In the July issue check out blogger Stephay Wieland's refreshing summer cocktail picks, get hooked on fishing with a local guides who offer tips for river anglers and get fired up on Smalley's Carivvean Barbeque.
Jane Grant-Abban never dreamed she’d be an artist. Growing up in England before moving to Wales, she always showed a distinct interest in the arts, but her career took her elsewhere: After graduating with degrees in business and education, she became an elementary teacher.
July is a time to bask in the sun and enjoy a great cocktail outdoors. We thought it would be fun to send local blogger Stephany Wieland out on the town to check out some of the cool drinks St. Croix Valley bartenders are stirring up this season.
Mad Men fans dressed the part for a May event at the Stillwater Library featuring guest of honor Rich Sommer, “Harry Crane,” from Mad Men.
Mad Men star Rich Sommer visited his hometown of Stillwater in May. Read more about Sommer in the September issue of St. Croix Valley Magazine.
For the past 32 years, Minnesota has hosted one of the top Christian music festivals in the nation. The Sonshine Festival launched in 1982 on the campus of Willmar Community College to rave reviews, and as the years went on, attendance skyrocketed.
We often hear of musicians being discovered overnight—that rapid rise to fame that is awe-inspiring and contagious for new music lovers.
Many of us know the St. Croix River as a great place to go boating, take pictures or picnic alongside. We might go for walks on the Stillwater levees or on Hudson’s long river walk. But do you ever consider what is lurking below the water’s surface?
When John Kerschbaum paddles on the St. Croix River, the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy is never far from his mind. After all, that’s where the idea for his business, Gondola Romantica, all began.
Riding isn’t about just saddling up and hitting the trails. It’s also about bonding with a horse and enjoying the thrill of the ride together.
Shawn Smalley is creating barbecue in a way that’s scarce anywhere in the country, let alone the St. Croix Valley.
The St. Croix River just keeps getting more precious. It is big, beautiful and wild. It is home to all manner of waterfowl, songbirds, animals and fish. Less than an hour from a major metropolitan area, being on the river can make you feel as if you’re 1,000 miles from civilization.
As dusk sets on any given Tuesday night this summer, crowds gather on Water Street in Stillwater for memorable evenings. With a market, a live musical performance and a feature-length movie, these events draw a wide range of people.
Since 1871, the Washington County Fair has been a highlight of summer in the St. Croix Valley. Although its focus has shifted from agriculture as Washington County’s demographics have changed, the fair still draws more than 50,000 people each year.
Every Thursday, Hudson’s Lakefront Park lights up with free concerts. With the St. Croix River as a backdrop, guests are treated to some of the best music around—including the Minnesota Orchestra, the St.
Every year, Minnesota produces an extraordinary quantity of high-quality art. Paul Creager, organizer of the Square Lake Film and Music Festival, believes it deserves to be seen.
Lumberjack Days marked one of the most exciting summer celebrations in Stillwater, but throughout an 80-year history, its focus slowly shifted somewhat as the event attracted more tourists.
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