debbie.musser's blog

Partners in Praise Girls Choir (PIP) is a spirited, highly disciplined group of 44 girls (grades 8-12) from throughout the Twin Cities metro area, including six from Woodbury. They sing a broad range of challenging music, including both sacred and world music, and haved toured locally, nationally and internationally, having recently completed a tour to Australia. Read more »

I distinctly remember that Friday morning in May. It was my first spring in Woodbury.  I awoke to the sound of cars--many cars--and also buses(!) rolling down our street in Royal Oaks. It was the morning of the Woodbury Lions Club Community Garage Sale, and I'd never seen anything like it.

I talked to my neighbor who told me this was one of the largest community garage sales in the nation (over 1,500 households!).  People come from across the Upper Midwest for this one, as evidenced by the buses with out-of-state license plates. Read more »

Looking for something fun for your kids to do this summer?  StarPlayers Musical Theatre Camp, directed by Jon and Karen Seashore, 33-year Woodbury High School theatre directors, is back for its 9th year. Children (grades K-7) explore, rehearse and perform scenes and songs from musical theatre. Each weekly session concludes with an original show performed by campers for families. Read more »

I wish my children would have had the opportunity to learn a string instrument and play with an orchestra in the South Washington County Schools orchestra program. Lucy Yang, a sophomore at East Ridge High School, has literally grown up with the program, beginning as a 5^th grader. “Music is amazing,” says Yang. “It’s a de-stressor for me. I really enjoy it and it makes me happy.” Read more »

Woodbury High School's activities booster club invites parents, staff, coaches and alumni (over 21 years of age) to gather for the first-ever Royal Rouser Friday, April 20 at the Prom Center. The event benefits WHS's activity and athletic programs.

A silent auction and raffle will be featured at the event, which begins at 7 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. WHS athletics director Jason Gonnion, along with early WHS graduates, will be on hand to meet and greet with guests and to announce the inaugural WHS Hall of Fame inductees. Read more »

Where can you find over 160 of your favorite local businesses and vendors in one convenient location? The Woodbury Community Expo, a super Chamber of Commerce event that brings commerce and community together, takes place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday, April 14 at the Bielenberg Sports Center.

There's free entertainment for young and old, local celebrities (Chris Shaffer from WCCO 10 a.m.-noon, Patrick Hammer from KSTP noon-2 p.m., Mike Greenlay from the Minnesota Wild 2-4 p.m.), and a fun cash-grab, where you'll get four chances to win a Disney trip. Read more »

The Woodbury Magazine Editorial Advisory Board serves as a soundboard for the magazine, with members giving feedback on how we're doing as well as suggestions.

Ever since I became editor of Woodbury Magazine in 2008, I’ve wanted to do a feature story on Bailey Nurseries. The company, with its charming farmhouse headquarters on Bailey Road and expansive growing fields throughout Woodbury and South Washington County, piqued my interest. And I absolutely love gardening and landscaping. Read more »

We are thrilled to share the list of finalists for the Best of Woodbury 2012. You'll have to wait for our July issue to read about the winners of our annual readers' survey, but here's a sneak peak at the three finalists in each of the 25 categories. (NOTE: The finalists are listed in alphabetical order; these were the top three vote earners as determined by our readers in an open-ended online survey.)

We'll be celebrating the Best of Woodbury 2012 at a special event set for Wednesday, June 27 at Prestwick Golf Club. More details to come! Read more »

Do you miss singing? Now's your chance to sing songs from our American heritage at "A Great American Sing-A-Long," a special event sponsored by South Washington County Schools on Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in The Loft Stage at East Ridge High School.

Join third grade students from across the district's 15 elementary schools as they lead a community sing-a-long. The goal of the Great American Sing-A-Long is to promote community singing songs from our American Heritage. The event, hosted by the elementary schools' music specialists, is free and open to the public. Read more »