An Afton family renovates and reopens Squire House Gardens as Horta Culture.
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1DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 5/31/2023. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off, and 12 months $0 money down, $0 monthly payments, 0% interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 4/1/2023 and 5/31/2023. 40% off windows and entry/patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Additional $25 off each window or entry/patio door, no minimum purchase required, taken after initial discount(s), when you purchase by 5/31/2023. Subject to credit approval. Interest is billed during the promotional period, but all interest is waived if the purchase amount is paid before the expiration of the promotional period. Financing for GreenSky® consumer loan programs is provided by federally insured, federal and state chartered financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License MN:BC130983/WI:266951. Excludes MN insurance work per MSA 325E.66. Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. 2Values are
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
and American
14 — Horta Culture
An Afton family renovates and reopens Squire House Gardens as Horta Culture.
16 — Creative Spaces by Minnesotans
Local artisans flourish through Smith + Trade Collaborative.
18 — Next Bend Birding
Mother’s Day marigolds turn a lifelong passion into a nationally recognized eco-tour business.
FEATURES
20 — An Artistic Adventure
St. Croix Valley area artist finds inspiration in Minnesota and beyond.
24 — Inspiration to Reality
Interior Impressions creates a modern farmhouseinspired abode.
TASTEMAKERS
30 — Bar Gains
Hudson gains a “new” bar with help from local beer industry expert Brett Splinter.
IN EVERY ISSUE
8 — Editor’s Letter
11 — Noteworthy
31 — On the Town
34 — Gallery
40 — Last Glance
—Coretta Scott King, civil rights leader, activist
author
HAILEY ALMSTED — HAILEY@LOCALMEDIA.CO
There’s something to be said about owning a unique piece of artwork handcrafted by an area artist. I have several pieces in my own home that I’ve purchased directly from all types of artists—from the novice to the professional. Truth be told, I also have a couple of canvases hanging around that my fiance and I created together (and we’re most certainly not artists).
In this issue, which features the themes of homes, outdoor living and pets, we’ve connected with local artists and artisans, photographers and interior designers, who work to create special spaces in our living areas. On page 20, I connected with contemporary artist Mary Jo Van Dell. In An Artistic Adventure, Van Dell shares her story on becoming an artist and the inspiration behind her landscape pieces. “The work evolves … I just let it happen naturally. I don’t force it or try to be different, but, over the years, it has changed dramatically,” she says.
On page 24, writer Emily Gedde connects with Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions who recently created a modern farmhouse-inspired home in Hastings. Featuring wooden beams, dark accents, organic elements and natural themes, it’s a cozy and inviting space—perfect for the homeowners, who are natural hosts.
March 20 marked the first day of spring—but we all know that a Minnesota spring doesn’t come around until the end of April. I, for one, am looking forward to the melting of the snow, the warmer temperatures and the sound of birds chirping once again. (I’m also hoping that there isn’t a fluke snowstorm this month!) It seems the St. Croix Valley, too, is preparing for spring with the first anniversary of the reopening of Horta Culture (page 14) and one area resident, who is preparing to dive into birding season (page 18).
Readers, how are you celebrating the changing of the seasons? Share your spring snaps with us on Instagram by tagging us @stcroixvalleymag or using the hashtag #StCroixValleyMagazine.
Where visiting the dentist feels like visiting a friend.
FLOWERS ARE ALWAYS A WELCOME GIFT! They can cheer you up when you are down, make gray days bright and make you feel better when you are sick—on the other hand, flowers can also make your pets sick. According to WebMD Pet Health Center, more than 200,000 pets are poisoned by flowers and plants each year. Common symptoms of pet poisoning include: lethargy, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and nausea. While pet poisoning is considered rare, you can avoid the risk by being aware of harmful varieties of plants and flowers.
Common flower varieties include chrysanthemums, lilies and most bulb varieties such as tulips, iris, crocus, hyacinth and daffodils. Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins harvested from the bloom, which are used in organic pesticides and can cause drooling and lethargy in your pet. The bloom and stamen of the lily are extremely poisonous to cats but only mildly so to dogs. Bulb flowers like hyacinth and daffodils are toxic if your
pet eats the bulb, but the flowers are not toxic. Common house plants that are toxic include: dracaena varieties, corn plant and marjenata varieties, some succulents varieties like aloe and jade, and extremely poisonous diffenbachia varieties (dumb cane).
Often, pets instinctively avoid these flowers and plants, however younger pets are curious. If you believe your pet has consumed a poisonous flower or plant, immediately contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic. It is helpful to know the name of the flower or plant consumed and to bring a sample in a small bag with you to the appointment, so that your doctor can prescribe the best treatment.
Continue gifting beautiful flowers and plants—but be sure to discuss pet concerns with your local florist when placing your order.
A great, long-lasting wardrobe requires care and thought when it comes to laundry. While I typically advise clients to invest in quality pieces, caring for these pieces is just as important and will help your clothes look and feel better over time. A few of my go-to laundry room essentials are:
1. A sweater comb: Pilling on sweaters happens, but this comb will gently remove pills and help you get more wear out of your knits!
2. Distilled white vinegar: This is a home cleaning necessity. For laundry, add it to the wash to help remove the smell from those workout clothes or the kids’ hockey gear.
3. A stain bar: This laundry essential has been used for over 100 years to treat stains and there is a reason for it.
4. A mesh washing bag: Protect those delicates with a mesh washing bag. They are perfect for protecting embellished pieces, wool and silk fabrics, as well as swimwear and delicates.
5. Leather conditioner: Keep those boots and bags looking like new with a leather conditioner. Be sure to read reviews when ordering a leather conditioner, as some can darken the color.
Alexandra Eve is a local stylist and wardrobe consultant. To learn more or for more information on her favorite laundry brands and products, visit alexandraeve.net.
These days, more than ever, I favor one-skillet meals. Very rarely will I drag out more than two pans to make anything. This recipe, however, takes at least three pans.
Croque Madame
Serves 4
» 4 tsp. Dijon mustard
» 8 slices firm white sandwich bread
» ½ lb. thinly sliced Boar’s Head Tavern Ham
» 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
» 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
» 3 Tbsp. flour
» 2 cups milk
» ½ tsp. kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning the eggs
» ¼ tsp. freshly-ground black peppercorns, plus extra for seasoning the eggs
» 1 dash ground nutmeg
» 4 eggs
Spread mustard evenly on one side of 4 slices of bread; top evenly with ham and ⅔ of the cheese. Set aside. In a small saucepan, melt 3 Tbsp. butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour; cook for 3 minutes. Whisk in milk; bring
to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low; simmer, whisking occasionally, for five minutes. Whisk in salt, pepper, nutmeg and remaining cheese until cheese is melted; remove from heat. Spread 1 ½ Tbsp. sauce evenly on the remaining slices of bread; sandwich with other halves. In a nonstick skillet, melt 1 Tbsp. butter over medium-low heat; cook sandwiches until golden (3–4 minutes), turning once. Move to a baking sheet; spread ⅓ cup sauce on the top of each hot sandwich. Broil sandwiches until sauce is bubbling and golden in spots (2–3 minutes). While sandwiches broil, melt remaining butter in the skillet over medium heat until foam subsides. Crack eggs into skillet; season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook eggs, covered, until whites are just set and yolks are still runny (about 3 minutes). Top each warm sandwich with an egg; serve immediately.
Rachael Perron is the culinary and branding director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications. Find more at kowalskis.com.
While supper clubs may be gradually vanishing relics, we’re lucky those that remain are largely concentrated in the upper Midwest. We’re also lucky that J. Ryan Stradal, beloved author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest and The Lager Queen of Minnesota, is back to tell a beautiful story with the fictional northern Minnesota Lakeside Supper Club as a backdrop.
Husband and wife Ned and Mariel Prager have differing opinions about their Minnesota restaurants. Ned would like to make his restaurant, Jorby’s, a chain and expand it statewide; while Mariel, who’s inherited the Lakeside Supper Club, is singularly focused on keeping the struggling establishment afloat.
Stradal writes with such a strong sense of place in this novel. If you’ve ever visited a supper club, you’ll know he gets the vibe just right. He was born and raised in Minnesota, and always brings his Midwestern characters to life with great care and respect. They’re as strong and stubborn in this novel as we’ve come to expect, but their tender parts are also exposed as Stradal explores parenthood, tragedy, loss and how to escape or embrace our family legacy.
This is an incredible story. Long live the relish tray!
Rachael Johnson is the assistant manager at Valley Bookseller. Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club will be published on April 18th. You can order or purchase it at Valley Bookseller or your favorite independent bookstore.
JILL LIVINGSTON has always had a green thumb. Growing up on 65 acres in Hudson, Wisconsin, which was made up of a small vineyard, an oak and birch forest and a prairie, Livingston recalls the times when she would help her family run its vineyard and looks back on her first job at a floral shop in Hudson. “It was a wonderful exposure to botanical design,” she says.
Turning away from horticulture, Livingston received a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology from Hamline University, then later a master’s degree in law and anthropology from The London School of Economics and Political Science. “I felt ... that I always worked or volunteered in horticulture, and that world was calling me back,” she says.
Her first step back into the world of horticulture was as a produce buyer at Seward Community Co-op in Minneapolis; she then spent time in the South of France, where she studied butchery and charcuterie and had the opportunity to redesign the 2-acre campus, which included a kitchen garden; in 2015, she began working with Dean Englemann, owner and farm director with Tangletown Gardens, at its farm in Plato, Minnesota; in 2018, she took on a role with Tangletown Gardens as a detail designer, while also teaching classes and workshops.
After the birth of her first child, Livingston and her husband, Nicholas, moved back to Hudson with her parents, where she worked out of the family greenhouse, selling medicinal and culinary plants, and also ran a spring greenhouse seedling sale. “It was really beautiful and a wonderful opportunity to learn more about greenhouse production and growing a quarter of an acre of plants on my own,” she says. Although she had hopes of growing the retail business out of that property, the couple ran into zoning issues.
When Richard Meacock, co-owner of Squire House Gardens in Afton and Nicholas’ high school teacher, passed away in 2019, Martin Stearn became the sole owner; Stearn decided to retire from the business, and Meacock’s daughter reached out to the Livingstons
to see if they were interested in taking over the property. “We’d been a part of the property remotely as customers and friends for decades,” Livingston says. “It was a bit of a stretch for us, but it was zoned appropriately as commercial and residential, so we decided to do it.”
Now named Horta Culture, the shop and garden feature many of the aspects that have been on the property for the past 30 years. The fan-favorite plant yard features annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs in the spring, summer and fall, and is focused on growing organic, sustainable plants. In the winter, seasonal greenery dresses the area.
Inside, the shop features three different shoppable rooms. Upon walking in, customers are greeted by a room full of houseplants, fountains and more. “It serves as a segue between indoor and outdoor plants,” Livingston says. The space also includes products brought in from small businesses and familyowned businesses. All of the items have a focus on sustainability, a practice that is close to Livingston’s heart.
“Looking around the shop, most of the products in here I order from a person who made it or someone who is close to that person, such as a friend or family member,” she says. “It’s really important to me that, if someone has a question about how a pot is made or what a fabric is made of, I can call or email a person to get an answer.”
In addition to garden products, shoppers can expect to see home and kitchen items, beauty products like handmade soap, children’s toys, books and tools. Horta Culture has also started hosting events throughout the seasons, such as a tea workshop, design classes and private events. Customers can also expect its monthly garden yoga classes to return this spring.
“A lot of the previous customers are also excited that we’re still here, and it’s still a garden center and people can still spend time in the garden,” Livingston says.
MINNESOTA MADE. MINNESOTA LOVED. Promoting local craftsmanship from Minnesotan artisans and creatives is the value behind Smith + Trade Collaborative.
Kelli Kaufer, co-founder of Smith + Trade Collaborative, who is also the cofounder of Smith + Trade Mercantile alongside her husband, Paul, says the new showroom is the first of its kind, as it features only Minnesota-made products. The mercantile is used as a retail store for artisans to kickstart their careers and provide their goods and services, whereas the collaborative is a showroom where artisans come together to collaborate with clients to create their dream room.
“[Artisans] don’t have a place to showcase their goods and what they do and what they create, so that’s originally why we started the mercantile,” Kaufer says. “And then I thought, ‘Oh, boy, I have my own line of wallpaper, and I have my own line of tiles and there is no showroom that showcases just Minnesota makers.’”
At the collaborative, the founders wanted it to feel as if the client was walking into an actual home. “We have a bedroom area with nightstands, linens, pillows and light fixtures. We also have an office area and a kitchen area,” says Kaufer. “Everything is Minnesota-made, and we collaborate with the artisans to create the pieces, hence the name Smith + Trade Collaborative.”
“I’ll literally ask my artisans, ‘Hey, can you make this style of whatever product I need?’ and they’re like ‘Sure!’” says Kaufer. The variety of artisan styles and creativity is astonishing, and Kaufer exclaims how talented her artisans are
in the designs and turn-around of their products. “It’s nice because even big projects can take two to four weeks, whereas in most places, you are waiting for it to ship from overseas, and it can take months,” she says.
At the collaborative, the pieces are customizable to the clients’ desires, and that can include everything from the kitchen counters and cabinets down to wallpaper. “We can do any color … Typically, you’d go to the tile shop or you’d go to a highend tile showroom, and then you’d have to design your home around their tiles. At the collaborative, we can take a Sherwin-Williams color and we can create your own design and color palette for tiles and wallpaper. So, it is unlimited,
and it’s super fun,” Kaufer says. Smith + Trade Collaborative only allows two artisans per medium, including kitchen cabinets, beds or chairs, so the pieces are never oversaturated and can flow together cohesively within an aesthetic.
“We can cater to our client’s style. Our overall aesthetic and designs are a mix because I want to show the different types of styles that we can do. For example, some of our modern pieces are our gold leg tables with an epoxy and wood top,” Kaufer says. “So we’re always mixing it up and doing different looks to keep up with trends and also to show people the different looks by also mixing different styles together.”
Kaufer and co-owner Mina Carlson are thrilled to watch their artisans grow within the collaborative and watch as their clients’ dreams come true. “The thing that just makes me so happy is that we get to showcase their talent [that] is not being done anywhere else, and it just really excites me,” Kaufer says. I get very emotional sometimes, too, because they get emotional. We love showcasing Minnesota artisans. It’s truly one of a kind.”
Smith + Trade Collaborative, 229 Main St. S., Stillwater; 651.342.2976; smithandtradecollaborative.com
Smith + Trade Mercantile @smith_and_trade_mercantile
PORTRAIT
WHEN PHOTOGRAPHER AND BIRDING GUIDE Kyle Te Poel was 5 years old, he brought home marigolds as a Mother’s Day gift from school. As an avid reader, Te Poel found himself with a book about wildlife and a view of the flowers sitting on the windowsill a few days later. At that very moment a rose-breasted grosbeak stopped to rest on a marigold. “As a kid, you just use your imagination,” Te Poel says. “Seeing nature as a drawing in a book feels unreal, and then you see the drawing come to life outside. It’s like an action figure—and you think, ‘Oh, my gosh, that’s what that really looks like.’”
It was that fascination that formed his future business. In graduate school, he studied environmental education. The Stillwater resident says, “I wanted to help teach people how to enjoy time outside and [how to value] the natural world as a whole.” So, he started with internships at nature centers and in schools, eventually landing as a park ranger at two different national parks. “I applied more than 200 times before I even got an interview,” he says of his wish to work as a ranger.
Eventually Te Poel took the leap and started his own eco-tour business. “I wanted the freedom to teach whatever someone wants to learn,” he says. In 2016, Next Bend Birding Tours & Photography was created with a focus on helping others understand the challenges of the natural world and to help make a difference in the environment. Of his business name, Te Poel says, “There’s always something to see if you just keep at it. Hike the trail till it bends around the corner or go down the next road. Just keep exploring.”
Te Poel’s new business just got going when the pandemic hit. As things shut down, he says the cooped-up experience so many people were having actually sent his business soaring. “There’s a market for experiences that are outside
of the norm. Touring outside was one of the safest things people could do for a while,” he explains.
Since then, Te Poel has had clients ranging from beginning birders and nature lovers to National Geographic photographers and members of the board of Cornell University, arguably one of the world’s leading bird research organizations, according to those in the know. (He’s even taken family members of ex-presidents out on the hunt, though mum’s the word on who that includes.) Many of his clients are birders from across the globe, heading to see what Minnesotans may take for granted. “The other day, I spoke with someone from Taiwan, and I’ve got people coming from Ecuador to see specific types of birds and their migrations,” he says.
The goals of eco-tourism are to learn about and experience different environments without harming or disrupting the locale. Te Poel says his hope for his business is that tourists leave knowing more about native trees, landscape, water cycles and, of course, the many species of birds that frequent Minnesota during migration season and year-round.
Though Te Poel says he will take adventurers anywhere, often his clients want to head up North. The Sax-Zim Bog, northwest of Duluth, is a favorite for spotting owls, wolves, moose and many native plant species. He also guides tours in the Twin Cities. “Some of the top birding places in the state are here in Minneapolis, St. Paul and places like Stillwater and Afton. We’re really lucky to have access to trails and park districts that maintain a good mix of wildlife species.”
Next Bend Birding Tours & Photography; kyletepoel.crevado.com
Next Bend Birding Tours & Photography @nextbendbirding
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Written by Hailey Almsted ♦ Photos by Chris Emeott
The Artist
Largely self-taught artist Mary Jo Van Dell evokes the beauty of nature in her paintings. The longtime St. Croix Valley area resident carved out her artistic career early on in her life and easily recalls her interest in the arts as a child. “I started drawing when I was really young, as a child, and I knew I was good at it,” she says.
As a mother of three children—now, all grown—Van Dell says practicing her craft allowed her to be a stay-at-home mother. Her early works in dog portraits created the pathway for her to transform her passion into a full-fledged career. “I was doing well, and people liked them,” she recalls. “It just kind of grew from there.”
After a stint in Colorado, where she opened a gallery and engaged in more Western-styled art, she moved back to Minnesota and began moving into landscape work. “I’ve been doing landscapes and portraying this area since then,” she says.
The contemporary artist serves as a coach and mentor to artists and has led several workshops at the White Bear Center for the Arts in White Bear Lake and at the Grand Marais Art Colony in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Van Dell
explains how she doesn’t abide by artistic rules. “I ask that you leave room for experimentation in order to allow your own distinct style to develop,” she says.
During what she calls her coaching sessions, the experienced artists bring the pieces they’re currently working on, and Van Dell helps move the piece forward. “I’ll help you make it a better piece … They trust me and my opinion,” she says. For those just starting out, Van Dell recommends engaging in the local arts community, such as ArtReach St. Croix and local exhibitions.
The waves crashing onto the shore of Lake Superior; the sunshine peeking through the woods of greater Minnesota; and the sounds of streams running through rivers. Van Dell finds her inspiration in her surroundings. “I spend a lot of time outdoors in northern Minnesota, specifically the Arrowhead region, and, consequently, a lot of my inspiration comes from there,” she says.
As a studio painter, Van Dell has a particular process with each piece. “I do what I want to do—have an adventure— and something will hit me. I don’t look for it, I feel my paintings find me,” she says.
Whether she’s exploring the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway or the beaches of Lake Superior, hiking through forests of northern Minnesota or backpacking along the North Shore, Van Dell’s inspiration stems from immersing herself in the wilderness. “I feel like a sponge when I’m out in the woods, and I absorb what’s around me,” she says. “Then, when I get back to the studio is when I do the work.”
Van Dell’s expressive paintings showcase the richness of nature and varied landscapes ranging from Midwestern terrain to the desert vistas of the Southwest and the scenery of the Pacific Coast.
The Studio
Mary Jo Van Dell Studio, located above the Marine General Store in Marine on St. Croix, serves as Van Dell’s studio and gallery and evokes a particular sense of
creativity. It is a large and bright space, donned with Van Dell’s large canvases, shelves of pottery, paintings and more, which has also displayed local and regional artists’ work.
“I’ve done pop-up events and have featured many potters in the Valley, glass and woodwork and more,” Van Dell says. Her current focus is on her own work and crafting her paintings; however, she plans to continue hosting pop-up events. She also works with her students in the space in elevating their artwork.
As a full-time painter, Van Dell has dedicated her life to mastering her vision, and she plans to continue doing so. “I have zero plans of retirement, and I can’t imagine not painting for the rest of my life,” she says. “I personally feel like I get better through the
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years, and this is one career where age doesn’t have to slow you down.”
Although her artistic direction may change paths, she says it’s a welcome change in her book. “The work evolves … I just let it happen naturally. I don’t force it or try to be different, but, over the years, it has changed dramatically,” she says.
Van Dell’s work is exhibited nationally and can be found in both public and private collections. Recently, her work has been shown in the Art in Embassies program of the U.S. State Department, the Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and the National Park System.
FARMHOUSE-INSPIRED ABODE.
written by EMILY GEDDE photos by SPACECRAFTINGWhat began as an inspiration in a magazine is now a newly built Hastings home that is a perfect mix of modern and farmhouse styles. Complete with vaulted ceilings and interior wood beams, the home is quick to capture a designer’s eye. Nestled within a rustic outdoor setting, the homeowners wanted to keep the nature theme throughout the home but with a modern twist. Interior Impressions was up to the challenge.
The Woodbury-based company is a team of women who have a goal of tailoring design to their clients’ styles. “This particular client found a plan in a magazine that she liked and came to us to help put it together,” says Amy Leferink, founder and principal designer at Interior Impressions.
Having a preexisting relationship with the homeowner, Leferink already had an idea of the client’s aesthetic preferences and was able to take that knowledge through from the blueprints to hanging artwork on the wall. Leferink says Interior Impressions took the magazine inspiration and tailored it to the needs of the homeowner.
“We put together new floor plans for them, and custom designed the home,” Leferink says. “While we didn’t do the full blueprint, we did the basic floor plan and helped them find a builder, Cardinal Homebuilders.”
Once construction of the home was complete, Interior Impressions played a key role in the completion of the project.
“We did everything from the very beginning of designing the actual house to hanging every piece of artwork on the wall and placing every accessory and book on the bookshelf,” Leferink says. “We really had our hands in all the details.”
Choosing a favorite part of the design was difficult for Leferink. With several standout pieces of the home, she says black accents came to mind first. “To add character to the wood beams, we stained them black to really pop,” she says.
“There is also a porcelain tile fireplace and black window frames that you can’t help but admire when looking outside …
The dark accents help keep the modernized home warm and inviting. “The welcoming atmosphere is one of its many wow factors,” Leferink says. “It’s really inviting and has a lot of organic elements that bring nature in. We were very conscious about including the nature element in the design.
“It’s very relaxing and serene to sit in this house. You look out and see deer and birds and just feel zen,” she says.
The homeowners are social and enjoy hosting groups of people. When laying out the home’s floor plan, Leferink says accommodating larger groups was a main point of making decisions. “These
clients are social, wonderful people and really thought about how they were going to use the space and conducive to an environment of entertaining,” Leferink says.
With the kitchen being a traditional gathering place in any home, this project includes a large center island but with the addition of a bar area. Oftentimes, Leferink says bars are built into basements, taking attention away from the kitchen. “Kitchens and basement bar areas often compete with one another for the hangout location,” she says. “Not in this home.”
The open kitchen area will capture guests’ attention and will also
accommodate summer pool parties in the backyard with a patio space not far from the kitchen. “There’s a nice, easy flow in and out,” Leferink says. “This home is definitely set up for hosting groups of people.”
The project focused on family living, and Leferink notes her team enjoyed many aspects of the project. “The clients weren’t afraid to make some bolder choices,” she says. “That made the project a lot of fun for us so that we could push the envelope more.”
And because Interior Impressions was involved from start to finish, Leferink felt
the clients were more satisfied with the outcome of their new home. “Sometimes, customers feel in the dark when they don’t have us do interior design service,” she says. “They have a beautiful remodel, and then it’s empty and they’re unsure what to buy. When we can help with all the details, it’s not only fun and rewarding for us, but the client feels really cared for and that’s our goal.”
Interior Impressions, 650 Commerce Drive #140, Woodbury; interiorimpressions.org
Interior Impressions @interiorimpressions
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One of the area’s finest collections of fine art and contemporary craft, featuring the work of over 150 local, regional and national artists.
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things to see and do in and around St. Croix Valley
FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS , the Bluegrass, Bourbon and Brews Festival has brought the River Falls community together. This year, it will take place on April 21 and 22, with music, food and drink events located around River Falls. “It’s a multi-venue music festival with bluegrass bands around town,” says Emily KovachErickson, event and program manager for the River Falls Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau.
While the festival started as a free downtown community event, it was able to expand last year thanks to a JEM Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. This year will continue to build with the same grant. “We’re so grateful for the grant that helps with our marketing efforts and modernizing this event,” Kovach-Erickson says.
The event will have free family-friendly venues in addition to wristband-exclusive venues. Wristbands ($40) are available for adults 18 and older and are required for all bands and includes transportation. VIP bands include all events, transportation, a commemorative T-shirt, plus beer and bourbon tasting events.
The event sold out last year with over 1,000 people in attendance. This year, the festival hopes to top that. In addition to great eats at local River Falls restaurants, there will be beverages and bluegrass music ranging from traditional to contemporary Americana. —Nicole
BerglundFor more information and wristbands, visit riverfallsbluegrass.com.
Family Days at The Lumberjack
04/02–04/30
Bring the kids to this axe-throwing entertainment restaurant. Kids throw free every Sunday. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. The Lumberjack, 123 Second St. N. #102, Stillwater; 651.705.6005; thelumberjackmn.com
Wellness Mondays at Local Luxury Medspa
04/03–04/24
Every Monday, enjoy all the amenities, including wine, yoga, a hot tub and a massage or facial. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. Local Luxury Medspa at the Hotel Crosby, 232 Main St. N., Stillwater; 651.323.2555; localluxurymedspa.com
Black Tie Bingo
04/22
Local celebrities will be calling Bingo,
plus hors d’oeuvres, dessert, online auction and more will be at this black tie event hosted by Community Thread. Ages 21 and over. Ticket prices vary. Grand Banquet Hall, 301 Second St. S., Stillwater; 651.439.7434; communitythreadmn.org
04/24
Listen to Kyle Koliha over wine with friends. Ages 21 and older. Free. 2–5 p.m. Saint Croix Vineyards, 6428 Manning Ave. N., Stillwater; 651.430.3310; scvwines.com
Little Red Robin Hood
05/05–05/19
Watch Little Red Robin Hood encounter classic fairy tale characters. Ages 4 and older. Prices vary. Times vary. The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715.386.2305; hudsonwi.org
Comedy Night at Hop & Barrel
05/11
Enjoy live comedy routines and drinks. Ages 21 and older. Free. 6–8 p.m. Hop & Barrel Brewing, 310 Second St., Hudson, Wisconsin; 715.808.8390; hopandbarrelbrewing.com
St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour
05/12–05/14
The 31st annual event is back and welcomes potters and pottery enthusiasts to the St. Croix Valley. All ages. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on May 12 and 13; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on May 14. Locations vary. minnesotapotters.com
AREA EVENTS
Minnesota Craft Beer Festival
04/01
There will be over 110 breweries providing beer and music from the Rough House. Ages 21 and older. Tickets start at $49.99. 1–5 p.m. Minneapolis Convention Center (Hall D+E), 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; minnesotacraftbeerfestival.com
Twin Cities Auto Show
04/01–04/08
Stop by the Twin Cities Auto Show
to look at hundreds of vehicles from both domestic and imported brands. All ages. Ticket prices vary. Times vary. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Mpls.; twincitiesautoshow.com
Hamilton
04/04–05/06
The story of Alexander Hamilton is brought to life in this musical by LinManuel Miranda. Ages 10 and older. Prices vary. Times vary. Orpheum Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; hennepintheatretrust.org
Hamlet
04/08–05/21
Shakespeare’s classic tragedy tells the story of Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, as his mother, Queen Gertrude, weds his uncle soon after his father’s death. Ages 18 and older recommended. Tickets range from $20–$80. Times vary. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Mpls.; 612.377.2224; guthrietheater.org
Annual Film Festival
04/13–04/27
Celebrate the art of film with the MSP Film Society. Ages 21 and older. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. The Main Cinema, 115 SE Main St., Mpls.; 612.395.4444; mspfilm.org
Paw Patrol Live
04/28–04/30
Bring the kids for a night with their favorite cartoon pals. All ages. Prices vary. Times vary. State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; 612.339.7007; pawpatrollive.com
To have your event considered: email stcroixvalleymag@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.
La Vie Est Belle celebrated its grand opening on October 15, 2022. “Our little store was full the entire day with friends, family and strangers that we now call friends. The support from the community has been overwhelming,” owner Kristin Rohman Rehkamp says. The grand opening included book giveaways and a gift basket giveaway. The newly opened boutique is located at 3417 Lake Elmo Ave. N., Lake Elmo. Find more information online at lavieestbelle.live.
To have your event considered: send date, time, location, photos, contact information and a brief description of the event to stcroixvalleymag@localmedia.co.
Hudson gains a “new” bar with help from local beer industry expert Brett Splinter.
Written by Josie Smith Photos by Chris EmeottTHERE’S A NEW SPOT IN TOWN for folks looking for a friendly, local bar to pop into on a Saturday night—Nova, which sits on the edge of downtown Hudson, just up the hill, into the bluffs on Coulee Road.
Twin Cities’ beer industry veteran Brett Splinter and his business partner, Tyrrell Gaffer, whose family owns neighboring Casanova Liquor Store, are the stars behind the show. Last summer, they pulled out the carpets and took down the Tiffany lamps at the old Nova Wine Bar spot and launched the revamped bar, Nova, in August 2022.
“There’s a great need for a place like this that can provide some quality cocktails, some cool bourbons, some cool beer,” Splinter says.
And don’t fret, wine lovers; one full side of the drink menu is devoted to wine. Splinter says they lean on Gaffer’s wife, Jen, for her expertise, and new wines are rotated in all the time.
It’s back to the basics at Nova, where Splinter and Gaffer are shooting for that cool, local and laid-back vibe. Once the summer temperatures arrive, it’ll be time to roll up the garage door again and let in some sunshine and fresh air. Grab a seat inside to get a closer look at the nostalgic tabletop décor.
“These are my Calvin and Hobbs from growing up. These are cigarette ads from my Dad’s 1986 Car and Driver,” Splinter says, describing some of its kitschy dècor.
The pages of Teen Beat cover another table. Think Jared Leto, Katie Holmes, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tiffany. Hitmakers from the 1990s and early 2000s grace the top of another table: TLC, DMX, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Christina Aguilera and more.
“I’ve always loved Hudson,” Splinter says. Currently, he lives across the river in Woodbury with his wife and teenage son.
Splinter was raised in Woodbury but has fond memories of his time spent on the St. Croix River.
“My grandparents lived [in Hudson]. They had a 10-acre hobby farm off of Exit 2 by I-35. Their farm was right on I-94. My whole childhood was spent over here. My high school job was working on the St. Croix River, down at Beanie’s Marina,” Splinter says, reminiscing about his days in Lakeland.
Splinter hasn’t always been living out his dream. Before founding his first brewery, Barrel Theory in St. Paul, and volunteering at Lift Bridge Brewery in Stillwater, he was clocking in at what he calls, “your typical corporate America, network infrastructure IT job.” While good benefits and great pay were appealing for a time, in the end, he wasn’t doing something he was truly passionate about.
“At some point in the day, you have to realize that life is short and does this excite me? Do I care about it? Do I go home and feel good?” Splinter says.
Meanwhile, he had been devoting countless hours to brewing his own beer in his garage and knew it was time to take this so-called hobby to another level. In 2010, he sought out part-time employment with Surly Brewing Co. He also began volunteering as a tour guide for Summit Brewery in St. Paul.
“If you are truly passionate about getting into any industry, then you really have to immerse yourself in it. Get into the trenches, and do it before you open something,” Splinter says.
Last spring, Splinter got a call from a longtime friend from Surly
Brewing Co. It was Gaffer asking him if he wanted to open a bar in the old Nova Wine Bar spot in Hudson. Plans moved quickly, and, by the end of June 2022, construction on the new Nova was nearly complete.
“When you align with the right people and it’s the right spot and the right project, it flows better. And also, all of that’s apparent to the customer, too,” Splinter says.
People are taking notice of the new Nova and not just in Hudson either. On weekends, Splinter says the bar is filled with local regulars, but half of the people in the room are from the east Metro.
“People are realizing more and more that if you live in that east Metro [and] St. Paul area, it’s as quick to go to Hudson, have awesome food and really cool cocktails, as it is to literally go to Uptown Minneapolis,” Splinter says.
When folks come in, they can expect to find those staple cocktails. Splinter says they aim to have the best Old Fashioned in town and offer up a top notch Manhattan and Negroni, too. Splinter says, at some point, Nova will be adding a food menu of its own, but for the time being, rotating in new
food vendors works well for them.
“It’s safe to say that we’ll always have revolving pop-ups happening in here. It gives people a lot of variety and introduces them to things they probably haven’t seen,” Splinter says.
Although it’s not advertised, most ingredients, such as its tonic and cocktail syrups, are made in-house. “The strawberry-mint syrup, we make all that. Everything’s made with real fruit. The blueberry syrup is made in-house. Our Disco Nap, the cold brew, is made with tequila instead of water. That’s kind of what we’re going for, trying to check all the boxes, while still being kind of unique,” Splinter says.
At the same time, Splinter and Gaffer don’t plan to steer too far from the classics either. And that’s why Splinter’s favorite beer, Miller High Life, always has been and always will be on tap.
Splinter loves to share the story of how they got their hands on some vintage church pews that are now a staple at the bar. It was around 6 a.m. when he and Gaffer made the more than four-hour drive to Osh Kosh, Wisconsin, to meet an antique dealer at his storage unit. Splinter and Gaffer were most of the way there when a call came in from the dealer. He did not have good news.
“He calls Tyrrell, who’s pulling a giant double-axle trailer on the windiest day in the history of the world. He calls and he says, ‘Uh … you guys aren’t gonna believe this … I lost the key to the spot,’” Splinter says.
Turning around was not an option, so the two of them made a pit stop at Menards and grabbed a new lock. When they arrived at the storage unit, Splinter and Gaffer immediately got to work on cutting off the old lock. While all of this was happening, the antique dealer was still wheeling and dealing with them over the price of the church pews.
“Well, we could make this deal even better, cause I’m going to throw something in,” Splinter says, who wanted to throw in the price of the new lock.
Finally, when the pews arrived at their new home at Nova, they were still in need of some tender, loving care. Splinter and Gaffer got to work and started pulling up the upholstery on one of them. Once they realized that the wood underneath was still in good shape, they began the process of restoring the church pews to their original glory.
Splinter says that it’s stories like these that make his time at Nova so worthwhile. When you can share a laugh over a story about picking up some old church pews versus just googling something and buying it, there’s really no comparison there, Splinter says.
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THIRD PLACE: WILDLIFE & NATURE
Hudson resident photographs the beauty of the great outdoors.
Lisa Townsend captured this photo in her Hudson backyard. “When [my plants] bloom, they attract so many bees and butterflies and birds. This painted lady stopped by, and I was excited to be able to get some photos,” Townsend says. “I love living here.” See more of Townsend’s photography on her Instagram @lisaannephotography.
Photographer: Lisa Townsend
Title: Painted Lady
Equipment: Canon R5 and a Canon RF 100-500mm lens
To view other Lens on St. Croix Valley photo contest winners, visit stcroixvalleymag.com.
More doctors ready to go.
Ready with more doctors. Set with more specialty services and orthopedic urgent care locations open 8 — 8 daily. Go for more of what you need to keep your body moving. No referral or appointment necessary. TCOmn.com
