Music Meets Meaning
One local band blends sound, story and recovery
A
Susan
An
Open
One
Tidings,
Dorothy
Enjoy
The
Photo: Chris Emeott
Tidings, Traditions and Treats, page 26
from the EDITOR
I believe there’s no better gift than that of a good story—so much so that I’ve adopted the label of bibliophile, bestowed upon me by my colleague, Renée Stewart-Hester. Now, she’s not wrong—as of writing this, I’ve read nearly 80 books in 2025. My goal is to complete 100 by the end of this month, which I feel confident in achieving. I enjoy a variety of genres, including contemporary romance, historical fiction, memoirs and mysteries, which is why I so enjoyed Stewart-Hester’s book round-up on page 18.
She has compiled a list of book recommendations made throughout the year in each of our titles across the Metro (including Woodbury Magazine!), and I promise you, there is something for every type of reader. Whether you’re shopping for a holiday gift perfect for your coworker, family or friends, neighbor or teacher—perhaps even yourself—I hope you find something worth enjoying.
The holiday spirit continues on page 26 as we take a look at Dorothy Ann Bakery & Cafe’s many seasonal treats, including coffee cake, fruitcake, rosettes and sugar cookies. Plus, the family behind the business shares a look into their own traditions going back to its opening in 1951. And don’t miss the chance for the pets to get a snapshot with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The Police K9 Fund’s annual event is back—find all the details on page 31. Readers, how are you celebrating the season? I’d love to hear from you. My line is always open at hailey@localmedia.co, or tag us on Instagram (@woodbury_mag).
On the Cover: Music Meets Meaning , page 22
Photo by:
Chris Emeott
Photo: Chris Emeott
Hailey Almsted hailey@localmedia.co
Joy. Full.
We’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our customers for shopping here, to our employees for working here, to our partners for growing and making great products and selling them here. Thank you.
May your holiday season be full of happiness, kindness and, most of all, the joy of good food.
VOL. 21 NO. 5
December 2025
PUBLISHER
Susan Isay
EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
MANAGING CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Renée Stewart-Hester
MANAGING EDITOR
Hailey Almsted
DIGITAL EDITOR
Madeline Kopiecki
COPY EDITORS
Kellie Doherty and Sherri Hildebrandt
STAFF WRITERS
Mollee Francisco, Emily Gedde, Meredith Heneghan, Jennifer Pitterle and Paige Udermann
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Megan Koren, Amy Leferink, Gretchen McNaughton, Manali Shah, Patty (Stutzman) Paulus, Rachael Perron and Katie Tomsche
DIGITAL INTERN
Claire Krieger
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Shawn Hogendorf, South Washington County Schools ; Michele Magistad, Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce ; Sue McKeown, Resident ; and Shelly Schafer, City of Woodbury
SENIOR MANAGING ART DIRECTOR
Sarah Dovolos
ART DIRECTOR
Allison Nolden
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR
Jamie Klang
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Yaz Lo
LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Emeott
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Brittni Dye
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Lisa Stone
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Mimi Coz
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Laura Bjorgo, Cynthia Hamre and Sara Johnson
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Rochita Chatterjee and Gina Neumann
PRESIDENT Pete Burgeson
To subscribe to Woodbury Magazine , please visit localmedia.co. For customer service inquiries, please contact hello@localmedia.co, or call 612.208.6248. ©Local LLC 2025. All rights reserved.
B ALLAST ADVISORS CARES ABOUT WOODBURY
simple: to help people find balance that lasts, in their finances and in their lives.
And for this local team, Woodbury isn’t just where they work. It’s home.
"The
When it comes t o achieving balance, in life and in finances, Ballast Advisors believes it begins right here at home.
“Our financial life deserves the same care and balance you welcome in every part of your life,” says Paul Parnell, APMA®, CRPC®, Managing Partner at Ballast Advisors. “The advice we give at Ballast Advisors is the same advice we’d give our own family.”
The fiduciary team at Ballast brings together more than 150 years of combined experience to help clients create plans that support their goals, their families, and their futures.
Whether clients are preparing for retirement, navigating changing interest rates, or planning a legacy for the next generation, Ballast’s goal is
“We live and work here too,” says Parnell. “You’ll see us at Eagle Valley, local school events, and supporting org anizations like the Woodbury Community Founda tion, First Tee, and Children’s Hospital. Giving back isn’t just something we do. It’s part of who we are.”
From supporting local programs to empowering families with financial education, their approach to service extends beyond wealth management into lasting impact.
Residents can explore Ballast’s insights and tools on their blog, designed to help individuals “stay steady through every season.” Simply scan the QR code in the ad to learn more.
Spectacular Singers
For years, Aspire Music Academy (aspiremusicacademy.com) has given parents and children the opportunity to perform together on stage during its annual Holiday Spectacular. “That’s one of the real joys of the concert,” says Lori Sager, founder and director. “It’s an experience that can be shared among a family.” Aspire offers youth and adult programs and groups, instructed by Sager and its creative team.
This year’s Holiday Spectacular at Woodbury Middle School features members performing in identical shows at 2 and 7 p.m. on December 13. The concert is a variety show, with singing and dancing, Sager says, and Aspire’s cast comprises over 100 people divided into age groups. During the show, expect to see certain age groups performing holiday songs together as well as the whole cast. Each ticket ($12 each and free for children under 5) includes a warm beverage and a dessert.
“It’s the kind of thing everyone loves at the holidays because you get to hear familiar songs; you get to see a lot of cute kids,” Sager says. “There’s usually … a plot that’s put together that’s holiday themed and that carries the story along and resolves in the final number.”
—Avery Vrieze
A Family Endeavor
Woodbury resident James Schmitt had been creating and telling stories to his children, Matthew and Sarah, for years. It wasn’t until his wife asked him to think about writing down a story told on Christmas while driving to Des Moines, Iowa, that he became a co-author.
Schmitt and Maggie McCoy, his sister, began working on their book, Santa’s Last Ride, around 20 years ago. As Schmitt has dyslexia, he asked McCoy to collaborate with him. “Maggie would come up with an idea, and then she’d start a
chapter, and then she’d send it to me,” Schmitt says. “I’d put a little into it, so some of the chapters are Maggie’s, or some are mine.”
Santa’s Last Ride (santaslastride.com) sees Santa go into retirement and follows his last trip on Christmas Eve. Santa expects his son to take over his role; however, he has no interest. Santa’s daughter is ready to step up instead, but she might be too young yet for the job. “Santa takes the reader with him, and you get to have all his adventures,” McCoy says. —Avery Vrieze
Designing Spaces That Give Back
The heart of every home is more than walls and furnishings—it’s the connection, memories and traditions built inside. As a designer, I’ve seen how thoughtfully curated spaces can nurture both family bonds and a spirit of giving back. During the holidays, a dining room designed for lingering dinners becomes the backdrop for celebrating generations of love, passing down recipes and sharing stories.
Design can also inspire generosity. A cozy guest room invites loved ones to stay and feel cared for. A mudroom with space for donation bins makes it easy to gather coats, food or toys for those in need. Even the smallest details—like a welcoming entry or a family photo gallery—remind us that our homes are not just for us, but for the connections we foster and the kindness we share.
Beautiful design isn’t only about style, it’s about creating spaces that reflect who we are and encourage us to gather, give and grow together.
Amy Leferink is the founder and principal designer for Interior Impressions, and Megan Koren is the marketing director for Interior Impressions. Design more at interiorimpressions.org.
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Sweet Smells
A candle maker turns a hobby into a thriving business.
By Mollee Francisco
For as long as she can remember, Heather Joslin has been drawn to crafting. From making candy suckers in molds to handpouring soy candles, Joslin is a true crafter at heart. During COVID-19, Joslin dove back into her favorite hobbies, including candle making, to give as birthday and Christmas presents. Family and friends were thrilled and encouraged her to start her own candle business. In October 2020, the Cottage
Grove resident launched Burnt at Both Ends Candle Co. Her hand-poured, 100 percent soy candles can be found locally at La Vie Est Belle and Pet Evolution. “I’d like to think my business background helped me take it from a hobby to something else,” Joslin says.
The name Burnt at Both Ends Candle Co. is a nod to Joslin’s tendency to do as much as humanly possible all at one time. In this case, it was starting a
“There’s something for everyone. I add a few new scents every season and rotate.”
candle business while raising her children, Jackson, 16, Julia, 15, William, 11 and Evelyn, 9, and holding down a fulltime corporate job. These days, she has scaled back, leaving the corporate world to focus on her family and her candles. But with more than 75 scents and counting, Joslin stays busy. “There’s something for everyone,” she says. “I add a few new scents every season and rotate.” When it comes to holiday offerings,
Photo: Rachel Lahlum Photography
Heather Joslin, Burnt at Both Ends Candle Co.
Joslin starts thinking about new winter scents in spring. By June, production has started, and stock is building. Joslin also keeps a list of ideas for new candle scents to try. “It’s all about figuring out how to make something really good first,” she says. Joslin develops a recipe for each candle scent and tests it thoroughly before adding it to her lineup. During the holidays, her favorite scent is White Birch, while her best seller is Fireside + Fraser Fir. “They’re very realistic,” she says. The Burnt at Both Ends Candle Co. collection is widely varied and includes classic scents alongside creative offerings like Black Currant Absinthe, Honey Spiced Pear, Patchouli Lavender and Salty Girl. “I want unique and different scents,” she says. “I try to have a good variety.”
In addition to candles in 7 oz. tins and 10 oz. jars, Joslin offers dough bowls that include a refillable, multiwicked candle in a decorative vessel. “It’s great for décor or to burn,” she says. Joslin also has campfire mugs that can be reused after the candle is done.
And for those interested in learning the art of candle making, Joslin is happy to help others find and develop their own passion for candles. She regularly hosts candle-making classes where participants can create their own signature scent. “It’s a great way for people to meet other people while creating their masterpiece,” she says.
Burnt at Both Ends Candle Co. burntatbothendscandleco.com
Burnt at Both Ends Candle Co.
Prevention Stories
Susan Link advocates for awareness of two little-known heart health conditions.
By Jennifer Pitterle
When Woodbury resident Susan Link turned 60, the milestone birthday and a recent read prompted her to think about her future health—not just living longer but living well. “I am a huge reader, and I came across a book that introduced me to the concept of ‘healthspan’ versus lifespan,” Link says. “It means living in a way where every year is a healthy year, and you don’t have this marginal decade of poor health.”
Link began researching blood tests, mentioned by healthspan advocates, that can help reveal some usually hidden health risks. Her family history also raised concerns. “My dad’s side of the family had a lot of heart disease issues and cardiovascular issues,” Link says. During her regular checkups, she pushed to be tested for lipoprotein(a), usually called Lp(a) or “L-P-little-a”, a genetic marker linked to increased cardiovascular risk. “But my doctors said, ‘You’re in good health. You have normal cholesterol, and that’s really not needed.’ And I didn’t know enough to push back.”
Determined to know her risk, Link arranged for a blood test independent of her health system. “Among a hundred other biomarkers, everything came back beautiful. I looked like the picture of health. And then my Lp(a) marker came back, and it was obscenely high—not just a little high. I started panicking because I was learning that I didn’t have a little bit
of a risk factor. I had a significantly higher risk for cardiovascular disease.”
Link’s research eventually led her to the Family Heart Foundation, a national organization that focuses on two specific genetic conditions connected to cardiovascular risk: elevated Lp(a) and familial hypocholesterolemia (FH). On the foundation’s website, it offers free care navigation, helping visitors find cardiology care and figure out next steps after testing.
Through the foundation’s help, Link found a cardiologist who “took me very seriously,” she says, and developed a
preventative care plan that includes lifestyle adjustments like diet and exercise. (Currently, there are no medications that directly treat elevated Lp(a) or FH.)
Today, Link is passionate about raising awareness of these lesser-known cardiovascular risk factors—especially because they’re so common. “FH is estimated to affect one in 250 people, and elevated Lp(a) affects one in five,” she says. She started volunteering as an ambassador for the Family Heart Foundation and is working hard to spread the word in Woodbury. “We have a booth at community events,
Photo:
Susan Link
Susan Link
races [and] we’ll go into workplaces and talk to various departments.” Her ambassador training was comprehensive, including talking with global experts and learning about potential drug treatments in development and lifestyle changes that can help make a difference.
Her message to neighbors is clear. “There’s a free test,” Link says. She encourages everyone to visit cholesterolconnect.org, where you can request a free test for elevated Lp(a) and FH via mail. “You poke your finger, send it back and within a week or two, you get your results. If a person ends up with high levels, the Family Heart Foundation has free care navigation.”
Link also emphasizes family screening because both conditions have a genetic component. “It’s for their kids, for their sisters and brothers or their parents,” she says. The Family Heart Foundation helps patients organize “cascade screening,” where it reaches out to close family members based on an original test to talk about next steps.
“I am so lucky,” Link says. “My story is a prevention story.” She wants to help other families tell their prevention stories, too, before it’s too late.
Family Heart Foundation familyheart.org
These statements are for informational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Consult your doctor or a qualified health care provider with any health concerns.
You’ve got enough on your plate this season— let Bonfe handle the rest. Our licensed, insured technicians are available 24/7 for any emergency, and every recommended repair or installation comes with our Lifetime Warranty.
Stay cozy, stress-free, and enjoy the moments that matter most.
Living Vessels
An artist’s sculptural pottery reflects nature and humanity.
By Hailey Almsted
Melissa Wilcox has always felt inspired by nature. “I grew up in the country, so a lot of stuff is nature-oriented,” she says. The Woodbury resident has long appreciated the organic shapes, elements and textures of the world—and also those of the human body.
For more than 25 years, Wilcox has worked as a pathology assistant at Children’s Minnesota, where she also studies tissue and performs autopsies. For the past 15 years, she has been a parttime potter, enjoying the art form in her spare time. Between her work and raising a daughter and stepdaughters with husband Scot Wilcox, she says there hasn’t
been much time to be creative. “Now, I have the opportunity to expand on this more,” she says. This month, Wilcox retires from Children’s Minnesota to pursue pottery full time. “[I’ve] had a career that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else,” she says. “I have an opportunity to try something new.”
A Balancing Act
Wilcox’s pottery, although food safe, leans more sculptural. She is inspired by the beauty of nature and humanity, and her pieces often take on forms of human skeletal structures. “It’s not blatant, but it’s part of the natural aspect of it,” Wilcox
ON DISPLAY
Melissa Wilcox’s pottery is displayed at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery (artguildgallery.com) and in the new year, Wilcox is hopeful to attend as many art events as possible. “I greatly enjoy all the questions and talking to people,” she says. Wilcox recalls a particular moment when a peruser thought her pottery was made from wood. “He figured he for sure knew what wood I was using. I said, ‘It’s clay,’ and he looked super confused,” she recalls. “To start conversations and have people interested in pottery and the colors I use … It’s so fun.”
Two of Melissa Wilcox’s untitled stoneware sculptures—standing 16 and 12 inches—blend organic forms with human anatomy, evoking the connection between body and nature. Each have sold.
Photos: Bob Lyksett
says. “Honestly, it sounds bizarre. I don’t sit down and design these. It’s what the clay looks like in my brain. How I throw the pot, how I push or move it, it might resemble a ribcage [or] a spine. Everything is very raw … [It’s] the fluidity of it, the human form, the flowers, how delicate it can all be. I enjoy the comparisons.”
Balancing the line between being a pathology assistant and a potter has been challenging, Wilcox says, but the two have influenced one another tremendously. “I’ve always found beauty in human form from [an artistic perspective] but, anatomically, I’ve had experience with that as well,” she says. “It’s about trying to find the beautiful aspect of it [and] how everything moves together. The asymmetry of it … I think it’s always been my zen.”
Wilcox describes her in-home studio as the place where she can step away and lose herself, describing the space as an outlet. Sometimes there may be as few as 10 pieces sitting on the racks, ready to be put in the kiln in her garage. Other times, up to 50 pieces sit on the racks. That number could rise as Wilcox steps into pottery full time.
A Natural Evolution
Her pottery has evolved throughout the years, and each piece tells a different story. One piece in particular has stayed with Wilcox. “My favorite piece I’ve ever made, I sold. It was something that I’ve attempted to recreate, and it’s been sort of successful,” she says. “It was a piece where I … pushed [the clay] all in and wrapped it around. It was a human form with a back and a hand exposed. Then, on the opposite side, was a lily. The colors and how it burned, how the glaze was, it was spot on, perfect … I’ve had a number of loves. I keep them with me until I decide they can find a new home.”
Each piece speaks for itself, and, although they’re similar, Wilcox describes them all as very different. “Some forms might resemble each other, but every piece is a little different, whether in color or size,” she says.
Looking toward the future, Wilcox is excited for her evolution as an artist. “My pottery speaks of my evolution, who I’m becoming and who I’m excited to be,” Wilcox says. “I hope that love and what I appreciate are translated to other people.”
Melissa Wilcox @mela.pottery
Woodbury Leadership Academy is a welcoming and inclusive K-12 public charter school focused on academic rigor, community building, and preparing students to be exceptional leaders in their community.
APPLY TODAY! ENROLLMENT LOTTERY CLOSES JAN 31
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Renée Stewart-Hester
BOOKS AND BOWS
Open up a world of experiential gifting, learning and living.
Writen by
— Photos by Chris Emeott
Make gift giving easier this season by leaning into a specialty theme or carefully curated focus. With experiential gifting maintaining its holiday footing and the inclination to eliminate clutter remaining strong, the gift of books, which can be shared with others to enjoy or repurposed into topshelf décor (Think: “bookshelf wealth” and coffee and end table styling), can easily wrap up your holiday shopping endeavors.
To provide a starting point for your book selections, we’ve included titles that have received appreciative nods in our Noteworthy section in Woodbury Magazine and a few of our sister publications across the Metro.
CHILDREN’S
Easter on the Farm by Minnesota author Phyllis Alsdurf and illustrated by Lisa Hunt features a girl who visits her aunt and uncle’s farm and helps prepare for her family’s annual Easter celebration.
Sarah Nelson’s Firefly Galaxy, illustrated by Estrellita Caracol, celebrates the magic of fireflies on a summer night. Many of Nelson’s heartfelt books center on nature themes and are a pleasure to read for both kids and adults.
Known for his whimsical stories, David LaRochelle’s book, Go and Get with Rex, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka, follows Jack, Jill and Rex as they play a game with some very silly outcomes.
Our Planet! There’s No Place Like Earth by Stacy McAnulty is the sixth installment of the Our Universe series.
Plant a Pocket of Prairie by Minnesota author Phyllis Root and illustrated by Betsy Bowen highlights how native prairie plants help recreate food and habitat for birds, butterflies and other animals that depend on them.
Tyrannosaurus Tsuris: A Passover Story by Susan Tarcov, illustrated by Elissambura and released by a Minneapolis-based publisher is about a dinosaur attempting to host a Passover Seder.
FICTION
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Daisy Jones & The Six) follows Joan Goodwin, a physics and astronomy professor.
When a position opens to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program, Goodwin applies and is selected.
Debut novel Banyan Moon by Thao Thai features a woman who reconnects with her estranged mother. The second and third generation VietnameseAmerican women deal with family secrets, their fractured relationship and more.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston features Evie, a swindler deep in the depths of the perfect con, but she begins to suspect that she might be the one being deceived.
Best-selling author Mia Sheridan’s Heart of the Sun, set in the California orange groves, includes childhood friends Emily Swanson, a rising pop sensation, and Tuck Mattice, who is just out of prison. The duo is brought together when Swanson hires Mattice as her bodyguard.
James: A Novel by Percival Everett is a bold retelling of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, transformed into James, offering a searing exploration of freedom, identity and survival.
Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren pairs Macy and Elliot, childhood sweethearts who reconnect after years of separation to navigate a second chance at their love.
Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra is a nail-biting, locked-room thriller that can make readers think twice about staying home alone in the dark. Yikes!
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy features Inti Flynn, part of a team of biologists who come to Scotland to reintroduce wolves to the landscape. This novel has mystery, conflict, romance and an intriguing cast of characters to keep readers hooked from beginning to end.
So We Meet Again by Suzanne Park tells the story of a relatable young woman, working to find her place in life. A charming cast of characters and a budding romance with Daniel Choi, her childhood nemesis, add to this comforting, romantic read.
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins follows the 50th annual Hunger Games. In honor of the Quarter Quell, there are twice as many tributes, including District 12’s Haymitch Abernathy. Torn from his family and love and brought to the Capitol, Haymitch understands that he has something to fight for—and he wants to fight.
The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski includes a hotshot
Book recommendations offered by:
Hailey Almsted, a bibliophile in her own right, serves as managing editor for our community lifestyle magazines and the editor of Maple Grove and Woodbury magazines.
Ashley Christopherson is the owner of Niche Books in Lakeville. Read more at nichebooksmn.com.
Madeline Kopeicki, editor of Plymouth Magazine and digital editor, regularly showcases local authors.
Gabrielle Clark, Sharon Noble and Molly Rivard are librarians, serving the Maple Grove, Long Lake and Wayzata branches of the Hennepin County Library system. Read more at hclib.org.
Casie Leigh Lukes is a writer, editor and owner of Cocoa & Champagne, creator of custom library curations. Find her on Instagram @cocoaandchampagne.
Rima Parikh is the owner of Wayzata’s Thinking Spot, which focuses on STEM-related books and games. Discover more at thethinkingspot.us.
Raela Schoenherr works in marketing at a publishing company and is a lifelong lover of books and reading.
Amy Sundet and Katie Timcho are local book reviewers and bloggers. Find them at @overbookedmoms on Instagram.
Kia White works at Lake Country Booksellers in White Bear Lake, following in the footsteps of her grandmother, shop coowner Nancy Thysell.
chef who arrives in a small town and a group of Wisconsin church ladies coming together to create a cookbook.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is about a local midwife who knows the truth behind the body found entombed in ice, but it is the 1700s, and women are seen, not heard.
The Paris Gown by Christine Wells is a light read for all who love Paris, fashion and the power of female friendships. Claire (an aspiring Parisian chef), Margot (an Australian, hiding from her husband) and Gina (an aspiring American novelist) became friends, bonding over Dior.
The Rehearsals by Annette Christie includes Tom and Megan who have reached the night of their wedding rehearsal. What should be a magical weekend turns into a disaster and ends with the happy couple calling the whole thing off—until they wake up the next morning!
NONFICTION
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver sees the Pulitzer Prizewinning author and her family embark on a monumental journey—living one calendar year subsisting on food grown by themselves or within 100 miles of their home in Appalachia.
Birding to Change the World by Trish O’Kane is a heartfelt memoir of an “accidental ornithologist.” O’Kane artfully weaves personal stories with scientific knowledge and social justice commentary to chronicle the powerful connections that can be forged from a shared love of birds.
Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s Bite by Bite explores the way food and drink evoke our associations and remembrances. It is a lyrical book of short essays about food,
BIB·LI·O·PHILE
(noun) (English)
a person who collects or has a great love of books
offering a banquet of tastes, smells, memories, associations and marvelous curiosities from nature.
Houses That Can Save the World by Courtenay Smith and Sean Topham shows how creative thinkers are embracing new challenges in building and design, and readers take a tour of ingenious homes. Along with practical ideas, the dreamy, gorgeous visuals are ideal to serve as a coffee table book.
In Pack Light: A Journey to Find Myself, author Shilletha Curtis traces her Appalachian Trail thru-hike from Georgia to Maine while facing her traumatic upbringing, depression and the fallout from a pandemic.
After a Crohn’s disease diagnosis and years of unsuccessful treatments, Emily Maxson landed upon a solution that brought her back to the kitchen: the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. In Real Food. Every Day., the Medina food blogger features easy-to-follow recipes made with whole food with an emphasis on fiber.
Each of the books in The Forest Feast series by Erin Gleeson is a work of art by itself, combining Gleeson’s photographs and watercolor illustrations. The all-vegetarian recipes are delicious and simple, often using ingredients typically found at home.
From Sharon McMahon comes The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement. Dubbed America’s government teacher, McMahon is a Minnesota author and host of the podcast The Preamble. This book beautifully shares the stories of 12 Americans who left a lasting impact on the country.
In her newest memoir, Where Rivers Part: A Story of My Mother’s Life, Hmong-American author Kao Kalia Yang continues her family’s powerful story from a refugee camp in Thailand to life in America. This is a retelling of her mother’s life—a beautiful and haunting story of the human spirit and extraordinary love.
MUSIC MEETS MEANING
RYAN TAYLOR
Twin Citizen’s sound might be shaped by the band’s instruments and musical technique, but its identity and heart come from the lived experiences each member brings to the table—including journeys through substance-use recovery and the desire to make meaningful connections with audiences.
The group, founded by Mahtomedi lead guitarist Adam Lifto, began just as some COVID-19 restrictions began lifting. Joe Hartley, who provides vocals and rhythm guitar, saw a Facebook post. “Adam made this post, looking for musicians who were in recovery, which I am,” Hartley says. “He wanted to get some
One local band blends sound, story and recovery.
Written by Jennifer Pitterle
sober bandmates to jam together and get back out playing again.”
Along with a few others who answered that initial call, Lifto and Hartley began practicing and writing music together. “I didn’t know how to manage playing with other people and doing it sober,” Lifto says. “I was looking for people to walk that path with. And then we developed relationships with one another and are able to remain in recovery and have some success.”
While the other original members departed for various reasons, Lifto and Hartley were eventually joined by Forest Lake bassist Laura Lunde, St. Louis Park
Photos: Chris Emeott; Aust Johnson
keyboardist Ryan Taylor and Woodbury drummer Sam McKinney. “This lineup is really clicking,” Hartley says. “We’ve got something cool going on, and we’ve really got it dialed in as far as our sonic textures.”
“I’m so happy to be a part of this,” Lunde says. “When we got in that room together, we all gelled really well.” In fact, Lunde says part of her musical journey was tied closely to Hartley’s. “I was in another band that frequently performed with Twin Citizen, and when Joe left that band, I took his spot,” she says. “I had to learn all of Joe’s guitar parts. And they made me a better player and let me know how Joe played more intimately than I would otherwise know.” It
felt like fate when Twin Citizen’s bassist position opened up, and Lunde jumped at it. “I knew all of these people were such gifted musicians that can groove and have a great time.”
So, how do the members of Twin Citizen describe their sound? “Like Radiohead and the Red Hot Chili Peppers covering Pink Floyd songs,” Lifto says, laughing. “I’ve played with a lot of musicians across genres over the years,” McKinney says. “This is something new and refreshing. The intricacy of the guitar parts and the dialogue between Adam and Joe as they play off each other is really stunning.” “Listening to each other and seeing where we all fit together has
been the biggest thing that’s made our sound,” Taylor adds.
Twin Citizen plays shows regularly all over the Metro, at venues like First Avenue’s 7th St. Entry, the recently closed Palmer’s Bar and Zhora Darling. The group also recorded and released a handful of tunes—including Kimmy Gibbler, Escape Room and Everywhere I Roam, which can be streamed on most major platforms.
The songwriting process, Lifto says, is collective and fluid. “There are so many influences in this room, which makes our music different every time we approach a new song,” he says. “Every single song sounds like Twin Citizen, but it doesn’t sound like a certain genre or label.” Sometimes, a riff or melody from one member will form the skeleton of a song, and the group builds from there. Other times, the structure emerges from jam sessions, where someone will throw out an idea, and the others see where it leads.
ADAM LIFTO
LAURA LUNDE
All of the band’s members have been playing at least one instrument since childhood, and most have pursued formal education and/or jobs in the music industry. McKinney teaches two days a week at Woodbury’s Rock U Music School and says the community’s commitment to the arts is one of the things that drew him here. He also runs McKinney Creative Ventures, where he works with local small businesses to help them build and manage their digital footprints. “I’ve become very active in the [Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce] and other
networking groups,” McKinney says. “Woodbury is an incredible community, and my family and I want to be part of it for the long term.”
For McKinney, joining Twin Citizen led to a significant turning point in his life. “I credit this band, in a large part, with the fact that I am in recovery now,” he says. “And not only being in recovery but even asking the questions in the first place that led me to discover I had a need to be.”
Lifto recalls a pivotal night that changed his own perspective on what it meant to be a musician. “On the day that
Prince died, I was at First Avenue, and it was the first time I had been in a club sober,” he says. “That moment was like my beginning. I thought, ‘Wait, maybe playing music sober can be done.’”
He thinks about that night often, especially when the band plays in venues where alcohol is front and center. Lifto says it’s about “being alive and being sober and being authentic, to show other people that this is also a way that you can go.”
McKinney says the band’s mission isn’t to evangelize recovery, but it’s naturally part of what it is. “It is a core component of this band that will always be at the essence of who we are as people,” he
Photos: Lane Peterson; Chris Emeott
SAM MCKINNEY
JOE HARTLEY
says. “The hope is that people will see it, be inspired by it, have the ability to have conversations with us openly and feel that they have a safe space to do that.”
In practice, that means conversations with audience members after shows that sometimes touch on sobriety, mental health or personal change. “It could plant the initial seed of a thought that can be a major catalyst of change,” McKinney says.
Find Twin Citizen’s current gig schedule and watch for new music releases at twincitizenmusic.com.
Tidings, Traditions and Treats
Dorothy Ann Bakery & Cafe honors its heritage with holiday recipes.
The scent of sugar, butter and nostalgia drifts through the doors of Dorothy Ann Bakery & Cafe every December. For two decades at its current location—and for generations before that in kitchens across St. Paul—this family has been shaping dough and upholding its heritage.
Ed Durin opened the bakery and named it after his wife, Dorothy Ann. When Walter “Wally” Grochowski purchased it in 1951, he decided to keep the name. At the heart of Dorothy Ann is the daughter of former owner, Joan Conway, and her husband, Steve Conway, plus their daughter, Colleen Cicalello, who now carries the torch as a third-generation baker. For the family, December is one of the busiest months on the calendar.
“We’ve had a lot of family recipes that we still use periodically throughout the entire year,” Colleen says. “Christmas brings out a whole other 50 to 60 products that we don’t do throughout the year.” Those items include house-made candy, several varieties of coffee cake, fruitcake, gingerbread and Rosettes.
Those recipes, safeguarded and shared across generations, are the soul of Dorothy Ann. Among them, the Poppyseed Coffee Cake holds a particularly dear place in Joan’s heart. “One of my first memories growing up was baking with my Grandma Vickie,” she says. “I specifically remember listening to my grandma talk about taking the bus to downtown St. Paul to her
favorite food store to buy poppyseeds. I would then watch her boil them in milk before beginning the process of creating one of our family favorites, Poppyseed Coffee Cake. To this day, I cannot spend Christmas morning without eating a Poppyseed Coffee Cake.”
Those holiday flavors stretch far beyond poppyseed. Each year during the holiday season, the bakery transforms its Danish dough into festive candy caneand wreath-shaped coffee cakes, filled with raspberry cream cheese or almond paste. The Kringle Cane Coffee Cake, Colleen notes, is their most popular, acting as a centerpiece for Christmas mornings across the community, and a go-to gift for local businesses.
Other specialities are made only during the holidays, including an original recipe for Old-Fashioned Cheese Coffee Cake, which is made with mild baker’s cheese imported from Chicago. “… It’s a family recipe made only four days out of the whole year,” Colleen says. “It continues to get more popular year after year.”
The same holds true for Dorothy Ann’s hand-pulled Rosettes, created in lacy shapes and topped with a delicate sugar coating. “They take a lot of time. They’re a labor of love,” Colleen explains. “That’s part of our being. We like doing things the old-fashioned way and keeping traditions alive. Rosettes are a thing we have to make.”
While the flavors are rooted in history, the family has allowed Dorothy Ann to
Written by Hailey Almsted — Photos by Chris Emeott
SWEET CREATIVITY
Each December and throughout the year, Dorothy Ann Bakery & Cafe invites community members to roll up their sleeves and join in on the decorating fun. The series of seasonal classes, hosted by Joan Conway and Colleen Cicalello, includes cake, cookie and cupcake decorating, and are designed to inspire creativity. The classes are welcoming to all ages and skill levels, including first-time decorators and seasoned regulars.
Find more information about the classes at dorothyannbakery.com.
Photo: Dorothy Ann Bakery & Cafe
evolve with the times. “In terms of how we’ve modernized, it’s variety in the store,” Colleen says, noting how decorated cookies and trendy cakes grace the cases. “The tried-and-true recipes … have not changed at all.”
For Steve, holiday baking goes back to his own childhood. “I was the oldest of five kids, so I got involved baking with my mother in the kitchen at a young age,” he says. “Around the holidays, my job was to roll out the cookie dough, by hand, for the fancy Christmas shapes. She also taught me how to make the buttery frosting to decorate the cookies.
“Once I arrived on the bakery scene with Joan, one of the first eye-opening things to see was the volume of shapes and designs of cut-out cookies,” Steve says. “I was so impressed and intrigued at all the different styles, options and flavors of cookies at the holidays.”
The holiday spirit goes beyond the display cases, spilling into the bakery itself. Since 2008, Dorothy Ann has unveiled elaborate gingerbread displays, spending upwards of 200 hours crafting entire scenes out of spiced dough and icing. Past themes have ranged from Frozen to farmhouse life to last year’s Taylor Swiftinspired “Merry Swiftmas.”
There are also the Conway family celebrations held inside Dorothy Ann. Each Thanksgiving weekend, dozens of family members fill the bakery after hours for their gingerbread house decorating tradition. “We play Christmas music and have 20 to 30 kids here,” Colleen says. “My kids, my cousins, aunts and uncles are all participating … This is our Thanksgiving and Christmas together.”
Togetherness and tradition are what it’s all about for the family. “I am the third generation, and we’re proud of it,” Colleen says. “We pride ourselves on being a family-owned business.”
“Angela and her team are the complete real estate package. From start to finish, we knew we were in the best of hands when it came to buying and selling. Angela knows the market and positioned us to sell quickly at the best price. When buying a new construction home, her extensive experience helped us negotiate the best price with our builder and select the best options for our family. I highly recommend The Angela Sadat Group for any buying and selling needs. Thank you Angela!”
-Keith & Danielle
Ann Bakery & Cafe dorothyannbakery.com
Dorothy
Top: Joan and Steve Conway with daughter Colleen Cicalello (middle).
Bottom: A popular holiday treat, Kringle Cane Coffee Cake takes center stage on Christmas morning.
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At Saint Therese of Woodbury: Where Independent Living Meets Everyday Luxury
As snow blankets the ground and the air turns brisk, there’s no better time to embrace the warmth, comfort, and peace of mind that come with independent living at Saint Therese of Woodbury. Nestled in one of Minnesota’s most vibrant communities, our campus is a welcoming retreat where seniors can enjoy the beauty of winter without the burden of home maintenance.
Step outside your door and into a vibrant community offering:
• A warm saltwater pool and fitness center
• On-site bistro, library and Club Room
• Chapel and spiritual support
• Salon, barber shop and boutique
• Serene gardens and a therapeutic labyrinth
If your health needs change, a full continuum of care is available within the same familiar campus.
Come see why Saint Therese of Woodbury has been a trusted choice for nearly 10 years.
PICTURE PERFECT
Celebrate Christmas with your family pets and benefit the Woodbury Police K9 fund.
Pet parents, get your furry family members’ picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus through the Woodbury Police K9 Fund’s annual Photos with Santa event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 7. The event, hosted in partnership with Pet Evolution and Woodbury Picture Perfect, serves as a fundraiser for the K9 Fund. Started in 2017 by Rian Thiele, owner of Pet Evolution, the event has raised more than $22,000 over the past eight years.
A $20 donation is requested, and donations from this event support the acquisition and training of the dogs, plus new equipment and retirement care. The event primarily sees dogs of all sizes and cats, but rabbits and even a goose have joined in the past. All pets are welcome, says Alisa Rabin Bell, vice president of the K9 Fund.
“Photos with Santa is a cherished community event that supports the Woodbury Police K9 Fund,” she says. “It offers families and their pets a chance to create lasting memories while contributing to the resources our K9 officers need to serve and protect our city. We’re grateful for the community’s support in making this fundraiser a success.” Find more information at woodburyk9fund.org. —Avery Vrieze
12.02
Dog Gone Reading
Practice reading with a trained therapy dog and trainer at the R.H. Stafford library. Registration is required for a 15-minute appointment. washcolib.org
12.06–12.14
Madeline’s Christmas
Step into Paris during Christmas as Madeline and her friends meet a mysterious stranger. This musical play is adapted from the beloved children’s book. merrillartscenter.org
12.07
Performance in the Park
Enjoy a family-friendly concert from Nancy Olson as she performs at the amphitheater in Central Park. woodburymn.gov
12.15
Storytime With Santa
Make a holiday-themed craft, and listen to a story read by Santa at this event hosted by the East Metro Miracle League. woodburymn.gov
12.15
Winter Concert
Join East Ridge High School’s choir, orchestra and band departments as they unite for their winter music department concert. erhsactivities.com
12.31
New Year’s Eve Matinee
This exclusive event for the little ones will offer inflatables, prizes and a countdown to the new year at 4:15 p.m. woodburymn.gov
Compiled by Diane Meyer and Avery Vrieze
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 may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.
Christmas Through a Unique Lens
Last Christmas Eve, hobbyist photographer Jane Andersen stopped to photograph a light display. “I took my camera with me in hopes of getting a photo,” Andersen says. “With the rain falling at the time, I thought taking a photo through the car window through the raindrops would make for a cool, moody abstract shot.” —Avery Vrieze
To view other Focus on Woodbury photo contest winners, visit woodburymag.com.
FOCUS ON WOODBURY
Photographer: Jane Andersen
Title: Soggy Christmas Lights
Equipment: Nikon Camera
Location: Radio Drive
Category: Abstract Award: First Place
