Stillwater Living April 2014 by Stillwater Living Magazine

Laurie Schneider The Pollinators

EE FR

APRIL 2014

HAF

G R O U P A R C H I T E C T U R E D E V E L O P M E N T C O N S T R U C T I O N

1 0 6 . E A S T. C H E S T N U T. S T R E E T S T I L L W A T E R , M N . 5 5 0 8 2 P H : 6 5 1 . 3 5 1 . 1 7 6 0

HAF Architects Interior Design Master Planning

The firm that has become HAF Group was originally established by Michael Hoefler, NCARB in 1992 and based in Stillwater Minnesota. The company has gone through many different economic climates and has still thrived throughout the years. Today we are a company that works on a variety of different projects in both the architectural design field as well as the construction field. We have always put service ahead of everything and that is the reason we have so many repeat clients that always come back to us.

HAF Development Space Leasing Construction

HAF Construction Management Design/Build

www.facebook.com/HAFarchitects

106 EAST CHESTNUT STREET

www.hafarchitects.com

SUITE 101

STILLWATER MN

WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 1

WOODBURY DENTAL CARE Kyle R. Edlund, D.D.S. | Michael M. Pelke, D.D.S. | Jason J. Thimjon, D.D.S.

nate Compassio

, excep

tional ca

re for your pets.

Photo by Miroslavich Photography, Allison’s smile by Wooddbury Dental Care

Preventive, Cosmetic & Comprehensive Dentistry

n Woo f 94 o Just o

We’ve been voted BEST Veterinary Clinic!

dbury Drive!

Committed to Excellence woodburydentalcare.com 3060-B Woodbury Drive • Woodbury • 651-739-7910

Now open for evening appointments.

651-430-2229

Located in Stillwater’s Liberty Village

www.rivertownanimalhospital.com

Security Solutions for your Home & Business

Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour

This monthly event for local mystery writers and their fans at the Dock Cafe always includes lively discussions and a great time. Call 651-430-3385 for your reservation. $10 includes delicious appetizers. Cash bar available.

May 7-

Christopher Valen author of Death’s Way

June 4-

Staff at Supportive Living Solutions, St. Paul

What great service! From quality workmanship to the dependable, prompt service it is clear we found the right security company to perform our security needs. Amy and her team are always looking out for our best interest. We really enjoy working with ISSI and I would recommend them to anyone.

Brian Freeman

author of The Cold Nowhere

July 2-

Larry Millett

author of Strongwood

217 North Main Street • Stillwater 651-430-3385 www.valleybookseller.com 2 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

Free in-home or office estimate! issisecurity.com

651.770.0292

contents Features

NOW YOUR COOKING A Q & A WITH JUDY KING

April 2014

SUSTAINABLE ARTIST LAURIE SCHNEIDER BY JIM REYNOLDS

Departments

4 6 8 14 16 26

EDITOR’S NOTE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MAINSTREET News and Views from the Valley STUDIO TIME Art Lovers in the Valley By Heather Rutledge

TERRA FIRMA It’s All About the Bees By Claudia Morgan

STUDY ABROAD Greetings From Africa By Emily Gould

Cover photo by Laurie Schneider

WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 3

editor’s note April Showers VOLUME 10, NUMBER 4 APRIL 2014 APRIL 2014

Love is in the air, at least that is what my friend Dianna tells me. Her premise is that more couples either rekindle their romance in the spring of the year or they get tired of trying and call it quits. Either way it seems like turning over a new leaf just as spring arrives. I don’t really agree with her, but then again I’m not a couple’s therapist, so it seems like she has the upper hand in this discussion. I tend to agree with her sentiment in relation to younger people as I (as a young man) can remember Joanie Loves Chachi type drama with many of my friends each spring. Kind of nice to be past that stage in life. Check out the CSA list of options on page XX. If you have not developed a habit of buying a share, or a half share, of fresh vegetables from one of our local food growers then maybe this is your year. Come on, do it. Our friends at Art Reach St. Croix have again penned an arts-related story this month. Their installment focuses on a handful of the many gallery openings this season with a specific focus on Ruth Misenko, owner of Seasons on St. Croix gallery in Hudson.

Peter McNiff

Laurie Schneider The Pollinators

Copy Editor Maureen McDonough

Julie Bourman

Terra Firma is a new department to the magazine this issue, with a focus on sustainability. Claudia Morgan is a gem of a human being and a real talent in the landscaping world. She is offering us a series of four articles with helpful, easy to execute ways in which we can all live a more sustainable life.

EMILY GOULD CLAUDIA MORGAN JIM REYNOLDS HEATHER RUTLEDGE

Our first feature brings us into the kitchen. Now You’re Curtis Dale Cooking with Judy King explores her efforts to help her clients prepare a variety of whole, fresh foods without over complicating things. This month’s cover story is a focus on Laurie Schneider, an immensely gifted local artist. She has a habit of rescuing cats, dogs, a man, chickens, honey bees and one horse – we’ve really enjoyed getting to know her.

LAURIE SCHNEIDER Laurie Schneider Photograpy

Finally, this issue is rounded out by another new department that is written by a Stillwater native who is studying abroad. Emily Gould shares her observations of South Africa. I don’t really care that Dianna is such a downer, after all she chose an occupation whereby she listens to problems all day long. Maybe she is the one who needs to get outside and smell the fresh spring air. Real Good Then

JEFF BAGGOT STEVE (SHOWCASE) SKALMAN HAWK

Peter McNiff Publisher and Editor peter@stillwaterliving.net

4 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

8 th

Purchase Tickets Online

www.BrewersBazaar.com A Beer Tasting Event in Downtown Stillwater Aboard the Avalon Riverboat

SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ Noon - 4pm WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 5

letters to the editor

Can You Do An APP? We love Stillwater Living magazine. Can you create an app for us to use? I view The New Yorker as the creme d la crème in the magazine world and they have an awesome app. Celebrating

earth day everyday

04.22.•2014

It brings most of their magazine content to life in a digital format, which we love. To have short videos appear in the midst of a feature story is a fun way to enjoy The New Yorker. While I understand that your company is not Conde Nast, one of the giants of publishing, I just thought you may want to hear from at least one reader who would love to get Stillwater Living in a similar way.

www.rivermarket.coop

Save Your Marriage! • Create Lasting Love • Experience Inner Peace • Enjoy More Happiness FREE Relationship Assessment Call Today

Nina Potter

Core Spirit Relationship Coach

651-214-6803 Nina@NinaPotterCoach.com 6 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

Dutch Red Door I enjoyed the cover story in your March issue about the Hand C Ponath family’s rafted home. One little in Dutc detail that I think h was over looked is the fact that it was tradition for folks to paint their door red once the house was paid off.

Town

When I saw the cover of the March issue I immediately thought of my grandmother and how very proud she was to have a red door on her home. So many families lived through very tough times in Dutchtown, I’d imagine that they felt a great sense of pride having a red door. Thanks for the magazine, Mary D. Stillwater

2014

MARCH

best, Daryl M. Bayport

One of the Best You’ll Ever Have...

World Class Dining Close to Home

Try us for your next Company Picnic. You’ll be glad you did.

LakeElmoInn.com • 651.779.5994 • 3712 Layton Avenue North, Lake Elmo, MN WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 7

mainstreet

NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE VALLEY

Kari Patsy, owneer of Kari’s Create & Paint Studio

Embrace Your Inner Artist

ablo Picasso said “every child is an artist, the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Problem solved at Kari’s Create & Paint Studio on Chestnut, just off Main Street. Kari has been painting as a hobby her entire life, now the rest of us can share in her love of art with a super fun hands-on experience. “Our focus is on young, old and everyone in between - anyone who wants to experience art” says Kari Patsy, who opened in early March. “So much of what we fill our lives with these days can be so hurried. Art is something that requires a person to slow down, but can be social at the same time.” Even if you think you’re “creatively challenged” just come in and paint. Kari and her crew host a variety of classes and events that are focused, such as “Book and a Brush” for kids where they read a story and paint a figurine from the book every Tuesday morning. Another great event series is “Sip and a Brush” a wine and canvas event for adults, which is lead by a guest artist who 8 STILLWATER LIVING APRIL 2014

will offer some simple techniques to help you create a piece of art that you will be proud of. Come on, give it a try – it’ll be fun. While they have a number of scheduled events, they do love for people to just walk in and paint. It’s very simple, with pottery they offer a bunch of choices, figurines to platters and mugs to bowls. Sports themed items to big letters and they have stamps, stencils and idea books that will keep your creative juices flowing. You pick it, paint it and pick it up after Kari’s people fire it a week later. For canvas they have kits that will help you create your masterpiece or you can just paint freely. They’ll help get you started with brushes, paint, easels and all the materials needed, you just need to have fun.

221 Chestnut St E Stillwater 651-800-8285 www.kcapstudio.com

Ironman Comes to Town

Unlimited Month for $39 402 N. Main St. Isaac Staples Sawmill studiooneyoga.com • 651-280-7155

That’s right folks! Ironmen and women are coming to town on Sunday April 27th. These athletes will self propel themselves on metal horses (bicycles) in a grueling day of peddling. This event is widely considered the opening of cycling season in the Midwest The 48th Annual Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride is offering four separate courses this year. It all begins and ends at the Washington County Fairgrounds, but you can find rest stops along the routes too. The largest mileage route heads north to Scandia while the smaller mileage routes drop down to Afton. Some riders will achieve 100 miles (if they combine the largest route and two of the smaller routes) while others might opt for as little as 14 miles. The Gateway Trail is a main thoroughfare this year and that means fun for the whole family. It’s a mellow, easy ride along the Gateway Trail so don’t be afraid to involve the kids on that loop. Don’t confuse the name Minnesota Ironman Bicycle Ride with some sort of triathlon – it is not. The 48 year history of this bike ride pre-dates the triathlon with a similar name, this is a recreational bike ride intended for cyclists of all skill levels. Get out there and take in some fresh air on the last Sunday of April – it’ll be fun.

Sunday April 27th Washington County Fairgrounds www.ironmanbikeride.org

Beer, Wine, Soda & Cheese Making Supplies Full Grain Room Hydroponic & Organic Gardening Supplies Locally Owned & Operated Classes

Still-H20.com

New Location! 1266 W. Frontage Rd Valley Ridge Mall

651-351-2822

WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 9

Sometimes More is Better Just For Me Spa now has more to offer large groups who come to the Spa for parties, corporate events, family gettogethers, even intimate weddings. Their new St. Croix Room (over 800 square feet) is decorated with an “upnorth” cabin look of knotty pine, limestone, soft lighting, infrared quartz fireplace and plush seating. Groups of eight or more can relax and reconnect with each other in comfortable surroundings, away from other areas of the Spa where “inside voices” are encouraged. “We know larger groups are here for the camaraderie and joy of being together,” said Berta Maass, Just For Me Spa’s marketing director. “So this new area allows them to fully engage with each other and enjoy a ‘party atmosphere’ without infringing on the solitude and relaxation of our other guests.” Corporate guests appreciate the 70” state-of-the-art, LED-LCD interactive display which can be used for Power Point presentations, digital slide shows and other

business-related tasks. Bachelorette, bridal and pre-teen parties can use the interactive display, too, for photo slide shows, playing music via Pandora and watching videos. The St. Croix Room is complimentary when eight or more guests receive hour-long Spa services; see their website for details. Just For Me Spa 110 S. Greeley Street, Stillwater 651-439-4662 justformespa.com

Be happy with your smile.TM

A perfect blend of personal service and expertise.

Certified Public Accountants & Consultants Specializing in a broad range of services for business owners, executives & independent professionals. Affordable rates, experienced and friendly.

www.stenbergorthodontics.com 10 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

www.foleykalseim.com Stillwater • 651-430-3635

Explore Warner Nature Center Looking for an opportunity for your children to play outside this summer? Check out Warner Nature Center in Marine on St. Croix. Come to Your Senses allows children ages 4 and 5 to put their five senses to the test and see how they compare to other animals in nature. Children will be able to practice how to see like a falcon, feel like a snake, taste like a rabbit, smell like a mole, and hear like a bat! If you know a young adult between the ages of 12 to 14, encourage them to consider signing up for one of the following camps (check online for more options). Explore the St. Croix River Valley in Eco-Adventures during a beautiful time of the year. Develop and challenge your skills through rock climbing, kayaking, hiking and geo-caching. This camp will include traveling to different sites for unique and challenging activities throughout the river valley. Explore several freshwater habitats and discover some of the reasons fish act as they do in Fish and Fishing. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll go fishing in nearby lakes using canoes and fish the shores of the St. Croix River so you can put all youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned to good use! Students must provide their own rod-and-reel and basic fishing tackle.

www.warnernaturecenter.org 651-433-2427

gardenside Start the growing season right! Spring & Fall Clean-ups Landscape Design/Build Private Garden Maintenance MONICA MOGREN, MLA CLAUDIA MORGAN, CNLP

Since 1995

651-770-3346 gardensidelandscaping.com WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 11

Eat Well - Support Local Farmers

re you interested in eating locally grown vegtables that DO NOT have crazy chemicals in them? Try a CSA this summer. Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a food production and distribution system that directly connects farmers and consumers. Consumers buy "shares" in a farm's harvest in advance. The term "CSA" is also used to refer to an individual farm's CSA program. Farmers earn important early-season capital and have a guaranteed market for their produce. Barring a disastrous

Axdahl Farms, Inc. Stillwater, MN; 651-439-3134 www.axdahlfarms.com Axdahl's Garden Farm & Greenhouse is owned and operated by Brian and Leslie Axdahl, and located in the fertile St. Croix Valley of Stillwater, Minn. Axdahl's is licensed by Minnesota Grown and certified by Food Alliance Midwest, which means Axdahl’s has met standards for conserving and protecting natural resources, reducing or eliminating pesticides, and providing safe and fair working conditions for employees. Axdahl's is home of the best sweet corn, green beans, tomatoes, pumpkins, and other fresh vegetables, as well as a place to shop for annuals, hanging baskets, and instant color gardens. Axdahl’s CSA program offers a full share (bushel box) or a half share (half bushel box) of an assortment of that weeks harvest over 20 weeks from mid-June through late October. The Backyard Grocery Stillwater, MN; 651-983-1300 www.thebackyardgrocery.com 'The Backyard Grocery CSA features heirloom variety grown without synthetic chemicals delivered fresh member's doorsteps or to designated pick up sites. is filled with between 8-15 different vegetables and

12 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

vegetables, weekly to Each box herbs. An

harvest, consumers enjoy overall lower food costs, field-fresh produce, and greater access to high-demand fruits and vegetables like long-stem strawberries and heirloom tomatoes. Most CSAs require an annual or quarterly buy-in and provide weekly deliveries or pick-ups, but some wellestablished programs offer monthly or even weekly "memberships." Many CSAs also offer farm visits, u-pick days, and other special events for members. Here is a list of neighboring CSA options... approachable size, convenient delivery and beautiful assortment of veggies for a busy family. The Backyard Grocery facilitates a clean place to get kids dirty! We offer full and half shares, as well as a preserved foods share and fall shares.' Big River Farms CSA Marine on St. Croix, MN; 651-433-3676 www.mnfoodassociation.org Big River Farms is a program of Minnesota Food Association, a nonprofit organization working to make Minnesota’s food system more sustainable by training immigrant and aspiring farmers. The farmers-in-training tend their own “mini-farms” at the farm site, and their produce is pooled together to bring members the freshest produce. Common Harvest Farm Osceola, WI; 715-294-2831 www.commonharvestfarm.com Common Harvest is celebrating its twenty-fourth season of growing chemical-free vegetables and herbs. It’s located six miles south of Osceola along the bluffs of the St. Croix River. The farm grew out of a vision of an urban-based peace and justice community that was seeking greater connections to the land by working to create a model of sustainability. The farm grows over forty different vegetables and herbs with an emphasis on the

traditional favorites of green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots. In addition to the regular vegetable share, they offer a fruit share. Members are welcome to visit the farm at any time. Ask about “late season” deliveries in November and December. Foxtail Farm Osceola, WI; 715-294-1762 www.foxtailcsa.com Foxtail Farm promotes a sane, local food system by providing members with the freshest, healthiest produce possible at a fair and economical price, using only natural methods—no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Foxtail Farm is located in the St. Croix River Valley south of Osceola. Weekly shares include seven to twelve different vegetables and weigh fifteen to thirty pounds. Offerings include the basics like genovese basil, sweet corn, Yukon Gold potatoes, tomatoes and salad greens, plus something a little unusual. They also host a Kids’ Day and an annual Fall Harvest Festival. Fresh Earth Farms Denmark Township, MN; 651-436-2778 www.FreshEarthFarms.com Unlike a traditional CSA, the farm provides a flexible approach that allows for families of all sizes—as well as small restaurants—to become members. They accomplish this by selling shares by household size. The produce selection each year is both traditional and unusual. In addition to the basics, they grow varieties that aren’t generally available in local stores or that are not typically grown here in Minnesota. They offer more than twenty varieties of tomatoes, seven varieties of potatoes, and ten varieties of garlic; many of these are heirlooms. In all they grow over 150 different types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in any given year. In addition to their delicious vegetables, they also resell certified organic fruit; fair trade, certified organic coffee; grass-fed beef, pork, and chicken; and raw cheese from grass-fed cows. All the meat and produce comes from small family farms, ranches, and orchards. Mhonpaj’s Garden CSA Taylors Falls, MN; 651-278-1009 www.mhonpajgarden.biz A family farm that started thirteen years ago, Mhonpaj Garden preserves heirloom varieties passed down from Hmong generations and incorporates creative classes on how to cook with their vegetables. They host events throughout the community with participation of CSA members to share recipes and find healthy ways of cooking. They also sell and grow organic transplants. CSA volunteers are invited to help with seeding beds, harvesting, and enjoying the farm. They feature heirloom varieties of beans, cilantro, tomatoes, eggplants, and more. Find ten friends to join and your share is free for this season. Philadelphia Community Farm Osceola, WI; 715-294-4048 www.philadelphiacommunityfarm.org Celebrating its twenty-first season, the farm is dedicated to CSA, education in sustainable living, conservation, and ecological restoration. This resident community includes adults with special needs and hosts many children for visits and service-learning in the garden and surrounding natural areas. Families are encouraged to bring their children to work, learn, and play in nature.

ask Tips on hiring the a contractor for experts your remodeling project: First of all, start by selecting several contractors to interview. You can get names of firms from the design professional you’re working with, friends and neighbors that have had work done in the past and by searching the internet. I would suggest selecting no more than three to interview. Find out about the contractors process. Here are a few questions to ask: How do you arrive at the price you will quote us? Is your price firm if the scope of the project doesn’t change? If we add or subtract something during construction does that change the final price, and if so, how will you communicate that to us? How will you bill us for the work? (Never give anyone money prior to the start of construction.) Do you create a construction schedule, and what percent of your projects finish on time? Are you licensed and fully insured? Get a list of references from each contractor after your introductory meeting. Make sure that they include a few projects similar to yours. I would also suggest that you get the names of any clients that have projects currently under construction. Next, call the references and take the time to visit several of the projects. You want to look firsthand at the quality of workmanship, and ask their clients if they were satisfied with the construction process. If you don’t have the time to do this, make the time. Last but not least, if you have done the discovery necessary to make a selection and there still isn’t one clear choice, then look at personality, but don’t make this the primary reason to hire someone. You might just feel a closer connection to one contractor over the other. By following the steps above, you will have a greater chance of having a successful home remodeling project.

Andy Braden- Braden Construction 715-549-6099 info@bradenconstruction.com www.bradenconstruction.com

WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 13

studio time

By, Heather Rutledge, photo by Aimee Christenson

Art Lovers In The Valley

ith the maritime perspective that comes from growing up in Nova Scotia, Ruth Misenko owner of Seasons on St. Croix Gallery, fully believes that “all boats rise to the incoming tide.” It is cooperation, not competition that motivates this business woman. That, and being surrounded by beautiful artwork! In her former career, Ruth was a high school counselor at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, MN. She and her husband Bob moved to Hudson very intentionally in 1999 after doing research, subscribing to the newspapers and dreaming of a new endeavor. Ruth and Bob were very familiar with the St. Croix Valley and were attracted by its vibrancy. Seasons on St. Croix opened in August 2000 and Ruth has been promoting the arts and artists in the Valley every since. Twelve years ago, Ruth and fellow gallery owners Carl Erickson (1955-2011) of North Main Studio and Ann Swanson formerly of Tamarack Gallery dreamed up the artOPENer as a way to play off of the regional fishing openers. The artOPENer studio tours began as a way to promote the St. Croix Valley as an arts destination. The 2014 artOPENER will happen at 11 sites from River Falls to Stillwater and will feature 22 artists in various mediums. To this day, the artOPENer marks the beginning of the visual art

14 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

Ruth Misenko, owner of Seanons on St Croix

“season” which is rich with artist studio tours and outdoor art fairs and festivals. For the host artists, the artOPENer is not just about introducing people to their artwork, but also to their work environment hence their tagline, See where art happens, from the gallery to the backyard. “It is charming to see where an artist works and what an artist adds to make a space their own.” Misenko said. “It is especially interesting to see how the environment translates into what they create.” Another annual tour of regional studios comes on Mother’s Day Weekend which marks the highly anticipated tour of the Minnesota Potters of the upper St. Croix River. The Pottery Tour is a staple event for people from all over the country and even the world. Last year, host potter Guillermo Cuellar tracked visitors from 24 states and 9 countries at his picturesque hilltop studio in Shafer, MN. After 22 years, the MN Potter’s tour retains its original intention of introducing people to beautiful, functional pottery that is handmade in the St. Croix Valley. This year’s tour features 51 potters from 16 states at the rural Minnesota art studios of the seven host potters. Cuellar admits, “We want to sell pots, but more importantly it potters an opportunity to interact directly with the people who will use and love the pots we’ve made.” Both the artOPENer and the Pottery Tour can be done in one

day and the drive is part of the fun. Many people prefer to build a weekend get-away around these tours with a stop at a bed and breakfast, time for a hike and a night of live music or theater. If you want to add an event where all the artists are gathered in one spot, Stillwater’s Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 38th annual Rivertown Art Festival in the newly renovated Lowell Park on the banks of the St. Croix River. Curious visitors at an art fair can get great insight into the artist’s process just by asking. At Seasons on St. Croix Gallery, Ruth Misenko helps the artcurious by integrating artists’ studios into the gallery and curating the gallery with themed shows. “Having a working artist onsite adds an interesting dynamic and adds energy to the space.” says Misenko. Misenko is passionate about supporting artists in the community and educating people about the art objects they choose to incorporate into their homes. Selecting artwork, merchandising and customer service are only a few parts of being a gallery owner. Misenko is also active in the Hudson Independent Business Association and other Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce committees. She chairs the planning committee for the Spirit

of the St. Croix Festival which will fill Hudson’s Lakefront Park with over 85 artists on September 27 & 28. “Every avenue I pursue to supporting artists has different values, connections and opportunities. Cooperation and pooling resources is smart for business.” says Misenko. “Plus, working with artists and arts lovers in the Valley is just plain fun.” Learn more about these and other arts opportunities in the St. Croix Valley online at StCroixSplash.org. Heather Rutledge is the executive director at ArtReach St. Croix. artOPENer May 3 & 4, 2014 various locations between River Falls, WI & Stillwater, MN multiple mediums glass, pottery, jewelry, painting www.artopener.com

functional and decorative handmade pottery www.minnesotapotters.com Rivertown Art Festival May 31 & June 1, 2014 Lowell Park, Stillwater, MN www.rivertownartfestival.com

Minnesota Potters of the upper St. Croix River May 9, 10 & 11, 2014 various locations between Shafer, MN & Harris, MN

24 Hour Airport Service

651-439-9999 weddings~funerals~special occasions

A happy home begins in the kitchen.. 6188 Beach Rd. N. - Stillwater 651-439-0611 valleyfloralcompany.com

Stillwater • 1933 S. Greeley St. 651-275-0700

Woodbury • 1740 Weir Drive 651-600-3310

INeedANewKITCHEN.com WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 15

terra firma

By, Claudia Morgan, photos by Laurie Schneider

Sustainability- Part 1 of 4 It's All About the Bees

hen most of us see a bee, we swat it away; we step on crawly bugs and we get out the tennis racket to protect ourselves from a flying bat. So why should we care if there are fewer and fewer of them? Because, like birds and butterflies, they all serve an important function: pollination. And pollination is needed for an estimated 5080 percent of our food supply. Given that impact, intensive research efforts began in earnest both here in the United States and Europe about eight years ago to understand the causes of the serious decline in these creatures. The primary reason for the staggering losses of honey bees is the loss of their natural habitat. Despite our best intentions, our actions often have unintended consequences (or as your grandma probably said: “Good intentions pave the road to hell.”) That can be said about the key factors that have caused the massive decline in bees. Land development –ostensibly a good thing for our economy—results in fewer places for bees to find enough food to sustain a healthy population. Another reason for the decline is the increased use of insecticides and herbicides, both in commercial growing operations and by homeowners. As a deterrent to plant pests, many plants in garden centers and nurseries are

16 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

treated systematically with a particular class of insecticides, known as neonicitinoids. Neonicitinoids have been proven to be toxic to pollinators. Last fall, two agencies conducted a random survey of plants sold to consumers and discovered neonicitinoid residues in bedding plants sold by Lowe’s and Home Depot. In the case of bees, these neonics, as they are called, either kill outright, or cause disorientation so they cannot find their way back to the hive. Insects, including pollinators, can also get a sub lethal dose, which leads to decreased immunity and loss of vigor in the hive. This results in the slowing down of foraging activities and the production of fewer offspring. It has been found that the synergistic effect of fungicides and insecticides used together intensify these deadly affects. But it’s not just the farmers and commercial growers who are at fault. We are all part of the problem, so what can we do?

Six Ways to Improve Pollination: 1) Provide bees and other pollinators a healthy food source. Bees eat only pollen and nectar, found by going from plant to plant, which results in pollination. Plant an abundance of flowers, flowering shrubs and trees in our neighborhoods.

And source these plants carefully to avoid exposing these valuable creatures to even more toxicity. 2) Offer shelter by leaving some space uncultivated where pollinators can forage and hatch their young. Don’t plant every square inch of your property; plant a bee lawn with clover. 3) Avoid the use of herbicides and insecticides. Be sure to ask questions at your local garden center. Inquire to be sure they source their plants from non-insecticidal seeds and treatments.

very fortunate to have many dedicated beekeepers who are knowledgeable. Honey is considered a superfood and is known to help with seasonal allergies. Claudia Morgan has been in the green industry for over 20 years and is a certified Nursery and Landscape Professional. She co-owns Gardenside Landscaping.

4) Invite birds and bees to your landscape by planting non-invasive native plants that provide nectar, pollen, and seeds—food for native butterflies, birds and other animals. In contrast, many common horticultural plants do not produce nectar and often require insect pest control to survive. The lists of native plants can easily be found on websites and many local nurseries are stocking them now. 5) Choose organic or sustainably grown food at the grocery store; it has not been treated with insecticides.

Further information on this critical issue is available through the University of Minnesota Entomology Bee Lab (www.beelab.umn. edu) led by MacArthur Fellow, Dr. Marla Spivak, who continues to research and raise awareness here and around the county. Watch her Ted Talk and learn more! www.ted.com

6) And finally, raise honeybees! It’s a wonderful activity for the whole family and there are many local sources to help you be successful in this endeavor. There are several local honeybee clubs both in Wisconsin and Stillwater plus the University of Minnesota Honeybee Association. We are

Pesticide Action Network (PANNA): www.panna.org

Honeybee Club of Stillwater: blogspot.com

http://honeybeeclubofstillwater.

The Xerces Society: www.xerces.org

The Pollinator Partnership: www.pollinator.org More Than Honey, the movie: www.buy.morethanhoneyfilm. com

Northwoods golf experience, 5 minutes from the lift bridge!

316 White Eagle Trail • Hudson, WI 54016 • 1-888-465-3004 • 715-549-GOLF (4653) www.whiteeaglegolf.com WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 17

Now Your Cooking with Judy King

by peter mcniff photos by aimee christenson

e are so happy to receive tips from readers about potential story ideas. One such tip lead us to Judy King and her homebased kitchen cooking classes. We managed to pull some of our magazine staff together and have a ball creating a dynamic lunch together with Judyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guidance. Each of us learned something new about preparing food in the process of creating a wonderful polenta with sausage and roasted vegetables. There were no leftovers. Aimee generated some inviting images of our time in the kitchen and Judy was good enough to sit down for a little Q & A, enjoy.

bon appĂŠtit

g WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 19

HAVE YOU ALWAYS FELT COMFORTABLE IN THE KITCHEN? I grew up in a large family and we were all welcome to cook or bake anything, anytime. It saved Mom work. We were a big meat and potato family, and one of my chores as a pre-teen was to peel the potatoes for a family of 10 every night. SO, YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE LONG BEEN CREATIVE IN THE KITCHEN? Not really, I just followed recipes for the first 30 years of my life. I didn't really get creative until I had a friend and neighbor tell me that the best cooks were the ones that could look in their pantry and fridge and put together a great meal. All I knew how to do was follow a recipe. WHAT TYPE OF CLIENT DO YOU WORK WITH? I have cooked with people from age 2 or 3 (and not just my own kids) and up to "advanced seniors." Once a month I do a cooking class at Community Thread, which generally attracts 8-10 seniors. I have cooked with teens, many of whom are not learning the basics that were once taught in "Home Ec class" and their parents find it difficult to teach cooking to their busy kids. I have cooked with college students who are really just starting to explore cooking in their own kitchens and see the importance of being able to feed themselves something that tastes good. I have cooked with couples in their 20's who are finding that they have good equipment in their homes, but they aren't completely sure what they can do with it, such as food processors and other small appliances. Once people reach the age where they have children in the house, the whole meal planning thing becomes a really big challenge. All of these are groups I love to work with, and I feel that because I am a home cook first, I can relate many of my experiences back to them in helpful ways. AMONG THE MANY TYPES OF CLIENTS THAT YOU MENTIONED, IS THERE A "COMMON CLIENT" THAT YOU SEE MOST OFTEN? My clients are generally people who like to cook or who want to cook with their friends or family members. I do In-Home cooking events: Girls Night "In", family gathering, or a theme such as how to make Fast and Fabulous Dinners. DO YOU STAY WITHIN ANY FLAVOR PROFILES DUE TO OUR CONSERVATIVE MIDWESTERN PALATE? DO YOU FIND THAT CLIENTS REQUEST EXPLORATION INTO OTHER REGIONAL FAVORITES? I often hear the Midwestern palate question come up when talking about or to men. Most of my female clients are

interested in exploring more colors, tastes, and flavors. Generally the women I work with are very interested in serving their households a variety of whole, fresh foods without over complicating things. DO YOU DELVE INTO THE USE OF SMALL KITCHEN APPLIANCES? I can cook just about anything, and am comfortable with lots of different techniques. Over the winter I offered several Pressure Cooking Basics classes. I love what the pressure cooker can do to food and how that can make it so much easier to get a great meal on the table any night of the week. You can serve up a meat based stew in about 30 minutes; cook up a fabulous risotto in a total of 15 minutes, start to finish. I have also offered classes for making soups, salads, Grab and Go meals, Pasta and Sauces (which can include homemade pasta, or be about getting sauce making down), and more. I change things up a lot, but I am always interested in cooking in your home and will design an event with your wish list in mind. DO YOU GENERALLY MEET CLIENTS AT YOUR PLACE OR DO YOU TRAVEL? I like to cook with people in their kitchens so they can see that they don't need to have anything fancy to make great meals. Almost any home kitchen is functional, and sometimes I find the fancier the kitchen, the less functionality it offers. IS THERE AN OPTIMUM GROUP SIZE? The ideal size for a home kitchen is 4 to 8 people. If there are more than that in an average kitchen, there just isn't room to work and involve everyone. I want the event to be interactive and inclusive so that the participants can go home and do the same recipe again. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC AIM WITH YOUR CLIENTS? I strive to create something unique for the home cook. I believe that cooking should be fun; that it does not need to be intimidating or foreign. And once you learn a few basics, the rest is easy! If you want to learn more about Judy King and her awesome cooking classes, check her out at www.now-youre-cooking.com or find her on Facebook.

Peter McNiff is publisher and editor of Stillwater Living magazine. WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 21

Sustainable Artist Laurie Schneider

The Ride By Jim Reynolds, Photos by Laurie Schneider

isual storytellers move through life with a curatorial perspective. They observe and feel situations while many of us move through life with an “on to the next task” mentality. To capture the moment, one must be fully present and engaged in his or her environment. Storytellers of all mediums soak up experiences like a sponge, observing while participating. The visual storytellers among us maintain open receptors and they train themselves to anticipate life’s compelling moments. Writers have the luxury of reflecting upon their experiences before telling the tale, while visual storytellers juggle the additional task of capturing the moment in real time. It’s not enough to say that through her art, Laurie Schneider has become a visual storyteller. For Laurie, it seems, has evolved to become a great visual storyteller throughout her being. It isn’t reasonable to separate her artistic expressions from the rest of her, as is the case with most great artists. Laurie, in her entirety, generates the final product, her visual exhibit. When asked about her early artistic influences, Laurie 22 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

is quick to express her deeply felt appreciation of her father. He was a rare man who introduced art, music and theatre into her rural Wisconsin childhood. “My father was a writer, photographer, lover of music, opera and theatre. He designed dry flies which he was famous for. Most dry flies used in fly fishing are his designs,” Laurie says with a smile. Her sister is a published writer, poet and visual artist in Missouri. She is also a sustainable farmer, beekeeper and herbalist. Clearly, Laurie’s father was a large influence on both of his girls. “I was creative as far back as I can remember.” Says Laurie, “never liked dolls or things like that, I'd rather build whimsical forts in the woods, read books, play my organ and draw. It’s always been an intrinsic part of my being.” She has a Fine Arts Degree from the University of Minnesota; she went on to teach at a variety of schools and photography centers to kids and adults; she has been the director of several not-for-profit arts organizations; she was an ambitious and busy young woman.

When asked if any of her early projects stood out in her memory, Laurie thought for a minute and then shared. “One project that I’m proud of was for The Portage for Youth. I was the program director for an art mentoring program for girls at risk. These girls learned to use manual cameras, photographed their lives, printed black & whites in the darkroom, and then exhibited the work at Landmark Center in St. Paul. Sheila Wellstone and Ann Bancroft were the speakers to a crowd of over 1,000 people. It was so inspiring for the girls.” As for Laurie, she draws inspiration from everyday life. It often comes to her when she least expects it - in the turn of a fish body or the clouds in a dragon formation. She is remarkably impressed by birds, fish, honeybees, creatures of all kinds, trees, everything natural around her. Her art sprung from her inspiration and she moved closer to living the life of an artist. Laurie explored her artistic core as she developed over time with bookbinding, intaglio, drawing and allegorical photography work. She became well known for her highly mythical portraiture photography. Over time she developed a strong business acumen working in the not-for-profit world while pursuing her creative expression. A florist friend suggested that she try photographing weddings. That friend was spot on, turns out that the hopeless romantic in her was a fit in the world of wedding photography. Laurie began to develop an uncanny intuition to sense when the precious moments that make a wedding day special were about to happen. She quickly became one of the top wedding and portrait photographers in the Twin Cities, and she continues to photograph weddings. Something about the little things that make one person special to another inspires her. Over time Laurie developed a rhythm in her life, one that allowed her art and life to commingle. “I created mythical photos in stylized sets with troubled people as subjects and the process had a healing effect for my subjects. Although this work was rewarding, I craved a new direction” she says. While she knew she wanted more or better or different, it wasn’t until she encountered a near death experience that left her in awe of the bigger world, that her thinking would crystallize. It became critical to her that her work be purposeful on a larger scale and meaningful to her personally. WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 23

Laurie is in the midst of a project that coalesces her life’s journey with her professional pursuits. It combines nature, community and photography – her trifecta. “My passion is the natural world and this is what has brought me to my current work in sustainability, nature and its beautiful creatures,” says Laurie. Her current project is: Sustainable Farmers – Stewards of the Land. Key that phrase into the search window of YouTube and enjoy a sample of Laurie’s brand of visual storytelling. Her Stewards of the Land exhibit, which is much more than the video, represents an aspect of what caught Laurie’s attention in recent years. “These farmers are an inspiration to me, as they must live a creative life in order to overcome obstacles in their daily work. They are my superheros.” She says, “I forget all my worries when I’m following a farmer through mud or sun, field or pig mote. At what other job can one hold a newborn lamb, touch the soft of a cow nose, talk with a chicken, run with dogs or grab an organic apple as I walk? This is what calls me, I love being among the beauty of the natural world, seeing healthy soil and breathing clean air, watching farmers hard at work in all conditions.” This Sustainable Farmers series is a departure technically and creatively for Laurie. She shares, “before this, my photos were staged in pre-constructed scenes. With this new series, I’m forced to work spontaneously in difficult environments. For example; a farmer chases an undernourished lamb, snatching her up to give her a milk bottle while the mother ewe intercedes. My challenge is to get close, not affect the action, frame the scene artistically, adjust the light & focus, while kneeling in swampy pasture on a buggy, hot day, to snap a prize winning shot.” 24 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

Laurie Schneider with Daisy and Coco. Photo by Keith Chrysler.

This year she turns her focus to the next phase in her Sustainable Farmers series, she is crafting an exhibit on beekeeping in farming. “I see beekeeping as a practice that is falling away.” Laurie says, “Bees are becoming more and more difficult to come by. Soon hobby beekeepers will not be able to keep bees. Only those that are skilled at raising queens will continue to bee keep. This is so sad to me.” Laurie is focused on a potentially critical phenomenon; she is not alone in her view that bees are in trouble. Her new series will be a call to action, as most of us don’t realize how critical pollinators are to our world – we could all use a dose of visual storytelling. If bees disappear, there will be a domino effect and many other natural things will also become extinct. Laurie says, “I hope people can come to understand the importance of our honeybees and other pollinators. It’s easy to help bees by living sustainability, stop using pesticides, grow bee forage, bee lawns instead of herbicide lawns, and learn to love our pollinators instead of killing them.” I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see what I’m going to learn about pollinators in the next segment of Sustainable Farmers. Before I learned about Laurie Schneider, I don’t think that would have occurred to me. We would all do well to pay attention to what artists bring to our community. For when immensely talented people harness their abilities in pursuit of making our community a better place, we all benefit. Jim Reynolds is a frequent contributor to Stillwater Living magazine.

Laurie Schneider’s history sets a high bar for her future. Take a look at some of her accomplishments.

Awards: Awarded Minnesota State Arts Board Artists Alliance Grant 2013 Legacy Grant Finalist 2010 Jerome Foundation Finalist 2008 Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Third Place 2009, Honorable Mention 2006, and 2001, Third Place 1995 Minnesota Monthly Magazine Best of Photography 1998, 2002 Photographer’s Forum Magazine Best 1996, 1997, 1998 Director/Curator for the Portage for Youth, St. Paul, 1996-2001 University of Minnesota Remington Art Scholarship 1995 and Nolte Art Scholarship 1994

Published Books: 2012 Published: Sustainable Farmers – Stewards of the Land, Book of Photography by Laurie Schneider. 1999 Published by Bowtie Press, New York. Hardcover Book, Guys & Dogs, Portraits by Laurie Schneider. WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 25

study abroad

By Emily Gould

Greetings from South Africa This new department is intended as a journal of Emily Gould’s observations while studying in South Africa. For most college students, getting off campus and crossing the ocean to study in a foreign land is the pinnacle of their college career. We expect three or four journal entries from Emily before she pulls her experience together in a feature story.

he sound of honking cars rushing by resonates outside my window. A homeless man perches on the median of the road. People jog by on the sidewalk. Countless hotels line the streets. I could be in any city, from Minneapolis to New York. Then comes the cry of the taxi driver: “Town! Town!” I look out my window and see merchants selling handcrafted wood sculptures on the sidewalk. Just past the merchants is King’s Beach adjoining the blue-black Indian Ocean. I am not in the Midwest. I am not in the United States. I am on the other end of the world – Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Port Elizabeth is on the Southeastern coast of South Africa. It is large compared to Stillwater with a population of more than one million people. Port Elizabeth appears to be a regular

26 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

city, no different from what you might expect to find in the U.S., but in reality it is very distinctive. The eleven official languages of South Africa, the culture and people of different races contribute to Port Elizabeth’s diversity. After a few weeks of living in South Africa, I have found aspects unlike anything I’ve seen or experienced back home. The stark number of townships in South Africa is one major difference. A township is a large community of people, typically black, living in metal shacks. All the roads are made of dirt, and if you’re lucky you might catch a glimpse of grass amidst the overwhelming amount of garbage that surrounds the township. Life in the townships is dirty, uncomfortable and most of all difficult. One township, Missionvale, consists of 100,000 residents with only 16 water taps, three of which actually function. People walk miles to fetch water and food, and the unemployment rate within the township is about 80 percent. Desperation emanates from the residents of Missionvale. One day, while handing out soup powder at the nutrition

center, I witnessed a line of twenty people turn into an angry mob fighting over the last half-loaf of bread. It was painful to witness people fight over something I take for granted every day. Even mundane details of South African life differ slightly from what I’m used to in Minnesota. One of most noticeable differences is the perception of time. If a South African says to you, “I’ll be there just now,” they might show up in 10 minutes or four hours. The free shuttle that I take to school is supposed to show up every 15 minutes. Sometimes it arrives on time while other times it is eight minutes late. Adaptability is definitely a virtue here.

But that is no way to live. No matter where I am, I can learn so much from the people and environment around me and that is a gift I used to take for granted. Emily Gould is a graduate of Stillwater High School and a Communication Major at the College of St. Benedict.

One of the biggest differences is the presence of crime in South Africa, which is at best comparable to what we hear about the degree of crime in Detroit – something Stillwater sheltered me from. Car hijackings, muggings, stabbings and shootings are regular occurrences. While most people would feel safe walking the streets of Stillwater at night, even alone, doing so in South Africa is like putting a target on your back. Despite the significant cultural differences, one thing remains the same: The people are as friendly as ever. Talk to a local for 10 minutes and you’ll most likely be invited to a braai (what we would call a barbeque). The concept of “Minnesota nice” certainly shines through in some of the South Africans. After one month, I have become more accustomed to daily life in South Africa, but am still experiencing the conflicting emotions of spending minimal time working in the townships and returning to my cozy flat on the beach. It is disturbing to think that just 20 minutes from the beachfront is a community of 100,000 people struggling every day, yet I can make it invisible if I choose to. The most important thing South Africa has taught me so far is to keep my eyes open to what’s around me. It can be easy to live with tunnel vision, focusing only on what I want to see. WWW.STILLWATERLIVING.NET 27

perspective DO YOU RECOGNIZE THIS LOCATION? Win a dinner for two! Email the correct location to

PHOTO BY CURTIS DALE. IF YOU LIKE HIS WORK GO TO WWW.CURTISDALE.COM

inquiry@stillwaterliving.net by the end of this month. A lucky winner will be drawn from a pool of correct answers. Each month we will run a new Perspective, so don’t get discouraged if this one stumped you. Congratulations to last month’s winner, Jack Larson of Bayport. When your curiosity overwhelms you, visit curtisdale.com or facebook.com/CurtisDaleCreations each month to discover the location of this month’s picture.

28 STILLWATER LIVING

APRIL 2014

Book Your Corporate Event Now • Elegant conference room • Complimentary equipment & supplies • Custom timeline • Eight overnight suites • Exclusive rental options for the entire group

• Customized menus including; breakfast, lunch, 2 snacks and beverages • Chef’s table wine dinner (gluten free, vegetarian and other options) • Located in a 300 acre park, minutes from downtown Stillwater

Call: 651-439-9747 Email: Info@outinglodge.com Visit: 11661 Myeron Rd N., Stillwater, MN 55082

THE

15 STILLWATER LIVING

OCTOBER 2005

Outing Lodge at Pine Point

www.outinglodge.com

O No p w en !

Respiratory Relief: cold and flu, allergy, asthma, COPD, bronchitis, sinus infection, sinusitis, rhinitis, hay fever, emphysema and cystic fibrosis.

How Salt Therapy Works:

Some of the many benefits you’ll receive from The Salt Room therapy include… • Abatement of bronchial inflammation • Removal of airborne pollen particles from airways • Strengthening of immune system that decreases allergic reaction to pollens • Cleansing and sanitation of the airways • Prevention and treatment of common cold and flu • Improvement of dermatological disorders such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis • Reduction of snoring • Better sleep

Salt is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and helps with mucus clearance by decreasing the thickness and allowing it to be expelled. The Salt Room, simulates the effects of salt mines and brings a once inaccessible, natural, healing element from the earth to the doorsteps of our community. In our cozy, spa-like rooms, you can relax, enjoy music, read, or practice yoga while breathing in microscopic salt particles.

Yoga Room • Relaxation Room • Children’s Room

Learn more at

www.saltroomwoodbury.com 2110 Eagle Creek Lane, Suite 350 • Woodbury, MN 55129 • 651-436-1725