SaVour

Cover photo by Paul Dols

Publisher

Editor

SaVour Magazine connects our readers and local businesses through personal stories and compelling images. We foster shared ideas to highlight creativity, the beauty of nature and perseverance. Our mission is to humanize the economic and community impact of supporting local merchants. The majority of content is paid for by our advertisers.

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From the SAVOUR TEAM

SAVOUR WINTER 2022

For the last couple years I’ve been telling people that winter is my favorite season. But then I spent my first Minnesota winter where I had to be the one to shovel our corner lot. Yes, this year, I have to admit it, but I’ve been really dreading winter. I glance at the snow shovel in the alcove that has been there since last March and shutter a

bit thinking about the cold, dark days clearing off the sidewalk. So then why had I been telling my friends that I loved winter? It’s probably the midwestern winter sunsets that glow pink on the horizon or the way the frost hangs on the trees on winter mornings. I think about how cozy an electric blanket feels on winter mornings, and that’s what I’ve been trying

What’s Happening?

to convey to people about winter. It’s the cozy part that most people can agree on when it comes to enjoying winter. Our winter issue has just that, handpicked winter joys like soups, candles and crafts for your coziest winter yet.

— With sincere gratitude, Corinne Stremmel & the SaVour team

AFTON

Afton Village Holiday

• Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3

• Downtown Afton

• Old-fashioned Christmas event with horse and wagon rides, visit with Santa, community tree lighting, strolling carolers, holiday gift boutiques, free wine tastings, food and drink specials, bonfires and more

• exploreafton.com

Winter Solstice Bonfire

• 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, December 20

• Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields

• Roaring bonfire, guided night hikes with a Belwin naturalist, Irish music, cookies and hot cider in a tent

• belwin.org

BAYPORT

Lighting of the Green

• 6:30-8 p.m.

• Wednesday, December 7

• Bayport Village Green

• Annual community event with tree lighting, Stillwater High School Vagabond Choir performance, and visit from Santa

• bayportcommunityac tionleague.com

FOREST LAKE

Hometown Holiday

• Saturday December 3

• Forest Lake City Center and Lakeside Memorial Park

• Annual community event with family-friendly activities and tree lighting

• ci.forest-lake.mn.us

“The Lion, The Witch

Wardrobe”

• Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 9 -18

• Lakes International Language Academy

• Dramatization of C.S. Lewis’ classic performed by actors from Children’s Performing Arts

• childrensperformingartsmn.org

What’s HAPPENING?

presspubs.com/savour

HUGO

Santa Party

• 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7

• Lions Volunteer Park

• Free family event with kids activities, photos with Santa, and tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.

• ci.hugo.mn.us

LINO LAKES

Winter Recreation Sampler

• 1-3 p.m. Sunday, December 18

• Wargo Nature Center

• Sample a variety of winter activities including kick sledding and snowshoeing.

• anokacountyparks.com

Winter Solstice Celebration

• 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 21

• Wargo Nature Center

• Celebrate the longest night of the year with self-guided luminary hike, songs and stories around the fire, art project, and hot mulled cider.

• anokacountyparks.com

Family Dance Party

• 6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, January 6

• St. Joseph Catholic Church

• Lino Lakers 4-H club hosts party to support Anoka County 4-H Camp Salie. Carnival games, face painting, prizes, food, root beer floats, dancing to music by a DJ

• 612-750-0252

MAHTOMEDI

Tree of Light and Remembrance

• 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 2

• Veteran’s Memorial Park-Honor a loved one and illuminate the lives of those in need with a light for the tree at the park

• stjudeofthelake.org/mahtomediarea-food-shelf

Peter Mayer Concert

• 4 p.m. Saturday, February 25

• Mahtomedi High School Fine Arts Center

• All-ages show with songs about interconnectedness and songs for children

• wildwoodartistseries.com

MARINE OF ST. CROIX

Family Fun Night

• 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, December 16

• Marine Village Hall

• Free community event with games, crafts, and pizza

• marinecommunitylibrary.org/ events

A Christmastide Homecoming

• 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Dec. 23

• Marine Village Hall

• Holiday concert with Billy McLaughlin and SimpleGifts

• simplegiftsmusic.net

SCANDIA

Breakfast with Santa

• 8-11 a.m. Saturday, December 10

• Scandia Community Center

• Scandia-Marine Lions host breakfast and visit with Santa. Donations of food items, eyeglasses, and hearing aids collected

• scandiamarinelions.org

Vinterfest

• February 4

• Scandia Community Center

• Annual community event with winter activities, food, beer tent, contests, hockey tournament, games and more

• cityofscandia.com

SHOREVIEW

Santa’s Workshop

• 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 10

• Shoreview Community Center

• Children ages 5-12 can enjoy a free breakfast, craft and visit with Santa.

• shoreviewmn.gov

Shoreview Indoor Farmer’s Market

• 3:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20

• Shoreview Community Center fireside lounge, 4580 Victoria St. N.

• More than 30 vendors with produce and food items, artisan crafts, entertainment and activities

• shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

STILLWATER

Hometown for the Holidays

• Through Dec. 3

• Downtown Stillwater

• Free family events include shopping deals at downtown shops and restaurants, Wintertime in Stillwater Lights Show, costumed Victorian carolers, caroling Biercycle tours, holiday tea events, horsedrawn wagon rides, photos with Santa, New Years Eve ball drop, and more

• DiscoverStillwater.com/events

“Holiday Inn”

• Thursdays through Sundays, December 1-24

• The Zephyr Theatre

• Irving Berlin’s classic musical on stage

• stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org

Twinkle Party and City Tree

Lighting

• 4 p.m. Saturday, December 3

• Lowell Park

• Celebrate the lighting of the tree with twinkle lights and visit with Santa, followed by music and fireworks.

Holiday Craft and Gift Show

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11

• Oak Glen Golf and Event Center

• 50 unique crafters and vendors, cash bar

• rsgdevelopment.com

World Snow Sculpting Championship

• Jan. 18-22

• Lowell Park

• event showcases snow sculpting teams from around the world, live music and entertainment, family activities, and shopping specials

• greaterstillwaterchamber.com

VADNAIS HEIGHTS

Pjs with Santa

• 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2

• Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 County Rd. F E

• Children can wear pajamas, enjoy treats and visit with Santa

• cityvadnaisheights.com

and The

Winter Shindig

• January 14

• Community Park

• Free community event with hot chocolate, cookies, ice skating, and winter recreation

• cityvadnaisheights.com

WHITE BEAR LAKE

Winter Farmers Market

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, December 10 & January 14

• Normandy Park Education Center

• Monthly market with more than 20 local vendors with locally sourced foods. Hot cider and food trucks

• forksinthedirt.com

Fillebrown House Holiday Tours

• 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10

• Fillebrown House, 4735 Lake Ave.

• Tour the Fillebrown House decked out for the holidays and hear the stories of former residents

• whitebearhistory.square.site

The Holiday Songbook, Unplugged

• 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 13

• Lakeshore Players Theatre

• Musicians perform favorite holiday tunes is a cabaret

• Concert series created by James Rocco in collaboration with Minnesota and nationally based performing artists and musical arrangers

• lakeshoreplayers.org

“The Niceties”

• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, January 6-15

• Hanifl Performing Arts Center

• Story about race, history and power

• lakeshoreplayers.org

“Noises Off”

• Fridays,Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 27-Feb. 12

• Hanifl Performing Arts Center

• Comic play performed by Lakeshore Players Theatre

• lakeshoreplayers.org

Wonderful, delicious, heavenly pies for the holidays. Apple, pumpkin, mincemeat, strawberry rhubarb, Dutch apple, and apple pecan pies — all from Pine Tree Orchard’s own recipes. There are many other special desserts as well, anyone will make a nice gift for your hostess.

TASTE ARCHIVES

Lemon Chicken Soup with Rosemary Broth

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

• 4 tsp. Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided, plus more for finishing the soup

• 1/4 cup(s) finely diced onion

• 1 tsp. minced garlic

• 2 sprig fresh rosemary, plus a few small sprigs for garnishing the soup

• 1 qt low-sodium vegetable broth

• 1/2 cup(s) finely diced carrot

• 1/2 cup(s) finely diced celery

• 1 oz (1-2 big handfuls) chopped fresh dinosaur kale, stems removed

Directions

• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes

• 1/4 cup(s) Israeli couscous

• 30 mini Chicken Meatballs (1/2 recipe), thawed overnight in the refrigerator, (find a recipe on our website)

• kosher salt and freshly ground Kowalski’s Black Peppercorns, to taste, to taste

• freshly grated zest of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more to taste

• thinly sliced lemon, for garnish

1. In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tsp. oil over medium heat.

2. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and garlic is very fragrant (about 5 min.).

3. Add 2 sprigs rosemary and broth; increase heat to high and bring to a boil.

4. Reduce heat to low (soup should barely bubble); cook for about 1 hr.

5. Strain onion, garlic and rosemary from broth; discard solids and set broth aside.

6. In a deep pot over medium heat, heat remaining 2 tsp. oil.

7. Add carrot and celery to the pot; cook until softened (about 5 min.).

8. Add kale and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 min., stirring to coat kale with oil.

9. Add rosemary broth; increase heat to mediumhigh and bring to a gentle boil.

10. Add couscous and meatballs; cook until couscous is tender (about 8 min.).

11. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.

12. Just before serving, stir in zest and juice.

13. Drizzle individual servings with a bit of oil; garnish with rosemary sprigs and lemon slices.

that more than cozy feeling Candles for

By Corinne Stremmel

Co-owners of Koselig Candle Co. in White Bear Lake, Blake Anderson and Matt Kruger, know a thing or two about creating the perfect cozy winter atmosphere.

The two life-long friends turned candled store owners began their business on a whim pouring candles just for fun in a basement.

“We had just graduated college and we both had full time jobs and I think we were just looking for something to do one day,” Anderson said. “Matt was like ‘well I’ve got this candle kit.. and it turned out to be pretty fun.’”

The two friends were known to burn a candle once in a while, and their girlfriends at the time enjoyed candles so they thought why not start pouring and selling candles.

Anderson and Kruger spent the first couple years of their business renting out various spaces and working out of basements, but in 2021 they settled on a 1,000 square foot production studio and retail store in downtown White Bear Lake.

“When people walk into the store I want them to feel welcome,” Anderson said.

And what’s more comforting than a freshly lit candle, especially one bearing a Norwegian inspired name like Koselig.

“It basically means cozy.” Anderson said. “But I always tell people it means just a little bit more than cozy.”

BLAKE ANDERSON

Anderson says the Koselig mindset is the feeling you get on a winter’s night when you invite friends over and have a really good conservation.

What

candles

that we want people to cherish the moments that come with lighting a candle, like when you throw on a movie or invite friends over for drinks.”

Blake Anderson Koselig Candle Co. co-owner

Anderson and his wife decided on the name for the candle company in reference to her Norwegian grandmother who often uttered the phrase “sà koselig her inne!” meaning, “it’s so cozy in here!”

For those familiar with the Danish term “hygge,” “koselig” is in the same vein.

“What we’re going for with our candles is that we want people to cherish the moments that come with lighting a candle, like when

you throw on a movie or invite friends over for drinks.” Anderson explained. “When you light a candle, you kind of signify the feeling of warmth being brought into the space.”

Scents like lavender and spruce or Anderson’s favorite birch and black pepper lightly fill a room and burn cleanly compared to large batch brands. The building up the company has been a friends and family sort of affair. Kruger and Anderson make, pour and ship the candles themselves and family members weigh in on new scents.

“We have full time jobs in addition to this so we get together maybe

we’re going for with our

is

two nights a week and work on the candle store. It feels just like hanging out with my best friend, just catching up.” Anderson said.

Anderson says the goal of the company isn’t to get huge, it’s more about spending time with his family and his best friend doing something they enjoy and making their customer’s lives just a little more cozy.

PAUL DOLS

PAUL DOLS

BLAKE ANDERSON

Vaccinations, spay/neuter,

TASTE ARCHIVES

Pastita (Baked Spaghetti)

Garnishes

• Kowalski’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to taste

• freshly ground Kowalski’s

Sea Salt and Black Peppercorns, to taste

• freshly grated Kowalski’s Signature Parmesan Cheese, to taste

Main ingredients

• 16 oz dried spaghetti

• 4 cup(s) fresh ricotta cheese

• 3 cup(s) half-and-half

• 1 1/2 cup(s) freshly grated Kowalski’s Parmesan Cheese

• 1 cup(s) grated Romano cheese

• 4 eggs, beaten

• 5 tbsp. Kowalski’s Unsalted Butter, melted

• 1/4 cup(s) Fresh Italian Parsley, finely chopped before measuring

• 1 tbsp. kosher salt

• 1 tbsp. freshly ground Kowalski’s Black Peppercorns, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare noodles according to pkg. directions, omitting salt if called for.

2. Drain noodles; allow to cool slightly at room temperature (10-15 min.).

3. Preheat oven to 325° oven.

4. In an extra-large mixing bowl, combine pasta with remaining ingredients; mix thoroughly.

5. Pour into a deep 9x13” baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

6. Bake in a preheated 325° oven until dark golden-brown and puffy (but not jiggly) in the center (about 35 min.).

7. Let rest at room temperature for 20 min.

8. Slice and serve with desired garnishes. (If desired, serve with warm tomato or prepared pasta sauce on top or underneath each slice.)

Servings: 12 people | Interests: Vegetarian

Creating a tight knit community at Darn Knit Anyway

By Corinne Stremmel

Darn Knit Anyway, located in downtown Stillwater, is a full service yarn store that specializes in cultivating community.

Customers can pick up whatever materials they may need from the store to start a crafting project, but they’re also welcome to stay in the new Maker’s Lounge, which officially opened in April.

“We don’t require a purchase to hang out in the lounge. Knitters and crocheters can come in anytime we are open and work on a project. We just want people to use the space and enjoy it,” owner Aimee Pelletier said.

The lounge, which is an extension of the store replacing the former Smalley’s Barbeque, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and open until 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday for nighttime knits.

Pelletier explains that winter is their busiest time at the store, and she’s hoping the new Maker’s Lounge will

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

be a place for folks to get cozy with a wooly project in hand.

“People love to hunker down and feel cozy, so we’re excited to have the lounge open and ready for this winter,” Pelletier said.

For folks who might want to take up crafting during these darker, colder months, Darn Knit Anyway is showing newbies and experts alike how they can get crafting this winter.

This season, the store is offering classes on making bulky mittens, Christmas ornaments and stockings, and will continue their quarterly sweater making class which is taught over Zoom. Interested crafters can sign up on the store’s website www. darnknitanyway.com/

Thanks to a grant from Stillwater Lutheran Church, more folks will have an opportunity to learn to knit and crochet at Darn Knit Anyway for a small fee of $15.

“Stillwater and the surrounding communities are just so supportive of small independent businesses and they understand how important they are to the community,” Pelletier said.

Like many businesses during the pandemic, Darn Knit Anyway had to temporarily close, but Pelletier says her customers have been incredibly supportive of the shop.

“People who come here share a love for the fiber arts, and it’s really an amazing community,” Pelletier explained. “People have made longtime friends here. We’ve been open for 13 years, and there are people who have been coming the whole time.”

Whether you’re a first time knitter or a lifelong crafter, Pelletier assures there’s a cozy place for you at the store or in the Maker’s Lounge.

“It’s a very welcoming space,” Pelletier said. “Whether you’re an exceptional knitter or just starting out, we really take everybody.”

It’s a very welcoming space. Whether you’re an exceptional knitter or just starting out, we really take everybody.”

Aimee Pelletier Darn Knit Anyway owner

HAPPY HOLIDAYS From Our Crew To You!!

As we sail into the holiday season, we want to express our gratitude to all the folks who have made this past year smooth sailing for us.

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