St. Croix Stories

Drew Spielman has fond memories of his father's time as a firefighter in his hometown of Menomonie, Wis. He also remembers visiting his grandfather, who would also share about his time as a volunteer firefighter. With two generations of firefighters as role models, Drew knew his future was also in the world of firefighting.He attended school to earn a degree in fire protection and landed a job with the Green Bay Fire Department. But eventually, he felt the call back to Western Wisconsin to be closer to family. When the fire chief job opened up in Hudson, he applied and was hired — bringing him closer to home. Now three years into his role as the leader of the volunteer fire department, Chief Spielman has learned a lot about the local community and about the unique challenges that go along with being the chief of a group of volunteer firefighters.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Chief Spielman shares more about his childhood dreams of becoming a firefighter, explains the ins and outs of a volunteer department like Hudson's, talks about discovering a passion for photography while serving as a firefighter in Green Bay, and much more.To learn about the Hudson Fire Department, visit hudsonfd.org.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Lindsey Moreland is an author, an artist, and a motivation speaker — all of which have helped her show that people with autism are capable of doing lots of amazing things. When Lindsey was diagnosed with autism at 28 months old, it changed her family's world. But her parents and sister have been her biggest support over the years, and the Morelands have teamed up to become autism advocates together.That has included writing a book about the impacts autism has had on their family, and speaking at galas and events. Lindsey has gone on to write several children's books in a series called "Little Lindsey," helping educate kids and their families about autism. In addition to working at Target in Hudson, Lindsey is an accomplished artist and poet, who recently had some of her work selected in a competition. She shares about her superpowers she's gained from her autism on the latest episode of St. Croix Stories. Plus, she shares her views on the popular TV show "Love on the Spectrum," recalls what it was like when Target CEO Brian Cornell her her inspiring story, and more.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Like many kids, Chris Mick had dreams of being an astronaut. He started taking steps toward that goal, including making the drive from California to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Ala. But some hurdles wound up ending his dream of going into space, including the fact that he grew to be too tall to be an astronaut. Despite that, Chris' love of space never wavered.Fast forward to today, and Chris has been educating the Hudson community about space for many years. He's a regular speaker at classrooms all throughout the Hudson area, sharing his passion for space with kids of all ages. He also has brought space programming to the Hudson Area Public Library, where he now works full-time as a librarian. Chris' love of space has led to some amazing opportunities, including the chance to visit launch sites and the opportunity to interview Buzz Aldrin, Scott and Mark Kelly, and more. He's taken those experiences and brought them back to Hudson, where he's shared them with many others and helped spark curiosity about space for residents young and old. Chris' many years of service as a STEM educator ultimately earned him the Volunteer of the Year award from the Hudson Chamber, and he continues to get locals excited about space.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Is The Garage Bikes and Brews a bike shop first, or a brewery first? If you ask co-owner Stephanie Johnson, the answer is: both. Stephanie is a River Falls native who married a fellow River Falls native, Matt. The duo co-own The Garage, which opened in 2020 and is set to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The space offers a unique vibe where visitors can enjoy a beer — brewed by Stephanie and Matt's son Ellis — while also watching bikes get fixed behind the bar. On this episode of St. Croix Stories, Stephanie shares more about how a wrist injury eventually fueled her passion for cycling as an adult, which ultimately became a family business. She also talks about the challenges of opening The Garage during the pandemic, discusses the music scene hosted at The Garage, and shares her favorite places to ride her bike in the St. Croix Valley.The Garage is also participating in the Bluegrass, Bourbon & Brews Festival in River Falls as a host venue, and will be hosting many other musical acts throughout the summer. You can find a full list of events here.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly popular topic, and there's been growing support for sustainability efforts in the St. Croix Valley in particular — and in River Falls specifically, where Earth Fest will be held for the fourth year in a row on April 26th.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're joined by Mark Klapatch-Mathias, the sustainability coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (his alma mater) and the co-chair of Earth Fest. He share more about why sustainability is so important to him, what attendees can expect from Earth Fest this year, and how those listening can practice sustainability in their everyday lives.You can find more information about Earth Fest, including a full lineup for the day, at www.hopeforearth.org/earthfest.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

The St. Croix Valley Food Bank has an ambitious goal for 2025: to provide over five million pounds of food to the four-county region in Western Wisconsin that it serves. That number might seem like a lot, but it's what is needed to help address the growing issue of food insecurity in the region.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Lee Kroll and Jim Dahl of the St. Croix Valley Food Bank join to share more about the organization's mission to help end hunger. As a longtime nonprofit leader, Lee joined the food bank in November of last year and is quickly learning about the rise of food insecurity. Jim has worked in the food insecurity space for a long time and helped start the St. Croix Valley Food Bank. The duo offer their insights on the issue of hunger, and share how others in the community can help the St. Croix Valley Food Bank reach its goal for 2025 and beyond.To learn about the upcoming Empty Bowls fundraiser or to secure your tickets, click here. Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

When his mother suffered a stroke in 2018, Matthew Stepaniak wanted to find a way to keep her active both physically and mentally. As an avid cyclist himself, Matthew had the idea to bring cycling to those who couldn't otherwise enjoy it themselves. So he teamed up with Darren Dobier and the two co-founded Limitless Cycling, which helps individuals of all abilities enjoy the outdoors through the power of a bike ride.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, learn more about the origins of Limitless Cycling, hear about Matthew's knack for taking care of others (both as the primary caregiver for his 91-year-old mother and through his work with Limitless Cycling), and learn about the impressive bikes and other vehicles that Limitless Cycling is bringing to riders all throughout the St. Croix Valley and beyond.If you'd like to learn more about Limitless Cycling or want to get involved as a volunteer or donor, visit limitlesscycling.org.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

After growing up on a farm in Lancaster, Wisconsin, Dave Knoke ventured to River Falls for college — and ended up never leaving the area. He eventually opened Knoke's Chocolates and Nuts in Hudson in 2000 and the store has been a staple of the community ever since.Knoke's has outgrown two different spaces over the years but has remained a fixture on Locust Street, just around the corner from the main street of downtown Hudson. The growth included a production facility that has helped the store continue to churn out delicious treats like caramels, truffles, and more. On this episode of St. Croix Stories, Dave shares more about how the work ethic he learned from farming has helped him as a successful business owner, shares more about his favorite sweets he sells at the store, and recalls his encounter with Martha Stewart when she stopped into Knoke's during a trip to the area.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Guy Whitehead grew up in a small town in North Dakota — his graduating class had 14 kids — and has an affinity for small-town living. He and his wife eventually settled with their kids in Stillwater, but he ultimately chose Hudson when he decided to open up Lucky Guys Distillery in 2022.Guy credits his grandfather as the genesis for his passion of cocktails. Family runs deep for Guy in the business as well, as his wife Michelle is also involved — and the name of the distillery is actually a reference to their three sons, not to Guy himself.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we record from the upper level of Lucky Guys Distillery downtown Hudson (101 2nd St S) with views of the St. Croix River. During the conversation, Guy shares more about his passion for spirits and cocktails, discusses the challenges and lessons learned in opening a distillery, and dives into his affinity for Wisconsin and the small-town charm of Hudson.If you haven't checked out Lucky Guys yet, be sure to stop in and explore their cocktail menu of over 200 drinks.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

We sometimes don't realize when others in our community — our neighbors — might need a little extra help, whether it's financially, finding housing, or other challenges. Shelly Smith and her team at Our Neighbors' Place in River Falls see these examples every day, and the small-but-mighty staff works hard to provide community members with the help they need to get back on their feet.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Shelly joins to share about the five types of services Our Neighbors' Place offers: the Day Center, the Closet thrift store, the new Helping Hands program, transitional housing assistance, and the backpack program in River Falls schools. She also shares more about some upcoming fundraisers for those looking to support Our Neighbors' Place, including a Casino Night on Feb. 1.For those who may be interested in utilizing the services Our Neighbors' Place offers — including the thrift store, which is open to the general public — stop in at 122 West Johnson Street in River Falls.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

For many in the Hudson community, the YMCA is a place to work out, go swimming, or play pickleball. But the Y offers so much more than that — from youth programs to camps to a sense of community for those who gather there. And Chris Kost is a big reason for the impact the YMCA has had on the local community over the past decade.Chris became the executive director of the Hudson YMCA in 2015, and has also been active in the Hudson community in the past decade. He's a member of the Hudson Daybreak Rotary and has volunteered with the Golden Rule Initiative, both of which have helped strengthen the Hudson community. In fact, Chris was named the Community Volunteer of the Year by the Hudson Chamber in 2023.On this episode of St. Croix Stories, Chris joins to share about his passion for volunteering, what his childhood was like as the son of a pastor who moved frequently for work, and dives deeper into all of the great offerings that the Hudson YMCA provides.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

If you asked James Wildman as a kid what he wanted to be when he grew up, a police officer probably wouldn't have been his first answer. He grew up with a bit of a distrust for law enforcement, but later realized that he could help change the way people view police officers by becoming one himself.After a four-year stint in the marine corps with his twin brother — where he met his wife, also a twin — James' career led him to the St. Croix Valley area. He worked a few different jobs, including at a correctional facility, before applying for an opening with the Hudson Police Department. He's been with the department since 2008, and in recent years he became the Community Engagement Officer. In that role, he's helping bridge the gap between the Hudson Police Department and the Hudson community.On this episode of St. Croix Stories, Officer Wildman shares more about his journey from Mississippi and Louisiana to Hudson, where he, his wife, and their three daughters call home. He also shares more about his proudest moments as a police officer, discusses the Citizens Police Academy, and much more.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

When Richelle and Gary Jader first moved to Third Street in Hudson, they were warned about living on "Halloween Street." But it's been another holiday that has made the Jaders' home stand out. For the past six years, Richelle and Gary have been the stewards of the Santa Mailbox, a red mailbox that sits in front of their house and receives hundreds of letters to Santa each year. Some of the letters are merely transactional -- a list of toys a kid wants -- but others are more heartfelt and stir up emotions in Santa's helpers, Richelle and Gary. Both kids and adults alike have shared their letters in the Santa Mailbox. This holiday season, be sure to bring your letters to Santa to the red mailbox at 1221 Third Street in Hudson, and Richelle and Gary will make sure you get a response from the big man himself. And be sure to check out the book inspired by the mailbox, titled "The Santa Mailbox," available online or at Chapter2 Books in Hudson.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

In an ideal world, we'd all go about life as our true authentic selves, living how we want and not necessarily caring about how society might define us. But for many people, embracing their authentic self isn't that simple. That journey of self-discovery can take a long time for some people, including today's guest, Christina Rose. Christina joins St. Croix Stories to share more about how she came to embrace her true authentic self at 35 years old. After marrying her high school boyfriend and starting a family, Christina eventually realized she needed to live life on her own terms. She came out three years ago and has since rewritten her life's story. Part of that journey included starting her own business, Christina Rose Coaching, where she helps empower others — including many in the LGBTQIA community — to find their authenticity and overcome challenges similar to the ones she faced. On this episode, Christina she shares tips with anyone listening about how you can take your next step on your self-discovery journey, talks about how she got involved with a former St. Croix Stories guest (Hudson Pride), and how she thinks Hudson can continue to make strides to become a more inclusive community.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Sheri Marnell has a passion for helping other companies thrive, and she gets to do that every day in her role as the director of the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center. The SCVBIC is an incubator for local companies that are looking to either get their business off the ground or grow their company before eventually graduating to their own space. One of the best parts about the center: almost all of the companies that graduate end up staying in the St. Croix Valley region.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Sheri talks more about what the Business Innovation Center is, the ways in which it helps companies grow and thrive, and discusses some impressive statistics about startups in the St. Croix Valley area. To learn more about the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center or to see if it might be a good fit for your young company, visit www.stcroixinnovation.org.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

At just 90 square feet, there isn't a lot of room to operate inside of Joe to Go. But while the footprint of what owners Jess and Suzi Higgles affectionately call “the hut” is small, it's filled with big ideas and big flavors.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, hear from Jess and Suzi to learn all about Hudson's smallest coffee shop — and the big hearts of the married couple that run it. With coffees in hand, Jess and Suzi talk about their venture of owning their own business, share how they come up with the unique and ever-changing drink menu, ponder the challenges of having three people work inside such a confined space, and reflect on the importance of the community they've built over the years. Joe to Go is located near Plaza 94, parked in a lot between Coulee Road and Ward Ave. near the Hudson Bowling Center.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

"Treat others as you want to be treated" is one of the basic interpretations of the Golden Rule, which has other variations throughout different cultures and religions. No matter the translation, the basic principle is the same: be kind to others.Hudson mayor Rich O'Connor fondly remembered learning about the Golden Rule as an elementary school student. Fast forward to 2019, and Mayor O'Connor opted to declare Hudson the Golden Rule City after seeing how our society had become increasingly divided. Along with the help of Pastor Larry Szyman and others, the Golden Rule Initiative has helped spread that message throughout Hudson through yard signs and other work. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Rich O'Connor and Larry Szyman join to share more about the Golden Rule initiative, give their insights on the response from the Hudson community, and share more about the upcoming Booyah event on Oct. 5 that brings people together over food and festivities. Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

The mission of the St. Croix Valley Foundation is simple: to enhance the quality of life in the St. Croix Valley. The foundation does that by offering numerous grants and scholarships to residents in six counties and two states in the St. Croix Valley — and it's based right here in Hudson at the new Alliance Center, a hub for local nonprofits (including former podcast guests Operation HELP and the Hudson Area Backpack and Food Program).On this week's episode, Angie Pilgrim and Heidi Herron from the St. Croix Valley Foundation join the podcast to share more about the foundation's work. They give more detail on the types of scholarships and grants that are offered, talk about why they enjoy working for a nonprofit, and even read a few testimonials of previous scholarship winners whose lives were changed by the St. Croix Valley Foundation.To learn more about the St. Croix Valley Foundation, head to scvfoundation.org.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Nestled into the woods in a quiet part of Hudson is the beautiful new building of the Carpenter Nature Center, which also has a location in Hastings, Minn. The center's two campuses are home to animals, hiking trails, and education materials for kids and adults alike. Each of the two locations boasts hundreds of acres of land that provide a great escape right in our own backyard.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're joined by Jen Vieth, Carpenter Nature Center's executive director, and Abbey Holden, the center's outreach coordinator and animal care coordinator. The two share more about the history of the Carpenter Nature Center, talk about how each of them fell in love with animals at young ages, discuss many of the free activities and opportunities available through the CNC, and much more. The Carpenter Nature Center's Hudson campus can be found at 279 South Cove Road. The Hastings campus is located at 12805 St. Croix Trail South.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

The Hudson School District has faced challenges in recent years. From the debate over a new high school to the COVID-19 pandemic that forced schools to go remote, tough decisions had to be made in order to do what was best for the Hudson students. Making those tough decisions isn't always easy, but it's something Jamie Johnson has learned to do as the president of the Hudson School Board.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Jamie joins to talk about his time on the board, how his longtime career as an attorney helped prepare him to be school board president, and shares about what the next five years might look like for the Hudson School District. He also talks about the additional volunteering he does in the local community, and offers some words of advice for parents as the 2024-25 school year approaches.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Seven years ago, Melissa Abdouch had to pivot her career after losing her job in the corporate world. She decided to open Mei Mei's Cookies and Creamery in downtown River Falls, and the store has been a hit in the community ever since.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Mei Mei joins to share more about the origins of her store, the lessons she's learned along the way, and her vision for the future of Mei Mei's Cookies and Creamery. Mei Mei also gives an update on her recent battle with cancer — she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May — and explains why she said her cancer diagnosis was "annoying." All of that and more on St. Croix Stories.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

The North Hudson Pepper Fest has grown into a weekend-long celebration filled with food, music, a parade, and much more. But it started with humble roots: residents of North Hudson wanted to find a way to raise money to build a new school. That was 70 years ago in 1954, and the philanthropic mindset of Pepper Fest still exists today, with the nonprofit giving back money to the local community. Other parts of the festival has changed as the organizers continue to add new ideas to the event.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're joined by Tim Zais, the longtime president of Pepper Fest, to talk all about the event's history, its evolution, and its future. Tim shares his earliest memories of attending Pepper Fest, discusses the exciting recent developments with the festival's location, and shares what people can expect to see at this year's event, which runs August 16-18.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Before he even graduated high school, Art Doyle had made a business out of repairing bikes. A modest bike repair business outside of Stillwater High School eventually led Art to opening his own bike shop downtown Hudson. Forty years later, Art Doyle's Spokes and Pedals remains an integral part of the Hudson community — and cycling remains a big part of Art's life. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Art shares more about his earliest memories of riding and repairing bikes, discusses some of his favorite places to bike in the St. Croix Valley area, and talks about the transformation of both the cycling world and of Hudson since he first opened his shop in town in 1984.Art Doyle's Spokes and Pedals is located at 607 2nd Street in downtown Hudson, Wis.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

There's something special about being able to pick and eat your own farm-grown fruit. That's exactly the experience you'll get if you head east of Hudson just a bit to visit White Pine Berry Farm, where Greg and Andrew Zwald (known to regulars as Farmer Greg and Farmer Andrew) have continued to grow their U-pick operation since opening in 2012.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're heading to the farm to sample some fruits and learn all about the history of White Pine Berry Farm — which was started by Greg after he wrapped up a 40-year run as a dairy farmer. These days, Greg and Andrew work together as a father-son duo to run White Pine Berry Farm, offering plenty for families to enjoy when they come visit. Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

At the height of the pandemic, Amy Thurston started going a bit stir crazy and decided to do something with the Hudson history books she had at home. Amy launched the Historic Hudson, WI Facebook page to share about the town's history — the people, places, and events that shaped the town over the past 150-plus years. Four years later, the page continues to be a big hit as the daily posts get hundreds of interactions and dozens of comments from both Hudson natives and those who more recently moved to the city.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we hear more from Amy about what she enjoys most about Hudson's history, the time it takes to maintain daily posts on the Historic Hudson page, and what she thinks were the most impactful moments of the town's history.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

For five years, Val Aune owned and operated not one but two successful stores downtown Hudson. She became the owner of La Rue Marche in 2012, and five years later opened The Bees Knees, a gift shop that sells something for just about everybody. Val eventually sold La Rue Marche in 2022 to focus on The Bees Knees, and she has become a leader among the downtown business owners.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Val joins to share about what it was like to first take over La Rue Marche, the inspiration for both the name of The Bees Knees and the items she sells in the shop, and she discusses what it was like to watch La Rue Marche be prominently featured in the Roku Channel movie "A Christmas Wish in Hudson."Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

If you were going to start your own food truck, what would you serve? For Hudson resident Derek Hom, the choice was simple: waffles. After the birth of his son, Derek quit his job to launch Wilder Waffle Co., a food truck serving delicious waffles  in Hudson and the surrounding area. Since taking the leap of leaving his corporate job, Derek hasn't looked back. His schedule now allows for more flexibility with his family, and his waffle truck remains in demand in the community.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, hear from Derek about why he chose waffles, what exactly a liege style waffle is, and the lessons he's learned about owning and operating a food truck now that he's in his second year with Wilder Waffle Co.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

There are several great non-profits in the Hudson area helping residents with various challenges, and two of them will soon be under the same roof to better serve their clients. The Hudson Area Backpack & Food Program will be joining Operation HELP in the same facility as the two long-standing organizations will now have more space to operate.The Hudson Area Backpack & Food Program began in 2007 as a way to ensure kids at Hudson schools had enough food to eat, and has since grown to serve an even wider group. Operation HELP has served the St. Croix County area for more than 30 years, offering financial assistance for things such as rent, utilities, car repairs and more.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we hear from Kris Knott of the Hudson Area Backpack and Food Program and Tim Puffer of Operation HELP to hear more about their respective organizations and learn what this move to a shared space will mean to both groups.Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

A lightbulb clicked for Matt Darnold when the Hudson native attended a Pride Festival in Hastings, Minnesota: why couldn't something like this take place in his hometown? So Matt set out to create Hudson Pride Co., which last year hosted the first annual Valley Wide Pride Fest at Lakefront Park. The goal was to offer a safe space to members of the LGBTQ+ community in the St. Croix Valley area and to promote inclusiveness and acceptance. The event is back for a second year, and Matt joins this week's episode of St. Croix Stories to kick off Pride Month with an important conversation about what it was like for him to grow up in Hudson and how the Valley Wide Pride Fest is helping him strengthen his ties to his hometown. Send a message to the hostFollow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

If you're like me, you sometimes don't feel like cooking dinner (or don't have time) but you still want a home-cooked meal. That's where Hudco To Go comes in. As a newer arrival to the Hudson food scene, Hudco To Go offers home-cooked meals that you can bring home and heat up. Chef Ben Jung and his wife Hannah opened Hudco to Go downtown Hudson earlier this year, serving up sandwiches and salads in addition to freezers full of take-and-bake items. On this episode of St. Croix Stories, Ben and Hannah share more about the inspiration for Hudco To Go. Ben also shares more about his experience cooking in various Twin Cities restaurants and for kids at Camp St. Croix, and they both discuss what it meant to have support from other restaurant owners in town as they launched their new venture. All of that and more on the latest episode of St. Croix Stories.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Four years ago, Tera Busker suffered a boating accident that caused her to be hospitalized for more than a week. While celebrating the 4th of July on her family's pontoon,  a boat sped through a no-wake zone and ended up causing Tera and her niece to get pulled under the pontoon. Tera suffered multiple injuries when the propeller hit her under the water, causing her to eventually be airlifted to a nearby hospital.In the four years since her accident, Tera has become an advocate for boater safety and joins this week's episode of St. Croix Stories to share more about her incident. As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, Tera shares some safety tips that anyone heading out on the water should consider. Plus, she talks about what it's like to own a business in Hudson with her husband, what she enjoyed most about growing up in nearby Roberts, and more.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Every year for the past 21 years, the Hudson Community Expo has brought together local businesses and organizations under one roof, giving residents a chance to learn more about these groups and network with others in the community. This year's event was held on May 5th at Hudson High School and featured dozens of businesses, non-profits, and craft vendors. This special episode of the St. Croix Stories podcast features short conversations with 10 different groups at this year's Hudson Community Expo. On this episode, you'll hear from:Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism BureauBRIDGE for Community LifeSt. Croix Bike & Pedestrian Trails CoalitionBeth Immanuel Messianic SynagogueHudson Home & Garden ClubSt. Croix Valley Business Innovation CenterHudson Hometown Music FestSt. Croix Valley Food BankJunior Achievement HudsonHave a Heart, Inc.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

May is National Foster Care Month, so on this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we hear from foster care advocates on why this service is so important. First, Kelsa Wirth, a community support coordinator for high acuity foster care in several counties in western Wisconsin (including St. Croix County) shares more about the high acuity foster care program and the need for homes for youth in the program. She also details the support that families who participate in the program receive.We then hear from Jenny, whose family has provided both traditional and high acuity foster care. Jenny discusses the impact that being a foster parent has had on her and outlines why others should consider participating.To learn more about the High Acuity Foster Care program in St. Croix County, click here.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

As a kid growing up in Hudson, Pete Foster recalls the food scene in town being good, but not great. Fast forward many years later, and Pete's three restaurants — Barker's Bar & Grill, San Pedro Cafe, and Pedro's Pizza Lounge — have all played a big part in helping transform the restaurant scene downtown Hudson into something special. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Pete and I sit down at the newly-rebranded Pedro's Pizza Lounge for a conversation about life as a proprietor of three restaurants (technically four, as Pete is also a shareholder of Tamarack Tap Room in Woodbury). Pete recalls his start working for Barker's before he was the owner, shares about the inspiration for the Caribbean theme of San Pedro Cafe,  talks about why he shifted from the tapas-style Pedro's del Este to open a pizza lounge, and much more.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Jess and Jonathan Pressley, owners of Ember and Bean Roasting Co, have a slogan they abide by at their shop: great coffee takes time. The coffee sold at Ember and Bean is indeed great, and an order at the shop might take a bit more. But the wait is worth it.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're talking coffee with Jess and Jonathan, who fell in love with the idea of roasting coffee when they visited a coffee farm while on a trip to Peru in 2017. Jess experimented with different roasts and eventually honed her skill, and the couple chose to open a coffee shop in Jonathan's hometown of Hudson, Wis., in 2022. Today, Jess and Jon travel to different countries to visit with the farmers who grow their coffee beans to make sure the products they're selling to their customers here in the Hudson community are of the highest quality. During the conversation, Jess and Jon share about the scary prospect of starting your own coffee shop, discuss their ideal coffee-drinking experience, and we're even joined by Evelyn, a farmer from Honduras who works with the Pressleys to grow some of the coffee sold at Ember and Bean. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this week's episode.If you're interested in checking out Ember and Bean, you can find it at 117 Commercial Street, just off of 2nd Street in downtown Hudson.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Throughout her life, Angel Duratti has had plenty of pets. But she wasn't allowed to have any as a kid, even though she loved animals. Once she and her husband Al got their first dog together, Angel's love of pets grew to a new level — and the couple eventually opened Angel's Pet World in Hudson.More than 20 years since opening the pet store, Angel has learned a lot about running a pet store and has developed great relationships with many pet owners in the area. It's easy to see her passion for animals, her customers, and her employees — a passion that has continued to stay strong since the first day she opened Angel's Pet World. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Angel joins to share more about how the store has evolved over the years, discusses partnerships she's developed with adoption groups like Coco's Heart Dog Rescue, and shares why she thinks pets hold such a special place in people's lives. If you're a pet owner and are interested in checking out Angel's Pet World, you can find locations on Second Street in Hudson and on North Main Street in River Falls.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Rick Reams' life came full circle when he and his wife purchased what eventually became known as RJ's Meats in 1987. It not only brought Rick back to Hudson after spending four years in the Air Force, but he was taking over the store he worked at as a high schooler — known then as Jim's Meats. More than 35 years later, Rick has built RJ's into a state of the Hudson community.Rick joined this week's episode of the St. Croix Stories podcast to share more about his journey to owning RJ's, discusses how the meat business is a family affair for him, and shares more details about the meat vending machine the store installed in 2017 that made headlines not just locally, but around the globe.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Jill McNamee became a realtor at an interesting time in the real estate world — during the 2008 housing crisis. But while many realtors were leaving the industry, Jill was just getting started. She knew that making connections would be valuable as she built a name for herself, so she did what she could to meet as many people as possible in the Hudson area.Today, Jill works alongside her husband and their son in the real estate world, but she also keeps busy with other side projects that keep her well connected in the Hudson community. She created two different women's networking groups, highlights local businesses through her vendor guide, and shines a spotlight on businesses in the St. Croix Valley area through a video content series she cals "The Local Dish." Jill talks about all of that and more on this week's episode of St. Croix Stories.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

The already impressive food scene in Hudson was made even stronger with Rick and Nichole Frazer opened Black Rooster Bistro in the old Winter Stube space in 2022. The timing was right for Rick — the former chef at The St. Paul Grill — and Hudson native Nichole to fulfill Rick's dream of opening a restaurant in the town in which he lived.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Nichole and Rick talk about the journey that led them to opening Black Rooster Bistro — a journey that began when they met while working at the same restaurant in Woodbury. They also discuss the pressure that came with taking over after Hudson staple Winzer Stube closed for good, share the importance of supporting and partnering with other local businesses, and much more.Stop by Black Rooster Bistro at 516 2nd Street downtown Hudson, Wisconsin.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Willow River State Park has been a vital part of the Hudson community since it officially opened in 1971. Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks was established as a non-profit in 1990 and has helped maintain the park, offered educational programming, staffed the nature center, and more for decades.On this week's episode, we're talking all things Willow River State Park with Rita Thofern, president of Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks. Rita fell in love with the park in the late 1970s after first visiting to cross country ski. She shares more about the work Friends does to maintain the park, discusses the ongoing capital campaign to help raise money for a new and much-needed nature center, and also gives a bit of a lesson on the land of Willow River State Park over its history.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Sometimes, there is power in numbers. That's certainly the case when more than 100 local women from the Hudson area get together and all contribute $100 that goes towards helping a local non-profit. The group is called Power of 100+ | Women of St. Croix Valley, and it meets twice a year to bring awareness and money to groups who could use the funds. Renee Frey remembers the first Power of 100 meeting she attended, and she was hooked. Now a member of the group's planning committee, Renee is helping get the word out about the group's efforts, and its upcoming spring meeting on April 22. She's also a business owner in Hudson who is no stranger to supporting local. Renee joins this week's St. Croix Stories to share more about the Power of 100+ and offers ways for women interested in helping to get involved.To learn more about the group and its mission, go to powerof100.org.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Little Free Libraries can be found all over the world — there are more than 175,000 of the miniature libraries on all seven continents, including Antarctica — but this global phenomenon has its roots right here in Hudson.Back in 2009, Hudson resident Todd Bol built the first Little Free Library in honor of his mother and put it in his front yard. After connecting with co-founder Rick Brooks, the two of them helped spread the Little Free Library craze throughout the Midwest and, eventually, around the world. While Todd unfortunately passed away in 2018 from cancer, the legacy he built lives on today. On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, we're talking all things Little Free Library. We're joined first by co-founder Rick Brooks, whose chance meeting with Todd Bol in Hudson many years ago changed both men's lives. While Rick is no longer officially affiliated with Little Free Library, his name will forever be synonymous with its creation.We'll also hear from Greig Metzger, the current executive director of Little Free Library, as he shares more about the non-profit's mission, its growth, and the future of Little Free Library.To learn more about Little Free Library or to find out how you can start your own library, go to littlefreelibrary.org.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

What has eight sides and holds more than 150 years of Hudson history? That would be the Octagon House Museum, located on downtown Hudson's historic Third Street. Established as one of the first houses in the neighborhood, the unique Octagon House was built for a family who moved to Hudson from New York. The house has since been converted to a museum, where it tells stories not only of the families who lived there, but of city of Hudson's history as well. On this week's St. Croix Stories, Octagon House Museum director Leila Albert joins to share more about the house and the history that can be found inside. She also shares about her own personal love of history, discusses a few unique historical moments that occurred in Hudson over the years, and talks about why it's so important that our community has a place like the Octagon House Museum to both preserve Hudson's history and share it with future generations. If you've never visited the Octagon House Museum — or even if you have — be sure to check it out. It's located at 1004 3rd Street in Hudson, and is open Fridays through Sundays between May 4 and October 27. You can also learn more at octagonhousemuseum.org.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

A common theme among the guests of the podcast so far has an appreciation of the Hudson community supporting local — and the Hudson Grocery Cooperative aims to do just that. With a focus on locally grown and sourced foods, the co-op offers a grocery option to residents wanting not only fresh and healthy foods, but ones that reinvest in the local economy as well.On this week's episode of St. Croix Stories, Erica Walgenbach of the Hudson Grocery Co-op board joins to discuss the perks of a co-op, how the recent acquisition of Fresh and Natural Foods helped speed up the co-op's timeline, how food can be used as a community builder, and much more.To learn more about the co-op or to sign up to be an owner, visit hudsongrocery.coop or stop by the store.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

For more than 40 years, the Phipps Center for the Arts has been an important part of the Hudson community. While most people might think of the theater when they think of the Phipps, it offers so much more — from art classes to dance to galleries and more. To learn more about the history of the Phipps and about its future, we're joined by two guests on this week's St. Croix Stories. First, new executive director Ben Thietje shares about how the lessons he learned starting a community theater in New Prague, Minn., have translated to his role at the Phipps. Then, production director Mark Koski shares stories from his more than 20 years both behind the scenes and on the stage at the Phipps.Of course, the Phipps continues to thrive thanks to countless volunteers. If you'd like to learn more about how you can get involved or want to go behind the scenes at the Phipps, be sure to attend the free, family-friendly Phipps Community Day on February 24. You can find more info here.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

From an early age, Shelley Tougas was drawn to books and libraries — so much so that people used to suggest that she be a librarian when she grew up. Shelley took her love of the written word and turned it first into a career as a reporter, then as a children's author. And a few years ago, Shelley did eventually land a job at a library when she became the director of the Hudson Area Public Library.Shelley has helped the library navigate through some challenging times in recent years, from the pandemic, to a storm that damaged part of the building, to the ever-present financial challenges a library faces. But through it all, she has helped guide the library to a bright future. She joined this week's St. Croix Stories to talk about her love of libraries, the backstory on her award-winning children's book, what a public library means to a community like Hudson, and more. Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

Mary Claire Potter has spent most of her life working for various chambers of commerce. On three separate occasions, that has included Hudson — including her current role as the President of the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. Mary Claire is about as plugged into the Hudson community as it gets, as she spends countless hours with local business owners, community members, and residents of the town at various functions and events all year long. She's also been one of the most-recommended guests so far for the podcast.On this week's St. Croix Stories, Mary Claire shares more about her passion for chamber work, talks about the pride she takes in seeing the support for local businesses in Hudson, goes behind the scenes on her experiences being in not one but two movies filmed in Hudson, and much more.To learn more about the work of the chamber, go to hudsonwi.org.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

One of the biggest events every year in Hudson is the Hot Air Affair, which brings dozens of hot air balloons and thousands of people to Hudson every winter. Held annually on the first weekend of February, the Hudson Hot Air Affair has evolved into a community-wide event that includes much more than just the launching of hot air balloons. From fireworks and a parade, to a craft fair and local fundraisers, there's something for everybody to enjoy during the Hot Air Affair.On this episode of St. Croix Stories, we hear from two people who have been involved with the Hudson Hot Air Affair for a long time: John Knutson, one of the event's five founders, and Ken Walter, a balloonist from the Milwaukee area who has been bringing his balloons to Hudson for 20 years. To learn more about the Hudson Hot Air Affair, go to hudsonhotairaffair.com.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

From a young age, Anna Johnson was an advocate for mental health. But when Anna lost her father to suicide when she was just 22 years old, she decided to create The Butterfly Path, a non-profit organization that provides mental health resources to people in Western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities. Anna credits the Hudson community with providing her family an outpouring of support after her dad's death, and she is now paying it forward with the work she's doing to help others with The Butterfly Path. On this week's episode, Anna joins to talk about her own mental health journey, offers advice to anyone out there who might need help with their own mental health challenges, shares a bit about her podcast "That Foreign Feeling," and more.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

After years in the restaurant industry, Paul Rode eventually took a shot at opening his own place when he established Agave Kitchen in downtown Hudson, Wis. From the get, the restaurant was a success, as it brought something new to the downtown food scene. Agave his since been a staple of downtown Hudson, and Paul has continued to be a big supporter of the Hudson community through his entrepreneurial ventures and his philanthropy.On this episode of St. Croix Stories, hear from Paul about the lessons he learned at a young age that led him to eventually open Agave Kitchen — and the lessons he learned in those early years of Agave that he says any business owner can learn from. Paul also talks about his love of rally cars, discusses the pressure that comes with having a very visible marquee on his restaurant, and shares why 4 a.m. in an empty downtown is his favorite thing about Hudson.Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.

As a high schooler, Mike Miller spent his summers helping do maintenance at Willow River Cemetery. It was a job he could walk to from his house and kept him active during the summer. But at the time, he had no visions of making a career out of it.Fast forward to today, and Mike has now been the caretaker at Willow River Cemetery for over 30 years. Mike joined this week's episode of the St. Croix Stories podcast to share about what it's like being the caretaker at Hudson's only public cemetery, which also happens to be a non-profit. He also reminisces about growing up in Hudson, talks about the history of Willow River Cemetery, and much more during his conversation with host Tyler Mason. Follow St. Croix Stories on Facebook and Instagram, and hear all episodes at stcroixstories.com.