Maple syruping is “one of those ‘rites of spring’ in the Midwest,” says Jennifer Vieth, executive director of Carpenter Nature Center. She offers a variety of March classes at the Minneapolis campus and plans to offer them at the Valley center soon, since her crew planted 100 sugar maples on the site last year. Classes are as follows:

1–3 p.m. March 10:
Scout Program: Making Maple Syrup

10–11 a.m. March 16: Read more about Carpenter Nature Center Brings You the Art of Maple Syruping

The St. Croix Valley is full of amazing restaurants, but you don’t always need to dine out for a dinner to remember. This month, some of the Valley’s best restaurants share recipes for their most popular menu item, so you can make restaurant-quality dishes in your  kitchen. From the appetizer to the dessert, we’ve got you covered.   

{ Appetizer }
Grilled Ahi Ceviche from Pedro’s del Este | Serves 4 Read more about Delicious Dishes: Dissected

The Minnesota Grocers Association holds its Best Bagger Contest every year. This August was the 29th annual, and the winner was Mahtomedi High School senior Caleb Meyer, who grocers at the Oak Park Heights, Minn., Kowalski’s. We spoke to him to learn more about.
 
How long have you worked at Kowalski’s?
Two and a half years.

What’s your favorite part about working at Kowalski’s? Read more about A Q&A with the State’s Prize-winning Grocery Bagger, Kowalski’s Caleb Meyer

Last September, on a hot fall day, more than 500 Valley residents turned up (many of them in kilts) for the biennial Bagpipes and Bonfires event, hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Ascension. The festivities were kicked off with a prayer and proclamation, followed by a huge bonfire and members of the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band performing. Read more about Last Fall’s Bagpipes and Bonfires Event Was a Fabulous Success