Woodbury is quite lucky to be home to so many different landscapes: From the wetlands and woodland trails of Tamarack Nature Preserve to the wooded areas and serene water at Carver Lake Park and Beach. Whether birding or biking, running or walking, there’s no shortage of the great outdoors in Woodbury—and into our neighboring cities, too. In our arts and outdoor living issue, we’re exploring these native landscapes and meeting dynamic individuals who share their talents with the world. Explore the newly opened doors to a century-old farm at Dodge Nature Center in bordering Cottage Grove. The ..read more

Photos: Tom Dunn The Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its annual Community Awards Gala on January 19, 2024. Honored guests include Sparkle Plenty Cleaners, the Woodbury Royal Ambassadors Nataliya Dorweiler of Lake Middle School, Jodi Ritacca, and Woodbury Police detectives Lynn Lawrence and Lucas Rogers. The post Woodbury Area Chamber of Commerce Community Awards Gala appeared first on Woodbury Magazine ..read more

Photo: Eric Morley If you are a student or volunteer in schools/organizations across Woodbury, chances are high that you have worn a T-shirt custom printed at Big Frog Custom T-shirts. Eric Morley started his company a decade ago, “not out of a passion for selling, but to get to know more about the community,” he says. After college, Morley planned to be a school teacher but ended up as a transportation and logistics strategist for Best Buy. Since 2014, Morley has tried to give back to students in the community. He visits local high schools and talks to students in the business program and t ..read more

Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again in one of her most recent historical fiction novels, Malibu Rising. Malibu, California, August 1983. Nina Riva is hosting her annual end-of-summer party, and everyone is trying to get on the list. Nina is a talented supermodel and surfer; her siblings Jay and Hud are a champion surfer and a world-renowned photographer; and baby sister Kit is just finding her place in the world. The world is fascinated with the Riva family, especially since their father, Mick Riva, is a talented, nationally renowned singer. Although Jay can’t stop counting down to the big nigh ..read more

Hyounsoo Lathrop. Photos: Hyounsoo Lathrop Resident grew up singing in South Korea and credits her parents’ generosity for her success. Born in Seoul, South Korea, Hyounsoo Lathrop grew up in a loving home with her father, Kyungtack Sohn; mother, Junghee Park; and older brother, Changbum Sohn, by her side. During tough times in South Korea, she watched as her father struggled in his role as a first-generation real estate broker. “Korea went through a really, really hard time,” she says. “My dad worked hard. He was such a good man.” Faith was an important part of their lives, and her parents ..read more

From left to right: Chue Her, Alyssa Kaying Vang, Houa Vang, Mosi Thao. Photo: Chris Emeott Alyssa Kaying Vang and her team saw a need for mental health care beyond the clinic. Woodbury’s Hmong community is fortunate to have Alyssa Kaying Vang, PsyD, LP, BC-TMH, in its neck of the woods. Vang is the owner and clinical director of Vanguard Mental Health Clinic. Recently, she and her colleagues launched the Hmong Mental Health Podcast. Vang says, “It’s been a really fun project for us.” She is joined by Chue Her, LMFT, Houa Vang, LICSW, and Mosi Thao, MA. “It’s a diverse team with different tr ..read more

Photo: Keith Randolph This May, commemorate those who served our country. VFW Post 9024 and American Legion Post 501 gather together for the Woodbury Memorial Day Ceremony on May 27. “Our concept for Memorial Day is to commemorate those who have died for our freedom, remember those who received something from their service so heavy that they could not bear it and thus committed suicide, give a helping hand to those veterans who might need something and a bit of history,” says Richard Cady, VFW Post 9024 senior vice commander. This year’s speaker is Nicole Lynn Mitchell, a meteorologist and A ..read more

Photos: Atomic K Inc./Timbre Inc. Siblings launch a music career that’s built on authenticity—and a lot of love. For most people who take childhood music lessons or perform in a church’s children’s choir, music stays in the background of their lives: Maybe as a fun hobby they pursue every once in a while or even in the form of an old violin or guitar collecting dust in the attic. That’s most certainly not the case for the members of NUNNABOVE, a troupe of Woodbury siblings who’ve translated their childhood passion for music into a true calling—one that’s seen them on stage at big venues and ..read more

Welcome to our spring homes issue—where we dive into the latest trends in interior and exterior design, share inspiration on how to make your house a home and explore the opportunities of a new abode. Do you ever feel as though your home lacks character? Have you thought that you may have fallen prey to the lackluster greige (gray + beige) trend? I found myself in a similar situation just a few months ago when, after taking down all of my colorful holiday decor, I was left with a color palette that didn’t include much color or character. My home, which had just been full of iridescent lights ..read more

Photos: John Anderson The Woodbury Lions Club hosted its annual Veterans Day Commemoration on November 11, 2023, at the Woodbury Lions Veterans Memorial on City Hall Campus. The post Veterans Day Ceremony appeared first on Woodbury Magazine ..read more