It’s easy for me to get caught up in the doldrums of winter. The light is fleeting, and the snow precludes me from many of my favorite outdoor pastimes. For this issue, I looked for stories that break us out of our hibernation, and four new indoor recreation facilities offer excellent opportunities for just that. From picking up pickleball to reaching new heights, writer Alexandra Tostrud details four ways Plymouth residents can cure their cabin fever.
The holiday season also includes plenty of opportunities to entertain, and local companies are happy to oblige. The Festive Holiday Lights Tour by Twin Cities Sightseeing Tours winds its way past dazzling displays around Plymouth and Maple Grove neighborhoods. For hosts looking to take some of the pressure off at-home hospitality, Charcuterie Bar invites guests to design custom cheese boards specifically suited to their tastes.
This December, one former Plymouth resident won’t have the chance to let the cold weather slow her down. Amanda Gaines, head coach of the University of Minnesota dance team, is working with 25 student-athletes to polish and hone their jazz and pom dance routines for Nationals in January. “I think the level of athleticism has continued to grow,” Gaines says. “The artistry has continued to expand. I think the level of excellence that these athletes are held to is higher than ever.”
Although I won’t be pursuing athletic excellence this winter, I will aim to elevate my artistry through a ceramics class at CeramicSow Pottery & Gallery in Hopkins. It’s been years since I’ve thrown on the wheel, but I’m excited to pick up where I left off.
Happy holidays, and until next time,
—Madeline Kopiecki
