Things to do in the Greater St. Cloud Area | St. Cloud Shines

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“All work and no play” doesn’t sound like much fun.

But how would we know?

Greater St. Cloud has so much to do—day and night, season after season—that we always find reasons to play. Lots of them, so pace yourself.

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#StCloudShines Stories

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Nov 24

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Nov 17

Do you have holiday sweets and treats on the mind? 🥧 We do now! Meet Laura Wolfram, a lifelong lover of baking. She launched @corvusbakeshop earlier this year.

“The roots of Corvus Bakeshop go back quite a few years. Knowing that I loved to bake, friends and family would ask me to make cakes or cupcakes for their special events. From there, the seed of the idea began to slowly grow (thanks in large part to incredibly supportive friends and family) until, during the past two summers (2018 and 2019), I was able to make and sell a variety of cupcakes at the St. Joseph Farmers' Market while I was working for Backwards Bread Co. The community seemed to be very receptive, which led me to consider starting my own business. This February (2020), I officially launched as a licensed home-based business under the MN Cottage Industry Law.”👩🏼‍🍳

“I love to make, eat, talk about, and learn about food and food systems - and get really excited to share my passion for wholesome, good food with friends, family, and the community.”

Corvus Bakeshop is not your average bakery. 🍪 Laura specializes in baked goods that are made with whole-food, organic, and local ingredients whenever possible. Many of her items are made with whole-grain flours because it not only tastes just as good but feels much better in the body. Corvus Bakeshop is able to accommodate many food sensitivities including egg, dairy, nuts, and gluten. Only local, cage-free eggs, organic flours, and cane sugar are used in each and every recipe. Laura puts a lot of care into sourcing quality, whole-food ingredients and tries to support organic sustainable, agricultural practices and local businesses when possible. 👏🏼 “Communities can flourish and thrive when supported from within and by being a locally-owned business that supports other locally-owned businesses strengthens our connectedness and community as a whole.”

Laura’s favorite sweet treat is her cinnamon rolls. “I have been perfecting my recipe for years and I love sharing hot, fresh, gooey cinnamon rolls whenever I can.” Drooling yet? 🤤info in bio! #StCloudShines

📸 @savvyphotage

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Nov 11

@greatriverlibrary started as a 14 library system. Now, they provide library services at 32 public libraries and function as one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright Counties. 🏢📚

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) formally came into being at the first meeting of a new regional board on Sept. 25, 1969. At that time, St. Cloud, Benton County, Morrison County, Stearns County, and Wright County agreed to create a library system with multiple locations with one Director and Board of Trustees. This system GRRL put into place would share resources and one operating budget. People living in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright counties are eligible for a free (yes, FREE!) GRRL library card.

With social distancing, 2020 has brought some changes to GRRL. They are continually monitoring information about COVID-19 and are in compliance with recommendations from the State of Minnesota. They are offering many services, including curbside or in-person pick up of requested items at all libraries, Print2Go, computers by appointment, and Grab-and-Go service 🗳. This means you are welcome to visit, pick up holds, or browse the shelves, and look for items. There are still public computers 🖥 available for limited use, too; there is limited distance-seating and there are time limits to ensure safe access for everyone. Toys from the children’s area did have to be removed to limit the risk of exposure, but there’s still plenty of exploring, learning, and connecting for all ages. 📙

There's so much more than books to check out at the library! They offer many digital services to enjoy online, such as ebooks📖, audiobooks💽, and movies📺. Many people don't know you can check out telescopes, wifi hotspots, and try-it-yourself kits… all for FREE. The Great River Regional Library is where many people in our communities can find and use the trusted information they need to thrive.✨

GRRL has also implemented a hotline service, so anyone can call 1-833-GET-GRRL (1-833-438-4775) if you have questions.

If you don’t have a GRRL card yet, go out and get one! 📕📗📘#StCloudShines #ExploreLearnConnect #Read

Photos by @savvyphotage 📷

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Oct 30

Scott Anderson has spent the last 40 years with Youth for Christ (YFC), helping to develop and implement community-wide programs. Of the seven programs currently active in Greater St. Cloud, YFC Wheels holds a special place in his heart.⠀
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Early in his career, a young boy whom Scott had known for a while expressed his intention to take his own life. When Scott questioned his motives, the boy named many but returned to "I'm not good at anything" numerous times.⠀
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With the help of the boy's parents, Scott connected the boy to an adult mentor who loved to wrench on cars as a hobby. They ended up connecting regularly to toy around with cars for hours.⠀
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Soon enough, Scott could see the young boy's demeanor change. He would brag to Scott about changing his own oil among other things he had learned. He no longer felt that he "wasn't good at anything". Seeing himself succeed at something sparked confidence. This relationship evoked joy and meaning and significance. It ultimately saved his life.⠀
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Many years later after coming to St. Cloud, Scott continued to have the dream of someday seeing Central MN Youth For Christ host a program where kids and mentors could deepen meaningful relationships while working on cars.⠀
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In 2008, YFC acquired the former Anderson Trucking facility on Cooper Ave in St. Cloud. What once served as the ATS truck maintenance garage became the catalyst to launch Wheels in our community.⠀
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Every Thurs., Sept-May, adult mentors (many of them mechanics by trade) are paired with kids ages 11-19 inside the YFC garage for hands-on instruction, while at the same time helping kids understand that they are valued by God and by each of the mentors investing in their lives.⠀
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Individuals and businesses donated all the tools, lifts, etc. that make for a fully equipped auto shop. YFC has secured a dealer's license and used cars are regularly donated to YFC, repaired with the help of the kids, and sold on the YFC lot. All profits go directly back into the program.⠀
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If you or someone you know would benefit from joining Wheels, or you would like to donate a car or volunteer, contact Central MN YFC at 320-251-8711. #stcloudshines 📸: @savvyphotage

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Oct 23

Mindi Jenson considers herself an "unlikely hiker". A few years ago, when she was looking for a way to "de-stress," her son suggested they join the Minnesota Hiking Club Challenge. In their first year, they racked up 100+ miles around the state.⠀
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Mindi (picture in 2nd photo) was instantly hooked, not on the mileage tally but on how she felt after she was done. She was tired, but a "good tired," and considerably more calm and relaxed than when she started the hike. She felt inspired to share her experience with others.⠀
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After a few years later, with the help of a handful of friends and family, Mindi led the launch of HIKEhoppers, a local organization dedicated to helping others connect to nature through outdoor activities. Then, in 2019, she, along with Samantha Rule (pictured in 3rd photo), co-founded a spin-off group called She Ascends.⠀
@sheascendswellness was created for women interested in wellness and connection—to nature, other women, and themselves.⠀
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The group is organized geographically by county, with each county responsible for coordinating a monthly themed hike. In just one year, seven Minnesota counties (Stearns, Becker, Anoka, Clay, Otter Tail, Morrison, Washington) have joined the program.⠀
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Next Friday, Oct. 30, She Ascends Stearns County will be leading a Harvest Hike from 8-9 pm. Want to join? Your first hike is FREE! Non-member drop-in price is $15. Annual members, including all hikes, is $40. Tap the link in bio for more information. #stcloudshines #sheascends #hiking #grouphike #fallhike #harvest ⠀
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Photos by: @savvyphotage

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Oct 13

In Kindergarten, when Jen Steinkopf was asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she wrote 'artist.' Decades later, her dream has never wavered. She believes she was born to create and make others happy with her art. And her latest piece, a 10-foot interactive butterfly mural in downtown St. Cloud, invites others to do just that.⠀
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The artwork was commissioned by Leighton Broadcasting, who put a call out to local designers to submit their mural designs as part of a contest last fall. Jen submitted three designs, and ultimately, the selection committee chose the stained glass butterfly inclusive of the famous Gandhi quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Trailing off from the large butterfly is a series of small butterflies symbolizing the dissemination of good acts of service.⠀
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After several months of work, the mural is almost complete. The project was Jen's first outdoor mural project, and not without its setbacks, but she is incredibly proud of the end result and is grateful to Leighton Broadcasting for the opportunity. You can find the mural in the alley behind the Radio City Music Mall. #stcloudshines #LBmural #bethechange #mural #muraldesign #artist
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To contact Jen (she's open for additional mural projects, indoors or out!), email her at: jenmsteinkopf@gmail.com or find her prints on Esty at @SavvySignsMN.⠀
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Photos by: @savvyphotage

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Oct 7

A craving for fresh, authentic naan drove husband and wife, Tahir Sandhu and Gwen Williams, to open Artisan Naan Bakery in the fall of 2014. The couple had spent extensive time together in Tahir's home country of Pakistan, a trip that solidified for Gwen what Tahir had been telling her for years: The naan in the U.S. just wasn't as good as it was in South Asia.⠀
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Although naan (pronounced 'non') is usually served hot with Pakastani and Indian influenced meals like dal and chana masala, Tahir and Gwen love to eat it with just about everything. Comprised of flour, yeast, sugar, eggs, and milk, it has a soft, yet dense and chewy texture, excellent for dunking in fried eggs, using as a foundation for pizza or bookending a burger or sandwich.⠀
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As Artisan Naan Bakery has grown, Tahir and Gwen have been intentional in their effort to sustain their product quality while minimizing their environmental footprint and food waste. They only bake what they sell, and their products are never frozen. They've developed a full-time delivery schedule to ensure retail and wholesale customers in central Minnesota and the Twin Cities get orders the same day they are made.⠀
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In June 2020, Artisan Naan Bakery moved from its 375-sq. ft. humble beginnings in the rear of Minnesota Street Market in St. Joe to a new location in St. Cloud. The new space allows for larger prep space and some retail. You can also find Tahir and Gwen selling naan at the St. Cloud Area Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. Around town, you can find it at Lunds & Byerlys, Good Earth Food Co-op, Minnesota Street Market, and on the menu at The White Horse in downtown St. Cloud.⠀
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To place an order for pick-up or delivery, tap the link in bio. #stcloudshines #buylocal #shopsmall #naan #bakery
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Photos by: @savvyphotage

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Sep 30

If you're anything like Dave Herdan and Matt Holton, you grew up drinking root beer. Whether it was served up in a can, amber bottle or poured over vanilla ice cream, the rich, sweet taste of root beer symbolizes the carefree days of youth. When Dave moved to Ohio for graduate school, he learned his childhood drink of choice wasn't as easy to come by as it was in Minnesota. He missed it. It reminded him of home.⠀
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When Dave moved back to Minnesota, he began sharing personal reviews of root beer on his Instagram account. This spurred the wild idea of starting his own podcast on the subject. He enlisted the help of his brother-in-law, Matt, who home-brewed beer before it was "a thing" and had expressed interest in expanding into soda. In 2017, the two launched Root Beer Radio (@rootbeerradio), a podcast dedicated to the art of root beer making and tasting.⠀
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The two soda connoisseurs not only brew their own batches from scratch, but they also curate root beers from around the county and give detailed reviews. While the majority of episodes are recorded in Matt's kitchen or Dave's basement, they've taken the show on the road, broadcasting live from the Minnesota Soda Festival, Northern Soda Company taproom and multiple breweries in Alaska.⠀
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Outside of their root beer bubble, Dave is a professional musician and teaches band at Albany High School, while Matt works as an accountant. They don't currently sell or sample their root beer but they might in the future. Follow Root Beer Radio on social media to stay up-to-date on episodes and listen to Root Beer Radio on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or however you stream podcasts. #stcloudshines #podcast #rootbeer ⠀
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Photos by: @savvyphotage