January/February 2022

“Having grown up in Maple Grove, I’m proud to run a local business that changes lives by overcoming obstacles ... We want to create incredible athletes but even more importantly, we want to help grow good humans.” —Jen Sexton Voigt, owner of Ninjas United

Read the digital edition.

new year brings new opportunity. So, let me introduce myself. Marking my third year with Tiger Oak Media, I am honored to have the opportunity to represent Maple Grove as the editor of your community magazine.

 
Swan Sunrise

Rod Smoliak says that a part of capturing wildlife is luck; however, with a little patience and preplanning of the environment one can photograph something remarkable. “Composition is an important element of photography.

 
Whole Grains

Why does pasta get so much of the culinary glory? Granted, it transforms dishes, comes in shapes galore and has “comfort food” written all over it.

 
Osseo Fiddle Fest

Inspired by his experience as a member of an Irish fiddle band, Maple Grove High School orchestra director Matt Caron decided to further share his passion with his students.

 
Darling’s Salts & Rubs

When COVID restaurant closures forced chef Kyle Darling out of the kitchen, the Maple Grove resident decided to work toward his dream of opening his own butcher shop. “Nobody knew what was going to happen,” Darling says about the initial restaurant closures.

 

Did you know that lips are the thinnest skin on the human body? With up to three times fewer cellular layers than facial skin, lips also lack natural body oils to protect and maintain a smooth texture.

 
Redemption Road Rescue

With hearts of gold and an endless love for cuddly creatures, Maple Grove residents Barb and Tim Swenson have dedicated their lives to caring for animals in need.

 
Ninjas United training

It began with a dare. Jen Sexton Voigt found Ninjas United while searching for an outlet for her two high-energy boys. “It transformed our lives,” Voigt says.

 
YardHomesMN

A home design trend is turning homeowners toward creating more dedicated spaces within their houses. YardHomesMN is taking this concept to another level.

 
red wine

I love to entertain, whether it’s for a planned dinner or an impromptu gathering of friends. Here are my rules and some go-to wines that make this really easy.

 
Mary Catherine Solberg, Day Dream III

“Beauty is inner and external, but when you feel grounded in your thoughts and who you are, there really isn’t anything more beautiful.” Marking the beginning of the new year, this mixed media piece by artist Mary Catherine Solberg captures a blissful state of mind as

 
Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary

Prior to the pandemic, Yale historian Timothy Snyder fell gravely ill. Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary, is his account of a near death experience and follow-up treatment he received in five hospitals within three months.