Woodbury - May 2024

• THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER •

Siblings launch a music career that’s built on authenticity— and a lot of love

BACK PAIN

For some of our patients, the goal is playing on a winning team. But you just want your back pain to go away so you can keep your business on track. At TRIA Orthopedics, we’ll treat your back so you can be there for your team. When that happens, it feels like we all win. It’s why you’re treated and how you’re treated by TRIA.

You name the place, we’ll bring

the taste.

‘The Joy of Good Food’ truck.

Bring the taste of Kowalski’s to your next party or event. The Joy of Good Food Truck offers some of our best Signature recipes and exclusive products, like our Certified Akaushi Beef Burgers and Hot Dogs, specialty Street Tacos and Pulled Pork sandwiches made with our own Naturally Raised meats.

Call 651-313-6870 to book our truck for your next event!

MAY 2024

“The garden is giving residents a sense of belonging … They enjoy living here because we’re providing them the opportunity. That’s what makes your city yours.” —Sandy Peterson on the Woodbury Community Garden (page 28)

Photo: Chris Emeott

Ying Liang, page 28

“As a father of three children and a husband navigating a challenging "quiet firing" from a Minnesota company, I found myself in a tight spot. Thankfully, I secured a new job in Georgia, but with just three weeks to relocate and limited savings, the prospect seemed daunting. Hyounsoo stepped in like a member of the family, taking care of my two houses. All I had to focus on was packing and moving, as she and her exceptional team handled everything else. Hyounsoo is the epitome of a dream realtor, demonstrating meticulous planning, flawless execution, and open communication throughout. Her foresight and ability to tailor negotiations for the best outcome for all parties involved, whether buyer or seller, were truly remarkable. Above all, it's her character that sets her apart. She embodies professionalism, integrity, and genuine care. Thanks to Hyounsoo's efforts, my family is embarking on a new chapter with confidence. I wholeheartedly recommend her without reservation. Hyounsoo, thank you from the bottom of my heart. ” -Woong

from the EDITOR

Woodbury is quite lucky to be home to so many different landscapes: From the wetlands and woodland trails of Tamarack Nature Preserve to the wooded areas and serene water at Carver Lake Park and Beach. Whether birding or biking, running or walking, there’s no shortage of the great outdoors in Woodbury—and into our neighboring cities, too.

In our arts and outdoor living issue, we’re exploring these native landscapes and meeting dynamic individuals who share their talents with the world. On page 24, open the doors to a century-old farm at Dodge Nature Center in bordering Cottage Grove. The organization aims to spark lifelong relationships to the natural world—for children and adults alike. Next, flip to page 28 for blossoming flowers, growing vegetables and colorful fruits as we tour the plots at the Woodbury Community Garden.

May marks the 75th annual Mental Health Awareness Month as well as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. On page 18, writer Meredith Heneghan connects with Alyssa Kaying Vang from Woodbury’s Vanguard Mental Health Clinic. With the recent launch of the Hmong Mental Health Podcast, Vang and her colleagues are creating a unique approach to care outside the clinic.

And between all of these pages, you will also find a group of siblings that banded together to form their own musical troop (page 32) and another local who is hitting the high notes in her opera career (page 16).

Readers, I implore you to spend time in nature this month— enjoy the beauty of our local landscapes while taking time to disconnect from the stresses of daily life. See you next month, Hailey

CELEBRATING THE WOODBURY AREA SINCE 2004.

On the Cover

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

Photo: Chris Emeott

ALMA FLOR ADA CARES

A

BOUT WOODBURY

“Tu familia es nuestra familia.” Your family is our family!

That is the slogan of Alma Flor Ada, a yearround Spanish Immersion program that offers a hybrid of daycare and preschool services. Owner and operator Lucilla Dávila is a Woodbury resident for over 20 years. She shares her passion for using multi-lingual learning methods to empower children to explore, discover and advance.

“I have been in the field of education for 30 years. My career in education started as an ESL and Spanish Teacher for 8 years. I then moved into administration as an Assistant Principal, then Principal of a Spanish Immersion program in the public sector, Associate Superintendent, Chief of Staff and now Superintendent of Schools creating innovative programming for families in Spanish Immersion education,” says Dávila. “I have lived in the Woodbury community for more than 20 years where my daughter Sophia and son Johnny are graduates of Woodbury High School. I have seen how much Woodbury has grown and much Woodbury has grown

and diversified over the years as a community and the diverse businesses that are flourishing as well.”

Alma Flor Ada, is named after Doctor of Bilingual Education, Dr. Alma Flor Ada, who is originally from Cuba and has written more than two hundred children’s books. In addition to language immersion, Dávila says that the school also focuses on culture, school readiness, social emotional learning, and STEM programming for children ages 2 years old to 6 years old.

Dávila serves on the Board of Directors at Woodbury Community Foundation and sponsors community efforts such as One Woodbury.

“Communities become stronger when we all care for each other and have the same levels of urgency in making Woodbury a better place to live, work and create amazing memories with friends and family! The Foundation embraces this purpose to the core!”

More at afaspanishimmersion.com.

VOL. 19 NO. 10

woodburymag.com

PUBLISHER

Susan Isay EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Renée Stewart-Hester

MANAGING EDITOR

Hailey Almsted

DIGITAL EDITOR

Madeline Kopiecki

COPY EDITORS

Kellie Doherty, Sherri Hildebrandt

STAFF WRITERS

Kelly Cochrane, Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Daniel Huss, Jennifer Pitterle, Rachel Schuehle, Josie Smith

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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

DIGITAL INTERN

Zoe Baden

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Findlay

Drabant, Grace Knapp

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Matthew Johnson, Anew Real Estate Group at Keller Williams, Woodbury Lions Club, Woodbury Community Foundation, Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce ; Marni

Kanne, South Washington County Schools, SoWashCo Community Education ; Elizabeth Kriel, Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce; Elizabeth Owens , City of Woodbury ; Margaret Wachholz, Woodbury Heritage Society, Woodbury Community Foundation

SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR

Sarah Dovolos

ART DIRECTOR

Allison Nolden

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR

Jamie Klang

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Yaz Lo

LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Chris Emeott

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Brittni Dye

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Lisa Stone

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Mimi Coz

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Cynthia Hamre, Mary-Catherine Hartel, Sara Johnson, Abbie Kinn, Kathie Smith

PRESIDENT

Pete Burgeson

Cycling Without Age Program at Saint Therese of Woodbury

WHAT IS CYCLING WITHOUT AGE?

Cycling Without Age is a movement started in 2012 by Ole Kassow. Ole wanted to help the elders get back on their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents. He then got in touch with a civil society consultant from the City of Copenhagen, Dorthe Pedersen, who was intrigued by the idea and together they bought five trishaws and launched Cycling Without Age, which has now spread to all corners of Denmark, and since 2015 to another 50 countries around the world.

HOW IT WORKS

Volunteers (pilots) sign up for bike rides with the elderly as often or as rarely as they want to. It’s all driven by people’s own motivation. At present more than 2,200 chapter locations around the world offer Cycling Without Age from well over 3,000 trishaws – and the numbers are still growing. More than 33,000 pilots ensure that the elderly get out of their nursing homes, out on the bikes to enjoy the fresh air and the community around them. They give them the right to wind in their hair.

OUR DREAM

“We dream of creating a world together, in which the access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain an active part of society and the local community. We do that by giving them the right to wind in their hair, the right to experienece the city and nature close up from the bicycle and by giving them an opportunity to tell their story in the environment where they have lived their lives. That way we build bridges between generations and we reinforce trust, respect, and the social glue in our society.”

sainttherese org/woodbury

651.209.9128

month?

You can make a real differenece by becoming a trishaw pilot- and you don’t have to be an expert cyclist! We are looking for Volunteer Pilots!

First

GARDEN TRENDS

THIS YEAR, I’m all in on dark-leaf plants. The dark purple, red and black hues bring a dramatic, moody vibe to the landscape that I can’t get enough of. If you want to dip your toes into this hot garden trend that is here to stay, here are a few easy ways to make it happen.

Treat your plants as dark-leaf heroes by surrounding them with bright green, chartreuse or silver plants. There’s no easier plant pairing to make this happen than with Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea and Cobalt-n-Gold™ Hypericum. New for 2024, Eclipse® is the first true dark-leaf mophead hydrangea that stay dark year after year. The dark purple, almost black, leaves on Eclipse® provide a fabulous dark-leaf backdrop for the bright green leaves on Cobalt-n-Gold™.

If you’re feeling a little bit bolder, celebrate all things

dark-leaf by planting a monochromatic garden that pairs dark-leaf plants with other dark-leaf plants. The key to making this work is playing with texture. Plant something with fine leaves, like Fireside® Ninebark, next to something with broad leaves, like Northern Exposure™ Black Coralbells. The contrasting textures will make this pairing visually interesting, and you’ll be treated with a bold, dark-hued vignette in the garden.

Whatever avenue you go down, I encourage you to try planting dark-leaf plants this year. Why can’t our gardens be just as bold as we are?

Gretchen

Photo: First Editions® Shrubs & Trees/Tracy Walsh

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

Editions® Eclipse® Bigleaf Hydrangea

READ

Dive into Summer

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again in one of her most recent historical fiction novels, Malibu Rising Malibu, California, August 1983. Nina Riva is hosting her annual end-of-summer party, and everyone is trying to get on the list. Nina is a talented supermodel and surfer; her siblings Jay and Hud are a champion surfer and a world-renowned photographer; and baby sister Kit is just finding her place in the world. The world is fascinated with the Riva family, especially since their father, Mick Riva, is a talented, nationally renowned singer.

Although Jay can’t stop counting down to the big night, and Kit invites her own secret guest, Nina is not excited to host hundreds of out-of-control guests at the oceanside house. The drinks flow, the music plays, secrets come out and the house is burned down before the next morning.

Told in dual timelines, Malibu Rising shares the story of each sibling—plus Mick—and the secrets they’re hiding. The book also intertwines with Jenkins Reid’s other novels, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six Hailey Almsted

CITIZEN OF WOODBURY

Meet a Local Champion

If you are a student or volunteer in schools/ organizations across Woodbury, chances are high that you have worn a T-shirt custom printed at Big Frog Custom T-shirts. Eric Morley started his company a decade ago, “not out of a passion for selling, but to get to know more about the community,” he says. After college, Morley planned to be a school teacher but ended up as a transportation and logistics strategist for Best Buy.

Since 2014, Morley has tried to give back to students in the community. He visits local high schools and talks to students in the business program and the AVID program, on entrepreneurship and the benefits of being a business owner. He is also a speaker for Woodbury Community Foundation’s (WCF) Youth Engagement Leadership Academy (YELA). (Read more about YELA at woodburymag.com.) Morley also leads the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador Team in new business outreach and member recruitment.

“I want to do anything I can for the community,” Morley says. “I get my energy out of meeting people in the community, shaking their hand and talking to them.”

Manali Shah is a volunteer with the WCF and is an active volunteer in Woodbury and Washington County. Find more at woodburycommunity.org.

Photo: Eric Morley

Eric Morley

Incorporating natural elements, such as greenery and natural light, promotes relaxation.

Outdoor Design

Let’s bring the outdoors in. Biophilia describes humanity’s natural tendency to connect with nature and other living beings, and biophilic design is an approach to architecture and interior design that seeks to connect people more closely with the great outdoors. It incorporates elements of the natural world into built environments, such as plants, natural materials, sunlight and water features.

You might have seen biophilic design in places like cozy cabins Up North, with big windows looking out onto the forest or even in trendy Minneapolis apartments, filled with leafy green plants. But why do we do it? Well, it turns out being around nature is good for us! It helps us feel happier, more relaxed and even more productive.

How can you incorporate biophilic design into your own home? Start by bringing in some greenery. Whether

it’s a potted plant on your windowsill or a vertical garden in your sunroom, adding plants can instantly breathe life into any space. Next, maximize natural light by opening up your blinds or installing skylights to let in the sunshine. And don’t forget about natural materials—opt for finishes and furniture or decor made from wood, stone or bamboo to add warmth and texture to your home. By integrating these elements into architectural and interior design, biophilic design aims to create environments that promote health, happiness and environmental sustainability.

Amy Leferink is the founder and principal designer for Interior Impressions, and Megan Koren is the marketing director for Interior Impressions. Find more at interiorimpressions.org.

DISCOVER

Community History

Do you remember playing certain games and asking one another, “Is it larger than a bread box?” Do you have a bread box in your home now? Bread boxes were very necessary in farmhouses for a variety of reasons. They kept bread at a cool, constant temperature, and they were often made of metal to keep mice away and keep bread from going stale. However, their decline was due to the advent of preservatives in bread and the packaging of commercial bread in plastic bags. This metal bread box (pictured below) is still located in the kitchen area of the Heritage House located at the corner of Radio Drive and Lake Road. When the house is open for tours in a few months, see it for yourself. My sister and I used to play in this house when it was located on the Stutzman family farm—which is now Marsh Creek. If memory serves me right, the wooden cabinet that houses the bread box stands exactly in the same spot, after all these years!

Patty (Stutzman) Paulus is a board member of the Woodbury Heritage Society. Discover more at woodburyheritage.org.

Photos: Spacecrafting; Patty (Stutzman) Paulus

A Better Door is Waiting

Resident grew up singing in South Korea and credits her parents’ generosity for her success.

By Josie Smith

BORN IN SEOUL , South Korea, Hyounsoo Lathrop grew up in a loving home with her father, Kyungtack Sohn; mother, Junghee Park; and older brother, Changbum Sohn, by her side. During tough times in South Korea, she watched as her father struggled in his role as a first-generation real estate broker. “Korea went through a really, really hard time,” she says. “My dad worked hard. He was such a good man.”

Faith was an important part of their lives, and her parents, Lathrop says, believed in giving generously to others. She still remembers a time when her mother invited someone who was without housing into their home, feeding them and clothing them.

“She always did that. She was always giving to somebody, doesn’t matter if you have money,” Lathrop says.

Although her father passed away about 14 years ago, Lathrop’s mother and brother remain in South Korea. Today, Lathrop is a successful Realtor and manager associate for Coldwell Banker in Woodbury. She and her husband, Arthur, have two sons, Allen (18) and Calvin (15). She’s also a gifted singer and pianist who gives back to her community.

Prior to her time in the United States, Lathrop was a member of the Korean National Chorus for six years before moving to the U.S. at the age of 28. It was her mother who urged her to dream even bigger. “Because Korean National Chorus is a really good job, it was hard to give up,” Lathrop says.

Lathrop applied to six different music academies in the U.S.—and was denied admission to her top choice—before

Hyounsoo Lathrop (left) in Madama Butterfly, an opera by Giacomo Puccini.

Hyounsoo Lathrop

she was accepted at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Indiana, where she was awarded a full scholarship for the professional study of opera, with living expenses paid. “It’s so amazing; every time a door closed, there was a better door waiting,” she says.

Meanwhile, as the only non-English speaking person in her opera program, Lathrop struggled. Although she could read English, having a conversation was more difficult. As an opera major, she was also required to learn French, Italian and German.“It was extremely difficult,” Lathrop says. “I gave up my career in Korea, very determined. I am not going to let this stop me.”

Her classmates and her future husband, Arthur, were incredibly supportive, helping her improve her speaking skills. Today, Lathrop is fluent in both English and Korean.

Lathrop then spent a few years touring and performing around the U.S. In 2005, when she was first pregnant, she shifted her focus to being a fulltime mom. Madama Butterfly, in the Indianapolis Opera, became her final opera performance.

When her husband accepted a job at 3M, the family packed their bags and headed to Woodbury. Now that her boys are older, Lathrop is making singing a priority again. “The reason I started intentionally doing more is my mom says, ‘Real estate is all good, but God gave you a gift and you have to use it,’” Lathrop says.

During COVID-19, she did free-ofcharge performances in the parking lot at St. Therese, an assisted living facility in Woodbury, to cheer up the residents.

“It was chilly even though it was early May. They had their blankets on, on their balcony. I’m just looking up, singing to them. It was just very special,” she says. She also sings at festivals, events, churches and funerals— all free of charge. Last year, she sang the United States and the South Korean national anthems for the Korean Culture Festival at the Mall of America.

- Shoreview Community Center

Bamboo Bay Waterpark & Indoor Playground

• Prehistoric Adventures

- Snake Discovery

•Superheroes & Villains

-Conquer Ninja Warrior

•All About the Arts

- Color Me Mine

• Wilderness Wonders

- Tamarack Nature Center

•Extreme Science

- Alpaca Farm / Battle Creek Waterworks

•It’s the Olympics!

- Grand Slam

• Aloha! Let’s Luau!

- High Touch High Tech In-House / Stages Theatre

-

•

Someday, Lathrop would like to make a recording of some of her favorite hymns with all the proceeds going to charity. “I love singing hymns. I think about it as telling the story. I want them to feel the music, the way I feel. I want to inspire people,” she says. www.steppingstoneslearning.org (651)

Photos: Hyounsoo Lathrop

Culturally Creative Care

Alyssa Kaying Vang and her team saw a need for mental health care beyond the clinic.

By Meredith Heneghan

WOODBURY’S HMONG community is fortunate to have Alyssa Kaying Vang, PsyD, LP, BC-TMH, in its neck of the woods. Vang is the owner and clinical director of Vanguard Mental Health Clinic. Recently, she and her colleagues launched the Hmong Mental Health Podcast

Vang says, “It’s been a really fun project for us.” She is joined by Chue Her, LMFT, Houa Vang, LICSW, and

Mosi Thao, MA. “It’s a diverse team with different training practices,” she says. On the podcast, a well-rounded table of voices speaks on various topics at the forefront of the Hmong community’s needs, especially in the wake of COVID-19. “People were isolated, losing loved ones, not able to grieve and disconnected,” Vang says. As they brainstormed how to respond to the influx of people consuming mental health

information from home, they knew they’d have to embrace a platform that was accessible and popular. “We wanted to do something creative, something outside of our traditional training, that could reach people outside of our clinic,” she says. “We know that mental health is a stigmatized topic in Hmong community—if we waited until they came in the door, we might be too late.”

Many of the people seeking this

Photo: Chris Emeott

From left to right: Chue Her, Alyssa Kaying Vang, Houa Vang, Mosi Thao

type of information and guidance are second generation Hmong or what’s called 1.5 generation—people who were born in a different country but who came to the United States very young. Oftentimes, this split identity manifests in a sense of dividedness between two cultures, which often have different approaches to mental health.

Because they knew this was their likely audience, Vang says, “We wanted to be strategic and make sure we were pro viding a resource that was useful.”

Vang says that the podcast maintains the professional component of the clinic but also allows the team to show their personalities in a way that is more digestible to community members. “We felt that it would be less intrusive to our listeners—especially those who are ambivalent about mental health services,” she says, noting she categorizes it as “a gentle approach.”

The podcast is structured for a ready audience looking for healing. “People are always talking about healing because of the historical trauma with the Vietnam War and being refugees, and we see personal trauma based on the residual impact of this historical trauma,” Vang says. Topics touch on definitions and processes of healing, and how healing might be approached differently in a cultural Hmong setting vs. a Western setting. She says, “This is the time for us to introduce something that will give hope to our community.”

Because of challenges adjusting to a new society, many cultural Hmong practices, which are rooted in collectivist social approaches, do not translate to generations that are growing up in the U.S. Vang hopes the podcast can “be the bridge from what was to what is.”

Vang acknowledges that, as Hmong practitioners working with the Hmong community, they’re always addressing cultural pulls in opposite directions. “These are the nuances with the Hmong community,” she says. “I don’t want our younger generations to dismiss our traditional ways of being. Traditional spiritual practices have kept us grounded for generations.”

The Hmong Mental Health Podcast is available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

PORTRAIT

Place of Paradise

The Goetzkes create a tropical oasis in the

Photo: Steve Wahlin

East Metro.

By Hailey Almsted

Chris Goetzke

CHRIS GOETZKE and his family had a running joke that Goetzke would someday open his own tiki bar. The Woodbury resident does have a tiki bar in both his backyard and his family’s cabin near Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. What the family didn’t know is—that joke would eventually become reality when Goetzke and his wife, Patti, opened The Tilted Tiki in downtown Stillwater. But let’s start at the beginning.

The Goetzkes have long loved visiting Florida’s tropical bars like Harpoon Harry’s and Pineapple Willy’s, and, during trips to Hawaii, they developed a special appreciation for tropical food and drinks.

Back home in Woodbury, Goetzke wanted a change of pace in his day-today life, so he left his career in sales and started selling faux palm trees out of an office in downtown Stillwater. You might be wondering, how did he land there? In an effort to bring the tropics to the Midwest, Goetzke was hunting for palm trees that could withstand all the seasons—faux, of course, was the only way to go. “I found this company, put them up at our cabin and I said, ‘These are great. I should sell these,’” he says. “I had a showroom where people could look at artificial palm trees. We would do camping shows, and we brought more tiki stuff in and started selling that as well, and that’s when we came into the restaurant.”

When the front end of the office building became available in 2016, he spent time wandering around the location, thinking about the concept of a tiki restaurant and weighed in opinions from his wife. “She asked if I was crazy because we didn’t know anything about running a restaurant,” Goetzke says. He then connected with his friends in construction to see if his plans were legitimate. “We came up with the design and layout, and they helped us put it all up. We turned an old Victorian spot into

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Photo: Steve Wahlin

Tiki Chicken Club and Big Kahuna Burger

a tropical haven,” he says. The Tilted Tiki officially opened its doors in November 2016, serving up Polynesian inspired bites and drinks all year round.

“We really wanted to build a bar [and] restaurant that we would like to go to and hoped other people would [too]. So far they have,” Goetzke says. The Tilted Tiki serves up unique tacos, Hawaiianinspired menu items and refreshing entrees alongside craft cocktails.

From the get-go, the restaurant has been a family affair. The Goetzkes and their children, Jacki Schugart and Joe Goetzke, have all been involved in the restaurant in one way or another. They enjoy live music, so they’ve brought that part of their life into the restaurant. From classic rock ’n’ roll to reggae and beach music, there is a variety of musicians who grace the stage Wednesday through Saturday nights. “It’s become kind of what we’re known for,” Goetzke says.

Jacki and her husband, Chad, alongside their son, Joe, and his wife, Sjeila, have assisted in developing a secondary menu that is vegan—Jacki, Joe and Sjeila are vegan—something else the restaurant has become well known for. “We consulted with them and had them come down to try it before putting it on the menu. [They] inspired us,” Goetzke says, adding that Joe also manages the digital aspect of the restaurant. The vegan menu has been incredibly successful, Goetzke notes.

“It’s been a family adventure,” Goetzke says. “... We kind of built it for us. It’s the kind of place we would want to go to.”

The Tilted Tiki Tropical Bar & Restaurant, 324 Main St. S., Stillwater; 651.342.2545; thetiltedtiki.com

The Tilted Tiki @thetiltedtiki

Girls Explore Science summer camp at Shepard Farm.

CALLING ALL EXPLORERS

Dodge Nature Center opens its doors to a 100-year-old farm.

When Dodge Nature Center opened in 1967, the vision was clear—to create a natural resource for those seeking respite, connection and education. The Main Property (110 acres) and the Marie Property (40 acres), both located in West St. Paul, have developed endless offerings, including a working farm, raptor mews and an on-site, nature-based preschool. While the Lilly Property (170 acres) in Mendota Heights has no buildings on site, the location focuses on the equally important task of habitat stewardship and restoration.

Woodbury resident Crystal Adney has been a strong believer of nature programming for years, as all three of her children attended the Dodge Nature Center preschool in West St. Paul. When reflecting on what makes the nature center stand out, Adney says, “It’s their philosophy of letting kids learn organically through play and the outdoors.”

Dodge Nature Center was entrusted with a 100-year old farm in Cottage Grove—an honor bestowed in 2013 by the Wilder Foundation. Now officially opening its doors 10 years later, Shepard Farm welcomes nature explorers and enthusiasts to the East Metro.

Environmental education director Peter Cleary explains the deliberate timeline between acquisition and grand opening, crediting the organization with slow and thoughtful decision-making. “We first addressed parking, fencing and public restrooms,” Cleary says. “So the farm was ready to open the trails in 2020 although [COVID-19] pushed back the timeline to 2022.” Major renovations inside the buildings required meticulous planning with a heavy focus on keeping as much of the original structure intact as possible. Built in 1919, the six-bedroom main house has ample room for classrooms but lacked ADA accessibility. The renovations created two classrooms and a teaching kitchen, as well as a new outdoor pavilion, resulting in a well-rounded venue of indoor and outdoor teaching spaces.

With all the added benefits, Shepard Farm (140 acres) has since partnered with its closest neighborhood school, South Washington County Schools’ (SoWashCo) Crestview Elementary, to gauge its educational needs and build a symbiotic relationship. “We ask them what we can do to match their

Written by Rachel Schuehle — Photos by Andy Berndt

curriculum,” Cleary says, “What kinds of things can we do for your students, either supplemental or additive.” Since starting these conversations, Shepard Farm has supported kindergarten, first and fourth grade classrooms, with sights set on more ages and schools within SoWashCo.

In addition to school programming, Shepard Farm also boasts a wide range of engaging activities. The blacksmithing forge is available for blacksmithing class, where visitors learn to make charcoal from buckthorn on site. Animal admirers can take on chicken keeping or just visit with the cows. Beekeeping classes

Dodge Nature Center’s Shepard Farm covers 140 acres and is located in Cottage Grove.

buzz with excitement for novices, or for more experienced beekeepers, a rental space for hives is available, too.

The community garden provides space for green thumbs to cultivate their own garden without space requirement at home. For gardeners involved with the community garden, a welcome class and organic gardening basics are offered and encouraged to maximize the experience.

The teaching kitchen hosts cooking classes with an emphasis on farm-to-table recipes, given visitors can visualize the connections between community garden, beekeeping or chicken keeping, to cooking and eating farm fresh. Lastly, summer camps welcome kids for outdoor experiences unlike any other with themes like Forts and Fires, Down on the Farm and Nature Explorers

For those seeking an escape from the bustle of life, the 100-acre woods provides solace in what feels like a world away from the cities. Cleary is quite familiar with the grounds and often takes advantage of the scenery. His favorite parts? “Getting into the woods and listening to the owls and seeing the moon at night,”

Cleary says. “Or during the day, noticing a bald eagle or a deer grazing. It’s transformative.” He even knows a secret clearing surrounded by maple trees that whisper and dance in the wind.

Adney credits Dodge Nature Center for the kids’ growing appreciation for being outdoors and for their sense of adventure. “They love all the seasons we have to offer here in Minnesota,” Adney says. “I truly attribute that to being exposed and taught how to have fun in all environments.”

Although Shepard Farm will focus more on adult programming than preschool, there is no denying the impact nature has on anyone regardless of age. “We feel strongly that we need to connect our children to nature, so they learn how to appreciate it, take care of it and fight for it in the future,” Adney says. “We need nature, and nature needs us!”

dodgenaturecenter.org

@dodgenaturecenter

Dodge Nature Center

Dodge Nature Center

Signature Salon of Woodbury Offers a Full Palette of Services

The use of hair color is an ideal way to illustrate one’s beauty story. Signature Salon of Woodbury, an Aveda Exclusive Salon, specializes in anything color, delivers highquality services, provides excellent customer service and creates a welcoming atmosphere for its guests.

Salon services include color correction, blonding, gray blending and modern techniques, such as balayage, foilayage and lived-in colors. Clients are also offered lash and hair extensions, waxing and nail services, wedding hair and make-up application and haircuts for men, women and kids of all ages.

As we move into summer, Brazilian blowouts are offered to treat dry, frizzy hair. “This service is great to protect hair from the sun, heat and humidity. It is an anti-humidity armor,” owner Quynh McDermott says.

Another way to keep hair looking its best is by staying on point with evolving styles. “We follow modern trends and take continuing education courses to learn new techniques,” McDermott says. An emerging trend that everyone should watch for is using bolder highlights to frame and brighten the face. “I am seeing this technique being used with different color blends all over social media, and it is so pretty and really on trend right now,” she says.

“I love my job. I get to create art on clients’ hair, and the object is to make them look at themselves in the mirror and admire what they see,” McDermott says, noting that the post COVID-19 world has emphasized the importance of self-care to support positive self-esteem and mental health. “I truly believe that when you look good, you feel good,” she says. “It makes my career so rewarding to be a part of that process.”

Locally, Signature Salon of Woodbury sponsors the Woodbury High School Girls’ Hockey Team, Woodbury Royal Ambassadors and the Mrs. St. Croix Valley Beauty Pageant. McDermott is a member of the Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Business Professional of St. Croix Valley and is on the board for the Woodbury Police Multicultural Advisory Committee.

IN FULL BLOOM

Woodbury Community Garden expands to meet the increasing desire to grow alongside others.

Written by Rachel Schuehle — Photos by Chris Emeott

If there’s one thing that can bring people together, it’s a beloved hobby. From book clubs to softball leagues, communities depend on these opportunities to make connections and build bonds with others. For Woodbury residents with green thumbs, the community garden has become a haven for growing plants and friendships for the past two years.

Plans for a community garden started back in 2021 through conversations between the City of Woodbury and Woodbury Thrives, a branch of the Woodbury Community Foundation, which focuses on healthy lifestyle, mental wellness and community

connectedness. A community garden was the perfect place to start.

“One of the reasons we started the garden was to address concerns about mental well-being and connecting with the community,” says project manager Sandy Peterson. COVID-19 took a lot away in terms of socialization and left in its place added stress and worry. Gardening addresses both, as it is proven to decrease stress levels, encourage healthy eating habits and promote physical exercise. Additionally, Peterson says, “Our community garden stemmed from an initiative to make our city a more inclusive

and welcoming place, while fostering Woodbury Thrives’ and the city’s goal of environmental sustainability.”

The garden started with 16 plots in its first year in 2022 and expanded to 48 plots in 2023. Within hours of opening last November, registration for this season was full with a waitlist of 30 people. With such high demand, the hope is to expand the garden again in 2025 and add ADA-compliant raised beds. Although the City of Woodbury has granted five acres for the project, only a quarter-ofan-acre has been utilized so far. Each of the garden plots are 9-by-14-feet, perfect for residents who may otherwise

GARDEN ON

Although gardening starts in May, registration for the Woodbury Community Garden opens in late November. Returning gardeners are also required to register. The garden is adjacent to Andy’s Bark Park and is open from 6 a.m.–10 p.m. For more information on registration, visit woodburymn. gov, or call Parks and Recreation at 651.714.3583. More information can be found at woodburythrives.org.

not have the chance to grow flowers or food, such as those living in multifamily residences or homes with small yards and poor growing environments, or those with Homeowners Association (HOA) restrictions.

Prior to the community garden, Peterson worked alongside master gardener Ed Myatt to add a community garden for a group home in Woodbury. “None of the neighbors really knew the young men that lived there … some would even cross the street when walking by their house,” Myatt says. “So the garden was a way to bridge the gap and introduce the neighborhood to the guys that lived there. Now, there are 65 neighbors who participate in the garden.” Myatt credits the garden for the deep connectedness of this particular neighborhood, claiming they now host ice cream socials and barbecue picnics.

When Peterson was approached by the City of Woodbury to lead the community garden project, she knew just who to call to ensure it was meticulously and thoughtfully orchestrated. “Ed was instrumental in bringing the garden from concept to reality,” Peterson says. Between designing the garden plots (size, pathways, etc.), to installing the 6-foot fence to keep critters and deer at bay, Myatt has always been the heart and soul of the project.

On his journey to becoming a master gardener, Myatt underwent more than 80 hours of training through the University of Minnesota. For the first few weeks of the growing season, Myatt visited the garden for about three hours a day to help others with their plot plans and maintenance but quickly saw the relationships between gardeners

Ying Liang

blooming. “They started socializing outside of the garden,” he says. Regardless of skill level, interactions between the growers became not only beneficial to learning and honing skills, but to fostering teachable moments and building relationships, too.

Ying Liang embraced the garden as a way to procure vegetables from her childhood and attempt to grow unusual items. She has been gardening for years but hasn’t had enough room in her yard due to HOA regulations about raised beds. When registration opened this year, she stayed up until midnight to book a plot. “I heard the plots go fast,” Liang says, and luckily she landed one.

This past year, Liang grew a wide array of items. Along with the more standard snow peas and zucchini, she also cultivated black corn and Korean melon. “Some of them I had never grown before and just had a natural curiosity about the process,” Liang says. “Others you can’t buy, even from the farmers market.”

Four varieties of tomatoes grew in Liang’s plot, some of which have a lowyield but a delicious flavor. “When I was little and lived in China, we would get tomatoes fresh from the market, slice them and eat raw,” Liang says. Her favorites include Cherokee purple, costoluto genovese and sun gold cherry tomatoes. Her trick to keeping tomato vines upright: Ditch the store-bought tomato cages and try the Florida Weave method, using only stakes and string.

Myatt has witnessed the cultural ties and exchanges in the garden, as well. “There are people from India, Taiwan … people who are Hmong, Somali … They grow vegetables we’ve never seen, and they aren’t always familiar with ours either,” Myatt says. “Once everybody started growing, they were exchanging vegetables and recipes.”

There’s no denying the garden’s success only a few years in, both in regard to the demand for plot space and the output of produce, but also in terms of the connections built among residents and the cultivation of camaraderie that only happens over dirty gardening gloves and watering schedules. “The garden is giving residents a sense of belonging,” Peterson says. “They enjoy living here because we’re providing them the opportunity. That’s what makes your city yours.”

THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER

Siblings launch a music career that’s built on authenticity—and a lot of love.

Written by Jennifer Pitterle

For most people who take childhood music lessons or perform in a church’s children’s choir, music stays in the background of their lives: Maybe as a fun hobby they pursue every once in a while or even in the form of an old violin or guitar collecting dust in the attic. That’s most certainly not the case for the members of NUNNABOVE, a troupe of Woodbury siblings who’ve translated their childhood passion for music into a true calling—one that’s seen them on stage at big venues and even on TV.

The Nunn siblings—Cadence, Mattie, Bennett and Wisdom—started music lessons early at Woodbury’s K&S Conservatory of Music. Sisters Cadence and Mattie started piano at

ages 3 and 4, and brothers Bennett and Wisdom started guitar and drums at ages 7 and 9. As the years went by, they each found their perfect niche for the sibling band that would grow organically: Cadence on lead vocals and bass; Mattie on vocals and keys; Bennett on lead guitar and vocals; and Wisdom on drums and backup vocals. “We just fell into our roles in the band,” Cadence says. Their voices blend in perfect harmony, an outcome of both their musical training and their close familial bond. They call their sound “positive pop” or “pop alternative” and draw from a wide range of musical influences and styles.

Their parents, Ed Nunn and Michele Pollard, noticed the kids’ passion—and talent—for music and encouraged them

Photo: Atomic K Inc./Timbre Inc.

To keep up with NUNNABOVE and find out about its new music releases and tour dates, follow the band on social media, and visit the group online at nunnabove.com. For updates and episodes of Wisdom Nunn’s animated series, Bob’s World, follow along on Instagram at @the_crewburrow.

Photos: Atomic K Inc./Timbre Inc.

Mattie, vocals and keys

Bennett, lead guitar and vocals

Cadence, lead vocals and bass

Wisdom, drums and backup vocals

to perform locally at church and small gigs. About a decade ago, “We started doing covers at first, and then we wrote our first songs,” says Cadence, now 23.

With a laugh, she remembers their first performances in 2014 as “terrible,” but Ed says, “It was very well done.”

“You would think so,” says Mattie, 22 (speaking on behalf of daughters everywhere).

In a fortuitous moment, NUNNABOVE got connected with local producer Karl Demer. Demer was known for producing Clouds, the hit song from late Stillwater musician Zach Sobiech, who passed away from cancer in 2013 and found a nationwide following in the time before his death. “We were doing a benefit concert, and I had a lineup of seven or so bands,” Demer says. “One canceled last minute, and I was panicked.” Demer’s son, who went to school with the Nunn siblings at Woodbury’s Math & Science Academy, told his dad to reach out. “Ed sent me a tape of their performance at the school talent show,” Demer says. “They were good! They were really young, but they really had something. We had them come to do the show, and it was a great success.”

Demer stepped in as a manager and producer for NUNNABOVE, booking the siblings for local and national gigs and securing an audition for them on season 13 of America’s Got Talent. “They wowed the judges with their Fast Car mashup and then went on to the tapings in Los Angeles for their first TV performance and subsequent trip for the Judges Cut round,” Demer says.

NUNNABOVE also started drawing the attention of Twin Cities music legends, and the siblings had the opportunity to be coached by Jevetta and Jearlyn Steele, and by Sounds of Blackness’s Gary Hines. “That was huge,” Ed says. “It was a step up, and they really started to grow. They’ve had dance lessons. There have been a lot of things that have gone into what it means to be entertainers on stage.”

The Nunn siblings take their roles as entertainers seriously. “When you come to a NUNNABOVE show and see

us live, we give you a full experience,” says Bennett—not just the music.

In fact, the Nunns have woven their other considerable talents into their music career, too. Mattie majored in fashion design at the University of Minnesota, and she makes the group’s ensembles for performances and does their styling. Wisdom, 18, is studying animation at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. “I have my own animated show on YouTube, Bob’s World, that the band plays a huge role in,” he says. “We do the music for it. The whole family has played a role in bringing the show to life.”

Cadence, as the eldest sibling (and with a degree in psychology from Concordia University), is thoughtful about the way the band works together. “There are so many challenges and joys working with your siblings,” she says. “The crux of success for us is just communication. We each have clearly outlined roles. Of course, we get upset with each other, but we agree to speak it out loud and be honest about it.”

“We have sibling check-ins,” Wisdom says. “That really helps us air our grievances or just be honest about how we’re feeling in that moment.”

“The four of us try to speak with one voice about what we collectively want,” Mattie says. “We’re an internal unit, and then there’s the rest of our team, so we need to be a united front.”

Bennett, 20, who’s studying computer science at the University of Minnesota, says the siblings’ songwriting process is fun. “It usually starts with a riff or a musical bar. We bring something we’ve been working on to practice, and we’ll each add a piece.”

“It’s music first, and then everybody takes their interpretation of the starting kernel and adds something,” Mattie says. “Then it sits a while, and we’ll finish it, musically and lyrically, and perform it live. Then we start the recording process. It takes a long time.” Despite the lengthy process, NUNNABOVE has consistently released music and performed over the past 10 years, even as COVID-19 put a temporary halt to touring plans. Recent

Dr. James Erlandson

Dr. Marc Roehrich

“I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WHEN YOU COME TO ONE OF OUR SHOWS, WE WANT YOU TO BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF. BRING YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE GOING TO BE DOING.”

Cadence Nunn

singles, available on its website and streaming platforms, include Pocket Lover, Valentine and Sedated

Before the pandemic, Demer steered the group to performing opportunities like the Zach Sobiech benefit and America’s Got Talent, helping it avoid the club scene (partly because they were teenagers) and, more generally, avoid some of the pitfalls he observed befall other young musicians. “They were finishing their first record and getting ready to think about touring, and then the pandemic hit,” Demer says. “It was so hard to navigate that. But it was also a great growth period for them. They worked on songwriting and learned to do virtual concerts. It was a time when they really matured as songwriters. Now, they’re doing big shows again.”

The songwriting process reflects all of the authenticity and care that the Nunns put into their craft. “They all play their own instruments. They’re not a producer’s project,” Demer says. “They’re a band—a real band, which hasn’t always been the case in the music industry for the last decade or so.”

Parents Ed and Michele have watched their children’s growth—both musical and personal—with pride. “I’ve enjoyed seeing how they’ve matured in terms of what their responsibilities are, especially in a family group,” Ed says. “For them to understand what has gone into it—the time and resources—and to appreciate that is really rewarding. It’s not the easiest thing to do.”

“Our goal was just for them to have something they loved doing,” Michele says. “And to be respectful of one another and to have a good work ethic. We’re trying to raise really good people, and I think we’re on the right track with that.”

“I want people to know that when you come to one of our shows, we want you to bring your whole self,” Cadence says. “Bring your authentic self. That’s what we’re going to be doing.”

nunnabove.com @nunnabove @cadence.m.nunn @matt_mitch1115 @thebeanut @wizzymmd70

This company has been around for a long time and it has a well earned reputation for excellent work done at a fair price. If you hire them, you can relax and know that the work will be done correctly and in a timely manner. —

Photo: Atomic K Inc./Timbre Inc.

Southern-Style Food With a Northern Twist

LOOKING FOR southern cooking with unique Minnesotan flavors? A newly opened restaurant in Woodbury may have just what you’re craving. Southern Social features authentic southern-style food but dialed back on the heat to accommodate most Midwest taste buds.

“We specialize in smoked meats, broasted chicken, southern classics and expertly crafted cocktails,” says Joe Nowack, operations manager.

Southern Social is owned by Trellis Hospitality, a full-service restaurant management company specializing in management of services, operational assessments and financial processes. According to Nowack, Southern Social is the only restaurant in the company to open a second location.

“We have a Southern Social in Eagan that was our sixth restaurant we opened,” he says. “All of our restaurants have their own concept, style and unique venue ... Southern Social in Woodbury is the first time we’ve replicated a restaurant.”

Knowing the concept was solid, the hunt to find a spot for its second home stopped in Woodbury. Nowack says the decision wasn’t a difficult one. Woodbury has experienced a lot of growth during the past few years as people look to relocate to the suburbs.

“We’re here for the community; we’re here for the people,” he says. “We want to go where the people are going. Woodbury stood out to us as a really good spot.”

Woodbury’s Tamarack Tap Room, also owned by Trellis Hospitality, has seen a lot of success, which gave the team confidence in the decision to move forward.

SOCIAL CONCEPT

Tastebuds will enjoy the variety of flavors

Southern Social offers.

Written by Emily Gedde

The concept of Southern Social had been on the mind of Nowack’s manager, Ben Barry, for about three years before opening in Eagan last May. The success of Eagan drove the Southern Social team to begin exploring options for a second location.

Before opening Southern Social, Nowack and others traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, for a tastetesting extravaganza of southern food. “We probably went to 25 restaurants over three days and sampled as much food as we possibly could,” he says. “We brought all that knowledge back up to Minnesota.”

Being mindful that food prepared in the South is different than what is typically cooked in Minnesota, Nowack said ideas, flavors and recipes were adjusted accordingly.

“This is the first time we’ve gone

Photo: Trellis Hospitality

Jambalaya

Fried Chicken with Collard Greens and Roasted Corn

and done this kind of extensive research and development in other states to see what they’re doing and what they’re doing well, and bring it back home for our customers,” he says.

Outside of the authentic southern recipes, Southern Social aims to bring people together. The idea of sharing food and socializing with others at the table is brought out on the menu. Southern Social offers punch bowls that serve four to eight people and other entrees that feed multiple mouths.

“The menu is designed to bring people together,” Nowack says. “Our restaurant allows people to share appetizers, cocktails and food together ... We offer great deals and high-quality food for a reasonable price.”

POPULAR PICKS

With several mouth-watering picks on the Southern Social menu, Nowack highlighted a few things customers have established as their favorites.

“The fried chicken and chicken tenders are by far the most popular items on the menu,” he says.

Other choices? Jambalaya, chicken and waffles, gumbo and a variety of flatbread options. There are also a few things Woodbury will offer that the Eagan location doesn’t, including rotisserie chicken and El Pastor options.

Nowack says he’s excited for Southern Social to be part of the Woodbury community, noting it’s important for all the company’s restaurants to become integrated and give back when they can.

“It’s not your typical cookie-cutter restaurant,” he says. “We have something that very few restaurants in Minnesota have to offer ... We’re excited to build relationships with our guests and get to know everyone.”

Southern Social, 1424 Weir Drive; southernsocialmn.com

Southern Social southernsocialmn

Photo: Trellis Hospitality

WOODBURY MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

This May, commemorate those who served our country.

VFW POST 9024 AND AMERICAN LEGION POST 501 gather together for the Woodbury Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27.

“Our concept for Memorial Day is to commemorate those who have died for our freedom, remember those who received something from their service so heavy that they could not bear it and

thus committed suicide, give a helping hand to those veterans who might need something and a bit of history,” says Richard Cady, VFW Post 9024 senior vice commander.

This year’s speaker is Nicole Lynn Mitchell, a meteorologist and Air Force veteran who was recently elected to the Minnesota Legislature as a state sena-

tor for District 47. Mitchell’s military career is vast, and she is currently a lieutenant colonel in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. Alongside Mitchell’s remarks, Cady says there will be several booths and historical displays at the ceremony from 9:30–11 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m., and the program is set for 11 a.m.–noon. —Hailey Almsted

Photo: Keith Randolph

CASE STUDY:

Joe loved his home well, but it was just time to move on...

All ages. Free. 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Great! Let’s stage it to sell! Angela@SadatSells.com

“Can’t say enough good things about the work Angela and Lydia have done this past week to get my place sold. I made the decision go to market less than a week ago and the Sadat team did a phenomenal job staging, setting up photos, and marketing the property. The listing went live yesterday morning and I had an o er at list price by the evening. Selling is a lot of work, but the Sadat group’s expertise made the time and e ort all worth while. I can’t thank them enough!!”

-Joe

Woodbury Senior Living

A full spectrum of care options in a campus setting for 37 years.

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

Transitional Care

Integrative erapies to Support the Healing Process

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy

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

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

Health Care Center.

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

Memory Care

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

The following therapies are free of charge.

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

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

Woodbury Senior Living is pleased to o er a variety of Integrative Therapies to enhance your well being. Integrative therapies, also known as complementary therapies, wide array of healing practices that fall outside purely pharmaceutical or surgical treatments but are intended to complement Due to their proven results, their use is growing rapidly The following therapies are free of charge.

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

• Guided Imagery: Using your imagination to direct your

• Energy Based Healing Modalities: Gentle, non-invasive and balance of the body’s energy system. In times of stress, become congested, blocked or unbalanced.

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

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

May 27. Woodbury Veterans Memorial, 8301 Valley Creek Road

Healing Music erapy

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

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

Each memory care

• Gives the resident control in a situation

• Enhances attention, memory, speech,

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

• Essential Oils: Extracts of plants that are used to restore the sense of smell. The essential oils used at Woodbury organically grown plants and blended by a certi ed aromatherapist.

• Creates an outlet for emotional expression

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

• Motivator and reward for physical activity

Compiled by Findlay Drabrant and Grace Knapp

YOGA IN THE GARDENS

LOCAL EVENTS

Just Between Friends

Woodbury Spring Sale

05/08–05/11

This four-day sale event helps families save thousands of dollars on new and gently used clothing with sizes from infants to teenagers. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. M Health Fairview Sports Center, 4125 Radio Drive; woodbury.jbfsale.com

Hailey James Music

05/11

Cottage Grove native Hailey James will perform her hit country music at Carmine’s Restaurant and Bar. Ages 21 and older. 6 p.m. Carmine’s Restaurant and Bar, 9900 Valley Creek Road; haileyjamesmusic.com

Woodbury Mother’s Day 5K

05/14

Come and run a 5K this Mother’s Day. All ages. Prices vary. Noon. Location TBD; 801.851.5520; raceentry.com

Bonfire, Bike, Bows and Bait

05/18

Learn the basic skills of doing archery, fishing, riding mountain bikes and roasting s’mores over a fire at Carver Lake Park. Ages 4–12. $20. Times vary. Carver Lake Park, 3175 Century Ave. S.; web2.myvscloud.com

Matt Hannah Music 05/29

Listen to Minneapolis-based folk Americana singer-songwriter Matt Hannah perform at Ojibway Park. All ages. Free. 6:30 p.m. Ojibway Park, 2695 Ojibway Drive; matthannahmusic.com

AREA EVENTS

Kathy Mattea

05/01

Watch Grammy Award-winning country artist Kathy Mattea perform at Dakota. All ages. $30. 8:30 p.m. Dakota, 1010

Yin Yoga & Sound Healing is a 60 minute yoga class led by local instructors in the Sensory Garden. All ages. $7.50–$22.50. 6 p.m., Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska; 612.624.2200; exploreminnesota.com MAY 16

Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 612.332.5299; exploreminnesota.com

Members Exhibition

05/03

The Northern Clay Center will be opening an exhibit to showcase students, educators and professional artists who are a part of the Northern Clay Center membership.

All ages. Free. 6–8 p.m. Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Ave. E., Mpls.; 612.339.8007; exploreminnesota.com.

Nicollet Island Spring Market 05/05

Farm-fresh produce, artisanal gifts and sunshine are all on the menu at this one-day spring market on Nicollet

Island. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Mpls.; 612.230.6400; minneapolis.org

Spring Hobby Show and Sale

05/11

The Model Railroad Museum will host its semiannual Model Railroad Show and Hobby Sale at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. All ages. $7 for ages 8 and older. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Minnesota State Fairgrounds Education Building, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., Falcon Heights; 651.647.9628; exploreminnesota.com

Sculpture Garden Art Fair

05/11–05/12

This Mother’s Day weekend, stop by the first annual Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Art Fair, where you can shop the creations of over 150 artists. All ages. Free. 10 a.m. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 1600 S. Lyndale Ave., Mpls.; homespunevents.com

Doors Open Minneapolis

05/18–05/19

For a weekend, Doors Open Minneapolis invites you to take a peek behind the scenes at some of the most interesting, eye-catching and historic buildings the city has to offer. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Locations vary. doorsopenminneapolis.org

PNC Women Run the Cities

05/18

Fall in step with the Twin Cities’ female running community at this race, where participants can run a 5K, a 10K or a 10-miler. All ages. Prices vary. 8:30 a.m. Minnehaha Falls Regional Park, 4801 S. Minnehaha Drive, Mpls.; 651.289.7700; tcmevents.org

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

GALLERY Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Gala

The Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its annual Community Awards Gala on January 19, 2024. Honored guests include Sparkle Plenty Cleaners, the Woodbury Royal Ambassadors Nataliya Dorweiler of Lake Middle School, Jodi Ritacca, and Woodbury Police detectives Lynn Lawrence and Lucas Rogers.

Photos: Tom Dunn

Bird’s Eye View

See Woodbury from a new perspective in this winning photograph.

“My main inspiration for the photograph comes from the hidden landscapes that exist not only in Woodbury, but Minnesota as a state. Usually every night, there is a fantastic sunrise that can’t always been seen to the fullest extent on the ground level,” says Joseph Shoemaker, amateur photographer. “Trees might be blocking the way, or we may not have quick access to an open field to see the sunset. Before we know it, it’s basically gone in the matter of minutes! But through the use of aerial photography with the help of my drone, there’s a brand new perspective to see every evening, and it truly feels like an art piece every time. The light that shines from the clouds, alongside the mix of colors, it honestly makes for a spectacular sight.” (See more of his work on Instagram, @jetblizzard.)

To learn more about Shoemaker and to view other Focus on Woodbury photo contest winners, visit woodburymag.com.

Photographer: Joseph Shoemaker

Title: Let There Be Light

Equipment: DJI Mini Pro 3 Drone

Location: Wedgewood Heights

Category: Places

Award: First Place