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BRINGING THE RAINFOREST TO MAPLE GROVE

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J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 4 “It’s important to understand beadwork as a cultural modality; on its own, it’s just some glass and string, but in the hands of Indigenous artists, it becomes the masterworks we pass down for generations to come.” —Jordan Sahly, page 14

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

PAGE 18

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

D E PA RT M E N TS

10 Serve’s Up MN Select Volleyball Club paves the way for boys volleyball.

12 Shop, Dine, Stay and Play A nonprofit organization aims to grow community recognition.

14 Into the Wild Blue Yonder Jordan Sahly embraces his heritage through beadwork.

F E AT U R E S

18 You’ve Got Mail Grace Berbig shepherds a global club, spreading love and support through letters.

24 Bringing the Rainforest to Maple Grove Terrain Brazilian Botanicals features ingredients sourced in their purest forms.

TAST E M A K E R S

34 Home Grown A mother-daughter duo turn their garden’s bounty into a thriving business.

IN E V E RY ISSU E Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance

Photo: Chris Emeott

4 7 31 40

FROM THE EDITOR

New Location,

Ha iley A lm sted — ha iley@loca lm edia .co

Same Great Care!

NOW OPEN! 10150 Niagara Lane N, Suite 100 Maple Grove, MN 55369 As the Twin Cities’ largest and most experienced cancer treatment provider, we know that treating cancer calls for more than compassion. It means giving our patients access to more than 100 cancer care experts, evidence-based treatment paths, close-to-home locations and comprehensive services to support the whole person.

January is a time for renewal, and this year I’m finding myself looking forward to taking care of my health and wellness in all new ways. In true Nordic fashion, I’ve taken it upon myself to hit the sauna a bit more this winter alongside participating in Dry January—I’ll be reaching for mocktails instead of cocktails. In this wellness journey, you may also find me swapping out a few of my skin care products for more natural ones or reading ingredient lists up and down. In this January/February issue of Maple Grove Magazine, we’re taking on the themes of beauty and fashion. First, Jordan Sahly shares how he connected with his Eastern Shoshone heritage through the Indigenous practice of beadwork. On page 16, view a couple of Sahly’s handmade creations while reading about how he’s tackling this new skillset. Then flip to page 24 where writer Jody Carey talks to Bruna Valente about her personal wellness journey and how it led her to creating her beauty and skin care business, Terrain Brazilian Botanicals. Next, we dive into the topic of wellness. If you’ve chosen to tackle Dry January—like I have—or if you’re looking for something new to sip on, I recommend you turn to the back of our magazine to page 34, where writer Mollee Francisco connects with Crystal Selchow, owner of The Rare Daisy, who shares the recipe to success in her company selling spices and herbs, mocktail syrups, rim salts and sugars, infusion kits and more. Finally, don’t forget to vote in our annual Readers’ Choice Poll, where you decide the best of the best in Maple Grove. Learn more about the Best of Maple Grove 2024 on page 7, and vote online now through the end of the month at maplegrovemag.com. Readers, I would love to hear your plans for 2024. Send me a note at hailey@localmedia.co. Happy New Year!

Our compassionate team works tirelessly towards

On the Cover Bruna Valente, photo by Chris Emeott, page 24 See what we’re doing behind the scenes and around town! Maple Grove Magazine @maplegrovemagazine @maplegrovemag

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January/February 2024

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Photo: Rachel Nadeau

one common goal – fighting cancer.

VOL. 18 NO. 3 maplegrovemag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Hailey Almsted

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor Hailey Almsted

digital editor Madeline Kopiecki

FOR aRd

copy editors Kellie Doherty Sherri Hildebrandt

staff writers Jody Carey Mollee Francisco Emily Gedde Meredith Heneghan Daniel Huss Jennifer Pitterle Rachel Schuehle Josie Smith Kristie Smith

Forward…because despite today’s headwinds and uncertainty that’s where the possibilities lie. So, it’s more important than ever to have a banking partner who can help you take advantage of every possibility the new year brings. That’s what going forward is all about.

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editorial interns Elaina Mankowski Morgan McFadden Emma Mehl

editorial advisory board Grace Becker, Osseo Area Schools Kiley Meyhoefer, City of Maple Grove Heidi Nelson, City of Maple Grove Amy Seeman, Mezmira

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art director Allison Nolden

graphic designer Yaz Lo

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junior designer Jamie Klang

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president Pete Burgeson

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2 hospitals. 25 clinics. All North. From the outside, Maple Grove Hospital is getting the North look. Inside, our unwavering commitment to serve you and our growing communities remains.

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lo c al tip s, tidb its & insi ght s

N OT E WO RT H Y

Vote

YOU’RE INVITED … … to a collective celebration for the Maple Grove community, its local businesses and providers that continue to serve and support us in a host of categories. What’s the best way to honor your favorite dining spots, hometown businesses, service providers, shopping haunts, community venues and more? Vote for your favorites in our annual Readers’ Poll— the Best of Maple Grove 2024. Our contest is live throughout January at maplegrovemag.com where you can vote for your “best of the best” in a number of curated categories. While some of your favorite categories return for another year, we also bring back our special Wast Metro segment, which includes a broader selection of area businesses and services, which are frequented and appreciated by our readership area. Want to view the categories? Go online—and vote!

January/February 2024

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Here’s what you need to know:

Voting is live with some simple rules*: 1. One entry is allowed per person; each ballot needs to include an email address. 2. Ballots must be completed by 5 p.m. January 31, 2024. 3. Voters need to vote in at least five categories to ensure their ballot is counted. 4. The top three finalists will be announced online on March 1, 2024. 5. Watch for our much-anticipated Best of Maple Grove July/August 2024 issue, where the winners and runners up will be revealed—along with Editor’s Picks and a host of other community highlights. *Any rule not adhered to may result in entire surveys being discarded, and all results are subject to editorial discretion.

N OT E WO RT H Y

READ

THE UNLIKELY VILLAGE OF EDEN: A MEMOIR Twin Cities psychotherapist Emma Nadler and her musician husband, Chris Thomson (aka Cedar Thoms), received heartbreaking news that their second child, Eden, was born with a rare genetic condition. Doctors told them that it was unlikely Eden would be able to talk, walk or even eat. The family’s life suddenly revolved around trying to keep Eden alive. Around-the-clock care was exhausting, affecting their careers and marriage. When Thomson got the opportunity to tour with Bon Iver, Nadler was left to care for their children, but help from an unlikely village of generous family and friends somehow made it work. Nadler relays her impossibly hard

TA S T E

life as a caregiver with vulnerability and humor. She shares her deepest feelings of fear, love, resentment and hope in this book. Nadler will talk about her book at Maple Grove Library at 6:30 p.m.

Support Healthy Hair, Skin and Nails with Your Diet

February 8. All are welcome to attend this free library event.

Sharon Noble is a librarian at Hennepin County Library-Maple Grove. Read more at hclib.org.

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brittle nails, pale skin and hair shedding.

essential for our vision, immune system

Consuming iron through lean meat and

and skin health. The term “retinol” refers to

seafood in addition to nuts, beans and even

preformed vitamin A, found in animal prod-

fortified breakfast cereal can support iron

ucts. Scaly, dry skin can indicate vitamin A

levels and lead to a more balanced diet.

deficiency. Add more preformed vitamin A to your diet by adding salmon, eggs or for-

Eating a balanced and varied diet consisting

tified dairy milk to your weekly meal plan.

of healthy fats, protein and nutrient-dense carbohydrates is key to supporting healthy

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that cells from free radicals. Exposure to free radicals is common and occurs daily via air pollution, ultraviolet light from the sun or secondhand smoke. Vitamin C plays a critical role in collagen production—a protein in our bodies that is a component of our skin,

Melissa Jaeger, RD, LD, is a Hy-Vee registered dietitian. You can find out more information about Hy-Vee dietitian services at hy-vee.com.

January/February 2024

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Photo: Melissa Jaeger

hair, skin and nails.

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The Power of Decluttering

When thinking about the factors that contribute to mental and physical wellness, we typically list exercise, eating healthfully, connecting with others, sleep and so

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on, but there is one activity that is frequently overlooked and yet is arguably one of the most important aspects of well-being: decluttering. As you sit and read this article, take a look around you. Are you surrounded by excess stuff? How do you feel when you see the clutter? Do you feel overwhelmed, ashamed or stuck and don’t know where to start? Your feelings are totally normal because clutter is burdensome. The good news is that decluttering is doable, and the process of letting go has a multitude of benefits. Think of the clutter as a mental fog and as you remove an item, the fog starts to clear. As each item goes, you start to feel less stress and more confident. Over time, your creativity returns, productivity increases and relationships improve. From there, you’ll see an improvement in your safety, finances and physical health. When you are ready to begin, start small, and know that you don’t have to declutter everything at once. Pick one room or area to focus on and remember to leave the sentimental items to the end. You may benefit by having a professional home organizer guide you throughout the process, keeping you accountable and on track.

Kira Vanderlan is a professional home organizer, stager and interior designer. She is the owner of the Maple Grovebased company Zestful Design. Find more at zestfuldesign.com.

ACTIVE LIVING

Serve’s Up MN Select Volleyball Club paves the way for boys volleyball. By Daniel Huss

has been growing exponentially. And many players dig it. “When I started at MN Select five or six years ago, we had two boys teams,” says Kim Benka, boys director at MapleGrove based MN Select Volleyball Club. “From there, it grew to three to four. Now, we have 20.” Statewide, boys volleyball club teams grew from 20 to 50—and MN Select Volleyball Club is the largest boys volleyball club in Minnesota. “Kids are coming from all over,” Benka says. “We obviously have a lot of Metro kids, but we have kids from as far away as Rochester, Duluth and Bemidji. They’re not here every day, but they pick their spots.” In season, practices are held two times per week. In addition, there’s also position-training days. Maple Grove Senior High (MGSH) senior Devon O’Callaghan was at an AllStar Nationals event in Florida when he was asked to comment on Minnesota’s fastest growing sport. “When I started playing high school volleyball, we could barely get eight players together,” Devon says. “We played both varsity and junior varsity matches. Now, we have a varsity team, a junior varsity team and two junior varsity II teams.” According to the MN Boys High School Volleyball Association, 400 players participated in boys high school volleyball in 2018. By 2023, that number spiked to 1,974. Over that same time frame, the number of participating schools jumped from 22 to 72. “It’s so fun,” Devon says. “I like the interaction. I like how you make your team your family, and I love the energy. When you play with energy, you’re winning. When you don’t, you’re losing.” Mark Altman, 2023 MGSH graduate, agrees. “It’s just a fun sport … You’re always happy, and you’re always excited,” he says. “You have big cool plays and big cool moments. Reactions

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Photo: MN Select Volleyball Club

MINNESOTA BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Meet the Doctor Team

at VCA Animal Wellness Center after the point are the best. If you win the point, you’re celebrating. If you lose, you’re picking yourselves up.” Altman first joined the MGSH boys’ volleyball club as sophomore and played through his senior year—the year he began playing at MN Select. “I went from having never played before to having a blast as a senior [at MN Select and in high school],” he says. “I played club during the offseason and joined as many outdoor leagues as I could during the summer.”

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A Sanctioned Sport

In 2021, boys volleyball failed to become a sanctioned sport by two votes through the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). Sanctioning would have made boys volleyball an official high school sport, which include benefits, such as funding, securing practice space and coaches. In 2022, boys volleyball failed in its sanctioning efforts by a single vote. “We were there and filled the room,” Devon says. “It was disappointing. While it didn’t crush our community, it definitely took a hit.” Last May, the MSHSL’s 48-member representative assembly approved the proposal to sanction boys volleyball for the 2024–25 school year by a vote of 39-7-2. What’s left to decide is when the sport will be played. Will it be in the spring or fall? “It should be spring for sure,” Benka says. “The majority of the country plays boys volleyball in the spring.” The argument against playing boys volleyball in the spring is that gyms are often used for other sports as winter drags and spring, along with warmer temperatures, is slow to show. Girls volleyball is played in the fall, and officials are already working beyond capacity. “You might get officials for varsity matches only,” Benka says. While Altman will miss out on MGSH’s first sanctioned match, he knows where the sport is headed. “When I started, my classmates didn’t even know our school had a team,” he says. “Now, they’re asking when we play.” MN Select Volleyball Club, 8686 Valley Forge Lane; 763.391.6660; mnselect.com

7000 E. Fish Lake Rd. Maple Grove, MN 763.420.7958 • vcamaplegrove.com

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D E S T I N AT I O N

Shop, Dine, Stay and Play A nonprofit organization aims to grow community recognition.

GREG ANZELC is fiercely passionate about Maple Grove. He’s been a Maple Grove resident for more than 20 years, and raised his family here and worked within the city. So serving on the founding board of—and eventually becoming the executive director of—Experience Maple Grove just made sense. “As the city has grown over time, it’s been fun to watch it evolve,” Anzelc says. It’s that growth—among other

enduring qualities—that he hopes to introduce others to, across the state, region and the country. As executive director of Experience Maple Grove, Anzelc is working to market the city’s profile to attract meetings, events and conventions that drive economic impact. “We’re right on the freeway, and we don’t want to be a drive-by community for people heading to their cabins and what not,” Anzelc says. “We want to

talk about who we are and what we have to offer.” Experience Maple Grove is a nonprofit destination marketing organization established in 2021. Anzelc came onboard the nonprofit organization prior to its inception two years ago. “I was one of the original founding board members once the city decided to create the organization … It’s been fun to be involved from inception, and now it’s an honor

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Photo: Chris Emeott

By Mollee Francisco and Hailey Almsted

From left to right: Chair AJ Stevens, Malone’s Bar and Grill; 2023 vice chair Lisa Alberts, Rush Creek Golf Club; executive director Greg Anzelc; general manager Anne Anderson; treasurer Justin Walsh, Omni Brewing; 2024 vice chair Craig Fokken, Henningsen & Snoxell Ltd.

and privilege to lead it,” Anzelc says. Experience Maple Grove is funded by the city’s hotel tax and works much like a chamber of commerce but without memberships. The goal is to showcase all the city has to offer. “One of our core initiatives is to support existing events and attractions in Maple Grove,” Anzelc says. “[And] to help [events] grow and reach a broader audience.” Promoting local events makes Maple Grove a more attractive destination for tourists and residents alike—when it comes time to find a location for events, expos and meetings, bringing visitors in to enjoy the city’s many amenities provides a positive economic impact. “We are exploring any and all options to bring events to Maple Grove that will help not only make Maple Grove a great place to live and work, but events that allow people to spend the night and really experience Maple Grove over a weekend,” Anzelc says. Once people find their way to Maple Grove, Anzelc knows the city will shine. “The amenities in the community are great. We have every size and shape of shopping, dining and activity to fit virtually any type of lifestyle,” he says. Anzelc says the city does a great job of entertaining throughout the year, from summer concerts and outdoor movies to Maple Grove Days and Wonders of Winter. “Really it’s to help to promote and expand [events],” he says. Experience Maple Grove is guided by a board of directors representing local stakeholders, businesses and organizations. The board recently went through its strategic planning process. Among its first orders of business now will be to create a sense of place and help with wayfinding. “Really, the goal is [for] people to wake up in the morning [and] think about coming to Maple Grove to shop, dine, stay and play,” Anzelc says. LIC: BC748228

Experience Maple Grove; experiencemaplegrove.com Experience Maple Grove @experiencemaplegrove

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A R T S & C U LT U R E

Into the Wild Blue Yonder Jordan Sahly embraces his heritage through beadwork. By Mollee Francisco Jordan Sahly

man at Yale University when the threat of a global pandemic sent him back home, turning his new-found freedom into lockdown. Facing the prospect of months of online learning, Sahly says he felt “alone, helpless and lost.” Like many, he found solace in taking up a new hobby, and his was tied to his upbringing as a member of the Eastern Shoshone tribe. The Maple Grove resident began beading. That hobby has since evolved to become Blue Shades Beadwork. “I had recently completed a family history project for one of my classes, and beadwork had been on my mind since it is a big part of my family’s legacy,” Sahly says of his beading beginnings. “I decided to give it a try; I had no teachers, no supplies and no idea where to start.” Sahly may have had no idea, but his grandfather did. A week after expressing his interest in beading, Sahly’s grandfather, E.J. Cruickshank, gifted him a small brown bag. “He said, ‘You wanted to bead; go learn,’” Sahly says. Inside the bag were porcupine quills, large needles and a tube of translucent navy blue seed beads. “This is where Blue Shades comes from,” Sahly says. “The simple gift of a tube of blue beads started my whole beading journey.” Sahly started with basic threading and

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Photo: Jordan Sahly

JORDAN SAHLY HAD BARELY BEGUN HIS CHAPTER as a fresh-

wire work, making simple loop and wire hoop earrings. Then, he moved on to brick stitch fringes, followed by loom weaving, bead embroidery, rope stitch wrapping, daisy stitch, hat wrap stitch, peyote stitch, cuff bracelet wrapping and freehand flower weaving. Sahly journaled his progress on Instagram as he tacked bigger and more ambitious projects. His first creation, a set of loop strung earrings in turquoise and gunmetal gray, he gifted to a family friend. “We are taught that the first piece we ever make is special and that we are to gift it to someone special in our lives rather than sell or keep it for ourselves,” Sahly says. “They were flimsy and haphazardly tied—I’m amazed they even survived, to be honest,” he says, noting that they have only had to be repaired once though the family friend wears them often. Sahly says that he strives to do equal parts gifting and selling “in order to return the kindness of the original gift I was given—the gift of beading.” “For me, the fun of beadwork has been making it and seeing it worn by the people around me, which is a little sweeter when it’s given freely,” he says. Sahly continues to sell the occasional pieces, but he is not one to rush work to make money. “My projects represent pieces of me that I can give freely,” he says. “I do it only when inspired and in my own time … I’ve found that the quality of design and beading is far better,” he says. “Now, each of my projects represents memory and woven emotion.” Sahly’s work is inspired by his upbringing—both themes from his tribe, like mountains and specific plants and animals, as well as a childhood spent exploring Minnesota’s many lakes and forests. “I love incorporating these elements into my work,” he says. Last year, Sahly recreated a medicine bag that had been passed down through his family for over 100 years. “I had to learn a lot of new skills, like sewing leather, beading onto leather, etc.,” he says. “When it was finished, I had

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Jordan Sahly on his beaded Starry Night entry for the Minnesota State Fair: Starry Night was a fulfillment of a goal, dream and ambition all in one. My beaded Starry Night is a roughly 6 inches by 7.5 inches, fully beaded embroidery created with 25 colors of glass seed beads. The style of beading I used I refer to as “flatstitch”— one of the most common traditional forms of beadwork and is used to create many types of complex, flat patterns. When I first learned the style, I had the vision of really pushing it to its limits and making a beaded “painting ...” A few years ago, I visited the Museum of Modern Art in New York City with some friends for the first time, which I had no idea exhibited Starry Night. It had always been one of my favorite paintings, so it was an awesome surprise. I vividly remember turning to my roommate at the time and saying, “I’m going to bead that.” I didn’t know how I was going to do it but the seed was planted. When I got home that weekend, I started planning like crazy, drew up designs, began working and … got through the outline of the moon and hated it. I gave up and shelved the whole project for months. Finally, during winter break, I had five weeks at home, uninterrupted time to work. I decided “It's now or never.” I worked endlessly for just over four weeks, and finally just before my 20th birthday, it was complete. The [Minnesota] State Fair component was a complete afterthought. I come from a state fair family; before the pandemic we always went at least twice a year. I entered my beaded Starry Night in the Bead Embroidery category for the Handcrafts Competition. It ended up winning second place, which in my book is amazing; I’d never won an award for anything like that a photo of it for me and everything. It was the end of an almost yearlong dream. A random visit to a museum culminated in winning an award from one of my favorite Minnesota institutions for achieving success in a craft that I’ve grown to love.

Photos: Jordan Sahly

before. My parents went out to take

Top left: Sahly’s Starry Night entry for the Minnesota State Fair, which received second place in the Bead Embroidery category of the Handcrafts Competition.

a completed medicine bag that I now use to store my own medicines like my ancestors had over a century ago, so in a way beadwork helped me close a loop and understand myself and where I come from even better.” Beadwork has become deeply personal to Sahly. “Everything I make is 100 percent from my two hands,” he says. “It can’t be mass produced. It can’t be multitasked. It can’t be made by anyone but me.” Sahly’s creations are not only a link to his ancestors, but a link to his future descendants, as well. “I am always keenly aware that I am the next generation of our living culture; the patterns I create today may be the patterns that my great-great grandkids try to recreate with their own beads someday,” he says. “It’s important to understand beadwork as a cultural modality; on its own, it's just some glass and string, but in the hands of Indigenous artists, it becomes the masterworks we pass down for generations to come.” As he prepares to graduate with a degree in chemical engineering from Yale University this spring, Sahly knows beading will forever be a part of his life. “Beadwork helped me find a way forward when I felt lost,” he says. “I wove, stitched and threaded every day until one day I woke up, and I was on a new path, a better path forward.” Blue Shades Beadwork; @blueshadesbeadwork

January/February 2024

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Bottom left: A beaded Crimson and Gold Graduation Cap that Sahly created for his younger brother. According to Sahly, it represents “not only our family’s Native culture but is symbolic of our family’s strength.” See more of Sahly’s creations on his Instagram, @blueshadesbeadwork.

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Grace Berbig

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Written by Mollee Francisco

You’ve Got Mail Grace Berbig shepherds a global club, spreading

Photos: Chris Emeott; Grace Berbig

love and support through letters.

When Grace Berbig thinks of her mother, Amanda Berbig, she feels the sensation of warmth and sunshine. She sees a young woman donning poofy dresses with flowers in her hair and a smile that radiated from the inside out. She recalls her laughter as they climbed apple trees in the backyard of their Maple Grove home. And she remembers the love notes that graced her lunch box each day. “She really was the best mom,” Berbig says. So, in 2013 when her mother passed away from leukemia at just 31 years old, Berbig’s world came crashing down. “It broke my heart,” she says. “The most severe pain I’ve ever felt in my life.” Berbig and her sisters, Bella and Sophie, credit their dad as their “catalyst for coping” following her mother’s death. “He told us losing our mom could ruin our lives” she says. “Our job was to let our mother’s joy live through us.” Berbig became determined to honor her mother’s life. “I didn’t want her to be forgotten.” Today, Berbig is the founder and president of Letters of Love, a nonprofit organization that distributes handmade letters, cards and pictures to children in hospitals around the world. In the five years since its inception, Letters of Love

January/February 2024

Amanda Berbig, Grace Berbig’s mother.

has tallied more than 180 clubs in 31 states and 18 countries. Thus far, its members have created 200,000 cards and counting. SPREADING HAPPINESS

Berbig was just a fifth grader when she

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lost her mother. And though no one would have blamed her for sitting in her sorrow, Berbig chose otherwise. “I believe happiness is a choice we have to make every day,” Berbig says. Not only did Berbig choose to be happy, she chose to be helpful. “I wanted to

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

January/February 2024

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Letters of Love started as a passion project and turned into a global nonprofit with the goal of changing the world with kindness—one card at a time.

help people in similar situations [to my mother’s],” she says. “I felt it was my responsibility.” At age 16, Berbig got involved raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but that felt like it wasn’t enough. She kept looking for opportunities to be helpful, but it wasn’t until the family moved from Maple Grove to Orono, and Berbig started at Orono High School, that she had her lightbulb moment. “I remembered the cards,” she says. When her mother was in the hospital, all three Berbig sisters kept themselves busy drawing cards and pictures for her after school. “She would go through every one,” Berbig says. “In every hospital room, she would plaster all of these drawings all over her room.” Berbig knew how much those drawings had meant to her mom, and she wanted to share that feeling with others in the hospital. So, Berbig took to her Instagram to invite her friends to join her in the art room to make cards after school one day. “I bought something like 15 donuts,” she says. “But we had 100 kids pile into the art room. It was completely packed. We made so many cards that day.” School staff recognized that the idea was a hit and encouraged Berbig to continue. “They said, ‘Grace, you have to keep this going,’” she says. By the end of the year, Letters of Love was the biggest club at Orono High School. Berbig started fielding calls from students at other schools interested in starting their own Letters of Love clubs, and she soon realized that the club could be bigger than her and bigger than Orono High School. She decided to make it a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2019. “It was such a huge accomplishment,” she says.

Photos: Grace Berbig

HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS

These days, Berbig says they are constantly adding new clubs to their organization. Several high schools in the Twin Cities area have started their own clubs, including Maple Grove, Edina, Lakeville, Prior Lake. Maple Grove Senior High launched its Letters of Love club in February

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CREATING CONNECTION

Siena Tompkins was once the recipient of Letters of Love, and she never forgot how that mail made her feel. “Receiving a card from Letters of Love gave me a connection to the outside world when I was confined to the four walls of my hospital room,” Tompkins says. “It really struck me, in that moment, that somewhere out there a stranger had decided to put [colored] pencil to paper with the sole intention of bringing a smile to someone else’s face even though they wouldn’t be there to see it. To me, it meant that I was seen by a community outside of my own, who didn’t even need to meet me to support me.” Tompkins was so touched by the experience that she ended up becoming a volunteer with Letters of Love. “Volunteering with Letters of Love makes you part of something so much bigger than any one individual, and that higher sense of purpose is an inspiring feeling,” she says. Tompkins also jumped at the chance to work alongside Berbig. “Grace’s confidence and enthusiasm when receiving me into the [Letters of Love] family was what I needed to remind myself that to the right people you will always be whole, always be good enough.”

“She is the human embodiment of a ray of sunshine,” Tompkins says. “There is no one better suited for this mission than her.” HEALING ART

Berbig still vets every card before sending them on to their partner hospitals. She loves to see the variety of art, from little kid scribbles and “I love yous” to the sweet side of college football players. There are connect-the-dots cards, jokes and even homemade word puzzles. “It’s so beautiful to see the art of the human letter,” Berbig says. “As a math teacher, it always impresses me how creative and artistic students are,” Frey says. “That is something I don’t always see on homework.” Frey knows the kids are making a difference with their creations. She recalled a story of talking about the club with one of her neighbors, who is a nurse at a local hospital. “She has seen our cards in the rooms of children at the hospital and shared the impact that they make,” Frey says. “Children were excited to read them and see them on their walls.” Tompkins still remembers how beautiful the cards were that she received. “Every single one felt genuine,” she says.

Photos: Grace Berbig

2023. “The main reason that we started this club was because we want to make a child smile in a very dark time in their lives,” says Payton Lund, student liaison for the club. “I wanted these children to know that they have people that are here for them.” The club had about 20 members in its first year, and Payton says they hope to grow in the years ahead. “I think that the students that join our team feel like they have given a kid some hope in a tough time in their life and like they have made a change,” Payton says. “We think that is important because, as teenagers, they feel like they can’t really do much to make a change in today’s crazy world. Our club gives them the chance to make a little change in someone’s life.” Five years after it was founded, the original Letters of Love club at Orono High School is still going strong with anywhere from 75 to 100 students in grades nine through 12 attending monthly meetings. “Making cards with encouraging words for children who are struggling with illness is really a simple idea, but the impact benefits everyone involved,” says Kristin Frey, who served as the school’s club advisor for Letters of Love last year.

Students from all around the country—and the world—create cards to send to Letters of Love.

January/February 2024

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Bella, Grace and Sophie Berbig

Maple Grove is our home. Let us help you make it yours. Reach out today to get connected with one of our Maple Grove agents.

“I could tell that the people who made those cards cared for and were excited about what they were doing. The simplicity of writing a card is what I find so beautiful about the mission of Letters of Love.”

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LONG-TERM GOALS

Although Letters of Love has already exceeded Berbig’s wildest expectations, she continues to set new goals for the organization, including a club in every state, the first letter from space (“We call NASA every week,” she says.) and more corporate sponsors to help offset their costs. Berbig remains determined to keep the clubs free for participants, including materials, but says that comes at a cost of roughly $200 a month per club. “I’d love to partner with Hallmark on Letters of Love greeting cards,” Berbig says. “And Crayola on supplies.” Berbig would also love to make Letters of Love her full-time job. “I feel so lucky to have found my passion so early in life.” Berbig says working with the nonprofit definitely makes her feel closer to her late mom. She says, “I think she would be really happy about it. The whole organization is built on her happiness, her love.” Letters of Love; lettersofloveglobal.com Letters of Love @lettersofloveglobal

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Bringing the Rainforest to Maple Grove Terrain Brazilian Botanicals features ingredients sourced in their purest forms. Written by Jody Carey

rowing up in Brazil, Bruna Valente never imagined living in Minnesota, let alone starting a business here. From her Maple Grove home overlooking Central Park, Valente tells us about a recent adventure. She and her husband, Dago Darezzo, traveled back to Brazil to visit the Amazon rainforest. They stayed within the Indigenous communities and experienced the richness of this lush area of the world. They wanted a firsthand look at the source of ingredients Valente was using to make body lotion as part of her business, Terrain Brazilian Botanicals. “I felt so connected with how potent and simple the formulations were. I wanted to see where they came from,” she says. “Even though I grew up in Brazil, I didn’t know anyone who had been to the rainforest,” she says. Brazil is similar in land size to the United States, and half

of that area is rainforest. They flew to Belém, Brazil—a large city known as the “city of mango trees.” It’s a busy and significant port where the Amazon River meets the sea. But within a five-minute drive, Valente and Darezzo left the city behind and were on a boat heading into the depths of the Amazon. “It was a trip into the unknown,” Valente says. The couple stayed with locals and ventured into raw and undeveloped areas. “It was magical to see where the ingredients were growing and visiting parts of the forest that could only be reached by boat.” They saw the beautiful trees that bear fruits and nuts like buriti and copaiba. Buriti is a bright orange fruit that’s naturally high beta carotene, which helps protect the skin from UV damage. Valente uses it in her face oil. Copaiba oil is extracted from the copaiba tree by making a hole in the

trunk allowing the resin to flow—similar to tapping a maple tree for syrup. Valente uses the copaiba oil in the CALMA soothing lotion bar. She makes emollient and nourishing lotion bars by making butter similar to shea butter from nuts like the edible murumuru seed from a native palm tree and the seed from the ucuuba (butter tree) fruit. “I was fortunate to meet a woman engaged with the local co-ops to source ingredients in a way that supports the community and the rainforest,” Valente says. The co-ops meet the certifications for European and U.S. standards, including U.S. Department of Agriculture Certified Organic, B-Corp and United Nations Global Compact Certified partners. Valente not only met these women, but stayed in their homes, which flowered into a partnership and a way to

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Photo: Belu Photography; Styling: Hello Norden

Facial oils and lotion bars are at the forefront of Terrain Brazilian Botanicals.

Bruna Valente

January/February 2024

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source ingredients directly from the rainforest. “I know exactly where the ingredients come from and that it supports the local people,” Valente says. In Maple Grove, from the same living room where Valente watches her kids play, she receives shipments of botanicals directly from the Amazon rainforest.

Photo: Chris Emeott

The Journey to Wellness Maple Grove is not only where she and her husband are raising a family but where she started and operates Terrain Brazilian Botanicals. Valente grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil— its capital city. She moved to the U.S. 14 years ago to attend the University of South Carolina-Aiken with her husband. After graduation, work led them north, where Valente received an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison before moving to Maple Grove. Valente was diagnosed with cancer when she was pregnant with her second child. Her cancer experience led her to dive deep into wellness. “It started from healing myself,” she says. “From a place of wellness, I just let myself be. I left my corporate job not knowing what I was going to do next.” She searched for better-for-you products and was disappointed in what she found: A lack of transparency, questionable ingredients and wasteful packaging. She immersed herself in what she cared about, taking classes in organic skin care at Formula Botanica. “I did this for myself, Valente says. “I didn’t know there was a business coming.” Creating nurturing body lotions and face oils with pure ingredients from Brazil flourished from Valente’s desire to heal and find something she could connect with. Valente is guided by her strong ethos and doing what's good for all. She creates products with ingredients that support small communities of the rainforest and are responsibly foraged. Everything is authentic and created with purpose and intention, from the pressed oils to product packaging, she says. “I wanted to see more products that were not only clean inside but were

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clean in the way they were packaged— and their impact on the planet and the people behind making those products,” Valente says. Many body lotions and facial products contain additives and preservatives, but nothing artificial is added to Terrain Brazilian Botanicals products. “There’s no need to add any additives or synthetics because oils can be combined with a natural preservative like vitamin E derived from plants,” Valente says. A small jar of concentrated ingredients goes a long way. And Valente appreciates that concentrated portions means less packaging. All of the packaging is either recyclable or compostable. Even the cloth wrapped around the lotion bar is from sustainable plant fabric. Through a journey of trial and error, looking for a suitable container to hold

the lotion bars, Valente came across artisans—members of the Mumbuca community in the Jalapão region—who are known for the art of weaving golden grass. “The women who make the baskets for Terrain are the ones whose ancestors started the art of using golden grass. It’s their livelihood,” Valente says. The grass is abundant in the region—and because it’s the main source of income—it’s highly protected and can only be exported as a finished product. For the women in this remote Indigenous community, Terrain Brazilian Botanicals is their biggest customer, ordering up to 400 baskets at a time. The baskets are beautiful and designed to be used as decorative storage for years. Terrain Brazilian Botanicals currently has four products: Two lotion bars and two facial oils (available on terrain brazil.

com). Valente is looking for retailers to sell her products and is involved with several business accelerator programs to develop wholesale partnerships. As a rising entrepreneur, she is a member of ModernWell and was accepted into three development programs in 2023: Nest Artisan Sustainability Accelerator Cohort, Target ProBono Program and Lunar Startups Accelerator Cohort. With her connections to a country so rich in healthful natural resources, Valente is thinking about the next product she can handcraft from her Maple Grove home with ingredients from her native Brazil.

Terrain Brazilian Botanicals; terrainbrazil.com @terrainbrazil

January/February 2024

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Photos: Bruna Valente

Left and top right: Bruna Valente visits the Amazon rainforest, where she sources ingredients for Terrain Brazilian Botanicals. Bottom right: Golden grass from the Jalapão region.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Croft & Stern offers bespoke, custom jewelry for life’s important moments. Croft & Stern Jewelry Designs is guided by owner and creative visionary Kelly Sternau, who leads a team devoted to the artistry of crafting personalized jewelry. Each project unfolds as a unique narrative, and every creation is infused with a deep appreciation for the art of jewelry making and the cherished connections inspired by the designs. Specializing in bespoke bridal jewelry and custom redesign, Croft & Stern excels at crafting contemporary heirlooms that effortlessly mirror your current taste and lifestyle. The custom designers collaborate closely with you to reimagine your existing jewelry, breathing new life into beloved diamonds and gemstones. “What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to overseeing every detail of the process,” Sternau says. Beyond its bespoke creations, Croft & Stern features a meticulously curated selection of limited-run, small-batch, ready-to-wear fine jewelry. “We proudly support and showcase distinctive jewelry from independent artisans worldwide, alongside our one-of-a-kind pieces. Our collection also includes a rotating array of estate and antique jewelry,” Sternau says. Jewelry can be a means of self-expression and has enduring appeal with individuality at its core. Sternau says, “Custom jewelry’s timeless quality lies in its ability to reflect the unique personality, preferences and stories of the wearer.

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showcase local people, places and events.

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lo c al things to se e an d do

O N T H E TOW N

A WINTER SPECTACLE Maple Grove welcomes the Ice Castles to the city.

Photo: A.J. Mellor

THE CI TY OF MA PLE GR OVE will be transformed into a winter wonderland this season, as the Ice Castles, in conjunction with Experience Maple Grove, has a new home at the corner of Main Street and Weaver Lake Road. “Experience Maple Grove has been instrumental in our decision-making to relocate,” says Jared Henningsen, vice president of event operations for the Ice Castles. “The open arms that the city has welcomed us with has been terrific, and we are excited to be in a new part of the Twin Cities.” This year, attendees can expect to enter into a winter village, complete with something to eat, shopping, the ever-popular ice slides, crawl tunnels, igloos and cabins, an ice bar and more. “[When] you first walk in, [you] will find something to eat and something to shop,” says Henningsen. “That villagelike atmosphere is something we’re excited about.” Tickets are now on sale—and Henningsen recommends purchasing them as early as possible. “We do sell out,” he says. “So we encourage people to ... book in advance.” —Hailey Almsted The Ice Castles is weather-dependant and is typically open from January through the end of February. Find tickets and more information at icecastles.com.

January/February 2024

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O N T H E TOW N

Lake Harriet (Bdé Umá ) Winter Kite Festival

colors, temperatures, textures and nature.

All ages. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Maple Grove Arts Center, 11666 Fountains Drive; 763.370.3003; maplegroveartscenter.org

AREA EVENTS

Art and Dining After Dark 01/10 Experience the MIA like never before with this private dining experience, featuring a multicourse dinner by Jamie Malone and Paris Dining Club, rounded out with wine pairings by Bill Summerville. Curators will lead tours of the exhibition 1,000 Years of Spain, along with after hours in the galleries. Ages 21 and older.

Admission $475, valet included. 6–9:30 p.m. Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; 612.870.3000; tickets.artmia.org

U.S. Pond Hockey Championship 01/18–01/28 Watch the 19th annual U.S. Pond Hockey Championship on Lake Nokomis. This fouron-four tournament celebrates hockey in true Minnesota fashion. To participate, Compiled by Morgan McFadden, Emma Mehl and Hailey Almsted

Toil & Trouble 02/02–03/03

Yellow Lake Theatre presents its show,

LOCAL EVENTS

An Afternoon of Inspiration 01/09 Maple Grove’s I-94 West Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with JB, St.

Toil & Trouble. Adam, Matt and Beth,

Puppy Party Adoption Event

all underemployed friends, are des-

01/21

perate to beat the recession in this

Enjoy this free event, featuring pup-

comedic adaptation of Shakespeare’s

pies from Healing Hearts Rescue. The

Macbeth. Recommended for ages 12 and

puppies are ready to be adopted or

older. $40 general ticket, $37 senior/student/veteran ticket. Times vary. Yellow Tree Theatre, 320 Fifth Ave. SE, Osseo; 763.493.8733; yellowtreetheatre.com

Michael Cinema and the Buffalo Chamber

fostered. Food will be offered by food trucks, along with pizza in the taproom.

All ages. Free. 2–4 p.m. Lakes & Legends Brewing Company, 1368 Lasalle Ave., Mpls.; 612.999.6020; lakesandlegends.com

of Commerce, welcomes inspirational

Polar Plunge

speakers Hollie Hoffman, Steve Fredlund

02/03

Art Shanty Projects

and Mark Mayfield. Drinks and appetizers

Head to Fish Lake Regional Park for

01/20–02/11 (Weekends Only)

will be served. Ages 18 and older. $65

the annual Maple Grove Polar Plunge

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the

and help reach its fundraising goal of

Art Shanty Projects are back on Lake

for members, $75 for nonmembers. 12:30– 5:30 p.m. St. Michael Cinema, 4300 O’Day Ave. NE, St. Michael; i94westchamber.org

A Toast to Dry January

$165,000. All ages. Plunge begins at noon.

Fish Lake Regional Park, 14900 Bass Lake Road; 763.270.7119; plungemn.org

Harriet (Bdé Umá ) to bring the arts outdoors during the coldest time of the year, all encapsulated inside of artisan and community-built structures. With a

01/12

All Seasons Show

rotating program of artists and perform-

Celebrate Dry January with a variety

02/08

ers, enjoy music and visiting different

of zero-proof, nonalcoholic libations,

The Maple Grove Arts Center opens its

shanties all with different themes and

and learn more about mocktails. Ages

first new show of the year, All Seasons,

goals. All ages. Free admission, donations recommended. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lake Harriet/ Bdé Umáŋ, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Parkway, Mpls.; 612.567.6844; artshantyprojects.org

21 and older. 6:30–7:30 p.m. $10/person. Total Wine & More, 12795 Elm Creek Blvd. N.; 763.488.3300; totalwine.com

on January 30, with its opening reception on February 8. All Seasons is a mixed media show, featuring different

January/February 2024

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l o ca l t h i n g s to se e a n d d o

CHANGE BEAUTY FOREVER Getting safer products into the hands of everyone.

Saint Paul Winter Carnival 01/25–02/03 The oldest winter carnival in the United States features various events at Rice Park, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and around St. Paul. Events include an ice fishing tournament, snow sculptures, a puzzle contest and more. All ages. Free. Times vary. Rice Park, 109 Fourth St. W., St. Paul; 651.223.7400; wintercarnival.com

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612.327.8342 ang88@comcast.net @angelakauch

cleanbeautymatters.com New clients who make a purchase will recieve a FREE product of their choice.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago 01/25 Lauded by The New York Times and The Boston Globe, this international dance company is touring with the newly appointed leadership of artistic director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell to bring contemporary dance and choreography to Minneapolis for one night. All ages. Prices start at $24.50. 7:30 p.m. Carlson Family Stage, 84 Church St. SE Suite 013, Mpls.; 612.624.2345; northrop.umn.edu

Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival 01/27 Bring your family to see the Lake Harriet

in digital format!

(Bdé Umá ) Winter Kite Festival. There will be a free shuttle provided from the Executive Center to the lake to avoid traffic. All ages. Free. Noon–4 p.m. Lake Harriet/

Bdé Umáŋ, 4135 W. Lake Harriet Parkway, Mpls.; 612.230.6400; minneapolisparks.org

Bundled Up! Winter Fun Day

Never miss an issue of Maple Grove Magazine with free, anytime access to our digital editions. Full screen viewing on your digital device allows easy cover-to-cover reading. Share your favorite Maple Grove Magazine articles with friends and family.

01/27 Join the city of St. Louis Park for a day of ice skating, horse-drawn hay rides, sledding, snowshoeing, bonfires with s’mores and hot cocoa. There will be a raffle at 3 p.m. to support the summer concert program. All ages. Free. Noon–3:30 p.m.

iStock.com/hartfordphoto

Oak Hill Park, 3201 Rhode Island Ave. S., St. Louis Park; 952.924.2500; stlouisparkmn.gov

To have your event considered: email

Learn more at maplegrovemag.com

maplegrovemag@localmedia.co by the 10th of the month three months prior to publication. Due to the fluidity being experienced in the current environment, please note that some events/dates and even some business operations may have changed since these pages went to print. Please visit affiliated websites for updates.

TA S T E M A K E R S

A mother-daughter duo turn their garden’s bounty into a thriving business.

Home Grown Written by Mollee Francisco — Photos by Chris Emeott 34

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

MO NEY MAY N OT G R OW ON T REES, but Crystal Selchow and her

8-year-old daughter, Alexia, have found a way to turn trees, vines and plants into a small business, offering sustainable, natural products. From their oversized suburban yard on the east side of Maple Grove, Crystal and Alexia grow a bevy of herbs, fruits and vegetables. And like many gardeners with a healthy green thumb, the duo grows produce with the intention to share their bounty, but rather than thrust excess tomatoes or zucchinis at their neighbors, the Selchows preserve their harvest and sell it through their cottage company: The Rare Daisy. Their products include everything from spices and herbs to infusion kits and cocktail syrups to rim salts and sugars. “I just wanted to create something with simple ingredients that was safe to consume,” Crystal says. August marked the one-year anniversary of their company, but Crystal’s love of gardening goes much further back. “I’ve had a passion for gardening and growing food for us for a long time,” she says. “I learned to garden as a kid in my mom’s garden … In 2018–19 is when I really started being intentional about it.” Crystal likes the sense of control she gets from growing her own food. “There’s so many things you can buy on the store shelf, but you can’t control what’s in it or where it comes from,” she says. In her yard, Crystal controls the soil, fertilizers, water and more. She starts many of her plants from seed under grow lights in the dark of winter. “There’s a different sense of achievement when growing from seed,” she says. With nearly an acre of land, by the time summer is winding down, the Selchows are overgrown with produce— herbs, fruit, tomatoes, jalapenos, peppers and beans among the harvest. Then, Crystal and Alexia begin the process of freeze drying for their various offerings. The eclectic mix of products available through The Rare Daisy is a result of the duo trying their hand at various products that they loved. Crystal recalls one friend gifting her a blackberry-sage cocktail syrup with a challenge in hand. Crystal says, “She

January/February 2024

Crystal and Alexia Selchow

said, ‘I know once you drink it, you’re going to figure out how to make it.’” And she did—along with lavender-blueberry; honeysuckle; and rose-cardamom syrups. The rose-cardamom syrup has become one of Crystal’s favorites. “It’s a hidden gem,” she says. “It pairs so well with so many things.” The Rare Daisy—a reference to Crystal’s April birth month flower— also offers a trio of rim salts and sugars

maplegrovemag.com

to spice up any cocktail or mocktail. Those include lemon sugar, lime salt and spicy jalapeño salt—one of their top sellers. Those products can be paired with its infusion kits to create a cocktail or mocktail sure to dazzle guests. Its infusion kits include Spicy Mango Margarita, Cranberry Sauced and Speakeasy with a combination of dried cherries, oranges, lemons and rosemary. “There’s a lot of trial and error, but I

Photo: xxxxxxxxx

Lavender Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini or Mocktail*

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

Rose Latte

have a close group of friends and neighbors who support me,” Crystal says. “It’s been a lot of fun for us.” And Crystal is making sure that her daughter is along for every part of the process. “I wanted to show her that even at a young age, you can do anything,” she says. “It’s fun,” Alexia says. “I like counting the money.” The Rare Daisy offers its products via its website for pickup or free delivery within a 30-mile radius. Crystal and Alexia also frequent craft fairs throughout the year and keep the website updated with upcoming events. While her business is still in its infancy, Crystal has dreams of seeing her creations in a store—either someone else’s store or her own. “I would love to have a storefront someday,” she says.

Lavender Blueberry Lemon Drop Martini or Mocktail*

Cherry Rosemary Prosecco » prosecco of choice

» 2 oz. vodka » ½ oz. limoncello

» ½ oz. Cherry Rosemary Cocktail Syrup

» 1 oz. Lavender Blueberry Cocktail Syrup

Pour chilled prosecco into a glass.

» 1 oz. fresh lemon juice

Add ½ oz. (or to taste) of Cherry

» ice

Rosemary Cocktail Syrup. Stir to

» Karo syrup

combine, and enjoy.

» raw cane sugar » lemon peel twist, for garnish

Rose Latte

In a shaker, combine the ice,

» 1/3 cup espresso, brewed via spe-

vodka, limoncello, Lavender

cialty coffee maker or espresso

Blueberry Cocktail Syrup and

machine

fresh lemon juice. Rim the glass

» 2/3 cup milk, steamed

with Karo syrup and raw cane

» 1/2–1 oz. Rose-Cardamom

sugar. Pour the drink mixture

Cocktail Syrup

into the glass, and add a lemon peel twist for a garnish.

Brew your espresso using a specialty coffee maker or espresso

*For a nonalcoholic version,

machine; while brewing, steam

omit the vodka and limon-

milk and froth using a frother.

The Rare Daisy; theraredaisy.com

cello, shake ingredients and

Pour espresso into mug, add

The Rare Daisy - A Cottage Co.

top off with sparkling water.

Rose-Cardamom Cocktail Syrup,

@the_rare_daisy

January/February 2024

then top off with milk.

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This is our home. Let us help you make it yours. Reach out today to get connected with one of our Maple Grove agents. We look forward to helping you.

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LIFE CHANGING COMMUNITY Surrounding yourself with people who will be there for you creates lasting change. Together, we charge forward to change the conversation about fitness. At Burn Boot Camp, we build each other up. Burn Boot Camp 14500 Weaver Lake Road 651.600.1517 burnbootcamp.com/maple-grove-mn

DONATO’S FLORAL EST. 1988

Providing personalized, 100 precent complimentary planning services for your dream Disney vacation! Walt Disney World Disneyland Disney Cruise Line Aulani Resort in Hawaii Adventures by Disney Angela Vahalik Castle Bound Travel Company Accommodates All Travelers 612.460.1581 angela@castleboundtravelco.com

Maranatha Christian Academy is an innovative PK-Grade 12 school that prepares your child for college, career and life. Enroll today.

Maranatha Christian Academy 9201 75th Ave. N. 763.488.7900 mcamustangs.org

Donato’s Floral is a family owned business. We have been a part of this community for over 35 wonderful years. We deliver daily joy with natural botanicals.

Never give up. Start training today! EXTREME SUPPORT EXTREME ENCOURAGEMENT EXTREME ACCOUNTABILITY EXTREME RESULTS Kickboxing. Strength Training. Bring this in for a free week.

Donato’s Floral 10200 73rd Ave. N. Suite #102 763.416.0488 donatosfloral.com

We are a local family business of licensed health insurance agents dedicated to help you with all your health insurance needs. Medicare Prescription Drug Individual/Family Health Small Group Twin Cities Health Insurance Solutions, Inc 7044 East Fish Lake Road 763.280.8882 medicareoptionsmn.com

Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping 9893 Maple Grove Parkway 612.245.8933 fxbmaplegrove.com

Maple Grove Resident for 26+ Years 1,715+ thrilled clients Voted #1 Realtor in Maple Grove Scan QR code for latest offers!

Jarrod Peterson Real Estate Group 7767 Elm Creek Blvd. 763.258.4400 askjarrodheknows.com

LAST GLANCE

A Winter Walk Photograph showcases Edward Lake in a new light. “Being a Maple Grove Lake commissioner, representing [Edward Lake] and actively involved in our lake association, I am always keeping my eye open for interesting and unique views of the local lakes to share with others,” says hobbyist photographer Sharon Kotula. “I find nature so healing and inspirational, and depending on the season, weather conditions, lighting, etc., [it’s] never the same twice. On this particular evening, the setting sun reflecting off the ice and clouds created such amazing, distinctive shadows, showcasing the footprints alongside the shimmering body of frozen water.” —Hailey Almsted

Photographer: Sharon Kotula Title: Walking on Water

Equipment: Apple iPhone 14 Location: Edward Lake Category: Seasons

Award: Third Place

To view other Focus on Maple Grove photo contest winners, visit maplegrovemag.com.

January/February 2024

maplegrovemag.com

The Maple Grove Lions thank our charitable giving partners who help us make the Maple Grove area a better community.

Maple Grove Lions Charitable Giving Benefactors Cancer, Sight, Poverty & Disability Local Youth Scholarships Local School Groups & Teams Military, Police & Fire Local Public and Private Institutions Local Community Groups WůĞĂƐĞ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŽƵƌ ŚĂƌŝƚĂďůĞ 'ŝǀŝŶŐ ƐƉŽŶƐŽƌƐ

Serving Maple Grove since 1963 www.maplegrovelions.org