December 2021

This December, we’re celebrating family and friends, the community and giving back.

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two helping hands: one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.” —Audrey Hepburn

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Growing up, I was blessed enough to have family get-togethers complete with a large holiday meal and opening presents around the Christmas tree. I recall opening gifts and being thankful for each one.

 
Spring Storm - Kent Nye

Each month, we feature one of the photos from our 2020 Focus on Woodbury photo contest.

 
Jessica Van Hemert

Stress baking—for some, it results in dozens of chocolate chip cookies or a new interest in sourdough bread. For Jessica Van Hemert, it resulted in a business: Haute Chocolate, a wholesale baking company that supplies local eateries with fresh baked goods.

 

On September 7, The Front Line Foundation commemorated the events of 9/11 at the Royal Golf Club with it’s annual golf tournament and a ceremony remembering the first responders of 9/11.

 
Boys State

Woodbury’s American Legion Post 501 has been supporting the Woodbury veteran and military community for over 40 years.

 
Brian Muller with his children Caidyn, Jace and EmmyLu.

“Daddy, what if I built a ladder to the sky, so I could go see mommy whenever I wanted?” Those were the words that Brian Muller heard his son Jace whisper in his ears early one morning.

 
Cody Kupitz and Marie Brenden

Combining the love for innovative design with an admiration for fuzzy companions is luxury home remodeling company SpaceTurtle Construction.

 
fitness item pattern

For patients recovering from COVID-19 and those who have been in isolation for some time, Jan Hanson, M.S., PT,  owner, director and physical therapist at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers, says working through decondition

 
cocktail shaker

If I have a party trick, it’s the ability to whip up personalized cocktails on the fly. But it’s much less impressive that you think—anyone who can remember “211” can make a custom cocktail.

 
Hope Dental Clinic lobby

Since its inception as a program of the Twin Cities Union Gospel Mission in 1965 to its transition to an independent nonprofit in 2017, Hope Dental Clinic has remained true to its mission of providing dental care to those without insurance.

 
Crumbl Cookies

Finding the perfect combination of flour, sugar and chocolate chips, Crumbl Cookie co-founder Sawyer Hemsley was determined to create the world’s greatest cookie.

 

Elders have a huge capacity in their hearts to listen to what we “younger” ones are going through and have a unique perspective: Just as there is a light in the darkness, there is darkness in the light.

 
puppy with toy

The holidays are here! It is a wonderful time to spend with friends and family. However, the bustle and activities can be overwhelming and stressful for our dogs. There is festive food/drink and many people coming and going.

 
Goodnight Beautiful

Newlyweds Annie Potter and Sam Statler have moved upstate from New York City to his sleepy hometown of Chestnut Hill to be closer to Sam’s elderly mother. Sam can’t believe his luck when he finds the perfect home office to rent for his psychology clinic.

 
front entryway

When you walk through your front door, try to visualize it as a guest coming through the door for the first time. What do you notice? A mistake we commonly see is that the foyer is disregarded, and it lacks artwork or interesting features.