tic violence, preventative response and to get involved visit mari asvoice.org. —Paige Schuller Maple Grove Police Department 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway; 763.494.6100 Maple Grove Police Department
The city shines a light on the issue of domestic violence. things to see and do in and around Maple Grove ON THE TOWN
31September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com
HONORING PURPLE
OCTOBER LOCAL EVENTS Autumn Woods Classic 10/08 Looking for s’more to support Three Compiled by Hanna McDaniels and Paige Schuller Event October 6th, 2022 | 4pm - 8pm Grove MN
Last Movie in the Park 09/30 Celebrate the end of summer with one final Friday Movie in the Park. This year, the Sounds of Summer program ends its movie nights with 2021 film Respect, a family-favorite about Aretha Franklin’s journey to stardom. All ages. Free. Movie starts at dusk. Town Green, 7991 Main St.; maplegrovemn.gov
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32 ON THE TOWN September/October 2022
SEPTEMBER LOCAL EVENTS
Osseo Lions Roar 09/09–09/10 Join the Osseo community for a week end packed with activities. A scavenger hunt, bean bag competition and inflatable games are just a few of many options this year. Food and beverages will be avail able at the beer garden or at the Lions food tent, and entertainment opportu nities will be happening all weekend, including live music and a parade. All Ages. Free. Times vary. Downtown Osseo; osseolions.org Rockin’ the Grove 09/16–09/17 Are you ready to rock? The Maple Grove Lions foundation promises a weekend of music, food and beer at this year’s Rockin’ the Grove festival. Formerly known as Concert on the Lawn, this outdoor music experience has been an end-of-summer staple for years. Don’t miss out on acts from Hairball, Arena and Devon Worley Band, performing live in Central Park. All ages. $25–$45. Doors open Friday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. Central Park. 12000 Central Park Way; maplegrovelions.org
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Enjoy a weekend celebration of Greek culture and cuisine, hosted by St. Mary’s Orthodox Church. It will feature food, dancing and a Greek bookstore and bou tique. All ages. Free. Times vary. St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Ave, S., Mpls.; 612.825.9595; mplsgreekfest.org St. Louis Park Art Fair 09/10 The City of St. Louis Park is hosting its fourth annual art fair in the heart of the city. Celebrate local community, and check out fun, new vendors. There will be live music, food and fun activities. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Recreation Outdoor Center, 3700 Monterey Drive, St. Louis Park; discoverstlouispark.com952.426.4047; Selby Ave Jazz Fest 09/10 Groove on over to Selby Avenue for a day dedicated to celebrating community and jazz. Enjoy performances from local, regional and international musicians. Food, art booths, family-fun activities and more will also be available. All ages. Free. home of your dreams! 763.732.8731
33maplegrovemag.com
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Rivers Park Explorer programs? Hop online and register for Elm Creek Park’s Autumn Woods Classic. There will be 10K, 5K and 1K race options, along with DJ entertainment and sweet treats. All ages. Registration fee varies. 7 a.m.–noon. Elm Creek Park Reserve, 12400 James Deane Parkway; 763.694.7894; threeriversparks.org Maple Grove Craft and Gift show 10/29 The Halloween Craft and Gift Show returns with an array of local vendors. Home decor, jewelry and beauty prod ucts are just a few of the wide selection of high-quality, handmade products for purchase. All ages. Free. 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Maple Grove Community Center, 12951 Weaver Lake Road; 763.494.6500 AREA EVENTS Minneapolis Greek Festival 09/09–09/11
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been completely
Full Moon Hike at the Arb 09/10 Come to the Minnesota Landscape
Minneapolis Art Bike Tour 09/13 Join Greg Ingraham, landscape archi tect and artist, on a bike tour around Minneapolis. The eight mile tour will start and end at the Walker Sculpture Garden. All ages. $20. 10 a.m. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 726 Vineland Place, Mpls.; bikemn.org September/October 2022 Jesus Christ PreK - 12th Grade a tour at: admissions@myhca.org call: 763-463-2223
Schedule
EDUCATION
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34 ON THE TOWN iStock.com/Rawpixel
Equipping Minds • Engaging Hearts Encountering
Arboretum after-hours for a beautiful full moon hike. Watch the sun set, and cel ebrate the harvest moon with activities, such as games and moonlit strolls. All ages. $5 for members and children 15 and younger, $20 for non-members. 7–10 p.m. Arboretum Farm, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; arb.umn.edu
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35 FAMILY-FUNHALLOWEEN DAY 10/22 Celebrate the spirit of Halloween with a fun day of events catered to families with younger children. Mix spooky with silly this year at the scream contest, in which children compete for the loudest, spooki est scream. For those with a sweet tooth, goodie bags will be available to pick up at the craft table. This will be a cash only event. Ages 2–8. $6/child, no charge for children under 2. Noon–4 p.m. Weaver Lake Park, 8401 Dunkirk Lane N.; mgco.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 busi ness operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates. Twin Cities Veg Fest 09/18 Join Minnesota’s largest plant-based festi val, and gather for great food and music. With over 10,000 attendees each year and more than 120 exhibitors, there will be lots of fun and vegan-friendly selec tions offered. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Harriet Island Park, 200 Dr. Justus Ohage Blvd., St. Paul; 612.276.2242; tcvegfest.com maplegrovemag.com Hey you. We’re glad you’re here. We’re putting wellness in good hands. Yours. Welcome to whole-person primary care. WE’RE OPEN! 7881 Main Street in Maple Grove 651.650.0400 | thegoodclinic.com 8121 Wedgewood Ln N | Maple Grove, MN 55369 | 763-657-1313 MORE RESULTS *Offer limited to first-time visitors to Orangetheory Fitness and local residents only. Certain restrictions apply. $28 minimum value. At participating studios only. See studio for details. Orangetheory® and other Orangetheory® marks are registered trademarks of OTF IP Holder, LLC. © Copyright 2022 OTF IP Holder, LLC and its affiliates. GET YOUR FIRST CLASS FREE* AT ORANGETHEORY.COM
36 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com TASTEMAKERS
37
Experience everything tomatoes have to offer this peak season.
AS A PLACE TO APPRECIATE and experience fresh, local produce, the Maple Grove Farmers Market wel comes and celebrates vendors of all kinds. Homegrown and homemade, the market prides itself on delivering healthy products to our community of consumers—with some local produce like tomatoes available during peak season. For some sellers, the market is a way for them to showcase their skill sets. Like the Nelson Family Farm and Greenhouse, a family-owned and oper ated vendor known for its juicy tomatoes at the Maple Grove Farmers Market, who has produced the versatile fruit (and much more) for over 35 years. It started as a genuine passion for work ing with plants—cofounder Dave Nelson began working in a greenhouse at just 15 years old. Developing a love for vegetation and how to cultivate it, he soon translated his love for the science into something everyone could enjoy. The original farm started in Corcoran and continued to flourish for 33 years before the family uprooted its crops to move closer to its home on Big Lake. Selling produce at the Burnsville Farmers Market, it was years before it became a prominent presence at the Maple Grove Farmers Market. With the addition of its greenhouse on the farm, it was now able to produce and harvest
WRITTEN BY HILLARY STREITBERGER AND AVA DIAZ PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT
From Farm to Table
38 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com TASTEMAKERS
• Water underneath the plant instead of “on top” of the plant to ensure the entire root system is hydrated.
• If the tomatoes get blossom end rot, it means there is a calcium defi ciency in the plant. This disorder can occur from an inconsistency with care, such as over or under watering the plant. When the fruit is affected, the tissue by the blossom end of the tomato (the portion of the tomato that faces away from the stem) breaks down and rots. If you see defective tomatoes, pick them off the plant.
• A sucker branch—one that does not produce tomatoes—should be pruned (trimmed) from any dead or over grown stems to yield more tomatoes.
TOMATO HARVESTING TIPS
• Do not pick if the fruit is green. You may pick it when starts to display a red tone. However, you can harvest it when its starts turning orange dur ing freezing season come October.
The sucker branch is the branch that is between the stock and the main branch of the fruit bearing plant.
• Once the fruit is picked, keep it away from moisture to avoid rapid discomposure.
Visit maplegrovemag.com to find out how you can utilize your harvest and create delicious salsa from a Nelson Family Farm recipe.
WHEN TO PICK
may seem simple to a bystander, but ven dors and gardeners alike know the plants require strict growing pro cesses to produce the best fruit. We asked Nelson Family Farm and Greenhouse to provide tips and suggestions to achieve a bounti ful harvest in your own garden.
TOP HarvestingCHOICEthesetomatoes
• You can place your tomatoes on the countertop to ripen. This process can take anywhere from 10 to 14 days.
• The tomatoes can last over one month if they are just turning color and are stored in cool and dark place.
39 tomatoes at a more rapid rate. Resulting in the availability of fresh, ripe toma toes as early as June, says cofounder Virginia Nelson. (Typically, the natural harvest period for tomatoes is midAugust to October.) Not only is the family able to produce sooner, but its also prides itself in sourc ing, what Nelson describes, as the tasti est variety with a process that has taken them several years to perfect. “Our toma toes are larger, [sweeter], meatier toma toes that are good for eating plain, [in] salsa, [in] spaghetti sauce, [for] stewing and really just everything,” Nelson says. The farm produces about 80,000 field tomatoes and 12,000 greenhouse toma toes in one given season. Though toma toes are its specialty, it also grows pick ling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, broc coli, cauliflower, cabbage, muskmelon, watermelon, three types of squash, zuc chini and varieties of hot peppers, sweet peppers and bell peppers. “[Gardening] is hard work, and it feels good because you are producing all of this really good and fresh produce and you know where it comes from,” Nelson says. From farm to table, she says the toma toes featured at the market stands are within hours from their pluck off the stem. “When we go to the market, we pick it the day before we go and wash or wipe [the tomatoes] that morning,” she says. “It is the freshest you can get.” If produce isn’t your jam, the farm also grows and sells a variety of annual flow ering plants to spruce up your garden. Maple Grove Farmers Market 12951 Weaver Lake Road; 763.494.5955 Nelson Family Farm ] Ask us about our new patient special offers ] Phone: 763.416.2006 9507 Blackoaks Lane • Maple Grove, MN 55311 (across from McDonalds off of Maple Grove Parkway) Convenient location Emergenc ies welcome Digital Xrays (90% less radiation) Children welcome TV ’ s in the exam rooms Inv isalign,™ clear or thodontic t reatment Most insurances accepted New patients welcome Thomas J. Pink, DDS H VOTED TOP DENTISTS H by Mpls St Paul Magazine and Minnesota Monthly numerous times W e are proud to celebrate prov iding 10 years of family dental care in the Maple Grove community. Cr imsonCareDental.com Visit us on Facebook Girl Scouts explore art in nature, design digital games, and change their communities. They build forever friendships, take on new adventures, and tell their stories to the world. Girl Scouts know how to dream big and have fun! Join Girl Scouts. To join, scan the QR code on a mobile device or visit us at GirlScoutsRV.org/Join. Totally you. Totally fun. Be a Girl Scout!
LAST GLANCE By Ava Diaz
40 September/October 2022 maplegrovemag.com FIRST PLACE: ACTIVITIES & EVENTS A Night on the Town
Lights, camera, action! Photographer: Sarah Cupryna Title: Night Out at Town Green Equipment: iPhone 10 To view other Focus on Maple Grove photo contest winners, visit maplegrovemag.com.
DESCRIBING HERSELF AS a “hobby pho tographer,” Sarah Cupryna says she takes advan tage of her surroundings to capture memorable moments around the community. After leaving an outdoor concert at the Maple Grove Bandshell in Town Green Park, she says she was drawn to the colorful glow of the bandshell lights.
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