by Zoe Yates | Dec 1, 2025 | Featured
It wasn’t until 2024 that I fully embraced my love for cooking. Historically, I find it difficult to enjoy activities that I’m not good at. My brain categorized cooking as a necessary, not-so-fun task for too many years. But when I started to find recipes that...
by Renée Stewart-Hester | Dec 1, 2025 | Book Club, Gift Guides, Noteworthy
With experiential gifting maintaining its holiday footing and the inclination to eliminate clutter remaining strong, the gift of books can easily wrap up your holiday shopping endeavors. We’ve included titles that have received nods in our Noteworthy sections in St....
by Zoe Yates | Dec 1, 2025 | Featured, Giving Back, Local Makers, Outdoors, People
Stillwater resident and volunteer Ruth Alliband cooks with wild ingredients. Explore the recipes Alliband served up for her Forager’s Dinner, which was a highlight of Sustainable Stillwater MN’s recent annual gala. Master naturalist Ruth Alliband doesn’t let...
by Zoe Yates | Dec 1, 2025 | Photo Contest
Peer through a window to Stillwater. For Stillwater resident Thomas Valine, taking walks around downtown Stillwater is a practice in creativity. “When I took this picture, I’d been experimenting with reflections on shopfront windows and was playing with window-related...
by Emily Gedde | Dec 1, 2025 | Drinks, Entertain, Featured, Shops
The nonalcoholic establishment offers a different way to enjoy the holiday season. The holiday season arrives each year with a colorful concoction of expectations and cultural norms. And, before Dry January encourages many sober-curious to embrace a different path,...
by Zoe Yates | Dec 1, 2025 | Arts, Education
The Manitou Fund Education + Arts Center seeks to connect the East Metro through creativity and educational programming. After two years and a multimillion dollar renovation, the Manitou Fund Education + Arts Center is ready to start a new chapter with community...
by Ben Thietje | Dec 1, 2025 | Noteworthy, Senior Living, Wellness
Occasionally, the hustle and bustle of everyday life can throw you off-kilter. When that happens at the Phipps Center for the Arts [PCA], we slow things down—way down—with tai chi. Led by certified instructor Mark Tomlinson, each session flows through gentle,...
by Lori Schaefer | Dec 1, 2025 | Giving Back, Noteworthy, People
Thirty years ago, guided by a vision of generosity and community, a group of civic leaders formed the St. Croix Valley Foundation to connect the Valley and grow generosity for generations. Three founders share reflections on its 1995 origins and why it matters today....
by Rachael Perron | Dec 1, 2025 | Entertain, Ingredients, Noteworthy
When it comes to family gatherings, I became the de facto dessert-bringer many, many years ago. There’s always plenty of food at a Perron party, and we don’t ever lack for veggie trays, cheese and, of course, potatoes. But I go to a party for one thing—dessert. And if...
by Editorial Staff | Dec 1, 2025 | Best of St. Croix Valley, Noteworthy
Let’s close the year with some exciting news. Best of St. Croix Valley is moving—to February! We think it’s a perfect fit. After all, February is the month of love, and we all adore our local businesses and service providers. Our 2026 annual readers’ choice poll will...
by Jennifer Pitterle | Dec 1, 2025 | Giving Back, People
Ted Hooley’s humanitarian nonprofit brings care and healing to rural communities. Ted Hooley, a Stillwater native and the founder of humanitarian nonprofit Senitizo, grew up in a community that fostered generosity and service. “It was kind of like the ideal...
by Rosie Peters | Dec 1, 2025 | Featured, People, Wellness
Rosetta “Rosie” Peters is an extraordinary poet, storyteller and business owner, living in Marine on St. Croix. Since moving to the Valley in 2011, she’s become a valued member of this community and has worked to build up the arts in the Valley—from founding a poetry...
by Diane Meyer | Dec 1, 2025 | Arts, Entertain, Outdoors
Afton invites neighbors to embrace the magic of the season. Afton receives a magical makeover during the holiday season as timeless tradition and community connection coalesce. The Afton Village Holiday returns over three weekends in November and December. “There’s...
by Emily Gedde | Dec 1, 2025 | Drinks, Entertain, Recipes
There’s a whole new world of delicious options available for people looking to enjoy an alcohol-free holiday bash. Alexandra Zauner of Lucille’s Alcohol-Free Social Experiences of knows exploring options can be overwhelming. “We can help guide what you need, whether...
by Zoe Yates | Dec 1, 2025 | Local Makers, Recipes
Cooking with foraged ingredients has remained a significant part of Ruth Alliband’s life, and her bookshelf is lined with a diverse selection of recipe books, many of which center around wild-harvested foods. Last year, while dreaming up a silent auction item for...
