From the Publishers
Welcome to “Minnesota Moments”!
We are proud to invite you in to our magazine and show you around, just as you would be proud when friends stopped over to see your new home.
We hope you enjoy reading this magazine as much as we enjoy bringing it to you.
This, the first issue, is the fulfillment of a dream. But it is just the beginning of that dream as well.
In each issue, we hope to bring you a slice of what life in the central part of this state is all about. It’s a diverse area, one that has changed a lot in the past few years and promises to change even more in the years ahead.
In this inaugural issue, you’ll read about the Henry Gruber family and how they built their dream hobby farm on the soil of Sherburne County. What started as a dream for the Grubers has become reality.
You’ll meet Peter and Mary Jo Hoffman and read the story of a
garden they are growing — with love — in honor of their daughter,
Lauren, who passed away suddenly at the tender age of 4.
Lauren’s Garden seems to touch those who visit it, and we hope the Hoffman
story touches you as well.
And you’ll learn about the Franke family of St. Cloud who started selling antiques in their garage 10 years ago. Today, their business in Rogers bills itself as the Midwest’s largest importer of European antique furniture. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the Franke’s facility, you should make it a destination soon. You won’t be disappointed.
This issue is chock-full of essays from writers around Minnesota. It also is sprinkled with stories on everything from food to travel to furniture. And, for a little bit extra, we have tidbits and morsels on a variety of topics, from places to go, things to see and history to remember — all from around the Central Minnesota area.
Enjoy, and let us know what you think. And remember, after you devour these stories, our next issue — May/June — will be on its way soon.
- Mike Nistler and Diane Wimmer