An aerial view of the Dance Here event from August 5, 2023. Photo: Chad Mohler Dine Here Dance Here event commemorates the opening of Chestnut Street Plaza. Back in 1901 at the Stillwater Street Fair, a photo was taken of Main Street with a large banner spread across a building with the words “Dance Here.” This photo would become the inspiration behind a 2023 street dance and photo contest, as construction on Chestnut Street Plaza began. Now, to celebrate the opening of the plaza, civic boosters are reprising the event. The original photograph of the 1901 Stillwater Street Fair on Main Stre ..read more

April is a month of anticipation. For me, the weeks leading up to the typical thaw are marked by this feeling, a sense of urgency that has been entirely missing for many moons. What am I looking forward to? More than I can hold or express, but here are a few ideas: seedlings stretching toward the sun; chicks developing their first feathers; setting off on the first kayak of the season, down one river, then another; trying a new craft—this year foraging and pottery are on the docket; outdoor dinner parties with friends; and settling in for a good read. Our homes, outdoor living and pets issue ..read more

iStock/redstallion One of Heather Mashuga’s favorite foraging finds is elderberry. It is found in the area and has healing properties that are used to aid the immune system and treat cold symptoms when made into a syrup. “Everybody should have elderberry syrup and know how to make it,” the Marine Mills Folk School instructor and foraging expert says. Elderberry Syrup 1 cup elderberries, fresh or frozen (1/2 cup if dried/dehydrated) 3 cups filtered water 2–3 cloves 1–2 cinnamon stick(s) 1 inch of ginger (unpeeled) honey (or substitute maple syrup or agave nectar) brandy or vodka (optional ..read more

A visitor peruses shelves of pots at the Cuellar’s place in 2023. Photos: Morgan Pearson The 32nd annual St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour will take place May 10–12. Participating studios will be open to the public from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. May 10–11; and from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. May 12. Entrance to all studios is free. This year’s hosts are Linda Christianson, Guillermo and Alana Cuellar, Peter Jadoonath, Janel Jacobson, Ani Kasten, Matthew Krousey, Jeff Oestreich and Will Swanson. An interactive Google Map for the tour is available at minnesotapotters.com. Guillermo and Alana Cuellar stand alongside pot ..read more

Photo: Tina Kleppe Award-winning photo captures siblings at play. “Springtime in Wisconsin offers a plethora of exciting wildlife opportunities for migrating animals and the arrival of spring babies,” says Tina Kleppe of Tina Faye Photography. The St. Croix County resident captured this photograph at a local wildlife area while observing a fox family from afar. “The kits displayed a remarkable sense of curiosity as they explored their surroundings, unfazed by my presence nearby,” Kleppe says. “It was fascinating to observe their behavior and witness their fearlessness in the face of unfamili ..read more

Thereputic horse-back riding program participants enjoy a stroll in the sun. Photos: River Valley Riders Therapeutic riding program opens doors for those with disabilities. At River Valley Riders, smiles and stories reign. The organization’s therapeutic horse-back riding and carriage-driving programs increase possibilities for those with disabilities, including autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and more, by opening their world and improving their physical and emotional health. Horse-loving volunteers, dedicated staff and generous donors collaborate to bring delight and opportunity to an ..read more

iStock/AndreaKraus-Wirth If you are anything like me, you’re probably itching to breathe some fresh air and get your hands dirty this spring. Studies have shown that being around flowers reduces stress, quells anxiety, speeds healing, aids in concentration and generally makes you happy. Tulips are a favorite and often thought of as a symbol of spring. They represent renewal and rebirth. A well-placed bunch of tulips can convey a sign of hope for the thaw. Did you know that the petals of a tulip are known for being perfectly symmetrical, or that tulip bulbs are not from the Netherlands but we ..read more

Alex Legeros. Photo: Franconia Sculpture Park To visit Franconia Sculpture Park is to enter another world. Absurd eyeball-like orbs rotate on an axis, moved by the breeze; an unassuming shed hangs suspended feet above the ground, pulled in every direction by thin cables; a hill of beige rises from the ground, lines etched across the surface to resemble the back of a hand. “Every time you visit here, there’s something different about it,” says Alex Legeros, the nonprofit’s new director, during a stroll through the park. Looping the 43-acre property, he points out new additions and the blank s ..read more

Kristin Tjornehoj. Photo: University of Wisconsin-River Falls “The most important thing that you can do in the whole world is to give back to your community,” says Kristin Tjornehoj, a lifelong resident, musician and teacher in the St. Croix Valley. A saxophonist and pianist by trade, Tjornehoj invests her time and talents teaching at University of Wisconsin-River Falls and conducting numerous community choirs, bands and symphonies, including St. Croix Valley Community Band, which she founded in 1982. In the summer, she conducts free, outdoor concerts throughout the Valley. “That is my visio ..read more

Photos: Paige Kendall Photo Kitchen remodel reflects the beauty of the North Shore. On the day Emily Pueringer was born, her mother spent the morning in a construction zone that would become Pueringer’s childhood home. Retelling a story she’s undoubtedly heard many times, Pueringer says that her mother noticed some discarded Mexican Saltillo tiles while speaking to the installer. “[The tiles are] handmade and hand formed, and they bake in the sun,” Pueringer says. “And a dog or a cat had kind of scampered across those tiles and left little paw prints.” Those tiles would end up not in the tra ..read more