Woodbury Magazine - May 2022

KATE SWENSON is a voice for the secret world of autism

A PICTURE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

HIP PAIN It’s the sticks and stones of everyday life that bring you to TRIA. Like when you let it rip and felt the pain in your hip. Whether you’re a professional golfer or the Marvelous Mrs. Mulligan, you’ll receive the same expert orthopedic care and attention you need to get back in the game. It’s why you’re treated and how you’re treated by TRIA. SCHEDULE ONLINE AT TRIA.COM

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“Wade and his team are top-notch. They are professionals who get the job done with class and efficiency.”

“He never left any questions unanswered and always responded very promptly.”

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“Wade kept us informed, listened to our needs and demonstrated patience and persistence.”

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M AY 2 0 2 2 “The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” —Harriet Ann Jacobs

PAGE 10

PAG E 2 2

DEPARTMENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

18 — Curb Appeal

10 13 43 56

22 — Start Them Young

— — — —

Editor’s Letter Noteworthy On the Town Last Glance

Photo: Chris Emeott

Designs by Liberty creates oneof-a-kind floral arrangements.

Cricket gains momentum in Woodbury.

26 — Paw Patrol Lake Elmo Farmers Market gives back to local pups.

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PILE ON THE PRETTY

Visit us at

W O O DB U R Y L A K E S Or start your wish list at helzberg.com

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FEATURES

TASTEMAKERS

28 — Gardening Goats

48 — Sweet Buenos Aires

Afton resident runs invasive plant removal company using goats.

From her grandma’s pastries to a Minnesota cottage bakery, Paula Gutierrez shares her love of Argentinian sweets.

34 — A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Photo: Chris Emeott

PAGE 48

Kate Swenson is a voice for the secret world of autism.

8

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F R O M T H E E D I TO R Hailey Almsted, hailey@localmedia.co

Dr. Marc Roehrich Dr. James Erlandson

Where visiting the dentist feels like visiting a friend.

Inside our practice, you may forget you’re at the dentist. We love to laugh and have fun, while still providing high-quality care customized to meet your needs. You’ll feel among friends here.

M

y fiancé and I share a few hobbies together—exploring new cities, hiking our way through national parks and spending time outdoors in the summer are just a few. Like many others in the east Metro, we tend to spend our summer days on the pontoon along the St. Croix River or on Lake Elmo, both beautiful places just outside of Woodbury.

Last summer, while my fiancé and I were driving into Lake Elmo Regional Park for a day on the water, I noticed a distinct sign—“Goats for Hire!” the sign said.

Although I thought the sentiment was particularly odd, I went along my day and relaxed on the boat for hours. It wasn’t until I saw the sign for a second time that I began to wonder … Why are there goats for hire, and what do they do? Well, as it turns out, goats are particularly good landscapers!

And that the premise behind Totes My Goats, LLC, an Afton-based landscaping service that utilizes—you guessed it!—goats to service yards. Though unique in concept, it’s a locked-down business plan. Simon Wirth’s goats, which are cute as can be, remove invasive species from yards, allowing customers to enjoy their own backyards once again. Though I don’t have a backyard that needs servicing, I appreciate Wirth’s interesting take on landscaping—who wouldn’t?

Read the full story on page 28.

In this gardening-themed issue of Woodbury Magazine, you’ll also read about beautiful floral arrangements created by Woodbury resident Liberty Erickson, who also shares tips on creating bridal bouquets (page 18), and about the Lake Elmo Farmers Market, which donates funds to the Washington County Police Department’s K-9 units (page 26).

Happy May, readers. I’ll see you next month!

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On the Cover Kate and Cooper Swenson, photo by Chris Emeott

May 2022

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Photo: Rachel Nadeau

CALL TODAY!

VOL. 18 NO. 9 woodburymag.com

publisher Susan Isay

editor Hailey Almsted

managing creative director Renée Stewart-Hester

managing editor Hailey Almsted

copy editor Kellie Doherty

staff writers Ava Diaz Dan Amundson Daniel Huss Madeline Kopiecki Staci Perry Mergenthal

contributing writers John Farrell III Grace Masuda Rachael Perron Margaret Wachholz Tiffany White

editorial interns Emily Deutscher Hanna McDaniels

editorial advisory board Pepe Barton, South Washington County Schools Tanner Ignaszweski, Woodbury High School Mike Lewis, 3P Boxing 24/7 Laurie Mordorski, Woodbury Lakes Stacey Morgan, Belay Creative Michelle Okada, City of Woodbury Public Safety Margaret Wachholz, Woodbury Heritage Society, Woodbury Community Foundation, Woodbury Senior Living Sarah Sorenson-Wagner, South Washington County Schools

senior managing art director Sarah Dovolos

art director Allison Nolden

lead staff photographer Chris Emeott

production director Brittni Dye

production manager Lisa Stone

senior account executives Brooke Beise Katie Freemark Cynthia Hamre Sara Johnson

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N OT E WO RT H Y

lo c a l tip s, tidb its & insights

READ

Photo: Sarah Dovolos

NATURE’S GIFT P HIL ELD R ED G E— a Woodbury native of 20 years—found himself inspired when his friend Vikas Narula asked the question, “What is your heart’s whisper?” Eldredge automatically knew the answer: Letters he wrote to his grandchildren when they were born. The question initiated more than just an inspiration, but a calling to publish those letters, now made into his children’s book From Tree to Seed: A Gift to You from Me (Wiseink, 2019).

Eldredge yearned for more than just beautiful pictures on paper—he longed to make a difference in the hearts of grandparents, parents and their beloved children. Eldredge says, “This book is

May 2022

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for grandparents and parents to create a bonding experience to promote creativity and imagination through reading.”

Throughout the bright, illustrated pages, the readers follow a diverse range of characters whose meaning comes from family and the connectedness of the universe. He says, “The reading experience involves values and the morals you have while growing up.”

The book has themes that follow human purpose and the beauty of nature through uniting our hearts as one.

This book is sure to make a difference in your journey.

You can order Eldredge’s book, illustrated by Michael B. Putman, on fromtreetoseed.com. —Hanna McDaniels

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N OT E WO RT H Y

S IP

A Month for Pairings Once in awhile, moons align, and the right wine matches with great food. I hope you enjoy some of my absolute favorites for food and wine pairings as much as I do.

Côtes du Rhône and the grill: Consider any food with a char or sear marks— grilled veggies to a big steak. The deep fruit of a Château d’Aigueville Côtes du Rhône (around $14) with beef and veggies off the grill is awesome.

Chocolate and red wine: Is there anything better? I did a tasting and accidently came across this combo— Vina Robles cabernet (around $20) and sea salt chocolate caramels—decadent, and sometimes you deserve this.

John F. Farrell III is vice president; sales and merchandising with Haskell’s The Wine People. Find more at haskells.com.

Gods of Time

work into, “Let’s just see what happens.”

He’d counsel though that our lives are

job ... While never creating that perfect schedule for the things that are so very hard

as much made by the things we couldn’t

to master like being a better friend, a more

plan for, didn’t see coming or that surprise

patient parent, a kinder partner or being

us. It’s naïve, but it’s ingrained in me that, if

able to finish a 10K. But those are the things

My husband is the type that finds enjoy-

I didn’t get to the end of a day having been

that need that “perfect” yearly calendar as

ment from creating meticulous plans within

productive to a certain level, I haven’t quite

naïve as it may be. Dream we must.

plans, knowing they are doomed to fail in

justified my existence. The paradox with

some part—how many lesson days, number

time is holding loosely onto the idea that we

of standards, scope and sequence, mapping

won’t get it all done while grasping that one

it out to ensure every single approach is cov-

day we will have it all.

ered … Which will be modified by snow days,

Without paradox, we only focus on small

unforeseen hiccups, etc., yet the daily misad-

ticket items we know we can accomplish—

ventures of happenstance will turn a yearlong

like doing the dishes or doing well at our

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Margaret Wachholz is the campus marketing director at Woodbury Senior Living. In her column, she shares observations and wisdom about aging and senior living in our community. Find more at woodburyseniorliving.com.

May 2022

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iStock.com/karandaev

S ENIOR LIVIN G

Discover the Difference R EAD

The Barbizon: The Hotel that Set Women Free

S U M M E R S E NS A T I ON !

Anticipated Summer Camp Themes and Field Trips: All Things Summer - Picnic in the Park Music and Movement - Teddy Bear Band Nature Explorers - Dodge Nature Center Storybook Adventures - Stages Theater: The Little Mermaid Amazing All-Stars - Conquer Ninja Wild Safari - Sustainable Safari and Petting Zoo Discovery Kids STEAM week - The Works Museum/Children’s Museum Color Wars - Color Me Mine Crazy Creatures - Sea Life and Bruce the Bug Guy Culinary Culture - THAT Cooking School Imagination Station - Science Museum Summer Sizzle - USA Inflatables and Cookout!

Themes and field trips subject to change

Infant/Crawler • Our all-inclusice approach to care includes infant formula, diapers, baby wipes and wholesome infant purees freshly prepared by our on-site chef.

• Baby rooms are the perfect environment for little ones to discover their physical abilities as they learn to roll over, crawl, pull up and eventually walk. We focus on your babies’ growth and development by creating strong bonds and learning through play.

• Screened-in porch designed specifically for getting infants and crawlers outside to enjoy new sights, sounds and fresh air.

• Over-sized rooms include full sized cribs for each child, gross motor equipment and large windows for maximum amounts of natural light.

• Procare Connect parent app allows for notifications of diapering, naps, meals and daily photos of your child to be sent directly to your mobile device.

The Barbizon tells the story of a hotel’s fascinating history, from its conception and the tenement laws that lead to its design in the 1920s through its end as condominiums.

The story focuses on the hotel’s impact on the women who walked through its halls and chronicles changes in the outside world around women’s rights and societal expectations. Famous guests who passed through the doors are a prime focus with names such as Titanic survivor Molly Brown, Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco, authors Sylvia Plath and Meg Wolitzer, movie star Rita Hayworth and so many more.

I recommend this title to anyone who loves nonfiction, the guests who graced the halls of the Barbizon and those who are hoping for something to go back in time.

Tiffany White is a librarian at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury.

Find more to read at washcolib.org.

Waddler/Toddler • Our all-inclusive approach to care includes diapers, baby wipes and wholesome meals and snacks freshly prepared by our on-site chef.

• Sign Language, Spanish, Character Education, LANA & Music enrichment classes included in tuition.

• Individual attention and caring teachers encourage hands-on exploration and social interaction in a safe and engaging environment.

• Our Waddlers & Toddlers progress naturally because they’re constantly encouraged to be creative and curious, to learn and to have fun learning.

• Procare Connect parent app allows for notifications of diapering/potty, naps, meals, curriculum and daily photos of your child to be sent directly to your mobile device.

Preschool/Kindergarten Readiness • Our all-inclusice approach to care includes STEAM, yoga, Spanish, LANA nutrition and music enrichment programs; as well as wholesome meals and snacks freshly prepared by our on-site chef.

• Character development, community outreach and off site field trips round out our academic curriculum.

• Proprietary curriculum designed to nurture the whole child provides a strong academic introduction to literacy, science, math and social sciences while combining social, emotional and physical aspects of developemnt.

• Procare Connect parent app allows for notifications of naps, meals, curriculum, enrichment programs and daily photos of your child to be sent directly to your mobile device.

• Real time notifications for diapering, naps, meals and other daily activities • Receive daily photos of your child exploring exciting new topics and curriculum • Convenient options to submit tuition payments online • Keep up with school events and news with messages pertaining to your child’s classroom

(651) 998-1661 | www.steppingstoneslearning.org 11253 Eagle View Blvd. Woodbury, MN 55129 15

N OT E WO RT H Y

TASTE

Stop and Smell the Rosemary Rosemary Pesto Makes ~1 cup » ½ cup chopped green onions » ¼ cup fresh rosemary leaves » ¼ cup fresh Italian parsley » ¼ cup freshly grated Kowalski’s Parmesan cheese » ¼ cup pine nuts or almonds » 2 cloves garlic » 2 tsp. freshly grated orange zest » ¼ cup (approximately) Kowalski’s extra virgin olive oil » 2 tsp. freshly-squeezed lemon juice » kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper, to taste In a food processor, process green onions, rosemary, parsley, cheese, nuts, garlic and zest until a smooth, thick paste forms. With the processor running, slowly stream in oil until a loose paste forms. Add lemon juice and season to taste; pulse

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for lamb, dill for salmon and egg salad, and basil on everything!

My favorite herb has always been rosemary. I use it in grain dishes, chicken and lamb recipes, and with a surprising number of sweet foods, too (finely chopped rosemary is a tasty addition to a shortbread cookie!) It’s beautiful and delicious with roasted grapes, which I love to serve on a flatbread with prosciutto, gorgonzola and honey or spoon over grilled salmon.

Perhaps my favorite way to use rosemary, however, is in a rosemary pesto. Made similarly to traditional basil pesto, you can serve it with feta cheese on crackers, on a lamb chop or burger, and even with angel hair pasta and seared scallops.

until combined.

Find Perron’s recipe for Panna Cotta with Rosemary-Grape Compote on woodburymag.com.

Photo: Kowalski’s Market

Last summer, my husband built me a new garden, complete with raised beds, storage for all of my supplies and a gate to keep out the “neighbors” (deer and bunnies, not you Mark and Andrea). Weeding is so much easier now, with the beds built at hip height, that I’ve really renewed my love for gardening.

The plan for this season includes the usual suspects—tomatoes, peppers, lettuces, radishes, peas, flowers, fennel, chard and, of course, herbs. Herbs are one of my all-time gardening favorites because most of them continue to grow and produce all season long. I love the way their fragrances perfume the summer air, and they’re such pretty plants, too. I’ve taken to growing way more than I can use simply because I love the look of them; I even grow some herbs only for their blooms.

Few dishes make it to my table without a sprig of one or another herb on top.

Certainly, they have aesthetic appeal, but the core reason I grow herbs at home is for their fresh flavor—thyme for chicken, mint

Rachael Perron is the culinary and brand director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications.

Find more at kowalskis.com.

May 2022

woodburymag.com

WOODBURY CARES PROGRAM

CLASSIC CONSTRUCTION & CONSULTING CARES ABOUT WOODBURY As a family-owned business with roots in the community, Classic Construction & Consulting is making an impact in Woodbury. Not only are they a leader in executive residential and commercial exteriors in the upper-Midwest, but they lead by their commitment to serve and give back to the communities in which they build.

"It is our workmanship, commitment to quality and customer service excellence that truly distinguishes us from our competition," says owner Jake Peulen. "Our team is dedicated to the needs of our clients. With expert industry knowledge and nearly 20 years of experience, Classic Construction & Consulting places your priorities first. We work together on your project to deliver outstanding results."

Classic Construction's passion for the community comes from their roots in the St. Croix River Valley.

"Myself and my fellow partners were raised in the surrounding communities such as Stillwater, Bayport, and Woodbury. We know

these streets and small towns, and we understand what it means to be proud of where you are from," he adds. "With strong ties to the local landscape, we strive to make a difference in our communities by providing top quality service to our friends and neighbors."

Classic Construction gives back in a number of ways including the Children's Minnesota Golf Benefit (pictured) and recently volunteering for the Woodbury Community Foundation.

"With strong ties to the local landscape, we strive to make a difference in our communities"

Classic Construction services includes commercial exteriors and maintenance, multi-unit living complexes, executive residences and comprehensive insurance restoration.

Peulen adds that installing a sleek and reliable exterior system for your home or business is about more than just boosting your property’s curb appeal and value. "Your exterior should protect your possessions, your investment and most importantly your loved ones for years to come."

For more information on how to participate in WCF's Woodbury Cares Program, email development@woodburyfoundation.org.

225 MAIN ST N, SUITE #2 STILLWATER, MN 55082 PH. 651.439.2717 INFO@CLASSICMIDWEST.COM

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Photos: Designs by Liberty

SCENE

Curb Appeal Designs by Liberty creates one-of-a-kind floral arrangements.

By Ava Diaz

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May 2022

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THANKS FOR YOUR WINNING Celebrating CARE!”

– Jessie Diggins, 40 YEARS

of Smiles!

US Ski Team Athlete, patient of Dr. Renee

CRAFTING UNIQUE FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS for the doorsteps

and porches of Woodbury residents is the mission of Liberty Erickson.

Starting Designs by Liberty five years ago, Erickson’s specialties include an array of potted arrangements, tablescape decor, home design and staging, bridal florals and landscaping services.

Growing up, Erickson says she always had a knack for putting things together.

Originally from the Napa Valley in California, she remembers countless days spent underneath the western sun helping her mother in the garden.

Learning the ropes of landscaping, she became accustomed to pairing a variety of natural elements together to create something beautiful. “I have been really blessed with just having an eye for things,” she says. “I just know how to put things together.”

With the help of Mother Nature, Erickson says she finds peace in the process of creation. “It kind of takes me out of the everyday hustle and bustle … It is just calming,” she says. Turning to color for inspiration, Erickson says she draws most of her ideas from what naturally speaks to her.

Browsing up and down the aisles of craft stores and Bailey Nurseries Inc. in Woodbury, plus other venues scattered throughout the Metro, is one of her favorite pastimes. She says these are the places where she can rely on her first impressions of trending styles, decor and colors blooming each season.

Combining her crafty eye with the preferences of her clients, she strives to create unique, one-of-a-kind arrangements each time. Getting to know her customers is at the forefront of her business. By doing this, she can get a sense for their tastes and desired color schemes. “I try really hard to create something that they are going to love and fits their personalities,” she says.

For avid client Susan Hanstad, it is

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May 2022

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BRIDAL BOUQUETS Organic shapes and greens Think green. With the rise of green in fashion and lifestyle, Erickson says there is also an increase in the use of this color in bridal bouquets.

Not only is this a way of bringing in an additional color, but it can also offer an opportunity to introduce a variety of dimensions, textures and unique shapes from leafier plant varieties. Spruce up your average bouquet and opt for sprigs of eucalyptus, fern, sage, dusty miller or palm leaves to create a lush gradient of green tones. Or intertwine the greens to complement the primary wedding color and bloom of choice.

Variety Long gone are the days of settling for simple roses in your bridal bouquets. Taking a maximalist approach to arrangements, brides are opting for bolder florals to draw interest in a natural, yet eye catching way. Contrast dainty, soft flowers with bolder shapes or textured grasses to create a variation of texture and shape.

Erickson’s fearless approach toward design that keeps her coming back for more. Hanstad appreciates her creative ability to make each planter intriguing and unique through the use of various textured plants.

Using her services regularly throughout the year, Hanstad says these planters provided the perfect simple refresh for her home. “I have felt that she has made my home really beautiful, and people notice,” she says. “She has made my small little house here in Woodbury noteworthy.”

WEEKDAYS 9AM

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Designs by Liberty @designsbylibertymn

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Jitender Goswami and Sushil Singh

COMMUNITY

Photos: Chris Emeott

Start Them Young Cricket gains momentum in Woodbury.

By Dan Amundson

22

May 2022

woodburymag.com

Dr. Dan Ehrmanntraut, DDS

We are a family dentistry practice and have been serving the community for over 30 years.

Services Include: • Preventative • Restorative • Cosmetic • Invisalign Braces

Dr. Steven Setterstrom, DDS

www.preservedentistry.com SPRING SPORTS ARE IN FULL SWING, as boys and girls head to the

baseball and softball diamonds, lacrosse players break out their sticks and others lace up their soccer cleats. This year, there’s somewhere new kids are heading: the cricket pitch.

Woodbury resident Sushil Singh noticed the rise in popularity of cricket through personal experience—he’s been playing locally for more than five years.

Not too long ago, Singh participated in a local tournament. After seeing the great turnout of spectators, a group of local parents, including Woodbury resident Jitender Goswami, got together and decided it was time to form a team for their kids. “I was surprised at how many people came out to the tournament,” Singh says. “It has really gathered steam in Woodbury.”

The team, named MN Mustangs, was an immediate hit. The first time the team played together was at the Midwest Zone Youth Cricked Alliance Cup in St. Louis, Missouri, in 2021. While most new teams, regardless of the sport, have a few growing pains, the Mustangs had no issue finding its groove and ended the tournament in second place.

The Mustangs, a team for those 14-years-old or younger, play sanctioned events sponsored by USA Cricket, the national cricket league. They play against other national teams and, at the time of writing, is signed up for four events for this season and will be traveling to places including Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Missouri.

On the offseason, the team trains and rents out batting cages. And though the team has a competitive drive, Singh recognizes that it’s more than just winning and losing. He emphasizes the teamwork and leadership aspects of the game and wants the kids to develop those skills since it's vital in all facets of life. “I want to make sure players are working as a unit,” Singh says. “I want leaders to take over as leaders.”

651-739-7888 | 7582 Currell Blvd Suite 210 | Woodbury, MN 55125

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May 2022

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BATTER UP! Cricket, which is popular in countries like India and Australia, is often compared to baseball. Here's a breakdown.

Each team has 12 players—the fielding team has one bowler (a pitcher), one wicket-keeper (a catcher), and the remaining 10 players are spread across the field. The field is oval shaped, and in the middle is a rectangle—on each end are stumps with bails on top. This is where the pitching and hitting happens.

The batting team sends up two players—one striker and one nonstriker.

They stand on opposite sides of the rectangle. The bowler pitches the ball to the striker; if the striker makes contact, that player and the nonstriker run to switch positions. If they successfully do so, they score a run.

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If the batted ball is caught in the air by the fielding team, the striker is out, and no run can be scored.

An out is also recorded if the fielding team knocks over a bail with the ball before the striker and nonstriker switch places or if the bowler knocks over a bail with the pitch.

Games end when each team has had its designated number of chances to bat. The number of atbats each team gets is determined by the format of the game being played. Games can take as long as eight hours, while some formats are played out over a series of days.

Singh hopes to continue to grow the popularity of cricket in the community through both the Mustangs and other opportunities to get involved with the sport. With more awareness and education, Singh knows more people will learn to love the sport just like the MN Mustangs team members did. “Seeing all of those kids come together and play was awesome,” Singh says. “I was surprised to see so many people in Woodbury love cricket.”

MN Mustangs

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DOING GOOD

Paw Patrol

Lake Elmo Farmers Market gives back to local pups.

BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER just seven years ago, man-

ager of the Lake Elmo Farmers Market Jill Lundgren developed the market as a way to unite business with philanthropy. Operating from the Lake Elmo Elementary School parking lot, the market showcases wholesome products like fresh produce, baked goods, handmade candles and flowers from local farmers and makers. Though supporting local businesses is at its forefront, Lundgren took this weekly event as an opportunity to bring more exposure to other change makers in the commu-

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nity. Partnering with the Washington County Police Department’s K-9 Unit since 2018, they work to educate market goers on the team’s efforts to keep the neighborhood safe.

“Doing these things helps weave the community together and builds back our fabric,” Lundgren says. “They are such a good visible presence in the community.”

“It is nice to educate the public on what these dogs are used for, how they are used and what a great tool they are for all of our law enforcement agencies in the area … Whether it be the safety side of protecting our deputies or protect-

ing the public …” says police sergeant Ty Jacobson of the Washington County Police Department K-9 Unit.

Interacting with patrons, the officers also provide demonstrations with the dogs to showcase their skills pertaining to obedience, agility and ability to find evidence. “I think it is important for people to understand what we do on a daily basis, especially with the dogs,” he says.

After conversing with the officers about the needs for the dogs, Lundgren was informed that the vests used to initially train the animals cost upwards of $2,000. With two dogs retiring and two

May 2022

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Photo: Lake Elmo Farmers Market

By Ava Diaz

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replacements on the way, the need for new equipment was dire. This sparked the idea to create a fundraiser to support the unit and its pups.

With the generous help of patrons, they were able to raise over $6,340 for the unit. ($1,000 of which was matched by the market.) “It is great to know that there are organizations out there that support our local law enforcement and are there to assist us with any of the needs we might have,” Jacobson says.

“Those relationships are incredible.”

With businesses and community working together, Lundgren says they are doing what they can to maintain and grow a healthy home for all. “We are just talking vegetables here at the farmers market, and I just think to be a really strong, healthy and vibrant community, everybody needs to manage together and get along. It is important to work together, and, when we do that, the differences just kind of melt away,” she says.

Bringing light to education, Lundgren plans to continue this relationship with the department each season to uplift community voices and leaders. In addition, this season will also bring new opportunities for youth farmers and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and passions through their own sector of vendor booths.

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GARDENING G O AT S AFTON RESIDENT RUNS INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL COMPANY USING GOATS. STORY BY DAN AMUNDSON . PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

Goats. You’ve seen them at the zoo; you’ve seen them in the mountains out west; you might even eat goat cheese derived from goat’s milk. They’re an animal everyone is familiar with, but there’s one task some goats do that people aren’t as familiar with: landscaping.

Now, the goats aren’t going to build patios or spread mulch around flowers in your backyard—their job is to remove unwanted vegetation, and they’re pretty good at it.

Five years ago, Simon Wirth discovered the goats’ vegetationremoval skills and decided to take advantage of it and turn it into

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his own business. His wife originally wanted to have goats just around the house, so they decided to purchase a couple. “I looked in the rearview mirror and saw these goats sitting in the back of my wife’s SUV,” Wirth says. “And I just thought to myself, ‘What the heck did we just do?’”

He learned how to care for the goats and soon started using them in his own yard to remove buckthorn. Word got out about how well the goats were eliminating the buckthorn, and people started asking Wirth to bring the goats to their houses to do the same thing, so he started the Afton-based business Totes My Goats, LLC.

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Simon Wirth

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Totes My Goats; 651.497.1409; totesmygoatsllc.com Totes My Goats, LLC

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Since then, he’s been busier than ever.

“People were disappointed to hear I was booked out last season,” Wirth says. “I couldn’t believe how quickly it took off.”

The process is fairly simple.

Customers call Wirth if they have unwanted vegetation on their land, and he’ll go out and create a plan on how to set the goats up. He’ll look at ways to get the fencing placed, how the goats will get water, how many goats are necessary and other logistical factors. Wirth then brings in the goats, and they go to work.

Jobs tend to take anywhere from one day to one month. It all depends on how much vegetation there is to remove and how fast the goats eat. “People used to get mad at me because I would charge based on the amount of time it took to complete the job, and the goats wouldn’t be eating very fast,” Wirth says. “Well, goats don’t know they’re on the clock, so now I charge by the acre.”

Buckthorn is one of the main targets for Wirth and his goats. The goats come in and eat the buckthorn leaves, causing the root system to use its stored energy to re-foliate. As the goats continue to eat those leaves, the roots cannot continue to sustain new leaf growth, and the plant dies.

Using the goats to eliminate buckthorn is a safer and environmentally friendly method of eradication. Because of buckthorn’s large root system, the chemical used to kill it is extremely strong and will also kill everything else around it. “It looks like you dropped Agent Orange on it,” Wirth says. “The goats are great for environmentally sensitive properties.”

The goats are also great for areas where machines might struggle, whether

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it’s a steep hill or other terrain where expensive equipment could get damaged.

“Attachment heads for skid steers can cost thousands of dollars,” Wirth says.

“You don’t want to damage that when shredding thick vegetation.”

Wirth is up to 30 goats on his team now, and a team they are. He says the goats are great at working together. “The taller goats will reach up high and pull the branches

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down, so all of the shorter goats can get in and eat it,” he says. “They really recognize each other’s strengths.”

Buckthorn isn’t the only vegetation the goats will remove. They’re also great for removing poison ivy and a wide variety of other plants. There is no minimum or maximum amount of acreage for a job to be done. Prices are set on a situation-by-situation basis,

so Wirth says it’s easiest to simply give him a call, and he can visit the property and give an estimate.

Those interested in having Totes My Goats come to their property to remove plants are urged not to wait, as bookings fill up fast. “The goats are a much more manageable, sustainable and fun way to remove a problem,” Wirth says. “And, in a nutshell, it just works.”

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written by DANIEL HUSS photos by CHRIS EMEOTT

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words K AT E S W E N S O N I S A V O I C E F O R THE SECRET WORLD OF AUTISM.

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I

t was 2017. Woodbury’s Kate Swenson pulled into a parking spot at work, turned a camera on herself and hit the record button.

She had to talk, she had to share and she had to cry.

“I want to talk about something that I think all my autism parents will understand,” says Swenson. “I want to talk about the last time.”

The “Last Time” talk lasted just over seven minutes and can easily be found with a Google search. Swenson covered everything from hoping her son, Cooper, 11, who has severe, nonverbal autism, would someday become a doctor or lawyer, to coming to the realization that neither would ever happen. She then talked of standing in line waiting to see Elmo. As she was holding her screaming 65-pound son, she caught, in the corner of her eye, a group of parents holding their precious babies.

She talked of an autism world where Cooper was safe, happy, healthy and joyful. She then talked of stepping out of that world and knowing that everything was about to change, ready or not.

For Swenson, it wasn’t OK. She says it wasn’t OK on that particular day; nor would it be tomorrow or the next day. At some point, Swenson went from dreaming about her son’s future, to worrying about his quality of life— this was her last time to think everything would be OK. Locally, Swenson’s video went viral, having been viewed some 500,000 times.

As it gained national attention and TV stations picked it up by the hundreds, the numbers grew exponentially.

“Across all platforms, it’s been viewed maybe 30 million times,” says Swenson.

“Al Roker [NBC’s Today Show weather presenter] jokingly compared the numbers to the Super Bowl,” says Swenson.

COOPER’S VOICE

Swenson has been writing on her blog, Finding Cooper’s Voice, about Cooper

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and the autism world he lives in since his diagnosis. “I was writing about disability before I knew about disability,” she says.

Her newest writing endeavor is her book, Forever Boy: A Mother’s Memoir of Autism and Finding Joy. (It was released on April 5, 2022.) “I signed the contract the Sunday our school emailed parents about going online because of COVID19,” Swenson says. “I would have three kids at home and six months to write.”

Since its publishing? “I’m so incredibly proud of the book,” she says. The last part of its title, “Finding Joy,” came as a decree to those who read it.

“Waking up and looking for joy every day came after a series of epiphanies,” Swenson says. “The one that sticks in my mind happened while I was in the hospital on a cancer floor. These little girls were singing happy birthday to another little girl. That little girl had cancer, but the whole thing was just so joyful.”

That vision hit home for Swenson.

“When I started looking for joy, I found more joy,” she says. “It varies, but I’m finding it.”

Gentle touches, silly smiles and genuine laughs are a few pieces of joy Swenson has found. Since then, the Find Cooper’s Voice Facebook page has welcomed visitors into the “Secret World of Autism.” It’s a catch all for Swenson’s stories, blog posts and videos. Some are happy; some are sad; but everything is real.

Between Facebook and Instagram, this secret society has over one million followers. “The internet brings us all together,” Swenson says. “It’s universal.”

Like the “Last Time” video, content found on Finding Cooper’s Voice can be both resonating and polarizing. “You can hit lots of nerves,” Swenson says. At its best, it gives moms and dads living with autism a new neighbor. It’s another person who lives it; it’s another person who gets it.

At its worst, it’s ugly, it’s unfathomable and it’s vulgar. “There’s a lot ickiness,” Swenson says.

But Woodbury’s Rachel Flanagan,

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who found Swenson’s Facebook page shortly after her 4-year-old daughter received an autism diagnosis, says it’s been a wonderful resource.

“It’s one of the first resources I found,” Flanagan says. “Kate was talking about different ways to communicate, and she was doing the same things I was doing.”

She likes the page because Swenson owns her journey.

“She tells you how she was feeling when something happened, how she’s feeling now and what she learned along the way,” Flanagan says. “She’s dedicated to the whole picture. She doesn’t just talk and write about where her son falls on the spectrum. She talks and writes about the whole spectrum. ”

CHANGING

“If you ask someone in their 70s about autism when they grew up, they’ll say they never saw it,” Swenson says. “They would be right. Back then, kids with autism were separated from everyone else.”

That’s not how autism looks today.

“Kids with autism are in the schools.

They’re out front and everyone is seeing them,” she says.

That’s kind of true. After Cooper was diagnosed with autism, his family moved from northern Minnesota to Cottage Grove and then to Woodbury. “We moved for services,” Swenson says. “The county where we lived had nothing.”

And now? “Cooper [now] has an amazing speech device,” Swenson says. “He uses sign language. He uses sounds and gestures, and he can do some typing.”

While she didn’t know it, Swenson would help with Flanagan’s search for services. “Minnesota is extraordinary with what it can offer,” Flanagan says.

“But there’s a medical aspect you have to navigate, a school-district aspect you have to navigate and a family aspect you have to navigate.”

To find the way, it takes a village.

Today, Flanagan’s village is Swenson’s subscriber group called Coop’s Troops.

“It’s 4,000 [parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, teachers, therapists …] from around the world,” Swenson says.

“We cry, we laugh and we get mad.”

Flanagan counts herself among the many. “It’s a safe community,” she says. “You can type things on the Coop’s

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Photo: Kate Swenson

Troops thread that you’d never type on a thread with 600,000 other people watching. If you want to show a bite mark and then ask why it’s not healing, you’ll have 40 people respond. If you say you haven’t slept in 48 [hours], they believe you.”

Two years ago, Flanagan attended a Coop’s Troops outing with 70 other women. “That day was better than years of therapy,” she says. “I left with a bunch of phone numbers in my phone, numbers I can use at 3 a.m.” She also left with the skills to change insurance and the confidence to change pediatricians. Talk of potty-training techniques and safe holds goes without saying. “They get it,” Flanagan says.

MOVING FORWARD

Swenson doesn’t know what will happen when her 65-pound little boy becomes a 180-pound man. She’ll still want to keep him safe, healthy and happy. She’ll still want him to be joyful. She’ll still want him to be OK. And? “You’ll never again see me cry in my car on video,” Swenson says.

That too, can be OK.

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CBD Centers Woodbury 9000 Hudson Road Suite 616 651.340.3706 woodburycbd.com

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Chuck & Don’s is unlike any pet experience in the world.

We’re a community of experts from pet foodies to groomers to behaviorists dedicated to holistic pet wellness.

Expert advice. On-site jeweler. Your destination for all things dazzling.

From engagements to just because, we’ve been helping Minnesota feel the love for 50 years.

Visit for a free ring cleaning!

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food & Supplies 265 Radio Drive Suite G 651.209.1757 chuckanddons.com

Helzberg Diamonds Woodbury Lakes 9140 Hudson Road Suite 519 952.656.7395 helzberg.com

We help families create clarity and confidence with retirement planning, helping you spend more time and energy on things you enjoy!

We are not your typical music school. Have fun learning guitar, piano, drums, vocals and so much more! Private lessons and group classes available.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor. Great Valley Advisor Group and Pursuit Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial.

Pursuit Wealth Management 652 Bielenberg Drive Suite 201 612.315.5588 pursuit-wealth.com

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An updated full service men’s grooming salon.

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Cycling Without Age Program at Saint Therese of Woodbury WHAT IS CYCLING WITHOUT AGE?

HOW IT WORKS

Cycling Without Age is a movement started in 2012 by Ole Kassow. Ole wanted to help the elders get back on their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents. He then got in touch with a civil society consultant from the City of Copenhagen, Dorthe Pedersen, who was intrigued by the idea and together they bought five trishaws and launched Cycling Without Age, which has now spread to all corners of Denmark, and since 2015 to another 50 countries around the world.

OUR DREAM “We dream of creating a world together, in which the access to active citizenship creates happiness among our fellow elderly citizens by providing them with an opportunity to remain an active part of society and the local community. We do that by giving them the right to wind in their hair, the right to experienece the city and nature close up from the bicycle and by giving them an opportunity to tell their story in the environment where they have lived their lives. That way we build bridges between generations and we reinforce trust, respect, and the social glue in our society.”

Volunteers (pilots) sign up for bike rides with the elderly as often or as rarely as they want to. It’s all driven by people’s own motivation.

At present more than 2,200 chapter locations around the world offer Cycling Without Age from well over 3,000 trishaws – and the numbers are still growing. More than 33,000 pilots ensure that the elderly get out of their nursing homes, out on the bikes to enjoy the fresh air and the community around them. They give them the right to wind in their hair.

We are looking for Volunteer Pilots!!

Can you give up a couple of hours a month?

You can make a real differenece by becoming a trishaw pilot- and you don’t have to be an expert cyclist! We are looking for Volunteer Pilots!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO VOLUNTEER, SCAN QR CODE BELOW OR CALL US AT SAINT THERESE OF WOODBURY.

s a inttherese.org/ wood bury

651.209.9128

www.sainttherese.org/get-involved/volunteer Article information excerpted from: CyclingWithoutAge.org, April 2021

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BONFIRE, BUILD, BOWS AND BAIT Photo: City of Woodbury Parks and Recreation

Test out fishing and archery skills at this annual event.

T H E C IT Y OF WO O D BU RY is hosting Bonfire, Build, Bows and Bait for a fourth year. This family-friendly, outdoor event is a chance for boys and girls ages 4–12 to get a look at what fishing and archery are, as well as enjoy a sweet treat at the end of the evening. “[We] provide the materials, supplies and equipment needed, so families can try out fishing and archery to see if [those are] skills that they enjoy and like doing together,” says Elizabeth Owens, recreation technician specialist. Participants will learn the basic skills of fishing, including how to bait a hook, cast a line and reel it in, as well as archery, including how to properly hold a bow and aim. “It’s very basic skills, more so to see if you like this or if it’s something you want to pursue later on,” she says.

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The skill-building activities are topped off with building a LEGO vehicle to bring home and s’mores by the bonfire. “We think it’s a great opportunity for families to engage together and explore Carver Lake Park, which is a really wonderful gem in our city,” Owens says. “It’s an opportunity to take a walk around the park and look at the fishing pier and fire pits, open field and the pavilion.” —Hailey Almsted

Ages 4–12 with a participating adult. $15 (only children need to register). May 21, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. sessions available. Carver Lake Park, 3175 Century Ave. S.; woodburymn.gov

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PREFERRED SBA LENDER.

Compiled by Emily Deutscher and Hanna McDaniels

LOCAL EVENTS

Performance in the Park 05/01 Gather for a nice, spring kickoff at the amphitheater. Relax, and bring friends and family to listen and enjoy the tunes of classical brass quintet.

All ages. Free. 2–3 p.m. Central Park Amphitheater, 8595 Central Park Place; 651.714.3799; woodburymn.gov

Business Celebration 05/05 Celebrate new and established businesses in the city of Woodbury, gathering at the Central Park Amphitheater. Mayor Anne Burt will present a recognition of companies and economic growth.

All ages. Free. 7:30–9 a.m. Central Park Amphitheater, 8595 Central Park Place; 651.578.0722; woodburychamber.org

Connect with

Woodbury Area Businesses!

Business After Hours 05/17 Join peers and other business professionals at Woodbury’s Business After Hours socializing event. Stop by after work to grab food and coffee to network with other locals. This is an open house format. All ages. Free. 4:30–6:30 p.m.

Join the Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce and Grow Your Business!

Membership provides opportunities to network, advocate, connect and learn.

3rd Act Craft Brewery, 4120 Radio Drive; 651.578.0722; woodburychamber.org

Belwin Bison Festival 05/21 This family-friendly event is sure to cause a stampede—run a 5K while witnessing majestic bison. The Belwin Bison Festival also offers great food, arts and crafts, and live music. The run starts at 9 a.m., and the festival begins and 10 a.m. All ages. 9–2 p.m. $10 per car.

Belwin Conservancy, 1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton; 651.436.5189; belwin.org

Spring Recital Currently Serving 435 Members

Call (651) 578-0722 or visit woodburychamber.org for details.

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05/22 K&S Conservatory of Music is offering a beautiful spring recital to chime in tunes to the fresh, crisp, warmer air coming our way this May at the Grove

May 2022

Give a luxurious pause to your unstoppable mom.

Performance in the Park

United Methodist Church. All ages.

Free. 1:30–6:30 p.m. The Grove Church, 7465 Steepleview Road; 651.739.7848; kandsmusic.org

Healthy Kids Running Series Dates Vary The Healthy Kids Running Series is an event offered throughout the month of

Helping Woodbury achieve

BEAUTIFUL SMILES!

May for children to have a chance to participate in many running events. Some events include a pre-K 50-yard dash, all the way to eighth-grade one-mile run.

See events online to register for races.

Grades pre-K through eighth grade. Times vary. Prices vary. Middleton Elementary School, 9105 Lake Road; runsignup.com

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AREA EVENTS

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May One Run 05/01 Choose between the 10M, 5M, 5K or

WOODBURY 10150 City Walk Dr, Suite C Woodbury, MN 55129 651-925-4177

Kids Run to run in support of Hope and Homes for Teens, featuring swag, finisher medals for all participants, virtual options and chip timing. All ages. Prices

vary. 7:30–11:30 a.m. Upper Landing Park, 180 Shepard Road, St. Paul; info@mnrunseries.com; mayonerun.com

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Mathnasium Transforms Lives Every Day.

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Students get the tools to fulfill their potential We see it all the time. Kids who were struggling with math begin to love it. Or advanced kids who weren’t being challenged are now thriving and engaged. It’s why parents around the world rave about the Mathnasium Method™ and the difference it makes in their children.

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Wabasha Street Caves Tour 05/07 This 45-minute walking tour will take you on a journey through our state’s past and the history of the caves. All ages. $10 (under 5 free). Wabasha Street Caves, 215 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul; 651.224.1191; wabashastreetcaves.com

Twin Cities Auto Show 05/14–05/22

Convenient morning and evening hours

The Twin Cities Auto Show is a

Doctor-owned, locally loved

Minnesota State Fair food. All ages. $5–$20. Times vary. Minnesota State Fair Grounds, 1265 Snelling Ave. N., St., St. Paul; info@twincitiesauto show.com; twincitiesautoshow.com

Bailey Road (Woodbury) 651-714-8237

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May 2022

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WI N N

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FRIENDS FEST

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’ 21

Join the Woodbury Community Foundation (WCF) for the annual Friends Fest fundraising event.

This year, the festival is taking place at John P. Furber Farm in Cottage Grove, where the theme will be Flashback Friday. Jodi Ritacca, WCF chair on the board of directors, says, “Our event will have great food, awesome online auction items, fun and raise money for our amazing community of Woodbury.”

The WCF raises money to meet the needs of community members in several areas, including to reduce

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2850 Curve Crest Blvd, Suite 230 Stillwater, MN 55082 651 439-8909 1000 Radio Drive, Suite 220 Woodbury, MN 55125 651 739-1555

hunger, increase student mental health services, improve public safety and enhance youth development.

—Hailey Almsted

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May 6, 6:30 p.m. John P. Furber Farm, 7310 Lamar Ave. S., Cottage Grove; woodburyfoundation.org

Minneapolis Bridal and Wedding Expo 05/15 Browse through stunning gowns while meeting professionals like photographers and DJs. There will also be prizes and many giveaways. All ages.

Free. 12:30–5 p.m. St. Paul RiverCentre, 175 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; 888.560.3976; bridalshowsmn.com

To have your event considered: email woodburymag@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.

woodburymag.com

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TA S T E M A K E R S

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Sweet Buenos Aires From her grandma’s pastries to a Minnesota cottage bakery, Paula Gutierrez shares her love of Argentinian sweets.

Photo: Paula Gutierrez

BY STACI PERRY MERGENTHAL

PHOTOS BY CHRIS EMEOTT

IF YOU WANT to make your caramel and chocolate dreams come true, you need an epicurean bite of Paula Sabores Argentinos’ marquise—dense brownie cake, smooth dulce de leche, wispy Italian meringue and rich melted chocolate.

Born and raised in Argentina, owner and now Woodbury resident Paula Gutierrez spent countless hours baking with her grandmother Blanca Esther Anderle. “I lived in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, and my grandma lived in the city,” Gutierrez says. “I remember we had a long bus trip to get to her house, and we spent the whole day there. I grew up helping her bake delicious pastries for local hotels, and this is how my passion for baking began.”

Gutierrez became a kindergarten teacher in Argentina, and, once she had daughters Valentina and Rocio, she stopped teaching to stay home with them. Her love of baking prompted her to make and decorate their birthday cakes. Classmates’ mothers took notice of her masterful work and asked Gutierrez to make cakes for their children. “It’s fun. To make a great cake is like an art because every cake is different, and I love it,” she says.

A few years later, Gutierrez and her husband, Diego, moved their family to Panama for his job. They experienced challenges and many different cultures and welcomed a fluffy Maltese dog, Bianca, to the family.

In 2016, a new world was waiting for the Gutierrez family in the United States, so they moved to Minnesota.

Determined to improve her English, she studied at the Woodbury’s R.H. Stafford Library for three years. They also welcomed Nova, a friend for Bianca, from the Animal Humane Society.

Settled in, homesick for the sweet flavors of Argentina and not a big fan of American buttercream in countless baked goods, her small group of Argentinian friends would say to her, “You need to cook alfajores,” a traditional treat they eat every day. “I started with just alfajores, and then I started thinking I need to share more flavors and fillings common in Argentina,” she says. “I realized I wanted to keep my culture alive, especially for my family.”

As more people showed interest in what she had to offer, Gutierrez set up a licensed cottage bakery in her home kitchen. Her sister, Romina, helped her name the bakery—Paula Sabores Argentinos, meaning Argentinian flavors.

“When I moved here, I wanted to keep my culture alive, especially for my family, and that’s why I started cooking for my family and our friends here,” she says.

Gutierrez says she enjoys baking for Latin people who already have an affection for her traditional treats, but now she is challenging herself to bring authentic Argentinian baked goods to Minnesota.

“I want to introduce my country’s flavors here, and Paula Sabores Argentinos was born here,” she says.

A young Paula Gutierrez with her grandmother Balnca Esther Adnerle.

PASTRIES AND DULCE DE LECHE

With her baking roots in Buenos Aires, many of Gutierrez’s sweets are based on handed-down family recipes and food memories with her grandmother.

She sources quince (a tropical fruit) and dulce de leche from Argentina. She doesn’t use a lot of spices; her go-to aromatics are vanilla and citrus zest.

Many Paula Sabores Argentinos confections incorporate dulce de leche (sweet milk), which has a caramel-

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BE A PART OF WOODBURY DAYS! Customer Favorites Rogel: 10 layers of salty dough filled with dulce de leche, covered in Italian meringue

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Marquise: Brownie cake, dulce de leche, Italian meringue and melted chocolate (gluten-free available) Dark Chocolate: Two chocolate cookies with orange zest, dulce de leche, covered with dark or white chocolate Gluten-Free Alfajores: Two soft gluten-free cookies with orange zest filled with dulce de leche Pastafrola: Sweet, soft and crispy dough filled with quince or dulce de leche Corn Starch: Two cornstarch cookies filled with dulce de leche and shredded coconut

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TASTE OF WOODBURY ized, butterscotch-like flavor and velvety smooth spreading consistency. It is to Argentinian bakers as butter and cream are to American bakers.

“Dulce de leche is very traditional for us. It’s like peanut butter is here,” she says. “We eat dulce de leche all day with everything. We put it on toast, breads, ice cream, with bananas and apples … everything.”

Let’s go back to that Marquise cake with a layer of dulce de leche. Not only is it a customer-favorite, but it is also Gutierrez’s favorite.

“We eat of lot of cakes. We love sweets in Argentina. We love food in Argentina,” she says. “We gather on the weekends with friends and family, and we eat a lot.

Every moment is great for eating something with friends and family.”

Rogel is Diego’s favorite cake— 10 layers of crunchy, salty dough filled with generous layers of dulce de leche and crowned with Italian meringue.

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Ready. Set. Raving Customers WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST? Tamara Demarco, Edina: Her authenticity of Argentine flavors.

I get different alfajores and conitos and keep them in the freezer.

Jane Lagos, St. Paul: I have several South American contacts living in Woodbury, and for years they have raved about Paula Sabores Argentinos.

I ordered a “25” cake for our wedding anniversary, and it was a work of art.

Mai Ngia Xiong, St. Paul: Paula brings back my childhood memories with authentic Argentine flavors.

Growing up in Argentina, we had access to facturas (fine pastries) and alfajores in almost every corner of the city ...

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WHY IS IT SPECIAL TO YOU? TD: Her pastries remind me of my childhood.

JL: If you want to make an impression, Paula’s baked goods are not only uniquely delectable treats, but they are also works of art.

MX: It’s truly baked with love.

WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE? TD: Flavors are consistent and delicious.

JL: I use Paula’s Sabores Argentinos for all my special events because of the “oohs and aahs” her desserts elicit ...

MX: Her passion for kneading and baking shows in the taste and quality, and her presentation is unbeatable.

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For special occasions, Gutierrez makes custom, artfully-decorated lettered and numbered cakes made of large vanilla cookies and layers of fillings.

Her specialty is what started it all: alfajores, a sweet filling sandwiched between two cookies. (Tip: It freezes well, so stock up.) Paula Sabores Argentinos also offers masitas (cookies filled with dulce de leche or fruit preserves), cones, pastafrola (tart or pie), cake and berry tarts.

Family and customers are her cheerleaders. “My clients are part of my inspiration and support because every time they send a message or tell me what they like about the products and the decoration, it makes me want to continue sharing the Argentinian flavors here,” she says.

“Without them, none of this is possible.”

Because Paula Sabores Argentinos is in her home, Gutierrez participates in the summer and winter Stillwater Farmers Market and the Courthouse Holiday Bazaar. She enjoys visiting with people who share their experiences from Argentina and introducing people to her bakery. “I cook with so much love and dedication, and I feel good when I see people enjoy my products,” she says.

Using a cherished spoon from her grandmother’s kitchen, she’s keeping that family legacy alive. “I’m so happy people trust me to share my Argentina culture here,” Gutierrez says. paulasaboresargentinos.com Paula Sabores Argentinos @paulasaboresargentinos

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LAST GLANCE

By Grace Masuda

T H I R D P L A C E : W I L D L I F E & N AT U R E

An Unexpected Visitor Hobbyist photographer captures the small world of caterpillars.

MOST P EOP LE don’t take the time to stop and observe the world around them. But Kent Nye, hobbyist photographer for almost 40 years, often pays closer attention to his surroundings in order to capture the beauty of it. Nye took his winning photograph on his deck this past July when he noticed some unfamiliar caterpillar visitors. “I tried to capture their small world that’s out there, that we often don’t think about,” he says.

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Photographer: Kent Nye Title: Backyard Visitor

Equipment: Nikon Z50 Mirrorless Camera

To view other Focus of Woodbury photo contest winners, visit woodburymag.com.

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T RU S T T H E L O C AL L E AD ER W I T H P RO VE N R ESU LTS TO SELL Y O U R B I GGEST IN V ESTMEN T FOR 10 YEARS KIM ZITON HAS BEEN THE # 1 R E A L E S TAT E A G E N T I N W O O D B U R Y & M I N N E S OTA F O R K E L L E R W I L L I A M S

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