by Ava Diaz | Jan 1, 2022 | Photo Contest
Majestic swans receive first place. Rod Smoliak says that a part of capturing wildlife is luck; however, with a little patience and preplanning of the environment one can photograph something remarkable. “Composition is an important element of photography. The subject...
by John F. Farrell III | Jan 1, 2022 | Drinks, Entertain, Noteworthy
I love to entertain, whether it’s for a planned dinner or an impromptu gathering of friends. Here are my rules and some go-to wines that make this really easy. Always have something ready. I keep a bottle of good sparkling wine in the fridge—just in case. (Consider:...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Jan 1, 2022 | Build
Resident finds new way to expand existing homes. A home design trend is turning homeowners toward creating more dedicated spaces within their houses. YardHomesMN is taking this concept to another level. Based in New Brighton, the company provides accessory dwelling...
by Staci Perry Mergenthal | Jan 1, 2022 | Sports, Wellness
Ninjas United training and recreation strengthens families. It began with a dare. Jen Sexton Voigt found Ninjas United while searching for an outlet for her two high-energy boys. “It transformed our lives,” Voigt says. “I could send them to school, then bring them to...
by Liz Menigo | Jan 1, 2022 | Book Club, Noteworthy
Prior to the pandemic, Yale historian Timothy Snyder fell gravely ill. Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary, is his account of a near death experience and follow-up treatment he received in five hospitals within three months. Paying a visit to the...
by The Art Girls | Jan 1, 2022 | Arts, Noteworthy
Immerse yourself into a world of bliss. “Beauty is inner and external, but when you feel grounded in your thoughts and who you are, there really isn’t anything more beautiful.” Marking the beginning of the new year, this mixed media piece by artist Mary Catherine...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Jan 1, 2022 | Ingredients
Add a touch of history, new flavor profiles and textures to your menu. Why does pasta get so much of the culinary glory? Granted, it transforms dishes, comes in shapes galore and has “comfort food” written all over it. As we’re in the middle of hygge cooking season...
by Madeline Kopiecki | Jan 1, 2022 | Ingredients, Local Makers
Local chef turns a passion project into a thriving brand. When COVID restaurant closures forced chef Kyle Darling out of the kitchen, the Maple Grove resident decided to work toward his dream of opening his own butcher shop. “Nobody knew what was going to happen,”...
by Ava Diaz | Jan 1, 2022 | Giving Back, Pets
Maple Grove couple fosters 44 cats and dogs. With hearts of gold and an endless love for cuddly creatures, Maple Grove residents Barb and Tim Swenson have dedicated their lives to caring for animals in need. Fostering 44 cats and dogs in the last 15 months through...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2021 | Uncategorized
I appreciate that as the season’s change so, too, do our appetites and cravings for what appears on our dinnerware or even in cookie jars! One of the themes of this issue is food—apropos as we move into the holidays and all they entail on the eating end of things....
by Kira Schukar | Nov 1, 2021 | Book Club
Resident celebrates Puerto Rican culture in her new children’s book. Pamela Mercado Michelli’s daughter, Daniela, 5, loves to read. “I always took my daughter to storytime at the … Maple Grove Public Library,” Michelli says. “She started talking really clearly at a...
by Kevin Castellano | Nov 1, 2021 | Drinks, Entertain, Noteworthy
Wine and the holidays go hand in hand. When hosting, a great pairing can make a meal so much better. Wine makes the dish taste better, and great food makes wine taste amazing. This can be a daunting task if you think about it too hard; don’t be intimidated. A good...
by Pamela Mercado Michelli | Nov 1, 2021 | Drinks, Recipes
How about treating holiday guests to a new twist on traditional eggnog? Consider Maple Grove’s Pamela Mercado Michelli’s recipe for Puerto Rican coconut eggnog. Coquito 15 oz. cream of coconut 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk 12 oz. can evaporated milk 1 cup...
by Angela Johnson and Renée Stewart-Hester | Nov 1, 2021 | Giving Back, Local Makers
Local nonprofit spreads love, joy and frosting. Can a cake make a difference? Can a concoction of batter meets frosting cure what ails? At times, the answer is “yes.” For Goodness Cakes, which originated in California, unites nationwide chapters of volunteer bakers,...
by Angela Johnson | Nov 1, 2021 | Ingredients, Recipes
What do you really know about Thanksgiving’s ubiquitous dinner guest? Somewhere, someone in your family or friend circle (or maybe it’s you!) is planning this year’s Thanksgiving meal. This annual celebratory feast serves as an expression of gratitude and helps us...
