SaVour

SAVOUR

WINTER 2024-2025

THE JOY OF LIVING MAGAZINE

PURSE BINGO

SKI TRAILS

CINNAMON ROLLS

Page 6

Page 16

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A local practice with national respect.

Our cosmetic and family dental practice is for the patient who appreciates competency, professionalism, and a friendly environment with reasonable fees. It matters who you choose to treat your family.

Family Dentistry • Cosmetic Dentistry • Laser Dentistry • Crowns & Bridges • Veneers • Preventative Care • Children’s Dentistry • Bleaching • TMJ Treatment • Oral Surgery • Root Canals • Dentures & Partials

Scholar Club Member of the Dawson Academy & Faculty Member of the Spear Institute for Dentistry Oak Ridge Business Centre 4801 Hwy 61 Suite 301 White Bear Lake, Minnesota 55110 Call for your Complimentary Consultation 651.762.8474 www.lakeareadentalpa.com Recognized in America’s Top Dentist by Consumers Research Council of America 2003-2024 Minnesota Monthly Top Doctor America’s Best Dentists

2 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

J Y When you put as much food on as many tables as we do, you learn a thing or two about giving thanks.

Thanks to our customers for choosing us.

Thanks to our employees for sharing your talents with us.

Thanks to our partners for producing amazing products for us to sell.

Thanks to all for your friendship and loyalty. It is an honor to be your grocer at this time of year and all year long.

In all the ways that you make us part of your lives, thank you.

May your holiday season be full of happiness, kindness and, most of all,

the joy of good food.

11 Twin Cities Locations

KOWALSKIS.COM

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R E A L L I F E R E N O VAT I O N S

Thank you

for supporting

LOCAL BUSINESSES

for supporting

LOCAL BUSINESS

PreferredKitchens.com 4706 Hwy. 61 White Bear Lake, MN 55110 | 651-429-1212 Minnesota License #BC225445 Wisconsin License #1371496

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PreferredKitchens.com 4706 Hwy. 61 White Bear Lake, MN 55110 | 651-429-1212 This proof does not reflect the image quality of the final printed piece. Photos or images may appear fuzzy due to the low-res format of this file.

Magazine(s) Ad will run: White Bear Lake Magazine, July 2022 Ad Size: Full Page Bleed 8”x10.75”

Please review CRITICAL information such as address, phone, and website.

4 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

Minnesota License #BC225445 Wisconsin License #1371496

Content From the SAVOUR TEAM SAVOUR Winter 2024-2025

“T Photo by Paul Dols

About the Cover Dan Costello-Moody facilitates weekly gaming sessions at The Battleground Cafe.

Over the years, he’s collected hundreds of dice. Displayed is just a sample

SAVOUR MAGAZINE Vol. 11 No. 4 COPYRIGHT ©2024 PRESS PUBLICATIONS Material may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form whatsoever.

he point is not to win,” said my cousin as she taught six-year-old me how to play Trouble (complete with “PopO-Matic” die technology). “The point is to squish as many of the other players’ pieces as you can.”

If you couldn’t tell, my family gets a little competitive. Tables may or may not have been flipped one Thanksgiving when my dad allied with my baby sister four hours into Risk and pushed my brother out of Europe just as he was about to get his continent bonus. If I mention The Farming Game (a bleak, Monopoly variant) to any of my relatives, each will have a Christmas memory of playing

Publisher Carter Johnson

it with my grandparents while chugging my late grandpa Jim’s infamous egg-nog cocktails.

My friend group, meanwhile, prefers cooperative games. We save the world from disease playing Pandemic or collect the best books and potions to fight Voldemort in the Harry Potter Deck Building Game.

Games help us build fond memories with those we love during the holidays. They also keep us sane during the early months. Therefore, this issue of SaVour provides readers with copious cures for cabin fever. Join a board-game group at The Battleground Cafe. Show your friends all the random knowledge you’ve accumulated at a TriviaMafia

Managing Editor Shannon Granholm Editor Logan Gion

Logan Gion & the SaVour team

Battleground Cafe

Purse Bingo Locations

General Manager Patty Steele

spot. Gamble (for charity) at Purse Bingo. Break loose from reality at Stillwater Escape Company. Zigzag your way through an orienteering course while snowshoeing at Tamarack Nature Center.

The activities within these pages can be done by yourself, with friends or with family, no matter the age. So if I hear any of you say, “I’m bored” this winter, I’m coming over with my Pop-O-Matic game of Trouble.

And I play for keeps.

Make new friends./ But keep the old./ One is silver./ And the other is–gonna be sorry during the rematch!

Page 11

Pages 14-15

Escape Rooms

Winter Calendar

Pages 18-19

Pages 20-21

Photographer/Photo Editor Paul Dols Advertising Brad Solem Production Manager Mary Peterson Production Designers Zoey Nguyen Michael McNamara 9

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SaVour Magazine connects our readers and local businesses through personal stories and compelling images. We foster shared ideas to highlight creativity, the beauty of nature and perseverance.

Our mission is to humanize the economic and community impact of supporting local merchants.

The majority of content is paid for by our advertisers.

4779 Bloom Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 (651) 407-1200 | savour@presspubs.com presspubs.com/savour DISCLAIMER: Paid advertisements appear in Press Publications’ publications, including print and other digital formats. Press Publications does not endorse or evaluate the advertised product, service, or company, nor any of the claims made by the advertisement. Advertising does not influence editorial decisions or content. Press Publications reserves the right to refuse, reject, or cancel any ad for any reason at any time without liability.

PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

5

Bingo, spelled “p-u-r-s-e”

By Logan Gion | Photos by Paul Dols

“I

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6 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

’m always one away,” exclaims contestant Sonia Moren. At a table to her left, an elderly woman shakes her head, dropping her dauber in frustration. Behind Moren, a husband and wife frantically scan their bingo cards to make sure they didn’t miss any numbers.

At the back of the bar, a girl and her mother gleefully collect their winnings from the caller. Instead of cash, however, the girl picks out a Coach wallet. So goes a session of Purse Bingo, run by Merrick, Inc. as charitable gambling.

Charitable gambling, according to the Minnesota House of Representatives, has

been legal since 1945.

Only licensed nonprofits can conduct gambling events and they must also obtain a separate permit for each location at which they run events.

Wendy Busch, Merrick, Inc.’s charitable gambling manager, explains that her company helps adults with disabilities. Proceeds from events like Purse Bingo help in two ways.

The first is job placement assistance for those who are able to work. The second is maintaining Newtrax, which provides transportation services for Merrick’s clients as well as senior citizens. “If I lose, I spend $20,” says contestant Carina McCall.

“But I didn’t lose; it goes to charity. I’m happy to support Merrick.”

Attendees also support each other.

“The people that come in are loyal,” says Manitou Kitchen server Beth Sorenson, “Every week I work, my section’s full. I’ve gotten to know ‘em.” One such customer in Sorenson’s section is Sue Haglund, who pre-stamps the bingo cards with ‘80s Troll dolls for good luck. Haglund explains that she and her friends attend once monthly for a “fun, silly time.”

Another woman often seated in Sorenson’s section is Shanell Underwood. Arced by a rainbow of daubers, Underwood always marks the cards she’s stamping with a matching color. “It’s fun, but meditative,” she tells.

“It brings peace of mind.” At first glance, the two other players at Underwood’s table seem like longtime friends, but Underwood reveals that they only met two months ago. “We met at purse bingo.

We were by ourselves but kept seeing each other. Now we do it together,” she describes.

Underwood also encourages more people to join in the fun. “More people means a better game,” she says. Busch explains that if they sell 20 packs of cards, a winner only gets to pick a designer wallet, but if they sell 50 packs, winners can choose full-size purses from Coach or Michael Kors. Those who win multiple small prizes, though, may return them to the bingo caller and upgrade to larger selections. Caller Debbie Vranyes confirms that players will even save a win from one location, then show up on a different night at a different place, win again and upgrade there. “I’ve been doin’ it for 10 years,” recalls Vranyes. “We’ve expanded all over and met a lotta nice customers.”

“When it’s busy, it brings fun laughter.

I love that it’s so festive,” Sorenson says, her voice becoming abruptly hushed.

Though the place is full, the room is so quiet, one can hear the cage wheel squeak as Vranyes rolls it, getting ready to call the next number.

PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

7

Squash Panzanella Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

Directions

•

8 Gerber’s Amish Farm Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Fryer Thighs

1. Preheat oven to 450°.

•

2 lbs. (approx.) raw butternut squash, peeled and seeded, cut into 1/2” cubes ‑

Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, as needed

‑

Kosher salt and freshly ground Kowalski’s Black Peppercorns, to taste

•

1 loaf Kowalski’s Signature Parmesan Herb Bread, cut into 1-1 1/2” cubes

•

4 oz. baby spinach

•

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced into half moons

2. Toss squash with oil to lightly coat; season with salt and pepper.

3. Spread squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet; roast in preheated oven until edges are browned and squash is tender (about 25 min.), turning once.

4. Remove squash from oven; set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.

5. In a large mixing bowl, toss bread with 3-4 tbsp. oil to fully coat; season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake in preheated oven until lightly browned and toasty (about 15 min.).

‑

Kowalski’s White French Salad Dressing, to taste

6. Remove bread from oven; set aside to cool completely.

‑

Garnishes, to taste: fresh pomegranate seeds, roasted and salted pepitas and golden raisins

7. In a large salad bowl, toss bread with roasted squash, spinach and onion; drizzle with dressing to taste.

Find It! Find Kowalski’s Signature Parmesan Herb Bread in the Bakery Department.

Find Kowalski’s White French Salad Dressing in the Grocery Department.

8 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

8. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, pepitas and raisins; season liberally with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Recipe provided by Kowalski’s Markets

TriviaMafia Raises the Bar

By Logan Gion | Photos by Paul Dols

Q. A.

What activity can help people scattered around the north metro area stay connected?

Bar Trivia Matt Sullivan and his wife, Claire Healy, live in Lindstrom with their one-year-old son, Jaime. Sullivan’s friends from college are scattered across the Twin Cities—Maplewood, West Saint Paul, Northeast Minneapolis. Monday traffic is notoriously slow in the restaurant world, yet Manitou Bar & Kitchen in White Bear Lake recently restored their pre-COVID hours. Thanks to TriviaMafia quiz nights, the restaurant can count on at least a few dozen customers every week from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sullivan and Healy among them.

“We’d been to a different bar that did TriviaMafia, and we loved it,” explains Sullivan. “We saw Manitou was doing it and decided to meet in the middle.”

“I really like the format,” adds Healy, “and it’s a fun way to get [Jaime] out and about.” A well-oiled machine, TriviaMafia runs eight rounds of questions over two hours, with gift cards to the winning teams and local merch to lucky players. While the first and last rounds are always general knowledge, the rounds in between have signature quirks such as image and sound-based clues or lightningfast questions that fit a theme. A late-game mega-round option lets teams assign more points to questions in which they’re confident. The result is gently competitive and heavily entertaining. Such a winning formula has helped TriviaMafia explode: they host quiz nights at over 180 locations in Minnesota alone.

TriviaMafia co-owner and cofounder Chuck Terhark wasn’t thinking about any of that in 2006. He just wanted to play bar trivia in Northeast Minneapolis.“I got to know Jared Olman, who was the owner of the 331 Club…” Terhark recalls, “and I just kind of knew that it would work well in that location.” Unbeknownst to Terhark, a different 331 Club patron, Sean McPherson, had asked Olman the same thing. “So [Olman] got it in his head that he would just hire me and Shawn to both run a trivia night for him,” Terhark says. “We hit it off really well and we decided to give it a go.”

From there, other bars asked the pair to host nights at their locations as well. Terhark didn’t think of hosting bar trivia as a business, however, until Green Mill asked McPherson and him to host at 13 of their locations. “That was really the biggest wake up call to us that it was a viable business opportunity,” Terhark says. While McPherson handled the marketing, Terhark wrote the questions. Then, the pair hired other people to host the locations. Once, while explaining the plan, a friend of Terhark and McPherson remarked, “Oh, it’s going to be like a trivia mafia.” The name stuck.

Now, TriviaMafia has a slew of writers formulating questions into five or six content blocs a week. Hosting, however, has changed significantly since COVID. In order to reduce contact, TriviaMafia traded pen-andpaper worksheets for a smartphone app. “Grading took a lot longer,” comments host Janio Axelson. “It was more social, though, because people weren’t on their phones.”

While Sullivan misses the old

method, his wife prefers the app.

“We have to leave early to get the little guy to bed, but we can play on the car ride home because we registered for the night.” Axelson also suspects that phone use has led to an uptick in Googling answers, but Mike and Noreen Shepard, team name “The Sheps,” disagree. “The regulars don’t wanna cheat,” Noreen explains.

She, like every other TriviaMafia fan, understands the real reason people play. “You don’t need to know everything,” Noreen says. “Have a good time sharing what you know with your friends.”

To find TriviaMafia events near you, visit www.triviamafia.com/locations.

PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

9

TAKE WINTER

BY STORM! With John Deere Financing Available -

See Dealer For Details

The Ultimate Mini 25 Horsepower Brush Clearing, Trench Digging, Snow Clearing Machine.

2025R Compact Tractors

• Powerful and fuel-efficient Tier IV Yanmar engine • Hydro transmission with TwinTouch™ pedals for ease of use • AutoConnect™ 7-Iron Drive-over mower decks up to 60 inches

Century Power Equipment 5920 Memorial Ave. North Stillwater, MN 55082 • 651-439-2035 SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS

Some restrictions apply. See participating dealer for details and other financing options. Offer is available only at participating United States dealers. Prices and savings are in U.S. dollars. Some restrictions apply. See participating dealer for details and other financing options.

Offer is available only at participating United States dealers. Prices and savings are in U.S. dollars. Prices and savings are in U.S. dollars. Prior to finalizing the transaction, your John Deere dealer will verify your John Deere Rewards eligibility and discount level, which may impact your final purchase price. Sales to government agencies, company direct sales or other individuals or entities participating in any John Deere Special Discount Program or Rental Business Program are not eligible.

10 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

Want an enriched and growing marriage?

Purse Bingo Birdi Golf

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., First and third Sundays Where: 1750 Weir Dr., Unit 11, Woodbury Contact: 651-998-2200

Dog House Bar and Grill

When: 3:30-5:30 p.m., Second, fourth and fifth Sundays Where: 2029 Woodlynn Ave., Maplewood Contact: 651-621-1535

Hugo American Legion

When: 7-9 p.m.,Third Mondays Where: 5383 140th St. N., Hugo Contact: 651-255-1432

Little Village Pub

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., First, second, fourth and fifth Mondays Where: 2670 County Road E, White Bear Lake Contact: 651-330-6305

The Lumberyard Pub

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., First and third Thursdays Where: 3121 St. Croix Trail S., Afton Contact: 651-691-9140

Manitou Bar and Kitchen

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., First and third Tuesday Where: 2171 Fourth St., White Bear Lake Contact: 651-426-2300

Bar trivia Bayport American Legion

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesdays Where: 263 Third St. N., Bayport Contact: 651-439-5463

Hop and Barrel Brewing Company When: 6-8 p.m., Thursdays Where: 310 Second St., Hudson Contact: 715-808-8390

The Curious Crow Company

Manitou Bar and Kitchen

Frigaard’s

PINZ

When: 6-8 p.m., Thursdays Where: 9155 S. Highway Dr., Circle Pines Contact: 763-600-6647

When: 7-9 p.m., Thursdays Where: 307 Stillwater Road, Willernie Contact: 651-426-1712

Green Mill

When: 7-9 p.m., Tuesdays Where: 1000 Gramsie Road, Shoreview Contact: 651-482-1600

High Pines Brewing Company

When: 7:30-9:30 p.m., Tuesdays Where: 2704 Snelling Ave., Roseville Contact: 651-200-3581

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mondays Where: 2171 Fourth St., White Bear Lake Contact: 651-426-2300

When: 7-9 p.m., Wednesdays Where: 7520 32nd St. N., Oakdale Contact: 651-770-8000

Pizza Lucé

When: 8-10 p.m., Wednesdays Where: 2851 Snelling Ave. N., Roseville Contact: 651-789-6909

River Siren Brewing Company When: 6-8 p.m., Thursdays Where: 225 Main St. N., Stillwater Contact: 651-430-0044

Plan now to attend a Marriage Encounter for couples who are married or an Engaged Encounter for couples who are preparing for marriage.

Please Join Us! Mention this ad and get $50 off your registration fee.

Marriage Encounter

December 14 & 15, 2024 February 15 & 16, 2025

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(Attending an Engaged Encounter gives you a reduction on your marriage license fee)

For more information & to register please visit:

www.marriages.org or call 651.454.3238 PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

11

APPLE PIE... OH MY! Pies for the Holidays!

Wonderful, delicious, heavenly pies for the holidays.

Apple, pumpkin, mincemeat, strawberry rhubarb, Dutch apple, and apple pecan pies — all from Pine Tree Orchard’s own recipes. There are many other special desserts as well, anyone will make a nice gift for your hostess.

Holiday boxes & baskets available!

Available after mid November - December 24th

PINE TREE APPLE ORCHARD

WHITE BEAR LAKE — Open Daily North of White Bear Lake off E. Hwy 96 on Apple Orchard Road

651-429-7202 www.pinetreeappleorchard.com

Jeanne M. Anderson Lawyer

Licensed in MN & WI

Wills & Trusts Real Estate Business Law FREE Phone Consultation

Anderson Legal Services PLLC Free phone consultation: call 651-439-1389 | www.stillwater-attorney.com Email: jeannemanderson@stillwater-attorney.com Liberty Village, 105 New England Place, Suite 145, Stillwater, MN 55082

12 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

Thanksgiving Turkey Roulade Servings: 4 people

Ingredients •

2-3 lb. split turkey breast, deboned, butterflied and pounded to an even 1/4-1/2” thickness (see Tasty Tip) ‑

•

Kosher salt and freshly ground Kowalski’s Black Peppercorns, to taste

3 cups (approx.) Kowalski’s Sausage & Sage or Wild Rice & Mushroom Stuffing (from the Deli Department) ‑

Kitchen twine

•

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Kowalski’s Unsalted Butter, melted

•

2 cups chicken broth ‑

Kowalski’s Mashed Potatoes and Kowalski’s Poultry Gravy, warmed, for serving

‑

Chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme and/or sage), to taste

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 375°.

2. Lay flattened turkey skin-side down on a cutting board, short end facing you; season liberally with salt and pepper.

3. Evenly spread stuffing on turkey breast, leaving a little more than a 1/2” border. Starting at the end closest to you, tightly roll turkey around stuffing, tucking in the ends to contain the filling. Tightly

tie roulade with twine 1-2 times down the length of the roll, then across the width at 1” intervals.

4. Transfer roulade to a roasting rack set in a roasting pan. Brush with about 1/2 of the melted butter; season liberally with salt and pepper. Pour broth into the bottom of the pan.

5. Roast roulade until internal temperature reaches 150° (50-60 min.), brushing with remaining butter about halfway through;

increase temperature to 400° in the last 10 min. to crisp and darken the skin, if desired.

6. Remove roulade from oven; let rest on rack for 15 min. (internal temperature will increase to 165° during this rest period).

7. Remove twine; slice roulade crosswise into 1/2” slices.

8. Serve over mashed potatoes; drizzle with gravy and garnish with herbs.

Tasty Tip! Ask one of our butchers to debone and butterfly your turkey breast (please allow 24 hrs. notice during busy periods) or do it yourself, like so: Remove the bone from the turkey breast. Lay the turkey breast flat on a cutting board, skin side down, with the shortest side facing you. Keeping a knife parallel to the board, use short strokes to carefully slice the breast in half horizontally, stopping about 3/4” before reaching the left side. Open the turkey breast like a book.

To flatten, cover with plastic wrap; starting in the center, use a rolling pin or meat mallet to pound the breast to an even 1/4-1/2” thickness, being careful not to rip through the turkey.

Recipe provided by Kowalski’s Markets

PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

13

The Battleground Cafe expands its territory

By Logan Gion | Photos by Paul Dols Depending on what time a customer walks into The Battleground Cafe, they’re likely to get wildly different impressions. Sunday afternoons, churchgoers from across the street spend their afternoons playing Scrabble next to a group of painters, coloring a miniature army for their Warhammer faction. Tuesdays see traditional Mahjong players during the day, but Digimon enthusiasts at night. Despite different interests, the customer base

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is fiercely loyal and quickly growing.

In 2021, The Battleground Cafe moved location to White Bear Ave. and County Road E, nearly tripling its floor space.

This winter, they are expanding again.

When asked to explain such success, Co-owner Mike Farmer has a fitting answer.

“We just kinda stacked the Legos,” Farmer says.

With his business partner, Craig Harding, Farmer opened The Battleground Cafe on Dec. 1, 2017, originally near Vadnais Heights. Gradeschool friends, Harding and Farmer kept

in touch over the years. “Then we just found ourselves in a place, in our own separate careers where we were like, ‘This is just no fun,’” Farmer recalls. The pair fondly remembered growing up in game stores, and decided to build the kind they wanted to see when they were growing up.

Once the first location opened, a group of 16 miniature-war-game players who had lost their previous gaming store chose The Battleground Cafe as their new home. “They were like, ‘You are a great game store. We're gonna get all our stuff through you.’

And that's how we started,” Farmer remembers. “We're gonna welcome communities in and we're gonna say, ‘What do you want us to get?’ … We didn't really try to get games and then, you know, force them on people. You come in, you tell us what you want, and we'll focus.”

Harding and Farmer have found that by stacking these loyal fandoms the business can withstand rough patches in one community while relying on the others. “Games sometimes can flash out, you know? They'll be hugely popular for a month and then you're just left with nothing,” Farmer explains. This strategy was crucial during COVID. Because players couldn’t meet indoors, board games were put on hold. Card collecting, meanwhile, skyrocketed. Earlier this year, a popular trading card game manufacturer shifted its focus, killing enthusiasm for some of its

brands—just as a senior center began bussing their puzzle and board game group over.

Of course, the cafe portion is the cornerstone Lego of The Battleground Cafe. Hungry players can get anything from Flicker Meat sandwiches to piña colada ice cream shakes.

On the wall are refrigerators stacked with eccentric specialty sodas, with flavors from lemon meringue to strawberry daiquiri.

“We needed a game store that would … get money from different revenue streams,” Farmer notes, sipping a strawberry ginger tea from the fridge. “Craig had a lot of restaurant experience, and I had a lot of experience in coffee shops. So the ideas just kinda flowed together.”

Perhaps the soda fridge best represents The Battleground Cafe: Dozens of different options to try, guaranteed to give you a unique, flavorful experience.

PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

15

Tamarack Nature Center Trails Leave an Impression

By Logan Gion | Photos by Ramsey County Two years ago, Tamarack Nature Center received a grant to buy all new cross-country ski equipment. Then, because of last year’s mild season, the equipment saw hardly any use. This winter will be snowier. Outdoor education manager Noelle Roden explains that, once six inches of snow are on the ground, the trails will be groomed for cross-country skiing. “This is a really friendly and welcoming place to try out cross country skiing if you haven't before,” Roden states. “And having good skis for your first time does make a difference.”

Roden suggests families and newcomers try the Chickadee Loop. “There's a little bit of hills, there's a little bit of forest skiing. And then there's some open prairie straight shots, too,” she says. Naturally, there are longer trails for more experienced skiers and open areas for snowshoeing.

The winter trails are also perfect for bird-watching bingo, especially birds of prey. “Raptors are very

16 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

prevalent all year long, but in the winter, when we don't have leaf coverage on the trees, it's super cool to spot them and be able to watch them,” Roden says.

A fun activity for the snowshoers that Roden encourages is orienteering, using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in unfamiliar terrain. “It can be really challenging in a fun way for [visitors] to try and navigate,” Roden says, “We have the ability to find these things easy with, like, a GPS device. And so trying to take it back to where they have to use the compass and a map—it’s kind of fun to see.”

Roden believes these activities support the foundations of a person’s healthy relationship with their local ecosystem. “Our mission out here is to connect people to nature … giving them that welcoming taste of nature by having so many little samples— we have the lakes, the prairies, the forest.

They're getting all those opportunities,” Roden summarizes. “We're trying to give them all the tools so that they can have fun with what they're doing and then feel comfortable to take risks and try new things.”

PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

17

Stillwater Escape Company’s appeal easy to decipher

By Logan Gion | Photos by Rachel DesJardins Photography

S

teal crown jewels hidden in an old shoe factory. Rescue shipmates stranded in an alien cave. Eject your family from a careening railcar. All of Stillwater Escape Co.’s scenarios have one goal: escape your reality and immerse yourself in a new one.

“If you’re looking for something fun to take your mind off of like a hard Minnesota winter, 110%, you should be at an escape room,” says co-owner Rachel DesJardins. For those unfamiliar, escape rooms are fictional scenarios that take place in themed spaces where players must cooperatively find clues or solve a series of puzzles in order to leave before the time runs out. For co-owner Troy Thielke, the tactile immersion is what makes escape rooms so unique. “You can watch a movie, and everyone's quiet, watching the

18 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

same thing,” he says. With escape rooms, “You have these fun little adventures, and there's always a story. If you're with the right group … there's not really a lot else that gets you guys working together as a team.”

Escape room teamwork is what convinced DesJardins and Thielke to take over Stillwater Escape Co. this past June from One23 Events.

While the pair felt ready to run a business, building rooms from scratch wasn’t feasible.

Maintaining and expanding, however, was.

DesJardins already ran her own photography studio while Thielke was a locksmith for computerized systems. Thielke explains, “I was helping people lock their homes—” “Now he’s locking ‘em into rooms,” DesJardins finishes.

The amount of people that can fit into an escape room depends on the scenario. “Off Track” is best for beginner groups and holds five participants. “Connolly’s Office” can hold 10 people. “The Cave,” Stillwater Escape Co.’s most difficult room, can hold 15. Once players

begin a scenario, DesJardins hopes the group hits the sweet spot of getting “an immersive story and l puzzles that are both challenging enough to get your heart racing that you're running down on time, but still fun and doable for everybody.”

Naturally, such balance comes from play testing. “Sometimes, there there are common clues you have to give,” explains Thielke, “so you know that something's wrong with the puzzle if every time you have to give that clue.”

DesJardins and Thielke are more than happy to give those clues depending on what clients want. It comes down to communication. “We know how to do the escape rooms,” Thielke states. “You just come to have fun. … Whatever level you're at, we'll meet you there; you can do the rest.”

No one wants a bad experience.

Stillwater Escape Co.’s owners stress that the doors are locked in name only. If a player is claustrophobic or has a medical emergency, monitoring staff can quickly and easily pause the experience. On a related note, since these scenarios must be reset for the next group, no players will ever have to break or smash parts of the room to solve a puzzle. Thielke notes that, regardless, younger kids can get overexcited. Therefore, participants 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

DesJardins especially encourages newcomers to visit stillwaterescape. com to scope out details when booking a reservation. “Whoever walks through the building and just wants to come and say hi, they're welcome to take a peek in the rooms,” assures DesJardins. After a short pause, her eyes narrow, “They don't get a super long peek.”

A nonprofit 501(c)(3) all volunteer dog and cat rescue organization secondchancerescue.org P.O. Box 10533 White Bear Lake, MN 55110

651-771-5662

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What’s Happening presspubs.com/savour

STILLWATER

The Stillwater Nutcracker

When: 1-2:30 p.m. or 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1 Where: Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd.

Details: A family-friendly version of the classic ballet, choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky. Our version includes a live narration and the exuberant dancing of children from the age of five and up who grace the show with beauty and spirit.

Contact: 651-439-2820 or tickets@ stcroixballet.com

Wednesday Wine Dinners When: 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 Where: Water Street Inn, 101 Water St. S. Details: Indulge in an enchanting evening at our distinguished weekly affair: Experience the culinary artistry of a thoughtfully designed four-course dinner, harmonized with exceptional, handpicked wines.

Contact: 651-439-6000 or info@ waterstreetinn.us

Guided Bird Hike When: 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 Where: Pine Point Regional Park, 11900 Norell Ave. N. Details: Whether you’re a beginner or experienced birder, these hikes are a great way to identify birds that call the St. Croix Valley home. Participants also have the opportunity to contribute to citizen science data collection by completing bird-count surveys with your guide.

Contact: 651-430-8370 or parks@ co.washington.mn.us

Dueling Pianos at JX Venue When: 6-9 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 12 and Feb. 16 Where: JX Event Venue, 123 Second St. N. Details: The perfect date night, girls’ night or family night with live entertainment from Felix and

20 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

Fingers. Tickets include a tasty appetizer spread from Bella Vida Catering. Seating is first come, first serve.

Contact: 651-342-0176 or info@ one23events.com

MAHTOMEDI

Your Dad’s Band Ninth Annual Holiday Show When: 8 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, Dec. 14 Where: Dugout Bar, 96 Mahtomedi Ave. Details: Get ready for that annual dose of holiday cheer with your favorite dads, featuring guest performers and fun stocking stuffers for your eye-rolling enjoyment.

Contact: 651-440-9128

Christmas with The River City Chorale When: 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 Where: St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road Details: Join the Chorale, Ensemble Singers, and Instrumentalists for an afternoon of great music to celebrate Christmas. The River City Chorale is based in Hudson, Wisconsin under the direction of Andrew Haase.

Contact: andy@therivercitychorale.org

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Jingle Bear 5k and Fun Run

When: 7:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Where: Ramsey County Beach, 5050 Lake Ave. Details: This event is open to all abilities and ages as well as well-behaved, leashed dogs. Dig out your Santa outfits and join in the fun. A professional photographer will be on site to capture those great family memories. Register online by Friday, Dec. 6.

Contact: 651-440-9625 or customerservice@midwestevents.com

Festival of Trees When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Where: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 Fourth St.

Details: See who in the area has the best tree decorating skills at the Festival of Trees. We’ll be offering cocoa, fun holiday treats and activities—even a possible sighting of Santa himself.

Contact: 651-407-5327 or office@ whitebearhistory.org

Candlelight Tours When: 6–7 p.m. or 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 12 and Thursday, Dec. 19 Where: Fillebrown House, 4735 Lake Ave. Details: Explore the Fillebrown House by candlelight while it is decorated in all its holiday splendor. Knowledgeable guides will share stories of the house and its inhabitants through the years. Cocoa and cookies will be served. $15 registration is required.

Contact: whitebearhistory.org/events/ candlelight-tours-7/

Bear’ly Open Golf on Ice When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 Where: Ramsey County Beach, 5050 Lake Ave. Details: Join us for a unique round of golf like you’ve never experienced before.

Two custom-designed, frosty nine-hole courses wait for your unconventional golf skills. Put aside your traditional clubs and get creative–grab a hockey stick, a broom or even a tennis racket, all in support of the White Bear Area Food Shelf.

Contact: 612-250-4991 or bearlyopen@ gmail.com

Barn Quilt Painting Class with The Blue Fox When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 Where: Affinity For Quilts, 2199 Fourth St. Details: Create your own unique 14-by14-inch barn quilt design on reclaimed barn wood. Locally sourced, carefully selected, sanded and assembled. Choose from nine beautiful designs. Pick your own color scheme, relax and paint. Class space is limited.

Contact: 651-429-1039 or quilt@ affinityforquilts.com

What’s Happening presspubs.com/savour

Hat Making Bar When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 Where: 4 Deuces Saloon, 2222 Fourth St. Details: Grab your friends and unleash your inner fashion designer as you create your very own custom hats. No experience necessary—our expert instructors will guide you every step of the way. Get crafty and have a great time! Tickets available online.

Contact: 651-429-9286 or kristen@ kellermaneventcenter.com

SHOREVIEW Santa Cruise When: 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 Where: Shoreview Commons Park, 4580 Victoria St. N. Details: Santa Claus is coming to town!

Santa will be riding around Shoreview on one of the Lake Johanna Fire Trucks.

The Santa Cruise will follow a dedicated route map. Santa and his helpers will be collecting food shelf items for the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf and toys for Toys for Tots.

Contact: 651-490-4600

Holiday Tea When: 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N. Details: Come enjoy an afternoon of music with the North Suburban Chorus. A variety of teas and desserts will be served.

Pre-registration required by Dec. 11.

Contact: 651-490-4750

BLAINE

Mingle and Jingle Craft Fair When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 Where: Blaine City Hall, 10802 Town Square Dr. NE

Details: This festive event will feature over 40 local vendors and businesses showcasing a wide array of handcrafted items. This fair is perfect for finding a holiday gift or if you simply want to get into the spirit of the season.

Contact: 763-784-6700

Snow Day

LINO LAKES

When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St. Details: Partake in a variety of winter activities, including snow shoeing, ice fishing, kick-sledding, fat tire biking, winter crafts, temporary tattoos and a live animal presentation.

Contact: 763-717-2724 or recreation@ blainemn.gov

AFTON Old-Fashioned Afton Village Holiday When: 5-8 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 6 and 12; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 7 and 14; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 1, 8 and 15 Where: Downtown Afton, 3418 St. Croix Tr. S. Details: Afton will be transformed into a winter wonderland with horse and wagon rides, carolers, Christmas trees and more.

Contact: 701-269-4639 or info@ exploreafton.com

Winter Solstice Bonfire When: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 Where: Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields, 15601 Hudson Road N. Details: Enjoy a roaring bonfire, guided night hikes, live music and a prairie labyrinth. Cookies and hot cider will be available inside a warming tent. This celebration of the year’s longest night

includes live music and storytelling.

Contact: 651-436-5189 or info@belwin.org

ROSEVILLE

New Year’s Eve Celebration on Ice When: 2-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.. 31 Where: Guidant John Rose Minnesota Oval, 2661 Civic Center Dr. Details: Bring your family, meet your friends, or just come by yourself to celebrate the New Year! Activities include skating or open hockey on the outdoor OVAL, indoor arena skating, a magic show and more! $10 admissions and $5 skate rental.

Contact: 651-792-7007

Candlelight/Moonlight Snowshoeing When: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 Where: Cederholm Golf Course, 2323 Hamline Ave. N. Details: Snowshoe along candlelit trails by the light of the full moon throughout Cedarholm Golf Course. Rest by the fire and enjoy hot chocolate afterwards.

Participants must be 12 or older. Register at cityofroseville.com/3429/CandlelightSnowshoeing.

Contact: steve.anderson@cityofroseville. com

Harriet Alexander Nature Center Open House When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3 Where: HANC, 2520 N. Dale St. Details: Explore extended winter exhibits and activities, engage with staff and volunteers, meet the resident animals, check out the trails, cozy up by the fireplace and learn about future programs and events.

Contact: 651-765-4262

PRESSPUBS.COM/SAVOUR

21

Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls Servings: 8 people

Ingredients

Directions

• 1 pkg. Kowalski’s Bake at Home Bread & Pizza Dough, thawed completely in the refrigerator

1. Allow thawed dough to rise in the bag at room temperature for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs., or until doubled in size.

‑

baking spray, for preparing the baking dish

• 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon ‑

flour, for working the dough

• 3 tbsp. Kowalski’s Unsalted Butter, very soft • 1 cup Kowalski’s Christmas Jam or Cranberry Sauce ‑

Kowalski’s Signature Classic Buttercream Frosting or Vanilla Bean Icing, to taste

2. Prepare an 8x8” square or 9”round baking dish with baking spray and set aside.

3. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and set aside.

4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a rough square approx. 12x12”.

5. Spread butter evenly over dough; sprinkle evenly with sugar mixture.

6. Evenly dollop and spread jam or cranberry sauce over cinnamon sugar.

7. Roll dough gently but securely into a log. Using a serrated knife, slice crosswise into 8 evenly wide rolls; arrange evenly in prepared baking dish.

8. Preheat oven to 350°.

9. Cover baking dish with a clean dish towel; let rolls rise in pan for 20 min.

10. Bake rolls in preheated oven until dark goldenbrown and bubbling on the top (25-30 min.).

11. Remove from oven; let rest for at least 10 min.

12. Frost to taste.

Tasty Tip •

Swap in your favorite jam to enjoy this treat year-round.

•

If using cranberry sauce, you may prefer to lightly strain the sauce in a fine-mesh strainer to prevent the rolls from getting too soft or soggy.

Find it!

•

Find Kowalski’s Cranberry Sauce and Christmas Jam seasonally in the Grocery Department.

•

Find Kowalski’s Signature Classic Buttercream Frosting in the Cake Case.

•

Find Kowalski’s Signature Vanilla Bean Icing in the Bake at Home Case.

Recipe provided by Kowalski’s Markets

22 SAVOUR WINTER 2024-2025

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We install several types of roofing materials including asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, metal, slate and more.

We install vinyl, wood or metal siding for your home or business. We can help you determine the best option.

Water damage from poor gutters can lead to expensive repair.

We install and repair gutters to keep the water away from your home.

STORM DAMAGE REPAIR

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WINDOW INSTALLATION

We repair roofs and siding damaged by severe weather. We are happy to work with your insurance company as well.

Usually part of a roofing or siding project, soffit and fascia are important feature for a finished home exterior.

New windows can make a huge difference for your home both in appearance and energy efficiency.

Professional Achievements PREFERRED CONTRACTOR MN LICENSE #BC415614 • WI LICENSE #855969

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11200 STILLWATER BLVD. N. STR 106B • LAKE ELMO MN 651-777-7394 • WWW.JTRROOFINGINC.COM